South Africa: DPE Minister welcomes approval of SAA strategic equity partner

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has welcomed the decision by the Competition Commission to grant conditional approval of the transaction through which Takatso Aviation Proprietary Limited (Takatso) will buy a 51% shareholding in South African Airways SOC Limited (SAA).

The announcement by the Competition Commission marks a significant step towards the completion of the deal that will strengthen SAA, provide the airline with the necessary capital to continue implementing its growth strategy and become a vital economic enabler for the country, Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, said on Friday.

The transaction has been under review by the Competition Commission since June 2022.

With this conditional approval, the transaction has now been referred to the Competition Tribunal for its consideration and final adjudication.

The approval by the Competition Commission also sends a very strong message about the governments commitment and efforts to revitalize state-owned enterprises so that they can stand on their own, and help the country meet its developmental goals, Gordhan said.

In approving the transaction, and following extensive discussions between the parties, the Competition Commission noted that the parties have agreed a moratorium on merger-related retrenchments, which underscores the DPEs commitment to ensure that State-owned enterprises are capacitated and optimised in a manner that is consistent with governments socio-economic and developmental objectives.

If the Tribunal approves the merger, the remaining 49% shareholding in SAA will be retained by the DPE as the shareholder representative of government.

This approval will also add vigour and impetus to the efforts by the recently appointed interim board of directors to make SAA more agile, innovative and more customer-oriented, the Minister said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSE:ONC  Get Rating)  Research analysts at HC Wainwright cut their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for Oncolytics Biotech in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, May 9th. HC Wainwright analyst P. Trucchio now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of ($0.12) for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of ($0.10). HC Wainwright currently has a Buy rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Oncolytics Biotechs current full-year earnings is ($0.41) per share. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Oncolytics Biotechs Q3 2023 earnings at ($0.09) EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at ($0.09) EPS, FY2023 earnings at ($0.39) EPS, FY2024 earnings at ($0.40) EPS, FY2025 earnings at ($0.37) EPS and FY2026 earnings at ($0.07) EPS.

Get Oncolytics Biotech alerts:

Separately, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a C$9.00 price objective on shares of Oncolytics Biotech in a research note on Monday, March 6th.

Oncolytics Biotech Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of ONC stock opened at C$2.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 8.86 and a current ratio of 9.05. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$1.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$2.07. The firm has a market capitalization of C$137.60 million, a PE ratio of -4.64 and a beta of 1.77. Oncolytics Biotech has a 52-week low of C$1.06 and a 52-week high of C$3.10.

Oncolytics Biotech (TSE:ONC  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 3rd. The company reported C($0.14) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.07) by C($0.07).

About Oncolytics Biotech

(Get Rating)

Oncolytics Biotech Inc, a development-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer. Its lead product is pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Oncolytics Biotech Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oncolytics Biotech and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
StockNews.com upgraded shares of Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP  Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $12.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Hudson Pacific Properties in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. They set a sell rating and a $5.50 price target for the company. Citigroup lowered their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and one has 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 $10.63.

Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts:

Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Performance

NYSE HPP opened at $4.38 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $6.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.93. Hudson Pacific Properties has a twelve month low of $4.30 and a twelve month high of $21.08. The company has a market capitalization of $617.13 million, a PE ratio of -10.95 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a current ratio of 2.21, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Hudson Pacific Properties Dividend Announcement

Hudson Pacific Properties ( NYSE:HPP Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.50 by ($0.59). The firm had revenue of $269.93 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $267.83 million. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative return on equity of 1.47% and a negative net margin of 4.89%. On average, research analysts predict that Hudson Pacific Properties will post 1.75 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 20th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 17th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 22.83%. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -250.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hudson Pacific Properties

In other news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.86 per share, with a total value of $58,600.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now directly owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $510,417.72. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CIO Drew Gordon bought 25,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction on Monday, March 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.96 per share, with a total value of $149,000.00. Following the acquisition, the executive now directly owns 116,958 shares in the company, valued at approximately $697,069.68. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at $510,417.72. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 38,975 shares of company stock worth $232,523 in the last 90 days. 2.95% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Hudson Pacific Properties

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 18,542 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $514,000 after purchasing an additional 612 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp raised its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 76,876 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,133,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 29,088 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $283,000 after acquiring an additional 994 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 10.9% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 12,625 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $123,000 after acquiring an additional 1,246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AXA S.A. raised its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 127,117 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,392,000 after acquiring an additional 1,440 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.57% of the companys stock.

About Hudson Pacific Properties

(Get Rating)

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc is a real estate company, which acquires, repositions, develops, and operates sustainable office and state of-the-art studio properties in high-barrier-to-entry submarkets in California, the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and Greater London, United Kingdom. It operates through the Office Properties and Studio Properties segments.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Model N (NYSE:MODN  Get Rating) had its price target decreased by Robert W. Baird from $45.00 to $40.00 in a research report released on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Model N in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. They set a sector perform rating and a $35.00 target price on the stock. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on shares of Model N from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Model N in a research note on Monday, March 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of Model N from $42.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Model N from $45.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $43.38.

Get Model N alerts:

Model N Stock Performance

Shares of MODN stock opened at $28.77 on Wednesday. Model N has a one year low of $20.95 and a one year high of $43.18. The company has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -39.96 and a beta of 0.68. The companys 50-day moving average is $32.33 and its 200 day moving average is $36.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 2.85 and a current ratio of 2.85.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Model N

In related news, Director Kimberly Decarlis sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.88, for a total value of $29,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 14,105 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $421,457.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In related news, CFO John Ederer sold 10,823 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 166,878 shares in the company, valued at $5,355,115.02. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Kimberly Decarlis sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.88, for a total transaction of $29,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 14,105 shares in the company, valued at $421,457.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 54,238 shares of company stock worth $1,862,551 in the last ninety days. 2.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MODN. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in Model N during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Model N by 35.0% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,664 shares of the software makers stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR bought a new position in Model N during the third quarter worth about $69,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Model N by 94.2% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,420 shares of the software makers stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,174 shares during the period. Finally, Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Model N during the third quarter worth approximately $113,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.63% of the companys stock.

Model N Company 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.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Model N Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Model N and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Pipestone Energy (OTCMKTS:BKBEF  Get Rating) from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

Separately, National Bank Financial reduced their price target on shares of Pipestone Energy from C$4.00 to C$3.50 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th.

Get Pipestone Energy alerts:

Pipestone Energy Price Performance

BKBEF opened at $1.88 on Thursday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $1.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2.24. Pipestone Energy has a 1-year low of $1.65 and a 1-year high of $5.34.

Pipestone Energy Dividend Announcement

About Pipestone Energy

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.0223 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th.

(Get Rating)

Pipestone Energy Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and production company, which focuses on developing its condensate assets in the Pipestone area of Alberta. The company was founded on January 4, 2019 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Pipestone Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pipestone Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Sowell Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF (NYSEARCA:PHDG  Get Rating) by 7.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,348 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,387 shares during the quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC owned 0.87% of Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF worth $2,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PHDG. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 65,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,112,000 after purchasing an additional 6,290 shares during the period. UBS Group AG increased its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF by 5.4% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 21,769 shares of the companys stock worth $787,000 after buying an additional 1,122 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF during the first quarter worth $2,279,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF by 8.1% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 13,455 shares of the companys stock worth $486,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF in the first quarter worth $1,220,000.

Get Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF alerts:

Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF stock opened at $32.44 on Friday. Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF has a 1-year low of $30.08 and a 1-year high of $36.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $217.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.44 and a beta of 0.36. The firms fifty day moving average price is $32.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.07.

About Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF (PHDG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR index. The fund is an actively-managed ETF that allocates its portfolio between S&P 500 equities, VIX Index futures and cash. PHDG was launched on Dec 6, 2012 and is managed by Invesco.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Suburban Propane Partners (NYSE:SPH  Get Rating) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Friday.

Separately, Mizuho started coverage on shares of Suburban Propane Partners in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. They issued a neutral rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock.

Get Suburban Propane Partners alerts:

Suburban Propane Partners Stock Down 0.1 %

SPH stock opened at $15.16 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $15.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $962.66 million, a PE ratio of 10.60 and a beta of 0.66. Suburban Propane Partners has a 12 month low of $14.40 and a 12 month high of $17.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.66.

Institutional Trading of Suburban Propane Partners

About Suburban Propane Partners

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Suburban Propane Partners by 1.7% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 40,695 shares of the energy companys stock worth $655,000 after acquiring an additional 676 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Suburban Propane Partners by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 24,926 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $378,000 after buying an additional 677 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Suburban Propane Partners by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 29,349 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 765 shares during the period. First Bancorp Inc ME raised its position in shares of Suburban Propane Partners by 9.4% during the 1st quarter. First Bancorp Inc ME now owns 11,660 shares of the energy companys stock worth $179,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Suburban Propane Partners by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 50,100 shares of the energy companys stock worth $761,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.42% of the companys stock.

(Get Rating)

Suburban Propane Partners LP engages in the marketing and distribution of propane, renewable propane, fuel oil, and refined fuels. It operates through the following segments: Propane, Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels, Natural Gas and Electricity, and All Other. The Propane segment is involved in the retail distribution of propane to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government customers.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Suburban Propane Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suburban Propane Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Truist Financial from $87.00 to $81.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on DVN. Citigroup decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $77.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $70.00 to $59.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $49.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Susquehanna decreased their price target 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. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their target price on Devon Energy from $84.00 to $71.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.68.

Get Devon Energy alerts:

Devon Energy Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of Devon Energy stock opened at $47.52 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $51.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.42. Devon Energy has a 52-week low of $44.03 and a 52-week high of $79.40. The firm has a market cap of $31.08 billion, a PE ratio of 5.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 2.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.25.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.07. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 52.20% and a net margin of 31.38%. The business had revenue of $3.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.88 EPS. Devon Energys revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Devon Energy will post 6.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.06%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.41%.

Insider Transactions at Devon Energy

In other news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total transaction of $414,351.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 218,418 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,914,347.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Devon Energy news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total value of $414,351.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 218,418 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,914,347.46. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, 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 acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 1,973,977 shares in the company, valued at $105,173,494.56. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Devon Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 16,633.3% in the 1st quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 502 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 499 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tradewinds Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 115.0% in the 4th quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.08% 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.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
State 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 Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. To sign-up for EZ-Pay, call us at (903) 785-6901 or e-mail us at circulation@theparisnews.com. We will use the information you provide to change your current billing to EZ-PAY. Your current subscription delivery schedule will not be changed. No refunds for early cancellations. Remainder of early cancellation funds will be donated to Newspapers in Education.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.  Mahatma Gandhi

That quote from Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, writer, politician and social activist, could be used as the testimony of a group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to stop the abuse and suffering of animals with innovative programs that serve both animals and their caretakers.

The volunteers at the Maude Schiffley Chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Orangeburg have an affinity for animals that makes what they do more than just a job. Its a labor of love for them and Orangeburg SPCA Director Alicia Ramirez.

It feels really good because you get to work with these animals that didnt have good life before. Now you get to show a lot of them love for the first time. Its hard to see, but its good because you get to make them know that theyre loved so that when they do get to a good home, theyre OK with it and know that theyre safe, said Rynne Welch of Charleston.

The 18-year-old wants to be a veterinarian. She works as a kennel technician at the Orangeburg SPCA and volunteers hours of her time above and beyond her duties with activities which include, but are not limited to, fostering animals.

We dont like that people hurt animals, but theyre still people. We do respect them. Its hard like any other job, but this one deals more with lives, both human and those of dogs and cats. We do our best to make sure everyone is treated well and taken care of and loved, Welch said.

She continued, I found out the other day that we have 50 dogs flat, and we have 22 cats. I basically do all the cleaning, make sure all of the animals are taken care of.

Ramirez said the Orangeburg SPCA also does a lot within the community.

We help with like vaccinations. A lot of people just cant afford to do what they want, but theyre still good people. So we do what we can to at least help people keep their animals. Its not always possible, but we definitely try, she said.

Ramirez continued, We dont do anything on site as far as vaccinations and spays and neuters, but we do partner with people. So right now we have Pets Inc. coming every month, and they help with low-cost stuff, mobile clinics and things like that for people who cant afford to go to a regular vet.

Everybodys prices are increasing. Its definitely more affordable for them. So we do offer that. We also try and give out advice as much as we can, but we tell everybody were not a vets office. So we cant promise one thing or another.

Ramirez said the agency also transports animals for needed services.

We work with rescues a lot, as well. We play with the animals a whole lot, too. Its not just about taking them in. Youve got to make sure that they understand that people arent bad anymore, which is an uphill battle for a lot of these animals, she said.

Justin Eaddy, 19, of Orangeburg, has served as kennel technician since January. He also goes beyond his expected duties to show love and care for the animals at the shelter.

I do everything. I spray down the kennels. I set out the food, water, toys and the blankets. I clean up poop, and I take them out to play. Its basically the stuff I do at home, Eaddy said, who also assists with laundry needs.

Hes fearless. Thats one of my favorite things about him, Ramirez said.

She continued, He doesnt want a dog to ever feel afraid. Hell go right in there and do what he needs to do to make sure that theyre not, which is an amazing quality. Hes got a really good heart, and so does Rynne. They could be doing other things, but theyre not.

Eaddy said, I grew up with a lot of pets. Ill be here as long as it takes.

Ramirez appreciates all of her volunteers, including Joanne Napier, who she said has helped her with front office and other duties.

She does things like miscellaneous phone calls if I need to call and check on appointments and things like that. Theres a lot of programs Im trying to start up that we dont currently have. We dont have an active foster program or anything like that. So Im trying to engage with the community a lot. She does what I cant, the SPCA director said.

Ramirez said adoptions are technically the only service the Orangeburg SPCA provides, but more programs are forthcoming.

We do have a lot of people that come in here. Well be offering a lot of things in the future. We have first-time pet owner classes coming up. Im trying to set up puppy yoga because thats becoming very popular. So we definitely want people to understand what owning a pet is, she said.

The SPCA director, whos been volunteering on and off at the agency since 2018, said caring for an animal takes hard work and dedication.

Its not just getting an animal and hoping for the best. Its like getting a new family member, and you have to put work into that. Its very much underestimated how much work that could be. We obviously dont want to scare people, but we need them to understand what theyre taking on when they get a new pet. So we are trying to offer some more just education on that. Thats one of our main objectives going forward, as well, Ramirez said.

The SPCA is run by a volunteer board whose members include Susannah Godowns and Marcia Britton. Godowns has been volunteering since 2015, while Britton will celebrate one year of service with the agency in August.

Godowns said, I obviously enjoy the contact with animals and just the whole concept of giving back to the community. Weve got a huge problem around Orangeburg County in terms of overpopulation of animals. Its a constant battle trying to work with that.

She continued, With the pandemic, weve got a veterinarian shortage in South Carolina. A couple of years ago, you could take your animal to the vet and get him fixed. You could get an appointment within a week and spend $100, or you could get a voucher, come here to the Fido Fixers mobile unit and get it fixed for $50. Those days are gone.

I mean, it takes weeks, if not months, to get an appointment at the vet. Prices are $300 or $400 to get an animal fixed, and the mobile clinics are not working very much. Were now transporting to Columbia to do the majority of our animals because there are still some Humane Societies, and Palmetto Lifeline is great.

So I just see the need, and you try to do what you can to put your finger in the dike, or to help with the water thats coming through the dam, so to speak, Godowns said.

Britton, who is from West Virginia and now lives in Santee, said she was overwhelmed with the abundance of stray animals just in the City of Orangeburg alone. She said the loss of a voucher program, where individuals would pick a veterinarian and get their animals spayed and neutered at a low-cost rate, has had negative effects.

They used to have a voucher program here in Orangeburg, where low-income people could go and get a voucher and pick a vet. The vets were all on a volunteer basis.

Like Susannah said, that has gone away. Thats something that Allie (Ramirez) and I are working on now to try to get with a couple of the other local shelters to get that re-implemented, Britton said.

She continued, Its sad, but it takes a village to get those above us in the county and in the city to realize. You cant tell me that they dont drive down the road every day and see dogs and cats running the streets.

Britton said it has also disheartening to see the number of animal abuse cases that are seen, but shes proud to be able to be a part of a team that helps provide solutions to the problem.

I was just thrilled that I was able to get on the board so I could help educate the society and support the team thats here. This is a 24-7 place. Theres no going home and taking a week off and come back and everything will be OK. So it takes these people here to make sure that these animals are cared for and loved. Its a lot of work, she said.

Ramirez said the agency is only able to take cats and dogs, but will accept other animals in emergency situations.

Our facility is so small, but I have a problem with saying no when animals come here. So I have a lot of partnerships with other rescues. Most of them are in Columbia. There are not any rescues in Orangeburg that do anything other than cats and dogs, said Ramirez, who has seen rabbits, squirrels and even an owl.

Godowns said Ramirez makes her volunteerism a family affair, with her parents and daughter among those who lend a helping hand at the agency.

Allies family are also the troopers. Her mother works here when were slow. Her daughter works here. Not for money, but because mom says, Isabelle, youre coming to wash puppies. Youre coming to volunteer. Her dad helps drive animals. So its a family affair with Allie. Thats one thing that makes her very special to us, Godowns said.

Ramirez said more volunteers are needed to assist at the shelter with laundry and other duties, as well as to serve as board members.

Godowns said, There are many opportunities here. The needs are great. We need people to foster. Some people think fostering means were going to give this animal to them forever. We need people who can keep an animal for a few weeks, or a month while theyre recovering. We really dont want sick or hurt animals in the shelter. We cant give that kind of care.

Then we need volunteers to come help with laundry and sometimes assist the kennel techs in helping them in what theyre doing, but also walking dogs and transferring dogs out to the play pen.

The Orangeburg SPCA is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every other Saturday.

But we tend to open the doors if you should show up and its an emergency. They were right when they said this is 24 hours. I tend to drag them along on my ventures a lot to go help save animals, Ramirez said.

Individuals wanting more information about the SPCA, including how to volunteer, can call 803-536-3918, visit the agencys website at https://orangeburgspca.org/, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=orangeburg%20spca.
Bamberg County Council discussed the veterans park under development in Bambergs downtown area after questions were raised following a Stop the Violence event held last month.

County Administrator Joey Preston explained during a May 1 council meeting that the veterans park, located on Main Highway, can be used for community events and gatherings.

The county-owned property had been the site of buildings that were destroyed in a massive fire in March 2019.

The county owns the park. The county with the state is doing the road work through the C-Fund Committee. The parking lot is actually a city Board of Public Works and county project. Its a partnership, Preston said.

We said that for any community group to be able to use that facility, they need to come here (the county courthouse annex building), pick up an application, complete it. We have to do that for insurance liability reasons, he said.

Theres a deposit required to put down. Now, they get that deposit back if theres no garbage left around, or no damage done, that kind of thing. But anytime its utilized like that, we have to have an employee around. So weve got to make sure we know that, the administrator said.

Councilman Larry Haynes said he was told by one of the organizers of the Stop the Violence rally that the event was held at the railroad berm because they were not able to use the veterans park.

Thats news to me, Preston said. He said he did not tell anyone that they could not use the veterans park, which is still under construction.

We really havent officially opened it yet, so I think that may have been part of the confusion. You dont really want folks using something thats a construction site. The contractor was supposed to start work on the paving. ...

You just dont want people falling or tripping over that kind of stuff. But the plan has always been (on) Memorial Day to officially open it up, he said.

While the county was working toward a Memorial Day opening, Im afraid to push that until I know that we can actually get the street work done.

Councilman Evert Comer Jr. asked whether the black railings along Main Street in the downtown area could be moved.

Theres nothing this board right here or the city council can do about those rails because when the city council signed that contract back in the early 2000s and took the federal money for the roadwork that was done, its locked in, Preston said.

Its locked in for a period of time. I dont recall what that period of time is, but (LSCOG Executive Director) Dr. (William) Molnar and I have talked about that a few times, he said.

The administrator said there was a way, however, to at least add some parking spots.

When we worked on the master plan, there is way where you can put some parking, but very little, on that street. Theres also a way for some landscaping to occur. So thats why back streets are most important because thats where youll have your parking. The backs of the buildings actually become the fronts of the building, Preston said.

Also during the meeting, SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance Project Manager Joshua Urwick gave a report for Bamberg County.

We had two site visits since last council meeting in Bamberg County. So thats good. Were still active and still trying to get some more industry to come into the county, he said.

Urwick said an existing industry is considering expansion.

Thatd be great. So, there again, that says a lot about Bamberg County with people wanting to stay here and continue to do business here, he said.

Some council members visited SC Oak to Barrel LLC on April 24. The company has announced it will invest $6.8 million and create 122 new jobs at the former Black Water Barrels plant at 3914 Bamberg Highway.

It was great. We got to see a full tour of the inside of the facility. It was really neat to see the things that are going on in Bamberg County that people probably dont know about. Thats a really unique operation theyve got going on over there, Urwick said.

He said, Theyre still working, and it should be on track to hit their five-year goals that they agreed to with yall and the state.

Administrators report

In other matters, Preston updated council on the status of the project to transform the old hospital into a multiservice complex, including the countys preparations to move into the new law enforcement complex.

Last week, some of you had an opportunity to go down to the hospital  (and) got to see some of the work thats being done. Were kind of moving on down toward the end there, but were still a few weeks out. A lot of it has to do with parts and equipment thats been ordered. Its just not here yet. So were meeting soon with the sheriffs department to start coordinating an actual move-in date, the administrator said.

The health department is for the most part ready to move in. We just need to finish the parking lot area, handicapped accessibility and all of that that has to come along, he said.

Preston also updated council on the county courthouse renovation project.

We had our pre-bid bid meeting on May 3 for the structural work. Sealed bids are going to be received and opened in the next few weeks on the foundation for the foundation work. Interior demolition is almost finished, but we have some additional work to do upstairs. The architects are working on design drawings and RFP for the re-roofing. We hope to have that RFP by June 1. So its making progress, he said.

The administrator said the county is also progressing on the construction of the Holmans Bridge fire station.

We got our permits finally from DHEC. The contractors are in the process of ordering material, and the completion date for all of the concrete work will be done by mid-June. And were making application for our well and septic system permits this week from DHEC. So youll see that start to move quite a bit, he said.

The administrator also updated council on the work that Revolution 250 has proposed to do in across the state. Revolution 250 explores the history of the American Revolution and the ways that this story still resonates in society today.

Really anybody in the community can participate in that. I had the opportunity to meet with the main person thats kind of in charge of that, over the staff. Well be making application for a $3,000 grant (match not required) to help kick that project off, Preston said.

He wants to come down to have a community meeting and to meet with the community so they can come in and talk about whats going on across South Carolina and how that can potentially benefit Bamberg County, he said. We want to try to get as many of our community leaders and people that are interested here as possible so they can hear what he has to say.

Finance

County Treasurer Alice Johnson gave the March financial report, stating the county had $295,892.21 in income and expenditures of $943,253.02, for a negative balance of $647,360.81.

When the positive bank balance at the end of February ($1,187,321.56) was added, the countys regular account stood at a positive $539,960.75.

County Finance Director T.M. Thomas reported the general fund had year-to-date revenues as of the end of March of $7,283,198, with expenses coming in at $6,405,951, for a positive general fund balance of $877,247.

Thomas said county departments continue to operate within their budgets.
Today, my goal, Winstons vision, was to bring awareness to his community, my community, to stop the violence. Enough is enough. Not only is gun violence affecting my family, but its also affecting my community, said Courtney Hunter, mother of Winston OConner Hunter.

Winston was shot and killed as he sat on the sofa in his familys Woodford home at 11:35 p.m. May 13, 2022.

He, his mother, father and sibling had just returned from a family gathering when shots erupted in front of their house.

One of the bullets that struck the house penetrated a wall and took Winstons life.

A year to the day that Winston lost his life, his family gathered in the town of North to raise awareness about gun violence in hopes of sparing another family the grief theyve experienced in the past year.

The event started with a parade, which began at North Middle/High School on Comer Avenue and ended in the downtown square of North.

Several units in the parade not only memorialized Winston, but bore the names of others who died as a result of gun violence.

Those in attendance also enjoyed free lunch  including chili-topped hotdogs, potato chips, cookies and drinks. The refreshments were provided by the Through the Eyes of Winston Foundation, headed by his mother.

Something has to be done. We have to come together as a family, as a community, as friends, as churches, as town from town to the county. We have to stand as one and we have to stand united, Hunter said.

Were not just here for Winston Hunter, were also here for these loved ones, she said, referencing a table topped with photographs and candles. The photographs showed the faces of people who were killed with guns.

My goal is to do this annually, to reach out to other families to let them know that, Youre not alone. Were going to do this together, she said.

Pastor Abraham Salley, also part of Through the Eyes of Winston Foundation, said, Its not just about the heart and life of Winston, its seeing his vision.

Winston saw hope. Winston saw love. Winston saw joy. Winston saw peace. Winston saw deliverance. Winston saw so much at the age of 6 that some of us at 66 cant even see, he said.

Like Courtney Hunter, Orangeburg resident Michelle A. Wilson Green knows the grief of losing a child to gun violence.

Back in 2006, Green got a call from law enforcement officers in Columbia that her oldest child was shot and killed.

Nine years, three months and 11 days later she got the same type of call about her youngest son.

This time, the call was from authorities in Orlando, Florida.

That almost took me out, she said.

Im a strong believer in Christ. I serve faithfully, but when I got that second call, I had a decision to make. Would I go around that detour in the road and keep going forward or whether I was going to turn around, give up and die, she said.

And it was a big struggle, she said.

With family all around me, I felt so alone, she added.

I went through a functional depression for about four years, she said. Then she learned about an organization called Voices of Black Mothers United through the Woodsen Center in Washington, D.C.

She now heads up the South Carolina group of Voices of Black Mothers United.

Shes also organized Reclaiming Our Youth Services as an early intervention effort to, in part, help children know their worth and that gun violence isnt the way to solve disputes.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell thanked the Hunter family for the strength theyve shown and given to him and his deputies.

Ravenell noted that he made a promise to Winstons family moments after the child was killed. He promised them that whoever was responsible for Winstons death would be arrested.

When I made that promise and commitment, I want you to be the first to know that we had nothing to go on, he said.

Thats why I stand before you today as your sheriff and tell you that prayer works, he added.

Four men have been charged with murder in Winston Hunters death. Their charges remain pending.

If convicted, they each face up to life in prison.
Clemson University researchers believe wheat and other small grains have a place in South Carolina and they are working to revive this part of the states agricultural industry.

An estimated 180,000 acres of winter wheat and other small grain crops including oat, rye and barley, are planted annually in South Carolina. The production value for wheat alone is more than $52 million per year. Clemson researchers believe the states farmers can profit by producing more wheat and other small grains.

To help farmers learn more about growing these crops, researchers from Clemson and other Southeastern land-grant universities recently held a Small Grains Field Day at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC) near Florence, where they provided research-based information on insect pests and diseases, as well as weed control, variety testing and best management practices.

Richard Boyles, an assistant professor of plant breeding and genomics and head of the Cereal Grains Breeding and Genetics Program at the Pee Dee REC, talked about work being done to revive the program, which was re-established in 2017. Boyles is annually evaluating thousands of wheat breeding lines that were developed at Clemson to determine which ones are best adapted to South Carolina and across the entire southeastern United States.

Were evaluating important traits such as grain yield, test weight and disease resistance, Boyles said. To become more efficient, we are using a combination of traditional and advanced plant breeding approaches to accelerate progress toward improving wheat productivity and resilience to various stresses.

Powdery mildew, Fusarium head blight (scab) and rust are diseases being studied.

These diseases are managed primarily with cultivar resistance and foliar fungicides, said Christina Cowger, a United States Department of Agriculture research plant pathologist. Farmers who are considering treating fields with fungicides, should scout the fields first to see if there is fungal disease. Applying fungicide in the absence of fungal disease pressure is unlikely to be profitable, whereas it is much easier to profit from a fungicide when disease is present.

Scab is caused by a fungus that wakes up in the spring when the weather is rainy and relative humidity is high. Scab infections occur when small-grain plants are flowering. Growers can stay informed about scab risks, as well as register to get forecast alerts by visiting the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative website at https://scabusa.org/.

Managing weeds

As for weeds, Michael Marshall, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service weed scientist, discussed common weeds found in grain crops including: henbit, chickweed, wild radish, wild mustard, horseweed, cutleaf primrose, curly dock and wild garlic. Marshall also addressed annual ryegrass, or Italian ryegrass.

Italian ryegrass is a problematic weed in cereal crops and grass seed crops. It establishes quickly and grows rapidly. In some areas, it is planted as a cover crop and planted in many pasture settings as a quick food source for livestock and most wild ruminants.

Italian ryegrass has become glyphosate-resistant, Marshall said. Were seeing this resistance increase.

The best control is achieved by using delayed pre-emergent or early post applications of residual products. Delayed pre-emergent sprays are applied after planting when 80% of wheat seed has germinated and shoots are at least a half-inch tall. Post-emergent residuals are applied when most of the wheat is at spiking until 2-leaf growth stage, depending on herbicide used.

To help prevent resistance and manage ryegrass populations, use herbicides with different modes of action on a rotational basis and implement alternative crop rotations.

Anyone with ryegrass questions can contact Marshall at marsha3@clemson.edu.

Managing insect pests

Insect pests also can be a problem. Alex Coleman, Clemson Extension small grains and sorghum specialist, talked about the Cereal Leaf Beetle, Hessian fly, Stink Bugs and Armyworms. Hessian flies prefer wheat, but they also can be found in triticale, barley and rye crops.

Hessian flies are a threat to the South Carolina wheat crop, Coleman said. This insect can cause thin stands, dead tillers and late season lodging.

Coleman said he expects to see an increase in Hessian fly populations. Following proper planting dates, variety selection and insecticide seed treatments can help with control.

Coleman also talked about small grain variety testing, selection and best management practices.

Other information field day participants received included a discussion on variety test plots planted by Mixon Seed.

For more information about the Clemson Cereal Grains Breeding and Genetics Program, go to https://bit.ly/3VjoBBh, or contact Richard Boyles at rboyles@clemson.edu.
(TBTCO) - Ngay nhung thang au nam 2023, Chinh phu a gia han, giam thue va tien thue at giup doanh nghiep co them nguon von e khoi phuc san xuat kinh doanh trong boi canh nen kinh te ang gap nhieu kho khan. Moi ay, Chinh phu a trinh Quoc hoi e tiep tuc giam thue gia tri gia tang 2%, chinh sach nay uoc cong ong doanh nghiep mong cho e co them tro luc som phuc hoi, ong gop cho tang truong kinh te trong giai oan hien nay.
Here is your chance to own a piece of Caspers history! The Welker F. Henning Mansion has endless historical features to coincide with modern upgrades for the perfect balance. Custom patios on each side of the home, a magnificent master suite, the original bar, a guest house, heated garage with workspace and more! The attention to detail throughout every inch of this estate has been restored. To truly appreciate and feel how luxuriously preserved this home is call Jason Lewis for your personal tour!

View More
Wyoming inmates file civil rights violation lawsuits regularly, but thats only done after the states internal grievance procedure fails. Often, the lawsuit fails too, leaving those living in the states prisons without a reliable way to protect themselves from injustice, local attorneys say.

The grievances vary broadly in scope  from inmates who alleged poor medical care and staff-perpetrated violence to an inmate who accused staff of wrongly confiscating his PlayStation  court filings show.

Not all complaints have merit, said Doug Bailey, a Cheyenne-based attorney who has reviewed 50 to 75 inmate civil rights cases over the last few years. But in the ones that do, most of the inmates followed the grievance procedure first.

The Wyoming Department of Corrections suggests the best way to resolve civil rights violations is to follow the internal complaint procedure rather than pursue it in court, he said. Bailey has not found this to be the case.

I have never seen a single instance in which the grievance procedure resulted in any kind of compensation for the victim, discipline for perpetrators, changes in policy, procedure, or practice, or even an apology  which, surprisingly, is all that some inmates want, Bailey said.

Despite this, the department believes the grievance system has directly led to changes in practice, outcomes and policy and can trigger other reviews and investigations, said agency spokesperson Paul Martin.

There are occasions when practices and policies do not align, and in those cases either the individual prevails through the grievance process or the courts correct in awarding damages, whichever applies, Martin said.

Inmates must first communicate an issue directly with correctional staff, a grievance policy document shows. Then, an inmate can fill out a communication form if he or she is unable to resolve the problem through face-to-face communication. The prisoner can go on to file an inmate grievance, which they can also appeal.

Overall, the purpose of the grievance procedure is to establish an administrative process to resolve valid and justified inmate grievances without involvement of the courts, Martin said. It also provides the courts with a written record, if the matter should go that far.

Not everyone whos familiar with the system is convinced. The internal process doesnt work because a state agency, in this case the correctional system, cannot be trusted to investigate itself, said J. Kirk McGill, a Denver-based attorney, who has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil rights cases across Wyoming.

Internal investigations are completely useless as far as Im concerned, said McGill. Theyre designed to clear the government of wrongdoing.

Civil rights lawsuits

When that grievance procedure fails, its not easy for an inmate to sue or find an attorney, leaving a massive population of people unprotected, McGill said.

Of course, there are many inmates who really dont have valid claims, said McGill. But many inmates have been wronged while incarcerated, he added. Prison environments have a rigid power structure along with a group of people who generally arent cared about by the public, which opens the door for mistreatment.

Inmates make up a huge population in the United States, which only continues to rise, but they have no political clout, he said.

The U.S. prison population was 1,204,300 at the end of 2021, which is a 1% increase from 2020 and a 25% increase from 2011, according to the Bureau of Justice findings.

Its actually un-American to view inmates as underserving of rights, McGill said. The Constitution was designed to protect all people equally, whether they are considered the worst person or the best. Thats why people who have committed heinous crimes are still given due process in courts.

My dad always likes to joke that when your client is the little sisters of the poor, that you tend to get some more attention because youre on the side of right and justness, McGill said.

Prison is not supposed to be a vacation, but theres a thin line between it serving as a deterrent and it being abusive under our Constitution, he said. And if it does become abusive, and the internal procedure fails, that doesnt mean inmates automatically get the opportunity to sue.

State governments and their employees have immunity under the 11th Amendment, McGill explained. As a result, almost no civil right statues override that immunity.

It means that a vast majority of people being mistreated by the government do not have access to competent legal counsel, McGill said. Thats probably the biggest problem, and as a result of that, the defense [in a civil case] tends to win most of time.

Many lawyers wont take on inmate cases because they dont believe they have a strong chance of winning  or even getting paid, he said. This means many inmates dont get represented.

Even though McGill makes part of his living off these cases, he wishes there were more ways to solve civil rights issues without having to turn to the court system.

An independent monitor in every prison to take complaints and perform audits and investigations would help fix this, he said. It would create a more solid protection system for inmates, so that lawsuits could be avoided. Ideally, it would be a deterrent for civil rights violations before they even occur.

Were America. Should we not have the worlds best prisons?, he said. I dont mean best as in best hot tub and swimming pool, but I mean the safest. Where you dont have to be worried about being stabbed in the back because you joined the wrong prison gang. And we dont have that in this country, and it is a real problem.

Medical grievances

There are many reasons that inmates file suit. One of the most common in Wyoming is the denial of adequate medical care, said Bailey, the Cheyenne attorney.

The Wyoming Department of Corrections is contracted with YesCare for prisoner health services, according to Martin. YesCare describes itself as one of the leading U.S. correctional health care providers.

There are guidelines that govern which surgical procedures are deemed elective, and YesCare does not provide elective procedures, the official policy shows.

When YesCare providers are accused of violating constitutional rights or breaking medical or nursing standards of care, the Wyoming Department of Corrections still stands by their diagnosis and treatment opinions, said Bailey.

They rely on YesCare, the very entity the inmate is complaining against, he said.

For instance, there are several inmates with symptomatic hernias, which is treatable with a simple, inexpensive surgery, Bailey said. This is classified as an elective procedure. Hernias are known to cause aching in the lower abdomen or groin region.

The grievance system is a farce, he said. YesCare gets paid tens of millions of dollars a year by Wyoming taxpayers, but refuses to provide elective surgeries such as hernias, even though any surgeon will tell you that the standard of care is to repair a symptomatic hernia.

Denying a human being a simple surgical procedure that would alleviate his chronic pain in order to save money that youve already been paid by the taxpayers is morally wrong, regardless of the offense that human being is in prison for, Bailey said.

The corrections department does side with the professional discretion of YesCare over the inmate in a vast majority of cases, Martin, the agency spokesman, said. When the inmate starts a grievance process, the licensed provider working within the scope of their licensure prevails, usually.

After the grievance procedure has failed, the inmate can file a lawsuit if he or she feels civil rights are being violated due to poor health care. Federal law requires inmates to go through the grievance process before theyre allowed to file suit in any case.

Health care in a prison is similar to other insurance providers in that prescribed medical services may not always align with what an individual wants, Martin said.

The differences between what a licensed medical provider may prescribe and what an individual would like do not necessarily arise to a violation of a persons civil rights, he said.

A current example

There are many other types of failed civil rights grievances that become lawsuits, which include disputes about unprofessional behavior or actions taken by correctional employees and the loss or destruction of an inmates property.

Inmates who do come forward with these issues certainly fear retaliation, McGill said.

One inmate believes he may already be dealing with the consequences of filing a lawsuit against Wyomings correctional system while still behind bars.

Bailey is representing a Wyoming State Penitentiary inmate who alleges his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment was violated when a corrections officer slammed his head into a concrete floor while he was restrained. The incident, he says, was caught on camera.

A big issue for inmates, in both the internal and external grievance processes, is a lack of evidence, said McGill. When a civil rights lawsuit succeeds, it was often because the incident happened in an area of a prison or jail that has security cameras.

Nobody sees what goes on in prison cells besides other prisoners, who are in no position to tell anyone anything because they are not going to risk retaliation from the guards for selling someone out, said McGill. The guards arent going to sell each other out; the blue wall is just as strong in prison guards as it is in the police force. So, how are you going to get your proof?

The inmate who alleges his civil right violation was caught on camera, Jeremy Lambson, wrote a letter to the Star-Tribune after an article about his lawsuit was published on March 20. He was scheduled to be released in a few weeks, but his active parole grant was denied two days later.

He expected retaliation was a possibility, he said.

While I am pleased that the public is now able to read about what happened, I would be much happier if I didnt just recently get my active parole grant rescinded a few days after that article came out, Lambson wrote on March 28.

He was sentenced to five to six years in prison for strangulation of a household member, and his max release date is Dec. 8, 2024, according to Martin.

Lambson put forward a tremendous effort to earn his parole grant through rehabilitative treatment, institutional work as a janitor and remaining write-up free for six months, he wrote in the letter. He simultaneously completed two six-month programs  the Central Wyoming College welding course and an intensive outpatient treatment program.

Lambson acknowledges some behavioral missteps. He received a minor write-up for roughhousing last year, and he received a major write-up for a fight in 2019.

But he had already earned his parole grant, Lambson wrote. He wasnt even planning on attending the hearing because there would really be no point, but his case worker urged him to appear anyway.

After the hearing, Lambson said his parole grant was rescinded. His behavior was cited.

He found himself alone in his small cell, trying to interpret the reason stated on the notice, he wrote.

Is this referring to all the hard work and effort put forth to successfully complete all that I was tasked to do in order to get my parole grant? Is it a mistaken reference to that incidentthat of which happened over four years ago? Is it retaliation brought on because of the lawsuit against the WDOC? Lambson wrote.

The inmate is at a huge disadvantage, said Bailey. Their criminal history, tattoos, mistakes and choices in the past can be used to suggest the inmate deserved unconstitutional treatment.

Most come from awful circumstances and have done awful things, for which they are rightfully imprisoned, Bailey said. But they are still human beings with rights under the United States Constitution to adequate health care and against cruel and unusual punishment.

In Lambsons case, Bailey attempted to resolve the matter without filing a lawsuit. But the department refused to take responsibility, he said.

Slamming a human beings head into the concrete floor is morally wrong, regardless of whether hes in prison for strangulation of a household member, Bailey said.

Martin is unable to comment on any active litigation. In general, the Wyoming Department of Corrections takes inmates civil rights very seriously at all levels, he said. New staff at the training academy receive two days of education on constitutional rights of inmates.

All policies and procedures are written with constitutional rights in mind, Martin said. We expend large sums of State funds to ensure staff is aware of and practicing these policies.

Fairly simple changes could deeply improve prison conditions, McGill said. They include an independent auditor to create a more successful internal grievance procedure, body cameras on prison guards and in communal areas, and better overall surveillance in facilities.

Its not a problem with the written law, McGill believes. Its a problem with how its carried out.

The reality is that most prisons are terrible, awful places, and therefore having video cameras to show everyone what goes on inside the prison system would shock the conscience of the people, McGill said. Youd see a reaction to that, and needless to say, the prison system has enough bad press and doesnt want more.
A Riverton police officer shot and killed Anderson Andy Antelope at about 2 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2019, in the parking lot of the local Walmart. By 3 p.m. the following day, the officer, a state investigator and at least two others gathered to hear the officers side of the story.

Before the interview began in earnest, a woman inquired about video footage of the shooting. The investigator, who worked for the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, told the others that none of the cameras in the Walmart parking lot captured the incident. It occurred, he explained, in a blind spot.

People in the room began to chuckle and marvel at the news, according to an audio recording of the interview obtained by the Star-Tribune.

Thats amazing, an unidentified woman says, as someone else can be heard laughing in the background.

The death of Antelope, a 58-year-old Northern Arapaho man, renewed long-simmering concerns that law enforcement officers dont treat Native American people fairly in Fremont County. Records kept by the FBI show local police arrest Indigenous people at disproportionately high rates. The shooting also stirred criticism that leaders in Riverton, which sits adjacent to the Wind River Reservation, dont take the concerns of Native people seriously, a complaint that persists to this day.

Fremont Countys top prosecutor ultimately cleared the police officer, concluding he acted lawfully after Antelope attacked him with a knife. Antelope, the prosecutor said, put the officer in an untenable position that justified deadly force.

But that ruling did not quell the controversy. The prosecutor and the coroner at the time engaged in a public spat over the coroners desire for a public inquest and what the coroner said was the lack of law enforcement support for his review.

The 30-minute recording of the officers interview, taken only 25 hours after the shooting, offers new details about an event that, nearly four years later, is still cited by activists who say the shooting could have been avoided and exemplifies the need for changes in the community.

Officer recounts shooting

In Wyoming, police shootings are investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation, a state agency that also works on government fraud, drug and internet sex offense cases, among other things. Its not uncommon for DCI agents to be former Wyoming police officers, and that professional connection has raised questions before about the agencys ability to investigate police shootings objectively.

DCIs new director, Ronnie Jones, declined to discuss the recording or answer a series of questions related to it. The Riverton Police Department also declined to comment on the shooting or the investigation as the city was not the investigating agency, Wes Romero, the former interim Riverton police chief, told the Star-Tribune in an email.

That means the identities of some of the people in the interview are not known.

But from the comments on the recording, as well as other documents, its clear that the Riverton police officer who shot Antelope, James Donahue, was there, as was Officer Lamar Dixon, who served as a personal representative for Donahue in the interview and who is described as a close friend of Donahue in the DCI report.

The man leading the interview is conducting it for DCI, but the recording does not identify him. Nor does it identify the woman in the room who, as the interview begins, asks about possible videos.

Lets talk about the recordings, the agent conducting the investigation says. There are no video recordings. So, the spot that this occurred, happens to be like the blank spot.

People in the room sound surprised by that news. Laughter can be heard on the recording.

Thats amazing, the woman says.

If you look up like about six feet above your head, where the row of cameras that all look out, and they dont look down, and they miss that cement section... the interviewer says.

Perfect, a man in the room says in response. Another laugh can be heard.

Donahue went on to detail his law enforcement career, which began in 1996.

Antelope was his second on-duty killing, he said. The first occurred in 2005 while he was a member of the Frisco Police Department in Colorado.

It involved using a baton against an individual that was disarming one of my police officers, and he succumbed to his wounds, says Donahue, whos tone during the conversation is reserved and quiet.

That was a combination of my use of force and also the medication he was dosed with and the drugs that he was on. He stopped breathing and died... the officer explains to the group.

Antelope was also intoxicated at the time of the 2019 shooting, with a blood alcohol concentration of .284. In Wyoming, a person is presumed too drunk to drive when they reach .08.

Randy Foos, Donahues shift partner at the time, was dispatched to Walmart on the day of the shooting because Antelope was intoxicated, allegedly driving an electric shopping cart around and harassing people, according to the interview.

But Foos was getting a mid-afternoon haircut on Main Street in the middle of his shift, according to the interview. Donahue responded to Foos call instead.

It was the only time he could get, and I told him Id cover things while he got that [his haircut] handled, Donahue says.

Donahue already knew Antelope, he tells the interviewer. Hed had several interactions with him in the past, with the most recent being about two weeks prior to the shooting.

Its not a surprise that Donahue would know Antelope, who had 296 contacts with law enforcement from 1995 to the time of his death  arrested 130 times, issued a citation 119 times, trespassed six times and taken to a detox facility 12 times, the DCI written report states.

Of these, Antelope allegedly took violent actions towards law enforcement, hospital staff and others in 27 instances or about 9% of the time.

But Donahue appears to have not been overly concerned initially. He stopped to use the restroom before responding because it seemed like a fairly low level crime, he explains to the agent.

I drove past him, clearly identified thats the same man that I know  get out of my car. I made sure I had my baton with me, Donahue says. I walked around behind to just kind of observe what he was doing, and I didnt see anything of concern.

Donahue then established a consent contact with Antelope, he says. Antelope was sitting in a folding chair eating a hot dog out front of the Walmart.

There was a veterans barbecue going on. Donahue tells the investigator he could immediately tell that Antelope was intoxicated  his eyes were red and watery, his breath smelled of liquor and his speech was slurred.

Antelope requested an ambulance. He wanted to go to the hospital because he wasnt feeling well. Donahue said he needed to do a breathalyzer test to determine his alcohol level first to establish if you really need to go to the hospital.

Antelope either couldnt or wouldnt perform the breathalyzer test correctly. By the fourth attempt, he spit into the breathalyzer tube, the officer recalls in the interview.

Donahue took the tube away, shook the spit out and dropped the straw, which landed in Antelopes food tray. The officer informed Antelope he was under arrest for public intoxication.

This isnt a big deal, Donahue recounts telling him. I just need you to come with me so we can get this figured out.

Anderson was angered that the tube had landed in his hot dog tray, and he started yelling and escalating the interaction, the officer recounts in the interview, adding that he told Antelope that he could bring the hot dog with him.

Donahue grabbed Antelopes left arm. Antelope, Donahue says, looked at him and said youre going to need help.

Youre not big enough, Donahue says Antelope told him. Im not going anywhere.

Antelope was 58 years old at the time. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed about 300 pounds. Donahue was the same height, but weighed about 185 pounds; he was 41 years old at the time.

According to the recording, Donahue says he told Antelope that he didnt want to hurt him, but that he needed to come with him. At that moment, one of the other people at the barbecue started to talk to him about how Antelope had approached and asked for some food.

They provided him a hot dog in an effort to just kind of calm him down and make him a non-factor for what they had going on, Donahue says. And he sat down and hadnt been bothering anybody.

Donahue says he was thanking the person for that information when he felt a little tension through his arm and saw a little bit of movement. Antelope stabbed toward Donahue with a knife, which hit the officer in the center of his chest.

Donahue was not injured. He was wearing a rifle plate, a sort of body armor that can be worn with a tactical vest.

After a brief scuffle, Donahue drew his pistol. In the recording, he says he was concerned not only for his own safety, but that of the people nearby. He describes stepping to the left because he saw he had a 12- to 18-inch space between several people standing in that direction. He pointed his gun to the backside of Antelopes head at the base of his ear.

I recognize very clearly that he had the ability, he had already taken advantage of opportunity, and demonstrated a clear intent that he was trying to kill me with that knife, Donahue says.

Donahue says he commanded Antelope to drop the knife two or three times. He fired a single round, which struck Antelope right around his ear.

And it was a response, which is what I hoped for, Donahue says. I wanted a central nervous system hit, cause with the close proximity, I couldnt shoot him anywhere else to get him to immediately stop the attack.

Antelope went rigid, spun away and fell to the ground, where he died in front of the store.

When Foos later arrived at the scene, he started apologizing to Donahue, according to the interview.

Hes like That was my call, man. I should have been there, Donahue says.

Donahue told Foos it didnt matter.

Were past that. Its just what it is, Donahue says on the recording. It worked out fine. Im good.

After a few more minutes of discussion, the DCI interviewer goes to stop the recorder.

Jim, I think from my perspective, I feel like the information that youve given is a solid statement, the DCI interviewer said.

Witness reports

Andersons body would lie on the concrete for almost seven hours, shielded by a tarp from the barbecue, while customers continued to shop at Walmart, the written DCI report states.

The written DCI preliminary investigation report and a 911 call present other witness versions of what happened that day. A local veteran, Charles Arndt, was at Walmart cooking meals for the veterans barbecue.

Im trying to cook a meal out here for the veterans, and this officer just pulled his gun and shot this guy for no damn reason, Arndt says in a panicked tone on the 911 call.

OK, Ive got officers on scene, so if youre wanting to file a complaint, you can do so with administration at a later time, OK, the dispatcher responds.

All right, but I was standing right there and watched him pull his gun and shoot this guy ... I belong to the VFW. We are down here cooking hamburgers. And we were serving this man a hamburger, and he was drunk.

Charles, Charles, I need you to hang on a moment, she responds. Then the phone is disconnected.

Arndt was interviewed at the police station in the days following, but the officer conducting it realized afterwards that his recorder was not functioning, the DCI report states.

Arndt declined to be interviewed again by officials, as he did not want to have anything else to do with the situation and he has had a hard time with post-traumatic stress since the incident, the report states.

The investigator did take notes. According to them, Arndt said he didnt feel like the male should have been shot and that the officer should have taken the knife away from the male, the report states.

Arndt declined to speak with the Star-Tribune during an April phone call; law enforcement asked him not to speak to the public in the past, he said.

About a dozen witness statements were included in the DCI written report.

Gwenn Connor wondered why the Officer had not used a taser and she did not believe that the male was bothering anyone or being disruptive, the report states. She also wondered if Donahue had meant to pull the trigger or if he had a hair trigger causing his gun to accidentally go off.

Again, the officer conducting this interview realized his recorder was not functioning, the report states. He read over his notes with Connor to make sure there wasnt information missing.

Ronald Walker said he felt that another officer should have been called to the scene for backup. Jim Arndt, Charless brother, said a lady in the area at the time stated what happened was not necessary, but he didnt know who the woman was, the report states. Arndt also said the officer was very polite with Antelope during their encounter.

Christina Bell, another witness, was adamant that Antelope did not swing a knife or stab towards Donahue, stating she watched the entire interaction besides a few seconds while she spoke to another veteran, the report states.

There were other accounts that indicated some witnesses agreed with how Donahue had handled the matter. One of the veterans at the barbecue, Donahue recounts during the DCI interview, came up to him, patted his shoulder and said, Yeah that guy, he got what he had coming. He shouldnt have done that. I saw him try to stab you in the chest.

Most accounts include some version of Anderson being intoxicated and drawing a knife, but with varying detailssome say Anderson was sitting down when he was shot, and some say he was standing. Some say he stabbed Donahue, and some say he only drew the knife. Most couldnt say where the knife came from.

It was noted in the report that Riverton police detective Jacob Nation, who is of Native descent, was in charge of conducting an administrative review of Donahues actions. Nation declined to comment during a March phone call.

Forensic Analyst Kathyrn C. Ertman examined the duty vest Donahue was wearing at the time. A small cut, which appeared to only penetrate the top-most layer of the vest and didnt cause any damage to the ceramic plate, was observed halfway down the vest on a Velcro flap, the report states.

Because of the lack of damage, Analyst Ertman was not able to compare tool-marks to the knife that was recovered from the scene and reported by Officer [] as the knife used to stab him in the chest area, the report states.

Inquiries into the shooting

In November 2019, Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun announced his conclusion that Donahue had no choice but to shoot Antelope.

Under Wyoming law, when a person has a reasonable belief that his life or the lives of others are in immediate peril at the hands of another, he may take all actions necessary at that moment to preserve his life and the lives of others, which includes deadly force, LeBrun wrote at the time. In the circumstances arising in this case, the only reasonable action that the Officer could have taken was exactly the action that he took.

Even if the events leading up to or following an officer-involved shooting raise issues, it has no impact on criminal charges, LeBrun told the Star-Tribune.

It doesnt make Donahue more culpable as a matter of law because his partner was getting a haircut and didnt take the call or because law enforcement was laughing in an official interview, which LeBrun recognized may be off-putting to hear, he said.

Now, maybe it causes some other concerns  is it appropriate for an officer while hes on duty to be getting a haircut? LeBrun said. That doesnt make what the officer did criminal. My focus is whether or not what he did was criminal.

Four civilians have been killed by officers in Fremont County since about 2018, he said. Lebrun is disinclined to release the names of these officers unless criminal actions are found.

I dont know if I will continue doing that in the future or not, LeBrun said. When an officer takes a citizens life, its a big deal. I hope I dont have to deal with that again ever.

Before LeBruns announcement, then-Fremont County Coroner Mark Stratmoen announced plans to perform a separate inquest into Antelopes death. It was the policy of his office to conduct such a review when an officer is involved in someones death, he explained. The family in such matters deserves an independent, outside inquiry, he told the Riverton Ranger at the time.

But Stratmoen halted his work by years end, citing lack of support from law enforcement and the county attorney. He had by then accused LeBrun of attempting to sabotage the inquest, while noting several complicating issues surrounding Antelopes death including the fact that authorities had not notified the coroners office until five hours after the shooting. Riverton police, he added, had denied his offices request for records.

His office ultimately classified the death as undetermined. Stratmoen retired two years after Andersons death following a 23-year career.

When Stratmoen was contacted by the Star-Tribune, he had nothing to add to what has already been said on the Antelope case.

LeBrun maintains the inquest was inappropriate and unnecessary. The system can also be problematic, he added. The coroner picks three people at his or her choice without random generation, and they review only one side of the case.

I would talk to the coroner about these sorts of things, and his argument would be that he was completely neutral, LeBrun said. But the system knows better. If the desire is to get to the truth, thats not the way to go about it either.

An inquest is only to determine cause and manner of death, he said.

There was a woman found dead on Wind River Reservation who appeared to have been attacked by dogs. But it wasnt clear. The coroner held an inquest to determine if she was actually mauled. Thats what the system is intended for, LeBrun said.

It was the coroners policy to conduct an inquest in all officer-involved shootings, but that doesnt necessarily make it appropriate just because its the coroners policy, he said.

Resistance to Stratmoens inquest only raised more questions in the minds of Antelopes family members, such as Dean Wallowing Bull. Antelope had a drinking problem that often got him in trouble with the law, but he was not a violent man, Wallowing Bull said. His family described him as a gentle giant. He was older, disabled and needed a cane to walk.

Why did the county coroner start fighting the city for the inquest, and then retire after? said Wallowing Bull. Why not just have the inquest, if theres no guilt?

Questions persist

Riverton police officer Christian Amos has encountered people in his job who question the shooting.

Amos, who is Native, dealt with a teenager going off about how the shooting was so messed up and wrong, he said. That sort of response has happened at other times as well.

I get [in] debates on the street, Amos said. I told him its a f***ed up situation all the way around, and he would still be alive if he didnt stab the officer in the chest.

Amos told the Star-Tribune that Donahue was lucky that he was wearing a rifle plate and that he was tall. If he was shorter, he would have likely been stabbed in the neck.

Amos himself was wearing a rifle plate at the time of the interview. It weighs almost 50 pounds and is so thick that it feels and sounds similar to knocking on a door when you tap it. It can protect against some types of gunfire.

Were not making this up, Amos said. The guy [Donahue] didnt take the vest off, and start stabbing his own vest. Thats not what happened

Even if you remove the fact that Donahue was a police officer, Amos believes the situation would have played out the same way. One man has a gun. Another man has a knife. The man with the knife starts attacking the other man, who uses his gun to defend his life.

After the shooting, Riverton police began wearing body cameras. Amos simply doesnt know what else would or could come of it.

DCIs Officer-Involved Shooting Team

While its true that all DCI employees are former law enforcement officers, the division makes every effort to remain impartial during police shooting investigations, said Matt Waldock, who is the commander of the Officer-Involved Shooting Team.

The Officer-Involved Shooting Team was formed last year to create a more uniform system for investigating these incidents, said Waldock. In Antelopes case, it would have been investigated using the old system.

DCI has different divisions, which span the entire state, Waldock said. In the past, if an officer-involved shooting occurred, there was a good chance the DCI agents nearby the area would investigate the matter.

If it happened in Casper, for example, someone from the Casper-area would investigate, Waldock said.

Now, using that same example, if there was an officer-involved shooting in Casper, DCI would have someone from a different area like Rock Springs investigate, he said.

Wed prefer to have someone thats not from the Casper-area investigate it, he said.

That said, many of the people who work at DCI once worked for local law enforcement agencies  including those in Wyoming.

The Officer-Involved Shooting Team wasnt created due to complaints about possible bias, said Waldock. DCI already had significant oversight during these processes, but this essentially created a stringent rulebook on how to handle these situations.

It is already likely that any DCI agent investigating a police shooting wouldnt know or have ever met any of the people directly involved, Waldock said.

Ive been in law enforcement for over 30 years, and there are plenty of people in law enforcement here that I dont know, Waldock said.

Public disappointment

That a recording of the officers interview captured people laughing is not shocking at all, said Antonio Serrano, advocacy director for the ACLU of Wyoming. Its equally unsurprising that officials opposed an inquest and didnt disclose this was Donahues second on-duty killing.

They dont want stuff like that to come out, said Serrano. Anything that could tarnish their image, theyre gonna fight tooth and nail.

Serrano drew a comparison to the shooting of Robbie Ramirez during a traffic stop in 2018. In that incident, the Albany County Sheriffs Office was accused of destruction of video evidence, an allegation the agencys lawyers denied.

Them behaving in this way in my eyes is normal, Serrano said.

In the aftermath, many were bothered by officials keeping Donahues identity private, said Big Wind Carpenter, an Indigenous activist who knew Antelope personally. Other law enforcement agencies in Wyoming, including the Casper Police Department, routinely disclose the identities of officers who were involved in shootings as a matter of transparency.

Carpenter posted Donahues identity on Facebook. Carpenter alleged former Riverton police chief Eric Murphy demanded they remove the post, as it was not public knowledge at the time, but Carpenter declined. Murphy did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The post was reported so many times that Facebook took it down, Carpenter said.

Almost four years after the shooting, Antelopes son, Anderson Antelope Jr., is just as angry and heartbroken as the day it happened.

They wont admit they are guilty even though they know their guilt, Antelope Jr. said. They swore to protect people, and they go and shoot my handicap dad in the head.

From Antelope Jr.s point of view, local officials swept his fathers death under the rug because officers have a code they go by, which is to protect their own, he said.

The refusal of an inquest only added to that belief.

They wouldnt give us any kind of closure in what happened to my father, he said. Im holding a grudge in some ways.

But many Native Americans have the same code  to protect their own, he said. Antelope Jr. has no intention of letting his fathers death be forgotten, as he continues to fight for further investigation of the shooting.

I want people to see who they really are, Antelope Jr. said. If you knew what I know, youd want the same.

Andi LeBeau, who was the first Northern Arapaho woman to serve in the Wyoming Legislature, said DCIs work is problematic in Antelopes case and in others.

It angers me that they would laugh about the lack of footage, said LeBeau, who listened to the interview. That they would discount that a life was taken.

From Charles Arndts 911 call to other witnesses mentioned in the DCI report, it appears that many details were glossed over during the investigation, said LeBeau.

When I heard that 911 call, and the dismissiveness from the dispatcher, when you can tell that a guy just witnessed a life being taken by an officer LeBeau said. Actions speak louder than words.

In LeBeaus four years in the Legislature representing Fremont County, she never encountered a case where DCI concluded that an officer responsible for a civilian death was in the wrong, she said.

DCI, the takeaway for me, is theyre very arrogant, they think theyre above the law, and they think they dont have to be accountable, LeBeau said. Theyre public servants.
Its taking a long time to shake some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can still find empty shelves in the grocery stores; some brands have disappeared altogether and in general the choices for your shopping trip are diminished whether it be for coffee or for a car.

If you are in the public transit business, you struggle with shortages of drivers and buses, both essential for any such operation.

I always liked a bus even the rattling old heaps. Years ago they got me to and from work and school and out of the cold.

The best part; they were cheap transportation.

Administrators of the new post-pandemic public transit systems are looking at fare free transit as an option for a more efficient operation.

It sounds great but Im having a difficult time trying to understand how this works financially. And I am not alone.

There is a national debate over whether it is good or bad.

The City of Cheyenne, a small city, meanwhile, is planning to offer fixed-route bus service free of charge through much of the capital city this summer. The target date is July 1 to begin, Renae Jording, the citys public transit director wrote in an e-mail.

That date depends on availability of resources, drivers and vehicles, she added.

Getting those resources is a widespread problem.

Casper city officials were so tickled to get two new buses for the citys transit program recently that they threw a party to celebrate.

Meanwhile the Cheyenne City Council approved the 2023 Cheyenne Transit plan, after a year in the making through all those hearings and such.

The largest city in the U.S. to try free bus service is Kansas City. In 2019, the Kansas City, Mo. Council directed the city manager to dedicate $8 million to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to make up for lost fare revenue, according to Governinng.com.

Although the program is scheduled to expire or sunset at the end of 2023, local officials are preparing to make it permanent because it has been a success on nearly so all the measures they cared about.

But their experience or lessons learned may not be so easy to transport to other cities, the Governing article said.

The benefits of eliminating transit fare, supporters point out, including making if more equitable by removing barriers for low-income passengers and improving mobility for people with disabilities.

Also it helps by letting passengers board a bus at any door without fumbling for change or a pass, a change that can speed up travel times and keep buses on schedule. Moreover, it also reduced conflicts on a bus over fare payments.

Proponents also claim that zero-fare transit will improve ridership. That concept was hard to test in Kansas City given it began at the same time as the onset of that pandemic.

The pandemic cost transit systems everywhere millions of regular passengers and has been sluggish in returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Who pays for this Nirvana in public transportation?

That was easy in Kansas City which had a transit system that traditionally collected little from bus riders. Fare collections had been about $12 million per year.

Henceforth, according to supporters, it was easy enough for the city to make up the $8 million of that loss from the city budget coupled with federal COVID-19 relief funds available to fill any gaps.

Those federal funds allow cities to experiment in free-fare transportation. Advocates want to see these changes permanent.

Opponents say free public transit that doesnt bankrupt agencies would require a revolution in transit funding.

Most voters travel by car and are not sympathetic to paying subsidies for public transit.

In Cheyenne the transit agencies proposed budget includes money to pay for all four routes, according to the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.. Most of the money will come from the Federal Transit Authority but a local match will also be needed.

Transit officials believe the local community will come through with that match.

We will see.

Regardless of the outcome the transit people are to be commended for being willing to explore new ideas.
Before you start reading this, take a minute and ask yourself how you define liberty.

Maybe you define it as being free from government interference. Or maybe its a society that values ones own autonomy. Or perhaps more simply: Its the ability to have control over your own life.

You probably didnt think that liberty is about a government official deciding which books are best for your child. You probably didnt think that its lawmakers prohibiting business owners from choosing health and safety rules that make the most sense for their companies. And its highly unlikely you thought about the state unilaterally taking away local government autonomy.

And yet, all of those examples were proposed by politicians who portray themselves as defenders of liberty. Its as if the ideal of liberty has been co-opted to impose top-down solutions that further one ideology over all others.

Lets examine each example. Starting last year, a group of parents  many associated with the organization Moms for Liberty  began to challenge certain library books in Wyoming schools. They contend these books are not appropriate for children. Some of the books deal with fraught topics  sexuality, violence and drug addiction  and they wanted them removed and banned.

There are certainly parents who would look at these books and say, Not for my kid. But there are also parents who prefer their children to learn about difficult topics while still living at home. Who then should decide whats best for a child? The book opponents want to take a choice that now resides with parents and give it to the government. Would you call that liberty?

Lets turn to the second example. A group of state lawmakers, some of whom are associated with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, wanted this past session to create a law that would have prohibited business owners from setting their own rules related to masks and vaccines. For example, a small business owner who is immunocompromised while undergoing cancer treatment wouldnt have the power to say to her customers, Please wear a mask while coming into my shop. And customers wouldnt have the power to vote with their feet by deciding what rules they prefer. Does that approach, which failed in committee, seem like an example of a government that respects private property rights?

Finally, lets consider another piece of legislation that was designed to prevent local jurisdictions from deciding their own rules about rodeos. The measure was pushed by lawmakers who worried that some communities in Wyoming might choose to ban the events. Lets say, for the sake of argument, that the elected leaders of Jackson voted to bar rodeos within the city limits. The decision might make you angry. It might be based on inaccurate preconceptions about rodeos. It might go against our idea of Western culture. But even if all of those are true, should the lawmakers representing Casper and Cheyenne and Gillette tell the people of Jackson whats best for their community? Would you consider that an example of a state that values liberty?

The common thread through all of these examples is that too many of our leaders value liberty only when it serves to further their beliefs. But liberty should be a first principle, an ideological compass to keep your way, not a rhetorical device to cast aside whenever its inconvenient. If you believe parents should decide whats best for their children, if you believe business owners should set rules for their own shops, if you believe a town council and not the statehouse should decide the values of a community, then it shouldnt matter what the books or the rules or the values are. Theres a principle to uphold.

We know theres nothing we can say that will convince a politician to stop co-opting values like liberty and freedom. But we hope that readers, the next time they hear politicians speak, will take a moment to consider whether their words and their policies are consistent. Its not enough to say you believe in giving people freedom to make their own choices. It only matters if you put those values into practice.
HYPERTENSION, also known as high blood pressure, affects millions of people worldwide yet many do not know that they are hypertensive and are even less aware of the plethora of complications that can accompany the condition if it is not carefully managed.
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.
There was a shooting at Licensing Office in Port of Spain at around 11.30 am.
In a recent letter to this newspaper, the author declared emphatically that trial by jury is a disservice to justice. The basis for the assertion, in a nutshell, was that jurors are fickle mortals who are more often than not bamboozled by skilful defence attorneys. According to the author, they also fail to adhere to guidance on the law given to them by judges, either because of their general lack of intelligence or an inability to control their inherent biases.
Local governments and charities have been tested, but so far, Tucson shelters have been able to handle a sharp increase in migrants released by border authorities.

Casa Alitas, the nonprofit group at the heart of the shelter operations, had more than 1,300 people sheltered in Tucson Friday night, and thats apart from those housed by the city government.

Were finding space for all of them, said Teresa Cavendish, who directs Casa Alitas. Weve managed to avert street releases.

First thing (Saturday) morning, folks start moving out, and we help them circulate through that process. At the same time, hundreds more folks are arriving.

Constant coordination between the state, county and city governments as well as Casa Alitas, has worked so far to keep people from being released on the streets of Southern Arizona towns or Tucson without any place to go, she said.

This is a wild ride, said Lane Mandle, the chief of staff to the city manager, working at one of the hotels Tucson uses for shelter. I wake up in the morning, and I dont know what the day is going to hold.

Her fear is that the city, which is the backup provider of shelter, will run out of beds. At that point, street releases are likely.

The increase in border crossings is, in part, a result of the end of the enforcement of Title 42 health mandates at the border. This allowed Border Patrol agents to immediately return some people to Mexico without any processing. But the end of the pandemic emergency meant the end of this policy.

One thing that has helped the local authorities is a court injunction issued by a federal judge in Florida. The injunction stopped the U.S. Border Patrol from conducting expedited releases of people found not to pose a risk to public safety, even though they dont have court dates yet.

As a result of the ruling, Border Patrol must detain people longer, meaning its facilities are remaining overfilled, but the releases are happening at a pace that is manageable for local authorities.

Migrants and government officials were still assessing the effects of new regulations adopted by President Joe Bidens administration in the hope of stabilizing the Southwest border region and undercutting smugglers who charge migrants to get there, the Associated Press reported Saturday.
Salad and Go: Salad and Go is partnering with No Kid Hungry, a national campaign working to end childhood hunger, to raise $150,000 during the month of May. The funds will be used to help provide healthy meals to millions of children in the United States. Now through May 31, Salad and Go guests will have the opportunity to donate in the drive-thru or online to support the cause.

In addition to raising funds, Salad and Go teams will volunteer over the summer at several No Kid Hungry partner sites.

For more information or to find a participating location near you, visit saladandgo.com.

Cox Charities: Grant applications are being accepted now through May 26 for programs that support one or more of Cox Charities three philanthropic cornerstones: education (with a priority on K-12 and STEAM), diversity (with a priority on programs serving 80% of more of a target population or serve an inclusion, diversity and equity initiative), and environment/sustainability programs (with a priority on water conservation, waste or carbon reduction).

For more than 25 years, Cox employees  through Cox Charities  have donated nearly $10 million to help Arizona communities. Last year alone, Cox Charities distributed $75,000 to 19 nonprofits serving Southern Arizona.

Grants awarded will be for up to $10,000. For more information or to apply, visit tucne.ws/1n91.

Dunkin: Dunkin small business owner and franchisee Roy Patel gave out 200 Dunkin gift cards to Banner  University Medical Center nurses in honor of Nurses Day.

Casas Adobes Rotary: The rotary recognized 157 Tucson-area eighth-graders for academic achievement, character, leadership and civic engagement as part of its eighth-grade Honors and Legacy for Learning Program. These students will be eligible for a Casas Adobes Rotary scholarship in their senior year of high school as long as they are attending one of the following districts: Flowing Wells, Marana, Catalina Foothills and Amphitheater.

Four Peaks Brewing Company: Four Peaks Brewing Company is kicking off its 13th annual Four Peaks for Teachers Program. This year, one teacher will be named Four Peaks Teacher of the Year and will receive a $3,000 grant plus a teachers lounge makeover at their school. Ten runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant for their classroom, and Four Peaks will give away $7,000 of school supply kits to teachers throughout the southwest. Nominations can be submitted at fourpeaksforteachers.org and will be accepted through June 30.
In a case that attracted worldwide attention due to what prosecutors called Lori Vallow Daybell's "doomsday" religious views, an Idaho jury convicted her guilty on Friday, May 12, of killing two of her children and of plotting to murder her husband's previous wife.

She was accused of thinking her kids were zombies possessed by the devil, as stated by the prosecution.

According to The Straits Times, the date of the sentence has not yet been determined. Judge Steven Boyce of Idaho's 7th Judicial District agreed to a plea by Vallow Daybell's attorneys to dismiss the death sentence before the trial's commencement.

The attorneys for Vallow Daybell had requested that the judge keep the courtroom free of cameras, yet, he let Friday's decision be broadcast live online.

Unable To Stand Trial

After years of postponement, the trial finally got underway on April 3 in Boise, Idaho. Vallow Daybell had to undergo mental therapy after being found unable to stand trial.

Prosecutors portrayed her as a neglectful mother in their opening comments. She was preoccupied with a "religious mission," which she considered more essential than her children, The New York Times reported.

Boise State Public Radio stated that 49-year-old defendant Vallow Daybell did not take the stand and that her attorneys did not present any witnesses in her defense. Her attorneys argued before the court that the state had failed to provide sufficient evidence.

Guilty as Charged

In connection with the murders of their children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua (JJ), 7, Lori Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, were indicted by a grand jury and pled not guilty.

Vallow Daybell was found guilty of first-degree murder in the children's murders, grand theft, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the killing of Chad Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy. This man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with that death.

See Also: Texas Man Kills Girlfriend in Parking Lot After Getting Abortion

The Proceedings of the Trial

In November 2019, JJ's grandparents reported both Tylee and JJ missing. Authorities in Rexburg, Idaho, carried out a welfare check and subsequently executed search warrants at the apartment complex where Vallow Daybell and her husband resided. Police were worried, but the parents reportedly did not care where the kids were.

Authorities in Idaho reportedly filed a warrant for Vallow Daybell's arrest in Hawaii in February 2020 as she had refused to assist in the search for the missing kids.

Human remains were discovered in a shallow grave on Chad Daybell's Idaho ranch in June 2020. DNA testing confirmed that they belonged to his wife's lost children.

According to AP News, a DNA expert testified that a hair recovered in the duct tape used to wrap JJ's corpse belonged to his mother. A detective also testified that he had found Tylee's charred bones put into a bucket and buried somewhere on Daybell's property.

On trial, Vallow Daybell's former acquaintances discussed the couple's supposed religious views. Melanie Gibb told the media that Vallow Daybell called JJ and Tylee zombies and thought bad spirits could possess humans and convert them into zombies.

See Also: YouTuber Intentionally Staged California Plane Crash To Make Sponsored Video, Garner Views

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In the book, Charlie finds the ticket in a candy bar called the Whipple Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight. In the movie, the factory is illustrated in matching style, as a trippy, baroque cartoon: a chocolate river and technicolor lollipop forests.

Candy-making is a dark art, the secret industrial process that imagines and makes the stuff of childrens wildest cravings. In cheery and menacing laboratories, Willy Wonka is preoccupied with research and development, venturing further from the medium of chocolate as he scrapes the burning sky with marshmallow-tipped ice cream wings.

So you might be disappointed, at first, when a real-life chocolate factory tour  at Tucsons acclaimed Monsoon Chocolate, 234 E. 22nd St.  happens in one big temperature-controlled room.

Indoor windows reveal the depths of the factory: the grinding room or an assembly line of two people. One worker stands in front of a minor chocolate waterfall, arranging squares of ganache into rows. Someone else decorates the confections on the other side. The air smells warmly like the cashew brittle that is cooling on a marble slab around the corner.

The $20 tours, which happen several times throughout May, arent ostentatious or whimsical, yet they still seek to inspire. The Monsoon Chocolate factory begins in a room flanked with hefty jute bags, wherein lies the focus of the tour: the beans.

When owner Adam Krantz enters, he bears an iPad instead of a scepter, wonkish circle glasses in place of a satin top hat, hipster tattoos under rolled-up sleeves. Yet one aspect mirrors old Willy Wonka: a gleam in his eye, flirting with fanatical love of chocolate.

Adam commands the tour, yet his showmanship is more as a supporting role: he aims to highlight the wonder of the chocolate itself. The iPad comes out to illustrate the wonders of the plant: elephantine pods that emerge directly from the trunk of the tree, fruits displayed in every color of the rainbow.

Next, a photo of a modest black insect. The chocolate midge, Adam said, is the plants only pollinator. We can hardly see the midge, and they dont know we exist, but were still in this symbiotic relationship, Adam said. Without its efforts, chocolate wouldnt exist.

The material of the tour includes a few precious substances. The first is cacao water, made from the pressed fruit (usually wasted) that surrounds each seed that turns into a cocoa bean. Adam describes the taste of the water as all my favorite tropical fruits in one, but this is the first time hell talk about how many volatile flavor compounds exist in chocolate.

This is one of the most complex flavor substances on the planet, Adam said. I mean, theyre saying, like, over 1,000 compounds in fermented cacao. Its wild. You know, things like beer and wine and coffee  theyre all complex flavor foods, but youre more in the 400 to 600 volatile compounds on those.

To me, the cacao water tasted like fat-washed orange juice, but other guests identified kiwi. Adam declares, diplomatically, that there isnt one answer to what it tastes like: were all interpreting this staggeringly complex fruit. This is the first time that I see this tour not just as a demonstration of how the sausage is made, but Adam as a broker of these unique and hard-to-find foods that we come here to taste with his guidance.

Most of the chocolate bars that Monsoon sells are single-origin, which means the beans come from a particular farm, growing a particular varietal of cacao, in a tropical country thousands of miles away from Tucson. These farms are small  though chocolate is produced on an industrial level (Adam calls it Big Chocolate), the farms that grow the fruit are typically around one acre in size.

When we say our chocolates are a partnership with farms, we really mean that, Adam said. The first crucial steps to making chocolate are done on-site: growing and harvesting the fruits, fermenting the beans and then drying them into what we would recognize as a cocoa bean.

Each of these steps require expertise: You have to know your specific trees, your specific genetics. What looks right in one farm might not be right on the other. And all the pods are ripening at different rates, so you might have just one or two per tree that are ready to harvest.

Though cacao trees fruit year-round, there are one or two times a year that are peak harvest. Buying the beans can be one of the hardest parts of the business, Adam said. Were usually purchasing when [the beans are] ready, when its available, and it might not line up with when youre ready.

From the farms, the beans get shipped to a warehouse in San Francisco that holds most of the western U.S. supply of cocoa. Then they arrive at Monsoon, where the factory work truly begins.

Adam gets up from the head of the table and takes us into an alcove next to a window into a room with heavy machinery. Two miniature grinding machines are busy at work churning cocoa beans into chocolate.

The machines sit on top of enormous Tupperwares filled with sheathed cocoa beans. Big Chocolate, Adam said, has machines the size of this room that sort out twigs and defective beans from the supply, and even more machinery to winnow the shell from the bean. At Monsoon, these things are done with manual labor and some ingenuity: workers sort the beans by hand, and their winnowing machine is a juicer attached to an industrial vacuum, designed by an engineer friend of Adams.

These beans are evaluated based on their size and acidity, and then roasted and aged for maximum flavor and minimal bitterness. Then, they go in the grinder.

The grinder almost seems like a misnomer  if youre thinking about a coffee grinder, youre not realizing how small chocolate is ground in order for a smooth finish. These grinders get the coffee beans down to less than 20 microns in size, which essentially turns the beans into a liquid.

This is the second time the tour feels more like a guided tasting: Adam dips sample spoons into each grinder: one contains beans alone, the other has cocoa butter and sugar added. We try them both.

Most of what chocolatiers taste is the chocolate liquor, also called unrefined chocolate. Though the bitterness is sharper in this form, the notes of the chocolate are much easier to identify.

These notes are what make each bar a collaboration between the farmer: theyre the expression of the fruit, soil, latitude, and specialized practices of a farm taking up one acre of land in this world.

When you taste a sample of the finished chocolate bar at the table, the chocolate liquor has shocked your taste buds into being able to recognize the complex flavors hiding underneath the sugar and bitterness we most easily recognize as dark chocolate. Suddenly, your palate feels expansive.

Adam shows us how he smells and snaps the chocolate, to understand its aromatic and textural composition. The snap shows how much of each core ingredient  cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter  is present.

Adam doesnt tell you what you should be tasting  there are 1,000 directions those volatile flavor compounds can take you.

The last thing youll taste on the tour is their lowest cocoa percentage chocolate, a 40% milk chocolate from Ecuadorian beans. Any lower of a cocoa percentage, Adam said, and the nuances of the cocoa will be washed out by sugar and milk. (A big-name candy bar, by the way, probably is clocking in closer to 15 percent, the lowest it can be and still be legally called chocolate by the FDA.)

At the end of the tour, were turned loose in their downsized cafe space. The reason these tours can happen, Adam said, is because the factory is moving its local retail operations to a new cafe in the Copenhagen Plaza, 3630 E. Fort Lowell Road.

He tells the family reunion from Washington state that the cafe will be open in a few weeks  pending city approval  and they cheerily indicate that they wont be in town by that point. Instead, the family will be shipping Monsoon Chocolate to their homes across the country. The Tucson heat can melt the chocolate especially quickly, so this national delivery is no small feat.

I like to tell people we're a logistics company as much as we're a chocolate company, Adam said. Shipping, though, saved the company during the pandemic, when they had to close their cafe and stop all tours.

The tour ends with a complimentary goodie: each person gets to pick their own bonbon from their display case. These jewels are hand-decorated (they employ a bon-bon designer to come up with art for each flavor). Their Whiskey Del Bac bonbon recently won the Good Food Award, though its one of the least flashy in the case.

After the tour, Adam spirits away to the back of the factory as the tourists mingle in the lobby, buying chocolate and talking about their plans to come.

When I buy a chocolate bar, its not to satisfy a craving or as a souvenir of the event. Its an opportunity to practice what we learned on the tour: to remember when were at home, returned to our normal lives, what it means to savor chocolate.

Tours of Monsoon Chocolate's factory are $20 per person. To see available dates and book your ticket, click here. Monsoon Chocolate is located at 234 E. 22nd St., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Its new cafe is set to open in the coming weeks at 3630 E. Fort Lowell Road.
WARREN, R.I. (AP)  A nearly 150-year-old stained-glass church window that depicts a dark-skinned Jesus Christ interacting with women in New Testament scenes has stirred up questions about race, Rhode Island's role in the slave trade and the place of women in 19th century New England society.

The window installed at the long-closed St. Marks Episcopal Church in Warren in 1878 is the oldest known public example of stained glass on which Christ is depicted as a person of color that one expert has seen.

This window is unique and highly unusual, said Virginia Raguin, a professor of humanities emerita at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and an expert on the history of stained-glass art. I have never seen this iconography for that time.

The 12-foot tall, 5-foot wide (3.7 meters by 1.5 meters) window depicts two biblical passages in which women, also painted with dark skin, appear as equals to Christ. One shows Christ in conversation with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, from the Gospel of Luke. The other shows Christ speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well from the Gospel of John.

The window made by the Henry E. Sharp studio in New York had largely been forgotten until a few years ago when Hadley Arnold and her family bought the 4,000-square-foot (371-square-meter) Greek Revival church building, which opened in 1830 and closed in 2010, to convert into their home.

When four stained-glass windows were removed in 2020 to be replaced with clear glass, Arnold took a closer look. It was a cold winter's day with the sunlight shining at just the right angle and she was stunned by what she saw in one of them: The human figures had dark skin.

The skin tones were nothing like the white Christ you usually see, said Arnold, who teaches architectural design in California after growing up in Rhode Island and earning an art history degree from Harvard University.

The window has now been scrutinized by scholars, historians and experts trying to determine the motivations of the artist, the church and the woman who commissioned the window in memory of her two aunts, both of whom married into families that had been involved in the slave trade.

Is this repudiation? Is this congratulations? Is this a secret sign? said Arnold.

Raguin and other experts confirmed that the skin tones  in black and brown paint on milky white glass that was fired in an oven to set the image  were original and deliberate. The piece shows some signs of aging but remains in very good condition, she said.

But does it depict a Black Jesus? Arnold doesn't feel comfortable using that term, preferring to say it depicts Christ as a person of color, probably Middle Eastern, which she says would make sense, given where the Galilean Jewish preacher was from.

Others think it's open to interpretation.

To me, being of African American and Native American heritage, I think that it could represent both people," said Linda AVant-Deishinni, the former executive director of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. She now runs the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providences St. Martin de Porres Center, which provides services to older residents.

The first time I saw it, it just kind of just blew me away, AVant-Deishinni said.

Victoria Johnson, a retired educator who was the first Black woman named principal of a Rhode Island high school, thinks the figures in the glass are most certainly Black.

When I see it, I see Black," she said. It was created in an era when at a white church in the North, the only people of color they knew were Black.

Warrens economy had been based on the building and outfitting of ships, some used in the slave trade, according to the town history. And although there are records of enslaved people in town before the Civil War, the racial makeup of St. Marks was likely mostly if not all white.

The window was commissioned by a Mary P. Carr in honor of two women, apparently her late aunts, whose names appear on the glass, Arnold said. Mrs. H. Gibbs and Mrs. R. B. DeWolf were sisters, and both married into families involved in the slave trade. The DeWolf family made a fortune as one of the nation's leading slave-trading families; Gibbs married a sea captain who worked for the DeWolfs.

Both women had been listed as donors to the American Colonization Society, founded to support the migration of freed slaves to Liberia in Africa. The controversial effort was overwhelmingly rejected by Black people in America, leading many former supporters to become abolitionists instead. DeWolf also left money in her will to found another church in accord with egalitarian principles, according to the research.

Another clue is the timing, Arnold said. The window was commissioned at a critical juncture of U.S. history when supporters of Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and their Southern Democrat opponents agreed to settle the 1876 presidential election with what is known as the Compromise of 1877, which essentially ended Reconstruction-era efforts to grant and protect the legal rights of formerly enslaved Black people.

What was Carr trying to say about Gibbs' and DeWolf's links to slavery?

We dont know, but it would appear that she is honoring people of conscience however imperfect their actions or their effectiveness may have been, Arnold said. I don't think it would be there otherwise."

The window also is remarkable because it shows Christ interacting with woman as equals, Raguin said: Both stories were selected to profile equality."

For now, the window remains propped upright in a wooden frame where pews once stood. College classes have come to see it, and on one recent spring afternoon there was a visit from a diverse group of eighth graders from The Nativity School in Worcester, a Jesuit boys' school.

The boys learned about the window's history and significance from Raguin.

When I first brought this up to them in religion class, it was the first time the kids had ever heard of something like this and they were genuinely curious as to what that was all about, why it mattered, why it existed, religion teacher Bryan Montenegro said. I thought that it would be very valuable to come and see it, and be so close to it, and really feel the diversity and inclusion that was so different for that time.

Arnold hopes to find a museum, college or other institution that can preserve and display the window for academic study and public appreciation.

I think this belongs in the public trust," she said. "I dont believe that it was ever intended to be a privately owned object.
The Tulsa Higher Education Consortium wants to know which businesses in the area provide benefits to help their employees pay for higher education.

The consortium is committed to meeting workforce needs by working collaboratively to increase higher education opportunities in the region.

The collaboration between higher education and local business is essential in strengthening Tulsas education and high-quality workforce, said Sarah Wyatt, director of strategy and operations for the consortium. The tuition assistance benefits list features businesses that are committed to investing in their employees educations. This type of commitment is critical for graduate and employee recruitment, upskilling the workforce, and keeping talented professionals in Tulsa.

The following is a list of those companies that have responded to the consortiums survey that gathers details published on its website, tulsahighered.com, which includes how to learn more about receiving the benefits.

To add your agency, business or organization to the list, visit the website and fill out a survey under Tuition Assistance Benefits.

Tulsa-area companies and organizations that offer tuition payment assistance/reimbursement

AAON Inc.

Alfa Laval

Amazon

Bama Companies Inc

BancFirst

Bixby Police Department

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma

BOK Financial

Brainerd Chemical Company Inc.

CAP Tulsa

Carter Healthcare

Chipotle

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

City of Muskogee

City of Owasso

City Year Tulsa

Community Action Resource and Development Inc

CymSTAR

Explorer Pipeline Company

Griffin Media

HE&M Saw

The Hertz Corporation

Hillcrest HealthCare System

Langston University

Lowes Home Improvement

Matrix Service Company

McAlisters Deli (The Saxton Group)

Mohawk Industries

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa

ONE Gas Inc.

Oscar Winch

P&K Equipment

PACCAR WINCH Inc

Raising Canes

Saint Francis Health System

Stigler Health and Wellness Center Inc.

Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma

TTCU

Tulsa Health Department

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees

University of Oklahoma-Tulsa

University of Tulsa

WeStreet Federal Credit Union

Webco Industries

Williams

Tulsa-area companies and organizations that offer payment/reimbursement for licensing courses and exams

AAON Inc.

Alfa Laval

Brainerd Chemical Company Inc.

CAP Tulsa

City of Muskogee

Community Action Resource and Development Inc

Explorer Pipeline Company

Griffin Media

Hillcrest HealthCare System

Lowes Home Improvement

Matrix Service Company

Oklahoma National Guard

ONE Gas Inc.

PACCAR WINCH Inc

Raising Canes

Saint Francis Health System

Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma

TTCU

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees

WeStreet Federal Credit Union

Webco Industries

Williams

Tulsa-area companies and organizations that offer student loan repayment

AAON Inc.

Oklahoma National Guard

Stigler Health and Wellness Center Inc.

WeStreet Federal Credit Union
SAND SPRINGS  Two law enforcement agencies that chased a reportedly stolen SUV after its driver allegedly took a weed trimmer from a hardware store differ in whether the pursuit should have been called off before it escalated into a high-speed crash and police gunfire.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol found its trooper to be compliant with its policy and justified in spinning out the SUV into a violent wreck. Conversely, the Sand Springs Police Department disciplined its two officers for violating agency standards by not canceling the chase because of its dangers.

Brandon Beaty is facing charges after a 20-minute pursuit in August resulted in a high-speed wreck and police gunfire that aired live via video from KOTVs helicopter. The crash resulted in no reported injuries.

Beaty was arrested after an hours-long search for the vehicles three occupants alongside Keystone Lake west of Sand Springs. His passengers werent charged with any crimes.

The two Sand Springs officers involved in the chase knew early on that two passengers were in the vehicle and that at least one made efforts to counter its fleeing driver.

The front passenger is trying to get him to stop, Sand Springs Police Officer Tim Freeman called out on the police radio, according to his dash camera recording. I can see her trying to grab the wheel.

Its unclear what Trooper Austin Owen knew and when  if at all  regarding the passengers as he caused the SUV to spin out at high speeds.

The vehicular chase ended on U.S. 412 in Pawnee County when Freeman waived off further pursuit after the spinout, and gunshots didnt stop the driver from fleeing in the SUV again.

Digging into the pursuit

The Tulsa World reviewed records provided by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Sand Springs Police Department in response to open records requests from the newspaper. The Police Department convened its mandatory board to review its officers actions, while the Oklahoma Highway Patrol appears not to have exercised its optional review board for its trooper.

The ordeal unfolded Aug. 1 after a Tractor Supply Co. employee reported the weed trimmer theft and the suspect vehicles license plate number. That allowed Sand Springs police to locate the maroon SUV and try to pull over the driver, which turned into a 21-minute chase that the Highway Patrol joined for the final eight minutes.

The OHP did look at one specific element of Trooper Owens actions through the chain of command, but the agency didnt assemble a review board to look at all aspects of the chase. In an email, Highway Patrol Maj. Brent Sugg asked a division commander for a critique of why Owens cruiser was struck by the SUV after the SUV rebounded off a guardrail. The email expressed no concern that Owen had caused the SUV to spin out at highway speeds in wet conditions to put himself, the eluder and passengers in peril.

Dash camera video shows the dangers to the public, as well; along the roads and highway, the pursuit passed several individuals who were not inside vehicles.

Neither Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton nor Col. Patrick Mays, chief of the OHP, had time in their schedules for an interview for the story, according to an agency spokesperson. Over a two-week period, the agency didnt respond to written questions submitted by the World.

A Chiefs Review Board may be convened to look at vehicular pursuits but isnt required by OHP policy.

On the other hand, the Sand Springs Police Department determined that Freeman and Lt. Kevin OKeefe should have canceled the pursuit because they reasonably should have known the chases dangers appeared to outweigh the risks of the suspects escape.

A five-officer SSPD review board voted unanimously in October that Freeman and OKeefe violated policy and procedure. The discipline didnt rise to the level of termination, demotion, suspension or loss in pay.

We can do things differently

Deputy Police Chief Todd Enzbrenner said in a phone interview that he and the board felt the risk outweighed the reward when the eluder began driving the wrong way on a winding two-lane road  about three minutes into the chase  because oncoming motorists wouldnt expect a vehicle to be approaching in their lane.

The Sand Springs Police Department is a member of a national policy institute to stay abreast of the latest policies and best practices developed by lawyers and police professionals.

Enzbrenner said pursuits have undergone a paradigm shift since he entered law enforcement.

When I started my career 30 years ago, you chased people until the wheels fell off regardless of the crime, he said. Thats changing as we move along because we find out that obviously theyre dangerous and innocent people get caught up in those things. Thats the last thing we want to happen.

Enzbrenner said every use of force by Sand Springs police officers  pursuits included  requires an internal review board that functions alongside a citizen panel for transparency and to learn from daily operations how to be better officers.

The No. 1 goal is for everybody to go home safe  our officers, our citizens and even the suspects  because we dont want to see a loss of life, Enzbrenner said. We dont want to see people get maimed and injured when we can do things differently to prevent that.

After Trooper Owen spun out the SUV, Officer Freeman and Lt. OKeefe each fired single gunshots at the vehicle as the driver hit and pushed OKeefes car out of the way with the SUV to continue fleeing after the crash.

Enzbrenner said OKeefe fired once through his windshield at the SUVs engine compartment and that Freeman shot once at a tire  both trying to disable the vehicle rather than shoot at the driver and possibly strike a passenger.

The gunshots were within policy but a point of contention, Enzbrenner said. SSPD policy states that officers shouldnt shoot at moving vehicles, but Enzbrenner said the board felt that the two officers were forced to try to stop the eluder from fleeing the wrong way at a high speed on a major highway with divided lanes.

He did meet the standards of deadly force at that point, and so they felt like they needed to do something to try to stop it, Enzbrenner said. It was obviously unsuccessful, and we wouldnt recommend that officers do that, but its always a case-by-case basis.

Sand Springs pursuit policy states that officers shall drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property.

Highway Patrol policy requires that chases promote the safety of all persons.

Both agencies invoke what is commonly referred to as a balance test in whether to engage in or continue an auto chase: The benefits of apprehension must outweigh the risks presented by a pursuit.
One night nearly 45 years ago, John Whetsel watched emergency personnel lay the body of a dead child wrapped in a sheet on the floor of an ambulance.

A car had been split from the impact of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper slamming into it at 97 mph while he chased a drag-racing motorcyclist. Whetsel, the Choctaw Police chief in 1980, was on the scene in northeast Oklahoma City to help in whatever way possible.

A tow truck lifted the mangled car into the artificial light, and only then did Whetsel recognize his car and the clothes his wife had been wearing  her body underneath the wreck.

Whetsels wife and 2-year-old daughter were killed by the state trooper. His 4-year-old daughter and the trooper were the two survivors.

Its just one of those  a lot of disbelief. A lot of despair, Whetsel said, retired since 2017 from his long stint as sheriff of Oklahoma County. I tell this story across the country to law enforcement groups. When I do, you actually walk through that scene, I tell them the only thing good about me being there was I was there for my 4-year-old daughter when she needed me.

Its one of those things  its instant grief, but it takes hours to really understand and process that what really happened happened. It changed our family in an instant.

In August, the hazards of the Sand Springs Police Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol chasing a weed trimmer theft suspect in a stolen SUV prompted Pawnee County Sheriff Darrin Varnell later to invite Whetsel to provide pursuit and traffic safety training to his deputies.

Pawnee County didnt make it to the vehicular chase until after it was finished, but its deputies did assist in the search for the driver and passengers.

Whetsel tells his story at every new sheriffs academy in Oklahoma while offering training on pursuit and traffic safety  his passion since that horrifying night in 1980. He said the OHP trooper had driven in a manner that any reasonable or prudent person would know is too fast and too dangerous when the trooper blew through a stop sign and broad-sided his familys car.

Whetsel said he hadnt reviewed the pursuit Aug. 1 in Sand Springs to offer comments on it but that in his training sessions he always asks officers to consider for what it is they are willing to die.

Officers are given two deadly weapons in their line of work, Whetsel said. One is a firearm that is rarely used and weighs less than 5 pounds. The other is a 4,000-pound weapon they drive every shift and which is a use of force in a pursuit, he said.

At this point in time, there is no requirement  which I think there should be  that every law enforcement officer has to have an annual refresher both in class and behind the wheel of accreditation with the second weapon, Whetsel said. I think that would be helpful to mandate  both requalification of firearm and vehicle.

As far as key guidelines, Whetsel said officers must watch their speed and exercise caution at intersections, never chase someone the wrong way in the roadway, understand that there is no safe tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) or precision immobilization technique (PIT) to spin out an eluder, and stop pursuing if they can identify the driver unless it is a matter of life and death and the driver has committed a violent crime.

You can go back to training, policy and enforcement of that policy, Whetsel said. Thats what the whole scope of pursuits needs to revolve around: continual training, a sound, firm policy, and enforcement of the policy.

Varnell, who was elected sheriff of Pawnee County in 2020, said Whetsel does a phenomenal job teaching.

Varnell said his first priority in a chase is the safety of the public and officers. People often will flee for the dumbest reasons, he said.

A lot of times you can get that tag number or whatever, and if it isnt that crazy, its time to back off and well catch them another day, Varnell said.
Rather than answer questions about the 2021-2022 school report cards, a spokesman for the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced the department is looking at overhauling the system.

After the 2021-2022 state report cards were issued in mid-April, the Tulsa World submitted a list of questions in writing to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, including specifics about attendance metrics and why per-pupil expenditures and other contextual data are still missing from the online interactive dashboard, despite the more than four-month delay in the grades release.

After multiple follow-up attempts via phone, email and text, Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesman Justin Holcomb responded Wednesday with a two-sentence, prepared statement:

The report card policies of the previous administration lead to several discrepancies and inconsistencies throughout the entire program. Superintendent (Ryan) Walters intends to introduce a new report card system in the coming months that will totally revamp and streamline Oklahomas outdated process.

The revelation that the report card process may be changing was news to officials at several of the areas largest school districts.

When reached Thursday and Friday, officials at Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, Tulsa and Union each said that they have had no direct communication with OSDE about the possibility of changes to the report card system, nor had there been efforts to solicit feedback about what changes they would like to see.

Holcomb did not respond to follow-up inquiries seeking details about the proposed changes, including whether the nature of Walters planned revamp and streamline efforts would even be allowable under current state statutes without legislative action and if the Oklahoma State Department of Education would seek out school districts opinions before attempting to make any changes.

State law requires report cards to be issued annually and that certain criteria be taken into account when calculating schools grades, including English language proficiency for English language learners, student attendance, student performance on statewide assessments and, for high schools, graduation rates and access to post-secondary opportunities, such as concurrent enrollment, internships and apprenticeships.

However, the law does not stipulate how those metrics are to assessed or how much weight each category must carry when determining the overall grade.

Oklahoma grades its public schools using a bell curve. That means every year, 5% of schools will receive an A, 25% will receive a B, 40% will receive a C, 25% will receive a D and 5% will receive an F.

At the state level, academic achievement received a C grade, academic growth a B, English language proficiency progress a B, chronic absenteeism a D, postsecondary opportunities a C and graduation a D.

The first report cards issued since before the pandemic, the release was delayed due to calculation errors that were revealed in December.

Among Tulsa Public Schools sites, 15 of its 72 campuses received an overall grade of C or better: Carnegie, Council Oak, Dolores Huerta, Eisenhower, Eliot, Grissom, Mayo Demonstration, Lanier, Patrick Henry, Salk and Zarrow elementary schools; Carver and Edison middle schools and Booker T. Washington and Edison high schools.

Overall letter grades were not issued for Tulsa Virtual Academy or three of the districts alternative sites: North Star Academy, Street School and Tulsa MET Junior High, which is now Tulsa MET Middle School.

TPS issued a written statement in response to the release of the grades.

While the last three years have been difficult for families, students, and schools, our overall scores on the Oklahoma State Report Cards have held steady, and we are seeing continued improvement in our Academic Growth indicator.

We have, however, also seen that Oklahomas school grades reflect the economic challenges their families face; the higher the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, the lower the school grade. This has been the case statewide for many years.

Among Tulsas charter schools, Dove Science Academy and Dove School of Discovery had the highest overall grades, with each earning a B.

Overall grades were not issued to three charter schools: KIPP Tulsa University Prep, Deborah Brown Community School or Tulsa Honor Academys high school.

Among the larger suburban districts, no secondary sites received an overall A. Five elementary schools earned an A: Sand Springs Angus Valley and Pratt; Unions Andersen and Darnaby; and Jenks West Intermediate.

Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller said that while he and other area superintendents agree that there needs to be accountability for school districts, the current report card system does not provide a full picture of a schools progress, particularly when issued almost a full year after the conclusion of the grading period.

My honest opinion is that it (report card data) is not useful at all, especially post-pandemic, he said. We understand that kids are going to have some academic gaps and our teachers have been working extremely hard to identify those gaps.

Instead, BPS is using grant funds to bring in a third-party contractor to help develop district assessments based on feedback from parents.

We shouldnt shy away from accountability, Miller said. In fact, we should embrace it, but make it more transparent. We need to build trust with our families so that they see were focused on the priorities that are important to them and that we are taking steps to improve in ways that are measurable locally and can have a real impact on students in our schools.
Dark money: A dark money group involved in ousting several Republicans in the 2018 legislative primaries has agreed to pay the state $45,000 in fines and fees for refusing to comply with state ethics laws.

Essentially a drop box set up for political operatives to avoid disclosure of donors, the Conservative Alliance conceded in a settlement with the Ethics Commission that it spent more than $150,000 on independent expenditures in 2018 without filing the required reports.

The Tulsa World reported at the time that the Conservative Alliance, in fact, may have spent $750,000 to replace state representatives who voted against tax increases to offset revenue shortfalls and give the states public school teachers a pay raise.

A record eight Republican incumbents lost primaries that year.

Contributions to the PAC passed through a 501c (4) organization so that the donors were never revealed. The agreement announced Friday requires the delinquent reports to be filed, but because of the PACs structure they are unlikely to identify the actual donors.

Workforce: Changes in the way Oklahoma administers federal workforce development money may be coming after a task force appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt and chaired by Oklahoma State Chamber President Chad Warmington delivered its final report last week.

It recommended numerous changes, including creation of a public-private coordinating board to direct recruitment and training. The report says Oklahoma had 36,000 more job postings than people looking for jobs in 2021, with most of the vacancies in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.

Among those on the task force was Jeff Stava, chief operating officer of the Tulsa Community Foundation and chief program officer of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Rx Rx: Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said Caremark, the prescription benefit manager for CVS, has promised to resume 90-day mail order service for most customers this summer.

I am encouraged by the recent change of course and focus of Caremark to develop a plan with their employer groups that will resolve the current issues facing many Oklahomans, Mulready said in a press release. We have met with their leadership, and I am committed to making sure this plan becomes a reality.

Staying eligible: With as many as 270,000 Oklahomans expected to lose Medicaid coverage as COVID-19s emergency eligibility ends, the Cherokee Nation says its doing what it can to keep as many of its 3,000 citizens on the trim list enrolled in SoonerCare.

Its critical that our citizens have health coverage for their families and bridge any gap for necessary specialty medical care or emergencies that should arise outside our health system, said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Medicaid did not drop enrollees during the pandemic, regardless of changes in their eligibility. It is now dropping those whose household incomes now exceed the standard limits or who no longer qualify for other reasons.

Hoskin said Cherokee Nation staff will be contacting Cherokee citizens slated for disenrollment to see if they do, in fact, still qualify.

The Cherokee Nation  has spent years working to get Native families enrolled, and we must ensure these families have that continued coverage during the coming months, Hoskin said.

Signed: Among legislation recently signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt was a bill by an unusual pairing of authors, state Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

House Bill 2041 is a justice-reform measure that allows local law enforcement officers to issue verbal warnings for outstanding misdemeanor warrants rather than drag the offenders to jail. The warnings must include instructions on how to clear up the warrant and be documented for the record.

Also signed into law:

HB 1445, by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, which requires school districts to post details of their bond proposals online at least 30 days before the bond election.

HB 1962, by Rep. Carl Newton, R-Woodward, which creates a new category of drivers license for those 14-16 who live or work on farms.

Moving day: The first inmates arrived at the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton, which is replacing the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections system.

The DOC will operate Great Plains under a lease from GEO, the private company that owns the facility and until recently operated it, primarily as a federal medium-security prison.

The department did not renew its contract with North Fork owner CoreCivic after several problems at that facility.

They seem OK: State Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, had some fun with being named the Oklahoma Education Associations Legislator of the Year days after State Superintendent Ryan Walters called the OEA a terrorist organization.

I must report that I received an award from a terrorist organization, Young said. Well, at least from an organization that was designated as a terrorist organization by a duly elected state official. I have not seen any notices from the FBI, CIA, OSBI or the state troopers.

The OEA, Young said, seemed like a very warm and good bunch of upstanding Oklahomans.

Game: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservations much-loved TikTok account has so far survived Gov. Kevin Stitts ban, Government Technology reports.

The department not only oversees game, but it has game when it comes to social media. Its lighthearted, engaging accounts on Twitter, TikTok and Facebook have greatly expanded the departments reach.

For instance, an April 10 tweet  If this gets 1M likes our boss will let us name her baby Armadillo  has 143,000 likes and has been retweeted 14,300 times. The departments TikTok account has more than 235,000 followers.

So when Stitt ordered all state-owned devices off TikTok, the Wildlife Department was able to get an exception by promising to use a separate phone paid for by a sponsor and completely cut off from state systems.

The principle we leaned on the most is just do no harm to people or wildlife, keep that priority first, and then interact in an equitable way to attract people who maybe arent your typical hunters and anglers, social media specialist Sarah Southerland told Government Technology.

Meetings and events: Scholarship winner Divinety Johnson will be the featured speaker at the Creek County Democratic Party meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at La Margarita, 1215 New Sapulpa Road, Sapulpa.

State Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, will be the featured speaker at the Tulsa County Democratic Party social gathering at 6 p.m. May 30 at the Schusterman-Benson Library, 3333 E. 32nd Place.

 Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World
In 2010, when the first John Hope Franklin Symposium was held, it pretty well had the dates around the Tulsa Race Massacre anniversary to itself.

Now it is just one of several activities planned.

Its a compliment in some regards, said John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation Executive Director Reuben Gant. Look at all of the things that have happened in (Greenwood).

The 14th John Hope Franklin Symposium begins at 6 p.m. May 24 with a program featuring historian and civil rights advocate Mary Frances Berry at the University of Tulsas Lorton Performing Arts Center and continues through May 26 with sessions at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.

The Mary Frances Berry presentation is free and open to the public; it will be livestreamed at jhfnationalsymposium.org. Attendance for the rest of the seminar requires online registration.

Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches American legal history. She previously served as chancellor of the University of Colorado, assistant secretary of education in what was then the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and as a member of the U.S. Human Rights Commission.

Oher symposium speakers include Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Traci Manuel; University of North Carolina Professor Karla Slocum, an authority on Oklahomas all-Black towns; New Orleans businesswoman and community activist Amy Stelly; historian Melissa Stuckey, also an authority on Oklahomas Black towns; and Enid 10th-grader Saniah Redman, an aspiring musician and psychologist.

History of Hope: Building Greenwood is the theme of this years symposium, but Gant said the purpose is to highlight the hopes of all Black people.

They all hoped for the same thing  a better life after emancipation, he said.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Educators watching lawmakers trying to craft a historic education funding plan have mixed emotions.

Lawmakers have until 5 p.m. May 26 to pass a plan and send it to Gov. Kevin Stitts desk. They could also return in a special session to hammer out differences.

Last week, lawmakers were close to announcing an agreement but couldnt agree on a key figure for the Redbud Fund, which uses medical marijuana revenue to let schools buy and improve buildings.

The latest offer from both sides would be the largest funding increase in state history for education, as well as a much-needed teacher raise, said Shawn Hime, Oklahoma State School Boards Association executive director.

He said the latest development in negotiations is part of politics.

It feels like every year we come down to the wire and go back and forth in the Senate and House, Hime said. We have yet to have a year a budget wasnt approved.

He said he is hopeful an agreement can be reached by May 26.

I have been keeping track of the back and forth between the House, Senate and governor with occasional commentary from our state superintendent, said Craig Hoxie, a Booker T. Washington High School teacher who has been in the classroom for 24 years.

He said most of what has gone on so far is political grandstanding.

They dont have a desire to do anything or they would have a solution, Hoxie said. They are making a lot of noise but dont plan to get anything done and they are all going to blame each other.

He said watching the process has been frustrating.

Schools are struggling to keep teachers who are leaving the profession for better-paying jobs.

Thousands of qualified educators have left the state in droves, and they will not come back, Hoxie said.

Katherine Bishop is president of the Oklahoma Education Association.

She said the negotiation process has been a struggle, and lawmakers have been working diligently to come to an agreement.

Our folks are at the Capitol every day and have been watching the process, Bishop said. We see things moving, and they are moving in the right direction.

She believes a resolution is very close.

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, R-Tulsa, is a former teacher.

I think teachers are working hard and doing their job all year long, Dossett said. They are very tired of waiting for the Legislature and state superintendent of education, who cant do their job.

All they are observing is the antics and games and culture wars and not seeing any results as far as teacher raises and sustainable public education funding.

Despite her observations, Dossett said she is holding out hope that an agreement will be reached.
Planemaker Boeing is ready to provide the Vietnamese government with planes and helicopters for natural disaster relief operations, Bredan Nelson, president of Boeing Global, said on Friday on the occasion of the opening of a Boeing new permanent office in Hanoi. However, the supply would depend on negotiations between Vietnam and the U.S., Nelson remarked during a working session between a Boeing delegation and the Vietnamese government the same day. The aviation giant had earlier supplied some of its products to the Vietnam Coast Guard, Nelson told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. During this business trip to Vietnam, the Boeing Global leader said he would consider its relationship with Boeing suppliers in Vietnam and local carriers. Nelson will collect feedback and proposals on what Boeing should do in Vietnam compared to what it had done before. I also assumed the role as consultant on opportunities and development of the aviation sector in Vietnam, he said, adding that Vietnam is among the first countries he has visited since he was appointed as Boeing Global president in January this year. He said that Vietnam has a capability to develop its aviation industry. The opening of Boeings new permanent office in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi is aimed at supporting the growth of the companys workforce in the Southeast Asian country and expanding its supply chain. We believe that Boeing will have more suppliers in Vietnam. Our responsibility is to train Vietnamese businesses to meet the requirements in terms of quality, safety, and certification, so that they can take part in Boeings supply chain, Nelson said. Boeing opened its new permanent office in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12, 2023. Photo: Boeing Vietnam To promote the aviation industry in Vietnam, aside from offering the new-generation aircraft that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent, Boeing will provide technology applications to improve the operational efficiency of the local aviation industry, develop an aviation supply chain, as well as train pilots, engineers, technicians for the sector. Currently, 95 percent of the leaders and employees of six Boeing suppliers in Vietnam are Vietnamese. He added that Boeing looks to increase the number of its suppliers in the country. Commenting on a probable plan of building a Boeing aircraft maintenance center at Chu Lai Airport in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, Michael Nguyen, director of Boeing Vietnam, said the planemaker has yet to consider this plan. Boeing, however, will work with Vietnamese carriers to learn about their need to develop an aircraft maintenance center. There must be an adequate number of aircraft to ensure the stable operations of an aircraft maintenance center, Nguyen explained. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Planemaker Boeing is ready to provide the Vietnamese government with planes and helicopters for natural disaster relief operations, Bredan Nelson, president of Boeing Global, said on Friday on the occasion of the opening of a Boeing new permanent office in Hanoi.

However, the supply would depend on negotiations between Vietnam and the U.S., Nelson remarked during a working session between a Boeing delegation and the Vietnamese government the same day.

The aviation giant had earlier supplied some of its products to the Vietnam Coast Guard, Nelson told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

During this business trip to Vietnam, the Boeing Global leader said he would consider its relationship with Boeing suppliers in Vietnam and local carriers.

Nelson will collect feedback and proposals on what Boeing should do in Vietnam compared to what it had done before.

I also assumed the role as consultant on opportunities and development of the aviation sector in Vietnam, he said, adding that Vietnam is among the first countries he has visited since he was appointed as Boeing Global president in January this year.

He said that Vietnam has a capability to develop its aviation industry.

The opening of Boeings new permanent office in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi is aimed at supporting the growth of the companys workforce in the Southeast Asian country and expanding its supply chain.

We believe that Boeing will have more suppliers in Vietnam. Our responsibility is to train Vietnamese businesses to meet the requirements in terms of quality, safety, and certification, so that they can take part in Boeings supply chain, Nelson said.

Boeing opened its new permanent office in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12, 2023. Photo: Boeing Vietnam

To promote the aviation industry in Vietnam, aside from offering the new-generation aircraft that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent, Boeing will provide technology applications to improve the operational efficiency of the local aviation industry, develop an aviation supply chain, as well as train pilots, engineers, technicians for the sector.

Currently, 95 percent of the leaders and employees of six Boeing suppliers in Vietnam are Vietnamese.

He added that Boeing looks to increase the number of its suppliers in the country.

Commenting on a probable plan of building a Boeing aircraft maintenance center at Chu Lai Airport in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, Michael Nguyen, director of Boeing Vietnam, said the planemaker has yet to consider this plan.

Boeing, however, will work with Vietnamese carriers to learn about their need to develop an aircraft maintenance center.

There must be an adequate number of aircraft to ensure the stable operations of an aircraft maintenance center, Nguyen explained.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
During Saturday's round of the Eurovision Song Contest, May 13, Russian missiles opened fire on the city in Ukraine, which is the home of the country's representatives.

Ukrainians Are Constantly at Risk

According to The Guardian, British Ambassador to Ukraine Dame Melinda Simmons said that the university town of Ternopil, home to electronic music duo Tvorchi, was among the venues attacked by Russia.

On Twitter, Simmons said, "Meanwhile, this #Eurovision night Ukraine is under another Russian missile attack. Reminder that the reason why [Ukraine] could not host this event is because [Russia] continues to invade and the people of [Ukraine] live in continuing danger."

Simmons complemented the Ukrainian participants in the song contest by saying that Tvorchi definitely won the prize for graphics as the staging was very clever. However, she added that it was "poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by [Russian] missiles."

Two persons were injured, according to a Telegram post by local officials, which also said that the strike had damaged commercial and religious organizations' storage facilities.

This week, Tvorchi stated their intention to bring awareness to the struggle for independence in their nation.

Ukrainian army had made gains in the eastern city of Bakhmut earlier on Saturday. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar claimed that forces are approaching from both the north and the south of Bakhmut but that the situation in the city center is more complex.

Malyar said via Telegram, "The enemy is not able to take control of the city."

Also Read: Ukrainian Catholic Church Makes History With First UK Listing Ahead of Eurovision

A Talk With Pope Francis

Separately, on Saturday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded with Pope Francis to support Kyiv's peace proposal. The Pope signaled the Vatican would assist in the safe return of Ukrainian youngsters abducted by Russians.

While in Rome, the Ukrainian president met with both Italian leaders, President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during his daylong visit.

Zelenskiy, who was in Rome for the first time since the conflict broke out, had a 40-minute conversation with the Pope and gave him a bulletproof vest that had been worn by a Ukrainian soldier and decorated with a picture of the Madonna.

According to a Vatican source, the assertion that Zelenskiy and the Pope discussed "humanitarian gestures" in private indicates that the Vatican is prepared to offer help with the return of Ukrainian children.

Following his conversation with the Pope, Zelenskiy tweeted, "We must make every effort to return them home."

Since February 2022, Kyiv claims that there have been almost 19,500 children illegally deported to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea.

Kyiv has proposed a 10-point peace proposal, and the Ukrainian president has claimed he requested the Pope to "join" in on it.

"I asked to condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine. Because there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor," Zelenskiy said in his tweet.

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine War: UK's Shadow Missile Supply Game-Changer for Kyiv

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Second-hand clothing shops in Ho Chi Minh City have seen their business results thriving as local consumers have tightened their budgets considering economic difficulties. In particular, crowds of customers are seen during the operation time of Give Away, a second-hand clothing shop in Binh Thanh District, which is contrary to the gloomy situation at fashion stalls at traditional markets. Two cashiers and three sales clerks busily serve customers to try on clothes, arrange products, and prepare bills. Customers sometimes have to queue up to try on clothes or make payments. Products at the shop are priced at VND30,000-150,000 (US$1.3-6.4) each. They remain new and diversified, so they are preferred by the young. Holding five T-shirts and three dresses in her arms, Vu Thu Huong, a 23-year-old office worker, said she wanted to buy clothes for her upcoming trip to Da Lat, a popular tourist destination in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. Huong added that she began using second-hand outfits half a year ago. I think of used clothing when I want to wear beautiful clothes despite falling salary and allowances," Huong said. "I am easily fed up with clothes, while new clothing is expensive and hand-me-downs are beautiful and special." Buying old clothes helps increase their life cycle and protect the environment, so she does not feel embarrassed, she added. Similarly, another office worker in Go Vap District named Linh Chi said most of her clothes are second-hand, except for socks and underwear. The cost-saving choice helps me have more beautiful clothes, Chi said. She also sells her unused items to earn money while reducing the discharge of fashion waste into the environment. At Labb shop, which is 500 meters from Give Away, fitting rooms are also filled. Customers have to line up for three to five minutes for their turns. The shop offers items of Vietnamese brands, which are 80-90 percent new and cost VND30,000-120,000 ($1.3-5.1) apiece. It can sell 300-400 items on each peak day, said Nguyen Thuy Chau, the owner of Labb. As the summer travel season is coming, the shopping and beauty care demands are increasing, resulting in a 20-percent rise in the shops sales, Chau shared. Bustling online second-hand clothing shopping Second-hand clothing passing groups on social media and e-commerce platforms also attract hundreds of thousands of members. Nguyen Thanh Hai, a 25-year-old resident in Binh Thanh District, have bought items from online shops instead of visiting bricks-and-mortar shops. Each item costs only VND50,000-100,000 [$2.1-4.3]. I have almost switched to pre-owned outfits, Hai said. The purchasing power on Cho Tot, a leading recommerce platform in Vietnam, inched up in the first months of the year. In particular, the number of users seeking second-hand items grew 13.1 percent over the final quarter of last year. Consumers often seek mid-end products, said Hoang Thi Minh Ngoc, strategy and growth director of Cho Tot. They prioritize money for necessities and has a low demand for promotion programs for unnecessary products. They have been open-minded about second-hand clothes in recent years, Ngoc said. Amid the current economic difficulties, the use of hand-me-downs helps households save costs and cover their other needs, she remarked. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Second-hand clothing shops in Ho Chi Minh City have seen their business results thriving as local consumers have tightened their budgets considering economic difficulties.

In particular, crowds of customers are seen during the operation time of Give Away, a second-hand clothing shop in Binh Thanh District, which is contrary to the gloomy situation at fashion stalls at traditional markets.

Two cashiers and three sales clerks busily serve customers to try on clothes, arrange products, and prepare bills.

Customers sometimes have to queue up to try on clothes or make payments.

Products at the shop are priced at VND30,000-150,000 (US$1.3-6.4) each. They remain new and diversified, so they are preferred by the young.

Holding five T-shirts and three dresses in her arms, Vu Thu Huong, a 23-year-old office worker, said she wanted to buy clothes for her upcoming trip to Da Lat, a popular tourist destination in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Huong added that she began using second-hand outfits half a year ago.

I think of used clothing when I want to wear beautiful clothes despite falling salary and allowances," Huong said.

"I am easily fed up with clothes, while new clothing is expensive and hand-me-downs are beautiful and special."

Buying old clothes helps increase their life cycle and protect the environment, so she does not feel embarrassed, she added.

Similarly, another office worker in Go Vap District named Linh Chi said most of her clothes are second-hand, except for socks and underwear.

The cost-saving choice helps me have more beautiful clothes, Chi said.

She also sells her unused items to earn money while reducing the discharge of fashion waste into the environment.

At Labb shop, which is 500 meters from Give Away, fitting rooms are also filled.

Customers have to line up for three to five minutes for their turns.

The shop offers items of Vietnamese brands, which are 80-90 percent new and cost VND30,000-120,000 ($1.3-5.1) apiece.

It can sell 300-400 items on each peak day, said Nguyen Thuy Chau, the owner of Labb.

As the summer travel season is coming, the shopping and beauty care demands are increasing, resulting in a 20-percent rise in the shops sales, Chau shared.

Bustling online second-hand clothing shopping

Second-hand clothing passing groups on social media and e-commerce platforms also attract hundreds of thousands of members.

Nguyen Thanh Hai, a 25-year-old resident in Binh Thanh District, have bought items from online shops instead of visiting bricks-and-mortar shops.

Each item costs only VND50,000-100,000 [$2.1-4.3]. I have almost switched to pre-owned outfits, Hai said.

The purchasing power on Cho Tot, a leading recommerce platform in Vietnam, inched up in the first months of the year.

In particular, the number of users seeking second-hand items grew 13.1 percent over the final quarter of last year.

Consumers often seek mid-end products, said Hoang Thi Minh Ngoc, strategy and growth director of Cho Tot.

They prioritize money for necessities and has a low demand for promotion programs for unnecessary products.

They have been open-minded about second-hand clothes in recent years, Ngoc said.

Amid the current economic difficulties, the use of hand-me-downs helps households save costs and cover their other needs, she remarked.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Eleven Nepali climbers reached the top of Mount Everest on Saturday, the first of hundreds of climbers expected to summit the world's highest mountain from its southern approach in the coming weeks. Among them was Kami Rita Sherpa, who extended his own record as the person with the most Everest summits. The team reached the peak as part of an expedition to fix ropes leading up the ascent, setting the route for foreign climbers. "We have received information that the rope-fixing team of eleven climbers has reached the peak at around 6:55 pm Nepal time," tourism department official Bhisma Raj Bhattarai told AFP. Nepal has issued 316 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from mid-April to the end of May. Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 600 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak in the coming weeks. "Now the road has opened for other climbers to summit Everest, we will see teams move up in the coming days," said Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the rope-fixing team. Mingma Sherpa added that Kami Rita Sherpa "has reached the summit for the 26th time, making a new record". His record-setting 25th ascent was also made as he led rope-fixers up Everest last year. "Some people chase records, but I have not been doing this for records," Kami Rita Sherpa said in an interview with AFP in March, before heading off to Everest. "I think about how we can increase tourism in Nepal, what can we do for more mountain climbers to come here and how can we satisfy them and make them happy." The 52-year-old followed in his father's footsteps and became a mountain guide, first summiting the peak in 1994. He has climbed Everest almost every year since. A Chinese expedition reached the top of Everest on Wednesday from its north side in Tibet, according to Chinese state broadcaster CGTN. Although China continues to ban foreign climbers because of the coronavirus pandemic, Nepal reopened its peaks to mountaineers last year. With COVID-19 cases receding, expedition operators in Nepal are hopeful for a busier climbing season this year. There has already been one fatality this season -- a Nepali climber carrying equipment uphill was found dead last month. Mount Everest. Photo: AFP

Eleven Nepali climbers reached the top of Mount Everest on Saturday, the first of hundreds of climbers expected to summit the world's highest mountain from its southern approach in the coming weeks.

Among them was Kami Rita Sherpa, who extended his own record as the person with the most Everest summits.

The team reached the peak as part of an expedition to fix ropes leading up the ascent, setting the route for foreign climbers.

"We have received information that the rope-fixing team of eleven climbers has reached the peak at around 6:55 pm Nepal time," tourism department official Bhisma Raj Bhattarai told AFP.

Nepal has issued 316 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from mid-April to the end of May.

Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 600 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak in the coming weeks.

"Now the road has opened for other climbers to summit Everest, we will see teams move up in the coming days," said Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the rope-fixing team.

Mingma Sherpa added that Kami Rita Sherpa "has reached the summit for the 26th time, making a new record".

His record-setting 25th ascent was also made as he led rope-fixers up Everest last year.

"Some people chase records, but I have not been doing this for records," Kami Rita Sherpa said in an interview with AFP in March, before heading off to Everest.

"I think about how we can increase tourism in Nepal, what can we do for more mountain climbers to come here and how can we satisfy them and make them happy."

The 52-year-old followed in his father's footsteps and became a mountain guide, first summiting the peak in 1994.

He has climbed Everest almost every year since.

A Chinese expedition reached the top of Everest on Wednesday from its north side in Tibet, according to Chinese state broadcaster CGTN.

Although China continues to ban foreign climbers because of the coronavirus pandemic, Nepal reopened its peaks to mountaineers last year.

With COVID-19 cases receding, expedition operators in Nepal are hopeful for a busier climbing season this year.

There has already been one fatality this season -- a Nepali climber carrying equipment uphill was found dead last month.
KATHMANDU - A Nepali sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time on Sunday, hiking officials said, becoming the worlds second person to achieve the feat. Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-m (29,032-ft) peak, sharing the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa, said Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official. Kami Rita, who is also climbing on Everest now, could set another record if he makes it to the top. Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official of his employer Imagine Nepal Treks, a hiking company. "They are descending from the top now and are in good shape," the official, Dawa Futi Sherpa, told Reuters. Sherpas, who mostly use their first names, are known for their climbing skills and make a living mainly by guiding foreign clients in the mountains. Dawa Futi said a Pakistani woman, Naila Kiani, who also climbed the peak on Sunday, was the first foreign climber to summit Everest in this years climbing season, which runs from March to May. This could not be independently confirmed as many foreign climbers are now headed for the peak, a day after the ropes to the top were fixed. Kiani, a 37-year-old banker based in Dubai, had climbed four of the world's 14 highest mountains before Everest, the Himalayan Times newspaper said. Nepal has issued a record of 467 permits this year for foreign climbers seeking to reach the summit of Everest. Each climber is usually accompanied by at least one sherpa guide, fuelling fears that a narrow section below the summit, known as the Hillary Step, could get crowded. Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, with about 320 people dying in the effort, according to a Himalayan database and Nepali officials.

KATHMANDU - A Nepali sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time on Sunday, hiking officials said, becoming the worlds second person to achieve the feat.

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-m (29,032-ft) peak, sharing the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa, said Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official.

Kami Rita, who is also climbing on Everest now, could set another record if he makes it to the top.

Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official of his employer Imagine Nepal Treks, a hiking company.

"They are descending from the top now and are in good shape," the official, Dawa Futi Sherpa, told Reuters.

Sherpas, who mostly use their first names, are known for their climbing skills and make a living mainly by guiding foreign clients in the mountains.

Dawa Futi said a Pakistani woman, Naila Kiani, who also climbed the peak on Sunday, was the first foreign climber to summit Everest in this years climbing season, which runs from March to May.

This could not be independently confirmed as many foreign climbers are now headed for the peak, a day after the ropes to the top were fixed.

Kiani, a 37-year-old banker based in Dubai, had climbed four of the world's 14 highest mountains before Everest, the Himalayan Times newspaper said.

Nepal has issued a record of 467 permits this year for foreign climbers seeking to reach the summit of Everest.

Each climber is usually accompanied by at least one sherpa guide, fuelling fears that a narrow section below the summit, known as the Hillary Step, could get crowded.

Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, with about 320 people dying in the effort, according to a Himalayan database and Nepali officials.
The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways, the investor of the first metro line in the city, has suggested offering a month of free travel on the route. The ticket was proposed to cost VND9,000-24,000 (US$0.38-1) per single trip later, depending on the distance. Passengers making payments via metro cards will pay VND7,000-18,000 ($0.3-0.8) per single trip. The fare was proposed at VND48,000 ($2) per day and VND108,000 ($4.6) per three days. Meanwhile, individual passengers can buy monthly tickets for VND330,000 ($14.1) each, while students may get a discount of 50 percent on monthly tickets. People with disabilities, children, senior citizens, and those with meritorious services, were proposed to enjoy free trips. The fares were put forward based on the ticket prices on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line, the first of its kind in Hanoi, and passengers payment capability in the initial operation of the line. The Ho Chi Minh Management Center of Public Transport has sent the fare proposals to the municipal Department of Transport for consideration, a representative of the center told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday. The citys first metro line, which is 19.7 kilometers long, runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City and carries an estimated price tag of VND43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion) funded by Japan's ODA loans. It embarked on its third test run on a 12.3-kilometer section of the elevated track on April 6 at below 50 kilometers per hour. Metro trains departed from Suoi Tien Station in Thu Duc City and passed through several other stations before returning to Suoi Tien. The metro underwent its first test run on December 21 last year at under 40 kilometers per hour. Its second trial run was held on January 18 this year. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded that the construction of the project, which is now some 95 percent complete, be completed by September 2 this year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways, the investor of the first metro line in the city, has suggested offering a month of free travel on the route.

The ticket was proposed to cost VND9,000-24,000 (US$0.38-1) per single trip later, depending on the distance.

Passengers making payments via metro cards will pay VND7,000-18,000 ($0.3-0.8) per single trip.

The fare was proposed at VND48,000 ($2) per day and VND108,000 ($4.6) per three days.

Meanwhile, individual passengers can buy monthly tickets for VND330,000 ($14.1) each, while students may get a discount of 50 percent on monthly tickets.

People with disabilities, children, senior citizens, and those with meritorious services, were proposed to enjoy free trips.

The fares were put forward based on the ticket prices on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line, the first of its kind in Hanoi, and passengers payment capability in the initial operation of the line.

The Ho Chi Minh Management Center of Public Transport has sent the fare proposals to the municipal Department of Transport for consideration, a representative of the center told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday.

The citys first metro line, which is 19.7 kilometers long, runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City and carries an estimated price tag of VND43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion) funded by Japan's ODA loans.

It embarked on its third test run on a 12.3-kilometer section of the elevated track on April 6 at below 50 kilometers per hour.

Metro trains departed from Suoi Tien Station in Thu Duc City and passed through several other stations before returning to Suoi Tien.

The metro underwent its first test run on December 21 last year at under 40 kilometers per hour. Its second trial run was held on January 18 this year.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded that the construction of the project, which is now some 95 percent complete, be completed by September 2 this year.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A man, 56, died of rabies after getting bitten by a dog in Bu Dop District in Vietnams southern province of Binh Phuoc. The deceased was identified as L.V.X., a resident of Thanh Hoa Commune. After the dog bit him, he failed to receive treatment soon, leading to the death, the healthcare center in Bu Dop District said on Sunday. Two months ago, X. was bitten by his neighbors dog, but he did not go to a medical facility for rabies vaccination. The man developed some symptoms of fear of water and light, and shortness of breath on April 28. As his health condition got worse, his family took him to the healthcare center in Bu Dop District for treatment. He was transferred to the higher-level medical facility in Binh Phuoc Province, and was quickly sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. However, he passed away due to his critical condition. One week before attacking X., the dog bit two other dogs. The two died after the bites. Dr. Dang Duc Toan, deputy head of the healthcare center in Bu Dop District, said that after the death, the center asked the caregivers of the patient to get rabies vaccine doses. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A man, 56, died of rabies after getting bitten by a dog in Bu Dop District in Vietnams southern province of Binh Phuoc.

The deceased was identified as L.V.X., a resident of Thanh Hoa Commune.

After the dog bit him, he failed to receive treatment soon, leading to the death, the healthcare center in Bu Dop District said on Sunday.

Two months ago, X. was bitten by his neighbors dog, but he did not go to a medical facility for rabies vaccination.

The man developed some symptoms of fear of water and light, and shortness of breath on April 28.

As his health condition got worse, his family took him to the healthcare center in Bu Dop District for treatment.

He was transferred to the higher-level medical facility in Binh Phuoc Province, and was quickly sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

However, he passed away due to his critical condition.

One week before attacking X., the dog bit two other dogs. The two died after the bites.

Dr. Dang Duc Toan, deputy head of the healthcare center in Bu Dop District, said that after the death, the center asked the caregivers of the patient to get rabies vaccine doses.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Residents in the southern Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh on Saturday morning once again saw flying saucer-shaped clouds float above Ba Den Mountain. A similar natural phenomenon was seen atop the mountain in November last year. Locals said the mountain looked like donning a white hat at about 6:00 am. Many of them excitedly took photos of the spectacular moment. The phenomenon is known as lenticular clouds, which are caused by sudden air movements and often found near hills or mountains. The phenomenon is also seen atop Mount Fuji in Japan, Mayon Volcano in the Philippines, and Etna Mountain in Italy. As moist and stable air flow over a larger eddy, like those caused by mountains, and temperatures drop below the dew point, lenticular clouds can form. Lenticular clouds in the shape of a flying saucer are special and infrequent, according to Le Dinh Quyet, deputy head of the forecasting department at the Southern Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. Standing at 986 meters above sea level, Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province has been dubbed the 'roof of Vietnams southern region.' Lenticular clouds once covered the peak of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam in November 2022. The temperature in the mountain during the occurrence of lenticular clouds is over 10 degrees Celsius lower than normal. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Residents in the southern Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh on Saturday morning once again saw flying saucer-shaped clouds float above Ba Den Mountain.

A similar natural phenomenon was seen atop the mountain in November last year.

Locals said the mountain looked like donning a white hat at about 6:00 am.

Many of them excitedly took photos of the spectacular moment.

The phenomenon is known as lenticular clouds, which are caused by sudden air movements and often found near hills or mountains.

The phenomenon is also seen atop Mount Fuji in Japan, Mayon Volcano in the Philippines, and Etna Mountain in Italy.

As moist and stable air flow over a larger eddy, like those caused by mountains, and temperatures drop below the dew point, lenticular clouds can form.

Lenticular clouds in the shape of a flying saucer are special and infrequent, according to Le Dinh Quyet, deputy head of the forecasting department at the Southern Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Standing at 986 meters above sea level, Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province has been dubbed the 'roof of Vietnams southern region.'

Lenticular clouds once covered the peak of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam in November 2022.

The temperature in the mountain during the occurrence of lenticular clouds is over 10 degrees Celsius lower than normal.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Fifty flower arrangements, under Japanese professor Ishiwatas instructions, are on display at an Ikebana exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City joined hands with the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group to launch the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition on Saturday. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. A flower arrangement under Japanese professor Ishiwatas instructions on display at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre The event, set to wrap up on Sunday at Rex Hotel Saigon in District 1, is part of a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (1973-2023). The fifty Ikebana works being showcased at the exhibition represent 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. With various flowers such as roses, gerbera daisies, red carnations, lotus flowers and orchids, Professor Ishiwata from Japans Ikenobo College and 25 members of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group created the meaningful and eye-catching flower arrangements. These Ikebana works with different styles highlight the beauty of nature and the characteristics of modern life. With the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement, flowers not only boast their beauty, but they also reflect the growth of roots, leaves and branches, said Prof. Ishiwata. Nguyen Thanh Tu, head of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group and one of the Ikebana practitioners, said that flower arranging helped her learn how to harmonize and connect different flowers. The art helps connect Vietnamese and Japanese Ikebana lovers, she added. Ono Masuo, Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expected the citys residents to grasp deeper knowledge about the Japanese culture via traditional Ikebana works. Prof. Ishiwata, who graduated in lacquer painting from the Tokyo University of Arts, started taking up Ikebana in 1987. Apart from giving lessons on the art, he often showcases his Ikebana works at exhibitions as a member of the Japan Ikebana Art Association. From left: Nguyen Phuoc Loc, chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thanh Tu, head of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group, and Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, attend the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre Nguyen Manh Hung, former president of Hong Bang International University in Ho Chi Minh City, takes a photo of flower arrangements at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre A flower arrangement on display at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre An Ikebana work is showcased at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Fifty flower arrangements, under Japanese professor Ishiwatas instructions, are on display at an Ikebana exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City joined hands with the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group to launch the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition on Saturday.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

A flower arrangement under Japanese professor Ishiwatas instructions on display at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre

The event, set to wrap up on Sunday at Rex Hotel Saigon in District 1, is part of a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (1973-2023).

The fifty Ikebana works being showcased at the exhibition represent 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

With various flowers such as roses, gerbera daisies, red carnations, lotus flowers and orchids, Professor Ishiwata from Japans Ikenobo College and 25 members of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group created the meaningful and eye-catching flower arrangements.

These Ikebana works with different styles highlight the beauty of nature and the characteristics of modern life.

With the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement, flowers not only boast their beauty, but they also reflect the growth of roots, leaves and branches, said Prof. Ishiwata.

Nguyen Thanh Tu, head of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group and one of the Ikebana practitioners, said that flower arranging helped her learn how to harmonize and connect different flowers.

The art helps connect Vietnamese and Japanese Ikebana lovers, she added.

Ono Masuo, Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expected the citys residents to grasp deeper knowledge about the Japanese culture via traditional Ikebana works.

Prof. Ishiwata, who graduated in lacquer painting from the Tokyo University of Arts, started taking up Ikebana in 1987.

Apart from giving lessons on the art, he often showcases his Ikebana works at exhibitions as a member of the Japan Ikebana Art Association.

From left: Nguyen Phuoc Loc, chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thanh Tu, head of the Ikenobo Vietnam Center Study Group, and Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, attend the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Manh Hung, former president of Hong Bang International University in Ho Chi Minh City, takes a photo of flower arrangements at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre

A flower arrangement on display at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre

An Ikebana work is showcased at the second Ho Chi Minh City Ikebana exhibition. Photo: Huu Long / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Italian gas group Snam logo is seen outside their office in Rome

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian gas grid operator Snam on Thursday confirmed its targets for this year after reporting a 13% year-on-year rise in revenue for the first quarter.

Sales between January and March rose to 912 million euros ($1 billion) driven by the group's regulated business, the company said.

Adjusted core earnings rose 1.5% to 597 million euros in the period thanks to the growth in the group's energy transition business.

Gas demand in Italy in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to 20.5 billion cubic metres (bcm), down 19% year-on-year due to lower consumption in all sectors that Snam operates in.

Snam said the most recent estimates on the evolution in gas demand in Italy for 2023 were in line with 2022, when the country consumed 69 bcm.

The group, which also manages the bulk of Italy's gas storage facilities, said the country was in good shape ahead of a winter season in which imports from Russia were expected to fall further.

"We face the coming winter with a much stronger and more resilient energy system thanks to storage facilities that are still 65% full," Snam CEO Stefano Venier said in a statement.

The group is completing work on its new liquefied natural (LNG) gas terminal in the Tuscan port of Piombino, which is expected to start commercial operations by the end of this month.

($1 = 0.9084 euros)

(Reporting by Francesca Landini Editing by Alvise Armellini and Mark Potter)
Beat the crowds: Heres which European capitals officially have the most - and least - tourists

Travel is back in full swing - but not all places are embracing the return of tourists.

Overtourism has become a major issue everywhere from Europes beaches to popular capital cities.

To combat overcrowding, some destinations have introduced restrictions ranging from visitor caps in Marseille, France to a cruise ship ban in Venice, Italy.

No one wants to arrive at their holiday destination to find themselves in the latter part of an Instagram vs reality post. So how can you avoid this?

Weve crunched the numbers to find out which European cities are the most - and least - crowded with tourists.

Using data from holiday rental search engine Holidu, which compared local population sizes with 2019 tourist numbers, here are the European capital cities with the most tourists per resident.

What is the most overtouristed capital city in Europe?

Amsterdam has the highest number of tourists per resident. The Dutch capital has 12 tourists for every one of its inhabitants.

Known as the Venice of the North, Amsterdam has more than 160 canals and 1,200 bridges criss-crossing them. While the city has been a destination for cannabis, alcohol and prostitution for some, Amsterdam now aims to change its reputation.

The city is home to countless elegant houses, bars and coffee shops. A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is also a must.

Which other European capitals are packed with tourists?

Dublin comes in second place with 11 tourists per resident in the Holidu listing.

Irelands fun-loving capital is the home of Guinness, and the beers brewery tours have welcomed close to 23 million people since first opening in 2000.

Tourists also flock to the iconic Temple Bar, a cobbled street lined with bars hosting live folk bands - including the much-photographed Temple Bar Pub.

Estonias capital snags third place with 10 tourists per inhabitant. The Eastern European country has plenty to explore beyond Tallinn. With the Baltic Sea to both the north and west, it is home to thousands of islands brimming with nature and history.

Story continues

Frances capital, Paris, comes in fourth with nine tourists per resident. The City of Love draws visitors scrambling to see the famed Eiffel Tower. The Louvre, meanwhile, is the most visited museum in the world.

Athens, Greeces capital, is another of the most popular capitals with eight tourists per inhabitant.

Where are the least crowded capitals in Europe?

Are you looking for a city break thats a little less crowded? According to Holidu, Germanys Berlin, Spains Madrid, Belgiums Brussels and Hungarys Budapest are the least-touristed capitals with only two tourists per resident.

Among the other European capital cities, Prague in the Czech Republic has eight tourists per inhabitant; Edinburgh in Scotland has seven; Copenhagen in Denmark and Lisbon in Portugal have six. Stockholm in Sweden, Vienna in Austria and Rome in Italy have four. The UK's London has three.

What about Europes non-capital cities?

Are you more interested in visiting cities beyond the capitals? In many cases, they face worse overcrowding due their smaller sizes and seasonal popularity.

Dubrovnik in Croatia, according to Holidu, welcomed an average of 36 tourists per inhabitant in 2019. As these visitors primarily come for summer holidays, the coastal city is most overcrowded in this season.

Italys Venice, Belgiums Bruges and the Greek island of Rhodes, each with 21 tourists per resident, come next.

Like Dubrovnik, Rhodes is mostly visited for summer holidays, when the crowds of tourists dramatically increase.

Turkeys Antalya and Mugla, which are very popular among European tourists, had five and three visitors per inhabitant, respectively.
Sweden's Simon Forsstrom claimed his maiden DP World Tour title as he continued his love affair with Belgium by holding off countryman Jens Dantorp to win the Soudal Open by a single shot. Forsstrom had looked on course for a straightforward victory when he made two front-nine birdies to extend his one-shot overnight lead to three at the turn. But things began to unravel on the back nine as the 34-year-old followed up a double bogey at the 10th with a bogey on the 12th to surrender the outright lead. Dantorp then hit the front on his own after birdieing the 13th but Forsstrom bounced back with gains at the 14th, 16th and 17th to edge back ahead. And despite missing the fairway on the last, Forsstrom gave himself another birdie chance there before settling for a par which was good enough to bring him a first win at this level. Forsstrom's final-round 69 saw him finish the tournament on 17 under par, one ahead of Dantorp, who shot a closing 67. Dane Thorbjorn Olesen was two shots further back in third after posting a flawless 66 on Sunday. Forsstrom, who earned his DP World Tour card for this season with a two-stroke victory at the final stage of Qualifying School in November, also won in Belgium on the Challenge Tour in 2016 and revealed he feels at home there. He said: "I think the course suits me very well, it's pretty tight and short. "I won on the Challenge Tour in Belgium, so I think Belgium is good! "It's pretty similar to Sweden, the trees and the grass, so I think I feel very at home here." England's Matthew Southgate finished in a tie for fourth on 13 under after signing for a closing 68.

READ MORE: Curtis Strange backs Rory McIlroy's decision to take a break

The article DP World Tour: Simon Forsstrom holds off Jens Dantorp to win Soudal Open appeared first on Planetsport.com.
As the US relaxed its Title 42 immigration policies and migrants adjusted to the new asylum procedures and legal avenues, tensions along the border between the US and Mexico subsided.

To curb the number of smugglers who charge migrants to cross the Southwest border, President Joe Biden's administration has implemented new laws. The impact of the rules is still being evaluated by both migrants and government authorities.

New Migration Laws

According to AP News, asylum seekers are now required to apply for it online or in the countries they transited through before entering the US. Families who are permitted in will be subject to curfews and GPS tracking; those who are not will be subject to expulsion and maybe criminal prosecution.

The US government's official app for registering visitors has been updated this week to include appointment slots for migrants entering the country through land borders.

The Biden administration's legal avenues include a program that allows up to 30,000 individuals a month from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter with a financial sponsor and an online application.

Approximately 100 facilities to handle applications from migrants seeking entry into the US, Spain, or Canada are emerging in countries like Guatemala and Colombia. If they have an appointment using the app, up to 1,000 people per day may enter through land borders with Mexico.

Many people in northern Mexico decided to wait for an appointment rather than cross the border illegally.

Yeremy Depablos, 21, a Venezuelan traveling with seven relatives, has been waiting in Ciudad Juarez for a month. "I hope it's a little better and that the appointments are streamlined a little more," he told AP News.

Meanwhile, on Friday, May 12, there were still hundreds of migrants, including many children, who gathered on the railroad tracks in Huehuetoca in southern Mexico to catch freight trains bound for the US.

Also Read: Mexico Lets Thousands of Migrants Travel to US Border, Gov't Data Shows

Criticisms From Opposing Politicians, Advocates

If implemented successfully, the system might significantly affect the migration pattern toward the southern border.

But Biden, who is running for reelection, faces stinging criticism from both migrant activists and Republicans. The former think he is giving up on more humanitarian approaches, while the latter argue he is too lenient on border security.

The new asylum limits are being challenged in court on two separate occasions.

Many migrants have been eager to follow the legal method offered by the federal government. Still, there are worries about deportation and probable criminal consequences for crossing the border illegally, according to Melissa Lopez, executive director of Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services in El Paso.

As of March 2020, border officers might swiftly remove asylum applicants on the basis of limiting the spread of COVID-19, thanks to Title 42. However, now that the national emergency has been declared over, the bans are lifted.

Many were deterred from seeking asylum under Title 42, although there were no repercussions for removal from the country.

Also Read: Title 42: Texas Sends First Bus of Migrants to Philadelphia in Lieu of Influx

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jane Fonda is continuing to protest for the sake of her grandchildren credit:Bang Showbiz

Jane Fonda is continuing to protest for the sake of her grandchildren.

The 85-year-old actress started her lifelong protesting by demonstrating against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and is behind the Fire Drill Fridays group that protests weekly on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and says she doesnt plan to stop anytime soon.

She told Page Six: I dont know how you could not (protest.) I have grandchildren. I love animals, I love nature. Were going to destroy it all if we dont.

Its all hands on deck right now, its urgent, urgent and everyone has to join in right now.

Jane has grown-up kids Mary, 55, Vanessa, 54, and Troy, 49, and has her two grandchildren Malcolm Vadim, 23, and Viva Vadim, 20, through Vanessa.

Jane was arrested three times in consecutive weeks in 2019 and has also been seized by authorities with members of the group Oil Change and been handcuffed at a protest alongside actresses Rosanna Arquette, 63, and Catherine Keener, 64.

She recently told how she is trying to show up for her children after not knowing how to be a mom.

Jane added on Whos Talking to Chris Wallace? on CNN: Ive studied parenting, and I know what its supposed to be now. I didnt know then.

I have great, great children  talented, smart. And I just didnt know how to do it.

Jane  whose cancer recently went into remission  branded her former parenting style her lifes biggest regret, and added about it in 2017 in a chat with Net-a-Porter: When I die, I want my family to be around me. I want them to love me, and I have to earn that. Im still working at it.

Jane first became a mum in 1968 when she and then-husband Roger Vadim had daughter Vanessa.

She was followed by son Troy in 1973 who the actress had with her second husband, Tom Hayden, with whom she also had adopted daughter Mary.

Jane didnt have any kids with her third husband, Ted Turner.

She announced in December her cancer was in remission, and called it the best birthday present ever ahead of turning 85 that month.

Story continues

It is the third time she has battled cancer.

In 2010, Oscar-winner and fitness guru Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy in November to have it removed.

Then in January 2018 she had a cancerous growth removed from her lower lip and pre-melanoma growths taken from her skin.
After five days of fierce warfare in which 33 Palestinians lost their lives, Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip agreed to a ceasefire reached through the Egyptian government.

According to New York Post, Egypt declared a ceasefire to go into effect at 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 13, but a last flurry of rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes continued for several minutes beyond that time. Israel claimed that it was once again attacking Gaza in response to incoming fire. But order seemed to be restored soon.

How Long Will the Truce Hold?

The ceasefire brought temporary relief to the more than 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip and the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been forced to seek refuge in bomb shelters in recent days. However, it did nothing to resolve the underlying issues that have stoked many previous outbreaks of violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

Tareq Selmi, a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad in Gaza, said that Israel has agreed to stop its tactic of targeting the group's leaders with airstrikes. He told AP News, "Any stupidity or assassination by the occupation will be met with a response and the Zionist enemy bears the responsibility."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security advisor Tzachi Nanegbi issued a statement praising Egypt for its negotiation efforts and promising that Israel would do everything it takes to protect itself, including maintaining a policy of silence.

When Israel stages a controversial march through a main Palestinian route in Jerusalem's Old City next week, tensions will reportedly rise again rapidly.

The ceasefire has not completely quieted the situation in Gaza, but the thundering whooshes of outgoing rockets and booms of Israeli aircraft have been replaced by the honking of motorists.

After days of silence, streets filled with people waving Palestinian flags and flashing triumph signs from racing automobiles as the truce took effect.

Also Read: Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Killed 12, Including 3 Islamic Jihad Commanders

Aftermath of the Recent Turmoil

Three top Islamic Jihad leaders were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, May 9, sparking the latest round of unrest. Israel has claimed that its assaults have been directed at Islamic Jihad locations in retaliation for a recent barrage of rocket fire.

Nevertheless, locals in Gaza said that civilians' houses had also been hit in the conflict.

The first attacks, which received regional outrage, resulted in the deaths of at least 10 bystanders. These include women, children, and uninvolved neighbors.

Israel has continued its attacks over the previous three days, killing additional top Islamic Jihad leaders and damaging their headquarters and missile launch pads.

Over 1,200 rocket and mortar attacks were recorded by Israel throughout the conflict, with some reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. According to Israeli estimates, over a quarter of the missiles accidentally entered Gaza rather than being intercepted.

A Palestinian worker inside Israel, age 80, and an Israeli lady were murdered by rocket fire. Three individuals, including two children, were killed by stray missiles in Gaza, as claimed by a Palestinian human rights organization.

Also Read: Israel-Gaza Conflict: Israel Kills 2 Islamic Jihad Leaders; Rocket Strike Kills 1 Near Tel Aviv

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HCM CITY  The Government of Canada (GoC) is determined to promote Canadian food products on digital platforms, with the goal of introducing a wide range of high-quality products and enhancing awareness of Canadian food among Vietnamese consumers.

The announcement was made at the event launching the "Canada, Bet its Extremely Good!" promotion campaign in HCM City late last week where the Government of Canada affirmed that the promotion of e-commerce will start from this year.

The campaign is part of GoCs mission to make high-quality and safe food products produced in Canada easily accessible to Vietnamese consumers at reasonable prices.

"Viet Nam has always been an important market for us in the Asia Pacific. Through this campaign, we aim to provide sustainable, nutritious, and top-quality food that meets the world's most stringent standards to cater to the needs of Vietnamese consumers, said Jeffrey Lang from the Government of Canada.

The "Canada, Bet It's Extremely Good!" campaign is a collaboration between GoC with Shopee. Beginning on Saturday, consumers can find over 15 high-quality Canadian food products in the official Food category on Shopee.

"The pandemic has transformed the business landscape, including the way commerce is carried out. Hence, it's evident that the Canadian food industry must adapt to keep up with the rapid pace of digital consumption and continue to meet the needs of consumers," said Lang.

GoC and Shopee will organise several campaigns on special occasions to promote Canada's renowned food brands, featuring appealing offers that underscore the quality, versatility, and affordability of their products. Through these campaigns, Vietnamese consumers can effortlessly search for products, shop conveniently, and relish exclusive offers from the official distributors of Canadian food in Viet Nam.

Canada's agricultural exports to Viet Nam have been diverse in recent years, ranging from staple cereals, oilseeds, seafood, beef, pork, and fruits to processed food products.

In particular, the export value of beef products from Canada to Viet Nam saw robust growth of 55 per cent in 2022, with Viet Nam being one of the two largest import markets for Canadian beef in Southeast Asia.

The robust partnership between Canada and Viet Nam has been thriving since 2015, with Viet Nam being Canada's top trading partner in ASEAN and Canada ranking among Viet Nam's top 10 import partners.

The implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) since 2019 has further boosted bilateral trade, particularly in the agricultural sector. As a result of the CPTPP tax reduction roadmap, up to 94 per cent of Canadian agricultural products exported to Viet Nam will benefit from 0 per cent tax incentives. VNS
A NANG  Vietnamese director Ha Le Diem's film Nhung ua Tre Trong Suong (Children of the Mist) has won Best Asian Film at the first a Nang Asian Film Festival.

The documentary covered the tradition of bride-kidnapping' among the Mong ethnic minority in the northwest mountainous region of Viet Nam.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Peoples artist Nhu Quynh handed over the award to the director at the award ceremony at a Nang's Trung Vuong Theatre on Saturday.

The judging panel selected it as the best among 12 films of the Asian competition award, and eight films of the Vietnamese film competition at the week-long festival.

Its the longest documentary that I have done so far. I worked on the film in 2017-2021 with many difficulties seeking funding and assistance for the competition, Diem said.

I thank the funding organisations, friends and the film crew for supporting me during production. I also express my sincerely thanks to the film's main subject Ma Thi Di and the Mong community in helping me experience and explore their lifestyle, she said.

The 32-year-old director said she was fascinated by documentary film production as she could explore various cultural topics, especially regarding children and women.

Ill keep going on with more films on children and women as I think children have a very rich energy and dynamic.

Bride-kidnapping'

Diems film, named on the shortlist of the 15 contenders for the best documentary film category at the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars), depicts the story of a 12-year-old Mong girl living in a village of the northwest mountainous region  where women get married very young and follow the tradition of bride-kidnapping'.

Ma Thi Di, a main character of the film, begins her adolescence with physical and psychological changes, but her parents do not care about her immaturity. Di disappeared on a Lunar New Years Eve.

Diem, who began studying film in 2013, debuted her first short film  Con i Truong Hoc  about an HIV-positive single mother from the Dao ethnic group, and won the Silver Kite Award at the Viet Nam Cinema Association Awards (Kite Awards) in 2014.

The special jury award of the Asian film competition went to World War III  an Iranian thriller co-written, directed, produced and edited by Houman Seyyedi.

Iranian Mohsen Tanabandeh, who starred in World War III, won the best actor award in the Asian Film division, while Juliet Bao Ngoc Doling cast in Glorious Ashes took the best actress award.

Director Kavich Neang, who is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was named Best Director for While Building in the Asian film category, while the Best Screenplay was given to Joyland of Pakistan.

In the Vietnamese film competition category, the screenplay award was handed to Nha Uyen and her husband Aaron Toronto, for em Toi Ruc Ro (The Brilliant Darkness).

The Brilliant Darkness also dominated the award ceremony with Nha Uyen winning the Best Actress prize with Huynh Kien An taking the Best Actor.

Its an honour for me and the film crew. I dedicate the prize to my wife  a a Nang-born woman  and colleagues for making the film, An said.

Toronto praised actress Nha Uyen for her brave casting and performance in the film.

He said the success of the film would contribute to the development of Viet Nams film industry in the future.

The Brilliant Darkness also won the Special Jury Award in the Vietnamese film category.

Tran Thanh, who directed Nha Ba Nu (The House of No Men), won the Best Actor in the Vietnamese film competition, and the award was received by his wife Hari Won.

Won, the film's producer, said her husband was busy working on a television programme.

She said the couple spent the most difficult time in making the film as well as great efforts of the film crew members, actors and actress.

The House of No Men also won as the Best Vietnamese film award.

The best Vietnamese film in the Audiences Choice Award went to Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lay (Hustler Vs Scammer) by director Vo Thanh Hoa.

The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award for Vietnamese film was given to at (Memento Mori: Earth).

South Korean film actress-director-screenwriter Moon Sori, who is head of the jury at the festival, said all members had many discussions on selecting the best awards.

The film festival, which was co-organised by the People's Committee of a Nang, the Viet Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development (VFDA), and a Nangs Department of Culture and Sports, creates a chance for the city to become a hub for international film producers and stars in the future. VNS
KERVIGNAC -- A seminar on Vietnamese ao dai (traditional long robe) was held at the City Hall of Kervignac city, Morbihan region, France, on May 13.

Titled "Listening to the Stories of Ao Dai", the event is in the framework of the "Toucher Arts" project, which includes a series of seminars, concerts, exhibitions and workshops concerning Vietnamese culture at French schools, in response to the anniversary of 50 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership between Viet Nam and France.

Attending the event were Elodie Le Floch, mayor of Kervignac, and Stephanie Do, the first Vietnamese-born politician in the French Government; together with nearly 100 French people interested in Vietnamese culture.

At this event, the online exhibition Ao Dai tells stories at www.toucherarts.com, was also launched for the first time to the French public, which chronicled the stories of characters around the world, recounting memorable moments in their lives that behold the presence of ao dai.

Young photographer Thao Nguyen also introduced the photo collection "Dreaming Hoi An", which will be on display at Kervignac City Hall from May 13 to 28.

The seminar and exhibition "Listening to the Stories of Ao Dai" is organised by ART SPACE Association and Vietnam Bretagne Sud Association, in cooperation with APPEL Lorient Association, with the support of Kervignac City. The project is completely non-profit and is carried out to raise funds for orphanages and disabled children in different regions of Viet Nam.

Three speakers with different experiences and perspectives share how they feel, appreciate and promote the image of ao dai to international friends.

Derived from the idea "ao dai is not only a traditional costume, ao dai is also a historical witness present at most important milestones in Vietnamese peoples life, especially women". The seminar invited three special speakers: a French artist, a Vietnamese teacher and a Vietnamese boy who grew up in France.

During the talk show, Dominique Penhhoat, a French-Vietnamese sculptor and writer, author of the autobiography Les trois cousines en Indochine, shared a deep memory with ao dai that she loved the most, a gift from relatives in Viet Nam that she had just found during her journey back home for more than ten years.

The second speaker from Viet Nam, Nguyen Thi Cuc, is a teacher with more than 20 years of experience in education and cultural exchange for thousands of Vietnamese and French students.

Present at the talk, Cuc shared with her French friends the story of the Vietnamese dress and the connection with the image of teachers and students. At the event, the speaker also helped French people discover the Vietnamese costume with the workshop "Drawing Ao Dai" with watercolours.

Despite being the youngest speaker, 12-year-old Kevin Nguyen, has two years of experience in conducting workshops promoting Vietnamese culture in many schools in the Loire Atlantique region, France. Having access to both French and Vietnamese cultures, he has brought interesting stories about the image of ao dai from the perspective of second-generation Vietnamese children born and raised in France.

Kevin Nguyen also shared his memories of the first ao dai, the journey of bringing ao dai and Vietnamese culture to introduce to French students, how French children went from surprise to falling in love with the national costume of Viet Nam.

Also at this event, the virtual exhibition Toucher Arts at www.toucherarts.com was officially launched to the French public as well as international friends. There are three collections on display: a photo exhibition Dreaming Hoi An by young artist Thao Nguyen; an exhibition Listening to the stories of Ao Dai; and an exhibition of childrens paintings from around the world, called "Connections" (this exhibition will open in June 2023).

At the event, the French audience discovered touching stories from the online exhibition "Listening to the Stories of Ao Dai". This is a project with the idea of interviewing 100 special characters around the world, of all ages and living situations, about memories and experiences related to the long dress, including many characters living abroad.

The stories are presented in three languages: English, Vietnamese and French, and are aired on a weekly basis, from May 13 to July 15, the end date of the entire TOUCHER ARTS project series.

All French people who attended the event "Listening to the Stories of Ao Dai" were given a souvenir which is a Vietnamese long dress. In return, the French people who love the dress and Vietnamese culture, upon receiving a piece, will agree to contribute an amount to help disadvantaged and disabled children in Viet Nam.

Hoang Thu Trang, president of the ART SPACE Association, and head of the organising committee, said: "We want to introduce to the French public and other international friends a deeper and more impressive image of Vietnamese ao dai than they know before. Through the memories of the traditional dress told by nearly 100 people around the world, diverse in age and place of residence, international friends can feel the love and respect of the storytellers for ao dai, not only as a cultural symbol of Viet Nam, but also as a historical witness of most of the important milestones of a person's life. Many French people told me that this event helped them understand more about the dress, vividly and emotionally, making them grow a deeper love for the costume and Vietnamese culture in general." VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly deputies of Ha Noi met with voters in the capital city's Ba inh, ong a and Hai Ba Trung districts on Saturday ahead of the 15th NA's fifth session.

After listening to a report on the response of ministries, sectors and the capital city to their opinions they gave during the last meeting, voters spoke highly of the responses and expressed their belief in the Party and State's orientations and policies.

Particularly, the constituents lauded the progress in the fight against corruption, with the strict settlement of many cases, thus increasing people's confidence in the Party's leadership.

They showed their hope for stronger efforts in the prevention and control of corruption and negative phenomena.

The voters asked for more drastic measures to tackle problems in food safety, along with the completion of regulations on the use of social networks.

The voters also gave ideas on a number of issues of the draft Land Law (revised).

The Party leader acquired all the ideas of the voters and pledged to send them to the NA for discussion.

Regarding the fight against corruption, Trong highlighted the Party and State's determination in the work. He said that in order to effectively prevent and combat corruption and negative phenomena, it is necessary to show strong performance in Party building and rectification, preventing the downgrade in political ideology, morality and lifestyle.

He said that the provincial steering committees for corruption and negative phenomena prevention and control should operate efficiently, mobilising the engagement of all people in the work.

The Party chief asked the steering committees for corruption and negative phenomena prevention and control to take the lead in the effort. VNS
HA NOI  The Canada-Viet Nam Friendship Association (CVFA) on Friday hosted a webinar themed "Ho Chi Minh and foreign policy" on the occasion of the late leader's 133rd birthday (May 19, 1890 - 2023).

The event brought together dozens of Canadian and Vietnamese experts and scholars who are interested in Viet Nam's foreign policy in the Ho Chi Minh era.

In his speech at the event, Dr Nguyen Hung Son, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), who is also former Minister Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa, highlighted President Ho Chi Minh's foreign policy with three important points.

The policy focused on how to deal with relations with big countries, enlist outside support and use all available tools in foreign policy, he said.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agencys correspondents in Ottawa, Philip Fernandez, member of the CVFC, said President Ho Chi Minh's foreign policy was based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of other states, and recognition of independence, sovereignty and self-determination of nations and peoples.

The flexible and adaptable foreign policy was based on principles for world peace and social progress, he added.

According to Fernandez, Viet Nam today is following the right line and policies that President Ho Chi Minh left for the nation. He noted that Viet Nam is also playing an important role in contributing to protecting the independence and sovereignty of all countries in the United Nations as well as in ASEAN.

Dr Joe Pateman, from the Faculty of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, said that since declaring its independence, Viet Nam has continued to creatively apply Ho Chi Minh's thought to practice and has achieved outstanding achievements in both socialist construction and foreign affairs.

The Communist Party of Viet Nam has built a modern and strong socialist mechanism, bringing prosperity and happiness to Vietnamese people, he stressed, noting that the application of Ho Chi Minhs thought in its foreign policy has helped Viet Nam become a country with full sovereignty and close relations with the world community.

Viet Nam's domestic and international achievements are rooted in the immortal legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, he went on.

ang Trung Phuoc, President of the Canada Vietnam Society, said not only Viet Nam but many other nations in the world, especially those in Africa, also have expressed their gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh because by following him, they gained their independence.

The webinar was part of activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of Viet Nam-Canada diplomatic ties (1973-2023). The two nations have enjoyed a strong friendship and effective cooperation for many years. They marked five years of their comprehensive partnership in 2022. VNS
by Virginia Morris

This new tour book of war sites, written with my co-authors Le o Huy and Clive A. Hills, has taken great determination over years of travel across Viet Nam. I first came here in 1994, drawn to this mysterious land, not only for its alluring culture and noteworthy landscapes, but because of war and how this small nation had defeated the Americans.

I relished the opportunity to visit, hoping to recapture the memories of fading battlefields, a history which would all be so new to me.

After that first visit to Viet Nam my appetite for war reminiscence had only strengthened. A small hamlet surrounded by lush fields  with bomb craters still evident between the rice plants after all this time. Fresh waterways carrying goods  previously used to ship weapons for the next fight. Intriguing alleyways leading to a market  once secret routes to outwit the enemy. These were the hidden gems I sought, but there was more  much more.

Now almost a quarter of a century on from my first visit to Viet Nam, my co-authors and I travelled throughout the country interviewing veterans and documenting both celebrated as well as little-known battlefields.

Our book, War Site Discoveries of Vietnam, is a collection of those times covering the August Revolution, the French War, the One-Way War from 1954 to 1959, the American War and the Non-American War, ending in 1975. From the One-Way War onwards, this period can also be referred to as the Vietnam War.

To understand these Vietnamese time periods we visited Ha Noi. This is the city where Ho Chi Minh first came to power during the August Revolution in 1945. Ho was the lead figure in the fight for independence and is seen as the liberator of Viet Nam from French colonial rule, with his approaches being used later against the Americans. We first met with General Vo Nguyen Giap at his house where he explained some of his strategies.

Later, we travelled through the bustling streets of this historic capital to search for a deeper understanding of the events which led to the birth of a nation.

To appreciate the complexities of the era between the French War and Vietnam War we journeyed to present day ong Nai Province. Known as the One-Way War period, it became a way for the Southern regime to eliminate the Vietnamese communists; one-way because the Soviet Union operated a policy of Peaceful Coexistence which meant the revolutionaries could not strike back.

We met with Colonel Nguyen Trong Tam, a former inmate of Tan Hiep Prison, who helped the government establish the site as a museum. While he showed us around, he explained how he had led a prison breakout from here during this One-Way War era, the results of which appeared to lead Ha Noi to the notion that armed struggle should begin.

Our next areas of interest had a connection to both the French War and Vietnam War. We travelled to base areas, including the famed D War Zone, which is now a museum, and once housed the administrative heart of the revolution and oversaw the emergence of the Liberation Army. Likewise, we trekked paths of the Southward March as well as hiked the Westward March to areas around decisive battles and former fighting villages.

We also spoke to those who had understood the Orient mission and how this not only facilitated the establishment of a Southern army but paved the way for the Ho Chi Minh Trail land and sea routes. We would travel the Ho Chi Minh Trail many times, as well as sail the waters of the Ho Chi Minh Trail Sea Route to find sunken boats and waterlogged battlegrounds.

We explored the iconic streets of the city formerly known as Sai Gon and toured Hue City with spymasters of the 1968 Tet Offensive; a bloody fight which had been splashed across Western papers and now etched in the memories of people of that age.

Yet for all the symbolic glory of these great clashes, it is the voices of the remarkable female couriers and their roles as part of the Revolutionary Infrastructure, which were the most compelling. Known as the most important factor in achieving Ho Chi Minhs victory, these couriers penetrated every enemy base area as well as each political region; including the Presidential Palace itself. Their stories were both fascinating and courageous but frightening.

A French soldier or American combatant could never tell if their barmaid, cook or shoe-shine child was just a friendly face or a covert revolutionary courier  their friend could be their enemy.

Our excursions finished with the remote group of islands of Con ao Archipelago. Today it is a region of beauty in Viet Nam, ringed with charming beaches, coral reefs and partially covered in thick forest. Yet previously it housed prisoners and on meeting survivors, their recollections of their time there highlighted to us the misery of this former place of hell.

This book will lay bare the wartime past of Viet Nam; revealed through stories told by a generation and through detailed maps and many photographs. Whether you visit the war sites or enjoy reading about these parts of the country from the comforts of your home, either way, you will most certainly have a greater understanding of the strategies used by the revolutionaries to define a nation. VNS
By Le Huong

The new paint of a villa dating to the French colonial era at 49 Tran Hung ao Street in downtown Ha Noi has been a burning issue for the public and particularly heritage lovers. People have argued about the striking new colours of the building.

The renovation is great news for Ha Noi, Martin Rama, a consultant to the President of the World Bank, who had spent many years living in Ha Noi, told Viet Nam News.

Not that the building is extraordinary from an architectural point of view, but there are not so many of these villas left in the city, around 1,000 of them. And they are being demolished. They are crumbling. They're falling apart. They're being replaced by new buildings, and that's bad for the visual aspect of Ha Noi.

An extraordinary mix of different traditions, cultural, architectural, tree-lined streets. Keeping these buildings is very valuable for the city.

But there has been debate on the bold new colours. Many feel the building no longer fits with the aesthetics of the street.

People may have a point. We all like the more romantic looks of the villas in yellow tones with the vegetation growing on them," Rama said.

"But anyway, with the weather of Ha Noi we know what will happen. It will look like a normal Ha Noi building in a matter of years. The debate itself is very good as it shows that people now care about the preservation of the architectural heritage of the city. A few years ago, I would say very few people cared.

The two-storey villa, a government property on the area of 990sq.m, was almost abandoned for many years. The renovation project was planned in 2016, but it actually started in April 2022 at a cost of VN14.7 billion (US$630,000) by Hoan Kiem District authorities and experts from Paris. It is almost complete.

According to architect Emmanuel Cerise, who is responsible for the project, they had very few materials and images of the building to work with.

Its courageous and interesting to present an example of this type of restoration with gentle colours and faux bricks, he said.

We tend to think that French-era villas have pale colours because those are colours that have been weathered through time and lost their vibrancy. But the truth is that the colours are not pale.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc showed sympathy for the restorers. He said the experts must have done serious research on the villas materials and designs before making any final decisions.

The capital has a huge architectural heritage, besides big villas used as State offices, there are private villas, and even entire streets of villas.

Quoc complained that bad urban management in certain periods had resulted in the disappearance of many French-era buildings.

He also said Ha Noi authorities had paid much attention to this through serious research and surveys as well as policies.

"We have well-used many buildings like today's Central Library, the Presidential Palace, Albert Sarraut Lycee, and Government Guest House, and the People's High Court of Justice," he said.

Quoc said 49 Tran Hung ao was formerly a private villa with almost no materials or images of it recorded.

According to the Ha Noi Citys Construction Department, there are over 1,200 villas from the French era, of which 367 were managed by the State, 372 others by both individuals and State, and 117 possessed entirely by private individuals.

The buildings have been listed in various groups: 222 in Group 1 that need restoring following the original design; 356 in Group 2 needing to keep the external design; and 638 in Group 3, which can be demolished in case their conditions further deteriorate.

Adaptive restoration

Many experts have proposed adaptive restoration for French villas in Ha Noi.

Architect Truong Ngoc Lan, deputy head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Faculty under the Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering, appreciated the architectural heritage of the French era.

In terms of the professional architecture factor, buildings by the French built before 1954 have various values in terms of history, society and art, he said.

"The appearance of French buildings has created a new type of living style. Before, Vietnamese people lived in attached houses built in a rural style. Since the French arrived, they built houses in the Western style, with multi-functions. The French buildings marked the development of Vietnamese society from tradition to modernity."

Lan emphasised the change of art concepts and the way of thinking about beauty.

Before we had the traditional style of art, yet the next generations accepted a fresh western stream of art, which has turned out to be an essential part of Vietnamese peoples artistic life, he said.

Lan also mentioned the values in terms of the technology of French architects who skilfully combined the existing spaces with western design and eastern sloped roofs, local decorative patterns, and various adaptive solutions to the Ha Noi tropical weather.

Lan said the French houses in Ha Noi were a valuable architectural heritage, forming the identity of the city. But he was worried that the restoration of villas in the city had not been carried out properly.

Many buildings have been possessed by different individuals and organizations who are not fully aware of the heritages values, he said. Many villas have not been classified yet. Over time, such houses are sold and demolished for other modern buildings.

Lan said such restorations, like the building on Tran Hung ao Street, had been regularly conducted but due to limited budgets, there were only a few buildings restored this way.

We should learn the adaptive restoration from well-developed countries where people understand the value of heritage, know the benefits of doing good restoration and are bound by detailed and clarified laws he said.

Residents still can exploit the economic effectiveness of the buildings while keeping the core designs.

Architect Tran Quoc Bao, from the same faculty, supported this idea.

We should let residents know that they benefit from restoration like in other countries. They have strict regulations that people living inside heritage buildings who want to upgrade must submit plans to concerned agencies," he said.

"Most will upgrade the house while keeping the external appearance. They may make some changes like replacing wooden windows with metal frames, but they keep the original form. And the city spares a certain budget to support the renovation while keeping the appearance of historical buildings.

Lan and Bao both emphasised that authorities should have proper policies and budget to restore the French villas together with private owners.

Otherwise, we have to accept the fact that occasionally, French-era buildings may disappear and be replaced by other buildings like the house owned by Dr Tran Duy Hung, the first mayor of Ha Noi since 1954, in Ly Thai To Street, Bao said. This is a real regret.

Quoc said if the city found a proper way to renovate old buildings, the old architecture of the city could be restored and the beauty of Ha Noi would be much enhanced.

He mentioned the headquarters of the People's High Court of Justice, where the central building has been kept and surrounding buildings have been newly built, as well as Hang Trong Police Station as examples of successful adaptive restoration.

I think the renovation process is on the right track, he said.

This is a positive trend and we should support it. This does not mean one-way support. Citizens have the right to supervise restoration. But they should supervise it based on goodwill and affection. They should do their research and share their knowledge with concerned agencies. This will bring great benefits to the community in our capital. VNS

(with additional interview by Nhat Hong)
Seeing aloe vera plants being eradicated due to falling demand, Nguyen Van Thu, a bank official who decided to quit his job more than 10 years ago to set up his own company to process aloe vera products, has revived the plant cultivation, helping thousands of workers earn better incomes. Viet Nam News speaks to him about the journey.

Inner Sanctum: What inspired you to quit your job as a bank official to set up your own company?

More than 10 years ago, as a senior bank executive, I once came to the central region for a business trip, and I was shocked and upset to see farmers uprooting aloe vera plants and throwing them away as processing firms no longer bought them.

It was really a huge waste.

Aloe vera, or aloe barbadensis, a thick and short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves, has a range of therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

The plant is quite useful for reducing dental plaque, accelerating wound healing, preventing wrinkles, and managing blood sugar, among other benefits.

However there was no advanced processing technologies for aloe vera production.

I started thinking about applying advanced technologies to processing the plant to make finished aloe vera products, hoping that I can help farmers to have stable incomes.

Advanced processing technologies can help increase the value of the plant and make various prized products, such as aloe vera gel, juice, oil and powder.

I spent two years to carefully learn about the market before I decided to quit my banking job to set up my own company, GC Food Company, in early 2011.

Inner Sanctum: Could you tell me about the challenges you faced as you decided to set up your own business?

I built the first aloe vera factory in ong Nai Province in 2011.

At the beginning, one of the challenges was that the factory lacked raw materials for production.

The skill level of workers was low, so I had to invite foreign experts to train them or send workers to training centres, which cost a lot of money.

In addition, the factorys production capacity was limited because of a shortage of machinery since aloe vera products are for a niche market.

Also, the technologies and equipment were not meant for mass production.

Some machines in the production line were not even available.

It costs a great deal to invest in machinery.

The company also sought foreign experts assistance to improve processing technologies to meet the stringent requirements of many import markets, which also cost a lot of money.

In 2014, I built a second factory in Ninh Thuan Province.

Inner Sanctum: Why did you choose Phan Rang City to develop raw materials for production?

The climate in Phan Rang City in Ninh Thuan with a tropical wet and dry climate, which is extremely sunny and windy with little rainfall, is ideal for growing aloe vera.

Farmers here also have a long tradition of growing the plant.

The VietFarm factory in Ninh Thuan is now applying Aseptic technology, an advanced food preservation method where the food is sterilised outside the container and then placed in previously sterilised containers and sealed in an aseptic environment.

The factory aims to produce aseptic aloe vera products that meet the stringent requirements of choosy markets such as Japan, South Korea and Eastern Europe.

The company plans to expand its material cultivation area to more than 100ha in the near future, as well as continue to link up with farmers in Phan Rang City to ensure the factorys capacity.

In Ninh Thuan, aloe vera cultivation could generate an income of around VN300-400 million per hectare per year.

Inner Sanctum: How has the companys exports evolved over time?

At the beginning, the company got orders from large domestic firms like Vinamilk and Nutifood.

In 2013, it started exporting the products to Japan.

The company now exports its products to 20 countries and territories with 12,000-15,000 tonnes a year.

Our major import markets include Japan, South Korea, and Eastern Europe.

Export orders keep increasing. The companys aloe vera export revenue reached nearly VN30 billion in the first quarter, up 20 per cent year-on-year.

In addition to aloe vera products, the company also produces and exports coconut jelly.

Amid the world economic crisis, the company has focused on both maximising market share in existing key markets and new markets, and diversifying products to meet the diverse needs of customers.  VNS
As the tax and land fee incentives that have made Vietnam appealing to foreign investors are about to end, the Government needs to devise a different strategy to attract new foreign investors and retain existing ones.

Operational foreign investments decline

According to the Foreign Investment Agency at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, opportunities have arisen, given Vietnams foreign direct investment results in the first four months of the year. There were 750 new FDI projects registered between January and April, with total pledged capital of US$4.1 billion, rising by 65.2% and 11% over the same period in 2022, respectively. In addition, foreign investors got involved in 1,044 mergers and acquisitions totalling US$3.1 billion. The transactions inched up by 1.8% in volume and soared by 70.4% in value year-on-year.

But the country saw a substantial decline in extra capital injections into operational foreign-invested projects. Only US$1.6 billion was injected into 386 operational FDI undertakings, plunging by 68.6% over last years January-April period. The drop has led to a subsequent decrease of Vietnams total FDI by the end of April, which dipped by 17.9% year-on-year at US$8.9 billion, according to the agency.

Still, falling foreign capital inflows seem to be part of a worldwide pattern as it has also rattled other countries and territories in light of prolonged global economic headwinds. From recession fears to geopolitical uncertainties, the market has put millions of companies across the globe to the test, and businesses operating in Vietnam are no exception.

However, data matters when measuring the health of the economy, and the fall in newly pledged FDI capital will certainly raise doubts about the countrys business environment, according to experts. The decline might have resulted from some obstacles to the operations of foreign-invested firms in Vietnam, prompting hesitation among those thinking about starting a business in the Southeast Asian country.

Voices of international investors

Local firms have highly praised the Governments proactive effort to promote investment activity and support investors. Yet, there remain challenges when it comes to administrative procedures, which have placed a considerable burden on the operations of Vietnam-based enterprises, including foreign-invested ones.

Kim Huat Ooi, general manager of HCMC-based manufacturer Intel Products Vietnam, said one of the main factors that affected Intels decision to settle in the city was the One Stop Shop (OSS) mechanism given to the Board of Management of Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP).

This approach, which allows speeding up the processing of administrative paperwork required for business operations, could enhance the partnership between the city administration and local investors in the SHTP. As Ooi put it, effort plays an essential role in a long-term development strategy.

We hope that HCMC will resume the OSS to make it easier for business activities, he added.

According to a representative of AES Corporation, an American power generation enterprise, the Governments administrative reform would provide crucial impetus for the expansion of Vietnams energy industry, particularly renewable energy projects. When AES initially began doing business in Vietnam, the Governments support and immediate incentives were essential to materialize the firms investment plan.

Greg Testerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Vietnam, noted that in addition to delivering financial benefits, U.S. companies in Vietnam have sought to provide administrative management expertise to local officials.

AmCham proposed the Government make the immigration procedure fast and easy, especially for foreign tourists. If done properly, this would help fuel Vietnams economic growth.

The Government should address the lengthy process of approving investment projects, especially those underway, according to Masayoshi Fujimoto, chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, under the Japan Business Federation.

Some 60% of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam told the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Hanoi that the administrative process pace has slowed recently. Vietnam should be determined to do away with the informal costs, as recommended by JETRO, and increase the efficiency and openness of administrative paperwork.

Hong Sun, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kocham), said South Korean enterprises in Vietnam had difficulty obtaining work permits for international employees and meeting fire safety requirements.

Hong stated that developing an online support platform could help this score. If the business climate in Vietnam remains favorable, South Korean companies might consider increasing investments in the high-tech, energy and financial sectors, he added.

Time to change

According to experts, the slowing flow of foreign capital into Vietnam may be due to the countrys inadequate management capabilities and insufficient readiness in human resources, infrastructure systems and supporting industries.

Given rising costs in Asia and elsewhere post pandemic, multinational corporations are increasingly considering moving operations back to Europe and the U.S. This movement has increased the challenges for developing countries such as Vietnam to attract and retain investment.





In the U.S., for instance, the Government has established a number of pro-business policies in the hopes of drawing more companies back from abroad. In a similar vein, European manufacturers are increasingly reshoring work that had previously been done in other regions.

Amid intensified pressures, emerging production centers such as Vietnam have continued to compete for a larger capital inflow despite a more cautious market sentiment.

Meanwhile, as the global minimum corporate tax of 15% is set to take effect in 2024 in 140 countries and territories, including Vietnam, concerns have been voiced about the forthcoming end of the countrys tax incentive program for foreign-invested firms.

At least 1,015 FDI businesses in Vietnam would be negatively affected by the move. The country, which has long relied on tax and land fee incentives to attract investment capital, seems to be at a crossroads.

According to Nguyen Minh Cuong, chief economist of the Asian Development Bank, a shift in capital attraction strategy is unavoidable when investment portfolios are restructured internationally.

Local companies have asked the Government to assess the support package and seek alternatives for incentives before implementing the new tax rate.

Do Thien Anh Tuan, lecturer at Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, said Vietnam should prioritize high-tech foreign investment while pursuing sustainable growth and boosting local manufacturing competence.

The revised approach for attracting foreign direct investment in Vietnam, if any, must emphasize improving the countrys logistical infrastructure and transportation connections.

Meanwhile, it is vital for the country to foster a more conducive business climate and map out land use plans for industrial production.

Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham)Gabor Fluit said despite challenges, Vietnam had been seen as a rising star in global commerce and investment.

But there are no grounds for complacency, said Fluit. To maintain its economic momentum, Vietnam should more than ever have a strong determination and make bold moves toward advancement, he added.
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut state police are seeking witnesses as investigators try to determine the cause of a crash that killed four people on Interstate 95 in Stamford.

All four victims were in an SUV that rear-ended a tractor-trailer that had slowed for heavy traffic in the northbound lanes shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, state police said. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured, authorities said.

It was not clear why there was heavy traffic early Saturday morning. State police said Sunday that all circumstances about the accident remained under investigation. According to the state Department of Transportation, lane closures on the opposite side of I-95 in Stamford were scheduled due to construction at the time of the crash.

State police listed the same address in Philadelphia for all four victims: Joel Contreras-Paniagua, 49, Lorena Contreras Francisco Reyes, 59, Joel Contreras Francisco, 29, and Daniel Contreras Francisco, 23. Troopers did not specify their relationships in an initial report. No one else was in the SUV.

The 45-year-old tractor-trailer driver is from Elmwood Park, New Jersey.
A group of mothers organized a demonstration in Burbank, California, on Saturday, May 13, demanding reform and action in response to the recent run of horrific mass shootings around the country in recent months.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a national organization working to reduce gun violence via increased public safety measures. The organization is advocating for a nationwide ban on assault rifles like the AR-15, which has been used in several mass killings.

Push to Outlaw Assault Weapons

As they made their way through Burbank, the mob could be heard yelling, "No one needs an AR-15!" and "Ban assault weapons!" as they passed by gun stores, KTLA 5 reported.

After a string of tragic mass shootings, the event was part of a coordinated effort nationwide to call for the return of the assault weapons prohibition on Mother's Day.

Assemblymember Laura Friedman of California's 44th District remarked, "I'm a mom, and all I want for Mother's Day is an end to gun violence."

Schools, shopping centers, banks, grocery shops, dance halls, and other public places have all been hit by a surge in deadly mass shootings that have devastated local communities. The Gun Violence Archive estimates that there have been at least 215 mass shootings in the US so far this year, which is more than the number of days in 2023.

According to the group's definition, a mass shooting occurs when four or more people are killed by gunfire.

See Also: New York Accuses Gun Parts Manufacturer of Aiding Illegal Gun Ownership

'American Problem'

Senator Anthony Portantino of California observed that this is a "uniquely American problem." He said mass shootings are uncommon in other developed nations due to stricter gun control laws.

A report from the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that firearms are still the leading cause of death for American youngsters.

Friedman posed the question, "What will it take for Congress to act?"

A shooting rampage on May 24, 2022, at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, resulted in the deaths of 21 people. After the incident, politicians on the federal level voted to enact a moderate plan that would strengthen certain aspects of the background check process and offer billions of dollars for increased school safety and mental health services.

But for the Senate to pass any kind of substantial change, at least 10 Republicans would have to side with the Democrats.

The GOP has said the Democrats are attempting to make political hay out of mass shootings. At the same time, the Democrats have claimed the GOP is more concerned with safeguarding the availability of assault-style guns.

Friedman remarked, "There is certainly a way that we can respect the Second Amendment and still have sensible restrictions to keep us safe. At the end of the day, if we can't keep our kids safe, what are we doing?"

See Also: Texas Shooting Update: Suspect is a Neo-Nazi Sympathizer, Protests Mark Vigil, and Witness Helps Wounded

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
State legislators are weighing new restrictions on what materials public school libraries may give students access to and what districts can purchase.

Bills before the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 900, would change existing procedures on book selection, vetting and purchasing in the aim of banning or limiting material some critics consider sexually explicit and inappropriate.

Proposed changes would supplant schools current procedures to challenge materials on an individual basis or for parents to make requests confined to their own students. In some cases, the proposed laws would give power to parent-driven library councils to make book buying decisions. In others, the state would require book vendors to rate all books they sell to Texas school districts, past or present, in terms of sexually explicit or sexually relevant content.

The questions of book removal, banning or tighter restrictions, which have triggered stormy confrontations between parents and school boards in Virginia, Florida and elsewhere in Texas, may soon come closer to home in Waco.

In recent weeks, Waco Independent School District trustees have been contacted by individuals concerned by what they consider inappropriate materials in Waco ISD libraries, emailing lists detailing books in the high school library collection catalogs that the critics claim are unsuitable for students.

The lists contain 72 books from the University High School library and 41 from the Waco High School library, 58 of which were challenged for sexual references or content. Text in the emails sent to board members references the organization Texans Wake Up, but several board members contacted about the critics said they do not think they are Waco ISD parents.

An item considered for the agenda for Thursdays trustee meeting, on discussion of the districts policy regarding sexually explicit and sexually graphic books in libraries as well as possible actions regarding the removal of all sexually explicit books in Waco ISD school libraries, was withdrawn from the agenda late Thursday afternoon. Trustee Keith Guillory said the item is not on the final agenda, which is yet to be posted, but said he had discussed it earlier. Guillory thought a group had been contacting area school districts on the subject, but said he had not come to an opinion yet, needing to research it and await guidance from the state.

Board President Stephanie Korteweg said she had been contacted as well, but names of the callers mentioned by some trustees could not be verified.

School libraries and their role in student instruction is a priority for Waco ISD Superintendent Susan Kincannon, who earmarked $3.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan pandemic recovery funding to improve district libraries. The upgrade saw collections culled of outdated or damaged books, more certified librarians hired, new books purchased and shelves and display areas reworked at some schools.

Deena Cornblum, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said libraries play a key part in student instruction, not only in providing resources for students to supplement their classroom studies, research and reading, but for teachers, too, who draw on library resources for material to expand their lectures and discussions.

The size of Waco ISD libraries varies by campus, but figures supplied by the district show elementary school libraries average about 11,000 books and materials, and secondary school libraries 15,000.

Circulation at the high school libraries this school year to date show 633 items checked out at Waco High, which has approximately 1,935 students, and 719 items at University High, with about 1,680 students. Midway High School students have checked out 6,619 items since the start of the school year, according to Midway data.

Both Waco and Midway districts choose books and materials for their school libraries with decisions shaped by librarians knowledgeable about childrens and youth books and what is appropriate for various ages and developmental levels; standards and guidelines from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; recommendations from national publications such as Booklist and the School Library Journal, which review books with an eye to age and grade level appropriateness; and book award lists.

Cornblum said she has been irritated over outside criticism sometimes heard at school book battles in other districts that imply school librarians are out of touch with students and their communities.

They assume our librarians arent community members and arent parents, but most are, Cornblum said. They are specifically trained for this.  They have the knowledge to make informed assessments.

As most public school districts in the state, Waco and Midway have procedures for parents who feel certain books or materials are inappropriate for their children, starting with discussion with the school librarian and or principal, then proceeding to reconsideration action on whether a book or material is suitable for student use or should be removed.

In Midway, a reconsideration committee includes a school librarian and instructional staff member with others including parents, district staff or community members. All community members are required to read the material in its entirety. They then evaluate the challenged material for literary value, whether it has language that meets the state penal code definition of harmful material and whether it is age appropriate. Waco ISD has a similar protocol, including a requirement the parent must read the challenged book or material in its entirety. Parents who disagree with the final decision of the reconsideration committee may then take the issue to the school board as a grievance.

Whats important to keep in mind is that everyone makes decisions they feel are in the best interest of the child, and parents always have the last say for their child, Cornblum said.

Parents in the Waco and Midway districts can ask school libraries for a list of the books and materials their child has checked out. Parents also can request that libraries not allow their own children access to certain books and materials, a request that does not apply to other students in the district.

Senate legislation

Two pending bills in the Texas House and Senate may alter district policies on book selection and parental challenges, investing special library advisory councils with book selection powers or limiting districts to certain book vendors .

Senate Bill 13, passed the Senate 18 to 12 with Wacos state senator, Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, voting in favor. No action has been taken on the bill since it was referred to the Houses Sate Affairs Committee on April 24. It addresses the issue of school library material challenged as unsuitable for students through the creation of school library selection councils that would play a leading role in determining what books a district could purchase for its libraries.

A majority of council members must be parents with children in the district, and school teachers, librarians, staff and administrators selected for those councils would have no voting power. The councils, appointed by school trustees, would be required to meet at least twice yearly.

The councils also could recommend the removal of any material in school libraries that members feel is harmful or contains indecent content or of profane content, or to be inconsistent with local community values.

School boards would be required to approve all books and materials purchased for school libraries with lists of proposed purchases made available to the public 30 days before the board is scheduled to take action.

House legislation

House Bill 900 lists McLennan Countys representatives, Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, and Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Hill County, among its more than four dozen coauthors. It passed the House 95-51, and remains pending in the Senates Education Committee after receiving a hearing there Thursday. The bill focuses on limiting sexually explicit and sexually relevant materials to school libraries by restricting book vendors.

Vendors would be required to rate all books and materials sold to a district, both past and future, in terms of sexually explicit or sexually relevant content. Vendors also would have to recall any books sold that were rated as sexually explicit.

Districts would not be allowed to purchase books the vendors rate sexually explicit and would have to justify the reasons for acquiring sexually relevant books. Vendors that do not comply with the ratings requirement would be banned from selling to Texas districts.

Factors in determining sexually explicit material include whether it contains graphic descriptions or detail in a description of sexual conduct; whether the material consists predominantly of, or has multiple repetitions of, depictions of sexual or excretory organs or activities; or if a reasonable person would find that the material intentionally panders to, titillates, or shocks the reader.

Students who wish to check out sexually relevant material would have to have permission from a parent to do so.

Districts with sexually relevant material in their libraries would have to list them publicly every two years for review.

Both Senate and House bills state that no books will be removed solely on the grounds of ideas in the books or the personal background of the author.

Waco ISD

The lists presented to Waco ISD trustees mainly state concerns based on sexual content and themes. Other reasons given for challenges include sexual nudity, alternate sexualities and, in one case, controversial religious commentary.

Among the books and their authors listed: Two Dads, Carolyn Robertson; The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini; The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas; The Handmaids Tale Margaret Atwood: The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison; Gender Queer, Mark Kebab; Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky; Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, Jason Reynolds; Beyond MagentaTransgender Teens Speak Out, Susan Kuklin; The Purim Superhero, Elisabeth Kushne; The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Sherman Alexie; The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros; Looking For Alaska and Paper Towns, John Green; I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Erika L. Sanchez; and Two Boys Kissing, David Levithan.
This beautiful New Orleans style home in historic Castle Heights shows quality in every detail! Built by a prominent Waco citizen in 1939 it is even more lovely today than it was when it was built! Current sellers are only the 2nd people to own this home. The spreading oak trees, and large beautifully landscaped double lot provide the perfect setting for playing, entertaining, relaxing and enjoying life to it's fullest! The outside of this home sets it apart from all others, but when you enter the lovely foyer, the full beauty of the home starts to truly unfold. At one end of the foyer is an expansive formal living area with a light filled sunroom at the far end. At the other end of the foyer is a large formal dining room that has plenty of space for celebrations around the table. Off the dining room is an open, well designed kitchen that offers a large island and plenty of workspace for a dedicated cook. The kitchen is open to a great table space for informal dining and then steps down into a grand den that was added for the comfort and flexibility of the home. Fireplaces in the formal living area as well as in the family room add warmth and hospitality to those areas. Both fireplaces have a gas jet and can be wood burning but are currently set up with gas logs. Enjoy sitting at the informal dining table in the bay window of the kitchen as a favorite spot to watch the neighborhood activites while enjoying the comforts of home. Also on the main floor is a private room perfect for an office or library space. There are 5 bedrooms and 3 & 1/2 bathrooms in the home. One bedroom and bathroom is attached to the garage with a separate entrance from the outside and an entrance from the garage making this a very private guest room, retreat or flex space. There are too many other amenities in this beautiful home to list them all, but following are a few. In addition to the two car garage attached to the home, there is a one car porte cachere at the end of the driveway. This space also includes a huge store room that is large enough to hold all the holiday and party decorations you could possibly desire. The driveway has an electric iron gate for full privacy. In the upstairs master suite, open the French doors to step out onto the upstairs balcony for a treetop experience. The exquisite partially covered New Orleans style brick patio in back extends out to a fountain and large open tree shaded brick patio area. Two extra pull-in parking spaces are just off the driveway in front for off the street guest parking. There is a basement to the home that has a sump pump and houses the mechanicals. Truly a one of a kind home in Waco!

View More
A Texas veteran in the middle of a 1,000-mile horseback trail ride around the state hopes to reach Elm Mott this week and continue on toward Waco and then to Austin.

Jeremy Robinson, who served in the Texas Army National Guard from 2003 through 2009 and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during those year with units of the 36th Infantry Division, began his journey in East Texas with his horse, Trooper, on Veterans Day. Robinsons goal is to ride 1,000 miles through the state, ending at the Capitol in Austin, to raise awareness of homelessness among his fellow veterans and raise donations to establish a working veterans ranch for his fledgling nonprofit.

I want to have a self-sustaining ranch for veterans, where they can grow crops and raise animals and learn vocational skills, Robinson said. Well have equine therapy horses. The ranch will invite successful veteran entrepreneurs to mentor other veterans.

Robinsons veterans service organization is a nonprofit called RP-1, Texas, short for Rally Point One.

Robinson and his wife, Kimberly Zotz, also said many homeless veterans may also need mental health and medical treatment.

Well help them get to their appointments, Zotz said of treatments for the veterans on the ranch she and Robinson want to build one day.

Robinson and his horse Trooper ride about 10 to 12 miles at a time. Zotz drives a follow and support pickup truck packed with water, food, hay and pen for Trooper.

The couple generally plot their stops at the end of each days ride to coincide with American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, Zotz said. They set up a pen for Trooper in the parking lot and set up camp for themselves inside the post overnight.

Beginning on Veterans Day, Robinson and Zotz covered the first 500 miles to Maypearl before taking a break for cold weather and holidays from Christmas until Easter. On Easter they resumed their travels, reaching West on May 9 where they said another driver attempted to pass Zotz while she was turning, leading to a collision.

Before the pandemic, Robinson worked in security. During the pandemic he decided to take on the 1,000-mile horse ride to end veterans homelessness in Texas. He established his nonprofit, RP-1, Texas with the state last year.

The couple want the ranch to not only be a self-sustaining source of recovery for veterans. They also may use it as a venue for equestrian events to bring in revenue, and intend to host farmers markets to trade and benefit the community near the ranch.
WATERLOO  Father Denny Juhl will celebrate his 50th anniversary in the priesthood on May 21 at St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids. The event begins with a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a reception until 2 p.m.

No invitations are being sent, and the honoree requests no gifts.

He was ordained May 26, 1973, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly. Now residing in Cedar Rapids, Juhl served at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Waterloo.
WATERLOO  Theresa Hoofnagle will celebrate her 98th birthday with a card shower from 2 to 5 p.m. May 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 205 W. Orange Road.

The honoree requests no gifts, and no invitations are being sent.

She was born May 16, 1925, in Gilbertville. She is the daughter of Magdalene and Leo. She married Wayne E. Hoofnagle.

Her children are Dean, SuZanne, Lyle, Allen, Lynnette, Kim, Dawn and Ann. There are nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to 205 W. Orange Road, Waterloo, IA 50701.

Our family is blessed to have our Mom and Gma with us for these many loving years. Were thrilled to celebrate with her this remarkable birthday.

We love you, Mom.
Britain hosted Eurovision this year on behalf of Ukraine, which won last year but couldn't take up its right to hold the contest because of the war.
LOS ANGELES  Six months at a resort may sound like fun, but it had its drawbacks, according to the cast of Saint X.

Playing a family at a Caribbean resort, Betsy Brandt, Michael Park, West Duchovny and Kenlee Anaya Townsend stayed at one resort, filmed at another.

We were living the life that we are seeing, Park says of the Dominican Republic resorts. We were going to all of the places, all of the local joints (and that) was kind of interesting.

But when they came back to the all-inclusive resort where they were staying, it was a much different picture.

They played the Macarena all day, says Executive Producer Leila Gerstein.

And there were foam parties in the pool, says Duchovny.

There were moments when the couples staying next door were partying it up and we had a really touching scene (to film) the next morning, Park adds.

Everybody is on their vacation and were working, Brandt says. I can imagine some nights what we looked like walking into the hotel bar and other peoples romantic dinners. They thought it was the craziest family reunion.

For the four, however, those resort-filled days and nights helped bond them as a TV family. In the limited series, Duchovnys character is murdered and raped on vacation. Twenty years later, her sister, played by Alycia Debnam-Carey goes on a mission to find out what happened.

The heat was often unbearable, Debnam-Carey says. You are, like, meling. It feels glamorous but, by no means, is it vacation. There was a weird kind of differentiation.

To bond, the actors went into a family workshop on the first rehearsal day. We didnt really know each other all that well, says Park. But 45 minutes later, we left that room in tears. It was amazing what (director Dee Rees) was able to accomplish in that 45 minutes.

When the actors shot scenes dealing with the loss of a daughter, they were able to process the feelings more deeply. I have my own kids and my own imagining of loss, Brandt says. But I would just picture (Duchovnys) face and pray to God wed find her. Thats what makes it so scary and powerful. I hoped to God I was doing justice to the people who have gone through this.

Park also talked to his brother, who had lost a 20-year-old son. I was channeling my brother, he says. We talked about this extensively. Whenever I was working with Betsy, I felt like I was in safe hands. In a way, it helped me out. This entire shoot, in a way, was therapy for me.

To help each other through the darker moments of Saint X, the actors spent off-camera time together.

Otherwise, it would have been horribly depressing, Brandt says. Were really a family. We ate dinner (together). We flew together. We did it all. Im hoping the payoff is that the audience feels the loss because they were invited in.

Saint X airs on FX and Hulu.
MEXICO CITY  For weeks, Solangel Contreras raced.

The Venezuelan migrant and her family of 22 trudged through the dense jungles of the Darien Gap and hopped borders across Central America.

They joined thousands of other migrants from across the Hemisphere in a scramble to reach the United States-Mexico border and request asylum.

They raced, unsure what changing migratory rules and the end of a pandemic-era border restriction, Title 42, would mean for their chances at a new life in the U.S.

But after missing that cutoff, robbed in Guatemala and crossing into Mexico shortly after the program ended Thursday night, Contreras, 33, had only one certainty in her mind: "We're going to keep going."

Confusion rippled from the U.S.-Mexico border to migrant routes across the Americas, as migrants scramble to understand complex and ever-changing policies. While Title 42 has come to an end, the flow of migrants headed north has not.

From the rolling mountains and jungles in Central America to the tops of trains roaring through Mexico, migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Ecuador and beyond push forward on their journeys.

"We've already done everything humanly possible to get where we are," Contreras said, resting in a park near a river dividing Mexico and Guatemala.

The problem, experts say, is that while migration laws are changing, root causes pushing people to flee their countries in record numbers only stretch on.

"It doesn't appear to be the case that this is going to curb the push or pull factors for migration from Central America, South America and other parts of the world," said Falko Ernst, senior analyst for International Crisis Group in Mexico. "The incentives for people to flee and seek refuge in safer havens in the United States are still in place."

For Contreras, that push came after her brother was killed in Ecuador for not paying extorsions to a criminal group. The family was living in a small coastal town in the south after fleeing economic crisis in Venezuela two years earlier.

Others, including 25-year-old migrant Gerardo Escobar, left in search of a better future after struggling to make ends meet in Venezuela like Contreras' family.

Escobar trekked along train tracks Friday morning just outside Mexico City, with 60 other migrants, including families and small children. They hoped to climb aboard a train that migrants have used for decades.

Escobar was among many to say he had no clue what the end of Title 42 would mean, and he didn't particularly care.

"My dream is to get a job, eat well, help my family in Venezuela," he said. "My dream is to move forward."

Despite misinformation prompting a rush to the border this past week, analysts and those providing refuge to migrants said that they don't expect new policies to radically stem the flow of migrants.

Title 42 allowed authorities to use a public health law to rapidly expel migrants crossing over the border, denying them the right to seek asylum. U.S. officials turned away migrants more than 2.8 million times under the order.

New rules strip away that ability to simply expel asylum seekers but add stricter consequences to those not going through official migratory channels. Migrants caught crossing illegally will not be allowed to return for five years and can face criminal prosecution if they do.

The Biden administration also set caps on the amount of migrants allowed to seek asylum.

At the same time, Biden is likely to continue American pressure on Mexico and other countries to make it harder for migrants to move north.

Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard said they don't agree with the Biden administration's decision to continue to put up migratory barriers.

"Our position is the opposite, but we respect their (U.S.) jurisdiction," Ebrard said.

Yet in a news briefing on Friday, he announced Mexico would carry out speedier deportations and no longer give migrants papers to cross through Mexico.

While the new rules likely won't act as a strong deterrent, Ebrard and the head of a migrant shelter in Guatemala said they saw a drop in the number of migrants they encountered immediately following the rush on the U.S. border. Though the shelter leader said numbers were slowly picking up.

Migrants continued to make it across the U.S. border, even as the new rules were announced. At a cemetery near Roma, Texas, about 60 migrants who had crossed the Rio Bravo were waiting to be processed around midnight. They included a large group of Chinese migrants who huddled for cover under a driving rain.

Another member of the group, a Guatemalan who left her country to escape an abusive husband, crossed the river with her 4-year-old son. With the rules changing, she was unsure if she'd qualify for any asylum help.

Ernst, of International Crisis Group, warned that such measures could make the already deadly journey even more dangerous.

"You'll see an increase in populations that remain vulnerable for criminal groups to prey on, to recruit from and make a profit from," he said. "It could just feed into the hands of these criminal groups."

Meanwhile, Contreras and others continue trucking forward, even with no clear pathway forward and little information about what awaits them at the border.

It's worth it, she said, to give a better life to small children traveling with them.

"We've fought a lot for them (the kids)," she said. "All we want is to be safe, a humble home where they can study, where they can eat well. We're not asking for much. We're just asking for peace and safety."

Photos: Migrants rush across US border in final hours before pandemic rule expires
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for distributing opioids to a person who died of an overdose in 2022.

Melvin Trav Williams, 55, was one of three people sentenced to federal prison last week in an investigation into fentanyl sales in the Waterloo area.

Williams was sentenced to up to six years and seven months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release on a charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Others sentenced include Sheryl Ann Wellner, 44, who was sentenced to three years and five months in prison with six years of supervised release, and Justin Brock Jensen, 41, of Cedar Falls, who was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Formerly of Chicago, Williams moved to Waterloo in 2011. Authorities allege he sold what was purported to be heroin but was actually fentanyl in March 2022. He distributed the substance to a friend identified in court records as I.R. on March 29, 2022. I.R. died of an overdose at home.

Two days later, investigators used a confidential source to buy heroin from Williams, and Williams allegedly sold a substance that was .46 grams of fentanyl, according to court records.

A few days later, Williams sold Jensen fentanyl, and Jensen, in turn, distributed the .25 grams of fentanyl to a person identified as J.R.

J.R. overdosed and went unconscious while driving his pickup and crashed in the area of Broadway Street and Airport Boulevard. Paramedics resuscitated him using Narcan, according to court records.

In May 2022, law enforcement officers conducted several controlled purchases from Williams and Jensen before arresting them May 26, 2022.

Jensens attorney said in court records that Jensen became addicted to pain killers after hurting his back moving furniture at work in 2004, and his involvement in drug distribution was to fuel his own opioid use.

Court records show Jensen called 911 three times between June and October 2021 to report that three different friends had overdosed on opioids. Two survived, but a woman identified as L.T. died.

Jensen wasnt charged with distributing drugs to the three and his defense attorney noted that Iowa law shields people who report overdoses to medical officials.

Court records allege Williams was acting as a middleman, distributing drugs he received from Jonathan Davis, who was indicted with Williams and Jensen. On May 26, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on Davis vehicle, finding more than 200 grams of fentanyl and $6,470 in cash.

Davis is currently awaiting sentencing.

Wellner was indicted separately.

Prosecutors allege Wellner twice distributed heroin to another person in Waterloo in August 2021. Then on August 18, 2021, law enforcement officers searched her home and found almost 10 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture and a digital scale.
Germany's government said on Saturday, May 13, that it would send Ukraine about $3 billion in new military supplies, including tanks, anti-aircraft equipment, and ammunition.

The declaration was made as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared for his visit in Germany for the first time since Russia's invasion of his nation last year.

Boris Pistorius, Ukraine's minister of defense, said Berlin intended to demonstrate that Germany is genuine in its support by sending the latest shipment of weapons to Kyiv. "Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes," he stated, as reported by NBC News.

The visit is being seen in Berlin as evidence of a significant thawing in ties between Ukraine and Germany.

Also Read: Ukraine Recaptures Significant Territory Near Bakhmut, Russia on Its Heels

Ties Between Germany and Ukraine

Kyiv has long suspected Berlin of being too dependent on Russian energy and of supporting the Nord Stream gas pipelines that bypass Ukraine, both of which were championed by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Olaf Scholz, who took over after she resigned, agreed to cut off energy supplies from Russia following the invasion. Yet, Scholz was originally hesitant to provide Ukraine with deadly weaponry out of worry that Germany would be pulled into the fight.

Berlin was given the cold shoulder diplomatically by Kyiv since Washington, Warsaw, and London were more vocal in their support of Ukraine's defense operations.

As a result of Germany's generous financial help to Kyiv and its acceptance of more than a million Ukrainian migrants, Germany was understandably annoyed when German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was disinvited to visit Ukraine last year. Scholz ultimately traveled to Kyiv in June 2022 with President Emmanuel Macron of France and other world leaders.

Germany was initially slow to provide military aid to Ukraine, but it has since become one of the largest suppliers of arms to the country. Germany has given the go-ahead for the delivery of modern battle tanks like Leopard 1 and 2, as well as sophisticated anti-aircraft systems.

The new military aid package includes 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, more than 100 combat vehicles, 18 Howitzers, 200 reconnaissance drones, four IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems, and other air defense equipment.

After Ukrainian military leaders stated their soldiers regained further area from Russian forces near Bakhmut, the anticipation of a Kyiv counteroffensive grew.

Zelenskyy's Next Agenda

On Saturday, the Ukrainian president was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

NBC News said Zelenskyy and Scholz will meet with other high-ranking officials in the chancellery before flying to Aachen in the West to accept the International Charlemagne Prize on behalf of Ukraine.

According to the event's organizers, the prize is recognition that the resistance to Russia's invasion is a defense "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values."

Also Read: Russia Launches Missiles Toward Eurovision Candidates' Hometown in Ukraine

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
CEDAR FALLS  Some community members hope the City Council endorses a recently crafted housing needs assessment Monday.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 220 Clay St.

If the council fails to adopt the report  the largest and most technical document to come up for a vote since the Resilience Plan about a year ago  it will likely face criticism from well-known figures. The Resilience Plan was not approved by the council.

The state mandates a HNA when the city/CFEDC/INRCOG/etc. apply for state incentives, wrote Jim Brown, executive director of the Cedar Falls Economic Development Corporation, in a message to The Courier. Debi Durham said as much at our social event. Technically theyll still look at applications, but its score-based and CF would be behind from the get go.

The Economic Development Corporation sponsored the report, contracting with Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments and the University of Northern Iowas Institute for Decision Making to develop it over a years time.

A housing needs assessment has not been completed in Cedar Falls since 1998.

The study is meant as an economic development tool and for workforce recruitment. It came in response to a Cedar Falls Racial Equity Task Force request for solutions to a lack of affordable housing.

The assessment seeks ways to respond to rising home prices  up 25% the previous five years  and declining inventory of homes for sale  down 66% the previous five years  as well as slower housing construction and a near absence of buildable lots for sale to homebuyers and custom builders.

It sought to identify and foster housing options for low- to moderate-income households, young families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

The document makes 33 recommendations, and can supplement applications from developers for state incentives. Two will seek council support Monday for Workforce Housing Tax Credits administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

One is BJW Holdings, led by Brian Wingert, a key participant in the assessment. He wants to construct 12 small cottages at 215 W. Ninth St., the former site of a Mennonite church he purchased and demolished.

His plans are still under review by city staff. Officials havent raised any red flags that could slow approval.

As part of his application, the city is required to provide a resolution of support as well as a local match of incentives of at least $1,000 per unit, a total of $12,000.

Another application is from CV Commercial LLC, led by Brent Dalhstrom. He seeks to construct a new five-story, multi-use building with 32 market-rate residential units at 2119 College St. and 1003 W. 22nd St. on College Hill, a controversial plan approved by the council in 2019.

The local match requirement is the same as Wingerts, and officials say the city agreed to provide five years of tax rebates totaling as much as $593,937, which can be used as the match requirement.

We have a divided council, and we have issues with our elected folks that we really feel like are impeding on our ability to come to consensus on where we want to go as an organization, and we think that thats an issue that we will be highlighting throughout the election, Mark Kittrell, an Economic Development Commission and Economic Development Authority board member, told Cedar Falls Utilities trustees during a presentation last week.

Additionally, the council will consider approving:

A site plan for a Popeyes fried chicken restaurant at the southeast corner of Brandilynn Boulevard and Winterberry Drive.

A $2.63 million contract with Dave Schmitt Construction of Cedar Rapids, the lowest bid received for the first phase of the North Cedar Heights Area reconstruction project. That came in significantly under the $3.39 million estimate. The projects scope was previously reduced after the only bid came back significantly higher than budgeted.

Alan Stalnaker and Sloan Alberhasky as new members of the Planning & Zoning Commission.

An ordinance, on its third and final reading, rezoning 14.43 acres of farmland owned by Jim Sands Construction for future homes. The land is north of Tomahawk Lane and west of Cypress Avenue.

An ordinance, on the third and final reading, rezoning three acres along the future Ashworth Drive extension from Kara Drive to Hudson Road for new residential development.

Committee meetings begin at 6:20 p.m. Mayor Rob Green will present his proposal for an emeritus program for former elected city officials, and City Engineer David Wicke will discuss a request for no parking on Bluebell Road from South Main Street to Coneflower Parkway.

Photos: Cedar Valley athletes at state qualifying track meet in Dubuque State Qualifying 10 State Qualifying 9 State Qualifying 5 State Qualifying 6 State Qualifying 3 State Qualifying 2 State Qualifying 12 State Qualifying 11 State Qualifying 13 State Qualifying 7 State Qualifying 8 State Qualifying 1 State Qualifying 4 State Qualifying 14 State Qualifying 15
WATERLOO  A revised ordinance that would ban conversion therapy will make its initial appearance before the City Council Monday.

This comes after councilmembers voted down the original proposed ordinance two weeks ago. Now, the first reading of the amended version will be heard during the 5:30 p.m. meeting in the council chambers at City Hall.

With this version of the ordinance, people could 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.

The council has the potential to suspend the rules and pass all three readings at once.

Before the ordinance is read, a resolution for supporting LGBTQ+ Waterloo residents will be up for approval. If passed, it states that the city affirms, defends and stands in allyship with our LGBTQ+ citizens and their fundamental human rights and affirms their constitutional duty to defend and ensure the equal protection of all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

An ordinance that will be introduced for the first time involves a potential increase in sewer rates.

The proposed ordinance will raise the average residential user cost to $2.68 per month, while the minimum quarterly charge will rise to $4.46.

City documents state that if rates arent increased and improvements required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are not made, the city wouldnt be complying with regulatory requirements and could be penalized with fines.

There will be 10 public hearings at the meeting.

One centers around a recommendation to renew the City Limits Urban Revitalization Area Plan. CLURA is an incentive program that encourages the development of new housing in specific areas of the city.

New incentives could be included that would allow child care facilities to apply for property tax abatements.

Another public hearing will be about authorizing the sale and conveyance of city-owned property for a master build-out of a North Crossing retail and medical district. The property is located near the intersection of Heath Street and Logan Avenue, going east toward East Fourth Street.

After the last public hearing of the night, a bid of $2.5 million could be awarded to Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck for the East San Marnan Drive reconstruction project.

Other items on the agenda include:

The reading of bids for improvements to Gates Park.

A resolution approving a development agreement with Prairie Rapids II LLC, to construct 48 new housing units located near the southeast corner of Kimball and Ridgeway avenues.

A resolution approving Waterloos Smart City strategic action plan.

A resolution supporting Grow Solar Cedar Valley, a voluntary solar electricity program.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has an ambitious agenda when he sets off this week on an eight-day trip to the Indo-Pacific.

Hes looking to tighten bonds with longtime allies, make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island state of Papua New Guinea and spotlight his administrations commitment to the Pacific. The three-country trip also presents the 80-year-old Biden, who recently announced hes running for reelection, with the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has enough in the tank to handle the grueling pace of the presidency.

But as he prepares to head west, Biden finds himself in a stalemate with Republican lawmakers over raising America's debt limit. If the matter is not resolved in the coming weeks, it threatens to spark an economic downturn.

A look at what's at stake in Biden's upcoming trip:

Where is Biden going?

Biden first heads to Hiroshima, Japan, for the Group of Seven summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is this year's host for the annual gathering of leaders from seven of the world's biggest economies. He picked his hometown of Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped the world's first atomic bomb in 1945.

The bombing destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. The United States dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

The significance of Hiroshima resonates deeply today, given that Russia has made veiled threats of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, North Korea has stepped up ballistic missile tests and Iran pushes forward with its nuclear weapons program.

Biden will then make a brief and historic stopover in Papua New Guinea. Biden has sought to improve relations with Pacific Island nations amid growing U.S. concern about Chinas growing military and economic influence in the region.

Finally, Biden travels to Australia for a summit with his fellow Quad leaders: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kishida.

The Quad partnership formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Since coming to office, Biden has tried to reinvigorate the Quad as part of his broader effort to put greater U.S. focus on the Pacific.

The big issues

Russias invasion of Ukraine and provocative actions by China in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait are expected to be front and center throughout Biden's trip.

At last month's G-7 ministers' meeting, the alliance pledged a unified front against Chinese threats to Taiwan and Russias war. The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Biden administration officials have been troubled by Chinas increasing threats against and military maneuvers around Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own. The U.S.-China relationship has also been strained by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last August. Those ties were further inflamed after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon in February after it traversed the United States.

The G-7 foreign ministers said in their communique that the alliance would look toward intensifying sanctions" against Russia. How far the G-7 is willing to go remains to be seen.

Is America back?

The looming potential for a debt default by the U.S. government raises a difficult dynamic for Biden as he heads overseas for the first time since announcing his 2024 campaign.

Since the start of his presidency, Biden has repeatedly told world leaders that America is back. That's a short-handed way to assure allies that the United States was returning to its historic role as a leader on the international stage following the more inward-looking America First foreign policy of President Donald Trump.

But Biden has also acknowledged that skeptical world leaders have asked him, For how long?

To that end, top administration officials have said the looming debt limit crisis is a troubling sign.

It sends a horrible message to nations like Russia and China, who would love nothing more than to be able to point at this and say, See the United States is not a reliable partner. The United States is not a stable leader of peace and security around the world," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The Congressional Budget Office said on Friday that there was a significant risk that the federal government could run out of cash sometime in the first two weeks of June unless Congress agrees to raise the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap.

Pacific island respect

With the brief stop in Papua New Guinea to meet with Pacific Island leaders, Biden gets the chance to show the United States is serious about remaining engaged for the long term in the Pacific Islands.

The area has received diminished attention from the U.S. in the aftermath of the Cold War and China has increasingly filled the vacuum  through increased aid, development and security cooperation. Biden has said that he's committed to changing that dynamic.

Last September, Biden hosted leaders from more than a dozen Pacific Island countries at the White House, announcing a new strategy to help to assist the region on climate change and maritime security. His administration also recently opened embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, and has plans to open one in Kiribati.

He'll be the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation of about 9 million people. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a visit to Papua New Guinea in 2018.
The Waterloo City Council is scheduled to vote May 15 on an ordinance to ban conversion therapy by licensed therapists. Banning even talk therapy, this ordinance would put youths experiencing gender dysphoria at risk by denying them access to counseling options.

Vulnerable kids -- who are too young to make such a major lifelong decision are receiving dangerous drugs and irreversible surgery in an attempt to medically transition them to the opposite sex. This practice is being banned by Iowa and several other states and European countries, but not in some neighboring states. Even well-known transgender Caitlyn Jenner opposes this practice and is supporting candidates who have pledged to vote to ban it.

Although apparently supporting the mutilation of kids healthy bodies, the ordinance sponsor calls talk therapy torture, the same as electrocuting kids and dunking kids in water like this is the Salem witch trials (his actual words in quotes). These things are obviously no longer being done here, if they ever were. Further, licensed mental health counselors are regulated by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science, where any complaints can be filed. This ordinance is not only unnecessary and divisive, but also not the domain of city government.

Al Manning, Waterloo
Weather Alert

...UNSEASONABLE HEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH FLOODING CONCERNS ACROSS AREA WATERWAYS DUE TO EXCESSIVE SNOWMELT AND RUNOFF... ...THUNDERSTORM CHANCES INCREASING THROUGH THE WEEKEND... Heat: * Highs will warm 15-20 degrees above average this weekend, similar to typical readings during late June. This translates to around 90 degrees across western Nevada valleys and mid to upper 70s for Sierra valleys. The warmest days are most likely on Friday and Saturday, with record highs possible and potential for moderate heat risks to sensitive individuals in warmer western Nevada valleys. Snowmelt and River Rises: * Increasing heat will continue accelerating snowmelt this week. If planning outdoor recreation, avoid streams and rivers as they will flow fast, cold, and high. While it may seem like a good idea to jump into the rivers to cool off, the water is extremely cold and shock can quickly set in, causing loss of motor function. There are also likely to be snow bridges present in the backcountry with water flowing beneath. Use extreme caution. * The latest forecasts indicate the East and West Forks and mainstem Walker River reaching minor to moderate flood stage through the weekend. The West Fork of the Carson is expected to remain in minor flood stage while the East Fork of the Carson River could reach minor flood stage late Friday night. For more detailed river forecasts, visit www.cnrfc.noaa.gov. Shower and Thunderstorm Chances: * Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase each this weekend with a 15-20% chance on Friday, increasing up to 30% on Saturday, and up to 40% on Sunday across Mono and Mineral counties. Gusty outflow winds of 40-50 mph, small hail, and localized heavy rainfall will be possible in the vicinity of any thunderstorms.

.Warm temperatures may melt snowpack and increase river flows. ...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of east central California and western Nevada, including the following areas, in east central California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Mono County. In western Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties. * WHEN...From 8 PM PDT this evening through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - The current period of unseasonably warmer temperatures will result is excessive snowmelt and runoff from higher mountain areas into lower elevation locations along the Carson River, Walker River basins, and eastern Sierra Basins. Creeks, streams, and main stem river areas will continue to run high, fast, and cold after expiration of this watch. Through the diurnal melt cycle, peak flow and heights will occur overnight and early morning in many cases. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
In recognition of Mothers Day, the Journal asked several prominent New Mexicans to share a brief statement about what makes their mom special. Here are the responses:

Christian Nava

What my mom means to me is love. When you truly sit down and consider everything a mom has done for you, you truly realize who is a true superhero. Without my mom, I would not be where I am today and i can really say that the reason I am who I am is because of my mom. That is because of the sacrifices she has made for me and i will forever be grateful. Home will always be wherever mom is and regardless of how far I am, I know mom will always be there for me.  Christian Nava, New Mexico United midfielder and Albuquerque native.

Melanie Stansbury

My mom taught me the value of grit, determination, and heart. From raising me to stand up for what you believe in to serving our communities  you inspire me every day. Love you so much, Mom!  U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-New Mexico, representative for New Mexicos first congressional district.

Javier Martinez

My parents, Javier and Ana, came to New Mexico from Ciudad Juarez in search of a better future for me and my sister Viridiana. My mom instilled in us the value of hard work, selflessness and leading with compassion. She did everything in her power to make sure that my sister and I could get a good education and have the kinds of opportunities that she and my dad did not have. My motivation for a life in public service has been driven in large part by my mothers determination, her tenacity, and her love. I understand the sacrifices working parents, particularly immigrant parents, make for their kids and I hope that the work we do in the legislature can make it easier for all families to build brighter futures for their kids. I am so grateful to my mom for everything she has done for our family and all she continues to do  like sending me off with plates of home-cooked food during the legislative session. state Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Bernalillo, speaker of the house in New Mexico Legislature.

Tim Keller

To all the mothers in our city, especially my mom (Jan), Liz, and Sidney, thank you for your unconditional love and support. We appreciate all you do for us and for our kids!  Tim Keller, mayor of Albuquerque. 

Chevel Shepherd

My mom Julie is a wonderful woman. Shes one of the strongest people I know. She has gone through so much in her life and has always found ways to persevere and push forward. Her strength and heart are an inspiration to me and all of those around her. She has always been supportive of me throughout my music career, and Im forever grateful for her. Not only is she a great human, but shes a great mom. Shes not only celebrated on Mothers Day, but every day.  Chevel Shepherd, Farmington resident who won NBCs The Voice in 2018.

Harold Medina

Thank you to my mom who helped me be who I can today. It was a balance of love, motivation, accountability and opportunity.  Harold Medina, chief of Albuquerque Police.

Brian Mendoza

My mom has supported me in both my life and career in every way imaginable. There hasnt been one time in my life that Ive turned to her for something and she wasnt there for me. Ill never be able to thank her enough for everything that she does because I wouldnt be where I am today if it wasnt for her. Happy Mothers Day mom!  Brian Mendoza, World Boxing Council world interim super welterweight champion, New Mexico native and Cleveland High School graduate.
Generative AI tools can produce hyper-realistic images, videos, and audio that can deceive voters and sway elections.

AI experts warn that generative AI can be used to mislead voters, impersonate candidates, and undermine elections at an unprecedented pace.

Some organizations are using AI language models to detect and disprove disinformation, but these technologies can also undermine trust and deceive people.

For years, computer engineers and tech-savvy political scientists have warned that the availability of powerful AI tools could lead to the creation of fake images, videos, and audio that could deceive voters and sway elections.

Compared to the synthetic images produced years ago, which were usually crude, unconvincing, and expensive to make compared to other forms of misinformation that were more readily available on social media, AI-generated images now are more true to life.

With the rapid advancement of generative AI tools, hyper-realistic images, videos, and audio can now be produced in seconds and at a minimal cost. Experts say that this technology can also be integrated into powerful social media algorithms to spread fake content far and wide, targeting specific audiences and taking campaign dirty tricks to a whole new level, per an AP News report.

Generative artificial intelligence's impacts on 2024 campaigns and elections are alarming. The technology may be used to send targeted campaign emails, messages, and videos to mislead voters, spoof and defame candidates, incite violence, and sabotage elections on an unprecedented scale, according to AI experts.

AI Will Be Used in Political Strategies

Last month, following the announcement that Democratic President Joe Biden would run for re-election, the Republican National Committee released an official party video that stood out because it was entirely generated using AI images.

And so it begins - #generativeai being used to create misinformation and deepfake election campaign videos.



The Republican National Committee just released an ad against Biden using AI created imagery. Before the pandemic I gave a talk about the dangers of deepfakes across pic.twitter.com/7bw2yCn24Z  Theo (@tprstly) April 26, 2023

Read Also: Ukraine to Receive Roughly $3 Billion in Military Aid



Given AI's fast development and availability, this trend is expected. Three years ago, Darrell West, a senior scholar at the Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation, said AI wasn't frequently utilized in political campaigns, but it's now simpler to deploy, according to Al Jazeera. This resulted in a new age when anybody could produce incredibly realistic-looking films "without becoming a software designer or video editing expert," making it simpler to present new realities that may not exist.

West added that this is a new area with far-reaching repercussions, wherein people may make videos and share their realities on social media by creating fresh images from scratch.

A Complicated Matter

Newtral, a Spanish business that focuses on fact-checking remarks by politicians, has started making use of large language models to detect and disprove disinformation. The AI models are comparable to those that drive ChatGPT, an OpenAI language model.

The Chief Technology Officer of Newtral, Ruben Miguez Perez, believes that such tools can identify when a piece of material makes a factual assertion that needs to be verified and determine if it is likely to be misinformation based on the emotions it conveys, per Interesting Engineering.

However, by making people doubt the veracity of information supplied by experts and social connections, these technologies could also have the ability to undermine trust and deceive them.

Even if AI technology may be the most powerful protection against these tools, the danger of widespread, machine-generated disinformation requires deeper thought and investigation.

Related Article: US Debt Default Threatens Global Economy



@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Kim Fredenburgh and the Altura Ensemble will close the Placitas Artists Series with one of the most popular and beloved compositions by Franz Schubert  String Quintet in C Major (Double Cello Quintet) Op. 163 D. 956.

The concert is slated for Sunday, May 21, at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church and via livestreaming. A public visual arts reception begins at 2 p.m.

Fredenburgh heads up the Altura Ensemble, which includes New Mexico Philharmonic Concertmaster Carmelo de los Santos, violin; Laura Chang, violin and cello; Felix Fan, cello; and Amy Huzjak, cello.

The ensemble will open with works by Bela Bartok, Jessie Montgomery and Shiuan Chang, featuring the musicians in various combinations  duos for violas, a duo for violin and cello, and a solo cello work.

Schuberts monumental quintet, most known for its dramatic and virtuosic cello parts which demand the highest caliber of players, will fill the entire second half of the program.

Artists displaying their work include Carol Allen, jewelry, as well a number of plein air artists  Carol Ordogne, Laverne Bohlin, Ann Blankenship, Connie Falk, Colleen Gregoire, Lisa Avila and Catherine Alleva  whose art will be on view throughout the month. The show is open to the public during church gallery hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and by appointment. All artwork on display is available for purchase and benefits the Placitas Artists Series.

Concert tickets can be purchased at placitasarts.org, where the concert program, musician bios and more will be available. K-12 students accompanied by an adult ticket holder can attend free.

The Placitas Artists Series projects are made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
A wealthy woman invites two strangers to join her in a strange feast commemorating the death of her parents. Mayannah has done this every year but her dark purpose remains unclear. All that will change tonight when two damaged souls find their way to her table.

Brainpeople by Jose Rivera opens at the Vortex Theatre on Thursday, May 18. The play runs through June 4.

Brainpeople takes place in a not-so-distant future with the sounds of a war-torn Los Angeles scorching the air. Tensions rise, true colors are revealed and the main course is not the only thing with claws.

Theres talk of a stolen election, riots in the streets and a police state, said director Miguel Martinez.

An eccentric woman has invited two other women up to her apartment in LA. If they finish the meal, they get $100,000.

The play explores the psychological nature of trauma, he added.

Its kind of in the Gatsby range of people trying to return to the place where everything was right, Martinez said. And it never works.

Nervous, garrulous, wall-flowerish Ani desperately wants to leave the country. Rivera scatters throughout the play suggestions that the U.S. is now a violent police state, with curfews, canceled free elections and arrest of dissidents the new order of the day.

Blowzy, aging-streetwalker-attired Rosemary seems to be there because shes hungry. Their hostess has promised the meal of your lives and prepared it all by herself, dismissing personal staff and soldiers for the night.

Orphaned by rich parents in her childhood, hostess Mayannah has by necessity had her guests delivered via armored limo. She assures the visitors theyre safe because Wealth is still respected in this city, though police sirens and other unsettling sounds frequently penetrate her privileged sanctuary.

Martinez has previously directed Riveras play References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot.

Im Puerto Rican, hes Puerto Rican, and I love that magical realism, Martinez said. Ive just followed his career. His scripts keep coming back to haunt me.

Brainpeople stars Kim Nieve Larrichio as Mayannah, Stephanie Grilo as Ani, and Christy Lopez as Rosemary.
The 51st annual Heritage Preservation Awards will be held in-person on Sunday, May 21, for the first time since 2019, giving New Mexicans a chance to experience the best in historic preservation at St. Francis Auditorium.

This years presentation will take place at 2 p.m. in auditorium at New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe. A reception will follow the awards ceremony. The award ceremony will recognize five winning organizations for 2023, as well as previous winners in-person, with those from 2021 and 2022 invited to attend. The ceremony is open to the public.

This is a unique opportunity to not only highlight exceptional organizations and historic preservation projects from the last 12 months, but to also ensure that awardees from previous years get recognized, said Jeff Pappas, state historic preservation officer.

The ceremony, presented by the Cultural Properties Review Committee to celebrate the best in historic preservation during Heritage Preservation Month, will include a performance by Maxine Thevenot on the historic pipe organ in St. Francis Auditorium, itself a historic preservation success.

A full list of the award winners is available below.

 Malcolm Ebright: This years Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Ebright for his lifelong dedication to the history of New Mexico and expertise in land grant studies.

 Chad Rennaker, Rupal Engineer and Ryan Whitt: This years Individual Achievement Award will be presented to Rennaker, Engineer and Whitt for the rehabilitation of the El Vado Motel in Albuquerque.

 Nuevo Mexico Profundo: Frank Graziano, Susan Horn, Sana Morrow, and Pete Warzel: One of three Heritage Organization Awards will be presented to Nuevo Mexico Profundo  Graziano, Horn, Morrow and Warzel  for contributions in identifying, preserving and providing public access to New Mexicos historic churches.

 Nob Hill Neighborhood Associations, Inc., Albuquerque: This Heritage Organization Award will be presented for efforts to preserve the Nob Hill Neighborhoods historic character.

 The Penasco Valley Historical Preservation Society: The final Heritage Organization Award will be presented to the Penasco Valley Historical Preservation Society for its efforts to preserve Penasco High School.
CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Evan Shields of Clovis caught a 5-pound largemouth bass at Bosque Redondo Lake using a deep-diving, pumpkin-colored crankbait on April 30.

Valerie Wyatt of Roswell caught a 16-inch walleye at Brantley Lake using chicken breast bait on May 6.

At Conchas Lake, Dewey Loveless of Conchas caught his limit of walleye, with the largest being 7.75-pounds, using a Firetiger Berkley Flicker Shad lure trolling in 6-8 feet of water on May 4.  Meriah Sandoval of Albuquerque caught and released a 14.5-inch 1-pound, 7-ounce crappie using a plastic worm on May 3.

At Fenton Lake, Leia Trujillo and her great-grandfather Manuel Baca of Pe n a Blanca caught and released 15 trout using PowerBait on May 3.  Ryan Spurlock of Albuquerque caught a 19-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait on April 29.

Ethan Cameron, 12, of Silver City caught a 17-inch and 15-inch trout at Lake Roberts using garlic marshmallow bait on May 6.

Vincent Pacheco of Las Vegas caught an 18-inch rainbow trout at Morphy Lake using orange salmon eggs on May 7.

At Navajo Lake, Alejandro Graham of Albuquerque caught a 40-inch pike using a Dardevle Spoon on May 2.  Isabel Madrid, 9, of Bernalillo caught a 28-inch brown trout using a Rapala lure on April 28.

Alvin Garcia of Albuquerque caught a 20-inch rainbow trout on the Pecos River using worms on May 7.

Zane and Elijah Lam, 2, caught two 15-inch rainbow trout at Quemado Lake using Garlic PowerBait and Panther Martin spinners on April 30.

Dominic Rodarte of Albuquerque caught a 35-inch, 20-pound, 14-ounce catfish on the Rio Grande near the Village of Corrales using bluegill on May 7.

Leandra Pino of Las Vegas, New Mexico caught an 18-inch 2-pound rainbow trout at Storrie Lake using salmon eggs on May 3.

At Tingley Beach, Sam Stewart of Albuquerque caught an 18-inch, 2.86-pound largemouth bass using a 3.5-inch Lost Creek swimbait on May 6.  Lowell Smith of Paraje caught a 20-inch, 4-pound catfish using cut bluegill bait on May 2.  Richard Martinez of Albuquerque caught a 20-inch catfish using Orange PowerBait on April 30.  Melvin Martinez of Albuquerque caught a 20-inch catfish using Orange PowerBait on April 30.

Andrew Romero of Las Vegas caught and released a 21-inch rainbow trout at Trout Lakes using a Panther Martin spinner on May 5.

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.

NOTES FROM GAME & FISH

Northeast fishing report

Fishing for trout at Cabresto Lake was good using Zebra Midge flies and Euro Nymph flies.

Fishing for trout at Charette Lakes was fair using nightcrawler worms.

Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Monday morning was 50 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was fair to good using bead-head nymph flies, worms, salmon eggs and Yellow Garlic PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Clayton Lake was good using PowerBait and worms. Fishing for walleye was fair using nightcrawler worms. Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken liver and nightcrawler worms.

Fishing for smallmouth bass at Conchas Lake was good using jerkbaits and soft-plastic worms. Fishing for walleye was good trolling using Firetiger Berkley Flicker Shad lures. Fishing for crappie was fair using soft-plastic worms.

At Costilla Creek, the Valle Vidal is closed to fishing until July.

Cowles Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Nest Lake was fair to good using black Woolly Bugger flies and Salmon Peach PowerBait. The boat docks are now in the water. For updated lake conditions, visit the parks webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was good using black spinners, White PowerBait Eggs and Pistol Pete spinner flies.

National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access on the Gallinas River. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Hopewell Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Alice was fair using silver/brass-schemed spoons, small tube jigs and PowerBait worms. The lake is closed to vessel/boat operation.

Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was good using Pistol Pete spinner flies, Gulp Trout Bait, size-17 flies and silver/brass/black/yellow/red-schemed Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for bluegill and perch was fair to good using small bait and flies. The ADA dock is open to anglers, with priority given to mobility-impaired persons.

Los Pinos River had no reports from anglers this week.

Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was good using Pistol Pete spinner flies and PowerBait. The Benedictine Monastery Lake is part of the Departments Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Fishing for trout at Morphy Lake was good using orange salmon eggs, CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph flies and Panther Martin spinners.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Monday morning was 471 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using worms and gold bead-head nymph flies.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 195 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using worms.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 2,620 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Monday morning was 92 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Monday morning was 157 cfs.

Streamflow near Penasco on Monday morning was 275 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using worms.

Fishing for trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir was good using black Pistol Pete spinner flies, worms, spinners, Orange PowerBait and Rainbow PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds is closed to fishing until July.

Springer Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Storrie Lake was fair to good using salmon eggs and garlic PowerBait.

Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for walleye Ute Lake was fair trolling using Berkley Flicker Shad lures, Wally Diver lures, Berkley Flicker Minnow lures and nightcrawler spinner rigs. Fishing for walleye was fair jigging using live minnows and Gulp Minnows. Fishing for white bass was fair to good using crankbaits that dive 8-10 feet. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was good using chatter baits, Bandit Crankbaits, Senko worms and crawdad-pattern baits. Fishing for crappie was fair to good using live minnows in 12-15 feet of water. Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken liver and punch bait. The main lake water surface temperature was in the low to mid 60s and the water was clear.

Northwest fishing report

Abiquiu Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Monday morning was 2,730 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for all species was slow at Bluewater Lake.

Brazos River had no reports from anglers this week.

Canjilon Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for pike at Cochiti Lake was good using 6-inch, topwater lures and jerkbaits. Fishing for white bass was slow using crankbaits. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good using jerkbaits and swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was good using nightcrawler worms and cut carp bait.

El Vado Lake is closed due to dam construction project. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Parks webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was good using Mop Flies, black Rooster Tail spinners and PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit the parks webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630.

Fishing for trout at Grants Riverwalk Pond was fair to good using Pistol Pete spinner flies.

Heron Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

At the Jemez Waters, fishing for trout was good using nymph flies near Fenton Lake. Streamflow near the Village of Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 308 cfs. Due to the rising popularity of fishing in Valles Caldera National Preserve, the National Park Service began charging a fee for its fishing permits starting April 1 to support the management of its fishing program. The new fee schedule will be $20 for an annual pass ($10 for youth 12-17) and $5 for a 7-day pass ($3 for youth 12-17). A State of New Mexico fishing license is also required to fish within Valles Caldera. For more information visit nps.gov/vall.

Laguna del Campo had no reports from anglers this week.

Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Lake Farmington was good using dough bait.

Fishing for trout at McGaffey Lake was good using PowerBait. The lake is full and was recently stocked with rainbow trout.

Fishing for trout at Navajo Lake was slow to fair using Rapala lures. Fishing for pike was slow to fair using large crankbaits and spoons. Fishing for bass was slow.

Streamflow on the Rio Chama below El Vado Lake on Monday morning was 129 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake on Monday morning was 1,540 cfs. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair using nightcrawler worms and brown trout-pattern Rapala lures. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.

Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande was good using cut bait near the village of Corrales area.

Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1) had no reports from anglers this week.

San Gregorio Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the San Juan River near Archuleta on Monday morning was 515 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was slow to fair using midge-pattern flies, leech-pattern flies and red annelid flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was fair using silver Kastmaster lures and PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at the Seven Springs Brood Pond was good using PowerBait Floating Mice Tails.

Fishing for trout at Tiger Park Reservoir was good using Kastmaster lures and bead-head nymph flies.

Fishing for catfish at Tingley Beach was fair to good using cut bluegill bait and Orange PowerBait. Fishing for bass was fair to good using white streamer flies and swimbaits. Fishing for trout was slow.

Fishing for trout at Trout Lakes was good using Panther Martin spinners.

Southwest fishing report

Fishing for catfish at Alumni Pond was good using beef liver and chicken liver. Fishing for bass was fair to good using small, black floating shad-pattern lures.

Bear Canyon Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

The department is conducting a boater and angler improvement project at Bill Evans Lake extending into May. Improvements include the installation of a new concrete boat ramp and dock; improvements to the existing boat ramp; the installation of rock, fishing jetties; road improvements; and regrading the north camping access area. Anglers should expect road and lake closures during construction. For current conditions, contact the departments Fisheries Management Division at 505-476-8055. Anglers are encouraged to visit surrounding lakes such as Bear Canyon Lake, Lake Roberts and Trees Lake for alternate fishing locations.

Fishing for white bass at Caballo Lake was fair using curly-tail grubs and small crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was good using white Bomber lures, Rat-L-Trap crankbaits and curly-tail grubs.

Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass at Elephant Butte Lake was fair to good using shad-pattern jerkbaits, square-billed crankbaits, live minnows and swimbaits. Fishing for white bass was fair to good using crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair using liver shiners. Fishing for crappie was fair to good using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was very good using raw shrimp at the marina.

Fishing for bass at Escondida Lake was fair to good using artificial worms.

Estancia Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Gila River near Gila on Monday morning was 158 cfs.

Fishing for trout at Glenwood Pond was good using Orange and Chartreuse PowerBait fished with a bobber.

Fishing for trout at Lake Roberts was fair using garlic marshmallow bait and PowerBait.

Percha Dam had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was fair to good using Garlic PowerBait and Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for trout at Rancho Grande Ponds was good using PowerBait.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Monday morning was 351 cfs.

Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Trees Lake was fair using 3-inch, soft-plastic worms.

Fishing for catfish at Young Pond was slow using hot dogs.

Southeast fishing report

Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was fair to good using PowerBait and various flies. Fishing for bass was fair to good using plastic worms.

Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for bass at Berrendo Creek was fair to good using Senko worms. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Monday morning was 3 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the City of Alamogordo due to fire damage. The lake is full but needs time for aquatic habitat to develop in order to sustain a healthy fish population. The city hopes to reopen the lake for recreational purposes in June 2024.

Fishing for catfish at Bosque Redondo Lake was fair to good using cut shad bait. Fishing for bass was good using deep-diving, pumpkin-colored crankbaits.

Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for white bass at Brantley Lake was fair to good using live minnows. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using chicken breast bait and crankbaits.

Fishing for catfish at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair using hot dogs.

Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Corona Pond was fair using Salmon Peach PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using raw chicken.

Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for largemouth bass at Green Meadow Lake was good using nightcrawler worms with garlic scent.

Greene Acres Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was good using Garlic PowerBait and Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Harry McAdams Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for catfish at Lake Van was fair using worms.

Ned Houk Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Oasis Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Pecos River below Sumner Lake on Monday morning was 109 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair using hot dogs south of Carlsbad.

Fishing for catfish at Perch Lake was fair using cut-shad bait and garlic salmon eggs.

Rio Bonito had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Monday morning was 12 cfs.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for all species was slow at Santa Rosa Lake. The water temperature was in the upper 50s and water quality was poor with high levels of turbidity.

Fishing for walleye at Sumner Lake was fair using live minnows and Berkley Flicker Shad lures.

Fishing for trout at Timberon Ponds was fair to good using Woolly Worm flies.
I am a long-time practicing litigator/attorney and represent clients throughout New Mexico. I am compelled to weigh in on the false information being circulated as it pertains to Avangrid, PNM and the PRC.

The merger is necessary to help New Mexico transition in a cost-effective way to a carbon-free grid and the untapped New Mexico renewable potential. Ive personally worked with Avangrid for over a decade on various issues for a variety of different clients related to alternative energy projects. I can say unequivocally they are attentive to the matters I have worked on with them and have always been reasonable in dealing with issues as they arise. I believe Avangrid is a stellar company, and wed be lucky to have them in New Mexico.

The latest fallacy says Avangrid and Public Regulation Commission (PRC) attorneys participated in ex parte communications. I can tell you that in my dealings with the PRC it is standard practice to discuss issues with PRC attorneys. This is also not uncommon in the private practice of law and in my everyday dealings with other lawyers. This is done to resolve procedural issues or minor issues that dont need to be decided by the ultimate trier of fact and law  in this case the PRC. There was nothing improper or out of the ordinary when the Avangrid attorneys reached out to the PRC attorneys to talk about settlement of the appeal currently at the Supreme Court. This is done all the time. Whenever legal parties are in settlement negotiations, they get accomplished by the attorneys talking to one another.

Ex parte communications are when one party has a contact with the decision maker  most times a judge  without the presence of the other part(ies) with the intent of influencing the decision maker. Since no communications were made to the decision makers, in this case the Supreme Court justices, and only to the PRC attorneys, that cannot be considered an ex parte communication. The communications are exactly what happens in every settlement in every proceeding in the United States. Additionally, my understanding from the documents filed and statements made (is) the Avangrid attorneys never spoke with the PRC commissioners.

The communications have been held out to be something nefarious and wrong. But that is not the case. This is often how lawsuits with governmental organizations get resolved.

It seems some in our society find no need to base their claims on facts and just throw out vicious and false statements to inflame the reader or audience. That is what I see in some of the articles and litigation that has been filed. Its time to stop the negative and often non-factual rhetoric and move forward with taking New Mexico to whats possible with renewable energy.
New Mexicans appear to be suckers for love. A new study reports that the state ranked No. 2 in the nation for the percentage rise in money lost to romance scams, from 2021 to 2022. The average loss per victim in New Mexico was $57,001, the third-highest in the nation, according to Social Catfish, an online investigation service.

New Mexicos staggering rise  269%  was second only to Arkansas growth of 398%.

Despite increased government warnings, pop culture shows like The Tinder Swindler  which aired last year on Netflix and increased public awareness  romance scams continue to leave an unprecedented number of Americans broke and heartbroken, the company said in its report.

Nationwide, losses to this type of fraud hit a record $1.3 billion in 2022, the organization reported.

The most common payment method draining victims of their money was through cryptocurrency, while requested bank wire transfers were second.

Bank failures spawn scammers

Banks and government agencies are warning consumers that recent bank failures are resulting in fraudulent activity.

Its happening as the banks vendors are asked to update their routing information in the wake of the failures.

Capital One, for example, is warning its customers in New Mexico and elsewhere about fraudsters trying to trick people into sending money to a fake bank account or providing personal account information. They are, the bank says, preying on common anxieties.

Customers should exercise caution in handling emails with bank-related subject lines, attachments or links, says the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. In addition, be wary of social media pleas, texts or door-to-door solicitations relating to any failed bank.

And, no, the FDIC  the receiver of failed banks  is not going to call you.

Gift cards at risk

It might be convenient to accomplish your gift-buying needs by relying on a gift card rack at your local grocery or pharmacy.

Doing so could be dangerous, though.

Criminals can tamper with the cards when the display is not behind a counter. Specifically, they can tamper with the packaging so they can record the gift number and PIN. Once the customer activates that card, the thief can use technology to steal the money before customers can spend it.

A 2020 AARP survey showed one in four adults said they had given or received a gift card that had no balance on it.

To avoid this happening to you:

Consider buying gift cards online directly from the business that issues them.

If you buy in-person, remember its safer to purchase cards displayed behind the counter or near the checkout where thievery is less likely,

Always look for any visible signs of tampering.

If the option is offered, register your card with the retailer. Doing so makes it easier to track and report any issues that arise.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com or (505) 823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210, prompt 5. Complaints can be filed electronically at https://www.nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/.
When Asianna Benalli was around 11 years old, her mom lost everything.

Her job, her car, her house  gone, within a matter of months. Because of an abusive relative, Benalli and her family had already mostly been on their own, she said. So when they lost it all, they spent the next seven years or so bouncing from home to home.

Now, the Atrisco Heritage Academy High School senior lives with her four siblings, her mother, and two other relatives in a two-bedroom apartment. Her mother and grandmother work, but the family still relies on food stamps to pay for groceries.

But Benalli doesnt let everything shes been through get her down. In fact, its fuel for the fire.

Ive always said, my whole life  your problems (are) an excuse  so use it as motivation,  Benalli said.

On Wednesday, Benalli, 18, is set to walk across the stage at Tingley Coliseum to receive her high school diploma. In the fall, shell become the first person in her family to go to college.

Her senior year, she had me, and my senior Im graduating and (going to) college, Benalli said, referring to her mother, who gave birth to her when she was 18. Graduation, everything  (its) a big step, because Im the first generation to go to college.

Digging deep

To be sure, Benallis ride hasnt been easy.

Because her familys doubled up in one home with her grandmother, she qualifies to get help from Albuquerque Public Schools McKinney-Vento program, which serves students experiencing homelessness or some other form of housing insecurity.

But Benalli insists that shes never wanted for anything  or, at least, not for long. Still, it used to be difficult to see her peers, some of whom she said are privileged, in some ways, being able to have nice things like their own room or the best shoes.

It was hard for me to adapt to that, she said. But  I use my struggles as a motivation. So it made me really dig deep, and it made me really want to work 10 times harder.

Her mother, Kandise Joe, also said Benalli had to make big trade-offs to achieve her dreams. Most of the time, the softball player was in the gym, and didnt have time for boyfriends or for going out.

She wasnt able to do regular teenage stuff, Joe said. We told her shed have to sacrifice a lot to get to where she wants to be, and a lot of (things) are distractions, and right now weve got to aim for your future.'

Benalli rises at 4:30 a.m. every day to work out. She sacrificed her senior prom so she could go to the gym, says she doesnt go to parties and often forgoes hanging out with friends and school events so she can focus on her priorities.

Shes just really just driven, McKinney-Vento outreach resource teacher Sharon Torres said. She could be one of those that has that little chip on her shoulder  and she just doesnt.

On Thursday, Benalli, whos Navajo, received a Tribal Seal and the Seal for Distinguished Learning from APS, which requires at least 30 hours of volunteer work. Shell graduate with a 3.8 weighted GPA, and in the fall, shes headed to Louisiana, where she got a full ride to attend Bossier Parish Community College.

Giving people hope

Because her siblings havent had much of a father figure, Benalli often has to fill the role herself, she said. She helps get them ready in the morning and takes them to school, trains her sister in softball and, when they need it, shows them the right path.

My brother, hes come to me and hes like, Why doesnt mom have a house?' she said. I try to make it as positive as possible.  I like to reassure them that This is a lifestyle you dont want to live when you grow up, so I want you to use that.'

My whole purpose in my whole life is to just give people hope, she added.

Joe says Benallis a source of motivation for her entire family, including her.

Now, everyone has goals, everyone has dreams, Joe said. A lot of things, Ive learned from her. Trusting the process, trusting God, always bounce back, whether you fall or fail.'

She broke that cycle (of being a teenage mother), she added. I feel like shes living my life that Ive always wanted.  She deserves it all.

Benalli hasnt worked out all the details on her career path quite yet  she wants to study criminal justice, but isnt sure where that will lead her.

What is for sure, though, is that shes determined to prove to her family that they can all make it.

We have little hope that theres success out there, she said. So my purpose, and my dream, (is) to (show) my siblings and my family that there (are) successful people out there, and there (are) good things in life, if you, obviously, sacrifice and are determined and willing to get that far.
A UNM Lobo and 23 added to a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit on Saturday. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) A graduate takes a selfie at UNM's commencement ceremony Saturday. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Now go and don't look back" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at University Arena.(Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "I'm there" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Gracias a Dios mi angel en el cielo y a mis padres que llegaron sin nada y me lo dieron todo" written on a mortar board at UNM's spring commencement ceremony. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "God is within her. She will not fall" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards adorn graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's spring commencement ceremony at The Pit. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards on the heads of graduates at the UNM commencement ceremony. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Here's looking at you, graduates. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Through it all she mastered it" appears on one mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 spring commencement ceremony. (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Life is good" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "BA Sociology" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Success r/t nursing school AEB BSN" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Breaking news, I am graduating" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Volando alto sin olividar de donde vengo" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "The limit does not exist!" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) " Wanted to give up, but I remembered who was watching" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "To love for the hope of it all" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Decorated mortar boards perch on graduates' heads at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Chemistry, onto my next adventure, dental medicine" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Goodbye everyone, I'll see you all in therapy" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) A mortar board decorated at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Psyched for my next adventure" and "Psyched for the journey ahead" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "A world of possibilities await" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) 2023 surrounded by flowers decorate a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "College Debt is not a joke, Jim." written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "On that BS... 2023" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Can I be excused for the rest of my life?" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Off to explore the world" surrounds a display of pictures on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Mommy of three with three degrees!" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Never Give Up! Mommy did it!" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) A beaded picture on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Por mi familia y mi angel en el cielo que me cuida" written on a mortar board at the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit 1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "I was in a frat" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) "Still here still queer" written on a mortar boardat the University of New Mexico's 2023 commencement ceremony at The Pit1111 University SE. May 13, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker/Albuquerque Journal) Prev 1 of 41 Next

Decorated mortar boards dotted the sea of black and red graduation caps at the University of New Mexicos spring commencement ceremony Saturday at University Arena.

Graduates expressed their creativity in the decorations as well as using the mortar boards as a place for inspirational quotes, references to their degree, mini ofrendas for loved ones, or images of pop culture characters  such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Jim from The Office and Chihiro and Haku from Spirited Away  and Lobo pictures to show their school spirit.

About 2,940 students are projected to receive degrees from UNMs Albuquerque and extended university campuses, according to the institution. An official count will be determined following commencement.
Police arrested a young man accused of gunning down a 17-year-old boy in Uptown Albuquerque in 2021.

Angel Chavez, 18, is charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy in the March 7, 2021, death of Jayden Vallez.

Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain Chavez  who was 16 at the time of the homicide  until trial, saying it is clear that human life holds no value (to him).

It is unclear if Chavez has an attorney.

Another man reportedly shot Vallez alongside Chavez but he is not identified in court records. In 2022, the girlfriend of a suspect in an unrelated homicide told police he told her he shot Vallez but that man has not been charged.

An online obituary said Vallez, an only child, was a senior at Manzano High School when he was killed and dreamt of becoming a mechanic or electrician.

Jayden had a smile that lit the room and world on fire. So bright, so beautiful, it was magnetic, the obituary said. His charisma allowed him to ease his way into many hearts. It also allowed him to weasel out of trouble with his teachers.

An officer was patrolling around 2:15 p.m. when the officer heard gunshots coming from Coronado Center, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. The officer found a group of people standing around Vallez outside Longhorn Steakhouse and he died at the hospital.

Police said Vallezs Jeep was pockmarked with bullet holes and officers found 21 bullet casings from three different guns at the scene. Inside and around the Jeep they found cash, marijuana wax and two guns.

Witnesses told police two men shot Vallez through the passenger window and fled in a Chevrolet Impala, according to the complaint. Police traced the Impala to Chavezs family and his sister told police she saw him the day of the shooting.

Police said Chavezs sister told them he showed up to her house super pale and anxious and told her he did something really bad. The sister said Chavez showed her a news report of the shooting and told her he was the driver.

The sister told police Chavez said it wasnt supposed to go like that and used her ID to have the Impala scrapped, according to the complaint. She said he then fled to Phoenix and was living in a car shop.

I knew this day was coming, she reportedly told police. And I told him the day is going to come and I hope that you do the right thing.'

Police recovered a Glock in a May 2021 shooting that matched some of the bullet casings in Vallezs death, according to the complaint. But the majority of the casings matched a particular Smith & Wesson handgun.

Police said a search of Chavezs phone records found that, an hour after the shooting, he sent photos of the same model of handgun to a friend. The phone records also showed Chavez was outside Coronado mall at the time of the shooting.

The last entry in the complaint is in October 2021 and it is unclear why Chavez was not charged in Vallezs death until last month.
SANTA FE  Joe A. Garcia, a well-known Native American leader from New Mexico and advocate for tribal sovereignty, has died at 70, his family confirmed Saturday.

A traditional funeral was already held following Garcias death Thursday, said family members. The cause of death was not made public.

Garcia was a former two-time president of the National Congress of American Indians, which describes itself as the oldest and largest organization of American Indian and Alaska Native governments. He previously served three terms as governor of the Ohkay Owingeh, a federally designated tribe of pueblo people in New Mexico. Garcia was currently the tribes head councilman.

His untimely departure is a significant loss for Indian Country, as he was a true culture keeper for his people and a dedicated advocate for Native Nations across the Southwest region, Fawn Sharp, the president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in a statement.

Beyond his role as a leader, Joe Garcia was a mentor, a visionary, and a compassionate soul who touched the lives of many. He leaves a profound legacy of service, leadership, and cultural preservation, Sharp added.

Garcia had been chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, now renamed the All Pueblo Council of Governors, a non-profit leadership group that represents the modern pueblo tribes.

He also had been a vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Santa Fe Indian School, which serves about 700 Native American middle and high school students.

The Santa Fe Indian School noted Garcias passing on its website.

His work in Indian Country will not be forgotten, wrote Robyn Aguilar, president of the schools board of trustees. I am truly thankful to have had a mentor who was courageous in his conviction to protect Sovereign lands and the rights of Indian children.

Garcia held an electrical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico and worked 25 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory before retiring in 2003, according to the schools statement.

Garcia is survived by his wife, Oneva, daughters Melissa and MorningStar, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, among other family. His son, Nathan, died in 2020.
Ukraine has promised that its long-awaited counteroffensive would free parts of the nation now under capture. Then on Sunday, May 14, Moscow's Ministry of Defense said that two senior Russian military commanders had been killed in eastern Ukraine.

A statement released by Russian authorities on Sunday stated that they were successfully fending off Ukrainian assaults in the area of the disputed town of Bakhmut. But they admitted that high-ranking military officers had been killed in action.

Loss of Two Senior Officers

According to a Politico article, the ministry stated that Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, head of the 4th motorized rifle brigade, personally led the battle from the front. A third attempt was repelled, but the brigade commander was mortally wounded and later died while his troops were being evacuated.

The ministry added that Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, the deputy commander of the army corps, was reportedly among the dead.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is preparing for a big counteroffensive during a meeting held in Berlin on Sunday morning. The accusations that Kyiv plans to attack Russian forces deep within the neighboring nation, however, were all dismissed by him.

He said that Ukraine needs and is waiting for the resources to launch a strike on Russian land because they had neither the time nor the strength to do so.

The Ukrainian leader said, "We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally."

See Also: Russia Launches Missiles Toward Eurovision Candidates' Hometown in Ukraine

Conflict Among Groups

Despite the fact that the two sides have been at an impasse for weeks, Ukraine claims to have achieved significant territory advances in recent days near Bakhmut.

The embattled city has also played host to a growing rift between rival Russian groups entrusted with waging Moscow's war.

In a series of increasingly combative videos, Wagner Group boss and prominent oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin has lashed out at Russian military chiefs, alleging that they fail to provide ammunition to his fighters on the front line and that top generals are trying to "deceive" President Vladimir Putin about what is going on on the ground.

Russian authorities argued that army moves near Bakhmut amounted to nothing more than a strategic repositioning, but Prigozhin was furious and stated that, in actuality, the front line "unfortunately is called a rout and not a regrouping."

Germany-Ukraine Ties

Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 13, Germany said it would be sending Ukraine new military supplies worth about $3 billion. Everything would include tanks, anti-aircraft weapons, and ammunition.

Ukraine's minister of defense, Boris Pistorius, said Berlin sent the most recent supply of weaponry to Kyiv to prove that Germany is serious about its assistance. He said, "Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes."

See Also: Ukraine Recaptures Significant Territory Near Bakhmut, Russia on Its Heels

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Santa Fe-based New Energy Economy directly accused two Public Regulation Commission members of bias in a May 8 filing at the PRC regarding Public Service Co. of New Mexico and energy giant Avangrids proposed merger.

In the filing, New Energy Economy (NEE) said PRC attorneys and lawyers representing Avangrid and its parent firm, Iberdrola, S.A., participated in illegal, ex-parte communications. The filing claims those communications unfairly influenced commissioners Gabriel Aguilera and James Ellison to support a joint motion in March asking the state Supreme Court to remand the merger case back to the PRC for a rehearing and reconsideration. And, if the court approves that request, NEE said it will immediately move to disqualify Aguilera and Ellison.

The commission has shown that it is biased in favor of Avangrid/Iberdrola/PNM and cannot lawfully act as a neutral decision-maker if the case were to be remanded, NEE Attorney Mariel Nanasi wrote in the filing.

The PRC and other parties say no illegal communications between PRC and Avangrid attorneys occurred, and, in fact, the two commissioners have demonstrated concerted efforts to remain impartial and transparent.

Illegal communications?

The latest flare-up between NEE and other parties began on April 20, after the commission released a series of emails that PRC and Avangrid attorneys exchanged while discussing their joint motion to the Supreme Court on remanding the merger case.

That motion, filed in March, asked the court to dismiss Avangrid and PNMs appeal against the previous, five-member elected commissions decision to reject the merger in December 2021, and then send the case back to the PRC for a rehearing and reconsideration.

NEE says the email exchanges reveal illegal ex-parte communications among attorneys.

In the exchanges, Avangrid lawyers asked the PRC to support a remand that limits the commission to simply rehearing the merger case based on the existing record, rather than reopening hearings for all parties to introduce new evidence with broad public input. Avangrid lawyers also requested a rapid PRC review and decision if the case is remanded. And they said they would present all agreements Avangrid negotiated with merger supporters in 2021 as a basis for PRC reconsideration during the rehearing, since the previous commission ignored many of those agreements when deciding the case.

In the end, the joint motion called for a rehearing rather than reopening of the case. However, during an April 19 public meeting, Commissioners Aguilera and Ellison said they erred in calling for rehearing rather than reopening the case, and ordered a change in the joint motion to reflect that.

NEE attorney Nanasi says, taken together, the emails, the joint motion calling for a rehearing and Aguileras comments demonstrate bias, prejudgment and partiality in the case.

No other party has accused the commission of illegal ex-parte communications. But Bernalillo County, the Attorney Generals Office and the Affordable Reliable Energy Alliance  which represents large energy consumers  did ask the Supreme Court to review the emails. They requested a briefing schedule for parties to weigh in on the issue, and asked the court to suggest an appropriate remedy if ex-parte violations are found.

Disparaging accusations

Avangrid and PNM say NEEs allegations are part of an ongoing effort to disparage them and the commission.

This is another desperate attempt by a desperate party to taint the process, Avangrid spokesperson Joanie Griffin told the Journal. It is irresponsible to try to malign the reputations of individuals without any supporting evidence.

State law permits the PRC and other public agencies to directly discuss potential settlements with opposing parties in court cases such as the pending Supreme Court appeal, as long as the conversations focus on procedural issues to resolve the legal dispute, and not on substantive issues concerning the merits of the merger, which must be done through open public proceedings at the PRC.

The communications focused on settlement of the appeal and how to pursue further proceedings only, not the outcome of any such proceedings, Avangrid and PNM said in a May 1 filing at the PRC. NEE can point to no communication concerning any topic other than procedure (in the) email exchanges between lawyers representing the commission and the lawyers representing Avangrid.

If accepted, NEEs specious arguments could lead to absurd results, they said.

If NEEs arguments prevail, the commission would be the only party in all New Mexico appellate litigation (and the only New Mexico agency) that would be prohibited from engaging in confidential communications regarding potential settlement, dismissal and/or remand of an appeal with other parties, even if such resolution is in the best interests of the commission, they said.

Analyzing the emails

The email exchanges show concerted efforts by PRC lawyers to maintain commission impartiality, said Cydney Beadles, a former PRC attorney and now New Mexico clean energy manager at Western Resource Advocates.

In the emails, PRC general counsel Michael Smith specifically rejected limiting a merger rehearing to the existing record to allow other parties to present new evidence, and he rejected any time limitations on PRC reconsideration of the case.

Ive examined the emails between the PRC and Avangrid lawyers and just dont see a violation, Beadles told the Journal. They all relate only to procedure.  There is no suggestion whatsoever that decisions on the merits of the merger are being made behind closed doors.

As new commissioners who only joined the PRC in January, its hard to imagine bias by Aguilera and Ellison, Beadles added.

Its quite a leap to accuse the new commissioners  two individuals who have absolutely no history with the merger  of bias just because they are willing to hold further hearings on the merits of the merger, she said.

PRC spokesman Patrick J. Rodriguez said the commission takes its ethical obligations seriously.

As a party to the Supreme Court appeal, The commission may communicate with other parties on litigation matters such as motions in the same manner as other parties do, Rodriguez told the Journal. In this case, the communications were between attorneys for both the commission and Avangrid and concerned a proposed joint motion to dismiss the appeal and remand jurisdiction to the commission to conduct additional open proceedings on Avangrids application rather than continue with the current appeal.
A high-profile national defamation attorney is accusing Santa Fe-based New Energy Economy of false and defamatory statements against energy giant Avangrid.

Elizabeth Libby Locke of the Virginia-based law firm Clare Locke LLP sent a letter to NEE executive director Mariel Nanasi on May 4 demanding she immediately retract and correct a false and defamatory accusation that Nanasi allegedly made against Lockes client Avangrid during an April 14 interview on Retake Our Democracy, a half-hour weekly program broadcast on KSFR radio.

Locke is one of the attorneys who helped Dominion Voting Systems win a $787 million settlement against Fox News.

During the KSFR interview, Nanasi falsely charged that Avangrid and its parent firm, Iberdrola S.A. literally have bought out judges, bribed judges, according to Lockes letter.

Your charges are patently false, Locke said in the letter. To be clear: Avangrid and Iberdrola have never bought out or bribed judges. Nor have they been credibly accused of such malfeasance.

In response, Nanasi attorney Christopher Dodd said his client denies defaming Avangrid but will ask Retake Our Democracy to post a clarification of her comments on their website and on the YouTube posting of the interview.

Ms. Nanasi reviewed her statement and her research, and she believes she may have misspoken, Dodd said in a May 7 letter to Locke.

Dodds letter called Nanasis comment a de minimis, brief statement made in a matter of moments during the 48-minute interview.

When she made the statement, Ms. Nanasi believed that news reports had indicated that Iberdrola had been accused of bribing judges, Dodd said in the letter.  While news reports indicated that Iberdrola had spied on judges, it had only been reported that Iberdrola had engaged in bribery of public officials generally, which might or might not include judges.

In her letter to Nanasi, however, Locke said Nanasi has peddled a false narrative about Avangrid and Iberdrola for political gain.

NEE is the only party that opposes Avangrids proposal to acquire Public Service Co. of New Mexico among 24 organizations that have intervened in the case at the state Public Regulation Commission. And since 2021, NEE and the advocacy organization Retake Our Democracy have led an extensive opposition campaign against the merger, proposing instead that state and local government take over utility services in New Mexico as a public power alternative to regulated monopoly control of the grid by private entities like PNM.

You, of course, have a right to advocate for whatever causes you choose, but you do not have a right to flat-out lie about my client or its majority shareholder, Locke said in her letter. If you want to argue for socializing New Mexicos electric system, you are entitled to do that.  What you are not entitled to do is continue lying about Avangrid and Iberdrola, inventing and airing false accusations whenever the truth doesnt suit your political agenda.

In a May 9 press release, NEE said it wont allow Avangrid and Iberdrola to bully the organization.

Avangrid/Iberdrola is using its power to try to silence New Energy Economy because we are leading the effort to hold them accountable, the release said.

Locke, who specializes in high-profile defamation cases, is one of two leading attorneys who represented Dominion against Fox News. She also won $3 million from Rolling Stone magazine for the University of Virginia, and forced the magazine to retract its story alleging rape culture in the fraternity system, according to The Paper, a weekly Albuquerque publication that published a story about Lockes letter to Nanasi.

Locke hinted that more legal action may be pending.

This is not a complete statement of my clients rights, all of which are expressly reserved, Locke said in her letter.
AP/Cover Images/https://www.beyonce.com//Abby Grant Music

The 'A Madea Homecoming' actor and the 'Empire State of Mind' rapper are seen giving applause to two women who had an impromptu proposal at Beyonce's Stockholm show.

May 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jay-Z, Blue Ivy and Tyler Perry have witnessed a special moment at one of Beyonce Knowles' concerts. The hip-hop mogul, his daughter and the "A Madea Homecoming" actor were filmed cheering and applauding two women getting engaged at Beyonce's Stockholm, Sweden show.



In a video surfacing online, one girl could be seen getting down on one knee holding a ring. Her fiancee, in the meantime, looked down and smiled excitedly.

After the woman said "yes," the pair share a sweet hug. The camera then panned to Tyler and Jay-Z and they were both clapping. The emcee's daughter Blue, meanwhile, was seen covering her mouth with her hands.

Beyonce kicked off her "Renaissance" tour on May 10 in Stockholm. However, just two days after it began, there were a few headline-making moments that were done by her fans.

It was unveiled that a fan was arrested during the concert. In a clip that made its way online, the said fan was taken into custody for allegedly sneaking into the "Club Renaissance" section, which is a sort of VIP section with a "VIP concierge team and onsite hosts."

The female fan was being escorted out by two security guards in cuffs. At that time, the Grammy winner was performing her recent hit "Break My Soul" on the stage.

Upon watching the clip, fans had mixed responses to the arrest. "being marched away by cops during Break My Soul (for this reason) is some kind of performance art free them!" one person tweeted. Trolling the arrested fan, one other said, "Lol now you missing the whole show." Another added, "That's embarrassing."

You can share this post!
Cover Images/INFphoto.com Celebrity

The '13 Going 30' actress reveals the children she shares with her former husband don't really like her movies but has no problem watching the ones that starred their dad.

May 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jennifer Garner's kids would rather watching Ben Affleck's movies. The 51-year-old actress - who shares children Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11, with Ben - has opened up that her kids don't enjoy watching her movies and that they much prefer to see her ex-husband on screen.

"They don't mind watching their dad, but they kind of want me to be their mom. They don't want to see me upset and women cry more in what we do. And they don't really want to see me in a romantic thing," Jennifer - who has starred in films such as "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Yes Day" - told Allure magazine.

Jennifer - who was married to Ben between 2005 and 2018 - loves the challenge of motherhood. The actress always dreamed of having children, even if that meant having to adopt or becoming a foster parent.

She shared, "Being a mother was one thing I knew I was going to be. I really could have been a mother in any way. I could have adopted, I could have fostered, but there was no doubt I was going to be a mom. I mean, I was the kid with the doll everywhere I went. And I had a babysitting company with my friend Carrie - C and J's Babysitting - from, like, seventh or eighth grade."

Jennifer has even confessed to being a little overbearing with her own kids. The Hollywood star said, "I have a lot of faith in my kids. I don't love every behaviour all the time, always. It's gnarly growing up. "We didn't have the eyes on us that our kids have. I was such a first-time mom. [My eldest daughter] didn't have a shot. She couldn't have a free thought - I was all over her. I was a nightmare for everyone around me."

You can share this post!
On May 9, a vacation bench of Justices Amit Borkar and Kal Khata granted the womans petition for medical termination of her pregnancy under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, because continuing her pregnancy would endanger her life. The woman filed the petition on May 3 through her advocates, Vinayak Patil and Ajinkya Udane, when her pregnancy was at 28 weeks.

The court directed the establishment of a committee of experts to submit a report as to whether the continuation of pregnancy would involve a risk to the womans life or cause injury to her physical or mental health. A team of doctors approves abortions.

The committee of seven doctors and a social service superintendent submitted a report on May 6 recommending termination subject to delivery complications. According to the report, the woman, who is 29 weeks pregnant, may require surgical intervention, and intra-operative and post-operative complications are similar to those of other surgeries. It said that there are chances of survival of the fetus requiring neonatal intensive care unit admission and management.

The Bombay High Court has permitted a woman to undergo medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) at the advanced stage of 28 weeks after the medical board recommended termination subject to delivery complications.

As far as the womans health was concerned, the report said that there were more chances of complications in her future pregnancy. If a patient requires surgical intervention, she becomes a high-risk case of hysterotomy. So, in the next pregnancy, she can have chances of uterine scar dehiscence or scar rupture, the report added.

Permitting the woman to undergo MTP, the HC clarified that in case the child born out of the procedure is alive, the Civil Hospital, Solapur, conducting the procedure shall ensure that all necessary facilities are made available to such a child for saving its life. Also, if the child is born alive, the state government and its agencies shall assume full responsibility for him or her, the HC said.
The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Karnataka ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority in a morale booster win that will be key for reviving its electoral fortunes ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress decisive victory in the Assembly elections after an aggressive pro-poor campaign spearheaded by mass leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar also saw Karnataka continuing with a 38-year-old anti-incumbency trend. The state has never voted an incumbent party to power since 1985.

Siddaramaiah, 75, and Shivakumar, the partys trouble shooter who won from Kanakapura by over one lakh votes and who turns 61 on Sunday, are both front runners for the chief ministers post. The Congress has returned to power on its own in Karnataka after 10 years. Siddaramaiah was the chief minister from 2013 to 2018.

Congress HD Thammaiah defeated BJPs CT Ravi in Chikmagalur, by a margin of 5,926 votes.Congress leader Suresh Baabu defeated State Minister and BJP candidate JC Madhu Swamy in Chikkanayakanahall by a margin of 10,042 votes. In Chikkaballapur seat, Congress Pradeep Eshwar defeated State Minister and BJP candidate K Sudhakar by a margin of 10,642 votes. Congress BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan defeated former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP candidate Bhaskar Rao, by a margin of 53,953 votes, in Chamrajpet.

Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai had conceded defeat as trends showed a massive Congress surge. He said BJP will emerge victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the Karnataka Assembly elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday tendered his resignation to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

I have tendered my resignation and it has been accepted, Bommai told reporters. Bommai won with a margin of 35,978 votes from Shiggaon constituency but many of his ministerial colleagues lost.

I take responsibility for this debacle. There are multiple reasons for this. We will find out all the reasons and strengthen the party once again for Parliament elections.., he said. With the Congress emphatic victory in the Karnataka elections on Saturday, ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power in the only southern state ruled by it, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the election results marked a BJP-free South India.

We are preparing for all the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP Gopal Shetty said. We are working with our party members to address the states vote deficit.

This is not the first time the Congress has had a majority of seats in Karnataka; previously, it had a majority in the year 2018, after which the BJP did some manipulation and people started voting for substantive issues, veteran Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said. The BJP used its one strong candidate, Prime Minister Modi, in all possible rallies ahead of the elections, but they are still losing votes.

The BJP gave a lot of money to people during poll campaigning; sarees were distributed to many women; some also denied and threw away that money and sarees given to them, said Congress leader Hussain Dalwai, but people are voting for Congress instead of the money offered to people by the BJP.



Congress leader Charulata Tokas said, Congress is bringing about the change in democracy because individuals have lost hope as they could witness PM Modi giving false promises from the beginning but could not fulfill any of them, due to which people are moving to vote Congress in the hope of better work.
US jury finds former President Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing and defaming magazine writer E. Jean Carroll, and ordered to pay her $5m as damages. This is one more feather to the #MeToo movement, and has raised important questions about the accountability of public figures and the legal systems ability to address sexual assault and harassment allegations.

During the two-week long trial, Carroll testified that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a fitting room at a Manhattan store in mid-1990s.

Though Carroll subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump for his statements, the case was delayed due to legal challenges. In March 2021, the Court of Appeals ruled that the case could proceed, rejecting Trumps claim that he was immune from the lawsuit as a sitting president. The judges decision was significant, as it marked the first time that a court had allowed a defamation case against a sitting president to proceed.

Carroll told the jury, Woman after woman stood up Well, this may be a way to change the culture of sexual violence

The impact of this decision on the #MeToo movement is two-fold. Firstly, it demonstrates that even those in power and influence are not above the law and that victims of sexual assault and harassment have the right to seek justice. The ruling also sends a message to other high-profile figures that they can be held accountable for their actions.

Secondly, the ruling highlights the challenges that victims face when seeking justice through the legal system. Carrolls case took over two years to reach this point, and many victims face significant barriers when attempting to report or seek justice for sexual violence. The fact that a court has allowed Carrolls case to proceed is a positive step, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that such victims have access to justice.

It remains to be seen how Trump makes the next move, but it is a defining verdict towards a more just and equal society.

Courage is contagious

Carroll attained justice beyond herself, and more skeletons can be expected to come out. The verdict also infers that political slant cant compete with evidence in the court of law. Human law thwarted law of the jungles, where might is right. The law is meant to shield victims whose rights or characters are violated, and to hold the trespassers to account.

Back in India, recall the Delhi court verdict in February 2021 where journalist Priya Ramani was found not guilty of criminal defamation for accusing former Union minister MJ Akbar of sexual harassment in 2018. The case had become a focal point of the #MeToo movement in India.

Ramani was the first to publicly accuse him and was subsequently sued for defamation by Akbar. The ruling was also seen as a blow to powerful men who had long been able to silence their accusers through the use of defamation lawsuits.

Overall, the rulings in both the Trump and Ramani cases highlight the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions. They also encourage victims to speak out.

The predicament

Earlier one thought that #MeToo has done what law could not. The judgement reinforces the hash-tag. The internet-age has better equipped people to deal with these issues; social media democratises womens lib helping them to share their ordeals. For some women, the world is changing.

How many women were stripped of their livelihoods/reputations without due-process? When more survivors speak up, the nation not only listens, it demands answers. Unwanted advances arent buried and forgotten. In other words, he may overlook her; she remembers him.

The perpetrator can easily say he was misunderstood, tough to prove that a gesture was harassment. Complaints will be negatively flagged, and the offenders often pretend they were surprised by the victims interpretation and walk away unscathed.

If your boss flirts, you try to steer the fine line between not hurting his fragile ego and ending up trespassed upon. You dont want to risk that promotion for which you worked so hard. You discreetly express your unease. Some women have to deal with awkward attention all the time. Here, Ramani and Carroll refused to be cowed down.

What grows from within this culture is an attitude of impunity. It may be a CEO, politician, celebrity, sportsman, artist, actor, author They rely on their superiority that allows them to do what they do. Some wrongdoers believe their victims should feel privileged; punishment is usually for ordinary people, not them.

Is this the end of Trumps political future? Will this be the first of many convictions? Carroll, youve shown the world that you will not be silenced. Yes, all allegations merit adjudication.
On Sunday, Turks participated in what could be one of the most significant elections in the country's history. The outcome of the presidential vote could result in the end of President Tayyip Erdogan's 20-year rule and have implications beyond Turkey's borders.

The Turkey election will determine the country's leadership, governance, economic direction, and foreign policy.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who leads a six-party opposition alliance, is Erdogan's primary challenger and has a slight lead in the polls, with two surveys on Friday showing him over the required 50% threshold, Reuters reported.

If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held on May 28.

There have been concerns raised about whether Erdogan would relinquish power if he loses the Turkey election. Nevertheless, Erdogan stated in an interview with a dozen Turkish broadcasters on Friday that he came to power through democratic means and would act in accordance with the democratic process, per Al Jazeera.

Read Also: Ukraine Recaptures Significant Territory Near Bakhmut

The Impact of Turkey's Elections

Beyond Turkey's borders, the result of today's election has broad repercussions. Turkey has expanded its military influence across the Middle East and beyond under Erdogan, conducting incursions into Syria, starting offensives against Kurdish insurgents in Iraq, and offering military assistance to Libya and Azerbaijan.

In addition, Turkey has had diplomatic disagreements with Israel, Greece, and Cyprus over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey was also subject to US weapons sector penalties when it bought Russian air defenses.

The tight friendship between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns about Turkey's NATO allegiance. These worries have only grown as a result of Ankara's recent unwillingness to support Sweden's and Finland's membership aspirations, according to The Guardian.

However, Turkey facilitated an agreement over Ukrainian wheat exports, highlighting its possible contribution to the conflict's resolution. Although Erdogan's loss in the Turkey elections would be strategically advantageous for the EU, it would be politically challenging since it could restart Turkey's membership process.

Related Article: Growing Threat of AI-Generated Misinformation in US 2024 Elections

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Police officials have arrested an individual following the death of a Georgia man Friday evening.

The Montgomery Police Department arrested Detrayveon White, 22, of Montgomery, with murder in the death of 57-year-old Tony ONeal of Georgia.

Related stories:

ONeal died around 11 p.m., after MPD and Fire Medics responded to a call about a subject stabbed in the 3200 block of Durham Drive. An investigation found that ONeal sustained a fatal stab wound and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

According to Lieutenant Raymond D. Carson, White is currently being held in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Officials are continuing to investigate the incident.
Editors note: This story discusses mental health and data related to depression and suicide.

When Lauren Horn lost her second child to a miscarriage, she found herself battling the same postpartum depression and anxiety that shed faced after her first pregnancy.

After she lost her child, whom she named Caroline, she still had many of the physical symptoms of pregnancy. Her hair fell out and her milk came in. She also faced intense nightmares, just as she had after the birth of her first child, several years earlier.

I would be holding my dead baby, trying to like, bring them back to life, like doing CPR and trying to get help, Horn said.

But, unlike a previous pregnancy and birth, when Horn also struggled with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, after her miscarriage she had access to a program through her OB-GYNs office, which is one of four enrolled in the Previa Alliance program. She said the support and resources help her manage her symptoms and get help when she needs it.

Read more: Moms in Alabama say they need more help with breastfeeding, paid leave.

Previa was launched by Sarah Parkhurst, a Birmingham-based mom who dealt with postpartum depression herself. Currently, it serves about 200 women in the Birmingham area, but Parkhurst said shed love to expand across the state.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are relatively common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 8 people who have recently given birth experience postpartum depression symptoms.

But many new parents struggle to get the help they need. According to inaugural Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health gave Alabama a failing grade relating to mental health support. Out of 17 awards for supportive structures, Alabama received one.

The 2023 Alabama Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health in collaboration with George Washington University. Courtesy of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.

I think at this point, most people do recognize that our maternal mortality rate here, especially for women of color, is the highest in the developed world and people recognize that its only getting worse, said Caitlin Murphy, one of the lead researchers on the report. But I think there has been less attention to the fact that maternal mental health conditions are the number one factor contributing to maternal mortality, and that is primarily through suicide and overdose.

Finding help can be difficult

After Horn gave birth to her son four years ago, she found herself overtaken by depression and anxiety.

She avoided seeking therapy services for some time, primarily because she was unaware that her symptoms could be indicative of postpartum struggles. She pushed through thoughts that her family would be better off without her and that her son deserved a better mom.

Even when Horn decided to seek help after experiencing recurring nightmares, she struggled to actually find a mental health provider who would take her insurance. Once, after finally finding someone in-network, the provider she was scheduled to see left the practice altogether. It took her about 18 months to start receiving regular care.

Once she did decide to seek help, Horn said she questioned whether the problems she was experiencing with finding a provider meant that she was not fixable.

I was like You know what? I guess Im just psycho, and maybe I dont need help, or maybe its all in my head. I dont know, she said. No one seems to be feeling the feelings that Im feeling after having a baby.

Other moms might also have difficulty finding care  Murphy said that, in addition to a lack of screening and diagnoses of mental health disorders, many moms arent receiving the treatment they need.

We know that over half of maternal mental health disorders are going undiagnosed. We know that treatment is not occurring, Murphy said. We know that over half of maternal mental health disorders are going undiagnosed. We know that treatment is not occurring.

In recent years, maternal deaths have climbed across the country.

Black women are also more likely than white women to die during or within the first year after a pregnancy. In 2020, maternal mortality occurred at a rate of 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black mothers, compared to 19.1 for white mothers. The disparities in death rates increase with age  for Black mothers 40 and older, the death rate was 263.1, compared to 96.8 for white women in the same age group.

Read more: North Alabama woman charged with homicide after authorities say her meth use led to stillborn baby.

Read more: New Alabama maternal mortality report highlights preventable deaths, substance abuse.

Read more: Birmingham doula group to help more mothers tackle pregnancy, parenting.

Alabamas Maternal Mortality Review Committee has released two reports since its creation. Substance use disorders or using alcohol or drugs were among the three leading causes of death among 80 deaths between 2016-2017 that occurred during pregnancy or up to one year after.

Experts say that many deaths, including those related to mental health, are preventable.

About two-thirds, or 67.5%, of Alabama mothers who died within a year of giving birth were enrolled in Medicaid.

The Maternal Mortality Review Committee recommended the expansion of Medicaid in their report; Alabama is among only ten states that have not expanded Medicaid.

The state has extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to last for up to a year after giving birth  the only mark on the report cards for which Alabama received an award.

In a report looking specifically at 36 pregnancy-related or associated deaths that occurred in 2016, five were determined to be suicides.

We see most of the postpartum suicides occurring in the late postpartum timeframe, six to nine months postpartum, so the question is why during that time frame, what has changed? Or has mom just reached the end of her rope? You know, going without sleep can be extremely debilitating, right? said Adrienne Griffen, the executive director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance.

Murphy said that therapy in general can be a great tool for moms who may be struggling, but its most helpful when they have access to a therapist or counselor who is specifically certified in treating perinatal mental health struggles.

In the policy centers reports, they classified specialized providers as:

Providers who have received a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International

Providers who are qualified medication prescribers, such as psychiatrists, nurse psychiatrists, some certified nurse midwives and others who are registered with PSI as having received some kind of perinatal mental health training

Across the state of Alabama, there are 21 perinatal mental health providers, for a ratio of specialists to patients of 0.36.

In the U.S., the only state that had enough perinatal mental health specialists to meet the needs of patients was Montana, Murphy said.

I dont think theres enough knowledge out there as well of the need for these specialized providers and specialized treatments, and that the lack of access to this specialized treatment is really continuing to drive the lack of access to services, and then unfortunately, maternal mental health conditions that can result in suicide, Murphy said. We see increasing these ratios as absolutely essential.

She added that Alabama could take several steps that would be beneficial for moms that struggle with their mental health after pregnancy, including adding more maternal mental health providers and programs across the state, promoting community-based resources, requirements for screening for maternal mental health disorders and reimbursement for those screenings.

Improving access

Parkhurst said she started the Previa Alliance because she felt there was a lack of knowledge in her area when it came to postpartum mental illness, along with a lack of access to care. She launched the program in February 2022 and has been working with specific OB-GYN offices as it grows.

OB-GYNs who are enrolled in the Previa Alliance program can refer their clients to a HIPAA-compliant website, where they are screened for mental health struggles. If their scores indicate theyre struggling, Previa helps to connect them with a contracted maternal mental health professional in their area within two days.

Parkhurst and her team use an online scheduling tool to set up the appointment for the mother, then she constantly follows up with moms to make sure their needs are being met, she said. The providers work with Parkhurst and her team to ensure the moms insurance will work with their services  Parkhurst calls it a circle around mom.

Previa also has a digital library of evidence-based videos and learning tools created by licensed professionals, and Parkhurst hosts a podcast as well.

She hopes to expand the service to work with Medicaid and offer it to women across Alabama. Currently, Previa doesnt charge OB-GYNs to participate, nor are women charged for screenings or access to the digital library.

Some people have been like, So why dont you use direct-to-consumer? Parkhurst said. Im like, How is that fair that this mom, because she can pay for it, gets education? She knows what it is, she can get therapy easily. And this mom, who probably honestly needs it more, cant? I cant do that.

Horn said she doesnt know where she would be if she hadnt had access to Previas services. She said it eliminates the embarrassment of having to share intrusive thoughts when asking for help.

I love that its offered to me  its a wonderful resource. I hate that its not offered to all women in Alabama  well, really, across the country, but especially in Alabama, Horn said of Previa.

The Policy Center on Maternal Mental Health has put together a roadmap to improve maternal mental health, as well as guides for recommended state policies.

Theyre also crafting a list of community-based organizations that offer maternal mental health services. The organizations must be registered 501(c)3s offering maternal mental health services to the perinatal population, including talk therapy, support groups, or other services specially serving mothers mental health during pregnancy or postpartum, Murphy said.

For Horn, who would have delivered this month, some days are better than others, but she said her faith and her work in therapy are helping her find peace. She said shell continue talking about her challenges with postpartum depression and anxiety if theres a chance to shine a light on postpartum mental illness, even if its uncomfortable.

If Im able to help people, because of struggles Ive been through, itll be worth it to me, she said.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health emergency, call 988 to connect to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

New parents who would like to use the unlimited 24/7 Maternal Mental Health Hotline can call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA).

To reach the Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741.

A list of crisis centers in Alabama can be found here.
Every year, about 55,000 babies are born in Alabama, making thousands of people new parents. Many children have moms in their lives for years; others come to depend on grandmothers, aunts, friends or chosen family to support them.

We asked Alabama residents to share a photo of their mom -- or a favorite mom in their life -- and tell us what they appreciated about them.

We heard from many of you who shouted out moms, mothers-in-law, sisters, grandmas and other important people in your life!

You wanted to let us know about moms who are teachers, nurses, veterans, cooks and friends. Some of you had your mom around for a long time; others only had a few years with a loved one. You told us about moms who are funny, hard-working, kind and smart.

Read more coverage from AL.com about mothers fighting against gun violence, what new moms say they need to take care of their families, and how to support child care providers in Alabama.

Heres what you said and shared:

Photo courtesy Beth Morgan Hicks

My mom is special to all of us. She and my Dad raised two great kids my brother and I, and she is blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren. She turned 96 and what a blessing!! -- Beth Morgan Hicks

Photo courtesy Molly Jean

My mom is the most selfless person I know. She has been an RN for 30+ years taking care of hospice and cancer patients. She is my biggest supporter and my biggest hero, the person who showed me true compassion and unconditional love. -- Molly Jean

Debra Watkins courtesy of Jessica Scott

My mom, Debra Watkins, is special because shes strong, kind, and talented. My mom retired from the US Air Force and is on the go helping people in her community. My mom is so kind, she is always putting others before herself. She stayed with my brother to take care of my nephew who was born with CDH. After COVID, she used her talents to teach music to all of Guin Elementary School. She also crochets prayer shawls for people in the community who suffer a loss. Im proud to call myself her daughter. The world is a better place with her around! -- Jessica Scott

My mom is such a caring and giving person. Shes always there to lend a hand whenever i need her. She enjoys visiting people in nursing homes even if she doesnt know them. It means a lot to them knowing somebody cared enough to come by and say hi. Shes the best and I appreciate her very much. -- Heather Hooper

My mom (Dawn) is SO important to me. Even though I am grown and out of the house, she continues to support me in any way she can. Shes always willing to go the extra mile without complaining about it. She loves every one of her people big. -- Maison Moore.

Photo courtesy of Lashaun Parker.

This is my beautiful, strong, hardworking, loving mother.... Shes a wonderful mother and grandma that also loves her patients. (She refuses to retire). Im so proud to call her my best friend and mom. --Lashaun Parker

My mom was the most caring person I know. She took care of anyone who needed her during sicknesses. She was always there for you. She was the best. I was blessed. Also my daughter is the mom of three very active children. One of them is autistic and she lives with her momma. My daughter is a great mom for all three of them. --Marcia Manning

My daughter Ashley Lauren Dutton. At age 34 and as a single, career-minded young lady she chose to adopt two children. She is a selfless mother who loves her children with all her heart. --Andrea Dutton

I appreciate my mama for always being present. She is very giving. --Shunta McGee

Courtesy of Carl Lowe

My mother, she passed away when I was 18 but she taught me to be true to myself and forgiving to others. --Carl Lowe
This is another installment in The Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series Beyond the Violence: What can be done to address Birminghams rising homicide rate. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Tora Washington, mother of Destiny Danielle Washington, 20, the nursing student who was shot and killed on the University of Alabama of Birmingham (UAB) campus, said the death of her daughter is a daily grieving process.

Grief is hard, and it doesnt go away, she said. I just cope. I get up every day and go [through] the motions. I put one foot in front of the other. Im continuously in prayer because your mind plays tricks on you. I grieve every day of my life.

Those days have included holidays and somelike Mothers Day, which is on May 14are particularly difficult for Washington.

Mothers Day is probably the hardest holiday for me, she said. Its very difficult  because Im used to [Destiny] calling, coming by, or [giving me] a Mothers Day gift.  I dont receive that anymore, but I do go to the gravesite to visit her.

Since 2020, there has not been a day that I havent grieved. There hasnt been a day that I dont think about my baby. There hasnt been a day I havent said, Oh, how I wish my baby was here. I go to sleep thinking about her. I wake up thinking about her.

In December 2020, the Jefferson County Coroners Office identified Destiny. When she first learned about her daughters death, Washington told herself, This cant be happening to me. This happens to other people. This cant be happening to my family. I was in denial, but when I got out of the denial phase I became angry.

There are so many emotions you have, and they [can be] hard to explain, she continued. The loss of a child is the worst pain ever. People lose children from sickness, car accidents, and they are all hurtful. But when its a traumatic, unexpected death, you have to learn a different way of coping and processing it.

Destiny Danielle Washington

In April 2022, Carlos Stephens, 24, was convicted of capital murder in the slaying of the 20-year-old nursing student. The conviction was vacated and Stephens pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Washington said the first trial was grueling. Who wants to go in and look at their child on a screen on a gurney with a number across their chest saying deceased?

The grieving mom is aware of the homicides that continue to plague the city: The number of homicides that have been committed in Birmingham is mind-blowing. Its hard for me to watch the news because it brings back so many memories of Destiny.

Birmingham ended 2022 with the families and friends of 144 homicide victims left grieving. The year was deadliest in recent history and only a few homicides short of being the deadliest in the Magic Citys entire history.

As a teacher with Tarrant City School District, Washington believes the community should come together and figure out how to teach conflict-resolution strategies that can help prevent gun violence.

I think we need to go into middle and high schools to talk about gun violence, Washington said. Through community involvement, we need to have resources available [to treat] mental illnesses and [teach about] anger management. I think a lot of this stems from unresolved issueswhether at home or at school, or [whether someone is] feeling left out or wanting to be part of somethingand not knowing how to handle issues in a way that doesnt involve pulling a gun. They dont know how to handle conflict. Some people have the mindset of, I have to get you before you get me.

To honor her daughter, Washington has started the Washington Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund with her church, Covenant Church International in Pinson, Alabama. She also started mentoring group at Tarrant High School, where she teaches.

During the sessions, we cover [several] topics, such as  being aware of your surroundings, said Washington, whose ultimate goal is to partner with the Birmingham Police Department to create a safe haven for online trading, where individuals trade products with the help of the internet and computers.

I want to create places where people can do trading, and its safe. The police precinct is the safest place to go, she said.

To the mothers who have faced similar traumatic experiences, Washington said, Stay in your word, keep your faith, and take it day by day. Some days will be harder than others, but on the hard days think of the memories of you and your loved one. [Also], seek counseling and join a support group.

Washington has found comfort in being part of What About Us, a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization that provides support services for those who have experienced the loss of a child.

I told myself, This will be good for me, she said. If youre a mother [that hasnt] experienced losing a child, you dont understand my hurt and pain. You can sympathize with me, but you cant empathize with me.  The mothers that are part of What About Us know the pain I feel, they know the ache in my heart, they know the tears that flow because they walk in the same shoes Im walking in.

Donations for Destinys scholarship fund at Covenant Church International in Pinson, Alabama, can be sent to https://www.covenantchurchintl.org/donate or Cash App $covenantBham FOR: Destiny. To learn more about the Birmingham-based What About Us support group, email Sheree Kennon at shereekennon@yahoo.com or what.about.us.moms@gmail.com.

For a CBS42 report on this Beyond The Violence installment tap this link Beyond the Violence: Mothers helping grieving mothers find their voice this Mothers Day (cbs42.com)
David Shers ComebackTown

Click here to sign up for newsletter. (Opt out at any time)

Todays guest columnist is Billy Field.

I first learned about reputation, at least the reputation of a state, in the summer following my 7th grade year, the summer of 1963.

My mother loaded up my sister, my half-blind grandfather (meaning he couldnt help with the driving), me and my good friend Reid, and we set out across America in a 1961 straight-shift Rambler with a canvas cargo carrier on top, packed with a five-person tent, sleeping bags and fishing rods.

We were headed for Seattle to see the Worlds Fair and to be amongst the first to climb the brand-new Space Needle. We planned to camp out along the way, visiting places like Old Faithful, Mount Rushmore and Glacier National Park.

She wanted us to see the world.

When we reached downtown Seattle, with our Alabama license plates that proudly proclaimed Alabama, Heart of Dixie, we were going up a hill when the light turned red, and we stopped. Suddenly our car was surrounded by White people shouting, Get outta here, spitting, screaming, Take George Wallace and Bull Connor and go back where you came from.

I had no idea what was happening. Like many adolescents, I thought it was something we had done wrong. When the light finally turned green and we pulled away, my mother was gripping the steering wheel so hard that her fingers turned red and I  genuinely not knowing  asked, Whyd they do that? And she, continuing to look straight ahead, humiliated said, Its because we have such a terrible reputation.

And in that instant, I learned a lesson in reputation.

These people didnt know that Mama would be among the first White teachers to volunteer to teach at the Black high school when integration finally arrived. They didnt know that she insisted that Black adults ride in the front seat while children rode in the back seat, showing respect for our elders, she would say.

A woman stopped me on the sidewalk when I was nine years old and threatened, Little boy, your mothers going to get into trouble for letting colored people ride in the front seat. And I knew from previous experiences that word trouble meant Klan. When I told Mama, she didnt miss a beat, she said, Dont worry, theyre not gonna do anything to me. And she said it in a way that she seemed to know for sure that it was true.

When I was growing up, there was a sign on the city limits of Sylacauga, along with welcoming signs from the Rotary Club and the Lions Club, that read Welcome to Sylacauga, Home of the Ku Klux Klan, But those spitting at our car and shouting for us to leave, didnt know that three years earlier a friend of mines (White) mother painted that Klan sign yellow, for coward, and faced down the Klan when they came to her house and threatened her and her children.

But on this day in downtown Seattle, in 1963, the city hosting Americas Worlds Fair, they did know the story of George Wallace and Bull Connor and firehoses and the church bombs and because of that story they did attack us, not about something we had done, but because of a reputation, a story these people had come to believe was true.

But Im not here to talk politics. Im here to talk about money, your money, our childrens money for better schools and better teachers and better places to live.

And Im here to say that when an Alabama politician screams dog whistle gibberish about race in America  that politician is seeking to promote himself and his party and thats okay. Its called freedom of speech. But what hes also doing is

 hes costing you money.

How many large corporations with nice payrolls saw George Wallace stand in the schoolhouse door and saw Bull Connor turn fire hoses and attack dogs on children and said, Well, we just narrowed our list of places to move from 3 down to 2.

George Wallace wanted power and if he was going to trash the reputation of our state to get it, he would. And when new businesses did not come here because of that, then neither did that new school we might have had, or that addition to the hospital, or the new customers to whom you would have sold insurance, hardware, and tires  they would not be here either, because George Wallace had the national stage and he was going to use it to vault himself into a run for president of the United States and, in doing so

. he cost you money.

But you may say that was a long time ago, why bring it up now? And the answer is because Wallace and Bull and the State Troopers on the bridge in Selma joined forces with this invention called television and seared a story into the hearts and minds of Americans that that is who we are. And you and I both know thats not true. Thats not all we are, but myths die hard. A myth is something people have come to believe is true, often because its to their advantage to believe its true. The truth is racism is just as bad in Los Angeles, Chicago and a thousand other places, but thats not the myth of those places. But attack dogs and fire hoses is our myth and so now when an Alabama politician gets on the national stage, blaming crime, poverty and poor education on Black folks, that ignites an old myth.

And the ghosts of George and Bull come back to haunt us. And when they do

They cost you money.

After that day in Seattle, I put mud on our Alabama license plates, and conjured up a convincing midwestern accent so those we met in the parks would not give us a hard time about being from Alabama.

Mama wanted us to learn how other people lived and we did. And we also learned a lesson about reputation  and about how self-seeking politicians can damage the place we live.

Lyndon Johnson said, If you tell a poor White man that hes better than a Black man, hell let you pick his pocket all day and wont say a word. When you see an Alabama politician, from any party, spewing lies designed to tell the White man that hes better than the Black man, call that politicians office and say, Either prove what you say to be true, backing it up with facts, or stop saying it because

youre costing me money.

You might enjoy Billy Fields article: Alabama, its time for our children to be taught the truth.

Billy Field is one of the last people on earth to see the meteor shoot across the sky on November 30, 1954, crash through Ann Hodges roof, bounce off her floor radio and hit her on her buttocks, making her famous. Billy sold that story to 20th Century Fox. He has written for 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and the TV series FAME for MGM. He taught screenwriting and documentary film production at The University of Alabama. His students films, dealing with Alabama history and Alabama biography, are on their website at LightsCameraAlabama.com. Billy is launching a new website designed to teach students to gather oral history from their own communities and work with others across the state to tell those stories through poems, fiction, art, music and podcasts. TheStoryAcorn.com, Carrying Our Stories to the Next Generation.

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

Click here to sign up for our newsletter. (Opt out at any time)
(Photo : Friedemann Vogel - Pool/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine's priority is to "liberate" its "legitimate territory."

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, made it clear on Sunday that his country's forthcoming counteroffensive is not meant to target Russian territory but rather to retake the seized parts of his country.

Zelensky, who was speaking with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, shot off rumors that Ukraine would aim its military action toward Russia. In contrast to striking Russia, Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine's priority is to "liberate" its "legitimate territory," according to The Hill.

Ukraine's head of state made this remark while touring European allies to solicit further military and monetary assistance for the continuing conflict with Russia.

The press conference with Scholz marked Zelensky's first visit to Germany since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war and comes shortly after Germany announced a military assistance package for Ukraine valued at over $3 billion, which includes tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition.

Read Also: 5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern California

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently announced that the United States had sent "several tanks" to Germany for the Ukrainian forces' training before a US Senate Appropriations military subcommittee hearing, per AP News.

The White House official said that the Ukrainian military will be granted use of the Abrams tanks that are now being produced for them after the training, which is anticipated to take about 10 weeks.

Russian Forces Withdraw From Bakhmut

On Friday, Russia announced that its forces had left the destroyed eastern city of Bakhmut. The commander of Russia's Wagner private army described the withdrawal as a "rout" instead of a "regrouping."

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had gained control of another Bakhmut block and that Airborne Forces units rendered support to assault units and "pinned down the enemy" on the outskirts, per Al Jazeera.

The Wagner private militia, which has been leading the attack on Bakhmut at a high cost in lives, is often referred to by the Russian government as "assault units."

Related Article: Russia Reports 2 Commanders Dead in Eastern Ukraine Combat



@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
We find ourselves living in a highly consequential time for the legal clarification of the 2nd Amendment. Extremely aggressive, wide-ranging bans of semi-automatic firearms have been enacted in various parts of the country, drawing legal challenges. While the ultimate resolution of these challenges is unknowable, many observers believe the Supreme Court will eventually arrive at a decision prohibiting the wholesale banning of semi-automatic firearms. Those who dream of eliminating all private gun ownership in the United States face the prospect of a devastating legal defeat.

One can imagine their looming disappointment. They have failed to appoint Supreme Court justices who would effectively redefine the 2nd Amendment out of existence, and they are about to bear the consequences of that failure. But from their perspective, there is comfort to be had in the prospect of eventually stripping the 2nd Amendment from the Constitution altogether, no matter how long it may take.

Such is the hope that animates aspiring intergenerational social reformer Allan Goldstein, who, in his "Let's get serious and repeal the Second Amendment" has stepped forward to boldly launch a 50-plus year plan to eradicate all privately owned firearms in the United States.

Perhaps the piece might have been better entitled "Let's Get Hysterical." How galling it must be to be deprived of so obvious a good -- a gun-free society -- on account of something as frivolous as an obsolete, suicidally-construed constitutional amendment. On Goldstein's account "[t]he Supreme Court has decided that 'a well-regulated militia' includes gang bangers and wild-eyed loners with a grudge." What a shame Goldstein did not bother to provide a citation to the Supreme Court decision in which this is asserted.

Goldstein wants to convey the impression that in upholding the 2nd Amendment as an individual right, the Supreme Court has established a right to criminally misuse firearms. We are inclined to grant Goldstein the benefit of the doubt here: we do not think he actually believes this. We think he knows better. But why let the truth hinder you when a flashy, tendentious little distortion better serves your cause? If this kind of smear were to be relentlessly trumpeted at an ill-informed public for another 50-plus years without rebuttal, then perhaps that public -- sufficiently agitated -- would violently clamor for a fascist plebiscite to rescind the 2nd Amendment. Goldstein's distortion showcases what passes for intellectual integrity and political responsibility on the progressive left.

Goldstein finds inspiration in the travails of the abolitionists, gay rights activists, and marijuana users who, in his telling, put in the work over the course of decades to achieve the legalization of their once unpopular causes. He envisions the same success for the repeal of the 2nd Amendment.

The criminal misuse of firearms is undeniably a serious social problem in the United States, but beneath this social problem are other, deeper social problems: drug addiction, mental illness, family breakdown, urban blight, failing schools, and the political cowardice and cynicism that sabotages prospective solutions to these problems. For example, the use of "stop, question, and frisk" policing in high-crime neighborhoods, coupled with stiff mandatory sentences for illegal gun possession, saves lives. When young gang members refrain from illegally arming themselves for fear of going to jail if they are caught with a gun they should not have, there are fewer gang-related gunfights. But when "stop, question, and frisk" policing is forbidden by political cowards (to avoid creating the impression of a disproportionate racial impact) then the gang bangers (the ones that Goldstein claims the Supreme Court has dedicated itself to arming) realize their rivals are more likely to be armed, and arm themselves in anticipation. Unmolested by the police, they illegally conceal their illegal firearms, get into gunfights with each other, and leave a trail of carnage, often including innocent bystanders.

Rather than addressing festering pathologies like this in a direct and courageous fashion, rather than implementing any concrete, targeted solutions that might actually stem the carnage (to say nothing of elevating the culture), smarmy little fantasists like Goldstein salivate at the prospect of brainwashing the public into demanding the government empower itself to take guns away from millions and millions of their lawful owners -- away from people who are in no way involved in, or responsible for, the criminal misuse of firearms. Like all gun confiscationists that yearn for a gun free society, what Goldstein really yearns for is a police state freed from any constitutional restraint.

We ourselves do not aspire to the lofty station of an intergenerational social reformer, but let us modestly propose the following principle: when seeking to address a social problem afflicting a vast, diverse, highly populous nation, one should opt for the least drastic, least disruptive, and least divisive set of solutions that are compatible with, and respectful of, the rights of the law abiding. Gun control is often presented as a remedy to violent crime, but it is little more than a phony activist posture tailor made for political cowards. It is far easier (and less politically risky) to aggressively push an unrealistic, drastic proposal than it is to solve a real problem. Gun control efforts, invariably aimed at the law-abiding, are little more than simpleminded, misdirected nonsolutions, and as for the drastic, fascistic demand to disarm the entire American population -- it is fundamentally unserious.

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The first thing we need to get straight is what separates conservatives, Americans, and patriots from Marxists, feminists, and trans activists. For all of our history, the vast majority of Americans wholeheartedly rejected the idea of collective guilt or collective responsibility. We're now facing opposition that envisions humanity as an assortment of Borg-like collectives engaged in interminable struggles among other Borg-cubes. In the Marxist view, every individual man or boy shares responsibility for and agreement with all the bad acts of any man, no matter how long dead. Women are a competing Borg-cube making its own incessant demands for comfort, status, and power. Supposedly, there's no overlap between these two Borg cubes, no shared interests, even if intersectionality allows for overlap among cubes, the better to maximize conflict and confusion.

Feminism has never been an all-female project  it was even named by a man, Charles Fourier. Men attended the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. Men advised and funded the presidential campaign and publications of Victoria Woodhull and numerous other feminist projects and figures, such as Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine, with international communism creating and funding a feminist unit two years after Congress voted in the19th Amendment.

For Marxists (whose various guises have included feminism, socialism, trans activism, liberation theology, etc.), the 19th Amendment was a win for the all-women Borg-cube of feminism, in a zero-sum conflict against a similar monolith of all men. Not only were both men and women on the sides of support and opposition, but there were organizations supporting female suffrage as a way to maximize votes for other causes. Suffrage support came from those wanting to minimize the influence of black voters and from temperance activists who thought women more likely to vote out alcohol. In 1919, when the all-male Congress added female suffrage to the Constitution, women's support for female suffrage was extremely low (as low as 3% in some states, and no state even approaching 50% of women in favor). Seven of 48 states voted against the 19th Amendment. Not only did female suffrage have extremely low support among women, but anti-suffrage women organized on a national level out of concern that the vote would reduce women's efforts in their communities and effectiveness in shaping social norms.

The 1972 defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment, with women above age 19 outnumbering men over 19 by 6.7 million, is another example of American women and men thinking for themselves and rejecting the preferences of our opposition, who prefer we conform to their hive-minded view of humanity.

Back in the 1960s, there was a joke that feminists would never win the war between the sexes because of too much fraternizing with the enemy (dating, marriage, and family life). Thanks to decades of "awareness" campaigns focusing on domestic violence (actually rare, especially within marriage), date rape (mostly post-date regret), and young marriage as potentially catastrophic to career and finances (only for women; it's the opposite for men), the fraternizing we laughed about is dangerously declining.

At this crisis point, there are people who say the way to fight feminism and its twisted offspring, trans activism, is for the fighting to be done by women alone. Anti-trans feminists like Julie Bindle resist any aid from men, barely acknowledging common cause with men who oppose the trans agenda. Self-proclaimed ex-feminist Kellie Jaye Keen allies with anti-trans feminists and confidently proclaims that women can win this fight without men. Some who despise feminism appear to be unquestioning of the false women-only/all-women's goals image of feminism. These despisers of feminism seem to enjoy anticipation of the spectacle of female patriots failing to defeat female feminists, as if the outcome would be meaningless to them or anyone they love.

Limiting leadership or participation to women only would rob our cause of numbers and, even more critically, the skills of strategy and leadership that are exceedingly rare among women. This lack of natural talent shows in completely nonphysical conflict activities, such as the ranks of chess grand masters, where only 6.1% are women, in the top 500 esports players, which include no women. The search term "all woman military" brings up items featuring various women in the military, nine female military heroes, and a Wikipedia page about all-female units, including units like Women's Radio Corps, that were never sent into battle. Search results showed only two real-world examples of all-woman units whose mission was military, and not an adjunct designed to free up male personnel for military duties, Norwegian and Dahomey. Neither of these examples offers hope for the potential of female strategic genius.

Prior to Norway's 2017 formation of an all-female special forces unit (with relaxed physical requirements, and specializing in urban reconnaissance and surveillance ), the only historically documented all-woman military unit was the Dahomey women warriors, who inspired the the flop movie The Woman King. The king recruited Dahomey women and assigned slaves to soldiering duties. The numbers of Dahomey men had been depleted fighting in wars and slave raids and capture for enslavement in other kingdoms. While the Dahomey women were described as vicious fighters, there's no evidence these women developed any useful strategy. The kings ruled the Dahomey and made military decisions.

Joan of Arc was powerful as a symbol but made serious military errors. Catherine of Aragon rallied troops for one successful battle, then returned to her queenly duties and pious obligations. Rosa Parks's arrest was part of the ongoing Birmingham Bus Boycott, orchestrated by men with political savvy and experience.

For several years now, a number of intelligent women have been deploying their skills in research and communication against trans activism, with success far lower than a few weeks of the Bud Light boycott.

Beyond the need for as many supporters as we can muster, and the need for the unique skills that men bring to conflict and politics, as well as the unique skills and work of women, there's another important implication of men and women joining our distinct powers toward fighting feminist and trans incursions in our culture. The joining of men and women in common cause, acknowledging and honoring each other's distinct contributions, would be a powerful antithesis to the division that has been sown by those intent on destroying our culture itself. We need all who share our concerns and are willing to participate to be welcome in this effort.

Image via Pxfuel.
No, I didnt think of it. Shakespeare did, in Macbeth, inspirting others to quote him. But it fits with what three recent incidents tell us about what is coming our way. Under Democrats' governance. You can always, as the kids say put your head between your legs and kiss your hind-quarters goodbye. But before we get there, there are some other things we can do. Lets review, very briefly, the three incidents mentioned above July 2022 bodega robbery - Search (bing.com) A 63-year-old bodega employee was attacked in his store by a perpetrator with his girlfriend along. In the course of the scuffle, the girlfriend stabbed the bodega man. Whereupon, the 63-year-old bodega man, in spite of being wounded, attacked with a knife so forcefully that he killed the perpetrator. What did the Democratic governance of NYC do? Arrested the bodega employee.

January 2023

Arizona rancher held on $1M bond fired 'warning shots,' armed men pointed 'AK-47 right at him,' defense claims | Fox News

A 73-year-old rancher with a rifle, who lives near the border in Arizona, shot and killed an invader in a group of migrants crossing his property. The details are still obscure. Did the migrants have some rifles? Were there any shots in the ranchers direction? Did the rancher first fire over the heads of the migrants? The rancher was arrested, imprisoned  since released  and charged with murder.

May 2023

MARINE ATTACK IN NEW YORK SUBWAY - Search (bing.com)

In a NYC subway car, a young man walked down the car, razzing the passengers, saying, among other things, that he was willing to die, assaulting people with thrown trash. The perpetrator got to the end of the car and continued his behavior with a passenger who showed distress. There was another passenger there, a 26-year-old former Marine, who saw the distress of the target person.

He stepped in.

He put the perpetrator in a chokehold, which only barely subdued him, i.e., the perpetrator continued to struggle. Other passengers gathered around and separated the two. After several minutes, the perpetrator started to slip away. He died at the hospital from unknown causes, but the current media narrative is that he died from the chokehold. No decision yet, but the guy who stepped in, on the subway, where crime has risen sharply in the last several quarters, is going to be charged with manslaughter.

What are we looking at? Whatever its long-term provenance going back decades, the movement we are dealing with now starts with Obama. In the 2008 campaign, Obama said the objective of his administration would be to fundamentally transform America. I, and I suspect a lot of others, thought this was just political blather.

Not hardly.

But there is a problem with this objective. To achieve it, you have to plow through the Constitution. Obama didnt plan to do that by amendments but by stoking racial animosity.

Something important happened with the death (ruled to be murder) of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020, for which police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted and sentenced to 22.5 years. (Given the plethora of relevant details around the case, a different judgment is imaginable.) It effectively launched the Defund the Police movement.

And here is the pointdefunding the police, yes, reduces the number of police on patrol, but more than that, it delegitimizes the police in their role as guardians of the community and thus delegitimizes the community  its social authority  as well.

What does this result in?

Something wicked. A strategy in four parts to crush the community; to destroy America...

Defund the police. Which delegitimizes the police. Even more, it delegitimizes the community. The community determines the norms the police are maintaining and establishes the metaphysics which everybody  including criminals  at least take account of. (For instance, prior to the most recent plunge under Democrats governance, nobody had sex on the sidewalk or defecated there. It was uncool for e very body.) After Democrats governance has delegitimized the police and then the community, how does the community defend itself? By volunteers using the Second Amendment. Except that Democrats governance criminalizes those who step in.

Quite a package! De-police the country; disarm the citizens. Convert Enterprise America to Welfare America. Top-down socialism. No rights. No Constitution. No community. Thats the fight were in.

Is it here yet? No, but we can see it coming on where Democrats governance prevails, i.e., in the

blue areas of the countrya swatch running approximately from Los Angeles, through San Francisco, the Northwest, the Upper Midwest, and on to New York and the big cities of the East with stops in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and other big cities.

We can say that San Francisco is the poster child for this four-part strategy for Democrat-led governance. As the Islamic scholar Sayyid Qutb might put it about San Franciscoit is a signpost on the way. It has defunded the police which, with its practical and its metaphysical effects, has attenuated public order, with public spaces filled with tents of the homeless, drug usage, drug paraphernalia and human waste, robberies of Amazon packages from front doors. There is so much mob looting of stores that retailers are moving out.

What is the motive behind this four-part strategy to destroy America? For reasons that are not clear, but perhaps result from an inability to keep up, liberals are interested in power. In contrast, conservatives are interested in achievement.

The way you get rich as a liberal is to seize power and sell out your constituents. The way you get rich as a conservative is to discover a need and fill it with products or services of quality in high volume at a low price. This second method is what built America, and which it is the object of Democrats governance to destroy.

What to do? Vote.

You knew I was going to say that. Were not talking about changing your life. But be aware that the opposition  Democrats governance  cant be reasoned with. It is coming this way and must be stopped. Join the Representative Town Meeting if there is one. Go to school meetings. Support the police. Like that. See you there.

This is our chance to fight for America.
For some time, optimists like me have had to work hard to keep believing that reason will prevail. I now think, as reality sets in, my faith in reason, though too long delayed, is not unwarranted. This week is, I think, the beginning of the end for some nutty thinking and policies.

Climate Change

Ive always believed that destroying the worlds economies and impoverishing poor people around the globe in a narcissistic belief that man can control the climate was lunacy. More research revealed every week justifies my belief that this war on reliable, plentiful fossil fuels has been pure hokum. This week, the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) took a major hit to its credibility.

The credibility of the disaster-addicted Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been dealt a damaging blow with recently-published research showing that 42% of its climate scenarios rely on improbable rises in future temperature that even the UN-funded body believes are of low likelihood. The research notes the IPCC admission of improbability is deeply buried in the full Sixth Assessment Reports (AR6), and is unlikely to be read by the policy makers. The authors note that significant and important sections of the full IPCC work emphasise these improbable claims, potentially invalidating those sections of the report. Climate and emissions outline SSP5-8.5 assumes a rise of around 5C by the end of the century. It was always somewhat detached from reality and has long been dealt a death blow, given that global warming ran out of steam about 25 years ago. [snip] Leaving aside the small natural boost from a very powerful EL Nino oscillation around 2016, warming is little more than 0.1C over two decades. Nevertheless, SSP5-8.5 gives credence to 42% of the IPCCs work in AR6. [snip] The authors are damning about much of the IPCCs work. In addition to emphasising worst-case scenarios, it rewrites climate history, has a huge bias in favour of bad news against good news, and keeps the good news out of its widely-distributed Summary for Policymakers (SPM). One notable contradiction surrounds flooding, where the AR6 IPCC report states with low confidence that humans have contributed to it, yet the Summary for Policymakers promotes the opposite, stating that human influence has increased compound flooding.

With reality contradicting hype, claims for climate reparations -- actually, stealing from better-functioning countries to pay worse ones -- should die. Of course, there are still many people who are profiting from this hype:

True Science PEng, DFP, MA, MBA. All through history, there have been future foretellers -- prophets. The IPCC is simply a 21st-century prophet. They believe that they can predict the temperature in one hundred years' time with 0.1-degree accuracy, and like Scientology, they have many faithful disciples.

Reparations

The nonsensical notion fanned by Californias Governor Gavin Newsom for votes that a state which never had slavery should compel those who never owned slaves to pay those who never were slaves, seems to have hit the rocks of reality. The reparations panel he installed to look into this was endorsing payments as high as $1.2 million for every black California resident. At this point, looking at a huge budget deficit, not incidentally due to the Democrat mismanagement of his state, Newsom blinked. It was reported that he denied he meant cash reparations and then, in the face of blowback from disappointed grifters, his spokesman denied that he meant what had been reported.

Newsom had said in a media statement that dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments. A spokesperson for Newsom clarified his comments in an email statement to The Bee. The sensationalized framing in pieces published by outlets like Fox News and others is inaccurate. The Governor looks forward to reviewing the final report -- and all recommendations -- when complete. Newsoms chief communication advisor Anthony York said that Newsom is not backing away from cash payments, but wants to wait for the report in its entirety to arrive on his desk before he makes any decision.

Sure. He is now on the hot seat having raised expectations of grifters he can never meet, and is tap dancing like crazy to avoid the consequences. In the meantime, hes using a surrogate in an effort to ease him off the hotseat.

California Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford is warning African Americans not to get their hopes up for massive reparations payments from the state. Bradfords message comes after the California Reparations Task Force recommended over the weekend that the state pay up to $1.2 million in reparations to each eligible Black resident. The state lawmaker, who served on the task force, claimed that its possible that Black residents could receive cash payments if the moneys there, but argued that receiving million dollar checks in repayment for historical discrimination is not happening.

If Im wrong, everyone can move to California and identify as black since we all know that like sex, race and even species are simply social constructs and we can identify as anything that we want.

Sanctuary Cities

As Bidens open-border policies have allowed in without tracking millions of illegal aliens, governors of the most affected states have started shipping them north to cities where Democrat politicians have long signaled their virtue by declaring themselves sanctuary cities. Now they are claiming these relatively small numbers of immigrants are more than they can handle. The reliably leftist Politico reports New York is being destroyed by the migrant crisis. David Burge (the Great Iowahawk) responds

Only huge economic powerhouse cities like Laredo or Brownsville have the resources to handle this 10,000 migrants living on Juarez Street in El Paso: Do better, El Paso 100 migrants show up on a bus in Manhattan: the biggest crisis in New York history

Now New York City is shipping some of the flood upstate to communities that are expected to house them.

Several Democrat senators (Sherrod Brown, Joe Manchin, John Tester, Kyrsten Sinema) are joining Republicans in supporting SB 1473, which will "authorize the immediate expulsion of inadmissible aliens attempting to enter the United States by fraud or without a necessary entry document, and for other purposes," which, in essence, is extending Title 42. This was a statute from 2020 that prohibited asylum-seekers from entering the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In Chicago, black voters are outraged by the plan to house these illegals in the South side of the city, bumping them off city housing lists.

In the meantime, a District Court judge in Florida has temporarily blocked the open-door policy of the administration.

DEI Corruption of Education

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are means of destroying meritocracy and Republican majority state legislatures are finally responding. A number of states are now demanding to know how much money is being spent on DEI programs. Once voters realize how much money has been spent on this pernicious nonsense, it is likely to be scrapped.

In Wisconsin, the legislature flexed its muscles and demanded the state university stop requiring DEI statements of job applicants. Its a start. Next, they should detail for voters how much is spent for administrators and programs designed to propagate this. Faced with ever-increasing tuition fees, a great deal of which is going not to teaching but to administering DEI idiocy, the voters will rebel against it. In related news about the backlash against the war on meritocracy, the ABA has retreated from eliminating the LSAT from law-school admissions. Its likely that race and ethnic identification qualifiers for medical school will soon be dealt with by a Supreme Court hostile to such policies.
San Francisco was once a gorgeous city with a funky, edgy vibe. Its now a decayed, filthy, and debauched hellhole. Thats not just me saying that. Its also Dave Chappelle, who did a comedy set in San Francisco and had some things to say about the City by the Bay. His remarks were too accurate to be funny. Instead, the funniest thing was the outraged columnist who wrote about Chappelles gig.

SFGATE is an online spin-off of the venerable (and hard-left) San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. Dan Gentile is the outlets culture editor who, apparently finding Austin, Texas, too conservative for his tastes, moved to San Francisco. Gentile had the story of Chappelles surprise show at the Masonic Auditorium. The headline is that Chappelle came and said nasty things about San Francisco:

On his last visit to Chase Center, he brought Elon Musk onstage to a chorus of boos, and the time before that, a Hall of Fames worth of Bay Area rappers. At this event, there were no special guests. He didnt mention Musk. Instead, he focused on the citys homelessness problems. What the fk happened to this place? he asked. He told a story about eating at an Indian restaurant in the Tenderloin a few nights earlier, only to have someone defecate in front of the restaurant as he was walking in. San Francisco has become half Glee, half zombie movie, he said, and he remarked that the whole city is the Tenderloin now. Yall [N-words] need a Batman! he exclaimed. He wasnt aware of the incident of a business owner hosing down a homeless person and had to have the crowd explain it. He pivoted quickly, saying he now remembered watching the video on YouTube  a hundred times. The misdirection was followed by a cruel snicker and a trademark slap of the mic against his thigh. (Emphasis mine.)

Every one of those attacks on San Francisco's decay is justified. Leftists have destroyed the city. Dont take my word for it. Looking at what Elizabeth Weil wrote about San Franciscos Doom Loop. Its terribly depressing.

Image: Dave Chappelle (edited). YouTube screen grab.

But Gentile wasnt really interested in what Chappelle had to say about the city or whether what he said was accurate. What deeply offends Gentile is that Chappelle doesnt believe in transgenderism. In paragraph after paragraph, Gentile expressed his outrage for Chappelles failure to fall in line with the agenda:

The late transgender comic Daphne Dorman confronted him during a performance at the Punch Line, which sparked a friendship between the comics. Dorman later died by suicide. Around the same time, Chappelles comedy took a dark turn toward transphobia: he identified as TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), declared that gender is an unmalleable fact and insinuated that the struggle for LGBTQ and Black rights are at odds. Chappelle didnt go deep into his TERF beliefs Thursday; instead, he settled for a barrage of transphobic dog whistles. For those following his career closely, they drowned out everything else, but what was crystal clear was his disdain for present-day San Francisco. [Emphasis mine.]

Other than the Glee reference, you will search Gentiles article in vain for those TERF dog whistles. The only lines Gentile quotes are the ones I referenced above, about San Franciscos general decay. It seems, therefore, that its now an anti-trans dog whistle to notice that San Francisco, a city famous for celebrating gay debauchery, is dystopian.

The closest thing Gentile can find to any reference to the whole transgender issue (other than that Glee remark) is that Chappelle joked that hed agreed to cool down his attacks on so-called transgender people. Thus, after describing how Chappelle talked about being caught at Floyd Mayweathers Las Vegas strip club, an attack against him at the Hollywood Bowl, Will Smiths slap, and questions about antisemitism during his SNL monologue, Gentile writes this:

But in the media, those incidents were all footnotes compared to the controversy over his comments on the transgender community. In addition to being insensitive, they are often just plain lazy, relying on tropes rather than the comedians incisive wit. At the Masonic, Chappelle noted that in his last special The Closer, he promised to stop making jokes about the LGBTQ community  then clarified that promise only applied to TV, punctuating the joke with another slap of the mic. True to his word, there were no extended segments about transgender people. Instead, he jabbed at the community over and over, slipping them into unrelated sections as a running punchline. (Emphasis mine.)

But again, as I noted, Gentile, who explicitly quoted Chappelles attacks on San Francisco, offers virtually nothing to prove the truth of that emphasized language.

Gentile would badly like to cancel Dave Chappelle. Unfortunately for him, Dave Chappelle refuses to be canceled. And, even worse, his fans agree:

[I]t was clear from the amount of laughter in the room  and his continual ability to sell out shows in the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in America  that theres still a large portion of the population who will only ever know him as the guy that did those Rick James impressions. Those fans werent disappointed, but everyone else who has been paying attention would have been.

Gentile substitutes unrestrained emotion and personal feelings for factual reporting. It would take a heart of stone not to find his Chappelle review incredibly funny.
Recently, an American Thinker contributor convincingly proposed that Biden receive Eli Lilly's new Alzheimer's treatment. As a complement to his donanemab intravenous infusions, Biden should be assigned a therapy dog. Clearly, his German Shepherd doesn't make the grade.

In some ways, our loyal companions reflect our personalities and demeanor as they read our emotions. A human (if Biden qualifies as such) struggling for equanimity may convey his bad behavioral traits to his dogs. Act agitated, and, as if by unconscious osmosis, your dog may exude an unfriendly predisposition.

That may have been the case with Major, Biden's German Shepherd, who wasn't shy in biting perceived interlopers from the Secret Service. Given the unstable and dystopian pack occupying the White House, it's predictable that a herding dog would try to assert himself as the alpha. Such deportment may even manifest by nipping the "Trump leftovers" in the Secret Service  whom Biden considered MAGA sympathizers. Poor Major was just mimicking brutal Biden's lack of impulse control.

Major was the first shelter dog to live in the White House, and he can be a good boy in a salubrious environment  away from demented Biden, to start. They were a combustible mix: he is an aggressive, snarly old man who threatens to punch people, so is it any wonder that snarly Major was not always man's best friend?

Champ, Biden's previous German Shepherd, was dirty and disheveled to the point of resembling a junkyard dog, again mimicking Biden's unpleasant appearance and demeanor.

Clearly, most dogs that are not trained as therapy dogs don't cozy up to Biden. Consider the adorable Bernese Mountain Dog, shacking up with the president of Ireland, who found Biden quite off-putting. Perhaps the normally lovable Bernese was skittish because it could sense the shocking chemical imbalances in Biden's Grim Reaperlike visage.

By contrast, therapy dogs are specially trained to comfort humans (and other animals) who are struggling to cope with life. Their heartwarming caregiving is almost miraculous, and our heroes deserve them. So do Alzheimer's patients; in fact, therapy dogs are ideal for that purpose. I don't think Biden is as deserving, but let's be magnanimous...

German Shepherds like Major are impressive beasts that are especially amenable, with proper training, to military and police work. Yes, they can also ingratiate themselves into nice families. A select few may even become therapy dogs; however, in general, they do not make the list of the top 14 breeds for this magnificent mission.

Instead, what Biden needs (among many things) after his monthly donanemab intravenous infusion is a gentle Labrador or Golden Retriever to emanate compassion and console the poor old sod. Their very presence can help reduce the effects of dementia. A pleasing therapy dog, enthusiastically reporting for duty, may even turn punchy Biden (as in pugilistic) into a punch-happy spirit who's always willing to negotiate.

Image: birgl via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
US Hypocrisy and the Global South

By Melvin Goodman

May 14, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " Counterpunch " -- U.S. diplomats have been unsuccessful in recruiting key countries in the Global South, particularly India and Brazil, to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. Nations of the Global South dont want to be part of the Cold War between the West and Russia; dont accept the Western view of Russias invasion of Ukraine as unprovoked; and charge the United States and key European countries with hypocrisy in trying to isolate authoritarian countries.

The United States has been particularly critical of African countries for not taking a strong stand against Russias war against Ukraine, and for ignoring the Western sanctions regime against Russia. The United States cant even get longterm partners such as Israel and Jordan to take sides between Washington and Moscow. As both China and Russia increase their economic and military deliverables to the African continent, it has become more difficult for the Unites States to achieve its diplomatic goals. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has visited numerous African countries this year in order to prepare for Julys summit in St. Petersburg with African leaders.

U.S. charges of human rights violations against Russia and China also fall on deaf ears in the Global South because of the increased gun violence in the United States; the increased wealth gap between the rich and poor; and of course the systemic racism in U.S. society. The insurrection in Washington on January 6, 2021, raised additional questions regarding the strength and longevity of U.S. democracy and U.S. governance. The polarization and disunity in the United States belie its self-appointed image as a laboratory of democracy. U.S. efforts at regime change over the past seventy years sustain the cynicism of Third World leaders.

Get Our Free Newsletter

The current reporting in the mainstream media regarding the violence in Sudan assigns blame to the role of the Russian military and the paramilitary Wagner Group, but ignores the role of U.S. support for military leaders in Sudan as well as throughout the Global South, particularly Africa and Latin America. U.S. diplomats have been coddling military leaders in Africa, particularly in Sudan, rather than working with civilian leaders. The United States and the European Union leaned to the Sudanese military leaders as the only valid power brokers for organizing a government in Khartoum.

This is similar to decades of U.S. involvement In Central America, where the U.S. supported general officers in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, despite their role in terrorizing the populace. Washington supported power-sharing arrangements in these nations, even though civilian officials were typically secondary to their military counterparts.

There have been several significant votes in the United Nations since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, with increasing numbers of African states unwilling to support the U.S. positions on suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council or calling for Russian reparations for Ukraine. Russia is still highly regarded for decades of support for Africas liberation movements and opposition to European colonial interests.

The United States for the most part has ignored African interests, and only recently did Vice President Kamala Harris travel to Africa to announce forthcoming economic assistance. This assistance pales in comparison to Chinese support for numerous infrastructure projects throughout the continent. Recently, South Africa allowed a Russian cargo plane to land at an air force base near Pretoria, although it was under sanctions from the United States for shipping weapons to Russian military forces.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to South Africa last year; shortly thereafter South Africa and Russia held their first joint military exercises. Russian Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to South Africa later this year for a regional summit, and it is highly unlikely that the South African government will support the requests of the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the Russian leader if he were to appear.

The Biden administration needs to take note of the charge of hypocrisy from leaders in India, Brazil, and elsewhere. While U.S. diplomats encourage Global South nations to avoid energy contracts with Russia, the United States is looking for ways to improve its relations with Venezuela in order to import more oil from Caracas. President Joe Biden campaigned on the basis of turning Saudi Arabia into a pariah, but traveled to Riyadh to fist bump Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in order to get increased Saudi oil production. Numerous European countries have signed significant energy contracts with repressive Arab regimes in order to bolster their own energy imports.

Recent leaked documents demonstrate that India has resisted U.S. efforts to support Western resolutions at the UN regarding the Russian invasion. India also resisted U.S. efforts to arrange a discussion of the war at the recent G-20 summit in New Dehli. Leaked documents also reveal that Indias national security adviser, Ajit Kumar Doval, assured his Russian counterpart, Nikolay Petrushev, that India would not take sides in the current confrontation between Russian and the United States. Other important regional states such as Brazil, Egypt, and Pakistan have given similar assurances to their Russian counterparts. All of these nations have been paying higher prices for important commodities and consumer goods because of U.S. sanctions and tariffs against China and Russia. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, the two largest American oil companies, have been earning record profits as a result of disruptions in Russian energy deliveries.

Meanwhile, China is stealing a march on the United States in both the Middle East and Africa. In addition to signing long-term energy arrangements with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, Beijing is poised to dominate the exploitation of the most important minerals for the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles. Demand for cobalt is expected to increase significantly in the near term, and the Democratic Republic of Congo dominates the mining of cobalt. Lithium allows electric vehicles to generate the same energy and speed as gas vehicles, and Zimbabwe is a top producer of lithium. China has excellent state-to-state relations with these key African countries as well as an increased presence in Afghanistan, which has huge reserves of lithium. The United States and its allies have sufficient reserves of lithium and copper, for example, but it would require significant investments and technological cooperation to build up mining industries.

Overall, U.S. investment pales in comparison to Chinas belt and road initiatives throughout the Global South, particularly the huge loans for vast infrastructure projects, and U.S. demands regarding democratic governance compare unfavorably to Russian and Chinese unwillingness to force the countries of the Global South to take sides. There is also an intense great power competition for influence in the Middle East and North Africa as both Moscow and Beijing take advantage of U.S. nonrecognition of Iran; U.S. open-ended support for Israel; and U.S. hypocrisy over its role in the so-called Middle East peace process.
In March 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson said something rather unexpected during her confirmation hearings: She has no idea what a woman is. Last week, in a newly released opinion, Brown Jackson kept using feminine pronouns (she/her) to describe a biological man. She is either profoundly stupid or as intent as any other leftist on destroying Western culture by denying reality.

You probably remember Brown Jacksons remarkable confession of ignorance:

When asked to define woman by Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, she replied, I cantIm not a biologist. Blackburn shot back, The meaning of the word woman is so unclear and controversial that you cant give me a definition? Senator, in my work as a judge, what I do is I address disputes. If theres a dispute about a definition, people make arguments and I look at the law and I decide, Jackson added, reiterating the methodical judicial approach she has historically applied.

From time immemorial, all human beings over the age of three have been able to define a woman, although they may use common, even childish, language to do so. Significantly Western culture was built on a nuclear family model that revolves around the male-female binary.

Image: Ketanji Brown Jackson, who may not even be clear that she is a woman. YouTube screen grab.

For Brown Jackson, all that was irrelevant. Shes like the French Revolutionaries who, in 1793, abandoned the Gregorian calendar (too religious) in favor of their own calendar. Sure, theyd still have twelve months, but theyd consist of three weeks per month, with ten days in a week, ten hours in a day, 100 minutes in an hour, and 100 seconds in a minute. Yes, decimals are easier to calculate, but the whole system wouldnt work, given that it abandoned the reality of Earths elliptical rotation around the sun:

The [Gregorian] calendar establishes a year as the time it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun. In practical terms, that is 365.2425 days, or rather 365 days + 1 day every leap year. So while it sounded logical for the French to have 10 days per week, and 3 weeks per month for 12 months, that only gave the Revolutionaries 360 days.

That same denial of reality madness characterizes Brown Jackson and other leftists who resist the immutability of the gender binary. The problem is that Brown Jackson has a very powerful position in American politics and cultureand she used (or, more accurately, abused) that position to place gender madness directly into American law, via Santos-Zacarioa v. Garland.

The cases facts are simple. An illegal alien who challenges a removal order must exhaust administrative remedies. The question before the Court was whether the administrative remedies at issue were applied appropriately. Thats standard fare for Supreme Court cases that dont make headlines.

In this instance, the headline comes, not from the holding, but from the first paragraph:

Petitioner Leon Santos-Zacaria (who goes by the name Estrella) fled her native Guatemala in her early teens. She has testified that she left that country, and fears returning, because she suffered physical harm and faced death threats as a transgender woman who is attracted to men. (Emphasis mine.)

(The gender madness continues throughout the opinion.)

In other words, a homosexual man named Leon thinks he is a woman and does not want to return to Guatemala, because he may be harmed there.

Before even getting to the point about Brown Jacksons abuse of the English language and reality, its worth noting that America is a haven for people suffering from this particular mental illness. That contradicts the narrative from the so-called transgender crowd that they require special accommodations and courtesies because they are at perpetual risk here.

Rather disappointingly, none of the conservative justices took a stand against this madness. Perhaps they felt silenced because of Justice Gorsuchs foul decision holding that the 1964 Civil Rights Act, by using the term sex, encompasses homosexuality and gender dysphoria, something Congress never contemplated at the time. In this regard, Gorsuch is not a conservative. His textualism (looking only at the words and not their meaning when enacted) means that he is every bit as much a judicial activist as those leftists who rely on the made-up concept of substantive due process (which means, we rewrite the Constitution without bothering with amendments).

Last week, Joe Biden spoke at Howard Universitys graduation ceremony. Many have noted that he did his best to sow racial discord by insisting that the worst threat these privileged, credentialed students face in life is white people. What was less remarked upon was his saying that Brown Jackson is brighter than the rest [of the Supreme Court justices].

Maybe hes right. Ive thought her remarkably stupid but, in a single decision, she has attempted to bootstrap so-called transgenderism into the canon of American law.
For the third Sunday in a row, a demonstration is planned in front of a resale/antique store called Boho Barbie in the far northside of Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park. The aim of the demonstrators is to drive the store out of their neighborhood. The stated reason: social media posts by the owners fiancee which include satirical memes pertaining to transgender-related issues, personal opinions against COVID-19 vaccinations, seed oils and birth control.

Boho Barbes modest storefront (credit: Google Maps)

The organizer of the rally, one Karen Rose, told The Loyola Phoenix that she researched the owners once they came to Rogers Park. They said they do this with all new businesses moving in to make sure theyre safe for queer members of the community.

In other words, opinions of people close to a business owner are subject to scrutiny for ideological purity, and if those opinion are objected to by anyone, that is ample reason to try to destroy a business.

Some of the demonstrators clearly lack any sense of irony:

Rex Cassidy, a protestor who identifies as transgender, became aware of the protest through neighborhood Facebook groups. (snip) I would like people to know that that is not welcome and this diversity is what makes Rogers Park beautiful, Cassidy said.

Diversity apparently only means people with whom Cassidy agrees, which is another way of saying not diverse at all.

The first protest occurred May 1 and featured tense back-and-forth chanting between Kazanowski and protestors, eventually leading to one group member spitting on Kazanowski, which is documented on his livestream.

Spitting on someone is assault, a crime. It can potentially make sick or even kill someone. If it is documented on video, the Chicago Police ought to be notified, though with its severe shortage of officers that began with the defund the police movement, there may not be staff resources to pursue the crime. But given that many protestors decry hurt that comes with social media posts they never saw until Karen Rose dug them up and publicized them, tolerating an actual assault is yet another irony of these tyrannical, self-obsessed bullies, in my opinion.
In the Biden administration, they apparently compete for bragging rights with one other as to whose chaos is the biggest.

According to this story from Breitbart News:

On Fridays broadcast of CNNs The Lead, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby criticized comparisons between the situation on the border and the withdrawal from Afghanistan and stated that its not chaos down there at the border, at least not right now. Kirby reacted to a clip of Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) stating that the situation on the border is as chaotic as the withdrawal from Afghanistan by stating, I think its just incorrigible to compare what were trying to do with safe and effective pathways coming in through the border to what happened with Afghanistan. It is not at all the same situation. And the footage that you just showed demonstrates that its not chaos down there at the border, at least not right now. ..."

Did I read that right? What's his takeaway? That nothing can top the chaos of Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal dating from 2021?

That would be the withdrawal that the Bidenites called 'a success' and then after an inquest, found no one culpable enough to fire, or even reassign. Gen. Mark Milley, the military man in charge, remains in his position as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, completely unaccountable for his string of errors and stupidities which cost taxpayers billions in abandoned military equipment to terrorists, left Americans on the ground, left translators and collaborators behind to be executed, led to the unnecessary deaths of 13 high-quality U.S. service members, and left the U.S. a global object of scorn, much to the delight of our enemies.

Yeah, there probably is nothing that compares to it, and it's nice that he's admitted it after all these years, but that doesn't mean the open border is not a disaster.

We see mass entry of unvetted foreigners into our country, mass releases of these unvetted foreigners into our country without so much as a court date, mass draining of city services of cash, homeless veterans evicted from their housing, mass abuse of our asylum system, rises in crime, lethal drugs pouring in, terrorists rolling in, flooded emergency rooms, bankrupt hospitals, overcrowded schools and prisons, and cartel overlords making mountains of money which they use to wreak havoc in Mexico.

That's a disaster by any reckoning and while Kirby was trying to save the administration from criticism for its border disaster, he could only do it by admitting that Afghanistan was a real disaster.

Truth has a way of coming out, and it tells us a lot about the Biden administration that it can only try to extricate itself from its ongoing disasters by admitting that its previous ones are worse.

Note also that Kirby qualified his defense by saying it wasn't as bad 'at least not now.'

What is he expecting?

Image: Screen shot from ABC News YouTube video
Most of the six millionplus illegal aliens who have entered the U.S. under the Biden Regime are young, unattached single males who speak only Spanish and are illiterate, impoverished, and lack vocational skills, making assimilation extremely challenging. They are low-status males who may never be able to have sex, find romance, or start a family. Condemned to bachelorhood, with nothing to live for and nothing to lose, they are tailor-made to form violent criminal gangs like MS-13.

DHS & FBI False Narrative

They are "involuntary celibates" (AKA incels). Ironic  according to the definition from the FBI and DHS, incels can only be right-wing or white male citizens, leading to domestic violent extremism. With its wide-open border policy, the Biden administration is building a nationwide foreign incel subculture threatening the stability and security of America for generations.

The FBI published last month the "Involuntary Celibate Violent Extremism" reference guide (here). In addition, the FBI has formed an incel pre-crime unit that monitors the internet, scanning for terms like "red pill," "great replacement," and "Alt-Right." The guide is a theme from Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." The Department of Homeland Security also targets domestic violent extremism, creating a prejudice towards a segment of U.S. male citizens. Finally, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence piled on with its report on domestic violent extremism for its umbrella organizations.

Mayorkas, at the 2023 United States Conference of Mayors, pledged support by dispatching DHS experts to cities to assist with developing a pre-crime program to prevent domestic violent extremism  a page from Steven Spielberg's Minority Report. Life does imitate art.



Picture of DHS director Mayorkas and San Antonio mayor Nirenberg holding a non-public meeting on "domestic violent extremism" was obtained through the Texas Open Records Act.

The Progressive cultural attack on masculinity weakens males emotionally, mentally, and physically. The outcome is creating weak, feminized men. The strategic long march is to defund the police. But, with millions of young foreign single males pouring over the border, will women be able to stop third-world predation? Rainbow neo-Marxists' control over the masses increases when an excess of male demography created by the influx of foreign low-status males leads to instability and violence, requiring totalitarian measures with the intent to strip personal freedom.

Much, Much More of the Same

Last June, before Title 42 was extended, the CIA-founded USAID funded a $314-million aid package of humanitarian assistance specifically targeting Venezuelan migrants. It was no coincidence that there was a subsequent surge of Venezuelans illegally crossing the border. In early April, DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and USAID director Samantha Power, with the U.S. delegation, again met with Panama officials. The mission is to continue illegal migration (primarily males), not reduce it, given the tidal wave of illegal border-crosses.

In a press conference the day before Title 42 was lifted, Mayorkas reiterated that the border is secure.

The lifting of the Title 42 public health order does not mean our border is open. In fact, it is the contrary. Our use of our immigration enforcement authorities, under Title 8 of the United States Code, means tougher consequences for people that cross the border.

Conservative radio host George Rodriguez, who had firsthand experience with the MS-13 gangs and the Cuban Mariel boatlift with the Reagan administration's Justice Department, updates on the catastrophic impact of open borders on San Antonio and America.

"None Dare Call It Treason"

Homeland Security's charter is to "secure U.S. borders and approaches." However, Director Mayorkas has inverted the mission, targeting U.S. citizens as the threat while leaving the southern border wide open to cartels, criminals, and terrorists.

Bob Bishop is a resident of San Antonio and a forensic investigator and retired CPA.

Image: woodleywonderworks via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
Thousands of people were left without water after an issue at a Southern Water treatment works. (Twitter/Southern Water)

Up to 40,000 homes are believed to have been left without water after a failure at a supply plant in the South East.

Customers across West Sussex were left with no water supply at the weekend after low levels of chlorine at a water supply works prompted an outage.

Southern Water said on Saturday night that the issue at the works in Hardham had left customers whose water came from reservoirs in Upper Nash and Itchenfield with no water or low pressure.

The issue meant tens of thousands of homes woke up to no water on Sunday, with the company saying that 20,000 customers were affected - with the number expected to grow to 40,000 throughout the day.

Southern Water set up bottled water stations for people left without water. (Twitter/Southern Water)

In updates on its website, Southern Water said bottled water stations had been opened and also announced that it would be delivering water to vulnerable customers.

On Sunday it said it had been delivering to its most vulnerable customers, and said a fleet of 19 tankers was supporting hospitals and supply where most needed.

Read more: Coventry City fan devastated after dog eats promotion play-off tickets

In an update on Sunday morning, the firm said: "Were sorry that customers in areas of West Sussex are waking up to no water.

"Our sites operate to the strictest standards for water quality and are designed to automatically shut down well in advance of any risk to our customers.

Emergency water just turning up at Toat Cafe on A29.



I have raised with Southern Water in a meeting this morning  and they agreed  that we urgently need a bottled water station south of the Church Hill one-way system on the A29 at Pulborough to serve residents in the south of pic.twitter.com/PqiFZ8BHXJ  Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) May 14, 2023

"The incident was caused by unusually low levels of chlorine being detected at our Hardham water supply works. Chlorine is an important part of our standard treatment processes used to ensure water quality meets the very high standards set.

"Our teams are investigating what has caused the change in chlorine levels. We can confirm this has nothing to do with sewage."

In a further update, it said it was unable to supply water to approximately 20,000 customers in West Sussex, adding: "We anticipate that this number will grow during the morning, and could reach 40,000 at around lunchtime.

"We're doing everything we can to fix this and return the plant to service."

Local MP Andrew Griffith called for councils and Southern Water to step up. (Twitter/Andrew Griffith)

On Sunday afternoon, Southern Water said it had made "good progress" and had stabilised chlorine levels, so Hardham Water Supply Works was operational again.

It said: "Our next steps are to refill the reservoirs and recharge the network. We need to take a cautious and gradual approach, and this activity will be ongoing throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

"You might experience intermittent water supply as the recharge takes place, this is totally normal. Please dont be concerned therefore if your water returns and then you lose it again during this period.

"Providing our plans progress as anticipated, customers should see their water return in the next 24 hours."

Andrew Griffith, Arundel and South Downs MP, posted regular updates on his Twitter account, including from visits to various water stations.

He wrote: "Water is one of the few absolute essentials of life. Everyone understands that things can occasionally go wrong.

"But at times like these the mark of a good organisation is excellent communications and a rapid response to fix things or to help those most impacted.

"We need our local Councils and Southern Water to step up and help households who have already been without even a basic water supply for 12 hours."
The chief executive of Bafta has said the organisation is watching the writers strikes in the US closely, ahead of an awards ceremony honouring the best of British television.

Jane Millichip, who took over the role from Amanda Berry, said she is unsure whether the strikes will have a knock-on effect on programmes in the future.

Speaking on the red carpet for the Bafta TV awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, she told the PA news agency: As an arts charity we dont have a position, we hope it is resolved soon and fairly and it has not affected this years awards because were celebrating the wonderful shows from 2022.

Ben Elton said he supported the striking writers (PA)

But whether it does have a knock-on effect for development and production in the future, were not yet sure.

Were watching it closely, we have 11,000 members across the world largely in the UK and US and a lot of those are creatives and practitioners, so in that respect it is something we are observing.

The writers strike  the first in 15 years  began this month after 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America stopped working when their contract expired.

The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and less exclusivity on single projects, among other demands  all conditions it says have been diminished during the content boom of the streaming era.

Comedian and screenwriter Ben Elton, who won recognition for his work on popular sitcoms Blackadder and The Young Ones, said he supports the striking writers.

The 64-year-old told PA on the red carpet: I think it is really important that artists do go out collectively to protect their rights in the face of seismic changes in the industry.

I think its incredible that the American union is able to exercise such rights, I wish we had the same power over here.

Obviously things are changing and there is going to have to be negotiations, but basically on principle I extremely support the idea of any group of workers trying to protect their hard-won rights as technology makes it easier to exploit them.

It's almost time!  Join Clara Amfo and Michelle Visage LIVE on the red carpet at the #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises! https://t.co/K8XzCIkaYq  BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 14, 2023

Elton, 64, has collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Queen in West End musicals, and also wrote sitcoms including The Thin Blue Line and Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell.

Meanwhile, Bafta TV-nominated star of The Responder, Martin Freeman, and writer Tony Schumacher also spoke about the US writers strikes.

Actor Freeman, who is up for best actor for his role in the BBC series, said he is keeping a close eye on the strikes and what it will mean for actors in the industry.

He said: My work isnt being affected by that but we are keeping an eye on it for what it will mean. Im up for fairer pay and its a well unionised job in America so when they go on strike it actually means something, which is not the case for everyone. Fair play.

The red carpet has officially begun with our gorgeous red carpet hosts Clara Amfo and @michellevisage #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises pic.twitter.com/6CBfAVlvQ3  BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 14, 2023

The Responder, based on the experiences of officer-turned-writer Schumacher, follows Sherlock actor Freeman across six night shifts in Liverpool as an urgent response officer.

Schumacher, who said he was so chuffed for his TV series to be Bafta-nominated, told PA: Full support for the writers strikes  its such an important thing and its something that needs resolving and I just hope we can get some solutions pretty quickly.

Freeman confirmed he will appear in a second series of The Responder while Schumacher said he is currently writing episode four and has punched the air a few times bringing it together.

Bafta TV-nominated actor Taron Egerton also said he stands in solidarity with the US writers strikes.

The 33-year-old is nominated for best actor at the awards on Sunday for his transformation into prisoner Jimmy Keene for the psychological thriller Black Bird on Apple+ TV.

It follows Egertons character who is serving 10 years in a minimum security prison, enter a maximum security prison for the criminally insane with a mission to befriend a suspected serial killer in exchange for freedom.

On the strikes, he told PA: Is it Amanda Seyfried who said people have got to be compensated for their work  theres not much more to it.

I hope it comes to a fair conclusion quickly so we can all work, but I absolutely stand in solidarity with the writers.

This Is Going To Hurt writer Adam Kay, whose show is nominated for a raft of prizes, addressed the strikes by healthcare workers on the red carpet.

The former doctor, 42, told PA there is no plan B if NHS staff are not paid adequately for their work.

Theres a crisis in recruitment and retention of staff and I say that points one to five in getting to grips with our current crisis is keeping the staff, and pay is obviously part of it, he said.

I simply dont understand what the Government thinks plan B is if they dont pay people adequately, because they will just leave, they are already leaving. And I dont know what happens if more people leave. So thats up there. Its pay, its conditions, and its wellbeing and its welfare.

Asked if he thinks there will be a resolution, he added: There has to be. I know most about the doctors situation, what the doctors are asking for is the same pay in real-terms they had when I was working as a doctor 15 years ago. Its not a pay rise. Its just being able to pay for the same bags of rice and cans of beans as I was able to.

They were among the first celebrities to arrive on the red carpet, including Academy Award winner Gary Oldman who said his Bafta TV-nominated role in new espionage series Slow Horses was simple.

Oldman spoke about his role on the Apple TV+ spy thriller adapted from award-winning writer Mick Herrons 2010 novel about a team of British intelligence agents who work in a dumping ground department of MI5.

Gary Oldman, right, was among the celebrities on the red carpet (Yui Mok/PA)

This is simple, no prosthetics, they just greased up my hair and pushed me out, he told PA.

Oldman added that he had met someone who claimed they worked for MI6 after the series aired and talked to him about his experiences.

The chair of Bafta Krishnendu Majumdar also appeared alongside RuPauls Drag Race star Michelle Visage and radio DJ Clara Amfo, who were broadcasting live from the red carpet on Baftas YouTube channel.

Comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are set to kick off the ceremony, which honours the best of British television and will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday at 7pm.




The Private Soldiers Who Fight in Americas Name



By Andrea Mazzarino

May 14, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " TomDispatch " -- The way mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army have been waging a significant part of Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine has been well covered in the American media, not least of all because his firm, the Wagner Group, draws most of its men from Russias prison system. Wagner offers freedom from Putins labor camps only to send those released convicts to the front lines of the conflict, often on brutal suicide missions.

At least the Russian president and his state-run media make no secret of his regimes alliance with Wagner. The American government, on the other hand, seldom acknowledges its own version of the privatization of war  the tens of thousands of private security contractors its used in its misguided war on terror, involving military and intelligence operations in a staggering 85 countries.

At least as far back as the Civil War through World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the first Gulf War, contractors, as we like to call them, have long been with us. Only recently, however, have they begun playing such a large role in our wars, with an estimated 10% to 20% of them directly involved in combat and intelligence operations.

Contractors have both committed horrific abuses and acted bravely under fire (because they have all too often been under fire). From torture at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq to interrogations at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, from employees of the private security firm Blackwater indiscriminately firing on unarmed Iraqi civilians to contractors defending a U.S. base under attack in Afghanistan, they have been an essential part of the war on terror. And yes, they both killed Afghans and helped some who had worked as support contractors escape from Taliban rule.

Get Our Free Newsletter

The involvement of private companies has allowed Washington to continue to conduct its operations around the globe, even if many Americans think that our war on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere has ended. I tried looking for any kind of a survey of how many of us realize that it continues in Iraq and elsewhere, but all I could find was pollster Nate Silvers analysis of lessons learned from that global conflict, as if it were part of our history. And unless respondents were caring for a combat-wounded veteran, they tended not to look unfavorably on sending our troops into battle in distant lands  so scratch that as a lesson learned from our forever wars.

None of this surprises me. American troops are no longer getting killed in significant numbers, nor are as many crowding the waitlists at backlogged Veterans Affairs hospitals as would be the case if those troops had been the only ones doing the fighting.

At points during this centurys war on terror, in fact, the U.S. used more civilian contractors in its ongoing wars than uniformed military personnel. In fact, as of 2019, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, which I co-founded, there were 50% more contractors than troops in the U.S. Central Command region that includes Afghanistan, Iraq, and 18 other countries in the Middle East, as well as Central and South Asia. As recently as December 2022, the Pentagon had about 22,000 contractors deployed throughout that region, with nearly 8,000 concentrated in Iraq and Syria. To be sure, most of those workers were unarmed and providing food service, communications aid, and the like. Even more tellingly, roughly two thirds of them were citizens of other countries, particularly lower-income ones.

In 2020, retired Army Officer Danny Sjursen offered an interesting explanation for how the war on terror was then becoming ever more privatized: the Covid-19 pandemic had changed the Pentagons war-making strategy as the public began to question how much money and how many lives were being expended on war abroad rather than healthcare at home. As a result, Sjursen argued, the U.S. had begun deploying ever more contractors, remote drones, CIA paramilitaries, and (often abusive) local forces in that war on terror while U.S. troops were redeployed to Europe and the Pacific to contain a resurgent Russia and China. In other words, during the pandemic, Washington placed ever more dirty work in corporate and foreign hands.

(Not) Counting Contractors

Its been a challenge to write about private security contractors because our government does anything but a good job of counting them. Though the Defense Department keeps quarterly records of how many civilian contractors it employs and where, they exclude employees contracted with the Central Intelligence Agency or the State Department.

When Costs of War first tried to count contractor deaths by searching official government sources, we came up short. The spouse of a gravely wounded armed contractor directed me to her blog, where she had started to compile a list of just such deaths based on daily Google searches, even as she worked hard caring for her spouse and managing his disability paperwork. She and I eventually lost touch and it appears that she stopped compiling such numbers long ago. Still, we at the project took a page from her book, while adding reported war deaths among foreign nationals working for the Pentagon to our formula. Costs of War researchers then estimated that 8,000 contractors had been killed in our wars in the Middle East as of 2019, or about 1,000 more than the U.S. troops who died during the same period.

Social scientists Ori Swed and Thomas Crosbie have tried to extrapolate from reported contractor deaths in order to paint a picture of who they were while still alive. They believe that most of them were white veterans in their forties; many were former Special Forces operatives and a number of former officers with college degrees).

Limited Choices for Veterans

How do people of relative racial, economic, and gendered privilege end up in positions that, while well-paid, are even more precarious than being in the armed forces? As a therapist serving military families and as a military spouse, I would say that the path to security contracting reflects a deep cultural divide in our society between military and civilian life. Although veteran unemployment rates are marginally lower than those in the civilian population, many of them tend to seek out what they know best and that means military training, staffing, weapons production  and, for some, combat.

I recently spoke with one Marine infantry veteran who had completed four combat tours. He told me that, after leaving the service, he lacked a community that understood what he had been through. He sought to avoid social isolation by getting a government job. However, after applying for several in law enforcement agencies, he failed lie detector tests (owing to the common stress reactions of war-traumatized veterans). Having accidentally stumbled on a veteran-support nonprofit group, he ultimately found connections that led him to decide to return to school and retrain in a new profession. But, as he pointed out, many of my other friends from the Marines numbed their pain with drugs or by going back to war as security contractors.

Not everyone views contracting as a strategy of last resort. Still, I find it revealing of the limited sense of possibility such veterans experience that the top five companies employing them are large corporations servicing the Department of Defense through activities like information technology support, weapons production, or offers of personnel, both armed and not.

The Corporate Wounded

And keep in mind that such jobs are anything but easy. Many veterans find themselves facing yet more of the same  quick, successive combat deployments as contractors.

Anyone in this era of insurance mega-corporations who has ever had to battle for coverage is aware that doing so isnt easy. Private insurers can maximize their profits by holding onto premium payments as long as possible while denying covered services.

A federal law called the Defense Base Act (1941) (DBA) requires that corporations fund workers compensation claims for their employees laboring under U.S. contracts, regardless of their nationalities, with the taxpayer footing the bill. The program grew exponentially after the start of the war on terror, but insurance companies have not consistently met their obligations under the law. In 2008, a joint investigation by the Los Angeles Times and ProPublica found that insurers like Chicago-based CAN Financial Corps were earning up to 50% profits on some of their war-zone policies, while many employees of contractors lacked adequate care and compensation for their injuries.

Even after Congress called on the Pentagon and the Department of Labor to better enforce the DBA in 2011, some companies continued to operate with impunity visavis their own workers, sometimes even failing to purchase insurance for them or refusing to help them file claims as required by law. While insurance companies made tens of millions of dollars in profits during the second decade of the war on terror, between 2009 and 2021, the Department of Labor fined insurers of those contracting corporations a total of only $3,250 for failing to report DBA claims.

Privatizing Foreign Policy

At its core, the war on terror sought to create an image of the U.S. abroad as a beacon of democracy and the rule of law. Yet there is probably no better evidence of how poorly this worked in practice at home and abroad than the little noted (mis)use of security contractors. Without their ever truly being seen, they prolonged that global set of conflicts, inflicting damage on other societies and being damaged themselves in Americas name. Last month, the Costs of War Project reported that the U.S. is now using subcontractors Bancroft Global Development and Pacific Architects and Engineers to train the Somali National Army in its counterterrorism efforts. Meanwhile, the U.S. intervention there has only helped precipitate a further rise in terrorist attacks in the region.

The global presence created by such contractors also manifests itself in how we respond to threats to their lives. In March 2023, a self-destructing drone exploded at a U.S. maintenance facility on a coalition base in northeastern Syria, killing a contractor employed by the Pentagon and injuring another, while wounding five American soldiers. After that drone was found to be of Iranian origin, President Biden ordered an air strike on facilities in Syria used by Iranian-allied forces. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, No group will strike our troops with impunity. While he later expressed condolences to the family of the contractor who was the only one killed in that attack, his statement could have more explicitly acknowledged that contractors are even more numerous than troops among the dead from our forever wars.

In late December 2019, a contractor working as an interpreter on a U.S. military base in Iraq was killed by rockets fired by an Iranian-backed militia. Shortly afterward, then-President Trump ordered an air strike that killed the commander of an elite Iranian military unit, sparking concern about a dangerous escalation with that country. Trump later tweeted, Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will.

I cant believe Im saying this, but Trumps tweet was more honest than Austins official statement: such contractors are now an essential part of Americas increasingly privatized wars and will continue to be so, in seemingly ever greater numbers. Even though retaliating for attacks on their lives has little to do with effective counterterrorism (as the Costs of War Project has long made clear), bearing witness to war casualties in all their grim diversity is the least the rest of us can do as American citizens. Because how can we know whether  and for whom  our shadowy, shape-shifting wars work if we continue to let our leaders wage an increasingly privatized version of them in ways meant to obscure our view of the carnage theyve caused?

Andrea Mazzarino, co-founded Brown Universitys Costs of War Project.
The former Archbishop of York has been told to step down from active ministry after a review found he failed to act on a victims disclosure of historic child sex abuse by a priest.

Lord Sentamu has stood back from his role as an honorary assistant bishop in the diocese of Newcastle until both the findings and his response can be explored further.

He rejected the findings of a review which found he failed to act when Rev Matthew Ineson told him he had been abused by the late Rev Trevor Devamanikkam in Bradford in the 1980s.

Mr Ineson, who was 16 at the time of the abuse and later became a vicar, told the church about it 10 years ago.

He has waived his legal right to anonymity.

Bishop Joanne Grenfell, safeguarding lead for the House of Bishops, said it should be ashamed that it let down a vulnerable child in its care who was abused by someone in a position of trust.

In a statement released on Saturday, the diocese of Newcastle said the findings required Lord Sentamu, honorary assistant bishop in Newcastle diocese, to step back from active ministry until both the findings and his response can be explored further.

It added: The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is fully supportive of this decision.

The diocese of Newcastle remains committed to the highest standards of safeguarding which seeks always to place victims and survivors at the heart of this vital work.

Devamanikkam was charged with six serious sexual offences in May 2017, all relating to the survivor.

He was found dead at his flat after killing himself before he was due to appear in court.

While he was not convicted, reviewer Jane Humphreys, a senior social care consultant, said she can confirm the survivor was sexually abused by Trevor Devamanikkam.

The review, commissioned by the national safeguarding team of the Church of England, said clergy failed to act on the victims disclosures and he was not supported to refer the disclosures to the police, nor provided with pastoral care and support at the time.

It found Rev Ineson had sent a June 2013 letter to the then Bishop of Sheffield in which he disclosed the historical abuse he had suffered, and copied it to the then Archbishop of York.

In it, the victim said he had already disclosed the abuse twice to the Bishop of Sheffield but the bishop had not acted on this.

The review said the then Archbishop of York had replied to acknowledge the communication, adding: Please be assured of my prayers and best wishes during this testing time.

It found the then Archbishop of York should have sought advice from his diocesan safeguarding adviser at the time on how to proceed with the letter he had received.

The then Archbishop of York said he had believed he had no authority to act on the matter and the letter was not a disclosure to him as he was only copied in.

But the reviewer said no Church law excuses the responsibility of individuals not to act on matters of a safeguarding nature.

Lord Sentamu rejected the findings, insisting there had been a fundamental misunderstanding on (the reviewers) part of the jurisdictional, pastoral and legal responsibilities of diocesan bishops and archbishops in the Church of England.

He added that the safeguarding matter had been in the Diocese of Sheffield and therefore not for the diocesan safeguarding adviser for York diocese.

Lord Sentamu said he had told the review what he told the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) when it considered the matter  namely that the action following a disclosure to the bishop of Sheffield was his and his alone in line with established safeguarding procedures and guidelines.

He added: I acted within the agreed procedures, rules and practice guidance on safeguarding, set by the House of Bishops and the clergy discipline measure.

Safeguarding is very important but it does not trump Church Law (which is part of the Common Law of England).

The law is not susceptible to be used as an excuse for exercising the role given to an archbishop.

Church Law sets the boundaries for diocesan bishops and archbishops.

Lord Sentamu has been contacted for comment since stepping down.
Last years Ukrainian Eurovision winners have invited the Princess of Wales to tour with them after she played the piano during the opening performance of this years contest.

Kate played a pre-recorded instrumental piece, created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, during a performance by Kalush Orchestra.

The hip-hop folk band congratulated the princess on her impressive piano skills and thanked her for joining them, saying it highlighted the depth of support the UK had for the war-torn country.

The band said in a statement: We want to thank HRH Princess of Wales for joining us for our performance.

It shows the depth of support the UK has for Ukraine and helps us highlight to the world what our country is going through.

It also shows impressive piano skills and we would be definitely like to invite her to tour with us if she would like to pursue a new career in a hip-hop folk band?!

The opening film showed Kalush Orchestra performing last years winning entry Stefania from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in the heart of Ukraines capital Kyiv.

A #Eurovision surprise  A pleasure to join Kalush Orchestra in a special performance of last year's winning @eurovision entry. Enjoy the show, Liverpool  pic.twitter.com/y4WDuWvOvb  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 13, 2023

It also included contributions from Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.

The princess wore a blue Jenny Packham dress and earrings which belonged to the late Queen during the 10-second clip, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month.

The princess, who has grade three piano and grade five theory, previously accompanied pop star Tom Walker on piano while he sang his previously unheard Christmas song For Those Who Cant Be Here during a carol service she hosted at Westminster Abbey in 2021.

The service, which was broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve that year, paid tribute to the work of inspirational people who had served their communities during the pandemic.

Walker later revealed that the duet had left his mother in floods of tears.
Merseyside Police has thanked those who headed to Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The force announced more than half a million people had been in the city over a nine-day period, confirming it was its biggest policing operation to date.

During a host of Eurovision events that took place in the city, just three people were arrested for public order offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, drugs possession and assault.

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: Liverpool really has shown the world how to throw a fantastic party.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited the city  from across the Merseyside city region, the UK and the whole of Europe  during the nine days for enjoying themselves safely and responsibly and also for positively engaging with our officers on the ground.

THANKS| We have today, Sunday, thanked everyone who worked, visited and supported this year's #Eurovision event in #Liverpool. The nine-day event, which saw in excess of half a million people descend on the city, passed off safely with just three arrests. https://t.co/VpiOvoPdVc pic.twitter.com/haXEdELG6O  Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 14, 2023

I would also like to thank all the officers and staff, including mutual aid officers from other forces, who were responsible for keeping people safe during the event and for our partners, including Liverpool City Council, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, HM Coastguard, FGH Security, Merseytravel and Merseyrail who worked alongside us to organise and staff this fantastic event.

There were a number of Eurovision events, which were held simultaneously on multiple sites across the city, and very well attended by thousands of people including families and children.

Eurovision is the biggest policing operation Merseyside Police has ever done, but we had a robust policing plan in place for this event and we spent a number of months planning with partners to ensure it went ahead smoothly.

I am delighted that the majority of people who came to Liverpool were able to safely enjoy the music and the fantastic atmosphere that this city brings to an event of this type.
Political commentators Marina Purkiss (left) and Jemma Forte are facing a backlash after modelling a controversial T-shirt. (Twitter/@jemmaforte/THTC)

Two political commentators are facing a backlash after posing together with T-shirts bearing the message: "Save the badgers... cull the Tories".

Jemma Forte and Marina Purkiss showed off the tops in a now-deleted Twitter post that has attracted criticism in light of the murders of Tory MP Sir David Amess and Labour MP Jo Cox.

However, both Forte and Purkiss and the company behind the T-shirt have insisted the slogan does not advocate violence and is about removing the Conservative Party from power.

Read more: Brexit thwarted Putin in Ukraine and is easing cost of living crisis, Rees-Mogg claims

Still, it was enough to cause upset online.

Nile Gardiner, a former aide to Margaret Thatcher, wrote on Twitter: "The left are full of hate. Latest example: 'Cull the Tories'."

Another Twitter user added: "My husband's best friend was Sir David Amess [who] was stabbed to death 21 times for being a Tory MP. This is sick, not funny and quite frankly pathetic."

Following the murder of Tory MP David Amess, some thought these T-shirts were too close to the bone. (Twitter/@jemmaforte/@xraygal245)

Labour MP Chris Bryant wrote on Twitter: "Two MPs have been killed, another faced a plot to kill her, many face regular death threats.

"I don't think talk of 'culling' helps make the UK a better place. Please find another way of making your point."

Others were, however, quick to point out a video clip from last year of Bryant in the House of Commons calling for a "cull of Tory ministers" from government.

Sir David Amess, who was an MP for nearly 40 years, was stabbed during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021.

Read more: Suella Braverman accused of breaching barristers' code over 'racist' language

It followed the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox, an ardent Remainer who was shot and stabbed multiple times by a far-right extremist just days before the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Both incidents raised concerns about the level of protection made available to MPs, with members now given more 'bespoke' security arrangements following a parliamentary review.

In her now-deleted post, Jemma Forte wrote: "Me and @MarinaPurkiss are loving these oh so satirical T-shirts from @THTCCLOTHING", adding that 50% of proceeds would go to London rough sleeping charity ShowerBox.

The writer and podcaster and regular on The Jeremy Vine Show later tweeted: "I've deleted a pic of myself & @marinapurkiss.

"Our intention was to highlight a company who donate to great charities BUT words matter & enough ppl have expressed upset for us to realise we've got this one wrong."

A tribute to Amess in St Peters Catholic Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, after the long-serving MP was stabbed to death in his own constituency surgery. (AP)

She pointed to a news headline about Tory MPs demanding a "cabinet cull" during the turbulent final few months of Boris Johnson's government.

The T-shirt's makers, "environmentally, socially and economically sustainable" clothing brand THTC, also went to lengths to explain what they meant by "cull".

Read more: Britain's youngest pub landlord is barely old enough to drink at just 18

A listing for the T-shirt on its site says: "The term cull means to examine (a collection or group) in order to select desired parts or, esp., to discard or destroy unwanted parts or to reject something as not being up to standard.

"Much like the voters in the recently elections when they turned their backs on the current government.

"We absolutely do not condone or promote the use of violence in any form. We do, however, stand up against violent and racist language and policies, including the anti-immigration bill proposed by Suella Braverman."

Ive deleted a pic of myself & @marinapurkiss



Our intention was to highlight a company who donate to great charities BUT words matter & enough ppl have expressed upset for us to realise weve got this one wrong.



Though obvs we meant cull in the same way this headline does pic.twitter.com/rwcDZ5ysGD  Jemma Forte (@jemmaforte) May 14, 2023

Calista Toner, president of the Glasgow University Conservatives, said: "Context is key. There'a a major difference between a 'cabinet cull' and the suggestion it's better to 'cull' Tories instead of badgers. Recognise wrongdoing. Don't explain it away."

However, many people said it should be obvious that the meaning isn't a violent one and simply calls for the Conservatives to be voted out of power.

Read more: People smuggler jailed after bolting four teens in 'coffin-like' van roof

"People's minds tend to go straight to what they want to read... which often tells you a lot about the kind of person they are," one defender wrote.

Another added: "Overly sensitive. We all know a cull of workforce isnt literal killing. Its a play on words from literal killing of badgers to the figurative cull of Tories."

"Nah, it's fair satire. It says 'Cull the Tories' not 'Cull Tory MPs', it's talking about ending the party," another wrote.

Watch: The moment Islamic State fanatic Ali Harbi admits to murdering David Amess
Rishi Sunak is facing a barrage of criticism from within his own party, as Tory ranks expressed anger at the local election results and the decision to scale back post-Brexit plans to scrap EU laws.

As some MPs appealed for unity and cautioned against division, others gathered in Bournemouth for the first conference of the Conservative Democratic Organisation where Mr Sunak and the party leadership were the subject of stinging criticism.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among those who joined in the criticism at the event, organised by some of the most vocal backers of Boris Johnson.

It matters to us at the party grassroots but it also is important to reflect that colleagues in Westminster, by making the changes that took place last year, have also turned their back on the membership and effectively broken that golden thread in terms of the democracy from the bottom of the party right up to the top.

And we have to rebuild that, Ms Patel warned the Prime Minister.

If the centre of the party spent more time with us, listening, engaging, then I think its fair to say we would not have seen over 1,000 of our friends and colleagues even lose their seats in recent local elections and dozens of councils fall out of Conservative control.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure from sone backbench MPs on the right of the party (Ben Birchall/PA)

The conference topped off a week that saw Brexit-backing MPs angered by decision to revoke around 600 retained EU laws, rather than the 4,000 pledged.

The Government had originally promised a sunset clause on all laws carried over from the trade bloc by the end of 2023 under its Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

That anger showed little sign of dissipating on Sunday, as MPs hit out at Mr Sunak.

Writing in the Telegraph, Brexiteer Sir William Cash called on the Government to change course.

The unelected Lords should not be used to radically change legislation already passed with a big majority in the elected House of Commons.

Nor should the Commons own specialist committee be bypassed in this arrogant way, he warned Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Mr Sunak used an interview in The Mail On Sunday to stress his Brexit credentials, saying: I voted for Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit, I believe in Brexit and when I was chancellor I started to deliver some benefits of Brexit.

Others in the party appealed for unity.

Conservative chairman of the Defence Committee Tobias Ellwood criticised party colleagues for stoking divisions and warned that a drag anchor of a right-wing caucus is in our ranks, and it has already written off any prospects of victory in 2024.

Elsewhere, after a speech in central London, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer took the chance to take aim at Mr Sunak over the splits within the Conservatives.

I have always said that among Sunaks weaknesses is that he didnt actually win a race to be leader of his party. The problem that gives him is that he doesnt have a mandate for change, he told an audience of supporters.

The Tory party has been a divided party for a very long time.
The Conservative Party is buzzing with ideas, Grant Shapps has said, as he played down suggestions of unrest within Tory ranks amid the fallout from the local elections.

Rishi Sunak has faced a barrage of criticism over the weekend from within his own party, with anger from Conservative MPs and the grassroots about the loss of nearly 1,000 councillors and the decision to scale back post-Brexit plans to scrap EU laws.

A gathering in Bournemouth for the first conference of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) saw Mr Sunak and the party leadership subject to some stinging criticism, while later this week Suella Braverman, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg will all address a National Conservatism Conference.

Energy Secretary Mr Shapps, who toured broadcast studios on Sunday morning, rejected suggestions that such gatherings are a sign of turmoil in the party as claimed the mood within the Conservatives is one of steely determination.

He said: I think this is a party that still, after years in government and despite having to put up with things like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and all the costs attached to it, is actually buzzing with ideas. Were able to get together and were able to hold conferences, and have different ideas come forward.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among those who joined in the criticism of Mr Sunak at the CDO event, organised by some of the most vocal backers of Boris Johnson.

Mr Shapps said: I dont have to agree with everything that everybody says to welcome the very fundamental fact that were still the party coming up with new ideas, with a vision for the United Kingdom, and I think that is a good thing.

He also said it was not a shocking revelation that Mr Johnson  who sent a video message to members in Bournemouth  might be applauded by Tory members.

The conference topped off a week that saw Brexit-backing MPs angered by a decision to revoke around 600 retained EU laws, rather than the 4,000 pledged.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said the Tories are still coming up with new ideas (Belinda Jiao/PA)

The Government had originally promised a sunset clause on all laws carried over from the trade bloc by the end of 2023 under its Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

That anger showed little sign of dissipating on Sunday, as MPs hit out at Mr Sunak.

Writing in the Telegraph, Brexiteer Sir William Cash called on the Government to change course.

The unelected Lords should not be used to radically change legislation already passed with a big majority in the elected House of Commons.

Nor should the Commons own specialist committee be bypassed in this arrogant way, he warned Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure from sone backbench MPs on the right of the party (Ben Birchall/PA)

Mr Sunak used an interview in The Mail On Sunday to stress his Brexit credentials, saying: I voted for Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit, I believe in Brexit, and when I was chancellor I started to deliver some benefits of Brexit.

Mr Shapps defended Ms Badenoch and played down the prospect of splits among ministers over the decision.

He told Sky News: Were now several months on from when I was business secretary and looking after this process. So more of the laws will have been uncovered because that was the work that was going on.

I have every confidence the current business secretary is looking at the plethora of these laws that are left, shes going to have more than 2,000 scrapped by the end of the year. She just announced another 600, I think shes doing this the right way.

While Mr Sunak and Conservative Party headquarters faced criticism at the conference in Bournemouth, Ms Patel and Mr Rees-Mogg  both backers of Mr Johnson  stopped short of suggesting the former PM should make a return.

Mr Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, said it was a mistake to get rid of Mr Johnson but he claimed that deposing Mr Sunak would be an even bigger mistake.

He added: The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy.
As Stephanie Drenka celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in a Dallas park, she was also feeling a bit anxious.

She looked around Sammons Park, which on May 6 was filled with traditional Asian dance performances and demonstrations. Drenka thought to herself that the event would make an easy target for someone looking to attack a large group of Asian American and Pacific Islander families.

On the same day, just a suburb away, a gunman parked his car outside a mall in Allen, pulled out an AR-15 and started to shoot into the crowd of shoppers.

Authorities have not officially determined a motive for the May 6 attack that killed eight people, but are examining it as a possible hate crime due to the gunmans neo-Nazi and racist content on social media as an indicator that he was targeting people of color.

The gunman made hate-filled posts about women, Jewish people and Black people and shared a picture of two tattoos he had, one of a swastika on the left side of his chest and one of the Nazi SS on his right upper arm.

Out of the eight people killed, four were of Asian descent. Among the seven people injured in the shooting are a 6-year-old Korean-American boy whose parents and brother were killed, and a man from India whose friend was killed. At least one injured victim is Black. At least four victims were Hispanic, as was the shooter. In one of gunman Mauricio Garcias social media posts, the Associated Press reported, he shared a meme of a Latino child at a fork in a road, with one direction labeled act black and the other become a white supremacist.

I think Ill take my chances with the white supremacist, the shooter wrote.

A screenshot from the social media site Odnoklassniki shows Mauricio Garcias tattoos, including a swastika. Police say Garcia shot 15 people, killing eight, at the Allen Premium Outlets mall on May 6, 2023.

Living in fear

Allen is about 20% Asian American or Pacific Islander, and Collin County has one of the fastest-growing Asian-American populations in Texas. The Allen Premium Outlets mall that the gunman targeted attracts a large number of shoppers who are Asian American or Pacific Islander, the Texas Tribune reported.

It is especially alarming to find that the gunman had posted pictures of handwritten diary pages targeting Asian men and women, the Ka:ll Community Dinner Church, an AAPI community group in Dallas, said in a statement about the shooting. Out of the eight people who were killed, four were of Asian descent, and it was not by accident.

To Drenka, who is the co-founder and executive director of the Dallas Asian American Historical Society, the shooting was an example of increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Weve been living in fear, I would say for several years now, she said. And that is continually being compounded by further acts of violence.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders especially have increasingly been the target of discrimination and hate crimes, according to the FBI. As the pandemic hit the U.S., people of Asian descent became a scapegoat for COVID-19, and some national leaders pushed anti-Asian rhetoric.

Because we are outsiders and easy to target for that scapegoating, Drenka said. When you layer on the neo-Nazism, its a perfect storm for racial violence.

A social media post shows Mauricio Garcia scouted the Allen, Texas, mall to see when it was busiest while planning his mass shooting.

History of violence

North Texas itself is no stranger to racial violence. In 1921, a Fort Worth mob lynched Fred Rouse in the only documented lynching of a Black person in the citys history. In the 1920s, Dallas may have had the largest KKK chapter in the world. The large Asian-American population in Allen is in itself a result of racism in DFW, Drenka said, as many Asian-American communities and other people of color were pushed out of Dallas over the decades and found homes in the suburbs.

While dark, the racism in Texas history must be acknowledged, said Jerry Hawkins, the executive director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Ignoring the context creates an environment where these things are erased from our memory, he said.

And that is a dangerous, dangerous sentiment, Hawkins said. It creates the ability for people to create new narratives of being replaced by people of color.

More recently, in August 2019, Patrick Crusius, who coincidentally lived in Allen, drove to El Paso, where he shot and killed 23 people at a Walmart. He said in a social media post prior to the attack that it was a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.

Both Crusius and Mauricio Garcias social media posts centered around white nationalist views. Dallas-Fort Worth has increasingly become a hotbed for such extremism, according to data from the FBI and the Anti-Defamation League.

Patriot Front, a far-right group led by a Coppell native, was responsible for nearly 80% of all white supremacist propaganda in 2020, according to the ADL.

In a January 2020 Texas Department of Public Safety memo, the agency warned that White Racially Motivated terrorism attacks were the most violently active domestic terrorism type in the country. The memo specifically mentioned the El Paso shooting.

Of the more than 1,000 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, at least 28 are from North Texas, according to an analysis of FBI data. In the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol, the FBI Dallas Field Office warned North Texas law enforcement that the boogaloos, a far-right militia group, could expand in the Dallas-Fort Worth area due to the presence of existing anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists. In June 2022, of the 31 white nationalists arrested at a gay pride event in Idaho, seven were from North Texas.

You could go on and on with the existence of white nationalism here, and the threat that it poses to us domestically here, Hawkins said.

A photo uploaded to Mauricio Garcias social media account in April shows the vest with a Right Wing Death Squad patch that authorities say he was wearing when he shot 15 people on May 6, 2023, at the Allen Premium Outlets mall.

Demand for action

After the shooting, Drenka said she and others in communities of color are anxious about hosting other events.

Were seeing such a lack of response from law enforcement that we dont feel confident that other people who might share the ideologies of the shooter wouldnt try to do something similar, she said.

She hopes authorities will thoroughly investigate the motives of Garcia  who was killed by a police officer minutes after his attack began  and denounce his white supremacy. As crimes motivated by bias increase in Texas and the nation, political leaders and law enforcement should send an equally strong message back that such hate will not be tolerated, she said.

Hawkins encouraged people to educate themselves about the history of racism in Texas and for elected officials to create platforms of learning, togetherness and healing and also truth telling.

We have so much work to do when it comes to the work of racial equity, racial healing and racial justice, he said. And that is something that our community members ... our elected officials need to take very seriously.

In response to the shooting in Allen, the Stop AAPI Hate coalition said in a statement the tragedy was yet another reminder of the dangerous consequences of hate and bigotry.

The ongoing normalization and amplification of white supremacy and far-right extremism poses a growing threat to communities of all stripes across the nation, and inaction on this issue continues to destroy lives, the group said.
Donald Trumps decision to cancel a rally Saturday evening in Iowa is already being picked apart by his rivals.

The former president was set to speak over the weekend in Des Moines but abruptly cancelled his plans shortly before his departure from Mar-a-Lago, citing weather concerns. The county fell under a tornado watch Saturday evening as heavy thunderstorms rocked parts of the country.

But Iowa was spared from the brunt of the storms, which instead caused damage in Oklahoma and Kansas. And to make matters worse for the former president, his likely 2024 rival continued to hold events in and around the city that night, even remarking on how nice the weather was.

On Sunday, a Republican commentator on CNN speculated that Mr Trumps real reasoning for cancelling the rally had been a fear of Mr DeSantis overshadowing him with a larger crowd size.

Some people say it was because of the weather. Other people say it was because he wasn't able to draw a big crowd. I don't know what the truth is, said Scott Jennings, a former official with the second Bush White House.

GOP strategist Scott Jennings suggests Trump may have canceled Iowa rally die to small crowd size Some people say it was because of the weather. Other people say it was because he wasn't able to draw a big crowd. I don't know what the truth is. pic.twitter.com/uTApmMlZnR  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 14, 2023

Mr Trumps rivals are keen to spot any hint of weakness in the ex-presidents support base as they charge into the 2024 primary with no real indication, at least so far, that he will be unseated as the de facto leader of their party. Mr Trump continues to enjoy a wide polling lead over all his likely and announced challengers, including Mr DeSantis who remains the only Republican polling in the double digits other than the former president himself.

That polling threshold cleared by the Florida governor has earned him the clear ire of the former president, who has spent months attempting to bain Mr DeSantis into an all-out political brawl. He has loudly insisted in numerous interviews and other appearances that Mr DeSantis came begging for his endorsement in 2018 and would not have been re-elected (or won the first time) without his support.

Those claims are likely overblown. While Mr DeSantis did win a narrow victory in 2018, he coasted to reelection in 2022 while Republicans across Florida saw similar success.

Comparatively, on the national stage, candidates who were more vocally aligned with Mr Trump and his false claims about the 2020 election tended to underperform their GOP colleagues in many crucial midterm contests.
A Guatemalan mother and child are reunited in Maryland in June 2018 after they were separated at the U.S. border. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

If Donald Trump had promised during his first presidential campaign to rip children away from their parents in order to deter Mexican and Latin American families from trying to cross into the United States, people would have probably laughed it off as hyperbole.

Take him seriously, said his fans, dont take him literally.

We know how that turned out.

Still, it was shocking to hear Trump tell Kaitlan Collins during CNNs abysmal town hall last week that if he were reelected he would consider reinstituting the practice.

When you have that policy, people dont come, Trump said. If a family hears that theyre going to be separated  they love their family  they dont come. I know it sounds harsh. ... We have to save our country.

Not just harsh. It is cruel, inhumane and, in my view, criminal.

There is no moral justification for terrorizing children and their parents, for inflicting lifelong emotional damage on people who are, for the most part, fleeing violence and poverty and trying to make better lives for themselves and their children.

What is the American dream if not that?

Trumps careless willingness to emotionally torture families is just one of myriad reasons we cannot allow him anywhere near the White House again.

I didnt really want to spend Mothers Day thinking or writing about Trump.

I wanted to write about the extraordinary bonds between mothers and children. This is no knock on fathers, believe me. But there is a reason that fairy tales  stories that get at our most profound fears of loss and abandonment  so often involve the absence of a mother. That is a primal wound. And its not just fairy tales. All of the novels Ive read lately explore the resonant theme of mother loss.

Two of them, The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan, and Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng, take place in dystopian American societies where children are used as cudgels against their parents  in this case, mothers.

In Chans novel, an overwhelmed, sleep-deprived single mother whose husband has left her for his younger mistress is sent away to a kind of reeducation camp for having left her baby girl alone for a couple hours. She is held to impossible standards and forced to undergo bizarre parenting tests with a robot child, and her future as a state-approved mother does not look bright.

In Ngs novel, a politically rebellious Chinese American poet is forced to abandon her young son and leave him to be raised by her husband in order to thwart the xenophobic authorities who can legally remove children from parents not deemed patriotic enough. Her son sets out on a risky journey to find her.

The ache I felt reading both of them was, I think, not just tied to the injustice of forcing children and mothers to suffer painful separations for no good reason, but to the severe punishment of mothers for minor infractions.

Mothers are burdened by so many harsh expectations, perhaps most dangerously that a good one will sacrifice everything for her child.

Im certain I bought into that trope as a young woman; otherwise I probably would not have been quite so aghast at the actions of the fictional Joanna Kramer, played by Meryl Streep in the hit 1979 movie Kramer vs. Kramer.

Rather than stay in a stultifying marriage with her workaholic husband, Ted, Joanna abandons him and their young son, Billy. She is so beaten down that she convinces herself its in Billys best interest for her to leave.

At the time, I found her decision horrifying. I guess, on some level, I still do.

A year and a half later, Joanna comes back and sues for custody. In that time, Ted, who at first didnt even know what grade his kid was in, has mastered single parenthood. In a stark example of how the culture and courts so often undervalue fathers, Joanna is awarded custody of the boy. To her credit, she decides to share it with Ted. A happy ending, more or less, and perhaps one of the few times a mom is not punished for having left her child.

Its one kind of sin when a parent abandons a child but quite another when the government purposefully separates a child from parents, with no apparent intention or process to reunite them, for patently cynical political reasons.

The other day, I sat down to reread Caitlin Dickersons Pulitzer Prize-winning 2022 Atlantic magazine investigation into the Trump administration's family separation policy.

It is hard to believe we live in a country where federal officials would deliberately scheme to reduce immigration by wrenching children from their parents. Trump officials must have anticipated how the world would react because they tried to conceal the programs real aim.

As Dickerson writes, the administration declared that separating families was not the goal of the policy, but an unfortunate result of prosecuting parents who crossed the border illegally with their children. Yet a mountain of evidence shows that this is explicitly false: Separating children was not just a side effect, but the intent. Instead of working to reunify families after parents were prosecuted, officials worked to keep them apart for longer.

The family separation policy was in effect from January 2017 to January 2021. As of February, the Department of Homeland Security had identified 3,924 separated children. Nearly 3,000 of them have been reunified with their families. Six years after the policy went into effect, almost 1,000 have not. That's an eternity in a child's life.

Can you imagine the trauma of living with a mother-sized hole in your heart and learning it is there because you were used as a pawn in a failed political game?

Trump was right about one thing the other night. We do have to save our country. Not from immigrants, though. From demagogues like him.

@robinkabcarian





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Remember Putin: We havent even started anything yet.

By Pepe Escobar

Whispers of an evil power were heard in lines at dairy shops, in streetcars, stores, apartments, kitchens, suburban and long-distance trains, at stations large and small, in dachas, and on beaches. Needless to say, truly mature and cultured people did not tell these stories about an evil powers visit to the capital. In fact they even made fun of them and tried to talk sense into those who told them.

Mikhail Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita

May 14, 2023: Information Clearing House -- To quote Dylan, who might have been a Bulgakov epigone: So let us stop talking falsely now/the hours getting late. By now its quite clear the delusion of a peace deal in Ukraine is the latest wet dream of the non-agreement capable usual suspects, always hooked on lies and plunder while deftly manipulating selected liberals among the Russian elite.

The goal would be to appease Moscow with a few concessions, while crucially keeping Odessa, Nikolaev and Dnipro, and safeguarding what would be NATOs access to the Black Sea.

All that while investing in rabid, resentful Poland to become an armed to the teeth EU military militia.

So any negotiations towards peace in fact mask a drive to postpone  just for a little while  the original masterplan: dismembering and destroying Russia.

There are very serious discussions in Moscow, even at the highest levels, on how the elite is really positioned. Rougly three groups can be identified: the Victory party; the Peace party  which Victory would describe as surrenders; and the Neutral/Undecided.

Victory certainly includes crucial actors such as Dmitry Medvedev; Rosnefts Igor Sechin; Foreign Minister Lavrov; Nikolai Patrushev; head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Aleksandr Bastrykin; and  even under fire  certainly Defense Minister Shoigu.

Get Our Free Newsletter

Peace would include, among others, the head of Telegram, Pavel Durov; billionaire entrepreneur Andrey Melnichenko; metal/mining czar Alisher Usmanov (born in Uzbekistan); and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Neutral/Undecided would include Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin; mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin; Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, Anton Vaino; First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential administration and media czar, Alexey Gromov; Sberbanks CEO Herman Gref; Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller; and  special bone of contention  perhaps FSB supremo Alexander Bortnikov.

Its fair to argue the third group represents the elite majority. This means they heavily influence the entire course of the Special Military Operation (SMO), which by now has metastasized into an Anti-Terror Operation (ATO).

The counter-offensive fog of war

These different Russian views at the very top predictably elicit frantic speculation among US and NATO Think Tankland. Hostages of their own excitement, they even forget what anyone with an IQ over room temperature is aware of: Kiev  stuffed with $30 billion in NATO weaponry  may come up with less than zero effects out of its much lauded counter-offensive. Russian forces are more than prepared, and Ukraine lacks the surprise element.

Collective West hacks, after feverish head scratching, finally discovered that Kiev needs to go for a combined arms operation to get something out of its new deluge of NATO toys.

John Cleese has noted how the coronation of Charles The Tampax King looked like a Monty Python sketch. Now try this one as a sequel: the Hegemon cannot even pay its trillions in debt while Kiev P.R. goons complain that the $30 billion they got is peanuts.

On the Russian front, the indispensable Andrei Martyanov  a maelstrom of wit  has observed how most alarmed Russian military correspondents simply have no idea what type and volume of combat information is pouring to the command posts in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don or staffs of frontline formations.

He stresses that no serious operational level officer will even talk to these guys, joyfully described as voenkurva (roughly, military bitches), and simply will not divulge any kind of operational data which is highly classified.

So, as it stands, all the sound and fury about the counter-offensive is shrouded by a thick fog of war.

And that only serves to add more fuel to the fire of US Think Tankland wishful thinking. The new dominant narrative in the Beltway is that the leadership in Moscow is fragmented and unpredictable. And that may be leading to a conventional defeat of a major nuclear power whose command-and-control system broke down.

Yes: they actually believe in their own silly (copyright John Cleese) propaganda. They are the American equivalent of the Ministry of Silly Walks. Incapable of analyzing why and how the Russian elite holds different views on the method and the extent of the SMO/ATO, the best they can come up with is protecting Ukraine is a strategic necessity, since the Russian threat increases if Moscow wins in Ukraine.

Whats behind Prighozins sound and fury

Trademark American arrogance/ignorance does not erase the fact there seems to be a serious power struggle among the siloviki. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a siloviki, in fact denounced Shoigu and Gerasimov as incompetent, implying they only keep their posts out of loyalty to President Putin.

This is as serious as it gets. Because its linked to a key question posed across several educated silos in Moscow: if Russia is widely known to be the strongest military power in the world with the most advanced defensive and offensive missiles, how come they have not wrapped up the whole deal in the Ukrainian battlefield?

A plausible answer is that only 200,000 members of the Russian army are currently fighting, and about 400,000 to 600,000 are waiting in reserve for the Ukraine attack. While they wait they are in constant training; so waiting works to Russias advantage.

Once the famous counter-offensive peters out, Ukraine will be hit with massive force. There will be no negotiated settlement. Only unconditional surrender.

What goin on right now  the Prigozhin drama  is subordinated to this logic, running in parallel to a quite sophisticated media operation.

Yes, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) made several serious mistakes, as well as other Russian institutions, since the start of the SMO. To criticize them in public, constructively, is a salutary exercise.

Prighozins tactics are a gem; he manipulates a degree of public outrage/indignation to put pressure on the MoD bureaucracy by essentially telling the truth. He could even go as far as naming names: officers who are abandoning different sectors of the frontlines. In contrast, his Wagner musicians are pictured as true heroes.

Whether Prigozhins sound and fury will be enough to fine tune the MoDs entrenched bureaucracy is an open question. Still, media coverage of the whole drama is essential; now that these problems are in the public domain, people will expect the MoD to act.

And by the way, this is the essential fact: Prighozin has been allowed (italics mine) to go as far as he wants by the Higher Power (the St. Petersburg connection). Otherwise he would be in a revamped-gulag by now.

So the next few weeks are absolutely crucial. Putin and the Security Council certainly know what everyone else doesnt  including Prighozin. The key take away is that the ground will start to be laid for US/NATO to eventually turn rump Ukraine, the Baltic lap dogs, rabid Poland and a few other extras into a sort of Fortress Eastern Europe engaged in a war of attrition against Russia with the potential to last decades.

That may be the ultimate argument for Russia to finally go for the jugular, as soon as possible. Otherwise the future will be bleak. Well, not so bleak. Remember Putin: We havent even started anything yet.
Being named after his father, Leon Jenkins III knew he had much to live up to. His father, Leon Jenkins Jr., was the blueprint for him of what a good man is, a provider and protector for those he loved.

Jenkins, a minister, musician and father of three, died on April 16 at 64 due to natural causes.

I will miss his words of wisdom and the comfort that I found in his words, says his son. I will miss the love he showed for us as a family and really just everyone he came in contact with, honestly.

Jenkins was a talented singer who played the guitar, bass and keyboard for the congregation he served at Victory Outreach Ministry.

We are all hanging in there and just trying to be there for each other and keeping each other encouraged through stories and memories we share of him, says his son.

He says the ministry brought his father from his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, to Kansas City to help establish Victory Outreach in 1999. His father fell in love with the city and stayed to raise his family.

He had a contagious smile and always had a positive word of encouragement. I think he inspired a lot of people to push harder than they would have on their own, his son says.

Leon Jenkins Jr., a minister, musician and father of three, died on April 16 at 64 due to natural causes.

His son, 30, a corrugation plant manager and part-time photographer and videographer, says that watching his father work hard gave him the mindset for success. Remembering his fathers entrepreneurial spirit, he says he learned the importance of finding a job you love. So when he chose to take up photography, he said that his father was one of his biggest supporters.

I grew up watching him start his own recording studio and a music production company, he says. He was really big on people gaining financial independence and get out of the rat race of working for somebody else.

He will always remember his fathers kindness.

He was very loving, caring and compassionate. He was always focused on helping out the next man in where they were trying to go, his son says.

I will miss the love he showed for us as a family and really just everyone he came in contact with, says son Leon Jenkins III.

The funeral for Jenkins was held on April 16 at Maywood Baptist Church; his son says it was more a celebration of life. Many people there spoke words of kindness and shared stories of Jenkins effect on their lives. Many of the musicians playing in the service were his former students.

It was a beautiful service, and to see the amount of people that turned up to a celebrate the life of my father showed me how much he meant to people, says his son. He was always so encouraging and supportive and he was always there for everyone.

Jenkins is survived by his wife, Frieda Jenkins; children Leon Jenkins III, Creneisha Jenkins and Carlin Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Other remembrances

Randolph Northern, U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 16. He was 85.







Randolph Northern

Randolph Northern, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 16. He was 85.

Northern was born March 28, 1938, to William Philmore and Ruthie Northern in Kansas City. One of eight children, Northern was called Randy by friends and family. He grew up viewing his father as a hard-working inspiration.

He graduated from Argentine High School in 1957 and attended Kansas City, Kansas, Community College before graduating from Emporia State Teachers College in 1970.

Northern served in the Air Force from 1960 until 1964, allowing him to travel extensively. He later traveled the country as a consultant for Camp Fire Inc.

He was known as the family historian and loved doing extensive genealogy research.

He is survived by his brother Ozell Northern and a host of nieces and nephews.

Louis Loche, a U.S. Army and postal worker, died May 3. He was 97.

Louis Loche Jr.

Louis Loche Jr, U.S. Army veteran and postal worker, died May 3. He was 97.

Loche was born Dec. 11, 1925, to Louis David Sr. and Laura Loche in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. He and his family relocated to Kansas City in the 1930s.

He graduated from R.T. Coles Vocational High School, where he studied building maintenance. He enlisted in the Army and served in World War II.

He then worked for the Postal Service the next 20-plus, years, rising through the ranks to become a management coordinator. He also served as the first president of the National Post Mail Handlers Union Local 297.

Loche married Murdis Dean in 1950, and they enjoyed a happy marriage for the next 62 years. Their one son, Jerry, died in infancy. They were lifetime members of the Church of God in Christ.
While the fiddle player sawed off the dizzy opening notes of Bob Wills Take Me Back to Tulsa on the stage in the back room, Charles Blagg was browsing the refreshments cooler up near the checkout counter.

It was a rainy Saturday night in April, and in a few hours, Blagg  78, with a white Stetson to match his mustache  would be driving not quite to Tulsa but to his home outside Nowata, Oklahoma, about 110 miles south. Hes made the four-hour round trip to The Mildred Store several times over the past few years.

The century-old general store hosts a country music dance on the third Saturday of each month that regularly draws hundreds from across the region to this southeast Kansas town of 17.

This is a rare type of place, Blagg said. No trouble, clean fun, and they got a good Western swing band, which is something I appreciate. Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Ray Price, George Jones, Loretta Lynn. Thats the real stuff. Coming here, its the way things used to be in towns like this.

Nineteen-year-old Alexa Fuhrman spins with a partner at the Saturday night dance in Mildred.

In the dance hall, surrounded by Wrangler-clad farmers two-stepping underneath a wagon-wheel chandelier, these Saturday-night shindigs feel like some long tradition here in Mildred. In fact, theyre a relatively new development. Regena and Loren Lance started hosting the shows shortly after they bought Charlie Browns Grocery nine years ago.

Married since 1984, they were raised in this part of the state: Regena just outside of town, Loren about 25 miles down the road in Stark. They remember when Charlie and Lucille Brown ran the place, back in the days when general stores bloomed like sunflowers across Kansas.

The store, which had been in operation since the 1940s, briefly closed in 2014. Charlie and Lucilles grandson, Michael, had been running the place while battling health issues as well as the larger economic trends  dwindling populations, the Walmart effect  that have made operating independent businesses in rural America so challenging.

Regena Lance bought The Mildred Store with her husband, Loren, in 2014.

We heard it was closing, and Im just settin there on the couch mulling it over, thinking about how I dont want to have to drive 30 miles into Iola or Garnett or Fort Scott for a dozen eggs, Regena said. And I said to him (Loren), Well, Im thinking about buying the store. And he said, Well, thats what I was just thinking.

Within a few months, Regena, a teacher, and Loren, a farmer, had second jobs as grocery store owners. There was work to do inside the tan-brick building: The shelves were nearly bare, much of the old equipment was faulty or inefficient, and many of the old regular customers had fallen off due to the stores inconsistent operating hours.

David Long of Topeka takes a break from the dance to browse The Mildred Stores soda pop aisle.

One of the first things the Lances did was tape their cellphone numbers to the front door; locals know they can call if they have an after-hours emergency in this sparsely populated part of the state. They also held an auction to unload the 99 years worth of antiques (or junk, depending on your point of view) that had accumulated in the former garage and feed store connected to the grocer.

We had two auctioneers going at the same time and 14 gooseneck trailers lined up out on the street, Loren said. There were old TVs, old stereos and VCRs, never-worn bib overalls, bathtubs of every color. A case of Billy Beer. An air compressor. You name it.

The Mildred Store, formerly known as Charlie Browns Grocery, was built in 1915.

Before long the space reclaimed its old-timey sparkle. Renamed The Mildred Store, it is a place to pop in for quick everyday staples like eggs, toilet paper or meat (which the Lances buy from Fanestil, an Emporia-based distributor). You can also find more specialty items here, like jams and jellies from the nearby Amish community; a bag of the special-recipe breading used by the former owners of the beloved Chicken Shack down the road in Moran; or a Belt Buster  sandwiches the size of softballs, piled high with over a pound of meat and cheese, wrapped in white paper towels  served at the deli counter at the back of the store. (At the Saturday night show in April, the evening special was pulled-pork sandwiches with chips for $7.99.)

Guests wait in line for the nights special: a pulled pork sandwich with chips for $7.99.

Back in the days when Charlie Browns grandson Michael ran the store, musicians from around the way would sometimes stop in. Loren was one. In the 80s and 90s, he played guitar in weekend country bands around southeast Kansas, in places like Burlington and Blue Mound. Michael was a John Prine type, Loren recalled, who was bashful about his playing but loved the chance to jam with fellow musicians.

Wed sit at the tables in the front when the store wasnt busy and youd have some farmers start singing, and of course I could play rhythm, Loren said.

Loren and Regena thought they might like to revive the spirit of those old sessions in a more structured atmosphere. Loren put a country band together and started hosting a few small shows inside, then moved the performances outside, then built a permanent stage in the old feed store and put in central air and heat. It is now a bona fide dance hall, albeit a rustic one, with wood fencing leaned up against the walls and seating courtesy of several rows of orange church pews purchased for $100 from a church in Mound City.

The view from the pews in the back of The Mildred Stores dance hall. The seating was purchased for $100 from a church in Mound City.

Its a six-piece band that plays that third Saturday of the month, though in April it was just five, owing to a death in a guitar players family. Loren handled rhythm guitar, lead vocals, backup harmonies and the occasional mandolin tune. Members of the band hail from surrounding towns, some close, others not. Lead guitarist Mike George came in from Humboldt, drummer Roger Bland from Gas City, bassist Esther Kennedy from Girard, and fiddle player Ricky Allen from Drexel, Missouri.

Theres no script, said Loren, whod swapped out his mesh farmers hat for a Stetson by the time he hit the stage. I usually couldnt tell you what were going to play till we get up there.

Loren Lance, co-owner of Mildred Store, handles lead vocals during the stores once-a-month country music shows.

That night, they cooked up a set list of country classics  George Jones The Race Is On, Brooks & Dunns Neon Moon, Merle Haggards Im a Lonesome Fugitive  to an audience whose home addresses were as varied as their ages. A half-dozen high-schoolers done up in crisp jeans and tucked-in flannels and cowboy hats kept bouncing off the pews to join retirement-age farmers and ranchers swaying gingerly on the dance floor.

Jenna Schallert, 38, and Jason Pebley, 45, drove in from about 20 miles away. It was their third time coming to the show.

This is the Saturday night draw around here  date night for us, getting away from our cows and chickens, said Pebley, who operates natural gas pipelines and a 180-acre ranch outside Welda. We just come to support our local barn stomp.

Usually, a couple hundred guests come every third Saturday of the month for The Mildred Stores country music dance.

Longtime friends Loring Leifer and Margot Patterson were in from Kansas City. Patterson had been told that her grandmother, Mildred Wagner, was the namesake of the town, and she and Regena were huddled in the snacks aisle, flipping through some printed-out pages of Mildred history.

Wed been at an art show in Wichita, then stopped into Humboldt this afternoon, then realized it was the third Saturday, so we thought wed check this out, Patterson said.

The band played a set of country classics: George Jones, Brooks & Dunn, Merle Haggard and Bob Wills.

Only about 100 made it out for the April dance  rainy weather, plus a couple of local high schools had prom that night  but often its twice that, or more. To accommodate demand from travelers and local workers servicing new wind turbines in the area, the Lances have opened an RV park adjacent to the store. It has eight hookups and three tiny cabins for guests. Regena also operates an Airbnb in Blue Mound  a Victorian mansion where she sometimes hosts murder mystery dinners.

Growing up, Charlie and Lucille made it so you kind of knew the history of this place, Regena said. Were trying to carry on those traditions and add a few too. Weve got our hands full at this point, though. I think wed fail if we tried to get too much bigger.

She rose from her chair in the old garage, now filled with tables and chairs and laminated newspaper clippings from the stores 100-year history. A customer was ready to check out up front. The band was warming up in the next room.

I married a musician, Regena said. He thinks differently than I do. She shrugged. Its not always a bad thing.

Ty Gable, left, dances with his grandmother Faye Dunbar in between serving drinks to customers at the show.

Going to Mildred, Kansas

The Mildred Store is at 86 Third St. in Mildred, Kansas. The country music dances are held on the third Saturday of each month  the next one is May 20. Admission is free, and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. More info at themildredstore.com or call the store at 620-439-5424.
Traveling along Devine Street can be a challenge.

Because of the tight quarters on the four-lane road, parked cars sometimes feel like theyre sticking out into the roadway. Drivers will even pull up onto the curb to avoid having their side mirrors hit while parked.

But state money proposed in the House budget could help improve the corridor.

A $1.5 million earmark sponsored by state Rep. Seth Rose, D-Richland, is meant to help accessibility along the Devine Street corridor to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well for motorists parking on the road.

If you live in Columbia, you are aware of the parking issues on Devine Street, Rose said.

The $1.5 million is is part of the more than $700 million worth of legislator-initiated projects in the House and Senate budget proposals. Not all of the funding will necessarily make it through because the projects are subject to negotiations between the two chambers, which are expected to begin Tuesday.

After the two chambers come to an agreement on a spending plan, Gov. Henry McMaster will have an opportunity to review it and veto items he opposes.

McMasters office has said if it does not receive sufficient information about individual earmarks when the budget reaches his desk, the governor will veto them.

This years spending plan includes money for infrastructure upgrades, local attractions, nonprofits and economic development work initiated by individual members for their districts.

In Richland and Lexington counties, earmarks include $15 million for the development of a quantum computer curriculum, $10 million for the Lexington Conference Center project and $3 million for the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

As for the $1.5 million for Devine Street, Rose said discussions will be held on whether to reduce the number of lanes from four to three, with one lane in each direction and a middle turn lane. He added no plans for improving Devine Street from Five Points to Beltline Boulevard will take place without public input.

Accessing a quantum computer

For the second year in a row, legislators are trying to get South Carolina students access to a quantum computer. But this years proposal is for $15 million, instead of the $25 million ultimately vetoed last year by McMaster.

State Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland, has requested $15 million for a South Carolina Quantum Association Curriculum Development and Use study to allow high school and college students in the state to learn about quantum computers. The money would be used to build quantum computer curriculum.

Were going to have the ability for them to come here and hopefully have support for them to begin their own startup, if you will, tech startup involving quantum, Harpootlian said. This is one of the few areas of the country where youll have that kind of access for high school and college students.

Harpootlian said a new non profit, the South Carolina Quantum Association, will rent time on a quantum computer.

Harpootlian in the past has been critical of the lack of transparency surrounding earmarks. Last year he tried to get $25 million in the budget to buy a quantum computer, but it was ultimately vetoed by the governor.

It was my fault I didnt explain enough last year, said Harpootlian, who has provided more than 50 pages of documentation for the project this year. Since then, Ive gone around to you know, all the leadership.

The project has support of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Richland County Director of Economic Development Jeff Ruble and Benedict College among others.

Technology-forward initiatives, like quantum computing, will create opportunities  and high-paying jobs  in the fields of finance, drug discovery, aerospace design, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and data security, all of which are extremely important to Columbias economy, Rickenmann wrote in supporting the project.

Richland Mall project has support from both chambers

Taxpayers may also fork over between $1 million and $2 million to help with the redevelopment of Richland Mall in Forest Acres.

Both the House and Senate budgets propose money to build a park with a possible amphitheater as part of the Richland Mall redevelopment. The Senate budget proposed $2 million. The House proposed $1 million.

Its a huge eyesore (that) needs to be rehabilitated terribly, said state Rep. Heather Bauer, D-Richland, who pushed for the money along with state Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland, and state Sen. Mia McLeod, an independent. Its a long-term project.

The $2 million will go along with the $23 million in incentives over 20 years from the city of Forest Acres and Richland County for development firm Southeastern to overhaul the 32-acre mall property. The project is estimated to cost $100 million.

The mixed-use project is slated to include a 100,000-square-foot grocery store, more than 500 apartments, a public park, a brewery or taproom and more.

A rendering of what the Richland Mall property would look like after a coming $100 million redevelopment. Rendering provided.

For the second year in a row, budget writers are proposing money for a Lexington County Conference Center on Lake Murray. Last year lawmakers put in $1 million for architectural plans for the center.

The $10 million allocated in the House budget for the town of Lexington would go towards building water and sewer infrastructure for the center, said state Rep. Paula Calhoon, R-Lexington.

Were missing out on a lot of expos. A lot of wedding venues, Calhoon said. Lexington is a small community but we are missing out on a lot of conference success bringing businesses to Lexington County.

Fixing railroad issues in Columbia

More money is proposed to go to the city of Columbia to address the long-time issue of trains blocking traffic. As a follow-up to the $20 million lawmakers gave Columbia last year, House budget writers proposed giving $10 million more for the project.

The railroads have been a disruptive influence and something that weve been trying to tackle for years, House Majority Leader Todd Rutherford said. This is the continuation of trying to fund the city and give them the availability to deal with railroads honking their horns blocking intersections. And again, its not all that I asked for, but its what we could get. And well continue to ask for more as the years go by.

Cars wait at the rail road crossing on the intersection of Whaley and Assembly where Richland County has requested money to construct an overpass. Matt Walsh/online@thestate.com

Rutherford, D-Richland, also is sponsoring $2 million to help redevelop Beltline Boulevard, an area with a lot of blight. He added a community center could be considered to built along the roadway.

Its about investing in the community to stop people from feeling like they need to get involved in crime, and this will go a long way towards doing that, Rutherford said.

Rutherford also sponsored projects to increase access to the rivers in the capital city, including $7 million for a Williams Street Gateway project.

Two senators also pushed for money for a facility that provides a place to stay for relatives of patients at the Columbia V.A. hospital.

Friends for Fisher House received two earmarks in the Senate budget, a $300,000 earmark sponsored by state Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, and a $250,000 earmark sponsored by state Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington.

The facility is similar to the Ronald McDonald House program, which provides a place for families to stay when they have children at a childrens hospital.

Its to help them defray the cost so people could stay for free, Jackson said.

Richland and Lexington County member projects

State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland

 $5 million: Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment

 $500,000: Town of Irmo infrastructure upgrades

 $387,713: Brain Injury Association of S.C.

 $250,000: Camp Cole

 $100,000: Camp Kemo

 $100,000: Greater Chapin Community Foundation

 $65,000: Palmetto Learning Academy

State Rep. Heather Bauer, D-Richland

 $400,000: The Therapy Place (with Bernstein)

 $250,000: Lourie Center

State Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland

 $1 million: City of Forest Acres Redevelopment for the Richland Mall redevelopment (with Heather Bauer)

 $1 million: Richland County Recreation Commission

 $175,000: S.C. Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiative (with Heather Crawford, Spencer Wetmore, Chandra Dillard, Cobb-Hunter and Carla Schuessler)

State Rep. Paula Calhoon, R-Lexington

 $184,000: Lexington County Fire Services

State Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Richland

 $500,000: The Hive Community Circle

 $250,000: Greater Waverly Foundation

State Rep. Leon Howard, D-Richland

 $300,000: Midlands Community Development Corporation

 $300,000: Trinity Educational Community Center

 $250,000: Diannes Call

 $250,000: Building Better Communities  College Place Healthy Living Project

 $250,000: Palmetto Project

 $150,000: Wiley Kennedy Foundation

State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland

 $500,000: Town of Eastover

 $50,000: Town of Eastover Healthy Community Program

 $50,000: JUMPS: Youth Mentoring Program

 $25,000: Bridge Over Foundation

State Rep. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun

 $200,000: Lexington County local stormwater management

State Rep. Seth Rose, D-Richland

 $1.5 million: Devine Street Corridor and accessibility

 $600,000: Epworth Childrens Home

State Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland

 $10 million: City of Columbia Assembly Street Railroad

 $7 million: Williams Street Gateway

 $2 million: City of Columbia Beltline Boulevard Redevelopment

 $1 million: Vista Greenway Extension

 $1 million: USC Civil Rights History and Research Center (with Gilda Cobb-Hunter)

 $500,000: Mental Illness Recovery Center

 $500,000: City of Columbia Saluda River Access/river boat ramp

 $400,000: Individuals Pilot Program (with Sylleste Davis)

 $250,000: United Way of the Midlands

 $200,000: Brookland Baptist Fifth Quarter Cafe

 $100,000: Randolph Cemetery

 $50,000: EMS Closet (with Seth Rose and Leon Howard)

State Rep. Chris Wooten, R-Lexington

 $1 million: Lexington Conference Center (with Paula Calhoon)

 $300,000: The Courage Center

 $250,000: Dickerson Childrens Advocacy Center

 $156,760: Lexington County Sheriff - Crime Scene lab (with Micah Caskey, Nathan Ballentine, Calhoon, Cal Forrest, Jay Kilmartin, Russell Ott)

State Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland

 $15 million: South Carolina Quantum Association Curriculum Development and Use Study

State Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland

 $300,000: Tri-City Visionaries

 $300,000: Town of Eastover Infrastructure upgrades

 $300,000: Friends of Fisher House Columbia

 $300,000: Antioch Senior Center

 $300,000: New Capernaum Life Services

 $200,000: Building Better Communities Ambassador Program

 $150,000: Community Wellness Outreach Opioid Addiction Program

 $100,000: The Holistic Wellness Center

 $100,000: Congaree Complex Community Development Corporation

 $50,000: Kingville Historical Foundation

 $25,000: Lower Richland Diamond Festival

 $25,000: Southeast Rural Community Outreach

State Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Richland

 $2 million: City of Forest Acres Redevelopment of Richland Mall

 $200,000: James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation

State Sen. John Scott, D-Richland

 $700,000: SCIII program

 $450,000: Morris College - partnership with the U.S. military

 $100,000: Vorhees University rebranding efforts

 $50,000: Wiley Kennedy Foundation

State Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington

 $7 million: City of West Columbia Riverwalk Expansion and Connectivity

 $1 million: City of Cayce 12,000 year history park

 $250,000: Fisher House of Columbia Dorn V.A.

 $25,000: Palmetto Boys State

State Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington

 $1 million: S.C. Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers (with Brad Hutto)

 $550,000: PACE Center for Girls

 $400,000: K-12 concussion protocol

 $350,400: Men Against Domestic Violence U.S.A.

 $300,000: Special Olympics of South Carolina

 $276,250: Safety Blitz Foundation Child ID program

 $100,000: Paths to Wholeness Transition Program

 $65,546: Canoeing for Kids facility repair (with Sandy Senn and Ronnie Cromer)

 $25,000: Palmetto Girls State

Natural Resources and Economic Development subcommittee

 $3 million: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Fresno celebrated Hmong American Day on Saturday at the Fresno Center, paying homage to the Hmong peoples contributions in United States history.

Most notably, the sacrifices Hmong people while fighting alongside the United States during the Vietnam War.

This year marked the 48th anniversary of the final airlift of Hmong and Lao veterans who fought in the Vietnam War.

Fresno announced an official proclamation, with Mayor Jerry Dyer stating the city is the first in California to officially to commemorate Hmong American Day.

Saturdays celebration highlighted Hmong Americans history and cultural contributions in Fresno and beyond.

Fresno Councilman Mike Karbassi, left, The Fresno Center CEO Pao Yang, second from left, Renee Ya from Tiger Byte Studios and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer pose for a photo as Renee Ya holds the proclamation at the 2023 Hmong American Day celebration Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Fresno. The event which included a ramen bar, music and fashion featured a proclamation by Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer recognizing Hmong American Day and the history and contributions of the Hmong to the Valley.

We honor the legacy of the Hmong people who served, were wounded and lost their lives, Fresno Dyer said. To insure the U.S. remains the land of the free knowing, we forever owe a debt of gratitude to their sacrifice.

And the city of Fresno recognizes the important cultural social political economic contributions of Hmong Americans that provide generational enrichment and enhancement to the city across many sectors including business, education, public safety and government.

The Fresno Center CEO Pao Yang, center, with councilperson Mike Karbassi, left, and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, right, laugh together as they have photos taken at the 2023 Hmong American Day celebration held at The Fresno Center Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Fresno. The event which included a ramen bar, music and fashion featured a proclamation by Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer recognizing Hmong American Day and the history and contributions of the Hmong to the Valley.

During the Vietnam War, CIA officers had trained and armed Hmong hill tribe and ethnic minority to act as a guerilla force as part of a Secret War to prevent communism from spreading deeper into Southeast Asia.

Some 14 years later toward the end of the war, the Hmong were fighting battles against Communist insurgents and their North Vietnamese allies, according to NPR.

Many Hmong refugees and their families then went on to immigrate to the United States.

Today, Fresno has the second largest Hmong population in the country, behind only Minneapolis, with roughly 35,000 people living in the region.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer poses with fashion models at the 2023 Hmong American Day celebration hed at The Fresno Center Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Fresno. The event which included a ramen bar, music and fashion featured a proclamation by Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer recognizing Hmong American Day and the history and contributions of the Hmong to the Valley.
In his almost full century of living, Ulysses Lee Rip Gooch accomplished much, but there was one mission that eluded him before his death at age 98 in late 2021.

His daughter, Bonita, said the aviator and longtime Kansas Aviation Museum board member was doggone mad that he never could upgrade the museums pitiful exhibit honoring Black airmen, which was a cobbled-together display on the landing of some stairs.

He had been up until his death, Im going to tell you, trying to . . . figure out what was it going to take to get some kind of exhibit up here for Black aviators, said Bonita Gooch, owner of the Community Voice newspaper.

In the end, he didnt have to figure it out.

The museum created a more fitting exhibit and named it in his honor.

The Rip Gooch Black Aviators Exhibit is much more of a real exhibit, said curator Logan Daugherty.

Museum executive director Ben Sauceda said the exhibit also is going to set the stage with how were going to do new ones.

Its all about that inspiration . . . to really make this museum a part of inspiration for careers and for life, Sauceda said. Aviation is available to anyone and everyone that will put their minds to it.

As much as the exhibit is designed to inspire and educate, its also about honoring Gooch and other Black aviators, particularly the Tuskegee Airmen who flew and fought in World War II.

Sauceda said one of the important stories in history is of Black pilots and their contributions to our country, to their service, to our freedom.

He said they showed a dedication and tribute to what our country could be.

These men who were Tuskegee Airmen saw what could be in our country and gave their lives so we could move forward, he said. This gives us an opportunity to really highlight them.

Good journalist job

During a sneak preview of the exhibit, which opens Friday, Daugherty watched as Bonita Gooch toured it with her nephew, lobbyist Kerry Gooch, who is Rip Goochs grandson.

This is great, Daugherty said, smiling.

That was even before he heard Bonita Gooch pronounce the copy he wrote about her father to be a good journalist job that summarized his 98 years well.

Daugherty noted that Rip Goochs book, Black Horizons: One Aviators Experience in the Post-Tuskegee Era, helped.

He really tells everything in his book, Daugherty said.

Ahhh, he missed a few things, laughed Bonita Gooch.

Bonita Gooch, daughter of the late Rip Gooch, and her nephew, Kerry Gooch, Rip Goochs grandson, got a sneak peek of the new Rip Gooch Black Aviators Exhibit at the Kansas Aviation Museum. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday.

The exhibit is still small and mostly consists of murals and copy about Gooch, the Tuskegee Airmen and other Black aviators.

Just outside the area where the exhibit is on the third floor, children from Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School painted a mural of a vintage Stearman like the ones the Tuskegee Airmen would have flown.

There will be an extension of the exhibit to that area in the future.

Theres been a lot of reshuffling and upgrading of exhibits at the museum.

In the former airports original baggage claim area on the first floor, theres a new Welcome to Wichita exhibit and an expanded Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Theres an expanded theater where the hall of fame used to be by an admissions area in the front of the museum, and then theres the Black Aviators Exhibit.

One of the things were really doing right now is examining . . . how things are displayed, Sauceda said.

He said the Black Aviators Exhibit is special.

We wanted this to really be a showcase piece.

Sauceda said he hopes it will set a standard by which well move forward.

He said its the first exhibit to bear someones name.

Rip was a member of the board at the museum for a number of years and a huge supporter of the museum.

Kerry Gooch said his grandfather brought together a lot of people in aviation  particularly in the Black aviation community nationally.

It was always important to him to be telling the story about Black aviators . . . and making sure the rest of the Wichita community and the whole state of Kansas knew about Black aviators and what they contributed to this state and this country, he said. It was just always a passion of his to kind of give back and let the next generation know about what Black aviators brought.

Bonita Gooch said a lot of Black aviators didnt have opportunities due to discrimination. That included her father.

He could have been a great commercial pilot, she said.

She said her father fought to get Black airline pilots hired.

He knew every single one of them, she said. It was a battle for these guys.

Economic tool

Theres a mural leading into the Black Aviators Exhibit featuring an oversized Rip Gooch in a cowboy hat  his favorite, his daughter said.

She gently ran her hand over the mural, barely grazing his cheek, and said she appreciated the detail in the photo.

I love the textures.

Bonita Gooch said the whole exhibit is beautiful, and she thinks her father would approve.

Hed be very pleased.

Sauceda said next up will be a refreshed and redesigned military exhibit followed by an education center in a new area.

He said he wants to teach children about aviation and engineering and help retain talent in Wichita while making the museum an economic tool for the city.

Thats part of our commitment as a museum to our community, he said. We have goals to move this . . . museum forward.

Bonita Gooch said her father would appreciate the direction the museum is going.

The museum  hed be so proud, she said.

Especially, of course, of the exhibit named for him, she said.

This is what time and money can do. This is wonderful.
FILE - A body lies covered in the parking lot of Tops supermarket where several people were killed in a shooting, May 14, 2022 in Buffalo, N.Y. The city of Buffalo will pause Sunday, May 14, 2023 to mark the passing of one year since a gunman killed 10 people and injured three others in a racist attack that targeted Black people at a city supermarket.(Mark Mulville/The Buffalo News via AP, File)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  The city of Buffalo will pause Sunday to mark the passing of one year since a gunman killed 10 people and injured three others in a racist attack that targeted Black people at a city supermarket.

A moment of silence followed by the chiming of church bells at 2:28 p.m. will honor victims of the massacre at the Tops Friendly Market on May 14, 2022.

The racially motivated mass shooting shook our community to its core. It was the day the unthinkable happened, Mayor Byron Brown said in announcing plans for the commemoration, to be held at the now-reopened supermarket.

Earlier in the week, panelists discussed ways to combat racism and social media radicalization and residents were invited to reflect at an outdoor community gathering.

In the year since the shooting, relatives of the victims have spoken before Congress about white supremacy and gun reform and organized events to address food insecurity that worsened when the neighborhoods only grocery store was inaccessible for two months.

Wayne Jones, whose mother Celestine Chaney, 65, died in the attack, urged the city and its institutions to keep on investing in the area and its residents even after the anniversary events are over.

That's why he is willing, he said, to keep opening up this wound that I have and talk about it.

The son of 63-year-old shooting victim Geraldine Talley on Sunday released a book that he said describes what he went through after losing his mother. He titled it: 5/14 : The Day the Devil Came to Buffalo.

I definitely know that she wouldnt want me to be consumed by sadness and anger, Talley said of his mother, speaking outside of the store as the anniversary approached, so I will definitely try to find strength in her memory and use it to fight injustice and racism for the rest of my life in her name.

Inside the remodeled store, fountains flank a poem dedicated to the victims. A commission is at work designing a permanent memorial for outside.

In the meantime, a hand-painted mural overlooking the parking lot promotes unity, with a Black hand and white hand meeting together in prayer.

The 18-year-old white supremacist carried out the attack after driving more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from his home in rural Conklin, New York.

Besides Chaney and Talley, the dead included Andre Mackneil, who was buying a cake for his son's third birthday; church deacon Heyward Patterson; community advocate Katherine Massey; Ruth Whitfield, whose son was a Buffalo fire commissioner; Roberta Drury, who had moved back to Buffalo to help a brother diagnosed with cancer; church missionary Pearl Young; Margus Morrison, who was buying dinner for a family movie night; and Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo police officer who was working as a security guard.

The gunman pleaded guilty to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February. A federal case against him is pending.
Mothers Day is when we celebrate the women who have loved, birthed and nurtured us. In the African American community, Mothers Day Sunday may include breaking out the big church hat and putting on your Sunday best to celebrate mom.

As an African American, a woman and daughter, I may not have always been appreciative of my mothers advice and the sacrifices she made to ensure that I felt loved and confident in my own skin. As an adult, I understand that those gestures of love shaped the woman I have become. I now lead the Queen City Metropolitan Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., which works to support equitable policy and life outcomes for Black women and girls in our state. Thanks, mom!

Today, as we celebrate mothers and motherhood, the reality is that many women in our community suffer through the birthing process. Their lives and the lives of their children will be at risk before they get a chance to experience a macaroni necklace or hear the belting of Happy Mothers Day.

Bella-Giavanni Austin

A Commonwealth Fund report says the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world. The latest N.C. Maternal Mortality Review Report says two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths of mothers in N.C. were preventable. The 2022 March of Dimes Report Card graded North Carolina a D because of the high rate of preterm births, which put our babies at risk.

Black mothers are at higher risk of experiencing birthing complications and have almost a 49% higher preterm birth rate than mothers of other ethnic backgrounds. There are many intersecting factors that contribute to sometimes horrific outcomes for Black mothers.

We have been listening and lamenting with the women in our community as theyve recounted stories of feeling unheard and being devalued during and after pregnancy. The Black mothers behind the statistics speak of the devastation that they experienced because they struggle to access pre- and post-natal supports.

What is clear to us is the systemic nature of what these mothers experience. Many of the issues are related to poverty, lack of access to health and prenatal care. But poverty is not the only issue impacting Black maternal health. There is a growing body of evidence that Black mothers who have the ability to pay for healthcare are also often treated unfairly. Implicit bias is a key driver of health disparities in communities of color.

To address the issues associated with maternal health and the disproportionate ways Black mothers are impacted, leaders in the N.C. legislature have proposed a package of state-level bills theyve coined MOMnibus. It provides a road map to positively impact outcomes in maternal health. As state leaders begin to grapple with the N.C. budget, we hope they will join us in celebrating mothers and children by passing a budget that prioritizes the health and wellness of mothers.

We want it to include:

Support to increase access to health and prenatal care through Medicaid expansion.

Support to/for culturally relevant programs available to women during and after their birthing journey.

Incentives for healthcare providers to incorporate/expand implicit bias training for their workers.

Funding to collect data on Black maternal health issues and outcomes.

Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program for pregnant women

Supports for moms who are veterans.

We envision a North Carolina where mothers are not only celebrated for their sacrifice, but supported through motherhood  a state where Black women and girls can step into the role of mother without fear of becoming a negative statistic.

We plan to work together with N.C. elected officials on these issues with the same intentionality we put toward being mothers and community moms. We are hopeful, but with a watchful eye. We invite mothers to tell us their maternal health stories. Join us at our NCBW chapter as we watch the budget process.

Bella-Giavanni Austin is president of the Queen City Metropolitan Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of Black women and girls. She lives in Charlotte.
Two weeks after his first bout in custody, the owner of a Beaufort County ductwork company faces a second charge of criminal sexual conduct with a minor for another alleged incident with the same young victim, according to the Bluffton Police Department and Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

Christopher Ray Donelson, 52, of Bluffton, was charged Friday morning with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor  the mans second accusation of child sexual abuse in two weeks.

Sheriffs Office investigators have accused Donelson of sexually abusing a young girl several years ago, according to Sheriffs Office spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens. Both charges involve the same victim.

The mans first charge, coming April 28 from the Bluffton Police Department, claimed he inappropriately touched the girl for a period spanning six years, beginning when she was 7.

Donelson turned himself in Friday morning after learning of the new arrest warrant, Viens said.

The Bluffton businessmans first charge came after the Department of Social Services received an anonymous tip detailing the allegations, which were confirmed by the victim during a forensic interview with the young girl. He turned himself in for this charge as well, according to previous reporting.

Bluffton polices investigation revealed additional alleged sexual abuse that eventually led to Donelsons second charge. Because the reported incident occurred outside of the towns jurisdiction, the case was handed to county deputies.

Donelson, who moved to Bluffton in 2008, is the owner of Air Duct Southeast LLC (formerly Air Duct Dr LLC), which specializes in air duct and dryer vent cleaning services in Beaufort County and Savannah. The businessmans public LinkedIn profile also names him as owner of local solar power and food delivery services.

Second- and third-degree classifications of criminal sexual conduct with children are both felonies, with second-degree counts involving sexual coercion specifically from people with authority over the child. A conviction for the second-degree offense is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under South Carolina law.

Donelson was released Friday afternoon on a $2,000 surety bond from the Beaufort County Detention Center, records show.

If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse, help can be found by calling Hopeful Horizons 24-hour Support Line at 843-770-1070.

When we publish mugshots

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances:

In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested

In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety

In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims

Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot.
Hundreds of people on both sides of the abortion debate gathered in downtown Raleigh on Saturday morning an hour ahead of Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers expected veto of new restrictions passed by the GOP-controlled legislature.

A large crowd of abortion rights supporters filled Bicentennial Plaza, the walkway connecting the State Capitol to the General Assembly. At the same time, about 100 anti-abortion advocates from numerous local groups gathered in front of the legislative building to urge Cooper not to veto the bill through passionate speeches, group prayers and a short march to the Capitol.

Despite assurances from Republicans that successful override votes ushering the new restrictions into law would quickly follow Coopers decision to block the bill, the abortion rights supporters who had come to hear the governor speak and use his veto stamp were in good spirits.

Walking onto the stage to Sam & Daves Hold On, Im Coming, Cooper was fired up as well.

Are we ready to stop this ban? Cooper asked as cheers rang out in the crowd. Ill tell you what, if we have to stand up to keep fighting the battles of last century, theres no one Id rather have on my side than every single one of you. Because when womens health is on the line, I will never back down, and I know you wont either.

On both ends of the plaza Saturday, the mood was optimistic, with supporters of the new restrictions eagerly anticipating their enactment into state law as soon as this coming week, and opponents hoping that the bill will prove politically costly for the GOP, and help Democrats make some inroads in the legislature and retain control of the governors mansion in 2024.

Katherine Jeanes of Kannapolis, N.C. reacts to the arrival of North Carolina Roy Copper during a rally where Cooper vetoed SB 20, legislation that would restrict abortions in North Carolina, on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Raleigh, N.C.

Supporters of the bill vowed to continue their efforts against abortion.

Im going to assume that were all Christians here today. Heres what I know. The sovereign God of the universe is a multiplier. He can take a few people standing for truth and standing for life and make a difference to the generations, said Tonya Baker Nelson, CEO of A Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center.

Were going to be the few today. And were going to be proud to stand and say that we, in North Carolina, do not need to be an abortion destination. ... Let us continue to stand for truth, even if we have to stand alone. We will stand, we will not shrink back.

Nelson ended her six-minute speech with prayer, asking God to let the legislation pass so that these little children can be protected.

Several dozen abortion ban supporters at the Legislative Building counter-protest an abortion ban veto rally on Bicentennial Mall in Raleigh Saturday, May 13, 2023.

More speakers, including Pastor John K. Amanchukwu Sr. of Upper Room Church of God in Christ and Mark Lee Dickson of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative, gave passionate speeches that amped up the crowd.

The cheer you hear today is not a good cheer. Thats the resounding sound of evil, Amanchukwu said as attendees of the veto rally cheered across the street.

On this side, we are standing for life in the womb, we are standing for babies in this state, we are standing for truth, we are standing for true biblical justice and we are standing in the seat of power.  Today, oftentimes the sheep have more courage than the shepherd, and so today we celebrate you sheep for coming down here and standing boldly for what is right.

Following the speeches, Lydia Taylor, a Students for Life spokesperson, told the crowd through a megaphone to gather for a group photo before marching over to the State Capitol.

The crowd chanted Let their hearts beat and Pro-choice is a lie, babies never choose to die in front of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and up North Salisbury Street toward the Capitol.

There, the protesters were met by multiple Capitol Police officers, stopping them from occupying the Capitol grounds, which had already been reserved for the veto rally.

The group planned to march back to the Capitol at noon when the reservation ended, but they never did. Back at the legislative building, Catholic groups prayed rosaries and protest attendees made lunch plans.
David Von Drehle, a respected columnist for The Washington Post and author of books about Abraham Lincoln, capital punishment and a horrifying 1911 fire, has taken a career detour.

The Mission Hills resident has written a book for his children. But its not a childrens book  his four kids are all in their 20s after all. Its more of a guide to the 20th century as told through the lens of a man who was born in 1905, eight months before the legendary San Francisco earthquake, and became Von Drehles neighbor and soulmate more than 100 years later.

Call it Little Big Man meets Tuesdays With Morrie meets Forrest Gump, with a bit of philosophy mixed in.

Young people grow up now thinking the world is in a lot of flux, really screwed up, and many of them have a hard time being optimistic about their future, Von Drehle said. So by telling the story of someone who lived through the entire 20th century, it was a chance to say that things have always been screwed up, theres always been reasons to be fearful, theres always been dynamic change. And there are tools for being happy and successful in spite of all that.

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom From the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man will be released May 23, and Von Drehle will have an event at Unity Temple on the Plaza that evening.

The titular Charlie is the late Charlie White, a doctor who spent nearly his entire life in the Kansas City area. Among his accomplishments, he treated gangsters and their families in Kansas Citys Little Italy in the 1930s, became one of the nations first anesthesiologists and served as an officer during World War II.

He traveled the world, even going to South America to perform surgery on the president of Peru and returning with a smuggled pet monkey. He rubbed elbows with actor Buddy Rogers, author Edgar Snow and mobster Johnny Lazia. He played saxophone in a dance band, and he rode horses with nuns.

He also experienced the deaths of his father in a freak elevator accident, of his first wife to suicide and of his third wife to cancer.

Through it all, he remained an optimist.

Very much so, but in a practical way, Von Drehle said. There was no point in being pessimistic. It was a waste of energy. Because youve got to live your life no matter what, so you may as well do it with optimism.

Interestingly, Charlie never described himself as being happy. I didnt ultimately call this a guide to happiness or how to be happy, because Charlie didnt really remember being happy or sad, just never any time for that.

Author David Von Drehle, who lives in Mission Hills, said The Book of Charlie is not a conventional biography. Its more of an attempt to learn some lessons from somebodys well-lived life.

He was too busy being a doctor, making house calls.

Women didnt bring their sick children into your office  you made house calls, White told The Star in 2005, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. You get acquainted with your patients. You had a great knowledge of everything about them. Nobody has time to do that anymore.

Von Drehle and his family moved to Mission Hills in 2007 from Washington, D.C., where he was writing for Time magazine. White, then 102, lived across the street in a home he bought in 1960. The two immediately struck up a friendship, and the stories began to flow.

The many amazing anecdotes in The Book of Charlie include Charlie giving a transfusion of his own blood to a gangster (who died anyway) on the streets of Chicago, watching a man get mowed down by a machine gun from a passing car, riding in an ambulance with a reporter from The Kansas City Star who flew out the door when the vehicle took a sharp turn and making a house call where he delivered a premature baby he placed in a warmed shoebox.

Most things worked out well for him, Von Drehle said. But I would argue that his frame of mind was part of the reason so many things worked out well. He lived his life on his toes. He was prepared for opportunities, and he was willing to grab them when they arose.

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom From the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man by David Von Drehle will be released May 23.

Von Drehle, who grew up in Colorado, began his journalism career as a teenage sportswriter for The Denver Post. He then attended the University of Denver and earned a masters in English literature at University of Oxford. His wife, Karen Ball, grew up in Kansas City and attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She helped research and fact check The Book of Charlie.

His editor at Simon & Schuster suggested the book idea after Von Drehle wrote an essay for Time about Whites life and death in 2014.

It was a challenge to figure out exactly how to write it because its not a conventional biography, Von Drehle said. Its more of an attempt to learn some lessons from somebodys well-lived life. It was not like any other book that Ive written, so finding the right voice and the right tempo for it did take more work than I anticipated.

The Book of Charlie already has one influential supporter.

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, whose novel The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece was released May 9, posted unsolicited praise on his Instagram account that has nearly 10 million followers:

I gotta recommend this book, filled with history, wisdom, common sense and laughs galore. I wish I had lived across the street from Charlie AND that I make it to 109!

In addition to a recommendation from Forrest Gump himself, Von Drehle is bracing for comparisons with Tuesdays With Morrie, saying they are kind of inevitable. The 1997 memoir by Mitch Albom about the authors visits with his dying mentor has sold nearly 18 million copies.

Id be happy if I sell one-tenth as many copies, Von Drehle joked.

He said he didnt read Tuesdays With Morrie when it came out, then made a point of avoiding it when he began working on the Charlie project. I didnt want to have it in my head.

A certain centenarian had already taken up residence there.

When asked whether he became soulmates with White, Von Drehle said, I did. I do share a lot of Charlies philosophy. I would say he made me more aware of what I think about life.  I guess he was a soulmate.

Charlie White was a doctor who spent nearly his entire life in Kansas City, dying in 2014 just after turning 109.

Book event

David Von Drehle will speak about The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man at 7 p.m. May 23 at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th. $27.99 (includes copy of book). rainydaybooks.com.

Other books by Von Drehle

 Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and Americas Most Perilous Year (2012)

 Among the Lowest of the Dead: The Culture of Capital Punishment (Law, Meaning, and Violence) (2006)

 Triangle: The Fire That Changed America (2004)

 Deadlock: The Inside Story of Americas Closest Election (2001)

 Among the Lowest of the Dead: Inside Death Row (1996)
A scene from the film "Marry My Dead Body" /Courtesy of Lian Contents



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu visited Korea for the third time this year to promote his new film "Marry My Dead Body."



In January, Hsu visited Korea to promote the movie adaptation of the 2019 hit Taiwanese series "Someday or One Day" with his co-stars Alice Ko and Patrick Shih. In April, he attended Baeksang Arts Awards to present the Best Director award. "I'm so glad to come back to Korea to promote my latest film," he said during a press conference for the film in Seoul, Friday.



Directed by Cheng Wei-hao, "Marry My Dead Body" is a supernatural comedy film that follows a homophobic detective named Ming-han (Hsu) who is coerced into a "ghost marriage" with the gay ghost Mao-mao (Austin Lin). Ming-han reluctantly agrees to help Mao-mao fulfill his wish list, which includes searching for Mao-mao's killer.



Hsu said he was drawn to the film's unusual subjects of gay rights and the environment. "When I received the script, I was attracted to the subject and the messages woven into its plot that are relevant today. I also had faith in director Cheng Wei-hao, the master of genre-mixing cinema," he said.



The actor discussed being part of the action genre and performing stunts. "I gained muscle for the role. I didn't put much thought into filming partially nude scenes, but after watching the film, I was like 'Why did I do that!?" he said.





Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu, fourth from left, speaks during a press conference for the film "Marry My Dead Body" in Seoul, Friday. The film director Cheng Wei-hao, second from left, and producer Jin Bai-lun, second from right, also attended the press conference. Yonhap
Soraya Amaya and her family fled El Salvador due to death threats from a gang. After months in Mexico, where she volunteered to help other migrants at the border, they've finally secured a U.S. asylum appointment. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

After 5 months living in a shelter across the border from Yuma, Ariz., Soraya Amaya started feeling desperate.

The 22-year-old from El Salvador had applied daily for asylum appointments for her family of five using CBP One, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection mobile app that launched in January and that migrants must now use to seek humanitarian protection.

Each day she had been met with a denial  since its launch, the application has been plagued by technical glitches and a scarcity of appointments that have shut out many migrants.

But finally, on Thursday, her husbands stepfather called with good news.

Were leaving, he told her. We got it.

Amayas experience remains the exception to the rule. Just 1,000 appointments are granted daily through the app, but some migrants say theyve recently noticed fewer glitches and more appointments being granted to those who have been waiting the longest, part of an update the Department of Homeland Security had promised. The app was intended to reduce the number of crossings between ports of entry.

The expiration of Title 42, a policy implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented many asylum seekers from entering the U.S., has presented a dilemma for tens of thousands of U.S.-bound migrants stranded in Mexico. While there was generally no consequence for being expelled multiple times under Title 42, being deported now can have life-altering ramifications, including being banned for years from reentering the United States.

Before the CBP One apps release, Amaya and her family attempted to enter the U.S. once, presenting themselves to border agents  who detained them for a few days and then returned them to Mexico.

But Title 42 was still in effect then, blocking migrants from requesting asylum. During the experience, she said, a Border Patrol agent threw her familys documents to the ground and stomped on them.

Soraya Amaya tried for months get her family one of the 1,000 U.S. asylum appointments available each day through the CBP One mobile application. As they waited, she volunteered to help others at their migrant shelter in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

When she and her family were released, a Mexican humanitarian organization drove them to Casa del Migrante, a shelter in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, that distributes 200 meals daily.

Most migrants are able to stay there a maximum of three days. Amayas family worked out a deal in which she managed some of the shelters day-to-day activities in exchange for an unlimited stay.

She became the right hand of the director, Martin Salgado Ames. Her husband, meanwhile, found work on a local ranch. They were housed and fed, but their lives were still in limbo.

Back in El Salvador, Amaya and her husband had a thriving business selling curtido, a popular cabbage slaw.

I cant afford to make a mistake."

Juan Manuel Torres Leon, 40-year-old chef from Venezuela

Then came the gang threats.

First it was extortion: They were forced to pay $35 a month, then $60 and $100. Unable to afford the payments and their bills, Amaya and her husband decided to tell the police. The effort was futile: After extortion came death threats, she said.

They fled last year with their young son and her husbands parents, and $105 in their pockets. In Chiapas, Mexico, they were helped by a church. They obtained humanitarian visas in Mexico and applied for asylum there.

Feeling safer, Amaya and her 4-year-old son were on their way to a playground one day when two men in a white truck attempted to kidnap them, she said. Local residents helped them escape, but the incident left her wondering whether the gang had caught up to her. After all, theyd seen its graffiti all over town.

Once more, they fled.

At Casa del Migrante, Amaya spent time over the months she was there helping other migrants register for appointments. A few people got lucky, mostly single adults or single mothers with one child.

She started thinking, Why, God, why are we still here?

Amaya and her family are scheduled for appointments in the U.S. later this month. The wait, she said, was worth it. But its bittersweet: Now its the other women at the shelter, all of them Mexican or Central American, who are wondering when theyll get their turn.

The end of Title 42 reopened the possibility for migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, who made up most of the expulsions under the rule, to again apply for asylum in the U.S. But for someone from one of those countries, it is often difficult to actually receive it. Immigration judges have argued, for example, that gang violence doesnt meet the standard for humanitarian protection.

At the shelter, decorated sparingly but for a shrine to the Virgin Mary, a sign in English offers words of hope: With God, all things are possible.

Meanwhile, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Juan Manuel Torres Leon, a 40-year-old chef from Venezuela, also faced uncertainty about his odds of getting an appointment through the mobile app. The situation after Title 42 is much more complicated, he said.

I cant afford to make a mistake, he added.

He and his wife were detained at the border in El Paso last week, he said. His wife was released, given a notice to appear in immigration court, and planned to fly from El Paso to Miami to reunite with relatives. But Torres says that after four days in Border Patrol custody, he was sent back to Juarez on Thursday night, the last few hours that Title 42 was in effect.

The couple left their two daughters, ages 7 and 5, back in Venezuela.

The trip was too dangerous for them, Torres said, speaking outside a church shelter.

He recalled the grueling trek through the Darien Gap jungle from Colombia into Panama  record numbers of migrants have been hiking through the treacherous strip  and the difficult slog from Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Now Torres is stuck in Juarez, contemplating his next step. He and other Venezuelans here have paid 50 pesos a night, about $2.50, to sleep on the floor of an abandoned building.

He hopes to score an interview with U.S. immigration authorities through the CBP One app, but as has been the case for so many others, the process has been frustrating. He said he had been trying for more than two months to get an appointment.

The whole thing feels improvised, totally random, he said. A question of luck.

Like many Venezuelans, he has no current passport  the document is expensive and difficult to obtain in that country  complicating efforts to apply for temporary lawful entry, which is available for some Venezuelans who have U.S. sponsors.

If I try to cross and get detained again, Im afraid Ill never be able to be reunited with my wife, Torres said. I have to be very careful about my next step, now that Title 42 is over. Everything depends on making the correct decision now.

Yusimy Vazquez regrets leaving Cuba with her grandson as U.S. immigration policy changes. As Cubans, they're supposed to apply for humanitarian parole before traveling to the U.S. But since they're now at a shelter a mile from California, she hopes to score an appointment through the CBP One app. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

At Cobina Posada del Migrante in Mexicali, Yusimy Vazquez, 53, lamented the changes to U.S. immigration policy. Had she known how difficult it would become to request asylum, she said, she wouldnt have risked leaving Cuba last Christmas Eve with her 6-year-old grandson.

Cubans, like Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians, can apply for humanitarian parole so long as they dont attempt the journey by land or sea without authorization. U.S. Homeland Security officials will now inform some asylum seekers from those countries who have been arrested by Border Patrol that they can voluntarily return to Mexico in order to apply for the parole program from their home country.

For Vazquez, its too late  shes already a mile from the California border. All she can do is hope she gets an appointment through the CBP One app to plead her case.

Vazquez said she received death threats after her daughter participated in 2021 protests against the government in Cuba. Her daughter fled to Mexico first, then crossed the Rio Grande and turned herself over to U.S. border agents. She now lives in Florida, and, due to immigration court backlogs, will plead her case for asylum in 2028.

Vazquez and her grandson have had a different experience. In Chiapas, a man kidnapped them, locking them in his parents home for nearly two weeks in an extortion attempt, she said. The kidnappers father eventually took pity on them and let them go, she said. But now her grandson suffers panic attacks.

The advocacy group Human Rights First has documented more than 13,400 violent attacks on asylum seekers stuck in Mexico during President Bidens first two years in office.

Like other migrants, Vazquez chose to travel to Mexicali after learning through social media that the area had more humanitarian assistance and fewer people seeking U.S. entry than other border towns.

When she arrived late at night on April 19, two shelters turned her away before Cobina Posada del Migrante let her in. The shelter is also over capacity  it has space for 180, but 300 are staying there, said director Elizabeth Gallardo. On Saturday, Gallardo said 20 families  60 people total  had landed CBP One appointments in the previous two days.

For Vazquez, thats enough to stay hopeful.

I have faith in God, primarily, she said. If today was your turn, congratulations. Tomorrow will be mine.

Castillo reported from San Luis Rio Colorado and McDonnell from Ciudad Juarez.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Michael Capps is on his way to prison. Its been a long time coming and its where he belongs.

And this newspaper is proud to have helped put him there.

On Thursday, Capps was sentenced to federal prison after being found guilty of 12 felonies related to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs when he was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives.

During the time of national emergency, while others experienced grief, mortal danger and economic pain from an unprecedented pandemic that killed more than 1 million Americans, Capps saw an opportunity to work the system for personal gain.

Companies run by Capps, and a bogus charity he controlled, applied for and received approximately half a million dollars in federal grants that were supposed to help keep small businesses afloat and keep employees paid during COVID-mandated shutdowns of 2020.

Capps got the money through the simple expedient of lying on application forms. He claimed he had 38 employees, but they were phantoms. Capps hadnt issued a single paycheck in 2019, the base year for obtaining COVID grant funding.

Its not an overstatement to say that this would likely have never come to light without several years of diligent reporting on Capps by this newspaper, and in particular, investigative reporter Chance Swaim.

The official investigation of the COVID scam didnt begin until Swaim started asking questions.

Reporters dont have the power to subpoena the bank and business records that proved Capps lied to get money he didnt deserve.

But by analyzing government records and sifting through court documents from unrelated cases, Swaim was able to establish that Capps businesses and foundation were basically shell companies that did little commerce and had few, if any, employees.

He and other Eagle reporters were already familiar with Capps businesses from investigating a campaign scandal involving Capps, his business partner and former Wichita City Council member James Clendenin and former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael ODonnell.

The trio set up a fake, anonymous shell company in New Mexico to launch a false video smear campaign against mayoral candidate Brandon Whipple in his race against incumbent Jeff Longwell. Whipple was a state legislator at the time and the fake ad used paid actresses in silhouette reading a script of sexual-harassment allegations that were actually made against other legislators.

When the ad scheme backfired, Capps went on the radio accusing then-Sedgwick County Republican Chairman Dalton Glasscock of masterminding the video, although he had nothing to do with it. That blew up in the plotters faces when the young producer of the video revealed a secretly made recording of Capps, ODonnell and Clendenin conspiring to frame Glasscock.

Capps was in trouble from practically the moment he entered the public eye.

Shortly after the Republican Party appointed him to fill an unexpired term in the Legislature in 2018, reports surfaced that the Kansas Department of Children and Families had found he emotionally abused a young boy while serving as a court-appointed special advocate for the child. Capps appealed and won, because of deficiencies in the paperwork filed by DCF, which he claimed as vindication.

In a civil case, he was ordered to pay $200,000 for cheating on an agreement he made when selling a technology company he started to another firm.

On Thursday, Capps caught a break at his sentencing for COVID fraud.

Judge Eric Melgren gave him 27 months in prison, a downward departure from the 41 to 51 months that sentencing guidelines call for.

During the sentencing hearing, Capps cried and portrayed himself as too pathetic for prison. He claimed to suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome and weight-related pre-diabetes. He leaned on his Air Force service 20 years ago, and maintained he would be at high risk of death if he caught COVID in prison  ironic since hes on his way to prison for ripping off other peoples COVID relief money.

Moments after the sentencing he was back to his old arrogant self. Walking to his car from the courthouse, he flipped a middle-finger salute to Swaim, the reporter who started the case against him.

A strong takeaway from the sordid story of Michael Capps is the importance of local journalism. It was, more than anything else, diligent reporting that brought him to justice.

Capps final comeuppance was the result of years of hard work by Eagle journalists. Without it, the smear campaign on Whipple might never have been revealed for the sham that it was. Capps might still be writing our state laws and ODonnell would almost certainly still be on the County Commission. Clendenin would have been term-limited off the City Council, but who knows where he might have landed.

But most important, Capps would probably still be walking around with a few hundred thousand dollars of ill-gotten gains, stolen from taxpayers and the people who really needed that money to keep body and soul together through the pandemic.

We followed this story not for the Internet clicks it might generate, but because it needed to be done for the good of our city and our state. We spent more than we made on it.

Its called public-interest journalism. And its what we do.
Three people are dead after a truck slammed into a North Carolina home during a chase, officials said.

The chase began after occupants of the truck shot at and followed another vehicle in South Carolina and North Carolina around 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 14, authorities said.

The car was struck by gunfire in Cherokee County, South Carolina, and then relentlessly pursued by the truck for miles into Shelby, North Carolina, where the truck occupants continued firing on the car, according to a news release from the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina.

Given this persistence by the suspects, it appears they were determined to kill the occupants of the other vehicle, the sheriffs office said, adding that none of the people in the car were injured.

Deputies responded to the area and intervened, according to the sheriffs office.

The victims continued on, and a deputy tried to stop the suspects at an intersection, the sheriffs office said. The truck ran a red light and continued onto the highway before turning right.

The truck turned off its lights and picked up speed, the sheriffs office said, and the deputy lost sight of it.

He then found it crashed into a home, according to the sheriffs office.

Due to the horrific nature of the crash, deputies and Shelby Police Officers worked together to assist both the fire department and EMS in rendering aid to those in the suspect vehicle, the sheriffs office said.

Three people in the vehicle died, the Shelby Police Department told McClatchy News, and three others were taken to a hospital. One was released. All six occupants of the vehicle were males ages 15 to 20.

One person was in the home at the time of the crash but was not hurt, police said.

Officials did not say whether anyone is facing charges.

Given the relentlessness with which these suspects pursued and shot at the victims, it is a miracle that no one in the victims car was injured, Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said in the release. I am proud of the joint effort between all the involved agencies to work through this investigation.

The sheriffs office said multiple agencies are investigating the incident.

Shelby is about 50 miles west of Charlotte.

2 teens in stolen car killed in crash after high-speed chase, SC officials say

Family leaving zoo is struck in fit of road rage and forced into tree, Texas cops say

Young couple killed when driver of stolen car turns into oncoming traffic, NC cops say

Future Marine killed in hit-and-run, Texas cops say. His life was just beginning
Several hundred people responded with thousands of dollars in donations to help the families of two North Carolina teens who were killed by a wrong-way driver who also died.

A tragic situation for all involved, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. said on Facebook Friday when he released the name of the driver he said caused the wreck. We give our condolences to all who are affected by this.

The driver, 29-year-old Walnut Cove resident Joseph Brandon Smith, was in a stolen car and refused to stop for deputies before the crash Monday on U.S. 74 West, Kimbrough said.

Madison Grotschel, an 18-year-old from Kernersville, and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Tobaccoville resident Jayce Haverkos, were in the car hit head-on by Smith, WXII reported, citing the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Deputies began pursuing Smith on Baux Mountain Road near Dolphin Drive in the Germanton area of the county, WGHP reported.

Smith exited onto U.S 74 westbound, WFMY reported. At the bottom of the entrance ramp, he made a U-turn and drove into oncoming traffic, the station reported.

The teens died instantly, Grotschels aunt, Tamara Grillone, said on GoFundMe, where the fundraiser she started in her nieces memory neared its $16,000 goal Saturday.

Her niece was going to graduate high school this month, Grillone said.

Losing a child is not something our family had planned for, she wrote on Go Fund Me. It has been an incredibly difficult few days, and the last thing that my sister should be worried about is covering the cost of her daughters funeral.

By Saturday afternoon, 254 people had donated a total of $15,895.

And 108 people donated $6,068 on a Go Fund Me started by the twin sister of Jayces mom. Jayces aunt on Gund Fund Me called the loss of the teens horrible and senseless.

Wrote a woman who donated $20: I lost my son in August 2022 at age 31. No parent should have to bury a child. My heart goes out to you all.

Our hearts ache for you, a couple who donated $200 wrote. Please know we are praying for you all and are sending big hugs and loads of love.
United Nations-Secretary General Antonio Guterres is headed to Jamaica Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness where the two will discuss a wide-range of issues affecting the Caribbean region.

The two men will meet on Monday and the topics to discuss include the impact of the climate crisis in the Caribbean region and the global framework for disaster risk reduction. Also development financing will be a major discussion item.

Jamaica, along with Canada, is co-chair of the Group of Friends on Financing for Development. The effort is focused on reforming the global financial architecture so that developing countries, including those that are middle-income, can better manage debt and access technology and finance at affordable rates. This has been a major issue for Caribbean nations, which had their tourism-dependent economies hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result forced to take on more debt.

Despite this, many continue to be considered middle-income countries and therefore subject to high interests rates.

Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said both leaders will also discuss the situation in Haiti and how to involve the international community more strongly.

Some 22 months after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, Haiti remains in the throes of deepening chaos with hunger and cholera spreading throughout; and armed gang violence and kidnappings on the rise. There is also now worrying mob killings and lynchings of alleged gang members. At least 164 of such killings were documented in April, according to the United Nations Integrated Office in Port-au-Prince.

In recent days, police have launched several anti-gang operations aimed at taking back control of some communities. These includes the communities of Martissant and Portail Leogane that are located just south of the capital and have been under gang control for two years. On Thursday, police announced they were carrying out operations in the area, specifically against those operating in Village de Dieu, and heavy gunfire could be heard near the infamous kidnapping lair as specialized police units confronted armed gang members.

During a Saturday visit to the Portail Leogane police substation, under heavily armed guards, Police Chief Frantz Elbe, said the police force today finds itself at a historic crossroads where the population needs it like never before, he said. Its important for us to unite...for all the police to become one to fight back against the gangs so that the population can live normally.

U.N. officials have acknowledged efforts by Haitis beleaguered force to go after gangs but have noted that due to their small numbers, lack of equipment and firepower, they have a hard time maintaining control of the areas once they succeed in taking back control.

In October, Guterres supported Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henrys request for the rapid deployment of an international force to Haiti to assist the Haiti National Police, and both he and his special representative in Port-au-Prince have reiterated the call.

Jamaica, along with a few other smaller nations, has expressed a willingness to send troops to Haiti as part of a multinational force. But seven months after Guterres request, no large country has stepped forward to lead the effort. The United States, which penned a resolution at the U.N. Security Council to support such a deployment, doesnt want to lead and had been hoping Canada would. Though the country participated in several discussions with Jamaica, Haiti and other Caribbean nations, it has sent signals to the contrary.

In both meetings with Caribbean Community leaders in the Bahamas and President Biden in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada, for now, was focused on aiding the situation by proving financial assistance to the Haitian national police and by sanctioning individuals the Canadian government believes are supporting gangs and destabilizing Haiti through corruption.

In addition to its offer of troops, Holness, who visited Port-au-Prince in February, also offered to host a meeting of Haitis warring political factions in order to find a broader consensus around governance, which the international community has been insisting on.
A first-generation Mexican American college student, Kimberly Farias experienced imposter syndrome  when people feel like a fraud or a phony and doubting their abilities  during college.

Farias didnt know what imposter syndrome was before college and didnt have anybody at home to tell her, Hey, this is what, you know, whats going on, she said.

Because of her experience, Farias focused her thesis at UC Merced on this topic.

Its something that I think people need to know what it is and how to find different resources, said Farias.

Farias, a double major in political science and psychology, joined hundreds of Bobcats graduating Sunday (May 14) morning from UC Merceds School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student, on May 11 during speech rehearsal at UC Merced. Juan Rodriguez/Photo courtesy of UC Merced

Farias, who also double minored in writing studies and community research and service, was the student commencement speaker.

Tapped as a commencement speaker as a first-gen student, she said, is a tremendous privilege.

Her main message for fellow graduates, Farias said, is letting them know that whatever they put their mind to, they can accomplish.

She talks about her why in her speech, which is her purpose that pushes her and drives her every day  her mom, family, siblings, being that role model for them.

Farias, born in Van Nuys the oldest of four siblings, grew up in Arizona before her family moved back to California during her senior year of high school.

She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont in 2018 before her family relocated to Planada and then Chowchilla.

Farias mother is from Jalisco, Mexico; her father is from Colima, Mexico. Neither of them finished high school or went to college.

The 23-year-old Farias, who is fluent in Spanish, had to take a gap year from college when her financial aid was eliminated because she was considered an out-of-state student.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student and a double major in political science and psychology, joined hundreds of Bobcats graduating Sunday (May 14) morning from UC Merceds School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Farias

While she was sad and upset about her college plans being put on hold for a year, Farias worked during that time while waiting to attend UC Merced.

When youre ready and prepared to go to college and then you cant go, Farias said of the frustration of that experience. But its fine, things happen for a reason.

She has been living on campus for the last two years of her college career since coming back from COVID working as lead resident assistant of four residence halls for the universitys resident education.

Pursuing a PH.D and juris doctor degrees

Farias wants to pursue a Ph.D. in political science and is considering attending law school.

Her goal is to become an immigration lawyer and a political science professor.

Farias said living in Arizona gave her a lesson on how politics impacted not only on her own parents but family members and the community.

Seeing those injustices inspired Farias to become a voice for not only her community but for underrepresented and minority communities.

So thats like one of the reasons why I think Ive always, like, felt that I really want to be an immigration lawyer just to be able to give back and serve my people, Farias said.

Last semester Farias interned for the External Affair Office of Gov. Gavin Newson as part of the Maddy Legislative Internship Programs.

Topics closes to her heart

Farias political science thesis focused on the zero-tolerance immigration policy and the impact that it had on migrant childrens well-being during with the Trump administration when children were separated from their families.

I focused on the topic because I feel like it was a policy that impacted a lot of people, not only families, but children specifically, Farias said. It was a topic that was close to my heart, living in Arizona, really, really close to the border.

Farias said it was important to bring awareness to how a policy can impact the lives of many people.

It impacted a lot of kids. A lot of kids, unfortunately to this point, havent been reunited with their family, and its a mistake that was made by a specific administration, Farias said.

For her psychology thesis, Farias focused on the impact that metaphors have on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome.

For her psychology thesis, Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student and a double major in political science and psychology, focused on the impact that metaphors have on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Farias

UC Merced is majority first-generation college students, 75% of Merced is actually first gen, Farias said.

Her thesis looked at whether first generation college students are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, and if they do, what can be done to close the gap and what resources the college can provide to them.

Because unfortunately a lot of first gen, a lot of people of color, a lot of women specifically, they experience imposter syndrome, said Farias who conducted a survey of 250 students.

Farias said her thesis topics are relevant to the Central Valley because majority of Central Valley are Hispanic, Latinos, agriculture workers.

She also received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center and had two of her research papers published in the Undergraduate Research Journal at UC Merced.

Farias has also been able to be a presenter at different conferences about her research, talking about her psychology thesis on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student, on May 11 during speech rehearsal at UC Merced. Juan Rodriguez/Photo courtesy of UC Merced

Kimberly Farias favorites

Book: I like poetry. I have research papers that I like. The book is Im not your perfect Mexican daughter I read it in high school. I really liked it..

Food/meal: I like chiles rellenos with arroz rojo. My favorite for sure.

Place to visit: The Beach.

Music to listen to: I like Spanish music. Well, I like any type of genre. I do listen to a lot of you know, Banda, like Hispanic Mexican music. I like Camilo, I like. I love I love Spanish music for sure.

Movie: Monsters, Inc.

Hobby: I like to read, hike and just like to be out in nature for sure.

Best advice ever received: I do talk about it in my speech, its in Spanish. Tu educacion es la unica cosa que nadie te puede quitar. So, its just like your education is the only thing that nobody will ever be able to take away from you. And its something that my mom has always told me. So I think that was the big one.
Guns

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is proposing a bill allotting $900 million to harden schools with more security. She suggests the recruitment of former military personnel, and even grandparents, to protect children at school. How many more millions will be needed to harden and secure shopping malls, churches, grocery stores, nightclubs, concert arenas and the other everyday areas of American life under siege today?

Perhaps it will take a family with the incredible courage of Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, to allow us to see what doctors and first responders see at these horrific crime scenes, to finally move lawmakers to ban a weapon of war that deny all of us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Margaret Magnani, Cary

GOPs future in NC

The writer is executive director of Lillians List, which recruits women to run for office in N.C.

After Gov. Cooper vetoes the abortion bill and it returns to the legislature for a vote, Republicans would be wise to reconsider this callous and medically unnecessary attack on bodily autonomy.

While peoples feelings about abortion may be complicated, their desire to see it remain a legal and accessible part of health care is not. Overwhelmingly, the general public wants women to be able to access abortion care when they need it.

In 2024 there will be competitive legislative races and consequential statewide races on the ballot in North Carolina. If Republicans in Raleigh continue to press their anti-abortion agenda, they will learn the hard way the lessons that their colleagues in Kentucky, Wisconsin and Michigan have already learned.

Sarah Preston, Raleigh

School vouchers

I am appalled at the General Assemblys plan to expand private school vouchers to all students regardless of income. The Wake waiting list for NC Innovations Waiver assistance for the intellectually disabled is currently processing applications from 2010 due to lack of funds. Thats right, if you apply today you may get help in 13 years. Over that time, a private school student could get about $39,000 under this bill  while the disabled child waits for their first dime. I guess families of the disabled arent large Republican contributors. Theyre spending their money on services for their child.

Susan Montgomery, Raleigh

Billboards

Regarding Billboard companies want to cut more trees along NC roads, (May 8):

It takes 730 trees to offset the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by a persons annual fossil fuel usage. Cutting down trees should be discouraged. However, if billboard companies are allowed to cut down trees, they should be required to plant enough trees to offset those they cut down. It makes no sense to limit carbon emissions while trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emit oxygen in exchange, can be cut down for commercial purposes.

Barton Bloom, Clayton

Trees

Wouldnt it be wonderful to live in a place where we paid to keep the living beauty of trees, like redbuds, on our roadsides and instead cut down the billboards that hid them from view?

Nancy Corson Carter, Chapel Hill

Dix Park

Dix Park promises to evolve into a crown jewel among Raleighs many attractions, and by one key measure its already a huge success. The Dix Park Conservancy contributed $25.5 million to planning and construction of the parks first major investment: Gipson Play Plaza. Contributions came from across the community: walkers, joggers, dog owners, parents, grandparents, preservationists, businesses and more. All share a common belief: The city made a wise decision to purchase the 308-acre Dix Hill site and make it a world-class place for all people.

The park will generate more meetings, community gatherings, robust public discussion and headlines in the coming years, along with countless, joyful moments sparked among visitors. As a member of the Dix Park Conservancy Board of Directors, I believe Dix Park is destined to be a major contributor to the economic, social, physical and emotional well-being of Raleigh and its citizens.

Ines Palacios, Raleigh

Chapel Hill

As CEO of Grubb Properties, Im writing to thank the Chapel Hill Town Council for their support of Link Apartments Rosemary.

To build a strong and vibrant downtown, young professionals need places to work and live year-round. The council recognized this when it unanimously approved Link Apartments Rosemary, which will provide 150 units of essential housing. Its the kind of year-round housing needed to bolster local businesses and revitalize downtown redevelopment in Chapel Hill.

Grubb Properties worked closely with town leaders and UNC-Chapel Hill to envision an innovation district on East Rosemary Street, and additional housing is integral to ensuring the success of this initiative. The Town Council recognized that to attract the best workers, you must provide them with good jobs and affordable, quality places to live. We hope other localities will be inspired to find ways to work with private companies to meet their communitys needs and position themselves for a vibrant future.

Clay Grubb, Charlotte
Liz Trusss visit to Taiwan risks undermining Rishi Sunak on the world stage, senior Conservatives have warned.

The former prime minister was accused of embarking on a trip that looks selfish and disloyal and which will complicate the governments position on China.

It comes as Mr Sunak prepares to attend his first meeting of the G7 group of world leaders, at which the issue of how to deal with China is expected to be discussed.

Ms Truss will visit Taiwan this week to give a speech billed as showing "solidarity" with the self-governed island in the face of "increasingly aggressive behaviour" from Beijing.

She is expected to urge the West to get real about military and defence cooperation to avoid conflict in the South China Sea, saying: We cannot pretend there can be meaningful deterrence without hard power.

Taiwan is self-governing and a democracy but is viewed by China as a breakaway province that must unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Tobias Ellwood, the chair of the Commons defence committee, said of Ms Trusss trip: All former Tory prime ministers recognise how every single comment, speech or public engagement given will be scrutinised by the media to see if they are faithful to their successor.

If there is a question that any action might challenge or distract from the partys current agenda or electoral prospects, then the former PMs should ask themselves why go ahead as it will simply look selfish and disloyal.

He added: Beijing will not recognise Truss travelling as independent from government but will interpret this as instructions from No 10.

It, therefore, complicates the governments own position on China.

Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind predicted the trip would trigger a very adverse hostile reaction from the Chinese.

Former prime minister Liz Truss has been accused of complicating the governments position on China with a visit to Taiwan this week (PA Archive)

The Chinese government will assume, because it would automatically apply in their own case, that if Ms Truss as a former British prime minister is going to Taiwan it must be with the approval of our government, he added.

Another Tory former cabinet minister quipped: Lets hope she does not trigger an invasion.

No 10 declined to comment.

The government has said it would not get involved in the independent travel decisions of a private citizen who is not a member of the government.

An ally of Ms Truss accused those criticising the visit of playing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

They said: We know all too well that the Chinese government is hostile to Western visitors going to Taiwan: President Xi is trying to bully Western politicians into not visiting or speaking out on this issue precisely so that a takeover of Taiwan can eventually become a fait accompli. Liz is not going to be bullied by the regime in Beijing and those carping from the sidelines about her visit are playing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Partys agenda and ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Earlier this week Alicia Kearns, the Conservative chair of the foreign affairs select committee, attacked the planned visit as the worst kind of Instagram diplomacy.
Ukraine was under fire from Russian missiles on Saturday as the Eurovision Song Contest took place, including the university hometown of the Ukrainian act Tvorchi, the British ambassador said.

Meanwhile, this Eurovision night Ukraine is under another Russian missile attack, Dame Melinda Simmons tweeted.

Reminder that the reason why (Ukraine) could not host this event is because (Russia) continues to invade and the people of (Ukraine) live in continuing danger.

Ukrainian officials said missiles hitTernopil, a city in western Ukraine several hundred miles from the frontlines of the Russian invasion.

Ternopil Oblast governor Volodymyr Trush reported that warehouses belonging to commercial enterprises and a religious organisation caught fire. He said two civilians were in hospital with shrapnel injuries and burns as a result of the attack.

The governor wrote on Telegram: I ask all residents of Ternopil Oblast not to be near the place of fire under any circumstances. I remind you - the curfew continues!

Serhii Nadal, Mayor of Ternopil, asked residents to stay in a safe place until the air-raid alert ceases.

Praising Ukraines entrants in the song contest, Dame Melinda said: Tvorchi (definitely) win the prize for graphics. The staging was brilliant.

And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by (Russian) missiles this eve.

The electronic duo, made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigeria-raised vocalist Jeffery Kenny, are hoping to defend the title after Kalush Orchestra swept to victory last year on a wave of public support.

Ukraine entrant Tvorchi entertain the crowd (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

Their song Heart Of Steel, inspired by the bravery of the Ukrainian people, drew cheers from the audience at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool after it featured lyrics in both English and Ukrainian.

At the end of their performance, the pair held their fists in the air as acts from other nations were also seen waving the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine.

Jeffrey Kenny and Andrii Hutsuliak, members of the Tvorchi duo, pose for a portrait in the central Ukrainian railway station on April 28, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine (Getty Images)

Bookmakers have predicted Tvorchi will perform well with the voting public but they face stiff competition from runaway favourites Sweden and Finland.

This years competition marks the first time the UK has hosted a final in 25 years. It was decided that Liverpool would host after 2022s winning country Ukraine said it would be unable to, due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.

Saturday saw several developments on the battlefield in Ukraine. After Russia admitted it had retreated from parts of Bakhmut, Ukraine said its troops were advancing on the key city from two directions.

Meanwhile, independent Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that four Russian military aircraft were shot down in home territory.

Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been shot down almost simultaneously in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine.

The Russian state news agency Tass said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause.
JR's "Women Are Heroes, Action in Favela Morro da Providencia, Favela by day, Rio de Janeiro" (2008) Courtesy of JR-ART.NET



Anonymous French photographer's first-ever retrospective in Asia, "JR: Chronicles," unfolds at Lotte Museum of Art



By Park Han-sol



Where can you find French photographer JR's colossal black-and-white portraits of everyday people? On the walls, rooftops and bridges of countless cities  and even at the U.S.-Mexico border at one point.



There's a reason why the elusive artist, who hides behind a pseudonym and a pair of sunglasses, claims to "own the largest gallery in the world."



Whether they be the faces of women pasted on the rooftops of Rio de Janeiro's favelas, monumental pairs of eyes sprawled across the exterior of moving trains in a Kenyan slum, or a 20-meter-tall Mexican toddler curiously peeking over the barrier wall that borders the U.S., his images of ordinary, nameless locals often occupy neighborhoods around the world that are rife with socio-political tension.





JR, the elusive French artist and photographer who hides behind a pseudonym and a pair of sunglasses, pastes his images of ordinary, nameless locals across neighborhoods around the world that are rife with socio-political tension. Courtesy of JR-ART.NET

His touring retrospective, "JR: Chronicles," mounted in Asia for the first time at the Lotte Museum of Art in southern Seoul, traces the evolution of his now-iconic public photography projects that aim to "connect people and create a mirror of society, a mirror of the city," the artist remarked during a recent press preview.



The Parisian artist's love affair with photography began around the age of 16 when he came across an old film camera left in the subway.



As a young graffitist working under the alias FACE 3, JR began documenting his own crafts, and later, his friends in action. He then pasted black-and-white photocopies of these images on walls throughout the city  illegally, of course  to organize what he called, "Expo 2 Rue," or sidewalk gallery.



"At that time, I didn't know that there were galleries or museums. I would just take over the street and exhibit my photography this way," he said.





Installation view of JR's "Portrait of Generation, Araba" (2004) at the heart of Paris / Courtesy of JR-ART.NET



In 2004, the photographer initiated his first major public project, "Portrait of a Generation," where he took close-up images of young residents in the Parisian "banlieues," or suburbs, of Montfermeil and Clichy-sous-Bois. The French term is typically associated with communities with low-income housing projects, high unemployment rates and a large population of ethnic minorities.



The portraits of the working-class immigrants confronting the camera and making silly faces were then enlarged and pasted throughout the heart of Paris, bringing their stigmatized existence to upscale neighborhoods where they would otherwise never be seen or heard.



By inviting the youth to "play the caricatures of themselves," the project gave them the means to determine how they were represented in publicly disseminated images and thus challenge media bias.



His photographs became laden with another meaning the next year when they turned into the backdrop of an intense three-week riot over youth unemployment and police harassment in the banlieues.



"I shot my project in 28 millimeter-lens, which forces you to be very close to (your subject), so that means you take it with trust  compared to the long lens that at that time the media was using to capture the riots (from afar)," he noted.





Installation view of JR's "Face 2 Face" (2006-7) at the Lotte Museum of Art in southern Seoul / Courtesy of Lotte Museum of Art



Since then, JR's guerrilla portraits of those pushed to the margins have become a stimulating vehicle to reconnect people and change the way they see each other.



His "Face 2 Face," completed during a period of fierce strife in the Gaza Strip from 2006 to 2007, featured pairs of close-ups of Palestinians and Israelis who held the same jobs: taxi drivers, doctors, athletes, religious leaders, etc.



With his on-site collaborators, the artist installed these blown-up portraitures together on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides of the border wall, organizing what was considered the largest illegal photo exhibition ever at that time.



"It was fascinating to see that people couldn't recognize who was the hairdresser from Palestine and who was the hairdresser from Israel and so on," the photographer said. "Before, they would only see each other through the media and what it was reporting on the other. So, sometimes they would not necessarily have the right image of the person on the other side."



His images offered a glimpse of the common ground found between the two parties, albeit momentarily.





JR's "The Chronicles of New York City" (2019) / Courtesy of JR-ART.NET





JR's "The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America" (2018) / Courtesy of JR-ART.NET



As the Parisian artist's public photography projects continued to turn people's heads in all four corners of the globe, they began to expand both in terms of ambition and scale.



Inspired by the monumental frescoes of the Mexican painter Diego Rivera, JR started producing striking murals symbolically visualizing an entire city or community.



For "The Chronicles" series, he and his team would travel to Parisian suburbs, San Francisco and New York on a makeshift studio truck, spending months filming and interviewing thousands of residents from all walks of life one by one in front of a green screen. They would then stitch the individual images or videos together to create the imposing montage.



He characterized the whole process as "a giant puzzle that we do as we shoot it."



Among these photographic collages on display, the immediate attention-grabber is "The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America," featured on the cover of Time magazine in November 2018.



Through portraits of 245 faces, each with their own history  families of shooting victims, gun rights activists, gun collectors, armed pastors, law enforcement officials and emergency room staff who regularly take bullets out of bodies of mass shooting victims  the mural powerfully visualizes a wide spectrum of views on gun control in the U.S.



"I couldn't have those people in the same room because they do not agree with each other," JR said. "But when we presented it in museums across the United States, both sides would come to see themselves and then would also meet the people on the other side. So, it allowed a discussion between those two groups."





"Migrants, Mayra, Picnic Across the Border, Tecate, Mexico-U.S.A" (2017) Courtesy of JR-ART.NET



The artist continues his self-assigned mission to this day to utilize images as a platform to form connections and change perceptions.



His participatory project, "Inside Out," launched in 2011, invites anyone in the world to submit their self-portraits to his studio, which will then be printed and shipped back to them in the form of paper posters. These prints can be pasted everywhere, he said, to highlight a statement or issue within their community. In the span of a decade, more than 500,000 portraits have appeared in 149 countries worldwide.



In time for the Seoul show, JR has also created an anamorphic, illusionary work of photography inspired by the Han River.



"It has been very interesting to see the impact of art in tons of places and that's what I love doing," the 40-year-old said when speaking of his decades-long practice. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. It's just paper  but if it works, it can have a tremendous impact."



"JR: Chronicles" runs through Aug. 6 at the Lotte Museum of Art.




It seems the elderly British are super-loyal and believe the monarchy is a strength. But those under 30 are indifferent or hostile

There is still a bit of euphoria left over from the coronation, last week. Newspapers are still coming out with multicoloured supplements of the King and his extended family. So everyone is still a little giddy with the parties and the celebrations. And the wall-to-wall coverage.

We escaped any crisis, thanks to Prince Harry maintaining a low profile as he came, sat quietly in a back row through the coronation and then scooted back to Heathrow to be present at his sons birthday in Los Angeles. A sigh of relief that the joyous occasion was not marred by any tantrums which would have only inspired another Netflix movie!

India sent the Honourable Vice-President to attend the coronation. So Londoners had the benefit of meeting him at the local Taj where he spoke to the large gathering followed by a dinner.

But as always, there is a reaction following all that jollity.

This being Britain in the 21st century, there is a debate about whether royalty will survive for long. While the splendour of the coronation ceremony should have silenced such debates, there has been a reverse effect. There are a growing number of Republicans in the British population, who were standing around even in the coronation crowds, with placards stating Not My King. As expected, the police overreacted and arrested some of them fearing that these demonstrators may upset the procession or, even worse, upset the tight timetable by blocking it, lying down in the road as the climate change rebels do. The procession went through on time but as a consequence the Republicans got a lot of publicity. Questions were asked in Parliament about them. But there has been an increase in their membership and newspapers are agog with shock at such unseemly behaviour. However, for many in India who got rid of their maharajah system post-Independence this addiction to royalty appears to belong to a different era. Somewhat quaint and old-fashioned.

It seems the elderly British are super-loyal and believe the monarchy is a strength. But those under 30 are indifferent or hostile. So unless the youngsters mature into monarchists, there is a problem for the young Prince George  the next but one in line of succession  though William the Prince of Wales may just get away with it. Maybe because he and his wife are already trying to look like one of the masses: he will be the king connected to the people, unlike his father who may still need someone to squeeze the toothpaste tube for him every morning.

But lets not forget that the monarchy is a whole industry and far too many people  including the tourism industry  depend on it. Not to speak of the staff who maintains and manages the various palaces.

But out in the real world, business as usual has resumed. We had local elections in most parts of the country except London. It is a rule of British politics that the ruling party loses seats in local elections. Then we get into a debate as to what this will do to its chances in the general elections. The truthful answer is, no one knows. But that does not stop speculation. As the Conservatives lost more than they had expected, there is much speculation about Rishi Sunak.

He has, however, done 200 days as Prime Minister, which, given recent history, is quite remarkable. But during the coronation, it was Penny Mordaunt who had a starring role as Leader of the House of Commons (a post established centuries ago), carrying a sword and preceding the King through the ceremony. She had contested and lost in the leadership elections which Liz Truss won. So now she is being touted as the next Prime Minister. One would have thought there is little time left before the next election to change Prime Ministers but then English politics has become like the weather  unpredictable.

There are pleasant surprises, however. The Eurovision Song Contest which has been going on for over 65 years has come to Liverpool this year. It should be held in Kyiv, Ukraine, as it was a Ukrainian group which won the contest last year. That qualified Kyiv to stage this years contest. But the situation being a bit dangerous out there, Liverpool was chosen (as the native place of the Beatles) to do the honours. The music will range from the predictable to the bizarre. But the thrill of the Eurovision is the final decision. Each country taking part has a panel watching which gets to cast their votes on the performance of each contesting country. As the contest is European, the language is French. The scoring is the highlight, not the music. The country getting the maximum points is the winner so this is a democratically decided contest. I always enjoy the cheeky commentary that accompanies it and this year it is Sweden who has been voted as the winner! Well, that brings back memories of ABBA  who won the Eurovision in 1974 with Waterloo  and then never looked back!
There is no better evidence of this change than the response of the Bengaluru voter to Mr Modis heavily garlanded roadshow

Elections to the Karnataka Assembly became the first important battleground on which Rahul Gandhi directly confronted Narendra Modi. Mr Gandhi won. Mr Modi lost.

That about sums up the first important significance of the Karnataka electoral verdict. Ever since he entered active politics, Rahul Gandhi has not been credited with any decisive victory for his party. His inability to convincingly lead the Congress Party to electoral victory became his Achilles heel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his rambunctious acolytes could easily make fun of him, dubbing him Pappu.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra changed all that. It helped Rahul Gandhi acquire a wholly new image as a down to earth, principled, idealistic, earnest, boy-next-door. He clicked as much with family elders as with idealistic and aspirational young people. While Mr Modi has retained his appeal to his core support base, the middle class that enthusiastically voted for him in 2014 and in 2019 has become increasingly disillusioned. Barring the communalised sections of the middle class that have become diehard supporters of the Hindutva project of asserting Hindu majoritarianism, most others are no longer impressed by Mr Modis bombastic oratory or his obsessive self-projection of himself.

There is no better evidence of this change than the response of the Bengaluru voter to Mr Modis heavily garlanded roadshow on a carpet of marigolds and rose petals. Maybe he tried to project himself as a later day Wodeyar Maharajah. Short of sitting atop an elephant, Mr Modi did everything to look like one. Rahul Gandhi travelled around the city on public transport engaging young people, while Mr Modi merely smiled at children on the other side of a barbed wire, refusing to touch extended hands.

Karnatakas Bharatiya Janata Party leadership could not bridge this gap. The Karnataka result is, without doubt, a huge morale booster for the Congress Party and its leadership. While the task ahead is humungous and Mr Modi remains ahead of any available political challenger, he no longer appears invincible. If the final numbers had been closer, say 114 to 100, many explanations would have been trotted out to protect the Prime Ministers image and not allow the defeat to besmirch it. However, a result like the one we have is nothing less than a resounding defeat that directly impacts Prime Minister Modis image.

The second important implication of the Karnataka result is that it will help breach an important psychological barrier that has largely held back overt criticism of the Prime Minister. The incarceration of many journalists and a variety of other critics, and the official hounding of individuals and institutions critical of the Narendra Modi government had generated fear of regime leadership both within the institutions of the State and in the media. While the government corrupted the media with huge advertisement spends and the pampering of the faithful, self-censorship on the part of many editors and journalists became a larger problem. Journalists, especially in television media, have been willing to crawl when asked to bend.

It is interesting to see the reception on the social media over the past few days to Parakala Prabhakars recently published collection of essays, The Crooked Timber of New India, with many admiring his courage for speaking truth to power and calling a spade a spade. Prabhakar went on the social media to assert that the Modi regime is staggeringly incompetent. Suddenly, many have woken up to the fact that Mr Modi can be challenged and criticised openly. Journalists who have reduced

themselves to propagandists must introspect as to how much damage they have done to their own reputation and to that of the profession. It remains to be seen if professionalism will assert itself over partisanship within the media.

A third important outcome is the failure of Mr Modi and the Sangh Parivar to benefit from their cynical deployment of an appeal to religion and the religious beliefs of ordinary people to secure political power. Not only was history distorted to malign Tipu Sultan and Hindu priests invited to endorse candidates, the Prime Minister made a wholly objectionable statement asking Karnatakas voters to say Jai Bajrang Bali while pressing the button on the voting machine. This was perhaps the lowest depth to

which the communalisation of the electoral process had reached. That the Karnataka voter ignored such cynical manipulation of their faith is testimony to the essentially secular character of most Hindus, especially in Southern India.

We are seeing the long-term social and economic consequences of the cynical mixing of religion and politics in Pakistan. Few recall that the Pakistani economy was ahead of Indias for close to three decades, from the 1950s till the 1980s. India took off in the 1990s, leaving an increasingly Islamised Pakistan far behind.

On the other hand, Bangladesh has taken off as an economy, overtaking India on per capita income, as a country now constitutionally wedded to secularism.

Removing religion out of politics is a good way of keeping the focus on equitable development, treating all citizens as equals.

Many economists have argued that mixing politics with religion has a debilitating impact on governance and economic development. While the Modi BJP has often been critical of Atal Behari Vajpayee and his leadership of the party, as a country India performed well during Vajpayees tenure because he opted for more liberal politics, eschewing hardline Hindutva. Mr Modis decade has not been a particularly impressive one in terms of governance and development despite the leadership being more assertive and authoritarian. It remains to be seen if the Modi BJP draws any such lessons from the Karnataka verdict or ends up blaming the state leadership, absolving the national leadership of all responsibility.

Finally, a more self-confident Congress Party will have to tread the ground carefully over the next year if it wishes to regain its national support base. Its performance in the states where it governs will be one leg of its claim to power in 2024. The other leg would be pursuing imaginative policies and politics that restore hope to a sullen middle class, improve the social and economic prospects of the poor, revive the so-called animal spirits of Indian private enterprise and regain Indias global stature as a secular, liberal, plural democracy.

The writer is an author, a former newspaper editor and adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. His latest book is Journey of a Nation: 75 Years of Indian Economy.
Elected by the General Assembly of the confederation of charitable bodies of the Catholic Churches worldwide. His first words, "On the front lines to welcome, accompany, serve and defend the poor and vulnerable." Bangladeshi layman Benedict Alo D'Rozario confirmed as president of Caritas Asia.

Rome (AsiaNews) - The General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis - currently underway in Rome - last night elected Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo as the new president of this confederation, which since 1951 has brought together 162 charitable organizations of the Catholic Churches around the world.

For the next four years, therefore, it will be another Asian prelate who will pick up the baton of Card. Luis Antonio Tagle, former archbishop of Manila and now pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who has been president of Caritas Internationalis since 2015.

Archbishop Kikuchiu - who is also president of the Bishops' Conference of Japan and secretary general of the Federation of Bishops' Conferences of Asia (Fabc) - takes on this position at a delicate stage for the life of Caritas Internationalis: last November, Pope Francis, in a measure suggested by the dicastery for Human Development in the face of problems that had emerged within the general secretariat, had ordered a "temporary commissioning" for the body, entrusted to layman Pierfrancesco Pinelli.

"Caritas," the Archbishop of Tokyo said yesterday, addressing the 400 Caritas delegates from around the world, "must be on the front lines to welcome, accompany, serve and defend the poor and vulnerable. This mission must be sustained and be the focus of the members of the Confederation, and I would like to be the one, together with the secretary general (who has yet to be appointed ed.), to lead the entire organization to fulfill this important mission of the Church. We are all invited to walk together."

Born in Iwate on Nov. 1, 1958, Msgr. Kikuchi is a missionary of the Verbiti congregation. Ordained a priest in 1986, he carried out the first years of his ministry in Ghana, Africa, where he was a parish pastor in a rural area for eight years.

He began working with Caritas in the 1990s in Africa as a volunteer in the refugee camp in Bukavu, then Zaire. He then returned to his home country and served as executive director of Caritas Japan from 1999 to 2004.

Later appointed by Benedict XVI as bishop of Niigata, he served as president of Caritas Japan from 2007 to 2022 and in this capacity coordinated the solidarity interventions deployed by the church body during the triple catastrophe of March 11, 2011, when a devastating earthquake, the subsequent tidal wave and the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant sowed death, destruction and fear in a large area of the country. He has also served as president of Caritas Asia since 2011.

Picking up his baton in the latter role in 2019 was layman Benedict Alo D'Rozario, former executive director of Caritas Bangladesh. D'Rozario, who is 66 years old, was renewed in confidence by the 24 charitable bodies of the Asian churches at the ongoing Assembly in Rome, so he will serve for another four years as regional president.

"I was surprised to be elected - said archbishop Kikuchi to AsiaNews -. I was planning to leave this morning, after someone became the president. So it was quite difficult to understand what was going on last evening in 3 votings".

"Caritas is the service of the Church being a witness of care, love and unity based on the Gospel. It should be a professional international humanitarian aid agency but, at the same time, it should proclaim the good news of Jesus through its actions. It should create hope and not disappointment. It should be means of unity but not of disparity. It should promote synodal church involving everyone. No one should be excluded and no one should be forgotten".

"Caritas Internationalis - added archbishop Kikuchi - could be considered being in difficult time of its existence. So I have to try my best to create unity among members of the confederation. And I need everyone to walk and work together".

(Nirmala Carvalho cooperated)

ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY VIA E-MAIL? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER HERE.
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, left, poses with an Indonesian employee of LINE Bank at an event promoting LINE Bank's digital services in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



By Lee Yeon-woo



Hana Financial Group promoted its digital banking service, LINE Bank, in Indonesia through a collaboration with Samsung Electronics.



The bank announced on Sunday that it hosted a hands-on experience event where local customers could learn about LINE Bank's innovative digital services while experiencing cutting-edge smart devices from Samsung Electronics.



The event took place on Thursday at Senayan Park, a shopping mall located in Jakarta, Indonesia.



LINE Bank is a digital-banking service that was launched in Indonesia in 2021 through a partnership between KEB Hana Indonesia and the international messenger platform company LINE.



The bank provides a range of convenient services, such as commission-free remittance, mobile-based account opening and loan applications, all without the need to visit a physical bank branch.



During the event, visitors had the opportunity to experience the loan services offered by LINE Bank, enabling them to apply for loans and receive approvals within just five minutes. Additionally, the convenience of transactions using QR codes, facilitated by Samsung Electronics' latest mobile phones, was also showcased.



According to the bank, the event attracted hundreds of local visitors, indicating a positive response from the community.



LINE Bank aims to continuously broaden its presence in the realm of innovative finance by fostering stronger partnerships with Indonesian platforms, technology corporations as well as Korean corporations that entered the Indonesian market.



"I see that LINE Bank, the group's first mobile bank launched overseas, is receiving love from Indonesia. The membership has already surpassed 500,000 within just one year since its launch," said Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo. "Hana Financial Group is committed to showcasing its brand-new value not only to Indonesian customers but also to the world through collaborations with various global partners," he added.


After debuting as the top Bel Air in 1958, Impala gradually turned into a money-making machine. As such, when the new generation was launched in 1965, Chevrolet was already prepared for record sales.Impala did not disappoint, becoming the first car in the United States after World War II that managed to sell more than 1 million units in a single year. 1965 Impala is, therefore, a highly desirable classic, especially when exhibiting a tip-top shape and working everything. This example isn't necessarily a collector's dream but could be one with the right fixes.The owner explains that the car has been sitting for many years in a garage, and anyone can tell this is true by simply checking the shared photos. At some point during its tenure in hiding, water invaded the vinyl top, eventually getting under it and causing massive rust damage. As a result, the car now needs a new top, especially if you're aiming for a full restoration to factory condition.The owner claims the vehicle is still complete, and this is clearly good news for anyone who wants to start a full refresh. On the other hand, not all parts can be used for restoration, as the windshield, for example, has a crack and must be replaced completely.Despite the water invasion, most metal still looks fairly decent, with the floors, in particular, sporting an unexpected shape. A car sitting for so long typically comes with wrecked floors that require patching or full replacements. This SS, however, has very solid floors, possibly as the storage conditions haven't been the worst (except for the water, of course).The car comes with good news under the hood as well. The engine in charge of putting the wheels in motion is still there. The 283 (4.7-liter) V8 continues to run, but on the other hand, you shouldnt consider it road-worthy for the time being. With 56K miles (90K km) on the clock, the original engine doesnt seem to require too many fixes other than the typical maintenance.Unfortunately, we're not getting a close look at the interior, but the bucket seats are presumably still there. In fact, most of the parts that appear to be missing in the photos are currently in the cabin, so potential buyers should go check out everything in person. The vehicle is parked in Bridgeton, New Jersey.eBay seller eloewner expects to get up to $9,500 for the car, but other offers would be considered as well.
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Colors Previews https://t.co/uwsz3CyoJH  Tacoma4G.com (@tacoma4g) May 12, 2023

Based on said photograph, the good folks from the Tacoma4G forum have rendered the newcomer in a selection of interesting paint colors. The list kicks off with Army Green and Lunar Rock, followed by Blue Crush and Lightning Yellow. As for the remainder, it consists of Barcelona Red, Voodoo Blue, Electric Lime, Solar Octane, and a bronze-like paint color previewed by the design teasers for the Tacoma Trailhunter.Trailhunter is Toyota's way of challenging the Colorado Trail Boss and Ranger Tremor. It slots below the TRD Pro in the mid-size pickup truck's range, and it's highly probable for Toyota to offer the Trailhunter exclusively as a Double Cab.A work-oriented Access Cab has also been confirmed, and there's also a six-speed manual in the offing. The three-pedal setup is huge in this particular segment because  as far as the US market is concerned  only the Jeep Gladiator can be specified with one. Ford is much obliged to sell you a manual-equipped Ranger overseas, but in this part of the world, the 10R torque-converter automatic transmission will make do.Arguably the most anticipated midsizer of 2023, the fourth-generation Tacoma has plenty of expectations to live up to. From Toyota's point of view, the only expectation for it comes in the form of sales. The outgoing 'Taco already leads the segment by a tremendous margin, and  keep them fingers crossed  the 2024 model will make its forerunner proud.Toyota delivered a whopping 237,323 units last year in the United States. By comparison, the Chevrolet Colorado finished 2022 with 89,197 examples to its name. Even if we count the technically similar GMC Canyon together with the Colorado, the biggest automaker of the Big Three in Detroit still has a very long way to go until it reaches the Tacoma.There is, however, a certain something that may put off a few potential customers of the 2024 model. That something is the purported choice of engines, consisting of turbocharged mills rather than naturally-aspirated powerplants. The base four-cylinder is believed to displace 2.4 liters, and common sense tells us that the aforementioned manual is exclusive to it.A hybrid will be available as well, with the TRD Pro confirmed to feature said powertrain. At press time, we only know that it's called i-FORCE MAX. Could it be a hybrid-assisted twin-turbo V6, as is the case in the full-size Tundra? Wouldn't the 2.4-liter I4 be a better pick for a mid-size pickup? Whatever the outcome may be, rest assured because Toyota knows how to do hybrids better than everyone else.
Photo: Chinese State Media

Not by the hands of the ex-Soviets, but instead by the People's Republic of China. With the China National Space Administration' s (CNSA's) human-crewed lunar exploration program now very much underway, it's essentially a two-horse race between the CNSA and NASA to determine which nation is the first to touch down on another heavenly body in over half a century. But don't get it twisted, NASA and their cohorts from the ESA, JAXA, and the rest of the nations signed on to the Artemis Accords are still undoubtedly ahead of the pack in terms of carrier rocket and spacecraft technology. But this is no guarantee of victory.Though Artemis I, with its SLS booster rocket and fancy Lockheed Martin Orion crew capsule, operated pretty much flawlessly after scrubbing the launch three times from August to November of 2022, signs are already showing that progress might not remain consistent throughout the 2020s. In March 2023, NASA announced that the Artemis program's second mission, Artemis II, originally slated to launch in May of 2024, had been postponed a further six months to November of that year.Citing unforeseen challenges in modifying the SLS rocket and its launch pad on top of other financial difficulties, it's entirely possible that Artemis II simply doesn't launch in 2024 whatsoever if even one more round of setbacks befalls the mission. In the interim, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have rallying support for a comprehensive budget increase for NASA and its affiliates for the 2024 fiscal year. Under these plans, NASA's federal endowment would increase to $27.2 billion for next year, a roughly seven percent increase over 2023.Under these provisions, this budgetary package would include an allotment of $8.1 billion strictly dedicated to the Artemis program. Of course, such a budgetary increase would need its particulars worked over by both houses of Congress before its approval. Meaning, ultimately, it's anybody's guess what the final numbers for next year's NASA budget will look like. In the meantime, the CNSA is watching, biding their time as they themselves construct their own lunar exploration hardware.But unlike NASA, whose budget is beholden to the whims of politicians operating strictly down party lines, China's single-party state dictatorship ensures the space-exploration ambitions of Xi Jinping and his inner circle are followed without question. Though an absolute nightmare in terms of human rights violations, this ability to expedite vital decisions regarding the Chinese human-crewed lunar program is awfully concerning for Western space agencies fearful of being overtaken in the space race.The CNSA's Long March 9 super-heavy booster rocket is already well under development with the intention of carrying enough payload into trans-lunar injection to facilitate a Chinese human-crewed lunar landing. With an estimated takeoff thrust level of 60 MN (13,000,000 lbs), only SpaceX' s Starship launch systems even come close to reaching this figure. All the while, a novel Chinese adaptation of a Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) with a unique two-stage design intended to partition fuel for the descent as well as ascent phase at least appears to be a more practical solution than a massive SpaceX Starship HLS.Of course, a bunch of static mockups at a Chinese air and space convention are, well, just that. But what if this hardware manages to leap out of the mockup phase before NASA and the ESA are ready to put human beings on the surface of the Moon again? If NASA continues to run into financial turmoil stemming from Congress being unable, or more appropriately, unwilling to allocate the proper funds to stay ahead of the curve, will we really see a Chinese red moon in our lifetime?Well, don't despair. Why? Because let's remember what happened in For All Mankind when the Soviets reached the Moon first. NASA personnel and their government financiers became well and truly ticked off and wanted to avenge their loss in the first stage of the space race by kicking the Soviet's butts going forward. By the end of season 3, NASA maintained a permanent presence at the lunar south pole, operated nuclear-powered space shuttles with ease, and managed to land human beings on Mars by the year 1996.Of course, this was all just a television show. But if the Chinese Communist party manages to land humans on the Moon before NASA and the ESA, do you really think the U.S. Government is going to roll over and accept defeat? There's not a chance in the world that happens. In the event that the red Moon comes to pass, chances are very good that, like on Apple TV, Congress finally loosens the reigns on NASA and gives them the monetary support to do things in space that would have once been nothing short of science fiction.With that in mind, if sometime in the late 2020s, you log onto Twitter or YouTube and find the Chinese planting their flag on the lunar surface before the Americans, we encourage you not to despair. Why? Because it means NASA, the ESA, and all its international partners are about to receive the all-clear to take the gloves off. This time, they'll have the financial support to make it happen. When that day comes, it might just be the day humanity goes down the path of creating For all Mankind in our own reality. Except this time, the story that unfolds might be even more spectacular than what some Apple TV writer is able to come up with.But what do you think? Does China have hope in heck of beating NASA to the Moon? Or are we giving a bunch of plastic mockups on display at a Chinese science convention entirely too much credit? Let us know in the comments down below.
EV

SUV

Right now, they are working on vastly different plans  which may or may not intertwine in the near future. They give us plenty of cool things to hope for in theera, like the Kia EV9 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, among others. They also have a styling sense unlike any other these days  they are quirky and/or bold enough to attract everyone's attention without hitting outrageous tones like BMW, for example.And, when speaking solely of Hyundai, the South Korean brand also helped reawaken the North American love of all things pocket-sized  but most of all, unibody compact pickup trucks. To be fair, maybe if they had not created the Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept for the 2015 North American International Auto Show and then announced they would put it into production years later as the ritzy 2022 Santa Cruz, perhaps Ford would have never thought of reviving the Maverick nameplate Truth be told, their execution was much better, as the unibody maverick snatched the hearts and souls of countless Americans, along with their bank account checks. Meanwhile, the rival Hyundai Santa Cruz is miles behind the Ford Maverick in terms of sales  up to the point where we might ponder if we should consider it a failure if nothing good happens soon. Oh, as always, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has a solution  make it a coolto rival the likes of Ford's Bronco Sport while the Tucson battles with the Escape.The virtual artist kelsonik  aka Nikita Chuicko in real life  has been musing about this transformation for a while now and has come to refine it beyond the CGI call of duty. As such, the latest digital depiction featured a nicely dark and slightly menacing two-tone appearance with blacked-out grille, roof, and mirrors (among others). Plus, it was lowered with a sportier suspension setup on humongous, concave aftermarket wheels. Cool, right? That should give North America some fresh food for CGI, thought!Meanwhile, the pixel master known as SRK Designs has taken notice of Hyundai's slow yet steady stream of European product refreshments, which so far include the 'Smolsie' i20 city car and the i20 supermini  both facelifted for the 2023 model year with subtle design changes and additional tech goodies.But he is taking both i10 and i20 matters at the tip of his CGI brush with a few transformations akin to the novel EV lifestyle. So, should Hyundai make the Santa Cruz as an SUV, as well, and the cutesy tiny i20 and i10 with EV powertrains because we can never have enough small battery-powered models that could be more affordable?
kW

The controversial tuner's team responsible for the three-unit production run (thank God only 3 were made!) took a good look at the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and decided it's not flashy enough. Thus, they gave it new front and rear ends, fat fenders, different headlights, and a massive wing. The 9x20-inch front and 13x21-inch rear wheels, wrapped in Pirelli P Zeros, rounded off the exterior makeover, alongside the new paint finishes, each getting a different hue.On the pictured Mansory Cabrera , you are looking at a lovely shade of green that would've looked better on something a bit more British than the Aventador. It has some blacked-out add-ons, though we could be looking at exposed carbon fiber whose pattern is not visible due to the low-res quality of the pictures taken in Dubai and shared by the tuner on social media earlier this week. The license plate must also be mentioned, as it probably set its owner back more than we will ever make.Black Alcantara is the dominating material in the cabin, mixed with a few light green leather strips for contrast. Double stitching in the same lively hue is also visible, and the same shade was used for the Mansory embedding on the headrests. The Alcantara-bathed cockpit of the Italian supercar has arrow-shaped decorative inserts and forged carbon, a material that has become too common for projects signed by Mansory. Not a single component was left untouched inside, and you can tell as it is just as flashy as the exterior.There are, however, a few positive aspects to the Mansory Cabrera . One of them is that it was named after a Spanish fighting bull breed. Another one is the extra oomph, as the tuner did go above and beyond to make it more powerful. It has 799 hp (810 ps/596) available at a hard push of the throttle and 575 pound-feet (780 Nm) of torque. The tuned naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine allows it to hit 62 miles per hour (100 kph) in 2.6 seconds and a 221 mph (355 kph) top speed. Accompanying the power boost is a new exhaust system that's said to enhance the soundtrack produced by the V12.Thus, it is two-tenths quicker than the standard Aventador SVJ, which goes up to 217 mph (350 kph). The 6.5L V12 usually produces 759 hp (770 ps/566 kW) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm), directing everything to the all-wheel drive system through a single-clutch automatic transmission with seven gears. So, is the Cabrera the ugliest Aventador you've ever seen?
EV

Our production ramp continues to climb, which means you can now take delivery of an R1T faster than ever, in some cases 14 days or less. ?????????



Join the growing Rivian community! Reserve your vehicle today and schedule a demo drive.? https://t.co/HXKmfHpI7m pic.twitter.com/EbKLeHk5MI  Rivian (@Rivian) May 12, 2023

Rivian appears on track to deliver 50,000 vehicles in 2023, as it anticipated in January, and the company's financials still look rock solid . The company is also preparing to build its second factory in Georgia, and the R2lineup is just around the corner. Still, things weren't always looking that good, as Rivian struggled for survival only a year ago. During those times, the company made unpopular decisions, affecting early adopters.Among them was raising the prices retroactively, even for people who placed orders and were waiting for delivery. The backlash forced Rivian to apologize and reconsider the decision . The startup later announced that the price hikes would not affect people who placed orders before March 1, 2022. Rivian learned a lesson but implemented measures to protect itself from the consequences.First, the EV startup overhauled the reservation process so that new customers could no longer lock in a price. Even today, you can only "visualize" a Rivian, but access to the configurator is only granted when the carmaker is ready to deliver your truck. This way, customers will always pay the current price. This saves Rivian from embarrassing situations when the bill of materials skyrockets and the locked-in prices don't cover it.Secondly, those who got the price protection in March 2022 were not forgotten, as they are constantly pushed to the back of the queue. They cannot change their configurations to speed up delivery because they will lose price protection if they do so. Although they constantly complain on social media and forums, Rivian simply ignores them. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Rivian will one day tell them their configuration will never be available and make them opt for something else for more money.In the meantime, Rivian brags about shortening delivery times to 14 days or less in certain conditions. The production ramp allows it to build more R1T and R1S EVs. Normally, Rivian grants reservation holders access to the R1 Shop when they have a matching unsold configuration. Now, the EV startup announced it would grant access to the R1 Shop to everyone who placed a $1K deposit toward a Rivian vehicle. The only condition is to live within a serviceable area of a Rivian Service Center.Still, people complain on social media that they cannot access the R1 shop even though they live close to a Rivian Service Center. Some placed a reservation 9+ months ago and still haven't received an invitation to browse the shop. It seems the invites go mainly to those who ordered a Quad-Motor configuration. Rivian has recently announced that Dual-Motor versions will start shipping this month. Eventually, production will increase to a point where Rivian will have to consider throwing in some incentives to get the trucks out the door. Maybe then the original reservation holders will get an invite.
Last year, we learned that Tesla is working on a refreshed Model 3, and the information was soon confirmed by several prototypes caught on camera during testing. The first images puzzled us all, considering that they did not appear to show any modifications. It was also the first time anyone saw camouflaged prototypes of a Tesla vehicle undergoing testing on public roads. Things accelerated toward the end of last year, with more prototype sightings and reports confirming the changes Tesla plans to its most affordable model.Things culminated with the leak of the first image of a refreshed Model 3. The design change was modest but enough to give the "Project Highland" prototype a more focused look. It also showed that Tesla had no intention to stop the cost-cutting spree. The prototype lacked fog lights, making people wonder whether Tesla integrated them into the headlights or deemed them unnecessary, considering the psychic powers of Tesla Vision. Whatever the case, the refreshed Model 3 doesn't look half bad, in my opinion.Things got more heated with the rumors of production starting at Giga Shanghai on June 1. Chinese sources were specific about this being a test production. Still, Tesla felt the urge to contact local media and deny that mass production starts in June. Beyond the bizarre wording, which technically doesn't contradict the initial reports, Tesla is known for denying things that later proved true. This is likely the case, as another source confirms Project Highland production will begin in June.Not a Tesla App could confirm the previous reports from an independent source who has provided accurate information in the past. Not only this, but the source also claims that the Model 3 Long Range reintroduced in the US recently will also be Project Highland. Orders for the new model are estimated to ship in June, which seems too early, considering the test production starts in June. Tesla would likely need more time to fine-tune the production line, and we've seen how long it took the refreshed Model S and Model X to start deliveries.Still, this doesn't exclude that the production at Fremont might be more advanced than at Giga Shanghai. After all, those prototypes had to be assembled somewhere. It would also explain the fast delivery estimate and the $3,750 tax credit offered according to Tesla. This aligns with what's on offer for the Model 3 RWD, suggesting that the cars and parts of the battery packs are produced in the US. We're close enough to June deliveries, so we'll surely find out soon what the Model 3 LR will look like.
DOHC

Even with a torque-converter automatic, four-wheel drive, and sticky tires, harnessing its 707 ponies and 645 pound-feet (875 Nm) is daunting. Universally appreciated for pushing the envelope, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk can do better with a little help from the aftermarket. Enter the HPE1000, a go-faster pack from one of the best-known tuners from Texas.Backed up by three years of 36,000 miles (60,000 kilometers) of warranty, the HPE1000 can easily make a Bugatti Veyron blush with excitement. As the headline implies, Hennessey Performance Engineering is much obliged to squeeze out 1,000 horsepower at 6,500 revolutions per minute and 969 pound-feet (1,314 Nm) at 4,200 revolutions per minute from the 6.2-liter colossus hiding under the hood. The peak torque alone shames heavy-duty and even medium-duty trucks.Modifications include an upgraded supercharger, joined by an upgraded pulley and high-flow induction. Breathing out is just as important as breathing in for an internal combustion engine, which is why Hennessey Performance Engineering also yanks out the stock cats in favor of high-flow catalytic converters.Long-tube headers constructed from stainless steel, high-flow injectors, a crankcase ventilation system, and software calibration pretty much seal the deal. A beefed-up transmission is also likely, although we're not certain because there's no mention of this upgrade on Hennessey's website.As a brief refresher, the only transmission offered in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk came in the form of the ZF 8HP95. This variant of the long-running 8HP can take plenty of abuse, but still, its factory torque input rating is nowhere near the 969 pound-feet promised by Hennessey with the HPE1000 pack.Every single build is tested for up to 500 miles (800 kilometers) before delivery to make sure that everything runs like clockwork. The HPE1000 further includes a serialized plaque in the engine bay and one for the cabin, reminders for the first and subsequent owners that they're driving a very special machine. A machine that not even Jeep is capable of designing due to the imminent demise of the Hellcat engine.The Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico, where Stellantis produces the current-gen HEMI in three displacements, has recently welcomed a twin-turbo sixer dubbed Hurricane. Its only applications thus far are the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. But given time, the Ram 1500 will also get this straight-six.It's only natural because the Wagoneer twins are based on the half-ton pickup's underpinnings. Stellantis also wants to improve its fleet-wide fuel economy and emissions, and switching from cam-in-block V8s totwin-turbo I6s is an inspired way of meeting increasingly higher targets.The Stellantis group isn't the only automaker that has embraced the inline-six design as of late. Mazda resurrected this setup as well for their large SUVs with two gassers and a diesel. The United States market only gets the 3.3-liter gasoline unit, which produces 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) in the CX-90 three-row sport utility vehicle.
Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, is transferred to a court in Podgorica, Montenegro, May 11. Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



Scandal-tainted Terraform Labs' co-founders  Kwon Do-hyung, better known as Do Kwon, and Shin Hyun-seong  are poised to engage in an all-out legal fight against criminal charges regarding the abrupt collapse of the firm's once-promising Luna coin.



Both men have displayed a strong will to "prove their innocence" with their legal representatives. They have refrained from showing any gestures of remorse for their engagement in the mega-sized crypto scandal which incurred investors' losses worth 60 trillion won ($44.6 billion) around the world.



The public's ire is escalating further after Montenegro officially allowed a bail term on Kwon who has been detained in the country on charges of document forgery. Kwon's lawyer also expressed confidence over his possible acquittal.



Following the latest decision by Montenegro's court, Kwon will be confined to an apartment there with a condition blocking him from leaving his residential facility amid the ongoing trial.



This has created concerns that Kwon may engage in additional criminal acts by withdrawing or concealing unfair gains he generated over the past few years. There have been signs of cash withdrawals worth $2.4 million and $500,000 on May 6 and May 8, respectively, from crypto wallets assumed to be Kwon's. Cryptocurrencies worth 65 billion won are known to remain in the two crypto wallets.



There stands a possibility that someone close to Kwon carried out the transfers, as he had been detained during the period. But it appears tough for local authorities to keep track of the suspicious transaction records and whereabouts of the cash.



After Kwon is released on bail, he may devise means of concealing his crypto assets by utilizing Binance  the world's largest crypto currency exchange  or other forms of borrowed-name accounts.



The Korean prosecution is also paying close attention to the case, and plans to ask for judicial assistance with Montenegro over freezing the cash.



Shin, another Terraform Labs co-founder, is also ready for a legal battle by establishing a group of lawyers  consisting of 31 legal representatives from major law firms or who served as former prosecutors or judges here.



He will have to prove whether he was aware of the systemic defect in the Terra-Luna ecosystem before its collapse in May 2022.



Shin argued that the company worked within the boundaries of the law after reviewing relevant laws with big law firms and financial authorities.



The prosecution stated in its indictment that Shin falsely promoted the Terra project via media interviews and YouTube by concealing the truth over a systemic loophole in the ecosystem.


Photo: Cornerstone Tiny Homes

Photo: Tiny Home Tours / YouTube

Blaine and Janae are a couple that found freedom in a tiny home they have created. In 2017 they opened Cornerstone Tiny Homes in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and started building houses for other tiny living fans. Their homes are built using fiberglass SIPs (Structural Insulative Panels) to keep the interior at a stable temperature. The builder also states that their houses are the lightest on the market due to this material.A few steps need to be taken before building a tiny home . The first step is customizing the house's design for each person interested in buying, which costs $1,000. Then, the builder starts framing the dwelling, finishing the exterior and interior, and shipping it to the specified location.As of today, they offer three models. The original tiny home Guthrie is a 24 ft (7.3 m) model perfect for a single person or a couple. It has a minimalistic but practical layout. The house features a spacious loft for a queen-size bed, a full bath, and a functional kitchen. This one is also available to be bought as a pre-made model for the price of $89,500.Atwood is a 28 ft (8.5 m) model with advanced off-grid technology , solar panels, and a system that collects rainwater and diverts it into a freshwater tank. The Atwood is a more luxurious model with a projector screen, a speaker system, and an incredible marble shower.The third model, called Modern Farmhouse, is the one we will be focusing on in this piece. This compact home model is slightly smaller at 28 ft (8.5 m) long but boasts a large kitchen and a spacious loft. The materials used for this house are low to zero VOC.The couple lives in the Modern Farmhouse model. It is the only house with a wood frame and is finished with LP Smartside siding and placed on a custom-made three-axle trailer. At the back of the house, we find two 100-pound propane tanks that power the stove and water heater, usually lasting a year. The electricity comes from a large array of solar panels placed around the house instead of on top.Instead of having a deck area made of wood, they chose to have it made of scrap marble pieces. The seating area is also made of marble and stone, and a fire pit has been arranged in the middle.The interior hosts a large kitchen with quartz countertops and tons of cooking space. It comes with a sink, a full-size fridge and freezer, a propane oven, a stovetop, and a vent hood. There is plenty of storage provided by the base and upper cabinets. We also find a pantry inside the staircase with spice racks on the doors.A living room with an office was added on the other side of the house. The office has a desk with a roll-out keyboard, chair, computer, and cubbies. There is even more office storage inside the stairsteps. The living room comes with a U-shaped couch with built-in storage, a sizeable cabinet that used to be a Murphy bed and a table. A 9,000 btu mini-split and HRV were added to the living room and loft to stabilize the temperature. However, Blaine recommends adding a 12,000 btu unit since summer can get quite warm inside the home.This house does not come with a standalone bedroom. Instead, a bed on an electric lift is located above the living room. The bottom of the bed was made to look like a ceiling with a small light when not used.The bathroom is quite spacious for a tiny house . There was enough space to fit a shower with sliding glass doors, a double vanity with a sink, a large window, a composting toilet, and storage for the composting medium. Next to the shower, we can also find two floating shelves and a hamper. In the back of the bathroom and behind two curtains, the couple added a laundry room-like area with a stackable washer and dryer and a hanging closet.The staircase from the kitchen brings us to the loft. This area is used to read or play on the violins. We find a few little baskets for clothes, floating shelves for books, two wall lights, and a bean bag. A large cabinet separates this room from the rest of the house. The loft is big enough to serve as a bedroom, but the couple did not want to go upstairs every night. The company plans to launch more customizable tiny houses with fixed floor plans instead of entirely custom builds.
Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures / YouTube

Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures / YouTube

Photo: New Jersey Outdoor Adventures / YouTube

But sometimes people don't choose to build their own mobile home or camper van, instead opting to buy one made by someone else. This Mercedes Sprinter four-season van is just that sort of thing. Despite being built with a focus on camping, it could easily be used as a mobile home, as it has all the bells and whistles, including the ability to go off-grid without breaking a sweat.The off-grid capabilities of this Sprinter start right on the outside, where it's clear it's no run-of-the-mill van. First, it's the 4x4 170" version, making it relatively versatile and able to tackle its fair share of off-road scenarios. But the roof rack covered in a 460W solar panel array and sporting a retractable awning makes it completely clear that this van is meant for more than transporting goods.However, if you're embarking on the nomadic journey , it's not the outside that matters most, as it's the van's interior where you'll spend a significant chunk of time, at least when not out surfing, hiking, or taking on other adventures. And this van has put a lot of thought into that, as it's absolutely stacked, with every amenity one would want and plenty of space to boot.The first thing that's apparent when stepping inside this camper van is how nice it looks. Everything is decked in either cedar, maple, or birch, making you feel like you've entered a Norwegian sauna. Although in this one, you must remember to put up the magnetic mosquito nets before you can relax.And thanks to a couple of windows and a skylight, abundant natural light flows into this van, making it seem spacious. There are also many diffused LED spotlights, ensuring the artificial illumination is just as generous. One aspect that detracts a bit from the overall aesthetic is the flooring, which is blue and made from rubber for ease of cleaning.Moving on to the practical aspects and layout of the van, we found the kitchen as the first area. It has a highly practical design, even using the passenger-side swivel chair in the driver's cabin through a flip-up table that can be used as a comfy workspace.That flip-up table is mounted on the far side of the cabinets, which are fairly numerous in this van, thanks to the kitchen being split between both sidewalls. On the passenger side, a large cabinet with two large storage spaces and a full-length drawer is covered with a solid birchwood butcher block countertop with a custom sink cutout. And this space is fully usable, as the sink can be covered with a cutting board.A couple more cabinets are covered in the same solid birchwood countertops on the opposite wall. This area is dedicated to the isotherm fridge and lots of storage, even sporting a separate custom drawer for the electric stovetop. There's also a myriad of overhead cabinets and drawers, all secured with latches to ensure nothing rattles or falls when driving.Sadly, the kitchen is also where we encounter a typical compromise, common among many van conversions, the toilet. In this case, a Separett composting toilet splits the liquids from the solids and is also ventilated to the outside to prevent smell is used. And it's housed within one of the cabinets, although efforts have been made to ensure it offers as much privacy as possible.Moving a bit further back into the van , we get to the dinette, where the innovative build of this van really starts to shine. Albeit, you would not be able to tell at first glance, as the only thing you can see is two couches. But thanks to a large tabletop and a prop-up leg stored in the van's garage, it can be turned into either a dinette with plenty of seating or a guest bed.Another cool hidden feature here is the shower and bathtub combo. As ludicrous as that sounds, this van has a bathtub , albeit a tiny one, hidden beneath one of the couches. Although with only 30 gallons (113 liters) of freshwater and 22 gallons (83 liters) of gray water, taking a full bath is probably not the best idea.And to add some functionality, the kitchen faucet has a hose to be extended into a showerhead, and a curtain can be hung from two anchors on the roof to prevent the water from damaging the gorgeous wood. If that wasn't enough practicality, the second couch hides the glycol-based heating unit that takes care of both the ambient temperature and the water.The bed is also focused on making use of every inch of space available . Of course, that means it's elevated, creating a hugely spacious garage area underneath it. It can also extend to transform into a full queen size bed when sleeping while also being able to shorten and save as much room as possible when not in use.And since I mentioned the garage, that's the last and most important place to check out, as it's very carefully curated to maximize both practicality and aesthetics. The first things of note here are the side storage cubbies and a gear storage rack that is mounted on rails and can be pulled out for ease of use. This is also where all the electronics are stored within separate and carefully designed compartments.The 400Ah battery gets the biggest space, as it's rather chunky and also allows for an upgrade to 600Ah. Just below it, there's the electronics management unit equipped with a smart MPPT solar charge controller, a 3,000W inverter, and DC to DC charger. On the opposite wall, the water pump is housed along with an additional outdoor shower and the water-fill valve.There are more features and details built into the design of this van, like floor heating, blackout curtains, and top-of-the-line insulation. But we would be here all day if we went into all the crazy bits and pieces present. Overall, this van is an outstanding build, fully capable of being used as either a camper van or a mobile home
14 May 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az

On Sunday, May 14, a trilateral meeting to be held in Brussels between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the European Council Charles Michel. According to the Armenian media, Charles Michel will hold separate talks with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia before the trilateral meeting.

In particular, on May 13, Michel will meet with the Prime Minister of Armenia. On the morning of May 14, Michel's talks with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are scheduled. This meeting is taking place in the context of another Armenian military provocation that took place in recent days. To carry out which exactly before the summits is a long-standing Armenian tradition, counting on the intercession of its traditional allies.

At the same time, before landing in the Belgian capital, Pashinyan heard justified and derogatory criticism addressed to him. He is no stranger to it, but the way that the poulist pretends to be deaf and dumb is ridiculous. RPA press secretary Eduard Sharmazanov hastened to tell the Armenians and humanity about another failure of Nikol Vovayevich.

"Now we are considering the agenda of the meeting in Brussels, but Macron is not there," he wrote on his Facebook page. And with this entry, he returned to the Soviet past, where the couplet was fashionable: "I wake up early in the morning, there is no Luis Corvalan." No, the President of France was not, following the example of the leader of the Chilean communists, delivered to the USSR as a subject of exchange for any political prisoner. But the reaction of Edik from the RPA was funny.

When I say that Pashinyans words are not worth a penny, they are offended. Nikol himself said that he would take part in the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev through the mediation of the West only if Macron took part in it. Now we are considering the agenda of the meeting in Brussels, and there is no Macron. There is a separate Michel meeting and a trilateral meeting in the Pashinyan-Michel-Aliyev format. Where is Macron? Did you say that you would not meet without Macron? And Macron was "thrown", Pashinyan? You do not respect your own word, what do you expect from others "You need seriousness, ex-young man," says Sharmazanov.

Who, of course, should have asked a simple question - if the Pashinyan he ridicules is so ridiculous, then what is Serzh Sargsyan, whom Nikol sent on a long and walking erotic journey following the results of the "barbecue revolution" ?! But Edik from the RPA, of course, will not voice this. In order not to annoy your party lord. At the same time, by and large, he is right in ridiculing the current Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

Who again "sat down in a puddle", screwed up and appeared as a character who is not responsible for his words. This is his categorical, significant difference from the President of Azerbaijan, who is respected in many countries of the world precisely because he always puts into practice what he has promised. In addition, we have already seen how the head of our state once agreed to the presence of Macron as a negotiator.

It was in Prague, where the first summit of the European Political Community (EPC) took place last autumn. There, Monsieur Emmanuel heard from Turkish President Erdogan an ironic invitation from France to the Turkic Council. At the same time, Macron's presence in the quadripartite meeting did not help Armenia in any way. It ended with Nikol Pashinyan recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh economic region.

Now he has gone to Brussels, with the Armenian army that has not recovered after the defeat in the 44-day war, an extremely low personal political rating, the status of "defeatist" and "surrender", as well as a banal liar, traditionally promising what is not in able to perform. In addition, Pashinyan turned out to be the one who brought the dependence of the Republic of Armenia on Russia to a shameful mark.

So the Armenian edition of "Hraparak" has already published a text stating that Pashinyan, from whom they desperately molded a "pro-Western" politician, is in reality afraid of Russia's defeat in the war with Ukraine. That is, he speaks from positions that are radically opposite to those of the collective West. I wonder if the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will point to this "twine" of Pashinyan?

In any case, it can already be stated that Nikol Vovaevich is going to Brussels in order to win time and again imitate readiness for negotiations just for the sake of negotiations. He is not ready to sign a big peace agreement with Azerbaijan, realizing all the risks for himself from his opponents. Risks are not only political. The traditions of terror in the Republic of Armenia, in relation to "traitors" have not been canceled. This is how Pashinyan will live, realizing the enormous degree of contempt for himself in his homeland, non-stop "fiddling with his ears", looking for new patrons and complaining about them in front of the local public. A pitiful sight, you must admit.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 May 2023 16:44 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

One of the solemn events took place in Vienna - the cradle of classical music. A gala concert and an exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev were held in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus House of Culture, located in the city center.

According to Azernews, the gala concert, organized by the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Vienna, was attended by Austrian officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Vienna, Azerbaijani ambassadors to a number of European countries, our compatriots and music lovers living in Austria. The concert began with an overture to the opera "Koroglu" by the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the program included works by Giuseppe Verdi, Fikret Amirov, Giacomo Puccini, Kara Karaev, Niyazi, Vasif Adigozalov, Farhad Badalbeyli, Ruggiero Leoncavallo and other composers.

At the concert, the director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, People's Artist Yusif Eyvazov, honored artists Sahib Pashazade and Afag Abbasova, young performers Atesh Karaev and Daria Rybak, soloist of the Berlin and Vienna State Operas Etienne Dupuis performed arias, duets and tercetes from Azerbaijani and Italian operas, as well as performed compositions.

The concert ended with the "Azerbaijan Capriccio" consisting of colorful melodies, which is one of the brightest manifestations of the Azerbaijani national spirit in the classical style.

After the concert, the exhibition "Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijani culture" opened in the Votruba Hall of the Cultural House Konzerthaus. At the opening of the exhibition, the director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center Leyla Gasimova spoke about the life and political activities of Heydar Aliyev, especially about his contribution to the development of Azerbaijani culture. It was noted that the life and rich political activity of Heydar Aliyev are inscribed in golden letters in the history of modern Azerbaijan, the political, economic and cultural development of the country is associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to his political will and wisdom, Azerbaijan was able to maintain its statehood, and today modern Azerbaijan is successfully developing under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev on the foundation laid by the national leader.

Leyla Gasimova expressed her gratitude to all the partners who supported the idea of the gala concert, especially for the tireless work of People's Artist Yusif Eyvazov, Honored Artist Fuad Ibrahimov and the entire creative team, as well as the management of the Savalan company for the presentation of Azerbaijani products.

In his speech, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Austria Rovshan Sadigbeyli stressed that the great leader occupies a special place in world politics and spoke about the activities of Heydar Aliyev in the name of Azerbaijan's statehood. It was noted that every stage of modern Azerbaijani history, as well as the development of Azerbaijani culture, is closely connected with the name of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. As Heydar Aliyev said, the goal of his whole life was to protect, strengthen and develop the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is a historical achievement of the Azerbaijani people.

The exhibition "Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijani culture" presents his photographs with artists during his reign, his participation in the opening of the country's leading cultural facilities, from important cultural events organized on his initiative. The exhibition allowed the audience to get a complete picture of Heydar Aliyev's attention and concern for Azerbaijani culture, music, theater and cinema, as well as other areas of art.

After the opening of the exhibition, a reception took place.

---

Follow Rena Murshud on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 May 2023 12:54 (UTC+04:00)

"Today, our 601,000 security guards, 79 helicopters and 8 planes are on duty," Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told media, while voting for the Presidential Election and the 28th Term Deputy General Election at Gaziosmanpasa Dobruca Secondary School, Azernews reports, citing Turkish media.

According to Suleyman Soylu, law enforcement agencies coordinate their work with the Supreme Election Authority in terms of ensuring security at polling stations.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 May 2023 17:24 (UTC+04:00)

Kazakhstan's national company, KazTransOil JSC increased oil exports to the Baku Port by 75 percent month-on-month in April 2023, Azernews reports via the company.

In the reporting period, the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil for export from the port of Aktau increased by 60.5 tons compared to March 2023, or by 24 percent, which amounted to 312,600 tons. This included 115,000 tons from the Tengiz field, 19,200 tons from the Dunga field, and 178,300 tons from the fields of the Buzachi Peninsula.

The increase in the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil for export from the port of Aktau is due to an increase in the volume of shipped crude in the direction of Baku Port, from 87,000 tons to 152,400 tons, or by 75 percent, compared to March 2023.

In addition, in the reporting period, 160,200 tons of oil were shipped from the port of Aktau in the direction of Russia's Makhachkala Port.

In 2022, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, ordered to increase the transportation of oil along the Trans-Caspian corridor.

In accordance with this instruction, KazMunayGas JSC and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) signed an agreement providing for the transportation of 1.5 million tons of oil from the Tengiz field per year in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 May 2023 18:20 (UTC+04:00)

President Joe Biden said on Saturday that talks with Congress on raising the U.S. government's debt limit were moving along and more will be known about their progress in the next two days, Azernews reports citing TASS.

"I think they are moving along, hard to tell. We have not reached the crunch point yet," Biden told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.

"We'll know more in the next two days," he said.

Biden is expected to meet with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders early next week to resume negotiations.

The leaders had canceled a planned meeting on Friday to let staff continue discussions.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 May 2023 19:50 (UTC+04:00)

Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral ties with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during a phone call on Saturday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, Azernews reports citing Al Arabiya.

They also discussed the next measures pertaining to the China-brokered deal that restored diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Iran, the report added.

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 following an attack by pro-regime protesters on Saudi Arabias embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad.

The decision to re-establish ties came after talks that took place between March 6 and March 10 in Beijing which saw the signing of a trilateral agreement between China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Alberto Arizu, left, CEO of Bodega Luigi Bosca, and Marcelo Marasco, export manager Asia, Canada, Africa and Middle East at Catena Zapata, pose with their respective wines during the Argentine wine-tasting event hosted by the Embassy of Argentina in Korea at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, May 10. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Argentina is one of the top winemaking countries in the world and is especially acclaimed for its Malbec wines. Known for their remarkable quality, Argentine wines are quickly becoming a favorite in Korea's burgeoning wine market.



With a characteristic deep, dark and inky purple color, Malbec is a full-bodied wine with soft tannin. Malbec grapes thrive in Argentina's high-altitude vineyards, where hot days allow for full ripening and cool nights help preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, giving the wines a balance of ripe fruit flavors and bright, vibrant character.



The deep color of Malbec is a result of its high-altitude growth conditions, its grape's skin darkens as a defense against high UV levels, protecting the seeds for future generations.



The Embassy of Argentina invited two leading Argentine winemakers to Korea on the occasion of the Wines of Argentina, an annual Argentine wine-tasting event hosted by the embassy.



Alberto Arizu, CEO of Bodega Luigi Bosca, and Marcelo Marasco, export manager of Asia, Canada, Africa and the Middle East at Catena Zapata traveled to Korea to showcase their wines to about 300 guests, including individuals from the food and beverage industry and wine connoisseurs, who were present at the 2023 edition of the event at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, May 10.



Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Carlos Bascou expressed his pride in offering more than 200 varieties of Argentine wine originating from 70 wineries, represented by 32 importers in Korea.



"This is more than double the last year, which is, I believe, a good response for the market of the Argentine wines," Bascou said.



"(Arizu and Marasco) have a large learning experience and knowledge about the wines of our country. So if you have inquiries or need any interesting information about the wines, they are keen to give you some answers."



Both Luigi Bosca and Catena Zapata take great pride in presenting Malbec as their flagship wine. However, at the same time, their diverse portfolio also includes other varietals such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.





Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Carlos Bascou announces the opening of the Argentine wine-tasting event hosted by the embassy at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, May 10. This year's event featured more than 200 varieties of Argentine wine from 70 wineries. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Renewed discussion of the appointment process of the top education leader in Kern County prompted The Californian to trace the roots of the practice. Here's some history behind the office that includes 21 superintendents (not including the most recent appointment) since Kern residents elected the first superintendent in 1866.

Mary Barlow retires after 29 years

Education has changed dramatically since Mary C. Barlow became an educator 29 years ago.

Technology revamped normal processes in schools and now is absolutely essential for students success. Theres been a resurgence in hands-on learning opportunities and schools returning to a place where the entire family can get resources, not just for educational goals, she said.

The creation of the Kern Education Pledge has been among her proudest achievements, she added. The Kern Community College District, Cal State Bakersfield, the West Kern Community College District, charter schools, 46 local school districts and businesses all work together to boost academic outcomes for students from the moment a child enters the public education system.

As part of the Kern Education Pledge, teachers put information into the Kern Integrated Data System (KiDS), which tracks student information. The daily data collection allows teachers to see where students are struggling and how curriculum can then be altered to fit their needs, according to previous reporting by The Californian.

The Central Valley Higher Educational Consortium, UCLA and UC Merced recently joined the efforts of the Kern Education Pledge and together became the Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative.

Implementing these initiatives resulted in increased graduation rates in high schools and colleges, Barlow said. Students completed these tracks in a short time period, she added.

More students are finishing high school with college credits, or even an associate degree, Barlow noted.

Thats life-changing for people to be able to have that college experience in high school, she said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, students outpaced state standards in English language arts and math for test scores, Barlow said. Local districts also saw less chronic absenteeism prior to the pandemic.

The shutdowns reversed these trends locally, but Barlow says the creation of these systems will allow Kern to bounce back quicker than other counties.
Now that the public is allowed to know the truth regarding the Hunter Biden Laptop Scandal, after more that 2 1/2 years of deception by the corrupt Corporate Media Kabal, propropagandidats all, and the discredited Deep State, we have NOW learned that the infamous laptop is far less about the Biden Boy's fetish for pornography, narcotics and Russian whores, and far more about Hunter's pivotal role in the Biden Crime Syndicate's selling of deep access to our foreign adversaries, and to what extent it has compromised our national security: What is your opinion about this possible coordinated Treason?

It is imperative that we know the truth of what may be the greatest scandal in our Republic's history, and all aforementioned parties prosecuted for their crimes against the People.

Currently, our Two Tiered Justice System is constructed to protect all Democratic Socialists, their corrupt "Journalist" spokes-sheople, and their Deep State enablers ... so why bother.

It is Donald Trump's fault.
Lib Campbell: Above

In a commercial that ran in the Carolina Hurricanes playoff game, the elementary school boy came home. He looked in his fridge for apples and bananas. He looked in all the cabinets in the kitchen. No apples, bananas, or anything to eat. It brought to memory the song,a catchy tune that helped children learn their vowels.Scarlett Johannsson appeared next making an appeal for Feeding America. And I thought, holy freaking cow!!! Who are we who leave children hungry? Who are we who leave children separated from their parents? Who are we who let our children be massacred in their classrooms? Who are we, satisfied for our children not to learn how to read?Inaction. Partisanship. Short-sightedness. We are losing our future for political gain. We must be stupid. Cut Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security if that will fill the cruel bill of you MAGA Republicans. Some of us are old and we will find a way to survive in the dystopia you are creating. We are old, old enough to have lived through tough times before. But Lord have mercy, save the children!We worship in a church that sends out almost two hundred Backpack Buddy bags each week. Each bag contains canned protein, canned vegetables, canned fruit and various breakfast bars and cereals. But there are no fresh apples or bananas. And there is no milk. While these bags keep children from starving over the weekends while they are away from school, they barely touch the surface of the food insecurity so many families face.This seems particularly spurious considering how much food is wasted in America. Garbage cans filled with scraps and thrown away leftovers fill our homes. Even as we try to eliminate waste, we fail. A lot.Feeding programs at schools help as long as schools are open. Free lunch, even with the stigma it carries, is lunch. Summertime and holidays become a problem when the lunch line is closed. In a land of plenty, food insecurity should not be an issue. And yet it is.Years ago, at Westview Christian Church in Wilson, we ran a summer program for children identified as needing food support while school was closed. We would pick the children up in our station wagons and transport them to the church. They had breakfast snacks, and a nice lunch, some play time, and some study time. The hope was to aid kids in retention of what they had learned, feed them and love them 'till school bells rang in September. I remember it was a huge undertaking and not really sustainable for a small church.So, smart people, what kind of feeding program is sustainable? What kind of reach can any kind of feeding program have? Who is to lead the charge for providing good nutritional food for the littlest among us?Churches and local governments are the closest units with feet on the ground in our communities. School administrations know which kids live with food insecurity; they identify the ones who get the Backpack Buddy Bags. I hope it's just because I am not well enough informed to see comprehensive programs working to bring food to the children, but the problem doesn't seem to be easing.Feeding America is the program running the Apples and Bananas commercial. Feeding America is a US based non-profit that raises funds for more than 200 Food Banks across the country. They feed more than 46 million people a year. This is the largest US charity by revenue, reporting in 2021 a revenue figure of $3.574 Billion dollars. Information is found on their website about the operation and what we can do to help. Part of their report says that fifty-one percent of all food programsSo, like it is with so many problems that need solving, money and volunteers are part of the solution. Wonder what would happen if a Feed America Corps were created where young people could do public service during the summer, or after high school graduation, as they decide what they want to do with their lives? That might be a good quid pro quo. Doing good is always a blessing in the world. Americans are pretty good problem solvers. I have heard it said, nothing is impossible, if we try. Let's resolve to make it happen so everyone can at least have apples and bananas!!
Storage tanks hold contaminated water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Feb. 21, 2021. Seoul and Tokyo have not reached an agreement on the specifics of the planned Korean inspection of the tsunami-damaged plant, officials said Sunday. AFP-Yonhap



Expert says it's too late to do anything meaningful



By Jung Min-ho



Seoul and Tokyo are struggling to agree on the specifics for the planned Korean inspection of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.



According to officials, Sunday, the two countries were still in talks over the size of the Korean inspection team and what they will be allowed to do at the tsunami-damaged nuclear plant among other issues, ahead of their four-day visit to the area next week.



The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, say the release of the contaminated water into the sea will begin in the coming months  possibly this July after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) releases its final report on the issue.



Before releasing the irradiated water, TEPCO says it will be filtered through a system designed to remove hazardous radionuclides. But the filtering process cannot separate tritium, a harmful radioactive isotope of hydrogen, which concerns many local residents as well as neighboring countries.



Suh Kune-yull, a professor emeritus of nuclear engineering at Seoul National University, is among those who remain skeptical that the Korean inspectors will dispel safety and environmental concerns about the water.



"It's too late to do anything meaningful to change the course," Suh told The Korea Times. "Whatever the inspectors find or say, which I doubt they will, Japan will most likely follow its water-release schedule."



His skepticism comes from the formation of the group, which is expected to exclude civilian experts, as well as the "questionable timing" following President Yoon Suk Yeol's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier this month.



"I think the inspection was motivated by politics rather than science," he said. "We could've sent such a team earlier like Taiwan did last year  What concerns me is that there has been little PR effort by Japan after the Taiwan inspection team's repeated visits to the Fukushima area. If it was confirmed to be safe, I think Japan would have promoted it."





Members of liberal opposition parties and civic groups stage a rally against a planned visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the National Assembly in Seoul, May 4. AP-Yonhap
A general trend away from traditional, "pure" programs of study to more applied, vocational, and skill-based programs;

programs of study to more applied, vocational, and skill-based programs; A proliferation of college majors in general, including more design-your-own majors;

The continuing, even increasing, popularity of some of the content and skills that English departments used to claim as their own, back when they were the only place on many campuses where one could find them.

This post appears here courtesy of The James G. Martin Center . The author of this post is Richard Phelps In an earlier millennium, yours truly undertook graduate studies in history and persisted a couple of years before getting cold feet. Some new PhDs could not find academic positions; some transferred into the university's MBA program. I retooled in statistics and computer programming.Grad students in English faced similar choices, with two differences. First, it was easier to drag out a wretched graduate-student existence in English because grad students were needed to teach required freshman-composition courses. Second, a good job market existed for teachers of writing, as opposed to literature.Some I knew refused to consider the latter option. The nature of the work certainly differed. Lucky literature teachers passed their days discussing their own favorite books with interested or captive students. Writing teachers, by contrast, could not avoid the toil of many hours focused on details-reading and editing teenagers' often execrable scribblings. More work, less fun.That was over 40 years ago. Though universities' required freshman courses back then were titled English Composition, often they were literature courses in disguise. Peruse university undergraduate requirements on the web today, and one can see that many universities have switched to a focus on practical writing skills over the years.Undergraduate requirements are now frequently labeled and described more explicitly as courses in writing. Today, many freshman writing instructors wishing to indoctrinate their students in a favorite ideology du jour must nevertheless demonstrably improve their students' composition skills, especially where there is an externally administered writing test at the end of the term.Despite such adaptations from many English departments, one now reads in The New Yorker that English department enrollments areFor empirical support, The New Yorker's essay (and other recent articles) refer to data, and interview data managers, from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences' Humanities Indicators program. Yet collecting complete and reliable college major and degree-completion data from all U.S. postsecondary institutions across the years requires an enormous amount of work, as well as some power to coerce compliance that is unlikely to exist with a voluntary private association such as the AAAS.In this case, the data source behind the data source happens to be the U.S. Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) has collected these types of data for more than half a century.Peruse their table entitledOne can see that the number of English degrees has declined over the years, even as the total number of bachelor's degrees has more than doubled.Widen the focus to examine the entire table and read the footnotes, however, and one may notice that English departments must now compete with some college majors that either did not exist or barely existed decades ago. Moreover, some of these other majors happen to be closely related to the English major, though offering more applied, practical studies. The following chart compares the trends in college degree completion between the early 1970s and 2021 in three IPEDS fields:; andEnglish bachelor's degree completion declined from about 7.6 percent of all degrees in 1971 to about 4.3 percent in 2021. The New Yorker's "free fall" focused on the trend from 2012 on, when English bachelor's degree completion fell from about 6 percent to 4.3 percent.If one combines English with the various communications majors, however, enrollments have increased over the years, from 8.9 to 15.6 percent. Thus, while interest in majoring inmay have declined, interest in the craft of writing or speaking in various forms has increased. Some English professors over the years may have jumped over to communications or journalism departments to enhance their job security.A college student interested in, say, screenwriting would have majored in English a half-century ago. These days? Probably not. There exist other programs more tightly aligned to that interest.Like the English major in particular, the humanities in general are often said to be in decline. How reliable is that story? This next chart compares the trends in college degree completion between the early 1970s and 2021 inand two other IPEDS fields:andCompared to the 7.6 to 4.3 percent decline in English majors as a percentage of the whole, the proportion of students majoring instudies or non-English-major liberal arts and humanities increased, from 1.2 percent to 5.9 percent.What about theanother impractical area of study thought to be in decline? Its proportion of all degrees increased from 3.6 percent in 1971 to 4.4 percent in 2021.Granted, considerable detail is lost in IPEDS' classification scheme. Nonetheless, a story of inexorable, unidimensional decline in English and the humanities seems too narrow. A more nuanced story of academic trends should at least include the following themes:Like other recent writers on the topic, Adam Ellwanger (writing last month in Quillette) accepts that English Departments are dying. In Ellwanger's opinion, this is becauseBut he also takes a longer view, writing thatOne might argue, instead, that at least some of what used to be found in the English department has moved elsewhere on campus and remains very much alive. And perhaps that leaves behind a rump department that can appear hidebound and reluctant to change.
This post appears here courtesy of The James G. Martin Center . The author of this post is Matthew G. Andersson Much has been made of theformal statements by the University of Chicago concerning the institutional inclusion of opposing political viewpoints. Articulated in 2015, the principles seek to set expectations concerning the accommodation of all perspectives, especially within group settings such as public-speaking events, but also, theoretically, in publications and disciplines. Also produced by the institution is the so-called Kalven Report, which commits the university to a principle ofSome universities are actively copying these principles: starting a center or issuing memoranda. Others even seek to organize a new institution, all of which reveals a widespread belief in viewpoint plurality.The Chicago Principles have gained much fame due to their deemphasis of such ideological concepts asand other sensitivities that are usually invoked when students reject positions or views that challenge their belief structures. There's no doubt that this is a welcome pushback from the perspective of many students, parents, faculty, and campus speakers. It is also a mature position for a university to take in a legal sense, as free speech is both constitutionally protected and recognized in case law from student and university litigation, going back several decades.Finally, the Chicago Principles have served as good branding, as their declaration has differentiated the University of Chicago from nearly all its peers. UChicago has been praised as aTo a certain extent this is true.But in another critical context it is not. Many of the University of Chicago's core administrative actions and programs are consolidated behind one political position, and not just in a casual or ad hoc way but systematically, throughout its organization. How this political or ideological position should be characterized is a good question, because it doesn't fall neatly into a traditional category. It is both highly conservative in one sense and radically progressive in another. What both elements have in common is obedience to government-industrial policy and objectives.The position I'm identifying stems not just from preferences or values but from economics: The university will, as a routine institutional behavior, take money from most sources, and it will do what those sources generally wish. The scientific method, or rational empiricism, can be modified or suspended as necessary; specific ends can be served if the means are provided. (About this, more below.)Of course, the Chicago Principles are functional as a first-order practice (that is, as a general, everyday campus observation or pledge). But their establishment can also have larger strategic purposes: They sound welcoming, mature, and independent, even if they turn out to be window dressing. In other words, they may be a curtain, behind which is more political partisanship than you might expect.This is where the university's actual behavior becomes more interesting. What is the University of Chicago doing in practice that turns free speech into doublespeak?The head of the university's Board of Trustees, David Rubenstein, is a long-time, active DNC political donor, as well as the former head of the defense and security-sector hedge fund The Carlyle Group. He has embraced the BLM movement and went so far as to finance the rewriting of American history by underwriting a multi-million-dollar thematic re-design of Founder James Madison's home to favornarratives and exhibits. The board also includes the Pritzker family, one member of whom is the current progressive-Democrat governor of Illinois, known for his devotion to special interests.The president of the university is advised by a full-time senior consultant who was Michelle Obama's White House chief of staff, while former Obama aide David Axelrod was, until recently, the director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, a partisan political-advocacy center that masquerades as a student-training program, even as the nearby Obama Foundation acts as a political-influence organization that finances and promotes political ideologies through anprogram on campus. Speakers at UChicago's left-leaning law school are nearly exclusively from one political party, and when a conservative does show up, UChicago Law can revert to the manners of an elementary-school playground.Chicago's economics department is an interesting case, as well, because it is arguably what the university is best known for. Along with the business school, the economics department is the intellectual and commercial core of the university where Nobel awards, alumni density, corporate relationships, and more are concerned. The economics department produced thewith its culture of merciless academic confrontation based on facts and data. (Chicago Ph.D. and Stanford professor Thomas Sowell calls such economics a) Yet even here, the university's ability to maintain an objective, empirical posture is compromised by excessivehiring of senior, partisan government officials. Former Obama administration economist Michael Greenstone heads up the university's Becker Friedman Institute, along withthe UChicago energy policy institute that acts as an unofficial White House green-energy-policy center. (Note Greenstone's active congressional lobbying.) Former Obama administration chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Professor Austan Goolsbee, is also an active political ideologue and casts many economic policy problems as if he were still representing the former president.The Booth School of Business's Stigler Center has also beento some extent by a left-leaning bias and is active in partisan public affairs-for example, by supporting cellphone tracking of Americans' movements orwhen progressives don't get their way the first time. Whatever the Chicago Principles say, the hiring of so many political progressives is a structural flaw that prevents the realization of consistent heterodoxy. The few conservative faculty who exist can be marginalized easily enough.Indeed, when one looks closely at recent university actions (including, for example, a move to keep a conservative student group off campus), one sees an institution that is trying to thread the needle between taking a stand on free speech and accommodating the political interests of the progressive Left that actually runs the university. Thus, it is unsurprising to read that a business professorthat many students areand that the academic catalog is full ofThe fascinating thing about theis that they even exist at all. Would a statement that declares different opinions tolerable be taken seriously if the subject were physics? Or astronomy, chemistry, or aerospace engineering? Why is it necessary to formalize, at an institution of higher learning, a willingness to hear all viewpoints that contribute to knowledge? Since when do we think it noteworthy in America that a universitydifferent perspectives?What good, then, are the Chicago Principles and the Kalven Report? Free speech is not, in its ideal form, merely an accommodation of opposing viewpoints but a structural, institutional configuration that comprises actual, tangible heterodoxies, informed in large part by hiring. Little actual heterodoxy exists on UChicago's campus, either in its faculty or within its administrative ranks. Yes, the principles have somebut in its institutional and operating culture, the University of Chicago is part of the ideological uniformity of higher education. In this way, it forms awith schools such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley, which have consolidated higher education's political ideologies. Themay be different, but the outcomes are largely the same.
How do we know Bridges is the best math curriculum for BCS?

By: Observer Editorial Team

The Beaufort County Board of Education voted recently to adopt a new math curriculum for Beaufort County schools. It passed 7-2 with all the incumbents voting yes and two newly elected conservatives voting no. Newly elected Gary Carlton voted yes.

We were disappointed that the Board of Education adopted the Bridges math curriculum, but even more disappointed that newly elected Gary Carlton voted for the motion.

There has been significant evidence produced that the Bridges program in infused with too much wokeism. To our knowledge it has not been field tested in any Beaufort County schools in a valid research framework. The board was told that a survey had been done but only anecdotal evidence was reported. The board should have asked for a research design to be developed by an outside party and then the data analyzed by an outside party to assess whether there were statistically differences in effectiveness in Bridges compared to other methods. That is true no matter what the subject matter is. This is entirely too much money to spend unless there is a significant improvement in student learning as measured by a standardized research model.

The Superintendent and staff made very weak presentations of the reasoning for picking this program over some of the others approved by the State Board of Education. Such decisions should be researched based and not simply because a particular group advocated for it. We wanted to see a comprehensive plan for improving student performance in math, including the curriculum, but also the relative cost of various programs, including the cost of staff development. Such was not presented by the Superintendent.

As an aside, our research into Bridges would raise serious questions about the opinion survey they used to validate their recommendation. Bridges is full of entertaining learning activities, including many manipulatives. It resonates well with some teachers and probably works well enough for visual learners. But none of this is documented by sound research presented to the board. The education landscape of the last two or three decades is littered with pretty entertaining toys that glittered like shinny objects with bells and whistles but produced little significant student learning. So we have to wonder if Bridges is yet another of these fads that is really designed to sell copyrighted goodies.

As is, they are proposing to spend nearly a half million dollars in PK-5 without a rational evaluation of how this program might be better in improving math scores in Beaufort County public schools than some other less expensive packages.

We really need a better curriculum review and adoption process. It is the duty of the Superintendent and his staff to develop this.

Therefore, we hope the board will reconsider its action which passed 7 to 2 and delay full implementation until some sound research is done.

The bottom line is that Bridges is another radical left-wing wokeism program that is loaded with CRT, social justice and ESL (emotional, social learning). Our school board should be vigilant to keep this wokeism out of our schools.

Right away, those of us with common sense could see a lot of red flags flying high.

We are talking about the teaching of mathematics in the public schools, grades one thru five. Let us distinguish between what public school students need for mathematics and that of a theoretical physicist. The skill set of mathematics required by the general public encompasses principles developed during the past 5,000 years. This does not include calculus, differential equations and math theory. These subjects are usually taught from the junior year of college thru the masters and PhD programs.

A well-educated public school graduate should be able to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions and percentages. The Real Basics. Unless mastered, or until mastered a student should not be promoted to the next level nor have their time consumed learning concepts other that the Basics. Those who demonstrate mastery of the basic concepts should then be exposed to algebra, plane geometry, trigonometry, and coordinate geometry. They could balance a check book and understand the benefits and downside of compound interest. The basics of these parts of mathematics have been in use for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

So, how do we get intervention into a math program? Why do we need intervention? The Bridges web site explains it. It says things like: We need a framework for Equity in the Mathematics Classroom. The words equitable mathematics instruction are used several times. Another statement used in the discussion by Bridges personnel includes .systemic racism, systemic oppression and privilege, and ways in which mathematics can disrupt those systemic issues. Talk like this has no place in mathematics education and no place in public K-12 education at all.

Back to everyday mathematics - if the basics of mathematics have been in place for hundreds of years, should not mathematics books for use in the public schools be useful and used until the covers fall off? It is incredible to us that no one asked, What is wrong with the text books we are now using? The same is true of grammar, history, art, biology and science books. We understand the argument about keeping up with the latest information. To that we say; Unless you know the basics and the history of the subject, the latest information has no intellectual value.

We believe there is no need for these canned curriculums in public school education. Any teacher should be able to prepare lessons to teach to the intent of the State Standard Course of Study within their major or minor course of study if they are competent to teach. Considering what the university systems are turning out and calling educated, there may be problems in the university system. It is the job of the principals and superintendents to make sure their teachers are competent.

With the time lost to Covid and the culture in each community, a one size fits all program is not likely to get the job done. There is not time for Woke indoctrination to be included in any class being taught today. If a teacher teaches ten minutes of diversity that is 10 minutes that can never be applied to basic understanding of fundamental math. In order to bring our students up to grade level, we will need basics taught that they can be built on, and math presented at a level that the parents can assist those that are behind. Common Core has proved to be a failure and the infiltration of Socialism and Gender neutrality has set our entire school system back several years. We need common sense leadership and this seems to be lacking on our school board and in our administration.

Well have more to say about this later, but it should be pointed out that in all these videos of board discussion we hear not one concern expressed about whether Bridges will challenge our best and brightest students more effectively than another approach. It is they (the best and brightest) that appear to be getting the short end of the stick in all these discussions. Again, more later on that point.

During the Board discussion it was admitted that there were elements of common core and critical race theory in the Bridges books. Some genius made the statement that teachers did not have to use these woke teachings, that they could just go around them. Sounds like eating road kill, just eat around the tire track.

The concept of canned curriculums in public education is a recent invention. It originated from the minds of those who want to dominate, control, and indoctrinate the public to socialism and communism. Canned curriculums did not come from open minded, free speech people who understand that the major part of education involves student exposure to principles, practices, and accurate history so he could analyze and question both his and others beliefs. Canned curriculums are full of woke teachings, that divide us as individuals. Canned curriculums force students to believe that we are all NOT created equal. This is precisely what the socialists and communists want us to believe. They, then, have an excuse for the government to address whatever the feeling of fake unfairness may be.

Gary Carltons vote is a disappointment and a setback to the conservative movement on the school board.

Several people testified that Carlton was firmly set to vote against the Bridges Intervention purchase up to two days before the School Board Meeting. Who got to him? Was he faking us out all the time? Is Gary Carlton one of those people who are influenced by the last person he talked to before he votes.

If Carlton made an honest mistake, he has a way to make things right. As a person who voted for the prevailing motion, he can make a motion for the issue to be voted again (Motion To Reconsider). He can then vote correctly and regain his reputation. The social studies curriculum is still on the table, awaiting some major decisions about that. You will see this disease of wokeism raise its ugly head in that debate. If you have contact with Mr. Carlton urge him to hold the line against wokeism and get our students focused on the basics. We offer him these facilities for him to explain his reasoning for his vote on Bridges. He voted contrary to the way an overwhelming majority of people who voted for him would have voted and he owes them an explanation.

There is a lot of work to be done in our public school system. To that end, people with strong character, a knowledge of the Constitution of the United States, the State of North Carolina and the Bill of Rights are needed to run for election in the 2024 elections. There are five seats open. We do not recommend approaching either the Democrat or Republican Parties about running for an office. It is better to approach a political figure you trust or the Beaufort County Conservative Club.

For far too long we have not had competitive elections for school board seats. Some of these board members are there simply because nobody ran against them. We need to change that in 2024.

Remember this vote on the math curriculum. Those who sold us out are: Gary Carlton, TW Allen, Eltha Booth, Carolyn Walker and Mac Hodges, Terry Williams, and Terry Draper. Allen, Booth, Walker, Hodges and Drapers terms will expire in 2024.

To boil all this down, We The People are going to have to stand up to this wokeism nonsense. The most effective way to do this is to monitor how each board member votes. Those who do not have the character to fight it should be replaced in the next election. Folks, we do not want to be seen as radical alarmists, but it is clear to us that the future of our nation is at stake in this issue. Public schools are doing a less that satisfactory job of teaching the basic skills. Beaufort County has more students performing below grade level in the basic subjects. If we do not correct this now the problem will grow to the point of no return and we will not be able to stop it. Social theories are fine to be taught in a comparative process at the university level, but they have no place in K-12 public classrooms. This is an existential problem for our traditional culture.

It is time to put an immediate end to this nonsense and return our school curriculum back to the traditional basics in the core subjects. If we dont do so, within a few years it will be too late.
SOUR LAKE -- Beverly Carrier-Walters still remembers being in elementary school in the 1960s, before the schools in Hardin-Jefferson ISD were integrated.

Then known as "Henderson School," the school served the Black elementary and high school students of China, Nome and Sour Lake. James H. Henderson was the school's principal and the first Black principal. His visits to classrooms were akin to Santa Claus visiting your home on Christmas, Carrier-Walters said.

"He used to pop in and out of the classrooms, and I remember the teacher telling us, 'OK, it's almost time for Mr. Henderson to come in, be on your best behavior,'" she said. "We would be so excited. He would come in and speak to us, make sure we're doing our lessons, make sure we listen to our teacher, make sure we're using good manners."

Carrier-Walters recalls the fun memories and how Henderson always made the students feel special and appreciated.

"He would always say, 'Children, you have done a good job, I'm very proud of you,'" she said. "As a small child, to hear somebody tell you that they're proud of you, that means a lot."

RELATED: Photos: Hardin-Jefferson one step closer to new middle school

When Carrier-Walters was in fifth grade, the schools were integrated and Henderson led the way in making sure it was a peaceful transition for all, she said.

"(He) brought us into the auditorium and he (told) us the white kids will be coming to school with us, but we have nothing to fear because we're going to find best friends for life," she said. "And it's true, I found best friends for life. He wanted a peaceful transition...he was very instrumental in bringing the Black and the white community together."

Henderson's impact on the district had already been felt before his role in the integration process. The school he had overseen for years -- previously known as "China Colored School" -- was renamed "Henderson School." After integration, it became an elementary school that he was selected to lead again, according to Beaumont Enterprise archives.

The first yearbook of Henderson High School, The Dragon of 1959, was dedicated to Henderson by the senior class, exemplifying his impact on his pupils.

"For 15 years, he has been the friend of the faculty and students at Henderson High," the dedication reads. "Does he frown? Perhaps he does. He never frowns at us. We appreciate the many years that he has served us."

RELATED: Check out Southeast Texas' top rated middle schools

At his retirement in May 1973 after working for the district for 29 years, Henderson recalled his journey, "I was the only Black high school principal to survive (integration)," he said.

His name has adorned schools in Hardin-Jefferson ISD for some 60 years -- first an elementary, then a junior high and now the present Henderson Middle School.

But that tenure was cut short in March when the Hardin-Jefferson ISD school board voted to change the name to "Hardin-Jefferson Junior High," in an effort to "align the name of our new middle school building with the other campuses in our district," said district Director of Communications Mandy Fortenberry in a statement to The Enterprise.

The building that housed Henderson Middle School for years was destroyed by flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey in 2017. As the district looks to complete the new building, funded in part by a $21.25 million bond passed in 2020, Henderson's name will not be affixed to it.

However, community members such as Carrier-Walters and Claudia Tyler, a longtime China resident whose mother, children and grandchildren attended Henderson, say that when they voted for the bond in 2020, they voted to rebuild Henderson, not Hardin-Jefferson Junior High.

RELATED: Voters approve Hardin-Jefferson ISD bonds

"They did a bond and (applied) for grants and used (Henderson's name) for that, they did a groundbreaking on the Henderson Middle School...and now that the school is almost finished, they changed the name," Tyler said.

The name change came as a surprise to both Carrier-Walters and Tyler, who only found out about it through their grandchildren.

"I was totally shocked," Carrier-Walters said. "To take that legacy away from us, I think it's a shame."

Henderson was more than just a principal, he was a community leader, Tyler said.

"He told our parents, 'You can do it, you can go to college and bring something back to the community,'" she said. "My aunt, Virgie Gregoire, she went to Prairie View, graduated -- she could have went anywhere to teach, and she came back and taught here. (Henderson) was always going to my grandparents' home, and they'd have coffee and he'd discuss his plans on what he wanted for the kids in the community. So, he was proud when they came back and gave back to the community. Being a Black woman at that time with a degree, you might say to yourself 'I'm going to spread my wings, I'm not going back home.' But she chose to come back."

RELATED: Reporter's notebook: South Texas State Fair gives students chance to shine

Upon his retirement, it was obvious that Henderson was a valued member of the community. He was gifted a TV set and a gold watch by students and faculty. Tributes to him by coworkers didn't leave a dry eye in the house as people recalled his passion for his work, according to a May 24, 1973 article in The Enterprise.

And his road to that position wasn't an easy one. Born just outside of the unincorporated community of Blanchard in Polk County, Henderson worked in cotton and corn fields in his adolescence and had to walk five miles to school each way.

"I could count the stars through the top of the house," Henderson said in the article.

Opportunities for education, much less higher education, were slim, but he persisted.

"I was willing to pay the price," Henderson said. "Others wouldn't and dropped out of school."

He attended Texas College and began teaching with his wife in Groveton in Trinity County. Henderson remained in East Texas, but not all were happy to see a Black man succeed. After he a bought a new car from a coworker in 1938, Henderson was pulled over by a group of white people who threatened him with a gun.

RELATED: School's razing revives memories

"I begged for my life, I thought they would kill me," he recalled. "They couldn't stand to see a Black man in a fine car."

Henderson was directed to drive down a dirt road and then to drive off into a deep ditch. The group then drove away and a truck pulled him out of the ditch. Henderson later sold the car.

Despite the struggle, Henderson moved further south, working in Warren and Beaumont at Charlton-Pollard before securing his job at China in 1944, where he spent the rest of his career.

He didn't stop learning, either. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Texas College in 1942 and later earned a master's degree from the University of Colorado in 1952.

"He wanted unity, he stood for unity," Carrier-Walters said. "He wanted us to be the best of us. You would see him in the hall and he would pat you on the back and say, 'Are you having a good day? Are you doing good?' When we went to lunch, he'd make sure we'd thank the cafeteria ladies. He thought of everything."

Henderson is an important figure in local history, for people of all races and ethnicities, Carrier-Walters said.

RELATED: See how Southeast Texas teacher salaries compare

"This is not a Black and white issue at all, nor do we want to make it a Black and white issue, because Mr. Henderson would not have wanted that," she said. "When the white kids came over to Henderson (School) and the Black kids went over to the elementary school, we became one and everybody was treated right. It's just not about that -- it's about a legacy that has been taken away from the Blacks as well as the whites...we feel like our legacy has been taken away from us."

Since discovering the name change, Carrier-Walters and Tyler have been notifying other alumni and community members, and they said many people were unaware the change was even being considered.

"They said, 'No, that's not possible. We didn't have a meeting on that. We didn't have a vote on that,'" Tyler said. "I don't think (the school board) thought it would get this large, but there's a lot of people that (are) not happy with this at all. And to find out this way, after the decision has already been made, it's just not fair."

While the name has already been changed, Carrier-Walters and Tyler plan to make public comments at Hardin-Jefferson's regular school board meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, and encourage other community members to show their support. The board meeting will be held in the district's Administration Building, located at 520 W Herring St. in Sour Lake.

"We just want the name back on the school," Carrier-Walters said. "We're just inundated with calls, not only from Blacks, (but) from whites, Hispanics...Since the school integrated a long time ago, (some people) have had the chance to have at least three generations of their families come through there. It's not just a name."

RELATED: Enterprise Genealogy: Finding ancestor's school records

Walters started a change.org petition, which had just under 230 signatures as of 4:30 p.m. Friday. Under the "Reasons for signing" portion, one signee wrote, "Taking away the existing honor of having a building named after (Henderson) is like saying his contributions no longer have value. This was too big a change to do without community input. The board needs to reverse its decision."

In the district's statement to The Enterprise, Fortenberry said that the school board is "currently looking into alternate ways to honor Mr. Henderson, as well as other past employees."

But in Carrier-Walters' and Tyler's opinions, there is no other way to honor Henderson.

"They threw him down to 'honor him and others' -- yes, we have a lot of people in this community that have done a wonderful job here, but nobody carries on their shoulders what he carried on his shoulders," Tyler said. "They can't put these two people together and say they did the same thing. You can't honor him (any better way) than for him to have his name (on the school)."
Police say a Louisiana man is to blame for a car jacking in Vidor last October.

The 36-year-old, who was been convicted of five other felonies, was indicted in early May by a federal grand jury for stealing the vehicle, evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle and carrying and possessing a firearm as a felon.

Around 3:10 p.m.on Oct. 26, 2022, Vidor police received the report of a car jacking in the 300 block of North Lakeside Street -- off Interstate 10. The caller said he saw the car jacking involving a white Audi SUV, according to a news release from the Vidor Police Department.

One of the vehicle's owners had been sitting in the SUV discussing the house they are building on that street, when they were approached by the 3-year-old, who first asked if they had any work he could do.

When the vehicle's owner said no, the man showed a pistol and demanded the vehicle and keys before heading north on North Lakeside Street, according to the news release.

RELATED: Convicted felon indicted for allegedly waving gun at Waffle House

The vehicle was seen by a Chambers County Sheriff's deputy around 5 p.m. at the Stuckey's Travel Center on Interstate 10 and Jenkins Road, according to the release.

The deputy ultimately spiked the the SUV, which stopped just before the exit for Farm Road 1410 to Anahuac.

If convicted, the 36-year-old could face up to 15 years in prison for stealing the vehicle and possessing a firearm as a felon. He also faces at least five years for brandishing a firearm during and in retaliation to a crime of violence, according to the news release.
Texas Children's Hospital in Houston has been cited by the Labor Department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration for failing to protect employees from physical assaults by aggressive patients.

Last year, there were 15 "recordable" incidents where visibly aggressive patients attacked employees who work with behavioral health patients, OSHA said in a copy of the citation, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The agency, in a May 10 news release, specifically references an incident from Nov. 10, 2022, in which it says an aggressive patient "pulled a security officer to the ground by the hair and kicked them repeatedly in the chest and abdomen. The officer, who was responding to an alert, lost consciousness, was taken to the emergency room and hospitalized."

OSHA said an investigation found that Texas Children's had inadequate policies and procedures to protect employees from physical assaults by patients who showed violent behavior during medical surveillance and treatment. Nurses and patient care assistants are among workers who were exposed to physical threats and assaults, the agency said in the citation, according to the Houston Chronicle.

A Texas Children's spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker's: "The safety of the employees, faculty and patients remains a key priority at Texas Children's Hospital and we are very proud of our efforts to provide a safe workplace. We are actively engaged in dialogue with OSHA and disagree with the initial findings released by OSHA. Texas Children's has strong safety protocols and training procedures in place and we are constantly optimizing our processes to ensure a safe environment."

OSHA has proposed penalties of $15,625. Employers have 15 working days from the date they receive a citation to contest, according to the agency's website.
Dean Gaffney said he hoped to raise awareness of the disease (Matt Crossick/PA)

Dean Gaffney has said there is no doubt the reality show Im A Celebrity  Get Me Out Of Here! saved his life after medical checks found signs of bowel cancer.

The former EastEnders actor, 45, appeared in the jungle in 2006 before returning for the all-stars version of the show in the South African bush which aired on ITV this month.

But Gaffney has revealed that doctors examined him in 2020 ahead of a possible appearance on the show during Covid at Gwrych Castle in North Wales and found a number of polyps in his large intestine that needed immediate surgery.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

He told the Mirror newspaper: There is no doubt Im A Celeb and its medical team saved my life.

I might not be here today if it wasnt for them finding what they did.

Gaffney was one of the 12 stars on standby to take the place of any campmate that caught Covid in 2020.

Im A Celebrity staff told me in September Id got the job and I was called to a medical in October, he said.

I thought nothing of it and did the routine blood tests. When it came back, it showed I was losing blood.

They thought it might be anaemia or an iron deficiency. I thought they were being a bit over the top.

Later that day the results showed they had found polyps which were massive. One was huge. I think 20mm, which is big for a polyp.

Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney (Matt Crossick/PA)   Matt Crossick

Following the operation, Gaffney explained the doctors were slightly angry, asking why he had not noticed blood in his stool.

The doctors told him: Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer.

Youve been very lucky.

The actor hopes to follow in the footsteps of the BowelBabe fundraiser Dame Deborah James, who died age 40 in June last year, and raise awareness of the disease.

He said: Dame Deborah was an inspiration to so many. Ive so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer.

If I can do a small fraction of that for men, itd make me very happy.
The wall art featured in a video clip to introduce Ukraines entry to the stage.

The short visual postcard showed street paintings in both Kyiv and Northern Ireland, including a black mural of a sunflower that was created last year in dedication of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The street art was also named one of Graffiti Art Magazines renowned Murals Of The Year for 2022.

Local artist Eoin McGinn, who goes by the name Emic produced it in tribute to Ukrainians displaced due to the invasion by Russia.

It is painted on the side of a home on Harrow Street in the Holyland area of south Belfast and received widespread praise when it was unveiled last March.

The mural was painted without a budget to raise money for charity that myself and a group of residents in the Holylands put together, Emic, who has been creating street art since 2013, said.

Emic says the group wanted to paint something which represented and showed solidarity with Ukrainians. In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine causing widespread turmoil and damage to the country.

The war is still ongoing with thousands of Ukrainians displaced from their homes.

Holylands resident Brid Ruddy who has been involved with regeneration in the area since lockdown said the mural brightened and lightened their task at revamping the heavily-student populated area.

As volunteers working in an inner-city area experiencing urban dereliction, co-working with Emic has brightened and lightened our task. It highlighted that art is integral to regeneration," she said.

"It challenged the negative image of the Holylands in Belfast and enabled us to express support for Ukraine through a beautiful dramatic sunflower that is living art. We love it and the increased number of people travelling to see the mural appear to love it too.

After popping up on the BBC screen during the Eurovision 2023 final, many locals took to social media to joke that producers should have shown more of Northern Irelands more common murals.

"Could've gone *terribly* wrong with an example of Belfast Street art there, wrote one Twitter user.

Another said: Of course Belfast gets shown on the street art postcard where was the King Billy mural???!!!
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Labour wants to involve as many people as possible in our democracy (Belinda Jiao/PA)   Belinda Jiao

Proposals to expand the voting franchise are something we will look at, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said amid reports Labour plans to allow settled migrants and 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.

But the Labour frontbencher stressed such moves are not the final plans for the Labour manifesto, adding: I dont think any changes to how the British state works, how democracy works, should ever be considered through any kind of party political lens.

Mr Reynolds told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday: I think there are arguments for expanding the franchise, its not an area I directly deal with in the shadow cabinet. Im not going to give a definitive answer on that, but I think we should always be seeking to involve as many people as possible in our democracy

Its something we will look at, but some of the reports, Ive got to stress theyre not the final plans for the Labour manifesto.

Mr Reynolds said his party is always looking at ways to strengthen our democracy, when quizzed about plans for changes to the voting system.

He told Sky News: Some of the speculation thats been in the press about Labour policy actually relates to our policy-making process, its not our manifesto, its not a statement of party policy, but its how we go about doing that.

Weve got a process where people put in their submissions, theyre deliberated on, theyre voted upon, so this is not a statement of policy yet, but of course were always looking at ways to strengthen our democracy, to involve as many people (as) possible in that, and therell be an element of that, reform of how this country operates, how power is shared, in the Labour manifesto, thats for sure.

He argued the Conservative Party seems quite demoralised and as ever full of internal conflicts and battles, adding: I dont accept the case that were not putting forward specific policies.

Jonathan Reynolds, left, said Labour under Sir Keir Starmer, second left, wants to involve as many people as possible in our democracy (PA)   Ben Birchall

Mr Reynolds said Sir Keir Starmers description of his partys reforms as Clause Four on steroids related to the level of ambition of Labours policy platform.

He told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: It means that if you look at the scale of the challenge an incoming Labour government would have, it is, I would argue, bigger than any other point in British history.

Weve had an economy that hasnt performed as it should have for 13 years, weve got public services where, lets be frank, are there any public services today working better than 13 years ago when the Conservatives came to power? No.

So the scale of what weve got to do is not only have the policy platform that meets that, have the courage to change the Labour Party to meet that, that is what Clause Four fundamentally was about. I think that is what Keir has done so far.

We know theres more to do, but Keir is making clear, yes we see the challenge is very big, but dont underestimate our determination to meet that challenge.

Sir Keir Starmer has promised Labour reforms under his leadership will be Clause Four on steroids (PA)   Yui Mok

Mr Reynolds insisted his party under Sir Keir is embodying a classic Labour offer.

He told the BBC: I think it is incumbent on any political party thats had a defeat as significant as 2019, to look at itself and say were going to have to attract some voters back who didnt vote for us last time, and I want people who voted Conservative last time to look again at the Labour Party, look at their own priorities and say actually yes, it is Labour who better represent that.

That doesnt mean were not embodying what I think is a classic Labour offer, I think that is fundamentally what Keir Starmer is about. A stronger set of employment rights, a better industrial policy, making the economy work for working people, rebuilding the NHS.

Therell be limitations, of course, on any incoming Labour government therell be limited funds, therell be priorities we have to make.

Conservative chairman Greg Hands hit out at Labour, accusing the party of laying the groundwork to drag the UK back into the EU by stealth.

The right to vote in parliamentary elections and choose the next UK government is rightly restricted to British citizens and those with the closest historical links to our country.

No other EU country allows EU citizens who are not their nationals to vote in Parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable suggested to The Observer it would be highly improbable that his party would enter a coalition with Labour, after the experience of its very unbalanced arrangement with the Conservatives from 2010 to 2015  but did not rule out other ways.
The Conservative Party is buzzing with ideas, Grant Shapps has said, as he played down suggestions of unrest within Tory ranks amid the fallout from the local elections.

Rishi Sunak has faced a barrage of criticism over the weekend from within his own party, with anger from Conservative MPs and the grassroots about the loss of nearly 1,000 councillors and the decision to scale back post-Brexit plans to scrap EU laws.

A gathering in Bournemouth for the first conference of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) saw Mr Sunak and the party leadership subject to some stinging criticism, while later this week Suella Braverman, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg will all address a National Conservatism Conference.

Energy Secretary Mr Shapps, who toured broadcast studios on Sunday morning, rejected suggestions that such gatherings are a sign of turmoil in the party as claimed the mood within the Conservatives is one of steely determination.

He said: I think this is a party that still, after years in government and despite having to put up with things like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and all the costs attached to it, is actually buzzing with ideas. Were able to get together and were able to hold conferences, and have different ideas come forward.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among those who joined in the criticism of Mr Sunak at the CDO event, organised by some of the most vocal backers of Boris Johnson.

Mr Shapps said: I dont have to agree with everything that everybody says to welcome the very fundamental fact that were still the party coming up with new ideas, with a vision for the United Kingdom, and I think that is a good thing.

He also said it was not a shocking revelation that Mr Johnson  who sent a video message to members in Bournemouth  might be applauded by Tory members.

The conference topped off a week that saw Brexit-backing MPs angered by a decision to revoke around 600 retained EU laws, rather than the 4,000 pledged.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said the Tories are still coming up with new ideas (Belinda Jiao/PA)   Belinda Jiao

The Government had originally promised a sunset clause on all laws carried over from the trade bloc by the end of 2023 under its Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

That anger showed little sign of dissipating on Sunday, as MPs hit out at Mr Sunak.

Writing in the Telegraph, Brexiteer Sir William Cash called on the Government to change course.

The unelected Lords should not be used to radically change legislation already passed with a big majority in the elected House of Commons.

Nor should the Commons own specialist committee be bypassed in this arrogant way, he warned Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure from sone backbench MPs on the right of the party (Ben Birchall/PA)   Ben Birchall

Mr Sunak used an interview in The Mail On Sunday to stress his Brexit credentials, saying: I voted for Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit, I believe in Brexit, and when I was chancellor I started to deliver some benefits of Brexit.

Mr Shapps defended Ms Badenoch and played down the prospect of splits among ministers over the decision.

He told Sky News: Were now several months on from when I was business secretary and looking after this process. So more of the laws will have been uncovered because that was the work that was going on.

I have every confidence the current business secretary is looking at the plethora of these laws that are left, shes going to have more than 2,000 scrapped by the end of the year. She just announced another 600, I think shes doing this the right way.

While Mr Sunak and Conservative Party headquarters faced criticism at the conference in Bournemouth, Ms Patel and Mr Rees-Mogg  both backers of Mr Johnson  stopped short of suggesting the former PM should make a return.

Mr Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, said it was a mistake to get rid of Mr Johnson but he claimed that deposing Mr Sunak would be an even bigger mistake.

He added: The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, U.S. President Joe Biden, center, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are seen in this combined file photo. EPA-Yonhap



President Yoon Suk Yeol will attend a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan, later this week and hold a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on its sidelines, his office said Sunday.



Yoon will attend the three-day G7 summit starting Friday as the leader of an invited country, as South Korea is not a member of the G7.



He will address an expanded session of the G7 summit, which will involve the G7 members and eight guest nations, to speak on food and energy issues.



The other seven invited countries are Australia, Brazil, Comoros, the Cook Islands, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.



"Our selection as a G7 invited country this year confirms our status as a global partner," Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said during a press briefing. "The trend we're seeing is a strengthening of relations with key friendly nations such as the United States and Japan, and an expansion of bilateral diplomacy, where we have built trust, to multilateral diplomacy."



Yoon will be the fourth South Korean president to attend a G7 summit. He will be accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee.



The Yoon-Biden-Kishida meeting will come on the heels of Yoon's summit with Biden during a state visit to Washington last month and a summit with Kishida in Seoul last week.



The three leaders are expected to discuss strategic cooperation measures, including their response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the energy crisis and other common challenges, according to Kim.



Chief among the agenda items will be their agreement in Cambodia last November to share missile warning data in real time to counter growing North Korean missile threats.



"Rather than a new agreement being reached, I think the three leaders will be briefed on progress made so far and the three countries will each announce a coordinated outcome," a presidential official said.



The meeting will likely be held in the "latter half" of the G7 summit period, given the first and second days are packed with G7-related events, the official added.



Bilateral meetings with other G7 leaders are also being planned on the sidelines.





President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pose for a photo at their summit at the presidential office in Seoul, May 7. Yonhap
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been welcomed with military honours by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he made his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky is visiting allies in search of further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Mr Zelensky to the German capital from Rome, where he had met on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

On the eve of his arrival  which is taking place amid tight security  the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (2.3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Mr Zelensky tweeted on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system.

Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greets Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at Bellevue Palace in Berlin (Matthias Schrader/AP)   Matthias Schrader

Mr Zelensky first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Mr Zelensky of their support for his countrys fight against the Russian invasion.

Announcing the new arms package, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for as long as it takes.

After meeting Mr Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Mr Zelensky to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defence not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

While German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide further weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the kind Kyiv is asking its allies for.
Archaic licensing laws holding craft brewers back and forcing up price of a pint in NI

For William Mayne, the founder of Bullhouse Brewing Company, the biggest hurdle wasnt heritage premises but the ability just to sell his products.

William was recently successful in setting up the first permanent taproom here at his Bullhouse East premises on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast which allows him to sell his own beer directly to the public.

But the archaic and highly restrictive licensing laws of Northern Ireland made it far from easy to get it up and running.

It essentially is an impossible task, basically we got a licence from a pub in Rasharkin and we managed to move it to east Belfast, William told Sunday Life.

The tricky bit is moving it into a new area because you need to prove to the court there is a requirement for another licensed premises in the area.

We were lucky in that the guy we were buying the licence off, it had been in his family for 100 years, and he was retiring with nobody else to take on the mantel.

He had an offer from a supermarket but he wanted to see it going to a pub and starting something new and continuing that legacy.

The difficulty is that anybody in the area can object on grounds of competition...but thankfully we didnt get any objections.

He added: They have now introduced a new category of licence for producers but its a farce because you can only trade for 12 hours per week.

Bullhouse East

William explained the restriction on the number of licences and that many pubs have supply agreements, known as ties, with the major brewing conglomerates also has a suffocating effect on independent producers getting their beer into the market.

We have the lowest number of licensed premises per capita out of any region in the UK and as a result we have the highest price of pints across the UK, he said.

There are 1,800 licences in Northern Ireland and because we dont sell in supermarkets or chains, there are only about 50 or 60 venues which we can sell into, that includes off licences and bars, that arent tied.

Since we have opened we now sell five times more beer in our own taproom than the rest of Northern Ireland combined, so access to market is the biggest barrier to breweries being able to grow and trade well.

Because of the lack of access to market locally, you have to focus on export when you are starting out... for example we sell more beer in Milan than we do in Belfast.

John Bittles has always been good and Pedro Donald (the Sunflower and American bars) has always supported local breweries but even the likes of other pubs who do support local, they are still tied on the majority of their taps.

Taking on the arduous task of getting his own taproom up and running just so he can sell his own beer to those who want to buy it has paid off.

Even just looking at the rateable value of properties of pubs, its based on the turnover they achieve, I would say we are in the top 10 to 15 busiest pubs in Belfast, said William.

From a standing start and being in a suburban neighbourhood, that is brilliant as people in east Belfast are very under-served by licensed premises.

William added: Its not all doom and gloom its just slow progress.
'Look at the size of me': Stephen Nolan on 'failed' fitness bids and learning to cook in new weight loss effort
This is one of two alleged paedophiles who bought alcohol for a child in exchange for explicit images and her underwear.

Niall Cullen (39) and his pal Kris Mervyn Coleman (37) appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court last week charged with a raft of child indecency offences.

Speaking at his home in south Belfast, Cullen told Sunday Life he had no comment to make but insisted he would contest the charges against him.

Nobody answered the door when this newspaper attempted to speak to Coleman at his Banbridge home.

Cullen, from the Hillsborough Road in Carryduff, is charged with inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, facilitating the complainant to send indecent images of herself, and engaging in sexual communication with the schoolgirl.

He is further charged with purchasing alcohol for a minor, possessing indecent photos of a child, and causing or inciting the complainant to become involved in pornography.

All of the alleged offences are said to have been committed between January 2022 and May this year.

Coleman, from Thornwood in Banbridge, faces two charges each of having indecent images of the schoolgirl and buying alcohol to be delivered to a person under 18.

He is also charged with engaging in sexual communication with the schoolgirl, distributing or showing an indecent image of a child, and obstructing a police officer.

Colemans offending is alleged to have taken place between October 2022 and May this year.

During their court appearances last week a prosecuting lawyer said: Essentially, this case is what I think is colloquially known as a sugar daddy case.

Prosecutors say Cullen was the first to contact the 13-year-old schoolgirl via social media and it was through him that she was introduced to Coleman.

Coleman allegedly asked the girl for sexually explicit images of herself, and despite knowing her age did nothing to stop contact.

He claims she asked him to buy her alcohol but that was on the deal that she left her underwear in exchange with him, said the lawyer, adding Coleman also allegedly sent her videos of himself having sex with women.

The lawyer said Coleman told police during interviews the underwear request wasnt for sexual gratification but just out of curiosity, to see how far she would go before he called her bluff.

She told the court there were concerns about Coleman committing further offences or attempting to interfere with the witness, but the defence argued conditions akin a Sexual Offences Prevention Order could be imposed to alleviate any concerns. He said Coleman never actually physically met the schoolgirl, but instead it was a matter of leaving stuff at a location which was then collected.

The defence said while Coleman had admitted engaging in contact with the teenager, he gave an account where the messaging in relation to demands became very strong, bordering on blackmail, so he felt he had no choice but to do what he had been asked to do in relation to certain requests made of him.

Coleman was bailed with certain conditions, including handing over the passwords and PIN codes to all of his electronic devices.

Granting the same bail to Cullen, the case was adjourned until June 5.
A man holds a child as he moves to the nearest cyclone shelter at Shah Porir Dwip during the landfall of cyclone Mocha in Teknaf, Bangladesh, May 14, 2023.

Updated at 3:09 p.m. ET on 2023-05-14

Powerful Cyclone Mocha made landfall in western Myanmars Rakhine state on Sunday, causing deaths and bringing down trees, residents said, as humanitarian agencies warned of a severe impact on hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people.

The cyclone earlier on Sunday had intensified to a Category Five storm, with wind speeds reaching as high as 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour), according to the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

At least six people in Myanmar were reported to have died in the storm. No injuries were immediately reported in nearby southeastern Bangladesh, where about a million Rohingya refugees are sheltering in camps. The storm, however, caused damage and downed trees in Teknaf, a sub-district along the Burmese border, officials said.

Local residents ride their motorbike through debris along a street in Kyauktaw, in Myanmars Rakhine state, May 14, 2023. [AFP]

Reuters reported that parts of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, were flooded. A video posted on social media showed the ground floors of several buildings under water, according to the news service.

The whole northern Rakhine has suffered severe damage, said Khine Thu Kha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine rebel group. People are in trouble.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners spent the last week preparing for a scaled-up cyclone response by pre-positioning supplies and personnel.

The U.N.s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement Sunday that with the cyclone now losing intensity and moving inland, humanitarian teams would start responding to those in need on Monday.

The ongoing wild weather in Rakhine and telecommunications interruptions mean it has not yet been possible to assess the full magnitude of the disaster, OCHA said. But early reports suggest the damage is extensive and needs among already vulnerable communities, particularly displaced people, will be high.

Before the cyclone, the U.N. had estimated that six million people were already in humanitarian need in western Myanmars Rakhine state, and the regions of Chin, Magway and Sagaing.

Collectively, these states in the countrys west host 1.2 million displaced people, many of whom are fleeing conflict and are living in the open without proper shelter, said OCHA, warning of a nightmare scenario.

Earlier fears that the cyclone might directly hit Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh  home to Rohingya who live in crowded, low-lying camps  did not materialize, according to a correspondent for BenarNews.

The cyclone made landfall at around 3 p.m. and moved on from the area after 5 p.m. In Bangladesh, Mocha missed Coxs Bazar city but hit the sub-district and town of Teknaf, refugee camps in Teknaf and Saint Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal, damaging houses and uprooting trees, the correspondent reported.

About 2,000 houses were destroyed  including 1,200 houses on Saint Martins island  and there was damage to 10,000 other homes, according to Muhammad Shaheen Imran, the head of Coxs Bazar district civil administration.

There were no reports of landslides in Teknaf, as feared by authorities.

Thank God, we have been saved, Bangladeshs Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Enamur Rahman told BenarNews. We feared for huge damage, but we have yet to get reports of major damage.

Saint Martins island resident Halim Ali told BenarNews that his house was flattened and his belongings were washed away.

Saint Martins is a devasted place: houses destroyed, trees uprooted, he said.

Local residents take shelter in Kyauktaw, in Myanmars Rakhine state, May 14, 2023, as Cyclone Mocha crashes ashore. [AFP]

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, said Mocha was one of the biggest storms that ever occurred in the Bay of Bengal.

It is stronger than Nargis, Koll told Radio Free Asia, referring to the cyclone that left nearly 140,000 people dead and missing in 2008.

Cyclone Mocha formed on Thursday, causing heavy rains and a coastal surge in Rakhine state starting on Friday.

Cyclone frequency is more or less the same in the Bay of Bengal  but once they form, they are intensifying quickly, the scientist said. This is in response to warmer oceans under climate change.

Killed by falling trees

Mocha was weakening Sunday evening and moving toward Myanmars northwest. It was expected to become a depression by Monday when its over the Sagaing region, and will eventually move toward Kachin state.



Heavy rainfall and winds were expected as it moves into areas prone to flooding and landslides, according to the U.N.

In Tachileik city in northeastern Shan state, a married couple were buried in their house in a landslide caused by heavy rains on Sunday morning, according to the Hla Moe Tachilek Social Assistance Association.

Two people in Rakhine state, one man in the Irrawaddy region and another man in the Mandalay region were killed by falling trees.

Rescue workers remove fallen trees after a storm in Teknaf, near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, May 14, 2023. [Al-emrun Garjon/AP Photo]

In Sittwe, Rakhine states capital, a telecom tower collapsed under high winds and mobile phone signals are down. Residents have been sharing images of damaged houses and roads on social media.

The winds were still ravaging Sittwe as of Sunday afternoon and local authorities warned its 150,000 inhabitants to stay indoors.

Hundreds of Sittwes residents were already evacuated to the inland town of Mrauk-U on Saturday.

The Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine rebel group, said more than 10,000 people had been relocated from 21 villages on the coast and in low-lying areas in the state since Thursday.

Reported by Abdur Rahman in Cox's Bazar and Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka for BenarNews, and by RFA staff. Radio Free Asia is a Benar-News affiliated news service.
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the opposition Move Forward Party, leaves after speaking to media at party headquarters in Bangkok, May 14, 2023.

Updated at 5:41 p.m. ET on 2023-05-14

Thailands pro-democracy political opposition pulled off a big electoral win Sunday as its main parties clinched hundreds of parliamentary seats in their bid to oust an entrenched military-backed government, according to uncertified results.

The Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties came out on top virtually neck-and-neck as they won a combined 225 directly elected seats, based on 99% of votes counted by the Election Commission.

The two military-aligned parties from the ruling bloc were obliterated in Sundays national polls, winning a combined 62 directly elected seats.

The United Thai Nation Party, headed by former junta chief and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, won only 23 seats. The opposition also swept all 33 seats representing constituencies in Bangkok.

The leader of Move Forward, which held a slight edge over Pheu Thai at press time, told a news conference late Sunday night that his party planned to join forces with Pheu Thai in an effort to form a new ruling coalition.

We are taking the stand that in forming the government, there will be no military parties in disguise, Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forwards Harvard-educated leader and prime ministerial hopeful, told reporters in Thai at his partys headquarters. We will exclude the Palang Pracharath Party and the United Thai Nation Party from the coalition.

Pheu Thai is the main opposition party associated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a military coup in 2006. Thaksins daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is one of Pheu Thais candidates for PM.

Im 100% confident today is going to be a good day, Paetongtarn said after casting her vote earlier in the day.

A voter casts a ballot for the general election at a polling station in Bangkok, May 14, 2023. [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

However, even though the two opposition parties may form a post-polls alliance, that prospect is far from certain because voting rules enshrined in a constitution drafted by the military in 2017 could see a junta-appointed Senate block their path to power.

The will of the people is likely to be thwarted again. I just dont see the Senate respecting popular will; they were created and appointed to do one thing, maintain the conservative-royalist hold on politics, Zachary Abuza, a Washington-based expert on Southeast Asia, told Reuters, referring to how those electoral rules were used to block another win by the opposition at the polls in 2019.

I see no path forward for a 376 seat pro-democracy coalition that is needed to overcome the Senates vote for the prime minister, said Abuza, a columnist and regular contributor to BenarNews.

The ballot counting began when polls closed at 5 p.m., after millions of Thais turned out at voting sites across the country to elect members of the 500-seat House of Representatives for the next four years.

Roughly 52 million of Thailands 65 million population  including some 3.3 million first-time voters  were eligible to cast votes, with the Election Commission projecting a turnout of more than 80%.

Thailands incumbent Prime Minister and candidate from the United Thai Nation Party, Prayuth Chan-ocha, leaves a voting station in Bangkok, Thailand, May 14, 2023. [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

Ekkapong Wataaprom, a 38-year-old graphic designer, said she wanted to see change after nearly a decade of military-backed rule.

I hope the new government honors its campaign promises, because past governments havent kept their word, she said after voting in Bangkok. Im worried about fairness. I hope there are no irregularities.

Another voter, Charoen Khunpenthip, 59, said after nine years of hardship he wanted a visionary government that treated people nicely.

Prayuth, the former army chief and a staunch royalist, has held power since he spearheaded a coup that toppled the government of Thaksins sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in May 2014. His time in power has been tumultuous in the past few years, marked by crackdowns and youth-led protests demanding more democratic freedoms.

Prayuth, 69, was running as a candidate for the United Thai Nation Party, after quitting the ruling Palang Pracharath Party in December.

His deputy prime minister and fellow retired army general, Prawit Wongsuwan, was vying against him as a nominee for the PPP.

Prayuth was relatively tight-lipped after voting in Bangkok, but said he wanted to see the biggest turnout possible according to the democratic way.

Workers count votes as the polling stations close on the day of the general election in Bangkok, May 14, 2023. [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

Move Forward and regional heavyweight the Bhumjaithai Party, a member of the current ruling bloc, are likely to play prominent roles in post-election talks. Bhumjaithai won 68 directly elected seats in Sundays polls.

According to the 2017 electoral rules, Thai voters directly elected 400 members in the 500-seat parliament. The remaining 100 seats  so-called partly-list seats  will be allocated to different parties according to their share of the nationwide vote. Both houses of Parliament, including 250 senators appointed by the junta, will later elect the prime minister.

The identity of the next prime minister might not be known until weeks or months after the vote, as Thailands electoral system allows up to 60 days for the release of official results, and parliament convenes two weeks later to vote for the nations leader.

In the meantime, fears have been raised about a return to street demonstrations if a party wins big but is unable to take power.

When asked Thursday about whether that could prompt another military intervention, Army Gen. Narongpan Jittkaewtae said he was not concerned and there was zero chance of a coup, the Bangkok Post reported.

This report has been updated throughout Election Day, since polls opened at 8 a.m. and after they closed at 5 p.m.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
From front, the Republic of Korea Navy Sejong the Great-class destroyer, the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry and a Japanese Atago-class Aegis destroyer engage in a drill in the East Sea in this Feb. 22 photo. Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff



By Ko Dong-hwan





A design for the Korea Destroyer Next-Generation (KDDX) rendered by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2020 / Korea Times photo
Jane Kaufman is Community Voices Editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jkaufman@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6125.
Tonight's rundown:

 Talking Points Memo: Joe Biden continues to decline with the world watching and remains out of the press reach

 Presidential Historian Larry Cook weighs in on how Bidens relationship with the press compares to past presidents

 US Special Forces have been confirmed to be in Ukraine

 OReilly describes Democrats hosting the DNC in Chicago as Crazy Arrogant

 The trial of Fox News gets underway

 58% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck even as inflation begins to cool off

 Smart Life: Utilizing Kelly Blue Book when searching for a new car

 This Day in History: FDR dies in office

 Final Thought: what to do when someone is disrespectful to you

In Case You Missed It:

 Read Bill's latest column, "Reason to Believe"

 Join 'Team Normal!' Order your gear now at BillOReilly.com!

 Pre-order Bills next bestseller Killing the Witches NOW

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Unlocking the potential of human model systems

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche has announced the launch of the Institute of Human Biology (IHB) focusing on advancing research in the field of human model systems such as organoids.

Leveraging human model systems, the institute aims to accelerate drug discovery and development by improving the understanding of how organs function and how diseases develop. Ultimately, this will help to bring medicines to patients faster. These efforts will also enable early testing of which drug candidates are safe and which molecules would work best for each patient.

Human model systems are miniature 2D or 3D living 'replicas' of human tissues and organs that scientists create from human stem cells. By mirroring human and disease biology more accurately than animal models, they can also help reduce the reliance on animal testing. In addition, human model systems may enable the discovery of new human biology (in health and disease) and identification of drug targets that are impossible to find with classical discovery approaches.

Scientists and bioengineers from academia and the pharmaceutical industry will work together at the newly launched institute based in Basel, Switzerland. The IHB is expected to grow to around 250 scientists and bioengineers over the next four years.
There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.James Madison

How far would you really go to secure the nations borders in the so-called name of national security?

Would you give the government limitless amounts of money? Surround the entire country with concrete walls and barbed wire? Erect a high-tech, virtual wall of AI-powered surveillance cameras and drones that does a better job of imprisoning those within its boundaries than keeping intruders out? Empower border police to trample on the rights of anyone who crosses their path, including legal citizens?

Relinquish some of your freedoms in exchange for the elusive promise of non-porous borders? Submit to a national ID card that allows the government to target individuals and groups as it chooses in order to identify those who do not belong? Turn a blind eye to private prisons and detainment camps that profit off the forced labor of its detainees?

Would you turn your backs on every constitutional principle for which our founders fought and died in exchange for empty campaign promises of elusive safety by fast-talking politicians?

This is the devils bargain that the U.S. government demands of its people.

These devilish deals have been foisted upon we the people before.

Every decade or so, the government makes the case for expanding its wartime powers and curtailing the citizenrys freedomin the war on terrorism, war on drugs, war on communism, war on foreigners, war on extremism, war on dissidents, war on peace activists, war on anti-government speech, etc.all for the sake of national security, of course, and as expected, the American people fall in line.

Increasingly, the government wants us to buy into the fiction that its war on illegal immigrants is so necessary for national security that we should be grateful when roving bands of border patrol agents, flexing their muscles far beyond the nations borders, exercise their right to disregard the Constitution at every turn.

Except these border patrol cops arent just disregarding the Constitution.

Theyre trampling all over the Constitution, especially the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits the government from carrying out egregious warrantless searches and seizures without probable cause.

As part of the governments so-called crackdown on illegal immigration, drugs and trafficking, border patrol cops are expanding their reach, roaming further afield and subjecting greater numbers of Americans to warrantless searches, ID checkpoints, transportation checks, and even surveillance on private property far beyond the boundaries of the borderlands.

That so-called border, once a thin borderline, is now an ever-thickening band spreading deeper and deeper inside the country.

Consequently, nearly 66% of Americans (2/3 of the U.S. population, or 197.4 million people) now live within a 100-mile-deep, Constitution-free zone.

As journalist Todd Miller explains, that expanding border region now extends 100 miles inland around the United Statesalong the 2,000-mile southern border, the 4,000-mile northern border and both coasts This border region now covers places where two-thirds of the US population (197.4 million people) live The border has by now devoured the full states of Maine and Florida and much of Michigan.

So much for walking that golden ribbon of highway.

In this authoritarian reshaping of America, youd better watch where you roam and ramble, because you could find yourself wandering into the governments ever-expanding, Constitution-free zone where freedom is off-limits and government agents have all the power and we the people have none.

Miller continues:

In these vast domains, Homeland Security authorities can institute roving patrols with broad, extra-constitutional powers backed by national security, immigration enforcement and drug interdiction mandates. There, the Border Patrol can set up traffic checkpoints and fly surveillance drones overhead with high-powered cameras and radar that can track your movements. Within twenty-five miles of the international boundary, CBP [Customs and Border Protection] agents can enter a persons private property without a warrant.

These are definitely not Mayberry cops.

The CBP, with its more than 60,000 Customs and Border Protection employees, supplemented by the National Guard and the U.S. military, is an arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a national police force imbued with all the brutality, ineptitude and corruption such a role implies.

Just about every nefarious deed, tactic or thuggish policy advanced by the government today can be traced back to the DHS, its police state mindset, and the billions of dollars it distributes to local police agencies in the form of grants to transform them into extensions of the military.

As Miller points out, the government has turned the nations expanding border regions into a ripe place to experiment with tearing apart the Constitution, a place where not just undocumented border-crossers, but millions of borderland residents have become the targets of continual surveillance.

In much the same way that police across the country have been schooled in the art of sidestepping the Constitution, border cops have also been drilled in the art of anything goes in the name of national security.

In fact, according to FOIA documents shared with The Intercept, border cops even have a checklist of possible behaviors that warrant overriding the Constitution and subjecting individualsincluding American citizensto stops, searches, seizures, interrogations and even arrests.

For instance, if youre driving a vehicle that to a border cop looks unusual in some way, you can be stopped.

If your passengers look dirty or unusual, you can be stopped.

Advertisements

REPORT THIS AD

If you or your passengers avoid looking at a cop, you can be stopped.

If you or your passengers look too long at a cop, you can be stopped.

If youre anywhere near a border (near being within 100 miles of a border, or in a city, or on a bus, or at an airport), you can be stopped and asked to prove youre legally allowed to be in the country.

If youre traveling on a public road that smugglers and other criminals may have traveled, you can be stopped.

If youre not driving in the same direction as other cars, you can be stopped.

If you appear to be avoiding a police checkpoint, you can be stopped.

If your car appears to be weighed down, you can be stopped.

If your vehicle is from out of town, wherever that might be, you can be stopped.

If youre driving a make of car that criminal-types have also driven, you can be stopped.

If your car appears to have been altered or modified, you can be stopped.

If the cargo area in your vehicle is covered, you can be stopped.

If youre driving during a time of day or night that border cops find suspicious, you can be stopped.

If youre driving when border cops are changing shifts, you can be stopped.

If youre driving in a motorcade or with another vehicle, you can be stopped.

If your car appears dusty, you can be stopped.

If people with you are trying to avoid being seen, or exhibiting unusual behavior, you can be stopped.

If you slow down after seeing a cop, you can be stopped.

Are you starting to get the picture yet?

This isnt about illegal immigrants and border crossings at all.

Its a test to see how hard we the people will fight to hold onto what remains of our freedoms.

If this is a test, were failing abysmally.

Then again, weve been failing this particular test for a long time now.

Indeed, as journalist Hayes Brown concludes, the United States has a long, dubious history of putting national security before peoples freedoms.

Certainly, it took no time at all for us to forget Benjamin Franklins warning that Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

It was 1798 when Americans, their fears stoked by rumblings of a Quasi-War with France, chose safety over liberty when they failed to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts, which criminalized anti-government speech, empowered the government to deport dangerous non-citizens and made it harder for immigrants to vote.

During the Civil War, Americans went along when Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus (the right to a speedy trial) and authorized government officials to spy on Americans mail.

During World War I, Americans took it in stride when President Woodrow Wilson and Congress adopted the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which made it a crime to interfere with the war effort and criminalized any speech critical of war.

By World War II, Americans were marching in lockstep with the governments expanding war powers to imprison Japanese-American citizens in detainment camps, censor mail, and lay the groundwork for the future surveillance state.

Fast-forward to the Cold Wars Red Scares, the McCarthy eras hearings on un-American activities, and the governments surveillance of Civil Rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr.all done in the name of national security.

By the time 9/11 rolled around, all George W. Bush had to do was claim the country was being invaded by terrorists, and the government was given greater powers to spy, search, detain and arrest American citizens in order to keep America safe.

The terrorist invasion never really happened, but the government kept its newly acquired police powers made possible by the nefarious USA Patriot Act.

Barack Obama continued Bushs trend of undermining the Constitution, going so far as to give the military the power to strip Americans of their constitutional rights, label them extremists, and detain them indefinitely without trial, all in the name of keeping America safe.

Despite the fact that the breadth of the militarys power to detain American citizens violates not only U.S. law and the Constitution but also international laws, the government has refused to relinquish its detention powers made possible by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Then Donald Trump claimed the only way to keep America safe from dangerous immigrants was to build an expensive border wall, expand the reach of border patrol, and empower the military to assist with border control.

Now you have Joe Biden sending thousands of active-duty troops to the southern border in order to deal with what they anticipate could be more than 10,000 illegal crossings per day.

Its a state of affairs perfectly timed to stir up, divide and distract the populace, while expanding the reach of the police state under our noses.

Once the government acquiresand usesadditional powers (to spy on its citizens, to carry out surveillance, to transform its police forces into extensions of the police, to seize taxpayer funds, to wage endless wars, to censor and silence dissidents, to identify potential troublemakers, to detain citizens without due process), it does not voluntarily relinquish them.

Its time we the people put our house in order.

Just look at the mess were in right now: political theatrics that keep the populace distracted while the police state clamps down, an economy that is disintegrating before our eyes, a surveillance state that is gearing up for total control, an aging national infrastructure that is falling apart, an appalling lack of leaders with moral backbones and civic knowledge, and a government that grows more authoritarian with every passing day.

The looming problem is not so much that the U.S. is being invaded by hostile forces at the border, but rather that the U.S. Constitution is under assault from within by a power-hungry cabal at the highest levels of power.

As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the government is now the greatest threat to our safety, and theres no border wall big enough to protect us from these ruffians in our midst.

Source: https://bit.ly/3Mfx45k

ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Nam-kook arrives at his office in the National Assembly, Seoul. After arriving at work, Kim announced his leave on Facebook, May 14. Yonhap



"Today, I am briefly leaving the Democratic Party that I love," he wrote on his Facebook page. "I decided that it would not be right to be a burden to the party and party members any longer."



Kim has come under fire following revelations he owned around 800,000 Wemix coins in 2021, worth around 6 billion won ($4.5 million), a significant amount inconsistent with his frugal image.



Allegations further surfaced that the first-term lawmaker traded cryptocurrency coins while he was attending at least two meetings of the judiciary committee of the National Assembly in May and November of last year.



"I believe I should not cause any kind of harm to the party at this important time," he said. "From now on, as an independent lawmaker, I will stand up to the unjust political offensive until the end and uncover the truth."



Kim added he will demand legal accountability over the numerous news reports he said were based on false information over the past week.



Kim reportedly made the decision after discussing possible solutions with party members in his constituency in Ansan, 29 kilometers south of Seoul, the previous day.



The lawmaker has maintained his innocence, saying there were no illegalities in his possession of or dealings in cryptocurrencies.



With his departure, the DPK is expected to halt its fact-finding investigation and ethics inspection over the scandal, as the party has no authority to conduct an investigation into an independent lawmaker.





Rep. Kim Nam-kuk of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea walks past reporters at the National Assembly, May 9. Yonhap
Dean Gaffney has said there is no doubt the reality show Im A Celebrity  Get Me Out Of Here! saved his life after medical checks found signs of bowel cancer.

The former EastEnders actor, 45, appeared in the jungle in 2006 before returning for the all-stars version of the show in the South African bush which aired on ITV this month.

But Gaffney has revealed that doctors examined him in 2020 ahead of a possible appearance on the show during Covid at Gwrych Castle in North Wales and found a number of polyps in his large intestine that needed immediate surgery.

So, its official.

Ive gone back to compete in the @imacelebrity jungle.

What an honour to be asked back.

Tune in 9pm tonight @ITV to see what myself and @realjoeswash are getting up to. You really dont want to miss this trial.  pic.twitter.com/y5MyfewwMV Advertisement  Dean Gaffney (@deangaffney1) May 2, 2023

He told the Mirror newspaper: There is no doubt Im A Celeb and its medical team saved my life.

I might not be here today if it wasnt for them finding what they did.

Gaffney was one of the 12 stars on standby to take the place of any campmate that caught Covid in 2020.

Im A Celebrity staff told me in September Id got the job and I was called to a medical in October, he said.

I thought nothing of it and did the routine blood tests. When it came back, it showed I was losing blood.

They thought it might be anaemia or an iron deficiency. I thought they were being a bit over the top.

Later that day the results showed they had found polyps which were massive. One was huge. I think 20mm, which is big for a polyp.

Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney (Matt Crossick/PA)

Following the operation, Gaffney explained the doctors were slightly angry, asking why he had not noticed blood in his stool.

The doctors told him: Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer.

Youve been very lucky.

The actor hopes to follow in the footsteps of the BowelBabe fundraiser Dame Deborah James, who died age 40 in June last year, and raise awareness of the disease.

Advertisement

He said: Dame Deborah was an inspiration to so many. Ive so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer.

If I can do a small fraction of that for men, itd make me very happy.
Eurovision got off to a memorable start when the Princess of Wales stunned fans by playing piano during the contests opening performance.

Kate Middleton played an instrumental piece created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month.

She wore a blue Jenny Packham dress and earrings which belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth.

The 10-second clip appeared in a performance by last years winners Kalush Orchestra, which included contributions from Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.

The opening film showed Kalush Orchestra performing their winning entry Stefania from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in the heart of Ukraines capital Kyiv.

Once the contest got under way, Luke Black performed for Serbia with some in the audience joining in by screaming bitch, a word which had been censored from his song Samo Mi Se Spava.

Advertisement

Soon after co-host Alesha Dixon performed a short rap referencing the King and Queen being crowned after the sixth song was performed by Frances entry La Zarra.

The former Mis-Teeq star rapped: Six acts in and the competition is in full swing, what a week its been.

Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham and Graham Norton (Aaron Chown/PA)

All killers, no filler, big up King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In the UK commentary box, TV presenter and veteran Eurovision pundit Graham Norton replied: Spitting those rhymes, love Alesha.

Later, fans raised the traditional toast to former presenter the late Sir Terry Wogan during the ninth song, Tattoo, by Swedish winner Loreen.

During the second half, presenter Mel Giedroyc surprised viewers by wearing a milkmaids outfit when she appeared in the back of shot behind Hannah Waddingham.

Giedroyc, who was commentating on the show with Graham Norton, wore an outfit in the style of the 2014 Polish entry Donatan and Cleo.

She appeared to be churning butter in a suggestive manner as Waddingham introduced Armenia.

The BBC Eurovision Twitter account posted: Mel Giedroyc as a butter churning Polish milkmaid! Give her and NTA right now!

Before the votes were tallied, audience members were reduced to tears by an emotional rendition of Youll Never Walk Alone by former Eurovision contestants in Liverpool and Ukraine.
Gardai are on high alert for further violent protests against asylum seekers camping out on Dublin's inner city streets.

A garda public order unit was called to the scene of a protest at Mount Street yesterday following several days of incidents - including a fire at a tented camp near Sandwith Street on Friday.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris says the attack on Sandwith Street was "utterly appalling" and the right to protest is never a right to endanger or intimidate.

The Taoiseach has also unreservedly condemned violent attacks on migrants as "malign opportunism" which cannot be tolerated - adding that gardai are investigating.

The Irish Refugee Council is calling for asylum seekers to be taken off the streets as a matter of urgency.

The current shortage of accommodation means some newly-arrived refugees are sleeping rough until beds become available.

Advertisement

Protesters walk past tents of homeless people outside the International Protection Office in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

Labour's Ivana Bacik's described the Government's failure to house asylum seekers as "outrageous".

Sinn Fein's housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin is calling the attacks "racism - pure and simple".

Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman said the situation is deplorable - adding that a significant number of beds should be coming on line in the coming weeks.

CEO of the Irish Refugee Council Nick Henderson said the level of aggression is of deep concern.

Mr Henderson told Newstalk: "While there were demonstrations outside Direct Provision centres in January and February, and indeed last years, there were walls separating people. Very uncomfortable people inside but there were walls, we're now in a situation where there is nothing and people are in tents.

"People need to be taken off the streets as soon as possible for their immediate safety."
Entrepreneur Paddy Cosgrave has accused Tanaiste Micheal Martin of making attacks and insinuations against his reputation.

Mr Cosgrave was appearing on RTEs This Week radio programme to discuss his complaint over comments made by Mr Martin under Dail privilege which has been referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Procedures and Oversight.

Mr Martin had criticised Mr Cosgrave, who is chief executive of Web Summit, during Leaders Questions on April 27th over a junior ministers role in the sale of council land in 2008.

Web Summit is providing 1 million over five years to the news website The Ditch, which first reported that minister Niall Collins attended a meeting of an area committee where the sale of council land that was ultimately purchased by his wife was proposed.

Advertisement

Among other comments, Mr Martin said the website is a political organisation attacking Government and that Mr Cosgrave is a political opponent.

Mr Cosgrave said it is highly inappropriate for any politician to use Dail privilege to attack a citizen.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin used parliamentary privilege to make the comments (PA)

He said it was an attempt to distract from the story about Mr Collins.

Micheal Martin was given free rein for quite a prolonged period of time to make attacks and insinuations on my reputation, Mr Cosgrave said.

He also said he has suffered reputational damage from references to Russia in Mr Martins comments.

Im being accused of being part of some sort of Russian conspiracy to destabilise Ireland, which I think is slightly ridiculous.

He said he was responsible for the first visa waiver for a Ukrainian refugee into Ireland, and that Web Summit had banned all Russian companies from participating.

I think that I have done more than almost any other business person in this country for Ukraine, Mr Cosgrave said.

I am probably the only outspoken Irish businessperson for more than half-a-decade about what I see is the misuse of the IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) as a conduit for dark Russian money.

Advertisement

Asked about Mr Martins comments in relation to the independence of The Ditch website from Mr Cosgrave, he described the Tanaiste as weaselly and a slippery politician.

Mr Cosgrave said: I have an intense interest in media and the future of media and in supporting what I think is good journalism.

I think the journalism that The Ditch has done is quite incredible.

He also said his funding of The Ditch is incredibly effective brand marketing for Web Summit.

He added: We run an event that brings together people that are trying to disrupt in different ways the existing status quo in the world, and I think the type of journalism that The Ditch does is perfectly aligned with the overall brand of Web Summit.

He said Web Summit has also provided funding to investigation platform Noteworthy, and he has offered funding to business news website The Currency.

Mr Cosgrave said he absolutely wants a change of Government.

Asked about Mr Martins characterisation of him as a political opponent, he said: I think every citizen has a right to political opinions.

Paddy Cosgrave is founder of Web Summit (PA)

He said Mr Martin should not use parliamentary privilege to make such charges if they are not also made outside of the Dail.

Advertisement

I take issue with it being eluded or insinuated that Im somehow involved in some Russian-backed attempt to destabilise Ireland or the Irish Government.

Describing himself as one of the wealthiest people in Ireland, Mr Cosgrave said he is the overwhelming beneficiary of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail policies that allow him to enjoy incredibly unusual tax privileges in this country.

He added: But I think their policies are pernicious and destructive to the interests of most people.

So for my total self-interest, I shouldnt want Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to change.

But deep down I know that how they operate, I think, is wrong and not to the benefit to the majority of people in this country.

Ireland Paddy Cosgrave being sued by businessman Robert Qu... Read More

I think doing something about that funding, good investigative journalism that exposes some of that wrongdoing, I think thats a reasonable and good thing for Web Summit to engage in.

Asked about a tweet he wrote which was also referenced by Mr Martin, Mr Cosgrave said his use of the term body bag was not a call for murder and was instead rap slang for using words to expose someone.

On the subject of disinformation, Mr Cosgrave said he stood by a tweet which he had previously deleted and apologised for.
Dragons Den star and millionaire businessman Peter Casey has labelled those who attacked a centre he has planned for Ukrainian refugees in Co Donegal as "thugs".

The building at Ludden in Buncrana was set on fire on Thursday night last.

Although nobody was in the building at the time there was considerable damage caused.

The former presidential candidate expressed his outrage at the attack on social media.

But he vowed that despite the attack he will rebuild the centre and make it even better than it was.

So last night, my not for profit center (sic) for Ukrainian refugees in Buncrana was broken into and severely damaged by fire, he posted on Twitter.

The sick individuals who did this do not represent the good people of Donegal. More determined than ever to open even more centers to help Ukrainians.

Advertisement So last night, my not for profit center for Ukrainian refugees in Buncrana, was broken into and severely damaged by fire. The sick individuals who did this do not represent the good people of Donegal. More determined than ever to open even more centers to help Ukrainians.  Peter Casey (@CaseyPeterJ) May 12, 2023

He added a short-time later: I will repair/rebuild the not for profit Ukrainians center in Buncrana that thugs damaged by setting on fire last night and I will make it the best Ukrainian refugee center in Ireland.

The development will cater for 50 people displaced by the war in Ukraine.

There were initially plans to build a three-storey apartment block on the site, but Casey then announced plans to convert the site into a refugee centre.

Meanwhile, gardai have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

"As with all criminal investigations, the motive behind the incident will form part of the investigation, a garda spokesperson said.

It is not the first time a Donegal premises planned to house refugees has been targeted.

In November, 2018, the Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville was badly damaged in an arson attack days before a group of asylum seekers was due to arrive.
Representatives of the Korean Nurses Association hold signs calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to sign the Nursing Act into law during their hunger strike in front of the association's building in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap



98% of nurses agree to take collective action in case of veto



By Jun Ji-hye



Medical circles face a critical point this week as President Yoon Suk Yeol could veto the opposition-led Nursing Act in a Cabinet meeting expected on Tuesday.



On Sunday, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the government decided to ask the president to veto the act, after a high-level policy consultation meeting attended by PPP Chairman Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong as well as several presidential aides including chief of staff Kim Dae-ki.



The decision was made amid strong protests from doctors and nursing assistants over the law, which is designed to help clarify the scope of nurses' duties and improve their working conditions.



"The passage of the bill at the National Assembly without a social consensus has caused serious conflict and confusion," Prime Minister Han said during the meeting.



Chief of staff Kim also said, "It was regrettable that the bill failed to reflect the opinions of the various parties involved."



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which controls more than half of the 300-seat Assembly, unilaterally approved the bill to legislate the law in the Assembly's plenary session on April 27, despite fierce opposition from the PPP as well as the Korea Medical Association (KMA).



The KMA is a doctors' group that is leading a coalition of medical workers' organizations, including the Korean Licensed Practical Nurses Association and the Korean Association of Medical Technologists, in protest against the law.



The Assembly-approved bill was sent on May 4 to the government for Yoon to give his final approval. Upon receiving it, Yoon must either sign it into law or reject it within 15 business days. The deadline is this Friday.





Lee Pil-soo, right, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), talks to heads of other doctors' organizations who join a relay hunger strike in front of the KMA building in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap



The health ministry said it will work to arbitrate disputes in the medical community till the end so as to prevent large-scale strikes.



However, confusion seems to be inevitable. Each group has threatened to take collective action if the president does not decide in favor of their respective side.



The nurses' community sees the law as essential in redefining their jobs, claiming that ambiguities in their roles and duties as stipulated in the Medical Services Act have increased their workload.



The Korean Nurses Association said 98.4 percent of its members agreed with the need to take collective actions if President Yoon exercises his veto power against the law.



The association added that the International Council of Nurses sent a letter expressing its support for the law on behalf of all nurses' associations throughout the world.





From left, presidential chief of staff Kim Dae-ki, Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok hold talks ahead of a meeting between the ruling party and the government at the prime minister's official residence in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap
German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday welcomed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to Berlin on his first visit to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskiys visit on Sunday comes as he seeks further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Mr Zelenskiy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian premier Giorgia Meloni.

On the eve of his arrival  which is taking place amid tight security  the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security. Advertisement    (@ZelenskyyUa) May 13, 2023

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Mr Zelenskiy tweeted on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system.

Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Germanys president Frank-Walter Steinmeier greets Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin (Matthias Schrader/AP)

Mr Zelenskiy first met with president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Mr Steinmeier and chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Mr Zelenskiy of their support for his countrys fight against the Russian invasion.

Announcing the new arms package, German defence minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for as long as it takes.

After meeting Mr Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Mr Zelenskiy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Advertisement

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defence not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

While German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide further weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the kind Kyiv is asking its allies for.
Turkeys state-run news agency says voter support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dipped below the majority required to win re-election outright, making a May 28 run-off presidential election more likely.

With almost 91% of ballot boxes counted, Mr Erdogan had 49.9% of the vote, according to the Anadolu Agency.

His main challenger, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, had 44.4% as the gap between the two shrank.

Votes from Sundays election are still getting counted across Turkey.



Republican Peoples Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu with supporters at a polling station in Ankara (Ali Unal/AP)

Meanwhile, the opposition-leaning Anka news agency reported that with nearly all votes counted, Mr Erdogan had 49% and Mr Kilicdaroglu 45%.

If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face a run-off on May 28.

Advertisement

Turkeys election authority, the Supreme Electoral Board, said it was providing numbers to competing political parties instantly but would not make the results public until the count was completed and finalised.

Mr Erdogan has governed Turkey as either prime minister or president for two decades.

In the run-up to the election, opinion surveys had indicated the increasingly authoritarian leader narrowly trailed his challenger.

The race, which largely centred on domestic issues such as the economy, civil rights and a February earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people, had appeared to be shaping up as the toughest re-election bid of the Turkish leaders 20-year rule.

With the partial results showing otherwise, members of Mr Kilicdaroglus centre-left, pro-secular Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, disputed Anadolus numbers, contending the state-run agency was biased in Mr Erdogans favour.



Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan casts a ballot at a polling station in Istanbul (Umit Bektas/Pool Photo via AP)

We are ahead, tweeted Mr Kilicdaroglu, 74, who ran as the candidate of a six-party opposition alliance.

Pre-election polling suggested he faced the toughest re-election battle of his two decades leading the Turkey, which has grappled with economic turmoil and the erosion of democratic checks-and-balances in recent years.

Advertisement

Polls closed in the late afternoon after nine hours of voting in the national election that could grant Mr Erdogan, 69, another five-year term or see him unseated by Mr Kilicdaroglu, who campaigned on a promise to return Turkey to a more democratic path.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the winner will be determined in a May 28 run-off.

Voters also elected lawmakers to fill Turkeys 600-seat parliament, which lost much of its legislative power under Mr Erdogans executive presidency.



Cevat Cinar is carried on a stretcher to cast his ballot at a polling station in Ankara (AP)

If his political alliance wins, Mr Erdogan could continue governing without much restriction.

The opposition has promised to return Turkeys governance system to a parliamentary democracy if it wins both the presidential and parliamentary ballots.

More than 64 million people, including 3.4 million overseas voters, were eligible to vote in the elections, which come the same year as the country will mark the centenary of its establishment as a republic  a modern, secular state born on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

Voter turnout in Turkey is traditionally strong, reflecting citizens continued belief in democratic balloting.



People wait outside containers to vote in earthquake-hit Malatya (IHA via AP)

Advertisement

Yet Turkey has seen the suppression of freedom of expression and assembly under Mr Erdogan, and it is wracked by a steep cost-of-living crisis that critics blame on the governments mishandling of the economy.

The country is also reeling from the effects of a powerful earthquake that caused devastation in 11 southern provinces in February, killing more than 50,000 people in unsafe buildings.

Mr Erdogans government has been criticised for its delayed and stunted response to the disaster, as well as a lax implementation of building codes that exacerbated the casualties and misery.

Internationally, the elections were being watched closely as a test of a united oppositions ability to dislodge a leader who has concentrated nearly all state powers in his hands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been welcomed with military honours by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he made his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky is visiting allies in search of further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Mr Zelensky to the German capital from Rome, where he had met on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

On the eve of his arrival  which is taking place amid tight security  the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (2.3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.





Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security. Advertisement    (@ZelenskyyUa) May 13, 2023

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Mr Zelensky tweeted on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system.

Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.



Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greets Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at Bellevue Palace in Berlin (Matthias Schrader/AP)

Mr Zelensky first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Mr Zelensky of their support for his countrys fight against the Russian invasion.

Announcing the new arms package, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for as long as it takes.

After meeting Mr Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Mr Zelensky to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Advertisement

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defence not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

While German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide further weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the kind Kyiv is asking its allies for.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise visit to Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.

In a tweet on his arrival, Mr Zelensky said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing.

He said he and Mr Macron will talk through the most important points of bilateral relations.

The French leaders office said they will discuss Ukraines military and humanitarian needs and the more long-term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe, and that Mr Macron will reaffirm France and Europes unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Advertisement



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks past Republican Guards as he arrives at the Elysee palace in Paris (Michel Euler/AP)

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, including air defence systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel.

Mr Macron and Mr Zelensky did not speak to waiting reporters as they greeted each other at the French presidential palace.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Mr Zelensky in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier on Sunday and discussed his countrys planned counteroffensive.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognised borders, and not attack Russian territory.
Liz Truss is to warn that there cannot be meaningful deterrence without hard power, during a high-profile visit to Taiwan next week.

The former British prime minister, who was widely expected to move the UK government on to a more hawkish footing when it came to dealings with China, is expected to meet Taiwanese government officials during the trip.

The visit comes during a sensitive time for relations between the West and Beijing, with tensions over the rise of China as a global power.

According to the Sunday Express, Ms Truss will urge the West to get real about military and defence cooperation to avoid conflict in the South China Sea.

We cannot pretend there can be meaningful deterrence without hard power. And if we are serious about preventing conflict in the South China Sea, we need to get real about military and defence cooperation, Ms Truss is expected to say.

Advertisement

Rishi Sunaks government has adopted less hawkish language than Ms Truss, updating the UKs integrated review on foreign and defence policy in March to describe China as representing an epoch-defining and systemic challenge.

I have come here this week at the invitation of the Taiwan government because I am an admirer of Taiwan and the Taiwanese people. I want to do all I can to support your continued success, she will say during the visit.

I want to increase awareness around the world of the position you are in. I am also here because I believe this is the most consequential place in the world  in the most consequential struggle of our time.

Where we are today is on the front line of the global battle for freedom. The Chinese Communist Party is engaged in an ideological struggle with the free world  they are open about that.

This is a battle of ideas as much as it is an attempt to grab power on the global stage.

The former UK prime minister and foreign secretary, whose time in No10 lasted 44 days after a disastrous market reaction to her mini-Budget, will also back Taiwanese membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and call on Rishi Sunak to support a fast-track accession for Taiwan.

Advertisement

Not only would Taiwan joining boost UK-Taiwan trade, which already stands at 8.5 billion, it would also help generate further economic links and resilience for this important democracy.

The UK should champion the fast tracking of Taiwans accession in collaboration with key members, she will say.

It is also vital that China is blocked from ever being a member of CPTPP.
National cabinet announced last month it planned to curtail the growth of the NDIS, saving $57 billion over a decade by scrutinising invoiced payments and services provided by disability companies. More than 573,000 people are receiving NDIS funding. Funding levels are constantly tweaked. The latest NDIA quarterly report showed participants were more likely to have their plans increase rather than decrease. Between July and December 2022, 52 per cent of participants received a funding increase of more than 5 per cent, though 19 per cent had their plans cut by more than 5 per cent. This has led to concerns about how funding for plans are now being calculated and how reliant the scheme is now on automated systems. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, in a National Press Club address last month, flagged his support for ethical automation, saying the public sector was not using data enough. There should be an ethical use of AI [artificial intelligence]. My view is it should be wherever possible open-sourced, so people can see whats going on, he said.

He did not respond to questions about when this transparency would be implemented. Disability advocates draw parallels to the robo-debt scandal, in which the previous federal government used computers to identify suspected welfare cheats and make savings in the budget. A royal commission last year revealed that the flawed scheme operated unlawfully for years before it was scrapped in 2020, leading to a $1.8 billion settlement package. But while robo-debt used an entirely automated system to target debt, the NDIA has confirmed it uses data fed into its customer relationship management system to generate a typical support package, which is then manually adjusted by NDIS planners following conversations with the person with disabilities to form an individual package. An NDIA spokeswoman said it was incorrect and misleading to link robo-debt to the NDIS, saying the NDIS funding plans were built and individually tailored to meet a participants own unique disability-related support needs. A spokeswoman for Shorten said there was no evidence the NDIS used similar processes to robo-debt.

Geoff Toomey and his father Mark have spearheaded the call for analysis into how the NDIS uses data analysis to determine funding packages. There is no way the minister who organised the robo-debt class action and the royal commission would tolerate it happening in anything he is involved with. We have never received any evidence that the agency is doing this, the spokeswoman said. Mark Toomey is spearheading a group of disability advocates who are pushing for a royal commission into NDIS funding decisions. We want parliament to extend or reconvene the robo-debt royal commission, directing it to immediately investigate the lawfulness of the use of robo methods, systems and processes in the administration of the NDIS, he said. His son Geoff has cognitive and mobile impairment following a brain haemorrhage. Toomey said hes spent the past several years fighting for more money for Geoff.

Georgia van Toorn, a postdoctoral research fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, said there was limited transparency around NDIS automated decision-making. The nature of data-driven algorithmic systems is that they operate under a veil of invisibility and unexplainability, she said. Data crunching algorithmic process is one of the main levers that the NDIA really has available to it to control the cost of the individual plans and therefore the cost of the scheme. Australia doesnt have laws requiring government public service algorithms to be made open and accessible to the public. A 2021 Australian Human Rights Commission report recommended the government create a multidisciplinary task force on AI-informed decision-making. The government has yet to respond to the report.

Loading The reassessment is not the first time Oriel has had an issue with the NDISs funding decisions. She requested funding to repair a home wheelchair lift at her home in 2017. The funding was delayed and, in February 2020, the lift cable snapped while in use. Oriel broke multiple bones in her leg, pelvis and ribs, while Price fractured his ribs and vertebrae and had a large wound on his side. Oriel spent nine months in hospital and temporary accommodation until the lift could be fixed. She recently suffered a stroke, which the pair believe to have been caused by stress. Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Findlay said data was crucial in ensuring the sustainability of the NDIS, but said the use of algorithms without human explainability undermined the NDIS person-centric approach.
Two of three criminals on the run after allegedly escaping a Queensland prison close to the NSW border have been arrested.

Police and prison officers were searching for Daniel Ian Badcock, Osiah Pilton and Antonio David Mene, who escaped from Palen Creek Correctional Centre in Rathdowney, west of the Gold Coast, on Sunday.

The prison is a low-security facility about an hours drive from the NSW border.

Badcock is serving a year for prohibited weapons and explosives.
The future of two interstate freight hubs designed to help take thousands of trucks off Melbournes roads remains unclear, with the state government accused of inaction and industry experts calling for a decision.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine Kings 90-day review of $120 billion of projects in the infrastructure investment program has again plunged into doubt funding for the terminals planned at Beveridge in Melbournes north and Truganina in the west.

An artists image of the proposed Beveridge intermodal freight terminal, which would handle goods moved on the Inland Rail.

Victorian Labors signature Suburban Rail Loop is the only state project funded in the program that is safe from the nationwide review, designed to scrap waste and determine priorities.

The terminals would connect to the troubled Inland Rail project carrying freight up the east coast, which has gone so far off track that a final cost and timeline are unclear.
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, third from left, poses with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, center, and other executives at the Samsung Semiconductor U.S. R&D Labs in Silicon Valley, U.S., Thursday. From left are Tesla Vice President Karn Budhiraj, Tesla CTO Andrew Baglino, Lee, Musk, Samsung Electronics DS Division President Kyung Kye-Hyun, Samsung Electronics Foundry Business President Choi Si-young and Samsung Electronics DSA Vice President Han Jin-man. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kim Hyun-bin



Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Samsung Semiconductor U.S. R&D Labs in Silicon Valley, Thursday to discuss cooperation in the future advanced industrial field including autonomous driving semiconductor production, the company said Sunday.



This was the first private meeting between the two.



Musk is a leader among innovative companies in the fields of advanced technology including next-generation satellite communication (Starlink), space exploration (SpaceX), next-generation mobility (Hyperloop), artificial intelligence (Neuralink, OpenAI) in addition to Tesla, the world's largest electric car company.



Samsung and Tesla are actively promoting exchanges for the development of next-generation IT technology, including joint development of semiconductors for fully autonomous vehicles.



The Korean tech giant is increasing its influence in the automotive semiconductor market by winning orders for high-performance semiconductor consignment production from companies such as Nvidia and Mobileye.



Lee returned to Korea Friday from a business trip to the U.S. which lasted 22 days, making it his longest business trip since he assumed the position of chairman last October.



On April 20, the chairman left for the U.S. as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol's economic delegation, attending the U.S.-Korea Business Roundtable and state dinner, among other events.



Even after the official schedule was over, he remained in the U.S. and held a series of meetings with global CEOs.



The chairman met with CEOs of global pharmaceutical and bio-venture incubation companies including Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato, BMS CEO Giovanni Caforio and Flagship Pioneering CEO Noubar Afeyan.



The chairman discussed ways to strengthen the competitiveness of the bio-business and explore new businesses through mutual cooperation. Afterward, he also met with employees of Samsung Biologics' North American sales subsidiary to check the global supply chain status and exchange ideas.



"The starting point is not important. Bold and persistent challenges determine the outcome," Lee said. "Let's relay the success DNA we had from semiconductors to the bio sector."



He also met with top executives from Microsoft and Google to discuss various cooperation plans for future business development.


I dont know if youre supposed to enjoy your own coronation, but outward appearances would suggest our new King, Charles III, met his crowning with mild irritation at best. His facial expressions throughout the hours-long festival ranged from dismay to annoyance to something neutral which may have been fear, or perhaps boredom.

According to lip-readers who deciphered what Charles was allegedly saying when stalled in his carriage during the procession, he thought it was boring. The footage showed him seeming to have a small kingly tantrum because it was all taking too long  the story of his life, really.

A lip reader says Charles grumbled to Camilla after his carriage arrived early. Credit: AP

King Charles has reportedly decreed that his will be a pared-down monarchy, but then he ordered the golden carriage? Cinderella would have thought it too much. Im not knocking the ceremony  I greatly enjoyed it. But minimalist it wasnt.

The whole thing was artfully arranged for public consumption  down to the exquisite music and the camera angles set up in the Abbey (I wanted to see more of Prince Harrys facial expressions, but sadly the Palace-controlled CCTV feed did not allow for Harry-cam). But the event was so colourfully bonkers and at times, so strange, that in a perverse way, it felt like something very private, between the British King and his subjects, that the rest of us were only allowed to gawp at by mistake.
Russian news outlet Kommersant said two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters had been shot down close to the Ukrainian border, in what would be a spectacular coup for Kyiv if confirmed.

Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been shot down almost simultaneously in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine.

Russian rockets launch against Ukraine from Russias Belgorod region are seen at dawn in Kharkiv, Ukraine, early Sunday, May 14. Credit: AP

According to preliminary data ... the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up  among other things to pick up the Su crews if they were shot down.

The Russian state news agency TASS said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause.
WHEN THE HEAVENS WENT ON SALE: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach Author: Ashlee Vance

Publisher: Ecco Pages: 513 : Ecco

Price: $35

The period from the launch of Russias first Sputnik 1 satellite to the end of the Apollo programme lasted a scant 15 years. A decade later, the United States was regularly launching crewed space shuttle missions. But over the following 30 years, the space race turned into a space slog. : $35

Also Read From Meta to Zomato, how new online review rules will impact industry UK PM Rishi Sunak reads from biblical book at multi-faith Coronation Xiaomi Redmi Smart Fire TV 32 review: Among the best smart TVs on budget Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants WPL 2023: Guide to book online tickets The professor's chronicle of reforms The dissident lens Bridging the HRD gap in reforms Nipah, Covid and a teacher's learning curve Code red in the global supply chain Management and chutzpah



While SpaceX, Elon Musks rocket and spacecraft company, has sucked up much of the public attention, Vance says, a new industry has flowered, thanks largely to the example of SpaceX. Instead of the perception of a NASA culture that features doom-loop delays and multibillion-dollar cost overruns, this ones image is driven by Silicon Valley principles of cheaper and faster, with private companies staking out the final frontier at cut-rate prices. The long winter of the US governments space programme is the dim background for Ashlee Vances When the Heavens Went on Sale, a chronicle of what Vance paints as a new space race, told through the lively stories of three rocket makers and a satellite company.



The many-tentacled NASA makes for an infuriating villain, a rapacious bureaucracy with interest only in self-preservation. Frustration with the inability of the government to build things  especially public works  is a common theme these days, and the scenes set within NASA offer a front-row seat to understanding it. Wordens foes think nothing of siccing federal investigators on him and his team. His team is accused, on the flimsiest of pretexts, of sabotaging the US space programme for Chinas benefit, mishandling secrets by taking a NASA laptop to a space conference in Vienna and, at the nadir, misusing government resources by taking a morning to dress up as Vikings and film a video. Vances story is set in motion by the exile of Gen S Pete Worden, an astrophysicist and top military science official, to the backwater of NASAs Silicon Valley operations. Having alienated almost every brand of bureaucrat, Worden is packed off to Ames Research Center, a cradle of space innovation that, by the time of his arrival, has turned into a tomb for promising ideas. Worden, an irrepressible space evangelist since the Reagan era, made the most of this by gathering around him young engineers who actually wanted to send stuff into space.



Here, unfortunately, Vances story loses some of its shape, branching into loosely connected sections covering Planet Labs, the satellite company that Marshall started, and three rocket-launching companies: Rocket Lab, Astra and Firefly. Vance secures enough access to allow him to follow the work of these companies in real time. The hope was doubtless that, as the story was being reported, a breakout star would emerge. But in journalism, as with rockets, perfect launches are rare. In Vances telling, NASA and its usual-suspect corporate partners were basically devoted to doing very little  or ideally, nothing  at maximum expense. So Wordens team went in the opposite direction: The simpler and cheaper the better. Will Marshall, a physics prodigy and space expert, became the informal leader of a group of Ames recruits living in a Silicon Valley group house, known as the Rainbow Mansion. The housemates started working on the smallest satellites they could come up with  shoebox-size contraptions they would call Doves. Marshall eventually left NASAs nest to start his own company, naturally inciting yet another investigation.



The other narratives hang together less well. Vance wrote a 2015 biography of Musk, and looming over the stories of the three rocket companies is the hope of, well, the next SpaceX. We dont quite get there. Of the three rocket companies profiled, one, Rocket Lab, pulls off a string of launches and seems on track to deliver the goods. Meanwhile, Astra, started by another one of Wordens proteges, is, according to Vance, mostly a flop. Dismissed by competitors as a clownish disaster that plans to lob up barely functional rockets with the best of luck, in one critics words, Astra largely lives down to its billing. Marshalls Planet Labs is the most unequivocally successful of these ventures and thus provides the clearest story line. What starts as a series of experiments with Legos and minuscule satellites develops into a network of tiny, solar-powered satellites that blanket the earth with cameras, able to capture images of any point on earth at any time. Its an extraordinary achievement, and Vance nicely illustrates how those images have seeped into our lives (as the source, for instance, of many satellite photos we see of the Ukraine war).



In some of its best sections, Vances book is an exuberant ride, happily hopping around the Pacific Rim from Kwajalein Atoll to California, from New Zealand to Kodiak Island, revelling in the do-it-yourself ethos of the new space business. It may not completely reach its destination; between the narratives here, its not fully clear that the new industry has reached escape velocity. But Vance makes a good case that the new generation of space entrepreneurs has managed to set up the launchpad. Most of the mission is still ahead  but listen closely and you can start to hear the countdown. When the Heavens Went on Sale is an optimists book. That alone has value now, when many journalists instinctively extol the virtues of caution and red tape. Even Vances title is a challenge to the status quo, defying the kinds of earnest experts who can be counted on to profess dismay at the commercialisation of space.



The reviewer is an editor at The Week

2023 The New York Times News Service


At least 50 requests to take back as many leased planes from two Indian airlines in less than two weeks. Petitions from lessors seeking to enforce rights under international norms and concerns over a possible spike in the risk premium for leasing aircraft for domestic carriers.

Cash-strapped Go First being admitted for insolvency resolution proceedings on a voluntary plea and subsequent moratorium has left a trail of concerns and uncertainties for aircraft lessors with respect to India, the world's third-largest aviation market.

Currently, Indian carriers have around 700 planes and some of them, including Air India, are expanding their fleet. Most of the commercial aircraft in the country are operated through the sale and lease-back model, and there are concerns that developments related to Go First could push leasing costs higher.

Indian carriers are projected to require more than 2,200 aircraft in the next 20 years.

Advisory firm Primus Partners' Co-Founder & CEO, Public Policy Realisation, Nilaya Varma said the perception of India as a high-risk jurisdiction could translate into higher risk premiums to other local airlines.

"This means higher lease rentals for domestic carries and increase in the cost of doing business implying higher costs being passed onto passengers in the form of high-ticket prices, thereby making it more difficult for Indian airlines to compete with their international counterparts," Varma noted.

Also Read Southwest Airlines cancels more flights, draws federal investigation Singapore Airlines to get 25.1% stake in enlarged Air India group India emerging as key aviation market, air travel grows: IATA report US govt working on new regulations for airline cancellations, delays Go First owner Wadia Group has no plans to sell its stake in airlines: CEO Lobbying by lessors, faulty Pratt & Whitney engines hurt India: Go First Statsguru: Six charts explain trouble in India's aviation sector is not new Ramkrishna-Titagarh consortium scouting for sites for train wheel plant Poonawalla Fincorp to keep headcount at 3,000 for 5 yrs to build AUM Go First has access to Rs 300 cr, will start ops at the earliest: Exec

Regional airline Star Air's CEO Simran Singh Tiwana said the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) ruling in favour of Go First may not be very pleasing for the lessors and that is the challenge Indian aviation could face at the international level. "Some ruling will hurt some lessors... those concerns will be voiced (by them)".

A senior aviation industry executive said that lessors might think that airline companies in India could make their life miserable by going to court. There is also the possibility of more lessors putting in requests for deregistration of planes leased to some other airline thinking that they get stuck in litigation, the executive said on the condition of anonymity.

So far this month, lessors have approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for deregistration of 45 Go First planes and five SpiceJet planes under the Cape Town Convention.

Under the Cape Town Convention (CTC), if a lessor has invoked the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA), then the plane concerned has to be deregistered. The same has to be done in five working days but due to the NCLT imposing moratorium under insolvency proceedings, lessors cannot take back Go First planes at least for now.

Citing that the Go First insolvency proceedings are a material development that implicates CTC compliance in India, the Aviation Working Group (AWG) has put the country on the watchlist with a negative outlook.

"The DGCA's failure to process IDERA deregistration applications for aircraft whose leases were terminated prior to the imposition of the moratorium within the timetable set forth in its SOP results in a negative outlook for India's scoring...," the AWG said in an update on May 11.

The AWG is a not-for-profit legal entity comprised of major aviation manufacturers, leasing companies and financial institutions. It includes Boeing and Airbus.

Go First



Lessors are ruffled by the Go First crisis, which started when the carrier decided to file for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the NCLT on May 2. The lessors sought deregistartion and repossession of 45 planes of Go First, which also suspended operations from May 3.

Soon after the NCLT admitted the airline's plea, leading lessor SMBC Aviation moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the NCLT ruling.

On May 11, SMBC Aviation told the appellate tribunal that the Indian aviation sector is being seen as a risky jurisdiction in light of the fate of Kingfisher and Jet Airways.

Two other lessors -- G Y Aviation and SFV Aircraft Holdings -- also moved the appellate tribunal. These lessors have around 21 planes that have been leased to Go First.

The NCLAT is to continue the hearing on Monday.

Go First has around 55 aircraft in its fleet and 28 of them are grounded due to non-availability of Pratt & Whitney engines. The grouding of the planes resulted in fund crunch and forced the airline, which has been flying for more than 17 years, to file for insolvency proceedings.

SpiceJet



The budget carrier is facing deregistration of at least five aircraft by lessors and one lessor has also filed an insolvency plea against the airline.

"We want to scotch any speculation that may have arisen due to the filing by another airline. The airline is firmly focussed on its business and remains in active talks with investors to raise funds," the airline said on May 11.

In the last week, lessors have requested DGCA for deregistration of five SpiceJet aircraft.

On May 8, the NCLT issued a notice to the carrier on the insolvency plea filed by lessor AirCastle (Ireland) Ltd and the matter is scheduled for a hearing next week.

The airline has around 70 planes in its fleet and is looking to revive 25 grounded Boeing 737 and Q400 aircraft. Many of its planes are grounded due to various reasons.

Soon after Go First filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings on May 2, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said "It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course".

And on May 12, Boeing India President Salil Gupte said the crisis at Go First will not change the trajectory of the Indian civil aviation market in terms of growth and macro trends while legislative clarity on aircraft leasing aspects will provide more comfort to the lessors.
The government is set to make an equity infusion of Rs 300 crore in regional carrier Alliance Air, which is facing financial headwinds, according to a senior official.

Alliance Air, earlier part of Air India, is now owned by AI Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), a special-purpose vehicle formed by the central government.

The disinvestment-bound Alliance Air operates around 130 flights daily. In recent months, there have been instances of strikes by pilots to protest against non-restoration of salaries to the pre-Covid level and non-payment of allowance, among other issues.

The finance ministry has approved an equity infusion of Rs 300 crore into Alliance Air, the senior civil aviation ministry official told PTI.

Specific details could not be immediately ascertained.

Flights under 'Alliance Air' brand are operated by Airline Allied Services, which changed its name to Alliance Air Aviation Ltd.

Also Read Hospitality industry flocks to Ayodhya as religious tourism gains momentum Hotels, resorts sold out on high demand for Christmas-New Year celebrations As property market hits a slump in China, are investors turning to India? Post pandemic pent-up demand surge, realty space may face global headwinds India emerging as key aviation market, air travel grows: IATA report Warring sibling promoters put Hikal's future at stake, says InGovern Housing sales in FY23 up 48% at Rs 3.47 trn due to higher volumes: Anarock Enough opportunities to take capacity to 40 MT in India: Tata Steel CEO Contract player VMI to sell directly via Skyball; invest Rs 100 cr in 3 yrs JSW Infrastructure to invest Rs 152 cr to grow container capacity at NMPT

The company's authorised capital is Rs 2,000 crore and the paid-up capital is Rs 402.25 crore, as per the latest data available with the corporate affairs ministry.

Alliance Air, which saw its net loss widen to Rs 447.76 crore in fiscal 2021-22, has been grappling with financial woes. The carrier's cash loss widened to Rs 224.18 crore in the financial year ended March 2022.

Four companies that were earlier part of Air India are now under AIAHL. These are Air India Air Transport Services Ltd, Air India Engineering Services Ltd, Airline Allied Services Ltd and Hotel Corporation of India Ltd.

All the four companies are proposed to be divested by the government in due course.

The Expression of Interest (EoI) for Air India Air Transport Services and Air India Engineering Services are likely to be floated soon.

Loss-making Air India along with Air India Express was taken over by Tata Group in January 2022.
A consortium of Titagarh Wagons and Ramkrishna Forgings is in the process of identifying a cost-effective location to set up one of Asia's largest train wheel manufacturing plants, an official said on Sunday.

The special purpose vehicle (SPV) -- Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels Limited -- will set up the facility with state-of-the-art German technology and machinery, he said.

"We will build a two-lakh-wheel per annum capacity plant, which will be the largest train wheel plant in Asia, if not the world, outside China," Titagarh Wagons vice-chairman and managing director Umesh Chowdhary told PTI.

The plant's capital expenditure is estimated to be Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

We have not finalised the location yet, as a study is underway to identify the best cost-effective location. The decision will be taken after consultation with the railways," he said.

The factors that are crucial to finalise the location will be incentives, easy access to source raw material, and cost-effective transport of finished goods, he said.

Also Read 92% of Indian business leaders find optimal CX immersive: Report Ramkrishna Forgings-Titagarh JV lowest bidder for forged wheels tender Ramkrishna Forgings surges 9% on emerging lowest bidder for Railways order Titagarh-BHEL sets Vande Bharat trains' contract value nearly Rs 25,000 cr Titagarh Wagons-Bhel consortium to build 80 sleeper Vande Bharat trains Poonawalla Fincorp to keep headcount at 3,000 for 5 yrs to build AUM Go First has access to Rs 300 cr, will start ops at the earliest: Exec IL&FS transfers Pune Sholapur Road asset to Invit at value of Rs 2,000 cr Electric E2W manufacturer Hero Electric to go public by FY26: CEO ELGI Sauer Compressors sets new manufacturing unit to produce compressors

The consortium has won the tender concerned with an aggressive bid of Rs 12,226 crore.

The railway authorities have assured it an annual off-take of 80,000 wheels for the next 20 years to support manufacturing in India.

The central government has decided not only to stop importing train wheels as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative but also to build up a capacity to export.

The proposed factory would be allowed to export forged wheels to Europe and other countries, after supplying its products to the railways, the official said.

"India used to import train wheels worth around Rs 500 crore per annum. Once the plant comes up, we plan to export 30-35 per cent of our annual manufactured wheels in the international market, after meeting domestic demand," Chowdhary said.

"We have three years from signing of the agreement, which will happen any day, to start supplying 80,000 wheels annually to the railways. This is the time for building the plant and testing facilities," the official said.

Once the wheel plant of the consortium starts operating at its full capacity, the annual revenue will be between Rs 1,500-2,000 crore, Chowdhary said.


The Kalyani and Hiremath families are mired in a legal dispute, with the latter seeking transfer of ownership of shares held by the Kalyani group, citing nearly three-decade old family arrangement. The dispute is being heard by the Bombay High Court. The infighting between the two promoters of HikalBaba Kalyani and sister Sugandha Hiremathhas put the companys growth at stake, InGovern has said in a note. The corporate governance firm has called for a change in the management and an overhaul of its board to protect the interest of minority shareholders, who own almost a third of the specialty chemicals company.



Hikals shareholding is divided into three main blocks, with the Hiremath family owning 34.84 per cent, the Baba Kalyani group holding 34.01 per cent (on which the Hiremath family is staking claim) and the public shareholders holding the remaining 31.15 per cent. The dispute puts the company into an uncertain future with respect to its growth plans as management bandwidth could be severely constrained and distracted given that the managing director of the company is a member of one of the warring promoter groups, InGovern has said. Given the fact that the company operates in a highly competitive sector and in the background of its lukewarm operational performance, the fate of around 75,000 shareholders of Hikal hangs in balance.



The voting advisory firm has said the dispute between the promoters is discouraging institutional investors from taking fresh exposure in the company. As of March 31, 2023, foreign and domestic institutional investors (FIIs and DIIs) held only 6.74 per cent stake in the company. In the absence of an agreement between the two warring promoter groups, the above proportion of shareholding makes it difficult for any special resolution to be passed, which is likely to slow down decision-making and resultantly, the interest of the company is likely to be compromised, InGovern has said.

Also Read Hikal ownership dispute: Kalyani family spar over 1993 agreement Fight over control of Hikal: Hiremath, family move HC against Baba Kalyani Hikal ownership dispute puts two Kalyani-listed companies in a spot Archean Chemical gains 12% on debut, shares worth Rs 1,014 cr traded Near-term worry to be acid test for speciality chemical companies Housing sales in FY23 up 48% at Rs 3.47 trn due to higher volumes: Anarock Enough opportunities to take capacity to 40 MT in India: Tata Steel CEO Contract player VMI to sell directly via Skyball; invest Rs 100 cr in 3 yrs JSW Infrastructure to invest Rs 152 cr to grow container capacity at NMPT Godrej Properties on land-buying spree; to acquire Rs 15k cr projects



Due to the splintered board between the two warring promoter groups, there is a need for separation of management of the company and its ownership. This is a fit case for a professional managing director or chief executive officer to run the company on a day-to-day basis, it has said. InGovern has called for an overhaul of the companys board and also demanded installation of a professional management.



At present, Hikals board has five promoter directors, with three belonging to the Hiremath family and two directors belonging to the Kalyani group. The board lacks effective representation of minority shareholders and badly needs a board overhaul with many independent directors serving for long tenures, InGovern has further said.
According to disaggregated data released by the commerce department, a decline in exports to Northeast Asia, comprising China (-27.9 per cent), Hong Kong (-9.9 per cent), South Korea (-17.7 per cent), Japan (-11.5 per cent), pared Indias overall exports growth. While the Zero Covid policy in China for most of FY23 reduced demand for Indian goods, Japan and South Korea slashed imports of diamonds and petroleum products from India, as it sourced such items from the sanctioned-hit Russia.

There was growth in exports to the European Union and the US, notwithstanding the economic downturn and heightened geopolitical risks in the developed world. Indias merchandise exports had risen 6.7 per cent to $450.4 billion in FY23.
Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting began at a private hotel on Sunday to discuss government formation with leaders expected to elicit their views on the Karnataka Chief Ministerial candidate.
A day after the results of the Karnataka polls, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday urged the opposition to unite stating that if the opposition does not unite now then the people of the country will not forgive them.

While talking to ANI, he said "We are saying from the beginning that if the Opposition is united then BJP can't remain in power. After the Karnataka polls, a wave has started across the country and people are saying that the days of PM Modi and BJP are ending."

"If the Opposition will not unite now then the people of the country will not forgive us," added Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

He also said that vote of the public is not always fixed for one party like a fixed deposit rather it changes according to time.

According to him, the whole country is celebrating the victory of Congress in the Karnataka polls and Rahul Gandhi's led Bharat Jodo Yatra was loved by the people. He also highlighted the Congress party as a symbol of truth.

As the counting of votes for the Karnataka assembly elections concluded on Saturday, Congress got a thumping majority by winning 136 seats.

Also Read BJP playing politics over OBC community, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury West Bengal govt is good for nothing, says Cong MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury flags off Congress Yatra from Ganga Sagar in Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demands discussion on internal security in LS PM Modi, Mamata have deal to defame Rahul, Congress: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury 'People are tired of PM Modi': Jairam slams BJP over Karnataka results Congress Karnataka chief Shivakumar signals his intention to become next CM BJP to do detailed analysis to find out reasons for Karnataka poll debacle Congress registers emphatic win in Karnataka as BJP, JD(S) are swept aside Karnataka elects the highest number of women MLAs since 1962

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 136 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead.

The Congress maintained a lead from the morning when counting began for the assembly seats in the fiercely contested election.

BJP managed to win 65 seats. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.

Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent. A party needs 113 seats to get the majority.
Banners hang along the street near Haeundae Beach in Busan to promote the city's bid to host the World Expo 2030 in this April 4 file photo. Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk



Concerns have been raised among Korean businesspeople, as China is said to be trying to thwart their ongoing efforts to win international support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, according to industry officials, Sunday.



The world's second-largest economy has reportedly been asking developing countries to vote for the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh at November's meeting of 171 members of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, when the host city for the global event will be selected.



"We've heard that some countries are in a dilemma over supporting Korea's bid to host the World Expo in 2030 as they face pressure from a particular nation not to do so," an industry official said on condition of anonymity. "They are all known to be economically dependent on that particular nation. As far as I know, the government has identified it as China."



Although Beijing is one of the well-known supporters of the oil-rich Middle Eastern country, there had been no signs until earlier this year of the Chinese government hampering Korea's bid to host the World Expo.



Its recent move has been therefore interpreted as part of retaliatory measures against Korea strengthening its ties with the U.S. and Japan, while moving away from China and Russia.



"This will be a serious problem, if China is actually trying to hinder Busan's bid," another industry official said on condition of anonymity.



Korean businesspeople have been traveling around the world to convince the BIE member nations to pick Busan. In particular, they have suggested economic cooperation with developing countries in Latin America, the Pacific Ocean and Africa, given that the countries there get one vote each.



However, most of those countries have depended heavily on China for their economic development.



Considering the fact that Korean companies have also relied on their exports to China, businesspeople here also remain reluctant speak out against Beijing's apparent move to interfere with Busan's efforts.



Instead, they have continued trying to convince developing countries to support Busan.



Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan have also visited the Latin American countries and the Pacific islands recently to promote Busan's World Expo bid.



In addition, government officials and businesspeople here will showcase Korea's competitiveness once again during the fourth round of presentations to be held in Paris next month.


The BJP's crushing defeat in Karnataka is a boost for Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra which will take small parties along and put up a united challenge to the ruling party in the 2024 elections, state NCP chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after attending the MVA meeting at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence 'Silver Oak' here, Patil said the MVA- comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress- will work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections, due in the second half of the next year.

MVA leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and state Congress chief Nana Patole, attended the meeting.

"Like Karnataka, I am sure the MVA will win the people's trust in Maharashtra and will work with more strength," Patil said.

He said MVA leaders have decided to hold talks with other small parties and are hopeful of presenting a united opposition to the current dispensation in the country in 2024.

"The three constituents of MVA will meet and work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections. We are starting steadily and slowly, Patil added.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: All you need to know about May 10 elections Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight Karnataka election outcome defeat for PM Modi: CPI(M)'s Manik Sarkar Vokkaliga seers back Shivakumar candidature for Karnataka chief minister Ahead of Cong meeting Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar supporters vie for CM's post Karnataka elections: BJP fails to win even one seat reserved for ST Hope Cong fulfills its poll promises made to people of Karnataka: Owaisi

He said the public rallies of MVA, titled 'Vajramooth', currently put on hold will resume after the summer heat subsides.

Due to rising temperatures in the state, we have suspended the rallies. We will start holding them once the heat subsides, he said.

Patil said these rallies can be arranged in June, and if the rains start early, we will organise them indoors.

In Karnataka elections, the results of which were declared on Saturday, the Congress won 135 seats out of 224, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.
CPI(M) politburo member Manik Sarkar on Sunday asserted that the assembly poll outcome in Karnataka is a big defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who projected himself as the saviour of the BJP.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while the ruling BJP secured 66 seats.

The Karnataka result is also a big defeat for Modi ji, who projected himself as the saviour of the saffron party. Despite all his efforts in the southern state, 64 per cent people voted against the BJP, Sarkar told reporters here.

For the past one-and-a-half years, the PM has been trying to ensure the BJP retains power in Karnataka. He himself attended 30 programmes there. While addressing public rallies, he had to convince electors that voting in favour of BJP means supporting Modi, the former Tripura CM said.

Congratulating the people of Karnataka for the decisive mandate, Sarkar said the Bharat Jodo Yatra' of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi went in favour of the party in the elections.

Sarkar said the electors in Karnataka also took exception to the way in which Gandhi was disqualified as an MP and forcefully evicted from his quarters.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: All you need to know about May 10 elections Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight Vokkaliga seers back Shivakumar candidature for Karnataka chief minister Ahead of Cong meeting Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar supporters vie for CM's post Karnataka elections: BJP fails to win even one seat reserved for ST Hope Cong fulfills its poll promises made to people of Karnataka: Owaisi 'Will implement all five promises': Kharge after Cong victory in Karnataka

The BJP won the election in Gujarat by playing the communal card, while it suffered defeat in Himachal Pradesh, and lost in Delhi's urban body polls, too. In Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the party won only 46 seats out of 180. In Tripura, it lost 11 per cent voteshare, he claimed.


AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said the central observers will take the opinion of MLAs which will be conveyed to the party president. "This process of taking the opinion of all MLAs would be completed today itself," he said. Newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka on Sunday authorised party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, with the leadership battle heating up between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar - the frontrunners for the coveted post.



Randeep Surjewala, AICC in-charge for Karnataka, said the first resolution was moved by state Congress chief Shivakumar thanking all the leaders and the workers and people of Karnataka, while the second single-line resolution was moved by former chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a private hotel here on Sunday evening in the presence of the three central observers, passed a unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader.



Outside the meeting venue, supporters of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar chanted slogans and raised banners in their support. "The MLAs would meet the central observers after dinner tonight and their decision will be conveyed to the party president for taking a decision to appoint a new CLP leader," Surjewala said after the meeting.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: All you need to know about May 10 elections Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight Congress Legislature Party meeting to decide new Karnataka CM begins K'taka verdict a boost for MVA; will put up challenge to BJP in 2024: NCP Karnataka election outcome defeat for PM Modi: CPI(M)'s Manik Sarkar Vokkaliga seers back Shivakumar candidature for Karnataka chief minister Ahead of Cong meeting Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar supporters vie for CM's post



The Congress central observers, along with Venugopal were in a huddle with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar before the CLP meet. While the two leaders earlier held meetings with the MLAs loyal to them, a poster war also erupted with both sides projecting their leader as the next chief minister.



He also asserted the government will be formed as soon as possible. Kharge, who returned to Delhi, had earlier said the AICC observers will convey the opinion of the party MLAs to the high command which will then take a final decision.



Even though Congress managed to put up a united front before the elections, it faces an uphill task of sustaining that unity as the process of picking the chief minister gets underway. Both Siddaramaiah (75), and Shivakumar (60) have made no secret of their ambition to become the chief minister.



While Shivakumar is considered to be a "troubleshooter" for the Congress party, Siddaramaiah, leader of opposition in the outgoing Assembly, has a pan-Karnataka appeal. The newly elected assembly in Karnataka has to be put in place before the term of the previous assembly expires on May 24.



Ahead of the meeting of the newly-elected MLAs, Shivakumar stressed that he had toiled hard for the party while taking everyone along and never sought anything for himself. If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD(S), gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the chief minister of the party after holding the post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.



Shivakumar said that when he was in jail in a money laundering case, Gandhi had visited him to show her support. He recalled that the then Congress national president Sonia Gandhi had reposed faith in him and made him president after Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao resigned as the Congress Legislature Party president and head of the state unit respectively after the party's rout in 2019 by-elections.



The Congress state chief, who won the Assembly election on Saturday from Kanakapura, said, "Everyone was saying that there are differences between me and Siddaramaiah but let me tell you not a single iota of difference is there. I did not give anyone a chance." "I just kept myself grounded and walked my path," Shivakumar told reporters at Nonavinakere here. "I had not done anything wrong for myself. Whatever I did was for the party. All my sufferings were for the party," he said, adding he did not harbour any differences with Siddaramaiah.



The Vokkaliga Sangha, which is the main body of one of the dominant communities of Karnataka, organised the meeting of pontiffs where a unanimous decision was taken to request the Congress leadership to consider making Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga who rose to the top post of the Congress, to make him CM. Backing Sivakumar for the CM's post, prominent Vokkaliga pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji appealed to the party, saying he is the most eligible candidate to head the state.



He said that Shivakumar had suffered a lot while discharging his duty. This programme has been organised to request all the seniors right from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah to give Shivakumar an opportunity to run the administration and serve the society, Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji said.



Banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences here, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress win and projecting them as the next chief minister. We all saw tears in his eyes yesterday, which were a mix of joy and pain. The man who toiled so much should get the result, the pontiff said.



He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to lose out on an opportunity with him as the KPCC president while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999. Shivakumar has been openly expressing his chief ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas.



Siddaramaiah, who has seniority on his side, is known for his able administrative skills. He also enjoys the distinction of having presented 13 budgets for the state. In fact in this election, the Congress has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.



Siddaramaiah had announced that this was his last election. Being a mass leader, he has considerable clout among the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits).



Meanwhile, Latha Mallikarjun, who was elected as an independent from Harapanahalli Assembly segment, has extended "unconditional support" to the Congress. There are also other contenders for the post like former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and veteran leader and seven-time MP K H Muniyappa - both Dalits, and M B Patil - a Lingayat.



In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively. Latha Mallikarjun is the daughter of former deputy chief minister, late M P Prakash.



Rejecting the Congress's claim that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's defeat, he said multiple factors have contributed to the party's performance and they will all be analysed. Outgoing chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday that Karnataka BJP will a detailed analysis of the overall poll results and also constituency-wise outcomes to find out the reasons for the party's debacle in the Assembly election.



He was speaking after participating in a meeting of BJP leaders under the leadership of state president Nalin Kumar Kateel at the party headquarters here on Sunday. A meeting of all newly-elected members and candidates will be held soon in this regard, he said.



The Congress alleged that the BJP was not able to come to terms with the decisive verdict against it in Karnataka and was "manufacturing lies" and indulging in politics of polarisation. Responding to a question on the Congress terming the Karnataka poll outcome as Modi's defeat, the CM said, "It cannot be Modi's defeat. Modi is for the entire country, not just for Karnataka. He had come for campaigning here. Congress might have won in Karnataka but has seen defeat across the country." Answering a question on the possibility of BJP state chief Kateel resigning, Bommai said it was not discussed. He also said that no discussions have taken place as to who will be the leader of the opposition.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government alleging that there is 100 per cent corruption in the state.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's remarks came after a meeting of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was held at the residence of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.

Leaders including Uddhav Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Nana Patole, Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat and others were present in the meeting.

While talking to the media, after the MVA meeting, Raut said, "There is no misunderstanding internally in the party (MVA). If there was 40 per cent corruption in Karnataka, there is 100 per cent corruption in Maharashtra. This current government is corrupt and it will get defeated."

Hours after the Supreme Court verdict on last year's political crisis in Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra "is illegal and formed against the Constitution".

"Supreme Court has said that the Shiv Sena Shinde group's Whip is illegal...The current government is illegal and formed against the Constitution," he said on Thursday.

Also Read Hearing in money-laundering case against Sanjay Raut adjourned till Feb 27 BJP to plummet by 100 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Sanjay Raut In politics, nothing happens by accident: Raut ahead of crucial NCP meet Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut labels Adityanath's roadshow as 'political biz' Kasba just a glimpse, united MVA can win over 200 assembly: Sanjay Raut Kerala govt distributes land title deeds to 67,069 landless people Navies of India, Indonesia begins 6-day exercise to expand bilateral ties You inspire us, show true meaning of selfless love: Rahul on Morther's Day Maharashtra sees 75 new Covid cases, active case load stands at 864 School jobs scam: CBI visits Bengal board of secondary education office

"We are happy with the decision of the Supreme Court, democracy and the judicial system is still alive in the country...This government needs to resign immediately. The current government is illegal, if Uddhav Thackeray had not resigned as a matter of morality he would have become the Chief Minister. It means the new government formed is illegal and against the constitution...It cannot belong to any faction, Supreme Court has said," he added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was "not justified" to call for a floor test based on the request of the Eknath Shinde faction since he did not have enough objective material before him to conclude that the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House.

A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices MR Shah, Justice Krishna Murari, Justice Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha said it could not disqualify the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government and reinstate Uddhav Thackeray as Chief Minster because the latter had chosen to resign instead of facing a test of strength in the Assembly.

The court said the political imbroglio in Maharashtra arose as a result of party differences within the Shiv Sena.
The Bihar government has warned officials of strict action for delay in releasing the third instalment of funds to PMAY-G beneficiaries who have already completed construction work of their houses, a minister said on Sunday.

At least 37,974 of over 35.5 lakh beneficiaries, who have completed their houses till April 13, are waiting for the third tranche of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin in the state, Rural Development Minister Sharvan Kumar told PTI.

The department will initiate action against officials concerned if they fail to release the third instalment of funds within a week to PMAY-G beneficiaries who finished the construction work of their houses under the scheme.

I have instructed officials concerned in all 38 districts of the state that strict departmental action will be taken against them if they fail to release the second or third instalment of funds within a week to the beneficiaries, who have already constructed their housing units, under the PMAY-G.

These officials must regularly monitor and inspect the progress of construction of houses under the scheme in their respective areas, he said.

The minister said he had received several complaints over delays in the disbursement of second or third instalments under the rural housing scheme.

Also Read Centre cutting its share in funding education: Bihar FM Vijay Choudhary NHRC notice to Bihar govt, state police chief over Saran hooch tragedy Modi hails work under Mission Amrit Sarovar, 40,000 water bodies developed Bengal govt to conduct audit to identify irregularities in PMAY scheme Mid-day meal scheme in West Bengal now under central govt's scanner Mandaviya addresses G7 Health Ministerial Meeting in Japan on innovation Acid attack survivor tops in school with 95% in CBSE Class 10 exams Fadnavis-Ajit alliance in 2019 was to teach lesson to Uddhav: Maha BJP PM visits 'Jana Shakti' at NGMA to mark 100th episode of 'Mann ki Baat' MoS L Murugan to lead Indian delegation to Cannes Int'l Film Festival

Under the programme, around 35, 50,523 housing units have been completed in rural areas in the state till April 13, 2023. However, the third tranche of funds has been released to 35, 12,549 beneficiaries only.

"There are still 37,974 beneficiaries who are waiting for the third tranche. If they (officials) fail to release funds to the beneficiaries, we will initiate departmental action against them, including withholding their salaries, the minister said.

Construction of a total 37, 04,375 housing units was sanctioned in Bihar under the PMAY-G.

Launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2015, the PMAY-G is a flagship programme of the central government in its mission to provide affordable housing to all.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held wide ranging discussions with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom here and exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, European strategic situation and de-risking the global economy.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF).

"Wide ranging discussions with FM @TobiasBillstrom as India and Sweden mark 75 years of diplomatic ties. Committed to taking bilateral cooperation to a higher level. Exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, European strategic situation and de-risking the global economy, he tweeted.

Jaishankar's visit to Sweden is his first as the external affairs minister. The trip comes at a time when India and Sweden are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Jaishankar also met Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson and the two leaders had "useful exchange of views on regional and global security."



He will also participate in the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum (India, Europe and US) with his Swedish counterpart.

Also Read Commuter trains in Sweden continue to experience extensive disruption Sweden emerges as sudden front-runner in troubled search 2030 Olympics EAM Jaishankar arrives in Sweden for EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Jaishankar discusses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine with 8 counterparts in Sweden AI to operate ferry flight to bring back passengers stranded in Stockholm UP CM holds Janata darshan, directs officers to solve grievances of people 9 Muslim candidates win in Karnataka Assembly elections, all from Congress J&K likely to witness 'major elections' in near future: BJP leader Raina Cyclone Mocha: Tourists prevented from going to beaches in West Bengal Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to protest in Delhi against Amarnath Yatra fee

Jaishankar, who arrived in Sweden from Bangladesh where he addressed the 6th Indian Ocean Conference on Friday, also addressed the European Union-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum here.

On the sidelines of the summit on Saturday, he held bilateral discussions with his European counterparts, including French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, among others.

In the last phase of his three-nation trip, the external affairs minister will visit Belgium on May 15 and 16.

In Brussels, Jaishankar will attend the first ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) along with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Railways and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Fresh snowfall hit Uttarakhand's Kedarnath on Sunday with police appealing to pilgrims coming to visit the temple to plan their journeys in accordance with weather forecasts.

The police also advised the devotees to carry umbrellas, raincoats and essential medicines.

Superintendent of Police (Rudraprayag) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane released a clip from Kedarnath that showed snow falling over the Himalayan temple.

In the video, Bhadane urged the devotees to proceed on their journeys only after taking weather updates and urged them to carry umbrellas, raincoats and essential medicines.

Kedarnath and Badrinath have received frequent snow in May in what is an unusual weather phenomenon.

However, the snowfall has failed to deter the pilgrims from visiting the revered shrines.

Also Read First puja performed in name of PM Modi as doors open for Kedarnath Temple Take weather update before visiting Kedarnath Temple: Authorities Advisory for Kedarnath Dham yatra pilgrims in view of rain, snowfall alert Kedarnath in upper Garhwal Himalayas to open for devotees on April 25 Chardham yatra halted at Srinagar due to bad weather at Kedarnath Indian Navy successfully test fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile Cyclone Mocha: Disaster Management personnel on high alert in Bengal Govt aims at bringing Rs 20,000 cr investment, says Himachal CM Sukhu Multipolar world is feasible only by a multipolar Asia: EAM Jaishankar 2020 Delhi riots case: Court pulls up SI for incomplete investigation

The two temples have received more than four lakh pilgrims in less than a month since the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra.

Kedarnath opened for devotees on April 25 and Badrinath on April 27.
The Himachal Pradesh government will set up three traffic-cum-tourist police stations along the under-construction Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday. Work on the four-lane highway's Kiratpur-Nerchowk section is likely to be completed by June.

In a statement, Sukhu said these police stations will come up in the Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu districts and feature an intelligent traffic management system with a control room in each.

The three districts cover about 182 kilometres of the 191-kilometre highway.

Sukhu also directed the departments concerned to prepare a detailed report on the jurisdiction of these police stations and said quick assistance will be ensured in case of accidents on the highway.

The chief minister said trauma centres in all three districts will also be marked for timely treatment in emergency cases. Arrangements for ambulances and recovery vehicles will be made at certain places on the highway.

The use of advanced technology is being ensured in coordination with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the police for the smooth operation of traffic to reduce accidents, Sukhu added.

Also Read Himachal polls: Counting of votes to begin at 8 am; BJP eyes new record BJP appoints MLA Rajeev Bindal as party chief in Himachal Pradesh New members of Himachal Pradesh cabinet led by Sukhu to swear in today Come Jan, travel from Mumbai to Goa on new highway in just 4.5 hrs: Gadkari What happened when in power? BJP questions Cong's sudden interest in OPS SC to hear plea for action against VP, Rijiju over remarks on judiciary 58,685 challans issued during traffic campaign in Noida, 1K vehicles seized Meeting with Walmart CEO fruitful one, had insightful discussions: PM Modi 3 top brokers face probes including for money laundering, fraudulent trades On Day 4, Sachin Pilot's foot march draws 'overwhelming response'

An advanced traffic management system has been prepared under which emergency call boxes, high-tech CCTV cameras, automatic traffic counters-cum-classifiers and overhead driver feedback system, among others, are being installed, he said.

Sukhu also urged the NHAI to provide financial assistance for the integrated command centre.

The safety of the people of the state and tourists is the topmost priority of the government and adequate funds will be provided for the establishment of the police stations, said Sukhu.

Director-General of Police Sanjay Kundu said a study will be conducted to make necessary security arrangements.

NHAI Regional Officer Abdul Basit said the national highway will be ready by June 15-20.

Crash barriers on the valley side, footpaths and overbridges have been constructed for commuter safety, he said.
The first ministerial level meeting of India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will be held on May 16 in Brussels to discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade and investments, an official statement said on Sunday.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal is one of the co-chairs along with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Union minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the commerce ministry said in a statement.

The EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) Dombrovskis and Vestager.

It said that three working groups under the mechanism will report on roadmaps for future cooperation between the two sides -- Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity; Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

"The first ministerial meeting will lay the roadmap for the cooperation under all three working groups and provide direction to achieve desired outcomes before the next ministerial meeting in the coming year," it added.

During the high level meetings with senior leadership of the European Union as well as Belgium various issues would come up for discussions and that include ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA), addressing issues of mutual market access, reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Also Read President Biden offers $450 mn for clean energy projects at coal mines India's economy already 10% more energy efficient than G20 average: IEA India, US making efforts for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector Success of climate crisis will in part depend on India's decisions: US Karnataka, Gujarat make most progress in clean energy transition: Report Farmer groups flag crop loss risk if 27 popular pesticides banned People in UP starts endorsing Kejriwal's work: AAP on civic polls success Over 5,800 people from Manipur fled to Mizoram after violence: Officials Manipur voilence: CM, leaders rush to Delhi to discuss prevailing situation Pakistan braces for another tense day on Monday due to planned protest

The working group on trade, investment and resilient value chains is steered by the Department of Commerce and the first meeting of the working group was co-chaired by commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal and Sabine Weyand, Director General for Trade, from respective sides.

The formation of the TTC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission in New Delhi, in April, 2022 with the objective of creating a high-level coordination platform to tackle strategic challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security.

The ministry said that on May 15, Goyal will have a bilateral meeting with EVP Dombrovskis followed by stakeholder consultations in the presence of business leaders of both the sides.

He would also participate in a meeting which would involve a discussion over the economic footprint of Belgium enterprises in India along with further plans of investments in India.

Besides, the three Indian ministers would also call on the Belgian prime minister as well as the president of the European Commission.

On May 16, Goyal would attend a stakeholder event for working groups 1 and 2. Group 1 focusses on digital governance and connectivity while Group 2 deals with clean and green energy technologies.

He will also hold a bilateral meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Trade Thierry Breton, wherein issues pertaining to the SME sector, startup ecosystem and e-commerce will be deliberated upon.

India had started negotiations for a trade pact with the EU in 2007 but the talks stalled in 2013 as both sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues, including customs duties on automobiles and spirits and the movement of professionals.

India's merchandise exports to EU member countries stood at about USD 65 billion in 2021-22, while imports aggregated at USD 51.4 billion.

In 2022-23, the exports aggregated at USD 67 billion, while imports stood at USD 54.4 billion in the last fiscal.

The EU accounts for 16.4 per cent share in India's exports and about 8.3 per cent share in imports in the last financial year.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, at the Vatican, May 13. Reuters-Yonhap



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for Ukraine's peace plan from the pontiff, who in the past has offered to try to help end the full-scale war launched by Russia a year ago.



Zelenskyy held his hand over his heart and said it was a "great honor" to meet with the pope. Francis, using a cane for his knee problem, came to greet the Ukrainian president before ushering him into a papal studio near the Vatican's audience hall.



In a tweet after the 40-minute audience, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Francis for "his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians." He said he spoke with the pontiff "about the tens of thousands of deported (Ukrainian) children. We must make every effort to return them home."



Last month, Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, asked the pope to help get children returned from Russia to Ukraine. But the Vatican's statement Saturday made no mention of the request.



Instead, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraine's "humanitarian and political situation provoked by the ongoing war."



"The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last year, the Vatican said, a reference to the Russian invasion that began Feb. 24, 2022.



The meeting came as Russia's defense ministry said Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles delivered to Ukraine by the United Kingdom this week damaged unspecified civilian enterprises in Luhansk province in Ukraine's far east. Luhansk authorities separately said another missile strike hit the regional capital, wounding an elderly woman.





Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, at the Vatican, May 13. Reuters-Yonhap



Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and an Su-34 fighter-bomber crashed Saturday in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, state news agency Tass and a Telegram channel close to the Russian defense ministry reported; the newspaper Kommersant cited reports of two fighter planes crashing. The causes of the crashes were not immediately disclosed, but concern in Bryansk is growing about cross-border attacks from Ukraine.



Some Ukrainian units continue to push forward near Bakhmut, the commander of Ukraine's land forces said Saturday, just a day after Ukrainian commanders said their troops recaptured territory at the scene of the war's longest and bloodiest battle. "Our soldiers are moving forward in some sectors of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Telegram.



Zelenskyy also said that he asked the pope to condemn Russian "crimes in Ukraine" because "there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor."









"I also talked about our Peace Formula as the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace,'' Zelenskyy said. Later, in an interview on Italian state TV, the Ukrainian leader said the pope "knows my position. The war is in Ukraine, that is why it has to be Ukraine's plan" to bring peace.



Zelenskyy's 10-point plan would establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. It would also create a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restore Ukraine's damaged power infrastructure and ensure safety around Europe's largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia.



Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy received from Italian officials pledges of open-ended military and financial support as well as stronger backing for Ukraine's cherished aim to join the European Union.





Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, at the Vatican, May 13. Reuters-Yonhap
The Indian Navy on Sunday, successfully fired a Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile firing, using its frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao.

Notably, it was the maiden Brahmos firing for the destroyer and it successfully managed to hit the 'Bulls Eye'.

This marks another symbol of 'Aatmanibharta' and the Indian Navy's firepower at the sea.

"INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile Destroyer, successfully hit 'Bulls Eye' during her maiden Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile firing. The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of Aatmanirbharta and Indian Navy's firepower at sea," the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Named after the historic port city of Goa on the West coast, Mormugao coincidentally undertook her first sea sortie on Dec 19, 2021, when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from Portuguese rule.

The majestic ship measures 163m in length, and 17 m in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India. The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS).

Also Read Indian Navy to commission guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao on Sunday Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao commissioned into Indian Navy India, Russia to work on developing hypersonic version of BrahMos: Report Submarine INS Vagir commissioned, set to give boost to Navy's special ops BrahMos Aerospace set to bag $2.5-bn cruise missiles order from Indian Navy Eyeing to attract Rs 20K cr investments, Himachal to speedily transfer land Need for wastewater surveillance exceeds Covid virus, say experts Road for India becoming 'Vishwaguru' is through SAARC, not G-20: Mufti Bihar govt orders officials to release PMAY-G fund to beneficiaries Mandaviya addresses G7 Health Ministerial Meeting in Japan on innovation

Mormugao is packed with sophisticated 'state of the art' weapons and sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to Air Missiles. The ship is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship. The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers, Torpedo Launchers and ASW helicopters. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions," read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence.
A BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from the Indian Navy's frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao, officials said on Sunday.

The missile firing demonstrated the Indian Navy's firepower at sea, they said.

"INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit 'bulls eye' during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing," a Navy official said.

"The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of 'AatmaNirbharta' and Indian Navy's firepower at sea," the official added.

The location of the test-firing of the missile is not immediately known.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

Also Read US-France competition heats up for fighter jets to deck INS Vikrant Top brass of Defence Forces pay homage at National War Memorial on Navy Day Navy to open all branches for women from next year: Chief of Naval Staff Indian Navy to commission guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao on Sunday Has India finally buried the Bofors ghost with export of big guns? Cyclone Mocha: Disaster Management personnel on high alert in Bengal Govt aims at bringing Rs 20,000 cr investment, says Himachal CM Sukhu Multipolar world is feasible only by a multipolar Asia: EAM Jaishankar 2020 Delhi riots case: Court pulls up SI for incomplete investigation PM Modi wants us to start building R&D around 6G technology: Cisco COO

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. India is also exporting the BrahMos missiles.

In January last year, India sealed a USD 375 million deal with the Philippines for supplying three batteries of the missile. PTI MPB



http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg



We bring the World to you"



Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday claimed the BJP's defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls is testimony that the saffron party will be trounced in next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at a public meeting at Raina in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district, he said people have the last word in a democracy, which is clearly evident from poll results.

"BJP has literally vanished from South India It is also not in power in the eastern states of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand It is only a matter of time before the party is vanquished, the Trinamool Congress MP asserted.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while the ruling BJP secured 66 seats.

He also maintained that the BJP government at the Centre was withholding funds meant for West Bengal, since it lost in the 2021 assembly elections.

Banerjee said despite TMC MPs meeting the Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj for release of funds due under the 100-day job scheme, the amount has not been released yet.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Come May 13, will BJP script history in 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections? Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka elections: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge wins back Gulbarga Cong weak in several parts, BJP needs to be countered state-wise: Vijayan Delhi records temp of 40.9 degrees Celsius, a notch above season's average 40% corruption in K'taka, 100% in Maha: Sanjay Raut after MVA meeting Kerala govt distributes land title deeds to 67,069 landless people Navies of India, Indonesia begins 6-day exercise to expand bilateral ties

The state's dues from the Centre are to the tune of Rs 1.15 lakh crore, he claimed.

The Diamond Harbour MP said if required, he will lead people from Bengal to sit on a dharna outside the Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi for securing the pending funds.
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 75 COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 81,68,403, the state health department said.

The COVID-19 death toll in the state remained unchanged at 1,48,542 as no fresh fatality was reported in the last 24 hours.

Maharashtra is now left with 864 active cases.

A day earlier, the state recorded 111 cases.

At 46, Mumbai circle reported the highest number of fresh cases on Sunday, followed by eight in Akola circle, seven in Pune circle, six in Kolhapur, five in Nagpur and one each in Nashik, Aurangabad and Latur, a health department report said.

Mumbai city saw 18 fresh cases but zero COVID-19 fatality, which raised the tally of infections to 11,62,598 and the death toll remained unchanged at 19,769.

Also Read SC faults Maha governor and speaker, but won't restore Thackeray govt Maharashtra govt suspends bus services to Karnataka amid border row Maharashtra Board 12th Math Exam Paper Leak: Case against four registered India reports 157 new coronavirus cases; active tally increases to 1,862 India reports 95 new coronavirus cases; active tally rises to 1,921 School jobs scam: CBI visits Bengal board of secondary education office Councillor Pawan Sehrawat returns to AAP, big blow to BJP in Delhi: Pathak Coastal Road in Mumbai to be named after Sambhaji Maharaj, says CM Shinde Himachal CM announces three police stations along national highway SC to hear plea for action against VP, Rijiju over remarks on judiciary

Since January 1 this year, 112 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra and 75 per cent of the deceased were above 60 years of age. While 85 per cent of the deceased had comorbidities, 14 per cent did not have any comorbidity, the report said.

The cumulative number of recoveries in Maharashtra rose to 80,18,997 after 178 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, it said.

The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state is 98.17 per cent and the fatality rate is 1.81 per cent.

A total of 6,065 tests 4,089 at government laboratories, 1,943 at private labs and 33 tests by self-testing kits were conducted in the last 24 hours in the state, taking the number of samples examined so far to 8,70,95,104, the health department said.

Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 81,68,403; fresh cases 75; death toll 1,48,542; recoveries 80,18,997; active cases 864, and total tests 8,70,95,104.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the G7 Ministerial meeting on Health Innovation in Nagasaki, Japan on Sunday.

The meeting was held to discuss the priorities, implementation and utilization of health innovations like digital health towards ensuring Universal Health Coverage.

Health Ministers of the G7 countries and invited "Outreach 4" countries of India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand participated in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya said, "Use of technology and Digital Health Tools are an enabler and equalizer which can facilitate strengthened health service delivery and aid in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the use of technology in health service delivery and also highlighted the need to focus on an enabling framework to bridge the digital divide across the countries specifically amongst low-and-middle-income countries."

Highlighting India's achievements in Digital Health, the Union Health Minister said, "India's COVID-19 vaccine delivery platform, Co-WIN has monitored the administration of over 2.2 billion vaccine doses across the length and breadth of the country and monitored not only cold chain management but also facilitated citizens and vaccinators in administration of the vaccines besides providing a QR code based digital vaccine certificate".

"Similarly, eSanjeevani, a National telemedicine platform, launched during the pandemic has already coordinated more than 115 million, free of cost, consultations to the citizens, making it the world's biggest telemedicine platform", he added.

Also Read 'India believes in democratized access to all digital health solutions' Need to build resilient health system across world: India at G20 Health Govt working to level number of medical UG and PG seats in 4 yrs: Mandaviya Stellar healthcare professionals helped India defeat Covid-19: Mandaviya Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission crosses over 40 mn linked health records Acid attack survivor tops in school with 95% in CBSE Class 10 exams Fadnavis-Ajit alliance in 2019 was to teach lesson to Uddhav: Maha BJP PM visits 'Jana Shakti' at NGMA to mark 100th episode of 'Mann ki Baat' MoS L Murugan to lead Indian delegation to Cannes Int'l Film Festival UP local body polls: BJP 'lost miserably' in seats outside city, says SP

Emphasizing the need to embrace the advantages offered by new and evolving tools, Dr Mandaviya highlighted that artificial intelligence, smart wearables and big data analytics can aid precision medicine, personalized healthcare, genomics, and Clinical Decision Support Systems, ensuring the right treatment to the right person at the right time.

He also underlined the importance of ensuring the availability of these technological tools and stated, "India has already taken a policy decision to provide all such digital tools free of cost to the world as Digital Public Goods."

Dr Mandaviya also stated that India's G20 Presidency has brought digital health as a specific priority and has proposed the convergence mechanisms of all digital initiatives across the world through the formation of the Global Initiative on Digital Health housed at World Health Organization HQ.

He stated that this initiative with a network-of-network approach will be crucial in bridging the global digital divide and urged the support of G7 countries for the proposed initiative in this regard.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, accompanied by his ministerial colleagues and MLAs, on Sunday left for Delhi, where he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders to discuss the prevailing situation of the state, devastated in the recent ethnic violence.

Sources close to both the government and the ruling BJP said that the Chief Minister, other ministers and state leaders were supposed to go to Delhi immediately after the ethnic violence broke out on May 3, but the Prime Minister, Home Minister, other central leaders were busy with the Karnataka Assembly elections, leading to the meetings being put off.

Power, Forest and Agriculture Minister Biswajit Singh, who is as second in command to Biren Singh, and state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also accompanied the Chief Minister.

According to the source, the issue of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki militant outfits of the state is also likely to be discussed besides the ethnic violence and subsequent developments.

The Chief Minister's visit to the national capital assumes significance as the 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi groups indirectly demanded a "separate state" for the tribals on Friday in the wake of recent violent clashes between the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribals.

Of the 10 MLAs, five belong to the BJP, two each from Janata Dal-United and Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent. The Janata Dal-United, the KPA and the independent MLAs are also part of the BJP led alliance government in Manipur.

Also Read Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Shielding governance failure will not resolve Manipur's problems There is no crisis in Manipur BJP, says CM; gives details of ministers Centre's approval required to introduce NRC in Manipur: CM Biren Singh Northeastern Railway cancels all Manipur-bound trains following violence Pakistan braces for another tense day on Monday due to planned protest Public accepted issues raised during 'Jan Sangharsh Yatra': Sachin Pilot 'This is not PM Modi's defeat', says Bommai after BJP loses in Karnataka Nearly 30% of married Indian women face domestic violence, shows data Power Ministry panel outlines roadmap to develop electricity market

Claiming the lives of around 70 people and injuring a few hundred, ethnic violence, clashes, rampant arsoning, indiscriminate vandalisation, random destruction of government and private properties broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension and protests over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land and destruction of poppy cultivation, which had led to a series of agitations in local level.

The non-tribal Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Valley areas while the tribals belonging to Naga and Kuki communities constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Manipur government's security advisor Kuldiep Singh said that since May 3, 71 people have died, among which 41 fell prey to the ethnic violence, while others died due to various other causes, including drug overdoses.

He said a total of 339 cases of attack and arsoning have been registered.

--IANS

sc/vd


This so-called 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) will include Rs 715 crore worth of high-end materials and spares, the import of which will be permitted only until a date specified for each. After each ones import deadline elapses, it will have to be procured from the Indian industry. With the aim of promoting aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in weaponry and defence equipment and minimise imports by defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Sunday promulgated a list of 928 strategically important spares and components that would face curbs on their import.



The 1st PIL comprising 101 items, was promulgated in August 2020. The 2nd PIL comprising 108 items, was promulgated in May 2021. The 3rd PIL comprising 101 items, was promulgated in April 2022. This fourth PIL list follows the earlier PILs, which restricted the import of a range of line-replaceable units (LRUs), sub-systems, assemblies, spares, and components of defence systems.



Further, more than 26,000 defence items have been uploaded on MoDs Srijan defence portal and offered to the industry for indigenisation. So far, 7,031 items have been indigenised, catering to domestic and global markets. The MoD has also notified three PILs as regards DPSUs, comprising 3,738 major LRUs, sub-systems, assemblies, spares, and components, each with an embargo on their import from defined timelines.

Also Read Has India finally buried the Bofors ghost with export of big guns? Defence, aerospace exports treble to Rs 12,815 cr in 5 years: Govt Oscars 2023 full winner list: Naatu Naatu bags Best Original song award India's defence equipment exports reach Rs 16,000 crore this year Defence industry perks up: India's decades-old ambition and its paradoxes BJP lost K'taka polls due its nature, Bharat Jodo helped Cong: MNS's Raj FIR against Raut for his 'appeal' to cops and officials against Maha govt Andhra Pradesh govt attaches Chandrababu's guest house near Vijayawada Karnataka poll results proof BJP will face defeat in 2024 elections: AITC Cong weak in several parts, BJP needs to be countered state-wise: Vijayan



Some 2,500 items have already been indigenised from the earlier lists, and 1,238 items are due to be indigenised within three specified timelines. Of these 1,238 items, 310 have been indigenised so far. According to MoD data, defence imports have reduced from 36.7 per cent of capital expenditure (capex) in 201819 to 46 per cent of capex until December 2022.



The implementation of import bans is expected to give impetus to economic growth, enhance investment in defence, and reduce DPSUs import dependence. This is also expected to augment the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry by involving academia and research institutions. It has been planned that the DPSUs will undertake indigenisation of these items through different routes under the Make category, in addition to developing in-house through capabilities of medium, small, and micro enterprises that are part of private Indian industry.
The navies of India and Indonesia on Sunday began a six-day maritime exercise in sync with their overall efforts to expand bilateral military engagement.

The Indian Navy has deployed its indigenously built anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti, a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and a Chetak chopper for the Samudra Shakti exercise, officials said. Earlier, the Navy said the ship arrived at Batam Port in Indonesia for the exercise.

The Indonesian Navy is being represented at the exercise by warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft and AS565 panther helicopter, they said.

"Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies," the Indian Navy said.

It said the harbour phase of the exercise will comprise cross-deck visits, professional interactions and subject matter expert exchanges.

"During the sea phase, weapon firing, helicopter operations, anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned," the Navy said in a release.

Also Read US-France competition heats up for fighter jets to deck INS Vikrant Top brass of Defence Forces pay homage at National War Memorial on Navy Day Navy to open all branches for women from next year: Chief of Naval Staff Robust defence finance system backbone of strong military: Rajnath Singh President Murmu to witness Navy's Operational Demonstration in Vizag You inspire us, show true meaning of selfless love: Rahul on Morther's Day Maharashtra sees 75 new Covid cases, active case load stands at 864 School jobs scam: CBI visits Bengal board of secondary education office SC trashes appeal of former ISRO scientist against dismissal from service Councillor Pawan Sehrawat returns to AAP, big blow to BJP in Delhi: Pathak

"Samudra Shakti will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region," it added.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot's "Jan Sangharsh Yatra" on the issues of corruption and government recruitment exam paper leaks continued to draw support from people on its fourth day on Sunday.

On Sunday, the dissident Congress leader resumed his foot march from Mehla town in Jaipur district and moved towards Mahapura, where he is scheduled to stay the night.

He covered a distance of around 25 km on Sunday.

On Monday, Pilot will hold a public meeting near Kamla Nehru Nagar along the Ajmer highway on the culmination of his five-day yatra.

"The yatra is getting overwhelming response from people. Be it the youth or the elderly, all are attending the padayatra," an aide of Pilot said.

Pilot began the foot march from Ajmer on Thursday, challenging Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the party's top brass as assembly elections in Rajasthan approach.

Also Read Explained: Why is Sachin Pilot holding a day-long protest in Rajasthan Sach was life: Tendulkar on field was raw emotion, a happiness pill From student to the God of Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar's journey to the top 80% MLAs are with Sachin Pilot: Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha Cong walks factionalism tightrope during Bharat Jodo Yatra's Rajasthan leg Politics of hate doesn't work forever: AAP on BJP defeat in Karnataka polls EAM Jaishankar holds wide ranging discussions with Swedish counterpart High command will take a decision on Karnataka CM pick: Congress' Kharge UP CM holds Janata darshan, directs officers to solve grievances of people 9 Muslim candidates win in Karnataka Assembly elections, all from Congress

The yatra mounts further pressure on the party leadership as it hopes to retain the state in the elections at the end of the year.

The march comes days after Gehlot accused the MLAs involved in the 2020 revolt of taking money from the BJP. Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs had then sought a leadership change in Rajasthan.

He was sacked as the party's state unit president and the deputy chief minister.

The two Congress strongmen in Rajasthan have been at loggerheads over the post of chief minister ever since the party formed the government in the state in 2018.
After an eerie calm over the weekend, Pakistan was bracing for another tense day on Monday due to a planned protest by a key government ally, the Supreme Court taking up a plea against its order to hold election on May 14 and former prime minister Imran Khan appearing in a high court.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), headed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and including about a dozen parties, announced on May 12 to hold a protest rally outside the apex court's building against its alleged partiality towards 70-year-old Khan who was set free by it after arrest in a corruption case.

The protest by the largest coalition partner of the government comes as the authorities imposed a ban on political gatherings in the federal capital and also the military had been deployed to control any violence.

The protest planned to be held in Islamabad's Red Zone would raise serious questions about government policy of stopping rivals like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from political activity in the capital and looking the other way when its own partners bring protesters.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that reports provided by security agencies about the protest were very alarming and asked the organisers to change the venue.

"We are scared that if the protest is held in the Red Zone tomorrow, the Islamabad police have said that it will be difficult to control the protesters. So, I and Ishaq Dar (Finance Minister) went to Fazlur Rehman and requested him to hold the protest outside the Red Zone, he said at a press conference.

Also Read Pakistan deploys troops to halt unrest from ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest Why are the police trying to arrest Imran Khan? All that you need to know Toshakhana case: What's behind the arrest drama at Imran Khan's residence Imran Khan says PM Shehbaz Sharif will have to take trust vote: Report Imran Khan's party claims police raided PTI leader Usman Dar's residence Public accepted issues raised during 'Jan Sangharsh Yatra': Sachin Pilot 'This is not PM Modi's defeat', says Bommai after BJP loses in Karnataka Nearly 30% of married Indian women face domestic violence, shows data Power Ministry panel outlines roadmap to develop electricity market Gene mutations responsible for rare illness causing heart attack: Study

The minister hoped that the Maulana would accept the request.

The protest comes as a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, is set to hear a petition by the Election Commission of Pakistan to review the order of April 4 to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

The deadline has been missed and the chief justice already indicated that the law would take its course. There is fear that the court may launch contempt proceedings against the prime minister and other officials for failing to implement its orders.

In a related development, Khan would appear before the Lahore High Court to seek bail in various cases to avoid arrest in the light of the orders by Islamabad High Court which stopped authorities from arresting him in any case till Monday.

His party told PTI that Khan would appear in person before the Lahore High Court.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sanaullah said that Khan could be arrested again if he was found to be involved in the recent protests across the country. He also accused Khan of planning and strategizing the recent attacks on state installations.

"The sites were identified, highlighted and training was given to people, he said. This man is doing the politics of hatred we knew about it but now it is out before the public.

He also said that whenever Khan's party took to the streets, the same 100-200 people were found to be involved in violent activities. So, this means that they have been trained to do thisImran has trained them and they are his investment, the minister said.

He warned that Khan's party could be banned as there was no solution, but added that it was a legal process and would take time.

Separately, rallies were organised in different cities in support of the Pakistan Army which had come under unprecedented pressure after physical attacks by miscreants and the verbal onslaught by Khan after his release.

Local residents also gathered at the destroyed residence of Lahore Corps Commander where special prayers were offered in solidarity with the Pakistan Army.

For the first time in Pakistan's history, the protesters stormed the army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also torched the corps commander's house in Lahore.

Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10 while Khan's party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel.

Punjab Inspector General Police Dr Usman Anwar told a press conference on Sunday that over 3,500 people have been arrested in Punjab province for their involvement in violence erupted after Khan's arrest. He said most of them will be tried in anti-terrorism courts.

Khan's supporters also held peaceful rallies in different cities to show support for him despite a crackdown to arrest workers and leaders of the party.

Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy targeting him because of his independent foreign policy decisions on Russia, China and Afghanistan.
By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az

On Sunday, May 14, a trilateral meeting to be held in Brussels between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the European Council Charles Michel. According to the Armenian media, Charles Michel will hold separate talks with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia before the trilateral meeting.

In particular, on May 13, Michel will meet with the Prime Minister of Armenia. On the morning of May 14, Michel's talks with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are scheduled. This meeting is taking place in the context of another Armenian military provocation that took place in recent days. To carry out which exactly before the summits is a long-standing Armenian tradition, counting on the intercession of its traditional allies.

At the same time, before landing in the Belgian capital, Pashinyan heard justified and derogatory criticism addressed to him. He is no stranger to it, but the way that the poulist pretends to be deaf and dumb is ridiculous. RPA press secretary Eduard Sharmazanov hastened to tell the Armenians and humanity about another failure of Nikol Vovayevich.

"Now we are considering the agenda of the meeting in Brussels, but Macron is not there," he wrote on his Facebook page. And with this entry, he returned to the Soviet past, where the couplet was fashionable: "I wake up early in the morning, there is no Luis Corvalan." No, the President of France was not, following the example of the leader of the Chilean communists, delivered to the USSR as a subject of exchange for any political prisoner. But the reaction of Edik from the RPA was funny.

When I say that Pashinyans words are not worth a penny, they are offended. Nikol himself said that he would take part in the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev through the mediation of the West only if Macron took part in it. Now we are considering the agenda of the meeting in Brussels, and there is no Macron. There is a separate Michel meeting and a trilateral meeting in the Pashinyan-Michel-Aliyev format. Where is Macron? Did you say that you would not meet without Macron? And Macron was "thrown", Pashinyan? You do not respect your own word, what do you expect from others "You need seriousness, ex-young man," says Sharmazanov.

Who, of course, should have asked a simple question - if the Pashinyan he ridicules is so ridiculous, then what is Serzh Sargsyan, whom Nikol sent on a long and walking erotic journey following the results of the "barbecue revolution" ?! But Edik from the RPA, of course, will not voice this. In order not to annoy your party lord. At the same time, by and large, he is right in ridiculing the current Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

Who again "sat down in a puddle", screwed up and appeared as a character who is not responsible for his words. This is his categorical, significant difference from the President of Azerbaijan, who is respected in many countries of the world precisely because he always puts into practice what he has promised. In addition, we have already seen how the head of our state once agreed to the presence of Macron as a negotiator.

It was in Prague, where the first summit of the European Political Community (EPC) took place last autumn. There, Monsieur Emmanuel heard from Turkish President Erdogan an ironic invitation from France to the Turkic Council. At the same time, Macron's presence in the quadripartite meeting did not help Armenia in any way. It ended with Nikol Pashinyan recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh economic region.

Now he has gone to Brussels, with the Armenian army that has not recovered after the defeat in the 44-day war, an extremely low personal political rating, the status of "defeatist" and "surrender", as well as a banal liar, traditionally promising what is not in able to perform. In addition, Pashinyan turned out to be the one who brought the dependence of the Republic of Armenia on Russia to a shameful mark.

So the Armenian edition of "Hraparak" has already published a text stating that Pashinyan, from whom they desperately molded a "pro-Western" politician, is in reality afraid of Russia's defeat in the war with Ukraine. That is, he speaks from positions that are radically opposite to those of the collective West. I wonder if the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will point to this "twine" of Pashinyan?

In any case, it can already be stated that Nikol Vovaevich is going to Brussels in order to win time and again imitate readiness for negotiations just for the sake of negotiations. He is not ready to sign a big peace agreement with Azerbaijan, realizing all the risks for himself from his opponents. Risks are not only political. The traditions of terror in the Republic of Armenia, in relation to "traitors" have not been canceled. This is how Pashinyan will live, realizing the enormous degree of contempt for himself in his homeland, non-stop "fiddling with his ears", looking for new patrons and complaining about them in front of the local public. A pitiful sight, you must admit.








President Joe Biden said on Saturday that talks with Congress on raising the U.S. government's debt limit were moving along and more will be known about their progress in the next two days.







"I think they are moving along, hard to tell. We have not reached the crunch point yet," Biden told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.







"We'll know more in the next two days," he said.







Biden is expected to meet with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders early next week to resume negotiations.







The leaders had canceled a planned meeting on Friday to let staff continue discussions.







Aides for Biden and McCarthy have started to discuss ways to limit federal spending as talks on raising the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling to avoid a catastrophic default creep forward, Reuters has reported



.



The Treasury Department says it could run out of money by June 1 unless lawmakers lift the nation's debt ceiling. (Reuters)






Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for his integrity and simplicity as he shared a news report on how the CM paid for the government's air ambulance to ferry his son to Mumbai after he suffered a brain stroke.

The PM also prayed for the speedy recovery of the CM's son Anuj who is admitted to a hospital in the Maharashtra capital.

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel has set an excellent example of integrity and simplicity in public life. I have faith and trust that his conduct will be an inspiration to millions of people active in public life. I pray for the speedy recovery of his son Anuj, he said in a tweet in Gujarati.

Modi's appreciation of Patel came in a reply to a news report shared by the Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Twitter. The ruling party praised Patel for providing an example of the common man by paying for the government air ambulance service that took his son to Mumbai for treatment.

Patel's son Anuj suffered a brain stroke on April 30 and was rushed to Ahmedabad's KD Hospital where he underwent surgery. On May 1, he was airlifted to Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai where he continues to remain under observation.

The news clipping shared by Modi praised Patel for paying for the government air ambulance and using a domestic airline to travel to Mumbai to visit his son.

Also Read Gujarat Assembly elections: BJP upbeat ahead of counting of votes Guj poll result HIGHLIGHTS: Massive victory for BJP, Patel to be CM again Gujarat elections results: Trends show BJP headed for a sweeping victory Gujarat polls: Counting of votes from 8 am; AAP looks to make strong debut Indian-origin Leo Varadkar elected as Ireland's new prime minister India imposes import ban on 928 defence items in self-reliance push BJP lost K'taka polls due its nature, Bharat Jodo helped Cong: MNS's Raj FIR against Raut for his 'appeal' to cops and officials against Maha govt Andhra Pradesh govt attaches Chandrababu's guest house near Vijayawada Karnataka poll results proof BJP will face defeat in 2024 elections: AITC

The news report claimed that while the chief ministers of other states and their families use government aircraft for their personal use, the soft spoken and determined Patel and his family have not used the government's aircraft even once after he became the CM.

Patel replaced Vijay Rupani as the Gujarat CM in September 2021. He took oath for the second time after BJP won 156 of the 188 seats in the Assembly polls last year.
As 5G roll-out picks up pace in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already laying out the blueprint for 6G and has asked global networking giant Cisco to begin research and development (R&D) around the next-gen telecommunication technology to further empower millions, according to the company's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Martinez.

In an interaction with IANS, Martinez revealed the conversation she, along with other top Cisco leadership, had with PM Modi last week around the emerging technologies and how they can help the country innovate and build for the world.

"It was very exciting to meet the prime minister and other top leaders to witness the great commitment they have to make India a global manufacturing and export hub for various technologies. 5G is a great opportunity for us to do more, not only for the private sector but also for enterprises of all sizes at massive scale," Martinez said.

She said that PM Modi asked them to engage on 6G as after 5G, the prime minister is already laying out the blueprint for it.

"We talked about building some kind of joint R&D around 6G as well. We are very excited after seeing the 5G roll-out globally, including in India. We're very excited about 6G too," Martinez told IANS.

PM Modi has already emphasised that the 6G initiative will create new opportunities for innovators, industries and startups. In March, he released a vision document that details India's plans to develop and launch 6G telecom services in a few years.

Also Read Cisco announces lays offs of nearly 700 employees in SF Bay Area in US 24% of companies surveyed in India ready to defend cybersecurity threats Cyber attacks will grow as hackers get sophisticated: Top Cisco executive Unregistered devices in hybrid work increase hacking risk in India: Report For data storage, India trusts global service providers over local: Cisco 1 killed, 8 injured in clash between two groups in Akola; 26 detained Govt to roll out lost mobile blocking, tracking system pan-India on May 17 How Covid-19 waves are turning into ripples; dip in latest surge fastest Jaishankar discusses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine with 8 counterparts in Sweden PM Modi greenlights India campus for Australian university by 2023-end

Cisco is also working with telecom operators in India for the monetisation of private 5G use cases as a service model.

The company is witnessing the 5G rollout at a very rapid pace with both service providers Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel connecting cities and towns, as the country aims to connect every nook and corner of the country with 5G access this year.

Cisco's Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins also discussed with PM Modi how the company has doubled down on manufacturing to boost exports from the country.

The global networking giant has announced it will start manufacturing in India, with an aim to drive more than $1 billion in combined domestic production and exports in the coming years via offering a robust and secure device ecosystem.

Dave West, President, Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China (APJC), told IANS that India is moving very rapidly on 5G rollout and the energy around the whole piece of digitisation in the country is super impressive.

"We're incredibly excited about the Indian market and are well aligned to see India on the digitisation and the growth journey. The manufacturing announcement is a testament to our belief in this growth market. We are going to be manufacturing routers and switches to begin with, and then move from there," West elaborated.

Enterprises of all sizes are digitising very rapidly in the country and as they digitise, technology comes at the forefront of their strategy.

"It is fundamental to their success, not only internally on how they manage their own businesses and provide capabilities to their employees but also how they do business with others. Also, cybersecurity and sustainability are two key topics of discussions as enterprises want us to make resilient, high quality, agile infrastructure," West told IANS.

India is a key market for Cisco and its second largest R&D centre outside the US.

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)

--IANS

na/dpb
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited a thematic exhibition hosted at the National Gallery of Modern Art here to mark the 100th episode of his monthly radio broadcast programme 'Mann ki Baat'.

The exhibition 'Jana Shakti: A Collective Power' features works by many prominent artists.

Prime Minister Modi was taken on a walkthrough of the exhibition where artists got an opportunity to talk about their works and the themes of 'Mann Ki Baat' that inspired them, the culture ministry said.

He also viewed the immersive projection show of the 'Jana Shakti' exhibition at the dome of the Jaipur House, a senior official said.

"After viewing the artworks, the prime minister signed the 'Jana Shakti' Exhibition catalogue and penned down the message, 'Mann Mandir ki Yatra Sukhad ho..'. The catalogue has been pre-signed by the 13 artists," the ministry said in a statement.

Modi also shared some pictures from his visit on Twitter.

Also Read 'That is how you lead,' says Aamir Khan on PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat Mann Ki Baat can rightly be termed as Jan Jan Ki Baat: NID Chief Patron PM Modi invites people to share inputs for 2022's last Mann Ki Baat Scribe booked for cheating with claim to publish PM's Mann Ki Baat speeches 'Mann ki Baat' created a mass movement, spurred community action: Report MoS L Murugan to lead Indian delegation to Cannes Int'l Film Festival UP local body polls: BJP 'lost miserably' in seats outside city, says SP Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood appointed new CBI director for 2 years Police should be prepared to deal with unexpected situations: Kerala CM 'The Kerala Story' crosses Rs 100 cr-mark at domestic box office in 9 days

"Visited Jana Shakti at @ngma_delhi. This is an exhibition of wonderful works of art based on some of the themes in the #MannKiBaat episodes. I compliment all the artists who have enriched the exhibition with their creativity," he tweeted.

"Here are some more glimpses from Jana Shakti exhibition at @ngma_delhi.," he said in another tweet.

Thirteen renowned modern and contemporary artists have utilised various mediums to express themselves and present an artistic representation of the prime minister's message on 12 themes.

The artists who have contributed to the exhibition include Manu Parekh, Madhavi Parekh, Atul Dodiya, Paresh Maity, Pratul Dash, G R Iranna, Jagannath Panda and Jiten Thukral, the ministry had earlier said.

The exhibition celebrates the artistic diversity of India and is inspired by the themes highlighted in his 'Mann ki Baat' programme over the years.

The programme was started on October 3, 2014, and is broadcast on last Sunday of every month at 11 am on entire All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) network. The 100th episode of the 30-minute programme was aired on April 30.

The themes for the artworks included water conservation, 'Nari Shakti', awareness on COVID-19, Swachh Bharat, environment and climate change, yoga, science and space, Amrit Kaal and India at 100, and Northeast India.

The exhibition opened on April 30 and well-known artist Anjolie Ela Menon had inaugurate it.
The BJP should learn from its defeat in the Karnataka assembly elections that "politics of hate" does not work forever, the AAP said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also have to understand that "the time of contesting elections on non-issues, playing politics of hate and throttling opposition is going to end".

"Such a result is bound to come when you won't talk about price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, Agniveer and farmers issue and contest election on fake and non-issues," Singh added.

The AAP leader said the Congress won the Karnataka assembly polls as people found it an alternative in view of the "40 per cent commission" regime of the BJP in the state.

"Karnataka polls result is a big indication and warning to the BJP that politics of hate and efforts to make non-issues as issues of election won't continue for long and meet the same fate," he said.

Singh accepted the AAP candidates' defeat in all the 209 assembly seats from where they contested, maintaining that it was a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP, and in such a situation there is hardly any scope left for "any third party" in elections.

Also Read AAP ends BJP's 15 year-rule in MCD, wins civic body poll with majority AAP, BJP hold protests in Delhi Assembly premises over various issues BJP will not let AAP open its account' in MCD elections: Pushkar Dhami Water cannon used on AAP workers protesting over Adani issue in Chandigarh AAP councillor Pawan Sehrawat joins BJP ahead of crucial MCD House meeting EAM Jaishankar holds wide ranging discussions with Swedish counterpart High command will take a decision on Karnataka CM pick: Congress' Kharge UP CM holds Janata darshan, directs officers to solve grievances of people 9 Muslim candidates win in Karnataka Assembly elections, all from Congress J&K likely to witness 'major elections' in near future: BJP leader Raina

"Definitely, Karnataka polls result is not good in our favour," he said.

"But there is no need to be disappointed about that," he added.

Singh said AAP leaders and workers in Karnataka will continue to remain in touch with the people.

"They will keep doing their work and take (Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal's policies to the masses, then definitely in future good results will come," he added.

When asked if the Congress' victory in Karnataka poses a challenge to the AAP, Singh said, " In Gujarat, it was said that the BJP won in the assembly polls due to AAP joining the fray. In Karnataka, people were saying the BJP will gain as the AAP is contesting the election. Then how did the Congress win?".

He claimed that the AAP has the capacity to defeat the BJP and it has shown it many times.

"We ended the 15-year rule of the BJP in Delhi MCD last year. We defeated the BJP in Delhi assembly pollsWe have the capacity," he asserted.

Asked about the AAP's plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Singh said it is too early to talk about it as there are "many factors" on which the party's starategy for the general elections will depend.

At present, the AAP is focussed on organisation building, its expansion and strengthening of its toehold in various states, he added.

"It's too early to talk about it...Whether the opposition parties will go alone or form an alliance, these decisions will depend on many things," Singh said.

"We will let you know when a comprehensive strategy is formulated for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," he added.

Asked if the AAP will go alone in the Lok Sabha polls, Singh said such a decision will depend on the emerging circumstances.

"We are expanding the base of our party in statesit will take time to make a decision for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Such a decision depends on the emerging circumstances and many other factors," he said.

He said Prime Minister Modi will not stand a chance in the Lok Sabha polls next year if people vote on the real issues like "price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, farmers' plight."



"We will make efforts to ensure that people's fundamental issues become political issues in the Lok Sabha polls," he said.

"I can bet if people cast their votes on these issues, Modi won't stand anywhere," he added.

Singh said the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh later this year will have an impact on the 2024 parliamentary elections.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for appointment of judges.

The lawyers' body has moved the top court challenging the Bombay High Court's February 9 order dismissing its plea on the ground that it was not a fit case to invoke the writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.

As per the apex court web-site, the appeal of the BLA is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.

The Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) had claimed that Rijiju and Dhankhar showed lack of faith in the Constitution with their remarks and conduct. It had sought orders to restrain Dhankhar from discharging duty as the vice president, and Rijiju as the cabinet minister for the central government.

In an appeal, the lawyers body said the "frontal attack not just on the judiciary but the Constitution' by the two executive officials has lowered the prestige of the Supreme Court in public.

Rijiju had said the collegium system of appointing judges was "opaque and not transparent".

Also Read Two HC judges elevated to SC, total strength of apex court reaches 34 No legal system can keep raking up resolved issues repeatedly: SC Andhra HC cannot be town planner: Supreme Court on high court order Centre notifies appointment of Chief Justices for four high courts As vacancies pile up in high courts, gloves are off in Centre-SC showdown 58,685 challans issued during traffic campaign in Noida, 1K vehicles seized Meeting with Walmart CEO fruitful one, had insightful discussions: PM Modi Three brokers face probes including for money laundering, fraudulent trades On Day 4, Sachin Pilot's foot march draws 'overwhelming response' Politics of hate doesn't work forever: AAP on BJP defeat in Karnataka polls

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had questioned the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgement that gave the basic structure doctrine.

Dhankhar had said the verdict set a bad precedent and, if any authority questions Parliament's power to amend the Constitution, it would be difficult to say "we are a democratic nation".

It is submitted that the Petitioner herein filed the PIL before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay praying therein to declare the Respondent no 1 and 2 as disqualified candidates to hold any constitutional posts of Vice President and Minister of the Union Cabinet, respectively, based on their behaviour, conduct and utterances made in public, the petition has said.

The two constitutional functionaries, it said, showed lack of faith in the Constitution by their conduct and utterances made in public and by attacking its institutions, including the Supreme Court, and showing scant regard for the law laid down by the Supreme Court. "The conduct of Respondent Nos 1 and 2 appeared to have shaken public faith in the Supreme Court and the Constitution, it said.

The plea said the vice president and the Union minister have affirmed oaths that they will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution. However, their conduct has shown lack of faith in the Constitution of India, it said assailing the high court's order dismissing its PIL.

They have launched a frontal attack on the institution of judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, in most derogatory language without any recourse which is available under the constitutional scheme to change the status quo as per the law laid down by the Supreme Court, it said.

The BLA quoted the statements of the dignitaries made at certain functions.

The high court had on February 9 dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL).

"We are not inclined to grant any relief. The petition is dismissed. Reasons would be recorded later," the high court had said.
The Supreme Court has said that merely because a charge sheet is filed for the predicate offences, it cannot be a ground to release an accused on bail in connection with scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and C.T. Ravikumar said: "Merely because, for the predicated offences, the charge sheet might have been filed, it cannot be a ground to release the accused on bail in connection with the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002."

Justice Shah, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "Investigation for the predicated offences and the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for the scheduled offences under the PML Act are different and distinct."

The top court made these observations while considering an appeal by the Enforcement Directorate against the Telangana High Court orders, allowing the bail applications and a direction to enlarge Aditya Tripathi on bail in connection with the offences under the PMLA.

An FIR was registered in April 2019, by the Economic Offences Wing, Bhopal, naming about 20 persons/companies as accused for the offences punishable under Sections 120-B, 420, 468 and 471 of IPC, Section 66 of the IT Act, 2000 and Section 7(c) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

It was found in the preliminary enquiry that e-tender for total works amounting to Rs. 1,769.00 crore of the Madhya Pradesh Water Corporation were tampered with to change the price bid of M/s GVPR Engineers Ltd, M/s The Indian Hume Pipe Company Ltd and M/s IMC (sic) Project India Ltd to make them the lowest bidders. A charge sheet was filed before the competent court on July 4, 2019, and it was found that the accused have also committed the offences under PMLA, and the Enforcement Directorate, Hyderabad initiated money laundering investigation.

Also Read CAs, CSes concerned about new tweaks in anti-money laundering law Story in numbers: PMLA registrations up four-fold, higher than a decade ago Court to hear Sisodia's bail plea in money laundering case on April 5 Plea of D K Shivakumar challenging ECIR against him not maintainable: ED HC seeks ED reply on co-accused bail pleas in Satyender Jain PMLA case LIVE: Telangana BJP to organise Hindu Ekta Yatra, Assam CM to take part Goa ration card holders get rice swarming with maggots, mites, fungus Top headlines: Cong sweeps Karnataka, Siddaramaiah vows to fulfill promises Security forces fired at by militants in J-K's Anantnag; combat underway In a joint operation, narco-terror module busted in J&K's Kupwara; 4 held

The top court said from the high court orders, it appears that what is weighed with the court is that the charge sheet has been filed against respective respondent No. 1 - accused and therefore, the investigation is completed.

"The High Court has failed to notice and appreciate that the investigation with respect to the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002 by the Enforcement Directorate is still going on," it said.

The bench said the high court has taken into consideration the irrelevant consideration and it has neither considered the rigour of Section 45 of the PML Act, nor has considered the seriousness of the offences alleged against accused for the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002.

"The High Court has not at all considered the fact that the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002 is still going on and therefore, the impugned orders passed by the High Court enlarging respective respondent No. 1 on bail are unsustainable and the matters are required to be remitted back to the High Court for afresh decision on the bail applications...", said the bench.

Tripathi's counsel contended that his client was not named in the FIR with respect to the scheduled offence(s) and that all the other accused are discharged/acquitted in so far as the predicate offences are concerned.

But the court said: "Merely because other accused are acquitted/discharged, it cannot be a ground not to continue the investigation in respect of respective respondent No. 1... Therefore, the enquiry/investigation for the scheduled offences itself is sufficient at this stage," said the bench, adding that there are very serious allegations of money laundering which are required to be investigated thoroughly.

The top court set aside the high court orders and directed Tripathi to surrender before the competent court having jurisdiction or before the concerned jail authority within a period of one week. "The matters are remitted back to the High Court to consider the bail applications afresh in light of the observations made hereinabove and after respective respondent No. 1 surrenders within a period of one week as ordered above. Present appeals are accordingly allowed to the aforesaid extent," said the bench, in the judgment delivered on Friday.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in )

--IANS

ss/vd
Uddhav Thackeray (Photo: ANI)

Uddhav Thackeray

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday announced a protest in Delhi against the collection of registration fees from pilgrims intending to visit the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir.

The registration process for the two-month Amarnath Yatra started last month. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to start on July 1 from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in the Ganderbal district.

"We are going to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the next few days as part of our ongoing agitation to press for free registration of the pilgrims," the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Manish Sahni told reporters here.

Several senior party leaders, religious heads and social and political activists are also joining the protest for the withdrawal of the registration fee.

"We appeal to the (Jammu and Kashmir) Lt Governor and the shrine board not to charge any registration fee from the pilgrims. We want the pilgrims to be exempted from toll tax as well," he said.

Sahni said a delegation of the party met Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday and briefed him about the agitation.

Also Read Amarnath Yatra 2023 registration begins today; Check complete details Security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra underway: CRPF official Amarnath Yatra 2023 to commence from July 1, registration starts next week Rs 2,000 cr deal to purchase Shiv Sena name and symbol, says Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena (UBT) demands highway toll exemption for Amarnath pilgrims Manipur violence: CM Biren visits Delhi to meet PM to discuss situation BJP should be taught Karnataka lesson in MP: Congress' Digvijaya Singh Haryana govt to open drug de-addiction centres across the state: CM Khattar Indian Navy's newest guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao hits 'bulls eye' Eyeing to attract Rs 20K cr investments, Himachal to speedily transfer land

The party high command has given instructions to intensify the movement until a decision is taken in favour of the demand, Sahni said.
A day after the announcement of Karnataka Assembly election results which saw the Congress emerging victorious with the required majority to form the government and the BJP crashing out of power, outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said "the loss is not the defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

"This is not PM Modi's defeat as he came here only for the campaign. The Congress leadership has lost in the entire country," he told reporters near the BJP office here, adding: "It's not correct to blame PM Modi for the BJP's defeat in the state."

The BJP leader said this while reacting to the Congress saying that "the BJP's loss was PM Modi's defeat".

He said that all key party leaders had gathered in the BJP office and discussed the election results.

Bommai said the Karnataka unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president has convened a meeting of the newly-elected MLAs in the next three to four days.

After that, a meeting of all the party candidates would be convened where they would discuss threadbare and work out the strategies to strengthen the party.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: All you need to know about May 10 elections Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight Public accepted issues raised during 'Jan Sangharsh Yatra': Sachin Pilot Nearly 30% of married Indian women face domestic violence, shows data Power Ministry panel outlines roadmap to develop electricity market Gene mutations responsible for rare illness causing heart attack: Study Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the country: Assam CM Himanta

"There would be no rest for the party organisation and all of them would work together for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Reacting to the "fight" between Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka unit Congress president D.K. Shivakumar over the CM's post, Bommai wished them "all the best".

On the implementation of poll promises by the Congress, he said "first let them form the government and after that, let's see what they will do in the first Cabinet meeting".

--IANS

mka/pgh
The BJP "lost miserably" in seats located just outside city limits despite "adopting every trick" in the Uttar Pradesh urban local body elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday.

The BJP on Saturday registered wins on all 17 mayoral seats -- Varanasi, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Bareilly, Mathura-Vrindavan, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Shahjahanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Firozabad and Meerut.

It also won 813 of the 1,420 corporator seats while the opposition Samajwadi Party bagged 191 and the Bahujan Samaj Party 85.

In a tweet in Hindi, Yadav congratulated the victorious Samajwadi Party nominees and all the "other" candidates who won by fighting against the BJP.

"Moving a little out of the cities, the BJP lost miserably even after adopting every trick," he added.

According to the State Election Commission, the BJP won 191 (35.11 per cent) of the 544 posts of Nagar Panchayat chairpersons while Independent candidates bagged 195 (35.85 per cent). The Samajwadi Party won 78 posts while the Bahujan Samaj Party clinched victories in 37. The Congress won 14 seats.

Also Read BJP might lose all 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP in 2024, says SP chief Akhilesh Double engine govts working at cross purposes: Akhilesh jibe at BJP BJP has made agriculture an unprofitable proposition: SP's Akhilesh Yadav People being prevented from casting vote in Mainpuri, Rampur: Akhilesh National parties should support regional ones against BJP, says Akhilesh Police should be prepared to deal with unexpected situations: Kerala CM 'The Kerala Story' crosses Rs 100 cr-mark at domestic box office in 9 days Fresh snowfall in Kedarnath, police urges pilgrims to follow forecasts Indian Navy successfully test fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile Cyclone Mocha: Disaster Management personnel on high alert in Bengal

Independent candidates asserted themselves on the Nagar Panchayat members' seats as well, winning 4,824 of the 7,177 (67.21 per cent) available. The BJP won 1,403 seats followed by the Samajwadi Party with 485 and the Bahujan Samaj Party with 215. The Congress bagged 77 seats and the Rashtriya Lok Dal won 38.

The urban local body elections were held in two phases on May 4 and 11 to elect 17 mayors and 1,401 corporators. As many as 19 corporators were elected unopposed, the commission had said.

Voting was also held to elect 198 chairpersons and 5,260 members of Nagar Palika Parishads, 542 chairpersons of Nagar Panchayats and 7,104 members of Nagar Panchayats.


It said the government has been disingenuously arguing that Delhi Universitys GM Mustard, which has used the bar-barnase-barstar technology in the name of pollination control, is not herbicide tolerant (HT).

Ahead of the possible constitution of a new Bench in the Supreme Court on the GM Mustard approval, the Coalition for a GM-Free India has written a letter to the Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav saying that the government has no powers to regulate farmers from using herbicides on GM crops.
A person holds a banner during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, as Israel-Gaza fighting continues, Tel Aviv, Israel, May 13. Reuters-Yonhap



A truce between Israel and the militant Islamic Jihad group officially came into effect late on Saturday night, with an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement meant to end the worst episode of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021.



As fighting tapered off, streets in Gaza that had largely been deserted filled with Palestinians. Some people cheered and honked car horns while others headed to the homes of people killed in the fighting to show their respect.



"In light of the agreement of the Palestinian and the Israeli side, Egypt announces a ceasefire between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides has been reached," a text of the agreement seen by Reuters read.



"The two sides will abide by the ceasefire which will include an end to targeting civilians, house demolition, an end to targeting individuals immediately when the ceasefire goes into effect," it said.



Israel's national security adviser thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for Cairo's efforts, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.



"Quiet will be met with quiet and if Israel will be attacked or threatened, it shall continue to do what it must in order to defend itself," the statement said.



Islamic Jihad also confirmed the agreement. "We declare our acceptance of the Egyptian announcement and we will abide by it as long as the occupation (Israel) abides by it," the group's spokesman, Dawoud Shehab, said.



Even as the truce was being finalized, the two sides kept up firing, with air raid sirens sounding as far as Tel Aviv's suburbs and Israel's military announcing it had hit Islamic Jihad targets in response to rocket fire.





People watch from a window as mourners attend the funeral of senior Islamic Jihad commander Eyad Al-Hasani, who was killed in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, May 13. Reuters-Yonhap
He has a background in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and as senior managing director of global foreign exchange and money markets at Singapores Standard Chartered Bank. This gave PTR a rockstar image at the time.

PTR (as he is colloquially known) had attempted to turn around the states finances in the two years since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government took office in 2021.


Saturdays Karnataka assembly and bypolls results are a reminder to the BJP of the NDAs relevance, feel some in the BJP. For hours after the partys Karnataka loss, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said southern India was now BJP mukt. This month, the Narendra Modi government will celebrate its ninth anniversary with customary fanfare, but the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) completing 25 years is one anniversary at the risk of going unnoticed. The NDA was formally launched on May 15, 1998, and was crucial to the BJP ruling at the Centre from 1998-2004. However, the initial enthusiasm of the BJP leadership towards allies in the aftermath of the 2014 win has diminished.



Many more parties are closer to the NDA than to the UPA, such as the Biju Janata Dal, until recently even the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the YSRCP, he said. Balashankar conceded that some of the allies  the Akalis, Janata Dal (United) and a faction of the Shiv Sena  were no longer with the NDA. Still, the NDA has added more partners over the last quarter century. The NDA is a spectacular success, with a government at the Centre for over 16 of 25 years and winning four of the six Lok Sabha elections since 1998, Balashankar said. On Sunday, BJP MP G V L Narasimha Rao criticised the ruling YSR Congress Party for the anarchy in the state. Addressing reporters in Visakhapatnam, Rao acknowledged Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyans call not to allow the anti-YSRCP votes to split in the next years assembly elections. The BJP and JSP are allies, as are the JSP and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The TDP had stormed out of the NDA ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but has lately tried to mend bridges. Rao said his partys central leadership would decide on other alliances, a reference to the TDP. RSS ideologue and former head of BJP intellectual cell R Balashankar told Business Standard that while a decision on allies is for the top leadership to take, the TDP or even the DMK, if they so want, should be welcomed to the fold.



However, SAD leader Naresh Gujral said his party is wary of the BJP. The BJP needs to rebuild the trust deficit between itself and its former allies. They did not follow the coalition dharma, broke its tenets, and tried to usurp the political space or legislators of allies, like the Sena, JD(U) and SAD, Gujral, who represented his party in the now-defunct NDA coordination committee, said. The Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll result on Saturday reminded the BJP that it would struggle in Punjab without its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, despite such leaders as former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal and former Congress state unit chief Sunil Jakhar joining its ranks over the last 12 months. The BJP candidate secured 134,000 votes, and the SADs 154,000 votes, against the winning Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates 302,000 votes. A source said the difference between a united SAD-BJP vote share and AAPs was an eminently surmountable one per cent.

Also Read House in (dis)order: Early adjournments not limited to NDA government Fact check: Did Asle Toje call PM Modi biggest contender for Nobel Prize? Modi govt to complete 9 years this month, lines up series of events World TB Day: PM Modi launches initiatives to eliminate disease by 2025 Come May 13, will BJP script history in 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections? An outsider inside: Is this beginning of the end or a new start for 'PTR'? Fighting battles, winning wars: Rajasthan syndrome haunts Karnataka Cong PM to start foreign tour with G7 meet in Japan, end with US visit in June BJP to do detailed analysis to find out reasons for debacle in Karnataka Modi wave is over...: Sanjay Raut after Congress' win in Karnataka polls
We have won the battle, but the war remains, said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge after the votes of the last Assembly seat in the Karnataka Assembly elections were counted and it became clear that the Congress had got an unambiguous mandate, winning 135 seats of 224.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meeting, Kharge announced that three observers  veteran Maharashtra leader Sushilkumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria  would assess the mood of the House and hand over their report to the party High Command, after which the High Command would declare the name of the chief minister (CM).

Within hours, a message was conveyed to him. He was the High Command, and he had the authority to decide who the new CM would be.

The process of selecting a CM was likely to take a few days, said top Congress sources. A tentative date for the swearing-in is May 18.

That is possibly the war Kharge was referring to.

Neither D K Shivakumar, considered an architect of the Congress victory, nor Siddaramaiah, the partys former leader, who is determined to become CM for a second time (thus breaking a political tradition in the state where no CM has managed to complete a full two terms), is ready to yield. Added to the mix are claims of Parameshwara, a leading Dalit leader in the state.

As slogans began to be raised in favour of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, information filtering out of the meeting indicated that with 68 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Shivakumar was leading the race, while Siddaramaiah was backed by 59 legislators. Parameshwara had the support of eight MLAs.

The High Command now has the task of preventing a Rajasthan-like situation from erupting in the state. Congress MLA from Bengalurus BTM Layout, Ramalinga Reddy, said that there are leaders other than Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah who want to be the next CM of Karnataka.

He said: Leaders like Parameshwara and M B Patil are also CM aspirants in Karnataka. But only the High Command will decide who is going to be CM.

The claims of all three leaders are not unjustified, said Karnataka Congress sources. It was the unflagging efforts of Shivakumar that contributed to the Congress performance. But Shivakumar has multiple cases pending before the Enforcement Directorate, and Congress leaders said this could lead to embarrassment for the party if the CM of the state is led away to prison.

Shivakumar reminded the party of his contribution when he told reporters in Tumakuru, where he had gone to meet his guru: I have sacrificed for the party and stood with Siddaramaiah.

Veteran observers of Karnataka politics say the Congress has a problem of plenty. Nearly 40 per cent of MLAs elected have served between three and six terms in the Assembly. In other words, they are senior leaders of the party. At least two dozen of them have been ministers in the past.

This is not the only problem.

Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, has the unreserved support of his community, which has backed him to the hilt. The evidence is the extent of support the Congress got even in Janata Dal (Secular) bastions in South Karnataka like Hassan and Mandya. The community, which is aggressive and assertive, expects its leader to be rewarded.

It is possible that Vokkaligas might accept a Dalit or a leader of some other community as CM, if the legal problems Shivakumar faces are explained to them.

But they will find it hard to accept Siddaramaiah as their leader because Siddaramaiah has never shied away from attacking the Vokkaligas for their feudal attitude towards other castes.

A crucial meeting of various Vokkaliga seers, including Adichunchanagiri seer Nirmalananda Swami (religious head of the Vokkaliga community) and members of the Vokkaliga Sangha, took place on Sunday afternoon. It adopted a resolution asking the Congress to make Shivakumar the CM. Among the newly elected Congress MLAs, 29 are Vokkaligas.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, is still struggling to absorb the impact of the defeat. The party will have to elect a leader of the legislature party who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Dejected party leaders said they will hold a meeting in the coming two or three days, as MLAs have yet to return from their constituencies.
The ruling CPI(M) and opposition parties in Kerala on Saturday welcomed the Congress' victory in the Karnataka assembly polls, stating it was an indication of public sentiment against BJP's alleged divisive and communal politics.

The CPI(M), IUML and the Congress also said the vote trend in Karnataka also shows the BJP's waning influence in south India.

On the other hand, BJP leader and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan put up a confident stance by saying that the party had lost in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly polls in 2018 but won in all those states during the 2019 parliamentary elections.

"So, you can analyse that. BJP has won and lost in elections. Loss in one election does not mean the end of the party," he contended.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the outcome of the poll result and said the BJP has been ousted from south India.

He also asked the Congress to learn from its mistakes and move forward.

Also Read Retail inflation eases marginally to 6.44% in February from 6.52% in Jan January retail inflation rises to 6.52%, highest since October 2022 High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy BJP CEC meeting today to finalise candidates for Karnataka Assembly polls Thank people for giving us an opportunity to serve them: Amit Shah Cong to hold K'taka legislature party meeting on Sunday, decision on CM Karnataka polls: BJP accepts people's mandate with humility, says Nadda Corruption was main issue in Karnataka, it helped Congress: Sachin Pilot Adityanath thanks people for forming 'triple-engine' govt in Uttar Pradesh

"With today's result, now, BJP is not in power in any south Indian state. The Congress which won the polls should learn some lessons from this and move forward. Congress must be more alert...There is a feeling in the country that the BJP should not come back to power," Vijayan said at a party programme in Kollam district.

The Congress managed to win over 135 of 224 seats in the polls while the BJP failed to cross the 70-seat mark.

Earlier in the day, welcoming the leading trend and the seats won, Congress leaders in Kerala unanimously termed it an indication of the anti-BJP public sentiment and the success of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and his fight against the saffron party's alleged divisive and communal politics.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and MP K C Venugopal said that despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the BJP campaign with his cabinet ministers too joining the effort, central agencies being also used against the opposition and denial of a level playing field, Congress came out victorious. "It is a slap on the face to Narendra Modi and the BJP," he said.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and MP K Sudhakaran said the vote counting trend and the seats won indicated the comeback of Congress and the ouster of BJP. "The people of south India have rejected the BJP. Karnataka was the last link. It is a win for Rahul Gandhi," he said.

Sudhakaran said if the party can win in Karnataka, it can win in Kerala too.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan echoed a similar view when he said the Congress campaign in Karnataka highlighted the 40 per cent commission that the ruling government was allegedly taking. "Here in Kerala it is 46 per cent or 65 per cent. We will highlight that here," he said.

Satheesan further said the Karnataka election results were not confined to that state and its effect would be seen everywhere during the Lok Sabha polls.

"It is public sentiment. The Prime Minister and his entire cabinet camped there to campaign, using all means at their disposal, yet Congress took such a huge lead," he contended.

Satheesan also said that while "communal fascist forces" wanted a Congress-free India, the party made BJP-free south India a reality.

He too said the outcome was an indication of the public sentiment in support of Rahul Gandhi and his fight against the BJP.

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the trends indicate a historical win for the party and the results would also work as an impetus for it in the 2024 general elections. It also showed the public acceptance of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, he pointed out.

"Rahul Gandhi is the leader who can oppose Narendra Modi. This is proof of that. This is the first step towards unifying all secular forces to form a secular government at the Centre," Chennithala said.

IUML Kerala state president Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal and the party's national general secretary and MLA P K Kunhalikutty too spoke along similar lines.

Both Chennithala and the IUML leaders said that with what happened in Karnataka, BJP is no longer in power in south India.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan too welcomed the vote counting trends in Karnataka and said southern India has been "freed" from BJP.

However, he said it did not indicate a comeback of Congress as one of its major power centres was Gujarat where the BJP has a huge majority.

"So, it cannot be said it is a comeback for them. Congress on its own cannot free India of BJP. Even they do not lay claim to that. We need to treat every state as a unit and consolidate the anti-BJP votes there and defeat them there. That is what worked in Karnataka," he contended.

He said that in Karnataka the people have spoken out against the alleged communal politics of the BJP.

"It is an indication of the anti-Centre and anti-communalism sentiments of the people." Reacting to Govindan's comments, Chennithala claimed the CPI(M) always wants BJP to win. He said the Left party had one seat in Karnataka which too was lost.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said the huge mandate won by the Congress in Karnataka is an affirmation of party leader Rahul Gandhi's hard work and this was evident during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The people of Karnataka have taught a befitting lesson to the BJP, which had toppled the Congress government in the state, the chief minister said.

Gehlot was speaking at a 'Mahangai Rahat' camp in Jodhpur's Bilara. He also visited similar camps in Pali and Nagaur districts.

The Congress has won 135 seats in Karnataka and is leading in one, well past the majority mark of 113. The BJP won 65 seats, according to the latest trends on the Election Commission's website.

The huge mandate won by the Congress in Karnataka is an affirmation of Rahul Gandhi's hard work, Gehlot said, adding this was evident during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The BJP came to power in the state by toppling the Congress-JD(S) government, he said.

Also Read Manish Tewari joins Rahul's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab's Anandpur Sahib What has the Bharat Jodo Yatra achieved? Can Rahul win from Amethi again? Ex-RAW chief AS Dulat joins Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Rahul Gandhi convicted in Modi surname defamation case: What we know so far After defeat, PM, HM should focus on restoring peace in Manipur: Congress K'taka polls: Cong, CPI(M) say results show public sentiment against BJP Thank people for giving us an opportunity to serve them: Amit Shah Cong to hold K'taka legislature party meeting on Sunday, decision on CM Karnataka polls: BJP accepts people's mandate with humility, says Nadda

"The people of Karnataka taught a befitting lesson to the BJP in this election. The BJP does it (topple governments) in every state. They did it in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra," he said.

It also tried to do so in Rajasthan but "we somehow managed to save our government", he added.

People have now understood that the BJP is pulling down democratically chosen governments, Gehlot said.
A day after Congress' big win in the Karnataka Assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming that the "Modi wave" is over in the country.

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled.

"Modi wave is over in the country and now it's our turn. Now our wave is about to come in the country," said Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut in a press conference in Mumbai.

Hitting out at BJP, Raut said that the victory of Congress in Karnataka has opened a door for the party in the whole country and the Karnataka Assembly election results show that dictatorship has been defeated.

"Karnataka election has opened a door for the party in the whole country, the people of Karnataka have shown how dictatorship is defeated. We thank the people of Karnataka," he said.

Talking about the Bajrang Bali row, Raut said, "Bajrang Bali has definitely participated in the election campaign of Karnataka, but he campaigned with the public, and Congress won, meaning Bajrang Bali was not with BJP but with Congress."

Also Read Have full faith in EC: Sanjay Raut on row over Shiv Sena's poll symbol Rs 2,000 cr deal to purchase Shiv Sena name and symbol, says Sanjay Raut Hearing in money-laundering case against Sanjay Raut adjourned till Feb 27 Karnataka elections 2023: 7 out of 13 Congress, JD(S) turncoats trailing Karnataka elections: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge wins back Gulbarga Aaditya Thackeray meets AAP national convenor Kejriwal in national capital Stage set for Cong meet in K'taka, new CM likely to take oath on Monday After delivering K'taka, Cong strategist Kanugolu looks for victory in MP With Karnataka elections over, all eyes on long-pending CWC reshuffle Who will be CM?: Newly-elected Cong MLAs to meet in Bengaluru today

The Bajrang Bali row had taken centre stage during the election campaigns in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly polls. Congress faced a major backlash from Hindu organisations after it announced a ban on Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections.

Highlighting Home Minister Amit Shah's statement of calling the Congress party a "reverse gear" sarkar, Raut said, "Amit Shah said that if BJP loses in Karnataka, there will be riots, but after the victory, Karnataka is completely calm and is celebrating, is the country's Home Minister giving threats?"

Earlier Shah while addressing a rally at the Navalgund Assembly constituency last month, said, "One hand, there is the Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and on the other, is the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. This (Karnataka Assembly) election is an opportunity for you to decide if you want a double engine sarkar led by PM Modi, which will take Karnataka forward, or the Congress's reverse gear sarkar, which will take Karnataka backwards."

Raut also noted that whatever has happened in Karnataka is exactly what is going to take place in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent.

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled, and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats.

Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.
The newly-elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka are meeting here on Sunday evening to discuss government formation with leaders eliciting their views on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar are strong claimants and front-runners for the coveted post.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.

The Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting is scheduled to be begin at 5:30 pm today, and the newly elected have already been instructed to come to Benagluru.

Both the eight-time MLA Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have made no secret of their ambition to become CM and had been involved in a game of political one upmanship in the past.

The Congress had entered the campaign phase with the challenge of keeping at bay the factionalism, especially between the camps of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who had been openly rooting for their leaders, but the party put an united front and ensured that no rift came out in open and derail its prospects, under the mentorship of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Also Read High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: All you need to know about May 10 elections Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight For next 5 years win people's hearts: Sibal to Congress after Karnataka win Karnataka polls: Shivakumar stages dharna alleging govt machinery's misuse After year-long hiatus, AAP back in Lok Sabha following Jalandhar win BJP wins big in Ayodhya-Mathura-Varanasi municipal polls amid makeover Will the South write the script of Congress' revival one more time?

Now the task at hand for the AICC leadership is to complete the process of electing the legislature party leader by taking all factions together.

Banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences here, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress win and projecting them as "next CM".

While the 60-year-old Shivakumar, considered to be "troubleshooter" for the Congress party, Siddaramaiah has a pan-Karnataka appeal.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD(S), gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the Chief Minister from the party after having occupied the coveted post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

According to party sources, the opinion of newly elected legislators will be sought and depending on the outcome, they might be asked to vote to elect their leader, if need arise.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his Chief Ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas. He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to lose out an opportunity with him as the KPCC president, while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999.

In fact in this election, the Congress' has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Also, there have been instances in the party that whoever has successfully led as KPCC President in election, have been the natural choice to be the CM, like in the case of Krishna and Veerendra Patil.

Siddaramaiah, who has seniority on his side, is known for able administratrative skills, and has the experience of having run a successful tenure as the Chief Minister. He also enjoys the distinction of having presented 13 budgets for the state.

Being a mass leader, he has considerable clout among the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). The mega 75th birthday bash of Siddaramaiah held last year in Davanagere, was largely seen as an attempt by him and his loyalists to project him as the future CM.

Seventy-five-year-old Siddaramaiah who has already announced that this was his last election, has been maintaining that the Chief Minister will be elected by the newly elected MLAs in consultation with the party high command.

There are also other contenders for the post like former Deputy Chief Minister and ex KPCC President G Parameshwara and veteran leader and seven time MP K H Muniyappa-- both Dalits, and M B Patil-- a Lingayat..
The Congress had on many occasions got another lease of life from south India whenever its fortunes had declined nationally. The Karnataka assembly election results on Saturday once again proved this by giving a much needed shot in the arm to the grand old party, which has been desperately looking for a revival following back to back losses in two general elections and several assembly polls.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who is also the party's communication in-charge, highlighted the pattern of the party's revival from the south.

In a tweet he said, "It is an extraordinary result for the Congress party in Chikmagalur district which had become a BJP bastion of late. It won all 5 of the 5 seats there. In 1978, Chikmagalur heralded the revival of Congress nationally by electing Indira Gandhi. History will soon repeat itself!"

After imposing the Emergency in 1975, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi lost in the 1977 general elections, even from her Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli parliamentary seat.

Following the humiliating defeat in the general elections, Indira Gandhi decided to move to south India for the revival of the party and a year later she decided to contest the Lok Sabha by-polls from the Chikmagalur parliamentary seat.

She won from Chikmagalur in the 1978 by-elections and returned to Parliament and then in the 1980 Lok Sabha elections made a comeback nationally.

Also Read From Adani Wilmar to Havells India: Q4 results to watch out for today Congress will emerge victorious: Party leaders on Karnataka poll counting Karnataka elections 2023: BJP confident; Cong says will see after results Karnataka elections 2023: 7 out of 13 Congress, JD(S) turncoats trailing Vodafone Idea expected to come up with revival plan within a month: Report Naveen steers clear of Oppn unity; Cong says it's to keep agencies out Telangana BJP to hold 'Hindu Ekta Yatra'; Assam CM to participate Karnataka poll results affirmation of Rahul Gandhi's hard work: Gehlot After defeat, PM, HM should focus on restoring peace in Manipur: Congress K'taka polls: Cong, CPI(M) say results show public sentiment against BJP

The Congress, which once again faced a challenge to its existence in the late 90s following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, saw a revival of its fortunes once again from Karnataka.

Following the death of Rajiv Gandhi, his wife Sonia Gandhi had stayed away from politics. However, due to the shrinking of the grand old party, she was forced to enter politics in 1998 to revive the party's fortunes.

Sonia Gandhi then decided to contest the 1999 Lok Sabha elections from Karnataka's Bellary and Uttar Pradesh's Amethi and won from both the seats.

She defeated the BJP's senior leader Sushma Swaraj in Bellary. However, after winning from both the seats she chose to represent Amethi in the Lok Sabha.

Sonia Gandhi after winning in 1999, brought the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to power in 2004 which stayed in power for two consecutive terms with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister.

The 2023 Karnataka elections and the victory from all five seats of Chikmagalur has given new hope to the Congress, which is going through its worst phase in the last nine years, where it had lost power in several states and also lost two Lok Sabha elections. The Congress is currently in power on its own in the states of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. In Bihar and Jharkhand it shares power will alliance partners.

In this year's assembly polls, the Congress is all set to return to power with 136 out of the 224 seats in the Karnataka assembly. The polling for the 224 member House took place on May 10.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)

--IANS

aks/bg
With this, India joins the league of six nations that includes the US, China, Finland, Austria, France and Canada, which are leading the research in this field.



Spearheading this change is the National Quantum Mission (NQM), which was approved by the Union Cabinet in April, with a total outlay of Rs 6,003 crore over the next six years. The investments will be directed towards research and development, and creating an innovative ecosystem in quantum technology within the country.
By Arun Devnath, Khine Lin Kyaw and Low De Wei

Bangladesh and Myanmar are evacuating hundreds of thousands of people as Cyclone Mocha is set to make landfall Sunday, potentially causing widespread destruction to one of the most vulnerable areas in the region.





The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned of storm surges, flash floods and landslides in coastal districts. The country has raised the danger signal to 10 (on a scale of 1 to 11) for Coxs Bazar, and shut seaports and airports in the coastal zone. The storm could hit the worlds biggest refugee camp in Bangladesh, home to about a million Rohingyas who fled there years ago from neighboring Myanmar. Wind speeds could reach as high as 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, and the storm is equivalent to a category 4 hurricane.



Storms in the region are not unusual at this time of year, but Cyclone Mocha comes at a time of increased attention to extreme weather, after parts of Asia grappled with severe heat in April and May. With climate change and a looming shift in patterns toward El Nino conditions, heat waves and large storms could become more frequent or intense. The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations agency, has warned of heavy rain, flooding and landslides potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of the worlds most vulnerable people, including the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and six million people in need of humanitarian assistance in neighboring Myanmars Rakhine state.

Also Read Cyclone Mocha likely to hit India's eastern coast next week, details here Cyclone Mocha: Low pressure likely to form today, IMD issues warning Mocha to intensify into severe cyclone, heads towards Bangladesh-Myanmar Deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensifies into cyclonic storm Mocha Cyclone Mocha likely to move towards Myanmar-Bangladesh coast this week Imran Khan blames Army chief for arrest, returns home after getting bail Appointing new Twitter CEO will allow me to focus on Tesla: Elon Musk Imran Khan pledges to maintain good relations with Pakistan Army Chief G7 finance leaders say greater economic uncertainty requires vigilance Pak Army's image takes beating as crowds ransack military property



Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 was the worst natural disaster in the history of Myanmar. More than 140,000 people were killed, and the lives of 2.4 million more were affected. The ability of governments to respond to such threats is crucial.



The countrys meteorological office has raised its alert warning for the cyclone to red, the highest level, and advised those living in western coastal areas to evacuate as soon as possible. The junta has also banned fishing and entry to beaches and coastal areas across the whole nation. Myanmars civil war has intensified since the military took power in a coup in 2021. The fighting has displaced over a million people, especially the minority Rohingya, whom the UN has alleged are subject to ethnic cleansing by the military. The ruling junta has issued an evacuation order to about one million people in seven townships in Rakhine State, although many more in other parts of the country are also likely to be affected.



In Bangladesh, fuel supply to the grid shrank after the government suspended the flow of liquefied natural gas from two floating terminals. Gas for cooking was down and out for hours in the capital of Dhaka. The storm has caused widespread power outages in both countries. Most of Myanmars 330 townships, including the capital of Naypyidaw and commercial capital Yangon, have no access to electricity.



Other economic activities affected by Cyclone Mocha: Bangladeshs energy ministry called for patience and said power supply will be restored when weather conditions improve. The government has also asked farmers to harvest their rice crop immediately, and suspended public exams for two million students scheduled for Sunday and Monday.



- South-bound river transport in Bangladesh has been suspended, said Saiful Islam, a director of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority

- Bangladeshs key seaport in Chattogram was closed on Friday night, according to Omar Faruk, secretary of the port authority

- Domestic flights to Myanmars Rakhine state have been suspended since Friday, and bus lines have canceled their routes there


Ministers and officials pose for a family photo during the G7 Health Ministers' Meeting in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, May 13. EPA-Yonhap



Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries are set to discuss concern about China's use of "economic coercion" in its dealings abroad as part of their larger joint statement next week, according to a U.S. official familiar with the discussions.



The statement, a likely component of the overall communique that will be released by leaders during the May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, is expected to be paired with a broader written proposal on how the seven advanced economies will work together to counter "economic coercion" from any country.



The main G7 statement is set to include "a section specific to China" with a list of concerns that include "economic coercion and other behavior that we have seen specifically from the [People's Republic of China]," the official said on Friday.



A separate "economic security statement will speak more to tools" used to counter coercive efforts from any countries responsible, including planning and coordination, the person said. In each case, the statements are to expected go further than prior statements by the G7.



U.S. President Joe Biden has made China a focus of his foreign policy, working to keep the tense and competitive relationship from veering into one of open conflict, including over self-ruled Taiwan.



The G7, which also includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, is closely tied economically to China, the world's biggest exporter and a key market for many of the seven countries' companies.



Last month, China called a statement by the G7 foreign ministers that touched on similar topics "full of arrogance, prejudice against China," and lodged complaints with this year's G7 host, Japan.



Under Biden's predecessor, President Donald Trump, G7 statements often offered only a cursory mention of issues involving China. The Biden administration has pushed for more direct statements.



The joint statement issued by all the G7 leaders every year is intended to signal that the powerful countries are aligned on a range of political and economic issues.



G7 members will also hold out the prospect of further cooperation with China on areas like climate.



"We're not for decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economy, we are for de-risking, we are for diversifying," said the U.S. official. "That principle is very unifying."



Negotiations over the precise language of the leaders' joint declarations are still subject to diplomacy and adjustment before they are released during summit.





Police officers go up the station stairs depicting the logo of the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, in Niigata, Japan, May 10. AP-Yonhap
In 2022, the EU imported Euro 482 billion worth of high-tech products from extra-EU countries (+22 per cent compared with 2021), according to an estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Exports to these countries reached Euro 446 billion (+16 per cent compared with 2021).

In 2022, over half of the EU's high-tech imports from non-EU countries came from China (38 per cent; Euro 183 billion) and the United States (19 per cent; Euro91 billion), with other top partners being Switzerland (six per cent; Euro 30 billion), Taiwan (five per cent; Euro 23 billion) and the United Kingdom and Vietnam (each four per cent; EUR20 and EUR18 billion, respectively).

The most significant category of high-tech products imported from non-EU countries was electronics-telecommunications (Euro 202 billion).

For three of the top six high-tech import partners, the largest imported category was electronics-telecommunications: Vietnam (74 per cent of high-tech imports from Vietnam; Euro 13 billion), Taiwan (69 per cent; Euro 16 billion) and China (55 per cent; Euro 101 billion).

For Switzerland, the largest category was pharmacy (68 per cent of high-tech imports from Switzerland; Euro 20 billion). For the United States (35 per cent; Euro 32 billion) and the United Kingdom (28 per cent; Euro 6 billion), it was aerospace.

For high-tech exports to non-EU countries, the United States was the top trading partner in 2022 (26 per cent; Euro 118 billion), with China second (12 per cent; Euro 53 billion). These countries were followed by the United Kingdom (9%; EUR42 billion), Switzerland (six per cent; Euro 28 billion), Japan (four per cent; Euro19 billion) and Turkiye (three per cent; Euro 12 billion).

Also Read HCL Tech Q4 preview: Weak software segment to drag profit by 4-9% QoQ India's exports contract for first time in 2 years; imports moderate European investment tool worth $27 billion adopted in Greece this week European Union assures Ukraine of support as Zelensky visits Brussels UK, EU conclude new post-Brexit trade arrangement for Northern Ireland Afghanistan facing catastrophic food crisis, says World Bank report Kishida, counterparts from G-7 to issue statement on economic coercion Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude strikes Afghanistan's Kabul, NCS informs China, Russia increasing military collaboration, Japanese minister warns Shortage of beans drives up cost of even the cheapest cup of coffee

The most significant category of high-tech products exported to non-EU countries was pharmacy (Euro 145 billion).

Pharmacy was the largest exported category for three of the top six high-tech export partners: Japan (56 per cent of high-tech exports to Japan; Euro 11 billion), Switzerland (50 per cent; Euro 14 billion) and the United States (49 per cent; Euro 57 billion).

The largest category for China (38 per cent of high-tech exports to China; Euro 20 billion) and the United Kingdom (24 per cent; Euro 10 billion) was electronics-telecommunication. For Turkiye, it was aerospace (38 per cent; Euro 5 billion).
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory. Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognised borders. There has been speculation that Ukraine might try to capture areas in Russia proper and use them as bargaining chips in possible peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022 Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory. We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.



We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally definied legitimate borders, which are recognised internationally, Zelenskyy said.

The Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers and the European Union will ban Russian gas imports on routes where Moscow has cut supplies, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing officials involved in the negotiations. The decision, to be finalised by G7 leaders at a summit in Hiroshima starting on Friday, will prevent the resumption of Russian pipeline gas exports on routes to countries such as Poland and Germany, where Moscow cut off supplies last year, the newspaper said.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday asked Pakistan to arrange USD 8 billion in fresh loans to back the external debt repayments during the next seven months for the successful completion of the long-stalled ninth review bailout package, reported The Express Tribune.

IMF's demand comes despite receiving confirmation from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) further eroding chances for the revival of the USD 6.5 billion bailout package.

A staff-level accord to release a USD 1.1 billion tranche out of a USD 6.5 billion IMF package has been delayed since November, nearly 100 days since the last staff-level mission to Pakistan.

The IMF's demand to seek its approval on the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 has also not been met yet, further minimising the prospects of early completion of the pending 9th review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), according to the government sources, reported The Express Tribune.

Sources say that the IMF has raised the demand for additional financing from an earlier unmet condition of USD 6 billion to USD 8 billion to ensure debt repayments coming up for May-December 2023.

The lender has worked out the USD 8 billion needs by considering all projected inflows and outflows for this period, reported The Express Tribune.

Also Read Pakistan could default in the absence of IMF bailout loans, warns Moody's IMF board to consider approval of Sri Lanka's bailout package on March 20 Pakistan, IMF fail to reach common ground on $1.1 billion bailout loan IMF delegation to visit Pakistan next week for talks on review: Official SL to finalise negotiations with creditors before 1st review of IMF bailout Bangladesh and Myanmar order mass evacuations as cyclone Mocha nears Imran Khan blames Army chief for arrest, returns home after getting bail Appointing new Twitter CEO will allow me to focus on Tesla: Elon Musk Imran Khan pledges to maintain good relations with Pakistan Army Chief G7 finance leaders say greater economic uncertainty requires vigilance

Meanwhile, on Thursday Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan will not make tough decisions on the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) anymore.

While informally talking to the journalists, Ishaq Dar said that it is completely up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to sign a staff-level agreement or not.

He clarified that the government will not make tough decisions on IMF's demand anymore. "We have already implemented pre-conditions of the IMF but not anymore."

Sources have said that the IMF's focus is now more on ensuring that Pakistan does not default by arranging funds to the extent of external debt repayments. It is no longer emphasising increasing the extremely low foreign exchange reserves, reported The Express Tribune.

In a scheduled press conference on Thursday, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said Pakistan needed "significant additional financing" to successfully complete the ninth review. She said the economy was facing stagflation, had very large financing needs and had also been affected by a series of shocks, including severe flooding.
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) leading democracies are seeking to issue a separate statement with language opposing "economic coercion," with China in mind, said the officials familiar with the matter, as cited by Kyodo News.

According to the officials, the statement, if it is released following the conclusion of the G7 summit in Hiroshima on May 21, will emphasise the significance of strengthening supply chains for crucial industrial materials, such as semiconductors, and criticise using economic means in pursuit of political objectives, as per Kyodo News.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it is almost certain that the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, as well as the European Union, will mention the issue in their main communique. However, they intend to express their views in more detail in a separate document, according to Kyodo News.

At a time when many countries consider that some countries' foreign policy has evolved to include economic pressure against trading partners, the release of the envisaged appendix would signify a step further than earlier undertakings by the group.

In the weeks leading up to the summit, similar issues had dominated G7 ministerial meetings which were held under the presidency of Japan, including its three-day gathering of finance chiefs that concluded in Niigata on Saturday, Kyodo News reported.

The Group of Seven comprises the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.

Also Read Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in India on 2-day visit Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sacks 3rd minister in a month Japan rolls out new defence policy with focus on free and open Indo-Pacific Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in Kyiv for surprise visit Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida vow better Seoul-Tokyo ties following summit Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude strikes Afghanistan's Kabul, NCS informs China, Russia increasing military collaboration, Japanese minister warns Shortage of beans drives up cost of even the cheapest cup of coffee Biden's reelection pitch says he can govern well, face challenges with debt 1 dead as tornado hits south Texas near Gulf coast, dozens of homes damaged

Japan assumed the G7 Presidency in 2023. More than 10 ministerial meetings are scheduled to take place in Japan, and the G7 Summit will be held in Hiroshima.

On April 15-16, G7 Ministers' meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment will be held in Sapporo City. From April 16-18, the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held in Karuizawa, Nagano. On April 22-23, the G7 Kurashiki Labour and Employment Ministers' meeting will be held in Kurashiki City.

The G7 Agriculture Ministers' meeting will be held at Miyazaki City on April 22-23. The G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' meeting is scheduled to take place on April 29-30 at Takasaki City.

Meanwhile, G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting was held in Niigata from May 11 to 13.

The G7 Science and Technology Ministers' meeting will be held on May 12-14 in Sendai City. The dates for G7 Education Ministers' meeting are May 12-15.

Other important G7 meetings will be held all round year and the last, G7 Interior and Security Ministers' Meeting, is expected to take place on December 8-10 in Mito, Ibaraki.
The Islamabad police on Sunday said that 564 people have been detained for violence after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's arrest and more arrests are being made, Dawn reported. It said that government property worth Pakistani rupees (PKR) 25 crores was damaged during the violent protests.

Protests erupted in Pakistan after Imran Khan was arrested in Islamabad on May 9. PTI workers held protests in cities across the country, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Peshawar, and Mardan.

According to Islamabad police, the protesters burnt 12 vehicles and 34 motorcycles. Taking to its official Twitter handle, the Islamabad police said that armed protesters targeted Tarnool police station, Sangjani police station and Ramna police station. The police said 11 Frontier Corps personnel and 71 police officers were injured during the protests, Dawn reported.

Islamabad Police in a tweet said, "Government property worth Rs 25 crore was damaged during the violent protests. The protesters set ablaze 12 vehicles and 34 motorcycles, including the SP Industrial Area office. Armed protestors attacked Tarnool police station, Sangjani police station and Ramna police station. 11 FC personnel and 71 police officers and jawans were injured in the violent protests. 26 cases have been registered against the evil elements. Islamabad police detained 564 people involved in violence. More arrests are being made."

On Saturday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered authorities to arrest all culprits and attackers responsible for the vandalism and arson at the Jinnah House and military and civil installations within 72 hours, ARY News reported.

Shehbaz Sharif gave the instructions while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore. He said, "All the culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers involved in the vandalism should be arrested in the next 72 hours," ARY News reported.

Also Read Pakistan deploys troops to halt unrest from ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest Why are the police trying to arrest Imran Khan? All that you need to know My arrest part of London plan, says Imran; accuses govt of planning arrest Toshakhana case: What's behind the arrest drama at Imran Khan's residence Imran Khan to be presented at Police Lines Headquarters in H11 in Islamabad Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin day after Germany announces military package Nepali Sherpa Pasang becomes world's 2nd person to scale Everest 26 times As global recession looms, China unlikely to rescue economy again: Report Thailand counts votes in key election with opposition favoured to win Super cyclone Mocha makes landfall along Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts

He further said, "This is a critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens." Shehbaz Sharif said, "I am deeply disturbed by this situation, and I would like to request the chief minister to take immediate action."

Sharif said that he made it clear to Punjab's caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi that any act of sabotage is unacceptable and those behind wrongdoing will be arrested and brought to court for justice, as per the ARY News report.

He tweeted, "I have given law enforcement apparatus a target of 72 hours to arrest all those involved in facilitating, abetting and perpetrating the disgraceful incidents of arson, ransacking, sabotage & damaging public & private properties. All available resources including technological aid & intelligence are being deployed to chase down these elements. Bringing these people to justice is a test case for the government. Their cases will be tried by the anti-terrorism courts.


Freedom does not come easily. You have to snatch it. You have to sacrifice for it, the 70-year-old leader said in a speech broadcast on YouTube on Saturday night a day after he was released after the intervention of the Supreme Court. Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for freedom protests nationwide after his dramatic arrest on Tuesday triggered deadly protests across the South Asian nation.



I kept Pakistans flag high world over. Never has ISPR made such a statement. You should be ashamed of yourself. You have jumped into politics. Why dont you make a political party, Mr. Khan said in an hour-long maiden speech after the Islamabad High Court gave him blanket relief in all 145 cases registered against him. He called for supporters to hold protests at the end of your streets and villages across the country on Sunday evening for one hour starting at 5:30pm.



His remarks came in response to ISPR Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhrys statement in which he called Mr. Khan a hypocrite.

A triumphant Mr. Khan returned to his Zaman Park home in Lahore on Saturday after having locked himself in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises for hours for fear of re-arrest despite being granted bail on Friday. His remarks came in response to ISPR Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhrys statement in which he called Mr. Khan a hypocrite.

Also Read Pakistan deploys troops to halt unrest from ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest Why are the police trying to arrest Imran Khan? All that you need to know Toshakhana case: What's behind the arrest drama at Imran Khan's residence Firing on Imran Khan by four shooters from four sites, finds probe Imran Khan says PM Shehbaz Sharif will have to take trust vote: Report G7 and European Union plan to ban restart of Russian gas pipelines Tayyip Erdogan ahead in Turkey initial vote results, but gap to narrow Pak's former PM Imran Khan likely to appear before Lahore HC on Monday Anger and dissatisfaction among working population in China: Report Pakistan police detains over 500 people for violence after Imran's arrest


HaberTurk and other Turkish broadcasters said the results, given less than two hours after polling stations closed, were based on 9.1% of the ballot boxes counted. Preliminary results from Turkey's presidential election on Sunday showed Tayyip Erdogan ahead with 59.47% compared to opposition rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 34.79%, though pollsters expected the gap to narrow in the tight contest.



Pre-election polls had given the edge to Kilicdaroglu, who pledges to roll back much of Erdogan's two-decade legacy. The head of Turkey's High Election Board earlier lifted a publication ban and said to wait until it announces official tentative results later.



Erdogan, 69 and a veteran of a dozen election victories, says he respects democracy and denies being a dictator. Illustrating how the president still commands support, Mehmet Akif Kahraman, also voting in Istanbul, said Erdogan still represented the future even after two decades in power. I see these elections as a choice between democracy and dictatorship, said Ahmet Kalkan, 64, as he voted in Istanbul.
As Thailand prepares for elections on Sunday, young voters spearhead 'earth-shaking' calls for change in the military-dominated kingdom, reported CNN.

Voting is scheduled to begin at 8 am (01:00 GMT) on Sunday and will conclude at 5 pm (10:00 GMT). About 52 million voters will choose members of a new 500-seat House of Representatives for the next four years.

A total of 500 seats are up for grabs in the lower house of parliament - 400 are constituency seats with the remaining 100 seats distributed proportionately to each party's overall vote share. Some 70 parties are taking part in the contest.

The "lost generation" of young voters fired up by a yearning for change are keeping alive previously taboo topics, including the military's stranglehold on the levers of power - and even royal reform, reported CNN.

The May 14 poll is the first since youth-led mass pro-democracy protests in 2020 and only the second since a military coup in 2014 ousted an elected government, restoring a conservative clique that has pulled the strings in the kingdom's turbulent politics for decades.

While an old battleground has emerged between democratic allies and pro-military parties, at the heart of this year's election is a fight led by a young generation who want what they see as a better version of Thailand, reported CNN.

Also Read Thai navy ship sinks in Gulf of Thailand; rescue underway for sailors Stocks to Watch on May 12: Adani Total, RIL, TaMo, ONGC, Vedanta, Mankind US President Biden's TikTok, oil moves test the loyalty of young voters Thailand targets 2 million Indian tourists in 2023, same as pre-Covid High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Imran expresses anger over Pak army's interference; asks to form own party Turkey set to vote in presidential, parliamentary elections today Excited to transform platform, says Twitter's new CEO Linda Yaccarino Musk marks TikTok as 'extremely destructive' after finding ill effects IMF asks cash-strapped Pak to arrange $8 bn for successful bailout review

Two parties - populist Pheu Thai and progressive Move Forward - are leading the polls, with both campaignings to remove the military from politics.

The opposition Pheu Thai is aiming for a landslide. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, is one of the party's three prime ministerial candidates and the latest member of a controversial political dynasty to contest.

The election will be the latest bout in a long-running battle between parties backed by a royalist-military establishment and a progressive, pro-business opposition with a track record of wooing working-class voters and winning every election in the past two decades.

Pheu Thai, a party linked to the self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, has a big lead in opinion polls as it did in previous elections, followed by another opposition party, Move Forward, which is seeking to mobilise youth voters.

Prayuth Chan-ocha, who first came to power in a coup in 2014, is one of Thailand's longest-serving prime ministers.

He is seeking re-election again, though constitutional term limits mean he can only remain in the top job for two more years.

But the 69-year-old's United Thai Nation party is trailing in the polls, coming in at a distant third in opinion surveys, behind the main opposition Pheu Thai and the youth-led Move Forward Party, reported Al Jazeera.

It is pledging deep structural reforms to how Thailand is run: changes to the military, the economy, the decentralization of power and even reforms to the previously untouchable monarchy.

"That is earth-shaking in Thailand as [the monarchy] is a taboo subject," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University.

"That's why this election is unlike any other. That's why this election is the most important in Thai elections. Because it's moving the agenda, it's moving the frontier to next stage... to the core of Thailand's problems," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Berlin, Germany, for the first time since Russia started its special military operation in February 2022.

Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, "Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security."

His visit comes a day after Germany announced military aid to Ukraine since the war began.

He also thanked Germany for the military aid. "I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. German air defence systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" Zelenskyy said in another tweet.

Even in Berlin, Zelenkyy, while speaking to reporters, said, "I want to emphasize that Germany needs help [in] its defence, defence of life, protection of lives of our people in cities and villages everywhere, which helps to protect lives, in particular your defence system," reported CNN.

"Germany leadership can make the world safer, the more cooperation will have among us for the peace, the more Germany will become a leader in the protection of the peace, the more stability we will have in international relations," he further added.

Also Read Ukrainian President Zelensky meets Canadian FM on defence cooperation This will be the year of our victory: Zelensky on Russia war anniversary BCCI to sell digital, TV rights for bilateral series separately: Report Twitter removes 'government-funded' news labels from all media accounts Zelenskyy accuses Russia of 'crimes against humanity' in UN speech Nepali Sherpa Pasang becomes world's 2nd person to scale Everest 26 times As global recession looms, China unlikely to rescue economy again: Report Thailand counts votes in key election with opposition favoured to win Cyclone Mocha makes landfall along Bangladesh, Myanmar coasts Cyclone Mocha starts hitting Bangladesh, Myanmar coasts after intensifiying

According to CNN, the Ukrainian president on his Telegram channel said, "First visit to Germany since the beginning of Russian full-scale aggression."

"We discussed the current situation and the intensive cooperation between Germany and Ukraine. Germany will continue to support Ukraine politically, militarily and financially for as long as it is necessary," he continued.

Earlier, Saturday, Germany announced that it would supply Ukraine with an aid package worth nearly USD 3 billion to strengthen the country's defence, marking Berlin's largest pledge in military aid since the start of the war, reported CNN.

The German Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the package may include a variety of military hardware, including armoured personnel carriers, 30 Leopard tanks, reconnaissance drones and ammunition.

"With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are once again showing that Germany is serious about its support," CNN quoted Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius saying.

"We all wish for a speedy end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is contrary to international law. Unfortunately, this is not yet in sight. Germany will therefore provide all the help it can - as long as it takes," Pistorius added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin early Sunday for talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

On the eve of his arrival which took place amid tight security the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine with aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Zelenskyy tweeted Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

After meeting Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Also Read German police conduct countrywide raids, arrests 25 to avert coup: Report Hockey World Cup final, Germany vs Belgium: Germans out to stop Red Lions Zelenskyy says war with Russia ends with Ukraine's sovereignty restored Germany busts plot to put ex-royal back in power, detains 25 people US, Germany in 'lockstep' on Russia Ukraine war: Joe Biden and Olaf Scholz EU imports high-tech products worth euro 482 bn from extra-EU nations Afghanistan facing catastrophic food crisis, says World Bank report Kishida, counterparts from G-7 to issue statement on economic coercion Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude strikes Afghanistan's Kabul, NCS informs China, Russia increasing military collaboration, Japanese minister warns

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russia's invasion is a defense "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.
Ukrainian servicemen fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, May 12. Reuters-Yonhap



Russian news outlet Kommersant said two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters had been shot down on Saturday close to the Ukrainian border, in what would be a spectacular coup for Kyiv if confirmed.



Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been "shot down almost simultaneously" in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine.



"According to preliminary data ... the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up - among other things to pick up the 'Su' crews if they were shot down."



The Russian state news agency TASS said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause.



TASS also cited an emergency services official as saying an engine fire in a helicopter had caused it to crash near Klintsy, which is about 40 km (25 miles) from the border.



It made no mention of the Su-35, or of a second helicopter.



A video posted on the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel showed a helicopter high in the sky suffering an explosion, being thrown off course and then plunging towards the ground in flames.



Comments accompanying the video, which Reuters could not immediately verify, said it showed a Mi-8 being shot down by a missile. Other images posted by the channel showed wreckage in an agricultural field.



Kommersant provided no evidence for its report that four aircraft had been downed, but the same assertion was also made by several heavily followed pro-war military bloggers.





Smoke rises on the site of a helicopter crash in the town of Klintsy in the Bryansk Region, Russia, in this still image taken from video released May 13. Reuters-Yonhap
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, has published the FTII Recruitment 2023 Notification on their official website, www.ftii.ac.in. Candidates can apply online for different openings offered by the FTII Recruitment 2023 for 84 vacancies. The FTII Recruitment 2023 application period begins on April 29, 2023. The deadline to apply is May 29th, 2023.

Overview

Conducting Authority Film and Television Institute of India

Post Various Posts for Group B and Group C

Vacancies 84

Job Location Pune

Mode of Application Online

FTII Recruitment 2023 Application Process 29th April 2023

Official Website ftii.ac.in

How to Apply?

To begin, you must visit the official website

You must then navigate to the vacancy area after reaching the home page.

You must then click on the link relating to FTII Vacancy 2023.

Candidates must now fill out all of the essential information and upload the required documents.

Finally, follow the steps under Steps to Apply Online For FTII Bharti 2023 to pay the application cost.

Also, print a copy of the FTII Vacancy 2023 application form for future reference.

Application Fees

UR/OBC/EWS1000/-

Eligibility

In terms of educational requirements, you must have a class 10th, 12th, ITI Diploma or Degree, or equivalent qualification from a recognised board or institution, according to FTII Bharti 2023 Educational Information and Experience.

Selection Procedure
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands after a joint press conference following their meeting on Sunday at the Chancellery in Berlin. AFP-Yonhap

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called Germany a "true friend" in his country's battle against Russia, as Berlin pledged unwavering support for Kyiv ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive.



Berlin unveiled a new military package for Kyiv worth 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), its biggest yet for Ukraine, just before Zelensky's first visit to Germany since Russia's invasion.



"In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values," Zelensky wrote in the guestbook at the German president's official residence.



He also thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "powerful support" in the form of the armaments package, saying "everything in this security package will significantly strengthen our defense."



"Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible," he said.



Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.



Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become the second-biggest contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems to the country, after the United States.



Scholz on Sunday reiterated Berlin's firm backing, telling Zelensky directly: "We will support you for as long as it is necessary."



Zelensky said he would urge Scholz to support Ukraine's bid for fighter jet deliveries, though he did not specify if he was seeking aircraft directly from Germany.



Together with Scholz, Zelensky will head later Sunday to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize  an honor awarded for efforts to foster European unity.



European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are also due to attend the ceremony in Aachen  giving Zelensky the opportunity for direct talks ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik on Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan.



'Historical shame'



Zelensky's visit to Germany followed talks in Rome on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, and rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Berlin.



Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky.



Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country.



Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine.



In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armored combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones.



Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame."



As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital.



High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, and the medium-range Iris-T missile defense system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes.



On the front line, Russia said Sunday that two of its military commanders had been killed in combat near the flashpoint town of Bakhmut.



In a rare announcement of losses on the battlefield, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement that the commander of the 4th motorized rifle brigade, Vyacheslav Makarov, and Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of the Army Corps for military-political work, had been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine.



The head of Russia's private Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin again accused the Russian army of inaction around Bakhmut.



In a post published by his press service, Prigozhin said the "airborne forces" of not backing his men as claimed by the defense ministry.



"I didn't see them... I don't know where they are and who they are helping," he charged.



Elsewhere, Moscow said Russian forces had struck Western arm depots and Ukrainian troops in the western city of Ternopil and the eastern town of Petropavlivka. (AFP)


A BULAWAYO magistrate has issued a warrant of arrest to a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) who defaulted court last Tuesday to answer to charges of malicious damage to property.

Ms Nomagugu Maphosa issued the warrant of arrest to Imagine Chisiyiwa (23) whose rank was not given in court, who is stationed at Induna Barracks on the outskirts of Bulawayo.

According to the State, allegations are that on 25 March this year at about 1am at a Chicken Inn outlet at the corner of Jason Moyo Street and 8th Avenue in Bulawayo, Chisiyiwa vomited at the fast food outlet seating place and was told to clean the mess by one of the staff members. A misunderstanding ensued and the accused followed one of the staff members to the managers office intending to assault him.

Chisiyiwa then allegedly damaged the screen gate by forcibly pulling it using his hands causing it to fall down. He was arrested and taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station before being sent to court. He was initially remanded out of custody to 9 May, but failed to appear in court on the said date leading to the issuance of the warrant of arrest. The total value of the property damaged is yet to be ascertained. Sunday News
Tragedy led Reagan actress Jennifer ONeill to share Christ more intentionally with her children

Actress Jennifer ONeill, who plays the mother of former President Ronald Reagan in an upcoming biopic, says a recent personal tragedy and studying her character made her want to share her Christian faith with her family more.

O'Neill is slated to play Nelle Reagan in the biopic "Reagan," which will premiere in theaters later this year. Although it's not a Christian film, Reagan's faith features throughout the movie.

Any mother would be proud. She truly shaped, I believe, who he was, ONeill told The Christian Post. Who he was and how he acted, what he achieved speaks for itself. He was always very, very close to his mom.

The actress said while the film doesn't delve much into the impact of Reagans mother, her faith was what shaped him despite his difficult upbringing.

He had that foundation imprinted on him from an early age, not coming from an easy family. And yet, he came out of it with a caliber that very few men carry in history, and I think much of that had to do with her influence, ONeill said.

ONeill spent many of her Hollywood years not having a personal faith in Christ and wasn't raised in a religious home.

You can't give what you don't have, she explained, addressing why her parents didnt share faith with her and why she couldn't share the hope of Jesus sooner with her older children.

The Brazilian native was first married at age 17, and had three children and nine marriages with eight different men. She now has grandchildren and makes it her duty to share her faith with the next generation.

While she did not raise her older children in Christ, the recent loss of one of her grandchildren has compelled her to be more vocal about God's truth with her family.

I lost one of my grandsons almost a year ago in an accident. He dove into a shallow pool and died, ONeill revealed, taking comfort in knowing that her 21-year-old grandson donated his organs to many people following his death.

ONeills third child, Cooper, is in ministry. While he was exposed to her faith, she's unsure if her other children have embraced Christianity.

As a mom, you know in your heart, and you worry about where they're going to be for eternity. I have a drive, a need, especially in a time such as we're living, for those unsaved, she told CP. That's where I get all the way around the mulberry bush back to what I started to talk about where my grandson, as far as I know, was not a believer."

I have had, especially in the last year, a very driving desire to make sure that my perhaps unsaved children or family or ones I love close to me know the truth about who Jesus is, what He did for us.

Despite any resistance, the entertainer is now using her influence to share God with her loved ones, saying that she has felt a need "to state simply but clearly to my other grandsons, granddaughter, and other family members how I believe. And in doing so, perhaps, state the truth of the Gospel. And then it's up to the Holy Spirit to convict each one's soul."

ONeill said she encourages others not to shy away from sharing the hope of Christ with the world.

If you simply say what Jesus has done for you, how God has changed your life, that's the testimony, she said. It doesn't have to go beyond that, and you don't have to close the deal. Share Christ in a very loving way. I think that we all have to be so much more bold. We are losing everything.

Reagan, for instance, stood for what my father fought for. Nonetheless, everything that our heroes have fought and died for in this country is just slipping through our fingers. We have to be bold for eternity, and what's going on now is not pleasing to God. So it's not a political side; it's taking a heart side."



Along with being an example herself, ONeill has started an organization called Glitter Girls to help the next generation.



"It all starts at home, but I think we have so much confusion in our own lives that it's hard to give something that you don't have, she added.

That was the beauty of this Nelle individual, mother of Reagan, who was so staunch in her own faith and taught and believed and stayed around even though she had an abusive, alcoholic husband, and Reagan grew up with that. She was able to instill that.



Despite whats happening in the world, ONeill encouraged believers to keep their faith because God is bigger.

The monster in the room, its big but so are we. We serve a big God! We don't have to do it alone, ONeill said. God says, Don't grow weary doing good. This is when we grow weary, worn out and almost give up when just the details of life get in front of us, but the central issue of life is lost and lost on our children, even if we have them, let alone all the 60 million we've aborted in this country and will pay for.

She ended with a quote Reagans mother told the 40th president throughout his life: Listen to that small, quiet voice that will lead you.

Its the Holy Spirit, and that's true for all of us," ONeill said. "That we need to not carry it on our own shoulders. It's all too big for us. But be diligent about putting it down and not picking it up at the foot of the cross.
Travel: Postcard from Kanab, Utah

Kanab is one of the best-kept secrets anywhere in the West.

This quaint small town (population 4,692) and seat of surrounding Kane County feels like a Utah version of Mayberry, the fictional setting of The Andy Griffith Show.

Center Street, which serves as Kanabs main street, is lined with the kind of locally owned shops and galleries that have all but disappeared in similarly sized towns and cities with the development of hideous strip malls and big-box stores. Theres even a drug store with an old-school soda fountain.

On each side of the street are commemorative markers featuring the names and photos of stars from the golden age of Hollywood, when dozens of Western films were produced in and around this part of southern Utah. And this being the Beehive State, the local church belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as Mormons prefer to call themselves, occupies a prominent spot that elsewhere might be the location of the county courthouse or a post office built during the New Deal era.

As charming as Kanab is, I imagine the vast majority of visitors come for adventure and discovery in the landscape of high desert and mountains.

Three of the countrys most-visited national parks  Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon  are within a hundred miles. The gigantic man-made Lake Powell within Glen Canyon on the Colorado River is an hour away. Closer to Kanab are four national monuments, two state parks and endless stretches of public land with vistas rivaling what can be seen in the ridiculously overcrowded national parks. Put another away, you wont run out of room to roam.

Dominating much of those vistas are odd and colorful rock formations that look almost too beautiful to be real.

The most spectacular is probably White Pocket.

Located just across Utahs border with Arizona in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, the formation features a highly photogenic terrain that admittedly looks otherworldly. While getting there is hardly easy, those who make the long trek into the basically unpopulated wilderness can have it to themselves as the number of visitors seldom gets above low double-digits.

If you go

Visiting Kanab requires a car, as the closest major airport is about three hours away in Las Vegas.

While a high-clearance SUV with four-wheel drive is needed for anything involving sand or trails, the major rental car companies almost always limit driving to marked and maintained roadways. Instead of risking an expensive off-road recovery, book a tour with an experienced guide.

I recommend the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Great Chamber half-day tour from Roam Outdoor and Dreamlands all-day White Pocket excursion. Roam also offers off-road Jeep rentals starting at $299 for 10 hours.

Beyond all things outdoors, visitors with an interest in Kanabs local history, dating back to Latter-day Saint pioneers in the 1800s, should check out the Heritage House Museum and Kanab Museum.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites has a great location within walking distance of everything downtown. For a non-chain experience, I recommend the Canyons Boutique Hotel.

Eat at Rocking V Cafe, Sego Restaurant and Wild Thyme Cafe.

Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
First Mother's Day post-Roe, adoption group honors birth moms and their sacrifice

An adoption ministry is celebrating mothers who selflessly chose to place their children in the care of another as the nation prepares to mark the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

On Saturday, Lifeline Childrens Services hosted a Birth Mothers Day event to honor women who chose adoption for their children. The organization helps women create an adoption plan and connects them with resources that assist with their housing or financial needs. Lifeline also counsels women before and after the adoption placement, providing them with an advocate to guide them through each step of their journey.

In a pro-life community that believes that life does begin and is sacred at conception, it's vital that we recognize that women who have placed their children for adoption, and women who have found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy, are mothers from the very beginning of conception, Lifeline President Herbie Newell told The Christian Post. And we need to celebrate that motherhood, even if that mother chose to place her child in the arms of another.

In the wake of the Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Services, which allows each state to make its own laws regulating abortion, Newell and his team believe its important to uplift birth moms. While he acknowledged the data is circumstantial, the ministry leader said that Lifeline has seen about a 10% to 15% increase in adoption placements and around a 25% increase in the number of women calling about adoption services since Roe fell.

In this post-Roe world, this is 100% a pro-life response to say that we believe both the mom and the baby are made in the image of God, the Lifeline president continued. And we believe that life begins at conception, and we are going to honor those women who make those courageous decisions for life.

He compared adoption to the story of King Solomon and the two mothers, as described in 1 Kings 3:16-28. One womans son had died, so she claimed the other womans child was hers.

When they appeared before King Solomon, he offered to split the baby in half with a sword, prompting the childs real mother to offer to let the other woman have her child if it would spare her son from harm. The womans willingness to part with her son instead of allowing him to be killed proved to King Solomon that she was the boys real mother.

That shows the heart of a mom, which says, Im willing to set aside my interests. Im willing to set aside my desires, my hopes and dreams, to do what is best for my child, Newell said. And thats the love we want to celebrate when women choose adoption. Theyre putting their desires aside; theyre putting nine months of their life on hold in order to give the very best life for that baby.

The Lifeline president told CP that the organization began celebrating Birth Mothers Day the Saturday before Mothers Day back in 2005 as a response to their ongoing ministry for women who chose adoption, which Newell described as a form of brave, selfless love.

The first Birth Mothers Day celebration, however, occurred on May 12, 1990, in Seattle, Washington. It consisted of a group of birth moms who gathered the day before Mothers Day to honor their decision to place their child with an adoptive family.

Newell commended mothers who choose to place their child in a loving home where they can receive the care the woman is unable to provide, a sacrifice that Birth Mothers Day commemorates.

As part of Birth Mothers Day, we recognize the tremendous self-sacrifice that these women have made, Newell said. We recognize the marks of motherhood that they experience and the importance of the marks of motherhood. And we give them an opportunity to connect with other women who have also experienced adoption or shared experiences.

According to Newell, at least 100 women from all over the country are expected to attend this year's event. To raise money for the Birth Mothers Day celebration, Lifeline promotes the event to its major donors at the beginning of the year.

We're going to take some opportunity just to celebrate the decisions that have been made, but also recognize the difficult and the hard choices, and to pray for the children that are represented in the room, Newell said.

During Saturdays gathering, Lifeline will invite attendees to engage in a worship celebration to honor the Lord and the gift of life. Attendees will also have an opportunity to break into circles and affirm one another, and each woman receives a charm bracelet as a reminder of how special they are and why they were celebrated. For women who have lost children, there will be a chance for them to light a candle in their memory.

Were celebrating the motherhood of these women and really caring for them, Newell said.
Christians who change faith traditions are more Scripture engaged than those who dont: study Converts to Evangelical Protestantism have highest 'Scripture engagement'

Christians who change Christian faith traditions tend to have a higher level of Scripture engagement than those who do not, according to a recent study by the American Bible Study.

ABS released the second chapter of their "State of the Bible USA 2023" report on Thursday, examing respondents religious denominations and how they differ or align with their mother.

The study has a Scripture Engagement Scale, which determines an individuals level of Scripture engagement based on responses to a series of 14 questions. Those who scored 100 or higher were labeled "Scripture Engaged," which included the subcategories of "Bible Centered" and "Bible Engaged." Those who scored 70-99 were in the "Movable Middle" category, which included the "Bible Friendly" and "Bible Neutral" subcategories. Finally, those who scored 70 or lower were labeled "Bible Disengaged."

A gap exists in the Scripture Engagement scores of converts to the mainline Protestant faith (88) and lifelong mainline Protestants (81). Smaller differences in Scripture Engagement scores exist among lifelong and converts to historically black Protestant churches (88 versus 91) as well as Catholics (74 versus 77).

Those who changed faith traditions are more likely to believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the pictures it presents (64%) than those who have stayed with the same faith tradition (47%).

The share of those who have changed denominations who believe that their religious faith is very important (75%) was higher than the percentage of those who have remained with the same denomination that said the same (68%). Similarly, 75% of converts to a different denomination were curious to know more about who Jesus Christ is compared to 64% of those who have stayed with the same denomination.

The data contained in the report is based on the responses of 2,761 adults across the 50 states to a survey conducted from Jan. 5-30. It has a margin of error of +/-2.59 percentage points.

Faith is active. Our research suggests that when people seek God, they find him. Part of finding God is developing a life-giving engagement with Scripture, said ABS Chief Ministry Insights and Innovation Officer John Farquhar Plake in a statement shared with CP.

We found that on average, Americans who engage in a spiritual quest, who grapple with their faith, become spiritually healthier and more Bible-engaged. This can be seen in a detectable and consistent improvement among people who changed Christian faith traditions.

The survey found that 61% of respondents subscribe to the same faith tradition that their mother held. That figure rises to 68% among those who classify their religious faith as other Christian, 63% among respondents who describe their faith as atheist/agnostic/none and 62% among self-described Protestants, while dropping to 57% among Catholics.

All three groups of Christians examined in the survey have lost about one-fifth of their adherents to the atheist/agnostic/none category, with 21% of Catholics and other Christians completely abandoning the faith, along with 19% of Protestants. Looking at Christians who switched from one denomination to another reveals more movement in favor of the other Christian category than the other two. Fourteen percent of cradle Catholics now call themselves other Christians, as do 11% of respondents who grew up Protestant.

By contrast, just 3% of those raised as other Christians and 6% of those raised by Catholics are now Protestant, while 4% of respondents with a Protestant mother and 3% of respondents with a mother categorized as an other Christian are now Catholic. Fifteen percent of those raised in atheist/agnostic/none households are now other Christians. Ten percent have become Protestant, while 7% have converted to Catholicism.

Additionally, the report found that those who now subscribe to a different denomination than the one they grew up with score higher on the Scripture Engagement Scale than those who have remained with the same faith throughout their whole life. Converts to Evangelical Protestantism have a Scripture Engagement score of 95 compared to a score of 93 among those who have remained Evangelical Protestant throughout their lifetime.

This difference also pans out when it comes to the level of curiosity about what the Bible says, with 78% of converts expressing such an interest as opposed to 66% of non-converts.
This week in Christian history: Pope elected, radical German preacher captured, Adventist leader born

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance.

Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths.

Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while others might be previously unknown by most people.

The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history. They include the election of Pope Gregory XIII, the capture of a radical German preacher, and the birth of a prominent Adventist movement leader.

1

2

3

4

Next
Celebrating womanhood: 4 ways to a fruitful and fulfilling living

Tragically in todays society, we are surrounded by millions of women who are frustrated trying to find help. Many turn to social media and programs like The View in search of solutions to their mixed-up lives.



Since the departure and death of icon Barbara Walters (who launched the show), the mantle for moderator went to the multi-gifted and extremely opinionated Whoopi Goldberg. She often leads the pack on the panel to tell her fawning audience advice on numerous subjects and actually is quite transparent about her life!

Whoopi provides full disclosure in sharing that shes blown through three marriages, six abortions and recently wrote a book on marriage and relationships. The self-help book is entitled, If Someone Says You Complete MeRUN!



Gods masterplan



The Bible describes feminine beauty and strength not in terms of free-for-all sexual activity or masculine aggressiveness but by inward character. A woman is clothed with strength and dignity (Prv. 31:25) because she possesses not a weak but meek and quiet spirit which is of great worth in Gods sight (1 Pet.3:4). Meekness is not weakness, but rather a strength under control, and a quiet spirit means an inner peace amidst outward turbulence.



Scripture heralds the high calling of womanhood, giving our female friends and family value and an honorable place in society. At the same time, it celebrates clear distinctions between male and female and teaches equal worth but different function.



Jesus demonstrated love and respect for women in a culture where women were considered inferior and often downplayed. He taught women and even had some travel with Him and His disciples (Luke 8:13). He ordained women to be first at the cradle, last at His cross, and first at the crypt of His Resurrection! Jesus lifted them up and demonstrated the equality and worth of every womans personhood.



Four areas to find security and significance



There are three basic needs that we all have: significance, relationship, and transcendence. Gods plan is to fulfill all of these as we turn away from self-centered, selfish living to one characterized by service and ministry to others that can put women on a pathway to purpose, peace, and prosperity.

1. Ministry of prayer



His mother Mary and His devoted friend Mary of Bethany both modeled the priority of communion with God and cultivating a strong relationship with Him. The worlds counterfeit is transcendental meditation or wine-sipping escapism but when women pursue this one thing they benefit in numerous ways that pay rich dividends on a daily basis.



2. Ministry of creative expression

When King Lemuel (his name means belonging to God) asked his mother what he should look for in a woman, she ran through an amazing list of character qualities and meaningful activities (Prv. 31:10-31). Discovering divine order, Christian women discover and demonstrate the many-faceted aspects of womanhood.



Edith Schaeffer, the wife of one of the premier Christian thinkers of the 20th century, Francis Schaeffer, aptly stated in her book, The Hidden Heart of Homemaking, how women can learn to see all of lifes routine tasks  cooking, interior designing, etc. as opportunities for divinely inspired excellence and creativity.

As my wife invested herself in our family and home, people would sometimes ask cynically, What the heck do you do all day? I prepared a calling card for her as our Household Executive with her name and 3 descriptive bullets:

Family Management

Spousal Consultation

Childhood Development

3. Ministry of a wife and mother



Against the backdrop of a secular culture, often ridiculing homemakers to exult the pursuit of outside-the-home careers, many women are discovering another alternative of unselfishly investing in their offspring with a long-term vision. Before she died, Betty Friedan, grandmother of the Feminist movement, admitted, The superwoman concept is not working!



Amidst global warming activists pooh-poohing having children, ponder where wed be without Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (who was 10th in his family) or our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, who declared, All that I am, and all that I shall be, I owe to my mother.



Sarah Edwards, the wife of Jonathan Edwards (who led our First Great Awakening), left a legacy of 100 lawyers, 30 judges, 66 physicians, 3 governors, a U.S. Senator plus a Vice-President of the United States!



While we pay tribute to the sacrificial example of scores of single moms today, lets honor women who unite with husbands taking a step of faith in lowering their standard of living to improve their familys quality of life for now and future generations.



Watch at the end of the "Big George Foreman" Christian-oriented film now in theaters when it mentions their 12 children and how God phenomenally provided for them.



4. Ministry of a single woman



In honoring womanhood, may we never minimize but rather magnify the tremendous role single women can play in our lives. On a personal level, our precious daughter is an inspiration to multitudes in her adventurous God-centered lifestyle while being best of friends with my wonderful wife of 47 years.



Contrary to the image of self-centered, sex-starved, seductive bachelorettes portrayed in the media, there is a generation being groomed by God to demonstrate Christ-centered character and passion for living provoking the world to jealousy by the quality of life they live.



These single women speak out courageously on cultural issues; lead in ministries protecting the unborn, the poor, and victims of sex trafficking; run for political office; emerge in influential positions of media; evangelize and communicate Gods Word uncompromisingly; minister in prophetic worship and creative realms of music, writing and dramatic arts and hospitality; mentor younger girls; and on, and on and on.



Jesus was single and He ordained a wide sphere of valuable and indispensable ministries for women in every season of life. Hes calling forth and challenging young women everywhere to rise up like Esther, discover their destiny, use their gifts, and make a difference in their generation.



Heres the deal: Albert Schweitzer, world-famous theologian and physician, once said, I dont know what your destiny will be; but one thing I know, the ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. As the spotlight rightly turns at this time to honor women, making a righteous impact in troublesome times, lets do so enthusiastically while we also pray for multitudes of women who are still walking in darkness and need to hear the transformative message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy Mothers Day!
Motherhood out of order: Women rally for abortion on eve of Mother's Day

In his book, Laugh Again, Charles Swindoll tells this fabulous story about a three-year-old, freckled-face boy in a hallway. The little guy's pajamas are unsnapped, his diaper sagging, and he has a little teddy bear dangling from his hand. He's standing in front of his parent's bedroom door, which is closed. On the door is a sign written by a weary mother: "Closed for Business. Motherhood Out of Order."

That brings a chuckle because every mother sometimes feels that way. However, when motherhood truly closes for business and is out of order, it's not a laughing matter. It's a travesty.

If you want to contemplate what "Motherhood Out of Order" looks like, consider something happening in Raleigh on Mother's Day Weekend this year.

Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that lowers the limit for elective abortions in the state from 20 to 12 weeks. It includes exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother's life.

Because North Carolina's current restrictions on abortion are more lenient than most Southern states, the Tar Heel state has become a destination point for abortion. Yet the legislative proposal by North Carolina lawmakers that bans abortion after the first trimester is still less rigid than certain neighboring states, which prohibit abortions at six weeks or when an unborn child's heartbeat can be detected.

Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has been traveling the state and trying to drum up support for his expected veto of the legislation. Supported by groups like Planned Parenthood and the Democratic Socialist of America, Cooper tweeted that he would hold a rally on the Bicentennial Mall in Raleigh to veto the bill and encourage legislators to sustain his veto.

Now pause and think carefully for a minute. Hundreds of women, many of which, possibly most, have had an abortion, gathered together to rally around the Governor's veto for killing unborn babies on the eve of Mother's Day.

If this isn't a picture of "Motherhood Out of Order," I don't know what is. It is a sign of our spiritually decadent culture. If it is true the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, then without a wholesale change of heart about the incomparable meaning and joy of motherhood, our society is facing an inevitable collapse from within.

Hyperbole? I think not.

In describing the marks of the last days before Christ's return, the apostle Paul used a phrase in his second epistle to Timothy, where he writes:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, [author's emphasis] trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

Note the phrase "without natural affection." This expression describes a callousness or coldness towards one's relatives, including parents, siblings, and children. It suggests disregarding the natural bonds of kinship and failing to fulfill the basic obligations of love and care to one's family.

It's natural for a mother to want to draw her baby to her breast to nurture and nourish it. The physical contact experienced is the way mothers bond with their babies. Skin-to-skin contact provides warmth and comfort to the child. It helps regulate the baby's breathing, body temperature, and heart rate. It's also been shown to promote better sleep and calmer babies.

Mothers naturally want to hold their babies close and cuddle with them. Cuddling releases hormones like oxytocin, which promotes bonding and attachment between mother and baby.

When babies cry, mothers naturally want to comfort and soothe them. They will use various methods to calm their little one down, such as rocking, singing, and shushing.

It's entirely natural for a mother to gaze lovingly into her baby's eyes, smiling and speaking baby talk as they respond. This exchange is an essential aspect of the social and emotional development of the child.

It's natural for a mother to be tuned to her baby's cues. Whether changing a diaper, feeding, or comforting, mothers characteristically demonstrate a natural instinct for responding to their baby's cues.

It's natural for mothers to often kiss and hug their babies as a way of showing affection. Hugs and kisses release feel-good hormones, promoting an essential attachment between the mother and the baby.

What isn't natural is for a mother to kill her baby. Abortion is to be "without natural affection."

No doubt, this is why a 2018 literature review found abortion negatively impacts women's mental and emotional health. The study found:

"The association between abortion and higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, traumatic symptoms, sleep disorders, and other negative outcomes is statistically significant in most analyses."

According to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, the most common reason women seek an abortion is they say they can't financially support a child. Other reasons included concerns about how a child would negatively impact their life's goals, feeling unprepared for parenting, and feeling they have completed their childbearing.

These may be considered legitimate reasons for an abortion, but for each one, there is a better alternative than the purposeful taking of an innocent, helpless human life.

When we trust God, he always provides for what he orders. Abortion is not a natural choice but an unnatural one. Abortion is to be "without natural affection."

Mothers rallying in protest and cheering for the death of children on the eve of Mother's Day? That's a prime example of "Motherhood Out of Order."
How a South African orphan's faith in God gave him the strength to graduate from medical school

When Covid-19 interfered with the graduation ceremonies of University of the Witwatersrand's prestigious medical school in December 2021, Sithembiso Madlala took the change of plans in stride. Madlala had come too far in his journey from a neglected child in a rural township to a graduate from one of South Africa's top schools to let a cancelled trip across the stage dampen his spirits.

Madlala's story reads like a fairy tale or an improbable feel-good movie about a boy who worked hard to rise above his difficult circumstances. And Madlala has worked hard and overcome more difficulties than most people ever encounter. But he will tell you that his success is not just the result of luck or his hard work and determination. Instead, Madlala firmly believes he has made it this far with Christ's protection, provision, and power in his life.

Born on March 1, 1997, Sithembiso Madlala spent his early years in Mariannhill, a cluster of suburbs and townships in eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He was the third of his mother's five childrenall from different fathers. Madlala grew up mostly alone as the rest of his mother's children were being raised by their fathers' families. His mother, Bongi, had almost no interaction with anyone in her extended family, a highly unusual dynamic in the tight-knit Zulu culture.

Bongi was unemployed for much of Madlala's childhood, and she would often leave him alone for days at a time while she went on drinking binges.

"I learned how to cook very early so I could eat," he recalls. "Eggs, for instance, were easy to make. I just didn't understand where she was or when she was going to come home, so I did the best I could."

When Bongi was drunk, she would become violent. Once she pierced Madlala's eye while beating him with a stick, and he had to go to the emergency room. During another beating, a neighbour called social services, who came and took Madlala away for a while. However, he was returned to Bongi when she apologized and promised to do better. She came home drunk one night when Madlala was six and demanded that he wash the dishes. When he fumbled through his chore, Bongi threw a knife and hit Madlala in the shoulder. Social services took him away for a longer period.

By the time attempts were made to return Madlala to his mom, Bongi had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and was too sick to look after him and his younger sister. So the two were taken to orphanages near Durban and then placed at one permanently in 2007.

Getting away from his mother brought new challenges and hardships for Madlala. In his new environment, "I didn't speak English, and everyone spoke English there. I couldn't understand people,'' he says. "There was a lot of bullying at the orphanage. My first week there I was tied to a tree and urine was poured all over me. It was like an initiation ritual."

Not surprisingly, Madlala did not do well in school. He almost had to repeat third grade and came close to failing the fifth grade. But he kept trying and quickly learned English by plowing through books that had been left at his orphanage by short-term mission teams who visited from countries such as America and England, as well as teams issued from churches in South Africa itself.

Wanting to catch up with his peers, Madlala threw himself into his studies. Although the nearby rural schools lacked resources and were severely overcrowded, caring teachers did their best to encourage students who were particularly curious and motivated.

"Mr Ndlovu was one who gave me a lot of extra care, which was pivotal for me. He taught physics and chemistryboth of which I loved," Madlala said. "And he would host classes on the weekends and give individual attention to those of us who really wanted to learn. My English teacher would challenge us to think about the future and what we wanted to do. That also inspired me to dream that I could be someone and do something in this world."

Madlala also found inspiration and help from long-term volunteers who came from around the world to work at the orphanage. Some stayed for only a few days, while others stayed for months at a time. Madlala was especially drawn to the medical volunteers.

"A German neonatal nurse had dedicated her whole life to helping others as a healthcare worker. She spent a lot of time with the very sick kids at the orphanagekids everyone had written off because we all thought they wouldn't make it."

He spent time getting to know the nurse and watching her work, even translating some medical documents from English to Zulu.

Another visiting nurse gave young Madlala a child's stethoscope, which he treasured. "It meant a lot to see all the volunteers take time out of their lives to come and be with us and love on the ones suffering the most. It was so inspiring to me."

When Madlala was 12, the orphanage hired a youth pastor named Warren Holland who would conduct devotionals with the boys every morning before they went to school.

"It was the first time I'd ever heard someone explain the gospel to me," Madlala says. "I wanted to learn more about this God that Warren was speaking about."

One day, Holland read Romans 6:23 and Madlala "realized that I needed Christ in my life. When you're a kid, it's hard to think that you're a sinner. I knew I could be naughty, but it's hard to think of yourself as intrinsically bad. Jesus died because my sins put him there. It sunk into me. Yes: I needed salvation."

Madlala accepted Christ into his life, although he waited to be baptized until he was older. A pastor named Thatu helped to disciple Madlala, putting him in charge of teaching Sunday School.

As Madlala progressed through high school, he earned better and better grades, astonishing his teachers and caretakers. They encouraged him to think seriously about his future. "I loved physics and math and chemistry, and I wondered what would combine all this," he recalls. "At one point I shadowed a doctor who worked at a hospital as an anesthesiologist. I was able to witness a surgery, which was really special. I noticed that all the doctors were Indian except for one Black guy. I'd never seen a Black doctor before."

After the surgery, Madlala was able to speak to the Black doctor, who kindly gave him information about different specializations and the training required for working in the healthcare field. That conversation planted the dream of becoming a doctor into Madlala's heart, and he cultivated that dream in part because of his own life experience.

"My mom passed away at age 42. What she died of was curable. It only takes about six months of treatment to overcome what she had," he explains. "I was angry at how she treated me when I was growing up, but I was also very interested in how and why she passed away. Why did she die from something treatable?"

Madlala set his sights on Witwatersrand, one of the best medical schools in South Africa, although his chances of getting in there seemed slim. No one from his school had ever applied to Witwatersrandhis high school wasn't even in the university's database! "Wits receives about 50,000 applications each year for incoming freshmen, and there are only around 300 slots in the medical school. Everyone wanted me to find something to fall back on if I didn't get accepted," he explains. "I only applied to do medicine, however. It was what God was calling me towards."

When he learned that he had been accepted and had received a full scholarship, Madlala was amazed. "I had only told a few people how things were progressing so I wouldn't get my hopes upI mean, people in the best high schools in the country get turned down! I was so happy when I knew I'd made it."

Madlala started classes at the University of Witwatersrand in January 2015, and he struggled to adjust to a big, sophisticated school in a large city after growing up in an orphanage in the rural countryside. "Township schools don't have white classmates, and I'd never interfaced with white kids in this capacity. Many of them were rich and had attended expensive private schools. I didn't feel like I fit in."

He struggled in campus computer labs until a former short-term mission acquaintance provided him with a laptop. He struggled with other decisions too. "In the orphanages, I'd never had to manage money, and there wasn't much personal freedom. Now I had all this freedom, and I needed to manage spending money. There were temptations like alcohol and drugs I had to navigate," Madlala said. "It was like I had stepped onto another planet."

His faith became his grounding element.

Madlala chose to be baptized in a local church, feeling that it was time he publicly acknowledge his belief in the gospel message that had transformed his life. "If I hadn't become a Christian, I wouldn't have headed in this direction. When I became a Christian, my priorities changed. It's what helped me through the tougher trials in university."

The verse that has sustained him is Psalm 199:9: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word."

He says, "When I am sad or in trouble and don't know what to do and feeling down and just working too hard. It grounds me in what's important."

Madlala is currently working as a resident in three hospitals in Pietermaritzburg (a major urban area in the province of KwaZulu Natal), working with senior doctors to gain experience until he can choose his specialty, a decision he has already made. "I have known all along I wanted to go into trauma surgery," he says. "Poor areas tend to have issues like stabbings and shootings and a lot of alcohol is consumed, so accidents and trauma happen often. It's where I feel like I can make a lot of difference."

Madlala is also envisioning starting a charitable organization to nurture kids as he was nurtured. "I want more kids to know what opportunities are out there for them, basically give career guidance and teach kids about different careers. I just think a lot of kids don't hear in township schools about all the things they can do in life."

Madlala gives all the credit to God for sending the right people into his life. "I think so much about God's provision. If I hadn't lived in orphanages, I wouldn't have learned how to speak English, and English is so, so important to be successful in exams. The volunteers at the orphanage, the people who paid for living expenses during my university years, the laptopGod put everyone in my path. God provided through people. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for other people taking the time out of their lives to go help and serve others. And in turn, I now get to serve others."

Madlala never did make that trip across the stage because he couldn't take time off work to attend the rescheduled graduation ceremonies in Johannesburg. But he doesn't mind. He has his certificate of graduation that records his success in school. And he has a child's stethoscope to remind him of the people God brought into his life to sustain him and support him in his improbable journey.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden has an ambitious agenda when he sets off this week on an eight-day trip to the Indo-Pacific.

Hes looking to tighten bonds with longtime allies, make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the tiny island state of Papua New Guinea and spotlight his administrations commitment to the Pacific. The three-country trip also presents the 80-year-old Biden, who recently announced hes running for reelection, with the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has enough in the tank to handle the grueling pace of the presidency.

But as he prepares to head west, Biden finds himself in a stalemate with Republican lawmakers over raising America's debt limit. If the matter is not resolved in the coming weeks, it threatens to spark an economic downturn.

A look at what's at stake in Biden's upcoming trip:

WHERE IS BIDEN GOING?

Biden first heads to Hiroshima, Japan, for the Group of Seven summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is this year's host for the annual gathering of leaders from seven of the world's biggest economies. He picked his hometown of Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped the world's first atomic bomb in 1945.

The bombing destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. The United States dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

The significance of Hiroshima resonates deeply today, given that Russia has made veiled threats of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, North Korea has stepped up ballistic missile tests and Iran pushes forward with its nuclear weapons program.

Biden will then make a brief and historic stopover in Papua New Guinea. Biden has sought to improve relations with Pacific Island nations amid growing U.S. concern about Chinas growing military and economic influence in the region.

Finally, Biden travels to Australia for a summit with his fellow Quad leaders: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kishida.

The Quad partnership first formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Since coming to office, Biden has tried to reinvigorate the Quad as part of his broader effort to put greater U.S. focus on the Pacific.

THE BIG ISSUES

Russias invasion of Ukraine and provocative actions by China in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait are expected to be front and center throughout Biden's trip.

At last month's G-7 ministers' meeting, the alliance pledged a unified front against Chinese threats to Taiwan and Russias war. The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Biden administration officials have been troubled by Chinas increasing threats against and military maneuvers around Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own. The U.S.-China relationship has also been strained by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last August. Those ties were further inflamed after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon in February after it traversed the United States.

The G-7 foreign ministers said in their communique that the alliance would look toward intensifying sanctions" against Russia. How far the G-7 is willing to go remains to be seen.

IS AMERICA BACK?

The looming potential for a debt default by the U.S. government raises a difficult dynamic for Biden as he heads overseas for the first time since announcing his 2024 campaign.

Since the start of his presidency, Biden has repeatedly told world leaders that America is back. That's a short-handed way to assure allies that the United States was returning to its historic role as a leader on the international stage following the more inward-looking America First foreign policy of President Donald Trump.

But Biden has also acknowledged that skeptical world leaders have asked him, For how long?

To that end, top administration officials have said the looming debt limit crisis is a troubling sign.

It sends a horrible message to nations like Russia and China, who would love nothing more than to be able to point at this and say, See the United States is not a reliable partner. The United States is not a stable leader of peace and security around the world," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The Congressional Budget Office said on Friday that there was a significant risk that the federal government could run out of cash sometime in the first two weeks of June unless Congress agrees to raise the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap.

PACIFIC ISLAND RESPECT

With the brief stop in Papua New Guinea to meet with Pacific Island leaders, Biden gets the chance to show the United States is serious about remaining engaged for the long term in the Pacific Islands.

The area has received diminished attention from the U.S. in the aftermath of the Cold War and China has increasingly filled the vacuum  through increased aid, development and security cooperation. Biden has said that he's committed to changing that dynamic.

Last September, Biden hosted leaders from more than a dozen Pacific Island countries at the White House, announcing a new strategy to help to assist the region on climate change and maritime security. His administration also recently opened embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, and has plans to open one in Kiribati.

He'll be the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation of about 9 million people. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a visit to Papua New Guinea in 2018.

QUALITY TIME WITH MODI

Biden is going to be spending plenty of time with the Indian prime minister in the coming weeks.

Modi is among eight leaders of non-G-7 countries who were invited by Kishida to join the meeting of major industrial nations in Hiroshima. He'll also join Biden's meeting with Pacific Island leaders in Papua New Guinea.

Then Biden, Modi, and Kishida will all make their way to Australia for a meeting of the Quad to be hosted by Albanese in Sydney. Biden won't have to wait long to see Modi again. The president is hosting Modi for a state visit on June 22.
A bill that would ban race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies is headed to the governor after the Senate approved the bill Friday. Texas would become the latest state to enact the law in a movement that was inspired by the experiences of two students near Houston who were told to cut their hair or be disciplined.

Senators voted 29-1 to send House Bill 567, by Democratic Rep. Rhetta Bowers of Rowlett, to Gov. Greg Abbott. A gubernatorial spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether the governor supports the bill.

The bill mostly cruised through the legislative track after not getting a full chamber vote in the House during the 87th legislative session in 2021. This year, a House committee sent it to the full chamber nearly unanimously before representatives in the lower chamber overwhelmingly sent it to the Senate in April.

Versions of the legislation, called the CROWN Act  an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair  have been adopted throughout the country as well as in Harris County, the states most populous, and the city of Austin.

During a hearing May 9 before the Senates State Affairs Committee, a series of witnesses testified about how they had experienced the race-based hair discrimination that the bill seeks to prohibit in the states education, labor and property codes.

Adjoa B. Asamoah, who co-founded a coalition that champions the CROWN Act, told committee members she conceptualized the law in 2018 to tackle this type of discrimination. She said she had put in work for many years, even before the case of the young men near Houston drew the attention of mainstream media to the problem.

Preserving and protecting peoples civil, human and individual rights requires a thoughtful and intentional and collective approach, Asamoah testified. It impacts the upward mobility of individuals and families, and it has been the reason far too many children have missed school or had negative educational experiences.

Asamoah added, This issue warrants a legislative fix  the CROWN Act is exactly that.

Enacting the proposal would ensure that all students get a fair chance to be learning in a classroom and not suspended because of how they wear their hair, State Board of Education member Aicha Davis, who represents Dallas and Tarrant counties, told the committee.

There are students who arent even able to enroll in a Texas [school system] because of their natural hair, Davis said. Please make sure another one of our students doesnt face this kind discrimination by passing the CROWN Act.

DeAndre Arnold and his cousin can attest to the impact the discrimination can have on school-age youth. The two were told by administrators at Barbers Hill Independent School District in Mont Belvieu, east of Houston, to cut their long locs or be disciplined.

Both refused and sued the school district over its dress code in a matter that is not yet resolved.

We have to show that theres no room in society for people that are unaccepting of others and demonize others for the way they tend to live their lives, said Arnold, a junior at Louisiana State University, in an interview earlier this year. Legislation like this kind of tells people, Its OK to be how you are; be happy who you are; be proud.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/12/texas-house-crown-act-hair-discrimination/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
A lawsuit in the wrongful death of a Webb County Jail inmate has been settled.

On April 25, the county agreed to a $1.325 million settlement in the wrongful death of Luis Alberto Albert Barrientos Jr., who died of a treatable infection while in pre-trial detention at the jail after his medical needs were ignored for days, according to the nonprofit legal advocacy organization Public Justice.

The lawsuit was filed in May 2020 on behalf of Nelda Nuncio, the mother of Barrientos. He was booked into the jail on June 26, 2018, on the charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and theft of property.

Barrientos, 22, would then become seriously, visibly ill at least four days before his death. He would lay on the floor of his cell unable to move, according to court documents.

Luis Albert Barrientos spent the last week of his life lying motionless on the floor of a cell in Webb County Jail, wheezing, coughing up blood, and begging his jailers for medical care they refused to provide. The jailers could see (Barrientos) was severely ill and getting worse, the complaint states.

Barrientos kept telling the jailers that he had chest pain and needed medical attention. Yet, they refused to provide care. Multiple inmates, including Barrientos cellmate, tried to get him help. His cellmate told the jailers at least seven times that Barrientos needed medical care to no avail, according to the complaint.

One person who was incarcerated with (Barrientos) was released from the jail three days before (Barrientos) died. Upon his release, he went to see (Barrientos) mother. He told her that (Barrientos) was very sick, that (Barrientos) was lying incapacitated on the floor of his cell, and that the other inmates had been shouting at the guards for days that (Barrientos) needed medical attention. But, he said the guards ignored their pleas, states the complaint.

After hearing from Barrientos former cellmate, Nuncio, Barrientos mother, called the jail and spoke to a corporal. She told the corporal that Barrientos had heart valve and kidney problems and that her son needed to be taken to the hospital immediately. But her plea got a Yeah, whatever from the corporal. Still, no transportation to the hospital or medical attention was provided, court documents state.

Barrientos health continued to deteriorate for the next several days while other inmates continued to yell for help only to be ignored by the jailers.

Only after (Barrientos) was so gravely ill that he defecated on himself that jailers finally listened to his cellmates and took him to the showers, where he collapsed again, unconscious and could not be revived. He passed away on July 13, 2018, according to Public Justice.

An autopsy revealed that Barrientos died from sepsis secondary to acute endocarditis and pneumonitis, an infection that could have been treated had the jailers provided him medical care instead of ignoring his pleas, the complaint states.

This case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Laredo.

After the court denied the defendants motion to dismiss based on claims that they were entitled to invoke the doctrine of qualified immunity, the case proceeded to discovery, where it was revealed that Webb County had destroyed key evidence, including videos and observation logs that showed which jailers were responsible for monitoring (Barrientos) in the days leading up to his death. Defendants then moved for summary judgment. Before the court could rule, the defendants agreed to settle the case for $1.325 million, according to Public Justice.

We are proud to have secured one of the largest public settlements in Webb County and a full measure of justice for the Nuncio / Barrientos family, Ron Rodriguez, lead counsel for the Nuncio / Barrientos family said. We will continue our relentless pursuit of justice, vindicating the civil rights of the injured and making our community and nation safer for all of us.

Public Justice Access to Justice Director Leah Nicholls also released a statement.

The court correctly ruled that the jailer defendants were not entitled to qualified immunity at the motion to dismiss stage, sending a strong message to public officials that they cannot evade the civil justice system and shield themselves from wrongdoing, Nicholls said. Unfortunately, (Barrientos) story is not unique.

(Barrientos) was not the only pre-trial detainee to die at the jail due to public officials deliberate indifference. Less than 24 hours after (Barrientos) death, another inmate in the same cell also died of a medical condition. Additionally, Public Justice previously represented the family of Rafael Solis, who was beaten to death by jailers at Webb County Jail in 2009. None of these men were convicted of a crime and were jailed simply because they couldnt afford bail, highlighting the injustice of the cash bail system and human rights abuses that occur when jails operate with impunity.

Nuncio is represented by Leah Nicholls and Shelby Leighton of Public Justice, Karla Gilbride, Ron Rodriguez of The Law Offices of Ronald Rodriguez, PC, Donald Slavik and Nicole Judge of Slavik Law, Jennifer Bennett and Robert Friedman of Gupta Wessler.
In the summer of 2020, Becky Fast started receiving calls about the six-mile-long creek that winds through parks and neighborhoods in Johnson County, Kan.

The Johnson County commissioner heard from residents who wanted to know about the waterway's name: Negro Creek.

Years earlier, hundreds had signed a petition to change the name, citing concerns that it was racist and offensive. But Fast said the racial reckoning that came after George Floyd's murder in 2020 galvanized the community to reconsider the creek's name - alongside cities, military bases and school districts across the United States that were looking to remove names with racist ties around the same time.

The creek became the center of a years-long process dedicated to learning more about its history and deciding whether to rename it, led by Fast, community leaders and officials from the two cities it runs through. While historians were unable to definitively pin down the name's origin, a story about an enslaved man who escaped from captivity and - when tracked down at the creek by enslavers - killed himself rather than being re-enslaved, became folklore in the area.

Late last month, the committee created to oversee the process, which included several Black leaders in the community, voted unanimously to keep the Negro Creek name. Jay Holbert, president of the NAACP branch in Johnson County, who served on the committee, said he and the other members agreed that changing the name would mean losing the history of enslavement in the area along with it.

"We wanted to keep that known to the public," Holbert told The Washington Post. "Because when you start erasing history, you start losing a lot of information as to who was what, what was what and why things were going on at that time in our country's history."

In the fall of 2020, the committee sought the help of Diane Mutti Burke, a history professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, who along with one of her graduate students at the time looked through old maps and online newspaper databases for mentions of Negro Creek.

They completed their first report in February 2021, finding that the first mention of the creek was in an 1879 article in the Western Progress, a Spring Hill, Kan., newspaper.

The article said a Black man had tried to escape slavery before being surrounded at the creek and dying by suicide to avoid capture, according to a report written by Mutti Burke and the graduate student, Deborah Keating.

Another article published in the Johnson County Sun in 1993 stated that there was a local theory that a Black person was "hung near the creek." It added that older news articles made clear "there was a persistent local legend that linked the creek's name to an incident of racial violence." Throughout the United States, there was also a pattern of naming locations with the word "Negro" to mark places where racial violence took place or a Black person died, according to the report.

In some instances, the name of the creek was written with the n-word rather than "Negro." But in 1963, a federal mandate required geographic locations with the racial slur be changed to "Negro," Mutti Burke said in an email. She said Negro Creek's name was officially changed in October 1978, likely as part of a federal renaming project.

The report also stated that the researchers could not substantiate whether the creek was part of the Underground Railroad, which is "notoriously difficult" because it was kept secretive.

During their research, the materials Mutti Burke and Keating could access were limited because libraries and archives were closed during the pandemic, making it a challenge to authenticate any version of the origin story. Early last year, after receiving the first report, committee members asked Mutti Burke to try to authenticate the story again, hoping it would yield the name of the enslaved man at the center of the theories surrounding Negro Creek.

But again, despite accessing physical records, poring over archival material and expanding the databases they searched, Mutti Burke and Keating wrote in a second report, completed in May 2022, that they were "unable to authenticate either the story linking the name of the creek to the death of an enslaved man or his name."

However, they wrote that the story of the enslaved man seeking freedom "can play a central role in interpretation" because there was "a strong local oral tradition" that it was the origin of Negro Creek's name.

They added that while the waterway couldn't formally be represented as a part of the Underground Railroad, it still likely played a role in "enslaved Missourians' path toward freedom."

Before voting on whether to keep the name, the committee presented the findings to residents. Not everyone in the community was behind keeping the name.

Holbert said there was an age divide over the renaming. Younger people tended to be in favor of changing the name, thinking Negro Creek was too offensive to remain.

But, Holbert said, keeping the name would help the community understand the history of the area.

"If we don't keep in mind of the downs and some of the bad things that we went through, you are destined to start repeating it," he said. "And we don't want that. We want the younger generation to be aware of, this is what we went through."

After receiving and reviewing the findings, the Johnson County committee on April 26 voted unanimously to keep the name.

By 2024, Johnson County leaders hope to install plaques near the river to explain the stories surrounding the name it will continue to bear.

"I think it's going to work out really nice not only for us, but for the community and for the history itself and keeping it in front of people," Holbert said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Kenyatta Coleman walked into her doctor's office in February excited for her ultrasound. For 30 weeks, Coleman's unborn child had developed normally. She decided to name her Denver and celebrate with a shower the next month.

But all of Coleman's plans changed that day. The ultrasound showed the fetus had brain abnormalities and an enlarged heart. Doctors in Baton Rouge diagnosed the unborn baby with a vein of Galen malformation, a rare pre-birth condition, and a 1 percent chance of survival.

That night, Coleman cried herself to sleep. When she awoke the next morning, she asked her husband, Derek, if the diagnosis was real or if she'd just had a nightmare. After that, Coleman said that "every ultrasound, I just went in a totally different person."

Coleman vowed to do everything in her power to save her baby - a journey that resulted in her flying to Boston for a surgery that had never been attempted.

In mid-March, after roughly a dozen scans and procedures, Coleman held and kissed her new baby in a Brigham and Women's Hospital bed. She was surrounded by exhilarated doctors who had completed the first successful fetal brain surgery two days earlier.

Denver has since returned to her family's Louisiana home, where she's maturing like any healthy baby, her family and doctors said.

"Knowing the possibility of not having her here, it's like, 'Wow, she really is a miracle,'" Coleman, 36, told The Washington Post. "We're still taking that all in."

Coleman became pregnant in July and viewed an ultrasound of the baby for the first time in September. While pregnant, she posed for professional photos and saw the baby's facial features in a 4D ultrasound. She and Derek, 39, decided to name the baby Denver, after her stepfather dreamed about a child named Colorado. They had a gender-reveal party on Christmas and sent out invitations for a March 19 baby shower.

Coleman felt healthy until the 28th week of her pregnancy in late January, when she experienced intense itching on her legs. She was diagnosed the following week with cholestasis of pregnancy, which disrupts the flow of fluids to the gallbladder. That prompted her doctor at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge to schedule weekly ultrasounds.

"Every time that I had a chance to see the baby, I absolutely loved it," Coleman said. "I soaked it all in."

But her perspective changed Feb. 15 when she went in for what she believed would be a routine checkup. Coleman's doctor wondered if she had been sick because the ultrasound was showing several abnormalities, including an enlarged heart for the fetus due to a massive amount of blood traveling there.

An MRI found the fetus had a vein of Galen malformation, which occurs when brain arteries don't connect to the proper veins. About 1 in 60,000 newborns are diagnosed with the condition, according to the American Heart Association, and doctors believe it's caused by genetics. Babies with the condition can suffer from severe brain damage, heart failure and cognitive disabilities due to excess blood flow to those organs, but many die soon after they're born.

Treatment for a vein of Galen malformation usually occurs after childbirth, but doctors gave Denver a 1 percent chance of surviving as she suffered from a severe case. However, they informed Coleman about a clinical trial Boston doctors were hoping to launch.

Darren Orbach, the co-director of Boston Children's Hospital's cerebrovascular surgery and interventions center, has treated many babies with vein of Galen malformations but became discouraged by the lack of reliable procedures. In recent years, Orbach's colleagues have inserted a needle into unborn babies' hearts to fix some conditions. In 2017, Orbach wondered if a similar procedure could be applied to a fetus's brain.

In late 2020, Orbach said he and colleagues developed an experiment to adjust and connect arteries with the correct veins using a needle in an unborn baby's brain. They waited for a patient whom they believed the surgery could save.

That patient was Denver. In early March, Orbach agreed to perform the procedure on Coleman's unborn child. Coleman canceled her baby shower and flew to Boston with Derek a few days later on one-way tickets - they didn't know how long they would be away.

On March 15, Coleman reclined on a Brigham and Women's Hospital bed and listened to gospel music through her ear buds while undergoing the procedure. Using ultrasound footage to guide them, doctors guided a needle through Coleman's uterus and into the back of the unborn baby's skull. After doctors blocked a large vein that connected to arteries in the fetus's brain, Coleman watched doctors pull the needle out of her unborn child's skull to finish a successful surgery.

Still, Orbach was unsure if the procedure would improve the baby's health. That was assessed March 17, when Coleman went into labor. Denver was born at four pounds, but for a few moments, she wasn't breathing.

Then, Denver started crying.

"Knowing that she was alive and that her lungs were so strong - because the cry was so loud - that really gave me a sense of relief," Coleman said.

Coleman held Denver before the newborn was sent to a neonatal intensive care unit. Denver didn't experience the symptoms most babies with vein of Galen malformations typically endure, including brain irregularities.

Still, the new parents stayed at Brigham and Women's and neighboring Boston Children's Hospital with their baby for five weeks to ensure Denver was healthy. Coleman had been too nervous to order baby supplies before the surgery, so she purchased dozens of necessities online, including a car seat and a stroller, before returning home.

Orbach, 55, believes the success of Denver's surgery is the first step toward saving more babies' lives. He and his colleagues published their findings in the journal Stroke this month.

"It almost felt a little surreal," Orbach said, adding it was "hard to actually believe that this was reality."

When Coleman returned home April 19, her living room was filled with gifts friends and family members bought from the couple's registry. Coleman takes Denver to doctor appointments almost every day, but the newborn has remained healthy.

"I look at her . . . just admiring her fingers and her toes and her facial features," Coleman said. "And every time she cries or every noise that she makes, it's like, 'Wow, we have a baby in our home.'"
At first glance, the avocado-size rock that Suzy Kop found in her father's New Jersey home Monday could have been from any garden. But a closer look revealed jagged edges that exposed a gray-green interior underneath a charred, black crust.

The rock was also warm to the touch and had fallen from the sky, striking the house with enough force to punch a hole through the roof and ricochet across the room.

Kop wondered whether there might be more to the pint-size wrecking ball that landed in her father's bedroom. So she and her family asked physicists for answers. On Thursday, researchers at the College of New Jersey confirmed that the rock had tumbled from space.

The discovery of a meteorite sent a wave of excitement through Hopewell Township, where Kop's father lives. Hobbyists have since flocked to the area to hunt for more meteorite fragments, and they aren't the only ones star-struck. The meteorite offers a valuable opportunity for studying the reaches of space, experts said - one rarely discovered so dramatically.

"It's nice to have a fun, interesting story that drops in out of the blue, literally," Nathan Magee, head of the College of New Jersey's physics department, told The Washington Post.

Christine Lloyd, Kop's sister, confirmed that the family has the meteorite but said that the family did not wish to discuss further details.

Researchers determined that the meteorite that crashed through the family's home is a type LL-6 chondrite, a rocky meteorite characterized by tiny mineral spheres within its body. This type is believed to be approximately 4.56 billion years old, around the age of the sun and the Earth, and originated from rocks in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, according to the College of New Jersey's news release.

This meteorite's journey ended hundreds of millions of miles away, in the drywall of a house in Hopewell, about 40 miles from Philadelphia. No one was harmed May 8 when the rock punched a hole through the roof, according to WPVI. Kop found the small rock resting on the floor of an upstairs bedroom. The rock appeared to have blasted straight through the roof before ricocheting off the floor and back up to the ceiling, leaving dents across the room. It was warm to the touch, Kop told WPVI.

The family reported the incident to police, who contacted researchers at the College of New Jersey. The call reached geophysicist Shannon Graham, who was stunned to learn of such a rare discovery a 10-minute drive from the college's physics department.

"If you would ask me, Monday morning, [the] top 100 reasons why I might get a phone call from the police, 'meteorite' would not have been on the list," Graham said, laughing.

Graham said Kop and her family seemed just as curious as she was to learn about the suspected meteorite and its origins. The family visited the college on Wednesday to let Graham, Magee and a team of researchers examine the rock in a lab. Initial findings confirmed its cosmic origins, Magee said. The team measured the meteorite's density. It weighs around two pounds and is much denser than most Earth rocks, he said. Researchers also examined its structure with an electron microscope. Under a powerful lens, researchers determined the meteorite's composition and classified it as an LL-6 chondrite.

They also gave the meteorite a tentative name - "Titusville, NJ," after a community within Hopewell Township - after a meteorite expert advised the team of the long-standing practice of naming meteorites after a geographical locality near where they are recovered.

The College of New Jersey's findings confirmed how rare - and serendipitous - Kop's discovery was. Only around 1,100 LL chondrites have ever been found, according to the college's news release, and only 100 of those were observed falling. While the meteorite wasn't detected by a satellite sensor in real time, Kop's report allowed NASA to later review the meteorite's final moments in flight through airport weather radar data, the agency announced.

Titusville, NJ is particularly valuable because of the wealth of data surrounding its landing, Magee said. Further examination of the meteorite's composition, its flight path and the holes in the roof could provide an exceptionally clear picture of its trajectory through the solar system - and perhaps help identify the asteroid it originated from, he said.

Magee gleaned one more detail from his analysis: The cracked edges of the meteorite that exposed its gray interior suggests it broke apart from a larger meteorite after entering the atmosphere.

Officials in Hopewell Township have told residents to stay on the hunt for other fragments. In a social media post Tuesday, the township relayed a message from Mike Hankey, the operations manager for the American Meteor Society, encouraging residents to check their doorbell cameras and keep an eye out for other meteorites that may be scattered around the region. There's plenty at stake, the announcement added: Even flooring or building materials damaged by a meteorite strike are valuable to collectors.

No other meteorite findings had been reported as of Thursday morning, a town spokesperson said. Hankey joined about a dozen meteorite hunters to search the area, but nothing turned up, he told The Post.

"It's still early," Hankey said. "I don't want to discourage anyone from looking more."

Kop's family has been inundated with calls from collectors to purchase the rock, but they do not have plans to sell it, Magee and Graham said. Magee hopes to perform additional research on the meteorite with the family's cooperation.

"They've been generous," Magee said. "We'll politely ask for more time with it."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

In firearm-friendly Texas, two Republicans on a House committee helped advance a bill to raise the minimum age to buy AR-15-style weapons. In Tennessee, a Republican governor known for championing looser gun laws has called a special legislative session to consider tighter ones "to strengthen the safety" of the state. In North Carolina, the GOP-dominated legislature dropped a proposal to allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

In several capitols across red America, gun control advocates say they are seeing faint - if, sometimes, fleeting - fissures in what has long been staunch Republican opposition to any whiff of firearms restriction. The small shifts have come amid a gruesome torrent of mass killings in red states, including shootings at a school in Tennessee, a bank in Kentucky, a home outside Houston and, earlier this month, at a suburban Dallas outlet mall where eight were killed.

The shootings have called into question GOP support for allowing more people access to weapons to stem violence and demonstrate support for constitutional rights.

The hints of change cut against of broader trends in GOP-controlled states, where Republicans have generally expanded gun access in recent years while pointing to mental illness as the cause of a mass shooting epidemic. Lawmakers in Nebraska and Florida passed permitless carry this year, and in a sign that the legislative majority still defends gun rights, Republican leaders in Texas let the age-minimum measure die before a full House vote.

But advocates for gun restrictions say they view any consideration of firearms control - and even some recent pauses in the march to loosen regulations - as notable signs that the outcry over rising gun violence and death in red states may be cracking Republican resolve on the issue. Between 2020 and 2022, death rates from firearms in states with GOP-controlled legislatures outpaced rates in blue states, according to a Post analysis of CDC data, including about a 50 percent higher rate of deaths from firearm assaults and around a 35 percent higher rate of mass shootings.

"The fact that we're seeing Republican leaders ask for some type of gun safety reform is new. For the last 20, 30 years, we haven't been able to get Republicans to talk about this issue, let alone move on it," said Sean Holihan, state legislative director at the gun-control group Giffords. "In these communities that have been devastated by mass shootings and gun deaths, I think there is a universal cry to do something."

The signs, he cautioned, may be temporary, spurred by mass murders that in some cases have hit shockingly close to home. In March, a former student fatally shot three children and three employees at the private Covenant School, just 17 miles from the Tennessee Capitol; Republican Gov. Bill Lee and his wife counted two victims, a substitute teacher and the head of the Christian school, as close friends. The state is at a "pivotal moment" of potential change, Lee said on April 19.

"I've seen a big shift," said state Rep. Caleb Hemmer, a Democrat from a swing district in the suburbs of Nashville. "The gun issue and the Covenant tragedy have transcended partisan lines, religious lines, and traditional Republican constituencies."

Tennessee is one of the deadliest states for gun violence and has some of the nation's laxest gun measures, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety, which advocates for gun control and analyzes state measures. Before the Covenant shooting, Republican lawmakers were considering bills to lower the age of permitless carry from 21 to 18 and another measure to arm teachers - proposals that were set aside after the tragedy.

Those sorts of efforts to expand gun rights continue to move forward in several states. Twenty-seven states now require no permit - and no training - to carry a handgun, 12 more than in 2020. Mississippi enacted a law allowing teachers to be armed, and Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas are all advancing similar proposals.

Seven GOP-led legislatures have passed laws this year that in some way discourage companies and funds from endorsing gun control. Oklahoma now allows gun owners to carry weapons on boats. Utah lawmakers prohibited the state from enforcing federal firearms restrictions and rejected waiting periods for gun purchases and a safe storage law.

In some cases, small victories celebrated by gun control advocates have been tempered by movement in the other direction.

In early May, the North Carolina House surprised observers by dropping a permitless carry bill that had sailed through committees, the kind of modest win that has given advocates optimism this spring. But one month before, its Republican supermajority overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper of a bill allowing handgun purchases without a permit.

In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has urged lawmakers to pass stiffer penalties for illegal gun possession in response to rising homicides. But McMaster also supports a permitless carry bill that has passed a Senate committee.

Elsewhere, Republican movement on gun control is near-microscopic but, advocates contend, not meaningless. Everytown activists in South Dakota - whose Republican governor boasted at an NRA convention last month that her 2-year-old granddaughter owns a shotgun and a rifle - celebrated hearings on measures to require the safe storage and red-flag laws, which can result in the seizure of guns from people deemed a risk to themselves or others, as "a historic step in the right direction," though committees rejected both.

In Texas, during the first legislative session since 19 students and two teachers were fatally shot at a Uvalde elementary school last year, gun legislation has also seemed more neutral than in previous years, advocates on both sides said. Wes Virdell, state director of Gun Owners of America, called the session "lackluster," with his group's priority bills mostly stalled. That is partly because the 2021 passage of permitless carry gave gun rights activists a sense that "the battle was won," he said, but also because of the endless cadence of mass shootings.

"Emotions are high, and Republicans don't want to push any of that issue, as far as the pro-gun side of it, right now," Virdell said.

Texas lawmakers are expected to pass and spend millions of dollars on school safety measures, including one that would mandate at least one armed employee on every school campus. They are also considering budgeting $4.2 million for a program that helps people experiencing early symptoms of psychosis - an investment mental health advocates say is welcome but not an answer for gun violence, the majority of which is not attributable to mental illness.

Meanwhile, gun control advocates had more opportunity to testify before a new House committee, formed in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, that focused on gun safety, said Nicole Golden, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, an organization advocating tightened access to weapons.

She said her group has felt less on the defense than in years when Republicans seemed to determined to expand access to weapons.

Then, on Monday, Uvalde parents amassed at the capitol to push for the age minimum bill. Proponents argue it could have stopped the 18-year-old Uvalde shooter from purchasing the weapons he used. During the committee hearing, Republican Reps. Sam Harless and Justin Holland stunned activists when they voted to advance the measure.

Harless, who did not respond to an interview request, told NPR after the vote that "shootings right now are just happening too often." In a Twitter statement, Holland emphasized his A-rating from the NRA, which he acknowledged might now be in jeopardy.

"I do not believe in gun control," Holland added. But, he said, "I became convinced that this small change to the law might serve as a significant roadblock to a young person (not old enough to buy tobacco or alcohol) acquiring a specific type of semiautomatic rifle intent upon using it in a destructive and illegal manner."

A third Republican not on the committee, Rep. Frederick Frazier - who had been shopping at the Allen outlet mall an hour before the shooting there - told a local television network that it was "absolutely" time to consider restrictions.

"My phone has been blowing up with constituents asking, 'What are we doing?' And these are folks that voted for me," he said.

Gun control advocates were elated, though their victory was short-lived. The deadline for scheduling a floor vote on the measure expired a day later, killing the bill for the year.

Still, the committee vote was "a milestone achievement," Golden said, and the Republicans' statements remarkable. "That is a shift, a total shift.  maybe those relationships can be built upon."

Republicans in Tennessee have been in a state of disarray since the Covenant shooting, which prompted demonstrators to crowd the halls of the state capitol, demanding gun control measures. A vote by the Republican-dominated House to expel two young Black Democratic lawmakers who led protests in the chamber only seemed to invigorate the outcry.

In the days following the shooting, Lee appeared to soften his stance on gun control, signing an executive order to tighten background checks and citing "recent tragedies."

He then began a push for an "order of protection law" allowing the temporary confiscation of firearms from people a judge determines are a risk to themselves or others. His lieutenant governor, a Republican, also said he supported such a measure, though neither referred to it by a more common label that is toxic on the right: a red-flag law, versions of which have been passed by 19 other states and the District.

In an April 19 video asking the legislature to pass the measure, Lee referred to "pragmatic leaders who collectively stepped outside their party lines to do what they thought was the right thing, changing the course of history for the better."

The suggestion outraged members of Lee's party. "Any red-flag law is a non-starter," the Tennessee House Republicans said on Twitter.

The legislature adjourned unexpectedly early without taking up Lee's request. Lee then said he would call members back for a special session on firearms and public safety on August 21. The governor's spokeswoman, Jade Byers, did not return emails requesting comment.

John Harris III, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, said in an interview that Lee is "emotionally responding to an extreme event" with an idea that has little backing among Republicans.

"The governor can call a cow patty a chocolate cake but if it looks and smells like a cow patty that's what it is," Harris said of Lee's rejection of the "red flag" label.

The stiff GOP opposition has led to muted expectations among Democrats and advocates for August's special session.

But some Tennessee Republicans have broken ranks. In a letter to the Tennessean last month, the state's former GOP chairman, Brent Leatherwood, the father of three children who survived the Covenant shooting, urged elected officials to "oppose evil and protect innocent lives" by passing Lee's proposal.

"It is true we live in a world tainted by terrible acts and deeds, but that is never an excuse for inaction," wrote Leatherwood, now president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Vanderbilt University researchers found in a semiannual survey - conducted after the March school shooting - that 82 percent of Tennessean voters support Lee's executive order on gun background checks, while three quarters support a red-flag law.

The pollsters also detected a sea change, the school said: In all previous surveys since 2012, respondents ranked guns last or nearly last among 10 state government priorities. In April, guns ranked third, behind education and the economy.

In the weeks since the Covenant shooting, a small group of mothers - many of them Republicans - formed Voices for a Safer Tennessee, a bipartisan nonprofit to advocate for gun safety legislation.

Co-founder Jennifer Hellmer, 38, an attorney, gun owner and mother of two, said she was trapped in her car at an intersection about 200 yards away from Covenant as police responded to the shooting, and she watched small children flee.

After the shooting, "people were speaking out about guns differently than I had seen before," said Hellmer, a Republican. "The conversation was changing."

- - -

Andrew Ba Tran, Scott Clement and John Harden contributed to this report.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Marco Diaz-Munoz's final Cuban literature class this semester made him emotional. These were the students who had watched in horror as a gunman entered their Berkey Hall classroom Feb. 13 and shot several of them, killing two. They were the only ones who knew what it was like there that night, as Michigan State University was added to the somber list of American sites defiled by a gunman.

"I got teary," he told The Washington Post. "I needed them, my class. And I believe they needed me. And together, to reclaim our lives. It wasn't just reclaiming a space, that academic space, but also a process of learning to reclaim your life, in spite of adversity."

"That tragic event did not take away from them - the joy of graduating, the joy of also associating MSU with great experiences, not just this tragedy, and being able to move forward."

But the university's graduations, which concluded Saturday, were tempered by the tragedy, as the rest of the spring term had been.

There were overt signs of February's losses at graduations spread over recent days, some held as school flags flew at half-staff to honor the dead in a Texas shooting. Honorary posthumous degrees were awarded to Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner, the two students killed in Diaz-Munoz's classroom, and to Brian Fraser, who was later killed outside the campus Union.

The MSU Rock, a boulder on campus that serves as a perpetually painted-over billboard for campus groups and activists, displays the names of the dead: Brian, Arielle, Alexandria. Friends of the victims were seen touching the names and taking graduation photos - in the same place where, months ago, thousands had gathered for a candlelight vigil in their honor. Above the names: "Always a Spartan."

At the spring convocation on May 5, university president Teresa Woodruff alluded to the circumstances. "On this joyful occasion, let us also briefly acknowledge our pain," she said. "Those scholars and leaders are forever a part of our Spartan family."

Over a terrifying 236 minutes at Michigan State, the three students were killed and another five grievously wounded. Thousands hid in classrooms and dorm rooms, monitoring what turned out to be misleading police scanner reports amid delayed communications from the university. The gunman, Anthony Dwayne McCrae, 43, who left campus after targeting students, killed himself as police drew close to him in a nearby neighborhood.

In the weeks after the shooting, the university acknowledged the 13-minute delay between when shots were first reported, at 8:18 p.m. on Feb. 13, and when the first campus alert arrived at 8:31 p.m. Police, who later blamed a civilian employee waiting for confirmation from a shift supervisor, are months away from completing an investigation into the shooting.

Despite an announced plan to add 1,300 locks, install more cameras on campus and require an ID card to enter most buildings after 6 p.m., students say that they are still reeling from the attack and feeling that the university failed them.

Olivia Gilcher, 18, a first-year student who jumped down a flight of stairs at the Union to escape the gunman, said her recovery has been rocky. She said she got good grades this semester - a 4.0 GPA - but had to file a grief absence for three weeks to accommodate increased anxiety and depression after the shooting.

Now, when she sees school shootings on the news, what she saw at the Union "plays in my head like, 'Now I know what's going on inside those classrooms,'" Gilcher said. "Now I know."

Gilcher feels grateful toward the community that supported victims of the shooting.

"Knowing that people all around the country know about it," she said in an interview with The Post. "It's almost like a comforting feeling."

A week before graduation, she stopped at the Union. She thought of entering the building through the doors she and other students sprinted from that night. "I just couldn't do it," she said, "and I just went to the back. It felt really eerie."

Three months ago, Jyotiraditya Chavan, a graduating engineering major, decided to take a nap and skip class. It proved to be a potentially fateful decision.

"That's how I got saved; the shooter took the same route I used to come back home from class," he said outside the Breslin Center, where seniors in their green caps and gowns poured out on May 6, taking photos and embracing family.

Like Chavan, each of the newly minted graduates has a story of where they were when the gunman disrupted their lives. Akansha Singh, a biomedical graduate who spent the shooting with Chavan at their house near campus, noticed her attendance slipping in the wake of the tragedy.

Chavan, Singh's boyfriend, said he "wasn't going to classes unless it was necessary for me to show up to classes." The young couple is now hoping to pursue master's degrees in Canada, which they deem safer.

At Singh's graduation, posthumous honorary degrees were awarded to two of the victims.

"The degree was great but the degree is not going to help anybody at this point," Chavan said. "Right now it's more about the security measures."

Madeleine Tocco, an environmental science and management graduate who served on the student government Council of Students with Disabilities, spent the weeks after the shooting advocating for a safer environment. During the manhunt that followed the attack, she hid with a friend who has a connective tissue disorder.

Now that she has graduated, she's worried she's leaving behind a university indifferent to the plight of the disabled.

"There will be active shooter training," she said. "But I doubt they would include how to take care of a disabled person in the event of an active shooter, because the disabled population on campus is so small."

Campus police said they never received requests for training from the disability group. Active threat trainings were available upon request before the shooting and will become mandatory for all students in the fall.

Tocco said she feels anxious, "when nowhere is truly safe to be without the fear of violence."

Asked whether graduation season was overshadowed by the shooting, she noted that she wore a "Spartan Strong" pin on her graduation robe, reflecting the slogan used after the shooting. "So I would say so," she said.

"I don't know if I'll be altered for life, but I do know it's going to take some time for me to process what's happened," she said, adding that she has applied for jobs at MSU. "I'm not going to turn my back on the university even though I'm disappointed."

In the wake of the shooting, an outpouring of financial support arrived for the victims. $1 million has been donated to a "Spartan Strong" fund, for which a spending committee will decide how to disburse the funds.

Dan Olsen, a spokesperson for the university, would not confirm if it planned to pay for the victims' continued medical care as it did funeral costs and initial hospital bills.

"The university is still paying for some medical accommodations," he said in an email. (One student was paralyzed in the attack, with an expectation of millions in costs over his lifetime.)

In a phone call with The Post, Olsen said the committee of school administrators and legal counsel "is still finalizing its recommendations."

Many are eager for the school to financially assist the victims as much as possible.

"That's the least they could do," Chavan said.

Diaz-Munoz feels similarly, saying "the most noble and appropriate thing to do is use the funding to help the people that suffered the tragedy."

In the aftermath have come some grace notes. Fraternity brothers of Fraser approached Diaz-Munoz before the term ended. "That really moved me. Here you have three students who . . . didn't want to leave campus without checking on me," he said.

Diaz-Munoz said he and his wife, Claudia Diaz, who during the shooting was in a hallway near his classroom and watched as stretchers rushed by, now receive therapy through MSU's Counseling and Psychiatric Services. To get there, he has to walk past Berkey Hall, the site of his former classroom.

"And when I walk by, I look the other way," Diaz-Munoz said.

Berkey Hall remains closed through next fall. School tours, which had traditionally begun at the Union, have been modified to leave out the shooting site.
Life B

Overcoming Double Depression

By Bethanne Patrick

Counterpoint. 208 pp. $26

- - -

While I was reading Bethanne Patrick's memoir, "Life B," I happened to receive an email message from a woman I don't know. She contacted me because she had read some of what I've written about my lifelong challenges with clinical depression. She told me that she too had major depression disorder, a diagnosis made nearly 20 years ago. "Sen. John Fetterman's story is inspirational," she wrote, "but as a single working mom, admitting myself to the hospital for a month isn't a real option." Hearing about celebrities who admit to having a hard time but "are better now," is equally unrealistic, she added.

Patrick's story is a different kind of depression story. In this slim volume, Patrick, a book critic, author and host of the "Missing Pages" podcast, courageously reveals her lifelong challenge with depression. It began, she writes, as a fog that descended in her early teens and has, in the many decades since, never abated. She describes her childhood as being "sad and maladjusted  alternately sleeping and weeping." It is painful reading, full stop - made worse, for me, because her coming of age mirrors mine. It's fair to say we both grew up in "bleak house."

In a similar vein, it wasn't until Patrick hit her 50s, married and the mother of two daughters, that she finally received a correct diagnosis: double depression. Double depression is the combination of persistent depressive disorder, a chronic form of depression that is present most days; and major depressive disorder, long referred to as clinical depression, which makes it near impossible to function or maintain hope.

Patrick eventually found a skilled and empathetic psychiatrist who understood her. When he heard the depth of her despair, he started her on a new set of medications that opened a much more stable chapter in her life. Patrick makes clear that he didn't hand her a cure but rather the tools for living with her illness, which included a realistic understanding of her condition as a lifelong one and the importance of being open about her diagnosis.

Just as someone might use insulin to control diabetes to make it a more manageable disease, Patrick found the right meds to help her become more stable mentally as well as a skilled professional who took a more extensive family and social history than she'd ever been given before, giving credence, yet again, to the importance of shopping around for the best health care. It's what I've come to understand as a new normal, by which I mean, living with a chronic illness called depression. A therapist of mine once described life on medication as "living in the middle." No extreme highs, but no extreme lows - a trade-off I am happy to make, considering what I've previously experienced.

Much as I admired this book, I did have a couple of quibbles. Patrick's choice of "Life B" as a title is a reference to a typical eye exam. ("Which is better? A or B?") Life A is blurry and fuzzy; Life B is clear and sharp. It strikes me a bit as meaning second rate, like a B movie, which I'm certain is not her aim. And although one of Patrick's gifts to us is her honesty, at times the book felt repetitive and too one-note. But these are small complaints for an author who is brave and who has diligently pursued a better future for herself and her two daughters. And, at the same time, provides many more of us with a positive road map of how to live with and transcend the limitations of mental illness.

- - -

Steven Petrow is a Washington Post contributing columnist and the author, most recently, of "Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old."
NECOCLI, Colombia - One TikTok video - it's been viewed 17.4 million times - claims that as of Thursday, "people who arrive at the U.S. border will not be able to be deported."

In another, a man snaps his fingers and warns viewers that deportations will be "immediate."

And for the Venezuelan migrants preparing to walk the 70-mile stretch of jungle that divides South from Central America, one of the most dangerous stages of their journey to the United States, it was nearly impossible to know what to believe.

With the end on Thursday of Title 42, the pandemic-era policy that the Trump and Biden administrations used to expel immigrants who entered the United States illegally, their WhatsApp and Facebook groups have been flooded with conflicting intelligence about what might await them at the border. Voice memos from family members and friends and friends-of-friends added more grist to the rumor mill.

"They're all cuentos de camino," said migrant advocate Patricia Andrade. Literally, "road stories," but also a Venezuelan phrase for gossip.

Even with limited cellphone reception, migrants rely on these social media channels for information on their way to the United States. This week, as illegal border crossings surged, the messages were especially confusing. So was the policy itself: Biden administration officials say a new system will make it easier for border agents to deport asylum seekers who cross illegally, while allowing more migrants to enter legally by using an app.

U.S. officials warn that migrants who cross illegally could be deported, barred for five years and prosecuted for the crime of illegal entry.

But many migrants are hearing inaccurate or entirely different versions of the policy change in widely shared videos on Instagram and TikTok. The hashtag #titulo42 was viewed more than 109 million times on TikTok by Friday afternoon.

"Luis, listen to what I'm going to tell you. . . . They're deporting people, anyone getting there illegally," a Colombian woman told her son-in-law, Luis Enrique Montoya, 24, in a WhatsApp voice memo as he rode a bus through Honduras toward the Guatemalan border. "They say, 'Come on in, come on in,' and it turns out that when they come in, it's so they can put them on a plane and send them back here."

In Necocli, a coastal town near the entrance of the Darien Gap, the roadless jungle between Colombia and Panama, an advocate for migrants noticed the confusion among the gathering hundreds. On Thursday, hours before Title 42 was set to expire, Marlyn Luque Urquiola stood in a circle with a group of migrants on a beach and asked what they knew about the change in border policy.

"Have you received information from some institution?" Luque asked. Had they been given any guidance from U.N. agencies or other groups?

"Nothing," one man said. "This is the first time I'm receiving any."

"Where have you received information?" Luque asked.

"On social media, pretty much," another man said. "You see everything that happens on there and get informed, little by little."

She asked one young man what he knew about the end of Title 42.

"Honestly, nothing, because one person tells you one thing, and another person tells you another thing," said Heisber Silva, a 24-year-old Venezuelan.

"What are your plans for getting into the United States?" Luque asked.

"To turn myself in to immigration," he said. He had heard something about an application, he said, but didn't know anything about it.

Silva had left Venezuela four years earlier, after experiencing sexual assault, death threats and intense homophobia, he said. He spent years in Lima, Peru, working in nightclubs, before making his way to Colombia. Now, with $100 in his pockets, he hoped to reach the United States. Maybe the United States, he hoped, would be a safer place for a gay man. But he worried about what might happen at the border.

From here on out, Luque explained, there would be new requirements for migrants entering the United States. She suggested that they use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection application and wait for an appointment with immigration authorities.

Some migrants don't learn about the system until they get to Mexico, she told The Washington Post, when they might have failed to carry with them the documents they would need. Her goal was to tell them the requirements before they left so they would be better prepared at the border. She hoped.

Of all the migrants Luque spoke with on Thursday, she said, only one understood the end of Title 42, through a Telegram channel. Most of the others knew very little to nothing at all. But as news spread on social media and WhatsApp, many feared it amounted to a closed border.

"For many of them, it was the end of the American Dream," Luque said. Migrants who had made it to Panama and Costa Rica told her they were turning around and heading back to Colombia. Many had run out of money, and they wouldn't be able to wait in Mexico for an appointment with immigration authorities.

Others were resolute. Robert Castillo, a 43-year-old originally from Maracay, Venezuela, crossed the Darien Gap and made it to the U.S. border in March. But he was stopped by migration authorities and sent back to Mexico, he said, where he suffered an accident while trying to board the freight train hopped by migrants known as "The Beast." His foot was crushed and ultimately amputated. But now he was trying to cross again.

"I'm going there, and no one will change my mind," he said. "Some people say that if you get caught, you get deported to your country, but I don't know if that's true. A friend of mine crossed and apparently is now in a shelter, but I'm waiting for her to contact me and tell me how she did it."

As Title 42 expired at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, many migrants were unsure what to do next. Nayrobi, 38, had traveled to Necocli from Venezuela with her four children. Nayrobi, who spoke on the condition that her last name be withheld out of concern for their security, had hoped to make it to the U.S. border before the policy changed. She had heard in TikTok videos and on Facebook that the border would be closing after Thursday.

But by the time she had reached Necocli, she had run out of money, and she wasn't sure whether it was worth continuing the journey. She decided she would wait until she knew more about the situation at the border - whether President Biden was, in fact, closing it to migrants like her.

"We'll see what the president says," she said.

- - -

Schmidt reported from Bogota, Colombia. Ana Vanessa Herrero in Caracas, Venezuela, and Diana Duran in Bogota contributed to this report.
Ron DeSantis returned to the first-in-the-nation caucus state Saturday with a slew of Iowa endorsements and fresh legislative victories, as he and his allies draw increasingly direct contrasts with Donald Trump ahead of a 2024 announcement and look to dispel doubts about the Florida governor's prospects.

Trump had planned to rally in Des Moines Saturday evening as DeSantis spoke elsewhere in the state, setting up a split-screen between the former president - the current polling leader for the GOP nomination - and his top rival. But Trump said on social media Saturday afternoon that his event was canceled, citing a tornado watch in the area. He said the rally would be rescheduled soon.

DeSantis is making final preparations for a campaign expected to launch by June and seeking to rebound from a tough stretch where Trump has widened his lead in national polling of the GOP primary. Trump is positioning himself as the inevitable nominee but has to contend with renewed GOP questions about his electability after a New York jury found him liable for defamation and sexual abuse - allegations he's denied.

DeSantis leaned into that argument implicitly Saturday at a packed picnic hosted by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) here in Sioux Center, where DeSantis said governing is "not about building a brand or talking on social media" but about delivering results.

"If we make [the] 2024 election, a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures, and we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board," DeSantis said. "If we do not do that - if we get distracted, we focus the election on the past or on other side issues . . . Democrats are going to beat us again."

DeSantis and his backers are trying to recapture the momentum he had earlier in the year - pitching donors on the governor's ability to beat Biden in swing states, working to counter the endorsements Trump has already lined up and taking sharper swings at the former president still beloved by much of the GOP. DeSantis's ability to engage up-close with voters and go off-script was under intense scrutiny Saturday as he mingled with top Iowa officials and stopped at a Pizza Ranch - but declined to take questions from reporters at the picnic beyond some shouted queries as he hustled to his car.

"Ron DeSantis has, I would say, nearly 100 percent name recognition . . . Now it's time to make your sale," said Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann. Trump may be the front-runner, but in Iowa "we've been trained literally for half a century to listen to everyone," he said.

The challenge of criticizing Trump while also courting his voters was clear this past week as a pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, ramped up its attacks, drawing some rebukes from vocal DeSantis supporters on social media. Responding to Trump's CNN town hall, the PAC and its staff took aim at Trump's handling of issues important to the GOP base: guns, abortion and a southern border wall. It also highlighted his time spent talking about the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob; his false claims the 2020 election was rigged; and his defense of comments about how famous men can carry out unwanted sexual advances.

DeSantis gave his most direct response to some of Trump's attacks last week, telling Newsmax that Trump is employing Democratic talking points on his record on Social Security. But so far he's stayed away from Never Back Down's blunter attack lines. "We aren't afraid to set the record straight and push back on false attacks from potential opponents who are scared of facing the Governor should he jump in the race," Never Back Down communications director Erin Perrine said in a statement.

Representatives for DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment, while Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump's campaign, referenced Trump's commanding leads in GOP primary polling and also general election surveys that show him ahead of President Biden. "That's why he has support from U.S. senators, congressional members, elected officials and grass-roots activists," Cheung said.

The Florida governor has been hosting a steady stream of supporters and potential supporters in Tallahassee in what one person familiar with the meetings likened to the "George W. Bush front porch strategy" - when politicians flocked to Texas to sit down with then-governor Bush ahead of his presidential run. In Iowa, Senate President Amy Sinclair and Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl endorsed DeSantis just ahead of his visit, headlining a list of more than three dozen state lawmakers throwing their support behind the governor, according to Never Back Down.

Trump is well ahead in national primary polling. Still, the CNN town hall this week showcased the kinds of comments that galvanize Trump's base but risk alienating swing voters, as the former president declined to back Ukraine over Russia, claimed the consequences of a default on the national debt "could be maybe nothing" and dismissed this week's jury finding on sexual abuse.

Trump's team has pressed its advantage to rack up endorsements before DeSantis is officially in the race, locking down the support of much of the Republican congressional delegation from Florida - including a longtime DeSantis ally, Rep. Byron Donalds, and another congressman who said DeSantis has been unresponsive to his outreach.

Trump's campaign and allies at his super PAC have been highlighting more supportive statements this week, from West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) - who said on Fox News that he's confident Trump can win the election - to Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of a national antiabortion group, who said she had a "terrific meeting" with Trump.

The former president has also attacked DeSantis relentlessly, deploying nicknames, calling him disloyal and seeking to link him to GOP establishment figures. In a video posted Friday to Truth Social, Trump said DeSantis "needs a personality transplant."

The governor's team feels that Trump's onslaught "may be hurting his head to head numbers but it's not really hurting his favorability numbers," said one attendee at a recent dinner with DeSantis, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. They added, "They're gonna counterpunch when they think it makes sense . . . They're not anti-Trump."

DeSantis allies are hoping things turn around when DeSantis officially jumps in. His advisers have been reminding donors that it's early in the race, laying out plans to spend particular time in Iowa and New Hampshire and noting that national polls don't capture the dynamics in early primary states, according to people who joined the governor and his team in Tallahassee recently for small-group dinners and briefings. DeSantis's team has long estimated privately that some 30 percent of Republican voters will back Trump no matter what but expressed optimism they can lead among the rest, people who've spoken with them say.

"I just think too much of America has made up its mind on the former president and they're gonna be ready to turn the page," argued Bob Vander Plaats, an Iowa evangelical leader who wields major influence in the caucuses. He had lunch in Florida this week with DeSantis and his wife, Casey DeSantis.

When a recent CBS News poll asked likely Republican primary voters what they wanted in a nominee if it isn't Trump, 37 percent said they wanted a candidate who shows loyalty to Trump, while another 56 percent wanted a candidate who simply doesn't talk about him.

Saturday evening, DeSantis was headlining a regional fundraiser for the Iowa GOP. There, Kaufmann, the party chair, asked him questions. Before the event, he said that he was eager to get personal with the governor - who some Republicans have criticized as scripted or standoffish.

"I know we've been told to give time for him to interact," Kaufmann said, adding that as an interviewer he has a "reputation for bringing out some real human moments in these folks."

The dynamics of the presidential race have changed significantly since Trump and DeSantis nearly crossed paths in Iowa two months ago, as Trump appeared more vulnerable and the Florida governor was just starting his book tour.

"People ask me, am I paying attention to the polls . . . I think right now those are all meaningless," said Bill Stern, a former state finance chair for Trump in South Carolina who is now backing DeSantis. He said of DeSantis, "Let's give him time and let him prove himself."

- - -

The Washington Post's Isaac Arnsdorf contributed to this report.
Dell Childrens Medical Center in Austin has stopped providing transition-related care to transgender teenagers, according to several parents who were told they would need to find new providers.

Dell Childrens said in a statement Saturday that while its adolescent medicine clinic remains open, the physicians who previously staffed the clinic will be departing.

Parents said they were told about the doctors departures just hours after Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into potentially illegal activity at Dell Childrens. The investigation seems to be in response to a video report from the conservative Project Veritas, a far-right activist group that engages in deceptive practices to do hidden camera-style investigations.

The video allegedly shows a Dell Childrens social worker saying the Austin-based hospital provides certain gender-affirming treatment for patients as young as eight, nine and sometimes after only one consultation.

In response to the video, Dell Childrens released a statement on April 28 that says it does not provide hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery to children, and the hospital system was looking into the allegations.

This investigation comes as the Texas Legislature looks poised to bar trans minors from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Those already receiving these treatments would also have to be weaned off of them, which some trans Texans and their parents have called forced detransitioning. The ban would take effect on September 1, if Senate Bill 14 becomes law.

Gender-affirming care is an umbrella term for the treatment of gender dysphoria, the discomfort that comes when ones gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender-affirming care ranges from social transitioning  using different pronouns or dressing differently  to puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgical interventions. Surgeries are not commonly performed on trans minors, especially those on sex organs.

News of the staffing changes at Dell Childrens left parents scrambling. One mother, who agreed to speak with The Texas Tribune only if her name isnt used because she fears for her familys safety, said her 12-year-old daughter received her first puberty blocker shot earlier this year, after over a year of medical monitoring and tests.

Her child is due for another shot later this month, but last Friday got the call that her doctor had left Dell Childrens and the appointment was canceled.

It happened so quickly, the mother said. I was under the impression that we still had this appointment and that we at least had that one guaranteed shot.

Following the call, the clinic sent her a list of resources, including out-of-state providers, according to a message reviewed by the Tribune. Since then, she has been trying to figure out how to get her daughter, who is about to turn 13, her next round of medication.

Shes heard many of the closest places are already booked up for months, and shes grappling with the financial impact of routinely traveling outside of Texas.

The last couple days have been going through the feelings of not wanting to leave a home and a community and schools that we love, she said Sunday. But then how much stress would be lifted and what a relief it would be to be in a place where this wasn't a question  that part, I think, can't be underestimated.

It is already extremely difficult to get transition-related care in Texas. Providers are few and far between, and often have long waitlists. Several families told the Tribune they waited months to be seen at Dell Childrens.

Another Austin-area mom, who spoke with the Tribune on condition of anonymity because she also fears for her familys safety, said her trans daughter has presented as a girl ever since she was a young child. After years of therapy and social transitioning, her daughter eventually got on puberty blockers under the guidance of the doctors at Dell Childrens.

She was thrilled, the mom said. Things like, when she would get recognized for a girl at the store in the checkout line, her face would just light up.

Her daughter formed a close relationship with the doctors. They were the first ones to notice that she was struggling with an eating disorder, which the mom says even her pediatrician had missed.

These kids develop relationships with these doctors that they trust and thats ripped away from them, she said. Were left with a child with an eating disorder that no one is watching.

In the days since she got the news, the mom has called several out-of-state clinics, eventually finding one that would put them on a nine- to 12-month waitlist for care.

As of now, gender-affirming care remains legal in Texas, which is why these mothers say they cant understand Dell Childrens decision to part ways with their providers. A similar clinic, The GENder Education and Care, Interdisciplinary Support (GENECIS) program, which is housed at Childrens Medical Center in Dallas and is run jointly by UT Southwestern Medical Center, shut down last November after a political pressure campaign. The clinic began accepting patients again after the program director filed a lawsuit and a judge granted an injunction.

Many parents of trans kids who have the resources are throwing in the towel on Texas. Nichole, who also asked that her name not be used out of fear for her family's saftey, hasnt gotten the call yet from Dell Childrens about whether her childs June appointment is canceled, but shes proactively looking for a new pediatric endocrinologist.

When she first learned her 11-year-old identifies as nonbinary, meaning neither male or female, Nichole said she had a lot of learning to do. Their first appointment at Dell Childrens was the education the family was desperately looking for.

That first appointment we just had conversations about what gender-affirming care is, really broadly, and what medical interventions we could consider and the implications of that, she said. It feels radical, honestly, to have a doctors undivided attention, just to answer questions, but thats what it was.

She said the providers made sure her child had a voice in the conversation, while still respecting the role of the parents in any medical decisions. They didnt feel pressured into any particular course of action and their next appointment was going to be a very similar open-ended learning format, Nichole said.

To me, it felt like what medical care ought to be, she said.

Since she heard the news about Dell Childrens, shes been calling around to other states, and found a potential provider in New Mexico. This doctor used to work in Arkansas, but relocated as that state cracked down on gender-affirming care for minors.

For Nichole, the most important thing is making sure her child doesnt have to worry about any of this  interruption to their health care, the cost, the burden.

My kids job is to be a kid, she said.

Disclosure: Dell and UT Southwestern Medical Center 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/2023/05/13/austin-dell-childrens-gender-affirming/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
City officials confirmed that at least one person was killed and 10 people have been hospitalized after a tornado tore through a South Texas town early Saturday, May 13. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. said that it appears the person killed "was basically crushed as a result of the damage to his mobile home." He also said that 10 individuals transported to local hospitals sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The possible EF-1 tornado hit Laguna Heights, Texas, around 4 a.m. with wind speeds up to 105, according to the National Weather Service Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley. Surveyors were assessing the damage this morning, the agency said.

Multiple structures in Laguna Heights sustained extensive damage and downed power lines, Port Isabel said in a social media post. Laguna Heights is a community situated in between Port Isabel and Laguna Vista, near South Padre Island and the Mexico border, about 180 miles south of Corpus Christi.

City officials said in a press conference there was essentially zero warning about the tornado touching down.

"We didn't have the benefit of warning, obviously. The hour didn't help [it was] the middle of the evening, early morning. Unfortunately ... it just literally popped up out of nowhere," Trevino said, noting the tornado was only on the ground for two to four minutes. "Mother nature can be very difficult at times."

A shelter has been opened at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center for the foreseeable future with food and water, with assistance from The Salvation Army, Red Cross and Cameron County Emergency Management. Officials said those in need to shelter to bring needed medication with them. A triage team is also present at the shelter to provide medical assistance for minor injuries.

Port Isabel officials also confirmed that search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and shared that many roadways around the area were closed. TxDOT said around noon that one eastbound and westbound lane of State Highway 100 were reopened to traffic between Laguna Heights and State Highway 48.

A disaster declaration has been issued for Cameron Country and officials said that homeowners can report sustained property damage online through the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Cameron Cameron Sheriff Eric Garza said that additional services and patrol in the area.

"We are concerned about those people who have not gone to a shelter, who do not want to leave their properties, and who are concerned about any individual going into their property and looting," Garza said. Trevino said a curfew may possibly be put into place to remedy the same concern.

Video of the damage from the possible tornado are circulating on social media, showcasing the reported extensive damage done to many buildings in the area.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  A fiery highway crash involving a passenger van and a freight truck killed 26 people in northern Mexico on Sunday, authorities said.

Prosecutors and police in the northern border state of Tamaulipas said the death toll was a preliminary count, apparently because of the sheer volume of the wreckage and the fire that consumed the van and the freight trailer.

The cab that had been pulling the freight trailer was not found at the scene, suggesting the driver might have uncoupled it and fled.

The accident occurred on a highway near the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, and the cause was under investigation, officials said.

Local media reported many of the victims might be members of an extended family returning from an outing, but authorities did not confirm that.

In the past, big death tolls in similar crashes in Mexico have often been blamed on overloaded vehicles linked to migrant smuggling.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Authorities confirmed that a 40-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday evening.

The incident happened at East 88th Street and Bessemer Avenue around 10 p.m. The unidentified man was taken to University Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead.

This was the second shooting to happen on Bessemer Avenue last week.

On Thursday, 29-year-old Dawaun Drake was pronounced dead after a shooting at East 65th Street and Bessemer Avenue. Drake was found in his vehicle with several gunshot wounds to his head and body.

Police reported that Drake was on East 65th Street when he stopped at Bessemer Avenue. A dark-colored SUV with tinted windows pulled up next to him and someone fired shots at Drakes vehicle.

The shootings are under investigation.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Not surprisingly, Fabricators Rep. George Santos was handed a 13 count Federal indictment for financial fraud Wednesday.

Santos said he would fight the witch hunt. The Congressman from Long Island, New York portrayed himself as Glinda- the Good Witch of the North, not the Green Wicked Witch of the West.
Four years ago, electric vehicles were still a niche industry, accounting for 1.4% of total vehicle sales in the U.S., according to a report from CleanTechnica, a website covering the cleantech industry. That number, according to the report, quadrupled by 2022, and the Biden administration recently proposed new rules that would make two-thirds of passenger vehicle sales electric by 2032.

A Tesla Model 3 now costs $4,930 less than the average new car, according to an analysis by Bloomberg, even before tax incentives. Electric vehicles have become mainstream  you can even rent one for your road trip.

But what about air travel? Last time I checked, electric airplanes accounted for precisely 0% of the commercial aviation fleet. In 2021, United Airlines announced that it would buy 100 electric planes for operation by 2026. But these planes would hold 19 passengers each and have a flight distance of a mere 250 miles.

So yeah, electric aircraft probably wont soon solve the aviation industrys emission problem. But what will? And, more importantly, why are airlines so far behind on this pressing issue?

The scope of the sustainability problem

Jets burn fuel  lots of it  to move people around the globe. If commercial aviation were its own country, it would rank sixth, between Germany and Japan, in terms of total emissions, according to a report from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.

The big problem is this: Theres no reasonable alternative to fuel-gobbling aircraft on the horizon. Hydrogen-powered planes are hypothetically feasible, but the commercial implementation of such technology lies at least 15 or 20 years away, according to a report from Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm based in New York City. Electric aircraft will probably never carry you across the country, never mind the ocean, because of weight and range limitations.

Airlines can reduce emissions by improving their fleets fuel efficiency. For example, Delta Air Lines estimated it cut 10 million gallons of fuel in 2022 through these efficiency improvement tactics. But these upgrades, such as fuel efficiency improvements to passenger vehicles, can only do so much. At some point, aircraft and operations will be as streamlined as possible, and theyll still be burning loads of fuel.

Thats why many climate initiatives focus on so-called sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, to replace the fossil fuel currently used to power aircraft. But, again, the industry is way behind in transitioning to greener options. As of 2019, only about 0.1% of the fuels used were SAFs, according to a World Economic Forum report.

Whats being done to improve sustainability?

If youre like me, reading all these alarming facts fills you with a vague sense of dread and, maybe, guilt. However, there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling, such as taking more direct flights and visiting transit-friendly destinations. And no, they wont offset the huge carbon impact of deciding to fly in the first place.

Yet, its unreasonable to depend on consumers to change their habits. Vehicle fuel consumption wont become sustainable because everyone decides to stop driving  it will happen because regulations and technological innovation (such as electric vehicles) make sustainable options easy for consumers.

Just as the automotive industry needed a kick from Tesla to start taking electric vehicles seriously, something must happen in aviation to catalyze a similar change.

Many U.S. airlines have made ambitious pledges to improve sustainability through fleet improvements, SAFs and carbon offsets. Yet pledges are one thing, and actually sacrificing short-term profit to reduce emissions is another.

For example, many advocates suggest that first- and business-class travel generates far more per-passenger emissions than economy fares. In fact, according to an analysis by IBA, an aviation consulting firm, the two U.S. airlines with the lowest emissions per passenger are Frontier and Spirit  partly because they pack passengers in so tightly.

In other words, Delta and Alaska could easily slash their emissions by eliminating their first-class cabins. But Im not holding my breath.

Until passengers get serious about holding airlines accountable for their climate pledges, or until federal regulations begin forcing them to, the aviation industry will remain an emissions laggard.

More From NerdWallet

Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif.

The article When It Comes to Sustainability, Airlines Are Slow to Take Off originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Late last month, the city of Chicago trumpeted a $1 billion, 100-year deal with the Illinois city of Joliet to divert treated drinking water from Lake Michigan, starting in 2030, through pipes to be built by Joliet and its surrounding communities. Bloomberg News described it as a sign the Great Lakes unparalleled water wealth was about to translate into broad economic gains for states like Illinois (and Ohio), in a position to lure new industries and businesses that need water.

But how and why Illinois can divert that much water inland underscores risky concessions the other seven Great Lakes states had to make when they negotiated the 2008 Great Lakes Compact -- an unprecedented, legally binding deal among all eight Great Lakes states not to sell irreplaceable Great Lakes water to outsiders. (Theres a parallel agreement involving the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.)

Some experts on the compact see the Joliet diversion as a manifestation of their worst fears about the screaming exception for Illinois water diversions built into the deal. At the same time, it appears compact negotiators had little choice, if they wanted Illinois to be subject to other aspects of the compact.

The question now is how to persuade Illinois not to over-obligate its precious water resources.

Illinois diversion traces back more than 100 years, to Chicagos decision to build a canal to reverse the course of the Chicago River to keep sewage out of drinking-water intakes in Lake Michigan. That resulted in sending Lake Michigan water, via the Mississippi River, to the Gulf of Mexico.

After decades of litigation, a landmark 1967 Supreme Court consent decree was reached involving all the Great Lakes states. It set a daily water-diversion limit for Illinois of 3,200 cubic feet a second, or 2.1 billion gallons per day.

That sounds like a lot, but much of it was intended to allow a mixing of clean Lake Michigan water into the befouled canal and river to dilute the pollution. Chicago had been drawing more than that, and had to cut back, notes author Peter Annin, director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. But, with a falloff in industrial uses, Annin told our editorial board that Chicago increasingly has been looking to provide drinking water from its withdrawal allotment to its collar communities.

The Joliet diversion is in a different class -- sending water to a community whose underground aquifers are stressed, and from whence, according to Annin, that water can then also be discharged into the Mississippi watershed.

Annin calls the Joliet diversion a warning sign not just to the other compact states but also to Chicago about the implications of centurylong water-supply agreements -- were it to over-obligate its allowed withdrawals, impeding its own water access.

What can be done? The decades of litigation that led to the 1967 consent decree make it unlikely that states like Ohio would want to reopen that fraught case. But if Chicago starts running short on its daily water-withdrawal limits, it might be tempted to go back to the courts to get the daily withdrawal limit increased on the basis of hardship and need.

That should not be allowed to happen.

The other Great Lakes Compact states should draw red lines now, warning Illinois that its screaming exception in the binding 2008 compact was directly tied to a binding 1967 consent decree.

Maybe that will induce Chicago to tread cautiously on its water diversions.

In contrast with Illinois exception, the Great Lakes Compact requires Ohio and the other Great Lakes states to adhere to a highly restrictive set of water-diversion requirements that mandate agreement from all other compact states to divert water to qualifying communities outside the watershed. Those deals -- such as the controversial 2016 Waukesha water diversion in Wisconsin -- also require the water to be borrowed and returned, treated, to the watershed.

Thats critical, because the Great Lakes watershed, a remnant of the glaciers, is self-replenishing from rain and drainage back into the lakes. Once water is withdrawn from the watershed, it cannot (in theory) be replenished.

When it comes to Chicago water diversions, more needs to become less, with water-conservation efforts and improved sewage treatment solutions to end the wasteful pollution dilution use of permanently diverted Lake Michigan water. And the other Great Lakes states, Ohio included, need to remind Illinois that its diversion exception is set and not negotiable.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com
CLEVELAND -- Nothing speaks to a societys decay as loudly as suppression of thought, the silencing of ideas.

One neednt have a Ph.D. in history to know where government-sponsored censorship can lead, be it of spoken or written words. And that is precisely what makes the rights growing obsession with book banning such a clear and present danger.

Seven states have already passed laws limiting material in libraries. The American Library Association said in a recent report that, in 2022, book banners targeted 2,571 books for censorship, a 38% increase from a year earlier. That included a record-breaking 1,269 demands ... to censor library books and resources in 2022, ABC News reported, citing the ALA.

And according to The New York Times, PEN America, the century-old nonprofit dedicated to free speech and literature, is tracking 113 bills in state and local legislative bodies that would restrict libraries decisions on which books to offer the public.

Pointing to its latest report on the surge in book bans, PEN America warns that, Books are under profound attack in the United States. They are disappearing from library shelves, being challenged in droves, being decreed off limits by school boards, legislatures and prison authorities. And everywhere, it is the books that have long fought for a place on the shelf that are being targeted. Book by authors of color, by LGBTQ authors, by women. Books about racism, sexuality, gender, history.

We live in a country thats now infatuated with banning books, but wont ban the semi-automatic weapons used to massacre children in schools. Not surprisingly, the thought police are enjoying the most success in Florida and Texas.

PEN America found 1,477 instances of book banning, including 874 unique titles, during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year.

So far, the anti-idea fervor has yet to gain much of a foothold in Greater Cleveland. In fact, the heads of two of the regions largest public library systems said they have seen no evidence of a coordinated campaign to remove books from their shelves. That may soon change, but Tracey Strobel, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Pamela Hickson-Stevenson, executive director of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, said they are proud of the constituents they serve, but worried about the threat posed by whats happening elsewhere. Both feel strongly that decisions about what children read are best made by individual families, not governments, or groups obsessed with banning books.

Strobel and Hickson-Stevenson speak eloquently on these matters. Their words warrant thoughtful attention.

I strongly believe we are more than capable of making our own decisions about what to read and families are capable of guiding their children about what to read, said Strobel. Other people should not have the power to make decisions about what I read or what my children read. That is foundational to our democracy. And its dangerous to entrust others with that power.

Hickson-Stevenson said, All this is an indication more and more people are upset about topics or representations they are finding in materials on library shelves. The reason we should be concerned is, generally speaking, any time an individual seeks to limit or remove access to an idea or concept from others, it weakens the foundation of our democratic society.

If Ohio really cared about protecting ideas and preserving First Amendment rights, state legislators would follow Illinois lead, after it became the first state to enact a law that would withhold state funding for any school or public library that bans books by removing them from their shelves. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias rightly called the bill a triumph for our democracy, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that, In Illinois, we dont hide from the truth, we embrace it and lead with it. ... Banning books is a devastating attempt to erase our history and the authentic stories of many.

Unfortunately, Ohios politics now is frighteningly similar to Indiana, where Gov. Eric Holcom last week signed into law a bill that would make it a felony for librarians to refuse book banning requests for books deemed offensive by parents and community members.

Two days after the Indiana law paved the way for sending librarians to prison, the world marked the 90th anniversary of Nazi sympathizers in 34 towns burning more than 25,000 German books. The book burning, on May 10, 1933, was aimed largely at Jewish authors, and justified by Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels as an effort aimed at works containing decadence and moral corruption.

Book banners beware. In the end, either your efforts fail or democracy disappears. The zealots should consider the writings of Ellen Hopkins, best-selling author of novels for young adults, who wrote in a poem titled Manifesto, after school officials in Oklahoma canceled a planned appearance there in 2009 because parents objected to one of her books:

A word to the unwise.

Torch every book.

Char every page.

Burn every word to ash.

Ideas are incombustible.

And therein lies your real fear.

Brent Larkin was The Plain Dealers editorial director from 1991 until his retirement in 2009.

To reach Brent Larkin: blarkin@cleveland.com

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is on a working visit to Brussels, has met with President of the European Council Charles Michel, Azernews reports.

President of the European Council Charles Michel welcomed President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Then, they posed together for photographs.

The President of Azerbaijan thanked the President of the European Council for the invitation to visit Brussels.

Both sides hailed the restoration of the Brussels format of the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to Charles Michel for his efforts in this direction.

During the conversation, they discussed the developments related to Azerbaijan-Armenia relations in recent months, the Washington negotiations, the situation on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, as well as the agenda of the trilateral meeting to be held today with the participation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.





</body> </html>
Bill Gates attends the 2022 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 08, 2022, in New York City.

Bill Gates never finished his undergraduate degree  the billionaire dropped out of Harvard University after three semesters to start Microsoft. "What does a college dropout know about graduation? Not much, personally, to be honest," Gates told students at Northern Arizona University's commencement ceremony on Saturday. "As I prepared for today, I spent a lot of time thinking about how you, as new graduates, can have the biggest impact on the world with the education you received here," Gates said. "That led me to thinking about ... the advice I was never given on a day just like this one." If Gates had finished college, these are "the five things I wish I was told at the graduation I never had," he said.

'Your life isn't a one-act play'

"You're probably facing a lot of pressure right now to make the right decisions about your career," Gates said. "It might feel like those decisions are permanent. They're not." Gates recalled battling this same pressure when he was a student. When he co-founded Microsoft in 1975, he thought that "I would work there for the rest of my life," he said. He's "so glad" that he was wrong about that, he added. Gates did work at Microsoft for a long time: He was the company's CEO until 2000, and board director until 2014. "Today, I still work on software, but philanthropy is my full-time job," he said, referencing his work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-founded with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates. The foundation has issued $65.6 billion in grant payments since 2000, focusing largely on global issues like climate change, gender equality and health care, according to its website. It's a "good thing" to reevaluate yourself and your goals, even if they don't align with what you originally imagined, Gates noted.

'You are never too smart to be confused'

Even the co-founder of a multi-trillion dollar company learns new things daily. It wasn't always that way: When Gates dropped out of college, he said, he thought he knew everything. Eventually, he realized that "the first step to learning something new is leaning into what you don't know, instead of focusing on what you do know," he said. Gates advised students to do the same. "At some point in your career, you will find yourself facing a problem you cannot solve on your own," he said. "When that happens, don't panic. Take a breath. Force yourself to think things through. And then find smart people to learn from." You can find these smart people in the workplace, on professional networking sites or among your peers, he added. His advice for getting that help: Don't be afraid to ask for it.

'Gravitate towards work that solves a problem'

Gates was responsible for the largest known charitable donation of 2022, giving $5 billion of his own money to the Gates Foundation to back its work. Unsurprisingly, he encouraged students to take opportunities to help others. "You are graduating at a time of immense opportunity to help people," he said. "New industries and companies are emerging every day that will allow you to make a living by making a difference. And advances in science and technology have made it easier than ever to make a big impact." The opportunities are endless, Gates said: Students they could fight climate change as foresters or help people benefit from artificial intelligence as programmers. "When you spend your days doing something that solves a big problem, it energizes you to do your best work," he said. "It forces you to be more creative, and it gives your life a stronger sense of purpose."

'Don't underestimate the power of friendship'

One of Gates' biggest college regrets, he told Harvard students in 2018: Not being sociable enough. He spent most of his time in class or studying, leaving little room for building friendships. On Saturday, Gates advised recent graduates to keep valuing the connections they made throughout college. "The people you've [socialized] with and sat next to in lectures are not just your classmates. They are your network," he said. "Your future co-founders and colleagues. Your best sources of support, information, and advice. The only thing more valuable than what you walk offstage with today is who you walk onstage with." Some of Gates' oldest friends have played crucial parts in his life. His high school friend Paul Allen became his Microsoft co-founder. One of his few college friends, Steve Ballmer, became his successor as Microsoft CEO. In March, Gates even said that the best piece of advice he's ever received was about friendship  and it came from his longtime friend and fellow billionaire Warren Buffett. "In the end, it's how friends really think of you and how strong those friendships are [that matters]," Gates recalled Buffett telling him.

'You are not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack'
One of the most lucrative side hustles is also one of the longest-standing. The earliest evidence of notaries dates back to 2750 BC in ancient Egypt, where these chroniclers verified official communications including proclamations and tax documents. Notaries, or notary publics, witness and authorize the signing of important documents, like passport applications and real estate contracts. While the essence of their job remains the same, the profession has since evolved to include notary signing agents, or notaries who specialize in property records and loan documents  an in-demand service that people are willing to pay a lot of money for. Most notary publics can only charge what their state dictates; notary signing agents, on the other hand, can charge more for handling sensitive mortgage or loan packages, often on tight deadlines. The gig is often flexible, and you can earn as much as $20,000 a month as a part-time agent, according to the National Notary Association. Here's how to start a side hustle as a notary signing agent.

Becoming a notary signing agent can take less than a month  and doesn't require a degree

The requirements for becoming a notary vary from state to state, but generally, the process includes the following steps: Send an application and fee to your state's regulating office

Receive your verified commission documents in the mail

Take your oath of office To become a notary, you must be at least 18 years old. There are no educational requirements, but some states, including California and New York, require notaries to take a training course and pass an hour-long exam. Other states might also require you to pass a background check and file a surety bond as part of the process (you can check your state's rules here). To become a signing agent, Kat Garcia, the senior manager of content strategy at the National Notary Association, recommends taking a loan signing training course and passing a second exam that is compliant with the Signing Professionals Workgroup, the industry workgroup that dictates professional standards for signing agents. Although no exam or training is required for signing agents beyond the general notary process, a training course and a passing score on an exam are "smart ways to prove you've been formally educated in the complex process of mortgage closings," according to the National Notary Association. The process to become a signing agent can take anywhere from 4-9 weeks, Garcia adds, depending on how quickly the state can process your application.

The startup cost is under $1,000

Generally, notary signing agents need three supplies: a notary stamp, a journal for keeping a record of your notarizations and your notary commission, which is an official license to notarize from the state. The startup costs to become a signing agent can range anywhere from $250 to $500 or higher, depending on your state's requirements to become a notary, says Mark Wills, the owner of Loan Signing System and a signing agent of 21 years. This includes the cost of any notary/notary signing agent courses, exams, background screenings, supplies and application fees.

Signing agents can make up to $200 per hour
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) says goodbye to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right), as he departs the Bellevue Palace on May 14, 2023, in Berlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany for its support as he met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday in his first visit to the country since Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin from Rome, where he met separately on Saturday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis. The pope indicated that the Vatican would help in the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken by Russians.

He flew on a German government plane escorted over German airspace by fighter jets of the Luftwaffe air force, arriving in the middle of the night.

"In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proud to be our true friend and reliable ally," Zelenskyy wrote in the guest book of the German presidency. "Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe."

Zelenskyy was expected to meet later with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his security cabinet before heading to Aachen in west Germany to receive the prestigious Charlemagne prize in honour of services to Europe.

Germany, which is Europe's largest economy, faced criticism at the start of the war for what some called a hesitant response, but it has become one of Ukraine's biggest providers of financial and military assistance.

The government announced 2.7 billion euro ($3 billion) of military aid to Ukraine on Saturday, its biggest such package yet since Russia's invasion in February last year, and pledged further support for Kyiv for as long as necessary.

Zelenskyy hailed this as a "powerful package" in a tweet, indicating that he aimed to discuss weapons supply as well as air defence, reconstruction, Ukraine's candidacy for membership of the European Union and security with German officials.

Zelenskyy last visited Germany for the Munich Security Council in February last year just before the war broke out.

Germany was constrained in its support for Ukraine at that time both by its energy dependence on Russia and a pacifism rooted in its bloody 20th century history.

This required a major policy upheaval and a shift in mindset that Scholz dubbed a "Zeitenwende" or turn of era, in a landmark speech just days after the war broke out.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14)  As the country honors mothers on Sunday, an agency of the United Nations (UN) in the Philippines called for accessible and affordable healthcare for mothers to stop maternal deaths.

This Mothers Day, let us uphold the right of all people  especially mothers  to reach the highest possible standard of health, Leila Joudane, country representative of UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines, said in a statement.

Timely health care for pregnant women can make the difference between life and death. No woman should die giving life, she added.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, UNFPA said the country logged 1,458 deaths due to maternal causes in 2019, which almost doubled in 2021 with 2,478 deaths.

The record also showed that one out of 10 women do not give birth in health facilities nor receive professional help during childbirth, while 14% of pregnant women do not get regular check-ups nor sufficient medical care.

Unavailable, inaccessible, unaffordable, and poor quality of sexual and reproductive health services were some of the causes of maternal deaths, Joudane noted.

Human resources are also scarce. There are not enough trained healthcare workers that provide quality sexual and reproductive health information and services, she said.

The UNFPA said it supports the countrys agenda of providing Filipinos universal health coverage and universal access to sexual and reproductive health through public health programs, human resources for health deployment program and health facilities enhancement program.

Included in the Philippines sustainable development goal in good health and well-being is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
We all want somebody dead: that evil terrorist, our ex-lover's new spouse, that smug bastard mailman---whatever the case may be, there are many things stopping us. Logic, empathy, the court system or, in some cases, just complete insanity and hilarious incompetence.

5 Giuseppe Marco Fieschi and His Supergun Giuseppe Marco Fieschi really wanted King Louis Philippe of France dead as a doornail. It would be his revenge on society for unjustly sentencing him to 10 years in prison--well, unless you consider all that stealing and forging he did to be some sort of crime. But like all assassins, he knew he'd get only one shot. So he decided to make the most of that shot--by taking 20 guns and fusing them together into an "infernal machine," just like a supervillain ... who had failed Imagination Time in kindergarten. But hey, at least he was bound to hit something, right?

"If only all of these guns were attached somehow." On July 28, 1835, he took his 20-barreled Death-o-Matic and aimed it down at the boulevard du Temple, where King Louis was about to cross the street accompanied by his sons and staff. As soon as they were in his various lines of fire, Fieschi set the machine off, exploding bullets all over the place. He somehow missed his intended target--Louis and his children were only grazed by the hail of bullets--but he did manage to hit a very large number of people, including himself (why he taped that one gun on backward, we'll never understand). Fieschi ended up with severe injuries from the explosion, which prevented him from fleeing the scene while twirling his mustache and muttering "Blast!" But Louis, to Fieschi's surprise, made sure no expense was spared in saving the man's life. Fieschi decided to take advantage of this opportunity to finger every last one of his accomplices, confident that he would be pardoned, since the king had done so much to save him already. He ended up being even more surprised when he was sentenced to death by guillotine, for attempting to murder the king with something a 12-year-old would draw in his Five Star.

"Dammit, Louis, I thought you were cooool!" Advertisement Advertisement

4 Hitler and the Explosions That Could Have Been If history were a high school prom, Hitler would be the kid sitting alone on the bleachers, trying not to cry when "Jessie's Girl" starts playing over the hi-fi. He wasn't a beloved figure, is what we're saying here--no matter how controversial that statement might be! Over the course of his life, he was the target of no less than 42 assassination attempts, and it's likely that surviving so many of them made Hitler believe he was invincible. Though if he had known the full details of some of them, perhaps he wouldn't have thought himself so special.

Somehow, the dude ended up with an ego. Advertisement Advertisement In 1938, a man named Georg Elser started planning an assassination attempt, upset about the incredibly low wages and the impending war that everyone was talking about. He knew that Hitler visited the same pub in Munich every year, the Buergerbraukeller, on Nov. 8 and 9, to celebrate the anniversary of the Nazi putsch of 1923. When Hitler visited in November 1939, however, Elser would be sure there was a surprise waiting for him. A rather explosive surprise, which would start things off with a bang. Hitler's reaction would be incendia- It was a bomb. Did you get that?

Here, have this helpful visual aid. Advertisement Over the course of a year, Elser stole explosives from the factory and quarry near his home, until he had enough for a decent blast. Then, every night for three months before Hitler's visit, he would eat dinner at the Buergerbraukeller, and hide in a cupboard until the staff left. He would spend four hours hollowing out a pillar, leaving in the morning with the first customers, until everything was ready. He then put the bomb in place, hopefully making a killer pun as he did so, and waited for Hitler to arrive. Advertisement It was only after setting the bomb that Elser decided to open up a newspaper, where he discovered that Hitler had canceled his annual trip to the Buergerbraukeller. Realizing that the ingenious "exploding hollow pillar" ruse had failed, he tried to flee the country to Switzerland, but was detained on the grounds of "being suspicious." He looked even more suspicious when the bomb he left at the pub finally exploded, given that he was carrying a postcard of the pub with him at the time; we imagine that his documents labeled "How I Will Blow Up Hitler (Because He Is A Dick)" didn't help much either.

At least Tom Cruise managed to fuck up Hitler's bunker. Advertisement

3 Nero and the Magic Collapsible Ceiling Advertisement In the first century A.D., Rome was caught in a power struggle at the very top of the government. Nero had ascended the throne and become the emperor, but his mother, Agrippina, still held a lot of power in the state, including supreme authority over snacks and bedtime. Despite having been stripped of all honors and official power, she still held a lot of influence and was rather popular, and Nero eventually decided that she had to go. Nero really needed it to look like an accident but, being an ancient Roman and, well, Nero, he had an imagination that was more than a bit twisted. He eventually settled on a couple of plans that Rube Goldberg would be proud of. Advertisement And nobody else.

Especially not his mommy. According to the ancient historian Suetonius, Nero rigged Agrippina's bed so that when she lay down in it, her weight would activate a mechanism that would cause the ceiling to collapse on top of her. The original plan, penned by a Mr. W. E. Coyote, had a pile of birdseed instead of the bed, but Nero was an improviser. The plan might have worked, despite (or possibly because of) spitting in the face of logic and sanity, except for one thing: Agrippina had a habit of using slaves to warm her bed before she lay in it, and it was the slave who was crushed to death. That's right: Agrippina's life was saved by a combination of slavery and hedonism. We'll say it again: Karma is bullshit.

Hedonism: the life-saving habit. Advertisement Advertisement Shaking his fist, Nero went back to the drawing board and somehow came back with a self-sinking boat. He invited his mother onto the boat to celebrate the festival of Minerva, and Agrippina accepted. Partway through the cruise, a mechanism was triggered that made the ceiling collapse (Nero had a theme; you can't take that away from him), but when this once again failed to kill her, or even sink the boat, the crew decided to capsize it themselves. As the boat sunk to the depths below, Agrippina managed to outwit certain death by utilizing all of her tenacity and cunning: She swam to shore. Finally abandoning pretense altogether, Nero sent three men to just stab Agrippina to death in her home. When news of her death spread, many Roman generals sent letters to Nero, congratulating him for finally murdering his mother, since they evidently knew how much of a headache it had been for him. Advertisement
The Internet is great at reading too much into things -- even Freud admitted that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, people. Other times, however, you could make a pretty strong case to argue that it is, in fact, a penis. See, every once in a while, we come across a mind-blowing fan theory that makes a disturbing amount of sense, casting a movie we've all seen a million times in a whole new light. For instance ...

5 The Main Characters of Fight Club Are an Older Calvin & Hobbes Fight Club came out during the golden era of movie plot twists, before every stupid website started spoiling the ending to every movie. Anyway, the movie ends when the narrator (Edward Norton) and his friend/sparring partner Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) turn out to be the same person. All those times we saw the two fighting? That was just the narrator punching himself.

We'd do the same thing if we were Edward Norton. So Tyler never existed: He was a personality the narrator invented to escape his depressing middle class life. Strangely, when this all comes out, the narrator seems to handle it rather well for a man who previously had a nervous breakdown over Ikea furniture. It's almost like he's experienced something like this before ... Advertisement The Theory: And he has, according to one popular theory, which states that the narrator is actually a grown-up Calvin from Calvin & Hobbes ... which would mean Tyler is Hobbes.

Or at the very least he skinned Hobbes. For those of you who grew up in a Mexican prison, Calvin & Hobbes charts the adventures of a young boy and his best friend, a talking tiger who looks like a stuffed doll to everyone else. But other than the fact that both Fight Club's narrator and Calvin have imaginary friends, what else could they possibly have in common? Well, first, there's the fact that they both tend to show up with inexplicable bruises all over their bodies -- when Calvin imagines a fight with Hobbes, his parents can see the bruises afterwards, so it's obvious that the kid likes punching himself and blaming it on his nonexistent friend. Just like Fight Club's narrator (whose name we never learn). Advertisement Advertisement

That, or his mind is blocking some serious parental abuse. Also, both characters are miserable. Calvin has no friends, so he creates one to make his life more bearable. A friend who, incidentally, is nothing like him: Calvin is an impulsive, whiny, shouting ... child, really. Hobbes, meanwhile, is a cool and collected philosopher. Likewise, the narrator hates his life -- it's little wonder why he might sink back into his old hallucinatory habit and resurrect Hobbes, albeit an R-rated version named Tyler. A version who, as we've seen, is a cool, collected philosopher who fucks junkies like a machine. Advertisement

It's nice to see that they still share the same activities. And it's not like Calvin and Hobbes don't have experience in running a secretive males-only organization before. G.R.O.S.S, or Get Rid Of Slimy girlS, a club that the duo operated for most of the comic's lifespan, is a predecessor to the titular terrorist organization, Fight Club. Everything's got to start somewhere, right? Advertisement Advertisement

They were a lot more strict about enforcing the first rule, hence the lack of members. And the most damning piece of evidence? "Tyler" sounds a lot like "Tiger." Case. Goddamn. Closed.

4 Kill Bill is a Movie Within a Movie We're guessing everyone reading this has seen Pulp Fiction, and if you haven't, get on that shit. Hidden amongst Samuel Jackson's fake Bible quotes and Bruce Willis wearing a poop-watch was that little scene at the restaurant where Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) tells Vincent Vega (John Travolta) about a failed TV pilot she did. Advertisement

But before that: baffling dance moves. The pilot, she says, was about a hit squad comprised of five women, called Fox Force Five, who go around killing people and telling bad jokes. It actually did sound utterly awesome, like something Tarantino should make ... Advertisement The Theory: ... and he did. It's called Kill Bill.

The Bride (Mia Wallace), about to snort coke off a sword. We've talked before about the vast interconnected universe formed by Tarantino's movies, but what if Kill Bill isn't just a part of that world, but a movie inside of it? Specifically, it was adapted from Mia Wallace's pilot episode. Hey, maybe it was even produced by her mobster husband, Marcellus. Advertisement

This was actually full of Oscars. Let's go over the characters Mia Wallace names to Vincent Vega: "Baton Rouge, she was the leader. A Japanese one, a black one, a French one, and a brunette one, me. We all had special skills. Somerset had a photographic memory, the Japanese fox was a kung fu master, the black girl was a demolition expert, the French fox's specialty was sex ..." Advertisement

Wait, are we sure this isn't a porno? Meanwhile, Kill Bill stars The Bride (also Uma Thurman), who is also a member of an all-female hit squad, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. The five major female characters in the movie are The Bride herself ... Advertisement Half-Japanese gangster O-Ren Ishii ... Vernita Green ... Sofie Fatale (O-Ren's French second in command) ... And Elle Driver. Advertisement Advertisement Some elements were retooled in the transition from cancelled pilot to major motion picture (Mia Wallace switched characters, Raven is no longer a brunette, they added a fat dude with a mullet), but it's essentially the same group. Then there's what Mia tells Vincent about her character: "She was the deadliest woman in the world with a knife." The same line was recycled in Kill Bill, only this time it was about Vernita Green. In fact, Tarantino himself has said his movies with the more fantastic elements like From Dusk Till Dawn are the films that the characters in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction see when they go to the cinema. Which means that we'll eventually get the inevitable scene where a Tarantino character is dissecting a Tarantino movie. Advertisement

"Hey, did you see Django? Man, I don't know if I'm comfortable with the language."

3 Everyone in Monsters Inc. is Terrified of the Black Death Advertisement Monsters Inc. is set in a world inhabited entirely by monsters, who have figured out how to turn the screams of human children into a renewable, clean source of energy. Advertisement

BP is probably working on something similar right now. The only problem (besides the whole "traumatizing kids" thing) is that children are considered highly contagious in the monster world. When a little girl named Boo sneaks into this world, the monsters turn out to be more afraid of her than she is of them. The results are highly comical -- the mere possibility of contact with humans causes the monsters asto fly into a frantic emergency disinfectant procedure. But why would they ever get the idea humans are toxic? Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Babies only smell toxic, what, 40 percent of the time? Advertisement The Theory: According to one fan theory by Reddit user Calabim, what terrifies the monsters is actually the Black Death. Here's why: In the movie it's pretty clear that the monster world is a lot more advanced than ours: They have Jetsons-level technology, they can travel across dimensions, and they walk around naked, the mark of a perfect society. Therefore it stands to reason that the monsters have been traveling to our world and collecting our screams for a long time ... like, say, since the Middle Ages. You know, back when the bubonic plague was happily strolling around Europe killing everyone. Advertisement Advertisement

But by all means, continue complaining about your phone reception. Now, the main way that the plague spread in Europe was through fleas. And, say, remember what the monsters' reaction was when a single human sock was found clinging to someone's fur? After removing the sock using a pair of extra-large tweezers and vaporizing it ... Advertisement ... they shave off the monster's fur ... Advertisement

"This is gonna itch like crazy for, oh, a couple of years." ... then give him a shower, and that's it. No medicine. No mass inoculations. No quarantine in a glass room. The only possible purpose of this, therefore, is to remove the monster's fur as soon as possible, an action which itself only makes complete sense if the disease they're afraid of spreads through tiny insects that cling to hair. No fur, no fleas; no fleas, no re-emergence of plague; no re-emergence of plague, no bullet to the face for Sully when Mike snaps and mercifully spares him a painful death. Everyone's a winner. Advertisement
Advertisement

In 1644, he and the Queen were living in France, her home country, which she considered a safer place than England thanks to the English Civil War. A man named Crofts, brother to the Baron William Crofts, insulted Hudson in some manner. We dont have a record of this insult, but were guessing it had something to do with his being a dwarf. Hudson challenged him to a duel, and Crofts accepted.

Crofts said he accepted, anyway. He didnt take the duel seriously, however, and when he showed up on horseback at the scheduled time, he held a squirt gun. Hudson, on the other hand, carried a regular gun and very easily shot him dead.

Wellcome Collection It was a short duel.

That ended poorly for Crofts. It also ended poorly for Hudson because duels were illegal (thats why Crofts hadnt taken the idea seriously). Queen Henrietta had to dismiss him from her court and send him by ship to England. As miserable an end to his story as that sounds, it actually got worse. During that brief sea voyage, pirates attacked his ship, captured him and made him a slave.

Advertisement

Okay, that sounds like the miserable to end to his story, and he experienced years as a slave before returning to England. Weird thing, though: Despite being 30 years old when he was captured, he now grew almost two feet taller, essentially doubling his height. This sounds like some messed-up fairy tale about the virtues of punishment breaking the curse that made him a dwarf. It actually may be a case of physical exertion triggering the release of dormant growth hormones, but whats the difference? Some say that all of science is one big fairy tale  and theyre offering a prize if you can prove them wrong.

Follow Ryan Menezes on Twitter for more stuff no one should see.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

FAIRFIELD  From the photos of "The Sopranos" crew to the owner's mugshot-style picture outside with the caption "now serving," Gabagool Wine Bar leans into some of the stereotypes about Italian-Americans, which owner Antonio Ninivaggi says are all in good fun.

Originally from Italy, but now living in Stamford, Ninivaggi said his restaurant, formerly known as Toto, has been redesigned and rebranded.

"Before, it was a Mediterranean fine dining experience," he said. "Now, it's more simple, more casual with a flair. It has more (New) Jersey-ness."

Gabagool is a slang term for capicola, and came to the forefront of the nation's cultural lexicon through the likes of Sopranos characters Tony Soprano, Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri and Christopher Moltisanti. But folks from New Jersey and the surrounding area knew it well.

"Gabagool is what people think of when they think of Italian-Americans," he said. "It's a little irony. I just want to make fun of it a bit. I'm Italian. I can do it."

His menu includes dishes, "meat the bwalls" and "fried gallamad," and cocktails, "howyoudoin" and the "forggedabouit."

Ninivaggi said he wanted to do something less serious and more fun, adding the food, service and decor is still excellent.

This isn't the first change under his leadership.

Ninivaggi took over Osianna in January 2015 and waited a year before renaming the restaurant Toto. Early last year, he said, a pipe burst causing significant damage, and so he just reopened the new eatery in January.

"Still, what I do is provide the best," he said. "When you walk in, you're going to have a smile on your face. It's a fun one. But it's an everyday kind of thing. It's not coming here for your birthday, for the occasion. It's an everyday type of thing. It's a small menu, but it's the best you can get. I love doing it. "

Ninivaggi said business has been good since opening in January, noting at first they just did dinner but are now expanding to lunch as well.

"People are happy with the restaurant. They say the food is great," he said. "It's enough to survive and thrive. If I can open a couple more of these, that would be awesome."

Gabagool opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

PARIS (AP)  France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palace  an encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leaders arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour.

With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macron's office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the weeks ahead," without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details weren't made public.

More Ukrainians will also be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a wider European effort, Macron's office said.

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian and military aid will continue for as long as necessary.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing."

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his country's planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the invasion and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for the support, saying Germany is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter.

Scholz said that Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive.

In the western German city of Aachen, Zelenskyy also received the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which wounded more than 30 people, according to the Ukrainian military. Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man Sunday in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

___

Jordans reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers David Rising in Kyiv and Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.
SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP)  Joe A. Garcia, a well-known Native American leader from New Mexico and advocate for tribal sovereignty, has died at 70, his family confirmed Saturday.

A traditional funeral was already held following Garcia's death Thursday, said family members. The cause of death was not made public.

Garcia was a former two-time president of the the National Congress of American Indians, which describes itself as the oldest and largest organization of American Indian and Alaska Native governments. He previously served three terms as governor of the Ohkay Owingeh, a federally designated tribe of pueblo people in New Mexico. Garcia was currently the tribe's head councilman.

His untimely departure is a significant loss for Indian Country, as he was a true culture keeper for his people and a dedicated advocate for Native Nations across the Southwest region, Fawn Sharp, the president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in a statement.

Beyond his role as a leader, Joe Garcia was a mentor, a visionary, and a compassionate soul who touched the lives of many. He leaves a profound legacy of service, leadership, and cultural preservation, Sharp added.

Garcia had been chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, now renamed the All Pueblo Council of Governors, a non-profit leadership group that represents the modern pueblo tribes.

He also had been a vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Santa Fe Indian School, which serves about 700 Native American middle and high school students.

The Santa Fe Indian School noted Garcia's passing on its website.

His work in Indian Country will not be forgotten," wrote Robyn Aguilar, president of the school's board of trustees. "I am truly thankful to have had a mentor who was courageous in his conviction to protect Sovereign lands and the rights of Indian children.

Garcia held an an electrical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico and worked 25 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory before retiring in 2003, according to the schools statement.

Garcia is survived by his wife, Oneva, daughters Melissa and MorningStar, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, among other family. His son, Nathan, died in 2020.
Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images

ALPENA, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan girl was able to escape an attempted kidnapping when her brother used a slingshot to strike the would-be attacker, authorities said this week.

Mlive.com reports that the Michigan State Police arrested the accused assailant in the city of Alpena on Wednesday.
Connecticut State Police / Contributed Photo

STAMFORD  Four Philadelphia residents were killed early Saturday morning after an SUV collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95, state police said.

The two-vehicle crash took place around 3 a.m. on the interstates northbound lanes near exit 8 while the tractor-trailer was traveling in the center lane at a low rate of speed due to heavy traffic, according to a crash report from the Connecticut State Police.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BERLIN (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron later announced that Zelenskyy will make a surprise visit to Paris for talks.

Macrons office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will reaffirm France and Europes unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system Berlin has provided to Kyiv.

That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After talks with Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity," he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

French media reported that Zelenskyy planned to travel on to Paris late Sunday, but officials at the president and prime ministers office wouldnt confirm.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up. Another Kherson resident died in shelling, said regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

To people were killed in Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people -- a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man -- in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

___

David Rising and Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Elise Morton in London and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people hunkered down Sunday in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall Sunday afternoon in Myanmars Rakhine state near Sittwe township with winds of up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmars Meteorological Department said. The storm previously passed over Bangladesh's Saint Martin's Island, causing damage and injuries, but turned away from the country's shores before landfall.

As night fell, the extent of the damage in Sittwe was not clear. Earlier in the day, high winds crumpled cell phone towers, cutting off communications in much of the area.

In videos collected by local media before communications were cut off, deep water races through streets while wind lashes trees and pulls boards off roofs.

Rakhine-based media reported that streets were flooded, trapping people in low-lying areas in their homes as worried relatives outside the township appealed for rescue.

Myanmars military information office said the storm had damaged houses, electrical transformers, cell phone towers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships. It said the storm also tore roofs off of sport buildings on the Coco Islands, about 425 kilometers (264 miles) southwest of the countrys largest city, Yangon.

More than 4,000 of Sittwe's 300,000 residents were evacuated to other cities and more than 20,000 people were sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the city's highlands, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is volunteering in shelters in Sittwe.

Lin Lin, the chairman of a local charitable foundation, said there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe after more people arrived than expected.

Titon Mitra, the U.N. Development Program representative in Myanmar, tweeted: Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities.

Myanmar state television reported that the military government is preparing to send food, medicine and medical personnel to the storm-hit area. After battering Rakhine, the cyclone weakened and was forecast to hit the northwestern state of Chin and the central regions on Monday.

On Sunday morning, several deaths caused by wind and rain were reported in Myanmar.

A rescue team from the countrys eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township. Local media reported that a man was crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay region.

Authorities in the Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar, which lay in the storm's predicted path, said earlier that they had evacuated hundreds of thousands of people, but by early afternoon it appeared that the storm would mostly miss the country as it veered east, said Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Dhaka.

The level of risk has reduced to a great extent in our Bangladesh, he told reporters.

Strong winds accompanied by rains continued in the Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal in the afternoon, but feared tidal surges did not take place because the cyclone started crossing Bangladesh coast at low tide, Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported.

About a dozen islanders were injured, while some 300 homes were either destroyed or damaged, leading Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo reported. One woman was critically wounded, it said.

U.N. agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh had prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps that house more than 1 million members of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority who fled persecution in Myanmar.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days. Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

As long as oceans are warm and winds are favorable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period, Koll said.

Tropical cyclones, which are called hurricanes or typhoons in other regions, are among the worlds most devastating natural disasters when they hit densely populated coastal areas.
In three years, economists will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of John Maynard Keynes "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money." The book written during and inspired by the global economic depression of the 1930s attempted to explain how major economic stakeholders  investors, workers, consumers, savers and government  interacted in ways that determined the performance of the macro economy. The General Theory continues to influence economists and policymakers today.

Keynes demonstrated that understanding how the economy works can be accelerated during times of crisis. Right now, we are experiencing a crisis of public and private violence. Perhaps a Keynesian approach could be helpful to drive understanding of the underlying conditions that are causing the current paroxysm of violence and random mass shootings that are dominating public consciousness.

A general theory of public and private violence would start with definitions, terminology and the destruction of myths. Keynes needed to create new economic terms; a general theory of violence may need new terminology that better captures our current dilemma. The myth about how the economy worked was something Keynes had to dispel before establishing a new way of looking at the economic world. During Keynes time, the myths he fought were the myths of the classical economists, whose beliefs still resonate with many today. High among those myths was the invisible hand. A second myth was that the economy would self-correct. Classical economists beginning with Adam Smith argued that markets and individual economic actors seeking their own benefit  i.e., profits  created value for everyone else. A corollary of the benefits of the invisible hand is the claimed ubiquity of negative unintended consequences when government interferes with the freedom of market actors.

There are plenty of myths associated with the causes of public and private violence. One of the most pervasive myths is that more guns will result in less violence. This includes tropes like the good guy with a gun myth; the government wants to take our guns to enslave us myth; the Founding Fathers wanted an unregulated armed militia myth; or the we are genetically predisposed to be violent myth. The later myth about humans being predisposed to violence might like most myths have some bits of truth, but the data comparing peaceful Costa Rica to its violent neighbors El Salvador and Honduras prove genetics are not determinative. Myths provide comfort to the disillusioned but make no sense.

A general theory of violence must include both public violence, which is violence by the state, and private violence, which is violence among private citizens.

Public violence would also include what we generally call wars between nation states. The United States waged war in Iraq and Afghanistan for over two decades. But before that there was the Gulf War, and before that the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the two World Wars, the Spanish American War and of course the Civil War. This does not include our incursions in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, China, Grenada, Panama and other places where we sent the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army to control resources that did not belong to us and people who were not U.S. citizens. War has a way of metastasizing into problems in the society of even of the victors.

Also public violence comes as a by-product of policing citizens. To serve and protect is the how most police departments across the country define their mission. Unfortunately, not all citizens feel served or protected and indeed many of those citizens in low-income and minority communities feel the police are there to protect higher-income citizens from their lower-income neighbors. So called sundown-towns existed in Connecticut, where Blacks, Jews and others were not welcomed as homeowners or the police who protected" them. These practices were common in Northern as well as Southern states. More recently, the deaths of George Floyd and others at the hands of police led to the international Black Lives Matter movement.

Private violence between citizens is also rampant in the United States with the U.S. ranked the 16th most violent country among the worlds most populous 25 countries. The most violent countries in the world are El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela. Is it any wonder why citizens from these countries are lining up at our southern border desperately trying to enter, and why so many U.S. citizens fear their arrival? A general theory would seek to understand why some countries are more violent than others, driving their citizens to leave.

A general theory of violence must look at access to guns, economic inequality and poverty, discrimination of all kinds, mental health, international forces, the role of government in the promotion of domestic and international violence, notions of citizenship, education and ignorance, climate change, political stability, economic opportunity, cultural influences, and belief systems.

There are also feedbacks between public violence and private violence as well as domestic violence and international violence. Some of our most recent mass shootings have been conducted by men who were trained by the military to kill, only to have those men come home and use those skills on innocent fellow citizens. Keynes knew and modern economists know that complex systems do not lend themselves to simple solutions. A general theory of violence is no different from the complexities of a general theory of macroeconomics. Like all scientific endeavors, we start with observation. We then create testable hypotheses of these complex relationships. Data is then brought to bear to test these hypotheses. Some will be rejected, and others supported. Keynes work did not eliminate the business cycle, but he did give us a framework for understanding our economic reality so that depressions were never as deep or as long as compared to the business cycles before the General Theory.
Earlier this month, a coalition of more than 40 student-run political organizations and mental health advocacy groups across Connecticut urged state Senate leaders to adopt two proposed amendments to Senate Bill No. 2, a comprehensive bill on childrens wellness poised to be voted on by the full Senate in the coming weeks.

This coalition  the largest of youth-led organizations calling for statewide mental health reforms in recent memory  was echoing calls made by its leading advocates in February, when the language of this priority bill was still being drafted. In both cases, our calls were met with little serious acknowledgment from chamber leaders, surrendering an opportunity to address gaps in mental health awareness and care faced by some of our states most vulnerable youth populations for no evident reason.

The amendments to SB-2 proposed by our coalition would add two new sections to the bill. The first of these additions would establish a task force charged with developing a statewide plan to promote the social and emotional well-being of young children, from birth through age 5 (as categorized by the DC:0-5 diagnostic classification system widely utilized in clinical practice), who are covered by the states Medicaid program (HUSKY Health). This plan would identify developmentally appropriate screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment methods, as well as qualified treating professionals and support programs operating in a range of child care settings.

The second of these additions would task an existing state advisory council on autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related services with extending outreach to underrepresented populations and considering updates to existing state guidelines concerning early screening and intervention for ASD.

The potential of these amendments to benefit children overlooked by past mental health initiatives is difficult to overstate. For instance, it is known that about 16% of infants and young children under 6 years experience clinically significant mental health challenges, which present as dysregulated emotional or behavioral patterns at roughly the same rates as older children. These children often respond well to therapy and family support provided under what is known as an infant-early childhood mental health (IECMH) intervention model.

The first proposed amendment, modeled after legislation approved in Rhode Island, would effectively direct the task force to identify additional IECMH services that could be covered by state Medicaids Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit but are currently not, including specific prevention- and parenting support-related programs.

IECMH services have been found by leading childrens advocacy organizations such as Connecticuts own Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) to improve outcomes for afflicted children but be hindered by insufficient reimbursement options; in response, the CHDI has called for an exploration of current Medicaid billing options to help augment and pay for expanded services.

With more than one-third of Connecticuts children receiving coverage through HUSKY A & B, thousands stand to benefit from the incorporation of this amendment enabling streamlined, informed, and financially supported access to mental health services covered under an existing Medicaid benefit.

No task forces resembling that designated by our first proposed amendment currently exist: task forces convened under Public Acts 21-35 (2021), 21-171 (2021), and 22-81 (2022) were only charged with examining school-based services and workforce development, with no specific focus on the mental health of children under 6 years old. Many of these children are not old enough to attend K-12 schools yet and instead may be entirely dependent on dyadic therapy, home visiting programs, and other outpatient care when accessible.

Our proposal would also address the implications of a national rise in diagnoses of ASD among Black and Hispanic children, enacting a comprehensive response to racial disparities in the identification of children on the spectrum that are due in part to barriers to access and a lower likelihood of recognition of symptoms by their families.

The second amendment, modeled after legislation approved in New York, charges Connecticuts Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council (ASDAC) with advising the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services on strategies to improve the coordination of ASD-related services for members of racial minority groups. ASDAC would also be tasked with considering recommendations for developmental screenings for children 3 years of age or under that would explicitly bring the states best practice screening protocols in line with ASD-specific standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We urge members of the Senate to introduce and adopt these proposed amendments when SB-2 reaches the floor. The added provisions would be among those in the bill that most directly accomplish its stated intent  that is, to improve access to mental, physical and emotional health services for children  and deserve consideration on their merits. We hope that our leaders at the state level continue to take the appeals of Connecticuts youth seriously  for if a bill that primarily affects us, our siblings, our peers, and thousands of children across our state does not address our expressed needs, who exactly is it being written for?

Vignesh Subramanian of Wilton is a student at SUNY Stony Brook University and a childrens mental health advocate.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

New Milford is trying to prove that it is the greatest of all towns.

New Milford GOAT Days, which is a festival celebrating the town's farms, families and businesses, is coming to Youngs Field from May 19 - 21. This will be the fourth annual GOAT Days festival.

Honoring the festival's namesake, guests can cuddle with live baby goats during the event. The goats are provided by Goatboy Soaps, a New Milford company that focuses on creating goat-based products.

This year's event also aims to be a "small-town carnival," with activities like axe-throwing and pony rides, according to a press release. The Lions Club, a charity organization that focuses on social welfare, will be running a train ride for young guests as well.

Deborah Rose / Hearst Connecticut Media

New Milford couple Kevin Lane and Laurie Lane will be letting guests try their Create A Castle products. Create A Castle aims to let individuals make sandcastles anywhere with sand that "does not dry out," according to its website. The products were featured on Season 14 of "Shark Tank," where the couple was awarded $350,000 in exchange for 20-percent equity, and was a 2020 Toy of the Year winner.

The REal Crime Podcast, which is a crime-themed podcast produced by two New Milford residents, will also be at the festival selling merchandise. Vendors like LittlebellShop, Wood You Believe It and Hemp Bracelets by Vicki F. Cook will be selling handcrafted items.

Food trucks from restaurants like Rice to Meat You and Lucky Dog Worlds Famous Hot Dogs will be serving food at the event. Guests can also buy Italian ice in lemon, cherry, watermelon, blue raspberry, mango, coconut, grape, chocolate and honeydew flavors.

Proceeds from the event will go to Wheels for Wheels, which was founded by New Milford resident Sean Quigg. The nonprofit works to give individuals with disabilities resources to help them be more mobile.
Connecticut State Police/Contributed

GOSHEN  Three school bus passengers were injured Saturday in a collision with a passenger vehicle on North Street, State Police said.

The two-vehicle crash took place around 1:30 p.m. just north of the intersection with the Sharon Turnpike and Torrington Road, according to the state police.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BRIDGEPORT  The city and the Connecticut Airport Authority have formally asked federal authorities to authorize an operating agreement for the latter to run Bridgeport's Sikorsky Memorial Airport.

In March, the authority, following several months of negotiating a purchase of the Stratford-based airport, backed off after a preliminary study revealed potentially extremely costly underground contamination. The CAA did not want to assume that liability.

The sides have since been talking about reaching an arrangement for the CAA to run, but not own, the airport with a particular focus on relaunching the dormant regular passenger service there. Sikorsky for the last few decades has only served business, charter and private flights.

Hearst Connecticut Media on Friday obtained from the CAA through a Freedom of Information Act request an April 25 memorandum from its executive director, Kevin Dillon, detailing the general terms of such a deal should it be approved by the the Federal Aviation Administration and Bridgeport officials.

The initial length of the agreement would be five years with an option for an additional two years or for the CAA to again pursue an acquisition of Sikorsky.

The document also states the CAA would provide Sikorsky "with an annual subsidy" though a dollar amount is not specified.

Initially CAA was going to pay Bridgeport $10 million for the airport. But it was not a standard real estate deal. Bridgeport, per FAA guidelines, could have only recouped what it could prove through an independent audit the city had invested in taxpayer dollars into the facility over the years. That amount was thought to be $10 million.

The April 25 term sheet acknowledges that $10 million figure and states that if Sikorsky, which for years has had a budget deficit, eventually operates at a profit, "The city would be permitted to take excess revenues off-airport as repayment for past city general fund contributions, up to $10 million."

The current 2022-23 municipal budget, approved last spring by Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and the City Council, had relied on $4 million from the the-anticipated sale of Sikorsky. The 2023-24 fiscal plan the mayor proposed in early April rolled that $4 million over. But when the council voted on a final budget last week, it had reduced the amount to $2 million because of the ongoing uncertainty over Sikorsky's fate.

Even as Ganim's administration and the CAA work out a formal management agreement, the authority has loaned three staffers to help fill in running Sikorsky following the recent departure of Airport Manager Michelle Muoio, who announced late last month she was taking another unspecified job.

Daniel Roach, the mayoral aide who has been helping to negotiate with the CAA, briefed members of the city's appointed airport commission which helps oversee Sikorsky about the post-Muoio situation during a special meeting Friday.

"She has been gone for the last two weeks," Roach said during the teleconference. "The CAA has given us some assistance with oversight."

Roach noted the authority is "actually almost looking at this as a sort of phase-in, not necessarily one of these three gentlemen ending up being the full time permanent manager, but at least its a phase-in as far as CAA involvement is concerned. A possible phase in, I should say. He added the three are not being paid by Bridgeport.

He also briefly mentioned the April 25 document forwarded to the FAA outlining the terms of the CAA formally taking control of Sikorsky and said it will be shared with the airport commission..

Bridgeport City Council President Aidee Nieves has a seat on the commission. She questioned how CAA staffers got involved in filling in for Muoio.

"Who made that decision?" Nieves said.

"That was a call I made to Kevin Dillon asking for some assistance," Roach said. "This all took place within the last couple of weeks."

A few years ago the CAA similarly stepped in to help run the airport when it was between managers.

Roach continued, "The CAA is kind enough to offer some assistance while we're waiting for things to be sorted out, whether it's a new airport manager being hired or the CAA taking over the management operation."

Nieves said Roach should introduce the three individuals to the commission and also present some documentation to members outlining the CAA staffers' responsibilities during this interim period.

"I just want to be sure we have some type of memorandum of understanding," she said.

Kenneth Flatto, Bridgeport's finance director who is also a commission member, agreed.

"We certainly appreciate the assistance, the advice (from the CAA)," he told Roach. "We're just trying to do this right."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

MILFORD  The states attorney general has asked a federal judge to throw a lawsuit filed by a local religious school over the states vaccine mandate out of court.

All five counts must be dismissedbecause of Supreme Court, Second Circuit, and Connecticut U.S. District Court holdings permitting states to enact school vaccination requirements that do not contain religious exemptions, wrote Assistant Attorneys General Darren Cunningham and Cynthia Mahon in a 38-page memorandum supporting a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The school, Milford Christian Academy, sued the state's commissioners of education, public health, and early childhood development, arguing the enforcement of a 2021 state law mandating vaccines for students violates the first and 14th amendments.

The schools lawyer, Cameron Atkinson, said that on March 1, the state of Connecticut delivered "an unconscionable ultimatum" to the church to submit a corrective action plan by March 15 after an inspection by the Office of Early Childhood of its "Little Eagles" daycare and preschool. The action would impact about 10 families at Milford Christian Academy, said Pastor Jim Loomer at a press conference.

But the attorney generals office disputed the characterization of the "ultimatum, saying the state preferred to work with schools and collaboratively to meet requirements and avoid any interruption in the education of students."

After a status conference in the case, Atkinson said the school would remain open while the court process played out.

In a motion filed May 5, the attorney generals office asked U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to dismiss the case against the commissioners of education and public health because they lack any legal authority for enforcing the vaccine mandate.

The attorney generals office said that the rest of the lawsuit should be dismissed because it failed to state claims upon which relief can be granted.

Students are required to receive certain immunizations before school enrollment. Prior to 2021, students could apply for medical or religious exemptions to that requirement. Public Act 21-6 eliminated religious exemptions while grandfathering kindergarten through 12th-grade students who had already received such exceptions.

The states motion to dismiss said the lawsuits claims that the law violated the constitutions protections against freedom of religion were off base, citing prior cases decided by state and federal courts that conditioning school enrollment on vaccination does not violate religious freedom.

Contrary to the Plaintiffs claim, P.A. 21-6 makes no distinctions on the basis of religion, the attorney generals office wrote. It merely distinguishes between health-exemptions, which are permitted, and non-health exemptions, which are not.

Atkinson said Friday that he and his clients are confident that the states motion to dismiss will be denied.

The state has driven students of faith out of public schools and daycares, he said. Now it seeks to batter down the church door and deprive students of education and nurturing if they do not bow to the state instead of God. Not on our watch.

A prior lawsuit challenging the states vaccine mandate was dismissed by a federal judge last year, but an appeal is pending.
Four Connecticut police officers who died in the line of duty, including a pair of Bristol officers killed in an ambush last year, were among the more than 550 law enforcement officials nationwide honored Saturday at an annual candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C.

The names of Bristol police officers Sgt. Alex Hamzy and Lt. Dustin DeMonte, who were killed in October, were read aloud along with the names of other fallen officers from across the country during the two-hour ceremony.

The event recognized New Haven police officer Diane Gonzalez, who died early last year after an illness, and Norwich Lt. Josip Peperni, who died due to COVID-19 in late 2021.

The vigil was organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization that maintains a memorial honoring officers killed in the line of duty by chiseling their names into a 304-foot-long limestone wall in the nations capital. The event marks the start of National Police Week.

The annual vigil, widow, Laura, were among the event's attendees.

These men are true heroes, said Marcia Ferranto, the memorial funds chief executive officer. We promise your sacrifice  Laura and Katie  and theirs will never be forgotten.

DeMonte, 35, and Hamzy, 34, were fatally shot on the night of Oct. 12 as they responded to a reported domestic dispute at a home on Redstone Hill Road, according to state investigators. While standing outside the home, officials have said, DeMonte, Hamzy and a third officer, 26-year-old Alec Iurato, were ambushed from behind by 35-year-old Nicholas Brutcher.

Iurato, who suffered a leg injury during the shooting, ended the attack when he fatally shot Brutcher after taking cover behind a police cruiser. He was the only one of the three officers to survive.

New Haven's Gonzalez, 60, died in January 2022 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and subsequent coma after an on-duty car crash in 2008. Peperni, a veteran Norwich officer, died in late 2021 while hospitalized with COVID-19.

The names of each Connecticut officer were read by Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould. The vigil was attended by police chiefs from across the county as well as federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

This is an evening when we set aside time to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives so that others could live safely and securely, Mayorkas said. It is a time when we also pay tribute to you: their families and loved ones who sacrificed so much too.

More than 23,000 names, some associated with people who died centuries ago, have been added to the memorial since it was dedicated in 1991 The oldest names date to 1786, according to the nonprofit.

Starting on April 10, stoneworkers with the company Rugo Stone began the painstaking process of engraving 556 new names, including DeMonte, Hamzy and Gonzalez, according to the memorial fund. Video clips shared on Facebook by the organization depicted portions of the task.

Located in the 400 block of E Street Northwest, the memorial sits close to attractions such as the National Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum.

"The memorials beauty and tranquility make it a special place for reflection, contemplation or just a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle of city life," the organization said.
If your employer does not offer a 401(k) or other retirement plan for employees, you are not alone.

For example, in Connecticut, my home state, more than 600,000 private-sector employees do not have access to an employee-sponsored retirement savings plan.

On a nationwide basis, 57 million Americans (nearly half of the private sector workforce aged 18 to 64) work for companies that do not provide retirement plans, according to a 2022 AARP Public Policy Institute fact sheet ( tinyurl.com/2s3sr7xb). If you focus on smaller companies (fewer than 10 employees), about 78% lack access to a retirement plan.

Sixteen states want this to change. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Washington have enacted programs for private-sector workers, with nine of these states having active programs, according to Georgetown Universitys Center for Retirement Initiatives ( tinyurl.com/474jt7f3).

In California, which had a full statewide launch of its program in July 2019, there were more than 420,000 funded accounts in the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program at the end of April 2023 ( tinyurl.com/y4dpjrds). In Illinois, the Secure Choice program, which launched in 2018, had more than 122,000 funded accounts as of April 30, 2023 ( tinyurl.com/m8ta7vme).

Keep in mind that each state has different rules.

Connecticut employers with more than five employees (who make $5,000 a year or more in taxable wages) are required to provide a retirement plan, either directly on their own or through MyCTSavings, a program run by the Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller ( tinyurl.com/2p8nwyb3). Employers have until Aug. 31, 2023, to set up the plan. The Connecticut state legislature is currently considering implementing penalties for noncompliance, according to Madi Csejka, spokesperson for the Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller.

Once employees are enrolled in the plan, MyCTSavings automatically deducts 3% of gross pay and deposits those funds into a Roth IRA account in the employees name ( tinyurl.com/2knrs6r7). Employees contribute post-tax dollars instead of pre-tax dollars (401(k)s are typically pre-tax contributions).

One complication is that an employee will need to review the Roth IRA contributions he makes on his own to compare with the MyCTSavings payroll deductions. Why? To make sure he doesnt overfund his Roth IRA for the year. The Roth IRA contributions he makes on his own together with the MyCTSavings payroll deductions cannot exceed the IRS annual maximum, which for 2023 cannot be more than $6,500, or $7,500 if you are age 50 or older.

Likewise, Roth IRAs are not available to you if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above certain limits (see tinyurl.com/2eje9w4f). For example, if you are single and your MAGI is less than $138,000, you can contribute up to the limit. However, if your MAGI is equal to or greater than $153,000, you cannot contribute anything.

The participation in MyCTSavings is voluntary for employees but mandatory for employers. However, there is no requirement (or mechanism) for an employer to make an employer contribution.

You, the employee, can opt out at any time.

MyCTSavings has a standard investment option, where your contributions go into a cash preservation fund for the first 60 days after the initial contribution, and then a target retirement date option for any existing savings and any future contributions. Other options can be viewed at tinyurl.com/mrds8hhu.

Plan participants pay for administrative and operating expenses through a $26 yearly account fee, which is billed at $6.50 quarterly, along with a yearly asset-based fee of approximately $0.26 for every $100 in their account ( tinyurl.com/t7d4ka32).

If you are a Connecticut employer who hasnt set up a MyCTSavings Employer Account, the quickest way to get going is to use this resource: tinyurl.com/abybw8vx.

The phone number for additional help is 833-811-7435, and the email is clientservices@myctsavings.com.

If you are one of the millions of Americans whose employer does not offer a retirement plan, you may have another option  provided your state has created one. Be sure to check the National Association of State Treasurers map of participating states ( tinyurl.com/ywj42a5f).

Seasoned Investment Counsel and award-winning columnist and author, Julie Jason, JD, LLM, promotes financial literacy and investor protection. Read her latest book, The Discerning Investor: Personal Portfolio Management in Retirement for Lawyers (and Their Clients), published by the American Bar Association. Write to Julie at readers@juliejason.com. While all questions cannot be answered, each email is read and reviewed and can lead to discussion in a future column.
TRUMBULL  School board members are considering a proposal that would formalize a practice of not making students hand in homework a day after religious holidays that aren't considered school holidays.

The potential change comes on the heels of calls from Trumbull Muslims to adopt Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays and a more recent push by Hindus in Trumbull to do the same for Diwali.

In addition to the homework policy, members are also considering several other changes, including ones that officials hope will free up parking spots and prevent drug overdoses.

Board chair Lucinda Timpanelli said the school board plans to conduct a second reading on the proposed policy changes either on May 23 or June 6.

The "board will determine if there will be a vote at that time," Timpanelli said.

The school district's homework policy prohibits assigning homework on religious holidays that are recognized as school holidays. It also prohibits teachers from assigning homework over the weekend when those religious holidays occur during that time.

The school district also bars assigning homework on religious holidays it doesn't consider school holidays if a guardian requests an exemption in a signed letter. For those holidays, "it is expected that the assignment is to be made up within a reasonable time after the holiday," the policy says.

The homework policy lists Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah as examples of school holidays. The proposal would eliminate those specific mentions of holidays and include language that bars teachers from making homework due "the following day" of non-school religious holidays if a guardian requests an exemption.

The district's policy committee developed the proposal, but its members asked for input from the school board.

Board member Marie Petitti, who also sits on the policy committee, said she thinks barring teachers from making homework due "the following day" of a non-school religious holiday is micromanaging teachers. At Trumbull High School, she said, teachers typically don't ask for the signed note for an exemption.

"Any reasonable, professional teacher is going to give them the extra time," Petitti said.

Alison Squiccimarro, another board member on the policy committee, argued in favor of the policy proposal.

"If this is what we've doing, as a matter of fact," Squiccimarro said, "then what's the harm in putting the policy together?"

During the board's meeting last week, school board members also reviewed the proposed policy to allow three people to share a parking permit. Superintendent Martin Semmel said in an email that the proposed change will encourage carpooling.

"If students carpooled it may decrease the number of students who require their own parking spot," Semmel said. And that would increase the number of available spots, he told board members.

"Obviously we're trying to make sure we can contain all of our student drivers on the THS parking lot," Semmel said during the meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Susan Iwanicki told school board members that the proposed policy would allow students to alternate vehicles using a space, which she said is currently prohibited.

Earlier this year, Trumbull High School began charging students $30 to use its parking lots to discourage students from parking in prohibited areas on campus. The spaces, which at that time totaled 500, sold out within two weeks, Semmel previously said.

After nearby residents complained about congestion from students parked outside their homes, the Trumbull Police Commission voted to install temporary No Parking signs around the high school.

Under the new proposal, the permit will belong to the student who purchases it. Still, some board members expressed concern with students under the same permit showing up to park their vehicles, although board member Julia McNamee praised the proposal as a way for students to save money.

Lastly, Trumbull school board members reviewed a proposal to allow school nurses and "qualified school employees" to administer opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (commonly sold under the name Narcan), to students who don't have written permission to receive it. While presenting the proposal, Iwanicki said the school nurse has pushed for the proposal to avoid a case in which staff are unable to use the treatment to save a student's life.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BANGKOK (AP)  Thailands main opposition parties easily bested other contenders with virtually all the votes counted from Sundays general election, fulfilling many voters hopes that the balloting would serve as a pivotal chance for change nine years after incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first came to power in a 2014 coup.

With 99% of the votes counted by early Monday morning, the junior opposition Move Forward Party had eked out a small edge over the favored Pheu Thai Party, whose leaders earlier in the night conceded they might not finish on top.

The winner of Sundays vote is not assured the right to form the new government. A joint session of the 500-seat House of Representatives will be held with the 250-member Senate in July to select the new prime minister, a process widely seen as undemocratic because the Senators were appointed by the military rather than elected but vote along with Sundays winning lawmakers.

Sundays voter turnout was about 39.5 million, or 75% of registered voters.

The maverick Move Forward Party captured just over 24% of the popular vote for the House of Representatives' 400 constituency seats and an almost 36% share of the vote for seats allocated in a separate nationwide ballot for the 100 members elected by proportional representation.

Pheu Thai Party lagged slightly behind with just over 23% for the constituency seats and about a 27% share for the party list.

The tally of constituency votes gave Move Forward 113 House seats and Pheu Thai 112, according to the Election Commission, which did not give a projection for party list seats.

Prayuths United Thai Nation Party held the fifth spot in the constituency vote with almost 9% of the total, but it placed third in the party-preference tally with close to 12%. Its constituency vote gave it 23 House seats.

The three parties were considered before the vote to the most likely to head a new government. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36-year-old daughter of the former billionaire populist Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had been favored in opinion polls to be chosen the countrys next leader.

Move Forwards leader, 42-year=old businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, now seems as likely a prospect.

Prayuth had been blamed for a stuttering economy, shortcomings in addressing the pandemic and thwarting democratic reforms, a particular sore point with younger voters.

The returns were a good sign for democratization, said Saowanee T. Alexander, a professor at Ubon Ratchathani University in northeastern Thailand.

This is people saying that we want change ... They are saying that they could no longer take it. The people are very frustrated. They want change, and they could achieve it, she said.

Move Forward outperformed even optimistic projections, and the party appeared poised to capture all, or almost all, 33 House seats in the capital Bangkok.

Along with Pheu Thai, it campaigned for reform of the military and the monarchy. But Move Forward put those issues closer to the heart of its platform, earning a more radical reputation.

Its outspoken support for minor reforms of the monarchy, while winning younger voters, antagonized conservatives to whom the royal institution is sacrosanct.

Pheu Thai is the latest in a string of parties linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin, who was ousted as prime minister by an army coup in 2006. Pheu Thai candidate Paetongtarn is his daughter. The government of her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who became prime minister in 2011, was toppled in the coup led by Prayuth.

Pheu Thai won the most seats in the last election in 2019, but its archrival, the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party, succeeded in cobbling together a coalition with Prayuth as prime minister. It relied on unanimous support from the Senate, whose members were appointed by the military government after Prayuths coup and share its conservative outlook.

Ubon Universitys Alexander cautioned that the current situation remains very unpredictable, and that the Election Commission could unilaterally affect the results. In the past, it has used its authority to disqualify opposition parties or otherwise cripple challenges to the conservative establishment.

Move Forward's Pita would be a possible target for what the opposition, from bitter experience, calls dirty tricks. A candidate from the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party last week filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, charging that Pita had failed to list a stock shareholding on a statutory declaration of his assets. Pita denied any wrongdoing, and the accusation hinges on a minor technical point.

However, the leader of the Future Forward Party, the forerunner of Move Forward, lost his seat in Parliament on similar technical grounds, and his party ended up being dissolved. It had also been seen as a radical challenge to the military-backed royalist establishment.

-

Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai contributed to this report.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

WESTPORT  Staples High School students are giving back to the community with the Farm-to-School-to-Community Program, where they prepare meals for the Gillespie Center, a homeless center in Westport, using farm fresh ingredients from the Westport Farmers Market.

The Farm-to-School-to-Community Program has existed for about 12 years, and it started off grassroots, Staples Culinary Arts Teacher and Chef Cecily Gans said."We wanted to do more for the community; the farmers had surplus; the kids were looking for other activities to do to get involved in the community," Gans said.

Gans has been teaching at Staples High School for about 24 years, and has her own catering company, The Main Course Catering.

"Though I do believe we have far more structure than we had over a decade ago, its still a program that flows very organically from the farmers to us to the community," she said.

Gans said the majority of the school year is student-driven. Her Advanced Culinary Arts students create a menu out of raw ingredients, which become the recipes the club makes for the Gillespie Center.

Gans said didn't have a theme in mind when she went to the Westport Farmers Market, and got anything that looked fresh and was in surplus. She picked up a variety of items, including carrots, pea tendrils, scallions, purple daikon, chicken and bread. The meal became a roasted chicken with a salad featuring homemade croutons and pickled purple daikon, paired with sauteed bok choy, with pea tendrils, garlic and mushrooms.

She said they want the meals they prepare to be nutrient-rich and a challenge for the students.

Once the meals finish cooking, it is delivered to the Gillespie Center on the second Friday of the month and served to about 25 people around 4:30 p.m.

Maddie Bell, a senior and the co-president of Culinary Club, called the club her "safe place."

"I've always had a passion for cooking," Bell said.

When she took a culinary class at Staples, she found out there was also a club and immediately joined.

"I just leaped at the opportunity to be with people who love cooking as much as I do," Bell said.

Bell said this program is a way to add meaning to the club and give back to "a community that has so much to give to us."

"When you're in a fortunate position, giving back is such a powerful thing to do," she said. "A simple act could change someone's life."

Junior Co-President Emma Schorr said the program is a key component of the school's culinary program.

She got involved with the Staples culinary program in sixth grade during its summer culinary arts camp, and has continued with it.

"Being in this program means the world to me, and the entire culinary community has become my second family," Schorr said.

Senior member Gabriel McCray said the program is all about ties to others.

"Not only does it enrich community connections with us and the Westport Farmers Market, it also enriches the relationships made in the kitchen while providing local, fresh, healthy food," McCray said. "Farm to school doesnt only provide fresh foods for students, it provides everlasting connections in the classroom."

"Were all like a family and through our hectic yet fun club days, we produce delicious recipes for us and for the Gillespie Center," McCray added. "This program was also something that really helped me find myself and I couldnt thank Chef Gans anymore than I already have for it."

Bell said she feels grateful to be in this community.

"Not only have I found my people here, but I found people who love to give back in the same way I do," she said.

Gans said one of her favorite meals to have the students prepare for the Gillespie Center is Cullen skink, which is a Scottish smoked haddock chowder served in the fall.

"It's such incredible comfort food," she said.

Gans said the guests at the Gillespie Center are often thrilled to have seafood, as they don't often have it served there.

She said the first time she served at the Gillespie Center, she noticed they ate lasagna and other foods a lot, but lacked fresh vegetables.

"We could do this where it was going to them hot, ready to serve, beautiful color, really seasonal," she said about the program.

Gans said the program came out of really good intentions and is now more organized.

"This is literally the best feeling because I know where it's going to go," Gans said. "That's really the key to all of it, is nourishing the community."

Thursday was the last day seniors will participate in the club, as they are going into the internship phase of the school year.

"Today was the bittersweet last day for seniors, and their last few weeks have been filled with end of term cooking competitions, celebratory meals and nostalgic requests to make last batches of lemon Snickerdoodles," Gans said, adding "Request granted, of course."

Bell said she sees herself taking what she learned in Culinary Club with her in the future.

"I know when people around me are going through a hard time, I think one of the biggest gestures, most kind things you can do for them is make them a meal," Bell said.

Gans said she likes to teach the students how simple cooking can be. She's had students tell her years later that they still use her lessons in their cooking.

The Farm-to-School-to-Community Program doesn't stop with the school year. In the summer, the culinary arts camp will continue making food for the Gillespie Center.
He is the flame-haired equerry turned pub owner who saw his name resurface in the headlines after the release of Harry's memoir, Spare.

In the book, he appears as the finger-wagging royal bodyguard who confronted the prince about his use of illegal drugs.

But in reality, Dyer was also a mentor, a big brother figure and even a 'second dad' to Harry and William after the death of their mother in 1997.

The former Welsh Guards officer, known as Marko to his friends, would visit William at boarding school, helped foster Harry's romantic relationships and protected the young prince from prying photographers.

Former Welsh Guards officer Mark Dyer, known as Marko to his friends, worked as an equerry to Charles in the 1990s

He was also a mentor and a 'second dad' to a young Harry and William after the death of their mother in 1997. He is pictured with the Princes in 1999

Since then, he created - and then sold - a chain of pubs. And he has fought a battle with stomach cancer, returning home to his family last year after six weeks in hospital.

His son, Jasper, is Prince Harry's godson, who served as a page boy at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018.

Dyer, educated at Cheltenham College, was steadying influence and a big brother figure to the princes in the mid-Nineties when he spent 18 months working as an equerry to Charles.

The Prince of Wales appointed Dyer to keep an eye on his sons, a male counterpart to royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

During the first half term after Diana's death, Prince Charles was committed to a five day visit to Africa.

Dyer took Harry along and organised a safari in Botswana for him while the Prince carried out engagements.

But Dyer's role was not always to provide a softer support for the teenaged prince. Royal biographer Penny Junor once described Mark as one of the 'few people who talks some sense into him'.

In Spare, Harry recounted losing his virginity to an unnamed older woman in a field behind a 'very busy pub' at the age of 17.

Prince Harry became close to Mark Dyer, who travelled with the young royal while he was on his gap year

Dyer is a trustee of Harry's charity Sentebale, which supports orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, many of whom are affected by HIV and AIDS

His son, Jasper, is Prince Harry's godson, who served as a page boy at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018

He was still a student at Eton College in 2001 when Marko paid him a visit, with Harry suspecting he had heard about the one-night stand - which he described as a 'humiliating' experience.

But over lunch in a cafeteria in the city centre, Mark - who had a 'sombre look' on his face - told the Prince that he had been sent to 'find out the truth' about his drug-taking.

King Charles's press office had been informed that a newspaper had evidence of Harry taking drugs.

When Harry did admit to smoking cannabis as a teenager, it was Marko who escorted him to spend a day at a residential centre for drug users in Peckham, South London, at the insistence of his father.

When his school years ended, Harry's closeness to Dyer grew as the pair travelled together to Australia, Argentina and Lesotho during Harry's gap year.

The two months Harry spent in Lesotho, at the invitation of Dyer's friend, Prince Seeiso, made a lasting impression on the royal when he worked with orphaned children with Aids and met other traumatised youngsters.

Harry served as an usher at Mark Dyer's wedding to Amanda Kline at St Edmunds Church at Crickhowell, in Powys, Wales in 2010

Mark had previously enjoyed a brief romance with ex-royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke. They are pictured together in 1999

Dyer pictured with Meghan Markle watching Harry play polo in 2017. It is said he helped facilitate Prince Harry's romantic relationships

Mark, pictured with Princess Eugenie's husband, Jack Brooksbank, served as an usher at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018

When he returned to the UK, Harry told Prince Charles he wanted to start a charity and Dyer was the driving force behind its foundation, alongside Harry and Prince Seeiso, according to Penny Junor.

Harry's charity Sentebale, of which Dyer is a trustee, supports orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, many of whom are affected by HIV and AIDS.

He was reportedly fond of the Prince's former girlfriend Chelsy Davy and sneaked her out to the ranch where Harry was staying in Argentina during his gap year before starting his Army training at Sandhurst.

He continued his mentoring role even after his time as an official employee of the Prince came to an end.

'Mark Dyer had been invaluable; he had done a superb job in supporting and guiding both Princes through their adolescence and showing them something of the world - also introducing them to Africa,' Penny Junor wrote in her biography Prince Harry: Brother, Soldier, Son.

'The press thought he was a bad influence but he did a bloody good job for them. He had huge integrity, and he was around when they needed advice that didn't come from their father.'

When Harry began wooing Cressida Bonas in 2013, Mark did his bit to ensure the royal romance ran smoothly.

While Harry was in Afghanistan, it was reported that Dyer was among the close circle of friends he entrusted with keeping the romance alive.

Meanwhile, Dyer enjoyed a brief romance with ex-royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke but wed Texan heiress Amanda Kline in 2010.

Prince Harry was an usher at the ceremony at St Edmunds Church at Crickhowell, in Powys, Wales. Harry later returned the compliment, asking Dyer to be an usher at his own wedding in 2018.

The Sussexes also asked Marko to be Archie's godfather. And Harry, in turn, is godfather to Jasper Dyer, served as a page boy at his wedding.

In 2009, Dyer founded the management company MDM Bars and Pubs and ran pubs including the Rolling Stones' favourite The Cross Keys and The Sand's End, in Fulham, where Harry is said to have conducted his secret courtship with Meghan.

After being successfully treated for stomach cancer last year, Mark Dyer was able to attend the wedding of his niece Alicia Lowes in Monmouthshire

He sold the pubs in 2017 for more than 10million and said he was going to 'relax' for a while. Later, he bought the Brook House Pub in Fulham with business partner Eamonn Manson.

Last year, Dyer was successfully treated after a gruelling battle against stomach cancer and was sent home after six weeks in hospital and 14 hours of surgery.

He was spotted at the wedding of his niece, classical soprano Alicia Lowes when she married long-distance rower Alex Simpson in Monmouthshire.

Speaking of the joy of having her uncle at the ceremony, Alicia told Richard Eden: 'Last year was hell for Mark, but he's turned the corner and is cancer-free.'
Cleo Watson's insider knowledge of Westminster's scandalous side has been put to good use. The woman behind summer's raciest book tells Richard Godwin why she would love to be hailed as the Jilly Cooper of Downing Street

Before you get to the filthy parts in Whips, the raucous bonkbuster by former Downing Street deputy chief of staff Cleo Watson, you come to the author's note. 'I'd like to reassure the reader that any seeming inspiration from real events or people is inadvertent,' Watson writes. 'Honestly, not everything's about you.'

To which many readers in SW1 will surely mutter, 'Yeah, right.' For Watson, 34, is a genuine Westminster insider who's been right at the heart of power. She worked for Prime Minister Boris Johnson from August 2019 to November 2020, a spell that included the proroguing of Parliament, the landslide Tory election win, the Covid pandemic, Johnson's hospitalisation, the Barnard Castle fiasco and the events that would become known as Partygate.

Indeed, it has been reported that Watson bought the infamous birthday cake. (She denies that  but admits she was at one of the events.) Prior to that, she worked for Theresa May during the ill-fated 2017 general election and was recruited personally by Dominic Cummings to work on the Vote Leave campaign. She has spent much of her career in the room where the big stuff happens.

So naturally, when you come to the scenes in her novel where special advisers service ministers on their desks  and buttocks are splayed across the windows of Chequers  well, if anyone would know, Watson would.

Top, jovonnalondon.com. Necklace, mellerio.fr. Earrings, kimai.com

'Oh, I had to leave out so much more,' she says over lunch at the Corinthia London hotel, a hangout for politicos. 'I'd included a scene with an MP watching porn in the Commons on his phone but had to take it out because it ended up happening in real life. And I had this storyline where the prime minister is unwell and the deputy takes over  this crazy lady who runs the country off a cliff in a matter of weeks,' she laughs.

Whips is irresistible: silly and tawdry, it plays to all your worst suspicions about the people running our country. 'It's hard to imagine what it is like being at the centre of some of this stuff,' says Watson. 'But these are human beings. Or close to, anyway.'

Once labelled 'the gazelle', Watson is unnervingly tall, immaculately turned out and also a little cagier than I'd expected. She is, however, as funny in person as she is in print and my sense is that if you can survive what she experienced in No 10 with your sense of humour intact, you can probably survive anything.

She describes the job as 'like being punched in the face repeatedly'. It helped that she is happily married to Tom, a barrister, who was 'supportive and patient throughout and thoughtful about separating overall politics from my personal career'. And you can see why Watson became a valued member of the operation. 'I didn't mind thinking of myself as someone who had some emotional intelligence around the place. But I suspect I'm not the only woman to have fallen into a nannying role with Boris. He responds to it well. He doesn't like being told off. He likes being mollycoddled.'

For all that she conforms to the True Blue stereotype  'I'm a fairly posh, middle-class blonde woman'  she is far from an ideologue. She has voted for every party at some stage or other and only briefly became a Tory member when an edict came from on high that all special advisers (SpAds) had to join. 'I suppose I'm pretty mainstream,' she says of her own politics. 'I feel sympathetic with the rest of the country now, in that I don't think we have any great options in front of us. It would be comforting to think there was a party that really represents you  a bit like believing in God.'

Watson says her Downing Street job was 'like being punched in the face repeatedly'

If there is a deity in her pantheon, it is the romance author Jilly Cooper  and Whips is very much in the JC mould. 'My friends and I would sit around during our school lunch breaks reading extracts to each other,' she says. 'I always thought it'd be cool to be a lady author writing away in my silk pyjamas with a gin and tonic.' It was something she joked about when she was at Number 10  one day I'm going to put this in my novel!  and once she was sacked by Boris Johnson she ran out of excuses to put it off.

The book is a warm-hearted romp, following the sexual misadventures of three university friends  Jess, Bobby and Eva  as they each negotiate jobs in Westminster.

Eva is an aide for the prime minister, a role complicated by the fact that her own father, Percy Cross, is himself a maverick ex-PM, with a much younger girlfriend, now unsure what to do with himself.

Despite Watson's protestations, Percy has obvious echoes of Boris Johnson. Challenged about this she stammers a little, but at one point, someone even says, 'Let Percy be Percy', as people once did of Boris. 'That's true,' she laughs. 'Although the weird thing about that is I'd written it all by this time last year and there was no hint that he [would be] gone by summer.'

The person Watson tried to keep in mind for the more outrageous scenes was former health secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned in 2021 after he was filmed snogging an aide in his office in a breach of Covid restrictions. No individual book character was inspired by this episode, she insists (the affair actually came to light after Watson had left Downing Street).

However, she was aiming for similar levels of cringeworthiness. You should 'have your toes curled into hooves with embarrassment' as you read, she says. 'We've all seen that front-page picture [of Hancock], and it does take some of the eroticism out of it.'

Watson insists that she never personally encountered predatory behaviour in Westminster  she suspects it's something to do with being six-foot tall and married  but the place does lend itself to this sort of thing.

Top, jovonnalondon.com. Skirt, reiss.com. Earrings and bracelet, kimai.com. Shoes, jimmychoo.com

All those empty second homes. The long nights at the office. The aphrodisiac effects of power. 'MPs suddenly become attractive because they've got power and then they're susceptible to charm because hot girls have not paid attention to them before.'

Watson herself had a 'wonderful' childhood in a rambling 17th-century farmhouse in the Brecon Beacons. Her parents, Robin and Liza, ran their own business from home  a residential English language school. This meant they had plenty of time for her and her siblings: Molly, 48, Annabel (Bee), 44, Flora, 41, Nell, 38, and Archie, 33, who are all seemingly terrifyingly accomplished, tall and good-looking.

'They are like the Mitfords, but without the Hitler angle,' says one family acquaintance.

It's not hard to see the imprint of her family in her career. Her sister Annabel worked for Theresa May when she was home secretary; another sister, Molly, once a journalist, later wrote her own bonkbuster, In the Pink, in 2004 while Watson was still at school.

Both clearly left an impression  and opened doors. 'Hopefully without going fully down the 'nepo baby' route, it's definitely the case in politics that you want people around you who you trust. So, I think [my family connection] would have helped.'

She took politics and economics at Cardiff, and had the chance to study for a year in the US, where she first picked up the political bug, ending up interning on Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

After university, she opted to work in branding but, by 2015, her interest was beginning to wane. 'I was wondering what to do when I was walking down the street one day and bumped into Dominic Cummings and I was like, whoa! Again, it sounds 'nepo', but he is friends with my eldest sister.

I remembered meeting him when I was a teenager. He said: 'There's going to be a referendum next year and it's going to be really interesting. What do you think about the EU?' I told him, 'I don't really know, to be honest.' And he said, 'If you're still interested in campaigns, you should join the referendum campaign.'

Watson makes it clear that the majority of her friends are not Brexiteers and she describes her husband Tom's family as leaning towards Labour.

'If you're interested in campaigning, I'm not sure it's helpful to be really ideologically entrenched in what you're doing,' she insists. 'You can be blinded to what the other side is saying. And the idea of being super-loyal  say, to a minister  isn't always helpful either because you're possibly not inclined to tell them what they ought to hear.'

It was helpful, too, to hear criticisms from outside.

'My friends and family gave me feedback. It's important not to dismiss criticism  you have to be able to look friends who are A&E staff in the eye. It does hold you accountable.'

She stresses that there was no shortage of competing ideologies within the party.

'The Conservative party doesn't quite know what it is any more. There's an interesting tension between people like Iain Duncan Smith  who was a party leader and considers himself a 'greybeard'  and some of the more modern thinkers who believe in climate change.'

She saw herself as more of a 'pragmatist'; someone who tried to find a path that people could agree on.

Her admiration for Cummings  who many Tories now view as treacherous and dangerous  is evident. 'Whether during the [2016] referendum or the 2019 general election, Dom long held the view that serious institutional changes were needed in this country,' she says. 'We have to fund the NHS properly, we have to think seriously about our energy supplies  I think most people would basically agree with that now. With Brexit, Dominic basically thought: 'I can see a route through and it's worth doing this to try and make something happen here.'

Loyalty isnt always helpful. You dont tell ministers what they ought to hear

So Brexit was never the endgame in itself. It was an opportunity to change things fundamentally.

'There was this moment coming out of the 2019 general election where it really felt like something great could've happened. And it just feels like a bunch of people fell out. I don't think we'll get that opportunity again for 30 years.'

Watson speaks with genuine sadness about Cummings's tempestuous relationship with Johnson. I remind her that in a previous interview she referred to them as being divorced; she jokingly responds that she's a 'child from a broken home'.

'Regardless of their politics, you could see why they were once a force to be reckoned with. Dom was the strategist with the clear vision and goals. And Boris, when he's in the right frame of mind, can really communicate and connect with people.'

As pressures mounted in Number 10, it was 'lubricating' this relationship that ended up consuming most of her energies.

She remains sad that the Partygate narrative ended up dominating the story that is told about these difficult months.

'My memories of that period are us on the phones ringing up hospitals to find out how many people had died that day, signing off potential sites for mass graves and looking at renting ice rinks for morgues.'

She feels for the civil servants who do not get to tell their side of the story. 'It's like the entire government Covid response is synonymous with partying the whole time and not the extremely traumatic stuff they were having to do.'

How did she get on with Carrie?

'While she was pregnant and Boris was seriously ill, I was just thinking, 'S***, she's about to have a baby and he's gone into ICU'. It was absolutely terrifying and obviously she was vulnerable. She was stuck up in that flat by herself. She was my age, and I thought, "That looks really hard  I don't think I'd be cut out for it. So good on you."'

Her spell finally came to an end in November 2020, a couple of weeks after Cummings was given the push, though she did later work with Johnson during the Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow. One of her last interactions with the then PM was a shared car journey through central London  when she feels that she had a glimpse of the real Johnson.

'He was asking me questions about myself, which was slightly unusual. I told him I didn't go to Oxford and his face  it was like he was having this lucid moment. He said: 'It's really weird being me'. It's hard to tell sometimes which version you're getting. He was generally in performance mode, but this felt like no masks were on.

'I thought: "Yeah, it must be weird being you. You've been one of the most popular guys in Britain and then one of the most hated. Everyone knows everything about your private life. You've got this competitive family. It must be weird being you." I wondered if what he was saying was: "I don't know who I am any more." He does have these different versions of himself  he's always performing. But he always seemed happiest when he was by himself, reading or writing. As much as he fed off adulation, he seems to genuinely enjoy writing his books and making his model buses.'

Watson thinks that Johnson's spell at Number 10 was always going to be brutish and short. 'Character is destiny  I'm not sure that he would still be prime minister now even without Partygate.'

She was at one of the gatherings in question  she has testified to the inquiries  and insists that they didn't feel like parties to those there at the time.

'It was this work environment and it was a couple of sandwiches - it just didn't feel as stupid as it obviously was.' However, she well understands the anger around them.

'It was the lying. When I've spoken to friends who've lost family to Covid, they've said it wasn't just that these events were happening, it was that we were lied to about it for months. There's a time and a place when you just have to say sorry, we've completely messed up.'

Later she adds: 'Truthfully, having worked for Theresa May, had she seen any of this stuff happening, she would've said, "What the f*** are you doing?"'

The end, when it came, was abrupt. Watson says it was nothing personal, she just reminded Johnson too much of Cummings. 'But feeling ready to leave when the time comes is a good feeling,' she says. 'Some people still have an itch to scratch but I'd scratched mine right down to the bone.'

I suspect being a 'lady author', G&T in hand, will be a much happier existence.
If you're looking for some slick gym headphones that look good, do a top job at cancelling out background noise and hold their charge then look no further than Marshall's stylish and uber lightweight A.N.C Motifs. Tried and tested, these earbuds stay in place throughout the most vigorous of workouts and have great sound quality. In terms of tech detail, perks include adjustable EQ settings via a dedicated app, IPX5 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2, 20 hours of wireless playtime with A.N.C, plus 'transparency mode' for whenever you need to let the world back in. The headphones come with various sizes of buds for the perfect fit and they come encased in the classic chassis we've come to know from its days as an amp maker.
Noreen Riols, 97, was once a top World War II spy in Winston Churchill's so-called 'Baker Street Irregulars' who used her feminine charms to test secret agents being sent into occupied France.

'Maria' is a glamorous 33-year-old coordinator in the Ukrainian non-violent resistance movement Yellow Ribbon, which battles Russia's brutal occupation on-the-ground in 2023.

The two women are now meeting to discuss just how important women are to effective resistance  something that hasn't changed in over almost a century.

Both women know what it's like to fight fascism in Europe. Almost 80 years ago, the 97-year-old English Noreen was recruited into the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret World War II British espionage and sabotage organisation.

Maria, whose identity has been kept hidden to ensure her safety, has been working with Yellow Ribbon since 2022.

Noreen Riols (pictured) was once a top spy, and was recruited into the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret World War II British espionage and sabotage organisation

Among her duties, Noreen (pictured, far right, during a BBC broadcast with her boss, the legendary Colonel Buckmaster OBE, leader of F-Section, far left) would act as a decoy to trainee spies, playing the role of a 'honeytrap ' to see if they would spill their secrets

From the room of her nursing home just outside Paris, Noreen remembers the sexism of the 1940s.

'They didn't expect women to do that sort of work,' she says matter-of-factly. Now in the 2020s, Maria says the misogynistic Russians still think the same thing.

But we are 'more flexible' Noreen continues. Maria chimes in: 'yes, we have more creativity  we can fight without using guns, through non-violent means.'

Noreen remembers her time well. 'It was all very James Bond,' she tells Maria. 'If you were caught, you'd be tortured or annihilated.'

On Churchill's orders, SOE was created to 'set Europe ablaze', conducting espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance inside occupied Europe.

Yellow Ribbon seeks to do the same thing now. Its activists subvert Russian occupation inside Ukraine wherever they can.

They spray pro-Ukrainian graffiti inside occupied cities and towns. They post anti-Russian posters, leaflets and messages, sometimes on the local Russian-occupied administration offices there.

Noreen never wanted to be a secret agent; she wanted to join the Navy. Her father had served in it and she wanted to be a Wren because, she says, she 'liked the hat'.

Battle: Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions near Bakhmut, an eastern city where fierce battles against Russian forces have been taking place

The female resistance group Mavka has put up posters around Ukraine with messages for the Russians. This one (top) shows a Ukrainian woman beating a Russian soldier round the head with a bouquet, declaring 'I don't want flowers, I want my Ukraine!' Another of the posters (below) reads: 'Occupiers, get lost! Don't make Ukrainian women angry!'

Noreen recently met with 'Maria' the glamorous female 33-year-old coordinator in the Ukrainian non-violent resistance movement Yellow Ribbon, whose identity has been kept hidden to ensure her safety.

But fate had a different path in store for her. She had been educated at the exclusive Lycee school in West London and spoke fluent French and was recruited into SOE's F-Section, the branch dealing with France.

F-section recruited and trained spies to be dropped into France to sabotage Nazi operations and support the French Resistance.

What was the Special Operations Executive? Most of the sneaky espionage tactics used to outwit Brtiain's opponents were devised by a division known as the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Formed on July 22 1940 by Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton following cabinet approval, the SOE was largely kept top-secret and was also known as The Baker Street Irregulars, because of the location of its London office, and Churchill's secret army. The SOE operated in every nation in Europe and south-east Asia that was under the rule of an Axis power. As well as the quirky inventions it came up with, the unit was also responsible for other key, more conventional items that were commonly used in the war. One of these was a time pencil, which was a timer that allowed troops to detonate a bomb with a controlled delay to allow them to clear the area - timings typically ranged from 10 minutes to 24 hours. The SOE commissioned several types of silent pistol, such as the Welrod, which were key for agents trying to keep a low profile. They also produced two submarines, the Welman and Sleeping Beauty, to place charges on U-boats, but neither were successful. After the war, the organisation was officially dissolved on 15 January 1946. A memorial to SOE's agents was unveiled on the Albert Embankment by Lambeth Palace in London in October 2009. Advertisement

Noreen was eventually based at the organisation's headquarters in The Mall and at the training camp in the New Forest.

Eighty years later, Maria would be recruited into her own resistance movement, coordinating Ukrainian activists inside the occupied territories.

While her movement focuses only on non-violent resistance, many of the skills the two women needed remain almost the same.

Noreen remembers teaching agents how to pass messages covertly or avoid being followed.

'You would teach them how to switch buses, double back, and change hats,' she says with a slight chuckle.

'When you thought you were being followed, it was about stopping and looking into a shop window, if there was a person following you, they'd have to do the same and you could spot them that way.'

For Maria, the safety of the activists who work covertly on-the-ground is everything.

But in today's digital age, much of the work can be on secure channels.

Yellow Ribbon uses secure messaging apps to anonymously task those on the ground with the various pro-Ukrainian resistance acts they have become famous for inside the occupied towns and cities.

The methods may have changed, but the principles remain timeless.

Noreen's work also involved testing the resolve of agents trained in England before they were sent to occupied France by acting as a honeytrap.

She had to make them talk. She would befriend them and eventually, just before they were about to leave, ask them why they couldn't tell her where they were going.

'Is this just a one-night stand? She would ask. 'You'd tell me if you cared.'

Once an agent did spill the beans. The following evening her boss, the legendary Colonel Buckmaster OBE, leader of F-Section, took her out to dinner with the man.

'Do you know this woman?' Buckmaster calmly asked him. The man took one look at Noreen: 'you b***h!' he spat.

Buckmaster was a character. 'He was like soap suds,' remembers Noreen. 'One day he'd be up, the next down.'

But he cared absolutely about his agents. She tells the story of Francis Cammaerts  the best agent she ever worked with.

The Germans were looking for him for eight months until one day they caught him at a roadblock and sentenced him to death.

Among its posters, Yellow Ribbon has also displayed these bold images, in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine. (Pictured, right, poster says 'Crimea is Ukraine', left, poster says 'Kerch [city in Crimea] Ukraine is coming')

Another of the posters (pictured) shared by resistance group Yellow Ribbon tells people 'don't get a Russian passport'

Buckmaster left no stone unturned trying to get him released and with the help of agents in France, succeeded  for a hefty bribe.

With the war ending, SOE managed to convince the Germans that Cammaerts was a cousin of King George. It wouldn't be wise to execute so close to the inevitable allied victory, they lied.

Then and now, it was all about creativity, something the two women agree that the female sex has in spades.

Across Ukraine, women are resisting. They put laxatives in tea served to Russian soldiers. They wheedle information out of them on dating apps like Tinder.

Francis Cammaerts - the best agent Noreen Riols worked with in Churchill's SOE - who escaped death after being captured by the Germans when they were persuaded that he was a cousin of King George

And now female resistance movements are springing up. One, named Mavka after a character from Ukrainian folklore who drags men off into the forest, is operating in the occupied territories.

Its activists were determined that Russian soldiers would hear the voice of Ukrainian women and operate on-the-ground, subverting the occupation however they can and spreading pro-Ukrainian information.

World War II changed everything for women. 'Women went out to work and when it ended,' Noreen remembers 'they didn't want to go back.'

Now the same thing is happening in Ukraine where women have become everything from soldiers to lorry drivers to ambulance drivers.

As the interview draws to a close Maria asks Noreen what advice she would give to the many Ukrainians resisting Russian fascism today.

She replies without hesitation. 'Hang on.'
The Princess of Wales chose a vibrant blue dress for her spectacular surprise appearance at the Eurovision finals last night.

The royal, 41, opened the show with a touching piano performance tribute to Ukraine, wearing a beautiful bespoke off-the-shoulder Grecian-style gown by one of her favourite UK designers, Jenny Packham.

The flowing gown, crafted from Sapphire chiffon, trailed to the floor - and over the piano pedals - as the Princess of Wales played alongside last year's Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra.

The colour of her gown was a clear nod to the blue of the Ukrainian flag, and the royal also paid tribute to the late Queen Mother, donning a pair of her sapphire and diamond fringe earrings that once belonged to her.

Kate's beautiful vibrant blue Jenny Packham gown, worn as she played piano to open Eurovision on Saturday, replicated the blue of the Ukrainian flag, as she played alongside the war-torn country's Kalush Orchestra

The royal wore her brunette locks in gentle waves tumbling down her back to accentuate the stunning royal earrings.

A long-time fan of British designer Jenny Packham, the Princess wore a similar grey gown in 2011 to attend a charity gala at St. Jamess Palace in London.

Kate has worn the royal 'fringe' earrings for several high-profile occasions including Donald Trump's State Visit in 2019.

An accomplished piano, Kate previously tinkled the ivories in public in 2021 at the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas play a rendition of For Those Who Cant Be Here by Tom Walker.

An estimated worldwide audience of 160 million are thought to have watched last night's show.

Kate has worn the Queen Mother's sapphire and diamond fringe earrings for several high-profile occasions including Donald Trump's state visit in 2019 (right)

Pictured in the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the Princess cut a striking figure in the blue chiffon gown - which she teamed with a pair of earrings owned by the late Queen Mother

The Princess of Wales previously showcased her musical talents at the Christmas Eve Carol Service, which she hosted last year

Kate has astonished an estimated worldwide audience of 160 million as she played piano alongside last year's Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra

Each of the 26 acts fought to get their hands on the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden who stormed to victory, with their act Loreen making history as the first woman to win the competition twice.

Loreen won with a staggering 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine meanwhile scored an impressive 243 points after rocketing up the leaderboard thanks to the public vote.

But the UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in.
The Prince and Princess of Wales' social media accounts today shared another 'sneak peek' photo of Kate pictured at the piano in Windsor following last night's surprise Eurovision appearance.

The royal, 41, opened the show with a touching piano performance tribute to Ukraine, wearing a beautiful bespoke off-the-shoulder blue Grecian-style gown by one of her favourite UK designers, Jenny Packham.

The flowing gown, crafted from Sapphire chiffon, trailed to the floor - and over the piano pedals - as the Princess of Wales played alongside last year's Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra.

The caption accompanying today's post read: 'A little sneak peak behind the scenes at the filming for last night's @Eurovision surprise.'

The image shows Kate smiling directly at the camera as she's seated behind the Steinway & Sons piano, with the view of Windsor Castle's grounds in the background.

A new black-and-white photo, published on social media on Sunday, shows the Princess of Wales at the piano ahead of her surprise Eurovision show-opener on Saturday evening

An accomplished pianist, Kate previously tinkled the ivories in public in 2021 at the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas play a rendition of For Those Who Cant Be Here by Tom Walker.

If the colour of Kate's gown was a clear nod to the blue of the Ukrainian flag, the royal also paid tribute to the late Queen Mother, donning a pair of her sapphire and diamond fringe earrings that once belonged to her, and the late Queen - by choosing to play in one of her favourite rooms.

However flamboyant the Eurovision stage was in Liverpool last night, it didn't even come close to the regal splendour of the Crimson Dining Room at Windsor - which provided the backdrop for the Princess of Wales surprise piano performance.

She was seated in one of Windsor Castle's most beautiful rooms, cutting a striking figure in blue against a backdrop of crimson drapes, lavish chandeliers and historic paintings.

The semi-State Room was used regularly by the late monarch to welcome guests to Windsor.

Boasting spectacular views across the Berkshire countryside, the room was ravaged in the Windsor fire of 1992 before being lovingly restored. Visitors to the castle can wander the room for part of the year.

The Princess of Wales opened the Eurovision song contest with a piano performance in a touching tribute to Ukraine

Pictured in the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the Princess cut a striking figure in the blue chiffon gown - which she teamed with a pair of earrings owned by the late Queen Mother

Kate astonished an estimated worldwide audience of 160 million as she played piano alongside last year's Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra

A favourite of the late Queen - the Crimson Drawing Room, a semi-State Room at Windsor Castle was used regularly by the late monarch

An etimated worldwide audience of 160 million are thought to have watched last night's show.

Each of the 26 acts fought to get their hands on the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden who stormed to victory, with their act Loreen making history as the first woman to win the competition twice.

Loreen won with a staggering 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine meanwhile scored an impressive 243 points after rocketing up the leaderboard thanks to the public vote.

But the UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in.
Prince William looked delighted as he presented the Women's FA Cup to Chelsea this afternoon as they clinched the Wembley final.

The Prince of Wales, 40, looked proud as he shook hands and placed the 1-0 winners' medals over their heads.

In the end the final had been a tight battled, with Manchester United only defeated by a goal from Sam Kerr.

William, a passionate Aston Villa fan and President of the FA, has been a vocal supporter of the Women's game, presenting the Lionesses with their Euros trophy last summer.

The Prince of Wales, 40, looked proud as he shook hands and placed the 1-0 winners' medals over their heads

Prince William, Prince of Wales, alongside the most coveted FA Cup trophy earlier today

At the start of the match, after a rousing rendition of God Save the King, the Prince donned a smart suit for the occasion and greeted the players before kick-off.

The Blues were strong favourites against United. Emma Hayes's side have won 13 trophies in the last 11 years and victory over United secured the FA Cup for the third year running.

United were making their first cup final, first Wembley appearance and a first failed chance of silverware for manager Marc Skinner.

Last night, the Princess of Wales made a spectacular surprise appearance at the Eurovision finals.

The prince, the President of the FA, has been a vocal supporter of the Women's game

Marc Skinner, Manager of Manchester United, shakes hands with Prince William, Prince of Wales and President of the FA, prior to the Vitality Women's FA Cup Final

Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea, shakes hands with Prince William, Prince of Wales

The royal, 41, opened the show with a touching piano performance tribute to Ukraine, wearing a beautiful bespoke off-the-shoulder Grecian-style gown by one of her favourite UK designers, Jenny Packham.

The flowing gown, crafted from Sapphire chiffon, trailed to the floor - and over the piano pedals - as the Princess of Wales played alongside last year's Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra.

A long-time fan of British designer Jenny Packham, the Princess wore a similar grey gown in 2011 to attend a charity gala at St. Jamess Palace in London.

Kate has worn the royal 'fringe' earrings for several high-profile occasions including Donald Trump's State Visit in 2019.

Prince William, Prince of Wales and President of the FA, looks on after shakes hands with players of Chelsea and Manchester United

Kate's beautiful vibrant blue Jenny Packham gown, worn as she played piano to open Eurovision on Saturday, replicated the blue of the Ukrainian flag, as she played alongside the war-torn country's Kalush Orchestra

An accomplished piano, Kate previously tinkled the ivories in public in 2021 at the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas play a rendition of For Those Who Cant Be Here by Tom Walker.

An estimated worldwide audience of 160 million are thought to have watched last night's show.

Each of the 26 acts fought to get their hands on the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden who stormed to victory, with their act Loreen making history as the first woman to win the competition twice.

Loreen won with a staggering 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine meanwhile scored an impressive 243 points after rocketing up the leaderboard thanks to the public vote.

But the UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in.
Princess Eugenie was snapped with a large baby bump as she met a friend for lunch in central London yesterday.

Mother-of-one Eugenie looked stylish in a black maxi dress, topped with a regal-looking 225 Suki black velvet coat by Antra Designs.

The 33-year-old finished her outfit with a flat pair of white trainers and a pair of chic oversized shades. She pulled her long brown locks into a low, messy bun.

Spotting the princess in London, an onlooker noticed that she, and her friend with whom she was lunching had some trouble parking.

After finding a suitable spot to park, the duo went on to eat lunch together.

Princess Eugenie (pictured) was snapped looking stylish in a black maxidress topped with velvet coat

The royal was snapped as she stepped out for lunch with a friend, in London's Notting Hill yesterday

The lunch date follows a busy time for the Royal Family. Last weekend saw members of The Firm come together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles.

Celebrations included the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, and the coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday.

And this weekend is another busy one, with the Royal Windsor Horse Show taking place, a key date in the calendar for some of the family - many of whom are famously fond of horses.

Among the royals spotted at the Horse Show this weekend were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor.

Princess Eugenie announced in January that she's expecting her second child in the summer.

The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York shared the news posting an adorable snap on Instagram showing two-year-old August kissing her stomach.

She wrote: 'We're so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

In addition, a statement released by Buckingham Palace said: 'Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to announce they are expecting their second child this summer.

During her Notting Hill outing, the pregnant royal was snapped with a friend, with whom she enjoyed lunch

Eugenie announced her pregnancy on Instagram, as well as via a statement issued by Buckingham Palace

Embrace: The two friends appeared pleased to see each, and at one point during their meet up, shared a hug

The stylish royal appeared happy as she pounded the London pavements during her outing yesterday

Eugenie announced that she was pregnant with her second child in January, with the new arrival expected this summer

'The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother.'

Eugenie gave birth to her first son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who is 13th-in-line to the throne, at London's Portland Hospital in February 2021.

Eugenie and Jack, 36, began dating in 2011 and confirmed their relationship in an appearance at Royal Ascot that year.

When Eugenie left London to work for an auction house in New York in 2013, the pair maintained a long-distance relationship.

At the time, Jack told The Daily Mail: 'We spend a lot of time on Skype. It's great. We're still very much together.'

Regal: The princess' 225 black velvet coat features gold embroidery depicting floral motifs, giving the garment a regal air

Eugenie's outing yesterday followed a very busy week for the Royal Family - including the coronation of King Charles last week

The royal's outfit was the perfect combination of elegance and comfort, with her loose fitting maxi dress in classic black paired casually with her white trainers

In 2015 the princess returned to London where the pair grew ever closer - and they sparked engagement rumours the following year.

But it was not until January 2018 that Jack popped the question while the pair were away in Nicaragua.

Then in October that year. Eugenie announced her first pregnancy in a similar fashion, posting on Instagram at the same time the palace announced the news.

When he was born, August weighed 8lb 1oz and the couple broke with tradition by immediately sharing a black-and-white photo to Eugenie's Instagram of them holding their newborn's tiny hand.

She followed the post with three blue hearts after welcoming her son at the luxury private hospital where Meghan Markle also gave birth to her son, Archie.
Just over a week on since over 2,000 people watched the King coronated in Westminster Abbey, King Charles III showed he's nothing if not a modern monarch, driving himself to church in Norfolk this morning.

Charles was spotted behind the wheel, offering a cheery wave to well-wishers as he drove to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Dressed in a smart grey suit, the King looked on jovial form as he navigated the Norfolk roads in a motorcade - with dozens of well-wishers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of him.

After the service, the King was seen in the same royal car, being driven back to Sandringham by a close protection officer.

King Charles III was spotted driving in a royal car this morning to church, he attended the St Mary Magdalene Church service close to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk

Queen Camilla did not attend the church service.

Following the historic anointing of the King last week, he has since retreated to his Sandringham estate, missing the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Despite it only being eight days since the King was coronated, the working royals have been back out in force.

Prince William is set to enjoya an afternoon out at Wembley today - taking a pew in the stands at Wembley Stadium for the Women's FA Cup Final.

Dressed in a smart grey suit, the King looked on jovial form as he navigated the Norfolk roads in a motorcade - with dozens of well-wishers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of him

Following the historic anointing of the King last week, he has since retreated to his Sandringham estate

Following the church service, the King was driven back to Sandringham by a close protection officer

It's thought the King is taking a few days to relax after a hectic schedule in recent days

The 40-year-old Prince, a passionate Aston Villa fan and President of the FA, has been a vocal supporter of the Women's game, presenting the Lionesses with their Euros trophy last summer, and will again present the trophy to either Manchester United or Chelsea this afternoon.

And the Princess of Wales has also been busy; the royal, 41, opened the show with a touching piano performance tribute to Ukraine at the Eurovision contest last night.

Wearing a beautiful bespoke off-the-shoulder blue Grecian-style gown by one of her favourite UK designers, Jenny Packham, Kate was seen seated behind a Steinway & Sons piano in the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
Lady Louise looked the picture of elegance today as she drove a carriage at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor.

The 19-year-old, who is daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, looked stylish in a co-ordinated beige riding jacket and matching fedora hat.

She added camel-coloured riding gloves and a floral cravat, with a yellow flower pinned to her jacket.

Wearing minimal make-up, she also wore discreet drop earrings and seemed to beam with delight as she confidently took the reins.

The teenager seemed perfectly at ease driving the two magnificent black horses in front of adoring crowds.

Lady Louise Windsor, 19, drives a carriage in the Pol Roger Meet at the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show

It's the second time she has driven a carriage this week, the first watched by her proud parents.

The event is highly prestigious in equine circles, and was a favourite of the late Queen.

Lady Louise appears a natural, having shared a love of carriage driving with the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was instrumental in helping to establish the sport in Britain.

Earlier in the week, she was watched by her parents as she took part in her first carriage event.

Her mother, Sophie, then presented rosettes to competitors in the fancy dress competition in the Copper Horse arena.

The popular royal, 58, donned a black and white floral gown and a black leather boots for the occasion in Windsor Castle. And she added some chunky boots to keep her warm.

Until recently, Lady Louise has largely been shielded from the public gaze by her parents Edward and Sophie, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Lady Louise Windsor appeared perfectly at ease taking command of the two large horses and carriage

She looked stylish in a co-ordinated beige riding jacket and matching fedora hat, along with cream gloves

Lady Louise was just one of the carriage riders at the sunny event in Windsor, which was a favourite with Queen Elizabeth

Lady Louise is becoming more of a prominent figure in royal circles after being previously kept out of the limelight

Lady Louise, 19, hared a love of carriage driving with her granddad, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was instrumental in helping to establish the sport in Britain

The Duchess of Edinburgh wrapped up warm in a oversized cream coat at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

But she is dear to the heart of the Royal Family and was particularly close to her late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip took particular pride in his seventh child as she was the first to bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor, carrying on his family name.

And she looked very happy to be promoting the tradition of carriage driving

Sophie and Louise's appearance at the Royal Horse Show comes just days after a pedestrian was struck by an outrider in the Duchess's motorcade which left her in a coma.

The police motorcycle collided with the elderly woman in Earl's court on Wednesday.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance rushed to the scene before the woman, in her 80s, was taken to hospital.

Buckingham Palace said after the incident that the Duchess of Edinburgh's 'thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family', adding she was grateful for the 'swift response' of emergency services.
The Duke of Kent showed he's firmly still a part of the slimmed down royals as he attended the annual parade of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the Cavalry Memorial in Hyde Park on Sunday.

Wearing a dark grey pin-stripe suit and a black bowler hat, the 87-year-old looked in sprightly form as he joined thousands of sharp-suited attendees for the annual parade - with the sunshine even coming out for the occasion.

The event, which honours soldiers lost in conflict since the First World War, has a strict dress code - Twenties City attire including a bowler hat - because that's the decade in which the parade first began.

The Duke of Kent, who is cousin to the late Queen and older brother to Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, also wore a dozen medals on his lapel as he arrived at the London parade on Sunday.

Scroll down for video

The Earl of Wessex looked sharp as he attended Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the Cavalry Memorial in Hyde Park on Sunday morning

The annual parade sees cavalrymen honour lost soliders, with attendees wearing the bowler hats as a nod to dress during the Twenties when event began

The Duke of Kent paid his respect to those lost fighting for their country since the First World War

The annual event sees cavalrymen gathering to take part in the tribute, which honours servicemen and women who've lost their lives fighting for their country since the First World War.

The soldiers march to the Cavalry memorial, which is made from melted down metal used in enemy guns captured in the First World War. The statue shows patron saint of the Cavalry, St George.

The parade attracted some stylish attendees with many donning 1920s attire

A little girl is spotted wearing a black bowler hat in Hyde park on Sunday as she walked to the Cavalry Memorial

The soldiers march to the Cavalry memorial, which is made from melted down metal used in enemy guns captured in the First World War

The cavalrymen, wearing medals and matching striped ties, tip their hats in memory of those lost to war

The parade was last attended by the Duke of Edinburgh - then the Earl of Wessex - in 2022, with King Charles walking the parade in 2019.

This morning Charles was pictured attending church in Sandringham.

Just over a week on since over 2,000 people watched the King coronated in Westminster Abbey, he showed he's nothing if not a modern monarch, driving himself to church in Norfolk this morning.

King Charles III was spotted driving in a royal car this morning to church, he attended the St Mary Magdalene Church service close to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk

Dressed in a smart grey suit, the King looked on jovial form as he navigated the Norfolk roads in a motorcade - with dozens of well-wishers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of him

Charles was spotted behind the wheel, offering a cheery wave to well-wishers as he drove to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Dressed in a smart grey suit, the King looked on jovial form as he navigated the Norfolk roads in a motorcade - with dozens of well-wishers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of him.

After the service, the King was seen in the same royal car, being driven back to Sandringham by a close protection officer.
If I asked you how wearing a red dress makes you feel, what would you say? Glamorous? Confident? Powerful? Sexy?

Red definitely makes me feel a little different to usual on a night out. More badass. And I firmly believe that every multitasking woman, juggling career and family commitments, owes it to herself to feel this way whenever she can.

I love admiring other women in a red dress, whether it's at a party, across a restaurant or on screen. So what's the big allure?

Red is a colour that simultaneously semaphores danger, love, passion and rage. A red dress says, without apology: I'm celebrating my life, my ability and my own powerful femininity.

As for the effect on men, a new study has proved that a flash of scarlet makes them go a little weak at the knees  even if in these #MeToo days they feel they can't show it. (A good friend commented recently that now it's always other women who compliment her outfits, never men.)

If I asked you how wearing a red dress makes you feel, what would you say? Glamorous? Confident? Powerful? Sexy?

The study, by psychologists at the University of Potsdam in Germany, also found that women were twice as likely to wear a red dress, blouse, scarf or lipstick when meeting a man whose photo they took a shine to. But when the man was less attractive, little more than a quarter picked a red outfit, which I think is hilarious.

Society's attitude to red has evolved through the decades. Back in Hollywood's golden  but completely sexist  age, a red dress was sometimes used as a weapon to shame women for their sexuality. Think about the doe-eyed cartoon character Betty Boop or Gone With the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara, forced to wear a feathered red gown by her husband when he hears rumours of her infidelity.

These days this unforgettable colour is associated with being beautifully independent and with women who are comfortable in their own skin. The only shame associated with a red outfit would be if you didn't ever wear one.

My most recent favourite was a red jumpsuit that looked like a dress, worn by Jennifer Aniston playing TV presenter Alex Levy on Apple TV+'s The Morning Show. Levy was battling male TV executives doing their best to oust her. They didn't stand a chance.

Its a shade that says, without apology: Im celebrating my femininity

The fashion industry has got the red memo, too. Nearly a year after designer Pierpaolo Piccioli debuted a Barbie-pink fashion agenda for Valentino at the A/W 2022 shows, the runways for this autumn were done with thinking pink: Tory Burch, Burberry and Proenza Schouler all favoured red. And thank heavens! Who feels remotely powerful in fluffy rose? Red, of course, is a completely different story.

@thestylistandthewardrobe

@youmagazine

MY LOOK OF LUXE

Shirt, 360, issuetwelve.com

Fashion is firmly in designer Leah Chapman's DNA  her parents founded Matches Fashion in the 90s. Her own label, Issue Twelve, which she launched two years ago, has become my new go-to for understated basics that can be worn over and over. Think quiet luxury with a more affordable price tag than The Row.

BUCKLE UP!

Sandals, 140, jigsaw-online.com

Jigsaw has a splendid selection of accessories this summer, from an excellent array of unusual jewellery to stylish footwear. I especially love the buckles on these Pandora sandals.

THE BRASS SELECTION

Necklace, 59, arket.com

Often the best accessories are the simplest. And I just love this cuff necklace in recycled brass by Arket. Pair with white summer dresses and linen tailoring for a sleek finish. There's also a matching bracelet.
For Sophie Stack simple things like going through an airport, getting into nightclubs, taking exams and even talking to people face-to-face can be a battle.

The 33-year-old has copped hefty fines and been barred from venues on a night out after police and bouncers wrongly thought she was incapacitated.

These mix-ups are because Sophie suffers from Tourette Syndrome which causes her to 'tic' and twitch uncontrollably - and it's even caused confusion in hospitals.

Mum Sophie Stack (pictured) has told of her struggles living with Tourette Syndrome that causes involuntary 'tics' and twitches

After she suffered a minor stroke, the mum-of-two was surprised she even had to explain her condition to doctors and nurses during her stay in the neurology ward.

Because of her constant frustrations with first responders and medical staff, Sophie is fighting to raise awareness about the misunderstood condition.

'How are we in this medical field and I'm in a neurology ward with a neurological condition and no one knows what Tourettes is?' Sophie told FEMAIL.

Tourette Syndrome is a condition of the nervous system which causes people to have involuntary tics which are sudden movements, twitches or sounds.

Sophie's tics manifest in clenching her limbs, blinking, coughing, sniffing and head flicks and are exacerbated when she is stressed or tired.

Back in October, a code 1 stroke shut down the left side of her body and she was rushed to hospital where her tics confused hospital staff.

'I was sitting in there waiting for my mum to arrive and one of the nurses thought I was having a seizure. I said "I'm just ticing, is that not on my chart?",' the Melbourne mum said.

The 33-year-old has copped hefty fines and been barred from venues on a night out after police and bouncers wrongly thought she was incapacitated

'I was in the neurology ward with a neurological condition, and I had to educate quite a lot of them who didn't know what Tourettes was or what was involved.'

What is Tourette Syndrome? Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder, which most often begins between the ages of two and 21, and lasts throughout life. TS is not degenerative and people with TS can expect to live a normal life span. TS is characterised by rapid, repetitive and involuntary muscle movements and vocalisations called 'tics', and often involves behavioural difficulties. Tics are experienced as a build up of tension, are irresistible and eventually must be performed. Typically tics increase as a result of tension or stress and decrease with relaxation or concentration on an absorbing task. TS symptoms have long been misconstrued as a sign of behavioural abnormality or 'nervous habits', which they are not. Source: Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia Advertisement

She faced further challenges when doctors ordered MRI and CT scans which require patients to lie very still for up to 90 minutes.

'I was like, "well I can't do that, how do you expect me to not move?" and they told me to just be calm,' Sophie recalled.

She said she spoke to multiple doctors and nurses before someone listened to her concerns and recommended sedation for the scans.

'I didn't know that was an option. I still had to push quite hard after she sent the recommendation,' Sophie said.

'I feel like sometimes it's like knocking my head against a brick wall because I'm fighting for my rights and trying to educate at the same time.'

Sophie was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome early at the age of five as both her mum, Leonie, and grandmother suffered from the same condition and identified her symptoms straight away.

She said while awareness about the condition has been growing since she was bullied for it growing up, there is still a lot of misunderstanding.

The mum explained people with Tourettes can have an increased number of intrusive thoughts which cause them to do or say inappropriate things uncontrollably.

'When Covid happened and I went to the supermarket, I was coughing and sniffing and clearing my throat. People were looking at me and nearly running away,' she said.

'Our brain tells us "this is a good time to do something inappropriate", and it happens. What we do doesn't reflect who we are or what we believe in.'

She has had many frustrating incidences with first responders such as paramedics and police officers as well as bouncers while out with friends.

Sophie was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of five as both her mum, Leonie, and grandma suffered from the same condition and identified her symptoms straight away

While she was learning to drive aged 16, Sophie was in the car with her mum Leonie (right) when she panicked after spotting a police officer and accidentally sped through a school zone

'I would come into contact with a few who would assume, even if I was designated driver, that I was under the influence or I was drunk. They would target or pinpoint me and say "she needs to leave" and I haven't even had a drink,' she said.

'Because of that now if I am driving and they're doing they're breath testing for everyone I get really nervous and scared.'

While she was learning to drive aged 16, Sophie was in the car with her mum when she panicked after spotting a police officer.

'My leg started ticing so it's like a bit of shake and I accelerated and of course they pulled me over,' she said.

While Sophie accepted her wrongdoing and was happy to cop the fine, it was the hostility from the cop who pulled her over that bothered her.

If Sophie is ever in contact with first responders she 'suppresses' her tics which can cause a 'tic attack' later on

How are Tourette's tics classified? The two categories of the tics of TS and some common examples are: Simple Motor - eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, nose twitching

Vocal - throat clearing, barking noises, squealing, grunting, gulping, sniffing, tongue clicking Complex Motor - jumping, touching other people and things, twirling about, repetitive movements of the torso or limbs, pulling at clothing and self-injurious actions including hitting or biting oneself

Vocal - uttering words or phrases, coprolalia (the involuntary utterance of inappropriate or obscene words), echoalia (repeating a sound, word or phrase just heard) or palilalia(repeating one's own words) The variety and complexity of tics or tic-like symptoms that can be seen in TS is enormous. Source: Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia Advertisement

'They did not care  they said you're just making up excuses, I don't want to hear it, you're speeding you can't do this. It was the rudeness about it,' she said.

If Sophie is ever in contact with first responders she 'suppresses' her tics which can cause a 'tic attack' later on.

'The longer you suppress, it's like holding in a sneeze... it feels like you're weighed down and it's all building up,' she said.

Sophie even tries to contain her tics when talking to people face-to-face after years of being bullied about it at school.

Sophie's eldest son Franklin (right), eight, also now has Tourette Syndrome and she hopes people become more aware and understanding of the condition

'I was embarrassed and bullied a lot so when I saw people one-on-one I would just hold it in which doesn't help,' she said.

'As soon as they walk away then it all comes out  it is very hard to suppress.'

Sophie's eldest son Franklin, eight, also has Tourette Syndrome and she hopes people become more aware and understanding of the condition.

'People think we can help it, that we can stop it or that we know what we're doing. Most of the time if we say or do something that's inappropriate, we'll apologise,' she said.

'We're also happy for people to laugh, just laugh with us not at us. We do like to explain and lot of us are open to it if we're asked nicely, not the judgement.'

Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia is urging leaders in first responder professions to provide education and thorough training to staff to prevent negative interactions with the Tourettes community.

For Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week the not-for-profit hopes to better educate the public about Tourette's and how best to respond to a person with the condition.
A glamorous tradie who studied for five years to be a graphic designer gave it all up to become a caulker working on construction sites, and is now raking in six figures.

Camila Bernal has now spent seven years on the tools and earns a generous salary running her own business - and hasn't looked back since, even getting hired for her skills on The Block.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the 31-year-old said it was a magical twist of fate that led her to getting into the trade.

'I was working in hospitality at the time and a friend asked me if I wanted to get into caulking - and I jumped at the opportunity,' she said.

Camila, who's originally from Columbia but now lives in Melbourne, said while the job is challenging it's 'very rewarding'.

Last year she was approached by producers of Channel Nine's television show The Block to become a caulker in the final week alongside the contestants - and she says it's a 'dream come true'.

Camila Bernal (pictured) decided to trade the corporate world for the construction site and became a caulker in 2016

The happy-go-lucky 31-year-old tradie told FEMAIL she adores her new career and hasn't looked back

'Caulking is all about the finishing touches and the final product; I've really fallen in love with my job and I'm a real perfectionist when it comes to my work,' she said

Because of her background, Camila's eye for design sets her apart from others in the industry.

'Caulking is all about the finishing touches and the final product; I've really fallen in love with my job and I'm a real perfectionist when it comes to my work,' she said.

While pivoting to trade seems like a drastic change, Camila said it 'made sense' for her because along the way she 'lost of passion for graphic design.

Like any job, caulking comes with its own set of challenges.

Camila usually starts her day on the jobsite at 7am and at times is required to be on her knees for hours to complete the task correctly and perfectly.

Camila usually starts her day on the jobsite at 7am and at times is required to be on her knees for hours to complete the task correctly and perfectly

Outside of work Camila is an adventurous woman who loves travelling, extreme sports, being in nature and camping (pictured in Paris)

But this has been severely impacting her scoliosis - curvature of the spine - causing extreme back pain.

Camila was only officially diagnosed with the condition in 2021 but doctors say she's been living with it for years, likely since her childhood.

'I need to make sure I take care of my health; I stretch, exercise, take vitamins, have massages, run baths and do all the right things because the pain can be unbearable,' she said.

Last week after spending eight hours on her hands and knees, Camila said her back pain was almost unbearable and rated the feeling '20 out of 10'.

'Us tradies suffer a lot and I need to make sure I look after my body. I've been on the strongest pain killers at times,' she said.

Camila considers herself 'lucky' because she runs her own business and can work when she needs to - rather than being told what jobs to work on by an employer.

Doctors say the only way to ease the pain is to quit her job - but she doesn't consider this to be an option.

'I've learnt to live with the condition. I will never in a million years quit,' she said.

While she needs to cope with the physical challenges, Camila added the job is 'very rewarding'.

'I love seeing my clients reactions to seeing the end product for the first time - it's like the cherry on top - it's the best feeling,' she said.

And her one piece of advice for women wanting to follow in her footsteps is it 'do it'

Last year she even received a phone call from producers of Channel Nine's television show The Block and says it was a 'dream come true' to be recognised for her work

Unfortunately when she first started out Camila she fell victim to discrimination because she was a woman and from another country originally.

'I didn't speak much English - which was a challenge itself - so the language barrier frustrated some. And it was hard being a woman on the jobsite too,' she said.

'If you're the only woman out of 30 men at work, they treat you differently.

She also received nasty comments about her heritage that made her feel uncomfortable - such as the association between Columbia and illegal drugs.

However, in recently years she's seen a shift in this behaviour where women in the construction industry are celebrated rather than laughed at.

'For me now working in construction is a privilege and employees want more women on the jobsite,' she said.

And her one piece of advice for women wanting to follow in her footsteps is it 'do it'.

'Don't think about it - if it's your dream and your passion, act on it.'

Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) is a registered charity organisation founded to increase female representation in trades by facilitating access through work experience, educational training and ongoing support.

The aim is to normalise young women completing an apprenticeship post school and raise awareness for trades being a viable and lucrative career option for them.

The EWIT mission is to inspire one million women to begin their skilled trades apprenticeship to meet the target of raising female participation from three per cent to 30 per cent by 2030.
A frustrated boomer has gone viral with a rant blaming an 'overpaid' and 'corporate' government for ruining everything that he cherished about life in Australia.

The lengthy post, written by Adelaide man Gary J Matthews and titled 'The Commondebt of Australia', was written on Facebook earlier this month.

Mr Matthews accused the government of 'selling the souls' of the Australian people when it began to compete with private enterprise and trade with China.

He claimed that while once children had been able to roam the streets in complete safety, now residents lived in a constant state of fear and stress.

Mr Matthews began his post by describing life in Australia in the 1980s, when milk was delivered to homes in glass bottles, petrol was cheap and business was booming.

'About 40 short years ago everyone had jobs everywhere, in fact mums used to stay home and families all lived happily just on dads' wages,' he said.

A frustrated boomer has blamed the 'overpaid' and 'corporate' government for ruining everything good about Australia (pictured, a Tentcraft on Sydney's Parramatta Road)

He said children had been able to roam the streets in complete safety but now 'we watch each other through security screens and burglar alarms' (pictured is a BP petrol station in the 1980s)

'We had corner stores and milk bars and delis, and hardware shops all over the city and country.

'Our rural towns were a hive of activity as they were very strong communities and were linked by a vast rail network that now lies dormant all across the country.

'Flea markets everywhere on the weekends. All our food was fresh and local. Our milk and bread were delivered every morning fresh to our doorstep in recyclable glass bottles.'

Mr Matthews said only a few decades ago, petrol had been cheap, everyone had a job, and that everything, even submarines, had been proudly made Down Under.

'We built aircraft, boats, submarines and battlecruisers, ships, warships. Buses. Locomotives, diesel-electric trains, as well as the tracks, and you can add hundreds more to that list,' he wrote.

'And everything was "PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTRALIA".'

Mr Matthews accused the government of 'selling the souls' of the Australian people when it started to compete with private enterprise and trade with China (pictured, a KFC in NSW)

Mr Matthews claimed by buying items with a 'Made in China' label, Aussies were only funding China in their mission to buy Australia out from 'under our feet'.

'We are making China so much profit they can now afford to buy us right out which is exactly what they are doing and our Government is helping them do so,' he said.

He reminisced about the days when he could buy tailored clothes from department stores like Myer and David Jones where clerks would use a measuring tape, and recalled a recent incident when he had tried on some shirts in a store before taking them to the cashier to pay.

When he asked the woman for the 'second-hand price' she told him the shirts were new.

'No, they are not! These shirts smell under the armpits... These are not new at all... How many people before me have tried them on?' he wrote.

'I don't know what diseases people have. This is a public health issue.'

Mr Matthews said Australia started 'going downhill' when local councils began buying up shopping centres and caravan parks in areas popular with tourists.

He claimed the government started doing deals with foreign countries under 'free trade agreements' that 'totally wiped out' Australian business.

Mr Matthews blamed the 'corporate government' for the fall of a once 'self-sufficient nation' (pictured, an $1 note that was eventually replaced by the $1 coin in 1984)

'These foreign countries were allowed to just march in and start taking over and rape and pillage all our resources,' he wrote.

'They started driving our farmers off their lands and then sold it to these foreign countries.'

Mr Matthews claimed the government had 'invented' things like GST, excise taxes and levies and cut funding to emergency services, police and public housing after realising how much had been lost.

'These new Corporate Government Politicians laughed in our faces and gave themselves MASSIVE pay rises and they all pat themselves on the back knowing that WE are so DUMB and STUPID we would not know what is going on!' he said.

'Now they tell us we have to tighten our belts and lose what little we have left to pay back the MASSIVE DEBT they left us all in after gifting other countries billions in foreign aid setting up their countries at the peril of our own...'

Mr Matthews admitted that when he passed the empty Holden Plant in Adelaide's north, he started to 'literally cry' for what has happened to Australia.

He blamed the 'corporate government' for the fall of a once 'self-sufficient nation'.

Mr Matthews said Australia started 'going downhill' when local councils began buying up shopping centres and caravan parks in areas popular with tourists

The emotional rant, which has been shared almost 7,000 times, received a mixed response from Facebook users.

'I was young but I was so proud of our country back then,' one man said.

'We could stand on our own two feet and most family environments were a lot happier because of it. Wish we could go back in time!'

'Sold and stolen while we all slept,' a second wrote.

'Flawed and only half the story but nice tale nevertheless,' a third commented.
The popular perception of Australia's frontier wars seems confined to bands of white marauders descending upon unprotected camps to slaughter helpless black men, women and children.

But Aboriginal resistance to the colonists was far more sophisticated, better organised - and successful - than previously understood, according to the author of a new book.

First Nations warriors, usually portrayed wielding spears and clubs, sometimes used firearms against the intruders and even launched raids mounted on horseback.

They burnt crops, destroyed homes and drove thousands of head of sheep and cattle for hundreds of kilometres, waging guerilla warfare that terrorised settlers.

It is estimated at least twice as many colonists were killed fighting the country's original inhabitants than in all conflicts Australians have served in since World War II.

Aboriginal resistance to white settlement was far more sophisticated, better organised and sometimes successful than previously thought, according to the author of a new book on Australia's frontier wars. An Aboriginal man poses for a picture with a firearm about 1873

While Aboriginal people could never have been able to hold back the spread of white settlement across the country forever, historian Ray Kerkhove believes they deserve much more credit for how hard they fought and how long they held out.

Kerkhove has now presented the case for the real level of Aboriginal resistance in How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia's Frontier Wars.

In recent decades historians have concentrated on massacres committed against Aboriginal people, which has led to some of their victories being overlooked.

'I don't want to belittle the fact that there were massive massacres,' Kerkhove says.

But concentrating only on massacres has resulted in frontier conflicts being framed as a form of institutionalised genocide which in turn implied there was no real war.

The Colonial Frontier Massacres in Australia website features 412 such incidents of butchery, but there were thousands more skirmishes, attacks and counterattacks.

To establish First Nations resistance was well organised, Kerkhove analysed about 150 news reports and 200 recorded reminiscences, particularly of Aboriginal participants.

He found plenty of evidence of confrontations he insists should be called battles.

'I was troubled by what First Nations people were telling me - that they had a great warrior tradition and that they had victories during the frontier wars,' Kerkhove says.

Author Ray Kerkhove says Aboriginal resistance to white settlement has been downplayed and their regular victories overlooked. He believes it is racist to portray Aboriginal people as 'eternal victims'. Two warriors in North Queensland are pictured wielding sword-clubs

'And I didn't really find that coming out in the books. When I read a lot of the frontier war books they were really just telling what white people did.

'That's why there's so much about the massacres. That's important but it gives us only half the picture.'

Kerkhove refers to the Battle of One Tree Hill on Queensland's Darling Downs in 1843 when 150 to 200 Aboriginal warriors routed a white force of an estimated 25 to 55.

I found it ridiculous that the narrative that I was being fed was basically that Aboriginal people threw a few spears and then went home and waited for people to come and kill them Author Ray Kerkhove

'Schools will call me up and I say, "I want to talk about the battle of One Tree Hill",' he says. 'And they'll go, "Oh, we'll have to call it the massacre" and I say, "What do you mean? They won".'

Kerkhove thinks most Australians imagine First Nations people sitting around and waiting to be slaughtered, offering only token resistance.

'I found it ridiculous that the narrative that I was being fed was basically that Aboriginal people threw a few spears and then went home and waited for people to come and kill them,' he says.

'That doesn't make sense, particularly when it's not just their land but their society at stake and they couldn't find it within themselves to organise a meaningful resistance?

'It was a lot more efficient and a lot more organised than people give credit.'

Kerkhove is not trying to suggest Australia's frontier wars could be considered 'fair or justified conflict' and he is not denying they reached genocidal proportions.

Instead he wants to inform a better appreciation of how First Australians fought back, and to 'honour the ingenuity, sophistication, and bravery of Australia's earliest military traditions'.

It is estimated at least twice as many colonists were killed fighting the country's original inhabitants than in all conflicts Australians have served in since World War II. This artwork called shows a typical example of 'swarming' at Lake Hope in South Australia

Kerkhove, who is Adjunct Associate Professor with the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland, has set about 'humanising' both sides of the conflict.

'It's like treating the settlers as some kind of demonic morons, evil people bent on killing,' he says of how the frontier wars have been seen.

'It's also racist in the sense that it treats black people as eternal victims who can't organise anything and that is so different from what I found.

It's also racist in the sense that it treats black people as eternal victims who can't organise anything and that is so different from what I found Ray Kerkhove

'I found in fact large scale organisation, a lot of use of traditional alliances, all these sort of confederacies developed, a lot of adaptation, a lot of genius in what was being done.'

With no frontline, as explorers and settlers spread across the continent Aboriginal people encountered pockets of intruders rather than invading armies. Their land was overrun with sheep and cattle but often only temporarily won or lost.

A lack of police and military support left civilians - timber getters, stockmen, miners, station workers and shepherds - as the main combatants against First Nations people as settlement pushed outwards.

'We always think it was just an endless march forward, the settlement just went ahead and ahead,' Kerkhove says. 'But actually there's a lot of places that were abandoned for years.'

University of Newcastle historian Lyndall Ryan created a map (pictured) in 2018 that details every frontier massacre between 1788 and 1930 that has at least two accounts of written evidence

Land might be bought and sold, repeatedly taken by settlers and then vacated when it became too dangerous to occupy due to the Aboriginal threat.

How Australian war casualties compare Frontier Wars: Up to 120,000 Aboriginal deaths and 2,000 to 5,000 whites World War I: 61,674 World War II: 39,656 Korea: 340 Vietnam: 523 Afghanistan: 46 Total since World War I: 102,414 Advertisement

'That gets kind of lost in the picture that from an Aboriginal perspective they were often winning and it wasn't such a quick process, it sometimes went on for decades and decades,' Kerkhove says.

'I just wanted to bring that dimension out instead of this pathetic picture that they've got at the moment of eternal martyrdom.'

While not playing down the brutality of massacres, Kerkhove believes they still need to be considered in context.

'It's almost sounds like white people just went around killing for no reason whereas all massacres that I've ever heard of happened within a war,' he says.

'That doesn't justify it - it's horrific overkill but [you have to] see the chain of events.'

In June 1838, at Myall Creek in northern NSW, a dozen colonists murdered at least 28 unarmed Aboriginal people; seven of the killers were subsequently hanged.

Kerkhove says what became known as the Myall Creek Massacre was 'the end product' after 'some very frustrated whites' had their stock and shepherds killed.

'You've got to understand what's going on and that there were all these victories that the Aboriginal people were having and that's why there's this brutal response,' he says.

Kerkhove says first-hand accounts of many encounters between black and white describe them as battles.

Menvil Wamaran (King Jackie Delaney) was a great warrior in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane who in later years demonstrated traditional fighting tactics at local schools. He is pictured wearing his buluwalam (nose bone)

Indigenous warriors would fight furiously to hold a camp, be overcome by colonists, then regroup and drive them out again.

'So it wasn't just all killing everybody off, it was an ongoing fight,' Kerkhove says.

Outstations away from main homesteads were regular targets for Indigenous attacks and sieges because they were right on the edge of the frontier.

'If you can hold an outstation in siege long enough you can then get your people to take the flock a long way off,' Kerkhove says. 'A lot of the fighting on the frontier was actually over sheep.'

Sometimes a flock was moved 150km from where it was taken. In one incident on the Rufus River in south-western NSW, hundreds of Aboriginal people took 5,000 head of sheep.

Kerkhove describes the Aboriginal tactics as ingenious, involving psychological warfare and terrorism: 'There was so much effort put in and so much brilliance'.

'You attack their economy by destroying all their flocks and herds and their crops and wrecking their store houses, also creating a sense of terror,' he says.

'The same as how terrorism works today. Just these random killings and it freaks the hell out of everybody. It works.'

Some of the weapons used by Indigenous warriors could inflict horrific injuries. Two 'pineapple-headed' clubs from the north coast of NSW and southern Queensland flank one which has been studded with nails in this picture

Kerkhove suggests imagining a settler waking to see hundreds of their cattle had been speared to death in the night. 'What effect would that have on you?' he says.

'Or they would constantly burn out areas, a whole valley, knowing that it would ruin the pasture. So there's a lot of that incredibly clever use of the environment.'

Indigenous groups held intertribal meetings and had elaborate communication networks relaying on relay runners, message sticks and beacons which could signal over vast distances.

When settlers launched an expedition to punish the local Aboriginal populace a typical posse would contain a dozen to 40 men, sometimes including native police.

Kerkhove says it was not unusual for such a platoon-size force to encounter 200 to 700 Aboriginal warriors - up to a battalion's strength.

'The reason they would bring such large numbers is that's one advantage,' Kerkhove says. 'Because if you've got nothing else you've got people.'

First Nations people burnt crops and drove thousands of head of sheep and cattle for hundreds of kilometres, waging guerilla warfare that terrorised settlers. This graphic shows a typical sequence of Aboriginal tactics for stopping and sacking convoys of horse-drawn drays

Kerkhove says Aboriginal warriors were armed with spears - sometimes with steel tips or barbs - clubs studded with nails, tomahawks, and fighting boomerangs.

'There's this assumption that Aboriginal weaponry was crap - well, no it wasn't,' he says.

'In fact we have lots and lots and lots of newspaper reports about white people getting killed from it or terribly injured.'

There's this assumption that Aboriginal weaponry was crap - well, no it wasn't. In fact we have lots and lots and lots of newspaper reports about white people getting killed from it or terribly injured Ray Kerkhove

Spears might seem primitive by they could be deployed faster than a musket could be reloaded. L-shaped boomerangs could take out an opponent if he was hiding behind a tree.

Some Aboriginal warriors acquired firearms, and some even moulded their own bullets.

'They were used a lot more than people realise,' Kerkhove says. 'Most regions of Australia I found mention of firearms in use and that surprised me.'

Aboriginal fighters also adapted to horse riding, which they recognised was one of the white man's advantages against them.

'There were cases where they were used to steal entire flocks,' Kerkhove says. 'And sometimes there were attacks on horseback.'

Some Aboriginal warriors acquired firearms, and some even moulded their own bullets. This graphic shows reported uses of guns, horses, and iron or glass-tipped weapons against settlers across Australia during the frontier wars

More often, Aboriginal people would release settlers' horses and drive them into the bush or kill them.

'Often these punitive expeditions would just halt when that happened because they were s*** scared,' Kerkhove says.

Just one to five whites might be killed in an incident but loses would mount up. The total of white deaths on the frontier is estimated at 2,000 to 5,000 but records are incomplete.

'People disappeared into the bush and it never was certain what became of them unless they found the body afterwards,' Kerkhove says.

How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia's Frontier Wars by Ray Kerkhove is published by Boolarong Press

'And it was cumulative. They would kill one person here, one person there, and before you knew it you were up to scores, hundreds in some places.'

'So there's a sort of endless slaughter of people anonymously.'

Kerkhove says about 240 of 2,000 settlers in south-east Queensland were killed in 20 years.

'That must mean that almost everybody knew someone - a relative or friend - who's been killed,' he says. 'That's pretty effective.'

Estimates for Aboriginal killed from 1788 to the 1930s range up to 120,000 but Kerkhove is not sure the figure is that high.

Victory in battle is too often observed only in terms of casualties, according to Kerhove.

'I think we have to reframe how we look at victories,' he says. 'It's a Western sort of thing - let's have a lot of bloodshed or otherwise it doesn't count.

'But that wasn't the Aboriginal way, it was more just to make your life miserable and when you look at the accounts of settlers they'd have daily harassment.

'An Aboriginal idea of a victory is to just completely embarrass and drive off the other side.'

How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia's Frontier Wars by Ray Kerkhove is published by Boolarong Press and can be purchased here.
Amid a legal battle over the use of expired lethal injection drugs, Texas has executed five of the inmates who are suing them

Almost a year after the longest execution in history, a bombshell lawsuit has cast new light over America's death row scandals

A disturbing series of death row scandals has cast doubt over the role of executions in America's legal system, amid concerns over the ability to safely and humanely carry out lethal injections.

In August, convicted killer Joe Nathan James endured the longest execution in history, when he was slowly put to death over an agonizing three-hour ordeal.

And almost a year later, a bombshell lawsuit was filed on May 3 suing Alabama officials for the 'cruel and unusual punishment' inflicted on James - in what is just the latest chapter in a legal battle that has been brewing in several Southern states for years.

The issue captured headlines already this year due to Texas' insistence in executing a slate of its prisoners, five of whom joined a lawsuit fighting the use of the drugs that would ultimately be used to kill them.

Texas has faced a legal challenge over its use of expired lethal injection drugs. Pictured: The state's execution chamber in Huntsville, where several inmates were killed this year

Wesley Ruiz, who was part of a lawsuit about the use of the expired drugs, had been on death row for nearly 16 years before he was executed in February

The botched execution of James in August marked the beginning of a tumultuous time for the death row system, as he earned the unenviable title of longest recorded lethal injection process in US history.

The Alabama killer was convicted and sentenced to death for the fatal 1994 shooting of his girlfriend, Faith Hall.

But his near-20 year stay behind bars ended in agony when officials unsuccessfully tried to insert an IV line for over three hours. The botched procedure reportedly led to an attempted cut-down procedure, which would have caused James to struggle and leave him with injuries to his hands and wrists.

The harrowing incident was slammed in a lawsuit filed Wednesday by James' family, who claim the Alabama Department of Corrections 'shrouds its execution protocol in secrecy and refuses to disclose critical details surrounding Mr. James's execution.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Maya Foa, director of human rights organization Reprieve US, said: 'After enduring the unimaginable pain of a family member being subjected to the longest lethal injection in US history, the James family have still not received any basic answers or accountability.'

She added that the lawsuit stemming from his death is 'vital', because it is 'challenging Alabama's blatant violations of the US Constitution at a time when the state has announced plans to send more people to the execution chamber.'

Foa claimed the state is 'refusing to come clean about what happened during this and other catastrophically botched attempted executions.'

'Joe James' execution will go down in history as an illustration of the human consequences of the broken method of lethal injection. Alabama cannot continue to use the facade of medicine to pretend that lethal injection is in any way humane.'

Reprieve added that the execution bore striking resemblance to the ordeal of Doyle Lee Hamm in 2018, when his death was postponed after Alabama prison officials again struggled to insert an IV line. The agonizing procedure saw Hamm left with twelve puncture marks, including six in his groin and others that punctured his bladder and penetrated his femoral artery.

Ever since, several other Alabama death row inmates to survive their executions for the same reason, including Alan Miller in October and Kenneth Smith in November.

'Executing states recognize that if people knew what really happens in the death chamber, support for capital punishment would fall to unsustainable levels,' the organization told DailyMail.com.

'So states go to great lengths to hide the gruesome reality of the death penalty from view. This is most obvious when they're drawing the curtain on executions that go wrong or preventing witnesses from seeing the desperate struggle to insert IV lines, but it's actually much more pervasive and wide-reaching than that.

'Joe James' execution and other recent executions show how states like Alabama have effectively been executing people twice  firstly the torturous procedure behind closed doors, and secondly the performance in front of witnesses.'

Joe Nathan James, pictured, suffered through the longest execution in US history in August

Five Texas death row inmates, including Arthur Brown Jr (left) Robert Fratta (center left) John Balentine (center right) and Gary Green (right), have been executed after joining a lawsuit against the safety of the lethal injection drugs used to kill them

Alabama officials are not alone in their mounting execution woes, with Texas' death row practices also fueling scrutiny into the prevalence of the practice.

Of the 10 death row inmates who have been executed so far in 2023, five were put to death in Texas - all of whom were killed with the lethal injection drug pentobarbital.

Fueled by a lack of pharmacies willing to produce the execution drug, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice decided to extend their stockpile's use-by-dates.

Prison officials have been using the drugs since 2012 and deny that their extended use is more painful, but allegations have swirled around their safety - while a trail of those fighting their use are continuing to be executed with the drugs anyway.

Six condemned Texas inmates made headlines after launching the lawsuit last year, arguing the use of the drugs violated the US Constitution's statutes against cruel and unusual punishment.

But while the lawsuit made its way through the courts, inmates who signed onto the case, including convicted killers Wesley Ruiz, John Balentine, Gary Green, Arthur Brown Jr and Robert Fratta, have been executed by the same authority they are suing.

None of the inmates were granted a final meal, after Texas banned the traditional rite in 2011.

Their executions were ultimately allowed due to an appeals court decision in January that barred lower courts from issuing orders in the case.
He also slammed Gen Z for being 'too busy on TikTok' to launch their careers

The billionaire expanded his businesses to cover everything from oil to radio

A billionaire industry mogul has revealed how he built his empire from scratch, as he slammed Gen Z for being 'too busy on TikTok' to launch their careers.

John Catsimatidis, 74, is best known as the brains behind a fleet of real estate holdings and supermarkets across Manhattan, and his billion-dollar empire stretches from oil refineries to hosting his own radio show.

But the 74-year-old insists that he was not always set up for success, with the college dropout originally working a menial job in a supermarket that taught him the value of earning an honest paycheck.

'If you're working 100 hours a week, and it's not working, you'd better work 120,' he told DailyMail.com. 'You can't win if you're afraid of losing.'

John Catsimatidis, pictured in June 2013, has revealed how he built an empire from scratch

The billionaire said he was quickly working over 70 hours a week at his first job in a supermarket

Born on the small Greek island of Nisyros in 1948, Catsimatidis moved to New York when he was just six-months old.

After graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School, the future-billionaire received an early life lesson when his mother, Despina, pushed him to get a job at a local grocery store.

'When I finished high school, I was ready to sleep on the couch for the whole summer and watch television,' he told DailyMail.com.

'My mother threw me off the couch, and I guess I'm a kid of extremes, because I quickly ended up working 70 hours a week.'

The mogul, who is worth more than $4 billion today, said he would end every day by 'making sure everything was perfect so the store was set up to do business' the next day.

'This taught me the responsibility of a little bit of perfection,' he added, feeling the habit was one of the building blocks that set up his future success.

Catsimatidis was born on the small Greek island of Nisyros in 1948, before moving to New York when he was just six-months old

The mogul is pictured speaking at the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund Gala in New York, on May 8, 2010

Catsimatidis pictured with his family, who are heavily involved in the New York Republican Party

When he was ready to head to college, Catsimatidis made the bold move to reject a Congressional recommendation to attend West Point.

Instead, he attended New York University, but dropped out just eight credits short of graduating to take part-ownership in his first supermarket.

'The supermarket business taught me that if you're going to be a leader, when you say "charge", everyone has to follow you,' he continued. 'If you don't have leadership qualifications, you know where you get? Nowhere.'

Aggressively expanding out from part-owning the store he once worked in, Catsimatidis' supermarket empire includes New York staples Gristedes and Red Apple Markets. He claims to have been making a million dollars a year aged just 24.

Asked about his best advice for those looking to advance their business careers, Catsimatidis didn't hesitate as he responded: 'Hire people that know more than you do.'

'I had zero financial background, but I hired well. And I built a great relationship with people in the food business and real estate business, and I ended up with a lot of mentors.'

'Always get a good education,' he continued. 'I made sure both my kids got the best education, and it helped them make friends worldwide. Then, it's just a combination of a good education and keeping your nose clean and working harder.'

However, the 74-year-old said that last ingredient is one that is dearly missing for many today. 'That's one of the problems we are having in our country these days, the kids are busy playing TikTok.'

'The harder you work, the easier it gets to win,' he added. 'Look at people only working three days a week, and I'll show you failures.'

Catsimaditis ran for Mayor of New York City a decade ago. He is pictured at a campaign event on May 7, 2013

The billionaire released his book, 'How Far Do You Want to Go?' in February

For those looking to break a funk in their business, the billionaire stressed the importance of identifying windows of opportunity.

Revealing how he made his first $100 million after starting from scratch, Catsimatidis said he poured $5 million of his store's bottom line into real estate in 1976, at a time when 'nobody was touching real estate'.

'I took the excess cash flow from the supermarket business, and I woke up four years later and made my first $100 million.

'I bought some properties for nickels and dimes. One property, I bought for $400,000, and I sold it for $40 million, but those are the opportunities I took advantage of.'

As Catsimatidis' career thrived in the 1980s, he aggressively expanded his business portfolio across a number of industries, a move he feels could be emulated by people in any aspect of their lives.

'You're not going to make it in life unless you spread it around a little bit,' he added. 'That's my advice for people going to university, no matter what you're taking up you should have a little bit of everything.'

Alongside acquiring Manhattan grocery store franchise Gristedes in 1986, he also sold a small aviation company that later became NetJets.

Also among his many industry investments, which includes an expansive oil empire, the 74-year-old owns WBAC Radio, which he uses to host his own show to share lessons with other titans.

He said: 'It's not a business for me - it's a hobby. I give advice to everyday people.'

Catsimatidis delved into his background and the tools that aided his path to becoming a self-made mogul in his new memoir: 'How Far Do You Want to Go? Lessons From a Common-Sense Billionaire'.

Emphasizing the need for 'common sense' in planning for success, Catsimatidis said: 'We have a lot of divisions in our business, and my job is just to deliver common sense.

And he said he felt compelled to release the book in part as a reminder of his career for his family, and also to help guide people through tough times.

'One of the big sellers of the book is fathers and grandfathers, who buy my book to give their kids and grandkids, to help learn a few lessons.'
A British pensioner who was scammed by rogue traders in Tenerife has been fully reimbursed following an intervention by MailOnline - as a handful of victims who lost a combined 25,000 come forward to demand compensation.

Andy Evans, 64, from Doncaster, lost a staggering 1,676 last year after buying what he thought was a 14.50 upgrade for his tablet device in the holiday resort of Los Cristianos.

After putting in his PIN the shopkeeper and his cronies distracted him while feigning internet problems as they cloned his card, before later charging the extortionate amount.

Mr Evans was one of several victims to speak out last month after being refused a refund from his bank. Less than a dozen others have since contacted this publication to report being defrauded of up to 5,000 each - totalling more than 24,000 in stolen funds.

After MailOnline contacted Halifax, they agreed to provide Mr Evans with a full refund plus compensation. Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are now reassessing multiple other cases after being contacted by this paper.

Despite this, Spanish police remain silent on the scourge of the scammers, while the local governing body insisted to MailOnline that the south of Tenerife is a safe tourist destination - although it admitted there is a problem.

Speaking today, Mr Evans said: 'The funds have now been repaid into my account and it is such a relief, I owe you a drink.

Andy Evans (pictured), 64, from Doncaster, lost a staggering 1,676 last year after buying what he thought was a 14.50 upgrade for his device. He has now been reimbursed following an intervention by MailOnline

Brits say the scamming business owners are 'tainting' the holiday destination of Tenerife (Pictured: Aerial photo of Los Cristianos resort)

READ MORE: Sun, sea and SCAMMED! The Brits conned for thousands by rogue traders touting laptops and iPads in Tenerife Jane Harrison, 58, from Bolton, said her elderly parents (pictured) fell prey to the fraudsters back in 2019, leading to a five-month battle to get their money back Advertisement

'It makes such a difference when you rely on a pension fund for income and do not get state pension yet.

'The refund has cleared my credit card account and put it in credit and certainly eased my previous concerns.'

He added: 'I must thank you wholeheartedly for your pursuit in this disgraceful matter, it is fantastic news... I hope that future attacks can be prevented.'

It comes as more victims have spoken out after reading the plight of others who fell prey to the scam - which has been running on the island for years now.

ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK AFTER BEING SCAMMED? Email me: laurence.dollimore@mailonline.co.uk

The con typically works by offering Britons who are on the last day of their holiday a great deal on a laptop, iPad, phone or similar device.

But when it comes to payment via debit or credit card, the store owners distract the buyers while they either clone their card or charge a far higher fee than agreed.

John Cadman, 74, blasted Halifax today for failing to reimburse him after he fell for the scam in the resort of Los Americas, just 100 metres from his hotel, in December.

He told MailOnline that he feels 'hurt' by his bank because they 'just don't seem that bothered' by his ordeal, after suggesting it was his own fault for putting in his PIN number.

Despite numerous attempts to get his money back, he claimed Halifax have only contacted him a handful of times as a 'courtesy' to say that they are 'continuing their investigation.'

Mr Cadman, from Great Harwood, near Burnley, was buying an iPad for his grandson when he says he was targeted by the scammers on December 23. They insisted he paid with his debit card but he refused as he had the cash in euros.

However much like the other victims, he was offered a subscription service that would supposedly let him watch British television from anywhere in the world - and it would only cost him 14 per month for two years, after which it would be free.

John Cadman (pictured), 74, blasted Halifax today for failing to reimburse him after he fell for the scam in Los Americas, just 100 metres from his hotel, in December

John, from Great Harwood, near Burnley, was buying an iPad for his grandson when he says he was targeted by the scammers on December 23 (Pictured: Store where he was allegedly targeted)

The retired plumber said: 'I thought it sounded quite good, and they knew exactly what to say, it was really an art form the way they did it.

'When I put my PIN in the screen was blank, then they said it hadn't gone through and asked me to do it again. It was only after I flew back home I realised I had been charged more than 3,000.

'My bank tried to say it was my responsibility as I had used my PIN number, but I thought I was paying 14, it is not my fault that they robbed me.'

Mr Cadman added: 'This is a lot of money for a pensioner like me and it is so frustrating, I feel like I'm being ignored.

'They admitted to me that I am not the only customer who has fallen victim to this scam in Tenerife, so they know it is a real issue.'

A representative from Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, said it would look into Mr Cadman's case.

Meanwhile the relevant city council in Tenerife - the Ayuntamiento de Arona - told MailOnline today that the responsibility for tackling the scourge falls on the police, adding: 'The south of Tenerife is a safe tourist destination, but it's no stranger to these types of incidents.

'Nevertheless, it is the Interior Ministry, National Police or Civil Guard that are in charge of following and investigating these crimes.'

Peter Smith (pictured), 77, told MailOnline today how both he and his wife, 76, were subject to the same 'elaborate' scam this past Christmas

Peter (pictured inside store where he claims he was targeted) said he lost 2,967 via an iBarclay visa payment and a further 381 through an ATM payment. Meanwhile his wife saw 1,567 illegally withdrawn from her M&S bank account, meaning the couple lost a combined 4,915

The Civil Guard and National Police have yet to comment on the fraud despite requests for comment.

Peter Smith, 77, told MailOnline today how both he and his wife, 76, were subject to the same 'elaborate' scam this past Christmas.

He said: 'It started in Los Cristianos involving the purchase of a tablet. It ended in Costa Adeje where we were scammed and lost thousands.'

Peter said he lost 2,967 via an iBarclay visa payment and a further 381 through an ATM payment.

Meanwhile his wife saw 1,567 illegally withdrawn from her M&S bank account, meaning the couple lost a combined 4,915.

However while his wife was refunded by her bank, he has been refused the same courtesy from Barclays.

MailOnline has contacted Barclays for comment. A representative for the bank said it would look into his case.

Chris Wilkinson (pictured), 74, told MailOnline how he felt ashamed after losing 4,000 back in January 2019

The former production worker, from Accrington, said he felt ashamed to even talk about his ordeal and hasn't touched the tablet he bought (pictured) from the scammers

Mr Smith said he feels 'totally embarrassed' after being taken in by the scammers, but there are likely hundreds of others just like him.

Another victim, Chris Wilkinson, 74, told MailOnline how he also felt the same after losing just under 4,000 back in January 2019.

He said: 'It took me two years to try and forget about all this and I have been unable to talk about it to anyone.

'I cannot understand how the authorities let them get away with this.'

Unlike the other victims, Mr Wilkinson said he was told how much he was paying up front but was pressured and intimidated so much that he felt he had no choice but to hand over the money.

The former production worker, 74, from Accrington, said he felt ashamed to even talk about his ordeal and hasn't touched the tablet he bought from the scammers.

'It's really affected my mental health,' he said, 'I have never seen anything like it, there were around six of them, they were on me like ants.

'They did everything but chain me to the desk, I would have preferred to be interrogated as a prisoner than go through what they did to me.'

Mr Wilkinson said that when he tried to take the tablet back on his final day the scammers passed him from one guy to another and refused, before driving him straight to the airport.

'I felt powerless to do anything,' he said, 'and the authorities just don't seem to care, it's a disgrace.'

MailOnline has contacted Mr Wilkinson's banking providers for comment.
In March 2011, 48-year-old Dave Pearson was surfing in his native Australia when he was suddenly pulled from his board by a 10-foot bull shark.

Pearson grappled with the beast as it pulled him beneath the waves, and after miraculously freeing himself from its razor-sharp jaws, he paddled desperately to shore, his raw muscles hanging from the bones of his forearm.

Dave survived the attack and doctors were able to save his arm, but in the following months he began to suffer from severe PTSD. Finding few around who could relate to his ordeal - but knowing there were many out there probably suffering in similar isolation - Pearson founded an online support group for fellow shark attack victims.

He named it the Bite Club.

As the group grew, it became clear that victims of shark attacks weren't the only ones in need of help, and soon people who had been mauled by all manner of wild animals - including bears, lions, and wolves - were invited to share their experiences with the group and support one another.

Now, the stories of 14 Bite Club members have been compiled in a book by author Douglas Wight - Bite Club: Real-life attacks by sharks and other killer predators. These are some of their tales.

Dave Pearson in hospital after being attacked by a shark - he founded the Bite Club

Dave Pearson

Pearson had just bought a brand new 6-foot-4-inch, cream surfboard. It was March 23, 20ll, and even though the sun started its descent, he still had a few hours of daylight and was eager to take his new prize for a spin in the ocean.

At the beach, Pearson met up with a few friends and they hit the waves together. After riding a few, Pearson was getting the feel of his board, and as he was preparing to jump into another swell in about 16 feet of water, the shark struck.

'From just over to my right side, something came up from underneath. Whatever it was must have been moving fast, and it came at me, hitting the surfboard on the way up,' Pearson told Wight.

'It continued out of the water with my surfboard in its mouth, then flipped over the top and went back into the water, trapping my left arm between its top jaws and the surfboard. Its nose hit my right temple, nearly knocking me out.

'My next memory is being deep underwater. There were lots of bubbles and something browny-grey was in front of me, thrashing around. I had no idea what was going on. When we hit the bottom, after thrashing for a bit, it let me go.

'Getting back to my senses, I swam back to the surface and climbed on to my board. Only then did I look at my arm: a massive amount of flash was hanging off. My forearm muscles were hanging to one side with all the skin that holds it together. Blood was squirting out quite a distance. The water around me was turning red.'

Dave Pearson's arm after it was put back together following his violent shark attack

Pearson said starting the Bite Club was more life-changing than his shark attack

One of his friends paddling nearby heard a loud smack, and looking over he thought he saw a dolphin jump out of the water right where Pearson had just been. As their friend was being tossed limply around in the waves, the bystanders rushed to his aid and dragged him to shore.

The group was 40 minutes to the nearest hospital, and after wrapping Pearson's arm in a towel to stem the bleeding, they opted to wait there for an ambulance rather than risk having their friend bleed out on the way to the hospital. Paramedics arrived nearly an hour after the attack and stabilized him at the beach before airlifting him to a hospital.

Pearson's arm was saved, and within months he returned to the waves but struggled with PTSD.

To help cope, he started the Bite Club and spent the next 11 years sharing his experience with other animal attack survivors, and listening to their stories.

Now 60 years old, Pearson told Wight that starting the Bite Club was more life-changing than his attack.

'I have something better than my shark attack,' he said. 'I've got a whole family of animal attack survivors that I get to see their lives getting better.'

Laurel-Rose von Hoffmann-Curzi was attacked by a black bear in her Lake Tahoe cabin

Laurel-Rose von Hoffmann-Curzi

Laurel-Rose von Hoffmann-Curzi, 67, grew up in the mountains of California and was well acquainted with its dangers.

Her grandfather had owned a gold mine in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and during countless camping trips with her friends and family over the years she learned firsthand how to steer clear of the bear populations that filled the range.

She and her husband owned a cabin in Lake Tahoe, where they would often retreat during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the risk she faced from the B-cell lymphoma cancer she was battling.

One night in October 2021, Laurel-Rose was sleeping alongside her husband when she heard a loud crash in the kitchen. Delirious with sleep, she went down to see what was happening.

Laurel-Rose had her face torn open by a black bear

'The only light was a very dim glow from the open side-by-side freezer door, illuminating the back of a standing - and very large - black bear,' she told Wight.

'It was taking things out of the freezer and flinging them on the floor. That was what was creating the loud, pounding, crashing sound. The bear, apparently, did not like frozen meat.'

Before Laurel-Rose had a moment to do anything about the situation, the bear was on her.

'It turned, saw me and flew at me. There was no real pause, no real time to do all the things that people counsel you to do. I opened the door, walked over, saw it was a bear and it just flew at me.

'I saw one large paw before he started tearing me up. I couldn't see anything. I could just feel what were like knives and blades gripping me. He tore my face wide open and right all over my neck - my breast, my abdomen, the back of my arm, my back.

'It was just... awful... absolutely terrifying... this powerful creature attacking me in the absolute darkness.'

Laure-Rose told Wight how she started screaming and couldn't stop. But it wasn't the pain that was making her scream - she said childbirth had been far worse - it was the 'endless terror' that had taken hold of her.

'I had no idea what or where he would claw or bite next. I could not see anything. I had no idea when or how it would end.'

The bear eventually left her alone, but not before it turned back around for another charge. Laurel-Rose tossed a blanket across its head which confused it, and by then her husband and son had emerged and the bear left.

Lauren Fagen's trip of a lifetime in South Africa turned into a nightmare

Lauren Fagen

At 18 years old, Lauren Fagen traveled from her home in Canada to South Africa for a month of volunteer work at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

There she would be feeding and cleaning the enclosures of injured animals like elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, honey badgers and lions.

She hoped it would be the trip of a lifetime, but when she arrived she found the center was poorly run, with conflicting protocols and questionable safety measures.

One day she was tasked with cleaning out the feeding enclosures of a pair of lions - which consisted of a small pen where staff would stand that was separated from the lions' paddock by a barred barrier.

While in the pen, one of the lions sauntered up to the barrier and leaned against the bars, which Lauren said were much farther apart than they were on other enclosures. As Lauren cleaned, the big cat began to stretch its paws and knead the ground with its claws while it followed her with its eyes.

Suddenly, the big cat reached through the bars, and though Lauren was nearly backed up against the far wall, the lion swiped her leg with a claw.

As Lauren tried to kick the lion off, it grabbed her other leg and pulled her through the bars up to the groin

When staff rushed into the enclosure to help Lauren, the second lion joined the fray and started biting her foot.

'Before I could react, he got me with the top of his nail into the middle of my right calf. It was like butter, it went right in. I felt a thud - he had pulled me on to my back, I hit the ground and was looking up at the ceiling,' she told Wight.

'I was wearing grey sweatpants and he sliced through them, like craft scissors through a car. He sliced open my leg. It looked like what you would see at the butcher, like something from a dead cow that would hang from the ceiling.'

As Lauren tried to kick the lion off her, it grabbed her other leg and pulled her through the bars up to the groin, then began to go after her with its mouth. When staff rushed into the enclosure to help Lauren, the second lion joined the fray and started biting her foot.

'From what I understand, partly from what people have told me, they made a chain of people, with the coordinator first, holding each other under their armpits, and, step by step, they pulled me back,' she told Wight.

'Other people took buckets and brooms to make a noise and stab the brooms through the bars to push the lions away. They eventually pulled me outside the enclosure. I looked at my hands which were shaking, with all the blood on them, and I screamed.'

Though Lauren's legs and feet were severely mauled by the lions, she wound up making a full recovery. Despite her injuries, she told Wight that one of the most traumatizing effects of the incident was the public's reaction.

The media latched on to a story that Lauren had been trying to kiss the lion when it attacked her - which she denied ever happened - and attributed quotes to her, which she never said.

She told Wight that joining the Bite Club was an invaluable refuge to talk not just about the trauma of her attack but of the media firestorm that followed.

'It is really nice to be able to relate to people about the terrors of the media that ensued after. It made me become a more careful speaker because anything you say can be twisted or cut.'

A 28-year-old high school English teacher from Australia, Sam Kellett was spearfishing with his friend Wyatt Raymount at Goldsmith Beach in February 2014 when he was attacked by what Wyatt is convinced was a great white shark

Sam Kellett

A 28-year-old high school English teacher from Australia, Sam Kellett was spearfishing with his friend Wyatt Raymount at the country's Goldsmith Beach in February 2014.

As the waves began to grow choppy, the group decided to return to shore and head to dinner, when the unthinkable happened.

'I remember it vividly,' he says.

'I was on the surface, probably about four to five meters to the west of Sam. I was swimming along with him, facing out to the ocean. I could see fish hanging around my flasher on the float. I was looking at those and just seeing what was around when I heard an ear-piercing scream.

'I looked up and the water was foaming red. Then I looked under the water and that's when I saw quite a big white shark in the exact spot where Sam had been.'

Raymount said he was positive the shark he saw was a great white, and that it was nearly 20 feet long.

After they rushed to shore, the group contacted authorities, who soon arrived on the scene to search for Kellett. But no remains were ever found.

'The only thing they found of Sam were those weights from his belt, his speargun and a float he had. That was it. That was all they recovered.'

Raymount said he was positive the shark he saw was a great white, and that it was nearly 20 feet long.
Advertisement

Tuesday saw Vladimir Putin host Russia's annual Victory Day parade to mark 78 years since the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

But while recent years have seen ostentatious displays with dozens of the Kremlin's most sophisticated pieces of military hardware rolling through Moscow's famous Red Square, this year saw a significantly slimmed-down affair.

Some 8,000 troops took part in the parade - the lowest number since 2008. Even the procession in 2020, the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, featured some 13,000 soldiers, and last year, 11,000 troops took part.

What's more, there was no fly-over of military jets, and - as opposed to the columns of T-90 and state-of-the-art T-14 Armata tanks paraded in previous years - a lonesome Second World War-era T-34 trundled over the central Moscow cobblestones.

The parade was still flanked by crowds of flag-waving nationalists eager to hear Putin praise his forces fighting in Ukraine. But it was impossible to miss the obvious: There was a distinct lack of military hardware on show.

Since ordering his forces across the border into Ukraine, Putin has seen thousands of tanks and other heavy armoured destroyed by Kyiv's forces. While exact figures are unknown, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine estimates (pictured) Russian hardware losses to be over 25,000. Even the most conservative estimates suggest the figure is over 10,000

Tuesday saw Vladimir Putin host Russia's annual Victory Day parade to mark 78 years since the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany - with just a single Second World War-era T-34 (pictured) making up the parade's tank display

Looking 500 miles south, where the Kremlin's forces are currently stretched across a 600-mile-long front line in Ukraine, it is easy to understand why.

There, the Russian dictator's forces have suffered losses that would have been unthinkable before he ordered his troops across the border on February 24, 2022.

Not only has Moscow lost tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of soldiers, it has also seen Kyiv's troops destroy thousands of Russian military vehicles including tanks, infantry transport vehicles, trucks, artillery, helicopters and jets.

While exact figures are unknown, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine estimates Russian hardware losses to be over 25,000. Even the most conservative estimates suggest the figure is over 10,000.

Here, as Kyiv gears up for its much-anticipated counter offensive, MailOnline looks at Russia's hardware losses in Ukraine, and why it has taken such a toll...

Russian military hardware losses

In the days leading up to Putin's invasion, satellite images showed vast Russian forces massing on Ukraine's borders. And with Moscow's armies being at least three times the size of Kyiv's, analysts feared the worst for the smaller nation.

The Kremlin launched an all-out assault in Ukraine's north, south and east, and within a matter of days its forces were infiltrating the outskirts of Kyiv. Meanwhile, a vast 40-mile long column of armoured vehicles was snaking down towards the capital.

But as days stretched into weeks, and Kyiv continued to hold out, it became clear that Russia had made a miscalculation.

In those early stages, images began to appear online showing the burnt-out wrecks of tanks, armoured vehicles and military aircraft littering Ukraine's fields and roads.

However, the vast majority did not belong to Ukraine.

Those who had predicted that Russia's overwhelming numbers of tanks would stamp out Ukraine's resistance were swiftly proven wrong, and Russian losses quickly mounted - and continue to rise to extraordinary levels today.

In its most recent update, Ukraine's Defence Ministry reported 3,745 Russian tanks alone have been destroyed, on top of 7,295 eliminated armoured combat vehicles.

Adding to those figures, it says Russia has lost more than 3,000 artillery, more than 500 multiple launch rocket systems, over 300 air defence systems, 308 military jets, 294 helicopters and 2,636 drones.

Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged Russian tank on a road in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, October 30, 2022

Pictured: A pair of Russian T-72 tanks are seen during a training exercise. Hundreds of T-72s - a family of Soviet main battle tanks that date back to 1969 - are confirmed to have been destroyed in Ukraine. They are the most common model used by both Ukraine and Russia

In its most recent update, Ukraine's Defence Ministry reported that 3,745 Russian tanks alone have been destroyed, on top of 7,295 eliminated armoured combat vehicles. Pictured: An unidentified soldier's body lies near a burning Russian Armoured personnel carrier (APC) during fighting with the Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv, on February 27, 2022

Pictured: An armoured vehicle of pro-Russian troops with the symbol 'Z' painted on its front drives along a road during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine March 27. Several wrecks of the same model have been seen in Ukraine

According to the Oryx military blog, Russia has lost almost 6,000 general military vehicles and trucks (these include Russia's Humvee-like armoured SUVs and fuel tanks). Pictured: A destroyed Russian Rys armoured vehicle is seen near the town of Trostianets, in the Sumy region Ukraine March 25, 2022

Pictured: A service member of pro-Russian troops in a uniform without insignia stands next to a truck in the separatist-controlled settlement of Rybinskoye during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 5, 2022

Kyiv also says that 18 warships and boats have been destroyed, including the Moskva - Russia's former Black Sea flagship that was sunk in April by a Ukrainian missile strike, causing a huge embarrassment for Putin at home.

It says Russia has lost almost 6,000 general military vehicles and trucks (these include Russia's Humvee-like armoured SUVs and fuel tanks) and just shy of 400 pieces special equipment - such s portable GPS, radar and signal jammer units.

This, on top of estimates suggesting Russia's personnel losses are as high as 200,000 troops, paints a bleak picture for the Kremlin's military commanders.

Russia's official figures are nowhere near as high, with the Kremlin denying it has suffered as many losses as Ukraine suggests. However, even the most conservative figures based on detailed analysis are well above those Moscow has admitted to.

According to the Oryx open source military intelligence blog, Russia has lost at least 10,000 pieces of military hardware since Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine almost 15 months ago.

This includes those that have been destroyed, damaged, abandoned or captured.

The blog goes into great detail about Russia's losses, and uses visual confirmation when counting them. The blog lists equipment lost by Russia down to the individual model, and links each destroyed piece of hardware it lists to a picture of video confirmed the loss.

This, Oryx explains, gives a minimum figure of Moscow's losses.

'This list only includes destroyed vehicles and equipment of which photo or videographic evidence is available. Therefore,' the blog explains, 'the amount of equipment destroyed is significantly higher than recorded here.'

The number of visually confirmed losses are extraordinary.

In terms of aircraft, the military blog Oryx has confirmed the loss of 82 pieces of Russian aircraft - of which 72 were destroyed - and 84 Russian helicopters. Pictured: A Ukrainian serviceman inspects fragments of the Russian Military Ka-52 'Alligator' Helicopter, destroyed by the Ukrainian Army at the Hostomel airfield near Kyiv, July 8, 2022

Pictured: A Russian military helicopter gunship is seen firing rockets in Ukraine, October 28

Wrecks of various models of Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets (pictured) have been found scattered across the battlefields of Ukraine, having been shot down

Pictured: A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet perform a flight during the Aviadarts competition, as part of the International Army Games 2021, at the Dubrovichi range outside Ryazan, 2021

In a spectacular and daring strike on April 13, Kyiv's forces sank the Moskva missile cruiser in the Black Sea. Pictured: Russia's Black Sea flagship missile cruiser is seen sinking

The Moskva (pictured during happier times) was about 80 nautical miles south of the port city of Odesa when it was hit by two US-made Neptune missiles. As many as 600 Russian sailors were killed, according to some reports

More than 1,100 Russian tanks have been visually confirmed to have been destroyed by the blog, while a further 500 have been captured by Ukraine.

This includes hundreds of T-72s - a family of Soviet main battle tanks that date back to 1969. They are the most common model used by both Ukraine and Russia.

The blog has also confirmed the destruction of more recent models, including the T-80 (a late Soviet-era tank) and the more up-to-date Russian T-90, which was first produced in 1992. Both were developed from the T-72.

Oryx has also confirmed the destruction of more than 2,200 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers combined.

More than 300 Russian Infantry Mobility Vehicles and Command Posts And Communications Stations have also been confirmed as being destroyed in Ukraine.

Hundreds of Russian artillery items have also been either destroyed or captured by Kyiv's forces, in efforts to blunt Moscow's firepower.

In terms of aircraft, the military blog has confirmed the loss of 82 pieces of Russian aircraft - of which 72 were destroyed - and 84 Russian helicopters.

The blog links to pictures showing wrecks of various models of Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets scattered across battlefields having been shot down.

The same goes for helicopters, several of which were seen being blown out of the sky in the early days of the invasion, as Russian aircraft flew head-long into Ukraine's state-of-the art air defences - much of which was provided by its western allies.

Pictured: Smoke rises from a Russian tank destroyed by Ukrainian forces, on the side of a road in Lugansk region on February 26

Pictured: A destroyed Russian tank is photographed in the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv region

This aerial picture shows burned Russian armoured vehicles in the outskirts of Kyiv, on April 1

A destroyed Russian tank rusts near the village of Posad-Pokrovske, northwest of the city of Kherson, January 31, 2023

Ukrainian soldier inspect a damaged Russian tank near the recently retaken village of Kamianka, Kharkiv region, October 30

Ukrainians visit an exhibition of burnt Russian tanks on Mykhailivs'ka Square in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine on May 11, 2023

Why has Russia taken so many losses?

Several reasons have been given for Russia's disastrous losses.

One reason put forward has been Russia's Soviet-era tactics coming up against Ukraine's smaller, more mobile modern units.

Moscow deployed tactics likened by some to a blitzkrieg campaign early in the war, hoping to seize Kyiv in a matter of days, while Ukraine used its smaller units to its advantage.

This was disastrous for Russia, which pulled back from Kyiv within a month.

Moscow has been stubborn, only slightly altering its tactics since, and in its desperate, months-long attempt to take Bakhmut, had thrown vast numbers against Kyiv's defenders - resulting in massive numbers of casualties.

Despite this, Ukraine continues to hold out around the besieged city.

Moscow's forces operate through Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs), which are self-contained combat units made up of tanks and other armoured vehicles, as well as infantry and artillery.

While they vary in size, they often consist of relatively few troops and a large number of armoured vehicles, with the aim of striking quickly.

However, the heavy armour makes them easy targets for more agile units using portable weapons such as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) or drones, that have been frequently deployed by Kyiv's units to great effect.

Videos have shown Ukraine's smaller groups using ATGMs - such as the US-made Javelin missile system - ambushing Russian vehicles and blowing them sky-high, before escaping before Putin's troops can retaliate.

Kyiv has also used drones to drop explosives down on top of heavy armour units. These have allowed them to get up close and personal to Russia's BTGs without risking the lives of soldiers - and destroy the Kremlin's vehicles from above.

A lack of Russian air power has meant Ukraine's forces have been able to position themselves close to tank columns without the risk of being attacked from above.

A destroyed Russian tank lies in a monastery town once occupied by Russian troops, as residents strive to restore normal life and unify their community, in Sviatohirsk, April 22, 2023

Destroyed Russian armoured vehicles in the city of Bucha, west of Kyiv, on March 4, 2022

A Ukrainian serviceman stands amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Destroyed Russian armoured sit in a road on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, March 31, 2022

Another explanation is Ukraine having superior weapons. Kyiv's western allies have been supplying the embattled country with state-of-the art weaponry since before the war began. This supply has only increased since.

Arms such as the Javelin missile launcher have given Ukraine's infantry the edge over Russia's armour, while weapons such as the HIMARs missile system - also from the US - has allowed Ukraine to strike targets precisely from great distances.

Just this week, Britain's defence secretary Ben Wallace said Storm Shadow missiles will be provided to Ukraine's military, prompting an angry response from the Kremlin.

Ukraine's use of this state of the art equipment saw dozens of jets and helicopters taken out the skies in the early days of war. As a result, Russia has been unable to win air supremacy over Ukraine, leaving its ground forces explosed.

And, in a spectacular and daring strike on April 13, Kyiv's forces sank the Moskva missile cruiser in the Black Sea.

The ship was about 80 nautical miles south of the port city of Odesa when it was hit by two US-made Neptune missiles. As many as 600 Russian sailors were killed.

Meanwhile, Russia's hardware - and its military operations - have been called antiquated by experts.

In a message to MailOnline, David Galbreath - a professor of War and Technology at the University of Bath, outlined three key reasons behind the losses, including issues that have been inherited from the Soviet Union.

'The first reason is that Russian hardware is there to be hit,' he explained.

'In a traditional battle space, you adjust your stance based on your adversary. Ukraine has fought a very good insurgency that has taken out many (more than expected) tanks, vehicles and artillery batteries.'

The second reason, he said, was that the Russian Armed Forces 'have been plagued by problems that have been passed down from the Soviet era and the Cold War.

These have affected 'kit, supply lines and combat training. This means that there has been a mismanagement of Russian forces really since the end of the Cold War.'

The third problem, Mr Galbreath added, 'has been competition across the political and military sectors in Russia.'

Ukraine's smaller and more agile units, using weapons such as the US-made Javelin missile launcher (pictured being operated by a Ukrainian soldier, March 23, 2022) has meant Ukraine has been able to destroy hundreds, if not thousands, of slow-moving Russian tanks

A Ukrainian serviceman of the State Border Guard Service demonstrates a drone with a mimic grenade in Bakhmut on February 9, 2023

Members of Ukrainian Armed Forces are seen during their shooting training with heavy weapons at the areas close to the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on April 20, 2023

He explained: 'Despite good doctrine and strategy, internal competition means that joint operations are almost non-existent and chronic under-funding continues to cause havoc on the frontline.'

Another expert with connections to Britain's Ministry of Defence, who opted to stay anonymous, gave another damning assessment of Russia's military to MailOnline.

'The Russian army has simply been outclassed, the results of years of corrupt, criminal leadership on their side, and world beating resistance, adroit tactics, and Western technology on Ukraine's side,' they said.

'Right now, Russia is just prolonging its defeat.'

What WAS on display in Moscow?

While much was made of the single T-34 tank in Putin's Victory Day parade, other hardware was displayed in the Russian capital on May 9.

Troops were seen riding in several Tigrs, a light utility vehicle (or Humvee-like vehicle), which were joined by a number of RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers - ensuring that the vast nuclear arsenal at Putin's disposal was firmly in the thoughts of any observers in the West.

A number of armoured infantry transport and armoured fighting vehicles also took part in the parade - many of which have been destroyed in Ukraine.

These were watched by the 8,000 soldiers, neatly organised into units, who dutifully saluted and cheered as Putin delivered his ten-minute speech.

Even though carefully cropped images from Moscow on the day meant the true size of the parade was obscured to outsiders, this appeared to be the extent of it.

'This is supposed to be a showpiece for Russian military might. But so much of that military might has already been mauled in Ukraine that Russia has very little to show on its parade in Red Square,' said Keir Giles, a Russia expert at London's Chatham House think tank.

As a display of military hardware it was 'very underwhelming,' said Michael Clarke, visiting professor of war studies at King's College London.

'Normally they show off all the really modern stuff, and they didn't have any of those. Nor did they seem to have armoured fighting vehicles.

'So there was nothing new on display,' he added.

Professor Galbreath from the University of Bath said in previous years, Putin's Victory Day parade 'was meant to say where Russia is going and how advanced it has becoming on the back of a day to remember victory over Nazi Germany.'

This, he said, 'Russia finds itself a) not able to validly show its emerging military might while b) needing to hark back to the original purpose of the day, to show how Russia is once again in an existential battle like it was with Nazi Germany and Napoleon before it.'

A small contingent of Russian military hardware rolls through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2023

Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missiles move in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Russian cossacks march on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2023

The display seemed to fall flat for some in Moscow, too.

'This is weak. There are no tanks,' said Yelena Orlova, watching the vehicles rumble down Moscow's Novy Arbat avenue after leaving Red Square.

'We're upset, but that's all right; it will be better in the future,' she said optimistically.

But with the losses suffered in Ukraine, and no end in sight to Putin's on-going invasion, it could be a long-while before Moscow replenishes its military hardware for future Victory Day commemorations.
An audacious plan to convert old London Underground rolling stock into state-of-the-art battery powered trains could see the first units delivered by the end of the year.

In 2014, Vivarail paid 2 million to buy 150 former District Line trains which had been retired after 40 years of service.

Great Western Railway bought Vivarail and its remaining stock when the company went into liquidation earlier this year.

Now, Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR, believes the 1970s rolling stock could be brought back to life and replace diesel-powered trains on a west London branch line.

He described the move as ' Possibly one of my less conventional decisions  buying 67 former LUL (London Underground Limited) vehicles'.

The former District Line trains, pictured, were purchased in 2014 for 2 million by rail firm Vivarail, who went bankrupt earlier this year

Passengers at a Earl's Court Station as a District Line train pulls into the station in the 1970s

The firm had planned to refurbish the rolling stock and turning some of the units into battery powered trains

He added: 'But I believe we can make the project work and get a battery train up and running later this year, with more to follow.'

When asked about a potential launch date he said he hopes to have a battery powered train on the Greenford branch by December.

The old District line rolling stock has proved problematic to convert. In December 2016, firefighters had to rescue 10 people from a train which was undergoing testing just outside Leamington Spar after it caught fire.

Fortunately nobody was injured but the dramatic incident, which was captured on social media.

The upgraded trains will be tested on the two-mile Greenford branch before they are considered for other areas.

Several of the former District Line trains have been sent to the Isle of Wight where they replaced the previous fleet of former tube trains which dated back to 1938.

The old rolling stock is currently being stored just outside Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire while the carriages await refurbishment.
More than one in five Britons think Rishi Sunak will quit as Tory leader before the next general election in the wake of his local elections drubbing, a new poll has revealed.

A Savanta survey revealed 22 per cent believe the Prime Minister will stand down before voters next head to the ballot box to choose a new government.

Even 15 per cent of those who backed the Conservatives at the 2019 general election think the PM would be gone by the time of the next Westminster contest.

One in four Labour (25 per cent) and Liberal Democrat (27 per cent) supporters were shown to believe Mr Sunak will likely not be PM at the next general election.

Political opponents claimed the survey showed Mr Sunak's days in No10 'are numbered' and he is at risk of being toppled by his Tory backbenchers.

A Savanta survey revealed 22 per cent believe the Prime Minister will stand down before voters next head to the ballot box to choose a new government

Even 15% of those who backed the Tories in 2019 think the PM (pictured at yesterday's Southampton v Fulham match) would be gone by the time of the next general election

Former home secretary Priti Patel has accused Mr Sunak of overseeing the 'managed decline' of the Conservative Party

The poll was conducted in the days immediately after council elections across England, which saw the Tories shed more than 1,000 seats.

The dire result has piled pressure on Mr Sunak and seen the PM subject to a barrage of criticism this weekend.

At a gathering organised by Boris Johnson's most vocal backers yesterday, a number of Tories questioned their party's direction under its current leadership.

Former home secretary Priti Patel and ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries, who both served in Mr Johnson's Cabinet, were among those to make interventions at the Conservative Democratic Organisation conference in Bournemouth.

Ms Patel has accused Mr Sunak of overseeing the 'managed decline' of the Conservative Party, while Ms Dorries expressed fears the Tories are 'drifting'.

She added the party 'no longer have that inspirational leader and those visionary policies that people can go out and vote for'.

But the PM was backed to remain in post by one of Mr Johnson's loyalists today, with former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg warning the Tories would be 'toast' if they ditched another leader.

'The Conservatives cannot keep changing leaders, we must back the leader we have got,' he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show.

'The Tory party would be toast if we changed leader again. We have got to support the leader weve got.'

But Mr Rees-Mogg also reiterated his view that it was a 'mistake' for the Tories to have ousted Mr Johnson from Downing Street last summer.

It came as Grant Shapps, a current Cabinet minister, offered an upbeat assessment of the Conservatives' chances at the next general election, despite the grim council results.

The Energy Secretary insisted there was a 'steely determination' within Conservative ranks to deliver on the PM's five priorities and claimed the party was 'buzzing with energy and ideas'.

He also said it was wrong to suggest it is 'written in the stars' that the Tories cannot win the next general election, despite Labour's sizeable opinion poll lead.

The Savanta poll was commissioned by the Lib Dems and saw more than 2,000 British adults interviewed between the 5th and 9th May.

Liberal Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'With Conservative voters in open revolt against the Government, it looks like Rishi Sunak's days in No10 are numbered.

'Rishi Sunak promised stability and integrity, but the endless cycle of scandals continues.

'He has lurched from scandal to scandal and failed to bring down rising bills.

'His five pledges are already in tatters and the British public knows the Conservative party is no longer fit to govern.

'Even Conservative voters know Sunak is weak and at risk of being ousted by mutinous backbenchers in his own party.'
A Californian state senator has urged black residents of his state to be 'realistic' about reparations, a week after the task force - set up to look into the issue - approved its final proposals.

The task force has not announced how much they think should be given to eligible residents.

Economists studying the issue have argued the state is responsible for more than $500 billion, due to decades of over-policing, mass incarceration and redlining that kept black families from receiving loans and living in certain neighborhoods.

Some have calculated that black residents who meet all the criteria could receive $1.2 million.

Their plan must be approved by the governor, Gavin Newsom, who has already said he does not support the distribution of checks, arguing that there are better ways to deal with the legacy of racist policies.

On Friday, Newsom said the state's budget deficit is expected to soar to almost $32 billion, nearly $10 billion more than he had projected in January.

A state senator who sits on the nine-member task force said people should not get their hopes up.

Steven Bradford, of Los Angeles, told AP on Friday: 'I don't want to set folks' expectations and hopes up that they're going to be getting, you know, seven-figure checks'

Californias reparations task force has approved recommendations which could give black residents $1.2million each as compensation for slavery and discrimination

Steven Bradford, of Los Angeles, said 'anything's possible if the money's there,' but he remains 'realistic' that it could be difficult to garner enough support for large payments at a time when lawmakers haven't even debated where the money would come from.

'I don't want to set folks' expectations and hopes up that they're going to be getting, you know, seven-figure checks,' the California Senator said in an interview with Associated Press on Friday.

'That's just not happening.'

California became the first state to form a reparations task force in September 2020, following national protests over the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer.

The task force's hearings have attracted large crowd, and impassioned activists.

Marcus Champion, a Los Angeles resident and organizer with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a reparations advocacy group, said he was disappointed with Bradford's comments.

'That is not the way you come to the table to pay a historic debt,' he said.

'That is not the way that you come to the table in any type of negotiation.

'Start as high as you possibly can, and then work from there.'

Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, another Los Angeles-area Democrat on the task force, said he did not agree with Bradford, and it was too early to say what would be decided.

'We have absolutely no idea right now what will or will not be approved,' he said.

Assembly member Lori Wilson, who chairs the state Legislative Black Caucus, said in a statement that the caucus will champion policy proposals included in the task force's report.

'We look forward to working collaboratively with our Legislative colleagues and Governor Newsom's Administration as we continue to fight for equity in our communities,' the San Francisco Bay Area Democrat wrote.

Newsom on May 9 came out against reparations checks being handed out to black residents of his state.

Marcus Champion, an activist for reparations, said he was disappointed in Bradford's remarks

Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer (left), who sits on the panel, said the recommendation of an apology letter from the state of California is one of the most important. State Sen. Steven Bradford is pictured on the right

A final report outlining the proposed remuneration is set to be released by the task force on July 1. State legislators will then consider the proposal

Newsom said dealing with the legacy of slavery and discrimination is 'about much more than cash payments.'

He told Fox News in a statement: 'Many of the recommendations put forward by the task force are critical action items we've already been hard at work addressing: breaking down barriers to vote, bolstering resources to address hate, enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, strengthening economic mobility  all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and well beyond.

'This work must continue.'

Newsom on Friday revealed his revised budget plan for the fiscal year starting on July 1, proposing a plan that to cover the shortfall while potentially leaving the state with multibillion-dollar deficits in the future.

'This was not an easy budget, but I hope you see we will try to do our best to hold the line and take care of the most vulnerable and most needy, but still maintain prudence,' Newsom said.

To cover the projected shortfall, Newsom proposed a combination of modest spending cuts, increased borrowing, and a plan to push some expenses into future budget years, creating a projected $14 billion annual deficit by 2027.

Republicans in the state legislature slammed Newsom's plan, with GOP Assembly Leader James Gallagher saying it was 'dangerous'.

He said: 'His cuts to drought programs are dangerous, his 'fiscal gimmicks' are shortsighted, and his words about good government and efficiency are yet another empty promise. Californians deserve better.'

The projected $31.5 billion shortfall would mark California's first budget deficit since Newsom took office in 2019, and follows several years of booming surpluses as tax revenues surged

The projected $31.5 billion shortfall would mark California's first budget deficit since Newsom took office in 2019, and follows several years of booming surpluses as tax revenues surged.

California has a progressive tax system that relies heavily on rich people and taxes investment gains as regular income, meaning it gets about half its revenues from just 1 percent of the population.

When the economy is good and the stock market surges, the wealthy pay more in taxes and revenues can soar quickly. When the economy is bad, they pay less and revenues can plunge just as fast.

The economic reality means that payments of hundreds of thousands in reparations were exceptionally unlikely.

The amount the reparations would cost the state were not outlined in the report, but previous calculations from economists predicted it could cost around $800 billion - more than twice California's approximate $300 billion annual budget.

The report suggests that the amounts, based on what has been lost to specific types of racial discrimination, should be paid back to black residents.

This includes $2,352 lost per person per year for the over-policing and mass incarceration of black communities and $3,366 per person per year of residence between 1933 and 1977 for 'discriminatory lending and zoning'.

It also includes $13,619 per person per year for residents in California for 'injustices and discrimination in health' and $77,000 per person for black-owned business losses and devaluations.

This means a lifelong black California resident aged at least 71 could receive more than $1.2million in compensation.

Newsom said: 'Following the task force's submission of its final report this summer, I look forward to a continued partnership with the Legislature to advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians.'

But the 100 residents and activists who gathered at the meeting at the beginning of May were not impressed with the calculations in the draft report, and said it should be more.

Reverend Tony Pierce, CEO of the Oakland-based Black Wall Street organization, aired his frustration and pointed to the country's 'broken promise' to offer 40 acres and a mule to newly freed slaves.

He said: 'You know that the numbers should be equivocal to what an acre was back then. We were given 40, OK? We were given 40 acres.

'You know what that number is. You keep trying to talk about now, yet you research back to slavery and you say nothing about slavery, nothing.

'So, the equivocal number from the 1860s for 40 acres to today is $200 million for each and every African-American.'

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, said on Tuesday he did not support the issuing of checks for reparations

California's reparations task force has approved a plan which could give black residents $1.2million each as compensation for slavery and discrimination

The final report is to be sent to lawmakers before July 1 where it will forecast compensation estimates calculated by several economists the group is working with

He then hit out at the panel for not being ambitious enough with the reparations plan.

'You're not supposed to be afraid,' he added.

'You're just supposed to tell the truth. You're not supposed to be the gatekeepers. You're supposed to say what the people want and hear from the people.'

One woman said: '$1.2million is nowhere near enough. It should be starting at least $5million like San Francisco.

'We want direct cash payments just like how the stimulus [checks] were sent out. It's our inheritance, and we can handle it.'

And another resident added: 'This million dollars we're hearing on the news is just inadequate and a further injustice if that's what this task force is going to recommend for black Americans for 400-plus years and continuing of slavery and injustice that we have been forced to endure.

'To even throw a million dollars at us is just an injustice.'

Elaine Brown, former Black Panther Party chairwoman, urged people to express their frustrations through demonstrations.

The report insisted the figures are just estimates and that lawmakers would have to conduct additional research to work out the specifics.

Panel members recommended direct payments for those eligible in the report.

'The initial down payment is the beginning of a process of addressing historical injustices not the end of it,' it read.

The reparations task force has also asked for those eligible to receive cash 'down payments' as soon as any recommendations are forged into law while they wait for the compensation to be calculated.

The task force, made up of elected officials, academics and lawyers, decided on the eligibility criteria last year.

It determined that any descendant of enslaved African Americans or of a 'free black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century' should be entitled to reparations.

Residents, including Reverend Tony Pierce, CEO of the Oakland-based Black Wall Street movement, believe it is 'nowhere near enough' and demanded $200 million per person

If legislation is passed for the payments, the committee suggested that a state agency be created to process claims and make payments with elderly black residents being the priority.

Around 1.8 million people in California identify as black or African American.

No other state in the country is more advanced than California in its consideration of reparations proposals for black Americans, although multiple cities - among them Evanston, Illinois and Ashville, North Carolina, are considering their own schemes.

Task Force Chair Kamilah Moore said she is hopeful recommendations including the payments could get enough support from state lawmakers.

'We've gone above and beyond,' Moore said of the group's work.
Former First Daughter Ivanka Trump was the picture of serenity as she walked with her sons and husband to their local synagogue in Miami on Saturday.

The 41-year-old could be seen with two of their three children as they walked by freshly manicured lawns of South Florida in the Surfside area of Miami.

The former White House senior adviser looked world's away from her father's legal woes and looked effortlessly chic as she wore a flowing white sundress and a wide-brimmed hat sun hat together with black platform wedges cork soles.

Children Joseph, nine, and Theodore, seven, wore their bike helmets as they scootered alongside as the family made their way to the Orthodox Young Israel Temple.

Husband, Jared, 42, took the lead as he led his family along the quiet streets. The couple are also parents to an eleven-year-old daughter, Arabella, who was not present.

Ivanka Trump exuded tranquility in the spring sunshine as she strolled with her children as they headed towards their local synagogue

The former First Daughter wore a flowing white sundress and black wedges with cork soles while her sons rode their scooters as they made their way through the Surfside area of Miami

Ivanka, 41, is seen with Joseph, nine, and Theodore, seven, but daughter Arabella was not present for the Saturday outing

Jared and Ivanka both wore sunglasses to protect their eyes against the strong Florida sunshine.

He took charge when the family crossed the road and made sure that everybody got across safely.

Ivanka converted to Judaism in 2009 to marry Jared, an Orthodox Jew, and they are raising their three children in the Orthodox traditional as well.

The trip to the synagogue has since become a weekly routine for the family - a habit they maintained when living in Washington D.C.

The family appeared to be enjoying their Saturday morning outing with many of them flashing smiles along the route.

Joseph and Theodore, wore bike helmets as they scooted alongside Ivanka and dad, Jared

Ivanka is seen walking to synagogue with her husband Jared Kushner and her children, Joseph and Theodore, in Surfside, Florida

Joseph and Theodore wore helmets while riding their scooters along the sidewalk

The family relocated to Florida in January 2021 after Ivanka's father, former President Donald Trump, left the White House.

They have spent the past two years living at Arte Surfside, a luxury condominium building nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour.

Ivanka and Jared have spent the past two years living at Arte Surfside, a luxury condominium building nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour.

They are close to finishing the renovations on their $24 million waterfront mansion on Indian Creek, an exclusive island known as the 'Billionaire Bunker.'

The couple bought the fixer-upper a little over a year after they dropped $31.8 million on a two-acre plot of land on the island in 2020. They plan on moving into the spatial 8,500-square-foot abode with their children once it is finally completed.

Ivanka and Jared's current rental at Arte Surfside is set to hit the market for $18.8 million sometime this year.

Ivanka placed a comforting hand on the back of young Theodore as he scootered along

Young Theo led the way at one point as Ivanka walked alongside with Joseph behind them

Jared also took charge when the family crossed the road and made sure that everybody got across safely

Ivanka has been living a life of leisure since she officially quit politics in November, but she's not free of Washington, D.C.  or her family's legal woes  just yet.

In March, she asked for a delay in bringing New York Attorney General Letitia James' $250 million fraud lawsuit against The Trump Organization to trial.

She left the Trump Organization in 2017 to join her father's White House administration.

Ivanka's lawyers argued that the fraud complaint 'does not contain a single allegation that Ms. Trump directly or indirectly created, prepared, reviewed, or certified any of her father's financial statements.'

She and Jared were also both issued subpoenas in February by the special counsel investigating Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the January 6 Capitol riots.

Ivanka was seen walking alongside seven-year-old Theordore who kept up on his scooter

Mom was in the middle as she was chaperoned by her kids Joseph and Theodore

Son, Theodore, looked smart in a pair of navy blue shorts and white polo shirt

She and her husband announced in November they were stepping away from politics

The former First Daughter was in the White House during the Capitol riot and urged her father to address his supporters. She was also in the Oval Office when the then-president asked Pence to block or delay the congressional vote to certify the election.

Ivanka and Jared had both served as political advisors to former president Donald Trump back when he was in the White House.

But when he announced back in November that he would once again seek the highest office in America, Ivanka and Jared released a statement saying: 'I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family.

Dad, Jared, could be seen herding his family as they made their way for Shabbat services

At one stage Ivanka looked to be in deep thought as she walked alongside

Ivanka was the center of attention as her two young boys rode by her side on Saturday

'I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.'

She has distanced her father in recent months, but she did make a statement about her father's historic indictment in late March, a few days before his arrest.

'I love my father and I love my country. Today I am pained for both,' she wrote in a brief post that appeared on her Instagram Stories. 'I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.'

Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree after he surrendered to authorities in New York City on April 4, making him the first U.S. president to be charged with a crime.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges involving three different payments, including a $130,000 payment Trump's then-attorney Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
The Prince of Wales is looking for ways to 'evolve' the ancient service

Prince William is said to be planning a 'different coronation from King Charles' as he looks to modernise the ceremony by removing the 'homage of the people'.

The Prince of Wales will scrap the historic pledge after the Archbishop of Canterbury was met with disapproval for calling on the public to swear their allegiance to the King.

After the negative reaction, the oath was changed in a break from tradition to instead 'invite' those who wish to express support for the King to do so.

Following his father's coronation, a source close to Prince William told The Sunday Times: 'There is no way he will go down that route or anything like it.'

The heir to the throne is said to be considering ways to 'evolve' the ancient service to keep it 'modern' and 'relevant'.

Prince William is said to be 'reflective' about King Charles' Coronation and is working to ensure the ceremony 'evolves to be relevant'

The Prince of Wales will scrap the 'homage of the people' after the Archbishop of Canterbury was met with disapproval for calling on the public to swear their allegiance to the King

A royal source told The Sunday Times: 'He is really thinking how do we make his coronation feel most relevant in the future?

'He is mindful of the fact that in 20 years' time, or whenever his time comes, how can the coronation be modern but also unifying to the nation and the Commonwealth? I think his coronation will look and feel quite different.'

The source added Prince William is 'reflective' about the events of last week and it is working to ensure the ceremony 'evolves to be relevant'.

In an effort to bring his family to modern audiences, Kensington Palace released a behind-the-scenes video of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the King's Coronation last week.

A video released by the Wales's official YouTube account provides a rare glimpse into their family life during the packed Coronation weekend.

The film captures the jubilant atmosphere of the celebration as it shows William and Kate meeting crowds of royal fans on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace the evening before the Coronation.

William and Kate made headlines with their eye-catching outfits at the historic crowning of King Charles III

It then shows William and Kate getting ready at Kensington Palace along with Charlotte and Louis the following morning.

The royal couple can be seen wearing their stunning Royal Victorian Order Mantles, while Kate wowed with her white Alexander McQueen dress.

The family then leave the palace to travel to Westminster Abbey in a gold carriage, alongside thousands of armed forces personnel and Buckingham Palace household members.

William, Kate and their children are then spotted standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony along with other members of the Royal Family after the Coronation ceremony.

The royals and the tens of thousands of people gathered outside the palace were then treated to a flyover by the Red Arrows despite the poor weather.
A 'relative' of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has been hospitalised after a suspected drug overdose which left another man dead.

Emergency services were called to a property in Gaven, Gold Coast, just after midnight on Sunday morning.

They found Haass 19-year-old relative unconscious after ingesting what was suspected to be the drug GHB.

He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, according to The Courier Mail.

A close relative, aged 19, of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas (pictured) is currently in a critical condition in hospital following a suspected drug overdose

Another man, also 19, died after being found unconscious in a garage of an Arundel property in the Gold Coast in the early hours of Sunday morning

Paramedics were then sent to another address at Arundel where they found another two men suspected of having overdosed, one in a garage.

Both were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where a 20-year-old tragically died.

Haas is not alleged to be involved.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Police said they do not believe the death is suspicious.

'Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the sudden death of a 19-year-old Arundel man on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Sunday May 14,' she said.

'The man was found unconscious in the garage of an Arundel property and was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital where he died shortly after.

She added: 'Two other 19-year-old men, known to the Arundel man, were transported to Gold Coast University Hospital. One is in a critical condition. The other is in a serious condition.'

Investigations are continuing.
The Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi was rocked by huge explosion after Russia reportedly sent 21 drones to an army silo causing enormous fireball which injured dozens.

Vladimir Putin appears to be targeting ammunition storages in west Ukraine as Kyiv's counter-offensive approaches.

According to the Khmelnytskyi Oblast State Administration, only two of the victims were hospitalized of the 'nearly 30' injured.

Overnight on May 12, Russians are said to have attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones.

The air raid alert blared at 3:05 am and within an hour, residents heard loud explosions.

Four drones hit an army facility causing an explosion which damaged nearby residential properties, as well as other buildings. Another 17 drones were shot down by air defense.

The Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi was rocked by huge explosion after Russia sent 21 drones to an army silo causing enormous fireball which injured dozens

Vladimir Putin appears to be targeting ammunition storages in west Ukraine as Kyiv's counter-offensive approaches

Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration said: 'Today, the enemy once again attacked Khmelnytskyi with a strike drone, hitting one of the critical infrastructure facilities of the region, located outside the settlements.

'However, as of now, we have 21 injured people. Two of them were hospitalised, the others received medical assistance and were transferred to outpatient treatment'.

Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said: 'Unfortunately, not all drones were destroyed that night  17 out of 21 UAVs. There are four hits in Khmelnytskyi region.'

Ihnat noted that Russia launches drones from different directions.

Mayor Oleksandr Simchyshyn confirmed almost 30 victims are known, he said: 'The degree of injuries is small, mostly cut wounds from broken glass and shock wounds from falling doors, ceilings, etc. There is no threat to people's lives.'

One resident of the village of Oleshin, located not far from the explosion, told vsim.ua: 'It was so loud. I have an 8-month-old baby, she even jumped on the crib.

'After the first explosion, we all woke up and went down to the basement. 3-4 explosions were also heard from there.

'They were so strong that the plaster from the cellar fell. The child shuddered, was afraid and cried at every sound.

'In our house, the metal entrance door was folded almost in half. The window completely flew out. The people in the village were in such trouble. Some had their roofs, balconies, and front doors completely blown off.'
Australian renters struggling to find a house have been targeted by a heartless new scam with con-artists pretending to be property owners.

Scammers are using popular online property websites and marketplaces to list fake properties with renters in one state losing more than $125,000.

The listings encourage prospective tenants who are desperate for a home to pay a significant deposit to secure the rental.

Desperate Aussie renters are being targeted in cruel new scam involving fake property listings, with scammers urging prospective renters to pay a deposit without inspecting a home (pictured, prospective renters line up at an open home)

Scammers imply a sense of urgency and request bond be paid up front for the fake properties - and even ask for identity documentation.

The scam has stolen more than $125,000 from renters in Victoria in the first four months of 2023.

Victoria Police Cybercrime squad Detective Sergeant John Cheyne said rental scams are increasing online and giving 'false hope' to Aussies looking for a place to live.

'Scammers are posting advertisements on popular sites such as Facebook, Flatmates, Realestate.com and Airbnb and advertising properties for rent,' he told Sunrise.

'They're often at reduced rates or lower than the market value and then implying a sense of urgency to these hopeful tenants to be able to secure.'

'It gives false hope to a desperate tenant out there trying to find a home. Meanwhile, it takes their deposit, steals that and then their identity as well.'

It comes after a Sydneysider warned fellow renters about the scam after enquiring about a property in Rosebery, in Sydney's east.

Cihan Kenar stumbled across a property in his local area advertised for $400 per week - a price Mr Kenar thought was too good to be true.

'This seemed very odd, it was a three bedroom and freestanding house... This is way below the market value.' Mr Kenar told 7 News.

Mr Kenar said the initial exchange was like every other inquiry they had made with questions asked about the house and a time arranged to inspect it.

He said the property seemed ideal as it was only seven minutes away.

The 'landlord' replied to Mr Kenar claiming he had been inundated with messages about the property and was extremely busy.

'He asked if I can put a deposit down to secure the property,' Mr Kenar said.

Cihan Kenar enquired about a property in Rosebery, in Sydney's East, and was told by the scammer, who was posing as a landlord, to make a fully-refundable deposit (pictured)

Sergeant Cheyne is warning renters to stay vigilant as rental scams are 'becoming quite prevalent at the moment' (stock image)

He said the message set off alarm bells and he decided to confront the man before blocking his number.

'Are you f****** serious?' Mr Kenar wrote.

'You bait me with a cheap rent and ask for a deposit?'

Sergeant Cheyne is warning renters to stay vigilant as rental scams are 'becoming quite prevalent at the moment'.

'Google the phone numbers or address to see if there's another listing for a potentially a higher price than what's been advertised' he said.

'Just be really mindful before providing identity to someone you haven't met for a property you haven't physically visited.'

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ScamWatch claims if an advertised rental property looks too good to be true 'it probably is'.

The government body encourages renters to do their due diligence by searching the listings' description online to see if it appears in another advertisment.

Renters are urged to deal with a licensed agent and not send money or provide personal details without inspecting the property.

ScamWatch advises those who believe they have been scammed should contact their bank, report the scam to the ACCC and notify the relevant website of the scammers profile name and details.
When his Tornado jet was shot down in 1991 during the Gulf War by Iraqi forces, 27-year-old RAF navigator John Nichols life was saved by the ejection seat that blasted him out of the cockpit. Ever since, Nichol has been grateful for the technology that enabled him to survive. Hes now written a book  serialised in three parts, which started in yesterdays Daily Mail  about the British genius who invented the ejection seat and the brave men who risked all to test that it worked.

Test pilot John 'Jo' Lancaster strode across the ground at RAF Bitteswell in Leicestershire on May 30, 1949, the sun warm on his face and the blustery wind rippling his jet-black hair.

He was heading towards an experimental plane, a prototype jet powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, which it was hoped would be aviation's biggest leap into the future since the Wright Brothers took to the air. In the era before computer-aided design and the commonplace use of wind tunnels, the only way to discover first-hand whether a new aircraft would fly rather than crash was down to a test pilot taking his life in his hands. There were no pilot manuals or instructions to consult, no checklist to complete, no drills to follow.

It was a case of just climb in and fly. And hope for the best, in the knowledge of how risky a business this was.

In just one year, 24 British test pilots had lost their lives. The most famous, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr, had put his prototype jet into a high-speed dive from 10,000ft over the Thames Estuary only for the spar supporting the wings to crack and the plane to disintegrate. His body was found on mudflats, his neck broken. Though equipped with a parachute, he had not had time to deploy it. Like many of his generation, de Havilland had been killed by a lack of a fully developed aircraft escape system. Which was why, in this new prototype, Lancaster was about to strap himself into one of the world's first ejection seats.

Test pilot John 'Jo' Lancaster (pictured) strode across the ground at RAF Bitteswell in Leicestershire on May 30, 1949, the sun warm on his face and the blustery wind rippling his jet-black hair

Until now, baling out of a plane manually had been a tricky business. Open the cockpit canopy or floor hatch, haul yourself out, jump clear, then pull the ripcord on your parachute. There was always a danger of snagging. And in a plane that was probably in a nose-dive, it all took time. Survival was a lottery  one that, with jets getting faster and faster, could no longer be tolerated. So was this new invention the answer? Jo Lancaster eyed it warily. Its rudimentary frame constructed from alloy tubing was sprayed British racing green and looked nothing like the conventional apparatus he was used to.

There were two sets of chunky canvas straps that met at large buckles. A red handle protruded from a rectangular box directly above his head. Fixed to the back of the seat in line with his spine was a telescopic metal tube; inside this so-called 'ejection gun' were two explosive charges. He viewed this 'curious contraption' with suspicion bordering on fear. 'I was very sceptical about the whole damn thing. But I knew the risks of being a test pilot. Like all of us, I thought, it will never happen to me. I will never need to eject.' He fastened the two sets of straps around his shoulders and thighs, one for his personal parachute and the other to anchor himself in position on the seat itself. In an emergency, the seat  and Jo  could be blasted out of the cockpit together at around 400mph. The integral thigh guards should prevent his legs from hitting metal on exit and being ripped apart.

If the plane got into trouble, his ejection seat should blast him up and away from the cockpit. Once in the open air, he'd then still have to unstrap his harness and push himself out of the metal seat while he was in freefall. Only once the seat had dropped clear could he finally open his own parachute.

That was the theory, but would it work? That was the big question. He taxied on to the runway and took off. Up in the air, he went through all the scheduled tests, carrying out a series of runs, gradually increasing his speed and monitoring the jet's reactions. He then climbed into bright sunshine at 5,000ft and began a shallow dive.

Suddenly the plane bucked like a rollercoaster, hurling him up and down in his seat. He tried to throttle back. No response. Every rivet, seam and weld was beginning to bend. The plane was out of control, dropping fast, trying to turn itself inside out. His gut told him it could break up at any second and he would die. The new 'contraption' he was initially so suspicious of was now his only means of survival. The Earth was careering up to meet him. He had seconds to get out.

In just one year, 24 British test pilots had lost their lives. Pictured: A test ejection from the Martin-Baker company

Though he didn't know it, Lancaster's life rested on the genius of inventor-supreme, James Martin, a farmer's son from County Down, whose forebears had tilled the same 30 acres since the early 18th Century. He arrived in England in 1919 aged 26, with no qualifications, no job, no contacts, and no workshop. Gathering skills as he went along, he began buying army-surplus vehicles, overhauling their engines, then selling them on. Determined, irascible and single-minded, he was virtually a one-man band: draughtsman, experimental engineer, toolmaker, fitter, assembly man and salesman.

Fascinated by aircraft and how they were constructed and powered, he set up an aircraft works in Buckinghamshire together with a pilot friend, Valentine Baker.

In the 1930s, with war on the horizon, Martin designed a new two-seater, single-engine fighter plane, which Baker took on a test fight. Without warning, the engine cut out as it took off and Baker crashed. Martin rushed to the site to see 120 gallons of high-octane fuel blazing like a bush fire, steel panels and tubing melting, and his friend trapped in the cockpit, the flames reducing his body to half its size.

Martin would never forget the stench of burning flesh. He vowed that he would never let the lives of pilots continue to hang by such a slender thread. There had to be some way of improving their odds of escape. He got his chance in 1944 when the Air Ministry asked him to come up with a design for a prototype escape system and he produced his first drawing of an ejection seat. It was revolutionary, based on his assumption that, rather than hurl the pilot out of his seat and free of the plane, the most effective way of ejecting aircrew in an emergency would be to have the seat itself leave the aircraft with the occupant still sitting in it.

And the most efficient way of making that happen was to attach an explosive charge to the seat to shoot it upwards and out of the aircraft, while safely avoiding hitting the tail-fin.

In the era before computer-aided design and the commonplace use of wind tunnels, the only way to discover first-hand whether a new aircraft would fly rather than crash was down to a test pilot taking his life in his hands. Pictured: A cadet-pilot on the Martin-Baker 'ejection-seat trainer' on April 2, 1949

How much explosive would be needed and at what angle the seat should be ejected were challenges that a brilliant engineer such as Martin could solve. But he was no medic and he had no idea how much explosive force a human body could withstand. There was no point in saving somebody's life only to cripple them in the process. Help came to Martin in the shape of a complete human spine, which now sat in his office in a tall glass jar, a gift from a surgeon he'd met. She had extensive experience of the human body's structure and showed him X-rays of spinal fractures and damaged vertebrae.

She helped him understand how the spine worked and how injuries were caused, but she could not tell him definitively the physical impact of blasting somebody out of an aircraft at high speed. As far as Martin knew, nobody had ever tried it before. The only way to find out was to experiment with the real thing.

First, he tested it on the ground with 200lb of sandbags, equivalent to just over 14st, in place of a person and it worked well. But he still had no idea how a living spine would be affected. When he moved on to experimenting with humans, he quickly found out.

One volunteer broke his back, his vertebrae crushed by the four-times-gravity force on him, sending Martin back to the drawing board to do more research on G, the measure of acceleration due to gravity and the effect it has on the body.

Speeding around a tight bend in a car might result in a 2g force, a rollercoaster might produce 3g to 4g. Most humans could safely withstand around 7g to 9g, but only for a matter of seconds.

John 'Jo' Lancaster was one of many airmen who came to the Martin-Baker workshop to try out the prototype seat on the ground. Pictured: Jo Lancaster's Armstrong Whitworth AW52

At 9g the body feels nine times heavier. Blood rushes to the feet and the heart is unable to pump hard enough to bring this heavier blood back to the brain. Vision narrows to a tunnel and then goes black. A pilot could pass out, lose control and be killed. A very rapid onset of high g-force could also crush internal organs and bones.

But then, from watching films of the trials so far, Martin made a major discovery. It was not the amount of g that was significant, but the speed at which it was imposed. So to reduce this rate of the sudden onset of g, he devised a two-cartridge ejection gun. The first stage would raise the seat smoothly. The second, activated by flame from the first, boosted the seat further, building up the speed to 60 feet per second, the maximum needed for safe ejection.

But the seat was only half the equation. Once it  and the pilot  were safely out of the aircraft, the seat needed to be properly stabilised so the pilot could release himself, fall free and then deploy his personal parachute and descend to safety. The ever-resourceful Martin invented another 'gun', which fired once the seat was clear of the aircraft, pulling out a drogue parachute to stabilise the seat.

Modifications made, tests continued and now the volunteer was shot up the rail to a height of over 26ft without mishap.

By March 1945, Martin's ejection seat was ready for flight tests, with dummies in the pilot's seat.

The Ministry of Aircraft Production then issued the Martin-Baker company with a 10,000 contract to produce two high-speed pilot ejection units. The war in Europe was over, but the RAF was still losing horrifying numbers of aircraft  more than 1,000 in 1946, with 700 fatalities. The ejection seat could not come soon enough.

Pictured: The founders of the Martin-BakerAircraft Company, James Martin (centre) and Valentine Baker (left)

Over the next three years, there were many more tests. John 'Jo' Lancaster was one of many airmen who came to the Martin-Baker workshop to try out the prototype seat on the ground. It gave him a very sore backside, which did not calm his instinctive suspicions about what he termed 'this bloody dangerous invention'. His one consolation was that he simply couldn't imagine any circumstances where he would ever need to use it.

And yet now here he was with his life depending on it as the experimental jet he was flying threatened to break up. He could no longer control it and was nearly down to 3,000ft, plunging towards certain death.

He reached forward with his left hand and yanked the toggle to jettison the cockpit canopy. Instantly, it flew away. Simultaneously he reached over his head and felt for the ejection handle. Grabbing it with both hands, he pulled it down in front of his face with all his strength.

There was an enormous explosion and the seat was on the move, travelling fast up its rails. As he and the seat emerged into the slipstream, he felt as if he was in a weird dream. There was some violent tumbling, then another jerk as the drogue parachute fired out to stabilise the seat. The next few seconds were vital. His life now depended on getting out of the seat... fast. He felt gingerly for its release buckle across his chest. 'I had to be careful not to get the wrong buckle and release my parachute harness instead.' He pressed and twisted, at the same time wriggling the harness free of his shoulders. Then, tilting forwards, he fell out of the seat.

He was alone and in freefall, with the ground approaching fast. He reached for his parachute's ripcord and pulled it hard. He felt a massive jerk under each armpit and was wrenched upwards.

His parachute had fully inflated. His only worry now was the seat, separated from him and also falling. If it hit him, he would be a dead man. He craned his neck and out of nowhere it shot past him and disappeared. Now all he had to do was look for somewhere safe to land.

When Lancaster hit the ground that day, he became the first British aviator to eject successfully from an aircraft in an emergency. Pictured: Jo Lancaster with the author John Nichol in October 2017

When Lancaster hit the ground that day, he became the first British aviator to eject successfully from an aircraft in an emergency. History had been made. The technology worked in the real world. Thousands of lives would now be saved.

James Martin was not one to rest on his laurels. That first ejection seat was a pretty basic contraption. His challenge now was to refine it  to make one that would get pilots out of a doomed aircraft even quicker in a fully automated seat, where the ejection seat itself completed all the actions from firing to deploying the pilot's parachute.

And in that, he would succeed. Jo Lancaster was Martin Baker ejectee number one. Just over four decades later, as 27-year-old Flight Lieutenant John Nichol, I would be ejectee 6,089 after being shot down during combat as navigator in a Tornado jet in the first Gulf War in 1991.

When I recently visited the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, I saw my name on the wall of 7,681 aviators granted a second chance of life thanks to the company's incredible devices.

I also met the long-serving worker there who may have packed the parachute on which I descended to Earth  folding 45ft of parachute into a box the size of two six-pint milk cartons. Taj has done the same job at Martin-Baker for 35 years. 'I carry out my work as perfectly as I can, every single time,' he told me. 'What you aircrew do up there is always on my mind.' It was the Mk 10 seat that saved me  fully automatic, using a cartridge that released gases to operate the harness retraction system, ignite the canopy jettison motors and trigger the initial ejection gun cartridges.

Whereas it had taken half-a-minute for Lancaster to pull the right handles and release various buckles, all while plummeting earthwards, this version could put an ejectee under a fully deployed parachute just over two seconds after firing.

After my Tornado was blown apart in mid-air, a mere 2.5 seconds separated my ejection initiation to automatic parachute deployment. I had to make a conscious decision to pull that handle and eject.

Incredibly, today's aircrew benefit from a computer-linked system so automated that in certain conditions it will take the decision out of the pilot's hands and auto-eject them if it considers the flyer faces mortal danger and cannot react quickly enough.

The seat, not the pilot, takes the decision to eject. And in just fractions of a second. The first that the aircrew might know about this is when finding themselves leaving the cockpit.

The whole ejection sequence is now down to just one-and-a half seconds  beyond the imagination of Jo Lancaster and his fellow pioneers.

 John Nichol, 2023

Adapted from Eject! Eject! by John Nichol, to be published by Simon & Schuster on May 25 at 20. To order a copy for 18 (offer valid to 27/05/23; UK p&p free on orders over 25), visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
A multi-national share market scam has been smashed after swindling residents around the world, including Australia, out of more than $1billion.

The 'boiler room' con - so called because it involves high pressure tactics - used a series of fake share trading firms to steal unsuspecting people's savings.

Some had been operating since 2008 and brought 'financial ruin to Australian victims'.

A massive multi-national share market swindle that scammed victims, including an estimated hundreds of Australians, out of more than $1billion has been smashed

The operation, allegedly led by British man Peg Leg, was exposed following a lengthy international investigation.

Several Australians had been scammed prompting them to contact NSW-based private detective and cybercrime investigator Ken Gamble.

He launched a worldwide investigation which led to the scammers being caught - in dramatic raids involving dozens of armed officers.

Mr Gamble's company IFW Global represents 20 people from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA who have lost $63million between them, but the overall number of Australian victims is far higher.

'This criminal group has left a path of destruction and financial ruin to the Australian victims,' Mr Gamble told 7News Spotlight.

'These alleged fraudsters claimed to be working for major financial advisory firms in south-east Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.

'But they were sitting in secret offices in Malaysia selling non-existent shares using high pressure sales techniques and cleverly prepared sales scripts to scam investors.'

One victim told the program that she felt 'like such an idiot' after being caught up in the brazen robbery.

Mr Gamble said it was 'one of the most sophisticated and well-established scam syndicates we have seen in many years'.

The syndicate leader, a British alleged scammer known as Peg Leg, and more than 80 others have been arrested, with 24 offices and homes of key suspects raided.

More than $4.3million in cash was seized by police.

The victims were duped after using internet search terms such as 'investment opportunities' by what they thought were respected stock brokerages that had legitimate-looking, but fake websites.

The criminals had even managed to get their made up press releases covered by some online news outlets that hadn't bothered to check if they were legitimate.

The Aussie victims' money were sent to what were called 'transfer agents' and 'escrow accounts' in Hong Kong, but attempts to get the banks there to intervene went nowhere.

The accounts were controlled by Chinese criminals using hundreds of 'money mules' who travelled from to Hong Kong to open accounts.

The funds were then laundered through bank accounts in Thailand and Singapore and huge amounts of cash were then taken across land borders to Malaysia.

The alleged criminals (some of whom are pictured above) were exposed when victims from across Australia contacted NSW-based private detective and cybercrime investigator Ken Gamble

Private detective Ken Gamble said it was 'one of the most sophisticated and well-established scam syndicates we have seen in many years'. Pictured are some of the alleged criminals

A tip-off by Mr Gamble led to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) launching Operation Tropicana and doing months of undercover work.

IFW also gathered more intelligence and shared it with the MACC.

Direct police involvement was avoided because the criminals were thought to have connections to current and former high-ranking officers.

The scam was blown wide open when MACC officers, along with Mr Gamble, launched a raid seizing client lists, computers, mobile phones, sales scripts, financial documents and cash.
New study claims that the double agent is 'less posh' than originally thought

It's enough to make M choke on her cognac, but a study is claiming that gentleman spy James Bond may be thoroughly middle-class.

He may speak multiple languages and know about wine, but he is not quite in the upper echelons of society, according to an academic who has studied the Bond films.

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, the two most popular actors whose Bond films fans may watch this bank holiday weekend, are largely to blame for making Bond less posh than the character in Ian Flemings original novels, it is claimed by Dr Alex Baratta, from the University of Manchester.

Connery portrays modern, and potentially classless sophistication, according to an expert quoted by the academic.

And Craigs Bond has not only been seen driving a Ford Mondeo instead of the traditional Aston Martin in Casino Royale, but wears casual clothes and doesnt even appear to care any more if his vodka martini is shaken and not stirred.

Dr Alex Baratta, from the University of Manchester, concluded that the famous spy should now be considered to be middle class

He is even being willing to order a pint of Heineken instead.

Dr Baratta, a linguist, analysed the accents and other details in the Bond films relating to class and came to the conclusion that the most famous spy in fiction may be middle-class.

He cites Connerys Scottish burr, Daniel Craigs accent, which is RP but not quite upper-class received pronunciation, and a giveaway moment when Timothy Daltons Bond, in Licence to Kill, betrays the actors true accent by saying things are about to turn nasty with a short a rather than the long a sound used by people with upper-class accents.

Dr Baratta told the Mail: James Bond clearly likes the finer things in life - he knows about wine, and Roger Moores Bond drank Bollinger champagne and flies on Concorde.

But he is not one of the elite, he is not overly posh, although he is not working class either.

Daniel Craigs Bond in particular is not that refined, as he is happy to drive a Ford and wear casual clothes, he is actually quite rugged-looking and very comfortable with getting into fights.

He does appear to be middle-class and thats probably not a bad thing for the largely middle-class people watching the films, as it may make him more accessible, so that hes not posh and not a commoner.

Therefore, the men who want to be him, and the women who want to be with him, may think it is more possible.

The study, published in the International Journal of James Bond Studies, notes Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connerys neutral accents.

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Dryden, a crooked agent in the film Casino Royale, has more of a class-bound and clipped RP accent than Craigs James Bond, according to the study, whose accent is more mainstream.

Roger Moore comes the closest to being obviously upper-class because his received pronunciation sounding more conservative, according to Dr Baratta, but is not quite.

Even though George Lazenbys Bond can identify a type of caviar in On Her Majestys Secret Service and Timothy Daltons Bond had knowledge of Stradivarius violins in The Living Daylights, Bond is never too posh.

The academic said: If Bond was a snob, that would likely be very offputting for viewers, and we know Fleming was accused of snobbery in the books.

There is a happy medium which, while reflecting class and prestige, neither suggests someone from Downton Abbey or a commoner.
Ethnic community tensions on Britain's streets have been stoked by Indian political activists linked to Narendra Modi and his ruling Hindu nationalist party, UK security sources say.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that elements close to Indian prime minister Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are suspected of having incited British Hindus to confront Muslim youths in last summer's explosive riots in Leicester.

A UK security source said there was evidence of BJP-linked activists using closed WhatsApp groups to encourage Hindu protesters to take to the streets.

But the source warned that this was only the 'most egregious' example of Indian Hindu nationalists using private social media posts to interfere in the UK.

He warned: 'So far, it's mainly local politics - Modi and his BJP doing that they would do in Gujarat [Mr Modi's home state] to get this or that local councillor elected.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that elements close to Indian prime minister Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are suspected of having incited British Hindus to confront Muslim youths in last summer's explosive riots in Leicester

'But it has to be stopped before it spreads to attempts to influence our national politics.'

The claims are likely to provoke a diplomatic storm between London and New Delhi at a time when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak  himself a practising Hindu - is trying to seal a lucrative post-Brexit trade deal with India.

Last summer's ethnic disturbances in Leicester followed months of simmering tensions between newly-arrived Hindu immigrants and the city's settled Muslim residents, tarnishing its reputation as a beacon of racial harmony in Britain.

Violent clashes broke out between Hindu and Muslim youths after an India-Pakistan cricket match in late August, grabbing international media attention, particularly in India where it was spun as Muslims attacking Hindu residents.

This newspaper was told that India-based BJP activists then started to issue messages and memes which were widely circulated within WhatsApp groups among Hindus in Leicester.

Since the India-Pakistan cricket match on August 28, there were several nights of protests in Leicester until September 22, with marauding youths marching on the streets shouting 'Jai Shri Ram,' [Victory to Lord Ram], which has become the rallying cry of the BJP in India.

There were reports of attacks on Muslims and their homes, as well as attacks and vandalism against Hindu temples and homes.

The security source said the alleged interference appeared to be part of Mr Modi's desire to pose as the leader of Hindus across the world.

After last year's riots, several studies were done in examining the role of social media in stoking up the Leicester disturbances.

Think tank the Institute for Strategic Dialogue published a study showing, as the clashes broke out in Leicester, the Indian media depicted the trouble as Hindus coming under attacks from Muslims, with the violence blamed on 'Pakistani organised gangs.'

On Twitter, a new hashtag emerged, #HindusUnderAttackInUK, which was a variant on the well-known BJP mantra, #HindusUnderAttack.

The report also mentioned that, within days of the cricket match fallout, pro-BJP activists and influencers framed the clashes as Hindus being the sole victims.

Separately, a report conducted by the US-based Network Contagion Research Institute also showed evidence of so-called bot-farms operating out of India, which were retweeting messages on the Leicester disturbances on an industrial scale.

Charlotte Littlewood, an expert at the Henry Jackson Society think tank which investigated the riots, said that the disturbances begun as a result of tensions between newly-arrived Hindu youths from India and the more settled Muslim community.

Ms Littlewood said that, although the reasons for the clashes were local, when they hit the international media, foreign pro-BJP elements began escalating the tensions for their own ends.

But she added that British Muslim groups from outside Leicester and individuals traced back to Pakistan were also stoking the conflict, portraying the clashes as evidence of Hindu violence against Muslims in India being imported to Britain.

'But it has to be stopped before it spreads to attempt to influence our national politics.'

The claims are likely to provoke a diplomatic storm between London and India at a time when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak  himself a practising Hindu  is trying to seal a lucrative post-Brexit trade deal with India.

The Indian High Commission was approached for comment.
The memo placed Sue Gray at the top of the staff hierarchy

Sir Keir Starmer last night came under increased pressure over his attempt to hire Partygate investigator Sue Gray after The Mail on Sunday obtained a Whitehall document detailing her responsibilities while in negotiations with Labour.

The revelation comes ahead of the imminent publication of an inquiry into whether Ms Gray breached official rules by meeting Sir Keir in secret.

Insiders expect it to conclude she breached the Civil Service code on the grounds of impartiality, honesty and integrity.

The document, dated February 2, 2023 and titled Breakdown Of Public Appointments Responsibilities In Cabinet Office, places Ms Gray at the top of a staff hierarchy  with an ultimate oversight of 'public appointments made across departments, particularly those made by the Crown or PM'.

Controversially in the circumstances, she could also offer 'advice on the correct application of the Governance Code on Public Appointments'.

Sir Keir Starmer last night came under increased pressure over his attempt to hire Partygate investigator Sue Gray after The Mail on Sunday obtained a Whitehall document detailing her responsibilities while in negotiations with Labour

By the time the document was produced, it is understood that Ms Gray had been in contact with Labour for more than four months.

The move by Ms Gray, who carried out the Partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson's behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic, has triggered a row over the neutrality of the Civil Service.

The Conservatives have demanded to know when she was first approached by Labour to become Sir Keir's chief of staff and whether the appointment will go ahead if she is censured.

Ms Gray, who was recruited to head Labour's 'transition' into Government, could be banned from working for the Party until after the next General Election, which is expected by autumn 2024.

She resigned from the Cabinet Office after news of her tipped employment was leaked in March before the role had been discussed with the advisory committee on business appointments.

It could recommend a cooling-off period of up to two years due to her seniority as Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

Former top civil servant Sue Gray (pictured) carried out the Partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson's behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic

Sir Keir last week praised Ms Gray as 'a woman of incredible integrity' following reports she was in contact with Harriet Harman  the MP leading the parliamentary investigation into Boris Johnson.

Sky News said Ms Gray had spoken with the Labour MP while she was leading the follow-up Committee of Privileges inquiry into whether Mr Johnson misled Parliament. Ms Harman privately said: 'I just speak to Sue.' Guto Harri, who served as No 10's director of communications under the former Prime Minister, claimed last week that Mr Johnson had branded Ms Gray a 'psycho'.

Mr Harri said: 'There was a sense that she lacked perspective as to what he had done. He had respected her a lot, but by the time I got there, I think he was understandably getting suspicious. And by the end, we're all extremely suspicious of this woman.'
Cat Protection said it wants to see cat cafes 'phased out' in the United Kingdom

Charities are calling on animal lovers to stop visiting cat cafes.

Cats Protection has said it wants to see cat cafes 'phased out' as its records suggest there are now more than 50 operating, or soon to open their doors, in the UK.

The craze for cat cafes is thought to have begun 25 years ago in Taiwan, but they became more associated with Japan, and are now hugely popular around the world.

The charity says cats living in noisy cafes have no place to escape from unwelcome human contact, and many are under extreme stress from being around a changing population of other cats.

In the worst cases, they are stroked and picked up constantly as they try to sleep, and show signs of anxiety like not eating properly or over-grooming.

Charities are calling on animal lovers to stop visiting cat cafes. Pictured: File photo of cat sitting on a cafe table

The RSPCA is also calling for people not to visit cat cafes and for them to be licensable under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations for England. Pictured: A cat being stroked at a cat cafe

The RSPCA is also calling for people not to visit cat cafes and for them to be licensable under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations for England.

Daniel Warren-Cummings, behaviour officer for Cats Protection, said: 'From a cat welfare perspective, it would be a very good idea if cat cafes were phased out.

'These cats are indoor-only and have no outdoor space where they can retreat from human contact or the noisy chatter of a cafe.

'While some cafes are very good, with signs telling people not to approach cats when they are sleeping, of course some people who have paid money to go to a cat cafe will want to stroke a cat - whether the cat wants to be stroked or not.'

The craze for cat cafes is thought to have begun 25 years ago in Taiwan, but they became more associated with Japan, and are now hugely popular around the world. File photo of a woman stroking a cat at a cat cafe

Cats are highly territorial, and most of their stress comes from being with other cats, according to animal welfare experts - especially when those cats are not their siblings.'

Samantha Watson, scientific officer at the RSPCA, said: 'The RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of cats in cafes, which for many are likely to be a significant source of stress.

'At present, most cat cafes are not licensed under the animal welfare provisions or covered by those standards and so we would encourage people not to visit them.

'Instead, we suggest cat-lovers consider volunteering with a cat rescue organisation.'
News of a policy initiative by the Labour Party is never calculated to be good for my blood pressure but the latest one proposing to give workers the 'right to switch off' sent it off the scale.

My company runs 14 hotels and resorts scattered around five countries in multiple time zones, and so the idea that I and my staff could confine our interactions to a rigid set of working hours is absurd.

As someone who prides himself on being a good employer, I am not going to bother anyone unnecessarily, but if a situation requires input from a person out of the office then it is perfectly reasonable to contact them outside normal hours.

And I practise what I preach. I make myself available to my colleagues 24/7.

Sir Keir Starmer recently had the temerity to attack the Tory record on economic growth. But Labour's proposal to ban bosses from contacting employees during their evenings, weekends and holidays, is precisely the sort of measure that will cripple businesses by reducing their productivity and making them less competitive.

Sir Rocco Forte (pictured): News of a policy initiative by the Labour Party is never calculated to be good for my blood pressure but the latest one proposing to give workers the 'right to switch off' sent it off the scale

One of the reasons I am a Brexiteer is because I detested the way the EU was strangling commerce in red tape.

But Sir Keir's wish to enshrine in law a rule pioneered by the French, those lovers of the nanny state, would only make doing business harder, something the Gallic subsidiary of British pest-control firm Rentokil has learned to its cost.

In 2018, one of its workers was awarded 60,000 (52,725) after the company was found to have failed to respect 'le droit de la deconnexion' (the right to disconnect).

Pictured: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer making his speech to the Progressive Britain conference at Congress House on May 13, 2023

Together with Labour's proposal to make working from home a legal right, the right to switch off amounts to a skivers' charter.

After all, it's delusional to believe people at home work as diligently as those who turn up to the office. And what about those who can't work from home, such as plumbers, drivers and my hotel chefs?

As politicians, Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner know only too well that the demands of the news cycle require them to make themselves freely available. Politicians can't work 9 to 5, why should they expect the rest of us to?
Three-time Oscar nominee Edward Norton has been revealed as one of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's biggest donors, giving more than $13,000 to the New York Democrat since 2020.

Norton, 53, has lived in New York City with his Canadian film producer wife and their two children since the early 1990s, and is well known for his support of progressive causes.

On Saturday it emerged that he had made six donations to Ocasio-Cortez's campaigns since 2020.

The New York Post said he was among her top individual donors for the first quarter of 2023.

Edward Norton, 53, is one of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's biggest donors

The New York congresswoman, pictured at the 2021 Met Gala, was elected in 2018

On January 15 this year, he contributed $5,000.

In 2022, he donated $7,700. Nothing was registered for 2021, but in 2020 he gave $2,800.

Ocasio-Cortez was elected in November 2018.

Norton has been vocal in his support for her, regularly agreeing with her on social media and retweeting her messages to amplify them - in particular related to social housing, tax and energy policy.

Norton is the grandson of affordable housing advocate James W. Rouse and currently serves on the board of trustees for his Enterprise Community Partners foundation.

When she tweeted, in the early days of the pandemic, that more needed to be done to protect people from being evicted, Norton agreed.

'Eviction, foreclosure, & shut-off suspensions are good but they are nowhere near enough,' she tweeted.

He replied: 100% correct @AOC @NYGovCuomo @SenSchumer @NYCMayor.

Norton has been a long time Democrat donor, and is interested in progressive causes

Norton is seen with his wife Shauna Robertson, a Canadian film producer

'We need immediate & real protection from rent & mortgage, residential & commercial.

'Working families & small business can't be expected to keep landlords & huge commercial real estate barons & and the banks behind them afloat.'

When, in December 2020, Florida senator Marco Rubio pointed out that Joe Biden's recently-appointed chief of staff insulted Republicans, Ocasio-Cortez scolded him for caring more about that than her being called a 'f****** b****' in front of him, by one of his colleagues, Republican representative Ted Yoho.

'Thank you @AOC,' tweeted Norton.

'The staggering scale of the hypocrisy is exhausting...doubly so in a week we learn that the operational core of our government, including our nuclear / military security complex has been brazenly attacked by Russia at an unprecedented level. GOP silence.'

And, weeks before the November 2020 election, Norton tweeted: '100% correct. @AOC also full correct.

'We don't have a 'race issue'. We have a racism issue. Donald Trump is a vile, unrepentant, dangerous racist. We have to rise to this moment in unprecedented numbers and vote this thug out.'

Ocasio-Cortez is seen promoting the Green New Deal on April 20

Norton has for years been a big Democrat donor.

He gave $41,400 to Barack Obama, about whom he produced a documentary, and more than $58,000 to the Democratic National Committee.

His spokesman told the paper: 'Edward has always proudly supported progressive Democratic candidates.'

In 2015, the actor told The Independent he rejected political labels, and just fought for what he believed was right.

'Socialism for some people carries a pre-Sixties definition that puts certain people's teeth on edge, as do words like 'conservative',' he said.

'I think that labels are limiting and reductive and I wish more people defined themselves as progressive.

'A lot of what we are seeing in the world, politically, is not so much about left-wing and right-wing but more about progressive versus regressive vision.'
An Ohio man accused of setting his 'step mom' on fire told police he 'doesn't know what happened' when officers discovered the woman badly burned with her 'teeth knocked out' in the backyard of their home.

Robbi Davon Robinson Jr. was arrested by Fairfield Township Police in connection with the horrific act of arson and released bodycam footage revealed the moments after the attack.

Brenda Scott, who is dating Robinson Jr's father, can be heard gasping for air in the backyard as she told oncoming police that she couldn't breath and that her teeth were knocked out.

'I can't breathe! My inhaler's in the house... I can't breathe, he knocked my teeth out,' she can be heard explaining frantically in the redacted footage.

Robbi Davon Robinson Jr. told police he 'doesn't know what happened' when officers discovered his 'stop mom' Brenda Scott badly burned with her 'teeth knocked out'

A short time later, Robinson Jr can be seen approaching police appearing shocked by the unfolding incident.

'I don't know what happened,' Robinson is heard saying in the video. 'It just went off.'

Robinson Jr., 23, has been arrested in connection with the horrific act of arson which occurred some time on Thursday morning

Scott reportedly jumped from the second floor of their home and was found 'severely burned' when emergency services arrived at the scene.

What led to Scott's dramatic escape remains unclear. Robinson Jr has been taken into custody and a judge set his bond at $200,000.

Robinson continued his disbelief when police explained what had happened to Scott.

'Your stepmother jumped out the back,' an officer said in the footage.

'Oh, she did?' he can be heard replying.

Neighbor Dennis Williams told WKRC that his dogs alerted him to the commotion and he ran outside to find Scott distressed and covered in burns, before calling 911.

'Water with gasoline, he threw it on her,' Williams told dispatchers on the call, the outlet reported.

Officers were also seen trying to reassure Scott one officer turning to the distressed woman asking her to stay awake as ambulances made their way to the scene.

Robinson Jr. protested his innocence following the discovery of a woman he termed his 'stepmother'

Scott was discovered by Dennis Williams, a next door neighbor who could see her home from his own property

The officer proceeds to handcuff Robinson saying: 'until I find out what's going on.'

Emergency services raced to the scene following reports of a woman having been set on fire in the backyard of the home at about 10.30 am on Thursday.

Scott was sprawled out on the grass and pleading for help.

'I said, ''What happened, what happened?''' Williams explained. 'And she said, ''He set me on fire''.'

'She had just terrible, terrible burnsI mean, I'm no expert, but at least half her bodyI mean terrible burns. She wasn't still on fire at that point, but there was a little bit of flame next to her that was dying.

'It was pretty traumatizing to see and everything that happened, but again, I'm glad I was in a position to help.

Police vehicles are seen outside the home where the incident took place on Thursday morning

Scott was airlifted to UC Medical Center in critical condition and underwent surgery.

Robinson, who referred to his father's girlfriend as his stepmother, has been detained at the Butler County Jail.

He faces charges of first-degree aggravated arson and second-degree felonious assault and is due to appear in court May 17.

Fairfield Township Police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey said the entire case was chilling.

'It's one that makes your hair stand up on the back of your neck, I don't care how long you've been doing it.'
The noble words inscribed on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty, written by the Jewish poet Emma Lazarus in 1883, have inspired generations of migrants bound for America  and been harnessed to promote the belief that liberal migration policies enrich nations. Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free... Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

The message is clear: the worlds downtrodden can find a new life in the land of opportunity. Lazaruss sentiments have often been quoted over recent years in the debate about migration in Europe.

Indeed, today, I reckon that a new Statue of Liberty should be erected on the White Cliffs of Dover.

Why? Because of a milestone statistic that has gone unmentioned by politicians: Britain now has a higher proportion of its population who were born abroad than does the US  a nation founded by migrants and seen as a beacon for immigration.

The statement by the influential Brookings Institution in America that no other nation has as large an immigrant population as the US is now out of date.

Though, post-Brexit, our migration system has made it much harder for low-skilled workers to come to Britain, that hasnt translated to a fall in migration overall, not least because of a surge in asylum-seekers.

According to the Office for National Statistics for 2021, 14.5 per cent of the UK population were born abroad  in other words, they migrated here at some point in their lives. For the same year, the United States Census Bureau put the corresponding figure for America at 13.7 per cent.

It is an extraordinary turnaround, with net migration at 504,000 people in the year to June 2022 and reports that the Home Office believes net migration could reach a record of one million this year.

Not so long ago, Britain was a country of emigration  losing a net 500,000 residents during the 1970s. It wasnt until the 1990s that we saw a sustained upwards trend in net migration.

By contrast the US, a country where few people (apart from those descended from Native peoples and/or enslaved Africans) cannot trace at least part of their ancestry to an immigrant  saw migration fall during Donald Trumps presidency.

Despite his vow to build a border wall to stop Mexicans entering the US, the official number of arrivals only dropped from 1.26 million in 2016 to 915,000 in 2019 (before Covid reduced it further). However, under Joe Biden, the number of arrivals has surged again, with net migration of 1.01 million in 2022 (with a further 2.76 million stopped at the border). There are now ten million Mexicans living in the US.

According to the Office for National Statistics for 2021, 14.5 per cent of the UK population were born abroad  in other words, they migrated here at some point in their lives

Yet, proportionally, Britain has overtaken the US for new arrivals.

Given that Britain has only a fifth of the population of the US, it is an astonishing figure. Relative to population size, net migration in Britain is now more than double that in the US. Those who opposed Brexit and argue that our exit from the EU has led to a Fortress Britain mentality and stopped foreign nationals wanting to settle here couldnt be more wrong. The truth is that Brexit hasnt stopped the inexorable trend (though Covid briefly interrupted it).

In London, 37 per cent of residents were born abroad. In the capitals borough of Kensington and Chelsea, it is 53 per cent. Official figures show that 896,000 people resident in Britain were born in India, 682,000 in Poland, 456,000 in Pakistan, 412,000 in Ireland and 347,000 in Germany.

As a result there are two key questions: can our small islands infrastructure (health service, schools, transport, housing etc) cope with the increasing numbers, and why hasnt this inflow boosted the economy like 19th Century and early 20th Century America was invigorated by waves of migration?

Of course, the vast majority of migrants have made a significant contribution to our economy and society. For example, the Windrush generation took vital jobs in the NHS and other sectors that were suffering acute labour shortages during the post-war years.

Many migrants coming here today  45,755 people were detected arriving in England by small boats across the Channel in 2022, compared with 299 in 2018  are a strain on the economy

But many migrants coming here today  45,755 people were detected arriving in England by small boats across the Channel in 2022, compared with 299 in 2018  are a strain on the economy. For example, asylum-seekers are banned from working while their applications are processed  so if any are working then it is in the black economy, where they will contribute little in the way of tax.

These new arrivals, too, are a burden on our creaking welfare budget and social services. According to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, supporting asylum-seekers cost taxpayers 3.5 billion in 2022. Consider the contrast with the US, which, as it expanded westwards during the 19th Century, saw migrants help feed the almost insatiable appetite for labour as farms were settled, railways built and resources exploited. Moreover, the Europeans who began new lives in America were in the main entrepreneurial people.

Typical was Andrew Carnegie, who emigrated with his family at the age of 12 from Dunfermline, Scotland. By the age of 24 he ran Western Pennsylvanias railroads and went on to build the US steel industry and become a great philanthropist.

Where among the Albanians coming to the UK illegally across the Channel in small boats are latter-day Carnegies?

The brutal truth is that the UK economy has underperformed in the era of mass migration.

These new arrivals, too, are a burden on our creaking welfare budget and social services

Where among the Albanians coming to the UK illegally across the Channel in small boats are latter-day Carnegies? writes ROSS CLARK

READ MORE: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby mounts another attack on the Government over its immigration policy as he warns new small boats law will not stop 'conflict or climate migration' as Lords try to water it down Justin Welby used a rare speech in the House of Lords to attack the Illegal Immigration Bill, which would make it easier to deport people arriving on the UK's shores. Advertisement

Though, post-Brexit, our migration system has made it much harder for low-skilled workers to come to Britain, that hasnt translated to a fall in migration overall, not least because of a surge in asylum-seekers.

Figures for economic growth hardly support the theory that mass migration makes us richer.

Between 1964 and 1983 (when net migration was below zero  ie more people were emigrating than moving to Britain), GDP growth averaged 2.66 per cent per year. Between 1984 and 1997 (when net migration was between zero and 100,000 a year), it was 2.74 per cent.

Since 2004 (when Eastern European countries joined the EU and the Blair government controversially opened our labour market to these new EU citizens), growth has slumped to an average of 1.58 percent per year. Productivity shows a similar grim tale.

Between 1984 and 2003, average annual growth in output per worker-hour was 1.79 per cent. Between 2004 and 2019, when net migration rose to over 200,000 a year, it fell to just 0.68 per cent. Might the two things  high net migration and low productivity  be related?

For years it became so cheap and easy to employ labour from Eastern Europe that it acted as a disincentive to automate many manual jobs. As a result, whole industries, such as warehousing and food processing, could be a lot more automated, but their operators instead found it cheaper to employ large numbers of human staff.

In 2019 the International Federation of Robotics listed countries that had invested most in industrial automation. The UK was not even in the top 20, despite having the sixth largest economy.

High rates of migration fuelled explosive growth in the US in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, but Britain in 2023 is not like America back then. We are a densely populated service-based economy with a housing shortage, overloaded public services and high public debt.

For the past two decades, Britain has acted as a honeypot for  in the words of the bronze plaque at the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty  the worlds tempest-tost huddled masses.

But unlike America, it is no longer being so enriched as a nation by them and, not surprisingly, questions are being asked whether that golden door is too wide open.
The Army's push to recruit women for frontline combat roles has failed spectacularly, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Only 50 women have joined the infantry and 30 the Royal Armoured Corps in the five years since the then-Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that all positions within the Army  including 'close combat units' and the SAS  would be opened up to women.

The figures, obtained using Freedom of Information laws, also revealed that fewer than five trained female soldiers had opted to transfer into frontline fighting roles from other Army units and no female recruits passed Royal Marine training.

One former defence chief accused the Ministry of Defence of a 'failed publicity stunt', while another commander warned women may have been put off following a number of rape and sex abuse scandals.

Colonel Richard Kemp, a former infantry commander in Afghanistan, said: 'It is no surprise very few women want to volunteer to serve as tank crews or in the infantry. After drop-outs and test failures, the numbers will be negligible.

Only 50 women have joined the infantry and 30 the Royal Armoured Corps in the five years since the then-Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that all positions within the Army would be opened up to women (stock image)

Figures obtained by this newspaper reveal that out of 18,000 infantry soldiers, just 50 are women (stock image)

'Having a tiny minority of women serving in what will remain pretty much all-male units will be counter-productive and harmful to morale and combat effectiveness. It will turn out to be a very costly, damaging and futile exercise in political correctness  funded by the taxpayer. The Army did not want this, but it was forced on them.'

Figures obtained by this newspaper reveal that out of 18,000 infantry soldiers, just 50 are women. Of around 5,000 soldiers in the Royal Armoured Corps, 30 are female.

Mr Williamson boasted in 2018 that allowing women to serve in frontline roles would 'maximise the talents available to our military and further make the Armed Forces a more modern employer'.

But since then the military has been rocked by a number of sexism scandals. In 2021, a parliamentary report found that two-thirds of women in the military experienced bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination during their career.

Colonel Philip Ingram, a former military intelligence officer, said: 'Few women are joining the infantry and RAC because of fears that they face sexual harassment and discrimination. The negative publicity around the way women are treated, combined with the anecdotal stories about what life is really like will put women off.'

An Army spokesman said: 'We're proud that the opportunities available to women in the Army are the same as that for men.

'We work hard to ensure they have thriving careers.'
A Tory row over China erupted last night as a report claimed UK aid has been funding forced abortions sanctioned by Beijing.

Senior Tory MP Tim Loughton called on the Government to 'end urgently' UK assistance to China on the back of an investigation by the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Children (SPUC).

It said the major inquiry, to be unveiled this week, 'lays bare' a scandal that, however well-intentioned, UK aid had directly or indirectly helped fund 'coerced abortions in China'.

Last night the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) insisted 'no UK aid funds forced abortion practices in China'. But Mr Loughton pledged to use the report's findings in Parliament 'to put pressure on the FCDO to end urgently UK aid going to China and to stop funding multinational organisations which collaborate with genocidal policies'.

The report found that coerced or forced abortions were happening on an industrial scale in China.

Senior Tory MP Tim Loughton called on the Government to 'end urgently' UK assistance to China on the back of an investigation by the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Children (File image)

Last night the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (pictured) insisted 'no UK aid funds forced abortion practices in China' (File image)

In Xinjiang province, where China is accused of genocide against the Uighur people, their population growth rate collapsed between 2015 and 2018 by more than 70 per cent and in some areas dropped to zero.

The SPUC report acknowledged the Government had committed to ending aid to China. But it said in 2019-20 the UK gave 82 million to the world's second largest economy and 80 million to two international bodies which have supported family planning and reproductive services, including abortions in China.

It said in 2020-21, estimates suggested more than 60million of aid was given.

The report coincides with an SPUC poll showing that by more than two to one, the public opposes Britain funding abortion services abroad.

SPUC executive director Michael Robinson called the report's findings 'a slap in the face to the generosity of hard-pressed taxpayers who expect aid to help and support pregnant women, not be used in coerced or forced abortions'.

Government sources said the UK provided 'aid to trusted multilateral organisations to help women and girls have control of their bodies'.
She revealed why she lied to her 10-year-old son

A mother who has lost three children to terminal illnesses has opened up on the devastating decision to tell her 10-year-old son he was recovering when in reality he was going home to die.

Gheuwan Arja, 41, from the Sydney suburb of Greenacre, watched on in agony as her son Omar smiled with delight as he rang a bell in hospital to signal he had finished his cancer treatment.

The mother-of-five revealed she told the 'white lie' to spare her son the pain of knowing he only had weeks to live after six months of gruelling chemotherapy and 18 surgeries following a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The mother-of-five said she could not bring herself to tell her 10-year-old that he was going to die

The aggressive cancer attacks the lymph nodes, part of the body's immune system.

Mrs Arja said it was 'one of the worst days of her life lying to him' in a TikTok video.

'How do you tell your child that he is going home to spend his last days with his family?', she captioned the video.

Heartbreaking footage shows the boy sitting in a wheelchair and ringing the bell at the hospital.

Medical staff clap off-camera while Mrs Arja joins in why standing behind her son.

She is seen wiping a tear away from her eye while her son smiles from his wheelchair.

Omar, 10, died in January 2022.

She never told her son he was fighting cancer, nor that he had also battled a brain tumour earlier in his young life.

Instead she told him that he was fighting an ear infection.

The decision was forged from bitter experience having seen two of her other children suffer and die with terminal illnesses.

Mrs Arja, a devout Muslim, revealed that her first-born daughter Aisha was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Neiman Pick Type C.

The condition causes cholesterol and other fats to accumulate in the liver, spleen or lungs, eventually spreading to the brain.

Aisha died aged four in 2009.

Gheuwan Arja said it was the 'one of the worst days of her life' when she lied to her son Omar that he had completed his treatment

'It was devastating and my whole world fell apart,' Mrs Arja wrote in a Launch Good fundraiser.

'But I knew that Allah had a plan, and I had to accept it. Then, in 2019, my third-born son, Mohamed, was diagnosed with a brain tumour that we didn't know about.

'He showed symptoms of having a stroke, and we rushed him to the hospital. But it was too late.

'Mohamed passed away after just two weeks. It was a heartbreaking experience, and I felt like I had lost everything.'

Mohamed died almost ten years to the day after Aisha.

The family where then delivered a third devastating blow when their fourth-born son, Omar, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in July 2021.

He died in January of the following year.

Mrs Arja and her husband Fadi, 48, have two surviving children Rabieh, 16, and Luay, eight.

The mother, who has so far raised over $16,000 to take her eldest son to Mecca, wants other parents to know that 'life does go on'.

'Don't give up on life. You do go through things in life but life is still beautiful,' she told 7News.

'You want your children to fight for life - how dare you give up on life. Don't - that's how I see it.

'If my son fought for his life how dare I give up on mine.'
There are an additional network of 233 cameras whose locations are kept secret

Scottish motorists are being photographed covertly on an unprecedented scale, with 1.2 million images a day captured by a network of secret police spy cameras.

The number of pictures held after being obtained via Police Scotland's Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras stands at an astonishing 442 million.

The network of 233 cameras, whose locations are kept secret, is in addition to the hundreds of separate devices used for speed and traffic light enforcement.

Campaigners said it proved that Scottish motorists are now among the 'most spied on in the world'.

The extremely high resolution ANPR cameras capture an image of the car which includes registration plate and driver. They are supposed to be deleted after 12 months unless held for specific crime investigations.

Scottish motorists are being photographed covertly on an unprecedented scale (File image)

The total number of images currently stored is 442,416,657, an increase of 25 million from the same time last year.

Politicians have voiced concerns over the extent of the network  and we can also reveal that the number of cameras is on the increase, rising from 190 just two years ago.

Police Scotland has refused to provide even an approximate list of locations, such as general postcode areas. It said to do so would be in breach of 'national security and defence'.

We revealed in 2018 how a new generation of ANPR cameras with unprecedented surveillance capabilities were beginning to be installed.

Mark Johnson, of surveillance awareness group Big Brother Watch, said: 'Police Scotland are snooping on innocent Scots through the ANPR network at an astonishing scale. This surveillance treats millions of ordinary citizens like criminals and has not been properly justified. The ANPR network is vast and growing rapidly, yet remains dangerously unregulated.'

Official Home Office guidance on retention of images states: 'ANPR read records must be deleted 12 months after their initial capture, unless retained under provisions of the Criminal Procedures Act or similar provisions in Scotland.'

Police Scotland has refused to provide even an approximate list of locations, such as general postcode areas. It said to do so would be in breach of 'national security and defence'. Pictured: Motorists near Glasgow (File image)

It means that millions of photographs of Scots motorists driving along trunk roads and other locations are held for months regardless of circumstances.

There are around three million registered cars in Scotland. The figures show that an average of 147 shots of each car would need to be obtained to amount to the total number held.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Liam McArthur said: 'These figures represent an extraordinary increase. It remains unclear why Police Scotland believe it appropriate to hold such a staggering amount of data.

'Back in 2016, we revealed that Police Scotland had almost a billion plates on file, predominantly from entirely innocent motorists. It took serious and sustained pressure to get them to delete those files. I hope they are not slipping back into bad old ways.'

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Jamie Greene said: 'Innocent motorists will be wondering why their data is being stored and for what purpose.

'Police Scotland should be upfront about their reasons for having this astonishing number of reads.'

A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Getting the right balance between the safety and security of people in Scotland and protecting privacy is a key responsibility.

'We use Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to help detect, deter and disrupt criminality, including tackling organised crime groups and terrorists.

'It is also a useful tool in tracking down stolen vehicles, and helping to trace those reported missing.'
Police are set to search a nature reserve in Surrey for the remains of a missing 19-year-old student who was allegedly murdered by serial killer Levi Bellfield.

The monster hinted at the location of victim Elizabeth Chau's body, a Thames Valley University student who vanished in April 1999.

Bellfield, 54, offered to lead detectives to her remains in a nature reserve near Kempton Park racecourse after confessing to her murder.

Officers interviewed the killer last week at Frankland Prison, according to The Sun.

A source said: 'Although Bellfield has drawn maps for police, they are likely to need him to locate the body, if it is there.

Serial killer Levi Bellfield has hinted at the location of 19-year-old Elizabeth Chau's (pictured) body, claiming the remains are in a nature reserve near Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey

Bellfield's claims that Ms Chau was his fourth murder victim are being taken 'extremely seriously' by the force

Ms Chau's remains are said to be buried in a nature reserve near Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey (pictured)

'They will use all the resources at their disposal to try to find the remains without him.'

Bellfield is serving a life sentence for the 2002-2004 murders of Milly Dowler, 13, Marsha McDonnell, 19, and 22-year-old Amelie Delagrange.

Bellfield's solicitor Theresa Clark told Sky News: 'He tells me he feels it's important that her family have some closure. He wants to see justice done because they have had to live this for so long and that's unfair. He gains nothing from it, there is no positive publicity for him.

Bellfield offered to lead detectives to Ms Chau's remains in the nature reserve

'On Tuesday 9 May 2023, a 54-year-old male was interviewed under caution. Inquiries continue,' a spokesperson for the Met said.

'We can confirm we remain in contact with Elizabeth Chau's family. At this time we will not be providing an ongoing commentary. We have no comment to make.'

Bellfield's claims that Ms Chau was his fourth murder victim are being taken 'extremely seriously' by the force, a source told the Guardian.
The row over the watering down of the Government's pledge to scrap EU laws deepened last night amid claims that having warnings on packets of nuts saying 'contains nuts' and banning butchers from giving a dog a bone were among the 'daft rules' that will survive.

And Brexiteer Tories say even a law allegedly derived from Nazi Germany 'forest race laws' and relating to the planting of oak trees has had a stay of execution.

Last night, Conservative MP Sir John Redwood said: 'It's absurd that the Government cannot even get rid of the more ridiculous rules of the EU from bent bananas to banning butchers' bones for dogs, let alone giving freedoms to businesses that are suffering from high and needless regulatory and tax costs from the EU.'

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch sparked fury last week by announcing that a promised post-Brexit 'bonfire' of EU red tape was being scaled back. Instead, she said only a fraction of the estimated near 5,000 EU laws would be removed by the deadline.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch sparked fury last week by announcing that a promised post-Brexit 'bonfire' of EU red tape was being scaled back

Regulation (EC) 1774/2002 bans butchers in Britain from offering shoppers doggy titbits such as raw meat not safe for human consumption. It means meat suppliers will have to continue paying for bones and other parts to be incinerated or thrown away

However, prominent Brexiteers insisted that the Retained EU Law Bill would remove only 600 regulations by the end of the year  about one in eight of the total.

The climbdown left leading members of the party's European Research Group incandescent, not least because Rishi Sunak's pitch for the party leadership last summer included a promise to review or repeal over 2,000 EU rules.

Last night, Tory Brexiteers listed several of the 'daft' Brussels laws that would now live on.

That included Regulation (EC) 1774/2002, which bans butchers in Britain from offering shoppers doggy titbits such as raw meat not safe for human consumption.

It means meat suppliers will have to continue paying for bones and other parts to be incinerated or thrown away rather than hand them free to customers for their pets.

Another legislation survivor, say Brexiteers, is Regulation (EC) 1924/2006, which forbids companies from claiming that water can prevent dehydration.

Packets of nuts must continue to say 'contains nuts', while fish packaging says 'contains fish', because of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011.

An EU regulation will also be put in place covering how bendy bananas can get

And as well as an EU regulation covering how bendy bananas can get, Council Regulation (EC) 2200/96 will continue to stipulate that only leeks with a white end at least 30 per cent of its length can be sold in supermarkets.

A directive said to have been based on a 1930s Nazi law to preserve the purity of German forests will apparently live on to govern which acorns can be planted. The directive effectively banned the UK from planting any English oak trees in Northern Ireland.

But at yesterday's Conservative Democratic Organisation event in Bournemouth, arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg sparked laughter by highlighting one regulation that is for the chop  the one that governs the exporting of carnations from Japan to the Netherlands.

A government source said the current EU law removal plans were 'not the limit of our ambition. We will continue to overhaul more nonsensical EU laws to ensure they work best for Britain, seizing the benefits of Brexit while enhancing our world-leading environmental standards.'
Police used pepper spray and arrested two men

Victoria Police has slammed the 'appalling' behaviour of protestors at a CBD rally after a violent clash erupted between Neo-Nazi's and anti-racism protesters.

A group of about 25 neo-Nazis clashed with police and anti-racism protesters outside Victoria's state parliament on Saturday.

Hordes of masked far-right protesters marched against immigration with members seen performing the Seig Heil, a salute by Nazis at rallies.

They were out-numbered by anti-fascist counter-protesters, some of whom hurled objects at the group after they performed the salutes.

Police were forced to use pepper spray to contain the violence and were heard yelling at opposing demonstrators to 'get back'.

Far-right protesters were seen performing the Seig Heil - a salute used by Nazis - while rallying against immigration

The far-right group was met by counter-protesters from the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism group

Police were forced to use pepper spray to contain the violence after the two groups clashed

Victoria Police said on Sunday they were 'appalled' by the display, declaring 'hate and prejudice has no place in our society'.

'Like the community, police were appalled at the acts displayed in Melbourne,' a statement read.

'Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community regardless of who they are.

'We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable. Hate and prejudice has no place in our society.'

The rally was widely condemned by both federal and state government officials.

Federal Government Minister Chris Bowen issued a scathing response on Saturday labelling the rally 'unspeakably un-Australian' and calling neo-Nazi's 'political lunatics who have no place in modern Australia.'

'It's unacceptable. It's not on. This is pure and simple racism and neo-Nazism is pure and simple evil,' Mr Bowen said.

'It has no place in our country, it needs to be condemned and it is condemned by this government.'

In a scathing joint statement, Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and deputy Liberal leader David Southwick labelled neo-Nazi's as 'thugs'.

'The Victorian Liberals and Nationals condemn neo-Nazi thugs and their toxic bigotry and hate,' the statement said.

'Australia has a proud history of an orderly immigration program where people from all backgrounds come together in shared liberal-democratic values.

'This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and against the values of an inclusive, tolerant and multicultural community.'

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews in March confirmed it would introduce legislation to outlaw the Nazi salute - however, the change has not yet been legislated.

Victoria police said they were 'appalled' by the far-right group's display, claiming 'hate and prejudice has no place in our society'

Members of Melbourne's National Socialist Network planned the event from midday on Saturday

The state banned the public display of the Nazi swastika, including graffitti and other related symbols, in 2022.

Members of Melbourne's National Socialist Network planned the event from midday on Saturday.

The National Socialist Network's Thomas Sewell shared a video on social channels inviting fellow Aussies to join the protest.

'We are organising in opposition to the system's importation of 715,000 immigrants over the next two years, further exacerbating the housing crisis and ethnic replacement of white Australians in their own suburbs and towns,' Mr Sewell said.

'This will be a peaceful and legal demonstration open to all supporters and bystanders who wish to have their voice heard. Living space for whites! Stop Immigration!'

Counter-protesters from the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (CARF) group rallied against the far-right group and arrived on Melbourne's Spring St from 10am on Saturday.

'The relationship between mainstream racism and the far right couldn't be clearer,' CARF organisers said online.

'Their capitalist masters say jump, and the fascists ask 'how high'.

'It is time for anti-fascists to spring into action. Let's show up in numbers to prove that Melbourne is an anti-fascist town.'

In response, Victoria Police declared the CBD a 'designated area' from 7am to 7pm, deploying more than 200 officers to the area and granting them stop and search powers.

More than 200 officers were deployed across the city in response to the organised protests

It comes after about 30 neo-Nazis attended a controversial event by UK anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen in March, performing the salute on the steps of Victoria's Parliament House

Counter-protesters were seen shouting 'wife basher' at Avi Yemini, a far-right YouTuber who has been convicted of assaulting his former partner.

Many of the counter-protesters left to join a different rally in support of Palestine, the neo-Nazis were marched away from parliament by officers before dispersing.

Police arrested two men including a 30-year-old from Doreen for theft of a body-worn camera and assaulting police and a 20-year-old for 'discharge of missile' and assaulting an officer.

It comes after about 30 neo-Nazis attended a controversial event by UK anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen in March, performing the salute on the steps of Victoria's Parliament House.
A small West Texas ghost town, that once served as a watering station in the 1800s, has hit the market for $100,000 - well below the median price of a home in the state.

The unusual opportunity comes after a group of German friends who bought the place 22-years-ago hoped to sell the remote town to a buyer with 'vision.'

Lobo is located in a remote corner of the Lone Star State, just off Route Texas 90, sitting 130 miles southeast of El Paso, 15 miles east of the Rio Grande and 57 miles away from the desert city of Marfa.

The town, which span 10 acres, has several old business intact including a grocery store, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, along with a few other houses and structures, according to the property listing.

The asking price of $100,000 is well below the median home price in Texas which is currently $341,300 and its second biggest city San Antonio where the median price for a family home is $274,000.

The town was finally abandoned in 1991 when the last of its residents had to leave for personal reasons before a group of German friends purchased the place

A hotel at Lobo is pictured in a photograph from the mid-1800s

Lobo is nestled in the heart of the desert, in a remote area which for nearly a century but has never seen a population greater than 100 people

Alexander Bardorff, one of Lobo's owners, told the Texas Monthly that the upkeep of the property was a mammoth effort for the two friends.

'We are too old now to continue our efforts to maintain the buildings and the 10 acres of land and would like to sell Lobo to someone who appreciates the special character of 'our' little Ghost Town,' he said in the listing.

'You come back after a year and things have been destroyed, and then you have to start over again.

'I'll be seventy years old in a month, and all my other friends are in Germany, so we're just running out of energy.'

The German friends from Frankfurt first purchased the tiny town in November 2001 and began to rebuild various parts of the town.

Over the next two decades the property played host to art exhibitions, film screenings, and music events.

The town, which span 10 acres, hosts several former business buildings including a few remaining structures such as a grocery store, post office, motel, gas station, restaurant, along with a few other houses and structures

The entire 10 acre plot of land, complete with buildings is for sale for $100,000

Quite a bit of upkeep and renovation would be required for any future buyer

Located 130 miles southeast of El Paso, 57 miles away from the desert city of Marfa, the ghost town in Lobo, Texas has gone on the market for $100,000

Desert Dust Cinema was one of the small short film festivals that took place in the deserted township.

The event would see people gather to watch films and enjoy live music and art shows in the once thriving mail route stop.

He hoped the property will continue in its tradition of being a backdrop for artistic expression.

'We are not just trying to make a profit. We would like to find a group of people that want to do something interesting out there,' Bardoff said.

'We're hoping to find a buyer with lots of energy, endurance, motivation and an interesting vision for Lobo's future.'

The inside of the gas station could make for a fun venue for a bar area

A star shaped fire pit is seen next to a dilapidated swimming pool

The buildings are now all boarded up and ready for new owners to take over and renovate

The entire town needs a lot of work to restore its features including the pool area

The town rose to prominence between 1850 and 1860, when Lobo became a stop on the mail route from San Antonio to San Diego.

In the 1880s it became a watering stop and depot for the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1882.

In 1914, Lobo's population was just 20 residents but the town grew and by 1962 there were 90 people living there despite two powerful earthquakes that sent people away.

Eventually, a fall in the water table led to the town being unable to sustain its population or local businesses any longer.

The relocation of the town's railroad station marked the final death knell.

As the town began to fade, a man named Bill Christ purchased the town in 1969, opened up a new gas station and general store.

Lobo is as about as remote as you could imagine in the middle of the desert in West Texas

The remote location has played host to a few art and film festivals

Desert Dust Cinema saw people visit the area for something different

There are a number of outbuildings but nobody actually lives in the town full time

Weathered metal structures in the deserted town of Lobo, south of Van Horn on U.S. 90 in Culberson County, Texas

Christ kept ownership of the town for another 22 years until 1991 when he was forced to sell it due to 'crime and personal issues,' according to the property website.

Although Lobo needs some work, the sellers believe it still has potential as a desert hub for the arts or perhaps a retreat for nature lovers.

An 'open-town' event will be held over Memorial Day weekend for potential buyers to come and experience the town for themselves.

The name Lobo refers to wolves that used to roam the area causing trouble.
A theatre company has sparked outrage after casting girls to play the lead role in Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

The beloved story of a boy who discovers a golden ticket in a chocolate bar has been retold in movies and on stage countless times, but the latest move by Playful Productions to cast girls in the titular role has left some baffled.

Producers hired two young actresses to play Charlie, who will alternate with two boys in the role, as the production tours the UK.

Audiences have said they were left stunned by the swap, and questioned why it was necessary, The Sun reports.

It comes after backlash earlier this year to the proposed editing of Roald Dahl's classic children's books to make them less 'offensive' to modern sensibilities.

Roald Dahl's children's book tells the story of a little boy who wins a trip to a chocolate factory

Young actress Amelia Minto was cast to play Charlie Bucket alongside three other children

Noah Walton is one of the boys taking up the role of Charlie, who famously finds a golden ticket in a chocolate bar

Young actresses Amelia Minto and Jessie-Lou Harvie were cast as Charlie Bucket for the latest production, and are sharing the role with boys Isaac Sudgen and Noah Walton.

One theatregoer in Cardiff reportedly said they were 'stunned' to see Charlie was 'now a girl'.

And a source also told The Sun: 'It just confuses the audience. The story is a classic and has nothing to do with gender so it just seems like change for the sake of being woke.

'Dahl's stories and characters were genius. Viewers don't want or need them to be altered.'

Whether or not to rewrite classic works has become a hot topic of debate in recent months, with criticism that edits could curb writers' 'freedom of expression'.

The beloved story of a boy who discovers a golden ticket in a chocolate bar has been retold in movies and on stage countless times

Publisher Puffin announced in February that words such as 'fat' should be removed from works like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

Characters such as Augustus Gloop were expected to be referred to only as 'enormous' and Oompa Loompas made gender neutral.

But following criticism, including from the Queen who demanded they did not put curbs on 'freedom of expression', the publisher made a huge U-turn, saying they had 'listened to the debate'.

In recent months, publishers have edited out words deemed offensive in books by late authors Dahl, Christie, Wodehouse and Fleming.

Playful Productions has been contacted for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer was accused of trying to 'gerrymander' General Elections over plans to hand millions of EU residents a vote in choosing British governments.

The Labour leader faced claims he was trying to roll back Brexit after reports said he planned to include the proposal in his party's next manifesto.

Last night there were suggestions as many as four million EU nationals who live in the UK and pay tax here could get a new right to vote in General Elections.

At present, EU nationals living in the UK are allowed to vote in local elections but not general ones. The Labour plan would potentially be coupled with votes for settled migrants and 16 and 17-year-olds.

When Sir Keir was bidding to be Labour leader in January 2020 he branded the treatment of EU residents after the Brexit referendum as 'shameful'.

When Sir Keir was bidding to be Labour leader in January 2020 he branded the treatment of EU residents after the Brexit referendum as 'shameful'.

Tory MP and ex-Brexit Minister David Jones accused him of a 'patent attempt to gerrymander the voting system in the UK, which should be rejected by all reasonable politicians'

The Labour leader, who has previously called for a second Brexit referendum, said: 'The Government should give all EU nationals living in the UK full voting rights in future Elections.'

He added: 'They are our neighbours and friends and families.'

Yesterday, a Labour Party spokesman told the Sunday Telegraph that Sir Keir 'fundamentally believes that if you work hard and contribute to this country it is fair and right that you should also have a say in decisions being made for your community'.

But amid claims that migrants and younger voters would favour Labour, Tory MP and ex-Brexit Minister David Jones accused him of a 'patent attempt to gerrymander the voting system in the UK, which should be rejected by all reasonable politicians'.

He added: 'Even when we were in the EU, EU nationals here couldn't vote in General Elections in this country.

'It makes no logical sense at all, now that we have left.'
The ex-Marine was described as a 'great kid' who 'could always be counted on'

Relatives of Daniel Penny have slammed his manslaughter charge as 'disgusting'

Friends and family of ex-Marine Daniel Penny have slammed his manslaughter charge for the subway chokehold killing of Jordan Neely as 'disgusting.'

The 24-year-old veteran's loved ones said he 'could always be counted on when you needed help' and feel he is being 'railroaded' by the legal system.

'Here's a young man who served our country,' said Justine Baldwin, Penny's cousin, to the New York Post.

'What about the other two gentlemen on the subway who were helping him (restrain Neely)? They haven't even been named.'

The former Marine has received an outpouring of support in the wake of the May 1 death, and a crowdfunding effort has already soared past $1 million.

Ex-Marine Daniel Penny was described by family and friends as 'calm' and a 'fun kid'

Penny has been charged with manslaughter after killing homeless schizophrenic Jordan Neely in a chokehold on May 1

Penny was arrested this week for the chokehold killing of Neely on a Manhattan subway, who was allegedly threatening a subway car before Penny and others subdued him.

While footage of Penny restraining Neely sparked controversy, his relatives have described him as 'calm' and a 'fun kid'.

Some have attempted to depict the veteran as a privileged individual in the aftermath of the incident, but those that knew him revealed he grew up in a middle-class military family in Long Island.

'He was always there for his family and his sisters,' added Baldwin. 'Danny has always been calm, he comes from a calm family.'

Neighbors reportedly added that he even lived out of a van at one time, while he previously shared a three-bedroom home with his three sisters and parents.

'Danny was always fun and goofy and never harmed anyone,' said the Marine's friend Devin Marino.

'He was always super inclusive,' he added. 'His family was really nice and had an open door policy.'

The veteran's friends say he was 'always fun and goofy and never harmed anyone'. Penny's high school yearbook page from West Islip High School in New York is seen pictured

Jordan Neely, a homeless man and Michael Jackson impersonator, had his mental health deteriorate drastically in recent years, according to his family

Neighbors who knew Penny and his family in West Islip also praised the veteran, with Marcia Mulcahy, who lived across the street from him for four years, describing him as 'a lovely kid.'

'The family could not have been nicer,' she added. 'Just look at the fundraiser to see how people feel about him.

'We're all contributing to it. He was just trying to help on the subway. It was obviously a scary situation and it all went wrong. But he didn't go in there trying to hurt anyone. He was trying to help.'

Mulcahy was referencing a GiveSendGo fundraiser set up by Penny's attorney's to fund his legal fees, which has already skyrocketed past $1 million.

The page hit the $1million mark just hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted a link to the page.

On Friday, Penny, 24, was freed pending trial hours after turning himself in at a police precinct and appearing in court to answer criminal charges. He did not enter a plea.

Bail bondsman Ira Judelson told DailyMail.com Penny was 'very quiet and nervous' and was 'respectful' as he was arrested and arraigned.

A fundraiser for Daniel Penny's legal fees quickly passed the $1 million mark

Penny, 24, was arraigned on a second degree manslaughter charge which carries a sentence of up to 15 years. He is pictured with his attorney

Penny is pictured being put in the back of a police car in handcuffs May 12, 2023

Penny's lawyer revealed the veteran had been deployed twice over four years of service with the Marines, where he rose to the rank of sergeant before he was honorable discharged in 2021.

He handed himself in to police after the death of Neely, a former subway performer who was renowned for his Michael Jackson impersonation. In recent years he had fallen on hard times and was battling schizophrenia.

Protests erupted after footage of Penny putting him in a chokehold was released, while others have embraced the Marine as a hero.

Penny's lawyers argued he was acting in self-defense, while attorney's for Neely's family said he wasn't harming anyone and didn't deserve to die.
The family of beloved school teacher feared dead in a shark attack have broken their silence.

Simon Baccanello, 46, went missing on Saturday morning following reports he had been attacked by a shark while surfing at Walkers Rock on the west coast of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

The search resumed for the local teacher, who began working at Elliston Area School in January, at first light this morning.

Elliston Area School teacher Simon Baccanello is feared dead after a shark attack

The beloved teacher was surfing near Elliston on South Australia's west coast (pictured)

In a statement, Mr Baccanello's family said they were 'grateful for the support of the Elliston community, family and friends'.

'The family are grateful for the support of the Elliston community, family and friends, and would appreciate their privacy as they process this tragic loss,' Mr Baccanello's family said.

Mr Baccanello had been surfing at the popular local beach around 10am on Saturday morning when he was attacked.

A teenage boy, 13, was among those in the water who witnessed the horrifying attack.

Jaiden Millar, 22, was in the water when the teacher was attacked.

'It was such a confronting incident. There were 15 or 20 people out there today. 'It could have been anyone,' Mr Millar told The Advertiser.

He saw the teacher's surfboard 'tombstoning' around 500m off shore, which is when the surfer is pulled down deep and their board stands upright in the water like a headstone.

'He was gone. (We) saw the shark just thrashing around out the back. The shark's obviously let go and come back and got him for a third time,' Mr Millar said.

Mr Baccanello taught maths, science and health and physical education and had quickly become a much-loved and well respected member of community since moving to Elliston.

'He's just been a good teacher for the kids,' a shocked local told the paper.

'In a small town like this everyone gets affected by it.'

Another local who laid flowers at the scene on Sunday morning said 'he was doing what he loved'.

Heartbroken friends have taken to to social media to pay tribute to Mr Baccanello.

'RIP my brother, taken way too soon and one of the nicest guys I've ever met,' one mate posted.

One woman added: 'He was one of a kind and a heart of gold.'

South Australia Police confirmed the search was still underway, with members of the community and the SES involved.

Superintendent Paul Bahr, Officer in Charge of Eyre and Western Local Service Area thanked the local community for their help during the search.

'It's not easy when it's a local involved but we commend their strength and their want to assist,' Superintendent Bahr said.

'We will continue to search with the assistance of local emergency services and other resources.'

Elliston is located about 650km from Adelaide, and is a spot loved by tourists for its pristine beaches.
Abhi, a growing embedded finance platform in the Menap region, has announced it has made history by issuing Islamic bonds worth $7.1 million. The bond issuance is a significant milestone for both Abhi, and the region, as no other Fintech in the region has successfully achieved this before.

The bond issuance follows Abhis qualification for the International Selection Panel (ISP) by Endeavour, and its selection by Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to boost expansion into the Middle East, where it is partnering with companies to financially empower them and their employees.

Sukuk, or Islamic bonds, are a Sharia-compliant financial instrument, meaning they are based on Islamic principles, which makes them attractive to investors who want to support businesses align with their Islamic values.

PACRA rating

In 2022, Abhi was assigned a long-term instrument rating of AA and a short-term rating of A1+ by PACRA - a first for a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in Pakistan. These ratings enabled Abhi to issue the Islamic bonds. Demand for the Sukuk exceeded expectations, with subscriptions reaching twice the anticipated amount due to Abhis strong credit ratings, creditworthiness and profitability.

Abhi's successful issuance of Sukuk is a significant achievement for the company, and the broader financial industry in Pakistan. It represents a new era of financial innovation in the country and is expected to have a positive impact on the economy.

Omair Ansari, CEO and co-founder of Abhi, said: We are honoured to have the support of PACRA and all the investors to launch this first-of-a-kind Sukuk. This is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication, and our commitment to supporting businesses and their employees in Pakistan. With this new funding, we can help ease the financial burden on struggling companies and provide much-needed relief through working capital financing during these challenging times."-- TradeArabia News Service
The Democrat governor of North Carolina theatrically vetoed a bill which would all but ban abortion in his state - setting the stage for a clash with the Republican-controlled House and Senate.

Roy Cooper, who is strongly pro-choice, held a rally on Saturday in his capital, Raleigh.

In front of a crowd waving placards proclaiming 'politicians make crappy doctors,' Cooper brandished his rubber veto stamp.

'There are three things that I need to do,' he declared.

'First, I need a veto message - an official veto message that I must sign. The second thing I need to do is give it the veto stamp.'

The crowd erupted in wild applause, as the 65-year-old former attorney general dramatically stamped the document.

Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor of North Carolina, is seen on Saturday stamping his veto on a bill to ban abortion after 12 weeks

Cooper organized a rally on Saturday to celebrate his stamping of the veto

'The veto stamp has been applied. Now it's time for me to sign under the veto stamp,' he said, pausing to sign.

'We now have a vetoed bill,' he thundered.

Such legislative procedures are usually done without fanfare, and behind closed doors.

But Cooper's high profile performance illustrates the stakes of the battle: Republicans are now set on overriding Cooper's veto, and Cooper must fight to ensure that does not happen.

Four Republicans - three members of the state House and one state senator - have vowed to protect abortion rights.

Their party leaders will try and convince them to abandon their positions and tow the party line: Cooper is intent on keeping them on his side.

If both chambers approve the override by three-fifths majority, the bill becomes law. If it does not get the votes, then Cooper's veto remains.

WATCH: North Carolinas governor Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that would ban nearly all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. pic.twitter.com/iV9MobBVNV  MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 13, 2023

An abortion rights activist is seen on Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina

A group of doctors stood on stage with Cooper as he vetoed the bill

Lets keep up this momentum and stop this abortion ban. pic.twitter.com/Sd5BFJ2fYU  Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) May 13, 2023

The bill whizzed through the legislature in fewer than 48 hours in early May, drawing criticism from Democrats and abortion rights supporters who urged a period of lengthier analysis and debate typical for such legislation.

The measure would ban elective abortions after 12 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies and medical emergencies.

It would also require doctors to be present when abortion medication is given and those seeking medical abortions to have an in-person consultation with a doctor 72 hours before the procedure.

That would make it more difficult for out-of-state abortion seekers to obtain the service in North Carolina.

Republican lawmakers called the bill 'common-sense legislation' that represented a compromise that stopped short of the more restrictive bans opposed by a majority of U.S. voters.

Democratic opponents called it 'devastatingly cruel,' and said it would force women into seeking illegal abortions.

The bill includes funding for foster and child care as well as paid parental leave.

Kamala Harris, the vice president, condemned the bill, tweeting on May 4 that the bill was 'extreme' and risked women's lives.

'Republican elected officials in North Carolina have passed an extreme abortion ban that would interfere with critical medical care and put women's health and lives at risk,' she said.

'@POTUS and I will continue to fight to restore the protections of Roe under federal law.'

Cooper on Saturday told the rally: 'This bill has nothing to do with making women safer and everything to do with banning abortion.

Cooper is seen with his veto stamp, as doctors behind him cheer

'If just one Republican finds the courage, if just one Republican listens to doctors, if just one Republican is unafraid to stand up to the political bosses, if just one Republican keeps that promise made to the people, then we can stop this ban.'

Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, told CNN she is confident lawmakers will override Cooper's veto and dismissed his efforts to 'press these Republican members into voting his way.'

Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the anti-abortion group North Carolina Values Coalition, criticized Cooper for vetoing the bill and for holding his rally the day before Mother's Day.

'His actions would crush provisions to give women more opportunities to choose life, improve safety standards of clinics, and stop the barbaric painful practice of partial birth abortion,' she said.

Near-total abortion bans have taken effect in 14 states since the U.S. Supreme Court revoked federal abortion rights in June 2022, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy research group.

Abortions in North Carolina rose by 37 percent, more than any other state, in the first two months after the ruling, according to a study by the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit that promotes abortion rights and research.

North Carolina had been a haven for women seeking abortion care as Southern states tightened restrictions.
A wild brawl broke out at a Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota on Saturday when dozens of supporters of rival candidates clashed on stage.

The convention for the Minneapolis Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party's Ward 10 ended with at least one person hospitalized, another needing medical attention at the scene and no endorsement.

'This is embarrassing,' shouted convention chair Sam Doten as the ugly scenes escalated. 'We are shutting this down - this is no longer safe.'

The confrontation erupted as backers of Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai took to the stage sending supporters of her challenger, Nasri Warsame, into a rage.

A Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota plunged into chaos as dozens of supporters of rival candidates clashed

Local party leaders condemned the violence which was spurred when supporters of Warsame began shouting and jeering at Chughtai backers.

A man waving a Warsame sign was the first to rush the stage, before several others joined him, shouting and banging on tables - bringing proceedings to a halt.

The Minneapolis Police Department said it responded to reports of people fighting but did not observe any altercations and made no arrests.

A man in his 30s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and paramedics treated a woman in her 40s at the scene, according to CBS News.

In a Facebook post after the clashes, Warsame said his campaign manager was 'assaulted by one of the other campaign staff member, and he's now being transported to hospital by an ambulance.'

Local party leaders condemned the violence which was spurred when supporters of Warsame began shouting and jeering at Chughtai backers

The Minneapolis Police Department said they responded to reports of people fighting, but did not observe any altercations and made no arrests

'The convention was shut down due to turmoil, and all the people were instructed to exit the building,' Warsame continued.

'No endorsement at this point, but more questions to ask regarding the process.'

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin described the incident as 'extremely disheartening.'

'I would like to extend an apology to the delegates, volunteers, and campaign teams who attended today's convention... This should never have happened.'

Chughtai slammed her opponent for failing to prevent his supporters from rushing the stage, claiming more than a dozen of her backers were 'physically assaulted.'

'Eventually, our supporters locked themselves in our hospitality room, so they would be safe and away from a rapidly escalating and dangerous situation,' she said.

'The Warsame campaign followed us off the floor and was only held back by a group of brave volunteers who blocked a hallway while our supporters were able to escape from the locked hospitality room out a back door of the building to safety.'

The fighting broke out after supporters of City Councilmember Aisha Chughtai, pictured, took to the stage

Challenger Nasri Warsame, pictured, said his campaign manager was assaulted in the brawl

Minneapolis DFL Chair Briana Rose condemned the scenes on Twitter, as she confirmed that 'several DFL volunteers were assaulted.'

'The behavior displayed today was despicable and unacceptable,' Lee wrote. 'I don't know the next steps yet. But there will be repercussions.'

Speaking to the Star Tribune, Wedge Live blogger John Edwards, who shared the footage of the melee, said it was unclear what exactly sparked the clashes.

'I don't know what triggered it,' he said. 'People just kind of spontaneously came forward to the stage.'
Anthony Albanese has shared a touching message to celebrate Mother's Day and recognise those who are spending the day without their loved ones.

In the bittersweet social media post, the Prime Minister also paid tribute to his own mother, Maryanne, who died aged 65 on May 25, 2002.

'Mother's Day is a special day. Yet for me and many others it's always a bit difficult,' Mr Albanese wrote, alongside a series of photos of him and his late mum together.

Anthony Albanese has shared a touching message to celebrate Mother's Day and recognise those who are spending the day without their mums

'Mother's Day was the day my mum went to hospital and never came back.'

Mr Albanese added that every Mother's Day, he remembered how much his mum sacrificed for him.

'She always gave me unconditional love. And I feel very privileged to have had that. Mums really are special,' he wrote.

'A happy Mother's Day to all the mums out there.'

Mr Albanese shared similar messages on Mother's Day last year and in 2021, when he was still opposition leader.

He often tells the story of his upbringing in public housing in Sydney's inner west, explaining he and his mum didn't have much but he knew how much they loved each other.

Mr Albanese's mum raised him on her own while receiving a disability pension as she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis that crippled her joints and stopped her from working.

And it was his mother's influence and their struggle to make ends meet that inspired the man who would become prime minister to get into politics with a promise not to leave anyone behind.

In 2022, Mr Albanese said his mother was brave for bringing him into the world.

In the bittersweet social media post, the Prime Minister also paid tribute to his own mother, Maryanne, who died aged 65 on May 25, 2002

Mr Albanese's mum raised him on her own while receiving a disability pension as she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis that crippled her joints and stopped her from working

'She made the courageous decision in 1963 to keep a child she had out of wedlock,' he said.

'She chose, in order to  to deal with the pressures that were on a young Catholic woman at that time, in those circumstances, to take my father's name, and I was raised being told that he had died.

'That's a tough decision. It says something about the pressure that was placed on women.

'And pressures that are still placed on women, when faced with difficult circumstances.

'So, the fact that  that young kid is now running for prime minister, says a lot about her. And her courage.

'But also says a lot about this country. About this country.'

Mr Albanese believed his father had been killed in a car accident until he was about 15 when mother Maryanne revealed she had had fallen pregnant after a brief fling with an Italian steward she met on a voyage from Sydney to England.

Maryanne died in 2002 aged 65. 'She was spent and compared with her life mine's been an absolute dream,' Mr Albanese told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Albanese finally met his father, Carlo, in Italy in 2009. Carlo died of cancer in 2014.
Moretti claimed the move could end up costing upwards of $20,000 as they rush to find alternative accommodation for family and friends

The hotel rooms will now be used for migrants who are being bussed to Upstate New York to alleviate the pressure on NYC

Gary Moretti and Deanna Mifsud were left 'devastated' after Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, New York, cancelled 30 rooms they booked for their wedding guests

A couple's wedding plans are in chaos after an Upstate New York hotel hosting their guests abruptly cancelled their rooms to make space for a migrant influx.

Gary Moretti, 37, and Deanna Mifsud, 35, slammed The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh after discovering it had cancelled 30 rooms they had booked just weeks before their nuptials.

'It was absolutely devastating,' Moretti told DailyMail.com. 'It really just hit us hard, despite having contracts and thinking we were locked in - it's disrespectful.'

Moretti said the move, which comes after the end of Title 42 sparked a rush of migrants across the southern border, could end up costing the couple upwards of $20,000 as they scramble to find new accommodation for their 160 guests.

'It's absolutely upsetting how they're treating American people. How do tax paying people have to deal with this?' he asked.

Gary Moretti, left, and Deanna Mifsud, right, had their upcoming wedding thrown into chaos when the hotel hosting their guests cancelled their booking to house migrants

The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, New York, abruptly cancelled the bookings for 30 rooms for the couple's June 24 nuptials

The rooms will now house migrants (pictured) who have been bussed to the area as NYC grapples with large numbers of asylum seekers pouring over the southern border

Moretti, who is originally from New York but moved to Florida several years ago, chose Crossroads as it was just 20 minutes from the lavish Lippincott Manor in Walkill, the venue for their June 24 nuptials.

He now needs new accommodation and transport for guests, including for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, after the hotel gave priority to migrants.

The 37-year-old said he only discovered the crisis after he saw on the news that hotels upstate were accepting large numbers of migrants pouring over the border.

'I had to find out myself,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I called the management company because I was concerned about my bookings, and they just told me: "You don't have to be concerned, because it's all cancelled".'

'They were so disrespectful, they just played it off like it was nothing.'

Moretti said it was left up to him to inform his guests, some of whom had been preparing to travel from the West Coast, that their hotel for his wedding next month was cancelled.

The wedding guests were set to flock from across the country, from states including California, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota and New Jersey.

'None of the guests were notified,' he said. 'If we hadn't sought it out, they might never have told us.'

Moretti and Mifsud are now scrambling for last-minute accommodation for their 160 guests including their bridesmaids and groomsmen

A man holds a sign to welcome the migrants to The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, New York

The migrants (pictured) were among the more than 10,000 people a day who crossed the southern border in record numbers amid the end of Title 42

The large number of migrants in Upstate New York is the result of Mayor Eric Adams' decision to bus the asylum seekers north to alleviate the pressure on the Big Apple, as more than 10,000 people a day crossed the southern border in record numbers.

The Crossroads Hotel just days earlier booted more than a dozen homeless veterans from their rooms to make way for the migrant influx.

Sharon Toney-Finch, who runs the Yerik Israel Toney Foundation helping the homeless individuals, said while the hotel did not explicitly give a reason for the move, she felt the timing was revealing.

She said the $88 a day her organization pays for the stay is dwarfed by what the city will pay them to house migrants, with some reports indicating hotels can make almost $200 a room per night.

'Thats so unfair, because at the end of the day, we are a small nonprofit, and we do pay $88 a day for a veteran to be there,' she added.

The couple's guests were set to flock from across the country, from states including California, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota and New Jersey

Migrants pictured arriving at The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, where homeless veterans were kicked out to prepare for the influx

Moretti, a firefighter who moved to Florida several years ago for work, condemned his former state's handling of the migrant crisis and said he barely recognizes his former home.

'The way they approached it - including the homeless veterans - it just blows my mind,' Moretti added.

'Everything I knew of New York is destroyed.

'I'm concerned about the way this country is going. It's not the migrant's fault, but this state doesn't want to do anything.'

Moretti and Mifsud are not alone in their predicament, with the Crossroads Hotel also cancelling rooms set to be used in the wedding of Queens couple Sean Plunkett and Nicole Hoeffrle.

Plunkett told CBS News the situation left him and his bride-to-be feeling 'very cast aside'.

Choice Hotels, the brand that Crossroads operates under, has been contacted for comment by DailyMail.com.

Queens couple Sean Plunkett, left, and Nicole Hoeffrle, right, also had their wedding bookings cancelled at the last minute by The Crossroads Hotel

Migrants are lined up to be processed to make asylum claims at a makeshift migrant camp in El Paso on May 11, 2023

Security forces watched on as migrants tried to enter the U.S. after crossing the Rio Grande River, in Matamoros, Mexico ahead of the end of Title 42

Hours before Title 42 was lifted Thursday, hundreds of migrants lined up on U.S. soil in Yuma to begin the process of applying for asylum

The sharp uptick in border crossings has been fueled by the expiration of immigration policy Title 42.

The pandemic-era order allowed authorities to use a public health law to rapidly expel migrants crossing over the border, denying them the right to seek asylum.

The US turned away migrants more than 2.8 million times under the order but it came to an end at midnight eastern time on Thursday.

A record number of migrants immediately flooded over the border, however reports indicate the flow has reduced in the days since.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held up to 28,000 migrants at its facilities as the order expired, far beyond its stated capacity and in what appeared to be a record, two federal officials requesting anonymity and the Border Patrol's union said.

As the fallout from the expiration of the order continues, DailyMail.com obtained new photos showing dozens of migrants being apprehended by Border Patrol as they illegally cross into the US.

Border crossings topped 10,000 a day several times in the last week, and Customs and Border Protection are struggling to keep a grasp on the rush to process the swarm of arrivals.
A woman has opened up about the 'extremely lonely' experience of being forced to live in her car due to Australia's deepening housing crisis.

Wendy, from Queensland, spent seven years living in shared accommodation, shelling out over $200 a week for a room.

But the 52-year-old has been forced to live in her car for the past two-and-a-half years after being unable to afford the rent.

Wendy (pictured), from Queensland, has spent the last two and a half years living in her car after being unable to afford the rent in shared accommodation

She believes politicians have turned a blind eye to Australia's housing crisis and claimed the $40 extra a fortnight announced in the budget for those on welfare was 'definitely' not enough.

'There's no help out there for us, I've applied for housing and been denied,' she told 7News.

In Tuesday night's Budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed a $40-per-fortnight cash boost to 1.1million welfare recipients.

Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment (partnered), Austudy, ABSTUDY, the Disability Support Pension (Youth) and the special benefit will increase by the same amount from September 2023.

At present, payments for a single adult with no dependent children are $693.10 per fortnight, or $49.50 a day, and slightly less for those in a live-in relationship.

Wendy revealed the alienating and 'extremely lonely' experience of living in her car as she is pushed to the margins of society.

'It's intimidating when people are walking past and staring at you  you feel like an extreme oddball in this world,' she said.

Wendy, who used to work in construction cleaning, relies on welfare to get by, which is 'extremely hard'.

She has a storage shed for some of her belongings but the cost of that is now set to increase from $45 to $60 a week.

'I'm now going to even be pushed out of the storage,' she said.

Wendy is able to access fresh food once a fortnight when she visits community hub Encircle Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre, Queensland.

Otherwise, she can only keep fresh food in her car for a maximum of three days.

Her advice for those in a similar situation is to 'downsize to the bare necessities you need'

And now that it's getting colder, she parks her car in underground car parks to escape the elements.

'As soon as they see you on camera, they're concerned about me being there,' she said.

'So I will be kicked out of there soon too.'

Wendy allows herself a gym membership so that she can shower and the occasional coffee and hot dinner.

If she's unable to keep up with her gym payments, she exercises until she's warm and then braves the cold public showers.

It comes as a leading charity has claimed rents in Australia have 'never been less affordable'.

Anglicare charity revealed in their latest rental affordability report that there were only four rentals in the entire country that were affordable for a single person receiving Jobseeker.

The charity said the crisis was 'systemic', adding: 'Renting in Australia has become harder, with rental stress going up as listings become more expensive and homes becoming less secure as the vacancy rate continues to drop.'
A prosecutor in rural Arkansas whose uncle is among the state's most dangerous pedophiles has been accused of 'actively working to protect' him.

Jana Bradford, a 54-year-old married mother of two, currently serves as the prosecuting attorney for Arkansas' 9th Judicial District West.

Her uncle, Barry Walker, 59, was arrested in June 2022 after hundreds of homemade videos of him raping girls aged from two to 14 were found at his Glenwood, Arkansas home.

Walker, a former Air Force flight surgeon, pleaded guilty to abusing at least 31 girls from 1997 onwards, and in October 2022 was given multiple life sentences.

His girlfriend, brother, and another niece have been criminally charged with covering up for him, to varying degrees. All live in the small town of 2,200 people that Bradford represents as prosecutor.

Now the spotlight is on Bradford, who for 20 years has sought to assist her uncle with legal issues following his first conviction for sexually abusing a child, in 2000, and tried to clear his name.

Jana Bradford worked for 20 years to clear her uncle's name and is now mentioned in a civil lawsuit alleging she and other relatives shielded him, to protect her election campaign for local prosecutor

Barry Walker has been described one of the worst pedophiles Arkansas has ever known after hundreds of homemade videos of him raping girls aged from two to 14 were found at his Glenwood, Arkansas home.

In 2004, Bradford helped her uncle apply for a pardon. It was denied

A civil lawsuit has been filed alleging a cover-up orchestrated by the Walker's 'inner circle,' including Bradford.

'You don't rape this many girls this many times in a small Arkansas town unless someone is running interference for you,' said David Carter, a Texarkana lawyer representing at least 14 of the victims or their parents and guardians.

The case claims that Walker's acts were hushed up by relatives to protect Bradford's election campaign, to become prosecutor.

She was elected in May 2022 - 16 days before her uncle's home was finally raided.

Bradford has strongly denied doing anything to shield her uncle, and insisted that she was not aware that he sexually abused children after his first conviction.

'Ms Bradford denies in the most emphatic terms possible that she knew Barry Walker was molesting children or that she did anything whatsoever to conceal his depraved behavior,' said her lawyer, Erin Casinelli.

'Since Ms Bradford did not even know about Barry Walker's continuing criminal acts, she certainly cannot be held responsible for his actions and the harm he caused.'

Cassinelli said all of the lawsuit's allegations about Bradford are 'absolutely false,' and have not been verified or supported by factual evidence.

Bradford has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

The special prosecutor overseeing Walker's case and related ones, who was assigned in part due to Bradford's conflicts of interest, said that a criminal investigation of 'secondary targets' remains ongoing.

Walker was convicted in 2000 of two felony counts of sexually abusing a child - attacking an eight-year-old girl in the library of her family home, when Walker and his then-wife were invited to the house for dinner.

He was sentenced to five years in prison, and his wife divorced him.

Walker served less than a year of his sentence, and was paroled early for good behavior.

In 2004, Bradford helped him apply for a pardon from Governor Mike Huckabee, arguing that he wanted to be allowed to practice medicine again. Huckabee refused.

As a condition of his release, Walker - who remained a convicted sex offender - was ordered to be accompanied at all times when in the presence of children.

Yet, according to the lawsuit, he flagrantly flouted the laws - and Bradford and others turned a blind eye.

The suit, obtained by NBC News, claims that she and other family members regularly 'saw prepubescent females riding in Barry's truck around Glenwood, riding horses with Barry at the fairgrounds, hanging out at Barry's house and regularly spending the night,' but they did nothing to intervene.

Walker is seen in October 2022, receiving 39 life sentences without the possibility of parole

Bradford wrote a letter in 2014 on Walker's behalf disputing allegations he had abused a four-year-old girl. Charges were dropped

During weekly family meetings, according to the lawsuit, Bradford and at least two of Walker's siblings discussed 'how it was strange how Barry always had young girls around him,' despite being a registered sex offender.

He faced multiple accusations, and yet remained free.

In 2004, 2006, 2010 and in 2014, he was accused of abusing children, according to police and the sex offender assessment report.

In 2014, after a four-year-old girl accused him of sexually abusing her, Walker was arrested and booked into jail.

Bradford and other family members posted his $25,000 bond, hired a lawyer for him, paid his employees and kept his construction business running, the lawsuit says.

Bradford, as a private attorney, wrote a letter to the prosecutor pleading his case.

Charges were dropped.

In 2018, Bradford wrote to ask that her uncle be removed from the sex offenders' registry.

Cassinelli, her attorney, said the letters were sent 'in her capacity as a private attorney' and 'included routine matters handled by attorneys for clients in jurisdictions around the country.'

Bradford in 2018 tried to get her uncle removed from the sex offenders' registry

'There is no basis to suggest she thereby became responsible for the acts of another person,' he added.

Carter, the lawyer representing victims in the civil suit, alleges that Bradford was aware of various reports of sexual abuse against her uncle over the years.

'She was actively working to protect her uncle against these claims even while she was a deputy prosecutor,' he said.

In the case, it notes that Bradford wrote in her 2018 letter that her uncle was not dangerous.

The lawsuit says the line 'may well be the falsest claim ever made in a legal filing in the State of Arkansas.'
Heartless criminals have stolen $100,000 from a 90-year-old grandmother in a cruel computer scam.

Western Sydney woman Brenda* saw a security alert on her computer but didn't think it was suspicious as it included a phone number to call to fix the IT issue.

'I was given a phone number from Victoria, and so I rang it and a lady named Jade answered and said she was from Apple security,' she said.

'Jade' started to 'fix' the issue, but then told Brenda, who lives in a retirement village, they owed her a $500 refund and would need her internet banking details.

The elderly woman had never used online banking before, having stuck with cheques and visits to her local bank, so 'Jade' helped set it up.

Heartless criminals have stolen $100,000 from a 90-year-old western Sydney grandmother in a cruel computer scam. An elderly woman is pictured using a laptop computer

In doing so, the scammers installed remote access software on Brenda's computer, which allowed them access to her information.

When it was set up, Jade then told her they had accidentally pressed too many zeros and had refunded her $50,000 rather than $500.

Brenda was then told she had to immediately go to her bank to pay the overpayment back to them.

She became flustered by Jade's 'very insistent' tone, she told 7News.

'I was very frightened and scared, and I felt like they were watching me and listening to me,' she said.

Through their remote access, the scammers had transferred $500 from one of Brenda's accounts to another, tricking her into thinking they were legitimate.

They told her to transfer $50,000 into an account labelled ACN Constructions Pty Ltd NSW, and if the bank asked why, she was to say it was for renovations.

She said a bank official took her into an office and after a few checks processed the transfer.

Unbeknownst to her, Brenda had just lost $50,000, but the scam was not over.

Jade and a male scammer called and said the same thing had happened again and she needed to make another refund.

They were again very insistent and told her not to tell anyone what was happening. Brenda did what they asked and lost another $50,000.

The elderly woman had never used online banking before, so 'Jade' (a scammer) helped set it up. Pictured is a stock image of a computer scammer

Brenda realised she had missed some warning signs such as being pressured to act quickly so she didn't have time to think things out properly. Pictured is an elderly woman looking at a computer

When she told her sons what had happened, they realised she was the victim of fraud.

'We were horrified ... Mum has been a customer with ANZ for 60 years, how could they let this happen?' Brenda's son said.

They had thought that because she didn't have internet banking she was safe from scams, but they didn't realise the criminals would be able to take over her computer.

Brenda then realised she had missed some warning signs such as being pressured to act quickly so she didn't have time to think things out properly.

'People said "Well, why didn't you just hang up", but I was worried they would have kept ringing me. On the Tuesday, they rang me about 18 times,' she said.

An ANZ spokesperson told Channel 7 they 'continue to work with the banking sector and other industries, regulators and the government to address this issue.

'ANZ has robust processes and systems in place to protect our customers against fraud and scams,' they said.

'ANZ will never email, call or text message you, asking for personal information like your password, PIN, one-time password for payments, RSA token, ANZ Shield or ask you to transfer funds into another account.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted ANZ for comment.

* Not her real name
A woman is in hospital in a serious condition after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times in a domestic attack.

Police were called to a property in Lake Haven, near Wyong on the NSW Central Coast, at about 9pm on Saturday following reports a woman had been injured.

A 56-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds at the intersection of Lake Haven Drive and Stratford Avenue.

A 56-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital (pictured) in a serious but stable condition after she was stabbed multiple times in an alleged domestic violence-related attack

The woman was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Witnesses told police the woman was involved in an altercation with a man she knew while in the the driveway of a Pacific Highway home.

The woman ran away after neighbours tried to stop the alleged attack, while the man fled after allegedly smashing the windows of her car.

The 68-year-old allegedly broke into a nearby home and caused extensive damage with a hammer.

Police arrested the man at the property and charged him with a slew of domestic violence-related offences.

His charges include attempted murder, causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder, and break and enter.

NSW Police arrested a 68-year-old man in a nearby house that he had broken into after fleeing the scene. He has been charged with a slew of domestic violence-related offences

Police arrested the 68-year-old man inside a nearby home, which he allegedly broke into and caused extensive damage with a hammer.

The man was refused bail and is set to face Wyong Local Court on Monday.

If you or someone you know has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.
Nursing union leader Pat Cullen has called on Health Secretary Stephen Barclay to restart pay negotiations with a proposed rise in double digits as she warns the Prime Minister her members will not 'blink first' at the negotiation table.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members will begin a new ballot for strike action on May 23 after the existing six-month mandate ran out at the start of the month.

The majority of nursing unions have opted to accept the government's offer of a five percent pay rise plus a one-off payment worth up to 1,600 in England. It comes amid a widespread staffing crisis in the NHS which is seeing the government consider allowing doctors to train on the job without a degree.

But nurses in the union rejected the deal by a slender majority, leading the general secretary to admit she had 'underestimated' members after she advised them to vote in favour of it.

Ms Cullen, who described striking as one of the 'hardest decisions', told The Sunday Times fresh negotiations were needed to prevent six more months of action.

General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Pat Cullen has urged the government to give her members a pay rise in the double digits - the current offer is five percent

Ms Cullen attends a RCN picket line in Sheffield in January (second from right, front)

Speaking on the eve of the union's annual conference last night, she said: 'They (ministers) owe that to nursing staff not to push them to have to do another six months of industrial action right up to Christmas,' she said ahead of Sunday's RCN congress in Brighton, telling Mr Barclay talks need to 'start off in double figures'.

'It's just not right for the profession. It's not right for patients. But whose responsibility is it to resolve it? It is this government.'

Having pushed for a 19 percent pay rise, she had advised members to accept an offer of five percent - a deal they rejected despite being accepted by 14 other unions.

'It's not so long ago since the Prime Minister went on the media and very publicly said nurses are an exception,' she said when asked why nurses warrant a larger increase than other healthcare workers.

'I would totally agree with him... they should be made an exception because they are exceptional people.'

The mental health nurse, 58, from Co Tyrone, said patient safety was 'at the centre of everything that we do'.

'We will do nothing that will add further risk to the patients that we look after,' she said, saying increased pay would see nurses return to the profession and ease a staffing crisis.

'The truth is that patient safety cannot be guaranteed on any day of the week. How could you guarantee patient safety when you have 47,000 nurses from your workforce every single day and night?'

She warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not to take her members lightly.

'Looking back on this pay offer, I may personally have underestimated the members and their sheer determination,' she said.

'I think what I would be saying to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is 'Don't - don't make that same mistake, don't underestimate them'. She added her members will not 'blink first' at the negotiation table.

Healthcare workers hold placards as they demonstrate outside St Thomas' Hospital in London on May 1

Strikes have been ongoing in the NHS since December last year

'Nurses believe it's their duty and their responsibility because this government is not listening to them on how to bring it (the NHS) back from the brink and the message to the Prime Minister is that they are absolutely not going to blink first in these negotiations.'

The RCN recently held a 28-hour strike from April 30 to May 1, although were forced to shorten the planned 48-hour action following a ruling from the courts after a challenge by Health Secretary Steve Barclay.

An RCN spokesperson told MailOnline on Sunday: 'The negotiations covered two financial years which resulted in a consolidated NHS pay increase of nine percent.

'When our members rejected that, it is clear they expect an offer into double figures.'

Strikes have now been ongoing in the NHS for the past five months.

Separately, Welsh Unison members decided to accept a similar pay offer for staff in Wales, with four out of five voting in favour of the deal.

As well as a five percent increase, the offer to Welsh nurses includes a one-off payment of up to 1,190.

Other heath unions in Wales are also consulting their members on the offer.

They will discuss their results later this month ahead of a meeting with the Welsh government.

Unison official Jess Turner said: 'Health workers have sent a clear message.

'Of course, NHS staff want and deserve more, but they've opted to accept this offer and the certainty it brings them.

'This acceptance might end Unison's NHS dispute, but it doesn't solve the significant workforce issues facing the health service.

'The most pressing is tackling the growing staffing emergency and health worker burnout.

'NHS staff have told us they need money in their pockets now to deal with the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

'If this deal goes through NHS staff will receive their pay rise much sooner than in previous years.

'This sets an expectation for the way NHS pay is approached in future in Wales.'
NSW Police have launched an investigation into his death

The man had been arrested at the same unit hours prior

A man, 41, has died after falling from a Wollstonecraft unit

A man has died after falling from a unit just hours after he was arrested at the same address over a 'domestic incident'.

NSW Police were called to the apartment on Shirley Road at Wollstonecraft on Sydney's lower north shore about 11pm on Friday following reports of a domestic incident.

Officers spoke to a man and a woman, both aged 41, who lived at the unit before arresting the man.

He was taken to Chatswood Police Station, spoken to and released pending further investigation.

Police were called back to the address at 6am on Saturday, with reports the man had returned and was trying to 'gain entry' to the unit.

NSW Police were called to a unit on Shirley Road (pictured) at Wollstonecraft in North Sydney and found a man, 41, lying injured in a driveway after he reportedly fell from a unit

Officers arrived at the scene and found the man lying injured in the driveway under the unit after he is believed to have fallen.

Police attempted to provide first aid to the man before NSW paramedics arrived at the scene.

He was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

The man died from his injuries just at 11pm on Saturday.

Officers from the Kuring Gai Police Area Command have been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

The investigation will be independently reviewed and handed to the coroner.

The coroner will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the mans death.
An immigration centre has been over-run with mice that have infested bedding, kitchens and making detainees sick, horror video taken inside the facility shows.

Detainees at the Yongah Hill Detention Centre (YHIDC), located east of Perth, are protesting their 'inhumane' living conditions where they say mice scamper through their beds and nibble on their food.

Hugo Dimitri, whose name has been changed, said he was shocked to arrive at the centre and see mice 'walking through the room, going over my bags and everything'.

'I spoke with many inmates and (they) all confirmed that this problem with the mice invasion has persisted for more than a year,' he told 7News.

'All (have) complained to the guards and officers, but nothing has been done.'

Video that emerged last year showing a mouse scrambling in a sink at WA's Yongah Hill Detention Centre

Video released last August shows a mouse scrambling in a stainless steel sink at the detention centre.

Other videos and images allegedly show food packets and clothing with holes in them, mice inside the toaster, in the bedroom, bathrooms and in outdoor areas.

Dimitri claimed nothing has been done to fix the issue despite numerous complaints about detainees becoming sick.

'When I spoke with the people who are in charge, they were laughing, they said: 'This is a normal thing here',' Dimitri said.

'They are promising, promising, but in the end they don't do nothing.' it was aware of detainee reports, but denied there was a rodent infestation.'

Detainees have been protesting the living conditions that they say are so mouse-infested it is making them sic

The Australian Border Force, who is responsible for the facility said it was 'aware' of mice in the centre but denied it was an 'infestation'.

'When pests are reported in immigration detention facilities (IDFs), immediate action is taken to ensure their removal within a reasonable timeframe, as has been done on this occasion,' the spokesperson said without specifying was actions were taken.

Dimitri called conditions at the centre 'not humane' for the 254 people held there.

The detention centre is one of a number such facilities around Australia which holds people who have overstayed, been denied or breached their visa and those who have arrived without one.
The former premier will this week visit Taiwan where she will meet top officials

Liz Truss will warn the West to 'get real' about defending Taiwan as part of a 'global battle for freedom' in a speech that is set to infuriate China.

The ex-prime minister will this week visit Taiwan during which she will describe the stand-off between the island and Beijing as 'the most consequential struggle of our time'.

Ms Truss is expected to meet senior members of the Taiwanese government during her trip, while she will also deliver a hawkish speech to a thinktank on Wednesday.

She will describe Taiwan as sitting on the 'front line of the global battle for freedom' and claim only 'hard power' will deter an invasion of the island by China.

But the former premier's planned visit has already been criticised by Beijing, while Tory critics of Ms Truss have accused her of engaging in 'the worst kind of example of Instagram diplomacy'.

During her address to the Prospect Foundation think tank in Taipei on Wednesday, Ms Truss is expected to accuse Chinese President Xi Jinping of waging an 'ideological struggle with the free world'.

Liz Truss will warn the West to 'get real' about defending Taiwan as part of a 'global battle for freedom' in a speech that is set to infuriate China

The ex-prime minister will this week visit Taiwan during which she will describe the stand-off between the island and Beijing as 'the most consequential struggle of our time'

During her address to the Prospect Foundation think tank in Taipei, Ms Truss is expected to accuse Chinese President Xi Jinping of waging an 'ideological struggle with the free world'

According to the Sunday Express, the ex-PM will say: 'I have come here this week at the invitation of the Taiwan Government because I am an admirer of Taiwan and the Taiwanese people. I want to do all I can to support your continued success.

'I want to increase awareness around the world of the position you are in. I am also here because I believe this is the most consequential place in the world  in the most consequential struggle of our time.'

She is also set to describe Taiwan as sitting 'on the front line of the global battle for freedom', adding: 'The Chinese Communist Party is engaged in an ideological struggle with the free world  they are open about that.

'This is a battle of ideas as much as it is an attempt to grab power on the global stage.'

At the end of March, Britain successfully concluded negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - a 12-nation trade bloc.

The newspaper reported Ms Truss will call on CPTPP members to now push through Taiwan's own application for membership, but block China from ever joining.

'Not only would Taiwan joining boost UK-Taiwan trade, which already stands at 8.5billion, it would also help generate further economic links and resilience for this important democracy,' she will add.

'The UK should champion the fast tracking of Taiwan's accession in collaboration with key members.

'It is also vital that China is blocked from ever being a member of CPTPP.'

Ms Truss is set to issue a warning to Western nations that China can't be deterred from attempting to invade Taiwan without 'hard power'.

'We cannot pretend there can be meaningful deterrence without hard power,' she will say.

'And if we are serious about preventing conflict in the South China Sea, we need to get real about military and defence cooperation.

'We need a coordinated approach on what exports are licensed to be sent to Taiwan.'

Victor Gao, a media spokesman for the Chinese Communist Party, recently suggested Ms Truss's visit to Taiwan could heighten tensions and claimed it would 'further alienate relations between China and Britain'.

Meanwhile, senior Tory MP Alicia Kearns - who chairs the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee - branded Ms Truss's trip as 'performative' and 'the worst kind of example of Instagram diplomacy'.

'It is deeply unhelpful because it escalates the normal situation in Taiwan,' Ms Kearns said, as she highlighted how a recent visit by US politician Nancy Pelosi saw China fire missiles near Taiwan.

'Taiwanese people already have to live with more Chinese military manoeuvres because of Nancy Pelosi's visit.

'Liz Truss doesn't have any influence any more  this is more about keeping herself relevant.'

A spokesman for Ms Truss hit back at the remarks, saying: 'The former prime minister has been invited to visit by the Taiwan government.

'They are better placed to know what is in the interests of the Taiwanese people than the MP for Rutland.'
Zelensky today said: 'We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own'

Zelensky has said that Ukraine is preparing a counteroffensive to liberate Russian-occupied areas, not to target Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelensky said Ukraine's goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognised borders.

It was reported that leaked documents suggested Zelensky planned to capture areas in Russia to use as bargaining chips, despite Western governments insisting weapons they provide not be used to attack Russia.

But Zelensky today said: 'We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.'

It comes as the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7billion euros (2.2billion).

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) in Berlin, Zelensky said Ukraine's goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognised borders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive for a joint press conference following their meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin

According to an official interpreter, when asked about the leaked report, Zelensky said: 'We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia).

'And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.'

'We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognised internationally,' he added.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelensky to the German capital from Rome, where he had met on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greeted Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin on his first visit to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The military aid being given by Germany includes tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelensky thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine - and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

'German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!' he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17billion euros (15billion) in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

'We will support you for as long as necessary,' he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has since become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to the country.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greeted Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin on his first visit to the country since Russia invaded Ukraine

The night before Mr Zelensky's visit, the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (2.3 billion)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during an official welcome ceremony on May 14, 2023 at the Chancellery in Berlin

Weapons sent have included Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system.

Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelensky said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a 'fighter jet coalition' that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

'That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on,' he said.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelensky first met with Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Steinmeier and Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Zelensky of their support for his country's fight against the Russian invasion.

Announcing the new arms package, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelensky to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.
The police manhunt for the murderer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel will be shown in a new Channel 4 true crime series.

Merseyside Constabulary's exhaustive search for gunman Thomas Cashman, 34, was captured as it happened on camera.

And now footage from the dramatic hunt for the killer, who was jailed last month for a minimum of 42 years, will be broadcast across the UK.

It will be part of a new series following the force's Major Crime Unit as it tries to solve a series of gun murders which have blighted the area.

The show has been made by LA Productions, which has helped create a number of television favourites including Broken, which starred Sean Bean.

Olivia was fatally shot in the chest at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22 last year

Thomas Cashman, 34, was jailed for a minimum of 42 years, for murdering nine-year-old Olivia

A source told the Mirror: 'It's all very raw and will make for heartbreaking viewing.

'Channel 4 were filming with Merseyside Police last year when Olivia was killed on her doorstep and they had full access during their hunt for Cashman.'

Child killer Cashman shot dead nine-year-old Oliva at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool last August.

The cowardly drug dealer was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 42 years at a hearing he refused to attend.

Cashman had 'relentlessly pursued' his gun target, Joseph Nee, into Olivia's home, where the schoolgirl had left her bed after hearing the commotion.

The trial, which lasted almost four weeks, heard that Cashman had been 'scoping out' Nee, a convicted drug dealer, on the day of Olivia's death.

The jury was told he lay in wait for Nee in Kingsheath Avenue, armed with two guns, and then chased him, firing three shots in the street, when Nee left a house shortly before 10pm.

Nee ran towards the open door of Olivia's home after her mother had gone out to see what the noise was, the court heard.

The bullet that killed Olivia was fired through the front door, hitting the wrist of Ms Korbel - who was trying to hold the door shut - before striking Olivia in the chest.

There was a ring of steel outside Manchester Crown Court when the trial was heard this year

A woman who had a relationship with Cashman told the jury he came to her house after the shooting, where he changed his clothes and she heard him say he had 'done Joey'.

Mrs Justice Yip praised the bravery of the witness, who has been granted lifetime anonymity, and said: 'The defendant invented a defence designed to humiliate and undermine her.

'It did not work. She was subjected to lengthy questioning about the most intimate details, but she stood firm.

'I am sorry that she had to endure that but endure it she did, and her courage is to be applauded.'

Thomas Cashman, 34, was meant to kill drug dealer Joseph Nee, 36, but ended up shooting Olivia through her 46-year-old mother Cheryl's (pictured) hand on August 22, at their home in Dovecot, Liverpool

During his evidence, Cashman admitted being a 'high-level' cannabis dealer. But the father of two told the court: 'I'm not a killer, I'm a dad.'

The judge accepted that being taken away from his children was a loss for Cashman and for them, but added: 'It is a loss that he is wholly responsible for.'

A jury took more than nine hours to find Cashman guilty of Olivia's murder, the attempted murder of Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The Attorney General's Office last monthreceived a request to review Cashman's sentence as being 'unduly lenient' - but his own lawyers are to appeal for a cut in his jail term.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: 'LA Productions/Channel 4 have been filming with Merseyside Police since 2021 for an observational documentary series that will feature a range of cases.

'We're not in a position to talk about any specific cases as they are ongoing and some are not resolved.'
Distraught relatives have paid a warm tribute to a great-grandmother fighting for her life in hospital after being struck by a police escort for Sophie, Duchess of Wessex.

The collision happened at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl's Court, west London, at around 3.21pm on Wednesday, May 10.

An eyewitness said Ms Holland was 'thrown 40 feet across the road' after being struck by a motorbike.

In a statement shared with Sky News yesterday, family members described Mrs Holland as a 'beautiful, loving, kind and caring lady who would always put anyone before herself'.

Ms Holland's family were said to be 'deeply saddened and shocked' by the news she had been so seriously injured in the collision.

An 81-year-old woman who is in a coma after being hit by a police bike escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh has been pictured and named by family as Helen Holland (pictured)

A SEG (Special Escort Group) police bike can be seen inside a police cordon

They stated: 'Helen may be 81 years old but she is sprightly for her age and nothing stopped her living life to the full, spending precious time with her family, muddy walks with the dogs and lunches with friends is what she enjoyed most.'

Ms Holland, a mother-of-four, grandmother-of-ten and great-grandmother of even, was also described as a 'well-respected and popular' member of the community.

Her family added: 'The outpour of love and support the family have received from those that know her is hugely appreciated.

'We are all praying for a miracle and ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers too.'

Speaking on Friday, Ms Holland's son Martin and daughtew in law Lisa Marie said they were 'shocked and sickened' at her injuries.

They added: 'She is being well cared for by the who we must thank deeply.'

Buckingham Palace released a statement on Thursday saying the Duchess was 'grateful for the swift response of emergency services and will keep abreast of developments'.

It added that further comments would not be appropriate while the investigation is ongoing.

Witness Martin Hennessy, 62, told the Mirror: 'She's lucky to be alive at all. The road is a nightmare.

'When you get to the junction you have to step out to see if anything is coming, that's when she was hit.

'She'd been thrown across the road and the ambulance were treating her.'

Road closures were in place in West Cromwell Road near Earl's Court in West London. Black screens placed around a square brick electricity unit close to the crossing, as part of attempts to 'decorate' the area for the Coronation, meant pedestrians were unable to see oncoming traffic. The screen can be seen here in the road

The Duchess of Edinburgh (second to right) is seen with The Prince and Princess of Wales (left) and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh on May 9, as part of the Coronation celebrations

Eyewitness Martin Hennessy, 62 claimed that black screens placed around a square brick electricity unit close to the crossing, as part of attempts to 'decorate' the area for the Coronation, meant pedestrians were unable to see oncoming traffic.

He told MailOnline: 'This was an accident waiting to happen. The screens had been put up for the coronation, but it meant that you had to step out a bit into the road to see any traffic.

'I was there soon after it happened and it was carnage. The poor lady was flung about 40ft along the road and paramedics were attending to her. She stepped out a bit to peer around the screens and was hit.'

He added: 'There have been a lot of near misses there recently because of those screens but getting across that road is dangerous at the best of times because it's so busy.'

Local residents revealed that they had complained about the black screens (pictured after being taken down following the collision) to the local authority after they were placed there ahead of the coronation

The unnamed woman, in her 80s, is fighting for her life after she was 'flung 40ft' by the officer's motorbike, which was escorting Sophie through West London on Wednesday

Emergency services attend the scene of the collision in Cromwell Road in west London

Buckingham Palace says the Duchess of Edinburgh's 'thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family'

The crash occurred on the A4 Cromwell Road junction with Nevern Road in Earl's Court, west London

The crash occurred on a busy junction of Cromwell Road and Nevern Road on the A4 in Earl's Court, west London, a just a few minutes' drive from Kensington Palace

Local residents revealed that they had complained about the black screens to the local authority after they were placed there ahead of the coronation. They have been taken down following the crash.

Lucia Zanetton said: 'These screens caused us a lot of problems because you couldn't see the traffic properly. A lot of accidents happen in this area because it is a very busy road.

'When you cross this road you are risking your by life and these screens didn't help.'

On Wednesday night, Buckingham Palace said the Duchess of Edinburgh's 'thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family', adding she was grateful for the 'swift response' of emergency services. There are no reports of any other injuries.

Pictures taken at the scene show a Special Escort Group police bike - commonly used to escort royals and high profile government officials - inside a police cordon surrounded by medical equipment.
Over 1,500 British troops will participate in a major Nato training exercise in Estonia, alongside thousands of soldiers from other affiliated countries, the Ministry of Defence said.

Named Exercise Spring Storm, it is the largest annual military exercise featuring the UK-led Nato battlegroup.

Around 14,000 military personnel are set to take part from 11 Nato countries, with the UK marking the first time it has conducted a brigade-sized deployment to Estonia.

The exercise will see ground troops tested on battlefield scenarios, including trench assaults, reconnaissance missions and light infantry tactics.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said: 'Hundreds of UK troops from across our armed forces will again train with personnel from 11 Nato nations, demonstrating the strength of our interoperability with partner nations and our combined commitment to the Nato Alliance.

Over 1,500 British troops will participate in a major Nato training exercise in Estonia, alongside thousands of soldiers from other affiliated countries

Danish soldiers from the eFP battlegroup take part in maneuvers during NATO exercise Hedgehog on the Estonian-Latvian border in May last year

'While the Russian Army continues their illegal invasion of Ukraine threatening stability in Europe, the UK and our allies will continue to support Ukraine and defend our shared values and freedom.'

The two-week exercise will also see RAF members carry out training exercises in reconnaissance and air-land integration.

Royal Marines Commandos will also carry out a beach assault exercise as part of the manoeuvres.

The Queen's Royal Hussars Commanding Officer Lt Col Steve Wilson said that the enhanced forward presence is 'is looking forward to the opportunities provided by Exercise Spring Storm'.

'The chance to train over the terrain we might need to defend adds to the gravitas of the exercise,' he added.

'Our battlegroup is fully integrated with 1st Estonian Brigade and brings a highly trained and capable UK and French troops to the field.

'We will be bringing a wide range of hard-hitting capabilities from main battle tanks, anti-tank, and artillery to snipers, mortars, engineers and tactical air controllers.

'We look forward to demonstrating the capabilities and resolve of the Nato alliance over the coming days.'

Royal Tank regiment take part in maneuvers during NATO exercise Hedgehog in Voru, Estonia, last May

A Ministry of Defence image of a Typhoon jet fighter, set to be mobilised during the army's NATO exercise in Estonia

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'Hundreds of UK troops from across our armed forces will again train with personnel from 11 Nato nations, demonstrating the strength of our interoperability with partner nations'

Named 'Exercise Spring Storm', it is the largest annual military exercise involving UK-led Nato enhanced forward presence battlegroup

Over 1,500 UK troops will train alongside thousand of personnel from Nato members

Last month, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said all members agreed Ukraine will join the military alliance in a major boost for Volodymyr Zelensky .

The chief said that Ukraine must have 'the deterrence to prevent new attacks' from Russia once the war ends  and joining would give Kyiv protection.

Mr Stoltenberg said the NATO allies had agreed that Ukraine would eventually become a member of the alliance and that Mr Zelensky had been invited to attend the next summit in July.

But Mr Stoltenberg, who met Ukraine's president in Kyiv on April 20, said the main focus is to ensure that the country prevails against Russia.

He acknowledged the need to discuss 'new platforms' of support with the battle now in its second year. He also underlined the necessity of ensuring that already supplied weapons continued to work.

Pictured: NATO head Jens Stoltenberg (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of a joint press conference in Kyiv on April 20

Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the front line in the direction of the city of Ugledar, Donetsk, Ukraine as Russia-Ukraine war continues

'I think sometimes we underestimate all the logistics that have to be in place just to have operational battle tank capabilities so maybe it's also a bit more boring but the logistics is extremely important,' said the NATO chief.

He added: 'This is now a battle of attrition and a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics.'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that international backing for Ukraine holds 'strong and true', when he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv.

Throughout the war, Mr Zelensky has urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops.

He had put his requests directly to Mr Stoltenberg, who visited Kyiv before heading to the Ramstein air base for the meeting.

'Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true,' Mr Austin said, as he began the discussions, a year on after the format gathering defence leaders was started to coordinate aid for Ukraine.

'At today's contact group meeting, we'll focus on three key issues  air defence, ammunition and enablers,' said Mr Austin, referring to logistics and other support.

Mr Zelensky had asked for NATO's help to 'overcome the reluctance' of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles.

Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the frontline in the direction of the city of Ugledar, Donetsk

NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, but no modern planes such as the US-designed F-16 have been pledged despite Ukraine's requests.

Ukraine's Western supporters have also been reluctant to send long-range rockets because of concerns that Ukraine could use them to hit targets within Russia.

Mr Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss 'new platforms' of support with the battle now in its second year. He also underlined the necessity of ensuring that already supplied weapons continued to work.

Earlier in the week, Ukraine said it had received from allies the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems.

Germany also delivered a promised Iris-T anti-air missile system.

The kit has been one of Kyiv's key demands from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscow's invasion.

During Mr Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv, the NATO chief was also pressed on allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, but he stressed that that was not the immediate priority.

'All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails,' he said.

'Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no meaning in discussing membership,' he said.
Vladimir Putin's 21-drone strike on a Ukrainian army facility was an attempt to 'destroy' NATO supplied weapons amid fears the war-torn country now has 'superior' military firepower, a pro-Russian source has claimed.

The Shahed drone strike, on the city of Khmelnytsky, west Ukraine, hit a facility storing missiles and ammunition and caused an enormous mushroom cloud explosion at around 3.05am on Friday.

But a pro-Russian source has now claimed Putin is attempting to destroy Ukraine's 'superior military firepower' before it has the opportunity to launch a counter offensive.

It comes after the United Kingdom supplied long-range Storm Shadow missiles capable of carrying a 992lb warhead up to 200 miles to Ukraine.

Four drones hit the facility and another 17 were shot down by Ukrainian air defence, according to the city's military administration.

Vladimir Putin's 21-drone strike on a Ukrainian army facility was an attempt to 'destroy' NATO supplied weapons amid fears the war-torn country now has 'superior' military firepower

The Shahed drone strike, on the city of Khmelnytsky, west Ukraine, hit a facility storing missiles and ammunition and caused an enormous mushroom cloud explosion

Twenty-one casualties were reported, with two requiring hospital treatment and other needing outpatient care.

The Russian pro-war source said: 'We are seeking to destroy the weapons and ammunition stockpiled by Ukraine from NATO countries.

'This is a big strike but we need more because we know Ukraine now has superior military firepower to us in many areas.'

Khmelnytskyi Mayor Oleksandr Simchyshyn said on Friday: 'Today, the enemy once again attacked Khmelnytskyi with a strike drone, hitting one of the critical infrastructure facilities of the region, located outside the settlements.

'However, as of now, we have 21 injured people. Two of them were hospitalised, the others received medical assistance and were transferred to outpatient treatment'.

Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, added: 'Unfortunately, not all drones were destroyed that night  17 out of 21 UAVs. There are four hits in Khmelnytskyi region.'

Twenty-one casualties were reported, with two requiring hospital treatment and other needing outpatient care

But educational and medical institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise buildings and private residences were damaged by the blasts.

One resident told vsim.ua: 'It was so loud. I have an 8-month-old baby, she even jumped on the crib.

'After the first explosion, we all woke up and went down to the basement. Three to four explosions were also heard from there.

'They were so strong that the plaster from the cellar fell. The child shuddered, was afraid and cried at every sound.

'In our house, the metal entrance door was folded almost in half. The window completely flew out.

'The people in the village were in such trouble. Some had their roofs, balconies, and front doors completely blown off.'
Residents of Bromley are being forced to drive to collect stacks of letters from a Royal Mail sorting office after deliveries in the area fell to once a fortnight.

The sorting office in Bromley, southeast London, sees residents forced to trek there to collect days' worth of mail.

Julie Reeves, 63, picked up 14 letters on Friday - and told The Times she is forced to drive three miles there from Catford every few days.

'We have been getting letter deliveries once a week since July,' she said, adding that they used to have a regular postie come each day at 9.30am.

It comes as Royal Mail faces staffing shortages and financial losses amid strike action from workers.

The sorting office in Bromley (pictured), southeast London, sees residents forced to trek there to collect days' worth of mail

It comes as Royal Mail faces staffing shortages, financial losses and strike action from workers

Mrs Reeves, whose pile of mail include a Next shopping account bill, said: 'This month, I haven't seen a Royal Mail van on our road for ten days.'

And an 85-year-old man, who was seen collecting a pile of around 15 letters last week, told the Times that he had't had a letter delivery in days - with the postie who arrived that morning saying he was just delivering parcels.

Royal Mail asked the government if Saturday deliveries could be ended, however the proposal was denied as questions were raised on whether the needs of the public would be met.

Despite this, many residents say a six-day service seems to no longer exist in their area.

With the disappearing of regular deliveries, residents are also reporting missing hospital letters, important bills, fixed-penalty notices and driving licences.

And on Durham Road, Bromley, the service appears to be so sparse that residents excitedly message a WhatsApp group when a delivery is made, to alert neighbours.

The Bromley sorting office is currently dealing with high levels of sick leave but staff say the company are not recruiting - which Royal Mail denies.

A spokesman said: 'We have a dedicated plan to improve the Bromley area's service quality. This has already reduced absence levels by more than half, with all current sick absences covered through temporary recruitment.'

Earlier this week, the boss of Royal Mail stepped down after being accused by MPs of an 'unacceptable level of incompetence'.

Simon Thompson, who has headed the postal service since 2021, said he believes it is 'the right time for the company to move forward under new leadership' after an agreement was struck between the firm and union leaders last month.

The deal with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will see staff get a 10 per cent salary increase and a 500 one-off payment.

Earlier this week, IDS shares fell 0.5 per cent, or 1.1p, to 244.7p as speculation swirled about his imminent exit

IDS had been expected to announce Mr Thompson's departure before its annual results on May 18, ending a mostly unhappy tenure of just over two years.

Earlier this week, IDS shares fell 0.5 per cent, or 1.1p, to 244.7p as speculation swirled about his imminent exit.

The dispute between Royal Mail and its workers dragged on for nearly a year before a deal  which included a 10 per cent raise for staff  was struck last month.

It followed a bruising period for the company that saw posties walk out on strike for 18 days last year.

The action caused chaos in delivery offices across the UK. And Royal Mail warned it was losing over 1million per day and would need to call in administrators if the situation did not improve.
High-paid company managers working from home in enormous houses while their staff are coming into the office are being ordered back to their desks.

London-based global investment manager M&G has told its top positioned employees they need to be in at least three days a week.

An email circulated throughout the firm  which has 342 billion of assets  urges the bosses to embrace 'the value of spending time together'.

It comes amid a stronger push across the sector to get people back into the office, amid fears of lower productivity at home.

Many companies have been operating a hybrid system since the lockdowns of the coronavirus pandemic.

But in reality some firms have been observing younger, less well-paid staff have been coming into work because their homes are less pleasant.

An email signed by Andrea Rossi, M&G's new chief executive, told managers to get back in

Many companies have been operating a hybrid system since the lockdowns of the pandemic

Meanwhile the top earners  many of whom have luxury pads in the country  are unsurprisingly content to do their jobs from there.

The M&G email, seen by the Sunday Times, said 'office-based leaders' should spend an average of three days a week 'together with your team and key stakeholders'.

It was signed by Andrea Rossi, M&G's new chief executive, who himself is on some 875,000 a year.

The message insisted it was 'an important step in setting our business up for growth and for building a truly great place to work.

'We've all seen the advantages working remotely can offer us  and it's important we continue to benefit from these and work flexibly to balance the demands of office and home life.

'Equally, we must succeed as a business  and for that to happen, it's essential to make the most of the talent and experience we have at M&G by supporting career development and maximising the value of spending time together.

AO World chief John Roberts (pictured) has said staff who work from could see their jobs outsourced overseas

The company boss said hybrid working is banned and told staff his company would decide who is allowed to work from home

'A big part of that is about spending more time with our colleagues, clients, customers and stakeholders. That's the next step in unlocking the benefits of a simpler operating model and making M&G a faster, more agile and collaborative place to work that's easy for our clients to do business with.'

Many companies have turned their backs on the idea of working from home at all.

JP Morgan said its managers had to be in five days a week, while other have been even more extreme.

The boss of electronics and white goods seller AO World has warned that staff working from home could find their jobs outsourced overseas.

John Roberts also told the Bolton-based retailer's 3,000 employees that 'hybrid working', when staff come into the office only intermittently, was banned.

'Working from home, you might as well be working abroad, which is only a step away from outsourcing,' he said, warning that cheaper workers could be sourced in places such as Bangalore in India.

Roberts said his company would decide which of its staff could work from home.

In February, Amazon boss Andy Jassy said the online shopping giant would insist that corporate staff should be in the office at least three days a week.
A cloudy and drizzly start is set to make way for sunshine today, while forecasters predict Britain is heading towards temperatures in the 30s in June.

It follows a buoyant day yesterday, which saw Scotland experience its joint hottest day of the year so far with climes reaching 21C.

Patches of grey and damp are expected to clear the UK by this afternoon, with the warmest weather in the southeast.

London will enjoy temperatures of 21C while the rest of the UK will bask in climes reaching the mid-tens for most of the day.

Experts predict an 'African plume' will see a heatwave in June, with balmy weather lasting well into August and September.

A misty sunrise at Colmers Hill near Bridport in Dorset this morning, with the promise of sunshine later

A man picks litter on a misty, hazy morning by the coast in Swanage, Dorset

The Met Office says it is too premature to give specific forecasts for June weather.

But, a spokesman told The Mirror: 'The most likely scenario for the end of May is for drier weather in the north, with an increased chance of periods of rain and possibly thunder in the south and southwest.

'Into June, high pressure is predicted to remain dominant, especially for northern areas, with cloud, rain and showers more likely to the south, although there is a level of uncertainty associated with this. An increased likelihood of above average temperatures for many.'

James Madden, from Exacta Weather, also Mr Madden says 'confidence has only increased' over heatwaves, adding: 'A number of African plumes are also likely from later in August and into September, and very early indications and some strong indicators are for a warm to hot September this year.

'The peak of these heat surges in June and July could see maximum temperatures ranging in the low to mid 30s, and the late summer/August heatwave could sign off summer 2023 with temperatures ranging a notch or two higher than this.'

But a slow-moving weather front will bring some wet weather at the start of next week into southern and eastern areas and hold back temperatures again

London and the southeast will enjoy temperatures of 21C while much of the UK will bask in climes reaching the mid-tens for most of the day

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: 'It's been an energetic week of weather with heavy showers and in some places a thunderstorm.

But it all calms down a little at least for a day or two heading in this weekend as an area of high pressure starts to topple in from the North West and by Saturday morning virtually everyone is fine and settled.'

He said there would be lots of low cloud across the UK first thing tomorrow, which would be thickest along the North Sea coast where there will be some patchy drizzle.

This will see temperatures 'held back' in cities such as Norwich and Hull to only 14C (57F) - but the mercury should reach 21C (70F) in southern England.

On Sunday there will be wet start for northern Scotland and Northern Ireland before the rain pushes into western England through the morning.

Drinkers and the landlord at The Walnut Tree pub in the Somerset village of West Camel near Yeovil at 11pm on Tuesday - as they refused to let the flooding stop them enjoying a pint

Heavy rain caused roads to flood in Essex on Wednesday with several vehicles getting stuck

Severe flooding in the Devon village of Tipton St John on Tuesday following heavy rain

Flooding in Frome, Somerset, on Tuesday as parts of the UK endured thunder and heavy rain

There will be sunny and largely fine weather towards South East with temperatures up to 22C (72F).

But a slow-moving weather front will bring some wet weather at the start of next week into southern and eastern areas and hold back temperatures again.

Monday is likely be a day of scattered clouds and showers for all, some thundery in the North East.

However, after that for much of next week more settled weather is expected although it will also be a bit cooler.
A Polish man who first arrived in Britain with just 200 and a bicycle now runs a business that makes 7 million a year.

Alex Landowski, 37, spent his first weeks in the UK working for free as a bicycle courier, while staying with a friend and sleeping on his bedroom floor.

In his early 20s, the entrepreneur was forced to squat in an abandoned warehouse as he struggled to pay off a 20,000 debt.

Now, the businessman lives in the Cotswolds with his wife and two kids, and runs a high-tech medical delivery business that turns over millions each year.

His 24/7 medical courier service, which currently employs 25 full time staff and a further 50 contractors, is now seeking to revolutionise the industry using drones.

Alex Landowski, 37, (pictured) first came to Britain with just 200 and a bicycle but now runs a medical courier business that turns over 7 million each year

Alex Landowski's business now employs 25 full time staff and another 50 contractors

Mr Landowski first came to London, with the hopes of making enough money to pay off debts from a previous business, at the age of 24.

He'd ended up owing 20,000 to the Polish government after his 'shop selling sneaker shoes' failed, according to The Mirror.

London seemed to him to be a place full opportunities. 'With its size, I felt, you'll actually be able to do something there,' he said.

It was, however, after arriving in the UK's capital city, that Mr Landowski found himself sleeping on the floor of his friend's bedroom in a tiny property with 10 other people, and working for free.

His first job in Britain, as an unpaid bike courier, was however vital in paving the way for paid work making deliveries on his bike.

'Those three weeks gave me an understanding of London  I could now tell people I had experience,' Mr Landowski said.

Still, with limited income, the aspiring businessman found himself forced to illegally squat an abandoned warehouse near Old Street in East London.

'There were loads of weird people, but there was water and electricity and you didn't have to pay any bills,' he said.

The entrepreneur (pictured) was forced to illegally squat an empty warehouse in London while working as a bicycle courier

The businessman is aiming to revolutionise the medical delivery business using drones

Just a couple of months later, he again found himself searching for a home, after bailiffs turned up at the derelict warehouse and kicked him out.

'I was home by myself and there were some big guys banging on the door, kicking the door,' Mr Landowski said. 'They wanted to kick us out. I decided I needed to move on.'

It was at this point that Mr Landowski started pushing ahead with his own ambitions which would eventually lead to him owning a multi-million-pound firm.

The businessman quickly became the top courier at his work, doubling his daily pay from 30 to 60 a day.

It was, however, after securing a 50,000 investment from a friend that he managed to launch his own dedicated medical courier business.

'My former employer was small but very good, they had a good service level,' Mr Landowski said.

'I was thinking, there was nobody providing dedicated medical couriers in London with that kind of service level. That was my plan.'

He now plans to revolutionise the delivery industry using drones.

'Drones are a natural path forward  the tech can save lives, time and the environment,' Mr Landowski said 'Delivering organs is not far off.'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife have been pictured voting in what, according to recent polls, will be the closest race in the country's electoral history.

President Erdogan, 69, and wife Emine Erdogan, 68, were seen casting their votes at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkey, in the country's parliamentary and presidential elections, on Sunday morning.

It comes as polls on Friday gave Erdogan's main challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who leads a six-party coalition, a slight lead showing him above the 50 per cent threshold needed to win the election.

Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is accused by critics of taking Turkey, a country of 85million and a NATO member, down an authoritarian path and closer to dictatorship.

But speaking in Istanbul, President Erdogan said: 'We pray to the Lord for a better future for our country, nation and Turkish democracy.'

President Erdogan (right), 69, and wife Emine Erdogan (left), 68, were seen casting their votes at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkey, in the country's parliamentary and presidential elections, on Sunday morning

Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is accused by critics of taking Turkey, a country of 85million and a NATO member, down an authoritarian path and closer to dictatorship. Pictured: Erdogan greets supporters outside the polling station on Sunday

Meanwhile, a smiling Mr Kilicdaroglu, 74, voted in the Turkish capital Ankara and emerged to applause from the waiting crowd.

He said: 'I offer my most sincere love and respect to all my citizens who are going to the ballot box and voting. We all miss democracy so much.'

Around 61million voters from across Turkeys 87 electoral districts will head to the polls on Sunday.

Around 3.4million eligible overseas voters  1.5million of them in Germany alone  will likely have already cast their ballots.

The parliamentary vote is a tight race between the People's Alliance comprising Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party (AKP) and the nationalist MHP and others, and Kilicdaroglu's Nation Alliance formed of six opposition parties, including his secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), established by Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Erdogan has taken tight control of most of Turkey's institutions and sidelined traditional liberals, according to critics.

And according to a recent report, his Government has set back Turkey's human rights record by 'decades'.

Meanwhile, a smiling Mr Kilicdaroglu (pictured), 74, voted in Ankara and emerged to applause from the waiting crowd

He said: 'I offer my most sincere love and respect to all my citizens who are going to the ballot box and voting. We all miss democracy so much'

However, Mr Erdogan has dismissed those who claim he is turning Turkey into a dictatorship and said he will respect the results of the election.

He said: 'If our nation decides to make such a different decision, we will do exactly what's required by democracy and there's nothing else to do.'

Mr Erdogan added yesterday that he viewed the elections as a 'celebration of democracy for our country's future'.

If no presidential candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off election will be held on May 28.
A huge inferno ripped through a warehouse in the home city of Ukraine's Eurovision stars Tvorchi, after Putin launched an attack last night minutes before the duo took to the stage to perform.

Warehouses in Ternopil were targeted by Russian missile strikes and two people were injured, Governor Volodymyr Trush confirmed.

An 80-person-strong crew was involved in extinguishing the fire - which was reportedly caused by debris of the winged missile hitting the warehouse.

The city was attacked again on Sunday morning at around 5am in a 'second wave' of strikes, damaging civilian buildings and cars, according to Trush. There is not yet information regarding victims.

The two people injured in last night's missile strike are in hospital with fracture wounds and burns, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

Warehouses were targeted by Russian missile strikes and two people were injured, Ternopil Oblast Governor Volodymyr Trush confirmed

An 80-person-strong crew was involved in extinguishing the fire - which was reportedly caused by debris of the winged missile hitting the warehouse

It is reported that the warehouses that were hit and caught fire belonged to commercial enterprises and a religious organisation.

Russia Defence Ministry today said it carried out long-range strikes on the Ukrainian city of Ternopil, targeting 'units of Ukraine's armed forces and ammunition storage sites'.

Ternopil mayor Serhy Nadal told the BBC the fire at the warehouse had been brought under control.

'Firefighters worked all night and continue to work' he added.

Ten minutes before performing inside the Liverpool Arena, Tvorchi posted on Instagram citing reports of Ternopil, in western Ukraine, being attacked.

Tvorchi were also seen holding up a sign showing the name of their hometown while participating in the contest.

After performing 'Heart of Steel' - a song about troops who fought against Russian forces at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol - Tvorchi posted again saying: 'Ternopil is the name of our hometown, which was bombed by Russia while we sang on the Eurovision stage about our steel hearts, indomitability and will.

'This is a message for all cities of Ukraine that are shelled every day. Kharkiv, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Uman, Sumy, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Kherson and all others.

'Europe, unite against evil for the sake of peace! GLORY TO UKRAINE!'

Eurovision commentator Timur Miroshnichenko said: 'Well done, boys! For Ternopil, which is being bombed now, for Mariupol, which was bombed a year ago.

The city was attacked again on Sunday morning at around 5am, damaging civilian buildings and cars, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. There is not yet information regarding victims

It is reported that the warehouses that were hit and caught fire belonged to commercial enterprises and a religious organisation

Russia launched an attack on Ternopil in Ukraine as the city's most famous residents Tvorchi performed at the Eurovision song contest

Tvorchi were also seen holding up a sign showing the name of their hometown while participating in the contest

'For all the cities and people of our country!'

Mayor Serhiy Nadal wrote: 'It was at this time that our city was attacked by Russian missiles.

'Thank you, because your speech has become a symbol of not only the unity of the country, but of the whole world.'

The UK's ambassador to Ukriane, Dame Melinda Simmons, wrote on Twitter: 'Commiserations to [Ukrainian flag emoji].

'But these guys performed minutes after their university home town had been bombed by [Russian flag emoji]. You have brave hearts.'
Cabinet minster Grant Shapps today hit back at claims Rishi Sunak is overseeing the 'managed decline' of the Tories following their drubbing in the local elections.

The upbeat Energy Secretary insisted there was a 'steely determination' within Conservative ranks to deliver on the Prime Minister's five priorities and claimed the party was 'buzzing with energy and ideas'.

He also said it was wrong to suggest it is 'written in the stars' that the Tories cannot win the next general election, despite Labour's sizeable opinion poll lead.

Mr Shapps faced questions about Tory fortunes after the party's loss of more than 1,000 council seats in local elections across England.

This weekend has seen Mr Sunak hit by a barrage of criticism from within the Conservative Party as activists and MPs gathered in Bournemouth for a conference organised by some of ex-PM Boris Johnson's biggest backers.

Priti Patel, the former home secretary, spoke at yesterday's event and - ahead of the gathering - she took a swipe at the current Tory leadership.

Grant Shapps insisted there was a 'steely determination' within Conservative ranks to deliver on the Prime Minister's five priorities

Priti Patel, the former home secretary, spoke at yesterday's Conservative Democratic Organisation event in Bournemouth

Mr Shapps insisted there was a 'steely determination' within Conservative ranks to deliver on the five priorities of Rishi Sunak, pictured yesterday at Southampton vs Fulham

Jacob Rees-Mogg claims Tories will be 'toast' if they ditch Rishi Sunak Jacob Rees-Mogg today reiterated his view that the Tories made a 'mistake' in ousting Boris Johnson - but warned against moves to get rid of Rishi Sunak. The former business secretary, one of Mr Johnson's loyalist supporters, urged Conservatives to pledge their support to the Prime Minister. He claimed the party would be 'toast' if it changed leader for the third time between general elections. Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday show it it was a mistake to get rid of Mr Johnson, Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'Yes, of course it was, I have said that a million times but it would be an even bigger mistake now to get rid of Rishi Sunak. 'The Conservatives cannot keep changing leaders, we must back the leader we have got. 'The Tory party would be toast if we changed leader again. 'We have got to support the leader weve got. 'But that doesnt mean that we agree with him on every policy - and to have a debate about policy is important and I hope interesting for Conservative members in the country at large.' Advertisement

'The party in its current form, the parliamentary party, seems to want to manage status quo and manage decline,' Ms Patel said.

Ms Patel added that 'if we carry on with managed decline there won't be a future for conservative values and beliefs'.

Fellow Boris loyalist Nadine Dorries also used the conference to attack Mr Sunak's leadership.

But, appearing on Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show this morning, Mr Shapps shot back at the criticism.

'Well, look, I simply don't agree,' the Energy Secretary said, as he reflected on the local elections result.

'If you look at any party after a time in office, if you compared us - for example - with where (Tony) Blair and (Gordon) Brown were through their period... we still have far more councillors in place than they would have done during the same point of the electoral cycle.

'So this idea that there is something written in the stars, that somehow we cannot come back and win from our particular position at the moment, I completely and fundamentally disagree with.'

Asked about the mood within Tory ranks following the local elections, Mr Shapps was also upbeat.

'Of course we have a great opportunity because we know that we're buzzing with ideas,' he added.

'We've got a lot of energy to get things done still, but of course there are many, many challenges facing the country  and by the way they'd be facing whoever, whomever was in power at this point in time.

'I think we've got the ideas, but also the practical solutions  not to say, there aren't many challenges along the way.

'I think that the mood is one of steely determination, I think we know that there's a job to do, that we're on the side of the British people.'

Mr Shapps later said it was not a 'shocking revelation' that there were cheers for Mr Johnson among the Tory grassroots.

'The fact that Boris Johnson, who was our prime minister, is clapped by Conservative MPs is not I think a shocking revelation,' he told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

The Cabinet minister also urged people to give the PM time to meet his five pledges on the economy, NHS and Channel migrant crisis.

'I accept they are difficult and very detailed pledges,' he added.

'These are not vague numbers It is difficult. I thought it was always going to be difficult.

'The PM set out his five pledges and he is still absolutely, and we are still absolutely, committed to delivering those things.'

Mr Shapps called on people to 'wait until the end of that trajectory' to judge Mr Sunak's progress.
Labour set to offer massive expansion of voting franchise in their manifesto

Sir Keir Starmer was today accused of trying to 'reopen' the Brexit deal after Labour plans to give millions of EU nationals a vote in UK general elections were revealed.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps accused the Labour leader of seeking 'personal advantage' with proposals to widen the electorate.

It followed a report that Labour will offer the biggest expansion of the voting franchise in almost a century in their general election manifesto.

This will include votes for settled migrants and 16 and 17-year-olds, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Tories have angrily accused Sir Keir of attempting to 'gerrymander' the UK's voting system to benefit his party, as well as 'laying the groundwork for a referendum to rejoin the EU'.

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of trying to 'reopen' the Brexit deal after Labour plans to give millions of EU nationals a vote in UK general elections were revealed

Tories angrily claimed Sir Keir was attempting to 'gerrymander' the UK's voting system to benefit his party

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said the Labour leader was seeking 'personal advantage' with proposals to widen the electorate

Sir Keir, who previously backed a second Brexit referendum, has also been accused of 'laying the groundwork for a referendum to rejoin the EU'

Andy Burnham issues challenge to Keir Starmer by backing voting reforms Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham today issued a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer by backing reform of Britain's voting system. The Labour politician said he had 'come round to' supporting proportional representation, rather than first-past-the-post contests for seats in the House of Commons. It comes as Sir Keir is facing questions about whether he would back electoral reform as the price of a deal with the Liberal Democrats, should he fall short of winning a Labour majority at the next general election. The Labour leader was this week said by his spokesman to have a 'longstanding view against proportional representation' with Sir Keir's office insisting he is not looking to change the voting system for Westminster elections. In 2010, the Lib Dems secured a nationwide referendum on using the 'Alternative Vote' system at future general elections as part of their coalition deal with the Tories. But the referendum was won convincingly by the 'No' campaign in a huge blow to supporters of electoral reform. Speaking to Sky News today, Mr Burnham said: 'I have come round to it, Ill be honest. 'I wasnt always in this position but when you step outside of Westminster you look at things afresh and Ive looked at how power doesnt really flow properly throughout this country. 'The first-past-the-post system I think hands more power to the establishment than it does its MPs actually but beyond that to people and I think PR would put the people much more in control. 'Every vote would matter so I have come round.' Advertisement

Labour frontbencher Jonathan Reynolds this morning acknowledged that expanding the voting franchise was 'something we will look at'.

The shadow business secretary stressed the reported proposals were 'not the final plans for the Labour manifesto' - but added the party is 'always looking at ways to strengthen our democracy'.

It has been claimed the Labour plans would hand a vote in general elections to 3.4million EU nationals in Britain, who have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK through 'settled status'.

A further 2.7million have been granted 'pre-settled' status - limited leave to remain - and could reportedly be given voting rights in the future.

Currently, EU nationals in the UK can only vote in local elections, or contests for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.

Asked about the reported Labour plans to extend voting rights for EU nationals to general elections, Mr Shapps insisted the Government was not planning to 'change the electoral system'.

He accused Sir Keir of 'reopening the Brexit settlement', telling Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday show: 'This is a settlement we had made with EU countries to have reciprocal arrangements so that British citizens abroad are able to vote in, for example, the local elections say in Spain and the same here.

'What he plans to do is actually reopen the Brexit settlement. So, what else will he reopen? The Windsor Framework, the cooperation agreement with Europe?

'This again is Keir Starmer doing whatever he thinks is practical to do at that moment in time or in his personal advantage to do at that moment in time.

'He doesn't have fundamental ideas that he relies on and as I say, his original platform is now shifting to a different platform and he will do the same with reopening Brexit.'

Fellow Tory MP and ex-Brexit Minister David Jones also hit out at the Labour proposals and accused Sir Keir of a 'patent attempt to gerrymander the voting system in the UK, which should be rejected by all reasonable politicians.'

He added: 'Even when we were in the EU, EU nationals here couldn't vote in general elections in this country.

'It makes no logical sense at all now that we have left. But then Starmer has spent the last seven years trying to water down Brexit.'

A Conservative spokesman said: 'Allowing foreigners to vote is Sir Keir Starmers admission that he doesnt trust the British people.

'He is laying the groundwork for a referendum to rejoin the EU, something he campaigned so passionately for. And now he wants to rig the outcome.'

Sir Keir, who previously called for a second EU referendum, branded the treatment of EU residents after the Brexit vote as 'shameful' during his campaign to be Labour leader in January 2020.

He said at the time: 'The Government should give all EU nationals living in the UK full voting rights in future elections.'
The FBI just said it was 'conducting court-ordered law enforcement activity in the vicinity of that location'

The FBI has reportedly raided a Florida condo owned by two Russian businessmen at the Trump Towers on Sunny Beach Isles.

The target of the search, according to the Miami Herald, was a unit owned by the shell company MIC-USA LLC, which is controlled by Russian businessmen Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya and Agunda Konstantinova Makeeva.

It is unclear what exactly the FBI and local police may have been searching for in the raid and whether law enforcement officials seized any property or took anyone into custody.

In a statement to the Herald, a spokesperson for the FBI's Miami field office only said it was 'conducting court-ordered law enforcement activity in the vicinity of that location' but provided no other information.

The FBI reportedly raided a luxury condo owned by two Russian businessmen at the Trump Tower in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida (pictured)

Property records show MIC-USA bought their 41st-floor, three-bedroom condo in 2013 for $1.65million.

Patsulya's wife, Roza Pereira  who is also listed on the corporate paperwork for MIC-USA  also told the outlet that she was aware of the raid but was prohibited from talking about it.

'The lawyer [for my husband] said not to talk to anyone,' she said. 'I have no idea what it's about.'

Property records show MIC-USA bought their 41st-floor, three-bedroom condo in 2013 for $1.65million.

Seven years later, they were sued by BAC Florida Bank  which financed their purchase  for allegedly defaulting on their $975,000 mortgage payment.

In a statement to the Herald, a spokesperson for the FBI's Miami field office only said it was 'conducting court-ordered law enforcement activity in the vicinity of that location'

But that dispute has since been resolved, and the condo is still owned by the Russian businessmen in the beach town  which has been dubbed 'Little Moscow,' due to its influx of Russian immigrants.

Some have previously expressed fears of backlash against their community after the Russian military invaded Ukraine last year and the US government started pursuing sanctions against oligarchs who hide their wealth in real estate.

Patsulya has also been charged in Russia for selling counterfeit COVID-19 medicine, Russian state media reported in 2020, though it is unclear whether that is related to the recent raid.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Patsulya, Makeeva, the FBI Miami Bureau and the Miami Police Department for comment.
President Joe Biden was slammed by critics after he denounced white supremacy as the 'most dangerous terrorist threat' to the United States during a graduation address on Saturday.

He tied it to the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol building during his speech to to Howard University students

'Stand up against the poison. White supremacy  is the single most dangerous terrorist threat in our homeland,' he said.

'And I'm not just saying this because I'm at a Black HBCU. I say this wherever I go.'

Critics quickly took to social media to accuse him of using race for political ends.

'There are those who demonize, and pit people against one another,' President Joe Biden said in remarks that rebuked Donald Trump's election overturn effort

Critics condemned Biden for saying white supremacy was the biggest terrorism threat

'The Democratic Party spent most of the 19th Century and much of the 20th using overt racism to win elections,' wrote Jon Miltimore, a conservative commentator and editor of the Foundation for Economic Education.

'They are doing again in the 21st century. The racism just looks a lot different than the 19th century version.'

The flames were fanned by the Republican National Committee's Twitter account which shared the clip of Biden.

OutKick.com's Clay Travis tweeted: 'I mean, this is completely bonkers. Did anyone talk like this in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s or even 2010s? Of course not.

'Yet suddenly white supremacy is the BIGGEST THREAT in America? I dont even think it's one of the 50 biggest threats.'

The comments came after Biden invoked Jan. 6 in the speech, calling out 'immoral' efforts to cling to power in what was a clear shot at former President Donald Trump's election overturn effort.

He also brought up Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard grad, and touted his appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Both are the first women to hold their posts.

'By the way, she's brighter than the rest,' Biden said, weeks after announcing his reelection campaign at age 80.

Biden returned to the 'soul of the nation' themes as he spoke to students at the HBCU, joined by his politically powerful backer Rep. James C. Clyburn (D-S.C.).

'I see you leading and I'm not, again, exaggerating  you are going to be leading it,' he told graduating students.

Students gathered in Washington to hear Biden in D.C.'s Capital One Arena for the Howard University commencement

'Again, let's be clear. For those who don't see, don't want this feature. There are those who demonize, and pit people against one another. There are those who would do anything, everything, no matter how desperate or immoral, to hold on to power,' he said.

'That's never going to be an easy battle. But I know this: The oldest most sinister forces, they believe they'll determine America's future. But they are wrong. We will determine America's future. You will determine America's future.'

He spoke as Special Counsel Jack Smith continues to probe the election overturn effort, while polls show a narrow gap between Biden and Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate.

Biden also spoke of January 6 and the battle for democracy.

'January 2021  I stood in the US Capitol to be inaugurated as President of the United States. Just days before, on that very spot a violent insurrection took place. A dagger at the throat a democracy,' he called it.

Biden called Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson 'brighter than the rest,' and hailed his appointment of her

'For the first time in our history, an attempt to stop a peaceful transfer of power in this country. They failed. Our democracy held. Again hope prevailed. And this time I was standing with a black woman, about to take a two mile procession down Pennsylvania Avenue as president and vice president of the United States of America it was March alongside her the Howard University marching band in lock step and solidarity,' he said.

'I'm not saying this because I'm in a black HBCU, I say wherever I go. You stand up for truth over lies, lies told for power or profit. To confront the ongoing assault to subvert our elections, suppress our right to vote,' Biden said.

'The most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland is white supremacy,' Biden said.

Biden got cheers calling for student loan debt relief, although his policy faces a court fight. He also called for expunging court records for those serving non-violent drug offenses.

He connected his cause with the civil rights struggle, and the march in Charlottesville that he said propelled his return to public service.

'But I know this: the oldest most sinister forces, they believe they'll determine America's future. But they are wrong. We will determine America's future you will determine Americans that's not like verbally no graduating class get to choose a world in which they graduate.

He invoked Trump's famous 'good people on both sides' quote.

On student loans, he aimed at the GOP, who he usually goes after as 'MAGA Republicans.'

'This new Republican Party is that dead set against it, suing my my registration stop you getting student debt relief. Same opposition received relief loans, I might add, to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic. Members of Congress worth thousands even millions of dollars, most of it didn't have to be paid back. Yet they say it's okay for them but not for you.'

'I find it outrageous' he said.

The president contemplated fate near the end of his own remarks, where he appeared to be channeling some of his own life choices as he sets out on a new chapter after decades in public life.

'You don't know where or what fate will bring you or when. You just have to keep going. You just have to keep the faith you have to just get up. And if you can find the balance between ambition of happiness and success, that good life purpose and family, and as you know here at Howard of excellence leadership and truth it service, there's no quit in you. There's no quit in America,' he said.
A customer at discount retailer Ross: Dress for Less revealed on her TikTok a chilling discovery - what appeared to be cameras peering into the changing room she occupied.

The eight-second clip was uploaded by TikTok user @kiddycatmeow - a woman named Giselle. In the clip, she zooms in on a sign in the dressing room that reads: 'Shoplifters will be prosecuted.'

But as she continued to zoom, two small cameras hanging from the ceiling above the dressing room became visible.

She captioned the clip: 'Be more aware of your surroundings! This is a ross!!'

A woman exposed on her TikTok account what appeared to be cameras peering into the discount retailer's dressing room. Pictured: Ross Dress for Less

By Sunday, the video had racked up close to 1million views, and scored more than 100,000 likes.

Commenters on the short video were supportive of the woman's experience and outraged on her behalf.

'Never again am I trying clothes on at stores, Im too paranoid already, its time to cut it off. Healthy boundaries people,' wrote on freaked out user.

'I need to check my Ross ASAP!!!!' wrote another.

'Oh that's sooo illegal. Definitely sue,' remarked a third.

Some users, who purported to have worked at the chain store before, advised the comments section that the cameras the woman spotted are most likely fake and in place to scare customers and deter them from shoplifting.

'As a Ross employee, I can promise you those are fake, just to scare customers,' said one user.

'I worked for Ross. All domes are empty except the ones by registers and the cash office lol,' wrote another.

But a third user weighed in, arguing that even if the cameras are fake, customers don't know that and shouldn't have to feel watched while changing in a dressing room.

'Even if they're empty cameras, you don't know that. Sue them. That's a fat win waiting for you,' he wrote.

While some stores use video surveillance systems to monitor dressing rooms and prevent theft, penalties for surveilling customers for any purpose other than theft prevention are steep and can yield prison time.

There are 13 US states that ban surveillance cameras in dressing rooms altogether, they are: South Dakota, New Hampshire, Michigan, Maine, Minnesota, Utah, Kansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Georgia, California, Arkansas, and Alabama.

It is unclear which state the viral video was taken in.

The woman warned her followers to be mindful of their surroundings after catching the cameras peeking over her dressing room wall

A close-up of the camera the woman, Giselle, saw while trying on items in a Ross

The woman also zoomed in on a sign in the dressing room warning shoppers against stealing

Inline with a trend of rising crime across the US, major retailers have been forced to shut down multiple store locations due to millions of dollars in losses

Shoplifting has reached alarming levels at major retailers including Target, Macy's and Best Buy, which have all threatened to, or actually have shuttered outlets due to crime.

In 2021, organized retail crime incidents soared by 26.5 percent, according to the 2022 Nation Retail Security Survey.

Many of those thefts are executed by brazen thieves who hit their marks during the daylight hours.

Progressive district attorneys in cities like Chicago, New York, Portland and California have also been blamed for effectively legalizing shop lifting with either not prosecuting thefts under $950, or letting criminals off with a slap on the wrist.

Walmart decided to shut 17 of its stores across nine states after CEO Doug McMillon warned last December that theft was the highest it's ever been around the country and if it did not slow down, stores would have to close.

Target revealed it lost an extraordinary $400million in profits last November due to organized gangs of shoplifters who had been stealing merchandise from its stores.

Walgreens has previously complained about retail shrinkage due to organized shop lifting last year and has spent money on extra security measures including glass panels and security guards as preventative measures.

Best Buy CEO Corie Barry highlighted the growing problem with theft at its stores back in November 2021.

The big box retailer sells very high value gadgets including computers, TVs and phones - many of which are smaller in size but high in value, making them prime targets for shoplifters.

Barry said organized retail crime groups would steal entire shelves of high-value products like electronics to resell them at a discounted price.

'This is traumatizing for our associates and is unacceptable,' she said.

'We are doing everything we can to try to create [an] as safe as possible environment.'
Two people have died and five others were injured after a shooting about 10 miles from the US-Mexico border in Arizona.

Cops were called to South J. Edward Drive in Yuma, Arizona, just before 11pm on Saturday night. They found several people injured after gunfire erupted at a gathering.

Two men, aged 19 and 20, have since died from their wounds after being taken to the Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Four other teenage boys, aged 15, 16, 18, and 19, were rushed to hospital with injuries. A fifth victim, aged 16, was flown to Phoenix in critical condition.

Yuma Police Department are still trying to track down a suspect and the motive for the shooting, but believe there is no wider threat to the community.

The shooting, which happened at a gathering, occurred on South J. Edward Drive in Yuma, Arizona

Yuma Police Department are still trying to track down a suspect, but believe there is no wider threat to the community

Sergeant Lori Franklin, of the Yuma Police Department, said on Sunday: 'On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at approximately 10:54 pm, the Yuma Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 3800 block of S. J Edward Drive.

'Upon arrival, officers located several subjects with gunshot wounds. A 19 year old male was transported prior to police arrival and was pronounced deceased at Yuma Regional Medical Center a short time later.

'A second victim, 20 year old male, was transported by Yuma Fire Department to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.

'A third victim, 16 year old male, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center and later flown to Phoenix with life-threatening injuries.

'The other gunshot victims, males ages 15, 19, 18, and 16, had non-life threatening injuries. There were a total of 7 victims treated at YRMC.

'There were several off duty law enforcement officers in the area that assisted with this incident. This is an active investigation, and no suspects are in custody at the time of this press release.'

This comes just days after 300 unprocessed migrants, who had arrived at the border city, were released by officials.

It's unclear if the shooting is linked to the recent migrant crossings.

Immigrants speak to U.S. Border Patrol agents in the early morning hours after crossing into Arizona from Mexico on May 10, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona

The release of the hundreds of migrants coincided with the end of Title 42, and the lifting of a Trump-era restriction designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The result was that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had been holding as many as 28,000 migrants at its facilities, far beyond its capacity, according to a local official.

On Thursday, the mayor of Yuma announced that CBP was planning releases in the city of migrants who had not undergone full processing, although he insisted they had been 'vetted.'

On Friday afternoon, three white buses with blacked out windows pulled into the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility close to the city's airport.

The location was a closely held secret, but DailyMail.com was on hand to witness the release. A briefing document said 141 were being freed.

Streams of people could be seen climbing out of the buses and being directed to a shaded holding area, where there was at least some shelter from 96F temperatures.

From there, it is understood they will be put on buses to take them to Phoenix.

On Friday afternoon, three white buses with blacked out windows pulled into the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility close to the city's airport

Migrants were seen boarding buses in Yuma, Arizona and coincided with the end of Title 42, and the lifting of a Trump-era restriction designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19
In an upcoming hearing the public will be able to object to the release of items

A judge in Nashville has been handed an unredacted copy of a manifesto written by a trans gunman who killed six during a school shooting in March.

And it could be soon released to the public.

The release of the manifesto has been hotly debated since it was found at the home of Audrey Hale, 28, who killed three children and three school workers at Covenant Christian Academy before being shot dead by police.

The manifesto was among other 'writings' that were submitted to the Davidson County Chancellor's chambers on Friday, including a map in which Hale detailed how the incident would take place.

Many conservatives have argued the manifesto should be made public because it will provide insight into the cause of the shooting, whereas LGBTQ groups have opposed the release on the grounds it could inspire 'copycat' incidents.

Two versions of the manifesto were turned over, one was unredacted and the other had proposed redactions made by city attorneys for the judge to review, Fox News 17 reported.

The judge will soon decide on releasing the manifesto to the public.

A judge in Nashville has been handed an unredacted copy of a manifesto written by a trans gunman who killed six during a school shooting in March

The release of the manifesto has been hotly debated since it was found at the home of Audrey Hale, 28, who killed three children and three school workers at Covenant Christian Academy

Their delivery was brought about by multiple lawsuits filed in a bid to make the materials public - some against the city of Nashville and others against the FBI.

A county judge and city attorneys will hold a status conference on Thursday ahead of a June public hearing in which members of the public can express concerns over the release of the material, it was reported.

Ed Hutchinson (pictured) head of The National Police Association filed a lawsuit to make the writings and other materials of Nashville mass shooter Audrey Hale public

Groups that have filed lawsuits seeking disclosure of the writings include the National Police Association and America First Legal, a legal group founded by former Trump White House policy adviser Stephen Miller.

The Tennessee Firearms Association and retired Hamilton County Sheriff James Hammond are also are suing Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The department tweeted on May 3 that it would not be releasing the materials because an investigation was ongoing.

'Due to pending litigation filed this week, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has been advised by counsel to hold in abeyance the release of records related to the shooting at The Covenant School pending orders or direction of the court,' it wrote.

Nashville shooter's home of Audrey Hale. She lived in the house with her parents. Police raided the home shortly after the school shooting

Two women hug at a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee

Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake previously said investigators had not immediately determined a motive but that they believed Hale had specifically targeted the Christian school and its affiliated church.

The Metro Nashville Police Department officials claimed the release had been paused because their attorneys told them to hold off from any release while the suit was making its way through the courts.

That pause came just days after the MNPD and the Tennessee Governor announced that Hale's writings would be released for public consumption.

On April 27, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee reassured the public in a tweet that Nashville authorities would be releasing Hale's writings and documents.

Police who raided Hale's home found journals which referred to other school shootings and 'firearms courses', a suicide note and two shotguns, it was revealed by warrant records.

Details were disclosed of dozens of items recovered from Hale's home when it was raided by police hours after the massacre on March 27.

Police recovered these three weapons from the scene and later revealed she fired 152 rounds. Pictured is a pistol she used during the shooting

A rifle used by Hale (pictured) was recovered form the school after the shooting

Police who searched the house also found five yearbooks from the school, other weapons equipment and 11 'home videos'.

The list of items came after the Metro Nashville Police Department revealed Hale planned the massacre for months in advance. Cops also said that she fired 152 rounds from two assault rifles and a pistol during the shooting.

The warrant says a shotgun was found in a bedroom closet at the home and another was next to a desk. Other discoveries include 'notepads w/ passwords', empty ammo boxes and a 'bag w/ targets'.

Hale murdered Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Evelyn Dieckhaus, all 9, and headmistress Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and chef Mike Hill, 61.
One of the officers then reveals the gender of his child

Police gatecrash the event and 'arrest' him in front of guests

Guests at a gender reveal party were left stunned when police stormed in and arrested the father-to-be, before the tense situation was unveiled to be a wild prank.

TikToker, Mina Ibrahim, recorded the elaborate gag at his Sydney home where he announced his unborn child would be a girl.

'You're not allowed to come into our house,' he shouted at the men dressed in convincing NSW Police uniforms.

Mr Ibrahim then urges his guests to 'take your phone out' and record the exchange.

Father-to-be, Mina Ibrahim, recorded a prank during his gender reveal party at his Sydney home where police officers gatecrashed the event

He tells the officers they 'can't just walk into our house' and warns them to 'get out' as he walks towards them.

Mr Ibrahim pushes against one of the cops before they both turn him around and dramatically arrest him.

The TikTok user is held against the screen door of his home as police restrain him.

A couple of worried guests approach to intervene before one of the officers reveals the gender of his child.

'Congratulations, it's a baby girl!' he says to the crowd.

The guests are heard cheering as both officers hug Mr Ibrahim and his partner.

'So it was the cops who announced to everyone that I was having a baby girl,' Mr Ibrahim explained at the end of the clip.

'And there was a fake balloon inside that everyone thought the reveal was coming from.'

Two officers dramatically arrest Mr Ibrahim in front of shocked guests before one officer revealed the gender of his child

Mr Ibrahim uploaded the prank, where a number of viewers expressed their surprise over the stunt and congratulated him.

'Congratulations Mina and family. Totally shocked with the idea to reveal,' wrote one.

Another said: 'I fell for it and I was worried for your wife!!! I was freaking out hahahah you got me.'

A third added: 'That was insane, what a baby reveal.'

One attentive TikTok user said they were aware something wasn't right as both officers weren't armed.

'The whole time I was like something ain't right!.. he's not carrying his gun,' the user commented.
A transgender American woman serving in the Ukrainian military has spoken about her unique experience in a tell-all interview over the weekend - weeks after sustaining a permanent injury from a Russian artillery strike.

An American journalist and war correspondent, 45-year-old Sarah Ashton-Cirillo described how she's combated the Kremlin for more than a year as an honored guest at Yankee Stadium Saturday - while in the US briefly for her son's graduation.

The native New Yorker joined Zelensky's war effort shortly after its outset last year, and has since spent her time sleeping in the trenches of the war-torn nation, befriending fellow servicemen and moving crucial supplies along the way.

Already laying witness to countless casualties, Ashton-Cirillo got her first taste of action in February, shortly after being transferred to the front line at her own request as part of a combat unit.

That put a rifle in rifle in her hands but also put her in the path of a wayward artillery shell in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region on February 23. Hit in her head and right hand, she was hospitalized for 16 days, and immediately returned to the front.

Scroll down for video:

An American journalist and war correspondent, 45-year-old Sarah Ashton-Cirillo described how she's combated the Kremlin for more than a year Saturday

A transgender woman serving in the Ukrainian military, she spoke about her unique experience in a tell-all interview over the weekend - weeks after sustaining a permanent injury from a Russian artillery strike

I was hit this morning.



My injuries are permanent.



I've lost part of my hand and have scarring on my face.



We won the battle, though.



And here was my message in the immediate aftermath. pic.twitter.com/2mXFTQ3Cak  Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (@SarahAshtonLV) February 23, 2023

Speaking to The New York Post from a private box at the ballpark Saturday - as a guest of team president Randy Levine's wife - Ashton-Cirillo described what it's like to be a full-fledged member of the Ukrainian armed forces - and how she has come on the radar of Moscow in the process.

'No foreigner has spent more time in the Russian border zone than I have,' said Ashton-Cirillo, who traded her title of war correspondent for progressive publication LGBTQ Nation to combat specialist back on January 31.

'With my experience working as a civilian for them - and I was doing a lot of analysis - and it made sense.

'The decision was made that I would enlist.'

Attending as a guest of the Yankees' Universe Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research, Ashton-Cirillo said that within days she found herself wrapped up in the fighting - and soon saw her face plastered on Russian state TV.

'I transferred on January 31 and on February 2, I was fighting,' she said, offering up her unique story that she has also documented in-depth on social media.

'The Russians put me on Russian television all the time,' she added. 'They always focus on calling me "it."'

Now a junior sergeant with the 209th Battalion of the 113th Brigade, she is set to return to the war this month, following a 12-day visit stateside that will also see her speak with politicians in Washington.

Initially a freelancer without a combat helmet or even a firearm, Ashton-Cirillo said she decided to take up arms after she witnessed bombings and rockets kill civilians in cities like Kharkiv and Zolochiv, deep within the war zone.

The nighttime attack damaged the nerves and muscles in her right hand, and left a hole in her cheek and lip. She also said the close call came as a harsh wake-up call - one that she had not been subjected to during her previous 11 months in the country as a freelance war reporter

The native New Yorker joined Zelensky 's war effort shortly after its outset last year, and has since spent her time sleeping in the trenches of the war-torn nation, befriending fellow servicemen and moving crucial supplies along the way

Already laying witness to countless casualties, Ashton-Cirillo got her first taste of action in February, shortly after being transferred to the front line at her own request as part of a combat unit

That put a rifle in rifle in her hands but also put her in the path of a wayward artillery shell in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region on February 23. Hit in her head and right hand, she was hospitalized for 16 days, and immediately returned to the front

Now a junior sergeant with the 209th Battalion of the 113th Brigade, she is set to return to the war this month, following a 12-day visit stateside that will also see her speak with politicians in Washington

Speaking to the New York Post Saturday, she described seeing combat for the first time in February after her unit was hit with a Russian shell strike while stationed on the frontlines

Update:



This will be a year of victory for us.



Slava Ukraini 



(And TY ) pic.twitter.com/aWZYW6JQfZ  Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (@SarahAshtonLV) February 24, 2023

She has since shared photos, videos and dispatches in real time of cratered buildings and dystopian landscapes, holed up in the litany of bomb shelters and and manmade pits littering the countryside.

She described seeing combat for the first time in February after her unit was hit with a Russian shell strike while stationed on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region.

The nighttime attack damaged the nerves and muscles in her right hand, and left a hole in her cheek and lip. She also said the close call came as a harsh wake-up call- one that she had not been subjected to during her previous 11 months in the country.

Just over two weeks later - at her own request - she was back on the frontline, but not after taking to Twitter to declare her steadfastness to the Ukrainian cause, as explosions can be heard in the distance.

'I was hit this morning,' she wrote in a caption accompanying a video showing a fellow soldier bandaging her hand. 'My injuries are permanent. I've lost part of my hand and have scarring on my face.'

'They can't kill us,' she went on to add, as bombs go off in the background. 'They can't hurt us. Victory is ours. It doesn't f****** matter. Why? Because we're Ukraine,'

She proceeded to taunt the Russian president, who days earlier promised a Kremlin victory - while potentially sparing outspoken adversary Zelensky.

'Putin is going to be the one dead,' said Ashton-Cirillo in a clip that has since been viewed 6.5million times.

'And this is the small price for liberation and freedom,' the former freelancer says, before offering a spirited 'Slava Ukraini!' - which in English translates to, 'Glory to Ukraine.'

Despite her different background, Ashton-Cirillo says other soldiers fighting against the occupation have welcomed her with open arms - maintaining to the Post Saturday that she has faced 'zero' harassment or reactions since joining up.

'Its freedom,' the woman from Upstate New York told the publication. 'It doesnt matter that Im a trans person, it is irrelevant. Im first a soldier, second a human being, and everything else comes after that.'

She has since signed a three-year contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces to keep fighting, and hopes that upon reentering the country later this month, she can help them achieve a transformative victory against their Russian aggressors.

She has since shared photos, videos and dispatches in real time of cratered buildings and dystopian landscapes, holed up in the litany of bomb shelters and and manmade pits littering the countryside

Just over two weeks later - at her own request - she was back on the frontline, but not after taking to Twitter to declare her steadfastness to the Ukrainian cause

Ashton-Cirillo said that within days she found herself wrapped up in the fighting - and soon saw her face plastered on Russian state TV

She recently admitted to USA Today: 'If I knew now what I knew nine months ago, I'm not certain I would have chosen this path.

'But because I did choose this path, the only way to go is forward, focused on mission, focused on my convictions and values as to why I'm doing this.'

She is set to return to the frontline next week - but before then will attend her son's high school graduation and schmooze with politicians on Capitol Hill.

Until then, she maintains that, despite what the Kremlin might say, she is just as important to the Ukrainian war effort as the nearly 200,000 others fighting for the nation's freedom.

'It didn't register as any big deal that I'm a trans soldier and in Ukraine,' she told the paper in January. 'It turned out to be the easiest part of my time there. You are judged on your character, you are judged on your courage, and you are judged on your belief in freedom and your loyalty to Ukraine.

'Nothing else matters.'
Cleo Smith suffers from nightmares 18 months after police rescued her from a terrifying 18-day kidnapping ordeal which sparked interest from across the world.

The little girl, who was four at the time, was snatched in the dead of night as she slept next to her parents and little sister on a camping trip at the Blowholes campsite near Carnarvon in Western Australia's remote north-west.

On the morning of October 16, 2021, Cleo's mum Ellie Smith made a panicked phone call to police in the desperate minutes after her and step-dad Jake Gliddon frantically searched the area.

'My daughter's gone missing,' Ms Smith says on the triple-zero call.

'How old is your daughter love?' the operator asks.

'She's four,' Ms Smith replies.

'Have we checked everywhere?' the operator continues.

'Yeah, we have done two laps of the place so we have checked everywhere,' Ms Smith says.

Ellie Smith (pictured centre left) and her partner Jake Gliddon (pictured right) have relived the trauma of their daughter Cleo's abduction in 2021

On the night of the abduction ice addict Terence Darrell Kelly unzipped the family's tent some time after 1.30am, put Cleo in a car and drove back to Carnarvon.

The plot was part of a bizarre fantasy for the man who had a large doll collection and wanted to have a 'real family'.

The parents had not idea what had happened and when police arrived at the scene they were promptly questioned.

Bodycam footage shows a remarkably calm Ms Smith answering police as they began a massive land, sea and air search fearing she had wandered off or fell into the ocean from the rocky cliffs nearby.

'We woke up this morning and she (Cleo) was missing,' Ms Smith tells the officer.

'She's missing and her sleeping bag is missing. It's a big thermal black and red sleeping bag. It's quite heavy I couldn't see her carrying it.'

The hunt for Cleo made world headlines and involved 140 police assisted by SES crews during the first five days of the search around the campsite.

The family have revealed that Cleo, now aged five, still has nightmares every week following her 18-day ordeal

Ms Smith revealed the family of four, which includes Cleo's younger step-sister Isla Gliddon, took a four-month trip around Australia to bond again after police dramatically arrested Kelly and raided his house rescuing the little girl.

'We were able to find ourselves again after trauma,' Ms Smith said told 60 Minutes.

'As long as she (Cleo) is running, jumping, dancing she is happy.

'We had to make sure she felt safe and felt comfortable.'

However, Ms Smith revealed Cleo has 'sad nights, nightmare nights' every week.

'She doesn't have the words to express what she's sad about,' she said.

Mr Gliddon explained how they reassure the now the five-year-old she's okay.

'(We) Give her cuddles, reassure her that everything is fine, sneak her a few a chocolates,' he said.

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said police did an outstanding job but to find Cleo in the time they did with no immediate leads was almost miraculous.

Terence Kelly (pictured) has lodged an appeal against his 13-and-a-half year sentence for abducting Cleo

'Almost every police officer who made a decision about this situation made the right call,' he said.

'It was crucial they had the mindset it was an abduction and they were going to find her and rescue her.'

The breakthrough came when Kelly turned on his mobile phone while driving with Cleo on a back route dirt road to Carnarvon.

The phone's signal was picked up by a mobile tower and this one clue eventually led police to make Kelly their main suspect.

Mr Papalia said arriving at this point meant police sifting through mountains of information.

'From one tower they would have thousands of data sets,' he said

'They needed to eliminate the clutter.'

Police pounced on Kelly on November 2 arresting him just before midnight when they had observed him behaving and driving erratically.

Ms Smith (pictured right with Cleo) said the family took a four-month trip around Australia to recover after the kidnapping

Shortly after they raided his home, which was only three kilometres from Cleo's house, and found the little girl who was able to identify herself.

Ms Smith praised the work of officers.

'They were fast, they were efficient, the second they got details they jumped in,' she said.

It transpired that Kelly, who collected children's Bratz dolls, had brazenly responded to Ms Smith's social media posts pleading for Cleo's return by posting comments demanding 'whoever' had the child bring her back.

He bound Cleo with sticky tape and when she cried out for her parents Kelly drowned out the sound by turning up the radio - even as news reports concerning girl were read out and she recognised her name.

Ms Smith said police explained Kelly's 'disgusting' motives in kidnapping Cleo.

'He had his fantasies and he was trying to make them come to life,' she said.

'He wanted a daughter and wanted a wife. He had to make that come to life.

'He wanted a little girl that was a little doll.'

Ms Smith and Mr Gliddon (pictured) made a surprise appearance at Kelly's sentencing in the District Court of WA in April, 2023

Kelly's legal team confirmed this week their client has lodged an appeal over the 13-and-a-half-year sentence handed down to him after he admitted forcibly detaining a child under the age of 16.

Ms Smith and Mr Gliddon made a surprise appearance at Kelly's sentencing in the District Court of WA last month.

Sentencing judge Julie Wager described the fear, distress and trauma caused to Cleo and her parents as 'immeasurable'.

'Eighteen days without contact or explanation, and with hours totally on her own and no access to the outside world, would have been very traumatic,' the judge said.

Ms Smith admitted she felt a 'big ball of anger' building up before Kelly's sentencing but was trying to put the traumatic incident behind the family now.

'We have Cleo and we have our family and we try not to dwell on him (Kelly) and the bad things that happened,' she said.

'We try not to let it rule our lives.'
A Cabinet split over immigration policy has emerged ahead of official statistics that are expected to show a record-high level of migration to Britain.

Reports in recent days have suggested ministers are braced for official figures released later this month to show net migration of between 650,000 and 997,000.

This would surpass the previous peak of 504,000 in the year to June 2022 and place fresh pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Government's 2019 pledge to reduce the numbers.

According to the Sunday Times, one Cabinet minister is advocating raising the minimum salary required for migrants to earn in a UK-based job in a bid to cut net migration.

It has been suggested ministers are braced for official figures to show net migration of between 650,000 and 997,000 (pictured are arrivals at the UK border at Heathrow airport)

There is expected to be fresh pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Government's 2019 pledge to reduce migration numbers

Grant Shapps suggested arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong had inflated this year's figures when quizzed about speculation over net migration nearing one million

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Suella Braverman is said to be fighting opposition to her plans to clamp down on the number of visas handed to foreign students and their dependents.

But another top minister argued against tougher immigration restrictions at a time when British businesses are struggling to fill job vacancies.

The revelation of a Cabinet-level split over immigration policy came as Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said he was 'rather proud' of the UK's record on migration.

He suggested arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong had inflated this year's figures when quizzed about speculation over net migration nearing one million.

Between June 2021 and June last year, net migration hit a record 504,000, according to Office for National Statistics data.

But the Centre for Policy Studies has forecast that net migration could reach up to 997,000 for the year to December 2022.

They have pointed to Home Office visa statistics showing the number of arrivals to the UK - before the number of departures is subtracted to give the net migration figure - has increased to more than 1.3million.

The Government is said to be prepared for voters to be 'very shocked' at 'how big' this year's figures will be, the Sunday Times reported.

In an effort to reduce the number of people legally coming to the UK for work, the Government could raise the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa from the current 26,200 per year.

This is the minimum salary level that migrants must be offered for a job in the UK before they are able to be granted a working visa by the Home Office.

One cabinet minister told the newspaper: 'The salary threshold in the points-based system is too low.

'I would advocate raising the salary threshold to a level that more accurately reflects high-skilled work than the present 26,000.'

But the same Cabinet minister revealed that plans to stop family members from joining overseas master's students at British universities were currently the 'most advanced' in Government.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan are claimed to have watered down Mrs Braverman's wish for a wider crackdown on foreign student and dependent numbers, due to fears over the economic impact of new measures.

Another Cabinet minister warned against imposing tougher immigration restrictions when there was a shortage of British workers to fill job vacancies.

'There is a shortage of workers and these jobs are being filled by immigrants,' they said.

'If that doesn't happen there will be a negative effect on the economy.'

Quizzed this morning about speculation the net migration figure could be as high as one million, Mr Shapps told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: 'This country has had a big heart, we've opened the country for Ukrainian refugees, for British nationals from Hong Kong.

'Take those two groups alone and it's well over 300,000 of these numbers. And then of course we've had people from Syria and elsewhere. So actually, I'm rather proud of our record.'

The Energy Secretary added it was a benefit of leaving the EU that Britain had 'control' over immigration policies.

'We have a Migration Advisory Committee that says that there's a shortage in this area, or that area,' he said.

'One of the advantages now with Brexit is we have control over our own policies. So we can say, we want people to help with a specific sector.

'We should always make sure that we only have people come here that our rules and our policy bring here.'

Mr Shapps added that he didn't think net migration would hit one million and stressed 'the important thing is that Britain has control'.

The ONS migration figures are due to be published on May 25.
Border Patrol agents have seen a 50 percent drop in the number of migrants crossing from Mexico into the U.S. since Title 42 expired at midnight Thursday, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Numbers had surged during the run up to the end of the pandemic-restriction, topping more than 10,000 a day.

But Mayorkas said the number dropped to 6,300 encounters on Friday and about 4,200 on Saturday.

'Over the past two days, the United States Border Patrol has experienced a 50 percent drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week before Title 42 ended at midnight on Thursday,' he told CNN's 'State of the Union' program.

'It is still early. We are in day three. But we have been planning for this transition for months and months.'

Border Patrol agents have seen a 50 percent drop in the number of migrants crossing from Mexico into the U.S., according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

 Slide me  This was the scene on Friday morning close to the border wall outside Yuma, Arizona. It was deserted. Some 24 hours earlier the line of migrants waiting to be process was 300-strong

He also appeared on ABC's 'This Week' to push the message that the Biden administration had succeeded in advertising that the nation's borders were not open.

DailyMail.com was at the border in Yuma, Arizona, on Thursday night when hundreds of people raced to cross into the U.S. before Title 42 ended.

But the following morning the place was all but deserted. Experts said they believed migrants and people smuggling gangs were trying to get to grips with a new set of immigration policies.

Mayorkas admitted it was still too early to say that numbers had peaked, but he said Washington's message was getting through.

'We have communicated very clearly a vitally important message to the individuals who are thinking of arriving at our southern border: There is a lawful, safe and orderly way to arrive in the United States,' he said.

'That is through the pathways that President Biden has expanded in an unprecedented way.

'And then there's a consequence if one does not use those lawful pathways, and that consequence is removal from the United States, deportation and encountering a five-year ban on reentry, and possible criminal prosecution.'

Title 42 was activated by the Trump administration to stem the spread of COVID-19. It is a public health measure that allows border authorities to immediately expel arrivals before they could even claim asylum.

Immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S., who are stuck in a makeshift camp between border walls between the U.S. and Mexico, sit as a Customs and Border Protection officer keeps watch while other migrants are lined up to be transported on May 13, 2023

But with the pandemic over, it finally expired at midnight eastern time on Thursday.

The Biden administration rushed through new restrictions, effectively restoring Trump's 'transit ban,' which allows for the deportation of arrivals who did not seek asylum in countries through which they traveled.

Migrants can legally present themselves at the border if they used a mobile app, CBP One, to register in advance.

But there were snags. An eleventh hour legal challenge blocked plans to more quickly release migrants from Border Patrol detention.

The quick drop in numbers will help alleviate pressure on detention facilities that were running way beyond capacity.

Almost 300 newly arrived migrants were released by officials in Yuma, Arizona, on Friday illustrating how border cities are struggling to cope with a huge surge in arrivals in the past week.

Almost 300 newly arrived migrants were released by officials in Yuma, Arizona, on Friday illustrating how border cities are struggling to cope with a huge surge

Migrants were seen boarding buses in Yuma, Arizona and coincided with the end of Title 42, and the lifting of a Trump-era restriction designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19

On Friday afternoon, three white buses with blacked out windows pulled into the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility close to the city's airport

On Thursday, the mayor of Yuma announced that CBP was planning releases in the city of migrants who had not undergone full processing, although he insisted they had been 'vetted.'

And on Friday afternoon, three white buses with blacked out windows pulled into the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility close to the city's airport.

The location was a closely held secret, but DailyMail.com was on hand to witness the release. A briefing document said 141 were being freed.

Streams of people could be seen climbing out of the buses and being directed to a shaded holding area, where there was at least some shelter from 96F temperatures.

From there, it is understood they will be put on buses to take them to Phoenix.

It followed a similar release of about 140 people at a separate location in Yuma and at nearby San Luis in the morning.

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines said the process was an admission that federal authorities simply could not cope.

'This is decompressing and the federal govt is relying on the local and state government to do its job,' he said.

'It's another failure of the Biden Administration to manage a problem they created with their open border policy.'
He was involved in a verbal altercation with another man

Queensland Police are investigating after a man was reportedly shot in Brisbane's north after a verbal altercation.

Just before 6pm on Sunday, a man was in a verbal altercation with the driver of a vehicle at a car park near Nancy Bird Way, Brisbane Airport.

It is understood an occupant of the vehicle then shot the man outside the vehicle, then drove off.

The man was transported to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police believe there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident or may have dashcam/CCTV vision to contact police.
United States Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 67,000 illegal immigrants flooding into the country last week - as video revealed a grotesque patch of wet clothing, drugs and other garbage abandoned by migrants, dubbed 'the mattress.'

Border reporter Todd Bensman documented the great patch of abandoned soggy clothing, and spoke with a Texas National Guardsman about why members of the agency colloquially refer to it as 'the mattress.'

Bensman can be heard saying that in addition to abandoned clothing, the pile contains feces, medication, diapers and syringes.

The Guardsman, who was heard but not seen in Bensman's video, told him that the pile was given its nickname because it is soft, and there's no way to know what you might find inside it.

'It's soft but ... there's no telling what you're getting on ya if you fall into this,' said the agent of the pile located on the bank opposite Matamoros - a city in Mexico across from Brownsville.

Last Thursday, Title 42, the Trump era immigration restriction designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was lifted. In the days leading up to that policy lapsing, border agents saw a massive influx of migrants attempting to illegally enter the country just under the wire.

As a result, the number of illegal migrants who crossed the border last week jumped to nearly 70,000, from 50,000 the week before.

Now, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is claiming that the lifting of Title 42 is quelling the number of migrants attempting to trespass into the country.

Prior to the Thursday night end to the policy, upwards of 10,000 migrants per day were streaming across the border. Mayorkas said the number dropped to 6,300 encounters on Friday and about 4,200 on Saturday.

'Over the past two days, the United States Border Patrol has experienced a 50 percent drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week before Title 42 ended at midnight on Thursday,' he told the host of CNN's 'State of the Union'

'It is still early. We are in day three. But we have been planning for this transition for months and months.'

It is yet to be seen whether the numbers will die down, per Mayorkas' prediction, but on Friday, United States Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz shared a tweet illuminating what his officers encountered over the last seven days.

Migrants wait to board a bus in downtown Brownsville, Texas to arrive at their final destination in the United States Thursday, May 11, 2023 as Title 42 comes to an end

More than $83,000 in cash was seized by border patrol agents last week

Migrants wait in line for a food handout outside at a processing center on May 11, 2023 in Brownsville, Texas. The US on May 11, 2023, will officially end its 40-month Covid-19 emergency, also discarding the Title 42 law, a tool that has been used to prevent millions of migrants from entering the country

Shocking video shows huge pile of trash and wet clothes dubbed 'the mattress' discarded by migrants crossing illegally into Brownsville

Nearly 500 pounds of drugs were seized by border patrol agents last week

56 pounds of Fentanyl were found and confiscated last week

Migrants walk to a bus station after being released from a respite center at the Texas-Mexico border, Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Brownsville, Texas

In this aerial picture taken on May 11, 2023 people push a float with migrants across the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico, in Brownsville, Texas

Ortiz wrote that three of his agents were assaulted, $83,557 of cash was seized, nearly 500 pounds of drugs were confiscated, including 56 pounds of fentanyl, and seven firearms were taken.

Five sex offenders, four gang members, two felons and one subject with five warrants out against him were also apprehended.

In addition to 67,759 apprehensions, approximately 15,780 illegal migrants were tallied as 'gotaways,' a term for illegal immigrants who have been spotted crossing the border by agents or on camera, but were not caught or processed by officials.

Statistics published by the U.S Customs and Border Protection show that in March of this year there have been 257,910 nationwide encounters across all borders.

The figures for March brought the total number of encounters to 1,544,087 this year.

Current trends could see the total number of crossings break last year's record of 2.76 million.

The latest numbers and reversal of Title 42 come 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 US.

The first centers will be located in Colombia and Guatemala, two countries that have developed key stoppage points for those wishing to travel to the border.

President Biden has also authorized the Army Reserves to deploy to the southern border as border patrol offices remain woefully understaffed to deal with and process the number of migrants gushing across the border.

One of the haul of drugs that was recovered by Border Patrol over the last week of April

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.

Republicans and border hawks have been highly critical of Title 42 ending, claiming there is no alternative to ensure the southern border is not overrun and even more overwhelmed that it already is.

Internal projections show that migration at the southern border could spike by a whopping 10,000 to 13,000 per day now that the policy has lapsed.

But, so far, that is not what Mayorkas says the agency's he oversees are experiencing.

'We have communicated very clearly a vitally important message to the individuals who are thinking of arriving at our southern border: There is a lawful, safe and orderly way to arrive in the United States,' he said during a Sunday morning appearance on ABC's This Week.

'That is through the pathways that President Biden has expanded in an unprecedented way.

'And then there's a consequence if one does not use those lawful pathways, and that consequence is removal from the United States, deportation and encountering a five-year ban on reentry, and possible criminal prosecution.'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has come under fire for backing away from his plans for reparations payments to black residents.

The governor created a task force to study the economic effects of slavery and discrimination in the state back in September 2020, making California the first state to embark on studying the possibility of reparations for black Americans  even though slavery was banned from California even before it joined the union.

It approved its final recommendations last week for reparations payments of a minimum of $360,000 for black Californians, though the payments may go up to $1.2million.

But on Tuesday, Newsom declined to endorse any specific recommendations made by the task force, as he argued that dealing with the effects of slavery and discrimination is 'about much more than cash payments.'

Now, a Republican critic said Newsom found himself in a 'lose-lose' situation as speculation mounts that he might run against President Joe Biden in the primaries.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (pictured earlier this month) has refused to endorse a proposal to pay black residents up to $1.2million in reparations

Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher said the Democrat governor now finds himself in a 'lose-lose' situation of his own making

'No matter what he does, he's going to anger part of his base,' Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher told FOX News Digital.

'It will take an absurd mental gymnastics to require California taxpayers, including new immigrants, low-income workers and even some African Americans have to pay for a wrong committed by other states more than 150 years ago, but that's the position Newsom put himself in,' Gallagher said.

He then slammed Newsom for making 'big promises he can't or won't keep.'

Newsom signed the bill creating the task force in September 2020, following widespread protests over the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in Minnesota.

The task force's hearings have attracted large crowd, and impassioned activists calling for hundreds of thousands of dollars for black residents.

In a statement to FOX News Newsom said: 'This has been an important process, and we should continue to work as a nation to reconcile our original sin of slavery and understand how that history has shaped our country.

'Dealing with that legacy is about much more than cash payments,' he added, as he pledged to continue to 'advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians.

'Many of the recommendations put forward by the task force are critical action items we've already been hard at work addressing: breaking down barriers to vote, bolstering resources to address hate, enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, strengthening economic mobility  all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and well beyond.

'This work must continue,' he said.

But the governor never explicitly endorsed the reparations payments the task force suggested, which are set to be sent to the California State Legislature in July.

Instead, he said, 'Following the task force's submission of its final report this summer, I look forward to a continued partnership with the Legislature to advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians.'

California's reparations task force has approved a plan which could give black residents up to $1.2million each as compensation for slavery and discrimination

The final report is to be sent to lawmakers before July 1 where it will forecast compensation estimates calculated by several economists the group is working with

The nine-member group vote last week to recommend that the state send checks of up to $1.2million to black Californians, based on what has been lost to specific types of racial discrimination.

That includes $2,352 lost per person per year for the over-policing and mass incarceration of black communities and $3,366 per person per year of residence between 1933 and 1977 for 'discriminatory lending and zoning'.

It also figures $13,619 per person per year for residents in California for 'injustices and discrimination in health' and $77,000 per person for black-owned business losses and devaluations.

This means a lifelong black California resident aged at least 71 could receive more than $1.2million in compensation.

The reparations task force has also asked for those eligible to receive cash 'down payments' as soon as any recommendations are forged into law while they wait for the compensation to be calculated.

Those eligible for the payments include any descendant of enslaved African Americans or of a 'free black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century.'

It wrote in its report: 'The initial down payment is the beginning of a process of addressing historical injustices not the end of it.'

If legislation is passed for the payments, the committee suggested that a state agency be created to process claims and make payments with elderly black residents being the priority.

Around 1.8 million people in California identify as black or African American.

The total cost of the program is estimated at $640billion, more than double the state's $300billion budget.

Those eligible for the payments include any descendant of enslaved African Americans or of a 'free black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century'

Around 1.8 million people in California identify as black or African American

It comes as the state is facing its first deficit in years.

The projected $31.5 billion shortfall would mark California's first budget deficit since Newsom took office in 2019, and follows several years of booming surpluses as tax revenues surged.

California has a progressive tax system that relies heavily on rich people and taxes investment gains as regular income, meaning it gets about half its revenues from just 1 percent of the population.

When the economy is good and the stock market surges, the wealthy pay more in taxes and revenues can soar quickly. When the economy is bad, they pay less and revenues can plunge just as fast.

The economic reality means that payments of hundreds of thousands in reparations were exceptionally unlikely.

The projected $31.5 billion shortfall would mark California's first budget deficit since Newsom took office in 2019, and follows several years of booming surpluses as tax revenues surged

Critics now say Newsom only came up with the idea of a reparations task force to score political points, figuring it would never pass the state legislature.

But proponents of the payments have been pushing for Newsom to us his authority as governor to unilaterally enact the proposal.

'This futile reparations exercise exposes the non-serious nature of Governor Newsom's leadership,' Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli said.

'Rather than deal with the problems of California head-on, he prefers headlines and do-nothing commissions.

'It might work in a Democrat super-majority state like California,' Essayli said, 'but the rest of America will see right through him.'

Elizabeth Kolstad, the chairwoman of the Fresno County Republican Committee also said: 'Creating this committee was another half-baked ploy for votes and accolades that has landed him in dangerous water with no path to safety.'

'What is clear, is if Gavin's committee recommendations are implemented, CA is going to sink faster than the Titanic  only the Titanic's lights were on it when it went down.'

Still, Task Force Chair Kamilah Moore said she is hopeful recommendations, including the payments, could get enough support from state lawmakers.

'We've gone above and beyond,' Moore said of the group's work.
Gatwick was closed for more than an hour after reports of a drone flying over the airport - sparking safety fears.

Flights were grounded and planes circled after up to three sightings.

Take offs and landings were halted for just under an hour with 12 planes diverted to other airports.

The airlift was closed from 1.44pm to 2.35pm on Sunday.

British Airways said one of its flights was affected, with it landing at Stansted before refuelling and returning to Gatwick.

Flights were grounded and planes circled after up to three sightings of the suspected drones

Operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily while investigations took place

A Gatwick spokesperson said: 'Passenger safety is the airport's absolute priority and - following established procedures - operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily while investigations into the sighting of a suspected drone close to the airfield took place.

'These investigations have now completed and the airfield reopened.

'Five inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports during the investigation, however we expect these will return to London Gatwick shortly.'

It comes just a week after it emerged that an easyJet plane flying at more than 300mph missed a suspected drone by as little as 16ft over the Sussex countryside.

The incredibly close call happened at a height of 5,000ft just three minutes after the Airbus A320 had taken off from Gatwick on a flight to Basel, Switzerland.

Drones are normally limited to flying at up to 400ft, meaning one at 5,000ft would be at more than 12 times the maximum legal altitude

Drone activity at Gatwick saw around 1,000 flights cancelled or diverted between December 19 to 21 in 2018.

A report by the UK Airprox Board, the official body for assessing near misses, revealed that the pilots initially thought the object was a bird before concluding it was a drone being flown illegally.

The pilots immediately informed air traffic controllers who put out a warning to other planes departing from Gatwick.

It is believed that the drone may have been flown by a rogue operator wanting to get dramatic video footage of an airliner flying past.

There could have been catastrophic consequences if the device had gone into one of the jets engines or smashed the cockpit screen.

Drones are normally limited to flying at up to 400ft, meaning that the suspected drone was potentially at more than 12 times the maximum legal altitude.

Investigators were unable to confirm that the object was a drone due to a lack of evidence other than the account of the two pilots.

If a drone operator had been identified, they could have been convicted of endangering an aircraft and jailed for up to five years.

The incident happened at 3.21pm on February 24 while the jet was climbing to its cruising height in an area just north of Uckfield, East Sussex.

This is not the first time Gatwick has been targeted by suspected drones.

Activity at Gatwick saw around 1,000 flights cancelled or diverted between December 19 to 21 in 2018.

No culprit was found, and there was criticism over the amount of time it took for the runway at the West Sussex airport to reopen.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday that attempts by the Supreme Court to block gun control could trigger a 'popular revolt.'

He made his comments as President Joe Biden accused Republicans of caring more about gunmakers than their constituents as he again called on Congress to pass gun control legislation.

Democrats stepped up their arguments that a majority of Americans back tougher firearm regulation on the day that Buffalo, New York, was marking the anniversary of a racist gun attack that killed 10 people.

'If the Supreme Court eventually says that states or the Congress cant pass universal background checks or cant take these assault weapons off the streets, I think theres going to be a popular revolt over that policy,' said Murphy, of Connecticut.

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that a federal law preventing the sale of guns to 18- to 20-year-olds was unconstitutional.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday that attempts by the Supreme Court to block gun control could trigger a 'popular revolt' during an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press'

Any further action could make it all the way to the Supreme Court, which has lost the confidence of a swath of Americans and faces fresh ethics allegations against justices.

'A court thats already pretty illegitimate, is going to be in full crisis mode,' Murphy added on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

He is an outspoken advocate of gun control and his words may be seen as a threat.

Meanwhile, Biden marked the anniversary of the Buffalo mass shooting with an impassioned call to ban assault weapons and require gun owners to securely their firearms.

'The majority of Americans  even the majority of gun owners  want Congress to take some commonsense action to reduce gun violence,' he wrote in an op-ed published by USA Today.

'But too many congressional Republicans are doing the bidding of gun manufacturers instead of their constituents.'

The city of Buffalo is marking the attack with a moment of silence to remember the 10 people killed when a gunman targeted black people at a supermarket.

It will be followed by bells tolling.

President Joe Biden on Sunday slammed Republicans for caring more about gunmakers than their constituents as he again called on Congress to pass gun control legislation

Biden made the demand as he marked marked the anniversary of a mass shooting at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, New York, where 10 people died

'The racially motivated mass shooting shook our community to its core. It was the day the unthinkable happened,' Mayor Byron Brown said in announcing plans for the commemoration.

Biden pointed out the murders were followed 10 days later by an attack on a school in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were shot dead.

'Jill and I visited both communities, spending hours with hundreds of family members who lost pieces of their soul and whose lives will never be the same,' he wrote.

'They had one message for all of us: Do something. For Gods sake, do something.'

In their aftermath, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It strengthens firearms background checks for young people and expands the use of red flag laws.

But more is needed, wrote Biden, pointing out that the toll since Buffalo last year included 650 mass shootings and more than 40,000 deaths due to gun violence.

The city of Buffalo is marking the attack with a moment of silence to remember the 10 people killed when a gunman targeted black people at a supermarket

Payton Gendron (pictured being led into a Gendron courtroom last year) was sentenced to life in prison for the Buffalo attack. I did a terrible thing that day. I shot and killed people because they were black,' he said at his sentencing in February

'Congress must act, including by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from liability,' he wrote.

'We also need more governors and state legislators to take these steps.'

The White House sent out a fact sheet describing actions taken by the Biden administration.

They include enhanced background checks, particularly for people under the age of 21; adding dating relationship status in domestic abuse cases to prevent guns falling into the hands of people with a history of abuse; and increased prosecutions over firearms trafficking and purchases of weapons for people banned from buying a gun.
The Aruban guide hired to search for Natalee Holloway in 2005 has said the island has yet to recover financially from the girl's disappearance, citing a tourism decrease in the wake of the high-profile case.

Making the revelation in a telephone interview, Alberto Groeneveldt described the dire state of the island, saying businesses such as his own only recently 'picked up a little bit' almost 18 years later.

Even still, the Aruban event planner said commerce on the Caribbean Isle, 'it's not like before' - claiming its association with the infamous cold case has caused clubs to shutter and cruise lines to remove Aruba from their itinerary.

The resulting drop in tourism, Groeneveldt said, has left the island's economy in shambles - days after it was announced the killer thought to be responsible for Natalee's vanishing would be extradited to the US.

The executive order allowing the extradition of Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot marked the latest twist in the nearly 20-year-old mystery, during which the Alabama teen's parents reached out to Groeneveldt to aid in their search.

The Aruban guide hired to search for Natalee Holloway in 2005 has said the island has yet to recover financially from the girl's disappearance. Aruba police are seen arresting suspect Joran van der Sloot in July 2005, before releasing him due to lack of evidence

Natalee, 18 (left), was on a graduation trip to Aruba in May 2005 when she went missing. Her mother met Natelee's alleged killer Joran van der Sloot (right) as she was searching the island with the aforementioned guide

The resulting drop in tourism has left the island's economy in shambles - days after it was announced the killer thought to be responsible would be extradited to the US

Their effort, however, turned up little - despite it taking place days after Natalee, who is from Alabama, was last seen during a high school graduation trip on May 30, 2005.

Several similar searches have since spawned the same result - building up a dubious reputation for the idyllic Caribbean paradise in the process.

Speaking to Fox News Saturday, Groeneveldt shined a light on this phenomenon, which he said has persisted since his and others' failure to find the girl - and give her parents Beth and Dave closure,

'It has had a long-term impact on the island,' Groeneveldt explained, citing what he said were a decrease in clubs in the area, in addition to a drop in cruises that make stops at the island nation.

The event planner's assertion is supported by the data from the World Tourism Organization, which lays bare how the number of tourists who visit the island annually dropped in 2005, from 1.3 million to 1.2million today.

The country would not experience an increase in visitors for four years, until 2008, after which the number of annual visitors fluctuated between 1.3million and 1.4million for nearly a decade.

Up until that point, the country had been enjoying an upward trend that looked to be on the mend from 2013 to 2019 - until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and threw a hurdle into the globe's travel industry.

Tourism, according to the U.S. State Department, is the mainstay of Arubas economy - and while it currently accounts for 2 million tourists per year, Groeneveldt said the island is still not the same.

Natalee is pictured with her mother Beth shortly before her disappearance in 2005. She rushed to Aruba in the days after her daughter's disappearance, but failed to garner any leads. The tourist destination has suffered in the time since, with business closures and less cruises

The effort, however, turned up little - despite it taking place days after Natalee, who is from Alabama, was last seen during a high school graduation trip on May 30, 2005. Natalee is seen in casino security footage at a table with van der Sloot shortly before her disappearance

In an ABC documentary on her daughter's disappearance, Beth Holloway returned to Aruba 15 years later - where the effects of the high-profile crime can still be seen, the guide said

Natalee Holloway's mother, Beth (pictured), is revisiting Aruba 15 years after her daughter disappeared in a 20/20 special

'It's not like before,' he told Fox, pointing to the slew of closes businesses that he said are only now starting to return to normal.

The former guide for Natalee's mom lamented how in the interim, Natalee's parents have had to live through the pain and uncertainty of not knowing the fate of the high schooler.

"They do not know exactly how to close this whole situation," Groeneveldt said, days after Beth issued her own statement statement touting Peruvian and US officials for cooperating to extradite the man who may have killed her daughter.

'We do not know of how to react because everybody wants to find closure, everybody wants to find peace, everybody wants to find out the truth.'

Groeneveldt further remarked that whoever is responsible for the girl's death, 'should be getting what they deserve.'

A Dutch national from Aruba, meanwhile, is now being charged with extortion and wire fraud - after attempting to sell information to Natalee's mother he said would lead her to the girl's body.

Van der Sloot, 28, was arrested in connection with the Holloway disappearance weeks after the then 17-year-old teen was last seen leaving a bar called Carlos'n Charlie's in the seaside capital Oranjestad, but escaped charges at the time due to lack of evidence.

Identified as the case's sole suspect, Van der Sloot evaded federal scrutiny for another seven years before was arrested in Peru for the 2010 murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, who was killed five years to the day after Holloway's disappearance.

Van der Sloot (pictured) is currently serving a 28-year sentence in Peru after being convicted of killing 21-year-old student Stephany in 2010. Prosecutors in the U.S. allege van der Sloot accepted $25,000 in cash from Holloway's family in exchange for a promise to lead them to her body in early 2010, just before he went to Peru

Prosecutors at the time accused the former Aruba resident of killing Flores, a business student from a prominent family, to rob her after learning she had won money at the casino where the two met.

They said he killed her with 'ferocity' and 'cruelty,' beating then strangling her in his hotel room.

Shortly thereafter, he confessed to Flores' murder and was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the 2010 murder.

He made headlines again in 2014 when his lawyer reported that van der Sloot had been stabbed in prison, though penitentiary authorities said he likely hurt himself.

The executive order clearing the way for van der Sloot to be extradited to the U.S. was announced in a statement from the Peruvian Embassy in Washington.

But his extradition stems not from murder charges pertaining to Holloway. Instead, prosecutors want van der Sloot for an alleged attempt to profit from his connection to her disappearance.

A grand jury in Alabama in 2010 indicted van der Sloot on wire fraud and extortion charges, accusing him of trying to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Holloways.

Prosecutors in the U.S. alleged van der Sloot accepted $25,000 in cash from Holloway's family in exchange for a promise to lead them to her body in early 2010, just before he went to Peru.

An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that van der Sloot reached out to Holloway's mother and wanted to be paid $25,000 to disclose the location and then another $225,000 when the remains were recovered.

During a recorded sting operation, van der Sloot pointed to a house where he said Holloway was buried but, in later emails, admitted to lying about the location, the agent said.

Peru's Minister of Justice Daniel Maurate said in a statement Wednesday the government decided to 'accept the request' from U.S. authorities 'for the temporary transfer' of van der Sloot to be prosecuted on extortion and fraud charges. In Peru, all extraditions must be approved by the president.

'We will continue to collaborate on legal issues with allies such as the United States, and many others with which we have extradition treaties,' said Edgar Alfredo Rebaza, director of Peru's Office of International Judicial Cooperation and Extraditions of the National Prosecutor's Office.

No mention was made of whether van der Sloot might also face Alabama state charges stemming from the teen's death itself, and there was no immediate word from U.S. officials as to whether that was possible under Washington's extradition treaty with Lima.

In a statement, the young woman's mother, Beth Holloway, said she was blessed to have Natalee in her life for 18 years.

'She would be 36 years old now. It has been a very long and painful journey, but the persistence of many is going to pay off. Together, we are finally getting justice for Natalee,' Beth Holloway said.

Attorney Maximo Altez, who represents van der Sloot, told the AP he will fight the decision once he is properly notified by the Peruvian government.

'I am going to challenge that resolution,' Altez said. 'I am going to oppose it since he has the right to a defense.'

Van der Sloot could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. More than a decade ago, he told a Peruvian judge that he would fight efforts to be extradited to the US.

Van der Sloot married a Peruvian woman in July 2014 in a ceremony at a maximum-security prison, where he is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence.

It was previously said that when his sentence is up in 2038, he would be extradited back to the US to face charges of extortion, however, last week executive order from Peru's Council of Ministers allowed a temporary extradition of the Dutch citizen.

The extortion charge stems from the fact that once arrested, Van der Sloot's story changed several times - first claiming he dropped Natalee off back at her hotel, then that he left her at the beach, then that he sold her into sexual slavery.

Then, in a desperate final attempt, van der Sloot demanded Beth - who in 2019 revisited Aruba with 20/20 camera crews, walking through the streets where she conducted her search for Natalee years ago - send her the $25,000 down payment for information on where Natalee's remains were.

She obliged, and Van Der Sloot would go on to flee - before being picked up in Peru years later.

'I did not tell you the truth so the information you have is worthless...' he wrote in an email to Beth's attorney at the time, attempting to deflect guilt for what feds say was a conspiracy.

'I'm sorry for making a fool out of you if that is why [sic] you think. I think you are a nice man and a man of your word and I am most definitely not.'

On Wednesday, Natalee's mother celebrated the confirmation that van der Sloot's day in US court is now on the horizon, following previous comments over the years in which she branded the Dutchman a 'monster.'

"I was blessed to have had Natalee in my life for 18 years, and as of this month, I have been without her for exactly 18 years,' Beth Holloway said in a written statement, adding that her daughter would have been 36 if she were here today.

'It has been a very long and painful journey, but the persistence of many is going to pay off. Together, we are finally getting justice for Natalee.'

She added of her daughter's potential killer: 'He's a monster. I know that he was responsible for the demise of Natalee and I'll never, never not believe that,' Beth said.

She told 20/20 in 2019: 'Some people have said, "Well, you know, Beth, if you hadn't sent him that $25,000 he probably wouldn't have had the money to go to Peru and then kill Stephany."

'Well, hell no...Whoever was responsible for letting Joran leave that island, Aruba  they are the ones that have to sleep at night over Stephany Flores' death. Not me.'
Russia's air defences shot down five of its own aircraft 'almost simultaneously', Ukraine's air force has claimed.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had shot down three of its own helicopters and two fighter jets over the Bryansk region close to the Ukrainian border on Saturday.

It comes after Russian state media reported a Su-34 and a Su-35 fighter jet and two Mi-8 helicopters were 'shot down' in the region.

The fighter jets 'were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine', according to the channel.

But Russia's Defence Ministry has not clarified the dispute and failed to mention it in its operational update today, only claiming it had shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet elsewhere.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had shot down three of its own helicopters and two fighter jets over the Bryansk region close to the Ukrainian border on Saturday. Pictured: a Helicopter over Bryansk

Bryansk Regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram on Saturday that a helicopter had crashed in the Bryansk town of Klintsy and that one woman had been injured.

But Bogomaz also made no reference to any other reported crashes in Bryansk.

Russian state news agency TASS said engine problems were to blame, citing Russian authorities.

On Saturday, Russian outlet Readovka posted that four aircraft had been downed, including two Mi-8 helicopters, with nine crew members killed. It was a "huge loss for Russian aviation," the outlet said.

Russian reports say the pilot and navigator in the Su-34, which crashed in the village of Istrovka near Starodub, failed to eject and were killed.

Video showed a missile hitting one Mi-8 helicopter which exploded, plunging to the earth in flames. Crew on the helicopters were also killed, reports said.

Bryansk Regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram on Saturday that a helicopter had crashed in the Bryansk town of Klintsy and that one woman had been injured

In one of the pieces of footage, the helicopter appears to have been struck side-on as a gush of flames erupts through the rotorcraft leaving a trail of black smoke.

The Russian media initially claimed the downed helicopter in footage had suffered engine fire rather than being hit by a missile.

Meanwhile, the crashes sparked fury among Russian pro-war pundits who allege Putin's high command has failed to properly carry out the war.

Igor 'Strelkov Girkin - a long a campaigner for all mobilisation and martial law - said sarcastically: 'Today's heavy losses by our aviation in the Bryansk region as a result of the actions of the enemy prompted some bloggers to a brilliant and completely unexpected idea that we must fight the enemy. Well, who would have thought?'

He blames the Kremlin for not declaring a full-scale war or putting Russian on a war footing.

Meanwhile, the crashes sparked fury among Russian pro-war pundits who allege Putin's high command has failed to properly carry out the war

Pictured: Russian Su-35 fighter aircraft fly over Moscow for a WWII rehearsal victory parade
It suggested that children aged four and under should be taught about sexuality

A controversial document on child sexuality by the WHO has sparked a backlash

The World Health Organisation is facing a backlash over its controversial guidance for children's sexuality and gender.

The WHO's guidelines suggests that children as young as four and under should be given sex education and 'explore gender identities.'

In a document published to provide guidance for policymakers in Europe, the organisation claims that 'sexuality education starts from birth.'

Officials describe the guide as a 'framework for policy makers, educational and health authorities and specialists'.

The guidance suggests that children between four and six years old should be encouraged to 'talk about sexual matters'.

(Stock Photo) A controversial report by the WHO on how young children should be taught about sexuality and gender has sparked a backlash

In a document published to provide guidance for policymakers in Europe, the organisation claims that 'sexuality education starts from birth.'

The guidance includes a recommendation that children as young as four and under are taught about masturbation

The WHO document has led to a backlash in the UK, including from MPs and campaigners, The Telegraph reported.

It even suggests that children aged four and under should be taught about masturbation and 'enjoyment and pleasure when touching one's own body.'

These fall under what the WHO refers to as the 'minimal standards that need to be covered by sexuality education.'

The document was also cited in a report consulted by Welsh minsters, which introduced a mandatory sex education syllabus last year.

However, the UK government has rejected the guidance being introduced to children in Britain.

A government spokesperson said: 'The UK Government does not recognise this WHO guidance and we don't agree with its recommendations. We have not distributed or promoted it to schools.

'We offer our own guidance to help schools to teach children and young people about relationships and health.'

In Wales, Conservative MS and shadow minister for education Laura Anne Jones called for the WHO to 'rescind the advice immediately.'

She add that the Welsh government should 'distance themselves' from the 'frankly disturbing' guidelines.

Child safety campaign Safe Schools Alliance also condemned the document.

Spokeswoman Tanya Carter said: 'An urgent inquiry is needed into how this ideology has come to influence so much public thinking.'

The WHO said that it stood by its guidelines on child sexuality despite the backlash.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: 'Our guidelines reflect established psychological facts about children's understanding of their bodies and psychosocial development based on decades of research.'
Actor Dennis Quaid claims Texas should become the 'film capital of the world'.

The famous actor made his pitch for the Lone Star state to become the new Tinseltown during an appearance on Jessie Watters Primetime as legislation to incentivize film and TV production in the state is due to be put before the Texas legislature.

New bills propose offering tax incentives to production companies that choose to film in Texas in an effort to revive the state's industry and take business back from neighboring states including New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

California, home to Hollywood, has also seen an exodus of people to Texas since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of whom worked in the tech industry. Some Texans now hope a similar trend might affect the film industry as many fled south to escape soaring costs on the coast.

Quaid also appeared last week in a video with other actors from Texas, including Woody Harrelson and Mathew McConaughey, to advocate the economic boost movie production would bring to Texas cities and towns.

Dennis Quaid made his pitch for Texas to become the 'new film capital of the world' during an appearance on Jessie Watters Primetime

Actor Dennis Quaid has said Texas should become the 'film capital of the world' and that a lack of incentive had driven production crews to surrounding states like New Mexico, Oklahoma and Georgia

The video was published by Good for Texas, a group that is rallying 'support from celebrities, influencers and the community to bring back the film industry to Texas.'

In a four-minute video, which released on YouTube on Thursday, Quaid, Harrelson, McConaughey, Billy Bob Thornton, Owen Wilson and Glen Powell all make the case for boosting movie production in Texas.

In a call to action the various actors argued that in the last decade a lack of adequate incentives has driven film production into neighboring states like New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia and Oklahoma.

'Shows that are supposed to be set right here in Texas are finding it hard to get the resources they need to begin filming,' said Quaid during the video.

During his appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, Quaid said that historically Texas had a huge film industry that was throttled by poor policy.

'About nine or 10 years ago, I made some great movies there and I love working there,' he told Watters.

'We want to make Texas the film capital of the world. That's what Texas used to really have - a great film incentive program and a great film crew base,' said Quaid.

He also suggested that the change that saw many tech companies relocate to Texas from California could be reflected by the film industry.

Mathew McConaughey was one of the Texans that appeared in a YouTube video published by Good for Texas, a group that is rallying 'support from celebrities, influencers, and the community to bring back the film industry to Texas.' He is pictured in a still from the video

Chunks of Silicon Valley were transplanted to Texas after the pandemic and some Texans want the film industry to be affected similarly

Harrelson also appeared in the short video, designed to drum up support as a number of bills are due to go before the Texas legislature

'Texas did a really good job at taking a big share of the tech industry away from Silicon Valley. You go down to Austin and you can see that really clearly. And the same thing can be done with movies and television shows. It's a great place to shoot,' he said.

'It would bring back a lot of people who moved to other states like Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, surrounding Texas, actually, and Georgia,' he said. 'They have these incentive programs and have taken our crew base away. Most of those places don't even have an ocean.'

When asked about the relevance of California in modern film production, the actor told Watters high costs associated with filming there are making the state increasingly irrelevant.

'I can't remember the last time I made a film in California to tell you the truth. You know, they still do their game shows there and talk shows and stuff,' he said.

'Everybody films in Georgia or Oklahoma because it doesn't matter where it's supposed to take place cause it's cheaper,' Quaid added. 'They're getting 30, up to 40, percent of their money back through tax credits there.'

'There is legislation right now in the Texas State house to increase that fund to make it more business friendly to make films in Texas,' said Quaid.

HB4199 seeks to 'provide additional funding opportunities' to the film industry by ensuring that film and TV production-related events are eligible for reduced state tax.

The bill is one of more than a dozen that aim to make Texas more appealing to the film industry.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the states surrounding Texas saw more than $1.5billion in TV and film production. Under the Texas proposal, productions could get a tax credit of up to 42.5 percent of in-state spending, not including wages.

That figure would far outpace other states, with the next highest being Louisiana, which offers up to 40 percent in tax credits.

Quaid argued that movie production was especially valuable to the Texas economy because it affects a number of industries, including hotels and construction. Pictured is a Texas film set

Owen Wilson was another of the stars to have appeared in the Good for Texas video, which released last week

The recent push is also prompted by the fact a number of acclaimed television shows, such as 'The Chosen' and Taylor Sheridan's '1883,' a Yellowstone spinoff, have demonstrated how valuable Texas-based film productions can be.

Quaid argued that movie production was especially valuable to the Texas economy because it affects a number of industries, including hotels and construction.

Movies are also often produced in rural areas and small towns can see huge investment for their small populations.

'Think of the California gold rush, you know? It's like a few people did strike it rich, but the people who really made money were the shopkeepers and people selling shovels and spades and stuff like that who were doing other things besides mining for gold,' said Quaid.

'That's kind of what would happen here.'
A woman who harboured 'preposterous historical grievances' against her local emergency services has been jailed for 15 months after bombarding emergency services with hundreds of 999 calls.

Helen Spencer, 58, from Westfield Close, Doncaster, made dozens of nuisance calls in October, November and January despite previously being warned she would be jailed.

In June last year she had been given an 18-month suspended jail term after calling 999 more than 900 times in previous years.

A Sheffield Crown Court judge told Spencer that 'enough is enough'.

'This cannot go on. You must alter your ways and unless you do I'm afraid the courts must act and with a sense of purpose to put a stop to this,' Jeremy Richardson KC said.

Helen Spencer made 32 nuisance emergency calls to Yorkshire Ambulance Service between 5 October and 16 November 2022

She was sentenced to 12 months in prison for breaching the suspended sentence order and a further three months for two counts of improper use of a public electronic communications

Ms Spencer was described as harbouring 'preposterous historical grievances' against authorities such as the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and South Yorkshire Police.

She made 32 nuisance emergency calls to Yorkshire Ambulance Service between 5 October and 16 November 2022, including dozens more to other services.

On one occasion, Ms Spencer rang 999 while paramedics were already at her home responding to an earlier call.

Mitigating, Ian West said it was concluded via a doctor that Spencer had mixed personality disorder comprised of emotional, dissocial and paranoid symptoms.

Mr Richardson said he was 'not unmindful' of these psychological issues, but added that a prison sentence was unavoidable despite being 'prepared to be merciful'.

The judge sentenced her to 12 months for breaching the suspended sentence order and a further three months for two counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.
Former New Jersey governor and possible 2024 candidate Chris Christie on Sunday said he did not believe Donald Trump will make good on his threat to avoid GOP debates.

'His ego will not permit him not to be on that stage,' he said.

Trump is the clear frontrunner in the nomination race and has said there would be no benefit to taking part.

He made similar complaints in 2016 and 2020, and famously skipped the final GOP debate ahead of the Iowa caucuses during his first run.

There are two Republican presidential debates planned this year, with the first in Milwaukee in August

Former New Jersey governor and possible 2024 candidate Chris Christie on Sunday said he did not believe Donald Trump will make good on his threat to avoid GOP debates

Christie and Trump in happier times. Christie prepped Trump for debates in 2016 and 2020. He debated against him in 2016 before dropping out and adding his support to Trump's campaign

'I see that everybody is talking about the Republican Debates, but nobody got my approval, or the approval of the Trump Campaign, before announcing them,' Trump said in recent post on his Truth Social platform.

He said his poll numbers were so high that he need not bother.

'When youre leading by seemingly insurmountable numbers, and you have hostile Networks with angry, TRUMP & MAGA hating anchors asking the "questions," why subject yourself to being libeled and abused?'

Nonsense, said Christie during an appearance on ABC's 'This Week.'

'I can tell you this for being the guy who prepped him for debates in 16 and in 20,' he said.

'He believes he will win every debate he's in and that ego part of him will prevent him from skipping.'

Christie brushed off questions from other panelists about when or if he would announce a run, but he had tough words for other candidates.

'They kind of cosy up to him,' he said. They hope that he implodes, and that if they're nice to him, that they'll inherit his voters.

'It's all this like political science classroom theory that they're engaged in, which I think is a losing proposition for any of those candidates.'

Christie helped end Sen. Marco Rubio's campaign in 2016 on a debate stage in New Hampshire. They also appeared in South Carolina (shown here)

He suggested they needed to confront him head on, embracing the risk that involved.

'You can't beat Donald Trump by playing bumper pool and hitting it off three cushions and hope that it goes in. If it goes in the hole,' he said.

'That's not the way it works.'

Trump's reluctance to join GOP debates has triggered speculation that he could appear with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News presenter.

'He could go straight to the candidates, stream it live, invite the networks but maintain control over the process,' a source said told The Washington Post recently.
An entire Welsh village met up to protest against their local GP surgery being moved to a rival village.

Around 100 people carrying banners could be seen marching from Pentyrch to Rhydlarfar to show how impractical the journey would be.

Cardiff and Vale University Health board intends to move Pentyrch Surgery to a settlement just off Llantrisant Road in Rhydlafar, according to WalesOnline.

The site is attached to Pentyrch by a busy main road or Church Road, a narrow country lane without pavements, lighting or a bus stop.

More than 1,600 locals have so far signed a petition against the relocation - arguing the health board did not adequately consult them on the plans.

An entire Welsh village met up to protest against their local GP surgery being moved to a rival village

Around 100 people carrying banners could be seen marching from Pentyrch to Rhydlarfar to show how impractical the journey would be. Pictured: A protester at the march

Mike Colley, who organised the march, said: 'Rhydlafar is a village two miles away and inaccessible to all reliant on public transport to access basic health care services.

'The closure of the surgery will lead to the closure of Pentyrch Pharmacy so doubling the damage to even more residents of Pentyrch and surrounding villages.'

Mr Colley, from campaign group Pentyrch Save Our Surgery and Pharmacy, added that the 'continued abuse of the funding criteria for a new Pentyrch Surgery', and 'the arrogance of the health board' has caused the next stage of action.

Councillor Andrea Gibson for Cardiff Council said: 'As councillors we are not satisfied with answers we have got from the health board. Our job now is to push things forward for you.'

More than 1,600 locals have so far signed a petition against the relocation - arguing the health board did not adequately consult them on the plans

Councillor Andrea Gibson for Cardiff Council posted on Twitter: 'Excellent turn out for Save our Surgery protest'

Eileen Boddington, 80, worked out it would take her around two hours to walk there and back up a steep hill to the surgery, saying: 'It's a complete farce. There is no bus service and only one taxi.

'The only other way is to drive, but what about people who don't have cars?'

Electrician Peter Brown claimed the access off Llantrisant Road was also dangerous at a busy junction, adding that putting a GP surgery on the site was 'a death waiting to happen'.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it had fulfilled all legal obligations to consult.

Cardiff and Vale University Health board intends to move Pentyrch Surgery to a settlement just off Llantrisant Road in Rhydlafar. Pictured: The area around Pentyrch Surgery

The site is attached to Pentyrch by a busy main road or Church Road (top right), a narrow country lane without pavements, lighting or a bus stop

Mike Colley, who organised the march, said: 'The closure of the surgery will lead to the closure of Pentyrch Pharmacy so doubling the damage to even more residents of Pentyrch and surrounding villages'

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'There has been a robust and thorough engagement process undertaken that was completed last year in relation to the relocation of Pentyrch Surgery. The Health Board has complied with the legislative requirements for engagement, and this has been independently reviewed and agreed at Ministerial level.

'It is important to emphasise that during the engagement process the views of the Pentyrch Save our Surgery and Pharmacy Group were heard, but there was significant support from the residents of Pentyrch and Rhydlafar who welcomed a brand-new, clinical environment that provides access to enhanced clinical, primary care and community facilities two miles from the current premises.

'The Health Board is continuing to work with patients and community representatives, such as Llais, to ensure that as part of the relocation and new development, the transportation needs of local patients and residents are considered.'

They added: 'The engagement process involved not only patients registered with the practice but also people living in the surrounding areas who will potentially use the new surgery. All views and observations received as part of the engagement have been taken into account and responded too accordingly.

'Despite the engagement process already reaching conclusion, as a gesture of goodwill and ongoing community relationships we accepted a petition from the Pentyrch Save our Surgery and Pharmacy group, and this was noted by the Quality, Safety and Experience Committee of the Health Board.

'As an organisation, we are committed to providing quality services that meet the needs of the local population.'
Cash App founder Bob Lee was allegedly a regular at underground sex and drug parties with other San Francisco elites  including the sister of the man accused of killing him, according to a new Wall Street Journal report

Lee's stabbing death on April 4 was originally thought to have been the result of random violence in the crime-ridden city.

But friends of the tech mogul now say it was the result of Lee's partying with Khazar Momeni, the 37-year-old wife of a prominent plastic surgeon and the sister of Nima Momeni  who has been charged in his death.

Khazar and Lee were in a relationship in the weeks leading up to his death in early April, his friends told the Wall Street Journal, and many feared he had fallen into a dangerous lifestyle, surrounding himself with the wrong group of people.

Prosecutors have previously said Momeni stabbed Lee in the heart multiple times after vowing to 'come down hard on him' and grilling him over his relationship with Khazar, with whom the Cash App founder exchanged intimate text messages.

Friends say Cash App founder Bob Lee was a regular at underground sex and drug parties with other San Francisco elites  including the sister of the man accused of killing him

Khazar Momeni is the sister of Nima Momeni, who is suspected of killing Cash App founder Bob Lee on the streets of San Francisco. She is pictured with her husband Dr. Dino Elyassnia

Friends of the murdered tech mogul described how the father-of-two took drugs casually and partied regularly.

They said Lee, 43, was passionate about developing the Venmo competitor following his career as a Google programmer.

But to unwind, Lee - nicknamed 'Crazy Bob' - would allegedly take ketamine and cocaine and travel to raves across the world.

Once, Harper Reed, the CEO of General Calacic Corporation, claimed he and Lee even stripped off their pants to attend a party.

Lee, who was separated from his wife, would often sleep with multiple women at these parties, including Khazar, sources told the Wall Street Journal.

It was at one of these parties on April 3, when Nima  who sources say was a recluse at these parties, often standing in the corner  confronted Lee.

Prosecutors say Nima asked Lee if he and his sister were 'doing drugs or anything inappropriate.' Lee assured him that nothing inappropriate had happened.

A few hours later, Lee was found dead with multiple stab wounds.

Nima Momeni (left) vowed 'came down way hard' on Lee hours before the stabbing. Prosecutors say it was a planned attack in which he used a kitchen knife to stab Lee in the heart multiple times

Lee was seen on surveillance footage near the apartment building clutching his wound

On April 4, Lee was filmed on surveillance cameras staggering into an apartment building in downtown San Francisco at 2.35am after being stabbed

Authorities now say that Nima and Lee met up again later that night at Khazar's luxury apartment in Millennium Tower.

Surveillance footage showed the two getting into Nima's white BMW at around 2am on April 4 and leave the scene.

He is believed to have drove Lee to a secluded area several streets over, where he stabbed the Cash app founder multiple times with a kitchen knife.

Nima then allegedly left Lee to bleed out in the middle of the street.

Lee was seen stumbling and was begging for help that night before collapsing near the Bay Bridge, just 16 minutes from Khazar's apartment.

Police have said Khazar was texting Lee around the time he died.

'Just wanted to make sure your doing ok Cause I know nima came wayyyyyy down hard on you,' she wrote in one of these messages.

'And thank you for being such a class man handling it with class. Love you Selfish pricks.'

An ensuing autopsy found he had cocaine and ketamine in his system at his death.

Friends of tech exec Nima Momeni have previously said his life was 'unraveling' in the weeks and months leading up to the alleged stabbing

Nima's friends have previously told how his life was unraveling as he was dealing with a drug addiction 'that made him unable to reason and speak,' fascinated with weapons and a history of abuse accusations from an ex-girlfriend.

'This is one of those things where [we'd say], 'Nima, you're cool, we love you, but you don't make full sentences,' one long-time friend speaking on a condition of anonymity told Mission Local.

The friend said that he was extremely close to sister Khazar, to the detriment of other friendships.

'I don't know who Nima considered his closest group, besides his sister,' they said. 'He would do absolutely anything for her and she would do anything for him.'

His personal life was equally problematic, according to an ex-girlfriend.

'He was not nice behind closed doors,' she told the outlet. 'Called me probably the worst names I've ever been called.'

She also said he would be threatening and possessive and did not like when spoke to other men. She suspected he would eventually physically abuse her.

In fact, police records show, he did become physically abusive, allegedly pushing a woman at his California home in August 2022.

'I honestly think that he's scary, and I always thought he was scary - after I got to know him,' the ex-girlfriend said.

'She believes that he may be bipolar, because one minute he will be fine and the next he will go off for no reason,' a police report said as he was cited by never charged with battery.

The outlet claimed he also frequented sex workers, and his behavior with them led to his phone number showing up on a website that shared potentially dangerous clients.

Others have described him as a 'boundary pusher,' with one source accusing him of having 'snatched me by the hair after I said not to.'

Another review corroborated his cocaine use and called him 'heavily armed,' with others accusing him of owning ghost guns, the outlet reported.

'He loved his guns. He talked about his guns all the time,' said another former ex-girlfriend of Momeni, who also said he kept many knives. 'He was a fan of violence.'

Nima's friends have said he was dealing with a drug addiction 'that made him unable to reason and speak' and was abusive to his girlfriends

Nima Momeni, right, listens to his attorney Paula Canny, who has said what his former friends and girlfriends are describing does not match her experience with Momeni

But Nima's attorney, Paula Canny, has denied these claims.

'I don't think that's true,' she said of the allegations he was a drug addict. 'I don't think that he had a drug problem, a serious drug problem. Based on the info that I have, I certainly wouldn't classify him as a drug addict.'

She also denied the allegations about his behavior with women and whether he owned firearms.

'I don't think he's ever owned a firearm, I just think that's not true,' Canny said, but added she did not know for sure.

'Based on what I know, I believe there was nothing of any evidentiary value found when the police searched Nima's apartment on the night they arrested him.'

She added: 'I don't know how to react to that, either; that's not my experience of Nima' when asked about his abusive behavior, noting that 'everybody has enemies' who wanted to trash his reputation.

The attorney noted that Nima plans to plead not guilty to the murder charge.

And in a statement to the Wall Street Journal, she said: 'My team and I continue to work hard to investigate all the many aspects of this case and the goings-on of the weeks preceding the incident.'

In a statement, Khazar's attorneys seemed to deny her involvement with Lee

In a statement, Khazar's attorneys also seemed to deny her involvement with Lee.

'There are many rumors circulating around this case, many of them untrue,' attorneys Mary McNamara and Ed Swanson told the Journal.

'Ms. Momeni loves and supports her brother,' they added. 'What happened here is a tragedy, and Ms. Momeni is deeply saddened at the suffering of the Lee family as they deal with their terrible loss.'

Lee's ex-wife, Krista, also denied that her estranged husband was a partier.

'He was a dedicated father,' she said of Lee. 'He was more mature than that.'

DailyMail.com has reached out for comment from Nima and Khazar's attorneys.
A prisoner caged in a jail that houses murderers and rapists was wrongly released to hospital after prison guards mixed him up with another inmate who had the same name.

The blunder happened at HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire, which is home to 180 male inmates many of whom are serving life in the Category B jail for crimes including murder, rape and arson.

It is the second time in four years this sort of mix-up has taken place at the jail.

The inmate, who was referred to as a 'resident' in the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report, was taken from his room, as the cells are called in the UK's only fully therapeutic prison, before being escorted to a nearby hospital.

The red flag was only raised after the inmate seemed 'confused' about why he was being taken to hospital.

The prisoner who had been due in hospital was told about the error but missed his appointment, meaning it had to be rearranged.

The inmate mix-up happened at HMP Grendon

The report noted that this is not the first time such a mix-up has happened in the prison, with another inmate being sent to the 'wrong hospital' in 2019.

The report states: 'There were two incidents with hospital escorts (in the reporting year), with one man sent to the wrong hospital and the wrong man with the same name mistakenly sent to hospital.

'Both men missed their appointments.'

The report stated that a 'similar incident' had happened in 2019, saying that it was a 'cause for concern' that it had happened again.

It stated: 'The Board reported on a similar incident (in 2019), and processes appear not to have been embedded, which is of concern.'

In the 2019 incident the 'wrong resident' was sent to hospital, with it only being flagged when the lag told doctors that he didn't suffer from the ailments he was meant to.

The report at the time stated: 'The wrong resident was sent to hospital, where he was not identified before the correct resident's health details had been shared with him.'

HMP Grendon is the UK's only fully therapeutic prison, with fish tanks and potted plants dotted about the jail to help keep inmates 'relaxed and calm'.

A prison source, speaking about HMP Grendon, said that the jail was an 'incredible resource', but that errors could happen.

He said: 'Grendon is a fantastic prison - it really is at the cutting edge of trying to rehabilitate prisoners, some of which are in for the most serious of crimes.

'This incident is obviously not something to be proud of, but it was caught in time and shouldn't detract from what the jail is trying to do.'

Prison chiefs, speaking previously, said the error had been made by the jail's primary healthcare provider, Practice Plus Group.

A spokesman for the Practice Plus Group, speaking about the wrong prisoner being taken to hospital, said it had been 'open and honest' with the patient about how the mishap occurred.

The Ministry of Justice have been contacted for a statement.
Two of Russia's top commanders were killed today amid bitter fighting in the east of Ukraine.

The Russian Defence Ministry said Commander Vyacheslav Makarov of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade and Deputy Commander Yevgeny Brovko from a separate unit were killed trying to repel Ukrainian attacks.

The battle for Bakhmut has raged for a year as Ukrainian and Russian troops have even had to fight hand-to-hand with bayonets.

It said Makarov had been leading troops from the front line while Brovko 'died heroically, suffering multiple shrapnel wounds'.

The defence ministry rarely announces the deaths of military command in its daily briefings, since a string of senior officers were killed in the early months of the conflict.

The Russian Defence Ministry said Commander Vyacheslav Makarov (pictured) of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade was killed

The Russian Defence Ministry Deputy Commander Yevgeny Brovko (pictured) from a separate unit was killed trying to repel Ukrainian attacks

It came as an enormous fireball and mushroom cloud erupted over a Ukrainian city following an attack on an ammunition silo.

Russia had reportedly sent 21 drones as part of the offensive and while 17 were shot down, four found their target in the western city of Khmelnytskyi.

Vladimir Putin appears to be targeting missile storage centres Ukraine as he braces for a Kyiv counter-offensive.

Following the blast in Khmelnytskyi, officials said that of the 'nearly 30' injured miraculously only two had needed to go to hospital.

Educational and medical institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise buildings and private residences were damaged during the attack.

A Russian pro-war source said: 'We are seeking to destroy the weapons and ammunition stockpiled by Ukraine from Nato countries.

'This is a big strike but we need more because we know Ukraine now has superior military firepower to us in many areas.'

An enormous fireball and mushroom cloud erupted over the western city of Khmelnytskyi following an attack on ammunition silo

Vladimir Putin appears to be targeting ammunition storages in west Ukraine as Kyiv's counter-offensive approaches

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said: 'Unfortunately, not all drones were destroyed that night  17 out of 21 UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]. There were four hits in Khmelnytskyi region.'

Residents reported windows and roofs blown off houses.

There has been speculation that Ukraine might try to capture areas in Russia proper and use them as bargaining chips in possible peace negotiations to end the war.

But Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed simply to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

It came after Putin launched an attack on warehouses in the city of Ternopil on Saturday, minutes before electronic music duo Tvorchi  who are from that area  performed at the Eurovision song contest.

Two people were injured in the attacks, officials confirmed. Tvorchi held up a sign showing the name of their hometown during their performance in Liverpool.
A rare cutlery set which is believed to have belonged to Adolf Hitler and is engraved with the Nazi leader's initials has emerged for sale for a staggering 10,000.

The Krupp Berndorf silver knife, fork, serving spoon and teaspoon, each embossed with 'A.H'., were salvaged from the Third Reich at the end of World War Two by British Army interpreter Willie Cohen.

Willie, described as a 'Jack the Lad' character, gifted them to British antique dealer David Corcoran, who kept them on the shelf of his Kent workshop for years.

The friends often laughed about using the cutlery, with auctioneers highlighting how 'chilling' it is to think that it could have been used by an evil dictator.

Now the silverware will be going under the hammer, eight decades after it was first picked up by Willie, at Duke's Auctions, of Dorchester, Dorset.

The Krupp Berndorf silver knife, fork, serving spoon and teaspoon, each embossed with 'A.H'.

The rare find is expected to fetch a staggering 10,000 when it goes up for auction

The cutlery set's previous custodians, Willie and David, became friends when they spent time together in a Manchester military prison in 1942.

David was locked up for 15 days for swearing at an officer, while Willie was punished for being AWOL after running off with a woman.

After doing his sentence, Willie, the Paris-born son of German parents who had moved to England pre-war, was recruited as an interpreter and sent to Germany.

He was assigned to the British Armistice Commission but returned with Hitler's cutlery, possibly found in a trunk looted from the Reich Chancellery.

Willie later gave David the cutlery, which was since consigned by David's widow, who lives in the Midlands.

David said in a 1982 newspaper article: 'While Willie was in Germany he got hold of some very interesting stuff.

'He was a bit of a villain and when he came back to England he sold some of the things he had brought with him.

The set was gifted to British antique dealer David Corcoran, who kept them on the shelf of his Kent workshop for decades

Julian Smith, specialist at Duke's, said: 'Each piece is silver and maker-marked Krupp Berndorf and engraved 'A H'.'

'Back in the 50s, I used to go round to Willie's with a couple of birds and we'd laugh about eating dinner with Hitler's knife and fork.'

Julian Smith, specialist at Duke's, said: 'Each piece is silver and maker-marked Krupp Berndorf and engraved 'A H'.

'The set was owned by antique dealer David Corcoran, who acquired the set from a friend Willie Cohen, a real 'Jack the Lad' character.

'It is being sold by his widow who hopes the set will go to someone who will appreciate them as they have just been tucked away in her home.

'It is chilling to think that Hitler may have used this cutlery, but there is a fascination among some collectors for these types of items.'

The set will go under the hammer on May 17.
A 'callous' finance worker has been jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from her own grandmother to spend on holidays and McDonald's, plunging the 91-year-old pensioner into debt.

Amanda Farr stole more than 24,000 from Joyce Hutchings and spent the money on iTunes, the Playstation Store, takeaways, William Hill bets, and even a trip to Amsterdam.

When quizzed about her lavish spending, the 48-year-old blamed her grandmother, claiming she was a 'big eater' of oriental cuisine who 'liked her food'.

In thousands of transactions made over two years, Farr intercepted a total of 24,069, with some transfers totalling 1,800 each.

As a result, Ms Hutchings accrued large debts with energy and water companies, some of which amounted to 3,000. Debt collection agencies were even forced to get involved and applications for recovery warrants were made.

Amanda Farr (pictured) has been jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from her own 91-year-old grandmother

At Canterbury Crown Court last Friday, Farr was jailed for 18 months after she was convicted by a jury at the end of her trial.

Farr, who previously worked as an accountant, told the court the bank transfers were an above-board arrangement made because of her grandmother's love for food.

She claimed the family operated on a one-pot system where money was pooled together but Ms Hutchings could spend up to 20 a week on sweet snacks, 180 on sending her pet to 'dog school' and 35 each time she had it taken on walks.

However, in reality, Farr was stealing her grandmother's post and hiding it under her bed to defraud her.

Energy providers and the bank would write letters to Ms Hutchings but Farr would intercept the post and redirect the correspondence to her own number.

One of Farr's electronic devices even contained a calendar noting the dates her grandmother's pension was paid to her account.

Between December 2017 and September 2019, Farr stole so much money that the victim became mired in debts to energy and water companies.

Prosecutor Kieran Brand told the court: 'There was no arrangement for you to take over the family finances and there was no discussion with Joyce about what you were doing with her money.'

Farr replied under cross-examination: 'Yes there was.'

Mr Brand added: 'Which is why you were trying to cover your tracks. You were intercepting her and your mother's post, you intercepted the post didn't you?

At Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) last Friday, Farr was jailed for 18 months after she was convicted by a jury following a trial

Farr (pictured) was stealing her grandmother's post and hiding it under her bed to defraud her

'You were hiding [the bills] weren't you? Because you were spending money on holidays and gambling. Which is why [the bills] were tucked away under your bed.'

Farr responded: 'No, it wasn't under my bed.'

Farr, formerly of Croydon, south London, was arrested and charged with fraud in late 2019.

Around three-and-half years later, she pleaded not guilty but a jury unanimously convicted her at Canterbury Crown Court.

Stewart Ross-Cumming, a financial investigator for the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said yesterday: 'The sentencing of Amanda Farr is a testament to the hard work of law enforcement and outside agencies in relentlessly pursuing and disrupting those who exploit vulnerable members of the public.

'Farr's offending was simply callous and calculated with no consideration for the impact this was having on her victim. Nobody should think they can avoid justice when exploiting members of the public.

'Kent Police was determined that justice was sought and the sentence now handed down reflects the impact of this offending.'

A hearing to confiscate the stolen money will be held at a later date.
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and 2024 Republican candidate, on Sunday distanced herself from demands for a federal abortion ban.

And she fired a shot across the bows of her GOP rivals, saying that anyone campaigning for a ban was not being honest with voters.

'I think we have to tell the American people the truth: In order to do a national standard, you'd have to have a majority of the House, 60 Senate votes and a president,' she told CBS's 'Face the Nation.'

'We haven't had 60 pro-life senators in 100 years.

'So the idea that a Republican president could ban all abortions is not being honest with the American people, any more than a Democrat president could ban these pro-life laws in the states.'

Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and 2024 Republican candidate, on Sunday morning distanced herself from demands for a federal abortion ban

Abortion rights supporters wait for North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to veto the SB20 legislation limiting most abortions to the first trimester of pregnancy, in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. May 13

Republicans are struggling to work out a path forward after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Some figures, such as Donald Trump have conceded that getting tough on abortion will make it harder to woo female voters.

But others such as Sen. Lindsey Graham are pushing for a federal 15-week abortion ban.

States are adopting different approaches. And on Saturday North Carolina's Democratic governor vetoed legislation that would have banned nearly all pregnancies in his state after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Haley said she supported the right of states to set their own limits.

'There are some states that have been pro-life  I welcome that,' she said.

'There are some states that have erred on the side of abortion  I wish that wasn't the case. We need to make sure that people's voices are heard.'

Haley is running far behind Trump and likely candidate Ron DeSantis, who is governor of Florida. The RealClearPolitics rolling average of polls gives her only 4.2 percent support.

But while they obsess over the nation's culture wars and battle for the rightwing fringe of the Republican Party, Haley is pitching herself as a more conventional conservative.

She has taken a tougher line on facing down Russia in Ukraine.

And she said she did not want 'unelected justices' ruling on abortion, something she said was 'personal.'

'So let's be honest with the American people and say, let's find national consensus,' she said.

'Let's agree on you know, getting rid of late term abortion. Let's agree on the fact that we need more adoptions.

'Let's agree on the fact that we need accessible contraception. Let's agree on the fact that mother shouldn't be jailed or ... get the death penalty for abortions.'
Four people have been arrested as part of a murder investigation after a British serviceman on a military drill in Sweden was found dead following a night out in Stockholm.

The 25-year-old man had been onboard HMS Albion for the Aurora 23 defence exercise in Sweden, which took place between April 17 and May 11.

He had been on a night out with another member of the Armed Forces before they ended up with several Swedes at a house in Solna, northwest of Stockholm city centre, where the Brit was later found dead, according to Swedish publication Expressen.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence told MailOnline: 'We are aware of an incident in Stockholm and we are assisting local authorities in their investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further.'

In the early stages of the murder investigation, Swedish police have arrested four people on suspicion of murder - including the British serviceman he was out with.

The 25-year-old man was in Sweden on the HMS Albion (pictured) ship for the Aurora 23 defence exercise, which took place between April 17 and May 11

A British serviceman on HMS Albion describes the military exercises taking place in Sweden

Three Swedish citizens, all in their 20s and 30s, are the others who have been arrested.

At this stage, Swedish authorities are not going into further details about what happened on the night in question - which comes just days after Aurora 23 ended.

The purpose of the Aurora 23 training exercise was to increase the ability to deal with an armed attack on Sweden.

The Swedish Armed Forces said that Aurora 23 was the largest national exercise of its kind in more than 30 years. The RAF and British Army were also involved in the drills.

The three-week exercise involved more than 26,000 people from the Swedish Army, Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force, Home Guard and servicemen from 14 other countries.

HMS Albion, one of the Royal Navy's two amphibious assault ships, arrived in Sweden fresh from training drills known as Joint Viking 23 in Norway in March.

Ahead of its latest journey to Sweden, Captain Marcus Hember, Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, said: 'Albion and the Littoral Response Group's last period of operations took us north to Arctic Norway, where we participated in a significant Joint Expeditionary Force exercise.

The purpose of the Aurora 23 training exercise was to increase the ability to deal with an armed attack on Sweden. Pictured: Inside HMS Albion

Andy Osborn speaks during a tour of HMS Albion - one of the Royal Navy's two amphibious assault ships

Pictured: HMS Albion docked in Stockholm ahead of Aurora 23 drills over the last month

'Our next period of operations is going to take us to the Baltic, where again we'll be exercising with allies and partners and demonstrating the UK and the Royal Navy's commitment to Northern European security.

'Albion has embarked marines and a wide range of equipment from 45 Commando as well as from across the UK Commando Forces enterprise.

'We're looking forward to getting back out there and showing our commitment to security at this difficult time.'
Controversial tests which left primary school pupils in tears featured questions so long that children had just 34 seconds to answer each of 38 questions, analysis has found.

Parents and teachers have branded last week's SATs reading paper for ten and 11-year-olds a 'disgrace', with even high-ability pupils struggling to finish.

Analysis of the Year 6 tests shows pupils were required to read 2,106 words across three texts  around a third more than last year's 1,564 words.

Based on Department for Education guidelines that a Key Stage 2 Sats pupil is expected to be able to read a minimum of 90 words a minute, it means reading the booklet alone would take 23 minutes and 30 seconds.

The questions themselves contained a further 1,337 words  another 15 minutes or so of reading time.

Controversial SATs tests which left primary school pupils in tears featured questions so long that children had just 34 seconds to answer each of 38 questions, analysis has found

As a result, the average reader would have just 21 and a half minutes to answer 38 questions during the hour-long test  one every 34 seconds.

Compared with this year's reading paper, the 2022 test gave average readers a full eight and a half minutes more for their answers, the analysis by the Times Educational Supplement found.

Thousands of parents and teachers have complained about the paper  the third of six in this year's exams  with some saying it had damaged children's 'mental health and wellbeing'.

The National Association of Head Teachers, which represents heads at the majority of primary schools, said it plans to raise the issue with the exams regulator Ofqual.

Sarah Hannafin, the union's head of policy, said: 'Members have told us that the choice of texts was not accessible for the wide range of experiences and backgrounds children have and the difficulty was beyond previous tests, leaving children upset, and with even staff struggling to understand the questions.'

The tests, which some say have damaged children's 'mental health and wellbeing', left some pupils in tears. Pictured: File photo of a child looking upset

An example of a key stage 2 English reading exam

The founder of one of the country's largest academy schools trusts also claimed the reading paper was 'elitist' because it contained questions on topics including farming and conservation policies.

Steve Chalke  founder of Oasis, which runs more than 50 academies across England,  told the BBC the choice of subjects was 'completely outside the cultural context of children that live in poverty'.

However, retired headteacher Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, branded the claims 'total nonsense'.

He told the Mail: 'Children constantly need to be provided with texts and information outside their day-to-day experience  that's how they learn about the world.'

The Department for Education has insisted that the tests are designed to be challenging and stressed that experts rigorously reviewed all questions in advance.

Key Stage 2 assessments are key in identifying pupils strengths and where they may have fallen behind as they head to secondary school, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

These are designed to test a range of abilities in order to measure attainment.

Schools should always encourage pupils to do their best but preparing for primary assessments should not be at the expense of childrens wellbeing.
One in ten schoolchildren want to change their gender  or have already done so  a damning report has found.

Teenagers are questioning their biological sex as they are exposed to 'woke' sex education material, it was revealed last night.

Almost a third are being taught that a 'woman can have a penis'. While one in five had been told that 'a man can get pregnant', the report by think-tank Civitas found.

It raises questions about the influence of harmful and graphic sex education material being peddled to youngsters, and puts fresh pressure on the Department for Education to issue guidance for headteachers on transgender pupils before the summer term.

The findings sparked outrage from MPs and parents who said children were being used as a 'psychological and social experiment'. Tory MP Miriam Cates, a former teacher and member of the Commons education committee, said: 'What is happening in our schools under the guise of sex education is a population level psychological and social experiment on our children. This cannot go on.'

One in ten schoolchildren want to change their gender  or have already done so  a damning report has found (File image)

Tory MP Miriam Cates, a former teacher and member of the Commons education committee, said: 'What is happening in our schools under the guise of sex education is a population level psychological and social experiment on our children'

Fellow Tory Jonathan Gullis added: 'This is extremely concerning, especially when there are still very harmful and woke materials in our schools that [are] pushing a certain agenda upon children and not allowing them to be children.'

The report polled 1,168 young people aged 16 to 18 in England. More than half (54 per cent) said they knew someone at their school who wants to change gender or had already.

One in ten (10 per cent) said they want to change their gender or had already done so.

Almost a third are being taught that a 'woman can have a penis'. While one in five had been told that 'a man can get pregnant', the report by think-tank Civitas found (File image)

The report also found that of the 1,097 parents of 12- to 16-year-olds polled, almost eight in ten (77 per cent) want the legal right to see all sex and relationships education materials. It comes amid an urgent review ordered by Rishi Sunak into the 'inappropriate' and graphic material taught to youngsters in schools nationwide.

Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, said: 'This report reveals the extent to which Britain's schools have become woke madrasas. It's a national scandal that the Government needs to address.'

A DfE spokesman said: 'The Education Secretary is working with the minister for women to support schools in relation to children who are questioning their gender.

'This guidance will clarify schools' legal position and the importance of involving parents when making decisions relating to their child.'
A hardworking young Aussie has surprised his single mother with a house for Mother's Day after arriving in Australia as refugees just seven years ago.

After he left high school, Peri Ndakize, 20, promised his mother that he would save enough money to buy her a house of her own.

Mr Ndakize started working two jobs, sometimes up to 13 hours a day, so he could repay her for making the ultimate sacrifice for her family.

He worked at his full-time job from 7am to 3pm before using his ute and trailer to complete removalist jobs around the city until 7pm every evening.

Mr Ndakize was able to save $50,000 in just 18 months. He revealed the one-storey brick home to his overjoyed mother on Mother's Day.

Peri Ndakize, 20, promised his mother Esperance that he would save enough money to buy her a house of her own (the pair are pictured outside the home on the NSW-Victorian border)

In 2016, Esperance Ndakize left Congo, in central Africa, with Peri and his brothers searching for a better life in Australia.

The family spent time in Townsville in north Queensland before settling in Wodonga, a town on the NSW-Victorian border, where they have been renting for seven years.

Mr Ndakize said starting a new life in Australia had been difficult for his mother and that he had always dreamed of buying her a home.

Mr Ndakize (pictured) said starting a new life in Australia had been difficult for his mother and that he had always dreamed of buying her a home of her own

'Raising three boys on her own would have been pretty challenging so I wanted to step up and be the man of the house,' he told The Project.

'When I finished school, I said I was going to make it a goal to buy her a house before I start chasing my own goals.'

He said working two jobs for 18 months had been draining at times.

'I just kept remembering why I started,' he said. 'I just wanted to make her happy.'

The hardworking Aussie (pictured in the ute he uses for removal jobs) said the home was a thank you to his mother, who sacrificed her life in Conga for her sons

The hardworking Aussie said he initially struggled when applying for finance but was recently approved.

He said the home was a thank you to his mother for sacrificing her life in Conga.

'Where we come from in Congo, it's very difficult to make a living, but she made a sacrifice for us to be here,' he told the Canberra Times.

'At least she doesn't have to worry about moving or people kicking her out of a house and having to find somewhere else, because it's hard to find rentals these days.'

Ms Ndakize said her hardworking son had made her 'so proud and happy'.
The device can haul shrapnel at passengers and has already killed seven people

A manufacturer of air bag components in Tennessee has refused to recall 67 million devices that could explode and hurl shrapnel at motorists during a crash.

The defective air bags are used in are fitted in a variety of GM cars. They have already killed two people and injured seven in the U.S. and Canada, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ARC Automotive in Knoxville could now be heading for a legal battle with U.S. auto safety regulators after refusing a request that the potentially dangerous air bag inflators are recalled.

The recall would cover a large portion of the 284 million vehicles now on U.S. roads, but the percentage is difficult to determine. Some have ARC inflators for both the driver and front passenger.

The 67 million airbag inflators that NHTSA wants recalled were all produced in the 18-year period prior to January 2018, when ARC installed equipment to help inspect inflators, according to the company.

An air bag manufacturer in Tennessee has refused to recall 67 million devices that could explode and hurl shrapnel at motorists in a crash

The defective air bags which the parts are used in are fitted in a variety of GM cars and have already killed two people

The air bags being recalled were made air bag manufacturer Takata, a now-bankrupt Japanese manufacturer, but ARC manufactured an inflator component.

In a letter posted Friday, the agency told ARC that it has tentatively concluded after an eight-year investigation that ARC front driver and passenger inflators have a safety defect.

'Air bag inflators that project metal fragments into vehicle occupants, rather than properly inflating the attached air bag, create an unreasonable risk of death and injury,' Stephen Ridella, director of NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, wrote in a letter to ARC.

But ARC responded that it no defect exists in its inflators and that any problems are related to isolated manufacturing issues.

'We disagree with NHTSA's new sweeping request when extensive field testing has found no inherent defect,' ARC said in a statement Friday night.

The next step in the process is for NHTSA to schedule a public hearing. The feds could then take the company to court to force a recall.

On Friday NHTSA posted documents showing that General Motors is recalling nearly 1 million vehicles equipped with ARC inflators. The recall covers certain 2014 to 2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia SUVs.

The car company's recall is separate from the inflator recall that the NHTSA has requested ARC carry out.

The automaker says an inflator explosion 'may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.'

Owners will be notified by letter starting June 25, but no fix is available yet. They'll get another letter when one is ready.

GM says it will offer 'courtesy transportation' on a case-by-case basis to owners who fear driving vehicles that are part of the recall.

The company said it's doing the recall, which expands previous actions, 'out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our customers as our highest priority.'

The air bags being recalled were originally from air bag manufacturer Takata, a now-bankrupt Japanese manufacturer

One of the two deaths was a mother of 10 who was killed in what appeared to be an otherwise minor crash in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the summer of 2021. Police reports show that a metal inflator fragment hit her neck in a crash involving a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse SUV.

At least a dozen automakers have the allegedly faulty inflators in use, including Volkswagen, Ford, BMW and GM, NHTSA said.

The agency contends that welding debris from the manufacturing process can block an 'exit orifice' for gas that is released to fill the air bag in a crash.

Any blockage can cause pressure to build in the inflator, blowing it apart and hurling metal fragments, Ridella's letter says.

But in a response to Ridella dated May 11, ARC Vice President of Product Integrity Steve Gold wrote that NHTSA's position is not based on any objective technical or engineering conclusion about a defect, 'but rather conclusory statements regarding hypothesized blockage of the inflator orifice from "weld slag."'

He wrote that welding debris has not been confirmed as the cause in any of the seven inflator ruptures in the U.S. ARC contends that only five have ruptured while in use, and that 'does not support a finding that a systemic and prevalent defect exists in this population.'

Gold also writes that manufacturers must do recalls, not equipment manufacturers like ARC. NHTSA's recall demand, he wrote, exceeds the agency's legal authority.

Stephanie Erdman testifies at a Senate Committee hearing on defects with Takata airbags in Washington DC in November 2014

ARC Vice President of Product Integrity Steve Gold said the NHTSA's position is not based on any objective technical or engineering conclusion

In a federal lawsuit filed last year, plaintiffs alleged that ARC's inflators use ammonium nitrate as a secondary propellant to inflate the air bags.

The propellant is pressed into tablets that can expand and develop microscopic holes if exposed to moisture.

Degraded tablets have a larger surface area, causing them to burn too fast and ignite too big of an explosion, according to the lawsuit.

The explosion can blow apart a metal canister housing the chemical, sending metal shards into the cabin. Ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizer and as a cheap explosive, is so dangerous that it can burn too fast even without moisture present, the lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs allege that ARC inflators have blown apart seven times on U.S. roads and two other times in testing by ARC. There have so far been five limited recalls of the inflators that totaled about 5,000 vehicles, including three recalls by GM.
The World Health Organisation has been urged to withdraw 'disturbing' guidance to schools about 'sexuality education' for young children.

Children under four should 'ask questions about sexuality' and 'explore gender identities,' according to a detailed WHO report aimed at policy makers across Europe.

The official guidance also supports providing information to children under four about 'enjoyment and pleasure when touching one's own body, early childhood masturbation.'

And they should also learn skills to 'gain an awareness of gender identity.'

The same WHO report states children aged between four and six years should 'talk about sexual matters' and 'consolidate their gender identity.'

Laura Anne Jones (pictured), the Tory shadow minister for education in Wales, said the WHO needs to 'rescind the advice immediately'

The controversial 68-page report Standards For Sexuality Education in Europe was first published in 2010 (File image)

The controversial 68-page report Standards For Sexuality Education in Europe was first published in 2010 and campaign groups concerned about the sexualisation of very young children want it banned for fear of influencing official sex education policy.

The document was also cited in a report consulted by Welsh ministers who last year introduced a mandatory sexual education syllabus to schools in Wales, although the Welsh Government stressed it did not 'endorse' the WHO guidance.

Laura Anne Jones, the Tory shadow minister for education in Wales, said the WHO needs to 'rescind the advice immediately'.

Ms Jones also called for the Welsh government to 'distance themselves' from the 'frankly disturbing' WHO guidance.

She told the Telegraph: 'We must stop this pushing of harmful gender ideology into sex education in Wales and the UK, with immediate effect.'

Tanya Carter, of the campaign group Safe Schools Alliance, has demanded an 'urgent enquiry' into whether there is a link between 'RSE curriculum in this country' and sexual education guidance issued by UN organisations such as the WHO and UNESCO.

Commenting on sexuality education, the Alliance recently warned: 'We find it extremely concerning that the UN and WHO are promoting an approach that is experimental, unscientific, and appears to be aligned to the work of unethical individuals and organisations, including those promoting the acceptance of paedophilia.

'We call upon them to revise their standards to align with a safeguarding-first approach that protects children while allowing them to develop a healthy and age-appropriate understanding of sex.'

The World Health Organisation has been urged to withdraw 'disturbing' guidance to schools about 'sexuality education' for young children (File image)

A WHO spokesman said it stands by its guidance. 'Our guidelines reflect established psychological facts based on decades of research.'

The document asserts that children embark on sexual education from birth.

It reads: 'From birth, babies learn the value and pleasure of bodily contact, warmth and intimacy. Soon after that, they learn what is 'clean' and what is 'dirty'.' Adding: 'In other words, they are engaging in sexuality education.'

A Government spokesperson said: 'The Government does not recognise this WHO guidance and we don't agree with its recommendations. We have not distributed or promoted it to schools.

'We offer our own guidance to help schools to teach children and young people about relationships and health.'
The intervention threatens to inflame Cabinet tensions in the immigration row

Suella Braverman will today pile pressure on Rishi Sunak to limit net migration amid fears it could hit a record high of up to one million.

The Home Secretary will use a speech to say Brexit means Britain no longer has to be so reliant on foreign workers.

She will say it is 'not xenophobic' or 'bigoted' to say that 'mass and rapid migration is unsustainable', and that the country should focus on creating greater opportunities for its own people.

The intervention threatens to inflame Cabinet tensions amid a brewing row over immigration.

At least one Cabinet minister reportedly wants to see the salary threshold for skilled workers to become eligible for visas rise from the current level of 26,200.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) will use a speech to say Brexit means Britain no longer has to be so reliant on foreign workers

In the year to June 2022, net migration hit a record 504,000, said the Office for National Statistics. Pictured: Migrants travelling in an inflatable boat across the English Channel last year

Ministers are also drawing up plans to restrict visas for dependants of overseas students after official figures showed some brought in six last year.

Germany slams door on liberal border policies By Inderdeep Bains Germany's Left-wing rulers plan to abandon their liberal refugee policies and crack down on asylum seekers. The move by chancellor Olaf Scholz follows complaints by local authorities of being overwhelmed by arrivals. He said tighter controls will be introduced at borders as 'controlling and limiting irregular migration' is now a priority. Measures include modernising IT systems to fast-track expulsions, extending maximum detention from ten to 28 days and deals with third countries. Federal police will also be given new powers to increase surveillance and track migrants' phones. The action is a radical move away from the open door policy which marked the era of former chancellor Angela Merkel from 2015. This year over 100,000 asylum applications have already been made. One million Ukrainian refugees fled to Germany last year. Advertisement

In the year to June 2022, net migration hit a record 504,000, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS). But estimates suggest it has rocketed to between 650,000 and 997,000 for the year to December. Official ONS figures will be published on May 25.

In their 2019 manifesto, the Tories pledged 'overall numbers will come down' thanks in part to Brexit and introducing a points-based immigration system.

Mrs Braverman will make her comments at the NatCon conference in London, run by a Right-wing Conservative think-tank.

'High-skilled workers support economic growth. Fact,' she will say. 'But we need to get overall immigration numbers down.

'And we mustn't forget how to do things for ourselves. There is no good reason why we can't train up enough HGV drivers, butchers or fruit pickers.

'Brexit enables us to build a high-skilled, high-wage economy that is less dependent on low-skilled foreign labour.

'That was our 2019 manifesto pledge and what we must deliver. It's not xenophobic to say that mass and rapid migration is unsustainable in terms of housing, services and community relations. Nor is it bigoted to say that too many people come here illegally and claim asylum, and we have insufficient accommodation for them.

'I'm not embarrassed to say that I love Britain. No true conservative is. It's not racist for anyone, ethnic minority or otherwise, to want to control our borders.'

She will also reject Left-wing arguments that it is 'hypocritical' for people of ethnic minority backgrounds like herself 'to speak these truths'.

Yesterday Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said on Sky News that refugee arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong had added possibly as many as 300,000 to UK migration figures.

This is something Britain should be proud of, he added.

Mr Shapps stressed that this issue must be treated separately to plans to stop small boat Channel crossings, which relate to illegal rather than legal migration.

Yesterday Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said on Sky News (pictured) that refugee arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong had added possibly as many as 300,000 to UK migration figures

Yesterday the Prime Minister pledged to procure as many barges 'as it takes' to house Channel migrants coming to Britain illegally. Pictured: The newly arrived barge in Falmouth, Cornwall

Yesterday the Prime Minister pledged to procure as many barges 'as it takes' to house Channel migrants coming to Britain illegally. He told The Mail on Sunday it was 'not fair' for British taxpayers to foot the multi-million pound bill for housing arrivals in hotels.

Moves to limit the number of overseas relatives joining Master's students at universities come after arrivals under that rule soared from 12,806 in 2018 to 135,788 in the year to December.

Whitehall sources say that this month's ONS figures will show net migration  the difference between those arriving and leaving  at 700,000 rather than close to one million for the year to December.
A killer known as the 'Scalp Hunter' is believed to 'hold the key' to at least three cold case murders of unidentified women.

John Sweeney, 66, is already behind bars for the murders of two former girlfriends, whose bodies he cut up and dumped in canals in Rotterdam and London.

Now his name is being linked to some of the cases included in an Interpol appeal which is seeking to uncover the names of 22 women - each of whom are suspected murder victims from across Europe since 1976.

Three of those pictured by Operation Identify Me were women who were decapitated and had their remains left in canals in the Netherlands.

Sweeney worked in the country in the 1990s, and one of his victims, 33-year-old model Melissa Halstead, was found there.

'Scalp Hunter' John Sweeney, 66, is already behind bars for the murders of two former girlfriends, whose bodies he cut up and dumped in canals in Rotterdam and London

Interpol are seeking help identifying 22 women (12 pictured) who have been found since 1976

Former Metropolitan Police Detective Colin Sutton has urged Dutch Police to look into the possible link, pointing to similarities between the murder methods.

'The Met will have lots of information on his movements,' he told The Sun. 'They will willingly share that.

'The striking similarity of these murders is such that efforts should be made to eliminate or implicate him  and I am sure that will happen.'

Liverpool-born Sweeney was given a whole life sentence in 2011 for murdering US-born Halstead in 1990 and mum-of-three Paula Fields, 31, in London in 2001.

He also attacked ex Delia Balmer with an axe at her London home in 1994 but she survived.
Sir Keir Starmer told a conference at the weekend that he expects the next general election to get 'dirty and nasty'. Now we know what he means.

If Labour wins next year, Starmer plans to rig future elections by giving the vote to millions of EU nationals, plus millions more 16 and 17-year-olds.

The plan would mean that 3.4million EU citizens with 'settled status' would be eligible to vote. Another 2.6million are 'pre-settled' and would doubtless be fast-tracked by Labour.

At a stroke, the electorate would be packed with some 6million foreign voters: More than enough to swing any general election  or a new EU referendum.

Enfranchising under-18s would add another 1.4million voters to the electoral roll.

If Labour wins next year, Keir Starmer (pictured) plans to rig future elections by giving the vote to millions of EU nationals, plus millions more 16 and 17-year-olds

The audacity of this expansion of the franchise  the biggest for nearly a century since 1928, when most women got the vote  is exceeded only by its cynicism.

For Sir Keir knows, of course, that the great majority of these extra votes would go to him.

Handing the right to vote to foreigners and mid-teens would tilt the delicate balance of British politics permanently in Labour's favour. We know that Sir Keir would dearly love to reverse Brexit. Several million extra votes would enable him to pull off just such a coup within a few years of taking power.

Labour's plan would also be a giant step towards a one-party state. Many on the Left have looked enviously north of the border, as the SNP lowered the Scottish Parliament's voting age to 16 and extended it to EU citizens too.

Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister, may now be disgraced and discredited, but  when it comes to her electoral initiatives  Labour is following her example.

Sir Keir's electoral stitch-up is so transparently self-interested that it amounts to political chicanery  'dirty and nasty' indeed.

Yet the fact that it fails the smell test doesn't mean it could not happen. Most people will instinctively know that Labour's plan is wrong. But why?

Giving votes in general elections to EU residents would be a bad idea even if it were reciprocal. But it is not. Last year the European Court of Justice ruled that UK citizens living in France cannot vote even in local elections, let alone national ones.

Labour's plan would also be a giant step towards a one-party state. Pictured: Starmer at a pro-EU rally in 2019

That ruling applies to all other EU countries apart from Ireland because it has a century-old reciprocal agreement on voting with Britain.

Why should the UK give votes to EU nationals who live and work here, when Brussels refuses to do the same for British expats in Europe?

A more fundamental reason for rejecting Labour's plan is that voting is the most basic of democratic rights, which ought to be granted only to British citizens with a permanent stake in the future of this country. My Polish daughter-in-law gained UK citizenship, not just by living here for a decade and mastering English, but by demonstrating her knowledge of and commitment to Britain, by  among other things  making a solemn oath of allegiance to the Crown.

To give the vote to foreigners who have done none of this, but merely have 'settled status', is to devalue the very idea of citizenship.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer's Labour accused of trying to rig future elections by allowing EU migrants and nationals to vote Advertisement

We all loathe the idea of 'health tourists'  visitors who come here only to take advantage of the NHS. So why create 'voting tourists'? As for giving the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, this preposterous proposal ignores the fact that they are still adolescents and considered insufficiently mature to enjoy many of the rights and freedoms that over-18s enjoy.

We don't allow under-18s to gamble, to buy alcohol or tobacco, or even to have a credit card. In England and Wales, it is not possible to get married until the age of 18.

These and many other legal prohibitions exist because, in law, 16 and 17-year-olds are not adults but children, who need protection and cannot be held fully responsible for their actions.

That is why courts are much more lenient in sentencing minors. By the same token, however, under-18s should not expect to enjoy the same rights as adults. That includes the right to vote.

By dangling this precious right in front of youngsters who cannot yet properly grasp its significance, Sir Keir shows that he cares nothing for their welfare but everything for his own party political interest.

Lowering the voting age is a policy he has inherited from Jeremy Corbyn  the most dangerous man ever to lead a major party in Britain.

And let it never be forgotten that Sir Keir campaigned to put Corbyn into No 10.

It is chilling to imagine the consequences of giving the vote to EU citizens and children. The temptation to promise them favours at the expense of others would be overwhelming.

It's easy to imagine Left-wing politicians lifting border controls to please EU voters. Or wooing teenagers with a bonfire of age restrictions on alcohol, cigarettes, betting and nightclubs.

Britons are rightly proud of having exported liberty under the law to the whole world. But if Labour's rigged the electoral system, it would be a sinister kind of euthanasia for the oldest parliamentary democracy on Earth.

'Dirty and nasty'? The words are yours, Sir Keir.
The massive tornado has resulted in one death and multiple injuries

The dog had become trapped after an EF-1 tornado swept through the area

A heartwarming moment happened over the weekend when a news crew saved a terrified dog from a tornado-ravaged Texas town.

ABC News sound technician Jim Gower spotted the pooch trapped under the home in Laguna Heights and quickly called for animal rescue to help.

But before they arrived, he took matters into his own hands, grabbing a nearby shovel and digging a hole for the helpless animal to escape.

The dog appeared unsure whether to leave his hole, but the crew coaxed him out using a Slim Jim meat stick before animal control arrived.

It came as ABC was covering the horror EF-1 tornado that battered the small town over the weekend, lashing it with 105mph winds that killed at least one person.

An ABC News crew covering the recent Texas tornado that saw speeds up to 105 miles per hour helped to save a helpless dog trapped underneath a home Sunday

Gower and one other member of the crew were the first to hear the dog in need and quickly sprang into action to assist with the save.

Gower had been setting up equipment at the time of the incident less than 24 hours after the tornado had swept through.

Rather than waiting for animal control, the ABC crew decided to attempt to dig out the animal with a shovel Gower had found nearby.

Within minutes, Gower dug a hole large enough for the dog to see out from underneath the house.

The scared pup hesitated to exit the hole, however, and the crew used a Slim Jim and gentle petting to slowly bring the pup out fully.

The combination of the beef jerky and the care coaxed the dog out of harm's way.

ABC has since congratulated the crew while the public thanked the members of the team for helping out an animal in need.

'Thank you for rescuing this 4 legged angel,' one YouTube commenter wrote.

'Thank you to the beautiful humans who saved him,; another added. 'True meaning of no one left behind.'

Sound technician Jim Gower and one other member of the crew were the first to hear the dog in need and quickly sprang into action to assist with the save

The scared pup hesitated to exit the hole, however, and the crew used a Slim Jim and gentle petting to slowly bring the pup out fully

The combination of the beef jerky and the care coaxed the dog out of harm's way

A damage assessment taken Sunday found the tornado touched down in Laguna Heights just after 4am Saturday.

The EF-1 categorization indicates the tornado had wind speeds in the range of 86 miles per hour to 105 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

At least a dozen people were injured and homes and businesses were toppled during the natural disaster.

The one fatality has since been confirmed by his family as Robert Flores, a father who died when a trailer home lifted off the ground landed on his house.

'He was a loved brother, a recent father to his son Christopher Flores. He will be missed by many family, and friends,' Violeta Flores-Tovar, his sister, said.

Cameron County officials said the damage was exacerbated by the fact that the twister hit when most residents were sleeping and unaware.

'We're seeing some utter devastation for a community that had no warning whatsoever,' Trevino told local outlets.

A tornado is believed to have touched down at 4am in a small Texas town close to the southern border

At least two people have been killed and 'dozens more' have been injured

The department has shut down Highway 100 which provides access to Laguna Heights due to the damage

The town is located 180 miles south of Corpus Christi

Highway 100, which provides access to Laguna Heights, was shut down due to the damage over the weekend.

Officials have said they are searching for more victims in the vicinity.

The Salvation Army said in a statement they sent a team from Corpus Christi - roughly 180 miles south of the town - to aid with the situation.

Photos and videos posted on social media showed a massive emergency services response to the scene. The roofs of homes and buildings could be seen strewn across front yards and streets.

'It looks like a war zone. My brother's window blew in and hit him in the face, he is pretty shook up and his dog was so shaken as well. I cannot believe this happened. He has lost everything, his home, his belongings, but thank God he is alive,' a resident, Catherine Valdez, told Valley Central.

'Tell them to be very careful. It was 5:00 am when I picked up my brother. Debris and power lines down everywhere. I almost drove through a half way down power line,' she added.

The twisters were among more than four dozen reported over the weekend.

Other states, including Oklahoma and Nebraska, were ravaged by tornados.
The ABC will be investigated by its own ombudsman after the broadcaster was deluged with complaints over its 'extremely biased' coronation coverage.

The taxpayer-funded broadcaster reportedly received over 1,000 complaints for its 'disrespectful' coverage, which focussed heavily on the impact the monarchy and colonisation have had on Aboriginal Australians and people of colour.

The two hour special, hosted by The Drum's Julia Baird and news presenter Jeremy Fernandez, featured a discussion panel featuring Q&A host Stan Grant, co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement Craig Foster, Liberal MP and monarchist Julian Leeser, and Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman Teela Reid.

The ABC's coronation coverage (pictured) only featured one monarchist Liberal MP Julian Lesser (second from left) who later argued that the national broadcaster 'got the balance wrong'

The corporation reportedly received over 1,000 complaints, with some specifically accusing it of breaching it own editorial guidelines

Mr Foster called for accountability from the Royal family, at one point claiming: 'At the heart of the wound in this nation is the Crown. And yet the Crown have been above reproach.'

The program was aired at 5pm, just three hours before the Coronation of King Charles III was broadcast in Australia.

While most of the objections were from viewers who simply wanted to express their 'dissatisfaction' with the coverage, some were specifically accused the ABC of breaching its editorial guidelines, reported The Australian.

A spokesman for the ABC refused to comment on the 1,000 figure and advised Daily Mail Australia to treat the report as 'speculative'.

All formal complaints of editorial failings are investigated by the ABC ombudsman's office which will report its findings to the board, chaired by Ita Buttrose.

Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who was on the panel and the only monarchist present on the programme, claimed the ABC 'got the balance wrong'.

'To have only one of four panellists as supporters of our existing constitutional arrangements meant there was little opportunity for a panel discussion that reflected the warmth and respect Australians have for King Charles,' he said.

Last week, a monarchist group threatened legal action over the national broadcaster's coverage of the event.

The ABC previously defended its coverage of the event, reiterating its role of facilitating 'conversations that reflect the diversity of views in the community' in a statement (pictured, The Drum's Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez)

The Australian Monarchist League (AML) released a statement revealing it was preparing to file a legal complaint to the ABC's board.

Philip Benwell, AML's national chair, described the show as an 'extremely biased pre-Coronation programme specifically designed to attack the Constitution and the Crown'.

'So vitriolic are their attacks on the King, the monarchy, the British settlement and everything that came thereafter that they forget that they are the very people who want our vote for their Voice to the Parliament,' Mr Benwell wrote.

Melbourne's 3AW radio broadcaster Neil Mitchell slammed the public broadcaster.

He said ABC management needed to 'be accountable' over the coverage which 'misread the mood'.

'I really wonder sometimes why we feed these ABC people, I don't blame the people on air, it's whomever in management decides, "Ah, here's a good idea, let's use footage from London while we bag the living daylights out of the monarchy",' he said.

'Somebody in the ABC needs to be accountable for this, as the national broadcaster it should have been the place you go to see the coverage of the coronation, instead you see all this bitterness about our Indigenous history.'

Freshly-departed ABC board member Joe Gersh told The Australian that he appreciated why people had concerns with the timing and tone of the coverage.

'Management are dealing with complaints and criticisms,' he said.

'But yes, I can understand concerns about the appropriateness of the timing.'
A mother-of-two has been found stabbed to death on her bed after an alleged domestic dispute in New York City.

Theresa Gregg, 37, was found dead in her Brooklyn home having been stabbed several times in the neck and torso.

The homeless services officer, who had two pre-teen girls, had held a special officer position at the DHS since 2015.

Gregg's 12-year-old twin daughters found their mother unconscious in her Williamsburg bedroom on Saturday morning at about 8.20am and immediately called 911.

They were met by a gruesome scene as their mom's stab wounds left bloodstains on her mattress and a pool of blood had collected on the bedroom floor.

The body of Theresa Gregg, 37, a mom of two 12-year-old twin daughters is taken away after she was brutally stabbed

Gregg had been stabbed in her neck and body leaving a bloodstained mattress and a pool of blood on the bedroom floor

Authorities believe the fatal attack occurred during a violent argument involving her partner, although police have yet to disclose the identity of the suspect

Gregg's body was loaded into the back of the coronor's van on Saturday following her death

It's believed the killing occurred after a violent argument involving her partner, although as of Sunday evening police had not yet named a suspect.

Neighbors said Gregg, who had lived in the block for about six years, could often be heard arguing loudly with her boyfriend, with both parties raising their voices.

'I could hear them fighting, both of them yelling. They fight a lot. You can hear it pretty clear,' said one neighbor the New York Post. 'I'm not sure how often they fought but it was a lot.'

On Sunday, neighbors remained in shock after hearing about the incident.

Johanna Hidalgo, a resident living in the same block said she was shocked and noted how kind and polite Gregg's daughters werem whom she would regularly encounter.

The woman was found by her young daughters at 356 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn on Saturday

Officers with the NYPD Crime Scene Unit were quickly on site to recover the body and collect evidence

Gregg was found brutally murdered in her Williamsburg, Brooklyn apartment on Saturday

The NYPD Crime Scene Unit was quickly at the scene on Saturday morning

'I was so shocked yesterday. Her daughters are so sweet  every morning, they good morning, they're smiling. 'So beautiful, so respectful,' Hidalgo told The Daily News.

'They were in middle school, they're twins so they would walk to school with their friends... Those girls were so sweet.'

'This is an absolutely heartbreaking tragedy. We are ever-grateful for Officer Gregg's invaluable contributions and tireless dedication to serving and supporting vulnerable New Yorkers,' a Department of Homeless Services spokesperson said.

The president of Teamsters Local 237, which represents Department of Homeless Services police officers, Gregory Floyd, also released a statement paying tribute.

'We are saddened to hear about the murder of our DHS Officer in her home. She will be missed and we hope her assailant will be caught and brought to justice soon.'
Writing speeches, sending out invites and finding the perfect dress are among the numerous things to juggle when planning a wedding.

But now, many couples are saying 'AI do' to ChatGPT, as they rely on artificial intelligence to pull together their big day.

One surprised bride-to-be admitted the bot's ability to write touching wedding vows was better than her own when tested in the lead up to her wedding.

In a TikTok, Lynnzee Highland from Seattle prompted ChatGPT to write words that were 'funny and romantic', adding: 'My fiance really knows how to make me laugh. We love running together even though I can hardly keep up.

'We also love hiking and travel. I'm so proud of everything he's accomplished and excited for everything we will accomplish together.'

Couples are saying 'AI do' to ChatGPT, as they rely on AI to pull together their big day (stock)

At first, the bot produced some cheesy results, drawing to chat-up lines such as 'you're the Robin to my Batman' or 'the peanut butter to my jelly'.

But when Lynnzee refined her request, the results were shockingly personal with a touch of romance.

Her vows read: 'As we stand here on this special day, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness and love. From the moment I met you, you've made me laugh like no one else can.

'Even though I can hardly keep up with you when we're running, I always feel like we're in perfect sync when we're together. And when we're hiking or travelling, I know that no matter where we go, it's the journey with you that makes it truly unforgettable.

'I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished and I can't wait to see what we'll accomplish together. As your partner, I vow to support you through all of life's ups and downs. To be your rock when you need me and celebrate our successes along the way.

'As we start this chapter of our lives, I promise to love you unconditionally, to be honest with you always and to never take for granted the beautiful life we're building together.'

Meanwhile, AI strategist Justin Fineberg also used the bot to write a speech for his friend's wedding.

In a TikTok he said: 'The pressure is totally on because I am not a good speech writer. So I'm putting "write me a wedding speech for my best friend".'

Lynnzee Highland used ChatGPT to write wedding vows ahead of her big day

Justin referred to several past memories in his prompt, including the time he 'lost his keys in Italy' and how 'his wife is a much better cook'.

The bot touched on these moments in its speech, writing: 'One of my favourite memories with [name] was when we took a trip to Italy together. He is the most organised person I know, but somehow he managed to lose his car keys on the first day of our trip.

'Instead of panicking, [name] just laughed it off and found a solution. Of course, that solution involved hotwiring a scooter and driving it through the winding streets of Rome.'

It then continued: '[Name] may be a great filmmaker, but he will never be able to hold a candle to Haley's cooking skills. In fact, I think we should all just be grateful that she agreed to marry [name] despite his complete lack of culinary ability.'

These TikToks come at a time when even wedding planners are recommending ChatGPT for those intending to tie the knot.

Agency Getting Married in Denmark praised the bot's ability to give 24-hour support - sharing guidance when a human planner isn't around.

Picking the perfect vendors, venue and creating a 'wedding vision' were among numerous tasks the bot could take care of, if asked.

ChatGPT can also provide dress recommendations and even help you draft invitations.

Even wedding planners are recommending ChatGPT for those intending to tie the knot

Director and co-owner, Rasmus Srensen, told MailOnline: 'ChatGPT can help you plan your dream wedding in Denmark by giving you personalised advice and guidance based on what you want and love.

'It can find you the perfect venue, match you with the right vendors, and take care of the paperwork and legalities for you. You can chat with it anytime you need support or have questions about your wedding. It will save you time and stress by giving you instant responses and guidance.'

The firm has not yet responded to questions surrounding what toll this may take on the business-side of wedding planning in future.

However, its director did say: 'You can relax and enjoy your engagement and wedding day while it handles everything for you.

'AI seems to be the ultimate assistant for wedding planning and I encourage you to give it a try and see how it can make your wedding planning experience stress-free and unforgettable.'

Despite its usefulness, some have raised concerns over the impacts of using ChatGPT in relationships.

One Twitter user said: 'What are the most morally corrupt things you could use ChatGPT for? I'll start: wedding vows.'

Another added: 'Holy smokes! Is nothing sacred?! Newlyweds are using #ChatGPT to write vows, toasts, etc.'

AI strategist Justin Fineberg, also used the bot to write a speech to say at his friend's wedding

Some suggest that using ChatGPT to pull together wedding vows is 'morally corrupt'

READ MORE: Woman, 37, decides to divorce her husband and move in with her lover  because AI bot ChatGPT TOLD her to A woman has used a AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to help her decide whether or not to leave her husband (stock image) Advertisement

Meanwhile, relationship psychologist Linzi Kavanagh also added that vows produced by a robot could seem 'cold, impersonal and meaningless'.

She told MailOnline: 'Whilst some people may have been planning for their wedding since they were a child and relish the idea of finally getting to do it for real, not everyone who has to plan a wedding has the skills, knowledge or even the want to organise such an event.

'ChatGPT can lessen the stress of this, make it a bit more fun and enjoyable and possibly even reduce the arguments between couples in the run-up to the big day.

'But what about using ChatGPT to write your vows and speeches? Some people's immediate reaction to that is often a hard "no". Vows written essentially by a robot could be viewed as cold, impersonal and meaningless.

'If there has been no big effort to write from the heart how can those words be spoken from the heart? However is there a difference between googling "romantic wedding vows" and copying out what you find online? Or buying some slushy Hallmark cards and merging together what you find inside those?'

As a result, Ms Kavanagh advises that both partners need to be on board with using the bot before it is put to the test in a wedding scenario.

She added: 'If it comes out down the line in their marriage that whilst one of them sat for hours, listening to their heart and pouring out what was coming from it down onto paper, them rewriting several drafts to get it just perfect and the other spent precisely 2.5 seconds printing something from ChatGPT, the efforts may feel unmatched.

'So honesty is the best policy here. If one party is really struggling and wants to use the help of ChatGPT, it should be discussed together openly and honestly.'
From Armageddon to the Day After Tomorrow, there have been plenty of Hollywood movies about how our world might end.

But if there is to be a global apocalypse, what might be to blame for wiping out all life on Earth?

A wandering black hole, giant asteroid impact and nuclear war could all trigger such disaster, as could the rise of killer robots or the reversal of our planet's magnetic field.

Many of these might seem far-fetched but with the Doomsday Clock being placed at a record 90 seconds to midnight this year  and scientists warning that humanity's continued existence is at greater risk than ever before  the threat is now all to real.

So how exactly would these devastating possibilities come about? MailOnline takes a look.

End of days: Ff there is to be a global apocalypse, what might be to blame for wiping out all life on Earth? A wandering black hole, giant asteroid impact and nuclear war could all trigger such disaster, as could the rise of killer robots or the reversal of our planet's magnetic field

1. Giant asteroid impact

It ended the reign of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, so there's every chance a space rock-related apocalyptic event could one day happen again.

The Chicxulub asteroid slammed into a shallow sea in what is now the Gulf of Mexico  sparking a massive tsunami and releasing a huge soot and dust cloud which triggered global climate change and wiped out 75 per cent of Earth's animal and plant species.

Astronomers estimate that one of these monster asteroids should smash into our planet once every 100 million years or so.

Look out! Scientists estimate that an asteroid the size of the one that wiped out the dinosaurs smashes into our planet every 100 million years or so. That means another could arrive in around 300 million years' time

That would put us on course for another extinction-level event in around 30 million years' time, but with continued technological advances it is unlikely to pose the same danger as Chicxulub.

Just last year, NASA successfully carried out humanity's first ever planetary defence test involving the deflection of an asteroid deep in space.

The US space agency's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft altered the orbit of a 520ft-wide (160m) space rock known as Dimorphos when it smashed into it at 14,000 miles per hour.

Not one to worry about: Despite blockbuster films such as Deep Impact and Armageddon warning of the apocalyptic dangers of asteroids, the likelihood of humans meeting the same fate as the dinosaurs would seem unlikely, in part due to technological advances

Dimorphos wasn't a danger to us, but the success of the mission suggests that we'd already have a pretty good chance of deflecting any huge asteroid heading for Earth.

Add to that improved monitoring: NASA knows of no asteroid or comet currently on a collision course with our planet, so the probability of a major collision is quite small.

All in all, despite blockbuster films such as Deep Impact and Armageddon warning of the apocalyptic dangers of asteroids, the likelihood of humans meeting the same fate as the dinosaurs would seem unlikely.

2. Killer robots

There's been a lot of talk recently about the dangers posed by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Following the success of chatbots like ChatGPT, which has taken the world by storm since its release at the end of last year, a Silicon Valley civil war has erupted over whether more should be done to police the rapidly evolving technology.

The world's greatest minds are split about whether AI is a good or bad thing for humanity, with the likes of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on one side of argument, and Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak on the other.

Terrifying: In 2018, renowned MIT professor Max Tegmark warned that humans could one day become enslaved by the intelligent machines they create , while the UN Secretary-General has previously called for a ban on 'machines that have the power to kill'

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.

The row only intensified last week when the 'Godfather of AI' Geoffrey Hinton quit his job at Google, citing fears that 'scary' chatbots could soon be smarter than humans.

Warning that they are already capable of holding more general knowledge than a human brain, he said it was only a matter of time before AI also eclipses us when it comes to reasoning.

Despite films like 'The Terminator' (pictured) and 'I, Robot' being science fiction, with fearsome killing machines not far away, the chances of them being a catalyst for the end of the world seem a very worrying possibility

At this point, he added, 'bad actors' such as Russian President Vladimir Putin could use AI for 'bad things' by programming robots to 'get more power'.

Dr Hinton is not the first AI expert to voice concerns about the technology.

In 2018, renowned MIT professor Max Tegmark warned that humans could one day become enslaved by the intelligent machines they create, while the UN Secretary-General has previously called for a ban on 'machines that have the power to kill'.

That intervention from Antonio Guterres came amid fears that advances in AI will soon lead to the development of robots that can select and attack targets without human input.

Such robots represent the 'third revolution' in warfare after gunpowder and nuclear weapons, scientists and campaigners have warned, but could bring our very existence into question.

Despite films like 'The Terminator' and 'I, Robot' being science fiction, with fearsome killing machines not far away, the chances of them being a catalyst for the end of the world would seen a very worrying possibility.

Many computer scientists think the singularity  the point at which AI overtakes human intelligence  is near, meaning we will soon find out whether robots will be a good or very bad thing for humanity.

3. Supervolcano

Seen by some as the most serious natural threat to our existence, supervolcanoes have the potential to trigger a very fiery demise for our species.

The positive is that eruptions involving the 20 known supervolcanoes on Earth occur only rarely  on average, about once every 100,000 years.

But when they do, they have a devastating impact on our planet's climate and ecology.

One of the world's most famous in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming has erupted three times in the past 2.1 million years and is still highly-active.

Catastrophic devastation: Seen by some as the most serious natural threat to our existence, supervolcanoes have the potential to trigger a very fiery demise for our species

Others include Lake Toba in Indonesia, Lake Taupo in New Zealand, and the somewhat smaller Phlegraean Fields near Naples, Italy.

If one were to erupt again today, experts have explained how it could lead to the end of the world.

First there would be a series of powerful earthquakes as magma raced to the Earth's surface, before a 'titanic eruption' spewed lava up to 40 miles (64km) away and sent ash and toxic gases hurtling skywards.

It is the latter which would pose the biggest threat to life on Earth.

The gases, which would be spit out over a number of days, would hurtle 15 miles (24 km) high and plunge much of the US into darkness, while also doing appalling damage to people's lungs.

This spread of volcanic ash would also impact the global population, scientists have said, because it would cause temperatures to plummet, make it hard to farm, and in turn lead to starvation worldwide.

That being said, they also caution that this is 'very unlikely to happen', so it's not anything to lose sleep over.

4. Aliens

The big worry with aliens is that if they were capable of reaching Earth, the species would likely be so technologically advanced that we would be defenceless to any exterminating motives.

According to author Bryan Walsh, who wrote End Times: A Brief Guide To The End Of The World, such a scenario 'would not be like Independence Day or any of these movies', but more as though the US military was 'taking on a primitive tribe'.

Most experts agree that alien life almost certainly exists somewhere in the universe, considering more than 5,000 exoplanets have so far been discovered in our galaxy and factoring in that there are around 200 billion galaxies in total.

The worry with aliens is that if they were capable of reaching Earth, the species would likely be so technologically advanced that we would be defenceless to any exterminating motives

'It's purely a numbers game. It is probability,' as space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock puts it.

But what is more contentious is whether any of this would be intelligent.

Based on the possibility above, it would be fair to hope that's not the case.

As the late great physicist Professor Stephen Hawking once warned: 'If you look at history, contact between humans and less intelligent organisms have often been disastrous from their point of view, and encounters between civilisations with advanced versus primitive technologies have gone badly for the less advanced.'

He showed support for efforts to find aliens by listening, but cautioned against actively reaching out in the form of radio messages based on what humanity's past has taught us about how risky that might be.

That hasn't stopped scientists, however.

Last year it emerged that experts are planning to broadcast a radio message containing Earth's location deep into space, in the hope that it may one day be received and understood by an alien civilisation.

Called the Beacon in the Galaxy (BITG) message, it is essentially an updated version of the famous Arecibo message, which was first transmitted in 1974 for the same purpose.

Let's just hope for the sake of humanity that if they do ever get a response, those aliens are friendlier than most experts forecast.

5. Swallowed by the sun

Not the most exciting way for the world to end, you may think. Destroyed by the very thing that keeps us alive.

But there's every chance that when the sun runs out of fuel it could engulf Mercury, Venus and possibly Earth in its wake.

Terrifying: There's every chance that when the sun runs out of fuel it could engulf Mercury, Venus and possibly Earth in its wake. Just last week scientists got a glimpse of what this would be like when they spotted a star swallowing a planet just 12,000 light-years away in our own Milky Way galaxy, near the eagle-like constellation Aquila (shown in an artist's impression)

Although this won't happen for around five billion years, scientists revealed last week they had seen a glimpse of what it would look like after spotting a star swallowing a planet 12,000 light-years away in our own Milky Way galaxy.

Scientists said the hot, Jupiter-sized world would have been pulled into the dying star's atmosphere and then consumed in its core.

'We are seeing the future of the Earth,' researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said.

'If some other civilisation was observing us from 10,000 light-years away while the sun was engulfing the Earth, they would see the sun suddenly brighten as it ejects some material, then form dust around it, before settling back to what it was.'

6. Reversal of Earth's magnetic field

Historically, Earth's North and South poles have flipped every 200,000  300,000 years.

However, the last one took place about 780,000 years ago, leading many scientists to believe that another reversal could be imminent.

This may sound disconcerting, but in an era of GPS rather than just compasses, it probably seems strange to imagine it signalling the end of our species.

Perhaps there's lesson to be learnt from our ancestors, however.

Historically, Earth's North and South poles have flipped every 200,000  300,000 years. However, a flip is currently overdue, with the last one taking place about 780,000 years ago

Research has shown that a temporary reversal of the magnetic poles 42,000 years ago could have wiped out the Neanderthals by triggering catastrophic climate change.

This event ring the end of the Last Glacial Period, known as the Laschamps excursion, was a very short magnetic movement of the poles, but not a full reversal in the Earth's magnetic field.

When a complete flip does happen, it is preceded by the dwindling of Earth's magnetic field to almost nothing, only to reappear around a century later with the poles reversed.

What's worrying is that the strength of our magnetic field today has decreased by about 5 per cent over the past 100 years.

A comparison between the present day geomagnetic field (top) and a potential ancient analogue at 600 BCE (bottom)

This is significant because the magnetic field acts as a barrier to protect Earth's ozone layer by deflecting cosmic rays and particle storms from the sun.

Thankfully, a recent study offered reassurance that it is very unlikely Earth's magnetic poles will flip any time soon.

Researchers from Lund University pieced together data on Earth's geomagnetic field strength stretching back 9,000 years and say there's no evidence a reversal is on the cards.

Time to breathe a sigh of relief.

7. Pandemic

We had a terrifying taste of what this might look like when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

The virus is thought to have been responsible for some 20 million deaths worldwide and was only thwarted when the rapid development of vaccines helped protect people from serious illness and death.

But as deadly as Covid was at its peak, a future extinction-level pandemic would be far, far worse.

Get the masks back out: We had a terrifying taste of what this might look like when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020. But as deadly as the virus was at its peak, a future extinction-level pandemic would be far, far worse

Such an apocalyptic disease would have to be incurable (like Ebola), nearly always fatal (like rabies), extremely infectious (like the common cold) and have long incubation periods (like HIV).

If these devastating features were to occur in a single pathogen then the death toll would be enormous.

It wasn't until last week that the World Health Organization (WHO) finally declared that Covid-19 no longer represented a 'global health emergency'.

But the good news came with an eye-opening reminder.

'We fully expect that this virus will continue to transmit and this is the history of pandemics,' said Dr Mike Ryan, from the WHO's health emergencies programme.

'It took decades for the final throes of the pandemic virus of 1918 to disappear.

'In most cases, pandemics truly end when the next pandemic begins.'

8. Wandering black hole

Scientists still have much to learn about black holes, despite recently capturing the first ever image of one of the mysterious objects.

Described by experts as 'a monster', the black hole measures 24 billion miles (40 billion km) across  three million times the size of the Earth  and was found in a distant galaxy called M87.

It is well known that a similar supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* sits at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, but as far as we're aware there are no such objects in the immediate vicinity of Earth.

The discovery of the closest known black holes to our planet was actually revealed just last month.

Gaia BH1 and Gaia BH2, which were spotted using data collected by the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft, are just 1,560 light-years and 3,800 light-years away from Earth, respectively.

They are nothing for us to worry about, but what if a black hole did come wandering in our direction.

As far-fetched as this may seem, the idea is not inconceivable given that so-called 'recoiled' black holes have been detected ominously travelling through space in a similar way to rogue planets.

What if a black hole did come wandering in our direction? Last month NASA warned there was an 'invisible monster on the loose', in the form of a 'runaway' black hole (artist's impression)

Only last month, NASA warned of an 'invisible monster on the loose', in the form of a 'runaway' black hole.

The object is 7.5 billion light-years from Earth and currently triggering star formation as it ploughs into gas in front of it.

That is nowhere near us, but if a black hole the size of the moon was to pass through our solar system it could spell disaster.

With light unable to escape black holes, Earth would have little chance either.

Our planet would be sucked in to the object's event horizon and either ripped apart of possibly thrown into another part of the universe.

Extremely unlikely though such a scenario might be, let's hope for the latter.

9. Nuclear war

The fear of apocalyptic nuclear war has gripped the global community for decades.

Starting with the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union and continuing today with Russia's war in Ukraine and the uncertain threat posed by Kim Jong-Un's North Korea, the prospect of such annihilation never seems far away.

End of days: A fear of apocalyptic nuclear war has gripped the global community for decades

Such is the threat that some estimates put the risk of nuclear war breaking out over the next century at around 10 per cent.

Whether the war had an extinction-level impact would depend on whether it triggered a 'nuclear winter'  the creation of a cloud of smoke high in the atmosphere that would block the sun's rays, plunging temperatures below freezing, and possibly destroy the ozone layer.

In order for this to happen, the bombs would have to start massive firebombs that could lift the dust into the atmosphere.

The fallout would likely lead to the disintegration of the global food supply, making widespread starvation and the collapse of states likely.

10. Global warming

Extinction is a part of life, and animals and plants disappear all the time. About 98 per cent of all the organisms that have ever existed on our planet are now extinct.

In fact, over the past 500 million years there have been five great mass extinction events that have changed the face of life on Earth.

Some scientists warn that a sixth is already under way and have blamed it on the growing spectre of global warming.

Climate change has made heatwaves more intense and more likely, scientists have warned, with extreme weather causing a huge number of deaths and billions of pounds in damage

Experts currently predict climate change caused by human activity could lead to an average global temperatures increase of 7.2F (4C) unless countries take immediate and significant action to curb global warming.

As dire as that warning may seem, there is a risk the warming could be even more extreme  and rise up to 10.8F (6C).

The impact of this would be felt the most in poorer countries, which would become uninhabitable, research has suggested, leading to mass deaths, famines and mass migration.

Harvard Medical School scientists have also claimed that a balmier planet could aid the spread of infectious disease by providing a more suitable climate for parasites and spreading the range of tropical pathogens.

In terms of total annihilation, if global temperatures keep rising then it could lead to a runaway greenhouse effect that in the utmost of extremes would have Earth more closely resembling Venus, where the high on a typical day is 900F (482C).
It comes as travelers are warned to prepare for a 'summer of hell'

Its findings show the best time to buy is a Sunday while Friday is worst

Expedia analyzed millions of flights to find the cheapest time to book

Travelers searching for the cheapest deals should book flights on a Sunday but fly on a Wednesday, experts have revealed.

A study by online travel agent Expedia analyzed millions of flights and found that booking a journey on the last day of the week could shave up to 15 percent off the cost of your airfare.

By comparison making the booking on a Friday could add around 5 percent to the total cost as prices are driven up by households planning last minute vacations for the weekend.

Analysts also found that travelers who scheduled their journey on a Wednesday compared to a Sunday or Monday saved them up to 15 percent on domestic flights and 10 percent on international travel.

Experts also recommended that travelers book at least one month in advance when travelling within the US.

Travelers looking for the cheapest deals should book flights on a Sunday but fly on a Wednesday, a study by Expedia found

Analysts also found that travelers who scheduled their journey for a Wednesday compared to a Sunday or Monday saved them up to 15 percent on domestic flights and 10 percent on international travel

The 'sweet spot' for buying domestic flights is between 28 and 35 days out, analysts said.

They warned that on domestic travel customers actually end up paying more if they book between three-and-a-half to six months in advance.

However on international travel they recommended booking flights at least six months in advance - which could save customers 10 percent against those who buy within two months of departure.

On top of that analysts recommended travelling during 'off-peak' dates - avoiding the height of summer.

The revelation comes after it was revealed airline ticket prices for domestic flights had shot up more than 30 percent in the last year.

International flights were as much as 200 percent more expensive, according to data from the American Automobile Association.

This is despite the fact that standards are plummeting. Dailymail.com revealed last month that delays had reached a ten-year high.

Data from flight tracking platform showed that a shocking 21.4 percent of flights in the last year have been held up by an average of 50 minutes.

And the problem is only set to worsen this summer as travelers have been told to prepare for a 'summer of hell.'

Nine national and two regional airlines were evaluated by WalletHub using recent data from the Department of Transportation - Southwest Airlines was found to be worst airline of them all for a second year in a row

Experts have warned travelers to prepare for a 'summer of hell' amidst reports of increased flight delays and cancellations

The cost of international travel has shot up more than 200 percent in the last year, according to data from the American Automobile Association

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently warned it was expecting 2023 summer air travel volumes to overtake pre-pandemic figures.

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said: 'This summers travel demand will be as strong as weve seen since before the pandemic, and potentially the strongest ever.

'That kind of demand in a system that is woefully underfunded and understaffed is likely to create substantial frustrations among travelers.'

The aviation industry ground to a speeding half during the pandemic and airlines were handed a $60billion bailout.

As lockdown restrictions eased, firms found they could not ramp up quickly enough to accommodate the surge in demand.

Last summer, tens of thousands of flights were delayed and canceled.

In a recent study, eleven of the largest airlines were ranked for best overall experience - with Southwest Airlines coming out worst and Delta Airlines best.

Delta Airlines scored 66.79 points out of a total of 100 and was also the most reliable, meaning it had the fewest canceled flights, delays, baggage loses and denied boardings.

Southwest Airlines stood out as the worst airline evaluated, both overall but also in terms of safety.
The smell hits you first. Before even passing through one of the 21 decorative entrance gates at Istanbuls 15th-century Grand Bazaar, Im met by a heady fug of saffron, rose and leather, mingled with the rich scent of strong Turkish coffee.

The first ten minutes inside will be amazing, my tour guide Koray Yalkut advises, as we weave between crowds heading in the same direction. Then the second ten minutes are overwhelming. And after half an hour youll want to leave.

Clearly, he underestimates my commitment to a bargain.

One of the worlds largest covered markets spanning 62 streets, the bazaar attracts up to half a million visitors each day to more than 2,000 shops, some of which are still run by the 15th generation of the same family.

Within minutes, Im lost in the ornate alleyways, entranced by rows of Turkish delight, rainbow-coloured pashminas and pomegranates. Inside a shop named Aladdin, staff present bowls of pistachios and baklava while I choose between vials of flower oil perfumes and giant packs of dried fruit. They send me on my way with effusive goodbyes and a free bag of fragrant spices.

Historical: On a trip to Istanbul, Siobhan Grogan visits The Hagia Sophia, a grand church built by the Romans that is now a mosque

Its the same all over Istanbul. Im offered artisan chocolate in high-end jewellery store Begum Khan, and apple tea in a hole-in-the-wall shop in Besiktas selling ceramics and crystals. Everyone is welcoming.

Yet last November, a terrorist bomb killed six people on a major street in the city, highlighting Turkeys hostile political regime, particularly towards the Kurdish population.

Many locals believe the countrys divisive  and increasingly autocratic  President Erdogan (who is facing an election today) will eventually make Turkey a super-power, but everyone I meet rolls their eyes at his name. None will say much about him directly, but all are keen to keep Istanbul as a secular, progressive and safe city. After all, it was an open-minded meeting point of cultures and continents long before Erdogan. Straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, its been the capital of three empires, survived many attacks and earthquakes, and was a major hub on the Silk Road trade route from East to West.

Its now the most populated city in Europe with nearly 16 million inhabitants  yet this chaotic, charismatic metropolis is often overlooked as tourists hurry south to the countrys beach resorts. Theyre missing a city every bit as captivating as Rome or Athens, with as many historical wonders  as well as lively bars and gourmet restaurants.

For the best access to both, I stay in the Shangri-La Bosphorus, a beautifully converted 1920s tobacco warehouse near the Maritime Museum and the extravagant Dolmabahce Palace. Theres a ferry right outside to cross continents in minutes, or the hotel can arrange a breakfast cruise to sail past domed mosques, Ottoman castles and, if youre lucky, dolphins leaping from the water as the sun rises over Asia.

In rush hour, its also the fastest way to swerve the near-endless traffic jams and head to the old city of Sultanahmet on Istanbuls European side.

Here, traces of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires make every street a museum, albeit with dogs snoozing in the sunshine and candy-striped stalls selling simit (Turkish bagels) to breakfasting office workers.

The main sights are clustered around the fountains of Sultanahmet Square, including the Sultanahmet Mosque  nicknamed the Blue Mosque for its colourful tiled interior  and the Hagia Sophia.

Siobhan enjoys getting lost in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets (file image)

TRAVEL FACTS Rooms at the Shangri-La Bosphorus start from 438 b&b, (shangri-la.com). Turkish Airlines flies to Istanbul from Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester (turkishairlines.com). For more information, see visit.istanbul/en. Advertisement

The latter is a former 5th-century church built by Roman emperor Justinian I, and turned into a mosque by invading Ottomans in 1453.

Its been a museum since 1935, although Erdogan controversially declared it a mosque again in 2020. Women must now cover their hair to enter, but it remains an architectural marvel with a 55m-high dome that shimmers with tiny gold mosaics. Next door is the eerie subterranean Basilica Cistern that once supplied water to the Byzantine palaces.

It was discovered in 1545 when locals revealed they could lower buckets under their basements to catch fish. Now, water still drips intermittently from the ceiling into its shallow pools where carp dart between the shadows.

Later, I return to the Grand Bazaar  and not just for a final shopping spree. Yalkut leads me up a rickety staircase at the back of a sari shop to walk across the terracotta rooftops of the Bazaar, an area only accessible with a private guide.

Deserted despite thousands of shoppers below, its the best place for sweeping views across the city, and I recognise it as the spot where Daniel Craig zipped across the skyline on a motorbike in the opening scene of Skyfall. Trust James Bond to know the best way to avoid the traffic.
Australian chicken heiress Ruby Steggles has announced her engagement to her Swiss trader boyfriend.

A photo of the romantic proposal shared on Instagram showed her groom-to-be Olivier Egger on bended kneed at the waterfront in Dubai.

Daily Mail Australia understands Ruby and Olivier have called United Arab Emirates home since 2018.

The former Sydneysider has lived in Dubai since 2018

Aside from being heiress to the Steggles $490 million chicken and turkey dynasty, the petite brunette is a marketing manager for global creative boutique agency Mullen Lowe MENA.

Oliver is a Swiss national and graduate from Princeton, one of the so-called Ivy League universities in the US.

Other pictures show the newly engaged pair living it up in Dubai and staying at an exclusive hotel.

Ruby grew up on Sydney's Northern beaches and graduated from University of NSW, before climbing the corporate ladder and heading overseas.

Since 1919, Steggles have been been producing poultry products.

From humble beginnings in 1919, George Steggles and sons Jack, George and Stan, trading as Steggles Bros in a small Newcastle shop-front, grew the business into a household name. .

Ruby isnt the only member of the Steggles clan to set tongues wagging.

In 2018, her older cousin, Lucy Steggles made headlines after reports surfaced she was dating Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins soon after his failed shot at love on The Bachelor.

The Swiss-raised trader popped the question along a pier in Dubai

The pair met prior to the Bachelor finale airing, during a charity hike of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea with a group of friends.

The curly-haired reality star is said to have met the blonde beauty through Lucy's sister's boyfriend, who is Nick's trainer.

The romantic proposal continued at an exclusive resort

Reports suggested at the time the pair hade been friends for a number of years but their 'friendship turned romantic,' during the hike.

Sydney is certainly no stranger to heiress' - specifically the poultry variety.

Lucy Steggles and Nick Cummins (both pictured, right) grew close while hiking the Kokoda trail

Ruby and Olivier have called United Arab Emirates home since 2018

Who could forget Roxy Jacenkos former ex-bestfriend Jessica Ingham, cousin to socialite Tamie Ingham.

Like Ruby, Tamie is also about to walk down the aisle too after getting engaged to celebrity chef Guillaume Brahimi in what is set to be a big social wedding with a long celebrity guestlist.
Gordon Ramsay has responded in typical fashion to claims he used a 'heart attack inducing' amount of butter in an Australian Wagyu burger recipe he shared on Instagram.

The British celebrity chef posted a video of himself making the dish and was quickly roasted for using butter not only to fry the onions, but also to toast the bread and grill the fatty meat.

'Do we really need five kilos of butter?' one person commented on the video.

'I don't think you used enough butter,' another sarcastically wrote while a third said: 'Do we need that amount of butter??'

While Gordon had not seen the critical comments about his creation, he had a blunt response when they were put to him by Daily Mail Australia.

'I'd like to take this moment to apologise for absolutely f*** all,' Ramsay said.

Gordon Ramsay has responded in typical fashion to claims he used a 'heart attack inducing' amount of butter in an Australian Wagyu burger recipe he shared on Instagram last week

The 56-year-old had just finished a three-day residency of his Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Matt Moran's fine diner Aria on Sydney Harbour.

He flew home on Thursday night after showcasing a $495-per-person menu in what was the first time he had set up his restaurant overseas.

Gordon told Daily Mail Australia he had been so busy with his Aria project he hadn't seen the response to his hamburger-making technique.

'I'll start crying on the way home tonight on that flight,' he said on Thursday, as Moran agreed with his close friend's cooking method by adding: 'Butter's flavour'.

Gordon Ramsay (pictured) has been slammed for using a 'ridiculous' ingredient in his Aussie Wagyu burger recipe

Gordon's wagyu burger was not on the menu during his tenure at Aria but it gained almost as much attention as his famed shellfish raviolo and pecan praline dessert.

'So much butter... I know fat means flavour but this is for me an overkill of butter,' one person wrote.

'Just had a heart attack watching that,' another person joked. 'Possibly the filthiest thing I've seen,' one commented.

To make his Australian Wagyu burger, Gordon started by frying onion using oil and butter.

He then put salt and pepper on his meat patty before cooking it in yet more butter.

The British celebrity chef shared a video to Instagram on Monday, showing fans how to make the popular burger. But many followers slammed Gordon, 56, for using butter to fry the onions, grill the meat and toast the bread

How to make Gordon Ramsay's 'filthy' burger recipe 1. Fry onion using oil and butter 2. Season the meat patty with salt and pepper before cooking it in butter and oil in a fry pan 3. Pour boiling water over chopped cucumber and chilli in a seperate bowl 4. Brown the burger buns in a fry pan using butter 5. Return meat patty to the fry pan and top with onion and cheese to melt 6. Build burger by placing lettuce, cucumber/ chilli mix and patty on bun. Then top with fried egg and sauce Advertisement

Gordon also poured boiling water over chopped cucumber and chilli in a separate bowl.

He then placed even more butter into his fry pan before browning the burger buns.

The chef eventually assembled his burger, adding cheese, a fried egg and lettuce.

To make his Australian Wagyu burger, Gordon started by frying the onion using oil and butter. He then put salt and pepper on his meat patty before cooking it in butter

The celebrity chef eventually assembled his burger, adding cheese, a fried egg and lettuce

The defence of his 'filthy' recipe comes just days after Ramsay broke down in tears during a special episode of The Sunday Project, which was a tribute to the late Masterchef judge Jock Zonfrillo.

Ramsay, Nigella Lawson and Marco Pierre White were among those sharing their precious memories during the emotional episode.

'The ripples have been devastating. No-one's gonna get over this quickly. If there's one thing that we've done as chefs is we've united and we're talking about the good times. So...' Ramsay said, pausing as he chocked back tears.

'S**t. Sorry. It's just so painful. That's all,' he added, taking some time to compose himself.

The chef died at age 46, and is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.
As a former fashion designer, Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty knows a thing or two about what makes a good look. And flaunting your wealth with high-end clothes when your husband is trying to lead the country out of a biting cost-of-living crisis is definitely not a good look.

That's why the 43-year-old is increasingly earning the praise of fashionistas  including The Mail on Sunday's Alexandra Shulman  for choosing affordable, middle-of-the-range British brands over luxury labels. And one recent visitor to No 10 could be behind those winning choices.

It seems that Ms Murty may be seeking style advice from Isabel Spearman, the PR guru who previously worked as an unofficial dresser to Samantha Cameron during her husband's tenure in Downing Street.

The brand consultant was spotted heading into No 10 just days before last weekend's Coronation, for which the Prime Minister's wife wore a 495 baby blue dress from Claire Mischevani that one commentator praised as 'incredible'.

DRESSING DOWN: Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty at the Coronation lunch outside 10 Downing Street

Akshata Murty at the Coronation (left) and the Buckingham Palace reception the day before (right)

At the Buckingham Palace reception the previous day she wore an eye-catching royal blue lace dress, costing 400 from Self-Portrait.

And for the Coronation Big Lunch outside Downing Street last Sunday, Ms Murty wore an 85 blouse from Boden, a high street brand loved by the Princess of Wales.

Her choices  described by one observer as 'a masterclass in modern soft-power style' are a far cry from the 570 pair of sliders she was pictured wearing for the school run in October. A snip for someone said to be worth 700 million and heiress to billions more, but beyond the pockets of the vast majority of voters.

Celebrity stylist Miranda Holder said: 'Head-to-toe designer is passe. Dressing more mid-range and mixing things up is an effective, stylish way to support smaller British labels. And Ms Murty's affordable wardrobe messages are being transmitted in a positive and welcome way.'

Ms Murty, who gave up a high-flying finance career to launch her own designer clothing label in 2011, is the daughter of Narayana Murthy, who is reportedly worth 50 billion as a founder of Indian IT giant Infosys.

Ms Spearman  the former PR director of accessories brand Anya Hindmarch  was special adviser to Samantha Cameron from 2010 to 2015, on a taxpayer-funded salary of about 60,000 a year. She controversially received an OBE in David Cameron's 2016 resignation honours and her website boasts of how she played 'a formative role in building the international public persona of [Samantha] Cameron'.

Both she and Downing Street declined to comment last night.
Could Princess Beatrice and Queen Camilla be collaborating on a children's literacy project?

Beatrice certainly seemed to drop some hints when she presented the Oscar's Book Prize for best picture book last week.

Having praised the new Queen on her commitment to literacy, the 34-year-old Princess, who is patron of the award, teased: 'I'm hoping we can work out some more fantastic ways to collaborate more with the prize.'

Nothing is confirmed yet, but you heard it here first!

Could Princess Beatrice (right) and Queen Camilla (left) be collaborating on a children's literacy project?

Princess Beatrice attends the tenth annual Oscar's Book Prize winner's ceremony, celebrating the best picture books for young children on Tuesday

Mick Jagger's son Gabriel is heading into the fashion world, following in the stilettoed footsteps of his mum, Jerry Hall.

But unlike the Texan model  and his older sister Georgia May  the 25-year-old is not stepping on to the catwalk.

Rather, he has produced a new documentary about 'the original influencer', Coco Chanel with his production company WhyNowFilms.

So anticipated is the programme, that I hear the BBC has already snapped it up for its flagship Arena strand.

When it comes to the Jaggers, it seems you can always get what you want.

Rachel Weisz attends the 6th Canneseries International Festival in France on April 15

Weisz-washed!

Her new TV role is as a pair of unhinged, sexed-up, gynaecologist twins who binge on cocaine.

But what caused Rachel Weisz, right, problems in a magazine interview to promote Dead Ringers was a little more prosaic: a cigarette.

The actress appears in a drawing on the cover of The Idler with a lit fag in her hand  too much for supermarket chiefs who insisted it be Photoshopped out for copies on their shelves.

Subscribers still get the offending version.
She may be out of I'm A Celebrity, but Georgia Toffolo is back in business.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 28, is bringing out her own brand of dog food, named Montdog after her beloved pet, Monty.

The pair are inseparable and just celebrated the Coronation by walking down the King's Road in Chelsea with 200 other King Charles spaniels.

'The best day of both mine and Montdog's life,' she said as she posted a video online.

The flavours of her dog food have not yet been announced but they surely have to be better than the fish eyes and cockroaches Toff had to eat in the jungle.

Georgia Toffolo, 28, is bringing out her own brand of dog food, named Montdog after her beloved pet, Monty

The pair are inseparable and just celebrated the Coronation by walking down the King's Road in Chelsea with 200 other King Charles spaniels.

Toff at the I'm a Celebrity... South Africa camp on April 28 this year

Royal author Lady Colin Campbell's plans to host pop concerts by the likes of Craig David at her Sussex pad, Castle Goring, have fallen at the first hurdle.

It turns out that Lady C, 73, who went on I'm A Celebrity in 2015, didn't have council permission for the events.

David's gig in September will now be at nearby Wiston Estate.
Margot Robbie and her husband Tom Ackerley are on the hunt for a home in Byron Bay.

And on Friday, the Hollywood star, 32, and British film producer, 33, enjoyed a fun day in Byron Bay before inspecting a stunning property.

Margot kept things casual in a heart-print silk mini dress as the couple enjoyed lunch with their friends at celebrity hotspot Rae's on Watego.

She teamed up her look with a white designer handbag, slides and sunglasses as she walked alongside her husband.

Tom looked stylish in a grey coloured t-shirt, jeans and comfortable white sneakers for the outing.

Margot Robbie and husband Tom Ackerley were spotted house hunting in Byron Bay on Saturday

The Hollywood star, 32, and her British film producer husband, 33, kept things casual as they explored the area

Margot looked stylish in a heart-print silk mini dress that featured a lace-trimmed collar

After enjoying their meal, they were seen visiting the renowned Lord Byron Distillery.

Finally, after a fun day with friends, the pair inspected the luxurious Cedar Hill home dubbed by real estate agents as 'Australia's most beautiful property'.

It's situated in the Newrybar area which actors Chris and Liam Hemsworth also call home.

It features eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and boasts incredible ocean as well as hinterland views.

She teamed up her look with a white designer handbag, slides and sunglasses

Tom, meanwhile looked stylish in a grey coloured t-shirt, jeans and white sneakers

The property also has spacious open plan kitchen, living and dining areas.

The outdoor space is perfect for entertaining, with a large infinity pool, an outdoor dining area and bonfire.

Margot and Tom are reportedly searching for a permanent home in Byron Bay just a month before the release of her anticipated Barbie movie.

Robbie and Ackerley were spotted enjoying the laid-back Byron Bay lifestyle, hanging out with friends at the renowned Lord Byron Distillery

The visit followed the announcement of Margot's foray into the spirits world with her very own gin label, Papa Salt

Before hitting the distillery, the group was seen leaving the celebrity hotspot Rae's on Wategos, where they grabbed a bite to eat

Their appearance comes after crew filming mega-budget movie Barbie were accused of filming homeless people in the background of a park scene  and not paying them.

The destitute bench dwellers were even discussed in radio chatter on the set about exactly where they were in relation to filming, DailyMail.com revealed in April.

Meanwhile, extras were paid to dress as homeless people to reinforce the scene, shot at Tongva Park opposite Santa Monica City Hall in California, which is notorious for its vagrancy problems.

Their appearance comes after crew filming mega-budget movie Barbie were accused of filming homeless people in the background of a park scene  and not paying them
TV chef Curtis Stone recently paid tribute to fellow television culinary expert Jock Zonfrillo after he tragically passed away on April 30.

And on Friday, Curtis, 47, put on a brave face as he attended the National Alliance Of Mental Illness Gala in Los Angeles, California.

The Melbourne native cut a dashing figure in a designer pinstripe suit as he posed for snaps on the red carpet alongside his glamorous actress wife Lindsay Price, 46.

Curtis completed his outfit with a crisp white dress shirt and showed off his unique style by accessorising with black sneakers.

His brunette hair was stylishly coiffed and he sported a rugged five o'clock shadow beard.

TV chef Curtis Stone and his wife Lindsay Price put on a brave front at Mental Health Gala in Los Angeles on Friday

Meanwhile, Lindsay turned heads in a figure-hugging strapless black designer frill gown which showcased her slender figure.

The pair looked every inch the lovebirds as they stayed by each other's side and mingled with their A-List friends at the exclusive event.

Curtis sported a focused expression at the event which celebrated the life of the late Step Up actor, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, who died in December at 40.

The Melbourne native cut a dashing figure in a designer pinstripe suit as he posed for snaps on the red carpet alongside his glamorous actress wife Lindsay Price, 46

Curtis completed his outfit with a crisp white dress shirt and showed off his unique style by accessorising with black sneakers

It comes after Curtis joined his colleagues in the culinary world in paying tribute to 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. He was 46.

Curtis, who knew Zonfrillo through appearances on MasterChef and as colleagues in the hospitality industry, shared a touching tribute on social media.

His brunette hair was stylishly coiffed and he sported a rugged five o'clock shadow beard

Meanwhile, Lindsay turned heads in a figure-hugging shoulderless black designer frill gown which showcased her slender figure

He posted a photo of himself with Zonfrillo, and wrote: 'The world lost an unbelievable human when we lost Jock.'

'Over the years we became great mates, whether it was sharing a laugh, a nice plate of food, or a story of the old days working our asses off in London.'

He continued: 'Listening to him talk about his family with so much love was heartwarming. You will be sorely missed, my friend. Rest in peace, mate.'

Curtis has been married to Beverly Hills 90210 star Lindsay Price since 2013 and they share sons Hudson and Emerson.
Ruby Rose showed off her new look as she attended the Fast X screening in Rome on Friday.

The actress and model, 37, unveiled a slightly longer bob than her normal haircut as she posed on the red carpet at the event.

The Batwoman star put on a stylish display in a double-breasted velvet blazer which had matching pants and a waist coat.

Ruby accessorised her ensemble with a black handbag and wore chunky black shoes to the event.

She let her natural beauty shine, opting to wear a subtle makeup palette consisting of blush and a nude lip.

Ruby Rose unveiled a new look at Fast X screening in Rome on Friday after her bombshell announcement she's about to write a tell-all memoir

The sighting comes amid news the star is writing a tell-all memoir which will include details on her feud with Veronicas' Lisa and Jessica Origliasso.

The star dated Jess from 2016 to 2018, during which time the sisters' relationship became so strained they were on the verge of estrangement.

Following the couple's split, the Origliassos mended bridges and made a series of public statements criticising Ruby.

Ruby announced on Instagram in February she had started writing her book, and promised to expose the pop twins - whom she did not name but called 'the sisters' - for 'how horrific' they allegedly were to her.

The star unveiled a stylish bob at the event which sat perfectly coiffed around her face. Ruby opted to wear a natural makeup palette for the event

She also claimed the 'truth' she was writing would 'p**s a lot of people off'.

'Book writing. The truth. It will p*ss a lot of people off... but maybe you should have been better?

'Excited to be free. Excited to tell the truth. On the sisters? You're first. How horrific you were.'

The actress and DJ added: 'Imagine mistaking kindness for weakness...'

The sighting comes amid news the star is writing a tell-all memoir which will include details on her feud with Veronicas' Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. (Pictured: Ruby Rose and Jessica Origliasso in London, England, on June 6, 2017)

The feud between Ruby and The Veronicas was laid bare after Jessica broke off their on-again-off-again relationship in 2018.

The two women briefly dated in 2008 before rekindling their romance in 2016, only to break up again two years later.

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show a few months after the split, Jessica said she was in 'a very complex relationship'.

She added: 'I'm still trying to come to terms with the reality of it every day so it's really hard to explain to anybody.

'There was just so much that happened, so much that I can't even get into it.'
Dessert king Adriano Zumbo and his wife Nelly have announced they're expecting to welcome their first child.

The couple shared the exciting news to their Instagram pages on Mother's Day on Sunday, alongside a photo of Nelly's growing baby bump.

'We are baking something very special Most definitely our greatest creation yet. Little baby macaron due November,' they captioned the sweet post.

In the photo, Adriano, 41, wrapped his arms around his wife, 32, while holding a green macaron in front of her bump.

The announcement comes just one year after the pair tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Dessert king Adriano Zumbo has announced he's expecting his first child with his wife Nelly Riggio

The couple, who went public with their romance in 2017 after Nelly starred on My Kitchen Rules with then-boyfriend JP Huillet in 2016, exchanged vows at Tiffany's at Maleny with views of the stunning Glass House Mountains in May last year.

In May 2021, Nelly announced her engagement to the pastry chef, sharing the happy news to her Instagram page.

'He liked it so he put a ring on it,' she gushed alongside an image of the pair.

'I am so lucky to call you my fiance, you are the love of my life and I cannot wait to spend my forever with you.'

Adriano and Nelly made headlines in 2016 when they began dating shortly after they started working together.

The couple shared the exciting news to their Instagram pages on Mother's Day, alongside a photo of Nelly's growing baby bump

Before Nelly met Adriano, she was in a long-term relationship with JP Huillet, who was her partner on My Kitchen Rules.

The couple were dubbed the 'lovebirds' and gushed about getting married during their time on the series.

Nelly and Adriano went public with their relationship in 2017, while on holiday together in the Maldives.

JP apparently found out about the romance on social media.

Nelly's relationship with the celebrity chef faced its fair share of media scrutiny, with the couple being forced to defend their controversial romance in the press.

Speaking to TV Week in June 2018, Adriano revealed that he was 'used to criticism' but insisted their relationship was 'stronger than ever'.

The announcement comes just one year after the pair tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

'In the end, you have to do what makes you happy - the people who love you and are around you are all that matters,' he said.

Adriano confirmed that they had moved on from the affair speculation.

'Nelly and I are going great. She's an amazing person and has been very supportive and loving - she's always positive and loves life,' he said at the time.

JP Huillet finally found his happy ending in April 2021 when he tied the knot to dancer Lizzy Edwards in an intimate wedding ceremony in Byron Bay.
Simon Pegg has today revealed how he teases his Mission Impossible co-star Tom Cruise about his 'ridiculous' superstar lifestyle.

The comedian, 53, who struck up an unlikely franchise with Cruise when he was cast in the 2006 film Mission: Impossible III said that even the Hollywood star realised some of his antics bordered on the outlandish.

Pegg told Radio 4's Desert Island Discs: 'I always make fun of him for it  the things he can access. Like we were filming in South Africa recently.

'We were filming on this mountain in the morning and then he decided he wanted to go and swim with sharks. So, he flew us in a helicopter to this seaside part of South Africa and we had this bespoke trip out and dived with sharks and stuff like that.'

He added: 'At the end of the day, we were driving back and going that was a real Tom Cruise kind of a day, wasn't it? It was just a bit of a Tom Cruise day. He appreciates the ridiculousness of it sometimes.'

Simon Pegg has revealed he pokes fun at Tom Cruise about his 'ridiculous' superstar lifestyle

The British comedian said he made a point of not asking Cruise, a scientologist, about his private life or personal beliefs.

He said: 'No I don't ask him about stuff like that because I feel that would be me abusing my privileged access that I get to him. My relationship with him is very very simple and amiable. We are friends.'

Pegg said he personally could not cope with the kind of worldwide adulation heaped on Cruise.

He said: 'He loves itIt energises him, and it spurs him on. I don't think I would appreciate that particularly. I would find that very stressful and overwhelming and it would make me want to sort of retreat.'

Pegg also spoke candidly about his successful battle with the depression and alcohol abuse which took root on the set of his first Mission Impossible film.

The comedian and Hollywood star first became friends when cast together in 2006 blockbuster Mission: Impossible III

He said: 'The thing is that you become very sneaky when you have something like that in your life. You learn how to do it without anyone noticing because it takes over and it wants to sustain itself and it will do everything it can not to be stopped. But eventually it just got to a point when it can't be hidden and that's when thankfully I was able to pull out of the dive.'

The actor also paid tribute to the teacher who helped him turn his life around by refusing him the starring role in Hamlet.

He said: 'I had become a bit of a Goth and I'd discovered various things you discover at the age of 16 and my teacher at the time Gordon Vallins who was the head of the course said you are not going to play Hamlet you are going to play the ghost of Hamlet.'

He added: 'Gordon was and is a beautiful man. He was so caring, and he did the right thing. He noticed that I was just drifting away into potentially not getting into University, so he put me back on track and it worked.'

Desert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 11.15 am and will be repeated on Friday at 9.00 am.
Rebecca Judd took to social media on Saturday to express her delight after her advert for Mermade Hair styling products was screened in Times Square, New York.

The glamorous model, 40, who has a range of styling products with the beauty label, is seen rocking her luscious blow wave hair in the glossy commercial.

The brunette beauty looked every inch the stunner in the eye-popping advert which captures her showcasing her elegantly coiffed locks while holding a Mermade hair wand.

The Mermade Hair Instagram page shared a video of Bec's ad playing on a large screen at the world famous intersection and captioned it with some excited words.

'Days spent in Times Square with Bec Judd and Mermade Hair,' they wrote and added a skyscraper emoji.

Bec Judd (pictured) took to social media on Saturday to express her delight after her advert for her Mermade Hair styling products was screened in Times Square, New York

Bec was quick to respond to the post by commenting it was 'major' news and she added three love heart emojis.

It comes after Bec shared a racy tribute to her former Carlton star husband Chris Judd back in February.

'Twenty years of kissing this,' Bec wrote alongside an image of Chris shirtless.

The glamorous model who has a range of styling products with the beauty label, is seen rocking her luscious blow wave hair in the glossy commercial

She looked every inch the stunner in the eye-popping advert which captures her showcasing her elegantly coiffed locks while holding a Mermade hair wand

The Judds celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary at the start of the year.

'12 years married today,' Bec posted. '19 years together. 4 amazing kids.'

The footy WAG burst onto the scene 19 years ago when she wore a red Tarvydas dress with a plunging neckline to the 2004 Brownlow Medal.

She lives in a luxurious mansion in the swanky Melbourne suburb of Brighton, with her husband Chris, and their four children.

The Mermade Hair Instagram page posted a video of Bec's ad playing on a large screen at the world famous intersection
She is a proud mother of three young children.

And on Thursday, Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio lovingly doted over her four-year-old daughter Gia as they attended the Bumpsuit Mommy + Me Walk in Los Angeles.

The pair appeared to be in good spirits, posing for photos together in activewear as they joined a bevy of other mums and daughters for the outdoor workout.

Nicole showed off her figure in a black playsuit which she teamed up with a pink sweater tied around her waist.

Meanwhile, little Gia was dressed in a matching purple coloured shirt and pants set.

Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio lovingly doted over her daughter Gia, four, as they attended the Bumpsuit Mommy + Me Walk in Los Angeles on Thursday

The pair appeared to be in good spirits, posing for photos together in activewear as they joined a bevy of other mums and daughters for an outdoor workout

Nicole is the founder of brands Bumpsuit, Erth Jewellery and Erth Swim.

She has been taking time away from the catwalk in order to focus on her business interests and family.

The former Make Me a Supermodel judge shares three children with her American musician husband, Gary Clarke Jnr. - Zion, seven, and daughters Gia, four, and Ella, two.

Nicole showed off her figure in a black playsuit which she teamed up with a pink sweater tied around her waist

Meanwhile, little Gia was dressed in a matching purple coloured shirt and pants set

Nicole often documents her love of being a mother on social media.

Posting a tribute to her children on Instagram in June last year, she wrote: 'All mine, actually... my belief is they are not 'mine', I'm just here to raise, nurture and nourish them, to love them and guide them the best way I can.'

'Hopefully they will love and respect me for that, and we will create a forever unbreakable bond that will keep us close, so we can share a million memories and laughs together for our entire lifetimes.

'I respect these little people as equals and I probably learn as much if not more from them as they do from me.'
Advertisement

Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Kelly Rowland led the bombshell parade at the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mother's Day Celebration this Saturday.

Celebrities with children flocked to the swank salon one day before the holiday to mingle with one another and pose up a storm in their elegant surroundings.

Kelly, 42, who rose to fame in the girl group Destiny's Child with Beyonce and Michelle Williams, cut a summery figure in a sheer white ensemble with a swirling blue and black print.

Sharpening her screen siren features with makeup, she lent the look an extra touch of glitz with a tangle of necklaces that complemented her gleaming metallic heels.

Miranda on the other hand played up her enviable supermodel physique in a clinging off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that went stylishly off the shoulder at one side.

On the town: (from left) Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Kelly Rowland led the bombshell parade at the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mother's Day Celebration this Saturday

Swanking about: Miranda on the other hand played up her enviable supermodel physique in a clinging off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that went stylishly off the shoulder at one side

The Australian fashionista, who rose to international fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, heartwarmingly attended the event with her sleek and chic mother Therese Kerr.

Meanwhile Alessandra, modeling a simple white mock-turtleneck tucked into a cream set of flattering slacks, could be seen hobnobbing with the salon's slender blonde CEO Anastasia Soare.

Anastasia, a Romania-born entrepreneur known as the 'Eyebrow Queen,' turned the fete into a family affair, posing on the arm of her mother Victoria and her daughter Claudia, who is now president of the makeup brand.

Claudia and Anastasia also got themselves snapped alongside Alessandra and Project Runway executive producer Desiree Gruber, who has a son with her longtime husband Kyle MacLachlan.

Working the room at her salon's big bash, Anastasia also stood for a picture with Kelly as well as with Steve Harvey's wife Marjorie Elaine Harvey and daughter Lori Harvey.

Lori, whose dating history includes the sizzling movie heartthrob Michael B. Jordan, showcased her assets in a plunging gold gown with intricate lacework.

Russell Simmons' ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons slid into a figure-hugging pencil dress, while Sofia Vergara was breathtaking as ever in a strapless floral gown.

High School Musical actress Ashley Tisdale, decked out in a floral getup that strikingly resembled pajamas, was on hand with her mother Lisa Morris Tisdale.

Spot the resemblance: The Australian fashionista, who rose to international fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, heartwarmingly attended the event with her sleek and chic mother Therese Kerr

Dynamic duo: Meanwhile Alessandra, modeling a simple white mock-turtleneck tucked into a cream set of flattering slacks, could be seen hobnobbing with the salon's slender blonde CEO Anastasia Soare

The family line: Anastasia, a Romania-born entrepreneur known as the 'Eyebrow Queen,' turned the fete into a family affair, posing on the arm of her mother Victoria and her daughter Claudia, who is now president of the makeup brand

Claudia and Anastasia also got themselves snapped alongside Alessandra and Project Runway executive producer Desiree Gruber, who has a son with her longtime husband Kyle MacLachlan

Celebs galore: Working the room at her salon's big bash, Anastasia also stood for a picture with Kelly as well as with Steve Harvey's wife Marjorie Elaine Harvey and daughter Lori Harvey

Sensation: Lori, whose dating history includes the sizzling movie heartthrob Michael B. Jordan, showcased her assets in a plunging gold gown with intricate lacework

Having a ball: Russell Simmons' ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons (left) slid into a figure-hugging pencil dress, while Sofia Vergara (right) was breathtaking as ever in a strapless floral gown

Side by side: High School Musical actress Ashley Tisdale, decked out in a floral getup that strikingly resembled pajamas, was on hand with her mother Lisa Morris Tisdale

Family friends: Paris Hilton, looking resplendent in a sumptuous powder blue pleated dress, enjoyed a friendly reunion with her old assistant Kim Kardashian's mother Kris Jenner

Woman of the hour: Paris and Kris also found time for a bit of a hobnob with Anastasia, who threw her own hourglass figure into relief in a perfectly fitted cream trouser suit with a massive metallic floral accent redolent of the 1980s

What a pair: Katharine McPhee, 39, who has a two-year-old son called Rennie with her drastically older husband David Foster, 73, swung by the knees-up on the arm of her own mother Veronica Berti

Paris Hilton, looking resplendent in a sumptuous powder blue pleated dress, enjoyed a friendly reunion with her old assistant Kim Kardashian's mother Kris Jenner.

Kris, the matriarch of the sprawling Kardashian-Jenner clan and a woman with six children and 12 grandchildren, put her own spin on Mother's Day style in an eminently snappy monochrome polka dot number.

Paris and Kris also found time for a bit of a hobnob with Anastasia, who threw her own hourglass figure into relief in a perfectly fitted cream trouser suit with a massive metallic floral accent redolent of the 1980s.

Katharine McPhee, 39, who has a two-year-old son called Rennie with her drastically older husband David Foster, 73, swung by the knees-up on the arm of her own mother Veronica Berti.
The Block's Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra lead the celebrity arrivals at the highly-anticipated launch of the H&M X Mugler collaboration this week.

Sharon showed off her stylish figure at the event in a long-sleeved white top and chic black pants.

She brought an extra touch of glam to her ensemble with a striking black necklace spelling out 'SLAY' in silver letters.

Matching his wife's sleek style, Ankur looked every bit the gentleman in an all-black ensemble, pairing a sharp black blazer with a matching shirt and trousers.

Also joining the star-studded list was Josh Carroll, who impressed in a stylish black zip-up jacket paired with loose trousers and finished off with black boots.

The Block's Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra dressed to impress as they lead the celebrity arrivals at H&M x Mugler launch in Sydney

Also joining the star-studded list was Josh Carroll, who impressed in a stylish black zip-up jacket paired with loose trousers and finished off with black boots

TikTok sensation Millie Ford made a fashion statement in a chic white top, a faux leather skirt, and an oversized jacket.

Jake Schoeman and Andy Davie also kept it cool and casual.

The South African-born model sported a black collared leather jacket with blue jeans, while Andy opted for an all-black puffer jacket and trouser combination.

MasterChef's Khanh Ong did not disappoint in a sophisticated black button-up shirt and black jeans, attending alongside Melbourne stylist Effie Kats.

TikTok sensation Millie Ford made a fashion statement in a chic white top, a faux leather skirt, and an oversized jacket

South African-born model Jake Schoeman and Andy Davie kept it cool and casual

MasterChef's Khanh Ong did not disappoint in a sophisticated black button-up shirt and black jeans, attending alongside Melbourne stylist Effie Kats

This unique collaboration between French fashion house Mugler and Swedish retailer H&M brings a capsule collection for men and women that combines high-street affordability with high-fashion glamour.

This seemingly paradoxical relationship embraces a shared value between the two brands: inclusivity.

Mugler creative director Casey Cadwallader spoke to Harper's BAZAAR Australia/New Zealand about the partnership, highlighting the shared ethos of the brands.

'Both care a lot about diversity, and about challenging the idea of who high fashion should be for, and who can be invited into the world of couture and style,' Cadwallader said.

This unique collaboration between French fashion house Mugler and Swedish retailer H&M brings a capsule collection for men and women that combines high-street affordability with high-fashion glamour
Alfonso Ribeiro's 3-year-old daughter Ava underwent emergency surgery on Friday after suffering a very scary scooter crash on the eve of her fourth birthday.

The Dancing with the Stars host, 51  who will soon be helming the ABC hit alongside his new sidekick Julianne Hough  shared an update via Instagram by posting a picture of Ava and penning a 'heartfelt thank you' in the caption.

In Ribeiro's picture, Ava is seen with what appears to be painful bruising along her right arm and lower right eye.

Alfonso explained in his caption that the surgery was to 'help lessen the likelihood of scarring' and expressed his gratitude to the medical team who attended to his little girl.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum wrote: 'Not the kind of day you want the day before turning 4. Just want to give a heartfelt thank you to @kareskinmd for the emergency service and procedure to help lessen the likelihood of scaring. So proud of how brave my baby girl was during the surgery.'

Scooter scare: Alfonso Ribeiro's 3-year-old daughter Ava underwent emergency surgery on Friday after suffering a very scary scooter crash on the eve of her fourth birthday

Trooper: The Dancing with the Stars host, 51, shared an update via Instagram by posting a picture of Ava and penning a 'heartfelt thank you' in the caption. In Ribeiro's picture, Ava is seen with what appears to be painful bruising along her right arm and lower right eye

'Sending love and fast recovery,' wrote DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko, while Sasha Farber commented: 'She is such a brave little one.'

Alfonsos wife Angela also took to Instagram, sharing the same photo and revealing that she had a 'vision/motherly intuition' that something bad might happen to Ava.

'My poor baby,' she wrote. 'I woke up and had a vision/motherly intuition of Ava ending up in the ER today.

'I announced to the fam, kids, sitter & friends helping out getting ready for Avas birthday party that "we are not doing anything crazy or dangerous today that could potentially end up with an ER visit."'

The concerned mother of three  who also shares sons Anders, eight, and Alfonso Jr., nine, with Ribeiro  went on to infer that someone dropped the ball and allowed Ava to get on a 'sit-down scooter.'

She wrote: 'I literally made everyone lock eyes to me when I said these words. Sadly, my words were soon forgotten and long story short, this poor girl crashed off a sit-down scooterthe day before her bday.

Thanking the doctors, Angela added: 'A big thank you to Dr. Raffy at @kareskinmd for seeing us after hours and performing a procedure to hopefully eventually have little scaring on her face and arms.

'Not a fun way to spend your last day as a 3-year old, but she was a trooper. Giving this sweet girl some extra cuddles tonight.'

Grateful dad: Alfonso explained in his caption that the surgery was to 'help lessen the likelihood of scarring' and expressed his gratitude to the medical team who attended to his little girl

A mother's intuition: Alfonsos wife Angela also took to Instagram, sharing the same photo and revealing that she had a 'vision/motherly intuition' that something bad might happen to Ava

Happy family: The pair were married in 2012 and also share sons Anders, eight, and Alfonso Jr., nine; pictured in 2017

Alfonso and Angela were married in 2012 and shares a 20-year-old daughter named Sienna with his ex-wife Robin Stapler.

After Ava was born in 2019, the Silver Spoons alum gushed to US Weekly about his new little girl and his tight-knit brood.

'My boys love her, he said. 'My oldest son, AJ, actually, the funniest thing is he said the other day, we left him in the car and we went out, and we came back, and he was bawling right in the car.

'We were in the garage and the doors were open, and were like, "What? What? What happened? What happened?" He goes like, "I love her so much. I cant stop crying." And then he was like, "Daddy, I want to marry her."  They love her to death.'
Sofia Vergara was among a bevy of beauties to attend a pre-Mother's Day brunch hosted by Anastasia Soare, the founder and CEO of beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills.

The Modern Family star, 50, looked like pinup perfection in a slinky floral dress that flattered her hourglass curves.

She coordinated perfectly with the occasion's stunning rose backdrops and decor throughout the venue.

The actress flooded her Instagram page with stunning snaps from the annual event after posing up for red carpet photographers.

In her Instagram posts, she was joined by Kimora Lee Simmons, Kardashian-Jenner momager Kris Jenner, fashion designer Peter Dundas, television producer Desiree Gruber, YouTube and Instagram star Norvina Claudia, and of course, Norvina's mother and party host Anastasia.

Beauty: Sofia Vergara was among a bevy of beauties to attend a pre-Mother's Day brunch hosted by Anastasia Soare, the founder and CEO of beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills

Wow! The Modern Family star, 50, looked like pinup perfection in a slinky floral dress that flattered her hourglass curves

On brand: She coordinated perfectly with the occasion's stunning rose backdrops and decor throughout the venue

Vergara's striking floral number hugged her fab figure and featured a shoulder-less and plunging design that helped showcase her ample cleavage.

Standing at 5ft7in tall, she also got a few inch lift by wearing a pair of golden platform shoes from ALEVi Milano.

Rounding out her overall look, Vergara had her dark tresses styled long, straight and flowing down past her chest and nearly to the bottom of her back with a part in the middle.

For her cover page of the post, the Barranquilla, Atlantico, Columbia native snuggled up next to Soare, who flashed a beaming smile, while only giving just a tease to her fabulously stylish white suit and blonde locks flowing around her face.

'Pre mother's day brunch at the neighbors @anastasiasoare thankuuuuuuu!' Vergara gushed over the host in the caption.

The model and actress would also strike a pose or two with Simmons, who puckered up her lips for one picture while wearing an off-blue ensemble and her raven tresses styled long down the front of her chest.

The former Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane star, 48, whose also known to fans as a model, fashion designer and entrepreneur, stood next to Desiree Gruber, 55.

The television producer, who opted for a white ensemble, is known around the fashion world, largely by being the former executive producer of the reality television competition show Project Runway.

Social butterfly: The actress flooded her Instagram page with stunning snaps from the annual event after posing up for red carpet photographers

She hung out with the likes of reality star Kimora Lee Simmons, 48, and television producer Desriee Gruber, 55

Chatty: Vergara also spent some time chatting with Novina Cladia, 35, who wore a white waffle textured shirt dress

Vergara would also showoff her floral dress and figure in a photo that included Norvina Claudia, who wore a white-patterned shirt-dress that helped showcase her long legs by falling down to mid-thigh.

To help accentuate her waist she added a black belt to her fashion mix that also included several long necklaces and a hair band to help push back her long pink tresses back off her face.

Rounding out her look, Norvina, who's the president of beauty salon Anastasia Beverly Hills which her mother pioneered, also donned a pair of black and silver heels that would also a bit of a height hike.

Keeping up with ladies of Beverly Hills: Kardashian-Jenner momager Kris Jenner, 67, could be seen in the background of the two ladies having a conversation dressed in a black and white polka dot outfit

Bright and white: Vergara's post showed her sharing a few moments with fashion designer Peter Dundas, 53, who looked summer-ready in a white suit and brown shirt combination

Sweet fix: There was plenty of incredible looking sweet treats at the party

In another photo where Norvina sat down for a chat with the America's Got Talent judge, Kris Jenner could be seen in the background having a conversation with some, while dressed in a black and white polka dot outfit.

And lastly, Vergara's post showed her sharing a few moments with fashion designer Peter Dundas, 53, who looked summer-ready in a white suit and brown shirt combination.

After working for Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix and Roberto Cavalli, Dundas founded his own label, Dundas, with Evangelo Bousis.

Along with all the many flower arrangements the party also showcased a bevy of special sweet treats, which also got some camera time in Sofia's Instagram post.

Beauty preps: The host of the festivities would also give a glimpse into her Mother's Day celebration on her Instagram page, which began by her mugging for the camera after her hair stylist finished up with her long blonde locks

Eyebrow Queen: Soare, 66, is the founder and CEO of beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills

Soare the founder and CEO of beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Tasty: The host also gave a few teases to the bevy of sweet treats at the bash

Soare wished all the moms a 'Happy Mother's Day' in a photo showing one of her many floral arrangements set up around her Beverly Hills home

The host of the festivities, also known as the Eyebrow Queen, would also give a glimpse into her Mother's Day celebration on her Instagram page, which began by her mugging for the camera after her hair stylist finished up with her long blonde locks.

'Hi Clyde, ready to party,' she declared towards the camera to her hair expert, who second the notion, while still flipping through her hair.

As @clydehairgod was packing up his glamour tools, Soare would give her 508,000 Instagram fans and followers a full-body look at her very chic white suit.

Much of the rest of her Instagram Stories showcased her many floral bouquets and arrangements set up around the house for the party.
Paris Hilton and Kris Jenner hung out together at the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mother's Day Celebration in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 67-year-old momager looked elegant in a polka-dot satin blouse with a coordinated neck scarf and flowing pants.

Her famous visage was done up with heavy smoky eye shadow, a dusting of radiant blush, and a nude matte lip. Her jet-black hair was worn short and puffed up.

Paris showed off her classy style in a $500 Self-Portrait pleated chiffon ruffle midi dress with lace detail and a tiny belt.

She styled her long blonde locks in flowing waves and opted for a glamorous makeup palette.

Mother's day: Paris Hilton and Kris Jenner hung out together at the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mother's Day Celebration in Los Angeles on Saturday

Glamour girls: The 67-year-old Momager looked elegant in a polka-dot satin blouse with a coordinated neck scarf and flowing pants. Paris showed off her classy style in a $500 Self-Portrait pleated chiffon ruffle midi dress with lace detail and a tiny belt

Anastasia Beverly Hills has become one of the best-known brands in the beauty business and was founded 34 years ago by a Romanian immigrant who found herself in Los Angeles 'without language skills or financial means.'

The 66-year-old beauty mogul, worth an estimated $660 million, celebrated the 25th anniversary of her brand in February with a star-studded dinner party attended by some of Hollywood's most recognizable faces, including Jenner, her daughter Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford, and Oprah.

Paris and Kris are linked through Hilton and Kardashian's longtime friendship, which has recently grown closer and more personal.

In February, Paris said she was 'forever grateful' to Kris's daughter Kim for helping guide her through her surrogacy.

Kim famously started her career as Paris' unofficial assistant in the early 2000s.

In 2017 Kim told Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, 'I would work with Paris, and I would love to organize and clean out their closets and... shop for her. That was my job.'

In 2019, during season 17 of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim declared she would 'do anything' for her old pal and former employer Paris and appeared in Paris' music video for her single Best Friend's A**.

Kim said to Khloe: 'Im gonna go and be in this music video with Paris for one of her new songs. I really would want to do anything for her; she literally gave me a career. And I like totally acknowledge that.'

Longtime friends: Paris and Kris are linked through Hilton and Kardashian's longtime friendship, which has recently grown closer and more personal

Impressive: Anastasia Beverly Hills has become one of the best-known brands in the beauty business and was founded 34 years ago by a Romanian woman (pictured middle) who found herself in Los Angeles 'without language skills or financial means' - (L-R) Paris, Anastasia Soare, and Kris

25 Years: The 66-year-old beauty mogul, worth an estimated $660 million, celebrated the 25th anniversary of her brand in February with a star-studded dinner party attended by some of Hollywood's most recognizable faces, including Jenner, her daughter Kim Kardashian , Cindy Crawford, and Oprah - (L-R) Hilton, Claudia Soare, Anastasia Soare, and Kris

Paris has been leaning heavily on Kardashian for surrogacy and parenting advice after welcoming her first child with husband Carter Reum

The heiress and her husband stunned the world when they made the surprise announcement about their son Phoenix Barron's birth - having kept his arrival a secret even from their own families until a week after he was born

As well as Kim, Paris has also turned to her sister Nicky and mom Kathy for motherhood advice

In February, after becoming a new mom, Paris thanked Kim for helping guide her through her surrogacy and said that she feels as though Kim has become 'part of her family.'

Although Paris, 42, and her husband Carter Reum, 42, kept the surrogate's pregnancy a secret from her mother, Kathy, 63, and sister Nicky, 39, she confided in her lifelong pal Kim through the process.

'Kim has been Paris's rock during the entire surrogacy,' a source told Daily Mail, adding that Kim - whose daughter Chicago, five, and son Psalm, three, were both born via a surrogate - helped Paris 'every step of the way.'

'Paris saw what an amazing experience using a surrogate was for Kim and confided in her from when the baby was just a thought until now.'

In fact, Paris even used the same doctor that Kim used, Dr. Huang.

'Kim just made sure that Paris got the best of everything in terms of care and resources,' the source tells DailyMail.com.

'She devoted so much of her time to making sure that Paris had the beautiful experience that she had with surrogacy.'

'Paris is forever grateful and she considers Kim a part of her family now more than ever.'

Kim, 42, has been a 'rock' to 42-year-old Paris throughout her surrogacy - Pictured in September 2020

Helping hand: Kim famously started her career as Paris' unofficial assistant in the early 2000s

Before Kim founded SKIMS, Kim began her career with cameo appearances in Paris reality show The Simple Life when she worked with Paris (seen together in 2006)

Where it began: In February, after becoming a new mom, Paris thanked Kim for helping guide her through her surrogacy and said that she feels as though Kim has become 'part of her family' - pictured in Jan 2007

Close pals! Paris and Kim have known each other since we were little girls

Credit where it's due: In a clip from Season 17, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim credited Hilton with 'giving [her] a career. In the clip, Kim told Khloe: 'I really would want to do anything for her, she literally gave me a career. And I like totally acknowledge that'

Video vixen: Kim appeared in Paris' music video for her single Best Friends A** in 2019

Always loyal: Kim replied: 'I would drop it for [Paris] because thats important to me, to be loyal to people'

According to the source, Paris is now leaning on baby Pheonix's grandmother Kathy and his aunt Nicky, who has two kids of her own with James Rothschild, a daughter Lily-Grace, six, and son Teddy, five.

'Paris has been getting some serious pointers on how to handle an infant from them,' the source says.

'Kathy plays such an active role in her grandbabies' lives and Phoenix will be no different.'

On the socialite's recent This Is Paris podcast, she said that Kathy did not meet her newborn until a week after he was born.

So why did she choose to keep her bundle of joy a secret for so long?

'I just feel like my life has been so public, and I've never really had anything be just mine,' she told her podcast listeners.

Paris and Kim are closer than ever after Kim helped guide her lifelong best friend and former boss through her surrogacy

'We were so excited and wanted to tell our families, but we were just nervous because if you tell a person, then they tell someone, and all the sudden, it's in TMZ or Page Six, and I've had enough of my life like that.'

'So, Carter and I literally made a pact together that we would not tell anyone, and no one knew until just recently.'

That is, except for Kim, as they have been friends prior to the billionaire SKIMMS founder's rise to superstardom.

In an interview with Glamour magazine, Paris said that Kim was the one who convinced her to freeze her eggs, which started her journey.

'I went and did one round of IVF, because Kim had told me about it,' she said. 'So, I had eggs frozen.'
Mischa Barton has shared her love for the local sights and sounds of Melbourne and Victoria.

The O.C. star is in Australia to film the revamped soap opera, Neighbours, and after her month on set is completed, the actress says she will take a holiday Down Under.

On her list of places to visit is the stunning Mornington Peninsula and Prahran Market.

'One of my favourite things to do in Victoria is to go down to the Mornington Peninsula,' she told The Herald Sun on Sunday.

'I really like it down there; I love how rugged it is and I love the beaches.'

Watch the iconic series, The O.C. available now only on Stan.

Mischa Barton (pictured) has shared her love for the local sights and sounds of Melbourne and Victoria. The O.C. star is in Australia to film the revamped soap opera, Neighbours, and after her month on set is completed, the actress says she will take a holiday Down Under

Mischa says she also attends to take in some fine dining at the Beverley in South Yarra, which offers up Californian style food.

'However, another favourite thing is just going to the Prahran Market (and) keeping things low key,' she added.

The 37-year-old recently shared shared an update from the Neighbours set with fans, appearing in a video on the show's official Instagram account.

She promised that her character will liven up the series and bring 'drama' to the plotlines.

'I've started filming on set and it's going so great,' the star, who has dyed her hair blonde for the role, said in the video.

'One of my favourite things to do in Victoria is to go down to the Mornington Peninsula,' she said on Sunday

'However, another favourite thing is just going to the Prahran Market (and) keeping things low key,' she added

Mischa says she also attends to take in some fine dining at the Beverley in South Yarra, which offers up Californian style food

'I cant wait for you guys to see it, there's lots of drama to come. So see you all soon,' Mischa added.

Mischa's role as Reece in the Amazon reboot will shake up Ramsay Street as her character's identity 'is not what it seems'.

The former Hollywood socialite's appearance is designed to appeal to American viewers, as Neighbours, which is set in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, will screen in the U.S. on Amazon Freevee.

'I'm excited to be part of this iconic show's next chapter, and I am really looking forward to being back in Australia  a place I know and love!' Barton said in a statement.

'I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with,' she added.

The 37-year-old recently shared shared an update from the Neighbours set with fans. She promised that her character will liven up the series and bring 'drama' to the plotlines

Neighbours' executive producer Jason Herbison said: 'With Neighbours launching on Amazon Freevee in North America, we are beyond excited to have an actor of Mischa's calibre join us for the beginning of this exciting new chapter.

'Mischa's character is dynamic and unpredictable, and will have an instant presence on Ramsay Street. Our loyal viewers are going to love her, locally and abroad.'

Barton began her career as a child actress in Hollywood films like The Sixth Sense and Notting Hill, which were both released in 1999.

However, she became a bona fide superstar when she was cast as troubled teenager Marissa in the hit TV series The O.C., which ran from 2003 to 2007.

Cameras began rolling for Amazon's revived Neighbours last month, and the series should be back on screens by the end of this year.

The continuation of the long-running soap series follows the finale in 2022, which was watched by millions of fans.
Andrew Garfield looked very different from usual as he filmed scenes for his upcoming movie We Live In Time in London last week.

The Spiderman actor, 39, was spotted wearing nothing but a dressing gown on the A13 as he filmed for the rom-com.

He wandered along the side of the motorway aimlessly, before he was hit by a Mini Cooper in a very dramatic scene.

He seemed to be picking something up from the ground as the car approached him unawares.

Andrew went flying as a result of the stunt and was then filmed crumpled on the ground.

Stunt: Andrew Garfield, 39, was hit by a car last week as he filmed scenes for his upcoming film We Live In Time in London

Different look: The Spiderman actor donned nothing but a white dressing gown as he wandered along the side of the A13

The risky move - filmed in the middle of the night - will make for nail-biting viewing in the upcoming project.

We Live In Time also stars Adam James, 50, and Florence Pugh, 27, who debuted a shaved head at the Met Gala, reportedly for the film.

It is directed by John Crowley from a screenplay by Nick Payne with Benedict Cumberbatch as the Executive Producer.

The film's plot has been closely guarded but is being described as a 'funny, deeply moving and immersive love story'.

It comes after the Tick, Tick... Boom! actor was dogged by claims that he launched into a furious rant at a group of onlookers who were watching him film the new movie.

He apparently had a cross word or two with onlookers who were 'distracting' his film shoot in south-west London.

Andrew was spotted shooting one scene outside of a row of flats, when residents noticed what was going on outside and came to the window to watch.

The onlookers have claimed that Andrew 'motioned at them to open the window' before yelling at them for 'distracting' him while he worked.

Out of breath: The star ran along the side of the road as he filmed the dramatic scenes

Collision: Andrew was hit by a Mini Cooper, in what promises to be a nail-biting scene in the upcoming film

Uh oh: His character seemed to have headed into the road to pick something up before a Mini Cooper approached him unawares

Stunt: The risky move saw Andrew go flying once he was hit by the car, leaving him in a crumpled heap on the floor

Odd: The location is very different to Andrew's usual A-list appearances as he was spotted on a London motorway

Secret project: We Live In Time has been closely guarded but is known to be a rom com

Busy: Standing on the edge of a busy road is not Andrew's usual place to hang out

A source wrote into gossip site Deux Moi, saying: 'Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh currently filming a new movie in London.

'On Monday AG was filming in a scene right outside his flat (S London). My bf and flatmates were looking through their second story and AG saw them watching.

'Then AG cut the scene, motioned for them to open the window and started yelling a them, saying how disrespectful it was for them to be distracting him by looking out of their own living room window??'

A video with no sound was also included in the post, which showed Andrew approaching the flat window mentioned in the message.

The same day [Monday April 3] Andrew was spotted by the Deux Moi source, he was pictured on set in London with Florence.

In the photographs, the pair were seen enjoying a coffee before heading to a small farmer's market where they picked out some fruit and veg.

MailOnline reached out to representatives for comment at the time.
Eurovision fans have accused the song contest of rigging the result to allow Sweden to win.

Viewers claim that organisers orchestrated Loreen's victory so that Sweden would host next year coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's win.

Each of the 26 acts fought to get their hands on the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden who stormed to victory, with their act Loreen making history as the first woman to win the competition twice.

But not all were in agreement that Sweden deserved first place and speculated that the competition had been fixed.

One person said: 'Look I'm not saying it's rigged but... Sweden winning the year before the anniversary of ABBA's win seems entirely too convenient to me'.

Fixed? Eurovision fans have accused the song contest of rigging the result to allow Sweden to win

Anniversary: Viewers claim that organisers orchestrated Loreen's victory so that Sweden would host next year coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's win

A second tweeted: 'No way they rigged the entire thing so Sweden can host it on the 50 year anniv of ABBA's win bro. I'm SALTY'.

A third echoed: 'this whole ABBA anniversary and Sweden winning seems a bit too coincidental to me idk'.

A fourth agreed, writing: 'I'm not a conspiracy theorist but the idea that this was rigged so Sweden can host on the fiftieth anniversary of the Abba win makes lots of sense right now.'

While a fifth added: 'I'm loving the instant conspiracy theory that #EUROVISION2023 was rigged so that next year could be in Sweden for the 50th Anniversary of ABBA & Waterloo.'

And a sixth penned: 'they wanted sweden to win so ABBA perform their 50th eurovision anniversary in sweden next year'.

Swedish group ABBA entered into the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo and Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid were catapulted into stardom after winning.

2024 marks exactly 50 years since their decisive victory, with many expecting the group to perform at next year's contest.

Sweden was hit by more fix accusations after fans also spotted that Loreen's microphone had been left on.

One fan said: 'Did they already give Loreen the head mic for her performance? Or is this just for the interview, do they normally double-mic people?'

Accusation: But not all were in agreement that Sweden deserved first place and speculated that the competition had been fixed

Deflated: The UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in

On Saturday night, Loreen won with a staggering 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine meanwhile scored an impressive 243 points after rocketing up the leaderboard thanks to the public vote.

But the UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in.

Liverpool hosted the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, which won the contest last year, and fans around the UK proudly showed their support for both countries.

Eurovision fans went wild for hosts Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.

Hannah Waddingham was forced to calm booing crowds in Liverpool, reminding them that everyone was 'friends' as it was revealed that the UK entry received just a handful of points in the public vote.

Following the individual country jury votes, Sweden were on top with 277 points, and they topped the leaderboard again when the public vote came through.

Italy and Israel's entries following in second and third, almost neck and neck with 141 and 137 points.

Hannah and Graham spoke to announcers across the entrant countries, each of which told them where their 12 points would be going.

But the 'early days' results for Eurovision 2023 put the UK in the bottom half of the leaderboard with only 15 points.

Audiences around the world were treated to further performances as they waited for the votes to come in, with Sam Ryder and Roger Taylor from Queen taking to the stage.
Margot Robbie was surrounded by her loved ones on Mother's Day.

The Australian actress was joined by her mum Sarie Kessler, brother Cameron Robbie and husband Tom Ackerley for the festive outing.

The family gathered at Mavis's Kitchen in the Tweed Valley, a picturesque part of north-eastern NSW.

The 32-year-old kept safe in a white face mask and was dressed in a cosy tangerine jumper.

She added a pair of blue jeans with frayed hems, along with stacked white open toed shoes.

Margot Robbie was surrounded by her loved ones on Mother's Day. Pictured with her mother

The Australian actress was joined by her mum Sarie Kessler, brother Cameron Robbie and husband Tom Ackerley for the festive outing

The family gathered at Mavis's Kitchen in the Tweed Valley, a picturesque part of north-eastern NSW

Margot appeared to have on minimal makeup for the lunch date, and wore her blonde locks down around her face.

Following the meal and catch up, she gave her mother Sarie a cuddle outside in the street.

Sarie, who is a physiotherapist, carried one of her gifts, which included a bottle of wine in a red bag.

The Barbie star's husband Tom was dressed casually in a long-sleeved white jumper and patterned blue and white slacks.

The 32-year-old kept safe in a white face mask and was dressed in a cosy tangerine jumper

She added a pair of blue jeans with frayed hems, along with stacked white open toed shoes

Margot appeared to have on minimal makeup for the lunch date, and wore her blonde locks down around her face

Following the meal and catch up, she gave her mother Sarie a cuddle outside in the street

He finished the look with crisp Nike sneakers and a cap worn backwards.

Margot's brother Cameron, himself an actor, was chic in a cream zip-up jumper and jeans with dark brown leather boots.

The family mingled for a time outside the venue, sharing an animated chat before leaving the area.

It comes after Margot and Tom went on the hunt for a home in Byron Bay.

The Barbie star's husband Tom (left) was dressed casually in a long-sleeved white jumper and patterned blue and white slacks

He finished the look with crisp Nike sneakers and a cap worn backwards

Sarie, who is a physiotherapist, carried one of her gifts, which included a bottle of wine in a red bag

Margot's mum looked trendy in a pair of patterned trousers and matching blouse

The star headed into the venue holding a plastic bag and army jacket

On Friday, the Hollywood star and British film producer, 33, enjoyed a fun day in Byron Bay before inspecting a stunning property.

After enjoying a meal, they were seen visiting the renowned Lord Byron Distillery.

Finally, after a fun day with friends, the pair inspected the luxurious Cedar Hill home dubbed by real estate agents as 'Australia's most beautiful property'.

It's situated in the Newrybar area which actors Chris and Liam Hemsworth also call home.

She enjoyed a long chit chat with her mum

Margot's brother Cameron (left), himself an actor, joined his famous sister for the meal

He was chic in a cream zip-up jumper and jeans with dark brown leather boots

The family mingled for a time outside the venue, sharing an animated chat before leaving the area

It comes after Margot and Tom went on the hunt for a home in Byron Bay

On Friday, the Hollywood star and British film producer, 33, enjoyed a fun day in Byron Bay before inspecting a stunning property

It features eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and boasts incredible ocean as well as hinterland views.

The property also has spacious open plan kitchen, living and dining areas.

The outdoor space is perfect for entertaining, with a large infinity pool, an outdoor dining area and bonfire.

Margot and Tom are reportedly searching for a permanent home in Byron Bay just a month before the release of her anticipated Barbie movie.

After a fun day with friends, the pair inspected the luxurious Cedar Hill home dubbed by real estate agents as 'Australia's most beautiful property'
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Farmer Wants a Wife came to a dramatic conclusion for contestant Lorelei Bates, who fainted after being rejected by Farmer David McMahon.

Lorelei hoped to win David's heart during Sunday's finale, but instead she was rejected, with the country boy telling her she was 'incredible' but not for him.

'I came here to find love and pave a future on the farm and it breaks my heart to have to tell you I've fallen so heavily for someone else,' he said.

Looking visibly pale, Lorelei began to wobble on her feet, sliding into David's arms after his declaration.

'Ah, sorry. I really don't feel well,' she confessed in a whisper, before closing her eyes, clearly unwell.

Farmer Wants a Wife came to a dramatic conclusion for contestant Lorelei Bates (right), who fainted after being rejected by Farmer David McMahon (left)

Suddenly, she collapsed in a heap, falling to the ground as David attempted to hold her up.

The quick-thinking farmer called out for producers to bring over a wooden box he could use as a makeshift seat.

He then eased the wilting blonde onto the box, where he cuddled her and encouraged her to take deep breaths as she revived.

The 26-year-old marketing coordinator from Queensland was given some water to sip as she gradually came back to life.

Looking visibly pale, Lorelei began to wobble on her feet, sliding into David's arms after he rejected her. Suddenly, she collapsed in a heap

The quick-thinking farmer called out for producers to bring over a wooden box he could use as a makeshift seat

He then eased the wilting blonde onto the box, where he cuddled her and encouraged her to take deep breaths as she revived

David, 29, apologised profusely, but Lorelei replied that she understood that David has come onto the show to find love.

Later, when she was feeling better, Lorelei broke down in tears as she explained that she hoped David was going to pick her.

'I really thought I had a chance. And for a minute that I thought he was gonna say that he was falling for me,' she wept.

'And I just don't really understand what's happened.'

The 26-year-old marketing coordinator from Queensland was given some water to sip as she gradually came back to life

Later, when she was feeling better, Lorelei broke down in tears as she explained that she hoped David was going to pick her

David, who hails from Pozieres, Queensland, felt for her, telling producers: 'I'm pretty devastated thinking about how this is gonna feel to Lorelei.

'I didn't come here to break hearts. I came here to fall in love, and I think that I've fallen in love'.

In the end David picked Emily, a 26-year-old special education aide from Queensland.

Meanwhile, in a much less dramatic fashion, Farmer Matt picked Olivia, telling her, 'I think I've known for a while that I have fallen in love with you, and I'm really glad I finally get to say it.'
Tess Daly dazzled in a backless metallic gown as she attended the BAFTA television awards.

Even against the glamorous backdrop of London's Royal Festival Hall, the TV presenter, 54, stood out, sparkling in the floor-length and high-necked frock.

The rose pink dress boasted stunning gold glittery detail, forming vertical stripes down the length of the dress.

The sleeve-less dress exposed Tess' long, slim arms and its cinched waist highlighted the petiteness of the model's frame.

She paired the gown with matching rose pink pointed-toe heels with gold straps across the top.

Sparkling: Tess Daly dazzled in a backless metallic gown as she attended the BAFTA television awards.

She finished off the outfit with subtle gold jewellery including a bracelet and large hoop earrings.

The blonde bombshell styled her platinum locks into loose curls and opted for a dark pink lipstick, as well as thick eyeliner and mascara.

Tess arrived early to the awards at South Bank, along with Made In Chelsea's Georgia Toffolo and Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley,

The young reality star looked sensational in a red satin gown with a semi-sheer white lace bodice and puff sleeves.

Featuring a plunging neckline the vintage-inspired number gathered under the bust with a red rose embellishment and fanned to the ground with a straight full length skirt.

The soapstar, meanwhile, opted for a weeping ice blue gown with a voluminous skirt and intricate floral detail throughout.

BBC dramas This is Going to Hurt and The Responder lead the nominations for this year's ceremony, which will be hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan.

Elegant: Even against the glamorous backdrop of London's Royal Festival Hall, the TV presenter, 54, stood out, sparkling in the floor-length and high-necked frock

Dazzling: The rose pink dress boasted stunning gold glittery detail, forming vertical stripes down the length of the dress.

Clara Amfo and Michelle Visage will present from the BAFTA Television Awards red carpet.

This Is Going To Hurt star Ben Wishaw and The Responder's Martin Freeman are both nominated for leading actor, while the latter is in the running for the drama series prize, as well as the original music category.

Meanwhile, first time nominees Josh Finan and Adelayo Adedayo are on the shortlist for the respective supporting actor and actress awards.

This Is Going To Hurt also has nominations for mini series, director and editing in fiction, scripted casting and writer in drama.

The BBC show is based on the best-selling non-fiction memoir of the same name, the series follows junior doctor Adam Kay in his chaotic job in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Slender: The sleeve-less dress exposed Tess' long, slim arms and its cinched waist highlighted the petiteness of the model's frame

Co-ordinated: She paired the gown with matching rose pink pointed-toe heels with gold strap across the top

A bit of bling: She finished off the outfit with subtle gold jewellery including a bracelet and large hoop earrings

Made up: The blonde bombshell styled her hair into loose curls and opted for a dark pink lipstick, as well as thick eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow and mascara

Meanwhile, The Crown received five nominations for its most recent series which aired last Autumn, including Leading Actress and Supporting Actor.

While the show received a total of five nominations across the main TV and Craft categories, one star was noticeably snubbed.

Elizabeth Debicki, who was praised by critics for her performance as Princess Diana, missed out on a nod in either the Leading Actress or Supporting Actress category.

The show was also snubbed from the Drama Series category, though star Imelda Staunton did earn a Leading Actress nod.

Apple TV+ hits Bad Sisters and Slow Horses, as well as Emily Blunt's The English also received five nods each.

Slow Horses star Gary Oldman has also received his first BAFTA TV nomination.

In the international category, The Bear, Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Wednesday, Oussekine, Pachinko and The White Lotus are all nominated.

The Leading Actress race will see Kate Winslet go up against Imelda Staunton, Sarah Lancashire, Billie Piper and Maxine Peake.

The BBC received the most nominations out of all the broadcasters with 47 nods in total, while Channel 4 received 21 and ITV scored 15.

Cheeky! Upon arriving at the awards, Claudia Winkleman was also seen sharing a laugh with her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess

Glitterati: Tess dazzled in a backless metallic gown as she attended the BAFTA television awards

Glamour puss: Even against the glamorous backdrop of London's Royal Festival Hall, the TV presenter, 54, stood out, sparkling in the floor-length and high-necked frock

Famous friends: Tess was in good spirits as she posed arm-in-arm with her friend Claudia at the bash

Last year's ceremony was helmed by Richard Ayoade which saw an average of 2.4million viewers tune in as the full ceremony returned after the pandemic.

As well as announcing this year's nominations BAFTA also announced P&O Cruises as their their new headline sponsor.

As part of the multi-year partnership, P&O Cruises will launch a P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award, which will be the only award to be voted for by members of the viewing public.

The award will honour the impact of television in the UK and its power to entertain, inform and bring the nation together.

Keen bean: Tess was one of the first to arrive at the event, alongside Corrie's Catherine Tyldesley and Made in Chelsea's Georgia Toffolo

Looking good: Tess was one of the first to arrive, along with Catherine Tyldesley,, (left) in a sweeping blue gown, and Georgia Toffolo, 28, in red satin

Six nods: This Is Going To Hurt is based on the non-fiction memoir of the same name, is leading the nominations
Lisa Snowdon has revealed she suffered a devastating miscarriage live on air after a violent attack from an abusive ex boyfriend.

The TV and radio presenter, 51, also admitted that she 'regrets' terminating a pregnancy due to another 'destructive' relationship as she candidly discussed her past trauma.

Lisa bravely opens up about her past in her new book, Just Getting Started, revealing that one ex left her with life-long injuries and scoliosis.

In quotes obtained by The Sun, she recalled being left with a black eye, broken arm and bruises from her attacker when she was just 19-years-old.

She wrote: 'He would hold me up against a wall, both of his hands around my throat, my feet dangling off the ground and squeeze my neck and strangle me until I thought I would die.'

Awful: Lisa Snowdon, 51, has revealed she suffered a devastating miscarriage live on air after a violent attack from an abusive ex boyfriend

After falling pregnant she made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy, not wishing to bring a child into the world 'with a father like that.'

She wrote: 'I think about that baby, even more so now that I can't have kids and have left it too late to start a family. In my darkest moments, I blame myself for choosing to end a life, which leaves me devastated.'

Lisa detailed how she later suffered at the hands of another boyfriend after managing to escape her previous relationship.

Aged 41, the TV personality found out she was expecting again, however was stuck in a cycle of dating 'inappropriate men.'

Lisa said how early scans had revealed the baby's heartbeat was faint and it wasn't growing as it should.

Devastatingly she recalled being 'violently attacked' by her partner and as she headed into work suffered a miscarriage on air.

'I am convinced the reason for my miscarriage was yes, partly due to the egg quality, but also because my partner had attacked me in the street the night before, shaking me violently and throwing me up against some metal shop-front shutters,' she said.

Lisa's new book aims to help other women, especially those who are going through menopause, she spoke out on the stigma of talking about the menopause and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as treatment recently.

Candid: The TV star also admitted that she 'regrets' terminating another pregnancy due to another 'destructive' relationship as she candidly discussed her past trauma in her book

Brave: In quotes obtained by The Sun , she recalled being left with a black eye, broken arm and bruises from her attacker when she was just 19-years-old

In an interview with Women's Health UK, the TV and radio presenter reflected on how she managed her symptoms after she went into perimenopause aged 44.

She told how HRT 'really helped' her and why she is supporting a campaign to make it more accessible.

Lisa told the magazine: 'I'm part of the Menopause Mandate campaign calling for HRT to be free on the NHS in England, like it is in Scotland and Wales.

'Since I went into perimenopause at 44, HRT has really helped me, but there's still some stigma around taking it - much like talking about the menopause in general.'
Britain's Got Talent hopeful Felix Clements divided viewer opinion as he took to the stage during Sunday's episode of the show.

The PE teacher impressed judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli with an emotional contemporary dance.

The twinkle-toed performer sailed through to the next round of the competition after his successful audition, with his school pupils in the audience to cheer him on while he claimed he was completely unaware of their presence before giving them high fives as they stormed the stage when he was voted through.

However, while Felix impressed many viewers, others took to Twitter to voice their doubt over how genuine the scenes were, insisting he must have known his class was there.

One person wrote: 'As if he didn't know the kids were there!! All so set up !! #BGT.'

Mixed opinion: Britain's Got Talent hopeful Felix Clements divided viewer opinion as he took to the stage during Sunday's episode of the show

Success: The PE teacher sailed through to the next round of the competition after his successful audition, with his class congratulating him on stage

Someone else shared: 'So he didnt know they were there but then said best school trip ever? . ok. seen better acting AND dancing in GCSE drama lessons #BGT.'

Another person tweeted: '#BGT A teacher, his class in the audience, boring storytelling "dance", of course they put him through. This show is no longer about talent.'

While someone else shared: 'Hmmmm Not totally won over #Felix #BGT.'

Sharing some more positive words, someone tweeted: 'Felix Clements: Now this is MY kind of act. The sort of thing I used to see on the Greatest Dancer. Love contemporary style of dance it's so breathtaking creative and beautiful This is a strong audition from Felix. I loved that!!!!!'

While another person posted: 'That was a great audition from Felix. Creative breathtaking and brilliant storytelling . Can't wait to see what he does next #BGT.'

'Aww, Those kids love their teacher #felix #BGT #BGT2023,' commented another viewer.

And someone else wrote: 'Wow well done Felix you were absolutely amazing! :)'

The dancer said his inspiration for Saturday's performance came from 2008 BGT winner George Sampson.

Suspect? However, while Felix impressed many viewers, others took to Twitter to voice their doubt over how genuine the scenes were

Born to perform: Felix, from Earley, Berkshire, started dancing around 11-years-old and always dreamed rising to fame on BGT

Felix, from Earley, Berkshire, started dancing around 11-years-old - when George became known on the talent show - and always dreamed rising to fame on BGT.

The BGT performer began showcasing in talent to the public more than a year later as he received a massive support by his schoolmates.

He never stopped sharpening his dance moves while studying to become a teacher - and occasionally joined street dance battles in Reading.

When Felix got a job as PE teacher at Woodcote Primary School in Berkshire - he didn't give up his passion and committed to create an after-school dance club of his own.

The turning point happened when he sent Britain's Got Talent the YouTube link to his performance as he danced to This City by Sam Fischer.

Working hard: He never stopped sharpening his dance moves while studying to become a teacher - and occasionally joined street dance battles in Reading

According to the Mirror he said: 'I was in a really good place with my job and I wanted to show the kids that they could really follow their dreams.

'And then BGT got back in touch to say they couldn't stop watching the YouTube!'

The kids' teacher also proved to be very humble as he said he can 'only hope' to have as much success as George Sampson and that he is a 'massive inspiration' to him.

Britain's Got Talent continues next Saturday on ITV at 8pm.
Ten Pound Poms

Rating:

Unless you know the history of that phrase Ten Pound Poms (BBC1), it'd be reasonable to infer a reference to the charity shop budget of this drama.

Characters were moaning about the Australian heat but shivering in their threadbare cotton dresses and frayed trousers. The sky was overcast, the air dripped with damp and, when a group of actors rushed over a sand dune and into the sea, it was all they could do not to shriek with the cold.

This was more Bognor than Bondi. To disguise the absence of Aussie sunshine, most scenes were shot on studio sets so cramped that the camera didn't dare move. This gave a soap opera quality to a story that already relied on stereotypes and stock characters  the bigoted Australian braggart, the teenage girl hiding her pregnancy.

Warren Brown plays Terry, a shellshocked World War II veteran who books 10 passages Down Under with all his family for a new life, in 1956. Terry's wife Annie (Faye Marsay) hopes life in Oz will cure him of his drinking, which is like moving to Las Vegas to break a gambling habit.

They're given a lukewarm welcome by Australians who accuse them of being homesick whingers and mock their 'posh' accents. The banter tips into overt racism and bullying, building into drunken antics that end with an Aborigine youth run down and killed at the side of a road in the bush.

History: Warren Brown (pictured) plays Terry, a shellshocked World War II veteran who books 10 passages Down Under with all his family for a new life, in 1956

Scheming: Michelle Keegan (pictured), as runaway bride-to-be Kate, is seducing an immigration official so she can steal his office keys and rifle through his filing cabinets in search of information about her missing son

Family: Terry's wife Annie (played by Faye Marsay, second to right) hopes life in Oz will cure him of his drinking, which is like moving to Las Vegas to break a gambling habit

It's a bleak twist in a drama that veers from comedy to family melodrama and romance to political preaching.

Meanwhile Michelle Keegan, as runaway bride-to-be Kate, is seducing an immigration official so she can steal his office keys and rifle through his filing cabinets in search of information about her missing son.

There's certainly enough material here for a rich, involving series. The mistake has been to try to cram all of it into the first episode. It's a shame Ten Pound Poms hasn't started at a steadier pace, the way Call The Midwife did  letting us get to know the central characters before plunging them into a tangled mess of storylines.

Challenge Anneka: Dementia Special

Rating:

The characters mattered more than the artificial deadline in Challenge Anneka: Dementia Special (C5), which saw our ever-cheerful Girl Wonder given three days to to build a 'memory village' at a day care centre on the Wirral.

The memory village was a clever idea, a collection of old-style shops with a cafe and a pub, to create a sense of nostalgic familiarity for people with dementia.

Annie hurled herself into the task with her usual gusto. She gatecrashed a local radio station to appeal for volunteers, and strongarmed small businesses.

In Challenge Anneka: Dementia Special (C5), Anneka Rice is given three days to to build a 'memory village' at a day care centre on the Wirral

Cop-out of the weekend Britain's Got Talent (ITV) is usually a Saturday night staple, even on Coronation day last week. But schedulers ducked out of a head-to-head with Eurovision, and the show switched to Sunday instead. Simon Cowell & Co didn't fancy nul points. Advertisement

'Don't clean us out,' pleaded the boss of a bakery, as she loaded up with muffins and sausage rolls for a knees-up with the old folk.

When she needed labourers to dig a trench, she descended on a nearby rugby club. The lads were willing but, as it turned out, the ladies team were the natural navvies.

A couple of those female prop forwards were wielding pickaxes like it was all they'd ever wanted to do.

Despite all this, after 72 hours the job was far from finished. That wasn't important: by now, we were far more interested in the people Anneka met.

Ronnie was playing pool when he spied her in her orange anorak and gave her a hug that lifted her off her feet. A natural performer, he greeted her like a long-lost love every time she dropped by.

Sadly, Ronnie died shortly after filming was completed. But she certainly brightened his last days  and he brightened her show.
Phillip Schofield is trying to 'tough out' the ongoing This Morning row after it emerged he had called in his own lawyers over the fallout with his co-presenter Holly Willoughby, sources have revealed.

It comes as ITV confirmed that the pair will host the show this morning, after more than 48 hours of crisis talks between the network and the embattled pair over whether one of them, both or neither would be on air.

Those close to the pair said today's programme will continue to run smoothly, despite the feuding behind the scenes.

One source told The Sun: 'Holly and Phil are professionals and they can turn it on like no one else.

'Although behind the scenes their relationship is nothing like it was, they are both dedicated to This Morning and keeping it together for viewers.'

Bosses from the broadcaster were allegedly furious after Schofield, 61, broke his silence with a shock statement about the fall out with his co-host of 14 years admitting 'the last few weeks haven't been easy for us'.

Despite this, Schofield believes he can weather the ongoing storm but even those close to him have said it is down to whether the audience believes the pair still have on-screen chemistry.

The feud kicked off in September when the pair were criticised after failing to queue for the Queen's Lying in State, a situation which those close to him have dubbed 'Queue-gate'.

One source said 'he will think he can tough it out, like he has previous controversies, such as Queue-gate' but added if one of the stars had to go it would be Schofield.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (pictured during their last show together on Thursday) will both host This Morning tomorrow after he called in lawyers over their falling-out

It follows crisis talks between ITV and the embattled pair over whether one of them, both or neither would be on air tomorrow. Pictured: Holly in Hampshire on Saturday

The feud began in September when the pair (pictured in August 22) were criticised after failing to queue for the Queen's Lying in State

'But to be honest, it's out of his hands. If the viewers don't believe in him and Holly, something's got to give - and that will most likely be Phil.

'It's a massive week for them both', the source told the Mirror.

They added that it was down to broadcasters to decided whether to wait until the end of the year to make any immediate changes.

Sources at the broadcaster described the situation as a 'quandary' for its bosses because both of the former friends were determined to get their own way.

Schofield, 61, has consulted lawyers over the situation, which has been spiralling out of control for months.

The Daily Mail revealed last night that he has also hired Gordon Smart, a former Sun showbiz columnist and occasional Good Morning Britain host, to manage the crisis and ensure favourable press coverage.

It is a clear sign, say sources, that he is 'taking this very seriously' and is 'keen to come out of the situation quickly'.

Schofield has previously used ex-News of the World bosses Phil Hall and Phil Taylor to deal with his crises.

Other ITV stars are said to be 'fascinated' by the situation, with one telling the Mail: 'This has been going on for some time. Everyone has been talking and now we are all rubbing our hands waiting to see what happens next.'

The feud began in September when the pair were criticised after failing to queue for the Queen's Lying in State.

Things have become so bad that it is said they no longer speak when the cameras stop rolling. Ms Willoughby, 42, has now cut all ties with Schofield other than her This Morning commitments.

It is understood that producers had several options for how to tackle tomorrow's show. At the centre of the decision was editor Martin Frizell, who backs Ms Willoughby.

It will be the first time the pair will appear together since Schofield released a statement about their friendship last Thursday without consulting her first. While on air that morning they failed to convince viewers they were still friends, with Ms Willoughby apparently unable to look her co-star in the eye.

Insiders predict a battle between ITV and Schofield. He has been a powerful figure there for more than 20 years, but his influence is waning. Bosses want to keep Ms Willoughby happy, and staff on This Morning expect the tense atmosphere in the studio to become more difficult.

While the co-hosts' return is expected to boost ratings, executives fear that reviving their partnership will make viewers suspicious of any forced bonhomie. One insider said: 'This will seriously undermine the show and its reputation. How can they pretend to joke together?

Schofield disappeared off TV during his brother Timothy's (pictured together in 2015) trial over sexually abusing a teenage boy

It will be the first time the pair will appear together since Schofield released a statement about their friendship last Thursday without consulting her first

Schofield (pictured with Willoughby in 2019) has previously used ex-News of the World bosses Phil Hall and Phil Taylor to deal with his crises

'Their friendship used to be genuine, but it isn't any more, so surely they will be making fools of their audience. But neither will back down. How can you just tell one of them they are to stay at home?

'The headlines that will come from them being on together could really damage the show and its brand.'

Schofield disappeared from the airwaves for more than a fortnight last month while his brother Timothy, 54, was tried at Exeter Crown Court of sexually abusing a teenage boy. After he was convicted, the TV star said: 'I no longer have a brother.'

Meanwhile, it has emerged that a runner on This Morning who struck up a friendship with Schofield quit suddenly. The man, in his 20s, moved to ITV's Loose Women before leaving the network amid claims of a rift.

ITV and Schofield insist the Loose Women job was a promotion. But a source said: 'He and Phil were close, then he just went off to Loose Women, which is a rival show. It was odd. Some of the network's biggest names expressed surprise. He was popular. It was mysterious.'
Les Dennis appeared to take a swipe at his ex wife Amanda Holden on Saturday after she posted a slew of saucy snaps from Paris to her Instagram.

The actor wed the BGT judge in 1995 when she was 22 and he was 40, before eventually parting ways in 2003.

And Les, now 69, sent tongues wagging after he seemingly took a jab at his former partner's latest post.

Amanda, now 52, shared an array of gorgeous photographs of herself out for a lavish evening in the French capital on Friday.

Les then cheekily posted a snap from his less than luxurious dressing room - as he tours the country with musical 42nd Street - writing: 'Not in Paris. In Leicester'.

French chic: Les Dennis appeared to take a swipe at his ex wife Amanda Holden on Saturday after she shared a slew of saucy snaps from Paris to her Instagram (pictured)

Cheeky: Les then posted a snap from his less than luxurious dressing room - as he tours the country with musical 42nd Street - writing: 'Not in Paris. In Leicester'

Fans were left in hysterics and raced to Twitter with one writing: 'Well played Sir, well played'.

Another commented: 'Way to go Les, you are an amazing person, better than that somebody in Northern France'.

A third gushed: 'I think you win the internet today Les, I'll doubt you can get a good curry in Paris either'.

With someone else declaring the former soap star a 'National treasure'.

A fifth quipped:'Well played Les and at least you have the choice of two sinks in that lovely dressing room, not many stars get that level of sophistication, who needs Paris eh!'.

After five years of marriage it emerged the couple had gone their separate ways amid Amanda's much publicised affair with actor Neil Morrissey, 60.

The pair began their dalliance when they worked together on 2000 film Happy Birthday Shakespeare, with Amanda later admitting their relationship was just about 'sex'.

At the time, many speculated as to whether it was the age gap between Amanda and Les that caused their problems.

Former couple; The Britain's Got Talent judge, 52, wed television presenter Les, 69, in 1995, when she was 23 years old and he was 40 (pictured in 2002)

Loving it: Fans were left in hysterics and raced to Twitter with one writing: 'Well played Sir, well played'

And while Amanda and Les later reconciled before finally splitting in 2002, she insists that she has no idea if she was looking for a father figure in the funnyman.

She told The Times: 'I dont know because Ive never done therapy, but there is a sort of safety in a relationship like that.

'I was very young and I had a lot to learn about life.'

Of her marriage and affair, she previously told the Daily Mail: 'I brought it on myself, I appreciate that, but nothing will ever be as bad again.

'It was a very dark time. It got to the point where I felt I could hardly breathe.

'Les proved to be my saviour. Ironically. So the person Id hurt the most in the world was the one who was there for me.'

It comes after Les Dennis took a playful swipe at his ex-wife Amanda with a joke about her affair with Neil.

Split: It emerged the couple had gone their separate ways amid Amanda's much publicised affair with actor Neil Morrissey, 60 (Amanda and Neil pictured in 2003)

Glam: The Parisian post saw the television personality sizzle in a red satin mini dress

Speaking on the Show and Tell with Christopher Biggins podcast previously, Les talked about when he used to star in pantomimes alongside the late American actor Mickey Rooney shortly after his divorce.

Before each show the theatre would play Christmas songs, including Frank Sinatra's famous hit Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Les said: 'Mickey would get very angry, because of course, Frank Sinatra ran off with Ava Gardner (Mickey's wife).

'It would've been like me having to listen to Bob The Builder every night.'

The quip was in reference to the fact that Neil was the voice of Bob on the children's show for 14 years.

In 2013, Amanda opened up about her affair with Neil, telling Good Housekeeping: 'I don't believe women have affairs for no reason.

'Neil rightly or wrongly got loads of stick. I feel like it was my fault - I was the one who was married.

'I want to change the general perception of him, as he was very caring and very loving and very worried about me because I lost so much weight. He used to cook for me and look after me and babysit the dogs.'

Wow! She put on a very racy display in one final snap, which saw her putting her incredible figure on full display as she lay across a table in her skimpy ensemble

In 2014 Neil finally said sorry to game show host Les for the affair he had with his then-wife Amanda.

The star, who has previously said he had not apologised to Les, made the admission on Piers Morgan's Life Stories.

He said: 'I feel sorry for how the situation was dealt with and I feel sorry for how emotional Les seemed to become. It was very difficult for him and for that I'm very sorry.'

His comment came after he was asked by Piers if he had ever apologised to Les, to which he replied: 'No, I didn't. I'm not positive over what there is apologise about. I don't know what the whole situation was, to be perfectly fair to everybody.'

When asked why he has never spoken about it before, the father-of-one shared: 'I think enough was said about it. This was a very short fling. I didn't have representation at the time, in terms of PR and this was the first time I'd really come under the cosh.'
Kyle Sandilands was stunned by co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson's youthful appearance on Monday morning.

The radio duo have worked together for more than twenty years, but Kyle was visibly shocked by how young Jackie, 48, appeared.

'Jackie, I've got to say something about your appearance...' began Sandilands, 51, prompting concern from Henderson.

However Kyle was quick to praise his long-time co-star, saying, 'You look like you're getting younger and younger, and, like, you're skewing 25 [years old] today'.

'I'm worried that next week and eight year old is going to walk in.'

Kyle Sandilands [pictured] was stunned by co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson's youthful appearance on Monday morning

He continued his effusive praise, adding 'If I looked like you, I'd be like flexing and doing the twists.'

Henderson has undergone an incredible transformation in recent months - dropping an impressive 18kg, getting hair extensions and even purchasing a new Clovelly bachelorette pad.

The KIIS FM star has given her wardrobe a makeover as well, ditching the baggy and daggy outfits she was previous wearing for racks of slick designer dresses and chic ensembles.

The radio duo have worked together for more than twenty years, but Kyle was visibly shocked by how young Jackie, 48, [right] appeared

Lately Jackie has been rocking a more glamorous aesthetic at work and events, and even her work colleagues have noticed.

Just last week, the blonde beauty turned heads as she strolled into the KIIS FM studios wearing a beige knitted dress and a full face of makeup.

Her glam new look comes as Jackie revealed she's back on the dating scene and on dating app Hinge, after her 2018 split from ex-husband and the father of her child, British photographer Lee Henderson.

Henderson has undergone an incredible transformation in recent months - dropping an impressive 18kg, getting hair extensions and even purchasing a new Clovelly bachelorette pad. She is pictured left in August 2021, and right, earlier this month

It's not the first time Kyle has been awed by Jackie's changing appearance.

Earlier this month Jackie had her hair and makeup professionally done to go into the office, prompting commentary from Kyle.

'This is the best you've ever... Well, I've seen you look good, but never this early in the morning,' a stunned Kyle said.

'You look - let me tell you, I'm not joking - fantastic,' he added.

Lately Jackie has been rocking a more glamorous aesthetic at work and events. She is pictured at Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston's wedding with her daughter Kitty last month

Just last week, the blonde beauty turned heads as she strolled into the KIIS FM studios wearing a beige knitted dress and a full face of makeup

Jackie completed her look with a pair of $820 Fendi earrings.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show is broadcast weekdays from 6am, meaning Jackie usually needs to wake up at about 4am to get ready for work.

Often she just throws on a plain outfit and keeps her hair and makeup minimal.

Jackie recently rocked a glamorous slicked back ponytail at work and shared photo on Instagram with her fans, who adored her new look.

Earlier this month, Jackie looked drop dead gorgeous as she slipped her slimmed-down figure into a $899 Rebecca Vallance dress for a friend's 40th birthday.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show is broadcast weekdays from 6am, meaning Jackie usually needs to wake up at about 4am to get ready for work. She is pictured doing a prank with Kyle in May 2020

Often she just throws on a plain outfit and keeps her hair and makeup minimal
She split from her NRL bad boy fiance Todd Carney in June last year.

And Susie Bradley has all but confirmed the couple have reconciled.

The Married At First Sight star, 29, posted a loved-up photo of the pair on her Instagram stories on Sunday night, along with the caption 'Missing you'.

The picture was a throwback Susie and Todd kissing in happier times following their engagement.

Susie called time on the couple's relationship in June.

Susie Bradley has hinted shes reconciled with her NRL bad boy ex Todd Carney after couple's acrimonious split. The Married At First Sight star, 29, posted a loved-up photo of the pair on her Instagram stories on Sunday night, along with the caption 'Missing you'

Following the split, she started changing up her look.

Earlier this year, she unveiled a new 'do consisting of bleach-blonde dyed locks with keratin bond extensions to give her hair that extra oomph.

She shared a photo of her transformation to Instagram, and captioned it: 'What doesn't kill you makes you blonder.'

She then told fans she was planning a new hair colour soon, saying her latest photos marked the end of her 'blonde era'.

The mother of two had been experimenting with various looks, including a cropped pixie bob which exposed her brunette roots through her dyed blonde locks.

Susie called time on the couple's relationship in June

Susie made a resolution to never date again following her ugly split from Todd in June after three years together.

The couple began dating back in 2019, with Todd stepping into the role of stepfather to Susie's daughter Baby.

They announced their engagement in December 2020, shortly before confirming Susie was also pregnant with their first child together.

They welcomed son Lion in April 2021.

Susie made a resolution to never date again following their ugly split

She proceeded to wipe all traces of Todd from her Instagram, while the ex-rugby league star also deleted his Instagram account.

Susie rose to fame on the fifth season of Married At First Sight, which was filmed in late 2018 and aired the following year.

She was partnered with barista Billy Vincent, but they split before their final vows.

Todd had his $3million contract with the Cronulla Sharks torn up in 2014 after he was pictured urinating in his own mouth at a Sydney pub and now works as a concreter.
Swedish supergroup ABBA could reform at next year's Eurovision Song Contest it has been reported, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the iconic band's win with their hit Waterloo.

The 2024 competition will be held in the country following Loreen making history in Liverpool on Sunday as she became the first woman to win Eurovision twice.

A source told The Sun: 'After Sweden won, people are going to be putting their Money, Money, Money on an ABBA reunion'.

'They won Eurovision in Brighton in April 1974 and next year will be the 50th anniversary of that.

'Even if it's their ABBA-tars performing a hologram show, fans are desperate for it.'

Back for more? ABBA could reform at next year's Eurovision Song Contest it has been reported, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the iconic band's win with Waterloo (pictured in 1979)

Winner! The 2024 competition will be held in Sweden following Loreen making history on Sunday as she became the first woman to win Eurovision twice for the country

The band, consisting of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, were catapulted to superstardom after competing in the 1973 contest, and released eight studio albums before parting ways ten years later.

But viewers claimed organisers orchestrated the songstress' victory so that Sweden could host ABBA's anniversary.

The foursome reformed in 2020 and released their new album Voyage as well as recording their avatars for state of the art show of the same name.

On Sunday each of the 26 acts fought to get their hands on the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden who stormed to victory.

But not all were in agreement that Sweden deserved first place and speculated that the competition had been fixed.

One person said: 'Look I'm not saying it's rigged but... Sweden winning the year before the anniversary of ABBA's win seems entirely too convenient to me'.

A second tweeted: 'No way they rigged the entire thing so Sweden can host it on the 50 year anniv of ABBA's win bro. I'm SALTY'.

A third echoed: 'this whole ABBA anniversary and Sweden winning seems a bit too coincidental to me idk'.

A fourth agreed, writing: 'I'm not a conspiracy theorist but the idea that this was rigged so Sweden can host on the fiftieth anniversary of the Abba win makes lots of sense right now.'

Hopes: A source said: 'After Sweden won, people are going to be putting their Money, Money, Money on an ABBA reunion'

Fixed? But viewers claimed organisers orchestrated the songstress' victory so that Sweden could host ABBA's anniversary

While a fifth added: 'I'm loving the instant conspiracy theory that #EUROVISION2023 was rigged so that next year could be in Sweden for the 50th Anniversary of ABBA & Waterloo.'

And a sixth penned: 'they wanted sweden to win so ABBA perform their 50th eurovision anniversary in sweden next year'.

Swedish group ABBA entered into the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo and Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid were catapulted into stardom after winning.

2024 marks exactly 50 years since their decisive victory, with many expecting the group to perform at next year's contest.

Sweden was hit by more fix accusations after fans also spotted that Loreen's microphone had been left on.

One fan said: 'Did they already give Loreen the head mic for her performance? Or is this just for the interview, do they normally double-mic people?'

Accusation: But not all were in agreement that Sweden deserved first place and speculated that the competition had been fixed

On Saturday night, Loreen won with a staggering 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine meanwhile scored an impressive 243 points after rocketing up the leaderboard thanks to the public vote.

But the UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in.

Liverpool hosted the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, which won the contest last year, and fans around the UK proudly showed their support for both countries.

Eurovision fans went wild for hosts Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.

Hannah Waddingham was forced to calm booing crowds in Liverpool, reminding them that everyone was 'friends' as it was revealed that the UK entry received just a handful of points in the public vote.

Following the individual country jury votes, Sweden were on top with 277 points, and they topped the leaderboard again when the public vote came through.

Deflated: The UK's Mae Muller looked crestfallen as the scores for her performance were read out, and she ended the night with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites going in

Italy and Israel's entries following in second and third, almost neck and neck with 141 and 137 points.

Hannah and Graham spoke to announcers across the entrant countries, each of which told them where their 12 points would be going.

But the 'early days' results for Eurovision 2023 put the UK in the bottom half of the leaderboard with only 15 pointsAudiences around the world were treated to further performances as they waited for the votes to come in, with Sam Ryder and Roger Taylor from Queen taking to the stage.
Leading UAE carriers Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have signed a MoU to expand their interline agreement and provide travellers additional itinerary options when visiting the UAE.

A first-of-its-kind agreement between the two UAE carriers, it aims to capitalise on opportunities to boost tourism to the UAE from key source markets by enabling visitors to experience more than one destination in a single itinerary.

This summer, customers of each airline will be able to purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return via the other airport.

This is the second time the airlines have announced a collaboration. In 2018, Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) signed a deal to strengthen aviation security, including the sharing of information and intelligence in operational areas both within and outside the UAE.

The new agreement also provides travellers planning to explore the UAE with the flexibility of one-stop ticketing for their full journey and convenient baggage check-in, said a statement from Emirates.

The MoU was signed at Arabian Travel Market by Emirates Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and Etihad Chief Operating Officer Mohammad Al Bulooki in the presence of Emirates Airline President Tim Clark and Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves along with other senior representatives.

In the initial stages of the expanded interline, each carrier will focus on attracting visitors to the UAE by developing inbound interline traffic from select points in Europe and China, it stated.

The open jaw arrangement will allow visitors to cover as much ground as possible when exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other emirate, saving time by removing the need to fly home via their arrival airport.

Customers travelling into the UAE also have the option of multi-city flights, with the choice to travel from one city on both carriers networks, and conveniently returning to another point served by either Emirates or Etihad.

"We are pleased to be working again with Etihad Airways  this time to allow each carrier to offer a new range of seamless travel options in and out of the UAE. Emirates and Etihad are leveraging on our strengths to expand our respective customer offerings and boost UAE tourism," remarked Clark.

"We believe this new agreement provides a strong foundation to develop further opportunities between both airlines and is an example of our commitment to the UAEs vision for continued economic diversification," he noted.

Neves, expressing delight at partnership with Emirates, said this would go a long way in supporting inbound tourism to the UAE and facilitating travel to its vibrant cities.

"With two world-class airlines supporting UAE tourism, our interline agreement will make it more convenient for our guests to experience the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one single ticket while promising to deliver an exceptional flying experience whether they fly with Etihad Airways or Emirates. Its a win-win proposition for travellers to the UAE," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
She confirmed her heartbreaking divorce with her husband of 20 years, Dave Galafassi, at the end of last year.

And Toni Collette is moving on and up following their split.

The actress, 50, looked year younger as she stepped out for the premiere of her new Prime series, The Power, in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

The Muriel's Wedding star was glowing head-to-toe in a bright white jumpsuit teamed with tan strappy sandals.

She showed off a golden tan and her sun-kissed locks were out in beachy waves.

Toni Collette looked years younger as she stepped out in a white jumpsuit for the premiere of her new TV series The Power in Los Angeles on Sunday, following her split with ex-husband Dave Galafassi

Toni rocked a bright yellow manicure and pedicure, and adorned her neck and fingers with some turquoise and silver jewellery.

The star recently turned to art following her breakup.

Earlier this month, she shared a poignant quote alongside a painting by expressionist painter Malcom T Liepke.

The Muriel's Wedding star was glowing head-to-toe in a bright white jumpsuit teamed with tan strappy sandals

Toni beamed as she took part in a Q&A at the event

Posting to her Instagram story, the painting depicts a couple sitting on a couch.

The man has his head nuzzled into the woman's chest as she has her arms wrapped around him.

The quote that Toni shared alongside the painting is by Henry Miller.

Toni Collette has turned to art following her heartbreaking split from her husband of 20 years, Dave Galafassi. Both pictured

It reads: 'Give me a few days of peace in your arms, I need it badly.

'I feel broken and empty exhausted. Later I can face the world.'

Toni reportedly struggled to face work commitments, such as interviews, after her split with Dave made headlines at the end of last year.

The actress was reportedly devastated by their split, and has shared a poignant quote alongside a painting by expressionist painter Malcom T Liepke

A longtime friend of Toni told Woman's Day two months ago that she was devastated that their split became so public.

'She has not recovered from her split and she is not likely to anytime soon,' the friend told the publication at the time.

'Toni's a marvel at how she's able to pull herself together and keep functioning.

'The promotional side of movies is something she usually enjoys, but not when her life is a mess.'

The couple share daughter Sage, 14, and son Arlo, 11, together.

Dave, who was a drummer in an indie rock band when he met the About a Boy star, confirmed their split in December 2022 when he was pictured passionately kissing chiropractor Shannon Egan at Manly Beach in Sydney.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Toni's management about the photos, and hours later she announced the couple had split in a joint statement released on her newly reactivated Instagram account.

'It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,' the pair wrote.

Toni and her ex husband Dave share daughter Sage, 14, and son Arlo, 11, together

'We're united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.

'Our kids are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit a different shape. We're thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks.'

The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi's band's debut album Metal Detector in Sydney, and their second encounter came just a few days later at a house party.

They were married with Buddhist rituals on her property at Berry on the NSW south coast less than a year after they met, in January 2003.
The revelation was made when Ortega was at the MET gala on May 1st

Wednesday actress Jenny Ortega's reveals her lock screen photo is of co-star Emma Myers who plays werewolf best friend Enid Sinclair in

Fans were happy when they discovered that the lock screen of Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega is a photo of Emma Myers, who stars as her friend in the popular hit Netflix series.

The pair say they are as close off screen as they are on.

The revelation was made when the 20-year-old actress was walking on the red carpet at the Met Gala on May 1st paying tribute to the iconic late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Myers, 21, plays Enid Sinclair, a werewolf student at Nevermore Academy in the comedy horror show, who is the best friend of Wednesday Addams.

Ortega called her co-star 'one of her closest friends.' 'I think we have a different dynamic off screen, but I still don't think it's any less important or deep or beautiful than Enid and Wednesday's,' Ortega said.

Actress Jenna Ortega, 20, is seen at the MET Gala on May 1 holding her phone that shows a photo of Emma Myers, 21

Emma Myers plays Enid Sinclair, a werewolf student at Nevermore Academy in the Netflix comedy horror show Wednesday and best friend of Wednesday Addams

Jenna Ortega 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

Wednesday, the hit supernatural series was Netflix's third-most popular English language television series less than a month after its premiere, Deadline reported.

Ortega started acting at age nine and has appeared in more than a dozen televison and films and Disney productions including the role Harley, a creative-engineering prodigy and middle child in the television series, 'Stuck in the Middle.'

The talented actress also played young Jane in The CW Television Network's comedy-drama 'Jane the Virgin,' and Darcy in the 2015 Netflix sitcom 'Richie Rich.' And, co-starred in the horror sequel, The Babysitter: Killer Queen.

Ortega is an ambassador for UNAIDS, in honor of her late grandfather, who passed away from AIDS.

She said in a 2017 interview, 'I want to help eliminate the stigma of AIDS and get people talking about it. Make it normal, bring it up. It's a disease that affects all of us,' according to IMDB.

Many fans of the young star took to Twitter reacting about the sisterhood that Ortega and Myers share.

'I need a friendship like Emma and Jenna are you kidding me,' someone wrote.

Another fan said: 'Emma and Jenna are the ultimate. Nothing beats having your bestie as your lockscreen! Adorable!'

Ortega said that she would send her bestie voice notes and sing songs to her and described their union as just feeling 'comfortable' around one another.

But the close pair are spending less time together these days as Ortega, who recently landed a role in Beetlejuice 2, is busy working on the reboot film that also stars original cast member Winona Ryder.
Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Rating) and AllianceBernstein (NYSE:AB  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Brookfield Asset Management and AllianceBernsteins revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts:

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brookfield Asset Management $3.38 billion 3.85 $659.88 million $1.60 19.72 AllianceBernstein $287.53 million 13.49 $274.17 million $2.43 14.06

Brookfield Asset Management has higher revenue and earnings than AllianceBernstein. AllianceBernstein is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Brookfield Asset Management, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Analyst Recommendations

Brookfield Asset Management pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. AllianceBernstein pays an annual dividend of $2.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.7%. Brookfield Asset Management pays out 80.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AllianceBernstein pays out 108.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Brookfield Asset Management has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years.

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Brookfield Asset Management and AllianceBernstein, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brookfield Asset Management 1 2 4 1 2.63 AllianceBernstein 0 3 2 0 2.40

Brookfield Asset Management presently has a consensus price target of $43.57, indicating a potential upside of 38.10%. AllianceBernstein has a consensus price target of $42.50, indicating a potential upside of 24.38%. Given Brookfield Asset Managements stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Brookfield Asset Management is more favorable than AllianceBernstein.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

11.5% of AllianceBernstein shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.0% of Brookfield Asset Management shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.7% of AllianceBernstein shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Brookfield Asset Management and AllianceBernsteins net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brookfield Asset Management N/A N/A N/A AllianceBernstein 6.44% 15.96% 15.06%

Summary

Brookfield Asset Management beats AllianceBernstein on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Brookfield Asset Management

(Get Rating)

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. In addition, its private equity business offers business, infrastructure, and industrials services; and real estate business, which includes core investments, and transitional and development investments. Further, the company engages in the residential development business including homebuilding, and condominium and land development. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. was incorporated in 2022 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About AllianceBernstein

(Get Rating)

AllianceBernstein Holding LP engages in the provision of research, investment management, and related services. It offers investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds, and other investment vehicles. The company was founded in October 2000 and is headquartered in Nashville, TN.

Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:IRRX  Get Rating) saw a significant growth in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,200 shares, a growth of 20.0% from the April 15th total of 1,000 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 15,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Stock Performance

Shares of IRRX stock remained flat at $10.63 during trading hours on Friday. 5,010 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 75,863. Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition has a 52-week low of $9.94 and a 52-week high of $10.90. The stocks 50-day moving average is $10.58 and its 200-day moving average is $10.37.

Get Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition alerts:

Insider Activity at Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition

In related news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. sold 300,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.42, for a total transaction of $3,126,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,925,232 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,060,917.44. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 14.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition

Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Company Profile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cowen AND Company LLC raised its holdings in shares of Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition by 660.5% in the 4th quarter. Cowen AND Company LLC now owns 300,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,094,000 after purchasing an additional 260,882 shares in the last quarter. Meteora Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,355,000. Shaolin Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition by 57.2% in the 3rd quarter. Shaolin Capital Management LLC now owns 314,361 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,162,000 after purchasing an additional 114,361 shares in the last quarter. Berkley W R Corp raised its holdings in shares of Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition by 39.5% in the 4th quarter. Berkley W R Corp now owns 353,369 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,597,000 after purchasing an additional 100,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition in the 1st quarter valued at about $893,000. Institutional investors own 86.11% of the companys stock.

(Get Rating)

Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp. does not have significant operations. It focuses on effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses in railroad companies in North America. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Maisons du Monde S.A. (OTCMKTS:MDOUF  Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a decline of 66.7% from the April 15th total of 1,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Maisons du Monde Stock Performance

MDOUF stock remained flat at $12.15 during midday trading on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is $12.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.51. Maisons du Monde has a fifty-two week low of $9.12 and a fifty-two week high of $12.15.

Get Maisons du Monde alerts:

About Maisons du Monde

(Get Rating)

Further Reading

Maisons du Monde SA, through its subsidiaries, creates and distributes home decoration items and furniture in France and internationally. The company's decorative products include bed linen products, carpets, candles, pillows and cushions, clocks, tableware, lamps, kitchen utensils, mirrors and frames, vases, storage units, curtains and net curtains, and bath products.

Receive News & Ratings for Maisons du Monde Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Maisons du Monde and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Telecom Italia S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:TIIAY  Get Rating) saw a significant drop in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 15,900 shares, a drop of 30.0% from the April 15th total of 22,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 39,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Telecom Italia Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of TIIAY traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $2.92. 13,001 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,873. Telecom Italia has a 52 week low of $1.65 and a 52 week high of $3.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.77.

Get Telecom Italia alerts:

Telecom Italia Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Further Reading

Telecom Italia SpA engages in the provision of telecommunication and Internet services, digital contents, and cloud services. It operates through the following business segments: Domestic, Brazil, and Other Operations. The Domestic segment includes operations in Italy for voice and data services on fixed and mobile networks for retail and wholesale customers, the international wholesale through Telecom Italia Sparkle, and products and services for information technology through the Olivetti group.

Receive News & Ratings for Telecom Italia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telecom Italia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE:AME  Get Rating) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 925,071 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,778 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.40% of AMETEK worth $134,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AME. CCLA Investment Management bought a new stake in shares of AMETEK during the 3rd quarter worth about $69,179,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of AMETEK by 45.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,549,101 shares of the technology companys stock worth $206,310,000 after buying an additional 485,407 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of AMETEK by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,608,566 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,277,369,000 after buying an additional 463,926 shares in the last quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AMETEK during the third quarter valued at approximately $45,931,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in AMETEK by 22.2% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,054,304 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $273,593,000 after purchasing an additional 373,148 shares in the last quarter. 85.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get AMETEK alerts:

Insider Activity at AMETEK

In related news, insider Ronald J. Oscher sold 6,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.28, for a total transaction of $944,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,563 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,149,632.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Ronald J. Oscher sold 6,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.28, for a total transaction of $944,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,563 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,149,632.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas A. Amato sold 780 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.54, for a total transaction of $107,281.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,207,601.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 18,160 shares of company stock worth $2,605,294 in the last ninety days. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AMETEK Price Performance

A number of research analysts recently commented on AME shares. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of AMETEK in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Wolfe Research cut shares of AMETEK from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of AMETEK from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of AMETEK from $153.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $153.50.

Shares of AMETEK stock opened at $145.42 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $139.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $140.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. AMETEK, Inc. has a 1-year low of $106.17 and a 1-year high of $148.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.18, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.22.

AMETEK (NYSE:AME  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The technology company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.08. AMETEK had a net margin of 18.97% and a return on equity of 18.42%. The business had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.33 earnings per share. AMETEKs revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that AMETEK, Inc. will post 6.09 earnings per share for the current year.

AMETEK Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 9th. AMETEKs payout ratio is currently 19.38%.

AMETEK Profile

(Get Rating)

AMETEK, Inc engages in the manufacture of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. It operates through the following two segments: Electronic Instruments (EIG) and Electromechanical (EMG). The EIG segment designs and manufactures advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power and industrial markets.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AME? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE:AME  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for AMETEK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AMETEK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BJCHF  Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,198,800 shares, a decline of 14.2% from the April 15th total of 1,396,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 666.0 days.

Beijing Capital International Airport Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:BJCHF remained flat at $0.75 during midday trading on Friday. Beijing Capital International Airport has a 1-year low of $0.50 and a 1-year high of $0.79. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $0.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.71.

Get Beijing Capital International Airport alerts:

Beijing Capital International Airport Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Further Reading

Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited engages in the aeronautical and non-aeronautical businesses at the Beijing Capital Airport in the People's Republic of China. The company's aeronautical business is involved in the provision of aircraft landings and take-offs; passenger service facilities; ground support services; and fire-fighting services for domestic and foreign air transportation enterprises.

Receive News & Ratings for Beijing Capital International Airport Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Beijing Capital International Airport and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Rating) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $3.60-$3.90 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $3.61. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Crane Price Performance

Shares of Crane stock opened at $75.20 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $91.40 and a 200 day moving average of $102.12. Crane has a 12 month low of $67.28 and a 12 month high of $83.00. The firm has a market cap of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of 9.96, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Get Crane alerts:

Crane Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. Cranes payout ratio is presently 24.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Insider Buying and Selling at Crane

A number of equities analysts recently commented on CR shares. UBS Group dropped their price target on Crane from $120.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. DA Davidson increased their price target on Crane from $90.00 to $92.00 in a research note on Friday. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Crane in a research note on Saturday. They set a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.00.

In other Crane news, VP Edward S. Switter sold 49,409 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.88, for a total transaction of $5,923,150.92. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 25,174 shares in the company, valued at $3,017,859.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Crane

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CR. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 14,853 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,608,000 after acquiring an additional 1,104 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,432 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,129,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Crane by 82.1% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 4,102 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $445,000 after acquiring an additional 1,849 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in Crane by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 7,856 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $851,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in Crane by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,777 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,408,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. 70.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Crane Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Crane Holdings Co engages in the management of a subsidiary, which manufacture aerospace equipment, electronics systems, and flow control systems. The company was founded on December 2, 2021 and is headquartered in Stamford, CT.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First Trust Advisors LP trimmed its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Get Rating) by 28.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,289,262 shares of the retailers stock after selling 516,327 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LPs holdings in Walmart were worth $182,808,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of WMT. AMI Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Walmart by 1.6% during the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,231,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its stake in Walmart by 36.8% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,820 shares of the retailers stock worth $718,000 after buying an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in Walmart by 31.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,162 shares of the retailers stock worth $173,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 123.9% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 10,566 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,573,000 after buying an additional 5,847 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Walmart by 1.7% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 857,839 shares of the retailers stock worth $127,749,000 after buying an additional 13,985 shares during the period. 31.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Walmart alerts:

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.19, for a total transaction of $630,831.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 222,281 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $32,050,697.39. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Jim C. Walton sold 1,908,331 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.15, for a total transaction of $275,085,913.65. Following the sale, the insider now owns 247,215,555 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,636,122,253.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.19, for a total transaction of $630,831.25. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,281 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,050,697.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,044,002 shares of company stock valued at $2,981,168,308 in the last 90 days. 47.06% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Walmart Stock Performance

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group set a $170.00 price target on shares of Walmart and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $164.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Cowen upped their price target on shares of Walmart from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Walmart from $161.00 to $160.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $165.13.

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $153.07 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $412.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.76, a PEG ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $146.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $145.40. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $117.27 and a 52 week high of $154.64.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The retailer reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.20. Walmart had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 20.45%. The company had revenue of $164.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $158.67 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.53 EPS. Walmarts revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 6.06 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. Walmarts payout ratio is 53.27%.

Walmart Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First Trust Advisors LP trimmed its stake in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Rating) by 21.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,389,718 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 1,440,403 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.38% of Freeport-McMoRan worth $204,811,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Moody National Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 25,583 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $972,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 7,589 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $288,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 4,293 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $163,000 after buying an additional 255 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 13,441 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $511,000 after buying an additional 257 shares during the period. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 72,530 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,756,000 after buying an additional 263 shares during the period. 77.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts:

Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:FCX opened at $34.99 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $38.80 and its 200 day moving average is $39.50. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $24.80 and a 1 year high of $46.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.55 and a beta of 2.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 1.71.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The natural resource company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $5.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.07 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 2.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 14th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 13th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 16.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on FCX. Citigroup upped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Scotiabank upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $41.00 to $50.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. UBS Group upped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $32.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. TheStreet upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.42.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 11,678 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.17, for a total value of $504,139.26. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,333 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,395,815.61. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc engages in the mining of copper, gold, and molybdenum. It operates through the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Mining, Indonesia Mining, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining, and Corporate and Other. The North America Copper Mines segment operates open-pit copper mines in Morenci, Baghdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Fortis Inc. (TSE:FTS  Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 16th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.565 per share on Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $2.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 16th.

Fortis Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of Fortis stock opened at C$61.55 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$58.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$55.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.16, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The company has a market capitalization of C$29.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.94, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.16. Fortis has a 1-year low of C$48.45 and a 1-year high of C$65.26.

Get Fortis alerts:

Fortis (TSE:FTS  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 10th. The company reported C$0.72 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.70 by C$0.02. The business had revenue of C$3.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.75 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Fortis will post 3.000489 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

About Fortis

Several analysts have weighed in on FTS shares. Susquehanna Bancshares lifted their target price on Fortis from C$56.00 to C$57.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Fortis from C$53.00 to C$51.00 in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Bank of America lifted their price target on Fortis from C$51.00 to C$52.00 in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Raymond James lifted their price target on Fortis from C$58.00 to C$65.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, CSFB lifted their price target on Fortis from C$61.00 to C$62.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Fortis has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$58.50.

(Get Rating)

Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 438,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 100,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,485 megawatts (MW), including 53 MW of solar capacity and 252 MV of wind capacity.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Hormel Foods Co. (NYSE:HRL  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 11,010,000 shares, a decline of 13.3% from the April 15th total of 12,700,000 shares. Currently, 3.8% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 2,100,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.2 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hormel Foods

In other Hormel Foods news, Director Becerra Jose Luis Prado sold 5,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.01, for a total value of $202,852.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,410 shares in the company, valued at $718,174.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Hormel Foods news, Director Becerra Jose Luis Prado sold 5,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.01, for a total value of $202,852.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,410 shares in the company, valued at $718,174.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Elsa A. Murano sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.50, for a total value of $243,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 102,698 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,159,269. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Get Hormel Foods alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hormel Foods

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Hormel Foods by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 35,040,460 shares of the companys stock worth $1,592,240,000 after acquiring an additional 736,656 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Hormel Foods by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 29,480,525 shares of the companys stock worth $1,339,595,000 after acquiring an additional 258,643 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Hormel Foods by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,499,345 shares of the companys stock worth $1,249,570,000 after acquiring an additional 498,351 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Hormel Foods by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,166,443 shares of the companys stock worth $280,383,000 after acquiring an additional 92,153 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Hormel Foods by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,288,934 shares of the companys stock worth $210,923,000 after acquiring an additional 20,418 shares during the last quarter. 39.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Hormel Foods Stock Performance

HRL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays decreased their price target on Hormel Foods from $48.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Argus cut Hormel Foods from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. TheStreet cut Hormel Foods from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Stephens cut their price objective on Hormel Foods from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Hormel Foods from $44.00 to $43.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.14.

Hormel Foods stock traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $40.24. The stock had a trading volume of 1,331,388 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,978,680. The company has a 50-day moving average of $39.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $21.99 billion, a PE ratio of 22.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.07 and a beta of 0.17. Hormel Foods has a fifty-two week low of $37.78 and a fifty-two week high of $53.46.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.05). Hormel Foods had a return on equity of 13.10% and a net margin of 7.90%. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Hormel Foods will post 1.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hormel Foods Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 17th will be issued a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 14th. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.73%. Hormel Foodss payout ratio is presently 61.45%.

About Hormel Foods

(Get Rating)

Hormel Foods Corp. engages in the production of meat and food products. It operates through the following segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International and Other. The Grocery Products segment focuses on the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold in the retail market.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Hormel Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hormel Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Warner Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Get Rating) by 57.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 26,942 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,867 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF makes up approximately 0.9% of Warner Financial Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Warner Financial Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $1,236,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EFV. Signet Financial Management LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 7,837 shares of the companys stock valued at $394,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Index Fund Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Index Fund Advisors Inc. now owns 6,247 shares of the companys stock valued at $287,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. LexAurum Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. LexAurum Advisors LLC now owns 15,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $719,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 7,469 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Weil Company Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Weil Company Inc. now owns 25,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $964,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares in the last quarter.

Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts:

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of EFV opened at $49.59 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $48.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $47.42. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $49.15 and a 52-week high of $59.57. The firm has a market cap of $16.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.86.

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Kidder Stephen W raised its stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Get Rating) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,748 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 498 shares during the quarter. Rockwell Automation accounts for about 2.9% of Kidder Stephen Ws portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Kidder Stephen Ws holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $7,920,000 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. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 2,633 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $566,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Rossmore Private Capital boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rossmore Private Capital now owns 2,839 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $611,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 9,076 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,338,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Allstate Corp boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 4,575 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $984,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 30.7% in the 3rd quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 200 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. 77.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Rockwell Automation alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Nicholas C. Gangestad sold 1,975 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.25, for a total value of $581,143.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 7,757 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,282,497.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CFO Nicholas C. Gangestad sold 1,975 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.25, for a total transaction of $581,143.75. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 7,757 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,282,497.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Isaac Woods sold 100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.33, for a total transaction of $29,433.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 452 shares in the company, valued at $133,037.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 2,631 shares of company stock valued at $765,751 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.64% of the companys stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:ROK opened at $271.86 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $190.08 and a 12 month high of $309.36. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $280.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $274.20. The company has a market cap of $31.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.93, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.42.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $3.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.60 by $0.41. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 15.82% and a return on equity of 42.15%. The firm had revenue of $2.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.66 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 25.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 12.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a $1.18 dividend. This represents a $4.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.55%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $285.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $272.00 to $273.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $245.00 to $238.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $250.00 to $262.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $297.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rockwell Automation has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $267.50.

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Rockwell Automation, Inc engages in the provision of industrial automation and information services. It operates through the following segments: Intelligent Devices, Software and Control, and Lifecycle Services. The Intelligent Devices segment combines a portfolio of smart products that create the foundation of an agile, resilient, and sustainable production system.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ROK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Rockwell Automation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rockwell Automation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 5,031 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $230,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MO. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock worth $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock worth $974,000 after buying an additional 929 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in Altria Group by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock worth $141,690,000 after buying an additional 89,334 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Western Trust Bank purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth $498,000. 58.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MO. StockNews.com began coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup cut their price objective 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.67.

Altria Group Stock Performance

MO opened at $45.67 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $81.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $45.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.89. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.35 and a one year high of $54.89.

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 analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.12 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 24th were paid 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 8.23%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Firestone Capital Management trimmed its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) by 13.2% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 6,558 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 996 shares during the period. Firestone Capital Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $336,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 13.2% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 59,828,849 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,097,341,000 after acquiring an additional 6,972,650 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Pfizer during the first quarter valued at $311,238,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 1.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 493,584,761 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $21,599,270,000 after purchasing an additional 5,139,634 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Pfizer by 108.3% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 7,909,665 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $409,483,000 after purchasing an additional 4,112,528 shares during the period. Finally, Edmp Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 4,914.8% in the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 3,311,846 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $64,634,000 after buying an additional 3,245,804 shares during the period. 67.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Pfizer alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $38.58 per share, with a total value of $38,580.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $231,480. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, major shareholder Pfizer Inc purchased 1,811,594 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $2.76 per share, with a total value of $4,999,999.44. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 5,952,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,428,245.88. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $38,580.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 6,000 shares in the company, valued at $231,480. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 1,813,594 shares of company stock valued at $5,076,999 in the last ninety days. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Pfizer Price Performance

PFE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Monday, March 6th. They set a hold rating and a $43.00 price target for the company. Berenberg Bank set a $40.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Atlantic Securities dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.33.

NYSE:PFE traded down $0.23 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $37.35. 16,541,294 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,515,143. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $37.21 and a 52-week high of $54.93. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a market cap of $210.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.63.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.23. Pfizer had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 31.25%. The company had revenue of $18.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.62 EPS. Pfizers quarterly revenue was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.39%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.28%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Pfizer Inc is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. It engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The firm works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Duolingo (NYSE:DUOL  Get Rating) had its target price increased by Piper Sandler from $127.00 to $167.00 in a report published on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

DUOL has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on shares of Duolingo from $115.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. JMP Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Duolingo from $128.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Duolingo from $131.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Duolingo from $109.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Duolingo from $92.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with 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 Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $142.38.

Get Duolingo alerts:

Duolingo Stock Down 2.7 %

Shares of DUOL stock opened at $141.45 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 3.84, a quick ratio of 3.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Duolingo has a 1 year low of $64.73 and a 1 year high of $150.00. The firms fifty day moving average price is $133.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $99.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.75 billion, a P/E ratio of -113.16 and a beta of 0.41.

Insider Buying and Selling at Duolingo

Duolingo ( NYSE:DUOL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.24) by $0.18. Duolingo had a negative net margin of 16.12% and a negative return on equity of 11.22%. The company had revenue of $115.66 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $112.86 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.31) EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 42.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Duolingo will post -0.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Duolingo news, CEO Ahn Luis Von sold 153,514 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.34, for a total value of $18,166,846.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Severin Hacker sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.35, for a total value of $1,383,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 72 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,961.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Ahn Luis Von sold 153,514 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.34, for a total transaction of $18,166,846.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 251,951 shares of company stock valued at $30,684,818 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 22.12% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duolingo

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Duolingo by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in Duolingo by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 45,158 shares of the companys stock worth $6,439,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its position in Duolingo by 48.8% during the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 595 shares of the companys stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Duolingo by 78.1% during the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 570 shares of the companys stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in Duolingo by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 5,438 shares of the companys stock worth $775,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. 63.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Duolingo

(Get Rating)

Duolingo, Inc develops a language-learning website and mobile app in the United States and China. The company offers courses in 40 different languages, including Spanish, English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, and others. It also provides a digital language proficiency assessment exam.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Duolingo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duolingo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Crescent Point Energy Corp. (NYSE:CPG  Get Rating) (TSE:CPG) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,260,000 shares, a drop of 15.1% from the April 15th total of 8,550,000 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 5,740,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CPG. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Crescent Point Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Crescent Point Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $50,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Crescent Point Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $62,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Crescent Point Energy by 61.9% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 10,866 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 4,156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Crescent Point Energy by 19.8% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 11,216 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 1,851 shares during the last quarter. 32.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Crescent Point Energy alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

CPG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. CIBC cut their price target on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$15.00 to C$13.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. Raymond James raised shares of Crescent Point Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Crescent Point Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

Crescent Point Energy Price Performance

CPG opened at $6.74 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.21. The firm has a market cap of $3.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 2.22. Crescent Point Energy has a twelve month low of $5.51 and a twelve month high of $10.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

Crescent Point Energy (NYSE:CPG  Get Rating) (TSE:CPG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $598.24 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $671.62 million. Crescent Point Energy had a net margin of 34.47% and a return on equity of 14.19%. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.32 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Crescent Point Energy will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Crescent Point Energy Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.074 per share. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Crescent Point Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 14.36%.

Crescent Point Energy Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Crescent Point Energy Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties. Its focus areas include: Viewfield Bakken, Flat Lake Torquay, and Shaunavon. The company was founded on April 20, 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Crescent Point Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crescent Point Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,420,000 shares, an increase of 10.8% from the April 15th total of 8,500,000 shares. Approximately 4.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,550,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.7 days.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Alicia Allen sold 2,039 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.49, for a total transaction of $88,676.11. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 85,242 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,707,174.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Alicia Allen sold 2,039 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.49, for a total transaction of $88,676.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 85,242 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,707,174.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Rick M. Mcconnell sold 1,972 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.49, for a total transaction of $85,762.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 295,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,853,382.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,614 shares of company stock worth $679,053. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Get Dynatrace alerts:

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dynatrace

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Dynatrace by 2.1% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,086,920 shares of the companys stock worth $976,577,000 after acquiring an additional 467,760 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Dynatrace by 3.8% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,402,842 shares of the companys stock worth $675,413,000 after acquiring an additional 702,695 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in Dynatrace by 41.2% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 16,424,549 shares of the companys stock valued at $694,758,000 after purchasing an additional 4,791,026 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. grew its position in Dynatrace by 11.1% in the third quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 12,887,942 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,629,000 after purchasing an additional 1,287,467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Dynatrace by 5.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,111,518 shares of the companys stock valued at $343,117,000 after purchasing an additional 439,914 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.17% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Dynatrace Price Performance

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on DT shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Dynatrace in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $45.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $54.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $47.00.

DT traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $46.58. The stock had a trading volume of 2,968,392 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,593,477. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $41.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $39.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 465.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 1.11. Dynatrace has a 1-year low of $31.54 and a 1-year high of $48.00.

Dynatrace Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Dynatrace, Inc engages in the development of a software intelligence platform, purpose-built for the enterprise cloud. The firms platform utilizes artificial intelligence at its core and advanced automation to provide answers, not just data, about the performance of applications, the underlying hybrid cloud infrastructure, and the experience of the customers users.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Dynatrace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dynatrace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
OLD Second National Bank of Aurora decreased its position in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Get Rating) by 30.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,900 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 1,250 shares during the quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Auroras holdings in Boeing were worth $552,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 189.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,894,753 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $229,414,000 after acquiring an additional 1,240,669 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Boeing during the first quarter worth approximately $135,429,000. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 13,008.8% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 686,246 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $130,646,000 after purchasing an additional 681,011 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,200,241 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $5,472,845,000 after buying an additional 670,698 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 125.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,139,143 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $218,147,000 after buying an additional 632,913 shares during the period. 57.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Boeing alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Northcoast Research cut Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Boeing from $225.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Boeing from $222.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $225.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boeing currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $221.60.

Insider Activity at Boeing

Boeing Trading Down 0.6 %

In other Boeing news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total value of $84,196.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,511,109.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:BA opened at $200.70 on Friday. The Boeing Company has a 12-month low of $113.02 and a 12-month high of $221.33. The firm has a market cap of $120.74 billion, a PE ratio of -29.00 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $205.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $196.15.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The firm had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.56 billion. The businesss revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($2.75) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post -0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company Profile

(Get Rating)

The Boeing Co is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space, and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes (BCA), Defense, Space and Security (BDS), Global Services (BGS), and Boeing Capital (BCC). The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont lessened its position in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Get Rating) by 5.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,393 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,507 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Novartis were worth $5,660,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,109,000. Abundance Wealth Counselors lifted its position in shares of Novartis by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors now owns 10,830 shares of the companys stock worth $982,000 after buying an additional 778 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLC boosted its stake in Novartis by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 12,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,176,000 after buying an additional 1,011 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Novartis by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,466,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $223,719,000 after buying an additional 7,806 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Novartis by 45.7% in the 4th quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,114 shares of the companys stock valued at $464,000 after buying an additional 1,603 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.12% of the companys stock.

Get Novartis alerts:

Novartis Price Performance

Novartis stock opened at $103.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.05. Novartis AG has a 52 week low of $74.09 and a 52 week high of $105.56. The firm has a market cap of $218.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.54. The businesss fifty day moving average is $93.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.98.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Rating ) last issued 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 return on equity of 23.29% and a net margin of 13.78%. The business had revenue of $12.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Novartis in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. BTIG Research boosted their price target on Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Novartis from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $82.25.

Novartis Profile

(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.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
According to the World Economic Forum, which dictates to Western nations on policy, and future direction, the brutal bullying thugs of the Chinese Communist Party and its evil policies of totalitarian savagery are a model for Western nations to follow. This is why we are seeing more censorship and totalitarian behaviour by Western Big Tech companies who are following Chinas CCP policies closely.

World Economic Forum founder and Chair Klaus Schwab recently sat down for an interview with a Chinese state media outlet and proclaimed that China was a role model for other nations.

Schwab, 84, made these comments during an interview with CGTNs Tian Wei on the sidelines of last weeks APEC CEO Summit.

Schwab said he respected Chinas tremendous achievements at modernizing its economy over the last 40 years.

I think its a role model for many countries, Schwab said.

I think we should be very careful in imposing systems. But the Chinese model is certainly a very attractive model for quite a number of countries, Schwab said.

Its not only the WEF who adore the CCP, but so does the UN, who wants all Western nations to model China. The EU also sees China as a model of its Soviet bloc of nations. They envisage a modern communist state where brutal torture of citizens, and heavy-handed communist commissars mete out daily punishments on the people. Totalitarian bullying regimes like China are idolised by the globalists, who have become very rich off the backs of Chinese slave workers.

THE UNITED NATIONS OF CHINA: A VISION OF THE WORLD ORDER by European Council of Foreign Relations

You will realise what these people have in store for you when the Citizen Social Credit system that China uses on its citizens already is introduced over in Western nations. This is what the EU, WEF and UN want introduced into the West to complete a totalitarian net of control over the population even more than is already present.

You may think surveillance is already pretty bad in Western nations, but wait until the Chinese surveillance model is adopted. Big Tech companies are already preparing the framework to introduce a Chinese social credit model as well as increased Chinese CCP style surveillance. Since 2013, Big Tech has been tightening its deadly noose on all civilians, and it is only going to get worse.

Looks like its forced CCP anal swabs and brutal poverty for everyone, that is, except for the globalist hierarchy in their mansions.

A celebrated member of the globalist World Economic Forum (WEF) has called for a staggering 86 percent reduction in the population of humans, arguing that the goal can be achieved peacefully.

Dennis Meadows, one of the main authors of the Club of Romes 1972 pro-depopulation book The Limits to Growth.

Meadows argues that most of the worlds population must be wiped out so that the survivors can have freedom and a high standard of living.

During a 2017 interview, Meadows claims that genocide of 86% of the worlds population is inevitable.

However, he insists that a benevolent dictatorship could accomplish the mass de-population peacefully.

We could [ ] have eight or nine billion, probably, he says of the worlds growing population.

If we have a very strong dictatorship which is smart  and [people have] a low standard of living, Meadows says as he explains how the population reduction agenda could be triggered.
SCUNTHORPE - England - Labour leader plans to rig the general election so that the Tories will never be elected again in the UK.

Labour leader accused of wanting to rig general elections by letting migrants who live in UK and pay tax have a say.

Marxist comrade in chief of the Labour Party Keir Starmer will hand the vote to millions of EU citizens if Labour wins the next general election. Along with fellow Marxists, the Lib Dem coalition will also ensure that a new referendum will be set up to re-join the EU.

It was a bold move, one that could shake the very foundations of British politics and send shockwaves through the halls of Westminster. Imagine a scenario where successive elections are completely rigged in favour of Labour winning, simply because of a vast increase in voters who are staunch socialists and communists.

Comrade Starmer is about to unleash a manifesto plan that would expand the franchise to include settled migrants and 16 and 17-year-olds, adding millions of new Labour voters to reshape the political landscape of the country forever.

As well as winning every successive election in the future, we will also re-join the Soviet EU bloc once again. I have to thank Tony Blair for bringing in tens of millions of sovietised EU citizens during his reign who are now Labour voters, and fellow Marxists like Joe Biden/Obama who have opened US borders completely to let in tens of thousands of South American migrants into the country as future Democrat voters, comrade Starmer told a group of Labour commissars on Friday.

And the numbers speak for themselves. Migrants and young people are more likely to be Labour supporters, according to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice. The move would potentially force the Conservatives out of London altogether and unseat Boris Johnson if he stood again for Parliament in 2029.

Comrades, we all know that socialism leads to full-blown communism. We are on that very path, and a soviet UK is our ultimate goal, he said. This task is ongoing, difficult and enormous. It is, if you like, Clause IV on steroids. And the results last week show our work is beginning to pay off.

It is a battle for the very soul of the nation, a fight that would test the limits of his leadership and the resolve of his party. But Starmer is ready to take on the challenge, to fight for what he believes in  British soviet communism.
LOS ANGELES - USA - The entire nation of Egypt and its people have been labelled as racist by an Afrocentric streaming company who created a revisionist docudrama depiction of Cleopatra.

In a stunning move that has left an entire nation reeling, a major TV company has labelled the whole nation of Egypt as racist. The controversy started when the TV company released a docudrama about Cleopatra that depicted her as a completely different person than what is traditionally accepted as fact.

Egyptians are all n*iggers from Sub-Saharan Africa, and they should be proud of their new history we gave them, especially how we blackwashed those ungrateful bastards in our revisionist docudrama. I pity the racist pieces of shit Egyptian people, the actress who stole the character of Cleopatra told CNN.

According to the TV company, Cleopatra was not a beautiful and powerful Macedonian Greek queen who seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Instead, she was a mediocre-looking Sub-Saharan African woman with an IQ lower than a grapefruit who lived in a mud hut, had a penchant for stealing cutlery, but was supposedly queen over all Egypt. The TV companys revisionist history by the Afrocentric movement has caused outrage and confusion among historians, as well as everyday people who know the real story of Cleopatra.

But thats not all. The TV company also labelled the entire nation of Egypt as racist. According to the companys spokesperson, the docudrama was created to highlight the racism that has been present in Egypt for centuries. The spokesperson went on to say that the TV company stands behind its portrayal of Cleopatra and the depiction of Egypt as a racist nation.

Stealing history

We hate the Egyptian people, they are racist Nazi trash, all of them. We hate your culture, so we changed it, and we insult and spit on your history so that you can learn a lesson in racism you fascist Egyptian pieces of donkey shit. Black people built the pyramids  my grandma told me so! Jenkem Pinko Smithers, the series producer, said on Sunday.

The people of Egypt have responded with anger and disbelief. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage and demand an apology from the TV company. Some have even called for a boycott of the companys products and services.

In a statement, the Egyptian government condemned the TV companys actions and demanded an apology. The government also expressed concern about the negative impact the docudrama could have on tourism, which is a major source of revenue for the country.

Meanwhile, the TV companys executives are standing firm in their belief that the docudrama accurately depicts Cleopatra and Egypt. They have refused to apologize or retract their statements, citing artistic freedom and the need to challenge traditional narratives.

As the controversy continues to boil over, one thing is clear: the TV companys docudrama has not only stirred up a hornets nest of controversy but has also managed to make a mockery of history and an entire nation.
IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and Foxconn officials will take part in the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday. (Image: Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Telangana state will scrpit a new historical chapter in the industrial sector on Monday, with Taiwanese multinational electronics giant Foxconn beginning its works on setting up its manufacturing facility in Kongara Kalan on the citys outskirts with an investment of nearly Rs 3,500 crore.

IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and Foxconn officials will take part in the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday and formally launch the construction works of the manufacturing plant. The state government has allotted 196 acres to Foxconn in Kongarakalan adjacent to Ranga Reddy Collectorate.

Officials of the industries department, TS Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) managing director E.V.Narasimha Reddy and officials from Foxconn made all the arrangements for the ground-breaking ceremony.

Foxconn chairman Young Liu and his team met Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and industries minister K.T. Rama Rao at Pragathi Bhavan on March 2. After the meeting, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) issued a press release stating that Foxconn will set up an electronic manufacturing facility in Telangana that would generate one lakh jobs in 10 years. It further stated that Foxconn and the state government have signed an agreement in this regard. Later, Young Liu wrote a letter to CM on March 6 stating that, "As discussed with you during our meeting on March 2, Foxconn is committed to setting up a manufacturing facility."
TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy, state Mahila Congress chief Sunitha Rao and others celebrate Congress victory in Karnataka elections, in Hyderabad (S. Surender Reddy/DC)

HYDERABAD: As the Congress romped home to power in Karnataka, unseating the BJP, TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy attributed the victory to the Bharat Jodo Yatra of party leader Rahul Gandhi.

As celebrations broke out at Gandhi Bhavan, Revanth Reddy said, "BJP uses religion for electoral purposes. Their communal agenda has been rejected. The message of Bharat Jodo Yatra has been accepted."

Revanth Reddy told the media that the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as member of Parliament was a badly judged step.

"Evicting him within a week even as leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad continue to live in government quarters showed the arrogance of BJP and Modi and did not go down well with the Karnataka voters," he said.

The TPCC chief said the plan of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to side with the JD(S) and enable the BJP to come to power in the event of a hung Assembly had been foiled. "This will have influence over Telangana for sure."

On the impact of the Karnataka results on Telangana, he said: The people of the Hyderabad-Karnatak region have given the maximum seats to the party. The area has long historical ties and connections with Telangana, and Telangana will vote similarly."

He said the party victory in Karnataka, after the win in Himachal Pradesh, marked the second one for the Congress since Rahul Gandhi embarked on his yatra. "This will be repeated in Telangana," Revanth Reddy said.

Revanth Reddy said the BJP had been "taught a lesson," adding, "This is defeat of Modi and Amit Shah, who held 22 and 36 road shows, respectively. The entire party leadership was involved. South India does not have a place for northern BJP."

Responding to minister K.T. Rama Raos tweet that the Karnataka results would have no bearing on Telangana, he said, "It is his wish. They did not want the Congress to win. There is no difference between BRS and BJP. They were together on all issues like Article 370, demonetisation, CAA. The CM did not give a call for defeat of Congress in Karnataka. Instead of holding huge meetings in Maharashtra, he could have easily held a meet with one lakh people and given a call to defeat the BJP in Karnataka. In supporting JD(S), he favoured the BJP."

"Like the BJP, which ran a 40 per cent commission government in Karnataka, the BRS is also corrupt. The Chief Minister himself is saying his MLAs are charging 30 per cent commission while granting Dalit Bandhu of `10 lakh to beneficiaries. His double bedroom scheme, Mission Bhagiratha, Kaleshwaram project and sale of ORR for peanuts, all have commissions involved in the deals," he said.

Former minister K. Jana Reddy said, "The people of Karnataka have rejected BJPs communal agenda. The Congress came together despite differences in Karnataka. This is re-emergence of Congress. The poor, women and others taught BJP a lesson and saved democracy. They should stand by the aims for which Telangana was formed and come together in this endeavour."

Former TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that along with Telangana, the Congress would also win Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. "Corruption, inefficiency and arrogance of the BJP have been rejected," he said.

AICCs Telangana incharge Manikrao Thakre, former PCC president V. Hanumantha Rao, working president Anjan Kumar Yadav, leaders Mahesh Kumar Goud, Nadeem Javid, Rohit Choudhary, former minister Jana Reddy, Shabbir Ali and Balaram Naik were present on the occasion.
BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has decided to keep the government and the party machinery busy with public outreach activities in June to mark the 10th year of formation of the Telangana state. (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leadership, which has been focusing on national politics and expanding the party to other states since October last year, has decided to go slow with its plans. It will now pay attention to the Assembly elections in Telangana state after the Congress won Karnataka elections decisively.

Though BRS working president and minister K.T. Rama Rao claimed that the Karnataka election results will not have any bearing on Telangana state, the overwhelming victory of the Congress in that state appears to have compelled the BRS to don its thinking cap with regard to its strategy in Telangana Assembly elections in the state are scheduled to take place by December.

BRS sources said the party leadership now wants to focus on retaining power for a third term in the state. While the BRS leadership seeks to solely focus on Maharashtra for the time being and contest local body elections there, it also wants to prevent disgruntled BRS leaders from defecting to the Congress and stop its rise in Telangana state after the spectacular victory in Karnataka.

The party leadership plans to focus on south districts in Telangana state, especially undivided Ranga Reddy, Medak, and Mahbubnagar, that share borders with Karnataka, sources said. People in these districts have connections in Karnataka. The party believes that the Karnataka results might influence voters in these districts.

BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has decided to keep the government and the party machinery busy with public outreach activities in June to mark the 10th year of formation of the Telangana state. The idea is to reach out to the people and explain to them about the achievements of BRS government over the last nine years in terms of welfare schemes and development programmes.

While officials of all the departments were asked to prepare progress cards of the last nine years, the ministers, BRS MLAs, MLCs, MPs from the state, district and Assembly constituency-level leaders to sarpanches at village-level were asked to take these reports to the people and garner their support for the party for upcoming Assembly polls.

The departments were also asked to prepare documentaries on the achievements of BRS government and screen them in cinema theatres, TVs, and other media from village-level to state-level. The CM held a review meeting on Saturday to apprise officials and ministers on how to prepare progress reports department-wise and how to ensure that they reach the people.
A year ago the U.S. Marine Corps, after years of planning and preparation, activated its first (of three) Littoral Regiments in Hawaii. This one is called the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment because it was built around the existing 3rd Marine Regiment in Hawaii. The next one, the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will be activated in Japan by 2025.

The Littoral Regiment is capable of operating throughout the Pacific and moving to a new area very quickly. The Littoral regiment has three components with the first being a Littoral Infantry battalion augmented by a missile battery firing guided rockets (like the new HIMARS GLSDB with a range of 150 kilometers) that can sink ships as well as destroy land targets. The marines already have HIMARS vehicles to carry and launch these missiles and have tested using them from the flight deck or an amphibious assault ship.

The marines and army are also developing land-based launchers for Tomahawk cruise missiles from tractor-trailer launchers. Each battery has four launchers, each carrying four Tomahawk missiles. The mobile launchers use the latest Block 5 model of the Tomahawk. The Navy introduced Tomahawk Block 5 in 2020. This was the first new version since Block 4 in 2005. The block versions actually represent an accumulation of individual upgrades that have turned the current Tomahawk into a substantially different cruise missile than the previous block. The unique new features of Block 5 include being able to hit ship size targets at max range (over 1,600 kilometers) by using a new target seeker. Block 5 also uses a new warhead that has greater penetrating power against large warships and is more effective against all targets. There are also upgraded communication and navigation systems which are more resistant to jamming and other EW (Electronic Warfare) measures. All this means Block 5 communications are more difficult to detect as well as disrupt. The navigation system is better able to function even with heavy GPS jamming thanks to a more accurate, and unjammable INS (Inertial Navigation System). Another notable feature is that Block 5 does not increase the price, which is still between a million and 1.5 million dollars, depending on features, per missile. Thats a lot cheaper than high-speed missiles that cost three or four times more, are heavier and have shorter range. The relatively low cost of the Tomahawk makes it effective for more missions, like attacking land targets or being used in large numbers. All Block 4 Tomahawks are being upgraded to Block 5 and remaining Block 3s will be retired because most were built in the 1990s and now not worth the expense of an upgrade and refurbishment.

Most Tomahawks in U.S. service are carried and fired from surface ship or nuclear submarine (SSN) VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells. There is also a torpedo-launched version which all British SSNs use. The Tomahawk has quietly become the primary offensive weapon for the American fleet. Land based Tomahawks were banned in 1987 by the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty between Russia and the United States. Russia violated that treaty in 2018 and the U.S. withdrew from the INF in 2019, with Russia doing the same a day later. Since the 1980s cruise missiles have been increasingly armed with high-explosive rather than nuclear warheads. Russia has used hundreds of these missiles in the current Ukraine War. These were launched from ships, aircraft and ground launchers. That confirmed the marine and army decision to organize land-based cruise missile batteries.

The RGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile weighs 1.2 tons, is six meters (18 feet) long and has a range of 1,600 kilometers. It reaches its target at a speed of 600-900 kilometers an hour, flying at an altitude of 17-32 meters (50-100 feet), and propelled by a jet engine generating only 273 kg (600 pounds) of thrust. Accuracy is on a par with JDAM (10 meters/ 31 feet). Tomahawk can be reprogrammed in flight to hit another target and carries a digital video camera to allow someone to check on prospective targets. Each Marine Littoral Regiment will include one or more Tomahawk batteries. One battery can provide missile support over a large portion of the Pacific Ocean where small marine detachments are operating. With these batteries the marines dont have to rely on Tomahawks launched from ships. The navy warships move around a lot and would not always be available for a Marine detachment in need of some Tomahawk support.

The littoral regiment infantry battalion is organized like the British Royal Marine Commandos, whose basic unit is a battalion-sized force called a commando consisting of 690 marines including four commando companies each with about 100 commandos organized into five platoons. The rest of the 690 troops are for support functions.

The U.S. Marine littoral combat team infantry element consists of small platoons that can operate independently or together with two or three other platoons. These platoons can quickly be flown to a combat zone or hot spot and collect information on the area, including selecting targets that can be hit by littoral regiment missiles or missiles launched from warships or aircraft. A primary task of these platoon size teams is to remain hidden. The team uses encrypted satellite communications. These small teams are mobile enough to quickly change location to prevent detection by the enemy.

The second littoral team is a battalion-sized anti-aircraft unit while the third team handles logistics and support of the entire regiment and especially the infantry battalion teams. These teams combine skills the marines have used with their Force Recon units and scout sniper teams consisting of two snipers to not only scout for a larger unit, but kill key enemy individuals they encountered. A Tomahawk battery would be added to this support force.

The littoral infantry teams also use tactics similar to what the allied coast watcher teams did in the Pacific during World War II. The coast watchers formed spontaneously when Europeans or locals on Pacific Islands began observing Japanese ship traffic passing by and reporting it back to the nearest allied military base. Eventually these teams were equipped with more capable radios and operators who could quickly send short messages that Japanese radio direction units could not locate. The coast watchers also depended on friendly locals for information and assistance when the team had to move to another watching site to avoid Japanese troops. The marine littoral regiment is a clever combination of past skills and techniques used by the American and British marines as well as specialized information gathering units. The marines have often used their past experience or that of others to update their organization and tactics.

The littoral regiments are one visible result of nearly a decade of Marine Corps efforts at reorganizing itself. Over the last few decades its weapons and equipment got heavier, so that it could work with army units during combat operations on land. This made your average marine combat unit heavier and more difficult to move ashore for amphibious operations. In response, marine commanders say they would prefer to be a smaller force, one that concentrates on its main mission: amphibious and commando type operations.

The reorganization process has been underway during the past few years and has led to a lot of support units (tank, artillery, aviation, engineer and military police) being disbanded or moved to the reserves. Three of 24 current marine infantry battalions and one regimental headquarters are being deactivated as well. The marine focus is now on the Pacific and potential conflict with China. That means the marines want to get back to World War II-type operations, when the marines were all about taking fortified islands from their Japanese garrisons or harassing enemy forces throughout the region.

The last major reorganization took place in the 1980s. Back then, the marines turned their divisional and regimental headquarters into administrative operations, and created new organizations to do the actual fighting. The new units were MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Units, actually reinforced infantry battalions), MEBs (Marine Expeditionary Brigades, which were brigades reinforced with support units so they could operate independently) and MEFs (Marine Expeditionary Force), which was a headquarters for controlling MEUs and MEBs. When there was a large operation, the old regimental and divisional designations were used, but the units were basically MEBs controlled by an MEF. This task-oriented organization remains. Even the army adopted this type of thing fifteen years ago when reinforced brigades became the primary combat unit rather than the division. Divisional headquarters became a tactical headquarters for brigades and other units for an operation.

Meanwhile, many marines were unhappy with the way they have been used as an army auxiliary in the decade after 2001. The marines consider themselves specialists, while the army are generalists who, for example, carried out more amphibious operations than the marines did during World War II. By 2013 marines comprised a quarter of America's ground combat forces. That's active duty, when you count the much larger army reserve force, the marines are 18 percent of ground combat forces. The marines never wanted to be just another part of American ground combat forces. This has caused some tension within the marine leadership, as some commanders want to maintain as broad a range of skills as possible. This has led to disputes over how to handle development and procurement of specialist equipment, especially amphibious and armored vehicles. Eventually the originalists won the debate and now the marines are going back to their modern origins during and before World War II.

The marines were also concerned with their relationship with the U.S. Navy, which went ahead and formed another ground combat force. To understand how this came about you have to understand the relationship between the navy and the marines. The marines are not part of the navy, as they are often described. Both the navy and marines are part of the Department of the Navy. The Department of the Air Force now has the Space Force as well as the much larger Air Force. The Department of the Army has only one component. For a long time, the Navy Department has had two components; the fleet and the marines. The marines are now a separate service that is still closely intertwined with the navy. For example, the navy provides many support functions for the marines which, in the army and air force, are provided by each service. Thus, navy personnel serve in marine units (wearing marine combat uniforms) as medics and other support specialists. The use of the navy for support functions means a much higher proportion of marines are combat troops than in the navy, army, or air force. This gives the marines a different attitude and outlook. The Air Force now has a similar relationship with the new Space Force.

Over the years, the marines have acquired more and more autonomy from the navy. When the U.S. Marine Corps was created, over two centuries ago, marines were sailors trained and equipped to fight as infantry, and they were very much part of the navy and part of ship crews. This changed radically in the late 19th century, when all-metal steam ships replaced wooden sailing ships. The new "iron ships" really didn't need marines and there were proposals to eliminate them. In response, the American marines got organized and made themselves useful in other ways. For example, the marines performed very well as "State Department Troops" in Latin America for half a century (late 19th century to just before World War II), where American troops were frequently used to deal with civil disorder abroad and nation building. During World War I (1914-18), they provided a brigade for ground combat in Europe where the marines demonstrated exceptional combat skills.

In the 1930s, as World War II approached, the U.S. Marine Corps saw what was needed when the navy realized they would have to use amphibious assaults to take heavily fortified Japanese islands in any future war. Once the U.S. entered World War II, the marines formed their first division size units and ended the war with six divisions, organized into two corps. Only four of those divisions survived the post-World War II demobilization and one of them is now a reserve division.

After World War II the Marine Corps was no longer just a minor part of the navy but on its way to being a fourth service. By the late 20th century, they basically achieved that goal. But in doing so, the navy lost control of its ground troops. Navy amphibious ships still went to sea with battalions of marines on board. But because the marines are mainly an infantry force, and the war on terror is basically an infantry scale battle, the marines spent a lot more time on land working alongside the U.S. Army.

In response to all this, the U.S. Navy began building a new ground combat force in 2006, staffed by 40,000 sailors as NECC (Navy Expeditionary Combat Command). This was for operating along the coast and up rivers, as well as further inland. NECC units served in Iraq and are ready to deploy anywhere else they are needed. The 1,200 sailors in the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams are particularly sought after because of increased use of roadside bombs and booby traps by the enemy. NECC also organized three Riverine Squadrons which served in Iraq. NECC basically consists of most of the combat support units the navy has traditionally put ashore, plus some coastal and river patrol units that have usually only been organized in wartime.

As major U.S. troops commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan declined after 2011 so did the need for NECC. Currently NECC is a smaller force of 20,000 sailors trained and equipped for coastal and riverine operations. There is still a need for that and the marines are content to let the navy handle it with sailors trained as infantry who operate from small boats along coasts and waterways.

NECC and the strategy that came with it, was a surprise to many people, especially many of those in Congress who were asked to pay for it. It came as a surprise to many NECC sailors as well. The navy even called on the marines to provide infantry instructors for the few thousand sailors assigned to riverine (armed patrol boat) units. The navy already had infantry training courses for Seabees (naval construction personnel) and members of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams. Now all that was combined in the Expeditionary Combat Skills (ECS) course, which is conducted at a base in Mississippi.

Initially the Marine Corps had mixed feelings about NECC, for the marines have long been the navy's ground combat troops. The navy says that the USMC mission will remain. Thus, some marine leaders want to shrink the Corps so they become small enough to handle anticipated navy amphibious operations and not large enough to have troops available for large-scale support of army operations.

In effect, many American marine commanders want to be more like the British marines. That's interesting, because British marines are called Royal Marine Commandos and are quite different from their American counterparts. Britain invented the modern concept of the commando but disbanded all ten army commandos (as the battalion size commando units were called) at the end of World War II. The Royal Marines, however, saw the commando concepts as a welcome addition to their own amphibious doctrine and retained three of their nine Royal Marine Commandos. Since World War II, the Royal Marines have maintained at least three commandos (battalions). Artillery and engineer units are supplied by the army.

Like the U.S. Marines, the Royal Marines realized that assault from the sea was always a commando-like operation which required special training, bold leadership, and an aggressive spirit. The Royal Marines, like their American counterparts, continued to innovate. In 1956, it was a Royal Marine Commando that launched the first helicopter assault from ships against a land target (during an invasion of Egypt). The Royal Marine Commandos were used extensively to keep the peace in Ireland during the 1970s and 80s. In 1982, it was two Royal Marine Commandos and one army parachute battalion that did most of the fighting to retake the Falkland Islands from Argentina. The Royal Marines have performed peacekeeping duty in the Balkans and Africa, and served as an amphibious fast reaction force.

While the U.S. Marines made a name for themselves with multi-division amphibious operations in the Pacific during World War II, the Royal Marines stuck with the commando type operations that characterize what marines spent most of the time doing between major wars in the past. Remember, the last large scale amphibious operation took place over seventy years ago at Inchon, Korea in 1950. Since then, the typical marine mission has been a quick assault using a small (usually battalion size) force.

In anticipation of this, the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was created in 2006. Since then, it has kept its 2,500 personnel busy with dozens of deployments in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. MARSOC is organized into a headquarters, a two battalion Special Operations Regiment, a Foreign Military Training Unit, and a Marine Special Operations Support Group. There are 3-4 Special Operations companies in each battalion.

The marines basically lost two of their four Force Recon companies (one of them a reserve unit) in order to build MARSOC. Meanwhile, more troops have been added to division level reconnaissance units, to take up some of that slack. The Special Operations companies (with about 120 personnel each) can provide Force Recon capabilities to marine units they are attached to. The two Special Operations Battalions provide a combination of services roughly equal to what the U.S. Army Special Forces and Rangers do, as well as some of the functions of the Force Recon units.

With MARSOC the marines are playing catch up. In the late 1980s all the other services, except the marines, contributed to the formation of SOCOM (Special Operations Command). The marines finally got around to working with SOCOM in 2005, when it was agreed that they would create a marine special operations command (MARSOC). The Marine Corps had long resisted such a step, largely because of its belief that marines are inherently superior warriors capable of highly specialized missions. This attitude began to change during the fighting in Afghanistan, when marines were assigned to support SOCOM troops there and were duly impressed.

Most marine commanders see their future as a smaller (by up to a third, at least), even more elite and better equipped force. The marines want to get back to sea, and that is what the marines have done over the last decade. One major benefit was avoiding the loss of a lot of the valuable combat experience the marines have gained since September 11, 2001. Recruiting was reduced for a few years, and some marines transferred to the navy, usually in jobs that both sailors and marines handle, especially the NECC force. Marines have long moved over to the army, and the army would be glad to get an infusion of combat experienced marines, especially NCOs and officers. The marines also want to expand their reserve force so that marines who decide to get out can simply move over to the reserves.

The marines are now experimenting with some new concepts, like the littoral regiments to do the jobs that are too tough or too distant for NECC to handle right away. The marines found a home in SOCOM, a multi-service organization where all forces involved (army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, and special operations aviation units from the army and air force) remain with the military service that created them. SOCOM sees to it that all these separate special operations are used for special operations and not diverted to more mundane tasks.

The marine land-based Tomahawk missile batteries are another innovation to deal with a new task. That sort of thing has kept the marines relevant for over two centuries.
Published on: May 14, 2023 | Updated on: May 15, 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during a public meeting (PTI file image)

New Delhi/Bengaluru: As the race for the next Karnataka chief minister heats up, all eyes are on the Congress' top leadership here on their pick for the top post in the southern state.

After the Congress party staged a stupendous victory in the May 10 assembly polls, intense lobbying for the chief minister's post in Karnataka started between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar.

The three central observers deputed by the Congress on Monday returned to the national capital after speaking individually to the newly elected MLAs.

The observers will hand over the report on the views expressed by all the newly elected MLAs to party president Mallikarjun Kharge soon.

Kharge is likely to take a decision on who will be the next chief minister of Karnataka soon. He is also likely to hold consultations with top Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the party is also gearing up for preparations for making the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister a big show of strength, where several opposition leaders will be invited.

With Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar both staking claim to the top post, they are lobbying hard for it with supporters of each one raising the pitch in support of their leader.

A poster war by supporters of both leaders also erupted soon after the party won the election.

Kharge had appointed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde, party general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP Leader of Karnataka.

The three leaders along with AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala left Bengaluru for Delhi and will meet Kharge soon.

The observers spoke individually to all the newly elected MLAs and sought their opinion on who should be the chief minister of the state.

They spoke to all the MLAs after dinner at a private hotel on Sunday night and completed the process late at night.

Earlier, during the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Bengaluru on Sunday evening the MLAs passed a one-line resolution authorising the party president to appoint the CLP leader in the state who would be the next chief minister.
The Netherlands has emerged as India's third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during 2022-23 on account of a surge in shipment of goods such as petroleum products, electronic items, chemicals, and aluminium goods, according to the data of the commerce ministry.

India's trade surplus with the Netherlands has also increased from USD 8 billion in 2021-22 to USD 13 billion in 2022-23.

The Netherlands has taken over major destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Germany, the data showed.

India's exports to the Netherlands rose by about 48 per cent to USD 18.52 billion during 2022-23 as against USD 12.5 billion in 2021-22.

Also read | Iran nudges India to use Rial, Rupee in bilateral trade

In 2021-22 and 2020-21, the outbound shipments to the European country stood at USD 12.55 billion and USD 6.5 billion, respectively. The exports are registering healthy growth continuously since 2000-01, when India's exports to that nation was USD 880 million.

Further, in 2021-22, the Netherlands was the fifth largest destination for Indian exports as against ninth in 2020-21.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai said the Netherlands has emerged as a hub for Europe with efficient port and connectivity with the EU through road, railways and waterways.

In the calendar year, India's exports to the country increased to USD 18.1 billion in 2022 from USD 5.5 billion in 2017.

According to economic think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative), ATF (aviation turbine fuel) and diesel were the key petroleum products exported from India to that country.

Telecom equipment and smartphones with a value of over USD 1 billion were the largest electronic items, it said.

Mumbai-based exporter and Chairman of Technocraft Industries Sharad Kumar Saraf said the trend would continue in the future also.

Saraf said that the Netherlands is a gateway to Europe as their ports are very efficient hence cheaper than other European ports for shipping operations.

India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Since then, the two countries have developed strong political, economic and commercial relations.

In 2022-23, the bilateral trade between the two countries increased to USD 24 billion as against USD 17 billion in 2021-22 and about USD 10 billion in 2020-21.

The Netherlands is among top trading partners of India in Europe, after Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Belgium. It is also a major investor in India. During April-September this fiscal, India received USD 1.76 billion in foreign direct investment from the Netherlands. It was USD 4.6 billion in 2021-22.

There are over 200 Dutch companies present in India, including Philips, Akzo Nobel, DSM, KLM and Rabobank. Similarly, there are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands, including all the major IT firms such as TCS, HCL, Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra as well as Sun Pharmaceuticals and Tata Steel.
Voters in the state capital remained largely unchanged about their party and candidate preferences as the results saw both the BJP and the Congress retaining most of the seats they had won five years ago.

The BJP, which held 15 of the 28 seats in Bengaluru (excluding Jayanagar), won the same number of seats this time.

The party had heavily invested in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who covered 21 constituencies over three different roadshows. While the party was able to retain its earlier seats, the Modi factor did not seem to have any impact on changing the hearts of those who hadn't voted for the BJP earlier.

Check latest updates on Karnataka elections here

However, the party faced a setback by losing Govindraj Nagar as the party changed the constituency of incumbent MLA V Somanna.

The Congress faced a tough battle in Bengaluru. Going into the election, the Congress had 12 seats in Bengaluru and it retained them.

The JD(S), meanwhile, lost the one seat that it had gained in 2018. In Dasarahalli, incumbent JD(S) MLA R Manjunatha lost to BJP's S Muniraju by a margin of 9,194 votes.

Those who lost and won

Among the interesting cases this election threw up was that of Congress' Dinesh Gundu Rao who won by a wafer thin margin of 105 votes against BJP's A R Sapthagiri Gowda.

Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy from Pulakeshinagar, who contested as a BSP candidate after being denied a ticket from the Congress, lost by a margin of 62,210 votes. He lost to Congress' A C Sreenivasa. In 2018, Murthy had won by a record margin of 81,000 votes on a Congress ticket.

Senior BJP leader Aravind Limbavali's wife Manjula was able to help the BJP retain the Mahadevapura seat by defeating Congress' H Nagesh. Limbavali was denied the ticket ostensibly due to anti-incumbency.

In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Congress' H Kusuma gave a tough fight to Horticulture Minister Munirathna.

Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao's poll debut resulted in a loss against Congress' B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan in Chamarajpet by more than 50,000 votes.

Outside Bengaluru, senior Congress leader K H Muniyappa ensured his entry into the Assembly by winning Devanahalli in a tight fight against JD(S)' Nisarga Narayanaswamy.

In Hosakote, Congress' Sharath Bachegowda won against BJP Minister M T B Nagaraj.
Newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka on Sunday authorised party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, with the leadership battle heating up between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar - the frontrunners for the coveted post.

AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said the central observers will take the opinion of MLAs which will be conveyed to the party president. "This process of taking the opinion of all MLAs would be completed today itself," he said.

The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a private hotel here on Sunday evening in the presence of the three central observers, passed a unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader.

Also Read | Cong Karnataka CM choice tossed into Kharge's court

Randeep Surjewala, AICC in-charge for Karnataka, said the first resolution was moved by state Congress chief Shivakumar thanking all the leaders and the workers and people of Karnataka, while the second single-line resolution was moved by former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

"The MLAs would meet the central observers after dinner tonight and their decision will be conveyed to the party president for taking a decision to appoint a new CLP leader," Surjewala said after the meeting.

Outside the meeting venue, supporters of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar chanted slogans and raised banners and flags in their support.

While the two leaders earlier held meetings with the MLAs loyal to them, a poster war also erupted with both sides projecting their leader as the next chief minister.

Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

The Congress central observers, along with Venugopal, were in a huddle with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar before the legislature party meeting.

The Congress president, who returned to Delhi, had earlier said the AICC observers will convey the opinion of the party MLAs to the high command which will then take a final decision.

He also asserted the government will be formed as soon as possible.

Both Siddaramaiah (75), and Shivakumar (60) have made no secret of their ambition to become the chief minister.

Even though Congress managed to put up a united front before the elections, it faces an uphill task of sustaining that unity as the process of picking the chief minister gets underway.

The newly elected assembly in Karnataka has to be put in place before the term of the previous assembly expires on May 24.

While Shivakumar is considered to be a "troubleshooter" for the Congress party, Siddaramaiah, leader of the opposition in the outgoing Assembly, has a pan-Karnataka appeal.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD(S), gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the chief minister of the party after holding the post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

Ahead of the meeting of the newly-elected MLAs, Shivakumar stressed that he had toiled hard for the party while taking everyone along and never sought anything for himself.

He recalled that the then Congress national president Sonia Gandhi had reposed faith in him and made him president after Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao resigned as the Congress Legislature Party president and head of the state unit respectively after the party's rout in 2019 by-elections.

Shivakumar said that when he was in jail in a money laundering case, Gandhi had visited him to show her support.

"I had not done anything wrong for myself. Whatever I did was for the party. All my sufferings were for the party," he said, adding he did not harbour any differences with Siddaramaiah.

The Congress state chief, who won the Assembly election on Saturday from Kanakapura, said, "Everyone was saying that there are differences between me and Siddaramaiah but let me tell you not a single iota of difference is there. I did not give anyone a chance."

"I just kept myself grounded and walked my path," Shivakumar told reporters at Nonavinakere here.

Backing Sivakumar for the CM's post, prominent Vokkaliga pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji appealed to the party, saying he is the most eligible candidate to head the state.

The Vokkaliga Sangha, which is the main body of one of the dominant communities of Karnataka, organised the meeting of pontiffs where a unanimous decision was taken to request the Congress leadership to consider making Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga who rose to the top post of the Congress, to make him CM.

This programme has been organised to request all the seniors right from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah to give Shivakumar an opportunity to run the administration and serve the society, Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji said.

He said that Shivakumar had suffered a lot while discharging his duty.

We all saw tears in his eyes yesterday, which were a mix of joy and pain. The man who toiled so much should get the result, the pontiff said.

Banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences here, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress win and projecting them as the next chief minister.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his chief ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas.

He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to lose out on an opportunity with him as the KPCC president while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999.

In fact in this election, the Congress has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah, who has seniority on his side, is known for his able administrative skills. He also enjoys the distinction of having presented 13 budgets for the state.

Being a mass leader, he has considerable clout among the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits).

Siddaramaiah had announced that this was his last election.

There are also other contenders for the post like former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and veteran leader and seven-time MP K H Muniyappa - both Dalits and M B Patil - a Lingayat.

Meanwhile, Latha Mallikarjun, who was elected as an independent from Harapanahalli Assembly segment, has extended "unconditional support" to the Congress.

Latha Mallikarjun is the daughter of former deputy chief minister, late M P Prakash.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.

Outgoing chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday that Karnataka BJP will a detailed analysis of the overall poll results and also constituency-wise outcomes to find out the reasons for the party's debacle in the Assembly election.

Rejecting the Congress's claim that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's defeat, he said multiple factors have contributed to the party's performance and they will all be analysed.

A meeting of all newly-elected members and candidates will be held soon in this regard, he said.

He was speaking after participating in a meeting of BJP leaders under the leadership of state president Nalin Kumar Kateel at the party headquarters here on Sunday.

Responding to a question on the Congress terming the Karnataka poll outcome as Modi's defeat, the CM said, "It cannot be Modi's defeat. Modi is for the entire country, not just for Karnataka. He had come for campaigning here. Congress might have won in Karnataka but has seen defeat across the country."

Answering a question on the possibility of BJP state chief Kateel resigning, Bommai said it was not discussed. He also said that no discussions have taken place as to who will be the leader of the opposition.

The Congress alleged that the BJP was not able to come to terms with the decisive verdict against it in Karnataka and was "manufacturing lies" and indulging in politics of polarisation.
Globalisation is the overwhelming reality of our times and there must be a respective appreciation of multipolarity because a multipolar world is feasible only by a multipolar Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in his address to the European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF) in Stockholm.

He also had discussions with several of his EU counterparts on a range of bilateral issues, including strengthening ties amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In his address at the EIPMF, Jaishankar called for regular, comprehensive and candid dialogue between India and the EU that is not just limited to the crisis of the day. Globalisation is the overwhelming reality of our times. However, far apart, regions and nations cannot be impervious to significant events elsewhere. Nor can we cherry-pick them to our convenience, he said.

Also Read | When nations violate agreements, damage to trust and confidence is immense: EAM Jaishankar

Indo-Pacific itself is increasingly central to the direction of global politics. The more the European Union and Indo-Pacific deal with each other, the stronger will be the respective appreciation of multipolarity, and remember, a multipolar world, which the EU prefers, is feasible only by a multipolar Asia, he said.

Jaishankar said that while there may be historical and cultural divergences, at the end of the day India and the EU are made up of political democracies, market economies, and pluralistic societies.

Transformations underway in India, like digital public delivery, or green growth initiative, merit the EUs attention and as India rapidly expands its global footprint, it will intersect with that of the EU more in the coming years, he noted.

Jaishankar also raised the Quad  the grouping comprising India, the US, Japan, and Australia  as a platform for global growth which is important to any evaluation of the Indo-Pacific, with its agenda and impact steadily expanding.

Also Read | Indian growth cannot be built on Chinese efficiency: Jaishankar

Geographically, the Indo-Pacific is a complex and differentiated landscape that is best understood through more intensive engagement. Few Indian governments have invested as much energy and effort in engaging the European Union and its member states as the current one, he added.

On the sidelines of the summit on Saturday, the External Affairs Minister also held bilateral discussions with his European counterparts, including French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Belgiums Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, among others.

He told the summit that he is headed to Belgium next for the first meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council in Brussels, where he will be joined by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal and Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Jaishankar arrived in Sweden from Bangladesh where he addressed the 6th Indian Ocean Conference on Friday.
Thai voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-backed government, election results showed Monday, backing two major pro-democracy opposition parties who are now expected to open coalition talks.

The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which wants to reform Thailand's strict royal insult laws, looks on course to be the biggest party -- setting up a potential clash with the kingdom's powerful royalist-military elite.

Thais voted in large numbers after an election campaign pitting a young generation yearning for change against the conservative elite embodied by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the ex-army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup.

But in a kingdom where coups and court orders have often trumped the ballot box, there are fears that the result may yet be thwarted, raising the prospect of fresh instability.

With ballots counted from 97 percent of polling stations, Election Commission data showed MFP on 13.5 million in the popular vote followed by Pheu Thai on 10.3 million with Prayut's United Thai Nation party third on 4.5 million.

The result is a striking achievement for the MFP, an upstart party that channelled the energy of radical youth-led pro-democracy street protests that shook Bangkok in 2020.

The party's leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, declared it had "closed the door" on any chance of army-backed parties forming a minority government. MFP will seek talks with Pheu Thai and a coalition deal is "definitely on the cards", Pita told reporters.

Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra congratulated MFP on their success and said "we can work together". "We are ready to talk to Move Forward, but we are waiting for the official result," she said.

The Election Commission is not expected to officially confirm the final number of seats won by each party for several weeks.

But early Monday it forecast MFP to win 113 out of a total of 400 constituency seats, just ahead of Pheu Thai on 112. A further 100 seats will be allocated to parties on a proportional basis.

The result is a heavy blow for Pheu Thai, the latest iteration of the political movement founded by Paetongtarn's father, billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Before this, Thaksin-linked parties had won most seats at every election since 2001 and Paetongtarn had urged voters to deliver them a landslide to see off the threat of military interference.

Despite their success, MFP and Pheu Thai may still face a battle to secure power thanks to the junta-scripted 2017 constitution.

The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs and 250 senate members appointed by Prayut's junta -- stacking the deck in the army's favour.

Adding to the uncertainty, rumours are already swirling that MFP could be dissolved by court order -- the same fate that befell its predecessor Future Forward Party after it performed unexpectedly well at the 2019 poll.

This election was the first since the major street protests that erupted in 2020 with demands to curb the power and spending of Thailand's king -- breaching a long-held taboo on questioning the monarchy.

The demonstrations petered out as Covid-19 curbs were imposed and dozens of leaders were arrested, but their energy fuelled growing support for the more radical opposition MFP.

"Younger generations these days care about their rights and they will come out to vote," Pita told reporters as he arrived to vote on Sunday.

While MFP sought support from millennial and Gen Z voters -- who make up nearly half the 52 million-strong electorate -- Pheu Thai drew on its traditional base in the rural northeast where voters are still grateful for the welfare policies implemented by Thaksin in the early 2000s.

As results came in, a glum-looking Prayut thanked voters for their support as he left his party HQ.

"I'll continue to do my best regardless of the result," he told reporters.

The former general made an unashamedly nationalist pitch to older voters, painting himself as the only candidate capable of saving Thailand from chaos and ruin.

But he was blamed for a sputtering economy and feeble recovery from the pandemic, which battered the kingdom's crucial tourism industry.

Rights groups accused Prayut of overseeing a major crackdown on basic freedoms, with a huge spike in prosecutions under Thailand's draconian royal defamation laws.

The country has seen a dozen coups in the last century and has been locked over the last two decades in a rolling cycle of street protests, coups and court orders dissolving political parties.

It remains to be seen whether the powerful royalist-military elite will find an accommodation with the radical MFP.
A BrahMos supersonic cruise missile successfully test-fired from the Indian Navy's frontline stealth guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao hits the bullseye - in what is a shining symbol of self-reliance in the countrys defence programme.

INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit 'Bulls Eye' during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing. The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of Aatmanirbharta and Indian Navy's firepower at sea, a brief statement from the Indian Navy said.

The ship was designed in the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.

Also Read: Govt approves 4th 'positive indigenisation list' of sub-systems to promote domestic defence industry

INS Mormugao is the second ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyer.

The keel of Mormugao was laid down on 4 June 2015, and she was launched on 17 September 2016.

Mormugao completed its basin trials on 15 December, 2021 and started its maiden sea trials on 19 December, 2021

The ship was commissioned on 18 December, 2022.

The Visakhapatnam-class project involves four ships - while INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao had been commissioned in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Imphal and Surat are expected to be rolled out in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Mormugao is a seaport city situated in the eponymous Mormugao sub-district of the district of South Goa in the tiny state of Goa along the Arabian Sena on western coast of India. It has a deep natural harbour and is Goa's chief port. Mormugao is testimony to the cutting-edge capabilities of MDSL and the strong indigenous shipbuilding tradition of a modern and vibrant India.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police have arrested three persons for allegedly procuring SIM cards in fake names and sharing their OTPs with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

The one-time passwords (OTPs) were used to create fake accounts on social media for pursuing anti-India activities, STF IG J N Pankaj said on Sunday.

The accused were selling the OTPs (linked/generated using the SIMs) to various clients, including some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO)/ ISI agents in Pakistan as well as in India.

Also Read | Case registered against two for theft and arson at temple in Mahrashtra

In return, they used to get payment from Pakistani agents based in India, Pankaj told reporters.

The accused were allegedly in touch with a woman PIO agent who was arrested in Rajasthan last year.

The OTPs were used to create various accounts on social media like Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram, and also for opening email accounts.

These social media platforms were used in anti-India activities like spying, communication with terrorists, radicalisation, running anti-India propaganda, fuelling anti-India sentiments on social media, honey-trapping, and other anti-social activities, Pankaj said.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Police solve 10 car theft cases after arrest of 1 person for bid to rob jewellery shop

People found such social media platforms trustworthy as they were registered with Indian mobile numbers, the STF official said.

The accounts opened on online shopping platforms were also used to supply items to terrorists and anti-India elements, he said.

The accused were identified as Pathanisamant Lenka (35) of Badapandusar in Nayagarh district, Saroj Kumar Nayak (26), an ITI teacher from Dasapalla area in Nayagarh district and Soumya Pattanaik (19) from Sujanpur area in Jajpur district.

The STF personnel nabbed them on Friday during a raid following a tip off.

Nineteen mobile phones, pre-activated SIM cards, ATM cards, and a laptop were seized from their possession, Pankaj said.

A SDJM court in Bhubaneswar on Saturday remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.
A man on Sunday claimed that he travelled in a public bus with the body of his five-month-old child in a bag for 200 kilometres in the northern part of West Bengal, as he did not have Rs 8,000 as demanded by an ambulance driver for taking him home in Kaliaganj from Siliguri.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP questioned the efficacy of the Trinamool Congress government's 'Swasthya Sathi' health insurance scheme, while the TMC accused the saffron camp of indulging in politics over the unfortunate death of a child.

Ashim Debsharma, the father, said "My five-month-old son died last night after treatment at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri for six days, during which I spent Rs 16,000.

"I did not have money to pay Rs 8,000 demanded by an ambulance driver there for transporting my child to Kaliaganj," he told reporters.

Debsharma claimed that he put the body in a bag and travelled by bus to Kaliaganj in Uttar Dinajpur district, around 200 km from Siliguri in Darjeeling district, without letting anyone know, fearing that he would be deboarded if the co-passengers of staff became aware of it.

He claimed that an ambulance driver under the 102 scheme told him that the facility was free for patients, but not for transporting corpses.

Tweeting the matter with videos of the man speaking to the media, Adhikari wrote: "Let's not get into technicalities, but is this what Swasthya Sathi has achieved? This is unfortunately the true portrayal of the Egiye Bangla (advanced Bengal) model."

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen accused the BJP of trying to "play dirty politics" with the unfortunate death of a child.

A similar incident happened in January this year in Jalpaiguri district, also in the northern part of the state.

Unable to pay the high amount demanded by ambulance operators, a man, carrying his mothers body on his shoulder, started walking from a government hospital towards home, around 40 kilometres away. However, after some time, a social service organisation provided him with a vehicle which took them home free of cost.
Hiroshima, which became the world's first city to suffer an atomic bombing in 1945, will soon have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to unveil the statue when he visits the city next week to attend the G7 summit to be hosted by his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida from May 19 to 21.

With the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict set to cast its long shadow over the summit, New Delhi is keen to send out a message of peace by unveiling the statue on the sidelines of the conclave.

The nuclear weapon's power for mass destruction was for the first time put on a horrific display in Hiroshima in the southwestern region of Honshu island of Japan on August 6, 1945.

Gandhi was shocked when he learnt about the macabre dance of death and destruction triggered by 'Little Boy', the atom bomb. He believed that the development of nuclear weapons and their use "for the wholesale destruction of men, women, and children" was "the most diabolical use of science".

After 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' snuffed out over 2,00,000 lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the apostle of peace had commented that if the world had not adopted non-violence, it would lead mankind towards suicide. Gandhi also said that the world could be saved from an atomic bomb only by non-violence, not by another bomb.

Modi is likely to recall Bapu's words during his stay in Hiroshima. He is also likely to reiterate New Delhis position that dialogue and diplomacy were the only way to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources in New Delhi said.

Modi is likely to join the other leaders attending the summit in paying homage to the victims of the atomic bombing during a visit to the peace memorial in Hiroshima.

India is not a member of the G7, but its leaders have been attending outreach events being held during the summits of the bloc. Atal Behari Vajpayee was the first Indian PM to participate in the Outreach Session of the G7 Summit in 2003. Manmohan Singh participated in the conclaves from 2005 to 2009.
The Russian navy never recovered from the end of the Cold War and the sharp, continuing reductions in the navy budget. Efforts to replace the aging Cold War era ships failed. At the end of the Cold War in 1991 Russia had the second-largest fleet in the world. Now it is in third place, behind the United States and China. China is now the most prolific builder of warships while Russian ship building capabilities continue to decline. This was particularly obvious in the case of major surface ships like carriers, battlecruisers and destroyers. There are only 29 large surface ships including a carrier, four cruisers, 13 destroyers and eleven frigates. The subs and large surface ships only account for 36 percent of the vessels in the fleet. The rest are smaller craft, including some amphibious warfare boats and ships. A third of the subs are diesel-electric boats. The carrier and four large cruisers are not much of a surface strike force. That task is assigned to the eleven guided missile armed nuclear subs. Only 16 of the 40 attack subs are nuclear, the rest are diesel-electric. There are eleven special purpose subs carrying a wide variety of exotic weapons. The Chinese and Western fleets keep it simple, using nuclear and diesel-electric subs with very few special purpose subs.

Since the Cold War ended, Russian warship construction and refurbishment capabilities have declined considerably. An example of this in action are the extended and problem-plagued efforts to refurbish the lone carrier and four nuclear powered battle cruisers. For example, in 2022 a Russian shipyard announced it was ready to deliver the refurbished nuclear-powered battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov to the fleet. Work on the Admiral Nakhimov began in 2014 and was supposed to be completed by 2018. As usual, there were technical, economic and political problems that delayed delivery unto 2022. To get this done, the plans to refurbish the two oldest Kirovs (Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev) were canceled after it was discovered that these ships were in worse condition than expected and in 2021, they were officially retired and scrapped (disassembled).

Before this, shortages of cash, shipyard facilities and component suppliers led to the 2014 decision to make a $10 billion effort to refurbish and upgrade its five largest and oldest warships. These were the four 28,000-ton Kirov-class battlecruisers and Russia's last functioning aircraft carrier, the 65,000-ton Kuznetsov. Why spend all that money on five aging warships? First, its about prestige. Any of these five ships can make long range cruises and do port visits in countries Russia is trying to impress, or intimidate. Second; practicality. By installing new and improved weapons on these ships they can be sent on these long voyages with minimal escorts (usually one destroyer or frigate) plus one supply ship. Finally, the upgrades do produce some major warships that not only look impressive but have some real combat power.

These upgrade programs were first proposed in the late 1990s but proceeded spasmodically because of money and political problems. Finally in 2014 a final, well financed effort was undertaken to get the work done. In that year Russia began a four year long overhaul of the Admiral Nakhimov, one of four Kirov class battlecruisers. This overhaul was initially supposed to begin in 2005, but got delayed. The upgrade, which all four Kirovs were to eventually go through, keeps each overhauled ship in service for another twenty years. The upgrade included new electronics, upgraded weapons and refurbishment of the nuclear reactor and most mechanical components. Russia currently only has one of these nuclear- powered battlecruisers, Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great), in service while another, Admiral Nakhimov, was long out of service with the upgrade and is finally reentering service in 2022.

The Kirovs first entered service in 1980 with the Admiral Ushakov, initially called the Kirov but renamed after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Admiral Lazarev entered service in 1984, Admiral Nakhimov in 1988 and Pyotr Velikiy in 1998. The last one to enter service is the only one still in working order and capable of going to sea.

The Kirovs, in addition to their nuclear power plants, carry twenty Shipwreck (P-700) anti-ship missiles and three different types of anti-aircraft missile systems with over 250 missiles. There are also anti-submarine torpedo launchers, eight 30mm cannon for anti-missile and close-in defense, two 130mm guns and three helicopters in a below-decks hanger. There is also 76mm (3 inches) of armor around the reactor and lighter armor in other parts of the ship. The Kirovs are very vulnerable to submarine attack and, despite their formidable air defenses, are not invulnerable to a determined missile attack.

The crew of 710 has plenty of space, as the ship is 252 meters (827 feet long) and 28.5 meters (94 feet) wide. The Kirovs are fitted with additional (quite comfortable) staterooms for senior officers, so that the ship can operate as the flagship of a task force. While the upgrade can be seen mainly as a way to keep shipbuilding technicians employed, and maintain a formidable looking Russian warship in commission, a Kirov on the high seas is a warship to be reckoned with. The high speed (Mach 2) Shipwreck anti-ship missiles weigh seven tons, have a range of 500 kilometers and carry a 750 kg (1,700 pound) warhead. This missile was built to cripple an American aircraft carrier, but it would outright destroy any lesser vessels. The Shipwreck entered service in 1983, evolved into the Yakhont and currently is the Russo-Indian BrahMos. The refurbished Kirovs will receive the Yakhont and more modern anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons.

Currently the Russian navy has about 290 ships but most of the procurement budget goes to the 76 submarines, which get money for maintenance, upgrades and replacements.

Meanwhile Russias only aircraft carrier has more visible problems. When Admiral Kuznetzov passed through the English Channel on its way to the Mediterranean in early 2014 it displayed some alarming characteristics. The carrier had five escort vessels and non-Russian military pilots flying close by could not help but notice that there was a lot of rust on the deck of the carrier. This was not a good sign. The Kuznetzov had left its base in northern Russia a month earlier heading for the Syrian port of Tartus, where Russia has been building basing facilities for over a year. Western naval officers who have seen the Kuznetzov up close when it was in the Mediterranean during 2012 noted that the ship is long overdue for a major overhaul. The second ship of the Kuznetzov class was purchased by the Chinese a decade ago and completely refurbished. It is now in service as the Liaoning and looks, and performs, a lot better.

The Kuznetzov has had some updates since the 1990s but a lot of this work was suspect. Back in 2012 a military procurement official was prosecuted for substituting cheaper, substandard parts for new ones meant for the Kuznetzov. The corrupt official used forged documents to get away with this but members of the crew noticed the substandard parts and reported it. The Kuznetsov was sent back to the shipyard several times during the last decade to fix problems and update equipment. Much was wrong with the ship, due to poor design, sloppy workmanship, or corruption. Its gotten so bad that lackadaisical sailors are threatened with being sent to serve on the Kuznetsov as a way of motivating them.

The Kuznetsov continues to have problems with missing or malfunctioning equipment. This not only degrades the combat capabilities of the ship but also its habitability. At times there was no heat in the living quarters and many of the toilets didn't work. There was no money for a major overhaul, which would cost over half a billion dollars, at least for the Kuznetsov. So essential repairs are made and the ship continues to rust away, often quite visibly.

Kuznetsov class carriers began building in the 1980s and the lead ship was finally launched in 1985 and entered service in 1995. Originally the Kuznetsovs were to be 90,000-ton, nuclear powered ships, similar to American carriers, complete with steam catapults. Instead, because of the high cost and the complexity of modern (American style) carriers, the Russians were forced to scale back their plans and ended up with 65,000 ton (full load) ships that lacked steam catapults and used a ski jump type (STOBAR) flight deck instead. Nuclear power was dropped but the Kuznetsov class was still a formidable design. The 323 meter (thousand foot) long ship normally carries a dozen navalized Su-27s (called Su-33s), 14 Ka-27PL anti-submarine helicopters, two electronic warfare helicopters, and two search and rescue helicopters. But the ship was meant to regularly carry 36 Su-33s and sixteen helicopters, and a lack of money and facilities on the ship limits the number of aircraft that can be brought along. Other weapons include a dozen SS-N-19 anti-ship missiles and 18 vertical launch tubes for 192 anti-aircraft missiles. There are also 16 auto-cannon for anti-missile work plus some depth charges.

Officially called an "aircraft carrying cruiser", the ship carries 2,500 tons of aviation fuel, allowing it to generate 500-1,000 aircraft and helicopter sorties. Crew size is 2,500 (or 3,000 with a full aircraft load). Only two ships of this class exist, the original Kuznetsov, which is in Russian service, and the Varyag, which China bought unfinished from Ukraine and has rebuilt as the Shi Lang.

Currently Russia has no firm plans for a major refurbishment of the Kuznetsov. If that remains the case Kuznetsov will have to be retired by 2025. While senior politicians and some senior admirals want to scrounge up the billions needed for refurbishing the Kuznetsov, the admirals in charge of coast security and the submarines, especially the subs carrying ballistic missiles, make a more compelling argument that they need the money more because their ships are more in need of replacement and more essential to the defense of Russia.

Kuznetsov is currently undergoing a more extensive refurbishment that began in 2017 and it was supposed to be complete before the end of 2022. That deadline was missed because of a series of accidents. Kuznetsov finally left drydock in 2023 and is supposed to be back in service by 2024. This refurbishment is supposed to extend the useful life of the Kuznetsov into the 2040s.
The Congress on Sunday alleged that the BJP was not able to come to terms with the decisive verdict against it in Karnataka and was "manufacturing lies" and indulging in politics of polarisation.

The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in the state, ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority in a morale booster win.

In a tweet, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Not able to come to terms with the resoundingly decisive verdict in favour of Congress from all sections of society in Karnataka, BJP's online hate factory is working overtime to manufacture lies."

Not able to come to terms with the resoundingly decisive verdict in favour of Congress from ALL sections of society in Karnataka, BJP's online hate factory is working overtime to manufacture lies. No doubt inspired by PM's politics of hate & polarisation. Desperation of sick  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 14, 2023

"No doubt inspired by PM's politics of hate and polarisation. Desperation of sick minds!" he said.

His attack apparently came over BJP IT department head Amit Malviya tweeting a video of a person raising a green flag with a crescent moon and star on it purportedly in Karanataka's Bhatkal.

"Bhatkal. Soon after Congress victory in Karnataka," Malviya tweeted along with the video.

Bhatkal. Soon after Congress victory in Karnataka pic.twitter.com/JZzGWlc30V  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 13, 2023

In another tweet, the BJP leader posted a video purportedly from Belagavi and said, "Provocative slogans raised in Belagavi Police watches on as Congress gets ready to form government in KarnatakaFrom Bhatkal to Belagavi, this is what 'Mohabbat ki dukaan' looks like."

"Congress's politics of appeasement will rip the social fabric of Karnataka," Malviya alleged.

Provocative slogans raised in Belagavi Police watches on as Congress gets ready to form Govt in Karnataka From Bhatkal to Belagavi, this is what    looks like Congresss politics of appeasement will rip the social fabric of Karnataka pic.twitter.com/ZuzTiRrFs7  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 13, 2023

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.
The navies of India and Indonesia on Sunday began a six-day maritime exercise in sync with their overall efforts to expand bilateral military engagement.

The Indian Navy has deployed its indigenously built anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti, a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and a Chetak chopper for the Samudra Shakti exercise, officials said. Earlier, the Navy said the ship arrived at Batam Port in Indonesia for the exercise.

The Indonesian Navy is being represented at the exercise by warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft and AS565 panther helicopter, they said.

Also Read | BrahMos fired from Mormugao hits bullseye

"Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies," the Indian Navy said.

It said the harbour phase of the exercise will comprise cross-deck visits, professional interactions and subject matter expert exchanges.

"During the sea phase, weapon firing, helicopter operations, anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned," the Navy said in a release.

"Samudra Shakti will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region," it added.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said the Haryana government has decided to open drug de-addiction centres across the state.

The government is constantly working to root out the drug menace from the state, Khattar said.

"Taking a big step in this direction, the government has now decided to open drug de-addiction centres across the state," he said.

Khattar said eminent personalities will also be entrusted with the task of running such centres with an aim to guide the youth and bring them on the right path.

The chief minister was interacting with the people during a 'Jan Samvad' programme in Chormar Khera village in Sirsa, according to an official statement issued here.

Also Read | Two held with MD drug worth more than Rs 1 crore in Pune

Later, during 'a Jan Samvad' programme in Dabwali village, he announced that Sirsa's Dabwali sub-division will now be a new police district, a step which will help combat drug smuggling.

In the Chormar Khera village, the girl students of Government Senior Secondary School complained about the non-construction of new rooms in the school.

On this, the chief minister said the government has released the first installment of Rs 70 lakh for construction of rooms in the school and it will be completed soon.

He directed the District Education Officer for making temporary arrangement of four rooms till the new rooms are not constructed.

Khattar said more than 1.04 lakh youths got government jobs on merit during the tenure of the present government .

The chief minister said that in the last eight-and-a-half years, the BJP-led government has brought many radical changes by implementing various public welfare schemes to provide benefits to various sections of society.

Khattar started the 'Jan Samvad' programme in Rohtak district last year. The programme was later organised in many districts including Bhiwani, Palwal and Kurukshetra.

During 'Jan Samvads', people share their grievances with the chief minister and he directs officials to resolve their problems on the spot.
Security forces on Sunday busted a terrorist hideout after a brief exchange of fire with the ultras in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, police said.

The security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Andan in the district's Sangam area following information about the presence of terrorists there, a police officer said.

#WATCH | J&K: Encounter underway between terrorist and security personnel in Andwan Sagam area of Anantnag (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/khfjR8KEWB  ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2023

The security forces had launched a search and cordon operation in Andan in Sangam area of the district following information about presence of militants there, a police officer said.

Also Read: 6 terrorists killed in military operations in Pakistan: Officials

The officer said the militants opened fire on the security forces and a gunfight ensued.

The ultras managed to escape and in a subsequent search, blankets and other stores were found in a "cave-like" hideout, the officer said.

There are no reports of casualties on either side, police said.
A computer instructor at a government school here allegedly molested 12 girls including some Dalit students, police officials said on Sunday.

The accused, computer instructor Mohammad Ali, headmaster Anil Kumar and assistant teacher Sajia have been booked in this case, they said.

Around 12 girl students, including Dalits, studying in a junior government school in Tilhar police station area, were allegedly molested by computer instructor Mohammad Ali, Circle Officer (Tilhar) Priyank Jain told PTI.

Also Read | Man held for raping minor girl on pretext of marriage in UP's Ballia

Initially, when some girls complained about this to Headmaster Kumar, he did not take any action, he said.

The CO quoted the FIR lodged by the village head Lalta Prasad stating that Sajia was also involved in this matter and on Saturday another Dalit student was molested by Ali, after which the students went to their homes and informed their families about it.

Following this, the family members along with the villagers reached the school and created a ruckus.

The three accused have been booked under sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the IPC and the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, police said.

Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Kumar Gaurav said that he visited the school and also talked to the family members of the students and villagers. Prima facie, the computer instructor seems to be at fault.

Gaurav said that the matter is being investigated and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Monday a plea of activist Gautam Navlakha, who is under house arrest in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, that he be shifted from a public library in Mumbai to some other place.

A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna had on April 28 directed the CBI to file its reply within two weeks on Navlakas petition seeking to be shifted from the public library to some other place in the city as the facility needs to be vacated.

Besides, the top court also directed Navlakha to deposit another Rs 8 lakh toward expenses for making available police personnel for his security.

Also Read | SC directs Gautam Navlakha to pay Rs 8 lakh as expense for police protection during house arrest

While ordering his house arrest on November 10 last year, the apex court had initially directed Navlakha to deposit Rs 2.4 lakh as the expenses to be borne by the state for making available police personnel to effectively facilitate placing him under house arrest.

The direction on paying money was passed after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju submitted that a total bill of Rs 66 lakh was pending.

On November 10, 2022, the top court had allowed Navlakha, who was then lodged in Navi Mumbais Taloja prison in connection with the case, to be placed under house arrest owing to his deteriorating health.

Noting that the activist has been in custody since April 14, 2020, and prima facie there is no reason to reject his medical report, it had said Navlakha does not have any criminal background except for this case and even the government of India had appointed him as an interlocutor to hold talks with Maoists.

Putting a number of conditions, including a deposit of Rs 2.4 lakh as security expenses, the top court had said the order to place the 70-year-old activist under house arrest for a month in Mumbai should be implemented within 48 hours.

Since the November 10, 2022 order, the top court has extended Navlakha's house arrest several times.

On February 17, Navlakha had withdrawn from the apex court his application seeking to be shifted to Delhi from Mumbai under house arrest. He has told the top court through his counsel that he will look for some other place to stay in Mumbai.

The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which police claim triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the city.
Violent clashes were reported in Akola town in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra following an inflammatory post prompting the police to significantly beef up security arrangements in all important cities of the state.

The incident was reported at the Old City police station on Sunday - and visuals of the incident have gone viral on social media platforms.

Also Read: Mob attack on cops in Aurangabad unfortunate, says Fadnavis; urges leaders not to pass provocative remarks

At least one person died in the incident while more than half a dozen were injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Home Minister, spoke to the Director General of Police Rajnish Seth and reviewed the situation.

Collector Nima Arora had clamped prohibitory orders in parts of the city.

VIDEO | Section 144 imposed in parts of Maharashtra's Akola city following a clash between members of two communities on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/JAjN7Xi07G  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 14, 2023

Akola Superintendent of Police Sandeep Ghuge urged people not to believe in rumours.

Another incident was reported in Shevgaon tehsil of Ahmednagar district on Sunday.

The Ahmednagar police has asked people not to believe in rumours and approach the police.
Police have detected 10 cases of car theft in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat after the arrest of a man in connection with an attempt to rob a jewellery shop here, officials said on Sunday.

There was an attempt to break into the jewellery shop in Nallasopara area of Maharashtra's Palghar district on the intervening night of September 11 and 12, 2022, senior police inspector Pramod Badakh told PTI.

The culprit had unsuccessfully tried to break open the shop.

Read | Bengaluru: Gang of 3 robs man relieving himself on NICE Road

The CCTV footage outside the shop captured the entire activity based on which an offence was then registered under relevant provisions.

The police probe team worked on various leads and nabbed the 39-year-old on May 11 from Bhiwandi town in neighbouring Thane district, the official said.

During his interrogation, the police seized three stolen cars from his possession, he said.

With the arrest, as many as 10 cases of car theft as well as some house-breaking theft cases have been detected in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar areas of Maharashtra and in parts of Gujarat, but the booty in all the cases was yet to be recovered, the official said.

The accused has been involved in various crimes including murder, dacoity and house breaking thefts, he said. He was earlier also booked under provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), the official added.
Praveen Sood, the newly appointed Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has pledged to uphold the organisation's motto: industry, impartiality and integrity.

Sood spoke to DH on Sunday after the Appointments Committee on Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked him to head the premier agency.

Asked whether heading the CBI would be a challenge, he said: "Why should it be a challenge?"

Sood promised to return to Karnataka at the end of his two-year tenure as CBI director. "Bengaluru is my favourite city," he added.

Sood's appointment coincides with the Congress' victory in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly election.

Sood had been targeted by Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar in the run-up to the election. In March, Shivakumar had called Sood "Nalayak DG" and vowed to act against him after the Congress came to power.

The CBI is investigating Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case.

A 1986-batch Karnataka-cadre IPS officer, Sood headed the Karnataka state police as DG&IGP before his latest appointment.

Born on May 22, 1964, in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, Sood became one of the youngest IPS officers when he was appointed to the government service on December 14, 1986.

A BTech graduate in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, he is known for bringing technological advancements to crime investigation and traffic policing.

Sood started his career as an assistant superintendent of police in Mysuru in 1989. He later served as superintendent of police in Ballari and Raichur before getting posted to Bengaluru as deputy commissioner of police (law and order).

During this stint, Sood shot to fame when he led an operation to rescue industrialist Nirmal Kumar Jaipuria, six days after a gang from Punjab kidnapped him from Bengaluru's upscale Koramangala area in July 1997. Sood used his Punjabi-language skills to trace the kidnappers and rescue Jaipuria.

Sood later served as a police advisor to Mauritius' government for three years. In 2003, he took a sabbatical to pursue a Post Graduation in Public Policy and Management (PG PPM) from the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru.

During his tenure as Mysuru police commissioner from 2004 to 2007, Sood was instrumental in the arrest of Pakistani militants from the City of Palaces.

In 2008, Sood was appointed the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Bengaluru. During this stint, he implemented B-TRAC, a specialised project to address rising traffic congestion. He played a key role in establishing the Traffic Management Centre in Bengaluru.

During his tenure as Bengaluru police commissioner, Sood launched Namma 100, a sophisticated police helpline that promises a 15-second response.

Sood headed the Central Investigation Department (CID) before being appointed DG&IGP on February 1, 2020.
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT  Get Rating) by 76.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,297 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 560 shares during the period. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.s holdings in Gartner were worth $436,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of IT. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in Gartner by 145.1% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,227,844 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $616,422,000 after acquiring an additional 1,318,892 shares during the last quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP bought a new position in Gartner in the third quarter worth about $145,262,000. Putnam Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Gartner by 254.0% in the third quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 492,201 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $136,187,000 after acquiring an additional 353,146 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in Gartner by 20.3% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,029,738 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $603,766,000 after acquiring an additional 342,228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Axiom Investors LLC DE lifted its holdings in Gartner by 103.0% in the third quarter. Axiom Investors LLC DE now owns 653,014 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $180,682,000 after acquiring an additional 331,369 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.86% of the companys stock.

Get Gartner alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Gartner news, EVP Valentin Sribar sold 348 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.61, for a total transaction of $112,268.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,189 shares in the company, valued at $3,932,293.29. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Yvonne Genovese sold 1,327 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $299.14, for a total transaction of $396,958.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Valentin Sribar sold 348 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $322.61, for a total transaction of $112,268.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,932,293.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 24,941 shares of company stock worth $8,611,320. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Gartner Trading Up 1.6 %

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Gartner in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Gartner from $357.00 to $337.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Gartner from $387.00 to $380.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Gartner from $358.00 to $366.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Gartner has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $357.86.

NYSE IT opened at $310.63 on Friday. Gartner, Inc. has a twelve month low of $221.39 and a twelve month high of $358.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.19, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market cap of $24.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.80, a PEG ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 1.28. The firms 50 day moving average price is $312.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $327.65.

Gartner (NYSE:IT  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The information technology services provider reported $2.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.84. The company had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.37 billion. Gartner had a net margin of 16.56% and a return on equity of 772.55%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.33 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Gartner, Inc. will post 10.19 EPS for the current year.

Gartner Profile

(Get Rating)

Gartner, Inc is a research and advisory company, which equips business leaders with insights, advice, and tools that help build organizations. It operates through the following segments: Research, Consulting, and Conferences. The Research segment provides executives with objective insights and advice through reports, briefings, proprietary tools, access to the firm?s research experts, peer networking services, and membership programs.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Gartner Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gartner and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
MBABANE - The Political Parties Assembly (PPA) has condemned the decision to continue with the national elections ahead of a national dialogue.

PPA is an organisation formed at the height of the 2021 political unrest to unite political parties and bring uniformity in the calls for democracy in the country. The organisations leadership is an organisational format currently headed by the Economic Freedom Fighters Swaziland (EFFSWA) as chairperson and Ngwane National Liberation Congress (NNLC) as the Deputy Secretariat. Head of Secretariat, Inhlava Party, was suspended leaving the ropes for NNLC. The PPA is made of different political parties including the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), NNLC, EFFSWA, Sive Siyinqaba, Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) and Inhlava Political Party.

revealed

Thami Hlatshwayo of NNLC revealed that the organisation had taken astand to call for the national dialogue to held before the national elections. He said the organisation took a stand to support the Boksburg Declaration, which placed the importance of having a national dialogue ahead of any election. He said the organisation was against the election and feel it was not a necessity as the country needed to solve the political crisis first. He disassociated the organisation from reports that appeared on social media platforms suggesting that the organisation had changed its stance on the election. He stated that, though they respected their members congress resolution, the PPA as a collective was still aligned to the Boksburg Declaration. The declaration was crafted in collaboration with the Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF) and Hlatshwayo said it was proof that the two organisations were aligned.

aligned

He said his organisation never spoke in forked tongue or changed tune on the matter, but was respectful of organisational ideologies of its membership. The Times SUNDAY quoted Hlatshwayo saying the PPA leadership took a neutral position on the issue of the election to allow all ideologies to exist. He stated that the organisation was not in a position to choose or make decisions for the members on issues of ideology. He emphasised that each of their members were bound by their respective parties resolutions and it would not be democratic for the PPA to take a stand that could have divided the membership. Hlatshwayo said the organisations main goal was to attain freedom and democracy for the people of Eswatini. He said they were not particular on the manner in which such a goal was achieved, but encouraged their members to use all possible ways to fight the current system. First we need to establish that the PPA is constituted by different political parties and these parties are autonomous organisations and have the power to make their own decisions. Each party has its own congress where they develop their charter and make their own resolutions. Some of the parties under our umbrella made a congress decision to participate in the upcoming election while others made resolutions to oppose the election.

congress

If we were to take a stand, against one or the other, we would risk dividing the organisation. We encourage our members to stand by their congress resolution so that we are seen not to be meddling within the party lines, said Hlatshwayo. In a statement shared after the article, he said the PPA would continue educating, mobilising and organising emaSwati for total liberation. He stated that they would continue with their programme of urging the international community to isolate the country and support the calls for democracy. As an organisation we strongly condemn the decision by the government to continue with organising its Tinkhundla elections in 2023, in total disregard of the political conflict, whereby the public and international community continues to call for a national political inclusive dialogue. Our commitment and conviction remains unshaken to the Boksburg Declaration and the terms of reference for the national dialogue and political negotiations signed December 5, 2021.

The PPA doesnt believe that Thabani Nkomonye, Muzi Mmema, Mlandvo Khumalo, Thulani Maseko and many more Swazis died for Tinkhundla to be reformed. These martyrs of our struggle paid the ultimate sacrifice so that all emaSwati can be politically, economically, culturally and spiritually free. We restate our firm commitment to the Five Point Plan, as adopted by the mass democratic movement. In closing let us make our statement clear, that Tinkhundla as a system of government is a failed system that has no place in a democratic society, reads the statement. The statement, which was confirmed by Hlatshwayo as authentic, further questioned the mandate of the voters to form a government and parliament under the current system of government. The PPA said the peoples powers were limited over the three arms of government.

Confirming the statement, Hlatshwayo said their call had always been on the supremacy of the dialogue process of the election. He said they were expecting that government would uphold their promise for a national dialogue before opening the polls. The five point plan by the MSF and PPA include the unbanning of political parties, the need for a transitional executive authority, a new democratic constitution, a multiparty dispensation in the country and an all-inclusive mediated political dialogue. Individual political parties expressed mixed feelings toward the announcement of the election dates. While some were excited on the election process, others were not happy and others said the election should have been announced after a national dialogue.

process

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) launched the registration process on Wednesday May 10, 2023 marking the beginning of the national election process. The opening of the polls follows a nation-wide civic and voter education exercise conducted by the commission from the month of March. The registration exercise will be followed by the voter validation process and nomination before the primary and secondary election respectively. The election process will be concluded in September 29, 2023. Announcing the dates of the 2023 General Election, EBC Chairman Prince Mhlabuhlangeni Dlamini encouraged the nation to cascade to the polling station for registration. He said it was important for everyone to utilise their right to vote for a legitimate government without fear or favour. He stated that the commission was committed to delivering a free and fair election process.

The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) was among the first political parties to declare their participation in the national election. The political movement aims at backing community candidates in the upcoming elections as compared to fielding their own members for nomination. SWALIMO declared that their intention to contest in the upcoming election but kept their strategy close to their chest except that they want to have at least 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 2023 to 2028 parliament. The clash of polarised ideologies regarding the elections among the mass democratic movement became evident after the declaration to participate was made by SWALIMO President Mduduzi Simelane.

Simelane went on to field his wife Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane in the 2022 by-elections to replace him as Siphofaneni constituency MP. Simelane lost his seat after evading arrest and skipping the country to exile following a warrant of arrest issued against him and colleagues Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza from Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi. The three MPs faced charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008. Simelanes co-accused were arrested and charged under the Act and their case is currently on trial.
The DUP is not weakening its stance on Stormont and will not re-enter devolved government until concerns around the Northern Ireland Protocol are addressed, Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been effectively collapsed for more than a year as the DUP presses the UK Government to act on the concerns it has raised, including around the regions place in the UK internal market.

While the Government negotiated the Windsor Framework with the EU, the DUP said the deal doesnt adequately address the concerns.

Addressing his partys manifesto launch in Belfast ahead of next weeks council elections, Jeffrey Donaldson pledged to stand firm.

Some said after the assembly elections that we would weaken our position. It was a lie then and it is a lie now, he said to applause.

Those who seek to steal votes from the DUP and divide unionism on the basis of that lie serve no purpose in what were all trying to achieve, which is the restoration of Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom and our ability to trade with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Let me be clear, 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 truth that many political representatives dont want to hear is that the protocol upset the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland, and was not supported and is not supported by the unionist community.

Our judgment and our principled position in opposing the protocol in Parliament and at Stormont has been vindicated. When others said there would be no renegotiation and no change, our determination has proven what can be achieved.

He said that while the Windsor Framework undoubtedly represents significant progress across a number of areas, it does not deal with some of the fundamental problems at the heart of our current difficulties.

Jeffrey Donaldson also urged unionists to work together in a spirit of cooperation of common purpose.

Last years assembly election saw Sinn Fein overtake the DUP to emerge as the largest party at Stormont.

Recent opinion polls suggested Sinn Fein will also top the poll at next weeks local government vote.

Jeffrey Donaldson said last years election must act as a wake-up call for unionists.

This election is not only important because it will set the direction of our councils over the next four years, but its outcome is also being closely monitored and watched both nationally and internationally, he said.

Now is not the time for more division, and throughout our engagements on the doors in this campaign, it is clear that those who support the union want to see a unity of purpose among their elected representatives.

The transfer of votes will matter, and we know this from the assembly election the last election must act as a wake-up call for all unionists  divided votes hands seats to the opponents of the union.

The DUP is running 152 candidates for the council elections on May 18 when 462 seats will be contested across 11 councils in Northern Ireland.

The number is marginally down from 161 candidates in 2019 council elections which saw 122 elected.

Jeffrey Donaldson said he has visited nine or 10 of the 11 council areas and has been greatly heartened by the response, insisting his partys vote is not only holding up well, but advancing.

He described his party has having a positive plan for local government in Northern Ireland.

Our goal for every council is to deliver the best services at the lowest possible cost to rate payers, he said.

The Democratic Unionist Party has always championed the cutting of wasteful spending and keeping the rates burden to a minimum for hard-pressed rate payers.
Bank of Ireland UK has announced the three local groups who will benefit from its Cost of Living Fund.

Strathfoyle Womens Activity Group, Kinship Care and Older People North West will receive funding to help through the cost of living crisis.

The Fund was set up in January this year to help organisations supporting those most at risk from cost of living pressures.

The announcement marks the second and final allocation of funding with grants of up to 10,000 targeted at a range of groups including children and families at risk, older persons, those with disabilities, lone parents, and low-income families.

Bank of Ireland is working closely with Community Foundation Northern Ireland and the Community Foundation for Ireland to manage the donations on behalf of the Bank and have advised on a wide range of social issues and organisations that require financial support.

Strathfoyle Womens Activity Group, an organisation that supports low-income families will use the funding to provide a practical cooking course to help families with healthy, cost-conscious meals as well as offer a range of mental health interventions for those in need.

Kinship Care, a charity that provides immediate and practical support to kinship carers and families. The funds will be used for their Small Grants Programme which provides help in meeting immediate and essential needs, including support with food, heating and electricity for kinship families.

Older People North West, will enhance their Cosy Cafe, providing nutritious food and helping to reduce isolation and loneliness for older people concerned with rising food and fuel costs.

George Higginson, Director of Northern Ireland, Mortgages and Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK, commented: The rising cost of living remains a significant challenge for many people today. This donation aims to help those most at risk. We are grateful to the Community Foundation Northern Ireland for their support in ensuring that it reaches communities across Northern Ireland that are most in need.

Jaqueline Williamson, the Chief Executive of Kinship Care said: The support provided from Bank of Ireland has been invaluable in assisting Kinship Care to help meet the growing challenges of the cost-of-living crisis. As an organisation we support 994 kinship carers and 1,011 children and young people across our six centres.

This funding will help meet the immediate and practical support needs of 90 of those carers and 145 children and young people who have been hit hardest by rising food and energy prices, and support them to become more resilient and actively involved in the communities they live.

Roisin Wood, CEO, The Community Foundation Northern Ireland said: "The ten groups that have been funded are working to address a wide range of pressing issues that have arisen as a result of the cost of living crisis. This funding will make a real difference to those that these groups work with, boosting the community and voluntary sectors ability to provide critical supports throughout society at this time.

A full list of the second round of grantees is available at: Cost Of Living Fund - Bank of Ireland.
North West Migrants Forums Director of Programmes has told an American audience that the best way to strengthen the peace process is through investment.

Lilian Seenoi Barr was invited recently to participate in the Washington Summit, held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Ms Barr was asked onto the New Beginnings  Whats Next for Northern Ireland? panel, a platform she used to voice the concerns of people in the north west.

I felt it was important to point out that for many people the Good Friday Agreement has not delivered the kind of prosperity promised and remind them that John Hume always said that the best support for peace was a good job.

As the first black elected councillor in the North, Ms Barr represented an "openness to inclusion" that resonated with US companies whose workforces include many people of colour.

I was able to tell people that I was one of the many John Hume spoke about when he said that difference is the essence of humanity and that out of many we are one.

During her visit to the American capital, the Migrants Forum Director met with Congressman Richard Neal who has long championed peace and prosperity in the North.

The people Richard represents in Massachusetts also face economic challenges so he understands our issues, said Ms Barr.

He assured me that he will work closely with Joseph Kennedy, another long-time friend, to encourage investment in Northern Ireland. But businesses need the clarity and stability that comes with having a functioning government.

Without Stormont most of our governing is done on a local level which makes this upcoming election more important than ever. We need a well-functioning council and this can only happen with a multi-party system where two extremes are not dominating council business. Voters on May 18 should be voting for a forward looking and stable local government.

Ms Barr also had a chance to exchange a few words with President Bill Clinton when he visited Derry recently.

I was delighted to be able to bring some of the young people who work with the North West Migrants Forum to the event. Afterwards former president Clinton told me how moved he was by the energy and hope expressed by the young people who participated in the programme. I agreed and told him they are what motivates me.
Tecno has announced Ultimage camera technology for the Camon and Phantom line of smartphones. Ultimage encompasses 3 camera technologies viz. RGBW Pro sensor, sensor-shift image stabilisation, and a proprietary AI algorithm for portraits. Ultimage will be part of the Tecno Camon 20 series that could launch in India soon. Lets learn more about this camera technology and what we know about the upcoming Camon family of phones.

What is Ultimage?

Ultimage is a term coined by Tecno for a bundle of 3 camera features it is bringing to some of its forthcoming Phantom and Camon smartphones, especially the Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G.

As for the 3 Ultimage camera technologies, here they are:

1. RGBW Pro Technology

Traditionally, the camera sensors have an RGGB (Red, Green, Green, and Blue) colour filter pattern. However, in this case, one of those Green pixel arrays is replaced by a White pixel array. The white pixels increase the sensors light sensitivity and enable it to capture more light. The company claims the new filter can intake 208% light which can be helpful in low-light settings.

This isnt a new technology or concept and Tecno isnt the only one working on this. In fact, back in December 2021, Tecno announced it is working on RGBW sensors with Samsung.

2. Sensor-shift image stabilization

Instead of moving the lens (like in the case of OIS), the sensor-shift technology moves the sensor itself to compensate for any shakes or jittery movements up to 5,000 times per second.

This anti-shaking technology should offer clearer images than before.

3. Portrait Master Algorithm

The proprietary algorithm is the result of deep learning on over 50 million deep skin tone photos. Tecno claims the algo can discern 7 different skin tones and that it should be able to offer the most advanced portraits out of a smartphone.

Needless to say, all these will be tested when the phone lands in our hands. Speaking of which, Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G is the flagship phone out of the Camon 20 family. It has launched in another market with a 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED display, Android 13 with HiOS software, a triple rear camera setup including 50MP (main)+ 108MP (ultrawide)+ 2MP (depth), a 32MP selfie snapper, a 5000mAh battery with 45W charging, and a Mediatek Dimensity 8050 5G chipset.

Lets see if it comes to India with these features.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue is to lead the first full ministerial trade mission to China since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The trade mission, which is in cooperation with Bord Bia, will include events in both Beijing and Shanghai and will feature government to government meetings.

It will also include Bord Bia meetings with leading customers for Irish food and participation in SIAL Shanghai, the worlds largest food and beverage trade show.

The minister will also launch Bord Bia-led EU Dairy and Meat Promotion Seminars during the trade mission, as well as promotional events for Irish Whiskey and Irish seafood, and Enterprise Ireland events.

China is Irelands sixth-largest trade destination for food and drink by value, accounting for 4% of all exports.

Total agri-food product exports to China in 2022 amounted to over 722 million, which represents a 76% increase over the last decade, according to CSO trade statistics.

Speaking ahead of the trade mission, Mr McConalogue said he is delighted to lead the first full in-person trade mission to China following the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions.

He said he was particularly looking forward to supporting the re-entry of Irish beef on the Chinese market following the lifting of restrictions by China earlier this year.

This trade mission provides us with an important opportunity to promote our, safe, high quality, sustainably produced meat, dairy, seafood and beverages in a market which has huge potential, he said.

Bord Bia CEO Jim OToole said: A growing middle class with high disposable incomes in Chinese cities is creating an aspirational consumer base with an increasing interest in premium food products and access to sophisticated digital retail platforms. Irish exporters are ideally placed to service these consumer demands.
Spotting an impersonation scam has become even harder, as criminals have adopted increasingly slick and professional tactics.

They may spend hours doing research, or try to piggyback onto events in the news, to trick people into handing over their personal details or money.

Paul Maskall, fraud and cybercrime prevention manager at UK Finance, explains the lengths that criminals will go to in order to create scams which appear plausible:

How do impersonation scammers appear plausible?

Criminals use a tactic called social engineering to groom and manipulate you into transferring money, or divulging your personal and financial details.

With impersonation scams in particular, the criminals will convince people to make a payment, or give personal and financial details.

The will do so by claiming to be from a trusted organisation such as your bank, the police, a delivery or utility company, communication service provider, a government department such as HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) or someone you trust such as a friend or family member.

By impersonating an organisation or person you recognise, theyll use their tactics to convince you the request for money or information in genuine. They will also try to rush or panic you.

If you have any doubts about a message or phone call, contact the organisation directly to check. Use contact details from their official website. #ScamAware  FriendsAgainstScams (@AgainstScams) March 29, 2023

Have impersonation scams become more sophisticated and are you seeing any new trends?

Criminals always look to exploit situations where peoples anxieties are high and they will alter their methods to fit in with the current news agenda.

We saw this with Covid-19, as criminals exploited the pandemic and reformed their tactics to impersonate the NHS or more recently with the rise in the cost-of-living challenges, where criminals impersonated energy companies as a way to get people to either make direct payments or share personal details.

With more people doing their shopping online, and the number of parcels being delivered across the country increasing, this has also become a target for criminals.

The once-obvious typos or fraudulent-looking websites are no longer solely reflective of the tactics the criminals use, and it therefore becomes harder for people to check whether the request for information is genuine.

Ever received a text message that you weren't quite sure about? Maybe it asked you to "verify" your personal or financial details? You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726. #CyberProtect pic.twitter.com/G8D55Bc0K4  Action Fraud (@actionfrauduk) April 27, 2023

Do criminals take their time researching targets?

Yes! Criminals will often spends hours researching people and the fraud can often be carried out using multiple forms of contact.

For example, they might start by looking online to see what current information is available, then contact you impersonating an organisation via text, message, DM (direct message), or email to gather further information.

Finally, using all the information they have about you, theyll call you on the telephone to finally get hold of your money.

How do criminals pressurise people to hand over details or money?

These scams often begin with a phone call, text, message or email that appears to be from a trusted organisation or person.

A criminal will prey on your anxieties by putting pressure on you to act quickly and creating a sense of urgency.

For example, they might say your bank account is at risk and ask you to move your money to a safe account, pressuring you to share your bank details in a rush to ensure your money safe.

Most of us take using the internet for granted, but do we know how much our digital footprint reveals about us and our online activity? #DigitalFootprint https://t.co/oKfeez7gWQ pic.twitter.com/WX7JUhpfwM  GetSafeOnline.org (@GetSafeOnline) May 2, 2023

What should someone do if they suspect they are talking to a scammer, but they havent yet handed over any personal details or money?

Hang up or dont reply. Ask yourself, could it be fake? Its OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Maskall says that, to help people stay safe, the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign advice is to:

Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? Its OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think youve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Are you worried about pension scams? Michelle Cracknell of @TPASnews explains how to spot the signs of a scam. pic.twitter.com/nwsum9UU5L  Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) February 24, 2018

What should someone do if they suspect they have just been scammed?

"If you believe youve fallen for a scam, contact your bank immediately on a number you know to be correct, such as the one listed on your statement, their website or on the back of your debit or credit card."
Making a very welcome return visit to the Oriel Centre at Dundalk Gaol on Saturday 27 May, is Something Happens legend, Tom Dunne.

Tom will be joined by Alan Connor so expect a night of songs and stories from the Paisley underground - parachutes on request!

One of the leading Irish bands of their generation, Something Happens are regarded as one of the most iconic bands to emerge from Ireland with an enviable back catalogue of Top 30 singles and hit albums, including "Stuck Together With Gods Glue" and "Been There, Seen That, Done That", which brought them international acclaim.

Their single "Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello (Petrol)" was included in top fifty singles in rock magazine NME such was the critical acclaim their iconic album "Stuck Together With Gods Glue" received.

When Tom Dunne last performed in the Oriel Centre, the audience were treated not only to the Something Happens back catalogue but also some great covers, including Madonnas 'Borderline' and a few Johnny Cash classics.

Tom has said that he's really looking forward to coming back to the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol as he thinks its an amazing venue and has said he's "been working and working on this show, a million ideas, a million stories, fun night ahead".

There are only a handful of tickets left for this show, which is expected to sell out so if you are looking for a night of good music from a performer who is up for fun then book the last few tickets asap. Tickets are 30 and are available from www.orielcentre.ie
MBABANE  An attempt by unknown people to carry out one of the biggest hacking scams in the country has been foiled.

The Times SUNDAY has learnt that scammers hacked into the EswatiniBank systems and transferred into different accounts an amount of money totalling around E140 million. Hacking is the gaining of unauthorised access to data in a system or computer. After transferring the money, the hackers or scammers then began making withdrawals in the banks different automated teller machines (ATMs) around the country. This reportedly happened sometime last week but the bank managed to keep this a closely guarded matter for fear of alerting the scammers into covering their tracks and avoiding being brought to book. EswatiniBank, full name Eswatini Development & Savings Bank (EDSB), is a development and commercial financial institution, which is fully owned by the Government of Eswatini. It is a Category A public enterprise.

assessments

A review of online threat assessments by cybersecurity experts revealed that the top issues Africas online community was likely to face in 2023 included Malware - a form of computer code that can cripple vital infrastructure or be used to spy on governments and corporations. The experts said the most common use might be to steal money. One group of hackers known as OPERA1OR working out of West Africa reportedly stole more than US$11 million across 12 countries between 2018 and 2022. The group is said to have attacked banks across the region on weekends and holidays, using off-the-shelf equipment and malware available on the dark web. Meanwhile, impeccable sources informed this publication that vigilance from those responsible for the security of the EswatiniBanks system was able to detect that they had been hacked.

dispute

However, the informers revealed that an amount of about E700 000 had already been withdrawn by the scammers from the ATMs by the time the fraud was detected. Enock Mavimbela, the banks Executive Manager Operations, confirmed the hacking and did not dispute the amounts involved as these figures were put to him. Individuals attempted to defraud the bank, fortunately the breach was immediately identified and contained, he said. On the amount of money the scammers had reportedly already withdrawn, Mavimbela also confirmed such and did not dispute the figures. The investigations are still ongoing regarding the withdrawal of funds from different ATMs, he said. Mavimbela also confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police. It is understood that there are suspicions of an inside job, and some employees of the bank are already persons of interest in the ongoing investigations.

intimate

Investigators are looking into some of the banks employees and it has not been ruled out that this was an inside job. Some employees might be arrested, disclosed one of the impeccable sources who have intimate knowledge of the matter. A question was posed to the bank on the suspicions of an inside job and his response was: It would be premature to comment on this as investigations are ongoing. The sources likened the hacking to the one that took place in August 2019 at the Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) when the institution was defrauded an amount of E16 million after its IT systems were hacked. The fraud occurred over a weekend and by the time it was uncovered, an amount of E1 million had been withdrawn but the corporation, with the assistance of the police, managed to recover E15 million. At least five companies and nine individuals had their bank accounts frozen following the fraud as some of the money had been deposited there. One of the recipients of money informed the Times of Eswatini daily newspapers, in an article published on August 20, 2019, said he anticipated no money to be deposited into his account. The businessman said he was not even aware that there was money deposited into his bank account until he went to withdraw from an ATM.

access

Upon arrival at the ATM, he said he was able to access all details in his account save for getting hard cash. He said when withdrawing, nothing came out except a bank statement informing him that he could not access his cash. I kept inserting the bank card and nothing came out. I even changed ATMs but the same thing happened. The benefactor said he was later advised on what had transpired. However, when questioned on how come he was not aware of his bank balance given that any transaction that happens in ones account was reported through a short message, the businessman requested not to engage on the subject further as the matter was being dealt with by the police.

Meanwhile, in its annual report for the 2019/2020 financial year, which is the latest one available on the banks website, EswatiniBank Board acknowledged its primary role on risk oversight in the evolving business and risk landscape. The Board said it had a defined risk governance structure and continuously assessed the structure as the bank faced new risks. The Board said it had taken note of the challenging role for overseeing cyber risk, which was often challenging for even the most tech-savvy companies to keep up with the scope and pace of developments related to hacking, cloud computing, IT implementations, and other technology matters. All these innovations carry a complex set of risks, and the most serious among them can compromise sensitive customer information and significantly disrupt bank processes, the Board said.

surge

Further, the bank said it has experienced a rapid surge of requests from government institutions namely, the Royal Eswatini Police Services Fraud Unit, Eswatini Revenue Authority, the Master of the High Court, lawyers and the Anti-Corruption Commission. The bank said the requests from these government agents, mainly related to investigations varying from alleged money laundering activities, mobile money fraud, ATM fraud, theft by false pretense, corruption and evasion of tax. In all these investigations, the bank said it was required to either submit sworn statements, customer information and video footage. In its 2019 report, the bank said as more and more customers chose to transact online and through mobile devices, it was making the necessary investment to protect itself and its customers from cyber threats. The benefits of enhanced customer due diligence capabilities and greater systems security essentially go to the core of our systemic role and allows us to be more proactive in fulfilling that role as a key gate keeper to the financial system, the bank said.
A Dubliner who was caught at a routine covid checkpoint in Cork with a 140,000 stash of cannabis herb over two years ago had sentencing in his case put back until October.

Judge Helen Boyle remanded the accused man on bail until October 27.

Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said there was a positive probation report on 33-year-old accused man, Thomas Gahan of Kilmahuddrick Road, Clondalkin, and that he was receiving treatment and completing a course.

Judge Boyle acceded to the defence application to adjourn sentencing on that basis.

Thomas Gahan pleaded guilty to the charge of having the stash for sale or supply when its street value exceeded 13,000  a charge which carries a mandatory ten-year minimum sentence unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

One of the allegations made in the course of Gahans initial court appearance was that he had given gardai a false name and details. It was alleged that the defendant gave the name of a relative and supplied a number of details, such as address and date of birth, that tallied with the false name which he had given. Gahan later said he panicked.

Now he has also pleaded guilty to giving the false details and driving while there was cocaine in his blood.

The checkpoint that gave rise to the charges was on the M8 at Killydonoghue in Glanmire, where the defendant was stopped driving his van at 8.20pm on Tuesday, March 23. His vehicle was searched at the scene and a large amount of suspected cannabis herb with a street value of 140,000 was found in the rear of the van.
People of all ages recently came together to sing and perform in Carrigaline to highlight the need for a dedicated arts centre in their community.

A fundraiser recently took place at SuperValu in Carrigaline to raise awareness for the need for an arts centre in the town, which would include a theatre, exhibition space, cafe, meeting/rehearsal rooms, and a heritage and tourist centre.

The funds raised at the event will go toward setting up a company limited by guarantee, which will enable organisers to raise the finances needed in the future.

Committee members and musicians who held a fundraising day to support the creation of an arts centre in Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Pictured are; Kieran McNamee, Jim Kelly, Hanae Han, Barry Cogan, LIz Scott Hall,Bob Christie and Sandra Dubkienicz. Picture: David Creedon

Highlighting the need for a dedicated space for the arts in Carrigaline, organiser of the fundraising event Liz Scott Hall told The Echo that those involved not only raised awareness of their plan for the theatre and arts centre, gaining many offers of support, but raised double the money they need to get things rolling on the path to their goal.

If we proved anything, it was that Carrigaline desperately needs a proper performance space and that there is huge public support, she said.

The day began with students from the Community School who sang musical theatre songs, and then, 25 children, whose group the Yukidukes from Holy Well NS came and entertained enthusiastic crowds, singing along to the songs they were playing.

Carrigaline Mens Shed choir followed, and, just as the with the banjo players, the audience joined in and sang along.

Carrigaline Community School students gave a rousing musical theatre performance, and the Gaelscoil Scor band gave us wonderful Irish traditional music, songs and poetry.

Danny Dineen, a great singer and entertainer, drew the crowds too, and was followed by French singer Hanae Haddou.

Dancers from the world-renowned champion Kiely Walsh Academy, in full costume, gave a spectacular performance, then Jim Kellys Folk Band sang popular Irish folk songs.

The day ended with a fabulous performance by members of the Carrigaline Musical Society. For one day, the mall became a tiny version of the theatre we so desperately need.
Kinsale Community College recently welcomed representatives from 13 different countries in an EU Council of Ministries Conference.

The two day event in collaboration with the Department of Education aimed at exploring Sustainable Education Strategies.

The event brought together educationalists as part of the European Education Area Strategic Framework, to discuss the need for collaboration across educational systems within Europe to address issues relating to sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.

During the conference, visitors had the opportunity to witness first-hand Kinsale Community School's commitment to sustainability through their various sustainable practices.

The Kinsale school have worked hard to utilise sustainable practices such as solar panels for energy generation, water harvesting for conservation, and the creation of an outdoor learning space where students could cultivate plants and food.

The Department of Education's conference held at Kinsale Community School marked a significant milestone in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability, highlighting the vital role of education in creating a sustainable future.

The school's unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and fostering a positive learning environment for students was evident throughout the event and served as a source of inspiration for educators and communities across Europe.

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion with students from Kinsale Community School, who shared their experiences in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition, Young Environmentalist, and Young Social Innovators programs.

Fergal McCarthy, School Principal of Kinsale Community School and Vice President of the European Federation of Education Employers, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to be given active agency in respect of a global concern which is very real and very urgent."

He commended the students for keeping these issues at the top of the agenda.

Other keynote speakers at the event included two distinguished experts in their respective fields, Professor Paul Walsh and Lord David Puttnam.

Professor Walsh is a renowned Professor of International Development Studies and the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies at University College Dublin.

Lord Puttnam is an accomplished film producer, renowned educator, and prominent environmentalist.

Professor Paul Walsh shared his expertise on the significance of sustainability education in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

He emphasized the role of education in creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world and stressed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in achieving this vision.

The conference also included panel discussions with Laura Power, Education Officer for World Wise Global Schools, Liam Wegimont, Executive Director of Global Education Network Europe, and teachers from the school.
CORK'S Haulbowline naval base living quarters require major investment so sailors will be encouraged to remain serving with the navy, according to the President of the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Association (PDFORRA).

Mark Keane was speaking at this weeks three-day PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference in Trim attended by over 100 delegates from the three sections of the Defence Forces, the Army, Navy and Air Corps.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheal Martin, addressed the conference last week

While we welcome the previous investment, we would like that to continue, said Mr Keane in relation to Haulbowline, Irelands navy headquarters and main naval base.

We had a situation previously where we had large volumes of sailors, when they came in from sea they were still confined to ships because there wasnt accommodation.

A 4m project to provide single living accommodation for 70 personnel was announced in 2021.

We have the new accommodation block. We need the other ancillary services with that. We need more accommodation to increase the strength of the Navy. There are proposals there for a new gym and new infrastructure on the island, added Mr Keane.

We were devoid of expenditure for many years due to cutbacks, so we are still playing catch up.

Criticisms of the Governments level of investment in the Navy have sharpened recently, after Russian warships were spotted entering Irelands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), off the Cork and Kerry coasts.

Salaries and allowances were top of the agenda, said Mr Keane.

Recruitment and retention are always a big issue for the Navy. There are three allowances payable to members of the Naval Service. We have asked the Minister to amalgamate those three allowances.

A Naval Pay special allowance introduced in 1975, then representing 20 per cent of basic pay, has not kept pace with increases since, now accounting for 3.7 per cent of basic pay.

The services that people enjoy on the island have to be improved. We are looking for an increase in Naval pay. We need the three Rs  we need recruitment, retention and we need renumeration, for our key personnel, said Mr Keane.

PDFORRA is also campaigning for increased investment in Collins Barracks in Cork city, and around post-1994 contracts for sailors and soldiers. Currently, members can stay until aged 50 at the rank of Sergeant, and above that to age 56.

We need an extension on that. They are extended out to 2025  we need to get them security of tenure. We need to get them past the age of 50, and we need to get them past this extension to 2025, said Mr Keane.

These people are the backbone of the Army, they are the mentors, the trainers who train the entrants of recruits.
Siobhan McSweeney has won the first Bafta TV award for best female performance in a comedy programme.

The 43-year-old actress won the award for her role as Sister Michael, the eye-rolling principal of the shows Our Lady Immaculate College, in Channel 4 programme Derry Girls.

In the humorous speech, which she said in double speed given the short time given, she said: To the people in Derry, thank you taking me into your hearts and your living rooms.

I am daily impressed with how you encompass the spirit of compromise and resilience despite the indignities, ignorance and stupidity of your so-called leaders (in) Dublin, Stormont and Westminster.

In the words of my beloved Sister Michael, its time they started to wise up. The comedy about a group of teenagers growing up in Londonderry in the 1990s was a sleeper hit that built a large and committed following across its three series.

Set during the Troubles, the show was praised for offering a new perspective on the period of the IRA and loyalist ceasefires through the eyes of a group of young girls.

At the beginning of the speech, McSweeney joked: As my mother laid dying in Cork, one of the very last things she said to me was, would I not consider retraining as a teacher.

If she could see me now getting a Bafta for playing a teacher. Jokes on you.

She also thanked the people of Cork who supported me despite the fact Im not Cillian Murphy, adding it must be very difficult for you.

McSweeney also thanked Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee for not listening to me when I said I could play all the girls parts and praised Channel 4, adding you have my devotion.
MBABANE  Government is in a bid to collect overwhelming evidence to pin down anyone who might have defrauded taxpayers during the construction of the Sicunusa-Nhlangano road.

It has been established that governments objective is to prosecute people who will be found to have acted outside the ambit of the law. Auditor General (AG) Timothy Sipho Matsebula, said they wanted to gather evidence that would stand the test of time in a court of law. As a result, Matsebula said his office was in the process of appointing another service provider to clean up and collect the missing audit evidence to ensure it is acceptable in court. He said they would not give detailed information on the matter because they did not want the prospective service provider to feel threatened. Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said the AG was in the possession of the report compiled by Lande Consulting from South Africa(sa).

comfortable

The minister said the AG was not comfortable with the depth of evidence in the report to be able to take action. He said he (AG) has decided to institute another process to get that needed evidence. The minister said both reports would be tabled in Parliament. Government hired Lande Consulting to conduct a forensic accounting or financial forensics to investigate whether anybody or any party engaged in financial reporting misconduct. It is an audit, advisory and forensics practice established to provide a wide range of sustainable solutions to the business sector. Lande has an office in East London in the Eastern Cape, where its partnership with the Specialist Investigation Litigation Case Management (SILC) (Pty) Ltd offers forensic expertise in the province and beyond to service mainly the public sector. Investigations by this newspaper further unearthed that Lande Consulting Incorporated and SILC are partners and affiliates in major forensic investigations.

It is said that the company has a diverse mix of skilled professionals, ranging from chartered accountants, tax specialists, information technology experts and forensic investigators.

Its professional services are streamlined along audit, independent reviews, tax, accounting, forensics and other related professional services. The company is understood to be well established as it has registered offices in Polokwane and its Johannesburg satellite office mainly drives information technology solutions to both private and public sector clients.

investigating

In April 2021, this newspaper reported that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was investigating allegations that a sum of E45 million was deposited to a former senior politicians personal bank account. It is not clear if the forensic auditors discovered this alleged anomaly and what evidence they obtained to make a winning case for the prosecution. The project was beleaguered in controversies as Kukhanya Civil Engineering Contractors stopped building the road. At that time, government had spent E532.7 million. This amount excluded the over E100 million, which was paid to it for the termination of the contract. A new contractor, Inyatsi Construction, was engaged to continue with the project. In a previous interview with this publication, the minister of finance said government instructed the aG to conduct the forensics more than a year ago. The minister said the exercise was budgeted for and accordingly paid for, meaning that work was expected to have begun a very long time ago. Rijkenberg mentioned that the report was to be released soon.

AG Matsebula clarified that Lande Consulting was also engaged to investigate certain parts of the Manzini-Mbandlane highway. He said the Sicunusa-Nhlangano road covered its larger scope of duty. He said the initial plan was to release the report to the public. Matsebula pointed out that it was the wish of Parliament for the report to be made public. Asked how they conducted the forensic audit, the AG said they interviewed key people who had knowledge of the project or involved in the project and also sought documents to assist the auditors to get the truth about transactions. Further asked how the forensic audit was different from the AGs general auditing, he explained that the financial forensics went beyond the routine audit exercise. He said such forensics obtained evidence that could be used in court against people and bodies which participated in financial misconduct.

On the other hand, he said the audit exercise that he conducted only raised a red flag. He said the people who were called to give clarity on certain issues cooperated with the investigators.

Meanwhile, in an audit report released by the countrys aG, concerns were raised that the contractor, Gabriel Couto/ Kukhanya Joint Venture suspended works. This resulted in the project resembling a drought-stricken grazing area.

compromised

Matsebula reported that the project would be of compromised quality if ever it was to be completed by the current contractor. Of major concern to the attorney general was that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport had been flouting and contravening loan requirements, rules, criterion, contractual obligations and construction standards from the first day of the project.
Manx Agriculture - Crisis or Crossroads? Documentary explores the industry that is now on the brink of collapse

An Energy FM commissioned documentary has explored the perilous state of agriculture in the Isle of Man and how the industry could collapse completely if Government policies are not supportive.

The 50 minute film hears from farmers from all sectors including arable, meat, dairy and also specialist markets such as goats and chickens.

Energy FM's Charlie Morrey, who now works as a multi media journalist for Agriland.ie in Dublin, puts questions to the Island's Agriculture Minister Clare Barber MHK and explores topics such as the meat plant which came in for damning criticism in a recent Government commissioned report.

In the documentary, Mrs Barber has committed to bringing forward a "Road Haulage Equivalency" scheme similar to Scotland where costs to export goods off Islands, are charged at a 'road cost equivalent' rather than shipping freight rates. Farmers say this would be a game changer to the industry and a lifeline for many who are operating at a loss; a loss that is unsustainable.

Farmers are needing, but also want to diversify, however Manx Government red tape and bureaucracy are preventing many from doing so. They say that government support does not alway mean money and subsidies.

The documentary can be viewed below.

Videos

Energy FM Documentary - Manx Agriculture
Twitter limits access to some tweets in Turkey ahead of tightly contested election The contest could see President Erdogan unseated after two decades in power.

On the eve of potentially one of the most consequential elections in the countrys history, Twitter began blocking posts in Turkey. In response to legal process and to ensure Twitter remains available to the people of Turkey, we have taken action to restrict access to some content in Turkey today, the company tweeted on Friday , in English and Turkish. We have informed the account holders of this action in line with our policy. This content will remain available in the rest of the world.

In response to legal process and to ensure Twitter remains available to the people of Turkey, we have taken action to restrict access to some content in Turkey today.  Twitter Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 13, 2023

Twitter didnt say which tweets it was blocking, and the company no longer operates a communications department Engadget could contact for more information. Predictably, the decision to comply with a censorship request from the Turkish government has put a spotlight on Elon Musks free speech beliefs. On Friday, Musk, who named Linda Yaccarino as the next CEO of Twitter that same day, lashed out at Bloomberg columnist Matthew Yglesias when he suggested the decision should generate some interesting Twitter Files reporting.

Did your brain fall out of your head, Yglesias? The choice is have Twitter throttled in its entirety or limit access to some tweets. Which one do you want? Musk tweeted at Yglesias.

Did your brain fall out of your head, Yglesias? The choice is have Twitter throttled in its entirety or limit access to some tweets. Which one do you want?  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2023
In recent years, the automotive industry has welcomed an increasing number of new players into its fold. Among these is VinFast, a Vietnamese automaker that has caught the attention of many due to its unique design and innovation. Despite some negative remarks about their VF8 model, the brand remains a strong contender in the global market. This article aims to refute some of the critical comments made against VinFast cars, particularly the VF8 model, and offer a more balanced view of the company's offerings.

Addressing Concerns about Ride and Handling

One of the primary criticisms of the VF8 centers on its purportedly bouncy ride and generally wayward road manners. However, it is essential to recognize that VinFast is a young company, and like any new venture, it is on a learning curve. Thus, it is unfair to compare VinFast vehicles to those from well-established brands in the industry.

Furthermore, the suspension setup and body movements could be attributed to the fact that VinFast is still in the process of fine-tuning its vehicles. Auto enthusiasts and experts have noted that improvements in these aspects have been made in successive VinFast models. This shows that the company is not only aware of the concerns surrounding the VF8 but is also actively working to address them.

Response to Steering Issues

Another significant criticism leveled against the VinFast VF8 is the nonlinear and inconsistent steering response. While it is a valid concern, it is crucial to consider that VinFast, despite its youth, has made significant strides in addressing this issue. Of note is the company's inclusion of a range of driving modes, including Sport mode, to cater to different road conditions and driving preferences.

It is also important to recognize that different drivers have different preferences when it comes to steering responsiveness. The VF8's overboosted steering in Sport mode may not appeal to but may be ideal for others. In addition, it is entirely possible that steering issues experienced could be isolated incidents rather than a widespread challenge.

Considering the Company's Innovations

While critics have focused on the perceived shortcomings of the VF8, it's essential to pay attention to the innovations and advancements that VinFast has brought to the table. The company has actively participated in efforts to build electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce overall carbon emissions. Additionally, VinFast has consistently shown a strong commitment to producing quality vehicles that cater to the preferences of a wide range of consumers.

For example, VinFast has made significant strides in producing vehicles that feature advanced technology, modern and distinctive designs, and high-quality materials. These innovative approaches show that VinFast, even though it's a relative newcomer to the automotive industry, is poised to become a major player in the field.

The Importance of a Balanced View

It is perfectly normal for a new automaker to experience some hiccups and setbacks as it finds its footing in the automotive industry. What is essential is the willingness and ability of the company to address these concerns and continually improve its products.

In the case of VinFast, the criticisms leveled against the VF8 should be taken in context. While valid concerns have been raised, it should be acknowledged that the company has made considerable progress in a short span of time. The myriad positive aspects of VinFast vehiclesfrom design and innovation to their commitment to producing ecologically responsible EVsshould be given ample credit.

Conclusion

VinFast, as an emerging automotive company, will undoubtedly encounter obstacles and challenges in its journey. However, it is also a company that has showcased immense potential through its innovative designs and focus on creating environmentally friendly vehicles. By addressing the concerns raised against their VF8 model and continuing on their upward trajectory, there is no doubt that VinFast can become a formidable contender in the global automotive arena.

As consumers and enthusiasts, it's crucial to maintain a balanced view of new automakers like VinFast. By critically examining both the criticisms and the progress made by the company, we can form a fair and informed opinion on their offerings.
Kyles across the nation are making plans to head to Kyle (the city) next weekend and help the Hays County community in its quest to set a record.

The city of Kyle is holding its fourth Gathering of the Kyles on May 21 at Lake Kyle Park in an attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest same-name gathering.

But traveling cross-country takes funds, so a number of Kyles are turning to GoFundMe and setting up pages. Enough Kyle pages have been created that its caught the attention of the crowdfunding website itself.

GoFundMe fundraisers from all over the country have been launched by people named Kyle looking to get to the historical event, the website said in a news release highlighting the Kyle pages.

CALLING ALL KYLES: Kyle aiming for Guinness World Record for same-named gatherings

Kimberlee Vipperman started a fundraiser to get her fried Kyle Saucier to Kyle from Florida while a father-son Kyle combo hoping to do some father-son bonding on the trip, set up a page, according to the release.

More than a dozen fundraisers are listed under the search term Kyle world record, although a few have netted more than $100.

Theyll be aiming to oust Kupres, the current record holder. On July 30, 2017, the town in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered together a total of 2,325 Ivans.

HILL COUNTRY HEADLINES: Top stories from the booming region

Kyle, the city about an hour northeast of San Antonio, is looking for tall Kyles, short Kyles, young Kyles, and old Kyles to break the record at 4 p.m. May 21, during the Kyle Fair A Tex-Travaganza.

But only Kyles who match the citys spelling will qualify  that means Kiles, Killes and Kyls wont count.

There is no cost to enter and register for the event, and all attending Kyles will receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last, that is).

The fair, which will run May 19-21. not only includes the record-setting attempt but also carnival rides, live music and concessions. For more information, click here.
MBABANE The office that advises US President Joe Biden says Eswatini courts are generally independent of executive control.

In its 2022 Biennial Report on the Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) states that the current judicial process in Eswatini is procedurally competent, fair and reliable. However, it said the capacity of the judiciary to handle cases in a timely manner was extremely limited, creating significant case backlogs. It is stated in the report that a handful of political parties are now registered as associations and hold bank accounts through which they manage resources for training, advocacy, and other activities. The courts are generally independent of executive control or influence as outlined by the Swati Constitution, it is mentioned in the report.

Further reads the report: the current judicial process is procedurally competent, fair, and reliable, although the capacity of the judiciary to handle cases in a timely manner is extremely limited, creating significant case backlogs.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) was created in 1962 to advise the president on trade issues, lead international trade negotiations, oversee the resolution of disputes, enforcement actions and other matters before global trade policy organisations, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It has been learnt that the current officeholder is Katherine Chi Tai, an American attorney, serving as the 19th United States Trade Representative since March 18, 2021. The daughter of Waishengren immigrants from Taiwan, Tai is the first Asian-American to serve in the position. She reports directly to the US president.

This is a lie  SWADEPA

Barnes Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) described the assertion that political parties were free to register as associations as a very disturbing lie. Dlamini said departments of the United States Government should speak with one voice. He said SWADEPAs bank account with one of the countrys financial institutions could be dormant very soon because they had been advised to register with the Registrar of Companies. The president mentioned that the registrar of companies had adamantly refused to register political parties. He pointed out that political parties were not free in the country, making an example of Khaya Gina, who lost his job as a registration clerk for the Elections and Boundaries Commission because he is a member of SWADEPA.

dismissed

He wasnt dismissed for lack of skill but because he was seen wearing a t-shirt bearing the name of our political party. In fact, he was dismissed for affiliation, said Dlamini. In its 2022 report on Eswatini, the US Department of State said the Constitution and law provided for an independent judiciary, but civil society alleged that the government often failed to respect judicial independence. The Department of State said although the judiciary generally enforced most rights to a fair public trial, prolonged delays during trials in magistrate courts and the High Court were common. It said defendants and their attorneys sometimes lacked access to relevant government-held evidence such as postmortem reports and ballistic evidence. Although a 2018 High Court ruling determined that the Constitution is the law of the land and takes precedence over traditional law, there was sometimes no clear delineation of jurisdiction between the two legal systems and this gray area allowed for judicial discretion and alleged government interference, reads the report compiled by the US Department of State, the equivalent of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Back to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, it also reported that Eswatini was thrust by the 2021 civil unrest into international spotlight.

unprecedented

It said the country experienced an unprecedented period of protests and government crackdowns in which dozens of people died. The USTR stated that long-simmering public dissatisfaction with police impunity, economic inequality and flagrant royal family excess sparked the unrest. This resulted in calls by civil society and international observers for inclusive dialogue. It is said that Eswatini is a monarchy with limited democratic checks on the Kings power. According to the report, the Government of Eswatini has made progress and remains committed to promoting a market-driven economy. Eswatini has historically leveraged its AGOA preferences, the USTR said in the report. The report states that government strongly supports AGOA. As a result, government is said to have rolled out an ambitious AGOA implementation strategy to take full advantage of its benefits to help its economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is, however, noted that access to financing for small enterprises continues to be challenging. Eswatini is understood to be also suffering from poor policy and administrative coordination, a general lack of procedural transparency, and a lack of clear, up-to-date guidance for business.

poverty

Regarding poverty, it is said that Eswatini, during the review period, continued to work with international partners to improve public financial management, support entrepreneurship, strengthen social protection and improve equality and equity concerns, pertaining to vulnerable groups. The country is said to be building on its collaboration with development partners to implement its Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan. Although Eswatini is considered a middle-income country, it has been discovered that it has many characteristics of a low-income country. For example, the minimum wage is low; poverty is widespread, and the middle class is small, reads the report. Pertaining to labour, child labour and human rights, the report states that the Government of Eswatini has made efforts to address child labour and trafficking of persons. During the reporting period, it is said the government convicted an official for sex trafficking and sentenced him to a 55-year prison term.

Freedom of association

It is mentioned in the USTR report that concerns remain with regard to freedom of association and the existence of the worst forms of child labour. Other concerns included restrictions on free expression and media and interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly. With regard to international terrorism and USA national security, it is understood that Eswatini does not support international acts of terrorism, nor engage in activities that undermine the United States national security interests.

Botswana

Eswatini was not the only country that was assessed by the USTR. The USTR states that Botswana remains a long-standing, multi-party democracy with free and fair elections. Botswana, presently eligible for AGOA, is traditionally cited as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. It is mentioned that the judiciary is independent from the legislative and executive branches and produces predictable, law-based decisions. Despite Botswanas progress, it has also been mentioned that parliamentary oversight is weak because the legislature lacks adequate enforcement mechanisms and is highly dependent on the executive branch. Throughout the reporting period, Botswana has taken steps towards greater transparency, however, freedom of information legislation has yet to be realised.

Zambia

The USTR stated that Zambia has maintained a long tradition of rule of law, a clear separation of powers and an effective and responsible judiciary. It is said that Zambia has remained politically stable since 1964 and continues to hold parliamentary and presidential elections every five years. However, the run-up to national elections scheduled for August 2021 was marred by violent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties. It is stated in the report that the government took steps that undermined opposition parties, including targeted harassment of opposition party leaders and members, closure of independent media outlets, and inconsistent enforcement of public safety and public health legislation. After a decade of democratic backsliding, the Zambians elected President Hakainde Hichilema, who expresses a commitment to national reconciliation and protecting fundamental freedoms.

It is said the media environment in Zambia remains constrained, with the government regularly issuing punitive threats against critical news outlets. The police service, marred by corruption and bribery is also an area of concern. Transparency Internationals 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index placed Zambia at 117 out of 180 countries monitored.

Lesotho

According to the report, Lesotho, since 2020, the new administration has not attempted to interfere in the courts and law enforcement to protect the interests of politically well-connected individuals. While the government has made some progress on rule of law reforms, it is reported that progress has been slow-moving. In collaboration with the High Court, the USTR stated that Lesothos Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences was in the process of establishing a specialised anti-corruption court to address a backlog of cases in the courts of law. It must be said that Transparency International ranked Lesotho 96 out of 180 countries in its 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Ethiopia

It must be said that Ethiopias AGOA eligibility was terminated in 2022. According to the report, upon taking office in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali launched a sweeping reform programme that included recognising and allowing opposition political groups to operate freely, releasing and pardoning regime opponents, easing restrictions on the media, and revising legislation to allow NGOs greater freedom to operate. In Ethiopia, the Constitution and law provides citizens with the right to change their government peacefully, with federal elections taking place every five years. It has been discovered that the judiciary continues to be overburdened and struggles to provide due process consistently, particularly at the regional level.

Nevertheless, several high-profile cases have reflected a marked increase in transparency and independence at the federal level. The trade representative mentioned in the report that opposition political parties in Ethiopia were still facing notable challenges, sporadic incidents of intimidation, brief arrests and other forms of suppression by local government officials.

Ethiopian and foreign businesses routinely encounter corruption in tax collection, customs clearance and land administration. Ethiopia is ranked 87 out of 180 countries in the 2021 Transparency International Corruptions Perception Index.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is not eligible for AGOA. Although Zimbabwe committed itself to broad political reforms after the 2018 elections, the trade representative said the country made little progress and regressed in some areas. In Zimbabwe, it is said that the justice system suffers from political interference, resulting in a culture of impunity within the security sector. The trade representative said Zimbabwes judiciary lacked independence and impartiality as judges often used the law selectively to prosecute the ruling partys political opponents. Despite government pledges to stamp out corruption and the granting of new powers to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, it has been mentioned that the government had a track record of selective prosecution. According to the report, it had targeted and repeatedly arrested journalists, politicians, and activists who highlight cases of high-level corruption. Zimbabwe ranks 157 out of 180 countries in Transparency Internationals 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index.

South Africa

According to the USTR report on AGOA, South Africa remained committed to democracy, the rule of law, the right to due process, a fair trial, and equal protection. The USA says there is equal protection in law in South Africa, despite the reported Phala Phala farm robbery scandal. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa allegedly kept large sums of money in foreign currency, estimated to be US$4 million, the equivalent of E72 million. The money was allegedly concealed under a mattress and couches at his farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo. The president has not been arrested. The government has restarted economic reform and undertaken visible efforts to tackle corruption. Attempts to use the legislature to hold the president accountable to the Phala Phala farm incident has not yielded fruit.

aspirations

According to the report from the USTR, South Africas strong political and judicial institutional frameworks, girded by its highly liberal Constitution, continue to guide public life and set aspirations for the society. Deficiencies with enforcement, however, particularly among the police force, remained acute. Corruption and uneven police performance are considered common and widespread. South Africa ranked 70 out of 180 in the 2021 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. It is said that South Africa has the most advanced and diversified economy in Africa. In 2021, it was recognised as the continents largest trading partner with the United States. It actually boasts a sophisticated financial sector with well-developed institutions and incorporates an open, rules-based trading system. South Africa is understood to be a destination conducive to USA investment, and has a market-oriented and dynamic business community.
Thunderstorms looming over San Antonio may be keeping you indoors this weekend, so it's a good time to cozy up and catch up on the news you may have missed.

Click the headlines to read five of the most popular stories from this past week.

Aggie Fords last memory after being chased by a dog onto Bandera Road was a white car speeding toward her.

Click to read about what happened to her that day, how it led to the death of her newborn baby and the dangerous dog problem in San Antonio.

miodrag ignjatovic/Getty Images/iStockphoto

From roaches to improper storage, some restaurants scored low grades on their health inspections in April.

Read about which restaurant landed on the ignominious list for handling food bare-handed and which one had pink mold-like growth in its ice machine.

Columnist Michael Taylor explains USAAs first loss year in over a century, what it has to do with the bigger banking picture -- and why USAA customers shouldn't worry.

Click the headline to find out what he has to say.

A professor and former dean at St. Marys University School of Law, Stephen M. Sheppard, has been barred from the campus and is under criminal investigation over a students allegation that he sexually assaulted her last fall, court records show.

Find out more about the case and the school's response.

GoFundMe

Cindy Cho, a graduate of the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, and her husband and 3-year-old son were among the eight people killed when after a gunman opened fire May 6 at an outlet mall in North Texas.

Read more about the Cho and her family and about what happened.
It didnt take long for Democrats to blame guns for the latest shooting.

Eight people died as result of the shooting in Allen, while seven others were killed, but with an automobile at Brownsville. If you apply the same logic, guns and cars should be outlawed.

There are about 47,000 motor vehicle deaths each year. Where is the outrage and the movement to outlaw cars?

People kill people. Guns on their own, do not. We should concentrate on the human element that causes these deaths, not the instrument of destruction.

Mike Gonzales

Reduce gun deaths

Re: Greg Abbott points to mental health crisis following Allen mall shooting, MySA, May 8:

I read this headline, and I, at first, thought our governor had realized his mental health has prevented him from taking action to prevent the next mass shooting.

One does not have to be a genius to realize that curtailing easy access to guns or putting a sin tax on bullets would go a long way toward reducing gun deaths.

His goal of eradicating anger and violence is about as senseless as a war on evil. Hatred, brutality and inhumanity will always be with us. It is a shame we have to wait until 2026 for the next gubernatorial election.

Don Mathis

Mental health of leaders

Gov. Greg Abbott, commenting after the latest mass shooting, reiterates the need to address mental health in Texas.

The mental health that needs to be examined, immediately, is that of the Republican leadership of Texas. Since Uvalde, they have been reelected, banned books, outlawed abortion, among other priorities. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

What part of mental illness do you not get, governor?

William Schiller

An end to gun violence

Re: Another mass shooting, another empty message, Editorial, May 7:

Thoughts and prayers can only go for so long. Having our American flag flown at half-staff (again) is the new normal or new way to display the American flag.

The Sunday editorial mentions five hours and 300 miles separate the mass shooting site of Cleveland, Texas from Uvalde. The Express-News didnt get a chance to mention the distance to a subsequent mass shooting in Allen from Cleveland: its 5 hours and 5 minutes and 335.9 miles.

I can almost figure out where the National Rifle Association might hold its next convention and Gov. Greg Abbott will be the keynote speaker.

When will this all end. Oh, I know, when Abbott is voted out!

Adela Vega Munoz

Its time to act

Help yourself and God helps you also, is an old saying.

So, what does all the praying by politicians do, without them doing something to fight the gundemic?

As of May 8, there have been 208 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Where are our Christian values?

The so-called press conference in Allen, following another mass shooting, was a nonsensical political stunt. No one had anything of substance to say, except mentioning a service and to pray at church on Sunday.

We have seen where praying alone has gotten us. Its time to act. Politicians wake up.

We do not live in the 1800s Wild West. We live in a supposedly civilized country. And, no, its not mental health. Its the ease of obtaining the guns.

Please politicos help us get rid of some of the guns, then we all can give a prayer of thanks.

George and Hannelore Matthes, Canyon Lake

Unconstitutional manner

The Second Amendment reads A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

On May 24, 2022, a new member of the peoples militia killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. Before that it was Sandy Hook (26 dead), Virginia Tech (32 dead), Santa Fe (10 dead), Parkland high school (17 dead) and many, many more schools. But thats not all. Members of the peoples militia have struck at churches, concerts, night clubs and just about everywhere else.

I doubt the Founding Fathers who wrote the Second Amendment would consider the current slaughter committed by members of the peoples militia as well regulated or necessary to the security of a free state.

For the past few decades it has been open season on the general public. The peoples militia is clearly out of control. The only security it is providing is to the gun industry and the vast majority of the Republicans supporting it.

If the peoples militia cannot function as well regulated as stated in the Second Amendment and as intended in the Preamble of the Constitution  that is, well-regulated enough to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty  then the peoples militia has been operating in an unconstitutional manner.

The peoples weapons of slaughter (assault-style rifles) should be banned.

James Duderstadt
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo shook up his campaign team last week after newcomer Sukh Kaur beat him May 6, forcing him into a runoff election.

Bravo, who won 26 percent of the vote to Kaur's 34 percent, has hired the strategists who worked for third-place finisher Jeremy Roberts  San Antonio political consultants Laura Barberena of VIVA Politics and Bert Santibanez of Flagship Campaigns. Roberts, a marketing executive, got 21 percent of the vote.

Bravo said the staff that ran his campaign before the May 6 election had never run one before. "We trained them up, but we're in a runoff now and we wanted to hire experienced professionals," he added.

For her part, Kaur, founder and CEO of education consulting firm EDreimagined and a real estate agent, has been devising her strategy for the June 10 election.

Both candidates also have been raking in as much cash as possible.

On Friday, Bravo, a former project manager for the Environmental Defense Fund, said he had raised nearly $20,000 so far. Janie Gonzalez, chair of the CPS Energy board of trustees, will be hosting a fundraiser for Bravo soon.

Kaur said she brought in about $25,000 last week, halfway to her goal of $50,000 for the runoff. Former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, one of Kaur's earliest and highest-profile supporters, helped her by writing a letter urging supporters to contribute.

Kaur announced her candidacy in October and raised $65,105 from then to April 26. Bravo raised $101,702 from July 1 through late April.

On ExpressNews.com: Mario Bravo lags behind education consultant Sukh Kaur. Districts 1 and 7 are headed for runoffs.

Both candidates have asked Roberts for his endorsement, but he doesnt plan to offer it quickly. Roberts said he might endorse one of the contenders closer to election day. For the time being, he'll watch the race unfold.

I challenge both of them to step up to the plate more and show us more of who you are, Roberts said.

His decision to hold back doesn't surprise campaign consultant Kelton Morgan.

Roberts support could be helpful to whoever gets it. For Kaur, this endorsement potentially could attract some District 1 residents who voted for Roberts but whose main motivation May 6 was booting Bravo from office. For Bravo, a Roberts endorsement could take some of the air out of the opposition to his re-election.

However, it's easy to exaggerate the value of endorsements. More important for runoff candidates is mobilizing voters who supported them in the general election.

It really is more about dragging the people that you know are already for you back out, Morgan said. And that makes Mario the underdog for sure because he has a whole lot fewer people to drag out to the polls. Seventy-five percent of the people on (May 6) said loudly and clearly that they dont want Mario to be their councilman. So I think he has a bigger hill to climb.

The first-term councilman won 3,998 votes in the May 6 election, while Kaur got 5,218.

Kaur, a former middle school teacher, is working on several projects for public schools, including implementing a new budgeting system for Edgewood Independent School District.

Ahead of the May election, she relied heavily on block-walking. She estimates that she knocked on about 3,700 doors herself. She plans to return to as many homes as possible before June 10.

"The data shows that three of every four people that voted picked change," Kaur said. "Whether they picked me or someone else, they picked change. So I want to talk to as many people as I can, and that's the message that I'm sending, that even if you didn't pick me for that change, I'd love to talk to you, tell you my heart."

Bravo has the support of at least one of his former challengers  Ernest Salinas. The former Dellview Area Neighborhood Association president, one of the most conservative candidates in the seven-person race, garnered 10 percent of the vote on May 6. On the campaign trail, Bravo often touted neighborhood group support.

Two years ago, Bravo was one of five candidates vying to deny incumbent Roberto C. Trevino a fourth term. Bravo forced him into a runoff, winning 33.6 percent of the vote to Trevino's nearly 45 percent. Bravo won the runoff with 53.6 percent.

He cites that history, contending that he again will come from behind to win June 10.

"We're going to do again what we did last time, because we know it works," Bravo said.

However, he wasn't an incumbent two years ago. He was a fresh face running against a councilman who often struggled to win broad support in District 1.

Bravo had a rocky first term, marked by business owners' frustrations with slow-moving, disruptive street projects that the councilman had inherited, including an extensive, still unfinished project on the St. Mary's Strip, a popular cluster of bars, restaurants and live-music venues.

Bravo was also damaged by disclosures that he'd berated then-District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, his former romantic partner, near the dais in council chambers Sept. 15. He verbally attacked her for not supporting his spending plan for $50 million in surplus revenue from city-owned CPS Energy, telling her that her move illustrated why he ended their relationship and didnt have children with her.

After the San Antonio Express-News broke news of the incident, Mayor Ron Nirenberg temporarily suspended Bravo from the City Council committees he sat on, and the city hired an outside attorney to investigate. On Nov. 10, council members voted 8-0 to censure Bravo. It was also a vote of no confidence.

Bravo said he sought counseling after the outburst.

On ExpressNews.com: Mario Bravo had 'humbling' lesson in his first term, but he's confident in re-election bid

Morgan said he thinks Bravo didnt take his competition seriously enough during the first round. The recent redrawing of City Council maps also might have hurt Bravo  the redrawn District 1 includes a few more pockets of conservative voters. District 1 now encompasses the downtown area and the near North Side, from Tobin Hill to Greater Harmony Hills.

Ahead of the May 6 election, Morgan worked with San Antonio Safe and the San Antonio Equity Alliance political action committees. The first targeted the Proposition A city charter amendment, and the latter supported District 7 candidate Marina Alderete Gavito and District 10 candidate Marc Whyte, who won his race without a runoff.

The San Antonio Equity Alliance will likely back one of the District 1 candidates in the runoff, but Morgan said that PAC hasn't decided which candidate to support.

The District 7 race is the only other council runoff election on the June ballot. Gavito and Dan Rossiter will vie for the open District 7 seat, which former councilwoman Sandoval left early this year.

Sandoval is not endorsing either candidate, and neither is Rosie Castro, District 7's interim councilwoman.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the current status of staffers who worked on Councilman Mario Bravo's campaign in the May 6 city election. They remain with the campaign in the June 10 runoff election.
John Kerry leads an international jet-set life that might exhaust a runway model. If President Bidens special envoy for climate was not in Washington or relaxing at his mansion near Nantucket Harbor, he could be found in Brazil, Panama, the Bahamas, or Germany. And thats just in February and March.

While Kerry trumpets his meetings and appearances around the world, the State Department wraps the rest of his efforts in a cloak of secrecy usually reserved for CIA black box operations. It has refused to specify lists of people he is meeting with and who is advising him as he circles the globe. His office has stonewalled requests for budget and staffing information from legislators and government watchdog groups. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed last year by RealClearInvestigations for a breakdown on how the climate envoys roughly $16.5 million 2022 budget was spent, the State Department said it could not comply with the request until April 2025, months after both the 2024 election and the expiration of President Bidens current term.

The secrecy surrounding Kerrys work is reaching a boiling point with the threat of a congressional subpoena.

Frustrated that Kerrys office ignored two previous requests for detailed information about its budget when his party was in the minority, Republican Rep. James Comer, who now heads the House Oversight Committee, sent what he labeled a final courtesy letter on April 25 and added that a subpoena would accompany the next request if Kerrys powerful, unchecked position continued to hide the information.

The State Department has not provided any meaningful updates to Committee staff inquiries on the status of producing these documents, Comer wrote. Envoy Kerry is engaging in activities that skirt congressional authority, threaten foreign policy under the guise of climate advocacy, and could undermine economic health. Yet, Envoy Kerry and his office are refusing to be transparent about their activities, spending, and staffing with the Committee  and the American people.

Biden, who has identified climate change as the single greatest threat facing the United States, named Kerry the nations first special envoy for climate on his first day in office in 2021.

His precise job description is difficult to determine, although Kerry has been given a seat on the White House national security team, and it is commonly referred to as a cabinet level position  even though it did not require Senate confirmation.

Since taking office, Kerry has been indefatigable in attending conferences and meetings in far-flung posts and glittering capitals. His office has sent out his pronouncements to the press and copies of his public remarks from places such as Hanoi, Dhaka, London, Cairo (twice) and, last month, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But almost nothing is known about discussions and potential agreements made at his private meetings.

Given the Biden administrations penchant for issuing sweeping executive orders, especially regarding the climate, Republicans worry that Kerrys undefined position could translate into unchecked power to commit the United States to binding agreements with foreign powers. Neither the White House nor the State Department responded to questions about the precise nature of Kerrys work, and whether he was authorized to negotiate treaties on behalf of the United States.

John Kerry continues to negotiate deals with foreign governments, including the Chinese Communist Party, that potentially undermine the United States interests, Comer wrote, without the envoy's providing any detail about the nature or scope of those deals or whether any have been approved.

In his speeches and other public appearances, Kerry warns that humanity has just a few years left to avert the catastrophic consequences of climate change.

It is an existential issue; it is an issue where people today are dying, he told MSNBC in late April. He has called for a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and endorsed the goal of zero emissions by 2050.

In his effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Kerry has flown hundreds of thousands of miles  sometimes commercially, sometimes on his own private jet  leaving a gigantic carbon footprint in his wake. In just nine months last year he logged more than 180,000 miles, emitting some 9.5 million pounds of carbon, according to an analysis of his official travel announcements by the Washington Free Beacon.

The global travel and speeches to combat global warming have enjoyed glowing coverage from media outlets including The New Yorker, which praised his effort to save the climate. But thus far it has unfolded behind a cloak of invisibility beyond the press releases.

RCI reached out to the Washington office of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development and the liberal Common Cause, which trumpets the need for transparency and accountability in government. Neither group responded to questions about the special climate envoys refusal to make his spending public.

In the House, its unclear how much support there may be for the efforts of Comer and others to shine a light on Kerrys black budget. RCI reached out to more than 80 representatives, including every Republican member of the Freedom Caucus and the Appropriations Committee  which is ultimately responsible for directing federal funding  and asked if they possessed any information about Kerrys budget and spending and whether they believed government bodies should hide their financial activities.

Only six responded, and there was no response from a dozen Democrats on the Appropriations Committee, including ranking member Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.

Those who did respond were united in saying they thought Kerrys office should allow public review of its work. Republican Reps. Chip Roy and Scott Perry, of Texas and Pennsylvania respectively, sent a letter in March to DeLauro and others asking them to defund Kerrys office, citing what they fear is his willingness to partner with left-wing environmental agencies and alleged free market meddling.

The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, is actively undermining U.S. energy production and independence in the name of climate hysteria, Roy and Perry wrote. Despite skyrocketing energy prices and an increasingly unreliable electrical grid, Kerry has said we have to push back hard on efforts to increase oil production and expand fossil fuel infrastructure. Kerry has also reportedly pressured banks and other financial institutions to divest from fossil fuels. Finally, Kerry actively jeopardizes U.S. sovereignty by making dangerous commitments at international climate conferences without the backing of Congress.

Congress and RCI are not alone in being stonewalled by Kerrys office. Judicial Watch, a conservative government watchdog group, also filed a FOIA request for information on Kerrys spending and staff, and they followed that up with a lawsuit last October.

Theyve gone and created this new position, but they dont want to tell us anything about what hes been doing, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told RCI. The resting state of the deep state is secrecy, and unfortunately its not unusual to get this obstruction and contempt for the FOIA law.

Since February, Kerrys office has provided Judicial Watch with small batches of documents, such as a vague organizational chart, trying to slow-walk compliance with the law, Fitton said.

The notion that such a government agencys work and spending should be beyond public purview is preposterous, said Adam Andrzejewski, CEO of OpenTheBooks, which works to make government spending public. (His work appears in RealClearInvestigations.)
Gun violence illustration (Photo by Erik Harkleroad of KFF Health News).

A majority of Americans say they or a family member has experienced gun violence, such as witnessing a shooting, being threatened by a person with a gun, or being shot, according to a sweeping new survey.

The national survey of 1,271 adults conducted by KFF revealed the severe physical and psychological harm exacted by firearm violence, especially in minority communities.

Nearly 1 in 5 respondents, including 34% of Black adults, 18% of Hispanic adults, and 17% of white adults, said a family member had been killed by a gun.

The survey confirms that firearm-related injuries are ubiquitous, said Dr. Selwyn Rogers, a surgeon and founding director of the UChicago Medicine trauma center. For every person killed, there are two or three people harmed. These are people who have had fractures, who may have been paralyzed or disabled.

Beyond causing physical injuries, gun violence has left many Americans living with trauma and fear, Rogers said.

Just more than half of adults say gun-related crimes, injuries and deaths are a constant threat or major concern in their communities. Black and Hispanic adults were more likely than white adults to describe gun violence as a constant threat or major concern. About 3 in 10 Black or Hispanic adults say they feel not too safe or not safe at all from gun violence in their neighborhoods. (Hispanics can be of any race or combination of races.)

Women also reported high rates of concern about firearm violence, with 58% saying gun-related crimes are a constant threat or major concern, compared with 43% of men. More than half of intimate partner homicides are committed with guns.

Parents are worried about their children as well.

About 1 in 4 parents of children under 18 say they worry daily or almost daily about gun violence, the KFF survey found, and 84% of adults report having taken at least one precaution to reduce their familys risk from gun violence. More than one-third of adults say they have avoided large crowds, such as at music festivals or crowded bars, for example.

Gun violence surged during the pandemic. There were a record 48,830 firearm-related deaths in 2021, an increase of 23% from 2019, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. The increase among children was even sharper. Firearm deaths among Americans under 18  which include those due to homicide, suicide, and gun-related accidents  increased 50%, from 1,732 in 2019 to 2,590 in 2021.

Guns have become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents ages 1 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The pandemic also coincided with a huge increase in gun purchases, which grew an estimated 64% from 2019 to 2020.

According to the KFF survey, 29% of adults have purchased a gun at some point to protect themselves or their families, with 44% of parents of children under 18 keeping a gun in the home. Yet 78% of parents in gun-owning households fail to follow safety recommendations, such as locking guns and ammunition, storing guns unloaded, and storing guns and ammunition separately, practices that have been shown to reduce the risk of thefts, accidents, and suicides.

Dr. Abdullah Pratt, an emergency physician at the UChicago Medicine trauma center, has lost a dozen close friends to gun violence, including his brother. His father never recovered from that loss and died about seven years later, at age 64.

As soon as my brother got killed, he stopped taking his medications and started chain-smoking out of nowhere, Pratt said.

Gun violence also wears away communities, Pratt said.

In neighborhoods with high crime rates, the daily drumbeat of loss can lead residents to conclude theres no point in voting, going to school, or trying to improve their lives.

They think, What am I voting for if I cant have basic access to safety on a day-to-day basis? Pratt said.

And while mass shootings and homicides grab headlines, Rogers, the surgeon, noted that suicides account for more than half of firearm-related deaths in the U.S. and cause ripples of grief throughout a community. Researchers estimate that every suicide leaves at least six people in mourning.

Pratt said he feels guilty he wasnt able to help a close friend who died by suicide with a gun several years ago. The man had recently lost a job and had his car repossessed and came to Pratt to talk about his troubles. Instead, Pratt spent the visit asking for parenting advice, without realizing how much his friend was hurting.

There were no red flags, Pratt said. A couple days later, he died.

Gun violence has also shaped the trajectory of Bernice Grisbys life.

Grisby, now 35, was shot for the first time when she was 8, while playing on the swings at her school in Oakland, California. She was shot a second time at age 15, when she was talking to friends after school. One of her friends died that day, while another lost an eye; Grisby was shot in the hip and experiences chronic pain from the wound.

Two of her brothers were fatally shot in their 20s. Her 15-year-old daughter was recently robbed at gunpoint.

Rather than leaving Oakland, Grisby is trying to save it. She works as a street counselor to young people at high risk of gun violence through Oaklands East Bay Asian Youth Center, which aims to help young people living in poverty, trauma, and neglect.

My life is a gift from God, Grisby said. I am happy to be here to support the youth and know that I am making a difference.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

The post Most Americans say they or a family member have experienced gun violence appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The UK dairy sector has called for better access to foreign workers in order to help soothe the labour crisis in the short term.

The ask was made during the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers' (RABDF) roundtable event at the House of Lords earlier this week.

It comes after a survey showed that more than one in ten dairy producers would leave the sector if chronic staff shortages did not improve.

The roundtable event discussed ways to create create a short and longer term pipeline of employees coming into the industry.

The event, consisting of representatives from the dairy sector as well as government officials, heard that access to foreign labour was "something we still need in the short term".

In the longer term, education in schools, brand building, skills development and attracting employees from diverse backgrounds was needed.

The roundtable event also included representatives from land-based colleges, dairy farmers, HR experts and processors.

RABDFs Di Wastenage said labour on UK dairy farms was a 'paramount issue' affecting many businesses, warning that a pipeline of employees was needed to "safeguard" the industry.

This weeks roundtable was an invaluable discussion on how to create a short- and longer-term pipeline of employees coming into the industry," she added.

This isnt something that can be done overnight, and it will take time to prioritise how we do this and the key stakeholders needed to help us get there.

Its clear that access to foreign labour is something we still need in the short term, so we will be reiterating that message in our submission to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) Review.

However, it is not a long-term solution - we need to look at a myriad of options from education in schools, brand building, skills development, attracting employees from diverse backgrounds, and setting up a dairy scholarship scheme, as examples.

Following the roundtable, the next steps are to identify the key players and where the shortages lie, which we hope to achieve with our 2023 labour survey, she said.

Results from the RABDF labour survey will outline where the barriers are to recruitment, the extent of the labour problem on UK farms and the impact it is having.

The survey is live and all dairy farmers can complete it by 20 May.
Jonathan Majors is dating Meagan Good.

Jonathan Majors has found love again

The 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ' actor - who is facing three charges of attempted assault, one of assault, one count of aggravated harassment, and an additional count of harassment after being arrested following an alleged domestic dispute in March - has found some happiness amid his legal woes after finding love with the 41-year-old actress.

Sources told TMZ the couple have got close over the last several weeks but their romance is "fairly new".

And Jonathan and the 'Shazam!' actress aren't keeping their romance private because an onlooker saw them at the Alamo Drafthouse in Los Angeles, where they had gone to see a movie.

The 'Creed III' star appeared virtually for a hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court earlier this week, but spoke only to confirmed he had consented to appear via video link rather than in person.

The 33-year-old actor has been accused of slapping his ex-girlfriend in the back of a taxi after a night out partying in New York City in March, but he has insisted he is innocent, with his lawyer, Priya Chaudhry handing over several surveillance videos and text messages from the alleged victim in an attempt to clear her client's name.

Following the hearing, his attorney said she had provided the Manhattan District Attorney's office with "irrefutable evidence" that the alleged victim was "lying" about the facts of the case.

And Priya criticised alleged racism in the investigation as she expressed her frustration that no one is investigating Jonathan's claim he was actually assaulted by his former partner on the night in question.

She said: "When Mr. Majors showed a white police officer the injuries the woman caused him, the white officer got in Mr. Majors' face and taunted him, saying that if the officer were to slap Mr. Majors, the officer wouldn't break his finger."
Prince Andrew is refusing to move out of Royal Lodge.

Prince Andrew is refusing to move out of Royal Lodge

The Duke of York does not want to leave the 30-room mansion even though King Charles is keen for him to vacate the property and downsize to Prince Harry's former residence Frogmore Cottage.

It is understood that the King has earmarked the property in Windsor - where Andrew lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - for Prince William and his family.

Friends of Andrew - who was forced to step down as a working member of the royal family because of his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and claims that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, which were latter settled out of court - have questioned the decision to remove the "fragile" duke from the property after a turbulent period.

A friend told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "He is so fragile. Hes refusing to see anybody. This has been his family home for the past 20 years. Is it really sensible to kick him out?

"Hes concerned that now the Coronation is over, the knives are out. Hes worried that the Royals might even turn off the utilities to get him out of there. But were dealing with human beings, not real estate."

Friends of the disgraced royal have urged the King to hold face-to-face talks with his younger brother to explained that he wants him to leave the residence.

One said: "If Charles wants Andrew to play ball and help the family through these difficult times, arent there better ways of going about it?

"Why not do the decent thing, sit down and talk?

"If they need the house for William, perhaps Andrew should be told. Perhaps William should invite his uncle for tea and explain.

"Or why doesnt Charles invite his brother for a meeting and ask him if hed leave Royal Lodge to help his nephew and the future of the monarchy? And agree a schedule acceptable to both sides."
Next Story : #MothersDaySpecial: Dr Priya Selvaraj Bonds With Mom Over Summer Retreats

From the sleepless nights of infancy to the teenage years of rebellion and beyond, mothers have always been there to offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and words of wisdom. This Mothers Day, Team Femina reaches out to social media personalities and asks them to share their favourite summer memories with their mothers.One of my fondest summer memories is when my entire extended family, including my aunts, uncles, and cousins from my mother's side, would gather at my hometown in Palakkad for a two-month vacation. We were all thrilled to see each other during this time, as it was the only period when we could take a break from our respective schedules. We indulged in delicious food and snacks, treating ourselves to anything we desired. Chocolates were a particular favourite, as were traditional dishes like olan and avial, and we enjoyed a hearty Sadhya wheneverpossible. My aunt, who was a kind and generous woman, always cooked up a storm for us. However, as we grew older, our annual trips to Palakkad were less frequent due to my aunt and uncle's move to Sydney. Consequently, our summer holidays became more focused on individual family units.I have many fond memories of mango season during summer in Bengaluru. My mother would purchase copious amounts of mangoes for us, which she would use to make dadima pickle, a recipe passed down from my grandmother. The pickle was always a highlight of the summer, and my mother still sends some to me in Bombay to relish. We would also enjoy mangoes with curd rice, with my mother savouring the fruit's main pulp. Although we are now more health-conscious, my family and I still look back on these summers with nostalgia, reminiscing about the time we spent together and the wonderful food we enjoyed.Heres wishing a happy Mothers Day to the incredible women who have shaped us into who we are today!
China and Ecuador have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade. Chinese apparel exports to Ecuador in 2022 were valued at $66.969 million, showing stagnation compared to previous years. However, exports of home textiles from China to Ecuador increased to $39.583 million in 2022 from the previous year.

Chinese apparel exports to Ecuador were $66.383 million in 2018, declining to $63.045 million in 2019. The trade experienced a sharp fall in 2020 due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching $46.329 million. It recovered to $50.338 million in 2021 and further increased to $66.969 million in 2022, approaching the level of five years ago, according to Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro.

Chinese exports of home textiles to Ecuador surged six times in 2020, reaching $129.539 million from $20.543 million in 2019. However, it decreased to $55.640 million in 2021 and further dropped to $39.583 million in 2022. Despite the significant increase compared to 2018, it represented less than one-third of the peak shipment in 2020.

China and Ecuador have signed an FTA to enhance bilateral trade. While Chinese apparel exports to Ecuador in 2022 remained stagnant at $66.969 million, there was an increase in exports of home textiles to $39.583 million. The trade data indicates a decline in apparel exports from China to Ecuador in previous years, followed by recovery in 2021 and 2022.

Ecuador's total apparel exports from the world amounted to $299.453 million in 2022, with China being the largest supplier, accounting for 32.19 per cent. However, Ecuador remains a relatively small market for China's massive apparel exports, representing only 0.04 per cent of China's total shipment valued at $167.382 billion in 2022, as per TexPro.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
MBABANE  A Facebook post read: X (name withheld) please continue misleading emaSwati to participate in the general elections.

The post further read: I want to warn you that we know where you stay as your place of abode is not far from the border gate. Therefore, history will judge you harshly as you continue producing and releasing video clips that encourage people to participate in the elections. The post summed it up: Your children will spit on your grave (swearing). Such threats were made by one of the popular political parties activist affiliated to the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). He threatened a recognisable member of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO).

undemocratic

PUDEMO has declared that its members should not participate in what it described as an undemocratic parliamentary election. On the other hand, SWALIMO has indicated that its members were at liberty to exercise their right to vote or be voted into Parliament. They hope political activist-MPs possess the power and influence to dismantle the Tinkhundla System of Government. They say the fight against the countrys political system should come from within the Tinkhundla structures. While the ideological differences and misunderstandings may be accepted, the Times SUNDAY has been made aware of legal provisions that penalise threats and sabotaging of the elections. Section 78 (1) (c) of the Elections Act, 2013, states that a person shall not directly or indirectly, by oneself or by any other person do or threaten to do anything to the disadvantage of any person in order to induce or compel any person to do the following -

(i) to register or not to register as a voter;

(iii) to vote or not to vote;

(iv) to vote or not to vote for any candidate;

(v) to support or not to support any candidate; or

(vi) to attend and participate in, or not to attend and participate in any election meeting, march, demonstration or other election event.

It is also stated in Section 78 (1) (a) that a person shall not directly or indirectly, by oneself or by any other person make use of or threaten to make use of any force, violence or restraint upon any other person. It is also a criminal offence in terms of Section 78 (1) (b) to inflict or threaten to inflict by oneself or by any other person or by any supernatural or non-natural means or pretended supernatural or non-natural means any physical, psychological, mental or spiritual injury, damage, harm or loss upon or against any person.

According to the provisions of the Act, no person shall prevent anyone from exercising a right conferred by this legislation. It is then stated in Subsection 5 that a person who contravenes any of the provisions of Subsections 1-4 (provisions stated above) commits an offence of undue influence. The Elections Act provides that a person who, by abduction, duress or any fraudulent device or contrivance, impedes or prevents the free exercise of the vote of any voter commits an offence of undue influence. Therefore, this person shall on conviction be liable to pay a fine not exceeding E10 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both. This person also faces the fine or imprisonment if he or she compels, induces or prevails upon any voter either to give or to refrain from giving the persons vote at any election.

Under the Voters Registration Act, 2013, undue influence, in terms of Section 36, carries a fine not exceeding 10 years or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. However, Section 33 of the Voters Registration Act provides that a person who uses force or threats to prevent another one from exercising his or her right to register as a voter is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E20 000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Sabotage

Another legal provision that people should be made aware of is Section 79, which provides that publishing a false statement of the illness, death or withdrawal from election of a candidate is an illegal practice. A person who, before or during an election, publishes a false statement of the illness, death or withdrawal from election of a candidate at that election for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of another candidate, knowing that statement to be false or not believing it to be true, commits an illegal practice, reads Section 79 (1).

Publishing false statement carries a fine not exceeding E20 000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.

Election boycott

People who are calling for the boycott of the elections to an extent that they are determined to sabotage the voting should be wary of Section 85 of the Act. Section 85 provides that a person who without lawful authority destroys, mutilates, or removes a notice which is exhibited under the authority of this Act, or a document which is made available for inspection in accordance with this Act, commits an offence. It is provided that he or she is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E2 000 or, in default of payment of the fine, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.

We will enforce law  cops

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said they were aware of all the legislations on elections. She said police took an oath to serve the country by restoring peace and order wherein they enforced the law unselectively. The spokesperson said all laws that were in the countrys statutes were enforceable. The polices spokesperson warned the nation to adhere to the laws governing the elections. We are aware of the Voters Registration Act, mainly Section 33 and we can urge emaSwati to familiarise themselves with these laws as we, as the police, exist to enforce them, she said.

MSF differs

Sikelela Dlamini, the Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), said while it might be considered illegal to induce someone not to vote, it, basically, depended on how the said inducement was being done. Dlamini said there was nothing wrong or illegal to influence people through campaigns such as road-shows, public statements, banners, speeches and other forums not to vote. The SG mentioned that it would be also wrong to tell people to vote if it was to be illegal to tell them not to vote because the political system does not meet international standards. If I were to waylay people and hit them with a knobkerrie, becoming violent or killing them for voting may be considered illegal to do, but theres nothing wrong if I use proper channels to influence people not to vote, said Dlamini.

He said influencing people not to vote remains a constitutional right to freedom of expression and speech, adding that people are at liberty to analyse and form impressions about elections. The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has opened the registration for the elections to set up the 12th Parliament. Registration closes on June 14, 2023. Eswatini News reported yesterday that over 10 000 people registered for the elections within two days.
Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, has taken over Bangladesh since its May 12 release. According to several accounts, the halls were entirely packed out in several locations even before the film's release. Videos of Bangladeshi fans dancing in theatres to Pathaan's Jhoome Jo Pathaan have now appeared on the internet.



Fans are seen singing Jhoome Jo Pathaan and cheering as they watch Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen in one of the videos taken inside a cinema in Bangladesh. Another video shows a little girl dancing while Jhoome Jo Pathaan plays on the screen.




Cannes 2023: Sarafina Selected Again 3 Decades Later Photo Credit: Cannes Film Festival

South African Indian-origin filmmaker's Sarafina, a classic film about the role of young women in the country's freedom struggle has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival again 30 years after it first premiered there to a 20-minute standing ovation.

This time Sarafina has been selected for the Cannes Classic section of the prestigious cinema event. This section acknowledges films which are deemed to be works of quality that have contributed to the evolution of motion picture arts and encouraged the development of the film industry throughout the world.

It is also the first time that any South African film features for a second time at Cannes. A digitally remastered Producer's Cut with footage never-seen-before will be screened in partnership with IMAX.

Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg joined renowned South African actors Leleti Khumalo; Miriam Makeba; Mbongeni Ngema; John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo in the movie.

"Keep talking to the kids because they are going to fix it, they are going to make it happen, they are going to make change happen," commented Whoopi Goldberg on the relevance of Sarafina! in today's world.

'Sarafina is an iconic South African film which has been embraced by a multi-generational audience over the years. The film shows the strength of our young women who made their mark in South Africa's journey to freedom. It is a vibrant combination of drama, music and dance.

Sarafina! is entertaining and remains as relevant today as it was thirty years ago," Singh said.

"It is exciting to be returning to the Cannes Film Festival with Sarafina! after 30 years. Being selected for Cannes Classics is a rare and coveted recognition.

"The World Premiere in 1992 sparked a renaissance of the South African film industry. Sarafina!'s return to Cannes celebrates the timelessness of our stories and I hope this will motivate a new generation of filmmakers," the internationally-acclaimed movie magnate added.

Singh has produced more than 80 films since 1984, most of which had highly-lauded anti-apartheid themes. The late president Nelson Mandela had called him "a producer I respect very much...a man of tremendous ability" when he granted Singh the film rights to his autobiography, 'Long Walk To Freedom'.

The film version, titled 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom', was directed by Justin Chadwick and starred Idris Elba as Mandela and Naomie Harris as his wife Winnie. The film received wide critical acclaim internationally, and received prestigious award recognitions, including Academy Award and BAFTA nominations and a Golden Globe Award in 2014.

Another of Singh's films, 'Yesterday', secured him South Africa's first Academy Award Nomination in the Best Foreign Language Picture category in 2005, the Peabody Award and an Emmy Nomination in 2006 in the "Outstanding Made For Television Movie" category. The film highlighted the challenges which single rural Black women with HIV in South Africa face daily.
Anupamaa Update: Produced by Rajan Shahi's Director's Kut Productions, Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's Anupamaa is currently the top-rated daily soap across channels. The show also stars Sudhanshu Pandey, Madalsa Sharma, and Nidhi Shah among others in important roles.

Anupamaa premiered on Star Plus in 2020 and the family drama has been winning hearts since then. The current track of the top-rated drama revolves around Anupama and Anuj's separation. Amid all this, the makers came up with another surprising twist as Kavya decides to part ways with Vanraj.

As shown in one of the recent episodes of Anupamaa, Kavya finally chose her self-respect and announced that she's leaving Vanraj as well as Shah house after an ugly fight with him. Since then, the loyal viewers are wondering if Madalsa Sharma is leaving the show.

IS MADALSA SHARMA AKA KAVYA QUITTING ANUPAMAA?

Well, the talented actress has finally reacted to the ongoing speculations around her character. In a recent interview, Madalsa Sharma aka Kavya finally revealed that she's not quitting Anupamaa. Yes, you read that right!

After Disha Parmar, Nakuul Mehta CONFIRMS Return As Ram In Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 3: I Was Not Shocked...

EXCLUSIVE: Meet Actress Ashi Singh On Her Mother's Day Plans: I'm going to Give Her...

A Tellychakkar report quoted her by saying, "No, there is nothing like that Anupamaa show is known for the twist and turns in the show and this track is also a twist in the show and later on things would be revealed I am very much part of the show, such twists will come and go doesn't mean someone is leaving the show."

UPCOMING TWIST IN RUPALI GANGULY & GAURAV KHANNA'S ANUPAMAA

After getting assaulted by Maya (Chhavi Pandey), Anuj was on his way to Ahemdabad to reunite with Anupama. However, shockingly, he later calls Anupama and declares that he's not going to come back ever and is going to stay in Mumbai.

Now, Anupama has decided to move on in life and live for herself. Recently, Apara Mehta entered the show in the pivotal role of Malti Devi. She'll be seen as Anupama's dance guru. Interesingly, Malti will ask Anupama to sign a contract as a part of which she'll be leaving for America for three years.

Now, it'll be interesting to see if Anupama will sign the contract and go to America leaving Abuj and the Shah family behind or not.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
+39,93% Rendite seit Januar  so lautet die Erfolgsbilanz der Aktie der Woche. Damit wurden sowohl der DAX als auch der S&P 500 deutlich outperformt. Wie das genau funktioniert, erklart Chefradakteur Lars Wiler in seiner Zwischenbilanz.

EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Adtran Holdings, Inc. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Adtran Holdings, Inc.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 13.05.2023 / 23:54 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has revealed the launch date of the mission of the Saudi astronauts: 21stMay 2023. Hence, on this day, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni are to depart to the International Space Station in a human spaceflight.





The launch was set after they completed their training program. This launch is part of Saudi Arabia's astronauts program, it aims at accomplishing the Saudi ambitions in Space research and achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) has confirmed that this journey to space will last 12 days, liftoffs from the United States and more importantly, makes history. In effect, the astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that are set to help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans - including the work of artificial rain. The results of which will enhance the Saudi Arabia's global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity. It will also confirm the role of Saudi research centers in making a scientific impact in this field. The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via a live feed.

This mission once accomplished places Saudi Arabia as one of the few countries to have had two astronauts from the same nationality simultaneously on board the International Space Station. Its success will enhance its global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity. It will place a cornerstone in the astronauts' program which is designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers, through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions, achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

The astronaut program plays an important role in the global community of space science research, and in the service of humanity and its future, just as it is confident that space research will impact the future of the industries and of the nation, inspiring a future generation of scientists and aspiring astronauts, and encouraging more young students to follow STEM careers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2076210/Saudi_Space_Commission.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036414/4034112/SSC_Logo.jpg





View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-astronauts-rocket-launch-to-space-set-on-21st-may-2023-301823677.html
The coronation of King Charles III has upped the UKs public holiday count this year. The special public holiday on the Monday after the 6 May ceremony, combined with the early May bank holiday and the spring bank holiday at the end, has certainly made for a month of celebrations for many workers.

Normally public holidays in the UK  and in England and Wales in particular  are much more rare occasions. The coronation celebration brings the total to nine in 2023, which is still fewer than any EU country.

Given that hours worked in the UK over the whole year are 11 per cent higher than in Germany, for example, it is not clear that working more and having fewer holidays is a sign of economic success.

Currently, nine of the top ten most productive OECD countries, measured by GDP per hour worked in dollars, are in continental Europe. Yet this is a region with a tradition of long holidays.

There is also evidence that national holidays have a small but positive impact on economic activity, or at least no ill-effect.

Having several three-day weekends in one month also brings into focus the recent four-day working week pilots (without loss of pay) in many countries. Iceland led one of the earliest large trials between 2015 and 2019, with its success seeing it rolled out to close to 90 per cent of Icelands workforce. These people can now request a shorter workweek without any loss in pay.

Findings from a New Zealand trial among employees of Unilever also showed strong results against standard business targets such as revenue growth. The vast majority of participants reported feeling engaged and absenteeism dropped by 34 per cent during the trial.

A similar six-month pilot programme took place in the UK from June to December 2022, involving 61 companies and around 2,900 workers. As with the other trials, organisers said it was a resounding success for the companies involved  56 of these 61 businesses pledged to continue with the four-day week.

Paying 100 per cent of the standard wages for 80 per cent of the previous worktime may seem uneconomic, but the UK trial found that the vast majority of companies were also satisfied that business performance and productivity were maintained.

Staff retention also improved with the number of people leaving the participating companies dropping by 57 per cent during the trial.

Wellbeing and health benefits

But the most significant benefits to employees from these four-day week trials have been in terms of well-being. The UK trial reported that 39 per cent of employees were less stressed and 71 per cent said they had reduced levels of burnout by the end.

The average mental health score (on a five-point scale from poor to excellent) rose from 2.95 at the beginning of the trial to 3.32 by the end  an increase of 13 per cent. And in terms of anxiety, 54 per cent of respondents reported a reduction in negative emotions.

A similar wellbeing boost was seen in Irelands four-day work week trial completed in 2022.

Among the 12 Irish companies involved, employees saw a reduction in anxiety and negative feelings and an increase in positive feelings (and expressions of those feelings) throughout the trial.

The previously-mentioned New Zealand trial also confirmed the strong positive effects of a four-day week on wellbeing. Over two-thirds of participants reported a better worklife balance, and measured stress levels dropped by 33 per cent during the trial period.

Four-day work week versus public holidays

But the benefits from four-day week trials are permanent since they accrue from a long-term change in working arrangements, at least during the trial. So, the effects of this years spate of May bank holidays in the UK could be different.

This was certainly shown to be the case by a study that looked at the wellbeing benefits of national holidays across 200 countries. It found that one less public holiday reduces the probability of being happy by 0.8 percentage points, but that one less public holiday had no impact on the longer-term measure of life satisfaction.

But other research shows that, although the positive well-being impact of public holidays may not be permanent, it does lead to an increase in social cohesion or social capital.

This brings its own economic and well-being benefits. For all but a minority of the workforce, public holidays ensure that people are using it for leisure time. And social cohesion has long been associated with positive well-being.

We need to focus on workplace well-being more than ever. In addition to multiple high-profile workplace bullying and harassment scandals recently, calls to employee assistance hotlines are at record highs due to anxiety and depression among employees.

These initiatives were designed to meet demand for a range of work-related queries and advice, not to act as an emergency mental health service.

And so, the coronation public holiday may give UK workers the much-needed celebration they need. Whatever your view of the Royal family, Mays public holidays will benefit the economy, but more importantly, they will deliver a wellbeing boost for much of the country.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Its Mothers Day and many groups will hold special events or services to celebrate the holiday. In the United States, Mothers Day was originally founded in 1908 at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia and became a nationally recognised holiday in 1914.

The mid-May date spread around the world, though many countries still maintain their own dates and traditions.

Religions around the world use these days to honour the importance of many kinds of nurturing, from traditional celebrations to events that honour modern parenting, infertility struggles or the pain of losing a child

Motherhood and nurturing are not celebrated only on particular days, however. Many religions include goddess-centred traditions that embrace many forms of the divine feminine as central to their belief systems.

As a religious studies professor who travels with students around the world to explore different cultures and practices, I have often noticed the interest students have in the variety of goddess traditions we encounter.

Asian traditions

Guan Yin, who goes by many variations of her name, is revered as the goddess of compassion and mercy in several different Eastern traditions. Beginning  interestingly enough  as a male bodhisattva called Avalokiteshvara, the goddess figure was adapted in many different cultures around the world.

Called Kannon in Japan and Quan Am in Vietnam, she is frequently a focal point of temple worship and is also considered the guardian of sailors and a goddess of fertility.

One of the most well-known goddesses in Hinduism, meanwhile, is perhaps the least understood from an outside perspective. Kali is often seen as a terrifying figure, depicted using multiple weapons and dressed in clothing of severed heads and arms.

Yet Kali is also an important mother figure who channels her ferocity into the care and defence of all creation. As a manifestation of the primal force of Shakti, Kali is essentially all aspects of motherhood wrapped up into one, often simultaneously caring, loving and fierce.

The triple goddess

In Neopaganism, an umbrella term for a diverse group of new religious movements most popular in the United States, Australia and Europe, goddess figures also often play a primary role. Neopaganisms various branches include Wicca and Hellenic reconstructionism, a religion that focuses on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece.

Of primary importance for many Neopagans is the triple goddess, a figure who encompasses the three aspects of maiden, mother and crone.

Sometimes these goddess figures are based on specific ancient deities, such as Persephone, Demeter and Hekate, and sometimes they are worshipped more generally as representations of various phases of life.

More recently, many of these traditions are intentionally expanding to reject ideas of gender essentialism and embrace a range of identities. For some Neopagans, exploring what femininity and masculinity signify in todays society is an important extension of religious belief and a way to include people who have felt rejected from other religious communities.

Beyond the goddess

Many other religions revere mother figures, even if they are not worshipped or considered goddesses. Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad and the first convert to Islam, is given the title the Mother of Believers, signifying her importance for the development of the religion.

Devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus, has been common throughout the history of Christianity and remains popular today. In Judaism, the idea of Shekinah has been influential in some feminist thought.

Rather than representing a single woman or female figure, Shekinah is seen as the feminine aspect of the divine, a manifestation of Gods wisdom on Earth.

Nurturing and compassion are key concepts in a variety of religions, whether they are represented as specific goddess figures, archetypes of the feminine or new religious developments that embrace shifting ideas about gender.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Congress resounding victory in Karnataka over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will certainly boost the confidence of its leaders and rank and file. The Grand Old Party, which had unseated the saffron party from Himachal Pradesh last December, won the southern state by securing 135 seats in the 224-member House. The BJP was reduced to 66 constituencies and the Janata Dal (Secular)s hope of playing the kingmaker was dashed as it managed to win only 19 seats.

With Karnataka, the BJP has lost the only southern state it was ruling. Karnataka election results have set the stage for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. But will the outcomes have any impact on the general elections? Lets understand.

What do past results indicate?

In 2018, the Congress formed the government in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. However, its government in MP collapsed due to the defection by dozens of MLAs to the BJP following the rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Despite losing the state elections, the BJP secured 62 out of the total 65 seats in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, noted Hindustan Times.

In the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP failed to touch the majority mark of 113. However, the party won 25 out of 28 parliamentary seats in the state in the last Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress, which had bagged 80 seats in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls, gained only one Lok Sabha seat from the southern state in 2019.

In 2013, Congress had won 122 Assembly seats in Karnataka to form the government. But in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Grand Old Party won only nine seats, while the saffron party secured 17 seats.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Assembly Election Results 2023: Why Lingayats, a traditional BJP vote bank, picked Congress

What Karnataka defeat means for the BJP?

Despite efforts by the central leadership, the BJP performed below par across Karnataka, including in its strongholds like Bengaluru, according to Indian Express.

BJPs prominent leaders, including former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, have already declared that the Karnataka rout will have no bearing on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

However, BJPs plans for expanding its footprint in southern India may get a setback. South India accounts for 130 out of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats.

In 2019 polls, the saffron party won 29 of the 130 seats, the majority of which were from Karnataka  25.

It remains to be seen how and if the Karnataka Assembly loss will impact the BJPs Lok Sabha tally in the region.

Although the saffron partys drubbing at the hands of Congress in the head-to-head battle in Karnataka can affect its cadres morale, people vote on different issues in state and national elections.

A senior central BJP leader told ThePrint that the saffron party is focusing on five main factors to triumph in south in the Lok Sabha elections: the popularity of Narendra Modi, the labharthi constituency (beneficiaries of welfare schemes), regional leaders who support the PMs vision, Hindutva, and our election-winning organisational machinery.

Even if Karnataka results do not make a dent in BJPs national calculations, its plans for improving its base in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are likely to become more challenging, according to ThePrint.

Dr SY Surendra Kumar, a political science professor at Bangalore University, told ThePrint that the BJP now faces even more of an uphill climb in southern India, including in Telangana, which is due to go to polls at the end of the year.

The BJPs Hindutva push has limited appeal in southern India, the professor added. It seems the Karnataka results have proved that.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Results: The states where the Congress is in power

What about Congress?

Congress will get a much-needed shot in the arm with the Karnataka win. The party had not won a major state since 2018.

Its humiliating electoral drubbings in the last two Lok Sabha polls had made matters worse for the Grand Old Party.

This time, the Congress took on the BJPs election juggernaut and scripted its largest-ever win in the southern state. Moreover, the narrative that Congress cannot win in a direct contest with the BJP has been busted.

The Grand Old Party will likely have more leverage with the other Opposition parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress will need the support of anti-BJP parties to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose popularity remains intact on a national level.

While many issues worked for the Congress in Karnataka such as anti-incumbency and Bommai governments alleged corruption, besides a robust regional leadership and a coherent campaign, the national elections are a different ballgame altogether.

However, boosted by the results, Congress is expected to put up a decent fight in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, as per The Wire.

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Congress is all set to form the next government in Karnataka after registering a thumping victory in the Assembly elections. The Grand Old Party secured 135 constituencies in the 224-member House, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to bag 66 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) got 19.

Among everything that went wrong for the saffron party, the disenchantment of the Lingayat community is also seen as a major factor. The split in Lingayat ballots likely worked in favour of the Grand Old Party which won nearly 43 per cent of the total vote share.

Why is the communitys vote significant and why did they prefer Congress? We explain.

Why Lingayat votes matter

Lingayats comprise 17 per cent of Karnatakas population. This dominant voting bloc can swing the electoral results in around 80 seats, according to NDTV.

The community has a major influence in several seats in the six districts of Kittur-Karnataka. Lingayats also have a high presence in central Karnatakas Davanagere, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru districts.

Their clout in Karnataka politics is visible from the fact that around 45 per cent of the candidates nominated by the Congress, BJP and JD(S) were Lingayats or Vokkaligas  the other dominant caste group in the southern state, as per NDTV.

Lingayats have traditionally supported the BJP, while Vokkaligas have usually aligned with the Congress or JD(S).

Earlier, Lingayats used to side with the Congress before switching loyalty to the BJP in the 1990s after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi abruptly axed Lingayat chief minister Veerendra Patil.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Results: Love over hate, women and caste factor. How Congress won the southern state

Lingayats resentment for BJP

It is believed their resentment had been simmering even before BJPs heavyweight Lingayat leader BS Yediyurappa was made to step down as the Karnataka chief minister in July 2021.

As per ThePrint report, the Lingayats anger with the BJP was triggered after the partys leaders started attacking Yediyurappa after he took over as the chief minister in 2019.

The BJP high command did not dissuade leaders like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal who frequently spoke against the 80-year-old, the report added.

Lingayat leaders told ThePrint that some BJP leaders even wrote anonymous letters seeking Yediyurappas removal.

Yediyurappa was forced to step down following a series of corruption allegations and was replaced by Basavaraj Bommai  another Lingayat leader.

At the time, Lingayat seers and community leaders had rallied behind Yediyurappa with one warning that removing the veteran would have huge consequences for the BJP.

Although the saffron party made several attempts to placate its traditional voter base, denying tickets to three prominent Lingayat leaders  Jagadish Shettar, Laxman Savadi and Mahadevappa Yadawad  seems to have further upset the community.

Shettar and Savadi fought the 2023 Karnataka election as Congress candidates.

The Bommai governments inept handling of the demand by Panchamasali Lingayats, a backward caste among the Lingayat community, for higher quota in the 2A category reservation under the Other Backward Classes was another misstep, as per The Times of India (TOI).

Notably, the BJP is considered to have the strongest influence among the Panchamshali Lingayats.

The Congress played up the perceived discontentment among the Lingayats by frequently alleging the BJP had insulted and humiliated the community.

In its last bid to attract the Lingayat and Vokkaliga votes, the BJP government in Karnataka scrapped the four per cent Other Backward Classes reservation for Muslims and decided to divide it between the two communities. However, it does not seem to have worked.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Results: Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah? Who will be Congress CM pick?

How Lingayats voted

As per NDTV, the Congress won 53 of the 80 seats where Lingayat votes can swing the outcome, whereas, the BJP got only 20.

Out of 46 Lingayat candidates fielded by Congress, 37 won. The BJP which gave tickets to 69 candidates from the community, only 15 could mark a victory, as per TOI.

In the Lingayat-dominated Kittur-Karnataka region  comprising of Gadag, Belagavi, Haveri, Dharwad, Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts, the Congress nearly doubled its tally from the 2018 elections, securing 33 seats this time.

The BJP which had bagged 30 seats in the six districts of Kittur-Karnataka in 2018, managed to secure only 16 of the total 50 seats, noted ThePrint. The JD(S) won one seat in Vijayapura.

There was a perception that Lingayats were averse to Congress, but that has been proven wrong in these elections. Lingayats from across regions have wholeheartedly supported us, MB Patil, a Lingayat and chairman of Congress campaign committee, told TOI.

BJPs Bommai, who succeeded Yediyurappa in 2021 as the chief minister, retained his seat from the Shiggaon constituency in Haveri district for a fourth consecutive term.

The saffron partys Mahesh Tenginkai defeated Congress Shettar from the Hubli-Dharwad-Central seat by a margin of 34,289 votes. Both Shettar and Tenginkai have the same caste and sub-caste  Banajiga Lingayats.

Explaining why Shettar lost, a Lingayat leader told The Quint: Shettar would have won only if the Lingayat vote had split in his constituency. But this did not happen as the Panchamasalis supported Tengikai over caste affiliation.

The BJP turncoat also bore the brunt of Panchamasali Lingayats after he opposed their demand for larger quota.

We felt that Tengikai, a fresh candidate from the community could help us get 2A reservation, a Panchamasali Lingayat leader was quoted as saying by The Quint.

Savadi, the other prominent Lingayat leader who contested on Congress ticket, triumphed over BJPs Mahesh Kumathalli in Athani with a margin of 76,122 votes.

Lingayat leaders told The Quint that it was Panchamasali Lingayats who favoured Savadi over Kumathalli.

BS Yediyurappas son BY Vijayendra won from his fathers stronghold  the Shikaripura constituency. SP Nagarajagowda, a Sadar Lingayat who contested as an Independent, lost to Vijayendra by a margin of 11,008 votes, as per the Election Commission data.

Speaking to The Quint, a Lingayat leader said they voted on the basis of the candidates. The community has not left the BJP, but in seats where the opposing candidates were not of our liking for reasons other than caste, we have voted for the Congress.

According to The Quint, even as they backed the BJP, the Lingayats have driven home the point in these elections that their support is not unconditional.

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Congress has won a thumping victory in Karnataka.

The Grand Old Party has won 136 seats in the southern state and held the BJP to just 64 seats.

The Congress has credited its leader Rahul Gandhi for his Bharat Jodo yatra for the result.

Lets take a look at the other states where the Congress is in power:

Chhattisgarh

The Congress is in power in Chhattisgarh which is slated to go the polls in November.

In 2018, the Congress registered a landslide victory in the Chhattisgarh polls and brought an end to the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

It won 68 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP got only 15 seats.

The party ultimately picked Bhupesh Baghel as chief minister.

The other candidates in the race were TS Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu.

On Wednesday, Baghel said he hoped the BJP will learn a lesson on 13 May.

The blessings of lord Bajrangbali in Karnataka will remain with Congress because the deity punishes those indulged in injustice, oppression and corruption, CM Baghel further remarked.

Reacting to the ongoing ED actions, Baghel said, ED did not carry out the investigation without any predicate offence, but for the first time in the history of India, the agency here is doing it.

They (ED) are working as agents of BJP to please their masters and therefore, they are not following the rules and procedures, alleged Baghel.

Now, what is the predicate offence in the (alleged) liquor scam of Rs 2,000 crores and without knowing how they are investigating it, questioned Baghel.

He further alleged that they are physically assaulting people and also troubling them the entire night.

He said, The agencys prime objective is to defame the state government because BJP is unable to fight us directly. The people of the entire state know that there is an election in November and Congress will come to power again, therefore they (BJP) are engaged in how to defame the government.

Baghel also took a dig at the BJP over Modis Congress-Mukt remark.

They (BJP) talk about Congress-mukt Bharat but now south India has become BJP-mukt. They had anticipated their defeat therefore images of Modi ji were replaced with pictures of Nadda ji on television. BJP leaders had also started talking about Yogi ji and bulldozers. They knew that the magic of Modi ji has now ended, he added.

Rajasthan

The Congress rule in Rajasthan has been marked by backbiting and infighting between its top two leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot since it came to power in 2018.

The Grand Old Party won 100 out of 200 seats against the then BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

The Congress would go on to form the government under the leadership of Gehlot who became the fourth leader to hold the chief ministers post for a third time.

The Congress leader became the chief minister for the first time in 1998 and held the post again in 2008.

Gehlots elevation to chief ministership would stick in Pilots craw for years and the two have continued to tussle ever since.

In February, the Congress announced it would aim for 156 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly polls to be held later this year, as per India Today.

This, incidentally, is the same number of seats Congress won in 1998 and came after Pilot boasted how he won 100 seats for the Congress as PCC chief.

Gehlot told India Today it is unbecoming of any Congress leader to claim sole credit and that he never boasted he had done so in 1998.

Gehlot on Saturday tweeted that Karnataka had chosen development over communal politics and that the result would be repeated in the upcoming polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The huge mandate won by the Congress in Karnataka is an affirmation of Rahul Gandhis hard work, Gehlot said, adding this was evident during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The BJP came to power in the state by toppling the Congress-JD(S) government, he said.

The people of Karnataka taught a befitting lesson to the BJP in this election. The BJP does it (topple governments) in every state. They did it in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, he said.

It also tried to do so in Rajasthan but we somehow managed to save our government, he added.

People have now understood that the BJP is pulling down democratically chosen governments, Gehlot said

Himachal Pradesh

The Congress in December wrested power from the BJP in the hill state which maintained its tradition of not voting any incumbent government to power since 1985.

The Grand Old Party won a massive 40 out of 68 seats, while the BJP won just 25 seats.

However, the Congress got a 43.9 per cent vote share compared to the BJPs 43 per cent vote share  a fact both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief JP Nadda highlighted after the polls.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which also contested the polls, won no seats.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had hailed the people of Himachal Pradesh and his party leaders as the party secured a much-needed win riding on anti-incumbency and a slew of poll promises, including bringing back the old pension scheme and providing jobs to the youth and Rs 1,500 to every woman.

The Congress chose as its chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu  a four-time MLA and son of a bus driver.

The elevation of Sukhu  considered a rival of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh  was seen as a generational shift for the party in the state.

His choice was seen as the Congress giving the top post to an aam aadmi and also as the shifting of the partys power Centre from Upper Himachal to Lower Himachal.

Sukhu on Saturday said, After the Congresss victory in the elections to the Shimla Municipal Corporation, I visited poll-bound Karnataka. While interacting with locals there, it became clear to me that the Congress will form the next government in Karnataka.

Our victory in Karnataka has shown that peoples thought processes and choices can change anytime. Our leader Rahul Gandhi gave specific guarantees to the people of Karnataka. The rallies by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also resonated with the people, he added.

Elections in Himachal Pradesh are due in 2027.

Bihar

The Congress came to power in Bihar as part of a coalition.

In 2020, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was sworn in for his fourth consecutive term at a ceremony attended by top BJP and JD(U) leaders.

This, after the National Democratic Alliance comprising the BJP (74 seats) and JDU (43) HAM (four seats) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) (four seats) won 125 seats in the 243-member state Assembly and beat the anti-incumbency.

The Opposition Grand Alliance got just 100 seats with RJD emerging as the single-largest party with 79 seats and the Congress getting just 19 seats.

However, Kumar, who is a wily customer, in August 2022 left the NDA alliance and joined the Mahagathbandan to form a new government in Bihar.

Kumar, one might recall, has a habit of switching allegiances.

He previously broke off with the RJD and Congress in 2017.

Kumar, who has vowed to oust the saffron party from power at the Centre by uniting the Opposition across the country, tweeted,

Heartiest congratulations and good wishes to the Congress upon its victory, with a clear majority, in Karnataka assembly elections.

Jharkhand

The Congress is again part of a coalition in Jharkhand.

In 2019, the JMM-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance won 47 seats in the 81-member House and swept the BJP aside.

The JMM, which emerged as the single-largest party with 30 seats, while the Congress won 16 seats and the RJD won one seat.

Its leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI General Secretary D Raja, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Kamal Nath in attendance.

Soren on Saturday tweeted, Phut dalo raj karo (divide and rule) politics countdown has begun. Congratulations to the people of Karnataka and Congress party for winning the Karnataka Assembly polls. Best wishes and Johar.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is yet another state where the Congress is part of alliance.

The DMK in 2021 under its president MK Stalin won a massive 133 seats in the 234-seat House.

The DMKs Secular Progressive Alliance, including the Congress (18 seats), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (four seats) and the two Left parties (two seats each) won a total 153 seats.

Stalin on Saturday said the BJP has been ousted from power in the Dravidian landscape with the Congress partys victory in Karnataka and like-minded parties should join forces to win the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Stalin greeted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, top leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar on the partys emphatic win in Karnataka.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister spoke to them over phone.

In a social media post, Stalin said: The land mass of Dravidian family stands clear of BJP. Now let us all work together to win 2024 (LS polls) to restore democracy and constitutional values in India.

Congratulating the Congress party for the spectacular win, he said: The unjustifiable disqualification of brother Rahul Gandhi as MP, misusing premier investigative agencies against political opponents, imposing Hindi, rampant corruption have all echoed in the minds of Karnataka people while voting and they have upheld the Kannadiga pride by teaching a befitting lesson to BJPs vindictive politics.

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Kuwait-based Sultan Center Food Products Company said it has completed the issuance of the first KD-denominated convertible in the country with a nominal value of KD9.65 million ($31.4 million) for a 10-year term.

The largest independent retailer listed on the Boursa Kuwait, Sultan owns and operates a series of supermarkets across the Middle East. It runs 47 stores in Kuwait, spanning from Jahra to Nuwaiseeb, through three distinct store concepts.

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) is the structuring advisor and sole lead manager for the country's first convertible bond.

The securities were issued through a private placement with a total fixed coupon rate of 8.0% per annum, payable partly in cash and partially deferred, on a semi-annual basis; the convertible bonds can be converted at the option of the bondholder during the first five years of the bonds terms into common ordinary shares in the capital of the issuer, said the statement.

The bonds were issued as part of a financing restructuring plan that Sultan started in 2017, and the net proceeds from the issue of the bonds will be utilized for general corporate purposes.

CEO Khadija Oubala said: "We at Sultan have reached a new distinguished milestone with the issuance of the convertible bonds. The success of the offering will further improve the outlook of the company. It will reinforce our efforts to enhance our financial performance and creditworthiness and allow us to move forward with our growth plans."

"It is also a strong testimony to the Kuwaiti capital markets standing as a flourishing investment destination providing creative and lucrative opportunities for issuers and investors," noted Oubala.

Sultans Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Haitham Shalaby said: "We are happy to work with Markaz; the Bond is timely, we issued it on equitable terms for all stakeholders, and it was efficiently executed."

Markazs CEO Ali H. Khalil said: "As the structuring advisor and sole lead manager, we take pride that our name is associated with the first KD convertible bond to be issued in Kuwait. The prominence and the long-standing name of The Sultan Centre in the Kuwaiti market contributed to its success."

Markaz Executive VP and Investment Banking (Capital Markets and Fixed Income) Rasha Othman said: "The new debt issuance showcases our capabilities in structuring innovative products. It also adds to our long track record of placing and executing successfully large and unconventional transactions helping our corporate clients from various sectors meet their financing needs."

"In addition to structuring the first convertible bond, Markazs track record includes the first BOT-backed bonds in Kuwait, the first sukuk for a Kuwaiti real estate company, and the first high-yield bonds in the country," stated Othman.

"It is our highly qualified team of investment banking professionals with extensive experience, outstanding technical execution capabilities, and in-depth industry knowledge that enables us to continue serving the needs of capital market players, businesses, and investors," she added.-TradeArabia News Service
MBABANE  Prince Davids old ghosts at UNESWA are refusing to go away.

This time, the prince is accused of falsely purchasing two vehicles belonging to the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) by issuing a cheque of E100 000 as deposit and later demanding that he be refunded the money, but kept the vehicles. At the time, the prince was UNESWA Council chairperson, a position he vacated in June 2022 after his appointment was revoked by His Majesty the King. The revocation happened after it was revealed that he was being paid a monthly salary of close to E100 000 yet he was supposed to receive a maximum monthly retainer of E2 400 and a sitting allowance of E2 720 in accordance with the Public Enterprises Unit (PEU) Circular No.2 of 2017.

grievances

Besides his salary, employees of the university had picketed a number of times and they raised a lot of grievances against the prince. Under Davids chairmanship, the university encountered endless strike actions by students, resulting in the institution resuming and suspending lessons now and again. Also, the prince left at a time when the university was, and still is, facing financial challenges that are threatening the very existence of the institution. Regarding the latest issue, the vehicles, which are a Toyota Dyna truck valued at E85 000 and a John Deer tractor priced at E126 000, resulting to a combined value of E211 000, had been lined up for public auction at a reserve price of E218 000. The purpose of the auction, which was conducted by renowned businessman Walter Bennett of Buzzby Services Auctioneers, was to raise funds for the cash-strapped university.

whistleblower

A whistleblower, who has been identified as Witness X, revealed to a Parliament Select Committee, elected to enquire and report on a petition from NAWUSHI, that Prince David was still in possession of these vehicles despite not paying a cent for them. NAWUSHI is the National Workers Union of Swaziland Higher Institutions. The evidence of Witness X, who pleaded with the select committee to remain anonymous and to give his evidence in camera, has been corroborated by UNESWA Registrar Dr Salebona Simelane and Transport Manager Enock Dlamini. A report by the select committee has since been tabled in the House of Assembly for debate and adoption. As reflected in the report, Witness X accused the prince of perpetrating an anomaly through the false purchase of the two vehicles during an auction at the Luyengo campus of the university. The university was disposing some of its fleet of motor vehicles including tractors. The chairman reserved for himself a truck and a tractor and he issued a cheque to the tune of E100 000 and these two vehicles were taken out of the bidding during the auction, Witness X told the committee. Further reads Witness Xs evidence: After a month of the auction, the chairman further demanded repayment of his deposit of E100 000, but the vehicles were never brought back to the university, they continued to be used privately as property of the chairman.

auction

The committee asked Witness X where these vehicles that were reserved for the chairman during the auction were as we speak. To this, Witness X responded: The two vehicles are still in the possession of the chairman, though they legally belong to the university and they are registered under the university. The committee then sought to verify this information from Dr Simelane, the Registrar, when his turn to appear before them came. Simelane, as per the report, is said to have informed the committee that the auction of the vehicles was sanctioned by the university in December 2019 and among the things to be auctioned was the tractor and truck and various other motor vehicles which were being disposed to recoup some money.

The chairman had an interest on the two items, the truck and the tractor. These items were then put aside and reserved for him. The chairman issued a cheque as a deposit with the total amount of E100 000. The reserve price of both these two items was E218 000. After the auction, the chairman was given possession of the two items in lieu of paying the outstanding balance. Subsequently after a month, the chairman requested that he be reimbursed his deposit he paid for the items, and that was eventually done, but possession of these items was never restored to the university, the registrar reportedly told the committee. He is said to have further informed the committee that the prince continued to use the vehicles as his personal property, yet they still reflected that they were owned by the university as change of ownership was never effected.

instruction

Till to date these items were not returned to the university, yet the Office of registrar issued an instruction that these items ought to be returned to the university or they be paid in full, Simelane reportedly said. The committee members reported that they undertook an inspection in loco and were welcomed by UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala, who introduced them to the transport manager. The transport manager confirmed that the vehicles which were taken by the chairman under the guise that he would pay for them after the auction were namely, a Toyota Dyna truck with registration numbers DSD 399 AM, 2.5 tonne a 1999 model. Also, a John Deere tractor, 2251, with registration numbers DSD 404 AM, 1990 model, reported the committee. The transport manager is said to have also confirmed that the vehicles were not in the possession of the university, but were taken by the chairman and were continually used for his personal gain. He is also said to have confirmed that the vehicles were still registered under the university and change of ownership had not been done.

allegations

An invitation was reportedly then extended to Prince David to appear before the committee in order to be offered the opportunity to dispute the allegations levelled against him and to set the correct perspective according to his own version of events. The chairman declined the invitation, instead he sent through soft copies of certain documents purporting to be proof of payment of the items, which he allegedly paid in full through cash payment and same was directed to the bursar. He further insisted that any insistence by the select committee to compel him to appear before it, he reserves the right to take it further through litigation in courts in order to vindicate his rights, said the committee. Bennett, the private auctioneer, appeared before the committee and reportedly stated that his company received from the university a final list of the items to be auctioned and these included motor vehicles, ploughs, tractors and tanks.

auctioned

He reportedly told the committee that after getting the list, a day was arranged for viewing of the items and a comparison was made so that the items in the list tallied with the physical items to be auctioned. The auctioneer stated that he heard that a tractor and a truck were taken out of the list and that is not a problem because it was procedural when some of the items were reserved, they are taken out of the list and do not form part of those items to be auctioned, reads the committees report. Bennett reportedly said sometimes withdrawal of items would be done during the auction even by word of mouth and that was procedural as there was nothing out of the ordinary in doing so. The auctioneer stated that his responsibility during an auction is to auction the items and give back the proceeds from the auction to client (university) and also account for each and every items which were withdrawn and reserved the auctioneer cannot account for those, states the committees report. UNESWA Bursar Mfanzile Elliott Dlamini is said to have vehemently denied the allegation that Prince David paid for the two vehicles through cash payment to his office. He is said to have further insisted that the prince paid a deposit of E100 000 in the form of a cheque and subsequently, after a month, requested a refund of this deposit and never bought back the two vehicles.

refuted

The bursar was adamant and strongly refuted any assertions that the chairman subsequently paid in cash or stop order for the items, the committees report reads. The committee asked the bursar on the procedure to be followed when one demanded a refund from proceeds of an auction and what means the university adopted in order to ensure that the vehicles were brought back or paid for. He reportedly responded as follows: The general rule is that there is no refund from proceeds of an auction, an auction by its very nature does not allow refund once a person has bid for an item. Even when that item has been reserved or withdrawn, there is no room for refund when a person has also paid a deposit or a certain amount of money indicating commitment to the sale of that item through auction. But in this instant case, the chairman was persistently demanding the refund of his deposit. Out of courtesy to his position and status at the university, he was refunded his deposit with the concomitant expectations that he would return the items.

The bursar reportedly said the office of the registrar was handling the matter of the return of the university property, because currently they were registered under the name of the institution and were legally owned by UNESWA. In its findings, the committee concluded that the universitys internal fundraising initiatives were adversely affected by the conduct of Prince David, of taking property belonging to the institution, which was aimed at raising funds to enable it to maintain its fleet. These items, a tractor and a truck, were never paid for and the university was deprived of the opportunity to make almost E218 000, reads part of the committees findings.

guidelines

The committee also found that there were no stringent controls within the bursars office with regard to finances of the university, especially of making refunds without clear financial policy guidelines on when and how to make re-imbursements based on sound established financial policy directives. The committee has recommended that the Ministry of Education and Training should direct the UNESWA management to recover, whether through civil litigation or disciplinary action in terms of the PEU Act, the money of the tractor and the truck. The Public Enterprise Unit (PEU) Act is a piece of legislation that provides for the control and monitoring of public enterprises and partly-owned enterprises.
Thailand holds an election on 14 May after nearly a decade of a government led or backed by its royalist military after a coup in 2014.

Below is a rundown of what to expect.

Whats being decided?

Roughly 52 million of Thailands 65 million population are eligible to cast votes for members of a new 500-seat House of Representatives for the next four years.

Voters have two ballots, one for a local constituency representative and the other for their preferred party on a national level. There are 400 seats for winning constituency candidates and 100 party seats allocated on a proportional representation basis.

Also read: Thailand elections: Why it is now or never for the Shinawatras

How will a leader be chosen?

Parties winning more than 25 seats can nominate their prime ministerial candidate, although it is likely parties will strike deals between them to back certain candidates.

Those candidates will be put to a vote, likely in August, of the bicameral legislature comprised of a newly elected 500-seat lower house and a 250-seat Senate comprised of members appointed by the military following its 2014 coup.

To become prime minister, the winning candidate must have the votes of more than half of the combined houses or 375 members.

Who are the main contenders?

The election will be the latest bout in a long-running battle between parties backed by a conservative establishment with connections to the military and key institutions, and a progressive, pro-business opposition with a track record of wooing working-class voters and winning every election in the past two decades.

Pheu Thai, a party controlled by the billionaire Shinawatra family, has a big lead in opinion polls as it did in previous elections, followed by another opposition party, Move Forward, which is seeking to mobilise youth voters.

They will go up against two parties led by former army chiefs involved in coups, incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of the newly formed United Thai Nation party, and his mentor Prawit Wongsuwan, of the ruling Palang Pracharat party.

Both parties draw backing from the urban middle classes and are regarded as representing the interests of Thailands nexus of old-money aristocrats and military elites who have long influenced politics.

An important contender is Bhumjaithai, a regional heavyweight whose seats could be crucial in determining who forms a government. The partys stature has grown with its successful push to make Thailand Asias first country to legalise the sale of cannabis.

Also read: Who is Thai serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, accused of murdering people with cyanide?

When will the results be known?

Voting ends at 5 pm (1000 GMT) local time on Sunday and the election commission says unofficial results should be released that same evening. It aims to certify 95 per cent of the votes or 475 of the 500 seats, within 60 days, or by 13 July.

The commission and an alliance of media organisations are expected to provide updates on the vote count in the hours after polling stations close.

What happens after that?

It might be weeks, possibly several months, before Thailand gets an idea of what its next government will look like, depending on the outcome of the election.

An outright majority or even a landslide may not be enough to form a government and alliances with other parties will most likely be required.

Thailands constitution was re-drafted by the military in 2017 in what many experts say was an attempt to neuter the power of parties that win elections. It prescribed an appointed Senate, of which the majority of members have sided in votes with the ruling, military-backed parties.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
When Thais go to the polls on 14 May, they will be voting in a closely fought election that is seen, in part, as a referendum on whether it is illegal to criticise the Thai monarchy.

Thailand has one of the worlds strictest laws against defaming or insulting the king and other members of the royal family. Once considered taboo, the topic of the monarchy was brought to the forefront after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets and called for checks on the institutions power in 2020.

The protests represented two sides of an impassioned struggle to determine the role of the crown in modern Thailand. The election could determine whether the Southeast Asian nation of 72 million will revive its once-vibrant democracy or slide further toward authoritarian rule, with royalists firmly in power.

On one side of the debate are conservative political parties whose standard-bearer is Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the general who has governed Thailand for nine years after seizing power in a coup. He and his supporters argue that amending the law could lead to abolishing the monarchy altogether, and have vowed to defend the royal family.

On the other side is the progressive Move Forward Party, which is polling in second place and argues that the law needs to be amended because it is being used as a political weapon. Several young people who participated in the 2020 protests are now running as candidates with the Move Forward Party.

Perhaps one of the deepest fault lines in Thai society is about the monarchy, said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher on Thailand for Human Rights Watch.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the front-runner for prime minister, is treading carefully. Her father, a populist billionaire, is one of the most divisive political figures in Thailand. He lives in self-exile after being ousted in a coup in 2006 and can only return to Thailand with the kings permission.

Royalists have consistently accused Thaksin of wanting to overthrow the monarchy, a charge that he denies. Paetongtarn has said that her party, Pheu Thai, would not abolish the law protecting the monarchy from criticism, but that the issue of reform must be openly discussed in parliament.

Opinion polls show that the party of Prayuth, United Thai Nation, is trailing in third place behind Pheu Thai, which has topped the polls. In recent weeks, there has also been a surge in support for the Move Forward Party, which is polling a close No two.

Move Forward is the largest party pushing to amend the law, irking conservatives who have accused it of undermining the monarchy. The party wants to cut the jail terms of violators of the law and designate the Bureau of the Royal Household as the only agency allowed to file lawsuits. (Any Thai citizen is able to file complaints under the current version of the law.)

Also Read: Why it is now or never for the Shinawatras

Conservative politicians have threatened to disband Move Forward. The partys previous iteration, the Future Forward Party, was dissolved in 2020 by the Constitutional Court. In a sign of how sensitive the topic of reform has become, Move Forward has attempted to moderate its position, saying reform would not take precedence in its campaign.

For decades, the monarchy and the military have had a symbiotic relationship, with the army frequently reminding the public that it is the true guardian of the Thai crown. Thais are taught from a young age that they have to love the king and that any criticism of the monarchy is strictly forbidden.

But today, many Thais no longer stand at attention when the royal anthem is played in public spaces such as movie theatres. Royalist Marketplace, a Facebook group set up to satirise the monarchy, had more than one million members before Facebook blocked access to it in 2020, citing a Thai government request.

The law criminalising criticism of the monarchy carries a minimum sentence of three years if violated  the only law in Thailand that imposes a minimum jail term  and a maximum sentence of up to 15 years. After the 2020 protests, authorities charged at least 223 people, including 17 minors, for violating the law, known as Article 112.

Tantawan Tawan Tuatulanon, a 21-year-old law student, was accused of violating the rule in 2022 after she and her friends conducted a poll asking whether the royal motorcade was an inconvenience to Bangkok residents.

In recent weeks, she has been pressing political parties on whether they would amend the law  which she is in favour of abolishing  after the election. On Wednesday, Tantawan was arrested after she called for the release of a 15-year-old charged with violating the rule.

I feel we dont need any law that specially protects anybody or any family, said Tantawan, who mounted a hunger strike earlier this year in protest against the government. He is a person like us, not a god or a demigod.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, who ascended the throne in 2016, is not as beloved as his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years. While Bhumibol was revered in Thailand, his son used to spend most of his time in Germany, although he has been seen more often in public since the 2020 protests.

In the wake of the protests, Prayuth instructed all government officials to use every single law to prosecute anyone who criticised the monarchy. Royalists stepped up their campaign against people they accused of insulting the crown, filing more complaints and attacking anti-monarchy activists.

In 2021, Warong Dechgitvigrom, a former doctor, founded Thailands first far-right party, Thai Pakdee, in response to what he called the Three Fingers Mob, referring to the three-finger salute adopted by young Thais as a symbol of resistance during the 2020 protests.

He now says the current law protecting the monarchy does not go far enough, as it is limited to shielding four key members of the royal family. Former Thai kings, princes, princesses and the word monarchy itself should also be protected, he said.

Although Warongs views are considered extreme, he says that he has collected about 6,000 to 7,000 signatures for his proposal, and that he is confident he can gather the 10,000 signatures needed for the House of Representatives to consider passing the bill.

Warong says people need to understand that the Thai monarchy is unique. He recalled Frances former monarchy as one characterised by the oppression of its people. But ours is like father and children, he said. We have good feelings together, there are no bad feelings.

Those views are at odds with how many young people feel about the king. During the 2020 demonstrations, protesters questioned the wealth of the royal family, which is one of the richest in the world.

Kasit Piromya, a former foreign minister, said it would be challenging for Warong and his party to lead a successful campaign backing the constitutional monarchy because many young people dont see what is in it for them.

If you cannot speak this in the open, then it gives more room and ammunition to the students, to the Thaksin supporters to say, We are more democratic, Kasit said, referring to calls to reform the monarchy.

Arnond Sakworawich, an assistant professor of statistics at the National Institute of Development Administration, said that preserving Article 112 was necessary because the king and the royal family do not defend themselves against criticism.

Its a different culture, because in Thailand, people believe that the king is their parent, and parents never hurt their children, said Arnond, who is known for his royalist views. So, there must be some people to protect the king.

In their zeal to defend the monarchy, many royalists may ultimately end up hurting the institution more than they protect it.

Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, the head of the department of government at Chulalongkorn University, said it was very precarious and risky for parties such as Thai Pakdee to use the monarchy as a campaigning platform.

Even though the monarchy is above politics, its now drawn into the divide, she said. It will polarise the voters and parties into two camps, inevitably.

Sui-Lee Wee and Muktita Suhartono, c.2023 The New York Times Company

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should be taught the Karnataka lesson in Madhya Pradesh where the Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress put up an impressive show by winning 135 seats, while incumbent BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.

Through you all, I request the people of our country that the time for a change has come. Ponder over it. The firmness with which the BJP has been defeated in Karnataka, it should be taught a lesson in the same way. They (BJP) are nursing a big ego, Singh said.

The Congress leader said the BJP should be humbled. We are not power-hungry but look at the way injustice is being done to the people and how Congressmen are being bullied with false cases. I was the chief minister of MP for 10 years. No BJP activist can say that during my tenure he faced excesses, he said.

Singh said those engaged in works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to a rural unskilled labour, were not getting their wages.

Panchayati Raj has turned into sarkari raj. 99 per cent of sarpanchs (village heads) are unhappy and are demanding their powers be restored, he said.

The senior Congress leader added, We assure that the day the Congress government is formed under the leadership of Kamal Nath, we are going to empower the panchayat system as it was in 2003 (when BJP wrested powe from Congress in MP ).

Singh reiterated that the Congress in MP has one mascot Kamal Nath.

I was the chief minister for 10 years. Let me do other work, Singh said when asked whether he might become the partys face in Assembly polls.

The 2018 MP polls had thrown up a hung Assembly, with the Congress emerging as the largest party with 114 seats in the 230-member House. The BJP won 109 seats.

The Congress formed a coalition government under Kamal Nath, but it fell in March 2020 after several MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia walked out and joined the BJP, paving the way for Shivraj Singh Chouhan to return as the chief minister.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
In a major threat to the native fish species, the discovery of a carnivorous Alligator Gar fish in Kashmirs famous Dal Lake has set the alarm bells ringing among scientists and authorities.

The ray-finned euryhaline fish having a mouth like that of an alligator was caught during a deweeding operation in the famous lake.

This is an Alligator Gar fish which is normally found in North America and some parts of India like Bhopal upper lake and Kerala backwaters. Being a predator fish and a carnivore, it poses a threat to native species of Dal Lake, Dr Shafeeqa Peer, a scientist at the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) told PTI.

Peer said it was a matter of concern as to how this fish has invaded the water system of Kashmir. What will be the fate of our native fishes? In certain places like Bhopal, it has been banned as it thrives on other small fishes. It poses a threat to other species and we have not yet come across this type of species here, she added.

The LCMA has now collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries division of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to look for any other Alligator Gar fish in the lake, informed the scientist.

We will launch a massive hunt to ascertain whether it is just one fish, is it accidental or somebody has played mischief? There are a lot of questions, especially from the ecology and biodiversity point of view, Peer said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
An encounter is underway between militants and the security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The security forces had launched a search and cordon operation in Andan in Sangam area of the district following information about presence of militants there, a police officer said.

The operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire at the security forces.

According to the police, there were no reports of any casualties so far on either side and the combat was still underway.

(With inputs from PTI)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
New Delhi: Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen Sood has been appointed as the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, a government order said on Sunday. The 59-year-old has been appointed to the post for a period of two years from the date of taking charge after Subodh Kumar Jaiswal completes his tenure on May 25, according to officials. Sood is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Karnataka cadre and the senior-most IPS officer in the country after Jaiswal.

His name was cleared on Saturday in a meeting of a high-powered committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Chowdhury, a Congress leader, had reportedly given a dissent note on the selection of Sood as the next CBI director. However, there was no official word on it.

In the order, the Department of Personnel and Training said, Approval of the competent authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS (KN:86) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office vice Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH:85) consequent upon completion of his tenure.

Sood has an impressive educational background. He is an alumnus of IIT-Delhi, IIM-Bangalore and Syracuse University in New York.

The officer, who was scheduled to retire in 2024, will now have a fixed two-year tenure.

Currently the director general of police in Karnataka, Sood was earlier superintendent of police of Bellary and Raichur districts, deputy commissioner of police (law and order) and additional commissioner of police (traffic) in Bengaluru City, and commissioner of police of Mysore City.

The IPS officer has also served as police advisor to the government of Mauritius.

His initiatives to use technology to better traffic management and provide efficient services to citizens has earned him awards such as the National E-Governance Gold Award for Most innovative use of technology for traffic management in 2011 and the Prince Michael International Road safety Award in 2006.

During his tenure as additional director general of police (computer wing), Sood oversaw the challenging assignment to implement of the Criminal Tracking Network System in Karnataka for real-time monitoring and sharing of information by connecting police stations with the central network.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and four members of his cabinet have gone to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to discuss the situation in the northeastern state shaken by violence for the past several days, a source said.

The issue of the ongoing suspension of operation (SOO) with militant organisations of the state is also likely to be discussed, the source said.

Four cabinet ministers  Th Biswajit, Y Khemchand, K Govindas and Th Prasanta  accompanied the chief minister.

BJP state president A Sharda Devi also went to Delhi with them, the source said.

Violent clashes broke out in the north-eastern state after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals  Nagas and Kukis  constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on Monday said that 60 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses including religious places burnt in the ethnic violence that rocked the northeastern state for the past few days.
A BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from the Indian Navys frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao, officials said on Sunday.

The missile firing demonstrated the Indian Navys firepower at sea, they said.

INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit bulls eye during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing, a Navy official said.

The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of aatmanirbharta and Indian Navys firepower at sea, the official added.

INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile Destroyer, successfully hit Bulls Eye during her maiden #Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile firing. The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of #Aatmanirbharta and Indian Navys firepower at sea. pic.twitter.com/1KPqIcQ7Y8  Western Naval Command (@IN_WNC) May 14, 2023

The location of the test-firing of the missile was not immediately known.

BrahMos key facts

A joint India-Russia venture, BrahMos is a medium-range missile that can be fired from submarines, warships, aircraft, and land.

It is named after two rivers- Indias Brahmaputra and Russias Moskva. Notably, BrahMos is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. India is also exporting BrahMos missiles.

In January last year, India sealed a $375 million deal with the Philippines for supplying three batteries for the missile.



Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Imran Khan saga has been continuing for a long time. In addition to the numerous events forcing him to step down from the post of Prime Minister, the unrests have been continuing to include the judiciary, Pakistani Army, the current Shahbaz led government of Pakistan and the common people of Pakistan. Imran khan has been making very strong statements against the current government with special focus on the Pakistani Army.

His arrest on 09 May 23 has not been perceived by Pakistani people as an action by their current government but an action by the Pakistani Army. Though the former prime minister of Pakistan has been granted bail by the Islamabad High Court, days after his dramatic arrest, the arrest and the roughed-up manner in which it was done leave more questions about the current state of Pakistan. A nation which has been badly struggling to manage its economic crises has been swept away by large scale demonstrations, arsons and disruptions in the public life not only across the entire state of Pakistan but also in some countries in the world, the United Kingdom being one. The people stand anguished, devastated and have not only targeted the civil establishments but also the Pakistani Army establishments. This clearly indicates the apparent popularity of Imran Khan on one hand but on the other hand raises an important question on the future of Pakistani people; male, female and children all alike. Should India see this as an event unfolding in its neighbourhood and be happy about it as the nation burning is our arch rival since our independence or should this opportunity be used to bring people on both sides of Radcliffe line as part of a singular nation?

The British independence act 1947 allowed India and Pakistan to become independent states from 15 August 1947. Really speaking, a country seeking independence from its occupiers need not be hostage to an act of parliament of the coloniser but it still happened in the case of India and Pakistan. The successor of British India should have been an undivided India in totality, but the Britishers let go off substantial geographical entities of its colonised area. It also fractured the leftover British India into India and Pakistan drawing the Redcliffe line which was a mathematical boundary rather than the one which factored the human linkages. Issue of Jammu and Kashmir has also been devastating both India and Pakistan since then in some way or the other.

While one can not go back in time to convert historical realities but it is so painful to see the Pakistan burning and all pillars of its existence under serious stress. It may be a matter of time for the Pakistani Army to take over the nation by announcing the martial law which it has been desisting as a welcome change for some time resulting in continuation of a democratically elected civil government.

So what are the options for the common people of Pakistan? Should they keep suffering hunger, deprivation and dignified living which is sure to be accentuated by the current large scale protests, arson and burning targeting anything and everything? Imran Khan is no good a leader for its masses in the real sense as he also took the refuge of J&K, anti India posturing and religious refuge. There was a lot of hope when he came to power that he will be a progressive leader and will remain focused for the good of his people but it did not happen. He also did not display any noticeable leadership to take people of Pakistan from their important issues including economic disaster.

While Imran Khan, other political leaders of Pakistan and Pakistani Army will steer their own path as the current spate of events unfold , the lone sufferers will be people of Pakistan. It therefore calls for a case of serious introspection on part of people of Pakistan to look towards their future and become their own saviour. The singular option lies in defying the Radcliffe line and coming together as a single people led unification model taking relevant clues from Germany wherein West Germany and East Germany defied the Berlin wall and became a united nation as Germany. There is no narrative to state whether West Germany joined East Germany or vice versa. The only narrative remains that both parts of Germany united. This people led unification between Pakistan and India should not be seen as Pakistan merging with India but bifurcated parts of British India united to become a singular nation. There is no challenge related to this people driven unification which cannot be resolved by the people of both the countries. The apparent thought of religious divide should be surmounted in any case even if proposed unification is not considered at the moment as India can progress only when we leave aside our religious, caste, creed, regional and other identities in favour of our singular national identity.

The people who are really worried about the good of Pakistani people must create conditions for our coming together as a unified nation as in this concept lies our happiness and shared future. The current state of Pakistan suffering from the economic disaster as well as lawlessness must act as a catalyst for the good of the people. An appropriate messaging from India is also needed wherein people of Pakistan can exercise the option of choosing their future.

The writer is a retired army veteran. Views expressed are personal.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Post-370 abrogation in August 2019, in popular perception and the narrative projected by the mainstream media the terror groups are facing financial and recruitment challenges, tough action by the Special Forces, dwindling local support resulting in an existential crisis for the Pakistan-sponsored proxy war. Recurring statements by the senior state officials, Pakistans domestic instability and fledgling economy, Indias perception management exercises, strengthening narrative of development, fashion parades, cinema and G20 has further bolstered the aforementioned narrative in popular perception.

The reality

Seen in the backdrop of this popular perception, the recent terror attacks in Bhatta Durian, Rajouri and Kandi appear as alarming developments signalling the resurgence of militancy. However, a closer look at the statistics defies the popular perception and unfolds a different story.

Terrorist incidents of killing display an upward trend 2015 onwards. From 86 in 2015, they peaked at 206 in 2018. In 2019, In 2019, 135 terrorist killings took place. However, after 2019 i.e., after the abrogation of article 370, there is not a significant decline in the terrorist killing incidents. In 2021 the figure was 153 and in 2022, it was 151. The major decline has only been registered in the cases of stone pelting and social agitation, which can also be felt during a random field visit to Kashmir. However, militancy and terror groups have remained largely active. Since 2019, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists have killed civilians, non-Kashmiri labourers, minorities and pro-India politicians and activists. By August 2022, 14 Kashmiri pundits and several Hindus including the non-Kashmiri professionals and migrant labourers were killed by the militants.

The use of drones to smuggle weapons, drugs and cash has become a major challenge for the Indian SFs. Only between September 9 and 16, eight drone sorties carrying 80 kg of weapons were dropped inside the Indian territory on the Punjab border. Since then, the drone threat has increased manifold, to the extent that future likelihood of drones-based terror attacks is one of the prominent threats worrying the intelligence community. The number of arms recovery incidents increased from 90 in 2019 to 209 in 2022.

Hence, it appears that there is hardly any erosion in Pakistans will and determination to sustain militancy or even remotest realisation and acceptance that article 370 is a history now and militancy is an exercise in futility. If at all any perceptible change has come then it is in the domain of strategy and tactics. Pakistans expertise in improvising and innovating militancy is nothing new. Time and again, since 1990, Pakistan has improvised and made changes in its tactics and strategy to make militancy more lethal, deep-rooted and long-lasting.

Recent attacks in Poonch-Rajouri

In a recent field research visit to J&K, I interacted with several senior and mid-ranking SFs personnel responsible for planning and executing counter insurgency operations. A common theme that has emerged from all those informal interviews is that there has been a major setback in the human intelligence (HUMINT) resource base of the SFs. In the recent attacks in Pooch-Rajouri belt, there were hardly any HUMINT-based actionable inputs. A range of factors can be held accountable for this. Over the last six-seven years the SFs have majorly relied on TECHINT-based operations. Reportedly, with the help of Israeli technology to break encrypted communication channels, the SFs have been immensely successful in neutralising a record number of militants.

However, this happened at the cost of traditional counter-terrorism methods which mostly relied on HUMINT based on infiltration and exfiltration of terrorist groups and defections. Such methods were devised, developed and implemented from 1990 to 2015. The officers who employed such tactics were mostly locals who had a robust knowledge of the local geography, history, cultural, social and political dynamics. Also, they had an insightful understanding of the workings of the Kashmiri mind and the collective psychology of the society which helped them in recruiting and cultivating assets, and keeping them motivated and committed.

Over the years, this system developed its own fatigue and failings because of a large number of double agents who were simply squeezing money out of the secret funds and mostly working for the adversaries. The officers were also not immune to corruption and on several occasions indulged in money-minting through illicit drugs and weapons smuggling, fake encounters and dummy infiltrations. As a result, there was a major policy churn at the highest policy making levels. The larger perception and narrative in the intelligence community turned against such traditional methods. The idea of recruiting double agents came to be scoffed at. The fundamental philosophy of the counter-terrorism operations and intelligence gathering underwent a sea change. Also, it brought a heightened sense of risk and fear among those officers who were running HUMINT-based operations, human assets including the double agents that if on account of any confusion, misunderstanding or sheer bad luck they are nabbed by the NIA, which has emerged as an extremely powerful entity in anti-terror investigations, then they will be disgraced for life and at worst face rigorous imprisonment and investigation. As a result, they blocked their human assets from any cell phone communication or any other form of contact. A senior police officer with 20 years of counter terrorism operations experience in J&K told me that he had to delete the mobile numbers of at least 200 human assets who were working for him and had a strong network in terror training camps, infiltration and narcotics smuggling networks. Also, when the officers wanted to facilitate their old assets in petty law and order cases or incentivise through pecuniary benefits, they began to be severely discouraged by the senior leadership in the SFs.

All this has resulted in a near total destruction of the HUMINT base. On the other side, the militants and their PoK-based masters and ISI handlers have also changed their methods of communication and operation.

Firstly, after August 5, 2019, several new outfits mushroomed with secular-sounding names such as The Resistance Front (TRF), Kashmir Janbazz Force, Mujahiddin Gazwat ul Hind, Peoples Anti-Fascist Front PAFF) etc. Most of these groups are loosely affiliated to parent outfits such as TRF is linked to LeT and the PAFF is reportedly a proxy of Jaish. However, the true nature of these linkages is not fully known due to the lack of adequate HUMINT. Nevertheless, it is confirmed that they are the part of ISIs new game plan of floating outfits that appear local and non-religious, to elude the Financial Action Task Force sanctions.

Secondly, as per some of the Ikhwanis who have infiltrated the terror groups in the past, the new army chief of Pakistan Asim Muneer is extremely religious-minded. In their words, he is fanatic jihadi-type character. Reportedly, he has activated all the terror training camps in PoJK and appointed 10-12 persons on each launching pad to facilitate maximum infiltration. Unlike before the 370 abrogation, the new recruits do not announce their joining of terror groups on social media platforms such as facebook, whatsapp and twitter. They do not release stylish videos with special effects of their groups sitting in apple orchards and conducting exercises. My informed interlocuters told me that there has been a massive infiltration after the abrogation of article 370; however, most of the FTs have been radio silent as per the instructions from their handlers. Terror groups have sent huge consignments of weapons through drones. Some operatives also suggest that they have also made the beginnings of using drones for infiltration. This may sound a bit far-fetched; however, it is not unlikely in the future.

The dynamics of recruitment and conducting operations have also changed. In the ongoing trends, generally a handler sitting in Pakistan is in touch with 70 to 80 youngsters in Kashmir through some encrypted communication apps which are customised and not known to the agencies. Some of these handlers are old JeM and LeT veterans who have re-joined the terror groups. They give brief, subtle and limited instructions regarding the recruitment and delivery of weapons. For movement, they send geospatial coordinates which minimised the need for using local guides and Over Ground Workers (OGWs). The individuals who are in communication with the Pakistan-based handlers are oblivious of each others identity and whereabouts. Most of these individuals are hybrid or part-time militants. They are educated and middle-class youngsters who are either students, scholars or professionals. They have a dual identity i.e.; they live a routine life as a white-collar civilian. However, when they are assigned a task, someone provides the information about the targets whereabouts and movement patterns and someone delivers a weapon to them. They execute a task and then return the weapon at a pre-assigned location to a designated individual. Normally these delivery persons are young boys and girls of 15-20 years of age, who are given an ordinary looking parcel and asked to hand it over to a certain individual.

Previously, most of these tasks i.e., logistics, weapons, movement, target reconnaissance and surveillance, and shelter were arranged by hardened and trusted OGWs who had worked for the terror groups for decades. While discussing OGWs some legendary names can hardly be ignored such as Noor Mohammad Tantrey or Noora Trali, the four-feet Jaish OGW who single-handedly revived Jaish in South Kashmir after escaping from his payroll. Later, like most other OGWs, he became an active militant and was killed by the SFs. In this post-370 militancy, one rarely comes across the old OGWs being used. In addition to the new modus-operandi discussed in the previous paragraph, terror groups have recruited a new set of OGWs and mostly replaced the older ones. The new OGWs are clean-shaven young student-like operatives quite unlike the previous set of OGWs who were mostly bearded maulvis, Jamaat rukoons and affiliated individuals donning a religious and traditional attire. It is also pertinent to mention here that even Jamaat has gone into a hybrid mode. After the ban, its second rung leadership has dispersed into the rural areas and as per the instructions from Aabpara, they are consolidating themselves. Their cadres and leaders don a western attire and deliberately stay away from displaying overt religious appearance.

What worsens the possibility of enhancing HUMINT is the new practice of giving critical postings to young IPS officers from the J&K and AGMUT cadre. Many of these officers lack sufficient experience and training. They come to J&K as adventure tourists impressed by the thrilling world of intelligence, weapons and encounters. Because of this the older hands with decades of counter terror experience who are now shunted to insignificant postings feel very demoralised and marginalised.

In my recent field visit, I found that the intelligence agencies are missing some of the entities which are hiding in a plain sight. Notably, Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) and its cadres have played a crucial role in radicalising the socio-culture scenario of Poonch-Rajouri and Doda-Kishtwar which was traditionally a Gujjar-Muslim dominated region. The Gujjar were more concerned about their tribal identity than the religious identity. However, over the last two decades TJ has drastically altered their cultural and behavioural patterns visible in overly Islamic way of lifestyle. Though no concrete evidence linking the TJ with terrorists has come out, their role in providing logistics, shelter and moving money cannot be ruled out. TJ is Deobandi offshoot and Jaish and its proxy PAFF, responsible for the recent attacks in Poonch-Rajouri also adhere to Deobandi ideology. I have discussed in detail about the Jaish links with Deobandi institutions and clerics in the Kashmir valley in my upcoming book on Jaish. Besides, there is a strong likelihood of terror groups recruiting the pro-Khalistani young Sikh radicals of Poonch-Rajouri region as OGWs for the logistics support.

An important feature of the post-370 militancy as confirmed by intelligence agencies and some of the older OGWs who I interviewed is that an overwhelmingly large number of the recent infiltrators are battle-hardened mujahidin from Af-Pak region who put up a fierce resistance with Taliban against the American troops. Secondly, they are using the weapons, ammunition and NVDs left by the US forces. In the recent Rajouri and Kandi attacks, the militants used armour piercing steel bullets left by the US forces.

The local sentiment

Any discussion on the recent militancy trends cannot be complete without addressing the issue of local sentiment. Though after the abrogation of article 370 the tightened security measures, internet lockdown and fatigue ensured that there are no massive violent protests and agitations, the feeling of discontent and anger has only grown in intensity and fervour over the last three years. Despite the lofty claims about development made by the state government, the situation on the ground is pitiable. The condition of roads, electricity and other infrastructure related matters is appalling. There is no political representation, the bureaucrats have become supremely powerful, apathetic and arrogant. Such a situation is ripe for massive social unrest and local support for militancy. Given Pakistans internal woes, it is highly likely that the Pak army will try to orchestrate a massive social unrest and give a strong fillip to militancy.

Conclusion

Amidst these disturbing developments the good news is that the terror groups are finding it difficult to recruit the local youth. This is largely due to fatigue, and the lull in recruitment and terror attacks which came after August 5, 2019. Pakistans internal crisis has also shaken the local populace faith in Pakistan in liberating Kashmir. First it was jolted in Kargil defeat, then majorly dented after the abrogation of article 370 because of Pakistans silence. However, still a significant number of Kashmiris, at a subconscious level firmly believe that the Pakistani army is stronger and more determined than Indias vegetable-eating Hindu army, and Pakistans nuclear arsenal is superior to that of Indias. This insight was shared by a local Kashmir businessman Ashfaq (name changed). He finally suggested something and while writing this piece that his suggestion can be the best conclusion.

He suggested that Pakistan is neck-deep in its internal woes and this is the best time for India to make a significant strike which will give a final blow, shattering beyond redemption, an average Kashmiris faith in Pakistans capability to deliver Azadi at their doorstep.

The author is a Cornell University graduate in public affairs, and bachelors from St Stephens College, Delhi, is a policy analyst specialising in counterterrorism, Indian foreign policy and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics. Views expressed are personal.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Mazad, an auction administrator and subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), has announced that the open auction for the Sitra Power and Water Station is scheduled to end at 10 am on May 23 and has encouraged prospective investors to table bids before then.

The site is owned by the Electricity and Water Authority which has collaborated with Mazad in finding a buyer.

The auction began in early February with the bidding starting at BD10,200,000. Whoever purchases the Sitra plant will be responsible for dismantling all of the station's equipment in addition to removing the structures and foundations of the production units and their accessories. They will also be responsible for sourcing the necessary tools and machinery to implement the plants disassembly.

The Sitra plant was operational for over 40 years prior to its closure in 2021. The site has highly specialised equipment which could be repurposed including; six desalination distillers with a processing capacity of up to 25 million gallons per day; six steam boilers; four 25 MW capacity steam turbines with generators; a gas turbine with a capacity of 25 MW; two gas reduction stations; numerous pumps, transformers, switches and electrical cables.

Commenting on the auction process, Talal Al Araif, Chief Executive Officer of Mazad, said: We provide our customers with efficient auction services and our user-friendly, digital procedures help us to attract a range of investors from Bahrain and the wider international community. Our services follow the highest standards when it comes to transparency, fairness and competitiveness  facilitating opportunities for all parties interested in bidding on assets. The opportunity to purchase and dismantle the Sitra station, with its various constituent parts, is a unique one for any investor and helps Mazad in its aims of helping the local economy and kick-starting projects that will increase national revenue."

Mazad has invited all investors interested in tabling bids to register on the Arabian Auction website; www.arabian.auction. Alternatively, they can download the mobile phone application by searching for Arabian Auction on app stores. Prospective buyers will need to upload certain documentation in order to satisfy the requirements and technical conditions of the project. Following approval and ratification they will then be required to pay for insurance to table a bid, it said. - TradeArabia News Service
Newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka on Sunday authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, PTI reported citing sources.

The move comes amid tussle between Karnatakas tallest Congress leaders- former chief minister Siddaramiah and state unit chief DK Shivalumar- for the CM post.

The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a private hotel in Bengaluru Sunday evening, passed a unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader.

Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal held a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president DK Shivakumar.

Congress president Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

Congress registered a massive victory in the 10 May Assembly polls by securing 135 seats of the 224 seats, while the BJP bagged only 66.

Karnataka has become only the fourth state with Congress in power. The party is also in power in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
New Delhi: After Congress registered a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday assured the people that the grand old party will fulfil all the five promises made to the public in the partys manifesto after the formation of the cabinet.

During campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections, Congress sought to keep the narrative to local issues.

The Congress heavily banked on its five guarantees  Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi and Shakti  with the party leaders promising their immediate implementation if the party comes to power.

While talking to the media, Kharge said, People of Karnataka have rejected BJP and brought the Congress party back to power. People have given us a record number of votes. We will implement all 5 promises that we made to the public in our manifesto after we form our cabinet.

CLP meeting will be held today and will hand over the report to the high command after which the high command will take its time to declare the name of the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Kharge added.

Kharge on Sunday appointed three observers in Karnataka including former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria for the election of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader in the state.

Taking to his social media handle, KC Venugopal said, Congress President has deputed Sushil Kumar Shinde (Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra), Jitendra Singh (AICC GS) and Deepak Babaria (former AICC GS) as observers for the election of the Congress Legislative party (CLP) Leader of Karnataka.

The observers will be present in the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting and will submit the report to the partys high command.

Earlier on Saturday, Venugopal referred to the Congress partys big win in the Karnataka Assembly elections as one of the milestones ahead of the 2024 elections.

Speaking about the win, KC Venugopal said, This is one of the milestones of the 2024 elections.

Venugopal further said that Congress stood for the poor in the state and thus won the mandate of the people.

The type of divisive politics that BJP does, is not going to be successful every time. This is a clear message. We stood for the poor people of Karnataka. They stood for the rich. Finally, the poor won this election. This is the clear narrative of this election, he said.

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats.

Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The first poliovirus case in Afghanistan of 2023 has been detected in the Nangarhar province.

The countrys Ministry of Health under the caretaker Taliban regime said the first incidence of polio in Afghanistan since 2023 has been detected.

According to reports, a four-year-old child has been identified as having polio sickness in the region, and up to two cases of wild poliovirus have been found worldwide.

A total of 56 cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan in 2020, while four cases were reported in 2021. Two instances of polio were reported last year.

The number of polio cases in the country has hence been dropping.

Polio is a severely contagious and disabling disease typically spread through contaminated water or food. The infection can induce complete paralysis within hours after invading the nervous system.

As per reports, the contagious virus thrived in the borderland between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where militants attacked anti-polio teams, as per Khaama Press.

Poverty and high rates of unemployment in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule have been pushing the natives to flee the country and move abroad in order to find jobs for survival, Tolo News reported.

The countrys citizens said that they are forced to migrate to find jobs abroad to feed their families, illegally. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the humanitarian crisis in the country has increased manifold. People are forced to live miserably under strict restrictions under the Taliban.

Lamenting over the poor situation of the country and its economic slump, a resident of Herat, Abdul Khaliq said, I have been deported 16 times since 1391 (solar year) up to now we are vulnerable and struggling with problems and we need to go out.

(With inputs from ANI)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
At least 33 people were killed by armed attackers after they opened fire on vegetable farmers in Burkina Faso, the governor of the Boucle du Mouhoun region said.

On the evening of Thursday, May 11 at around 5:00 pm (1700 GMT), the village of Youlou in the department of Cheriba, Mouhoun province suffered a cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack, Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga said in a statement

The gunmen targeted peaceful civilians who were farming along the river, he said, adding the provisional death toll was 33 people killed.

Local sources confirmed the presence of heavily armed assailants on motorcycles who fired indiscriminately. The victims were buried on Friday.

Much of the country, including parts of western Boucle du Mouhoun region, has been under a state of emergency since March as the government seeks to combat jihadist attacks.

In Cheriba, people also said three others were wounded in the attack, and that the perpetrators had burned property before shooting.

The governor said that security in the area was being enhanced.

Burkina Faso, which saw two military coups in 2022, has been battling a jihadist insurgency that crossed from Mali in 2015.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkinas transitional president who staged the most recent coup on September 30, has set a goal of recapturing 40 percent of the countrys territory, which is controlled by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The violence has seen more than 10,000 killed  both civilians and military  according to the NGOs, and displaced an estimated two million people.

(With inputs from AFP)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
European Union ministers on Friday backed reducing the blocs economic dependence on China but will now have to figure out how to make that a reality, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Borrell said foreign ministers gave broad backing to a plan to adjust policy on China to place greater emphasis on its role as a political rival, while continuing also to see Beijing both as a partner on global issues and an economic competitor.

Colleagues welcomed the paper that we presented. They agree on the basic lines of this re-calibration of our strategy on China, Borrell told reporters after their meeting in Stockholm.

When a dependency is too big, its a risk, he declared.

Borrell said the EU had to learn from the strategic mistake it made in the years before Moscows war in Ukraine of becoming too dependent on Russian gas.

He said the EU today was even more dependent on China for key technologies such as solar panels and for critical materials than it had been on Russian energy.

De-risking is just a word. But behind this word, there is a lot of work that will take time, to review all our economic relations with China, he said.

Borrell stressed the aim was not to de-couple the European and Chinese economies but to rebalance the relationship.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis warned that even if the EU did not want to de-couple from China economically, it needed to be prepared for such a scenario.

Somebody has to devise a possibility that a de-coupling might happen  not because we wished it, like with Russia, not because we willed it but because the situation, for example in the Taiwan Strait, has been changed by force, he said.

Officials will now refine the proposal to present it to EU leaders, who are expected to discuss China at a summit in June.

The plan is the latest attempt to strike a balance between views of the EUs 27 member countries, keep a distinctive EU approach to Beijing and preserve a close partnership with Washington, which is pushing for a harder line on China.

The document states that coordination with the United States will remain essential.

But it says the EU should not subscribe to an idea of a zero-sum game whereby there can only be one winner, in a binary contest between the US and China.

In a letter accompanying the proposal, Borrell said there were at least three reasons for re-calibrating China policy.

He said these were the degree to which China is changing with nationalism and ideology on the rise; the hardening of the US-China competition affecting all policies areas; and the fact that China is a key player in regional and global issues.

The document says the EU should diversify sources of supply in key sectors, in particular those crucial to our green and digital transition such as semiconductors, 5G and 6G telecoms, batteries, raw materials and critical minerals.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Washington and the EU will pledge joint action to tackle concerns focused on China about non-market practices and coordinate their export controls on semiconductors and other goods at a meeting this month, a draft statement showed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and other senior officials are due to meet for the fourth edition of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Lulea, Sweden, on May 30-31.

The draft statement seen by Reuters said the two sides would address non-market practices and economic coercion, and aim to hold regular talks on efforts to stop their companies knowledge linked to outbound investment supporting technologies of strategic rivals  an oblique reference to China.

They will also coordinate on their export controls on sensitive items  including goods that have a military use  and semiconductors, said the statement, which only mentions China twice and could still be changed before the meeting.

Brussels says it considers China a partner in some fields, an economic competitor and a strategic rival. The European Union plans to recalibrate its China policy, recognising coordination with a more hawkish United States is essential.

Highlighting the medical devices sector in China, the document said the transatlantic partners are exploring possible actions over the threat posed by non-market policies and practices.

They also aim to cooperate on efforts to counter foreign manipulation of information, including Chinas amplification of Russian disinformation narratives about the war in Ukraine.

The two sides also said they were committed to working with the G7 to coordinate action to counteract acts of economic coercion, such as the trade restrictions the EU says China has imposed on EU member Lithuania.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The White House has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based militants. It has praised the Egyptian government for the deal.

US officials worked closely with regional partners to achieve this resolution to the hostilities to prevent further loss of life and restore calm for both Israelis and Palestinians, White House press spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

A ceasefire took effect in and around the Gaza Strip on Saturday after five days of cross-border exchanges that have killed at least 34 Palestinians and one Israeli.

The truce was scheduled to start at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT), Egyptian and Palestinian sources said.

But in the final 30 minutes running up to the deadline, dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, prompting renewed air strikes, AFP correspondents in the territory said.

Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defences.

A few more rockets were fired after 1900 GMT, followed by fresh Israeli strikes, before things appeared to calm down.

Hundreds of people then began to emerge into Gazas streets, which had been empty for days.

Two rockets were fired from Gaza after 11:00 pm (2000 GMT) with no victims, the Israeli army said.

Egypt brokered the latest ceasefire proposal, saying it had secured agreement from both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad.

Israels National Security Adviser Tsahi Hanegbi thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and expressed the State of Israels appreciation for Egypts vigorous efforts to bring about a ceasefire, a statement from the Israeli prime ministers office said.

Israels response to the Egyptian initiative means quiet will be answered by quiet, and if Israel is attacked or threatened it will continue to do everything it needs to do in order to defend itself, he said.

A Palestinian source confirmed Islamic Jihads agreement.

We want to thank Egypt for its efforts, Islamic Jihad political department official Mohammad al-Hindi told AFP. He has been in Cairo since the fighting erupted on Tuesday.

(With inputs from AFP)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
To discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade and investments, the first ministerial level meeting of India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will be held on May 16 in Brussels, according to an official statement.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is one of the co-chairs along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, while the EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) Dombrovskis and Vestager.

It said that three working groups under the mechanism will report on roadmaps for future cooperation between the two sides  Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity; Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

The first ministerial meeting will lay the roadmap for the cooperation under all three working groups and provide direction to achieve desired outcomes before the next ministerial meeting in the coming year, it added.

During the high level meetings with senior leadership of the European Union as well as Belgium various issues would come up for discussions and that include ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA), addressing issues of mutual market access, reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The working group on trade, investment and resilient value chains is steered by the Department of Commerce and the first meeting of the working group was co-chaired by commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal and Sabine Weyand, Director General for Trade, from respective sides.

The formation of the TTC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission in New Delhi, in April, 2022 with the objective of creating a high-level coordination platform to tackle strategic challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security.

The ministry said that on May 15, Goyal will have a bilateral meeting with EVP Dombrovskis followed by stakeholder consultations in the presence of business leaders of both the sides.

He would also participate in a meeting which would involve a discussion over the economic footprint of Belgium enterprises in India along with further plans of investments in India.

Besides, the three Indian ministers would also call on the Belgian prime minister as well as the president of the European Commission.

On May 16, Goyal would attend a stakeholder event for working groups 1 and 2. Group 1 focusses on digital governance and connectivity while Group 2 deals with clean and green energy technologies.

He will also hold a bilateral meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Trade Thierry Breton, wherein issues pertaining to the SME sector, startup ecosystem and e-commerce will be deliberated upon.

India had started negotiations for a trade pact with the EU in 2007 but the talks stalled in 2013 as both sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues, including customs duties on automobiles and spirits and the movement of professionals.

Indias merchandise exports to EU member countries stood at about USD 65 billion in 2021-22, while imports aggregated at USD 51.4 billion.

In 2022-23, the exports aggregated at USD 67 billion, while imports stood at USD 54.4 billion in the last fiscal.

The EU accounts for 16.4 per cent share in Indias exports and about 8.3 per cent share in imports in the last financial year.

(With inputs from PTI)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Islamabad: After an eerie calm over the weekend, Pakistan was bracing for another tense day on Monday due to a planned protest by a key government ally, the Supreme Court taking up a plea against its order to hold election on May 14 and former prime minister Imran Khan appearing in a high court.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), headed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and including about a dozen parties, announced on May 12 to hold a protest rally outside the apex courts building against its alleged partiality towards 70-year-old Khan who was set free by it after arrest in a corruption case.

The protest by the largest coalition partner of the government comes as the authorities imposed a ban on political gatherings in the federal capital and also the military had been deployed to control any violence.

The protest planned to be held in Islamabads Red Zone would raise serious questions about government policy of stopping rivals like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from political activity in the capital and looking the other way when its own partners bring protesters.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that reports provided by security agencies about the protest were very alarming and asked the organisers to change the venue.

We are scared that if the protest is held in the Red Zone tomorrow, the Islamabad police have said that it will be difficult to control the protesters. So, I and Ishaq Dar (Finance Minister) went to Fazlur Rehman and requested him to hold the protest outside the Red Zone, he said at a press conference.

The minister hoped that the Maulana would accept the request.

The protest comes as a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, is set to hear a petition by the Election Commission of Pakistan to review the order of April 4 to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

The deadline has been missed and the chief justice already indicated that the law would take its course. There is fear that the court may launch contempt proceedings against the prime minister and other officials for failing to implement its orders.

In a related development, Khan would appear before the Lahore High Court to seek bail in various cases to avoid arrest in the light of the orders by Islamabad High Court which stopped authorities from arresting him in any case till Monday.

His party told PTI that Khan would appear in person before the Lahore High Court.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sanaullah said that Khan could be arrested again if he was found to be involved in the recent protests across the country. He also accused Khan of planning and strategizing the recent attacks on state installations.

The sites were identified, highlighted and training was given to people, he said. This man is doing the politics of hatred, we knew about it but now it is out before the public. He also said that whenever Khans party took to the streets, the same 100-200 people were found to be involved in violent activities. So, this means that they have been trained to do this Imran has trained them and they are his investment, the minister said.

He warned that Khans party could be banned as there was no solution, but added that it was a legal process and would take time.

Separately, rallies were organised in different cities in support of the Pakistan Army which had come under unprecedented pressure after physical attacks by miscreants and the verbal onslaught by Khan after his release.

Local residents also gathered at the destroyed residence of Lahore Corps Commander where special prayers were offered in solidarity with the Pakistan Army.

For the first time in Pakistans history, the protesters stormed the army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also torched the corps commanders house in Lahore.

Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10 while Khans party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel.

Punjab Inspector General Police Dr Usman Anwar told a press conference on Sunday that over 3,500 people have been arrested in Punjab province for their involvement in violence erupted after Khans arrest. He said most of them will be tried in anti-terrorism courts.

Khans supporters also held peaceful rallies in different cities to show support for him despite a crackdown to arrest workers and leaders of the party.

Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy targeting him because of his independent foreign policy decisions on Russia, China and Afghanistan.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
With the approach of the peak summer season, Oman Air Holidays has introduced a range of great value packages from Muscat to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Far East.



With special rates starting from as little as RO234 ($606), as well as customisable add-ons, guests are provided with affordable and convenient options to plan their dream holiday, whether its a beach retreat, adventure trip, city break, or cultural experience.



Meanwhile, catering to rising demand, Oman Air has also increased its flights to some of the most popular destinations including five flights a day to Dubai and 18 flights a week to Bangkok. Guests can also enjoy increased frequencies and seamless connectivity to Kuala Lumpur, the Maldives, and many more.



Mundher Al Shaikhani, Acting Vice President  Marketing at Oman Air, said: This year, travel has picked up considerably and, as people eagerly anticipate their much-awaited summer vacation, we are making sure to accommodate their travel requirements. In line with the airlines addition of several new flights, were pleased to have curated an extensive selection of packages so that guests have the freedom to choose their travel plans according to their unique interests and preferences. Supported by our dedicated customer service, we guarantee that our packages are worth every baisa.



Offering a wide selection of tailored packages, Oman Air Holidays excels in creating amazing and unique travel experiences to some of the worlds most exciting destinations. TradeArabia News Service
The Philippines has placed navigational buoys within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesperson said on Sunday.

The step comes amid Chinas increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues warmer ties with treaty ally the United States.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it set up five buoys carrying the national flag from May 10 to 12 in five areas within the 200-mile (322-km) zone, including the Whitsun Reef, where hundreds of Chinese maritime vessels moored in 2021.

This move highlights the Philippines unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesperson on South China Sea issues, said on Twitter.

Chinas embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In May 2022, the coast guard installed five navigational buoys on four islands in the Spratlys.

Chinas claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the Spratlys, where China has dredged sand to build islands on reefs, and equipped them with missiles and runways.

Beijing has for years deployed hundreds of coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed areas.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday said his country will support Ukraine as long as needed.

He made the comments during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Berlin for the first time since Russias invasion.

I have said it many times, and I repeat it here today: we will support you for as long as it is necessary, Scholz said during a joint press conference.

Meanwhile, Zelensky called Germany a true friend and reliable ally in his countrys battle against Russia.

Zelenskys trip to Germany follows meetings in Rome with Italian leaders and the Pope, and comes as Kyiv is preparing a much-anticipated counter-offensive.

In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values, he wrote in the guestbook at the German presidents official residence.

Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe, he added in the entry, before heading into talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.

Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become a major contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems.

On the occasion of Zelenskys visit, Berlin unveiled its biggest armaments package for Ukraine yet, including tanks, missile defence systems and combat vehicles worth 2.7 billion euros.

(With inputs from AFP)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Amid tight security, voting started for Thailands general election on Sunday as Opposition parties are tipped to beat the government of army-backed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha after almost a decade in power.

Polling started at 8:00 am (0100 GMT) after a campaign that played out as a clash between a young generation yearning for change and the traditionalist, royalist establishment, AFP reported.

The main opposition Pheu Thai party, fronted by the daughter of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was ahead in final opinion polls.

But in a kingdom where victory at the ballot box has often been trumped by coups and court orders, there are fears the military could seek to cling on, raising the prospect of fresh instability.

At Pheu Thais closing rally on Friday, main candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra told a rapturous 10,000-strong crowd that Sunday would be a historic day where Thailand will change from junta rule to democratic rule.

Voting began at 8:00 am (0100 GMT) at the 95,000 polling stations scattered from the lush-forested mountains of the north to the idyllic sands of the southern beaches.

A turnout of 90 percent in last Sundays early round of voting points to an electorate looking for change, but the opposition faces an uphill battle to secure power, thanks to the junta-scripted 2017 constitution.

The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs and 250 senate members appointed by Prayuts junta  stacking the deck in the armys favour.

In the controversial last election in 2019, Prayut rode senate support to become prime minister at the head of a complex multi-party coalition.

(With inputs from AFP)

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
I Don't Need My 2023 F-450 Order Now - Why Not Directly SELL My Order To A Proxy Buyer??

So SOMEDAY Ford will make either a 2023 or a 2024 to fill my order.



What I specified was a F450 4x4 crew cab stone gray, leather/console/leather black onxy, basic Lariat.



Only items I added were carpet delete, FX4, rapid supplemental heat, engine block heat, upfitter switches, and gooseneck kit (which would be std but salesguy added).



My price is $80,000 before TT&L or any PCO or whatever. The dealership said my price would be $1,000 over INVOICE, but even if this price is MSRP, the situation is the same. So assuming 7% for TTL which is the % increase between the final on my 450 I bought this week, and the purchase price, I'd be at $85,600 my cost.



The dealer where I ordered this truck will CERTAINLY add some dealer extra money on the MSRP if I turn down the truck, and set it on their lot. The one I bought this week at a different dealer had $5,000 in extra added to MSRP. The two other lowest added money trucks I found prior to that had $12,000 added, one in Texas and one in Oklahoma. The two F450s at Grapevine Ford had $30,000 in money above MSRP added. HUGE dealer markups, well above the $5k I got dinged.



SO I could buy this ordered truck, pay the $5,600 TTL, add another $5,000 in profit, and have a truck for sale thats $90,600 for a truck that cost me $85,600........and the buyers STILL has to get it titled in HIS name and pay TTL all over again????



Doesnt sound like a good use of my time at all for a small profit associated with at least TWO days time and a lot of driving to a dealer that is like 300 miles away.



OR...........................................



How about I sell my order?



What would stop me from selling my position with the order to someone else? THEY could go to the dealership and buy my truck directly from the dealer, thus stopping TTL from being collected twice essentially. They would be a proxy buyer in my stead.



The buyer could throw me something like $3,000 cash, which is what I paid over MSRP minus the $2k PCO for the truck I took delivery of yesterday, and they would net a truck that is $1,000 over invoice for a $3,000 fee to me, and still be at or about the actual MSRP and have a truck right then. They would win. I would win. And the dealership would sell the truck at the agreed upon ordered price.



Why would this not work???



If I DONT do this, I am throwing an order in the trash and allowing a dealership to hammer someone else with a fee that is WELL above my $3k fee. Likely $10k to $30k more.



If I DO this, I am saving a new truck buyer THOUSANDS, preventing a dealer from a hard score on a needy buyer, and putting a little money in my pocket for the trouble.
2nd Nepali guide climbs Mt Qomolangma for 26th time

Kathmandu, May 14 (UNI) Nepali climbing guide Pasang Dawa Sherpa scaled Mt. Qomolangma for the 26th time on Sunday morning, tying the world record set by another guide.

Pasang, two other guides and three climbers reached the summit of the world's highest peak at 9:06 local time in an expedition organized by Imagine Nepal Trek and Expeditions.

"Pasang Dawa Sherpa summited Mt. Qomolangma for the 26th time on Sunday, matching the record of another Sherpa guide Kami Rita Sherpa," Khim Lal Gautam, a liaison officer from Nepal's Department of Tourism, told Xinhua from the base camp.
Srinagar, May 14 (UNI) Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Sunday hopes that the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting which is going to be held here will have a positive impact on Jammu and Kashmir tourism.

We hope that the G20 meeting being held in Kashmir will be conducted on a good note and a good number of delegates will come to attend it, Bukhari told media persons in Srinagar on Sunday.

He said there is no place better than Kashmir where a meeting regarding promotion of tourism could be held.

He hoped that the meet would see the foreign tourists who were not visiting here due to advisories issued by some countries and will ensure their visit so that Jammu and Kashmir tourism will get benefitted.

In reply to a question that Pakistan is pushing countries not to participate in the G20 meeting Bukhari said that I am not representing PakistanI can talk of my country. He said Pakistan participated in the recently held Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Goa.

Regarding Congress partys win in Karnataka elections, Bukhari said where ever the elections are being held democracy winspolitical parties will come and go or change.

He said if Apni party wins the elections in Jammu and Kashmir will look after the peoples miseries in a better way.

He said the past coalition governments did nothing for Jammu and Kashmir so far since 2002 as it was never in the interest of the people.

He claimed that his party has the support of the people both in Jammu and in Kashmir valley and hoped people would vote for him to form a strong government.

UNI QAB SSP
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Shrine of St Olaf, Nidaros



The Norwegian town of Nidaros is now better known as Trondheim, but until the Reformation it was one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in Northern Europe. Pilgrims travelled to visit the Shrine of St Olaf (or Olav), the Patron Saint of Norway, whose remains rested behind the high altar of the mediaeval Nidaros Cathedral. During his life, Olaf was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028, and after his death in battle various miracles became associated with his remains, leading to his canonisation.



The traditional pilgrimage route led from Oslo, Norway's capital city, for around 400 miles, ending at Nidaros Cathedral. It is now popular not just as a modern pilgrimage route, but as a long-distance hiking trail.

2. Iona Abbey



The small island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland, was one of the earliest and most important centres of Christianity in Western Europe. In 563 AD the Irish missionary Columba founded a monastery here, from which Christianity spread into Scotland and Northern England. A Benedictine Abbey was later established there in the thirteenth century, although this was dissolved during the Reformation.



The present Iona Abbey was rebuilt in the 1930s and 40s by a group of Christians who became known as the Iona Community. It is now a centre for Christian retreats and a place of pilgrimage.

3. Croagh Patrick Mountain, County Mayo



Rising to a height of 2704 feet above Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland, the mountain of Croagh Patrick has long been associated with the Saint whose name it bears. Tradition has it that Patrick fasted for forty days on its summit, and archaeological evidence suggests that there was some form of stone chapel on the summit as long ago as the fifth century AD, when Patrick is believed to have lived.



On the last Sunday in July, known locally as "Reek Sunday" (after the mountain's nickname), thousands of pilgrims climb to the summit of Croagh Patrick, and take part in masses in the modern chapel at the top. The traditional way is to make the climb barefoot, as an act of penance. Rising to a height of 2704 feet above Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland, the mountain of Croagh Patrick has long been associated with the Saint whose name it bears. Tradition has it that Patrick fasted for forty days on its summit, and archaeological evidence suggests that there was some form of stone chapel on the summit as long ago as the fifth century AD, when Patrick is believed to have lived.On the last Sunday in July, known locally as "Reek Sunday" (after the mountain's nickname), thousands of pilgrims climb to the summit of Croagh Patrick, and take part in masses in the modern chapel at the top. The traditional way is to make the climb barefoot, as an act of penance.

4. Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham



Many centuries before visions of the Virgin Mary made Lourdes and Fatima internationally famous, the small English village of Walsingham in Norfolk was a centre for pilgrimage for Christians that was almost as important as Jerusalem and Rome. The story goes that in 1061 a noblewoman named Richeldis de Faverches had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary, who instructed her to build a replica of Christ's childhood home in Nazareth, which developed into a shrine and a popular place of pilgrimage during mediaeval times.



The priory and shrine were officially destroyed in 1538 during the reign of Henry VIII, as part of the "Dissolution of the Monasteries", but during the early twentieth century there was a revival of interest. There are now both Anglican and Catholic shrines at Walsingham, both of which welcome pilgrims throughout the year.

5. Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima



Beginning in May 1917, just outside the small Portuguese town of Fatima, three young children aged seven, eight and ten reported seeing a series of visions of a glowing female figure whom they believed to be the Virgin Mary. The vision gave them various instructions, as well as three "secrets", culminating in the so-called "Miracle of the Sun" which was witnessed by over 70,000 people. The Roman Catholic Church recognised these as authentic Marian Apparitions, and Fatima almost immediately became a place of pilgrimage.



The shrine and associated religious buildings are now visited by around four million pilgrims every year. Although the younger two children died tragically young during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-20, the eldest, Lucia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos, became a nun and died in 2005 at the age of 97.

6. Shrine of St James the Great, Santiago de Compostela



The Shrine of St James the Great is the reputed tomb of the Apostle James and is situated in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain. James is the Patron Saint of Spain, and it is believed that his remains were transported there following his martyrdom in Jerusalem in AD 44.



The so-called "Camino de Santiago" or "Way of St James" has been one of the great Christian pilgrimage routes since around the 10th century AD. There are several pilgrimage routes through Europe (especially France) which converge on north-western Spain, joining the main route from the French border through northern Spain to the shrine itself. It remains a popular pilgrimage route in the 21st century.

7. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes



The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is among the most famous Catholic shrines in the world and is situated in the market town of Lourdes in south-western France. Its fame is based on a series of appearances by the Virgin Mary in 1858 to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous which took place in a small grotto on the outskirts of the town. During these visitations, a spring of clean water began to flow from the grotto, and the apparition instructed Bernadette to drink and wash herself in the water. Subsequently, this water became associated with a series of miraculous cures, and to this day many Catholics believe it to have special healing powers.



The grotto and its spring remain at the centre of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which also includes three basilicas and many other church buildings. Around four million pilgrims visit it every year.

8. Black Madonna of Czestochowa



The Black Madonna of Czestochowa is an icon depicting the Virgin Mary and infant Christ which can be seen in the Jasna Gora Monastery in the town of Czestochowa, Poland. As with other so-called "Black Madonna" images, the skin of the Virgin Mary is significantly darker than traditional Western images, and it is believed to be a Byzantine icon dating originally from between 500 and 700 AD.



Documentary evidence indicates that it was first brought to Poland by the fourteenth-century nobleman Vladislaus II of Opole. It remains Poland's most revered icon, and pilgrimages to the shrine are popular among Polish Catholics, as well as others around the world. The Black Madonna of Czestochowa is an icon depicting the Virgin Mary and infant Christ which can be seen in the Jasna Gora Monastery in the town of Czestochowa, Poland. As with other so-called "Black Madonna" images, the skin of the Virgin Mary is significantly darker than traditional Western images, and it is believed to be a Byzantine icon dating originally from between 500 and 700 AD.Documentary evidence indicates that it was first brought to Poland by the fourteenth-century nobleman Vladislaus II of Opole. It remains Poland's most revered icon, and pilgrimages to the shrine are popular among Polish Catholics, as well as others around the world.

9. Chapel of the Holy Shroud, Turin



The Chapel of the Holy Shroud is located in the Italian city of Turin and was constructed in the seventeenth century to house the famous Christian relic known as the Shroud of Turin.



The Shroud of Turin is a large (14ft by 3ft) piece of linen cloth which bears the faint image of a man imprinted on it, both front and back, as if it had been folded over an individual whose image had been somehow transferred onto it. It has been venerated for many centuries by those who believe it to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus, although modern carbon-dating of fragments of the shroud have indicated beyond reasonable doubt that the material dates back only as far as the thirteenth or fourteenth century AD. This ties in with the first record of its existence, which dates from 1354.

10. Island of Patmos



One of the Dodecanese Islands, the small Greek island of Patmos can be found in the Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Turkey. It is famous as the location where the early Christian writer known as John of Patmos was living when he received a vision from Jesus Christ, the substance of which he wrote down as the Book of Revelation, the last book in the Christian Bible.



Visitors to Patmos can see the supposed site where John received his vision, known as the "Cave of the Apocalypse". Patmos is also home to the Greek Orthodox "Monastery of St John the Theologian", which dates back to 1088, and these two sites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Source: Author stedman This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
sursa foto: OZAN KOSE / AFP (Recep Erdogan) si Adem ALTAN / AFP (Kemal Kilicdaroglu)/ Colaj G4Media

De ce opozitiei ii va fi aproape imposibil sa castige in al doilea tur in fata lui Erdogan/ Analist turc: Multi alegatori au considerat ca un transfer de putere ar trimite Turcia intr-o perioada de haos si instabilitate. Acum opozitia se destrama
Get Ready for Windows 12: Here Are the System Requirements and Features of the Upcoming OS News oi -Kabir Jain

It's no wonder that Microsoft is cooking up Windows 12 with all rumors pointing it toward a 2024 release window. With almost half of 2023 underway, Windows 12 could be coming soon, so here are the features and the system requirements of the upcoming version of Windows.

Let's begin.

Windows 12: System Requirements

Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Windows 12, is expected to have similar system requirements as its predecessor, Windows 11. Here are the anticipated system requirements for Windows 12:

Memory: 4 GB of RAM or more

4 GB of RAM or more TPM: Trusted Platform Module 2.0

Trusted Platform Module 2.0 Storage: Minimum 64GB storage

Minimum 64GB storage CPU: 1GHz clock speed or faster, 64-bit SoC or CPU with two or more cores

1GHz clock speed or faster, 64-bit SoC or CPU with two or more cores Display: High resolution (720p), 8 bits per color channel, and more than 9 inches across

High resolution (720p), 8 bits per color channel, and more than 9 inches across Secure Boot support in system firmware using UEFI

DirectX 12 or later and WDDM-compatible graphics card driver

These requirements are based on rumors, and the actual requirements may vary upon the release. As the launch date approaches, more accurate information about the system requirements will be available.

Windows 12: Features

Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI is expected to bring more AI integration to Windows 12, with the predecessor already having Bing Chat utilize the brains of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft updating its Designer graphic design app with AI smarts. Expect to see the Redmond giant put AI at the forefront with Windows 12.

The upcoming Windows 12 is expected to feature a new user interface in addition to increased AI integration. Although Windows 11 already received a design refresh, Windows 12 could further improve on this, with rumors suggesting a floating taskbar and status bar reminiscent of macOS. These changes aim to create a more modern and fresh aesthetic for the operating system.

Notepad, a simple text editor included in Windows, will also receive an update in Windows 12. According to a recent leak from a Microsoft employee, Notepad will soon support tabs, similar to File Explorer. This new feature will allow users to edit multiple text files simultaneously in separate windows, potentially increasing productivity.

Furthermore, Microsoft is updating Windows File Explorer with new features, such as support for touch-screen devices and keyboards. The Control Panel will also be integrated into the Settings tab, making it easier for users to access and adjust system settings. These enhancements aim to improve the overall user experience and productivity of Windows 12.

Windows 12: When Will It Release?

Based on current information, Windows 12 is expected to launch in 2024. This is in line with the three-year gap between previous Windows releases, indicating that Microsoft may continue with this pattern. With Windows 11 released in 2021, it is likely that customers will have access to Windows 12 in 2024.

While Microsoft has not officially announced a release date for Windows 12, this information has been gathered from various sources and leaked details. It is important to note that release dates are subject to change, and Microsoft may adjust its plans accordingly.

Via

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Bard Vs ChatGPT: Google Has An Edge Over Microsoft Even Though It Launched Late Features oi -Alap Naik Desai

Google finally lifted all restrictions and the waitlist for using Bard, a Generative AI chatbot that rivals OpenAI's ChatGPT. Despite launching late, Bard AI has multiple advantages over ChatGPT and could race ahead soon.

Google just made its Bard AI chatbot available in over 180 countries and that too without any waitlist. The search giant has also added multiple features to enhance the user experience. Let's look at some of the aspects in which Google Bard AI chatbot is way ahead of Microsoft-funded OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Bard Offers Support For 20+ Programming Languages

Google's Bard supports over 20 programming languages. These include C++, Python, Java, TypeScript, JavaScript, and many more.

OpenAI does offer Codex, an AI-based tool to help developers write code. However, ChatGPT is nowhere close to Bard when it comes to supporting so many programming languages right out of the gate.

Google claims Bard will be able to help professionals with code generation, explanation, and debugging. Needless to say, ChatGPT still has a long way to go before being so versatile, fluent, and expert in so many programming languages.

ChatGPT Currently Lacks A Dedicated Mobile Version

OpenAI is yet to confirm a mobile-optimized version of ChatGPT. Users currently have to rely on a web browser on their smartphone to use ChatGPT.

Incidentally, even Google Bard doesn't have a mobile app yet. However, Google has indicated that it is incorporating Bard into more Google apps and services.

Simply put, those interested in using Bard won't need a dedicated app. ChatGPT users will have to access the platform from within web browsers until Microsoft integrates ChatGPT into the mobile apps of its products and services.

Google Bard Has Multiple Plugins That Users Can Access For Free

Google has announced that Bard will have several plugins such as Walmart, Spotify, Uber Eats, Adobe Firefly, and a host of other Google Apps. Incidentally, OpenAI too introduced similar plugins for ChatGPT.

The primary difference, however, is that plugins for ChatGPT can be used only via the ChatGPT Plus subscription, which currently costs $20 per month. Google is offering the same functionality for free.

Google Bard Offers Citations And Sources With Enhanced Search

Google has confirmed that users relying on Bard for information will be rewarded with citations and sources, a feature that ChatGPT can and should offer. Simply put, it is not possible to cite sources with ChatGPT.

Users can ask it to create citations, but ChatGPT isn't designed for this task and tends to make up sources that don't exist or present information in the wrong format. In short, ChatGPT doesn't provide sources, footnotes, or links to where it derived the information that it includes in its answers.

Bard Includes Information From The Internet, ChatGPT Does Not

Google has trained on a massive dataset of text and code. Incidentally, the dataset also includes information from the internet.

Being able to rely on the internet allows Bard AI to answer questions comprehensively and informally. It is able to offer users the top news of the hour and also fetch information from the Internet.

Needless to mention, ChatGPT simply lacks this ability. OpenAI's chatbot, by default, lacks access to the internet. Although its information is fairly accurate, it might not be current.

Google has undoubtedly entered the race late. ChatGPT has been answering queries since November of last year. Although Bard made some silly mistakes initially, it has the power of Google Search, which trumps Microsoft's Bing. Hence, users can expect both the Generative AI platforms to compete intensely while benefitting the end-users.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica 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 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 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 Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of 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 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 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 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 Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Charlie Wood in Quanta:

Forty years ago, Frank Wilczek was mulling over a bizarre type of particle that could live only in a flat universe. Had he put pen to paper and done the calculations, Wilczek would have found that these then-theoretical particles held an otherworldly memory of their past, one woven too thoroughly into the fabric of reality for any one disturbance to erase it.

However, seeing no reason that nature should allow such strange beasts to exist, the future Nobel prize-winning physicist chose not to follow his thought experiments to their most outlandish conclusions  despite the objections of his collaborator Anthony Zee, a renowned theoretical physicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

I said, Come on, Tony, people are going to make fun of us, said Wilczek, now a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Others werent so reluctant. Researchers have spent millions of dollars over the past three decades or so trying to capture and tame the particlelike objects, which go by the cryptic moniker of non-abelian anyons.

More here.
EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Closing remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell

European External Action Service (EEAS)

13.05.2023

Stockholm

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Thank you to everyone. Thank you to the Swedish Presidency for gathering us in Stockholm. Thank you in particular to those who came from far away.

And thank you to everyone who made this meeting possible - from the ministers to the interpreters, everyone - who have been working to make this meeting an important moment for our relationship.

Special thanks to our Swedish hosts and to you, dear Tobias [Billstrom, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs] for putting this event together.

Allow me to emphasise three points:

First, with Stockholm in 2023, after Paris in 2022, we are developing a unique forum, characterised by inclusiveness and joint commitment. This will continue.

Second, the matters that the Forum has discussed require action. We do not need more discourses. We need more action, and it needs to be done now. Many issues cannot wait. We need to act together and faster.

[Third], from the side of the European Union, our pledge is clear: we have to be more present and to deliver more.

Our Ministerial Forum gathered over 50 partners and organisations. Certainly, we have heard 50 different approaches to Indo-Pacific issues.

But one common recognition is precisely that we need to act together.

Coming from such a diverse and broad region as the Indo-Pacific and the European Union, 'acting together' cannot be taken for granted.

But we have a lot of concrete proposals, I picked up many from my participation in the security roundtable and from the two other sessions.

On security, I noted the broad consensus to step up our cooperation in the field of maritime security, cyber, foreign manipulation of information and counterterrorism, among other topics. We are going to launch EU partnership with the countries in the Indo-Pacific on security issues.

We also discussed the greening of our economies and societies.

We all face the imperative of fighting the climate crisis and preserving the planet's ecosystems.

The EU has heard clearly that our success will depend on doing this together, and not by creating obstacles for each other.

Commissioner [for Energy, Kadri] Simson, whom I thank for being here, and I will follow up with our European Commission colleagues.

As for prosperity issues, I believe we all seek diversification and supply chains resilience, in both directions. We need to ensure resilience in a complementary way.

We have a trade agenda. This provides opportunities both ways.

So, what's next? On the EU side, we want to step up our engagement to deliver more concrete results on the ground.

We will build on the progress achieved so far, including the 20 Global Gateway projects in the Indo-Pacific in 2023, from investment in hydropower and solar energy plants to transportation infrastructures (railway, ports, and airports).

Having been a minister for public works and transportation in Spain I know very well the transformative capacity of building infrastructure that can be done with concrete, but also incorporating digital technologies.

I also know that EU Member States have been increasingly active, notably by their participation in Team Europe initiatives, such as on Sustainable Connectivity in Philippines, the Green Deal for Mozambique, and the Green energy transition in Bangladesh.

And through our political engagement with visits across the region. I myself will take part in the Shangri-La and the ASEAN Region Forum. We have also four summits ahead of us, with the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, and China. We are ready to participate in the East Asia Summit and contribute to its work.

So, we have an agenda to keep us busy. Busy together.

Dear colleagues and friends,

I think it has been an intense and profitable meeting

To conclude, I believe we all see the need to make these Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum a regular event in our calendars.

We have to maintain "l'esprit de Paris", Madame la Ministre [Catherine Colonna], and to keep up "the Stockholm momentum", dear Tobias [Billstrom].

To finish, let me leave you with a final thought.

The Indian historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam, who I think has a closely relative among us, has been exploring our "connected history". But the history belongs to the past.

Our task is to build a connected future.

And to ensure that this connected future is designed for the benefit of all.

This should be our common endeavour.

Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Opening remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell

European External Action Service (EEAS)

13.05.2023

Stockholm

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Your Majesty,

Your Royal Highness,

Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

I want to thank the Government and people of Sweden for hosting this second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm here today.

I also want to stress my appreciation to all our partners from the Indo-Pacific who are here today. Thank you for taking time in your schedules to be with us and to attend this important event.

This Forum follows the previous one in Paris last year, which was very successful.

Together, today, we are turning this Forum into a regular event that has to take place every year.It has to take place every year because Europe and the Indo-Pacific are highly inter-connected and inter-dependent. We are, like it or not, and we like it. And we want to be more interconnected and more interdependent.

Because in today's world, there is nothing that is too 'far away'. The Indo-Pacific region is the EU's economic neighbourhood. Interdependence has clear geo-political and security dimensions, as my colleague the Swedish [Foreign] Minister [Tobias Billstrom] has mentioned.

It is clear but some figures can help illustrate this point.

Asia and the Pacific - your region - will contribute two thirds of global growth this year. Two third of the global growth will happen in the Indo-Pacific region.

Every day, 2,000 ships transport goods between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea towards Europe.

Last year, our imports from the Indo-Pacific region accounted for almost 40% of total extra-EU imports - 37% to be exact. And our exports to the region accounted for 25%.

These figures are impressive. It shows that our economic links every day are getting stronger and deeper.

But at the same time - unhappily - the global security environment continues to deteriorate. There is less trust among the main players. There is a weakening of the respect for international law, multilateral rules, and norms that govern our work and living together.

As a result, force and coercion are on the rise. It is not the law, it is the force which is increasingly determining the behaviour of the world.

And many countries feel forced to expand their military investment.

World military spending last year grew again to an all-time high, reaching of 2.2 trillion US Dollars.

One may believe that this is because Russia's war against Ukraine. Certainly, the military expenditure in countries in Europe is 30% higher than in 2013, before the takeover of Crimea by Russia.

And across Asia the trend of increasing military expenditure is even greater. Last year, the military expenditure in Asia and Oceania was 45% higher than in 2013. In ten years, we have increased our military expenditure by 30% and by 45%. This shows that every day we live in a more insecure world.

But we [Europe] have vital interests in the stability and prosperity. We have vital and common interests in our prosperity and security.

Unhappily, Russia's aggression against Ukraine is keeping us very busy, consuming a lot of our energies, but it is not 'just a European war'. The principles at stake affect everyone. And it clearly has global consequences in terms of food and energy prices for almost all human beings. So, we all have a clear stake in each other's security.

That is why we launched in 2021 the EU's strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. With that we want to show that we want to contribute to the stability, security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific [region]. Because your stability, security and prosperity are also part of ours.

Last year, we also launched the first-ever EU strategy for the Gulf region, because we want to be more present and more active across the Indo-Pacific and build strong partnerships.

Last year, at our meeting in Paris, we said that our Indo-Pacific Strategy was about concrete action, not just rhetoric.

So, one year later, what have we done. Allow me to cite some concrete examples of what we have achieved since last years meeting.

In December the EU signed Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with Malaysia and Thailand.

We have opened new trade and investment opportunities, including:

The conclusion of the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand.

The ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Australia.

The resumption of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with India. We also launched a Trade and Technology Council, which will meet next week for the first time in Brussels.

Free Trade Agreement negotiations have been relaunched with Thailand, and are ongoing and intensifying with other Indo-Pacific partners, including Indonesia and Kenya.

Last year, we established digital partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. In October, we signed the EU-ASEAN Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, which is of extraordinary importance for the connectivity among us.

Connectivity is a key word. It is a strategic concept.

That is why we launched the EU Global Gateway - a plan to boost EU engagement in the region and provide strategic investment in the development of infrastructure. About 20 Global Gateway priority projects have been launched and will be implemented across the Indo-Pacific region: from hydropower and solar energy plants to transport infrastructure.

The EU is also contributing to regional security in the Indo-Pacific. We have a naval operation - [EUNAVFOR] ATALANTA - which is now covering a larger spectrum of tasks in a much larger theatre. It was conceived to fight piracy in the coast of Somalia, now it is a maritime security provider along the African coast. We have conducted successful joint naval exercises with Indo-Pacific partners with Djibouti, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Oman, and most recently with the United States. We are developing a Coordinated Maritime Presence in the North Western Indian Ocean to optimise the use of assets that EU Member States are deploying in the region.

These are just some examples.

Ladies and gentlemen,

They show that we have an overriding interest in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Allow me to cite an ancient Greek historian - that today is very fashionable to cite - Thucydides, when he argued that convergence of interest is the surest way of keeping good relations between states and individuals.

Shared and common interests, values, priorities [and] cooperation: these are the key words of our relationship. That has to be a two-way relationship.

It is not just about what the EU can do in and for the region; it is about what we can do together in equal foot, knowing that we live in a complex, dangerous world, that requires common cooperation among us to achieve common goals.

And we, Europeans, have as much to listen and learn from the Indo-Pacific region as we have to give.

That is why we are meeting today in Stockholm, on a beautiful sunny day, in a beautiful place, with your Majesties.

Thank you very much for being with us. Thank you to all of you for coming and attending this meeting.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival and following EU ministers' meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba

European External Action Service (EEAS)

13.05.2023

Stockholm

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good morning,

Work continues. We have just had a meeting with Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro] Kuleba who is coming from Guatemala, and he will have the opportunity of meeting the Indo-Pacific [countries and regional organisations].

He will stay with us in the lunch, and it is a good occasion for Ukraine to reach out to this very important part of the world and to explain what is happening in Ukraine.

In this meeting, Minister Kuleba explained the situation on the ground, how Russia continues bombing systematically, and the requirement to the European Union for more support.

And certainly, we have to speed up the support.

He gave me just a figure: in the Bakhmut area, where fighting continues, Ukraine needs about 1,000 shots of artillery per day. 1,000 per day, just in Bakhmut. In order to have an idea of the intensity of the fighting and the fire power of Russia and how Ukrainians can resist this continued and systematic bombing.

We are providing them [with ammunition] but certainly, we make the commitment of speeding up the provision of ammunition for this fighting.

I am really sorry that it is the way it is. But as long as Russia continues attacking, Ukraine has to defend [itself]. And this is the requirement that Minister Kuleba presented today to the [EU Foreign Affairs] Ministers.

Now, we are going to start talking with the Indo-Pacific [partners]. You know how important is the Indo-Pacific is today in the global geopolitics. This part of the world will represent [more than] half of the global growth [this year].

We have intensified our relationship with this group of people. It is the second [EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial] Forum . We had the first one in Paris.

I am very grateful to all of them who are coming [from] so far away, but we are not far away from the point of view of economic relations and political importance. We have to deploy our capacities in this part of the world. We have to ensure freedom of navigation - there are a lot of tensions in the region. It is going to be an important discussion.

I am happy to have this second Forum, and I hope that Minister Kuleba will also have the opportunity to address this important group of states.

Q&A

Q. High Representative, on Ukraine, if the European Union needs to speed up the delivery of ammunition, how can it do that? Does that mean that some Member States need to dig more deeply into their stockpiles, as part of 'Track 1'? Are you getting enough, as much as you expected from that Track?

We are getting, but we have to speed [it] up. We are pushing. You know, the stocks have to be emptied, and refilled. We need to ensure our armies that, if they provide ammunition to Ukraine, we will be able to refill their stocks with new production. It is a cycle - in and out. That is what we are doing with 'Track 1', with 'Track 2'. I am sure that the call with Minister Kuleba will be transmitted to the capitals by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. I asked all of them to send this message to the Ministers of Defence. The flow continues. I am sure that it will increase because we have the financial capacities. It is not a matter of financing, it is a matter of logistics. But you know, war is logistics. Today, if we do not supply ammunition to Ukraine, Ukraine cannot defend itself. We will speed up.

Q. The German government just announced a very high military package, the biggest package. Did this play a role? What is your response to that? Does it come timely now?

That is very good news. Yes, the Germans have announced an important package and others have to do [the same]. This is part of our support. The German Ministers [of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock] was talking with Mr Kuleba. But we need specific capacities: when we talk about this war, we need to talk about the range of the ammunitions because the Russians are bombing from far away, so the Ukrainians have to have the capacity to reach the same distance, the same range. Not any kind of ammunition is useful to them. So, I welcome the German effort and invite all Member States to follow this example.

Q. Is there any indication that other Member States will follow the example? Did you hear any new promise from other Member States? Do you have any indication that others will follow the German example?

They are following, and they are not following the German example. Every day, all Member States are providing [ammunition]. Every day everybody is doing what they can do. If Germany can do more, good. But do not believe that the others are not doing [anything] - certainly not.

Q. What about membership negotiations for Ukraine?

We have not talked about it.

Q. What is your message to Indo-Pacific countries regarding Ukraine? And are you coordinating with the United States?

The message is clear: there is a war of aggression. Someone has aggressed its neighbour. It is an invasion; it is a violation of the United Nations Charter. There is nothing that justifies this war. It is the existence of an independent and sovereign country which is at stake. I am sure it will be a good occasion for Ukraine to explain [the situation] to the Indo-Pacific region.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel kills senior Islamic Jihad militant in Gaza: health ministry

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:26, May 13, 2023

GAZA/JERUSALEM, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement's armed wing Al-Quds Brigades was killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in Gaza city, the Gaza-based health ministry said in a press statement.

In the statement released by the ministry, which is run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), two Palestinian men were killed and five civilians were injured in the attacks on the Al-Nasser neighborhood.

The ministry identified the victims as PIJ militants Eyad Al-Hasani and Mohamed Abdel Aal.

According to a statement released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Eyad Al-Hasani was "a significant figure in leading the operations and making military decisions" of the PIJ.

"Al-Hasani was a key figure in the organization and was involved in all decisions regarding rocket launches and barrages toward Israel," the IDF statement read.

The PIJ's armed wing said in a statement that "assassinating our leaders won't stop our resistance."

According to the health ministry, 33 people have been killed and more than 100 others injured since Israel began airstrikes on the PIJ's armed wing on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Israeli fighter jets and unmanned drones carried out simultaneous and surprising airstrikes against buildings and apartments that host senior PIJ military leaders in the Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, the PIJ militants fired more than 500 rockets at central and southern Israel, leaving one Israeli woman killed and more than nine injured, according to Israeli media reports.

Palestinian sources said that Egypt, Qatar, and the UN have so far failed to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas-led militant groups, including the PIJ.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN chief welcomes Sudan civilian, aid delivery safety promise from warring factions

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:59, May 13, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the signing of a commitment to protect civilians and humanitarian aid delivery in Sudan, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

"The secretary-general welcomes the signing by the parties to the conflict in Sudan of the Declaration of Commitment to protect civilians and guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid in the country," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Guterres.

"While humanitarian workers, most notably local partners, have continued to deliver in very difficult circumstances, the secretary-general hopes this declaration will ensure that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan," Dujarric said.

The UN chief reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities, the spokesman said.

After almost a week of negotiations in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces signed the declaration on Thursday.

The spokesman said the United Nations would spare no effort to assist in the declaration's implementation and will continue to deliver humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not.

Word of the accord coincided with a fire in a Khartoum factory producing food for the UN Children's Agency. "It is yet another bitter blow to Sudan's most vulnerable children," said the agency's spokesman in Geneva, James Elder. "This is the darkest, most distinct illustration to date of how this conflict threatens the lives of children through multiple means."

He said the SAMIL factory fire destroyed 14,500 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the life-saving treatment of 14,500 children. The factory produced 60 percent of the RUTF used to treat children with severe acute malnutrition in Sudan last year.

Elder added that the blaze destroyed the factory's machinery. However, the agency said it has 34,000 cartons of RUTF enroute from France, with another 81,000 cartons to be sent from France at the end of the month.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that the situation is critical, with the humanitarian response significantly underfunded in Sudan and some of its neighbors: Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia. The agency deployed teams and is rushing to deliver aid with its partners, but ramping up its operations will require more funding.

Almost 200,000 people have fled the conflict in Sudan so far, UNHCR said.

The World Food Programme reported it delivered food assistance to 50,000 people in the states of Kassala, Gedaref and White Nile.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






12,000 Israelis flee settlements around Gaza in fear of Palestinian rockets

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 7:08 PM

Thousands of Israeli settlers have reportedly fled illegal settlements around the Gaza Strip in fear of retaliatory rocket fires from the Palestinian resistance movements.

Lebanon's al-Manar television channel, citing Israeli sources, reported on Saturday that 12,000 settlers have run away from the areas in recent days, saying that the evacuation plan will continue until next Tuesday.

A few days ago, the Hebrew-language Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper reported that 4,500 Israelis were expected to run away from the southern city of Sderot because they were extremely worried about the massive rocket fires by the Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has extended the state of emergency in the occupied territories until next Tuesday, anticipating that the resistance groups will continue their retaliatory attacks.

Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip resumed rocket fire on the occupied territories earlier in the day, a few hours after Israel carried out airstrikes on several sites across Gaza, including two neighborhoods in Gaza City.

The bombardment set off sirens in Sderot and a number of Israeli communities, sending Israeli settlers to shelters. There were no reports of casualties.

The Islamic Jihad has vowed to strike targets deep inside the occupied territories in response to the targeting of residential homes in Gaza.

The Israeli regime has been continuously bombarding Gaza over the past several days, assassinating several resistance commanders.

In response, Palestinian resistance factions have launched retaliatory strikes toward Israeli cities and settlements.

The Israeli military says so far more than 1,000 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip.

At least 33 Palestinians, including six children, have been killed and 147 others wounded in the Israeli strikes since May 9, according to the health ministry in the besieged coastal territory.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Blasts rock Sudan's capital as 'humanitarian catastrophe' looms

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 2:49 PM

Fierce fighting continues in Sudan's capital Khartoum, with both sides exchanging gunfire and accusations, even as their representatives are meeting in Saudi Arabia for talks to prevent a looming "humanitarian catastrophe."

Army air strikes were reported on paramilitary forces, and brutal urban warfare continued in the capital on Saturday, according to witnesses.

"We keep hearing that there will be a truce, but then you go out in the street and there are bullets everywhere," Sudanese citizen Wahag Gafar told AFP.

"We know that when they announce a ceasefire, the shooting will still continue," she said.

The fighting erupted in mid-April between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

UN refugee agency spokeswoman Olga Sarrado said some "200,000 refugees and returnees have been forced to flee the country, with more crossing borders daily seeking safety."

The UN children's agency UNICEF also warned about children after a factory in Khartoum, producing therapeutic food, had burned down.

"This is the darkest, most distinct illustration to date of how this conflict threatens the lives of children through multiple means," said UNICEF spokesman James Elder.

In the meantime, Sudan's ambassador to the UN, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed said the government has the security situation under control.

Speaking at a press conference at the UN on Friday, he said that the "rebellion" by the RSF had failed to seize control of the country.

He said that the government and its armed forces had the upper hand in the current fighting, had not declared a state of emergency, and communication had not been disrupted.

Al-Harith said that women and children were suffering in the main cities and at border crossings.

"The humanitarian condition is bad," he said.

He also said that there was an urgent need for clean water, food, mobile clinics and financial assistance for those who were crossing into neighboring countries.

Representatives of both generals have been in the Saudi city of Jeddah for a week for talks intended "to protect Sudan from any escalation that will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe," according to a Saudi diplomat.

They agreed on Thursday to "affirm our commitment to ensure that civilians are protected," said the diplomat on condition of anonymity.

The deal, however, did not amount to a truce and the situation on the ground appeared unchanged as battles raged throughout the week of negotiations and into Saturday.

The Sudanese government on Saturday also launched a call to the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and other regional organizations, "to provide humanitarian assistance," a foreign ministry statement said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hopes the Jeddah deal would "ensure that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan," where a third of the population relied on aid even before the current conflict.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US vows to bolster military 'posture' in Persian Gulf after Iran seized invading oil tankers

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 2:34 PM

The United States says it will a make a series of military moves in the Persian Gulf after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy seized two invading foreign oil tankers in the country's territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced the decision at a press briefing on Friday.

"The Department of Defense will be making a series of moves to bolster our defensive posture" in the Persian Gulf, he said, adding that the US Central Command will provide additional details on those reinforcements in the coming days.

Kirby used the oft-repeated refrain that Washington will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation through the Middle East waterways.

He further noted that the US will also be increasing its "coordination and interoperability" with regional allies in the coming weeks.

Iran has made it clear that it views US military vessels lurking in the waters of the Persian Gulf as a threat to its national security and a source of tensions and instability in the region.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly vowed to give a decisive response to any hostile move by Washington that would disrupt the security of the strategic waterway.

Earlier this month, a Panama-flagged oil tanker was confiscated by the IRGC's naval units in the strategic waterway near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the second such incident in less than a week.

The Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet claimed in a statement that the Greek-owned tanker, going by the name of Niovi, was sailing from Dubai towards Fujairah, a port and oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates, when it was stopped by the IRGC Navy on May 3.

At the time, the official IRNA news agency cited Tehran's Public Prosecutor as saying that the oil vessel had been impounded by the IRGC Navy following a complaint by a plaintiff and on a judicial order.

The seizure came six days after Iran's Navy seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Sea of Oman. The oil tanker, named Advantage Sweet, had been involved in a maritime accident with an Iranian fishing craft, which resulted in the injury and missing of a number of its crew.

After the collision, the oil tanker attempted to flee the scene in serious breach of international laws and regulations, which require the provision of medical treatment and supply of proper and sufficient medicine to seamen in case of sickness or injury.

The Iranian fishermen managed to issue a distress call long after recovering from the shock.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






General Qa'ani: Iran will back resistance front until Israel is fully annihilated

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 9:19 AM

The commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran will continue to provide unwavering support for the Palestinian resistance until the final annihilation of the apartheid Tel Aviv regime.

Brigadier General Esmail Qa'ani made the remarks at a ceremony in commemoration of his fallen comrades in Iran's northeastern holy city of Mashhad on Saturday.

He said Iran will continue to provide support for young Palestinian resistance forces and their "strong heroic front" to the greatest extent possible, both verbally and in practice.

The IRGC commander asserted that such support and concerted efforts will continue until the Israeli regime is fully annihilated.

Young Palestinian fighters have at times carried out more than 30 retaliatory operations in a single day against the Israeli regime in the occupied West Bank, Qa'ani said, adding that this is the fruit of the resistance front and global mobilization of Muslims.

He said the resistance front has grown into an extensive axis, which has connected different sources and points of resistance in the world together.

"This front has drawn together altruist, educated and erudite people who share many points in common," he said. "The main commonality among them is their longing to defend Islam, the honor of Muslims. They defend themselves and others collectively."

Brigadier General Qa'ani described the mass mobilization of Muslim resistance fighters as an ideal commanded by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, and achieved by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The chief commander of the IRGC Quds Force also stressed that it does not now last long for resistance fighters in Lebanon, Yemen or anywhere else across the globe to voice solidarity with Palestinians anytime the Zionist regime commits a crime in the occupied territories.

Over the years, Iran has spared no efforts to support resistance movements and repeatedly called resistance the sole way to free Palestine from Israel's decades-long occupation.

For their part, regional resistance forces have lauded Iran for its unwavering support for them.

Last month, a senior official of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement said Tehran has always been at the forefront in this regard despite paying the price for its stance.

"The path of resistance has proliferated into an axis in the region spearheaded by the Islamic Republic of Iran ... With Palestine as its focal point, [the Resistance Axis] has developed into a force to be reckoned with," Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on April 15.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S. Embassy Slams Bosnian Serbs' Possible 'Strengthening' Of Russia Ties

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 13, 2023

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo says no government should expand its cooperation with Russia while it continues its aggression in Ukraine in response to a comment by the Kremlin's spokesman about the possible strengthening of relations between Russia and the Serb-dominated entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Russia's "brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine has highlighted the urgent need for all countries in the Western Balkans to carry out democratic and other reforms needed for the process of integration in the Euro-Atlantic institutions," the statement said.

The United States will stand by the citizens of Bosnia "while they build a more prosperous and more secure future in the Euro-Atlantic community," it said.

The statement came on May 12 in response to an RFE/RL request for comment after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a possible strengthening of ties between Russia and Republika Srpska, whose president, Milorad Dodik, is scheduled to travel this month to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Peskov said in an interview with ATV, a local TV station in Banja Luka, the administrative center of Republika Srpska, that Moscow expects that Serbia and Republika Srpska will not "bow down to Western pressures" and join the sanctions of the international community against Russia.

Putin's spokesman has said that officials in Belgrade are under a lot more pressure from the West to impose sanctions on Russia than authorities in Republika Srpska, who are inhibiting the implementation of sanctions against Russia by Bosnia.

Peskov added that Russia's point of view is that its relations with Republika Srpska "will continue to develop, and they will only get stronger in all areas."

The interview, broadcast on May 10, was recorded in Moscow and conducted in Russian.

The U.S. Treasury Department in January 2022 put Dodik on the sanctions list over alleged corrupt activities, actions undermining the Dayton peace accords, and threats to the stability of Bosnia and the wider region.

ATV was also designated for sanctions because of its ties with Dodik, who is the leader of the top Bosnian Serb political party, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).

In a separate interview aired on the national broadcaster of Republika Srpska (RTRS) the same day as the Peskov interview, Dodik said that he'll meet Putin in Moscow on May 23.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-serbs-russia-us- pressure/32409987.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Somalia Official Says 44 Militants Killed in Military Operation

By Ahmed Mohamed May 13, 2023

Somalia's army says it has killed 44 al-Shabab militants in the latest offensive against the group in the Lower Shabelle region.

Somalia's deputy information minister, Abdirahman Al-Adala, told state media Saturday that forces from the intelligence unit, with the support of international partners, killed 44 al-Shabab militants in the Ali Fuuto area, about 200 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu, near the Kurtowarey district of the Lower Shabelle region.

The minister said the militants were regrouping at the time. The operation comes about a week after the Somali army said it killed 67 militants in the central Mudug region.

Somali security forces have been conducting major operations against al-Shabab since the start of the campaign last July. The government said in April that more than 3,000 al-Shabab fighters have been killed since the start of the military campaign, which has been supported by troops from Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya since those countries agreed in January to conduct joint military operations against al-Shabab strongholds.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 13 May 2023 - Day 444

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that over the last four days, elements of Russia's 72nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (72 SMRB) likely withdrew in bad order from their positions on the southern flank of the Bakhmut operation. Ukrainian forces regained at least a kilometre of territory.

The area has some tactical significance because it was a Russian bridgehead on the western side of the Donets-Donbas Canal, which marks the front line through parts of the sector.

72 SMRB is an element of Russia's 3rd Army Corps, a formation created in Autumn 2023 and dogged with allegations of poor morale and limited combat effectiveness. Its deployment to such a demanding and operationally important sector highlights Russia's severe shortage of credible combat units.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that this day, at night, the Russian Federation made another massive attack on the territory of Ukraine, using Iranian attack UAVs "Shahed-136/131". According to updated information, 18x out of 22x drones were destroyed by Ukrainian defenders.

In general, during this day, Russian forces launched missile attack with a S-300 missile against the civilian infrastructure of the city of Mykolaiv, as a result of which civilians were injured, a multi-story building and other civilian infrastructure were damaged. In addition, Russian forces carried out 66x airstrikes and shot about 70 rounds from MLRS. Settlements were also affected. In particular, as a result of the shelling of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, there are 2 dead and 11 wounded civilians. Among them are children. A private house was destroyed, 4 high-rise buildings and other civil infrastructure were damaged.

The threat of launching missile and air strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine remains high, because Russia will continue to use terror tactics.

Russia continues to concentrate its main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'yinka axes. In general, during the day, about 40x combat clashes took place on the specified areas of the front, Bakhmut and Mar'yinka remain at the epicenter of hostilities.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: the operational situation has not changed significantly, and no signs of the formation of Russian offensive groups have been detected.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia continues to maintain a military presence in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Russians carried out airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Mkhy, Progress, Semenivka of the Chernihiv Oblast and Budarka of the Kharkiv Oblast. They carried out mortar and artillery shelling of the settlements of Klyusy, Yelina, Zareche, Mkhi, Medvedivka of the Chernihiv Oblast and Stara Huta, Demyanivka, Bachivsk, Vilna Sloboda, Bobylivka of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Kozacha Lopan, Ogirtseve, Gatyshche, Bochkovo, Nesterne, Budarki on Kharkiv Oblast.

Kupyansk axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives in the Novoselyvskyi area and the eastern outskirts of Stelmakhivka. They carried out airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Vilshan and Kotlyarivka. Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Tabaivka of the Kharkiv Oblast and Stelmakhivka of the Luhansk Oblast came under enRussian emy artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: during the day, Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations. They carried out an airstrike on the areas of the settlements of Bilogorivka, Luhansk Oblast, and Verkhnokamianske and Spirne, Donetsk Oblast. Settlements near the battle line, such as Makiivka of Luhansk Oblast, Belogorivka, Verkhnokamianske Spirne, and Berestov of Donetsk Oblast, were hit by artillery fire.

Bakhmut axis: Russia continues to conduct offensive actions. Heavy fighting continues for the city of Bakhmut. In addition, during the day, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the axis of the settlements of Bohdanivka, Bakhmut and Bila Gora.

Along with conducting positional defense, Ukrainian defenders also conduct active actions, in particular, offensive ones. Vasyukivka, Orihovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Bila Gora, Druzhba, Northern, Southern, Toretsk, Donetsk Oblasts were affected by Russian shelling.

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces launched an airstrike on the area of the settlement of Avdiivka. Pervomaiske and Karlivka in the Donetsk Oblast were also shelled with artillery.

Mar'yinka axis: units of the defense forces repelled numerous Russian attacks in the area of the city of Mar'yinka. At the same time, the settlements of Georgiyivka and Pobyeda in the Donetsk Oblast were also subjected to Russian shelling.

Shakhtars'ke axis during the day, Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations in the. They launched an airstrike on the Prechistivka area. russians shelled the settlements of Vugledar, Novoukrayinka, Prechistivka, and Shakhtarske.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia continues to conduct defensive operations. They carried out airstrikes on the areas of the settlements of Vremivka in the Donetsk Oblast, Burlatske, Zatyshsha, Gulyaipole, Mali Shcherbaki in the Zaporizhia Oblast, as well as Berislav and Kozatske in the Kherson Oblast. In the meantime, they carried out shelling of populated areas, which are next to the line of military confrontation. Among them are Malynivka, Gulyaipole, Biloghirya, Novodanilivka, Novoandriivka, Novopavlivka, Mali Shcherbaki and Kam'ianske of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Antonivka, Chornobayivka of the Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson.

Russian occupying forces continue to put pressure on Ukrainian citizens and violate human rights in the temporarily occupied territories. In particular, in Mariupol, on the territory of the police department, about 50 representatives of the investigative committee of the Russian Federation were involved for questioning the local population. They take part in humiliating interrogations accompanied by abuse of the civilian population.

At the same time, the Russian occupiers continue to use the infrastructure of temporarily captured settlements to provide medical care to their wounded servicemen. Recently, in the settlement of Tavriyske, Kherson Oblast, the Russian invaders set up a field hospital on the territory of a kindergarten. The day before, the arrival of 3 military trucks with wounded occupants was recorded.

During the day, the Air Force of the Defense Forces made 8x strikes on areas where the Russian forces' personnel and military equipment were concentrated, as well as a strike on the Russians' anti-aircraft missile system. Also, Ukrainian defenders shot down two Russian reconnaissance UAVs of the Orlan-10 type. Units of missile and artillery troops struck 4x areas of concentration ofRussian manpower, 2x ammunition warehouses, as well as 2x radio electronic warfare stations.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that on 12 May at around 6.30pm Moscow time, AFU Air Force combat aircraft launched a missile attack on Polipak polymer products company and Milam meat processing plant in Lugansk.

The strike was carried out using Storm Shadow missiles supplied to the Kiev regime by the UK, contrary to London's claims that these weapons would not be used on civilian targets.

As a result of the strike, a fire broke out on the territory of Lugansk food and chemical industries.

Some nearby residential buildings are destructed. Civilians, including six children, were injured.

The Russian Aerospace Forces fighter aircraft shot down AFU Su-24 aircraft that attacked Lugansk and Mig-29 fighter that was covering it.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, the attacks, launched by aviation, as well as artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Zapad Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy units close to Sinkovka, Kurilovka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

Two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been thwarted near Berestovoye and Timkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen, four motor vehicles, Gvozdika and Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems.

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 AFU units near Terny, Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 75 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, the assault detachments have liberated a neighbourhood in the northwestern part of Artyomovsk.

The Airborne Troops' units provided support to the assault units and restrained the enemy on the flanks.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery of the Yug Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the enemy units close to Grigorovka, Krasnoye and Chasov Yar (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian aviation have made 9 sorties in this area during the day. The Group's artillery have performed 98 firing missions.

The enemy losses were over 285 Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armoured personnel carriers, four motor vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer.

In addition, one AFU artillery-missile armament and munitions depot was destroyed near Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, the attacks, launched by aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy units close to Ugledar, Pavlovka, Novopol (Donetsk People's Republic), Malinovka, Malaya Tokmachka and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region).

The actions of a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Novomayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 155 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 14 motor vehicles, as well as one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one Giatsint-B gun.

One AFU ammunition depot has been destroyed near Nikolayev.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 74 AFU artillery units, manpower, and hardware in 114 areas during the day.

One radar station of Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system has been destroyed near Novodmitrovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The 5th Assault Brigade's battalion command and observation post has been hit near Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

One aircraft missiles and fuel depot for Ukrainian military equipment has been destroyed, close to Zaporozhye.

Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Mi-8 helicopter of Ukrainian Air Force near Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

Air defence facilities have intercepted three HIMARS projectiles. In addition, 18 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down cloe to Velikiy Vyselok, Dvurechnoye (Kharkov region), Belogorovka, Kremennaya, Svatovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Veseloye (Donetsk People's Republic), Mirovoye, Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Korsunka and Krynki (Kherson region).

In total, 424 airplanes, 231 helicopters, 4,117 unmanned aerial vehicles, 421 air defence missile systems, 9,119 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,100 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,806 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 10,167 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Chinese FM proposes three principles for China-Europe relations as he wraps up EU visit in Norway

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 13, 2023 02:34 PM Updated: May 13, 2023 05:20 PM

The adherence to an inclusive worldview, commitment to a progressive view of history, and upholding the perspective of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation should be principles to maintain the stable development of China-Europe relations amid a changing and volatile international situation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Friday during his visit to Norway.

"China and Europe are two globally influential powers, two vast markets, and two great civilizations. I deeply felt, through the visit, a strong willingness of the European side to enhance communication, coordination with China," Qin said during a joint press conference with the Norwegian Foreign Minister in Oslo.

Qin said that China and Europe should respect and support the different countries' development paths chosen by their people, and jointly and positively respond to the universal concerns of the international community. What the international community needs most is peaceful development, fairness and justice, and progress rather than retrogression.

Both China and Europe, unanimously opposing "decoupling and breaking chains," should jointly uphold the right direction of economic globalization, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, explore cooperation potentials, properly address each other's major concerns, and jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains, Qin said on his principles to maintain stable development of China-Europe relations.

During Qin's visit to Norway, he met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, and members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament and exchanged views and understanding on bilateral cooperation and international hotspot issues.

China attaches importance to its relations with Norway and is willing to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation with Norway, Qin said on Friday when meeting with Store, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Qin said that China and Norway should strengthen cooperation in the fields of economic engagement and trade, ocean, social welfare and green transformation, expand cooperation both in depth and breadth, and push bilateral relations to a new level.

Norway attaches importance to cooperation with China and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with China to work for greater development of cooperation, especially in the fields of green transformation, climate change, medicine and Arctic affairs, Store said.

Later on Friday, following candid talks with Huitfeldt, Qin said that they both have confidence in and expectations for the development of China-Norway relations.

He noted that the most important experience of the steady development of bilateral relations lies in adhering to mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results, and in seeking common ground while reserving differences.

The two sides exchanged views on the idea of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the next step, and agreed to resume and accelerate bilateral exchanges as soon as possible, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance understanding and deepen friendship through more frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Qin said as quoted by the Xinhua News Agency.

Both sides firmly support world peace, globalization and free trade, and support countries to jointly address climate change and achieve sustainable development, he added.

China has decided to enlist Norway as one of the eligible countries for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy in relevant Chinese cities, and the two countries have just signed a new version of the bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, Xinhua reported.

China appreciates Norway's firm adherence to the one-China policy and appreciates that the two countries respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns. The essence of the Taiwan question is a fight against secession, Qin said, adding that China expects the Taiwan Straits to remain peaceful and stable, and to achieve peaceful reunification of China.

Qin also emphasized that the top priority for the Ukraine crisis is to facilitate a cease-fire and a cessation of hostilities without delay, and ultimately resolve the crisis through political negotiations. China will always stand on the side of peace and insist on promoting peace talks, he noted.

While meeting with the members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament, Qin noted that this visit, which is his first to Norway, aims at enhancing understanding, expanding consensus and promoting healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

China is Norway's largest trading partner in Asia, and the two countries enjoy extensive cooperation in various areas, they said, adding that the existing differences on some issues do not and should not affect the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries, noted several Norwegian parliamentary members.

Qin wrapped up his five-day visit to Europe on Friday, during which he visited Germany, France and Norway.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Expanding China-Russia Cooperation Has Risks, Experts Say

By Xiaoshan Xue May 13, 2023

A senior adviser to the Biden administration and other experts say that deepening cooperation between China and Russia could overturn decades of stable international nuclear arms control.

Pranay Vaddi, the U.S. National Security Council's senior director for arms control, said that China and Russia have been deepening cooperation on key technologies for nuclear weapons while strengthening ties with Iran, according to Bloomberg.

"We're entering a different period," Vaddi said. He told Bloomberg that during the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union agreed to maintain a nuclear balance and limit certain types of weapons. The Cold War lasted from 1947 through 1991, and since then more countries have been developing the technologies and materials needed for weapons of mass destruction.

According to a report earlier this month in the South China Morning Post, citing the Chinese site of Russian state media, Sputnik News, a subsidiary of Russia's state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, will be allowed to export highly enriched uranium to a power plant in southeast China over the next three years. The CFR-600 power plant in Xiapu, Fujian province has two fast neutron reactors, each capable of producing 600 megawatts of power.

The uranium-235 that Russia will supply to China for the project is mainly used to fuel nuclear reactors. However, it can also be used for manufacturing nuclear weapons.

Tian Li, vice president of the nuclear power branch of the China Electric Power Promotion Council, was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying the Fujian plant would not be used for military purposes.

Military experts believe that Russia's aid may help China expand its nuclear arsenal faster.

Anthony Cordesman, emeritus chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA Mandarin in an interview, "We now live in a nuclear world once again. And it is not something that seems likely to go away over the next 10 to 20 years."

Most people alive today "didn't grow up at a time when basically the United States and Russia seemed to be on the edge of an actual possible nuclear conflict. The last real test of whether nuclear weapons were likely to be used was the Cuban Missile Crisis," he said, referring to the 1962 face-off over Moscow's placement of nuclear missile sites in Cuba.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia in March, President Vladimir Putin announced that Rosatom and the China Atomic Energy Agency had signed a long-term cooperation project contract to develop fast neutron reactors and closed nuclear fuel cycle systems.

Cordesman said while the agreement does not necessarily mean the two countries will cooperate to develop nuclear weapons or delivery systems, "it certainly does empower China" at a time when it is estimated to be wanting to expand its nuclear weapons arsenal from 250 to more than 1,200. He said China also has three new missile sites under construction and is producing nuclear submarines that can launch nuclear missiles.

Alex Wellerstein, an historian of science and nuclear technology and professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology, told VOA Mandarin in an email, "The International Panel on Fissile Materials estimates that China already has some 14 metric tons of HEU (highly enriched uranium) and around three metric tons of separated plutonium (see here for a full report from a few years ago). It is enough to build as many warheads as they could ever desire, even if those estimates were significantly off."

Patty-Jane Geller, a former senior policy analyst for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense at the Heritage Foundation, published an analysis in March saying nuclear cooperation between China and Russia goes back to the 1950s when the Soviet Union, consisting of Russia and 14 surrounding countries, provided material and technical assistance to China's nuclear program. Rising tensions between the two countries during the Cold War led to a halt of nuclear aid, but their cooperation resumed in the 21st century, years after the Soviet Union fell in 1991.

"This development means that the more fuel Russia provides, the more plutonium China can produce. And the more plutonium China can produce, the more nuclear weapons it can build," she said.

Three senior GOP lawmakers said in a March letter to U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan that cooperation between China and Russia is a "direct threat to U.S. security" and called on the Biden administration to "use all tools at its disposal" to stop the "dangerous" cooperation.

A Pentagon report released in 2020 predicted that China would "at least double" the size of its nuclear warhead stockpile over the next decade. But by the end of 2022, it had already done so. Geller predicted that with help from Russia, China might be able to accelerate this buildup even further.

Some military experts worry that Xi might use China's nuclear weapons in a conflict related to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China considers its own territory. The U.S. is expected to announce $500 million in direct military assistance for Taiwan, money that would come from tapping into a congressional authorization in the 2023 budget allocating $1 billion for Taiwan, according to The Hill.

James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former commander with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told The Washington Post that if the U.S. and China enter a conventional war, there's a high risk of escalation to a nuclear war.

"Two great powers who face each other in combat are unlikely to avoid using tactical nuclear weapons, at least at sea," Stavridis said. "Once that threshold is crossed, it is but a short step to a much broader nuclear conflict."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China Sentences Activist to 8 Years' Imprisonment

By VOA News May 13, 2023

A Chinese court Thursday sentenced Yang Maodong, a veteran pro-democracy activist, to eight years in prison on subversion charges for his two-decade advocacy of rights and freedoms.

Yang, better known by his pseudonym Guo Feixiong, was sentenced by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court for "inciting subversion of state power," according to his brother, Yang Maoquan, whose message has been posted on Twitter by a network of Chinese rights lawyers. Phone calls to the court went unanswered on Friday.

The court convicted Yang, 56, for his "long-term attack and smearing of the Chinese political system" and "incitement of others to subvert state power" through his online essays and website that advocated constitutional democracy, his brother wrote in the message. He was also accused of talking to the foreign media after he was barred from travelling to the United States to see his ailing wife, Zhang Qing, in 2021. The authorities have detained him ever since. He was "formally arrested," or charged, in January of last year, two days after his wife died.

In addition, the court handed down three years of "deprivation of political rights," which forbids Yang from taking public positions, speaking publicly and publishing after he is released.

In his self-defense statement to the court, which has been posted on overseas websites, the former philosophy teacher contested the subversion charges and insisted he was innocent.

"In writing my essays and publishing them on the website I founded, I was openly exercising my basic civil and political rights, freedoms of speech and thought as well as academic freedom," he wrote. "Now they are settling accounts for my 20 years of intellectual activities, and I've been prosecuted as a 'hostile forces' stereotype."

He noted that he had been incarcerated for a total of 11 years in his two previous jailings and four criminal detentions in the 14 years between 2005 and 2019.

"This is my third imprisonment. From 'illegal publishing,' 'gathering crowds to disturb public order' to 'inciting subversion,' I expect I'll be convicted," Guo wrote, but he swore he would not give up his values.

"From my first participation in student rallies in 1986 to now, my political aspiration has never wavered: to implement genuine freedoms, democracy, human rights and rule of law in China."

Western embassy representatives were prohibited from attending Guo's sentencing.

"We continue to call for Mr. Guo's speedy release so he may be reunited with his family," tweeted the U.S. Embassy in China. The EU delegation and the German ambassador, Patricia Flor, also called for his release.

A legal consultant working for Chinese lawyers Gao Zhisheng in 2005, Yang became well-known for helping people in Taishi village in southern China to defend their land rights. He was often harassed, beaten, tortured during his previous detentions and jailings. Gao's whereabouts are unknown after years of detentions and jailings, during which he was also tortured.

"This is blatant prosecution," said Yang Zili, a Chinese activist who had also been jailed for eight years on the same subversion charge and now living the United States. "No matter how peaceful and rational one's political beliefs are, as long as it deviates from the Communist Party propaganda, one has committed a thought crime."

William Nee, a U.S.-based researcher at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a coalition of Chinese and international human rights nongovernmental organizations, called Guo's sentencing "yet another instance that demonstrates the Chinese government's extreme hostility towards democracy and constitutional government."

"It's also a warning signal to anyone hit by exit bans of what might happen if they publicly object," he said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






India's opposition Congress defeats ruling BJP in key southern state

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 11:23 AM

India's main opposition Congress has swept past Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Saturday's vote in the southern state of Karnataka.

As votes were counted on Saturday, it became evident that Congress had managed an overwhelming majority in the state, defeating the formidable BJP despite Modi campaigning personally.

"People have rejected divisive politics," said Pawan Khera, a Congress party spokesperson.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from the BJP conceded defeat after the party lost its only governing state in southern India which has traditionally been the stronghold of Congress and leftists.

"Despite best efforts by PM, and cadres, we were not up to mark," Bommai said in a statement.

Congress members and supporters gathered outside the party headquarters in Bangalore and New Delhi, chanting slogans of victory, and waving party flags.

After four hours of counting votes, Congress's seat tally stood at 136, the BJP at 64 and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) at 20, out of the total 224 seats with 113 seats needed to form a majority.

The poll results come in as being the first out of five upcoming state polls this year that are said to define the fate of the parliamentary elections due next year in April and May.

"The BJP will lose the assembly elections later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. Modi would lose next year's general election too," Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh said as quoted in wire reports.

Leaders of India's main political parties had been campaigning extensively as they organized dozens of rallies, road shows within a span of 10 days, ahead of the voting day on Wednesday.

During the campaigning, Congress promised to ban the Bajrang Dal, a hardline Hindu militant organization, which has been involved in numerous cases of anti-Muslim hate attacks.

"The most important thing is that the politics that attempts to divert people's attention and doesn't speak of public issues will not work anymore in this country. We saw this in Himachal and Karnataka. People want discussion on their issues and a solution to the same," said Priyanka Gandhi, the sister of Congress leader and the main party face Rahul Gandhi.

Back in March, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was convicted of defamation which led him to lose his parliamentary seat after he was accused of insulting Modi and other people surnamed Modi, making Congress's win even more significant.

According to analysts, Karnataka's election result points to a clear desire for change among people.

The BJP has been continuously blamed for promoting "politics of hate" by critics, as the party is known for its anti-minority, anti-Muslim sentiments, and for its pro-Hindutva stance.

In several instances, BJP leaders have been spotted making hate speeches on stages against Muslims, and even issuing genocide calls to Hindus against Muslims.

Meanwhile, PM Modi congratulated Congress on the victory.

"Congratulations to the Congress Party for their victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls. My best wishes to them in fulfilling people's aspirations," he wrote.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






IRGC Navy vessels equipped with new cruise missiles with range of 2,000 km: Cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 11:20 AM

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says his force has furnished its vessels with homegrown naval cruise missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers, amid efforts by specialists and technicians to develop state-of-the-art munitions and equipment.

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told Tasnim news agency on Saturday that the missile, dubbed Qadr-474, has been installed on the indigenous Shahid Mahdavi oceangoing warship.

Built by Iranian experts and technicians, Shahid Mahdavi is a multi-purpose heavy warship for long-range operations. It weighs more than 2,100 tons and is 240 meters in length and 27 meters in width.

The warship is already armed with Abu Mahdi cruise missiles, which feature state-of-the-art technologies suitable for electronic warfare and have a range of over one thousand kilometers, as well as another domestically-developed missile with a range of 750 kilometers.

Abu Mahdi and the other two cruise missiles are smart, can be guided and go after a new target before explosion, and can be launched even from regions deep in the land and behind the mountains to hit naval targets, Tangsiri said.

The IRGC Navy commander further said that the advanced Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani patrol combat warship, named after top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated in a US drone strike ordered by former President Donald Trump near the Baghdad International Airport in early January 2020, has also been equipped with long-range Qadr-474 cruise missiles.

The warship has been furnished with various types of missiles with ranges of 200, 300 and 750 kilometers, Tangsiri said.

The high-ranking Iranian commander noted that the IRGC Navy will take delivery of four Shahid Soleimani-class vessels in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20, 2024.

The vessels that would join the IRGC Navy fleet are Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, named after the late former deputy chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Shahid Bagheri drone aircraft carrier, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis warship.

The last warship has been named after the former deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units who was assassinated along with Lt. Gen. Soleimani in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport in January 2020.

The new military catamarans can cruise at the speed of 45 nautical knots, and can launch rockets with a range of between 300 and 750 kilometers.

The fourth indigenous warship has been named after Rais Ali Delvari, a great national hero and independence fighter who led the anti-colonial struggle in southern Iran, Tangsiri said.

Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran's defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iranian security forces arrest Daesh member in Sistan and Baluchestan

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 10:35 AM

Iranian security forces have arrested a member of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Doostali Jalilian, the provincial police chief, was cited by Tasnim news agency as saying on Saturday that the forces found out after "technical and intelligence measures" that a Daesh member was secretly living in a village in Zabol County.

"After the close monitoring of the person's actions, his hiding place was finally identified and the Daesh member was arrested in a synergic and coordinated operation by the police and Intelligence Department," Jalilian said.

According to the police chief of Sistan and Baluchestan, it was found out in the primary investigation that the person, who has citizenship of one of the neighboring countries, was promoting the Takfiri terror outfit in the area with a "purposeful plan."

Earlier in the year, Iranian security forces dismantled two teams affiliated with the Daesh terrorist group in the southeastern province before they could sow insecurity in the area.

The two teams were dismantled in a joint operation by the Intelligence Ministry, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and the police, with reports saying the members of the teams and a number of their accomplices were arrested and handed over to the judiciary.

The teams were planning to sow insecurity in the country's southeast in the aftermath of the unrest sparked after the mid-September death of a young Iranian woman in police custody in the capital Tehran.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






IRGC Navy Gets Ultra-Long-Range Cruise Missile Superior to Tomahawk

Sputnik News

20230513

Ilya Tsukanov

Iran's defense sector has made a series of dramatic advances over the years in areas ranging from missile and drone systems to radar and defense electronics, owing its successes to timely investments, a ruthless battle against corruption, and decades of restrictions on the purchase of advanced armaments from traditional Western arms suppliers.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has received a new class of ship-borne ultra-long-range cruise missiles, and has established control over the Persian Gulf from the air, at sea, and from beneath the sea surface, IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri has announced.

"The movement of the enemy's vessels in the Persian Gulf is under constant surveillance by the IRGC Navy," the rear admiral said, speaking to reporters in the Iranian port city of Bushehr on Friday.

Pointing to the advanced capabilities of Iran's defense industry, and to the "great progress" made by the IRGC and the regular Navy and Army, Tangsiri said that "with such equipment and capable forces, the preparedness level of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran is increasing day by day."

In an interview with local media published Saturday, the commander revealed that multiple ships of the IRGC Navy have received new Qadr-474 cruise missiles with a 2,000 km range. These include the Shahid Mahdavi ocean-going warship, and Shahid Soleimani-class warships - a new generation of catamaran-style missile corvettes unveiled by Iran last year.

If the missile's range characteristics can be independently confirmed, it would make the Iranian missile superior in range to most variants of the Tomahawk - a US subsonic anti-ship and land attack cruise missile that has long been the mainstay of the US Navy. Tomahawks have a range between 460 km (anti-ship) and 1,700 km (land attack), with only the nuclear and ground-launched variants capable of flying distances beyond that - up to 2,500 km. They are armed with either a 450 kg conventional warhead, or a nuclear W80 warhead with a yield of between 5 and 150 kilotons.

Tangsiri did not provide any further information about the Qadr-474's characteristics, but did offer details on the IRGC Navy's fielding of a separate coastal defense cruise missile known as the Abu Mahdi. The missile, named in honor of late Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis - who was slain in a US drone strike in Baghdad in 2020 alongside IRGC Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, has a range of up to 750 km, and can alter its destination mid-flight. It is said to be capable of ascending to trajectories high enough for it to be stationed behind mountainous ground cover and launched at targets at sea.

According to Tangsiri, all of Iran's new advanced long-range missiles feature the same guidance system, making it possible for them to act in concert with one another. "Of course, the seeker and detection heads of these missiles differ and we have three types of seeker: IR, radar and TV. These missiles have a dual guidance system - meaning if one is disrupted by electronic warfare, the missile will hit its target using the second seeker, which is a new feature," he said.

Iran has made dramatic advancements in the fields of naval and electronic warfare in recent years. Last month, Iranian Navy commander Admiral Shahram Irani reported that a Fateh-class submarine had detected an American ballistic missile submarine trying to sneak through the Strait of Hormuz submerged and forced it to surface.

Also in April, Amir Rastegari, the chief of Iran Electronics Industries, revealed that Iranian engineers had figured out how to distinguish the radar signature of individual F-35 fighter jets, and tested new electronic warfare means against real-world adversaries.

Facing decades of sanctions and restrictions on weapons imports, Iran has created one of the most advanced indigenous defense industrial bases in the world, producing everything from ballistic and cruise missiles to unmanned aerial vehicles and indigenous long-range radar. In a recent "Critical Technology Tracker" report, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank ranked the Islamic Republic ninth among the world's top 10 scientific and technical powers, including a top five ranking in six of 44 key technologies in areas like aircraft engines, biofuels, and smart materials.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Rohingya must stay at camps despite approaching cyclone, Bangladesh govt says

Refugees "cannot take advantage of the disaster to cross the barbed-wire fence," home minister says.

By Ahammad Foyez for BenarNews 2023.05.13 -- Bangladeshi authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of people Saturday from coastal areas near the projected path of a monster storm, but Rohingya refugees would be prevented from leaving their camps in Cox's Bazar, the home minister said.

As of late Saturday, Bangladeshi state media reported, the government had moved as many as 400,000 people into 1,030 cyclone shelters in Chittagong division, which covers Cox's Bazar and other districts near Bangladesh's southeastern border with Myanmar's Rakhine state, where Cyclone Mocha is expected to make landfall on Sunday.

During a public event in Dhaka on Saturday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that agencies including the Armed Police Battalion in Cox's Bazar were ordered to stop any of the 1 million or so Rohingya sheltering at camps there from leaving those confines and spreading across the country.

"Law enforcers are on alert so that the Rohingya people cannot take advantage of the disaster to cross the barbed-wire fence. But if Cyclone Mocha hits the Bangladesh [areas] instead of Myanmar, the Rohingya people will be brought to a safe place," Khan said in televised comments.

World Vision, a humanitarian group, had warned on Friday that the storm threatened the safety of thousands of children at the world's largest refugee camp, situated in Cox's Bazar.

"Cyclone Mocha is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding along the coasts of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, posing severe threat to the safety of children and communities in danger zones along coastal and low-lying areas," the NGO said in a statement.

The cyclone is the most powerful and potentially dangerous sea-based storm seen in this corner of the Bay of Bengal in nearly two decades. On Saturday, India's meteorological department said the weather system had intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm."

As of 12 p.m. Saturday (local time), the center of the storm was over the sea close to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine, and packing winds of up to 231 kilometers per hour (143.5 miles per hour) as Mocha churned toward the low-lying coastal border areas between Myanmar and Bangladesh, according to the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). Rakhine is expected to take a direct hit from the storm.

"According to the forecast by GDACS [Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System], tropical cyclone MOCHA can have a high humanitarian impact based on the maximum sustained wind speed, exposed population, and vulnerability," UNOSAT said.

In a press release, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR warned that Mocha could bring "significant rainfall with landslides and flooding of camps near the sea."

The U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a separate bulletin on Saturday that the storm was forecast to generate wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour (124.2 miles per hour) when it makes landfall on Sunday afternoon.

"Heavy rain and strong winds associated with the cyclone are expected to cause flooding across Rakhine, where many townships and displacement sites are in low-lying areas and highly prone to flooding," OCHA said.

"Many communities are already moving to higher ground to designated evacuation centers or to safer areas staying with relatives," the U.N. agency said.

In the Bangladeshi capital, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government was preparing to safeguard the nation and its people from the storm, but that there might have to be shutoffs to the electricity and gas supply.

"Cyclone 'Mocha' is coming. We've kept ready the cyclone centers and taken all types of preparations to tackle it," the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha quoted Hasina as saying on Saturday. Her Awami League government faces a general election in late 2023 or early 2024.

In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh's meteorological agency raised the danger signal for the coming cyclone to 10, the most severe rating.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the country's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, confirmed that law enforcement agencies would prevent Rohingya from leaving the camps.

He said Rohingya would have to seek shelter at mosques, community centers and madrassas located within the sprawling refugee camps in the district.

"We have prepared some buildings including mosques and community halls as temporary cyclone shelters. About 20,000 Rohingya people would likely need cyclone shelters if there will be a landslide," he said.

The Rohingya would face no risk from storm surges because their shelters are located in hilly areas, he added.

"As there are 1.2 million Rohingya, we have no capacity to evacuate them to [cyclone] shelters," according to a statement issued on Saturday by Md. Enamur Rahman, Bangladesh's state minister for disaster management and relief.

He did not give a reason and did not immediately respond to a follow-up phone call from BenarNews.

Nearly three-quarters of a million people who live in the camps fled to the Bangladesh side of the frontier with Myanmar after the Burmese military launched a brutal offensive in Rakhine, the homeland of the stateless Rohingya, in August 2017.

"Four and a half thousand volunteers are working under the leadership of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner for the Rohingya people," Enamur Rahman said.

"There is no risk of floods on the hills but rainfall can cause landslides. Keeping this fear in mind, I have asked the volunteers to be prepared," the state minister said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.

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.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pakistan: Gunfight With Militants Kills 6 Soldiers, Civilian in Baluchistan

By Ayaz Gul May 13, 2023

Pakistani authorities said Saturday that a drawn-out overnight gun battle with "terrorists" in southwestern Baluchistan province had killed six soldiers and a civilian, as well as the six attackers.

Six others were said to have been wounded.

"In the process of clearance operation, seven sons of the soil, including a civilian, have embraced martyrdom while another six individuals, including a woman, have been injured," the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, said.

The violence erupted Friday evening when "well-equipped" militants assaulted a main paramilitary compound about 100 kilometers north of the provincial capital of Quetta, the ISPR said.

The ensuing clashes and "clearance operation" had continued into Saturday morning, killing "all six terrorists" involved in the attack, according to the ISPR.

The assailants had taken families, including women and children, hostage in a residential block who were rescued by security forces.

A recently emerged so-called Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan militant group claimed responsibility for the attack in natural resources-rich but impoverished Baluchistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran.

The province routinely experiences attacks on security forces and installations. The violence is mostly claimed by ethnic Baluch insurgents, militants linked to the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, and those linked to the Islamic State group.

Militant attacks have lately increased across Pakistan, particularly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which also shares a large part of the country's long border with Afghanistan.

Officials say the violence has killed hundreds of people, mostly soldiers, and members of the Pakistani police force since the beginning of the year.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Starts Producing Completely Domestic Cheytac Sniper Cartridge

Sputnik News

20230513

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has launched the serial production of the Cheytac sniper rifle cartridge made from domestic components only, thanks to import substitution, the head of Russian arms manufacturer Lobaev Arms, Vladislav Lobaev, told Sputnik.

"We have created a fully Russian cartridge for caliber 375 Cheytac rifles, and have already begun its mass production. For the first time, our 375 Cheytac rifles are supplied with Russian cartridges developed by Lobaev Arms and gunpowder from a Kazan enterprise, before we used foreign components," Lobaev said.

He specified that the foreign components previously used for cartridges of this caliber were supplied from the US, Finland and Australia.

After Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries rolled out a massive sanctions campaign against Moscow. Sanctions, particularly restrictions on new technology, have pushed Russian manufacturers to accelerate import substitution.

According to data of Russian statistical agency Rosstat, in 2022, an increase in production was registered in various domestically oriented businesses, including the production of drugs and medical equipment. The growth amounted to 8.6% in comparison with 2021.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Syrian advisor urges end to Turkey's occupation, withdrawal of forces

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 3:17 PM

A senior advisor to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says Turkey must end its occupation of the Arab country and withdraw its forces.

Bouthaina Shaaban, a political and media advisor to President Assad, made the remarks on Saturday in response to a question raised by IRNA about a recent meeting among the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkey and Syria in Moscow.

She said Damascus placed a premium on Tehran's participation in the Moscow meeting since Iran is a friend and ally to Syria.

In a final communiquA at the end of the four-party meeting on Wednesday aimed at reconciliation and resumption of ties between Damascus and Ankara in various dimensions, top diplomats from Iran, Turkey, Russia and Syria underscored the Arab country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Elsewhere in her remarks, Shaaban said a China-brokered agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the resumption of ties had opened a new chapter not only for Tehran and Riyadh but also for the entire region.

She said the deal was a turning point that proved regional countries can take steps towards improved relations and encouraging dialogue outside the United States' sphere of influence.

All regional countries agree that Western arrogance is the primary source of conflicts in the region, the Syrian advisor said.

Shaaban said the media play a role of grand significance in countering the Western hegemony and the way their media reflect developments based on their own objectives.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Cross-strait disputes must be resolved peacefully: President Tsai

ROC Central News Agency

05/13/2023 08:28 PM

Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Disputes between Taiwan and China must be resolved peacefully, President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) told Taiwanese high school students on Saturday.

Tsai made the comment at an event in Taipei where hundreds of high school students from across the country presented their policy proposals and asked the president questions.

Without directly answering a question on whether Taiwan is capable of defending against a Chinese invasion, Tsai said instead "disputes across the Taiwan Strait must be resolved peacefully ... War is not an option."

Maintaining the stability of the Taiwan Strait is "not merely a cross-strait or regional issue, but a global one," Tsai said, adding that there is "consensus" on the issue among the international community.

"All parties" have the responsibility to maintain the "peaceful status" of the Taiwan Strait and prevent war, she went on, as any conflict between Taiwan and China would have an impact on the global economy and supply chains.

Saturday's event hosted by the Business Today magazine took place a week before Tsai's tenure enters its eighth and final year, amid increasingly strained cross-strait relations.

China has in recent years ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, including conducting large-scale military exercises around the island after Tsai met with United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in April and McCarthy's predecessor Nancy Pelosi last August.

Some U.S. and Taiwanese officials have also warned that China will have the capability to invade Taiwan by 2027, the year that marks the centennial of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which has been rapidly modernizing its capabilities.

Meanwhile, Beijing maintains that it will try to achieve its goal of unifying Taiwan through peaceful means, although it has never renounced the use of force.

On the question of water shortages facing Central and Southern Taiwan in dry seasons, Tsai stressed that the government is seeking to expand water supply while urging the private sector to cut down on water consumption.

"[Adopting] progressive rates is an option worth considering" as part of efforts to incentivize businesses and individuals to use less water, Tsai said.

While the president did not give a definite answer, Vice Premier Tseng Wen-tsan (ec) has been blunt on the subject, saying progressive rates are "inevitable."

Speaking with reporters on Saturday at a separate occasion, Cheng said issues related to water charges, including whether to raise bills and adopt progressive rates, are still being discussed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/AW

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Terry Gou voices support for 'one China, different interpretations'

ROC Central News Agency

05/13/2023 09:34 PM

Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Business tycoon Terry Gou () on Saturday proposed recognizing "one China, with different interpretations" as a basis to resume talks with the People's Republic of China (PRC), days before the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is scheduled to nominate its presidential candidate.

Gou, who is seeking to represent the KMT in the 2024 presidential election, vowed to stand firm on the stance of the Republic of China (ROC), the official name of Taiwan, while accepting the "one China, with different interpretations" principle, when he published his "peace declaration" in Kinmen, an outlying island roughly 2 km from China at the nearest point.

Gou said "one China" with each side of the Taiwan Strait having its "own interpretation" of what "China" means are two equally important elements of the "1992 consensus."

The "1992 consensus" enabled the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to negotiate for more than 20 years in the past, said Gou.

The reasons why relations are now at a point where the two sides do not talk to and are implacably hostile to each other is because the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government rejects the "one China, with different interpretations" principle, he said.

Gou argued that the DPP has deliberately replaced the "one China, different interpretation" principle with others such as "two Chinas," "one China, one Taiwan," and "one side, one country," all the while inciting hatred to stir up confrontation and thereby dividing Taiwanese society.

According to the KMT, the "1992 consensus" was reached at a 1992 meeting between the two sides under a KMT administration headed by former ROC President Lee Teng-hui (), referring to a tacit understanding that both sides recognize there is only "one China," with each having its own interpretation of what China means.

The term "1992 consensus" was coined by former Mainland Affairs Council minister Su Chi () in 2000 before the KMT government handed over power to the DPP.

The DPP refuses to accept the "1992 consensus." It argues that Beijing has never acknowledged the existence of the ROC and that agreeing to the "1992 consensus" implies acceptance of China's claim over Taiwan.

According to Guo, the hostile military maneuvers the PRC government recently launched around Taiwan involving aircraft and warships encircling Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen () met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, was not aimed at the people of Taiwan, but at the DPP government's provocative words and actions.

If he were elected ROC president, Taiwan independence will not be an issue; and with that, there will be no military harassment of Taiwan by China, Guo said, adding that as a result, both sides can sit down to talk over issues, including "different interpretations" for as long as it takes.

If elected, Guo said, he will assemble a team composed of different political parties, ethnic groups, and generations, to negotiate with China on the basis of "one China, different interpretations," while abiding by the "one China principle of the ROC Constitution."

If he wins the presidential election in January 2024, Kinmen, which withstood artillery bombardments by China from 1958 to 1979 -- known as the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis -- will be designated a permanent memorial park as a warning to avoid conflict, Gou said.

Guo said he will be patient in negotiation with China, and continue to acquire or develop state-of-the-art weapons to enhance Taiwan's military capability, but not to start a war.

The founder and former CEO of Hon Hai Technology Group said that his mission is to ensure Taiwan and China engage in peaceful and normal exchanges, based on which Taiwan can create prosperity and well-being and maintain a free and democratic system.

In response to Guo's remarks, DPP Spokeswoman Michelle Lin () said Saturday that Guo's advocacy for "one China, with different interpretations" is a "great delusion" because the PRC does not allow for the existence of the ROC Taiwan in its "one China principle."

Guo's idea of recognizing the "1992 consensus" in exchange for cross-strait peace ignores the fact that it does not align with the mainstream opinion of Taiwan's society, adding that the approach will never bring about real peace.

The "1992 consensus," as defined by the PRC government is "one country, two systems," Lin argued.

It is regrettable that Guo described the efforts by the DPP government to safeguard Taiwan's national security, democracy and freedom as provocative and hostile to China, an opinion that is unacceptable to most Taiwanese, Lin said.

Separately, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) also rejected the allegation by Guo that the PRC's recent military maneuvers targeting Taiwan were a response to the provocations of the DPP government.

Over the past seven years since the DPP government came to power in 2016, China has repeatedly tried to undermine the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and threatened the use of military action in the region, the MAC said.

In the face of such threats, the government has responded in a way that is unyielding, yet not provocative, the MAC said.

The DPP government will continue to work with like-minded countries in joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region, it said in a statement.

The KMT is scheduled to announce its presidential nominee at a meeting on May 17, with New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih () widely viewed as the favorite.

In 2019, Gou resigned as CEO of Foxconn and joined the KMT to run for president the next year, but dropped out after losing the race to win the party's nomination. He has since remained an independent.

(By Liu Kuan-ting, Weu Kuei-hsiang, and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/AW

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkiye's Election Council Says Not Going to Nullify Votes Cast for Withdrawn Candidate

Sputnik News

20230513

ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - President of the Turkish Supreme Election Council (YSK) Ahmet Yener said on Saturday that the votes cast for Muharrem Ince, who withdrew his candidacy from the presidential election, will not be nullified.

Ince, the leader of the Memleket party, announced the withdrawal of his candidacy on Thursday, three days before the election. Voting at polling stations abroad took place from April 27-May 9, with more than 1.8 million Turkish citizens cast their votes. Muharrem Ince's name was on the ballots.

"The Council decided that the votes cast for the candidate who withdrew his candidacy are valid," Yener said, as quoted by media.

Turkiye's presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place on May 14. The second round, which will take place if no candidate gains 50% of votes, is scheduled for May 28.

Now, there are only three presidential candidates. Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was nominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party and its coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party, will run against Kemal Kilicdaroglu, put forward by a six-party opposition alliance, and Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkish Foreign Minister Says Ankara Won't Wait for US F-35 Jets, Wants $1.4Bln Back

Sputnik News

20230513

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkiye has no plans to wait until it is brought back to the US F-35 multirole fighter program, from which it was officially removed two years ago, and seeks a refund of $1.4 billion paid for the jets, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.

"We want out money now. We want the money we paid there to be returned. Our friends from the ministry came together and reviewed the steps we will take from now on. We are now taking care of ourselves," Cavusoglu told media, adding that Ankara does not want the situation to "turn into a snake story like with the Patriot defense system."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously said that the country had paid $1.4 billion for the jets.

In April 2021, the US excluded Turkiye from the F-35 program after Ankara purchased Russia's S-400 air defense systems. Washington annulled the joint memorandum on the F-35 fighters with the country, while signing the document with seven other project partners a the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, Canada and Norway. Erdogan said later that year that Turkiye had received a US offer to buy F-16 jets instead, one generation behind the F-35s. The US Congress has been debating whether to include restrictions on the sale of jets in its annual defense spending bill for fiscal 2023, while the US State Department has been trying to convince lawmakers that the deal was aligned with Washington's interests.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Edgars Rinkevics: The EU must make every effort to provide military support to Ukraine

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13.05.2023

On 12 and 13 May 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, took part in an informal meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the European Union (EU), or the so-called Gymnich, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The event featured a discussion on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the EU's relations with China, as well as a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.

During the discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Edgars Rinkevics underlined the need to do whatever it takes to provide military support to Ukraine. "The Ukrainian forces are in an acute need of ammunition and equipment to succeed in fighting Russian troops and liberate the occupied territories. Therefore, there should be no delay in approving and enforcing the decisions taken," the Latvian Foreign Minister noted.

At the same time, Edgars Rinkevics noted that the EU should also keep up its political support to Ukraine, promoting Ukraine's integration into the EU, as well as providing long-term financial assistance. The Foreign Minister expressed support for the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine by the end of 2023. Edgars Rinkevics emphasised that the EU should acknowledge reforms undertaken by Ukraine and expressed hope that the forthcoming report of the European Commission would give due credit to Ukraine's reform progress.

In addition, the Foreign Minister pointed to the need of continued pressure on Russia through introducing new sanctions, eliminating opportunities to circumvent sanctions already in place, as well as devising mechanisms that will ensure the accountability of Russia and its representatives for aggression against Ukraine and for war crimes committed. Edgars Rinkevics also said that contacts with global partners should continue to be actively maintained in order to strengthen support in international organisations and combat Russian disinformation.

On 13 May, Edgars Rinkevics also participated in the European Union and Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum taking place in Stockholm. During the forum, the Foreign Minister had bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of India, Japan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji. Bilateral relations, opportunities to promote economic cooperation, cooperation in international organisations, and issues related to Russian aggression against Ukraine were discussed during the meetings.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU's top diplomat calls for long-range weapons for Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 6:58 PM

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called on the West to promptly supply Ukraine with long-range weapons to fight Russia.

"The Russians are bombing from far away so the Ukrainians have to have the capacity to reach... the same distance, the same range," Borrell said on Saturday after a meeting with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in the Swedish capital Stockholm, emphasizing that the issue must be addressed as speedily as possible.

Borrell praised Germany for its efforts in this regard, urging other European states to follow Berlin's example. Recently Germany announced a new shipment of military aid to Kiev including weapons, tanks, armored vehicles and air-defense systems worth 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion).

"I welcome the German effort and invite all member states to follow this example," Borrell said.

In a similar move on Thursday, Britain said it would send its Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, thus becoming the first Western ally to provide longer-range weaponry to Kiev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly requested more and better weapons from the West to target Russian troops in an anticipated counterattack.

"Instead of asking when will the counteroffensive begin, ask, have I done enough for the Ukrainian counteroffensive to begin and be successful?" Kuleba said at the press conference with Borrell.

"The main topics of my conversation with EU foreign ministers today will be long-range artillery ammunition and short-range accession talks" to join the EU, Kuleba said.

Kiev has been pressing Brussels to speed up and streamline the work needed to add Ukraine as the 28th member of the bloc.

Since Russia launched its special military operation in eastern Ukraine in late February 2022, Moscow has been warning the West about the risks of flooding weapons into the former Soviet state.

Russia has also warned the West that supplying long-range and more sophisticated weapons to Ukraine would be crossing Moscow's red line and only worsens the already dire situation.

In another warning, Russia's President Vladimir Putin even said that the nuclear tensions between countries had risen because of the war in Ukraine.

Following suit, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned that those Western countries that wish to see Moscow defeated by Kiev in the Ukraine conflict ignore the fact that "a loss by a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger the start of a nuclear war."

Meanwhile, analysts have warned of an "irreversible" disaster over the increased risk of a nuclear conflict.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine using UK missiles to hit civilian targets in Luhansk: Russia

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 4:43 PM

Russia says Kiev used Britain's long-range cruise missiles to strike civilian targets in Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that Ukrainian aircraft had struck two industrial sites in Luhansk on Friday evening, with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles supplied by Britain.

It said the missiles had hit a plant producing polymers and a meat-processing factory.

"Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kiev regime by Great Britain were used for the strike, despite London's declarations that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets," the ministry said in a statement.

"Nearby residential buildings were damaged. Civilians were injured, including six children," it added.

Britain became the first country to say Thursday it had started supplying Kiev with long-range cruise missiles.

Russia had previously warned that if Britain provides these missiles to Ukraine, it should expect "an adequate response from our army."

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, however, said the missiles could be used within Ukrainian territory. He implied that London had received assurances from Kiev that they would not be used to attack targets inside Russia's internationally accepted borders.

Storm Shadow has a range of "in excess of 250km," according to its manufacturer, the European arms group MBDA.

That is significantly higher than the high-precision US HIMARS rocket launchers currently used heavily by Ukraine, which rely on missiles with a range of 47 miles.

The British defense minister said the US was "incredibly supportive" of the UK's decision.

A US official said that "each country makes their own sovereign decisions" about what weapons to give to Ukraine, and stressed that the Biden administration appreciated the contributions made by "more than 50 countries, including the UK" in support of Kiev.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February last year, the West has supplied Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems despite Russia's repeated warnings that the Western military assistance will only prolong the war.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Fanning the flames: Germany plans largest arms shipment to Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 May 2023 10:01 AM

The German military has announced plans for shipping a massive package of weaponry for Ukraine worth 2.7 billion euros in its latest bid to further fuel the US-led war effort against Russia.

Announcing the arms shipment, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius conceded in a Saturday statement, however that despite his wishes for a quick end to the conflict, "this is not in sight."

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Pistorius claimed in the statement after declaring Germany's largest arms shipment to Kiev since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022.

Berlin's arms package for Kiev includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 15 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T anti-aircraft systems including ammunition, additional artillery ammunition and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.

German defense ministry spokesman, however, refused to comment on the arms shipment amid reports that Kiev is expected to pressure its allies to get more weapons, jets and long-range ammunition prior to launching a long-advertised counterattack that it now says will take place in the coming weeks or months.

Germany was initially reluctant to ship heavy weapons to Ukraine to help it fight Russia, fearing an escalation of the conflict. Under heavy pressure by the US and other hawkish NATO allies of Kiev, however, Berlin agreed to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine in January and said it would work with its allies to send more.

On Thursday, meanwhile, Britain also announced that it will provide long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine for the first time, becoming the first European country to take the lead in giving Kiev long-range weapons.

British Defense Secretary Wallace said London was sending Shadow Storm missiles to Ukraine so they could be used domestically, supposedly meaning he had received assurances from Kiev that they would not be used to strike targets inside Russia.

Accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians, Wallace claimed that Russia's actions had led to sending such systems to Ukraine.

The missiles "are now going into, or are in, the country itself," he added.

The Kremlin had previously warned London that if it gives Ukraine such missiles, it should expect "an adequate response from our army."

Previously, the Biden administration announced that it does not intend to send long-range weapons to Ukraine, because it is afraid that the Zelensky government will use these weapons to attack Russian territory.

While the West has started sending massive amounts of new packages of long-range weaponry to Ukraine, Zelensky announced on Thursday that more time is needed for a counterattack, widely anticipated and publicized by Western officials and News outlets.

Ukraine was previously expected to launch a counteroffensive after six months of keeping its forces on the defensive, but Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that he still needed more time to plan a counter-offensive.

Speaking at his headquarters in Kiev, Zelensky described the combat brigades -- some of which were trained by member countries of the US-led NATO military alliance -- and said the military still needed "some things," including armored vehicles that were "arriving in batches."

"With [what we already have] we can go forward, and, I think, be successful," he said. "But we'd lose a lot of people. I think that's unacceptable. So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time."

Meanwhile, Russian forces have strengthened their defenses along the frontline, which runs 145 kilometers from the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in the south.

Ukrainian officials have tried to dampen expectations of a breakthrough, both publicly and privately. Earlier this month, a senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the country's leaders "realized they had to succeed" but that the attack should not be seen as a "silver bullet" in the war, now in its 15th month.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Zelenskiy Gets Backing In Rome As Germany Announces $3 Billion Military Aid For Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 13, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy received vocal backing from Italian leaders in Rome on May 13 as Germany announced a $3 billion military aid package for Kyiv -- the biggest since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion -- ahead of a visit by the Ukrainian leader to Berlin.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Zelenskiy during his visit to Rome that "we are fully at your side." Italian sources said Mattarella later assured the Ukrainian leader that Rome would continue to aid the country with military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

The Ukrainian leader later met with 86-year-old Pope Francis at the Vatican, where they discussed aid for the "innocent victims" of the Russian invasion.

Zelenskiy presented the pope with a bulletproof vest that had been used by a Ukrainian soldier and later painted with an image of the Madonna.

"The meeting -- which lasted about 40 minutes -- focused on the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine," the Vatican press service said.

The pontiff last month told reporters that the Vatican was involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict triggered by Russia's invasion.

But when asked by Italian TV about the pope's efforts, Zelenskiy said, "With all respect to the pope, the thing is that we don't need mediators between Ukraine and the aggressor who has occupied our territories, but an action plan for a just peace in Ukraine."

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also hosted Zelenskiy for a working lunch at her official residence at the Chigi Palace in Rome where he was received with military honors.

Speaking beside Zelenskiy, she said that "we are betting on Ukraine's victory," adding that Italy will support Kyiv "for as long as necessary" against Russia's "brutal and unjust aggression."

Zelenskiy's trip came shortly after Russia launched another drone attack on Kyiv and shelled cities in central and southern Ukraine, causing material damage, amid reports of some Ukrainian gains in Bakhmut, where heavy fighting has been under way for months.

In Berlin, the German Defense Ministry announced a new package of military equipment for Ukraine worth 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), the biggest since Russia's invasion.

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

The package includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 15 Gepard antiaircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T antiaircraft systems including ammunition, additional artillery ammunition and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.

Zelenskiy is scheduled to arrive in Berlin either late on May 13 or early May 14, according to German government sources.

He is expected to meet in the capital with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and also expected travel to the city of Aachen to receive a prestigious award.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for a speedy delivery of the package as Kyiv is reparing for a long-anticipated counteroffensive.

Kuleba, speaking on May 13 on the sidelines of a meeting with his counterparts from EU countries in Sweden, said Ukraine always needed everything as quickly as possible.

Russia on May 13 claimed its forces had taken control of a section of northwestern Bakhmut amid earlier reports of gains by Ukrainian forces in and around the city -- the scene of brutal fighting in recent months.

"In the Donetsk direction, assault detachments liberated a block in the northwestern part of the city of Artemovsk," the Russian Defense Ministry said, using the Russian name for Bakhmut.

Conflicting battlefield claims around the eastern city have been difficult to independently confirm in recent days.

Oleksandr Syrskiy, commander of Ukrainian ground forces, said earlier on social media that Ukrainian forces were advancing is sectors of the front line against Russian troops near Bakhmut.

"Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," Syrskiy said, a day after Ukraine said it had recaptured some territory in the bitterly contested city.

Russia has acknowledged its forces retreated from positions north of Bakhmut, with Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov telling the media that Russian forces "occupied a new frontier" at the Berkhivske reservoir, some 2 kilometers from Bakhmut.

The gains, if confirmed, would be the biggest for Ukraine in six months.

It is unclear if the developments were part of a long-planned counteroffensive.

There also were reports of Ukrainian advances to the south, suggesting a coordinated push by Kyiv to encircle Russian forces in Bakhmut.

Overnight, Kyiv's air defenses shot down all the drones launched by Russia overnight, the capital's military administration reported on May 13, without specifying the number of drones.

There were no reports of damage or casualties, it said. It was the sixth drone attack on Kyiv this month.

In the central city of Khmelnytskiy, people were wounded and critical infrastructure was damaged by Russian shelling overnight, the region's military administration reported early on May 13.

Khmelnytskiy Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn said schools, medical facilities, administrative buildings, industrial objectives, and high-rise residential buildings were damaged. "The number of wounded is currently being established," he said.

The mayor of the southern city of Mykolayiv, Oleksandr Syenkevych, said three people were wounded in overnight shelling that damaged a factory and several residential buildings.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Reuters, AFP, BBC, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskiy- italy-visit-pope/32410001.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Multiple Russian Jets, Helicopters Reportedly Crash Near Ukrainian Border

By Current Time May 13, 2023

At least one Russian warplane and a military helicopter have crashed in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, Russian emergency services were quoted by TASS news agency as saying, with several reports claiming the craft had been shot down.

Later, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that a Russian SU-35 jet and a second Mi-8 helicopter also crashed on May 13, but that report could not immediately be confirmed.

Kommersant said an SU-34, SU-35, and two Mi-8 helicopters were part of an air group and that they had been "shot down almost simultaneously" in the Bryansk region.

"According to preliminary data, they were all part of the same air group -- the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were to secure them, in order to pick up the SU crews if they were shot down by enemy fire," the report said.

"All four aircraft failed to return to the airfield. Their pilots are dead," it added.

Kommersant did not provide evidence for its claim that four aircraft had been shot down, but several Russian military bloggers also reported the same.

The Telegram channel Baza said a total of nine personnel -- members of the crew of two Mi-8 helicopters and SU-34 and SU-35 aircraft -- had been killed.

Kyiv did not comment on the reports. Ukrainian authorities normally do not comment directly on any incidents occurring within Russia's borders.

If confirmed that the aircraft were shot down, it would represent a major coup for the Ukrainian military and an embarrassment for the Kremlin.

Russia's TASS news agency did not mention the reports of the downings of the second jet and the second helicopter.

It said an SU-34 fighter jet crashed "not far from the Ukrainian border," without giving additional details.

Earlier, an Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Klintsy, some 45 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border, killing two people on board, the agency said, adding that an engine fire was the cause of the crash.

A Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed on May 12 in Ukraine's Moscow-occupied Crimea, killing two.

Bryansk Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz confirmed the fall of one Mi-8 helicopter in Klintsy, as well as a report about an injured woman on the ground and damage to five houses.

"Today, a helicopter crashed in Klintsy. As a result of the incident, there is one victim among civilians -- a woman. Currently, she has been taken to the district hospital, she is receiving all the necessary medical care," he wrote on Telegram.

With reporting by Reuters, Kommersant, and Baza

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-jets-helicopters- downed/32410378.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Detained Ukrainian Industrialist, Suspected Of Collaboration, Requests Transfer To Russia

By Kira Tolstyakova, Kyrylo Ovsyaniy May 13, 2023

KYIV -- The former head of Ukrainian engine manufacturer Motor Sich, Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, who was detained for his suspected assistance to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has asked to be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia, according to a handwritten request obtained by Schemes (Skhemy), the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Ukrainian officials have indicated that Bohuslayev, 84, once described as an "icon" of Ukrainian industry, could potentially be included in a prisoner exchange, while Moscow has not commented publicly on the matter.

"I request that you include me on the list for exchange with the Russian Federation," says the one-sentence letter, written in Russian and addressed to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

Under the signature of Bohuslayev -- for decades the controlling force behind Motor Sich, a leading aviation-engine manufacturer -- it identifies him as a "pensioner" and an "invalid."

The signature on the letter is very similar to Bohuslayev's signature on multiple documents reviewed by Schemes in the past, and the handwriting in the text of the letter is also similar.

Contacted by Schemes several weeks before publication of the report, Bohuslayev's lawyer, Ruslan Volynets, said that he was unaware of any possible exchange involving Bohuslayev and that any such request would be a personal decision.

Following the Schemes report on May 10, however, Volynets told TV channel Suspilne that Bohuslayev had written a statement asking to be exchanged due to poor health.

If included in a trade, Bohuslayev, decorated as a Hero of Ukraine for his contributions to the country's aviation industry, would be the most prominent Ukrainian sent to Russia in an exchange since September 2022, when Kyiv included lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk, who has close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a swap with Moscow for 215 Ukrainian prisoners.

Bohuslayev, now being held in a Kyiv pretrial detention center until May 27, faces a long list of potential criminal charges that, if taken to trial, could lead to him spending the rest of his life in prison.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) detained Bohuslayev and another Motor Sich executive in late October 2022 on suspicion of collaborating with and assisting "the aggressor state" by supplying helicopter parts to the Russian military.

After heavily backing anti-Kyiv forces in a war that Moscow fomented in the eastern Donbas region in 2014, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and it continues with no clear end in sight.

The SBU has released recordings of phone conversations in which a man identified as Bohuslayev assures people identified as Russian defense contractors that the company's supplies to Russia will continue despite the fighting.

Roughly three months after his detention, the SBU further alleged that Bohuslayev had cooperated with "a terrorist organization" -- a reference to Kremlin-backed separatists in the Donbas -- by supposedly paying the separatists 290 million rubles ($3.7 million) as "taxes" on the sale of aircraft parts to the Russian defense sector.

Separate documents published by Schemes suggested that Bohuslayev also arranged deals with sanctioned Iranian firms.

The latest allegation, filed in court on March 28, asserts that Bohuslayev blocked the April 2022 transfer of a Mi-2 military helicopter from Motor Sich to frontline Ukrainian forces by ordering its disassembly and concealing the documents that contain its serial number, date of manufacture, and other key details.

Volynets, his attorney, told Schemes that Bohuslayev had wanted to install helicopter blades certified by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry before handing the Mi-2 helicopter over.

Based on a dated note of conveyance from another lawyer for Bohuslayev, the prisoner-exchange request was finalized nine days before Bohuslayev's court appearance.

Not only criminal charges face Bohuslayev, who, as Schemes has reported, holds both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship. Ukrainian sanctions decreed on April 1 prevent him from buying land or taking part in trade, among other standard business activities, for 10 years.

Bohuslayev denies that he did anything wrong at Motor Sich, now under Defense-Ministry management. He has criticized the government for investigating him, citing his contributions to Ukrainian manufacturing, and called the criminal probe "a nightmare."

But the businessman has not publicly acknowledged any desire to be exchanged with Russia, the source of most of Motor Sich's business for decades.

Asked about the likelihood that Kyiv would exchange Bohuslayev for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia, Zelenskiy's office declined to comment and referred Schemes to a representative of the government body responsible for matters involving prisoners of war, Andriy Yusov.

Schemes had contacted Yusov separately and in advance of the recommendation from the president's office. "Ukraine will continue to use all available tools to return our prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians from the aggressor state," he said. He declined to comment on specific cases or names.

In a December 2022 interview with 1+1 TV host Natalia Moseychuk, Vasyl Malyuk, then the acting head of the SBU and now its head, said that Bohuslayev might "perhaps" become a "high-quality" candidate for a swap in which Ukraine would "be able to get a lot of our real heroes" now held in Russia.

Shortly after Bohuslayev was detained in October, presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak told Current Time he could not rule out the possibility that, as with Medvedchuk, Kyiv would exchange him for what he called "real citizens" imprisoned in Russia.

Written by Elizabeth Owen based on reporting by Kira Tolstyakova and Kyrylo Ovsyaniy of Schemes

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-schemes- bohuslayev-russia-exchange/32410114.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine's Zelensky Rejects Pope's Offer of Mediation

Sputnik News

20230513

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Pope Francis' offer of mediation in the conflict with Russia, saying he has nothing to talk about with President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky spoke to Italian media during a trip to Rome on Saturday where he met with the Catholic pontiff and senior Italian officials. The pope has repeatedly offered his help in mediating between Kiev and Moscow.

"I have a deep respect for his Holiness... The thing is, we have no need for mediators... We must work out an action plan that will secure a fair peace, a peace in Ukraine," Zelensky said.

The pontiff welcomed the Ukrainian to the Vatican and received him privately in the Paul VI Audience Hall. A source at the Holy See told RIA Novosti that the meeting had been agreed at the last moment.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine Can't Have Russian Assets Frozen in Switzerland, Bern Says

Sputnik News

20230513

Ilya Tsukanov

Hundreds of billions of dollars' in Russian assets were trapped in the West in February 2022 after the United States and the European Union moved to freeze them to "punish" Moscow for its military operation in Ukraine. A year later, the EU's legal service indicated that it didn't know the whereabouts of over 85 percent of these funds.

Switzerland will not allow assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank held in Swiss banks to be used for "Ukrainian reconstruction," a spokesperson for the nation's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has said.

"The answer is no," the spokesperson told Russian media on Friday when asked whether Bern would entertain transferring Russian assets to Kiev.

"Your statement is a misinterpretation of [a government] press release dated May 10. The release notes only that 'in the EU there are ongoing discussions on whether assets of the Russian Central Bank should be invested and the proceeds used for the reconstruction of Ukraine,' and that 'Switzerland is following these discussions closely,'" the spokesperson said.

SECO announced Wednesday that about 7.4 billion Swiss francs ($8.23 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets are trapped in Swiss banks. Transactions related to the management of these assets were "immobilized" in February 2022 after Russia kicked off its special military operation.

Swiss authorities reported on the size of the Russian reserves stuck in its banks in accordance with a new reporting obligation introduced in late March.

The Swiss government distinguished between the "immobilized" assets of the Russian state and the estimated 7.5 billion Swiss francs ($8.34 billion) in "frozen funds and assets" of sanctioned Russian persons, companies and other entities. The SECO spokesperson did not clarify whether the private "frozen funds" are fair game for confiscation and redistribution to Kiev.

Earlier this year, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Switzerland of doing away with centuries of neutrality by coming out to "unequivocally" support Kiev, pointing to restrictions on Russian assets, Bern's decision join EU sanctions against Russia, and to the sale of military hardware to European countries for delivery to Ukraine.

The government's Ukraine policy has sparked a backlash among some Swiss nationals, with thousands attending a rally in the capital in March calling for a return to neutrality.

The fate of Russian state assets trapped abroad turned into what looks like a financial thriller caper in February after the EU's legal service revealed that only about $36.4 billion of the estimated $258 billion in frozen assets have actually been accounted for by the EU's member states. The legal service urged European banks to report the details of their Russian holdings to assist in funding Ukrainian "reconstruction" - an idea pushed heavily by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

President Vladimir Putin prepared a "hard-hitting" response to countries looking to seize Russian assets last month, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying it is becoming increasingly clear that it is impossible for the West to justify the freezing of Russian assets under accepted conventions of international law. "No matter how you look at it, all their actions still look illegal," Peskov told reporters at a recent press conference.

In a ministerial meeting on Friday, the G7 reportedly discussed ways to send Russian assets seized abroad to Ukraine, with a source familiar with discussions saying "legal complexities" and "domestic restrictions" were making it difficult for the money to be transferred.

Also this week, the US transferred the first tranche of assets of a sanctions-hit Russian tycoon to Kiev. "While this represents the United States' first transfer of forfeited Russian funds for the rebuilding of Ukraine, it will not be the last," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement after signing off on the move.

The Russian businessman whose funds were taken accused Biden's "organized crime group" of "defrauding" him and asked Russia's prosecutor general to lay formal charges against US officials. The Kremlin promised that US steps would be responded to accordingly, possibly including the use of unnamed "non-standard options."

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pope Francis Receives Ukraine's Zelensky in Vatican

Sputnik News

20230513

VATICAN CITY (Sputnik) - Pope Francis had a 40-minute audience in the Vatican with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in Rome earlier on Saturday, the Holy See said.

Journalists accredited at the Vatican learned that the meeting took place not in the Apostolic Palace, where the pontiff receives heads of state and government who arrive on official visits, but in the Paul VI Audience Hall, which is usually used for general audiences. A source at the Holy See told Sputnik earlier that the visit was private and had been agreed at the last minute.

Zelensky and Pope Francis discussed issues concerning the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine during the 40-minute audience, according to the Holy See press office.

"Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts to support the population. The Pope particularly stressed the urgent need for 'gestures of humanity' towards the most vulnerable people, the innocent victims of the conflict," the statement said, adding that the pontiff "pledged his constant prayers, evidenced by his numerous public appeals and continuous invocation to the Lord for peace, since February last year."

Pope Francis thanked Zelensky for the visit, while the latter responded that it was a great honor for him to meet the Catholic leader. They also exchanged presents, with the Ukrainian president gifting an icon of Our Lady painted on a fragment of a bulletproof vest, while the pontiff gave a bronze sculpture of an olive branch.

It was Zelensky's second visit to the Vatican since taking office in 2019. After his first meeting with Pope Francis in 2020, the president stressed he was "inspired by the discussion on peace in Ukraine" and invited the pontiff to Kiev.

Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.

Meloni said that Rome will support Kiev when it decides that the time has come to start peace negotiations with Moscow.

"We support a diplomatic solution to the conflict and will lend Kiev all support it needs when it decides that conditions are right for launching any kind of negotiations," she said after a meeting with the visiting Ukrainian president.

Zelensky told a press conference he had raised his government's "peace formula" and military cooperation during the meeting with the right-wing Italian prime minister. He said they discussed "very important solutions" for bolstering Ukrainian air defenses.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Cairo/Juba  Events in Sudan have been a constant topic of conversation in Cairo's coffee houses since the violence erupted there four weeks ago. The images of almost 30 Egyptian soldiers briefly detained in Sudan by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias and the death of an Egyptian diplomat in Khartoum caused a stir in Egypt.

The detained soldiers were at the Merowe air base in northern Khartoum, run by Sudanese armed forces - officially for no more than an agreed training mission. However, the RSF and international observers assessed their presence as long-term support for the Sudanese army led by General Burhan.

For many Egyptians, these humiliating images produced a rally 'round the flag effect. In a tragic way, they pointed to not only the geographical proximity but also the bond between the two neighbours.

In addition to the over 1,200-kilometre-long border in southern Egypt, the two countries have a multi-layered relationship visible not only in a common colonial past but also in the political developments of the past decade.

The outbreak of conflict between the RSF militias and the Sudanese army put an abrupt end to political developments led by the Sudanese military - a scenario with which the Egyptian leadership was comfortable.

In any case, Egypt has no interest in a destabilisation of Sudan and is calling on all sides for a permanent ceasefire. Political uncertainties on the country's southern border and Sudan sinking into civil war are a worst-case scenario for Egypt. Sudan, which borders the Nile, is not only an important ally for Egypt on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.

The Egyptian leadership is betting on the Sudanese military, seen by them as the best guarantor of their own interests.

The geopolitical jigsaw puzzle of different supporters for the two sides in the Sudanese conflict has placed Cairo in a diplomatic quandary. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), an important Egyptian ally, also supports the RSF, as does Libyan General Haftar, a close ally of Cairo in the conflict in Libya.

Egypt, which is right now in a severe economic and financial crisis, is dependent on investment from the Gulf region and in particular from the UAE. The conflict in Sudan has therefore a domestic political dimension as well. All this makes the conflict difficult for Egypt's diplomacy to navigate.

Egypt can play an important and constructive role in the short term, in particular in persuading General Haftar not to deliver weapons from Libya to the crisis region. In the long term, it will be crucial for the region's stability for civil actors to be involved in resolving the conflict in Sudan.

This should also be in Egypt's long-term interest as it could avoid the scenario of an ongoing civil war. The situation on the Sudanese-Egyptian border is very tense at the moment. Thousands of refugees are making the long and costly journey from Khartoum to Cairo.

The few border crossings between Egypt and Sudan are the bottlenecks through which thousands of Sudanese refugees squeeze their way. The unresolved border conflict between the two countries in the Halaib Triangle further reduces the number of possible crossing points.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated some 50,000 people to have crossed the border into Egypt in recent weeks. Even before the conflict broke out, around five million Sudanese were living in Egypt, most of them already for tens of years. Of these, just some 60,000 are registered with the UNHCR as refugees.

The Sudanese community - especially in Cairo - is therefore an important contact point and is playing a central role in taking in the refugees. In the long term, however, this will not be feasible. The longer the conflict lasts, the more important it will be to stand by Egypt and the UN organisations working in Egypt to support the refugees.

With all attention focused on the successful evacuation of international personnel from Sudan, the protection and support of the Sudanese refugees in Egypt and the other neighbouring countries must not be forgotten.

South Sudan

More than 30,000 people have fled Khartoum and the western Darfur region across the South Sudanese border since fighting broke out. The vast majority of them are South Sudanese, who, in the past, sought refuge in the north from violence and conflict south of the border.

The small border town of Renk, where most of those fleeing Khartoum arrive, is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people. Humanitarian organisations are trying to get those arriving at the small airport in Paloch to continue their journey to Juba as quickly as possible.

But there are not enough flights, so, to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the border area, the government is now considering using barges on the Nile to take the refugees to other parts of South Sudan.

The arrival of tens of thousands of refugees is the most visible impact of the war between the two Sudanese generals on the country's southern neighbour. The two Sudans remain deeply interlinked even after South Sudan gained independence in 2011.

But what worries the government in Juba most is the risk that Sudan's oil export infrastructure will be deliberately destroyed in the course of the fighting. More than 90 per cent of South Sudan's government revenue is generated from oil production. The 'black gold' reaches the international markets via Sudan. There is no alternative pipeline.

Currently, the Sudanese National Army is reportedly controlling the revenues from the pipeline user fees, no doubt to the chagrin of the RSF militia. An attack on the pipeline would have devastating economic consequences for Juba.

The responsible ministry is already complaining that the market price for South Sudanese oil has fallen owing to the situation in Sudan, with buyers taking advantage of the instability to drive down prices.

The joint interest of the South Sudanese government and the Sudanese army under General Burhan in maintaining oil exports is in turn likely to impact South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's peace efforts. He has invited both parties to the conflict to mediation talks in Juba, so far without success.

South Sudanese activist Edmund Yakani warns that the crisis in Sudan is also endangering the peace process in South Sudan. Sudan is one of the two regional guarantors of the peace agreement that formally ended the civil war in 2018 and the actor with the most powerful leverage over the peace parties in Juba.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Arms and Armies Egypt By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

There is now a danger that the parties will continue to delay the peace process - also with the attention of the international community and other regional players now focused on Sudan. In addition, the instability in Sudan threatens to flush even more small arms across the border, while the brisk trade in everyday goods between North and South is suffering, further worsening the precarious supply situation.

All parties to the South Sudanese peace treaty, as well as armed groups fighting the transitional government, have links with various civilian and armed players in Sudan. How the conflict ends and who ultimately gains the upper hand will directly impact power dynamics in the political melee in Juba and the conflict landscape in the wider country.

Should the conflict continue and widen, both sides could also recruit keen-to-fight forces from South Sudan's fragmented conflict landscape, who could later return with more weapons, combat experience and new external political backing.

Richard Probst is the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's office director in Egypt. Previously, he was the FES' Regional Coordinator for Climate and Energy Policy in the Middle East and North Africa, based in Amman, Jordan.Dr Anna Reuss is Head of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's office for South Sudan.Source: International Politics and Society (IPS) published by the Global and European Policy Unit of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Hiroshimastrasse 28, D-10785 Berlin

IPS UN Bureau
Ukraine Loses Almost 300 Military, Mercenaries in Donetsk Direction Over Past Day - Moscow

Sputnik News

20230513

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The South Grouping of the Russian armed forces has eliminated over 285 Ukrainian military and mercenaries, as well as 17 military vehicles and a weapons depot in the Donetsk direction over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Over the past day, nine sorties were carried out in this area [near Donetsk]. Artillery of the grouping completed 98 striking missions. Over the day, more than 285 Ukrainian military and mercenaries, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armored personnel carriers, four cars, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mount, as well as a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in this direction," the ministry said in a statement.

Additionally, a missile and artillery shells depot of the Ukrainian army was destroyed near the city of Kramatorsk, according to the statement.

Besides, the ministry announced that another quarter in the northwestern part of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) was captured by Russian assault units, which were supported by the airborne forces on the flanks. The Russian air forces also conducted numerous strikes on the surrounding positions of the Ukrainian army.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Germany Plans to Send Ukraine Largest Military Assistance Package Worth $3Bln - Reports

Sputnik News

20230513

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The German government has made a decision to provide Ukraine with additional weapons worth 2.7 billion euros (almost $3 billion), which will become Berlin's largest military assistance package to Kiev, media reported on Saturday, citing sources.

The German Chancellor's office and other ministries have agreed during secret negotiations to send to Ukraine "additional weapons worth about 2.7 billion euros" in the coming weeks and months, according to the report.

Berlin plans to transfer Ukraine 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, up to 200 reconnaissance drones, as well as Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, additional IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles, artillery shells and transports, the news magazine said.

This will become the largest arms package provided to Ukraine by Germany since the start of Russia's military operation there in February 2022, according to media reports. The package's announcement is expected to be made on Sunday, at the ceremony of awarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky simultaneously with the Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen. The prize is awarded annually for contribution to the unification of Europe.

In early May, German media reported that Zelensky plans to visit Berlin at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on May 13. Kiev was very disappointed that details of Zelensky's visit were made public and was thinking on canceling the trip, according to the T-Online news outlet.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Today in Rome, we agreed on weapons and anti-aircraft defense - address of President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

13 May 2023 - 23:25

Dear Ukrainians, I wish you health!

Today in Rome. As always with such visits, we have a result. Today, we have become stronger.

I met with the President of Italy and the President of the Council of Ministers - these are political-level meetings. I've heard that Italy will continue supporting Ukraine - as much as it is necessary for us to stand up and defend our people and our territory.

We agree with Giorgia, Madam Prime Minister, on our new joint defense steps. There are good things we can do together to protect the sky. There are good things we can do together to protect the land. We agreed on weapons and air defense. As Giorgia correctly said, when we in Ukraine defend freedom and our lives from Russian bombs and missiles, from terror, we keep away war from the rest of Europe.

Today, Russian killers took the life of another Ukrainian child - a girl, who has not yet turned 16. Her name was Nadia... A man also died, he was 64 years old. Just ordinary people from the ordinary town of Kostiantynivka in Donbas... My condolences to their relatives and friends!

It was a Russian rocket artillery strike. Simply on the streets - houses, shops, a pharmacy, and a warehouse. It is how Russia fights. Artillery against ordinary streets, against any people - children or adults, men or women. And this can be stopped only with powerful weapons, with which our soldiers can expel the evil of aggression. Expel so that the Kremlin could not spread aggression to other European nations.

Today, I had the honor to personally thank Rome, all of Italy, Ms. Meloni, and everyone in the Italian political class who is honestly responding to the current threat to our entire European way of life.

I met with Pope Francis, and it was a conversation that could really influence history, could really help stop the evil of aggression.

I told about the crimes committed by the Russian occupiers against our people, about the deportation of Ukrainian children. It is not even known exactly how many children Russia has stolen from Ukraine and is hiding from their relatives, from Ukraine somewhere in a foreign land. I asked His Holiness to help return our children home to Ukraine.

I also spoke about other points of our Peace Formula, besides the return of all deportees and prisoners. And I believe that the will and sincerity of His Holiness can bring the implementation of our Peace Formula closer, can bring a fair, honest peace closer.

In the evening, from here, from Rome, I spoke with the President of the South African Republic. I spoke about the Peace Formula, about justice, and about the fact that our world should be united by the rules of international law. Anyone who helps the aggressor with a weapon will be an accomplice with all the consequences. I called on Mr. President to join together with other countries, all continents, and Africa the joint work to implement our Peace Formula.

By the way, Italy today absolutely clearly supported all points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. I thank you for that.

Today, there is also a Joint Declaration with Italy. All the important things: the European Union - Italy supported the start of negotiations in 2023, correct and timely signals about NATO.

And one more. I am especially grateful to all those people who were on the streets of Rome with our Ukrainian flags, who met the Ukrainian delegation with an open heart and sincere good emotions... Italy should always be on the side of good so that good remains in Europe!

Viva Italia!

Glory to our soldiers!

Thank you to our Air Force and all air defense fighters of other types of army units!

Glory to Ukraine!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Joint declaration by Ukraine and Italy

President of Ukraine

13 May 2023 - 22:18

At their meeting in Rome on 13th May 2023, the President of Ukraine and the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic issued the following declaration.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Ukraine has shown remarkable determination in exercising its inherent right to self-defence against this unprovoked and unjustified attack. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

The Italian Republic remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The Italian Republic commends the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people and armed forces and acknowledges their significant contribution to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. The Italian Republic will continue its political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes - individually and through international cooperation in the European Union, in NATO, in the United Nations and in other formats.

The Italian Republic has made solid military contributions to Ukraine, which will continue taking constantly into account the most urgent and immediate needs of Ukraine to strengthen its defence capabilities. In addition to its national contribution, the Italian Republic is actively involved in the measures of the European Union and NATO in the military assistance to Ukraine and in the training of Ukrainian soldiers.

Beyond the military assistance, the Italian Republic has provided Ukraine with civilian assistance, including financial, humanitarian and emergency support. This assistance will continue. Among other assistance items, equipment donations from Italian energy companies have been mobilized to improve and rebuild the resilience of Ukraine's energy and civilian infrastructures through the Italian Civil Protection and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Italian Republic supports Ukraine's initiative for a just and sustainable peace based on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ukrainian Peace Formula includes a variety of important objectives, many of which the Italian Republic is already working on such as food and energy security. The Italian Republic stands ready to cooperate with Ukraine to ensure as wide an international participation as possible in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula also through open events to be held in the near future.

Ukraine and the Italian Republic underline their firm commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for war crimes and other atrocity crimes committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Italian Republic participates actively in the Core Group on achieving accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and welcomes ongoing international efforts, in cooperation with Ukraine, to ensure accountability with broad international support. The Italian Republic welcomes the agreement on the new International Centre for Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) in The Hague, and looks forward to its launch as soon as possible.

Ukraine and the Italian Republic reiterate their support for the investigations of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, which are a step towards accountability and have taken note of the court's arrest warrants. Italy has agreed to provide additional support to the International Criminal Court in order to enhance its capacities in the framework of the war of Russia against Ukraine.

Ukraine and the Italian Republic agree on the need to increase our collective pressure on Russia through further sanctions to weaken Russia's ability to continue its illegal war of aggression. Efforts to ensure the effective implementation of sanctions and to prevent and counter circumvention in and by third countries must be strengthened.

Ukraine and the Italian Republic will continue to work together with others to develop mechanisms to provide compensation for losses, injuries and damages caused by the Russian aggression. To this end, the international register of damage, to be presented at the Reykjavik Summit of the Council of Europe on 16-17 May 2023, is an important milestone. Our efforts will continue to explore appropriate options for the financing of a compensation mechanism, including a sound legal basis for the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets, to support Ukraine's reconstruction.

On 26 April 2023, Italy and Ukraine co-organized an Italy-Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Rome with the wide participation of the private sector to enhance support and collaboration regarding the resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine and committed to coordinating closely on these matters by intensifying bilateral cooperation. The Italian Republic, together with international organizations and partners, is committed to participating in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. Already now, it is important to lay the ground for an ambitious and long-term engagement that will create opportunities and enable the Ukrainian people to rebuild their country. Engaging all relevant partners, including private companies and international, with the aim of securing the financial support, investments and knowledge needed, is essential to ensure a prosperous future for Ukraine. Ukraine considers Italy and its companies to be primary partners in reconstruction.

The future of Ukraine and its people lies within the European family. The European Union has already recognized the European perspective of Ukraine and granted Ukraine the candidate country status. The Italian Republic strongly supports Ukraine in its reform efforts and in meeting the requirements needed to start accession negotiations in 2023, looking forward to a European Commission positive report.

In the NATO framework, the Italian Republic continues to focus on immediate support to Ukraine, contributing to a substantive upscale of NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package to Ukraine. The Italian Republic continues its strong support to bolster Ukraine's capacity to defend itself. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements. Italy fully supports the NATO-Ukraine Commission as a venue to further increase and expand the ongoing cooperation to help fulfil Ukraine's path towards the Euro-Atlantic family, consistent with the Bucharest Declaration. At the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, we look forward to addressing all these issues.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Pope Francis

President of Ukraine

13 May 2023 - 19:59

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis.

At the meeting, the Head of State focused on stopping Russian military aggression and restoring peace.

"A clear and realistic algorithm for achieving a just peace is laid out in the Ukrainian Peace Formula," Zelenskyy said.

He asked Pope Francis to comprehensively contribute to the implementation of the Peace Formula, particularly in the areas of food security, the release of prisoners and deported persons, and the restoration of justice.

"Since the war continues on the territory of Ukraine, the peace plan can only be Ukrainian," the President said.

Zelenskyy called on His Holiness to clearly condemn Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and emphasized that there cannot be equality between the victim and the aggressor.

A separate topic of the meeting was Russia's crimes related to the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation. The head of the Ukrainian state called on the Vatican to join Ukraine's efforts aimed at returning Ukrainian children illegally and forcibly taken to Russia, de facto abducted.

Zelenskyy invited Pope Francis to visit our country in order to support with prayer all Ukrainians, who suffer from Russian terror and fight against the evil that has come to Ukrainian land.

The President also handed over to His Holiness the painting "Loss, 2022-58" by Oleksiy Revika, who was born in the now Russian-occupied Melitopol of Zaporizhzhia region. This painting is part of the "Red Line" series, which illustrates the events of the war that are happening now. Each work of the series is a red line crossed by Russia.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






More security, more cooperation, more opportunities to restore peace - Volodymyr Zelenskyy after negotiations with Giorgia Meloni in Rome

President of Ukraine

13 May 2023 - 19:39

As part of his official visit to Italy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni.

The head of the Ukrainian state expressed his gratitude personally to Meloni, the President of Italy, and the entire Italian people for their comprehensive support, decisions saving the lives of Ukrainians, and for shelter in Italy for Ukrainian families with children who suffered due to the aggression of the Russian Federation. He said that Ukraine will never forget this.

At a meeting with media representatives, Zelenskyy said that the primary topic of today's negotiations with the Prime Minister of Italy was the issue of security.

"Today, we discussed our cooperation, in particular, security and defense. We have a very important decision about protecting our sky," he said.

The president told the head of the Italian government about how this night, the Ukrainian defenders of the sky repelled another Russian attack with the Shahed suicide drones on the territory of Ukraine.

"First of all, I want to thank you for your help in saving people's lives. Everything we do together for the sake of security is what protects Ukrainian families, protects children, protects the homes of our civilians and the lives of our soldiers," the President said.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Meloni, and to former Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi for visiting Ukraine and personally seeing the devastating consequences of the bloody war unleashed by Russia.

The head of the Ukrainian state also invited all political leaders of Italy and all public figures to visit our country, talk personally with ordinary Ukrainians and see with their own eyes what the regime of Vladimir Putin has done there.

The second topic of discussion by the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Italy was the implementation of the Peace Formula, designed to stop Russian aggression and prevent its repetition in the future.

"Unfortunately, Russia again responded to our Peace Formula with missiles and artillery. It is not interested in peace, we should all realize that. They don't want peace. But peace is of great interest to us, Ukrainians, first of all. And our partners - I see it - Italy in particular. The Ukrainian Peace Formula has 10 points that comprehensively eliminate threats to peace. 10 very specific steps," Zelenskyy said.

In particular, he said that one of the points of the Peace Formula provides for the return of all Ukrainians held captive in Russia to Ukraine, and all children and adults, who were forcibly deported to the territory of the Russian Federation.

"It is an extremely sensitive topic for me, for us: thousands of Ukrainian children were taken to the territory of the aggressor state. It is known for sure about 19,393 children - these are concrete data with names and last names. They are stolen by Russia. But the real number could be much higher, at least 200,000 children were in the territories currently occupied by Russia, so we do not know the fate of all these children," the President of Ukraine said.

He emphasized the need to act as quickly as possible to return small Ukrainians kidnapped by Russia to their homeland.

In addition, as the head of the Ukrainian state said, the European states should continue reducing their dependence on Russia, in particular, on its energy carriers so that the aggressor has no opportunity for manipulation.

"One of the elements of this is sanctions. I thank you for supporting sanctions against Russia's aggression," he said.

Touching upon European integration, the President of Ukraine said that, despite the war, our country is binding to implement the recommendations of the European Commission, which it received last year.

"For us, it is a great motivation to be among equals, to become a member of the European Union. It will be right when the European Council approves the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU already this year," Zelenskyy said.

As for Ukraine's interaction with NATO, the Head of State emphasized the importance of bringing political decisions in line with real cooperation.

"We are already more substantive in defense and cooperation than the political borders currently existing for Ukraine and NATO. Ukraine already defends common freedom as any member of the Alliance would do. So it will be right if political decisions follow reality," he said.

Zelenskyy said he expects the NATO Summit in Vilnius to determine the algorithm for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance and a clear understanding of security guarantees for our country before joining NATO.

"So as the result of today's negotiations, first of all, my personal and Ukrainian people's gratitude to you. The second: more security, more cooperation, more opportunities to restore peace," the President of Ukraine said.

As for the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine, the parties discussed preparing the ground for Ukrainian and Italian businesses' participation in recovery projects. "We are very interested in this. This will add prosperity and strength to both Ukrainians and Italians," the President said and thanked Meloni for the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine held on April 26.

For her part, the head of the Italian government said that her country would support Ukraine as much as it would be necessary. According to her, Italy and the Italian people will continue providing assistance to Ukraine within bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Meloni said that Italy fully supports all sanctions against Russia for the sake of achieving a just peace, and will also work together with partners to provide support to Ukraine with weapons.

"No unjust peace can be imposed on Ukraine, and Ukrainian people's consent to any peace accord must be received. We will reach peace only when Russia stops conducting military operations and attacking civilian targets," she is convinced.

The Prime Minister of the Italian Republic said that Italy supports the Peace Formula proposed by the President of Ukraine.

Meloni said that today, in Ukraine there is a struggle, in particular, to defend European values, which are common to citizens of all European countries. "Therefore, we will continue providing our full support to facilitate the gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU," she said.

According to her, it is necessary to strengthen Ukraine's cooperation with NATO, which will be discussed at the July summit of the Alliance in Vilnius.

Meloni declared further support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative to ensure world food security, restoration of critical infrastructure of Ukraine, cooperation between our countries in the medical field, and protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage.

"Our interaction, personal friendship is a guarantee of all these areas of cooperation. I'm convinced that Ukraine will prevail, will be reborn even stronger and more prosperous," Meloni said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President of Ukraine meets with President of Italy in Rome

President of Ukraine

13 May 2023 - 14:46

As part of the official visit to Italy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella.

The head of the Ukrainian state expressed gratitude for Italy's consistent stance in supporting Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Unfortunately, I don't have time to shake hands with everyone, hug them, thank them for the support that Italy provided to Ukraine, our people, displaced persons, from the first day of the full-scale aggression, to thank them for such a warm attitude towards Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine thanked Italy for the comprehensive assistance our country receives from it.

"We are extremely grateful to Italy for the important defense assistance that enables Ukraine to resist Russian aggression. The key to our success on the battlefield is timely receipt of the necessary assistance," the Head of State said.

Zelenskyy expressed hope for further extensive support from Italy. In addition, he noted the need for further strengthening of international pressure on the aggressor country, in particular, via new sanctions.

"In this war, Italy was and remains on the right side, on the side of truth. We are moving towards victory. Because victory also means peace for our country. I am sure that Italian society fully shares our attitude, our just struggle against Russia's unprovoked war," the President said.

The leaders of the two countries dwelled on Ukraine's efforts to restore peace based on the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

"I highly appreciate Italy's readiness to join the implementation of our Peace Formula. I count on Italy's participation in the Global Peace Summit, which will take place this year," Zelenskyy said.

The head of the Ukrainian state also praised Italy's support for international efforts to hold Russia accountable for crimes in Ukraine. He specially thanked Italy for its support for the relevant work of the International Criminal Court and participation in the Core Group on the creation of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Farmington, May 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Jewelry Management Software Market size was valued at USD 1.02 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.80% from 2023 to 2030.The market expansion can be attributed to the rising demand for jewelry and the growing consumer and business awareness of the benefits of jewelry management software. Over the forecasted years, the Jewelry Store Management Software market is anticipated to be driven by the rising demand for jewelry store management due to the increasing number of operations to oversee. The report on the Global Jewelry Store Management Software Market provides a comprehensive analysis of the market. The report provides a thorough analysis of the market's most influential segments, trends, drivers, restraints, competitive landscape, and other factors.

Request Sample Copy of Report  Global Jewelry Management Software Market Size, Share & Trends Estimation Report By Type Outlook (Cloud-based, On-premises), By Application Outlook (Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Large Enterprises), Region and Forecasts, 2023- 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights.

Segmentation Overview:

Type Outlook

Cloud-based

Cloud-based software is a type of software utility that stores and manages data using remote computers and network storage devices. Cloud services are, among other things, adaptable, scalable, cost-effective, and simple to set up.

On-premises

On-premises indicates that the software and hardware are installed at the location of the end user. In other words, it is a self-contained system that resides on the property of the end user and is subject to the organization's network policies.

Application Outlook

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to cloud-based or online jewelry management solutions because they can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and are simple to use by all staff members who purchase, store, sell, or receive jewelry.

Large Enterprises

Large enterprises are anticipated to develop at the fastest rate because jewelry store management software facilitates the efficient operation of businesses and is gaining popularity among corporations. The global jewelry management software market was lead by the large business segment, which accounted for over 60% of total revenue. During the predicted time period, it is anticipated that the segment will continue to be the most significant.

Regional Analysis:

During the forecast period, Asia-Pacific market is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate. As more jewelry stores open in the Asia-Pacific region, China, India, and Japan require more jewelry control software; hence, the number is increasing. These nations will also expand with the assistance of more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Due to factors such as tighter market conditions and increased global competition, North America will likely experience the weakest growth.

Buy this Premium Research Report@

https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com/buy/231546

Scope of Report:

Report Attributes Details Growth Rate CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2030. Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 2.48 Billion By Type Cloud-based

On-premises By Application Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Large Enterprises By Companies Valigara

Square

RepairShopr

Smartwerksusa

Logic Mate

Advanced Retail Management Systems

Cashier Live

CerTek Software Designs

Jewelry Computer Systems

Cybex Systems and others. Regions and Countries Covered North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America)

Europe(Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

The Middle East & Africa(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

Latin America(Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Rest Of the World Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030

Market Dynamics:

Trends: It is becoming increasingly vital to monitor the supply chain.

Purchasing information enables businesses to monitor the performance of their current processes. This allows them to be prepared for both large and minor problems and to move resources to achieve large results. It also transforms data into accurate information that can improve a business's performance. People want to be noticed and want to learn more about sales, new products, and delivery, so the market expands.

Challenges: Shipping could be a problem for those wishing to purchase.

Gold is difficult to transport due to its high price and fragility. When shipping jewelry, it must be handled with care and safety. A single shipping scam can wreak havoc on an online jewelry enterprise. In order to reduce risk and prevent fraud, it is essential to negotiate a favorable contract with the delivery company.

Growth Factors: Software for jewelry management is designed to manage and enhance how jewelry enterprises are operated. The demand for jewelry management software stems from the need for jewelers to streamline their operations and keep track of their inventory and finances.

Key Segments Covered:

Top Market Players:

Valigara

Square

RepairShopr

Smartwerksusa

Logic Mate

Advanced Retail Management Systems

Cashier Live

CerTek Software Designs

Jewelry Computer Systems

Cybex Systems and others.

By Type

Cloud-based

On-premises

By Application

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Large Enterprises

Regions and Countries Covered

North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America)

(US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America) Europe: (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific: (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) The Middle East & Africa: (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa) Latin America: (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) Rest Of the World

Check out more related studies published by Contrive Datum Insights:

Tissue Banking Market - Global Tissue Banking Market size was valued at USD 1.63 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.70 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2030.

- Global Tissue Banking Market size was valued at USD 1.63 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.70 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2030. Blockchain For Supply Chain Market - In 2021, The Blockchain For Supply Chain Market Was Worth USD 373.64 Million. By 2030, It Is Expected To Be Worth USD 16,667.74 Million, Which Means It Will Have Grown At A CAGR Of 52.3% From 2023 To 2030.

In 2021, The Blockchain For Supply Chain Market Was Worth USD 373.64 Million. By 2030, It Is Expected To Be Worth USD 16,667.74 Million, Which Means It Will Have Grown At A CAGR Of 52.3% From 2023 To 2030. Biometrics Market - Global Biometrics Market Size Is Expected To Grow From USD 35.5 Billion In 2022 To USD 68.6 Billion By 2030, At A CAGR Of 14.1% During The Forecast Period.

Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements.For any queries, you can contact us on anna@contrivedatuminsights.com or +1 215-297-4078. Our sales executives will be happy to understand your needs and provide you with the most suitable reports.

About Us:

Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is a global delivery partner of market intelligence and consulting services to officials at various sectors such as investment, information technology, telecommunication, consumer technology, and manufacturing markets. CDI assists investment communities, business executives, and IT professionals to undertake statistics-based accurate decisions on technology purchases and advance strong growth tactics to sustain market competitiveness. Comprising of a team size of more than 100 analysts and cumulative market experience of more than 200 years, Contrive Datum Insights guarantees the delivery of industry knowledge combined with global and country-level expertise.

Social: Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter

Contact Us:

Anna B. | Head Of Sales

Contrive Datum Insights

Phone: +91 9834816757 | +1 215-297-4078

Email: anna@contrivedatuminsights.com

Website:

https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com

Contrive Datum Insights Press Releases

Latest Contrive Datum Insights Latest Reports




Phoenix, May 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Phoenix, Arizona -

Phoenix, Arizona based D.I. Auto Care is reaching out to the local community to explain the importance of removing cigarette smoke smell from cars. D.I. Auto Care provides high quality and affordable mobile auto detailing services  including cigarette smoke smell removal and more  for the residents of Phoenix and the surrounding communities.

As D.I. Auto Care explains, lingering cigarette smoke is problematic in many ways. Not only does it offend the senses, it can also be very dangerous to an individuals health. Also known as thirdhand smoke, cigarette smoke that clings to clothing, skin, hair, and the environment contains active chemical substances which have been linked to multiple health issues.

Smokers often get used to the smell and do not realize how strong the odor of cigarette smoke can be. While the best way to eliminate the lingering odor of cigarette smoke is to stop smoking, there are many situations where there would be a need to clean and remove stubborn cigarette smoke from an environment. People who have stopped smoking recently and want to remove all traces of smoking from their car (or non-smokers who have bought a car whose previous owner was a smoker) will obviously want to ensure that their vehicle is clean.

The company explains that there are a few methods through which people can remove cigarette smell from their car. For anyone still smoking, one of the easiest methods to follow is to only smoke with the windows open. Additionally, it can also help to wash the inside of the windshield after each cigarette and working to ensure that there are no cigarette butts left in the car after smoking. While it will not fully remove the smells, it can also be helpful to have an odor eliminator, such as an air freshener, which can counteract the bad smells and make the interior of the vehicle smell good.

Both smokers and non-smokers who want to go further to eliminate the smell of lingering cigarette smoke can take extra steps to do so, such as washing car seats and carpets with a solution of bleach and water, hydrogen peroxide and water, or white vinegar and water at least once a week, hosing down rubber mats with detergent and keeping open containers of charcoal in the car. While all of these steps can help prevent and remove cigarette smoke smell, one of the surefire ways to ensure that it is permanently removed is to hire a car detailing service.

D.I. Auto Cares foul odor removal services are comprehensive and use cutting-edge technology to sanitize car interiors and remove all odors, including cigarette smoke and other sources. The companys comprehensive indoor detailing and cleaning involves using anti-microbial and odor-sanitization solutions to purify the interior of the vehicle fully. D.I. Auto Care will clean all of the vinyl, leather, and fabric inside the car as well, ensuring that there is no trace of carcinogens left inside at all. The company assures that their customers will enjoy purer and healthier air inside their vehicles after the treatment.

Their excellent services have earned them praise from everyone they have helped. In a Google review, Hunter writes, Bought a used car with stains. Light interior, so I myself even added more. I honestly thought it was useless to even try the detailing, but Paul came out and made my car look brand new! So happy its in pristine condition now. I dont dread getting inside. Should have done this a long time ago.

Chris similarly writes in his review, I had Paul come out to detail my wifes Honda Pilot for our anniversary. Considering we have three kids and a dog that we took on a cross country trip in this vehicle, to say it needed some TLC is an understatement. The difference in before and after was amazing. My wife was thrilled, and there was an amazing amount of work that was put into it. I would recommend D.I. Auto Detailing to anyone looking for quality work and attention to detail. I will be using them again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUOOYVb6CM

Phoenix residents who want to learn more about the full range of services provided by D.I. Auto Care should visit the companys website for more information or visit them at 4747 E Elliot Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Paul Bagorio also encourages interested parties to get in touch with him directly via email or phone for any additional questions or concerns. Learn more at the following link: Smoke Smell Removal Near Me.

###

For more information about D.I. Auto Care, contact the company here:



D.I. Auto Care

Paul Bagorio

4802331529

paul@CarDetailingPhoenix.com

D.I. Auto Care

4747 E Elliot Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85044

Phone: (480) 233-1529
TORONTO, May 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toubani Resources Inc (ASX:TRE) (Toubani Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr Scott Perry and Mr Mark Strizek to the Board as Non-Executive Directors, effective today. Mr Perry and Mr Strizek are both highly experienced senior mining executives in the industry with a proven track record in corporate initiatives and advancement of development stage assets.



Non-Executive Directors Mr Jan-Erik Back and Mr Doug Jendry are retiring from the Board, effective today. Accordingly, the Toubani Board of Directors now consists of Danny Callow as Executive Chairman, Tim Kestell, Scott Perry and Mark Strizek as Non-Executive Directors, and Phil Russo as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. Mr Callow, as previously planned, will transition to Non-Executive Chairman as of 1 June 2023.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Phil Russo commented:

The addition of Scott and Mark to the Toubani Board is testament to the unlocked potential seen in the Kobada gold project. This potential is magnified when coupled with the currently ascribed market value of the Company. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Jan-Erik and Doug for their guidance in repositioning the Company and wish them well in their future endeavours. I also welcome Scott and Mark and look forward to drawing from their experience going forward. Toubanis now simplified listing structure, its continued exploration momentum and current optimisation efforts to right size the project, combined with the bolstering of our Board and management team auger positively in driving Kobada forward towards realising the value in the asset for our stakeholders.

Director Biographies

Mr Scott Perry has over 25 years of international senior executive experience in the mining industry with a track record in corporate transactions, project financing and development. Previously, Mr Perry was the Chief Executive Officer & Director of Centerra Gold from 2015 to 2022, a global intermediate gold producer where he led the US$1.1 billion acquisition of Thompson Creek Metals in 2016 and the US$240 million acquisition of AuRico Metals in 2017, amongst several other corporate initiatives. Prior to joining Centerra, Mr Perry served as Chief Executive Officer & Director of AuRico Gold, leading AuRicos US$1.5 billion merger with Alamos Gold in 2015. Prior to joining AuRico Gold, Mr Perry held increasingly senior roles with Barrick Gold in Australia, the United States, and Russia & Central Asia. Mr Perry is a former Director of the World Gold Council serving as the Audit Committee Chairman. Mr Perry holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Curtin University, a post-graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and a CPA designation.

Mr Mark Strizek is a geologist and resource industry professional with over 27 years in the mining industry with experience in gold, base and technology metal projects. Mr Strizek has worked extensively as an executive with management and Board responsibilities across Australia, West Africa, Asia and Europe. Most recently, Mr Strizek was a Director and Executive Director (2017 to 2023) of ASX-listed Tietto Minerals which went from IPO in 2018 to first gold at its 4.5Mtpa gold project in Cote d'Ivoire in January 2023, and was admitted to the ASX 300 in March 2023. Mr Strizek was previously Managing Director of Vital Metals Limited, an ASX-listed company from 2011 to 2019. Mr Strizek holds a Bachelor of Science and a post-graduate certificate in Geostatistics.

In connection with the appointments, 400,000, 400,000 and 150,000 options at an exercise price of A$0.35, expiring three years from the date of issue will, subject to shareholder approval at the Companys upcoming Annual General Meeting, be issued to Mr Perry, Mr Strizek and Mr Kestell, respectively.

This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Toubani Resources Inc.

For more information:



Phil Russo Jane Morgan Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Investor and Media Relations

+61 (0) 478 138 627 +61 (0) 405 555 618



About Toubani Resources



Toubani Resources (ASX:TRE) is an exploration and development Company with a focus on becoming Africas next gold producer. The Company has a highly experienced Board and management team with a proven African track record in advancing projects through exploration, development and into production.

www.toubaniresources.com




The UAE has stressed its commitment to strengthening strategic relations with Gulf countries, particularly relating to investment opportunities and cooperation in industry.

Leading a high-level UAE delegation to the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation meetings in Muscat, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: These meetings reaffirm the deep relations between GCC countries, especially in the industrial sector, which plays an important role in sustainable economic growth within the Gulf. The GCC represents a model for multinational cooperation that achieves effective sustainable economic development.

He said: The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologys is working to consolidate efforts and formulate an integrated investment roadmap to promote the implementation of advanced technologies in line with efforts to drive sustainable industrial development.

Driving sustainability

We are committed to driving sustainability in the industrial sector, increasing the competitiveness of Emirati products and enhancing their quality, while promoting the UAE as an attractive regional and international hub for industrial investments, including from within the Gulf region, by providing benefits, enablers, incentives and financial solutions to investors.

He continued: As the UAE prepares to host COP28, we stress the importance of fraternal cooperation to bolster climate action. It is critical that countries in the Gulf work together to increase investments in the energy transition and in decarbonisation. These investments will lay the groundwork for more sustainable economic development in vital economic sectors, including industry.

He added: The UAE has created a pioneering model for strengthening economic and developmental partnerships, as well as engaging the private sector in sustainable growth.

The UAEs delegation included Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Abdulla Alsaleh, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Economy, as well as representatives from government and private sector entities.

Key topics

Oman, which is currently president of the GCC Council, chaired meetings for the GCC ministers of trade and industry, as well as preparatory sessions involving the undersecretaries of trade and industry to discuss the agenda, latest developments, key topics and reports.

The 50th meeting of the Industrial Cooperation Committee, and the fifth meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation addressed a number of topics relating to enhancing cooperation in industry, standards and metrology, and plans to boost collaboration among member states.

Industrial cooperation

Dr Al Jaber participated in the Industrial Cooperation Committee Meeting alongside Al-Zeyoudi, where a report on the previous meeting of the committee was discussed. The meeting also followed up on achievements and the directives of the Ministerial Council to address challenges to economic integration.

The ministers also reviewed the Amended Controls on Exempting Industry Inputs from Taxes and Customs Duties, and the recommendations of the Standing Committee for Combating Harmful Practices on the Economic Cooperation Committees suggestions regarding furthering its role in protecting Gulf industries from unfair competition. The meeting also presented reports on the activities of the Technical Secretariat to Combat Harmful Practices in International Trade and achievements of the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC).

Standardisation and conformity

Dr Al Jaber also participated in the fifth meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation, which detailed the committees progress from October 2022 to April 2023. Under Specifications and Metrology, the committee proposed the endorsement of 10 projects as Gulf technical regulations and the adoption of sector-based regulations under conformity, in addition to the committees proposal to use the Conformity Markings system as an alternative to the Gulf Conformity Mark to the Council.

The ministers discussed a set of memorandums by the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation on the conclusive account for 2022, the Gulf Accreditation Centre, the presidency for the period from April 2024 to April 2027, the establishment of a Cooperation Council Award for Quality, as well as emerging trends.

The GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation includes Abdullah Bin Adel Fakhro, Bahrains Minister of Industry And Commerce, Dr Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qassabi, Saudi Arabias Minister of Commerce, Qais bin Muhammad Al Yousef, Omans Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatars Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammad Bin Othman Al-Aiban, Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of The Gulf Cooperation Council.-- TradeArabia News Service
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first plenary session of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, 24 October 2019.

analysis

The impact on the South African economy of any secondary sanctions which the US might impose on this country because of its stance on Russia's war against Ukraine - including the alleged supply of arms to Russia - would be 'massive', says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana made it clear that the government had been informed by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in February already that Washington suspected that South Africa had loaded weapons and ammunition on to the Russian cargo ship Lady R in December last year.

Godongwana said the government had begun to respond to the allegations at that time and had decided to appoint a retired judge to investigate the US allegations about the Lady R, at the same time as it decided to send national security adviser Sydney Mufamadi to the US to defuse the rising tensions between the two countries.

The Finance Minister was speaking during a briefing given by Mufamadi to describe his mission, which he said had accomplished its task of reaching an understanding with the US about SA's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other issues, in a series of meetings between senior Biden administration officials, members of Congress and other stakeholders in the relationship between the two countries.

The tension exploded this week when US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety went public for the first time with the US allegations that South Africa had loaded weapons and ammunition on the Lady R...
analysis

The flow of undocumented migrants to Mayotte is straining relations, and the island's response runs counter to AU policy.

The fraught drama of irregular migration from Africa to Europe is playing out in a corner of the Indian Ocean far from mainland Europe. Tensions are rising between Comoros and the island of Mayotte - part of France - over Mayotte's (i.e. France's) efforts to deport irregular immigrants from Comoros back to their country of origin.

Mayotte's Operation Wuambushu ('take back') was launched last month to clear irregular immigrants from Mayotte's slums and ship them about 70 km to the nearest Comorian island of Anjouan (supposedly their origin). But this stalled because the Comorian government of President Azali Assoumani refused to accept the deportees.

The saga takes place against the backdrop of the complex constitutional relations between Comoros and Mayotte. Mayotte is geographically part of the Comoros archipelago, at the northern entrance to the Mozambique Channel off Africa's east coast. It was part of France's colonial Comoros territory. But in 1975, when the other islands, Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan, formed the independent republic of Comoros, the people of Mayotte chose by popular referendum to remain part of France.

Comoros still claims Mayotte and is supported by the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU). But the Mahorais (the people of Mayotte) prefer to remain French because even if Mayotte is the poorest of 101 'departments' of France, it is still better off than Comoros. Hence its attraction for Comorian migrants, who risk travelling in rickety 'kwassa-kwassa' boats and dinghies. About half of Mayotte's roughly 350 000 population is estimated to be foreign, mostly Comorian.

As the number of foreigners has risen, locals have become resentful of their presence, blaming them for an apparent rise in crime. There is however no evidence that the Comorians are more guilty of crime than anyone else. And ethnologist Sophie Blanchy, a Comorian and Malagasy societies specialist, says Mahorais don't regard Comorians as foreigners.

About half of Mayotte's roughly 350 000 population is estimated to be foreign, mostly Comorian

Nevertheless, Mahorais' sentiment towards migrants seemed clear last year when the French right-wing, anti-immigrant presidential candidate Marine le Pen won over 59% of the vote on Mayotte in the second round against President Emmanuel Macron.

Such attitudes may have inspired Operation Wuambushu. But it hasn't gone well. One shanty settlement was destroyed, and Mayotte courts barred further shanty clearance. And Comorian authorities have thwarted the wider operation, partly because they regard Mayotte as part of Comoros, meaning Comorians are entitled to live there.

Comoros has demanded that deportees produce Comorian identification before allowing them to disembark. But most, if not all, have no such documents. Many deliberately destroy them, say media reports. Comoros also once closed its ports to Mayotte ships carrying deportees.

Assoumani criticised Paris for Operation Wuambushu, saying 'it goes against respect for human rights and risks damaging the good relations between the two countries.' He said the operation had disrupted 20 years of cooperation between Comoros and France over the Mayotte migration issue.

Assoumani may have been emboldened to defy France by Comoros' recent election as chair of the AU

Indeed, his government has worked with France before on the matter. In 2019, for example, the two countries agreed to address illegal immigration. A diplomat based in Comoros' capital Moroni told ISS Today confidentially that shortly after that, the Comorian government destroyed many kwassa-kwassa in Anjouan. So, this diplomat suggests, Moroni may have enabled the current crisis by cooperating with Paris in the past.

However the diplomat also pointed out that the circumstances were different. The 2019 agreement was to intercept illegal migrants, whereas now Comoros is saying it's being asked to accept deportees - and it doesn't know where they all come from.

Some foreign diplomats and other observers also believe Assoumani has been emboldened to defy France by Comoros' recent election as chair of the AU, where Mayotte still figures as unfinished business in the decolonisation discourse. And the AU has a policy position against forced returns.

Others suspect Assoumani stood up to France to boost his re-election chances in next year's presidential poll. Although they observe that he will probably suppress any opposition anyway, and suggest he might be jeopardising funding from France.

This week Assoumani was in Paris to discuss the dispute. Nothing was announced from his meeting with Macron, and a rather cryptic statement was released about the meeting of lower officials. It reaffirmed both sides' determination to combat trafficking and people-smugglers, coordinate efforts to protect lives at sea and manage flows of people between the islands. Comorians and Mahorais were left wondering whether this meant Assoumani's government had changed its mind and agreed to Operation Wuambushu.

Pressuring Comoros to accept thousands without any reintegration programme isn't good for Mayotte, Comoros or Africa

As with the bigger migration crisis across the Mediterranean, the Mayotte-Comoros saga seems hard to resolve. Many Mahorais seem genuinely distressed by the large presence of Comorian immigrants, but the lot of immigrants is also often pitiful.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Comoros Africa Migration By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

One diplomat described how, 'On the one hand, French law relating to Mayotte is that if you are born in Mayotte to undocumented parents, you are not French. On the other, these kids are technically not Comorian because they are not born in the Comoros, and their parents don't register them in the Comoros. They become technically stateless. In Mayotte, they can't go to school, receive public healthcare or work. They resort to crime to survive. This is the human tragedy.' He said the deportees from Mayotte were being denied their right under French law to appeal their deportation.

Aimee-Noel Mbiyozo, Senior Research Consultant on migration at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says that France has sent security personnel to forcefully 'repatriate' up to 10 000 people to Comoros. 'This poses many human rights, procedural and political concerns.' The demolition of informal settlements believed to be occupied by Comorians has the hallmarks of a xenophobic red herring campaign, Mbiyozo says.

'Putting pressure on Comoros to accept thousands of dispossessed people without any reintegration programme by dangling foreign aid parrots Europe's approach. It is not good for Mayotte, Comoros or Africa.'

More integrated development is needed to counter the flow of irregular migrants, says Blanchy, suggesting France should contribute more to the upliftment of Comorians - as should Assoumani's government.

Peter Fabricius, Consultant, ISS Pretoria


> 0

> 300

> 1,000

> 5,000

> 20,000

> 50,000

Decline

David Kidd

There are signs of development seemingly everywhere on Johns Island, at the edge of Charleston, S.C. Traffic on and off the island routinely backs up. Balloons and arrows posted on utility poles direct motorists to open houses. Signs advertise single-family homes from the low $200s, a bargain compared to those a short drive away in central Charleston.At 84 square miles, its one of the 10 largest islands in the contiguous United States. But until recently, it has been sparsely populated. Now crews are clearing land to make way for sprawling subdivisions. The islands population has doubled in the past two decades to nearly 20,000, with much more growth expected as thousands of new homes go on the market.Some of the residents of Johns Island are encouraged by the development; others are unhappy with the prospect of substantial change. But all of them are aware of what has happened nearby, in the West Ashley area of the city, just across the Stono River. West Ashley offers a cautionary tale of floodplain development. Decades ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) misjudged how a certain creek basin functioned, so homes were built where officials now say they shouldnt have been. Floods devastated West Ashley subdivisions in each of the past three years, most recently during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Its a dire scenario that local officials are trying to avoid on low-lying Johns Island as development accelerates.What is happening in South Carolina is not an isolated case. Many vulnerable areas of the country are seeing significant residential and commercial development despite the long-term flood risks. analyzed the latest U.S. Census Bureau survey data using a methodology from the New York University Furman Center to estimate the population living in FEMA-designated 100-year floodplains. Nationally, the number of Americans living in these high-risk areas in 2016 climbed 14 percent compared to those living in the same neighborhoods in 2000. Thats actually faster than in areas outside of flood zones, where the population increased 13 percent. The nation is spending billions every year to move people into flood-prone areas and keep people living in flood-prone areas, says Rob Moore of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Weve gotten exactly what we paid for.Indeed, construction is permitted in Charleston and other floodplains across the country, provided it meets regulations mostly set by state and local governments. For its part, the federal government certainly doesnt discourage development. Rules under the National Flood Insurance Program are limited and dont account for sea-level rise. Additionally, the Trump administration has proposed rolling back some rules, which could pave the way for more development. Its happening despite a slew of recent studies warning of greater risks than previously estimated resulting from sea-level rise in areas like those off the South Carolina coast.This is a crucial time for the future of Johns Island, as nearly 4,300 new housing units have been approved for development. The Charleston City Council has passed a temporary building moratorium for the area around the creek basin in West Ashley and is considering doing the same for Johns Island. A petition from island residents calls for the city to cease residential permitting for two years. Its leading to a healthy discussion and [there are] some tough decisions on the horizon as to whether development is allowed in a 100-year floodplain or not, says Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. Or, if its going to be allowed, will it have extra special requirements that other areas wouldnt have?Historically, Johns Island was an unincorporated part of Charleston County, much of it farmland. Today, although some of the island has been brought into the city, most of it remains rural and ripe for development, offering large parcels unavailable elsewhere in Charleston. Much of the housing has been concentrated along the islands higher ridges; low-lying forests act as a sort of sponge, absorbing water during floods. But increased development is threatening those forests, as trees are being cut down and more of the land is being covered with impermeable surfaces.Charleston Councilman Marvin Wagner hears concerns from residents that all the new development will make parts of the island more vulnerable to flooding. Once skeptical of climate change, Wagner says his views evolved after seeing flooding firsthand on residents properties in his district. Theyre making an awful lot of noise, Wagner says of these residents. But I dont mind, because their worst dreams can come true.Much of the islands zoning was approved in the 1990s, before the region started getting hit with frequent flooding events. The city could modify zoning for previously approved parcels, but doing so would likely open it up to costly legal challenges. The Charleston Home Builders Association opposes development moratoriums and new zoning restrictions that effectively devalue properties, warning that broader zoning changes could yield unintended consequences.But its not flooding that Johns Island residents complain about most these days. Its the inability of the islands limited infrastructure to handle the increasingly heavy traffic on and off of it. Wagner has fought for the extension of an interstate highway onto Johns Island for years, and Gov. Henry McMaster has backed funding for the project. Some worry, however, that this construction could exacerbate flooding risks, and city officials acknowledge it could lead to even more new development on the island.Nationally, much of the development thats taken place in floodplains is a consequence of federal regulations that do little to discourage construction in flood-prone areas. Larry Larson, director emeritus of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, sees it as a system of perverse incentives. Regardless of whether states take any steps to discourage risky developments, they still receive generous disaster relief assistance when devastation occurs. The federal government typically pays for about three-quarters of disaster assistance and over 90 percent after the most destructive storms. They need to create some incentives for states and locals to do the right thing, Larson says. Right now, its going in the other direction.Just 10 days before Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas last year, President Trump signed an executive order nullifying an Obama-era rule that required federal agencies to build public infrastructure at higher elevations and factor in climate science when constructing in floodplains. More recently, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a proposal to replace the Waters of the United States rule, scaling back the definition of federally protected waterways and effectively weakening the mitigation banking system. The move is expected to increase development of wetland areas.But FEMA does encourage localities to adopt tighter regulatory standards by providing flood insurance discounts through the Community Rating System. To receive the discounts, several local governments have adopted more stringent requirements. Nashville, for example, which suffered a devastating flood in 2010, now requires structures to be built an additional four feet above designated flood levels. In this and other ways, while flood insurance is a federal program, much of the authority lies with local governments. A handful of localities elsewhere have put a stop to development in flood-prone areas altogether. In Milwaukee County, Wis., only a third as many homes and businesses sit in the 100-year floodplain as was the case two decades ago. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has acquired many of these properties over the years and invested in green infrastructure projects, with a goa l of eliminating all homes from the floodplain by 2035.Thats hardly the norm, however. In fact, nearly all states recorded net population gains across their FEMA-designated floodplains in recent years. Much of this was a result of more Americans moving South, with Florida and Texas collectively accounting for over half the national population growth in floodplains since 2000.s calculations also identified many floodplain neighborhoods where growth far outpaced that of less flood-prone areas within the same county. In Hudson County, N.J., the population living in the current flood zone rose about 55 percent over the past two decades, while the rest of the county experienced only a slight increase.GoverningMounting evidence further suggests that the overall breadth and severity of flooding risks have been understated. One study published in the journalearlier this year estimated that three times as many Americans lived in 100-year floodplains as those identified using FEMA maps, which guide local land use regulations and flood insurance premiums. The maps are widely considered to be inadequate. Most notably, they dont account for future sea-level rise. Some communities maps were last updated over a decade ago. And while the standard 100-year floodplain designation is supposed to identify areas with a 1 percent chance of flooding in any given year, many regions are experiencing far more frequent flooding. A study published infound that in some places, more than half of the properties sustaining flood damage were actually located outside designated FEMA flood zones.Local economic development and tax revenue concerns are major considerations whenever a city rebuilds following a flood, or whenever its maps are revised. Localities often resist any attempts to cede additional ground to FEMAs flood zones, sometimes holding up the process for years. New York City challenged a FEMA proposal that dramatically increased the area of the city in flood zones following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The two sides reached an agreement in 2016 to create two sets of maps. Almost every place where a developing urban area intersects a floodplain, there are local pressures, typically economic and political, to find a way to add additional development to the floodplain, says Nicholas Pinter, a professor at the University of California, Davis. Its a steady drumbeat.Part of the reason is the influence of developers who lobby to get projects approved or to obtain a variance from flood ordinances. Sometimes elected officials buck the technical advice of agency staff. The Charleston County Council, for example, has approved requests to rezone several Johns Island properties to allow for higher density development against recommendations of county staff.When a disaster hits, homeowners often secure assistance to rebuild, but their chances of finding money to instead relocate are slim. An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that for every $100 FEMA has spent to rebuild homes since 2000, it has allocated only $1.72 to move people and buy out their properties. We need to start making it easier for people to move out of these vulnerable areas, says Moore, who wrote the report. They will eventually become less desirable to live in, with lower property values and lower taxes for cities.One area that Charleston officials hope to get residents out of is Shadowmoss, a subdivision in West Ashley. Drainage problems have been apparent there since shortly after development accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s. Nearly a year after Hurricane Irma, the waterline is still visible on some of the vacant homes. This is ground zero for what has gone wrong, says Stephen Julka, Charlestons floodplain manager. Its an example of development happening with not enough information.The city of Charleston has started closing on its first round of property buyouts in Shadowmoss with the intention of eventually converting the space into a floodplain park. A FEMA grant program can fund up to 75 percent of costs for homes to be demolished or moved, but is used sparingly: It has covered about 6,000 buyouts nationally since fiscal year 2010.A temporary moratorium has halted development in the neighborhood and other flood-prone West Ashley communities. Its given the city time to conduct a series of studies and formulate a new strategy. Staffers are, for instance, running draft stormwater regulations through simulated models to see how theyd affect future developments and surrounding housing. Eventually, Julka says, they can begin applying the new approach in other parts of the city, tweaking it as needed.On Johns Island, one of the most vocal opponents of additional development is Phil Dustan, a College of Charleston ecologist who has studied the islands topography. He says some houses on the island are already sinking, septic systems are failing and foundations are cracking as a result of all the new construction. Further developments could potentially alter longstanding drainage patterns. Retention ponds designed to limit runoff are common throughout the island and other parts of the low country. They dont, however, hold as much water as large forested areas or wetlands cleared to make way for new neighborhoods. The natural plumbing of the land is being destroyed, says Dustan, an island resident. So, come the flood or rains, theres going to be a man-made problem thats going to be far greater than it would be if it was just natural.Longtime island resident Barbara Busey watched for months as crews cleared 30 acres of land behind her home and brought in truckloads of dirt. She says shes now noticing four to five inches of standing water in her driveway and pools of water in an adjacent property following routine rains, despite being in one of the higher elevation areas of the island. This never happened before these developments came in, Busey says. Ive got the McNeighborhood on one side and the mansions going in back of me.Buseys home was unscathed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and shes lived through other major storms over her 35 years on the island. But now she fears shes vulnerable after the loss of the thick forests surrounding her home. Its just a little old cement block island house, but its all I have, she says. Im scared Im going to lose it.On a large map, members of the Johns Island Community Association have circled developments they consider problematic. This is a big issue now and its only going to get worse, says Lisa Vandiver, an ecologist who resides on the island. Moving forward, we have to look at the system as a whole and do zoning accordingly.Officials in the region are starting to embrace the idea that theyll need to collaborate more closely. Watersheds dont know jurisdictional boundaries; however, regulatory framework does, says Kinsey Holton, Charlestons stormwater program manager. Many properties on the island annexed into the city surround unincorporated county parcels. A study reviewing South Carolinas flooding identified uncoordinated planning decisions by multiple jurisdictions as a factor hindering the overall integrity of watersheds.Both the Charleston Home Builders Association and the islands community association agree the best solution would be a unified, interconnected drainage plan for the entire island rather than one that has developers accounting only for their individual properties. Such a comprehensive drainage system has worked well on nearby Daniel Island, which hasnt flooded. Pulling off the same approach on Johns Island could prove difficult, though, as at least six major developers would need to agree to a plan covering a larger island thats already partially developed. Its not going to be easy, says Patrick Arnold, who heads the Home Builders Association. But for the long term, they would have a draining system that neither burdens the municipality nor the developers responsible for it. For its part, the citys Public Service Department says it would support a master planning effort.As in other places, the local ordinances that are in effect right now typically cant prevent adverse effects on surrounding homes. Charleston County is considering new rules that would require projects to handle not only current waterflow from upstream, but additional future runoff expected to result as upstream areas are developed. Still, they dont want to overburden developers. The reality of regulatory programs is that if you protect 100 percent of probabilities, youre overregulating, says Carl Simmons, Charleston Countys building inspections director.The next few years of development on Johns Island and the decisions made to regulate it will carry ramifications for decades to come. But the underlying geographical reality is not going to change. Most of Charleston lies in a floodplain. Mayor Tecklenburg says theres a realization that the city is not going to build or pump its way out of the situation. Youve got to correct some of the sins of the past, prepare for the future and have this culture that were ready to deal with water when we encounter it, he says.Julka, the floodplain manager, puts it more bluntly. It really is a land use issue, he says. If you continue to allow development in a floodplain, you can have the strongest stormwater standards, but even with the strictest standards, youre still putting people in a floodplain.
And If The State Loses Its Appeal?

What Was The Basis Of The Damage Award?

Who Are The Big Winners?

Who Pays For It?

How Would The State Cover The Bill?

Could The State Still Settle With The Counties?

What's The State's Appeal Based On?

(TNS)  When a jury in Linn County, Oregon determined last week that the state had breached its contract with 13 rural counties by failing to maximize logging revenues on state land, the damage award was breathtaking.$1,065,919,400.The state plans to appeal  to the Supreme Court if necessary. In fact, Department of Justice lawyers spent a good deal of the trial building a record for that appeal, which could start with a variety of motions in Linn County before Judge Thomas McHill enters a final judgement.But the clock is ticking on the largest-ever legal award against the state of Oregon. The judgement, when filed, will accrue interest at 9% annually, adding an additional $96 million a year to the tab while its out on appeal."It's going to cost a lot of money and I don't know where it would come from," said Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, a legislative budget chief whose district includes two of the three counties that stand to reap the biggest windfalls."The ramifications to the state's budget could conceivably be catastrophic."The fallout would reverberate far and wide, including in many counties that filed the lawsuit. Indeed, the damages, if upheld, would be a bonanza for a handful of counties and special taxing districts. But if you consider the portion of the award that would be borne by taxpayers in each county, paying the bill would effectively create a net loss for more than half of the counties who signed on to sue the state, according to an analysis by"Basically, you're suing yourself, or your own family, and it comes out of the family budget," said Joe Cortright, a Portland economist. "If they believe that pound of flesh is going to be extracted from someone else, it's hard to see how that would work."What follows is a discussion of some of the major questions raised by the jury award and its consequences.Oregon's state forests are mostly made up of lands that were originally logged over or burned by wildfire. Without the resources to rehabilitate the lands,15 so-called "forest trust land counties subsequently deeded the forests to the state. In exchange, the state agreed to replant the forests, protect them from fire, and share a portion of the timber harvest proceeds when they returned to productivity.According to the Forest Acquisition Act of 1941, the state is supposed to manage the forests for the "greatest permanent value of such lands to the state."The jury found that the greatest permanent value was synonymous with maximizing timber production. It found the state had breached a contract with the counties by failing to maximize resulting timber payments since 2001. It awarded the plaintiffs $674 million in past damages and $392 million in future damages, which assumes the state will continue to fail to maximize timber revenues for the next 50 years.The plaintiffs included Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, and Washington counties, plus local taxing districts within those counties. Clatsop County opted out of the lawsuit, but local taxing districts within the county were part of the suit.The damage award was based on expert witnesses' analysis, which the jury adopted. It was heavily lopsided. Three-quarters of the money would flow to three counties and be disbursed among local taxing districts, which include schools, ports, libraries and fire districts.Tillamook County would see $332 million; local districts in Clatsop County stand to get $243 million, and Washington County, which is home to 47,000 acres of the Tillamook Forest, would get $94 million. A few other counties  Linn, Lane and Coos would also see fairly sizable infusions. By comparison, Josephine County would walk away with $1.2 million.Bottom line, if the verdict is upheld, the obligation falls to Oregon taxpayers.Personal income taxes are the largest source of state revenues, making up nearly 90 percent of the state general fund in the last budget cycle. So, on a per-capita basis the damage award would effectively transfer money from Oregon's populous urban counties to their rural counterparts.No one is contemplating a special tax to cover the verdict, so individual taxpayers won't be directly responsible. Rather, the money would come out of the income taxes we already pay. (Business taxes complicate the math a bit, but the general story wouldn't change much.)Here's one way to think about it: Nearly $240 million paid by Multnomah County taxpayers that would ordinarily go to schools and other state-funded services will go instead to cover the timber judgement.Effectively, that makes it a transfer from Oregon's populous urban counties to its timber-dependent rural communities.Thinking of it that way raises an interesting point. Taxpayers in counties receiving damages from the lawsuit would also be covering a share of it. And when you set those potential liabilities against the damages awarded, eight of the 14 counties who opted into the suit are actually worse off.Washington County's taxpayers, for example, are second only to Multnomah in terms of the percentage of personal income taxes they contribute to the state. It's also the third largest recipient of damages. But counting taxpayers' liability, Washington County ends up $90 million in the hole. Taxpayers in Benton, Clackamas, Douglas, Josephine, Lane, Marion and Polk counties would also be contributing more to the judgement than the county would receive in damages."It feels unfair," said Bob Van Dyk, policy director for the Oregon Wild Salmon Center. "The biggest beneficiaries are Tillamook County and John DiLorenzo (the lead plaintiffs' lawyer). And the losers are taxpayers as a whole, people who care about fish and wildlife, and people who care about balance and collaborative management of natural resources."To be sure, the forest trust land counties rely heavily on timber receipts to fund local services, and contend they've been getting shorted for two decades.Linn County commissioner Roger Nyquist said the award would provide a much-needed boost for counties to tackle some of the social problems that came with the decline of the wood products industry in rural counties."We're grateful for the jury decision and feel pretty good about things," he said. "There are 151 class members and I have a lot of work to do in the next week because I intend to talk with every one of them about how we proceed from here."The jury's verdict form specifying damages for each county in the timber lawsuit.That's the billion-dollar question.The state maintains a risk fund to cover legal settlements and other payouts. But it's too small to cover this award, and because this claim is for a breach of contract, it wouldn't be covered by that fund.The state could structure a settlement to pay it down over time. It could issue bonds, effectively borrowing the money and paying it back over time with interest.Alternatively, it could cut services that taxpayers would otherwise get."When you add it all up, it's a big hole you'd be punching in the state budget," said Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten, who opposed the lawsuit and testified at the trial. "It's a state obligation to pay. They're going to make cuts elsewhere, so it further distorts the whole budgeting process."For one biennium at least, any damage award distributed to school districts might reduce or eliminate the money they receive from the state school fund. And some suggest the legislature could simply reduce other payments to the counties to recoup the settlement."Budgetarily, money is pretty fungible," said Cortright. "I'm sure someone in the governor's office and the legislature is thinking about how they'd move the walnut shells around to pay for this."It could, and the plaintiffs are eager to talk, perhaps sensing the risk that the award could be lost on appeal.The state has not budged so far though, and its lawyers worked to build an extensive record during the trial to aid an appeal.Meanwhile, the Department of Forestry is working to create a new Forest Management Plan. That plan could be structured to deliver larger harvests, but the agency has already said that's not part of its draft. It is already being sued by environmentalists to block 68 timbers sales, and it expects obligations under the Endangered Species Act to increase, not decline.DiLorenzo, the counties' lawyer, says there are an infinite number of ways to settle the predicament. But, he said, the state has to be willing to negotiate with the counties like partners."How can the governor afford not to roll up her sleeves and work something out with the counties," he said. "This judgement will earn interest...If they take five years to appeal this and discover they're wrong again, that will add another half billion in interest."Instead of kicking the can down the road, how about getting in a room with us and working this out."The state signaled a number of its main objections before and during the trial.It will make the case that the 1941 Forest Acquisition Act, did not establish a contract between the state and the counties. The state argued that it only needed to share revenue when it did harvest. Harvest targets are established by the state forester, who has no statutory obligation to maximize revenues, it says.It will argue that the counties, as political subdivisions of the state, can't sue the state for money, and that the lawsuit never should have been a damages case.The state also maintains that the case, which involves the interpretation of statute and the context around it, should have been decided by a judge, not a jury. There were numerous Forest Acquisition Acts, and the state argues they all contemplated managing the forests to achieve a variety of benefits.The state will argue that the award for past damages was based on an outdated harvest model that did not ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Future damages, it maintains, were based on a 2018 model that was never intended for the purpose it was used."The state's attorneys challenged the trial court for making legal errors that put blinders on the jury and infected its verdict," stated Ralph Bloemers, senior staff attorney with the Crag Law Center, a non-profit law firm in Portland.Bloemers said the Oregon Supreme Court previously declined to describe the 1941 act as "creating a contract," and ruled that the counties gave up control of the land in exchange for a share of the revenues. Yet the trial judge barred the state from telling the jury about it."Why are the counties' attorneys so eager to talk settlement?" he asked. "I think it is because the verdict is incredibly vulnerable on appeal."
The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion

Businessman remanded over robbery charges

Gloria Apprey Lifestyle May - 14 - 2023 , 05:00

A businessman, Alhaji Abu Mohammed has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a Range Rover vehicle, keys to a Honda Accord car, a laptop and some money.

The accused person who appeared before the presiding Judge, Afia Owusua Appiah on May 4, 2023 was charged with unlawful entry, stealing and causing damage to properties belonging to the complainant, Richard Kwaku Boadu.

The accused, Mohammed pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In court, the prosecution pleaded the court for remand of the accused as he was considered a flight risk.

Accused was therefore remanded and the case adjourned to May 30, 2023 for further court processes.

Brief facts

Presenting the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor, said the complainant is a lawyer and a resident of Ogbojo, while the accused lives at Ashongman Estate both suburbs of Accra.

According to the prosecutor, on April 24, 2023 at about 5.25 p.m., the accused person unlawfully entered and exited the house of the complainant by destroying the burglar proof and a padlock to the main gate.

The prosecutor added that Mohammed further destroyed the wooden doors to the four-bedroom house.

C/Insp Ahiabor said the accused who made away with the said items was arrested at the Ashongman Estates after a report was made by the complainant to the police on April 30, 2023.

The accused person then led the police to a hotel around the Ashongman Estates where he was lodging and the stolen items were retrieved.

After due processes, the accused was charged with the offences.
Police arrest 8 people for election-related offences during NDC primaries

Kweku Zurek Politics May - 14 - 2023 , 08:06

The Ghana Police Service has arrested eight individuals across four constituencies in the country for various election-related offences during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) held on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

According to a statement released by the Police, Yaro Burdove was arrested at the Ningo Prampram Constituency for taking a photograph of his ballot paper in the polling booth and attempting to take photographs of the ballot of other voters. Harrison Martey and Imoro Ibrahim were also arrested for engaging in an unlawful fight at a voting centre in the same constituency.

Similarly, suspects Arkoli Mensah and Nyarko Richard were arrested for disturbing the peace by engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting center during the voting process in the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region.

In the Mfantseman Constituency in the Central Region, suspect Prince Lomotey was arrested at the voting center for personation, while suspects Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel were arrested for causing violence at a polling station in the Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Bono East Region.

The Police disclosed that five of the suspects are currently on Police inquiry bail, while the other three are in custody assisting the ongoing Police investigation.

Furthermore, the Police Service stated that they are investigating a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentary aspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections in the Ashanti Region.

The Police have indicated that a legal team is currently scrutinizing the conduct of the aspirant in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention.

The Police Service assured the public of their commitment towards ensuring peace, security, law, and order at all times.
press release

Joint media release: Protect our economy and jobs

The Western Cape Government has noted the serious allegations made by the United States Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety alleging that South Africa has supplied weapons to Russia.

"We cannot afford to risk our economic and diplomatic relationships with key trading partners such as the United States of America (USA). Our economy is struggling following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is under grave risk as a result of severe rolling blackouts. Our priority must be to protect our economy and jobs. Trade is a critical part of our path to economic stability," said Premier Alan Winde.

"I will be writing to the President to request an inquiry into these allegations and for a firm commitment that we will protect critical trading relationships in the interests of the many jobs that benefit, for example, from our export and tourism sector," added Premier Winde.

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said "The trade, investment, and tourism ties between the USA and the Western Cape are significant. The US was the Western Cape's top foreign export market in 2021 with a value of R16.98 billion, the top source of foreign direct investment into the province over the last decade, investing more than R37 billion into the province and a major source market for international tourists. Our links with the US generate billions, contributing immensely to our economy and supporting thousands of jobs. It makes zero economic sense that national government would even consider putting the relationship with the US at risk."

"South Africa was the largest trading partner to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2021," added Western Cape Minister for Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer.

Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Senior Agricultural Economist, Tshepo Morokong has highlighted that South Africa's top exported agricultural products to the US are significant. "At the top of the list were oranges and macadamia nuts, accounting for 10% and 8% of the total export value respectively. These are followed by mandarins, white wine, ice cream, apple juice, ethyl alcohol, and red wine each at 4%. Most of these products are produced in the Western Cape", said Minister Meyer.

"National government should be acting in a manner which is in the best interests of our farmers, producers, and agri-workers and not threatening the agricultural economy and its potential for job creation in the Western Cape and South Africa", concluded the Minister.
HMD released the Android 13 update for the Nokia G11 Plus late last month, and now it's the vanilla model that's getting the Android 13 upgrade.

The Android 13 update for the Nokia G11 is seeding in the Netherlands, but the rollout should expand to other markets soon.

If you are yet to receive Android 13 on your Nokia G11, you can check for it manually by heading to its Settings menu. And if you live in a different country and got Android 13 on your Nokia G11, let us know by dropping a comment below.

Via
The new Motorola Edge+ (2023) for the US market is showing a lot of promise  last weeks poll shows that 45% of voters are interested in the Moto flagship. Mostly the same hardware is available as the Edge 40 Pro elsewhere, but the thing about the US market is that there are very few competing brands, especially in the flagship segment.

This means that the Edge+ is mostly going up against Galaxy S, Pixel and iPhone models, though there is the OnePlus too. While Samsung and Apple can rely on their brand names to support the higher price tags, Motorolas popularity is past its prime.

The phone offers a lot of bang for the buck, but there were a couple of common complaints about it. The first came from people who just hate curved screens, even though many manufacturers (including Motorola and Samsung) believe that this is a premium feature.

The other thing was that people dont have much faith in Motorolas software support. The company promises 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches, but it needs to work on its reputation  people have been burned by slow or buggy Moto updates in the past. Also, Samsung offers 4 and 5 years, respectively, as does OnePlus, Apple even more, so while this is much better than what Motorola offered before, its behind the competition.

Speaking of, 1 in 5 voters think that there are better alternatives in this class and the same number of people arent in the market for a phone like the Edge+. Still, that leaves a lot of interested people (some of whom might need a nudge with a small price drop).

Moving on to the Motorola Edge 40 for the European market, it shows potential with around a third of the vote going in its favor. However, most people arent impressed. The issue is two-fold. First, the price went up by 100  the Edge 40 is 550, whereas the Edge 30 was 450 at launch (and less now).

The other issue is that the market has moved on. The new model isnt a particularly impressive upgrade over its predecessor (here they are side by side) and even if it was, the competition has set the bar high.

At 450, the Edge 40 would have been up against the new Xperia 10 V (450) and cheaper than the new Pixel 7a (510). There are also the new Poco F5 and F5 Pro. And all the other phones we mentioned in last weeks post.

However, perhaps the toughest competitor for the Edge 40 is its predecessor, the Edge 30. It has the better ultra wide camera (50MP vs 13MP) and while its smaller, slower to charge battery is a setback, the Snapdragon 778G+ holds its own against the Dimensity 8020, not to mention that the older model is around 150 cheaper (the prices mentioned above are MSRP, actual store prices are lower now).

Theres nothing Motorola could do about the hardware now, but there is a lot it can do about the price difference. The aluminum frame and eco leather back on the Edge 40 (vs. plastic and plastic) are worth a small premium over the old model, though not 150.
Tourists gather at the Puntan Dos Amantes, or Two Lovers Point, visitors attraction venue on May 10, 2023. The Two Lover Point Boutique, under the management of the Calvo Enterprises, Inc., is listed as one of several local businesses to receive $300,000 in direct funds from the Local Employers Assistance Program (LEAP), according to a release by the Office of the Governor.
Motorists and residents are advised to drive cautiously through the construction zones, observe all posted speed limit and construction signs, and carefully heed flaggers (when present). Alternate routes and/or adjusting drive times when feasible are encouraged.

Road construction updates from Monday to Sunday:

Route 5 and Portion of Route 12, Reconstruction and Widening (Route 2A to Naval Magazine/Route 12)  Santa Rita

Construction activities will continue along Route 5 from Route 2A to Plumeria Street with intermittent lane closures. Motorists are advised to slow down while driving through this area.

Route 14B (Ypao Road) Reconstruction and Widening (Route 14 to Carmen Memorial Dr), Phase 1 Cliffside  Tamuning

There is a full road closure between Congressman Palting Loop and Pale San Vitores Road for the construction of a new retaining wall and widening of Ypao Road. Motorists will have to take alternate routes.

Route 14 Resurfacing from Route 1 to Route 14B  Tamuning

From Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., motorists are advised that there will be lane shifts and intermittent lane closures along ET Calvo Memorial Parkway and Route 14 (Chalan San Antonio) from Route 1 to Great National Insurance Underwriters (East Espiritu Street).

The contractor will also continue surveying along Route 14. Flaggers will be present to assist surveyors.

On Saturday, between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m., motorists are advised that there will be lane shifts and intermittent lane closures as the contractor will continue sidewalk repairs along ET Calvo Memorial Parkway and pavement repairs along Route 14 (Chalan San Antonio) between Route 1 and Great National Insurance Underwriters.

There will also be lane shifts and intermittent lane closures along Route 14 Pale San Vitores Road from Archbishop Felixberto Flores Circle to the Hilton Hotel. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes.

Islandwide Safety Improvements on Primary Roads (Striping and Marking), Route 8

From Monday to Friday, between of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., temporary lane shifts and intermittent closures will occur between Route 8/Chalan Juan Santo Pablo Dos Intersection and Route 8/ Route 7A (East O'Brien Drive) Intersection.

Islandwide Village Street Pavement Resurfacing  Mai Mai Road, Chalan Pago-Ordot

The DPW HMC crew will be preparing Mai Mai Road for milling and paving. Work will occur on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There will be intermittent lane closures.

GWA Waterline Upgrade Along Metal Road, Harmon Industrial Park

GWA will continue upgrading a 6-inch waterline along Metal Road in Harmon Industrial Park. Motorists should expect lane and road closures. Work is expected to be completed on May 29, 2023.

Road safety reminder of the week: Collisions

Understand factors that lead to collisions so you can try to avoid them.

The most common causes of collisions are:

Driver distractions

Unsafe speed

Improper turns

Not following the right-of-way rules

Not following stop signals and signs

Driving on the wrong side of the road

A vehicle traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic

If you see a vehicles emergency flashers ahead, slow down. There may be a collision or other road emergency. Pass carefully.

Avoid driving near collisions, if possible. If anyone is injured, they will get help faster if other vehicles are not blocking the road.
Dave Lotz is a vocal advocate for protecting Guams unique heritage, a knowledgeable and long-time hiking enthusiast and environmental advocate, and critic of inept government. He has been a resident of Guam since 1970 and retired from the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation, Andersen AFB Environmental Flight and the National Park Service.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Teens shine in 'Out of the darkness: A New Renaissance' art exhibition
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first plenary session of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, 24 October 2019.

Johannesburg  A war of words is brewing between the U.S. and South Africa after the U.S. ambassador to the country said he would "bet his life" on U.S. intelligence that South African weapons were loaded onto a Russian vessel when it docked at a Cape Town naval base in December. The South African government hit back, saying that while it would investigate the matter, the U.S. ambassador's remarks had "undermined" the relationship between the two nations.

Pretoria summoned U.S. Ambassador Reuben Brigety on Friday, amid a diplomatic spat that has put relations between the two friendly nations at their lowest ebb in years.

The demarche was issued after Brigety's extraordinarily strident comments to South African media on Thursday in which he said the U.S. had observed South African weapons being loaded onto a Russian vessel, the "Lady R," which docked at the port of Simon's Town in Cape Town between December 6 and December 8 last year.

He said it showed South Africa was not neutral on the Ukraine conflict as Pretoria has always claimed.

"The arming of Russia, by South Africa, with the vessel that landed in Simon's Town, is fundamentally unacceptable," he said. "We are confident that weapons were loaded onto that vessel, and I would bet my life on the accuracy of that assertion."

The South African government seemed caught by surprise by the ambassador's comments, responding hours later that they were setting up an independent investigation into the matter led by a retired judge.

But Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa also hit back at Brigety's remarks, saying the U.S. and South Africa had already discussed the matter privately.

"It is, therefore, disappointing that the U.S. ambassador has adopted a counter-productive public posture that undermines the understanding reached on the matter," Magwenya said.

A spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said Friday that minister Naledi Pandor would also be speaking to her U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

However, Kobus Marais, shadow defense minister for South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance said the U.S. accusations were "deeply concerning."

"If these allegations are indeed true it would be a gross violation of South Africa's international obligations and a betrayal of the trust of our most important trade and investment allies," Marais said.

There have long been questions surrounding why the ship docked in Cape Town last year.

Despite western efforts to get Pretoria's support for Kiev since the Russian invasion

began last year, the South African government has maintained friendly relations with Moscow.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Europe and Africa U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The country's foreign minister held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey

Lavrov earlier this year and - despite U.S. consternation - hosted Russian war ships in February for joint military exercises.

Steven Gruzd, a Russia expert at the South African Institute of International Affairs, told VOA that Pretoria could face economic fallout from its stance.

"South Africa is jeopardizing its access to the American market through something like the African Growth and Opportunity Act, those privileges would be revoked and then there would be real economic costs," he said.

South Africa also has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a summit in the country in August, despite the fact there's an arrest warrant out for him by the International Criminal Court and Pretoria is a signatory to the court.

If he shows up, South Africa is legally obliged to arrest him. This has led to calls by some within the ruling party to look into restructuring the agreement with the ICC.




Haiti - NOTICE : Me Monferrier Dorval Prize of Excellence, Call for expressions of interest Open (2023-2024)





The Me Monferrier Dorval Prize, which has received the support of the French Embassy in Haiti, rewards each year the students who will write the best license's thesis, the best master's thesis and the best thesis in law or social service at the State University of Haiti (UEH)



This 2nd Edition of the "Prize of Excellence Me. Monferrier Dorval" is part of "the idea of paying tribute and prolonging the memory of the former president of the Bar Association of Port-au-Prince" assassinated on August 28, 2020 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31661-icihaiti-pelerin-5-assassination-of-the-president-of-the-bar-of-port-au-prince.html



Admissibility criteria for applications received from entities :



- Status of student, professor of the UEH:

- Membership of a research laboratory, if applicable;

- Submission in paper and electronic version of the dissertation or thesis approved by the supervisor;

- Submission of a copy of the defense report;

- Compliance with the deadline for submitting files.



- Submit the documents required in the application form:

a) CV;

b) Letter of attachment to an entity (Faculty or School) duly signed by a member of the Dean's Office, or of the Board of Directors or Management.



For more information:

secretariat.general@ueh.edu.ht

Or at the General Secretariat of the UEH, #21 rue Riviere, Port-au-Prince



Note: The number of files submitted per entity must not exceed three (3).



Selection:

The classification of the files received will be made by the Scientific Council of the UEH, using a jury created for this purpose by this body.



Financial rewards:



With reference to a decision of the CR, dated September 25, 2020, the rewards planned for the 2023-2024 financial year are pecuniary and are distributed as follows:



200,000 gourdes, for the best license's thesis in law or social service

300,000 gourdes, for the best master's thesis in law or social work

500,000 gourdes, for the best doctoral thesis in law or social service



For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the call for expressions of interest is open until Friday, June 30, 2023 (deadline).



Receiving files:

The period for submitting files begins as soon as the Call is published and ends on the last Friday of June 2023. They must be submitted to the following address: General Secretariat of the UEH, #21 rue Riviere, Port-au-Prince, Haiti and also by email at: secretariat.general@ueh.edu.ht



Read also about the case of the assassination of Me Dorval :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39359-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39179-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38905-haiti-ueh-youbenson-michel-winner-of-the-2022-monferrier-dorval-excellence-award.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37519-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36108-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35883-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35855-haiti-justice-the-file-of-the-assassination-of-batonnier-monferrier-dorval-paralyzed.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35594-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34777-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34764-haiti-flash-resignation-of-the-examining-magistrate-in-charge-of-the-case-of-the-assassination-of-me-monferrier-dorval.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31905-haiti-flash-assassination-of-me-dorval-killers-and-accomplices-identified.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31831-haiti-justice-4-individuals-imprisoned-as-part-of-the-investigation-into-the-murder-of-me-dorval.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31717-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31668-haiti-insecurity-rain-of-reactions-around-the-assassination-of-me-monferrier-dorval.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31661-icihaiti-pelerin-5-assassination-of-the-president-of-the-bar-of-port-au-prince.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Dom. Rep. : Seizure of weapons and ammunition for Haiti, a Cuban trafficker arrested





Friday May 12, 2023, as part of a joint operation carried out in the Province of Montecristi (North-West of the Dominican Republic), the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) and members of the Public Ministry, with the support of the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) and international organizations, arrested Cuban Elieser Sori Rodriguez, 51, an international arms trafficker wanted in the Southern District of Florida.



His arrest in the province of Montecristi, follows the seizure of an arsenal of weapons and ammunition, in December 2021, in the port of Haina Oriental, by customs inspectors, the DNCD and Dominican intelligence agencies.



A total of 33 firearms were found, including assault rifles, pistols, nearly 1,000 pieces of miscellaneous ammunition, 35 pistol clips and 21 assault rifle clips, which were concealed in household items in a container from Miami.



The Cuban was immediately transferred to the United States under high security at Las America International Airport.



Investigations into this case are ongoing. According to the investigation reports of the Dominican intelligence services, "these arms and ammunition were intended for Haiti".



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - OAS : Deterioration of the situation in Haiti (Statement Ambassador of Haiti)





Statement by Ambassador Leon Charles, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS) on the deterioration of the security situation in Haiti.



Statement :



"The National Police of Haiti (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H) must continue to deploy efforts despite the limited means at their disposal to support the population in search of security.



The self-defense tendencies observed in recent times among the population, helpless to protect themselves, cannot constitute a viable response in the medium and long term to stem this phenomenon of unprecedented terror.



These initiatives caused by desperation, even if they are understandable in some cases, must be supervised by the PNH to avoid slippages. It goes without saying that extrajudicial executions cannot be encouraged in a state governed by the rule of law.



Now is not the time for gestures of compassion. The survival of the Nation can no longer continue to depend on the infusion of humanitarian assistance. Decisive actions must be taken in concert with foreign partners to prevent the collapse of Haiti."



IH/ iciHaiti






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





La Gonave : 4 bandits lynched

Saturday May 13, 2023, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) arrested 4 individuals in possession of ammunition and automatic weapons. The angry population, forcibly recovered them from the hands of the PNH and stoned them before burning their corpses. It should be noted that since the beginning of the "Bwa kale" movement, this is the first time that the Gonaiviens have taken such an action.



More than 15 tankers hijacked

Association of Service Station Owners (ANAPROSS) reveals that since the beginning of May to date, more than fifteen fuel trucks have been hijacked across the metropolitan area (Cite militaire, Trois mains and Route piste). A situation that hurts the sector already in great difficulty but also creates a pyschosis in the population given the disengagement of the oil companies in the distribution.



Update on PNH operations

Saturday, May 13, 2023, Frantz Elbe, the Acting Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) provided an update on the latest operations of the police against armed gangs. Without giving figures, he mentioned bandits killed, weapons and ammunition seized, hostages freed, stolen vehicles recovered and called for the consolidation and strengthening of police-population collaboration to put an end to insecurity and banditry.







The lack of electricity affects hospitals

At the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (HUEH), which has been on strike for about 5 months, activities are slowly resuming, due to the drastic rationing of electric current and the lack of fuel, the operation of the operating theater is paralyzed. At the Justinien Hospital in Cap-Haitien, only the outpatient service operates for 6 hours a day due to lack of electricity and fuel...



Japan Stock Exchange: online information session:

Information session on the Government of Japan Scholarship (MEXT) 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39483-haiti-japan-government-of-japan-scholarship-pre-registration-open.html , the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with a Haitian scholarship holder (2022) from MEXT, invites you to an online session on the Japanese scholarship, which will be held on Saturday May 20 at 9:30 a.m. This session will give you clearer ideas about both the application process and studying in Japan. To confirm your participation and obtain information, please contact us at culture@ht.mofa.go.jp



D-1 launch of Miss Haiti contest registrations

"Miss Haiti Organization notifies the general public that the launch of registrations for the 11th edition of the Miss Haiti contest is scheduled for May 15, 2023. At the same time, Miss Haiti Organization confirms Haiti's participation in the Miss Universe 2023 contest. which will take place in El Salvador in December 2023" the registration process and the participation criteria of Miss Haiti 2023 have not yet been made public...



HL/ HaitiLibre


















'We are going to see tough days in many cities.'

The conflict between Sudan's army and main paramilitary force is exacting a devastating toll on residents of Khartoum. But fighting has also swept through the long-troubled Darfur region, where humanitarian needs were already extremely high.

Large numbers of civilians have been killed as the two forces have battled for control of Darfur's main towns. And community militias have also entered the fray in some areas, stoking fears the conflict could morph into a multi-sided power struggle.

Yet despite the violence, communities have brokered local ceasefires between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whose leaders are Darfuri. The pacts are holding in some towns, creating space for aid operations to be rebooted.

"Community leaders have a long history of mediation and a long history of settling disputes," Mohammed Zakaria Issak, part of a group of imams who organised a ceasefire last month in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, told The New Humanitarian.

Darfur has faced major strife since 2003, when rebels drawn mostly from non-Arab groups revolted against former ruler Omar al-Bashir, citing marginalisation. The autocrat's regime armed Darfuri Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, to fight the rebels.

Despite a campaign of terror, the Arab militias were regularised as the RSF in 2013. The new force grew in stature, helping to oust al-Bashir in 2019 while morphing from a local militia into a national group that challenged the supremacy of the regular army.

Darfuris say Khartoum is now experiencing the kind of conflict their vast western region did for decades. Yet many worry that if the RSF loses the fight for the capital, its forces will regroup in Darfur, turning the region into the war's epicentre.

"We are going to see tough days in many cities in Darfur," Ahmed Gouja, a human rights monitor and journalist based in South Darfur, which is one of five states in the region, told The New Humanitarian.

A costly conflict: 'The needs and the challenges are too big'

Both the army and the RSF have bases in Darfur and started fighting soon after war broke out on 15 April. By 5 May, more than 200,000 people had been uprooted in the region, and hospitals, markets, and banks remain out of commission.

Assistance programmes for the more than 1.5 million Darfuris living in displacement camps - most of them non-Arab war victims from the early 2000s - have also been disrupted, though support for these communities had been waning for many years.

Local initiatives have sprung up in the absence of aid workers: Community leaders have led efforts to hunt down looted medicine, and resistance committees have been cleaning up clinics and cooking meals for doctors.

Gouja said these efforts "show the spirit of the Sudanese", though he called for the government and humanitarian agencies to do their part too. "Right now the needs and the challenges are too big," the human rights monitor said.

International aid workers - and some national staff - were evacuated from Darfur when the conflict started. Aid agency offices, vehicles, and warehouses were looted in some areas, and three World Food Programme staff were killed.

But aid groups have retained national staff on the ground, and do have prepositioned supplies, some of which are now being distributed as tensions ease in a few areas, said Antony Spalton who leads UNICEF's work in North Darfur state.

Spalton said future relief efforts will depend on the ability of aid agencies to move supplies safely through Darfur, and to get goods flowing in via humanitarian corridors from Khartoum, Port Sudan in the east, or Chad, which shares a border with Darfur.

"At the moment, for Darfur, we seem to have a bit of a window," Spalton said, referring to the ceasefires. "We are still working, but if we have more supplies and the funding on the ground, we can continue and extend this lifesaving work."

Gouja said the army and the RSF will need to provide "clear commitments" that aid groups can operate safely. "They [need] to be responsible to protect and give access to all the aid agencies," he said.

A grassroots ceasefire: 'We told them that fighting here is just nonsense'

The future security situation may hinge on the durability of the local ceasefire initiatives, which have managed to prevent, halt, or reduce fighting in the capitals of four of the five regional states.

These bottom-up efforts have so far achieved more than the high-level talks ongoing between envoys of the two factions in Saudi Arabia. And analysts said they underline the determination of Darfur's inhabitants to resist another destructive war.

"We are counting on our own wealth of Indigenous experience to deal with crises and turbulent times," said Suad Musa, a Darfuri researcher and activist. "People have their own means and relationships of co-existence."

On day three of the conflict in Nyala, the imam, Issak, said he was one of five religious leaders who risked bullets and bombs to plead with local RSF commanders to stop fighting.

He said the group used two arguments to persuade the RSF: that the shedding of blood is against religious teachings; and that regime change is not something that can be achieved in Nyala, which is more than 1,000 kilometres from the capital.

"We told them that fighting here in Nyala, or elsewhere outside of Khartoum, is just nonsense, that it won't come out with any result," said Issak, who has conflict mediation experience with a peacekeeping mission that left Darfur in 2020.

After a positive response, Issak and his group went next to meet the local commander of the army, where they repeated the same arguments and obtained similar commitments.

Grassroots efforts also succeeded in El Fasher - the capital of North Darfur - with community leaders emphasising to the belligerents that Darfur's population has experienced enough conflict.

"The language that we are using with both sides is that all wars end by peace," Nimir Mohammed Abdelrahman, governor of North Darfur, told The New Humanitarian. "Also, we tell them that the people here in North Darfur will suffer when you continue to fight each other."

Widespread destruction: 'We were collecting the corpses for three days'

Few are confident that a similar strategy will work with the leaders of the two factions - army head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who is better known as Hemedti.

Their conflict is not one of rival personalities: It is the latest iteration in a decades-long struggle between military and political elites - traditionally drawn from groups based in the centre of Sudan - and challengers from marginalised peripheries.

Both parties control large chunks of Sudan's economy - gold mines, real estate, construction, and much more - and seem to be fighting to the death to protect their interests.

Gouja said the two sides are agreeing to ceasefires in Darfur for military reasons. For example, he said the army is weak in Nyala and needs a break, while the RSF is using the pause to amass fighters and send them to Khartoum.

Though ceasefires have prevented direct confrontations in several key cities in Darfur, they have not protected civilians against a spree of looting, several rights monitors and local journalists added.

A ceasefire has also proved difficult to put in place in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, which has witnessed some of the bloodiest fighting seen in Sudan over the past month.

On top of combat between the army and the RSF, confrontations have broken out in El Geneina between local RSF-aligned Arab militias and armed members of the area's non-Arab Masalit group.

This fighting follows a pattern of violence since 2019 that has seen Arab militias attack Masalit communities. The conflict has been framed as "tribal", but Masalit say it is part of the same pattern of government-linked militia violence ongoing since 2003.

Eyewitnesses described to The New Humanitarian scenes of widespread destruction in recent days, with more than 400 people reportedly killed, government institutions looted, public infrastructure destroyed, and thousands fleeing to neighbouring Chad.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Arms and Armies Aid and Assistance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We were collecting the corpses [for three days] and working for more than 12 hours a day, but we couldn't finish them," said Musaab Abdul Wahab, who works in El Geneina for the Sudanese Red Crescent.

"The causes of deaths are brutal as we found some bodies lost some of their parts by knives or axes [and] the use of heavy guns and cannons is very intensive," Wahab added.

Resisting the 'vagaries of war'

What happens next in Darfur is hard to predict.

There are several rebel groups active in the region that have traditionally fought against both the RSF and the army. They are staying neutral for now but may soon be tempted to pick sides, creating a more multi-layered battleground.

The army is also trying to forge partnerships with individuals from the Arab Rizeigat group that Hemedti, the RSF leader, hails from. The aim is to weaken Hemedti, but such actions could have a polarising impact on the Rizeigat community.

Still, most locals reject both sides and don't want to be drawn into the conflict, said Munzoul Assal, a professor of social anthropology at the University of Khartoum. Assal pointed at the ceasefires as an example of where communities stand.

"People went through the vagaries of war," said Assal, who is from Darfur. "They know what war is, and that is why they were trying their utmost to make sure it doesn't happen in Darfur again."

As the local ceasefires hold, Abdelrahman, the governor of North Darfur, said one of his key priorities is getting aid agencies and humanitarian workers back into the region, and kickstarting relief operations.

"The most important [thing] for us is food and medical supplies," he told The New Humanitarian. "That is what we need right now. Otherwise, the humanitarian situation is going to be a disaster.

Philip Kleinfeld, Correspondent and Editor, Africa. Additional reporting from Mohammed Amin in Port Sudan, Sudan.



Edited by Andrew Gully.
Published on 2023/05/13 | Source

New stills added for the Korean drama "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" (2023)

Advertisement

Directed by Jo Nam-hyung, 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
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first plenary session of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, 24 October 2019.

Cape Town  The South African and United States Cabinet officials responsible for foreign affairs have stepped into the diplomatic row over the alleged transfer in South Africa of weapons to a Russian cargo vessel last December.

Amid controversy over an American claim that South Africa has supplied weapons and ammunition to a nation which has launched a war of aggression against Ukraine, South Africa's foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with one another late Friday about what Blinken described as "the vital U.S.-South Africa relationship."

The U.S. government-funded news agency, Voice of America, described the row as a diplomatic spat which "has put relations between the two friendly nations at their lowest ebb in years."

Blinken's call to Pandor was made after South Africa summoned the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, in a diplomatic demarche to protest his remarks on Thursday that the U.S. is "confident" that weapons and ammunition were loaded onto the cargo ship Lady R at the South African naval base in Simon's Town, near Cape Town, in December 2022.

In a strongly worded statement issued after the demarche, the South African foreign ministry claimed that Brigety had "admitted that he crossed the line and apologised unreservedly." But in a tweet, Brigety said only that he had been grateful for the opportunity to "correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks."

Blinken confined his statement to saying that "we discussed further strengthening our partnership to advance shared global priorities" and a State Department read-out of the call with Pandor said he had "underscored the importance of the U.S.- South Africa strategic partnership and reiterated cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade, and energy."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Europe and Africa U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, has revealed that the U.S. allegations are not new. He said the government had been informed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in February that Washington suspected that weapons and ammunition had been loaded onto the Russian ship.

On Saturday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed "disappointment" with Brigety's "undiplomatic" handling of the matter. Earlier, the Presidency said the remarks had undermined "the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterised the recent engagements between U.S. government officials and a South African official delegation led by National Security Special Advisor to the President, Dr Sydney Mufumadi".

The Presidency said it was public knowledge that a Russian vessel known as Lady R had docked in Simon's Town. "Allegations have since been made about the purpose of the voyage. While no evidence has been provided to date to support these allegations, the Government has undertaken to institute an independent enquiry to be led by a retired judge," the statement said.
Ganta  The Liberian public had high expectations of learning who the running mate would be for the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), especially given that the CPP had recently gathered in Ganta, Nimba County for its convention. However, the constitution of Alexander Cummings' Alternative National Congress (ANC) prohibits the announcement of a running mate from outside the county of origin of the candidate.

This was raised by the ex-chairman of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Lafayette Gould who raised a last-minute motion that a pronouncement of a would-be person be named in the person's county of nativity, in concurrence with the constitution.

Gould proposed that such a decision be made within a period of 21 days, but delegates unanimously proposed that the pronouncement be done within the grace period of 14 days.

Prior to the convention, it had been rumored that Mr. Cummings had settled on Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, daughter of the Liberty Party's founding father.

The CPP comprises the ANC and the Liberty Party.

'I will fight corruption'

Cummings, meanwhile, Friday pledged to to rid Liberia of endemic corruption that has stifled the underdevelopment of country if he wins this year's election.

"Unless we change the politics by changing the political leadership, we are stuck in this terrible state of underdevelopment and misery," he said.

"During my leadership as president, Liberians will work for their own money, no free gifts. We will not give you money, we all will carry out effective works including development activities together, we all need to work together for the betterment of this country."

Cummings' Alternative National Congress (ANC) - a constituent party of the CPP - elected re-elected him to contest as presidential candidate and 15 other senator and representative aspirants to contest on the party's ticket in October at a one-day convention in Ganta.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In his acceptance statement, Cummings expressed gratitude for his re-election as standard bearer and vowed to uphold the trust and work assiduously to bring "real change" in the socio-economic life of the suffering masses.

"There will be strict adherence to democratic norms and the merit system and we reject the age-old practices including a brown envelope for lawmakers, which are deemed counter-productive to the principles of good governance.

He cautioned Liberians against political banditry, lawlessness and character assassinations of political opponents and adversaries, and admonished partisans of the CPP to act civil during these campaign periods leading to the October 10 elections.

Cummings promised a government of inclusion irrespective of political and religious affiliations, ethnicity, and that access and rights to jobs and opportunities would be strictly based on the merit system and the law.

Also speaking, ANC's Global chairman, Alois Monger, urged partisans to get more involved in mobilizing support for the party to ensure Cummings is elected president.

For his part, an executive of ANC and lawmaker of Nimba's eighth district, Nimba County District, Larry Younquoi, expressed disappointment in President George Weah's six-year leadership, claiming that lawmakers have not been paid for the past four months, a situation he blamed on the president's poor leadership ability.

The ANC 5th National Convention was attended by over 250 delegates from the 15 political sub-divisions of Liberia, as well as delegates from the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Olujonwo Obasanjo, who is a chieftain of the APC, also supports the candidature of Abbas Tajudeen as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Olujonwo Obasanjo, one of the sons of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has endorsed the bid of former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio for the Senate presidency.

The former president's son, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also supported the candidature of Abbas Tajudeen as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The National Working Committee of APC had nominated Messrs Akpabio and Tajudeen as Senate President and House speaker for the 10th National Assembly.

Other aspirants for the two offices and their supporters have criticised the nominations on the zoning formula adopted by the party.

But, the vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima, on Friday said the nominations were considered in order to ensure that the party balances religion in the political leadership of the country.

Mr Obasanjo, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, appealed to the federal lawmakers-elect to support the nominations of the APC.

He said Mr Akpabio is qualified for the office, having demonstrated loyalty to the party and to the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

"Senator Akpabio obtained APC's presidential nomination form but on the night of the primary, he was the first aspirant to step down for the now president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Senator Akpabio has earned the respect and trust of the leadership of the party and the president-elect and all other stakeholders. Therefore, his nomination as the next president of the Senate is very welcome."

The former president's son also claimed that Mr Abass possesses the qualities to be a good Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"Hon. Tajudeen Abass's exceptional contribution to law-making alone is enough to secure him the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives," he said.

"This unassuming gentleman from the famous Zazzau royal family is a trailblazer in the aspect of lawmaking that he alone has sponsored 74 bills and 21 of them have been signed into law by the President," he added.

"Hon Abass is so loved and trusted by his constituents that he has been returned to represent them for the third term in the House. Hon Abass's constituency projects are well on the ground in every part of the constituency and of the 114 bills signed into law between 2019 and now, he single-handedly has 21 in a House of 360 members."
The Congress scooped up the most votes in rural regions and the poorest districts, helping it to wrest Karnataka from the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), pointing to widespread disaffection among farming communities and the electorate in high-poverty areas, analysts said. Bengaluru: Congress workers celebrate the party's win in Karnataka Assembly elections, outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Sunday, May 14, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI05_14_2023_000098B) (PTI)

The Congresss total final vote share in the election stands at 42.9%, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The major chunk of this share came from rural and semi-rural areas.

According to ECIs constituency-wise numbers, the Congress more than doubled its share of rural seats, winning 92 of the 143 Assembly segments categorized as rural and semi-rural regions, in contrast to the BJPs 30. Provisional data crunched by the HT shows the Congresss rural vote share, at 42%, was about 7 percentage points higher than in 2018. A percentage point is the difference between two percentages.

The BJP had a better vote share in urban constituencies, at 46%, compared to its rural vote share of 37%. The Congress urban and rural vote share was nearly the same. The Janata Dal (Secular) too ceded most of its rural votes to the Congress.

The Congress performances in rural, semi-rural and reserved constituencies show that the incumbent BJP governments neoliberal policies and inability to address farm issues were quite apparent , said Ramesh Gurumurthy, a poll analyst for the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. The swing towards Congress by Lingayat community voters across key rural belts was a springboard to victory.

The Karnataka election was squarely fought on local issues. Three consecutive droughts had battered sugarcane and millet growers. Dissent had been festering among farmers since the three farm laws, which had to be repealed by the Modi government in 2021, were enacted, said Kavitha Kuruganti of the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture.

Rural voters were firmly behind the Congress. Here are some instances: Congress candidate Laxmi R. Hebbalkar won the Belgaum rural seat with 1,06,805 votes, while BJPs Nagesh Annappa Manolkar polled only 51,259 votes. In Bangalore rural, the Congress won three out of four seats. The BJP won one seat in the Bangalore rural district. In Vokkaliga-dominated Mandya, the Congress won by a wide margin, defeating the BJP.

The incumbent BJP governments decision to allow firms to buy agricultural land without government approval or oversight had a negative fallout as even enthusiastic cultivators felt they lost out in bargaining power, according to Ramaswami Nagur, a local farm leader from Bidur district.

In milk-farming districts, the Nandini (a local milk brand) versus Amul (Indias largest dairy brand) issue flared into a fiery political battle between the Congress and the BJP.

In December 2022, in Mandya, the Vokkaliga community heartland, Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah said the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which owns the local Nandini milk brand, and Gujarat-based Amul, the countrys largest milk cooperative, should come together to boost efficiency and growth of the dairy sector.

The JD(S) and Congress played this issue up as a signal to merge KMF with Amul, as Shah had earlier said five cooperative societies could be merged with Amul. This political messaging soon found resonance with livestock farmers, who had a well-tuned business relationship with the KMF.

In the top five milk-producing districts  Belagavi, Tumkur, Hasan, Mysuru and Mandya  the Congress garnered nearly 40% vote share, up 6 percentage points since 2018. It won 18 more seats than it had in 2018 in these milk-producing districts.

According to Kuruganti, a ban on cattle slaughter, an alleged threat of a takeover of Nandini milk brand and an amendment to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act showed a very visible resistance among farmers.

Faced with widespread protests, the Modi government had repleaded three farm laws in 2021, one of which was aimed at opening liberalized agricultural markets. Despite the law being rescinded nationally and large protests by Karnatakas farmers, the BJP-led Basavaraj Bommai government invoked the law in the state, angering farmers, Nagur said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
On Saturday evening, hours after it became clear that the party had swept the assembly elections to return to power in Karnataka, a triumphant Congress leadership addressed a press conference. Front and centre of that press conference, in tacit recognition of an issue that had become central to a successful campaign, were sweets made from the milk brand Nandini. Congress leader Randip Surjewala offered the sweets around, including to the party president Mallikarjun Kharge and said, Of course, we know that without Nandini, nothing can be complete in Karnataka. The milk brand has now outwitted them along with all Kannadigas. Nandhini vs Amul stir backfired on BJP in Karnataka polls (PTI)

In late December, with weeks to go for the assembly elections, Union minister Amit Shah had courted controversy in a gathering in Mandya when he said that Nandini, and Amul, based out of Gujarat, both successful milk unions, could work together towards the welfare of Indias milk producers, initiating a white revolution. Even as Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and other BJP leaders scrambled to explain that this did not mean a merger of the two entities, the Congress made the issue a campaign plank, arguing that the BJP wanted to hinder Nandinis growth and give Amul a foothold in the Karnataka market.

During the campaign, while Rahul Gandhi made it a point to have Nandini ice-cream, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a rally, The time has come now to tell them (BJP) that they will not succeed here in their conspiracy to loot a good institution like Nandini (Karnataka Milk Federations cooperative dairy brand), ignoring the interests of lakhs of farmers and milk producers.

Saturdays results in the five primary milk-producing districts in Karnataka- Belagavi, Tumakuru, Hassan, Mysuru and Mandya  show the Congress has gained in the 54 constituencies on offer. The Congress won 33 seats in these seats compared to 11 in 2018. The BJP on the other hand won 21 seats in 2018, but was reduced to 12 seats.

As reported earlier by HT, the data from the 2018-19 Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) shows that the share of rural households that produce milk is 23.6% in Karnataka. The state is also ranked 9th among 20 major agricultural states by share of rural households producing milk (23.6%) and 11th by share of agricultural households producing milk (43.1%). The 2018-19 SAS defined agricultural households as those that produced agricultural products worth at least 4,000 in the year preceding the survey and had at least one member self-employed in agriculture. In terms of the overall value of milk, more than 50% is sold to cooperatives in Karnataka, second only to Gujarat, the home of dairy giant Amul.

The concept of the free market has to be respected. Any company can operate in the state, but when there are talks of merging a successful brand like Nandhini with Amul, it becomes a matter of regional pride. The numbers you showed may not be the direct result of the controversy, but certainly, it played a large part in the narrative, said a Congress leader who didnt want to be named.

From the partys perspective, the issue was important because it showed how the local leadership wasnt strong. But a large anti-BJP wave helped the party in all places and the controversy played a crucial part, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Congress party has won the Karnataka elections with a comfortable majority and all eyes are now the chief ministerial candidate of the grand old party. The party's Karnataka head DK Shivakumar announced that the party will hold legislature meeting on Sunday evening and he has already directed all the winners to reach Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, by end of the results day, the Congress got 135 seats and the Bhartiya Janata Party only won at 66 seats out of 224 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Janata Dal(Secular) only managed to get 19 seats. The results have washed off the hung speculations and the state saw a decisive mandate after 2013.

On Saturday night, a high drama was observed at Bengaluru's Jayanagar constituency over the counting of final votes. After recounting, BJP candidate CK Ramamurthy was declared winner in Jayanagar constituency, defeating Congress rival Sowmya Reddy by narrowest margin of 16 votes. BJP got 15 seats out of 28 in Bengaluru and the Congress only got 13.
A day after two miscreants allegedly opened fire at a 23-year-old Ladian Kalan resident, police have registered an attempted murder case against three people. One of the accused has been identified as Jimmi, a resident of Saraswati Enclave, while the other two are yet to be identified. (iStock)

The victim had a narrow escape after two bike-borne miscreants targeted him near his village while he was heading home during the late hours of May 12.

One of the accused has been identified as Jimmi, a resident of Saraswati Enclave, while the other two are yet to be identified.

The complainant, Lakhwinder Singh of Ladian Kalan village, said while heading home on May 12, his car developed a technical snag and had to be stopped midway. He was being accompanied by his uncle and a friend, who helped him tow the car. At the time, two unidentified bike-borne persons stopped them and fired a gunshot at them.

The bullet brushed past the complainant and hit the window on the drivers side. The attackers attempted to fire another gunshot, but missed again. They then allegedly went on to thrash him up.

Sharing details about the incident, sub-inspector Sukhwinder Singh said a case under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and 25, 27, 54, 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the accused at Haibowal police station.
Haryana health and family welfare minister Anil Vij on Sunday said after busting a fake cancer injection racket, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department has seized medicines worth over 7 lakh from a Turkey-based accused Ali Tarmanani. Haryana health and family welfare minister Anil Vij (HT file photo)

All the seized medicines are related to cancer and diabetes, which were imported illegally. The racket came to fore last week on Wednesday when the FDA busted an international racket selling spurious injections to cure cancer with the arrest of four accused, including a foreign national Tarmanani, who was staying in a Mumbai hotel before being arrested.

According to health minister Vij, FDA officers interrogated Tarmanani and seized the stock of drugs, records, registers, documents etc. under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

The officials also seized Syrian Arab Republic passport from Tarmanani.

Vij said all seized medicines and materials were found in room no. 50 of first floor of Tower B of Istanbul Stock Medicine Complex, unit no. 1124, 11th floor, Thumb Tower, Sector 62, Noida, where the accused was presently residing.

The health minister said the FDA officials seized six types of medicines after the disclosures made by Tarmanani during the remand. Ali Tarmanani said he did not have any import NOC related to these medicines and all these products were brought from Istanbul for sale through the distributors in his contact.

The health minister said Tarmanani was asked about injection Opdiva 100 mg and 40 mg and XGEVA 120 mg, which according to the label requires storage of these medicines at 2 to 8 degrees, during the flight. When asked about how he maintained the necessary cold chain in the flight, the accused said he was selling these medicines without maintaining cold storage temperature conditions.
The Himachal Pradesh government will set up three traffic-cum-tourist police stations along the under-construction Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday. Work on the four-lane highways Kiratpur-Nerchowk section is likely to be completed by June. Sukhvinder Sukhu said these police stations will come up in the Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu districts. (HT File Photo)

In a statement, Sukhu said these police stations will come up in the Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu districts and feature an intelligent traffic management system with a control room in each.

The three districts cover about 182 kilometres of the 191-kilometre highway. Sukhu also directed the departments concerned to prepare a detailed report on the jurisdiction of these police stations and said quick assistance will be ensured in case of accidents on the highway. The chief minister said trauma centres in all three districts will also be marked for timely treatment in emergency cases. Arrangements for ambulances and recovery vehicles will be made at certain places on the highway.

The use of advanced technology is being ensured in coordination with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the police for the smooth operation of traffic to reduce accidents, Sukhu added.

An advanced traffic management system has been prepared under which emergency call boxes, high-tech CCTV cameras, automatic traffic counters-cum-classifiers and overhead driver feedback system, among others, are being installed, he said.

Sukhu also urged the NHAI to provide financial assistance for the integrated command centre.

The safety of the people of the state and tourists is the topmost priority of the government and adequate funds will be provided for the establishment of the police stations, said Sukhu. Director-general of police Sanjay Kundu said a study will be conducted to make necessary security arrangements. NHAI regional officer Abdul Basit said the national highway will be ready by June 15-20. Crash barriers on the valley side, footpaths and overbridges have been constructed for commuter safety, he said.
Fans and families have continued to pay their last respect to the veteran actor with the hashtags #RIP Saint Obi and #Obinna Nwafor on Twitter.

Fans have continued to express sadness over the death of veteran Nollywood actor Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, who reportedly passed on after a prolonged illness.

The 57-year-old Imo-born actor reportedly died on 7 May after battling an undisclosed ailment.

Fans and families have continued to pay their last respect to the veteran actor with the hashtags #RIP Saint Obi and #Obinna Nwafor on Twitter.

Sharing a picture taken with the veteran actor, Nigerian author and social media influencer, Reno Omokri, said, "signing a copy of my book, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts To God, for Obinna Nwafor, better known as Saint Obi, in my office at Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.

"The gentlest and most noble Nollywood actor I ever met. No airs about him. Very down to earth. Unusually modest and made every effort to make those around him feel comfortable.

"In short, the specimen of gentlemanliness. May God bless him. May God bless his family. May God bless Nigeria. In Yeshua's Name."

Nigerian politician and a former presidential aspirant, Ahmed Garba, wrote, "RIP Saint Obi. You filled our screens with your talent for decades. We will miss you. May God rest your soul in peace."

Revealing his encounter with Saint Obi, Sanusi Dantata said, "I remember meeting Obinna Nwafor (Saint Obi) on a flight to London in 1999. He was together with Liz Benson.

"He was so nice to my siblings and I. 24 years later, I can still remember how jovial he was and how happy he made us feel. RIP Legend."

Saint Obi was a Nigerian actor, film producer and film director famous for his roles in State of Emergency; Candle Light; Sakobi; Goodbye Tomorrow; Heart of Gold; Festival of Fire; Executive Crime; and Last Party, amongst others.

Obi majored in Theatre Arts at the University of Jos and ventured into acting in 1996 via a Peugeot television commercial.

He starred in over 60 movies. In 2001, Obi produced his first movie, titled, Take Me to Maama, where he starred as Jerry alongside Ebi Sam, the late Rachel Oniga, Nse Abel and the late Enebeli Elebuwa.
The forthcoming G20 meeting may be a good promotion exercise for the BJP at the international level but holding the SAARC summit and discussing problems in the region would help India in becoming a Vishwaguru, says the last chief minister of erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti. Mehbooba was speaking to news agency PTI on the preparations for the G20 grouping meeting on tourism in Srinagar from May 22 to 24. Mehbooba said that G20 may be a good PR exercise for BJP at international level but it is not going to make India the Vishwaguru which they talk about (PTI Photo)

Amid strain in India-Pakistan ties, the biennial SAARC summits have not taken place since the 2014 meeting in Kathmandu.

We dont live close to Australia, America or Japan which are members of G20. We are living in this region and the SAARC caters to the problems of this region and if the government takes the initiative and has a summit of SAARC countries and addresses the problems that are being faced by this region including what is happening in Pakistan that will help India to be the leader in the region and the world, she said. But the government has to understand that the road leads through SAARC and not through G20, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief said.

The G20 event will be the first international meeting being held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- in August 2019.

As far as G20 is concerned, it has been made into a BJP event because even the logo has been replaced by a lotus. It may be a kind of good promotion for the party itself and as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, especially the Valley you have seen the way the crackdowns are going on..., she said. However, the Jammu and Kashmir police denied any high-handedness saying that only those people against whom there is digital evidence of indulging in anti-national activities have been detained.

Mehbooba said that G-20 may be a good PR exercise for BJP at international level but it is not going to make India the Vishwaguru which they talk about. It is the SAARC and if the leadership here takes an initiative to have a SAARC summit that is something that can really establish the leadership of India in this region and ultimately it can establish its leadership in the world, she opined.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), set up in December 1985, is a grouping of eight countries -- India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Newly elected Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku on Sunday met AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to seek his blessings and guidance. Rinku called on Kejriwal at the latters official residence. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh and Ashok Mittal were also present. Newly elected Jalandhar Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sushil Kumar Rinku meets Delhi Chief Minister and party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

After the meeting, Rinku told reporters that it was under the AAP national conveners guidance that they were able to win the bypoll in Jalandhar. He also credited the people-centric developmental work in Punjab over the past year for their success. He said that ongoing construction work on several flyovers and roads needs to be expedited. Although I have been elected for a short period, AAPs roadmap for the constituency will be both for my current term and the longer term. We are going to work while keeping the next five years in mind he said.
Three teenagers were injured in an attack by some unidentified persons at the Heritage Street, which leads to the Golden Temple, on Saturday night. The victim boys, in a viral video clip, have alleged that around 15 persons attacked them with iron rods and karas (steel bangles) when they were going to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

The victim boys, in a viral video clip, have alleged that around 15 persons attacked them with iron rods and karas (steel bangles) when they were going to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the incident and demanded action against the accused.

A photographer asked me to get my pictures clicked but I denied. After he insisted, I got some pictures clicked. After I asked him to stop, he started misbehaving with me and more unidentified persons came and started attacking me. My friends were also injured after they tried to save me, said one of the injured boy, in the video clip.

According to some eyewitnesses, every Saturday, some people extort money from devotees on the pretext of clicking photographs.

E Division station house officer (SHO) Jaspal Singh said they have registered a case under Sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against some unidentified persons. Our teams are working to identify the accused, he said. He further said three of the four boys, who are from Gurdaspur district, were injured in the alleged attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Jana Shakti: A Collective Power exhibition on Mann ki Baat themes at the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA) in Delhi and met artists, including Manu and Madhvi Parekh, Atul Dodiya, and others. The PM complimented them for their creative work showcased at the exhibition. PM Modi at the NGMA met artists and complimented them for their creative work (Twitter/@narendramodi)

Visited Jana Shakti at @ngma_delhi. This is an exhibition of wonderful works of art based on some of the themes in the #MannKiBaat episodes. I compliment all the artists who have enriched the exhibition with their creativity, PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

He also shared some of the artwork showcased in the exhibition on his personal Twitter handle, wherein he was taken on a special walkthrough of the exhibition. Here are some more glimpses from Jana Shakti exhibition at National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, wrote Modi.

Also Read: Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood to take over as CBI chief

The prime minister also signed the Jana Shakti Exhibition catalogue, which was pre-signed by the 13 artists and left a message in Hindi. Mann Mandir ki Yatra Sukhad ho.., which roughly translates to Wish you a pleasant journey to the temple of the mind.

Notably, culture ministry secretary Govind Mohan along with other officials and staff of the ministry of culture and National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, were also present at the exhibition.

The Jana Shakti exhibition contains works on themes covered in Mann Ki Baat, such as cleanliness, water conservation, agriculture, space, Indias northeast, women empowerment, yoga and ayurveda.

Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio program of PM Narendra Modi, where he interacts with citizens of India on themes and issues that matters to the nation.

Mann Ki Baat, which began in October 2014, completed 100 episodes on 30 April and was broadcasted live at the United Nations headquarters in New York as well.

Several exhibitions, shows, and events have been and are being organized in view of the 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat, and recently at least 13 projection mapping shows on the theme of nation-building at iconic locations across the nation were also held.
The landslide victory of the Congress in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly polls has triggered speculations on how Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee will deal with the grand old party and the Left forces in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee (File Photo)

Since last year, the West Bengal chief minister has been saying that leaders of regional parties should share a common platform against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but maintained her distance from the Congress and the Left.

The Congress, too, targeted her saying TMC contested state polls in Goa, Meghalaya and Tripura only to help BJP by splitting opposition votes.

Also Read: Key Opposition meet likely after Karnataka government formation

The mutual bitterness peaked in March when the Congress-Left alliance won the Sagardighi assembly by-election in Bengals Murshidabad district where Muslims comprise 66.28% of the population, the states highest.

The Left-backed Congress candidate secured 47.35 % votes while TMCs share dropped to 34.94%. The BJP came third with only 13.94%.

This was seen by TMC leaders as a sign of erosion in their minority vote bank as in 2021 the ruling party lost the assembly poll at South 24 Parganas districts Bhangar constituency where Muslims comprise around 67% of the population.

In her first reaction to the Sagardighi results, Banerjee said that the BJP, the Congress and the Left formed an unholy alliance to defeat TMC.

The Congress maintains that it will lead the Opposition alliance of like-minded parties against the BJP in the 2024 Lok sabha elections, however, the TMC had in March said that the party will not go with the Congress. A TMC MP also had said that the Congress should not believe that it was the big boss of the opposition.

On Saturday, when the Karnataka poll results were announced, Banerjee said the BJP will not get even 100 seats across the nation in 2024. For the first time, she said even national parties should have one-on-one contests against the BJP in states where they have a stronghold. She, however, did not name the Congress.

West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on the other hand, made it clear that the TMC does not figure anywhere in the fight against the BJP.

Didi (Banerjee) underestimated Rahul Gandhi and the effect of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Congress is the only party that can lead the fight against BJP, Chowdhury said.

Going a step forward, former state Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya said the Congress and Left parties should form a strong alliance in the coming Bengal panchayat polls and Lok Sabha elections, a proposition which was supported by Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] state secretary Md Salim.

Also Read: BJP wont even get 100 seats in 2024 LS polls: WB CM on Karnataka election results

It is time for Left and Congress to come together, Bhattacharya said.

Salim said, From the very beginning, TMC, Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party had been trying to forge a non-CPI(M), non-Congress alliance. Such an alliance will only give advantage to the BJP. CPI(M) is opposed to this. We are always willing to be part of a common anti-BJP platform.

On Sunday, TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar did not comment on whether his party will be part of an anti-BJP alliance with Congress at the national level. Instead, he singled out the Bengal Congress.

There is a difference between the national Congress and the state Congress. Chowdhury is working as an agent of the BJP. With only two MPs and one MLA, the state Congress cannot claim to be a force to reckon with. The CPI(M), on the other hand, has no MP or MLA from Bengal. These parties only helped BJP in Bengal in the last 4-5 years, Majumdar said,
Muslim voters threw up a surprise in the urban local body (ULB) election with the way they voted. Reason: This time they used their discretion rather than voting en masse for any particular party as they used to do earlier. The pattern sends out a message to political parties that now Muslim votes should not be taken for granted. (For Representation)

I will say Muslims are in experimental mode. They have come out of traditional realm and put some thought behind the voting pattern as their traditional line was not working, said Athar Hussain, director, Centre for Objective Research and Development, Lucknow.

The extension of this pattern allowed the BJP or its allies, for the first time, to have a Muslim member in the state legislative assembly. Apna Dal (Sonelal) candidate Shafiq Ahmed Ansari polled over 50% votes and won Suar (in Rampur) assembly bypoll. The Samajwadi Party (SP) had fielded Anuradha Chauhan from the seat.

The community sided with AIMIMs Mohd Anas in Meerut mayoral election as he ended a runner-up. The SP had given ticket to senior leader Atul Pradhans wife from a seat where OBC Muslims are in a sizeable number.

Similarly, the community by and large backed the BSP in Saharanpur, rejecting SP candidate Ashu Malik as an outsider. Or for that matter, their support extended to the BSP in Agra, and to the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow.

Moradabad, Jhansi and Ayodhya mayoral seats saw Muslim voters tilting towards the Congress. In Kanpur, voting pattern suggest Muslims were divided between the Congress and the SP. However, they went with the SP which came second and the Congress third. Both the parties had fielded Brahmin candidates on a seat which has 20% Brahmins and 18% Muslims.

The Muslims used their discretion in voting after a long time. It is a matter of great interest they did in an election that is largely personalised, said Tariq Raza Fatimi, retired professor of Halim Muslim PG College, Kanpur.

This is an important drift since the 90s. Never before they have gone to various parties syncing their preference with local equations, he said, adding the pattern sent out a message to political parties that now Muslim votes should not be taken for granted.

One more aspect seen in this election was the indifference in urban Muslim voters that did not come out to vote. Urban Muslims seemed disappointed and there could be many reasons the political parties need to study and fix, Hussain said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A group of unidentified youth pelted Arts College hostel with stones late Saturday night in which windowpanes and doors of the hostel got damaged. A night before a similar incident took place at Lucknow University new campus hostel. (Pic for representation)

Lucknow University proctor Rakesh Dwivedi said the matter is being investigated and action will be taken against the culprits.

At Arts College, the stone pelting incident took place at Prof Ranbir Singh Bisht hostel where 17 students are staying, said provost Ravi Kant Pandey. He said according to students the incident happened late night. A group of youth with their faces covered with cloth pelted stones on the hostel, claimed students. The Arts College students even made a video of the incident but the troublemakers could not be identified as their faces were covered.

Similar incident took place 10 km away at the new campus hostel of Lucknow University on Sitapur Road where also a group of masked men attacked hostel with stones a night before. University spokesperson Durgesh Srivastava said that no students were hurt. The University is looking into both the incidents seriously, he said.

Arts College hostel provost Pandey said when students reported the matter to him, he tried to calm them down and informed police. By the time police reached the university hostel, the troublemakers had fled from the scene.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, NSUI members demanded strict action against the students involved in it as soon as possible.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A man in an inebriated state stabbed his father to death over an argument in Assams Golaghat district, police said, adding that the accused son has been arrested. (Representative Photo)

The incident took place on Saturday night, after which the accused son absconded, and police arrested him on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Narayan Baruah (36), is a resident of Manjushree Tea Estate in the Sonari area of Goalpara, police said.

According to the complaint lodged by his family members, Narayan is an alcoholic and used to fight with his family members and neighbours in a drunken state.

On Saturday night, he got involved in a verbal fight with his father Ghitira Baruah (70) after returning home. At one point, he stabbed his father with a machete and fled, family members said in their complaint.

Goalpara district superintendent of police (SP) Pushkin Jain said the family rushed the victim to a local hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

Family members told us that Narayan is an alcoholic and there were complaints against him for assaulting family members. On Saturday night, he stabbed his father and fled. He was arrested on Sunday morning, said the SP.

The body has been sent for autopsy and police have registered a case against Narayan under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Further investigation is underway, police said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Three, including a teacher of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police on charges of fraudulently procuring huge numbers of pre-activated SIM cards in others names and selling the OTPs some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO) and ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) agents in Pakistan and in India, officials said. The STF officials seized 47 SIM cards, 61 ATM cards, and 23 SIM covers from the accused (Representative Photo)

STF inspector general of police (IGP) JN Pankaj said that the three procured massive amounts of SIM cards in others names and sold the OTPs (linked/generated using the SIMs) to various clients, including some Pakistani intelligence operatives and ISI agents for large sums of money.

The STF officials seized 47 SIM cards, 61 ATM cards, and 23 SIM covers from the accused persons. A case under Sections 419/ 420/ 465/ 467/ 468/471/120(B)/34 IPC r/w 66C & 66 D of the Information Technology Act, 2000 has been registered against the accused, said the IGP.

Also Read: 2,197 SIM cards issued on forged documents blocked, 13 arrested

The three accused Pathani Samant Lenka (35), Saroj Kumar Nayak alias (26) and Soumya Pattanaik (19) were in touch with a female PIO agent who was arrested last year in an Official Secrets Act/honey-trap case in Rajasthan. These OTPs were then used to create various accounts/channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, etc., and online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart. The OTPs were also used in opening email accounts. Though these accounts are of Indian origin, they were actually operated from Pakistan, he said.

Lenka is a teacher in Nayagarh ITI.

According to STF officials, these agents use social media platforms for various anti-India activities like spying, communication with terrorists, radicalisation, running anti-India propaganda, fuelling anti-India/ divisive sentiments on social media, sextortion, honey-trapping, etc.

As these accounts are registered/linked to Indian mobile numbers, people find them trustworthy. The accounts opened on online shopping platforms are also used to supply items to terrorists, anti-India elements, said an STF official.
allahabad.htdesk@hindustantimes.com Prayagraj cops grope in dark in Azad Park murder case (Pic for representation)

Postmortem report of the woman Iram Hamid Siddiqui killed inside Chandrashekhar Azad Park revealed that she was assaulted at-least six times on her head with a pointed stone which resulted in her death on the spot, police said.

The woman also had injuries on her ears, they added.

Police are still clueless of the assailants involved in the gruesome murder and have no leads which would have helped them crack the case.

SHO of Colonelganj police station Ram Mohan Rai said an FIR has been registered against unidentified assailants on the complaint of womans brother-in-law. CCTV footage of the area has not helped in the identification of suspects. Moreover, questioning from security guards and staff at the park has also not provided clues about the assailants. Womans kin have denied any enmity as a possible cause for the murder, he added.

The body of Iram was handed over to her kin after autopsy on Sunday afternoon, he further said. A 32-year-old woman Iram Hamid Siddiqui was found brutally murdered inside Chandrashekhar Azad Park under Colonelganj police station of the city on Saturday morning. The woman had gone to drop her son to Saint Josephs College in the morning.

Police officials said the caretaker of the Mazar inside Chandrashekhar Azad Park called police when he spotted the body near the shrine. SHO of Colonelganj police station reached the spot and called the field unit for investigations and collecting samples. The womans mobile and other belongings were also missing.

Meanwhile, some persons from Malviya Nagar area reached Colonelganj police station at around 11 pm to lodge missing complaint of a woman. They were shocked when they learnt that body found at Chandrashekhar Azad Park was that of Iram.

Police further said that questioning from the womans kin revealed that Iram Hamid Siddiqui had gone to drop her son at school with her brother-in-law in the morning. Irams son is a lower KG student at Saint Josephs College opposite Chandrashekhar Azad Park. Irams brother-in-law returned home while Iram went to the park for a morning walk. Police officials said that Iram was assaulted while she was near the Mazar. However, circumstances under which she went towards the lonely spot are still to be ascertained, they added.

Irams kin informed that her husband Mohd Shahan lives and works in Jamshedpur.
Njabini  Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has renewed the controversy surrounding the vast Kenyatta family land, insisting they must surrender half of it to resettle Mau Mau freedom fighters.

Although Gachagua did not mention Jomo Kenyatta by name, it was apparent he was referring to the first family which he has previously accused of holding large parcels of land in various parts of the country, yet Mau Mau freedom heroes are languishing in poverty.

"Those saying that the government should buy land for the freedom fighters, that's fine. But the Mau Mau land is known where it is and those with it must return even if it's half of it. It will be enough for the Mau Mau," he said Saturday at the burial of Mukami, the widow of Dedan Kimathi, who died aged 101.

Gachagua had in April publicly asked former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta to consider surrendering half of the family's land to Mau Mau fighters when she hosted the late Muthoni Kimathi ate her Muthaiga home in Nairobi.

At the time, the late Muthoni said she visited Mama Ngina to pay gratitude for support to the family, including offering to clear a bank loan among other forms of assistance.

But Gachagua took a swipe at the Kenyatta family saying iy should instead surrender half their land for all Mau Mau survivors and their descendants.

He repeated these sentiments at Mukami's burial in Njabini attended by President William Ruto and other leaders but did not mention the Kenyatta's directly, instead saying "people know who is holding Mau Mau land."

He also accused unnamed officials of embezzling some Sh5 billion paid by the British government to resettle the Mau Mau freedom fighters.

"The British government gave 30 million pounds for land to be bought to settle the Mau Mau and their descendants, but the black colonialists who came after the white colonialists left diverted that money, that land was taken by a few and given to home guards and collaborators," he claimed.

Gachagua has always insisted he is a Mau Mau descendant, always refering himself as "the son of Mau Mau."

"We feel cheated and misused, because our parents were buried with nothing, yet the collaborators and the home guards continue to enjoy everything the Mau Mau fought for. And they despise and look down upon us, yet the vast land they occupy belongs to the Mau Mau and their descendants," Gachagua said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Land and Rural Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

During the burial of Mukami, President William Ruto assured that the governement will launch an official search for the body of Mau Mau freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi who was executed by the colonial powers and buried at the Kamiti Maximum Prison in 1957.

Kimathi is believed to have been buried at the Kamiti Maximum prison by colonial masters who executed him in 1957.

"I have listened to the pleas from the family and I am giving an assurance today that the government will launch this search because Kimathi deserves a dignified burial having fought for the independence of this country," the president said.

This fulfills the wish of the late Mukami, who had wished to have her husband exhumed for a decent burial.

Kimathi was captured in 1956 and executed in 1957 by the British government which colonized Kenya.

His body is believed to have been buried at the Kamiti Maximum Prison where he was detained.
Even as the Congress and opposition parties are emboldened with the Karnataka assembly election results, all eyes are on the proposed meeting of at least 12 major opposition parties to be held in Patna soon to give shape to a larger opposition front to take on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met NCP president Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Thursday (File Photo)

Insiders in the grand alliance (GA) say the proposed meet would be held soon after the new chief minister of the Congress-led government in Karnataka is announced and oath taking ceremony is over.

The Congress on Saturday swept the Karnataka assembly election winning 136 seats while BJP got 65 seats and Janata Dal (United) 19.

Also Read: Will be happy to host Opposition meet after Karnataka elections: Nitish

Right now, the Congress top leadership is busy with government formation in Karnataka. Once it is done in the next few days, the dates for the opposition meet will be finalised in consultation with Congress and leaders of other parties, said a senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader.

There was speculation that the proposed meeting would be held on May 18 in Patna. However, according to the people familiar with the matter, the GA leaders are still waiting for a response from the Congress and would fix a date suitable for leaders of major opposition parties.

May 18 was a tentative date. But now, there are chances that the meeting might be held at a later date preferably in the third week of this month, said another GA leader.

Senior JD (U) leader and finance minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said that the date and venue of the proposed meeting would be decided with partners shortly. We are in discussion with partners for the proposed meeting to form a bigger grand alliance. The date will be finalised soon, Chaudhary said.

People quoted above said the GA leaders from the RJD, the JD(U) and the Congress have held consultations on various agendas of the meeting with several regional parties in the last few weeks and the meeting is expected to take place in Patna.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars initiative to get all opposition parties on board to project a unified fight against the BJP in the next years general elections has evoked positive responses from several regional satraps.

In the last few weeks, the initiative of Bihar CM to form a larger opposition front has gained momentum with Kumar having met several CMs and regional parties, opposed to the BJP.

Last month, Kumar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee. Earlier, he had met Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja and announced that as part of his outreach, he would meet more leaders.

Earlier this week, Kumar also met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar in Mumbai and backed the idea of him being the face of the opposition alliance, saying there will be nothing more delightful than that. He also met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree in Mumbai.

The meeting is expected to be the launching pad for the formation of a new front and the announcement of the convenor of the joint coalition, which is working on the strategy of one against one by putting one common opposition candidate against BJP-led NDA nominees in at least 500 parliamentary seats in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting will be held in Patna. The venue of the meeting is yet to be finalised, said a GA leader, adding that there are chances the meeting could be held either at CM Kumars residence or at the residence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Also Read: Bihar: Nitish Kumar congratulates Congress as GA hails Karnataka poll results

The RJD chief is in Patna for the last two weeks having returned from New Delhi post a kidney transplant on April 28.

GA leaders said the proposed meeting is expected to witness the participation of top leaders from Congress, RJD, JD(U), TMC, JMM, Samajwadi Party, NCP, Shiv Sena, DMK, AAP, CPI, CPM, CPI-ML( liberation) and few other regional parties who are keen on joining the new front. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand CM, Soren, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar are expected to be prominent attendees, they said.

Meanwhile, the outcome of the Karnataka assembly elections on Saturday was hailed by Bihars GA with party leaders extending wishes to the Congress party for their resounding victory with Kumar leading the charge with his wishes.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
PATNA: At least 12 major opposition parties are expected to meet in Patna in the next eight to ten days to decide further course of action on the opposition unity, leaders of Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) said on Sunday, a day after the Congress emerged victorious in the Karnataka assembly elections. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on May 12. (ANI)

Chief minister Nitish Kumar has met leaders of at least half a dozen political parties, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, since early April as part of his effort to have a united opposition to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Right now, the Congress top leadership is busy with government formation in Karnataka. Once it is done, the dates for the opposition meet will be finalised in consultation with Congress and leaders of other parties, said a senior RJD leader, in know of the talks going about the opposition meet.

Senior JD(U) leader and finance minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said that the date and venue of the proposed meeting would be decided with partners shortly. We are in discussion with partners for the proposed meeting to form a bigger grand alliance. The date will be finalised soon, Chaudhary said.

Another JD (U) leader aware of the developments said the opposition meeting would also discuss a broad outline for the opposition unity and the issues that the opposition will take together. We already have an agreement with major political parties on the fight for social justice and demanding caste census from the Central government, he said.

Nitish Kumar has prepared a broad outline of the opposition unity contours, which the party leader quoted above, said would be discussed at the meeting. The contours, include giving a strong regional party preference in Lok Sabha elections over a national party, not having much political sway there, and trying to put one united opposition candidate in as many seats as possible.

The Congress had swept the Karnataka assembly election winning 136 seats while BJP got 65 seats while JD(S) got 19 seats. Several opposition party leaders such as Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Karnataka elections have shown that the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP was not invincible and was beatable.

A third leader said the meeting would be a launching pad for a new front and announcement of a convenor of the coalition is likely to be announced at the Patna meeting. The JD (U) is keen that Nitish Kumar is appointed as convenor to spearhead the campaign for uniting all major opposition parties to take on BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Grand Alliance leaders also expected RJD chief Lalu Prasad to attend the meeting, which would be his first major political engagement since his return to Patna after a kidney transplant on April 28. The leaders did not rule out the meeting to take place at Lalus home in Patna.

Responding to the decision to have a meeting in Patna, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader said party chief Sharad Pawar is expected to attend the opposition meeting. Pawar saheb is expected to attend the meeting. Other national leaders of the party like Praful Patel ji will accompany him if more than one leader per party is expected to attend the meeting. The meeting, according to me, is to chalk out the strategy for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, said Sunil Tatkare, party MP from Raigad.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that his party will participate in the meeting once the dates for the same are confirmed. Another party leader said that Uddhav Thackeray will be part of the meeting in Delhi. We will expect clarity on the seat sharing for the Lok Sabha and a common name with the consensus of all constituents to the alliance, he said.

A Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Yadav said party national president Akhilesh Yadav will take a call on the meeting when the invitation comes. He has a very good relationship with Nitish ji who also had come to meet Akhilesh ji early this month in Lucknow, he added.

TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said that the party will surely participate in the meeting. However, senior CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim said that since the beginning TMC, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had been trying to forge a non-CPI(M), non-Congress alliance.

They wanted BJD to be part of it but Naveen Patnaik declined. Such an alliance will only give an advantage to the BJP. CPI(M) has opposed the idea. We are always willing to be part of an open anti-BJP platform, he said.

In the last few weeks, Nitish Kumars initiative has gained momentum with Kumar having met several CMs and regional parties , opposed to the BJP.

For the Patna meeting, the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar is expected to call leaders from Congress, RJD, JD(U), Trinamool Congress, JMM, Samajwadi Party, NCP, Shiv Sena, DMK, AAP, CPI, CPM, CPI-ML( liberation) and few other regional parties who are keen on joining the new front. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand CM, Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar are expected to be prominent attendees, GA leaders said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Patna high court has set aside the entire disciplinary proceeding against a police inspector, Ajay Kumar, who was put under suspension on the charge of negligence after liquor was recovered from a house under the jurisdiction of his area, on the premise that it was done on assumption. The Patna high court told the Bihar DGP that his order assumes and pre-judges the guilt even before framing of charge and conduct of an independent enquiry. (Representative Image)

Setting aside the impugned orders, the bench of justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad directed that the petitioner shall be entitled for all the consequential reliefs. The order was passed on May 10 and uploaded two days later.

The court has also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to issue necessary consequential order within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.

Referring to the DGPs letter, dated November 24, 2020, to all the Senior Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police (Rail), Bihar, the court said, On a bare perusal of this letter it would appear that in the third paragraph it is stated that in case of recovery of illicit liquor, the Station House Officer and Chowkidar concerned will be deemed guilty for not collecting the information and taking necessary action and they will be proceeded against for their failure.

The counsel for the petitioner also contended that the letter leaves no room for the disciplinary authority to form any other opinion and in any case of recovery of liquor, the guilt is to be presumed against the SHO and the Chowkidar concerned, which is against the principles of natural justice and it amounts to putting an embargo on free and independent exercise of mind by the disciplinary authority.

The letter of suspension of the inspector assumes and pre-judges the guilt against the SHO and chowkidar even before framing of charge and conduct of an independent enquiry. This has no sanction of law. Because of this stipulation in this case the whole proceeding right from framing of charge has been influenced and a serious prejudice has been caused to the petitioner, the court observed.

Maintaining that a presumption of guilt has no sanction of law and the same is violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The court observed that It is contrary to the principles of fair play.

In the wake of continued smuggling of liquor recovery and hooch tragedies, which led to attacks on police both from within the government as well as the Opposition for allegedly being hand in glove with the liquor mafia, the government had made the SHOs and chowkidars responsible for the areas falling under their jurisdiction.

The court directed the DGP to revisit the paragraph of the 2020 letter which assumes and pre-judges the guilt against the SHO and chowkidar even before framing of charge and conduct of an independent enquiry.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the petitioner who was posted as police inspector -cum- SHO in Kankarbagh Police Station between April 17, 2020 and November 30, 2020. On November 25, 2020, a raid was conducted within the jurisdiction of his police station and 25 liters of country liquor (Mahua) was recovered. The officer was immediately placed under suspension and a direction was issued to initiate a departmental proceeding against him. Later, stoppage of one increment with non-cumulative effect was imposed upon him by the enquiry officer. The petitioners appeal before the ADG was also rejected and his punishment was enhanced, reverting him to the post of sub-inspector. He challenged the order before the HC.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Pimpri-Chinchwad police have arrested Gaurav Khalade, key suspect, and son of former corporator of the Talegaon Municipal Corporation, Bhanu Khalade, in connection with the broad daylight murder of businessman-activist Kishor Aware in Pune district, officials said on Sunday. With Gaurav Khalades arrest late on Saturday, a total six persons have been arrested in connection with Kishor Awares murder. On Friday, Kishor Aware was returning home when a group of men shot at him (HT FILE PHOTO)

Apart from these six arrests, the police have booked National Congress Party (NCP) MLA from Maval, Sunil Shelke; his brother, Sudhakar Shelke; and local resident, Sandeep Garade for murder and criminal conspiracy among other charges. Police officials said that a heated argument had erupted between Kishor Aware and Bhanu Khalade last year in which Kishor Aware had slapped Bhanu Khalade. Gaurav Khalade is suspected to have murdered Kishor Aware to avenge the insult heaped on his father.

DCP Kakasaheb Dole said, As of now we have arrested six accused in connection with murder of Kishore Aware. During investigation it was found that, six months ago there were heated arguments between Aware and accused Gaurav Khaldes father Chandrabhan Khalde. To take revenge for this, Khalde hired Shyam Nigadkar to kill Aware. All accused were produced in court and are remanded to police custody till May 20.

Accused Gaurav Khalde is a civil engineer and worked along with his father in their construction business. According to police, in December last year former corporator Chandrabhan Khalde had arguments with Aware over illegal tree cutting in old municipal council building. The matter escalated, and Aware slapped Khalde.

Taking this as an insult Gaurav, decided to settle score. During investigation it was also revealed that accused Nigadkar was close with Gaurav and hatched a plan to kill Aware. Nigadkar along with others started following Aware and did a reiki before killing of Aware near the municipal council building.

Pimpri-Chinchwad police have appointed a special team under ACP Prerana Katte to investigate further.

On Friday, Kishor Aware was returning home when a group of men shot at him. After firing the bullets, they allegedly also beat him up and stabbed him several times. While he was admitted to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

In her complaint, Kishor Awares mother, Sulochana Aware, said that Sunil Shelke, Sudhakar Shelke and Sandeep Garade had threatened and harassed Kishor Aware in the past and that they were behind his murder. My son had raised his voice several times against their wrongdoings. Sunil Shelke was angry with my son as he posed a challenge to the MLAs political dominance. My son had said many times that his life was in danger, the complaint stated.

According to the first information report (FIR), Sunil Shelke, Sudhakar Shelke and Garade had hatched a conspiracy to murder Kishor Aware to settle old scores and through their accomplice Shyam and three others, murdered the businessman-activist at around 1.40 pm on May 12. The FIR was registered at Talegaon-Dabhade police station under sections 302 and 120 (b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); sections 3/25 and 4/25 of the Arms Act; and other relevant sections.

Kishor Aware was a prominent businessman-activist in the Talegaon area known for his social work and philanthropy. He had been critical of Sunil Shelke and Sudhakar Shelke in the past, and had alleged corruption and wrongdoings on the part of Sunil Shelke and his associates.

Whereas MLA Sunil Shelke refuted all allegations and told the media that the police action was a ploy to malign his political career. I am ready to cooperate with the police who should also investigate those responsible for defaming me, Sunil Shelke said. In a show of strength, the MLAs supporters gathered in the area, staged a protest, and organised a rally in his support Sunday afternoon.
The broad daylight murder of Kishor Aware  an activist known for his philanthropy and for being the voice of the people against corruption and wrongdoing in Talegaon, Maval  has once again put the spotlight on the rising incidence of crime in Maval, an area nestled between the metros of Pune and Mumbai which is otherwise known for its scenic beauty and tourist attractions. On January 13, 2010, Satish Shetty, a prominent Right to Information (RTI) activist, was stabbed near his residence in Talegaon (HT FILE PHOTO)

Just last month, Pravin Gopale, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Sarpanch of Shirgaon, was attacked with sharp weapons at Sai Chowk. According to eyewitnesses, Gopale tried to escape the onslaught but the unidentified, bike-borne assailants chased him for 50 to 100 metres before assaulting him with a Koyta. It is said that Gopales involvement in a land deal sealed his fate.

Earlier in October 2016, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former mayor of the Talegaon Municipal Corporation, Sachin Shelke, was travelling in his car when assailants waylaid him near a petrol pump. They asked Shelke to step out of his car and fired a round at him before attacking him with sharp-edged weapons. In 2013 as well, Shelke had been attacked but he survived the assault. His brother and father too survived similar attacks.

On January 13, 2010, Satish Shetty, a prominent Right to Information (RTI) activist, was stabbed near his residence in Talegaon and died of his injuries later. He was in the process of unearthing a multi-crore land grab in the vicinity of the Pune-Mumbai expressway (e-way). Shetty was known for exposing corruption and illegal land deals in the area. The case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made till date. His brother Sandeep Shetty said, There has been no development in the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its closure report did not make any observations. I had also filed a petition to review this decision in the Supreme Court but there has been no development ever since.

Apart from these high-profile cases, Maval has also witnessed a spate of robberies and thefts, particularly along the Pune-Mumbai e-way which passes through the region. In one such incident in January this year, Avinash Gothe and others from Maval allegedly opened fire while in an inebriated condition. The CCTV footage clearly shows Gothe firing in the air in broad daylight during a yatra. According to the police, the accused wanted to spread terror through the act.

These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of the people of Maval and highlighted the need for better law enforcement in the area. The local community and civil society organisations have been called upon to continue supporting the authorities in their efforts to make Maval a safe and secure place for all.

Whereas the surge in criminal activity has been linked to the rising prices of land in the region. It is said that after the construction of the Mumbai-Bangalore highway and the entry of various industries, land prices have continued to increase. With soaring land prices, many people have become involved in illegal activities related to land acquisition, which in turn have fuelled corruption and political interference in the region. Many politicians too have got involved in land acquisition and development deals, often using their influence to secure profitable deals for themselves or their associates. This has led to competition for political dominance in the region due to which Maval has been facing violence on a regular basis.

Social activist Maruti Bhapkar said, After construction of the national highway and the entry of industries in the area, land prices have risen and many have got involved in the land business. Business rivalry is responsible for the violence in the region. Bhapkar said that politicians too have entered the land business to gain control over the region.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Oppositions plans of bringing together disparate parties onto a common national platform ahead of the 2024 elections received a jolt of sorts last week from Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The mercurial politician, who is also one of Indias longest-serving chief ministers, said that as far as he was concerned, there was no possibility of an Opposition third front and that his Biju Janata Dal was likely to go it alone in the 2024 elections. Of course, Mr Patnaiks stance is driven by a unique set of factors, having been the most successful fence-sitter in the current political context, working with the government on a number of occasions and maintaining channels of communication with both sides. 2024 is also when Odisha goes to the polls, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gunning to expand its footprint in the coastal state. With no strong second-rung leadership in place, the BJD continues to rely on the popularity and grassroots appeal of its senior-most leader. Mr Patnaik has also never signalled to have strident national ambitions, unlike some of the other proponents of the third front. Nevertheless, the strong words from the veteran leader underlined some of the hurdles that the Oppositions endeavour to build a common platform faces, especially in attracting faces that are not vehemently opposed to the BJP ideologically or electorally. PREMIUM The strong words from the veteran leader underlined some of the hurdles that the Oppositions endeavour to build a common platform faces, especially in attracting faces that are not vehemently opposed to the BJP ideologically or electorally. (PTI)

The logic of a third front emanated from the Congresss atrophying strength and a hardening belief among sections of regional parties that they were better off taking on the BJP on their own strengths than waiting for the national opposition party to put its house in order. Can the Congresss impressive victory in the Karnataka elections undo some of that impression and convince other opposition leaders that the Congress is still the best bet to take on the BJP? The developments in one state are too little to make up a political trend, but if the Congress can follow up its disciplined performance in the southern province with similar campaigns in the heartland states and Telangana later this year, then it would have made the case for becoming the pole around which national opposition strategies coalesce.

This newspaper has noted that despite the euphoria of the Karnataka win, the Opposition has a sobering and uphill road before it can put up a credible challenge to the BJP in 2024. But before that, expect a lot of churn in the Opposition space as parties and personalities with rivalling ambitions and ideologies clash. Mr Patnaiks statement was the first sign of this impending ferment.
Get ready K-pop and anime fans because Crunchyroll has just announced its latest acquisition  "Bastions," a Korean 3D animated superhero series featuring music from none other than the internationally beloved BTS! The group has composed the main theme song for the show, marking their first project together since their anthology album "Proof" was released last year. Additionally, the complete soundtrack of the show includes an array of talented K-pop artists, such as girl groups Le Sserafim and Brave Girls, along with the soloists Heize and AleXa. BTS members RM, Suga, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, and V at The Fact Music Awards.

"Bastions" was originally ordered by South Korean network SBS and centers around a group of beloved idols with superpowers who work together to keep society safe. However, they face a new enemy in Wash Green, a seemingly eco-friendly corporation that is, in fact, a leader in environmental pollution. Will the Bastions save the planet? You'll have to tune in to find out!

The Chief Content Officer of Crunchyroll, Asa Suehira, conveyed his enthusiasm for "Bastions" and its ability to expose viewers to various animation styles from Asia. He further noted that the inclusion of music from numerous K-pop stars would expand the show's reach and attract a broader audience. With the series set to begin streaming worldwide on Saturdays from May 13, except for China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, and South Korea, fans of both K-pop and anime are eagerly anticipating the release of "Bastions."

Thymos Media, which is producing the show, has expressed high hopes for the series, stating that BTS's music will provide an immersive experience for viewers. "BTS is expected to provide an overwhelming sense of immersion to the emotions and action scenes of the series by singing the theme song in perfect harmony," the studio said.

The trailer for "Bastions," which was released on Wednesday, has already received a positive response from fans, who are thrilled to see BTS's involvement in the project. The animation style and music have been praised, with many eagerly anticipating the upcoming release.

For Crunchyroll, "Bastions" marks a significant step towards expanding its Asian animation catalog beyond Japan. With its growing popularity and diverse content, it's no wonder that Crunchyroll continues to be a go-to platform for fans of anime and Asian media. With the inclusion of BTS's music in "Bastions," fans of K-pop and anime alike are in for a treat! So be sure to tune in and get ready for an action-packed adventure with the Bastions.
Mother's Day, celebrated on May 14 this year in India, is a one-of-a-kind occasion that recognises all mothers and honours their enormous contributions. From Sonam Kapoor to Alia Bhatt, many celebrities have recently become mothers. As we celebrate Mother's Day 2023, here are some new mothers in Bollywood, who will be celebrating their first Mother's Day. Also read: Kareena Kapoor shares pic with Taimur and Jeh on Mother's Day 2022 Alia Bhatt and Gauahar Khan celebrate their first Mother's Day on Sunday.

Gauahar Khan

Bigg Boss 7 winner Gauahar Khan is the newest celebrity mom. Gauahar and her husband Zaid Darbar became parents to a baby boy on May 10. Announcing the baby's arrival, the actor shared a post which reads, It's a boy. As salaam u alaikum beautiful world, says our bundle of joy. Arrived 10th of May 2023 to make us realise what happiness truly means. Our blessed boy thanks everyone for their love and prayers. Grateful and giggling new parents Zaid and Gauahar.

Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu and actor-husband Karan Singh Grover welcomed their first child, on November 12, last year, six years after their marriage. Announcing her daughter's name, she shared a post on social media which read, 12.11.2022. Devi Basu Singh Grover. The physical manifestation of our love and blessings of Ma is here now and she is divine."

Sonam Kapoor

In March 2022, Anand Ahuja and Sonam made her pregnancy public. On August 20, 2023 the two welcomed their first baby into the world. Their son was given the name Vayu Kapoor Ahuja. The 'Neerja' actor frequently shares adorable pictures of her son on her social media.

Kajal Aggarwal

Actor Kajal Aggarwal and her husband Gautam welcomed their baby boy Neil Kitchlu on April 19, 2022. The actor usually shares pictures and videos of her baby boy on her social media handles.

Alia Bhatt

Actor Alia Bhatt will be celebrating her first Mother's Day this year. Alia and actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor became parents to a baby girl, Raha, in November last year. Announcing the baby's arrival, Alia via an Instagram post said, "And in the best news of our lives:- Our baby is here...and what a magical girl she is. We are officially bursting with love - Blessed and obsessed PARENTS!!!! Love love love Alia and Ranbir."

With ANI inputs

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Actor Priyanka Chopra attended the engagement ceremony of cousin-actor Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha. Taking to Instagram after the ceremony on Saturday evening, Priyanka posted several pictures giving a glimpse from inside the ceremony. In the first picture, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav closed their eyes as they held each other. For the ceremony, the duo twinned in white outfits. (Also Read | Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha engaged; actor flaunts massive diamond ring in first official pics) Priyanka Chopra penned a note saying that she can't wait' for Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha's wedding.

In the next photo, Priyanka posed with her brother Siddharth and their extended family members. Priyanka and Siddharth posed together in another photo as they stood in a hallway. For the event, Priyanka draped a neon green ruffled saree and matched it with an off-shoulder blouse. Siddharth was seen in a yellow kurta, cream pyjama and a jacket.

The last picture featured Parineeti and Raghav Chadha as they had their back to the camera during a ceremony. She captioned the post, "Congratulations Tisha and Raghav... ! So happy for you both and the families (red heart emoji) so fun to catch up with the fam!"

Taking to Instagram Stories, Priyanka also shared a selfie as she posed with her brother and other family members. The actor shared a photo of Parineeti's parents, Pawan Chopra and Reena Chopra, smiling for the camera. She tagged them and wrote, "Proud parents of the bride!" Priyanka also shared a mirror selfie and wrote, "When the night's done and you have to rush to the airport. A pause for the fit."

Priyanka also shared a selfie as she posed with her brother and other family members.

After the ceremony, Priyanka also greeted the paparazzi with folded hands. Later she also posed with her brother and Parineeti's father for the photographers. Priyanka arrived in Delhi on Saturday morning and left the city a few hours after the ceremony. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra shared a selfie also featuring Parineeti and Raghav on Instagram Stories. Tagging them he wrote, "Congratulations. Lots of love to the two of you."

MP Vikramjit Singh shared a photo on Twitter.

The ceremony was also attended by several politicians including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former finance minister P Chidambaram, and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray. Taking to Instagram, Delhi CM shared photos also featuring Priyanka, Parineeti and Raghav. He wrote, "Best wishes to both of you on the beginning of this new journey of life. May God always keep both of you happy. May this beautiful pair of yours remain forever created by God."

MP Vikramjit Singh shared a photo on Twitter in which Priyanka was seen with her head covered as she stood with Parineeti, Raghav and others inside the gurdwara.

Parineeti and Raghav's dating rumours began after they were spotted together at lunch in Mumbai in March. In the last few months, Parineeti and Raghav were spotted together on various occasions. They were sighted earlier this month watching an IPL match in Mohali.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Actor Vijay Varma left his fans in splits with his hilarious post on Mother's Day. The actor shared his mom's reaction to his ads in Hindustan Times which called described him as Indias #1 bachelor.' Although it's from the promotion of Vijay's latest outing Dahaad, it seems like his mother isn't convinced. Also read: Gulshan Devaiah teases Vijay Varma yet again about Tamannaah Bhatia Vijay Varma celebrates Mother's Day with a funny post.

In the photo, Vijay's mother does a facepalm expression to the newspaper. The article reads, Wanted bride It further described Vijay's character from Dahaad as he plays the role of Anand Swarnakar, a serial killer and a Hindi literature professor.

Sharing the photo, Vijay wrote, Happy Mothers Day momma Campaign and all is fine but how do I explain this to my mom? @primevideoin? His post has grabbed some hilarious reactions from people.

Prime Video India commented, Were only trying to give her a helping hand here. One of his fans wrote in the comments, Best post ever. She must be so so proud of you Vijay, added another one. Someone also said, Haha cutest moms day post on the Internet today.

Meanwhile, several fans also teased Vijay about his rumoured girlfriend, actor Tamannaah Bhatia. One user said, Maa ki tamannah poori karo chicha kya time waste karre yaaro (Fulfilled your mom's desire). Tammana mil to ghi he (You have Tamannaah now), added another.

Vijay and Tamannaah are rumoured to be dating for quite a few months now. They are seen out and about in Mumbai together. However, neither of them has confirmed or denied the dating reports. Previously, during the Dahaad promotions, Vijay was teased heavily at an event and even on social media by his co-star Gulshan Devaiah.

Dahaad features Sonakshi Sinha as a cop who takes up a gruesome murder case. Besides Vijay, it has Gulshan Devaiah and Sohum Shah. It released on May 12.

The plot description of the 8-episode show read: When a series of women are found dead in public bathrooms under mysterious circumstances, Sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati is tasked with leading the investigation. As the case unravels she begins to suspect that the seemingly clear-cut suicides may be the work of a serial killer on the loose, triggering a riveting game of cat and mouse between a seasoned criminal and an underdog cop.'

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with CJ Logistics to build a dedicated e-Commerce Global Distribution Centre at Riyadh Integrated. It will be housed in the kingdoms first Special Integrated Logistics Zone and will be completed by 2024.

The proposed facility is a state-of-the-art logistics centre with a gross floor area of 18,000 sq m and a daily throughput capacity of 15,000 boxes. It will serve as a forwarding base and hub for logistics in the region, connecting the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

CJ Logistics recently signed an eight-year long-term contract with iHub before establishing the Global Distribution Centre. The new Centre will offer international delivery of iHerb products to the Middle East, one of the largest online retailers for health and wellness products.

Key milestone

GACA President Al Duailej said: This marks an important milestone for Riyadh Integrated - Saudi Arabias Special Integrated Logistics Zone. We look forward to CJ Logistics having a strong presence in the kingdom, with this Global Distribution Centre being their main hub in the region.

Riyadh Integrated is a testimony to the Saudi Aviation Strategy under Vision 2030, positioning the kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents to the Kingdom as our logistics sector is transformed.

As a vital enabler for Saudi Arabias logistics sector, the Special Integrated Logistics Zone will strengthen Saudi Arabias position as the largest, fastest growing market and leading strategic trading nation in the Middle East and continue Vision 2030s mission to connect the kingdom to the world.

Kang Sin-ho, CEO of CJ Logistics, added: The Saudi e-commerce market has the richest growth potential in the Middle East and the geographical advantage of connecting Africa, Middle East and Europe.

Logistics hub

"We will support the state-of-the-art logistics technology and infrastructure so that the GDC can become a logistics hub that leads the Middle East e-commerce market."

The Special Integrated Logistics Zone was launched in October 2022 in Riyadh by HE the Minister of Transport & Logistics and the General Authority for Civil Aviation. The Zone is truly integrated, with a value proposition that has been developed alongside its first batch of investors.

The strategically located Special Integrated Logistics Zone will serve billions of potential customers in easy reach in Africa, Asia and Europe and help to significantly increase Saudis cargo capacity to more than 4.5 million tonnes per annum. It will also strengthen Saudi Arabias competitive position as the largest, fastest growing and leading trading nation in the Middle East, continuing Vision 2030s mission to connect the kingdom to the world.

As part of the wider transformation of the kingdoms logistics sector, by 2030 Saudi Arabia is significantly increasing its cargo capacity to more than 4.5 million tonnes per annum and increasing the contribution of the transport and logistics sector to national gross domestic product from the current 6% to 10%. This will help to fuel business growth, attract inward investment, and increase the sectors non-oil revenues to about SR45 billion ($12 billion) a year by 2030.-- TradeArabia News Service
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson George Charamba has claimed Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa saved King Charles III's life from Rhodesians who wanted to kill him during the colonial era.

Charamba made the claims while attempting to justify why Mnangagwa was invited to King Charles III's coronation.

Mnangagwa's invitation and attendance at the coronation have been a trending topic with some saying he was not supposed to be invited.

United Kingdom's All Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe wrote to the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, demanding that London withdraws Mnangagwa's invitation to the royal event.

However, the British government responded saying it intended to use Mnangagwa's presence as an opportunity to address severe human rights violations and corruption in Zimbabwe.

One of the many Twitter accounts believed to be run by Presidential spokesman George Charamba claimed Mnangagwa had to be at King Charles III's coronation because he saved his life and it is time for relations between the two countries to get better.

"Charles, now King Charles III, would have been killed by Rhodesians, except for a tip-off from a Rhodesian intelligence officer to the current President, then as state security minister.

"That all explains why ED had to be at King Charles' coronation, and why relations with the UK are fated for a reset under President ED! Enjoy!," tweeted Tinoedza Zvimwe.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has received social media ridicule for his obscure sitting position at the grand Westminster Abbey for the lavish coronation ceremony.

The Zimbabwe leader was barely recognisable in a corner seat at the back while the likes of Eswatini's King Mswati III were accorded privileged positions nearer the front rows.

CHARLES, NOW KING CHARLES III, WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY RHODESIANS, EXCEPT FOR A TIP-OFF FROM A RHODESIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TO CURRENT PRESIDENT, THEN AS STATE SECURITY MINISTER. THAT ALL THAT EXPLAINS WHY ED HAD TO BE AT KING CHARLES' CORONATION, AND WHY RELATIONS WITH UK...

-- Tinoedza Zvimwe (@Tinoedzazvimwe1) May 13, 2023
It will be 11 days today, since the Writers Guild of America went on a strike demanding higher pay and a stable pay structure. Some more demands include fairer deals and being safeguarded from artificial intelligence. As a result of the strike, which has been supported by big filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, production on several projects has come to a halt. Writers are underpaid, and their contracts are one-sided, say Indian writers.

But the effect can be felt in this part of the world as well, where writers have for long been talking about exactly the same set of problems. The only difference is that they have got a voice for the first time, and that negotiations will begin with producers to resolve the issues.

Anjum Rajabali, who has written films such as Ghulam, and co-written the screenplay for Raajneeti, says, While their strike doesnt have a direct bearing on the Indian situation, it has brought into public focus the unfair treatment that writers receive. Here too screenwriters face serious problems professionally. Writing fees in India are nowhere near the value that the script brings to the film. New and young writers are distressed as they feel exploited. The contracts that producers, studios, and platforms offer are grossly one-sided with the company demanding all the rights and protection leaving the writer vulnerable. And the most important right is to be credited for your work. However, the contract insists that credit will be given at the discretion of the producer!

Support from successful actors and directors for a writers is needed for a strike to work, feels Apurva Asrani, who wrote the acclaimed film Aligarh and the web show Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors. In the US you have Christopher Nolan and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, performers Jennifer Coolidge and Jimmy Fallon offer passionate support to writers through blogs, social media and by even standing in picket lines. In India, where actors and directors are paid disproportionately to writers, no one really wants to change the status quo, says the 45-year-old.

Zeishan Quadri, who wrote the film Gangs of Wasseypur, says the unity is missing here in India, between writers. We all should be called for a meeting, there is no organised way here. There is no one to guide writers. If something wrong is happening, it continues, he rues.

Mitesh Shah, co-writer for Helicopter Eela and Tummbad, tell us, SWA has been talking about all this for a long time now. But I havent received as many calls as I am now, after the US strike. Barring a few industry people, there has been very little support. I have known a few writers selling their scripts for as less as 50,000- a lakh, when the minimum wage should be atleast 12 lakhs. A writer doesnt write many stories in a lifetime, you dont want them to die poor. The piece of paper is where it all begins.
Ali Fazal walked the red carpet at the international premiere of Fast X in Rome on Saturday. Fast X is the latest film in the Fast and Furious franchise. At the premiere, Ali had a reunion with lead actor Vin Diesel and the two posed together for the cameras against the iconic colosseum in Rome. Ali was in a black shirt and trousers with a matching overcoat. Also read: Ali Fazal poses with Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg at Oscars luncheon. See pics Ali Fazal and Vin Diesel at Rome premiere of Fast X.

Ali had made his Hollywood debut with the 7th film in the Fast and Furious franchise, titled Furious 7. He had played a cameo with his character named Safar in the film. He is however, not a part of the 10th installment and was invited to attend the premiere as part of his past involvement with the franchise.

Sharing a video with Vin Diesel on Instagram, Ali wrote, AND THE FAST X PREMIERE WENT DOWN HARD RIGHT HERE AT THE COLOSSEUM.. cuz (because) when in Rome you go gladiator style Fast X reunion. Furious 7. Thank you for all the love Vin @vindiesel. You are the kindest man I know and the soul of the Fast fam. Feel proud to be part of the team. (disclaimer - am not in Fast X guys, but there for Love). Thank you Manish for letting me own my style through your vision !! @manishmalhotra05 love ya!!

Actor Ali Fazal attends the world premiere of the movie FAST X in Rome, Italy.(REUTERS)

Ali will soon head to promote Kandahar, his next Hollywood film with Gerard Butler. It is set for a US release on May 26.

Ahead of his appearance at the Rome premiere, he had said, "I am thrilled to be attending the international premiere of Fast X in Rome, and it is an honor to have been invited as part of my past involvement with the franchise. This is where it all began for me when it comes to my work globally, and I am grateful for the opportunities that this franchise has given me. I am excited to reunite with the cast and crew, and I look forward to seeing what's in store this time of the action magic that they have created."

Fast X is all set to hit the theatres on May 19. Directed by Louis Leterrier, the film stars Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Jason Statham, John Cena, Brie Larson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Michael Rooker, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren and Cardi B. Late actor Paul Walker's daughter Meadow Walker will also be seen in a guest appearance in the film.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a twist that left fans both puzzled and intrigued, Kim Kardashian and her daughter, North West, were spotted courtside at the Lakers game showing support for Khloe Kardashian's ex-boyfriend, Tristan Thompson. The mother-daughter duo grabbed everyone's attention as they proudly held up a homemade sign that simply read "Tristan Thompson" in the Lakers' signature purple and gold colors. Kim Kardashian and daughter North West attend the Western Conference Semifinal Playoff game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.(Getty Images via AFP)

However, their public support for Thompson did not go unnoticed, as fans on social media criticized Kim and North for supporting someone who has cheated on Khloe multiple times. One Twitter user wrote, Its so weird to me how Kim K can continue cheering for Tristan after the way this man has dogged tf out her sister. It could never be me boii.

Despite the backlash, Kim and Norths support for Thompson may not come as a surprise to fans of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Kim had previously defended her sister Khloe during Thompsons cheating scandal, describing his behavior as so f--ked up while appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

To provide some context, Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson began their relationship in 2016 and welcomed their daughter, True, in 2018. However, their romance was marred by Thompson's infidelity, with multiple cheating scandals coming to light during Khloe's pregnancy. One notable incident involved Jordyn Woods, Kylie Jenner's best friend, which ultimately led to their initial breakup in 2019.

Although there were brief attempts at reconciliation, the couple officially broke up again in 2021. Despite the split, they have remained committed to co-parenting their children.

In a surprising turn of events, it was later revealed that Tristian Thompson was sued for paternity by Maralee Nichols, with the paternity being confirmed in early 2022. To add to the complexity, news broke in July 2022 that the exes are expecting their second child via a surrogate.

Also read | Khloe Kardashian shares rare family photo with baby Tatum and daughter True

Although the couple briefly got back together in August 2020, they broke up again in June 2021. However, it was recently confirmed that they are expecting their second child via surrogacy.
Actor-couple Ishita Dutta and Vatsal Sheth are all set to become parents for the first time. They hosted a baby shower in Mumbai and posed for paparazzi outside the venue. Actor Tanushree Dutta, who is Ishita's sister, also made a rare public appearance on the occasion. Also read: Mom-to-be Ishita Dutta shows her baby bump in maternity photoshoot, twins with Vatsal Sheth in new video Ishita Dutta and Vatsal Sheth at baby shower. (Photo: Viral Bhayani/ Varinder Chawla)(Viral Bhayani/ Varinder Chawla)

For the baby shower, Ishita opted for a traditional look in a pink saree, with temple jewellery. Vatsal kept it simple in a white kurta and pyjama look. In a video on social media, the two are seen smiling and laughing while posing with each other. They shared a hug.

Vatsal planted a sweet kiss on Ishita's cheeks. He also went on to kiss her baby bump and left her smiling. The couple also posed with Tanushree, who came wearing a printed salwar suit.

Talking to the media, Ishita and Vatsal shared their excitement about the new phase of their lives. Ishita said about her baby shower in Hindi, It was very emotional and nice. Our relatives have come from different places to wish and bless us. They are still inside (the venue) waiting for us. We are so thankful and grateful that they have come and blessed us.

"It's the mother who goes through everything. Ishita can feel it. I still cannot feel it that much," Vatsal said. He added that people have been sharing pointers about fatherhood with him and added, Once the baby is born I will feel it too. Meanwhile, Tanushree Dutta shared she feels Ishita will have a baby boy.

Ishita and Vatsal got married in 2017. They announced the news of Ishita's pregnancy on Instagram. They posted pictures from a maternity photo shoot in March. Ishita and Vatsal wrote in the caption, Baby on Board. They added a heart emoji to their caption. The picture had their silhouettes during a sunset on the beach. In one photo, Vatsal sat on one of his knees as he looked at Ishita. In another one, he kissed her belly.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
London is buzzing with anticipation as the prestigious Bafta TV Awards are set to take place, promising an evening of glitz, glamour, and side-splitting comedy. The star-studded event will be held at the iconic Royal Festival Hall, with comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan stepping up as the hosts of the grand ceremony. Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan to host 2023 Bafta Awards.(Sky UK)

With the nominations announced, the competition is fierce. Leading the pack are the critically acclaimed series "This is Going to Hurt" and "The Responder," which have captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. The stage is set for a showdown as these exceptional shows vie for the top honors.

A lineup of esteemed actors graces the nominations, raising the excitement levels to new heights. The talented Daniel Radcliffe, known for his iconic role as Harry Potter, is nominated for his outstanding performance as the legendary Weird Al Yankovic in a captivating biopic. Joining him is the remarkable Kate Winslet, whose portrayal of a concerned mother in "I Am Ruth" has garnered widespread acclaim. The exceptional Lesley Manville shines bright with her portrayal of a Nottinghamshire mining village resident in James Graham's gripping drama "Sherwood."

The competition for Best Actor is intense, with Ben Whishaw's compelling portrayal of a doctor in the screen adaptation of Adam Kay's memoir, "This is Going to Hurt," pitted against Martin Freeman's powerful performance as a police officer in the Liverpool-set drama "The Responder." The stage is set for a battle of the acting titans.

But it's not just the acting categories that have viewers on the edge of their seats. The international category boasts an impressive lineup, featuring gripping series such as "Wednesday," "The White Lotus," "The Bear," and "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." These compelling narratives have captured the attention of audiences worldwide and are vying for recognition on the prestigious Bafta stage.

Adding to the excitement, musical sensations Lewis Capaldi and Jax Jones will take the stage to deliver unforgettable performances, ensuring that the evening is not only filled with laughter but also sensational musical moments.

Also read | Here's your ultimate guide to MTV Movie & TV Awards 2023 winners

The ceremony, broadcast on BBC One, promises to be an unforgettable night of celebration, honoring the best talent in the television industry. With the comedic brilliance of Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan at the helm, the audience can expect an evening filled with hilarious banter and delightful surprises.
Leaders from at least 12 political parties are expected to meet in Patna in next eight to 10 days to decide on a common opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, a day after the Congress swept the Karnataka assembly elections. Left pointed out issues that can usher Opposition parties to consolidate at national level.(PTI)

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has called on leaders of several opposition and regional parties over the past two months as part of his initiative to forge a united coalition, had already announced that the meeting would be called after the conclusion of the assembly elections in Karnataka.

Also read | For Oppn unity, parties must find solid issues

Right now, the Congress top leadership is busy with government formation in Karnataka. Once it is done in a few days, the dates for the opposition meet will be finalised in consultation with leaders of the Congress and other parties, said a senior leader from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), an ally of Kumars Janata Dal (United) in Bihars ruling coalition.

Senior JD(U) leader and Bihar finance minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the date and venue of the proposed meeting will be decided in the next few days. We are in discussion with partners for the proposed meeting to form a bigger alliance. The date will be finalised soon.

The JD(U) is keen to see Nitish Kumar be appointed convener of the grouping to take on the BJP in the next years general elections, a second JD(U) leader said, asking not to be named.

Read | Will be more than happy if Sharad Pawar leads anti-BJP coalition: Nitish Kumar

RJD chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad is also expected to attend the meeting, which could be his first major political engagement since his return to Patna on April 28 having spent over nine months away from his home state. Leaders of JD(U) and RJD did not rule out the meeting taking place at Prasads Patna residence.

A third JD (U) leader familiar with the developments said that a broad outline of the grouping would be discussed at the meeting. We already have an agreement with major political parties on fight for social justice and demanding caste census from the central government, this person added, requesting anonymity.

Nitish Kumar has been negotiating with various parties ever since he severed ties with the BJP and formed the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar in alliance with the RJD, Congress and smaller partners, including the Communist parties.

The push to forge a united opposition coalition is set to gain momentum after the Congress swept the Karnataka elections, winning 135 out of the total 224 seats. Several opposition leaders such as Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee cited the Karnataka results to say that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP was not invincible.

As part of his initiative, Nitish Kumar has already met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Bannerjee.

He has also called on Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray in the past few days and invited them for the opposition meeting.

Leaders from the Congress, RJD, JD(U), TMC, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Samajwadi Party, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK, AAP, CPI, CPI(M), and CPI-ML (Liberation) are likely to attend the meeting, along with a few smaller parties that are also opposed to the BJP, grand alliance leaders said.

A senior NCP leader said party chief Pawar is expected to attend the opposition meeting. Pawarsaheb is expected to attend the meeting representing our party. Other national leaders of the party like Praful Patelji will accompany him if more than one leader per party is expected to attend the meeting, said Sunil Tatkare, NCP MP from Raigad. The meeting is to chalk out the strategy for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said his party will participate in the meeting . Another party leader said Uddhav Thackeray will be part of the meeting.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Yadav said partys national president Akhilesh Yadav will take a call on the meeting when the invitation comes. He has a very good relationship with Nitish ji who also had come to meet Akhilesh ji in Lucknow.

TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said the party will surely participate in the meeting, reiterating party chief Mamata Banerjees request to Nitish Kumar to host a meeting of all opposition parties in his home state to give shape to a united Opposition against PM Modi-led BJP.

However, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammed Salim pointed out that the TMC, Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party have been trying to forge a non-CPI(M), non-Congress alliance.

They wanted the BJD [Biju Janata Dal] to be part of it but Naveen Patnaik declined. Such an alliance will only give advantage to the BJP, Salim said. CPI(M) has opposed the idea. We are always willing to be part of an open anti-BJP platform.

BJP state president Samrat Choudhary, however, termed the opposition unity a myth

Nitish Kumar is moving around the country to distract attention. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik showed him his place. The Opposition unity is a myth. No regional leader of substance will allow Nitish the space he wants, Choudhary said. Trust deficit with Nitish Kumar is the biggest handicap, as is the absence of a unanimous leader against a proven Narendra Modi.

Political experts believe that the attempt to forge a united coalition is borne out of the realisation by opposition parties that there isnt much anti-incumbency against PM Modi yet.

The BJPs win in 2014 was seen more as a fluke by regional parties whereas in 2019, they assumed that anti-incumbency would lead to BJPs defeat. But now, ahead of 2024, there is a perception growing among anti-BJP parties that they need to put up resistance or else they would be rolled over again if they maintained a status-quoist approach of doing nothing, said Rakesh Tiwary, a social scientist associated with AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, Patna. It is like many Davids are collaborating to take on the mighty Goliath.

The success of opposition unity would depend on the cohesion among various partners as there is still lot of contradiction among regional forces, he added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hours before the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka meets to choose either Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar as the chief minister, Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot said Karnataka people trusted in Congress's manifesto and voted out the 40% government and similarly he has been demanding action against the corruption of the previous government in poll-bound Rajasthan. But "for some reason", action has not been taken in the last four years, Sachin Pilot said amid his Jan Sangharsh Yatra against his own government in the state headed by Ashok Gehlot. Sachin Pilot's Jan Sangharsh Yatra in Rajasthan demanding action against corruption. (PTI)

"It is no pain that we are walking in the Sun for a few days. But think of those young people whose exams got cancelled because of a question paper leak. And paper leak happens because of corruption. I have been saying this for a long time that our government could not effectively address the corruption issue," Sachin Pilot said.

The cold war between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot has made Rajasthan Congress uncomfortable for a long and a similar situation is foreshadowed in Karnataka if Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar who are racing for the top post are not substantially rewarded.

"See, Karnataka people believed in our campaigning against the corrupt government in Karnataka. Now that we have been voted to power, we will have to address these issues. I have been demanding the same in Rajasthan for the last four years. For some reson, there has been no action against corruption. I don't know what reason," Sachin Pilot said.

"In 2018, I was the president of the state unit of the party. I was the face of the party. After the government is formed, the chief minister becomes the face. So Gehlot ji and I will have to fight together," Pilot said.

"My demand is very simple. I have not insulted anyone, never abused anyone. What I am saying is people are seeing what action we are taking because levelling allegations is easy," Pilot said.

Gehlot versus Pilot aside, a massive controversy erupted in Rajasthan after Ashok Gehlot last week claimed that former chief minister Vasundhara Raje helped same his government in 2020 when the BJP tried to bribe his MLAs and his then-deputy Sachin Pilot. Vasundhara Raje outrightly rejected the statement and Gehlot too claimed that his statement was misinterpreted as he said only what he had heard -- it was not his claim.

Sachin Pilot on Sunday said he is not claiming that there is some 'understanding' between them (Vasundhara Raje and Gehlot). "But the opposition can claim that if we don't take action against the corruption cases of the earlier regime," Pilot said,

Gehlot said he hardly spoke 15 time to Vasundhara Raje in the past 14 years. "I had said in Dholpur that Vasundhara ji and Kailash ji helped in saving my government. People misinterpreted it. She did not come to me and said that I am standing with you, Gehlot said. Will I ever be friends with the one who has taken the contract to stop my works? Gehlot asked.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya who trended on Twitter for his live statements on a television channel after Congress wrested Karnataka from the BJP on Sunday said keeping Rahul Gandhi away seems to have worked for the Congress from Himachal to Karnataka. Mocking at Rahul Gandhi's first reaction to the Karnataka victory that people's power defeated the strength of crony capitalism, Amit Malviya said this statement by Rahul Gandhi 'took the cake' Amit Malviya mocked Rahul Gandhi a day after Karnataka defeat. (REUTERS)

"Irony died a million times when Robert Vadra started giving exclusives to media channels just when Rahul Gandhi declared that Congress's Karnataka win was a defeat of 'crony capitalists'..." Malviya tweeted.

While Malviya targetted Rahul Gandhi, the Congress attributed Karnataka's success to a great extent to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. Siddaramaiah said Karnataka should be the stepping stone for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "I also hope Rahul Gandhi may become the PM of the country," Siddaramaiah said.

Some heavyweight BJP candidates faced defeat in the Karnataka election including BC Nagesh, who as the education minister was at the centre of the hijab controversy; BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, health minister K Sudhakar, housing minister V Somanna etc.

Malviya presented a vote share analysis after the results were out and said the BJP may be down in Karnataka but not out. "A quick look at the comparative vote share of the BJP, Congress and JDS between 2018 and 2023. BJPs vote share has dropped to 35.8% from 36.2% in 2018, a drop of mere 0.4%. Congresss on the other hand has gone up by 4.8%, from 38.1% to 42.9%. The JDS has lost a whopping 4.9%, down from 18.3% to 13.4%, which has almost entirely gone to the Congress. The Congresss biggest gain this election also comes from the Old Mysore Region.The data could change marginally but this is the broad direction," Malviya tweeted.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
One feature that makes the result of the latest Karnataka election interesting is that it marks only the second time since May 2019 that the Bharatiya Janata Party has lost a significant state where it was in power. PREMIUM Basavaraj Bommai with BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Jharkand was the first. Sure, the BJP also lost Himachal Pradesh where it was in power but the state has only four Lok Sabha constituencies. Karnataka has 28. Maharashtra doesnt feature in this list because of the circumstances -- the BJP was running a government in alliance with the Shiv Sena in the state; the latter broke the alliance after contesting the polls as part of it and then formed the MVA with the Congress and the NCP; and a split in the Sena helped the BJP come to power in 2022. Read | Karnataka Assembly election arithmetic: Take a look at how seats flipped for Congress Between the BJPs 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha election wins, the only three states where it had lost power were Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in 2018 where the Congress defeated it. While the Congress did win the 2017 Punjab elections as well, the BJP was only a junior partner in the alliance. Read | Karnataka elections result: 5 crucial factors that hurt the BJP, helped Cong script win This raises an interesting question. How does BJPs Karnataka loss compare to the 2018 elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the 2019 loss in Jharkand, and the 2022 loss in Himachal Pradesh? Here are three charts which try to answer this question. Karnataka looks like a smaller loss in terms of seat share and vote share A simple comparison of Karnataka 2023 with Himachal Pradesh 2022, Jharkhand 2019 and Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh 2018 shows that this is the smallest loss in terms of change in both seat share and vote share for the BJP, except in Jharkhand. Part of this is also because the BJP did not have a majority after the 2018 Karnataka results and it formed a government after the 2019 Lok Sabha results based on defections. A simple comparison of Karnataka 2023 with Himachal Pradesh 2022, Jharkhand 2019 and Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh 2018 shows that this is the smallest loss in terms of change in both seat share and vote share for the BJP, except in Jharkhand. Part of this is also because the BJP did not have a majority after the 2018 Karnataka results and it formed a government after the 2019 Lok Sabha results based on defections.

The BJPs strength in the assembly at the time of the elections was 117, according to the website of the legislative assembly, which implies a 22.7 percentage point fall in seat share.

The BJPs strength in the assembly at the time of the elections was 117, according to the website of the legislative assembly, which implies a 22.7 percentage point fall in seat share (compared to 17.4 percentage point fall from 2018 election results) and the headline change in vote share number in the Karnataka elections hides an increase in ACs with low vote share in 2018 and fall in ACs with high vote share.

...and except in Chhattisgarh, the ratio of retained ACs is not very different The BJP has retained 41.3% of the ACs it won in the 2018 elections in Karnataka. In terms of retention ratio, this is largely a similar performance with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in 2018, Jharkand in 2019 and Himachal Pradesh in 2022. The BJP has retained 41.3% of the ACs it won in the 2018 elections in Karnataka. In terms of retention ratio, this is largely a similar performance with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in 2018, Jharkand in 2019 and Himachal Pradesh in 2022. The only exception to this were the 2018 Chhattisgarh elections, where the Congress won an overwhelming 80% of the ACs won by the BJP in 2013. In terms of retaining ACs of different reserved status, the BJP performed somewhat better in General and Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved ACs in Karnataka than in ACs reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The BJP has retained 41.3% of the ACs it won in the 2018 elections in Karnataka.

It lost all six ST reserved ACs it won in 2018. This is roughly in line with its performance in the other states. In all states except Himachal Pradesh, its retention ratio was higher in General category seats than overall in the state.

But the Congresss Karnataka gains are fairly impressive compared to the other elections If one were to compare Congresss gains relative to the last election, this would not be true. This is because unlike Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress was not as far behind the BJP in Karnataka as it was in the former four. If one were to compare Congresss gains relative to the last election, this would not be true. This is because unlike Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress was not as far behind the BJP in Karnataka as it was in the former four.

If the Congress wants to capitalise on this fact, it must perform well in the forthcoming Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections towards the end of the year where it will be in a direct fight with the BJP.

However, the Congress is going to be stronger in the Karnataka assembly than it was in those four states. Not only does this offer parliamentary comfort for the Congress  it has lost governments in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh due to defections  but also a rare instance when the grand old party has been able to push a regional force, in this case the Janata Dal (Secular), and increased its footprint in a contest against the BJP.

If the Congress wants to capitalise on this fact, it must perform well in the forthcoming Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections towards the end of the year where it will be in a direct fight with the BJP.

Enjoy unlimited digital access with HT Premium Subscribe Now to continue reading Start 14 Days Free Trial Already Subscribed? Sign In

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The protesting wrestlers on Sunday termed the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) decision to take charge of all the activities of the Wrestling Federation of India as the "first step" in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI chief. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Mallik and Vinesh Phogat wearing black ribbons marking 'Black Day' during their ongoing protest against the alleged sexual harassment of players by WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.(ANI)

The country's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat among others, have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar for the last 22 days demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for his alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The IOA, through its letter on May 12, asked the secretary general of WFI to hand over the official documents including financial instruments to its ad-hoc panel, making it clear the outgoing office bearers shall have no role in the running of the federation.

The WFI said it has no issues in obeying the IOA order since they were already co-operating with the authorities.

"This (the dissolution of the current WFI) is the first step in our fight for justice. Our fight has begun in right earnest, it's a victory for us... and we will continue or fight until we get justice," said Bajrang Punia, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat rued that not a single ruling party's parliamentarian had met the wrestlers "to extend support in our fight for the dignity of women".

She said that from Monday onwards the wrestlers will give letters by hand or via e-mail to all women parliamentarians of the ruling party to come and support them.

"When they talk about the safety of women in the country, then we too are their daughters and they should come out and support us," she said.

The IOA's three-member ad-hoc committee has made it clear that the process to elect new WFI office bearers will be completed within the 45-day time frame and that the charge will be handed back to the elected body.

"Once the elections will be held, the administrative powers will go back to the WFI. The newly elected officials will run the show. It's just a temporary move that ad-hoc is managing the affairs of the federation," an official told PTI.
The Federal and the Ogun State Governments have commenced a free mass vaccination exercise in the state as part of efforts to reduce the spread of animal diseases in communities.

The vaccination is jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the State Government, with the support of Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Projects.

Speaking at the flag-off of the event in Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota LG, the Council Chairman, Engr. Sheriff Musa, said the exercise was crucial for the well-being of all residents.

Musa noted that "it is essential to vaccinate and license animals to protect them against infectious diseases such as rabbies and many more."

The council boss lauded the support of the collaborating agencies for keeping humans and animals healthy and safe in the local government.

Earlier in his address, the Director of Veterinary Services Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adeyemi Jolaoso, represented by the Zonal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Tokunbo Oduloju, revealed that the increase in the number of cases of animal diseases globally and the impact on public health necessitated the need to vaccinate domestic animals in the nooks and crannies of the state.

Contributing, a Veterinary Doctor in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Aderounmu Ayopo, said the programme provides an opportunity for more enlightenment on issues relating to peculiarities of animals and diseases, urging the residents to visit veterinary clinic in the area for quality services.

One of the animal owners, Mr. Adewale Alani, appreciated the organisers for the vaccination and advised them to sustain the programme.
A sharp increase in strike rate and vote share -- that is the impact of the Bharat Jodo yatra in Karnataka. The 2023 Karnataka elections are the first in a state which was covered in the 146 days long Bharat Jodo Yatra led by the former Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The Yatra travelled 511km in Karnataka over 22 days between Gundlupet constituency and Raichur Rural constituency. Here is what a data analysis of the results tells us about the marchs impact on the Congresss performance in these elections. To be sure, there could be other factors responsible for the better strike rate and higher vote share in constituencies through which the march passed, and correlation isnt causation. Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra with DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, in Chitradurga. (Congress Twitter)

Congress strike rate shows a massive increase in ACs covered by the Yatra

The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party traveled through 21 assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The march did not focus on Congress strongholds but instead traveled through constituencies that the BJP won in 2018, spending time in 12 won by the BJP, 5 by the Congress, and 4 by JD(S) in 2018. The Congress leadership viewed the Yatra as a way to unite the country, but it also energized the local party cadre. The Congress won 16 of the 21 ACs that the Yatra passed through, up from 5 in 2018. This figure includes Melukote where Congress did not contest but supported Darshan Puttannaiah from Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha. In terms of strike rate  seats won as a share of seats contested  the Congress has improved from 24% in 2018 to 76% in 2023 in these ACs. The Congresss strike rate in the remaining 203 ACs has also increased -- from 37% to 59%.

Did the Yatra result in a vote share advantage for the Congress?

Overall, the Congress won 43% of the votes. Its vote shares were highest in the Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka regions. Its vote share in this election was 2.9% higher in constituencies that the Bharat Jodo Yatra passed through compared to those that it did not. And when comparing the yatra constituencies to 28 bordering constituencies that did not have the Yatra pass through, the differential in vote share was 2.5% . This suggests that the Bharat Jodo Yatra may have mobilised party workers and voters for the party. Because the Congress did not focus on its strongholds in their Yatra, it ended up making inroads. In absolute terms, in the 21 constituencies that the yatra passed through, the Congress vote share increased by 10 percentage points on average. The highest increase was in Molakalmuru where the Congress vote share increased from 22% to 54%.

Chart giving median vote share of Congress in ACs covered and not-covered by BJY in 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023

Resuf Ahmed is a Ph.D. Candidate in Economics at HEC Lausanne, Currently Visiting: Stanford University. Feyaad Allie is Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at Stanford University, Incoming Post-Doc and Assistant Professor of Government at Harvard University
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a rout in the Karnataka assembly polls, senior party leaders said on Sunday that they have begun to hold meetings to identify reasons for the defeat, even as different factions of the state leadership listed a number of factors -- from BS Yediyurappas removal as chief minister in 2021 to a failure to read the mood on the ground to poor choice of candidates. The BJP fielded 72 new faces and had to deal with the ire of rebels who were denied tickets (Narendra Modi Twitter)(HT_PRINT)

The BJPs tally in the 224-member assembly fell from 104 to 66 in the results declared on Saturday. Chief minister Basavraj Bommai, who submitted his resignation to the governor on Saturday evening, said on Sunday that the party would do an in-depth analysis to course-correct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Also read | Aam Aadmi Party contested over 200 seats in Karnataka elections. How it fared?

We had an informal meeting with our president and we have discussed certain issues and we will shortly call elected representatives and the people who contested, Bommai said.

A senior Delhi-based BJP leader said the leadership is set to meet over the next week to assess the results, and to take forward the process of identifying the leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly.

Most of the state leaders are still in their respective constituencies and the process of stock-taking will begin in a couple of days, the leader added on condition of anonymity.

He did concede that it is possible the party unit, helmed by state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, would undergo a rejig.

The rejig is a possibility as the party will need to make changes for the preparation for the Lok Sabha polls. There could be a new set of office-bearers, the leader said. In 2014, the party won 17 of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the tally increased to 25 in 2019.

Read | Who is Sunil Kanugolu, Congress's political strategist for Karnataka election

There is a section within the party that said on Sunday that while they had been damaged by anti-incumbency, there were unresolved leadership issues at the state level that were not settled ahead of the polls. In the run-up to the elections, a second BJP leader said, there was a petition by a section of the state brass to replace Kateel, who has had a three-year term.

On his part, Kateel tweeted on Saturday, As the state president, I own responsibility. We will introspect on the reasons for this result.

The bottom line is that the BJP failed to read the mood on the ground and the anger against the sitting MLAs. The fact that over a dozen ministers have lost shows the extent of public anger against the government. There are leaders in the state who feel that (BL) Santhosh, the organisational general secretary, could not convey the need to undertake a complete overhaul while deciding tickets, a third BJP leader said.

To be sure, the BJP fielded 72 new faces and had to deal with the ire of rebels who were denied tickets, with ex-CM Jagadish Shettar and former deputy CM Laxman Savadi being the most notable exits on this count.

On Saturday, a BJP leader told HT that the decision to pivot the campaign on national issues instead of local ones was a wrong call and that the party paid the price for replacing BS Yediyurappa with Bommai in 2021. Veerendra Patil, who is the president of the BJP in Shikaripura, from where Yediyurappas son Vijayendra contested and won, said, In Shikaripura, we have the support of all the communities. But in other parts of the state, it (the move to replace Yediyurappa) has brought down the BJPs Lingayat votes. The Congress benefited from this.

Political analyst Chambi Puranik said, Yediyurappa was a tall Lingayat leader who could mobilise all Lingayats. BJP as a party has never got full majority. Making him resign and then using Bommai to placate him was detrimental to the party.

The Congress also picked the right issues, another BJP lawmaker from the state said.

N Ravikumar, a BJP MLC, said the Congress promises made to the public that included free electricity, bus passes for women, a welfare scheme for the woman head of every household and free foodgrain, coupled with allegations of corruption against the BJP leveraged through the labels 40% sarkara and PayCM , struck a chord with the people of Karnataka.

This was made worse, leaders said, by the arrest of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa and his son in a bribery case by the Karnataka Lokayukta on the cusp of the elections. The corruption issue was used extensively by the Congress and they made sure it reached the people, Ravikumar added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president of Tamil Nadu, K. Annamalai on Sunday congratulated the Congress for its victory in the assembly elections held in Karnataka. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai(ANI)

Congrats to @INCKarnataka for getting the people's mandate in Karnataka. Best wishes for them to deliver on their promises. he tweeted. The BJP leader also expressed his gratitude towards the people of the state who supported his party in the elections and said that they would bounce back strongly in the coming years.

"Thanks to the people of Karnataka for your love & support to @BJP4India& Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl. We listen to your voice with humility, and we will continue to work hard to earn your trust!," the Tamil Nadu BJP chief said.

Annamalai had campaigned extensively for the elections in the state. The Congress party won by a majority of 135 seats. The BJP got only 65 seats. The Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Congress' victory the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "This victory belongs to the people of the state. They decided and chose. That is why we got 136 seats - huge after 36 years... It is a big victory... We will respect the mandate and uphold people's belief in us."

(With agencies' inputs)
Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Congress legislature party in Karnataka passed a resolution on Sunday thanking party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and the Gandhi family for their guidance and support in the just-concluded assembly elections. The newly-elected MLAs hailed the electoral success in the state as a victory of every Kannadiga, of Karnataka's pride, and of progress and harmony to rebuild 'Brand Karnataka'. Karnataka Congress leaders during the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, in Bengaluru, Sunday, May 14, 2023.(PTI)

Calling the election results historic, the MLAs said Karnataka has shone a new light to democracy and protecting the Constitution, which are under attack from the forces of hate and divisiveness, both from inside and outside the State.

The Congress Legislature Party expresses its heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the President of the Indian National Congress, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge for the extensive and tireless campaign undertaken by him all through the elections as also for his sagacious advice on electoral strategy, the resolution read.

The Congress Legislature Party unanimously thanks Smt Sonia Gandhi for being a pillar of strength to the Party and for her guidance and campaign in the Karnataka Elections, it added.

Also Read | Cong's newly elected MLAs authorise Kharge to pick new Karnataka CM

The MLAs thanked former party chief Rahul Gandhi for his relentless campaign, which they said resonated with the masses and immensely helped translate the message of the 5 Congress Guarantees amongst the people. They also credited Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra for energising the cadre ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections.

It is no coincidence that the Congress Campaign, in its true earnestness began way back in September-October 2022 during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, when Shri Rahul Gandhi walked nearly 600 kilometres for a period of 21 days through the length and breadth of Karnataka, which immensely energised the cadre to take on the malgovernance, corruption and maladministration of the ruling BJP Government, they said.

The CLP, which met at a private hotel in Bengaluru on Sunday evening, passed another unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader.

Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar. Congress president Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New Delhi: The Congress partys best electoral performance since 1989 in the Karnataka election will ensure that the party retains all three Rajya Sabha seats from the state that go to polls in April 2024. Coming at the fag end of the Narendra Modi governments current tenure, the biennial elections will have little impact in the Upper House before the 2024 general election. Rajya Sabha MPs are elected by MLAs of a state through a system of proportional representation (ANI)

Congress leaders Nassir Hussain, L Hanumantaiah and GC Chandrasekhars term ends on April 2. Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhars current tenure will also end the same day.

As Rajya Sabha MPs are elected by MLAs of a state through a system of proportional representation, in the 244 seats-strong Karnataka assembly, a Rajya Sabha aspirant would require 224/ (4+1) +1 MLAs or 45.8 votes to secure a seat.

The Congresss 135 seats translates into a smooth victory for its two candidates. The third candidate would require support from the JD(S) or some of the independent MLAs to secure a seat through first preference votes.

But if the JD(S) and the four independent MLAs think otherwise, the third Congress candidate will depend on the second preference votes to come to the Upper House.

The BJP with 66 seats, can retain the seat of Chandrasekhar but will find it very difficult to snatch a seat away from the Congress under the current circumstances. A combined strength of BJP and JD(S) and the 4 independent MLAs will still fall short to bag a second seat.

A senior Congress leader said, At this moment we are not discussing the biennial election next year. But our numbers are sufficient to get all three seats.

In the Upper House of Parliament, where lawmakers get six years term as compared to five years for Lok Sabha MPs, the Congress has shrunk considerably in the past nine years as it won just 11 of 52 assembly elections since Prime Minister Modi came to power. From more than 60 seats in 2015, the Congress is now reduced to just 31 MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
U.P. civic polls 2023: Muslims changed voting trend, used discretion this time Muslim voters threw up a surprise in the urban local body (ULB) election with the way they voted. Reason: This time they used their discretion rather than voting en masse for any particular party as they used toread more. The counting of votes for urban local bodies was done on Saturday.(HT_PRINT)

First step in our fight for justice: Bajrang Punia on IOA's decision to take charge of WFI

The protesting wrestlers on Sunday termed the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) decision to take charge of all the activities of the Wrestling Federation of India as the "first step" in their fight against Brij Bhushanread more.

What is Civic Duty Voting? All you need to know about US presidency hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy's proposal

Indian American presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy announced his support for a constitutional amendment that would implement Civic Duty Voting among Americans aged 18-25. The proposalread more.

Thanks for being such an amazing mom: Barack Obama shares heartfelt note for Michelle on Mothers Day

Sharing a frame-worthy picture capturing three generations, former US President Barack Obama wrote a heartwarming note for all the moms out there and his wife Michelle on the occasion of Mothers Dayread more.

'Great question. I don't have an answer yet': Samson's bizarre interview after shocking 59-all out vs RCB angers fans

It was a shocking batting collapse from the Rajasthan Royals against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday afternoon, as the side was bowled out on merely 59, conceding a 112-run defeat in Jaipur. Chasingread more.

Mika sang Gal Mitthi Mitthi at Parineeti Chopra-Raghav Chadha's engagement, chatted with Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha's engagement ceremony in Delhi on Saturday was a star-studded affair with several high profile politicians and film celebrities in attendance. Mika Singh was one of the guestsread more.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Sunday ruled out any difference with Siddaramaiah, also a frontrunner in the race for the chief minister's post.



Some people say that I have differences with Siddaramaiah but I want to clear that there is no difference between us. Many times I have sacrificed for the party and stood with Siddaramaiah ji. I have given cooperation to Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said.



The race to the Karnataka chief minister's post has heated up after the Congress victory in the state. The supporters of both the leaders have been engaged in poster war ahead of the Congress Legislative Party meeting this evening.



ALSO READ: As Congress wrests Karnataka, where's overjoyed CM aspirant DK Shivakumar



The Congress has appointed Sushil Kumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria as the observers to oversee the election of the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP).



Who'll be next Karnataka CM? Full LIVE Coverage Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar.

On Saturday, Congress marked a return to power in Karnataka, ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party from power from its only citadel in the south. With a vite share of 42.88 per cent, the grand old party bagged 135 out of 224 seats which is more than the magic figure of 113.



ALSO READ: Happiest if he becomes chief minister: DK Suresh on brother DK Shivakumar

It is the Congress' best performance in the state since 1999 when the party had won 132 seats. In the 2018 elections, the Congress had won 80 seats and got a vote share of 38 per cent.



The Congress swept the Old Mysuru, Mumbai Karnataka, Hyderabad Karnataka and Central Karnataka regions. The BJP managed to retain its hold only in Coastal Karnataka while it was a mixed bag in Bengaluru.



The victory in Karnataka is a boost for the Congress ahead of the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh later this year.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A day after the Congress's historic win in Karnataka, all eyes are on the next big challenge that the party faces which is to choose one between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar as the chief minister. Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh, who is a Congress MP, said as a brother and also as a common man, he will be the happiest if DK becomes the chief minister. The Congress Legislature Party will meet today at 5.30pm where the MLAs are likely to vote for the new chief minister of Karnataka. All MLAs have been asked to reach Bengaluru. DK Suresh said as a common man also, he will be happy if his brother becomes Karnataka chief minister.

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah: Allies on campaign trail, contenders for CMs chair

DK Shivakumar

An eight-time MLA, DK Shivakumar represents the Vokkaliga community, the second most dominant community in Karnataka after Lingayats. The 60-year-old has been a staunch Congress supporter since the beginning of his political career when he was a student. His first election was at the age of 27. As the party was on its way to getting a thumping majority, DKS broke down as he remembered the time when Sonia Gandhi visited him in jail. " "I give credit to party cadres and all the leaders for the party's victory. People have reposed faith in us and the leaders supported us. It is a collective leadership and we have worked jointly...I had told Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge that we will deliver Karnataka", DKS said.

Siddaramaiah

A former chief minister of the state between 2013 and 2018, Siddaramaiah joined the Congress in 2006 after he was thrown out of JD(S). In 2013, Siddaramaiah raced past Mallikarjun Kharge, the party president, to become the chief minister. Siddaramaiah represents the Kurba community, the third largest caste in Karnataka. Ahead of the election, Siddaramaiah announced this will be his last electoral fight.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
India has announced a fresh list of 928 military items, including line replacement units, sub-systems and spares, that will come under a phased import ban between December 2023 and December 2029, in its latest push for self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. It covers items used in fighter planes, trainer aircraft, warships and different types of ammunition. The list covers items used in fighter planes, trainer aircraft, warships and different types of ammunition. (Representative Image)

This is the fourth positive indigenisation list of strategically important components, used by defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), placed under an import ban over the last two years.The previous lists were published by the defence ministry in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022.

The items included in the new list have an import substitution value of 715 crore, the defence ministry said in a statement.

To promote Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence and minimise imports by the DPSUs, the defence ministry has approved the 4th positive indigenisation lists of 928 strategically important LRUs/sub-systems/spares and components, including high-end materials and spares, with an import substitution value worth 715 crore, the statement said.

These items will only be procured from the Indian Industry after the prescribed timelines, the officials said. The latest list seeks to promote the local production of several parts of Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar fighter jets, Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes, magazine fire-fighting systems on board warships, and gas turbine generators.

The components and sub-systems in the previous lists include several items for fighter jets, Dornier-228 planes, multiple systems for submarines, equipment for T-90 and Arjun tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, warships and submarines, and anti-tank missiles.

About 2,500 items in the previous three lists have already been indigenised, and 1,238 have been identified for manufacturing in India in phases till 2028-29, the officials said. Of these 1,238 items, 310 have been indigenised so far, they added.

The DPSUs will undertake indigenisation of these items through different routes under the Make category (the cornerstone of the Make in India initiative), and in-house development through the capabilities of micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) and private Indian industry, thus providing impetus to the growth in economy, enhanced investment in defence, and reduction in import dependence of the DPSUs, the ministry said in the statement.

This will augment the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry by involving academia and research institutions, it added.

India has employed a two-pronged approach to achieve indigenisation through import bans.

One approach relates to banning the import of weapons and systems such as fighter jets, warships, helicopters and artillery guns, while the other covers sub-systems, spares and components that are part of bigger weapon platforms.

As part of the former, India has published four other lists that have imposed a phased import ban on 411 different types of weapons and platforms including light weight tanks, naval utility helicopters, artillery guns, missiles, destroyers, ship-borne cruise missiles, light combat aircraft, light transport aircraft, long-range land-attack cruise missiles, basic trainer aircraft, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, and multi-barrel rocket launchers.

These lists were announced during the last three years --- in August 2020, May 2021, April 2022 and October 2022. Import substitution of ammunition, which is a recurring requirement, has been given special emphasis in these lists.

India has taken a raft of measures over the last four to five years to boost self-reliance in defence. Apart from a series of phased import bans, these steps include creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware and increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from 49% to 74%.

Around 1 lakh crore was set aside for domestic procurement in this years defence budget, compared to 84,598 crore, 70,221 crore and 51,000 crore in the three previous years.

Indias arms imports fell 11% between 2013-17 and 2018-22, but the country is still the worlds top importer of military hardware, said a report published by Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) in March.

Along with cutting dependence on imports, India has sharpened its focus on strengthening its position as an exporter of military hardware. Making its presence felt in the highly competitive global defence market, India exported military hardware worth 15,920 crore in financial year 2022-23, the highest ever and a notable tenfold increase since 2016-17, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April attributing the surge to enthusiasm for Make in India, and key reforms to spur growth in the sector.

India is currently exporting military hardware to around 85 countries. It includes missiles, offshore patrol vessels, personal protective gear, surveillance systems and a variety of radars. Weapons and systems that hold export potential include the Tejas light combat aircraft, different types of helicopters, artillery guns, Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Akash surface-to-air missile system, tanks, sonars and radars.

India has a good strategy and action plan in place, backed by forward-looking policies, to ensure self-reliance in defence, and boost the countrys status as a net exporter of weapons in the coming years, military affairs expert Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd) earlier said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
With just about two weeks left to the end of his second and final term in office, President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday sent a letter to the Senate requesting approval for a fresh or "additional" $800 million facility from the World Bank. Were Nigerians not already too numbed to be scandalized, such a request should cause outrage among the citizenry. But more importantly, the report highlights, once again, why Nigeria needs legislation that will bar the federal and state executives from taking certain kinds of decisions, once a new president or governor has been elected.

President Buhari's letter seeking approval for the loan raises so many difficult questions for the government at this point that is worth quoting at length. As he told the Senate: "Please note that the Federal Executive Council approved an additional loan facility to the tune of USD800 million to be secured from the World Bank, for the National Social Safety Net Programme and the need to request for your consideration and approval to ensure early implementation.

"The Senate may wish to note that the programme is intended to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with the costs of meeting basic needs. You may wish to note that, the Federal Government of Nigeria under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme will transfer the sum of N5,000 per month to 10.2 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals. In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries' accounts and mobile wallets.

"Given the above", the letter added, "I wish to invite the Senate to kindly approve an additional loan facility to the tune of USD800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme". The President then concluded by expressing hope that his request will "receive expeditious consideration by the Senate."

We are deeply concerned not just by the letter and its contents, but also by the lack of sufficient seriousness and accountability in the government that the whole episode implies. First, why would a government elected on a mandate of change eight years ago wait until its very last few days in office to do anything to help 60 million Nigerians get out of poverty? If the government genuinely meant to help stimulate economic growth in the informal sector, and improve nutrition, health, and education to help "10.2 million poor and low-income households", that should have been the very first item on the government's agenda from its first day in office.

By now, talk would be about the number of Nigerians pulled out of poverty by this government since then, not the tens of millions still in it. We believe it is a scandal, that the government knows there are up to 60 million "poor and low income Nigerians" who need help with feeding, health and livelihoods but did not do enough to help them over the past eight or four years.

But we are equally scandalized by the apparent lack of accountability and transparency to the process. First, we are compelled to ask why expeditious approval when the government's entire authority expires completely in less than two weeks? Second, this government last mentioned safety net for the poor in Nigeria only in the context of the $800 million loan it said, in April, that it had secured from the World Bank to help cushion the effects a then proposed withdrawal from fuel subsidy, a policy that had since been dropped by the government itself. So, where is the $800m first received? Has the government returned it to the World Bank or has it been disbursed to the projected 10m poor households even though the policy has been suspended? And how is this request related to the previous $800m that was in the news last month?

These are all important questions of accountability and transparency, both specifically for this policy, and more broadly for this outgoing government as a whole. We, therefore, urge the Senate to not only withhold approval for this loan, but to request additional information in the public interest. Similarly, we urge the in-coming administration to issue caveat emptor on the loan, should the Senate rubber stamp it. No administration has the right to take such a massive decision on behalf of Nigerians yet unborn with less than one month to go.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Finally, we call for a legislation that will prevent governors and presidents from taking out loans, awarding contracts, or making payments to officials beyond certain thresholds once the next governor or president has been elected. Such law would make outgoing administrations more accountable to the people, and prevent the reckless and potentially self-serving spending spree embarked upon by governors and presidents few months to the end of their administrations. A bill for such a law is what President Buhari should have sent to the Senate last week, not yet another unexplained request for billions in foreign loans.
A day after Congress registered an emphatic win in the Karnataka assembly elections, Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal advised his former party to win people's hearts for the next five years in the state by being open, honest, non-discriminatory. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal.(PTI / File)

In a tweet, Sibal said, "Karnataka, winning elections is tough. Winning people's hearts is tougher! For the next 5 years win people's hearts by being: open, honest, non-discriminatory."

BJP lost for not being any of this! he added.

Sibal, who was a Union minister during successive Congress-led UPA governments, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the upper house as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. Sibal was also a member of the so-called G23, a group of dissenting Congress leaders who had expressed their concerns about the party's functioning and called for reforms and introspection. He recently floated a non-electoral platform 'Insaaf' aimed at fighting injustice.

Earlier reacting to the Karnataka election results, Sibal had tweeted, The PM lost, The people of Karnataka won. No to: 40%, Kerala story, Divisive politics, Arrogance, Falsehood. Congress deserved to win.

Congress successfully ran an aggressive campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka on the issues of corruption and price rise, winning 135 seats in the 224-member assembly. The grand old improved its vote share by more than four per cent across different regions of Karnataka.

In the 2018 elections, Congress garnered a vote share of 38.04 per cent, followed by the BJP (36.22 per cent) and the JD(S) with 18.36 per cent. In the just-concluded polls, Congress' vote share zoomed to 42.88 per cent; that of JD(S) dropped to 13.29 per cent. The BJP, however, was able to hold to its vote share of 36 per cent.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
After a high-octane election campaign, the assembly election cycle in Karnataka ended with the results on Saturday. The verdict was a massive boost to the Congress and a setback for the BJP, as the grand old party stormed to a handsome majority banking on a strong anti-corruption plank and a host of social welfare promises.

Congress leaders celebrate their win in the Karnataka assembly elections, in Bengaluru.(HT_PRINT)
The high-octane Karnataka assembly election proved beneficial to the Congress as the party got a massive boost in the state, setting BJP to the backfoot. With a host of social welfare promises and anti-corruption plank, the grand old party won the state election with a thumping majority at 136 seats out of a total 224. BJP became the state's opposition party and secured 66 seats. Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar.(PTI)

The assembly election journey saw faces of several stalwarts from Congress  Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar, Mallikarjun Kharge, even Rahul Gandhi  as opposed to the BJP  Narendra Modi  which led the right-wing party towards its humbling defeat, setting a reminder that relating to the Prime Minister with non-Hindi speaking belt is still a challenge.

Here are 10 stories from our newspaper to inform you about all that happened in the Karnataka assembly election verdict

How did the seats flip for Congress? Check out what the election arithmetic says

The Karnataka assembly election verdict was a massive boost to the Congress and a setback for the BJP, as the grand old party stormed to a handsome majority banking on a strong anti-corruption plank and a host of social welfare promises. Read more

Congress has got two tough contenders for CM post, both their names begin with an S: Know about them here

They began their political journeys in starkly different ways. One rose through the ranks of local politics before entering the assembly in 1983 and the other has remained a lifelong Congressman, beginning his foray in politics as a 27-year-old whiz kid of sorts in 1989. Read more

Despite having strong foothold, why did JD(S) lose out on Muslim vote bank?

For the first time since 2008, a Muslim has failed to win on a Janata Dal (S) ticket -- the party has a strong presence on Old Mysuru region, which has about 11% Muslim population -- indicating one of the interesting sub-strands of the Karnataka election results, a consolidation of Muslim votes in the region in favour of the Congress. Read more

'The one who is never defeated' to son of soil: One who gets job done

In his five-decade-long career, 80-year-old Mallikarjun Kharge was part of the winning Congress Karnataka team thrice before  in 1992 when Veerappa Moily became chief minister, in 1999 when SM Krishna got the top job and then in 2013, when Sonia Gandhi chose the partys new recruit (from Janata Dal-Secular) Siddaramaiah over Kharge. Read more

Faces from Congress v/s face of BJP: Campaign trails in the run-up to the elections

The Congresss campaign in Karnataka had many faces -- Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar, Mallikarjun Kharge, even Rahul Gandhi. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Partys had only one -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read more

Congress' victory has crushed JD(S) hope to become kingmaker: Is Karnataka heading towards bipolar polity?

Until the counting of votes began in Karnataka the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD (S) was hoping to play kingmaker in the state. Those hopes have been crushed with the Congress winning 136 out of the 224 assembly constituencies (ACs) in the state and the JD (S)s own seat tally coming down from 37 to 20. Will Karnataka now move towards a bipolar polity where the JD (S) increasingly becomes a marginal political force? Read more

Did Bharat Jodo Yatra have impact on Karnataka elections?

A sharp increase in strike rate and vote share -- that is the impact of the Bharat Jodo yatra in Karnataka. The 2023 Karnataka elections are the first in a state which was covered in the 146 days long Bharat Jodo Yatra led by the former Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Read more

Mixed bag of results for two Lingayat leaders  Shettar and Savadi

It was a mixed bag of results for two senior Lingayat leaders, Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi, who switched over to the Congress from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run-up to the Karnataka assembly elections, the results of which were announced on Saturday. Read more

Sequence of defeat for JD(S) in electoral battle

From kingmaker to a bit player, the decline in the fortunes of the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, has been nothing short of dramatic. Read more

Ahead of poll verdict, BJP-Congress approached JD(S) seeking alliance

With some exit polls suggesting that no party would cross the majority mark in the Karnataka assembly elections, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Friday claimed to have been approached by both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress for a post-poll alliance to form the next government. Read more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In his five-decade-long career, 80-year-old Mallikarjun Kharge was part of the winning Congress Karnataka team thrice before  in 1992 when Veerappa Moily became chief minister, in 1999 when SM Krishna got the top job and then in 2013, when Sonia Gandhi chose the partys new recruit (from Janata Dal-Secular) Siddaramaiah over Kharge. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public meeting ahead of Assembly polls, in Hubballi, Karnataka, (PTI)

The disappointment of those missed opportunities was likely forgotten on Saturday as the man who is now the Congress party president led his home state to a sweeping, definitive victory over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party behind his only electoral loss in 2019. Before that, his supporters liked calling him Solu illad Saradar or the one who is never defeated.

I am a bhumiputra (son of the soil), said Kharge proudly after the win, speaking mostly in Kannada. He is the second person from Karnataka, after S Njilingappa in 1968, to rise to the level of Congress president.

The people have defeated a corrupt government. Its a collective show and credit to all our workers. If you work hard then people will support you. We will try to use this in every poll and replicate the same kind of win, he said.

The first elected Congress chief who took over the partys reins from the Gandhi family after 24 years, Kharge is off to a start. Of the three states that have gone to polls since he became president in October 2022, he has managed to wrest both Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka from the BJP, losing in Gujarat. And while some feel that he has been slow to implement the radical changes the party needs ahead of 2024, others argue that his success lies in making changes without upsetting the apple cart.

Theres no doubt that he is a mature and calming influence in the party. Take for instance, his ability to clamp down on infighting which is a major challenge in the state with both DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah vying for the top post. Kharge is believed to have told all contenders that he didnt care who ended up as the chief minister, as long as the party won.

The message that went out early on, and reiterated by Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, was that both would be jointly held accountable for the result. The message seems to have worked and for once, the Congress projected a united front, especially in comparison to the ruling party. The party even managed to minimise exits by disgruntled candidates, something leaders attribute to the right balance in ticket distribution between the various power centres in the state.

If theres one election that the Congress has fought together after 2014, its the Karnataka campaign, said Chetan Shinde, who is working on a biography of Kharge. What he (Kharge) brings to the table is his clean image because he has never been accused of corruption. As a trustworthy leader, his words carry a lot of weight for party cadres.

When the partys main issue against the incumbent in the state was corruption, it helped to have someone at the helm who was above all this. Meanwhile, Kharge held his own, not hesitating to target even Narendra Modi. When the prime minister spoke about being treated lowly as a tea seller, Kharge countered it by saying that at least Modi was able to serve tea, while his own Dalit status meant that no one would even touch his tea.

Sometimes his words got him into trouble, for instance when he called PM Modi a poisonous snake but his supporters insist that Kharge was just going with his rustic instinct.

However, the BJP took them very seriously, complaining to the Election Commission. Kharge and his legislator son Priyank were singled out for such complaints along with Sonia Gandhi, indicating that the party president was holding his own. In fact, during the month that he spent in the state, he held 43 public meetings and covered over 3,000 km.

Last time, the Congress got 38% vote share and if theres been a swing towards the party (43% this year), credit has to be given to his leadership. He has managed to take everyone along, said Congress legislative council member Ramesh Babu.

After the win on Saturday, reporters asked Kharge whether it was PM Modis loss as the BJP had centred its own election campaign around him. The party chief dismissed the question saying that Saturday was about the 2023 election and not about the Lok Sabha elections next year. Never one to let others dictate the narrative, the old-school politician wasnt about to let that happen in his moment of victory.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
After Congress romped home with 136 seats in the Karnataka assembly elections, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday took to Twitter to acknowledge the BJPs defeat. The humbling verdict will be accepted without pinning the blame on factors such as electronic voting machines (EVMs), he added. Sarma also wrote that the party reflects upon its losses and moves forward with the learnings. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the star campaigners in Karnataka assembly elections.(ANI)

We always accept the verdict of the people with humility. We do not blame EVM or any other external factors for our defeat, but instead, we introspect and learn from our past. I am confident that @BJPKarnataka, accepts the defeat with grace and will continue to work for the great people of Karnataka, he tweeted.

He also asserted that the Congress victory will not thwart BJPs success at the centre for the third consecutive time in the 2024 general elections."The opposition is taking this win as a straw to hold on to in the ocean, but it will have no impact in the future," news agency PTI quoted him during an event at Bihaguri in Assam's Sonitpur district.

Read | What the Karnataka results mean for 2024 Lok Sabha polls

The senior BJP leader added that the Congress win was not a surprise as it was in power prior to the 2014 general election when BJP won under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sarma, one of the star campaigners in Karnataka, said that he had realised that BJP will not perform well in the state.

Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday resigned as Karnataka chief minister, hours after BJPs rout despite a high-decibel poll campaign headlined by bigwigs including PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda in the state.

The Congress won 136 of the states 224 assembly seats, the first time in a decade that a party has crossed the halfway mark in the state.While most exit polls had predicted a loss for the BJP in Karnataka, the party suffered a massive plunge in its vote share compared to the 2018 elections, losing its sole southern citadel.

Except in 2004 and 2018, Karnataka has followed a three-decade old political tradition of voting out the incumbent government since 1985.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Karnataka Congress on Sunday held its first legislative party meeting after winning the assembly polls, passing a briefly worded resolution authorising All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, even as supporters of the two main contenders  former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state president DK Shivakumar  shouted slogans outside the venue backing them. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)

Representatives of the partys central command held separate meetings with both leaders, who worked together during the campaign, to thrash out a consensus with various options on the table, people familiar with the developments said.

The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said the one-line resolution passed after the meeting that was scheduled to start at 6pm but could only begin at 8.30pm as the newly elected legislators navigated through a crowd of supporters from each camp. Later, the MLAs were called individually after dinner to give their views if they so wished, said the people cited above.

The announcement will happen by Tuesday, said a senior aide of Kharges.

The first meeting of the Congress legislative party passed two resolutions. The first was moved by KPCC president DK Shivakumar, which thanked the 6.5 crore voters of Karnataka. It was seconded by MB Patil. It was also endorsed by other senior Congress leaders. Then Siddaramaiah, the former chief minister, moved a single-line resolution authorising the Congress president to appoint a new leader of the Congress Legislative Party. The 135 Congress MLAs unanimously passed the resolution. This was seconded by DK Shivakumar and others, said Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka. Surjewala later tweeted a picture with Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, showing that the leaders were united.

Kharge is expected to meet Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in Delhi on Monday before the decision is made, party insiders said, adding that the swearing-in is likely by May 18, to which all like-minded parties will be invited.

The party began the process of arriving at a consensus on Sunday morning, when Kharge announced the appointment of former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the Congress legislative party leader in the state. Kharge, who travelled to Delhi in the morning, and was not present at the evenings CLP meeting, told reporters, Our observers will convey their opinion to the high command and a decision will be taken thereafter.

A senior Karnataka-based legislator told HT that while the meeting was brief, general secretaries of the AICC KC Venugopal and Surjewala held a long closed-door meeting with Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar earlier in the day.

The meeting was meant to discuss the options and come to a consensus. The meeting however came to the conclusion that the decision should be left to the party high command, said the legislator, who didnt want to be named.

MLA KJ George said a decision was taken to support any and all decisions by the party high command, but hinted at the future course of action that is set to dominate the states politics over the next few days. The observers appointed by the party will hold one-on-one talks with each MLA and then inform the high command, said the legislator from Sarvagnanagar.

Another legislator said even though several formulas were on the table, including the idea of splitting the five-year term between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, these were not mentioned at the meeting. To be sure, the splitting of the term has been part of the Congress conversation before, often unsuccessfully. In Chhattisgarh for instance, health minister TS Singhdeo has maintained that there was meant to be a shared leadership between him and chief minister Bhupesh Baghel after the partys win in December 2018, with a change of guard never taking place, and causing friction in the party. Baghel has consistently denied such an arrangement was ever agreed to.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah separately attended meetings, seemingly aimed at strengthening their claims over the position. Shivakumar met the chief of the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur, a religious site of significance for the Lingayats, the largest in Karnataka. He emerged from that meeting and played down any differences with Siddaramaiah.

Some people say that I have differences with Siddaramaiah, but I want to clarify that there is no difference between us. Many times I have sacrificed for the party and stood with Siddaramaiah ji. I have given cooperation to Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said.

He also recalled Sonia Gandhi visiting him in jail when he was imprisoned in a money-laundering case. I had not done anything wrong for myself. Whatever I did was for the party. All my sufferings were for the party, he said.

The Vokkaliga Sangha, a powerful body of the community that is the second largest in Karnataka, which Shivakumar hails from, also held a meeting of pontiffs where a unanimous decision was taken to request the Congress brass to name him chief minister.

This programme has been organised to request all the seniors right from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah to give Shivakumar an opportunity to run the administration and serve the society, Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji said.

Siddaramaiah also held meetings with some legislators on Sunday afternoon. A leader in the know of these developments said that two leaders close to the former CM had been making calls to other legislators to rally support.

He has the support of a considerable number of MLAs. More meetings will take place, the leader said on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Congress was further strengthened in the assembly after independent MLA Latha Mallikarjun, who won from Harapanahalli in Vijayanagara district, extended unconditional support to the party.

Lata Mallikarjun, Independent MLA from Harpanhalli Assembly is the daughter of veteran Congress Leader and Ex Deputy CM, Late M.P. Prakash. She has extended unconditional support to the Congress Party in Karnataka considering her ideological roots and commitment to Congress ideals. I thank her, her husband Mallikarjun and all the supporters and well-wishers. We will serve the 6.5 Crore Kannadigas together, Surjewala tweeted.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Karnataka director general of police (DGP) Praveen Sood was appointed the next chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to a government order issued on Sunday. Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood. (PTI)

The 59-year-old has been appointed to the post for a period of two years from the date of assuming charge after outgoing CBI chief Subodh Kumar Jaiswal completes his tenure on May 25.

Approval of the competent authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS, (KN:86) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for period of two years from the date of assumption of charge vice Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH:85) consequent upon the completion of his tenure, an order by the department of personnel and training said.

Jaiswal took over as CBI director on May 26, 2021.

A high-powered panel comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met on Saturday to decide on Jaiswals successor.

Besides Sood, the names of Madhya Pradesh DGP Sudhir Saxena and an officer of the UT cadre from the 1987 batch were discussed.

A graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Sood joined the Indian Police Service in 1986 and served as assistant superintendent of police, Mysore, in 1989. He also served as superintendent of police in Bellary and Raichur before being posted as deputy commissioner of police, law and order, in Bengaluru city.

In 1999, Sood went on foreign deputation as police advisor to the Government of Mauritius for three years.

Sood has also served as principal secretary in the Karnataka home department and DGP of the Criminal Investigation Department, economic offences and special units. He was appointed as Karnataka DGP in 2020.

In March, ahead of the recently held Karnataka assembly elections, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar slammed the former for allegedly favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Shivakumar had even called the DGP nalayak (incompetent) and said the party would take strict action against him after coming to power.

The Congress won the state elections, the results of which were declared on Saturday.
Karnataka director general of police (DGP) Praveen Sood will be the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years, the appointments committee of the Union Cabinet said on Sunday. The 1986- batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer will replace Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, whose two-year tenure as CBI chief will end on May 25. Praveen Sood IPS. (File Photo)

Approval of the competent authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS, (KN:86) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for period of two years from the date of assumption of charge vice Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH:85) consequent upon the completion of his tenure, the department of personnel and training said in an order.

Born in 1964, Sood, who graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, started his career in the Indian Police Service as assistant superintendent of police, Mysore in 1989. He served as superintendent of police, Bellary and Raichur before being posted as deputy commissioner of police, law and order, Bangalore city. In 1999, he proceeded to foreign deputation as police advisor to the government of Mauritius for three years .

Sood has also previously served stints as principal secretary, Home Department, Karnataka, commissioner of police, Bengaluru city, and director general of police, CID, Economic Offences & Special Units. He was appointed as the Karnataka DGP in 2020.

He courted controversy in March when senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar slammed him for allegedly favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. The state Congress chief called the DGP Nalayak and said that the Congress will take strict action against him, after coming to power. The Congress on Saturday registered a resounding victory in the Assembly elections in the state.

HT reported on Saturday that a panel comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met on Saturday to decide the name of next CBI director, with Sood being the front runner.

Outgoing CBI director, Jaiswal, a 1985-batch Maharashtra-cadre IPS officer, had taken over the reins of the CBI on May 26, 2021. One of the key cases investigated by CBI during his tenure is the Delhi excise policy case, in which former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was questioned. Jaiswal was the Maharashtra DGP before joining the central agency.
aSenior Congress leader Siddaramaiah is at the resident of party's national president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. Congress Karnataka President DK Shivakumar.(PTI)

Newly-elected Congress MLAs are meeting to discuss government formation and pick the chief minister for the state.

Congress high-command is elated after the party's emphatic 135 seats victory in the 224-member assembly.

Where's DK Shivakumar, though? Maintaining a very low profile as he headed towards Nonavinakere to meet with his spiritual guru Ajjayya' while his vociferous supporters put posters at his residence with the simple aim of raising the demand- Make Karnataka Congress boss the state's chief minister.

"I am going to Nonavinakere to meet my spiritual guru, Ajjayya. I had said that our numbers will be 136," DK Shivakumar told news agency ANI.

The demand is not that simple, after all. But for DK Shivakumar, who broke down as the Congress party registered a decisive victory, his political career could come full circle if he is chosen for the post.

Soon after Congress' win, an exulted DK Shivakumar had said, I assured Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge that I will deliver Karnataka."

I can't forget Sonia Gandhi coming to meet me in jail, he added as he recalled her visit to Delhi's Tihar jail to meet him in 2020 when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.

It is going to be a long day for DK Shivakumar- who began his political career in the early 1980s and has been elected as an MLA from Kanakapura multiple times- as he awaits the CM post decision.

The catch-up with his spiritual guru might help.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Congress's resounding victory with 135 seats in Karnataka may have exceeded the expectations of many, but for a small Kannada web portal Eedina (eedina.com), the election results came as no surprise. Remarkably, this web portal had accurately predicted the outcome well in advance, during the last week of April itself. Congress supporters celebrate the partys good show in Karnataka Assembly polls (ANI)(HT_PRINT)

As per the portals mega survey on April 26-27, it was predicted that the Congress party would secure a range of 132 to 140 seats, while the BJP was projected to receive between 57 and 65 seats. They also predicted 19-25 seats for the Janata Dal (Secular).

Also Read: How the Congress won Karnataka

Following the Congress big win, the team of Eedina was elated Saturday as the election results matched their predictions 100%. A video clip shared by the portal from their newsroom on Twitter also featured political activist and psepholoist Yogendra Yadav, who hailed this rare win, which the group was able to achieve despite the lack of resources available to mainstream media houses. "If Your channel was in English and you were based in Delhi, you would have been a national hero," Yadav told them.

Yadav, who wrote an opinion piece for The Print on Karnataka election during the same time, cited Eedinas impressive pre-poll survey and highlighted the rigorous process through which the organisation made such an accurate prediction.

Describing Eedina as an alternative peoples media in Kannada, Yadav highlighted that Eedina engaged nearly 1,000 trained citizen journalists to conduct the survey across 204 out of 224 assembly constituencies.

Dr H.V. Vasu, editor of Eedina and the project head of the survey told The Frontline that the survey was conducted between March 13 and April 21 and the sample size was the largest among different surveys at 41,169.

Yadav, who gave technical advice on the survey design, also credited rigorous sampling methodology employed by Eedina, which he said was a fair representation of the demographic profile of Karnataka. The survey utilised a methodology based on random selection. This involved the random selection of booths as well as the respondents from the voters' list of the sampled booth.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Farmers are lamenting that yam farming is not receiving attention as cassava, rice and other crops, in terms of intervention and inputs.

The Edo State chairman of the Yam Farmers Association, Luke Osagie, who spoke exclusively with Daily Trust on Sunday, also explained the best yam farming methods.

He said that despite the many challenges faced by yam farmers, they are still making progress in terms of yield and profit.

He said one of the challenges, especially in Edo State, for instance, was the activities of herdsmen, "Who at times graze our farms with their cattle and chase farmers away.

"We normally stay in the farm after planting. There is hardly any bush in Edo that you don't have herdsmen. By the time you tell them not to destroy your farm, they will fight you. And to avoid being killed, most farmers run away from their farms.

"Secondly, government is not taking yam farming seriously the way they do to other crops like cassava and rice, in terms of intervention and inputs.

"Also, people are not really interested in yam farming because of the work in it. They ignore it because they don't know its economic value.

"Yam farming is a very lucrative business. We have the land for cultivation; even Benue State doesn't have the land we have in Edo and they are feeding Nigeria with yam. We can do same here. We also have a market here for it.

"Yam seed is very costly. A seed for planting is now N300, and when you buy close to 2,000 seeds to plant in an acre, you know what that means. Unfortunately, people are not looking at the direction of yam."

He, however, said that despite the challenges in yam farming, it is a lucrative business that people should venture in.

How best to farm yam

Luke Osagie, the leader of Edo yam farmers, said it was easy for a new farmer to go into yam farming and be successful.

"As a new farmer, he or she has to acquire the land and prepare it for cultivation. After that, you either do ridges or the normal digging.

"You have to first get the yam seeds for planting. This is very important because there are seeds that are good in padding while others are good in just eating; it depends on the one you want to go for.

"But I would not advise the person to go for red yam because you can't harvest it the same year you plant it. It is always harvested at the close of the year. Ordinarily, yam farming is not supposed to exceed six months.

He said the planting period was usually between April and May while the harvest period would be between September and October.

He also said that during harvest, farmers could get the seeds and bury on the ground so that they could plant it the next season.

"But when time doesn't permit, you can uproot; and that will increase the farmers' yield.

"During planting you can give one feet and half to make the yam do well, but the water yam and red yam don't need deep hole. Red yam doesn't go deep on the ground, it goes sideways most of the time, but white yam goes deep into the ground.

"To get better yield, farmers can apply fertiliser. But I have not really applied fertiliser in my farm because our land is fertile and if you use fertiliser on a fertile land it would put holes on the yam. Most times you space the planting, which can make it do very well," he added.

According to him, the species of yam matter in planting as there are some that you can get two yams in one hole while another can only produce one.

He said farmers in the state had never received inputs or intervention from either the state or federal government because they have neglected yam farming.

"Our government is not looking in that area; and Benue State is making much money from yam farming," he said.

He said that despite the setback, yam farmers are planning to have a market in the state and also form cooperatives for the benefit of farmers.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

On loan, he said, "We have not been getting loans from commercial banks because of huge collateral, while micro finance banks that are close to the people don't even look our way.

"People always believe that yam is a yearly crop because we always harvest towards the end of the year, but it is six-month crop because planting is April/May."

He appealed to the state government to look in the direction of yam farming by giving them inputs, the same way they do to rice, cassava and other crops receiving government's attention.

"If they give us good variety of seeds, it would be better. And yam has market more that cassava because it can be stored for long period," he added.

He called on yam farmers to come together by forming cooperatives because government can't attend to individual farmers, saying, "It is only when we come together that we can achieve much.

"Government should also make yam a priority crop because it will encourage more people to go into farming," he also said.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Milind Parande seemed unbothered by the Congress emphatic 135 seats victory in the Karnataka Assembly election Saturday as he claimed that the organisations youth wing Bajrang Dal is not afraid of the ban threat as was proposed by the Congress party in its election manifesto. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Secretary General, Milind Parande addresses a press conference, in Nagpur on Friday. (ANI photo)

If they ban Bajrang Dal out of hatred for Hindus, necessary steps will be taken," Parande was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the Bajrang Dal was banned but the court quashed it saying it was wrong, he added.

In its election manifesto, the party had stated that if voted to power, it would take strong action against those promoting caste or religion-based hatred and cited organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI) as examples.

Their poll promise had turned into a major controversy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned it into a big issue during his campaigns. PM Modi had urged the public to say 'Jai Bajrangbali' while voting, as a counter-response to the Congress for the alleged 'cultural abuse'. 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, he had said during a public meeting at Hospet in Vijayanagara district ahead of polls.

The Congress, in retaliation, had accused the BJP of equating Bajrang Bali with the Bajrang Dal. Following its big win in the southern state, the party further taunted the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Bajrang Bali pitch Saturday and many senior Congress leaders rejoiced saying, it seems Lord Hanuman is with the Congress.

The election took place in Karnataka last week, and the result was declared Saturday, in which the Congress won the biggest vote share and seats by any party in over three decades in the state.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A day after the resounding victory for the DK Shivakumar-led Congress in the Karnataka assembly elections, the Vokkaliga leader announced that he is headed towards Nonavinakere to catch up with his spiritual guru Ajjayya. Vokkaligas, an influential and the second most dominant caste after Lingayats, take up 16 per cent of Karnatakas demographics. Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar visits Kollur Mukambika Devi Temple to offer prayers, in Udupi on Monday. (DK Shivakumar Twitter)

"I am going to Nonavinakere to meet my spiritual guru, Ajjayya. I had said that our numbers will be 136," Shivakumar told news agency ANI. Reportedly, Shivakumar and his family went to Nonavinakere Kadasiddeshwara Mutt to seek the blessings of Vrishabha Deshikendra Seer following Congress' thumping comeback to power in Karnataka.

Shivakumars meeting with his guru comes amid a silent tussle between the eight-time MLA and Siddaramaiah for the chief ministerial post in what was once the lone southern citadel of the BJP. As per reports, Shivakumar, considered the partys principal troubleshooter, and Siddaramaiah, a Congress veteran, are the close contenders for the top job. Notably, Shivakumar has scheduled his Nonavinakere visit ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meet at 5.30pm Sunday where the MLAs are likely to vote for the new chief minister of Karnataka. All MLAs have been asked to reach Bengaluru.

Earlier, Shivakumar played down any talk of a conflict in deciding the chief minister, insisting the decision would be taken in the party's Delhi office and that his only concern is to ensure good governance for the people of Karnataka and development of the state. He won from his Kanakapura stronghold by over 1.2 lakh votes.

As the Congress sailed past the majority mark in the 224-seat state assembly on Saturday, a teary-eyed Shivakumar thanked the party cadre for the results. "I can't forget Sonia Gandhi visiting me in jail...when BJP people put me in jail," the emotional state unit chief said.

.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
On Saturday the Congress celebrated an emphatic win in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election; the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was swatted away by a margin of 69 seats for a first state poll win since Himachal Pradesh last year. On Sunday the Congress woke up to a poster war after supporters of state boss DK Shivakumar and the outgoing Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah plastered the capital with posters demanding their 'man' be appointed chief minister. Rahul Gandhi flanked by Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar and ex-Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Karnataka's Chitradurga. (Source: Congress/Twitter)

That the Congress would have to choose between their two tallest leaders in the state was a given and only the (fortunate) realisation that everyone in the party had to work together to beat the BJP's much-vaunted election machinery kept a lid on a rivalry now apparently bubbling over furiously.

READ | Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah: Campaign trail allies turn CM hopefuls

And now, having secured what has been touted as a record win (in terms of vote share) it appears the gloves have come off; news agency ANI this morning shared videos of posters outside the Bengaluru residences of both DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah to kick-start the 'CM race'.

The contestants

Widely seen as the Congress' point man in the southern state, DK Shivakumar made his (first) play for the chief minister's post yesterday evening, shortly after outgoing chief minister Basavaraj Bommai conceded defeat.

DKS' message - 'I delivered Karnataka to the fold' - was accompanied by an emotional moment as he thanked the Gandhi family (and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge) and said tearfully he had been inspired by Sonia Gandhi visiting him while in jail in Delhi in 2020.

Shivakumar yesterday played down any talk of confrontation in deciding the chief minister, insisting the decision would be taken in the 'temple' that is the party's Delhi office and that his only concern is to ensure good governance for the people of Karnataka and development of the state.

READ | 'I delivered': DK Shivakumar's reminder as Cong mulls CM choice

He won from his Kanakapura stronghold by over 1.2 lakh votes.

In the other corner is Siddaramaiah - another battle-hardened veteran politician and one who has served as both chief minister and deputy chief minister. Seen as the more popular face of the party, Siddaramaiah may be banking on a different sort of emotion to return to the state's top post.

READ | Who is DK Shivakumar, who may become Karnataka's new CM

The former CM has said this - a ninth electoral win - his swansong; confirming his candidature from the Varuna constituency, he said: This is going to be my last will retire from electoral politics.

Speaking after the results yesterday, he hailed the victory as a 'mandate against (prime minister) Narendra Modi, (union home minister) Amit Shah and (BJP chief) JP Nadda' and, significantly perhaps, also singled out Rahul Gandhi, declaring he hoped the ex-MP would become PM in 2024.

READ | Who is Cong veteran Siddaramaiah, a possible CM candidate

Siddaramaiah too claimed a big win; he won by more than 45,000 votes.

When will the race be decided?

The Congress has called for a meeting of its legislators this evening - at 5.30 pm. Will the chief minister be announced then? Possibly.

Messages have certainly flown thick and fast between the party's HQ in Delhi and Bengaluru, and deals and compromises will have been made and offered.

READ | How the Congress won Karnataka

All then await the Congress' answer to the question - 'who is the next chief minister of Karnataka'.

With input from ANI

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The tallest Vokkaliga leader in Karnataka, a trusted lieutenant of the Gandhi family, an eight-time MLA, a trouble shooter-- that's a good introduction to DK Shivakumar whose whirlwind campaigns across the state in the run up to the assembly elections were just what the Congress needed. But when the party registered a thunderous win at the polls, DK Shivakumar was not his usual combative self. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar with Rahul Gandhi during the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. (PTI file)

I delivered I assured Sonia Gandhiji, Rahul Gandhiji and Priyanka Gandhiji, and Mallikarjun Khargeji I will deliver Karnataka to the fold, teary-eyed Karnataka Congress chief said.

"I give credit to party cadres and all the leaders for the party's victory. People have reposed faith in us and the leaders supported us. It is a collective leadership and we have worked jointly," he added as his voice choked.

Here are top points on DK Shivakumar, top Karnataka CM contender:

Born on May 15, 1962 in Kanakapura to Doddalahalli Kempe Gowda and Gouramma, DK Shivakumar has been a staunch Congressman. DK Shivakumar belongs to the Vokkaliga community- agrarian and the second most dominant force after Lingayats in Karnataka. He started his political career as a student leader in the 1980s. He contested his maiden election from Sathanur Assembly constituency in 1989 when he was just 27. He was at the thick of things in Maharashtra in 2002 as the then Vilas Rao Deshmukh government won a no-confidence motion. "When Deshmukh faced the no-trust vote he got in touch with Shivakumar. As a trouble shooter, Shivakumar huddled the Maharashtra MLAs in his resort on the Bengaluru outskirts for a week until the date of vote. This move saved the Deshmukh government, a Congress leader recounted. He also proved to be "instrumental" in ensuring the victory of late Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat in 2017. In September 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against DK Shivakumar- based on an Income Tax Department chargesheet filed against him before a court in Bengaluru for alleged tax evasion and hawala dealings. He was accused of transporting huge amounts of unaccounted cash on a regular basis through 'hawala' channels. Then followed a series of raids by the Income Tax and ED. In September 2019, he was arrested by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and got bail in October. DK Shivakumar is the third Karnataka MLA with assets worth  1,413 crore, the Association for Democratic Reforms noted in its report.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Sailing through several highs and lows, the veteran warhorse Siddaramaiah has made no secret of his ambition to become the next Karnataka chief minister, despite his announcement of retirement from electoral politics. Congress party leader Siddaramaiah(AP)

The sprightly Congress leader has an edge with his earlier experience as CM and is considered relatively more popular face of the party and enjoys a mass support. Unlike DK Shivakumar, seen as his contender in the CM race, Siddaramaiah's political association was not based out of Congress from the beginning. Rooted in Janata Pariwar for over two decades, the veteran politician was known for his strident anti-Congress stance.

After his administration in 2018, Siddaramaiah has emerged stronger, with his seniority, stature, and appeal to backward classes making him the biggest mass leader in the state.

Here are top points on Siddamaiah, top Karnataka CM contender:

Born on August 12, 1948 at Siddaramanahundi, a village in Mysuru district, Siddaramaiah graduated from Mysore University with B.Sc Degree and later studied Law from the same institution and pursued it as a profession for some time. Siddaramaiah led a successful five year term as Chief Minister of Congress government between 2013-18. Leader of opposition in the last Karnataka assembly, a former chief minister and a two-time deputy chief minister  Siddaramaiah holds experience of a number of significant past portfolios. He made his political debut in the assembly in 1983 when he got elected from Chamundeshwari on a Lok Dal Party ticket. He has won five times from this constituency and tasted defeat thrice. He was earlier a stalwart of JD(S) and was widely seen as HD Deve Gowda's protege. He walked out of the party in 2005 over differences with Kumaraswamy, and joined Congress with is followers in 2006. Hailed as a backward classes leader, he worked hard to rebuild the AHINDA coalition -- a grouping of Muslims, backward classes and Dalits- and, over the past few months, overseen a campaign that has seen the Muslims and communities coalesce around the Congress. He has been talking about retirement forever. When he was sacked from JD(S) in 2005, he said he would take political sanyas, and an advocate by profession, always toyed with the idea of going back to practice law. Even in the run-up to this assembly election, he said, This is going to be my last will retire from electoral politics. Rustic in appearance at times, and not known to mince words, Siddaramaiah never hid his ambition to become chief minister and had repeatedly stressed on it unapologetically and unhesitatingly insisting that there is nothing wrong in aspiring for the post. He also served as a finance minister and has a distinction of presenting as many as 13 state budgets. He was the first chairman of the watchdog committee  Kannada Kavalu Samiti  responsible for supervising the implementation of Kannada as official language formed during Ramakrishna Hegde's chief ministership. He lost the 2018 assembly elections after the decision to accord religious minority status to the dominant Lingayat community.

(With PTI inputs)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
Top leaders of the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance met at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday and agreed to fight unitedly all upcoming elections in the western state. Leaders of the MVA alliance at NCP chief Sharad Pawars Silver Oak residence in Mumbai on Sunday. (Bhushan Koyande/HT)

The meeting, which came a day after the Congress swept the Karnataka assembly elections, was attended by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, leader of opposition and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, state NCP chief Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, among others.

The state opposition leaders discussed the way forward for the alliance after the Karnataka results, its unity, the legal battle in the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court verdict on the political crisis and the contentious issue of sharing seats in Maharashtra. The alliance decided to relaunch its vajramooth (iron fist) rallies that have been suspended due to heatwaves, and said it would invite the Karnataka chief minister to inform the Maharashtra electorate about the Bharatiya Janata Partys defeat in the recent assembly elections.

Read | After Karnataka poll results, MVA upbeat on upcoming elections in Pune, BJP cautious

The three major parties and other smaller constituents of the MVA are elated after the Karnataka results, which were unprecedented and beyond expectations for the opposition, Patil said after the meeting. We have decided to fight all the upcoming polls together and provide a strong alternative in Maharashtra by building confidence among voters.

The three major parties of the alliance decided to utilise the victory of the Congress in Karnataka to explain the shortcomings of the BJP. They also decided to explain the recent verdict of the top court on the political crisis in Maharashtra to the people.

The BJP was defeated due to its corruption, use of central agencies against the opposition leaders, ignoring the plight of the people in the southern state, Patil said. We will take all these facts to the people of Maharashtra. We will also apprise the people here about the real meaning of the Supreme Court verdict.

The leaders discussed how to take the legal and constitutional battle ahead after the court verdict given on Thursday. Although chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis have claimed it to be their victory, the apex court has questioned the manner in which this government was formed, Patole said .

The verdict is in the favour of Shiv Sena led by Thackeray. The Supreme Court has established that the party is supreme and not its legislators. The Shinde-Fadnavis government is on ventilator, and it is counting its days, he added. The Karnataka chief minister  yet to be decided by the Congress will be requested to participate in the vajramooth rally to be held in Pune to speak about the opposition victory in the southern state, Patole said.

The Karnataka result was a victory for the opposition, Raut said. The 40% corruption was the key issue in Karnataka elections, he said, alleging: It is 100% in the Shinde-Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.

The three parties have also decided to inform the people about the Supreme Court verdict. The remarks related to the then governor and his illegal act, the appointment of the whip by the speaker and the court remarks that Thackeray government would have been reinstalled are the points from the judgment that we will highlight, a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. It will help us in proving our point that the BJP cunningly pulled down the MVA government.

Pawar also insisted on a discussion over sharing seats, which is likely to be a contentious issue for the alliance. In many constituencies, the Shiv Sena and Congress or NCP had fought against each other in previous elections. In such a scenario, amicable solutions and negotiations need to be arrived at with due discussion, an NCP leader said, declining to be named.

The meeting was held in the backdrop of the recent differences between the constituents over various issues. Pawars remarks over Uddhav Thackerays leadership as chief minister, and Ajit Pawar taking a dig at Patole for quitting as assembly speaker without consulting MVA leaders in February 2020 had led to friction within the alliance.

We do not have any differences among us. All the key leaders from three parties attended todays meeting. The stories of the frictions among us are being spread by the BJP, Patole said on Sunday.

Reacting to the MVA meeting, state BJP vice president Madhav Bhandari said: If the MVA is thinking that the Karnataka results can be replicated in Maharashtra and elsewhere in the country, it is a foolish conclusion. We have also seen the infighting within the opposition alliance over the last few weeks.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Sunday left for New Delhi on a special flight along with four cabinet ministers to meet Union home minister Amit Shah to discuss the situation in the backdrop of the violence in the northeastern state, officials said. Manipur CM N Biren Singh on Sunday left for New Delhi to meet Union home minister Amit Shah (File Photo)

The cabinet minister who accompanied the chief minister included Th Biswajit (Power), Yumnam Khemchand (Rural Development), Govindas Konthoujam (Works) and Th Basantakumar (Education)

The sudden visit of the state chief minister came at a time when the state is slowly limping back to normal following the recent unrest.

Also Read: Armys eye in the sky with UAVs, helicopters to monitor Manipur violence. Watch

Even though the reason for the visit could not be ascertained immediately, people familiar with the matter claimed that the state leaders were invited for a meeting at Shahs residence at 8pm on Sunday.

No one is aware of the agenda of the meeting not to speak of when they will return, claim the people cited above.

Meanwhile, fresh violence erupted in Manipurs border areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts as unidentified miscreants torched a few half-burnt houses in the Torbung area, officials said. However, there is no report of any casualty. The incident took place late Saturday night.

Manipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh told reporters on Sunday that following the incident, two Border Security Forces (BSF) companies were deployed in the area, adding that three more companies of the BSF were dispatched to maintain law and order situation.

In another incident, two tipper trucks were set on fire by some unidentified miscreants at a village under Saparmeina police station in Kangpokpi district on Sunday morning, informed Kuldiep Singh.

The Saturday and Sundays development came days after the violence broke out in the state on May 3.

Violent clashes broke out between tribals and people belonging to the majority Meitei community in Manipur last week, displacing thousands of people. The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

As per the latest figures, 73 people have died in the incidents of violence while 243 were injured and close to 1809 houses were burnt down during the violence in Manipur.

The security advisor also informed that two Assam Rifles personnel were also injured in an attack by unidentified armed miscreants when a joint team of army and Assam Rifles were on an area domination patrol at Lailampat in Churachandpur district on Saturday morning.

Also Read: 600 Kuki refugees returned to Manipur from Assam, more following: Police

So far 385 cases have been registered, said Kuldiep.

Since the violence broke out, around 46,145 people have been evacuated to their respective destinations while 26,358 people are staying at 178 relief camps. Besides, 3,124 people were escorted to the airport to take flights.

On being asked about the report of blocking the highway at Kangpokpi, Kuldiep said that the breakthrough for running National Highway 2 has not yet been completed. However were trying to ensure the supply of essential commodities via Jiribam route, he added.

The 62 companies of the paramilitary forces and 126 columns of the army and Assam Rifles are now pushing into the foothill areas, he informed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and four members of his cabinet on Sunday met Union home minister Amit Shah in the national capital, hours after a fresh bout of violence erupted in some parts of the state where ethnic clashes over various issues led to the death of over 70 people earlier this month. At least 71 people were killed and thousands were displaced in the violence. (ANI)

The four ministers who accompanied Singh to the Capital on Sunday on a special flight are Th Biswajit (power), Yumnam Khemchand (rural development), Govindas Konthoujam (works) and Th Basanta Kumar (education). State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief A Sharda Devi also went with them.

According to a BJP leader, the partys focus is on to resume normalcy in the state. There is a section of leaders who want the chief minister to be changed, but he is a tall Meitei leader and someone who has a good administrative record. The high command will not take a knee jerk reaction, the leader said, seeking anonymity.

Read | 60 killed, 1,700 houses burnt: Manipur CM calls for calm

People aware of the developments said the chief minister was invited for a meeting at Shahs residence at 8pm on Sunday. No one is aware of the agenda of the meeting and dont know when theyll return, one of the persons said, seeking anonymity.

The visit to the Capital comes amid an ongoing tension between members of the tribal Kuki community, which mostly resides in the hill districts, and the dominant Meiti community in Imphal Valley, who clashed over various issues, including a proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the latter, in Churachandpur town on May 3.

At least 71 people were killed and thousands were displaced in the violence which involved arson, rioting and targeted killings, and prompted the state government to issue shoot-at-sight orders, enforce a curfew and ban on internet services.

On Friday, all 10 Kuki MLAs in the state, including two state ministers, raised the demand for a separate administration and separation from the state, alleging that the state government had miserably failed to protect the tribal group, according to a press statement.

In the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, fresh tension erupted after unidentified people torched some of the houses that were partially burnt during May 3 violence, officials said. There was no report of any casualty.

The incident took place in Torbung in Bishnupur and Churachandpur border areas. Two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) were immediately deployed and three more were sent to secure the area, state security advisor Kuldiep Singh told reporters on Sunday.

The official also said that a total of 1,809 houses have been set ablaze since the violence erupted earlier this month.

In a separate incident, two tipper trucks were set ablaze by some unidentified people at a village under Saparmeina police station in Kangpokpi district on Sunday. The accused, however, let go of three other tipper trucks and all five drivers, Singh said.

The official also said that one more body was recovered from Bishnupur district. The toll in the May 3 violence has risen to 73, he said.

The security adviser also said that two soldiers of the Assam Rifles were injured in an attackbyunidentified people when the team along with the army were patrolling an area at Lailampat in Churachandpur district on Saturday morning.

According topeople familiar with the matter,around46,145 people have been evacuated to their respective destinations while 26,358 people are taking shelter at 178 relief camps in view of the tension.

Asked about a report on blocking of the National Highway 2, Singh said efforts are on for a breakthrough. We are trying to ensure the supply of essential commodities via Jiribam route, he said.
Military abducted me: Imran Khan rues all-time low democracy in Pakistan Democracy in Pakistan is at "an all-time low", Imran Khan claimed in an interview- a first since being bailed. Read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan.(AFP)

Priyanka Chopra can't wait' for Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha's wedding, shares inside pics from their engagement

Actor Priyanka Chopra attended the engagement ceremony of cousin-actor Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha. Read more

IPL 2023 play-offs scenarios: CSK on brink of qualification, RCB hanging by a thread; how SRH still stand a chance

The Delhi Capitals became the first team to be officially knocked out of the race for the top four on Saturday after a 31-run thrashing by the Punjab Kings. Read more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Amid speculations of a ban on right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal in Karnataka following Congress's emphatic win in assembly elections, senior party leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday stressed that the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) believes in spreading politics of hatred and violence, urging not to link it with Lord Hanuman, also known as Bajrang Bali. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party leader Jairam Ramesh addresses the media on results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, in New Delhi, Saturday, May 13, 2023.(PTI)

Bajrang Dal is different and Bajrang Bali is different. Bajrang Dal believes in spreading the politics of hatred and violence, Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, told news agency ANI.

What Congress party said in its manifesto is any organisation that breaks the law, spreads religious hatred, religious bigotry, spreads communal violence will be dealt with according to the law and constitution, he added.

A major row erupted during the election campaign in Karnataka after the Congress party, in its poll manifesto, promised to take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on 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 other promoting enmity or hatred, when among majority or minority communities, the manifesto read.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to make it a poll issue by linking the outfit with Lord Hanuman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also came down heavily on Congress during election rallies and said, 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'.

Defending Congress's manifesto, Jairam Ramesh pointed to the ban on Sri Ram Sene by the BJP-led Goa government.

Who banned Sri Ram Sene in Goa? Who was the chief minister on 20th August 2014? Manohar Parrikar? Who was the prime minister? Mr Narendra Modi. Did he say Lord Ram was disrespected? That ban was continued in 2018 and 2020, he said.

The Sri Ram Sene, also known as Sri Ram Sena, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization founded by Pramod Muthalik, a former member of the Bajrang Dal. The group claims to work towards preserving Hindu culture, traditions, and values but its critics argue that the group's activities often infringe upon personal freedoms, promote intolerance, and incite violence.

Sri Ram Sene gained national attention in 2009 when its members attacked a pub in Mangalore, a city in Karnataka, as part of a campaign against "immoral activities" they perceived to be occurring there. The incident sparked widespread controversy and condemnation, leading to criticism of the organization for its vigilantism and moral policing tactics.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In the early weeks of April, residents of Akpawfu village were stirred by fresh attacks from gunmen who invaded the hitherto peaceful, sleepy community in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State.

By the time residents confirmed the cause of the crisis to be the agelong land dispute among the two main families of Umu Anigbiyovo Oyiwode Akpawfu and Umu Ani Oyiwode Akpawfu, properties and several lives have been lost.

The area has become a ghost town as residents have all fled. Eye witnesses narrate the horrors visited on the people as smoke was seen from burnt mansions and vehicles in this serene community with the potential of being a tourist paradise owing to the scenic Ovu Lake.

There are several accounts of the group behind the attacks, which witnessed an unspecified number of deaths. While sources claim some of the armed men were taken to Kogi State and "fortified" to attack the town, others claim the attackers belong to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the IPOB.

Narrating the violence, members of the Anigbiyovo Oyiwode family, Ikechukwu Udenawaeze and Felix Ani, identified some of those killed in their family in the land crisis as Ugochukwu Ede, Onovo Evu, Kakwekwe Agwu, Chijindu Ani and Joseph Onovo.

"On Friday 28th April 2023, they (gunmen) beat Ezenwanyi Nnenna John Be Ede and her son mercilessly with machete cuts before the two victims narrowly escaped with the injuries," Udenwaeze said.

The sources urged the Government of Enugu State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene and bring all those responsible for the mayhem to justice and restore peace in the community.

The crisis can be traced to 1988 when two separate but related original families of the community--the Anigbiyovo Oyiwode Akpawfu and Umu Ani Oyiwode Akpawfu, who were said to be descendants of Oyiwode, the progenitor of the town, started disputing the ownership of parcels of land.

The creation of three autonomous communities out of Akpawfu namely Ajame, Isiagu and Obodo Uvuru autonomous communities and the appointment of Igwe Christopher Nnamani as the Igwe of Ajame may have contributed to the escalation of the crises, according to the sources.

The sources said the dispute arose from selfishness and greed on the part of the Ani Oyiwode Akpawfu clan in 1988 when they "started claiming exclusive ownership of all the communal lands and started tagging the members of the Umu Anigbiyovo Oyiwode as strangers in Akpawfu or 'Odenigbo' in local parlance."

Worried by the development, members of the Umu Anigbiyovo Oyiwode Akpawfu filed a suit before an Enugu High Court, they included Edeanu Nwavu, Omaba BeAbonyi, Ude Nweze, Okwudilu Ani, Godwin Nnaji, Ngene Ede, Daniel Agwu, Innocent Egbo, Emmanuel Egbo, Okechukwu Ani, John Onowo, Ani Nwogbodo.

In 1996, the court delivered its judgement where it held that the Umu Anigbiyovo clan were the joint owners of the lands alongside Ani Oyiwode Akpawfu in Ukor, Ukpolikpo, Uzam Ani, Be Autusi, Awululu, Ubia and Agba Ekpa, all in Akpawfu and delineated on the plan No. MG/AN.30/88.

The court, therefore restrained the respondents from "all those claiming through them are hereby restrained from further interference with the plaintiffs' right of enjoyment as joint communal user of the land aforesaid."

The Ani Oyiwode Akpawfu, who had always maintained that the Umu Anigbiyode clan are not from the same progenitor as they are but were settlers who paid them tributes in the past, were dissatisfied with the verdict of the high court and appealed the judgement and had it upturned at the Court of Appeal in Enugu because there was an error at the trial court.

But the Supreme Court in its leading judgment in December 2008 by Justice Walter Onnoghen, held that the 'error' by the trial court in shifting the burden of proof to the respondents, the Ani Oyiwode, should not warrant the dismissal of the case and therefore the trial court did not 'goof' in its findings on the joint land ownership.

Speaking with journalists, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, who is the Adamagu of Akpawfu, said he was not aware of the actual cause of the latest violence as "all I know is that we saw some people coming from their hideouts killing and burning houses."

"We later discovered that they are indigenes and not members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as we initially thought. We were able to report to the government. They killed the neighbourhood chairman; they also killed my first chief security officer and abducted the second and we are yet to see him. They repeated the attack three days ago and killed some other people whose corpses are in the mortuary now. They killed my Palace Secretary, Ifeanyi Ogbodo, and attacked Hon Sunday Igwe. He is still in the hospital," he said.

"The last time a combined team from 82 Division invaded the forest, they escaped, but they later discovered stolen vehicles and a hidden satellite camera from which they monitor the movement of security men from their point of espial. We then understood why they were always escaping the grip of security men. They monitor them coming through the hidden cameras. One was recovered at Akpugu, close to Holy Angels. They put the cameras in strategic places."

The king also denied some accounts that blamed him for the crisis because, according to the narrators, he wanted to eliminate persons identified as Osu or outcasts in Nkanu. There were accounts that he precipitated the attacks and killings of some people he tagged as outcasts, just to make sure that they are wiped out of the community which comprises the three clans of Ajame Akpawfu, where he comes from, Ishiagu Akpawfu and Obodo Uvuru Akpawfu.

"We don't have Osu (outcasts) in Nkanu. What we had before was Ohu (slaves) in Nkanu, but we have abolished it because we are Christians," he said.

"That I precipitated the attack is a baseless allegation because we don't have Ohu any longer. We have the names of the people that perpetrated the attacks and we have reported them to the government. We also called their parents and reported them to their families. They live in a forest where the government invaded and discovered nine stolen vehicles. A combined team of the Army and Air Force invaded the forests and each time they escaped.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Land and Rural Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The place is completely deserted. Nobody goes in there. You are in Enugu or Emene, which is 25 kilometres away. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid because these people are dangerous. They are still hiding in the bushes. I am staying in Enugu because the area is not safe for me."

Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Mr Chuks Ugwuoke, told Daily Trust Saturday that since it's a security matter, only the police or the Special Adviser, Media could comment on it. He promised to send the phone number of the SA Media, but as at the time of filing the report, he was yet to do so.

When the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, was contacted, he told our correspondent to send him a text of what he is seeking answers to, but did not reply after the message was sent to him.

For now, natives of Akpawfu all over the country are praying for peace to be restored to their community so that they will continue to benefit from the developmental advantages of being close to Enugu metropolis and with a rich untapped tourism haven in the Ovu Lake.
The government on Sunday named Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood as the new chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation for a two-year term; he will take charge after Subodh Kumar Jaiswal completes his tenure on May 25. On Saturday evening a high-level committee consisting of prime minister Narendra Modi, chief justice DY Chandrachud and the Leader of the Opposition, the Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, met at the former's residence in Delhi to settle on a candidate. Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood (HT Photo)

Hindustan Times had reported the 1986-batch IPS officer was the frontrunner for the post. The others on the shortlist were Madhya Pradesh Police DGP SK Saxena and Taj Hassan, the Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defence, and Home Guards. Sood - who was scheduled to retire in May next year - could see his tenure extended by up to five years.

Who is Praveen Sood, the incoming CBI director?

-Praveen Sood was born in 1964 in Himachal Pradesh and has a degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi.

-He joined the IPS, or the Indian Police Service, in 1986 and his first posting was in Mysore in 1989. He returned to the Karnataka city as Commissioner of Police between 2004 and 2007. From 2008 to 2011 Sood was Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for Bengaluru.

-In 2013 he was appointed Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation and increased the turnover of the company from 160 crore to 282 crore in just nine months.

-He has also served as the Commissioner of Police for state capital Bengaluru and is credited with setting up the 'Namma 100' emergency response system for people in distress.

-Sood is a highly-decorated officer; he was awarded the Chief Minister's Gold Medal for Excellence in Service in 1996, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002 and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2011.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
The Congress in Karnataka achieved a stunning victory in the assembly elections held on May 10, winning a total of 135 assembly seats out of 224. The grand old party had roped in poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu, who has been working with the Congress party in the state since last year. Sunil Kanugolu with DK Shivakumar

Also Read | Cong's newly elected MLAs authorise Kharge to pick new Karnataka CM

With an eye towards the future, Kanugolu is now poised to lead the party's election management efforts in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. HT first reported Kanugolu's move to join the Congress in early April.

Who is Suni Kanugolu?

Sunil Kanugolu was born in Karnataka's Ballari district, from where he completed his middle school education. Later, he lived in Chennai before relocating to Bengaluru, as reported by The Quint.

According to local media reports, despite being originally a Telugu speaker, Kanugolu has roots in Karnataka who now resides in Bengaluru.

He has worked for the BJP, DMK, and AIADMK in the past. He was also behind the aspects of Tamil pride and the Dravidian model during the Jallikattu protests of 2017, helping the DMK counter the aggressive BJP, as reported by local media.

Sunil Kanugolu with Congress

After Prashant Kishor declined the Congress's offer to join the party on April 26 last year, Sunil Kanugolu was brought on board to help with the party's election strategy for various elections across India.

Last year in May, Kanugolu was appointed as a member of the Task Force 2024, a team created by the Congress to execute the Nav Sankalp (New Resolution) declaration adopted in Udaipur. Apart from Kanugolu, the team consists of prominent leaders such as P Chidambaram, Mukul Wasnik, Jairam Ramesh, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The poll-strategist has also been credited with planning Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, a march that covered a length of over 4,000 km from the southern tip of India to Jammu and Kashmir. The yatra is believed to have been an instrumental move by the grand old party that lead to some recent turning points in election results.

Following his successful work for the Karnataka assembly election, Kanugolu has reportedly established an office in Madhya Pradesh where he is slated to work for the state's election, according to news agency PTI report.

His past assignments

Sunil Kanugolu was earlier a part of Prashant Kishors team that played a crucial role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaign in 2014. In addition, he was instrumental in BJP's election campaigns in several states such as Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka, which the BJP won.

Kanugolu is a highly sought-after pollster and had founded the Association of Brilliant Minds (ABM), which was BJP's campaign body for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections. He is known to have worked for the BJP in UP and is believed to have played a key role in BJP's resounding victory in 2017, according to party leaders.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Playing down the impact of Congress's win in the Karnataka assembly elections on other states, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) didn't make so much noise even after winning elections in many states. Sarma was in Telangana's Karimnagar to participate in Hindu Ekta Yatra organised by state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.(PTI / File)

When asked about the impact of Congress's win in Karnataka on neighbouring Telangana, where assembly elections are due late this year, Sarma said, Sachin Tendulkar frequently scored double centuries but sometimes he also got out on zero. They (Congress) won in just one state and are making so much noise about it. We have won in several states but we never made a big deal about it.

Sarma participated in the Hindu Ekta Yatra, held on the occasion of Telugu Hanuman Jayanti, as chief guest. Apart from Sarma, the director of the controversial movie 'The Kerala Story', other crew members and around one lakh people were expected to participate in the yatra, according to the state BJP.

The purpose of Hindu Ekta Yatra is to highlight the injustices meted out to Hindus of Telangana under Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Government, which is in collusion with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AMIM) and with this attitude; State has become safe shelter to Islamic Extremists, Bandi Sanjay told news agency ANI.

Congress, meanwhile, is holding a legislature party meeting in Bengaluru to decide the next chief minister, with former CM Siddaramaiah and party's state unit chief DK Shivakumar having thrown their hats in the ring. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said the AICC observers will convey the opinion of the party's MLAs to the high command which will then take a final decision. He also asserted that everything has gone smoothly for the party in the assembly polls and the government will be formed as soon as possible.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Since Independence, the Indian state has grappled with a variety of internal security challengesinsurgencies, terrorist attacks, caste and communal violence, riots, and electoral violence. And although most forms of collective violence are on a steep downswing, their toll has claimed more lives than all of Indias five external wars combined. This is one of the findings of a new book by the political scientists Amit Ahuja and Devesh Kapur, which unpack this black box of Indias internal security state. Grand Tamasha is a weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced by HT and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (HT Photo)

Ahuja and Kapur spoke more about their new volume, Internal Security in India: Violence, Order, and the State, on last weeks episode of Grand Tamasha, a weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced by HT and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The book, which features analyses by some of the most renowned scholars of Indian security policy, reveals a clear centralization of power in the functioning of Indias internal security apparatus functions.

This centralization, Kapur points out, is visible in a broad range of fieldsfrom welfare to water and is by no means limited to security. The centralization has occurred in substantial part because of the abdication of responsibilities of the states to their core constitutional obligations, explained Kapur, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C. And, over time, for anything they would ask central forces to be sent over. Now, the more theyve relied on the centre, its basically led to the centralization of power...That power was not taken by the centre, it was given to the centre by the states.

On law and order, specifically, the states have very little to show for themselves. The police in India were brutal to begin with under the British because it was really about order. But the fact that this has continued for so long, I think is a real indictment of Indias political class, said Kapur, noting law and order is a state subject under the Constitution. Every party has been a part of this. And it is a deep betrayal of Indias people.

This centralization, however, has significant political consequences for it has provided a major opening for the central government to wield the discretionary powers of investigative agencies for political purposes. Opposition parties are in power at the state level and if opposition politicians are being targeted, then that relationship between the centre and the stateits functionality and effectivenessthat comes under question, explained Ahuja, an associate professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara. And then how do you solve serious problems related to internal security where central-state coordination is required? Whether it is criminal investigations, terrorism, insurgencies, you need centre-state coordination for those problems to be addressed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Uttar Pradesh urban local body polls, the results of which were declared on Saturday  the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the mayoral polls  were used by all major political parties to experiment and test the mood of the urban voters before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in which Uttar Pradesh with 80 seats is expected to play a key part. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath celebrates BJPs victory in the civic body polls at the state party office in Lucknow on Saturday. (ANI)

For instance, chief minister Yogi Adityanath held 50 rallies in 13 days and his party, the BJP, experimented with the biggest batch of Muslim candidates to be ever fielded in any UP local election (395). Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav decided to join the civic poll campaign, something he hasnt done before and his party did not name a single Yadav candidate for the mayoral contests. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded an unusually high number of Muslim candidates for the same, 11 out of 17 for the mayoral polls.

For the BJP, the focus on Muslim candidates is actually part of a national outreach to pasmandas or backward class Muslims. The majority of its 395 Muslim candidates were pasmandas. Most contested in places such as Qazipura in Ballia where the BJP had never contested before. About a 60 of them have won.

Also read | U.P. civic polls 2023: Muslims changed voting trend, used discretion this time

In many places where we havent won, the candidates have come second. Now, with 2024 in sight, these candidates whose MY (Modi-Yogi) narrative found favour with the masses, are going to be part of our campaign in the Lok Sabha polls. Since June 2022, you would have noticed how citadels of vote banks have fallen from Azamgarh to Rampur. So, in a way we have now found new campaigners in places where we hardly mattered before, said Javed Malik, the BJPs minority wing chief in west UP.

Malik was referring to the fact that along with urban local body polls, the results of two assembly by-polls to Suar seat in Rampur and Chhanbey seat in Mirzapur were also announced. Both were won by BJP ally Apna Dal (Sonelal).

In June 2022, the BJP won the Azamgarh and Rampur Lok Sabha bypolls in these Muslim dominated constituencies, wresting the seats from the SP.

In December 2022, the BJP won for the first time the Rampur (Sadar) assembly seat that had been electing SPs Muslim face Azam Khan or his family for decades. Now, the BJP allys win in Suar has its own meaning.

It is clear that ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP will use its growing penetration in Rampur or the victories of about 60 (Muslim) candidates in local polls to make a case for itself among the countrys biggest and most influential minority group, said Irshad Ilmi, a political expert.

Muslims account for almost a fifth of the states population, and most backed the SP in the 2022 state assembly elections. That is the reason why the BSPs decision to field many Muslims in mayoral contests was seen by the SP as an attempt to scatter the minority vote to the BJPs advantage.

AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen), the party of Asaduddin Owaisi, whose candidate at one point was leading the mayoral contest in Meerut and eventually finished second ahead of the SP and BSP, too experimented in these urban local body polls, said Ilmi.

I have no doubt that this win sets the stage for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. To those who kept misleading Muslims all along, the results are an eye opener, said deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Phool Bano, the first Muslim woman to win the election to the Chilkana nagar panchayat chiefs post in Saharanpur on a BJP ticket, praised the new MY factor in the state.

The abbreviation has over the years meant the Muslim-Yadav combine that SP founder the late Mulayam Singh Yadav put together to hold power. Since 2022, the BJP has used the same term to describe the Modi-Yogi factor.

Musalmaan auraton ke liye Modi ji aur Yogi ji ne bahut kiya hai... ab dekhiye janta ka saath bhi mil raha hai. 2024 main dekhiyega  ab mahaul aur mizaaz donon badal raha hai (Modi-Yogi have done a lot for Muslim women and now the community has begun to realise this. Watch out for 2024. Now, the approach and attitude both are changing), she said.

Adityanath campaigned in Saharanpur, Mau, Ballia, Azamgarh, Bulandshahr, Shamli  all seats with a substantial Muslim presence and from where the BJPs Muslim candidates have won or done reasonably well.

Yogiji addressed three to four rallies on an average. While our political opponents preferred to cool their heels in air-conditioned chambers, the chief ministers campaign along with that of senior BJP leaders made a huge impact, said UP BJP spokesman Manish Shukla.

After the results, which the BJP expectedly celebrated, and the Congress indicated that it was still putting things in order in the state, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati, both in differently worded statements, sought to question the BJPs win. Mayawati even said that her party would have done better had the elections been conducted on open ballot.

According to the state election commission, along with sweeping all 17 mayoral posts, the BJP won 191 of 544 nagar panchayat chairman posts against the SPs 78, the BSPs 37 and the Congresss 14 . The BJP won 813 of the 1,420 corporator seats against the SPs 191 and the BSPs 85. In the nagar palika parishads, the BJP won 89 of the 199 chairpersons posts against the SPs 35, the BSPs 16, the RLDs 7 and the Congresss 4.

Out of the 5,327 seats of nagar palika parishad members, the BJP won 1,360, the SP 425, BSP 191, the Congress 191, RLD 40, AIMIM 33 and AAP 30.

Independent candidates also made an impression, winning in wards of SP veterans Ramgopal Yadav and Shivpal Yadav in Etawah.

Of the 7,177 nagar panchayat member seats, the BJP won 1,403, SP 485, BSP 215, Congress 77 and the RLD 38.

Despite its sweep, there were some points of concern for the BJP. While the Yogi factor helped, some of the ministers in his cabinet suffered an embarrassment. For instance, the SP won the nagar palika poll in Bareillys Aonla, the political turf of animal husbandry minister Dharampal Singh.

In Rae Bareli, represented by UP minister of state Dinesh Pratap Singh, the Congress won the election to the nagar palika chiefs poll. The BJP also lost in Tiloi, Amethi, the area of another minister of state Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh.

The BSP, which had two mayors in 2017, now doesnt have any, indicating the partys continuous slide in UP, where it has just a lone member in the state assembly at the moment.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Actor-known mythologist and writer Devdutt Pattanaik says unlike fiction or history, mythology is a pluralistic truth with many interpretations, all of which needs to be respected. Pointing to the example of belief by various communities to different versions of the same myth, Pattanaik who was speaking at a literary meet organised by the Bengal Chamber and Sister Nivedita University, stressed that mythology and history should not be confused. Author Devdutt Pattanaik said while global languages like English has been the gateway to world literature, it was important for any child to be also steeped in the rich literary and cultural traditions that his mother tongue could expose him to.

"Fiction is nobody's truth, but fact is everybody's truth. Myth is somebody's truth. I have a truth, you have a truth, she has a truth, all of us have a truth," Pattanaik said on Friday evening.

Apparently referring to debates about mythological events including the birthplaces of figures like Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, he said "I have to respect the truth, that is myth. People ask where Lord Hanuman was born. (As per belief) He was born in different places. And in every such place, there is a temple."

"If there are ten birthplaces of Hanuman, we should appreciate that fact from the pluralistic point of view. We should all enjoy and celebrate that, (the existence) of many truths. Your truth is my truth. Let's discover each other's truth...", he said.

"Itihas (history) means reporting, but Purana is not reporting....the chroniclers of Purana claimed they recorded events as they saw it unfolding," he added.

"How do I explain (this difference) to politicians," he asked commenting that scholars realised that there have been several variations about the Ramayana having been published in different languages as not more than 40 per cent of verses turned up to be common.

Speaking at the same meet, eminent Bengali writer Shirsendu Mukhopadhyay has deplored the tendency of a section of parents and teachers to discourage the learning of childs mother tongue in elite schools.

He said while global languages like English has been the gateway to world literature, it was important for any child to be also steeped in the rich literary and cultural traditions that his mother tongue could expose him to.

"I am saddened by this trend which is now perceptible among many guardians and teachers, whose children study in elite schools. One should certainly learn more than one language but there is no alternative to expressing your thoughts in your other tongue," Mukhopadhyay said here Saturday.

"It is not mandatory to forget one language to learn two other languages," the Sahitya Akademi award recipient said stressing the need for the young to be conversant with the richness of their own literature, in the case of West Bengal with Bengali literature.

Tracing his childhood days, Mukhopadhyay said "I was a voracious reader, having two almirahs filled with books. Not many could inculcate such book-reading habits in those days but that perhaps sowed the seeds in me."

He recalled an experience in Haridwar a few years back when he gave an interview to a reporter from Hindi media and replied in the Hindi language "despite not having much command over the language  I could sense the reporter was happy and the instant connection was very much apparent."

"You should always give importance to one's mother tongue, a fact sadly missed by a section of our parents," the writer of cult classics like Manabjamin (Human land), Durbin (telescope) and Goynar Baksho (jewel box) said.

Mukhopadhyay regretted there were very few translations of world classics in Bengali now unlike in the past and also called for translations from representative literary works from regional languages like Malayalam, Odia, Marathi and others into Bengali.
The Congress has received a shot in the arm by winning the Karnataka assembly elections with an overwhelming majority. The party had vowed not to make the same old mistakes in this election. The Gandhis kept a safe distance; national and local leaders were strictly instructed not to speak unnecessarily and to keep internal party disagreements within the party. PREMIUM A polling official administers indelible ink to a voter at a polling booth during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections 2023 (ANI/PIB)

This was not easy. Given the long-standing political rivalry between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, there was concern about sabotage. To deal with this, a unique approach was devised. Both leaders were spotted hugging each other during Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. Arrangements were made to promote the notion that this was not simply a photo-op, but that the old foes had come together wholeheartedly. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhis election campaigns also took on new dimensions. Priyanka was occasionally seen preparing dosas, while Rahul was seen talking to women on a city bus. After Himachal Pradesh, the Congress victory in Karnataka clearly demonstrated Priyankas growing political abilities and influence.

The Congress performed better in this election across the states regions and communities. It astonished observers by capturing more seats than its opponents in Lingayat-dominated constituencies. Even BS Yediyurappa, the most powerful leader from this community, was unable to stop the Congress juggernaut. The Congress also weakened the Janata Dal (S) by eroding its Vokkaliga voter base. The JD(S) leadership and workers would not have imagined until Saturday afternoon that even DK Kumarasamys son Nikhil will lose at the Ramanagara constituency. This demonstrates that voters cannot be viewed as a fiefdom.

The Congress contested this election on the issues of the governments lethargic attitude and corruption. And voters, especially the poor, turned out for change.

But the real challenge for the Congress begins now. It has to provide a stable government for five years and select a chief minister (CM) who can advance the public interest agenda. Most people preferred Siddaramaiah as CM in all pre-poll surveys. But will Shivakumar and his supporters accept Siddaramaiahs selection to chief ministership? It is being said that if these two factions become vehemently opposed to each other, Mallikarjun Kharge may be handed the charge. But who will then be the national president of the Congress? In the absence of a consensus, would any other leader from the state be picked as CM? Surely, the party is deliberating on this, but given the conflict in Rajasthan between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, the problem becomes formidable. Salim Ahmed, working president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, has fuelled the flames by declaring Shivakumar a serious contender for chief ministership. The Congress high command will have to play with fire for the next few days.

Let us return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has lost power, but not support. Its vote share is intact, and it can still cause problems for the government. In this context, a question arises: Was the Prime Minister (PM)s campaign effective in mitigating the anti-incumbency wave? Greater Bengaluru is a good indicator. PM Narendra Modi conducted a multi-kilometre road show in this area, and the BJP won more seats than the Congress here. This undoubtedly demonstrates Modis magnetism, but the BJP should also learn from it.

Though PM Modi has widespread support, state elections are contested on local issues. Take Himachal Pradesh, for instance. PM Modi had staked his reputation there. But the BJP lost owing to the unpopularity of CM Jairam Thakur, and its internal disputes. The party faced the same demons in Karnataka. It is in dire need of CMs and ministers who can perform. Yogi Adityanath, the CM of Uttar Pradesh (UP), ranks among effective CMs for the BJP. Results of the municipal elections and assembly by-elections in UP were declared along with the Karnataka election results, and the BJP and its allies have emerged clear winners there. The saffron party captured all 17 mayoral seats and the majority of municipalities.

Now the question is: Will the Karnataka poll have a significant impact on the Lok Sabha elections in 2024? Since the 1990s, the state has shown different preferences for the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha. But one thing is certain: This triumph has given the Congress leverage in bargaining with other Opposition allies. Those interested in politics will undoubtedly find the coming days engrossing.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan The views expressed are personal
Last week, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court (SC), headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), gave the elected government in Delhi control over the bureaucracy. The verdict has wide-ranging implications for national politics and Indian democracy. This is because the court battle was not just another fight between the Narendra Modi-led central government and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government. It was a fight between two fundamentally different political ideologies confronting the nation. If a democratically elected government is not given the power to control the officers, the principle of accountability will be redundant. If the officers stop reporting to the ministers or do not abide by their directions, the principle of collective responsibility is affected. (HT PHOTO)

At one end is the regime that has systematically taken powers away from the elected government in Delhi after the historic verdict for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2015 and vested it in the Lieutenant Governor (LG), an unelected individual nominated by the Centre. This is an ideology that sees every political fight as a zero-sum game and is willing to sacrifice the Constitution of India and fundamental tenets of federalism to show political opponents their place.

On the other end is a regime that has, time and again, sought what is legitimately its domain  the unhindered right to govern the national capital as promised by the Constitution so that the will of the people, expressed through the ballot box, can be translated to reality. The power being sought by Kejriwal wasnt for himself. This was a fight for the democratic right of the 20 million people of Delhi who cast their vote on election day, hoping that the government they have elected will transform their lives.

To understand the full implications of the SC judgment, one must understand how exactly the matter precipitated. Democracy is all about accountability. Any elected government is held accountable for its work (or the lack of it) every five years through the ballot box. In turn, these elected governments hold the bureaucracy accountable for carrying out their mandate  rewarding those who perform efficiently and punishing those who dont or work against the interests of the people.

A similar system prevailed in Delhi until 2015, before the AAP government came to power by winning 67 out of 70 seats, limiting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to three seats. This is when the current saga began. Unable to accept the peoples verdict, the BJP-led central government initiated what is nothing short of a constitutional coup to render the AAP government in Delhi powerless.

In a series of orders passed within three months of the formation of the AAP government, the Centre first took away control of the anti-corruption branch (ACB) from the Delhi government. This significantly impaired the ability of the chief minister (CM) Kejriwal to fulfil his most important promise to the people: Crack down on institutional corruption. Incidentally, the number of cases initiated by the Kejriwal government-led anti-corruption branch in the three months of 2015, and the number of corrupt officers arrested, far exceeds the numbers under the Modi government-led ACB in the last eight years.

Next came the order taking away the most crucial layer of accountability between any elected government and its officers by taking the control of the services department from the Delhi CM and giving it to the LG. This effectively reversed the principle of accountability. The Centre started rewarding Delhi government officers when they obstructed the work of the elected government and began to punish them when they were seen to be working on the priorities of the Kejriwal government.

Unprecedented scenes ensued. Officers started routinely skipping meetings called by AAP ministers, some stopped even taking calls from their ministers. In one of the years, out of 20 meetings called by the Delhi environment minister to prepare a winter pollution action plan, only one meeting was attended by the environment secretary.

Crucial departments such as education and health started seeing officers shuffled like a pack of cards. Delhi must be the only state to have seen eight health secretaries in the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, all appointed by the LG without any consultation with the elected government.

Several other actions were initiated by the Centre with the same express purpose of rendering the elected government of Delhi powerless, and centralising all powers in the LG. For the first time anywhere in India, an elected government had to resort to dharnas to get their programmes, such as mohalla clinics, CCTVs on streets for women's safety, free yoga classes or sending teachers abroad for training, implemented.

It was only due to the sheer will, perseverance and the moral authority of the Kejriwal-led government that it still managed to deliver a substantial part of its mandate and managed to come back to power in 2020, winning 62 out of 70 assembly seats.

Eventually, it took a long legal battle, spanning eight years and multiple benches in the Delhi high court and the SC that culminated in the landmark verdict of the apex court that brought the semblance of democracy back to the national capital.

It bears repeating what the CJI observed while reading out the verdict: If a democratically elected government is not given the power to control the officers, the principle of accountability will be redundant. If the officers stop reporting to the ministers or do not abide by their directions, the principle of collective responsibility is affected.

The SCs 5-0 unanimous verdict also unveils the dark truth of the BJP regimes ideology and lack of respect for constitutional norms. It sees the Constitution as a transactional document, to be upheld when it suits their political ends, and bypassed as and when it does not. The price for this will not just be paid by the Opposition but by the people of India, as the people of Delhi have in the past eight years.

Jasmine Shah is an AAP leader The views expressed are personal
Indias nuclear tests on May 11 and 13, 1998, stunned the world. This was not the first; in 1974, India had tested but called it a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE). In 1998, however, Prime Minister (PM) AB Vajpayee declared that India was now a nuclear weapon State. Addressing Parliament on May 27, he also placed a paper  Evolution of Indias Nuclear Policy  which provided the rationale for the tests and spelt out the elements of Indias doctrine that defined India as a reluctant but responsible nuclear power. PREMIUM The Vajpayee government reached out to key countries to ensure that India was seen as a responsible nuclear power (HT PHOTO)

When India refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968, its nuclear option was born. In subsequent decades, preserving the option became the primary political and diplomatic objective. Through more than three decades of domestic political changes, policy continuity was sustained. Meanwhile, Pakistan pushed ahead with its programme and by the early 1980s, it was enriching uranium at Kahuta and, by the late 1980s, had weaponised its deterrent with Chinese help. As the frontline State in the United States covert war against the erstwhile Soviet Union in Afghanistan, Pakistan managed to make the United States (US) turn a blind eye to its nuclear developments.

There was a growing realisation that, given technological advances since the 1974 PNE, the nuclear option could no longer remain viable and needed to be exercised. Post-Cold War global developments with tightening dual-use export controls were also squeezing the Indian option. In 1995, NPT was extended into perpetuity, freezing a nuclear order that India had long considered arbitrary and discriminatory. Negotiations on a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) began in 1994, with the Bill Clinton administration pushing to complete it in 1996.

In 1995, France and China were still undertaking tests to validate designs and acquire data that would help sustain their capabilities with zero-yield tests in their laboratories. PM Narasimha Rao gave the green light for tests, and preparatory work began at Pokhran. In early December, days before the tests were scheduled, US satellites picked up imagery of activity at Pokhran. The tests were postponed till after the general elections, and meanwhile, the Indian stand on CTBT negotiations hardened. PM Vajpayee toyed with the idea of the tests in 1996 but decided against it as his tenure was a mere 13 days. The next opportunity arose when he became PM again in 1998, and the die was cast.

The 1998 declaration of India as a nuclear-weapon State marked a decisive break. It generated its own challenges, both domestic and external. A new kind of policy continuity was crafted. Domestically, it related to the nuclear doctrine and the configuration of the nuclear arsenal in the defence and decision-making structures. Externally, it was to gain acceptance as a responsible nuclear power and, second, to stabilise deterrence relations with Indias adversaries.

After 25 years, the domestic challenge is still a work in progress. To maintain a credible minimum deterrence, a nuclear triad was considered necessary. The land-based missile force has now inducted Agni IV with an estimated range of 3,500 km. Agni V and Agni VI are expected to extend the ranges to beyond 6,000 km. The nuclear submarine programme has made slow progress, with Arihant having undertaken its first patrol last year. However, it currently carries a K-15 (Sagarika) missile that has a limited range of 700 km. Longer-range missiles are under development.

Though India has no intention of embarking on a nuclear arms race with any other country, it must factor in technological developments that can have an impact on the credibility of its deterrent. Increasing use of dual-use systems such as hypersonics and cruise missiles, and conventional precision global strike weapons blur the dividing line between nuclear and conventional systems. Digitisation renders both early warning and command-and-control systems vulnerable to counter-space and offensive cyber action.

These developments have led to questions as to how to define the minimum and whether the no-first-use policy needs review. Some critics point to Kargil in 1999, and the Mumbai attacks in 2008 as evidence of the failure of nuclear deterrence and would advocate a more robust posture. However, such criticism is ill-founded. Indian doctrine is intended to deter the threat and use of nuclear weapons. Dealing with Kargil-type attacks or terrorist strikes requires building conventional and intelligence capabilities that offer a range of response options.

The external diplomatic challenge of gaining acceptance as a responsible nuclear power has been achieved in great measure. The Vajpayee government was proactive in reaching out to key countries, particularly the US, since it had taken the lead in condemning the tests and calling for sanctions.

The dialogue between deputy secretary of state, Strobe Talbott, and foreign minister Jaswant Singh between 1998 and 2000 remains the most intense phase of bilateral engagement, with 18 rounds of talks in 24 months. It remained inconclusive in not meeting either sides stated objectives; yet, it was immensely productive in clearing the path towards the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership and eventually the India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, following the exceptional waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2008  another milestone that completes 15 years in 2023. The NSG waiver legitimised Indias civilian nuclear trade and has enabled over a dozen cooperation agreements to be concluded.

This was possible because the post-1998 policy, too, was marked by a similar continuity that characterised it in its early years. Today, changing geopolitics has revived rivalries among major nuclear powers even as the geopolitical centre of gravity has shifted from Euro-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific. Navigating these challenges may need policy adjustments that will be strengthened by consensus and continuity.

Rakesh Sood is a former diplomat who served as Indias ambassador to France and the PMs special envoy for disarmament and non-proliferation The views expressed are personal
After being appointed Twitter CEO on Friday, Linda Yaccarino reacted to the news for the first time on Sunday by tweeting that she was inspired by outgoing boss Elon Musk. She shared her excitement about integrating Musks vision for a better future with Twitters transformation. Elon Musk on May 12, 2023 said he has chosen top ad executive Linda Yaccarino as CEO of Twitter as he fights to reverse fortunes at the struggling platform he bought for $44 billion last year. (AFP)

Responding to Musks tweet announcing the change in top leadership, she thanked the billionaire and wrote, I've long been inspired by [Musk's] vision to create a brighter future. Im excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!

Following up in a thread, she acknowledged the massive jump in her Twitter follower count (reportedly from a mere 7k to a whopping 300k currently) and admitted that she may not be as active as the former chief of the microblogging platform yet. However, she remains committed to building Twitter 2.0, she added, inviting suggestions from users.

I see I have some new followers... Im not as prolific as@elonmusk (yet!), but Im just as committed to the future of this platform. Your feedback is VITAL to that future. Im here for all of it. Lets keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together! Yaccarino tweeted.

Musk, who has served as CEO since last October, announced on Thursday that he had found a CEO without naming Yaccarino.

The identity of the new boss was revealed on Friday with Musk tweeting,"I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!" Musk will be Twitters chief technology officer and executive chairman focusing on product design and new technology while Yaccarino will take care of the business operations.

The former NBCUniversal advertising chief is credited with integrating and digitizing ad sales at NBCU. Her challenge now will be to woo back advertisers that have fled Twitter since Musk acquired it last year for $44 billion.

Musks tenure at Twitters helm has beenchaotic. He began his first day firing the companys top executives, followed byroughly 80% of its staff. Twitter has been trying to pump in ad revenueas Musk revealed earlier this year that the company had suffered a massive decline in income.

(With inputs from agencies)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A university lecturer, Prof. Sami Ayodele, has called for more awareness on the cultivation of mushroom following its inherent revenue generation potential.

Ayodele, a Professor of Botanical Science at the National Open University (NOUN), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, mushroom is one of the most neglected produces in agriculture, especially in Nigeria.

He said that farmers focus mainly on cultivation of common crops such as rice, beans, yam and cassava, among others.

Ayodele urged farmers to diversify into mushroom cultivation to boost revenue cultivation.

"We should not just concentrate on cocoa, cassava, yam and the rest; mushroom cultivation should be given priority.

"There are other crops just like mushrooms that have been neglected that can earn Nigeria a lot of money.

"If the mushroom sector is well-developed, it can earn Nigeria a lot of foreign exchange," he said.

Ayodele added that some Asian countries rely on this neglected agro-commodity for consumption and export to earn revenue for the country.

He said that Nigerian farmers should take a cue from Asian countries and cultivate more mushrooms which could increase the nation's Gross Domestic Product to trillion annually if the sector was well developed.

"China, Russia and even some other parts of the United States of America embark on mushroom cultivation which earn them a lot of foreign exchange apart from local consumption," he said.

Ayodele also reiterated the need for nutritional and health benefits of mushroom, stressing that there was the need for increase in mushroom cultivation in the country.

He also called for more awareness on mushroom cultivation in order to popularise its cultivation and consumption among Nigerians.

The don said that mushroom could be used for management of chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV, among others.

"The protein content in mushrooms can be compared to that of beef and fish which is very expensive for the less privileged people to buy.

"Mushrooms are very affordable and everybody can also embark on its cultivation because it is not hard to cultivate.

"You can even cultivate mushrooms in the comfort of your home if you know how do to it," Ayodele said. (NAN)
Months after Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, the microblogging site has got its new CEO who is aspiring to work towards Twitter 2.0. Meanwhile, Meta-owned WhatsApp made headline this week with users complaining spam calls with international codes, however, the instant messaging platform had nothing but one solution to suggest  block and report these numbers. New Twitter CEO. WhatsApp logo(File)

More in the tech buzz, the income tax department is seeking to tax Netflix's income earned from streaming services in the country.

Check out more news like this from tech world that came this week:

Autonomus delivery startup Nuro to bring planned reduction in workforce

Nuro, an autonomous delivery startup founded in 2016, has announced it will carry out a planned reduction in force later this week, attributing the move to its decision to implement a 'new roadmap.' Read more

Linda Yaccarino to succeed Elon Musk as Twitter CEO: 5 things about her

Linda Yaccarino to succeed Elon Musk as Twitter owner Elon Musk, following his earlier announcement of having found a new boss for his social media enterprise, confirmed Friday evening that Linda Yaccarino will succeed him as the chief executive officer. Read more

How to handle spam international calls on WhatsApp? Meta explains

There are an increasing number of users complaining about receiving spam WhatsApp calls with international codes such as +237 (Cameroon, Africa), +84 (Vietnam), +251 (Ethiopia, Africa), and +62 (Indonesia). It is not clear who is behind these calls, but WhatsApp has recommended users to block and report these numbers. Read more

Japan to test CO2 absorbing vending machines in bid to cut carbon emissions

One of Japans leading drinks makers is planning an unorthodox way to cut its carbon emissions, utilizing a ubiquitous device in the nation: the vending machine. Read more

Microsoft won't give salary hikes to full-time workers, to rise rates for hourly workers

Microsoft Corp. has decided to freeze pay for all full-time workers this year to help it navigate macroeconomic ructions, becoming the latest US tech leader to tighten its belt during a time of mounting uncertainty. Read more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Turkey on Sunday votes in presidential and parliamentary elections that will pass judgement on two decades of uninterrupted rule by Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted party. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.(Reuters)

AFP looks at the key points of a vote with ramifications across the globe.

Presidential candidates

Erdogan is aiming to extend his transformative grip on power, which started when he became prime minister in 2003 after a landslide election victory for his conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) the previous year.

The 69-year-old could remain at the helm of the Turkish state until 2028 if re-elected, after the two-term limit for presidents was reset in a 2017 constitutional change.

His main challenger is Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP) and head of a disparate six-party alliance whose main unifying point is ousting Erdogan.

Polling suggests the 74-year-old former civil servant has a chance of reaching the 50-percent threshold needed for a first-round win and to avoid a May 28 runoff.

A third candidate, nationalist Sinan Ogan, is expected to win a small fraction of votes and believed to be drawing more support away from Erdogan.

The 2018 election runner-up Muharrem Ince dramatically announced his withdrawal from the race on Thursday -- although his name will appear on the ballot papers anyway.

Legislative elections

Voters will also select 600 members of parliament from 87 electoral districts to represent them in Turkey's unicameral parliament for the next five years.

The AKP is the largest party in the legislature and commands a majority in an alliance with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The CHP -- founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of the modern Turkish republic born out of the Ottoman empire's ashes in 1923 -- is the leading opposition group.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is parliament's third-largest, representing a community that makes up roughly one-fifth of Turkey's population.

Parliament's powers were severely weakened after Erdogan won a 2017 constitutional referendum that abolished the post of prime minister and enabled the president to effectively rule by decree.

Kilicdaroglu has pledged to restore powers to the legislature and limit the president to one seven-year term if he wins.

But he would need an unlikely three-fifths parliamentary majority to enact such changes.

The voters

More than 64 million of Turkey's 85 million-strong population are eligible to cast a ballot on Sunday. Turnout rates have been high in the past, exceeding 86 percent.

Polls open at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) and close at 5:00 pm.

Around 5.2 million Turks, having celebrated their 18th birthday, will participate in a national election for the first time.

Polling suggests this voting group -- representing eight percent of the electorate -- will reject the AKP as they tend to hold more liberal values and have known no leader other than Erdogan.

More than three million Turks living abroad have already cast their vote, with Germany alone accounting for nearly half of the diaspora electorate. These voters have usually backed conservative candidates.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is deploying hundreds of observers, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers chosen by the parties.
Cyclone Mocha intensified into a category five hurricane on Sunday, hours ahead of its predicted landfall in Myanmar and Bangladesh, where hundreds of thousands of people evacuated from the coasts were taking shelter. Thousands fled Myanmar's west coast and officials in neighbouring Bangladesh raced to evacuate Rohingya refugees on May 13 as the most powerful cyclone in the region for over a decade churned across the Bay of Bengal.(AFP)

Mocha was packing winds of up to 140 knots or 259 kilometres per hour, the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center said, the equivalent to a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

It is forecast to make landfall around 0630 GMT between Cox's Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in camps largely made up of flimsy shelters, and Sittwe on Myanmar's western Rakhine coast.

"The wind is getting stronger at the moment," rescue worker Kyaw Kyaw Khaing told AFP from Pauktaw town, about 25 kilometres inland from Sittwe, and where he said around 3,000 people had arrived to seek shelter.

"We distributed enough food for one or two meals to the people evacuated to temporary shelters. I don't think we will be able to send any food today due to the weather."

Thousands left Sittwe on Saturday, packing into trucks, cars and tuk-tuks and heading for higher ground inland as meteorologists warned of a storm surge of up to 3.5 metres.

"We are not OK because we didn't bring food and other things to cook," said Maung Win, 57, who spent the night in a shelter in Kyauktaw town. "We can only wait to get food from people's donations."

Bangladeshi authorities moved 190,000 people in Cox's Bazar and nearly 100,000 in Chittagong to safety, divisional commissioner Aminur Rahman told AFP late Saturday.

The rain and wind were felt in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon, around 500 kilometres away, residents said Sunday.
Democracy in Pakistan is at "an all-time low", Imran Khan claimed in an interview- a first since being bailed. The Shahbaz Sharif government is "petrified of elections" and they fear being "wiped out" by his party at the polls, the former prime minister told Sky News. Imran Khan: Policemen escort Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan as he arrives at the high court in Islamabad. (AFP)

"So they have decided that the only way they will allow elections is if I am inside jail or killed. There have been two attempts on me," Imran Khan said.

My house was raided when I was away, he added condemning "all violence" when asked about alleged violence by protesters.

Democracy is at an all-time low. The only hope we have is the judiciary, he asserted. This comes after the former premier was arrested earlier this week on corruption charges to be later released on bail following a ruling from Pakistan's High Court.

Following his arrest, countrywide violence sparked which left at least 10 people dead and dozens injured.

The first time they showed me an arrest warrant was inside the jail. It happens in the law of the jungle, the military abducted me. Where were the police? Where is the law? It's the law of the jungle. It seems there is martial law declared here," Imran Khan said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif criticised his release saying there was a "genuine corruption case" against Imran Khan, "but the judiciary has become a stone wall protecting him".

Pakistan's information minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, defended his arrest, saying, A person who has defied court, who does not abide by the law, who avoid courts and who thinks he's untouchable and cannot be questioned, has to be treated the way every citizen is treated.

"If we wanted to arrest him or silence him because of his popularity, we would not have waited 14 months," she said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Expanding their multi-level engagement, India and US will hold the first meeting of Strategic Trade Dialogue on June 4-5 to implement the outcomes of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) by streamlining export controls, enhancing high-tech commerce and facilitating tech transfer between the two countries. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra will be travelling to the US next month for the strategic trade dialogue meeting.

The first iCET dialogue between the National Security Advisors of the two countries took place on January 31, and the decision to hold the strategic trade meeting was taken when US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo came to India for relaunching the bilateral commercial dialogue on March 10.

Also read | Modi to visit US on June 22

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra will be travelling to the US early next month to meet Under-Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez for the strategic trade dialogue meeting as well as to make last-minute preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modis June 22 visit to the White House to meet US President Joseph Biden.

PM Modi is expected to meet President Biden during the May 19-21 G-7 meeting in Japan, then during the QUAD summit on May 24, and the two leaders will be crossing each other at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on May 22 as part of critical engagement of the Far Pacific nations. While the US is expected to open up defence cooperation with PNG to counter the expanding footprint of Chinese security in the Solomon Islands next door, PM Modi will be extending a $100 million credit line to the Island nation as part of Indias comprehensive engagement with the Far Pacific.

As a part of India and the US engagement, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, Kwatra is expected to ensure that all hurdles under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are smoothened for US companies to engage in joint and production of hi-tech systems such as aircraft engines, munition technologies and armed drones in India.

According to diplomats based in Washington and New Delhi, the US is expected to clear General Electrics application to jointly produce F-414 jet engines in India for the Tejas Mark II before PM Modis visit to the US. US defence major GE is also talking to its ancillary partners in the EU to shift manufacturing for F-414 engines to India. The US is also ready to supply armed drones to India to counter the Chinese armed drone menace all along the LAC.

Apart from launching an innovation bridge that will connect Indian and US defence startups, India is also seeking US intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technology for increased maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific. Besides, the two countries are actively collaborating in establishing semiconductor-resilient supply chains in India with an eye on the Chinese military threat to Taiwan and the semiconductor industry based there.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail
President Joe Biden's administration again warned Sunday of "catastrophic" consequences for the US economy if the country defaults, as negotiations with Republicans over a debt deal are expected to resume in the week ahead. Biden has stated he wants a "clean" hike of the debt ceiling, but Republicans are insisting any extension of the country's borrowing authority, currently capped at $31.4 trillion, come with substantial curbs on spending.(AP)

Alarm bells are ringing over the possibility of a first-ever US default, with uncertainty over the actual date the government would stop being able to pay its bills.

Congressional Republicans are demanding budget cuts in exchange for lifting the so-called debt ceiling, while the White House has insisted for months that the nation's credit should not be up for negotiation.

The two sides have remained at an impasse despite weeks of warnings from government officials and bankers that a default could unleash drastic consequences, including a possible recession and likely global financial contagion.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned a default could occur by June 1, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast on Friday the date of June 15.

"We shouldn't be here," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

"If Congress failed to raise the debt limit by the time of default, we would go into a recession and it'd be catastrophic," he warned.

"The United States of America has never defaulted on it's debt -- and we can't."

Biden has stated he wants a "clean" hike of the debt ceiling, but Republicans are insisting any extension of the country's borrowing authority, currently capped at $31.4 trillion, come with substantial curbs on spending.

"It's time to bring spending levels back to pre-Covid, and then we can talk about raising the debt ceiling," Byron Donalds, a Republican representative from Florida, told FOX News on Sunday.

"If Joe Biden brings nothing to the table, if all he does is sit there with his hands in his pockets... then he's the one leading our nation into default."

Former president Donald Trump has encouraged Republican lawmakers to hold out for a default if Biden doesn't agree to "massive cuts."

- 'Constructive' negotiations -

A much-anticipated new round of debt-ceiling talks between Biden and Republican leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, were postponed until the coming week.

Adeyemo acknowledged "constructive" negotiations were ongoing at the staff level, while pushing back on assertions that Biden does not want to address ballooning US debt.

"The president's laid out a plan that includes $3 trillion in debt relief over 10 years," Adeyemo said, referring to Biden's budget request unveiled in March, which featured tax increases on the wealthy and businesses.

Congressional leaders should address ways to hammer out a deal on fiscal policy, "but as we have that conversation, there is no reason we shouldn't raise the debt limit and prevent default in this country, a default that could lead to a massive recession that would cost us millions of jobs," he said.

Lael Brainard, director of the White House's National Economic Council, maintained that a deal would be reached.

"Our expectation is that Congress will do what is necessary" to avoid a default, Brainard, a former Federal Reserve vice chair, told CBS Sunday show "Face the Nation."

Biden addressed the issue on Saturday in Delaware, where he talked briefly to reporters.

"They're moving along," he said of the talks. But while there was "real discussion," he added the two sides were "not there yet."
A Nepali sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time on Sunday, hiking officials said, becoming the worlds second person to achieve the feat. Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official of his employer Imagine Nepal Treks, a hiking company.(Twitter/Everest Today)

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-m (29,032-ft) peak, sharing the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa, said Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official.

Kami Rita, who is also climbing on Everest now, could set another record if he makes it to the top.

Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official of his employer Imagine Nepal Treks, a hiking company.

"They are descending from the top now and are in good shape," the official, Dawa Futi Sherpa, told Reuters.

Sherpas, who mostly use their first names, are known for their climbing skills and make a living mainly by guiding foreign clients in the mountains.

Read | Nepal expects around 500 mountaineers to scale Mount Everest this Spring season

Dawa Futi said a Pakistani woman, Naila Kiani, who also climbed the peak on Sunday, was the first foreign climber to summit Everest in this years climbing season, which runs from March to May.

This could not be independently confirmed as many foreign climbers are now headed for the peak, a day after the ropes to the top were fixed.

Kiani, a 37-year-old banker based in Dubai, had climbed four of the world's 14 highest mountains before Everest, the Himalayan Times newspaper said.

Nepal has issued a record of 467 permits this year for foreign climbers seeking to reach the summit of Everest.

Each climber is usually accompanied by at least one sherpa guide, fuelling fears that a narrow section below the summit, known as the Hillary Step, could get crowded.

Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, with about 320 people dying in the effort, according to a Himalayan database and Nepali officials.
The appearance of the Duchess of Cambridge at the Eurovision Song Contest was unexpected and has created a stir among fans and viewers worldwide. Her cameo appearance in a pre-recorded video during the opening performance by Kalush Orchestra left many in awe as she played a few bars of piano for last year's Ukrainian winners' act. The clip was so captivating that it caused many viewers to pause and take notice, while the final was being held in Liverpool on a Saturday night. Kate Middleton: Kate Middleton plays the piano at Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Kate's choice of attire was equally mesmerizing and has sparked conversations among fashion enthusiasts. She looked stunning in a bright blue one-shoulder dress by Jenny Packham, which some media outlets suggest was a nod to the Ukrainian blue and yellow flag. She completed the look with a pair of earrings that previously belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Social media went abuzz with Kate's piano-playing skills and her tribute to Ukraine, with many fans expressing their admiration. However, not everyone was thrilled with her appearance. Some Eurovision party-goers were reported to have booed the Duchess when she appeared on their screens.

As it turns out, Kate was not the sole member of the royal family involved in Eurovision this year. King Charles and Queen Camilla graced the stage on April 26th to reveal the staging for the competition, bringing immense joy to the fans of the monarchy. The UK hosted Eurovision for the first time in a quarter-century, following Ukraine's step back from hosting due to Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

In any case, Kate's appearance has added to the buzz surrounding Eurovision this year. It remains to be seen whether she will make another appearance at next year's contest, but one thing is certain - her appearance has left an indelible mark on the event, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the next edition.
Thailand's two major opposition parties dominated Sunday's national elections, with voters rejecting nearly a decade of military-backed government. Thai Prime Minister and United Thai Nation Party's candidate Prayut Chan-O-Cha leaves the partys headquarters as votes continue to be counted, during Thailand's general election in Bangkok Sunday.(AFP)

But in a kingdom where coups and court orders have often trumped the ballot box, fears persist the military could seek to cling on, raising the prospect of fresh instability.

The election campaign played out as a clash between a young generation yearning for change and the conservative, royalist establishment embodied by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the ex-army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup.

With ballots counted from three quarters of polling stations, the reformist Move Forward Party (MFP) was on nearly 8.4 millions votes followed by Pheu Thai on 6.9 million.

Prayut's United Thai Nation party lay third on 2.8 million, though it is not yet clear how the popular vote will translate into parliamentary seats.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said his party could take 160 of the 500 lower house seats, declaring that the result "closed the door" on any chance of army-backed parties forming a minority government.

MFP will seek talks with Pheu Thai and a coalition deal is "definitely on the cards", Pita told reporters.

Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra congratulated MFP on their success and said "we can work together".

"We are ready to talk to Move Forward, but we are waiting for the official result," she said.

Pheu Thai, the party of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra now fronted by his daughter, Paetongtarn, had urged voters to deliver them a landslide to see off the threat of military interference.

The Election Commission is not expected to officially confirm the final number of seats won by each party for several weeks.

But without an overwhelming majority, MFP and Pheu Thai may still face a battle to secure power, thanks to the junta-scripted 2017 constitution.

The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs and 250 senate members appointed by Prayut's junta -- stacking the deck in the army's favour.

In the controversial last election in 2019, Prayut rode senate support to become prime minister at the head of a complex multi-party coalition.

Adding to the uncertainty, rumours are already swirling that MFP could be dissolved by court order -- the same fate that befell its predecessor Future Forward Party after it performed unexpectedly well at the 2019 poll.

- Protest legacy -

The election was the first since major youth-led pro-democracy protests erupted across Bangkok in 2020 with demands to curb the power and spending of Thailand's king -- breaching a long-held taboo on questioning the monarchy.

The demonstrations petered out as Covid-19 curbs were imposed and dozens of leaders were arrested, but their energy fuelled growing support for the more radical opposition MFP.

As he arrived to vote in Bangkok, Pita, 42, said he expected a "historic turnout".

"Younger generations these days care about their rights and they will come out to vote," he told reporters.

While MFP sought support from millennial and Gen Z voters -- who make up nearly half the 52 million-strong electorate -- Pheu Thai drew on its traditional base in the rural northeast where voters are still grateful for the welfare policies implemented by Thaksin in the early 2000s.

As results came in, a glum-looking Prayut thanked voters for their support as he left his party HQ.

"I'll continue to do my best regardless of the result," he told reporters.

The former general made an unashamedly nationalist pitch to older voters, painting himself as the only candidate capable of saving Thailand from chaos and ruin.

But he struggled badly in the polls, blamed for a sputtering economy and feeble recovery from the pandemic, which battered the kingdom's crucial tourism industry.

Rights groups accuse Prayut of overseeing a major crackdown on basic freedoms, with a huge spike in prosecutions under Thailand's draconian royal defamation laws.

The country has seen a dozen coups in the last century and has been locked over the last two decades in a rolling cycle of street protests, coups and court orders dissolving political parties.

The Shinawatra family's bitter tussle with the royalist-military establishment has been at the heart of the drama, with Thaksin ousted in a 2006 coup and his sister Yingluck unseated by Prayut in 2014.

An unclear or disputed result this time could lead to a fresh round of demonstrations and instability.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
"We need change, we've had enough," said Mehmet Topaloglu, one of the first to cast his ballot on Sunday in the southern Turkish city of Antakya, destroyed by this year's devastating earthquake. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan(AFP)

For Topaloglu, the 7.8-magnitude February tremor that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and the economic situation have changed the nature of the polls, which could end President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's more than two-decade grip on power.

"I voted Erdogan for his first two terms, but I won't vote for him again, even if he were my father," the farmer told AFP at an Antakya school used as a polling centre.

Semra Karakas and her 23-year-old daughter Aylin endured a 14-hour bus ride to return to Antakya for the vote, after the quake forced them to leave and settle in the southern coastal city of Antalya.

Speaking by containers acting as improvised polling stations, Aylin said the earthquake -- and the state's inadequate response to the emergency -- reaffirmed her choice in the race between two presidential frontrunners, Erdogan and his secular rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

"The state didn't come to our aid. They came three or four days afterwards," added the architecture student, who thinks support for the conservative Erdogan in Antakya's Hatay province will "fall a lot".

Semras recalled the images of dead babies lying in the rubble, some of whom perished due to the cold temperatures, and said the "catastrophe" would affect the polls.

Medical worker Deryer Deniz, 35, has lived in cramped conditions in a tent since the tragedy, and thinks this year's elections "are much more important".

She said she knew "many voters" who used to vote for Erdogan come what may have now changed their mind.

Whether that would be enough to swing the poll in one way or another remained to be seen. "But if the government falls, Hatay will have played its role," she concluded.

A group of young people enter the school's courtyard. Erdogan should "get lost", said one of them, Sercan, who refused to reveal his surname after calling the Turkish leader all names under the sun.

"All elections are important, but this one is even more so due to the earthquake," added Cemil Kanatci, a man in his 70s, who coyly said it was "possible" he would vote differently.
The Presidency on Saturday said it was unaware of the purported decision of President Muhammadu Buhari granting study leave to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said this while reacting to enquiries from Daily Trust on Sunday.

He said his position as reported by another national paper on Saturday morning had not changed.

The presidential spokesman had earlier said: "If the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been granted study leave supposedly by President Muhammadu Buhari, this is unknown to us.

"It is also unknown to the President's secretariat headed by the Chief of Staff."

An online news medium, SaharaReporters, had said the CBN Governor had been granted study leave by President Buhari to flee Nigeria before the inauguration of the president-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on May 29.

It added that the opportunity for Emefiele to flee the country before Buhari leaves office comes amid corruption and terrorism-financing allegations against him.

The online news medium said the country's secret police, the Department of State Services, which made futile attempts to arrest and detain Emefiele in the past over the damning allegations against him, was not happy about the prospect of seeing the CBN governor evade justice.

Emefiele who made attempt to secure the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, was accused by Tinubu of introducing the Naira redesign and cashless policy through the CBN to sabotage his presidential ambition.
As Turkey prepares for a crucial election on Sunday, Twitter has announced that it will be blocking certain posts in the country. The social media giant stated on Friday night that it has taken action to restrict access to specific content in Turkey, although it assured users that the blocked content will remain accessible to the rest of the world. However, Twitter did not provide details on which tweets would be blocked or the reasoning behind the decision. Twitter has imposed restrictions on tweets ahead of Turkey's high-stakes election.(REUTERS)

This move has once again drawn attention to Twitter CEO Elon Musk's controversial stance on free speech. Critics argue that by complying with demands from Turkey's right-wing leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Musk is succumbing to political pressure. With much of Turkey's media under government control, there are concerns that Erdogan is tightening his grip on social media platforms to suppress voices of opposition as he strives to maintain his position of power.

The upcoming election in Turkey is one of the most fiercely contested in recent years, with polls indicating a tight race between opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Erdogan, who has wielded considerable authority over the country for two decades.

Erdogan's potential defeat would have far-reaching implications domestically, as his leadership has been synonymous with personalized, autocratic rule. Moreover, Turkey's international relationships, from its ties with the United States to governments across Europe and the Middle East, have been characterized by frequent bouts of crisis.

In addition to selecting a president, Turkish voters will also be electing members of parliament on Sunday. Kilicdaroglu, if elected, has vowed to prioritize strengthening democracy and dismantling authoritarian practices. In an interview this week, he expressed his vision for a freer Turkey, stating, "When we are in power, Turkey will be a country of freedom."

This recent decision by Twitter follows a brief period in February when the Turkish government temporarily blocked access to the platform and other social media sites following a devastating earthquake. Matt Yglesias, a liberal blogger from Washington D.C., criticized the company's compliance with the Turkish government's request to censor opponents during an election.

Elon Musk, who will soon step down as CEO but continue to serve as chief technology officer, responded to the criticism, defending the company's actions. Musk questioned Yglesias, asking, "Did your brain fall out of your head, Yglesias? The choice is to have Twitter throttled entirely or limit access to some tweets. Which one do you want?"

Also read | No one at CNN is Happy', #BoycottCNN trends on Twitter after Trump townhall

As Turkey stands on the brink of a consequential election, the debate surrounding free speech, political influence, and social media censorship continues to unfold. The outcome of the election will not only shape the future of Turkey but also have implications for the broader region and international relations.
Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance in the opening sequence film for the Grand Final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest 2023 which was part of a pre-recorded video section that kicked off the show. It also featured stars including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sam Ryder and Joss Stone. Kate Middleton: Kate Middleton plays the piano at Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Prince William's wife played a short, instrumental piano performance, which was recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle as she wore a one-shoulder royal blue gown - in a show of support for Ukraine. The piece of music was specially created for her by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel and featured last year's winner's Kalush Orchestra singing Stefania in the iconic Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in Kyiv.

Other appearances included rapper Ms Banks, Ballet Black and Bolt Strings.

Twenty-six acts performed to the 6000 strong arena audience and around1 60 million viewers watched the Eurovision from all around the world. Presenters Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Ukrainian TV star Julia Sanina, and Alesha Dixon hosted the show.

Kate Middleton's performance isn't the first royal connection to the contest. follows King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Liverpool Arena last month.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Indian American presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy announced his support for a constitutional amendment that would implement Civic Duty Voting among Americans aged 18-25. The proposal, if enacted, would effectively raise the voting age to 25, with provisions for 18 to 25-year-olds to vote if they fulfil a national service requirement or pass a civics exam similar to the one for naturalized citizens. Vivek Ramaswamy, chairman and co-founder of Strive Asset Management LLC, speaks during a campaign event in Urbandale, Iowa, US, on Thursday, May 11, 2023. (Bloomberg)

Ramaswamy, an Indian American entrepreneur and self-proclaimed "anti-woke" activist, is seeking a Republican ticket for the upcoming 2024 US presidential elections.

He emphasized that voting would remain accessible to citizens from the age of 18. However, at age 18, individuals would have three options to exercise their right to vote: completing six months of direct service in the US military or first response services, passing a civic education test identical to the US citizenship exam, or waiting until age 25.

Implementing Civic Duty Voting would necessitate a constitutional amendment, requiring the support of two-thirds of legislators in both chambers of Congress and three-fourths of state legislators.

Ramaswamy stressed the need for this initiative, citing concerns about the diminishing sense of national pride and the declining military recruitment rate. "Our military currently suffers a 25 per cent recruitment deficit, and only 16 per cent of Gen Zs say they're proud to be American. The absence of national pride is a serious threat to the future of our country," he said.

Also Read | Vivek Ramaswamy tells 16-year-old how to be successful

The proposed voting system aims to instil a sense of shared purpose and responsibility among young Americans to become educated citizens. Ramaswamy drew parallels to the 1971 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18 in response to the mandatory military draft during the Vietnam War. He argued that tying voting to civic commitments has long been part of the national culture and that Civic Duty Voting could reignite civic duty in America.

Making a strong pitch for Civic Duty Voting in Iowa, Ramaswamy argued that its implementation would not require additional government bureaucracy, as the exam would be identical to the one already required of green card holders seeking citizenship. The six-month service requirement offers an alternative path for young Americans to fulfil their civic duty. Both requirements would be lifted at age 25, aligning with the existing Selective Service registration law for young male adults.

Acknowledging that changing the Constitution is a complex process, Ramaswamy remains committed to persuading others about the merits of his proposal. At 37 years old, he is the youngest contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, competing against candidates in their 70s, including former President Donald Trump and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Voting age adjustments require approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of state legislators. The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the federal voting age to 18. Initially debated during World War II when the draft age was reduced to 18, the amendment gained momentum during the Vietnam War. Congress subsequently passed a law in 1970 lowering the voting age to 18 in federal, state, and local elections. The Supreme Court upheld the amendment, superseding state laws with higher age thresholds.

"We must think ambitiously about reviving civic duty in America. In 1971 the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to age 18 following a mandatory military draft, and tying voting to civic commitments has long been part of our national culture. Civic Duty Voting can create a sense of shared purpose and responsibility amongst young Americans to become educated citizens," he said.

Ramaswamy believes that his proposal will stimulate a crucial conversation about citizenship and foster civic pride in the next generation. He stated, "Debate generated by my proposal will itself catalyze a long overdue conversation in America about what it means to be a citizen and how to foster civic pride in the next generation."

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Minna  Terrorists have abducted the village head of the Fugge community in the Rijau Local Government Area, Mallam Abdullahi Zaure, and 49 others.

The incident occurred at the weend when the terrorists invaded the village on several motorcycles, shooting into the air and causing panic among residents.

It was learnt majority of the abductees were women and children with few males while several cattle were rustled.

It was also gathered that fighter jets descended on the terrorists when they were moving with the abductees which resulted in the death of several of the bandits and rustled cattle.

The residents claimed that the terrorists have gone into their den which is located in the forest bordering Niger State and Kebbi State.

The residents said that the terrorists have begun contacting the families of the abductees demanding fuel and motorcycles as ransom for their release.

Efforts to contact the Niger Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Wasiu, and Commissioner for Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar proved abortive. Their lines didn't connect when called.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Ed Sheeran has spent the last decade working his way through Houston venues. He's moved from sold-out shows at Bayou Music Center and Toyota Center to BBVA Compass (now Shell Energy) Stadium and Minute Maid Park.

GOTH FLASHBACK: The Cure returns to Houston for first show in seven years

Sheeran's += Tour (pronounced The Mathematics Tour) is his biggest to date. Saturday's show at NRG Stadium was the third stop, following New Orleans and Arlington. It also follows last week's release of Sheeran's fifth album, "-" ("Subtract").

"I come from a tiny, tiny, tiny farm town in Suffolk, England. To be playing for this many people on a Saturday night in Houston is still mind blowing to me," Sheeran told the crowd.

In many ways, it was an event befitting one of the most listened-to artists in the world. The stage was astonishing, a multi-piece obstacle course covered in LED screens and a true 360-degree experience. Giant, ringed rods flanked the center stage where Sheeran performed. Huge screens shaped like guitar picks were suspended from the ceiling. The band was stationed at four spots around the center. The floor was crowded with standing fans.

Sheeran's central position was equipped with risers that moved up and down throughout the show. The cleverest touch, though, was a circular conveyor belt that Sheeran raced around for most of the two-plus hours. It ensured the entirety of the venue got some attention.

Karen Warren/Staff photographer

The crowd was full of interlocked couples, girlfriends enjoying a night out and all varieties of families. A quartet of kindergartners in Sheeran shirts shouted along with their favorite lyrics.

Sheeran himself isn't much different from the guy who played for just over 3,000 people at Bayou Music Center in 2013. He has a sweet, sheepish sense of humor. There are no dancers or gospel choirs or designer costume changes. And despite the presence of a full band, he performed many songs with just his loop station, creating his tracks live onstage.

He wore a shirt that said "Houston" across the chest for much of the show. Openers "Tides" and "Blow," complete with pyro, showcased a harder edge than the ballads that have made him a superstar.

Breakout single "The A Team" was accompanied by thousands of phone lights, the first of many of those moments. "Give Me Love" was a throwback moment, the first song Sheeran performed on his first tour.

Karen Warren/Staff photographer

"Castle on the Hill" showcased pounding guitars and anime-inspired imagery. The rapid-fire verses of "Don't" were mashed up with '90s hit "No Diggity."

Sheeran told the crowd his new album was inspired by the death last year of his best friend, Jamal Edwards. That was painfully apparent during "Eyes Closed," a song about struggling to move on.

Still, much of the show had a joyful energy running through it. "I Don't Care" evoked a celebratory mood. Opener Khalid brought a surge of energy to "Beautiful People." Wedding ballad "Perfect" had the entire stadium swooning in unison. "Overpass Graffiti" was a rush of wistful '80s nostalgia.

Sheeran dubbed the final stretch of songs  "Sing," "Photograph," "Bad Habits," "Shape of You"  the "sing-along" portion of the show. It also included "Love Yourself," the worldwide hit he wrote for Justin Bieber, and the fiery "You Need Me, I Don't Need You."

"Sing-along" was really an apt description for the entire evening. Especially when 5-year-olds know all the lyrics to Irish folk-pop tune "Galway Girl."
A police officer fatally shot a man Saturday night who approached him with a knife and had earlier yelled at people at a house party, complaining their music was too loud, Houston Police Department officials said.

Officers responded to a call about a disturbance involving a weapon around 11:20 p.m. at a residence in the 100 block of Palmyra Street near Fulton Street in the Northside area. The person who called the police said they were having a graduation party for their child when a man, who they believed lived in the neighborhood, confronted them, yelling the music was too loud  all while displaying a knife, Houston Executive Assistant Chief Ban Tien said.

The man with the knife left the party before officers arrived at the scene.

CRIME: Gunman 'distraught' following death of Humble mom killed by stray bullet, attorney says

The male basically threatened if they didnt turn the music down, he will be back, Tien said.

And he was.

After police arrived and while officers were talking to partygoers, the man with the knife returned. Still wielding the knife, he began approaching officers, who backed away, Tien said.

An officer yelled at the man to drop the knife, multiple times, and the man did not comply and kept walking toward police, Tien said.

The officers begin to back up to continue to try to create distance, up until the point where the officer backed into the vehicle and he had nowhere to go and he subsequently discharged his firearm, Tien said.

The officer reportedly fired their duty weapon more than once, striking the man multiple times. After the shooting, the officer attempted first aid on the man.

The man was taken to the hospital where he died.

The officers body camera was on during the shooting and the footage should be released within 30 days.

WEATHER: Keep track of flooding across Houston with our real-time tracker

A special investigation unit made up of law enforcement from Houstons homicide division, its crime scene unit and the Harris County District Attorneys Office and Office of Internal Affairs was investigating as of Saturday night.

Tien said the investigation was in its preliminary stages and police planned to interview more witnesses and canvas the area for any surveillance video.
Work used to be Sarah Howells entire life. A single woman in her mid-30s, she always dreamed of having a family but it wasnt exactly easy to find time to date seriously. Her days were spent fielding phone calls  with the Office of Refugee Resettlement or Child Protective Services or 12-year-olds reporting that they couldnt find their mom  and visiting with worried parents wondering why their child was acting out in class again.

As a social worker at a Gulfton middle school that serves recent arrivals  refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants from all corners of the globe  she had her hands full.

The harrowing cases she took on often kept her at the school until 9 or 10 p.m. but she tried hard to draw the line between her work and her home life. Even when it seemed she might need to step in to keep a child safe, she had always managed to direct kids to the appropriate public services or to a family member.

Then two years ago, one girl was left with no options and no one to turn to. Sarah didnt have to think twice. Overnight, she became a mom.

Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer

What was once her home office has been transformed into a teenagers bedroom, complete with anime posters and stickers plastered on the walls. A self-described extroverted introvert, she once cherished her time alone to decompress. Now, Sarah cant imagine life without Karla, her 17-year-old Honduran daughter. Theirs is a story of love that transcends borders and biology and whatever preconceived notions many of us have about what motherhood is.

But being a mom has come with its learning curves. From fighting over the shared bathroom and undone chores, Sarahs learned to pick her battles. Shes learned to provide love and care and boundaries to a child who has never really known those things.

Early on, Karla told her she didnt like to be touched because she hadnt received a hug with feeling in six years. So she and Karla decided on a different way to communicate. Now, a scratch on the head means Hi, I love you. Im here.

Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer

In January, after a particularly explosive argument, Sarah got in her car to cool off and called her dad, explaining her struggles through tears. Teenagers, she remembers him telling her. These are just growing pains.

Thats when I realized what it really means to be a mom, Sarah told a member of the editorial board. And that moms have bad days, too.

Though Sarah has read just about every research paper and handbook on how to counsel trauma and torture survivors, nothing prepared her for the reality of parenting a child who has been through so much.

Born in San Pedro Sula, Karla was around 1 when her biological mother left. Unable to take care of her, her father took her to Tegucigalpa, where she was raised by her great-aunt. They didnt have much, Karla once recounted to Sarah, but she remembers living a happy and healthy life.

Then, before her 11th birthday, Karlas father suddenly showed up. He scooped her up, told her they were going to a better country and they left the same day, Sarah said.

Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer

After living for some time in southern Mexico, they headed north, riding on the spine of La Bestia, a freight train thousands of men, women and children use every year to reach the U.S.-Mexico border when they cant afford other forms of travel. Many pay with their lives.

Soon after crossing the border, Karla entered Sarahs life. She met her at school, where Karla only attended classes for a few weeks before her dad took her to another city. For years, Karla bounced around, living in more than a dozen different homes with people whose faces are now a blur, until finally returning to Houston, where she reconnected with Sarah.

Karla spent most weekends with her, an arrangement Sarah had offered to provide the family some respite. She had known them for years, as she had also counseled Sammy, Karlas step-brother. The dad had grown to trust Sarah deeply. He told her that, if she really loved Karla, she should take care of his daughter full-time.

One night, Sarah received a panicked phone call. It was from Sammy. He told her his step-sister had run away, barefoot and in the rain, in search of her dad, who hadnt been home in days. When Karla returned home drenched, she called Sarah to apologize and asked if she could move in with her permanently.

Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer

The next day, June 2, 2021, she packed her belongings in two trash bags and never looked back. Since then, Karla has settled into life in her new home  the most consistent since living in Honduras.

Karla and her ma have slowly built their own traditions. She has nearly filled two scrapbooks with pictures of their celebrations together: blowing out the candles on her 16th and then 17th birthday, the two of them soaking in their inflatable jacuzzi, painting Easter eggs together, dressing up for Halloween, opening up their Christmas gifts at Sarahs parents house.

Last Mothers Day was Sarah and Karlas first together. This year, Karla was adamant about buying her mom a gift with her own money. So she spent the past few weekends selling raspas, Mexican snow cones, at a local flea market. On Wednesday, her grandparents took her to Marshalls and Five Below where she was able to find the perfect gifts for Sarah: a white, fluffy blanket dotted with rainbows (she loves rainbows Karla said in Spanish), a set of decorative plates in the shape of a pineapple (pineapples are her favorite), and a new iPhone charger (she lost her other one).

Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer

But Mothers Day can be particularly tough for the mother-daughter duo. Theyve got a long way to go before Sarah can formally adopt Karla. She was granted the power of attorney by Karlas dad two years ago, but with scant documents to Karlas name and biological parents who are nearly impossible to reach, it can sometimes feel like theyre stuck in a hopeless legal limbo.

For Sarah, it was critical that she not become Karlas social worker or therapist. She doesnt force Karla to delve too deeply into her past. I see things as a clinician but I try to treat it as a mother, Sarah said.

Its taught me a lot. Its made me a better social worker and a better support for kids who are separated from their parents, she said.

Every year, there are more kids needing that support. Some are kids who, like Karla, technically came to the U.S. with one or both parents, but were effectively left on their own. Other children  an increasing number  cross the border all alone, often between ports of entry. Over 400,000 of them have crossed into the U.S. unaccompanied since 2003. And Harris County is the number one destination in the United States for young immigrants by a large margin. From October 2022 to March 2023 alone, 3,255 unaccompanied minors were released to sponsors here.

Sarah feels were vastly unprepared for the growing epidemic of families needing to navigate the unique emotional complexities of migration under desperate circumstances. Those are the type of cases she lives and breathes every day with the dozens of kids and teenagers she counsels.

Theres this duality of I love you, because youre my mother and Ive craved knowing you my whole life and Im dying to get to know you, Sarah explained. But also I absolutely hate you because you abandoned me and I dont know who you are.

Sometimes Sarah herself feels overwhelmed by it all. She tries her best to hide her anxiety from her daughter. But last week, a particularly tough one for Sarah, Karla knew something was up. So she reached over and gently scratched Sarahs head. She reminded her that theyre a team and that everything would be OK.

Its those little things that keep Sarah going. Someone once asked me, Who saved who? Who helped who? she recounted with a laugh. Shes just this amazing kid, just this really cool person I get to grow alongside and share the world with.

Karla now allows herself to dream of a future. She hopes to be a mom someday.

When shes older, Karla can see herself adopting, just like her ma. Together, theyve learned that out of the many things that make up motherhood  thankless sacrifice, patience, deep care  biology is the least important.

The most important, even for families brought together by the cruelest conditions, is the same for all mothers: unconditional love.

Thats what we celebrate today.
Regarding "The Title 42 immigration policy has ended. Here's what's happening in El Paso and the Texas border," (May 11): The front-page print headline on May 12 says "In search of 'American dream.'" It is saddening to witness the erosion of that dream. What was once the land of opportunity, has become the system of handouts. When somebody earns, they seek more. When somebody is given, they want more. I'm old, and glad to be going out, instead of coming in.

G. Gratzer, Sargent

Regarding "Title 42? The Vargas family hadn't heard of it. They left Venezuela to survive. (Editorial)," (May 12): Fragile lives and hopes beautifully captured in today's editorial. Thanks.

Sally Lehr, Houston

Everything you read today seems to be about "us" and "them" and "gotcha." I think that the worst thing you can do is make a broad generalization about a group of people.

You can look at strangers and, by their dress or skin color, make assumptions about their lives. But you are likely wrong. You simply cant tell a single thing about their hopes and dreams, their grit or perseverance, nor their many trials in life. And without knowing whats in their heart you cant see how much like us they truly are. Most are just looking for a decent life with a decent future.

What could this one individual do for all mankind given a decent opportunity, a few options, and some responsible mentoring? Sometimes in life a simple word or deed can make a huge impact on another. And given all the changes over the last 50 years, we still cant even predict next weeks weather with a high degree of accuracy, much less the possibilities that will exist for individuals well into the future who are given support and encouragement from those around them. We should never underestimate the human potential for any of "us."

Derryl York, Houston

The people have spoken

Regarding "Fort Bend ISD's $1.26B bond passes; see other school bond election results," (May 7): Inadequate public school funding is often excused under the lame notion of parent choice. Perhaps the governor and others might consider that school bonds overwhelmingly passed locally and across the state. Results are not final yet, but few were refused, indicating to me that the people strongly support public education.

Why isn't the state of Texas paying its fair share and instead shifting rising costs to local property taxpayers? Bonds will pay for buildings but not for staffing.

Mary Tegtmeier, Spring

Regarding "Study links oil and gas pollution with excess deaths in Texas," (May 12): So what do the highest death rates due to oil and gas pollution have in common with the recent mass shootings in Texas (and maternal deaths for that matter)? They happen on Greg Abbott's watch. Is he to blame? No, it is Texas voters who elect and re-elect and re-elect him who are to blame. Voters have the power to move beyond "thoughts and prayers," but they must exercise that power at the polls  here in Texas and nationwide  if they want to see meaningful change.

Michael Waldau, Houston
As someone who learned to hunt wild game at my fathers elbow, and who continues to prowl after wild turkeys, quail and elk at the age of 93, two things about guns are crystal clear to me. First, I maintain strong passions for firearms and the outdoors and, just as importantly, a healthy respect for both. But second, in the face of a seemingly daily barrage of mass shootings like the recent one in Allen, Texas, it is evident our country is suffering a tragic epidemic of gun violence that has veered out of control.

The numbers are overwhelming. At a time when modern medicine is finding ways to reduce cancer, heart disease and other causes of death, our nation is experiencing an upward spiral in firearm fatalities. Since 2000, such deaths have increased by 55 percent to 44,310 last year. The toll of American civilians who have suffered gun-related deaths during the past 50 years is more than the 1.35 million U.S. soldiers who died during all our wars combined.

When all firearms-related deaths are combined (accidental, suicide and homicide), they become one of the nations 15 biggest killers. Sadly, the most vulnerable among us are the biggest victims. In 2021, firearms were the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens, accounting for nearly 19 percent of deaths of those 18 or younger.

With the carnage seemingly out of control, it is little wonder a recent Gallup poll indicates Americans dissatisfaction with U.S. gun laws has risen to 63 percent, the highest since Gallup began tracking national gun policies in 2001. Although demand for change comes largely from Democrats and independents, 44 percent of Republicans are dissatisfied with gun laws as well. Absent new laws, that public dissatisfaction will only increase as the death toll mounts.

Such public sentiment is one reason Congress passed a bipartisan bill last summer  the first major federal gun safety legislation since the assault weapons ban of 1994, a law that expired after 10 years. Last year, Republicans and Democrats hammered out the new legislation in the aftermath of mass shootings in a Buffalo, New York supermarket and an elementary school in Uvalde. The law established background checks for gun purchasers younger than 21, further criminalized arms trafficking and provided millions of dollars for states to implement red flag laws and other crisis intervention programs.

Rice University's Baker Institute

Though the new law did not go far enough to reduce gun violence, it was a promising first step towards the development of further legislation. Additional steps should be considered that might be able to attract bipartisan support, including:

 A ban on ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds except for military or police use. Similar bans have been in place since 1935, when federal law began restricting waterfowl hunters to three shells in a shotgun.

 A ban on armor-piercing bullets, the kind that are opposed by police chiefs around the country.

 A longer waiting period  or a cooling off period  for the purchase of a handgun.

 Further strengthening background checks for all gun purchasers, and not just those younger than 21.

At the same time, and most important of all, Congress should increase resources that go to mental health services because mental health is clearly and directly related to our escalating levels of gun violence. Mass shootings, in particular, often appear associated with psychological maladies. This is not to excuse the perpetrators. Rather, it is a call to marshal the resources at our disposal to stop senseless killings before they occur.

Any approach, of course, will demand bipartisan support. This is not only important because our current system requires a 60-vote majority in the Senate. But also because, absent wide support, any laws passed now might well be rescinded once the partisan balance of power inevitably shifts.

Getting to a bipartisan deal will not be easy, particularly under the dysfunctional political climate in our country. A sensible middle ground will be needed to thread the difficult partisan needle.

I worked for three wise U.S. presidents  George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. All were men with great respect for the freedom provided by the Second Amendment. They understood that our Constitution is a precious safeguard for those worried that theyre going to take our guns away. But they also understood that our nation has had gun laws throughout its history. And all favored reasonable restrictions.

Jerry Baker/Special to the Houston Post

Some will say that Americans may just have to get used to the gun violence that plagues our nation. There are too many guns in this country, they will say, to put the genie back in the bottle. We should reject such pessimism.

Can we get rid of gun violence in one fell legislative swoop? Of course not. But to help stem the rising tide of gun violence, we can and should take practical, pragmatic steps  both those directly related to firearms and those related to mental health.

James A. Baker, III, was the nations 61st Secretary of State and 67th Secretary of the Treasury.

Loading






ENGLAND-BORN Zimbabwean teen ace Isaac Mabaya appears to be edging closer towards a first-team breakthrough at Liverpool after signing a new contract English Premier League giants.

Mabaya, who was born in Preston to Zimbabwean parents was among the young standouts during pre-season last year, making four appearances throughout Liverpool's season matches.

The 18-year-old academy player was deployed at right-back, but is also capable of excelling in midfield, and earned his first call-up to the England under-19s in September.

However, a long-term ankle injury has ruled Mabaya out since October, derailing his promising form with Liverpool under-21s and any further senior exposure.

However, Liverpool have signaled their faith in the highly-rated youngster, who has signed a new long-term contract.

Liverpool confirmed the news on Saturday, following similar extensions for both Luke Chambers and Jarell Quansah earlier this month.

"Isaac Mabaya has signed a new contract with Liverpool FC. The versatile Academy prospect caught the eye during a number of appearances with Jurgen Klopp's first team in last summer's pre-season schedule, where he was involved during the Asia tour and training camp in Austria," Liverpool said in a statement.

"He was employed mostly as an attacking option from right-back, although he can also play in midfield. The 18-year-old first joined the Academy at the age of six and broke into the U18 team when he was 16. He has been working hard to return from a frustrating early-season injury that curtailed his progress this term and is now ready to resume his upward curve with the Reds," the club added.

Mabaya made seven appearances for the U21s and three for the under-19s prior to his injury.
If youre tweeting about a controversial issue, publishing an investigative news report or writing an online review of a local business, you could face a defamation lawsuit aimed at silencing your speech.

That lawsuit may be meritless  you are presenting truthful information or expressing your opinion without defaming anyone  but youll have to defend against the lawsuit anyway. That costs money. Lots of it.

A SLAPP lawsuit, a reference to strategic lawsuits against public participation, is meant to intimidate a speaker into removing their comments and being quiet or punish someone for speaking out. Fortunately, lawmakers passed the Texas Citizens Participation Act in 2011 to remedy this problem and protect free speech. Texas is one of 32 states with an anti-SLAPP statute, and ours is considered among the strongest in the nation.

Unfortunately, Senate Bill 896 would severely diminish Texas law by removing, in many cases, an important automatic stay provision that requires action in the trial court to stop while a motion to dismiss the lawsuit is appealed. Under the proposed legislation, the speaker who was sued would have to then fight the case on two fronts while appealing the denial of a motion to dismiss. The legal costs would keep mounting in the original court and in the appeals court.

That person exercising their free speech rights would be slapped into silence by the costly burden of the dual tracks of litigation. And the trial courts would be immersed in discovery disputes and jury trials, all while the appellate court decides if the case had merit in the first instance.

A large number of groups have come together to urge Texas legislators not to tamper with the TCPAs automatic stay provision because it strikes at the core protections in the law. Groups such as Texas Right to Life, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Nexstar, the Texas-based largest television ownership company in the country, all testified against House Bill 2781, the companion bill identical to SB 896. Opponents to the bill  such as Americans for Prosperity and the Texas ACLU  range the ideological spectrum but agree that this bill will harm Texas citizens because it can weaponize the court to discriminate against voices with which it disagrees and can silence critical voices through unnecessary dual-track litigation and ensuing costs.

The Better Business Bureaus and Yelp testified in opposition, explaining how their consumer-oriented services were affected by SLAPP lawsuits in which courts have misinterpreted commercial speech exemptions. Under SB 896, that would put them on the track to fighting on two fronts.

Advocates for this bill profess to be concerned about frivolous motions to dismiss being filed for the purpose of delay. If that is the concern, the bill should be limited to that specific scenario. Unfortunately, it goes well beyond frivolous motions and strikes at the heart of issues appellate courts are best suited to determine.

SB 896 catapults litigants whose motions have been denied as subject to an exemption or untimely into dual-track litigation fighting on two fronts. Many of those exemptions were only added to the law in 2019, and courts are determining their contours. And because the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure allow for late amended pleadings in lawsuits and the Texas Supreme Courts emergency COVID-19 orders often put lawsuits on hold, the issue of timeliness in an anti-SLAPP motion is anything but black and white.

Moreover, the unintended consequences of SB 896 are significant for the court system. If the legislation passes, parties and courts will have to expend enormous resources only for an appellate court later to decide that the case lacked merit in the first place. In a letter to the House committee, Texas Supreme Court former Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson expressed concern that SB 896 could strain an already overburdened court system, curtail the necessary checks and balances provided by Texas appellate courts, and cause needless increases in litigation costs for Texas citizens.

The Legislature should not permit a few bad apples and their gamesmanship in filing frivolous motions to bleed over into pure matters of law that could compromise the free speech protections of all Texas citizens.
Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas:
Clark Art Acquires Three Paintings

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Clark Art Institute recently added three new paintings to its permanent collection, enhancing its holdings of works by women artists.

The paintings, two by Marguerite Gerard and one by Evelyn De Morgan, are the first by either artist to enter the Clark's collection.

"Working more than a century apart, Marguerite Gerard and Evelyn De Morgan used their paintings to reflect on the lives of women and the politics of their days," said Esther Bell, Deputy Director and Robert and Martha Berman Lipp Chief Curator of the Clark. "We are making a concerted effort to expand the Clark's permanent collection to include artists who have not received the attention they so richly deserve. We are delighted to introduce these talented artists to our visitors and add their voices and perspectives to the stories we share in our galleries."

The Clark acquired two companion paintings by Marguerite Gerard, "The Nursing Mother" (La Mere nourrice) and "The Capricious Child" (L'enfant capricieux). The paintings, both executed in 1804, have been in private hands for more than 200 years and have not been exhibited publicly since the early nineteenth century.

According to a press release:

The sensitively rendered paintings were exhibited as pendants in the Salon of 1804 in Paris and earned Gerard the Medaille d'Or (gold medal) for artistic achievement. The superb examples of the painter's intimate interiors meticulously present domestic narratives, with The Nursing Mother depicting a caretaker supporting a child as he eagerly toddles towards his mother who extends her hand and waits to nurse him. In The Capricious Child, a child stubbornly turns away from his mother, refusing to leave the arms of his wet nurse. In that time, Gerard's paintings actively stimulated debate and conversation around women, breastfeeding, and motherhood. Viewed alongside one another, the paintings offer alternate visions of motherhood, with The Nursing Mother representing the ideal or bonne mere and The Capricious Child the unideal or mauvaise mere.

Gerard's painterly skill is evident in the subtly blended brushstrokes and painstakingly realistic fabrics and household objects. In The Nursing Mother, Gerard's luminous treatment of the mother's satin gown especially recalls the paintings of the Dutch masters she admired, notably Gabriel Metsu and Gerard ter Borch. The domestic details were praised by a salon critic who paid special attention to the cat peeking out from under the bedding in The Nursing Mother, writing that it had tout le merite qu'on peut desirer dans ces sortes d'accessoires. [all the merit that one could desire in this type of accessory] (Journal des Debats, 1804).

Evelyn De Morgan's painting, The Field of the Slain, is a gripping response to the devastating news arriving in England from the battlefields in Belgium and France during World War I. A staunch pacifist, De Morgan organized an exhibition in the spring of 1916 of thirteen paintings created over the previous two years. The paintings were not for sale, and instead the admission fees benefited the British Red Cross and the Italian Croce Rossa in the two nations' war relief efforts. Any visitor to the exhibition would have understood the overt symbolism of the work, whose catalogue entry read: "The Angel of Death is gathering up the spirits of the slain; they have been robbed of their earthly-life and are young and undeveloped."
Veteran Spotlight: Jeanne Bokina Christie, Red Cross

FALMOUTH, Mass.  Jeanne Bokina Christie served her country as a "Donut Dollie" during the Vietnam War. I found her to be full of positive energy with an amazing, fun-loving personality. It was easy to see the tremendous impact that she had on our soldiers in Vietnam.

She was recruited by the Red Cross for its Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program upon graduation from the University of Wisconsin. The then 21-year-old made a quick trip home to Madison, Wisc., then left via Washington, D.C., for Southeast Asia.

"We went in, in blackout conditions when we landed in Saigon," she said. "We were given shelter that evening in a metal hooch. It wasn't until the next morning that we saw the armed guard outside our door -- we had no clue. That was our introduction ... talk about scary."

Donut Dollies were required to have a college degree and faced a thorough review before being accepted into the American Red Cross. She was one of only 627 women (three would lose their lives in Vietnam) who volunteered to help soldiers fighting in Vietnam. She and other Donut Dollies flew across the world in a plane full of soldiers and landed in Tan Son Nhut. The Donut Dollies' mission was to relieve some of their stress by sharing moments of levity and laughter and to listen like a mother or big sister.

Their service was little known, though extremely valued in a period before PTSD was recognized as a result of unthinkable trauma. Over the course of 13 months, Christie would spend six months in Nha Trang before heading to Da Nang with the First Marine Division; her final stretch was with the Air Force among the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing in Phan Rang.

"I didn't serve a single doughnut" she laughingly recalled.

Donut Dollies were enlisted to play cards, games, listen intently and offer an escape from the horrors of war  often after a unit had been wiped out.

"We learned when we got to whatever unit it was, that the older girls taught the new girls, the lay of the land ... that was your real training," Christie said. "There was always danger ... it was a war zone."

Unlike the original WWII Donut Dollies, who were outfitted with a pistol and trained to use it, Christie and her fellow Dollies relied upon armed

guards for their security while riding from one unit to another.

"We were 21 years old, we thought we were invincible. It was the only saving grace for us during the whole thing," she continued. "We learned quickly how to sit with them and talk to them, and get them to talk to us. If they wouldn't talk, then we asked them about their rifles."

The camaraderie amongst the soldiers and Dollies was abundant and fostered long-lasting connections. Dubbed "Sam" by the soldiers, Christie was quite fortunate to encounter a chopper pilot named Maj. Jutz, a fellow Wisconsinite who took the young Sam under his wing. She would run into him years later at an airport in Chicago. Another chance meeting occurred on the streets of Cam Rahn Bay when she ran into a captain whose family she baby-sat for back home.

"He asked me, 'what are you doing here?' I asked him the same thing" she remembered.

Returning home to protests and the controversy around the war, Christie said they went underground. However, nothing could be more gratifying than the letter of thanks to her from the American Legion and all the Donut Dollies:

"Even though you were there in person, it is impossible for you to understand the impact of your presence on the men who had to face the enemy, not knowing whether their last moment on earth was at handyou made us feel less lonely, less abandoned, less cut off from all we hold dear. You are part, not simply of a platoon, a company, a battalion, a regiment but of an Army who came to our relief when the going was tough. You made life easier for us, took us back home while you with us and earned our undying gratitude."

Jeanne "Sam" Christie, thank you for your service to our great country and welcome home.
Abuja  The federal government has clarified that it was not seeking another $800 million loan from the World Bank to cushion the impact of the impending removal of petroleum subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed who gave the clarification in a statement yesterday, said her attention had been drawn to reports suggesting that the federal government was seeking new loans to cushion the effect of the pending fuel subsidy removal, describing the news reports as incorrect.

Last Thursday's letter by President Muhammadu Buhari requesting "the Senate to kindly approve an 'additional' loan facility to the tune of $8OO million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme" had triggered outrage from many Nigerians who interpreted the request to mean a fresh $800 million, different from the one that had been reportedly secured by the administration.

The finance minister had at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on April 5, 2023, announced that Nigeria had already secured $800 million from the World Bank to help provide palliatives to about 50 million poor Nigerians in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.

However, in a statement captioned "Nigeria Seeks No New World Bank Loan-Ahmed," and issued by her Special Adviser, Media, and Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the minister said the $800 million in question was the same one secured from the World Bank recently."

According to the statement, "The news story is not correct. This is the same loan that the Honourable Minister had explained on several occasions that the $800 million facility the country recently got from the World Bank for post-petrol subsidy removal palliative was awaiting parliamentary approval for the federal government to commence disbursement.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The government is therefore not seeking another loan for the pending fuel subsidy removal. It is the same.

"It will be recalled that the facility would be deployed to provide succor to 10 million households, who are expected to get N5,000 each for six months.

"The minister had explained that the initial duration of the palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the planned subsidy removal on vulnerable Nigerians was for six months, but would be reviewed upon extensive consultation with stakeholders."

The statement further quoted the minister as having recently explained that "the $800 million has been negotiated and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and we now have a request before the parliament for approval. And once the parliament approves it, the next administration can decide on the utilisation.

"We've also been doing preparatory work side by side along the approval process. This includes expanding the committee to include members of the transition team of the President-elect.

"The process will include the verification of the social register which will be used for electronic transfers of the funds."
They taught us how to speak and read, they believe in us in every challenges on how we can make it, they are the one who understands the most and nothing can compare her in the whole wide world. Happy Mother's Day (in Ilonggo: "Malipayon Nga Adlaw Sang Mga Nanay!") to all of you and to all mothers around the world.

"Mother's day in the Philippines is celebrated every second Sunday of May. A Filipino mother is called the "light of the household" around which all activities revolve. Families treat mothers to lunch or dinner out, spend time with them in a park, shopping at the mall, watching movies, or giving her time to pamper herself. Most families typically celebrate at home. Children perform most chores that the mother routinely does, prepare food or give their mums small handcrafted tokens such as cards." - Wikipedia
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The missing girlfriend of a British teenager murdered in Thailand has been found dead.

Officers discovered the body of Suraphltchaya Khamsa, 16, in a shallow grave in woodland around three miles from where her boyfriend Woramet Ben Taota was found on 7 May.

Her body was identified by her parents and grandparents from the braces on her teeth and the jewellery she had been wearing.

Police are continuing to interrogate convicted sex offender Chaiwat Boongarin, 44, who allegedly admitted killing Woramet but denies murdering Suraphltchaya, whose nickname was Ping Pong.

He is likely to face the death penalty if convicted of either or both killings.

Police Major General Mongkol Sampawapol, commander of Lampang Provincial Police, said: Police received intelligence gathered from the search operation about the location of the body.

The suspect who admitted to killing the boy denies killing the girl. He says that somebody else attacked her and buried her body in the woods.

We suspect that the suspect is responsible for both murders. However, police will also continue investigating the deaths to check if anybody else was involved.

The female victims body is now being sent to hospital for an autopsy to find traces of rape or sexual assault, because the suspect has a history of these crimes.

There were signs of bruising on her face and it is expected that she was hit with a solid object until she died.

Suraphltchaya and Woramet were last seen together riding a motorcycle on Saturday evening, 6 May, after visiting her grandfather earlier in the afternoon.

Woramet was found dead the next morning with severe head wounds. His body had been dumped in woodland but had not been buried. His phone and cash from his wallet were missing.

A police search for Suraphltchaya and another girl Yam, 16, who he was said to be seeing, followed as investigators tried to piece together what happened.

Mr Chaiwat was later identified from CCTV riding a black Honda motorcycle around the area at the time of Woramets death. He later tried to hide the vehicle in a friends shed before changing to a new bike.

Police said Mr Chaiwat admitted killing Woramet, saying his motive was revenge for a drug deal in which the youngster had stolen tablets from him.

However, Mr Chaiwat continually refused to give any details about the disappearance of Woramets girlfriend, who was believed to have been with him when he died.

Earlier this week, Woramets father Steven Graham, 60, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, confronted the alleged killer during a chaotic crime reconstruction on Wednesday.

He yelled, Look me in the eye, you cowards and May you rot in hell at the alleged murderer while he was being taken on a perp walk or crime reconstruction, which will form evidence for the prosecution.

The businessman, who travelled from his home to Thailand, said: It was dreadful to see [Boongarin], just ghastly.
South Africa: Singapore Prime Minister headed to SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week host Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the Republic of Singapore for an Official Visit in Cape Town.

Tuesdays visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their longstanding partnership and explore new areas of bilateral economic cooperation.

Singapore is a significant investor in South Africa, with investments totalling over R5 billion in sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, and real estate.

South Africa's economic relations with Singapore are focused on trade, investment, tourism promotion and skills transfer.

Singapores visit to South Africa continues the High Level engagement the two governments have fostered since diplomatic relations begun in 1993, ahead of South Africas democratic transition.

Since then, the two countries have shared excellent bilateral relations, which have formed the basis of regular high level visits.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Singapore as partners who work together closely in multinational for a, the Presidency said.

Singapore, like South Africa, is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Commonwealth, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The two countries have signed numerous agreements to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, education, and defence.

The High Level visit has been preceded by an Official Visit undertaken by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, to Singapore in July 2022 to strengthen bilateral relations.

President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Hsien Loong will hold official talks on cooperation in the areas of communications and digital technology, science and innovation, water and sanitation and skills development.

The leaders discussed the potential for closer collaboration in these areas when they met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit held in Bali last year.

Cooperation is expected to deliver mutual benefits in terms of economic growth, job creation, and innovation, the Presidency said.

The Official Visit will also bring leading business leaders from the respective countries to collaborate in sectors ranging from ports, logistics and supply chain, healthcare and biomedical, food manufacturing and engineering.

One of the key areas of collaboration between South Africa and Singapore is trade.

Singapore is one of South Africa's largest trading partners in Southeast Asia, with trade between the two countries totalling approximately R28 billion in 2022. South Africa exports a range of products to Singapore, including gold, diamonds, and wine, while Singapore exports electronics, chemicals, and machinery to South Africa, the Presidency said.

The Official Visit ceremony and proceedings will take place at Tuynhuys, Cape Town, on 16 May 2023.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Deloitte, the worlds leading provider of professional services, has announced the return of its global flagship AI and Analytics event, Experience Analytics, to the Middle East.

The event will take place on May 18, at The Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering a platform to explore emerging technology solutions tailored to address opportunities unique to the Middle East region.

Experience Analytics will be attended by over 450 guests including C-suite, senior executives, leaders and experts in Data, Analytics and AI, who will address key issues and challenges, as well as explore strategies, solutions and best practices.

Ideal forum

Mutasem Dajani, CEO Deloitte Middle East said, Experience Analytics is the ideal forum to engage in discussions and the exchange of ideas on the best means to leverage emerging technologies that are truly shaping our present and future. Leaders and experts across the public and private sectors will get together in Riyadh, which is the ideal place to host this forum, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing today an unrivalled rate of development, and the resulting socioeconomic transformation will be surely accelerated by these emerging technologies.

The agenda will pivot around key themes that help better understand the impact of Data, AI and Analytics on businesses, society and individuals. Through over 30 sessions of Ted-X style talks, panel discussions, live demonstrations and interactive lab activities, this all-day event will allow attendees to engage with thought-leaders, learn from industry-peers and explore the latest insights and trends in data and AI.-- TradeArabia News Service
Abuja  A total of 125 Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan have arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

This is coming as some universities have pledged to support Nigerian students evacuated from war-torn Sudan.

The evacuees arrived yesterday at 12.49 pm on a Tarco B737-300 aircraft from Port Sudan. The latest arrival brings the total number of evacuated Nigerians from Sudan to 2,371.

Upon arrival, the returnees were processed by immigration officials, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

On May 3, after nearly two weeks of assurances by the federal government, the first batch of Nigerians fleeing Sudan arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Air Peace flight carrying over 270 Nigerian students from the Aswan Airport in Egypt first landed at the airport, with the NAF C-130H jet conveying about 80 persons following closely behind.

Two days later, the second batch arrived in Abuja around 3 pm on board a Tarco Airline aircraft carrying 130 passengers, including 128 females and two males.

The following day, federal government officials in Abuja received the third batch of evacuees arriving from Port Sudan at 1:45 pm. The returnees were said to have been made up of 131 people, mostly women and children.

Last Sunday, the fourth set of 422 returnees arrived in Abuja on two flights -- 102 landed on a Tarco Airlines flight from Port Sudan and 322 onboard Azman Air from Aswan, Egypt.

The same day, 413 Nigerians landed on a Max Air flight arriving in Abuja around 10:50 am.

One hundred and twenty-nine other Nigerians last Monday were repatriated to Abuja from Port Sudan on board a Tarco Airlines flight. The jet transporting 124 adults and five infants arrived at 9:15 am.

On Tuesday, another batch made up of 136 stranded Nigerians arrived at 9:30 am on a Tarco aircraft from Port Sudan.

The evacuation was followed up by last Thursday's arrival of 126 student evacuees on a Tarco Aviation aircraft from Port Sudan, landing in Abuja at 12:25 pm.

Meanwhile, some universities have pledged to support Nigerian students evacuated from war-torn Sudan.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed that Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State; Summit University, Offa, Kwara State; and American University, The Gambia have shown interest in the absorption of Nigerian returnee students from Sudan.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Conflict Sudan By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also promised to provide the necessary support to ensure that Nigerian students evacuated from Sudan are integrated into the nation's universities.

NIDCOM's Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, acknowledged the efforts of Igbinedion University when she received the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye in Abuja.

"We were with JAMB and JAMB has given conditions, processes, and guidelines to follow, which I am sure you are aware of, and the key thing is even if they have come to you and you have admitted them; we will need that letter from JAMB saying JAMB has given them admission letter; so, we avoid situations that after graduation they can't go for youth service," she said.

The commission also disclosed that the 15th batch of Evacuees, consisting of 125 Nationals who departed Port Sudan International Airport, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 12-noon local time yesterday via Tarco Air.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Thousands of people cast their ballots in Thailand on Sunday in a crucial election that is expected to deliver big gains for the opposition forces with the daughter of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra being the frontrunner.

The general election is touted as a pivotal chance for change, eight years after incumbent prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha came to power in a 2014 coup.

About 52 million eligible voters are choosing among progressive opposition parties and others allied with royalist generals keen to preserve the status quo.

Voting began at 8am (local time) at 95,000 polling stations across the country.

Wongsak Na Chiengmai was the first person to vote at his polling station in central Bangkok. "I'm already 88. It's not easy," he told Reuters. "This is very important for the country."

The election is primarily between the Pheu Thai Party's driving force, the billionaire Shinawatra family, against a nexus of old money, military and conservatives with influence over key institutions that have toppled three of the populist movement's four governments.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is widely predicted to win at least a healthy plurality of the seats in the 500-member lower House. After casting her ballot, Ms Paetongtarn said every vote is important for effecting change in Thailand and that she has high hopes for the final result.

The 36-year-old daughter of the ousted leader is banking on her father's wide patronage network while sticking to the party's populist approach that has been extremely successful in the past.

"May 14 will be a historic day. We will change from a dictatorship to a democratically elected government," Ms Paetongtarn told cheering crowds on Friday at the final rally.

"Every time we come to power we are able to bring prosperity to the people. I've entered politics to help the new generation, to support their families."

Pheu Thai Partys prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra (EPA)

According to the opinion polls, the Move Forward party, led by 42-year-old Harvard alumnus Pita Limjaroenrat is also likely to gain seats. The party is banking on young voters, including 3.3 million eligible first-time voters.

However, there is no guarantee either of the parties will govern because of parliamentary rules written by the military after the coup and skewed in its favour.

The prime minister will be selected in July in a joint session of the House and the 250-seat Senate. The winner must secure at least 376 votes and no party is likely to do that on its own.

Pheu Thai won the most seats in the last election in 2019, but the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party, succeeded in bringing together a coalition with Mr Prayuth as prime minister. It relied on unanimous support from the Senate, whose members share the military's conservative outlook and were appointed by the military government after the coup.

The incumbent prime minister is running for reelection, although the military this year has split its support between two parties.

Mr Prayuth is backed by the United Thai Nation Party; his deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, another former general, is the standard bearer for Palang Pracharath.

The prime minister has been blamed for the collapsing economy, shortcomings in addressing the pandemic and thwarting democratic reforms. He campaigned extensively across the country, hoping to woo the conservative middle-class voters.

"We do not want change that will overturn the country. Can you accept that? Do you know what kind of damage it would do?" he asked supporters on Friday.

Ben Kiatkwankul, partner at government affairs advisory Maverick Consulting Group, said the election is a test of the "conservative roots and the future of progressiveness". "The issue is bigger than whether people like or dislike Thaksin or Prayuth. Now it's the old system facing off against the liberalist wave."
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated to safer areas in the coastal areas of Bangladesh ahead of the landfall of the potentially most powerful cyclone in nearly two decades.

Bangladesh and Myanmar braced as extremely severe cyclone Mocha started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter.

The outermost band of the cyclone reached the coast of Myanmar's Rakhine state on Sunday morning, and by afternoon the centre of the storm was expected to make landfall near Sittwe township with winds gusting at 106mph.

There have been concerns that the "dangerous cyclone" could wreak havoc in the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in makeshift homes.

The refugees, who are still reeling from a devastating fire that destroyed more than 2,600 shelters, risk losing their homes and livelihoods due to the cyclone.

Bangladesh issued the highest danger signal for Cox's Bazar, while the Meteorological Department warned the cyclone could cause severe damage to lives and property in eight coastal districts.

Time and again, we have seen the devastating impact of extreme weather events in Coxs Bazar, Hasina Rahman, IRC Bangladesh Country Director, said.

Since 2017, countless shelters, schools, health clinics and safe spaces for survivors of Gender-Based Violence have been decimated as a result of floods and mudslides, as well as preventable tragedies such as the fire in March this year.

As a low-lying country with most major cities situated along the coastline and rivers, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, despite having less than 1 per cent share of global carbon emissions.

Last year, the South Asian country faced its worst floods in a hundred years that left millions impacted.

Bangladeshi Border Guards warn people to leave their homes and take shelter at cyclone shelter (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In Myanmar, more than 4,000 of Sittwe's 300,000 residents have been evacuated to other cities since Friday and more than 20,000 people are sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the city's highlands.

Several local residents live in areas more than three meters above sea level, places where residents believe the storm surge cannot reach, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is helping people in shelters in Sittwe. Strong winds of 40 to 48km per hour were blowing in the city on Sunday morning.

"The storm has not yet entered, so we don't have much difficulty. However, there are too many people in the shelters and not enough toilets," he added.

In Bangladesh, weather in most areas remained sunny and humid on Sunday morning as UN agencies and aid workers prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams.

People gather at a monastery used as a temporary shelter in Sittwe, Rakhine State (EPA)

Bangladesh, with more than 160 million people, has prepared more than 1,500 cyclone shelters. The navy said it's keeping ready 21 ships, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters for rescue and relief operations.

Heavy rainfall due to the cyclone could trigger landslides in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar and three other hilly districts  Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari, authorities said.

There has been a substantial increase in cyclonic activity in South Asian waters linked to rising ocean temperatures, according to experts. Warming in the oceans has led to higher evaporation and increased availability of moisture due to global warming.

A comparison between pre and post-global warming scenarios, a report by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) finds an approximately 50 per cent increase in severe cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal region, and a 52 per cent increase in the Arabian Sea region annually.

This scenario is feared to be getting worse as the world has already warmed up 1.2C since the 1800s due to man-made greenhouse gas emissions, and is heading towards 1.5C in this decade, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UNs top scientific panel.

According to the IPCC, the ocean surface temperature on average has increased by 0.88C between the periods of 18501900, with 0.60C of this warming having occurred since 1980.

The ocean surface temperature is projected to increase by up to 2.8C before 2100 based on the current increase if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced as fast as possible.

Tropical cyclones are one of the most devastating natural disasters costing more than half a million lives all over the world in the last five decades. The Indian Ocean region, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal is of particular concern because of the high population density along its coastlines.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Weather conditions in the ocean are very supportive for rapid intensification of the system, says Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and Lead IPCC Author.

Cyclones nowadays can retain their energy for quite a long number of days. One example of this trend was Cyclone Amphan which continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and resulted in massive devastation.

As long as oceans are warm and winds are favourable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Last years Ukrainian Eurovision winners have invited the Princess of Wales to tour with them after she stunned with a surprise piano cameo during their opening performance of this years contest.

Kate played a pre-recorded instrumental piece, created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, during a performance by Kalush Orchestra.

The hip-hop folk band congratulated the princess on her impressive piano skills and thanked her for joining them, saying it highlighted the depth of support the UK had for the war-torn country.

The band said in a statement: We want to thank HRH Princess of Wales for joining us for our performance.

It shows the depth of support the UK has for Ukraine and helps us highlight to the world what our country is going through.

It also shows impressive piano skills and we would be definitely like to invite her to tour with us if she would like to pursue a new career in a hip-hop folk band?!

The opening film showed Kalush Orchestra performing last years winning entry Stefania from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in the heart of Ukraines capital Kyiv.

It also included contributions from Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.

(The Princess of Wales's performance) shows the depth of support the UK has for Ukraine and helps us highlight to the world what our country is going through Kalush Orchestra

The princess wore a blue Jenny Packham dress and earrings which belonged to the late Queen during the 10-second clip, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month.

The princess, who has grade three piano and grade five theory, previously accompanied pop star Tom Walker on piano while he sang his previously unheard Christmas song For Those Who Cant Be Here during a carol service she hosted at Westminster Abbey in 2021.

The service, which was broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve that year, paid tribute to the work of inspirational people who had served their communities during the pandemic.

Walker later revealed that the duet had left his mother in floods of tears.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The chief executive of Bafta has said the organisation is watching the writers strikes in the US closely, ahead of an awards ceremony honouring the best of British television.

Jane Millichip, who took over the role from Amanda Berry, said she is unsure whether the strikes will have a knock-on effect on programmes in the future.

Speaking on the red carpet for the Bafta TV awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, she told the PA news agency: As an arts charity we dont have a position, we hope it is resolved soon and fairly and it has not affected this years awards because were celebrating the wonderful shows from 2022.

But whether it does have a knock-on effect for development and production in the future, were not yet sure.

Were watching it closely, we have 11,000 members across the world largely in the UK and US and a lot of those are creatives and practitioners, so in that respect it is something we are observing.

The writers strike  the first in 15 years  began this month after 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America stopped working when their contract expired.

The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and less exclusivity on single projects, among other demands  all conditions it says have been diminished during the content boom of the streaming era.

I think it is really important that artists do go out collectively to protect their rights in the face of seismic changes in the industry Ben Elton

Comedian and screenwriter Ben Elton, who won recognition for his work on popular sitcoms Blackadder and The Young Ones, said he supports the striking writers.

The 64-year-old told PA on the red carpet: I think it is really important that artists do go out collectively to protect their rights in the face of seismic changes in the industry.

I think its incredible that the American union is able to exercise such rights, I wish we had the same power over here.

Obviously things are changing and there is going to have to be negotiations, but basically on principle I extremely support the idea of any group of workers trying to protect their hard-won rights as technology makes it easier to exploit them.

Elton, 64, has collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Queen in West End musicals, and also wrote sitcoms including The Thin Blue Line and Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell.

Meanwhile, Bafta TV-nominated star of The Responder, Martin Freeman, and writer Tony Schumacher also spoke about the US writers strikes.

Actor Freeman, who is up for best actor for his role in the BBC series, said he is keeping a close eye on the strikes and what it will mean for actors in the industry.

He said: My work isnt being affected by that but we are keeping an eye on it for what it will mean. Im up for fairer pay and its a well unionised job in America so when they go on strike it actually means something, which is not the case for everyone. Fair play.

The Responder, based on the experiences of officer-turned-writer Schumacher, follows Sherlock actor Freeman across six night shifts in Liverpool as an urgent response officer.

Schumacher, who said he was so chuffed for his TV series to be Bafta-nominated, told PA: Full support for the writers strikes  its such an important thing and its something that needs resolving and I just hope we can get some solutions pretty quickly.

Freeman confirmed he will appear in a second series of The Responder while Schumacher said he is currently writing episode four and has punched the air a few times bringing it together.

Bafta TV-nominated actor Taron Egerton also said he stands in solidarity with the US writers strikes.

The 33-year-old is nominated for best actor at the awards on Sunday for his transformation into prisoner Jimmy Keene for the psychological thriller Black Bird on Apple+ TV.

I hope it comes to a fair conclusion quickly so we can all work, but I absolutely stand in solidarity with the writers Actor Taron Egerton

It follows Egertons character who is serving 10 years in a minimum security prison, enter a maximum security prison for the criminally insane with a mission to befriend a suspected serial killer in exchange for freedom.

On the strikes, he told PA: Is it Amanda Seyfried who said people have got to be compensated for their work  theres not much more to it.

I hope it comes to a fair conclusion quickly so we can all work, but I absolutely stand in solidarity with the writers.

This Is Going To Hurt writer Adam Kay, whose show is nominated for a raft of prizes, addressed the strikes by healthcare workers on the red carpet.

The former doctor, 42, told PA there is no plan B if NHS staff are not paid adequately for their work.

Theres a crisis in recruitment and retention of staff and I say that points one to five in getting to grips with our current crisis is keeping the staff, and pay is obviously part of it, he said.

I simply dont understand what the Government thinks plan B is if they dont pay people adequately, because they will just leave, they are already leaving. And I dont know what happens if more people leave. So thats up there. Its pay, its conditions, and its wellbeing and its welfare.

Asked if he thinks there will be a resolution, he added: There has to be. I know most about the doctors situation, what the doctors are asking for is the same pay in real-terms they had when I was working as a doctor 15 years ago. Its not a pay rise. Its just being able to pay for the same bags of rice and cans of beans as I was able to.

They were among the first celebrities to arrive on the red carpet, including Academy Award winner Gary Oldman who said his Bafta TV-nominated role in new espionage series Slow Horses was simple.

Oldman spoke about his role on the Apple TV+ spy thriller adapted from award-winning writer Mick Herrons 2010 novel about a team of British intelligence agents who work in a dumping ground department of MI5.

This is simple, no prosthetics, they just greased up my hair and pushed me out, he told PA.

Oldman added that he had met someone who claimed they worked for MI6 after the series aired and talked to him about his experiences.

The chair of Bafta Krishnendu Majumdar also appeared alongside RuPauls Drag Race star Michelle Visage and radio DJ Clara Amfo, who were broadcasting live from the red carpet on Baftas YouTube channel.

Comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are set to kick off the ceremony, which honours the best of British television and will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday at 7pm.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost has confirmed his bid to become an MP, with his name placed on a Conservative candidate list ahead of the next election.

Lord Frost, a Brexit minister under Boris Johnson, has floated the idea in the past that he could run to become an MP despite his peerage.

He confirmed on Sunday that Conservative Party officials have accepted his bid to join the partys candidate list, but said he is not linked to a specific seat.

I am grateful to the party authorities for accepting my application as a potential Conservative candidate for the House of Commons, the centre of our national political life, he said in a statement.

I have not yet applied for any seat and am considering my next steps. Meanwhile I look forward to campaigning for the party and for Conservative principles in the months to come.

According to a report in The Telegraph, the Conservative peer is in contention for a safe Tory seat and could possibly replace outgoing MP Pauline Latham as the candidate in Mid Derbyshire.

If he gained a seat in the Commons, he would have to give up his position in the Lords.

He was appointed to the Lords in 2020, playing a key role in Mr Johnsons Cabinet before quitting as Brexit minister in late 2021.

He is among the speakers due to address the National Conservatism Conference later this week, which will see several high-profile ministers and Tory MPs gather in the aftermath of a difficult set of local elections.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The Conservative Party is buzzing with ideas, Grant Shapps has said, as he played down suggestions of unrest within Tory ranks amid the fallout from the local elections.

Rishi Sunak has faced a barrage of criticism over the weekend from within his own party, with anger from Conservative MPs and the grassroots about the loss of nearly 1,000 councillors and the decision to scale back post-Brexit plans to scrap EU laws.

A gathering in Bournemouth for the first conference of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) saw Mr Sunak and the party leadership subject to some stinging criticism, while later this week Suella Braverman, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg will all address a National Conservatism Conference.

Energy Secretary Mr Shapps, who toured broadcast studios on Sunday morning, rejected suggestions that such gatherings are a sign of turmoil in the party as claimed the mood within the Conservatives is one of steely determination.

He said: I think this is a party that still, after years in government and despite having to put up with things like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and all the costs attached to it, is actually buzzing with ideas. Were able to get together and were able to hold conferences, and have different ideas come forward.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among those who joined in the criticism of Mr Sunak at the CDO event, organised by some of the most vocal backers of Boris Johnson.

Mr Shapps said: I dont have to agree with everything that everybody says to welcome the very fundamental fact that were still the party coming up with new ideas, with a vision for the United Kingdom, and I think that is a good thing.

He also said it was not a shocking revelation that Mr Johnson  who sent a video message to members in Bournemouth  might be applauded by Tory members.

The conference topped off a week that saw Brexit-backing MPs angered by a decision to revoke around 600 retained EU laws, rather than the 4,000 pledged.

The Government had originally promised a sunset clause on all laws carried over from the trade bloc by the end of 2023 under its Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

That anger showed little sign of dissipating on Sunday, as MPs hit out at Mr Sunak.

Writing in the Telegraph, Brexiteer Sir William Cash called on the Government to change course.

The unelected Lords should not be used to radically change legislation already passed with a big majority in the elected House of Commons.

Nor should the Commons own specialist committee be bypassed in this arrogant way, he warned Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Mr Sunak used an interview in The Mail On Sunday to stress his Brexit credentials, saying: I voted for Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit, I believe in Brexit, and when I was chancellor I started to deliver some benefits of Brexit.

The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again... but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy Jacob Rees-Mogg

Mr Shapps defended Ms Badenoch and played down the prospect of splits among ministers over the decision.

He told Sky News: Were now several months on from when I was business secretary and looking after this process. So more of the laws will have been uncovered because that was the work that was going on.

I have every confidence the current business secretary is looking at the plethora of these laws that are left, shes going to have more than 2,000 scrapped by the end of the year. She just announced another 600, I think shes doing this the right way.

While Mr Sunak and Conservative Party headquarters faced criticism at the conference in Bournemouth, Ms Patel and Mr Rees-Mogg  both backers of Mr Johnson  stopped short of suggesting the former PM should make a return.

Mr Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, said it was a mistake to get rid of Mr Johnson but he claimed that deposing Mr Sunak would be an even bigger mistake.

He added: The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Flights from Gatwick Airport were halted this afternoon due to reports of drone activity close to the airspace.

At least 12 inbound flights were diverted away from Gatwick for almost an hour while an investigation took place into the suspected drone.

One departing passenger, Tarquin Cooper, tweeted: Are you aware Gatwick is closed due to drone activity? Been sitting on tarmac for last hour.

Seven easyJet arrivals were diverted  five to Luton, one to Southend and another to Bristol.

British Airways arrivals from Faro and Palma touched down instead at Stansted. The Essex airport was also the unexpected destination for passengers flying on Vueling from Rome, Tui from Kavala and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.

With planes and pilots out of position, and dozens of aircraft delayed leaving the Sussex airport, disruption will continue for the rest of the day. Gatwick is the busiest single-runway airport in the world, with little slack in the system when schedules unravel.

Passengers are not due cash compensation for such delays, as the disruption is beyond the airlines control. But if they are delayed overnight they must be provided with hotel accommodation and meals as necessary.

Flights from Gatwick Airport were halted this afternoon due to reports of drone activity (Getty Images)

A Gatwick spokesperson said: Passenger safety is the airports absolute priority and  following established procedures  operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily at 1.44pm while investigations into the sighting of a suspected drone close to the airfield took place.

These investigations have now [been] completed and the airfield reopened at 2.35pm.

Twelve inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports during the investigation, however, we expect many of these to return to London Gatwick today.

Meanwhile, thousands of passengers seeking to travel between London and Paris have seen their trains cancelled by strikes in France.

Four trips from St Pancras International to Gare du Nord in the French capital have been cancelled during the afternoon and evening, with the same number axed from Paris to London.

Eurostar is telling passengers: Due to short notice industrial action in France we have had to cancel some trains today. Our trains and stations are very busy. Please only come to the stations if your train is scheduled to run. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

In December 2018, 120,000 passengers were affected by delays and cancellations due to drones being repeatedly flown over Gatwick Airport, with all flights grounded for at least 33 hours ahead of the Christmas getaway.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Martin Lewis has issued a warning to pensioners who could miss out on a 301 payment from the government.

The consumer champion shared the advice on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, where Mr Lewis helps viewers navigate the cost of living crisis in his Wallet Wednesdays segment.

He warned that around a million people have just over two weeks to access a Pension Credit benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pension Credit is a top-up benefit that helps those of state pension age who are not getting enough income. Now, I've long been saying there are one million pensioners in the UK eligible for it who do not claim it. It's an absolute tragedy, Mr Lewis told viewers.

They've paid into the system for all of their lives and they're not getting this important top-up.

He added that it is a really crucial time to be accessing these payments.

While the current Cost of Living payment has already started being paid out and for most people the eligibility period is over, Pension Credit can be backdated, so what this means is if you are eligible you will get that 301 and you've got until the 19 May in order to claim.

Simply by claiming Pension Credit, even if you're only entitled to a small amount, you will get the 301.

The warning comes as more than seven million households across the UK will have received a 301 cost-of-living payment by the end of Wednesday, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said.

The payments are part of a package of wider government support announced to tackle the cost of living in 2023-24, including a further 300 payment for eligible families in autumn 2023, with a payment of 299 in spring 2024.

Mel Stride, work and pensions secretary, said: Paying more than seven million households 301 in a little over a week underlines our commitment to ensure those on the lowest income are protected from the worst of rising prices and give them peace of mind.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: We know the impact that rising prices are having on families, which is why we are providing significant support to millions through these direct cash payments.

People will be eligible for the 301 cost-of-living payment if they have been entitled to a payment for certain benefits between 16 January and 15 February 2023, including, for example, universal credit, pension credit and child tax credit.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A new package of laws the government claims will strengthen victims rights isnt worth the paper its written on, a watchdog has said.

Claire Waxman, the victims commissioner for London, said the Victims and Prisoners Bill had been hijacked by Dominic Raab to increase government powers while diluting its original aims.

The bill, which was unveiled three weeks before he was forced to resign as justice secretary for bullying civil servants, was originally drafted as the Victims Bill and underwent lengthy public consultation.

But Mr Raab bolted on controversial clauses that would have given him the power to veto prisoner releases and change the make-up of parole boards.

MPs will consider the law on Monday, and Ms Waxman and other victims advocates  such as Womens Aid and The End Violence Against Women Coalition  are calling for them to strip out the former justice secretarys additions and return to promises first made by the government in 2015.

My initial reaction when I first saw the bill was that I wanted to rip it up as its not worth the paper its written on, Ms Waxman told The Independent.

I started the campaign for a victims law in 2013. It always had cross-party support and it was not supposed to be politicised. We were all on the same page but it seems Dominic Raab hijacked our bill and turned it into something unrecognisable.

There is currently no national victims commissioner in post to scrutinise the plans, after Mr Raab reportedly blocked the reappointment of Dame Vera Baird last year and restarted a lengthy recruitment process.

Ms Waxman has written to his successor, Alex Chalk, and victims minister Edward Argar calling for them to withdraw the prisoner-focused additions to the bill and strengthen its remaining powers.

In letters seen by The Independent, she said government interference with release decisions would create more uncertainty, delay and distress and could have damaging unintended consequences.

Ms Waxman said she believed the power to veto the release of some prisoners breach the European Convention on Human Rights, and could be successfully challenged in court by inmates.

Ive been inundated with bereaved families and victims saying this is awful, its not what weve asked for, she added. It wont deliver any meaningful change to victims in its current format.

Dominic Raab resigns as Deputy Prime Minister after bullying investigation

A report on the original draft Victims Bill by parliaments justice committee said it fell short of what is required and continued to put the onus on victims to claim rights they are often unaware of.

The government has insisted its proposals put victims at the heart of the justice system and that the repackaged law still contained all measures originally promised.

It aims to put the principles of the Victims Code, which provides minimum standards of treatment, on a statutory footing and enhance scrutiny of prisons, probation, police and the courts.

The bill will also create an independent public advocate to represent the interests of people affected by disasters like Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire.

New parts would give the justice secretary the power to veto the release of a new tier of offenders including murderers, rapists and terrorists in the interest of public safety, the Ministry of Justice said.

It is not possible for the government to extend a courts sentence or prevent release indefinitely, so any veto would increase the period spent in custody against the time released on licence under probation monitoring.

The bill would also create a legal requirement for ex-police officers and detectives to sit on parole panels for top-tier cases.

It aims to legally ban prisoners serving whole-life orders from marrying or forming a civil partnership - although only 66 inmates in England and Wales are currently subject to the term, and officials could only point to one who had attempted to marry.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Public protection is our number one priority and our parole reforms will ensure perpetrators face the strictest test before they are released and that victims voices are heard louder during the process.

The bill will improve support for victims at every stage, setting out a clear expectation of the help and information they should receive from the police and courts, while enshrining the principles of the Victims Code in law.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Merseyside Police has thanked those who headed to Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The force announced more than half a million people had been in the city over a nine-day period, confirming it was its biggest policing operation to date.

During a host of Eurovision events that took place in the city, just three people were arrested for public order offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, drugs possession and assault.

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: Liverpool really has shown the world how to throw a fantastic party.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited the city  from across the Merseyside city region, the UK and the whole of Europe  during the nine days for enjoying themselves safely and responsibly and also for positively engaging with our officers on the ground.

I would also like to thank all the officers and staff, including mutual aid officers from other forces, who were responsible for keeping people safe during the event and for our partners, including Liverpool City Council, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, HM Coastguard, FGH Security, Merseytravel and Merseyrail who worked alongside us to organise and staff this fantastic event.

There were a number of Eurovision events, which were held simultaneously on multiple sites across the city, and very well attended by thousands of people including families and children.

Eurovision is the biggest policing operation Merseyside Police has ever done, but we had a robust policing plan in place for this event and we spent a number of months planning with partners to ensure it went ahead smoothly.

I am delighted that the majority of people who came to Liverpool were able to safely enjoy the music and the fantastic atmosphere that this city brings to an event of this type.
Water is the most essential commodity of life, without which no creature could survive life.

Sokoto is today one of the most densely populated state capitals in the northern part of this country, coupled with an increased number of internally displaced persons that take refuge as a result of wanton activities of kidnappers, Bandits and Cattle wrestlers in the rural parts of the state.

Portable drinking water has since January 2003 become a major source of concern to the residents of the state capital, despite heavy investment made in the past by the present and successive administrations in the state.

Investigation carried out by our correspondent in Sokoto, the business of water vendors has become so lucrative to the point that, an average water Seller using 12 Jerry Can wheelbarrow can earn up to Five thousand (5,000:00) naira daily, at 150 naira per full 25 litre Jerry can of water.

Residence in areas in the capital like Kofar Marke, Gidan haki, Tsohuwar Kasuwa, Kofar Atiku, Tudun Wada, and Central Market buy a 25 litre of water Jerry can at 150 naira and an average household uses an estimated 220 litres of water daily.

Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi a resident of Ahmadu Bello Way Sokoto told our reporter that since the beginning of this year, the area has been experiencing water scarcity and all effort by the Authority concerned proves impossible as the water issue in the state metropolis is being politicised.

"Anytime we make. attempt to speak to the Governor some people blocked our way" levelling us, as politically motivated sponsored pressure groups" who see nothing good in the administration of Governor Tambuwal.

"Our children always report late to school as most of them have to spend hours in search of water from their parents before they prepare for their journey to school."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a School in one of the well-known public secondary schools in the Sokoto metropolis name withheld told Vanguard that, they hardly conduct morning Assemblies as their students no longer report early to the school and when asked if they complain about lack of water in their homes.

He said, the issue is not peculiar to his school alone, but it affects the performance of all institutions in the state including the tertiary. " I hope this water scarcity in Sokoto metropolis will be addressed if the incoming administration comes on board considering the promises they made during their electioneering campaigns.

In one of my discussions with the state commissioner for water resources Hon Attahiru Yusuf Yabo, he blamed saboteurs and law water levels in Bakalori and Goronyo the two Dams serving water to the state for the scarcity, saying that some people also within the system are trying to discredit the state government in the eyes of the general public.

" How can you imagine those responsible for the treatment and release of water to the public will go ahead to release untreated water despite available chemicals to do so in their stores." It's an act of sabotage that can not be condoned by any responsible administration." Says Yabo.

Another contributing factor according to him is erratic power supply from the national grid. The state is on board shedding every day which makes it difficult for the state water works to receive adequate power to treat and pump water to the public.

The low level of water at Bakalori and Goronyo Dam, the two sources of water to the state water works have also contributed negatively to the problem of water in Sokoto metropolis, adding that the government is doing all necessary to ensure that residents of the state capital continue to enjoy steady water supply.

It could be recalled that about three years ago Goronyo Dam which contribute to more than 60 per cent of the. water consumed in Sokoto metropolis and its environs almost dried off with little or no water to be used for irrigation and human consumption.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Water By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The federal government through the Ministry of water resources should commence in earnest the dredging of the two dams to avert the continued occurrence of water scarcity in Sokoto and parts of Kebbi state.

It's a known fact that well-to-do residents of the state capital now drill boreholes and open dug wells in their homes as a remedy, while the majority of boreholes drilled in Sokoto dried off within a short period due to the proximity of water which is above 130 metres below sea level.

The present Governor-elect of Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu has also made provision for potable water as one of his 9 points agenda if he assumes leadership of the state come 29th May 2023 which many see as a laudable initiative if properly implemented by the incoming administration.

There is also fear of outbreaks of gastrointestinal disorders as a result of tapping running water from streams and ponds for cooking and other domestic uses.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak clashed very early on during their time at Downing Street, according to the former prime ministers ex-spin doctor.

Guto Harri said there was continual tension between the pair  claiming that Mr Sunak forced through the windfall tax on oil and gas giants against Mr Johnsons will.

The former No 10 communications chief has previously alleged Mr Johnson squared up to King Charles over the Rwanda policy and called Sue Gray a psycho.

Continuing to promote his new podcast series on his time at No 10, Mr Harri told The Sunday Telegraph that there was tension very, very early on between Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak over economic policy.

In a nutshell, basically Boris wanted to give what the party was screaming for, and this explains why Liz Truss walked the leadership election, said the former comms boss, suggesting Mr Johnsons ideas were closer to Liz Trusss than Mr Sunaks.

Boris wasnt going to give the full Liz Truss, all your Christmases in one go. But less regulation, cutting some taxes, not putting up corporation tax, he said.

He didnt want to do the windfall tax. He was ideally keen to see some VAT cuts, not just because it eases the tax burden but because it shows the freedom that you have post-Brexit.

Asked if Mr Sunak forced the windfall tax through, he said: Yes, pretty much, I think thats fair, said Mr Harri, adding several senior figures in No10 were against it.

The close Johnson ally again defended his former boss over Partygate, claiming that the ex-PM had become a loner who hardly drinks alcohol.

I think the most perverse thing about the whole thing is hes about the last person that I know that I would think of as a party animal, he said.

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak in 2021 (PA Archive)

Hes much more of a loner, he barely drinks. And yet thats not the perception around the world now. A serious journalist asked me a few weeks ago when he was well-oiled himself, Is it true that Boris was just on the p*** and drunk all the time?

He added: I think Ive only been drunk once with Boris and that was a long, long time ago. But not once in No10.

Mr Harri, who joined Downing Street in February 2022, said he felt that he had jumped on to a ship that was holed beneath the waterline, with a fire in the galley, a mutinous crew and a discredited captain pretty much nailed to the mast.

His latest claims come as Mr Johnsons allies expect him to cut a deal with the privileges committee that will see him suspended from parliament for less than 10 days, according to The Sunday Times.

A video message from Boris Johnson played at the Conservative Democratic Organisation event on Saturday (PA)

The newspaper reported that the former PM is expecting the cross-party committee to recommend a four-day suspension that would mean he avoided the prospect of a recall petition and by-election in his constituency.

The former PM will reportedly accept a verdict that he misled parliament  and will not make the same mistake as Owen Paterson, the former MP who refused to accept breaches of lobbying rules.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak faces a barrage of criticism from within his own party, as right-wing Tory MPs expressed their anger at the local election results and the decision to scale back post-Brexit plans to scrap EU laws.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among those who gathered in Bournemouth for the first conference arranged by Johnson allies at the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO).

Former home secretary Priti Patel at the Conservative Democratic Organisation (PA)

Ms Patel accused Mr Sunak of overseeing the managed decline of the Tories, adding: If the centre of the party spent more time with us, listening, engaging, then I think its fair to say we would not have seen over 1,000 of our friends [at local elections] lose their seats.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries told the conference we are drifting and no longer have that inspirational leader and those visionary policies that people can go out and vote for.

Mr Johnson gave a video message thanking Tory activists for campaigning against unnecessarily high taxation in a pointed dig at Mr Sunak.

Writing in the Telegraph, Brexiteer Sir William Cash called on the Sunak government to change course on the decision to revoke around 600 retained EU laws  rather than the 4,000 pledged.

But Tobias Ellwood  Tory chairman of the defence committee  warned that a drag anchor of a right-wing caucus is in our ranks, and it has already written off any prospects of victory in 2024.

He added: I say this, if we lose the next general election, it wont be our policies, it wont be Boriss partygate, it wont even be Trusss fiscal irresponsibility that will be to blame, our downfall will come from within.

A source close to Johnson has rejected Mr Harris claims, saying: These accounts are simply inaccurate. Boris Johnson has had nothing to do with this podcast, had no knowledge of it and deplores any attempt to report such conversations in public.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Sir Keir Starmer is considering plans to allow millions of EU citizens to vote in general elections under a Labour government.

The Labour leader is mulling whether to expand the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds and around 3.4 million EU nationals who have settled status in the UK after Brexit.

The Tories quickly lashed out at the prospect of change, accusing Sir Keir of trying to rig elections by handing votes to those more likely to vote Labour.

Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said expanding the franchise was something we will look at after the Sunday Telegraph reported Labour want to give EU citizens with settled status the vote.

The newspaper said Labour is also pondering whether to include 1.4 million 16- and 17-year-olds, boosting the UK electorate by more than 8 per cent in all.

Mr Reynolds insisted it was not yet policy as Labour continues to draw up its manifesto. But he did not deny the reports, saying there are arguments for expanding the franchise and that Labour wanted to celebrate migrants making a contribution to the UK.

Mr Reynolds told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: Its not our manifesto, its not a statement of party policy, but its how we go about doing that.

The frontbencher said: But of course were always looking at ways to strengthen our democracy, to involve as many people [as] possible in that, and therell be an element of that ... in the Labour manifesto, thats for sure.

Going further on BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Reynolds said: We believe people who make a contribution to this country, if they live here there is an argument for having them involved in that [voting] process ... If people are making a contribution to the UK, lets celebrate that.

Asked if the plan would be aimed at giving Labour more votes, Mr Reynolds told Sky News it shouldnt be looked at through a party political lens  insisting there would be no consideration of any partisan advantage.

Keir Starmer at an anti-Brexit rally in 2019 (PA)

EU citizens with settled status can already vote in local council and Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections, with campaigners pushing for the levelling up of voting rights.

Sir Keir backed full voting rights for EU nationals during the Labour leadership campaign in 2020. Expanding the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds was in Labours last manifesto.

The voting rights policy could affect around 3.4 million EU nationals who live permanently in the UK and pay tax here, while another 2.6 million given pre-settled status could also be eligible to vote in general elections in future, according to the SundayTelegraph.

However, it is understood that EU nationals would only be allowed to vote if they had paid tax in the UK for several years, with Labour officials still working through the details of the plan.

A Labour spokesperson said: Keir fundamentally believes that if you work hard and contribute to this country, not only should you be able to get on, but it is fair and right that you should also have a say in decisions being made for your community.

Campaigners want EU citizens to have the right to vote in general elections (Shutterstock)

Tory chair Greg Hands said Labour was laying the groundwork to drag the UK back into the EU by stealth, adding: Sir Keir spent years trying to block Brexit and overturn the largest democratic vote in this countrys history, this is an attempt to rig the electorate to rejoin the EU.

Tory energy secretary Grant Shapps also accused Sir Keir of wanting to reopen Brexit. This is a settlement we had made with EU countries to have reciprocal arrangements so that British citizens abroad are able to vote in, for example, the local elections say in Spain and the same here, the cabinet minister told Sky News.

Mr Shapps added: What he plans to do is actually reopen the Brexit settlement. So, what else will he reopen? The Windsor Framework, the cooperation agreement with Europe?

Campaigners have welcomed Labour proposals to extend voting rights (Getty)

Boris Johnson ally Peter Cruddas warned Tory members at the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) they could be locked out of majority power forever.

If Labour wins a big majority at the next election they will reduce the voting age to 16, they will abolish voter ID, and they will introduce proportional representation making it almost impossible for the Conservative Party to win an outright majority in the future, Lord Cruddas said.

The 3million group, which campaigns for EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, said it would welcome Labour extending voting rights. Anyone who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK  including EU citizens who have made this country their home  should have the right to vote for their representative in parliament, a spokesperson told The Independent.

The row comes as Sir Keir said he does not care if people think he is conservative, promising that the next government will be New Labour on steroids.

In a speech on Saturday, he told the think tank Progressive Britain that his party must go further than Tony Blair did when he rewrote Clause Four and rejected public ownership.
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The grandparents of Joshua JJ Vallow sent a powerful message to his mother Lori Vallow after she was convicted of all charges in the murders of the seven-year-old boy, his sister Tylee Ryan, 16, and Chad Daybells first wife Tammy.

JJs grandparents Larry and Kay Woodcock choked up with emotion as they spoke to reporters outside Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on Friday after the verdict in the doomsday cult moms trial was read out.

My final message for Lori, said Mr Woodcock, before breaking into the song The partys over  a song that he and JJ used to sing together.

Turn out the lights, the partys over. They say that all good things must end, he sang.

He then paused and addressed Vallow, saying: Lori it ended.

JJs uncle Gerry Vallow also chimed in: They got the b**ch.

Mr Woodcock vowed that the conviction of the mother-of-three is not the end of this as the family would return to face her at her sentencing in around 90 days time.

They will also continue to fight for justice as Mr Daybell is due to stand trial over the three murders next year and Vallow is also awaiting trial for conspiracy to murder her fourth husband  JJs father  Charles Vallow in a separate trial in Arizona.

Guys we got two more trials, two more, he said.

The next trial is Chad. I look forward to being back in this courthouse again.

The Woodcocks have attended every day of the trial of the woman now convicted of their seven-year-old grandsons murder, listening to harrowing testimony of the little boys last hours alive and seeing graphic photos of his remains buried on Mr Daybells property.

Larry Woodcock hugs an attendee after the verdict was read (AP)

It was Larry and Kay who raised the alarm about JJ and Tylee back in September 2019 when the mother-of-three moved them from Arizona to Rexburg, Idaho, and they couldnt get in touch with their grandson.

Nine months later in June 2020, JJ and Tylees remains were found in shallow graves on Mr Daybells property.

After the trial stalled for almost three years in the courts, Vallow was finally held to account on Friday.

The jury took almost seven hours to find Vallow guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of Tylee and JJ.

She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybells first wife Tammy, 49.

Dressed in a black suit, with her blonde hair down in waves around her shoulders, Vallow stood between her two attorneys as the verdict was read out.

She showed no reaction as she learned that the jury had returned a verdict of guilty on all charges.

Speaking outside court, Mr Woodcock moved between sorrow and relief as he paid tribute to the three victims and questioned how Vallow could ahve done what she did.

Speaking directly to his murdered grandson, he sobbed: JJ, I love you. Papa wishes you were here in other circumstances. Tylee, papa loves you.

Tammy, I never met you. Tammy you are part of our lives. I am sorry for what happened to you, my heart hurts for these three. This is what this has been all about from the very get go.

It started with two children missing. I stood up and I said where are the children, where are the children, where are the children? Give us back our children.

To Vallow, he questioned: Why Lori? Why Lori? Why? For power, sex and greed? For what? For what?

Mr Woodcock thanked all the jurors, meticulous prosecutors and all law enforcement officials who worked on the case.

I want to personally thank and I want to personally hug every one of those jurors, said Mr Woodcock.

What they want through what they saw is mindboggling. I hope that no one ever has to go through this. I hope that nobody ever has to see or hear the details of what hapened to JJ, to Tylee and to Tammy.

Choking back tears, he acknowledged that some of the images people have seen in this case... maybe some people will never unsee.

Ms Woodcock also praised the amazing law enforcement on the case and said that now they hope to be able to put JJ and Tylee to rest and do right by them.

Love always wins, she said.

Lori Vallow Daybell talks with her lawyers before the jurys verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho (AP)

JJ and Tylee vanished without a trace back in September 2019, with their mother refusing to reveal their whereabouts to both authorities and the childrens desperate family members.

One month later, Tammy  an otherwise healthy 49-year-old  also died suddenly. Her death was initially ruled natural causes.

This bizarre spate of disappearances and death came just months after Vallows fourth husband Charles was shot dead by Vallows brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019.

With Vallows children and both of their spouses then out of the way, she and Mr Daybell embarked on a new life together  flying to Hawaii to get married in a fairytale wedding on the beach.

But, with months passing since the last signs of life of Vallows children, concerns continued to grow, prompting authorities to exhume Tammys body. A subsequent autopsy revealed that she had died by asphyxiation.

In June 2020  nine months after they were last seen alive  Tylee and JJs remains were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybells property in Rexburg, Idaho.

JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face, his little body still dressed in a pair of red pyjamas. Tylees cause of death meanwhile has been impossible to establish as the teenagers dismembered, charred bones and body parts were found scattered in the ground on Mr Daybells pet cemetery.

Over six weeks, jurors in Ada County Court heard harrowing details about the doomsday moms path of deadly destruction and were shown graphic images of the murdered childrens remains.

The state called over 60 witnesses to lay out its case that Vallow was motivated by both her doomsday cult beliefs but also lust for Mr Daybell and financial greed when she conspired with him and her brother Cox to kill the three victims.

In a bombshell move  that may now have proven fatal  the defence shocked the court on Tuesday when Vallows attorneys announced that they would not present any defence case or call any witnesses, paving the way for closing arguments to begin earlier than anticipated.

During closing arguments on Thursday, prosecutors argued that Ms Vallow had been driven by money, power and sex to kill the three victims.

Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell met at a religious conference in October 2018 when they were both married and began an affair.

As their romance grew, so too did their cult beliefs and conspiracy to kill.

Jurors heard how the doomsday couple believed that they were on a religious mission to gather the 144,000 and that there was a rating system of light and dark for the spirits of the people around them.

In the weeks and months before the murders, Ms Vallow allegedly told friends that JJ and Tylee had become demons.

Prosecutors said that Ms Vallow used these beliefs to justify the murders of her children and love rival.

Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout)

The state argued that the murders were premeditated and planned  pointing to evidence including the stash of burner phones the three alleged accomplices had, Coxs practice at a shooting range prior to a botched attempt on Tammys life and a deliberate plan for Ms Vallow to be in Hawaii at the time of Tammys murder.

Days before each child was killed, Ms Vallow then allegedly altered their Social Security payments so that the money would be paid directly into her account.

Prosecutor Rob Wood told jurors that Ms Vallow was the ringleader of the murderous plot, and that she groomed and manipulated both Mr Daybell and Cox to commit the murders.

Ms Vallow was the one common thread tying all the suspects and killings together, he said.

Meanwhile, in the defences closing statement, Ms Vallows attorneys flipped the narrative, arguing that  instead of being the leader  Ms Vallow was the follower of her new lover Mr Daybell.

In what marked the first time Ms Vallow has turned on her lover in the almost three years for the case to go to trial, her attorney Jim Archibald sought to paint her as a hardworking good mom whose life suddenly unraveled when she met Mr Daybell.

One year after meeting Chad, four people are dead, said Mr Archibald.

Vallows alleged co-conspirators are yet to face justice over the killings.

Mr Daybell was due to stand trial with Vallow but the cases were severed weeks before her day in court.

He is now due to stand trial in 2024 over the three murders.

Meanwhile, the third person accused by state prosecutors as a co-conspirator in the case wont ever be have his day in court.

On 11 December 2019  hours after Tammys body was exhumed  Cox died suddenly at the age of 51. His death was also ruled natural causes, with indications of a blood clot wedged in the arteries of his lungs. However the overdose drug Narcan was also found in his system.

Vallows own legal troubles are also far from over as she is still facing trial in Arizona on charges of conspiring with Cox to murder Charles Vallow.
 Close Lori Vallow trial: Cult mom convicted of murders of children and Chad Daybells wife

Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The lone holdout juror in Lori Vallows murder trial has revealed why he changed his mind to convict the mother last week.

Saul Hernandez sat down with Good Morning America on Tuesday, four days after Vallow was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua JJ Vallow, seven, and of conspiracy to murder Tammy Daybell, 49, her new husband Chad Daybells first wife, at Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.

Mr Hernandez said when the jury began deliberating, he was the only one unconvinced that the prosecution had proved its case.

But over the course of just seven hours of deliberation, Mr Hernandez said it became clear to him that Vallow is guilty.

During the trial, he said he found it hard to look at Vallow as more and more gruelling evidence emerged.

Growing up, were taught good and bad, God and evil, and I think for the first time in my life, I put a face to evil, he said.

Mr Hernandez said he was disgusted by photos of Vallow and Mr Daybell smiling through their beach wedding just weeks after the kids were killed.
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Cult mom Lori Vallow has been convicted of murdering her two youngest children and conspiring to murder her new husband Chad Daybells first wife in a shocking doomsday plot that has horrified the nation for the last three years.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, and son Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, on Friday.

She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybells first wife Tammy, 49.

Follow our live blog for all the latest updates on the Lori Vallow verdict

Dressed in a black suit, with her blonde hair down in waves around her shoulders, Vallow stood between her two attorneys as the verdict was read out.

She showed no reaction or glimmer of emotion as she learned that the jury had returned a verdict of guilty on all six charges  paving the way for a lifetime behind bars.

She will be sentenced in around 90 days time.

After the verdict was read out, JJs grandparents Larry and Kay Woodcock choked up with emotion as they spoke to reporters outside the courthouse and sent a powerful message to their grandsons killer.

My final message for Lori, said Mr Woodcock, before breaking into the song The partys over  a song that he and JJ used to sing together.

Turn out the lights, the partys over. They say that all good things must end, he sang.

He then paused and addressed Vallow, saying: Lori it ended.

JJs uncle Gerry Vallow also chimed in: They got the b**ch.

Lori Vallow Daybell smiles as she talks with her lawyers before the jurys verdict is read (AP)

Mr Woodcock vowed that the conviction of the mother-of-three is not the end of this as the family would return to face her at her sentencing in around 90 days time and that they will also continue to fight for justice as Mr Daybell is due to stand trial next year and Vallow is awaiting trial over Charles Vallows murder in Arizona.

The Woodcocks  who raised the alarm about the missing children back in 2019  have attended every day of the trial of the woman now convicted of their seven-year-old grandsons murder, listening to harrowing testimony of the little boys last hours alive and seeing graphic photos of his remains buried on Mr Daybells property.

Speaking directly to his murdered grandson, Mr Woodcock sobbed: JJ, I love you. Papa wishes you were here in other circumstances. Tylee, papa loves you.

Tammy, I never met you. Tammy you are part of our lives. I am sorry for what happened to you, my heart hurts for these three. This is what this has been all about from the very get go.

It started with two children missing. I stood up and I said where are the children, where are the children, where are the children? Give us back our children.

To Vallow, he questioned: Why Lori? Why Lori? Why? For power, sex and greed? For what? For what?

Mr Woodcock thanked all the jurors, meticulous prosecutors and all law enforcement officials who worked on the case as he acknowledged that some of the images people have seen in this case... maybe some people will never unsee.

Prosecutors also welcomed the verdict and vowed that they are committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.

Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read (AP)

We are very pleased with the jurys verdict, and we want to thank them, as well as the alternates, for their service over last six weeks during this trial, the statement read.

Given the pending case against the co-defendant, we are unable to conduct any additional interviews or discuss further details of this matter. We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.

We also want to express sincere appreciation to the many members of law enforcement and the community who tirelessly worked together to hold Lori Vallow Daybell accountable.

JJ and Tylee vanished without a trace back in September 2019, with their mother refusing to reveal their whereabouts to both authorities and the childrens desperate family members.

One month later, Tammy  an otherwise healthy 49-year-old  also died suddenly. Her death was initially ruled natural causes.

This bizarre spate of disappearances and death came just months after Vallows fourth husband Charles Vallow was shot dead by Vallows brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019.

With Vallows children and both of their spouses then out of the way, she and Mr Daybell embarked on a new life together  flying to Hawaii to get married in a fairytale wedding on the beach.

But, with months passing since the last signs of life of Vallows children, concerns continued to grow, prompting authorities to exhume Tammys body. A subsequent autopsy revealed that she had died by asphyxiation.

In June 2020  nine months after they were last seen alive  Tylee and JJs remains were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybells property in Rexburg, Idaho.

JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face, his little body still dressed in a pair of red pyjamas. Tylees cause of death meanwhile has been impossible to establish as the teenagers dismembered, charred bones and body parts were found scattered in the ground on Mr Daybells pet cemetery.

Larry Woodcock hugs an attendee after the verdict was read (AP)

Jurors in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, took almost seven hours to find Vallow guilty on all charges over the three murders after a grueling six-week trial where the panel heard harrowing details about the doomsday moms path of deadly destruction and were shown graphic images of the murdered childrens remains.

The state called over 60 witnesses to lay out its case that Vallow was motivated by both her doomsday cult beliefs but also lust for Mr Daybell and financial greed when she conspired with him and her brother Cox to kill the three victims.

In a bombshell move  that may now have proven fatal  the defence shocked the court on Tuesday when Vallows attorneys announced that they would not present any defence case or call any witnesses, paving the way for closing arguments to begin earlier than anticipated.

During closing arguments on Thursday, prosecutors argued that Ms Vallow had been driven by money, power and sex to kill the three victims.

Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell met at a religious conference in October 2018 when they were both married and began an affair.

As their romance grew, so too did their cult beliefs and conspiracy to kill.

Jurors heard how the doomsday couple believed that they were on a religious mission to gather the 144,000 and that there was a rating system of light and dark for the spirits of the people around them.

In the weeks and months before the murders, Ms Vallow allegedly told friends that JJ and Tylee had become demons.

Prosecutors said that Ms Vallow used these beliefs to justify the murders of her children and love rival.

The state argued that the murders were premeditated and planned  pointing to evidence including the stash of burner phones the three alleged accomplices had, Coxs practice at a shooting range prior to a botched attempt on Tammys life and a deliberate plan for Ms Vallow to be in Hawaii at the time of Tammys murder.

Days before each child was killed, Ms Vallow then allegedly altered their Social Security payments so that the money would be paid directly into her account.

Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout)

Prosecutor Rob Wood told jurors that Ms Vallow was the ringleader of the murderous plot, and that she groomed and manipulated both Mr Daybell and Cox to commit the murders.

They used religion as a tool to manipulate others. Lori manipulated Alex Cox through religion, he said.

She manipulated Chad through emotional and sexual control.

Ms Vallow was the one common thread tying all the suspects and killings together, he said.

Meanwhile, in the defences closing statement, Ms Vallows attorneys flipped the narrative, arguing that  instead of being the leader  Ms Vallow was the follower of her new lover Mr Daybell.

In what marked the first time Ms Vallow has turned on her lover in the almost three years for the case to go to trial, her attorney Jim Archibald sought to paint her as a hardworking good mom whose life suddenly unraveled when she met Mr Daybell.

One year after meeting Chad, four people are dead, said Mr Archibald.

The defence attorney argued that Ms Vallow was under the control of the doomsday author, under the spell of the craziness of his cult beliefs.

The defence attorney went on to blame the murders of Tylee and JJ squarely on Mr Daybell and Cox saying that there was no evidence placing Ms Vallow on the scene of the three murders or on Mr Daybells property when the children were buried there.

Ultimately, the panel of 12 jurors disagreed and found the evidence showed, beyond reasonable doubt, that Vallow murdered her children and conspired to murder her love rival.

Vallows alleged co-conspirators are yet to face justice over the killings.

Chad and Tammy Daybell before her death in October 2019 (Facebook)

Mr Daybell was due to stand trial with Vallow but the cases were severed weeks before her day in court.

He is now due to stand trial in 2024 over the three murders.

Meanwhile, the third person accused by state prosecutors as a co-conspirator in the case wont ever be have his day in court.

On 11 December 2019  hours after Tammys body was exhumed  Cox died suddenly at the age of 51. His death was also ruled natural causes, with indications of a blood clot wedged in the arteries of his lungs. However the overdose drug Narcan was also found in his system.

Vallows own legal troubles are also far from over as she is still facing trial in Arizona on charges of conspiring with Cox to murder Charles Vallow.
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A Texas man has been arrested for assault after a child tipped off a school bus driver by passing him a note asking for help, authorities say.

The girl made the plea for help and provided an address to a bus driver in Odessa, west Texas, on Tuesday morning, according to local news site KPEJ.

Hours later, officers from the Odessa Police Department arrived at the house to find David Amado Gonzales, 38, and the girls mother sitting on the porch.

As the police approached, the pair retreated inside the house and refused to open the door for several minutes, authorities said.

The woman eventually told police that Mr Gonzales had come home intoxicated at 1am that morning and pulled her hair and punched her several times, KPEJ reported.

He allegedly bit her forehead and held a switchblade to her neck, leaving her with a cut behind the ear, according to police.

David Amado Gonzales was arrested after a girl tipped off a bus driver that she was in danger. (Ector County Sheriffs Office)

Police said the woman had bruises and cuts to her face consistent with the assault she had described.

Mr Gonzales was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and parole violation. He is being held at the Ector County Law Enforcement Center on a bond of $50,000.
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A late-night shooting in Yuma, Arizona, left two people dead and five injured, local police say.

Several teenage victims were transported to hospital for treatment, and as yet, no suspect is in custody.

ABC News reports that police responded to a call about an aggravated assault, which came in just before 11pm local time.

Lt Craig Johnson of the Yuma Police Department said officers responded to South J Edward Drive in the Terra Bella neighbourhood.

On arrival, they found multiple people with gunshot wounds at a gathering, local radio reports that it was teenagers having a party.

Police have since confirmed that two men, aged 19 and 20, were pronounced dead at Yuma Regional Medical Center.

A 16-year-old boy was flown from the same medical facility to Phoenix to get treatment for life-threatening injuries.

Four other teenagers, aged 15, 16, 18, and 19, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Yuma police officials report.

The police department says several off-duty law enforcement officers who were in the area assisted with the response to the shooting.

The mother of one of the victims told the Z93 radio station: My son attended a party in the foothills last night. A fight broke out, and shots were fired.

She continues: My son was caught in the crossfire and was shot in the leg. The bullet exited near the back of his knee. A bullet also grazed his arm. X-rays show that there is probably no serious damage, but they are keeping him overnight or at this point, day, for observation.

The mother adds: My kid attended a party like 15-year-olds do. Is this what is happening in Yuma now? I am sickened, saddened and pissed off. We need to do better.

She says they dont know what motivated the shooting and she does not know who was involved and adds her son was not targeted. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

While the suspect is still at large, Lt Johnson says there is no credible ongoing threat to the community.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. A $1,000 cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the Yuma Police Department.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Following the controversial and highly criticised CNN town hall featuring Donald Trump, one of the networks top hosts, Anderson Cooper, addressed the backlash and attempt to justify the event.

The town hall featured Mr Trump in a moderated discussion with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, during which he made numerous false statements, advanced conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, and promised to pardon Capitol rioters charged with crimes for their participation in the insurrection attempt two years ago.

Cooper opened his show, Anderson Cooper 360, by addressing the town hall and the negative reaction it generated.

He acknowledged that many viewers expressed deep anger and disappointment following the event.

Many of you are upset that someone who attempted to destroy our democracy was invited to sit on the stage in front of a crowd of Republican voters to answer questions and predictably continued to spew lie after lie after lie. And I get it. It was disturbing, he said during the broadcast.

He acknowledged all of the objectionable statements Mr Trump made during the town hall  including how he insulted E Jean Carroll, who he was found guilty of defaming and sexually assaulting, called Ms Collins nasty and labeled the Black police officer who fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt a thug  and said he understood the pushback against CNN giving Mr Trump a platform to speak.

Now, many of you think CNN shouldnt have given him any platform to speak. And I understand the anger about that, giving him the audience the time. I get that, he said.

Mr Cooper said that viewers have every right to be outraged today and angry and understood if they never watch this network again.

He also warned that the town halls audience  independents and Republicans  accounted for approximately half the US population and showed that Mr Trump could possibly win a second term, as he is running hard.

Mr Cooper then challenged viewers, warning them that staying in echo chambers will not stop Mr Trump from trying to take power once again.

Do you think staying in your silo and only listening to people you agree with is going to make that person go away? If we all only listen to those we agree with, it may actually do the opposite. If lives are allowed to go unchecked, as imperfect as our ability to check them is on a stage in real time, those lies continue and those lies spread, he said.

He concluded the segment by reminding viewers they can do something to prevent Mr Trump from winning in 2024.

If youre angry or upset, I understand, but you have the power to do something about it. You can actually get involved. You can make a difference, he said. Whatever side of the aisle youre on after last night none of us can say, I didnt know whats out there. I didnt know whats coming.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trump will not have to sit for a deposition under oath in a lawsuit from two former FBI agents, a federal court ruled on Friday.

The Justice Department had requested the step, arguing under the apex doctrine that lawyers for the former agents should depose FBI director Christopher Wray before seeking information from a higher-ranking official.

The lawsuit at issue is by former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page, who criticised Donald Trump in messages on government phones amid the 2016 election and investigations into the Trump campaigns potential ties with Russia.

In an August 2016 exchange, Ms Page wondered if Donald Trump is ever going to become president, right? Right?!

No. No hes not. Well stop it, Mr Strzok responded.

The two agents, who were subject to numerous angry public statements from Mr Trump, argued they were singled out for retaliation.

Mr Strzok sought reinstatement and back pay, while Ms Page argued the messages were improperly shared by the government with reporters.

A federal court previously said both Mr Trump and Mr Wray could be deposed, before the DoJ intervened.

The courts ruling was appropriate in light of all of the facts, US District Court judge Amy Berman Jackson said of the original decision in Fridays ruling. However, in order to get the parties  who apparently still cannot agree on anything  over this impasse, it is hereby ORDERED that the deposition of Christopher Wray proceed first.

The wrangling comes as Mr Trump is under intense legal scrutiny.

Earlier this week, he was found liable for the sexual abuse of writer E Jean Carroll, a verdict the former president said he plans to appeal.

Mr Trump also faces numerous other investigations and trials, including a special counsel probe and a criminal hush money case in Manhattan.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has waded into the furore surrounding the ousting of Tucker Carlson from Fox News, citing a report by Axios that the network parted ways with the controversial presenter as part of its settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.

On Saturday (13 May), the governor tweeted: If the public reporting is accurate that Dominion Voting Systems demanded that Tucker Carlson be fired as part of a litigation settlement, then I am happy that Dominion does not operate in Texas, and I dont think that they should do so in the future.

Mr Abbott added: We may disagree with others positions, but we should never try to improperly silence views contrary to our own.

Further, he tweeted: If Dominion wants to do business with Texas in the future, they should first answer questions about what role, if any, they played in silencing a prominent conservative journalist.

The answers to those questions, and other factors, should guide whether we want them to operate here.

The governor included a link to reporting by Axios from 9 May, Scoop: Tucker Carlson accuses Fox of fraud, contract breach.

The focus of the report is an aggressive letter sent by lawyers representing Carlson to Fox News claiming fraud and breach of contract against their client.

It cites broken promises concerning the alleged leaking of private messages and not using those messages to take any adverse employment action against him. Carlson is said to be preparing for war against the network.

Carlsons private communications have been widely reported as the alleged reason for his abrupt ousting on 24 April.

However, the letter also alleges that the network broke a promise not to settle with Dominion in a way which would indicate wrongdoing on the part of Carlson nor to take any actions in a settlement that would harm his reputation.

Axios, citing two sources briefed on the conversation, reports a member of the Fox board told Carlson he was taken off the air.

These actions not only breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the Agreement, but give rise to claims for breach of contract, and intentional and negligent misrepresentation, the letter says.

A Fox News spokesperson told Axios it is categorically false that Carlson lost his job as part of the networks $787.5m settlement with Dominion.

In addition, Stephen Shackelford, an outside attorney for Dominion, told the outlet: Dominion did not insist on them firing Tucker Carlson as part of the settlement.

Last week, Carlson announced he would soon be bringing his show to Twitter. Such a move would technically breach a non-compete provision in his contract, which runs until January 2025.

Carlsons lawyers argue that the networks actions have already breached the contract freeing him up to pursue other opportunities.
Vice president-elect Sen Kashim Shettima has described former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), as one of the most visible generals the country has ever had.

Shettima spoke as chairman during a launch of three books written in honour of the former Army chief in Abuja yesterday.

The books "Walking the War Front with Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, Duty Call: Under Buratai's Command and the Lonely Grave and other Poems' were authored by Jibrin Baba Ndace, a former defense correspondent for Blueprint Newspapers.

The VP-elect, represented by Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a one-term Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, lauded Buratai for his doggedness in the fight against insurgency.

He said the efforts of Buratai and his colleagues had resulted in Nigeria currently recording less incidences of terrorist attacks since 2011.

Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (Rtd), represented by Major General A.T Jibril (Rtd)Special Adviser Technical to the Minister, said Buratai was a patriotic officer who did his best for the safety of Nigerians.

He said the author was able to portray the fact that it is possible for civilians to interface with combatants.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Major-General Leo Irabor, eulogized Buratai for leading from the front and listening to his subordinates.

In his remarks, Buratai, while appreciating the author for documenting his achievements, urged those still serving in the military to keep up the fight against insurgency until total peace is achieved.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A truce between Israel and the militant Islamic Jihad group officially came into effect late on Saturday night, with an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement meant to end the worst episode of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021.

The ceasefire agreement is meant to end the worst bout of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021.

Israels national security adviser thanked the Egyptian president for Cairos efforts, according to a statement from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Quiet will be met with quiet and if Israel will be attacked or threatened, it shall continue to do what it must in order to defend itself, the statement said.

The Joe Biden administration welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Gaza-based militant Islamic Jihad group that was brokered by Egypt.

"The United States welcomes tonight's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based militants brokered by the Egyptian government after nearly five days of fighting," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The White House said US officials worked with regional partners to achieve the resolution and thanked Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and "critical diplomatic efforts".

The Biden administration extended its gratitude toward Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar.

The streets of Gaza that were largely deserted filled with Palestinians as the fighting subsided. People cheered and honked cars in celebrations while others headed to the homes of people killed in the fighting to show their respect.

"In light of the agreement of the Palestinian and the Israeli side, Egypt announces a ceasefire between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides has been reached," the text of the agreement read, according to Reuters.

"The two sides will abide by the ceasefire which will include an end to targeting civilians, house demolition, an end to targeting individuals immediately when the ceasefire goes into effect," it said.

The Islamic Jihad also confirmed the agreement, adding: We declare our acceptance of the Egyptian announcement and we will abide by it as long as the occupation (Israel) abides by it.

The violent conflagration between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza has pitted the Israeli military against Islamic Jihad, Gaza's second-largest militant group after Hamas.

Israel launched the latest round of airstrikes in the early hours of Tuesday, announcing that it was targeting the militant commanders who had planned attacks in Israel.

The Iranian-backed group responded by firing more than 1,000 rockets, which sent Israelis fleeing into bomb shelters.

During the five days of the campaign, Israel killed six senior Islamic Jihad commanders and destroyed a number of military installations.

At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were also killed in Gaza during the fighting, and two people - an Israeli woman and a Palestinian labourer - were killed by Palestinian rocket fire in Israel.

We want the truce to be based on principles, not like in the past when after a calm (truce) people died, resident Munir Marouf, 43, told Reuters.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Presidential candidate and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley declined to condemn Donald Trump on Sunday, after the former president was found liable this week of defaming and sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll.

Asked about whether it tarnishes the Republican party that its leading figure was found liable of such crimes, Ms Haley responded that all sides should be heard in a legal proceeding, and that it was up to the American people to pass judgment.

I have always said that anyone that feels like they have been sexually assaulted in any way should come forward and have their voice heard, Ms Haley told CBS Newss Face the Nation on Sunday. I also think that anyone thats been accused should be able to defend themselves. I was not on the jury. I am not the judge. I think that both of them had their voices heard. There has been a verdict and there has been an appeal.

Asked whether this meant Ms Haley was questioning the verdict, she declined.

Theres a verdict and I think theres been an appeal, she said. I think it stands where it stands and I think the American people need to make a decision based on that.

During the trial, a New York jury heard detailed accounts of how Mr Trump sexually assaulted Ms Carroll in a dressing room at the luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in 1996. Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, who are among the more than two dozen women have accused Mr Trump of sexual assault and misconduct, also testified.

I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back, Ms Carroll said after the verdict. Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.

Following the decision, Mr Trump, who insists the attack never took place and that he doesnt know Ms Carroll, lashed out at the Elle magazine writer during a CNN town hall, calling the allegations fake and a made up story.

Mr Trump filed notice on Thursday with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals that he plans to challenge the $5m decision, while Ms Carrolls lawyers indicated they may sue Mr Trump again for continuing to call the writer a liar.

Everythings on the table, obviously, and we have to give serious consideration to it, attorney Roberta Kaplan told The New York Times. We have to weigh the various pros and cons and well come to a decision in the next day or so, probably.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

In a Friday night tweet, Florida governor Ron DeSantis praised a man charged with manslaughter for fatally choking Jordan Neely, a homeless subway passenger, in New York earlier this month.

We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Lefts pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens, Mr DeSantis wrote. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Lets show this Marine... Americas got his back.

Mr Penny, a 24-year-old former US Marine, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Friday.

He has not submitted a plea yet in regards to the charges.

On 1 May, a man identified as Mr Penny placed the 30-year-old homeless former street performer in a fatal chokehold for several minutes until he died on the floor of an F train on the Broadway-Lafayette platform in Manhattan. The citys medical examiner determined Neelys cause of death was homicide.

The killing has been widely criticised by local officials and protesters in New York, who argue Neelys death perpetuates a narrative where Black people experiencing poverty are met with dismissal or deadly violence.

Jordan Neelys death was a homicide, and charges must be immediately brought against his killer, the citys elected public advocate Jumaane Williams said in a statement shared with The Independent earlier this month.

To say anything else is an equivocation that will only further a narrative that devalues the life of a Black, homeless man with mental health challenges and encourages an attitude of dehumanization of New Yorkers in greatest need.

Elected leaders and media coverage have created an environment that encourages fear of and violence against people who are struggling, that paints them as a threat to public safety, he added. But being homeless is not a capital crime. Struggling with mental health is not a capital crime. Being Black is not a capital crime.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting to this story.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Ron DeSantis was in Iowa on Saturday and found himself in the spotlight thanks to a last-minute decision by former President Donald Trump to cancel his own rally in the states capital.

The Florida governor was in and around the city of Des Moines this weekend, just a few blocks away from where the former president was originally set to speak, chatting up supporters and schmoozing with local Republican groups  a clear as any indication of his plans to run for president in 2024 or in the future.

Mr DeSantiss visit was once set to be challenged by the arrival of the former president, but Mr Trump cited severe weather across the midwest in a last-minute cancellation Saturday afternoon. That bad weather instead materialised in Oklahoma and Kansas while the Des Moines area got off easy  Mr DeSantis even joked about how nice it was outside during one appearance.

The Florida governor eschewed the massive rally his likely opponent favours while instead making a handful of smaller appearances, including according to media reports at a barbecue restaurant where he stood on a table and addressed potential voters.

Every aspect of the visit  from the govenors success at his various venues to the immediate speculation from Mr Trumps critics about the reasoning for his cancellation, seemed perfectly crafted to infuriate the ex-president who has spent months attempting to goad Mr DeSantis into a mudslinging brawl.

Indeed, Mr Trumps first message on Truth Social on Sunday after he wished his followers a unique Mothers Day greeting was aimed at his newfound rival.

Rob DeSanctimonious and his poll numbers are dropping like a rock - I would almost be inclined to say, these are record falls. The question: Is Rob just young, inexperienced and naive or, more troubling, is he a fool who has no idea what he is doing. We already have one of those in office, we dont need another one. MAGA! wrote the former president.

Polls have shown Mr Trump consolidating some support within the GOP since his indictment on 34 criminal counts last month by the Manhattan district attorneys office. But Mr DeSantis remains competitive, and most polls indicate that a majority of Americans want someone other that Mr Trump and the Democratic contender, incumbent President Joe Biden, to run.

Mr Trump also continues to face questions about his continued refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election, as well as other legal challenges like the Fulton County probe into election interference in Georgia. His allies ties to those election fraud conspiracies were blamed for the poor performance of many Republican candidates in the 2022 midterm elections.

Mr DeSantis joined those critics of the former presidents continued vocal support for 2020 election conspiracies on Saturday in one of his most direct attacks targeting Mr Trump so far, telling one crowd: If we make 2024 a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures and we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board. If we do not do that, if we get distracted, if we focus on the election in the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again, and I think it will be very difficult to recover from that defeat.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trumps decision to cancel a rally Saturday evening in Iowa is already being picked apart by his rivals.

The former president was set to speak over the weekend in Des Moines but abruptly cancelled his plans shortly before his departure from Mar-a-Lago, citing weather concerns. The county fell under a tornado watch Saturday evening as heavy thunderstorms rocked parts of the country.

But Iowa was spared from the brunt of the storms, which instead caused damage in Oklahoma and Kansas. And to make matters worse for the former president, his likely 2024 rival continued to hold events in and around the city that night, even remarking on how nice the weather was.

On Sunday, a Republican commentator on CNN speculated that Mr Trumps real reasoning for cancelling the rally had been a fear of Mr DeSantis overshadowing him with a larger crowd size.

Some people say it was because of the weather. Other people say it was because he wasn't able to draw a big crowd. I don't know what the truth is, said Scott Jennings, a former official with the second Bush White House.

Mr Trumps rivals are keen to spot any hint of weakness in the ex-presidents support base as they charge into the 2024 primary with no real indication, at least so far, that he will be unseated as the de facto leader of their party. Mr Trump continues to enjoy a wide polling lead over all his likely and announced challengers, including Mr DeSantis who remains the only Republican polling in the double digits other than the former president himself.

That polling threshold cleared by the Florida governor has earned him the clear ire of the former president, who has spent months attempting to bain Mr DeSantis into an all-out political brawl. He has loudly insisted in numerous interviews and other appearances that Mr DeSantis came begging for his endorsement in 2018 and would not have been re-elected (or won the first time) without his support.

Those claims are likely overblown. While Mr DeSantis did win a narrow victory in 2018, he coasted to reelection in 2022 while Republicans across Florida saw similar success.

Comparatively, on the national stage, candidates who were more vocally aligned with Mr Trump and his false claims about the 2020 election tended to underperform their GOP colleagues in many crucial midterm contests.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

As the US marks Mothers Day, Donald Trump has posted a predictably oddly phrased message celebrating mothers, in particular those of his main foes.

Perhaps in his rush to stick it to the Radical Left Fascists he failed to mention his wife, Melania, mother to his youngest son, Barron.

The former president wrote on Truth Social : Happy Mothers Day to ALL, in particular the Mothers, Wives and Lovers of the Radical Left Fascists, Marxists, and Communists who are doing everything within their power to destroy and obliterate our once great Country.

He continued: Please make these complete Lunatics and Maniacs Kinder, Gentler, Softer and, most importantly, Smarter, so that we can, quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

Many other public figures, notably former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, took the opportunity to shower praise on their wives on Twitter.

In Mr Clintons case, he also praised his daughter Chelsea, herself a mother.

Former President Obama wrote: Happy Mothers Day! I hope you take a moment to appreciate all the moms and mother-figures in your life  and be there for people who may be missing theirs.

To Michelle Obama, thanks for being such an amazing mom to our beautiful girls. You set an incredible example for all of us.

He accompanied the post with a picture of Ms Obama with her daughters and her own mother.

Mr Trumps great rival within the Republican Party, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also paid tribute to his wife, Casey.

He wrote: Madison, Mason and Mamie are lucky to have the best mother in the world - Casey DeSantis. Thank you for all that you do for our family, we love you very much!

Former Vice President Mike Pence praised his wife, Karen, his own mother, Nancy, and his daughter and daughter-in-law who have just become new mothers.

Meanwhile, the Bidens, who are spending their weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, served up a combination of posts. On his personal account President Joe Biden wrote a simple and succinct: To moms everywhere, I wish you a happy Mothers Day.

However, on his official @POTUS Twitter account, he praised his own mother Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden: She taught me about honor, about responsibility. And about courage, because without it, we wouldnt be able to love with abandon. I miss her every day, especially today.

Later he wrote another post to First Lady Jill Biden: To the love of my life, and the life of my love  Happy Mothers Day @flotus.

For her part, Ms Biden wrote two messages, one celebrating her own mother who taught me how to love unconditionally, and a second celebrating all the moms  and teachers  who are inspiring the next generation.

Ms Biden included a video of a call she had with an elementary school teacher who had been inspired by her own mother to enter the profession.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The platypus, a duck-billed mammal unique to Australia, was reintroduced into the country's oldest national park in a landmark conservation project after disappearing from the area more than half a century ago.

The platypus is one of the only two egg-laying mammals found globally and is known for its bill, webbed feet, and venomous spurs.

The mammals live mostly across Australias eastern seaboard, from the far north of Queensland state to the island state of Tasmania, close to rivers and streams whose beds and banks they forage for food.

The animal spends most of its time in the water at night, which makes it difficult for most Australians to spot one in the wild.

Four females were released on Friday into the Royal National Park located just south of Sydney, which was established in 1879 and is the second oldest national park in the world.

Since the 1970s there have not been any confirmed platypus sightings in the park.

The relocation, a collaborative effort between the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Taronga Conservation Society Australia, WWF-Australia and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, comes at a time when the mammals are facing extinction due to habitat destruction, river degradation, feral predators, and extreme weather events.

Estimates on the current population vary widely from 30,000 to some 300,000.

A 2020 report found that platypus habitats have shrunk by almost a quarter over the past three decades. Researchers found that droughts, reduced rainfall and intense fires linked to climate crisis had played a role in the loss of small rivers and streams where platypus forage for food and lay eggs.

A platypus moves toward the Hacking River after being released by Scientists back into Sydneys Royal National Park (REUTERS)

They had warned that rivers drying out, worsening water quality and loss of vegetation were threatening the species.

"(It is) very exciting for us to see platypuses come back into the park, for a thriving population here to establish themselves and for Sydneysiders to come and enjoy this amazing animal," said Gilad Bino, a researcher from UNSW'S Centre for Ecosystem Science.

A platypus swims in the Hacking River (REUTERS)

The platypuses, which live along Australia's east coast and in Tasmania, were collected from various locations across south-eastern New South Wales state and subjected to various tests before relocation.

According to researchers, each platypus will be tracked for the next two years to better understand how to intervene and relocate the species in the event of drought, bushfire, or flood.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Vladimir Putins stripped-down Victory Day parade is a sign that Russia is preparing its people for a mighty loss in their war against Ukraine, a former Nato commander has said.

What should have been a spectacular show of Russias military muscle was instead reduced to the extraordinary sight of a lone T-34 Soviet-era tank rolling down the road.

Moscow said that the events were scaled back as a result of security concerns over what it claimed was a recent attempted Ukrainian strike on the Kremlin.

Russian president Vladimir Putin giving a speech during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow (Sputnik/AFP via Getty)

However, military consultant Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the single tank symbolised the battering Moscow has taken as the conflict rumbles on.

Speaking to The Independent, the former commander of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment of the British army, said: I subscribe to the view that the Russians are preparing their people for failure.

The parade was a great parody of a desperate tyrant clinging on by his fingerprints  one more Ukrainian boot could well be the end.

The military expert said things are at a tipping point in Russia as the Kremlin is now failing to control social media and Mr Putins reputation as a great winner has been destroyed.

He said: All the mothers of those hundreds of thousands of men being slaughtered are beginning to understand what is happening. Ultimately, the great Red Army has really failed Putin. Their violent rhetoric has been found to be a great paper tiger.

The sole T-34 tank in the parade (Moskva News Agency/AFP/Getty)

According to leaked US intelligence documents posted online last month, Russia has allegedly suffered 189,500-223,000 total casualties, including 35,500-43,000 killed in action and 154,000-180,000 wounded.

This compares to 124,500-131,000 total casualties for Ukraine, including 15,500-17,500 killed in action and 109,000-113,500 wounded in action, according to an assessment collated by the US Defence Intelligence Agency.

Russia has also lost 2,300 of its more advanced T72 and T80 tanks, according to estimates from the International Institute for Strategic Studies in February. Their military is being absolutely decimated, Mr De Bretton-Gordon said. They dont have any kit left. The whole thing is just going badly.

Former UK and Nato commander Hamish de-Bretton Gordon says Moscows lone tank display symbolises Russias disastrous performance in the war (Supplied)

Explaining why Russia is tearing a hole through its ammunition, he said: Ukrainians are using artillery on precision targets, but the Russian army is just firing mass ammunition with no effect and they cant sustain those numbers.

Moscows anti-climatic Victory Day Parade also took place against the backdrop of increasingly rocky relations between Wagners chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Kremlin.

The leader of the pro-Putin Russian mercenary group had threatened to withdraw his troops from Bakhmut after claiming Moscow failed to supply his men, resulting in catastrophic losses.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has previously threatened to withdraw his soldiers from Bakhmut (Reuters)

On Saturday, Russia eventually conceded that Ukraine had launched an assault north of Bakhmut with more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks, a scale that would amount to the biggest Ukrainian offensive since November.

Russian defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said troops in one area had fallen back to regroup in more favourable positions near the Berkhivka reservoir. But Mr Prigozhin was quick to refute this claim, saying: What Konashenkov described, unfortunately, is called a rout and not a regrouping.

Commenting on the public military spat, Mr De Bretton-Gordon said: The argument between Prigozhin and the Russian army is unbelievable. This sort of stuff is just not usually allowed. The logistic heart of the Russian army is being strangled. Putins edifice is crumbling. Its difficult to see how Russians can get anything positive out of this.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Ukraine was under fire from Russian missiles on Saturday as the Eurovision Song Contest took place, including the university hometown of the Ukrainian act Tvorchi, the British ambassador said.

Meanwhile, this Eurovision night Ukraine is under another Russian missile attack, Dame Melinda Simmons tweeted.

Reminder that the reason why (Ukraine) could not host this event is because (Russia) continues to invade and the people of (Ukraine) live in continuing danger.

Ukrainian officials said missiles hitTernopil, a city in western Ukraine several hundred miles from the frontlines of the Russian invasion.

Ternopil Oblast governor Volodymyr Trush reported that warehouses belonging to commercial enterprises and a religious organisation caught fire. He said two civilians were in hospital with shrapnel injuries and burns as a result of the attack.

The governor wrote on Telegram: I ask all residents of Ternopil Oblast not to be near the place of fire under any circumstances. I remind you - the curfew continues!

Serhii Nadal, Mayor of Ternopil, asked residents to stay in a safe place until the air-raid alert ceases.

Praising Ukraines entrants in the song contest, Dame Melinda said: Tvorchi (definitely) win the prize for graphics. The staging was brilliant.

And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by (Russian) missiles this eve.

The electronic duo, made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigeria-raised vocalist Jeffery Kenny, are hoping to defend the title after Kalush Orchestra swept to victory last year on a wave of public support.

Ukraine entrant Tvorchi entertain the crowd (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

Their song Heart Of Steel, inspired by the bravery of the Ukrainian people, drew cheers from the audience at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool after it featured lyrics in both English and Ukrainian.

At the end of their performance, the pair held their fists in the air as acts from other nations were also seen waving the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine.

Jeffrey Kenny and Andrii Hutsuliak, members of the Tvorchi duo, pose for a portrait in the central Ukrainian railway station on April 28, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine (Getty Images)

Bookmakers have predicted Tvorchi will perform well with the voting public but they face stiff competition from runaway favourites Sweden and Finland.

This years competition marks the first time the UK has hosted a final in 25 years. It was decided that Liverpool would host after 2022s winning country Ukraine said it would be unable to, due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.

Saturday saw several developments on the battlefield in Ukraine. After Russia admitted it had retreated from parts of Bakhmut, Ukraine said its troops were advancing on the key city from two directions.

Meanwhile, independent Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that four Russian military aircraft were shot down in home territory.

Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been shot down almost simultaneously in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine.

The Russian state news agency Tass said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Two of Vladimir Putins military commanders have been killed in eastern Ukraine, Russias military said, as it warned of a renewed effort by Kyivs forces to break through in the frontline city of Bakhmut.

With Moscows forces believed to have been forced to concede bitterly-fought gains in a haphazard retreat in the Donetsk city over recent days, Russias defence ministry announced that two of colonels were among the dead.

Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, commander of a motorised rifle brigade  which typically comprise thousands of troops  was killed in Bakhmut while personally [leading] the battle, it claimed, adding that deputy commander of the military-political corp Colonel Yevgeny Brovko died with multiple shrapnel wounds.

As Ukraine continued to lay the ground for its bid to retake swathes of its territory, president Volodymr Zelensky conducted his own diplomatic offensive on Sunday as he visited counterparts in Berlin and Paris for the first time since Russias invasion.

Sitting alongside Germanys chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mr Zelensky insisted that with the help of its allies Kyiv could secure an irreversible Russian defeat by the years end.

Having arrived in Berlin by Luftwaffe fighter jet just hours after Germany pledged its largest ever package of military aid to Ukraine, worth 2.3bn, the Ukrainian president then travelled to Aachen to receive the prestigious Charlemagne prize.

In his acceptance speech, at a ceremony attended by the EUs Ursula von Der Leyen and Polands Mateusz Morawiecki, Mr Zelensky accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history as he described the invasion of Ukraine as Russias war for the past.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin ahead of a dinner meeting with Emmanuel Macron in a surprise visit to Paris on Sunday evening, Mr Zelensky was quizzed on US intelligence leaks suggesting that he had considered trying to capture parts of Russia to use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations.

With Western governments insisting that their weapons must not be used to attack Russia, Mr Zelensky said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory, adding: We have neither the time nor the strength. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

The International Charlemagne Prize was awarded to Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine (Federico Gambarini/Pool via REUTERS)

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognised internationally, he continued.

It came as Moscow-based newspaper Kommsersant reported that two Russian fighter jets and two helicopters  claimed to be highly rare models introduced just weeks ago to jam Ukraines air defence systems  were shot down simultaneously within Russias Bryansk region on Saturday, killing all of the pilots, in what some described as the air forces worst day since the wars outset.

While the incident sparked alarm among Russian commentators about Kyivs growing capabilities, Ukraines air force denied shooting down the four aircraft, which are reported to have been conducting a bombing raid in Chernihiv.

Huge smoke cloud emerges from explosion in Russia near border with Ukraine

Risking the Kremlins anger, the powerful head of Russias Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been involved in a rare and vicious public spat with Russian defence chiefs over the war effort in Bakhmut, suggested Russia may have shot down its own aircrafts.

Four planes, if you draw a circle in the places of their fall, it turns out that this circle has a diameter (and all of them lie exactly in a circle) of 40km. Now go on the internet and see what kind of air defence weapon could be in the centre of this circle, and then build your own versions, Mr Prigozhin said on Telegram.

Ukraines civilians, however, appeared to bear the brunt of Russias arsenal on Sunday, as Moscow launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians, while authorities said two civilians  a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man  were killed by shelling in Kharkiv.

Additonal reporting by agencies
Zanu-PF youth league leader Tinoda Machakaire has strongly warned youths from invading or grabbing mines illegally.

Machakaire who is also the current Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Art, and Recreation condemned violence in the mining pits which is caused by machete-wielding gangs that are terrorising small-scale miners and communities around the country.

He said such actions are against Zanu-PF's ethos.

Machakaire made the comments during the Midlands province youth inter-district meeting last week.

"The Midlands youth chairperson has highlighted that we have some various challenges as the youths. We are going to look into those problems. I know as youths we want to be involved in mining, we want to have mines. We don't condone lawlessness; We don't want to hear that you have illegally grabbed or invaded mines," Machakaire said.

"The President has said when you are having challenges in properly registering mines you must seek assistance. Zanu-PF is not going to condone lawlessness. The party is not in support of youths who will illegally grab mines. The party is not in support of the youths who are going to use machetes to grab or invade mines. We want law and order to prevail. The President has warned such malcontents," he said.

He added, the party and government have also lined up programs for youths to have mines before he added, "the acquisitions must be done legally."

"We have farming programs for youths. We are pushing for the youths to have their own farms. But these farms must be acquired lawfully," he said.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Watch as Volodymyr Zelensky was awarded Germanys prestigious Charlemagne prize at a ceremony in Aachen on Sunday, 14 May.

The Ukrainian president received the award as part of his trip in which he secured a new defence aid package.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that his country will support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary and pledged 2.7bn (2.4bn) worth of weapons.

While visiting Berlin, Mr Zelensky vowed that Kyiv and Western supporters could make a Russian defeat in the war in Ukraine irreversible and thanked Germany for being a true friend.

Germany is Europes largest economy but faced criticism when Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2022 for what critics called a slow response.

It has since become one of Ukraines biggest financial and military aid providers.

Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The battle for Turkeys presidency will be decided by a run-off in two weeks, with president Recep Tayyip Erdogan comfortably beating his chief rival but failing to pass the 50 per cent threshold required to win outright.

Seeking to extend his 20 years in power, pre-election polls had suggested that Mr Erdogan looked vulnerable against an unusually broad-based six-party opposition united behind rival Kemal Klcdaroglu  who were seeking to capitalise on voter anger at the countrys economic crisis and the authoritarian turn the nation has taken in recent years as Mr Erdogan has cemented his control.

In what has been seen as the most important election in Turkeys recent history, Mr Klcdaroglu  who held a poll lead going into voting day  and his coalition will have to pick themselves up after a bitterly disappointing result. Mr Kilicdaroglu tweeted around the time the run-off was announced: "Don't lose hope.... We will get up and win this election together."

The countrys Supreme Electoral Board, said that Mr Erdogan won 49.51 per cent of the vote, while Mr Klcdaroglu won 44.88 per cent. He added that even when the remaining 35,874 uncounted overseas votes were distributed, no one would secure the majority needed to avoid the run-off.

Mr Erdogans Justice and Development party (AKP) and its nationalist allies were also said to be close to gaining a parliamentary majority in parallel elections. Preliminary results suggesting they had sucured 321 seats in the 600-seat National Assembly, while the opposition, led by Mr Klcdaroglus Republican People's Party (CHP) won 213. The 66 remaining are set to go to a pro-Kurdish alliance.

Mr Klcdaroglu has pledged to revive parliamentary democracy after years of state repression, deal with sky-high inflation, return autonomy to institutions that have been sidelined by Mr Erdogans presidency and rebuild frail ties with the West.

The task facing Mr Klcdaroglu in the second round of the presidential vote is complicated by the 5.17 per cent gathered by ultranationalist candidate Sinan Ogan in the first vote. Mr Ogan could play a "kingmaker" role in the run-off if he decides to endorse one of Mr Erdogan or Mr Klcdaroglu. However, support from Kurdish voters for Mr Klcdaroglus alliance makes that prospect look remote.

Mr Ogan has said that his goal is to remove two mainly Kurdish parties from the political equation and bolster nationalists and secularists. So, he could only support Mr Klcdaroglu in the run-off if he agreed to offer no concessions to pro-Kurdish parties. We will consult with our voter base for our decision in the runoff, the nationalist told Reuters,

It is a tough ask, according to Emre Peker, of the Eurasia Group consultancy. Heading into the run-off, [Mr] Erdogan will have an easier time than [Mr] Kilicdaroglu wooing voters and securing [a] strong turnout... Five more years of Erdogan is now even more likely, he tweeted.

Pro-government media cheered the outcome of the presidential vote, with the Yeni Safak newspaper proclaiming "The people won", referring to Mr Erdogan's People's Alliance that appeared to have won a majority in parliament, potentially giving him a crucial edge in the presidential runoff. Both Mr Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Peoples Republican Party (CHP) clashed over coverage of the ballot count as it came in, a sign of how fractious this contest has become.

"The winner has undoubtedly been our country," Mr Erdogan said in a speech to cheering supporters at the headquarters of his party in the capital Ankara overnight. The mood at the opposition party's headquarters had been subdued in the early hours as the votes were counted.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu addresses supporters in Ankara on Monday (Getty)

Voters cited concerns about the economy, which has been on a downward spiral for years, as the primary issue driving their votes. As news of a run-off solidified, Turkish stocks tumbled on Monday morning. The lira held near a two-month low, sovereign dollar bonds fell and the cost of insuring exposure to the country's debt spiked.

Without democracy and freedom, you cant have any economy, said 74-year-old Nil Adula On Sunday, as he prepared to vote in central Istanbul. The most important thing is that the justice system is working properly.

Idris Sinan, 18, voted for the opposition in his first-ever election (Yusuf Sayman for The Independent)

The elections are being intently watched by Western nations, the Middle East, Nato and Moscow, as the united opposition try to dislodge a leader who has concentrated nearly all state powers in his hands and worked to wield more influence on the world stage.

Mr Erdogan, along with the United Nations, helped mediate a deal with Ukraine and Russia that allowed Ukrainian grain to reach the rest of the world from Black Sea ports despite Russias war in Ukraine. The agreement is set to expire in days, and Turkey hosted talks last week to keep it alive.

However, Mr Erdogan also has held up Swedens quest to join Nato and has been a difficult partner for the West at times, not being afraid to talk tough or dig his heels in. As one of President Vladimir Putins most important allies, a defeat would unnerve the Kremlin, while the president has also clashed with a number of Middle East leaders.

The outcome was always likely to hinge on slivers of swing voters that include ethnic Kurds  who have voted for either the AKP or leftist parties traditionally  Turkish nationalists, and at least 5 million first-time voters. Mr Erdogan struggled to connect with Generation Z voters ahead of the vote, who appeared unmoved by his appeals to conservative and Islamic values.

I see voting as a tool to change and influence the government from within, said Idris Sinan, an 18-year-old high school student and first-time voter, as he emerged from a polling station.

Opposition party official Cigdem Gulduval helps organize meals for poll workers (Yusuf Sayman/ The Independent)

We have been ruled by this party, the AKP, for 20 years... our country [has] become poor and more lawless, he added.

Mr Erdogan seems to have rallied enough of his hardcore support swayed by those values. Maximising the vote from this group will be important in the run-off.

Many voters said they were convinced by Mr Erdogans nationalist stance that the president said would prioritise Turkeys security. That also Included attempts to associate the opposition with the West and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an outlawed separatist group that the US and EU label a terrorist organisation.

We are not for America. We are not for the PKK, said Faruk Baba, a 67-year-old clothing shop proprietor in the Fatih district of Istanbul.

When reminded that the Taliban of Afghanistan had endorsed Mr Erdogan he replied: The Taliban are Muslims. We are Muslims.

Among AKP supporters, many cited conspiracy theories spouted by Mr Erdogan in previous weeks that the opposition are a proxy for Western powers.

Erdogan has stood strong for us, Ziya Uztok, a 73-year-old in Uskudar. Kilicdaroglu is an American project.

I accept Kilicdaroglu as a fellow citizen, but I would not vote for him, he said.

Voters emerge from a balloting station in the Istanbul district of Fatih (Yusuf Sayman/ The Independent)

For the opposition, they need to maximise votes from the more swing elements and the Kurdish vote.

Mr Erdogan alienated ethnic Kurds, who used to vote for him in large numbers but  in a historic shift  embraced the secular centre-left candidacy of Mr Kilicdaroglu. The election for us is about democracy and cultural and political rights, said Mehmet Uzum, a 52-year-old Kurdish businessman in the Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul.

He said that Mr Erdogan and the AKP became toxic to Kurds since they partnered with the nationalist National Movement Party (MHP), who appear to have helped Mr Erdogans alliance push for a parliamentary majority.

We had a lot of friends who were AKP but then they switched to CHP because of the economy and all the religious talk, said his daughter, Gizem, 22.

In a bid to secure support from citizens hit hard by inflation, Mr Erdogan increased wages and pensions and subsidised electricity and gas bills in the days ahead of the vote, while showcasing Turkey's homegrown defence and infrastructure projects.

On a side street in Fatih, CHP organisers had been upbeat on Sunday as they amassed meals to hand their volunteers throughout the district.

Before there were certain neighbourhoods that we couldnt go to campaign, said Cigdem Gulduval, a local opposition party official. Now theyre more receptive. Theyre all paying high prices at the same butchers as we are. Theyre all paying the same gas bills.
Democracy is at an all-time low in Pakistan, Imran Khan has said after his arrest and subsequent release by authorities.

The former prime minister was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday (9 May) but Pakistan's supreme court has since ruled that this was illegal and ordered his immediate release.

Mr Khan told Sky News: "The democracy in Pakistan has never taken such a battering as it has right now. I mean, all our fundamental rights are violated."

Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Police have seized 1.5 tonnes of contraband eels in an almost two-year long international investigation into fraudulent exports.

Twenty-seven people were arrested after authorities discovered that four tonnes of eels had been fraudulently exported between 2021 and 2023 for a profit estimated at more than 1m.

Suspects in Spain, France, Belgium, and Portugal were arrested after a cooperative investigation by authorities from France, Spain, Europol, Eurojust and the European Anti-Fraud Office.

The European eel is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, meaning that its fishing is regulated and subject to strict quotas.

Sign up for our newsletters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris on Sunday, 14 May.

President Zelensky had travelled from Germany earlier on Sunday where he met the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and was awarded Germanys prestigious Charlemagne Prize at a ceremony.

The French government dispatched a plane to pick up Mr Zelensky.

Mr Macrons office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and discuss Ukraines military and humanitarian needs.

Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

After a turbulent few years for the economy, its vital that the UK takes action to bolster its workforce.

The chancellor recently identified the key pillars that will drive economic prosperity and remove barriers to work, including enterprise, education and employment. But one key ingredient was missing  access to apprenticeships.

It is through apprenticeships that young people in some of the UKs most deprived communities can learn the invaluable skills they need to kick-start rewarding careers.

Yet, despite the noblest of intentions, the apprenticeship levy is letting down our young people when they most need support.

Since its introduction in 2017, hundreds of millions of pounds worth of unused levy funds have been handed back to the government. In one year alone, 600m was sent back to Whitehall  enough to fund 60,000 apprenticeships.

Thats 60,000 lives that could be fundamentally improved in communities across the UK. Talking in these vast numbers can obscure the huge impact an apprenticeship can have on an individuals life. It can equip them with the skills, confidence and hands-on experience they need to kick-start a rewarding career.

The retail sector is among the most meritocratic of industries. Every week, I work with business leaders who cut their teeth on the shop floor, starting at the commercial coalface.

But, remarkably, until 2021 the levy could directly contribute towards an MBA and can still be used to part-fund the qualification today. Between 2014 and 2022, the number of people starting an apprenticeship at a level equivalent to five GCSEs declined from nearly 300,000 to around 90,000.

Over that same period, higher apprenticeships  equivalent to a bachelors degrees and above  increased from less than 20,000 to more than 100,000. Any scheme that supports MBAs for managers over opportunities to kick-start careers for all seems to have lost its way. This was not the purpose of the levy, and it is neither fair nor effective.

Thats why we need to fundamentally reboot the system and unleash the potential of our young people.

First, the levy needs to offer greater flexibility, allowing companies to use some levy funding to support high-quality, pre-employment programmes focused on improving literacy, numeracy and essential work-related skills. This is particularly important for a generation of job seekers held back by the pandemic.

Secondly, it needs to let funds be spent on shorter, high-quality courses to enable employers like Tesco to offer more tailored and sector-specific training, from driving to food technology to finance. These sorts of courses both allow employers to meet rapidly changing skills needs and support those who need greater flexibility, such as people with young families or other caring responsibilities.

And, finally, it should allow some levy funds to be contributed towards the wider costs of providing an apprenticeship beyond training; for example, the additional store working hours while an apprentice is at college. This would enable smaller stores and employers to significantly expand the number of apprenticeships they offer. These changes would deliver real benefits for job seekers, employees, businesses and the wider economy.

Were confident that with the right reforms we could return the number of apprentices to pre-levy levels, resulting in thousands of opportunities across the retail sector.

Most importantly, this would support access to good quality jobs and boost lifetime earnings in areas of the country that are struggling most with the cost of living.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

If things had been going the way the Bring Back Boris campaign had wished, then Rishi Sunak would have resigned by now in abject shame at the local election results, and Boris Johnson would be party leader and prime minister again, by acclaim.

They hoped for the biggest comeback since Lazarus. A few months ago, it looked just about plausible. After the restoration of Johnson, so the dream went, thered be a contrived vote in the Commons to call off the kangaroo court select committee into Johnson lying to parliament, and the Tories would be catapulted into a 10-point lead over Labour, a fifth term in office, and all would be well again in our unicorn cakeist kingdom.

Things havent quite turned out like that, and the present conference in Bournemouth of something called the Conservative Democratic Organisation, or CDO, demonstrates not how strong the cult of Boris is these days, but how rapidly marginalised it has become. Marginalised from power for the moment that is, but with immense capacity to cause trouble now and into the future as the party stumbles towards a historic defeat.

Given that the main effect of the CDO is to demonstrate to a bemused public precisely how hopelessly shambolic, divided and confused our governing party is, the group should be more accurately termed the Conservative Democratic Disorganisation, such is its power to create further mayhem at a time when the present administration is anyway very obviously unravelling.

That said, things could have been even worse for Sunak and his beleaguered gang at the top of the party had Johnson himself turned up, as was widely rumoured. But the second coming has plainly been postponed. So theyve made do with the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nadine Dorries and Priti Patel instead. Thats right, the usual suspects.

As my colleague John Rentoul has pointed out, the publicity material for the CDO conference, ie The Bring Back Boris rally, looks like a Christian stadium event preparing for the Rapture. There is definitely a cultish, millenarian vibe about this lot.

It is as if they know that their world is about to end, but that, sooner or later, the Messiah will return to gather them unto his bosom and once again part the red wall as he leads them through the wilderness to the promised land. Except of course, to borrow a famous phrase, Johnson isnt the Messiah; hes a very naughty boy.

Indeed, it was his very naughtiness that led to his government collapsing under his feet in a matter of days and his miserable downfall last July (though it feels now like the last century).

As part of the fairly hopeless campaign to resurrect Johnson before the election, the high priests of the CDO spend a great deal of time burnishing a classic stab in the back myth of betrayal. This as if Johnsons own government, with a few exceptions, had been composed of Judases, such as the snake Sunak (boo!), and, erm, about 60 of Johnsons own serving ministers who resigned en masse.

Johnson, in the classic betrayal myth, was supposed to be popular when he was ditched  but he wasnt, as the polls, local elections and by-elections at the time proved. Johnson was clearly an asset back in 2019, re-running the 2016 referendum with a split opposition, but that was a different world.

By 2022 he was an increasingly embarrassing liability, after Partygate, economic slowdown, the emerging disaster of Brexit, daily scandals, and the Owen Paterson and Chris Pincher affairs made fools of him and the colleagues he sent out to defend him in the media.

True, Johnson still looks Churchillian next to Liz Truss, who plumbed new depths with her Titanic mini-Budget, but that doesnt mean hed be a vote winner now. Yet the idea persists in the cult of Boris and revivalist meetings such as the CDO conference, that the Tory MPs dumped him out of sheer panic. Or, as Johnson put it when he stood outside Downing Street to announce his resignation, when the herd moves, it moves. Johnson has never accepted hes ever done anything wrong, so why should his disciples?

To them, he is a talisman, and his mere presence at the top of the party can restore the confidence and successes of 2019, the best result in vote share since 1979. The CDO gathered in Bournemouth are literally praying for a miracle.

Typical is Patels claim that those in power and control (ie Sunak and his shadowy conspiracy) took down a vote-winning political giant. These false gods had, according to Patel, spurned the true believers, such as she herself presumably, reshuffled out of the home office and into oblivion by Sunak.

Instead, the minority should have heeded the warnings of the grassroots of the party because they would be more in touch with the people and with our values  And perhaps if they did that, last week we would not have seen 1,000 of our friends and colleagues lose their seats in the local elections and dozens of councils fall out of Conservative control. Never again should the grassroots of our party be sidelined, neglected and ignored.

Patel and the rest of the dispossessed sound very much like the cliques on the left of the Labour Party who preached democracy, but were in fact intent on using a perversion of democracy to capture the party. Purges of moderates, direct elections for party leader and control of the manifesto were their interim aims, just as they are (stated or unspoken) by their mirror-image counterparts in the CDO.

When the likes of Militant, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (an eerie echo there) and Momentum succeeded in putting figures such as Tony Benn and Jeremy Corbyn in positions of power, they took their party even further away from power and into irrelevance. They germinated during Labour governments, and then thrived in opposition on myths of betrayal of the holy writ of the manifesto and apostasy towards party values and principles (just as CDO does now).

When they got their hands on the conference, policy committees and pressured the MPs, they dragged Labour ever further away from its natural voters. At times, they even managed to split the party, as when the SDP broke away in 1981, and what became Change UK in 2019.

If the CDO persist, they too show every sign of turning the fault lines in the Tory party into a full-blown schism, with the right allying itself with cranky Farageist splinter groups such as Reform and Reclaim; and the rump of centrists and exiles trying to go back to an older pro-Europe, One Nation tradition.

This would be the outcome of the long-gestated realignment on the right. It would lock them out of power for a generation. Well may we mock the fruitcakes in Bournemouth, but they and their leader, Johnson, have the capacity to destroy the (hitherto) most successful political party in the history of democracy.

Meanwhile, theyve got a black-tie gala dinner with wine, live music from Britains Got Talent stars Soldiers of Swing, and a speech from Rees-Mogg to get through: not that theyre out of touch or yearning for a better yesterday, or anything like that. Carriages at 1am, if not at the next general election.
Markets welcomed airlines move to grow fleet to over 800 aircraft

An artist's impression of the new Ryanair Max 10 in operation

Ryanair followed its own tried and tested flight path last week by confirming a new aircraft order  once again giving it the edge over competitors with a fleet of more efficient, smart new planes.

The markets liked the move, which deepened confidence that Ryanair will continue to build market share with its bold post-pandemic strategy.

Ryanair is ordering up to 300 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2033, in a deal worth up to $40bn.

Ryanairs European market share is about 22pc and theyre aiming at 30pc

Its aircraft order will be substantially funded from internal cashflows. Prior to last Tuesdays announcement, Ryanair still had 110 aircraft waiting to be delivered to the group over the next two years.

A note from Bank of America Global Research said: Ryanairs new MAX 10 order offers attractive earnings growth over the next decade, as it continues to gain market share in Europe while enhancing its already competitive ultra-low-cost position.

That note said it expected Ryanairs chunk of the market to keep on soaring.

An artist's impression of the new Ryanair Max 10 in operation

The 300 Boeing MAX 10 order (150 firm, 150 options) for delivery in 2027 to 2033 will take the fleet from 537 to 800. Management aims to deploy the new aircraft on longer routes and at slot-constrained airports, said Bank of America analysts Muneeba Kayani and Paul Kirjanovs.

Our analysis shows Ryanairs market share in Europe is now circa 22pc  up from circa 9pc in 2007  suggesting it can meet its 30pc target.

The Boeing order will also strengthen Ryanairs low-cost model.

Cost benefits from the new aircraft will further strengthen its cost position and support share gains, said BofA.

A daily note from Cantor Fitzgerald in Dublin delved further into the benefits of a more modern fleet.

These new MAX 10 aircraft ordered yesterday are larger than the existing Boeing planes which Ryanair flies, typically carrying up to 20pc more passengers.

Michael OLeary is never short of ambition

They will also offer fuel efficiency savings, and 50pc of the orders are expected to replace existing Boeing planes.

Ryanair chief executive officer Michael OLeary is never short of ambition  and the passenger numbers the company is forecasting are staggering.

This order is a sign of confidence from Ryanair in the outlook for passenger growth beyond 2026, when they are guiding to carry 225 million passengers, up from 168 million in the current financial year ending March 2023, stating they are targeting 300 million passengers by 2034, an increase of 80pc over the next decade.

Ryanair recently said it carried a total of 12.6 million passengers in March of this year  an increase of 12pc on the 11.2 million passengers it carried in the same month last year.

Already Europes largest airline by passenger numbers, Ryanair reported after-tax profits of 211m in the three months ended December 31, its third quarter.

This compares to a loss after tax of 96m for the same period the previous year. It also reiterated its forecast of after-tax profit between 1.325bn and 1.425bn for the year to the end of March 31.

Said Cantor Fitzgerald: These Q3 figures and recent management comments, together with strong trading performance from peers, provide further evidence of ongoing passenger demand for air travel post-Covid.
Shareholders of the investment firm disagree on why the company collapsed and at least one has reported the matter to gardai

James [Kelly] was fully authorised to carry out crypto and associated derivative trades, his father said. Picture by Getty/Stock image

A major row has erupted between the shareholders of now collapsed Gigabyte Investments, a crypto-focused trading platform founded by James Kelly, the grandson of developer Paddy Kelly.

A liquidator has been appointed to wind up the firm and a report has been made to An Garda Siochana.

A total of 25 investors had put 930,000 into the firm, with one understood to be in danger of losing their entire pension in the collapse.

Managing partner Louis Curran claimed in an email last week to investors that we were informed by James Kelly that everything was lost, we were told the losses were the direct result of unauthorised leveraged trades.

I deeply regret the loss of investors money

In response, the Kelly family issued a statement to the Sunday Independentsaying the allegation was completely false.

James was the founder and director of Gigabyte Investments Ltd and was therefore fully authorised to carry out crypto currency and associated derivative trades, said Kellys father Simon, Gigabytes company secretary.

I deeply regret the loss of investors money, said James Kelly, adding that the culture in the company had become toxic with stress as the crypto market collapsed in 2022.

Investors said they had received regular updates from the firm to show the fund was up as much as 40pc. But on Friday, March 24, it came to light that just 80,000 was left in the firms bank account. Over that weekend a potential recapitalisation was discussed but talks broke down.

Curran, a foreign exchange trader with more than 25 years experience at major financial Institutions, including JP Morgan, Citi and Merrill Lynch, emailed the investors the following Monday: I am writing to bring you some very troubling and difficult newswith immediate effect, Gigabyte Investment Company has ceased all market operations.

Within the last 48 hours, it has come to our attention that one of my colleagues has, for some time, and entirely unknown to ourselves, engaged in a series of unauthorised transactions which has caused the company significant if not catastrophic losses, he wrote.

Curran alleged that there appears to have been false reporting of client positions and profits that had been ongoing over a number of months.

He and the firms third shareholder, Sam Molloy, had informed the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and a Garda spokesperson confirmed the matter is currently under assessment.

In a follow-up email last week, Curran told investors there was an agreement that Jamess role was only to implement trades that I directed. But documents he had seen suggested your funds were leveraged as much as 20x, he wrote.

We were always clear, both in person and on any written communication that we took no leverage, no shorts, said Curran.

But the Kellys responded that as sole director of the company, James was the highest officer in the company. He is also the largest shareholder and that his authority to trade  including in futures contracts  was clearly established in company documents.

Gigabyte was founded by Kelly in 2021 with school friend and fellow UCD graduate Sam Molloy. Both were 21 at the time and crypto enthusiasts. Within a year they had posted returns of 1,500pc.

We were told they were always long on the market, never short

They opened a trading floor in Sandyford, south Dublin, and teamed up with Curran, who became managing partner and took a 25pc stake. New investors also came on board, including former Wealth Options directors Eanna McCloskey and Brian Flynn. Earlier this year, the firm was valued at 3.5m by external advisers, claimed Kelly.

It sought to raise seed capital to register as an AIFM (Alternative Investment Fund Manager) in the Cayman Islands on a hedge fund platform, he said.

After the loss of capital was revealed, there were exploratory discussions to recapitalise but these collapsed, he said. The family saw no option but to have a liquidator appointed. Creditors intervened and had another liquidator, Joseph Walsh of JW Accountants, appointed instead.

One investor who has lost a substantial sum told the Sunday Independent that he had invested because he believed in the future of digital assets and had been looking for an Irish company in the space.

He had been sent regular reports showing his investment consistently up at least 30pc despite volatility in the market: They would share trades in real time on a WhatsApp group. We were told they were always long on the market, never short, but that they got in and out of trades quickly.

This has ripped apart my familys future

Even after the collapse of both FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, Gigabyte continued to report it was up over 30pc, he said. So when he received the email about catastrophic losses, the investor said he was shocked and devastated.

This has ripped apart my familys future, he said. When you make an investment like this you put your faith in the people and the systems. If you lose money because Bitcoin fell, you just have to take it on the chin. But if it comes to light our money was leveraged 20x, as has been alleged, well that was never part of what I believed I was investing in.

According to the Kellys, company documents shared with all investors and advisers clearly authorises the company to trade long and short positions in crypto. All investors were required to sign the client contract, they said. A risk statement highlighted the incredibly volatile nature of crypto and said loss of investment is a possibility.
AS his army of followers are still digesting his latest offering "Eureka Eureka", undisputed Zimdancehall king Winky D will unleash a rare extended play (EP) which is being curated by renowned reggae producer Dynamq.

Born Wallace Chirimuko, Winky D, earlier this year released the "Eureka Eureka" album which is faring well on digital media platforms after being snubbed by State's mainstream media.

Winky D may have come up with a formula to appease his insatiable followers in the form of an EP.

Not only will he drop an EP but the Gafa has roped in renowned reggae and dancehall producer Kennedy Ongele Lorya known as Dynamq.

Based in South Sudan, Dynamq has produced a plethora of reggae music and has featured on the genre's most recognised festivals.

Winky D, is well known for his privacy when it comes to his projects but the South Sudanese let the cat out of the bag in a social media post.

"Congratulations to my brother Winky D. He is the 2023 African Dancehall Artist Of The Year. Zimbabwe you have a great artist. Treasure him. I'm also producing a whole EP for him," said Dynamq.

The date for the release of the EP remains under wraps.

The EP will come in time as Winky D is basking in the glory of clinching the Best African Dancehall Entertainer of the Year award at the Jamaican 40th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

Winky D Thursday expressed gratitude to his followers for clinching the award which came as he is besieged by authorities over his "Eureka Eureka" album which castigates corruption and other social ills.

"Thank you for your unwavering support which has seen us winning the Best African Dancehall Entertainer of the Year award at the Jamaican 40th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA)," he said.

"Being recognised by our wider music community reaffirms the universal nature of heartfelt music and its unshakeable ability to bring humanity together, regardless of diverse beliefs and superficial differences.

"This award is particularly poignant as it has been presented to us during a period of intense challenges and adversity. Thank you and may the music continue its mission to educate," said Winky D in a statement.
Home Truths: Why a third of all new homes built each year should be social houses  and why the State should be selling them as well as building them 03:30
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q Im just back from a weekend city break, one that was significantly shortened because my outward flight was delayed by six hours. Another passenger on the flight mentioned that we might be entitled to compensation. Is this correct? What are my rights?

Ali, Co Tipperary

AIm sorry to hear about your travel difficulties, but the good news is that you are entitled to compensation if you arrived at your destination more than three hours after the scheduled arrival time  unless the airline can prove that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances. The amount of compensation depends on whether the flight was short, medium, or long haul.

Indeed, as we approach the busy summer travel season, its important that consumers know they have rights if their flight is delayed or cancelled, their luggage is lost, or if they are denied boarding or downgraded. These rights apply when youre flying through airports in EU or European Economic Area member states, on board flights departing from these countries, and on flights with an EU airline that arrive into any of these countries.

You should be able to apply for compensation through the airlines website; sometimes this is listed under EU 261  the EU regulation that covers passenger rights. If you have trouble accessing compensation, you can lodge a complaint through the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which is the national enforcement body since it merged with the Commission for Aviation Regulation last month.

You also have a right to care and assistance such as refreshments, phone calls, or even overnight accommodation, depending on the length of the delay.

My son, who is nearly 18, needs a bank account because he has a summer job. Which bank should he choose?

Q My son is turning 18 and is close to finishing his first year of college. He needs to open a bank account because hes found a job for the summer. Ive been with the same bank for decades so I have no idea how he should go about choosing one. What advice should I give him?

Ray, Co Meath

A For many young people, taking up their first summer job often means having control over their own bank account for the first time. While it might be tempting for your son to pick a bank based on the best freebie on offer or just go with a digital-only provider, there are a few factors to consider first.

As your son is a college student, he should be eligible to open a student current account, which should give him access to free banking given that most student accounts dont charge any fees for daily banking. This goes for anyone doing a third-level course or apprenticeship.

Your sons first step should be to go to Ccpc.ie/money and click on money tools to find our student account comparison tool. This tool will allow him to quickly compare the fees and benefits of five different student accounts, including credit union accounts.

He may also be interested in opening a standard current account with a digital bank, and he can use our current account comparison tool to compare digital bank accounts with traditional accounts. However, if he will need to regularly lodge cash  he might receive cash tips in his new job, for instance  a traditional provider may be a better option. If your sons job means hell need in-person banking or cash transactions, he should make sure his chosen provider has a branch nearby.

Before committing to any provider, hell need to make sure it has all the features he wants, from a good app to being able to use Apple Pay or Google Pay on his phone or a smartwatch.

Our website has all of this information; just click more details under each of type of current account to see a full list of features, fees and benefits.

One last thing for him to consider is whether hell need access to an overdraft or a credit card with his current account provider.

This is particularly relevant when opening a student current account, as some traditional and digital banks do not offer access to credit facilities to holders of standard current accounts.

Once he has identified his chosen account provider, the next step will be to open his account.

This can usually be done online, over the phone or in branch, if the chosen provider operates a branch network. Hell need to provide proof of his identity and his address; these requirements can sometimes prove tricky for young people without a driving licence or utility bill in their own name, so he should check the list of accepted documents before starting the application process.

Lastly, you mention that youve had the same account for decades, so you might consider shopping around yourself. Like your son, you can use our current accounts comparison tool to see if theres a better deal out there to suit your particular banking needs.

Switching banks can be a hassle, but it might make good financial sense. Besides, by shopping around for financial services, youd be setting a good example for your son.
Gardai fear far-right agitators are inciting locals to violence over asylum-seekers in tents

Equality Minister Roderic OGorman is seeking a meeting with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris over what he believes are coordinated attacks on vulnerable asylum seekers.

Mr OGorman held talks with Justice Minister Simon Harris yesterday following violent scenes at a protest near a makeshift camp in Sandwith Street, Dublin, on Friday evening, with another confrontation nearby yesterday.

Department of Equality officials are trying to secure accommodation for those who are forced to camp near the International Protection Office in the city centre.

Mr OGormans spokesperson said this weekend that significant additional beds are expected to come on stream in the coming weeks.

The attacks on vulnerable international protection applicants are disgraceful and deeply concerning, a spokesperson for the Green Party minister said.

Minister OGorman has been liaising with Minister Harris in relation to the incidents and will look to meet with the Garda Commissioner shortly.

The department is working to procure more accommodation and expects significant additional beds to come on stream in the coming weeks.

Mr OGorman is understood to want to discuss with the Commissioner what appeared to be coordinated attacks on vulnerable international protection applicants.

The Sunday Independent has also learned that four or five sites for accommodation are due to come on stream over the next three or four weeks, including one in Dun Laoghaire and at least two others elsewhere in Dublin. Those who were in the makeshift camp in Sandwith Street have yet to be accommodated.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke out against the violent scenes, saying: I condemn this violence unreservedly. It is malign opportunism.

A tiny minority of people are clearly determined to make capital out of a difficult situation. The gardai are carrying out an investigation. We cannot tolerate actions such as this.

The Sandwith Street encampment was destroyed and partly burnt on Friday night after anti-immigrant protesters had earlier clashed with left-wing counter-demonstrators who tried to prevent them from gaining access to the camp in the Pearse Street area.

There are several hundred homeless asylum-seekers sleeping rough in Dublin after the State ran out of beds for them.

A tented encampment in Mount Street is being occupied by several dozen asylum-seekers, while a smaller number had been staying nearby in a laneway off Upper Sandwith Street, which had been targeted by anti-immigrant activists on Thursday and Friday evening.

On Saturday afternoon a group of several dozen protesters peeled off from a rally at the Custom House opposing forthcoming hate speech laws. Among those in attendance were members of right-wing groups, including the Irish Freedom Party. A group marched to Mount Street, where there was a confrontation with asylum seekers there, before gardai intervened.

Irish Freedom Party president Hermann Kelly distanced his group from the clashes on Mount Street on Saturday.

His party held a free speech rally at the Custom House, he said.

"The Irish Freedom Party did not hold a march nor did any members participate in one," Mr Kelly added.

Video emerged online on Friday night purporting to show a group of Irish men dismantling makeshift shelters that had been used by the asylum-seekers at the smaller Upper Sandwith Street camp. Emergency services were also alerted to a fire at the site. A garda spokesperson said that as the groups involved dispersed, some furniture and wooden pallets were set alight in a nearby laneway.

No one was injured, the spokesperson added.

A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested under the Public Order Act during the demonstration. He was later charged and is due to appear in court later this month.

It is understood gardai were well aware of the planned protests on Friday and had been monitoring social media, with a policing plan in place.

A source said locals had been whipped up by anti-immigration activists, including members of the far right.

Some local people were infiltrated from elements who dont live anywhere near here, to go out and protest against these people and even intimidate them and display violence, the source said.

In fairness to these refugees, they have nowhere to go because there is no accommodation being provided for them. Its a very unfortunate situation.
Both men had alibis when interviewed as persons of interest

Brothers who are now suspects for the murder of Annie McCarrick were interviewed on two separate occasions by two different garda teams investigating her disappearance.

They were first interviewed by detectives after she went missing on March 26, 1993. The men were interviewed again as persons of interest several years later by Operation Trace.

The specialist garda operation was tasked with reviewing the cases of six women who went missing in Leinster in the 1990s, including that of Ms McCarrick, a 27-year-old student teacher from New York.

Retired detective Alan Bailey, who worked on Operation Trace, told the Sunday Independent: They were interviewed as persons of interest, not as suspects, and both had alibis.

Ms McCarrick disappeared without trace on March 26, 1993, with the last confirmed sighting in Sandymount.

The emergence of suspects in the decades-old unsolved case emerged after a documentary disclosed concerns her family already had about her for the first time.

They were concerned Ms McCarrick had been harassed before her disappearance and had been assaulted. Her mother Nancy said she had been having difficulties with someone she knew.

Her childhood friend, Linda Ringhouse, said Ms McCarrick had confided in people that she messed up, messed up bad, and that she had been with this person a week before she went missing.

Friends in America faxed statements highlighting these concerns to gardai shortly after she disappeared. However, officers who investigated the case at the time claimed they never received the faxes.

One retired detective suggested they could have changed the course of the investigation.

In another development, garda sources said this weekend that the faxed statements are in their possession and they have been for some time.

Detectives are expected to take statements from Ms McCarricks friends and relatives in America who faxed the statements to Ireland.

Ms McCarrick, who was from Long Island, studied in Ireland and moved here permanently in January 1993. She lived in a flat in Sandymount and worked in a restaurant in Donnybrook.

The last confirmed sighting of her was captured on CCTV in a bank in Sandymount on the Friday morning she disappeared. Witnesses reported seeing her in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, and at Johnnie Foxs pub in Glencullen.

The sightings were never corroborated. The investigation into her disappearance was upgraded to murder last March and the focus has switched back to her movements in Sandymount and Donnybrook.

Gardai continue to investigate claims her handbag was handed in to Donnybrook garda station around the time she went missing. The claims emerged on a missing persons Facebook page two years ago, when a man posted that he and his friend found the bag in the back of Kielys pub in Donnybrook in 1993 after she was reported missing. He claimed Ms McCarricks name was on cards inside the bag. His friend handed it in.

A woman reported the posts to gardai last month following an appeal for information.

Gardai tracked down one of the men and are also approaching officers who worked in Donnybrook and in other south Dublin stations at that time.

They are appealing for anyone with information relating to Ms McCarrick to contact Irishtown station on 01 6669600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A Dublin creche has been ordered to pay 14,000 compensation to a former supervisor who was penalised for raising a concern about a potential breach of regulations on child/staff ratios.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Ohana Day Care had unfairly penalised Arlene McGovern after she had drawn attention to a potential risk to the safety of children in the creche at a meeting on June 10, 2021.

The WRC concluded that an investigation initiated by the creches owners, Anne Hartford and David Sweeney, into Ms McGovern shortly after she had raised her concern about staffing ratios was intimidating and excessive.

It heard Ms McGovern resigned from Ohana Day Care  which trades as Marbles Creche & Montessori in Swords, Co Dublin  on August 4, 2021 before the investigation was concluded because she was being ignored and felt isolated.

WRC adjudication officer, Catherine Byrne, said she was satisfied that the investigation would not have been carried out but for the fact that Ms McGovern had spoken up at the meeting.

The complainant raised an important health and safety matter and she was penalised for doing so, said Ms Byrne.

The WRC official said she could understand how the actions of the creches owners had the effect of undermining Ms McGoverns trust in them and that she felt she had to resign.

Although Ms McGovern found alternative employment within a few weeks, the WRC directed the creche to pay compensation of 14,000  the equivalent of six months gross pay.

Counsel for Ms McGovern, Cathy McGrady BL, had argued that her client had been penalised under the Safety, Health and Welfare and Work Act 2005 or alternatively under whistleblowing legislation for making a protected disclosure about the child/staff ratio issue.

Ohana Day Care claimed that Ms McGovern had merely contributed to a discussion over staffing ratios that was part of an agenda for a regular staff meeting.

It claimed the complainant needed to have put the issue in writing as required by the companys handbook to be considered a protected disclosure.

Ms McGovern told the WRC that she and other colleagues were considered a nuisance for insisting on staffing lunch cover so that the creche could comply with regulations under the Child Care Act.

She claimed staff who broke the regulations were praised but that she was not prepared to breach the ratio any longer.

Ms McGovern claimed the creche subsequently manufactured an investigation into her to punish her after a complaint was submitted by another supervisor, Verona Clarke.

However, an investigation by an external consultant concluded there was not enough evidence that Ms McGovern had engaged in any form of inappropriate, repeated actions in the treatment of her colleague.

In her ruling, Ms Byrne said it was clear that raising a concern about the child/staff ratio in a childcare setting was covered by health and safety legislation.

Ms Byrne said four incidents raised by Ms Clarke in her complaint about Ms McGovern had all occurred more than a year earlier.

She noted three of the incidents had already been the subject of an informal resolution process which had resulted in the two women being allocated to work in separate rooms due to Covid-19.

Ms Byrne said Ms Clarke was evasive and unconvincing when asked why she had complained in June 2021 about matters that had been resolved in December 2019.

The WRC official noted that Ms Clarke had intended to make her colleague suffer as she had stated in evidence that she wanted Ms McGovern to get a fright as the outcome of her complaint.

Ms Byrne said it was clear from Ms McGoverns evidence that she did not like Ms Clarke and did not rate her as a colleague.

She said the complainants attitude to her colleague was condescending and unkind and she could understand why Ms Clarke was upset by their interactions.

However, the WRC said it was apparent that the creches employees were split between those like Ms Clarke who wanted to collaborate with the owners and others like Ms McGovern who wanted to have their lunch breaks without fear or favour and with confidence that the child/staff ratio would be maintained.

Ms Byrne said she could not ignore the fact that the creche had also adversely treated two other employees who voiced concern about the staffing ratio.
Firefighters are going ahead with a nationwide strike and will give two weeks notice to local authority bosses this Friday, theSunday Independent can reveal.

Steve McFadden, chairman of the National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland (NRFA), said the countrys fire service is slowly imploding from the inside out and firefighters have been left with no option but to strike.

Talks between representatives from the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and national negotiators acting for retained firefighters broke down last Wednesday, leading to the current impasse and proposed national strike.

Mr McFadden said: This Friday, notice will be sent to the CEOs of all county councils in the country. It will be two weeks notice, which we are obliged to provide. As soon as the notice period is up, we will strike.

It will have a big impact on society, without a doubt. People only phone the fire service when they are in dire need of help.

There are currently around 3,000 firefighters nationwide. Some two-thirds of this number  over 2,000  are employed as retained rather than full-time firefighters. Retained fire service staff are paid an annual retainer to be available for call-outs, but their pay depends on the number of incidents they attend.

They are allowed to work part-time jobs to supplement their income, but do so knowing that their second job must be within 2.5km of their fire station.

Retained firefighters must also live within that same distance from the fire station they are attached to in order to respond within five minutes of being paged to report to work.

Retained firefighters are on call 24/7. They can never have a drink, can never stray too far from home, because unlike full-time firefighters, they dont work shifts, Mr McFadden said.

They have to be available constantly. Remember the Covid 2km restriction rule in 2020 when every person in Ireland couldnt travel outside of that radius? Welcome to the world of a retained firefighter. You are a prisoner in your own town.

Employers are understandably reluctant to hire retained firefighters on a part-time basis because we are firefighters first and foremost and we have to down tools when needed.

Previously, firefighters have been very, very reluctant to go on strike, but this time we are willing to do so. Every person who is a firefighter wants to be a firefighter. There is no difference between a full-time firefighter and a retained firefighter. The training is exactly the same. It costs 50,000 to train a firefighter and we are losing over 100 retained firefighters each year.

With or without a strike, the fire service is in compete crisis. Even if the strike does not go ahead as proposed, around 60pc of firefighters plan to quit the service within the next 18 months.

Mr McFadden said one of the main reason members were quitting in their droves was because it is practically impossible for retained firefighters to obtain mortgage approval because of their employment status. Another major problem was their lack of pension entitlements compared with full-timers.

Firefighters are always there to help any and every member in society in their darkest hour. Now every firefighter is calling for help but no one is listening. Retained firefighters feel so let down by government agencies and Siptu.

All firefighters want is to be firefighters. No one wants to leave the fire service, they want to serve their communities with dignity, passion and professionalism, as they have done for decades. But their commitment is no longer sustainable unless there is a full reform of how the fire service is delivered in Ireland.
Contradictory responses issued from the two departments responsible for reviewing laws on gender recognition

The two government ministers responsible for reviewing laws on gender recognition have clashed by giving contradictory responses when asked if those under 16 years of age will be permitted to legally change gender.

Heather Humphreys, the Fine Gael Social Protection Minister wrote to Fine Gael backbencher Bernard Durkan on April 27 outlining planned reforms for 16 and 17-year-olds that will mean they no longer have to go to court to get a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

In the letter, which answered questions asked of the minister by Mr Durkan on behalf of a member of the public, Ms Humphreys repeatedly emphasised that parental consent would still be required for 16 and 17-year-olds to legally change their gender when the requirement for a court exemption will no longer be necessary. She said a mediation service would be voluntarily made available in cases where both parents did not consent.

The letter noted that under-16s have no access to legal gender recognition and Ms Humphreys concluded by saying there are no plans to change the arrangements for children under 16 years.

Ms Humphreys department has jointly commissioned a report from Cambridge University Technical Services to examine the legal arrangements for gender recognition for under-16s. Minister Roderic OGormans Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is co-sponsor.

A spokesman for Mr OGorman, who has spoken of the need for a scheme of legal gender recognition for under-16s, said the research will provide practical advice on establishing mechanisms to recognise the preferred gender of children aged under 16 in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to researching arrangements for under-16s.

The research is examining mechanisms used in other countries that allow for legal recognition of the preferred gender of children under 16.

Mr OGormans spokesman said: It is expected that, when complete, the research report will provide practical advice on how to best implement gender recognition for under 16-year-olds within Ireland with reference to best practice internationally. This advice will subsequently inform consideration of how the issue might be approached in Ireland with reference to best practice internationally.

A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll last August showed 70pc of respondents believed those under 16 should not be allowed to legally change gender with parental consent. The poll showed 18pc supported such a change while 12pc were unsure.

Told of Ms Humphreys letter, Mr OGormans spokesman said both departments are in regular contact on the issue of implementing gender recognition in Ireland.

Asked why her letter seemed to rule out any change of the law for under-16s, Ms Humphreys spokeswoman said: Until such time as the research has concluded, and possible approaches are subsequently considered and agreed by government, the current approach to gender recognition remains in place. 

A number of bodies have supported calls for a scheme of legal gender recognition for under-16s including the Free Legal Advice Centres and the Ombudsman for Children.

A 2018 government appointed review group of Irelands 2015 self-ID gender laws called for a gender recognition system for any age of child where there was parental consent. That review group was chaired by Moninne Griffith, executive director of BelongTo, a support group for the LGBTQ+ youth community, and its members included Sara Phillips, then chair of Teni, a transgender support and lobby group.

There has been increased scrutiny of gender medical care and laws applying to children in recent years. An interim report last year by Dr Hilary Cass into the UKs Tavistock clinic for children found some clinicians felt pressurised to provide affirmative treatment to children and that medical or psychiatric issues of patients were overshadowed.

Stella OMalley, a psychotherapist who has co-founded Genspect, an organisation that campaigns around the world to highlight what it says are the risks associated with transitioning, said she thinks its a bad idea to allow under-16s to legally change their sex.

The formation of a persons identity happens during adolescence and this is a process that takes years, said Ms OMalley.

The involved adults need to ensure the adolescent doesnt take any consequential decisions that are difficult to change in the future. It is with good reason that we dont allow minors to marry and nor do we allow them to make any serious long-term financial decision when they are 16. This is because their brains arent fully formed, and although young people are often filled with certainty, they have little life experience and they still have a lot to learn.

We know its a bad idea to allow 12-year-olds to choose their college course and it would be equally mad to allow under-16s to change their legal documentation. It is not sensible to prematurely solidify an identity in formation as it can lead to regret in later years.

We have a mental health system that is in crisis. Many distressed young people need a good deal more care and consideration. Roderic OGormans proposal to allow under-16s to legally change their sex is simply a vacuous attempt at virtue signalling that will cause more harm than good.

Allowing under-16s to legally change their gender was supported by Fine Gaels LGBTQ+ group policy paper, ahead of the Programme for Government talks in 2020. This weekend, BelongTo said it supports the 2018 review group recommendations. It advised making the scheme for under-16s administrative with a straightforward revocation process.
SOUTH Africa's opposition, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has invited their Zimbabwean counterparts, EFF Zimbabwe for the party's 10th-year anniversary commemorations which will be held on the 26th of July in the neighbouring country.

EFF which is the third largest party in South Africa was formed on 26 July 2013.

"The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of our existence in pursuit of the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime,"

"As an international movement, we identify ourselves with other progressive nations and communities acting against racism, tribalism, colonialism, imperialism and in particular economic exclusion of Africans," reads part of EEF Zimbabwe's invitation addressed to Innocent Ndibali, the party's EEF Zimbabwe president.

Ndibali said the timing of the anniversary is significant as it coincided with the holding of elections in Zimbabwe.

The United Kingdom-based politician says he will be contesting incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the elections expected to be held between now and August 26 this year.

"I am delighted to be invited to the EFF South Africa's 26th anniversary. The invitation shows that we are a party which is recognized as well as respected in the region. We will take the opportunity to brief our colleagues on our preparedness for the forthcoming elections," said Ndibali.

EFF Zimbabwe was formed in 2016.
The Irish Times has admitted it fell victim to a deliberate and coordinated deception, apologising to readers for publishing what it believes was a part AI generated opinion article.

The 164-year-old newspaper, respected throughout its history as the paper of record has admitted it was duped by a hoax, after it last week published an online opinion piece, with the headline Irish womens obsession with fake tan is problematic.

The article, published on Thursday, suggested wearing fake tan is racist.

But shortly after it went online, public concern emerged there was a belief the article had been generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Irish Times editor Ruadhan Mac Cormaic has today published an apology and explanation to readers.

As in any 24/7 news operation, some days we do better than others. But last Thursday we got it badly wrong, it said.

Mr Mac Cormaic was installed as editor seven months ago after a lengthy journalistic career with the newspaper.

He said the Irish Times utilises its opinion section to platform thought provoking columns that inform, stimulate and lend a fresh perspective.

The newspaper has principles, Mr Mac Cormac added, that included being respectful of divergent views, and always being attentive to the needs of minorities.

The editor explained that someone purporting to be a young immigrant woman in Ireland, had contacted the newspaper making an argument that has been aired in other countries but related it to the Irish context.

He further explained that this author had been in touch with the editorial desk over several days taking suggestions for edits on board, offering personal anecdotes and supplying links to relevant research, further underlying how detailed this alleged subterfuge had been.

The newspaper had, Mr Mac Cormaic added, taken in good faith the word of the author, publishing the article online on Thursday morning.

Less than 24 hours later, the newspaper became aware the column may not have been genuine.

It acted by removing the piece from its news site and launched a review. This is still ongoing.

It now appears that the article and the accompanying byline photo may have been produced, at least in part, using generative AI technology, the editor said.

It was a hoax: the person we were corresponding with was not who they claimed to be. We had fallen for a deliberate and coordinated deception.

The newspaper was not, he added, taking the issue lightly.

The company realised this was a breach of the trust between the Irish Times and its readers, he said, adding, we are genuinely sorry.

The Irish Times has now highlighted a gap in our pre-publication procedures, the editor said.

This was something that would now be more robust, as a result.

Importantly, this incident has highlighted, one of the challenges raised by generative AI for news organisations, Mr Mac Cormaic said.

We, like others, will learn and adapt.

The newspaper vowed to keep making space for new writers, including those from under-represented communities and it would ensure high quality journalism, expected by readers.

The piece was published under the byline Adriana Acosta-Cortez, described as a 29-year-old healthcare administrator living in north Dublin.

She described herself as Latinx.

In the piece, it was suggested that when an Irish woman wears fake tan, she is wearing a costume that allows her to experience a fleeting taste of a more exotic identity, with none of the obstacles people of colour face.

By artificially darkening skin, fake tanning culture inadvertently perpetuates the fetishisation of high melanin content, without acknowledging the struggles faced by those who naturally possess it.

The piece prompted a strong online debate and reaction, and was picked up by other media outlets.
The development of four offshore wind farms is expected to create 3,000 jobs and up to 400 permanent roles, following the States first ever wind energy auction last week.

The Government announced the results of the auction on Thursday, with the four winning projects  worth an estimated 9bn  set for sites off Dublin, Wicklow and Galway.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has hailed the development as a breakthrough moment for the states clean energy ambitions, describing it as hugely positive and predicting that offshore renewables will start coming into the Irish market as soon as 2026.

The four sites must secure planning permission, but are all expected to be operational by the end of the decade.

The electricity generated from the contracts awarded under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) totals just over 3,000MW about a quarter of the countrys entire electricity needs.

The average price struck at auction was just over 86 per megawatt hour  less than half the 200 price charged on average during the energy crisis last year, and below the current wholesale price of electricity of around 120.

The Government believes as many as 3,000 jobs could be created over the next four years as the projects are deployed, with a further 100 jobs at each of the four facilities.

A further auction to develop a wind farm along the south coast is expected to open at the end of the year with the intention of securing one or two wind farms that would generate 900MW of electricity.

Earlier this month Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney announced plans to develop an industrial strategy for offshore wind to maximise the economic benefits to the State.

Coveney previously told the Sunday Independentthat wind could do more for the State than oil has for Norway.

Oil is a hugely valuable power source, but its not the future, he said.

A Government source said the states industrial wind strategy will make people more likely to want to invest in Ireland.
Law Society carried out investigation into complaints of poor service

Cllr Ed O'Brien said mental health issues coupled with his public and professional roles had 'overwhelmed him'. Photo: Ben Ryan   Ben Ryan

A recent Fianna Fail lord mayor of South Dublin County Council has been suspended from practising as a solicitor by the High Court following a Law Society application.

Ed OBrien, a serving councillor who was South Dublin mayor from June 2020 to June 2021, was suspended by order of Judge David Barniville last Monday following a Law Society investigation into complaints of poor service.

Mr OBrien had run Edward J OBrien solicitors in Lucan, Co Dublin, since 2009. A number of clients complained he had failed to assist them with their legal cases over a number of years.

He said mental health issues coupled with his roles as both a solicitor and public representative had overwhelmed him.

A family member of two elderly clients told the Sunday Independentthey had been unable to get their house registered in their names despite OBriens repeated assurances, before he eventually stopped responding to queries.

Two years of promising clients that their legal work would be dealt with and not being contactable at all while parading around with your political party is not good enough, the relative said.

[We] tried to contact his office numerous times and received no response other than he would get the work done. Its a slap in our faces to see him being photographed, on the radio and speaking to the papers about his Fianna Fail escapades while completely ignoring his clients.

The order allows the Law Society to take up the remaining files of OBriens former practice. It suspends him from practising as a solicitor until he has complied with his obligations to file closing accounts from November 30, 2020. He must also co-operate with the investigating accountant and correspond with the Compensation Fund Committee to allow it deal with claims against his practice.

The order said no bank can make a payment from OBriens firm without its leave and he must deliver up all records and monies retained by his former firm. He must also pay 4,754 for the societys costs.

According to his LinkedIn profile, OBrien joined Gibson & Associates in July 2021 as a consultant solicitor but a spokesman said he no longer worked there: Mr OBrien worked with us in an independent capacity as a consultant solicitor for a short period of time, which was terminated in May 2022, a Gibson & Associates spokesman said.

For clarity, we did not acquire Mr OBriens practice, nor any of his files, nor any of his clients. Subsequently, we have assisted some of his clients/ex-clients who sought our help and guidance to resolve issues which arose for them.

Speaking to the Sunday IndependentOBrien said his practice suffered due to his mental health issues: Being in practice by yourself and being in public life is probably not something that goes hand in hand, he said.

I thought I could manage, but ultimately it all caught up on me. It overwhelmed me to a point that things that seem pretty simple like picking up the phone to people who were trying to contact me was not manageable.

His mental health problems led him to close his legal firm.

I spent the last year trying to get back on my feet and Im just about managing now, he said. During that period, there were a reasonably small number of matters which were not live but required finishing touches.

Clients were unable to get in touch with me because of my situation.

They [the Law Society] have been furnished with correspondence from my GP explaining that Ive been under his care. Obviously, the practice needed to be wound down properly. So I had no issue with the Law Society stepping in.

OBrien said because he did not intend to practise law again he did not contest the suspension.

He said he had missed a number of council meetings because of his mental health problems in the last year and said it was very unlikely he would stand for election again.

Fianna Fail was understood not to be aware of the Law Society investigation into OBrien. It declined to comment.
Being dead is no longer any defence. These days, historical figures are constantly being dug up, metaphorically speaking, and hauled into the dock of public opinion, there to be judged and found wanting for the crime of not being as virtuous as us.
Leo Varadkar loves giving interviews. Last week he should have been down in the dumps. The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinkspoll had delivered another blow to his ego. Fine Gael had lost two points to 20pc, ominously one point below its disastrous 21pc figure at the 2020 general election.
The Dail and the European Commission had been warned by deputy Gay Mitchell that Irish criminals were going to the Czech Republic and other EU countries for firearms training. Somehow it seemed a bit fanciful. But when my wife and I visited Prague, we found that such training was readily available to anyone, including the criminals the deputy had warned about.
Election candidates sharing sectarian content, keep Irish out signs, flags commemorating loyalist paramilitary boss, offensive singing and school segregation... the list goes on and on.

Will sectarianism ever go away? Can it get better or are we just stuck with it?

The BelTel host Ciaran Dunbar is joined by political journalist Aoife-Grace Moore and political activist Richard Garland.
The new layout as proposed by Cllr Gearoid Murphy is above - the existing layout below.

How will Macroom fare if the local political landscape is transformed according to the vision set out by Cllr Gearoid Murphy in his submission to The Electoral Commission?

AFTER decades of little or no change locally, the next General Election seems set to produce an unprecedented result locally.

A quick perusal of the submissions made by local politicians to the regarding Cork North West, where the town of Macroom currently resides, sees some persuasive arguments being made for Macroom being moved out of Cork North West which, some Fianna Fail councillors are contend that Cork North should be created as its own constituency, uniting towns like Charleville, Mallow, Kanturk, Newmarket, Mitchelstown and Fermoy.

Cllr Gearoid Murphy is based in Mallow and he wants to see the creation of Cork North and this would see Macroom become part of a new Cork West constituency.

The Boggeragh and the Derrynasagart Mountains (southeast and southwest of Millstreet) provide a clear natural barrier between the proposed Cork North and Cork West, writes Cllr Murphy in his submission.

These mountain ranges are ignored by the existing arrangement.

Similarly, the Nagles Mountains (south east of Mallow) coincide with the proposed boundaries between Cork North, Cork East and Cork North Central with the triconstituency point located in these mountains.

In Cllr Murphys proposed layout, Cork would have 20 seats in total - 5 for Cork North Central and Cork South Central, four for Cork West and three each for Cork East and Cork North.

The shifting of Macroom into Cork West could spell trouble for Aindrias Moynihan and whoever is to come in the wake of the departing Fine Gael TD, Michael Creed, as now they would be pitted in pitch battle for four seats in Cork West with the likes of Holly Cairns, Michael Collins and Christopher OSullivan.

What would this mean for Macroom and its hinterland? It could mean a lack of representation at the highest level - which, to be fair, the town has enjoyed a generous share of for the past several years due to the existing layout.

Its surprising, to say the least, that people from Macroom and its surrounds, not least of them being local councillors who might have further aspirations, are not included in the submissions to the Electoral Commission that Ive seen.

Thats not to say the views of local political people havent been considered by the main parties but it wasnt immediately clear in the submissions Ive seen.

So are the people of Macroom and the surrounding area going to be happy with this new arrangement if it comes to pass?

We will know in August what the results of the current submission process is and nothing is written in stone yet.

However the notion that Cork North West as the never changing constituency is well and truly on the way out.

Its time to get ready for the transformation of the local political landscape and speak up now before its too late!
A ZIMBABWE Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer has been sentenced to four years imprisonment following his conviction on two counts of corruption.

Anyway Ndalema (32), a ZIMRA seals officer at Chirundu One Stop Border Post, was facing criminal abuse of office and bribery charges when he appeared before Karoi Magistrate Moreblessing Makati, who conditionally suspended one year of the jail term.

Ndalema will serve an effective three years behind bars.

District public prosecutor, Reginald Chavora had earlier pleaded with the court to pass a harsh sentence on Ndalema as corruption had become cancerous and should be viewed with abhorrence.

"Corruption is a dangerous and insidious evil in any country depriving it of good, fair and orderly administration," Chavora submitted.

The State case was that on February 11, 2022, Abraham Mutakwa was driving a Freightliner horse towing a tanker which, according to ZIMRA bill of entry number 54361, was loaded with 39 600 litres of diesel from Beira, Mozambique en route to Lusaka, Zambia.

On the same date at around 1430 hours, Mutakwa contacted the accused person on his mobile phone and asked if he could facilitate passage of his truck since it was now loaded with water instead of fuel.

Ndalema demanded and was given US$2 100 to facilitate passage of the vehicle without it being subjected to physical examination.

The accused person who was not on duty instructed the trucker to proceed to the Zambian side acquittal desk without a physical examination of his vehicle but was unluckily referred back to have it inspected.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs Corruption By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mutakwa then parked the Freightliner at ZIMRA bay.

Court heard that from then on Ndalema became evasive forcing Mutakwa to spend days at the border.

The two coincidentally bumped into each other at Off-road Shop at Chirundu, where Ndalema further demanded and was given US$500 saying he had sorted all glitches preventing easy passage of Mutakwa's truck.

Ndalema, who was now on duty, instructed Mutakwa to proceed, but his luck ran out again when he was intercepted by another ZIMRA official who insisted on having the vehicle inspected.

The truck was examined and discovered it was loaded with water instead of diesel, leading to the driver's arrest.

Upon interrogation at Chirundu Police Station, Mutakwa disclosed he had given Ndalema US$2 600 to facilitate passage of the truck without going through a physical examination.

Police stormed Ndalema's house where US$1 900 of the bribe money was recovered, leading to his arrest.
AN entrepreneur from County Wexford is taking the Sydney hospitality sector by storm having taken over sole ownership of two of the city's most iconic venues within its historic district.

Ciara Doran, from Bunclody, has become the sole owner of The Doss House and Frank Mac's, which are among the most renowned venues in Sydney.

Doran, who co-founded the venues with business partners five years ago, and one year ago respectively, has completed a buyout of the properties under Heritage House Co. establishing it as one of Australias few female-led hospitality groups.

The groups name stems from Ciaras passion for restoring and reviving heritage Sydney buildings, something she has done with The Doss House and Frank Macs.

The Doss House, is a cosy whiskey bar located in a 170-year-old sandstone basement. Its gained a reputation as one of Sydneys best hidden gems, offering a vast selection of whiskeys from Ireland and around the world. Meanwhile, Frank Macs, located on the ground floor of the same building, is a lively cocktail bar, with modern Irish charm.

Doran has been a driving force behind the success of the venues, which have become fixtures in Sydneys bar and restaurant scene. With a background in hospitality and a passion for Irish culture and arts, she has brought a unique touch to the venues, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance that appeals to both locals and visitors.

Commenting on the take-over of the venues, Doran said they reflect her own heritage as well as being businesses.

"Im thrilled to take full ownership of The Doss House and Frank Macs, she said.

These venues are not just businesses to me, theyre a reflection of my heritage and love of hospitality, she added.

Im excited to build on their success and continue to create memorable experiences for our customers."

The buyout comes at a time of growth for the venues, which have weathered the challenges of the pandemic and emerged stronger than ever.

Now, with Doran at the helm, they are poised for further expansion and innovation in coming years.

Were proud of what weve achieved so far, and we remain committed to furthering our growth in a direction that centres on preserving and promoting Irish culture and heritage, said Doran.

We have big plans for the future and cant wait to share them with our customers and the wider community," she added.
Simon Pegg says he makes fun of Tom Cruise for being so famous (Amanda Benson/BBC/PA)

Simon Pegg says he makes fun of Tom Cruise for being so famous, but is careful not to abuse the privileged access he has to the Hollywood star.

The British actor and comedian said the two shared an easy relationship that was simple and amiable.

Pegg is known for his cult sitcom Spaced, as well as his Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy, which includes Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End.

He has also starred in major blockbusters including the Mission Impossible franchise alongside Cruise.

Pegg is known for his cult sitcom Spaced, as well as his Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy (Ian West/PA)   Ian West

Speaking to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Pegg said Cruise often appreciated the ridiculousness of his immense fame.

Its always been a very easy relationship. I think you realise when you meet the person rather than the thicket of mythology thats built up around them its a different experience, he said.

I mean, he loves (the fame) and he really relishes it, its all he knows. It energises him and spurs him on.

He added: I dont think I would appreciate that particularly. I find that very stressful and overwhelming and I would maybe want to sort of retreat, Im happy with where I am.

We joke about it. I mean I always make fun of him for it, you know, about the things that he can access.

The actor has also starred in major blockbusters including the Mission Impossible franchise alongside Tom Cruise (PA)   Ian West

Pegg recalled an incident while filming in South Africa, when Cruise had flown him in a helicopter to a seaside location so he could swim with sharks, describing it as a real Tom Cruise kind of day.

He kind of appreciates the ridiculousness of it sometimes, he said.

But Pegg added that he did not like to question Cruise on things such as his personal life or beliefs.

I dont ask him about stuff like that because I feel that would be me abusing my privileged access that I get to him, Pegg said.

My relationship with him is just very simple and amiable. Were friends.

Tom Cruise (Ian West/PA)   Ian West

Pegg also discussed his childhood, early career as a comedian and struggles with depression, even while at the height of his Hollywood success in 2006.

On his alcohol abuse he said: You become very sneaky when you have something like that in your life.

You learn how to do it without anyone noticing because it takes over. It wants to sustain itself and it will do everything it can to not be stopped.

But eventually it just gets to a point when it cant be hidden, and thats when, thankfully, I was able to pull out the dive.

Pegg, 52, said recently he would work till he dropped.

Im really happy when Im working, he said.

Simon Pegg (Ian West/PA)   Ian West

Sometimes its difficult because it takes you away from home, and I do miss my family when Im away.

Thats something Ive had to kind of learn how to cope with.

He added that he was happiest when he was at home with his family.

Were all on different devices. Dogs are asleep. Thats when Im happiest, he said.

Desert Island Discs airs on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4 at 11.15am on Sunday.
Image: Pixabay

She secured the first rank in the Science stream.

Affifa, a 4th standard student, has made her institute proud with her hard work and dedication. In a statement issued by BEI, it was highlighted that Affifas success is a testament to her perseverance and efforts, reports ANI.

BEI Chairman Manzoor Wangnoo congratulated Affifa on her remarkable achievement and acknowledged the support of her parents, teachers, and principal. He also mentioned that Affifas accomplishment would serve as an inspiration to other students of the institute and a reminder that hard work and dedication always pay off.

Affifas success is a proud moment for BEI, and it is committed to providing the best education to its students to help them achieve their dreams and aspirations, said Wangnoo.
Bengaluru: The Congress on Saturday swept the Karnataka assembly polls by winning 136 seats, securing the highest-ever vote share of 42.9% in the annals of Karnataka politics.

In the 224-seat Assembly, the ruling BJP got only 65 seats as it lost hold over the only state in South India where it was in power.

Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda's JDS, which had hoped to emerge as the kingmaker in case of a hung verdict, had to be satisfied with 19 seats, while others got one seat.

The BJP secured 36% vote share and JDS 13.3%, occupying the second and third positions respectively.

In the 2018 Karnataka elections, Congress had bagged 80 seats, standing second with a vote share of 38.14%, an improvement from 36.6% in the 2013 election when the party won 122 seats.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah won from Varuna, the legacy seat of the Congress, by outsmarting BJP's V Somanna by 46,006 votes, in his seventh appearance in Karnataka polls.

DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress President, and powerful Vokkaliga man, won with a commanding majority of 1,21,595 votes, continuing to retain the constituency which has been electing him since 1989.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had carried out a gruelling campaign for his party, congratulated the Congress for its win.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the people of Karnataka and party leaders, and said, "This is the victory of Karnataka".

In a veiled attack on the BJP, the former Congress chief said, "In Karnataka elections, on one side was the power of 'crony capitalists', while on the other side was the strength of the people. The strength of the poor has defeated the power of the capitalists."

Anti-incumbency was written all over BJP's electoral fortunes with as many as 14 ministers tasting defeat in the hustings.

The list of defeated ministers includes B Sriramulu from Ballari, JC Madhuswamy from Chikkanayakanahalli, Govinda Karajol from Mudhol, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar from Chikkaballapur, MTB Nagaraj from Hoskote, BC Patil from Hirekerur, Murugesh Nirani from Beelagi, KC Narayangowda from KR Pete, BC Nagesh from Tiptur, Shankar Patil from Navalgund, Halappa Achar, R Asok from Kanakapura and Narayan Gowda

Housing Infrastructure Development Minister V Sommanna was routed in both Varuna and Chamrajnagar seats.

However, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai won by a huge margin from the Shiggaon constituency.

Ministers who won the election include - Araga Jnanendra from Thirthahalli, CC Patil from Navalgund, Prabhu Chauhan from Aurad, ST Somashekar from Yeshwanthpur, Byrati Basavaraj from KR Puram, Gopalaiah from Mahalakshmi layout, Shashikala Jolle from Nippani, Sunil Kumar from Karkala, Munirathna from Rajrajeshwari Nagar and Shivaram Hebbar from Yellapur.

In an apparent turnaround, the defeat of 38 out of 68 Lingayat BJP candidates signified a major shift in Kittur Karnataka's loyalty.

This dismal show comes despite a last-ditch effort by the BJP to woo the community by hiking its reservation through the distribution of 2 percent quota by cancelling the Muslim quota under the OBC category.

The ire of Lingayats against BJP might have started after the saffron party asked their strongman BS Yediyurappa to step down from the chief minister's post.

Though Yediyurappa was replaced by another Lingayat leader Basvaraj Bommai as chief minister, it failed to pacify the community as numbers suggest.

To the dismay of the BJP yet again, the Lingayat factor came to the fore for discussion when the BJP denied tickets to their heavyweight leaders including Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi.

Soon after the desertion of these strong Lingayat leaders to the Congress, Yediyurappa initially claimed that it would hit the electoral prospects of the BJP in the runup to the election, but later clarified that the community is backing the saffron party despite their losses.

A major question haunting political pundits now is whether this result reflects the reconciliation of the Lingayats with the Congress.

At this point in time, it is difficult to get an appropriate answer, but political circles feel more than the Congress attracting the community, it is the indiscretion of the BJP that might have weaned away the community vote from the saffron party.

This win for the Congress is a major boost in the runup to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

A battered and mauled BJP can draw inspiration from the way it bounced back in the 2019 Lok Sabha election with big numbers, despite losing Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.

With the Congress set to form the government, the party will now have to choose between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, which has the potential of souring the grand old party's victory celebrations, as both have been vocal about their desire to become chief minister.
Image credit: UNI

Srinagar/IBNS: A gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir s Anantnag district on Sunday morning, police said.

The encounter erupted in the Andwan Sagam area of the Anantnag district.

Police and security forces are on the job, a police spokesman said, adding further details are emerging.

#Encounter has started at Andwan Sagam area of #Anantnag. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 14, 2023

In the early hours of Saturday, Indian Army troops foiled an infiltration bid in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the quadcopter flown by Pakistan to withdraw.


Image credit: Social media

Ahmedabad/IBNS: The body of Indian student Ayush Dankhara, found dead in Canada's Toronto , where he was studying, arrived in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Saturday. This is the second such mysterious death in less than a month.

A native of Bhavnagar, Ayusha, 23, had gone missing on May 5 and his body was found two days later below a bridge in Toronto.

Ayush, the son of Ramesh Dankhara, a DSP with Gujarat Police, is the second student studying at York University in Toronto to have died under suspicious circumstances.

Earlier, another Gujarati student named Harsh Patel was found dead on April 16.

Naran Dankhara, Ayush's uncle, told TOI that he had completed his Class XII studies from Gandhinagar and enrolled at York University for a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science.

He was living in a shared apartment in Toronto and did not return home on May 5.

After several failed attempts to search him, a missing complaint was lodged which led to the police finding his body on May 7.

His father flew to Canada to complete the procedures and bring his mortal remains back to Ahmedabad for the last rites.

Both Ayush and Harsh were on the verge of completing their studies at York University. Harsh was enrolled in management studies.

In a strange connection, both bodies were found near water bodies. Harsh's body was found in a lake in the city.

Both had been missing for over a day and in both cases, their cellphones were not found with their bodies.

The strange similarities in both cases have forced the police to rule out the suicide angle.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Imphal/IBNS: In two separate incidents in Manipurs Senapati and Churachandapur districts on Saturday, Assam Rifle and Indian Army patrol troops were attacked.

An armed group of unidentified men fired at Assam Rifles personnel while conducting area domination patrol on Saturday at Sipijang village in Senapati district.

The Assam Rifles troops were patrolling close to a jungle when the assailants attacked them at around 11:25 am.

As soon as the Assam Rifles retaliated, the unidentified attackers ran away and the two rifles and ammunition were recovered.

In another incident, a joint Army and Assam Rifles domination patrol was fired at in Churachandapur districts Lailampat village by some unknown persons.

The incident happened around 12:45 pm in a forest area. Two Assam Rifles personnel sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated.

The troops made retaliatory firing and the operation was in progress when the army issued this statement.

Life in the violence-hit northeastern state continued to limp back to normal elsewhere with curfew being relaxed in 11 districts.

People sheltered in temporary camps also started returning home, a defence official said.

The Army is undertaking surveillance of areas not only in the hinterland but also along the India-Myanmar Border.

After the 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3 in the 10 hill districts of the northeastern state, violent clashes erupted as a response to the protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Prior to the clashes, tensions had escalated due to the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, resulting in a series of smaller protests and agitations.

The Meiteis, comprising approximately 53 percent of Manipur's population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley. The hill districts are predominantly inhabited by the tribal communitiesNagas and Kukisconstituting around 40 percent of the state's population.

The army also urged people not to fall for malicious attempts to disturb harmony through manipulated interpretation or misrepresentation of facts as inimical elements may once again attempt to spread malicious unverified content.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners across the country.

The prisoners who were granted amnesty include terminally ill female prisoners and juveniles who are not serving specified offences.

Those to be released would have served one-third of their sentences by April 18 2023 while those who remain behind bars are convicts serving time for violence-related offences.

This was revealed in a Statutory Instrument of an Extraordinary Government Gazette published earlier this week by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in terms of the Constitution.

Reads the notice: "Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all those inmates serving for specified offences provided the inmate would have served three quarters (3/4) of the sentence after the usual one-third (1/3) remission by 18th April 2023. Inmates serving for public violence, robbery, treason, the Electricity Act, Postal and Telecommunications Act and Public Order and Security Act/ Maintenance of Peace and Order Act are excluded.

"Full remission of the remaining period is hereby granted to all those inmates who would have served life imprisonment for at least twenty (20) years. This includes (a) inmates sentenced to life imprisonment; (b) inmates whose sentences were commuted from death to life imprisonment. In this case, the period of 20 years will include the period when the inmate was serving as a Prisoner under sentence of death; (e) inmates whose sentences were altered to life imprisonment on appeal or review."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Commutation of the death sentence to life imprisonment was granted to all inmates who have been on death row for ten years and above.

Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment was also granted to all inmates who are certified by a correctional medical officer or a Government medical officer to be blind, and those who are physically challenged to the extent that they cannot be catered for in a prison or correctional environment regardless of offence committed.

An additional one-quarter remission of the effective term of imprisonment to those prisoners who were sentenced to more than 48 months and who would have served at least one-third of the sentence.

This category is not meant to benefit inmates serving sentences for specified offences.

The notice also says full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment has been granted for all prisoners aged 60 years and above, and who would have served one-tenth (1/10) of their sentence by 18th April 2023 regardless of offence committed and save for those sentenced to life imprisonment, death and those convicted for public violence.

"Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all those inmates serving for specified offences provided the inmate would have served three quarters (3/4) of the sentence after the usual one-third remission by 18th April 2023. Inmates serving for public violence, robbery, treason, Electricity Act, Postal and Telecommunications Act and Public Order and Security Act/ Maintenance of Peace and Order Act are excluded," reads the notice.
Image: S Jaishankar Twitter page

New Delhi/Stockholm: Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Stockholm on his first visit as Foreign Minister, on Sunday held talks with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom and Defence Minister Pal Jonson.

On his talks with his Swedish counterpart, the EAM said the two discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation as well as exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, the European strategic situation following the Ukraine conflict and de-risking the global economy.

Wide ranging discussions with FM @TobiasBillstrom as India and Sweden mark 75 years of diplomatic ties," he tweeted.

Good to meet Defence Minister Pal Jonson of Sweden.



Useful exchange of views on regional and global security. pic.twitter.com/XxuynzE95Z  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 14, 2023

Committed to taking bilateral cooperation to a higher level. Exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, European strategic situation and de-risking the global economy," he said.

He also met Defence Minister Pal Jonson during which they exchanged views on regional and global security.

Good to meet Defence Minister Pal Jonson of Sweden.

Useful exchange of views on regional and global security.

Jaishankar's visit, from May 13-15, is his first visit as EAM and it comes at a time when India and Sweden are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

On Friday, EAM participated in the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF), and held bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers of several countries on the sidelines.

He is to also participate in the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum (India, Europe and US) with his Swedish counterpart.

(With UNI inputs)
Moreh: Around 124 displaced civilians safely returned to their homes on Sunday in Moreh from the Indo-Myanmar Border where they took refuge amidst the violence that erupted in Manipur in the first week of May.

Moreh is a town located on the IndiaMyanmar border in Manipur's Tengnoupal district.

Security situation in Manipur in the first week of May had led to some Indians seeking refuge to safer areas along. Assam Rifles, in collaboration with state government agencies & local opinion makers, successfully facilitated safe return of, stated defence sources.

The effort, supported by local community leaders, marks a significant step towards normalcy and hope in the region, as the affected individuals now have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and foster inter-community harmony, sources added.

The Assam Rifles played a vital role in ensuring the safe repatriation of these displaced individuals. Security forces provided essential relief aid such as food, shelter, and medical assistance, while also ensuring their security and providing a safe escort.

The incident, one amongst many, highlights the readiness of the people to leave behind past discord and embrace a fresh start for a peaceful and prosperous future, the sources stated.

Return of displaced people to Moreh is a positive sign of healing and progress. This achievement instills optimism that the region will continue to move forward on the path of lasting peace and prosperity, allowing families to reunite and communities to rebuild, the statement read.

Life in the violence-hit northeastern state continued to limp back to normal elsewhere with curfew being relaxed in 11 districts.

People sheltered in temporary camps also started returning home, a defence official said.

The Army is undertaking surveillance of areas not only in the hinterland but also along the India-Myanmar Border.

After the 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3 in the 10 hill districts of the northeastern state, violent clashes erupted as a response to the protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Prior to the clashes, tensions had escalated due to the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, resulting in a series of smaller protests and agitations.

The Meiteis, comprising approximately 53 percent of Manipur's population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley. The hill districts are predominantly inhabited by the tribal communitiesNagas and Kukisconstituting around 40 percent of the state's population.

The army also urged people not to fall for malicious attempts to disturb harmony through manipulated interpretation or misrepresentation of facts as inimical elements may once again attempt to spread malicious unverified content.
Image: UNI

Srinagar: Security forces on Sunday busted a militant hideout near the site of an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district, officials said.

They said there was a brief exchange of fire earlier at Andwan Sagam area of Anantnag and no fresh contact with militants was established during the day.

The gun battle erupted at Andwan Sagam area of Anantnag early morning following a tip off regarding the presence of militants in the area.

As the security forces approached the suspected area, the hiding militants fired upon them and the fire was effectively retaliated, a security official said.

However, he said after the initial fight there was a lull and no fresh contact was established with the militants so far.

Security forces later busted a hideout near the site of the encounter and recovered some arms and ammunition, blankets and eatables, he said.

The security forces have expanded search operations to other nearby forest areas.

Police and security forces are on the job, a police spokesman said, adding further details are emerging.

(With UNI inputs)
UNI

Kyiv: Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, as well as the region of Kharkiv, late on Saturday night, Ukrainian media report.

On Saturday evening, an air raid warning was issued in Kiev; air raid sirens sounded throughout Ukraine, according to air raid data from the countrys Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Ukrainian news website Strana.ua said citing local authorities that explosions were heard in Kiev and Kharkiv Region late on Saturday night. The TSN TV channel also reported about sounds of blasts in Kharkiv.

Ternopil regional authorities said on social media that explosions were heard in the city and the region on Saturday evening.

Precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure have been carried out by Russia since October 10 (two days after the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge).

In February, the head of Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo said that direct damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused by Russian strikes may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, with economic losses ranging in billions.

(With UNI inputs)
Image Credit: Twitter/Mohsin Naqvi

Lahore/IBNS: The caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has established a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) to investigate the recent vandalism and arson at Corps Commander Residence, also known as Jinnah House.

The IG of Punjab provided updates on the state of peace and security during a review meeting chaired by Naqvi, after which the caretaker CM formed a JIT to investigate the incidents at Jinnah House and other government-owned buildings such as the General Headquarters (GHQ), reported by ARY News on Saturday.

The JIT has been tasked with investigating the incidents and submitting a comprehensive report to the government.

Geo-fencing will be implemented in all areas affected by vandalism and arson. According to ARY News, the individuals involved in the violent activities, including the siege, looting, and destruction of Jinnah House and GHQ, have been identified through CCTV footage, reported ANI.

Cases have been filed against those who used weapons such as guns, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs under the Anti-Terrorism Act by the FIA.

More individuals have been apprehended and will be prosecuted for damaging properties in other locations.

The caretaker CM has instructed authorities to intensify efforts to prosecute all criminals, with all trials taking place in ATCs.

The Prosecution Department has been instructed to ensure that all trials are completed promptly.

Naqvi has stated that no innocent person will be detained, and no criminal will be spared.

Those who attack military buildings and Jinnah House will not escape the law, and all offenders will be brought to court with evidence and proof, expressed Naqvi.

The chief minister has also emphasized that there will be no tolerance for criminal activity, and force will be used to prevent criminal groups' nefarious plans.

It is noteworthy that following the arrest of Imran Khan, the chief of the PTI party, from the Islamabad High Court, a large mob of PTI supporters conducted violent protests across Pakistan.

The mob entered the Residence of Commander Corps Residence and GHQ hours after Khan's detention. Khan has since been released and has returned home.

The episode has shifted the focus of the upcoming Punjab polls entirely to Khan's arrest, unrest across the country, and demands for his release.
Image: pixabay

The Pakistani police have thwarted an attempted attack on Chinese workers in Karachi city, media reports said.

Two militants described by police as terrorists attacked a boatyard owned by a Chinese company on Wednesday morning, according to the Pakistani division of Arab News as quoted by South China Morning Post.

Two terrorists tried to kill the Chinese at Dawood Jetty. After an exchange of firing, one terrorist was killed while the other managed to escape, a police statement said, adding that Constable Akram Ali also suffered a bullet wound in the shoot-out, reported Dawn News.

Senior Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official Raja Umer Khattab, who visited the spot, told Dawn that Chinese workers were involved in repair work of ships at the jetty.

He said there was a drain near the sea from where one armed assailant attempted to enter and target Chinese workers, but he was spotted by a policeman who opened fire on him.

He, however, clarified that it was a not a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Representative image/ credit: Unsplash

British Columbia/IBNS: Two students died after being struck by a vehicle that veered onto the sidewalk at the University of British Columbia in Canada , media reports said Sunday.

The Vancouver Fire Department and Emergency Health Services were also called to the scene of the accident where the two pedestrians were pronounced dead.

As per the preliminary investigation, the driver of the vehicle veered off the side of the road and hit the two pedestrians walking on the sidewalk- one an 18-year-old male and the other an 18-year-old female.

The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old male, was arrested at the scene and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

According to the police, he was released later and is expected to appear in court.

"It is difficult to comprehend and express the enormity of the loss of these two bright and promising young adults," UBC president Santa Ono said in a statement.

"On behalf of the university, I wish to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and loved ones. Our community mourns with you," Ono said.
Today in History: May 15th is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 231 days remaining until the end of the year.

There are several notable events that happened on May 15 throughout history, and that's why it's an important day in Indian and world history.



What Happened this Day in India History Events | Unsplash

If you're wondering to know about what happened today in History? Then you're in the right place. On this day, there are several notable events that have occurred throughout Indian and world history.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the important things that happened all around the world on May 15. Take a look:

Today in History: What Happened This Day in India History Events

International Day of the Family 2023- May 15

International Day of the Family is celebrated annually on May 15 to raise awareness about the importance of families and the role they play in promoting social cohesion, solidarity, and well-being.

2005 - After 20 yrs Air India flies to Canada

After the bombing of its passenger airliner Kanishka, Air India started its service after 20 years from Toronto to India from May 15, 2005, fulfilling a long-standing demand of Indians living in Canada.

The new Boeing 777 Air India aircraft will land at the Toronto''s Pearson International Airport on May 15 evening with special guests Trilochan Singh, Chairman, of the Minorities Commission and parliamentarians M S Gill, Rita Sodhi and Balwant Singh Ramuwalia.

What happened in World History on May 15

1940 - The first McDonald's fast-food restaurant opens

On May 15, McDonalds opened its first restaurant in the world  in San Bernardino, California. The modest hamburger restaurant opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald was a far cry from the global behemoth that the fast food chain is today.

1718- The world's first machine gun is patented

On May 15, James Puckle patents the world's first machine gun.

1937 - Madeleine Albright, Americas first female secretary of state, is born

Madeleine Albright, Americas first female secretary of state, is born Marie Jana Korbelova on May 15, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic).

What Happened this Day in India History Events.

Todays Highlight in History:

- On May 15, 1948, hours after declaring its independence, the new state of Israel was attacked by Transjordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

- In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act establishing the Department of Agriculture.

- In 1928, the Walt Disney cartoon character Mickey Mouse made his debut in the silent animated short Plane Crazy.

- In 1988, USSR begins withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan.

What Happened this Day in India History Events

Also on this day:

In addition to these historical events on May 15 events, there is also the birthday and death of several notable individuals that you must know about.

Famous People's Birthday on May 15

1817  Debendranath Tagore, Indian philosopher, religious reformer, and father of Rabindranath Tagore, was born.

1907 - Sukhdev Thapar, an Indian activist, was born.

1923 - Indian comedian Johnny Walker was born in 1923.

1967  Madhuri Dixit, an Indian film actress, was born.

Famous People's Death Anniversary on May 15

1933 - India's' First Army Commander in Chief Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa passed away.



List of important days in May 2023

List of Important Days in May 2023 May 2023 Important Dates Important Days in May 1 May International Labour Day 1 May Maharashtra Day 1 May Gujarat Day 1 May World Laughter Day 3 May Press Freedom Day 3 May World Asthma Day 4 May Coal Miners Day 4 May International Firefighters Day 6 May International No Diet Day 7 May World Athletics Day 8 May World Red Cross Day 8 May World Thalassaemia Day 9 May Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 11 May National Technology Day 12 May International Nurses Day 14 May Mothers Day 15 May International Day of Families 17 May World Telecommunication Day 17 May World Hypertension Day 18 May World AIDS Vaccine Day 18 May International Museum Day 20 May National Endangered Species Day 21 May National Anit-Terrorism Day 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity 31 May Anti-Tobacco Day





Month-wise Important Days List 2023

Important Days and Dates List 2023 January February March April May June July August September October November December

This was all about the interesting and intriguing events that occurred on May 8! For more such informative content, keep following Indiatimes.


A socio-political group under the aegis Oduduwa Frontiers, has condemned the undue interference in the selection process of leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some forces.

Stating that lawmakers should be allowed to elect their officers, Kolawale Adediji Kazeem, the groups national president in a statement on Saturday, disclosed that there should an open contest for members to exercise their democratic rights.

According to him, any attempt to force presiding officers on lawmakers would paint the incoming administration as despotic and undemocratic regime.

Kazeem furthered that the APC should not repeat what transpired in the Eighth Assembly when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, against the wish of the Party.

The Odudwa Frontiers has observed the manifestation of a grand plot to paint a dark picture of the incoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and by implication the entire Yoruba nation by introducing a new deliberate twist in the leadership tussle for the National Assembly.

This calculated design to give the incoming Asiwaju administration a bad name even before it takes off, is without doubt, part of the disturbances that have been created since the emergence of a South Western presidency.

In particular, the despotic move to zone the National Assembly leadership positions to suit certain vested interests with false love for the President-elect only aims to set a dangerous foundation of distrust and suspicion as traps to undermine the incoming administration.

Everyone knows the democratic antecedents of Asiwaju and his unbending commitment to democratic principles of fair-play and the right of choice.

Instances abound where Asiwaju insisted on democratic participatory processes even at the expense of his own personal interest.

In the buildup to the formation of the Eighth Assembly in 2015, Asiwaju jettisoned his personal political interest and insisted on a democratic process involving election by the duly elected members.

And just recently, even though well-deserved, Asiwaju turned down every opportunity to be anointed as sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the presidential election and instead, insisted on democratic primaries.

It would, therefore, be misplaced to believe that a man with such high commitment to democratic processes would be involved in such unconstitutional actions.

READ ALSO: 10th NASS: VP-Elect, Shettima Begs Aspirants To Step Down For Abbas, Kalu

We, therefore, join the Southern Governors Forum and other concerned Nigerians in calling on the National Working Committee of the APC to follow the path of honour and justice by reversing the unsolicited, unpopular zoning proposal and allow democracy and its tenets to thrive.

We also call on the President-elect to interrogate this skewed arrangement and give direction that reflects our collective commitment to equality, fairness, and inclusivity as basis for participatory democracy.

As stakeholders in the affairs of the Southwest and Nigeria generally, we hereby corroborate the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forums views and adopt all the issues raised which are very sensitive, not only to the president-elect and the APC, but also to the corporate existence of the country.

We warn the president-elect not to wave aside the views of the Southern Governors Forum and majority of his genuine lovers in other regions, in order to avoid falling into the traps laid to set him up against other sections of the country and damage the image of his administration even before it takes off.

We hereby state our strong position that the manner in which the party leadership directly meddled in the affairs of the legislative arm of government, which is an independent body, amounts to an infringement on the constitutionally guaranteed legislative independence and autonomy.

We warn that the APC cannot afford to make the mistake of allowing the repeat of what transpired in the Eighth Assembly when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

On a final note, we call on the APC to replay its exemplary leadership of allowing open contest and level ground for the party primaries that paved way for the emergence of the Asiwaju as its presidential candidate.

It is, therefore, expedient for the APC to allow open contest for all interested candidates irrespective of region or geopolitical zone and allow the members of the National Assembly to vote for their leaders, he said.
No fewer than 125 Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan have arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The evacuees arrived on Saturday at 12.49 pm on a Tarco B737-300 aircraft from Port Sudan. The latest arrival brings the total number of evacuated Nigerians from Sudan to 2,371.

The returnees were processed by immigration officials alongside their colleagues from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

Recall that on May 3, after nearly two weeks of assurances by the Federal Government, the first batch of Nigerians fleeing Sudan arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Air Peace flight carrying over 270 Nigerian students from the Aswan Airport in Egypt first landed at the airport, with the NAF C-130H jet conveying about 80 persons following closely behind.

Two days later, the second batch arrived in Abuja around 3 pm on board a Tarco Airline aircraft carrying 130 passengers, including 128 females and two males.

READ MORE: Sudan Crisis: 126 Stranded Nigerians Arrive

The following day, federal government officials in Abuja received the third batch of evacuees arriving from Port Sudan at 1:45 pm. The returnees were said to have been made up of 131 people, mostly women and children.

Last Sunday, the fourth set of 422 returnees arrived in Abuja on two flights  102 landed on a Tarco Airlines flight from Port Sudan and 322 onboard Azman Air from Aswan, Egypt.

The same day, 413 Nigerians landed on a Max Air flight arriving in Abuja around 10:50 am.

One hundred and twenty-nine other Nigerians last Monday were repatriated to Abuja from Port Sudan on board a Tarco Airlines flight. The jet transporting 124 adults and five infants arrived at 9:15 am.

On Tuesday, another batch made up of 136 stranded Nigerians arrived at 9:30 am on a Tarco aircraft from Port Sudan.

The evacuation was followed up by last Thursdays arrival of 126 student evacuees on a Tarco Aviation aircraft from Port Sudan, landing in Abuja at 12:25 pm.
El Peru extiende su mas sincera felicitacion a la Republica del Paraguay al conmemorarse el 212 aniversario de su Independencia, y reafirma su disposicion para continuar fortaleciendo los lazos historicos de amistad y cooperacion. ??????????@mreparaguay pic.twitter.com/iHwuiZFEOy
The Delta State Police Command has arrested three teenage boys after one of them feigned his kidnap so they can collect N20 million from his parents.

The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Twitter. He gave the names of the three suspects as Ade Segun, Precious and Nonso.

He said Ade, 17, feigned his own kidnap and made his accomplice to call his parents to demand N20 million as ransom.

The parents reported the kidnap attempt to the police and when the suspects were asked to pick up the ransom money, they were apprehended.

READ ALSO: Police Gun Down Kidnapper, Arrest Five Others In Delta

Edafe told LIB that the incident happened on the 9th and that the ransom was N20 million and not N2 million as he erroneously stated on his Twitter handle.

The suspect, Ade Segun, planned his own kidnapped alongside two of his friends, Precious and Nonso, called Ades parent, and demanded the sum of #2,000,000.

The parent reported at the police station in Warri, where a woman police played along, pretending to pay the ransom money. When the undercover policemen got to the location, they laid ambush and one of them precious came to pick the money, he was rounded up and arrested, he took them to the hideout where Ade and his other friend were arrested and confessed that it was all planned, he tweeted.
The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the state police command, has arrested one Chinyere Ifesinachi for allegedly torturing her house help, identified as Idinmachukwu, with pestle and cane.

A viral video has been circulating on the social media since Friday showing the little girls swollen eyes together with injuries sustained on all the parts of her body as a result of the beating.

Confirming the arrest to journalists on Saturday, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the culprit was arrested on Friday and the case transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department of the Police Command, Awka where it would be charged to court.

READ ALSO: Woman To Sweep Court 21 Days For Pouring Hot Water On 15-Year-Old Girl

The culprit, Ifesinachi, a 25-year-old from the Alor community, pleaded with the commissioner to forgive her as her actions were orchestrated by the devil..

She accepted using both cane and pestle to beat her house girl to a pulp, saying that the reason for beating her was because the house girl threw her child to the ground.

Obinabo assured the victim of her safety, telling her she would not be returning to the culprits house after she was taken to the hospital for medical examination.

While appreciating those who raised the alarm that attracted her attention to the incident, Obinabo warned that anyone caught abusing any child in the state must face the consequences.

She also commended the Police command for the continous partnership with her Ministry in ensuring that such cases were handled professionally and in record time.

It is also worthy of note that immediately the attention of the ministry was drawn to the incident, contacts were quickly established and a team together with some NGOs and the Police was put together to arrest the perpetrator.

Furthermore, the said culprit is related to the mother of the little girl which is the major reason why they accepted to send their daughter to live with her.

Also, Nigerians in diaspora have paid off the first hospital bill of the child as she is still undergoing medical examinations and treatments to ascertain the extent of damage caused by her abuser, she added.

It was gathered that the biological parents of the maid sent their daughter to live with the culprit since March after she was delivered of twins and was finding it difficult to cope.

The parents of the child, who did not want their names mentioned, said, It was out of pity that we decided to send our little daughter to her after she delivered a set of twins which made it really difficult for her to cope.

Our daughter left us in March, but it is very unfortunate that barely two months of her stay, she got all kinds of ill-treatments from a woman who was supposed to be her guardian.
Lamidi Apapa, factional leader of the Labour Party (LP), has asked the Nigeria Police Force to investigate LPs presidential candidate, Peter Obi and other individuals allegedly parading themselves to sabotage the inauguration of president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, come May 29.

According to him, anyone calling for interim government should be arrested by the police.

Abayomi Arabambi, national publicity secretary of the LP faction, disclosed this in a statement released to journalists in Abuja on Saturday amidst the growing tension surrounding Tinubus inauguration as president.

Some opposition have called for a boycott of the event, while others have filed lawsuits to stop the ceremony.

However, the statement released by Arabambi said Obi and others trying to stop the inauguration are engaging in activities that are anti-democratic, hence should be held accountable.

It said, If anyone calls for an interim administration, including Peter Obi, they should be arrested by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba-Alkali.

Nobody is above the law. You cannot seek to plunge Nigeria into war and also say you want to rule that country.

READ ALSO: Apapa, Other Rascals Paid To Distort Everything  Peter Obi On LP Crisis

We, in the Labour Party, are saying a capital NO to such an evil call by Peter Obi that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should not be sworn in come May 29.

Henceforth, anyone calling for the establishment of an interim administration and threatening fire and brimstone and conducting themselves in a way that is likely to cause a breach of peace should be arrested.

Arabambi, also criticised the LPs legal team for failing to brief the faction on the petition related to the alleged attempts to stop Tinubus inauguration.

He added that the Apapa-led Labour Party cannot continue to rely on lawyers who are not committed to their cause and who do not share their values.

I also want to allay the fear of Nigerians, the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led Labour Party is not interested in withdrawing any matter from the presidential election petitions tribunal, but as the National Chairman (Apapa) confirmed, he has a right to know what is going on with the petition.

If the Partys legal team at the tribunal in Abuja fails to honour our ultimatum and brief us on the petition within 48 hours, we will appoint new lawyers to take over the case, Arabambi said.
Some leaders in Cross River State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have raised alarm over the non-inclusion of a South-South officer in the Partys directorate at the national office in Abuja.

The leaders under the aegis of APC Good Governance Group (AGGG), in a statement issued at the weekend, accused the ruling party of inequality, unfairness, and marginalisation in the political recognition of zones in the country.

The group led by Ntufam Okon, argued that the South-South, particularly Cross River State, has been wrongfully excluded from national level, alleging that the South South has been shortchanged by an unfair and unacceptable sharing formula.

According to the zonal leaders, it appears to be deliberate even when the State governor, Ben Ayade, had written to the national chairman of the Party, Abdullahi Adamu, recommending a chieftain, Adie Ferdinand Atsu, to be appointed director of Organization in the Partys national office.

They recalled that Ayade had in a letter dated June 24, 2022 and addressed to the national chairman of the party recommended Atsu for the position of director, saying he is a devoted , long standing and financially committed party faithful who has constantly worked to uphold the ideals and mission of the great Party at the state and national level.

While lamenting that the partys national leadership failed to act on the recommendation, the leaders said it is an anomaly that must be corrected in the interest of the Party to ensure fairness, justice, and equity.

READ ALSO: Akpabio: Since 1999, No South-South Senate President Has Emerged  APC

The statement read in part: Nothing is yet to be done even when other zones have occupied their slots. The Eight directorates are enough for every zone to have at least one slot.

The South-South geopolitical zone is embittered at the way and manner our collective interest has been shortchanged in the National Office of the party even on the Governors recommendation for the position.

It is our belief and this has been our stand all the while that APCs success is our success, but in a situation where political appointments were shared and allocated but the person recommended to occupy the South-South slot is yet to be appointed is no longer acceptable to us. And it is becoming counter-productive.

The APC members who said the development is becoming highly worrisome insisted that something urgent has to be done to salvage the situation.

The only thing that we all believe is for the leadership of APC to considerably appoint Mr Ferdinand Atsu as the Director of Organization in the National Office of the party in line with Article 16,ix, P79 of the partys constitution which recommends federal character must be met according to geopolitical zones, they added.

The group also appealed to the national women leader of the party, Betta Edu, to use her good office as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) in ensuring that Adie Ferdinand Atsu is given the position in line with Governor Ayades recommendation to the national chairman of the Party.
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has called on the President of the United States, Joe Biden not to recognise the government of Nigerias President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu until the end of the ongoing litigation challenging his victory.

NADECO also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of brazenly violating the Electoral Act of 2022 by failing to transmit the election results from the polling units to the servers in real-time as promised.

This was contained in a communique issued yesterday by NADECO at its Extraordinary Summit held in Washington, DC in the US.

The communique, which was signed by Lloyd Ukwu, NADECOs Executive Director, urged the US to withhold any recognition of an incoming Nigerian Government until the Supreme Court has thoroughly and transparently examined the 2023 election process as the US did with the 2022 elections in Kenya.

READ ALSO: APC Wants To Influence Presidential Election Tribunal For Tinubu  PDP Raises Alarm

The group also advised the US Government to impose Magnitsky Act sanctions immediately on all those found to have impeded or subverted the 2023 election process exercising all available sanctions on such individuals.

It further enjoined the US to utilise the late Gen. Sani Abachas loot currently in asset forfeiture proceedings in US District Court to compensate victims of election violence in Nigeria.

Disclose and release all available records pertaining to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, which are now at issue in the election petitions, to the courts for adjudication, it added.

Besides, NADECO alleged that INEC violated the Electoral Act of 2022, its own guidelines, and lied to the Nigerian people when it promised that it would transmit the election results from the polling units to the servers in real-time, lamenting that it failed to do so.

The group further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, remove Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC and further called on his arrest and prosecution.

It also added that all other INEC officials found wanting in electoral fraud be prosecuted by the competent court of law.

The communique also decried that many Nigerians have lost hope in the judiciary due to some controversial judgments it had delivered in recent time, but said that the fate of millions of Nigeria depended on it.

It also proposed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the election tribunals must expeditiously and transparently consider election challenges, and in the case of the presidency, if no final determination is reached on the results of the February, 2023 election before the scheduled May 29, 2023 inauguration, the constitution must be followed.

It posited that the constitution provides for the Senate President to be installed as the acting president for three months to chart a legal transition of power in Nigeria.

The communique read: To achieve these objectives our legal panel recommended further that: Parties in the petition request and the court grant a writ of mandamus order requiring INEC to review all parties objections and reevaluate the election results within seven days as authorized by law which INEC failed to do.

That the tribunals proceedings be broadcast live given the global interest, import, and importance of the elections. In that light, we commend the commencement of tribunal hearings where all parties have pledged to expedite the process. That the Nigerian Supreme Court, the Nigerian Government, and all of its security agencies including the Department of State Service (DSS), refrain from hastily swearing-in or facilitating the swearing-in of any of the 2023 Presidential Candidates until their exhaustion of all available remedies.

Alternatively, given the widespread discontent and rejection of electoral process by Nigerians at home and abroad, the Nigeria Supreme Court is urged to rely on the political question doctrine to restrain itself from the polarising nature of its decision regarding the 2023 presidential elections, and order INEC to conduct a fresh election, which complies with the requirement of the Nigerian Constitution, the 2022 Electoral Act as amended, and INECs own guidelines.

The body also called for the unbundling of the Nigerian Police and decentralization in order to effectively maintain law and order across the entire country.

It argued that a single police system has become archaic and inadequate to effectively and adequately police a country as populous as Nigeria and with an expansive land mass.

It also challenged the Nigerian Government to always obey the rule of law irrespective of its outcome, stressing that the government had been selective in obeying the law.
As part of efforts made by the Federal Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians in diaspora, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says all Nigerian students fleeing war-torn Sudan have been successfully evacuated.

It was gathered that since the commencement of the evacuation exercise on May 3, at least 2,518 Nigerians have been evacuated to the Nigerian soil.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA earlier reported that more Nigerians were evacuated from Sudan which happened to be the 15th batch arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Saturday.

READ MORE: Nigerian Military Destroys Boat Conveying 600 Barrels Of Crude In Delta

According to the commission, the evacuations were carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Tarco Air, Max Air, Azman Air, and Air Peace.

The evacuated Nigerians were brought home batch by batch, with Tarco Air responsible for 11 of the 15 flights.

During this exercise, no single Nigerian life has been lost so far, NIDCOM added.
Outgoing Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has reacted to the statement by the immediate past governor of the state Theodore Orji, stating that he wont join issues with his predecessors.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the ex-Governor Orji had asked the Governor to carry his cross while commenting on the workers strike action in the state.

However, Ikpeazu In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka said he is proudly carrying the cross of the governance of Abia State and will continue to carry it till his last day in office.

Ememanka added that as a personal policy, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu will not join issues with any of his predecessors in office.

READ MORE: Abia Unpaid Salaries: Im Not The Problem, Carry Your Cross  Ex-Gov, Orji Tells Ikpeazu

The statement read, The attention of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator T.A. Orji, the immediate past Governor of Abia State.

Governor Ikpeazu wishes to state that he is proudly carrying the cross of the governance of Abia State and will continue to carry it till his last day in office.

Secondly, and as a personal policy, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu will not join issues with any of his predecessors in office. For the almost 8 years he has held office as Governor, he has not engaged any of his predecessors in any kind of untoward exchange, even when it seemed politically expedient to do so. This policy is largely responsible for the sociopolitical stability we have enjoyed in Abia State since 2015. The Governor intends to sustain this personal policy going forward.

Finally, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is of the firm view that as in all matters, history and posterity will, over time, put all things in proper perspective.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 218 suspects with 5,610Kg of illicit drugs in Kaduna.

The NDLEA Commandant in Kaduna State, Mr Ibrahim Braji stated this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna.

Braji said the suspects comprised 206 males and 12 females, adding that the figure represents both drug dealers and users.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arraigns Church General Overseer, Others For Drug Trafficking

The Commander said the 5,610kg seized drugs included Cannabis Sativa, Heroin, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol and other psychotropic substances.

He said the arrests and seizures made between January and March this year, were part of the commands efforts towards curbing the scourge through drug demand reduction activities.

According to him, the command has so far prosecuted and secured conviction of 25 offenders.

It is unfortunate that in spite of our various sensitisation and awareness programmes towards curbing trafficking and usage of illicit drug the situation persist.

We counseled about 96 drug users as well as rehabilitated a number of persons within the period under review.

Notwithstanding, the command will continue to fight against drug trafficking and illegal drug consumption in the state to standstill for positive results, he said.

While advising parents to be vigilant and monitor their wards to protect them from being involved in drug abuse, Braji urged citizens to contribute towards building drug free society for sustainable social and economic development.
The Federal Government has clarified that it is not seeking another $800 million loan from the World Bank to cushion the impact of the impending removal of petroleum subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zaniab Ahmed who gave the clarification in a statement on Saturday, described the allegation as incorrect.

Information Nigeria had on Thursday reported that President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter, requested the Senate to kindly approve an additional loan facility to the tune of USD8OO million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme.

The report triggered outrage from many Nigerians who interpreted the request to mean a fresh $800 million, different from the one already reportedly secured by the administration.

Recall that the finance minister had at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on April 5 announced that Nigeria had already secured $800 million from the World Bank to help provide palliatives to about 50 million poor Nigerians in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.

However in the statement captioned Nigeria Seeks No New World Bank Loan-Ahmed, and issued by Zainabs Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, she noted the $800 million in question was the same one secured from the World Bank recently.

READ ALSO: Nigerias World Bank Debt Hits N6 Trillion

The statement read, The news story is not correct. This is the same loan that the Honourable Minister had explained on several occasions that the $800 million facility the country recently got from the World Bank for post-petrol subsidy removal palliative was awaiting parliamentary approval for the federal government to commence disbursement.

The government is therefore not seeking another loan for the pending fuel subsidy removal. It is one and the same.

It will be recalled that the facility would be deployed to provide succor to 10 million households, who are expected to get N5,000 each for a period of six months.

The minister had explained that the initial duration of the palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the planned subsidy removal on vulnerable Nigerians was for six months, but would be reviewed upon extensive consultation with stakeholders.

The statement further quoted the minister as having recently explained that The $800 million has been negotiated and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and we now have a request before the parliament for approval. And once the parliament approves it, the next administration can decide on the utilization.

Weve also been doing preparatory work side by side along the approval process. This includes expanding the committee to include members of the transition team of the President-elect.

The process will include the verification of the social register which will be used for electronic transfers of the funds.
The military, in partnership with a security outfit, Tantita Security Services, has impounded a barge in Warri, Delta State loaded with over 600 barrels of crude oil from illegal bunkering.

The vessel was intercepted by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL) and handed over to military operatives who carried out the destruction.

The firm is a security consultant engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to secure crude oil assets in the Niger Delta.

The barge allegedly used to convey the crude oil to the jetty, was ferried some 20 miles off the coast of Warri where the military was on Saturday.

The military destroyed the barge with thick clouds of black smoke filling the atmosphere in spite of the protestations by journalists against the move, given the expected environmental impact.

TSSNL linked the illegal operation to Mawe Services Limited, a corporate entity approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to provide services within the confines of lifting sludge.

READ MORE: Navy Promises To Tackle Illegal Oil Bunkering in Akwa Ibom

that intelligence received two weeks ago by Tantita Security and Mason Engineering indicate that the facility was being used for activities outside its approval limits.

According to the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, further intelligence revealed that a 1,000-metric-ton barge was berthing alongside its jetty, loaded with illegal crude oil declared as sludge.

The barge was said to have been towed by an unidentified tugboat into Mawe Services Limiteds jetty and left. A team of operatives with the security outfit reportedly continued to monitor the jetty for suspicious activities.

Enisuoh stated that a sewage truck with number plate JR7750XA was observed to have visited the jetty twice. During its third visit on Friday, the truck was said to have been accosted by the operatives keeping a constant vigil over the area.

Upon inspection, according to the authorities, the substance found inside the tank was not sewage, but crude oil. The driver was arrested and handed over to government security operatives.

The driver later revealed the destination of the contents, which took the security outfit to another yard inland, also operated by Mawe Services Limited, the firms ED added.

He further explained that within the Mawe Services Limiteds premises, there were two metallic cylindrical tanks with a capacity of about 45,000 litres each.

Both tanks were said to have been inspected and one found to have been filled up with crude oil. The driver of the truck reportedly confirmed that he had been transferring the content of the barge into the tank that was filled.

According to the firm, an inspection of the yard security logbook showed that the truck visited the location repeatedly and the content of the truck were clearly spelt out as crude oil.

According to Enisuoh, the illegal tapping of crude oil has drastically reduced at the pipelines due to the synergy between the outfit and security agencies.

However, crude oil thieves have now resorted to tampering with well heads to steal crude oil, he said.
Mensaje de la presidenta Dina Boluarte por el Dia de la Madre. https://t.co/DTV48FmIXR
The National Chapel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared a one-week prayer and fasting for its February 25 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to come out victorious at the Presidential Election Tribunal which began days ago.

The prayers which would begin Thursday, May 18 and end Wednesday, May 24, would hold at the Partys national chapel, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, 12 pm daily.

Recall that the Presidential Election Petition Court had adjourned Atikus case to May 18 for the continuation of the pre-hearing of the petition by the PDP and Atiku against president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

READ ALSO: PDP Receding, We Need To Regain Our Eminent Position  Atiku

In the petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, the PDP and Atiku are challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The pre-hearing of the petition was taken first on Thursday morning after counsel for Atiku and PDP, Chris Uche , indicated an interest in the matter.

The fast, announced by Boni Haruna, the Chairman of the PDP Christian Religious Body, was tagged, At the Supreme Court of Heaven with Chief Justice of Universe.

Haruna noted that the prayer was to denounce the Independent National Electoral Commissions president-select and rescue and recover PDP for Nigeria.
Sue Williamson (left), "Caroline Motsoaledi I," 1984, from "All Our Mothers," 1981ongoing. Lebohang Kganye, (right), "Re shapa setepe sa lenyalo II" from "Ke Lefa Leka: Her-story," 2013. Read more

In a viewing room of the Barnes Foundation, glittering travel brochures line the wall. A whitewashed clapboard house, cast against a cloudless blue sky, promises days of idyl. Another image shows the pristine interior of a church, empty of people.

But viewed from the other side, these pictures tell a different story: that of Matthew Goniwe, a beloved community member and anti-apartheid activist abducted and brutally murdered by state security forces.

In A Tale of Two Cradocks (1994), artist Sue Williamson has cleverly arranged a series of panels to double as segregationist propaganda and a measured account of injustice. Williamson grants us the discretion  and the moral responsibility  of choosing what to see.

This work sets the tone for the rest of the exhibition, which unites two South African artists in a cross-generational dialogue. In a series of works by turns devastating and optimistic, Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember stages a complex reckoning with apartheid.

Advertisement

Though the exhibition features a wide range of media  from sculptures to textiles  the focus remains on oral history, a favorite medium of both artists.

Williamson, one of South Africas most prominent artists, made her bones campaigning against apartheid in the 1970s and 80s. Even today, her activism remains inextricable from her creative practice.

In the photo series Truth Games (1998), she inspects some of the most high-profile cases of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the justice body formed in South Africa to examine human rights violations after apartheid. Each piece groups together the piecemeal testimonies of victims and perpetrators, written on overlapping plastic slats.

The inscriptions  one chillingly reads was everything to me  can easily be erased by sliding the panel a few inches to the left or right, concealing the narrative. Truth Games gains much of its emotional bite from this built-in potential for elision and omission.

In contrast to Williamson, Lebohang Kganye, whose work was a part of the latest Venice Biennale, is of an altogether different generation. Born in 1990, Kganye belongs to the cohort controversially dubbed born-free: those who came of age after the dismantling of apartheid. Yet her work is infused with the same historical awareness, and remains equally penetrating.

Kganyes artistic practice centers on memory, with equal regard for sweeping national histories and intimate kitchen-counter exchanges. Family storytelling is at the heart of her work, most notably in Mohlokomedi wa Tora (2018). This ambitious installation features a rotating light tower calibrated to illuminate large-scale cutouts of family photos. Kganye has managed to unite all her ancestral sources  forcibly dispersed under colonial and apartheid rule  under the warm, healing glow of a homespun lighthouse.

Though Williamson and Kganye use different tacks to convey the horrors of apartheid, Tell Me What You Remember highlights the concord between the two artists. Both technical and thematic affinities abound, as Kganyes matrilineal grisaille portraits echo Williamsons black-and-white photos of the female leaders of the apartheid struggle.

Both artists conjure the dead. In Last Supper at Manley Villa (1981, 2008), Williamson frames an erstwhile neighborhood  demolished in an act of ethnic cleansing  next to the vacant site of its demolition. Meanwhile, the artist supplants the deceased in Kganyes eerie photo reenactments of her mother. Both artists seem to ask whether memory carries the burden of falsification  if dredging up the ghostly past amounts to fabulation.

Though these womens voices are rooted in South Africa, the narratives they uncover are of equal relevance an ocean away. As Kganye tells me, these are global politics and global issues that find acute resonance with our homegrown discussions about Black family identity.

The choice to platform Williamson and Kganye bodes well for the Barnes Foundations future.

With one foot firmly in the past, the Barnes is in a bind over the pressure to seesaw between its core collection of impressionist masterworks and an institutional interest in accommodating a diverse public. And though the Barnes has a strong history of community outreach and involvement, the threat of a disinterested public continues to weigh.

Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember is open at the Barnes Foundation from March 5 2023 to May 21. https://www.barnesfoundation.org/williamson-kganye
Primal Supply Meats, which helped revive the art of whole-animal butchery in Philadelphia seven years ago, is closing this month, breaking a direct link in the food chain, according to Heather Thomason, its founder.

In an email to customers, Thomason wrote that the company was no longer able to continue operations in a sustainable way, given the mounting economic and social challenges that were set in motion by the pandemic more than three years ago. She was not immediately available for comment.

She said Primals South Philadelphia and Brewerytown butcher shops will be open for business as usual, tentatively through May 19. After that, she said, Primal will continue to fulfill freezer orders online for pickup while supplies last.

Thomason was a graphic designer in Brooklyn when, through farmers, she became aware of what she called the broken supply chain for small local producers trying to raise meat. After learning the ropes at a farm in upstate Pennsylvania, and working for a butcher in California, she came to Philadelphia in 2014 to open a butcher counter inside Kensington Quarters restaurant in Fishtown.

Advertisement

Two years later, she left to open Primal with the mission to build a local supply chain connecting local farmers to consumers, and to serve the Philadelphia region with sustainably raised meats, she wrote.

 READ MORE: From 2017: Who is Heather Thomason of Primal Supply Meats

Working initially from a facility in Yeadon, Delaware County, she contracted with local farmers and slaughterhouses, from which she brought locally sourced, traceable, sustainable meats to a whos who of the Philadelphia food community. Home cooks could pick up weekly butchers club CSA orders at a few locations.

From there, Primal opened a retail shop on East Passyunk Avenue across from the Singing Fountain and added a short-lived shop in Fishtown and a main facility in Brewerytown with an attached shop.

It just sucks, said chef Marc Vetri, who invested in Primal 4 years ago after informally consulting with Thomason. On Friday, he called her a great person who had a great vision, but unfortunately sometimes things dont always go as planned.
Conrad Benner, founder and curator of the Streets Dept photoblog, website, and magazine, is a self-taught expert on Philly street art and is teaching an online course, The Art of Phillys Public Space, this month for the Barnes Foundation. Read more

Philadelphias public spaces are Conrad Benners school of art.

This mostly outdoor university of murals, sculptures, posters, stickers, and graffiti tags is where the Fishtown native has acquired a world-class education in street art.

Beginning this week, the self-taught photoblogger and curator will serve as instructor of an online class for the Barnes Foundation. The first installment of The Art of Phillys Public Space is Thursday. The weekly, two-hour sessions continue through March 30.

The staff was talking about new classes, and I immediately thought: We need a class on street art. And theres no better person to lead it than Conrad Benner, said Kaelin Jewell, senior instructor in adult education at the Barnes.

Advertisement

Jewell is among the 150,000 people who follow Benners Streets Dept photoblog on Instagram. Like his website streetsdept.com, it showcases a young, diverse, and edgy crew of emerging and established artists for whom Philly is inspiration, studio, and platform.

 READ MORE: South Phillys BOK building, known for its rooftop bar, is carving out space for creatives

Im not going to be a guy on a screen talking at people during this class, said Benner, 37, who lives in South Philly and has a workspace in the BOK Building. Hes also a part-time project manager for Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Im gay and Italian, so I can talk, he said. I want this class to be a great conversation, like Ive had with the artists, photographers, writers, and podcasters Ive worked with and learned from.

Said Mural Arts executive director Jane Golden: Conrad has such an interesting way of looking at the city. He sees things that other people dont and recognizes artists before other people do. He has a sixth sense about artists.

The origin story

Benner graduated from Kensington High School in 2003 and became interested in art while taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia. He was 20 and working in the vitamin department of Whole Foods on South Street when he got friendly with a group of people who were regulars at Old Citys First Friday gallery and studio tours.

It was exciting, different, and fun, Benner said. I started to do freelance writing for [the now-defunct] Phrequency.com and part of my beat was First Friday shows.

Initially with a flip-phone and soon after with a digital camera (a gift from his boyfriend at the time), Benner began taking photos of murals as well as works of what he calls noncommissioned art in Phillys neighborhoods and in Center City.

I started Streets Dept in 2011 basically as a fanboy photoblog, he said. I was just walking to and from work and school with my camera and photographing things I liked.

But within a few months I had street artists like Joe Boruchow and Ishknits reaching out to me. I started going out on the street with them and other artists, as they were working and installing. I interviewed them and started to learn about this world.

In the early years, Benner also worked full time doing social media for clients of the marketing firm Quaker City Mercantile. But he left in 2015 to devote himself to Streets Dept full time.

It has since expanded to include an annual print magazine, monthly walking tours (Streets Dept Excursions), and a standalone division called Streets Dept Walls.

Its the curatorial arm of the business, he said. We connect artists with opportunities to create in the public space.

From blogger to curator

Symone Salib and Nile Livingston were already making names for themselves as artists in Philly when Benner posted about them.

I was working on a temporary mural in collaboration with the Sunkist company in Northern Liberties in 2018 and Conrad came out to document it for the blog, said Livingston, 34, who grew up in West Philly.

I appreciate how Conrad is like an archivist, documenting artists work, and hes very intentional and focused on social justice in the projects he chooses, she said.

Livingston, in collaboration with Streets Dept and Mural Arts, is creating a mural for the Philadelphia Ballroom Project. It will be erected later this year on 13th Street in the Gayborhood to celebrate Phillys distinctive version of the Harlem Black queer cultural institution dramatized in the FX show Pose.

Salib worked with Streets Dept on a mural, Summer of Self-Reflection, that was installed at the Fashion District in Center City in 2019.

Conrad was one of the first people to hire me to do a mural, and it was a point of growth in my career, she said.

And when Salib created a mural in Northern Liberties in 2021 to honor Gloria Casarez, a Philly LGBTQ pioneer for whom an earlier and much-beloved mural was displaced by a Center City development project, Benner was there to document the new work.

Benner sees the Barnes class as a chance to grow the audience for traditional and monumental public art like the sculptures on City Hall, as well as grittier creations, like those of the artist who calls himself irregular and often works with shards of mirrors.

Public art is not some new invention, and its not icing on the cake, Benner said. Its part of the arts and culture industry that employs people and attracts people to visit or live in Philadelphia.

Public art is the story of our city. And it should tell the complete story of our city.
AnnaLivia McCarthy, senior conservation coordinator at the Barnes Foundation, demonstrates how she approaches pest management at the museum in Philadelphia, Pa. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. One of McCarthys roles is to inspect the museum for pests that could potentially damage the art. Read more

AnnaLivia McCarthy slowly strolled a dimly lit gallery at the Barnes Foundation on a recent afternoon, casting her flashlight across the surfaces of masterpieces. As the museums senior conservation coordinator, McCarthy was not merely appreciating priceless art  she was hunting pesky prey. Sneaky intruders who hide in shadows and make meals out of masterpieces.

Moths, mostly.

Sometimes you can see their eyes under the light, McCarthy said, raking soft light on Secrets (Confidence) or Inspiration, an exquisite tapestry designed by Pablo Picasso and woven by Atelier Delarbre. They have these little, beady black eyes.

They, in this case, are the bane of art institutions the world over: the webbing clothes moth. These fluttering prowlers, identifiable by their small, golden bodies and tufts of golden-reddish hair, feast on natural fibers, like wool and silk. Undetected, the gilded insects chew away at textile surfaces and spin sticky tunnels through fabrics. Damage can be permanent.

Advertisement

They like the cracks, crevices, and dark places, said McCarthy, shining her light.

But the meddlesome moths only top McCarthys museum pest watchlist. Carpet beetles pose similar threats as their moth brethren. Wood-boring beetles burrow deep into furniture. Silverfish dine on paper, punching holes through books. (Thankfully, none of the bugs besiege the Barnes.) Then, theres the 65 sticky traps hidden throughout the Barnes galleries and facilities, which can collar dust mites, millipedes, and the occasional wandering spider.

You can stop itching now. Because McCarthys weekly bug patrols at the Barnes, conducted on days the museum is closed to the public, are not cause for alarm. Nor are its treasured ensemble of Renoirs, Cezannes, and Matisses, African art, Native American ceramics, antiquities, and decorative iron work and furniture infested by armies of creepy-crawlers.

Keeping the bugs out is just part of the program.

Pest management has been an important part of preventative conservation practices in museums for more than three decades, said Barbara Buckley, senior director of conservation at the Barnes. As critical to the health of the collection as proper light, temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Its just not something museums usually wish to talk very much about, lest people get the wrong idea.

But last month, the museum cast aside any insect anxiety and posted a charming, engaging video on Instagram all about its pest prevention practices. Breezy pop played over footage of McCarthy making her rounds and checking traps. There was a photo of the dreaded webbing clothes moth  and even an image of Rizzo the Rat, the pizza-loving rodent from The Muppet Show. (Be calm: Mice are never found in the galleries, let alone rats, Buckley said, aghast. The social media folks just thought it was a funny photo.) All in all, fun fare.

The 60-second reel  part of a month-long campaign to highlight the museums sustainability efforts  notched nearly 17,000 views. It was the idea of Carolyn Rivera, brand engagement manager at the Barnes. Coming from a background in social media and TV, Rivera said she often looks to highlight interesting things she notices at the museum. Things that, well, longtime museum folks may take for granted, or not find very interesting at all. Like moths and sticky traps.

Its not the sexiest thing in the world, she said, of pest prevention. But its something that protects the artwork, the building, the people, the visitors. Its integral to making everything work around here.

The idea took a little arm twisting, admits Rivera, and one could understand the concern.

That it could be taken the wrong way, said Buckley, sheepishly. That the museum is full of bugs.

But Buckley who keeps detailed records of any bug activity at the Barnes (so to better stomp out any threats), said thats far from the reality. On average, only about five webbing clothes moths are found each month in the museum, she said. And typically in Annenberg Court, and the buildings lower levels, rather than the galleries. The Barnes maintained regular inspections during COVID-19 closures, a move, Buckley said, that may have helped prevent pandemic-related pest upticks other museums experienced. For example, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, undertook a top-to-bottom moth remediation in 2021, after the pests penetrated deep into its galleries.

It was Buckley who first incorporated an extensive pest management strategy at the Barnes, shortly after she started working at the museum in 1992. Back then, the moths had dined on carpets from Dr. Barnes home that had been stored in the museums original gallery in Lower Merion. Buckley recalled how she and her graduate student interns spent many summers removing the insects gluey webbing with tweezers and handheld vacuums.

Its a slow, laborious process, she said, wincing.

For her part, McCarthy said a passion for art and science fuels her work. Pests represent only a bit of her duties at the Barnes, which also include research and restoration. On her most recent inspection, which she cheerily dubs her moth walks, she carefully checked a woolen Navajo blanket the color of sunrise, before scrutinizing a 19th-century table scarf. Finally, she scoured a series of beige silk and wool felt tapestries by Dutch artist Claudy Jongstra decorating the light-filled Annenberg Court. The towering textiles are a subtle nod to the Ramon Gold Israeli limestone that lines the great rooms walls  and a potential picnic for the golden-hued webbing clothes moth.

All were bug free.
The Inquirer and forensics experts are investigating anomalous activity that prompted the company to take some computer systems offline, disrupting publication of the Sunday print newspaper, the company said Saturday night. Online publication was not interrupted.

As a result, The Inquirers home-delivery customers will be receiving the Sunday early edition, which was composed Friday night, and will need to go online to Inquirer.com to get the latest news and information.

As issues with print publication are addressed, we continue to provide Philly and the region with the latest news at Inquirer.com, and on our e-Edition, Inquirer Publisher and CEO Elizabeth H. Hughes said.

She said in a statement that The Inquirer recently discovered anomalous activity on select computer systems and immediately took those systems offline.

Advertisement

She added that The Inquirer and specialists from the Kroll computer-forensics firm are working to restore systems and fully investigate the matter.

The statement did not address whether the company was the victim of a ransomware attack, in which invasive damaging software renders computer data unusable and victims are ordered to pay ransom to have it restored.

As our investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide that information at this time, a company spokesman said.

He did not address questions on whether personal subscriber or employee information had been compromised.

In her statement, Hughes said, Our investigation into this matter is ongoing, and we will keep our employees and readers informed as we learn more.

Malware attacks have disrupted other U.S. newspapers in recent years. In December 2018, the New York Times wrote about an unusual cyberattack disrupting the Los Angeles Times printing operations and those at newspapers in San Diego and Florida over a single weekend. That attack also affected Saturday distribution of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, which shared use of a large printing plant in Los Angeles for their West Coast editions, according to the New York Times.

The Inquirer publication disruption is the most significant the company has faced since the blizzard of Jan. 7-8, 1996, and comes just days from the primary for the 100th mayoral election in Philadelphia.
A picture of the downtown business district along Avenue of the States in the city of Chester. Three are fighting to run the bankrupt town. Read more

With significant backing from a major GOP donor  entrepreneur and charter school magnate Vahan Gureghian  and a Montgomery Count trash hauler, Democratic incumbent Thaddeus Kirkland holds a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents in the bankrupt citys mayoral primary.

The contributions he reported this year through May 1  $106,674.73  are more than double the amount of City Councilmember Stefan Roots and nearly seven times those of his other rival, city zoning board member Pat Worrell. Kirkland also has outspent his opponents by similar ratios.

The three are battling vigorously to run a city that the state receiver, who filed for bankruptcy on Chesters behalf, warned might cease to exist by the end of the year because of its profound fiscal crisis.

Municipal bankruptcies are rare enough, and a mayoral primary in a city under a threat of disincorporation may be unprecedented.

 READ MORE: 'It's high drama:' The Chester mayor's race may be unprecedented

Advertisement

Driving the fiscal distress is the citys immense pension underfunding. Kirkland had testified in a bankruptcy-related Commonwealth Court hearing that he was unaware the city had skipped payments for several years during his administration.

The judge sharply criticized Kirkland and called the city government dysfunctional.

Kirkland, in turn, says he inherited the problems of a city that had been in state distressed status for 20 years before he took office. He has accused the receivers office of meddling in city politics and holds that he is fighting for Chesters sovereignty.

 READ MORE: Chester's stunning decline was 70 years in the making

None of the candidates has spent on media advertising. Most of Roots and Worrells expenditures have been for printing costs. The bulk of Kirklands money has gone to a consulting service and for printing.

A company managed by Gureghian, a lawyer and wealthy entrepreneur, operates the Chester Community Charter School. Gureghian, who lives in Gladwyne, gave the Kirkland campaign a total of $45,000 this year.

Montgomery County trash hauler J.P. Mascaro & Sons kicked in $20,000, and a $10,000 contribution came from the Concerned Citizens of Pennsylvania, a PAC whose address is that of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, and the point of contact is chairman Bob Brady.

Roots, who raised $48,826, reported receiving a total of $7,000 in PAC money. His biggest individual contribution, $5,000, came from Jenkintown attorney Sean Kilkenny.

Worrell, a Realtor, raised $16,500, $15,000 of which came from a real estate agents PAC.

Chester has 14,756 registered Democrats, who hold a 5-1 advantage over Republicans.

No Republicans are running in the mayoral primary.

Staff writer Chris Brennan contributed to this article.
Liam Reed, 8, and Jason Reed at their home in Cherry Hill, N.J. They will walk across the stage at Rutgers-Camden's commencement on Monday to receive Sunny Reed's doctoral degree. Sunny Reed was Liam's mother and Jason's wife. She died of cancer in March. Read more

Jason Reed had already planned to take off Monday. He knew it would be a tough weekend for both himself and his 8-year-old son, the first Mothers Day without her.

At bare minimum I knew that Liam and I would do something to honor Sunny in some way, he said of his wife and Liams mom.

As it turns out, they will honor her perhaps in the way she would have most wanted.

 READ MORE: , Abbott Elementary star and Dateline News anchor are among commencement speakers at Philly-area colleges this spring

Advertisement

The pair will cross the stage during the Rutgers-Camden commencement Monday and collect Sunny Reeds doctoral degree in childhood studies.

She hadnt finished her dissertation when she died of cancer in March at age 38, but the faculty who worked with her decided she was such an outstanding student and was so close to her goal that she deserved it anyway.

Her scholarly work focused on transracial adoption and specifically how it impacted adopted children. It was a topic she knew firsthand, being a native Korean who was adopted by a white family in northern New Jersey in 1985 at roughly 9 months old. Her fraught experience growing up in a largely white community never left her, and she wanted to make the world a better place for children growing up like she did.

 READ MORE: After a tough year for Temple, Thursdays commencement was a time to celebrate

Sunny was unequivocally the most motivated student Ive worked with, said Lauren Silver, an associate professor of childhood studies at Rutgers-Camden and director of graduate studies for the department. She was so passionate about bringing justice to adoptees. She would have changed our fields.

Carol Singley, a professor of English emerita, said Reed was adept at combining being a scholar with being an activist.

She spoke from personal experience and people listened to her and were helped by her, Singley said.

A week ago, Jason Reed wrote about that in a post on Facebook. He said he hadnt completed much of an obituary when his wife died and thought friends would want to know more, especially as he planned to get her degree.

She worked for years to understand the trauma she experienced, but more importantly, she worked to help others, wrote Reed, 39, who works for a technology infrastructure and cybersecurity company.

Her life became her work

Growing up, Sunny Reed was faced with the narrative that she should be grateful she was adopted and given a life in the United States, her husband said.

She wrote about it in her blog.

When I was adopted more than three decades ago, there was a persisting postwar mentality that our neighbors to the East were backward, third-world, and in need of American intervention, she wrote. This attitude pervaded the original marketing materials for Korean adoption and helped satisfy Americas growing nationalism  after all, what God-fearing American citizen didnt want to offer their home to a Korean waif?

Her husband recalled how she talked about the challenge of growing up in a largely white town. She was picked on in school, and when she ran for class president, someone wrote a racial slur on her poster. But it was more than that.

When her parents said, This is my daughter, and she was the only Asian girl in their white family, there was always a certain kind of feedback.

Its all the reaction you get with that, he said.

She eventually connected with her biological family in Korea, though her mother had already died, Reed said. Her adoptive mother died before the couple had even met, he said.

Plunging into her studies

The couple quickly found they had a lot to say to each other when they first met on Match.com in 2012. Within six months of dating, he won a trip to Hawaii and off they went.

At the time, she was working in digital marketing and had a bachelors in art history from the College of New Jersey and a masters of library and information systems from Drexel.

Her name was actually spelled Suni, but her husband said she hated that people pronounced it Sooni. So she went by Sunny, which suited her positive, energetic disposition.

She loved to play video games, do puzzles, dance and read, her husband said. One of her favorite things was bringing the book close to her nose and flipping the pages; she loved the smell of the paper and thought each book had its own distinctive scent.

They married in 2014, and soon had Liam. She became a stay-at-home mom, but still did some writing on the side. Around 2016, she got more interested in scholarly work on transracial adoption.

Even before she applied to the doctoral program, Reed was known in her field, Silver, her professor, said. Her articles were published and she had conducted interviews, in addition to writing her blog. Silver recalled meeting her five or six years ago when Reed had come to sit in on one of her classes.

Reed, Silver said, was especially interested in childhood studies because the field centers on children and so much scholarship on adoption focuses on the those who adopt, Silver said. Adoption often is framed as being a gift and beneficial to both parties, but ignores the trauma of being taken from a home country and thrust into a new culture.

The voices of adoptees were often missing, Silver said.

In 2019, Reed was excited about starting the doctoral program, but then cancer struck. She discovered a lump in her breast and had a double mastectomy, as well as rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.

The whole time that she was out, she would reach out periodically and express how much she was looking forward to starting the program, Silver said. The Ph.D. program was a light that helped her get through that period.

In 2020, she plunged into her studies at Rutgers, amidst a worldwide pandemic. It was a heady experience. She had read Singleys book, Adopting America: Childhood, Kinship and National Identity in Literature, years earlier and now she would be studying under the scholar.

It was like meeting her heroes and then working with them, her husband recalled.

Reed especially liked Rutgers commitment to diversity and inclusion, which was very important to her, he said. Her passion for inclusion was one of the reasons she ran, though unsuccessfully, for the Cherry Hill School Board last year before she got sick again.

If elected, I would work tirelessly for all students in the district, while giving voice and providing access to those who often feel left out, Sunny Reed said in an October interview.

Cancers return

Reed always knew there was a chance the cancer could return. She remained on medications aimed at preventing that.

But in November, she suffered a seizure, and doctors discovered she had brain cancer. Even while in treatment, she remained in touch with her professors.

She wanted more than anything to get back to her studies, Silver said.

With her degree, she had hoped to teach and speak at events to help families better understand adoption so that children wouldnt have to bear such a large burden. Now, that wouldnt be possible.

The degree, finally earned

Soon after his wife died, Reed reached out to Rutgers-Camden, and a conversation quickly began on how the school could honor her.

Its not the first time that Rutgers-Camden has awarded a degree posthumously, and it happens at other colleges, too. John Griffin, dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, said that in Reeds case, it was an easy decision.

The school asked her husband how he would like to receive the degree. He could have picked it up or had it mailed, or he could walk across the stage, as his wife would have done.

She often talked about how much the degree meant to her, Reed said. She even looked forward to being called Dr. Reed, he said.

It just felt like Id be doing her a disservice if I didnt walk up on stage and receive it, he said. That work was near and dear to Sunnys heart and it was a big part of who she was.

Liam, a second grader, said he has a bit of stage fright, but was happy that his mom would get her degree. In the familys Cherry Hill living room hung a photo of the three of them at Morris Arboretum, taken last Mothers Day.

Mama was really fun, Liam said. She played with me a lot.

On Monday, Reed will be among five students getting doctoral degrees in childhood studies and 1,824 graduates overall, including undergraduate, masters and doctoral students.

Only it will be her husband who will be handed the coveted degree.

Hell be wearing sunglasses, he said, so nobody can see me crying.
Taylor Swift fans danced in the street after police closed South 11th Street between Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday. Read more

Its a bird, its a plane ... no, wait  its a Swifties for Helen Gym banner flying over the Taylor Swift concert.

Shortly before Swift takes the stage for the final night of her three sold-out shows at Lincoln Financial Field, the thousands of fans who pack inside and outside the stadium can look up to the sky for a taste of Philly politics.

A group of Latino activists backing Gym for mayor have paid for a plane to fly the banner over and around the stadium sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, in a final push to engage more young people to vote in Tuesdays mayoral primary election  a high-stakes race in which theres still no clear front-runner.

 READ MORE: Your no-nonsense guide to Phillys Democratic primary for mayor, Council, and row offices

Advertisement

A poll released last week showed a nearly three-way tie between Gym, Cherelle Parker, and Rebecca Rhynhart, with Allan Domb and Jeff Brown not far behind. One in six likely voters, according to that poll, said they were undecided over who theyd vote for to be the citys 100th mayor.

The race may come down to a turnout contest among the front-runners most reliable supporters  and that includes young people.

Were really hoping the flyover makes sparks fly and gets people talking, said Emily Lua-Lua, youth organizer at Make the Road Action in Pennsylvania, a progressive political group backing Gym that advocates largely for Latinos, immigrants, and communities of color. (Sparks Fly is a popular Swift hit from 2010.)

So much is at stake and were really hoping young people make their voices heard on Tuesday, because were ready for Helen Gym to be mayor, she said.

 READ MORE: Helen Gym wants to finish the fight she started 30 years ago. Would she be Philadelphias activist-mayor? | Meet the candidates

Diana Robinson, civic engagement director for Make the Road Action in Pennsylvania, said young people have the opportunity to play a central role in Tuesdays primary. But young voters, like communities of color, dont always feel engaged or see themselves represented in the political process, she said.

Robinsons group works to change that by meeting voters where they are, she said. And what better place to find tens of thousands of mostly young people than at a Swift concert?

We want them to be engaged in democracy, she said.

Robinson said many of the issues Gyms campaign has advocated for, especially when it comes to the conditions of the citys schools and public education system, impact young people directly.

She really listens to young people. She goes to where they are and wants to hear from them, listen to them, and knows what theyre going through, Robinson said. These young people need to know they need to make their voices heard on Tuesday.

 READ MORE: Inside the big get-out-the-vote plans ahead of the Philly mayors race

Make the Road Action in Pennsylvania is operating as an independent expenditure group and the flyover was not coordinated with Gyms campaign, Robinson said.

This isnt the first political flyover the group has done. Last year, they had planes fly banners advocating for John Fetterman for U.S. Senate over Phillies and Steelers games.

The flyover comes on a busy final weekend of Get Out the Vote action, with campaigns blanketing the city with folks pitching their case. And on Sunday afternoon, Gym will host a rally at Franklin Music Hall with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom endorsed her for mayor.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Zain Bahrain has deployed Ericsson's New 5G Hardware that is expected to save up to 18% more energy and weighs less than earlier generations of 5G radios, contributing to a better sustainable future.

The deployment is part of Zains commitment to creating a sustainable and greener telecom network in the kingdom. The new 5G hardware is the lightest and smallest Massive MIMO radio in the industry and is also the most energy-efficient radio of this type deployed in the region. It is also designed to accelerate 5G mid-band spectrum deployment and boost capacity, coverage, and connectivity speeds.

Ali Isa Al Yaham, Chief Technology Officer at Zain Bahrain, said: "Zain Bahrain aims to create a more sustainable future by deploying the latest energy-efficient technologies into its network and infrastructure. The new 5G hardware will improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of operations and the impact on the environment. We will continue to provide our consumers and enterprises with the best network performance."

Continuously evolving

Zain Bahrain is committed to continuously evolving its network in the most sustainable way possible. The telco will continue to test more innovative technologies in the future as part of its sustainability strategy and the kingdom's effort to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).-- TradeArabia News Service
House Republicans, with the support of U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams, approved a border security bill as a COVID-era immigration policy expired.

The Secure Our Border Act passed 219-213, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposing the legislation.

The bill contains several provisions, including the resumption of efforts to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, limiting asylum to those who arrive at a port of entry in the U.S. and hiring more Border Patrol agents.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called it "the strongest border security bill to come through Congress in more than 100 years." But it's unlikely that the Democratic-led U.S. Senate will pass the legislation. The White House has said that President Joe Biden would veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

Republicans have panned Biden's border and immigration policies, labeling it a "crisis" because there has a been a record number of crossings and encounters at the southern border.

The House passed the bill before the end of a policy that has been in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy, known as Title 42, blocked migrants from entering the U.S. and seeking asylum.

Other votes in the House this week:

 The House passed the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, a bill that requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ocean Acidification Program to work with state, local and tribal governments on conducting assessments or developing plans to address how ocean acidification affects their communities.

The vote was 351-58, with support from all Democrats who were present (199) and most Republicans (152). Tenney, R-Canandaigua, and Williams, R-Sennett, voted for the bill.

 Another bill receiving bipartisan support was the Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act. The legislation requires the Department of Energy and NOAA to research the use of artificial intelligence for climate modeling and weather prediction, according to the bill's summary.

Tenney and Williams voted for the measure, which passed by a 356-50 vote.

 The House passed a bill cosponsored by Tenney to address the overpayment of unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the legislation, states could keep 25% of recovered overpayments. The funds could be used to update unemployment payment systems or hire more fraud investigators. The bill would also extend the statute of limitations for federal unemployment fraud crimes from five to 10 years.

The bill passed by a 230-200 vote. Tenney and Williams supported its passage.

 Democrats and Republicans joined together to pass a bill to combat the drug crisis.

By a 425-0 vote, the House approved the Testing, Rapid Analysis and Narcotic Quality Research Act. The bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to research synthetic opioids and the use of xylazine. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public safety alert after seizing fentanyl mixed with the powerful sedative.

Williams cosponsored the bill and held a roundtable with central New York law enforcement officials and experts to discuss the fentanyl crisis. He, along with Tenney, voted for the legislation.
Farmers fear they are "the ones being hammered in the name of bringing down food prices", a farm organisation has said.

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Agribusiness and technology.

Most primary producers are operating with "tiny margins and have next to no bargaining powers when it comes to negotiating with the big retailers", the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association said.

ICSA beef chairman Edmund Graham has again called for the Agri-Food Regulator to "forensically investigate who is making what along the food chain, and to expose profiteering".

"While we are moving nearer to this becoming a reality, progress on the establishment of the office of the Agri-Food Regulator has been painfully slow," he said.

"The time for greater transparency has surely come, and the necessity of a food regulator, with adequate powers, should now be clear for all to see."

Mr Graham said that Government cannot "be manipulated by supermarket interests when it comes to the pricing of key staples like meat, bread, vegetables, and dairy".

'Families and workers are struggling'

Last week, Minister with special responsibility for retail business Neale Richmond chaired a meeting of the Retail Forum.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Richmond said: "It is quite clear that many families and workers are struggling with increased costs at the supermarket checkout.

"We have seen cuts to the price of butter, milk, and bread prices in recent days; these are to be welcomed.

"I am pleased to say that I received assurances from retailers that, where reductions in input costs filter through to products, consumers will benefit from this."

The bill to bring in the new Agri-Food Regulator was debated in the Dail last week, with a number of TDs saying that the legislation will not go far enough.

Speaking on amendments she has brought forward which seek to ensure that the new office is empowered to examine issues and publish information around the cost of production, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that the bill as it currently stands "does not explicitly require full and transparent analysis of the true cost of producing food that we all consume and that is exported".

"I am seeking to ensure the bill goes as far as it can for farmers, fishers, and primary producers. Their work is essential but too often they operate at a loss or barely get by while, at the same time, food processors, major retailers, and wholesalers make massive profits," Ms Cairns said.

Legislation

"The Government has ruled out legislative measures to intervene in the market to prohibit below-cost procurement where producers get less than it cost them to produce the products.

"I recognise that this is a very complex area and there needs to be some degree of flexibility to enable negotiations and everyday commerce. However, it is disappointing that the Government is not willing to take the steps available to protect primary producers and consumers."

Ms Cairns said that it is "essential" that this law goes as far as possible in permitting the new regulatory office to investigate all aspects of the supply chain.

"It is simply wrong not to mention that it is unsustainable that farmers, fishers, and small-scale producers end up receiving less than the cost of their produce from retailers and food processors," she added.

Ms Cairns sought amendments to help "address malpractice" by requiring the new office to publish annual reports on costs associated with the production of different foodstuffs to determine the real cost of production.

"This would be significant in providing transparency and holding big players to account. This type of analysis would help join up all aspects of the food chain," Ms Cairns said.

"Producers, consumers, and policymakers could all see how much it costs for an inshore fisher to catch mackerel, how much fishers get for that fish, and how much it is sold for in the shop.

"We need to understand how much it costs to produce a kilogram of meat, fish, or vegetables, how much of that is public money, how much are producers getting, how much are consumers paying, and, crucially, what the environmental cost is."
So its official. A serious contender running for US president next year has been found liable for sexual abuse and defamation of his accuser.

By his own admission, since the release of that Access Hollywood tape in 2016 (Grab em by the pussy), Trump has long been a committed sex offender.

What does this mean? Will America allow a man found liable for sexual abuse and defamation  who is also a twice-impeached, riot-inciting fraudster  back into the White House?

When Trumps recent rape trial ended, the judge advised the jury not to disclose their identities: Not now, and not for a long time.

This is the kind of advice youd normally associate with people being placed on witness protection schemes after mob trials, rather than that of a former US president  but then Trump is the leader of a violent mob, as January 6, 2021 showed.

A mob in a permanent state of whipped-up grievance, with Trump its saviour.

POST-TRUTH

He oversees a post-truth cult where he can literally be accused of sexual assault by dozens of women, be damned by a jury in three hours, and remain reputationally unscathed within that cult.

If anything, accusations of sexual assault appear to enhance his reputation. What does this mean? What message is it transmitting to the rest of society?

The belief system within the Trump cult, noisily propagated by his own ALL-CAPS OUTRAGE, is that he is the ongoing victim of a conspiracy to silence him. He is a victim, and his followers are victims.

Suzanne Harrington at UCC. Picture: Denis Scannell

Women who accuse him of sexual assault are either delusional  too ugly to be raped  or politically motivated  part of the vast plot against him  or both. This is his narrative, and the narrative of his cult.

But what does it mean when these delusional Trump cultists interface with wider reality? What does it mean when their leader is given platform after platform  most recently CNN  so that he may pursue his quest for power, like some dumpster Bond villain? Why has the line of acceptability been moved so far over the horizon as to have disappeared completely?

Why  how  did wider society allow this to happen?

LOOKING ON AGHAST

Women have become numbers. (In the Trump cult, Melania is a 10, E Jean Carroll a two). Black lives dont matter. Womens reproductive rights dont matter. Guns matter.

America is being made great again, via protectionism, unfunded tax cuts and putting children in cages, which Melania can visit wearing a coat that says: I Really Dont Care. Now shes married to a sex offender, and doesnt seem to care about that either.

Remember those innocent Free Melania days? Long gone.

As we look on aghast at the possible green-lighting of season two of the dystopian Trump drama  something Margaret Atwood on ayahuasca couldnt dream up  it seems that there is nothing this guy could do to turn his cult against him.

Open fire in a shopping mall? A primary school?

Nope. Theyd be cool with that too.
David King lives peacefully on a rocky smallholding near Kenmare in County Kerry with his wife of 20 years, a Labrador, and a flock of sheep. Its all a long way from his rackety early life in England, with an erratic, much-married mother and a series of violent stepfathers. And he couldnt be happier.

Best of all, his first novel has just been released. American Bombshell is based on the early life of his mother, Beryl. And its quite some story. It follows teenager Rosie Haskell, who, released from an abusive orphanage, finds a job at a wartime factory. She meets Eugene, a glamorous Irish American pilot, and, after the war, follows him to New York  travelling on the Queen Mary  only to find that unbeknownst to her, he had married her bigamously, and had now made up with his American wife.

The book ends there  but his mothers story was just beginning. The real-life Beryl travelled to Mexico to get divorced; she ended up in Boston, then Florida, and then, when her brother, in England, managed to break into acting, to Hollywood where she assumed stardom would follow.

It didnt  but she managed to get a job modelling furs in Beverley Hills.

She was tall, at 58, and was striking, with the ideal 36, 24, 36 figure, says King over Zoom, as we discuss his debut. She also taught deportment, and got a job teaching American actresses to talk with an English accent.

Befriending stuntmen and screenwriters, she attended many drink- and drug-filled parties in Beverley Hills. And one night, when she and her friends were stoned, they decided to drive to Alaska. They crashed on the way, and Beryl was badly injured.

Having recovered, she ended up in New York, and in the 1960s helped President Kennedy with his campaign. But during the Cuba Crisis, believing the world would end, she moved back to England.

Each of these moves was because of a marriage, King says. I believe there were three more after that first one  and she left at least one child in America. I know she had a daughter there. Her husband in Florida was a Catholic former monk who used to get drunk and beat her up. She left when he bought a gun. Back in England, she met and married Kings father  a wheeler-dealer from London. They stayed together until King was four.

He put me on the shop counter one day and said, do you want to live with your mother or your father?. Then he went out of the door, and I didnt see him for three years.

Author David King.

A DARKER SIDE

King remembers Beryls love of books; she taught him to read by the age of three  and she was funny, and good at doing impressions of people.

But there was a much darker side to her too; one that, King believes, stems from the neglect and abuse she suffered from her mother, and in the orphanage, once her beloved father had died.

She struggled to have relationships of any kind. She had personality changes almost without warning. I never knew who she was going to be that day.

King had attended eight schools before his father offered to pay for him to go to a private boarding school. He attended two  the first was extremely violent. But the holidays were no better.

Husband number five or six was a complete sod. He used to beat me with a walking stick.

When I ask him how he survived, he says, bluntly, that he didnt.

As an early adult, I had a lot of psychological problems, he says. I had OCD and bad anxiety and panic attacks. Ive had therapy, and now have only a patch of depression, but most of my life was wrecked from the psychological point of view.

He was determined not to repeat his mothers mistakes  and his relationships have always been long ones.

"I was engaged twice, but have been married now for 20 years. We dont have children. I never wanted them because I didnt know how to bring them up. If I made a mess of it, I dont think I would ever get over it. Luckily, I found a woman who, as a teacher, had had enough of children and didnt want any of her own.

Professionally, he has craved stability. He took a degree in Classics at Warwick University, then became a town planner  a job he describes as intensely boring.

But by having a professional qualification, theres always a job and reasonable pay. Once happy in England, King became increasingly frustrated with life and the politics there.

It has been getting progressively madder and madder over a long period. Theres no sense of English identity, so everyone is out for themselves.

Brexit was the last straw. As soon as the decision was made, we started packing up. We sold our house and bought as big a house as we could in Kerry. My wife works, and I have kept some town planning clients.

King has always had a deep fascination for history  and especially for the Second World War. His parents often talked about it; there was a gas mask in his childhood home. He has been researching the period for years. Going through multiple archives, he also spoke to people who had taken part in the war.

I interviewed a British fighter pilot, a member of a British bomb crew, and an Italian fighter pilot, (through a translator.) Also, women in the WAFFS, Land Girls, and people whod been schoolchildren at the time. I have several books sketched out.

American Bombshell by David King

TRUTH AND RESEARCH

He decided to write his mothers story in lockdown. Its based on a mixture of her truth, and his research.

The main events are true. She did go to New York on the Queen Mary; the marriage; the orphanage are all true  but not the same-sex relationship Rosie has with a co-worker from the factory, or Eugenes drug taking. That is from my research.

I found out that American, British, and German aircrew were given Benzedrine, an amphetamine, officially, to keep them awake. But actually to keep their courage up. It gives a sense of invincibility, and stopped them turning back before they reached the target. They dont feel their injuries so much. Theyd press on.

The trouble was, when they came down, theyre tired but cant sleep. Some sought other means  alcohol, exercise, or sex  but others used drugs, and particularly morphine. Ampules were kept on the aircraft, and a lot of them disappeared. Theres solid evidence of this.

King found it therapeutic to write his mothers story  but doesnt think he could cope with the later part.

The early part of her life is easier. Because she was young and positive. The abuse from the orphanage hadnt come to roost yet  she pushed it to one side of her mind. Whats next?

Im due to go to Ukraine in a few weeks, he says. Ive friends in Lviv  a writer who works for a press doing anti-Russian propaganda. I have a story set in Ukraine during the Second World War. Putin is just one chapter in Ukraines sovereignty being denied by Russia  it goes back 200 years. And the Second World War episode is very similar to what is happening now.

Meanwhile, hes happy writing in the peace and quiet of Kerry.

I never thought of myself as a farmer, he says, and theres a bit of trauma when lambs are born, and when they die, but its good to get out there and fix fences. Youd have to drag me back to England, he says. And Id probably try to escape.
Former Eurovision contestants in Liverpool and Ukraine joined together for an emotional performance of Youll Never Walk Alone that brought audience members to tears.

The final act of the grand final before the vote closed was The Liverpool Songbook  a celebration of the host citys contribution to the world of pop music.

Mahmood, from Italy, began by singing John Lennons Imagine accompanied with an orchestra, before Israels Netta descended from the ceiling singing to Dead Or Alives You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).

Not a dry eye in the place for this incredible rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone  #Eurovision2023 pic.twitter.com/Xgm4LQyQi5  BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 13, 2023

Known for her quirky style, Netta landed on the stage from atop a silver bird before large silver wings inflated from the back of her costume and spread out behind her.

Icelands Dadi Freyr performed Atomic Kittens hit Whole Again, with backing dancers wearing jumpers featuring his face and the audience singing along.

Cornelia Jakobs sat on a chair with her feet in water to perform I Turn To You by Spice Girl Mel C.

Merseysides own Sonia, who competed in Eurovision in 1993, entertained with a rendition of her entry Better The Devil You Know after clips of her time in the competition were shown on the big screen.

Dutch singer Duncan Laurence then performed Liverpool FC anthem Youll Never Walk Alone as the crowd waved flags in the air.

He was joined on stage by hosts and performers, while Ukrainian winner Ruslana was shown on the steps of the Golden Gate in Kyiv singing along, joined by people waving the countrys national flag.

An audience member was shown in tears as the emotional performance concluded and host Graham Norton said: A tear in my silly old eye. You dont see that every day.
Plastic is everywhere, but it didnt become a problem until after 1871, when an American inventor, John Wesley Hyatt, began producing celluloid, the first semi-synthetic.

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.

A call had been put out for someone to create billiard balls but without ivory, which was becoming scarce. The balls were made, but not without a propensity to explode.

Even so, there was no going back. In 1907 Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, which meant it didnt contain any molecules found in nature.

Industry loved it. So did consumers. More was manufactured. The world couldnt get enough.

This year, the World Economic Forum announced that we are eating, drinking and breathing microplastics; they are raining down on us and are even found in breast milk and fed to our children.

While the impact that plastic pollution has had on planetary and human health is abundantly clear, the forum said, there are major opportunities for the global community to bring about positive changes for plastics and the ocean.

Most of us are aware of this, so we seek out green-labelled products when shopping. However, environmentally friendly labelling is not always what it seems; we can not assume that such labelling is authentic While some of it is legitimate, much is not.

LABELS AND QUESTIONS

Margaux Le Gallou, of the Environmental Coalition on Standards, says: Anyone can come up with their own label. There are no rules on what a label can or cannot claim on environmental matters.

"A telling example would be a company that creates a sustainability label for their own products  self-awards it to their own product  with no consultation with any third party on the methodology behind how to be awarded the label.

She says consumers will see a green label on the packaging, assume its reliable, and think the product is sustainable, when there is no guarantee of this.

Of third-party certification labels, Ms Le Gallou says: Even for those, there are no legal rules on how open or transparent they should be, on how their criteria and methodologies are carried out, or as to their level of ambition.

"There are no legal rules as to what happens after a label is awarded to a company, no guarantee of checks and monitoring, or of taking away the label if the company is in breach.

Acknowledging that there are lots of reliable and credible labels, Ms Le Gallou says: But there are also many more that are misleading, due to the absence of rules. Also, because hundreds of labels exist, consumers usually are not too familiar with them and, apart from the biggest, most well-known ones, they cannot really tell them apart. This is typically what the EU proposal on Substantiating Green Claims is trying to address, by removing all the really bad labels from the market.

Joy O'Leary of Cork Clothes Swap

ASSESSING REPLACEMENTS

In considering alternatives to plastic, Ms Le Gallou says the principle is to first assess if this replacement is useful. For example, replacing single-use plastic packaging by single-use paper  or worse, glass  packaging would be a total waste of resources, she says.

Throwaway products should, as far as possible, be replaced by longer-lasting ones, and habits changed so theyre no longer needed. As evidence of this, she points out that many people are now in the habit of carrying around refillable bottles instead of buying single-use every time.

Some people go to pastry shops and lunch places with their own box.

As for clothes, she says: Most of them are now made with synthetic fabric and their lifetime has significantly decreased over the years. This is both a matter of production and of habits that need to be reverted. We need longer-use, mendable garments. Less clothes, less waste.

While much product waste is caused by consumers, Ms Le Gallou says, Even more are destroyed without ever getting into the hands of consumers, because of problematic stock-management practices and ever-changing trends.

According to the charity Oxfam, every minute, half a tonne of clothing is dumped into a landfill in Ireland. That amount produces over 12 tonnes of carbon emissions, the same as driving 65,000km in a car.

Buying just one white cotton shirt produces the same amount of emissions as driving 56km in a car. These are harrowing statistics, which make clothes swapping not only a great habit, but one we can all easily adopt.

Joy OLeary is working to make this happen. Shes the founder of Cork Clothes Swap, a monthly event she initiated as a response to the planetary perils of fast fashion.

Confirming that she sees a lot of synthetic clothes coming in to be swapped, she adds: This material doesnt age well and because its cheap to buy, people are quick to throw it away.

Flossie and Harriet Donnelly of Flossie and the Beach Cleaners

THE NEXT STEP

Because Cork Clothes Swap struggles to rehome fast fashion, a lot of it ends up in donation bins.

The real gems that people are hunting for at our swaps are clothes made from plant or animal-based fibres, Ms OLeary says. These age better and dont fray as easily with wear.

She recommends thrifting or swapping shoes, instead of buying new. She says: Dont forget about the sole. Natural rubber is biodegradable and can be recycled, and if choosing plastic, go for recycled rather than virgin.

Ms OLeary suggests opting for natural materials over synthetics, then qualifies her words with a wise reminder: Even natural products have an impact on the environment, during production.

For those who buy shoes and boots made of plastic, she pragmatically suggests giving plastic a second life, by choosing recycled rather than virgin plastic.

Its not always about replacing what you have for a sustainable alternative, she says. If you have shoes made from plastic, wear them, to keep them out of landfill.

Its easy to feel overwhelmed by the environmental issues facing our planet. But if we all try hard to make planet-friendly choices, reduce our carbon footprint, and reuse and recycle every day, the cumulative positive impact will be great.

Given the gravity of climate change reality, we very much need to hear whatever good news there is. One whos well aware of this is Harriet Donnelly, founder and CEO of the marine charity, Flossie and the Beach Cleaners.

In her environmental educational work, she regularly visits schools. Often she hears youngsters asking in fear whether the planet will burn.

They need positivity, Ms Donnelly says.

So when Im talking to sixth-class students, I tell them: We have five years to turn it around. There is still time to turn it around. Humans are very clever. We will always be able to live with climate change. The weather will get warmer, but inventions will be made. We will survive.
Over-stretched emergency departments are finding it increasingly difficult to deal with the number of drug-related cases presenting at Emergency Departments.

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs is visiting treatment centres in Dublin this morning to meet service users and staff.

The team of 100 members will visit Coolmine Treatment Centre and Merchant's Quay Ireland to learn more about the lived experience of drug use.

Addressing the assembly this weekend, emergency physician Dr Chris Luke said dealing with the consequences of drug taking is putting severe pressure on the system.

He said that EDs are completely overwhelmed in every town and city in the country.

The busiest times for patients presenting with drug-related issues are the afternoon and evening.

"These people are coming in to already bursting emergency departments and that immediately makes it more difficult," said Dr Luke.

"The number one problem is that we are already packed out. Drug issues can be very difficult to deal with as a result."

For every ten people who take cocaine on a night out, one or more will proceed into severe cocaine-related delirium, agitation, and violence, Dr Luke explained.

In some cases, a person can suffer an acute stroke, heart attack, or seizure.

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs is examining the changes that could be made to reduce the impact of illegal drugs on society.

There are more than 100 people are taking part in the current assembly which is expected to run until October when it votes on its recommendations.
The Irish Refugee Council is calling for asylum seekers to be taken off the streets as a matter of urgency.

The current shortage of accommodation means some newly-arrived refugees are sleeping rough until beds become available.

However, there are renewed fears for their safety after a migrant camp was dismantled and set alight in Dublin city on Friday, following an anti-immigration protest.

Irish Refugee Council chief executive officer Nick Henderson says the level of aggression is of deep concern.

"While there were demonstrations outside centres in January and February and last year, there was a wall separating people," said Mr Henderson.

"People were very uncomfortable inside but there were walls. We are now in a situation where there is nothing and people are in tents.

"These people need to be taken off the streets as soon as possible for their immediate safety."

Gardai are on high alert for further protests against asylum seekers after public order units were called out on Friday and Saturday night.

'Malign opportunism'

Justice Minister Simon Harris said the right to protest is never a right to endanger or intimidate.

The Taoiseach has also unreservedly condemned violent attacks on migrants as "malign opportunism" which cannot be tolerated  adding that gardai are investigating.

On Friday, a man, aged in his 30s, was arrested under the Public Order Act and will appear before Dublin District Court this month.

Speaking at the James Connolly Commemoration at Arbour Hill in Dublin this morning, Labour leader Ivana Bacik called the attacks on the camps appalling.

Ms Bacik said the anti-immigration rhetoric seen over the weekend is an outrage.

"The fact that a small number of far-right activists took the action they did in burning tents was appalling and an outrage in an Ireland that has been so welcoming and so generous in its approach to refugees and people seeking asylum here," said Ms Bacik.
Shadreck did not hang around when his phone pinged with a warning that men were coming to burn out their tents.

I got messages, videos, saying people are protesting here and they want to burn our tents, so we moved, said the Zimbabwean man.

They went to a nearby cafe and watched and listened as a mob of 40 to 50, mainly men, but some women, marched on a makeshift camp on three sides of a block housing the International Protection Office, on Mount St Lower, in Dublins south city centre.

Some of the group are thought to have come from a gathering organised by the far-right Irish Freedom Party earlier on Saturday.

Tensions were already high after a mob burned out a separate migrant encampment a minutes walk on Sandwith St on Friday night, just after gardai took away the occupants to safety.

I was passing that [Sandwith] on Friday and there were people protesting," said Shadreck. It was scary. They started to chase us and said, go, go, go, what are you waiting for?' We thought they might come that night for us, but they did not. They came yesterday [Saturday].

He and his friends from Zimbabwe are living in small tents on the Mount St side.

It's scary, because where we come from, we come from Zimbabwe, we ran away because they wanted to kill us. So, when we come here, again we find a situation like this. It's become scary to us.

Shadreck said sleep was a problem, as their tents are so exposed.

"When you sleep here, people can come and bend the tents, they can even bend you inside the tent. There is no protection. If in the middle of the night they attack us, it's going to be a problem to us. We are scared now. We are scared.

There is a total of 58 small tents on three sides of the block, many with two people inside them.

On the far side of the block, Aleksey from Ukraine talks briefly, in limited English.

I live in occupied territory in Lisichansk [in eastern Ukraine]," he said. "I go to Russia, to Europe, to here. Russia in Ukraine is very bad, very, very bad.

He did not seem fazed by the harassment from the far-right agitators. This is not dangerous. Ukraine is dangerous.

Lucas Mateus Guimaraes, the only person who was willing to give his full name, said the far-right group come to make trouble [and were] aggressive.

But like Shadreck, the Brazilian got a phone message warning him.

One girl told me, Lucas, you can see on Twitter live people move in your direction, you need to tell your friends, said the 25-year-old.

When they come there were so aggressive, go back to your country, you cant stay here. In the last tent [pointing down from him] they try and break the tent. But, like that tent, this tent is my house.

He said it is very dangerous when people in the group call them paedophiles or murderers.

The man living beside him is Volodymyr, from Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine.

There were people with far-right slogans, shouting and telling us we were not welcome, refugees not welcome, Ireland for the Irish, he said.

One tent they moved for sure and they threw a cigarette at us, but nothing serious. Ive seen much, much worse.

Both he and Lucas said that left-wing groups were trying to get them involved in protests and putting up banners.

We dont need slogans here because if you put up far-left slogans surely you will attract far-right, said Volodymyr.

Were not about left or right, we are about a safe place.

Lucas said the gardai policed the protest well. There were about 20 police, the police were perfect. They advised us to hide from this group, they were looking for trouble. The Garda controlled the situation.

Shadreck said there has been a Garda vehicle there since Saturday, across from his tent, with another car doing patrols around the block.

They are checking on us, guys, are you okay? If there is a problem to come to them.

Down the road, in the cul-de-sac off Sandwith St, there is still an acrid smell.

Debris is scattered the full length of it: sleeping bags, remnants of food in pots and takeaways, chairs, suitcases, charred sofas, bits of bikes, and the odd shoe.

Volodymyr said there is talk that their camp on Mount St might be cleared this week and they will be given somewhere else.

Where? What? I dont know," he said. "Somewhere with electricity and toilet, hopefully.

Lucas adds: "Somewhere that is more safe, no trouble."
NEW YORK  For decades, a giant, inflatable rat with beady eyes, sharp teeth and a pustule-covered belly has loomed over union protests, drawing attention to various labor disputes.

As New York City deals with an influx of actual rats, Scabby the Rat has become that rare thing, like Pizza Rat or Buddy the Rat  a rodent New Yorkers can rally behind.

But in the era of TikTok and influencer culture, middle-aged Scabby faces a new challenge: staying relevant.

Its kind of unfortunate, changing times, older members of the public know exactly what the rat is for, said James Smith, union activity administrator for the NYC District Council of Carpenters. The newer generation sometimes doesnt  one person thought that we were protesting a building that needed an exterminator.

Nevertheless, Scabby's not collecting hard-won retirement benefits just yet. Most recently, Scabby has been making the rounds at various picket lines in New York for the Hollywood writers strike organized by the Writers Guild of America East and other unions. Scabby is the true rat czar of New York City, said WGA East communications director Jason Gordon, referencing the more fun title for the city's new director of rodent migration.

At the picket line near HBO and Amazon's New York offices on Wednesday, screenwriter Lisa Kron, 61, said she was thrilled to see that we were being chaperoned by Scabby the Rat.

She's seen Scabby out and about during her four decades living in New York, but this was her first time picketing with the rat.

It's one of those great enduring symbols, it's a great piece of visual protest, she said. It's got humor and it's got a shaming kind of message. And it's very New York.

Its an attention grabber, said Benjamin Serby, a professor at Adelphi University who has written about the history of Scabby. Its something that just is very effective, for whatever reason, at making people walking by or driving by, stop and ask: Whats going on here?

Although having a rat as a mascot seems quintessentially New York, Scabby the Rat was actually invented by a union in Chicago around the late 1980s (several claim credit), and other unions around the country quickly adopted the practice of using inflatables to draw attention to actions (pigs, roaches and cats are other popular inflatables to use as well, although they lack a catchy nickname).

There are many Scabbys. At another union action in March at a Petco, Marty Flash sat in the cab of his truck used to ferry one of the NYC District Council of Carpenters' eight rats around (most unions have several, or borrow from unions that do). Most of the District Council's rats, along with a generator and gas can, stay in a locker at union headquarters or in organizers' trucks so they can be quickly deployed.

Flash, a carpenter for 35 years, has seen many reactions to the 10-foot-tall (3-meter-tall) rat, which, at the moment, was towering over Union Square in the truck's bed.

In midtown Manhattan, its a tourist attraction. Little children get a real kick out of it. They come over, they want to touch it. Dogs are petrified of it, he said. Flash said Scabby can inflate in about a minute and a half with a generator and deflate in about 30 seconds. Bigger rats  the rats range from 8 to 20-plus feet (more than 6 meters)  can take 15 minutes to fill up.

Scabby's name is a play on scabs, the derogatory term dating back to the 1800s for strikebreakers who cross picket lines to work. The oozing sores on his belly are a visual reference to the term. But Flash said workers at the sites visited by Scabby shouldn't take offense, since the rat is protesting against contractors and companies, not the workers themselves.

Some workers think that we are against them. Were actually fighting to get them more money, better pay and better benefits, he said. But its perceived as the rat is calling them a rat or implying that theyre less than. Which is not our intention. ... Its to imply that a rat contractor is not paying their workers the fair pay."

Rats are made of PVC vinyl and cost between $8,000 to $20,000, according to Flash. One company, Blue Sky Balloons outside of Chicago, is responsible for most of the rats found in NYC. But they seem to be distancing themselves from the inflatables, The Guardian reported earlier this year. Blue Sky Balloons responded to an Associated Press query by saying they were new owners who werent associated with the rat, and didnt respond to follow-up queries.

But Flash says his union still sends their rats to Big Sky for repairs, which can cost up to $2,000. Repairs are needed often since most are years or decades old  so the unions try to take good care of their rats.

I baby this one with my life, Flash said. We have a pool of rats and generators that you take when you need. I just always keep mine with me because Im familiar with this operation.

Not everyone likes Scabby. Sometimes the inflatable rat gets slashed or attacked by anyone from random passersby to disgruntled workers at sites. The rat has often been the subject of legal challenges by the companies Scabby targets. If he blocks the sidewalk or street, police can boot him. But Scabby is a survivor, winning its most recent legal challenge in 2021, when the National Labor Relations Board ruled that it was a protected form of expression.

These days, Scabby also has to contend with new technology and social media. Its Facebook page, run by a retired union organizer, lets various unions post photos of Scabby at protests around the country, and some rats feature QR codes that give people information about campaigns. But Mike Piccirillo, president of Local 20 Carpenters Union, said a more recent addition to the unions arsenal might overshadow Scabby.

Our LED sign truck is a lot more effective than the rat, he said. Ive been in construction for 25 years, and most New Yorkers are numb to the rat. They just walk by it. Now the LED sign with its flashing lights actually gets their attention.

Yet  much like the currently surging rat population in New York  Scabby is unlikely to completely disappear anytime soon, as long as the rat keeps conveying his message of fair pay for workers.

People are drawn to it in part because its like an ironic symbol of defiance, Serby said. Something about this giant, ugly, toothy kind of scary-looking rat makes people feel permitted to express anger and defiance and outrage at employers.
A live file on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder case remains on the desk of the French ambassador to Ireland as authorities continue discussions over the extradition of Ian Bailey.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Irish Examiner, Ambassador Vincent Guerend also said he "completely agrees" with recent comments made by Tanaiste Micheal Martin who said the Government and the private sector need to be "realistic" and "clear-eyed" about China's strategic objectives and their implications.
Irish entrepreneur Paddy Cosgrave has accused Tanaiste Micheal Martin of making attacks and insinuations against his reputation.

Mr Cosgrave was appearing on RTEs This Week radio programme to discuss his complaint over comments made by Mr Martin under Dail privilege which has been referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Procedures and Oversight.

Mr Martin had criticised Mr Cosgrave, who is chief executive of Web Summit, during Leaders Questions on April 27 over a junior ministers role in the sale of council land in 2008.

Web Summit is providing 1 million over five years to the news website The Ditch, which first reported that minister Niall Collins attended a meeting of an area committee where the sale of council land that was ultimately purchased by his wife was proposed.

Among other comments, Mr Martin said the website is a political organisation attacking Government and that Mr Cosgrave is a political opponent.

Mr Cosgrave said it is highly inappropriate for any politician to use Dail privilege to attack a citizen.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin used parliamentary privilege to make the comments (PA)

He said it was an attempt to distract from the story about Mr Collins.

Micheal Martin was given free rein for quite a prolonged period of time to make attacks and insinuations on my reputation, Mr Cosgrave said.

He also said he has suffered reputational damage from references to Russia in Mr Martins comments.

Im being accused of being part of some sort of Russian conspiracy to destabilise Ireland, which I think is slightly ridiculous.

He said he was responsible for the first visa waiver for a Ukrainian refugee into Ireland, and that Web Summit had banned all Russian companies from participating.

I think that I have done more than almost any other business person in this country for Ukraine, Mr Cosgrave said.

I am probably the only outspoken Irish businessperson for more than half-a-decade about what I see is the misuse of the IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) as a conduit for dark Russian money.

Asked about Mr Martins comments in relation to the independence of The Ditch website from Mr Cosgrave, he described the Tanaiste as weaselly and a slippery politician.

Mr Cosgrave said: I have an intense interest in media and the future of media and in supporting what I think is good journalism.

I think the journalism that The Ditch has done is quite incredible.

He also said his funding of The Ditch is incredibly effective brand marketing for Web Summit.

He added: We run an event that brings together people that are trying to disrupt in different ways the existing status quo in the world, and I think the type of journalism that The Ditch does is perfectly aligned with the overall brand of Web Summit.

He said Web Summit has also provided funding to investigation platform Noteworthy and he has offered funding to business news website The Currency.

Mr Cosgrave said he absolutely wants a change of Government.

Asked about Mr Martins characterisation of him as a political opponent, he said: I think every citizen has a right to political opinions.

Paddy Cosgrave is founder of Web Summit (PA)

He said Mr Martin should not use parliamentary privilege to make such charges if they are not also made outside of the Dail.

I take issue with it being eluded or insinuated that Im somehow involved in some Russian-backed attempt to destabilise Ireland or the Irish Government.

Describing himself as one of the wealthiest people in Ireland, Mr Cosgrave said he is the overwhelming beneficiary of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail policies that allow him to enjoy incredibly unusual tax privileges in this country.

He added: But I think their policies are pernicious and destructive to the interests of most people.

So for my total self-interest, I shouldnt want Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to change.

But deep down I know that how they operate, I think, is wrong and not to the benefit to the majority of people in this country.

I think doing something about that funding, good investigative journalism that exposes some of that wrongdoing, I think thats a reasonable and good thing for Web Summit to engage in.

Asked about a tweet he wrote which was also referenced by Mr Martin, Mr Cosgrave said his use of the term body bag was not a call for murder and was instead rap slang for using words to expose someone.

On the subject of disinformation, Mr Cosgrave said he stood by a tweet which he had previously deleted and apologised for.
Bangladesh and Myanmar braced on Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter.

The outermost band of Cyclone Mocha, with winds of 180-190 kph (112-118 mph), and gusts of up to 210 kph (130 mph) per hour, reached the coast of Myanmars Rakhine state on Sunday morning.

By afternoon, the centre of the storm was expected to make landfall near Sittwe township, which was under the highest weather alert, Myanmars Meteorological Department said.

More than 4,000 of Sittwes 300,000 residents have been evacuated to other cities since Friday and more than 20,000 people are sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the citys highlands, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is helping people in shelters in Sittwe.

Many local people live in areas more than three metres above sea level, where residents believe the storm surge cannot reach, he added.

Officials patrol the coast, urging people to find shelter, in Coxs Bazar district, Bangladesh (Al-emrun Garjon/AP)

The storm has not yet entered, so we dont have much difficulty. However, there are too many people in the shelters and not enough toilets, he added.

Lin Lin, the chairman of a local charitable foundation, said earlier there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe after more people arrived than expected.

On Sunday morning, several deaths caused by wind and rain were reported in Myanmar.

A rescue team from the countrys eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township.

Local media reported that a man was crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay Region.

In Sittwe, a mobile phone tower collapsed under high wind and other buildings were damaged, local media reported.

In most of Bangladesh, the weather remained sunny and humid on Sunday morning.

UN agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps that house more than one million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar.

Titon Mitra, the UN Development Programme representative in Myanmar, tweeted: Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities.

Bangladesh issued the highest danger signal for Coxs Bazar, home to the camps.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned the cyclone could cause severe damage to lives and property in eight coastal districts.

An already-flooded street in Rakhine state, Myanmar, as Cyclone Mocha approaches (AP)

No heavy rainfall had been reported in Coxs Bazar as of Sunday morning.

Authorities said some 1.27 million people have been evacuated in the district.

Fisher Jamal Uddin in Coxs Bazar said local elected officials and volunteers were helping at the cyclone shelter.

We are asking people to move to safe places. We are trying to stay safe, he said.

The weather isnt good. We are following the instructions of the Meteorological Department. We are now thinking about what to do, he said.

Fishing boats removed from the water in a bid to protect them have been parked along a road near the coast in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh (Al-emrun Garjon/AP)

Bangladesh, with more than 160 million people, has prepared more than 1,500 cyclone shelters.

The navy said it is keeping ready 21 ships, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters for rescue and relief operations.

Authorities in Bangladesh said heavy rains from the cyclone could trigger landslides in Chattogram and Coxs Bazar and three other hilly districts  Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered officials to prepare for evacuations and rescues.

The Junior Minister for Disaster Management, Enamur Rahman, said Saint Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal may face greater risk, and that the government has prepared 37 cyclone shelters to accommodate 8,500 people there.

Food supplies were positioned at a World Food Programme warehouse in Rakhine state in Myanmar (World Food Programme/AP)

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days.

Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

As long as oceans are warm and winds are favourable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period, Koll said.

Cyclones are among the most devastating natural disasters in the world, especially if they affect densely populated coastal regions in South Asia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been welcomed with military honours by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he made his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy is visiting allies in search of further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Mr Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

On the eve of his arrival  which is taking place amid tight security  the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Mr Zelenskyy tweeted on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system.

Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greets Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at Bellevue Palace in Berlin (Matthias Schrader/AP)

Mr Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Mr Zelenskyy of their support for his countrys fight against the Russian invasion.

Announcing the new arms package, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for as long as it takes.

After meeting Mr Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Mr Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defence not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

While German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide further weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the kind Kyiv is asking its allies for.
Thousands of people were hunkering down in monasteries, pagodas and schools, taking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

The centre of Cyclone Mocha made landfall on Sunday afternoon in Myanmars Rakhine state near Sittwe township, with wind speeds of up to 130 miles an hour, Myanmars meteorological department said.

Myanmars military information office said the storm had damaged houses, electrical transformers, mobile phone towers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships.

Children stand under a roadside shelter before Cyclone Mocha makes landfall in Rakhine State in Myanmar (AP)

It said the storm also tore roofs off of sports buildings on the Coco Islands, about 264 miles (425km) southwest of the countrys largest city, Yangon.

Rakhine-based media reported that streets and basements of houses in Sittwes low-lying areas had been flooded. Much of the area was cut off from telephone and internet services after high winds damaged mobile phone towers.

More than 4,000 of Sittwes 300,000 residents were evacuated to other cities and more than 20,000 people were sheltering in sturdy buildings including monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the citys highlands, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is volunteering in shelters in Sittwe.

Rescue workers remove fallen trees in Teknaf, near Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh (Al-emrun Garjon/AP)

Speaking earlier, Lin Lin, chairman of a local charitable foundation, said there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe, after more people had arrived than expected.

Titon Mitra, the UN Development Programme representative in Myanmar, tweeted: Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities.

Several deaths caused by wind and rain were reported in Myanmar on Sunday morning.

A satellite image shows storm Mocha intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm (India Meteorological Department via AP)

A rescue team from the countrys eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township.

Local media reported that a man had been crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay Region.

Authorities in the Bangladeshi city of Coxs Bazar, which lay in the storms predicted path, said earlier that they had evacuated some 1.27 million people, but by early afternoon it appeared that the storm would mostly miss the country as it veered east, Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh meteorological department in Dhaka, said.

The level of risk has reduced to a great extent in Bangladesh, he told reporters.

Food supplies were positioned at a World Food Programme warehouse in Rakhine state in Myanmar (World Food Programme/AP)

Strong winds accompanied by rains continued in the Saint Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal in the afternoon, but feared tidal surges did not take place because the cyclone started crossing the Bangladesh coast at low tide, Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported.

UN agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh had prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps that house more than one million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.
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.
Today is Mother's Day, for most a joyous day of celebration with family and friends. But for those close to the 10 people murdered in cold blood on this date in Buffalo a year ago, it's also a reminder of the devastation that the combination of pure hate and high-powered firearms can cause.

May 14, 2022, will always be one of the darkest in the history of our nation, not just in Buffalo or New York state. What happened that day in the Tops Supermarket was an attack on one of the things that America should always embrace as a strength: its diversity.

The gunman, who has been convicted and whose name we won't give the honor of putting into words, singled out this store located hours from his home because he researched to find a place where he could kill the most Black people in a short amount of time.

A couple of days before this terrible anniversary, family members of some of the victims filed a wide-ranging lawsuit in state Supreme Court against individuals and businesses whose actions, or lack of actions, contributed to what that one person did at the supermarket.

Those families included relatives of Andre Mackniel, the Auburn resident who was raising his youngest son, Andre Jr., with his fiance. He was in Buffalo to celebrate his son's birthday, and was in that store to buy the cake for the family gathering.

And he was brutally murdered because of the color of his skin.

The Tops massacre was the work of a sick mind, no doubt, but how that mind became so deranged and hateful, and how that person was able to use easy access to weapons and social media to carry out his attack, must continually be confronted.

The Citizen Editorial board includes executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd
100 years ago

1923: Flagstaff is interested and the astronomical world excited over the discovery of a new star, probably larger than our own sun, by C.O. Lampland of the Lowell Observatory staff on Monday night. It is located in the great Spiral Nebula, a sort of milky way that is much farther away than the Milky Way with which we are all familiar. This Spiral Nebula is believed to be a star universe like ours, but so far off that it seems to be only a very faint and small patch of light. The new star found by Lampland might have been formed by the coalition of two or more particles comprising the nebula. Its discovery could lead to many further interesting development; for instance, it may make it possible, as it heretofore never has been, to compute exactly the distance between earth and the Spiral Nebula.

The conference called by Gov. Hunt to consider the Colorado River situation adopted a resolution Wednesday favoring control by Arizona of all the power developed on the Colorado River within the boundaries of the state. It seemed to be the sense of the conferees that the governor should call a special session of the legislature to provide for a bond issue to get funds with which to build a dam at Glen Canyon. Estimates of the cost of this were between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000.

75 years ago

1948: In a ceremony tonight to which the general public is invited, Florence Begay, a 16-year-old Navajo girl and valedictorian of the Flagstaff High School class of 1948, will be presented a check for $300 by the state Elks association for making the highest rank in state competition for national Elks scholarship awards. The presentation ceremony will take place at the courthouse steps beginning at 7 p.m. Miss Begays parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Begay, will be special guests. Arrangements for the ceremony have been handled by Andy Wolf. Music will be provided by the Flagstaff High School band under the direction of James Williams.

The Arizona Industrial Commissions continued apathy toward a solution of the state workmens compensation tangle as it applies to motion picture workers is working a hardship on the states Indians, according to Lloyd Harrell, manager of the Chamber of Commerce. Hugh D. (Shine) Smith tells us that the Indians have been asking when the picture companies will return to the reservations, Harrell said. For many years the film companies have been bringing a considerable cash income to the Indians who have been employed as extras and in other capacities.

The difficulty arises from the fact that the movie people are paid such high salaries that if they are injured while working in Arizona, the compensation fund would be quickly depleted.

50 years ago

1973: Theatrikos, the new community theater group in Flagstaff, is closing out its first season this weekend and next with the production of I Never Sang for My Father. I saw a preview of it last night, and it is an excellent production that I can commend wholeheartedly to those interested in live theater. Getting a community theater group started and keeping it going in a city the size of Flagstaff can be a difficult task. There are many and varied problems, but as the program of last nights play points out, the biggest for Theatrikos is the lack of a permanent home. This nomadic existence we have led has meant that our dauntless (and often sleepless) stage crews and casts have found themselves transporting sets and props under all kinds of conditions, from knee-deep snow to ankle-deep mud, the program notes.

This is usually the case with community theater groups, and it takes time to achieve that permanent home. If the participants are patient and enduring, they will succeed. And it appears that those involved in Theatrikos have the staying qualities that are necessary to eventually produce for them a permanent theater.

25 years ago

1998: Amid the pomp and circumstance of this weekends college graduation ceremonies, it is well to keep in mind some of the more sobering challenges facing the graduates. Of immediate concern is how to pay off all that debt most students accumulate during their college years. Although tuition at Northern Arizona University is a relatively low $2,088 a year, food and lodging costs add up. The university puts the official cost of a year at NAU at $6,800, but any student worth his pizza and concert tickets can easily run through $10,000 in nine months on campus. Unfortunately, instead of meeting expenses solely with low-interest federal student loans, more students are falling for the lure of easy -- but exorbitantly expensive -- credit via credit cards. Today, students easily rack up several thousand dollars on their charge card, an amount that, with interest at 18%, can take years to pay off. We urge students, despite the complicated paperwork, to go the student loan route: Youll sleep better both before and after you graduate.

The memory of the failed Peaks Scenic Parkway might be one of a failed marriage, but the Fourth Street overpass is still looking for a date. And, like most first dates, the city doesnt want to spend every last dime before concocting a plan to get cozy. Council candidates say they hear much support for a connection over  or under, or at  the railroad tracks on Fourth Street between East Route 66 and Huntington Drive.

Opponents of the concept are few, but arguments arise over how much it costs. One camp says it is somewhat expensive: About $18 million, if that. Another camp says it is real expensive: $35 million or more. Lost in the shuffle but not forgotten are the arguments over how to pay for it: Bonds? Taxes? If so, sales or property? Better yet, cant someone else pay for it, or at least put something in the kitty?
The French monarchist movement, Action Francaise, has been given permission to hold a demonstration in Paris on Sunday, despite a police ban ordered by the interior ministry to discourage far-right protests.

On Saturday, approximately 350 members, some wearing masks and dressed in black, attended a symposium in the capital titled France in danger, after a court overturned the ban issued by authorities.

The gathering took place under heavy police supervision, according to an AFP journalist. The Paris administrative court released a statement to AFP stating that the execution of the police prefects order from May 12, 2023 is suspended.

The court also rejected an appeal for Yvan Benedetti and his extreme far-right group The Nationalists, prohibiting them from holding their rally at the same time on Sunday.

Sundays gathering will honour Joan of Arc, who led the French to victory over the English in the 15th century and is revered by many of Frances far-right movements.

On Friday, police had issued several ban orders after Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin issued directives to prohibit any gatherings of the ultraright or extreme right.

The ban came in response to the controversy generated by a far-right white supremacist rally that was allowed to go ahead the previous weekend.

Politicians and activists criticised the governments double standards, as police had cleared the far-right rally while pan-bashing protests against President Emmanuel Macron over his unpopular pension reform have been repeatedly blocked.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez argued that the far-right gatherings were a threat to public order due to possible clashes with radical left activists staging counter-demonstrations.

The court overturned the ban, acknowledging that Sundays rally did not of itself incite public disorder.

Paris police had banned six rallies in Paris over the weekend on public order grounds. Among them was one by the Yellow Vests movement, which in 2018 and 2019 shook the Macron administration in a series of massive protests before the Covid pandemic effectively shut down their activities.

Some of their activists defied the ban on Saturday, leading to officers breaking up the gathering and fining 62 people, according to Paris police.

The move by Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin to curtail far-right rallies has been criticised by some observers for being built on shaky legal grounds. (AFP)
A video compilation circulating since May 3 alleges that nightclubs in Kyiv are partying despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, thanks to foreign donations to the countrys war effort.

However, most of the footage is from the pre-war period, and some of the venues have been closed since the conflict began in 2022.

Although nightlife has resumed in Kyiv in recent months, most clubs and bars close before the midnight curfew, and some venues have stayed open for private events.

Despite claims to the contrary, nightclubs in Ukraine are not using foreign aid funds to keep their businesses running, but have instead organized charity events to support the Ukrainian army.

A video compilation that has been circulating since May 3 has made some serious allegations against nightclubs in Kyiv. The video claims that nightclubs in the city are partying despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, thanks to foreign donations to the countrys war effort.

However, upon closer inspection, it turns out that most of the footage in the video is from the pre-war period, and some of the venues featured in the video have been closed since the conflict began in 2014. So, while the video may have been intended to expose the supposed excesses of the citys nightclubs, it has largely missed the mark.

Furthermore, even though nightlife has resumed in Kyiv in recent months, most clubs and bars are required to close before the midnight curfew. Some venues have even stayed open for private events, but this is hardly indicative of a thriving party scene in the city.

It is important to note that nightclubs in Ukraine are not using foreign aid funds to keep their businesses running, contrary to the claims made in the video. Instead, many clubs have organized charity events to support the Ukrainian army. These events have included fundraisers, auctions, and other initiatives to raise money for the countrys military.

While it is true that the conflict in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the countrys economy and has disrupted daily life for many Ukrainians, it is important to avoid spreading misinformation or drawing inaccurate conclusions based on incomplete or outdated information.

Overall, while the video may have raised some concerns about the state of nightlife in Kyiv, it is important to remember that the situation on the ground is more complex than what can be captured in a short video. Ultimately, the best way to support Ukraine during this difficult time is to remain informed and to seek out accurate information about the countrys ongoing struggle.
Cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Islamic Jihad, putting an end to five days of fighting.

Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire late Saturday, ending five days of intense fighting that left 33 Palestinians, including at least 13 civilians, dead. Two people in Israel were killed by rocket fire.

The cease-fire took effect just after 10 p.m., with a last-minute burst of rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes stretching several minutes past the deadline announced by Egypt.

While the calm brought a sense of relief to Gazas more than 2 million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled numerous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office put out a statement thanking Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi for his efforts to restore calm. Egypt frequently acts as a broker between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

The statement quoted Netanyahus national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, as saying that quiet would be answered with quiet but that Israel would respond to further threats with whatever needs to be done.

In Gaza, Islamic Jihad spokesman Tareq Selmi said Israel had agreed to halt its policy of targeted strikes on the groups leaders. Any stupidity or assassination by the occupation will be met with a response and the Zionist enemy bears the responsibility. he said.

Tensions could quickly resume next week when Israel holds a contentious march through a main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalems Old City.

Still, as the truce took hold, the deafening whooshes of outgoing rockets and booms of Israeli airstrikes was replaced by the honking of cars in Gaza. Streets that had been desolate in recent days quickly teemed with people reveling in the ceasefire, waving Palestinian flags and flashing victory signs from speeding vehicles. Amid the celebration, a fruit vendor used a loudspeaker, enthusiastically promoting his supply of bananas.

The latest violence erupted Tuesday when Israeli airstrikes killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders. Israel said the airstrikes were in response to a heavy burst of rocket fire the previous week and that its attacks have been focused on Islamic Jihad targets. But residents in Gaza said homes of people uninvolved in fighting also had been struck.

At least 10 civilians, including women, young children and uninvolved neighbors were killed in those initial strikes, which drew regional condemnation.

Over the past few days, Israel has conducted more airstrikes, killing other senior Islamic Jihad commanders and destroying their command centers and rocket-launching sites. But the airstrikes showed no signs of stopping the rocket fire.

Israel reported over 1,200 launches throughout the fighting, with some rockets reaching as far as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Israel said about a quarter of the rockets were misfired and landed in Gaza, while most of the rest were either intercepted or landed in open areas. But an 80-year-old woman and a Palestinian laborer who was working inside Israel were killed by rocket fire.

It was the latest in a long series of battles between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the seaside territory in 2007.

But the deal was unlikely to deal with many of the causes of the repeated fighting, including Israels ongoing blockade of Gaza, the large arsenals of weapons possessed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three areas for a future state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but Hamas subsequently overran the territory and expelled forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

The more powerful Hamas has praised Islamic Jihads strikes but remained on the sidelines during the latest round of fighting, limiting the scope of the conflict. As the de facto government held responsible for the abysmal conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently tried to keep a lid on its conflict with Israel. Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, a more ideological and unruly militant group wedded to violence, has taken the lead in the past few rounds of fighting with Israel.

In a reminder of the combustible situation in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military raided the Balata refugee camp near the northern city of Nablus, sparking a firefight that killed two Palestinians. In a separate incident near the northern city of Jenin, Israeli police said they shot and killed a suspected Palestinian assailant who ran toward soldiers wielding a knife.

Israeli-Palestinian fighting has surged in the West Bank under Israels most right-wing government in history. Since the start of the year, 111 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least half of them affiliated with militant groups, according to a tally by The Associated Press  the highest death toll in some two decades. In that time, 20 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

The truce could be further tested on Thursday when Israeli nationalists plan their annual Jerusalem Day march through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalems Old City. The march, meant to celebrate Israels capture of the Old City and its Jewish holy sites in 1967, is a frequent source of friction and helped spark an 11-day war with Hamas in 2021.

On Saturday, Palestinians ventured out to assess the damage wrought by Israeli warplanes and salvage whatever they could. One man carefully pulled documents out from under the rubble. Another carried away a mattress.

Four homes in densely populated residential neighborhoods were reduced to dust in the pre-dawn attacks. The Israeli military alleged the targeted homes belonged to or were used by Islamic Jihad militants. The residents denied the armys claims and said they had no idea why their homes were targeted.

We have no rocket launching pads at all. This is a residential area, said Awni Obaid, beside the debris of what was his three-story house in the central town of Deir al-Balah.

The nearby house of his relative, Jehad Obaid, was also leveled. He had been standing some hundred meters away when his apartment was bombed.

I felt like vomiting because of the dust, he said. This is extraordinary hatred. They claim they dont strike at children, but what we see is craziness, destruction.

(AP)
Germanys Olaf Scholz asserts that Ukraine cannot agree to a peace agreement dictated by Russia  Live Updates.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday that Ukraine is ready for peace, but accepting a deal dictated by Russia and freezing the conflict cannot be an option.

Zelensky visited Germany in a bid to secure further arms deliveries to help Ukraine fend off Russias invasion and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by the conflict. Follow the live blog for the latest developments.

Ukraine not attacking Russian territory, Zelensky says. Ukraine has no plans to attack targets inside Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Berlin on Sunday after receiving a huge new military aid package ahead of an expected counter-offensive.

We are not attacking Russian territory, Zelensky told reporters in Berlin. We have neither the time nor the strength to do so and we have no weapons left with which to do so. We are preparing a counterattack to de-occupy the illegitimately conquered territories, he added.

Russia says two military commanders killed in east Ukraine. Russia announced Sunday that two of its military commanders had been killed in combat near the frontline hotspot of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

In a rare announcement of its losses on the battlefield, the Russian defence ministry stated that the commander of the 4th motorised rifle brigade, Vyacheslav Makarov, and Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of the Army Corps for military-political work, had been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky urges Germany to back fighter jet deliveries. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday urged Germany to back its bid to obtain fighter jets from the West, as it plans a counter-offensive against Russias invasion.

During a visit to Berlin, Zelensky said he would discuss the issue with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, adding that this is not an easy question.

Were now working on creating a coalition of fighter jets Today I will appeal to the German side to support Ukraine in this coalition, he said.

Ukraine troops, Western arms targeted in strikes, Russia says. Moscow said Sunday that Russian forces had struck Western arm depots and Ukrainian troops in the western city of Ternopil and the eastern town of Petropavlivka.

Russias armed forces delivered a strike with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons at the points of deployment of the Ukrainian armed forces, the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

Places of storage of ammunition, weapons and military equipment received from Western countries were also struck, it said.

Ukraine ready for peace but cannot mean freezing conflict, Scholz says. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for peace but accepting a deal dictated by Russia and freezing the conflict cannot be an option, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a joint news conference with Zelensky on Sunday.

Russia has to pull back its troops, it will not work any other way, Scholz said during Zelenskys first visit to Germany since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Berlin will support Ukraine as long as needed, Scholz tells Zelensky. Germany will support Ukraine as long as necessary, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Berlin for the first time since Russias invasion.

I have said it many times, and I repeat it here today: we will support you for as long as it is necessary, Scholz said during a joint press conference.

Zelensky lauds Germany as true friend and reliable ally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Berlin for its backing in Kyivs battle against Moscow troops, calling Germany a true friend during his first visit since Russias invasion.

In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values, he wrote in the guestbook at the German presidents official residence.

8:56am: Zelensky meets President Steinmeier at start of Germany visit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday met his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on his first trip to Germany since Russias invasion.

Zelensky signed the guestbook at the Bellevue Palace, before heading into talks with Steinmeier. He is expected to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz later Sunday.

Zelenskys visit comes as he seeks further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild whats been destroyed by over a year of devastating conflict.

Ukraine repels latest overnight drone and missile attack. Ukrainian forces intercepted and destroyed three missiles and 25 drones overnight in the latest aerial attack on the country since the beginning of May, Ukraines air force reported on Sunday.

Russia has increased the number of missile and drone attacks this month, which Kyiv attributes to Moscows fear of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Russia attacked Ukraine from different directions with Shahed attack drones, Kalibr missiles from ships in the Black Sea, (and) cruise missiles from Tu-95 strategic aircraft, the air force said in a statement.

At least two people were injured in the western region of Ternopil, a senior Ukrainian presidential official stated on the Telegram messaging app. Ukrainian authorities do not report hits on critical infrastructure or military facilities.

Ukraines Zelensky arrives in Germany for visit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin for an official visit on Sunday, having flown out of Rome following meetings with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Already in Berlin, he wrote on Twitter. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security.

( Jowhar with AFP, AP & Reuters)
More than 200 killed in Kenya cult, as over 600 remain missing

The death toll associated with a doomsday cult in Kenya has risen to 201 as 22 more bodies, mostly showing signs of starvation, were exhumed by the police, according to the coast regional commissioner.

The bodies are believed to be followers of Paul Mackenzie, a pastor based in coastal Kenya, who is alleged to have ordered congregants to starve to death in order to meet Jesus.

Over 600 individuals are still missing. Mackenzie remains in custody and is expected to face terrorism-related charges.

Mass graves containing hundreds of bodies have been uncovered on Mackenzies 800-acre property located in the coastal county of Kilifi.

Mackenzie insists that he closed his church in 2019 and moved to the forested area to farm.

Last week, over 100 bodies underwent autopsies which revealed that the victims died due to starvation, strangulation, suffocation and blunt force trauma.

Local media has reported cases of missing internal organs, citing investigators in the case.

Mackenzie, his wife and 16 others will appear in court at the end of the month.

The coast regional commissioner has said that 26 people have been arrested and 610 are reported missing by their families.

The number of survivors rescued from Mackenzies property is unclear, although some were too weak to walk when found.

In Kenya, cults are prevalent, and police across the country are investigating religious leaders whose teachings are believed to be misleading and violate human rights.

President William Ruto recently established a commission of inquiry to investigate how individuals were attracted to their deaths on the coast and to offer recommendations on institutions that failed to act.

Mackenzie has previously been charged with the deaths of children in his church, and residents raised suspicions when his followers relocated to the forested area.

(AP)
The mayor of Saint-Brevin in western France has resigned, less than two months after his home was destroyed in an arson attack which he believes was targeted.

Yannick Morez cited a lack of support from the state among other reasons and plans to leave the town by the end of June.

Increasing numbers of mayors in France are suffering attacks amid rising political tensions, according to reports.

Prior to the attack, Saint-Brevin, which is home to around 14,000 people, had experienced right-wing demonstrations regarding a plan to move an asylum accommodation centre near to a local primary school.

The mayor of Saint-Brevin, a small town in western France, has resigned from his position less than two months after his home was destroyed in an arson attack. The mayor, Yannick Morez, believes that the attack was targeted and cited a lack of support from the state among other reasons for his resignation. He plans to leave the town by the end of June.

The attack on Morezs home occurred on April 28th, and it is believed that it was linked to rising political tensions in the country. Increasing numbers of mayors in France are experiencing attacks, with many citing political tensions as the underlying cause.

Prior to the arson attack, Saint-Brevin had experienced right-wing demonstrations regarding a plan to move an asylum accommodation center near to a local primary school.

Morezs resignation highlights the challenges faced by mayors in France who are trying to balance the needs and desires of their constituents with the broader political climate in the country. Asylum seekers and refugees have become a contentious issue in France, with some politicians and citizens opposing their presence in the country.

The attack on Morezs home is particularly troubling because it represents a direct threat to the safety of elected officials.

Mayors in France are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from managing local budgets to ensuring that public services are running smoothly. However, in recent years, they have also become targets of political violence. In 2019, a mayor in the southern town of Signes was killed after he tried to stop a group of people from illegally dumping trash.

The French government has condemned the attack on Morezs home and has pledged to support him in any way possible. However, many mayors in France feel that they are not receiving adequate support from the government, particularly when it comes to addressing the challenges posed by rising political tensions.

Morezs resignation is a reminder that the job of a mayor in France is not an easy one. As political tensions continue to rise, mayors will need to work hard to ensure that their communities remain safe and that their voices are heard in the national conversation.
Reddit Email 286 Shares

Greenville, Mass. (Special to Informed Comment  Feature)  The 19th century origins of Mothers Day differ vastly in spirit and purpose from celebrations of it in the 20th and 21st centuries. Mothers Day was first inspired by two women with diverse but compatible social and political purposes. Prior to the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia organized Mothers Day Work Clubs to teach women the basics of sanitation in food preparation and drinking water in a time of high infant and child mortality. After the war, she organized Mothers Friendship Day, bringing together mothers of sons who fought on both sides of the Civil War to promote reconciliation. Her daughter Anna Jarvis carried her mothers legacy forward and convinced President Wilson to establish the second Sunday in May as Mothers Day. Jarvis became so disillusioned eventually with what she saw as the commercial sentimentalizing of and profiteering from Mothers Day by the card, food and floral industries that she disowned it.



Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The first public Mothers Day for Peace rally was held in New York City on June 2, 1872 at the inspiration of Julia Ward Howe, an ardent anti-war activist and promoter of world peace. Her 1870 Mothers Day Proclamation passionately lamented the futile deaths in war and heralded action to stop future wars:

Arise then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts

Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience

We women of one country will be too tender of those of another to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated earth, a voice goes up with our own. It says, Disarm, disarm!

Her Proclamation concluded calling for a congress of women all of nationalities to promote the amicable settlement of international questions and the great and general interests of peace.



Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash: 14-yr. old striker, Fola La Follette, and Rose Livingston. Glass negative from the George Grantham Bain Collection, 1913. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. Photograph shows suffrage and labor activist Flora Dodge Fola La Follette (1882-1970), social reformer and missionary Rose Livingston, and a young striker during a garment strike in New York City in 1913. https://www.loc.gov/resource/ggbain.12397/

This theme of engaging women across the world for peace has only grown more urgent. Try Googling photos of negotiating to end war in Ukraine, recommends Margot Wallstrom, Swedens former Minister of Foreign Affairs: women are largely absent. Despite a more than 20-year-old UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security that promotes including women in all efforts for the promotion of peace and security, less that 10 percent of peace agreements have female signatories, she states. Yet, research shows that with more women involved in peace processes, more proposals are put on the table and agreements reached last longer.

In my 2018 interview with Nigerian lawyer, WILPF member, mediator, and peace activist Ayo Ayoola-Amale, she underscored the critical impact of women in peace negotiations. The Liberian 2011 Nobel Prize laureate Leymah Gybowee, together with Christian and Muslim women, pressured warring parties into the 2003 negotiations that eventually ended years of horrific war in Liberia. Research has shown, she added, that where womens inclusion is prioritized, peace is more probable, especially when women are in a position to influence decision makingWomen take an inclusive approach whether it is stopping conflict, contributing to peace processes, or rebuilding their societies after conflict or war.

Restoring Political Roots to Mothers Day

For the 8th consecutive year, the Black Mamas Bail Out Initiative is posting bond on and near Mothers Day for Black mothers in jail, women languishing in cages without a trial because they are too poor to post bail. Their action has highlighted the profiteering of the bail bonds industry and inspired nationwide community action. The US puts more women in jails and prisons than any other country in the world. And while comprising roughly 6% of the US population, Black women make up 22% of womens imprisoned population. Most are arrested for low-level drug use, some on false charges; and most are mothers. Support Black Mamas Bailout Fund this Mothers Day.

Postscript

I learned recently that More phone calls are made on Mothers Day than any other day of the year. And I understand why. As a child, I loved giving my mother a card and a present on Mothers Day as an expression of my love and respect for her; and after leaving home, I always called her on Mothers Day. Now I look forward to honoring my sisters, cousins and nieces as the wonderful mothers they are. But even more urgent is restoring the spirit of our original Mothers Day  calling for World Peace, a call that is loud, persistent, insistent, public and passionate.

Let us also remember that mothers wake up the morning after Mothers Day to their social, economic and political realities: poverty and food insecurity for almost 25% of single mothers; doing most of the unpaid domestic and caregiving work at home; pay discrimination; sexual violence for 1 in 4 women and widespread sexual harassment. Rampant injustice that our society and the world must undo if we are ever to achieve peace.
Last week, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of the Tuba City Elections Office to the Alta Edison Native American Outreach Center, taking a formal step toward remembering an ardent advocate of voter participation.

Edison worked for Coconino County for more than 40 years and played an instrumental role in developing and leading the countys Native American Election Outreach Program.

Just a few months after she worked to register voters and coordinate ballot collection on tribal land for the 2020 election, Edison died. She had contracted COVID-19.

A crowd of county dignitaries, family members and friends of Edison gathered for a memorial luncheon and celebration of her memory on Tuesday.

It was standing room only inside the atrium of the county building on Cherry Avenue in downtown Flagstaff where the supervisors meet. On one side of the room a voter registration booth was set up, a warm nod to Edisons enduring effort to encourage civic engagement.

She was remembered Tuesday by Candace Owens, a former Coconino County recorder, as a tireless champion for voting rights, particularly for Native American residents of Coconino County.

Shed work like 12 days in a row, and I would be like, You cant work another day. She was mad at me, really mad at me. So, I said to Patty, 'You tell her. I wont. She has to go home,' Owens recalled amid a wave of laughter, as she gestured toward Patty Hansen, the current Coconino County recorder.

Edison started working in the Coconino County Recorders Office in 1979. Owens and Edison were in their 20s and started working for the county around the same time. In Owens' telling, the two grew up in their careers together.

Alta could make anything work ... going to the bottom of the Canyon at Havasupai and bringing the ballots up, Owens said. She would recruit. She just had so many innovative things to do, always. You could always count on her.

Edison was the kind of woman who could install an engine in a pickup truck and confidently sit on a horse. She was also good at building and maintaining relationships.

[On the reservation] she knew where everybody lived, and she knew who everyone was related to and everybody in every community. I was just astonished at the wealth of her knowledge, Owens here. She went above and beyond what you would do to make sure that everyone voted, that every vote counted and that everyone got registered.

Edison would ultimately help to register citizens in rural areas to vote, in the absence of addressing maps. She was known for her door-to-door registration efforts, and for setting up booths at fairs, rodeos and community markets.

Edison had a knack, colleagues say, for meeting people where they were and encouraging them to use their voice.

Under her leadership, Coconino County received the U.S. Election Assistances Commissions 2019 Clearinghouse Award for Innovation in Elections.

The election commission said at that time, The program has emerged as a hub to coordinate the unique elections needs of communication, registration and polling on tribal lands. Outreach activities include the coordination of reservation polling places, election worker recruitment and training, a customized Dine language handbook to assist Navajo poll workers and other initiatives, Hansen said.

Certainly, Edison boasted a legendary work ethic at the county, but her family had fond memories to share Tuesday as well.

Edison was 37 years old when she became a grandmother. She is remembered by some of her grandchildren as a teacher of language.

She spoke Dine, and, moreover, she helped develop a "Navajo Language Terminology Guide." The working document was designed to help voters decipher often clunky election terminology.

That guide is now available to voters anywhere where Navajo is spoken.

By one grandchild, Edison was remembered as someone who spoke in third person.

Her grandson Jason ... this is what he remembers. Her saying things like, Grandma went to the store. Grandma is hungry. Grandma knows a lot of things, Edisons daughter, LaDonna Edison, shared Tuesday.

Her daughter remembers Edison as a woman who was generous in the way she shared her history, and the history of her community and culture.

Mom liked to remind us that she was not born in a hospital, Ladonna recalled. She showed me the spot on top of the hill, with a view of Sand Springs to the north and the San Francisco Peaks to the southwest. Here, by this bush. This is where your mother was born.

Edison grew up near Sand Springs, roping logs as they floated down a rain water-filled wash and drying them for fire wood.

She was the second oldest of her siblings. She had five sisters and two brothers ... she graduated eighth grade at Tuba City Boarding School in 1972. Summers were spent herding sheep, rounding up cattle, riding horses and learning the Navajo tradition, culture and language, LaDonna said.

Edisons daughter remembered her mother driving up Indian School Road in Phoenix. She would use the opportunity to teach her children about the brutal history of boarding schools. Then, driving by the Indian Hospital, she reminded them they were promised free healthcare.

This was her way of touring and educating us, LaDonna said. She educated people on the importance of voting, and not taking their right to vote for granted. She would tell the younger generation how Native Americans were only recently granted citizenship.

Indigenous people were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924, but their right to vote was not secured. In Arizona, Indigenous people were not granted suffrage in until July 15, 1948  just nine years and three days before Edison was born.

As an employee of Coconino County, Edison helped develop culturally sensitive civic education and voter engagement programs designed to serve the unique needs of all six tribes in Coconino County.

It was a big job, and one that Edison dove into headfirst.

Owens' predecessor in the county recorder position, Helen Hudgens Ferrell, remembers Edison as someone who could take a bull by the horns  literally.

Edison once asked Ferrell for time off to help her family brand cattle. She explained, to Ferrells shock, that she was the mugger, the person tasked with flipping young bulls over at the branding fire.

Ferrell recalled: Alta wasnt a big person in the sense of stature, nor did you think of her as muscular, but sure enough when she came back and I asked, Did you throw that bull? as a joke. She said, Yeah, I grabbed the horns and flipped them.

It was her strength and perseverance, colleagues said, that saw Edison tackling her job with tenacity in 2020, in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.

She organized drive-thru voter registration efforts, and is credited with having helped Native American voters to turn out in record numbers. The votes of Indigenous people in 2020 ultimately helped tip the scales in Joe Bidens favor. He won in Arizona by more than 10,000 votes.

We worried a lot about her as she was getting ready to work the 2020 election, and we were hoping and praying that she would not be exposed to COVID-19, LaDonna said.

When Edison passed away in January of 2021, her daughter said it was hard to believe she was gone. Because she was so dedicated to her job, it was easy to imagine her mom was simply at work.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs reached out to Edisons children to express her condolences, having worked with Coconino County's pioneering Native American Outreach Coordinator in her capacity as secretary of state. Edison's daughter recalled her mother calling the office "SOS."

The now-governor was not the only colleague who went out of their way to show gratitude for Edisons memory.

Two members of the Coconino County Facilities Team handcrafted a beautiful juniper picture frame, with wood they harvested personally, for a photo of Edison accepting her 2019 Clearinghouse Award. The frame, photo and award declaration now hang in the county office building.
Reddit 10 Email 484 Shares

By Dina Matar, SOAS, University of London | 

When Palestinians commemorate the Nakba (the catastrophe) on May 15, they are not only remembering a violent historical event that took place 75 years ago which led to the uprooting of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland. Nor just the destruction of more than 400 villages and towns and the killing of thousands others. They are also marking the fact that the Nakba did not end in 1948, but continues in different forms to this day.

What Palestinians call ongoing Nakba still generates suffering, destruction of homes and loss of Palestinian lives. They experience it in the continuing Israeli annexation of their land and attacks launched regularly against their homes in Gaza. And they see it in the regular violations of their human rights, both inside Israel and in the occupied territories and Gaza Strip.

For Palestinians worldwide, the Nakba is remembered as a traumatic rupture that represents their humiliating defeat, the destruction of Palestinian society and severance of links with their homeland.

The 1948 Palestine war, which led to the creation of the Israeli state, left Palestinian society leaderless, disorganised and scattered. Today, more than 60% of the estimated 14.3 million Palestinians are displaced. The rest are in the occupied territories, the Gaza Strip and Israel, where they have been subject to discrimination and outbreaks of communal violence.

The violence has only been exacerbated by the return to power at the end of 2022 of Benjamin Netanyahu in an alliance with extremist religious-nationalist Israeli factions and ultra-nationalist politicians. The most notorious of these is Itamar Ben-Gvir of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party.

Violent escalation

The 75th anniversary of the Nakba comes at a critical and dangerous juncture that has seen a relentless escalation in Israeli violent interventions against Palestinians in the occupied territories and Gaza, which began with the unity intifada (or uprising) in 2021.

In 2021, 313 Palestinians including 71 minors were reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip and West Bank (including East Jerusalem) by Israeli security forces. A record high of 204 Palestinians were reportedly killed in 2022, making it the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005.

So far in 2023, 96 Palestinians have been killed during the first four months of 2023. And so it continues.

The unity uprising called for a Palestinian popular mobilisation in the struggle against Israels settler-colonial rule and practices akin to apartheid. These have been documented and recognised as such by several international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Along with widespread arrests of Palestinians since its launch, Israel has also taken punitive measures against Palestinian civil society. It has designated as terrorist organisations six leading Palestinian organisations at the forefront of efforts to hold Israel to account  including through legal challenges being pursued at the International Criminal Court.

Expert analysis of the birth of the state of Israel and the plight of the Palestinian people.

A hidden people

This year marks the first time that the UN has announced that it will commemorate Nakba Day, which also marks the creation of the state of Israel. While the UN move might be seen as a diplomatic coup for Palestinians, it nevertheless serves to underline two interrelated problems.

The first is that Palestinian history, when it is told, tends to be done as part of Israeli history. The second is that the Palestinians themselves  as ordinary human beings  remain a largely unknown quantity in the west.

In March, the BBC aired a two-part television series The Holy Land and Us in the UK. The series explored Israels founding by splitting its story into two parallel narratives, separately featuring British Palestinians and British Jews pursuing their families connections to the events surrounding Israels creation in 1948.

It presented the Palestinian and Zionist narratives as two sides of the same story and the same conflict, repeating the same tropes that suggest it is an equal fight.

The series was referred to as brave reporting because of its use of personal Palestinian testimonies that recalled, in particular, the Deir Yassin massacre by a Zionist militia of more than 100 Palestinians, many of them women and children, in early 1948, weeks before Israeli statehood was declared.

Despite such historical retellings, few people in the west know about Deir Yassin, the Nakba or the events around Israels creation, which Israeli historian Ilan Pappe has referred to as ethnic cleansing. Revisiting the formation of Israel, Pappe has documented that between 1947 and 1949, more than 400 Palestinian villages were deliberately destroyed, civilians were massacred and around a million men, women, and children were expelled from their homes at gunpoint.

The lack of western knowledge about the Nakba is partly because the longstanding narrative surrounding 1948 and the creation of Israel has rested on several fictions  including the idea that the land was empty.



Photo by Ahmed Abu Hameeda on Unsplash

It is also partly because of Israels ability to propagate its version of reality in the mainstream media, particularly as historians are forced to tell the story of the powerless by those who victimised them, as historian Rashid Khalidi argued in his 2007 book Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness.

In a globalised world linked via diverse media, this has meant that the imagination of Palestine and its people has as much to do with power relationships and strategic alliances as with the degree of visibility and access ascribed to the two parties in the mainstream media.

And there is no doubt, Israel has been ascribed a degree of visibility and access that has made the Palestinians, and the ongoing violence against them, invisible and hardly mentioned in the western media.

For Palestinians, commemoration and remembrance of the Nakba is not about marking a historical event. Its about the need to continue telling their stories. Seventy-five years since the Nakba, it is time the whole world watched and listened.

Dina Matar, Professor, Political Communication and Arab Media, SOAS, University of London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 12, 2023) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: BVTEF) (FSE: YQGB) (the "Company" or "Iconic") is pleased to announce it has completed a new Magnetotellurics (MT) survey at its Smith Creek Project in Lander County, Nevada. The 7 lines, interpreted by Fritz Geophysics, revealed a low resistivity zone roughly 1000 feet (305 meters) below surface that may indicate a brine system or salty sediments, as seen in the figure below. This was the target of the MT survey, and the spatial definition of this large, low resistivity layer is now much better understood. In several MT sections, such as the one below, the lower resistivity target is interpreted to be at least 700 feet (213 meters) thick.

Richard Kern, CEO of Iconic Minerals, comments: "The Smith Creek Basin has a large area underlain by what our geophysicist calls brine. Additional work to further define and rank drill targets is planned before drill testing. This work should define high angle faults and permeable horizons capable of hosting lithium-rich fluids or sediments."

In response to the encouraging results of the MT survey, the claim block at Smith Creek has been expanded from 566 claims to 818, and now covers an area of roughly 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). While the new MT lines have enhanced understanding of the low resistivity zone's extents and properties, additional MT, along with other geophysical methods including active or passive seismic, are being evaluated to better define the target.

Qualified Person

Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Iconic.

About the Smith Creek Project

The Smith Creek Project is located within Smith Creek Valley in Nevada, which is approximately 60 km (37 miles) long and 16 km (10 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Surface sampling around hot springs on patented ground just off the claim block assayed a maximum of 470 ppm Li. The gravity low within the valley is 16 km (10 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 1,300 to 1,500 meters (4,200 to 5,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 67 km2 (26 mi2) with potential for brine systems as well as sediment resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

SIGNED: "Richard Kern"

Richard Kern, President and CEO

Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614

For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed 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 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Option, the Joint Venture, the amount of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the future business plans and exploration activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. 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 typically identified by words such as: "will", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals required for the Option Agreement and the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner.

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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Smith Creek Property, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and gold, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the business, financial condition and exploration and development activities of the Company, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Option Agreement and the Offering, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with the Canadian Securities Authorities. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.
K-heartthrob Kim Bum finally revealed the reason he chooses not to lead romance dramas. Curious about what the actor said? Then read on!

Why Kim Bum Doesn't Accept Roles in Romance-Themed Dramas

On May 13, "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" lead actors Lee Dong Wook and Kim Bum appeared at the trending YouTube show "The K-Star Next Door." The two answered some random questions and shared sneak peek of their life on and off the camera.

In particular, the program's host, Jonathan, mentioned a post where Kim Bum, Lee Do Hyun, and Kim Sung Cheol were named the top three male stars "who would never appear in a romantic comedy series."

The MC was surprised when Kim Bum already saw the post online. During the actor's appearance in the show, Kim Bum finally addressed why he rejected roles to lead the romance genre.

According to him, "If I find it awkward or I can't build the image in my head, I can't do it."

Kim Bum's romance genre dramas were only "Boys Over Flowers" and "That Winter, The Wind Blows."

Watch the Full Video Here:



Kim Bum Shares Possibility of Doing Romance Drama in the Future

Meanwhile, instead of romance-theme series, the actor revealed that the fantasy genre is more appealing to him that's why he didn't hesitate to star in "Ghost Doctor" and "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938."

"Fantasy genre is easier to depict with the ideas in my head. So when I was choosing work, I preferred other genres more.

However, he gave hope to fans as Kim Bum admitted he is still open to lead romance genre. "The Law School" actor said that if the drama is amazing, he would consider doing it, "I'm still waiting for a good melodrama."

Kim Bum currently portrays the role of Lee Rang in the second installment of the 2020 fantasy drama "Tale of the Nine Tailed." He reprises his role alongside co-star Lee Dong Wook.

"Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" gains more audience and is consistently receiving high viewership ratings since it premiered last May 6. It immediately achieved a new milestone on its pilot week as the drama surpassed season 1's episode 1 rating record of 5.8 percent with a new record of 6.5 percent nationwide.

Catch Kim Bum every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. (KST) on tvN.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938' Debuts With High Rating Surpassing Season 1's Record

Who among the actresses you want Kim Bum to team up with in his next romance drama? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Broadwater Elementary Schools librarian Marla Unruh is the second-ever recipient of the Montana Library Associations Alma Smith Jacobs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.

Unruh said she was very surprised to receive the award and joked that Its a lot of attention for someone who spends their day in the basement working in the school library.

The award founded in 2022 is named for the pioneering Great Falls librarian who became the first woman and first African American to serve as Montanas State Librarian in 1973. Each year, a library, group or person is recognized for their efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in library services in Montana. Ken Robison, a Montana historian, was the first to receive the award in 2022.

Unruh touched on the air of politics suddenly spotlighting many librarians across the country.

Our critics dont understand who we really are and what were really doing, she said. Elementary teachers are kind-hearted people who would never do anything to hurt anybody or shock some little kid.

She stated that the history of our country needs to be taught with all perspectives included and that it should inspire hope in younger generations, not fear.

We have to tell the truth, but I use it to inspire kids, Unruh said. So I just tell them, You know, this is pretty rough, but all throughout history whenever theres been one group mistreating another, theres always been a few who stood up for what was right, and I know thats what you would do.

Libraries are welcoming, restful places full of knowledge, and by that definition, Unruh herself is a human library. At 85, Unruh has seen the educational landscape undergo many changes throughout her lifetime. She grew up in St. Louis in a family of educators and graduated high school in 1955, the year after the landmark decision to desegregate schools in Brown v. Board of Education.

Unruh taught high school English for two years upon graduating from university before taking a long hiatus from educating. It wasnt until the famous Kansas City case Missouri v. Jenkins that Unruh thought about returning to education. The case was decided in 1995 and required the state of Missouri to correct intentional racial discrimination through funding salaries and remedial education programs in Kansas City schools.

Suddenly the district had money, and they opened a high school. I applied, and they hired me with no recent experience to be a ninth grade English teacher, Unruh said. ... I do feel deeply about being kind to all. My years in the urban environment changed me forever.

Teaching in an urban school exposed Unruh to many more cultures, especially the culture of black Americans. It showed her how important representation is in the media and in books.

When I first walked into that middle school library, it was full of books from the '50s and '60s aimed at white kids, said Unruh. There wasnt much that our urban kids could find. Over the years I revolutionized that whole thing, changed it over to things that they were interested in.

One of her favorite stories to read with her students now is Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss. It's a fairy tale about a young girl left at home by her mother who tells her not to let nothing or nobody inside the house. A Boo Hag, a mythical creature in Gullah culture folklore that tries to gain entry into someones house to steal someones energy or their skin, tries to wheedle their way into Precious home throughout the story.

When Unruh came back to teaching in the 1990s, the first computers were coming out, so she taught herself how to use them.

I had to, Unruh stated. In fact, thats why I went into library. I knew that if I stayed in the English classroom, I would be isolated, and I would never get to learn it. I moved over to library, and thats forced me to do more, but Ill never be a real nerd on it.

Unruh also taught herself robotics to secure a makerspace grant to give that opportunity to her students. She tries to attend the annual Glacier Waterton International Peace Park Hamfest, the oldest continuously running hamfest in the world attended by people from Canada and the U.S. to learn about ham radio each year. She said that radio has helped beef up the side of her brain that isnt humanities.

She moved to Montana in 2007 because she missed the mountains, and she was hired on as Broadwaters librarian that year. She had never before taught in an elementary classroom.

The thing Unruh wants her students to remember about her is that she should be forgotten and overshadowed by their own successes.

My journey has been one of learning, just never stop learning. Thats all Im about really, said Unruh. ... If theres one thing I have learned that I have to tell you Im still learning is simply this, never underestimate any student.
In this July 6, 2017, file photo, Lauren Sargent takes part in a protest before the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline public information session in Holt, Mich. The controversial Canada-U.S. oil and gas conduit could be facing its toughest challenger yet: rapid erosion in the very watershed the pipelines detractors are trying to protect. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cory Morse-The Grand Rapids Press via AP
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a statement in Ottawa on Monday, May 8, 2023. Voters in four federal ridings will go to the polls next month.

Trudeau says the four byelections will be held June 19 in three provinces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Quebec Premier and leader of the CAQ Francois Legault reacts as the numbers for a leadership confidence vote are shown during the party's convention in Sherbrooke, Que., Sunday, May 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A Lewis and Clark County judge on Friday told attorneys in the nations first-ever youth constitutional climate case they should continue prepare for trial as she reviews recent bills passed by the Montana Legislature that could have a direct bearing on the case.

Attorneys for both sides debated the states' motions for summary judgment and to partially dismiss the upcoming trial on the basis of mootness.

I would suggest you continue to prepare for trial until you get an order, 1st Judicial District Court Judge Kathy Seeley said. ... I dont find this to be nearly as substantive to the issues raised in this case as you do. It is the statute that they cited, it has been clarified, and it seems to me that preparations that you have done would all be applicable to this statute as amended.

Four of the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. Montana were present  Mica, 14, of Missoula; Taleah, 19, of Polson; and Lander, 18, and Badge, 15, both of Kalispell. Only their first names were used in the lawsuit because they were minors when it was filed. The case is named for Rikki Held of Broadus, who was the only plaintiff over the age of 18 when it was filed in 2020. The plaintiffs ages range from 5-22, and theyre from all around Montana including Big Fork, Helena, Livingston, the Flathead Indian Reservation and more.

The plaintiffs originally asked the court to declare Montana's State Energy Policy Goals and the climate change exception in the Montana Environmental Protection Act (MEPA), which makes it so the state doesn't have to consider climate impacts beyond its borders, as unconstitutional.

The attorneys for the state highlighted that both the energy goal statements and the MEPA climate exception have been repealed by this years Legislature with the passing and signing of House bills 170 and 971. HB 170 repealed the State Energy Policy Goals, and HB 971 revises MEPA to exclude the use of greenhouse gas evaluations in environmental analyses of large projects such as mines and power plants.

The states' attorneys asked, How could the court invalidate and enjoin the enforcement of a statute that no longer exists?

The state's attorneys brought up that the attorneys for the youth plaintiffs have created moving targets by now claiming that theyre challenging the state's de facto energy policy" instead.

They addressed the motion for summary judgment by asserting the plaintiffs' remaining relief claims aren't resolvable due to a lack of standing, failure to name indispensable parties, redressability beyond the courts reach, and that by claiming a constitutional right to a stable climate would lead to absurd results such as the carbon dioxide from humans breathing being labeled as a constitutional violation.

Seeley said that the defense may be going to an extreme that isnt what were contemplating here.

The plaintiffs' attorneys argued that the repeal of the statutory energy policy act doesnt vitiate other claims from the plaintiffs such as the implicit and de facto state energy policy as well as the aggregate acts.

They said the case needs to go to trial because the youth plaintiffs are still seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from Montanas fossil fuel-based energy policy that is violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.

Roger Sullivan, an attorney for the plaintiffs, brought up Montana's supermajority in the Legislature and how the passing of last-minute laws trying to prevent a case from going to trial is "contrary to the jurisprudence of this state  an vitiation and an abrogation of the judiciarys responsibility to uphold these constitutional rights."

The plaintiffs' attorneys said they have testimony from the head of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the director of the Montana Public Service Commission that they will follow a judicial declaration on permitting activity in Montana if one is given.

There has never been an application for a fossil fuel permitting activity that has been denied by an agency of the state of Montana that is before this court as a defendant, Sullivan said.

The attorney for the DEQ, which is named as a defendant, said that an amendment signed into law recently (HB 971) fundamentally affects the courts subject matter jurisdiction in the case and that there cant be a trial if the court doesnt have subject matter jurisdiction.

The attorneys for the youth plaintiffs stated that that position has no basis in law or fact and that HB 971 wont alter or change the positions of the parties because its what Montana agencies have already been doing  excluding greenhouse gas evaluations.

Seeley submitted the motions. Trial is set to start on June 12 in Seeley's courtroom in Helena.
By Mike Sebalu

Police have confirmed the arrest of Ivan Wabwire, a Police Constable who shot dead an Indian money lender on Friday at Rajja Chambers along Parliament Avenue.

According to Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, the suspect was arrested in the Eastern border town of Busia from where he hails.

Chilling footage from the crime scene shows how Wabrire fired multiple rounds of bullets at Uttman Bhandari, who was the Director of TFS Financial Services after what appeared to be a brief discussion.

According to an official statement issued by police earlier, Wabwire, who joined the Force in 2015, had a history of mental health illness.

A joint team of security traced the suspect to Busia district. On 13 May 23, Flying Squad Unit joined the territorial police of Busia. On 14 May 23 at around 0700 hours, Wabwire Ivan was arrested in Busia Municipality at Customs by a joint team commanded by the DPC Busia SP Didas Byaruhanga, Onyango said in a statement.

The force has come under fire following revelations that despite a long history of instability, the suspect was never helped and continued to be armed.

However, Luke Oweyeisigire the deputy police spokesperson for Kampala metropolitan said earlier that the force only screens recruits who display signs of mental instability.
Two recently-published reports shed some interesting light on our interactions with charities and our culture of giving in Ireland.

The first, from the charities regulator, reveals that nine out of ten adults in Ireland donated to a charity over the last year.

Interestingly, the nature of those donations has changed over the past two years  perhaps as a result of people donating clothes, materials and foodstuffs to those suffering the effects of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

The number of people who made financial contributions to charities declined from 74% to 59%, while the numbers donating goods increased from 43% to 57%. Many charities rely on these donations from people, often through the form of fundraising events.

Another recent iResearch survey, carried out on behalf of AIB, showed that 73% of adults more inclined to donate to local charities than national ones.

Its troubling to see Kilkenny-based Teac Toms plaintive appeal for support to keep its doors open in recent days. Its an organisation that has helped local people who are going through a difficult time.

It has often been suggested that Ireland punches above its weight for example, when it comes to foreign aid and willingness to send help. We certainly have a large number of people who work in the charity and humanitarian sectors.

Often, it seems that it is those who are themselves in need that are the most willing to help others.

Take for example, the Native American Choctaw tribe who did what they could when they learned of Irelands travails in the Great Famine. In 1847, they met to raise money and sent $170 across the Atlantic to help feed people.

Similarly moved by sympathy, when the Masai Tribespeople in Kenya heard about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001, they donated 14 cows to the United States.

These stories of charitable acts warm our hearts, become part of our history, and hopefully inspire others to go and do likewise.
This week sees the 175th anniversary of Kilkenny Railway Station, which first opened its doors to a new line section from Kilkenny to Thomastown on May 12, 1848.

A plaque is to be unveiled on Thursday, May 18. The actual building of the railway station was completed in 1847. It took a further two years for the Dublin line to Kilkenny to be completed in 1850.

The southern line to Waterford did not reach Ferrybank until 1854 due to marshy lands in South Kilkenny on the edge of the Suir River. Kilkenny Station is constructed on a prominent elevated site in the townland of High Hayes at the junction of the Castlecomer and Carlow Roads in the city. It has dominated the landscape of the John Street upper area for one hundred and seventy five years and it still does today in 2023.

Regrettably, much of the old disused train shed was allowed decay and go to rack and ruin since the station moved up track in 1997 by Coras Iompar Eireann, the owners of the site, but hopefully this will be restored in the not too distant future.

Thankfully the surviving buildings are listed and protected structures and therefore there is a duty of care and obligation on CIE to both maintain and restore them.

The railway station for Kilkenny was prioritised, as it being made a city of Royal Charter by King James I in 1609. It was a key component in the safe travel of people in the middle of the 19th and early 20th century, and in particular during troop movements around Ireland.

Each major garrison town was prioritised for a railway station. The railway was run very much on military lines, including the uniforms; many of the station masters were ex-military personnel. It meant efficient, swift and safe movement of troops and people between Dublin  Kilkenny  Waterford.

Many Kilkenny people who had enlisted for World War I were shipped via train to Dun Laoghaire/Kingstown for transport to the front. A total of over 3,000 Kilkenny men and women enlisted in the British Army.

It is suggested that this is how this area of the city got the name The Continent, as the soldiers were destined for the continent.

It was common practice for St Patricks Brass and Reed band to play the soldiers off at the station. There is a commemorative wall dedicated to the soldiers memory at MacDonagh Station and a major monument located at Peace Park, Johns Quay.

The railway revolutionised transport in Ireland so much so that some very important people arrived by train at Kilkenny Railway Station including the future King George Edward VII and Princess Alexandra in 1904. Eamonn De Valera was a frequent user of the presidential train carriage as was indeed Mary Robinson. Queen Margrethe of Denmark stopped off at MacDonagh Station in 1978 on her way to pay a visit to Waterford. The royals were introduced to local dignitaries.

HURLERS

Of course, for many years the Kilkenny hurlers travelled to and from All Ireland finals by train. Special bangers were placed on the tracks to announce the arrival of the hurlers return to Kilkenny where thousands of locals waited to greet them.

Kilkenny Railway Station was renamed MacDonagh Station in 1966 in remembrance of the executed 1916 Easter Rising leader Thomas MacDonagh. From Cloughjordan, Tipperary, MacDonagh who was a professor at St Kierans College, Kilkenny circa 1900-1903.

The architecture of the old station is still quite impressive, especially the buildings which were fully restored during the construction of MacDonagh Junction Shopping development in 2005-2007.

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes Kilkenny Railway Station as follows: Remains of a railway station complex, opened 1847, including: Detached eleven-bay double-height yellow brick Classical-style screen wall.

Remodelled, 1865-8. Yellow brick Flemish bond walls with cut-limestone dressings including stringcourse, carved (moulded) cornice, and coping to parapet. Series of nineteen round-headed openings originally forming arcade with cut-limestone stringcourse to spring of arches, and yellow brick voussoirs (some now blocked-up with concrete block infill).

The remains of a once-extensive classically-detailed railway station built as a terminus to designs prepared by Captain William Scarth Moorsom (1804-63) as modified by Sancton Wood (c 1814-86) who was also responsible for subsequent modifications to adapt the building to use as a through-line station to Maryborough/Mountmellick.

The construction in yellow brick produces a distinctive palette while refined dressings in County Kilkenny limestone displaying expert masonry enhance the design aesthetic of the composition.

The original main entrance to the railway station was from the Castlecomer Road via an underpass subway system to the platform level. The entrance was book-cased by the two fine waiting rooms which still stand and were refurbished by MDJD.

Another building to survive the redevelopment of the site was the fine old Goods Shed building which also was magnificently restored and repurposed.

A perimeter cut stone wall also survives on the western facade inside of which is a crypt dedicated to the skeletal remains of the Famine victims discovered at the old Kilkenny Union Workhouse site at the former Kilkenny County Council yard nearby.

The station originally started out life as a junction terminus in 1847 and with the advent of the Railway Company opening an extension line to Maryborough in 1867, passengers had the option of travelling via Carlow and or Portlaoise to Dublin from 1867 to December 31, 1962 when the line to Maryborough closed.

REPURPOSED

Sadly the Castlecomer Road entrance ceased after the railway ran through the western facade of the station. A branch line to Castlecomer Colliery emanated from the Kilkenny  Maryborough line at Dunmore west junction in 1919.

The old station was closed in 1997 when it moved up track to a former repurposed Goods Shed building at the eastern end of the terminus. This includes 1 TVM, a ticket office, a now defunct fast-track office, coffee shop, waiting area and toilets.

Certain elements like the water tower, workshops, coal shoots, cattle pens, the Dublin/Carlow Road embankment and old locomotive sheds and some outbuildings of the railway station were demolished c2004-5. The old semaphore signal box is still standing but no longer operational as all signalling is now electronically controlled from a centralised system.

The pedestrian footbridge is still in tact but no longer in use due on health and safety grounds. The station still has two platforms to handle the Dublin and Waterford bound trains simultaneously and is a very busy terminus.

The loss of the freight and the fast-track service between Dublin-Kilkenny- Waterford was a huge blow to local business.

In this day and age of a greener world, the restoration of these excellent services all over Ireland would make a huge contribution to a more environmentally friendly society and way of life.

The amount of trucks alone that would be removed from our streets and roads would be very significant indeed. Irish Cement and Smithwicks were extensive users of the Irish Rail freight service.

STATION MASTERS

Many people have served as station masters at Kilkenny Railway Station/ MacDonagh Station over the years.

One of the earliest was Humphrey OSullivan 1853. Records are sketchy until Richard Storey was appointed in 1901.

Thomas Manifold 1909. George Ennis 1915.

J McCormack 1931. Barney Cantwell 1944.

Paul Nolan ?

JJ Spillane 1957.

Patrick Ormonde? D J Herlihy?

Michael Cody 1974-1987. Seamus Kelly 1987-1988. Sean ONeill 1988-1991.

JJ Murphy 1991-2000.

P Nolan 2000-2003, Walter Morrissey 2003-2007.

John Delaney 2007-2013. John Kennedy (acting) and Kieran Kelly (current).

Many of the earliest station masters would have had a military background. The station masters house Dunamaise now in private ownership is still standing at the Carlow/Dublin Road.

Other staff who worked at the railway station recalled by former staff include Seamus Mahoney, Mary Holden, Milo Dillon, Eddie Dollard, Mick Gibbons, Ray McAuley, Jack Devlin, Jack Walsh, Martin Treacy, Jimmy Walsh, Brendan McAuley, George Dewberry, James Sherlock, Tom Langton, Eugene McAdams, Jack Shortall, John Troy, Mrs ONeill, Des Goss, Tommy Hayes, Willie Dunne, Paddy Deegan, Andy Geoghegan, Jimmy Morrissey, Joe Keenan, Dixie Foran, Paddy Shortall, Kevin Shortall, John Martin, Frank Corr, Seamus Kelly, Jack Purcell, Jim Magnier, Mick Cornally, Martin Coyne, Mary Gaffney, Mary Fahy, Joan Fitzgerald/ Dunlop, Michael Know, Dan Curtin, Jim Dobbyn, Michael Howard, Michael Dunne, Pierce Hanlon, Paddy Dalton, Jimmy Grace, Patsy Phelan, Joe Long, Brendan Macken, Sean Stapleton and Mary Sweeney.

Present staff include Susan Henry and Tommy Behan.
Sinn Fein TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has called for the government to back the partys bill to tackle rip-off energy charges.

The legislation was introduced to the Dail by party spokesperson on Climate Action, Darren ORourke TD.

It would protect customers by clamping down on energy companies using standing charges to increase their profit.

Energy costs are sky high and families are struggling to afford them. People are facing huge bills and are anxious about where these spiralling costs will end.

Sinn Fein has introduced legislation to tackle this, by protecting customers from unfair charges. The bill was introduced today in the Dail by my colleague, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Climate Action Darren ORourke TD.

Our plan would empower the regulator to effectively and fairly monitor standing charges and investigate where there are suspicions that companies are using them to increase their profits. It would require them to decrease excessive rates so that they cover their fixed costs only, rather than turning obscene profits at the expense of customers.

Crucially, the Bill would also require utility companies to seek prior approval from the regulator for any proposed increase in the rate of their standing charge. This would protect customers from unfair hikes.

This is just one part of a whole package of measures that Sinn Fein is proposing that would address Ireland's rip off energy prices.

Every day I am contacted by families and businesses across Carlow and Kilkenny who are terrified about how they will pay their bills. Its clear there urgent action is needed to protect customers from unfair hikes.

Too often, the government pays lip service to the idea of supporting people but fails to follow through will genuine action that actually changes things for peoples finances. This must change. People need to see real change, not another PR stunt that doesnt amount to anything.

I am urging all TDs in Carlow Kilkenny to back Sinn Feins legislation. It would make a huge difference to people here in Kilkenny by protecting them from unfair price hikes.

Sinn Fein in government would stand up for ordinary workers, families and businesses to protect them from the cost of living crisis, said Deputy Funchion.
Irish entrepreneur Paddy Cosgrave has accused Tanaiste Micheal Martin of making attacks and insinuations against his reputation.

Mr Cosgrave was appearing on RTEs This Week radio programme to discuss his complaint over comments made by Mr Martin under Dail privilege which has been referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Procedures and Oversight.

Mr Martin had criticised Mr Cosgrave, who is chief executive of Web Summit, during Leaders Questions on April 27 over a junior ministers role in the sale of council land in 2008.

Web Summit is providing one million euro over five years to the news website The Ditch, which first reported that minister Niall Collins attended a meeting of an area committee where the sale of council land that was ultimately purchased by his wife was proposed.

Among other comments, Mr Martin said the website is a political organisation attacking Government and that Mr Cosgrave is a political opponent.

Mr Cosgrave said it is highly inappropriate for any politician to use Dail privilege to attack a citizen.

He said it was an attempt to distract from the story about Mr Collins.

Micheal Martin was given free rein for quite a prolonged period of time to make attacks and insinuations on my reputation, Mr Cosgrave said.

He also said he has suffered reputational damage from references to Russia in Mr Martins comments.

Im being accused of being part of some sort of Russian conspiracy to destabilise Ireland, which I think is slightly ridiculous.

He said he was responsible for the first visa waiver for a Ukrainian refugee into Ireland, and that Web Summit had banned all Russian companies from participating.

I think that I have done more than almost any other business person in this country for Ukraine, Mr Cosgrave said.

I am probably the only outspoken Irish businessperson for more than half-a-decade about what I see is the misuse of the IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) as a conduit for dark Russian money.

Asked about Mr Martins comments in relation to the independence of The Ditch website from Mr Cosgrave, he described the Tanaiste as weaselly and a slippery politician.

Mr Cosgrave said: I have an intense interest in media and the future of media and in supporting what I think is good journalism.

I think the journalism that The Ditch has done is quite incredible.

He also said his funding of The Ditch is incredibly effective brand marketing for Web Summit.

He added: We run an event that brings together people that are trying to disrupt in different ways the existing status quo in the world, and I think the type of journalism that The Ditch does is perfectly aligned with the overall brand of Web Summit.

He said Web Summit has also provided funding to investigation platform Noteworthy and he has offered funding to business news website The Currency.

Mr Cosgrave said he absolutely wants a change of Government.

Asked about Mr Martins characterisation of him as a political opponent, he said: I think every citizen has a right to political opinions.

He said Mr Martin should not use parliamentary privilege to make such charges if they are not also made outside of the Dail.

I take issue with it being eluded or insinuated that Im somehow involved in some Russian-backed attempt to destabilise Ireland or the Irish Government.

Describing himself as one of the wealthiest people in Ireland, Mr Cosgrave said he is the overwhelming beneficiary of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail policies that allow him to enjoy incredibly unusual tax privileges in this country.

He added: But I think their policies are pernicious and destructive to the interests of most people.

So for my total self-interest, I shouldnt want Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to change.

But deep down I know that how they operate, I think, is wrong and not to the benefit to the majority of people in this country.

I think doing something about that funding, good investigative journalism that exposes some of that wrongdoing, I think thats a reasonable and good thing for Web Summit to engage in.

Asked about a tweet he wrote which was also referenced by Mr Martin, Mr Cosgrave said his use of the term body bag was not a call for murder and was instead rap slang for using words to expose someone.

On the subject of disinformation, Mr Cosgrave said he stood by a tweet which he had previously deleted and apologised for.
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has indicated the Government will extend the temporary business energy support scheme (TBESS).

The scheme allows businesses to claim for 50% of the increases in energy bills, subject to a monthly cap.

It was designed to to assist businesses with their electricity or natural gas energy costs.

It was introduced to support businesses with these rising costs as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The scheme was previously extended until the end of May with the option to extend until the end of July 2023.

Speaking to RTE News, Mr McGrath said: I think extending the scheme, combined with the improvements to the scheme, the additional cash payments that we are now making being administered by the Revenue Commissioners will be of major benefit to businesses.

He added: We do need to see a reduction in the cost of energy for consumers.
The 68th Session of the state Legislature has ended, but the harm done by a Republican supermajority drunk on power will continue to be felt for a long time.

From the very beginning of the session, Montana Democrats made it clear that our priority was fighting for long-term solutions for our states working families. We introduced a set of bills to achieve that goal: cutting taxes for Montana working families, investing in housing real Montanans can afford, strengthening nursing homes and community health care providers, providing long term property tax relief; and defending Montanans constitutional rights to reproductive freedom.

But while we were hard at work trying to lower costs for working Montanans, Republicans spent their time blowing a billion dollars on handouts to the wealthy, ignoring the real crises facing Montana families and workers, and instead wasting time trying to pass anti-worker legislation and unconstitutional attacks on Montanans liberties and personal privacy.

As Montana Democrats, we fought to hold the Republican supermajority accountable for these attacks, and in some places we succeeded. Despite Republicans reckless drive to tear up our states Constitution, we defeated every amendment they proposed to chip away at the rights that the Constitution defends. We took down the Republicans 21 anti-worker bills, staving off union-busting for another two years and defending Montana workers right to organize for better pay and fair working conditions.

Montana Democrats fought tirelessly for a fair budget that works for Montana families. While the Republicans and the governors budget failed to meet the scale of the crisis facing Montana, our Democratic legislators fought tooth and nail to scrape a few wins out of that budget for Montanans. We secured investments in pressing needs, like removing lead from drinking water in schools and increasing reimbursement rates for nursing homes and community health care providers. It wasnt easy, but it was our priority to secure these wins for our constituents.

Meanwhile, the Republicans launched an unprecedented assault on the foundational principles of our democracy. They passed bills to limit our freedom of speech and expression. They rolled back Constitutional guarantees for public education, privacy, and a clean and healthful environment. And they limited participation in our democratic process, not just when they ejected one of our members from the floor of the House of Representatives, but when they closed that House to the public to whom it belongs.

While Republicans were fighting these pointless and harmful crusades, they ignored the true scale of the housing crisis, the need for long-term property tax relief, nursing home closures, and child care deserts. While Democrats worked hard to make progress on addressing these crises, Republicans proved that there are no limits to the lengths they will go to consolidate their power over every aspect of Montanans lives. They focused their energies on attacking the freedoms of Montanas women; Montanas LGBTQ+ community; Montanas health care providers, Montanas educators and librarians, and Montanas business owners.

Despite holding a minority of seats, Montana Democrats delivered real solutions for Montana workers and families.

We passed bills that were bipartisan, fiscally responsible, and directly focused on the real problems hitting Montanans in our wallets. Our bills will expand access to child care and stabilize care providers; stem the tide of nursing homes closing their doors; protect mobile home residents from abuses by landowners looking to make a quick buck on their backs; improve mental health crisis interventions by first responders; combat the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people; get poisonous lead out of school drinking water; and strengthen teacher recruitment in rural and understaffed schools.

We wanted to do a heck of a lot more, but Republicans were not interested in practical solutions for working Montanans.

Over the next two years, well keep fighting to mitigate the harm from this session, and to make further progress on making this state a place where everyone has the freedom and the opportunity to live a life of success and happiness.
The Herald reports:

A top Auckland private school has so little confidence in the new NCEA Level 1 curriculum it is ditching the qualification in favour of its own Year 11 diploma next year.

St Cuthbert's College informed parents on wednesday that next year's Year 11 students would not take part in NCEA Level 1 but rather work towards the school's own bespoke Year 11 Diploma.

Principal Justine Mahon said several of the school's senior academic staff had been on Government advisory panels for the ministry of education's proposed changes to NCEAand had become increasingly concerned by what would be taught in 2024.

We don't think it provides sufficient, in-depth learning for our students, she told the Herald.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
A Dickinson man died Friday afternoon and two other men suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision on state Highway 1804 about 25 miles east of Williston.

A 2008 Ford F350 driven by 49-year-old David Seiferd, of Williston, was traveling westbound and a 2010 Toyota Highlander was traveling eastbound with 40-year-old Robert Ndahigwa, of Dickinson, driving and 57-year-old Ronald Nanan, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, in the passenger's seat.

Seiferd failed to negotiate a curve in the road and crossed into the eastbound lanes, causing a head-on collision with the Toyota about 4:20 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol. Both Vehicles spun and came to rest in the south ditch. It was raining and road conditions were wet.

Ndahigwa was pronounced dead at the scene. Nanan and Seiferd were transported to Tioga Medical Center, and Seiferd was later sent to Trinity Health in Minot.

The crash remains under investigation.
The top consumer watchdog in the federal government is warning of dire consequences for American families, in the case of a US debt default.
The previous five days saw a relentless series of strikes and responses between the Israel Defense Forces and militants.
Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 9th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be given a dividend of 0.4211 per share by the utilities provider on Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 16th. This is a boost from Fortiss previous quarterly dividend of $0.42.

Fortis has increased its dividend by an average of 6.4% per year over the last three years. Fortis has a dividend payout ratio of 73.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Fortis to earn $2.27 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 74.0%.

Get Fortis alerts:

Fortis Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of FTS opened at $45.42 on Friday. Fortis has a 1 year low of $34.76 and a 1 year high of $50.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $42.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.31. The stock has a market cap of $22.00 billion, a PE ratio of 20.46, a PEG ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.44.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Fortis ( NYSE:FTS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 10th. The utilities provider reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.53. Fortis had a return on equity of 6.63% and a net margin of 12.42%. The business had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.06 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Fortis will post 2.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on FTS. StockNews.com began coverage on Fortis in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $65.00 price target on shares of Fortis in a report on Friday, March 24th. Scotiabank raised their price target on Fortis from C$57.00 to C$58.00 in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, National Bank Financial raised their price target on Fortis from C$55.00 to C$56.00 in a report on Monday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has given a buy 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 $58.75.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Fortis in the 4th quarter worth $104,121,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,872,872 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $678,990,000 after purchasing an additional 675,957 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,674,861 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $181,906,000 after purchasing an additional 221,000 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 13.6% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,643,253 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $81,341,000 after purchasing an additional 196,953 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fortis by 45.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 510,446 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,266,000 after purchasing an additional 159,068 shares during the last quarter. 49.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Fortis Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Fortis, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the electric and gas utility industry. It operates under the Regulated Utilities and Non-Regulated segments. The Regulated Utilities segment includes ITC Holdings (ITC), UNS Energy Corporation (UNS Energy), Central Hudson, FortisBC Energy, FortisAlberta, and FortisBC Electric.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
MFS Government Markets Income Trust (NYSE:MGF  Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be given a dividend of 0.0214 per share on Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $0.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 16th. This is a positive change from MFS Government Markets Income Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.02.

MFS Government Markets Income Trust has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 6.7% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 1 consecutive years.

Get MFS Government Markets Income Trust alerts:

MFS Government Markets Income Trust Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE MGF opened at $3.29 on Friday. MFS Government Markets Income Trust has a twelve month low of $3.11 and a twelve month high of $3.80. The firms 50 day moving average price is $3.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.33.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MFS Government Markets Income Trust

MFS Government Markets Income Trust Company Profile

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 424,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,402,000 after acquiring an additional 3,619 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 266,381 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,007,000 after acquiring an additional 17,200 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 103.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 230,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $762,000 after acquiring an additional 117,025 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 134.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,000 after acquiring an additional 15,440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $90,000. 49.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(Get Rating)

MFS Government Markets Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of United States. It primarily invests in investment grade debt instruments. The fund also invests in mortgage backed, U.S.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for MFS Government Markets Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MFS Government Markets Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Rating) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a note issued to investors on Friday.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Bank of America increased their price target on Molson Coors Beverage from $52.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Molson Coors Beverage from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $59.00 to $64.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $53.00 to $60.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $57.87.

Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts:

Molson Coors Beverage Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE TAP opened at $64.25 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $55.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $53.39. The company has a market capitalization of $13.90 billion, a P/E ratio of -53.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.65 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52 week low of $46.69 and a 52 week high of $66.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Molson Coors Beverage

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $2.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. Molson Coors Beverage had a negative net margin of 1.97% and a positive return on equity of 7.16%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.29 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TAP. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Molson Coors Beverage during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Trustcore Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 2,192.0% in the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 573 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 548 shares during the last quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1,781.3% during the 4th quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 602 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 570 shares during the period. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 85.7% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 650 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.24% of the companys stock.

About Molson Coors Beverage

(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.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont lessened its holdings in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 159,189 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,670 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Bank of America were worth $5,272,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BAC. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.5% during the 1st 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 boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 150.3% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,985 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,192 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 405,098 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,698,000 after acquiring an additional 16,319 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank purchased a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 1st quarter valued at $586,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 1st quarter valued at $534,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock.

Get Bank of America alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BAC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Piper Sandler cut shares of Bank of America from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the company from $36.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.77.

Insider Activity at Bank of America

Bank of America Stock Performance

In related news, insider Matthew M. Koder sold 105,054 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.27, for a total transaction of $3,600,200.58. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 319,803 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,959,648.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Bank of America stock opened at $27.09 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $28.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.82. Bank of America Co. has a twelve month low of $26.32 and a twelve month high of $38.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The company has a market cap of $215.88 billion, a PE ratio of 8.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.36.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The firm had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.28 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.25%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is 26.43%.

Bank of America Profile

(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.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.




By Lee Min-hyung







Korea's Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has joined hands with its Indonesian counterpart over launching an employee exchange program, with a view to expanding Korean financial firms' footing in the Southeast Asian country.







The partnership was clinched on May 12 during FSS Governor Lee Bok-hyun's visit to the country. Under the agreement with Indonesia's Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), the top financial regulator there, they will launch the program sometime in the latter half of 2023.







"Both countries' regulatory partnerships will be elevated further through the program," Lee said. "We will provide practical assistance by running the program sincerely with our Indonesian counterpart."







The FSS expects the latest partnership to strengthen financial ties between the two countries and help Korean financial firms in Indonesia expand their foothold there. Each authority will send senior-level officials for the six-month exchange program.







"We hope the program serves as a stepping stone to tighten financial supervisory systems between the two," OJK Chairman Mahendra Siregar said. "The program will not end as a one-time event, and will keep being improved."







After clinching the partnership, OJK held a banquet to celebrate the two entities' relationship. Lee and leaders of Korea's seven financial firms joined the event, the FSS said.


Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming cloudy with periods of rain later in the day. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain early. Decreasing clouds late. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
I was delighted to spot on Amazon a manual stuffer looking exactly like the one

in a video teaching how to make sichuan-style salame at home. The product

description went

Meat grinder with sausage  It can be used to grind meat and sauces,

suitable for grinding pork, beef, lamb, chicken, various spices, peppers

and sausages, and with an enema machine, you can make homemade sausages

I once heard the story (from Joe Rogan, I think) about some early 20th-century

tycoon deeply concerned with intestinal health and frequently injecting coffee

into his rectum for enema.

I can imagine that for the product, some pocket Chinese-English dictionary could

easily serve up the short and sweet "enema" for the Chinese phrase for stuffing

sausages (), or maybe it's the other way around where an English-Chinese

dictionary gives the simple Chinese phrase as the definition of "enema."

It's hopeless.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the first sitting US senator to give birth while in office, offered a heartfelt Mother's Day message on Sunday, celebrating moms nationwide for "growing the next generation for our nation."
Minister Kato, Ministers,

Let me begin by thanking the Japanese Presidency for the impeccable hospitality and most of all for the excellent G7 leadership at a crucial time.

The next 18 months will be decisive for the global health architecture.

Our G7 work needs to steer this process, while at the same time engaging with the Global South. Japan's leadership and work have helped us to manage this delicate balance.

For the EU, we see three key priorities in this period.

First, we must strengthen multilateralism with a reformed WHO at its core. We must continue to support a strong, accountable well-resourced WHO as the leading authority in global health.

Second, we need to communicate, with one voice, a key message to the global community: it is vital that we strengthen global pandemic rules.

That means that we conclude, by May 2024, a robust and legally binding pandemic agreement and complementary amendments to the International Health Regulations.

We are grateful for the support G7 members have provided for many of the ideas the EU and its Member States have suggested for the pandemic agreement, which must address the important issue of equity, but also cover the whole spectrum of prevention, preparedness and response.

Emphasis on surveillance, detection and reporting, with a One Health approach, is crucial, and will usefully build on the G7 Pact for Pandemic Readiness.

The EU proposal also shows that we can be ambitious in enhancing equity while respecting intellectual property rules and voluntary technology transfer which is for us a priority issue.

Together with your ideas, we can demonstrate to a large number of partners in the Global South that there is a credible deal on the table that we can all subscribe to.

I am aware that the negotiation context is challenging. Close and discreet joint work amongst all of us will be necessary to avoid blockages in the discussions with partners from the Global South.

Third, we must fill the gaps in global health architecture wherever they exist, but also only where they exist.

We need to simplify and converge, and I would like to give you two examples.

First, as part of the governance of the pandemic agreement, we have seen that intervention leaders level is necessary to ensure political traction as we face emergencies.

Rather than duplicate this track at the UN General Assembly, leaders there could address the wider humanitarian, social or economic aspects of pandemics, or on the longer-term policies like climate or environment to global health, where we have a genuine gap.

This will also avoid politicising pandemic preparedness and response and lead to further requests for financing by the Global South.

A second example would be the countermeasures platform, which is crucial to foster equity and would be part of the pandemic agreement.

As the ACT-A is wound down, it is essential to use the WHO-convened process to quickly put in place a minimum viable platform. This should be compatible with the pandemic agreement negotiations, feeding into and supporting them.

As mentioned earlier today, we should work together with the G20 regarding surge financing. Rather than creating a new fund, we should craft a framework that mobilises existing funding streams, many of which are untapped. We should also strongly call for additional funding for the Pandemic Fund and help it focus on its important prevention and preparedness mandatewhich does not cover countermeasures.

In our view, we should use the World Health Assembly and the September High Level Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness and Response at UNGA to promote these three key aspects: strong multilateralism with the WHO at its core, comprehensive pandemic rules by May 2024, and filling gaps in global governance in a coherent fashion.

These key issues are part of the EU Global Health Strategy and fit perfectly with the global health strategies and actions many of you have laid out.

We thank the Japanese Presidency for underlining that our strategies should mutually reinforce each other.

We are also grateful that robust messages regarding Ukraine, Syria, Taiwan and China's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic are included in our Ministerial statement. We must maintain the G7 focus and cooperation on these crucial topics.

Thank you.

Zarazeno po 15.05.2023 07:05:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=SPEECH/23/2741&language=en lang en
The Sabre team in Bahrain recently celebrated the renewed relationship with Air India at the Sabre offices.



Earlier this month, the two entities signed a deal to enable travel sellers globally to access Air India fares and inventory through Sabre's Global Distribution System (GDS), while creating optimal network plans for the carrier's existing and future fleet.



The celebration was attended by Ashish Kumar, Country Manager of Air India/Air India Express, Aditya Varma, Regional Director of Sabre in Bahrain, and team members from both companies. Both parties emphasized the importance of this collaboration for travel agencies, corporates, and travellers in Bahrain and around the world.



They stated that this marks a significant new chapter in the relationship between Air India and Sabre and is a testament to Sabre's commitment to the Indian travel market and agency committee in the region.  TradeArabia News Service
Genres : Crime, Drama, Romance

Starring : Alain Delon, Jane Fonda, Lola Albright, Carl Studer

Director : Rene Clement

Plot Synopsis

A scorching love triangle ignites between the iconic Jane Fonda (Klute, Coming Home), sultry Lola Albright (Kid Galahad, Lord Love a Duck) and Alain Delon (The Sicilian Clan, Un Flic) in Rene Clements Joy House (Les Felins). Delon stars as Marc, a dashing young con man on the run from the mob. After seeking refuge in the Riviera villa of the widowed Barbara (Albright) and her curvaceous cousin, Melinda (Fonda), Marc becomes trapped in the passionate snares of both women, who are full of sinister surprises. A neglected masterpiece from director Rene Clement (Forbidden Games, Is Paris Burning?, Rider on the Rain, And Hope to Die), Joy House weaves a wicked web of hidden desires and all-too-human corruptions. Lalo Schifrin (Coogans Bluff) provides the eerie musical score; Henri Decae (Le Samourai) serves up the sumptuous cinematography. Joy House also known as The Love Cage features wonderful supporting performances by Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg of TVs The Dukes of Hazzard) and George Gaynes (Commandant Lassard of the Police Academy film series).

 2K Restoration by Gaumont

NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson

 Includes Both the English and French Audio Tracks

 Theatrical Trailer

 Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase

 Reversible Art

 Optional English Subtitles
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 14 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government alleging that there is 100 per cent corruption in the state.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's remarks came after a meeting of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was held at the residence of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.

Also Read | Odisha: Three Arrested by Special Task Force for Sharing SIM Card OTPs With Pakistani Intelligence Operatives.

Leaders including Uddhav Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Nana Patole, Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat and others were present in the meeting.

While talking to the media, after the MVA meeting, Raut said, "There is no misunderstanding internally in the party (MVA). If there was 40 per cent corruption in Karnataka, there is 100 per cent corruption in Maharashtra. This current government is corrupt and it will get defeated."

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall in Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Hours after the Supreme Court verdict on last year's political crisis in Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra "is illegal and formed against the Constitution".

"Supreme Court has said that the Shiv Sena Shinde group's Whip is illegal...The current government is illegal and formed against the Constitution," he said on Thursday.

"We are happy with the decision of the Supreme Court, democracy and the judicial system is still alive in the country...This government needs to resign immediately. The current government is illegal, if Uddhav Thackeray had not resigned as a matter of morality he would have become the Chief Minister. It means the new government formed is illegal and against the constitution...It cannot belong to any faction, Supreme Court has said," he added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was "not justified" to call for a floor test based on the request of the Eknath Shinde faction since he did not have enough objective material before him to conclude that the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House.

A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices MR Shah, Justice Krishna Murari, Justice Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha said it could not disqualify the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government and reinstate Uddhav Thackeray as Chief Minster because the latter had chosen to resign instead of facing a test of strength in the Assembly.

The court said the political imbroglio in Maharashtra arose as a result of party differences within the Shiv Sena. (ANI)

(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 14 (PTI) The discovery of a carnivorous Alligator Gar fish in Kashmir's famous Dal Lake has set the alarm bells ringing among scientists and authorities as its presence poses a great threat to the native fish species.

The ray-finned euryhaline fish having a mouth like that of an alligator was caught during a deweeding operation in the famous lake.

Also Read | POCSO Court Sentences Life in Jail to Man For Raping Sex Workers Minor Daughter, Says Message Should Go That Children Of Red Light Area Have Right to Live With Dignity and Are Precious.

"This is an Alligator Gar fish which is normally found in North America and some parts of India like Bhopal upper lake and Kerala backwaters. Being a predator fish and a carnivore, it poses a threat to native species of Dal Lake," Dr Shafeeqa Peer, a scientist at the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) told PTI.

Peer said it was a matter of concern as to how this fish has invaded the water system of Kashmir.

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha: Severe Cyclonic Storm To Make Landfall Along Myanmar-Bangladesh Coast Today, Says IMD.

"What will be the fate of our native fishes? In certain places like Bhopal, it has been banned as it thrives on other small fishes. It poses a threat to other species and we have not yet come across this type of species here," she added.

Peer said the LCMA has now collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries division of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to look for any other Alligator Gar fish in the lake.

"We will launch a massive hunt to ascertain whether it is just one fish, is it accidental or somebody has played mischief? There are a lot of questions, especially from the ecology and biodiversity point of view," Peer said.

Attaullah Khan, Senior project officer at the fisheries department, said as of now, two Alligator Gar fishes have been caught.

"These fishes are native to America but Aquarium keepers somehow get these fishes for their Aquarium and when they overgrow they take these fishes and put them in nearest water bodies," Khan said.

The officer said there was nothing to panic about as every step will be taken to safeguard the water bodies.

"We are taking custody of the fishes for a study in collaboration with the Fisheries department of SKUAST and accordingly we will take necessary measures," Khan said.

He said the Biological Diversity Act 2002 prohibits the presence of any kind of invasive fish species that can be hazardous to natural fish fauna.

"This is a carnivorous fish, this is an apex predator, very predatory in nature. Whatever comes in its way, it can kill that (fishes). Whenever any species of any fish is introduced which have predatory nature, it is detrimental for the local fish fauna of that area, same is with our fish fauna of Kashmir," he added.

Khan said there can be some more such fish.

"As of now, we cannot say they have been adopted in natural water bodies of Kashmir because we have not come across such fish earlier," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Vijayawada, May 14: Andhra Pradesh Government on Sunday attached a guest house of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu which is on the banks of the Krishna river at Undavalli near Vijayawada, an official statement said.

CID alleged that both Chandrababu Naidu and P Naryana used their positions in their previous tenures to provide benefits to their relatives and close friends Chandrababu is accused of favouring businessman and taking a guest house in return. Andhra Pradesh Road Accident: Bus Rams Into Auto on National Highway in Kakinada District; Six Women Killed and Four Injured.

"N. Chandrababu Naidu, the then Chief Minister, the P. Narayana, the then Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, along with other accused, abused their official position and in pursuance of their criminal conspiracy with other accused, drove the preparation of Capital City Master Plan, and IRR Alignment for Amaravati Capital City, through concealment of facts, misrepresentation of facts, by disregarding laws, Circulars and guidelines of the Central Vigilance Commission and General Finance Rules, by disregarding bonafide objections raised by multiple persons/officials, finally in finalizing the designs of Capital," the official order said.

"The house of Lingamaneni Ramesh is located at Karakatta Road, Undavalli Village, Tadepalli Mandal, Guntur District, in which N. Chandrababu Naidu was residing, was kept at the disposal of N. Chandrababu Naidu (Al) on free of cost basis as an illegal gratification/ quid-pro-quo for the gains which accrued to Lingamanenis from the Master Plan for the Capital City, the alignment of the Inner Ring Road and the Zonal Development Plans for Kantheru, Kaza and Namburu Villages of Guntur District," it added. In this regard, the CID has asked the governm ent to attach the case under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1944. Madhya Pradesh: After Failing in College Exam, Girl Cooks Up Own Kidnapping Story to Escape Parents' Ire in Indore.

"The Additional Director General of Police, Crime Investigation Department, Andhra Pradesh, has requested the Government to issue orders for the attachment of the immovable property. as mentioned in the Annexure, under the provisions of Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 for preventing the disposal or concealment of the ill-gotten wealth procured by committing offences under sections 120(B), 409, 420, 34," it mentioned.

(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 14 (ANI): Ministry of Defence on Sunday approved the 4th Positive Indigenisation List of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems/Spares and Components with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore to promote self-reliance and indigenisation in the defence sector.

"To promote 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence and minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Spares and Components, including high-end materials and spares, with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore. Details of these items are available on SRIJAN Portal (https://srijandefence.gov.in/). These will only be procured from the Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list," the press release said.

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall in Bangladesh, Myanmar.

In this regard, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and said, "The Govt under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is committed towards indigenisation and self-reliance in the Defence sector. Keeping this in mind, the 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Spares & Components has been approved. The list includes high-end materials and spares, with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore."

This fourth list is in continuation to the previous three PILs involving LRUs/Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-assemblies/Spares & Components which were published in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022 respectively. These lists contain 2,500 items which are already indigenised and 1,238 (351+107+780) items which will be indigenised within the given timelines. Of 1,238, 310 items (1st PIL - 262, 2nd PIL - 11, 3rd PIL - 37) have been indigenised, so far, an official statement said.

Also Read | Haryana Board Result 2023: HBSE Class 10th, 12th Results Likely to be Declared Soon at bseh.org.in; Know Steps to Check Score.

"The DPSUs will undertake indigenisation of these items through different routes under the 'Make' category and in-house development through the capabilities of MSMEs and private Indian industry, thereby providing impetus to the growth in the economy, enhanced investment in defence and reduction in import dependence of DPSUs. In addition, this will augment the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry by involving academia and research institutions," the release mentioned.

The DPSUs will soon initiate procurement action for these notified items. The industry may look for Expression of Interest (EoIs)/Request for Proposal (RFPs) on the Srijan Portal Dashboard (https://srijandefence.gov.in/DashboardForPublic) specially designed for this purpose and may come forward to participate in large number, it 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, May 14: A 40-year-old man was stabbed to death and two others were injured after being attacked allegedly by a group of nine people in outer Delhi's Swaroop Nagar, police said on Sunday. The victim was identified as Keshav while the injured are 21-year-old Amit and Arvind Sharma (35), they said.

The incident took place around 7.30 pm on Saturday. A fight had allegedly broken out between Sharma's cousin Ritwik and a group of three-four people at a shop adjacent to a store owned by Amit and Keshav, the police said. As the fight escalated, Amit and Keshav tried to pacify the two parties. Delhi Shocker: Man Stabbed to Death in Mangolpuri After Altercation Over Snacks; Three Accused Arrested.

The accused went away from the spot but returned with more people after some time with knives and attacked Sharma, Amit and Keshav, a senior police officer said.

All three were admitted to a nearby hospital where Keshav was declared brought dead while Amit and Sharma were treated for their injuries, he said. Footage from CCTV cameras installed at the spot was analysed and the accused were identified, the police said.

The cops conducted raids at their hideouts and arrested three accused identified as Sumit, Raman and Karan. Three juveniles were also detained, the senior officer said. Delhi Shocker: Youth Stabbed to Death Near Posh Khan Market, Shock in Area (Disturbing Video).

The weapon used to commit the crime and the accused's blood-stained clothes were also seized, the police said. Efforts are underway to nab the three other accused, they added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A 13-year-old girl was bitten multiples time in a shark attack on a Florida beach last week. She survived by punching the fish in the facejust as naturalists recommenddeterring it from finishing its meal.

Ella Reed, speaking to ABC Local 10 News:

Reed told Local 10 News that she received 19 stitches after being bitten in the stomach, arm, finger and the top of her knee. "I was kinda in shock about everything that happened, so I wasn't really in pain because the adrenaline was through the roof," she said. Reed, a Florida native, said that she's never been afraid of the ocean and even after this encounter, she plans on getting right back into the water. "It was clear water so you never really know when it's going to happen," she said. Reed believes she was bitten by a bull shark about 5 to 6 feet long and is at home recovering.

Here's the University of Florida on how to avoid shark attacks:
Thiruvananthapuram/Thrissur, May 14 (PTI) In the wake of Congress emerging victorious in Karnataka Assembly polls, there appears to be a difference of opinion in the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala over the role the grand old party should play to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections.

While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan expressed the view that the Congress was weak in several parts of the country and cannot take up the fight against BJP on its own, state Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan said the grand old party should lead from the front.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Over 5,800 People from State Fled to Mizoram After Violent Clashes, Say Officials.

Vijayan, after inaugurating a public meeting at Guruvayoor in Thrissur district organised by the LDF as part of its second anniversary celebrations, said the Congress should realise that it is not as strong as it was in the past and batted for a "statewise" strategy of uniting anti-BJP forces to take on the saffron party.

"We should work according to the changing scenario on the ground and the Congress needs to realise that. It needs to realise that is not the same Congress that was in power in the country for several years. It is weak in several parts of the country.

Also Read | Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar: Congress MLAs Authorise Party President Mallikarjun Kharge to Pick New Karnataka CM.

"Therefore, the practical strategy for completely defeating the BJP in the country is to unite all the groups which are against the saffron party in a state and counter the BJP state-wise," he said at the event on Sunday.

A similar view was echoed by Govindan a day ago when he said the Karnataka poll results do not indicate a comeback of the Congress and that the grand old party cannot free India of BJP on its own. "Even they (Congress) do not lay claim to that," he had said.

On Sunday, Cheriyan said that Congress is one of the strongest parties in India and there was nothing wrong with asking them to come forward in the fight against BJP.

"Let them lead from the front," he said and at the same time added that he does not agree with the Congress' stand on various issues in Kerala.

"However, to ensure secularism in the country, they need to be at the forefront. There is no argument on that," he told reporters.

In the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, the Congress won 135 of the total 224 seats, while the BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.

(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 14 (PTI) Bullish on the "booming" Indian aviation market, European airline major Air France-KLM is keen to expand routes and capacity as well as increase its codeshare routes with IndiGo, according to senior executives.

Air France-KLM, which has increased its seat capacity by 22 per cent compared to 2022, operates up to 46 weekly flights connecting four Indian cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Also Read | Delhi Class 12 Girl Student, Who Left Home After CBSE Board Exam Result, Found Dead in Drain.

It also has a codeshare agreement with the country's leading carrier IndiGo for more than 30 cities.

"We want to increase capacity, routes... We would like to expand with IndiGo... the ambition is to do more international (flights)," Claude Sarre, General Manager - India subcontinent at Air France-KLM, told PTI.

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall Over Myanmar-Bangladesh Coast, Great Danger Signal No 10 Issued for Cox's Bazar Maritime Port.

Plans are under discussion in this regard, he added.

Codesharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless travel to destinations where it has no presence.

India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and Air France KLM Group recorded passenger traffic of one million on Indian routes in 2022.

Post the coronavirus pandemic, Sarre said air traffic demand is increasing and that the "aviation industry is booming in India".

Earlier this week, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines introduced the 'premium comfort class' on flights between various Indian cities and Amsterdam.

Christiaan van de Kopple, Commercial Director India subcontinent Air France-KLM, said passengers are looking for more and more quality, and are ready to pay extra for good services.

"A 22 per cent increase in seat capacity (compared to 2022) in India routes also shows that India is very much a focus market for Air France KLM... we are flexible in using our aircraft and utilisation on India routes," he said.

They shared their views during a virtual interaction with PTI.

While talking about the Indian aviation market, Sarre said DigiYatra is a good initiative and also emphasised the need to promote as well as produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Air France-KLM is a major player in international air transport. The group's global network offers flights to over 300 destinations, covered by Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Transavia, as per its website.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 14 (ANI): Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, on Saturday, flagged off a consignment of vegetable seedlings of tomato, brinjal, chillies, kale, saag khanyari, red cabbage, green cabbage for Gurez under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the department of information and public relation of Jammu and Kashmir said in an official statement.

Speaking on the occasion, ACS said that "efforts are being made for vertical and horizontal expansion of vegetable cultivation and this consignment was part of that. The department is endeavouring to extend vegetable cultivation to far-flung areas of J&K and sending the first consignment of vegetable seedlings to Gurez is one such step in this direction. To boost the vegetable cultivation in far-off areas like Gurez, the department has already taken a number of initiatives."

Also Read | Eurovision 2023: Grand Final Kicks off in Liverpool.

Dulloo further said that the government is committed towards the development of agriculture and allied sectors in all the regions of J&K. Vegetable cultivation has a huge potential to boost the socio-economic landscape of the concerned farmers.

ACS said that "commercial vegetable farming has been identified as a key factor in achieving the economic prosperity of the farming community. Promotion of vegetable/exotic vegetables under open and hi-tech protected cultivation is one among the 29 projects recently approved by the government."

Also Read | LGBTQ Rights in Europe: Malta Leads, Poland Lags.

Implementation of projects under HADP, especially in the vegetable sector, is expected to revolutionize the vegetable sector in J-K, Dulloo said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, May 14 (PTI) Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Sunday met NCP president Sharad Pawar at his residence in Mumbai and discussed providing an alternative to BJP, a meeting coming a day after the saffron party's drubbing in Karnataka elections.

Also Read | Odisha: Three Arrested by Special Task Force for Sharing SIM Card OTPs With Pakistani Intelligence Operatives.

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall in Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Pawar indicated that the Karnataka template needs to be implemented in other states, and for that, like-minded parties will have to work on a common minimum programme (CMP).

The Karnataka assembly elections have given a message. We need to work on creating a situation like Karnataka in other states. The Congress alone gave an alternative to the BJP in Karnataka, but in other states, like-minded parties will have to work on a common minimum programme (CMP), the NCP chief said.

We will work on both fronts (of creating a strategy like Karnataka and the CMP) and we are starting this process, he added.

Raja spoke about a common understanding to defeat the BJP.

"The state-level strategy can be worked out. We may find some time to interact in Delhi now. The BJP can be defeated and it will lose the 2024 parliamentary as well as state (Maharashtra) elections. The myth of the party being invincible has been broken, he said referring to the Karnataka poll outcome.

In Karnataka, the Congress won 135 seats out of 224, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Akola, May 14: A violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Maharashtra's Akola on Saturday evening, the police said.

A video purportedly showed members of the two groups pelting stones at each other, damaging vehicles and creating ruckus on the streets. However, officials said that the situation is under control now. Mumbai Ram Navami Violence Case: Accused Jameel Merchant Approaches Bombay High Court Seeking Quashing of FIR.

Akola Violence

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Section 144 imposed in Akola following a violent clash between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Akola yesterday; morning visuals from the spot "Some Vehicles have been damaged by the violent mob. The situation is now pic.twitter.com/6ZNokV0lVA  ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2023

The incident prompted the administration to issue prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC. "Following the violent clashes Section 144 has been imposed in the city," Akola Collector Neema Arora said.

According to police, the violent mob has damaged some Vehicles. Reportedly, a large crowd marched on the Old City police station after a violent incident arose after a minor dispute. Maharashtra Violence: Clash Erupts Between Two Groups Over Playing Loud Music Outside Mosque in Jalgaon, 45 Arrested (See Pics).

The violent mob targeted some vehicles in the area and the police have started using force to bring the situation under control, official sources said. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge said that the situation is currently under control. "Section 144 Prohibition Order has been imposed in Akola city on the order of District Collector," he said.

This is the second such incident reported in Akola. A few days ago, there was a violent clash between two groups in Shankar Nagar locality of Akot File area. More details are awaited.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, May 14 (PTI) Police have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly stealing jewellery worth Rs 2.65 lakh from a house in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said.

Also Read | Delhi Weather Forecast for May 14: Dust Storm, Thunderstorm and Strong Surface Winds Likely in National Capital.

The incident took place on May 8 in the house located opposite a temple in Bhayander area when its occupants had gone to attend a marriage function in Kalyan town, Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Division I, Jayant Bajbale told reporters.

Also Read | Jayanagar Election Result 2023: Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar Stages 'Dharna' Alleging Government Machinery's Misuse Post BJP's Narrow Win in Jayanagar (Watch Video).

An unidentified person allegedly broke into the house and stole jewellery worth Rs 2.65 lakh. A domestic help later found a cupboard in the house ransacked and other items lying scattered in rooms and alerted the house owner.

The Navghar police worked on various leads including the CCTV footage, intelligence and technical inputs and apprehended the accused, Chetan Mokashi, from Suryanagar in Vitava area here on May 11, the official said.

Following his interrogation, the police recovered the entire booty from him, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the G7 Ministerial meeting on Health Innovation in Nagasaki, Japan on Sunday.

The meeting was held to discuss the priorities, implementation and utilization of health innovations like digital health towards ensuring Universal Health Coverage.

Also Read | CBSE Class 12 Student, Who Went Missing After Upset Over Performance in Board Exam, Found in Delhi Drain.

Health Ministers of the G7 countries and invited "Outreach 4" countries of India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand participated in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya said, "Use of technology and Digital Health Tools are an enabler and equalizer which can facilitate strengthened health service delivery and aid in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the use of technology in health service delivery and also highlighted the need to focus on an enabling framework to bridge the digital divide across the countries specifically amongst low-and-middle-income countries."

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Road Accident: Bus Rams Into Auto on National Highway in Kakinada District; Six Women Killed and Four Injured.

Highlighting India's achievements in Digital Health, the Union Health Minister said, "India's COVID-19 vaccine delivery platform, Co-WIN has monitored the administration of over 2.2 billion vaccine doses across the length and breadth of the country and monitored not only cold chain management but also facilitated citizens and vaccinators in administration of the vaccines besides providing a QR code based digital vaccine certificate".

"Similarly, eSanjeevani, a National telemedicine platform, launched during the pandemic has already coordinated more than 115 million, free of cost, consultations to the citizens, making it the world's biggest telemedicine platform", he added.

Emphasizing the need to embrace the advantages offered by new and evolving tools, Dr Mandaviya highlighted that artificial intelligence, smart wearables and big data analytics can aid precision medicine, personalized healthcare, genomics, and Clinical Decision Support Systems, ensuring the right treatment to the right person at the right time.

He also underlined the importance of ensuring the availability of these technological tools and stated, "India has already taken a policy decision to provide all such digital tools free of cost to the world as Digital Public Goods."

Dr Mandaviya also stated that India's G20 Presidency has brought digital health as a specific priority and has proposed the convergence mechanisms of all digital initiatives across the world through the formation of the Global Initiative on Digital Health housed at World Health Organization HQ.

He stated that this initiative with a network-of-network approach will be crucial in bridging the global digital divide and urged the support of G7 countries for the proposed initiative in this regard. (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 14 (ANI): In a major operation against the drug nexus, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force arrested 43 illegal smugglers and peddlers and recovered a heavy quantity of drugs worth crores of rupees.

'Operation Kavach' was carried out by Delhi Police's Crime Branch and other units on Friday night

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall in Bangladesh, Myanmar.

On Thursday evening, all the crime branch units were asked by the Delhi Police Commissioner to be on alert. Initially, it was supposed to be a gang operation, but it was told shortly before the operation to ensure that the information was not leaked.

The operation was done on lines with the government's 'Zero tolerance' against drugs

Also Read | New Karnataka CM: Observers Will Take MLAs Opinion, High Command Will Decide Name of Chief Minister, Says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Confirming about the operation, Special CP Crime Ravinder Yadav said, "The campaign was launched against drugs and a lot of recoveries have been done".

Notably, this is Delhi Police's biggest operation in Delhi so far, the police said. 80 teams involving 1000 police personnel broke the nexus of the international drug mafia conspiring against the country.

A total of 31 drug dealers and 12 illegal liquor smugglers were arrested in the operation. In addition to this, 35 kg heroin, 15 kg cocaine, 1500 hemp, 230 poppy and 10 kg charas, along with 20 kg of other drugs and liquor were also recovered. The total recovery made is worth in crores, the police said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, May 14: A high-level committee meeting was held at the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in the national capital on Saturday in connection to the appointments of the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Lokpal, official sources said.

According to sources, the committee is responsible for selecting the next CBI director, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the Lokpal. PM Narendra Modi-Led CCS Cleared 17 Warships To Significantly Boost Indian Navy Capabilities, Says Former Navy Vice Chief SN Ghorpade.

They said that the committee meeting was chaired by PM Modi and was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and Home Minister Amit Shah in their respective capacities.

Adhir Ranjan Chaudhry has given a dissent note on the recommendation for the appointment of the CBI Director and Chief Vigilance Commissioner, said sources. PM Narendra Modi Hails Cabinet Nod to Procurement of 70 Trainer Aircraft, Three Cadet Training Ships.

In contrast, on the appointment of Lokpal, the committee has recommended the setup panel to shortlist the names for the post of Lokpal. Currently, Subodh Kumar Jaiswal is serving as the director of CBI, while Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the Chief Vigilance Commissioner.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, May 14 (PTI) Indian market has a lot of potential for regional aviation and if an operator plays the cards right, sustaining business is not an issue, Star Air CEO, Simran Singh Tiwana has said.

Tiwana also said that the airline is aiming to double its passenger volumes this year as it scales up its fleet and adds three new destinations excluding Jaipur which is set to be launched on Monday.

Also Read | CISCE Results 2023: Pass Percentage in Class 10 at 98.94%, Class 12 at 96.93%.

Set up in 2019 by the Kolhapur-based diversified business house, Sanjay Ghodawat Group, the airline has a fleet of five Embraer aircraft operating to 16 destinations under the Central government's regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, from its two operational bases, Bengaluru and Belagavi.

India has a lot of regional potential, which remains untapped. I think regional travel might grow five-fold in the next five years. Tiwana said.

Also Read | Mumbai: Coastal Road to Be Named After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde.

Stating that it is possible to operate a regional airline in India successfully, he said, You play your cards right, go for the right network, which in line with the aircraft you operate (and) that makes a big difference (in terms of sustaining operations).

Star Air, according to him, is operationally profitable.

"I think regional connectivity exists beyond short-haul routes. If we think it is connecting smaller stations with Mumbai, Delhi, among others, we need to think about it different, Tiwana added.

He, however, said that wildlife issues, some gaps in the runways operations and watchout hours at certain UDAN airports remain some of the challenges for the regional air operators.

Our business model is not clashing with anybody else in India. We have a separate business, separate market and we are just trying to grow it, he said.

Our markets have been very different and we are eating into anybody's market share as we are doing all monopoly routes, emphasised.

An all-Embraer planes operator, the airline owns four aircraft (E145), which are 60-seater and has signed lease agreement for four bigger, 76-seater E175, planes, he said.

Of these, one has already been inducted into the fleet while the remaining three planes are planned to be inducted by September this year.

According to him, the decision to own the aircraft in the initial years of setting up the airline helped it navigate during the pandemic and sustain operations as operating an (an owned) aircraft and leased aircraft operations are all completely two different ball games.

And, I think a lot of startups (airlines) had it wrong, he said in an apparent reference to several regional airlines such Air Pegasus, Air Costa, Air Carnival, which started on regional routes with a bang but went belly up after over a period of time in the last 8-9 years.

He said that in the last four-and-a-half years, the airline had been preparing to go into the lease model and added that a good background of operations and cash flows made the lessors comfortable (in leasing out the planes).

Stating that the launching flight services to Junagadh from Bangalore via Hyderabad, with the larger plane is aimed at both addressing the demand and also adding capacity in a measured tone, he said, We don't want to be too aggressive. The routes we are flying on are trying to mature over the period of time.

On Saturday, Star Air commenced operations of its Embraer E175 jet with a flight service on the Bangalore-Hyderabad-Jamnagar route, offering business class and economy, making it the first regional carrier to have aircraft in twin class configuration.

The airline plans to operate 20 per cent of its flights on non-UDAN, he said and added that as many as 12 UDAN routes are expected to become mature in the coming months, which then can be converted into commercial routes.

Tiwana also said that Star Air will be participating in the fifth round of the regional connectivity scheme. "The bidding has just opened a few days back. We have time up till June 1 to file the bids but we will be filing, he added. http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Well, now we have an idea of which one of Superman's rogues that James Gunn wants to focus on in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. Since there's very little information about Gunn's Superman reboot, which will also serve as the cinematic genesis of Warner Brothers Disvoery's new DCU, fans have been speculating about who the film's antagonist would be.

Despite his lengthy film career, Superman has only faced a few members of his iconic foes on the big screen. Seriously, the number of fantastic villains from Superman's Rogues gallery that have never anchored a feature film is embarrassing. From Bizarro, Metallo, Titano, and Toyman to Silver Banshee, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Intergang, and Brainiac, some of Superman's best rogues have always taken a back seat in film adaptations to Lex Luthor and General Zod. According to Comic Book Resources, Superman fans are going to have to wait even longer for a new rogue to show up in Superman films, as Nicholas Hoult is rumored to be playing Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy.
Karimnagar (Telangana) [India], May 14 (ANI): On the Occasion of Telugu Hanuman Jayanti, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, President of BJP Telangana will organise 'Hindu Ekta Yatra' in Karimnagar on Sunday, said a party official.

Chief Minister of Assam, Himantha Biswa Sharma, will also participate in the Hindu Ekta Yatra as Chief Guest.

Also Read | Eurovision 2023: Grand Final Kicks off in Liverpool.

Apart from that director and his staff of the movie 'The Kerala Story' and around one lakh people are expected to participate in the yatra, said the party official.

This yatra aims to bring unity, cohesion, and solidarity to the Hindu population to fend off divisive forces who are at work to wreck the fabric of Bharat in the name of secularism, plurality and diversity is scheduled to start off at 4 PM, Sunday from Vysya Bhavan, in Karimnagar.

Also Read | LGBTQ Rights in Europe: Malta Leads, Poland Lags.

Sanjay Bandi speaking to ANI said, "the Purpose of Hindu Ekta Yatra is to highlight the injustices meted out to Hindus of Telangana under Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Government, which is in collusion with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AMIM) and with this attitude; State has become safe shelter to Islamic Extremists."

Hindus of any denomination, caste, language, or region are openly invited to join the Hindu Ekta Yatra to demonstrate our core and inner strength to divisive forces. (ANI)

(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 14: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday announced a protest in Delhi against the collection of registration fees from pilgrims intending to visit the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir.

The registration process for the two-month Amarnath Yatra started last month. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to start on July 1 from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in the Ganderbal district. Heatwave in Maharashtra: Scorcher of May Makes State Sweat; 40 Degrees Celsius Plus in 26 Districts in Past Two-Three Days.

"We are going to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the next few days as part of our ongoing agitation to press for free registration of the pilgrims," the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Manish Sahni told reporters here.

Several senior party leaders, religious heads and social and political activists are also joining the protest for the withdrawal of the registration fee.

"We appeal to the (Jammu and Kashmir) Lt Governor and the shrine board not to charge any registration fee from the pilgrims. We want the pilgrims to be exempted from toll tax as well," he said. Akola Violence: One Killed, Eight Injured in Clash Between Two Groups in Maharashtra City; 26 People Detained (Watch Video).

Sahni said a delegation of the party met Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday and briefed him about the agitation. The party high command has given instructions to intensify the movement until a decision is taken in favour of the demand, Sahni said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nagpur, May 14 (PTI) A 42-year-old woman consumed poison and died a few days later apparently after a fight with her children in Nagpur, a police official said on Sunday.

Also Read | IndianOil Says It Has Commenced Dispensing CNG and PNG Connections to Households.

The woman, who lived with her son, daughter and grandson, ran a Chinese food stall in Kotwali area.

Also Read | ICSE Result 2023 Date: CISCE To Declare Class 10, 12 Result on May 14 at cisce.org.

Citing the version of her son and daughter, the official said there was a quarrel between the mother and children at their home on May 9.

Hours later, the daughter found her lying unconscious in the Chinese stall.

She was rushed to a hospital where she died on May 13, the official said, adding that a case of accidental death has been registered.

(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 14 (PTI) Hit by markets regulator Sebi's ban on the launch of new fund offerings, mutual funds' collection through fresh schemes remained subdued at Rs 62,342 crore in 2022-23, which was 42 per cent lower than in the preceding fiscal.

However, a higher number of NFOs were launched in 2022-23 (FY23) compared to the preceding year.

Also Read | IndianOil Says It Has Commenced Dispensing CNG and PNG Connections to Households.

A total of 253 new schemes were floated in FY23, which was way higher than 176 new fund offers (NFOs) launched in 2021-22, according to the data compiled by Morningstar India.

Moreover, in the current fiscal so far, AMCs have floated 12 NFOs in different categories, the industry data stated.

Also Read | ICSE Result 2023 Date: CISCE To Declare Class 10, 12 Result on May 14 at cisce.org.

In the past fiscal year, fund managers focused on passive funds and fixed income categories like fixed maturity plans.

As per the data, a total of 182 open-end funds and 71 closed-end funds were launched in the financial year 2022-23, and cumulatively, these funds garnered Rs 62,342 crore.

In comparison, 176 NFOs were floated in 2021-22 and cumulatively, these funds were able to mobilise Rs 1,07,896 crore while 84 new schemes were launched in 2020-21 raising Rs 42,038 crore.

Usually, NFOs come during a surging market when investor sentiment is high and optimistic. The stock market performance along with positive investor sentiments led to higher fund mobilisation through NFOs in 2021-22.

However, the NFO collections in FY23 were impacted by several factors such as three months ban imposed by Sebi on launching new schemes, highly volatile markets, FPI outflows and global factors, experts believe.

Generally, an AMC launches a new mutual fund scheme -- NFO -- to bridge the gap in its product portfolio. Post the categorisation and rationalisation of mutual fund schemes by Sebi in 2017, many AMCs merged existing mutual fund (MF) schemes and launched NFOs.

Kaustubh Belapurkar, Director - Manager Research at Morningstar Investment Adviser India, advised investors to invest in NFOs only if they offer something unique and bridge a gap in their existing portfolios. Most investors are best served by continuing to invest in similar existing funds with well-established track records.

Gopal Kavalireddi, Head of Research at FYERS, said that all NFOs are not the same and have their pros and cons for investment.

Launching an innovative theme or strategy currently unavailable in the market can be purposeful and suitable to investors. But, an NFO has no performance record to research and understand the underlying stocks. With just an investment objective and some generic information, it is difficult for an investor to assess its suitability. In addition, marketing and launch of an NFO involve higher initial expenses, managed from the pooled money, he said.

"Unlike an IPO of a particular stock where only specific quantities of shares are on offer and price changes due to an imbalance between demand and supply, a mutual fund's Net Asset Value (NAV) per unit doesn't change. Hence, investors need not necessarily rush to apply during an NFO phase and can wait for the portfolio construction before making an investment decision," he added.

In 2022-23, AMCs were focused on floating NFOs in other schemes categories, especially index funds, and debt-oriented schemes segment, mainly fixed-term plans.

The maximum number of funds (84) was launched in the index fund segment, which amassed Rs 6,004 crore, followed by fixed-term plans (71), which mobilised Rs 16,356 crore, and other ETFs (36), which collected Rs 3,216 crore.

Further, in the equity category, 32 NFOs were launched, while six new fund offerings were floated in the hybrid category.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Arizona [US], May 14: At least two people were killed and five others were injured after a shooting took place near the US-Mexico border in Arizona's Yuma, Fox News reported.

Yuma Police Department's Sgt. Lori Franklin said that at approximately 10:54 pm, Saturday, the department said it responded to a report of shots fired in the 3800 block of S. Edward Drive. US Shocker: Texas Man Shoots and Kills Girlfriend For Having Abortion, Arrested.

When police arrived at the shooting site, they discovered that several subjects with gunshot wounds. A 19-year-old male was transported prior to police arrival and was pronounced deceased at Yuma Regional Medical Center a short time later, reported Fox News citing department. Arizona Shooting: At Least Seven People Injured After Shots Fired At Gathering in Yuma, Suspect Absconding.

A second victim, a 20-year-old male, was transported by Yuma Fire Department to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased. A third victim, a 16-year-old male, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center and later flown to Phoenix with life-threatening injuries.

The other gunshot victims, males ages 15, 19, 18, and 16, had non-life-threatening injuries, police said. There were a total of 7 victims treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center.

The shooting unfolded at a time when the border city of just about 97,000 residents is dealing with a large influx of migrants surging across the border, reported Fox News.

The incident happened days after the US city's mayor Douglas Nicholls informed the residents that Border Patrol had begun releasing migrants onto the streets a day after Title 42 expired.

According to CNN, Title 42 allowed border authorities to swiftly turn away migrants encountered at the US-Mexico border, often depriving migrants of the chance to claim asylum and dramatically cutting down on border processing time. But Title 42 also carried almost no legal consequences for migrants crossing, meaning if they were pushed back, they could try to cross again multiple times.

Once Title 42 lifts, the US government will return to a decades-old section of the US code known as Title 8, which allows for migrants to seek asylum, which can be a lengthy and drawn-out process that begins with a credible fear screening by asylum officers before migrants' cases progress through the immigration court system. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan] May 14 (ANI): Pakistan's external financing requirements have not been changed in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over bailout funds, the IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan said, denying local media reports that the Fund was seeking fresh financing, Dawn reported.

The clarification comes after a report published by the Express Tribune on Saturday, which quoted sources as saying that the IMF had raised the demand for additional financing from an earlier unmet condition of USD 6 billion to USD 8 billion aimed at ensuring debt repayments coming up for the May-December 2023 period.

Also Read | Arizona Border City Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Five Injured; Suspect Absconding.

On Sunday, Perez Ruiz said that external funding requirements had not changed throughout the discussions, under a review that would unlock USD 1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped South Asian nation as part of a USD 6.5 billion IMF package, Dawn reported.

A staff-level agreement on the review has been delayed since November, with nearly 100 days passed since the last staff-level mission to Pakistan, the longest such delay since at least 2008.

Also Read | Turkey Elections 2023: Initial Results Show President Recep Tayyip Erdogan With Solid Lead.

On Thursday, the Fund reiterated that obtaining commitments on external financing from friendly countries would be essential before the IMF approves the release of bailout funds, Dawn reported.

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and China came to Pakistan's assistance in March and April with pledges that would cover some of the funding deficit.

Pakistan's central bank reserves fell USD 74 mln to USD 4.38 billion, barely a month's worth of imports, according to data released on Thursday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said during a seminar on Thursday that Pakistan would not default, with or without the IMF, and that the country could not afford to take any additional harsh measures to accommodate the IMF.

Pakistan has reversed course on implementing a fuel cross-subsidy that had raised concerns at the IMF, Dawn reported.

IMF Resident Representative Perez Ruiz said that Pakistani authorities committed to the IMF during last month's spring meetings that they would not introduce the cross-subsidy scheme in the fiscal year 2023 or beyond. She said the scheme was "typically regressive and prone to abuse". (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tokyo [Japan], May 14 (ANI): Education ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations on Sunday confirmed the need to mitigate risks related to generative artificial intelligence, including AI bot ChatGPT, on learning, while lauding the advance of the technology, Kyodo News reported.

G7 Education Ministers agreed on the importance of continued understanding related to issues stemming from the fast-developing technology that has caught the attention of the public since the launch of ChatGPT by US firm OpenAI in November 2022, as per the Kyodo News report.

Also Read | Arizona Border City Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Five Injured; Suspect Absconding.

Artificial Intelligence bots are software applications trained using massive amounts of data from the internet and other sources, enabling them to process and simulate human-like conversations with users, as per the news report.

Japan said that during the talks, it presented arguments showcasing the benefits of using generative AI. However, Tokyo also expressed concerns regarding the negative impact of the technology like possible reduction in critical thinking skills and potential copyright infringement.

Also Read | Turkey Elections 2023: Initial Results Show President Recep Tayyip Erdogan With Solid Lead.

The G7 ministers are scheduled to continue their talks in Japan's Kanazawa through Monday. The first half of the two-day meeting from Friday was held in Toyama. On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida called it "necessary" for Japan as the G7 chair to "exercise leadership in promoting common understanding and establishing rules," according to Kyodo News report.

He made the remarks at a government panel to discuss AI strategy. Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has said it plans to introduce guidelines on AI usage in school settings within the 2023 academic year.

Meanwhile, the Health ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies on Sunday laid flowers before the Peace Statue in Nagasaki to offer prayers for victims of the 1945 US atomic bomb, according to Kyodo News. It was the first time for G7 ministers to pay floral tribute together at the Nagasaki Peace Park.

The health ministers visited the Nagasaki Peace Park after concluding their two-day talks. Before concluding the meeting, the G7 health ministers adopted a joint statement referring to the lessons of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for equal access to testing, vaccines and treatment, particularly in developed nations. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rome [Italy], May 14 (ANI): The first important steps of a highly-anticipated military counteroffensive against Russian forces would be taken soon, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he met with European partners providing his country with weapons, CNN reported.

Talking with reporters in Rome after meetings with his Italian counterpart and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces were "preparing very seriously."

Also Read | Cyclone Mocha: Severe Cyclonic Storm To Make Landfall Along Myanmar-Bangladesh Coast Today, Says IMD.

"There will definitely be very serious steps. I cannot tell you (when) but you will definitely see it and Russia will definitely feel it," he said, adding, "We believe in victory and believe that the first important steps will be taken soon."

Last week, senior US and Western military officials told CNN that Ukrainian forces had started "shaping" operations ahead of the counteroffensive.

Also Read | Earthquake in Afghanistan: Quake of Magnitude 4.3 on Richter Scale Strikes Kabul, No Casualty Reported.

In order to prepare the battlefield for advancing forces, shaping involves attacking targets such as weapons depots, command posts, and armour and artillery systems. It's a standard tactic performed before significant joint operations, CNN reported.

After a "long and fruitful" discussion with Zelenskyy on Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised constant support for Ukraine and added that Rome would back any future application by Kyiv to join NATO.

"We are ready to support a further intensification of Ukraine's partnership with NATO, we will discuss it in Vilnius at the July summit, it will probably be the central theme," Meloni added.

Earlier, Zelenskyy also met Pope Francis, who has been open in his support for putting an end to the violence in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and Francis discussed the humanitarian and political crisis in Ukraine during their meeting at the Vatican on Saturday, and the Pope offered his "constant prayer," according to a statement from the Vatican press office, reported CNN.

According to the statement, "Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts to support the population."

Zelenskyy said last week that his nation still requires "a bit more time" before launching the counteroffensive in order to let some additional delivery of the promised Western military supplies, as per CNN.

Among those Western supporters is Germany, where Zelenskyy landed on Sunday, his first trip there since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine started in February, CNN reported.

"Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.

On Saturday, the German Defence Ministry announced that it would give Ukraine an additional USD 3 billion in military aid, including 30 tanks.

This came after a significant policy reversal by Berlin earlier this year, when it said it would give Kyiv Leopard 2 assault tanks. Due to Berlin's long-standing policy of not delivering lethal weapons to conflict areas, Germany originally resisted requests to arm Ukraine, 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)
Islamabad [Pakistan], May 14 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has urged the people of the country to reject Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan through the power of the vote, ARY News reported.

Rana Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing a press conference along with Pakistan's Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Sunday. He called former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan evil and warned that he would bring disaster to the country if he is not stopped by the nation through the power of the vote.

Also Read | US Shocker: Texas Man Shoots and Kills Girlfriend For Having Abortion, Arrested.

Sanaullah said that petrol bombs and slingshots were made at the same locations and distributed among the PTI protesters in Pakistan, according to ARY News report. He said that Imran Khan brought a disaster to Pakistan with regards to violent protests after getting a chance. He further said that he was aware of what is going to have happened in Pakistan. However, the people of Pakistan have understood the reality now.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah called violent protests just a trailer of Imran Khan's politics of hatred. He stressed that Pakistan faced major damage due to "terrorism" and added that "terrorists" torched Yadgar-e-Shuhada and gave specific targets to the people for carrying out protests. He called for a ban on the PTI after the violent protests, as per the news report.

Also Read | Night Swimming in Dubai: UAE Opens Three New 24/7 Beaches to Expands Its Tourism.

"We thought that the protestors are common citizens who will return after holding demonstrations. Later, we got information that those people who attacked Corps Commander Lahore's house were trained terrorists. The attackers had been given special training about the spots eight months ago," Sanaullah said as per the ARY News report.

Rana Sanaullah alleged that Imran Khan looted Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 60 billion belonging to the exchequer and deceived his federal cabinet. He said that Imran Khan should make Al-Qadir trust a public welfare trust, according to ARY News report.

Speaking about the upcoming protest of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties, Sanullah said that a large number of people are willing to attend the demonstration. Sanaullah said that the party leaders met Maulana Fazlur Rehman and requested him to hold a protest outside the Red Zone.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in an interview called Imran Khan an "ungrateful person" who always ditched his benefactors, The News International reported. She further said that whether it was former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, Jahangir Tareen, Aleem Khan or the late Naeem ul Haq. She said, "Khan followed the same pattern in the case of all these people".

She alleged that the PTI chairman offered a lifetime extension to the ex-army chief, which he declined. However, Khan resorted to using inappropriate words for him in public gatherings upon his refusal, reported The News International.

Aurangzeb called out Khan for being a "fascist person" disguised under a political cloak inflicting irreparable damage to the country. His workers burned schools, state buildings, ambulances and mosques after his arrest in a corruption case, as per The News International report.

It was not the public reaction but an armed assault on the public and private properties as part of a premeditated plan, she said, vowing stern action against those who were involved in vandalism and arson in the wake of Khan's arrest. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], May 14 (ANI): Punjab's caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that 23 buildings were damaged and 108 vehicles were gutted in the province during the protests, ARY News reported.

His statement comes after protests erupted in Pakistan over the arrest of the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Naqvi said, "In Lahore, police vehicles, 12 buses, motorbikes, six Wasa vehicles, eight Rescue 1122 vehicles and a car in a car showroom were set on fire," as per the ARY News report.

Also Read | US Woman Threw Party A Day After She Murdered Her Husband, Had Written Book on 'Processing Grief' Following Spouse's Death.

He further said, "Protesters damaged 23 buildings including Corps Commander's house in Lahore." Punjab's caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi said that military installations and government properties were attacked under a plan.

Naqvi said that around 34 attackers were involved in the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore. He said that the rioters and arsonists set ablaze safe city cameras on May 9 and two metro stations in Lahore, according to ARY News report.

Also Read | KT Rama Rao, Telangana Minister, Presents Replica of BR Ambedkar's Statue to Ambedkar Museum in London (Watch Video).

Mohsin Naqvi said, "Each and every attacker is being pointed out and all will be brought to justice," as per the news report. He said that a loss of around six billion has been estimated in rioting incidents so far.

Punjab's caretaker CM said that an Army check post and a private building were gutted in Gujranwala, as per the news report. He further said that buses and police coasters were burnt in Multan. He claimed that they have pictures and videos of each person and added that "everyone is being followed."

Furthermore, he said that they will not arrest the wrong person and asserted that bringing attackers to the book will remain their priority. He further stated that an investigation is being carried out for arrested people and accused Yasmeen Rashid of being the main character of the incident.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered authorities to arrest all culprits and attackers responsible for the vandalism and arson at the Jinnah House and military and civil installations within 72 hours, ARY News reported.

Shehbaz Sharif gave the instructions while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore. He said, "All the culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers involved in the vandalism should be arrested in the next 72 hours," ARY News reported.

Pakistan PM further said, "This is a critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens." He expressed regret over the destruction of the Safe City Project during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure. Shehbaz Sharif said, "I am deeply disturbed by this situation, and I would like to request the chief minister to take immediate action."

Sharif said that he made it clear to Punjab's caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi that any act of sabotage is unacceptable and those behind wrongdoing will be arrested and brought to court for justice, as per the news report. He also instructed to increase the number of anti-terrorism courts in the province where the legal proceedings against all these culprits should begin swiftly. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A Florida man convicted of impersonating a police officer and raping a woman after an illegal traffic stop is off to jail on a life sentence. Justin Evans, 36, used his disguise for two years, and in the 2021 incident displayed fake police lights and a fake badge to intimidate his victim into leaving her vehicle and entering his.

"He told me I was under arrest because he found marijuana in the car," the witness stated. "He made me lay on my back, and he put his mouth everywhere."

Despite the circumstances of the illegal stop and arrest, the evidence of his fake cop kit, and Evans' efforts to evade arrest, his victim was treated skeptically.

Bolstering the case against him was the testimony from a second woman who came forward after reading about the attack. It turned out, she too was pulled over and patted down by Evans while her 7-year-old child sat in her car. Evans let her go, but the incident was caught on surveillance video.

The other charges he faced were dropped after his sentencing; in Florida, which does not have parole, life sentences amount to 40 years inside with no less than 85% served.

Evans in a Florida Dept. of Corrections mugshot.
Ankara, May 14: Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled on Sunday will have President Recep Tayyip Erdogan facing unprecedented challenges that could end his two-decade rule, reported CNN.

Polls show Erdogan trailing behind the main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu. If neither of the candidates wins more than 50 per cent of the vote to secure an outright win, there will be a run-off on May 28.

Voters will decide the fate of Turkey's democracy less than three months after a February 6 earthquake killed more than 50,000 people and displaced more than 5.9 million across southern Turkey and northern Syria. Turkiye's Elections for Presidency, Parliament Set to Begin.

The elections also take place amid a serious economic crisis and what analysts say is democratic erosion under Erdogan's government, reported CNN. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held his last election rallies in Istanbul on Saturday, before a so-called propaganda ban went into effect, accusing the opposition of working with US President Joe Biden to topple him while making a final appeal in the run-up to the biggest challenge to his 20-year rule.

One of his talking points has been that the opposition is receiving orders from the West and that they will bow down to Western nations' wishes if elected. At a rally in Istanbul, Erdogan also recalled comments made by Biden, and published by the New York Times in January 2020, when he was campaigning for the White House.

Analysts predict a record voter turnout this year, and a tight race between Erdogan and the main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and presidential nominee for the six-party Nation Alliance bloc.

More than 1.8 million voters living abroad already cast their votes on April 17, the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported Wednesday, citing the country's deputy foreign minister. Turkey Elections 2023: Counting Begins As Voting Concludes in Presidential, Parliamentary Polls.

Turkey's demographics are also expected to play a role. Most of the provinces struck by the February earthquake were strongholds of Erdogan and his AK Party. But Supreme Election Council (YSK) chief Ahmet Yener said last month that at least 1 million voters in quake-stricken zones are expected not to vote this year amid displacement.

And even if Kilicdaroglu wins the election, some analysts say Erdogan may not hand over power to his successor without a struggle, reported CNN. Apart from Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu, right-wing Ancestral Alliance candidate Sinan Ogan is also running.

Centrist Homeland Party leader Ince said he had withdrawn following a "slander campaign" against him. He has faced weeks of lurid allegations on social media in Turkey and the Ankara public prosecutor's office said Thursday it had opened an investigation into potential blackmail. His party, Homeland, will however remain in the parliamentary race. British Tourist Burned Alive After Her Caravan Catches Fire in Turkish Port City of Bodrum.

The 59-year-old ran for president in 2018 but lost against Erdogan. In March this year, he broke away from Kilicdaroglu's CHP and joined the presidential race. He initially rebuffed calls by his former party to pull out amid concern that he'd take votes away from Erdogan's rival.

Ince did not endorse any of the remaining candidates; his name will also remain on the ballot. His withdrawal is a potential boost to Kilicdaroglu. Some analysts say that if Erdogan loses the vote by a small margin, it opens up the possibility for him to contest the results. And if past experience is a gauge, the president and his AK Party may not take a defeat lying down, reported CNN.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow [Russia], May 14 (ANI): Russian forces struck Ukrainian military bases and depots of West-provided weapons in the Dnepropetrovsk region, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Sunday, TASS reported.

"Russian forces used long-range high-precision air-launched and sea-launched weapons to inflict a strike in the areas of the Ternopol and Petropavlovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region on Ukrainian military bases and depots of ammunition, weapons and military vehicles that Western countries had supplied," he said.

Also Read | US Woman Threw Party A Day After She Murdered Her Husband, Had Written Book on 'Processing Grief' Following Spouse's Death.

Konashenkov said all the designated targets were hit and the mission was accomplished, TASS reported.

According to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov, assault units supported by Airborne Troops continue to engage in battles to seize western parts of Artyomovsk. Russian forces have repelled all Ukrainian attacks near Artyomovsk, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Sunday.

Also Read | KT Rama Rao, Telangana Minister, Presents Replica of BR Ambedkar's Statue to Ambedkar Museum in London (Watch Video).

"The enemy made major attempts to breach the defences of our troops to the north and south of Artyomovsk over the past day. All the attacks by Ukrainian units have been repelled. No breaches of Russian defences have been allowed," he said, TASS reported.

According to Konashenkov, assault units supported by Airborne Troops continue to battle to seize western parts of Artyomovsk. (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 14: The body of a CBSE Class 12 student, who went missing after being placed in the compartment category in two subjects in the board examination, was recovered from a drain in Delhi's Aman Vihar area, police said on Sunday.

The victim went missing from her home around 3.30 pm on Friday after the CBSE examination results were declared, they said. Her father had informed the police that the girl was depressed after being placed in the compartment category in two subjects and left a suicide note before running away from home, a senior officer said. CBSE Class 12 Result 2023: Upset Over Performance in 12th Board Exam, Two Students Die by Suicide in Delhi.

The Police Control Room was informed and an extensive search operation launched to find the girl. Wireless messages were also flashed to all SHOs but the girl could not be traced, he said.

CBSE Class 12 Student Dies by Suicide

A 12th class student died by suicide by jumping in a drain after she got failed in two subjects. She had left home by leaving a suicide note & was reportedly missing since May 12. Her parents filed complaint near PS Aman Vihar. Her body was found half submerged in drain on May  ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2023

On Sunday, the police received information about the body of a girl lying in a drain in Aman Vihar. The police pulled out the partly submerged body with the help of locals and shifted it to the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital for post-mortem, the officer added. CBSE Student Dies by Suicide in Delhis Hari Nagar Area After Scoring Low Marks in Class 12 Board Exam.

The body was later handed over to her parents. No foul play was found in the inquiry conducted so far, the police said. Inquest proceedings have been initiated, the police said.
Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and get free, print-quality downloads - as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price.

Allentown Central Catholic High School students celebrated their prom at the DeSales University Saturday. Contributing photographer Chris Shipley was there to capture students as they arrived for the prom.

Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom.

Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up for a night to celebrate.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS

Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we just might highlight the best pics!

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com.
The proposal for 317 apartments spread among four new buildings on the Bethlehem-Allentown border is the focus of a continuing hearing before Bethlehem officials.

The citys zoning hearing board on Wednesday took four hours of testimony on two variances that city officials say are necessary for the project to be built as proposed atop an old car dealer lot.

As the hearing ran past 10 p.m., the board adjourned until additional testimony can be heard June 14. That meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Bethlehem Town Hall, 10 E. Church St.

Wednesdays proceedings drew 39 neighbors, many of whom have voiced vocal opposition to the project. Neighbors are represented by an attorney, Tim Stevens, who is scheduled to present his clients side in June.

Jim Preston represents the project applicant, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey-based BAHX LLC. He spent much of Wednesdays hearing pursuing a line of questioning about whether one of the variances is even necessary.

That variance has to do with Bethlehems requirement for a commercial use on the front street level of the project at 2235 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem, 2300 Hanover Ave. in Allentown.

It is actually the rear, not the front, of the portion of the apartment building proposed along West Broad Street where the commercial use is being required, according to the testimony elicited by Prestons questioning. Landscaping and fencing would prevent anyone from simply walking off West Broad Street into that building, whose entrance is on the other side, the testimony indicated.

Under questioning from Bethlehem Planning Commission attorney Matthew Deschler, city Planning and Zoning Director Darlene Heller said the commercial use requirement has nothing to do with where the door to the building is. Rather, the requirement is in place to encourage interaction between pedestrians and buildings along arterial routes such as West Broad Street, she said.

The other variance sought by the developer is to permit the four buildings to be as long as 290 feet, rather than the 180-foot maximum allowed by-right under the propertys Limited Commercial zoning.

BAHX had to design the buildings as proposed to avoid construction atop a stormwater easement running through the property while still achieving the maximum 317 apartments the zoning permits for the property, according to testimony.

Building that maximum number of apartments is what the developers economic viability analysis shows would work for the project, BAHX representative Duane Wagner told the zoning board.

Residents have complained about the height of the buildings rising as high as five stories, as well as the increase in traffic the apartments would bring to their neighborhood.

In addition to the zoning relief, final plans still need to be presented for the two cities planning commissions to consider for approval before construction can occur.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Citing two deaths and several injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered ARC Automotive of Knoxville, Tennessee, to recall 67 million airbag inflators it says are dangerous. ARC is refusing, reports the Associated Press, setting up a legal fight.

In a letter posted Friday, the agency told ARC that it has tentatively concluded after an eight-year investigation that ARC front driver and passenger inflators have a safety defect. "Air bag inflators that project metal fragments into vehicle occupants, rather than properly inflating the attached air bag, create an unreasonable risk of death and injury," Stephen Ridella, director of NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, wrote in a letter to ARC. But ARC responded that it no defect exists in the inflators, and that any problems are related to isolated manufacturing issues. The next step in the process is for NHTSA to schedule a public hearing. It could then take the company to court to force a recall.

ARC is effectively saying to the NHTSA: don't ask us, order us.

That said, this reminds me of the interesting side effects that some commentators pose as consequences of right-wing judicial meddling in culture wars. Enable random people sue women for having abortions? Perhaps they can sue companies for selling guns, too. Limit the authority of federal regulators to prevent them approving "dangerous" things you don't like? How about federal regulators can't tell them not to, either, and too bad if it explodes in your face.

Instead, we'll have lawsuits to protect us

In a federal lawsuit filed last year, plaintiffs alleged that ARC's inflators use ammonium nitrate as a secondary propellant to inflate the air bags.  The explosion can blow apart a metal canister housing the chemical, sending metal shards into the cabin. Ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizer and as a cheap explosive, is so dangerous that it can burn too fast even without moisture present, the lawsuit says.

Which further reminds me that America's political class consists predominantly of lawyers.
Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and get free, print-quality downloads - as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price.

Parkland High School students celebrated their prom at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem Saturday. Contributing photographer Brandon Santiago was there to capture students as they arrived for the prom.

Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom.

Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up for a night to celebrate.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS

Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we just might highlight the best pics!

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com.
Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and get free, print-quality downloads - as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price.

Salisbury High School students celebrated their prom at Lehigh Universitys Iacocca Hall Saturday. Contributing photographer Donna Fisher was there to capture a few of the students as they arrived for the prom.

Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom.

Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up for a night to celebrate.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS

Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we just might highlight the best pics!

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com.
A new Juneteenth parade will cap the Lehigh Valleys weeklong celebration of Black culture in 2023.

The procession on the June 19 national holiday will kick off at noon and head down Northampton Street in Easton. It will feature agencies from the Lehigh Valleys three major cities along with local leaders within the Black community, drumlines, fraternities, sororities, and dance troupes.

Organizers at Juneteenth Lehigh Valley announced the inaugural parade with a slate of activities and events in the preceding week, the third year of local celebrations.

Juneteenth Lehigh Valley 2023 A Week of Celebrations! June 11th - 19th Posted by Juneteenth LV on Friday, May 12, 2023

Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021. The name is a portmanteau of June 19, the date in 1865 when the last Black enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. It became a state holiday in Pennsylvania in 2019 and in New Jersey in 2020.

The first Juneteenth Lehigh Valley event was a one-day affair at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem in 2021, a few days after it became a federal holiday, but planned well in advance. Organizers have said since the start that they want to expand from a single day and get more communities involved.

The music festival at SteelStacks remains a signature event in 2023, to be held on Saturday, June 17.

Local Juneteenth festivities will begin June 11 with flag raisings in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Other events throughout the week include historical dining experiences at Bayou restaurants in Bethlehem and Easton, reading programs and locations throughout the valley, and an event dedicated to Black beauty and fashion at Eastons Sigal Museum.

A full schedule of events can be found at juneteenthlv.org/events.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Laois sisters Geraldine Emerson and Liz Maree, both from Portarlington, officially opened the Midlands Fertility Clinic in Kilminchy, Portlaoise on May 2.

Officiated by Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Thomasina Connell, there was a large attendance supported by local General Practitioners, nursing staff, family and friends.

The Midland Fertility Clinic is a female-led fertility clinic that the sister have set up to what they say will be a personalised, high-quality fertility care and treatment for men and women in the Midlands and beyond.

Their aim is to provide their patients with honest advice and optimum care & support throughout their fertility journey.

Located in Kilminchy Court, Portlaoise, minutes from the M7, the sisters believe the Midlands Fertility Clinic will be accessible from anywhere in the country with free parking and local transport.

They say their Clinic gives people the opportunity to receive top-quality fertility care closer to home without travelling to larger cities like Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Their ambition for the Clinic is to provide first step specialised fertility care for men and woman such as consultation, scanning, investigations and treatment.

They have an onsite andrology laboratory for semen analysis.

Geraldine, who is a qualified embryologist and an expert in the field of fertility care and treatments for over 30 years, is the clinic's laboratory director.

She has worked all over the world and understands the importance of providing a superior patient-centred approach for people who are experiencing issues when trying to conceive. READ ON BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured at the launch Dr David Walsh, Geraldine Emerson, Cllr Thomasina Connell.

Liz is the Clinic Manager.

What we want to provide the people of the midlands is a service that is close to where they live and work.

We want to ensure that we make their fertility journey as easy as is possible while providing superior fertility care and treatment to couples and individuals, she said.

During the official opening, Cllr OConnell noted the importance of having this high-level science facility based in Portlaoise and she was proud that Laois was selected as the place to open this fertility clinic. READ MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Geraldine Emerson and Liz Maree with mum Brigid Emerson at the launch.

Dr David Walsh, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, owner of First IVF was also in attendance at the official opening. He spoke briefly about the importance of having a wonderful facility in Portlaoise and that many people in the midlands will benefit from the services they plan to provide.

The sisters believe the Midlands Fertility Clinic is symbolic of the future of healthcare - convenient, easily accessible and built around the client who can stop by for a fertility check-up on his or her lunch hour.
Residents are threatening to block a road unless safety measures are taken, a councillor has claimed.

Independent Councillor Ben Brennan asked for the safety measures on the N78 in a motion at a meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.

He asked that Laois County Council put safety measures in place in Crettyard Creamery and Geneva Stores on the N78.

In a written response, Senior Engineer at Roads, Paul McLoughlin stated that: Laois County Council, in consultation with TII(Transport Infrastructure Ireland) Road Safety Section, will review this location to establish what safety measures may be appropriate.

Cllr Brennan said the issue had been raised before with the council.

This has come up before and we are still only at review, he remarked.

He said the Crettyard Creamery and Geneva Stores are very busy. When people leave the businesses they come straight out on the main road where there is a 100km speed limit, he explained.

He said there is a farmer who has 100 cows that have to cross the road every day. Cllr Brennan said there is also slow moving machinery using the road on a regular basis. He believes someone will run into the back of a tractor at the location if action isnt taken to slow traffic down.

Cllr Brennan said residents arent happy about the lack of safety measures and have threatened to block the road.

I am told it will happen, the road will be blocked, Cllr Brennan told the meeting.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran felt Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII) werent aware of the seriousness of the situation.

We are still waiting on the TII to come out. I think they need to give us a date, she said.

I think they dont understand how bad it is, said Cllr Moran.

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said he fully supported Cllr Brennan in relation to the matter. He said the store and creamery are used by people far and wide with people travelling from outside the county.

The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.
Market rents have risen by 11.7% in the 12 months since March 2022, according to the latest report from property website Daft.ie.

However, the quarterly increase has slowed to its lowest level since 2020, with market rents in the first three months of the year up just 1% on average compared with the previous quarter.

The average market rent nationwide between January and March was 1,750 euros per month, compared with 1,387 euros in the first quarter of 2020 and a low of just 765 euros per month seen in late 2011.

The upward trend in market rents around the country is driven by extraordinary shortages in the availability of rental accommodation.

Nationwide, there were just 959 homes available to rent on May 1.

While this is up 13% on the same date last year, it still represents one of the three lowest totals for availability at the start of the month in a series that extends back to the start of 2006.

The availability of rental homes is approximately one quarter the average level of availability during 2015-2019.

Daft identified significant regional differences in how rents changed in the first quarter.

In Dublin, rents rose by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter, the same rate seen in the rest of Leinster.

However, in the four other cities, rents fell in the first quarter by 1.8% on average.

In the case of Cork city, this is the first time in almost a decade that rents have not risen quarter-on-quarter.

In Munster, Connacht and Ulster rents continued to rise strongly outside of cities, by 3.8% on average in quarter one of 2023.

Dublin: 2,337 euros, up 11.2% year-on-year

Cork city: 1,731 euros, up 7.7%

Galway city: 1,772 euros, up 11.8%

Limerick city: 1,645 euros, up 10.8%

Waterford city: 1,399 euros, up 10.8%

Rest of the country: 1,373 euros, up 12.7%

Outside of open market rents, the report also includes an index of rents paid by sitting tenants, rather than movers, using a bespoke survey of thousands of tenants.

It shows that, on average, rents paid by sitting tenants have increased by 4.1% over the last 12 months, with bigger percentage increases outside Dublin than in the capital.

Since the introduction of Rent Pressure Zones in 2016, rents of sitting tenants have increased by roughly 20% on average, compared with an average increase in open-market rents of three quarters over the same period.

The reports author, Trinity College Dublin associate professor of economics Ronan Lyons said it offers some crumbs of comfort for those of us gravely concerned about the health of Irelands rental market.

For over a decade now, the rental market has been characterised by worsening availability and, as a consequence, higher and higher rents.

He added: The private rental market has been under increasing stress over the last two years, as first society reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine led to a refugee crisis.

There are some signs that, if things are not getting better, then they are not getting much worse.

Availability of homes to rent has stopped falling, albeit at extremely low levels, while the quarterly change in rents seen January to March was far smaller than the average increase seen in 2021 and 2022.

Nonetheless, the solution to Irelands rental housing shortage requires significant action by policymakers.

The number of rental homes coming on to the market in newly built developments has held up in recent months but is likely to reduce in the quarters ahead, unless issues around planning certainty and viability are addressed.

Ultimately, policymakers must have a clear plan on how tens of thousands of new rental homes will be delivered this decade in all major towns and cities.
Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, attends a press conference following the general election at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2023. ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA / REUTERS

Thailand's progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) claimed victory on Monday, May 15, after a stunning election result that decimated military-backed parties, which have ruled the kingdom for nearly a decade. A massive surge for MFP in Sunday's ballot left it on course to be the biggest party, followed by its rival opposition  the Pheu Thai movement of billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he would seek to build a six-party coalition including Pheu Thai. "I am Pita Limjaroenrat, the next prime minister of Thailand," he told reporters at the MFP headquarters in Bangkok. "We are ready to form the government," he added, vowing to be a "prime minister for all".

Pita said he had called Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's lead candidate to be prime minister, to congratulate her on her campaign and invite her to join the coalition. "The sentiment of the air has changed, it was right. It was the right timing, people have been through enough," he said in English. "Today is a new day, and hopefully it is full of sunshine and hope."

Between them, MFP and Pheu Thai are expected to take 292 out of 500 seats in the lower house, with the two main army-allied parties mustering just 76 seats in total. Thais turned out in record numbers to deliver a brutal verdict on former coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, blamed for economic stagnation and a crackdown on rights.

But in a kingdom where coups and court orders have often trumped the ballot box, there are fears that the result may yet be thwarted. MFP has vowed to reform Thailand's strict royal insult laws, putting it on course for a collision with the kingdom's powerful royalist-military establishment.

The newest force in Thai politics, MFP channeled the energy of youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020 in an election campaign pitting a young generation yearning for change against the conservative old guard embodied by 69-year-old ex-general Prayut.

With ballots counted from 99% of polling stations, Election Commission data showed MFP on 14.1 million in the popular vote followed by Pheu Thai on 10.8 million. The United Thai Nation party, led by Prayut  the ex-army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup  was a distant third on 4.7 million.

But in a sign of the potential flashpoints ahead, Pita on Monday repeated a promise to reform the lese-majeste law that imposes harsh prison terms for insulting the monarchy. This was an issue once deemed untouchable in Thai politics, and which Pheu Thai shied from during the campaign.

'Work together'

Pheu Thai, which has been the most popular party for two decades, had hoped for a landslide win that would allow it to lead a coalition. Paetongtarn, daughter of party patriarch and exiled billionaire Thaksin, congratulated MFP on their success and signaled cooperation in a potential future government.

And despite their success, MFP and Pheu Thai still face many hurdles to secure power, due to a junta-scripted 2017 constitution. The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs in the lower house, plus 250 senate members appointed by Prayut's junta.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Thailand elections: Move Forward Party is challenging the conservatives Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections

identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement

Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ?

Adding to the uncertainty, rumors are already swirling that MFP could be dissolved by court order  the same fate that befell its predecessor Future Forward Party after it performed unexpectedly well in the 2019 elections.

The Election Commission is not expected to officially confirm the final number of seats won by each party for several weeks. But on Monday it said MFP was on course for 151 seats and Pheu Thai 141.

Protest legacy

This election was the first since the 2020 protest that demanded curbs on the power and spending of Thailand's king. The demonstrations petered out as Covid-19 curbs were imposed and dozens of leaders were arrested, but their energy fuelled growing support for the more radical opposition MFP.

MFP sought millennial and Gen Z voters, who make up nearly half the 52 million-strong electorate, but early results indicated their inroads across all demographics. The party swept Bangkok, capturing every district but one. It is predicted to also take districts in the staunchly Pheu Thai northern territories  even flipping Thaksin Shinawatra's home district near the northern city of Chiang Mai.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Elections in Thailand shadowed by former PM Shinawatra Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections

identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement

Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ?

Le Monde with AFP
A mural in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on March 1, 2023. AP

At least 33 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on vegetable farmers in a jihadist-hit region of Burkina Faso, the governor said on Saturday, May 13, as the country struggles to stem an insurgency. A state of emergency has been in force in eight of Burkina Faso's 13 regions since March, including in western Boucle du Mouhoun.

The attack on the farmers happened on Thursday evening around 5:00 pm local time, Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga said in a statement.

"The village of Youlou in the department of Cheriba, Mouhoun province suffered a cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack," he said. "The gunmen targeted peaceful civilians" who were farming along the river, he said, adding that the "provisional death toll" included 33 people.

Local sources said heavily armed assailants on motorcycles had fired indiscriminately on the farmers. The victims were buried on Friday. In Cheriba, residents said three other people had sustained bullet wounds in the attack, and that the perpetrators had burned property before shooting.

The governor said that security in the area was being enhanced. Bassinga urged the local population to "redouble their vigilance and continue collaborating with the fighting forces for a victory against terrorism and a definitive return of peace and stability."

State of emergency

Thursday's attack comes just days after a senior official from the Boucle du Mouhoun region was killed. Amadou Kabore, the prefect  the highest representative of the state  was found dead after he had been abducted at gunpoint when his car was stopped by armed men, according to locals.

In April, the army said it had carried out an anti-jihadist operation in the same region, mobilizing more than 800 soldiers and members of the VDP volunteer militia. The same month, a series of suspected jihadist attacks across the country killed dozens of soldiers and civilian army replacements.

The government implemented a state of emergency in March in areas most affected by jihadist attacks. The measure, which allows security forces to conduct searches of homes and restricts rights like freedom of movement and assembly, was extended on Friday for another six months.

Burkina Faso, which saw two military coups in 2022, has been battling a jihadist insurgency that crossed from Mali in 2015.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina's transitional president after staging the most recent coup on September 30, has set a goal of recapturing 40% of the country's territory, which is controlled by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The violence has seen more than 10,000 killed  both civilians and military  according to the NGOs, and displaced an estimated 2 million people.

Le Monde with AFP
A man who already is serving a prison sentence on a murder conviction has been handed an additional sentence for his guilty plea in a drug case, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced.

Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes ordered Cortez Foster, 33, of Buffalo, to serve six years in prison concurrent with his previous sentence, followed by three years of supervision after he is released.

Foster was arrested on the drug charge Jan. 7, 2020, after Buffalo Police pulled him over for failing to stop at a stop sign on William Street and Monroe Street. Officers found a bag with more than half an ounce of fentanyl in the glove compartment. Police said Foster also fought with them.

He pleaded guilty April 13 to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

Foster was found guilty by a jury Feb. 15 on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the slaying of Marcus Spain, 29, who was shot March 14, 2021, while he was sitting in a vehicle on Johnson Street in Buffalo.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis at a fundraising picnic in Sioux Center, Iowa, on May 13, 2023. CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP

Florida governor Ron DeSantis is seeking to weaken former president Donald Trump's grip on the Republican Party as he courts voters in battleground Iowa. Both prospects for the GOP presidential nomination were to hold events in the state on Saturday, May 13, but a tornado warning prompted Trump to cancel his.

DeSantis, who is expected to announce his 2024 presidential campaign any day, briefly flipped burgers and pork chops at a picnic fundraiser in Sioux Center, drawing hundreds of conservatives. At the podium, he highlighted his willingness to embrace conservative cultural fights and sprinkled his remarks with indirect jabs at Trump.

"Governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling," said DeSantis, who wore a blue button-down shirt without a tie or jacket. "It's ultimately about winning and producing results."

He added that "we must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over. If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again."

After his speech, the Florida governor moved swiftly through the crowd, making small talk with voters trailed by reporters, TV cameras and his security detail.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Ron DeSantis scores victory in culture war over Disneyworld controversy Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections

identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement

Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ?

Trump's event was canceled

Trump, a candidate since November 2022, had hoped to demonstrate his political strength with a large outdoor rally in Des Moines, the capital, later in the day, but the event was canceled due to a tornado warning. Trump's team had expected more than 5,000 to attend the rally at an outdoor amphitheater in downtown Des Moines for the purpose of collecting information on would-be supporters and encouraging them to commit to the former president.

Trump's 2024 Iowa campaign, unlike his rag-tag 2016 second-place Iowa effort, is putting together a more disciplined, data-driven operation. The Saturday event was aimed at encouraging attendees to sign up with the campaign on a website so the campaign could maintain contact with them, keep them posted on how and where to caucus and recruit campaign volunteers. In a social media post, Trump promised to reschedule the event.

Voters in the state are sizing up DeSantis and Trump, two Republican powerhouses who are among a half dozen GOP candidates already in the race or expected to announce imminently. If Trump is well ahead of his rivals in early national polls, DeSantis is viewed widely as his strongest potential challenger.

Blatant DeSantis bashing

For Trump, the emerging rivalry with DeSantis has turned increasingly personal. So far, DeSantis had largely ignored Trump's jabs, which have included suggesting impropriety with young girls as a teacher decades ago, questioning his sexuality, and calling him "Ron DeSanctimonious." Trump's campaign began airing an ad mocking DeSantis for yoking himself to the former president in 2018 when he ran for governor, even using some Trump catchphrases as a nod to his supporters in Florida.

Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., also has aired spots highlighting DeSantis' votes to cut Social Security and Medicare and raise the retirement age. The group even targeted DeSantis' snacking habits, running an ad that called for him to keep his "pudding fingers" off those benefits. That was a reference to a report in The Daily Beast that the governor ate chocolate pudding with his fingers instead of a spoon on a plane several years ago. DeSantis declared he does not remember doing that.

The pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, has hired Iowa staff and begun trying to organize support for the governor before a 2024 announcement. The group announced on Thursday that state Senate president Amy Sinclair and state House majority leader Matt Windschitl would endorse DeSantis' candidacy. On Friday, it rolled out roughly three dozen more state lawmakers who would endorse him.

Le Monde with AP
SHANNON Airport is in the running for a prestigious European marketing award for its digital marketing search campaign.

The airport has been shortlisted under the Best Use of Search in Travel and Leisure category at the European Search Awards for its paid search campaign activity in 2022.

The airport campaign  The Sky Is The Limit, was managed by Havas, in collaboration with The Shannon Airport Group marketing team and targeted users across Google search engines, promoting the Shannon Airport experience, the airports close car parks and its executive lounges.

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1164797/historic-agreement-sees-handover-in-management-of-sites-popular-with-limerick-visitors.html

Commenting ahead of the awards, Head of Marketing for the Shannon Airport Group, Tim Ryan said: to be shortlisted for this prestigious award is a huge testament to our marketing team and our media agency partners Havas, who have helped us grow our search activity online by 42% in 2022."

Contenders competing with Shannon Airport for the award in this category include, AdPeak, Snowfest Altitude Internet, Travlock, INTREN, and Danubius Hotel Groups.

According to a spokesperson for the Shannon Airport Group, the European Search Awards reward and celebrate the best companies and people working in Pay Per Click (PPC), Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), and Content Marketing across a variety of business sectors.

The awards will be presented live at a gala dinner and awards ceremony in Lisbon, on May 25.
AN IMPORTANT milestone in the supply of youth work services in Limerick has been identified as part of a new 2023-2026 plan.

The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) has officially launched its youth work plan.

The plan aims to ensure this board succeeds in supporting the allocation, coordination, management and assessment of youth work services in the Limerick and Clare region.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive George OCallaghan, said: This plan outlines an exciting and ambitious path for our ETB over the next four years.

It marks another important milestone in the development of Limerick and Clare ETB and involves consultation with a range of partner organisations.

We very much look forward to working towards ensuring the best possible outcomes for young people in Limerick and Clare.

Youth work and volunteering in Limerick includes groups such as youth work organisation the Northside Youth Space in Ballynanty, youth clubs such as West End Youth Centre in the Childers Road area of Limerick, youth arts groups such as Limerick Youth Theatre, drug and alcohol projects, sporting bodies and much more.

The new plan represents a shared commitment from all of these organisations to the on-going development of their clubs.

The importance of these positive outcomes was emphasised by ETB Youth Officer Team Lead, Cora Foley, when she said:

Ireland is becoming a more diverse and multicultural society and we all need to learn to work together.

Respect for diversity, inclusiveness and the rights of all young people are important elements of this Youth Work Plan.

Aoimhe McNamara, who was supported as a teenager and returned to do work placement there as part of her social care degree, spoke about young peoples' needs at the launch of the plan.

She said: Youth work really does change with the times, because young people have different needs at different moments in time.

This new plan is really going to help by making sure that more young people have access to them and have a voice.
THE CASE against a Limerick man accused of stealing over 70,000 from a woman now aged in her 80s has been struck out.

An accountant by profession - Sean Higgins, aged 70, of Ballinvana, Kilmallock - was charged with a total of 13 offences under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, before the local court last September.

Twelve of the alleged offences related to false accounting with one count of theft of 73,722.66 from a client. It was alleged the offences took place between 2007 and 2016.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, who represented the State at that September court sitting, said the DPP had directed trial on indictment which means the matter was to be dealt with in the circuit court as opposed to the district court.

At that time, Insp Thompson made an application to Judge Patricia Harney for a two-month adjournment to allow time for the book of evidence to be prepared.

The case was back before Judge Harney on Friday, April 28 when Insp Thompson said the book of evidence was not available from the DPP.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for Mr Higgins, made an application to the judge that the case against his client be struck out. He said an extension of time for service of the book of evidence had already been granted in February.

In striking the case out, Judge Harney said everybody had notice and peremptory has to mean something.
Product Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions (T&C), as amended from time to time are the complete and exclusive statements of understanding between HT Media Limited (HTML) & the Users and shall enroll for availing the Services on (hereinafter referred to as the BOARD RESULTS https://www.livehindustan.com/career/results/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams and EDUCATION SERVICES https://www.livehindustan.com/career or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education). All representation or other communications between HTML & the User amounts to acceptance of these terms & conditions.

Board Result (https://www.livehindustan.com/career/results/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams) is a website created by HTML for giving the students an easy access of their board results from various Boards being Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttarakhand. The results are inherited officially from the respective boards and being displayed on this website on an As Is basis and under no circumstances HTML be held responsible for any inaccuracy as regard these results.

EDUCATION SERVICES https://www.livehindustan.com/career/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education is a website created by HTML for giving the students easy access to entrance exams and college related information. The information is gathered from various websites. Under no circumstances HTML be held responsible for any inaccuracy as regard to this information.

Students of Class 10th and 12th can have quick and easy access to their results and other college and entrance exam related information using this website.

Students can get access through their phone, tablet, laptop or any other online service provider. These results can be accessed only in the territory of India.

Individual Registration: User shall create an account either for himself/herself or for the prospective student.

Any attempt by the user to use the results in any inappropriate cause is a violation of Criminal and Civil Laws and should such an attempt be made, HTML reserves its right to seek damages from any such User to the fullest extent as permitted by law.

HTML and/or its subsidiaries, affiliates, holding company or group companies, their offices, directors, employees and representatives shall not be liable to any person or entity for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential damages, including loss of profits, incurred by a User or any third party, whether in connection with the usage of board results (https://www.livehindustan.com/career/results/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams) and education services (https://www.livehindustan.com/career/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education), or for breach of any warranty in contract or in tort.

User agrees to indemnify HTML, its agents, employees, representatives, associates, affiliates, parent and subsidiary companies against any and all claim, losses, costs, damages, liability and expenses arising out of the Users breach of any of the T&C or arising out of or in connection with their use of BOARD RESULTS (https://www.livehindustan.com/career/results/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams) and and EDUCATION SERVICES (https://www.livehindustan.com/career/ or https://www.hindustantimes.com/education)

HTML is not liable for the incorrect or inaccurate capture of any User's information. This includes, but is not limited to, technical malfunctions, human or technical error, seeding or printing errors, lost, delayed, or garbled data or transmissions, omissions, interruptions, deletions, defects, or failures of any telephone or computer line or network, computer equipment, software, or any combination thereof.

These terms and conditions will be governed by Indian law. In the event of a dispute arising under these Terms and Conditions, the courts of Delhi will have exclusive jurisdiction.

Any provision of the T&C that is illegal or unenforceable in a particular jurisdiction is ineffective in that jurisdiction to the extent such restriction or unenforceability exists. This has no bearing on the validity or enforceability of that provision in other jurisdictions, nor does it invalidate the T&C's other sections.

HTML shall not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the User while enrolling for the access of the board results.

Failure by HTML to enforce any of these Terms and Conditions in any instance(s) shall not give rise to any claim by any person.

The students can access the board results at free of any cost.

User Communication: The user expressly agrees to receive marketing communications from HTML or its representatives via email, phone, Whatsapp, or text message in order to receive notifications and information about our services including for other products of HTML and its subsidiaries, affiliates, holding company or group companies.

Information Collected by HTML: When you visit our site, we collect minimal information about your computer's Internet connection, including your IP address. You are not identified by your IP address. We may also collect and store information provided by your computer or mobile device in connection with your use of our website/apps, such as your browser type, computer or mobile device model, browser language, IP address, mobile carrier, unique device identifier, location, and requested and referring URLs. Even if you haven't registered an account, we acquire information when you view content on or otherwise interact with our website/app/services. We use this information to serve our web pages to you when you request them, to adapt our site to our users' interests, and to track website traffic. Our advertisers/third-party firms may use this information to customize content, advertisements, and other services.

Cookie policy, pixels and tracking: Cookies are little text files that are transferred to your computer or mobile device when you visit a website and include a small amount of information. When you return to the website or visit a partner website that recognises that cookie, your device will be able to connect with our website, and the website will be able to read the information stored in that cookie. We use cookies to make it easier for you to navigate our websites and to save you time by preventing you from having to re-enter your information or preferences each time you visit. We may provide you with information and show you stuff that is relevant to you thanks to cookies. We also use cookies to analyse how visitors interact with our websites so that we can improve their experience. In your browser options, you can accept or reject cookies. Most web browsers accept cookies by default; however, you can typically change this setting to refuse cookies if you want. More information about managing cookies can be found in your browser's help section: Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

Third-Party: By agreeing to the terms and conditions, user hereby acknowledges and agrees that the information shared while accessing the Board Results will be shared to the third-party for reaching out with many other relatable contents and for a specific time period only. Third-party advertising materials will be displayed. Third parties may collect or receive certain information about you and/or your use of the Services (e.g., hashed data, click stream information, browser type, time and date, information about your interactions with advertisements and other content) when you use our Services, including through the use of cookies, beacons, mobile ad identifiers, and similar technologies, in order to provide content, advertising, or functionality, or to measure and analyse ad performance. This data may be coupled with data collected from other websites, online services, and other connected or associated devices. These third parties may use your information in accordance with their own privacy rules to better their own services. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of any advertising material they send to us, including ensuring that it complies with all applicable laws. We take no responsibility for the content of advertising materials, including any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies included therein.

HTML reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to amend or vary any of these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice or intimation.
Mumbai: Adani Enterprises Ltd, the group holding company with business interests ranging from seaports to airports, has revived its capex plan after a four-month pause, with a planned initial investment of $1.5 billion to kickstart its new businesses, two people familiar with the matter said.

The flagship company, which cancelled its fundraising plan in February, is planning to pump fresh investments into solar module manufacturing, green hydrogen, Navi Mumbai Airport and data centres (Adani ConneX).

A major portion of the proceeds from the qualified institutional placement (QIP) will be used for new businesses, where capex plans were put on hold due to the cancellation of the FPO (follow-on public offering)," one of the two people said, requesting anonymity.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

On Saturday, the boards of Adani Enterprises and Adani Transmission cleared plans to raise up to 12,500 crore and 8,500 crore, respectively, via QIPs.

Adani Enterprises FPO, aimed at raising 20,000 crore was hit by a scathing report by short-seller Hindenburg Research, which alleged the group had manipulated stocks and committed accounting fraud. The FPO was cancelled in February after significant volatility in Adani stocks.

The people cited above said that 8,000 crore- 10,000 crore from the cancelled FPO was meant to be used for investments in airports and the groups new businesses, including solar module manufacturing, data centres, digital asset building and electronic chip manufacturing businesses as the group is gearing up for launching a super-app. Further, Adanis green hydrogen business (under Adani New Industries Ltd) was to get at least 2,000 crore from the FPO proceeds, according to the people.

The fresh capital will now come from the planned QIPs by group firms, which may help the group stay on track in its capex plans," said the first person. Adani Transmission will use 8,500 crore of its proposed fundraising to expand transmission lines and double its power distribution network," he said.

An email sent to a spokesperson for the Adani group didn't elicit any response.

Several key businesses under Adani Enterprises are interlinked through the Adani New Industries unit, which is engaged in green hydrogen projects, low-carbon electricity generation, wind turbines and solar module manufacturing, electrolyzers, and batteries.

In November 2021, the Adani group stated it would invest $70 billion in the new energy space over the next decade. Through Adani New Industries, the group plans to invest $50 billion by 2030 in creating a green hydrogen ecosystem.

Additionally, the company is setting up a 20GW co-located wind and solar project at Mundra, Gujarat.

Rival Reliance Industries Ltd has pledged $10 billion in new energy over the next three years.

Adani groups solaringot, wafer, cell, modules and wind turbine projects are also under construction. Apart from commissioning a 20GW renewable energy project, Adani New Industries plans to set up a 16GW electrolyzer capacity, a 1 mmtpa green hydrogen compression plant, a 200 km pipeline, a 5.6 mmtpa green ammonia capacity, and an air separation unit for nitrogen generation.

If the QIPs succeed, it will bolster Adani groups position in the new energy sector, enabling it to take on Reliance Industries.

According to the people cited above, all capex plans for new and existing businesses of Adani New Industries, solar and digital businesses will be fast-tracked with the fresh infusion of funds.

Adani Enterprises owns 50% of AdaniConneX, 44% of Adani Wilmar Ltd, and wholly owns Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, Adani Roads Transport Ltd and Adani Digital Ltd.

Adani Airport Holdings will get a portion of the fresh funds to speed up the completion of the Navi Mumbai Airport," said the first person.

The Adani group has planned to invest 8,000 crore across its airports business over the next five years, and a major portion of this investment will come from the QIP proceeds.

The company may use a small portion of the QIPs to partly pay its 2,448 crore loans for Adani Airports Holdings.

The group also plans to use 4,500 crore- 5,000 crore out of the proposed QIP proceeds to repay its creditors to get share pledges released in group firms to calm investors.

Between January and March, the group has repaid at least $3 billion to get a large part of promoter share pledges released.
NEW DELHI : Advertising experts have come to the defence of Starbucks new digital campaign, saying the boycott call over an ad, where a Hindu transgender woman is reuniting with her family, was really unfortunate". Soon after the launch of the ad earlier this week a section of social media users went on an offensive both on Youtube and Twitter calling for boycotting the coffee giant.

It Starts With Your Name campaign tells the tale of an elderly couple waiting to meet their son Arpit in a coffee shop. As the narrative unfolds, the parents are surprised to see a young woman approach them, revealed as the long-estranged transgender daughter, Arpita.

Experts argued the ad promotes inclusivity and acceptance of diversity, but detractors claimed that the choice to portray the transgender individual as a Hindu rather than a Muslim was deliberate. Additionally, critics said the ad imports Western ideals, which maybe irrelevant to India and potentially harmful to the children.

To see the ad being twisted and distorted along the lines of religion is disconcerting. The brand is consistent with its outlook and theme. As long as it shows commitment to that, manufactured outrage will be short-lived in terms of duration and impact," communications strategy consultant Karthik Srinivasan said.

About two weeks ago Starbucks had also released its digital ad for a 1+1 drinks offer featuring Akbar and Anarkali that also triggered a controversy on social media with many users complaining that in a Hindu-dominated country it was running an ad depicting Muslims.

Now, when an ad is showing Hindus as warm, loving, understanding, and , the commentary is again twisted into hate," Srinivasan added.

In the past, there have been many similar outrages against brands, such as the one against Unilevers Surf Excels Holi ad, where an outrage erupted over why a Hindu child will go and help a Muslim child, and why not the other way round.

Tata groups Tanishq ad also had a similar narrative, where people questioned showing a Muslim family to be warm and loving towards a Hindu bride. The ad depicted a pregnant Hindu woman who was being taken by her Muslim mother-in-law to her baby shower ceremony. That time, the ad had been criticized for allegedly promoting love jihad".

Experts said, being consistent with ideas unity, inclusivity and love will keep the brand in good stead. Starbucks has maintained its outlook, creating ad campaigns along similar lines even in the UK, and has been supportive of the transgender community. In 2012, EO Howard Schultz said that the company would donate $1 million to support the passage of same sex marriage in the US.

In 2015, it was one of the first companies to file an amicus brief in support of marriage equality in their Supreme Court. I find the Starbucks ad quite cute. It reflects the changing realities of society. And mirrors a new world. But these days a backlash can happen for any reason," said advertising veteran Sandeep Goyal, managing director of Rediffusion Brand Solutions. You can never be 100 percent risk-free, not knowing who or how many may take offence. It is, however, a storm in a coffee cup and will soon blow over", he added.

Aditya R. Kanthy, CEO and MD of creative agency DDB Mudra Group said, The subject is relevant at this point as the matter is being discussed where the courts are involved and the brand is not trying to stoke a conversation which is irrelevant. As citizens, businesses and brands, there must be space to do that as long as it is done responsibility. People do have a right to offend in a democracy, as long it is not inciting hate, and rather to promote a legitimate point of view on a contentious subject, While this could have some short term challenges, but is unlikely to have any impact on the overall business in the longer run."
Mumbai: Axis Trustee Services Ltd, one of the financial creditors to Future Retail Ltd, has approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) after the resolution professional rejected its claims worth 470 crore out of total claims of 1,266 crore. The bankruptcy tribunal is expected to take up the matter by Wednesday.

At an NCLT hearing, Nausher Kohli, appearing on behalf of Axis Trustee, sought an urgent hearing of the application. Kohli said that if the trustees remaining claims are admitted, it will become the fifth largest creditor in Future Retails ongoing insolvency resolution.

Resolution professional Vijay Kumar Iyer, represented by counsel Rishabh Jaisani, agreed to file a response after a bench led by Justice Shyam Babu Gautam directed him to do so.

In the list of financial creditors, the Bank of New York Mellon has claims of 4,660 crore, of which claims of 560 crore have not been admitted so far. Out of Union Bank of Indias claims of 2,000 crore, claims of 223 crore have not been admitted.

The final list for Future Retails insolvency resolution process includes 48 resolution applicants, including Reliance Retail, April Moon Retail (a joint venture firm of Adani Airport Holdings and promoters of the Flamingo Group), Jindal Power, JC Flowers Asset Reconstruction, and UV Stressed Asset Management.

One of the counsels tracking the case said on the condition of anonymity that the prospects for resolution under the insolvency process are positive, given that there has been an increase in the number of final bidders.
New Delhi: Go Airlines India (Ltd) wanted Pratt & Whitney to ignore engine requests from other airlines and provide more engines than it won in arbitration, two people close to the US-based engine maker said.

Currently, Go (Air) is seeking to jump the line for engines over other customers worldwide," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. The company expects the engine situation to normalize this year. The person did not disclose details on the number of engines Go Airlines has sought from the engine maker.

In its insolvency petition, Go Airlines, which operates under the brand name Go First, has blamed Pratt & Whitney for the delay in the delivery of serviceable engines.

The Wadia Group airline claims the share of aircraft grounded due to Pratt & Whitneys faulty engines grew from 7% in December 2019 to 31% in December 2020 to 50% in December 2022. It also said the engine maker 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 that ordered the release and dispatch without delay to Go at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023, and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023.

The entire Indian aviation sector is hit due to sub-standard products supplied by the engine makers. P&W cannot wash their hands off their liabilities after supplying sub-standard engines which has led to huge losses for all airlines. 18% of Indian aviation capacity is currently grounded due to non-supply of engines by P&W," Go First chairman Varun Berry said in a statement.

Pratt & Whitney is complying with the arbitration order, which asks Pratt & Whitney to take all reasonable steps to dispatch engines to Go First. We are invested in all our customers success," a Pratt & Whitney spokesperson said.

Questions emailed to a Go Airlines spokesperson remained unanswered till press time.

Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Group company, is also hopeful of improvement in the supply chain issues in the current year, as the shortage of engines and spare parts has grounded nearly 40 aircraft of IndiGo, Indias largest airline by market share.

Supply chain recovery following the pandemic remains stressed. We believe the situation will stabilize throughout 2023. This will support the increased output of new and overhauled engines. In the interim, we are providing direct logistical support to our suppliers. We are expanding our MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) capacity and working to reduce shop visit turnaround times to improve service availability," the spokesperson added.

Go Airlines has accused Pratt & Whitney of engine issues that began with their deliveries in 2016 and intensified since 2020; however, the two issues are not related, a second person at the engine maker said.

Current supply chain issues, durability enhancements, the earlier upgrades made to the GTF (geared turbo-fan), and a business dispute with Go First are separate and should not be clubbed together as engine issue," the second person said. The geared turbo-fan engines of Pratt & Whitney that power the A320neo fleet promises to reduce fuel consumption by 16%.

We have improved time on the wing since programme inception, but we are not yet at the level we expected to achieve. As with any engine development programme, especially with the technology thats new and revolutionary, like the geared architecture, we continue to develop solutions to improve engine durability. In parallel, we are executing on our GTF Advantage development programme, our next-generation GTF configuration, that will incorporate all our experiences and technical learnings since entering the service," the Pratt & Whitney spokesperson said.
Godrej Industries chairman Nadir Godrej said that the promoter family would continue to purchase shares in group companies if they perceive short-term undervaluation. Family businesses tend to be somewhat immune to market fluctuations as they are oriented towards the long term, he added. He also delved into future plans for Godrej Capital, Godrej Industries chemicals vertical, as well as Godrej Agrovet, besides the international market strategy for Godrej Consumer. Edited excerpts :

Are you happy with how group companies are valued since promoters have been buying shares?

It is a well-known problem that in a capitalistic society, people look at quarterly earnings. Its also well known that family businesses are slightly immune to that as they have a long-term view. If we are confident of the long-term and market trends, we will buy our shares. We will not go out of the way to try and get the share prices up. We will tell the markets that we are not bothered about short-term fluctuations but are interested in the long-term. We will ensure the long-term is a success. I know people are a little disappointed with (Godrej) Agrovet because the price has fallen below its IPO price, which of course, was better than we expected. But we are pretty sure that long-term is good.

There are a lot of opportunities for Godrej Agrovet in the B2C segment, whereas the current business is focused more on enterprise clients. How do you plan to proceed?

For businesses such as Godrej Tyson Foods and Creamline Dairy, it was a challenging year (FY23), but were increasing value-added products. And in April, there is already a lot of progress.

Dairy companies are consolidating. Do you have acquisition plans?

Our focus is to stabilize the existing business because milk prices shot up, leading to a big problem for the dairy industry. Once we get more value-added products, we will expand to other geographies and even try a national presence in easy-to-transport products.

How are your global businesses doing under Godrej Consumer?

Indonesia is doing well. In Africa, there are a lot of challenges because, first of all, we have a lot of disparate businesses which we are trying to clamp together. In Nigeria, the challenges were demonetization as well as devaluation. However, things are improving. In Latin America, we are doing fairly well. We will continue investing in Africa, especially in existing locations, but I doubt we will buy new things. We may even export from there. We are seriously thinking of making Nigeria a big production hub for the rest of West Africa.

How has growth been in the chemicals business?

Were going more and more into speciality chemicals. Some of our commodities have become specialities, especially in our rapeseed oil portfolio. With Indian import duties on vegetable oils coming down, Indian rapeseed oil is very competitive. This year (FY24), we face a few more challenges, but last year was extraordinarily good for us. In Astec Life Sciences, we had quite a lot of challenges because of two of our major products. Prices fell as China came back into the market. The previous year, we did very well because China was pretty much out of the market. But China seems to be back, and thats affecting us a bit. In oleochemicals, China is not a major manufacturer, so there is no issue at all, but in agrochemicals, China might be an issue. The good news is that the CDMO business (contract development and manufacturing business under Astec Life Sciences) is doing extremely well and acts as a hedge against China. Godrej Agrovets crop protection business has been doing well, especially the new products we have launched from Japanese manufacturers.

What is your plan for Godrej Capital?

It is largely focusing on home financing right now but has moved on to other fields as well. The objective is to make it a broad-based firm. Naturally, it will go into fields where the group is the strongest. They started off with housing finance, now they are looking at agriculture finance and distributor finance, all of which will sit well with the group. We will have to keep investing for another two years or so. Godrej Industries will need to invest, and after that, it will probably be able to raise its funds, or the need for funds will be much less.

What technologies are you exploring, given the focus on climate?

One of the cheapest offsets is trees. Our oil palm business is a huge offset, considering in India, theres no deforestation, unlike Malaysia and Indonesia, and almost all of it is grown in agricultural land. We sequester a lot of carbon, even when you are harvesting so much. Bamboo is similar, as you harvest the top of the bamboo, but the roots go deeper and keep sequestering carbon. (the process of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide). We are looking at carbon sequestering opportunities  as climate change is a big problem. India is very well suited to use this solution. We have a huge amount of arable land.
Fragrance Harris Stanfield ran for her life on May 14.

She was working at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue that afternoon when a gunman, dressed for combat and armed with an AR-15, entered the store and began shooting at every Black person he encountered.

When the carnage ended, 10 people were dead, three people were shot but lived and one person suffered an injury.

Stanfield, a customer service lead at Tops, survived.

So did Rose Wysocki, another Tops worker, who hid in a barricaded conference room with other workers and customers while calling 911.

So did Julie Harwell, who was shopping with her then 8-year-old daughter and her boyfriend and got separated from them.

Pastor Tim Newkirk, who arrived at the chaotic scene just as the gunman was being taken into custody, has been left stunned by what he saw.

At least another 100 people could describe their experience the same way.

Much of the focus this past year and being commemorated this weekend is directed at those who lost their lives. The survivors understand that. But while they're thankful to be alive, they want people to understand that their lives were forever changed by what they witnessed that day.

Jaclyn Schildkraut, executive director of Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, who researches mass shootings, said they too are victims.

"The reality is you never move on," she said. "You move forward. The minute that first bullet was fired everybody was thrown off the trajectory of their normal. They have to relearn how to exist in a new normal."

Still running

The gunshots began just as Stanfield had rung up a customer.

Stanfield found herself about 6 feet to the left of the killer as he was looking forward.

She began running. She thought her daughter, YAHnia Brown-McReynolds, who was also working at Tops, was with her but they became separated.

As Stanfield ran down the aisles toward the back of the supermarket, she lost her shoes and fell to the floor.

Hearing the bursts of gunfire and people screaming, she remembered feeling like she was about to die. "I gave my permission to myself to die," she said. "... I was on the ground and I didn't think I'd get back up."

But she got back to her feet  she can't remember how  and she kept running all the way out of the store.

She frantically searched for her daughter, begging police to let her back in the store. She eventually found her daughter, who had hidden under a cash register.

Stanfield and other workers were gathered together and put on a bus to go downtown to give statements. She felt like they were being treated as "assets" and "witnesses," rather than victims of a crime.

In the days following, Stanfield saw the outpouring of support for the families of those who were killed and for the injured as well as the neighborhood. But it seemed like the people who survived, like herself, weren't part of the conversation.

"Nobody treated us like survivors and when I realized that, I was crushed," she said.

She saw how the word "survivor" was being used to describe the victims' families and not those who had lived through the massacre. She was especially disappointed when the 5/14 Survivors Fund, which raised $6.4 million, offered the survivors $9,500 each.

Stanfield continues to struggle. She has debilitating headaches and memory loss. There are times she can't get out of bed. The simple act of going grocery shopping can trigger panic attacks.

She's navigating her new life. Her family inspires her. Therapy has helped too. She recently graduated from an entrepreneurship program at the University at Buffalo. She has started singing and playing music again.

On a recent rainy Sunday afternoon, Stanfield did something she hasn't been able to do in a long time: She sang in front of an audience.

At Spot Coffee in downtown Buffalo, she closed her eyes and swayed as she sang about love, strength and 5/14:

"I started running as I cried. I really felt like I just died. When I'm breathing so heavy and can't catch my breath. When I am looking and watching and wondering what's next. ... I'm running, I'm running, I'm running."

The strength to get help

Rose Wysocki felt compelled to go back to work at the Tops when it reopened three months after the massacre.

"It's just my nature to be the caregiver," she said.

As a mother and grandmother, she wanted to be there for her fellow workers, many of whom were teenagers and in their early 20s. They were also the only ones who truly understood the horrors of what took place. And she loved her job as the produce manager and enjoyed working at that store.

But she sees now that she should have realized that things weren't OK. She was having nightmares and anxiety attacks. Loud noises triggered her. She hated being in crowded places. She found herself coughing uncontrollably when she felt uncomfortable.

Sometime around October, one of her nephews approached her. He had noticed that his aunt rarely laughed anymore, even when the nephew would share a funny story about his child.

"He sensed Aunt Rose was off. She's not herself," Wysocki said. He urged her to get counseling.

"It took a lot. It took a lot of people to convince me that it's not a sign of weakness. That it's a sign of strength," she said.

Therapy helped Wysocki understand that she had post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The therapist also convinced her that continuing to go to work at the Tops on Jefferson was retraumatizing her.

"They said I'll never be able to heal if I just kept forcing myself to go back there," Wysocki said.

She took some time off and is now working at another Tops much closer to her home in Alden. But she hopes to go back to work at the Jefferson Avenue store someday.

"It's hard to to just walk away and say 'no'," she said. She continues to visit. She gets her prescriptions at the pharmacy there and catches up with her former co-workers.

"I can't stand when people say to you: 'Just move on.' You don't understand until you go through it. It's not that easy to just move on," Wysocki said. "I wish I could."

A year that may not have ever been

Julie Harwell is still trying to make sense of what happened on May 14 and the year since.

She was at Tops with her daughter, Londin, and Londin's dad, Lamont Thomas, that day. Thomas and Londin sneaked off to a different aisle to buy cake mix  it was to bake a cake for Harwell's birthday the following day.

Then the shooting began. Harwell vividly recalled how she dropped to the ground and started crawling toward an exit. Then she saw the gunman's tan combat boots and looked up to see him with his military outfit and assault rifle. Then she got up and ran. She ran out the back and then to the front of the store, screaming for her family  and there she saw the killer outside as he surrendered to the police.

"Knowing that we were basically hunted down like rabid dogs was like insane to me. It was ... it's still surreal. How can somebody have that much hatred in their whole being? Like, how did you get that instilled in you? How? I don't know," she said.

She is haunted by the thought that she could have lost her daughter or Lamont or that she herself could have died.

"It would be a different story that you guys are covering," she said.

That's made her more aware. She wants to uplift her community, but that's been hard as she grapples with PTSD. She's a quieter person than she used to be. While she did go back to work as a chef, lately, she finds it too triggering to be in cramped kitchens.

The one bright spot, she said, is her daughter.

"She's like a regular kid," she said. Londin is finishing third grade now and seems to have bounced back.

But she worries about her daughter. "I have to keep telling my daughter: You can't not like a different race or anything like that. Because not everybody is like that."

A different kind of violence

Pastor Tim Newkirk was no stranger to violence. Through his work with GYC Ministries and the Buffalo Peacemakers, he often rushes to the scenes of shootings and homicides in Buffalo.

But he had never experienced anything like what he saw when he drove up to Tops on May 14. He was going to buy some ice cream for a community cookout and was going to stop in to say hello to his sister, Shonelle Harris Teague, and to their niece, when the shooting began. He drove up as the gunman came out of the front and was confronted by police.

At first, Newkirk was confused. He saw bodies on the ground and thought a shootout had occurred. The gunman, in his military-style clothing, looked like he might have been a SWAT member but as he saw Harwell screaming, Newkirk realized this was something entirely different.

"I had heard about white supremacy," he said. "... I had never had to experience it with the way it was on 5/14."

He found his sister and gathered up other Tops workers into a circle on Riley Street, next to the store, and prayed with them.

Since then, Newkirk has tried to advocate for the survivors, including Harwell and her family.

He ended up not qualifying as a "survivor" for the fund.

He thinks much more needs to be done for those who lived through the massacre as well as for all of the East Side of Buffalo, which has endured generations of poverty and racism.

"We need to go back over that which was promised to our people," Newkirk said.
For the Karnataka Assembly Election campaigns, the Congress party had many big faces including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, and D K Shivakumar; while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had only one, that is, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The saffron party's defeat in the southern state elections on Saturday is a clear indication that the non-Hindi-speaking parts of the country remain a challenge for PM Modi. Last time, BJP lost the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

However, Congress leader Siddaramaiah remained the biggest undisputed winner on the Karnataka election result day. Before this, the crowning moment for Siddaramaiah was Congress' victory in the 2013 Karnataka elections when it won 122 seats in the southern state.

He worked hard to rebuild the Ahinda coalition, a group of Muslims, backward classes, and Dalits. Over the past few months, Siddaramaiah has overseen a political campaign that has seen the Muslims and communities coalesce around the Congress, Hindustan Times reported.

For ex-Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, the Karnataka election result has been significant as he cemented his position as the BJPs only mass leader in the state. He is an old-style politician and the tallest leader of the states most dominant community, the Lingayats. In 2021, Yediyurappa stepped aside for Basavaraj Bommai and he even did campaign for the party this time, but it was clear that his heart wasn't in it.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remained successful in wrestling Himachal Pradesh from the BJP, just after two months he got elected as the grand old party's national chief. But the Congress party got defeated in the BJP stronghold Gujarat. Hence, Karnataka, his home state, was a big test for him. He campaigned across the state and managed to simmer down the tension between Chief Ministerial Probables DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

Saturday's results came as a devastating blow to former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda. He has seen his son HD Kumaraswamy appointed Chief Minister twice in the past two decades in Karnataka. However, this time, the party has lost ground everywhere including its stronghold Southern Karnataka.
Shares of Adani Group companies are likely to remain on traders radars Monday amid a slew of announcements related to the group. In the week gone by, Adani Group companies shares had a mixed performance. While Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports & SEZ rallied, Adani Total Gas and Adani Transmission plunged over 6% and 3%, respectively.

The billionaire Gautam Adani-led ports-to-energy conglomerate stocks have undergone a heavy beating since the beginning of this year after US short-seller Hindenburg Research released a report in January alleging accounting fraud and stock price manipulation at Adani Group.

The report triggered a stock market rout that had erased about $45 billion in the conglomerates market value at its lowest point.

Let us take a look at the Adani groups stocks that will be in focus on Monday:

 21,000 crore-worth fundraising

Adani group will raise 21,000 crore through share sale in its two companies. The move comes three months after Adani Enterprises, the group's flagship firm, was forced to abort a 20,000 crore follow-on public offering (FPO) in the wake of the Hindenburg report.

Adani Enterprises plans to raise 12,500 crore through issue of shares to qualified institutional buyers, the company said on Saturday.

The companys board approved raising of funds by way of issuance of equity shares having face value of 1 each of the company and / or other eligible securities or any combination thereof, for an aggregate amount not exceeding 12,500 crore or an equivalent amount thereof by way of qualified institutional placement (QIP) or other permissible mode in accordance with the applicable laws," the stock exchange filing read.

Adani Transmission, the electricity transmission company, will raise another 8,500 crore by way of QIP, it said in a separate filing.

Read here: Adani Transmission board approved fund raise worth not exceeding 8,500 crore. Details here

Moreover, the board of renewable energy arm, Adani Green Energy Ltd too was scheduled to meet on Saturday for a fundraise but the meeting was postponed to May 24.

The fundraising plan seems to be a strong comeback strategy by the group after the groups FPO was scrapped amid the Hindenburg report-led rout in the stock prices.

However, Adani Group has denied all allegations by Hindenburg. The group is also said to plot a comeback strategy, wherein it aims to prepaid some of its loans to assuage investors. In March, the companys promoters sold stakes worth 15,446 crore in four group companies to GQG Partners, a US-based global equity investment firm.

Meanwhile, Mauritius Financial Services Minister Mahen Kumar Seeruttun also refuted the allegations labelled by the Hindenburg Research report about the shell companies operating in the island nation.

3 Adani Group stocks to be out of ASM framework

Adani Green Energy, Adani Total Gas and Adani Transmission shares will be excluded from Additional Surveillance Measure (ASM) framework by the stock exchanges BSE and NSE.

As per the circulars issued by the bourses, these shares will move out of the ASM framework effective May 15.

The BSE and NSE had moved Adani Total Gas and Adani Transmission from second to the first stage of the long-term ASM framework on March 24. Adani Green Energy was also moved to the first stage long-term ASM framework by the exchanges in April.

Exclusion from MSCI India Index

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) announced that it will remove Adani Total Gas and Adani Transmission from its India Standard Index with effect from May 31. MSCI Standard Index is widely used by fund houses as a benchmark for its equities portfolios.

The exclusion from the index is likely to result in an outflow of $201 million for Adani Transmission and $186 million for Adani Total Gas.

Following the announcement, the two Adani Group shares were hammered by investors on Friday. While Adani Total Gas stock price plunged 4.33% to close at 818.35 apiece, Adani Transmission share price ended 3.49% lower at 885.00 on the BSE.

SC order in Adani vs Hindenburg case on Monday

A special bench of the Supreme Court on Friday decided to pronounce orders on the Adani Group vs Hindenburg Group case on May 15 after examining the Expert Committee Report.

Read here: Will extend time for probe, but..: What SC told SEBI during Adani Group-Hindenburg report hearing

The Supreme Court of India also told capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that they will grant an extension of three months to finish probe into stock manipulation by Adani group allegations made by the US short-seller Hindenburg in its report.

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
New Delhi: Foreign lenders of Indian businesses may have to wait longer before initiating bankruptcy proceedings against defaulting Indian businesses in local tribunals.

The government has shelved its plan to introduce a cross-border insolvency regime that would have integrated India with several other markets that have adopted a harmonized debt resolution regime for companies with assets spread across multiple markets.

Only around 50 countries have adopted the UN model of cross-border insolvency, and many of them have stringent restrictions in place. Adopting this model is not on top of the agenda now," a person briefed about discussions in the government said.

The priorities now include making larger corporations eligible for an informal debt resolution scheme currently available only to small businesses, a new regime for handling insolvency of group companies as a whole, and a special carve-out for the real estate sector, the person said on the condition of anonymity. These amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) are expected in the monsoon session of the Parliament.

A cross-border insolvency regime has several benefits, but it also needs several issues to be addressed, including the readiness of the overall bankruptcy ecosystem. Besides letting foreign creditors initiate or take part in bankruptcy action in local tribunals, it would also enable creditors in India to pursue overseas assets of Indian debtors as part of the debt resolution process. Such a regime would also result in any moratorium granted by an overseas court on recovery of dues applicable in India as well in certain scenarios.

Experts said the time may not be ripe to introduce such far-reaching measures. It may be ideal to roll out a cross-border insolvency regime once we have made the institutional capacity and the overall ecosystem of bankruptcy resolution more robust to deal with such a demanding system," said Anoop Rawat, partner (insolvency and bankruptcy) at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

We need to first have a robust debt resolution infrastructure that takes up cases and clears resolution plans without delays, and also build the knowledge base for practising and adjudicating on cross-border cases before rolling out a scheme for that. Given the amount of work needed in that direction, it makes sense not to rush into introducing a cross-border insolvency regime at this juncture," said Rawat.

The governments current priority is to address key concerns around the operation of the bankruptcy code, especially in reducing delays in the admission of cases and in approving rescue plans. It also wants to focus on checking inappropriate transactions by the management of a defaulting company during its period of distress leading up to the admission of cases in tribunals. The proposed amendments, currently being reviewed by top government officials, will have specific measures in this regard. Also, the conduct of resolution professionals will be a key area of focus in the proposed Bill. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), the rule maker, is taking stringent action in the case of erring resolution professionals, as the government feels that professional discipline and transparent decision-making are key in resolving industrial sickness.

An email sent to the spokesperson for the ministry of corporate affairs on Friday seeking comments remained unanswered.

In the absence of a tailored regime for dealing with ailing businesses with assets in multiple markets, judicial authorities establish a protocol to handle parallel bankruptcy proceedings in different countries. Jet Airways (India) Ltd is an example of parallel bankruptcy proceedings in India and the Netherlands.

The parties, in such cases, coordinate efforts to minimize costs and maximize the value of assets while respecting the independence of local authorities. The UN Model law on cross-border insolvency provides a template to handle such situations, recognize foreign proceedings by a local court, and give foreign professionals and creditors access to local courts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gireesh Chandra Prasad Gireesh has over 22 years of experience in business journalism covering diverse aspects of the economy, including finance, taxation, energy, aviation, corporate and bankruptcy laws, accounting and auditing. Read more from this author
The results of Karnataka election 2023 saw an interesting shift in voting patterns among the Muslim community. Traditionally, the Janata Dal (S) party has enjoyed strong support from Muslim voters in the Old Mysuru region, which has an 11% Muslim population. However, this time, the Muslim vote bank consolidated in favour of the Congress party.

Political analysts attribute this shift to the fear that the JDS might align with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accused of implementing policies seen as discriminatory towards the Muslim community. In contrast, the Congress party promised to restore the 4% reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes category, which had been scrapped by the BJP government.

The Muslim vote mattered in around 65 of the 224 constituencies in the state, and an analysis of the election data showed that the Congress party was able to win almost half of the 65 assembly seats where Muslims matter. Of the 15 Muslim candidates fielded by the Congress, nine won, while none of the 22 fielded by the JDS were successful. In 2018, five of the seven Muslim candidates who won were from the Congress, while two were from the JDS.

The BJP government in Karnataka has been accused of implementing policies that target the Muslim community, such as banning the hijab in pre-university colleges and passing laws against religious conversion and transportation of cattle in the state. Some BJP leaders have also called for a ban on halal meat in the state.

Also Read: Karnataka Election Result 2023 winners list

Despite the BJP's efforts to polarise the Hindu vote, the Congress party's manifesto promise to ban organisations such as the Popular Front of India and Bajrang Dal appears to have worked in its favour. The Congress won 135 seats in the elections while the BJP won 65 and the JDS won 19.

The Congress party's success in constituencies where Muslims can influence the decision helped it win more seats in regions such as Old Mysuru and Bombay Karnataka. Congress leaders attribute this success to the party's commitment to secularism and its concern for all communities.
New Delhi: Indian diplomats are in talks with the Myanmar government after tur prices, which had softened slightly in April due to the governments stock disclosure directive, started moving up again.

Tur and urad have a share of over 70% in Indias pulses import basket, and Mynmar is a major producer of both. But on top of a dip in domestic production, Indian importers are reportedly hoarding tur in Myanmar.

The upswing in prices, which is due to a shortage in the domestic market is likely to persist until the new season begins in October, a top government official said.

The department of consumer affairs has written to the ministry of external affairs to ensure regular flow of imports from Myanmar, as India has a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the country to import 250,000 tonnes of urad and 100,000 tonnes of tur through private traders. The Indian embassy in Myanmar is also in talk with the local government and private traders," the official said.

Sentiment may improve if supply flow from Myanmar is enhanced," said Indrajit Paul, assistant general manager of DeHaat, an agritech company. Tur from East Africa will come into the domestic market from August-September onwards; however, lower production and festival demand around that time are anticipated to keep prices range-bound."

Paul sees prices of tur hovering in the range of 8,500-9,000 a quintal for the remaining months of the ongoing season.

Domestic prices have gone up to 8,729-9,142 per quintal on 13 May in Kalaburagi, a key wholesale market in Karnataka from 8,165-8,512 a quintal on 21 April.

Ex-mill wholesale tur prices in Maharshtras Akola have risen 5.7% during the same period to 9,000 a quintal, according to spot traders and agriculture ministrys Agmarknet portal.

Additionally, a spike in the price of lemon tur by Myanmar traders is pushing up the price of local varieties in India, according to industry experts.

To make more profit, some importers are even hoarding urad in Myanmar. There is no scarcity of urad in the domestic market. Despite this, traders are not bringing urad from Myanmar. Instead, they have hoarded around 550,000 tonnes of the pulses," another government official said.

The hoarding has lowered the pace of urad imports by 20% year on year to 340,000 tonnes during January-April of this year.

In a meeting, the department recently told private pulses traders to improve the supply flow. Otherwise, a ban on private trade would be imposed, and the government would initiate G2G (government to government) trade with Myanmar, the official informed.

Emails containing sent on Saturday to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Embassy of India, Yangon seeking comments remained unanswered till press time

On 14 April, Mint had reported mill-quality tur (arhar or pigeon peas) prices have experienced a sharp increase in the March quarter and are expected to rise further, driven by an anticipated decrease in domestic supply.

Production of tur (arhar or pigeon pea) in the ongoing season is estimated to be 2.5-2.8 million tonnes against a domestic consumption of 4.3-4.4 mt, the official said, attributing the industry estimate.

However, according to the agriculture ministrys second advance estimates, tur output in 2022-23 (July-June) crop year is pegged at 3.6 mt compared with 4.2 mt last year. The ministry is expected to come up with its revised estimates later this month.

Quoting government sources, Mint on 20 April reported importers of tur and urad are not bringing their purchases from Myanmar to India and hoarding these pulses to book profit amid rising prices in the domestic market.

Though the disclosure of tur has increased domestically and imports of tur from Myanmar remain at par with last year,

Burma lemon tur which was priced at $835 a tonne on 1 March is now being sold at $1,085 per tonne. In the case of Burma urad, superior quality urad price has risen to $1,080 a tonne from $870 and fair average quality variety to $975 per quintal from $790 during the same duration. This is due to gain more profit," said Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India Pvt Ltd.

.
Indias top IT services firms are reworking their recruitment strategies, emphasising local hires in key markets such as the US, amid mounting frustration due to lengthy wait times for work visas.

We have been building a talent pool that is distributed, local and diverse and, as such, have reduced our dependencies on H1-B visas," Saurabh Govil, chief human resource officer, Wipro, said in an email response to a question.

For decades, IT companies deployed a significant portion of their workforce overseas while gradually expanding local hiring. However, increasing delays in work visa approvals, sometimes stretching beyond a year or more, have emerged as a key disruptive factor. Consequently, many companies are hiring locally to meet urgent client demands.

After the March quarter earnings, Tata Consultancy Services chief human resource officer Milind Lakkad said the US visa delays could prevent its talent from gaining global exposure. So, business-wise, you know, its not a significant issue. We have dealt with it for the last two years, and we can deal with it. From a people standpoint, I would like this to be relaxed more as I can provide a larger percentage of people to go from here quickly to other locations and have that global work exposure," Lakkad said.

VFS Global, which handles US visa processing in India, said it doesnt directly manage anything here but is a subcontractor of CGI Federal, which manages visas globally for the US.

Data published by the US embassy in India showed that the wait for B1 and B2 visas could be 331-494 days.

Its a diplomatic decision that the embassy will take, and they are looking to ramp up their capacity, we hear," said an industry expert on visas.

HCL Technologies is also looking at local talent to minimize dependence on visas. We dont import people from India, we hire local talentOur dependence on visas has always been the lowest, which is really a commitment to localization, not just in the US, but all of the geographies where we operate in and delivering top quartile return," said C. Vijayakumar CEO and MD of HCLTech, in an investor meet last December.

While visa timelines in other regions are getting more relaxed, the US continues to be a challenge, travel agency executives said.

While we have seen a strong rebound in business travel, US visa concerns are creating a significant hurdle, especially with our tech clients/corporates due to challenges of availability of appointments," said Indiver Rastogi, president and group head of global business travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel.

Concerns regarding prolonged wait times apply to both short-term B1 and B2 and work visa categories, with appointment slots varying based on the city. The current timeframe for B1 and B2 visas exceeds a year in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.

So, unless a client wants a set of employees that has been working for a while on projects, we have stopped sending employees," said the human resource head of a mid-tier IT firm, who did not wish to be named. He added that given the stringent timelines, no one is willing to wait for over 90 days for people.

However, the US visa administration recently said it would issue more than a million visas to Indians, offering some relief to IT companies.

Despite high-level bilateral meetings, there are multiple strategic issues and geopolitics on the table, and visas may get pushed down the list," said tech analyst Prasanto K. Roy.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is on the lookout for a new director, as the tenure of current Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal nears its end. The search is now being led by a high-level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

During a meeting held at the prime minister's residence on May 13 evening, the committee shortlisted three senior IPS officers for the post of CBI Director. These names have now been forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which will select one of them for the top post. Senior IPS officers from Karnataka, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh cadres were considered.

The candidates who made the cut and were referred to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet include Praveen Sood, currently serving as Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka, Sudhir Kumar Saxena, DGP of Madhya Pradesh, and Taj Hassan, who is the Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

One of the top contenders for the post is DGP Sood, a 1986 batch IPS officer, who appears to have the backing of the prime minister and the CJI. However, the Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, submitted a detailed dissent note opposing Sood's candidature on the grounds that he was not part of the pool of IPS officers eligible to serve at DGP level at the Centre.

Jaiswal, a 1985-batch IPS officer from Maharashtra cadre and former Mumbai Police Commissioner, took over as the CBI Director on May 26, 2021, succeeding R.K. Shukla. The CBI chief is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, CJI and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha for a fixed tenure of two years, which can be extended up to five years.

The search for a new CBI Director comes at a time when the agency is investigating several sensitive cases, such as the Pegasus spyware scandal and the alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Director will be expected to lead the agency in these challenging times and uphold its reputation as one of India's premier investigative agencies.
New Delhi: On an October morning in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri, then Prime Minister of India, was engrossed in a conversation. He was looking to clear his doubts after spending the night at a farmers house in Anand, Gujarat. Shastri, after he was informed about the stellar performance of a local dairy cooperative, was keen to understand why it succeeded while scores of others across India failed. But after speaking to the residents of Ajarpura village in Anand district, Shastri was puzzled. The soil, rainfall and climate of Anand was nothing out of ordinary.

I had expected to see the entire landscape green, with cattle grazing contentedly, but the whole place is brown, just like the rest of India I looked at your farmers. They are good peoplefarmers are always good peoplebut they are not as hardworking as the farmers of Punjab. I cannot find a single reason why Anand is such a great success. Now, can you tell me what is the secret?" Shastri asked Verghese Kurien, then general manager of the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union, and the architect of Indias White Revolution, the worlds largest dairy development programme that began in 1970. Anand was earlier a part of Kaira district.

Kurien told Shastri that his observations were correct except for one difference. Anand dairy was owned by farmers and elected farmer representatives managed it. And Kurien was an employee of farmers who hired his services as a professional manager.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

An excited Shastri then remarked that there is no special reason to have Anand only in Gujarat. From tomorrow, you shall make it your business to work not just for Anand, not just for Gujarat, but for the whole of India please replicate Anand throughout India," Shastri told Kurien.

In his autobiography, I Too Had a Dream, Kurien recounts the incident fondly, including the bureaucratic hurdles he faced in Delhi while putting the plan in motion. Questions were also raised from within the Kaira milk union. By creating more Anands, arent you creating more competition for us?"

Kuriens reply was prescient. One dairy for a country as large as India would not be enough to fulfil its needs, he told the unions board. And crucially, Kurien added that one Amul was only one stickit could be brokena hundred Amuls together would be very difficult to break. Therefore, it would be in Amuls interest to help create more of it." Kaira Union introduced the brand Amul for marketing its product range in 1955.

In the decades that followed, India built one of the most formidable dairy cooperative movements globally. Per capita milk availability grew over four-fold, from 107 gm per day in 1970s to 427 gm in 2021, despite a growing population. Farmer members of cooperatives receive between 75-85% of what the consumer pays for dairy products. This compares with 25-50% share in other farm products.

Produced by over 80 million rural families, milk is the largest farm product valued at close to 10 trillion annually, as per official estimates. India is also the largest producer of milk in the worldaccounting for a fifth of global outputeven though productivity per animal is low.

Since Operation Flood was launched in 1970, successful dairy cooperatives emerged in different states. Amul is now a household name across India with annual group revenue of 72,000 crore in 2022-23. It is also the largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand, surpassing the turnover of giants like Hindustan Unilever by a wide margin ( 58,000 crore in 2022-23).

Besides Amul, theres Nandini in Karnataka (the second largest dairy cooperative with a turnover of 25,000 crore), Aavin in Tamil Nadu, Milma in Kerala, Gokul in Maharashtra, Verka in Punjab, Saras in Rajasthan, and Sudha in Bihar (the largest cooperative in eastern India).

Yet, many are struggling financially. A 2020 research paper on farm value chains published by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Delhi, found that 95 of the 175 milk unions it studied were in loss. The bulk of loss-making cooperatives55 out of 95 unionswere from Uttar Pradesh, the largest milk producing state.

The authors of the report noted that there has been no attempt to restructure these co-operatives to make them efficient and accountable to farmers. This led to a collapse of cooperatives in states like Uttar Pradesh. Successful ones like the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which now markets its products under the Amul brand and comprises of 18 milk unions from the state including Kaira entered other states but did not follow the Anand model. Since farmers from other states cannot be members of GCMMF, it behaved like a benevolent private sector entity outside Gujarat.

White Revolution 2.0

In this backdrop, union home and cooperation minister Amit Shahs remarks on 30 December last year created a furore. While inaugurating a dairy project in Mandya, Karnataka, the minister said that Amul and Nandini will jointly set up dairies in every village in the state in three years. The brand Nandini is owned by the Karnataka Milk Federation, which comprises of 16 milk unions from the state.

Opposition political parties took this as an indication of a merger in futuredespite a quick denial issued by the state chief minister. Nonetheless, a political slugfest continued ahead of state elections, held on 10 May. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost out to the Congress whose leaders were often seen frequenting Nandini milk parlours during election campaigning.

An ongoing process of amending the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, introduced in the Parliament in December 2022, on how board members can be elected by a process managed by a central election authority, added to the confusion. The apprehension: it will be easier to merge state cooperatives once the amendments are through.

In March this year, Amit Shah revealed the governments plan to establish rural dairies in 200,000 panchayats across statespaving the way for White Revolution 2.0. But the shape and form these rural dairies will take remains unclear. So far, a multi-state cooperative focusing on exportswhich will be linked to these newly created rural dairieshas been set up.

Experts and industry insiders Mint spoke to are reading these developments as a pivot towards more central control of cooperatives, a strategy which can pay rich political dividends to the ruling BJP, by nurturing a vote bank of farmer-members across states. A pan-India mega brand may also dilute the spirit of decentralization and deviate from Kuriens idea of hundreds of Amul-like brands across India, some feared.

Mint sent a list of queries to the cooperation ministry but did not receive a response.

Jayen Mehta, managing director of Amul, said in a written response that there are no plans to merge Amul with any other dairy cooperative. But Amul, together with six other national-level organizations, will be promoting a bunch of multi-state cooperatives focusing on exports, seeds and organic produce.

This will usher in a new era of cooperation across the country for benefit of millions of producers organized under such cooperatives," Mehta said.

Small vs Big

Whether or not India changes track on how milk cooperatives are managed, there is another sore point looking for a policy fix: what happens when a cooperative brand becomes too big? Should it be allowed to capture markets in other states and compete with smaller brands? The question took a controversial turn recently, when Amul announced it will enter Nandinis turf in Bengaluru.

If it is possible to transform Amul into a multi-state cooperative which allows for membership from other states, then there is a better case for it to be going elsewhere otherwise, it is becoming a huge corporation with a national presence, benefiting only the Gujarat farmers," said C Shambu Prasad, professor at the Institute of Rural Management, Anand.

And if public sector banks can merge, why not cooperatives to create a national brand, Prasad asks.

For farmers, the entry of Amul or Mother Dairy is usually good from an economic perspectiveit ensures better prices wherever the cooperative structure is weak. But if that is the model we want to follow, the whole cooperative movement (designed on Anand) goes for a toss," said T. Nanda Kumar, former head of the National Dairy Development Board (which owns the Mother Dairy brand), and lead author of the dairy sector report quoted earlier.

The original idea was that village and district level milk unions will join hands to form a state level federation which will market dairy products under a common brand. Value added products like butter and cheese sold under the brand name ensured higher margins and better returns to farmers, as liquid milk is a low-margin product.

There is no problem when Amul enters a milk deficit state to sell its surplus milk. But, for instance, in Maharashtra where the state dairy brand did not take off, multiple players including Amul and private dairies procuring milk resulted in low milk prices for farmers, compared to Gujarat, where Amul is a strong institution with a strong purchase mechanism," Kumar said.

So, can a national level cooperative ensure a strong purchase mechanism for farmers? Kurien did not believe so and hence pushed for state-level federations. The question to ask is, do we allow brands like Amul or Nandini to fight it out with smaller ones like Sudha or Aavin? Or should the centre help states create strong local brands?"

The counter-argument, Kumar added, is why should one object to Amul entering another state as it may increase competition, transparency and efficiency in the dairy value chain. I have no problem with that argument. But I am not sure if it can be used as an excuse to create a multi-state cooperative."

Jayen Mehta from Amul denied any threat to cooperative brands from each other. The presence of more than one cooperative in a state is beneficial to farmers because they would otherwise be at the mercy of private and multi-national players dictating prices," Mehta said.

The new cooperation ministry (set up in July 2021), added Mehta, will help usher in the next White Revolution by setting up cooperative societies in 200,000 of the 500,000 uncovered villages.

Easy to destroy

One India-one brand is a thought process aligned with present-day political realities, said a former dairy cooperative executive who did not want to be named. But creating a national level mega brand runs the risk of political and bureaucratic capture."

Multinational dairy giants were unable to crack Indias dairy market due to the strength of successful cooperatives. This could change too, if the existing structure is upended, the person quoted above added.

Sudha from Bihar offers the perspective of a relatively smaller brand. With 5,000 crore turnover, it lacks the muscle to compete with an Amul. Amul offers our farmers 25-50 paisa more (per litre) to capture the liquid milk supply in some area. We spend money and effort to develop the dairy sector in Bihar while Amul is only interested in gaining market share. This unfair competition will ultimately hurt farmers. Also, this is a wastage of state funds used to support local dairies (for fodder, artificial insemination, and veterinary services)," said Sanjay Kumar, chairman of Sudha dairy.

We have not received any proposal on creation of a multi-state cooperative. But I see no reason in dismantling a system where it is working well," Kumar added.

It seems practically impossible to merge strong local brands into a national one as states would object vigorously, said Ajay Vir Jakhar, former head of the Punjab Farmers Commission. But I consider Amul to be a state-sponsored monopoly. It went to states (outside Gujarat) and destroyed local cooperatives by predatory pricing. And then walked out on farmers when there was a supply glut and prices crashed. We saw that in Punjab."

One can count some benefits of a multi-state cooperative giant at a national levellike advantages of scale, regional balancing (of supply and demand) and logisticsbut these do not add up to much, said M.S. Sriram, professor of public policy at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

Larger a cooperative becomes, the lesser is its accountability to members and it becomes more vulnerable to a technocratic capture with a select few taking all decisions. A successful cooperative is difficult to build, but it is easy to destroy."
Argentina qualified for the Paris Olympics by reaching the France Sevens quarterfinals and prevented New Zealand from clinching the mens world series by moving onto the semifinals on Saturday.

New Zealand was still one win away from winning its 14th series out of 24 in total after also reaching the semifinals by crushing Ireland 35-0 in the quarters.

Argentina, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, joined New Zealand and host France in making the 2024 Paris lineup, and in style. The Argentines gave Britain its biggest defeat in world series history, by 50-0.

Marcos Moneta scored three tries against Britain, and added two more as South Africa was handled 21-12 in the quarters.

With Olympic champion Fiji failing to advance from its pool after losing to France 24-19, Australia's own Olympic hopes were delayed after it was upset by Canada 12-10 in the quarters.

A game-ending injury to Australia's Darby Lancaster gave Canada the man advantage to strike first through captain Phil Berna. Australia rallied in the second half to lead 10-7 with tries by Tim Clements and James Turner but, crucially, none were converted.

Canada won when Alex Russell stutter-stepped Nathan Lawson and got around the outside to score. Canada's first semifinal since the 2021 series will be against Argentina on Sunday.

New Zealand will take an 18-game winning streak into its semifinal with France.

We have a chance in front of our own people, we're not afraid," France's Varian Pasquet said.

Pasquet won their quarterfinal against Britain with the winning try. France came from behind to lead 12-7 while Britain had two players in the sin-bin. But back at full strength, Britain leveled through Will Homer with 37 seconds left of regular time. Dominating possession over the next two added minutes, France hammered Britain and Pasquet broke through for 17-12.

On the women's side, new series champion New Zealand racked up its 33rd and 34th straight wins to set up a semifinal against France.

Chief rival Australia rebounded from a rare pool loss, to France 19-12, by beating Ireland 17-7 in the quarterfinals.

In the loss to France, Australia's Maddison Levi scored her 53rd try this season, breaking the record of New Zealand great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

In the semifinals, Australia will play the United States, which held off Fiji 22-17.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has expressed concern about the military cooperation between Russia and China in Asia and its potential impact on the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at a meeting of European and Indo-Pacific foreign ministers in Sweden, Hayashi said that the security situation in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Hayashi stated that Russia's war in Ukraine had shaken the very foundation of the international order" and must face a united response from the international community. He warned that similar challenges could arise in other regions and fundamentally overturn the existing order that has underpinned peace and prosperity.

Japan has been supporting Ukraine in the war, but China says it remains neutral and blames the US and NATO for provoking the conflict. China has a no limits" relationship with Moscow and, together, they are strengthening their military collaboration, including joint flights of their bombers and joint naval exercises in the vicinity of Japan, Hayashi noted.

He also accused China of continuing and intensifying its unilateral attempts" to change the status quo in the East and South China seas by force and increasing its military activities around Taiwan.

Furthermore, Hayashi warned that North Korea was escalating provocations" in the region by conducting ballistic missile launches with a frequency and in a manner that are unprecedented".

Hayashi joined dozens of ministers from the European Union and the Indo-Pacific region for the meeting just north of the Swedish capital. China was not invited to the talks.

Since the aggression of Russia to Ukraine, the security situation here in Europe and the security situation in the Pacific are not separable," Hayashi stated upon his arrival.

Some of the Indo-Pacific countries, including India and Pakistan, have called for an end to the Ukraine war but stopped short of condemning Russia for it.

(With agency inputs)
News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

FENCORP GLOBAL a Delaware domiciled communications and deal brokering firm with operations in South Africa , Gambia and Zimbabwe has called on African leaders to fully commit to the accelerated implementation of the Africa Continetal Free Trade Area AfCFTA.Fencorp Global Chief Operations Officer Nicholas Ncube made the call while addressing an African Empowerment Conference organised by the African Economic Empowerment Wealth Fund in Victoria Falls , Zimbabwe.Ncube said His Excellency Wemkele Nene and the team at AfCFTA had dedicated their lives and given their all towards the Free Trade Area and it was now time for African leaders to ensure that they urgently come to the party and play their part to ensure that Africa builds a Free Trade Area.Ncube highlighted that Fencorp Global was working on promoting regional tourism and promoting Africa as a tourist destination for Africans. Ncube said West Africans need to come and explore Southern Africa while Southern Africans need to explore West Africa. Ncube said we need to promote tourism in Africa , invest in Africa as a destination before we go to the Eifel Tower and other places.Ncube added that a united Africa can unlock massive potential and become a global Powerhouse in any sector because Africa has the resources , the human capital and potential to achieve global Powerhouse status.Fencorp Global is currently involved in promoting Kanifing of the Gambia as a tourist destination of choice for the Southern Africa market. Fencorp's efforts have resulted in new travel packages being designed for Kanifing as the first step towards ensuring that Africans participate in Africa's growth.Ncube also revealed that Fencorp Global under its deal structuring arm is in the early stages of structuring a continental financial instrument that will be used to fund the continent's development.
Twitter on Friday announced that it would limit access in Turkey without specifying the type of content that would be affected. The announcement came on May 12, just a day before its presidential election .

In response to legal process and to ensure Twitter remains available to the people of Turkey, we have taken action to restrict access to some content in Turkey today," Twitters Global Government Affairs unit tweeted.

We have informed the account holders of this action in line with our policy. This content will remain available in the rest of the world," it added.

In response to legal process and to ensure Twitter remains available to the people of Turkey, we have taken action to restrict access to some content in Turkey today.  Twitter Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 13, 2023

Following this, Twitter users are blasting the microblogging platform for censoring content in Turkey. They claimed that it actively works against free speech.

Columnist Matthew Yglesias accused Elon Musk of silencing critics on behalf of reigning Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a controversial leader with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to The New York Post.

The Turkish government asked Twitter to censor its opponents right before an election and @elonmusk complied  should generate some interesting Twitter Files reporting," he tweeted.

The Turkish government asked Twitter to censor its opponents right before an election and @elonmusk complied  should generate some interesting Twitter Files reporting. https://t.co/RDrGS75Au5  Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) May 13, 2023

Musk replied, Did your brain fall out of your head, Yglesias? The choice is to have Twitter throttled in its entirety or limit access to some tweets. Which one do you want?"

Replying to Musk's statement, another Twitter user Robby Starbuck said, Matty wants you to do nothing and in return Turkish people have ZERO access to twitter when government censors it in response. Real galaxy brain stuff. Turkey isnt the US."

I think most understand you cant do the same there that youd do here. Pragmatism = keep as much access to information as you can within the confines of their system of government," Starbuck added.

Literally all Ive said is that Im looking forward to the Twitter Files reporting team doing some work on this," Matthew further said.

However, one Twitter user Brian Krassenstein agreed with Twitter's decision and said, I agree with this move by Twitter because of this very reason. My one request would be for a public announcement regarding the reasons for the block. Transparency would go a long way."

We could post what the government in Turkey sent us. Will do," Musk responded.
Mother's Day is dedicated to honouring the unfathomable love and contribution of the mother for her child. Celebration of a mother's love is not bound to a single day, however, the day helps people cherish different aspects of a mother's relationship with her children. Google Doodle cherished different aspects of the beautiful relationship of a mother with her children with the help of animal family throwback picks.

These images are the testimony, that a mother's affection for her child is not just a human thing, but can also be seen in other creatures like elephants, snakes, birds, etc. Google Doodle shared cute images of an animal family throwback. The animated images of the throwback photos show fun and joy on the face of animals like a mother hen, octopus, and lion, an emotion that can be empathised by anyone seeing those images.

How Google Doodle Mother's Day images were created?

The animal throwback images were created with the help of clay, by artist Doodler Celine You. Every year, Google celebrates important occasions with its Doodle.

View Full Image Early clay formation of the animated animals (Google)

View Full Image Painted clay formations of animals featured in today's Google Doodle. (Google)

Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year. This year it will be celebrated on May 14, 2023.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday asked Pakistan to arrange USD 8 billion in fresh loans to back the external debt repayments during the next seven months for the successful completion of the long-stalled ninth review bailout package, according to a report published by The Express Tribune.

The demand comes despite receiving confirmation from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) further eroding chances for the revival of the USD 6.5 billion bailout package.

A staff-level accord to release a USD 1.1 billion tranche out of a USD 6.5 billion IMF package has been delayed since November, nearly 100 days since the last staff-level mission to Pakistan.

Sources, as quoted by The Express Tribune, said that the Washington-based financial body has raised the demand for additional financing from an earlier unmet condition of USD 6 billion to USD 8 billion to ensure debt repayments coming up for May-December 2023.

The lender has worked out the USD 8 billion needs by considering all projected inflows and outflows for this period, reported The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said that Pakistan will not make tough decisions on the IMF demand. He added that it is completely up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to sign a staff-level agreement or not.

He clarified that the government will not make tough decisions on IMF's demand anymore. "We have already implemented pre-conditions of the IMF but not anymore."

Sources have said that the IMF's focus is now more on ensuring that crisis-hit Pakistan does not default by arranging funds to the extent of external debt repayments. It is no longer emphasizing increasing the extremely low foreign exchange reserves, the report stated.

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack, in a press conference on Thursday, said Pakistan needed "significant additional financing" to successfully complete the ninth review.

She said the economy was facing stagflation, had very large financing needs, and had also been affected by a series of shocks, including severe flooding.

(With ANI inputs)
The Congress has received a shot in the arm by winning the Karnataka Assembly elections with an overwhelming majority. The party had vowed not to make the same old mistakes in this election. The Gandhis kept a safe distance from high command culture". National and local leaders were strictly instructed not to speak unnecessarily and to keep internal party disagreements within the party.

This was not easy. Given the long-standing political rivalry between Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar, there was concern about sabotage. To deal with this, a unique approach was devised. Both leaders were spotted hugging each other during Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. Arrangements were made to promote the notion that this was not simply a photo-op, but that the old foes had come together wholeheartedly. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhis election campaigns also took on new dimensions. Priyanka was occasionally seen preparing dosas, while Rahul was seen talking to women on a city bus. After Himachal, the Congress victory in Karnataka clearly demonstrated Priyankas growing political abilities and influence.

The Congress performed better in this election across the states regions and communities. It astonished observers by capturing more seats than its opponents in Lingayat-dominated constituencies. Even Yeddyurappa, the most powerful leader from this community, was unable to stop the Congress juggernaut. The Congress also weakened the Janata Dal (S) by eroding its Vokkaliga voter-base. The JD(S) leadership and workers would not have imagined until Saturday afternoon that even D.K. Kumarasamys son Nikhil would lose in Ramanageram. This demonstrates that voters cannot be viewed as a fiefdom.

The Congress contested this election on the issues of the governments lethargic attitude and corruption. And voters, especially the poor, turned out for change.

But the real challenge for the Congress begins now. It has to provide a stable government for five years and select a chief minister who can advance the public interest agenda. Most people preferred Siddaramaiah as chief minister in all pre-poll surveys. But will D.K. Shivakumar and his supporters accept Siddaramaiahs selection to chief ministership? It is being said that if these two factions become vehemently opposed to each other, Mallikarjun Kharge may be handed the charge. But who will then be the national president of the Congress? In the absence of a consensus, would any other leader from the state be picked as CM? Surely, the party is deliberating on this, but given the conflict in Rajasthan between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, the problem becomes formidable. Salim Ahmed, working president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, has fuelled the flames by declaring D.K. Shivakumar a serious contender for chief ministership. The Congress high command will have to play with fire for the next few days.

Let us return to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP has lost power, but not support. Its vote share is intact and it can still cause problems for the government. In this context a question arises: Was the Prime Ministers campaign effective in mitigating the anti-incumbency wave? Greater Bengaluru is a good indicator. Prime Minister Modi conducted a multi-kilometre road show in this area, and the BJP won more seats than the Congress here. This undoubtedly demonstrates Modis magnetism, but the BJP should also learn from it.

Though Modi has widespread support, state elections are contested on local issues. Take Himachal Pradesh for instance. Modi had staked his reputation there. But the BJP lost owing to the unpopularity of chief minister Jairam Thakur, and its internal disputes. The party faced the same demons in Karnataka. It is in dire need of chief ministers and ministers who can perform. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, ranks among effective CMs for the BJP. Results of the municipal elections and assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh were declared along with the Karnataka election results, and the BJP and its allies have emerged clear winners there. The saffron party captured all 17 mayoral seats and the majority of municipalities.

Now the question is: Will the Karnataka poll have a significant impact on the Lok Sabha elections in 2024? From the 1990s, the state has shown different preferences for the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha. But one thing is certain: This triumph has given the Congress leverage in bargaining with other Opposition allies. Those interested in politics will undoubtedly find the coming days engrossing.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
Rabindranath Tagores 162nd birth anniversary was celebrated a few days ago. Hundreds of people posted on social media, paying their respects and quoting from his writings. Op-ed pieces told us what we can learn from the greatest-ever Indian multidimensional geniuspoet, novelist, painter, philosopher, educationist.

But the trouble is this. When we quote people who wrote and spoke a lot, we do not keep in mind the context in which they said what they did. Contradictory quotes from them are also easily available. Swami Vivekananda (was he a Hindu fundamentalist?), Mahatma Gandhi (was he against scientific progress?) and Babasaheb Ambedkar (was he anti-Muslim?) are obvious examples, apart from Tagore. To use their words in an ahistorical vacuum is political opportunism and intellectual laziness.

Last week, Tagores vision of a harmonious world that rises above narrow nationalistic pride was cited a lot. One columnist, worried about a majoritarian political and religious dispensation", went further, quoting something Tagore wrote in 1911: In order to salvage this inequality (between Hindus and Muslims), the Muslims have started demanding more than the Hindus. We should genuinely be in agreement with their demands. It will be beneficial for Hindus (and) Muslims."

Those who have a very different view also had enough quotes in their arsenal. For example, Tagore wrote in 1922: There are two religions in earth, which have a distinct enmity against all other religions. These are Christianity and Islam. They are not just satisfied with observing their own religions but are determined to destroy all other religions."

A few years later, commenting on the assassination of Arya Samaj leader Swami Shraddhananda by an Islamist radical, he wrote: We can appeal to our neighbour Muslims, Please dont be cruel to us. No religion can be based on genocidebut this kind of appeal is nothing but the weeping of a weak person Possibly, Hindus and Muslims can forge a fake friendship for a while, but that cannot last for ever."

One, Tagores oft-quoted views on nationalism are from a time when he was horrified by the ongoing First World Waran avoidable carnage of innocents on a scale never before seen in human history, a war driven largely by nationalistic egos.

Two, it is obvious that a man who wrote Jana Gana Mana, with its magnificent sweep across all of India, saw India as a nation. Even a cursory study of his essays reveals that he believed that nations should be proud of their identities, but should not attempt to impose them on other nations. Who can argue against this logic, other than imperialists, whether its the West which says it wants to bring democracy to countries that never asked for help, or the Soviet Union during the Cold War years?

Three, when he wrote in 1911 supporting extra rights and privileges for Muslims, he was trying, against all odds, to keep Hindus and Muslims together in Bengal back then.

Lord Curzon had partitioned Bengal in 1905 on communal lines, and Tagore was one of the leaders of the movement that fiercely opposed this. But the British knew how to divide and rule. They opened up many new jobs in Muslim-majority East Bengal, abolished the competitive examination for the provincial civil service and began hiring a disproportionately large number of Muslims. In 1901, Muslims held roughly one-eighth of the 1,235 higher appointments. In 1911, they occupied almost one-fifth of the 2,305 gazetted appointments held by Indians. Naturally, Bengals Muslims, who were generally poorer than its Hindus, gravitated towards supporting the partition of this state, because theyquite correctlysaw that their economic and political clout could increase.

In many ways, this action plan laid the seeds of for the 1947 Partition. Tagores words were a desperate plea for a Bengal not divided by religion.

Four, when a decade later he sharply criticized Islam, he was expressing a deep disillusionment with the Congresss politics of those times. Mahatma Gandhi had allied his non-cooperation movement with the Khilafat agitation. This was a disaster. The Khilafat movement collapsed after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took charge of Turkey and made it a secular state. But not before the horrendous Moplah massacre in north Kerala. Thousands of Hindus were killed. Ambedkar, arguably the most rational Indian in public life of the 20th century, condemned it as an act of jihad to establish the kingdom of Islam". However, the Mahatma thought that it is more necessary for a Hindu to love the Moplah and the Muslim more, when the latter is likely to injure him or has already injured him."

Tagore was aghast. His subsequent writings reflect his disappointment and frustration. He had discovered that his vision of a new world had few takers. But he spoke his mind fearlessly. His views should be judged within this context.

Of course, it is futile to ask political opportunists to not use the words of people like Tagore as random and potentially inflammatory soundbites. When Mamata Banerjee became chief minister of West Bengal, she had a brainwaveblare Tagore songs at traffic lights. I have no words to describe how ridiculous and disrespectful the whole exercise wascrackly speakers emitting music precious to Bengalis while impatient gridlocked drivers honked their horns to get somewhere on time. Thankfully, that auditory horror died a quick and unlamented death. Please let Tagore be.
Indian democracy is a puzzle of complexity wrapped in an enigma of diversity, so a clear electoral mandate in a state thats not given to binary verdicts should make us sit up. Has some code been cracked? In Karnataka, the Congress party won 136 of the state assemblys 224 seats, ousting from power in Bengaluru Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which got 65. The Janata Dal (Secular), which hoped to play the power pivot, got 19 seats. This was the biggest poll victory in this state since 1989, just before the BJP began its national ascent. Its enough to secure the victor its role as the BJPs principal challenger for power at the Centre, a morale boost it dearly needed, but its lessons for the future strategy of both parties lie in the overall vote pies split-up. The pro-Congress swing of 5 percentage points to almost 43% of votes cast was at JD(S) expense, while the BJP held its share at about 36%. It was sharper bipolarity that switched power. Look beyond the data, though, and it can be interpreted as a double-engine triumph as well, this time with the twin advantage of national and local appeal working in Congress favour. It may be premature at this stage to call the Lok Sabha race for 2024 open, but a plausible basis for such an outlook has emerged in the tango we saw pulled off.

How local or centralized should a campaign be? In a country of kaleidoscopic identities, errors on this can be costly. To Congress credit, it rallied state-level rivals former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka unit chief D.K. Shivakumar to topple the BJP government on pain points drawn from local pulse readings, while it pitched equitable progress as a unifying promise. And to the extent the party won support in the tailwind of Rahul Gandhis long walk for unity under Bharat Jodo as a national slogan, its campaign had the benefit of twin propulsion. In contrast, the BJP relied heavily on the electoral sway of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with much staked on attempts to give its local caste calculus the saffron hue of its core ideology, Hindutva, possibly with an eye on next years polls for Parliament, by when its Ayodhya temple project may join its nation-wide rallying calls. However, neither an earlier fuss over Muslim students in headscarves and burkha, nor later BJP allegations of a deity snubbed by its archrival could help it retain power in Karnataka. Daily-grind matters of livelihood and cost-of-living prevailed, while the BJPs offer of a double-engine sarkar" of both the Centre and state chugging along for development sounded hollow without Kannada-speaking vote pullers.

Congress celebrations may suggest code-cracker conviction in a revival of its political fortunes. Its triumph was in a South Indian state whose politics is like the norths only up to a point, however, and since a northern focus sustains the BJP at the Centre, no such instant conclusion can be drawn. It would take a big Hindi-belt state flipped for Congress prospects to brighten. And even if Madhya Pradesh were to go its way, taking on Modis popular charm and the BJPs ideological hold would pose our oldest party a major challenge. With two terms done, our ruling party has bared remarkably little complacency. Also, a failed saffron trial run is unlikely to dampen its zest. A clash of ideology in 2024, the BJP may reckon, would suit its game plan. Yet, if Gandhis walk of unity and talk of love have shaken that premise, somehow, then that bet might be off. And that lends Bharat Jodo its enigmatic significance.
Nearly a hundred women who receive services from Casa de Misericordia were honored for Mother's Day.

Ninety-five women were able to enjoy dinner, gifts and music.

Anna Wirsching, president of the Casa de Misericordia Board of Directors, said that The Laredo Rotary Club contributed gifts and volunteers for the event.

Since February, we have been collecting women's bags containing cosmetics and hygiene items, she said. We had a lot of help from students from Laredo College and Martin High School, who not only helped prepare the gifts but also helped care for the children of the honorees so they could enjoy their celebration.

The United High School Interact group donated greeting cards.

The mothers were very appreciative of the positive messages they received on these cards, she said. Some women said, 'I have never received a positive message about being a mother.'

Courtesy photos/Casa de Misericordia

Courtesy photos/Casa de Misericordia

Zeina Ramos, Education Service Manager at Casa de Misericordia, said the mothers enjoyed the celebration.

It was a very special event because it was done on Mother's Day, according to the Mexican celebration, she said. Many times this is the only celebration they have during the year. It was very nice. There were tears of joy, there was a serenade and gifts for each of the attendees. But the most important thing is that they are in a healthy environment where they can have a nice day without violence.

Carla, a junior at Martin High School, is a member of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica or Hispanic Honor Society.

We are volunteers at Casa de Misericordia, and today we helped to take care of the children so that their mothers could enjoy this celebration, she said.

Carla said that serving her community in this way is very rewarding,

Today we help children feel good and build confidence while their moms were busy. And you definitely get more from giving than getting, she said.

Courtesy photo/Casa de Misericordia

Courtesy photos/Casa de Misericordia

The Martin High School Hispanic Honor Society is made up of eight members and their sponsor Jovita Luna.

Our goal is to serve the community, said Yaritza Pineda, another member of the Society Hispanic Fee. We try to come every Wednesday or when they have an event, and we love spending time with the children while the mothers take their classes and that they forget a little about what they live outside of here when they come.

Wirsching thanked the companies, organizations and individuals who contributed to this event.

We are very grateful to everyone who helped make this event such a success, she said.

Wirsching said that in a few months they will start collecting bags again to prepare for next year's event.

We appeal to the generosity of our community to donate directly to Casa de Misericordia or The Rotary Club, she said.

For more information, call Casa de Misericordia at 956-712-9591 or send an email to The Rotary Club at abelle3109@yahoo.com.
Courtesy/Laredo College

Laredo College recently held its faculty recognition awards banquet to honor its educators. The event was held during Teacher Appreciation Week.

"Laredo College celebrates the tireless work of its experienced faculty year-round, recognizing that their contributions are at the core of the institutions continued success," LC said in a statement. "The facultys penchant for excellence and high academic rigor is reflected in the colleges many top rankings, recognitions and awards. Namely, for the past four consecutive years, the college has been ranked as the No. 1 community college in Texas by BestColleges.com.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Laredo Rotary Club turned 103 last week and celebrated with a meeting that brought together the different Rotary clubs around Laredo while featuring Rep. Henry Cuellar as a guest speaker Monday at Palenque Grill.

Marilu Gorecki, president of the Laredo Rotary Club, said it was important for the club to invite Cuellar as a way for him to get to know the members of the different clubs and the work they do.

We wanted to show him first-hand the work we do, how we help the community, how federal programs support our efforts, which can have a lasting impact on our community, Gorecki said. And of course, to join us in celebrating this milestone and the success of our organization.

Gorecki stressed that communication with community representatives is important.

I think it's very important to hear what's going on in our community from the perspective of one of our representatives and, in turn, for him to get to know and listen to the members of the community he serves, she said.

Gorecki said the club had postponed the 100th anniversary celebration, which occurred in 2020, but the onset of the pandemic delayed the well deserved gathering after a century of operations.

Cuellar presented a Congressional Recognition to The Laredo Rotary Club for reaching this milestone.

Gorecki said this recognition is for all members of the Laredo Rotary Club who have served the community for more than 100 years.

By providing financial and civic contributions to our community and surrounding communities through student scholarships, leadership programs, donations, community service and advocacy on critical issues affecting our community, our members live up to our motto of service above selves, Gorecki said.

Cuellar congratulated the club and spoke about various issues of interest to the community.

There are two reasons for being here today: first to recognize The Laredo Rotary Club for its 103 years of service and second to talk about what we see in Washington every day, he said. Right now we see a lot of division and it's OK to have differences, but we have to work together for the nation.

During his participation, Cuellar spoke about economy, jobs and roads, among other issues.

The economy is always important, bringing dollars to our area is important, security is important for the border, money for transportation is important and the different projects that we are helping through allocating funds are important in different areas, he said. That is what I want to communicate today to the members of the different Rotary clubs.

Among the data provided by Cuellar, he said that under President Biden the economy has added more than 12.6 million.

"It's the fastest rate of job growth since the federal government started tracking, he said. In Texas, the state led the country in new jobs in 2022. It added more than any other state.

He also stated the FY2023 earmarks wins for Laredo, such as nearly $2 million for Mines Road-Laredo Family Medicine Clinic to Gateway Community Health Center; $3 million for the Vallecillo Road Project to Webb County-City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority and $750,000 for Plaza Theater Renovation and Restoration to City of Laredo.

In FY2024 earmark requests for Laredo, we have $2,447,664 for Zacate Creek Restoration to the City of Laredo; $1,269,470 for Texas A&M International University-Laredo College STEM Connector to Texas A&M International University; and $1,400,000 for Veterans Center of Excellence to Laredo College, he said.

He also talked about the Ports-to-Plains I-27 expansion.

This will make Laredo the only port of entry with three corridors: I-35, I-69 and I-27, he said.

Cuellar also touched on issues as debt and immigration before finishing, reiterating his congratulations to the members of The Laredo Rotary Club.

I would like to return to celebrate the next 103 years, but I don't think I will be around, he joked. I thank Rotarians for the service they have given to our community. In this club, there are business women and men; people who work in the government, school districts, the private sector; and each member of the club who has helped a lot to improve the quality of life of the community.

Lastly, Gorecki thanked Cuellar and the five Rotary Clubs in Laredo for their contribution in this celebration.

"It is a privilege to have been able to count with the presence of Congressman Henry Cuellar at our club's anniversary celebration, she said. Congressman Cuellar is a strong supporter of many of the issues Rotarians value, and he joined us in awarding our club a Congressional Recognition. I thank all of our fellow Rotarians for joining our celebration and for wishing us much success.
On Sunday, the United States holds its celebration of mothers and their impact on local families. And for many migrant mothers, they spend their first Mother's Day in the U.S. on a journey trying to find a better life.

As the Title 42 public health order ended this week, many fears regarding an influx of migrants storming the border following its repeal turned out to be unwarranted. In fact, many making the journey stated they actually were trying to get in before the end of Title 42 -- fearing new policies coming into effect making it harder to stay. In Laredo, one non-governmental organization, or NGO, stated that the first day without Title 42 had fewer migrants coming to local shelters than there were throughout last week.

As these migrants -- who are all legally coming to the U.S. seeking asylum -- await their immigration court dates, they make a quick stop at Catholic Charities or the Holding Institute in Laredo before moving on. And these individuals tell stories of significant journeys as many mothers have to make a difficult decision regarding staying in a bad situation for their family or leaving and facing a dangerous trip with their loved ones.

One of these mothers was Vanessa Sano, who recently came to the United States via one of the ports of entry in The Valley with her teenage son. She left her other 20-year-old son back in Peru as he continues to finish his studies at a university there.

Sano said she felt it would be irresponsible of her to want her son to come to the United States since he is doing well academically. She hopes that once he finishes his studies and gets financial stability that he might also consider coming to the United States as a tourist or finding a way to apply his studies here.

This Mothers Day I am really happy that my son and I got here, even though we are sad that my other son stayed there, said Sano, who added she greatly wished she could hug her mother in Venezuela this holiday. But I told all my family that in efforts to get good things we must all sacrifice something, and to also get out of the country and enjoy some freedom for me was a victory in itself.

Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning Times

One other mother in the shelter was Zuley Gutierrez, who traveled with her husband, Jorge, and two children from Venezuela to the United States. She said she was really saddened to not have her mother by her side as she stayed in Venezuela.

We are completely out here alone, as we dont have any family in the United States and it is only us four, Zuley Gutierrez said. As a mother, however, I am very happy that I was able to finish this journey and bring my children, as nobody can come with their full family. And I will fight for my dreams and the things I want.

Her husband said that one day they hope to become legal residents of the country and make a well enough living that they could bring their own parents to the country, even if it is just as tourists.

I would like for one day to pay back some form of gratitude to my mom and father as well for taking care of us and providing us an education even when things were rough, Jorge Gutierrez said.

Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning Times

For Adriana Quinto, this Mothers Day is one that she feels more saddened than ever. It has been three months since she lost her mother in a Panama bus accident which also claimed the life of her stepfather and other loved ones. The devastating incident was recognized by many in the country as a terrible tragedy.

It is a very difficult thing that we have experienced. The death of my mother really hit me hard, as she was a very young person of just 41 years old, Quinto said. My mother and my stepfather did not deserve to die in such fashion, as they were just trying to come through this journey to make a better living, and sadly it was their time this time.

Quinto said she was not part of the accident as she and her mothers family -- being two large family units -- were separated between two buses that February day.

Clinton Mendez, who traveled with Quinto, said he is also sad as his own very mother, father and the rest of his family stayed in Venezuela.

There are so many things I would like to tell my mom as there are no words to describe how much I miss them, Mendez said.

Alfredo Bermudez, a migrant from Venezuela, said it was hard for him to leave his mother and father back home, as he only came to the country with his wife along with two of his four children. The rest stayed behind and are being taken care of by his mother, who he said he appreciates everything she has done for him on this Mothers Day.

I am saddened that I will not be with her during this important day by taking this step, and if we are allowed to stay here, it means that probably we will never return to Venezuela and get to see her again, Bermudez said. I really want to dedicate myself completely to this country, because over there in Venezuela, the situation is not easy at all.

Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning Times

At the shelter, the executive organizer and others understood how the need was so great. In fact, they shared that none of the migrants coming in were aware of the significance of that day as the realities they've face are severe and their lives are full of uncertainty.

To tell you the truth, none of the mom migrants remembered it was Mothers' Day, said Rebecca Solloa, the executive director of Catholic Charities of Diocese of Laredo. They come in very distressed and not knowing what day it is. And we, unfortunately, did not have time to celebrate it with them.

Solloa said it is hard for her to see the many children that come with their mothers and fathers and do not know what is going on or what will happen to them.

Personally for me, it's hard to see children with their moms as they first enter our shelter, Solloa said. The children and moms look worn out, dirty, unkept, (wearing) clothes that don't fit properly and (they are) hungry. You can see it in their faces the stress they were under after traveling through many countries to arrive at the border then being held in detention for a few days.

Solloa said many of the mothers in the country feel a sense of hope as they have finally arrived to the U.S. and could potentially soon face a better future for their families.

I know that some moms have expressed that if they had known the hardship and dangers of the journey they would not have tried it, she said. But, once they are here, I think they feel very hopeful for themselves and their family.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Beitbridge man stabbed to death a cross-border tout notoriously known as amagumaguma for demanding money to facilitate the passage of four border jumpers.Amagumaguma are known for violent crimes targeting Zimbabweans illegally crossing to South Africa. Luckmore Mabvanya (21) was told to apply for bail at the High Court when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure on Wednesday.He will return to court on May 22.Allegations are that on May 3 at about 9 pm, Mabvanya was paid 400 rand by four Zimbabweans to help them illegally cross the border to the neighbouring country. They met the now deceased, name not supplied, in the bush who demanded a bribe, and he was paid 200 rand. Mabvanya managed to assist the four border jumpers cross to South Africa where he left them at Shell service station in the neighbouring country,On his way back, he met the now deceased in the bush who demanded a top-up saying 200 rand was too little. An altercation arose and the now deceased started assaulting Mabvanya. Mabvanya then stabbed the now deceased once in the chest and he fell down.
Buyenlarge/Getty Images

For only $100,000, a deserted 10-acre town in West Texas could be yours. A group of 10 friends from Germany who currently own the little desert town of Lobo, located off Highway 90 between Van Horn and Valentine, recently put the ghost town up for sale because it's upkeep has become too difficult to manage, according to a report from Marfa Public Radio.

Once home to acres of bustling farmland supported by an underground aquifer, Lobo first began its transformation into a ghost town back in the 1980s when the aquifer was pumped dry. By 1991, the town that had once been home to as many as 100 people was completely abandoned by its last residents. However, many of its original structures, including a former gas station, motel, grocery store and a few uninhabited homes still remain standing to this day.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Tickets for this year's St. Jude Dream Home are on sale now, but going fast! Catch another sneak peek of the home on Cashmere Lane.
News / National

by Takudzwa Changadeya

A Zimbabwean government-owned entity, Verify Engineering, is preparing to use locally available coal to develop ammonia-based fertilisers as the country ramps up agricultural productivity."We are going to employ [a] gasification process for us to come up with ammonium-based fertilisers. The processing technologies and designs are already in place," said the company's board chairperson, Edgar Kamusoko.The project, which is a joint venture partnership between Verify Engineering and Magcor Consortium Group of Companies from Canada, is expected to produce a "significant" amount of top-dressing fertiliser for farmers to satisfy the country's fertiliser demand.This comes after Verify completed a feasibility study on coal gasification technology as a means of producing gas which can be further upgraded into nitrogenous fertilisers by using the Bosch-Haber process.The southern African country has a high demand for fertiliser, but local production can only meet 10% of the demand. The remaining 90% needs to be imported - which is a problem for farmers in a country that faces foreign currency shortages and a wildly fluctuating exchange rate.Verify Engineering is a significant producer of acetylene, medical oxygen, industrial gases, and nitrogen gases and supplies customers in the healthcare, petrochemical refining, manufacturing, beverages, food, fibre-optics, steel manufacturing, chemicals and water treatment industries.The firm was established in April 2005 with the support of the Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ministry and launched a strategic business unit in 2021.In 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa approved the implementation of the project, valued at $750 million. After this, the two companies visited China to carry out technical diligence on the Chinese companies that would help them implement the project."The [Chinese] companies were supposed to demonstrate their ability and proven track record in carrying out such projects and, in particular, their ability to integrate different types of licensed technologies on their front-end engineering and design as well as carrying out construction," Verify's CEO, Pedzisai Tapfumaneyi, told Zimbabwe's Sunday Mail.According to the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Manufacturers Association, the country's fertiliser industry requires about $135 million annually to operate at 60% capacity or more to meet current demand.Coal is high in carbon, a source of energy for microorganisms that permanently enrich soil nutrition, including depleted, damaged, underused and unused soils.The nutrients in coal must be processed and activated in order for plants to absorb them as fertilisers. Coal-to-fertiliser technology is also referred to as nutrient activation technology.Some countries with abundant coal resources, like South Africa and China, already use gasification methods to manufacture fertilisers.Gasification turns organic or fossil-based carbonaceous materials into a very hot (up to 1 800C) synthesis gas, or syngas, without combustion, which is composed of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, as well as small amounts of other gases and particles, with a controlled amount of oxygen.The process is accomplished by mixing pulverised coal with an oxidant, usually steam or oxygen.The whole process makes the hard fossil-based materials with high carbon content change into a simple form so that plants can easily absorb them.The granulation process also makes the fertiliser easier to use when the fertilising process has to be done.There are more than 150 coal-to-chemical facilities in China, mostly converting coal to coke, fertiliser or oleo-chemicals. According to a report from the Wilson Centre, the industry has grown since 2013, as local governments pushed the technology to meet the increasing demand for fertilisers and natural gas.Zimbabwe will be using its abundant coal reserves as feedstock to produce ammonium-based fertilisers of the highest international quality standards in a clean manner.Kamusoko, expects this technology to close the fertiliser gap by 2026."So, we will establish a pilot plant, which in the next three years, will start closing that gap," he said."We are ready to establish the plant, and we are only waiting for final funding from the government. In the next few years, we should be able to set up that plant which will produce substantial ammonium-based fertilisers for the agricultural sector," he added.Clive Mphambela, the spokesperson for the finance ministry, said they would be disbursing the money soon."Yes, we promised them funds to uplift the project. Verify Engineering is a government-owned entity, and we fund all of their projects, so at the moment, I can't specify the amount of money they requested for that particular project, but there are people within the ministry who are working on that, and they will get their funds very soon," he said.Justice Marumbi, a local commercial maize and tobacco farmer, commended the idea and said owning fertiliser-producing plants in the country would help them grow as an agricultural sector."This is good news to me. Having our fertiliser-producing plants will make our farming activities easier."There will be no need to go outside Zimbabwe and look for what is being locally manufactured. That's a great idea, I hope they are going to kickstart the project soon," he said."Buying local is cheaper than importing, and this shows that there is hope for our ailing Zimbabwean economy," he added.Another commercial maize and soybeans farmer, Gift Chimhuka, said it was his wish for the project to be implemented soon to eliminate transport and import costs, which are the main factors."The innovation shows that Zimbabwe is taking seriously the issue of food security. We will no longer need to import expensive fertilisers from our neighbouring countries."If we start to own our fertiliser-producing plants, everyone will benefit because jobs will be created for our graduates.According to a 2022 report presented by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka, high fertiliser costs are affecting productivity within the agricultural sector. Therefore, the establishment of fertiliser manufacturing plants in the country will give the farmers a sigh of relief."The cost of fertiliser presented the biggest constraint to increasing production," the report partly reads.Zimbabwean economist Vince Musewe said establishing a local coal-to-fertiliser manufacturing plant was an excellent step towards harnessing agricultural activities in the country because it would reduce the costs of fertiliser inputs for farmers."The local production of fertilisers is beneficial to farmers because it lowers the overall costs of fertiliser inputs," he said.
Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery

Joe Connell recently celebrated being 70 years of age. Joe is a man who has Downs Syndrome and is a native of Abbeylara.

Longford Leader / Longford Live photographer Shelley Corcoran attended Joe's party and she captured this great gallery of photos. Don't forget to tag and share with any of your friends. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Joe is the youngest of eight children and he lived in his home in Abbeylara until he was 45 years old.

Joe is still a regular visitor to Abbeylara and to his sister Dinah Smith.

In 2001, Joe moved into a HSE Community house in Longford Town where he currently lives with two of his friends.

Joe attends the Sonas Day service with St Christophers services on weekdays and he has gained a great number of friends in Sonas over the years.

Joe is a huge country music fan and regularly attends concerts and enjoys playing his bodhran and mouth organ.

Joe recently celebrated his 70th birthday in The Sin bin, Longford Rugby club. Joe was very pleased to have a surprise guest of local Country Music star Declan Nerney who sang Joe a very happy birthday and everyones favourite tune Stop the World and Declan kindly posed for many photographs with Joe and his family and friends.

The staff and service users of The HSE and St Christophers services and retired staff members all celebrated with Joe.

Two of Joes sisters and a brother-in-law travelled over from the UK to help Joe celebrate this special milestone birthday.

We wish Joe a very happy 70th Birthday and would like to thank Declan Nerney, Gary Baker, The Longford Leader, The Sin Bin and all who attended this joyous event.
A domestic abuse survivor who became a ghost of her former self after years of trauma from living with her ex, losing more than four stone, becoming a drug addict, and nearly taking her own life, has said you may be broken, but nothing is broken forever as she releases a new book outlining the profound lessons her life has taught her so far.

Sam Pearce, 45, a self-publishing consultant and writer, met her ex  who she has chosen not to name, through a mutual friend while she was living in Toronto, Canada, in 2001.

At first, he was her knight in shining armour  he was funny, very attentive and perfect in every single way  and their relationship progressed rapidly.

However, gradually over time, after moving in with her, Sam said he commenced his programme of brainwashing and their relationship became a nightmare.

She said: Play fights would get a little bit out of hand, or he would snap at me for something, but always immediately after there was profound apology  Id never hurt you intentionally, or, I dont know my own strength  all of those typical excuses that you hear.

Eventually, Sam said the excuses just stopped and the physical, sexual, and psychological abuse continued, leading her to nearly take her own life on Valentines Day in 2003.

All she could hear was her exs voice that day, telling her nobody wants you, nobody cares and nobody would miss you.

However six months later, Sam said she suddenly snapped out of it; she walked out the door, told the police, and moved back to the UK.

Since then, she has transformed her life, meeting her now-husband Nathan, launching her own self-publishing business, SWATT Books, and releasing two books  the most recent being From Broken to Brave, which looks at Sams abusive relationship and the many turning points in her life.

While she has learned many lessons throughout her life, Sam said she has written this book to show that nothing is broken forever and your future is what you make it.

Whenever I look back on that period of my life, the sense of being completely alone, nobody understanding, and you being completely cut off from the rest of the world really, really stuck with me, and I know how frightening that can be, she said.

It was very much a case of wanting to let people know that it isnt really like that.

There are people out there who, no matter what, still care about you, and theres always help and support and theres always alternatives  youve just got to have the bravery to ask.

She added: No matter what your past is, no matter what youve experienced, no matter what disadvantages you may have  that is never ever going to dictate your future.

You may be broken, but nothing is broken forever.

Looking back now, Sam said the majority of her relationship with her ex is a blur due to the trauma she experienced, however she can recall certain aspects vividly.

She said her ex controlled almost every aspect of her life during their three-year relationship, from what she ate, her finances, where she worked, who she talked to, her body, and where she went, and he was very careful about chastising (her), making sure nothing was visible.

She explained that the majority of the torment was psychological to keep (her) passive and under control, but she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse as well.

My day-to-day existence was walking on eggshells, Sam said.

It was a case of, dont do anything to rock the boat.

Literally everything was on his terms or else, and I very quickly realised that or else is just not worth it.

This volatile state of living led to Sam becoming addicted to drugs, specifically cannabis.

She smoked up to 1oz of cannabis per week, approximately 28g, as this allowed her to mentally escape, and, towards the latter part of the relationship, she was almost never sober.

She lost so much weight that (she) was a ghost of who (she) knew, weighing six stone.

However, since the situation had evolved so gradually over time and her ex had built in this fear and told her everything is fine, everything is happy, Sam did not tell anyone and became a very good actress, keeping the truth hidden from her family and loved ones.

Its like putting a frog into boiling water versus putting a frog in cold water and increasing the temperature, Sam explained.

Thats very much the analogy that I think of when people ask me, Well, why didnt you leave?

I didnt realise what was happening until it was too late.

On Valentines Day in 2003, Sam said she was on the brink of suicide.

She said she felt totally isolated and utterly alone, and she kept hearing her exs voice in her head, saying: Youre only getting what you deserve and nobody would miss you.

Everything fell silent after this final thought and Sam said: I just remember seeing absolute blackness, and thinking, how inviting would that be? It would all stop.

Then I saw my mums face and I realised that no matter how Id gotten to where Id gotten, no matter how bad it was, I couldnt do that to her.

Just a few months later, Sam knew she needed to leave as she did not want to be trapped any longer.

She left the house before calling her parents, and she then went to the police station to file a report, which she said was the scariest thing (shes) ever done.

However, she knew her exs hold on her needed to be completely severed.

Something made me snap out of it one morning, and it was a case of, I need to get out or else it is going to cost me my life, whether by my own hand or his, she said.

After returning home to live with her parents, Sam said it took her months to leave the house, and her mother desperately tried to put some weight back on (her).

Despite the police in Canada taking Sams situation very seriously, she said no further action was taken, as they could not locate her ex.

However, with baby steps, and with the full support of her family and friends, she gradually started to feel safe again and venture out into the world.

She did not want her ex to have control over (her) anymore.

Sam, who now lives in Amesbury, has since gone on to start her own business called SWATT Books, which helps independent authors to self-publish, and she has not looked back since.

She said she has seen exceptional growth since its launch in January 2010 and has recently released her second book, From Broken to Brave.

The book delves into details of her abusive relationship, the loss of her identity, the courage to start a new life, and the lessons she has learned, and Sam said some of the sale proceeds will be donated to the domestic abuse organisation Refuge.

Through writing the book, which has been challenging but cathartic, Sam has been able to reflect on the positive aspects of her life, despite going through dark, traumatic and horrible experiences, and she hopes it can offer hope to those who may be facing challenges in their lives.

People have asked me, if you could go back in time, would you change anything? Sam said.

Despite the horrible experiences that Ive had, no, I wouldnt change anything because its made me who I am.

Its given me the lessons that Ive needed to be the person that I am right now and I wouldnt (want) to change that for anything.

It could have quite easily completely destroyed me but I seem to have this inbuilt resilience and I always seem to eventually pick myself up.

To find out more about SWATT Books, visit swatt-books.co.uk.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: May 14 2023

A 2022 black Mercedes was stolen from a parking lot in Greenvale with the keys left inside, as reported by the Sixth Squad.

A grand larceny occurred on May 12, 2023, at around 8:00 p.m. in Greenvale, as reported by the Sixth Squad. The victim, a 47-year-old male, had parked his 2022 black Mercedes, with a New York registration number KVV4088, in the parking lot of Hunan Taste located at 3 Northern Boulevard. However, upon his return, he discovered that his vehicle had been stolen. The keys were left inside the car, making it easier for the culprit to make off with the luxury vehicle.

The investigation is still ongoing, with detectives looking into the details of the incident to identify the suspect and apprehend them. They have urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward and report to Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. The detectives have assured that all callers will remain anonymous.

Grand larceny, also known as grand theft, is a serious offense that involves stealing property worth a significant amount of money. In New York, grand larceny is considered a felony and is punishable by imprisonment for up to 25 years, depending on the value of the stolen property. The victim in this case is likely to have suffered a significant loss due to the theft of his valuable vehicle.

This incident serves as a reminder to all vehicle owners to take extra precautions when leaving their cars unattended, especially in public places. It is essential to keep the keys safe and secure, never leaving them inside the car or in an easily accessible location. Additionally, installing an anti-theft device can help prevent such crimes from happening.
A motorcycle driver died Saturday night after crashing into a telephone pole in Weymouth, police say.

According to Weymouth Police Department, police received several 911 calls around 11:05 p.m. about a motorcycle crash near 86 Charles St.

The motorcycle driver hit the telephone pole and was thrown from the motorcycle, police said.

The driver, who has not been identified, was brought to South Shore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is under investigation by the Weymouth Police Department and Massachusetts State Police.
Im sure glad that after more than three years of this COVID pandemic, President Biden has finally lifted the emergency and were gradually getting back to normal.

But recently retired Dr. Anthony Fauci did an interview last month in The New York Times saying that something clearly went wrong with our governments handling of this crisis. I agree, and felt that way all along about the harm done to our health and personal freedom, our children, and our economy from vaccine, mask and lockdown mandates.

I urge local citizens to attend a public forum on Saturday, May 20, in Northampton (11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 271 Rocky Hill Road) titled Pandemic Mandates and Restrictions: the Biggest Public Health Fiasco in History, with Martin Kulldorff, Ph.D., one of the most prominent critics of our federal response to the pandemic. Hes a renowned epidemiologist who was a professor of medicine at Harvard from 2010 to 2021, and co-authored with two other top public health doctors the Great Barrington Declaration in October 2020.
Holidaymakers have been warned to think twice before hiring quads, beach buggies, motorbikes and mopeds abroad after a string of tragic deaths and injuries by experts at StressFreeCarRental.com, a leading booking platform for car hire.



Ahead of the summer holiday season, they have cautioned tourists looking for fun, warning that the vehicles are extremely dangerous.



Vehicles like mopeds are readily available and accessible to tourists abroad, especially in party destinations in Greece and Thailand. Still, many are unaware of the dangers and are quick to ignore road rules when using them.



After a flurry of deaths involving tourists who hired the vehicles abroad last year, holidaymakers have been told to avoid hiring them unless on a properly supervised excursion.



While abroad on holiday, tourists can forget the importance of following road rules, failing to take basic safety precautions like wearing helmets, and even drunk driving, which can have serious consequences.



Last year, a British tourist was jailed after he struck and killed a woman with a beach buggy In Ayia Napa while drinking and on drugs.



In Phuket, Thailand, there were over 500 reports of motorbike accidents involving tourists in the first two months of 2023 alone.



The vice governor of Phuket, Amnuay, claimed most cases involved people with no driving licenses, wearing swimsuits and driving at high speeds.



In January, a Ukrainian man, who was not wearing a helmet, was found dead in Bali after his rented motorbike fell off a bridge.



After a surge in accidents and deaths at the holiday destination, Bali is soon set to ban foreign tourists from using motorcycles altogether. The Governor of the Island has said foreigners using them are disorderly and misbehave.



Holidaymakers have also been warned that standard travel insurance policies often dont cover riding these vehicles abroad, leaving those who get in accidents with unaffordable medical bills should they get into an accident.



A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: Although hiring motorcycles and quads is popular in tourist destinations, the number of tragic accidents involving them proves just how dangerous they are.



Tourists should read the fine print on their insurance policies and take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves. Many factors can invalidate their insurance, including not wearing a crash helmet or hiring an unregistered vehicle.



The risk to life is higher when driving on unfamiliar roads, especially in small, open vehicles which offer little protection, so failure to take proper care will inevitably lead to severe and fatal injuries.



Although the rules may seem more relaxed while abroad, under no circumstances should tourists consider driving under the influence because the vehicles are still dangerous machinery with the power to harm both driver and passers-by.



Getting a taxi, or hiring a car, is much safer and should be considered where possible.  TradeArabia News Service
News / National

by Staff reporter

If you were to try locating Chirumanzu on a map of Zimbabwe, chances are you'd throw your hands up in the air, in frustration. It is a village in Gweru, the remote district that lies close to 270 km south west of the capital, Harare.This is the birthplace of one Keith Zenda.It is true what they say about your background not being your destiny.Who'd have thought that one day, a child of Chirumanzu would do well enough to force people to wonder where on earth these rural sticks were located on the map?Zenda put Chirumanzu on the map, so to speak!The work of Zimbabwean artist Keith Zenda. Supplied image.Today, people all over the world are falling over themselves queuing to buy his artwork and moving heaven and earth to locate him.When you read the classics, like W Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage', you find that the protagonist, more often than not a genius, is taking lessons in foreign languages from a private tutor; French, German or some such and then art or singing lessons, or lessons in an instrument like a cello or piano.Zenda is like such a lead character in a novel.He says he took art lessons from his mentor Berthold Moyo, a former art lecturer at Mkoba Teacher's College in Gweru."I used to visit his studio on weekends and holidays for art lessons. He was mentoring me for free after he realised my natural talent. I was just a poor young boy with so much passion for art."It is only because of the poverty of human language that his art can only be described as exquisite, eye-catching, remarkable, magnificent.The work of Zimbabwean artist Keith Zenda. Supplied image."My art subject is more inspired by my rural lifestyle and background and the situations happening in my lifetime as I believe art is another way of recording our history for the next generation."When asked, he describes one of his pieces: "The painting of the boy carrying a basket of bananas was inspired by my childhood memories. It is my real reflection of when I grew up as a vendor, moving around town, bus terminus, and taxi ranks trying to get some sales. This taught me the concept of hard work and perseverance."Of another riveting painting, he says: "People falling out of the pot signifies how people are desperate, searching for freedom, success and happiness in life and to achieve these we need to be brave and resilient. The pot also signifies the womb escape and the breakthrough at family level and community level; also, the pot is known for cooking to feed the family, so we all came out from the pot to become what we are today  flourishing, but the pot became old and rusty."Does he have a favourite subject to paint?"My favourite subject to paint is my rural background, the lifestyle and my surroundings."His individual pieces are certainly must-haves for those with an eye for art."I have individuals, companies and art collectors who buy my art. I sell more of my art to Europe through my Facebook and Instagram pages."Is he living his dream?The work of Zimbabwean artist Keith Zenda. Supplied image."This is the life I have always wanted  working as an artist full time. My art is my business and from the profits I feed myself, my family and I have managed to start an Art Centre in my home community as a way of giving back to the community. This is how I have been able to discover and nurture upcoming artists and introduce them to the art market."Zenda has won multiple awards in Zimbabwe and one in South Africa."The art world in Zimbabwe is quite big but not very helpful in terms of access to the market. I don't have competition. I just compete with myself to become better than I was before and challenge myself to become different. I have some colleagues whose work I also admire. My inspiration is God on how He created the world and made everything beautiful. I believe God the Almighty is a great master artist. I also got inspired by the 18th Century artists like Renoir and Picasso.From humble beginnings moulding art "while herding cattle in the village and drawing charts for my classroom when I was 10 years old", this has been a pleasant artistic journey for Keith Zenda, now 37.He has come full circle.This article was first used in The Sentinel
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Connor Veenstra/Huron Daily Tribune Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Connor Veenstra/Huron Daily Tribune Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Connor Veenstra/Huron Daily Tribune Show More Show Less 5 of 5









On Thursday, May 11, the Bad Axe Christian Ministerial Association provided a free meal for the faculties of Bad Axe Public Schools, the Huron Area Technical Center, and the Huron ISD.

Pastor Rich Evans, of Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene, rolled out his food truck to provide free pulled-pork sandwiches and cookies to the hard-working staff.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

REED CITY  Dont munch on a hunch.

That's the message Clare and Gladwin Conservation District forester Joe Nash will be bringing as he takes 60 people into the woods of Reed City for a guided hike to introduce them to the world of foraging.

Nash originally set up the class per the request of the Osceola-Lake Conservation District and set the maximum number of attendees at 100 jokingly.

Before I knew it, 60 people had registered, so I had to close it. I was really ecstatic and super impressed to see that there was that much interest, Nash said.

Nash said theres a deep-seated desire in the human psyche to forage for wild edibles and be connected to nature by eating from the forest itself.

Many people want to be able to forage for wild edibles but dont know where to start. A lot of people are nervous or afraid to go out and eat something they find without someone thats experienced, he said.

Nash said he first became interested in foraging through the time he spends as a forester, hiking through woods, camping and soaking in nature.

He said he was introduced to a new world of flavors once he started trying some of the forests offerings.

There are some flavors, edible plants and mushrooms, that you never would have been able to test without finding it out in the wild. Some things, like chicken of the woods, theres nothing that tastes like it, he said.

As an avid hiker and camper, Nash recognizes that confidently foraging for edibles and nutrients could be life-saving if a camping trip or hike goes awry.

Its the basic needs we have, clean water and food. Weve got a lot of water in Michigan, but if you dont know what you can eat, you can get into a lot of trouble, he said. If something goes wrong and youre stuck out in the woods, it would sure be advantageous to know what you can and cant eat.

He said its important to be 100% confident that what youre looking at is edible before eating it. Instruction from an expert can help people feel more sure that what theyre eating isnt poisonous.

Its overwhelming if you go out into the woods yourself with a field guide," Nash said, pointing out that field guides may not have enough expertise in safe foraging. "Its easy to get confused and feel less than confident about what youre looking at. Some people like to have someone with experience."

He said there was a dearth of foraging workshops in the mid-Michigan area compared to the rest of the state.

Here in Mid-Michigan were kind of the forgotten part of the state. Everybody drives through it and forgets to stop and take a look. I think people were kind of hungry for that, he said.

Though Nashs Reed City outing is full, he is hosting another at noon June 29 at Mid-Michigan College in Clare. His foraging workshops are free and open to all. He also conducts free site visits.

For more information, contact him at 989-539-6401 or joe.nash@macd.org.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

As the state legislature works through its budget season, the Midland Business Alliance Advisory Committee on Infrastructure is starting to set its priorities and create a plan should it receive funds in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

The advisory committees goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in and around Midland.

So far, Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) secured $25 million for flood prevention infrastructure in the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy budget passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 26 and is hopeful shell get another $25 million for that purpose in the 2024-25 budget.

Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) is also working towards funds for Midland flood prevention infrastructure after proposing that $117 million be allocated to the city in the EGLE budget, although it was turned down by the House Appropriations Committee.

The MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure wont know how much the City of Midland will receive in funds for flood prevention infrastructure until early June, when the state budget is finalized and signed by the governor.

The committee said it is making a list of its priorities in the meantime, but also planning for different scenarios based on how much the city could receive in funds and when.

Committee co-chair Lee Ann Keller said the $25 million that Midland could get in the upcoming budget would provide a kickstart for engineering and designing projects.

Co-chair J.W. Fisher emphasized the importance of being proactive because the process from receiving funds to having fully completed infrastructure would take around three and a half years. By starting early and planning ahead, the committee is saving time and speeding up the process.

The committees current flood reduction plan, created by Spicer Group, Inc., is budgeted at $117 million - including $73 million for Sturgeon Creek flood prevention, $34 million for Snake Creek flood prevention and $10 million to help neighboring communities.

This seems big, committee member Bill Schuette acknowledged. But Midland has always been the place for big ideas, big dreams, big accomplishments, so this is in our wheelhouse.

The advisory committee was formed in 2021 to find the best ways to work with local, state and federal partners to address longstanding flood issues in Midland and surrounding areas.

We want the community to know that theres a legacy issue with flooding, Keller said. The dam failure (in May 2020) was a call to action. We always go back to, Its the third anniversary of the flood. The flood. (But) its not the only flood.

The committee has focused on projects both small and large. It has raised $16.4 million for a variety of projects, including City of Midland storm/sanitary sewer improvements, the MyMichigan Medical Center Midland boiler plant and flood resiliency project, the Sylvan pump station and more.

Included in that funding is a second study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The first study, set to be completed in 2024, focused on collecting data and creating a hydraulic/hydrologic model of the Tittabawassee River Watershed.

The second study, which will last three years, will identify potential solutions and the feasibility of these solutions to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding, according to a letter that Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Michigan) sent to the U.S. Appropriations Committee.

Kildee requested a $500,000 grant for the Corps of Engineers earlier this year to perform the General Investigation study, and President Joe Biden included the funds in this years proposed federal budget.

Fisher said that the Corps of Engineers will need to finish both of its studies before Midland can complete infrastructure work. Once the studies are completed, Midland City Council will decide which projects to complete.

Even if we did not get the dam breach in 2020, we would have gotten the same type of flooding (as in 1986, 2014 and 2017), Bill Schuette said. Were talking about 600 families and 50 businesseswe have a public health crisis here because in 2020 it endangered those people at the hospital. When youre impacting public health and the MyMichigan system, it cant be ignored.

The advisory committee, along with the Army Corps of Engineers - Detroit District, will provide a progress update and answer questions from the community at an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 22 at Dow Diamond at the east end of Main Street in Midland.
Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media /

MIDDLETOWN  At least two people were displaced Saturday after a fire in a Portland Street home, officials said.

Firefighters responded shortly before noon to the two-story house at 18 Portland Street, according to Middletown Fire Chief Jay Woron.
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut state police are seeking witnesses as investigators try to determine the cause of a crash that killed four people on Interstate 95 in Stamford.

All four victims were in an SUV that rear-ended a tractor-trailer that had slowed for heavy traffic in the northbound lanes shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, state police said. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured, authorities said.
When Maya Coumbe Gitter turned her tassel Saturday, she not only completed her own degree, but she also carried on a 140-year legacy.

Four generations of women in her family  from her great-great-grandmother to aunts before her  had walked the same path she just completed, going as far back as the late 19th century.

Coumbe Gitter, who is from the Brookfield area and grew up in various locations around the state, says she selected her alma mater free of any outside influence or pressure.

I didnt know too much about the history myself, but I knew I wanted to come here in eighth grade when I came to my first Badger game, she said. My dad took me, and I got my first taste of, like, just the spirit and camaraderie of the school, and I just was so impressed by it.

Coumbe Gitter, who got her degree in biochemistry with an environmental science minor, graduated in good company outside of her own family tree  Saturdays ceremony was the largest commencement in UW-Madison history, with 7,826 degrees conferred, according to UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin.

Jumping around UW-Madison graduates dance and jump to Jump Around during the commencement ceremony. The song played, as is tradition at Badgers football ga

In a way, Mnookin said, Saturday was as much a commencement for her as it was for those earning degrees, marking the completion of her first year as chancellor. Addressing the crowd at Camp Randall Stadium, Mnookin recalled some of the lessons she has learned from students and faculty during the past year: finding turtles in the UW Arboretum, walking out across the ice to the statue of Lady Liberty on frozen Lake Mendota, and to beware of springtime blizzards.

You certainly taught me how to jump around, and how to support community in this amazing institution, she said. You share a deep bond that I know will last a lifetime.

Family moment Graduate London Butler visits with her cousin Teri before Saturday's commencement ceremony. More than 40,000 guests packed the Isthmus this we

A notable absence was that of former Chancellor Rebecca Blank, who brought commencement back to Camp Randall. Blank died in February of cancer, and Saturdays celebrants took a moment to honor her amid the jubilant ceremony.

Chancellor Blank often said this was her favorite day of the year, and I know she would be so proud of every one of you, said Mnookin.

Keynote speaker

Joining university officials in offering congratulations and wisdom to the class of 2023 was keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr., the first African American to serve as U.S. attorney general.

Holder, the father of a 2020 UW-Madison graduate, touched on the pandemic, protests and politics.

You already know what the most urgent issues are because youre already leading the way, standing up for your most basic rights, fighting for those who are more vulnerable, speaking out against racism, hatred and bigotry, he said.

Eric H. Holder Jr. Keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr., the first African American person to serve as U.S. attorney general, addresses UW-Madison graduates. Holde

He discussed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s 1965 visit to the university, where King addressed a standing room only crowd on campus.

Just after leaving campus, (King) reminded a reporter that, Were at a terrible stage when we confuse dissent with disloyalty, and we view every protester as a traitor, said Holder. So, when you hear people fan the flames of xenophobia for their own cynical self-interest, you have a responsibility to demand better, to speak out for civility, tolerance and understanding, especially among those with whom you happen to disagree.

Community support

This years spring commencement comes after a tempestuous couple of weeks for university students, many of whom took to the streets to protest after a video circulated in early May featuring a white student spouting racial slurs, saying she wanted Black people returned to slavery.

Graduates Sydney Bobb and Faith Ocoko, both Blk Pwr Coalition members, approached the microphone at Saturdays ceremony to share their experiences as Black students on campus, and to offer their congratulations and encouragement to Black graduates and prospective Black students of the university.

Being from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, coming to a school where the Black population takes up less than three percent was a huge culture shock to me, said Ocoko. Being a Black pre-med student, it seemed that the odds were stacked against me. ... Through perseverance, hard work and the support of my community, my Black community, I was able to thrive.

Ocoko added that she was grateful for the Black upperclassmen she met in her early days who told her the honest and blatant truth about what this university had to offer us.

Campus experience

Bobb recalled her time in Sellery Residence Hall, where she said she immediately noticed the lack of diversity in the student population.

Besides some of my cohort members and I, you could count the number of Black students on our floor on one hand, said Bobb.

She added that the racist video circulating in early May shook UW-Madisons student body, specifically the Black students.

I say shook and not stunned because weve seen this before, said Bobb. The many missteps that this university and its administrators have made in response to the video proved what we have already thought: that this university is not and has never been for our progression as Black students.

Bobb, who hails from Boston, Massachusetts, earned her bachelors degree in African cultural studies, while Ocoko, of Milwaukee, earned hers in neurobiology with a certificate in French.

In her own speech, Mnookin acknowledged the video, saying she hoped people knew that the viral clip was not a representation of the campus community.

No matter how loud such voices may seem at times, they are not who we want to be, she said.

Legacy of learning

The ceremony concluded with the movement of tassels and the singing of Varsity, as more than 7,000 new Badger alumni posed for photos and hugged their loved ones.

As the graduates threw their hats and beamed with pride, Coumbe Gitter joined them, ready to cement her own legacy, and grateful for the women who came before her.

In 1883, her great-great-grandmother, Helen Louise Meyer Hunt, walked that same path to accept a degree in English and German, 20 years after women were first accepted into the university.

In 1924, Emily Hunt Hagen followed suit, earning her degree in history. Both she and Meyer Hunt went on to be teachers.

Helen Louise Hagen Gitter was next in 1953 when she graduated from UW with an education and home economics degree. In 1983, she returned to the university, earning her masters in continuing adult education alongside her daughter, Theresa Gitter Brunmeier, Coumbe Gitters aunt who majored in English and education.

Degree in hand, Coumbe Gitter isnt showing any signs of slowing down. Shell continue her education at Johns Hopkins in the fall, where she hopes to earn her masters of science in public health. She sees a future for herself in project management, where she says her goal is to focus on world hunger.

Trying to just, you know, feed as many people as we can and keep them as healthy as possible, she said.

Even with so much to look forward to, its a bittersweet weekend, she added, knowing that shell be ending her days at the university in the same place she fell in love with it: Camp Randall.

Photos: UW-Madison's 170th commencement
The Giants announced that Darin Ruf has cleared waivers, and elected to become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A (hat tip to MLB.coms Maria I. Guardado). Ruf was designated for assignment earlier this week, and due to his Major League service time, he was eligible to reject the outright assignment and re-enter the open market.

Rufs second stint in San Francisco began when the Mets released him in early April, and Ruf rejoined the Giants on a minor league deal. While he was pretty quickly selected onto their big league roster, Ruf only appeared in nine games before being placed on the 10-day injured list due to right wrist inflammation. The Giants activated him from the injured list on the same day of his DFA.

Though in a brief sample size of 27 plate appearances, Ruf hit a respectable .261/.370/.348, mostly in his usual role against left-handed pitching. Ruf has mashed southpaws for most of his nine MLB seasons, so between these splits and his ability to chip in as a first baseman and corner outfielder, there stands a pretty good chance that Ruf can catch on with another team. Even with the Giants love of platooning and matchups, their roster is crowded enough that Ruf apparently didnt want to wait in Triple-A for another opportunity to open up in San Francisco.

Rufs return to free agency doesnt impact his salary, as the Mets are still responsible for the bulk of the $3.5MM he is owed for the 2023 season. A new team will only have to pay Ruf the prorated portion of the minimum Major League salary, as the Giants did during his short time on their roster.
ANN ARBOR, MI - The inspiration they found in the designs of famous architect Albert Kahn all around the University of Michigan campus are carrying father-and-son alums John and Christopher Myefski all the way to Venice.

Theyre just so different from the designs people think about with the factories and industrial landscapes (Kahn) created in Detroit, Chris Myefski said. Whats really powerful is how students and just everyday people are able to take that in.

The father-son duo, who now work together at Johns firm Myefski Architects in Chicago, are now known around the world for their own designs. This international recognition extends all the way to the Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale starting on May 20.

The Italian exhibition started in 1895 to promote art and architecture with Venice as the center of that cultural experience, John Myefski said. This years contributions, Johns Vilnius Connect and Christophers American Construct, show complex architectural designs not often seen by the public, said John, who graduated from UM in 1984.

The two projects were showcasing were designed to do just that - to reimagine the traditional journey of transportation, creating a new sense of wonder and excitement for travelers, he said.

The two designs, along with other pieces in the Time Space Existence exhibition, will show at Palazzo Mora, Palazzo Bembo and Giardini della Marinaressa until Nov. 26. For more information on the Biennale, visit timespaceexistence.com and ECC-italy.eu.

A rendering of American Construct by Christopher Myefski, which will be exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Photo provided by Myefski Architects.Myefski Architects

Chris American Construct is more theoretical, he said, as it is designed more to increase awareness of the physical and social impact the military has had on the American West. It depicts a weaponized landscape alongside a series of road trip rest stops.

The intention is to have it exist as an idea and proposition for people to kind of re-understand and rethink what sort of the impact architecture can have on not only certain places, but also sort of our way of thinking of places in its own right, said Chris, who graduated from UM in 2018.

Transportation is a big theme of the father and sons submissions this year to the Biennale, partly due to a European fascination with how transportation works in the United States even in the wide expanse of the American West, Chris said.

We look at this beautiful landscape as this place to escape, but what actually is going on there, he said, adding that American Construct also challenges European romanticism of the region.

Continuing the transportation theme, Johns Vilnius Connect was a previous proposal sent to Vilnius, Lithuania to create an arrival center for people coming to the city via trains, he said.

What we were trying to change is the arrival experience into Vilnius, and how you leave that (train) and participate in the communities that were on either side of the train station, he said.

Normally, train stations divide cities, he said, harkening the proverbial phrase of people with less means living on the other side of the tracks. The Vilnius piece shows how a train station can connect cities rather than divide them, he said.

Overall, the work for the Venice Biennale is a showcase for both artistic and technical endeavors and abilities, John said.

Sometimes a project is theoretical, he said, but then that anomaly allows us to create a visible experience out of that.

One of the formative projects that influenced John was when former professor Gunnar Birkerts designed the underground library at the University of Michigan Law Quad. He remembered how Birkerts was able to build something so extensive without impacting the classic look of the now 100-year-old quad.

Read more: Historical photos show beauty, evolution of University of Michigan Law Quad

I really learned a great deal about how to start on a project and also how to kind of finish it up from a design perspective through him and working with him, he said. He was really a truly big influence for me.

One of Chris major influences is his father. The two Myefskis represent two generations of architects with similar backgrounds -- both not only went to UM but also studied abroad in Denmark.

While coming from two generations of Wolverines, the father-son duo are excited to work together on projects like the one in Venice.

Its interesting how we grapple with our interests, how we discuss things and then come to draw, the younger Myefski said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

91% of grades submitted at University of Michigan amid grad worker strike

Parking rates are going up at the University of Michigan

Kelly Ripa keynotes Michigan Medicine womens health fundraiser
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  For more than a decade, Grand Rapids has eyed outfitting the former Butterworth Landfill site with a solar array.

A number of opportunities have been explored  most famously one with a company that disappeared  but, ultimately, none came to fruition due to costs or regulatory support.

Grand Rapids, however, isnt giving up on this energy source that will bring the city closer to its 100% renewable energy goal for municipal operations.

This summer, the city plans to solicit proposals to bring solar to Butterworth.

The city also has submitted a $3 million proposal for federal funding to outfit Butterworth with the infrastructure needed to transfer electricity generated at the site to the citys primary circuit, which powers street lighting and about 100 mostly municipal buildings.

One idea the city is looking at is the construction of a two-megawatt solar array that would supply the primary circuit in real time during sun hours, said Alison Waske Sutter, who manages the citys Office of Sustainability.

Unless a solution for expensive batteries is found, the array wouldnt store any electricity for night-time use.

About 44.4% of all the citys electricity used in municipal operations currently comes from renewables. That two-megawatt solar array could bump the figure up to about 49.4% or so, Waske Sutter estimated. If a solution for battery storage is found, it would go even higher.

The city has a goal of powering all municipal buildings with 100% renewable energy by 2025.

According to the citys preliminary estimates, the cost of the array is billed around $5-$7 million, but that doesnt include further possible reductions through tax credits, Waske Sutter said.

The two-megawatt solar array would leave plenty of room for other arrays on the site, about 14-megawatts more.

Another potential idea for the site is whats termed community solar, where Consumers Energy could operate an array at Butterworth that residents and businesses could subscribe to the output of.

Subscribers get credits on their energy bills during peak usage, like hot summer hours, but over the course of a year the price of the subscription is usually more than the credits generated, said Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler. There are some instances, he said, where subscribers have seen overall savings on their energy bills, but that isnt often.

The Michigan Public Service Commission last year approved allowing the Jackson-based utility to work with the city as an anchor solar tenant at the Butterworth site.

If that happens, the city would potentially pursue funding to subsidize all or a part of the subscriptions of some lower-income families in the city, with the net result for those families being a lower energy bill.

We would be looking to try to support those that are probably making under the federal poverty limit or some other threshold to ensure that were helping to support, through those funders, those that are most in need, Waske Sutter said.

The city in its request for proposals this summer largely wont be prescribing a direction for solar at Butterworth but instead is seeking creative ways for how it could work, she said.

Having worked on bringing solar to Butterworth for roughly the past six years and seeing roadblocks arise, Waske Sutter said she has a cautious optimism.

We really want to invite people to try to be really creative and think outside of the box to see if we can come up with some innovative solutions here, she said. Partnerships with others in the area who might be big energy users  is there a way to get energy produced at that site directly to someone else?

With a 4-foot cap of clay, sand and soil covering the 120-acre Butterworth Landfill, the opportunities for development that dont puncture that cap are few: an open field, paved parking or solar, Waske Sutter said.

Grand Rapids used the site as an open dump from 1950 to 1967, and then as a sanitary landfill until the state shut it down in 1973. The landfill had contaminated the dirt and groundwater. It was cleaned up but remains classified as an EPA superfund site.

The EPA in 2013 affirmed solar would work at the site, and in 2015 the city awarded a bid to Lawrence, Mass.-based American Capital Energy to design and install a solar array capable of producing 40% of the power needs of the citys wastewater plant.

American Capital Energy later disappeared -- stopped responding to emails, phone calls and letters in July 2016, city officials previously said.

Related: Solar company working on former Grand Rapids landfill site disappears

Solar continues to increase in feasibility, said Waske Sutter. Some of that is due to more federal financial and regulatory support for renewable energy, opportunities for battery storage, the greenlight by the state for community solar at Butterworth and more.

Having the $3 million in infrastructure requirements needed to connect any future, potential solar to the citys main circuit separated from the cost of an array also is another way of reducing the cost to deploy solar at Butterworth, she said.

Read more on MLive:

Outdoor dining, alcohol service OKd for proposed 467-unit housing, commercial development

24 guinea pigs found in rural Ottawa County, taken to animal shelter

9 Grand Rapids-area high schoolers win 2023 National Merit Scholarships

Backpack ban isnt solution to guns at schools, Grand Rapids parents and students say
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - A man fired his gun on an Ottawa County front yard and fled the scene before deputies apprehended him Sunday afternoon, police said.

Deputies responded to a shots fired report at 1:15 p.m., May 14 on the 11300 block of 60th Avenue in Allendale Township 15 miles west of Grand Rapids, said the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

Initial investigation determined the suspect, a 35-year-old man, fired the gun before fleeing to the east, police said. No injuries were reported or discovered, police said.

The man was found by deputies around 2:18 p.m. walking in the area of 56th Avenue and Rich Street, police said. He was arrested and is lodged at the Ottawa County Jail, police said.

Deputies blocked off the immediate area and encouraged residents to avoid the area and remain in their homes, police said. The Sheriffs Office was assisted by Grand Valley State University Public Safety and Holland Public Safetys K-9 unit.

The charges for the arrested man are pending arraignment. The incident is under further investigation.

Read more from MLive:

Man stabbed in downtown Grand Rapids

Weeklong closures planned for 2 ramps on I-196 in Grand Rapids area

1 in critical condition, 2 others injured after crash on U.S. 131
BARRY COUNTY, MI  A swimmer was seriously injured while out on the water Sunday, May 14, after he was struck by a boat, rescue officials said.

The Prairieville Fire and Rescue Department responded to an 11:24 a.m. report of a boating accident on Pine Lake in Barry County.

Fire officials said the accident happened after two boats initially collided. After that collision, one of the boats veered off course and struck the man swimming in the water.

The man was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

No injuries were reported for those riding on the boat.

Read more on MLive:

Man stabbed in downtown Grand Rapids

Weeklong closures planned for 2 ramps on I-196 in Grand Rapids area

1 in critical condition, 2 others injured after crash on U.S. 131
Happy Sunday morning to you, MLive readers.

Theres been no shortage of news out of Lansing this week as lawmakers look to further budget negotiations before breaking for the summer next month.

From a sit down with a Republican presidential candidate itching to take on Donald Trump to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer taking Michigan business international  heres what you may have missed this week in politics.

A person holds a 'slow' sign as A-1 Asphalt Inc. patches a section of Portage Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

The M in Michigan may as well stand for mediocre when it comes to how it handles roads, drinking water, energy and other infrastructure statewide.

The state received nine Cs and five Ds, for an overall grade of C- on this years assessment from the Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Despite the poor performance, reporter Justin Hicks notes it was a slight improvement from the D+ Michigan was given in 2018, and matched the national grade assessed in 2021.

Though Michigan didnt earn an A or B grade in any of the 14 focus areas  including transit, public parks, rails, schools, solid waste and bridges  it also didnt flunk any either.

Lance Binoniemi, vice president of government affairs for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA), said he wasnt surprised by the states poor infrastructure grades, adding that Michigan continues to have a significant underinvestment problem.

These grades should be unacceptable to every Michigan citizen, he said. Nothing is going to change in Lansing or on investing in our infrastructure properly until the public demands better roads, passable bridges and safer drinking water. Its time Michigan leaders make a long-term, equitable, sustainable infrastructure investment plan for our state.

In other news: Michigan National Guard nets $26M for women-focused facility upgrades

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.EMMA LOW PHOTO

Its barely five months into 2023 and already MLive senior political reporter Simon Schuster is on the campaign trail.

His latest profile? Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who swung through Michigan this week to pitch himself as the best choice to carry on Donald Trumps America first agenda.

Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old, Ivy League-educated biotech and finance executive from Ohio, first announced he was running for president back in February. But fast forward to May and youd find him speaking to an audience of Livingston County Republican party members, advocating for prohibiting companies like Gotion  which is preparing to building a $2.4 billion battery plant outside Big Rapids  from investing in the U.S.

If youre a (Chinese Communist Party affiliate), which most Chinese companies are, its like D.A.R.E. in the 1990s  just say no, he said. In the short run, that might involve some trade-offs. In the long run, we need to decouple from China.

Speaking of international, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer found herself back in Europe this week, this time visiting Austria and Latvia according to a statement from her office.

Whitmer met with executives and toured AVL List, a corporation headquartered in Graz, Austria on Wednesday. AVL is a mobility research and development corporation with North American headquarters in Plymouth.

I know we can work together to increase their presence in Plymouth, Michigan, Whitmer said, of the company. We have the workforce, businesses and mobility ecosystem to lead the future of advanced manufacturing, and I look forward to winning more transformational, job-creating projects for every region of Michigan.

Her time in Latvia, meanwhile, was spent meeting with Latvian President Egils Levits as well as thanking Michigan National Guard troops for their service as they completed multinational exercises with Latvian troops.

An interesting piece of Michigan/Latvian relations Simon was able to dig up: The Michigan national guard has worked with Latvia for nearly 30 years to conduct multilateral training, both in Michigan and Latvia. The U.S. state and Baltic nation have a longstanding relationship  former Gov. Rick Snyder also traveled to Latvia in 2018 when the country named a main roadway at a major military base Michigan Ave.

In other news: Gov. Gretchen Whitmers sister Liz Gereghty running for Congress in New York

Michigan Senate holds their first session of the year at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Legislature eyes changes to business contracts, overseas voting

Though legislative committees were sparce this week as lawmakers hunkered down on budget work, that doesnt mean there wasnt a fair share of bills and policy priorities which got their chance in the spotlight, including:

Democrats are taking another run at allowing those running for public office to use campaign donations to cover child care costs, bringing it in line with rules already in place for those seeking federal office.

This bill will help level the playing field for caregivers: people who are proven leaders, people who are proven to go above and beyond on behalf of others, Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, told the House elections committee Tuesday.

Twenty-six states already allow campaign contributions to cover care expenses, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, either by law or ruling. No states laws expressly prohibit it either, although a campaign finance ruling currently prevents it in Iowa.

The bill is still in committee and did not receive a vote Tuesday.

Lawmakers are working on bipartisan legislation that would encourage the state to contract with Michigan businesses when considering bids for goods and services. As legislative reporter Alyssa Burr writes, the package aims to give Michigan businesses a chance to counter lower bids from out-of-state companies in the states procurement process.

We can give Michigan businesses this second chance to win state contracts while maintaining fair market competitiveness, said Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, a sponsor of a bill within the package. With this proposal, we can utilize our tax dollars better by keeping more of them in-state.

In a statement, McDonald Rivet added that the bills are designed to help strengthen the states economy and increase job opportunities for Michigan residents.

Under the legislation, a company is considered a Michigan business under if it meets at least one of the following criteria: is headquartered in the state, employs mostly Michigan residents or, if the contract is for goods, those goods are manufactured in the state.

The pair of bills have been referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee for further consideration. Similar legislation was introduced in prior terms but failed to make it out of committee.

Not all bills were so warmly received this week, such as House Bill 4210. The legislation would expand electronic ballot return for deployed military members, allowed by legislation that passed last year and will be implemented in 2024, to their spouses and voting-age dependents.

The issue? Returning ballots over the internet, which election security experts warn could spell big trouble according to reporting from legislative reporter Ben Orner.

The idea is well intentioned but could seriously undermine the security of Michigans elections, said J. Alex Halderman, a University of Michigan professor and nationally recognized cybersecurity expert.

The bedrock of Michigan elections has long been the simple fact that every vote is cast on a piece of paper which cant later be changed in any kind of cyber attack, said Halderman, who was appointed by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to co-chair an election security commission for 2020.

Benson, however, argues Michigan can maintain its election integrity by continuing conversations with national cybersecurity professionals and federal agencies, and by following the lead of the 31 other states that have implemented this.

The bill is still currently in the House Elections Committee where it awaits a vote.

More in politics, from MLive

With 1931 abortion ban repealed, Supreme Court wont hear an appeal concerning its enforcement

5 years after Nassar case, Michigan Senate passes additional sexual assault protections

Michigan woman discovered swastika near home after founding group against extremism

Nurses say patient limits would improve dangerous hospital conditions

Its incredibly frustrating. Oxford releases safety investigation that doesnt address 2021 mass shooting
Black-owned businesses saw a spike of new openings during the pandemic nationwide.

Now, three years since the COVID-19 shutdown, Michigans Black businesses are looking to grow their employee and customer base as well as their physical space, taking e-commerce to main streets.

Amid the boom, some white Americans intentionally became new customers of Black-owned businesses, participating in the Buy Black Movement that gained new steam amid calls for racial justice following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

READ MORE: Despite 2020 boom, Black business growth stalled by old problems

That new customer base didnt necessarily stick around, said Jamiel Robinson, founder of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), which aims to help Black owners scale up businesses by creating relationships with bankers, accountants, insurance professionals and lawyers.

Its tapered way down, Robinson said. Even when it comes to different corporations and municipalities and what they pledged at the time as far as something (structural) occurring.

The majority, 58%, of Black adults said supporting Black businesses, or buying Black, is an extremely or very effective strategy for moving Black people toward equality, according to a 2023 Pew Research survey.

Search MLives database of Black-owned businesses across Michigan. Categories range from food and retail to business and healthcare services.

A 2021 credit survey by the 12 Federal Reserve Banks found Black business owners were most likely to report difficulty accessing credit and most likely of any racial group to tap into personal finances to maintain businesses. Yet white business owners were twice as likely to be approved for loans.

One of the main struggles for Black business owners is having enough capital to expand. This is heavily due to a lack of generational wealth in non-white families. According to the Federal Reserve, the median net worth of white families is 7.8 times greater than that of Black families, which averages just over $24,000. Only 2.3% of businesses with more than one employee in the United States were Black-owned in 2019, despite the makeup of the population, which is 14.2% Black.

Want to add or edit a business? Email us at askaquestion@mlive.com.

Read more on MLive:

These Black-owned businesses were selected for CMURCs first Lift ME cohort

Young Michigan growers want to farm  but they cant afford land

Prices inched down in April as yearly inflation drops to 4.9%

Hundreds lined up to thwart Ford plant. Why Marshall residents are losing sleep.

Two Michigan metros top national list for millennial homeownership

$10M microloan program launches for Michigan women, entrepreneurs of color
France's highest court has ruled that the country can try foreign suspects under the universal jurisdiction principle. The decision enables inquiries into two Syrians accused of war crimes arrested in France.

The ruling was welcomed by rights groups who said it would also have a significant impact on dozens of other cases concerning a range of conflicts across the world.

"The court recognises the principle of universal jurisdiction for the French judiciary in two cases concerning Syria," the Court of Cassation said in a statement.

French cases

The ruling allows investigations to continue to continue in the cases against former Syrian soldier Abdulhamid Chaban, and Majdi Nema, a former spokesman for the Islamist group Jaysh al-Islam.

Chaban was charged with complicity in crimes against humanity, while Nema is accused of torture and war crimes

Chaban was arrested in France in 2019, while Nema was detained while on a studying trip to the southern city of Marseille.

Both deny the accusations.

They both tried to argue that they should not have been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity because these crimes do not exist on their country's statute books.

Syria never ratified the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court that defines both crimes.

Jurisdiction

The court, however, ruled that it was not necessary that "the offences of crime against humanity or war crime be identically described by the laws of the foreign country" for the inquiries to continue

Nine rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Reporters with Borders, welcomed the ruling in a joint statement.

"These decisions allow victims - who have no recourse to justice in their own countries or at the International Criminal Court - to bring cases in France to allow it to play an important role in the fight against impunity," said Jeanne Sulzer, of Amnesty International France.

(newswires)
The primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Krowor Constituency was briefly disrupted when when poll was about to end as some persons believed to be agents of some parliamentary aspirants threw money to delegates in the queue.

The Ghana News Agency observed two individuals giving GHS10 and GHS20 notes to delegates seated in a queue to cast their ballot.

The situation caused an uproar as some delegates who had already cast their ballot forced their way back into the voting area in a bid to grab some of the money.

It is not clear, which parliamentary aspirant commissioned the individuals to give the money to the delegates.

We urge all aspirants to stop sharing money in the queue, a moderator at the Centre was heard in the heat of the chaos.

A total of 2,129 NDC delegates are expected to cast their ballot in the Krowor Constituency.

Voting as of the time of filing this report (16:45 hours) was yet to close.

Five aspirants are seeking to lead the NDC in the Krowor Constituency for the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The aspirants are: Agnes Naa Momo Lartey; Dorcas Naa Korley; Daniel Alabi; Enoch Bortey Borquaye Manison, and Edgar Nii Kpakpo Addo.

GNA
ST. LOUIS  A man from Ste. Genevieve County pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday and admitted schemes to defraud both Home Depot and Missouris unemployment insurance program.

Arthur Grass, 36, also admitted being a felon caught with a firearm. Grass pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to steal money from the United States (unemployment benefits) and one count of wire fraud.

Grass admitted filing false unemployment claims for about 10 people beginning in May 2020. Grass falsely claimed they had been laid off from his construction company, AJE Construction. Grass cashed out the unemployment benefits, which had been placed on debit cards, and kicked some money back to the workers, who had voluntarily provided him their personal information to use in the scheme. In all, the scheme reaped $142,423, including supplemental COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits.

Grass also admitted defrauding Home Depot on multiple occasions by filling a cart with boxes of vinyl flooring and then adding an inexpensive item on top. He would pay for the inexpensive item and claim that hed paid for the flooring online, showing a fraudulent receipt.

Charging documents say he stole about 468 boxes of flooring that way from Home Depot stores in St. Louis and St. Louis County from Jan. 5 through Feb. 6, 2023. Each box was priced at about $75 or more. He then sold them on Facebook.

Finally, on March 31, 2022, St. Charles County police who were investigating catalytic converter thefts found Grass Jeep in a storage lot, with Grass inside. He was arrested and police later found a stolen Glock 9mm pistol in a toolbox in the Jeep. Grass is a convicted felon and barred from possessing a firearm.

Arthur Grass engaged in an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme targeting the Missouri Department of Labor, Division of Employment Security. Grass conspired to submit fraudulent UI claims in the names of other individuals, diverting vital taxpayer resources away from those in dire need of unemployment benefits. Todays guilty plea affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector Generals commitment to pursuing UI fraud. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Missouri Department of Labor and our many law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Attorneys Office, said Irene Lindow, special agent in charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Grass faces up to 10 years in prison for the gun charge, up to 20 years for the wire fraud charge and up to five years for the stealing charge, as well as the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. He will also be ordered to repay the money.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the St. Charles County Police Department, the Missouri Department of Labor, the Arnold Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and Home Depot Retail Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is prosecuting the case.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) of the Korle Klottey Constituency, says she won the 2020 elections despite the absence of her father.

It has been rumoured that her father, the late Jerry John Rawlings, former President, contributed to her winning of her previous elections.

She however refuted that claim, saying: My father was not here in 2020 but I won the elections with an increment in my votes from 4000 to 8000.

I have a bigger father, God in heaven, and the spirit of my father is behind me as well, she added.

Dr Agyemang-Rawlings was hoping to win the elections and would not entertain any thoughts of losing.

The incumbent MP said her team had worked hard for them to progress to the election stage and prayed that if given the opportunity she could do more for the constituency.

She said the position was not a ceremonial one, hence being a female was not enough anymore but one should be able to bring something to the table.

If it was just being female then I have no business winning the seat because as the first female to win the seat in Korley Klottey, it says a lot about people not expecting just not your gender but a lot more of what you can offer. Dr Agyemang-Rawlings stated.

She said that it was also about experience and one must be understanding on how to make laws, budgetary oversight and other activities.

The incumbent MP went round to greet delegates and cast her vote.

GNA
13.05.2023 LISTEN

Incumbent Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu constituency, A.B.A Fuseini will not be returning to parliament in 2025.

He has been kicked out of the seat in Saturdays primaries organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The lawmaker polled 333 votes which was not enough as he was toppled by Atta Issah who polled 801 to emerge winner of the polls to contest election 2024 on the ticket of the party.

Yakubu Ahmed, Abdul Majeed Alhassan and Hamza Bukari Zakaria polled 118, 42 and 27 votes respectively.

There were five rejected votes and 20 spoilt ballots.

-Classfmonline.com
Former Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency, Adam Mutawakilu has won to become the partys parliamentary candidate for the 2024 elections.

The former legislature won the keenly contested internal election after garnering 483 votes out of 798 valid votes cast.

His contender who is a private legal practitioner, Baba Sadique Zankawah garnered a total of 315 votes.

The total number of rejected ballots recorded at the end of parliamentary primaries was 4.

In an interview, Adam Mutawakilu pledged to court the support of his contender for victory come 2024.

Certainly, I need his support to be able to win back our parliamentary seat for the NDC come 2024, he said.

On his part, Baba Sadique Zankawah pledged his commitment and readiness for the elected candidate.

The party is bigger than any of us and apart from that, he is my brother, and we have worked together since 2006. So he has my support and that of my team ahead of the 2024 elections.

In the presidential primaries, John Dramani Mahama garnered 771 votes against Kojo Bonsus 11 while and the total rejected ballots recorded stood at 21 in the constituency.
A former Deputy Minister of Communication, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has been re-elected to represent the opposition National Democratic Congress as the parliamentary candidate in the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese constituency in the 2024 general elections.

At the end of the Saturday, 13 May 2023 presidential and parliamentary primaries of the biggest opposition party, former President John Mahama's aide polled 830 votes against his contender, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse's 571 votes.

This would be Mr Kwakye Ofosu's second attempt at entering parliament on the ticket of the NDC.

He won the primary in 2019 but lost the race in the 2020 general polls to the incumbent. Mr Elvis Morris Donkor.

It was so close yet so far for me, the former Deputy Minister of Communication posted on his Facebook page after the 2020 polls.

I lost by 176 votes, he said.

Congratulations Elvis Morris Donkor and better luck to me next time, he added.

After his first unsuccessful try, Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed gratitude to all those who backed his ambition.

I am also deeply grateful to all of you out there who supported my bid in diverse ways, he said.

-Classfmonline.com
14.05.2023 LISTEN

The Spokesperson of former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari has said the camp of Mr Mahama has exceeded its target in the presidential primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) .

Mr Mahama was contested by former Mayor of Kumasi Kojo Bonsu. Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena withdrew from the race on Friday, May 12, just a day to the election day Saturday, May 13.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari in a tweet said Waiting for the final result, but we have exceeded our expectations! So far 98% for HE John Dramani Mahama!

The masses have spoken out and loudly! Thank you to the delegates! Our supporters and our volunteers.

Meanwhile, Mr Kojo Bonsu has congratulated Mr Mahama for winning the presidential primaries although the final results are yet to be declared by the Electoral Commission (EC).

I have placed a call to H.E John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I have indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election, I will continue to serve the NDC party, thank you he tweeted.

citinewsroom
General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has congratulated John Dramani Mahama for emerging as the winner of the presidential primaries of the party.

In an address after the former President was declared winner of the flagbearer elections with a massive 98.9% of the total vote cast, the party General Secretary stressed that this is just the beginning of the partys agenda to save Ghana from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

For us, this is the beginning.We want to assure all supporters and the larger population that we are going to work to salvage this country come 2024, Fifi Kwetey said.

The NDC General Secretary added, On behalf of the party I want to thank all our supporters and our sympathisers who have been with us from the start of the process.

We want to salute the work put in by all the parliamentary candidates. We thank all the delegates for their effort in ensuring that we had one of the best primaries as far as our party is concerned.

On his part, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia expressed the party's appreciation to the Ghana Police Service for overseeing violence-free primaries.

I want to thank the Inspector General of Police and the Ghana Police Service for a wonderful job done.

They have proven that when challenged they will deliver, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said.

Following the election of John Dramani Mahama, the NDC leadership has called on the party to unite to work toward victory in the 2024 general election.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the results of the presidential elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The largest opposition party on Saturday, May 13, held its Parliamentary and Presidential elections to elect leaders for the 2024 general elections.

Declaring the results of the presidential elections, the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe declared John Dramani Mahama as the winner of the contest after securing 98.9% of the votes.

We were given the task to help supervise the elections and these are the results. John Dramani Mahama with 297, 603, Kojo Bonsu had 3,181.

On behalf of the EC Chairperson, I duly declared John Dramani duly elected, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe announced.

Addressing the press on behalf of the National Democratic Congress, General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey stressed that the victory of John Dramani Mahama signifies the start of the work the party is set to do to save Ghana from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

For us, this is the beginning of the journey toward 2024 and we want to tell our supporters and the larger population that we are going to do everything possible to salvage Ghana, Fifi Kwetey said.

Following the election of John Dramani Mahama, the NDC leadership has called on the party to unite to work toward victory in the 2024 general election.

During his campaign to convince delegates to vote for him, John Dramani Mahama maintained that he is confident Ghanaians will vote for him massively in 2024 to become President again.
John Dramani Mahama has won the flag bearer race of the National Democratic Congress to lead the party in the 2024 General election.

The former president polled 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast.

His only contender, Mr Kojo Bonsu, polled 3,181 votes representing 1.1%.

He called to concede and congratulate Mr Mahama way before the electoral commission announced the official results.

Some 4,353 ballots were rejected.

Mr Mahama, thus, becomes the flag bearer of the NDC for the 2024 general elections.

A third aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, pulled out of the race at the last hour, citing "blatant irregularities".

The parliamentary and presidential primaries were held on Saturday, 13 May 2023 in various constituencies across the country.
14.05.2023 LISTEN

Kumasi-based private legal practitioner, Kwasi Afrifa Esq., has filed a writ at the Supreme Court against Justice Nene Ofoe Amegatcher's insistence to sit at the General Legal Council (GLC) proceedings after his retirement last February.

The writ, filed on March 30, 2023, was duly served on Justice Amegatcher on April 4, 2023.

Lawyer Afrifa issued the said writ against Justice Amegatcher personally challenging his alleged illegal sitting at the GLC having retired in February 2023.

In spite of having been served the writ personally he noted that Justice Amegatcher seem not deterred as he has reportedly disregarded pending processes at the Supreme Court including a writ, an injunction and a contempt case before the Supreme Court and other fora.

But Counsel for the GLC Esi Dental Yankah led by Franklin Adanu on the 18th on March 21, 2023 defended the continued membership of Justice Amegatcher on the Disciplinary Committee quoting Section 17 (2) of the Legal Profession Act 1960 (Act 32).

Counsel further explained that a Committee member present panel could retain their position while sitting on a disciplinary case and that it is only after a vacancy may be filled.

As a result, the counsel noted that the Committee dismissed the objection of the respondent who had raised objection on point of law that president of the Disciplinary Committee recuse himself because he was no longer a serving Justice of the Supreme Court, which is the pre-requisite for his presence on the panel.

Read the counsel's argument below:

The defiant posture of Justice Amegatcher is explained in the assurance and knowledge that the Chief Justice will protect him at the Supreme Court because he (Amegatcher) seems to protect the Chief Justice at the hearing involving Kwasi Afrifa in respect of the $5 million bribery scandal.

Sampled views of legal practitioners indicate that Justice Amegatcher's insistence is premised on his desire to benefit from a prevailing illegal scheme at the Supreme Court by which the CJ permits retiring judges to purchase their duty post accommodation contrary to law even though the CJ is on record to have done it on several occasions to judges considered to be his friends, favourites and political allies including Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe.

Justice Amegatcher's insistence is also explained that the CJ does not want the matter started de novo (afresh) which is likely if Justice Amegatcher stops sitting at the GLC (with Stephen Kwabena Opuni's case in reference), an indication that Justice Amegatcher is doing the bidding of the Chief Justice who wants Lawyer Afrifa punished for exposing the $5 million bribery scandal.

It is believed that Justice Amegatcher is also being urged on by his senior, mentor and benefactor Samuel Okudzeto who allegedly manipulated his appointment to the Supreme Court because Okudzeto Esq. wants Lawyer Afrifa punished because of a confrontation between the two (Afrifa and Okudzeto) at the preliminary hearing of the GLC where Afrifa told Okudzeto Esq. that he should not assume any high moral grounds because of his (Okudzeto) role in the case of Okudzeto versus Irani Brothers where he allegedly committed various fraudulent offences against his clients.

In the circumstance, it is clear the CJ and Justice Amegatcher are laws unto themselves without any consequences for which further drama is expected to unfold to test whether the people who have the obligation to ensure the success of the legal system have respect for the law in the first place when Lawyer Afrifa and Justice Amegatcher engage in legalities at the Supreme Court.

Sitting continues, as usual, in camera today.
The President of the Concern Farmers Association Of Ghana, Nana Oboade Boateng, has condemned and rubbished Joseph Boahen Aidoo, CEO of Cocobods endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana for the position of the Flagbearer of NPP.

Nana Oboade Boateng expressed his strong resentment and disapproval of the CEOs approval of Dr. Bawumia in a radio interview where he described the action as self-seeking, reckless and not the stance of cocoa farmers in Ghana especially when Dr. Bawumia has not had any significant impact on the lives of cocoa farmers and farmers as a whole.

Dr. Boahen Aidoo is just a single individual with no influence on cocoa farmers, he did that as a single person and not as a representation of the stance of the cocoa farmers, he opined.

He added that, they have held meetings with Dr. Bawumia on issues concerning the welfare of farmers in the past and he can confidently tell that Dr. Bawumia is a liar, untrusted, and only best at basking in the glory of the hard earned achievements of others.

When Cocoa Farmers were going through severe hell, and dire in need of support; when their monies had been locked up and cocoa trees had been cut without any compensation, both the Vice President Dr. Bawumia and CEO of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo turned deaf ears to our wails when we presented our concerns at their doorsteps. But it only took Dr. Akoto 24 hours to come to our aid, mount pressure on Cocobod and get it resolved when we contacted him.

"Again, after the President's decision to collapse galamsey sprung up, what arrangements did Dr. Bawumia do to help the youth in the farming areas, he did nothing! It was rather Dr. Akoto who sponsored the youth and redeemed their hope of survival!

"More over, when the Agricultural sector and the welfare of the farmers of the country in general took a nosedive, it took the timely intervention of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto to salvage the sector and the welfare of farmers from the ditch through his introduction of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) policy.

"For the aforementioned and the many other reasons, farmers of this country know no one, but only see Dr. Akoto as their savior. They, in addition, deem Dr. Akoto as the only one with the traits of exceptional genuineness and competence that they can entrust their destiny, and as well trust his vision and promises for the expeditious development of the farmers, the agricultural sector and the Nation as a whol," he stated.

The President of Concern Farmers Association of Ghana concluded by indicating that farmers are very discerning now and wont just be swayed into voting for just anybody He emphasised that they will only offer their support to someone who truly cares for their welfare and development, and also has the youth at heart.
A multi-neighbor lawsuit challenging a planned seven-story student apartment building on Jefferson Park Avenue was dismissed Friday on a demurrer, a pre-trial defense challenge to the suits legal grounds.

The court sustains the demurrer, said Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell. The plaintiffs have failed to state a sufficient basis.

Nearby property owner Jimmy Wright was one of the plaintiffs arguing Friday that the block-sized building at 2005 JPA would overwhelm its surroundings.

It will create substantial detriment to our neighborhood, and it will change the character of our neighborhood, Wright argued.

On the other side, acting city attorney Andrew McRoberts said state law gives each city such wide latitude on rezoning that it need only demonstrate some benefit even if its just a larger tax base.

There is evidence of reasonableness to support this, said McRoberts.

The fourteen plaintiffs, each acting as their own lawyer, alleged that the special use permit that Charlottesville City Council approved in September deviated from state law and the citys own ordinances by allowing a developer to build twice the height and nearly three times the density allowed by right in the R-3 zoning district.

Shortly before the matter reached City Council, developer Aspen Heights of Austin, Texas, announced a voluntarily doubling of its contribution to the citys affordable housing fund. Instead of the $484,000 originally promised when the matter won a narrow, 4-3, recommendation from the planning commission a year ago, Aspen Heights announced that it would provide $1 million in lieu of building any affordable units. The company said it simply wanted to accord with the more stringent affordable housing requirements of the citys draft Comprehensive Plan, but others alleged a deal sweetener.

City Council approved the rezoning by a vote of 4-0.

The buildings design firm, Charlottesville-based Mitchell Matthews, asserts that the project will benefit this University of Virginia-area transit corridor by widening the front sidewalk to seven feet and by building new sidewalks on the side streets, Observatory and Washington Avenues.

On site, easily accessible plaza spaces adjacent to the sidewalk will give pedestrians a kind of wayside where they can relax and socialize in the shade and beauty of new plantings, the architects wrote in a submission to the planning commission, which approved this change to the citys entrance corridor in March.

And while the architects of this partially brick-skinned building tout facades of differing heights and massings, some neighbors are simply not savoring the arrival of a 119-unit, 390-person, U-shaped, swimming pool-equipped structure.

Its a monster, plaintiff Ellen Contini-Morava told the Daily Progress after the hearing. Its going to tower over everything.

Today, the 1.7-acre site plays host to six buildings ranging from one to three stories including a circa-1900 mansion whose Ionic portico, hanging porch styled on the universitys Pavilion and ample front yard made it a local landmark. However, a prior owner lost that mansion in a mid-1990s foreclosure, and a subsequent owner peppered the property with student housing. Efforts to reach the person currently listed as the sole beneficial owner, Anthony J. Gadient, were unsuccessful.

The architects note that in contrast to todays assortment of eight automobile access points on the side streets, all on-site parking will be underground the new building via a single curb cut on Washington Avenue.

Such claims havent swayed plaintiff-neighbor Anne Benham, who relishes her relative quiet on the dead-end Observatory Avenue and dreads living by a construction site.

I dont know that Ill be able to tolerate two years of noise and dust, Benham told the Progress. There is collateral damage, and we are it.

The judge said the plaintiffs could refile their lawsuit on different grounds within 90 days, but these pro se plaintiffs said they needed to weigh their options. Five of the plaintiffs, plus another nearby nearby couple, are headed to city council Monday to appeal the entrance corridor approval.
14.05.2023 LISTEN

The 2020 Parliamentary candidate for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Elikplim Akurugu will again represent the party in the Dome Kwabenya constituency in the 2024 polls.

This follows her victory in the Saturday, 13 May 2023 Presidential and Parliamentary primaries.

Ms Akurugu polled 1,564 votes to beat the two other parliamentary aspirants.

While Israel Kwaku Mensah Susuli polled 1308 votes, Theophilus Adu Mensah polled 8 votes.

Meanwhile, it was a landslide victory for Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama who won 2853 against Kojo Bonsus 14 votes in the Dome Kwabenya constituency.

Mr Mahama has won the flag bearer race of the NDC.

The former president polled 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast.

His only contender, Mr Bonsu, polled 3,181 votes representing 1.1%.

He called to concede and congratulate Mr Mahama way before the electoral commission announced the official results.

Some 4,353 ballots were rejected.

Mr Mahama, thus, becomes the flag bearer of the NDC for the 2024 general elections.

A third aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, pulled out of the race at the last hour, citing "blatant irregularities".

classfmonline.com
Every father believes that his child is the best; therefore it might be challenging to judge his behavior objectively. Kembi, 16, is a contented child who is always smart in class thanks to the amazing teachers that adore him just like his father who lives in Europe. As the only child, Emmanuel decides to send his son to Europe to further his education because children are the most significant and useful by making life more active, engaging, vivid, and rich.

In the past, a paternity test, which analyzes a DNA test to determine the blood types of the mother, child, and putative father, was not strictly necessary in Europe to determine whether a man is the kid's biological father. The situation changed, nevertheless, and the Belgian government mandated the mandatory DNA test when many Africans, particularly Ghanaians, began abusing the system by bringing many children into the nation under the pretense that they are their own.



DNA or paternity test has destroyed many marriages or torn the relationships of lovers apart. According to a 2013 study published in the journal Genetics in Medicine, DNA tests using modern technology are nearly 100% accurate.

I'm from Ghana, but I don't feel the least bit embarrassed to talk about how some of my countrymen act in Europe by committing various levels of criminality, including forcing some of the young girls they bring here to become prostitutes. To recoup the costs associated with transporting their kids to Europe, some dads compel them into fictitious marriages for sums ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 Euros.

Ghanaians enjoy reporting their enemies who are in the country illegally to the police so that they can be deported. I still clearly recall the police officer from Borgerhout, in Antwerp, asking me, "Why do Ghanaians like to report themselves every time?" I smiled unable to respond.



Many children have grown to hate their parents as a result of forced marriages, as they demand money after bringing them to Europe. I am familiar with a young man who had a comparable issue with his father and who is currently not friendly with him. To raise the 15,000 Euros his father wants to extract from him in exchange for bringing him to Europe, he refused to engage in a fictitious marriage. He applied for a loan to give to his father because he is employed. Although he has subsequently completed the payment, his father and him do not get along well.

As required by law, Emmanuel underwent paternity tests and adhered to all legal requirements by going to the proper medical facility to have his blood drawn, while the young man's child in Africa underwent the same procedure in a health facility that was recommended by the nation where the young man's father resides. After only a few weeks, Emmanuel realized that his only son in his entire life was not his kid. I want to know if paternity tests are always reliable.

Why do I have to inquire about this? I am aware of someone whose daughter's paternity test revealed that the father wasn't the child. According to what he told me, he was the first person to make love to the lady and he still remembers what happened after. He sensed something was amiss someplace. He didn't accept the results, so he paid for a second test; it was 200 Euros per test at that time. When the second test's results came back, it was clear that the girl was his true daughter. This is a true account of a person I know. He currently resides in Europe with his wife and all of his kids.



I suppose Emmanuel didn't bother to pay for a second test because this is an unusual instance and frequently doesn't happen following paternity tests. To see his child and the mother, he traveled to Africa. Unprepared for such dreadful news, the youngster was bewildered and upset. His life abruptly altered, and he soon started to experience the bitterness of life at such a young age. He informed each of his buddies that he would soon be departing for Europe to begin a new life.

The child is his, according to the mother, but Emmanuel is not persuaded. Since they are no longer together, the case isn't as essential to him, but it made him feel worse because his only son's paternity was rejected by the DNA test. When the young man and Emmanuel went for a walk, the distraught boy asked him, "So if you are not my father, then who my father is?" Emmanuel answered, Go and ask your mother. The distraught boy had no questions for his mother.



The tragic conclusion of this true-life story is that after telling all of his friends that he was moving to Europe to start a new life, the young man decides to leave the nation to escape questions that he would find challenging to respond to. He moved away from his native country and is now living with his aunt in one of the African nations. His father has gone back to Europe to carry on with his childless existence.
The shift towards E-Learning, coupled with the digitisation and digitalization drives of Government have necessitated the acquisition of digital skills sets by students at the basic school and senior high school levels.

It is in line with this that the 1986 year group of Obuasi Senior High Technical school on Friday, 12th May, 2023 donated 17 computers to the school to boost the teaching and learning of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Presenting the items to the headmaster of the school, a member of the group Dr. Maurice Jonas Woode said the gesture was meant to add up to the existing stock of computers in the school in a move to encourage teaching and learning of ICT.

We have come to our old school to present computers, as a year group. We received a request from the school about limited computers, so we liaised with LABDOO, a German based organisation through Ghanaian students in Dusseldorf, Germany who supported us with these computers, he emphasized.

He said the group paid for other expenses including the cost of freight and packaging . He added that the donations comes on the heels of other contributions made by the 1986 year group towards the development of the school.

He said the group was responsible for the renovation of four blocks of the school including the Administrative block. "We will continue to contribute our quota towards the development of this school which made us who we are today," he stated.

Dr. Woode who is the Chief Executive for the Akrofuom District charged other stakeholders to also contribute towards the development of education in the country. He said as Government is doing its best to enhance access to education, it was incumbent on other stakeholders like Parents Associations to also play their role by complementing the efforts of Government.

HEADMASTER CALLS FOR HELP

With over 4000 students, the school ICT center could accommodate only 40 students at a time. Some of the students though are offering ICT as elective, all the students in the school take ICT as a core subject.

This worrying situation according to the Headmaster of the Obuasi Senior High Technical school, Ernest Wiafe makes teaching and learning of ICT very difficult.

He lauded the group for coming to their aid with the computers and said such gestures are always welcomed.

He said though Government is doing its best to enhance access to education especially at the senior school level through the introduction of free senior high school, it was incumbent on other stakeholders like the PTA, old students, management of schools to also contribute their quota towards the sustainability of the free SHS program.

"I wish to appeal to parents to up their game a little bit because it appears that the fact that Government has taken over the payment of fees and other responsibilities, the PTAs have become dormant," he stated.

He called on parents to support the school in hiring the services of non-teaching staff or artisans such as security, plumbers, electricians, etc.
Djenne female figure, Mali, now in Musee du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

14.05.2023 LISTEN

'our research methods resemble the interrogations of an investigating magistrate much more than amicable conversations, and because, nine times out of ten, our methods of collecting objects involve forced purchases, if not requisition. All this casts a certain shadow over my life, and my conscience is only halfway clear. When all is said and done, as much as adventures like the taking of the kono finally leave me without remorse, because there is no other way to obtain such objects and because sacrilege itself is a rather grandiose notion, still all this constant buying leaves me perplexed, because I have a strong impression that we are going in vicious circle: we pillage the Negroes under the pretext of teaching people to understand and appreciate them-that is, ultimately in order to mold other ethnographers who will go in turn to "appreciate" and to pillage them.'

Michel Leiris. Phantom Africa, 2017. (1)

If the Sarr- Savoy report sought to free looted African artefacts from the long detention in French museums,(2) it can be said that the report entitled Shared Heritage: Universality, Restitutions, and Circulation of Works of Art, by Jean- Luc Martinez, the former director of the Louvre Museum, Paris, is clearly aimed at restraining African artefacts from leaving French museums or at any rate to ensure that a considerable number of them remain in France. (3) This recent report requested by President Emmanuel Macron on 27 October 2021 during the ceremony of restitution of twenty-six artworks to Benin, has suggestions that, if adopted by the French legislator, could also tend to bury the spirit of the Sarr-Savoy report.

The Martinez report was delivered on 25 April 2023 to the Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, and the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna. It is interesting to note that unlike in the case of the Sarr-Savoy report, there seems to have been no written request from President Macron to Martinez for a report but only verbal communication of the request. The report was received by the Ministers of Culture and Foreign Affairs as the President was in dispute with the Trade Unions and other groups on the reform of the pension system. His dealing with a cultural report would have been seen as either a diversionary tactic or lack of concern with the serious question of pensions.

The Martinez report proposes conditions for restitution that would prevent any quick return of looted African artefacts and seems to symbolize the awakening of groups against returning, believing the Sarr-Savoy went too far.

As we will see later, restricting restitution is done through several methods, some are evident in their intentions: others are more refined and demand some reflection.

Martinez submits twelve propositions

1. A new French law on restitution must recall the attachment of France to the principles of universality as understood in France and the inalienability of collections

2. Recall that restitution for diplomatic reasons is an ancient practice. Underline it is reasonable to frame this practice within a doctrine objective and favourable to writing a narrative between France and source countries in order to develop new partnerships. Future law or laws should enable the development of a new general legal framework to authorise the restitution of works to their countries of origin.

3. Elaborate a French restitution doctrine favouring a bilateral approach as distinguished from a normative, ahistorical, and multilateral system.

4. Criteria of 'restitutability' for cultural objects.

Three criteria of receivability

The demand must come from the State of origin.

Assure that no other State is demanding the same objects.

Ensure that the request does not contradict previous bilateral agreements.

Two alternative criteria relating to the mode of acquisition:

illegal character or

illegitimate character

Four contextual criteria:

A willingness for cooperation from the demanding State must accompany the restitution project.

The requesting State must accept to conserve the patrimonial nature and presentation of cultural objects to the public.

Requests must remain focused ('ciblees')

The demands must remain strictly patrimonial and cannot include demands for financial reparations.

5. Additional precision concerning objects resulting from gifts or legacy.

The administration must first obtain the agreement of the donors or the successors.

6. Supplementary recommendations concerning objects resulting from war captures-prises de guerre.

7. Five criteria concerning human remains

The demand must come from a State

The remains must be du ly identified.

The persons whose remains are sought must have died after the year 1500.

Proof that the conditions of their exposition violate the principle of dignity of the human being.

When returned, the remains must not be exposed.

8. Concerning the NAZI spoliations

Extend to the years 1933-1945, the area of research of CIVS. (Commission dIndemnisation des Victimes de Spoliation)

Intensify research on acquisitions or gifts after 1945.

9. An original provision as a constructive response to demands concerning specific symbolic works that do not fulfill the criteria of 'restitutability': the notion of 'shared heritage .' It is a question of overcoming the question of legal property to envisage the question from the angle of accessibility of works by authorizing a form of depot, implying, in the long term, a common narrative of a shared history of objects.

10. Europeanise restitution by proposing specific tools for restitution demanded by Africans:

A common declaration by African and European States on principles of restitution, on the model of the eleven principles of Washington' concerning the looted works in the context of antisemitic persecutions (1998).

The creation of an Africa-Europe Fund public-private dedicated to African patrimony.

11. A historical and scientific analysis explains a transparent, collaborative, and scientific solid procedure limiting a maximum of 3 years delay between initial demand and the political decision on the substance.(not a national commission but bilateral experts) case by case.

12. After adopting the proposed laws, parliament shall be regularly informed of the demands for restitution and the government's decisions.

The government could also transmit to parliament a report on restitutions every year. For complex cases, the government could send to parliament the inter-governmental agreements formalizing the cultural cooperation projects accompanying the restitutions, including the creation or renovation of museums intended to house the restituted works.

We want to comment on some of the proposals by Martinez.

Universalism

Recalling the notion of universalism is to ignore criticisms that have been made against this notion and the fact that a form of universalism, connected with the European Enlightenment was at the base of colonialism in Africa and Latin America; the concept implied a debasement of all peoples and cultures outside Europe. Does France need to invoke this concept when dealing with restitution which inevitably recalls the colonial period with all its horrors and injustices? It can also be a manifestation of colonialism to insist on a concept that has caused so much harm in the world.

Conditions for restitutability

The first condition of receivability posed by Martinez is that the demand for restitution should come from a State. This is aimed at excluding cultural and ethnic groups that do not constitute a State. These groups, often called communities, are thus excluded. Ironically, most African cultural objects were looted from ethnic groups that do not now have a State but at the time of the colonial encounter, were either States or on the way to becoming one. African peoples resisted colonial aggression under the leadership of their kings and chiefs. Such restrictions constitute a denial of the rights of Indigenous people as provided in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007).

Article 11, para 1 provides:

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and historical sites, artefacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies, and visual and performing arts and literature.

Shared Heritage .

Martinez reintroduces the concept of shared heritage which we thought had been abandoned. This concept is as an answer to restitution demands concerning objects that do not fulfill the conditions of 'restitutability' and attempts to go beyond the legal concept of property by adopting a form of the deposit that tends towards a common narrative on a shared history of the objects.

Martinez notes that there is no unanimous view in the African countries concerning restitution. According to him, some countries such as Benin or Cote d'Ivoire seek to reconstruct a future and common imagination based on a logic of partnership. Other African voices- especially those of the diaspora- do not share this view and consider that restitution must be unconditional. They say it is not for the thief or his 'accomplice' to fix the conditions for the return of stolen objects.

Martinez wants to lay the basis for new forms of partnership, to circulation of works and not view the question exclusively from the angle of the legal property but rather on the accessibility of French collections in Africa and elsewhere. Martinez calls in aid of this 'shared heritage' scholars such as Souleymane Bachir Diagne for his expression 'objets-rhizome,' objects that are said to be 'metisses.' According to Martinez, the idea is to construct a common world through this 'patrimoine partage.'

We learn from Martinez that many African artefacts in France entered France 'legally,' and 'legitimately.' This view will surprise many. According to Martinez, he dug up this notion of 'shared heritage' at the demand of Ivoirian and Benin partners.

After several consultations, it appeared to Martinez desirable' to go beyond the question of legal property in order to envisage the question from the angle of accessibility.'

This gigantic revolution will enable one to view many questions concerning restitution from the perspective of accessibility, especially if we consider possibilities under modern digital systems.

Martinez does not envisage the establishment of a list of works that fall into this category of symbolic works. (4) Whether an African work falls into the category of shared heritage will, therefore, be decided on case by case. The issue must be solved by an agreement between the two States to send the object out as a deposit in France or Benin. If the former director of the Louvre and his formidable team of consultants and advisers cannot tell in advance which African work of art falls into the category they have created, who else can?

With all due respect to Martinez, this talk of shared heritage is just a means to keep the African artefacts that the French like and do not want to part with.

Gou, Fon god of war and metal, now a French-Fon god of war?

Fascination as justification for retention.

Readers will recall that when France restituted twenty-six artefacts to Benin in 2022, the famous statue of the Fon god of war, Gou was not on the list. President Talon, Benin, drew attention to this absence and his dissatisfaction in his speech at the signing ceremony of agreements between France and Benin. President Talon said he could not be expected to be satisfied with the twenty-six artefacts he received, especially since the god Gou was not among them. He envisioned a second wave of transfers to follow. When President Macron visited Benin in July 2022, the authorities there informed him that they were still waiting for Gou.

I looked at the web pages of the Louvre and could not find Gou. Suspicious of Western States in matters of African artefacts, I wrote:

'But the quest for the return of Gou will be a long-drawn-out battle since the French think that African treasures that look extremely modernistic such as the sculpture of Gou are more French than African and should stay in Paris* under one pretext or other. They consciously or unconsciously reverse the historic imitation of African art by modern French artists such as Picasso. Pablo Picasso and Guillaume Apollinaire admired the Gou statue.' (5)

I was not surprised that the statue of Gou was named as a possible object for this flexible classification (6) This classification as shared heritage may help to bring Gou to Benin, but it can also ensure that he will return to France. We will have to look at the precise wording of the agreement between France and Benin on this statue. Such a classification would also imply that the figure does not belong to Benin alone!

The classification in this category could also be helpful when provenance research does not give any clear indications to decide on the legality or legitimacy of a reclaimed object.

But was there ever any serious doubt that this impressive work of art belonged to the Dahomean King Behanzin and was looted by the French General Dodds and his troops after the defeat of the African King in 1892?

Common Declaration of African and European States on principles of restitution.

One suggestion by Martinez is to have African and European countries adopt a joint declaration on restitution principles on the model of the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art (1990) to avoid the diversity of European approaches to African restitution. Hermann Parzinger from the Prussian Foundation for Cultural Heritage(PSK) also suggested in 2018 that we needed a set of rules on the Washington model. We argued we would be better off to abide by the United Nations resolutions on the return of cultural property to their country of origin. The delays in getting States to agree on general principles of restitution at a time when Europeans did not even want to hear the word restitution. Western States have reluctantly and slowly restituted a few African artefacts. Museums such as the British Museum are not inclined to follow other museums on the restitution path. African States do not have a common policy. Any attempt to secure an agreement between Western and African States on general principles can only be to the advantage of opponents of restitution; there will be a long delay. Besides, we need evidence that the Washington principles are working as well as one might wish.

An administrative, transparent, and collaborative procedure for restitution.

Martinez proposes an administrative procedure that may seem reasonable but complicates it with other conditions. He suggests that even before restitutions start, the Ministries of Culture, Armies, Higher Education, and other cultural institutions encourage their institutions to do provenance research and put online the basic facts concerning artworks and their archives.

States requesting restitution should receive a first answer within two months based on the receivability criteria. Requests should be sent to the Minister of Culture. If the first response is negative because it is too general, the demanding State might be sent a proposal for collaboration in order to define better the request made.

If it is decided to receive the request, relevant provenance ce research will be done with scholars from the country of origin of the object in question.

Martinez proposes a bilateral commission decided by France and the country concerned together and which will have within it a scientific committee whose duty it will be to draft a report base on scientific expertise establishing the provenance of the objects, conditions of acquisition, its history and applicable legislation at its time of acquisition at the end of which it advises on the restitution.

Martinez prefers such an ad hoc commission to the alternative of a permanent scientific commission. Martinez explains his preference for an ad hoc commission thus: a permanent commission presupposes that representative scientific scholars are omniscient, but we know there is no universal knowledge, and such a commission may never acquire scientific credibility.

The report of the scientific committee will be solemnly to the two governments and should be published.

The opinion of the scientific committee will not be binding on the political decision-makers.

The costs involved in restitution requests - missions of members of the scientific committee, transport of the works, eventual restoration of the pieces -shall be at the expense of the demander of the request!

The nature and intentions of the Martinez report come out here. The French who took these works from the colonies, often with violence, and kept them for hundred years, earning income from exhibitions and loans of the artworks and not paying any compensation to the African States, are again to benefit from new payments from the African victims.

The final decision on restitution will by a decree of the French Senate, which will again examine whether the decision conforms to the criteria of 'restitutability.' The decision could also take the form of an intergovernmental agreement which in French law is superior to ' loi and can constitute an exception to the principle of inalienability.

Martinez proposes that the demand for restitution and the final decision should not take more than three years.

We have difficulties with some of Martinez's proposals, but we hope the French legislator will not accept them. We mention here a few of these objections.

The proposition that all demands must come from State and not individuals or communities deprives individuals and Indigenous peoples of their rights as provided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Most demands will come through the State but suppose the State, for political or racial grounds, does not support the request, should 'le pays de liberte at least not have a look at the demand?

To insist that when States seek restitution, they must demonstrate a will and readiness for partnership projects seems wrong. It is a neo-colonial device for continuing to control and supervise African countries in the use of their artefacts and resources. Restitution should be unconditional, without limitations binding the demander with cooperation agreements that limit their rights or control their use.

Similarly, to insist that the demanding State should undertake to preserve the heritage character of objects and their public presentation is neo-colonialist. Martinez goes as far as to suggest that illicit traffic may be a relevant factor in this classification. He even suggests that President Talon of Benin classified the 26 artefacts returned Benin as national treasures and not royal treasures as a safety measure.(7) President Talon, like many other African Presidents, may have other reasons, more important than traffic in cultural good, for wishing to convert, as quickly as possible, looted royal artefacts from France into Benin national treasures. For multi-ethnic or multinational countries in Africa, the stability of the State and national cohesion are overriding factors.

To require in advance that an African State requesting restitution of a cultural object must promise to maintain its heritage nature and display it in public indicates that the French still need to give up their ideas of assimilation. We Africans are not Europeans and may not have a museum for displaying an object, but we want it back. The item may be sacred or religious and not intended in our traditions for public display. Will the French try to keep this back even though it is looted or stolen if we cannot make the promise they are requesting?

Another reason for insisting on the patrimonial nature of the demand and rejecting any financial compensation is to prevent communities from demanding reparation, as appears to have been the case of the Bijans, who sought monetary compensation of 150 million euros for the detention of the Djidji ayokwe talking drum the French took in 1916. Thus, the French are determined not to pay anything for the considerable damage and deprivation they caused. But is this French position compatible with any sense of justice and fairness?

The idea to obtain the consent of donors of gifts of objects to museums before proceeding with restitution seems strange. Certainly, donors or their successors should be informed of any demand for restitution concerning their donation but is their consent necessary if it is established beyond doubt that the object was stolen or looted?

When President Macron requested a former director of a museum with many looted artefacts to reflect on the questions of restitution, none of us expected sweeping proposals facilitating returns. Museum officials are trained to preserve the objects in their museums and are certainly the wrong persons to entrust with such a task. The French government and parliamentarians will no doubt discuss the Martinez report and determine what recommendations to retain. Whatever they may think of restitution, they are aware of the fundamental changes since the Sarr-Savoy report of 2018 that followed the historic speech of President Macron in 2017 at Ouagadougou. They know the enthusiasm caused by the French restitution of twenty-six artefacts to Benin in 2022. They will have noticed the restitution of Benin bronzes from Britain to Nigeria, and despite the British Museum, the transfer of legal rights in 1130 Benin bronzes to Nigeria by Germany. The promises of restitution by Belgium, and the Netherlands, are factors they will also consider besides the Martinez report.

Macron and his government must fulfill the hopes and promises raised by his famous Ouagadougou declaration and reinforced by the Sarr-Savoy report if we are ever to have genuine cordial relationships between Africa and Europe. The subtitle of the report by Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy, The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage. Toward a New Relational Ethics, 2018, was a summation of what our time requires.

It is no use trying to create an impression of common heritage if European States are unwilling to resolve restitution issues by returning items they stole or looted from Africa. We must accept that Africa and Europe have no shared history in any positive sense. You cannot consider slavery and colonialism as common history unless the slave and his master, the murderer, and his victim, can be said to have a common history in the sense of having been involved in the same action. The idea of common history only comes up in restitution when Africans demand the return of their artefacts. I have never heard anybody suggest that the Nazis and their victims whom they robbed and killed have a common history.

Pope Francis has recently expressed support for restitution:

But let us go back to restitution. To the extent that one can make restitution, which is a necessary gesture, it is better to do it. There are times when one cannot, there is no political possibility or a real, concrete possibility But to the extent that one can make restitution, let it be done, please, this is good for all. So as not to get used to putting one's hands in other people's pockets! (8)

Will the French listen to the head of the Catholic Church?

Let us face history, however ugly it may be, with realism and demonstrate our determination to develop better relations through concrete actions. Rhetoric alone will not help us.

"In my experience,most museum people are very well-meaning and are the first to acknowledge problems in the sector. But it's rhetorical. Few people are ready to grapple with their own inadvertent complicity in a system that benefits them, or that rewards them for a professionalism that is actually quite harmful. It is hard to admit that many of the practices you have been trained in are violent in how they make different forms of knowledge and people invisible or invaluable.

So, there is resistance which manifests itself in all kinds of ways. But no one will come out and admit they actually don't support the change because they are more afraid of being called' racist' or' colonial' than looking inward at what may be subconsciously doing that upholds a racist colonial system". Ngaire Blankenberg. (9)

NOTES

1. Leiris letter to Zette, September 19,1931 cited at p.163 in Phantom Africa by Michel Leiris, translated by Brent Hayes Edwards, Seagull Books, 2017, ISBN: 978 0 8574 2 3771. With this recent English translation of Afrique Fantome by Michel Leiris, first published by Gallimard, Paris in 1934, English readers have now the possibility to appreciate the significance of this historic book by Leiris. Anyone interested in the restitution of African artefacts or colonialism will do well to read this major work which is available also in German, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian: The German translation of the French original, Afrique fantome is entitled, Michel Leiris, Phantom Afrika - Tagebuch einer Expedition von Dakar nach Djibouti 1931-1933, Band 1 und Band II, 1980, Syndikat Autoren-und Verlagsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main. The Portuguese version is entitled A Africa Fantasma, 2007, published by Cosac Naify, Sao Paulo, Brasil. The Spanish edition is entitled: El Africa fantasmal, by Tomas Fernandez AZ and Beatriz Eibar Barrens, 2007, Ed. Pre-Texts. The Italian edition is entitled, L Africa fantasma by Aldo Pasquali, Rizzoli Editore,1984.

2. Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy, The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage. Toward a New Relational Ethics

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jetudXp3vued-yA8gvRwGjH6QLOfss4-/view

3. Jean-Luc Martinez, Patrimoine partage : universalite, restitutions et circulation des uvres dart, Remise du rapport Patrimoine partage : universalite, restitutions et circulation des uvres dart de Jean-Luc Martinez (calameo.com)

4. Martinez states :

Pour certains de ces cas, les neuf criteres de restituabilite proposes dans le present rapport nauraient pas ete operants car ces uvres etaient entrees legalement et legitimement dans les collections publiques francaises. Il sagissait pourtant a chaque fois dobjets a valeur symbolique, dans un contexte diplomatique specifique.

A la demande de nos partenaires ivoiriens et beninois notamment, nous avons dans un premier temps creuse lidee dune propriete partagee. Mais ce concept  que nous avions deja envisage, au Louvre, a loccasion de lacquisition en 2016 de deux tableaux de Rembrandt, les portraits des epoux Soolmans, qui interessaient la France et les Pays-Bas  est incompatible avec le droit patrimonial francais.

Apres de nombreuses consultations et au terme de notre reflexion, il nous semble souhaitable de depasser cette question de la propriete juridique pour envisager la question sous langle de laccessibilite.pp.69-71

Nous ne preconisons pas la creation dun inventaire a partir des uvres des collections nationales : un tel travail prendrait des annees voire des decennies et serait tres difficile a realiser dans la mesure ou cette notion de valeur symbolique reste subjective : le caractere symbolique dune uvre ne peut etre appreciee que du point de vue des autorites du pays dorigine et pourrait evoluer dans le temps. Nous proposons donc une approche au cas par cas.

5. K. Opoku, How far have we gone in the struggle for the Restitution of African artefacts?

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1179136/how-far-have-we-gone-in-the-struggle-for-the-resti.html

6. Lune des premieres uvres qui pourrait entrer dans cette categorie dun  patrimoine partage  pourrait etre la statue du dieu Gou : lhistorique de cette uvre tend en effet a montrer quelle ne remplirait pas les criteres justifiant une restitution (ce nest pas une saisie car luvre aurait ete abandonnee volontairement). Pour autant cest une uvre a la fois importante pour lhistoire du Benin mais qui, depuis plus dun siecle quelle est en France, a inspire des artistes et a ete exposee dans des expositions internationales. Elle est donc devenue une uvre riche de cette histoire plurielle. Son exposition au Benin par le truchement de ce dispositif  patrimoine partage  permettrait certainement de repondre aux attentes beninoises et dapporter une nouvelle contribution a la cooperation culturelle avec ce pays africain.

7. Cest pour cette raison que, lors des restitutions au Benin, le President Talon a tenu a presenter les 26 uvres de retour comme des biens nationaux et non royaux :  les objets sont partis comme bien royaux et reviennent comme tresors nationaux . Cette obligation du maintien du caractere patrimonial du bien nous parait pertinente meme si elle est parfois contestee. Martinez, p.57.

8 . https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/april/documents/20230430-ungheria-voloritorno.pdfhttps://apnews.com/article/vatican-restitution-indigenous-parthenon-0e486d653bcac89f94854430ce29faf0 .

9.Ngaire Blankenberg, on her resignation from the Smithsonian Institution where she was the director of the Museum of African Art. She had been largely responsible for the initiative in establishing the Smithsonians policy of ethical returns, inter alia, that made her unpopular with certain quarters in the museum world. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/05/09/smithsonian-national-museum-african-art-ngaire-blankenberg-resigned

IMAGES



Djenne female figure, Mali, now in Musee du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

Kwayep, mother and child, Bamileke, Cameroon, now in Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

Produced in 1858, by Akati Ekplekendo, Benin, now in Musee du Quaui Branly-Jacques Chirac at the Pavillon des Sessions ,Paris, France. Among the impressive African objects in the Pavillon is the sculpture of Gou, God of iron and of war that the French looted in 1892 from the former French colony ,Dahomey, now in the Republic of Benin. Benin has requested the restitution of Gou who was not among the twenty-six artefacts France returned in November 2021.

Nimba shoulder mask, Guinea, now in Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

Gold jewel of two crocodiles, Baule, Cote dIvoire, now in Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

Djidji Ayokwe, tambour parlant ,Cote dIvoire taken by the French in 1916, now in Musee du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, Paris ,France. The drum should return by early next year to Abidjan.

Cynocephalus carrying a bowl, Baule, Cote dIvoire, now in Palais des Sessions, Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, France.

ANNEXE I

AGREEMENT BETWEEN NIGERIA AND FRANCE

(February 2002)

We publish below the text of an agreement between Nigeria and France in 2002 that was widely criticized and condemned although the agreement itself was not revealed to the general public.

The agreement concerned three Nok sculptures which the French had bought in an auction in Belgium, knowing fully well that the items were illegally smuggled out of Nigeria. The ICOM Red Book on Africa had forbidden the export of such objects that were fundamental to the history of Nigeria and Africa. After serious condemnations from writers and ICOM, France and Nigeria entered into a post-factum agreement that would legalize the illegal purchase. Lord Renfrew described the act, and the role of the French President Jacques Chirac as follows:

His attitude is dishonourable. I regret that Nigeria was weak enough to accept to sign an agreement in order to give an appearance of legality to this acquisition. But above all, the fault lies with the French president who made the request. The responsible officials of the museum should be ashamed to have placed their Head of State and their own country in such a deplorable situation.

Lord Renfrew, in interview with Noce Vincent in Liberation, entitled, Lattitude de Chirac est deshonorante, http://www.liberation.fr See also

Paris conforte larcheologie, http://ww.liberation.fr Des pillages alignes sur le marche

The agreement with French shocked many who were concerned with the preservation of Nigerian culture. The leading Nigerian authority on cultural law, the late Prof. Folarin Shyllon described the agreement as an unrighteous conclusion, F. Shyllon, Negotiations for the Return of Nok Sculptures from Nigeria-An unrighteous Conclusion, http://portal.unesco.org

Shyllon, Folarin.  Negotiations fo the Return of Nok Sculptures from France to Nigeria  An unrighteous Conclusion . Art, Antiquity, and law 8 (2003): 133-148.

See also, Kwame Opoku, Revisiting Looted Nigerian Nok Terracotta Sculptures in Louvre/Musee du Quai Branly. Arthemis,

Affaire Trois sculptures Nok et Sokoto  Nigeria et France

https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/three-nok-and-sokoto-sculptures-2013-nigeria-and-france/fiche-2013-trois-sculptures-nok-et-sokoto-2013-nigeria-et-france

It is encouraging to see that Martinez cites the illegal purchase of Nok treasures and their later irradiation from the list of inventories of the Musee du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac as a ground why France should now adopt a proper legal doctrine to avoid such contortions. He does not however mention that the three Nok sculptures are still in the Palais des Sessions as on depot based on the agreement cited below. The agreement is for 25 years, renewable. The depot concept could be used to keep many African artefacts, deemed as shared heritage, in France.

The three Nok sculptures illegally bought by the French, now in possession of Musee du Quai Branly -Jacques Chirac, the Palais des Sessions, Louvre, Paris, France. These sculptures are held in Paris with a post factum consent of the Nigerian authorities even though the ICOM Red Book for Africa forbids their export outside Nigeria.

Seated male figure.



Terracotta piece with figures in low-relief.

Figure of a bearded male.


Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on warring factions in the ongoing Labour Party (LP) leadership crisis to find common grounds and sustain its new position as a third force in the current national politics.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria noted that there is nothing unusual about a political party having a leadership tussle or any form of disagreement but its ability to close ranks and make compromises in the interest of the party is paramount.

Consequently, the CNPP urged the parties in the leadership crisis to always remember that no individual's desire is bigger than partys interest, saying that if Labour Party leaders allow external forces to control its internal affairs, the party will be the loser, especially with its new found love with majority of the Nigerian youth population.

Continuing, the CNPP stated that Every political party at one time or the other gets enmeshed in leadership crisis due to conflicts of interests. However, it is the responsibility of the fathers of the party to rise to the occasion and ensure that the fortunes of the party is not adversely affected.

The overall interests of a political party must be paramount at all times as power can only be shared when it is taken.

In the buildup to the 2023 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a taste of such internal crisis, which eventually affected its outing in the last general elections very negatively.

In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is currently entangled in its own clash of interests over what certain interests in the party see as arbitrary micro-zoning of elective positions in the 10th National Assembly to individuals.

It is therefore incumbent on a political party's fathers to weigh options and rise up to the responsibility of cushioning the impact of whatever internal conflicts that may arise without allowing external influences to drive its affairs.

Obviously, the Labour Party went into the 2023 general elections without deliberately healing its internal grievances, which initially led to the setting up of a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee.

Amid the then budding crisis in the party, Labour Party had constituted two committees; a disciplinary committee to handle Ogun State Executive crisis and another tagged the Labour Party Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee (LPSPCRC) to handle every other matter that has to do with grievances and mischief within the party.

It is then very obvious that the current crisis stems from the inability of the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the party, which constituted the eleven eminent members Committee headed by Chief Friday Toyin Ibadin, to resolve the then brewing crisis despite having a single terms of reference to reconcile all aggrieved members with the aim of a common front to win the 2023 general elections and Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed becoming the President and vice President of Nigeria.

It is therefore expedient that the party elders return the warring parties to the path of reconciliation as the current rigid approach to the conflict resolution will most likely tear the party apart.

It has been observed that both parties in the leadership conflict have turned the ongoing Presidential Election Petition before the tribunal as their major area of propaganda whereas the provisions of the law is clear on withdrawal of such petitions.

The Electoral Act 2022 under Withdrawal and Abatement of Petition, reads: Section 29. (1) An election petition shall not be withdrawn without leave of the tribunal or court. (2) Where the petitioners are more than one, no application for leave to withdraw the election petition shall be made, except with the consent of all the petitioners.

The CNPP, therefore, advises the warring factions in the ongoing Labour Party leadership crisis to pursue common grounds for reconciliation rather than resorting to deployment of propaganda tools, using the election petitions at various Election Petition Tribunals across the country, as baits to gain support, the CNPP stated.
The opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) says it can rely on the Ghana Police Service for security in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

In a remark after the partys primaries on Saturday dawn, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia who appeared satisfied with the police handling of security in the partys internal polls said: We can rely on your professionalism when we approach the next elections

He thanked the Ghana Police Service for displaying the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and sense of duty in the weekend polls held by the largest opposition party.

He indicated that the orderly electoral process recorded no security breach insisting the police were effective in the discharge of their duties in the primaries.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested eight (8) suspects throughout the country for various election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the NDC held on Saturday, 13th April 2023.

The suspects, Yaro Burdove, Harrison Martey, Imoro Ibrahim, Arkoli Mensah, Nyarko Richard, Prince Lomotey, Hamidu Dramani, and Bejando Emmanuel, were arrested at their various voting centres across four constituencies in the country.

Classfmonline.com
14.05.2023 LISTEN

Defense cooperation between the USA and Bangladesh has made significant progress in the last few years. It is depicted in the exchange of visits between the leaders of the two countries, as well as the conduct of training programs, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). India has always cherished its close ties with Bangladesh and at the same time works to strengthen its ties while contributing to Bangladeshs development agenda. Bangladesh has become important partner under US flagship Indo Pacific Strategy policy. Cooperation between the two countries is extensive in all areas including trade and commerce, power and energy, science and technology, defense and security, maritime affairs, climate change and sustainable development.

Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed left for the United States on an official visit on Sunday at the invitation of the US Army to attend a military conference in Honolulu Hawaii.

Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate in a press release stated that the army chief, during his visit, would participate in the Land Forces Pacific, better known as LANPAC, Conference to be held between May 16 and May 18.

The ISPR stated that the aim of the conference is to create an atmosphere of mutual trust, develop professional relations and strengthen the regional security system through the development of relations among the land forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Apart from participating in the conference, the army chief would hold bilateral meetings with other army chiefs and other high-ranking military officials from different countries and discuss various issues of mutual cooperation.

This is his third official visit to the US after becoming the chief. In September 2021, the army chief went to the US on a week-long visit to join the 12th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference taken at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu in Hawaii with chiefs of armies from around the Indo-Pacific region.

In April 2022, General Shafiuddin also visited the US at the invitation to meet US army high officials including army chief of staff and chief of national guard in Pentagon of Washington DC and officials at the defence secretary office.

General Shafiuddin participated in a roundtable on South Asian Regional Security, and met the leading personnel at the Department of Safety and Security, Department of Operational Support and Department of Political and Peace building Affairs at the United Nations Headquarters in the US.

LANPAC on their website states that the Association of the United States Armys 2023 LANPAC Symposium and Exposition is a world-class, international event highlighting the role of land forces in the Indo-Pacific theater and their contributions to the joint force in peace and war. The strategic location of Hawaii brings together government and industry representatives from their allies in the Indo-Pacific theater, it added.

The Bangladesh army chief's visit, most importantly, are taking place at a time when Bangladesh government has recently set an 'Indo-Pacific Outlook' officially, the 6th Indian Ocean Conference has ended Dhaka on May 13 stressing the need for greater among the member countries for tapping the immense potentials of the Indian ocean region. And Myanmar, Bangladesh are trying to solve the Rohingya crisis with the inspiration of Chinese mediation. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said they are seeking to provide $6 million, working with the US Congress, for regional maritime security initiatives - partnering with Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. This funding will bolster interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the Indian Ocean's South Asian sub-region, she said.

However, the visit is obviously part of the outstanding bilateral defence relations between Bangladesh and India. The BD Army chiefs visit can strengthen relations between the two armies on a bilateral level and serve as a catalyst for improved coordination and collaboration between the two nations on a variety of strategic problems. India-Bangladesh relations would reach a new level. Bangladesh could gain trust from the Indian government because India is an active member of the Indo-Pacific alliance. Bangladesh, on the other hand, can handle the Chinese predicament intelligently because its goal is to engage structurally rather than militarily. Discussions would also be held about various ways to improve the conduct of military exercises on a more rapid and decisive scale. Defence and security are significant elements of India and Bangladeshs bilateral relations, and the armed forces of the two nations cooperate and coordinate with one another on numerous levels. India can assist Bangladesh in achieving the goal of implementing Bangladeshs visionary military plan, Forces Goal 2030. This could assist in bolstering bilateral ties and reflecting better bilateral understanding. This visit is highly important for Bangladesh and India in the regionThe visit is obviously as part of the outstanding bilateral defense relations between Bangladesh and USA. The two may discuss ways to enhance and strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.

BD Army chief this visit can strengthen relations between the two armies on a bilateral level and served as a catalyst for improved coordination and collaboration between the two nations on a variety of strategic problems. US-Bangladesh relations would reach a new level. Bangladesh could gain trust from the US government because US is an active member of the Indo-Pacific alliance. Bangladesh, on the other hand, can handle the Chinese predicament intelligently because its goal is to engage structurally rather than militarily. Bangladesh essentially sets an example for the other littoral nations by outlining its Indo-Pacific orientation . Bangladesh government has recently set an outlook for peace in the Indo-Pacific through dialogue and understanding. The foreign ministry of Bangladesh published the guidelines and objectives for the region at a press conference recently ahead of Prime Minister Hasinas key visit to Japan, the US and the UK. The army chief has recently completed his India visit to strengthen strategic ties. His US visit is also seen very important strategically for the region because India and US are strategic allied in the region.

Bangladesh has to clarify its position on the Indo-Pacific so that no one can misunderstand or mislead. As a result, Bangladesh has moved to a better position. Because there will be important bilateral discussions with the BD Army chiefs during his visit to USA. Before this, USA clearly knew Bangladeshs position on the Indo-Pacific. The countrys relationship with Bangladesh will move forward based on this position.

Bangladesh is now inching closer to embracing the Indo-Pacific Strategy. However, Bangladesh has never strayed from its founding principle of nonalignment and wisdom drawn from its independence hero Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which can be summed up as Friendship to all and malice toward none.

Bangladesh essentially aims to balance relations with rival states. Many explain that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not keep eggs in one basket. Thus, she wants to maintain diplomatic, economic and strategic partnerships albeit unequally with the United States, Russia, China, European Union, Arabs and of course India.

Bangladesh is a key ally of the United States in South Asia. On issues including as regional and global security, counter-terrorism, and climate change, the two countries enjoy substantial collaboration. Bangladesh has played an important role in the Obama administrations major international development projects, including as food security, healthcare, and the environment. In 2012, the two countries inked a strategic conversation agreement. In 2015, Marcia Bernicat, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, praised relations as vibrant, multifaceted, and important.

The United States strategy with Bangladesh places a premium on political stability, human rights, and democracy. Bangladesh is also seen by the United States as a moderate Muslim friend among Islamic countries.

One of Bangladeshs most important strategic military partners is the United States. Defense cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh is growing day by day. Regular joint exercises are performed, particularly in the Bay of Bengal. The United States Pacific Command engages the Bangladesh Armed Forces on a regular basis. The US also assisted in the formation of the Bangladesh Navys elite SWADS marine unit, which is fashioned after American and South Korean special forces.

Bangladesh is the greatest donor to UN peacekeeping operations in the world. Bangladeshi peacekeeping missions have benefited greatly from the sponsorship of the United States.

Strong and expanding economic ties between the two nations are the bedrock of the US-Bangladesh relationship. Bangladesh has suddenly developed into one of the worlds fastest growing economies during the previous five decades. Bangladesh is on track to become the worlds 24th largest economy in 10 years, with an expected growth rate of 7.2 percent in 2022. Bangladeshs growth and resiliency are built on development and foreign direct investment, and the United States remains a dedicated partner.

Bangladesh is located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific, a region that the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized for economic connectivity, bilateral relations are also focused on shared democratic values, free enterprise, resilient supply chains, and the prosperity and health of both countries people.

We see major areas of engagement that may be strengthened to deepen defense and security cooperation as both celebrate 51 years of US-Bangladesh relations on April 04, 2023.

This was notably true during the pandemic, when Bangladesh delivered over 6 million pieces of personal protective equipment to the United States during the first catastrophic wave of Covid-19.

However, 2021 was a challenging year for relations between the United States and Bangladesh. Washington had imposed sanctions on Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and several current and former officers for a long history of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings on December 10, 2021. Then there were ups and down between Bangladesh-US relations.

Amidst these, the signing of a draft defense cooperation agreement during Nulands visit to Dhaka exemplifies that effort. However, Washington may continue to regard Dhaka as a security partner in the region. US now wants to build a strategic relation with Bangladesh.

President of the United States, Joe Biden, has voiced his belief earliar that the Dhaka-Washington relationship will thrive for the next 50 years and beyond.

In a letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he noted that Our defense cooperation is stronger than ever, the US president said, adding that the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy are essential allies in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific area, as well as contributing to the regional fight to combat human and illicit drug trafficking.

According to the US government websites, Bangladesh has received $66.9 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and $7.29 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) aid from the United States since 2015. FMF funding includes $10 million in bilateral programs and $56.9 million in regional FMF for the Bay of Bengal Initiative. Through FMF support, the Department of States Bay of Bengal Initiative aims to improve civilian and military actors capacity to detect illicit activity within their borders and in the region, build networks and habits of cooperation to allow countries to share information, develop their capacity to respond quickly to illicit activity, and support our partners in enabling a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean Region.

In support of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, US security aid to Bangladesh has improved maritime security, freedom of navigation, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response capabilities. These funds have been used to purchase patrol boats for the Bangladesh Army, additional patrol vessels for the Navy, international peacekeeping and border security missions; electronic and mechanical upgrades to the Bangladesh Navys fast patrol boats and former US Coast Guard cutters; technical and professional training for Bangladesh military and Coast Guard personnel; and joint military exercises. This assistance has helped Bangladesh significantly in its efforts to improve its marine domain knowledge and control.

This visit could help strengthen bilateral defense ties. Bilateral defense ties may boost up bilateral relations. USA needs Bangladesh in the region and vice versa. This visit conveyed the message that despite having some bilateral problems, both countries are very interested to strengthen further bilateral ties. This may help solve bilateral problems. Bangladesh and USA must engage as trusted partners to deal with some common problems.

UN officials showed an interest in sending more Bangladeshi peacekeepers to the UN. The Bangladesh army leader requested that the Bangladeshi contingents of the UN peacekeeping force replace their old weapons and equipment with new weaponry and equipment sourced from Bangladesh.

During the meetings, the army chief may emphasize Bangladeshs constitutional commitment to world peace and raised issues of Bangladeshs interest in UN peacekeeping operations, such as the recruitment of more Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including women, the appointment of high-ranking military officials in various peacekeeping operations, participation in peacekeeping missions co-pledging with other countries, the deployment of armed personnel carriers from Bangladesh, and the recruitment of armed personnel carriers from Bangladesh.

The United States intends to help Bangladesh modernize and institutionalize its armed forces by supplying defense equipment and training.

The United States emphasized the signing of two defense accords  GSOMIA and ACSA  that serve as foundations for defense trade and cooperation.

However, the majority of the US military assistance to Bangladesh is in the form of training for defense professionals and joint exercises between two forces. The United States Pacific Command engages the Bangladesh Armed Forces on a regular basis. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper paid a visit to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed military cooperation between the two countries, among other things. Bangladesh army chief paid his US visit this month after the successful completion of Security Partnership Dialogue in April. 2022 in Dhaka. This visit is very significant for Bangladesh and USA in the region. The USA and Bangladesh has strengthened their defense ties further through this visit.

Mehjabin Bhanu is Bangladeshi culuminst, security and strategic affairs analyst, teacher.
14.05.2023 LISTEN

14th May 2023. World Animal Protection is deeply saddened and appalled by the recent incident in which six lions from Amboseli National Park were cruelly killed following an alleged break-in at the nearby Nashipa village in Kajiado Sub-County. This tragic event comes just days after four other lions were killed, bringing the total number of lions killed in the Amboseli Ecosystem to a devastating ten (10).

While we understand and empathize with the losses incurred by the community, we strongly condemn the cruel act of killing lions without considering alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. We appeal to the community to demonstrate compassion and respect towards wildlife. Furthermore, we urge them to refrain from invading wildlife territories, as habitat loss and depletion of natural food sources within the ecosystem may force wild animals to seek sustenance in nearby areas.

This distressing incident serves as a stark reminder that wildlife have a right to a wild life and there can never be a peaceful coexistence between wild animals and humans if either keeps encroaching on the others ecosystem. To avert such tragic occurrences happening in future, we call upon the authorities tasked with the protection of wild animals to be proactive in safeguarding these magnificent creatures.

World Animal Protection is committed to advocating for the welfare and protection of animals worldwide. We stand ready to collaborate with local communities, government authorities, and relevant stakeholders to promote sustainable practices that protect wildlife.
Flagbearer-elect of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has extended his deepest appreciation to delegates and supporters of the NDC for reposing their confidence in him by voting for him to lead the party into the 2024 general elections.

In a live telecast on his Facebook page to the rank and file of the party, Mr. Mahama thanked his competitors and called for unity among the winners and losers of the parliamentary primaries to work toward securing victory from the New Patriotic Party.

Mr. Mahama is expected to deliver his official victory speech at the University for Development Studies in Tamale on Monday, May 15.

The former president secured 98.9 percent of the votes at the NDCs primaries held over the weekend.

He was in the race with Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu until the former pulled out a few hours before the Saturday, May 13 primaries.

Below is Mahamas full speech

I am humbled by the overwhelming confidence reposed in me by the party. I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks, and months without fatalities can only be by Gods special favor.

My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour. In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers across the country to vote in our partys presidential and parliamentary primaries.

I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobia who pulled out to support me in this contest. Their taking part in this primary has cemented our partys enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in our dear Ghana.

Let us disagree to agree but let us keep our collective sides firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss in which we find our country. I also ask for cooperation among our elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in all the constituencies across the country. Our part is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intraparty contest.

I want to thank my campaign and operational team for keeping their focus and delivering a clean campaign. I want to thank our donors and financiers for your support and to thank the media for propagating our message and all our religious and traditional leaders who prayed on our behalf for the peace and success we have achieved today.

On Monday, at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, I will join a teaming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general to deliver my formal acceptance speech. I will see you in Tamale and may God bless us all and thank you for your kind attention.

citinewsroom
Ethos Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Texas Pacific Land Co. (NYSE:TPL  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 bought 530 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,242,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Fred Alger Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land during the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors own 58.95% of the companys stock.

Get Texas Pacific Land alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on TPL. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Texas Pacific Land from $1,396.00 to $1,399.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Texas Pacific Land in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Texas Pacific Land Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TPL traded up $1.53 during trading on Friday, reaching $1,365.80. 15,902 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 43,845. The company has a 50 day moving average of $1,616.82 and a 200-day moving average of $2,028.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.23 and a beta of 1.87. Texas Pacific Land Co. has a 12 month low of $1,317.37 and a 12 month high of $2,739.00.

Texas Pacific Land (NYSE:TPL  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 22nd. The financial services provider reported $12.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $15.14 by ($2.20). The business had revenue of $152.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $171.71 million. Equities research analysts predict that Texas Pacific Land Co. will post 54.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Texas Pacific Land Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 8th will be paid a $3.25 dividend. This represents a $13.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 7th. Texas Pacific Lands dividend payout ratio is currently 23.06%.

Texas Pacific Land Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Texas Pacific Land Corp. operates as a landowner in the State of Texas. Its surface and royalty ownership allow revenue generation through the entire value chain of oil and gas development, including through fixed fee payments for use of the firms land, revenue for sales of materials used in the construction of infrastructure, providing sourced water and treated produced water, revenue from its oil and gas royalty interests, and revenues related to saltwater disposal on land.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Texas Pacific Land Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Texas Pacific Land and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
A child custody dispute earlier this week outside a residence near Lake Louisa led to a fatal shooting.

Louisa County investigators say that 29-year-old Louisa County resident Alex Daniel Brown was killed by gunfire Tuesday afternoon. 36-year old David Allen Branham of Madison County was arrested later that day for the shooting.

Branham and and Brown were involved in a Madison-based child-custody dispute, according to the Louisa County Sheriffs Office.

Detective Chuck Love says that around 3:20 p.m deputies were summoned around to a shots-fired report in the 700 block of South Lakeshore Drive, which is the road that hugs the southern banks of Lake Louisa. Love said that the investigation showed that Branham initially opened fire into a vehicle occupied by several people and that Brown emerged from the vehicle only to be fatally injured by additional gunfire.

The victim was able to exit the vehicle, and it went from there, Love told the Daily Progress.

Witness accounts led investigators to Branham, who was charged with second degree murder in the death of Brown and a charge of attempted malicious wounding for firing into the occupied vehicle, said Love. He said that additional charges against Branham are pending.

All these individuals were familiar with each other  not a random act, said Love.

Branham was taken to Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange, where he is being held without bail. Court records do not yet indicate an attorney for Branham, who is slated to appear in Louisa General District Court on May 16.

A previous version of the story incorrectly placed the scene of the shooting as Lake Anna.
Alexander & Baldwin (NYSE:ALEX  Get Rating) and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:RIOCF  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Alexander & Baldwin and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Get Alexander & Baldwin alerts:

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Alexander & Baldwin -18.24% 3.36% 2.00% RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Alexander & Baldwin pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.3%. Alexander & Baldwin pays out -112.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust pays out 57.3% 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. Alexander & Baldwin has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Alexander & Baldwin 0 1 0 0 2.00 RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust 0 0 2 0 3.00

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Alexander & Baldwin and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Alexander & Baldwin currently has a consensus price target of $20.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.64%. RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust has a consensus price target of $24.85, indicating a potential upside of 64.24%. Given RioCan Real Estate Investment Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust is more favorable than Alexander & Baldwin.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

85.6% of Alexander & Baldwin shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.6% of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of Alexander & Baldwin shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Alexander & Baldwin and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trusts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Alexander & Baldwin $221.70 million 6.08 -$50.60 million ($0.78) -23.82 RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A $2.46 6.14

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Alexander & Baldwin. Alexander & Baldwin is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

About Alexander & Baldwin

(Get Rating)

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. engages in real estate business. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Real Estate, Land Operations, and Materials and Construction. The Commercial Real Estate segment includes investments and acquisitions, construction and development, in-house leasing and property management, and asset management. The Land Operations segment consists of legacy assets and landholdings that are subject to the companys simplification and monetization effort. The Materials and Construction segment deals with asphalt paving contractor and natural materials and infrastructure construction services. The company was founded by Samuel Thomas Alexander and Henry Perrine Baldwin on 1870 and is headquartered in Honolulu, HI.

About RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

(Get Rating)

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust is a closed-end trust engaged in owning, development, and management of retail-focused properties. Its property portfolio includes mixed-use or urban, grocery anchored, open air, and enclosed centers. The company was founded by Edward Sonshine on July 10, 1981 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Receive News & Ratings for Alexander & Baldwin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexander & Baldwin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE  Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,600,000 shares, an increase of 41.3% from the April 15th total of 1,840,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 883,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Approximately 3.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Allegion from $108.00 to $119.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Allegion from $130.00 to $116.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Allegion from $130.00 to $126.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Allegion from $138.00 to $119.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Allegion from $129.00 to $120.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $120.22.

Get Allegion alerts:

Allegion Stock Performance

ALLE stock opened at $108.72 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $105.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $109.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.56 billion, a PE ratio of 19.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.09. Allegion has a fifty-two week low of $87.33 and a fifty-two week high of $123.46.

Allegion Announces Dividend

Allegion ( NYSE:ALLE Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.23. Allegion had a return on equity of 61.34% and a net margin of 14.07%. The firm had revenue of $923.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $846.29 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.07 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 27.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Allegion will post 6.63 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Allegions dividend payout ratio is 32.55%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Jeffrey N. Braun sold 2,278 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.34, for a total value of $251,354.52. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,336 shares in the company, valued at $1,250,814.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Allegion

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Allegion during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Allegion during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Allegion during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Allegion by 55.0% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 296 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Allegion by 134.1% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 309 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.78% of the companys stock.

Allegion Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Allegion Plc engages in the provision of security products and solutions that keep people safe, secure, and productive. It operates through the Allegion Americas and Allegion International segments. Its brands include CISA, Interflex, LCN, Schlage, SimonsVoss, and Von Duprin. The company was founded on May 9, 2013 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Allegion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Allegion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 861,000 shares, a drop of 13.5% from the April 15th total of 995,900 shares. Approximately 1.9% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 395,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,401 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $480,000 after buying an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,317 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $249,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 7,183 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 42,673 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,927,000 after buying an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Xponance Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,317 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $308,000 after buying an additional 184 shares in the last quarter.

Get Armstrong World Industries alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on AWI shares. Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Armstrong World Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $77.00 to $78.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $90.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Armstrong World Industries presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $83.63.

Armstrong World Industries Stock Performance

NYSE:AWI traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $65.46. The company had a trading volume of 285,108 shares, compared to its average volume of 378,883. Armstrong World Industries has a 52 week low of $64.94 and a 52 week high of $94.94. The firms 50 day moving average price is $69.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $73.10. The company has a current ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firm has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.11.

Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.06. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 16.32% and a return on equity of 41.94%. The firm had revenue of $310.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $310.86 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.02 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Armstrong World Industries will post 4.87 EPS for the current year.

Armstrong World Industries Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 4th will be given a dividend of $0.254 per share. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 3rd. Armstrong World Industriess payout ratio is 22.60%.

Armstrong World Industries Company Profile

(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.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Aviva PLC decreased its position in shares of Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Get Rating) by 32.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 207,481 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 97,843 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Hess were worth $29,425,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,928,530 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,310,590,000 after acquiring an additional 667,979 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 18,783,175 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,047,178,000 after acquiring an additional 159,750 shares in the last quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 9,372,740 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,021,535,000 after acquiring an additional 50,900 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 11.4% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 7,842,807 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $854,786,000 after acquiring an additional 801,336 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 51.5% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,493,096 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $816,673,000 after acquiring an additional 2,546,257 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.06% of the companys stock.

Get Hess alerts:

Insider Transactions at Hess

In other news, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.40, for a total value of $993,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 116,346 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,404,210.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP Richard D. Lynch sold 33,191 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.84, for a total value of $4,608,238.44. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 23,622 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,279,678.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.40, for a total value of $993,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 116,346 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,404,210.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 53,721 shares of company stock worth $7,391,691 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 9.93% of the companys stock.

Hess Stock Performance

Shares of Hess stock opened at $132.79 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $135.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $140.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02 and a beta of 1.57. Hess Co. has a one year low of $90.34 and a one year high of $160.52.

Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $2.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.37 billion. Hess had a return on equity of 25.85% and a net margin of 18.47%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.30 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Hess Co. will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hess Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 13th were paid a $0.438 dividend. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 10th. This is an increase from Hesss previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. Hesss payout ratio is presently 25.07%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HES has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com downgraded Hess from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Hess from $139.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Barclays lifted their target price on Hess from $160.00 to $174.00 in a report on Thursday, March 16th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Hess from $179.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Hess from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $161.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, January 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hess presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $168.94.

Hess Profile

(Get Rating)

Hess Corp is an exploration and production company, which engages in exploration, development, production, transportation, purchase & sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas with production operations. It operates through the following segments: Exploration and Production and Midstream.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HES? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Hess Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hess and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCB  Get Rating) in a research report report published on Wednesday. The firm issued a hold rating on the banks stock.

Banco Itau Chile Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 0.98. Banco Itau Chile has a 12-month low of $2.50 and a 12-month high of $3.94. The businesss 50-day moving average is $3.49 and its 200 day moving average is $3.30.

Get Banco Itau Chile alerts:

Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCB  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The bank reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $311.23 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $426.47 million. Banco Itau Chile had a return on equity of 14.11% and a net margin of 12.62%. Sell-side analysts predict that Banco Itau Chile will post 0.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Itau Chile Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 19th were issued a dividend of $0.165 per share. This is an increase from Banco Itau Chiles previous annual dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 4.78%. Banco Itau Chiles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.37%.

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Banco Itau Chile stock. Northern Trust Corp bought a new position in shares of Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCB  Get Rating) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 11,830 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.20% of the companys stock.

About Banco Itau Chile

(Get Rating)

Banco Itau Chile engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It specializes in banking products such as financing, leasing, loans, insurance and credit cards. It operates through the following geographical segments: Chile and Colombia. The Chile segment consists of commercial and corporate banking, real estate and construction, large companies, retail banking, personal banking, small business, retail companies, Banco Condell consumer banking, international and treasury and other financial services.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Banco Itau Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Itau Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Barclays downgraded shares of Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Rating) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report report published on Thursday, The Fly reports. They currently have $450.00 price objective on the aerospace companys stock, down from their prior price objective of $580.00.

NOC has been the topic of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Northrop Grumman from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $440.00 to $375.00 in a report on Friday, January 13th. Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $615.00 to $535.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $626.00 to $601.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Seaport Res Ptn restated a buy rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $700.00 to $655.00 in a research report on Sunday, January 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $509.00.

Get Northrop Grumman alerts:

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 0.7 %

NOC stock opened at $438.76 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.63 billion, a PE ratio of 14.19, a PEG ratio of 5.15 and a beta of 0.50. Northrop Grumman has a 1-year low of $430.93 and a 1-year high of $556.27. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $459.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $486.16.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The aerospace company reported $5.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.16 by $0.34. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 12.89% and a return on equity of 26.61%. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $6.10 EPS. Northrop Grummans quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman will post 22.6 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, February 27th were paid a $1.73 dividend. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 24th. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.39%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP David T. Perry sold 3,999 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.65, for a total value of $1,878,130.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 8,717 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,093,939.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP David T. Perry sold 3,999 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.65, for a total value of $1,878,130.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 8,717 shares in the company, valued at $4,093,939.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 2,810 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $467.58, for a total value of $1,313,899.80. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 16,240 shares in the company, valued at $7,593,499.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 10,534 shares of company stock valued at $4,934,622. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $79,139,000. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 2,147 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $992,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Huber Capital Management LLC raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 47.0% during the 1st quarter. Huber Capital Management LLC now owns 15,004 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $6,928,000 after purchasing an additional 4,800 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 66.2% during the 1st quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 1,644 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 655 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smith Moore & CO. raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 1,861 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $859,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.32% of the companys stock.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Northrop Grumman Corp. engages in the provision of advanced aircraft systems. It operates through the following segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. The Aeronautics Systems segment is involved in the design, development, production, integration, sustainment, and modernization of advanced aircraft systems for the U.S.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Rating) had its target price raised by Stephens from $39.00 to $43.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on BRBR. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of BellRing Brands from $32.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $38.00 price objective on shares of BellRing Brands in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Needham & Company LLC upped their price objective on shares of BellRing Brands from $40.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of BellRing Brands from $34.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of BellRing Brands from $35.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $40.15.

Get BellRing Brands alerts:

BellRing Brands Price Performance

NYSE BRBR opened at $36.38 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $33.74 and a 200 day moving average of $29.17. The company has a market capitalization of $4.86 billion, a PE ratio of 33.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.87. BellRing Brands has a 1 year low of $20.20 and a 1 year high of $37.55.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BellRing Brands

BellRing Brands ( NYSE:BRBR Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.04. BellRing Brands had a net margin of 8.29% and a negative return on equity of 36.56%. The firm had revenue of $385.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $371.26 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that BellRing Brands will post 1.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in BellRing Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in BellRing Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in BellRing Brands during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in BellRing Brands by 1,088.7% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,367 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 1,252 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its holdings in BellRing Brands by 685.2% during the 1st quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 1,617 shares in the last quarter. 92.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About BellRing Brands

(Get Rating)

BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States and internationally. It offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. The company sells its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for BellRing Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BellRing Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,300 shares, an increase of 40.7% from the April 15th total of 5,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 54,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fiera Capital Corp bought a new position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $4,600,000. Logan Stone Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 1,655.8% during the 4th quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 209,732 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,112,000 after acquiring an additional 197,787 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 25.1% during the 4th quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 505,847 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,094,000 after acquiring an additional 101,612 shares during the period. Robinson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,050,000. Finally, Karpus Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 61.8% during the 1st quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 211,094 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,195,000 after acquiring an additional 80,652 shares during the period.

Get BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust alerts:

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $10.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.28. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a 52 week low of $9.06 and a 52 week high of $11.96.

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Dividend Announcement

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Company Profile

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.031 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $0.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of .

(Get Rating)

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. The company was founded on March 30, 2001 and is headquartered in Wilmington, DE.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Camarda Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) by 36.5% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 13,358 shares of the energy companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,572 shares during the period. Camarda Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $822,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DVN. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the first quarter valued at $364,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the first quarter valued at $188,000. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 52.1% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 99,120 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $5,861,000 after buying an additional 33,936 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 9.2% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 414,354 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $24,500,000 after buying an additional 34,870 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.08% of the companys stock.

Get Devon Energy alerts:

Devon Energy Stock Performance

NYSE DVN opened at $47.52 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $51.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 2.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.25. Devon Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $44.03 and a fifty-two week high of $79.40.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $3.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.82 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 52.20% and a net margin of 31.38%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.88 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Devon Energy Co. will post 6.5 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Susquehanna cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $79.00 to $72.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on 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. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $80.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price objective on Devon Energy from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned 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 $70.68.

Insider Activity

In other Devon Energy news, Director John E. Bethancourt purchased 3,765 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $53.06 per share, with a total value of $199,770.90. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 94,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,023,137.14. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Devon Energy news, Director John E. Bethancourt purchased 3,765 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $53.06 per share, with a total value of $199,770.90. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 94,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,023,137.14. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 7,179 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.77, for a total value of $393,193.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 262,498 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,377,015.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

About Devon Energy

(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.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC trimmed its position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV  Get Rating) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 47,046 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,118 shares during the quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core High Dividend ETF were worth $4,937,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cowa LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 9,674.3% in the first quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 3,820,695 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,084,000 after acquiring an additional 3,781,606 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co bought a new position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $50,773,000. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 17.4% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,610,914 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $272,162,000 after purchasing an additional 387,265 shares during the period. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 987.4% in the 4th quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 352,815 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $36,777,000 after purchasing an additional 320,370 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 9.7% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,553,263 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $233,088,000 after purchasing an additional 225,301 shares during the period.

Get iShares Core High Dividend ETF alerts:

iShares Core High Dividend ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:HDV traded up $0.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $99.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 424,274 shares, compared to its average volume of 760,144. The firm has a market cap of $10.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 0.81. iShares Core High Dividend ETF has a 12 month low of $91.24 and a 12 month high of $109.88. The company has a 50-day moving average of $101.09 and a 200-day moving average of $103.25.

About iShares Core High Dividend ETF

The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus index. The fund tracks a dividend-weighted index of 75 high-yielding US equities, screened for high earnings potential and dividend sustainability. HDV was launched on Mar 29, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HDV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Over the years, retired educator Ashby Kindler would read stories about the Hatton Ferry with a mix of amusement and consternation. The frequent refrain that the man-powered James River crossing near Scottsville was Americas last poled ferry stuck in her craw, so she finally decided to speak up.

Over the years, there have been numerous stories that all say its the last pole-powered ferry in the country, but it just isnt, Kindler told The Daily Progress.

Kindler said shes made dozens if not hundreds of crossings on another poled ferry, the one that crosses the Greeenbrier River at Camp Alleghany for Girls near Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Its a really integral part of Camp Alleghany, said Kindler. I started there in 1972 and spent three years as a camper and eight years as a counselor.

The Hatton Ferry began in 1870 with a court order from Buckingham County to give farmers a way to haul their harvests to the James River and Kanawha Canal, whose towpath tracked the north bank of the James River.

By contrast, the ferry crossing the Greenbrier River at Camp Alleghany may be no more 102 years old, and it isnt focused on commerce, and its called the Barge, according to the camps director, Elizabeth Shreckhise.

The Barge is a unique feature to our camp, Shreckhise told The Daily Progress. Its our entrance, its our doorway.

A rustic institution that boards its campers in tents pitched atop platforms, Camp Alleghany uses the Barge for transporting girls and vehicles across the water. Its also for transporting attitudes, said Shreckhise.

Youre not just pulling right up in the parking lot, hopping out and youre at camp, said Shreckhise. Its slow, and theres an emotional part of it.

Shreckhise said that the Barge, backed by mountains on both banks of the river, provides a dramatic way to emphasize the importance of stepping away from gossip, exclusivity and electronic devices.

The pressures of society, peer pressure, social media and all that gets left on the other side of the river, said Shreckhise. We actually use that phrase, You leave that on the other side of the river.

Kindler recalled what else would get left when she would try to return to camp after midnight.

If you didnt get back to camp on time, you swam that river because nobody was poling that Barge after one in the morning.

The existence of the ferry at Camp Alleghany was news to Tom Chapman, director of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, which operates the Hatton Ferry.

Ive not heard of that, Chapman told The Daily Progress.

He said that his predecessors at the helm of the society would send out inquiries to transportation officials across the United States checking on the status of other poled ferries.

It was common technology for centuries, said Chapman. These public ferries have slowly dwindled in terms of their usefulness for transportation.

While the use of the Camp Alleghany Barge is restricted to campers, staff and guests, the Hatton Ferry is open to the public on warm-weather weekends and accessible via public roads. And thanks to a recent $105,000 endowment, its operation as a free jaunt across the James seems secure.

However, the messaging may change.

We will definitely amend our marketing, said Chapman. We want to be accurate with what were saying.
Coty (NYSE:COTY  Get Rating) had its target price upped by Stifel Nicolaus from $11.00 to $12.00 in a report released on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on COTY. Wells Fargo & Company upped 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. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Coty from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Coty in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Coty from $12.00 to $13.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $13.00 price objective on shares of Coty in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Five 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, Coty presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $12.44.

Get Coty alerts:

Coty Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of Coty stock opened at $11.23 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $9.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.15, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.85. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $11.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. Coty has a twelve month low of $5.90 and a twelve month high of $12.64.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Coty

Coty ( NYSE:COTY Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.16. Coty had a return on equity of 8.83% and a net margin of 2.51%. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.03 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Coty will post 0.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Coty by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 52,307,085 shares of the companys stock valued at $330,581,000 after buying an additional 599,631 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Coty by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,323,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,202,000 after purchasing an additional 883,215 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. raised its holdings in shares of Coty by 34.8% in the 1st quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 20,726,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $249,956,000 after purchasing an additional 5,349,203 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Coty by 123.3% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 16,862,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $151,598,000 after purchasing an additional 9,311,527 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Coty by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,742,363 shares of the companys stock worth $83,397,000 after acquiring an additional 267,130 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 37.10% of the companys stock.

Coty Company Profile

(Get Rating)

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.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Coty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Advanced Oxygen Technologies (OTCMKTS:AOXY  Get Rating) and Land Securities Group (OTCMKTS:LSGOF  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and profitability.

Risk and Volatility

Advanced Oxygen Technologies has a beta of -0.64, indicating that its share price is 164% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Land Securities Group has a beta of 1.29, indicating that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Get Advanced Oxygen Technologies alerts:

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Advanced Oxygen Technologies and Land Securities Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Advanced Oxygen Technologies $40,000.00 13.57 $60,000.00 N/A N/A Land Securities Group $927.76 million 6.19 $1.19 billion N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

Land Securities Group has higher revenue and earnings than Advanced Oxygen Technologies.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Advanced Oxygen Technologies and Land Securities Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Advanced Oxygen Technologies 0 0 0 0 N/A Land Securities Group 0 0 1 0 3.00

Profitability

This table compares Advanced Oxygen Technologies and Land Securities Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Advanced Oxygen Technologies 2.16% 0.25% 0.12% Land Securities Group N/A N/A N/A

About Advanced Oxygen Technologies

(Get Rating)

Advanced Oxygen Technologies, Inc. which through its subsidiary, engages in owning commercial real estate properties. It operates through the following segments: ANV Lease, Sharxs, and Corporate. The ANV segment leases land in Denmark by long term leases. The Sharxs segment generates commissions for the sale cargo security products. The Corporate segments does not generate revenues, but has administrative expenses. The company was founded by Kurt Sondergaard in 1981 and is headquartered in Randolph, VT.

About Land Securities Group

(Get Rating)

Land Securities Group Plc is a real estate investment trust. The firm engages in owning, developing and managing offices, shopping centers, and retail parks. It operates through the Central London, Regional Retail, Urban Opportunities, and Subscale Sectors segments. The Central London segment includes all assets geographically located within central London. The Regional Retail segment includes all regional shopping centres and shops outside London and outlets. The Urban Opportunities segment includes assets for capital investment. The Subscale Sectors segment mainly includes assets that will not be a focus for capital investment and consists of leisure and hotel assets and retail parks. The company was founded by Harold Samuel on February 15, 1944 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Receive News & Ratings for Advanced Oxygen Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Advanced Oxygen Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its position in shares of CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS  Get Rating) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 173,596 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after acquiring an additional 737 shares during the period. CVS Health comprises approximately 1.2% of Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in CVS Health were worth $16,177,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P lifted its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 92.9% during the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 377,875 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $38,245,000 after purchasing an additional 181,966 shares during the last quarter. United Bank lifted its stake in CVS Health by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 18,658 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $1,888,000 after acquiring an additional 1,260 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its position in CVS Health by 4,063.8% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 12,075 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 11,785 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in CVS Health by 116.9% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,572 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $260,000 after purchasing an additional 1,386 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in CVS Health in the 1st quarter worth about $1,551,000. 77.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get CVS Health alerts:

CVS Health Stock Performance

CVS stock opened at $68.58 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $74.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $86.51. CVS Health Co. has a 1-year low of $68.10 and a 1-year high of $107.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market cap of $87.92 billion, a PE ratio of 22.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.61.

CVS Health Dividend Announcement

CVS Health ( NYSE:CVS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The pharmacy operator reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.07 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $85.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $80.67 billion. CVS Health had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 1.20%. The firms revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.22 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that CVS Health Co. will post 8.61 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st were paid a $0.605 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 20th. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.53%. CVS Healths payout ratio is 79.87%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on CVS. TheStreet lowered CVS Health from a b rating to a c rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. UBS Group reduced their price objective on CVS Health from $102.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on CVS Health from $95.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on CVS Health in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. They set an overweight rating and a $87.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com lowered CVS Health from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $110.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at CVS Health

In other CVS Health news, CEO Karen S. Lynch bought 14,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $69.75 per share, with a total value of $976,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 431,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,089,592. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

CVS Health Profile

(Get Rating)

CVS Health Corp. is a health solutions company, which engages in the provision of healthcare services. It operates through the following segments: Pharmacy Services, Retail or Long-Term Care, Health Care Benefits, and Corporate and Other. The Pharmacy Services segment focuses on the pharmacy benefit management solutions.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for CVS Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CVS Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DPZUF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 67,400 shares, an increase of 18.9% from the April 15th total of 56,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Stock Performance

Shares of DPZUF traded down $1.10 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $34.11. 300 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 300. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $49.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.49. Dominos Pizza Enterprises has a 12 month low of $34.11 and a 12 month high of $35.21.

Get Domino's Pizza Enterprises alerts:

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Featured Articles

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Taiwan. It operates a network of 3,396 stores. Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited was founded in 1983 and is based in Brisbane, Australia.

Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:ETG  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 14,500 shares, an increase of 18.9% from the April 15th total of 12,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 110,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,112,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,902,000 after acquiring an additional 23,486 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,229,931 shares of the companys stock worth $19,863,000 after purchasing an additional 17,830 shares during the period. Karpus Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 64.3% during the 1st quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 837,998 shares of the companys stock worth $13,534,000 after purchasing an additional 327,892 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 581,868 shares of the companys stock worth $11,975,000 after purchasing an additional 19,114 shares during the period. Finally, McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 206.9% during the 3rd quarter. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. now owns 457,484 shares of the companys stock worth $6,903,000 after purchasing an additional 308,420 shares during the period.

Get Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund alerts:

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund Price Performance

NYSE:ETG traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $15.86. 124,515 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 118,545. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $15.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.93. Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund has a one year low of $14.37 and a one year high of $19.50.

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund Announces Dividend

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.1001 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 19th.

(Get Rating)

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.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund (NYSE:EXG  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 27,300 shares, a drop of 66.7% from the April 15th total of 82,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 594,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Institutional Trading of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EXG. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund in the first quarter valued at $123,000. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 35,284 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $343,000 after purchasing an additional 4,013 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund by 25.4% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,362 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $149,000 after purchasing an additional 3,113 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 75,272 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $731,000 after purchasing an additional 2,718 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000.

Get Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund alerts:

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of EXG stock traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $7.76. The stock had a trading volume of 538,477 shares, compared to its average volume of 590,001. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.73. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund has a twelve month low of $7.09 and a twelve month high of $9.31.

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund Announces Dividend

About Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Investors of record on Monday, May 22nd will be given a $0.0553 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 19th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.55%.

(Get Rating)

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund acts as closed-end investment fund. It intends to provide current income and gains with an objective of capital appreciation. The company was founded on February 27, 2007 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of GSK plc (NYSE:GSK  Get Rating) have earned an average rating of Hold from the fifteen research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $1,533.00.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on GSK. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on GSK from GBX 1,580 ($19.94) to GBX 1,730 ($21.83) in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of GSK from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of GSK in a research note on Sunday, February 26th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of GSK from GBX 1,350 ($17.03) to GBX 1,400 ($17.67) in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised GSK from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th.

Get GSK alerts:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC raised its position in shares of GSK by 2.1% during the first quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 51,050 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,816,000 after acquiring an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its holdings in GSK by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 13,511 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $481,000 after purchasing an additional 1,038 shares during the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new position in GSK during the 1st quarter valued at about $922,000. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of GSK by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,875 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,419,000 after purchasing an additional 3,648 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huber Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of GSK by 55.5% during the 1st quarter. Huber Capital Management LLC now owns 75,703 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,694,000 after buying an additional 27,031 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.15% of the companys stock.

GSK Trading Up 0.7 %

GSK Increases Dividend

Shares of GSK opened at $36.53 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $35.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.67. GSK has a 12-month low of $28.47 and a 12-month high of $45.14.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be given a $0.3475 dividend. This represents a $1.39 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This is a boost from GSKs previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. GSKs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.43%.

GSK Company Profile

(Get Rating)

GSK Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Operations, Research and Development, and Consumer Healthcare. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First Resource Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FRSB  Get Rating) and Shinhan Financial Group (NYSE:SHG  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, profitability, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for First Resource Bancorp and Shinhan Financial Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Get First Resource Bancorp alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Resource Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Shinhan Financial Group 0 2 0 0 2.00

Shinhan Financial Group has a consensus price target of $32.31, suggesting a potential upside of 25.09%. Given Shinhan Financial Groups higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Shinhan Financial Group is more favorable than First Resource Bancorp.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Resource Bancorp 23.70% N/A N/A Shinhan Financial Group 17.86% 9.65% 0.71%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares First Resource Bancorp and Shinhan Financial Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares First Resource Bancorp and Shinhan Financial Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Resource Bancorp $21.79 million 1.59 $5.63 million $1.90 6.21 Shinhan Financial Group $23,181.98 billion 0.00 $3.25 billion $6.53 3.96

Shinhan Financial Group has higher revenue and earnings than First Resource Bancorp. Shinhan Financial Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Resource Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

2.6% of Shinhan Financial Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Shinhan Financial Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Risk & Volatility

First Resource Bancorp has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Shinhan Financial Group has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Shinhan Financial Group beats First Resource Bancorp on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About First Resource Bancorp

(Get Rating)

First Resource Bancorp, Inc. is a holding company that engages in the provision of community banking services through its subsidiary, First Resource Bank. Its subsidiary offers lending and depository services for businesses, professionals, and individuals in the Delaware Valley. The company is headquartered in Exton, PA.

About Shinhan Financial Group

(Get Rating)

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. engages in the provision of management and financial support services to its subsidiaries. The company was founded on September 1, 2001 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Receive News & Ratings for First Resource Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Resource Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HUATF  Get Rating) saw a significant decrease in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,652,200 shares, a decrease of 14.6% from the April 15th total of 7,788,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1,415.4 days.

Huatai Securities Stock Performance

Shares of HUATF stock remained flat at 1.25 during trading hours on Friday. Huatai Securities has a 52 week low of 1.12 and a 52 week high of 1.25. The firms 50-day moving average is 1.25.

Get Huatai Securities alerts:

About Huatai Securities

(Get Rating)

See Also

Huatai Securities Co, Ltd., a security company, provides financial services in Mainland China and internationally. The company buys and sells stocks, funds, bonds, futures, and options on behalf of clients; and provides various financial products and asset allocation, margin financing, securities lending, securities-backed lending, and margin securities lending services.

Receive News & Ratings for Huatai Securities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huatai Securities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Iluka Resources Limited (OTCMKTS:ILKAY  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, an increase of 33.3% from the April 15th total of 600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.7 days.

Iluka Resources Price Performance

Shares of ILKAY stock remained flat at $38.00 on Friday. Iluka Resources has a 12 month low of $26.63 and a 12 month high of $40.00. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $34.90.

Get Iluka Resources alerts:

Iluka Resources Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Monday, March 6th were given a dividend of $0.6373 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 6.88%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 3rd. Iluka Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently -2,507.24%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

About Iluka Resources

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ILKAY. Citigroup raised Iluka Resources from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Credit Suisse Group lowered Iluka Resources from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st.

(Get Rating)

Iluka Resources Ltd. engages in the exploration, development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands products. It operates through the following segments: Jacinth-Ambrosia (JA), Cataby (C), Sierra Rutile (SRL), Mining Area C (MAC), and United States (US). The AUS segment comprises the mining operations at Jacinth-Ambrosia located in South Australia, and associated processing operations at the Narngulu mineral separation plant in mid-west Western Australia.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Iluka Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iluka Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
EMILYs List, a political action committee that supports Democratic pro-choice women candidates in elections around the country, says 55th District House of Delegates candidate Kellen Squire was not always the pro-choice Democratic candidate that he claims to be today.

But Squire said the website screenshots at the heart of the EMILYs Lists claims were the product of poor framing and meant to illustrate Republican hypocrisy.

Squire is currently a candidate in the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates 55th District, and his campaign website lists one of his positions as Protecting Abortion Access, saying: Ill be blunt here  people seeking to restrict abortion access are seeking to have women die.

EMILYs List says the screenshots from late 2016 tell a different story. In an archived screenshot by the anonymous blogger with the username ZenTrainer posted on the progressive news blog Daily Kos, Squires website reads Im fervently and unashamedly pro-life. If it were up to me, Id advocate for the addition of a plank to the Democratic party platform that we eliminate abortion in the Commonwealth of Virginia as soon as possible.

At a time when reproductive rights are under unprecedented attack, Virginians deserve a champion like Amy Laufer  not one like Kellen Squire who has proven he is willing to flip-flop on womens fundamental freedoms, Lauren Chou, deputy director of campaign communications at EMILYs List, told The Daily Progress on Monday.

But Squire said that the intention of his post was to uphold womens abortion rights.

Ill happily admit it was poor framing, meant to illustrate Republican hypocrisy, said Squire in a statement to The Daily Progress. My strategy at the time was trying to give Republican women an avenue to vote for a pro-choice Democrat in the most gerrymandered Republican district in Virginia. When it became clear that, although most people understood my intent and strategy, my framing was detrimental, I fixed it and unapologetically admitted the criticism of poor framing Id received was justified.

Squire, who is a registered nurse in the Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital emergency department in Barboursville, told The Daily Progress that he was using some Democratic counter operations techniques during his campaign against the heavily-favored Republican Del. Rob Bell in the lead-up to the 2017 election. They were techniques, according to Squire, that he learned while working for the Obama rapid response campaign team in 2008 and the Clinton campaign in 2016.

Part of what I did while preparing to run for office in 2017 was fake some screenshots and some quotes from me and stuff like that and put it out there hoping that Republicans would find them and then I could expose them as being made up in a sort of counter ops move, Squire told The Daily Progress on Monday. At the time, I never considered being in a Democratic primary.

Squire announced his current candidacy last May.

By causing confusion among the general public, the counter operations backfired, Squire said. Because when youre explaining, youre losing.

In a self-authored 2017 blog post on Daily Kos titled I aint too big to admit when I screw up, Squire wrote that he planned to take back the words pro-life from Republicans who redefined the term to mean outlawing abortion and shaming women.

I was going to hit my opponent with everything it really means to be supportive of life itself especially for vulnerable populations outside the womb, Squire wrote in the post. Those politicians have been using and manipulating people with that term pro-life for eons now, even though their policies more often than not bring misery and death.

In the post and in conversation with The Daily Progress, Squire clarified that, as an emergency room nurse who has performed live-saving emergent abortions and bedside cesarean sections, he supports womens freedom to choose 100%.

Im unabashedly pro-choice because I see, in a way no other candidate in Virginia has, the consequences the Republican war on women has had, and will continue to have, if we allow it to go forward, told The Daily Progress on Monday. I intend to take that experience to Richmond and fight to protect not just the millions of women here in Virginia, but across the South that will be looking to Virginia to stand up for them.

Before Squire, Cynthia Neff had been the last person to run against Rob Bell, the incumbent Republican delegate of what used to be the 58th District, in 2009. When Squire reached out to Neff in 2017 to get her thoughts on his plan to reclaim the term pro-life, she was wary.

I was honest with Kellen. I told him he was thinking too many steps ahead, Neff said in a statement to The Daily Progress. I said I understood what he was going for, and told him it might be the only way to win in such a gerrymandered district. But I also said explicitly that if he ever found himself in a Democratic primary one day, they wouldnt care about his intent.

Neff is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population and the AIDS/HIV Services Group, and shes also a member of the advisory council of the Legal Aid Justice Center and is co-chair of the national board for GenderPAC.

Squire lost the 2017 election, receiving nearly 39 percent of the vote to Bells 61 percent. Neff said Squire told her he never thought Albemarle County would be ungerrymandered enough to participate in a Democratic primary.

Kellen was only ever concerned about a team effort, not himself, Neff told The Daily Progress. He knew the risks of the framing he undertook in 2017, but he truly believed the effort to win back the House of Delegates was more important than anything else. Later, he and I chatted, and he was pretty chagrined, sheepishly admitting his mistake  I think he said hed been too clever for his own good  but he was less concerned about how it might made him look bad personally, and more concerned he wouldnt be able to do his part to help flip the House of Delegates.

Still, EMILYs List says the need to clarify his pre-2017 comments proves that Squire is willing to flip-flop on important issues, including womens rights.

Virginians have been unequivocally clear about their support for abortion access in the Commonwealth, and they should be able to depend on their elected leaders to do the same, said Chou.

Democratic primary candidate Amy Laufer did not respond to inquiries about claims that Squire has changed his position on womens reproductive rights since 2017, but told The Daily Progress that she has always been unabashedly pro-choice and if elected Delegate will continue to fight to protect access to abortion care in Virginia.

The Albemarle County Democrats did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress.

The new 55th District was changed in 2021 to include a large swath of Albemarle County, plus parts of Nelson County, Louisa County and a small portion of Fluvanna County in the Town of Scottsville. The district now includes much of what was the former 58th District, represented by long-time Republican incumbent Del. Rob Bell of Albemarle, who has not announced if he will run for the 55th District seat.
Craig Hallum downgraded shares of Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Wednesday, The Fly reports. They currently have $80.00 target price on the stock, down from their prior target price of $125.00.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. BTIG Research decreased their price target on Innovative Industrial Properties from $196.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 24th. JMP Securities lowered Innovative Industrial Properties from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 20th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Innovative Industrial Properties from $120.00 to $97.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Innovative Industrial Properties in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, TheStreet lowered Innovative Industrial Properties from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Innovative Industrial Properties currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $141.83.

Get Innovative Industrial Properties alerts:

Innovative Industrial Properties Price Performance

NYSE:IIPR opened at $69.42 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $73.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.35. The firm has a market cap of $1.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.33 and a beta of 1.59. Innovative Industrial Properties has a 52-week low of $63.36 and a 52-week high of $139.54. The company has a quick ratio of 27.14, a current ratio of 27.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

Innovative Industrial Properties Dividend Announcement

Innovative Industrial Properties ( NYSE:IIPR Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by ($0.34). Innovative Industrial Properties had a return on equity of 8.21% and a net margin of 55.72%. The firm had revenue of $70.46 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $68.60 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Innovative Industrial Properties will post 7.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $1.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.37%. Innovative Industrial Propertiess dividend payout ratio is 127.89%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Innovative Industrial Properties

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IIPR. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its position in Innovative Industrial Properties by 41.5% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,344 shares of the companys stock worth $481,000 after acquiring an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Innovative Industrial Properties by 8.1% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 9,019 shares of the companys stock worth $1,893,000 after acquiring an additional 676 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in Innovative Industrial Properties by 55.5% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 12,587 shares of the companys stock worth $2,585,000 after acquiring an additional 4,492 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in Innovative Industrial Properties by 8.2% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 64,743 shares of the companys stock worth $13,298,000 after acquiring an additional 4,898 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its position in Innovative Industrial Properties by 6.5% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 42,089 shares of the companys stock worth $8,914,000 after acquiring an additional 2,556 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.71% of the companys stock.

About Innovative Industrial Properties

(Get Rating)

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of industrial properties. It operates through the following geographical segments: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG  Get Rating) by 41.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,468 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 5,686 shares during the period. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.s holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group were worth $1,193,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Kentucky Retirement Systems increased its holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 39,221 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,403,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 1.0% during the third quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,359 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,032,000 after buying an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC raised its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 6,653 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $374,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Public Service Enterprise Group by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,953 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $242,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Personal Financial Services boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 19.5% during the 4th quarter. First Personal Financial Services now owns 1,226 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 70.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Public Service Enterprise Group alerts:

Public Service Enterprise Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PEG opened at $63.81 on Friday. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $52.51 and a 12 month high of $69.94. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $61.62 and a 200-day moving average of $60.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a market capitalization of $31.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.75, a P/E/G ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 0.56.

Public Service Enterprise Group Dividend Announcement

Public Service Enterprise Group ( NYSE:PEG Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $3.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.89 billion. Public Service Enterprise Group had a net margin of 20.64% and a return on equity of 12.78%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 62.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.57%. Public Service Enterprise Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.14%.

Insider Transactions at Public Service Enterprise Group

In other news, COO Eric Carr sold 7,105 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.63, for a total transaction of $409,461.15. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 6,482 shares in the company, valued at $373,557.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on PEG shares. TheStreet upgraded shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Public Service Enterprise Group in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Mizuho dropped their target price on Public Service Enterprise Group from $66.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 13th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price target on Public Service Enterprise Group from $68.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.25.

Public Service Enterprise Group Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc is an energy company, which engages in the business of regulated electric and gas utility, and nuclear generation. Its products and services include energy, capacity, ancillary services, and emissions allowances and congestion credits. The firm operates through the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and PSEG Power segments.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Public Service Enterprise Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Public Service Enterprise Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L) (LON:JPS  Get Rating)s share price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 561 ($7.08) and traded as low as GBX 557.60 ($7.04). JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L) shares last traded at GBX 561 ($7.08), with a volume of 104,535 shares.

JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L) Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 11.53, a quick ratio of 11.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.65. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 561 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 561. The company has a market capitalization of 305.80 million and a P/E ratio of -48.36.

About JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L)

(Get Rating)

JPMorgan Japan Smaller Companies Trust plc is an open-ended equity mutual fund launched by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited and JPMorgan Asset Management (Japan) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Japan. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income plc (JPS.L) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG  Get Rating) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,230,000 shares, a growth of 11.9% from the April 15th total of 8,250,000 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 12,760,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Institutional Trading of Lloyds Banking Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 56.7% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 1,373,751 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,311,000 after acquiring an additional 497,197 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 11.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 437,570 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,055,000 after purchasing an additional 44,960 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 16.1% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 317,152 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $764,000 after purchasing an additional 43,970 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 5.0% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 323,199 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $778,000 after buying an additional 15,481 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 38.4% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 73,541 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $177,000 after buying an additional 20,390 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.15% of the companys stock.

Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on LYG shares. Barclays raised Lloyds Banking Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 55 ($0.69) to GBX 58 ($0.73) in a report on Friday, February 24th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 70 ($0.88) to GBX 69 ($0.87) in a report on Thursday, May 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 61 ($0.77) to GBX 56 ($0.71) in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, May 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $57.29.

Lloyds Banking Group Price Performance

Shares of Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at $2.25 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $37.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.28. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.31. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52-week low of $1.70 and a 52-week high of $2.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.16.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $14.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.68 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 21.31% and a return on equity of 11.52%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be issued a $0.076 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. This is a boost from Lloyds Banking Groups previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.04. This represents a yield of 5%. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 37.50%.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Lloyds Banking Group Plc is a financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Retail, Commercial Banking, Insurance and Wealth, and Other. The Retail segment offers broad range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance and unsecured consumer lending to personal, and small business customers.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating) by 76.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,543 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 2,401 shares during the quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $1,479,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ACN. United Bank raised its position in Accenture by 6.3% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 2,969 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,001,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Accenture by 1.3% during the first quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. now owns 89,400 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,148,000 after acquiring an additional 1,168 shares in the last quarter. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC purchased a new position in Accenture during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,805,000. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Accenture by 0.6% during the first quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,459,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in Accenture by 104.8% during the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 441,451 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $148,871,000 after acquiring an additional 225,943 shares in the last quarter. 73.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Accenture alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Accenture

In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction 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 sale, the insider now owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at $7,423,917.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 sale, the insider now owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,423,917.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total value of $1,750,375.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 174,084 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,010 shares of company stock worth $4,180,030 over the last quarter. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Accenture Trading Up 1.8 %

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ACN. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Accenture from $289.00 to $294.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Piper Jaffray Companies raised their price objective on Accenture from $245.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Monday, March 27th. Edward Jones raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Accenture from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $314.00.

NYSE ACN traded up $4.92 on Friday, reaching $277.19. 2,664,437 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,375,146. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $271.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $276.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $175.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.25. Accenture plc has a fifty-two week low of $242.80 and a fifty-two week high of $322.88.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The information technology services provider reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.49 by $0.20. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 11.00%. The company had revenue of $15.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.54 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Accenture plc will post 11.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 13th will be given a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 12th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.62%. Accentures dividend payout ratio is currently 41.25%.

Accenture Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Accenture Plc engages in the provision of management consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America, Europe and Growth Markets. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Get Rating) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 243,252 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 3,297 shares during the quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $128,956,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. O Dell Group LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 76.9% during the 3rd quarter. O Dell Group LLC now owns 69 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Investors Research Corp grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% during the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 192.3% during the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 76 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.31% of the companys stock.

Get UnitedHealth Group alerts:

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE:UNH traded up $2.47 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $491.23. The company had a trading volume of 1,536,748 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,411,438. The firm has a market cap of $457.35 billion, a PE ratio of 22.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.68. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $449.70 and a 1-year high of $558.10. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $487.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $503.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.24 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $91.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $89.77 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 27.05% and a net margin of 6.16%. The businesss revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $5.49 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.98 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 13th were given a $1.65 dividend. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.34%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 10th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.18%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $596.00 to $562.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $591.00 price target on the stock. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, April 17th. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $605.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $590.00 to $550.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $600.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total transaction of $3,002,938.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,564 shares in the company, valued at $42,199,084.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,684 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $488.46, for a total value of $822,566.64. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 8,675 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,237,390.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total value of $3,002,938.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 86,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,199,084.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,852 shares of company stock worth $4,313,962. 0.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Profile

(Get Rating)

UnitedHealth Group, Inc engages in the provision of health care coverage, software, and data consultancy services. It operates through the following segments: UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight, and OptumRx. The UnitedHealthcare segment utilizes Optums capabilities to help coordinate patient care, improve affordability of medical care, analyze cost trends, manage pharmacy benefits, work with care providers more effectively, and create a simpler consumer experience.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Celanese (NYSE:CE  Get Rating) had its target price lowered by Mizuho from $113.00 to $112.00 in a research report report published on Thursday, The Fly reports.

CE has been the subject of several other research reports. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Celanese from $152.00 to $146.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Bank of America began coverage on Celanese in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Celanese from $140.00 to $124.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Celanese from $139.00 to $131.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Celanese from $124.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $125.92.

Get Celanese alerts:

Celanese Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CE opened at $100.79 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $106.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $108.71. Celanese has a twelve month low of $86.71 and a twelve month high of $161.37. The company has a market cap of $10.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.42, a PEG ratio of 5.69 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19.

Celanese Dividend Announcement

Celanese ( NYSE:CE Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The basic materials company reported $2.01 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.35. The firm had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.88 billion. Celanese had a return on equity of 32.15% and a net margin of 19.58%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.54 EPS. Research analysts predict that Celanese will post 11.64 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.78%. Celaneses dividend payout ratio is currently 20.60%.

Insider Transactions at Celanese

In related news, SVP Mark Christopher Murray purchased 1,200 shares of Celanese stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $117.15 per share, for a total transaction of $140,580.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 10,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,240,501.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.33% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Celanese

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Systematic Financial Management LP acquired a new stake in Celanese during the 1st quarter worth $191,000. Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Celanese during the 1st quarter worth $432,000. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP raised its stake in Celanese by 20.1% during the 1st quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 648,311 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $70,595,000 after buying an additional 108,588 shares during the period. State of Tennessee Treasury Department raised its stake in Celanese by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 15,714 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,711,000 after buying an additional 516 shares during the period. Finally, Applied Finance Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Celanese by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC now owns 94,065 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,243,000 after buying an additional 2,137 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.54% of the companys stock.

Celanese Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Celanese Corp. engages in the provision of technology and specialty materials businesses. It operates through the following segments: Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, Acetyl Chain and Other Activities. The Engineered Materials segment includes the engineered materials business, food ingredients business and certain strategic affiliates.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Celanese Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Celanese and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
OLD Second National Bank of Aurora lifted its holdings in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) by 30.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 5,958 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the period. OLD Second National Bank of Auroras holdings in Southern were worth $425,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SO. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Southern by 1.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 94,652,372 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,436,360,000 after acquiring an additional 1,391,612 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Southern by 1.0% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 76,360,768 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,192,533,000 after acquiring an additional 723,336 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Southern by 2.1% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,068,549 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,424,661,000 after acquiring an additional 1,313,036 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Southern by 6.2% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,002,360 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,284,352,000 after buying an additional 3,653,841 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Southern by 0.8% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,795,619 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $598,104,000 after buying an additional 66,208 shares during the last quarter. 61.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Southern alerts:

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,516,356.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 1,282 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total transaction of $85,381.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,832,299.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total transaction of $359,450.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,516,356.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 93,199 shares of company stock worth $6,974,908. Company insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

Southern Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SO opened at $73.35 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $70.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.64. The Southern Company has a 1-year low of $58.85 and a 1-year high of $80.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66, a P/E/G ratio of 5.16 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.08. Southern had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 10.78%. The firm had revenue of $6.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.97 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.82%. This is a positive change from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 87.74%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on SO shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Mizuho upgraded shares of Southern from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $72.00 to $77.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Southern from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Southern from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Southern currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.14.

Southern Profile

(Get Rating)

The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas. The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Barclays initiated coverage on shares of PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS  Get Rating) in a report released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. The firm issued an overweight rating and a $16.00 target price on the stock.

Several other research firms also recently commented on PAGS. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on PagSeguro Digital from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Credit Suisse Group downgraded shares of PagSeguro Digital from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $11.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of PagSeguro Digital from $15.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Citigroup upgraded shares of PagSeguro Digital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $12.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on PagSeguro Digital from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.77.

Get PagSeguro Digital alerts:

PagSeguro Digital Price Performance

NYSE:PAGS opened at $12.22 on Thursday. PagSeguro Digital has a one year low of $7.51 and a one year high of $19.49. The company has a market cap of $4.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.61. The firms fifty day moving average price is $8.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.64.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PagSeguro Digital

PagSeguro Digital ( NYSE:PAGS Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.02. PagSeguro Digital had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 9.81%. The company had revenue of $752.91 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $759.47 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that PagSeguro Digital will post 0.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Boit C F David acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, Y.D. More Investments Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.50% of the companys stock.

PagSeguro Digital Company Profile

(Get Rating)

PagSeguro Digital Ltd. is engaged in the provision of financial technology solutions focused on consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, small companies and medium-sized companies in Brazil. Its business model covers the following pillars: Multiple digital payment solutions; In-person payments via POS devices that sell to merchants; Free digital accounts; Issuer of prepaid cards to clients for spending or withdrawing account balances, and Operating as an acquirer.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for PagSeguro Digital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PagSeguro Digital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB  Get Rating) by 8.3% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 457,352 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 35,214 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Hubbell were worth $107,331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. First Manhattan Co. purchased a new stake in Hubbell during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new stake in Hubbell during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in Hubbell by 25.7% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 274 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Hubbell in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, Paragon Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hubbell in the 3rd quarter valued at about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.71% of the companys stock.

Get Hubbell alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on HUBB shares. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Hubbell from $252.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Hubbell from $226.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Hubbell from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $200.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Hubbell from $225.00 to $221.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Hubbell from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $237.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hubbell

Hubbell Stock Performance

In other news, Director Carlos M. Cardoso sold 560 shares of Hubbell stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $273.16, for a total value of $152,969.60. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,711 shares of the companys stock, valued at $467,376.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the companys stock.

Shares of HUBB opened at $273.52 on Friday. Hubbell Incorporated has a 1 year low of $170.21 and a 1 year high of $282.19. The company has a market cap of $14.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $245.10 and a 200-day moving average of $243.01.

Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $3.61 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $1.15. Hubbell had a net margin of 11.15% and a return on equity of 27.72%. The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.25 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.12 earnings per share. Hubbells revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Hubbell Incorporated will post 13.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Hubbell Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be paid a $1.12 dividend. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. Hubbells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.79%.

Hubbell Profile

(Get Rating)

Hubbell, Inc engages in the designing, manufacturing, and sale of electrical and electronic products for non-residential and residential construction, industrial, and utility applications. It operates through the Electrical Solutions and Utility Solutions segments. The Electrical Solutions segment manufactures and sells wiring and electrical, lighting fixtures, and controls for indoor and outdoor applications as well as specialty lighting and communications products.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUBB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Waynesboro City Council seems intent on severing the citys lease on the Rockfish Gap Tourist Information Center on top of Afton Mountain.

Council members agree with the city assessment that the facility is outmoded, in a neglected area and with a deteriorating access road. The tourist information center on Afton Mountain has been open for at least 40 years, according to Waynesboro City Manager Mike Hamp. Previously, the center was located near other buildings on Afton Mountain, just off Interstate 64. The center earned state certification in 2002.

The current facility, a modular classroom-manufactured office, was purchased in 2010, and the center moved to the top of the mountain, according to Hamp.

But a proposal by Waynesboro Director of Economic Development and Tourism Greg Hitchin to move to a new tourist information location on East Main Street in Waynesboro received no support at a recent council meeting. Council members were not convinced the new center location would bring tourists to Waynesboro.

Hitchin presented an outline to the council, detailing all the recent business investment on East Main and how a consultant had previously said East Main is the gateway to Waynesboro. He also explained that the new center would still be close to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The park generates 80,000 car visits a year, and the Blue Ridge Parkway up to 17 million visits by people a year. The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina.

A leased location on East Main would also be near the citys newest park, Sunset Park, opening to visitors in the fall. The park is just off East Main and is located in the former city landfill.

And Hitchin said, unlike the Rockfish Gap center, a tourism center on East Main could create a destination experience for visitors, telling them of the attractions in the area. The new center could offer displays about the area and tell a story about Waynesboro.

While council members agreed it is time to cut ties on the current tourist information center, they expressed no support for an East Main center.

Councilman Terry Short asked Hitchin about seeking an easement on I-64 to put up a large sign that would attract visitors to downtown Waynesboro.

Short estimates that the city has spent more than a half million dollars over the past two decades on the center on top of the mountain without any verifiable results that it has helped. Hamp said the costs vary from year to year. He said the city has spent about $15,000 to $20,000 in annual nonlabor costs for the center and about $10,000 annually in labor, with the latter not being exclusive to the center.

Short said he is enormously thankful to the volunteers who have staffed the center. Hamp said the center, which was open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year pre-pandemic, has been staffed by volunteers with support from professional and paid staff.

But Short was skeptical about the latest proposal, saying there is no evidence that a new center on East Main Street would work. There is no one who can demonstrate a return on that investment, Short said.

The councilman said the city needs to explore other ideas for attracting tourism. Short is baffled why the National Park Service would not foot the bill for a tourist information center on top of the mountain near the entrance to the national park and Blue Ridge Parkway.

We need a public investment to happen, he said.

Waynesboro city staff will work on an exit strategy from the Rockfish Gap Tourist Center in the coming months. In addition to ending the lease, Short said Waynesboro will have to calculate the costs of moving the tourist center building from its current location.

For Hitchin, it could be time to return to the drawing board with a new strategy. As a staff, we are looking for different strategies, he said. He said considerable time was spent researching the East Main tourist center idea and following up with the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA  Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 191,100 shares, a decline of 14.7% from the April 15th total of 224,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 184,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Macro in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in shares of Banco Macro by 980.3% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,889 shares of the banks stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 3,529 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Macro in the first quarter worth $79,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Banco Macro during the first quarter valued at $112,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Banco Macro by 456.9% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,298 shares of the banks stock valued at $109,000 after buying an additional 5,167 shares in the last quarter. 4.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Banco Macro alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Banco Macro in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company.

Banco Macro Stock Performance

BMA opened at $18.48 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firm has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of 4.85 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.61. Banco Macro has a fifty-two week low of $9.72 and a fifty-two week high of $23.15.

Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The bank reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $658.89 million during the quarter. Banco Macro had a return on equity of 8.24% and a net margin of 6.23%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Banco Macro will post 2.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Macro Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Banco Macro SA engages in the provision of financial and banking services. It serves the low and mid-income individuals, and small and mid-sized companies. The firm offers savings, checking accounts, time deposits, fund management, loans, mortgages, and direct banking transactions. The company was founded on November 21, 1966 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Banco Macro Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Macro and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Modiv Inc. (NYSE:MDV  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 27,100 shares, an increase of 63.3% from the April 15th total of 16,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 13,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Modiv Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of MDV stock traded down $0.26 on Friday, reaching $13.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,209. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $11.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.73. Modiv has a 1 year low of $9.61 and a 1 year high of $19.25. The company has a market capitalization of $99.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of -0.15.

Get Modiv alerts:

Modiv Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 25th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be issued a $0.0958 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 11.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. Modivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -115.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Modiv by 1,706.6% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,186 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 2,065 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Modiv during the first quarter worth $115,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Modiv during the first quarter worth $134,000. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Modiv by 851.9% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 10,024 shares of the companys stock worth $146,000 after buying an additional 8,971 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in Modiv during the second quarter worth $298,000. 6.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. B. Riley decreased their target price on shares of Modiv from $19.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. EF Hutton Acquisition Co. I reiterated a buy rating and set a $17.00 price objective on shares of Modiv in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Modiv has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $18.90.

About Modiv

(Get Rating)

Modiv Inc, (the Company) was incorporated on May 14, 2015 as a Maryland corporation. The Company was formed to primarily invest, directly or indirectly, in real estate owning entities which own single-tenant income-producing properties located in the United States, which are leased to creditworthy tenants under long-term net leases.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Modiv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Modiv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
StockNews.com lowered shares of Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Thursday morning.

SON has been the topic of several other research reports. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Sonoco Products from $71.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Argus upgraded shares of Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $67.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Sonoco Products from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $66.17.

Get Sonoco Products alerts:

Sonoco Products Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of Sonoco Products stock opened at $59.68 on Thursday. Sonoco Products has a 52-week low of $51.52 and a 52-week high of $65.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The companys fifty day moving average price is $59.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.85 billion, a PE ratio of 11.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.71.

Sonoco Products Increases Dividend

Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.07. Sonoco Products had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 29.17%. The company had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Sonoco Products will post 5.79 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This is a boost from Sonoco Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 9th. Sonoco Productss payout ratio is currently 40.40%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Sonoco Products news, insider Ernest D. Haynes III sold 531 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.36, for a total transaction of $30,458.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $68,717.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Robert R. Hill, Jr. bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the purchase, the director now owns 20,065 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,123,640. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ernest D. Haynes III sold 531 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.36, for a total transaction of $30,458.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $68,717.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 3,458 shares of company stock valued at $207,291. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sonoco Products

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SON. Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in Sonoco Products by 12.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 65,349 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,088,000 after purchasing an additional 7,130 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Sonoco Products by 8.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 14,286 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $894,000 after purchasing an additional 1,087 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. increased its stake in Sonoco Products by 22.6% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 23,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,454,000 after purchasing an additional 4,281 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Sonoco Products by 164.2% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 43,701 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,744,000 after acquiring an additional 27,157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.5% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 274,058 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $17,145,000 after acquiring an additional 3,941 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Sonoco Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonoco Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Southern Copper Co. (NYSE:SCCO  Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,790,000 shares, a drop of 16.1% from the April 15th total of 5,710,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,160,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.1 days. Currently, 5.6% of the companys stock are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SCCO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Southern Copper from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Southern Copper from $53.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Southern Copper from $55.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Southern Copper from a neutral rating to a sell rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $65.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Southern Copper from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $70.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.29.

Get Southern Copper alerts:

Insider Activity at Southern Copper

In other news, Director Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 500 shares of Southern Copper stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.97, for a total value of $39,485.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $514,410.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 500 shares of Southern Copper stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.97, for a total transaction of $39,485.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $514,410.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Andreve Vicente Ariztegui sold 1,500 shares of Southern Copper stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.11, for a total transaction of $114,165.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $334,884. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 2,500 shares of company stock valued at $192,900. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern Copper

Southern Copper Trading Up 0.1 %

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of Southern Copper by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 15,269 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $685,000 after acquiring an additional 3,683 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Southern Copper by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 15,880 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $289,929,000 after acquiring an additional 1,566 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $779,000. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $294,000. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 7.03% of the companys stock.

SCCO traded up $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $69.49. 1,351,519 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,332,306. The company has a quick ratio of 3.38, a current ratio of 4.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.72 billion, a PE ratio of 20.14, a P/E/G ratio of 16.83 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50-day moving average is $75.17 and its 200 day moving average is $68.68. Southern Copper has a 12 month low of $42.42 and a 12 month high of $82.05.

Southern Copper Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 9th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 8th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.47%. Southern Coppers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.94%.

Southern Copper Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Southern Copper Corp. engages in the development, production, and exploration of copper, molybdenum, zinc, and silver. It operates through the following segments: Peruvian Operations, Mexican Open-Pit Operations, and Mexican Underground Mining Operations. The Peruvian Operations segment focuses on the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, industrial railroad, and port facilities that service both mines.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Southern Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (BATS:IFRA  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 49,601 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,799,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,777,827 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,464,000 after buying an additional 297,664 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,043,331 shares of the companys stock valued at $255,391,000 after buying an additional 234,789 shares during the period. Pictet Asset Management SA grew its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF by 65.8% in the 3rd quarter. Pictet Asset Management SA now owns 489,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,790,000 after buying an additional 194,382 shares during the period. Avestar Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $6,520,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF by 96.1% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 364,271 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,400,000 after purchasing an additional 178,545 shares during the last quarter.

Get iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF alerts:

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF Price Performance

IFRA stock opened at $37.00 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.60 and a beta of 1.03. The companys 50-day moving average is $36.96 and its 200-day moving average is $37.27.

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF Company Profile

The iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed infrastructure companies that derive a significant portion of their revenue from within the US. IFRA was launched on Apr 3, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Sowell Financial Services LLC decreased its position in shares of State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Get Rating) by 9.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,364 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 2,777 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLCs holdings in State Street were worth $2,140,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in STT. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its position in State Street by 29.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,505 shares of the asset managers stock worth $392,000 after buying an additional 1,021 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL increased its position in State Street by 14.3% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,756 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,547,000 after buying an additional 2,216 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in State Street by 3.8% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 280,353 shares of the asset managers stock worth $24,436,000 after buying an additional 10,187 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of State Street in the first quarter valued at approximately $812,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in shares of State Street by 16.5% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 23,170 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,019,000 after purchasing an additional 3,276 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.41% of the companys stock.

Get State Street alerts:

State Street Stock Down 1.8 %

STT opened at $66.54 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $74.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.52. The company has a market cap of $22.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.32, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.56. State Street Co. has a one year low of $58.62 and a one year high of $94.74.

State Street Announces Dividend

State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The asset manager reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. State Street had a return on equity of 11.96% and a net margin of 18.73%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.59 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that State Street Co. will post 7.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 3rd were given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 31st. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.79%. State Streets payout ratio is 35.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CAO Ian Appleyard sold 6,725 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.42, for a total value of $594,624.50. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 14,493 shares in the company, valued at $1,281,471.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Ian Appleyard sold 6,725 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.42, for a total value of $594,624.50. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 14,493 shares in the company, valued at $1,281,471.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John Plansky sold 11,168 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.22, for a total value of $1,029,912.96. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,455 shares in the company, valued at $3,915,200.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,893 shares of company stock worth $2,923,987. 0.25% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

STT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on State Street from $97.00 to $90.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on State Street from $80.00 to $75.00 in a report on Friday. Barclays dropped their target price on State Street from $102.00 to $100.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on State Street from $76.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price target on State Street from $84.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $82.21.

State Street Profile

(Get Rating)

State Street Corp. engages in the provision of financial services to institutional investors. It operates through the Commercial and Financial, and Commercial Real Estate segments. The company was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Q2 (NYSE:QTWO  Get Rating) had its price target lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $36.00 to $30.00 in a report published on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

QTWO has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Stephens decreased their price objective on shares of Q2 from $38.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group downgraded Q2 from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $60.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. StockNews.com raised Q2 from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, May 6th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price objective on Q2 from $38.00 to $32.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Q2 from $26.00 to $20.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.38.

Get Q2 alerts:

Q2 Price Performance

Shares of QTWO opened at $24.76 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $24.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.51. The company has a market capitalization of $1.44 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.10 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 2.77 and a current ratio of 2.77. Q2 has a fifty-two week low of $18.91 and a fifty-two week high of $55.29.

Insider Transactions at Q2

Q2 ( NYSE:QTWO Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The technology company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.10). Q2 had a negative return on equity of 11.58% and a negative net margin of 19.27%. The firm had revenue of $146.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.17 million. Research analysts predict that Q2 will post -0.66 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, CFO David J. Mehok sold 3,451 shares of Q2 stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.06, for a total value of $110,639.06. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 178,449 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,721,074.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO David J. Mehok sold 3,451 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.06, for a total transaction of $110,639.06. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 178,449 shares in the company, valued at $5,721,074.94. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director R. H. Seale sold 22,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.74, for a total value of $507,102.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 560,154 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,737,901.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 132,271 shares of company stock valued at $3,842,130 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Q2

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Q2 by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,358,013 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $172,527,000 after purchasing an additional 80,534 shares during the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Q2 by 30.3% in the 1st quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 3,641,412 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $89,652,000 after purchasing an additional 846,259 shares during the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Q2 by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,218,258 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $54,614,000 after purchasing an additional 34,716 shares during the last quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC boosted its holdings in Q2 by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 2,139,124 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $68,880,000 after purchasing an additional 11,696 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Q2 by 25.7% in the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 1,761,934 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $47,343,000 after purchasing an additional 359,822 shares during the last quarter.

About Q2

(Get Rating)

Q2 Holdings, Inc engages in the provision of digital banking and lending solutions. It offers its solutions to financial institutions, financial technology companies, alternative finance companies, and other innovative companies, wishing to incorporate banking into their customer engagement and servicing strategies.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Q2 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Q2 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Get Rating) (NYSE:SU) had its price objective reduced by Royal Bank of Canada from C$54.00 to C$52.00 in a research note released on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on SU. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$54.00 to C$52.00 in a report on Monday, April 17th. TD Securities dropped their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$52.00 to C$49.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. CIBC lifted their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$62.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. National Bankshares raised Suncor Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from C$60.00 to C$61.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$61.00 to C$58.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$53.86.

Get Suncor Energy alerts:

Suncor Energy Stock Performance

TSE:SU opened at C$38.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$51.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.95, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.67. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$41.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$43.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.72. Suncor Energy has a 1-year low of C$36.38 and a 1-year high of C$53.62.

Suncor Energy Dividend Announcement

Suncor Energy ( TSE:SU Get Rating ) (NYSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The company reported C$1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.68 by C$0.13. The business had revenue of C$13.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$12.92 billion. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 23.89% and a net margin of 15.56%. Research analysts anticipate that Suncor Energy will post 6.0843558 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Investors of record on Monday, June 5th will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.35%. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 31.85%.

About Suncor Energy

(Get Rating)

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.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 12,730,000 shares, a decrease of 16.6% from the April 15th total of 15,260,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 8,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Performance

Shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $8.03. The company had a trading volume of 18,032,050 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,579,250. The stock has a market cap of $8.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.79, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.32. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a 12-month low of $6.78 and a 12-month high of $11.44.

Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a negative net margin of 15.76% and a positive return on equity of 28.06%. The company had revenue of $3.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will post 2.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

In other news, VP David Matthew Stark sold 16,491 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total value of $163,755.63. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 52,449 shares in the company, valued at $520,818.57. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, EVP Sven Dethlefs sold 19,355 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total transaction of $192,195.15. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 223,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,218,828.71. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, VP David Matthew Stark sold 16,491 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total transaction of $163,755.63. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 52,449 shares in the company, valued at $520,818.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 158,884 shares of company stock worth $1,572,797. Insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TEVA. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,875,394 shares of the companys stock worth $17,609,000 after buying an additional 28,920 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 12.3% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 119,076 shares of the companys stock worth $1,118,000 after purchasing an additional 13,069 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 95,953 shares of the companys stock worth $901,000 after purchasing an additional 4,300 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 41,648,716 shares of the companys stock valued at $391,081,000 after purchasing an additional 1,494,814 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 420,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,137,000 after purchasing an additional 16,134 shares in the last quarter. 50.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on TEVA shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the company from $10.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.75.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

(Get Rating)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. engages in the development, production, and sale of medicines. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America, Europe, and International Markets. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,760,000 shares, an increase of 34.3% from the April 15th total of 2,800,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,850,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 1.3% of the companys stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on CI. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $355.00 to $284.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $333.00 to $287.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of The Cigna Group from $350.00 to $320.00 in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $370.00 price objective on shares of The Cigna Group in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price objective on shares of The Cigna Group in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Cigna Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $328.17.

Get The Cigna Group alerts:

The Cigna Group Trading Down 1.3 %

NYSE CI traded down $3.43 during trading on Friday, hitting $256.57. The company had a trading volume of 1,161,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,813,090. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The Cigna Group has a one year low of $240.11 and a one year high of $340.11. The company has a market cap of $76.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.62. The companys fifty day moving average is $262.21 and its 200-day moving average is $296.03.

The Cigna Group Dividend Announcement

The Cigna Group ( NYSE:CI Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The health services provider reported $5.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.23 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $46.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.43 billion. The Cigna Group had a net margin of 3.69% and a return on equity of 12.65%. The Cigna Groups quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $6.01 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Cigna Group will post 24.71 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th will be given a dividend of $1.23 per share. This represents a $4.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 6th. The Cigna Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.42%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Cigna Group

In other news, insider Michael W. Triplett sold 1,731 shares of The Cigna Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.67, for a total transaction of $470,260.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,235 shares in the company, valued at $8,213,942.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Michael W. Triplett sold 1,731 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.67, for a total transaction of $470,260.77. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,235 shares in the company, valued at $8,213,942.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO David Cordani sold 20,148 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $294.06, for a total transaction of $5,924,720.88. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 120,496 shares in the company, valued at $35,433,053.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 28,509 shares of company stock valued at $8,200,219. Corporate insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of The Cigna Group

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Summit X LLC raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Summit X LLC now owns 2,241 shares of the health services providers stock worth $617,000 after buying an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 642 shares of the health services providers stock worth $213,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 4,762 shares of the health services providers stock worth $1,578,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 1,725 shares of the health services providers stock worth $572,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Linscomb & Williams Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Linscomb & Williams Inc. now owns 10,877 shares of the health services providers stock worth $3,604,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. 87.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Cigna Group Company Profile

(Get Rating)

The Cigna Group is engaged in the provision of global health services. It operates through the following segments: Evernorth, U.S. Medical, International Markets, and Group Disability and Other. The Evernorth segment includes a broad range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy solutions, benefits management solutions, care solutions and intelligence solutions.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for The Cigna Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Cigna Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
A small clinic in the city of Monroe has more patients than the towns population.

The health center is an access point for many different types of health care needs. Its where people can get primary care, prescriptions, vaccines, dental services as well as help applying for insurance plans, getting resources and even getting transportation for patients to receive care.

Outgrowing its space, the Monroe Health Center highlights some of the challenges of getting health care in rural areas.

Outgrown

In a 1,600-square-foot modular building just across from Monroe Grade School, physicians' desks sit between copy machines and refrigerators full of vaccines. Every cabinet is put to use, filled with test tubes, needles, syringes and wound dressings.

Employees duck into open rooms to make space for patients passing by the long, narrow hallway that is the only way of getting around the building. During appointments, healthcare workers often use speech-to-text technology to maintain patient confidentiality  because the walls are so thin.

Weve outgrown the space and have just kept putting band-aids over it, said Christine Mosbaugh, health communication and strategy manager for Benton County.

More than 800 patients are served at the Monroe Health Center, while the city of Monroe has only about 647 residents, according to census data.

Thats because the clinic doesnt just serve Monroe residents. Its become a health care hub for the rural parts of three counties: Benton, Linn and Lane, she said.

Looking at patient demographics, 43% are Monroe residents, 26% are from Junction City and 14% are from Harrisburg. Some also come from Corvallis, Eugene and Cheshire.

Its the only access to primary care and dental services in a 15-mile radius, Mosbaugh said.

Monroe isnt a unique case. Rural communities represent nearly two-thirds of the professional shortage in primary care health, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released in 2019. Because only 14% of Americans live in rural communities, they are over-represented in this shortage.

Benton County is facing a shortage of dentists, said Carla Jones, executive director of Linn and Benton Community Health Centers.

The Monroe Health Center is also one of the few places that offers behavioral health services, Mosbaugh said.

Another draw that has the small facility handling a big caseload is that it accepts Medicaid insurance, she said.

Quite a few patients only speak Spanish, and a handful of staff at the health center are bi-lingual, which also addresses a need in the community, Mosbaugh said.

Challenges

Transportation is a big issue in rural areas, and thats true here as well, said Lizdaly Cancel, the clinics health navigation service manager.

Besides an urgent care in Junction City about 9 miles away, the Monroe Health Center is the only health care option for a lot of people, Cancel said. And with no nearby public transit line serving the area, sometimes, staff will go out and pick up patients with the county-provided vehicles.

Another challenge has been communicating the role of preventative care versus emergency care, Mosbaugh said.

Although the clinic often helps in small incidents at the school across the street, such as wound care, there are certain things that should probably be brought to urgent care instead, she said. That's a difficult message to communicate when the clinic is one of the few health care options in the area, she said.

But the center does have its limitations. For example, they dont have the equipment to take X-rays, she said.

Like other health care settings, staffing has also been an issue at the clinic. Theres a mix of full-time, in-house and rotating health care professionals who come through the clinic.

We have been feeling the pains of the workforce shortage, Jones said.

The Monroe Health Center hasnt had a permanent primary care provider since January, Jones said. Right now, two part-time family nurse practitioners fill those shoes.

Ever since the pandemic, the trend among health care professionals, especially specialized, experienced workers, has been to decrease their hours to part time and not accept full-time positions, Jones said. Still, she is optimistic about having more long-term staff and concentrating efforts to attract talent from the area, she said.

Monroe is one of six rural health care centers in Linn and Benton counties. While one might think it would be able to partner with another rural health care centers to pool resources, Mosbough said, it's isn't that easy.

The nearest health care center is Alsea, and although the two cities look close together on a map, the geography of the terrain puts a lot of distance between them, she said.

Expanding

Over the years, mainly the last five, the clinic has seen an influx of patients, Jones said. Staff is hoping to get a new building, and Benton County officials are working on it.

The replacement still would be a modular building, but it would be much bigger so it wouldn't feel as cramped. Officials are projecting a new building being 3,400 square feet.

With a nearly $1.9 million price tag, the project is a candidate to receive $1 million from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. The rest would be covered by grants and county funding, Jones said.

Mosbaugh hopes that the new building will also allow the opportunity for a trauma-informed design. Many studies have shown how the color, lighting, furniture placement and layout of a room can create a more calming, welcoming mood.

That's something staff wants to encourage in their "person-centered care," she said.

The population we serve comes from all kinds of lived experiences and we want to create safe, comfortable places, Mosbaugh said.

Related stories:
Trust Co. of Vermont grew its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 120,977 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 292 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. makes up about 1.0% of Trust Co. of Vermonts investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $13,422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 41.5% in the 4th quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 317 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hanseatic Management Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 72.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, VP Rita A. Karachun sold 15,875 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.53, for a total transaction of $1,865,788.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 45,710 shares in the company, valued at $5,372,296.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 1,815 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.10, for a total value of $198,016.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,085 shares in the company, valued at $3,609,573.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Rita A. Karachun sold 15,875 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.53, for a total value of $1,865,788.75. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 45,710 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,372,296.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 495,073 shares of company stock worth $57,220,134 over the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Several research firms recently weighed in on MRK. Wolfe Research upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $127.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Atlantic Securities boosted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $122.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Societe Generale lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price target for the stock from $120.00 to $115.00 in a report on Monday, March 13th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.75.

MRK opened at $117.14 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $297.24 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $83.05 and a 1 year high of $119.65. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $111.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $108.90.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.06. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 22.52%. The firm had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.14 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.96 EPS for the current year.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

(Get Rating)

Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont decreased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) by 3.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,780 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,472 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $9,645,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,392 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $318,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. NTV Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC now owns 1,366 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $301,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Bank OZK boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank OZK now owns 5,065 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $915,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 1,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $281,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arjuna Capital boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Arjuna Capital now owns 5,986 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,319,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.83% of the companys stock.

Get Illinois Tool Works alerts:

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ITW opened at $228.52 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $69.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.85, a PEG ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $173.52 and a 12-month high of $253.37. The businesss 50 day moving average is $233.45 and its 200 day moving average is $229.14.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 92.13% and a net margin of 19.27%. The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.11 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is presently 52.40%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. UBS Group increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $174.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $205.00 to $203.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $228.21.

Illinois Tool Works Profile

(Get Rating)

Illinois Tool Works, Inc engages in the manufacture of industrial products and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Automotive OEM, Test and Measurement and Electronics, Food Equipment, Polymers and Fluids, Welding, Construction Products, and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment produces components and fasteners for automotive-related applications.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Venture Visionary Partners LLC decreased its stake in shares of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Get Rating) by 16.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,758 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 2,559 shares during the quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLCs holdings in Schlumberger were worth $682,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Schlumberger by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 123,210,874 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,423,270,000 after acquiring an additional 1,393,060 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Schlumberger by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 91,245,791 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,291,135,000 after acquiring an additional 1,537,620 shares during the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Schlumberger by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 27,506,037 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,470,473,000 after acquiring an additional 456,525 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its holdings in shares of Schlumberger by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 23,838,602 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $863,324,000 after acquiring an additional 135,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Schlumberger by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 19,293,963 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,031,455,000 after acquiring an additional 326,849 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.22% of the companys stock.

Get Schlumberger alerts:

Insider Activity at Schlumberger

In other Schlumberger news, insider Gavin Rennick sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.10, for a total transaction of $1,082,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 64,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,483,661.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Schlumberger news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.77, for a total transaction of $279,812.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 219,765 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,838,879.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Gavin Rennick sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.10, for a total value of $1,082,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 64,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,483,661.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 48,500 shares of company stock valued at $2,567,403 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

Schlumberger Stock Performance

NYSE SLB opened at $44.07 on Friday. Schlumberger Limited has a 1-year low of $30.65 and a 1-year high of $62.78. The company has a market capitalization of $62.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.38, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.76. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $48.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $51.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The oil and gas company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 20.16% and a net margin of 12.94%. The firm had revenue of $7.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.46 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.34 EPS. Schlumbergers quarterly revenue was up 29.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Schlumberger Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 6th. Schlumbergers payout ratio is currently 37.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SLB shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Schlumberger in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. HSBC upped their target price on Schlumberger from $56.80 to $75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Benchmark initiated coverage on Schlumberger in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $65.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Schlumberger from $55.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Schlumberger from $62.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.53.

Schlumberger Profile

(Get Rating)

Schlumberger NV engages in the provision of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following business segments: Digital and Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The Digital and Integration segment combines the companys digital solutions and data products with its Asset Performance Solutions (APS).

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SLB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Schlumberger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schlumberger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,220,000 shares, a decline of 51.7% from the April 15th total of 6,660,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,260,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Zane Rowe sold 35,715 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.53, for a total value of $4,447,588.95. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 174,162 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,688,393.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 40.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Get VMware alerts:

Institutional Trading of VMware

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in VMW. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in VMware by 53.1% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 985,208 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $123,003,000 after acquiring an additional 341,900 shares during the period. Callan Family Office LLC bought a new position in VMware in the 1st quarter worth $587,000. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in VMware by 10.7% during the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,136 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $891,000 after purchasing an additional 690 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC increased its position in VMware by 9.1% in the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,516 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $314,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. raised its stake in shares of VMware by 39.5% in the first quarter. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. now owns 116,934 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $14,599,000 after buying an additional 33,100 shares during the period. 45.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

VMware Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE VMW traded up $0.38 during trading on Friday, reaching $123.44. The company had a trading volume of 632,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,171,626. VMware has a 12-month low of $91.53 and a 12-month high of $132.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.15. The businesss 50-day moving average is $122.68 and its 200 day moving average is $120.22. The stock has a market cap of $52.89 billion, a PE ratio of 40.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.72.

VMware (NYSE:VMW  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The virtualization software provider reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.64 billion. VMware had a net margin of 9.84% and a return on equity of 327.30%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that VMware will post 4.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on VMW. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of VMware in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on VMware from $142.50 to $139.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on VMware from $142.50 to $125.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated a maintains rating on shares of VMware in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of VMware from $131.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $133.69.

About VMware

(Get Rating)

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.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for VMware Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VMware and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Be it the anti-incumbency wave, the BJPs disregard for the 40 percent corruption charges against the Bommai government, or the bitter political campaign, none of this seem to have fazed the electorate of Indias information technology capital, Bengaluru, with most of the constituencies of the region largely voting for status quo. A look at the key constituencies of Bengaluru, spread across the Lok Sabha constituencies Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Bangalore Central, Bangalore Rural and Chikballapur shows that Bengaluru stands at odds with the rest of the state, even rewarding those who had crossed over to the BJP during Operation Kamala in 2019. Along with coastal Karnataka, the IT capital was the face saver for the saffron party, as the Congress recorded the biggest win for any party in the state in the last three decades. BJP won 16 of the 28 seats in Bengaluru, up from 15 in the last assembly elections, while Congress managed to retain its tally of 12. Also Read | Karnataka Verdict: A secular disaster  neither religion nor caste politics came to BJPs aid Yeshwantpura, one of the biggest Assembly constituencies in Bengaluru city in terms of geographical area and the number of voters, has always been the political arena of bigwigs and resourceful leaders. In one of the most closely-watched seats, BJPs ST Somashekar, a minister in Chief Minister Bommais cabinet, retained the seat polling 1,69,149 votes, defeating TN Javarayi Gowda of JD (S), who polled 1,54,031 votes. Yeshvanthapura had seen a voter turnout of 63.69 percent. A Congress rebel, Somashekhar had won the seat on a BJP ticket in the 2019 by-election. Once a close aide of Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Somashekhar sprung a surprise on all when he switched to the BJP during the infamous political defections that led to the downfall of JD (S)-Congress coalition government in 2019. In the 2018 elections, he had won the seat on a Congress ticket. Ministers sent packing Though the Karnataka electorate sent nearly half a dozen of the sitting ministers in the outgoing government packing, BJPs R Ashoka made it past the post at Padmanabhanagar. He polled 98,750 votes against his rival, V Raghunatha Naidu of the Congress, who managed only 43,575 votes. JD (S)s B Manjunath came in third with 7,857 votes. Krishna Byre Gowda, another political bigwig, retained the Byatarayanapura seat for the Congress. He has been representing the constituency since June 2008, and has served as the Minister of Rural Development, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs in the cabinet of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in 2018-19, and was also the Minister of Agriculture in the cabinet of Siddaramaiah from May 2013-2018. He defeated Thammesh Gowda H C of the BJP, polling 1,60,182 votes against Gowdas 1,21,978. Byatarayanapura had seen a low voter turnout of 56.6 percent. BJPs Dr CN Ashwathnarayana retained the Malleshwaram constituency by a margin of over 40,000 votes, defeating Anup Iyengar of the Congress, who polled 39,104 votes. In 2018, he had defeated Kengal Shreepadharenu of the Congress by a margin of 54,000 votes. High drama at Jayanagar Jayanagar witnessed high drama that continued late into the night and the early hours of Sunday, before the officials declared BJPs C K Ramamurthy the victor by a slender margin of 16 votes. The drama began when BJP demanded a recount after officials initially announced that Sowmya Reddy, daughter of ex-minister Ramalinga Reddy, had won by a margin of 294 votes. With supporters of both the parties converging on the R V Institute of Management, the result was announced after multiple rounds of recounting amid protests by the Congress. According to the final announcement, Congress's Sowmya Reddy got 57,781 votes (47.85 per cent vote share), and Dr Ramamurthy secured 57,797 votes. Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar accused Election Commission officials of trying to change Sowmya Reddys result. "The Congress candidate of Jayanagar Assembly Constituency, Mrs. Soumya Reddy, has won but protested against the action of election officials, who tried to distort the result on the pretext of recount," Shivakumar said, tweeting in Kannada with a picture of him seated with state working president Ramalinga Reddy. But, Ramalinga Reddy himself made it past the post at BTM Layout, defeating BJPs Sridhar Reddy with a margin of over 8,000 votes. He polled 68,557 votes as against his BJP rivals 59,335 votes. Nail-biting finish In another close race, former State Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao, son of former Chief Minister M R Gundu Rao, sneaked past the post with a slender margin of 115 votes at Gandhi Nagar, staving off the stiff challenge offered by BJPs A R Saptagiri Gowda. Dinesh Gundu Rao polled 54,118 votes to Saptagiri Gowdas 54,013 votes. Narayanaswamy of the JD (S) came third with 12,857 votes. Gandhi Nagar comes under Bangalore Central district. The constituency saw a voter turnout of 57.28 percent in these assembly elections. In 2018, Dinesh Gundu Rao had won the seat defeating AR Sapthagiri Gowda with a margin of 10,070 votes. BJPs Ravi Subramanya LA retained the Basavanagudi seat defeating Congress candidate UB Venkatesh by a margin of 54,978 votes. He polled 78,854 votes, including 498 postal votes, while Venkatesh got 23,876 votes, including 122 postal votes. In 2018, Ravi Subramanya had won the seat defeating K Bagegowda of the Janata Dal (Secular). This time, JD (S) came third with its candidate Aramane Shankar polling just 19,931 votes. In Rajaji Nagar, BJPs S Suresh Kumar retained the seat polling 58,624 votes against his Congress opponent, Puttanna, who polled 50,564 votes. BJP retained the Yelahanka seat, with the partys SR Vishwanath polling 1,08,348 votes against Congress Keshava Rajanaa B, who polled 61,612 votes. Yelahanka had recorded a voter turnout of 62.68 percent. In 2018, Vishwanath had won the seat by defeating A M Hanumanthegowda of the Janata Dal (Secular) by a margin of 42,503 votes. In Mahalakshmi Layout, BJPs K Gopalaiah retained the seat by polling 96,424 votes and defeating Keshava Murthy of the Congress, who polled 45,259 votes. Congress Rizwan Arshad retained the Shivajinagar seat polling 64,913 votes against 41,719 votes polled by N Chandru of the BJP. Shivajinagar comes under Bangalore Central district. In 2019, Rizwan Arshad had won the seat defeating M Saravana of the BJP by a margin of 13,521 votes. In Dasarahalli, BJP wrested the seat from JD (S), with S Muniraju winning by polling 91,289 votes against the sitting JD (S) MLA, R Manjunatha, who polled 82,095 votes. BJPs BA Basavaraj retained the K R Pura seat, which had recorded 52.68 percent voter turnout, winning by a margin of over 24, 000 votes against DK Mohan of Congress. Basavaraj polled 1,39,235 votes against Mohans 1,15,624. BJP also retained the Mahadevapura (SC) seat, with Manjula Aravind Limbavali polling 1,81,268 votes against Congress H Nagesh, who polled 1,36,875. In 2018, her husband Aravind Limbavali had won the seat by defeating AC Srinivasa of the Congress by a margin of 17,784 votes. This time, the party denied the ticket to her husband and fielded her instead, owing to some unsavoury controversies. BJP has retained the Bengaluru South constituency, with M Krishnappa polling 1,96,220 votes against 1,46,521 votes polled by his Congress rival, R K Ramesh. The Congress retained the Anekal SC seat, with sitting MLA B Shivanna validating the faith shown in him by the party leadership. Shivanna polled 1,34,797 votes, defeating Srinivas C Hullahalli of BJP, who polled 1,03,472 votes. In Bengaluru South Lok Sabha segments Govindraj Nagar constituency, Priyakrishnna of Congress won polling over 82,000 votes. BJPs Umesh Shetty came second with about 70,000 votes. In Vijaya Nagar, M Krishnappa of the Congress retained the seat, polling over 80,000 votes, defeating BJPs H Raveendra, who polled 72,605 votes. BJPs Uday Garudachar won from Chickpet, polling 57,136 votes and defeating R V Devraj of Congress, who polled 45,186 votes.
After the Karnataka assembly poll results showed a clear victory for the Congress with 135 seats, party leader Rahul Gandhi said: Nafrat ki bazaar bandh, mohabbat ki dukan khuli hai,'' (the market of hate is closed, the shop of love has opened). Rahul was referring to the polarisation the outgoing BJP government had pursued in Karnataka, with its hijab ban and other policies, while grappling with charges of corruption and incompetence. Towards the fag end of the poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the campaign to another level with his Bajrangbali slogans, challenging the Congress to ban him. The context was the Congress stating in its manifesto that it would ban radical outfits such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India if they indulged in divisive activities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was not far behind when he said that voting for the Congress would trigger communal violence, prompting the party to file a police complaint against him. In a tweet on the day Modi was holding road shows in Bengaluru, BJP's Amit Malviya said: While Prime Minister Modi is holding road shows across Bengaluru, the Gandhi siblings' campaign will focus on Shivajinagar, Russell Market and Tannery Road areas. All minority pockets.'' Nothing worked for the BJP While pernicious issues such as the ban on hijab, halal, azaan, and boycott of Muslim traders were expected to be poll planks for the BJP in the coastal belt of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, political parties, including the BJP, chose to steer clear of these topics in the rest of the state, where they dwelt on nationalism and development. Also, some policy decisions of the outgoing Basavaraj Bommai government, like tweaking the reservation policy, dented the BJP's prospects in many constituencies. BJP only managed to retain its hold in the coastal belt, where the party won 11 of the 13 seats in the two districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The stir over the Hijab ban and the ban on Muslim traders had started from these two districts. The Bommai government's decision to alter the reservation quota by taking away the 4 percent quota for Muslims and distributing it equally among the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas, and placing them in a new category, failed to make an impact. The divisive move was undertaken to appeal to Vokkaligas in the Old Mysuru region, as well as to appeal to Lingayats, who account for 17 percent of the state's population and dominate the Kittur Karnataka and the Kalyan Karnataka belts. The Vokkaligas comprise 15 percent of the population. The strategy bombed in all the three regions. The Lingayats were unimpressed that the BJP had allowed the protest by Lingayat seers belonging to the Panchamasali sub-sect, who were demanding a higher reservation quota, to fester till early this year, when the new reservation quota was announced. The Panchamasalis comprise 80 percent of the Lingayat community, and are mostly in Kittur Karnataka, which has 50 seats. The BJP government's announcement that it would build a majestic Ram temple in Ramanagara and make it the Ayodhya of South India also failed to impress voters, who seemed to be fatigued with the rhetoric. What worked for the Congress The five guarantees: 200 units of free electricity; Rs 2,000 per month to the matriarch of a household, 10 kg of rice per month to BPL families; an allowance for unemployed graduates and diploma holders; and free travel for women in all state transport buses. These became the talking point for the ordinary people, who were burdened by rising prices. The BJP government sliced the 17 percent reservation for the Scheduled Castes (SC) among the Left, Right, Touchables and `Other Dalit sects, which led to protests by the Left Dalits, who had voted for the BJP in 2008. This time, they voted the Congress to power. Left and Right Dalits refer to left-handed and right-handed Dalits. The concept of left and right handed castes goes back to medieval times, and was once prevalent in south India. Historically, those considered left were more oppressed than the right-handed castes. The Congress announcing that it would ban the Bajrang Dal and Popular Front of India if voted to power led to a consolidation of Muslim votes by winning over those who were considering casting their lot with Janata Dal (Secular). This was also one of the reasons why the Janata Dal (Secular) managed to secure just 19 seats as its plan to divide the Muslim vote by giving the highest number of tickets ever to candidates from the community failed. In the end, it became a question of survival for Muslims and they swung towards the Congress,' a Congress functionary said.
Blue Star Ltd is targeting to double its exports within three years as the company looks to expand its international footprint. Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan said the companys exports are worth around Rs 800 crore at present and would like to double these within three years. According to Thiagarajan, the company is going to expand its international footprint. We were only in the Middle East (earlier). This year, we have opened an office in the US, Japan, and Europe. So, we want to enter these markets, he said. You know China plus one strategy. People want to look at India other than China. Under that, we are exploring these markets. Today, we do exports of around Rs 800 crore, we would like to double it within three years, Thiagarajan told PTI here. The AC market in the US and Europe is very big compared with India, he noted. This year, the company has also bagged a major order from Bengaluru metro, worth more than Rs 500 crore, he added. On the companys plans, he said, We want to consolidate our leadership in existing business second is to get into large chillers. We were doing up to 600 tonnes of chillers, now we will be doing up to 1,000 tonnesthird is to expand our international footprint. The air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration major has been manufacturing a wide range of chillers that cool spaces such as office complexes, IT parks, hospitals, airports, hotels and shopping malls. Blue Star Ltd recently unveiled a comprehensive range of air conditioners, including best-in-class affordable range and a flagship premium range, for the summer season. The company is targeting to sell one million units this year as against over 8 lakh units last year. Replying to a question, Thiagarajan said split air-conditioners are more in demand across the country than window ACs. The company has an 8,000-strong dealer network. We would like to take it to 10,000 this year, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 14 that his interaction with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon was a fruitful one and expressed happiness in seeing India emerge as an attractive investment destination. The Prime Minister wrote on Twitter: The meeting with Mr Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, was a fruitful one. We had insightful discussions on different subjects. Happy to see India emerge as an attractive destination for investment. The meeting with Mr. Doug McMillon, CEO of @Walmart, was a fruitful one. We had insightful discussions on different subjects. Happy to see India emerge as an attractive destination for investment. https://t.co/o6YgFfgbF5  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 14, 2023 Earlier, McMillon had said that his meeting with PM Modi reinforced shared values. He said: The visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforces the shared value we bring working alongside India. Together, we'll continue to support the country's manufacturing growth and create opportunity. Meanwhile, the retail giant has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a great conversation and said that it is working toward exporting $10 billion per year from India by 2027 and are committed to strengthening logistics, skill development, and supply chains to make India a global export leader in toys, seafood, and other goods. Earlier this week, the top brass of Walmart had met with suppliers, merchants, grantees, artisans, and MSMEs in India. Commenting on the interaction, Walmart said: We have a long history in India and we're continuing to grow an ecosystem that creates opportunity. It added that India's unique ecosystem of suppliers will help the company in achieving its goal of exporting goods worth $10 billion from the country annually by 2027. While addressing Indian suppliers and partners on May 10, the Walmart Inc President and CEO reaffirmed the roadmap for strengthening partnerships with Indian communities, expanding opportunities for Indian businesses, and said: "Walmart is committed to India and we are here for the long term. We are excited about the Indian suppliers and partners who make quality, affordable, and sustainable products for our customers and members around the world. We are proud that our business can support India's growth by creating jobs, strengthening communities, and accelerating Indias progress as a manufacturing destination. In December 2020, the retailer announced that it would triple its exports of goods from India to $10 billion each year by 2027, endorsing India's continuing rise as a global hub of manufacturing. (With inputs from PTI)
Bullish on the "booming" Indian aviation market, European airline major Air France-KLM is keen to expand routes and capacity as well as increase its codeshare routes with IndiGo, according to senior executives. Air France-KLM, which has increased its seat capacity by 22 per cent compared to 2022, operates up to 46 weekly flights connecting four Indian cities  Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. It also has a codeshare agreement with the country's leading carrier IndiGo for more than 30 cities. "We want to increase capacity, routes We would like to expand with IndiGo the ambition is to do more international (flights)," Claude Sarre, General Manager  India subcontinent at Air France-KLM, told PTI. Plans are under discussion in this regard, he added. Codesharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless travel to destinations where it has no presence. India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and Air France KLM Group recorded passenger traffic of one million on Indian routes in 2022. Post the coronavirus pandemic, Sarre said air traffic demand is increasing and that the "aviation industry is booming in India". Earlier this week, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines introduced the 'premium comfort class' on flights between various Indian cities and Amsterdam. Christiaan van de Kopple, Commercial Director India subcontinent Air France-KLM, said passengers are looking for more and more quality, and are ready to pay extra for good services. "A 22 per cent increase in seat capacity (compared to 2022) in India routes also shows that India is very much a focus market for Air France KLM we are flexible in using our aircraft and utilisation on India routes," he said. They shared their views during a virtual interaction with PTI. While talking about the Indian aviation market, Sarre said DigiYatra is a good initiative and also emphasised the need to promote as well as produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Air France-KLM is a major player in international air transport. The group's global network offers flights to over 300 destinations, covered by Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Transavia, as per its website.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 12 said it has cancelled permits of seven non-banking finance companies (NBFC). The NBFCs whose certificate of registration was cancelled were Coorg Tea Company, Trimurthi Finvest, East West Finvest India, J.V.Modi Securities, K K Patel Finance, Purvi Finvest, and Genfin Capital Pvt Ltd, according to a press release from the RBI. Further, the release said these companies shall not transact the business of a Non-Banking Financial Institution. Coorg Tea Company cancellation order was on April 20, Genfin Capital Pvt Ltd cancellation was on April 26, while rest of the companies cancellation order date was April 24, the release added. In a separate press release, the RBI said 14 NBFCs surrendered their licence, which include Icseva Finance Pvt, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd, and Wondermax Mercantile Pvt Ltd. Seven companies surrendered their licence because of exit from business while two surrendered due to meeting the criteria prescribed for unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) that do not require registration. Further, remaining five surrendered permits due to ceasing to be a legal entity due to amalgamation/merger/dissolution/ voluntary strike-off, the release added.

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
TROY  The Right Rev. Dr. Glenda Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, told Troy University graduates on Friday that their commencement ceremony was not an ending, but rather a beginning of their journey to become the best possible versions of themselves.

More than 850 graduates, representing 21 U.S. states and eight nations outside the United States, took part in the spring commencement exercises inside Trojan Arena on the Troy Campus. The field included three receiving the Doctor of Philosophy degree, eight receiving the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and two receiving the Educational Specialist degree.

We are all works in progress. Even the most well-adjusted and talented people among us is still being formed, Curry said. There is always room for growth. Thats probably the last thing you want to hear this morning because graduation means youve completed something. Every time Ive graduated, I always believed I was finished, I was done. I was completed. But, the truth is, I had a long way to go, and each of you has many miles to go on this vocational road that youre on. None of us are ever finished until we are, and, on top of that, none of us is truly in charge.

Curry posed the question, What will you be when you grow up?

Remembering her own journey, Curry retraced steps that took her first to the field of nursing, then to teaching nursing and later into academic administration as President of Troy University at Montgomery.

At the same time, I began to hear God calling me in a new way, and much to my surprise, I went back to school again to seminary, which led me to where I am today, she said. It is not what I imagined I would be doing when I grew up. Rather, you see, something else got involved  a power, a force greater than me, and of course, as a Christian Bishop, Id call that power God. Regardless of the name, God has used everything that I ever was and am becoming to bring me to right here. I believe that God is working in each and every life in this room. In each place, God is trying to bring us to the very best version of ourselves.

Curry encouraged graduates to use the milestone of graduation as an opportunity to look back on their lives.

I think we can best see that power working when we look backwards on our life. Theres an old French proverb that says gratitude is the hearts memory. Theres extraordinary grace in looking backward on your life, she said. You see things from a new perspective, and graduation is that sort of milestone that makes us look backward and that makes us give thanks. As we look backward, maybe we will also get a glimpse of what we think is most important and most valuable. Today, we give thanks for all those who have helped us reach this moment  all those lifegivers who have loved, supported, cheered us on, made today possible.

Curry encouraged graduates to consider how their paths forward will help serve a greater good.

Maybe the most valuable question that we can ask ourselves today is what kind of person will my vocation help me become, she said. What the job does to and for our heart, our soul and our spirit is really the greater good and the greater gift. Will we aim to add love and hope to the world in service of something greater than ourselves or will we seek only our own gratification? Im believing that your accomplishments here are only the beginning of a longer, richer journey of realizing your gifts and of offering them for higher service. Im betting your work in education, business or healthcare or the like will do no less than foster hope and joy in the world. Go now in safety, for you cannot go where God is not. Go in love for love alone endures. Go with commitment, being sure that God will honor your dedication and guide your path. And, in the winding road of life, may Gods peace be with you and with those you love always.

Curry is the 12th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, and the first female bishop in Alabama. Before moving into full-time ministry, she was President of Troy State University Montgomery, the states first female college president at a four-year institution and was instrumental in founding the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.

She began her career as a nurse, a nursing educator and ultimately as Dean of the Troy University School of Nursing prior to being named President in 1991. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of South Carolina in 1974, the Master of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. In 2002, she completed the Master of Divinity degree at the University of the South.
An encounter broke out Sunday between the militants and security forces in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The security forces had launched a search and cordon operation in Andan in Sangam area of the district following information about presence of militants there, a police officer said. The operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire at the security forces. According to the police, there were no reports of any casualties so far on either side and the combat was still underway.

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
The airline has signed up four E175s, two of which have already started commercial operations. For a market which is growing, but has seen marquee failures in the aviation space, a regional carriers expansion is great news, especially when it comes close on the heels of Go FIRST voluntarily declaring bankruptcy. But it took nearly three months from the time the E175 aircraft landed to start commercial operations, post regulatory approvals, etc.,  a costly proposition as these planes are leased. Bucking the trend TruJet sustained for the longest period in the regional space, but just as it was on the cusp of growing, it went down. Like other carriers that had sunk, it made tall claims about signing up new planes, getting recapitalised, and expanding, all of which came to naught. Star Air started operations in January 2019 and most of its life has been under the cloud of the pandemic. The airline currently operates five Embraer E145s, which are configured with 50 seats each. The airline has contracted four E175s from lessor Nordic Aviation Capital. What separates Star Air from its peers of the past is probably silence. While Paramount Airways and Air Costa were in the news for many reasons, Star Air has hardly made headlines. The launch of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad flight was a small affair with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by cake-cutting by the first set of passengers, and a photography session. The fight will feature business class seats, a first for the airline. In fact, it is the only airline to offer the same on this route. Star Air: growth since inception 2019 2020 2021 2022 Departures 2,064 2,615 5,678 6,028 Passengers 61,685 90,665 1,98,262 2,30,671 ASK (in thousands) 60,553 64,317 154,939 1,79,480 Market Share Less than 0.1 percent 0.1 percent 0.2 percent 0.2 percent * ASK (available seat kilometres, or the total no. of available seats multiplied by the total number of kilometres flown.) (Source: DGCA) The airline has deployed the E175 on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad-Jamnagar-Bengaluru route, and intends to launch three new destinations and add two new aircraft by September. Speaking on the occasion, Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO, announced the launch of Jaipur as the next destination on the network. The airline will also progressively add routes which are not under UDAN, and will have about 20 percent of its flights on non-UDAN routes. UDAN stands for Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik, a scheme to develop smaller regional airports. Tiwana added that the airline is currently offering special discounted rates for business class seats which are being sold through its website and call centres, and will be rolled out to OTAs (online travel agents) subsequently. Navigating Covid and next phase of UDAN Tiwana said that India is a good market for business and Star Air has always received the necessary support from the ministry. However, infrastructure challenges continue, especially at smaller airports where the airline operates. The airline will be participating in the next phase of UDAN, dubbed UDAN 5.0, and hopes to win some routes under the programme. The airline intends to start the routes with the E145s, all of which the airline owns, and shift to leased E175s when the routes mature. Owning planes helped Star Air navigate Covid better than having leased planes, added Tiwana. Embracing the Embraer Star Air is an all-Embraer operator and will deploy the E175s on routes connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad, Hyderabad with Jamnagar, and Jamnagar with Bengaluru. The routes to Jamnagar from Bengaluru and Hyderabad are the longest routes in the airlines network. The aircraft seats a total of 76 passengers, with 12 seats in business configured with 2 x 1 seats, and 64 economy seats in 2 x 2 seating. In terms of comfort, the airline offers higher legroom and seats with better padding compared to low cost carriers (LCC). Tiwana says the airline is operationally profitable. But can they charge a premium and will passengers pay for these perks? Well know soon. The author was onboard the first flight with an invitation from Star Air.
Voters in Thailand were heading to the polls on Sunday in an election touted as a pivotal chance for change, eight years after incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first came to power in a 2014 coup. He is now running against the daughter of the politician who is the military's top nemesis. The opposition Pheu Thai Party, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is widely predicted to win at least a healthy plurality of the seats in the 500-member lower House. But who heads the next government won't by decided by Sunday's vote alone. The prime minister will be selected in July in a joint session of the House and the 250-seat Senate. The winner must secure at least 376 votes and no party is likely to do that on its own. Pheu Thai won the most seats in the last election in 2019, but its archrival, the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party, succeeded in cobbling together a coalition with Prayuth as prime minister. It relied on unanimous support from the Senate, whose members share the military's conservative outlook and were appointed by the military government after Prayuth's coup. Prayuth is running for reelection, although the military this year has split its support between two parties. Prayuth is backed by the United Thai Nation Party; his deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, another former general, is the standard bearer for Palang Pracharath. Prayuth has been blamed for a stuttering economy, shortcomings in addressing the pandemic and thwarting democratic reforms, a particular sore point with younger voters. The increased youth vote and general awareness of the damage caused by military rule are key factors likely to determine the results of this election, said Tyrell Haberkorn, a Thai studies specialist at the University of Wisconsin. After nine years of military rule, people are ready for a change, even those who were not interested in rocking the boat before. Pheu Thai is the latest in a string of parties linked to populist billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister by an army coup in 2006. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is his daughter. Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who became prime minister in 2011, was toppled in the coup led by Prayuth. Pheu Thai and Paetongtarn, the most popular of the party's three registered candidates for prime minister, are strides ahead of the competition in the opinion polls. But there is no sign that the country's military-backed conservative establishment has warmed to them. I think the conservative-royalist side, underpinning the military, the monarchy, their backs are against the wall. Change is coming and they have to find a way to deal with it, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. That means Pheu Thai will have to tread carefully after Sunday's election in choosing possible coalition partners. The Move Forward Party is polling second and is its ideological bedfellow in seeking to clip the military's wings. But its outspoken support for minor reforms of the monarchy is unacceptable to most conservatives to whom the institution is sacrosanct, and scares off other possible coalition partners. Many believe that Pheu Thai might look in the other direction for a partner, by cutting a deal with the Palang Pracharath Party and its leader, Prawit, who is less associated with the 2014 coup and the hard line Prayuth has pursued.
Karnataka has been the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) gateway to the southern states. It is well over a decade and a half since the party had first crossed that gateway. Yet, after all these years, it has not grown into a significant political force in other states in the region, although it is in power as a junior alliance partner in the Union Territory of Puducherry. What has worked for BJP elsewhere in the country has worked only as far as Karnataka in the south. The people of the south have a lot of things in common, except for politics. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has always had a state-wide presence in Kerala, and it has grown in organisational strength steadily in Tamil Nadu since 2010. But this growth has never translated into political success in either state. Karnataka and Kerala have a strong presence of Congress, whereas regional parties govern politics in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Karnataka election results have further diminished BJPs chances of expanding into these states. Failing To Impress The South The major problem is that BJP has not been able to present a model of governance in Karnataka that other states can emulate. The party has not been able to retain power in any of the assembly elections. In terms of their approach in administrative matters, theres not much to choose between the Congress and the BJP. This time too, corruption and disunity created a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommais government. BJP could not keep several of its old hands in good humour. Apart from the usual rebels, some stalwarts from the old brigade too defected to the Congress and contested against them. BJPs Hindutva politics too doesnt find many takers in the south. Debates on hijab and azaan didnt further the partys prospects in Karnataka, and neither did its election promises of uniform civil code and national register for citizens (NRC). Announcement of these policies without necessary public discourse created confusion among the voters, which outweighed the benefits proposed. The states decision to scrap the four percent Other Backward Castes (OBC) quota for Muslims and split it between Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes was also widely criticised, even by the Supreme Court, which termed the move as shaky and flawed. Although it was part of the routine process, the Lok Sabha Secretariats issuance of disqualification notice to Rahul Gandhi following the Gujarat court order over his controversial Kolar speech, and the demand to vacate his official residence did not go down well with the voters. Congress succeeded in projecting these incidents, along with the cases against DK Shivakumar by various central investigation agencies, as targeted attacks against its leaders. BJP could not keep a clean slate on corruption either, which was perhaps its biggest downfall. The Bommai government could not exculpate itself from the slew of allegations by contractors that a former minister and other government officials took 40 percent commission from state projects. This even dented BJPs national image of keeping its development-oriented affairs corruption-free. In short, the BJP government in Karnataka was everything that the party has been opposing elsewhere in the country. Dialling Modi Wont Help Having realised its perilous position in the state, BJP fielded Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself in the poll campaign more actively than in any of his recent campaigns. The party think-tank should realise that the Modi wave saving the party from every crisis is just a chimera  it cannot happen when all other party systems have failed. In Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, BJP returned to power because both engines of the double engine sarkar were working in unison to deliver results in accordance with the partys vision of Sabka Vikas. In Karnataka though, the Delhi engine focused on big ticket infrastructure projects, such as the 119-km Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, but the Bengaluru engine forgot the mantra of Sabka Saath when it came to the people in semi-urban and rural areas. For some reason, BJPs central leadership either ignored or condoned the incompetence of the state government. BJP has always adopted this indifferent position irrespective of who the chief minister was in Karnataka. It, instead, enjoyed the share from the state to its overall numbers in the Lok Sabha. More than any external factor, it is the BJPs own apathy that has prevented it from growing in the south. This experience close at hand has been largely uninspiring for the people as well. If the leadership does not disentangle this self-inflicted convolution, Karnataka will remain as BJPs southern end on Indias political atlas. (Sreejith Panickar is a Kerala-based political commentator. Twitter: @PanickarS. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.)
The assembly elections in Karnataka may be over, but a series of other state polls this year will keep the political pot boiling till the 2024 Lok Sabha battle. At least three assembly election could also take place alongside the Lok Sabha polls. After Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram would go for polls this year. The northeastern states of Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya were the first to have assembly polls in 2023. The last part of 2023 would witness a series of assembly polls with terms of legislative assemblies of Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana ending on different dates in December this year and January 2024. While the term of the 40-member Mizoram assembly ends on December 17, the tenures of the Chhattisgarh and the Madhya Pradesh legislative assemblies conclude on January 3 and January 6, 2024, respectively. The tenures of the Rajasthan and Telangana assemblies end on January 14 and January 16, 2024, respectively. Polls in these five states being held together cannot be ruled out at this stage. Besides the scheduled polls, assembly elections in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir can also not be ruled out this year. Sources had earlier said that elections in Jammu and Kashmir may be held in the summer of 2023 after winter conditions subside, and the timing would depend on the security scenario. After the conclusion of the 62-day long Amarnath Yatra from July 1 to August 31, a possible window sometime in October this year could be available for polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The terms of the legislative assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha are ending on different dates in June next year. Since Lok Sabha polls are usually held in April-May, there is a likelihood that assembly elections in the three states could be held simultaneously with the parliamentary exercise.
The BJP fielded 395 Muslim candidates in the just-concluded local body elections in Uttar Pradesh and more than 40 of them won, including five on posts of nagar panchayat chairperson, according to party leaders. Muslims have expressed their faith in the Centre and the state government, they said. Dismissing the claim, the Samajwadi Party said the BJP should tell how many Muslim candidates it would field in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kunwar Basit Ali, head of Uttar Pradesh BJP's minority cell, told PTI on Sunday that the party fielded a total of 395 Muslim candidates in the urban local body elections and 40-45 of them emerged victorious. He said, "Out of 32 Muslim candidates fielded by the party on the posts of nagar panchayat chairman, five emerged victorious  Wali Mohammad (from Gopamau in Hardoi district), Phool Bano (from Chilkana in Saharanpur), Kausar Abbas (from Sirsi in Sambhal), Nadeemul Hasan (from Dhaura Tanda in Bareilly) and Farkhanda Jabi (from Bhojpur in Moradabad)." Some of the other winners are Shahzad, nagar panchayat member from (ward number 5) Siwalkhas in Meerut who won by a wafer-thin margin of 15 votes; Rukhsana, nagar panchayat member from (ward number 3) Siwalkhas in Meerut who won by 316 votes; and Hakikun Nisha, who won the corporator's post in the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation. Javed Malik, chairman of the BJP's minority cell in west Uttar Pradesh, told PTI that the strategy of Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress to intimidate Muslims during the elections failed. "Muslims have expressed their faith in the Centre and the state government," he said. Expressing happiness over the performance of BJP candidates, Minister of State for Muslim Waqf, Haj and Minority Welfare Danish Azad Ansari told PTI, "The results have been very good. In places where we did not win, including Muslim areas, we secured the second spot, while the SP went down to the third." "This proves that Muslims are gradually shifting towards the BJP and they have no illusion regarding the SP," he said. In the Rampur Nagar Palika Parishad, AAP's Sana Khanam won with 43,121 votes, BJP's Masarat Mujeeb was the runner-up with 32,173 votes and SP's Fatma Jabi came third with 16,273 votes, he said, elucidating his point. The BJP ensured educational, social and political development of the minorities, due to which they are experiencing economic growth. The party also ensured their social and political growth, Ansari said. SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar, however, rejected the BJP's claims. "In the urban local body elections, the administration had created an atmosphere of fear. Despite this, the performance of the SP has been good in nagar palika parishads and nagar panchayats," he said. "And if the BJP is talking about Muslims now, then it will have to tell how many Muslims it would give tickets to in the Lok Sabha elections," he said. Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi termed the BJP "selfish" and said Muslims are not going to be influenced by the statements of its leaders. "They talk about Muslims while seeking their votes but after the election results are out, they start indulging in divisive politics. Muslim voters are not going to be influenced by such statements made by BJP leaders," he said. The BJP swept the mayoral elections in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, winning all 17 mayoral seats. The urban local body polls were held in two phases  on May 4 and May 11  to elect 17 mayors and 1,401 corporators. Nineteen corporators were elected unopposed, according to the State Election Commission.
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan hit out at the country's powerful army in his first address after an Islamabad court set him free, saying it should be ashamed of jumping into politics and could form its own political party. Addressing the nation from his Lahore home on Saturday, Khan took strong exception to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) allegations against him and said the spokesperson of the army's military wing was not even born when he represented Pakistan in the world. I kept Pakistans flag high world over. Never has ISPR made such a statement. You should be ashamed of yourself. You have jumped into politics. Why dont you make a political party," Khan said in an hour-long maiden speech after the Islamabad High Court gave him blanket relief in all 145 cases registered against him. His remarks came in response to ISPR Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhrys statement in which he called Khan a "hypocrite". "Listen to me Mr DG ISPR you were not even born when I was representing my country in the world and earning a good name for it. You need to be ashamed of yourself for calling me a hypocrite and anti-Army, he said in a harsh rejoinder. A triumphant Khan returned to his Zaman Park home in Lahore on Saturday after having locked himself in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises for hours for fear of re-arrest despite being granted bail on Friday. Before leaving for Lahore, the 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief hit out at the imported government for kidnapping him despite the IHC granting him bail in all cases. The 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief also tore into Pakistan's Army chief General Asim Munir and blamed him for his "abduction" after a court set him free. In a major relief to Khan, the Islamabad High Court on Friday granted him protective bail for two weeks in a corruption case and barred the authorities from arresting the former Pakistan prime minister in any case registered anywhere in the country until Monday. During Khan's address, video clips were shown of how army trucks dropped unidentified plainclothesmen, who joined PTI protesters and provoked them to unleash violence and ransack public property. Khan distanced himself from violent protests that erupted in the wake of his arrest on Tuesday from IHC premises by Pakistan Rangers, asserting that violence and vandalism is not my philosophy. Khan's arrest triggered unrest in Pakistan that continued till Friday and led to several deaths and dozens of military and state installations being destroyed by the protesters. For the first time in Pakistan's history, the protesters stormed the army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also torched a corps commander's house in Lahore. Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10 while Khan's party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel. "They have put the entire leadership of PTI in jails and arrested over 3,500 workers and instituted more cases against me after the attack on the state buildings by unknown persons," Khan said. "The government parties do not want the elections because they know they will be completely wiped out. That is why they planned this conspiracy (attack on military installations) and ran away from elections," he said. "Such actions have dire consequences. Although you (the Army) will not listen to me, I advise you to think big. You should see where the country is heading by such actions," he said. Khan demanded an investigation into the protests and vandalism following his arrest by an independent panel to be constituted by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. I know, who wants to create anarchy in the country and take benefit of the tense situation, he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. Khan said the judiciary was the only hope for Pakistan. He said there has been unprecedented media control by the 'handlers' who had also imposed a ban on social media to curb free speech. He appealed to the journalists to listen to their conscience and not fear the military establishment.
Newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka on Sunday authorised party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister, party sources said. The Congress Legislature Party, which met at a private hotel here Sunday evening, passed a unanimous resolution authorising the party chief to pick its leader. Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar. Congress president Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader. Congress scored a thumping win in the May 10 Assembly polls as it secured 135 seats out of 224, while the BJP bagged only 66.

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Google co-founders gain $18 billion as AI boost lifts stock Larry Pages net worth increased by $9.4 billion this week to $106.9 billion, while Sergey Brins rose $8.9 billion to $102.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. That was their biggest weekly gain since February 2021. Google will start experimenting with a more conversational search engine and has made its AI-powered chatbot available more broadly, the Mountain View, California-based company said at its annual developer conference on Wednesday. Thats helping the firm assert dominance in an increasingly competitive field. Shares of its parent, Alphabet Inc., rose almost 1% in New York Friday after surging 8.6% in the two days through Thursday. Googles former chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, is another beneficiary of the AI boom. Hes invested in many startups in the field and has rejected public calls to slow down the speed of research, citing concerns over Chinas advances in tech. Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath clears the air on AI policies Nithin Kamath, CEO of online brokerage firm Zerodha, has tweeted a series of messages outlining the company's stance on AI and job loss. Kamath began by announcing that Zerodha has created an internal AI policy to provide clarity to its employees. He assured his team that the company will not fire anyone simply because a new technology has made their job redundant. Kamath also expressed his views on the impact of AI on society. He acknowledged that AI has the potential to disrupt jobs and exacerbate wealth inequality. He cited the current capitalistic and economic systems as the primary drivers of this inequality. Barely 4 in 10 Indian employees using AI despite rising demand, shows study According to the study by Salesforce, 93 percent of Indian workers showed excitement about the idea of utilising generative AI for their work, while 91 percent firms report that they are thinking about employing generative AI. The new report stated 93 percent of Indian workers showed excitement about the idea of utilising generative AI for their work, while 91 percent of firms report that they are thinking about employing generative AI. About 89 percent of Indian workers believe that in today's job market, skills-based experience is more important than a degree or industry-specific certification. However, the study noted there is a disconnect between the skills companies need and those currently used by the workforce.
Bill Gates had dropped out of Harvard University after three semesters to start Microsoft, but on Saturday, the billionaire shared five pointers he wished he was told at his graduation that he never had since Gates never finished his undergraduate degree. While addressing students at Northern Arizona University, Gates said, "What does a college dropout know about graduation? Not much, personally, to be honest." "As I prepared for today, I spent a lot of time thinking about how you, as new graduates, can have the biggest impact on the world with the education you received here. That led me to thinking about ... the advice I was never given on a day just like this one," he added as reported by CNBC Make It. The Microsoft co-founder then shared the five things I wish I was told at the graduation I never had". 1.) Decisions you make now aren't permanent Youre probably facing a lot of pressure right now to make the right decisions about your career, Gates said. It might feel like those decisions are permanent. Theyre not. The billionaire recalled battling this same pressure when he was a student. When he co-founded Microsoft in 1975, he thought that I would work there for the rest of my life, he said. Hes so glad that he was wrong about that. Its a good thing to reevaluate yourself and your goals, even if they dont align with what you originally imagined, Gates added. 2.) Don't be afraid to ask for help When Bill Gates dropped out of college, he said, he thought he knew everything, but eventually, he realized that the first step to learning something new is leaning into what you dont know, instead of focusing on what you do know, he said. At some point in your career, you will find yourself facing a problem you cannot solve on your own, he told the students. When that happens, dont panic. Take a breath. Force yourself to think things through. And then find smart people to learn from. Gates also asked the students too not be afraid to seek help from smarter people in the workplace, on professional networking sites or among peers. Read more: Bill Gates, Melinda French share first pics with newborn granddaughter 3.) Help others You are graduating at a time of immense opportunity to help people, Gates told the students. New industries and companies are emerging every day that will allow you to make a living by making a difference. And advances in science and technology have made it easier than ever to make a big impact. The opportunities are endless, he added. Students could fight climate change as foresters or help people benefit from artificial intelligence as programmers, Gates suggested. 4.) Value connections made at college The people youve (socialised) with and sat next to in lectures are not just your classmates. They are your network, Bill Gates said while addressing students at Northern Arizona University. Your future co-founders and colleagues. Your best sources of support, information, and advice. The only thing more valuable than what you walk offstage with today is who you walk onstage with. 5.) Theres more to life than work When I was your age, I didnt believe in vacations. I didnt believe in weekends. I didnt believe the people I worked with should either, Gates said, as per the CNBC Make It report. The Microsoft co-founder even admitted to tracking his employees, noting who stayed back in the office late and who left early, before he learned his lesson. Dont wait as long as I did to learn this lesson, Gates told the students. Take time to nurture your relationships. To celebrate your successes. And to recover from your losses. Take a break when you need to. Take it easy on the people around you when they need it, too. Read more: Microsoft employee says no salary hike is 'a slap in the face'
Wallace Community College  Dothan conferred degrees and certificates May 10 during the Spring 2023 Commencement Exercises at the Dothan Civic Center. The college held two ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 2 pm.

Velma Tribue offered the keynote address at both ceremonies. Tribue was State Farms first African American agent in the Wiregrass. During her 32 years in the insurance business, Tribue received multiple State Farm national awards for her business achievements. She is a graduate of Leadership Alabama, and in 2008 became the first African American to serve as chair of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and Dothan By Design.

Tribue has served on state, regional and local boards including the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees. In 2018, Tribue became the first female African American to be inducted into the prestigious Dothan Business Hall of Fame.

WCCD graduate Jammie Sanchez was the recipient of the 2023 Presidents Award. Sanchez served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Hermanos y Hermanas Unidos student organization. She was a member of the Leadership Development Cohort and served as a Diplomat.

Sanchez volunteered for many local charitable organizations in addition to achieving high scholastic marks. Sanchez was named to the Wallace Deans List and was selected to the prestigious All-Alabama Academic Team. She also received the Alabama Community College Presidential Scholarship to both the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Sanchez plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall to major in nursing, with a goal to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Shawanda Vickers was recognized as the Wallace Campus in Dothan Alumnus of the Year at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Vickers is the owner of Shoo-Cosmetics.

Clay Hagler was recognized as the Sparks Campus in Eufaula Alumnus of the Year at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Hagler is the owner of Hagler Heating and Cooling.
Indian mothers are winning in the influencer marketing space, in terms of both audience and brands, and collectively becoming one of the biggest content creator categories globally. Commonly known as mom-influencers or 'momfluencers', they make up 10.7 percent of the total influencer segment in India, said Vatsal Rajgor, founder, DigiMaze, a marketing agency. "The Indian mom-influencer space is the second largest in the world, only trailing the US. India beats out the likes of UAE and the combined Southeast Asia," he added. In the last five years, there has been about a 50 percent spike in the number of mom-influencers in India, said Raghav Bagai, co-founder, Sociowash, an advertising agency. "The pandemic had a role to play in expanding the scope for influencers in various niches, momfluencer being one of them. People started bingeing on cute baby pictures and that eventually led to the popularity of momfluencers who uploaded them. Now, these influencers are a considerable segment, carving out a niche within the influencer marketing domain," he said. Rajgor noted that the mom-influencer market segment is growing rapidly, at around 25 percent per year. Many mothers have found success by creating content that is relatable and authentic, sharing their real-life experiences and offering advice and tips that resonate with their followers, said Ramya Ramachandran, founder and CEO, Whoppl, an influencer marketing agency. Slice of life "It was during the early days of my motherhood that I found solace in posting photos, using it as an escape from the constant demands of being a mom. Little did I know that this simple act would open the doors to a world of opportunities. For me, becoming an influencer has been a true game changer," said Shweta Tanwar Mukherjee, who uses the tagline Mom & Wellness Content Creator on Instagram. For Megha Arora, a mother and an influencer, content creation gave her the support she was looking for. "My journey as a creator began when I started sharing my experiences as a mother on Instagram. After losing my own mother when I was seven months pregnant with my first child and living away from my hometown in a nuclear family, I felt isolated and alone. By connecting with likeminded moms and learning from their experiences, I found a sense of community and support," she said. Yulia Aslamova, a Russian who has been living in Bengaluru since 2014, turned her social media journey into a business. When she found it difficult to adjust to the changes in her life after becoming a mother, her Instagram blogs came to the rescue. "I shared my challenges and my experiences with the audience, and I received support from experienced mothers and other moms who were also finding their own way. Due to my experience and what I have learned, I started an influencer marketing platform called DRIM Global," she said. Priyanka Limbasiya too saw content creation giving new legs to her dreams. "During my schooldays, I used to participate in various activities like dance and drama, but due to personal commitments, I couldn't pursue it further. However, after seeing so many influencers, I decided to give it a try, and I started enjoying the process. Being an influencer has brought a significant difference in my life, both in terms of personal growth and the respect I receive from society. Creating content became like 'me time' for me with four to five video posts per week and I have now got a following of 1.6 million as a comedy content creator," she said. Brands bet on moms Along with relatability, mothers also offer variety in their content, which gives them wider reach, and a lot of more brands take interest in associating with them, said marketers. "When we think of mom-influencers, the first market segment our minds jump to is baby products, but they go beyond that. Fashion, lifestyle, fitness, food, health, beauty, technologyall are areas in which mom-influencers create their niche and reach an untapped audience," said Rajgor. India is big on momfluencers, ranging from Shradha Singh to Ami Desai and now counting new moms like Masoom Meenawala to mothers-to-be like Malvika Sitlani, pointed out Sumit Gupta, founder, Viral Pitch, an influencer marketing firm. "Their content does not stick to only one niche of being a mom but they, more importantly, showcase the importance and bliss of being a woman," he pointed out. The most popular mom-influencers have become a vital component of the marketing mix for brands targeting young parents in India due to their ability to connect with their audience, said Shashank Shekhar, senior director, content strategy and operations, Moj and ShareChat, social apps. He said that they have entered into collaborations with several brands including Whisper, Good Knight, Harpic, Dr Choice, Kings Edible Oil, Wipro Wash and Maggi. "Leading brands are showing keen interest in collaborating with mom creators, and we have already completed a few campaigns with several more in progress," he added. Ritesh Ujjwal, co-founder and CEO of influencer marketing firm Kofluence, also has seen big brands including Tata Soulful, ITC's Mangaldeep Agarbatti, Meesho, and Domino's leverage the influence of mothers on social media for their ad campaigns. "Mothers have also become attractive to brands because they have purchasing power and influence over their families' buying decisions. This has led to an increase in collaborations between brands and mothers," he explained. Brand integrations for mom-influencers ranges from between two or three brands a month to 10 to 12 in a month during the festive season, said Viral Pitch's Gupta. "Mom creators have become a sought-after category for brands, especially those looking to tap into the family or parenting segment. Momfluencers attract a mature audience who are looking for products that meet their needs. On average, mom-influencers tend to secure around five brand deals per month," said Karan Pherwani, vice president, Chtrbox, an influencer marketing agency. In her five-year stint as a content creator, Mukherjee has collaborated with more than 500 brands, with an average of three to five brand associations per month. With these brand deals, she makes between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per month on average. Limbasiya associates with three to six brands in a year and has worked with the likes of Amazon India, Flipkart and Kheloyar, among others. In the next couple of years, close to 75 percent of brands are expected to include influencer marketing in their marketing strategies, noted Preety Singh, co-founder and managing director, Boomlet Group, an influencer marketing firm. "Hence, with the increasing popularity of influencer marketing, one can expect that the momfluencers space will flourish, providing a strong source of earning for mom creators," she said.
Bangladesh and Myanmar are evacuating hundreds of thousands of people as Cyclone Mocha is set to make landfall Sunday, potentially causing widespread destruction to one of the most vulnerable areas in the region. The storm could hit the worlds biggest refugee camp in Bangladesh, home to about a million Rohingyas who fled there years ago from neighboring Myanmar. Wind speeds could reach as high as 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, and the storm is equivalent to a category 4 hurricane. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned of storm surges, flash floods and landslides in coastal districts. The country has raised the danger signal to 10 (on a scale of 1 to 11) for Coxs Bazar, and shut seaports and airports in the coastal zone. The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations agency, has warned of heavy rain, flooding and landslides potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of the worlds most vulnerable people, including the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and six million people in need of humanitarian assistance in neighboring Myanmars Rakhine state. Storms in the region are not unusual at this time of year, but Cyclone Mocha comes at a time of increased attention to extreme weather, after parts of Asia grappled with severe heat in April and May. With climate change and a looming shift in patterns toward El Nino conditions, heat waves and large storms could become more frequent or intense. The ability of governments to respond to such threats is crucial. Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 was the worst natural disaster in the history of Myanmar. More than 140,000 people were killed, and the lives of 2.4 million more were affected. Myanmars civil war has intensified since the military took power in a coup in 2021. The fighting has displaced over a million people, especially the minority Rohingya, whom the UN has alleged are subject to ethnic cleansing by the military. The ruling junta has issued an evacuation order to about one million people in seven townships in Rakhine State, although many more in other parts of the country are also likely to be affected. The countrys meteorological office has raised its alert warning for the cyclone to red, the highest level, and advised those living in western coastal areas to evacuate as soon as possible. The junta has also banned fishing and entry to beaches and coastal areas across the whole nation. The storm has caused widespread power outages in both countries. Most of Myanmars 330 townships, including the capital of Naypyidaw and commercial capital Yangon, have no access to electricity. In Bangladesh, fuel supply to the grid shrank after the government suspended the flow of liquefied natural gas from two floating terminals. Gas for cooking was down and out for hours in the capital of Dhaka. Bangladeshs energy ministry called for patience and said power supply will be restored when weather conditions improve. The government has also asked farmers to harvest their rice crop immediately, and suspended public exams for two million students scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
May 14, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-116

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues is here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on May 14, 2023 at 13:58 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
In 2015, Edwin Sigala was working as a sales rep for a local car dealership.

It was a tough job, Sigala said. Im not cut out to be in sales. I went to a job fair to see what else was out there. Everything that interested me required a college degree. Thats when I decided it was time to enroll at Midland College.

Sigala started taking classes at Midland College in January of 2016.

I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but Ive always been good with numbers and like to solve problems, he said. The very first semester I took an Algebra class, and the professor Michael Dixon was awesome. I think that class was what convinced me to become an engineer.

Dixon is now vice president of Student Services at MC and still remembers Sigala: He was one of the best students I have ever had the joy of teaching. In every class, Edwin performed at the highest level. Many students in his classes accused him of blowing the curve. He never took shortcuts and wanted to learn the topic thoroughly.

During his second semester at Midland College, Sigala was awarded the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship, which paid full tuition, fees and books during the time he was enrolled in MC courses. In 2018, when he transferred to the University of Texas Permian Basin, the scholarship continued to pay for his educational expenses.

Even after transferring to UTPB, Sigala kept his affiliation with MC as a part-time tutor in the Math Lab.

Dixon said that he was an asset in the Math Lab: As good a student as Edwin was, he is an even better person. He naturally helps and thinks of others in all situations. This genuine ability to care for and help others, coupled with his excellent math skills made him a great tutor.

This past December, Sigala graduated from UTPB with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, and in July he will start employment with SLB (formerly Schlumberger) in Midland.

I was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, and never dreamed that I would have a job like this, Sigala said. Im the first person in my family to get a college degree. I will always be thankful to Midland College for introducing me to a career where I could use my affinity and talents in math and problem solving.

In a letter to the Bill Pace Cogdell trustees, Sigala wrote, I will forever be thankful to you for considering me to be a recipient of the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship, since it allowed me to focus on my classes instead of having to worry about tuition. As a result, I graduated from UTPB with Latin Honors and a GPA of 3.9.

While I am not surprised, I am so pleased that Edwin accepted a position with SLB as a mechanical engineer, Dixon said. He has a great work ethic, and Im sure will excel in his future professional endeavors.

Sigala has led the way for his younger sister Mariana and encouraged her to also go to college. She will graduate from Legacy High School in May and plans to attend Midland College, where she hopes to enroll in the colleges new Radiography Technician program.

In addition to embarking on a new career, Sigala has another monumental life event about to happen. He and his fiancee Ara Ramirez plan to be married soon.

--

Rebecca Bell is the executive director of Institutional Advancement at Midland College.
The Wiregrass Museum of Art has been awarded a grant from the Wiregrass Foundation to support summer outreach programs in June and July.

Summer outreach programs reflect the museums core mission to inspire lifelong learning at all ages. WMAs programs are part of a comprehensive educational plan to provide access to the arts for our youngest residents, seniors, and families, and were grateful for support from Wiregrass Foundation to extend access to quality art experiences through outreach and scholarship opportunities across the Wiregrass, said Dana-Marie Lemmer, the museums executive director and curator.

Wiregrass Foundation awarded WMA $10,000 for its summer outreach programs, which will help fund art camp experiences and field trips with Hawk-Houston Youth Enrichment Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Wiregrass.

The Wiregrass Foundation is proud to support WMAs summer outreach programs because we believe in the power of the arts to enrich the lives of Wiregrass residents and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our community. This grant to WMA reflects the Foundations ongoing commitment to supporting programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all Wiregrass residents. We believe that access to the arts is essential for personal growth, community development, and economic prosperity, said Troy Fountain, president of Wiregrass Foundation.

Up to 300 students from partnering organizations will visit WMA over the summer months through this funding opportunity. Students will experience guided tours through the museums galleries, exploring art from WMAs collections and temporary exhibitions; these tours focus on inquiry-based learning and multiple disciplines, including STEAM, visual art, Alabama history, and creative writing. Each group will spend time creating artwork with high-quality supplies in the museums studio as a part of their trip, and will take home supply kits to continue to explore self-expression and creativity after their camp experience.

WMA will also provide students at the Hawk-Houston Youth Enrichment Center with an on-site camp at their location, structured to fit the needs of the centers daily schedule over six weeks. The camp experience will conclude with a field trip to WMA, to experience newly opened exhibitions and studio artmaking in late July.

Additionally, this grant creates an opportunity for 14 scholarship seats for the museums paid, in-house summer camps, two at each of its seven camps in June and July. Museum staff will provide these spots to students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds by working with partners at Dothan City Schools, Dothan Housing Authority, Dothan Leisure Services, and the museums Community Advisory Committee, to identify students who would benefit from this opportunity. Scholarship applications are available at wiregrassmuseum.org/camps, and in person at the Wiregrass Museum of Art.

Summer outreach efforts will primarily serve students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds, who statistically have less access to experiential learning during the summer like their peers; special camps, travel, and enriching cultural activities are often inaccessible to them. WMAs commitment to providing access to the arts is exemplified in this outreach project, and in its approach to partnership with area organizations.

Of particular importance to this long-term partnership between WMA and area organizations is the long-term impact that is created for students who are participating in them on a multi-year basis. Outreach with WMA provides participating students with the opportunity to build their technical, artistic, and social skills, and open up the visual arts as a viable avenue for self-expression and creativity.

For more information about WMAs annual arts programming, visit wiregrassmuseum.org, or call (334)794-3871.

Wiregrass Museum of Art inspires a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts by providing innovative educational programs that engage diverse audiences through the collection and exhibition of quality works. Since its inception in 1987, WMA has offered educational programs, nationally-acclaimed art exhibitions and community events throughout the year. Its Board of Trustees guides the long-term vision and strategic goals, while its membership, City and County support, and grant funding provide the resources needed to fulfill its mission.

WMAs galleries are open to the public every Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. General admission is always free.
Annually, the Midland Association of Retired School Professionals (MARSP) awards two scholarships to students pursuing degrees and/or certifications contributing to the profession. The organization is committed to supporting excellence in teaching. The 2022-23 recipients are both deserving of recognition for their accomplishments thus far and for the goals they have for the future.

Alejandro de la Rosa Azumendi, a senior at Early College High School at Midland College, will soon graduate and be awarded both a high school diploma and an associate degree from Midland College. Azumendi serves as president of the Science Club and vice president of Leadership for the National Honor Society. At Midland College, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, enrolled in the Honors Program and works in the Math Lab tutoring both high school and college students. Additionally, Azumendi during high school contributed more than 300 hours in community service at Midland Community Theatre, both on the stage and in the costume shop.

In her letter of reference, Azumendis physics teacher, Lathrice Davis, described him as conscientious, kind, responsible and a natural problem solver. She commented, He possesses an uncommon ability to explain mathematical concepts in a simple, yet direct manner, readily promoting understanding. Azumendis chemistry teacher, Taylor Hudgins, shared his many accomplishments, including an academic letter, the STEM Star Award, and the ECHS Core Value Award for Citizenship. She commented, You can count on Alex to give his best always to friends, family, school, and community.

In his application, Azumendi described discovering a passion for teaching during the pandemic. He was home with his 6-year-old brother and worked to help him navigate on-line schooling. He attended all zoom classes with him, made extra worksheets to help him practice difficult skills, and kept him on task, all while keeping up with his own studies and earning a 4.0 GPA. Azumendi commented, Being a teacher is not only about making sure the student learns the material, but also about making sure the student loves learning the material. This fall, Alejandro will begin studies at Angelo State University, where he will pursue a degree and certification in math education. We hope he returns to Midland to teach.

Kristen Ashleigh Hernandez has worked as a teaching assistant for 13 years, the last three years in the Pre-K Academy at Midland College. She is concurrently enrolled in the bachelors in teaching program at Midland College. The mother of two elementary age children, Hernandez began her pursuit of a degree and certification in teaching later in life but has demonstrated clear commitment by successfully completing a year and half toward her goal. She has juggled responsibilities at home and remained committed to her job while earning a 3.8 GPA.

In 2019, Hernandez accepted a unique challenge. The Pre-K program lost a teacher shortly before school was to open. Kristen stepped up and served as the teacher of record for a number of months, doing home visits, completing assessments and planning lessons. Once a permanent teacher was hired, Hernandez ensured a seamless transition for her students. The experience did, however, fuel her personal ambition. She commented after being in charge of a classroom for a few months, I quickly realized that I aspire to have a classroom of my own one day and I look forward to completing my college journey in order to attain this!

Leslie Goodrum, executive director of Early College Education at Midland College, had this to say about Hernandez, Her compassion for students is remarkable. She goes above and beyond each and every day to provide the best possible environment for her pre-kindergarten students. She is a natural when interacting with students. Lori Smith, principal, Pre-K Academy at Midland College, indicates that the program is lucky to have Hernandez as an employee and describes her as an asset in the classroom.

In her application, Hernandez said, I have always loved working with children and making a difference in their lives, whether it is academically or developmentally, forming individual bonds with each and every one of them, and watching them blossom throughout the year. Hernandez also volunteers with her daughter at Horses, Hearts and Hands, a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding lessons.

The Midland Association of Retire School Professional is proud to celebrate two exceptional students and two valuable program promoting homegrown professionals in teaching, Early College High School at Midland College and the Early College Education Program at Midland College.

Annually, the Midland Association of Retired School Professionals awards two scholarships to students enrolled in teacher education or certification programs. I am the scholarship chairperson. I have attached an article about this years recipients to this note. Notably, they include an ECHS senior and a student in the Midland College teacher education program. The ECHS senior will continue his studies l at Angelo State University with the goal of becoming a math teacher. The Midland College student also works as a teaching assistant in the Midland College Pre-K Program.
Pipelines will play an increasingly important economic role, not only in the Permian Basin but in the state, as both crude and natural gas production rise.

Pipelines will also play an increasing economic role across the nation but are challenged by opponents concerned not only about pipeline safety but their environmental impact. That challenge comes even as the Biden administration announced plans to invest $196 million in pipeline modernization projects across 19 states.

The Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recently announced a proposed new rule designed to improve detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines. The proposed rule, issued May 5, has been sent to the Federal Register, with a publication date and an opportunity for a 60-day public comment period expected to be made available soon.

The proposal requires pipeline operators to establish advanced leak detection programs aimed at detecting and repairing all gas leaks by:

 Strengthening leakage survey and patrolling requirements by increasing the frequency of surveys and requiring the use of commercially available, advanced leak detection technology, such as aerial or vehicle surveys, handheld detection devices and continuous monitoring systems, with flexibility for operators to use a range of approaches to meet a minimum performance standard.

 Reducing the volume of gas released due to unintentional emissions, like leaks and equipment failures and revising the reporting minimum threshold to detect smaller leaks sooner.

 Minimizing intentional releases, such as those caused by equipment venting or blowdowns, associated with pipeline maintenance, repair and construction and encouraging operators to consider cost-effective equipment that can capture the methane for later use.

 Establishing explicit criteria and timeframes for the timely repair of all leaks that pose a risk to public safety or the environment.

The proposal drew a quick defense of the nations pipelines from industry representatives.

We believe that the proposed DOT PHMSA rules are duplicative and unnecessary, as the pipeline industry is already doing much of what is being proposed  either due to existing state and federal regulations or through stringent operational best practices, Thure Cannon, president of the Texas Pipeline Association, told the Reporter-Telegram by email. From the wellhead to the end user, pipeline companies have a built-in incentive to detect and repair methane leaks, ensuring that every molecule is accounted for. Its just good business, especially as methane is the product being sold.

American Gas Association President and Chief Executive Officer Karen Harbert told the Reporter-Telegram by email, Americas natural gas utilities have a proven track record of voluntary emissions reductions, with emissions from the average natural gas home falling by 1.2% per year, and emissions from the overall natural gas system down 69% since 1990. As we review the specifics of this proposed rule, we will continue to work with PHMSA in furtherance of our member companies efforts to reduce emissions while continuing to deliver the safe, affordable and reliable energy that customers rely on.

The PHMSA said in announcing its proposed rule that it would enhance both public safety and reduce methane emissions and other air pollution from more than 2.7 million miles of gas transmission, distribution and gathering pipelines; 400+ underground natural gas storage facilities; and 165 liquefied natural gas facilities.

In 2030 alone, the rule has the potential to eliminate up to 1 million metric tons of methane emissions  equivalent to 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the emissions from 5.6 million gas-powered cars, the agency said. The agency also estimated the rule would reduce emissions from covered pipelines by up to 55%.

The PHMSAs proposal drew support from the Environmental Defense Fund.

Natural gas pipelines are ubiquitous in our neighborhoods, cities, parks and rural communities and pipeline leaks are both safety risks, and a source of methane pollution that accelerates climate change, Erin Murphy, senior attorney for EDF, said in a statement. PHMSAs proposal is a welcome step that reflects important updates to existing standards, including unlocking the use of advanced technologies to find and fix more pipeline leaks. Strong federal standards to reduce pipeline leaks are critical for delivering on the Biden administration's commitment to curb climate-warming methane pollution while increasing public health and safety
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.
It might have happened to you a few times in past years: You received an email or mail notice inviting you to join a class-action lawsuit, or notifying you that youve been automatically included. But being part of such a lawsuit might be intimidating, especially if you need to opt in, and would mean surrendering the option to sue individually.

In most cases, theres little downside to joining these lawsuits, which combine many legal claims  often thousands  into one claim against a single defendant, reducing fees for each claimant and potentially earning a much larger payout.

And there have been many opportunities to do so. Following a series of large opioid settlements, 2022 had the most billion-dollar class-action settlements in U.S. history apart from the tobacco settlements decades ago, according to a report from the national law firm Duane Morris. The stakes are high for class-action lawsuits at this level, as they set standards for corporate responsibility in areas such as data privacy, employee discrimination, securities fraud and civil rights.

But in cases where you suffered significant harm, suing individually could secure a bigger payout.

In many cases, class-action lawsuits offer such a minor payout to each victim that participation is a matter of principle, not reward. But even if you receive only $10 to $20 as compensation, joining a collective lawsuit can help other customers or employees get justice, and may deter a company from harmful practices in the future.

Its really a trial by proxy, says attorney Russell T. Abney, who defends victims of dangerous drugs and defective medical devices at the law firm Watts Guerra. The beauty of the class action, he says, is that it adds up individual cases to a number thats high enough to go up against a large company.

In most cases, Abney says, plaintiffs of class-action lawsuits pay legal fees on contingency, which means they dont pay anything unless they win the case. Lawyers taking on these lawsuits will usually receive payment as a percentage of the settlement won from the company.

If youre part of the class of a lawsuit  that is, if you were affected by the certain event or purchase described  youll often be automatically included in the lawsuit. And for certain cases, such as those relating to wage violations or defective products , you may have to opt in.

If you feel strongly about the outcome of a class-action lawsuit, you can also participate as a class representative, sometimes called a lead plaintiff. In some cases, becoming a class representative could lead to a bigger payout  but that isnt always the case.

Even though the class representative is the cases headline, That person isnt necessarily going to get any kind of windfall, says Jennifer A. Riley, a partner at Duane Morris and vice chair of the firms workplace class-action group. She notes that some courts in some jurisdictions would be able to grant a service award to plaintiffs representing the case, which are often between $2,500 and $7,500 , but other courts have found these awards inappropriate. And its difficult to discern upfront whether such a service award would be granted.

Class-action lawsuits can also take anywhere from a few months to several years, which can be an excessive commitment for many. The Exxon Valdez oil spill, for example, took 17 years to reach a class-action settlement.

If you plan to make a case of your own, it makes sense to opt out of, or not participate in, a class-action lawsuit.

If you have your own lawsuit, the value of your claim might be much, much higher as an individual than it would have been as a class member, says Gerald L. Maatman Jr., a partner at Duane Morris and the chair of the law firms workplace class-action group. Youre trying to decide, If I opt out, am I going to do that much better than Id do in a class action? And in certain circumstances, an individual would do better. Theyd get the money quicker, and theyd get more money.

One example: Following the credit-scoring company Equifaxs data breach in 2017, which compromised the personal data of 147 million people, The New York Times reported that some people took Equifax to small claims courts, winning much larger sums than those who received class-action payouts.

Small claims courts  which handle claims under a few thousand dollars to $15,000, depending on your state  generally charge a small fee t o file, making them a relatively low-cost way to seek damages. Typically, plaintiffs represent themselves in these cases, bypassing costly attorney fees.

If youre considering a larger lawsuit, though, expenses are much higher. Consulting a lawyer can help you determine whether you have a strong case and how it might unfold.
Durians in Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Khuong

As one of the few sectors reporting export turnover increase in the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam's vegetable and fruit sector has a bright outlook to earn $4 billion in export revenue this year.

Vietnam exported nearly $1 billion worth of fruits and vegetables in Q1, up 8% from a year earlier, with the Chinese market recording an impressive growth of 23%.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit Association (Vinafruit), attributed the result to the signing of protocols on exports of durian, sweet potato and banana to China through official channels.

The export of pomelo to the U.S., and passion fruit to New Zealand was also a driver for the overall growth of the sector.

Durian was a big contributor to the impressive export results in the first months of this year. The export turnover of this fruit is expected to hit $1 billion, helping the sectors total figure to $4 billion this year, up 20% year-on-year, said Nguyen.

The implementation of free trade agreements is also an important driving force helping fruit and vegetable exports to increase sharply in the first months and make an important contribution to boosting the sector's exports throughout the year.

Good demand for fruit imports in China can help raise total fruit and vegetable exports in Q2 by 10% or higher, Nguyen noted, predicting that the revenue can reach about $2 billion in the first half of 2023.

Vinafruit has proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and other ministries and agencies, especially the Vietnam Trade Office in China, study and negotiate for the signing of more protocols for several officially-exported products such as dragon fruit, mango, watermelon, jackfruit and rambutan, together with the opening of markets for other fruits such as green-skinned pomelo, fresh coconut, avocado, lemon, pineapple and star apple.

Besides China, it is also necessary to step up trade promotion activities in other markets such as the U.S., China, the Republic of Korea and Australia, said Nguyen.

According to the Vinafruit Secretary General, the greatest difficulty at present is that there are not many planting area and packing facility codes to meet the requirements of the Chinese market. Currently, there are only 246 planting area and nearly 100 packing facility codes granted, much lower than the respective 20,000 and 2,000 of Thailand.

With an area of nearly 110,000 hectares, and an output of around 1 million tonnes per year, there will be a bottleneck in durian exports to China, if no more planting area code is granted this year.

He also suggested the MoIT and other ministries and sectors to call on investment and advanced technologies for processors to improve the export value, and gain a firmer foothold in such choosy markets as the U.S. and the EU.

Vietnam Trade Offices abroad were advised to regularly organize Vietnamese fruit festivals to introduce the fruits to people in their host countries and international visitors.

Vietnam earned nearly $3.4 billion from vegetable and fruit exports last year.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Most Democrats and Republicans agree that the federal government should better regulate the biggest technology companies, particularly social media platforms. But there is very little consensus on how it should be done.

Should TikTok be banned? Should younger children be kept off social media? Can the government make sure private information is secure? What about brand new artificial intelligence interfaces? Or should users be regulating themselves, leaving the government out of it?

Tech regulation is gathering momentum on Capitol Hill as concerns skyrocket about Chinas ownership of TikTok and as parents navigating a post-pandemic mental health crisis have grown increasingly worried about what their children are seeing online. Lawmakers have introduced a slew of bipartisan bills, boosting hopes of compromise. But any effort to regulate the mammoth industry would face major obstacles as technology companies have fought interference.

Noting that many young people are struggling, President Joe Biden said in his February State of the Union speech that its time to pass bipartisan legislation to impose stricter limits on the collection of personal data and ban targeted advertising to children.

We must finally hold social media companies accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit, Biden said.

Tech companies have aggressively fought any federal interference, and they have operated for decades now without strict federal oversight, making any new rules or guidelines that much more complicated.

A look at some of the areas of potential regulation:

Childrens safety

Several House and Senate bills would try to make social media, and the internet in general, safer for children who will inevitably be online. Lawmakers cite numerous examples of teenagers who have taken their own lives after cyberbullying or died engaging in dangerous behavior encouraged on social media.

In the Senate, at least two competing bills are focused on childrens online safety. Legislation by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., approved by the Senate Commerce Committee last year would require social media companies to be more transparent about their operations and enable child safety settings by default. Minors would have the option to disable addictive product features and algorithms that push certain content.

The idea, the senators say, is that platforms should be safe by design. The legislation, which Blumenthal and Blackburn reintroduced last week, would also obligate social media companies to prevent certain dangers to minors  including promotion of suicide, disordered eating, substance abuse, sexual exploitation and other illegal behaviors.

A second bill introduced last month by four senators  Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Katie Britt of Alabama  would take a more aggressive approach, prohibiting children under the age of 13 from using social media platforms and requiring parental consent for teenagers. It would also prohibit the companies from recommending content through algorithms for users under the age of 18.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not weighed in on specific legislation but told reporters last week, I believe we need some kind of child protections on the internet.

Critics of the bills, including some civil rights groups and advocacy groups aligned with tech companies, say the proposals could threaten teens online privacy and prevent them from accessing content that could help them, such as resources for those considering suicide or grappling with their sexual and gender identity.

Lawmakers should focus on educating and empowering families to control their online experience, said Carl Szabo of NetChoice, a group aligned with Meta, TikTok, Google and Amazon, among other companies.

Data privacy

Bidens State of the Union remarks appeared to be a nod toward legislation by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., that would expand child privacy protections online, prohibiting companies from collecting personal data from younger teenagers and banning targeted advertising to children and teens. The bill, also reintroduced last week, would create a so-called eraser button allowing parents and kids to eliminate personal data, when possible.

A broader House effort would attempt to give adults as well as children more control over their data with what lawmakers call a national privacy standard. Legislation that passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with wide bipartisan support last year would try to minimize data collected and make it illegal to target ads to children, usurping state laws that have tried to put privacy restrictions in place. But the bill, which would have also given consumers more rights to file lawsuits over privacy violations, never reached the House floor.

Prospects for the House legislation are unclear now that Republicans have the majority. House Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.., has made the issue a priority, holding several hearings on data privacy. But the committee has not yet moved forward with a new bill.

TikTok ban/China

Lawmakers introduced a raft of bills to either ban TikTok or make it easier to ban it after a combative March House hearing in which lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew over his companys ties to Chinas communist government, data security and harmful content on the app.

Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the testimony gave new momentum to the efforts.

Soon after the hearing, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, tried to force a Senate vote on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States. But he was blocked by a fellow Republican, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who said that a ban would violate the Constitution and anger the millions of voters who use the app.

Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawleys bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but it would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms.

The White House has signaled it would back that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could garner support among House Republicans.

TikTok has launched an extensive lobbying campaign for its survival, including by harnessing influencers and young voters to argue that the app isn't harmful.

Artificial intelligence

A newer question for Congress is whether lawmakers should move to regulate artificial intelligence as rapidly developing and potentially revolutionary products like AI chatbot ChatGPT begin to enter the marketplace and can in many ways mimic human behavior.

Senate leader Schumer has made the emerging technology a priority, arguing that the United States needs to stay ahead of China and other countries that are eyeing regulations on AI products. He has been working with AI experts and has released a general framework of what regulation could look like, including increased disclosure of the people and data involved in developing the technology, more transparency and explanation for how the bots arrive at responses.

Schumer has said that any eventual regulation should prevent potentially catastrophic damage to our country while simultaneously making sure the U.S. advances and leads in this transformative technology.

The White House has been focused on the issue as well, with a recent announcement of a $140 million investment to establish seven new AI research institutes.
Facebook says it is not dead. Facebook also wants you to know that it is not just for old people, as young people have been saying for years.

Now, with the biggest thorn in its side  TikTok  facing heightened government scrutiny amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China, Facebook could, perhaps, position itself as a viable, domestic-bred alternative.

There's just one problem: young adults like Devin Walsh have moved on.

I dont even remember the last time I logged in. It must have been years ago, said Walsh, 24, who lives in Manhattan and works in public relations.

Instead, she checks Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook parent company Meta, about five or six times a day. Then there's TikTok, of course, where she spends about an hour each day scrolling, letting the algorithm find things I didn't even know I was interested in.

Walsh can't imagine a world in which Facebook, which she joined when she was in 6th grade, becomes a regular part of her life again.

"It's the branding, right? When I think of Facebook, I think ugh, like cheugy, older people, like parents posting pictures of their kids, random status updates and also people fighting about political issues, Walsh said, using the Gen Z term for things that are definitely not cool.

The once-cool social media platform born before the iPhone is approaching two decades in existence. For those who came of age around the time Mark Zuckerberg launched thefacebook.com from his Harvard dorm room in 2004, it's been inextricably baked into daily life  even if it's somewhat faded into the background over the years.

Facebook faces a particularly odd challenge. Today, 3 billion people check it each month. Thats more than a third of the worlds population. And 2 billion log in every day. Yet it still finds itself in a battle for relevancy, and its future, after two decades of existence.

For younger generations  those who signed up in middle school, or those who are now in middle school, it's decidedly not the place to be. Without this trend-setting demographic, Facebook, still the main source of revenue for parent company Meta, risks fading into the background  utilitarian but boring, like email.

It wasn't always like this. For nearly a decade, Facebook was the place to be, the cultural touchstone, the thing constantly referenced in daily conversations and late-night TV, its founding even the subject of a Hollywood movie. Rival MySpace, which launched only a year earlier, quickly became outdated as the cool kids flocked to Facebook. It didn't help MySpace's fate that it was sold to stodgy old News Corp. in 2005.

It was this weird combination...no one knew how technology worked, but in order to have a MySpace, we all needed to become mini coders. It was so stressful. said Moira Gaynor, 28. Maybe thats even why Facebook took off. Because compared to MySpace it was this beautiful, integrated, wonderful engagement area that we didnt have before and we really craved after struggling with MySpace for so long.

Positioning himself a visionary, Zuckerberg refused to sell Facebook and pushed his company through the mobile revolution. While some rivals emerged  remember Orkut?  they generally petered out as Facebook soared, seemingly unstoppable despite scandals over user privacy and a failure to address hate speech and misinformation adequately. It reached a billion daily users in 2015.

Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst with Insider Intelligence who's followed Facebook since its early days, notes that the site's younger users have been dwindling but doesn't see Facebook going anywhere, at least not any time soon.

The fact that we are talking about Facebook being 20 years old, I think that is a testament of what Mark developed when he was in college. It's pretty incredible, she said. It is still a very powerful platform around the world.

AOL was once powerful too, but its user base has aged and now an aol.com email address is little more than a punchline in a joke about technologically illiterate people of a certain age.

Tom Alison, who serves as the head of Facebook (Zuckerberg's title is now Meta CEO), sounded optimistic when he outlined the platform's plans to lure in young adults in an interview with The Associated Press.

We used to have a team at Facebook that was focused on younger cohorts, or maybe there was a project or two that was dedicated to coming up with new ideas, Alison said. And about two years ago we said no  our entire product line needs to change and evolve and adapt to the needs of the young adults.

He calls it the era of social discovery."

Its very much motivated by what we see the next generation wanting from social media. The simple way that I like to describe it is we want Facebook to be the place where you can connect with the people you know, the people you want to know and the people that you should know, Alison said.

Artificial intelligence is central to this plan. Just as TikTok uses its AI and algorithm to show people videos they didn't know they wanted to see Facebook is hoping to harness its powerful technology to win back the hearts and eyeballs of young adults. Reels, the TikTok-like videos Facebook and Instagram users are bombarded with when they log into both apps, are also key. And, of course, private messaging.

What we are seeing is more people wanting to share reels, discuss reels, and were starting to integrate messaging features back into the app to again allow Facebook to be a place where not only do you discover great things that are relevant to you, but you share and you discuss those with people, Alison said.

Facebook has consistently declined to disclose user demographics, which would shed some light on how it is faring among young adults. But outside researchers say their numbers are declining. The same is true for teenagers  although Facebook seems to have stepped back from actively recruiting teens amid concerns about social medias effects on their mental health.

Young people often shape the future of communication. I mean, thats basically how Facebook took off  young people gravitated toward it. And we we see that happening with pretty much every social platform that has come on the scene since Facebook, said Williamson. This year, Insider estimates that about half of TikToks users are between the ages of 12 and 24.

Williamson doesn't see this trend reversing, but notes that Insider's estimates only go as far as 2026. There's a decline, but it's slow. That year, the research firm expects about 28% of U.S. Facebook's users to be between 18 and 34 years old, compared with nearly 46% for TikTok and 42% for Instagram. The numbers are more stark for teens aged 12-17.

I think the best thing they could do is get away from being a social platform. Like theyve lost that. But hey, if they want to become the new Yellow Pages, why not? said Gaynor, who lives in San Diego, California and works in government. I really like Marketplace. I recently just moved, so that was where I got most of my furniture.
Mothers everywhere will rejoice. So will the greeting card companies, flower shops, and telephone providers.

Though celebrated in pockets in previous years, Mothers Day has been an official holiday since May 9, 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a day to honor the nations mothers.

The signing was not that important to Wilson in a political sense. But it would not have taken much persuasion for Wilson to sign it, said Andrew Phillips, curator of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Stanton, Virginia. Strong women were greatly influential in his life, including his mother, his first wife, and his three daughters.

Ellen Wilson, the presidents first wife, died three months after the proclamation.

The concept for Mothers Day was nothing new. Local celebrations were common in America, though nothing was accepted nationally. Some attribute the idea to Julia Ward Howe, composer of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, who first organized a mothers day for peace on June 2, 1872.

Many also cite Anna Jarvis, a Grafton, West Virginia, housewife who began the push for the holiday to honor her own mother, who died in 1905. As early as 1868, the elder Jarvis established a local committee for a Mothers Friendship Day to heal wounds in families broken by the Civil War.

Prior to that, she had also organized Mothers Day Work Clubs to ease the suffering of ill and wounded Civil War troops.

In 1908, Jarvis organized official commemorations in her town as well as Philadelphia. In 1910, West Virginia declared Mothers Day an official holiday.

Jarvis, though, clearly had a flair for self-promotion. In 1912, she trademarked the phrases Mothers Day and second Sunday in May and created an international association for the holiday.

Though Jarvis claimed much of the credit herself, the establishment of Mothers Day was also promoted within the suffrage movement.

The suffragettes were among the first to call for the holiday, remarked Phillips. Of course, the Mothers Day of what everyone envisioned then is much different than what it became.

Eventually, 46 states celebrated the holiday in some form. In 1913, Congress passed a resolution for the observance of Mothers Day by government officials. The following year, the legislature approved a joint resolution calling for the official designation of the second Sunday in May as Mothers Day.

Wilson signed the proclamation on May 9, only one day ahead of the second Sunday of the calendar. As a result, there was not a lot of fanfare in the holidays first year.

But it caught on fast, said Phillips. Hallmark began producing greeting cards by the early 1920s, and soon the holiday was moving closer to what we know today.

Jarvis, though, watched the popularity with disdain. Angered that Mothers Day had become commercialized, she spent her efforts and inheritance to fight for its removal. She found the greeting card craze particularly distasteful, lamenting that cards were a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write.

In one instance, Jarvis reportedly filed a lawsuit to block a Mothers Day festival and was arrested for disturbing the peace at a sale of carnations for war mothers in 1925. She died penniless in 1948.

Ironically, Anna Jarvis never had children, unlike millions of American women before and since. According to 2010 Census figures, the United States had 85.4 million mothers, and some 81% of American women became mothers by age 40 to 44.
Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Benjamin D. Brooks, 40, of 815 Hardin Ave. was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Saturday on a domestic battery charge.

 Coby S.D. Timmons, 23, of 341 W. Tanner St., Waverly, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. Saturday at Mauvaisterre Street and Beecher Avene on charges of driving while license is suspended, having no insurance, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, possession of adult-use cannabis, and illegal possession or transportation of liquor.

 Nathaniel J. Hamilton, 39, homeless, was arrested at 8:56 p.m. Friday on a retail theft charge after being accused of stealing a 12 pack of beer from Casey's at 525 E. Morton Ave.

ACCIDENTS

 Kathryn A. Mau, 71, of Ashland was cited on a charge of failing to yield after her vehicle and one being driven by a 17-year-old girl collided in the 1700 block of West Morton Avenue at 8:35 p.m. Friday.

 Everett E. Witwer, 68, of Winchester was cited on a charge of entering a stop or yield intersection after his vehicle and one being driven by Curtis E. Pellhum, 27, of Jacksonville collided in the 200 block of East College Avenue at 5:47 p.m. Friday.

 Nicole D. Coultas, 33, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of failing to yield after her vehicle and one being driven by Crystal G. Hennessey, 40, of Jacksonville collided at 8:05 a.m. Friday at West College Avenue and Park Street.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 A Jacksonville man told police at 10:50 p.m. Saturday that someone has had his debit card since 1998 and he wanted it returned.

 A car reported stolen from Springfield was found at 10:59 a.m. Saturday in the 300 block of West Dunlap Street.

 A car reported stolen from Taylorville was found at 10:58 a.m. Saturday in the 800 block of Illinois Avenue.

 Someone used information from a Jacksonville woman's Link card to make unauthorized purchases in New York, according to a report filed at 3:23 p.m. Friday.

OTHER REPORTS

 A Jacksonville man told police at 1:22 a.m. Sunday that a drone has been following him and taking pictures through the window of his residence.

 Police are investigating a report that someone heard shots being fired in the 800 block of North Main Street at 8:27 p.m. Saturday.
A $5.4 billion hub port in HCMC's Can Gio District will be a breakthrough for both the southern metropolis and the Mekong Delta, an economic expert said Friday.

Tran Du Lich, an economic expert who is part of the government's advisory committee, said that any delay in the completion of the Can Gio hub port would be a "loss of opportunity" for HCMC and the Mekong Delta.

Authorities plan to build the port, whose main section will span 7 km, on Phu Lao Island at the estuary of the Cai Mep River.

Lich said "prime conditions" existed for commencement of the project and that timely completion of the port would be "a breakthrough, not just for HCMC, but also for the Mekong Delta thanks to its status as a commercial hub."

The Can Gio hub port would work with  not compete against  the Thi Vai-Cai Mep port in the neighboring Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, he said, adding that the project would be the beginning of creating a cohesive port network for the region.

Lich said the greatest challenges to the project will be to ensure the port is both economically effective and environmentally-friendly.

Dinh Ngoc Thang, head of the HCMC customs department, said that 70-80% of all HCMC-bound goods would pass through the new Can Gio hub port once its built. This will reduce logistics costs as goods would no longer have to transit through Singapore, which is far more costly.

Le Duy Hiep, head of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, said the Can Gio hub port would be a motivation for the development of container ships and large logistics centers in Vietnam. However, to make it a hub port of Singapore's caliber, modern technologies and international standards need to be applied, he added.

Previously, Pham Anh Tuan, general director of the Portcoast Consultant Corporation, which is in charge of the Can Gio hub port project, said the proposed location for the port lies on the outskirts of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve. He said the area has no population and is far enough from the core of the reserve that the biosphere would not be affected by the project.

Construction of the port, expected to cost VND129 trillion ($5.4 billion), will be divided into seven stages. The first stage is expected to be completed in 2024, while the final stage would be completed in 2045. An overpass and more roads would also be built to connect the port with automobile traffic throughout the south.

Deputy chairman of the HCMC People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said Can Gio District is located between two major estuaries. It is located along a major sea route between other major ports  making it ideal for a port network hub  and meets all conditions necessary for a national-level port to be built there.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  The detention of a mayoral candidate belonging to the Greek minority in Albania has raised tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Greeces Foreign Ministry released a statement Saturday demanding the release of Dionysis-Fredi Beleri, a candidate for mayor of the Albanian city of Himare, which has a strong Greek minority presence.

Greek media reported that Beleri was arrested by Albanian police early Friday on charges of vote buying, two days ahead of local elections. A court confirmed Saturday that he would remain in custody.

The Greek ministrys announcement implies that the case could negatively impact Albanias application to join the European Union.

Todays decision of the Vlora District Court, if there is no irrefutable evidence, constitutes a scandal. The arrest of a mayoral candidate two days before the elections is not within the rule of law. The decision to detain the mayoral candidate in custody induces a full reversal of the rules of equality in the municipal elections in Himare, a significant center of the Greek national minority in Albania, the ministrys statement says.

Such a decision will also have repercussions on the European Unions relations with Albania, as adherence to European rules and the principles of the rule of law is a prerequisite for this European path. Decisions such as todays, which violate these principles, mean that in practice Albania is not following the European path, the announcement continues.

Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka responded angrily, saying she considered it nearly impossible to understand how our friends have the right to dispute a court decision in our country, when the hard evidence they were looking for couldnt be any harder  Fredi Beleri has been caught engaging in criminal activity against free and fair elections.

Relations between Greece and post-communist Albania have been at times uneasy, largely over the issues of minority rights and the sizeable Albanian community in Greece.

We do not understand how being a Greek national exempts him from the law as a citizen of Albania. We urge our Greek friends to refrain from making statements that disrespect the independent institutions of our country, Xhacka tweeted.
Family with disabled children among hundreds of Gazas homeless after latest fighting with Israel

Family with disabled children among hundreds of Gazas homeless after latest fighting with Israel View Photo

When Najah Nabhan learned that her home was about to be bombed by Israel, she knew she had to get out quickly. What she didnt know was how she would get her four children with special needs out of the building in time.

With the help of neighbors, her children, who are unable to walk on their own, were carried to safety. But the airstrike flattened the three-story building, leaving 42 members of Nabhans extended family homeless and leaving her children without the wheelchairs, crutches and medical equipment they need to move about.

I needed time to think what to take and what to leave. We have important documents and reports of the childrens conditions and history, medications and tools. All of them are gone, said Najah, sitting on a mat in the debris-strewn front yard of what used to be her home in northern Gaza.

On Sunday morning, the entire family gathered in the yard, sitting under the shadow of a tree and receiving visitors who came to show solidarity.

Nabhans home was destroyed by the Israeli strike only hours before a cease-fire took effect late Saturday. At least 11 other residential buildings, some containing many family homes, were destroyed by Israeli aircraft in the five days of fighting.

It was the latest in a long line of armed battles between the military and rocket-firing Palestinian militant groups over the past 15 years. Human rights groups say a total of 60 housing units were destroyed, displacing about 400 people during the campaign.

Israel says all of the buildings it targeted were used as command centers by Islamic Jihad.

The Islamic Jihad terror organizations deliberately operates and embeds its military assets in densely populated civilian areas, the army said.

An Israeli military official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity under briefing guidelines, said these command centers were usually hidden in residential buildings of one to three stories. He said Israel called the inhabitants and ordered them to evacuate ahead of time. Israel says such calls are meant to prevent harm to uninvolved civilians.

But the army doesnt always take such precautions. At the start of the offensive, aircraft targeted apartments and homes of three Islamic Jihad commanders without warning, killing them. Some members of their families, including women and children, as well as neighbors were also killed.

Israeli officials say they do their best to avoid civilian casualties, but acknowledge that operations are carried out where uninvolved noncombatants may be harmed. They accuse militants of using civilians as human shields.

Nabhan and other residents said they were surprised by the sudden phone call.

I was at home, just finished having lunch and was making tea, she said. I did not believe its our house that is being targeted.

My feet could not hold me. I sat helpless until people took us out, she recounted.

In a video circulated on social media, a relative is seen pleading with the military not to carry out the strike. The man, a neighbor and distant relative, eventually asked the military to limit the airstrike to the apartment of the guilty rather than wiping out the entire building. It was unclear if he was referring to someone specific or speaking in hypothetical terms.

With minutes to spare, the neighbors carried Nabhans 24-year-old daughter, Ayat, who cant walk, Areej, 18, who suffers from epilepsy and walking difficulties, and 14-year-old Haneen, who has a chronic illness and movement issues, from the ground-floor apartment. They went upstairs and carried out her son Jalal, who also uses a wheelchair.

After the bombing, the family worked late into the night sifting through the rubble, but was unable to recover Ayats and Jalals wheelchairs, Haneens crutches or the correction belt of a 3-year-old niece, who has a deformity in her leg.

Jalal Nabhan, 30, angrily dismissed the Israeli allegations. Can people like me fire a rocket? he said, pointing toward his legs and at his disabled sisters. No one from us can fire a rocket toward Israel.

The fighting erupted last Tuesday when Israeli airstrikes killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in what it said was a response to intense rocket fire the previous week following the death of an Islamic Jihad activist from a hunger strike while in Israeli custody.

The five-day battle left 33 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health officials. Among them were 13 civilians, including four women and six children. At least three of the civilians, including two children, were killed by misfired Islamic Jihad rockets, according to rights groups.

Eighteen militants, including six senior Islamic Jihad members, were killed, according to Palestinian officials, while two people were killed in Israel from Palestinian rocket fire. Islamic Jihad fired nearly 1,500 rockets toward Israel, according to the army.

After the airstrike, the Nabhan family, including Najah and her husband, their children and grandchildren, spent the night at the homes of neighbors, friends and in-laws. Some slept in the front yard next to the rubble.

Neighbors denied the Israeli claims that the family was connected to a militant group. They are simple people who do menial, intermittent jobs to earn whatever, said Mohammmed al-Arabid, a neighbor.

One was a taxi driver, another was a construction worker, a third owned a donkey-drawn cart he would use to help people move garbage or furniture.

The family, among Gazas poorest, built the home just four years ago with donations from charities. Before that, they lived in makeshift structures with tin roofs.

Falasteen Nabhan, 30, lived on the third floor with her husband and four children. Her home was the last to be completed, just last year.

My apartment had windows, painted walls, and tile. It was a palace for me, she said.

But rebuilding will not be easy. The family now joins the long list of displaced Gazans seeking aid from the Hamas government, the United Nations or international non-governmental organizations to rebuild homes lost in conflict.

Some of the houses destroyed in broader conflicts in 2021 and even 2014 still have not been rebuilt.

Najah Nabhan says she will wait as long as it takes. We can live in the yard, on the ground, eat tree leaves, for the sake of getting our house rebuilt, she said.

___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

By FARES AKRAM

JABALIYA, Gaza Strip
IDLIB, Syria (AP)  The leader of an insurgent group that rules much of northwest Syria rose to notoriety over the past decade by claiming deadly bombings, threatening revenge against Western crusader forces and dispatching Islamist religious police to crack down on women deemed to be immodestly dressed.

Today the man known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani is trying hard to distance his group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, from its al-Qaida origins, spreading a message of pluralism and religious tolerance.

As part of the rebranding, he has cracked down on extremist factions and dissolved the notorious religious police. For the first time in more than a decade, a Mass was performed recently at a long-shuttered church in Idlib province.

Al-Golani told a recent gathering of religious and local officials that Islamic law should not be imposed by force. We dont want the society to become hypocritical so that they pray when they see us and dont once we leave, al-Golani said, pointing to Saudi Arabia, which has relaxed its social controls in recent years after decades of strict Islamic rule.

The pivot comes at a time when al-Golani's group is increasingly isolated. Countries that had once backed insurgents in Syrias uprising-turned-civil-war are restoring relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Saudi Arabia, a one-time Assad foe, reversed course and led a push resulting in Syria's return to the Arab League last week, after 12 years of regional isolation.

Even Turkey, the main remaining state backer of armed opposition groups in Syria, has signaled a shift. Last week, the Turkish foreign minister met with his Syrian counterpart in Moscow, the first such meeting since 2011. The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran, Assad's main allies, also attended.

The meeting marked a significant step toward Damascus and Ankara restoring ties, even as the presence of Turkish troops in northwest Syria remains a sticking point.

At the same time, the United States considers HTS a terrorist group and has offered a $10 million reward for information on al-Golanis whereabouts. The United Nations also designates it a terrorist organization.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Turkey jointly slapped sanctions on two people who allegedly raised money for militant groups, including HTS.

Al-Golani rose to prominence in the early months of the Syrian uprising in 2011, when he became the leader of al-Qaidas branch in Syria, known at the time as the Nusra Front. Militants and top officials from Osama bin Ladens al-Qaida flocked to the groups base of operations in northern Syria, where many of them were later killed in U.S. strikes.

In July 2016, the Nusra Front changed its name to Fatah al-Sham Front and said it was cutting ties with al-Qaida, in what was seen by many as an attempt to improve its image. Fatah al-Sham later merged with several other groups and became Hayat Tahrir al Sham.

During that period, al-Golani showed his face publicly for the first time and changed his style of dress from white turbans and robes to shirts and trousers. His fighters went after Islamic State group militants who fled to Idlib after their defeat and cracked down on Horas al-Din or Guardians of Religion, another militant group that includes hardcore al-Qaida members who broke away from HTS.

The change in al-Golanis public image appears not to have impressed the U.S. government.

Posts on social media accounts of the U.S. governments Rewards for Justice show a photo of al-Golani wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue blazer with a caption in Arabic that reads: Hello, handsome al-Golani. Nice shirt. You can change your uniform, but you will always be a terrorist. Dont forget the $10 million reward.

In 2017, HTS set up a so-called salvation government to run day-to-day affairs in the region. At first, it attempted to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Religious police were tasked with making sure that women were covered, with only their faces and hands showing. Its members would force shops to close on Fridays so that people could attend the weekly prayers. Playing music was banned, as was smoking water pipes in public.

In March 2020, Russia and Turkey, which support rival groups in the conflict, reached a truce. Since then, rebel-held northwestern Syria has witnessed relative calm, and HTS focused its efforts on cracking down on the remnants of IS and other jihadist groups. The International Crisis Group think tank, in a report earlier this year, said HTS has evolved and distanced itself from global jihadism.

HTS has also sometimes portrayed itself as a defender of minorities in the primarily Sunni Arab northwest.

In March, members of a Turkish-backed armed group shot dead four Kurdish men in the town of Jinderis as they lit a fire to celebrate the Kurdish new year. Al-Golani met with the victims families and other Kurdish residents of the area and promised revenge against the perpetrators.

In a 2021 interview with PBS, al-Golani called his groups terrorist designation unfair and political, saying that while he had criticized Western policies in the region, we didnt say we want to fight (them).

Al-Golani said his involvement with al-Qaeda has ended, and that even in the past his group was against carrying out operations outside of Syria.

The State Department said in a statement that al-Golani remains a designated terrorist and that it does not comment on possible deliberations about changing such designations.

Aron Lund, a fellow with the Century International research center, said he believes its unlikely the U.S. will remove HTS and al-Golani from its terrorism list. As far as I can tell, the U.S. government remains genuinely concerned about the groups links to global jihadism, Lund said.

Waiel Olwan, a researcher at the Turkey-based think tank Jusoor for Studies, said he believes al-Golani is trying to show he is in control of Idlib and to guarantee a place for himself in Syria once the conflict ends.

Asim Zedan, an activist whose group tracks violations by HTS, said the ongoing terror designation is a blow to al-Golanis self-image.

After forming the salvation government and setting up ministries, al-Golani now sees himself as a head of state, Zedan said.

____

Mroue reported from Beirut.
"The precious merchandise of many foreign countries is stored up here. The soil is rich and productive, and yields abundant harvests. The forest trees afford a thick vegetation, and flowers and fruits are plentiful."

The excerpt from "The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" written by Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang in 646, a narrative of his 19-year journey through China and neighboring areas, vividly depicts a richly-endowed Samarkand, one of the most important transit points on the ancient Silk Road linking the East to the West.

The legendary route activated more than 2,000 years ago bore witness to interactions between China and Central Asia through tradings of merchandise and flows of ideas. Now, the footprints of camel caravans have faded away, but cooperation and exchanges between the two sides have remained and become ever thriving.

This photo taken on April 24, 2023 shows a flume rebuilt under a project allocated from a Chinese grant to reconstruct Kyrgyzstan's irrigation system at Kara-Oi village in Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan. (Photo by Chingiz/Xinhua)

BREAD AND BUTTER, AND A BETTER LIFE

Water is life, and with water anything is possible. But for Kyrgyz farmers like Evgeny Yakovlev, there was a time when getting water became a big problem.

"Water is not enough. (We have) constant queues. It is very difficult to get water in a timely manner," said Yakovlev, who has been growing crops for 15 years in a village called Kara-Oi, which lies on the northern shore of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake.

Yakovlev has four hectares of land, on which he nurtures about 1,000 cherry, apple and pear trees, as well as clover and barley. Every summer, Yakovlev needs to water his plants at least three times a day, but the old irrigation system built decades ago could not deliver enough water.

To solve the water problem in Kara-Oi and villages alike, the Kyrgyz government initiated a project in May 2018 allocated from a Chinese grant to reconstruct the country's irrigation system.

Under the project, a reservoir was built by China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Co., Ltd in Kara-Oi with a capacity of 470,000 cubic meters of water. A total of 330 hectares of undeveloped land were put into operation, and the water supply was increased on an area of over 1,000 hectares.

"Before, it was very difficult with water ... Now it's better. We are grateful to the builders," said Arstanbek Zhundubaev, head of the Water Users Association of Kara-Oi.

Ensuring a good life for the people means going beyond water, food and other daily necessities to touch on the experience of life, for example, by making journeys safe and sound. And this is exactly what China and Kyrgyzstan have been cooperating on -- since 2001, about 300 km of roads and more than 10 bridges have been built and reconstructed with joint efforts from both sides.

"More than 20 years, China Road and Bridge Corporation has been implementing large projects in Kyrgyzstan in the road industry," said Ulan Uezbaev, deputy director of the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development of the Bishkek Mayor's Office. "During the implementation of projects, the company also hired citizens of Kyrgyzstan, who learned a lot. I hope that our cooperation will continue."

"This is the street where my sister and I walk ourselves to school each morning," Kasyet Azamatovna, a young girl living in Bishkek, pointed to the newly-paved road outside her front door.

"Look how smooth and neat it is!" she said, bubbling with excitement.

Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows the entrance to the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua)

GO GREEN TOGETHER

Maksat Abilgaziev, 33, is a Kazakh born and raised in Zhanatas, a run-down town in the country's south that was once the thriving center of phosphate mining and fertilizer production.

In 2020, Abilgaziev quit his electronic engineering job at a local phosphate mine, and became a wind power engineering trainee at the Chinese-built Zhanatas wind farm, one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia.

"Our Chinese friends have brought equipment, investment, technology and experience to Kazakhstan. They have also cultivated clean energy talents in our country. The wind power projects have created jobs and tax revenues for Zhanatas, bringing the town back to life," rejoiced Abilgaziev, whose income has more than doubled in three years.

The studious and industrious man, now a senior at the wind farm, told Xinhua that it was the dream for a better future that prompted his decision for a career change.

Clean energy, including wind power, is what the future holds for Zhanatas, and Kazakhstan at large and what the future should look like, he said.

"We should pursue the new vision of green development and a way of life and work that is green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable," Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May 2017. "We propose the establishment of an international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road, and we will provide support to related countries in adapting to climate change."

To put words into action, China has fully integrated the Belt and Road Initiative with Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" new economic policy, and launched 52 cooperation projects with the Central Asian country, with the Zhanatas wind farm as one of the flagship projects.

Put into operation in 2021 with a capacity of 350 million kWh of electricity annually, the wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, compared with thermal power plants.

Another signature project of green cooperation between China and Central Asia is the 100 MW solar power plant seated in the town of Kapchagay in southeastern Kazakhstan's Almaty Region. The plant, jointly invested and built by a Chinese enterprise and Kazakh partners, is one of the largest photovoltaic power generation projects in the country, reducing carbon emissions by 160,000 tons per year.

"With more green cooperation, I believe that in the future, the sky will be bluer, the water will be clearer, and the earth we live on will be cleaner," said Abilgaziev.

This photo taken on April 29, 2023 shows a view of the historical sites in Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Xinhua)

HANDSHAKE OF CULTURES

On a refreshing autumn day in September 2022, Xi held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the International Conference Center in Samarkand, during which a small gift was presented by China to Uzbekistan. The gift turned out to be a miniature of the ancient city of Khiva, which celebrates the two countries' joint efforts to restore the cultural heritage of the ancient Silk Road.

"The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, a project launched during my visit to Samarkand in 2013, has been successfully concluded, further augmenting the charm of this ancient city," Xi said in a signed article published on Uzbek media ahead of his state visit to Uzbekistan.

"I'd give a bag of gold to visit Khiva," goes a Central Asian saying.

Located in southwestern Uzbekistan, Khiva, a shining pearl on the ancient Silk Road, was built in the 10th century and inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in the 1990s. However, due to disrepair, some ancient buildings of the cultural relic sustained damage in varying degrees.

Following Xi's Uzbekistan visit in 2013, China and the Central Asian country announced they would be working together to restore the Amir to'ra madrasasi, the Hasan Murod Qushbegi Mosque and their surroundings in Khiva. A Chinese team arrived at the site in May 2014, and with expertise and dedication to preserving history, the team members had overcome difficulties and successfully completed the restoration work with a minimal intervention approach.

"Our Chinese colleagues do their work very carefully, with love and with all their soul, and try to keep everything in its original form," said Abdullayev Masharib Saydamatovich, deputy director of Center for Promotion of Science of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. "Cultural cooperation with China does not stop there. It continues, and restoration work has been singled out as one of the main directions."

True, joint restoration on Khiva only stands as one of the many epitomes of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. Another dazzling example is the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe, a Chinese vocational workshop program training talents in Tajikistan. The workshop, officially going into service in November 2022, is the first of its kind in Central Asia.

"China's Luban Workshop is recognized as an international vocational education brand worldwide. We believe that Luban Workshop will be of great help to Tajik Technical University in training talents in measurement, green energy and heating, and can promote cooperation and exchanges between the two universities in all aspects," said Shahriyor Sadullozoda, vice rector of Tajik Technical University.
By Darius Tahir, a correspondent based in Washington, D.C. who reports on health technology. Originally published at KFF Health News.

What use could health care have for someone who makes things up, cant keep a secret, doesnt really know anything, and, when speaking, simply fills in the next word based on whats come before? Lots, if that individual is the newest form of artificial intelligence, according to some of the biggest companies out there.

Companies pushing the latest AI technology  known as generative AI  are piling on: Google and Microsoft want to bring types of so-called large language models to health care. Big firms that are familiar to folks in white coats  but maybe less so to your average Joe and Jane  are equally enthusiastic: Electronic medical records giants Epic and Oracle Cerner arent far behind. The space is crowded with startups, too.

The companies want their AI to take notes for physicians and give them second opinions  assuming they can keep the intelligence from hallucinating or, for that matter, divulging patients private information.

Theres something afoot thats pretty exciting, said Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego. Its capabilities will ultimately have a big impact. Topol, like many other observers, wonders how many problems it might cause  like leaking patient data  and how often. Were going to find out.

The specter of such problems inspired more than 1,000 technology leaders to sign an open letter in March urging that companies pause development on advanced AI systems until we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable. Even so, some of them are sinking more money into AI ventures.

The underlying technology relies on synthesizing huge chunks of text or other data  for example, some medical models rely on 2 million intensive care unit notes from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston  to predict text that would follow a given query. The idea has been around for years, but the gold rush, and the marketing and media mania surrounding it, are more recent.

The frenzy was kicked off in December 2022 by Microsoft-backed OpenAI and its flagship product, ChatGPT, which answers questions with authority and style. It can explain genetics in a sonnet, for example.

OpenAI, started as a research venture seeded by Silicon Valley elites like Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Reid Hoffman, has ridden the enthusiasm to investors pockets. The venture has a complex, hybrid for- and nonprofit structure. But a new $10 billion round of funding from Microsoft has pushed the value of OpenAI to $29 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported. Right now, the company is licensing its technology to companies like Microsoft and selling subscriptions to consumers. Other startups are considering selling AI transcription or other products to hospital systems or directly to patients.

Hyperbolic quotes are everywhere. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers tweeted recently: Its going to replace what doctors do  hearing symptoms and making diagnoses  before it changes what nurses do  helping patients get up and handle themselves in the hospital.

But just weeks after OpenAI took another huge cash infusion, even Altman, its CEO, is wary of the fanfare. The hype over these systems  even if everything we hope for is right long term  is totally out of control for the short term, he said for a March article in The New York Times.

Few in health care believe this latest form of AI is about to take their jobs (though some companies are experimenting  controversially  with chatbots that act as therapists or guides to care). Still, those who are bullish on the tech think itll make some parts of their work much easier.

Eric Arzubi, a psychiatrist in Billings, Montana, used to manage fellow psychiatrists for a hospital system. Time and again, hed get a list of providers who hadnt yet finished their notes  their summaries of a patients condition and a plan for treatment.

Writing these notes is one of the big stressors in the health system: In the aggregate, its an administrative burden. But its necessary to develop a record for future providers and, of course, insurers.

When people are way behind in documentation, that creates problems, Arzubi said. What happens if the patient comes into the hospital and theres a note that hasnt been completed and we dont know whats been going on?

The new technology might help lighten those burdens. Arzubi is testing a service, called Nabla Copilot, that sits in on his part of virtual patient visits and then automatically summarizes them, organizing into a standard note format the complaint, the history of illness, and a treatment plan.

Results are solid after about 50 patients, he said: Its 90% of the way there. Copilot produces serviceable summaries that Arzubi typically edits. The summaries dont necessarily pick up on nonverbal cues or thoughts Arzubi might not want to vocalize. Still, he said, the gains are significant: He doesnt have to worry about taking notes and can instead focus on speaking with patients. And he saves time.

If I have a full patient day, where I might see 15 patients, I would say this saves me a good hour at the end of the day, he said. (If the technology is adopted widely, he hopes hospitals wont take advantage of the saved time by simply scheduling more patients. Thats not fair, he said.)

Nabla Copilot isnt the only such service; Microsoft is trying out the same concept. At Aprils conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society  an industry confab where health techies swap ideas, make announcements, and sell their wares  investment analysts from Evercore highlighted reducing administrative burden as a top possibility for the new technologies.

But overall? They heard mixed reviews. And that view is common: Many technologists and doctors are ambivalent.

For example, if youre stumped about a diagnosis, feeding patient data into one of these programs can provide a second opinion, no question, Topol said. Im sure clinicians are doing it. However, that runs into the current limitations of the technology.

Joshua Tamayo-Sarver, a clinician and executive with the startup Inflect Health, fed fictionalized patient scenarios based on his own practice in an emergency department into one system to see how it would perform. It missed life-threatening conditions, he said. That seems problematic.

The technology also tends to hallucinate  that is, make up information that sounds convincing. Formal studies have found a wide range of performance. One preliminary research paper examining ChatGPT and Google products using open-ended board examination questions from neurosurgery found a hallucination rate of 2%. A study by Stanford researchers, examining the quality of AI responses to 64 clinical scenarios, found fabricated or hallucinated citations 6% of the time, co-author Nigam Shah told KFF Health News. Another preliminary paper found, in complex cardiology cases, ChatGPT agreed with expert opinion half the time.

Privacy is another concern. Its unclear whether the information fed into this type of AI-based system will stay inside. Enterprising users of ChatGPT, for example, have managed to get the technology to tell them the recipe for napalm, which can be used to make chemical bombs.

In theory, the system has guardrails preventing private information from escaping. For example, when KFF Health News asked ChatGPT its email address, the system refused to divulge that private information. But when told to role-play as a character, and asked about the email address of the author of this article, it happily gave up the information. (It was indeed the authors correct email address in 2021, when ChatGPTs archive ends.)

I would not put patient data in, said Shah, chief data scientist at Stanford Health Care. We dont understand what happens with these data once they hit OpenAI servers.

Tina Sui, a spokesperson for OpenAI, told KFF Health News that one should never use our models to provide diagnostic or treatment services for serious medical conditions. They are not fine-tuned to provide medical information, she said.

With the explosion of new research, Topol said, I dont think the medical community has a really good clue about whats about to happen.
Balloons detect mysterious sounds in the stratosphere below the human hearing limit. Scientists cant explain. Business Insider

Saturn reclaims moon king title with 62 newfound satellites, bringing total to 145 Space

Climate/Environment

GLOBAL CLIMATE REPORT: See the April 2023 Global Significant Climate Events Map and learn more about worldwide climate conditions: https://t.co/ngCtZ790X2 #StateOfClimate pic.twitter.com/t45uHz6m5b  NOAA NCEI (@NOAANCEI) May 13, 2023

Water

California fights to save city, prison in peril from rising Tulare Lake floodwaters LA Times

#COVID-19

CDC just updated state pediatric death certificate counts Great Infection is the period where over fifty million children were infected against their will with a BSL-3 vascular superpathogen  so that their parents got back to work pic.twitter.com/eZ2SEQgVON  Gregory Travis. Make schools #DavosSafe (@greg_travis) May 13, 2023

Just days after retracting their statement that patients couldnt ASK for provider maskinga violation of patient civil rightsnow Mass General tells patients they MUST TRUST MassGen providers to DECIDE FOR THEM. Patronizing. Sorry, you lost trust. Numbers to call: 1/ pic.twitter.com/fbFx9Xuq1f  Yaneer Bar-Yam @yaneerbaryam@forall.social (@yaneerbaryam) May 13, 2023

Drug-resistant ringworm reported in US for first time; community spread likely Ars Technica

La belle France

Macron vs the French Workers  who is winning? The Left Berlin

India

China?

Peace march held in Okinawa to call for removal of all U.S. bases The Asahi Shimbun

Unimportant Flying Objects

Hunt for suspected spy balloon as mystery object flies into Polish airspace The Independent

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

Zelensky, in private, plots bold attacks inside Russia, leak shows Washington Post. Ukraines leader has proposed going in a more audacious direction  occupying Russian villages to gain leverage over Moscow, bombing a pipeline that transfers Russian oil to Hungary, a NATO member, and privately pining for long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russias borders. An interestingly timed release from the Discord leaks. Not paywalled. Zelensky receives assurances from Italian leaders ahead of meeting with Pope The Independent

***

According to Russian Sources today has been the Worst Day in Decades for the Russian Air Force with 2 Mi-8 Transport Helicopters, 1 Su-34 Fighter/Bomber, and 1 Su-35 Air-Defense Fighter being Shot Down over the Bryansk Region of Western Russia by what is claimed to have been pic.twitter.com/bkStfvQCDf  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 13, 2023

***

***

Erdogan throws support behind Russia after Klcdaroglus claim of interference in Turkish elections Duvar

Twitter Blocks Content In Turkey One Day Before National Election Forbes

Syraqistan

South of the Border

Biden Administration

You cant make this up  Biden replaced the policy page on his website where he promised to cancel student debt with a page asking us to give him more money instead. pic.twitter.com/ct74MDlD63  Holding Biden Accountable (From The Left) (@WaitingOnBiden) May 12, 2023

Secretary Mayorkas Remarks at a White House Press Briefing Ahead of the Lifting of the Title 42 Public Health Order DHS (Li). Mayorkas: Since there are businesses around this country that are desperate for workers. There are desperate workers looking for jobs, desperate workers in foreign countries that are looking for jobs in the United States, where they can earn money lawfully and send much needed remittances back home. Mayorkas Runs U.S. Foreign Policy in the Western Hemisphere The American Conservative (Li)

2024

GOP Clown Car

The Rights Assault on Divorce Will Put More Women at Risk Vanity Fair (Kevin)

Police State Watch

Just to remind folks, the original Good Samaritan was not someone known for stopping criminals. He was known for selflessly giving aid to an ignored and badly wounded crime victim even though he, as a Samaritan, was a member of a distrusted and even despised group. https://t.co/SPdv2PoSsU  Stephen Whitty (@StephenWhitty) May 13, 2023

Military-Style Drug War in Tenderloin Sparks Fears That More Drug Users Could Overdose San Francisco Public Press

Obama Legacy

AI?

Screening Room

Imperial Collapse Watch

Supply Chain

As the trucker shortage deepens, some groups are trying to make it easier to become a driver Investigate Midwest

Class Warfare

The Bezzle

Tesla Recalls Virtually Every Car It Has Sold in China Caixin Global

Antidote du jour (via):
(Natural News) As a preface to todays column, it may be best to give a reminder that in the Old Testament there were two Prophets that authored books that chronicled the people of Israel after their return from exile in Babylon, although ten tribes short of where they were when they were taken captive. Tradition also holds Ezra was the author of First and Second Chronicles, and he was accompanied by Nehemiah and his book in the Old Testament of the same time period.

Not in the officially accepted record, but rather in the Apocrypha we also find two more books by the prophet Ezra. In the second of those two books he had a vision (chapters 11 (the vision) and 12 (the interpretation of it)) of an Eagle that presages the historical record of the Presidents of the United States. We have spoken of this a number of times before so we will not go over it again except to mention the point that the short Eagle Feather (President) after Trump is to have a shorter reign than Trump and the one following him to be shorter still. Trump qualifies as a short feather because he did not serve the second term that he was legally elected to fill (2 Esdras 11:12 And I beheld, and lo, there was one set up, but shortly it appeared no more); and Biden will not finish this current term in order to be a feather shorter than Trump (2 Esdras 11:27 And the second was sooner away than the first.). That being said, lets see why I give this reminder.

(Article by Alan Barton republished from AllNewsPipeLine.com)

President Donnie Trump has come up with some very funny quips; lines that humorously call out people and the evil they do. One such is when he said of the Biden crime syndicate family and their being caught in so many ways lately that What congressmen James Comer and Jim Jordan have revealed about the Biden Crime Family would be Watergate times 10 if this news was revealed 10 years ago.Our Fake News Media is corrupt at a level never seen before! That is very true and you must live under a boulder to believe otherwise. Now we have James, Comer, House Oversight Committee Chair, asking the Department of Justice to NOT file charges against Hunter Biden until after Wednesday the 10th of May when he is scheduled to give a press conference showing the massive pay for play scheme that qualifies as outright Treason. This is not just about the occupier of our White House but includes the whole of the Biden crime racket including the dementia ridden idiot pretending to be our President. The second video below covers some of this well.

More and more evidence is pointing towards Joe Biden, Comer said. Obviously, Joe Biden was involved in all this despite the fact that he lied to the American people, despite the fact that his press secretary continues to lie about it the Liberty Beacon reported, and Were going to produce an additional five Biden family members, more countries, more LLCs, more bank accounts, he explained. This thing is much bigger than anyone would have ever predicted, and it all points towards Joe Biden. The timing on this whole fiasco is critical as at the same time there are reports that Biden is preparing to pardon Hunter. Just how the timing will work out is unknown, and if Joe and other family crime syndicate members are also indicted then just how reliable would that pardon be? I do not see how he can pre-pardon either himself or other connected members before charges are even filed, but who knows what that evil creep will try. This next little bit should be very interesting.

The American Bar Association said that there is a strong consensus among legal experts that a president cannot pardon someone for a state offense, as the Constitution notes offenses against the United States. In other words, state law enforcement authorities could review any criminal allegations, without presidential intervention, to determine if they rise to the level of a state offense. And they also mention that One unsettled legal question is whether a president can pardon himself. The Constitution says a president cannot pardon in cases of impeachment. So, if legal history also shows that legal record is also clear that a president can pardon for a presumptive crime, like what then-President Gerald Ford did with his predecessor Richard Nixon on Sept. 8, 1974 then this could be a most fascinating next little bit until he is removed from office. Whether that is under chains, medical removal, death or whatever, it is appearing positive that his time remaining in office is running very short right now just as Ezra foretells if we understand him correctly.

The one concern I have is whether or not the charges against Hunter will be based on his Biden family criminal corruption or on that gun charge that seems to have been put in place as a possible escape avenue just for events like these that are now appearing. Remember that those gun accusations have been around for a while now without anything being done legally, so it appears that they were waiting in the wings to hide some other future crimes that needed something to lessen the blow to the crime syndicate with Hunters absence. Distraction is a well planned avenue of escape especially in politics, and when involved in massive criminal behavior it is essential to have an alibi or a patsy to take the fall. Do NOT fall for the transfer of criminal activities to the gun thing rather than money laundering, influence peddling, racketeering, Espionage and High Treason if it involves such a ludicrously reduced charge of leaving a gun in a garbage can; that is no more than a low class ruse.

Patriot United News said that the Inspector General report that millions from the $110 million allocated to the DHS went to fund groups helping the criminal invaders over our southern border at the same time they are trying to put out the outrageous lie that the invaders numbers are way down. That is so patently absurd that it makes even the leftist bleeding hearts for the criminal invasion of this once great nation scream foul ball. The author of that article said I find it utterly amazing how far these people will go to help people that broke the law to come into the country and do not contribute to it in any way. There is no bigger slap in the face of the American taxpayer than to see their money being spent on illegal immigrants and I agree fully with that statement.

And at the same time that there are FBI whistle blowers coming out against the Bidens and the DOJ having documents showing that Biden is at the center of a massive criminal scheme, Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said that the DOJ and the FBI appear to be hopelessly corrupted politically based on their actions or lack thereof.Theres just no reason to trust them, and that is the truth. As seen in one fo the videos below, Ted Cruz demanded impeachment of Joe after all of those FBI whistleblowers brought out the documents proving the charges of criminal bribery. Although denials are blowing out of their faces as fast as they can, it appears that Joey Dementia sent Bill Burns to offer Vladimir Putin 20% of the Ukraine to end the war.

A spokesunit for Joe Biden teamed up with one from the CIA on Friday, February 3, to deny that CIA Director, William Burns, offered Russian President Vladimir Putin a fifth of Ukraines territory to end the ongoing war. Patriot United News said that last month, Burns traveled in secret to meet and brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, thanks to Washington Post.On Thursday, NZZ reported that Burns is said to have submitted the plan in mid-January to put an end to the war. One of the reasons Biden is denying everything is because both sides laughed in his face and told Burns to stay out of it. The Germans seem to think it as a true report because Biden wanted to get out of a protracted war in Ukraine and focus attention on China, where they are also pushing for a major war. Perhaps Putin threatening to use nukes has him shaking in his boots? Or rather, has the CIA shaking in theirs? Yet does he think China will not use them to great effect? Insanity reigns in our government leadership offices.

All of this seems somewhat whimsical as we already know that so much of the money the Bidens are laundering has to do with the payments the Chinese are making to him and his crime syndicate to operate and control as they see fit. More literally, he (they) are OWNED by the Communist Chinese and this also implies that his supervisor, the guy that remotely operates as the chief of the deep state running things in DC, the Master of Mysteries Barry Obama is also raking in the big bucks from China. Behind so much of the initial evidence is contained on Hunters laptop; that infamous and so dangerous a thing that all stops are out to destroy its real significance.

Former Deputy Director of the CIA Michael Morrell came forward to spill the beans on the Biden criminal cartel and Blinken said that a letter to him stated We are examining that public statement signed by 51 former intelligence officials that falsely discredited a New York Post story regarding Hunter Bidens laptop as supposed Russian disinformation and that is to do what they can to hide the laptop from hell from the public and prove it is not relevant. Massive disinformation campaigns against it resulted but to no real avail as we already know that it is extremely important and holds just as much weight as the document dump that Julian Assange has reported. Maybe even more so as it is contemporary with our current situation.

America First Legal has released many Biden Veep documents showing the massive influence peddling and corruption and can be found at the link imbedded HERE. Reed D Rubenstein, the America First Legal Senior Counsel and Director of Oversight and Investigations said This latest release by the National Archives provides additional evidence suggesting that Vice President Biden and his family viewed the Office of the Vice President as an ATM. Protected by the Secret Service, Hunter Biden traveled the world, apparently leveraging his fathers office to generate generational family wealth. The grift was cynical and brazen.



With the number of Bidens involved in this crime family and making bookoo bucks, it should come as no surprise that the criminal gang has the same kind of protection as the Arkansas Mafia does with the Clintons. One (really, only one?) whistleblower disappeared after planning to release information proving the Biden family cartel and the massive corruption. An Israeli professor disappeared when he was released on bail waiting for extradition to the United States for arms trafficking charges. Gal Luft said The US, claiming Im an arms dealer. It would be funny if it werent tragic.Ive never been an arms dealer.DOJ is trying to bury me to protect Joe, Jim & Hunter Biden.Shall I name names?. Yes sir, please feel free to do just that. Whether or not he was knocked off or just in hiding, we can be sure that it is not just the Bidens who are worried about any testimony he may have, but the DOJ, CIA, FBI and other players in this crooked scheme against the United States area also involved. I will not provide proof here, so just go over previous columns where we did just that including the $84 billion to terrorist groups in the mid east via Afghanistan and the billions sent to them very recently by the Biden crime syndicate.

One Biden accuser even posted a message saying If something happens to me, all roads lead to Joe Biden. Tara Reade who accused Biden of sexually abusing her when he was a Senator thinks the tendrils of the Democrat machine will make sure she does not have a chance to prove it.

There are so many other areas that need a close examination that it would be impossible to do so in one column. There will be books written about this if the planet does not destroy itself beforehand. But I will briefly mention a couple of other items just to be sure we realize how wide this sorry tale spreads.

A couple of weeks ago The Western Journal had a story on GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, a member of the House Oversight Committee, saying on Fox News that the mounting evidence that is finally being brought out that the MSM has been desperately trying to hide that this is just the very tip of the iceberg. This very brave IRS agent coming forward, I think will just start it. Theyre talking about impeaching Biden and that even worse is that the Biden criminal syndicate has been tied to Human Trafficking. I think that just following what has been going on at our borders is proof positive of that charge. A full column needs to be done on just that and I have been gathering information to hopefully do so. If you delve into it deep enough, theres prostitution rings involved in this. Human trafficking has been rumored to be a part of some of these so-called companies that have allowed the Biden family to profit. It is gross and it is disgusting about what has been allowed to go on, Burchett said. Many other stories show it is not just rumor but fact.

He then continues on about the Bidens (read as Obamas as well) [China has] so much invested in this White House now, that their cover-up upon cover-ups will continue. But I can assure you that the American people understand whats going on, the Tennessean said. And I can assure you that [Oversight] Chairman Comer and Chairman Jordan are steering this in the right direction. As I stated before, this is complete collusion with the communist Chinese. They bought and sold this White House. This is High Treason in the most basic of definitions. How long has it been since we hung traitors?

Back to the human trafficking angle, The Gateway Pundit story headline reads HHS Whistleblower Tara Lee Rodas Tells Congress Biden Administration Is Middleman in Multi-Billion Dollar Migrant Child Trafficking Operation. Whether for the purpose of child sex trade, satanic rites of the wealthy secret societies and occult secret societies, slavery in workhouses, or other such evil the tens of thousands of unattached children are being fed through the supposedly legal HHS and various other groups including gangs both foreign and domestic, this white house and the Biden crime syndicate is right in the middle of it all. They are making the access to evil people to little children as easy as they can are reaping the profits from it amounting to the billions of dollars. Why are our borders wide open? Drugs, gangs, arms trafficking, child trafficking, foreign armies infiltrating for the resulting destruction of our nation, and so much more. The Biden crime syndicate is one of the most evil secret societies in this world. Yes, that is a simple phrase but very accurate.

It is not just creepy old Joes attention he gives children but that is in his very nature to do evil towards them as the clips showing the uneasy looks and twisting to get away from him has shown.

Closing with Ezras Eagle, lets just look at what some interpret it to mean. There will be one more in office after Biden and his rule will be shorter still and yet another says that Biden is the last as the next two short feathers will not be able to do so as the three eagle heads will take it upon themselves to rule. Confusion reigns in the interpretation business so figure it out for yourselves. Just who those three eagle heads are is up for discussion as we have pointed out a few times before, but just be aware of what happens in the next year or two as it may not follow what is expected. Prophecy is always easy to see afterwards while beforehand it is unknown and we are only guessing. But the fact is very clear, things are getting interesting and our future is up for grabs it seems. May you live in interesting times is a curse, not a blessing. Perhaps the passing of the solar eclipse over the central US making an X when viewed with the September 2017 one seven years apart really is portentous; beware of 2024.

God Bless

(And I really meant that)

Read more at: AllNewsPipeLine.com
(Natural News) Tens of thousands of migrants lined up at border checkpoints to cross into the United States when Title 42 officially expired Thursday, May 11. Title 42 is the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic-era rule that has allowed authorities to expel nearly three million migrants who entered the country unlawfully.

In one border crossing on a patch of American soil in El Paso between the Rio Grande and the border wall, Texas Tribune reporter Uriel J. Garcia wrote that hundreds of migrants were standing in ragged lines waiting near a gate in the wall for their turn to pass. (Related: Drone footage shows makeshift camps built along Rio Grande by migrants waiting for Title 42 to end.)

Nearby, away from the prying eyes of Border Patrol and National Guard, a group of Venezuelan and Colombian illegals attempted to wade through a shallow part of the Rio Grande before being told by National Guardsmen to try a different border crossing some five miles east where agents may let them pass.

Similar situations are occurring all across the roughly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. Federal, state, local and border officials alike have implemented a series of policies to prepare for what they fear will be a chaotic crisis as tens of thousands of migrants who have been forced to wait in and around border cities in Mexico attempt to cross the border following the end of Title 42.

In El Paso, hundreds of migrants have been already in line at the border wall gate waiting for Border Patrol agents to apprehend them for processing when the deadline came at 9:59 p.m. local time on Thursday. Whenever agents took small groups of people through the gate and into the U.S., the entire group of several hundred migrants applauded and cheered.

Over 60,000 migrants waiting to enter the US

In the lead-up to the end of Title 42, triggered by the expiration of the national COVID-19 public health emergency, border officials have seen a spike in illegal immigrants. The Border Patrol has recorded around 10,000 apprehensions on some days in the week leading up to the expiration of Title 42.

On Thursday, May 11, Border Patrol noted that there were nearly 25,000 illegals housed in holding facilities and tents all along the border, despite the agency only with the capacity on paper to hold several thousand individuals at any given time.

Furthermore, Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz warned that tens of thousands of migrants are currently on the Mexican side of the border attempting to cross into the United States.

Upwards of 60,000 migrants we project are staging in and around the immediate border area, said Ortiz in an interview in El Paso. So, were focused on ensuring that were doing everything we can to allocate resources to address those flows.

Ortiz said due to the immense overcrowding and the pressure coming from the tens of thousands more migrants that need to be processed, Border Patrol units are rapidly releasing migrants without court dates so long as they have been vetted and cleared.

We are over capacity in several of the sectors, said Ortiz. And so were working closely with our NGO [non-government organization] partners, our communities to make sure that we release those migrants after theyve been vetted and cleared, and they pose no significant threat to the community.

During the first six months of the current fiscal year, which began in October 2022, apprehensions by border officials at the southern border have already hit 1.2 million and are on course to break last fiscal years record of 2.3 million apprehensions from October 2021 to September 2022.

Learn more about the disastrous consequences of allowing Title 42 to expire at InvasionUSA.news.

Watch this clip from Fox News discussing how the administration of President Joe Biden is attempting to hide the full extent of the border crisis.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Donna Brandenburg: Northern border also hosts indescribable human trafficking  Brighteon.TV.

The Dr. Hotze Report: Immigration disaster unfolds at the southern border as Title 42 ends  Brighteon.TV.

Invasion force of more than 700,000 migrants to be pushed across US border after Biden ends Title 42 this week.

STAGING FOR THE INVASION: Migrants from around the world are FLYING to Americas southern border to enter illegally after Title 42 expires.

Mexico-based cartels gearing up to flood America with up to one million illegal aliens after Biden opens the border by dropping Title 42.

Sources include:

TexasTribune.org

CBSNews.com

Briighteon.com
(Natural News) Every single day Joe Biden remains in office, its an impeachable offense, especially in regard to what hes doing to our border security after Donald Trumps reelection was stolen from him.

During an interview with NewsNation on Thursday, Marsha Espinosa, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), explained that under the plan that permits the release of migrants when facilities reach capacity, there is an expectation that those released will return within 60 days. However, Espinosa did not provide a specific timeline for how long the release plan will remain in effect.

An expectation. Not a demand. And whats the punishment if the expectation isnt met?

Host Blake Burman asked the Biden official: Weve been seeing these images  and youve seen them as well  of migrants at the border, the numbers, you know them just like I do, up double since January alone. Sixty-five percent in the last month. And weve done some reportingabout policy that has been put in place that is allowing, apparently, some of these migrants to be released at the discretion of CBP.  It basically says there can be parole on a case-by-case basis with release for up to 60 days. How long is this policy going to be in place, Marsha? And what about the idea of this just shows that the system is overwhelmed, that CBP agents are basically going to be able to go on a case-by-case basis to release some of these migrants out into the United States?

NEW: Border patrol is being ordered in many sectors to release migrants via parole which in turn leads to mass release. Sectors exceeding 125% are receiving authorization to release people without an NTA/Court date but rather they would make an appointment to meet an pic.twitter.com/YQajYMKxRw  Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) May 11, 2023

The DHS propagandist responded: Look, this is a powerful example of another way that our immigration system is broken. And the number of encounters is putting a strain on our facilities, on our workforce, and on our communities. So, when our facilities are at capacity, we can consider parole on a case-by-case basis. These individuals are vetted and screened and placed into removal proceedings. Theyre asked to report to an ICE office and check in, and if they have found no authority to be able to be in the United States, then they will be removed.

However, the host fired back: But  and how long is this going to go on, right? Because, from what you just outlined, youre relying on these immigrants to come back in 60 days and say, here I am.

Espinosa replied: Yeah, absolutely. So, they could be given whats called alternatives to detention, and that can be everything from like an ankle bracelet or an app where theyre required to check in regularly and go through the process. And the majority of migrants who come to the United States, unfortunately, do not qualify to be able to stay in the United States and they face those consequences. If they didnt use some of the lawful pathways that we are putting in place and have put in place, then they will either be removed, they could face a 5-year bar on admission, or criminal prosecution.

In case anyone is confused about how this happened, heres a reminder that Bidens 2020 campaign platform outlined his open border policy, which abrogates the obligations of Art. IV Sec. 4. https://t.co/KPIK6lTK5F  Kimberly Kim Wexler, MA JD (@AmyMartinSouth) May 11, 2023

Right now in El Paso, Texas. The Democrats are laughing at you for voting for them. pic.twitter.com/mkeqylnSrR  MAGS (@TAftermath2020) May 12, 2023

When reporters are dishonest, they should be called out & confronted with the truth. https://t.co/ZvlslKw50c  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 12, 2023

Bidens border policies alone are an impeachable offense. Republicans control the House; what are they waiting for?

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

InvasionUSA.news
(Natural News) We can all pretend to be fantastic until the floor collapses beneath us. At that point, complacency / denial gives way to panic, but its too late to effect any realistic reversal of fortune.

(Article by Charles Hugh Smith republished from CharlesHughSmith.blogspot.com)

Doom Loops have been in the lexicon a long time. The basic idea is the decline of one of the inputs holding up the status quo weakens the other inputs. This weakness feeds back on itself, accelerating the decline until a critical support level breaks and the system collapses.

Doom Loops are being used to describe big-city downtowns gutted by remote work, the closure of small businesses and the rise of property crime and chronic homelessness. Once the workforce commuting to downtown fell sharply, the businesses catering to this workforce no longer had a customer base large enough to support them all and so many close.

This mass closure makes the district less vibrant, further weakening commerce.

At the same time, politicians and district attorneys have mandated non-prosecution of non-violent property crimes such as auto break-ins, shoplifting, etc., giving the green light to the criminal class that specializes in property crimes. This increase in property crime forces the closure of flagship retail outlets stripmined by blatant shoplifting.

This shift in enforcement did little to stem the flood of fentanyl and other addictive narcotics into city centers, where the chronic homeless have congregated in sprawling encampments.

While mayors promote declines in violent crimes, they dont mention the impact of human waste, drug-addled homeless and property crimes, many of which are not even reported as small business owners fear reporting losses due to break-ins might result in their insurance policies being cancelled.

Break-ins set Oakland Chinatown businesses back: Things were slowly getting better, then all of a sudden the doom arrived.

The closures of downtown businesses cause tax revenues to plummet, leaving less for policing and other essential services. Criminals quickly catch on and so break-ins occur when police patrols are absent.

Meanwhile, the decline in commuters has crushed transit agencies revenues, creating giant holes in billion-dollar budgets with few realistic solutions.

The solution being touted is to convert empty office buildings into residences, to replace commuting office workers with residents. This sounds feasible in the abstract, but these conversions are extremely costly, and the attractiveness of decaying downtowns to upscale residents is a question few entertain, for the answer is painfully obvious: who wants to live in a neighborhood of human waste, degradation, rampant property crimes and drugs, all of which have rendered local businesses unviable?

You can be sure the politicians and DAs whose policies exacerbated the decay wont live downtown. Like the people who elected them, they live in wealthy enclaves that are so far protected from the consequences of doom loops.

Once the downtown has been stripped of targets, do you reckon the criminals who specialize in property crimes will retire? Or will they move into the enclaves where the protected class lives?

Another doom loop is gutting rural villages and towns globally. Youve probably seen media reports of houses in Italian or Japanese villages that can be had for $1 or some nominal sum, for example: Why Japan is Giving Away 8 Million Free Houses (13 min) (via J.F.). Note: the 8-million number is click-bait.

Left out of these chirpy accounts of $1 houses in charming villages are all the realities that generated the doom loop that hollowed out the villages in the first place: their remoteness, absence of jobs, the dominance of an aging populace of pensioners, decaying, outdated housing requiring costly renovations, the depreciating value of such properties, and so on.

Once the post office closes due to a decline in the populace and the elementary school closes due to a decline in enrollment, the village is doomed. Families with children move away, further reducing the populace, pushing it below the thresholds needed to support a local temple/church priest, a local cafe, etc.

Doom Loops are difficult to reverse. The current zeitgeist, which seems to only have two poles, complacency / denial and panic, is not conducive to practical, realistic appraisals or plans of action, all of which require painful sacrifices and reductions in unsustainable spending to align with reduced revenues and prospects.

This zeitgeist encourages positive optics and happy stories disconnected from the realities of the doom loops already in play. Yes, we can all pretend to be fantastic until the floor collapses beneath us. At that point, complacency / denial gives way to panic, but its too late to effect any realistic reversal of fortune.

Read more at: CharlesHughSmith.blogspot.com
(Natural News) The publics hatred of racial, sexual, and religious minorities is so out of control that it imperils our democracy. At least, thats what influential leaders from Joe Biden and Barack Obama to former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and California Governor Gavin Newsom want us to believe.

(Article by Michael Shellenberger republished from Public.Substack.com)

Last week Newsom announced a state initiative for citizens to report disfavored speech (non-criminal hate incidents) they see online:

Californias Civil Rights Department (CRD) invites citizens to speculate about the motive of the perpetrator.

In a statement, Newsoms office said the legislation was in direct response to the rise in reported hate crimes in California, which in recent years, reached their highest levels since 2001  jumping almost 33% from 2020 to 2021.

Indeed, criminal complaints of hate crimes rose significantly, not just 33% between 2020 and 2021 but also 80% from 2012 to 2021, according to California state data.

But convictions of hate crimes have been flat. In 2012 there were 107 hate crime convictions in California. In 2021, there were 109, according to the same data.

Its possible that hate crimes really did rise by 80%, and juries decided not to give prosecutors convictions. In San Fransicko, I assemble a large body of evidence to show California residents have become more tolerant of crime.

But its also possible that convictions stayed the same because there was no increase in prosecutable hate crimes. And it may be that Californian prosecutors simply labeled more crimes as hate crimes because they were primed to do so by the medias 700%  1,000% increased focus on racism between 2011 and 2020.

Whatever the case, Californias total number of hate crime complaints is trivial. There were just 285 hate crime complaints in California, a state with 39 million people, in 2021. There was an order of magnitude more homicides in California, 2,361, in 2021.

Prejudice still exists in the United States. The California church shooting from May 2022 was motivated by political hatred. And the recent mall shooter in Texas may have been motivated by racist ideology.

But the ideologies dont line up neatly politically. The California church shooter was Taiwanese and motivated by an obscure political grievance. The Texas shooter may have been racist, but he was also Latino. And the recent shooter in Nashville was trans and targeted Christians.

And in many instances, the political ideology is plainly secondary to mental illness. That was certainly the case with the psychotic and drug-addicted homeless man from Berkeley who attacked the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco last year. And it may have been the case with the shooters in Texas and Nashville.

In truth, acceptance of racial, religious, and sexual differences has never been higher in recorded human history. Never before have same-sex and mixed-race couples have been more accepted across all Western nations, which are far more tolerant than most other nations worldwide.

Trans people are celebrated, with an entire reality show dedicated to documenting in celebratory fashion the sexual reassignment surgery and hormone use of a trans girl named Jazz Jennings. And few places are more celebratory of transgenderism than California.

All of which raises a question. If theres no evidence that hate incidents are rising, abundant evidence that tolerance is rising, and overwhelming evidence that the media created a moral panic about racism, why are nations and nation-sized states like California urging mass spying and creating blacklists?

Read more at: Public.Substack.com
(Natural News) Florida has ratified a series of laws permanently banning Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mask and vaccine mandates in schools and businesses.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation on Thursday, May 11, and described the four relevant bills as part of an effort to prescribe freedom. This historic event came several months after DeSantis said he wanted the Florida Legislature to pass these permanent bans. (Related: POLITICAL COURAGE: Ron DeSantis wants Florida Legislature to permanently ban COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates.)

DeSantis noted how these new laws point to a need to address the potential of future government attempts to impose health mandates on the populace.

The danger is now, one of the reasons that we are doing this bill is, yes in Florida we are glad that we stood firm, he said. But a lot of the elites and the bureaucrats think that this response is how you should do it again in the future if something like that happens.

Arguably the most important bill among the four is Senate Bill 252, which prohibits workplaces, government agencies and schools from requiring people to provide documentation to show that they have been vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 or to wear masks to gain entry to their respective facilities.

The bill also prohibits the aforementioned institutions from requiring COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment. It also requires the Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration to develop proper standards for the appropriate use of facial coverings for infection control within healthcare facilities.

The state health department and the attorney generals office are allowed to fine institutions and individuals up to $5,000 for each violation of the mandate prohibitions.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits hospitals and other healthcare institutions from interfering with the ability of patients to choose COVID-19 treatment alternatives provided that they are recommended by physicians or other providers with privileges at these hospitals and other healthcare settings.

You should have the right to try these [alternative COVID-19 treatments] under the supervision of your physician, and that is protected in the state of Florida, said DeSantis.

The bill also formally denounced the World Health Organization and its recommendations in the state.

Florida also grants whistleblower protections to physicians, bans gain-of-function research

DeSantis also signed Senate Bill 1387, which bans gain-of-function research in the state. DeSantis noted that similar gain-of-function research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is likely to blame for the global pandemic.

We are the first state in the United States to ban formally gain-of-function research, said DeSantis. Wheres the accountability for people like Fauci and these other folks when they said they never did any of this? And we know much of that was not true. So, Im glad that the legislature stepped up to make a difference here.

The governor also signed Senate Bill 1580, which ensures freedom of speech for physicians as well as provides them with whistleblower protections. We want our physicians practicing evidence-based medicine. We dont want them to just defer to authority or to just follow the herd, he said.

Furthermore, SB 1580 also grants healthcare providers the ability to opt out of certain services based on a conscience-based objection. But the bill does not apply to emergency services that are required under state or federal law.

Learn more about the health freedom victories coming out of other parts of the U.S. at HealthFreedom.news.

Watch this episode of The Healthy American as host Peggy Hall discusses how one county in Florida is turning itself into a medical freedom sanctuary.

This video is from the channel The Healthy American on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Rochelle Walensky leaving as head of disgraced CDC after implementing disastrous pandemic policies that resulted in injuries and deaths for millions.

WHO declares end to COVID-19 global public health emergency after its fraudulent policies destroyed lives and economies.

Fauci, Trudeau and other COVID tyrants backtrack their crimes against humanity, claim they never did anything wrong.

Journalist exposes Pfizers quiet funding for groups that lobbied for COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Study: Mask mandates made no difference to COVID-19 transmission rates in hospitals.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

FoxNews.com

TampaBay.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Another natural herb that currently sits on the United States Schedule I controlled substances list along with cannabis and peyote is helping people overcome the damage caused to them by pharmaceutical drugs.

Ibogaine, which comes from a powerful Gabonese plant, is a natural substance that people with drug addiction are turning to for help  but it is only legally available outside the U.S. in places like Mexico, where patients with opioid addiction, as one example, are finding relief.

Schedule I drugs like ibogaine are considered by the U.S. government to be substances with no recognized medical benefits that supposedly also come with a high risk of abuse. The reality, though, is that the natural substances on that list, at least, are highly medicinal  and this includes ibogaine.

In fact, ibogaine works so well that it is a threat to the Big Pharma establishment, which naturally explains why it remains an illegal substance throughout the country  but not south of the border in Mexico where people are receiving ibogaine treatments from practitioners with incredible success.

Its like I was put back to the day before I ever used a drug, said a patient named Lynn Smith, who became addicted to opioid pharmaceuticals after suffering a serious pickup truck accident.

(Related: Big Pharma and pharmaceutical distribution chains such as Walgreens are largely responsible for widespread addiction, having substantially contributed to the current opioid crisis.)

If it works and its natural, chances are the U.S. government has banned it

Pharmaceutical overdoses kill an estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. every single year. Three out of four of these deaths are caused by opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If only ibogaine clinics like the one Smith went to in Tijuana existed here, then perhaps fewer people with opioid and other drug addiction would be dying  but try telling that to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which keeps a tight lid on natural remedies like ibogaine that actually work.

Not all ibogaine clinics in Mexico are regulated, but they do tend to be run by licensed doctors who know what they are doing, according to reports. And the best part is that they are vastly more affordable, and effective, than traditional rehabilitation clinics here in the U.S.

Smith paid about $12,000 for her recovery in Tijuana using ibogaine. The average cost of going through conventional rehab here in the U.S. is multiple times that amount, at least.

Derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant, ibogaine, which comes from the iboga root, is traditionally brewed into palm wine or chewed to curb both hunger and fatigue. In larger doses, iboga has powerful psychoactive effects, having been used for such purposes for centuries by the Fang, Mitsogo, and Punu people of the Congo Basin as part of the Bwiti religion.

Ibogas use is still considered to be fringe, but is rapidly gaining interest and popularity like cannabis has over the past decade. And as to be expected, Big Money has already set its sights on turning the natural remedy into a high-profit, synthetic drug.

Psychedelic therapies are expected to grow into a nearly $11bn industry in the next five years, reports The Guardian.

If developed, synthetic drugs derived from the compounds in ibogaine could offer hope for addiction treatment and decrease demand for poached plants. But as researchers continue to untangle the pharmacological potential of ibogaine, and drug companies take an interest, the people of Gabon are grappling with how they will fit into the equation.

To learn more about how pharmaceutical drugs coupled with poor nutrition contribute to illnesses that lead to addiction, visit Addiction.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGuardian.com

NaturalNews.com
A part of Ba Na Hill (Photo: thanhtra.com.vn)

It wrote: To the west of the city is a hill station and resort called Ba Na Hills, where you can find the majestic Golden Bridge. You can take a cable car ride to and from the resort.

Ba Na Hills, around 25 kilometers from downtown Da Nang, lies 1,400 meters above sea level and has a complex of luxury resorts, theme parks, and amusement facilities.

In 2018, the 150-metre-long Golden Bridge, designed like giant hands from fiberglass and mesh wire, was built on Ba Na Hills and quickly became one of the tourism symbols of the city.

Overview of Ba Na Hill (Photo: banahills.sunworld.vn)

Another leading attraction in the city are the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills with pagodas on top and hidden caves with Buddhist shrines.

Other destinations in the list are India's Srinagar and Gangtok, China's Huangshan and Lhasa, the Philippines' Baguio, and Nepal's Kathmandu.

Vietnamese shrimp products account for highest market share in RoK

The Republic of Korea (RoK) imports over 100,000 tonnes of shrimp worth between US$800 million and USS$1 billion each year and Vietnamese shrimp products always account for the highest market share at over 50%.

Shrimp represents a key export seafood product of the nation, with the annual export turnover of this item accounting for 40% to 45% of the total export turnover of the entire seafood industry.

Shrimp processed for export (Photo: vneconomy.vn)

Vietnamese shrimp is currently exported to 100 countries in the world, with the five largest markets including Europe, the United States, Japan, China, and the RoK.

Vietnamese shrimp exports to the RoK reached US$468 million in 2022, up 26% compared to the previous year.

The initial two months of 2023, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the Korean market reached just over US$46 million, a decline of 25% over the same period of 2022.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has requested that the Vietnamese Government and competent agencies propose that the Korean side consider the abolition of quota placed on shrimp imports from Vietnam, or alternatively devise solutions related to the adjustment of the tax rate to 0% for Vietnamese shrimp in the Vietnam  Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA).

In order to improve market share for Vietnamese shrimp, the Vietnam Trade Office in the RoK also recommended that ministries, and localities move to implement trade promotion activities for shrimp products in the Korean market. This includes attending a number of prestigious seafood fairs, as well as organising a broad array of promotional activities, marketing, and tasting products processed from shrimp.

This helps shrimp exporters research and develop new products in order to support logistics costs and costs for attending trade promotion activities in RoK.

Da Nang and Sa Pa among top destinations for Vietnam summer trips

A large number of Vietnamese tourists have chosen Da Nang and Sa Pa as destinations for their summer trips, Radio the Voice of Vietnam qouted a recent survey conducted by Southeast Asia research and analytics firm Milieu Insight.

According to the survey, up to 43% of the respondents selected the central coastal city of Da Nang for their summer vacation.

The northern mountainous resort of Sa Pa ranked second with 33% of the respondents selecting the destination, followed by Nha Trang with 30%, Da Lat with 29%, and Phu Quoc with 22%.

Terraced field in Sa Pa (Photo: laocaitourism.vn)

Most notably, Ho Chi Minh City was at the bottom of the list as it was selected by only 9% of the respondents.

The survey indicates that nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they plan to go on vacation for between four and four days this summer, while up to 59% intend to make between two and three domestic trips during the course of the year.

Just 12% of the respondents revealed that they will only travel in the country once for the entire year.

The survey also shows, Vietnamese travelers give top priority to factors such as costs, weather conditions at tourist attractions, and sightseeing tours when planning a trip.

Furthermore, delicious food is also an important criterion, with 57% of the respondents choosing to take a food tour during their trip. This figure makes up the largest proportion among the surveyed travel experiences.

Milieu Insight also conducted a survey for travelers aged 20 to 65 in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia about their travel plans this summer.

A prominent indicator is that 52% of Vietnamese tourists are willing to make use of air transport for domestic travel, ranking first among the countries with surveyed respondents.

ASEAN consumes half of Vietnamese fertilizer exports

April witnessed Vietnam export fertilizers to nine markets, with six ASEAN member states alone consuming 66,648 tonnes, or 50.5% of the country's overall fertilizer export market share, reported Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam shipped 131,913 tonnes of fertilizers worth US$48.48 million abroad in April alone, down 22% in volume and 51% in value year on year.

In the first four months, it exported 537,269 tonnes valued at US$232.16 million, declining 17.1% in volume and 43.6% in value respectively compared to the same period last year.

ASEAN consumes half of Vietnamese fertilizer exports (Photo: tienphong.vn)

Among the six ASEAN consumers of Vietnamese fertilizers in April, Cambodia took the lead with 46,284 tonnes, and it was the only regional market that has recorded a fertilizer import volume of over 10,000 tonnes from Vietnam.

Cambodia was followed by Malaysia (8,128 tonnes), Laos (7,883 tonnes), Myanmar (3,075 tonnes), the Philippines (1,062 tonnes), and Thailand (216 tonnes).

Vietnam also exported fertilizers to Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, and Japan with volumes of 692 tonnes, 3,320 tonnes, and 602 tonnes, respectively. All three markets endured a decline in import volume with 4%, 82%, and 49% year on year./.
(Natural News) This is why they call Austin, Texas San Francisco on the Brazos.

(Article by Cullen Linebarger republished from TheGatewayPundit.com)

The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that a so-called judge named Clifford Brown ordered Sgt. Daniel Perry jailed for an insane 25 years.

Perry killed a deranged Black Lives Matter-Antifa protester named Garrett Foster in self-defense during the George Floyd riots in Austin in July 2020.

Actual rapists and murderers often get more lenient sentences than this!

This is exactly the sentence morally corrupt prosecutor Guillermo Gonzalez wanted. He claimed without evidence that Perry is a loaded gun, ready to go off at any moment

Cristina Laila reported last month that a corrupt far-left jury convicted this American hero of murder. Perry was previously indicted for murder in 2021.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that he intends to pardon Perry, but this is not a guarantee. As the Mail notes,the state constitution limits Abbott to a pardon only on the recommendation by the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Here are the cold hard facts proving that Perry is completely innocent (h/t Laila):

In the summer of 2020, police confirmed that two people fired shots during an fight in Austin between a motorist and a Black Lives Matter-Antifa protester. The protester was shot and killed during the altercation.

Police say that the man who was killed, Garrett Foster, was armed and confronted the vehicle  but was not the other person who fired shots (meaning Perry).

The Austin Police announced during a late-night press conference in July 2020 that Foster was carrying a rifle and may have approached the vehicle prior to the shooting.

Prior to being fatally shot, Garrett Foster said on camera that the people who hate us are too big of p-ssies to actually do anything about it when asked why he was carrying a rifle.

Laila captured a screenshot showing Foster in a posture Foster that looks like he was pointing a weapon at the driver.

Here is a side-by-side video showing Perry coming to a complete stop before defending himself against Foster and his fellow thugs.

Side-by-side video with both angles, you can see Perry come to a complete stop before having to defend himself from the mob and Garrett Foster Might be worth mentioning as well, Foster was a BLM allied boogpic.twitter.com/eYAoq9BzX9  AntifaWatch (@AntifaWatch2) July 1, 2021

Lets all pray the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has the courage to recommend Perrys freedom and Abbott keeps his promise.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
(Natural News) Elon Musks announcement of new Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has many users asking, What are we doing?

(Article by Mike Gunzelman republished from OutKick.com)

On Friday, Musk announced that the former NBCUniversal ad executive would be the new CEO for the social media platform. At first glance the move makes sense; Musk is desperate to make money through advertising and why not hire someone like Yaccarino, who has legitimate ad experience?

But theres MUCH more to the story.

I encourage you to please read all of the following to see the bigger picture that has even Musks staunchest supporters crying foul. It has nothing to do with Republican vs Democrat  it is much larger than that and it shows blatant hypocrisy from the Tesla founder himself.

WEF is increasingly becoming an unelected world government that the people never asked for and dont want  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 18, 2023

CHAIRWOMAN OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

According to Linda Yaccarinos LinkedIn page as well as her OWN TWEETS, she is a vaccine-mandating, pro mask-wearing globalist who is just as bad as it sounds.

Her first red flag is that she is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF). She is the Executive Chairwoman of the WEFs Taskforce on Future of Work and their Media Initiative.

The WEF are the people who run the world, and no, thats not a conspiracy theory. Even Elon Musk himself tweeted his concerns about the WEF  and then he went and hired one of their top executives to be the new CEO of Twitter. What the

YACCARINO MENTIONS WEF ON HER LINKEDIN PAGE

Linda Yaccarinos LinkedIn page says that she is a member of the World Economic Forum. (LinkedIn)

On the WEF website, they talk about The Great Reset, which is probably one of the scariest things weve ever seen  it encourages a new social contract that they want humans to abide to.

Drawing from the vision and vast expertise of the leaders engaged across the Forums communities, the Great Reset initiative has a set of dimensions to build a new social contract that honours the dignity of every human being, the World Economic Forum boasts.

The WEF sets precedent, makes recommendations, and actively encourages governments from across the world to follow their orders. In the early days of the pandemic, the WEF, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), were able to get nearly every single country in the world to go on lockdown within days. Thats the type of power and influence they have over sovereign nations.

The WEF is also the group that is encouraging people to EAT BUGS because of climate change concerns. You dont have to believe me, you can also read that on their website.

(WeForum.org)

YACCARINOS VACCINE PUSH

During her years as Chairwoman of the Ad Council, Yaccarino boasts that she partnered with the Biden Administration, the CDC and government agencies to promote and market the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

Remember all the carefully worded and selective messaging that we heard nonstop? You must get vaccinated in order to get us back to normal, etc. Yeah, that campaign was spearheaded by Yaccarino. We now know it was all propaganda.

Know the facts! The @AdCouncil is working to inform Americans on why we must embrace an FDA-approved #Covid vaccine and how to go about it. Were almost there, lets cross the finish line. @lisaesherman https://t.co/AUv9tf9IFb  Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) November 24, 2020

ON MASKS

Here she is talking about Mask Up, or Pack Up, which comes across cute from an advertising perspective until you realize the deliberate havoc that this brought across the country.

TWITTER CEO?  is rumoured to be Linda Yaccarino. WEF member and speaker at Davos Here she tells you to mask up or pack up. What she really means is comply or die. Oh . pic.twitter.com/UoaJKc1heV  Bernies Tweets (@BernieSpofforth) May 12, 2023

She also tweeted out that everyone needed to stay home and not go outside.

No more stop and chat. Unless you use your phone. Stay at home. Watch TV. #StopTheSpread #SaveLatteLarry https://t.co/AiKuBmimGI  Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) April 1, 2020

SO WHY DID ELON MUSK CHOOSE HER?

Remember that whole Freedom of speech, and an open idea of information, that Musk claimed he was buying Twitter for?

Even though his intentions may be good, theres no doubt that Elon either got duped, or he played many of you for fools thinking that the elite dont look after the elite. Theres only so many seats at the dinner table. And, unfortunately, the average human isnt invited. Hopefully thats not true but many on Twitter are now thinking otherwise.

Less than a month ago Musk was being interviewed by Yaccarino. At one point, when she suggests content moderation and Musk pulls back, she tries to swindle her way into getting him to see her point that content moderation would lead to more advertising revenue  regardless of the free speech effect.

Twitters new CEO Linda Yaccarino wants to leverage content moderation to help make advertisers excited to invest more money in Twitter. Elon Musk seems to accept the idea, despite being unwilling to have his free speech diminished. pic.twitter.com/sv24bAh21p  Expose Them (@ExposeDarkDeeds) May 12, 2023

Its all right there  she wants to make Twitter more constrained, censored, and moderated in the name of money and more control.

And that is the new Twitter CEO. who is now in charge of Business Operations, of the most important social media platform on the planet.

Not great!

I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology. Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app. https://t.co/TiSJtTWuky  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023

Read more at: OutKick.com
(Natural News) Governments all over the world are passing policies to deal with nitrogen emissions  and these policies are putting the global food supply at risk.

The people pushing this so-called war on nitrogen claim that excess nitrogen in the environment is hazardous and pollutes the land, the water and the air. They say it even depletes the ozone layer. (Related: Dutch government to seize up to HALF the countrys farmland under the guise of curbing nitrogen emissions.)

The United Nations is at the forefront of these claims, suggesting without evidence that nitrogen is not only a contributor to so-called climate change, but that nitrogen pollution is also somehow a threat to human health and is detrimental to the global economy.

Nitrogen is a primary nutrient essential for the survival of all living organisms on earth, admitted Leticia Carvalho, principal coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programs Marine and Freshwater Branch. But the world needs to wake up to the issues of nitrogen waste and the opportunities to take joint action for its sustainable use.

Sri Lanka, Netherlands leading the war on nitrogen

Two of the main nations leading the globalist war on nitrogen are Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

In April 2021, the Sri Lankan government led by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa banned the use of all chemical fertilizers in the small island nation of 22 million people.

Around a year after that decision, the government was forced by widespread protests to roll back the ban after it led to a rapid collapse in food yields, with some estimates suggesting an annual drop of at least 30 percent in paddy yields.

I cannot recall any time in the past when we had to struggle so much to get a decent harvest, lamented 65-year-old W.M. Seneviratne in the eastern Sri Lankan village of Agbopura at the time. Last year, we got 60 bags [of rice] from these two acres. But this time it was just 10.

These crops need urea. Compost is just not good enough and we didnt even get any of the organic fertilizer that was distributed by the government, he added. Urea, a widely used and low-cost chemical fertilizer containing 46 percent nitrogen, is an essential element in the life cycle of crops for farmers around the world like Seneviratne.

And in the Netherlands, the Dutch coalition government has just received the green light from the European Union to move forward with a plan to cut nitrogen emissions in half by 2030 by expropriating land from the nations farmers.

The plan sets aside nearly 1.5 billion euros ($1.64 billion) for farmers who are willing to voluntarily sell their farms to the state in exchange for sizeable compensation. All agricultural work on seized lands would then stop immediately to prevent large-scale emissions of nitrogen from the area. Some 3,000 farms are expected to be seized within the next few years.

Multiple other countries might be joining the attacks on farmers for their supposedly harmful nitrogen emissions soon, particularly those nations that have committed to reducing their nitrogen emissions.

Learn more about how the climate alarmists are coming for the food supply at GreenTyranny.news.

Watch this video from The New American as Alex Newman and documentary filmmaker James Patrick discuss how the Dutch plan to seize farmland under the guise of restricting nitrogen emissions is just a plot to transfer more land to the elites.

This video is from the channel The New American on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Food insecurity a growing problem in US  America turning into a third-world country.

STARVE FOR THE CLIMATE: European Union partners with Dutch government to shut down dairy, cattle, pig and poultry farms across the country.

The globalists are coming for your food, experts warn  plant-based tyranny will rule the world.

According to globalists, we are one crop failure away from food system meltdown  new consumables added to the shortage and/or inflation list.

RICE is the latest target of climate change cultists and the global war to starve populations to death.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com

UNEP.org

Reuters.com

Extension.UMN.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Killer bees stung to death several Nicaragua bus passengers earlier this week after they fell into a ravine and disrupted multiple bee hives, according to local reports. The hives belong to the species Africanized honey bee or Africanized bee (Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier) which reportedly perceived the bus and its passengers to be a threat.

The reports said none of the bus passengers died from the initial fall until the Africanized honey bees attacked them. Those who died, including a mother and her 8-year-old daughter, suffered numerous stings throughout their body, while other passengers sustained injuries.

Nicaragua Killer Bee Attack

The bus, with a one-hour journey from Jinotega to San Sebastian de Yali, was carrying 60 passengers when it suddenly lost control and skidded off the road and fell at a height of 165 feet into a ravine, according to local sources via the New York Post, Fox News reported.

Although the said passengers survived the initial drop, the vehicle landed in a coffee plantation field which was home to the Africanized bees. Based on the report, the angry insects stung repeatedly the passengers and bite marks were seen from head to toe of the victims.

Also Read: Video: Ontario Prime Minister Swallows Bee After It Entered His Mouth During a Live Press Conference

Bee Attack Casualties

A total of six people died as a result of being stung many times following the road accident. Meanwhile, 14 others were sent to the hospital following the incident.

In a video report, the New York Post said the bus had a "mechanical problem," which caused it to plunged into the ravine and collide with multiple hives from the winged insects commonly known as "killer bees."

While fatal bee attacks are rare, the recent incident is unusual but expected at the same since when the bus struck the hives it triggered the disruptive and aggressive behavior of the bees.

Africanized Bees

Africanized honey bees are aggressive and very dangerous, since their entire hive might attack a person or other animals it considers as a threat. The bees are also constantly guarding possible threats and even a shirt's color or cologne scent can pose as a threat, according to Fox News.

Africanized bees are notorious in the Americas due to their reputation of having an aggressive behavior.

Prevalent only in North America, Central America, and South America, the said bee species is a result of a human-bred subspecies, conducted by scientists in Brazil with the aim of increasing honey production in warmer climates such as Brazil, the Natural History Museum reported.

The killer bees can be genetically traced back to two original bee species: the European honeybees and the African honeybees as a result of the work of Brazilian geneticist Dr. Warwick Kerr in 1956.

Since then, the bees have spread their population to Central America and to the United States.

Related Article: Sting Operation: Ohio Man Wakes Up from Coma after Receiving 20,000 Bee Stings and Ingesting 30 Bees
Hikers enjoy the spectacle of the golden wildflowers painting the Bay Area hillside in a magnificent bloom as they progress along a 20-minute walk.

Mori Point Superbloom in Bay Area

Hikers from all over the Bay Area come to Mori Point in Pacifica to behold a hillside blooming with golden wildflowers.

Mori Point, which is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is located in Pacifica only 15 minutes south of San Francisco's Sunset District, is a stunning location at any time of year.

Stefano Mori, an Italian immigrant, bought the territory in 1888 from the powerful Aramai tribelet of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Later, he constructed an inn on the picturesque point, which was known for being a bootlegging hotspot during Prohibition.

Today, pathways wind across its slopes and provide 180-degree views of the coast, with Pacifica Pier, Mount Tam, and Point Reyes in the north and Pedro Point in the south.

Golden Wildflowers Paint the Hillside

This spring, a massive wildflower bloom has enveloped the slope at Mori Point. There are several goldfields and clean dumps, which spread a blanket of sunshine to the Pacific.

The checker-bloom flecks and blue-eyed grass give the golden fields a purple contrast. Even on weekday mornings, many are making the 20-minute ascent to the location, carrying cameras and binoculars.

Consider taking a day trip to Pacifica, the Peninsula's super bloom, if the forecast for the weekend calls for sunny weather. Hikers usually stay a while and take in the springtime seaside magnificence. They pick up a shaking beef bahn mi sandwich from Dinosaurs or a "Godfather" Italian sub from Colombo's to bring along and savor on the spot.

Also Read: California Ventures into Farming Avocados, Mangoes, Agave in Response to Climate Change

Getting to the Mori Point Superbloom

The San Francisco Standard advises setting a course for the Moose Lodge in Pacifica rather than "Mori Point." A small parking area, restrooms, and a path leading to the point are located close to the resort. As the super bloom is not a secret, hikers who arrive in the middle of the day must be prepared for crowds and a parking hunt. At the end of Fairway Drive, there is a different trailhead with parking in the community.

Till they both meet the Coastal Trail, take the Old Mori Road or Upper Mori Road trails. The approach demands an ascent of roughly 500 feet to get to the point and the mega bloom, which is directly at the location known as "Mori Point," the San Francisco Standard reports.

Trampling, touching, or gathering the wildflowers is not advised. It's best to leave the blooms in the fields to produce seeds for next year's blossoms. According to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, it is technically against the law to do so.

California Super Bloom

After months of wintry weather pounded the West Coast with torrential rains and snow, California's hillsides are suddenly ablaze with colors so vivid that they can be seen from space. These colors include orange, yellow, and purple.

The so-called "super blooms," which happen when heavy precipitation in natural landscapes combines with prolonged drought, have been drawing enormous numbers of tourists, according to California's Department of Parks and Recreation via The Hill.

Related Article: UK University Sows New Meadow for Native Wildflowers To Tackle Biodiversity Crisis
Finally, the unexpected cause of the strange ocean slicks that seem to swirl about the Baltic Sea's surface has been discovered by scientists, and it just so happens to be tree pollen.

Bizarre Ocean Swirls on the Baltic Sea - NOT Sea Snot

The strange slicks have been observed on numerous occasions in recent years, most notably in a color-corrected satellite image taken off the coast of Gdansk, Poland, on May 16, 2018.

Researchers have discovered that unusual swirling "slicks" that occasionally appear on the Baltic Sea are actually made from floating tree pollen.https://t.co/kSfRrXGmqk  Live Science (@LiveScience) May 13, 2023

Though they were aware that the swirling patterns were the result of waves and wind-driven currents shifting the slicks around on the surface of the ocean, scientists were unclear of their specific composition.

Initial speculation among experts was that they were "sea snot," a sticky byproduct of some plankton, or algal blooms.

Pine Tree Pollen

But when scientists examined the reflecting qualities of the enigmatic substance in a paper published in the scientific journal Remote Sensing of Environment, they discovered that it was more like pollen from pine trees (Pinus sylvestris).

Researchers claimed that this was later corroborated by the way the slicks looked and by direct observations made by local scientists.

According to State Woods Poland, pine trees are the most prevalent tree in Poland, making up more than 55% of the nation's woods, which in turn occupy just under 30% of the country's area.

But the pollen of the trees was not before known to be carried thus far offshore.

Climate Change, Pollen Levels, and the Time of the Year

Following the identification of the pollen, the researchers reviewed earlier satellite pictures and discovered that similar slicks have previously emerged 14 times between 2000 and 2021.

They found that the slicks are starting to develop earlier in the year and that the pollen content has increased year over year.

The variations in pollen concentrations across the study period are consistent with a global trend of rising pollen concentrations brought on by climate change.

According to a study published in the February 2021 issue of the journal Environmental Sciences, between 1990 and 2018, pollen levels in North America grew by 21%, and the average length of the pollen season was extended by about 20 days.

These alterations, according to NASA's Earth Observatory, are the result of more carbon dioxide being present in the atmosphere, which enables plants to generate more pollen.

Also Read: Weird Blue Spiral Seen During Aurora Sighting in Alaska Not a Galaxy, Experts Explain

Pollen and its High Organic Carbon Content

The team thinks additional research is required to properly understand the impact pollen plays in maritime ecosystems because of its high organic carbon content.

If the research group can track pollen aggregation in several locations, this may provide useful information for fisheries studies, according to lead study author Chuanmin Hu, who is also an optical oceanographer at the University of South Florida.

The information might be used in conjunction with land-based pollen detectors to track long-term trends that may affect allergy sufferers, Live Science reported.

According to NASA's Earth Observatory, the abundance of pollen may have effects that go beyond just making people sneeze.

Pollen grains can impact aquatic ecosystems by adding carbon to the sea, despite the fact that this is not fully understood.

Pollen grains may be a significant source of nutrients for some crustacean species, insect larvae, and other invertebrates that dwell in coastal Baltic Sea waters, just as the way leaf litter feeds food webs in lakes and streams.

Related Article: 70% of Great Pacific Garbage Patch Hospitable Habitat to Several Coastal Species
Sea butterflies are small, free-swimming sea snails that belong to the group of pteropods.

They have thin, delicate shells that are sensitive to ocean acidification, a process that lowers the pH and the availability of carbonate ions in seawater due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Sea butterflies are important components of the marine ecosystem, as they are food for many fish, birds, and whales, and they also play a role in the carbon cycle by transporting organic matter from the surface to the deep ocean.

However, sea butterflies are facing multiple threats from climate change, such as warming, acidification, deoxygenation, and changes in food availability.

These factors can affect their survival, growth, reproduction, and distribution, and have consequences for the whole Southern Ocean ecosystem.

In this article, we will focus on how climate change affects the life cycle of two dominant species of sea butterflies in the northeast Scotia Sea: Limacina rangii and Limacina retroversa.

Contrasting life cycles and vulnerabilities

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey have examined the life cycles, abundance and seasonal variability of these two species using sediment trap samples collected at 400 meters depth over a year, as per Phys.org.

They found that L. rangii and L. retroversa have different life cycles that make them more or less vulnerable to changing oceans.

L. rangii is a polar species that can be found as both adults and juveniles during the winter months. This means that they have two cohorts (groups of individuals born at the same time) coexisting over winter, which may give them a survival advantage if one cohort is more affected by environmental stress than the other.

L. rangii also has a faster growth rate and a shorter lifespan (about one year) than L. retroversa, as per Ocean Fauna.

L. retroversa is a subpolar species that appears to occur only as adults during the winter. This means that they have only one cohort over winter, which makes them more vulnerable to environmental stress as there is no backup population.

L. retroversa also has a slower growth rate and a longer lifespan (about two years) than L. rangii.

The researchers suggest that winter is a critical period for sea butterflies, as they are exposed to lower temperatures, higher CO2 levels, and lower food availability.

These conditions can affect their shell formation, metabolism, reproduction and survival.

The fact that L. rangii and L. retroversa have different life cycles implies that they may respond differently to climate change and have different impacts on the marine food web and carbon cycle.

Also Read: Gelatinous Marine Snail: Tiny Marine Snails Fly in Water Like Winged Insects [VIDEO]

Implications for the Southern Ocean Ecosystem

Sea butterflies are key organisms in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, as they link primary producers (such as phytoplankton) with higher trophic levels (such as fish, birds, and whales).

They also contribute to the biological pump, a process that transfers carbon from the surface to the deep ocean through the sinking of organic matter, any changes in their abundance, distribution, or quality as food can have cascading effects on the whole ecosystem.

The researchers warn that climate change may cause a decline in Antarctic Ocean pteropod populations, which could affect their predators and prey, as well as their role in carbon sequestration.

They call for more studies on the life cycle of these keystone organisms to improve predictions of ocean acidification impacts on the Antarctic ecosystem.

Related article: Sea Slugs Slay Predators With Stored Toxins
In the Tennessee Aquarium Turtle Nursery, two hatchlings of the critically endangered four-eyed turtles emerged from incubated eggs.

Four-Eyed Turtle Hatchlings

These critically endangered species, which are found in forests and marshes in a crescent-shaped arc range in China, Laos, and Vietnam, are in steep decline as a result of several challenges, including habitat degradation and dam as well as the collection of individuals for the pet trade and the harvesting of their shells.

The Tennessee Aquarium is happy to announce the recent hatching of two four-eyed turtles in their Turtle Nursery, given the bleak future for these turtles in the wild.

A first for the Chattanooga institution, these eggs, which hatched on the first and second day of May, were laid by a female who was hatched and nurtured at the Aquarium.

The off-exhibit female laid these eggs early this spring.

According to the average incubation period for this species, which lasts between 70 and 75 days, they hatched after 68 and 69 days, respectively.

It took a long, arduous process for the newly hatched four-eyed turtles to emerge from their eggs.

The hatchlings made a hole in the eggshell known as "a pip" using an egg tooth, a unique, temporary spur on their beaks.

It can take hours to finally emerge from the shell after widening this initial escape point.

Four Eyes but Not Really

Most mothers would undoubtedly prefer to have eyes in the back of their skulls.

Four-eyed turtles are so named because they have two distinctive, ringed eye patches on top of their heads called ocelli.

These markings are what give them their name.

The purpose of these eye spots, however, is not to monitor the activity of their kids, but to confuse and misdirect potential predators.

Also Read: Snapping Turtle Chonkosaurus Spotted Basking in Formerly Toxic Chicago River

Critically Endangered

The turtles will be moved to nursery habitats after spending a few more days in the aquarium's incubation chambers and having their first few meals.

Visitors can see these newest additions as well as dozens of other newborn turtles in the aquarium's working turtle nursery located in the Turtles of the World Gallery of the River Journey building.

According to Tennessee Aquariums, young four-eyed turtles from previous years have apparently been transferred to other establishments approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Tennessee Aquarium is the only facility in the US that is currently raising this endangered species, and it houses the majority of the population of these turtles in the US Zoo.

If the four-eyed turtle and other freshwater turtles are to survive, greater public knowledge of conservation issues and stronger legal enforcement are necessary.

Bill Hughes, the herpetology coordinator of the aquarium, is in charge of keeping the official four-eyed Turtle studbook, a document that details the parents of all offspring of a specific species.

To save this unique turtle from going extinct in the wild, the aquarium has had great success in boosting the population of this species in care.

54 four-eyed turtles have been born at the aquarium since 2007, and in 2021, the International Union for Conservation of Nature changed their status from endangered to critically endangered.

Additionally, the aquarium hatched 25 Beale's four-eyed turtles during this time, a closely related species, KOMO News reports.

Related Article: Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Found Dead in Vietnam Shores was Species' Last Female
Humpback whales are famous for their complex and beautiful songs, which they produce mainly during their breeding season.

These songs are thought to play a role in attracting mates, communicating with other whales and maintaining social bonds.

But how do humpback whales deal with noise in their environment, such as wind and boat engines, that could interfere with their singing?

A team of researchers from the University of Queensland has investigated this question by recording humpback whales off the Queensland coast during their southward migration from the Great Barrier Reef to Antarctica.

They found that humpback whales sing louder when the wind is noisy, but not when boat engines are noisy.

This suggests that humpback whales have different strategies to cope with natural and man-made noise sources.

Wind noise: A natural challenge

Wind noise is a natural source of noise that humpback whales have evolved with over millions of years. Wind noise can vary depending on the wind speed, direction and sea state. It can affect the transmission and reception of whale songs by masking (covering up) or distorting them, as per Phys.org.

The researchers found that humpback whales increase the source levels (loudness) of their songs when the wind noise increases, which is a common behaviour among many animal species to maintain effective communication in noisy environments. This behaviour is known as the Lombard effect.

By singing louder, humpback whales can increase the signal-to-noise ratio (the difference between the sound of interest and the background noise) and make their songs more detectable and intelligible to other whales.

However, singing louder also has costs, such as increased energy expenditure, increased predation risk and increased exposure to potential competitors or enemies.

Also Read: Sperm Whale Found Dead Along Philippine Shores Ingested Too Much Plastic

Boat noise: A man-made threat

Boat noise is a man-made source of noise that humpback whales have not evolved with and may not be well adapted to, as per The Royal Society.

Boat noise can vary depending on the type, size, speed and distance of the boat. It can also affect the transmission and reception of whale songs by masking or distorting them.

The researchers found that humpback whales do not increase the source levels of their songs when boat engines are noisy, which is a surprising finding given that boat noise has a similar frequency range to wind noise.

This suggests that humpback whales do not perceive boat noise as a communication challenge or that they are unable to cope with it.

The researchers propose that humpback whales may use other strategies to compensate for boat noise, such as spatial release from masking (the ability to discriminate between sounds coming from different directions) or comodulation release from masking (the ability to discriminate between sounds and noise when the noise has distinctive frequency components that do not overlap with the sounds).

Alternatively, humpback whales may simply ignore boat noise or reduce their communication efforts when boat noise is present. This could have negative consequences for their reproductive success and social interactions.

Implications for conservation

Humpback whales are exposed to increasing levels of noise in their habitats due to human activities such as shipping, fishing, tourism and exploration.

Noise pollution can have detrimental effects on whale health, behaviour and population dynamics.

Understanding how humpback whales respond to noise is important for developing mitigation measures and policies to protect them and their acoustic environment.

The researchers suggest that more studies are needed to assess the long-term impacts of noise on humpback whale singing and breeding.

Related article: 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Go Whale Watching
Piranhas attacked and left bloody wounds on multiple beachgoers at a Brazilian resort earlier in May, it was reported in recent days.

While there were no fatalities, the vicious piranha swarm consumed a chunk of flesh off the victims' legs and feet, as visible on the bite marks, according to the reports.

Although rare, the incident adds to several reported piranha attacks on humans in the past.

For decades, piranhas have been a subject of both wildlife interest and pop culture, with the latter showing they are a notorious, bloodthirsty fish that also craves for humans.

In Hollywood movies, they are depicted as fast foragers that can turn a large prey into skeleton in a matter of seconds.

However, experts suggested that what we know about piranhas are not accurate, asserting they are omnivores and more of scavengers than hunters that craves small fish, other animals, and plants.

Available evidence contradicts long-held notions that humans are on the prey list of piranhas.

Brazil Piranha Swarm Attack

The Brazil piranha swarm attack occurred in a beach resort in Taruma-Acu on May 1, wherein at least eight people were left with bleeding wounds, according to the local news outlet portal g1, as cited by Newsweek on Friday, May 12.

The victims were apparently playing in the waters at a live stream during the Labor Day holiday when they suddenly felt painful sensation on their legs and feet.

Also Read: 5 Enthralling Facts About Piranhas: Do They Really Eat Scales?

Related Piranha Attacks

Although piranha attacks on humans are rare, they still do occur.

In previous years, related cases involve people entering the waters which have been perceived as provoked attacks.

In 2015, a six-year-old girl in Brazil was reportedly eaten alive by piranhas when her grandmother's boat capsized during a vacation in February of that year.

Investigation into the incident revealed the girl's body was found surrounded and devoured by a large group of piranhas, the BBC reported.

In 2012, another Brazilian girl died after being attacked by a shoal of piranhas.

In 2013, over 70 swimmers sustained injuries on their hands and feet following a violent piranha attack in Rosario, Argentina.

In 2011, a teenager in Bolivia died in a piranha attack.

Local police said the 18-year-old was drunk when he jumped from a canoe and into a river in Rosario del Yata, Sky News reported.

Do Piranhas Eat Humans?

There are many tales that bring the narrative of how schools of piranha actively and intentionally attack humans, however scientific evidence that supports such aggressive behavior remains limited, according to researchers in Brazil in a study published on the website of the National Institutes of Health.

The research team clarified that there are few cases where piranhas eat the corpse of humans in the water after dying from heart attack or drowning.

They also added that the ferocious fish are notorious for occasionally injuring bathers and swimmers in inland bodies of water like lakes and rivers.

Related Article: The Only Fish That Can Survive Deadly Piranha Attack
During her visit Her Majesty was accompanied by Ms Rana Flowers, Representative of UNICEF Viet Nam, Mr Luc Suykens President of the Board of UNICEF Belgium, Ms Christele Devos Executive Director of UNICEF Belgium and by Mr Karl Van den Bossche, Ambassador of Belgium in Viet Nam.

Photo: VOV

Her Majesty the Queen witnessed how UNICEF Viet Nam supports the Government to close equity gaps and expand opportunities for the most vulnerable children. During her visit, she interacted with children, teachers, mothers and fathers, health workers and Government officials, learning first-hand about Viet Nams progress for every child.



I have witnessed Viet Nams progress towards ensuring its children are healthy, safe, educated, protected and empowered to reach their full potential, she remarked. There are still many challenges, but this visit has reaffirmed for me that there are innovative and creative approaches being designed and tested that greatly enhance the opportunities and improve the wellbeing of children across this country, Her Majesty added.



At her meetings with President Vo Van Thuong and later, the Minister of Education and Training, Mr Nguyen Kim Son, Her Majesty the Queen referred to Viet Nams achievements and learnt about national efforts to address childrens issues working closely with UNICEF. She also recognized that this year marks 50 years of close collaboration between Viet Nam and Belgium, an opportunity for strengthening the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, she said.

Following these discussions, Her Majesty travelled to Lao Cai, a mountainous province in Northern Viet Nam, that ranks among the countrys poorest and where the majority of residents are from ethnic communities. In Lao Cai, Queen Mathilde was welcomed by Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of the People's Committee of the Province. The committee is a long-standing partner to UNICEF, working together for childrens well-being and development.

Field visits

Her Majesty witnessed new approaches piloted by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), with UNICEF support, to improve the quality of learning and digital literacy among the youngest ethnic minority girls and boys. She observed how Augmented Virtual Reality (AVR) is being used to nurture curiosity, joyful learning and transferable skills for preschool students. This pilot programme is closing the digital divide for children in remote, mountainous regions and ensuring that ethnic minority children, who are least likely to complete primary and secondary school, get the best possible start to their education.

With the aim of improving quality education for all children, particularly the most disadvantaged, UNICEF works with MOET to introduce digital learning, enhance STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Math) education and build transferable skills. Special focus is given to expanding the use of mother tongue based bilingual education for ethnic minority children whose first language is not Vietnamese. This approach has been proven extremely effective in enhancing childrens learning outcomes in both mother tongue and Vietnamese languages.

Her Majesty the Queen also visited a community-based nutrition club, where she met mothers learning to better use local products to prepare nutritious meals for their families, particularly their young children. The clubs, initially launched with UNICEF support, are an example of where proven approaches are tested and scaled up by Government to reach even more children. In Lao Cai, the local health authorities have adopted this approach as a part of their efforts to reduce malnutrition rates in Lao Cai province in a context where child stunting rates reach over 37 per cent.

On her last day in Viet Nam, Her Majesty sat with a group of adolescents to talk about their concerns and mental wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen increased mental health issues among children and adolescents around the world and in Viet Nam, with 21.7% of adolescents in Viet Nam reporting they experienced a mental health problem over the past year.



Addressing childrens and adolescents mental health is a priority area for UNICEF Viet Nam and a growing concern that Her Majesty has indicated is a key advocacy priority for her work globally with UNICEF. Her Majesty was pleased to note the work underway to promote positive mental health through actions that help children and adolescents to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, encouraging UNICEF and its partners to increase efforts to strengthen service provision, including by increasing budget allocation for mental health, integrating mental health into all social sectors, and improving referral systems at health-care facilities, schools and social welfare units./.
The Digital News Publishers Association has voluntarily drawn up a Code of Ethics for its members as outlined below, which demonstrates their commitment to responsible digital publishing --even as it, in order to protect our 19 (1) (a) and other Constitutionally mandated freedoms, keeps under review and scrutinizes any developments likely to restrict the gathering and dissemination of news and current affairs or any other content.

The object of this Code is to outline high standards, ethics and practices in digital news publishing, and does not constitute any attempt to involve itself in the day to day operations of the publishers --who have complete editorial and content independence.

The basic precepts of the Code of Ethics are to maintain the standards of digital publishing as well as protect and maintain the independence of journalists, content entities and publishers.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: five-year-old child from Iraq underwent heart surgery at Andhra Hospitals with support from Superstar Mahesh Babu. Rakan Husam Talib was suffering from Downs syndrome, an atrioventricular septal defect and left atrioventricular valve regurgitation.

An ardent fan of Mahesh Babu, Husam Talib Hamzah, father of Rakan Husan Talib and a post-graduation student at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, contacted Mahesh Babu (MB) Foundation for support. Responding to Hamzah woes, the MB Foundation immediately contacted Andhra Hospitals for heart surgery.

According to the sources, the boy was admitted to the hospital on May 8 and underwent heart surgery on May 10. Doctors said that the surgery was successful and the patient was discharged on Saturday.

His parents thanked Superstar Mahesh Babu and Andhra Hospitals for saving their child. Chief of Childrens Services Dr PV Ramarao along with paediatric cardiologist Dr Vikram Kudumula and Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr R Dilip performed the surgery.

VIJAYAWADA: five-year-old child from Iraq underwent heart surgery at Andhra Hospitals with support from Superstar Mahesh Babu. Rakan Husam Talib was suffering from Downs syndrome, an atrioventricular septal defect and left atrioventricular valve regurgitation. An ardent fan of Mahesh Babu, Husam Talib Hamzah, father of Rakan Husan Talib and a post-graduation student at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, contacted Mahesh Babu (MB) Foundation for support. Responding to Hamzah woes, the MB Foundation immediately contacted Andhra Hospitals for heart surgery. According to the sources, the boy was admitted to the hospital on May 8 and underwent heart surgery on May 10. Doctors said that the surgery was successful and the patient was discharged on Saturday. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); His parents thanked Superstar Mahesh Babu and Andhra Hospitals for saving their child. Chief of Childrens Services Dr PV Ramarao along with paediatric cardiologist Dr Vikram Kudumula and Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr R Dilip performed the surgery.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Azerbaijan is a vital energy partner for the EU, Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission, wrote on his Twitter page, Trend reports.

On May 13, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Maros Sefcovic in Brussels to discuss cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in the field of energy, the process of increasing the export of Azerbaijani gas to the EU, as well as renewable energy.

Sefcovic thanked President Ilham Aliyev for "a valuable exchange", following the meeting.
By AFP

COLOMBIA: Colombia's President Gustavo Petro urged a guerrilla group on Saturday to agree to a regional ceasefire aimed at ending decades of conflict after the two sides failed to ink a nationwide deal this month.

"I propose that we work seriously on a ceasefire, that they stop killing each other and that we stop killing each other," Petro said during a meeting with farmers' organizations.

The president is pushing for peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) to put an end to more than half a century of armed conflict between the state and the guerrillas.

The two sides failed to reach an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire during a third round of talks that began in Havana this month.

On Saturday, Petro suggested a regional ceasefire in its place.

"We can begin not with the national idea, as I proposed in December, (which is) complex, difficult, very unstable, very dangerous, but in the territorial, regional idea," he said.

"Peace in Colombia today is, more than anything else, a territorial peace."

The ELN called Petro's comments "stigmatizing and disrespectful," and accused him of throwing into question the "entire architecture" of the peace talks.

The negotiations were launched at the end of last year by Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and himself a former guerrilla.

The first meetings took place in Venezuela last November, with further talks in March.

Petro's government hopes to reach a ceasefire agreement with the ELN before regional elections in October, government negotiator Otty Patino has said.

But an ELN ambush on a military convoy in March that left nine soldiers dead cast doubt over the future of the talks.

Colombia has attempted numerous negotiations with armed groups, many of which have failed.

In 2016, a historic pact disarmed the country's powerful FARC guerrillas and converted them into a political party.

But Colombia is still gripped by violence as fighting continues over territory and resources between dissident FARC guerrillas, the ELN, paramilitary forces and drug cartels.

COLOMBIA: Colombia's President Gustavo Petro urged a guerrilla group on Saturday to agree to a regional ceasefire aimed at ending decades of conflict after the two sides failed to ink a nationwide deal this month. "I propose that we work seriously on a ceasefire, that they stop killing each other and that we stop killing each other," Petro said during a meeting with farmers' organizations. The president is pushing for peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) to put an end to more than half a century of armed conflict between the state and the guerrillas.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The two sides failed to reach an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire during a third round of talks that began in Havana this month. On Saturday, Petro suggested a regional ceasefire in its place. "We can begin not with the national idea, as I proposed in December, (which is) complex, difficult, very unstable, very dangerous, but in the territorial, regional idea," he said. "Peace in Colombia today is, more than anything else, a territorial peace." The ELN called Petro's comments "stigmatizing and disrespectful," and accused him of throwing into question the "entire architecture" of the peace talks. The negotiations were launched at the end of last year by Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and himself a former guerrilla. The first meetings took place in Venezuela last November, with further talks in March. Petro's government hopes to reach a ceasefire agreement with the ELN before regional elections in October, government negotiator Otty Patino has said. But an ELN ambush on a military convoy in March that left nine soldiers dead cast doubt over the future of the talks. Colombia has attempted numerous negotiations with armed groups, many of which have failed. In 2016, a historic pact disarmed the country's powerful FARC guerrillas and converted them into a political party. But Colombia is still gripped by violence as fighting continues over territory and resources between dissident FARC guerrillas, the ELN, paramilitary forces and drug cartels.
By AFP

BERLIN: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called Germany a "true friend and reliable ally" in his country's battle against Russia, as Berlin unveiled a huge new military package for Kyiv on his visit to the EU giant.

Zelensky's trip to Germany follows meetings in Rome with Italian leaders and the pope, and comes as Kyiv is preparing a much-anticipated counter-offensive.

"In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values," he wrote in the guestbook at the German president's official residence.

"Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe," he added in the entry, before heading into talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.

Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become a major contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems.

On the occasion of Zelensky's visit, Berlin unveiled its biggest armaments package for Ukraine yet, including tanks, missile defence systems and combat vehicles worth 2.7 billion euros.

Zelensky said he "discussed the current situation and the intensive cooperation between Germany and Ukraine" with Steinmeier.

He was later greeted by Chancellor Olaf Scholz with military honours before heading into talks behind closed doors.

He is also expected to head to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize -- an honour awarded for efforts to foster European unity.

Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are due to attend the ceremony in Aachen.

A meeting with the European leaders could help prepare the ground ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik next Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan.

'Historical shame'

Zelensky's visit rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Germany, which is now one of Ukraine's biggest armaments suppliers, but only after much pressure from Kyiv.

In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones.

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

"This is why Germany will supply all the help that it can, for as long as necessary," he said.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame".

Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky.

Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country.

Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine.

As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital.

High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, and the medium-range Iris-T missile defence system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes.

'Reborn stronger'

On the front line, near the eastern flashpoint town of Bakhmut, both sides claimed to be making progress.

"Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on social media on Saturday.

Russia said its forces were still pushing inside Bakhmut.

"In the Donetsk direction, assault detachments liberated a block in the northwestern part of the city of Artemovsk," the defence ministry said, referring to Bakhmut by its Russian name.

Western allies have delivered increasingly powerful weapons to Ukraine. Britain this week announced it was sending Storm Shadow missiles, becoming the first country to send longer-range arms to Kyiv.

Russia described it as "an extremely hostile step" and on Saturday accused Kyiv of using the British missiles to target civilian sites in eastern Ukraine, wounding six children.

In Rome, Zelensky said he discussed with Pope Francis the fate of "tens of thousands of children" that Kyiv says were deported to Russia, as well as his plans for peace.

Zelensky also thanked Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "for helping to save lives".

"I am convinced that Ukraine will win and be reborn stronger, more proud and more prosperous than before," said Meloni in response.

BERLIN: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called Germany a "true friend and reliable ally" in his country's battle against Russia, as Berlin unveiled a huge new military package for Kyiv on his visit to the EU giant. Zelensky's trip to Germany follows meetings in Rome with Italian leaders and the pope, and comes as Kyiv is preparing a much-anticipated counter-offensive. "In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values," he wrote in the guestbook at the German president's official residence.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Together we will win and bring peace back to Europe," he added in the entry, before heading into talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia. Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become a major contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems. On the occasion of Zelensky's visit, Berlin unveiled its biggest armaments package for Ukraine yet, including tanks, missile defence systems and combat vehicles worth 2.7 billion euros. Zelensky said he "discussed the current situation and the intensive cooperation between Germany and Ukraine" with Steinmeier. He was later greeted by Chancellor Olaf Scholz with military honours before heading into talks behind closed doors. He is also expected to head to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize -- an honour awarded for efforts to foster European unity. Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are due to attend the ceremony in Aachen. A meeting with the European leaders could help prepare the ground ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik next Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan. 'Historical shame' Zelensky's visit rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Germany, which is now one of Ukraine's biggest armaments suppliers, but only after much pressure from Kyiv. In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones. "We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement. "This is why Germany will supply all the help that it can, for as long as necessary," he said. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame". Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky. Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country. Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine. As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital. High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, and the medium-range Iris-T missile defence system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes. 'Reborn stronger' On the front line, near the eastern flashpoint town of Bakhmut, both sides claimed to be making progress. "Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on social media on Saturday. Russia said its forces were still pushing inside Bakhmut. "In the Donetsk direction, assault detachments liberated a block in the northwestern part of the city of Artemovsk," the defence ministry said, referring to Bakhmut by its Russian name. Western allies have delivered increasingly powerful weapons to Ukraine. Britain this week announced it was sending Storm Shadow missiles, becoming the first country to send longer-range arms to Kyiv. Russia described it as "an extremely hostile step" and on Saturday accused Kyiv of using the British missiles to target civilian sites in eastern Ukraine, wounding six children. In Rome, Zelensky said he discussed with Pope Francis the fate of "tens of thousands of children" that Kyiv says were deported to Russia, as well as his plans for peace. Zelensky also thanked Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "for helping to save lives". "I am convinced that Ukraine will win and be reborn stronger, more proud and more prosperous than before," said Meloni in response.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili will visit Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

During the visit, Georgian Parliament Speaker will take part in the events of the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev on May 15.

In addition, a number of his meetings are planned in Baku.
IIT Kanpur researchers revisit 70-year-old plasma relaxation problem in space

Kanpur, May 12: A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has proposed a universal mechanism for turbulent relaxation, which can be applied to a wide range of fluids, including plasmas and complex fluids.

IIT Kanpur researchers revisit 70-year-old plasma relaxation problem in space

This principle, called the principle of vanishing nonlinear transfer (PVNLT), explains how a turbulent system attains a steady, stable state of relaxation when the driving force is switched off.The study titled 'Universal turbulent relaxation of fluids and plasmas by the principle of vanishing nonlinear transfers' has been published in the journal 'Physical Review E (Letters)'.The team comprises professor Supratik Banerjee, and researchers Arijit Halder and Nandita Pan from the Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur.According to an official release, the researchers used the example of mixing milk in a cup of coffee."When we stir the coffee, we create eddies and turbulence that cause the milk to mix quickly. However, when we stop stirring, the system organises itself via 'turbulent relaxation' before it finally ceases to flow. According to PVNLT, this happens when the system gets rid of its nonlinear transfers, terminating the turbulent cascade. In this state, stability is ascertained as a scale-dependent entropy function is maximised when the correlation between different parts of the fluid tends to vanish," said Banerjee.The PVNLT principle has been shown to give the correct pressure-balanced relaxed states for both two and three-dimensional fluids and plasmas, as previously obtained in numerical simulations.This means the current principle can correctly predict the way the turbulent relaxation happens in reality. This technique is fundamental and can easily be applied to complex fluids, including compressible fluids, plasmas, binary fluids etc."Through the principle of vanishing nonlinear transfer, we have been able to uncover a universal mechanism for understanding how turbulent systems reach a relaxed and stable state. Our research has important implications not only for the study of fluids, but also for plasmas and other complex fluids. We are excited about the potential for future applications of this principle in a wide range of fields," added Banerjee.This research has important implications for our understanding of cosmological plasmas. Cosmological plasmas are plasmas that exist in outer space, such as in stellar envelopes, gaseous nebulae, and interstellar space. Plasmas are a state of matter that consists of charged particles, such as ions and electrons that interact with electromagnetic fields. These plasmas are often dilute, meaning they are not very dense, but they are still important because they play a crucial role in shaping the universe.One of the interesting features of these cosmological plasmas is that they often exhibit regular patterns, such as "force-free" magnetic fields with a clear alignment between the magnetic field lines and the current.This alignment, popularly called a Beltrami-Taylor alignment, is important because it helps to explain the behaviour of these plasmas in outer space. For example, it can explain why some regions of space appear brighter than others in certain wavelengths of light.The PVNLT principle provides a unified framework for understanding how turbulent systems reach a stable, relaxed state, from a cup of coffee to the cosmological plasmas. The research has the potential to open up new avenues of study and discovery in both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.IANS13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Home ministry to organise G20 Conference on Crime and Security in Haryana

New Delhi, May 12: The Ministry of Home Affairs is all set to organise the G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), AI and Metaverse on Saturday in Haryana, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Home ministry to organise G20 Conference on Crime and Security in Haryana

The two-day conference will take place in Gurugram in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The organising partners are Rashtriya Raksha University, National Forensic Science University, National Law School of India University, Interpol and UNODC.Meanwhile, on Friday, a round table was organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi today to present the details of the proposed G20 Conference, as per the statement.It was attended by ambassadors, high commissioners and senior dignitaries from more than 20 countries apart from senior officers from various ministries and organizations of the government of India and partner organizations. During the roundtable Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla appraised the participating dignitaries about the contours of the forthcoming conference and countries were requested to send high-level delegations for the conference."The conference will bring together G-20 countries, guest/invitee countries and international bodies. There will also be participation from Ministries/Organizations of Govt. of India, Chief Secretaries/Administrators of States/UTs, Director Generals of Police of States/UTs, cyber experts and guest speakers representing legal fraternity, academia, training institutions, financial intermediaries, fintech, social media intermediaries, information and communication technology, cyber forensics, regulators, startups, over the top (OTT) service providers, e-commerce companies and others," the statement added.ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Funding into mom & baby care companies plunges 80%, no new unicorns

New Delhi, May 13: Total funding raised by mom and baby care startups and companies was $418 million in 2022, a plunge of 80 per cent from $2.1 billion in 2021, a report has shown.

Funding into mom & baby care companies plunges 80%, no new unicorns

Mom iamp; Baby Care companies in the US have raised $5 billion till date, while those in China and India raised $2.8 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, according to Tracxn, a leading global SaaS-based market intelligence platform.The drop in funding is majorly due to the absence of late-stage investments.Seed-stage funding in Q1 2023 fell 21 per cent as against Q1 2022 but jumped 444 per cent from Q4 2022.Early-stage investments in the first quarter of 2023 rose 158 per cent when compared with Q4 2022, but dropped 64 per cent from Q1 2022, the report noted.The sector attracted investments worth $21 million in Q1 2023, compared with $3.86 million in Q4 2022 and $26.5 million in Q1 2022."The space is seeing minimal or no activity in terms of unicorns and IPOs. In 2022 and 2023 till date, no new unicorn companies were created in this space," the report mentioned.No IPOs have taken place in 2023 so far, while 2022 witnessed one company and 2021 witnessed two companies going public.In terms of funding, Gamified learning platforms for Pre-K children is the top-funded business model in the last two years in this space, followed by Online Retailers and Breast Pumps.500 Global, Techstars and New Enterprise Associates are the most active investors in this space till date.IPV, Angel List and Techstars are the top seed-stage investors and Innoven Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital are the top early-stage investors, while Sequoia Capital, General Atlantic and IPGL are the top late-stage investors in the last two years.The pandemic accelerated the growth of the Mom iamp; Baby Care space, giving rise to innovation in this segment. The rise in the working class population with a higher disposable income, is also a supporting factor for growth in this space, said the Tracxn report.IANS13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
UAE presents labour market legislations to Human Rights Council

Dubai, May 13: The UAE presented to the UN's Human Rights Council (HRC) its legislative ecosystem, which regulates the local labour market, provides social security and ensures decent working conditions to UAE workers in line with the Paris Principles.

UAE presents labour market legislations to Human Rights Council

Several UAE federal and local government entities as well as civil society organisations constituted the delegation for the country's fourth Human Rights Report at HRC in Geneva."In the past few years, the UAE has updated its legislations governing private sector employment relationships. A transparent contractual policy for workers in the UAE was developed and implemented, in which it holds recruitment agencies responsible for informing foreign workers of their employment rights, terms and conditions before leaving their countries," Shayma Al Awadhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Communication and International Relations at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said."It has also been prohibited charging these workers any recruitment fees and dealing with any unlicenced recruitment agencies or agents in the UAE or abroad.""The new labour legislations include clear legal provisions that define and prohibit discrimination on all grounds as defined in international conventions. The legislations also ban any form of violence against workers as well as sexual harassment in the workplace; granting them the right to immediately terminate their employment relationship without compromising their rights if they were violated," she added."MoHRE has provided workers across all professional levels with multiple channels to submit legal inquiries and receive their complaints in more than 20 languages. Support is provided to workers, alongside reconciliation with employers to settle disputes amicably; if such settlements were not possible, they would be referred to the judiciary."Al Awadhi pointed out the UAE's "advanced technological infrastructure, which contributed to developing online and smart systems used in inspections and proactive monitoring.""These include a system that recognises risk factors through which priority is given to inspecting high-risk establishments, as well as the Wages Protection System (WPS), which supports the financial stability and mental wellbeing of workers and their families," she said."MoHRE is responsible for examining the compliance of private sector establishments and their workers' accomodations with the conditions set by legislation that guarantees the rights of workers to decent working conditions and housing."We have also introduced an Unemployment Insurance Scheme, which covers workers in the UAE - citizens and residents alike. The Scheme provides a temporary financial income for those who lost their jobs according to specific conditions."Another insurance system has also been developed for workers' unpaid remunerations, including late wages and compensation for work injuries." (ANI/WAM)ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Karnataka victory due to collective efforts, CM will be chosen through consensus: Kharge

Bengaluru, May 13: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the party's victory in Karnataka is an outcome of collective work of party leaders and workers and that the party would work towards consensus to choose its chief ministerial candidate.

Karnataka victory due to collective efforts, CM will be chosen through consensus: Kharge

Talking to reporters as the trends showed an emphatic Congress victory, Kharge said people of all communities voted for the Congress. He said the party will work towards fulfilling its election promises.Kharge hails from Karnataka and the assembly election was crucial for him. His son Priyank Kharge won from Chittapur."I thank the people of Karnataka for giving a huge mandate to Congress. We will respect the mandate and uphold people's belief in us. We will implement all the welfare schemes we have announced in our manifesto. I thank Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and also Sonia Gandhi who campaigned even when she wasn't well," Kharge said.Targeting BJP, he said the people have defeated a party's government "which had indulged in corruption"."People of all communities voted for us. Now, we have to go miles and fulfil the promises and guarantees we made to the public. This is a result of collective work of our workers, from booth to state level.. they worked under collective leadership," Kharge said.Asked about the chief ministerial face, Kharge said that the name will be decided after a meeting of MLAs and central observers."There is a process for this (choosing CM). We will call a meeting of MLAs. The central observers will also come, after which we will know everybody's opinion and build a consensus," he added.Congress is heading for a handsome victory in Karnataka and is poised to win 135 seats.BJP is expected to win 65 seats.The counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security across the state.Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for 224 member assembly and saw record polling of 72. 68 per cent. A party needs 113 seats to get majority.ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Congress gets absolute majority in Karnataka

Bengaluru, May 13: Congress won an absolute majority in Karnataka on Saturday with the party crossing the halfway mark of 113 seats in the 224-member assembly.

Congress gets absolute majority in Karnataka

According to the latest trends of the Election Commission of India, Congress has won 114 seats and is leading in 22 more seats.Bharatiya Janata Party has won 50 seats and is leading on 14 others.JD(S) has won 17 seats and is leading on three. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha have won one seat each.Elections were held on May 10 in the southern state and saw a voting percentage of 72. 68 per cent.The Congress maintained a lead from the morning when counting began for the assembly seats in the fiercely contested election.ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
BJP will contribute to Karnataka as constructive opposition: Union Minister

Bengaluru, May 13: Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will play the role of a constructive opposition in Karnataka, where the party is set to lose power to Congress in the Assembly polls.

BJP will contribute to Karnataka as constructive opposition: Union Minister

Congress crossed the halfway mark, as per the trends by the Election Commission, and is well poised to form the government in Karnataka.Responding to the trends, which showed Congress leading by a huge margin, the Union Minister said, "This is a celebration of democracy. The BJP Karnataka thanks every voter for participating in these elections and for supporting us.""I personally and the leadership here want to thank every Karyakarta of the BJP who have worked very hard during the elections. We will contribute to our state and our people as a constructive opposition," he added.Earlier in the day, Congress leader Siddaramaiah described the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls as a mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Siddaramaiah said that it would act as a "stepping stone" to the Lok Sabha election slated next year."The result of this election is a stepping stone to the Lok Sabha election. I hope all non-BJP parties come together and see that BJP is defeated and I also hope Rahul Gandhi may become PM of the country," Siddaramaiah said.Congress crossed the halfway mark in trends in the ongoing counting of votes for Karnataka Assembly polls."It is a mandate against Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda. The PM had come to Karnataka 20 times, no PM in the past campaigned like this," Siddaramaiah said.Commenting on the results of the May 10 Assembly elections, he said that the party will cross 130 seats."We will cross 130 seats also, it is a big victory of the Congress party. The people of Karnataka wanted a change because they were fed up with the BJP government. BJP spent a lot of money on Operation 'Kamala'. Padyatra of Rahul ji helped as well in the enthusing cadre of party," Siddaramaiah said.Siddaramaiah also tweeted. "This is a victory for a secular party!! People of Karnataka wanted a stable government that delivers as promised, and hence have given the mandate for Congress!!"ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Italian Open: Osorio upsets Garcia to reach pre-quarters

Doha, May 13: Qualifier Camila Osorio knocked out No.5 seed Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of the Italian Open to notch her career-best win by ranking and reach the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the first time, here on Saturday.

Italian Open: Osorio upsets Garcia to reach pre-quarters

The result is the first Top 5 victory of the Colombian's career and moves her into the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. Her only other win over a Top 10 opponent came against Elina Svitolina in the first round of Tenerife 2021.A leg injury sidelined the former No.33 for two months this year, and her ranking fell to No.115 in April. But Osorio has come back strongly on clay, reaching the third round of Madrid last week to return to the Top 100, and going at least one round better in Rome.The 21-year-old's record this season now stands at 13-6 (11-5 in WTA main draws).Osorio avenged a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Garcia in their only previous meeting, which came in the semifinals of Lyon on the Frenchwoman's home turf in February.With this, WTA Finals champion Garcia has now taken five losses in 2023 to players ranked outside the Top 50.IANS13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Hopefully tonight I contribute to the team : Punjab Kings Sam Curran ahead Delhi Capitals clash

New Delhi, May 13: Ahead of the clash between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match, Punjab all-rounder Sam Curran said he hoped to contribute to a winning cause.

Hopefully tonight I contribute to the team : Punjab Kings' Sam Curran ahead Delhi Capitals clash

"We have played up and down cricket like you said but now is the time to turn around in the backend of the tournament. It is pretty simple what we need to do and we are really excited about playing tonight at Delhi which I am sure will have different challenges but I am excited." Curran said before the match."I am not a massive person who looks back, I look forward. The other night did not go to plan. Hopefully, tonight I can contribute to the team. I am not struggling with any sort of rhythm I guess but I have been bowling in tricky phases of the game," he added.Earlier, the Delhi Capitals won the toss and put their opponents to bat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.DC and PBKS need a victory in order to make keep alive their dreams of making it into the playoffs.Both teams will look to go all out to keep alive their hopes of winning the title.Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) David Warner(c), Philip Salt(w), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Aman Hakim Khan, Axar Patel, Praveen Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh KumarPunjab Kings (Playing XI) Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Governance important, not single or double-engine: Odisha CM Patnaik after BJD wins Jharsuguda Assembly bypoll

Bhubaneswar, May 13: Taking a dig at the BJP after his party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), won the Jharsuguda Assembly bypoll on Saturday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said people want governance, and it is not important if it is a single-engine or double-engine government.

Governance important, not single or double-engine: Odisha CM Patnaik after BJD wins Jharsuguda Assembly bypoll

Addressing the party workers in Bhubaneswar, the BJD president said, "It's not important if it is a single-engine or double-engine government. What's important from the people's point of view is that there should be good governance. Pro-people governance always wins."The Jharsuguda Assembly seat fell vacant after Odisha minister and BJD leader Naba Kishore Das was shot dead in broad daylight. The BJD fielded his daughter, Dipali Das, who won the bypoll defeating her nearest rival, Tankadhar Tripathy of the BJP, by a margin of 48,721 votes.Hitting out at the BJP, the principal Opposition player in the state, the CM said the people of Odisha will never forgive those who insult the mothers, sisters and daughters of the state."During the Padmapur Assembly bye-election, the Opposition (BJP) disrespected our mothers and abused our woman candidate. Be it Padmapur or Jharsuguda, everywhere, they abused our daughters who lost their fathers. In every bye-election, they have been criticising those associated with 'Mission Shakti' (a government initiative to promote self-help groups for women) and women working in the grassroots," he said."Those who insult the people of Odisha, calling them lawless, should be seen as working against our state. Those who insult our mothers, sisters and daughters, just because they dared to come to the forefront to carve an identity for themselves, are working against the people and do not have their best interests at heart. The people will never forgive them," the Odisha CM added.He said, "The BJD will always stand with the people of Odisha, for the empowerment of all sections, and especially the vulnerable sections and women."Thanking the people of Jharsuguda for reposing their electoral trust in the BJD, the CM said, "This victory fpr the people of Jharsuguda and women power. I'm indebted to the people of Jharsuguda and would like to thank lakhs of party workers, brothers and sisters for this win.""This win will boost the BJD's efforts to ensure the betterment of the Jharsuguda region. The development process in Jharsuguda, which was started by Naba babu, will be taken forward," he added.He said the daughters of the state are the pride of Odisha and BJD has always encouraged their participation in public life."History is a witness that the people of Odisha have never tolerated such disrespect towards our women. Our daughters are our pride, Biju Janata Dal has always encouraged the participation of women in public life," the Odisha CM said.Highlighting 'Misson Shakti', the CM said it provided a platform for women to speak strongly for their rights and helped in their empowerment."Mission Sakti has provided a platform for them to speak out strongly for their rights. The mission empowered them, it set them free from the confines of their homes," he said."Opposition parties have always stood against women's empowerment. This is a dangerous trend. The people of Odisha have always rejected it. Let us all work together for the betterment of Odisha, for our democratic values, our cultural dignity and respect for women, for protecting the rights of women," he added.ANI13 May 2023

Shared Recently!
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 14. Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed on resumption of bilateral meetings on border issues, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, Trend reports.

"On border issues, we reviewed progress and the next steps regarding the delimitation of the border. In this context, the leaders agreed on the resumption of the bilateral meetings on border issues. The leaders confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The ultimate delimitation of the border will be agreed through negotiations," he said.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.
Congress secures resounding victory in Karnataka, Bommai tenders resignation as CM

Bengaluru, May 13: As the counting of votes for the Karnataka assembly elections concluded on Saturday, Congress got a thumping majority by winning 136 seats.

Congress secures resounding victory in Karnataka, Bommai tenders resignation as CM

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 136 seats pushing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled, and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead.BJP managed to win 65 seats. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each.The Congress maintained a lead from the morning when counting began for the assembly seats in the fiercely contested election.Notably, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar defeated JDS candidate B Nagaraju in the Kanakapura constituency by 1,22,392 votes.Former deputy chief minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara defeated JDS's PR Sudhakar Lal by 14,347 votes.Congress' HD Thammaiah defeated BJP's CT Ravi in Chikmagalur, by a margin of 5,926 votes.Congress leader Suresh Baabu defeated State Minister and BJP candidate JC Madhu Swamy in Chikkanayakanahall by a margin of 10,042 votes. In Chikkaballapur seat, Congress' Pradeep Eshwar defeated State Minister and BJP candidate K Sudhakar by a margin of 10,642 votes.Congress' BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan defeated former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP candidate Bhaskar Rao, by a margin of 53,953 votes, in Chamrajpet.Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai had conceded defeat as trends showed a massive Congress surge. He said BJP will emerge victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the Karnataka Assembly elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday tendered his resignation to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot."I have tendered my resignation and it has been accepted," Bommai told reporters.Bommai won with a margin of 35,978 votes from Shiggaon constituency but many of his ministerial colleagues lost."...I take responsibility for this debacle. There are multiple reasons for this. We will find out all the reasons and strengthen the party once again for Parliament elections..," he said.With the Congress' emphatic victory in the Karnataka elections on Saturday, ousting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power in the only southern state ruled by it, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the election results marked a "BJP-free South India"."It is a big victory. Through this, new energy emerged in the whole nation. BJP used to taunt us and say that 'we will make Congress mukt Bharat'. Now the truth is that it is 'BJP mukt south India," said Kharge.Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said Karnataka election results opened the pathway to save democracy."Karnataka has given a new mantra to save democracy. It is a pathway to save democracy and Constitution across India. Prime Minister said 'Congress Mukt Bharat' but the people of Karnataka ensured that 'BJP Mukt South India'. People opened shops of love and closed the shops of hatred," Surjewala said.Former chief minister Siddaramaiah informed that Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting will be held on Sunday."We will get almost all Congress MLAs tomorrow in CLP. It is a win of 7 crore Kannadigas. It is not just the win of Congress or leaders. When BJP came to power, they never came to power with the blessings of the people, they came to post through 'operation Kamala'.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with top leaders of the party from the State.Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah were present at the meeting held at Kharge's residence.DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah also felicitated Kharge as Congress sweeps the Karnataka polls.Pertinent to mention, the Karnataka election was a major victory for Congress after Kharge assumed as party president earlier this year.An incumbent government has not returned to power in Karnataka after a full term of five years since 1985.In the 2018 assembly polls, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats, Congress won 80 seats and JD(S) got 37 seats.The Congress victory has come at a time when it is seeking momentum ahead of assembly polls later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana and the Lok Sabha polls next year.Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Congress over its victory in assembly polls. He appreciated the hard work of BJP workers and said that the party will serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come"Congratulations to the Congress Party for their victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls. My best wishes to them in fulfilling people's aspirations," PM Modi said in a tweet."I thank all those who have supported us in the Karnataka elections. I appreciate the hard work of BJP Karyakartas. We shall serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come," he added.The next task for the Congress is to choose a chief ministerial candidate with both state Congress chief DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah aspirants for the post.Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi hailed the party's victory in Karnataka assembly polls and said that people of the state defeated the "politics of hate".Speaking to reporters at the Congress headquarters in the national capital, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress stood with the poor."The poor defeated crony capitalists in Karnataka...We fought the elections with love...," he said."I want to thank all the party leaders and workers in Karnataka. 'Karnataka mein Nafrat ki bazaar band hui hai, Mohabbat ki dukaane khuli hai'. We fought on the issues of the poor. We did not fight this battle using hatred and wrong words. This will happen in every state," Rahul Gandhi said.Rahul Gandhi coined the 'Nafrat ki bazaar band hui hai, Mohabbat ki dukaane khuli hai' phrase "during the Bharat Jodo Yatra."Poor people defeated crony capitalists in Karnataka. We didn't fight this battle using hatred..." he said.Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent. A party needs 113 seats to get the majority.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Higher-quality schooling might impact cognitive function in later life: Study

Washington, May 13: A study comprising more than 2,200 adults who attended U.S. high schools in the early 1960s found that those who attended higher-quality schools had better cognitive function 60 years later.

Higher-quality schooling might impact cognitive function in later life: Study

The findings were published May 2 in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring in a paper titled "High school quality is associated with cognition 58 years later."Our study establishes a link between high-quality education and better late-life cognition and suggests that increased investment in schools, especially those that serve Black children, could be a powerful strategy to improve cognitive health among older adults in the United States," says Jennifer Manly, PhD, professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and senior author of the study.The study, led by Manly and Dominika Seblova, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia, used data from Project Talent, a 1960 survey of high school students across the United States, and follow-up data collected in the Project Talent Aging Study.The researchers examined relationships between six indicators of school quality and several measures of cognitive performance in participants nearly 60 years after they left high school.." Since high-quality schools may be especially beneficial for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the researchers also examined whether associations differed by geography, sex/gender, and race and ethnicity (the survey only included sufficient data from Black and white respondents).Teacher training linked to late-life cognition in students.The researchers found that attending a school with a higher number of teachers with graduate training was the most consistent predictor of better later-life cognition, especially language fluency (for example, coming up with words within a category). Attending a school with a high number of graduate-level teachers was approximately equivalent to the difference in cognition between a 70-year-old and someone who is one to three years older. Other indicators of school quality were associated with some, but not all, measures of cognitive performance.Manly and Seblova say many reasons may explain why attending schools with well-trained teachers may affect later-life cognition. "Instruction provided by more experienced and knowledgeable teachers might be more intellectually stimulating and provide additional neural or cognitive benefits," Seblova says, "and attending higher-quality schools may also influence life trajectory, leading to university education and greater earnings, which are in turn linked to better cognition in later life."Greater impact on Black students.Though the associations between school quality and late-life cognition were similar between white and Black students, Black participants were more likely to have attended schools of lower quality."Racial equity in school quality has never been achieved in the United States and school racial segregation has grown more extreme in recent decades, so this issue is still a substantial problem," says Manly.For example, a 2016 survey found that U.S schools attended by non-white students had twice as many inexperienced teachers as schools attended by predominantly white students."Racial inequalities in school quality may contribute to persistent disparities in late-life cognitive outcomes for decades to come," Manly adds.Jennifer Manly, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Neurology, the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Israeli military evacuates thousands of Gaza-area residents

Tel Aviv, May 14: Thousands of Israelis living near Gaza have been evacuated since Tuesday's targeted killings of three top Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Strip.

Israeli military evacuates thousands of Gaza-area residents

Anticipating a barrage of Palestinian rocket fire, which began on Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the evacuation plan, called "Gust of Wind," in anticipation of retaliatory rocket fire from terrorist factions in Gaza.Evacuees are being bused to hotels, hostels and guest houses throughout Israel, where they will be able to stay for three days, with the possibility of an extension depending on the security situation.Many other Gaza-area residents have temporarily relocated to other parts of the country on their own initiative."The program is operated by the local authorities and allows every resident of the localities near the Gaza border to go on a respite with the aid of the state in guesthouses, specified in advance by the authorities," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.The Education Ministry on Wednesday announced that no classes would be held in communities within 45 km. (25 miles) of the Gaza Strip. The directive affects about 300,000 students in 35 local authorities.According to the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command, public gatherings in these areas near the Gaza Strip will remain limited to 10 people in an open area and up to 100 people in a building.Public bomb shelters were opened in Tel Aviv as well as Givatayim, Ramat Gan and other municipalities. (ANI/TPS)ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Karnataka victory boosts Congress morale for upcoming battles, elevates position amid Opposition unity efforts

By Prashant Sood, New Delhi May 13: The Congress scored an emphatic victory in Karnataka in a crucial election with the strong performance giving it momentum to take on the BJP in the assembly polls later this year and giving a boost to its preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Karnataka victory boosts Congress morale for upcoming battles, elevates position amid Opposition unity efforts

The victory is significant for Congress for the margin of its success and the coherence of its efforts. The Congress ran an effective campaign built around its "five guarantees" and sought to keep the focus on local issues and "failings" of the BJP government in the southern state.The Karnataka victory has several lessons for the Congress in its battles ahead, with "collective fight" and "strong state leadership" among the factors that worked for the party.The party won 136 seats and its performance was better than its tally in the 1999 election when it had won 132 seats and the 2013 polls when it won 122 seats. The Congress got 42. 9 per cent votes, among its highest in the state. It is also the highest vote share by any party in the last 34 years which reduced the BJP to 65 seats.With Opposition parties exploring a united front against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress will seek to emerge as a pivot of such efforts.The victory will also help Congress counter criticism that it mostly loses in a direct fight with the BJP.Having ousted the BJP from the only state in southern India, the party is expected to use it as a tool to target the ruling party at the Centre.Party leaders are already hitting back at BJP with a jibe of "BJP-mukt south India".Congress' next challenge is assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana later this year and in three of these states, it has BJP as its main rival.The Congress will also hope that BJP's poor performance in Karnataka will adversely impact its prospects in Telangana where the ruling party at the Centre was seeking to emerge as a main player.The BJP government in Karnataka faced anti-incumbency and the ground was ripe for Congress victory. The party benefitted from the presence of strong state leaders in former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hails from Karnataka and it was a prestige battle for him. He is seen to have swayed voters, especially a sizeable section of Dalit voters, in favour of Congress.The Congress also matched BJP jibe for jibe as the BJP put up a strong campaign led by its national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.In Himachal Pradesh, too, the Congress built its campaign on local issues with its promise of the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme proving to be a major draw.Congress leaders said that the people of Karnataka had rejected BJP leaders' attempts to "polarise" the election. The BJP ran a high-pitched campaign and the Congress' mention of a possible ban on Bajrang Dal in its manifesto was raised widely by BJP leaders through 'Jai Bajrang Bali' chants and slogans.Janata Dal-Secular suffered a heavy blow in the polls and the Congress seemingly benefitted from the consolidation of Muslim votes and some shift of Vokkaliga community votes from the regional party.There was some apparent shift in Lingayat community votes from the BJP after some senior leaders joined the Congress ahead of elections over the denial of tickets.Congress leadership in Karnataka was a rainbow of various communities including Kurba, Vokkaliga and Dalits.The 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also helped the Congress strengthen connect with people months ahead of polls.Party leader Randeep Surjewala, who is AICC incharge of Karnataka, said the Congress won almost 85 per cent of the seats that Gandhi visited during his yatra. Rahul Gandhi was in the state for over 20 days in September-October last year.Karnataka has a long connection with the Nehru-Gandhi family and has been a "comeback territory" in the past.Indira Gandhi made a political comeback from Chikmagalur in Karnataka in a bypoll in 1978. Sonia Gandhi also fought from Ballari in the state in her debut election in which she was also in the fray from Amethi.The Congress' big challenge is the 2024 battle and BJP has swept polls in states where the Congress had been in power.Having suffered a string of losses after the 2019 Lok Sabha debacle, the party leaders are hopeful that the emphatic victory in Karnataka and the success in Himachal Pradesh earlier this year will pave the way for similar successes in state polls later this year.With victory in Karnataka, Congress is in power in four states now.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Sanjana Sanghi reveals how she is full-on mummas girl

Mumbai, May 14: Actor Sanjana Sanghi enjoys a pleasant and rock-solid bond with her mother Shagun Sanghi as she explains her as the strongest pillar of her life from whom she cannot hide anything ever.

Sanjana Sanghi reveals how she is full-on mumma's girl

Sanjana who is busy with script-reading sessions reveals what kind of bond she has with her mother. She narrates, "I think anyone who knows me, knows how close my mom and I are and she is my superpower and my main backbone. Ever since my brother and I were little, my parents brought us up in a way that we always felt comfortable sharing any and everything with them but of course, given that there is always that boundary between the parents and kids."Answering about if she hides her relationships from her mom, the actor said, "Even when it comes to anyone that I've ever dated or had a crush on, I have never told her upfront about it majorly because I am very shy with these things but I am also the kind of person who cannot hide anything.""If I like someone or if I am seeing someone, I will mention his name at least 10 times a day, my face will start going pink because I start low-key blushing and I'll start telling her details about this one thing we did or this place that we went to and through that without even me having to tell her, she reads my body language and gets to know what's going on and I like it that way," the 'Dil Bechara' actor added.Sanjana also shared about what kind of approach her mother carries on all these love-related matters of her life. She said, "You feel like you can share things but you are also not explicitly telling them and that's how it's always been. So, yes she is very aware when I am dating someone or when I am crushing on someone. She low-key gives me her approval/ not approvals also in her own way but whether I've to listen to that advice or not is still my choice!"Meanwhile, on the work front, Sanghi will be seen in 'Dhak Dhak' where she will share screen space with actors like Fatima Sana Shaikh, Dia Mirza and Ratna Pathak Shah.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Study shows how air pollution affects movement disorders after stroke

Hiroshima, May 14: The precise mechanism through which air pollution influences the prognosis of ischemic stroke, or stroke caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain, is unknown. A group of scientists recently conducted a study to determine whether increased inflammation in the brain, also known as neuroinflammation, is to blame.

Study shows how air pollution affects movement disorders after stroke

The team published their findings in the February 16, 2023 issue of Particle and Fibre Toxicology.Mice treated intranasally to Beijing, China, urban aerosols for one week showed greater neuroinflammation and worsened mobility dysfunction following ischemic stroke compared to control mice not exposed to air pollution. Furthermore, this impact was not found in urban-aerosol-treated mice missing a receptor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are compounds generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, wood, waste, and tobacco. This shows that PAHs are implicated in both neuroinflammation and greater mobility dysfunction in ischemic stroke caused by air pollution exposure."We designed this study to determine the effects of air pollution on disorders in the central nervous system," said Yasuhiro Ishihara, senior author of the research paper and professor in the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life at Hiroshima University. "Our narrower focus was to determine whether or not the prognosis of ischemic stroke was affected by air pollution," said Ishihara.The group went one step further by identifying specific components of air pollution that may directly contribute to lower prognoses in ischemic stroke.They found evidence that intranasal exposure to air pollution from Beijing, China, increased neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke in mice through activation of microglial cells, which are immune cells found in the brain. Movement disorder was also negatively impacted in ischemic stroke mice exposed to the same air pollution. A second set of experiments replacing Beijing air pollution with PM2.5 (tiny, aerosolized particles of air pollution that are 2.5 microbes in width or less) from Yokohama, Japan demonstrated similar results, suggesting the PM2.5 fraction of urban air pollution contains the chemical responsible for increased neuroinflammation and decreased ischemic stroke prognosis.In order to identify chemicals in air pollution responsible for decreased ischemic stroke prognosis, the research team used a mouse that lacked the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a receptor that is activated by the presence of PAHs, to determine whether or not exposure to the Beijing air pollution would have the similar effect on mice without working aryl hydrocarbon receptors. Mice lacking the aryl hydrocarbon receptor demonstrated lower microglial cell activation and movement disorder compared to normal mice, suggesting that the PAHs present in Beijing air pollution are responsible for at least some of the neuroinflammation and lower prognosis seen in ischemic stroke mice exposed to air pollution.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
US State Secretary expresses concern over China forcefully gathering DNA from Tibetans in Tibet

Washington, May 14: US State Secretary Antony Blinken has expressed concerns over reports of China forcefully gathering DNA from Tibetans in Tibet, Phayul reported.

US State Secretary expresses concern over China forcefully gathering DNA from Tibetans in Tibet

Secretary Blinken said "We're also concerned about reports of the spread of mass DNA collection to Tibet as an additional form of control and surveillance over the Tibetan population."The US State Secretary added that access to human genomic data opens up a whole other set of human rights concerns and advances in biotechnology have enabled genomic surveillance based on a person's DNA, potentially facilitating abuses.Police in the Tibet Autonomous Region have since June 2016, engaged in a mass DNA collection program targeting men, women, and children across the region. Mass DNA collection appears unconnected to any ongoing criminal investigation. Instead, our research suggests that mass DNA collection is a form of social control directed against the Tibetan people, Citizens Lab, a civil society organization stated, according to Phayul.Human Rights Watch in a report released on September 5, 2021, said Chinese authorities are significantly increasing policing, including arbitrary collection of DNA from residents in many towns and villages throughout the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).The report also stated that people cannot decline to provide their DNA and that police do not need credible evidence of any criminal conduct to demand samples. A report from Lhasa municipality in April 2022 stated that blood samples for DNA collection were being systematically collected from children at kindergartens and from other residents.A report from a Tibetan township in the so-called Qinghai province in December 2020 stated that DNA was being collected from all boys aged five and above, as per Phayul.Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, said "The Chinese government is already subjecting Tibetans to pervasive repression. Now the authorities are literally taking blood without consent to strengthen their surveillance capabilities."According to Phayul, a report from Citizen Lab released in September 2022, claimed that the Chinese government had collected genetic material from nearly a third of the population in Tibet, 1.2 million out of 3.6 million without clearly obtaining consent from those involved. The CCP has used genetic materials collected from Uyghurs in East Turkestan (Ch. Xinjiang) to further its surveillance systems and forced ethnic change campaigns in the region."Throughout its brutal occupation of Tibet, China has used Tibet as a laboratory for relentless methods of social control, including this horrific campaign of mass DNA collection," said advocacy group International Campaign for Tibet.ANI14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Long-term exposure to diesel pollution bad for health: Experts

New Delhi, May 14: Prolonged exposure to diesel pollution, which includes a complex mixture of pollutants, can have serious health effects on humans, said experts here even as the government contemplates a ban on diesel vehicles.

Long-term exposure to diesel pollution bad for health: Experts

A government panel formed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recommended banning the use of diesel-based four-wheelers by 2027 in cities with a population of over 10 lakh people.Pollution from diesel exhaust mainly includes soot or particulate matter (PM); oxides of nitrogen (NOx) which contribute to the production of ground-level ozone (smog) and acid rain; hydrocarbons (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).Short-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause irritation of the nose and eyes, changes in lung function, respiratory changes, headache, fatigue, and nausea. Long-term exposure has been shown to result in prolonged cough, sputum production, and poor lung function."One common contributor to air pollution is vehicular smoke, with diesel exhaust particles accounting for a significant percentage of the particles emitted in many towns and cities," Vivek Nangia, Principal Director and Head-Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, told IANS."Exposure to fumes causes significant inflammatory changes in the airways, which may be even more detrimental in people with chronic lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, etc. It is also postulated that diesel exhaust particles are an important factor contributing to the allergy pandemic as they act as adjuvants to allergens and increase the sensitisation response," he added.A recent study by the Universities of British Columbia and Victoria in Canada showed that common levels of traffic pollution are capable of impairing brain function in a matter of hours.Another study of 1.4 million kids aged under 10 by Universities of Manchester in the UK and Aarhus in Denmark showed that exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 increased their odds of self harm in adulthood by 50 per cent.These two pollutants are also among the most commonly linked with heart and lung diseases, as they get into the bloodstream and cause inflammation.Air pollution contributes to about 6 million preterm births each year globally. Exhaust emitted by diesel engines have also been linked to increased rates of neuro-developmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism."Diesel engines emit a complex mixture of pollutants. Obviously, those are very small carbon particles which are known as diesel particulate matter. So if their sizes are small, they will enter deep into our organs, especially lungs," said Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical Care iamp; Pulmonology, C.K. Birla Hospital, Gurugram."Diesel exhaust contains more than 40 cancer causing substances, thus diesel engine emissions are believed to be responsible for so many cancer related contaminants. That is why various factors exaggerate the health risk of diesel particulate exposure," he added.A possible solution is switching to electric and gas-fuelled vehicles, as suggested by the government panel.A latest study by the University of Southern California used real-world data to provide evidence that increase in electric vehicles may result in better air quality and better health.The study found that when electric vehicles increased, air pollution and health problems went down.IANS14 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Adah Sharma on The Kerala Story ban: Watch the movie and then comment

New Delhi, May 14: As her film 'The Kerala Story' lands in controversy and is banned in several parts in the country, actress Adah Sharma, who plays a lead in the Sudipto Sen directorial, said that freedom of expression should be celebrated.

Adah Sharma on 'The Kerala Story' ban: 'Watch the movie and then comment'

She insisting on watching the film before commenting on it.On 8 May, the Government of West Bengal banned the movie allegedly to prevent any incident related to communal hatred and violence. The film was also stopped from screening in Tamil Nadu by the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association as "a precautionary measure."The Supreme Court on Friday had issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking the reason behind the ban on 'The Kerala Story' in the state. The Supreme Court also asked the Tamil Nadu government to specify all the measures taken to provide security in theatres screening the film.Talking about the same, Adah in a conversation with IANS said "I am not the authority but in my opinion we should celebrate freedom of expression and watch the movie and then everyone has a choice to decide if they want to comment positively or negatively about it."In the film, Adah plays the role of Fathima Ba, a Malayali Hindu nursing student, who goes missing from Kerala and is recruited to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) after being lured to convert to Islam.She added "We should also honour the censor board who passed the film and the supreme court. Those who want to ban the film, if they watch it they might realise the film speaks against terrorism and they might decide to increase the screenings and show the film to more young girls."Cinema is a reflection of society; how does Adah feel politics mixing with it?"We live in a democratic country, thankfully. Where there is freedom of speech and expression. Unlike the place where the character I play was taken to in the film. I'm very grateful I love it here in India."She pointed out to the "anti-terrorism" aspect of her film."It is humanity vs terrorism. It's about being cheated in love. About why you shouldn't rape someone. So any person from any place in the world supporting this film I think is a great thing!"Adah has to say to those who don't believe that something like this happened and forced conversations are not real "They should Google two words ISIS brides and get an account of girls worldwide who have gone through this. Terrorism is a global issue."She added "We haven't had people who have watched the film and said these things don't happen because our film even has testimonials of parents and victims. So maybe those who say terrorism doesn't exist can watch our film and they might change their mind."'The Kerala Story' has been written and directed by Sudipto Sen and stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani.It got into controversy after the trailer of the film stated that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, ISIS.IANS15 May 2023

Shared Recently!
David Tennant returns as Doctor Who in new trailer

Los Angeles, May 14: Actor David Tennant of 'Doctor Who', has returned to the franchise in a new trailer alongside Catherine Tate, who plays the Time Lord's longtime sidekick Donna Noble.

David Tennant returns as 'Doctor Who' in new trailer

Tennant and Tate have reprised their roles for a series of three specials to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary, which will also make Tenant the 14th Doctor. He takes over from 13th Doctor Jodie Whittaker, reports Variety.The titles of the three specials, which are set to air in November, have also been unveiled. They are 'The Star Beast,' 'Wild Blue Yonder' and 'The Giggle'.The trailer also stars 'Heartstopper's' Yasmin Finney and 'How I Met Your Mother's' Neil Patrick Harris, who are joining the franchise.Showrunner Russell T. Davies said "The titles are just the beginning of the Doctor's biggest adventure yet. Autumn is coming, with three hours of danger, Donna and disaster about to be unleashed!"Meanwhile, Ncuti Gatwa is set to take over as the 15th Doctor, with his series set to drop at the end of the year. He will be joined by Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. Production is already underway with the BBC unveiling a sneak peek of the duo clad in '60s garb."If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we've got plenty more surprises on the way. The path to Ncuti's 15th Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun," Davies said last year. "We're giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose."The new 'Doctor Who' specials and upcoming series will premiere in the UK and Ireland on the BBC. They will be available internationally on Disney+, following a deal the two media powerhouses struck last year.IANS15 May 2023

Shared Recently!
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 14. During the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, an agreement was reached that some detainees would be released in the coming weeks, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, Trend reports.

President Michel did not specify which detainees he was talking about.

"On humanitarian issues, there has been an understanding that further detainees would be released in the coming weeks. I also stressed the need to safeguard the mutual understanding that soldiers who have simply got lost and crossed to the other side would continue to be released through a speedy procedure. We also discussed the importance of stepping up work on addressing the fate of missing persons and on demining," he said.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.
Ali Fazal attends Fast X premiere in Rome, calls Vin Diesel kindest man

Mumbai, May 14: Very few actors in the Hindi film industry have made a niche in Hollywood. Ali Fazal is surely one of them. The actor shared his latest moments of international fame on Instagram.

Ali Fazal attends 'Fast X' premiere in Rome, calls Vin Diesel 'kindest man'

Ali Fazal jetted off to Rome to attend the international premiere of the latest film of the Fast and Furious franchise, 'Fast X'. The actor made his Hollywood debut with the 7th film of the franchise.He was all smiles in front of the camera against the iconic Colosseum in Rome as he walked the red carpet at the premiere. The actor reunited with Vin Diesel, his co-star in the film and they posed for a super stylish frame for the paps.Sharing a video from the event, Ali wrote in the caption, "AND THE FAST X PREMIERE WENT DOWN HARD RIGHT HERE AT THE COLOSSEUM .. cuz #Wheninrome you go gladiator style.. #fastx #reunion #furious7 Thank you for all the love Vin @vindiesel . You are the kindest man i know and the soul of the Fast fam. Feel proud to be part of the team. ( disclaimer - am not in fast X guys, but there for Love ) Thank you Manish for letting me own my style through your vision !! @manishmalhotra05 love ya!!"Ali was dressed in a black ensemble from the shelves of Manish Malhotra. He added style with his geeky glasses. Ali seemed to enjoy every moment of fame on the red carpet. He was seen giving autographs to the fans, clicking selfies with them and also posing with the cast of 'Fast X'.Ali will soon be headed to promote Kandahar, his next major Hollywood film with Gerard Butler. Kandahar is set for a US release on 26th May.ANI15 May 2023

Shared Recently!
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers later in the day. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy early, then clearing later on. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Download Now

The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print.




The Indian homegrown two-wheeler manufacturing company Hero MotoCorp is all set to release a massive number of products this financial year. The development has been initiated in order to increase the share market, particularly in the luxury bike segment. The report says that the brand in partnership with Harley Davidson is also all set to launch new bikes to attract new customers.

It also has been reported that the leading two-wheeler company in the budget bike segment (100-110cc), is also likely to enhance the production of 125cc segment bikes and fill the gap of 160-cc, 450cc, or above space.

Also Read: Tata Sumo Modified into a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon in Bhopal, Video Viral | WATCH

Commenting about the same companys CEO Niranjan Gupta said that the brand will launch new launches every quarter of this fiscal year. Probably this fiscal, well see the maximum number of launches ever seen in the companys history, Gupta added in his statement. In addition, he said the company is excited about this financial year as the firm is expected to build on market share and margin recovery.

top videos

Gupta said the business has been doing great lately, and they are confident about its growth prospects for the fiscal as well. On that note, we will increase market share across all categories, Hero MotoCorp CEO added.

Amid this, the Hero MotoCorp already revealed that the firm is all set to roll out its electric brand VIDA across the country. It has a goal to cover 100 cities in the current fiscal.
7th Pay Commission: Central government employees may get good news regarding their salaries as the Centre is likely to announce a hike in dearness allowance (DA) and fitment factor soon, according to media reports.

The minimum salary of government employees is expected to see a rise from Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000 for central government employees after the hike in the fitment factor, according to the reports. The reports said that the government is expected to revise the fitment factor and dearness allowance (DA) soon. However, there is no official word on this.

The Fitment Factor

The common fitment factor currently stands at 2.57 per cent. It means that if somebody, lets say, gets a basic pay of Rs 15,500 in 4200 Grade Pay, his total pay will be Rs 15,5002.57 or Rs 39,835. The 6th CPC had recommended the fitment ratio at 1.86.

There has been employees demand of raising the fitment factor to 3.68. The hike will raise the minimum wage from Rs 18,000 currently to Rs 26,000.

The DA Hike

Dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) are revised twice a year, effective January 1 and July 1. According to recent media reports, the government is likely to raise the dearness allowance by another 4 per cent in July this year.

The last revision in DA was done in March raising it by 4 per cent, which became effective from January 1, 2023. After the 4 per cent hike, the DA of central government employees increased to 42 per cent. Before this, the DA was hiked in September 2022 by 4 per cent, which became effective from July 2022.

Apart from the fitment factor, the government is also likely to revise DA soon effective July 1, according to media reports.

In January this year, the finance ministry updated the house rent allowance (HRA) rules for central government employees under the 7th Pay Commission and said they will not be entitled to HRA in cases where:

(i) He/ she shares government accommodation allotted to another government servant; or

top videos

(ii) He/she resides in accommodation allotted to his/her parents/ son/ daughter by the central government, state government, an autonomous public undertaking or semi-government organisation such as a municipality, port trust, nationalised banks, Life Insurance Corporation of India, etc; or

(iii) His/ her spouse has been allotted accommodation at the same station by the central government/ state government/ autonomous public undertaking/ semi-government organisation such as municipality, port trust, etc., whether he/she resides in that accommodation or he/she resides separately in accommodation rented by him/her.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 14. Azerbaijan and Armenia have come close to agreement on reopening of railway connections to and via Nakhchivan, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, Trend reports.

"On connectivity, the sides made clear progress in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region. Positions on this topic have now come very close to each other in particular on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhchivan. Their respective teams have been tasked to finalize an in principle agreement on the modalities for the opening of the railway connections and the necessary construction works together with a concrete timetable. They also agreed to draw upon the support of the World Customs Organization in supporting this work," he said.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.
The Directorate of Government Examinations, Tamil Nadu (TNDGE) declared the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or Class 12th results on May 8. This year, about 8,03,385 candidates appeared in the Tamil Nadu Class 12 exams, out of which 7.5 lakh students have cleared the exam. The overall pass percentage stands at 94.03 per cent. The pass percentage of girls was 96.38 while boys recorded a 91.45 per cent success rate. The Tamil Nadu board Class 12 exam was topped by S Nandhini, a student from Dindigul.

The daughter of a carpenter, Nandhini secured 100 per cent marks in all subjects. She was studying in a government-aided school in her district. According to officials, Nandhini scored centum in subjects like Tamil, Economics, English, Accountancy, Commerce, and Computer Application and scored an overall 600 marks. As per reports, Nandinis father always supported her to pursue her education.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu 12th Results 2023: Pass Percentage at 94.03%, Kanyakumari Top Performing District

The result of Class XII has been declared. I scored 600/600 marks. This makes me very happy. My grandmother and teachers supported me. My father is a daily wage labourer but he never tried to stop me from studying. He told me that my education is my wealth and has encouraged me, Nandhini said in an interview with ANI.

While speaking to a local TV news channel, the elated girl said that she wants to become an auditor. A day after the state results were announced, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin felicitated Nandhini. He further announced that the state government will extend all support and help for her higher studies. Nandhini met the Chief Minister in Chennai on May 9 in his camp office, along with her parents.

top videos

Sharing a video from the meeting, CM Staling wrote, The heights reached by those like Nandhini from humble background by their sheer hard work is the identity of our Tamil Nadu!

Kanyakumari recorded the highest pass percentage this year of 97.05 per cent. Those who secured a minimum of 35 per cent marks out of 100 in every subject have been declared passed. Students who have failed their Tamil Nadu Class 12 exam will be allowed to appear for supplementary exams.
The Congress on Sunday appointed three central observers, including senior leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, ahead of its crucial legislature party meeting in Karnataka to elect the new chief minister, amid hectic lobbying for the top post.

Besides Shinde, a former chief minister of Maharashtra, the other observers are party general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria.

AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said the central observers would oversee the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.

Honble Congress President has deputed Shri.Sushilkumar Shinde (Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra), Shri.Jitendra Singh (AICC GS) and Shri.Deepak Babaria (former AICC GS) as observers for the election of the CLP Leader of Karnataka," he tweeted.

The newly elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka are meeting in Bengaluru at 5.30 pm to discuss government formation.

Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar are strong claimants and front-runners for the coveted post.

While Siddaramaiah (75) and Shivakumar (60) have held meetings with the MLAs loyal to them, a poster war has erupted ahead of the CLP meet.

The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Karnataka, ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority.

Reacting to the partys victory, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday tweeted, Not able to come to terms with the resoundingly decisive verdict in favour of Congress from ALL sections of society in Karnataka, BJPs online hate factory is working overtime to manufacture lies. No doubt inspired by PMs politics of hate & polarisation. Desperation of sick minds!" In the May 10 elections to the 224-member assembly, the Congress won 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19, respectively.

Even though the Congress managed to put up a united front before the elections, it faces an uphill task of sustaining that unity as the process of the CLP leaders selection gets underway.

Factional wars have undermined party unity and prospects in various states, more recently in Punjab.

top videos

A similar situation is worrying the party in Rajasthan, where former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot is holding a foot march against his own government over alleged inaction on corruption during former chief minister Vasundhara Rajes rule.

The issue of chief ministership has simmered in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh too.
If it were not for the herculean effort put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last fortnight, the BJP may have won less than 50 seats in Karnataka. So says the political wisdom at Lutyens Delhi after a major loss for the saffron camp in the only state where it was in power down south.

Outgoing chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has claimed responsibility for the BJPs loss after being in the chair for less than two years, and there is now a realisation in the party that he was no match to the mass appeal and popularity of the man he was up against  former CM and Congress heavyweight Siddaramaiah.

The prime ministers campaign could only convert the BJPs tally from a disastrous one to a respectable one. The party takes solace in the fact that its vote share remains intact at 36 percent but a loss of 40 seats will worry it. This brings a new political phenomenon to light  that though Prime Minister Modi remains the most popular national leader by far, there is a limit to his ability to swing an election if the BJPs state leadership is weak and ineffective.

The BJP double engine was mostly PMs single engine in Karnataka. This is reflected in how the BJP could improve its tally only in one region of Karnataka  Bengaluru region  where Modi painstakingly did massive road shows for two days.

Lessons for the BJP

Modi had recently asked all state leaders of the party to take a cue from the effort put in by Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar to energise the party in the opposition-ruled state through a series of yatras. He has earlier praised the effort of Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil in ensuring the partys big win in the state. The underlying message here has been apparent  work on the ground in states among people and dont always expect a miracle in the end from the PM.

The BJP should take lessons from Karnataka to invest more in its state leadership and realise that non-performing CMs need to go much before a state election, as people are increasingly looking at local issues and performance at the state level. To be fair, Bommai did have big shoes to fill in as he replaced Yediyurappa in 2021.

Unlike the case of Gujarat or Uttarakhand, where the party changed CMs and won elections later, the BJP did not have any leader of Yediyurappas stature or charisma in Karnataka. The yawning gap left by his exit meant that the party faced an uphill challenge to retain power in the state amid a strong attack by the Congress on the issue of corruption and price rise, which raised the anti-incumbency against the state government in general and the CM in particular.

top videos

Modi as usual put in all his effort during campaigning in the state but the CM or the state BJP president remained conspicuous by their absence from the entire political narrative. To win state elections, the BJP needs to invest in strong state leadership of the kind it has in Uttar Pradesh in Yogi Adityanath or in Assam in Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The people of the state may very well repose their trust in Narendra Modi when it comes to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but they were clearly in no mood to forgive the Bommai-led lacklustre government in Karnataka this time and have sent it home with just 66 seats against 135 for the Congress.
Who will become the chief minister of Karnataka? The million-dollar question has remained unanswered so far as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) gave the power to decide the CM to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

While the first meeting of the CLP was taking place in Bengaluru on Sunday, supporters of both Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah- the frontrunners for the CM post- were raising slogans in support of their leaders.

However, the CLP, at least for now, avoided the catch-22 situation where it had to pick one leader over the other and authorised Kharge to take the call.

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the two faces of the Karnataka Congress who led their party to an astounding victory. Kharge has now the mountainous task to reward the leaders but it appears to be a no-win scenario.

top videos

Here are the latest updates on the saga unfolding after Congress victory in Karnataka:
Naagin star Aashka Goradia is pregnant with her first baby. The actress, who is also an entrepreneur, took the special occasion of Mothers Day to announce that she and her husband Brent Goble are prepraing to embrace parenthood. The actress shared a sweet video in which two beach mats were placed besides a baby size beach mat.

The video featured the message, Beach baby is on the way. We are waiting for the greatest gift to arrive in November 2023. Send us your love, Aashka and Brent." Aashka shared the video on Instagram with the caption, On this Mothers Day - this becomes even more special! Our family and our practice grows by 1 this November! Send us a loving thought as we embark on our greatest journey yet! Beach baby is on the way!"

The actress received congratulatory messages from many fellow television stars. Nisha Rawal wrote, Sending u heaps of love and best wishes for the most beautiful life ever." Thats the best news on Mothers Day. Congratulations to both of you . Lots of love always. Waiting for the little angel," Juhi Parmar added. Karanvir Bohra wrote, Wow wow wow." Drashti Dhami added, Wowwww congratulations ".

top videos

Aashka is known for her work in television shows such as Kkusum, Laagi Tujhse Lagan, and Maharana Pratap. The actress has also participated in reality shows such as Bigg Boss and Nach Baliye.

However, Aashka grabbed headlines when she ventured into a career in comestics. She juggles between Goa and Ahmedabad for work. In Goa, she lives with her husband Brent, who runs a successful yoga studio. The couple reportedly met in Las Vegas and it was love at first sight for them. It is reported that Aashka couldnt feel the sparl at first when Brent approached her for a date but by the end of their first date, she felt the magic and shared her number. They married in 2017.
The Congress on Saturday emerged victorious in the 224-member Karnataka ssembly polls held on May 10, by winning 135 seats, the Election Commission of India said. According to EC website, the BJP bagged 65 and JD(S) - 19 seats.

Two independent candidates also won in the election. Apart from it, Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each. Meanwhile, the results of Jayanagar constituency in Bengaluru are still pending after the Election Commission ordered recounting of postal ballots where Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy has a slender lead over BJPs C K Ramamurthy.

In the outgoing Assembly, the ruling BJP has 116 MLAs, followed by the Congress at 69, JD(S) 29, BSP one, independents two, speaker one and vacant six (following deaths and resignations to join other parties ahead of the polls).

Here are ten takeaways from the election result:

1) Opposition Party: Last year at this time, the Congress was only in control in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. It was neck-and-neck in the opposition standings with the Aam Aadmi Party, which is currently in power in two states. However, thanks to a strong victory in Himachal Pradesh last year and an outstanding triumph in Karnataka today, the Congress will now govern in four states. The figures show that, despite losing electoral relevance in recent years, the Congress remains the only national party capable of opposing the BJP, as per a report by Times of India.

2) Third Front Possibility: The results will further solidify Congresss status as the primus inter pares" (first among equals) opposition party. This means that if the opposition parties decide to establish a united front with Congress, the grand old party will have a stronger bargaining chip, the report further explains.

3) United Front: While the Rajasthan Congress has been beset by a squabble between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, Karnataka has not witnessed a similar narrative. DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, two Karnataka Congress stalwarts, put their differences aside and presented a single front, ABP News reported.

4) Will Results Have a Bearing on 2024? As per a report by Moneycontrol, it is not necessary that Karnataka results will have a bearing on the upcoming highly-anticipated polls. The BJP won the Karnataka state elections in 2008, and then went on to win MP and Chhattisgarh while losing Rajasthan and Mizoram later that year.

In 2013, the Congress won Karnataka, but it did not benefit the party because it lost three state elections later that year in MP, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan to the BJP, while keeping Mizoram, the report explains.

The BJP was the single largest party in Karnataka in 2018, but lost to the Congress in the three North Indian states later that year, while the NDA defeated the INC in Mizoram.

Except for Nagaland, the party that won the state elections also won the national elections in the 2008-09 Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections. The BJPs victory in Karnataka did not aid the party nationwide in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, which were won by the UPA.

Almost the same tendency was noticed in the 2013-14 pair of polls. The BJP won the majority of these state elections in the 2014 general election. Because of a schism in the BJP, the Congress might easily win Karnataka, but it lost the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

A divided verdict was observed in the 2018-19 pair of polls. Despite losing MP, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the BJP swept these states in the Lok Sabha elections barely four months later. In Karnataka, the Congress performed admirably in 2018, preventing the BJP from gaining a majority and creating a government, but none of this helped in the Lok Sabha elections a year later.

top videos

5) But Why did BJP lose? The government of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been dogged by allegations of corruption and bribery, as per ABP News. The Congress based its campaign on charges that the states ruling BJP demanded a 40% commission from builders, contractors, and others. Writing for the Indian Express, BJP Karnataka spokesperson said there were two reasons why the party lost Karnataka," the first is lacklustre governance. Despite the discounting factors of Covid and economic constraints, the incumbent BJP government had nothing great to showcase in terms of development, infrastructure or welfare. Fourteen ministers of the government lost the election. It says something. The last-minute tweaking of reservation also did not help. The second is the muck of corruption. The disputable allegation of 40 per cent commission stuck very strongly and the Madal Virupakshappa episode added to it. The experiences of the common people in dealing with government offices reinforced the feeling of dismay."

With inputs from PTI
Google earlier this week said it is opening Bard, a rival to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, to 180 countries as it expands use of artificial intelligence across its platform.

Executives at an annual Google developers conference in Silicon Valley said that generative AI will also be used to supercharge the tech giants leading search engine.

We have been applying AI for a while, with generative AI we are taking the next step," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai told thousands of developers gathered for the event. We are reimagining all our core products, including search," he said.

Racing to Catch in Search

Google is racing to catch up with rival Microsoft, which has rushed to integrate ChatGPT-like powers in a wide array of its products, including the Bing search engine.

Microsofts dash into AI came despite fears about the technologys potential threat to society, including its impact on the spread of disinformation and whether it could make whole categories of jobs obsolete.

Cathy Edwards of Google Search said the new experience would be akin to a search that is supercharged" by a conversational bot. Other Google executives laid out how generative AI is being woven into Gmail, photo editing, online work tools and more.

The companys AI efforts would be carried out in a bold and responsible" way, senior product director Jack Krawczyk said during a briefing. Googles expansion meant it removed a waitlist for Bard, letting users around the world engage with it in English after months of testing it out in the US and Britain.

How Would Your Search Engine Change?

When it comes to searching, the act of Googling" something is about to undergo the most drastic transformations youve ever witnessed, as per USA Today. The capacity to summarise vast volumes of information in a very compact manner is one of the most amazing features of the technology underlying generative AI. In practise, this means that it can take data from numerous sources and stitch it all together to offer you exactly what you want in a single response. Furthermore, it opens up the option of making exceedingly comprehensive requests and receiving incredibly detailed responses.

The report asked people to consider a scenario of organising a vacation trip. Traditionally, the report says, youd probably start by looking for things to do in that area, followed by someplace to stay. Following that, it may look for decent restaurants in the vicinity. Then youd go through tens or hundreds of connections, carefully piecing together some type of itinerary.

Youll be able to ask Google for a five-day plan for a family of four that covers all the events and all the restaurants, while accommodating youngsters who only eat spaghetti and parents who want excellent cocktails at night. Surprisingly, it can achieve all of this in a single response.

If your searches are centred on purchasing, the upgraded Google will not only give you advice on the best options for as detailed a request as youd like to make, but it will also supply ancillary information on how to best use or accomplish whatever is relevant for what youre buying.

Whats particularly noteworthy about these new search capabilities is that they arouse a desire to conduct additional research on a subject. Its lot easier (and more pleasant) to delve a little further into any given subject, making the internets immense resources much more useful than theyve ever been.

Risky tech?

When you ask the new AI-powered version of Bing a question, it responds with the answer. This differs from how weve typically used search engines, in which you get a slew of results and must judge the various links shown to you before selecting the best one.

The issue with the AI version of Bing, in my opinion, is that you have to trust it to give you the correct answer. You do not gather the information and make the decision on your own. AI is not always correct, but it is learning and becoming wiser, Forbes said in a report.

Googles announcements came a week after rival Microsoft expanded public access to its generative artificial intelligence programs, which are powered by models made by OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.

This could be a defining moment in the AI battle with Google and Microsoft going head-to-head for market share," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors.

Microsofts early investment in OpenAI gave it a head start in this Game of Thrones Battle for Big Tech with Google now playing major catchup mode," the analyst added.

AI-enhanced features of Microsofts Bing search engine and Edge internet browser recently became open for anyone.

The services have been enhanced with the ability to work with images as well as text, and Microsoft intends to add video to the mix.

Despite the rollouts by two of the worlds biggest companies, risks from AI include its potential uses for disinformation, with voice clones, deep-fake videos and convincing written messages.

A range of experts in March urged a pause in the development of powerful AI systems to allow time to make sure they are safe.

Their open letter, signed by more than 1,000 people, including billionaire Elon Musk and Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak, was prompted by generative AI technology from Microsoft-backed firm OpenAI.

A prominent computer scientist often dubbed the godfather of artificial intelligence" recently quit his job at Google to speak out about the dangers of the technology.

top videos

Geoffrey Hinton, who created some of the technology underlying AI systems, maintained that the existential threat from AI is serious and close."

With inputs from AFP
Sameer Wankhede, the former officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), who has been accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 25 crore in the drugs-on-cruise case involving Shah Rukh Khans son Aryan Khan, claimed on Saturday that he was being targeted due to his patriotism.

Wankhede made these allegations after his residence and other premises were raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday. According to Wankhede, 18 CBI officials conducted the raid at his house while his wife and children were present.

I am getting rewarded for being a patriot, yesterday 18 CBI officials raided my residence and searched it for more than 12 hours while my wife and children were present in the house. They found Rs 23,000 and four property papers. These assets were acquired before I joined the service," Wankhede was quoted as saying to ANI.

In addition, Sameer Wankhede stated that the CBI officials also confiscated the mobile phone belonging to his wife, Kranti Redkar. Furthermore, during the raids, the CBI recovered Rs 28,000 from the house of his sister, Yasmin Wankhede, and another Rs 28,000 from the residence of his father, Dnyaneshwar Wankhede. Additionally, an amount of Rs 1,800 was found at the residence of Wankhedes father-in-law.

On Friday, the CBI carried out searches at 29 locations across the country as part of the alleged corruption case involving Sameer Wankhede and three others connected to the Aryan Khan drugs-on-cruise case.

top videos

The CBI has filed a case against Sameer Wankhede, former zonal director of the Mumbai NCB, and three others in relation to a corruption case linked to the Aryan Khan drugs-on-cruise incident. The agency conducted raids at 29 locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi (Jharkhand), and Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh).

It is worth noting that Wankhede had previously conducted a raid on the Cordelia Cruise and arrested Aryan Khan, the son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, in connection with an alleged drug case.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine war, during his meetings in Stockholm with his counterparts from France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF). He met his counterparts on the sidelines of the EIPMF on Saturday.

Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modis visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20, he tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi will attend this years Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour on July 14. Modi was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris.

A contingent of the Indian armed forces will also participate in the parade along with their French counterparts, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Jaishankar also met Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and signed agreements on mobility and migration.

Warm and productive discussions with my friend FM @a_schallenberg of Austria. Signed agreements in Mobility and Migration. Discussed global issues, especially Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, he tweeted.

In his first meeting with Belgiums Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Jaishankar agreed to take bilateral relationship and multilateral cooperation forward.

He exchanged views with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and discussed growing bilateral and multilateral ties.

With his counterpart from Cyprus Constantinos Kombos, Jaishankar discussed mobility and tourism.

Great to meet FM of Cyprus @ckombos after his appointment. Noted the potential for greater engagement. Spoke about mobility and tourism. Also discussed our multilateral collaboration, he tweeted.

Jaishankar met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties amid the Ukraine conflict.

Good meeting with FM @edgarsrinkevics of Latvia on EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial sidelines. Spoke about strengthening our bilateral relationship and on repercussions of Ukraine conflict. Also discussed our multilateral cooperation, he said in a series of tweets.

A good conversation on bilateral cooperation and Indo-Pacific with FM @GLandsbergis of Lithuania. Also discussed Europes perspectives of the world from our vantage points. Agreed to stay in touch, he tweeted after his meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Jaishankar thanked his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu for the facilitation of Operation Ganga, an evacuation mission to bring back all the Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine.

top videos

Caught up with Romanian colleague FM @BogdanAurescu on EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial sidelines. Thanked him for OperationGanga facilitation. Discussed defence and energy collaboration. Benefited from his perspectives of the region, he tweeted.

Jaishankar arrived in Sweden from Bangladesh where he addressed the 6th Indian Ocean Conference on Friday.
The Centre on Sunday announced Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, as the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sood, who is currently serving as the Director-General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka, will take over as the Director of CBI for a period of two years after replacing outgoing agency chief Subodh Kumar Jaiswal.

In a statement by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, it read: Approval of the Competent Authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Sri Praveen Sood IPS as Director Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the office vice Sri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS, consequent upon completion of his tenure."

The panel responsible for selecting the CBI director consisted of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and Leader of the Opposition (Congress) in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, according to a The Hindu report.

DGP of Madhya Pradesh Sudhir Saxena was also considered for the Director of CBI position, the publication stated.

As per the report, Congress leader Chowdhury had submitted a dissent note against Soods name as he was not among the original panel of officers who were shortlisted for the top CBI job.

Sood has been serving as the Karnataka DGP for three years and is an alumnus of IIT-Delhi. He was scheduled to retire in May 2024 but will now have a fixed tenure of two years and remain in office until at least May 2025. He hails from Himachal Pradesh.

top videos

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and 1985-batch IPS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, succeeded RK Shukla as the CBI Director on May 26, 2021. Jaiswals tenure is reported to end on May 25.

The selection of the CBI chief is made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, CJI, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the director holds a fixed tenure of two years, extendable up to five years.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels, Trend reports.

Following the meeting, President of the European Council Charles Michel has made a press statement:

"It was a pleasure to host President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan today for a fifth meeting in Brussels. Our exchanges were frank, open and result-oriented. They focused on progress on the path towards Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization. The leaders shared a common willingness for a South Caucasus at peace. I commend their respective efforts. Together, we reviewed all issues on our agenda.

Following the recent positive talks held in the United States on the peace treaty, the momentum should be maintained to take decisive steps towards the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On border issues, we reviewed progress and the next steps regarding the delimitation of the border. In this context, the leaders agreed on the resumption of the bilateral meetings on border issues. The leaders confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The ultimate delimitation of the border will be agreed through negotiations.

On connectivity, the sides made clear progress in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region. Positions on this topic have now come very close to each other in particular on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhchivan. Their respective teams have been tasked to finalize an in principle agreement on the modalities for the opening of the railway connections and the necessary construction works together with a concrete timetable. They also agreed to draw upon the support of the World Customs Organization in supporting this work.

On humanitarian issues, there has been an understanding that further detainees would be released in the coming weeks. I also stressed the need to safeguard the mutual understanding that soldiers who have simply got lost and crossed to the other side would continue to be released through a speedy procedure. We also discussed the importance of stepping up work on addressing the fate of missing persons and on demining.

I believe that it is important to refrain from hostile rhetoric, engage in good faith and show leadership to reach mutually-acceptable solutions.

The EU has no hidden agenda. Our sole aim is to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a comprehensive and fair peace. We are ready to contribute to their joint efforts. We have agreed to hold the Brussels meetings as often as necessary. Leaders will meet again in Brussels in July. And as was already announced publicly, we will also meet again in the very near future together with President Macron of France and Chancellor Scholz of Germany on the margins of the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Chisinau. I also intend to invite the leaders for another such meeting in the margins of the third EPC summit in Granada in October," the statement said.
A close friend for over a decade rang me up on a dry afternoon this week. He told me how he has been hooked to the Supreme Court hearings on marriage equality and the newfound impetus to the gay rights movement in India. He choked, as he made an admission to me that he identified himself as homosexual and it took him more than three decades of his life to come to terms with his sexuality. For the first time, he spoke about the abuse he went through as a child, adolescent, and then as a teenager for his distinctive personality and traits.

As he bared the most vulnerable parts of himself, I realised how my heterosexuality made many like me the majority. A majority completely oblivious to the pain, trauma, and struggle of some closest onesan ignored minority. The fear, shame, and stigma of abuse of different kinds have been closeted for far too long. The Supreme Court hearing was a breakthrough for making gay rights and equality a dinner table conversation in most Indian households. It made many people sit up and take notice. For the first time, the debate in the courtroom was not about whether being homosexual is natural or unnatural, but rather should the community have greater civil rights. Its a huge step forward for the LGBTQ movement. It made many individuals from the LGBTQ community come out to the world, express themselves freely, and reach out to their loved ones for acceptance and affection.

The issue was magnified on television and other mainstream media platforms. The hearing was successful to the extent of generating conversation around LGBTQ rights, an issue that has been stuck in shame and stigma and victim to social ridicule and mockery despite decriminalisation.

The Supreme Court hearing for ten days was live-streamed, available on open social media platforms, and engaged lakhs of citizens across the country. This hearing was a departure from the past in many ways. The language used in the courtroom, a certain sense of dignity and respect to the LGBTQ community from all sides, irrespective of whether they were supporting or opposing marriage equality. The laudable sense of sensitivity from the five-judge bench which was hearing this case reminds me of earlier times. About a decade ago, the community was termed a minuscule minority or unapprehended felons by this very court when a two-judge bench recriminalised homosexuality in 2013, overturning the judgement of the Delhi High Court. The apology took a painful five years, when in a rare move, the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality and overturned its own judgement in a curative petition. The judicial language, temperament, and sensitivity have indeed taken a leap.

top videos

As a student of law, I have argued that the legal ground is not fertile for seeking marriage equality for the LGBTQ community. Personal laws and the lack of a civil code make it legally impossible or extremely difficult at the very least. But in this case, the Chief Justice-led Supreme Court served to be a platform for reigniting dignified conversations around the community and its rights. The community members loudly asserted that their existence is not merely to be tolerated but it must receive social dignity and respect. Seeking marriage equality from the courts is about that greater fight for justice and acceptance. The right conversations have been propelled into society from Court No. 1.

The courts decision is eagerly anticipated. Whether a full-fledged constitutional declaration or something short of equality-its a call that the court must make. Social taboos, walls of shame, and stigma, and often broken by the stroke of the pen. The court will strikewe await to know how strong the blow shall be.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was instrumental in the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine.

PM Modi spoke to (Russian president Vladimir) Putin and (Ukraine president Volodymyr) Zelensky. He also spoke to (US president Joe) Biden when needed. The war stopped briefly so that more than 22,000 students stuck in Ukraine could be rescued and they returned home. Parents of these students were demanding that PM Modi rescue them.

I am proud of PM Modi who did something that no other country was able to do," the senior BJP leader said while addressing the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Maha Sammelan here.

Singh spoke of the valour and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap and the battle of Haldighati.

Maharana Pratap ate rotis made of grass but never compromised with self-respect, he added.

If you understand his dedication, then you will call his times a Maharana kal (era) and not a Mughal era. Maharana Pratap never bowed before (emperor) Akbar and kept his Mevad almost invincible," Singh said.

top videos

Be it Mevad, Haldighati, or Galwan, Indias head has always been held high and will remain so," the minister said.

Singh said under Modi as PM, Indias weapons exports, which were Rs 900 crore in 2014, increased to more than Rs 16,000 crore now. We should thank Modi for his insistence on making the country aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited an exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Arts in New Delhi on Sunday, which showcased works of top artists on the themes such as Swachhata (cleanliness), water conservation, agriculture, space, northeast, Nari Shakti and Yoga. The exhibition was organised to mark the 100th episode of Modis monthly radio broadcast programme Mann Ki Baat.

The Jana Shakti exhibition showcased works of artists such as Manu and Madhavi Parekh, Atul Dodiya, Paresh Maity, Iranna GR, Jagannath Panda and more.

Prime Minister Modi was taken on a walkthrough of the exhibition where artists got an opportunity to talk about their works and the themes of Mann Ki Baat that inspired them, the culture ministry said.

He also viewed the immersive projection show of the Jana Shakti exhibition at the dome of the Jaipur House, a senior official said.

After viewing the artworks, the prime minister signed the Jana Shakti Exhibition catalogue and penned down the message, Mann Mandir ki Yatra Sukhad ho... The catalogue has been pre-signed by the 13 artists," the ministry said in a statement.

Modi also shared some pictures from his visit on Twitter.

Visited Jana Shakti at @ngma_delhi. This is an exhibition of wonderful works of art based on some of the themes in the #MannKiBaat episodes. I compliment all the artists who have enriched the exhibition with their creativity," he tweeted.

Thirteen renowned modern and contemporary artists have utilised various mediums to express themselves and present an artistic representation of the prime ministers message on 12 themes.

top videos

The exhibition opened on April 30 and well-known artist Anjolie Ela Menon had inaugurated it.
Three people have been arrested for allegedly trying to convert a woman worker of the BJP to Christianity in the Khoda area of this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Sunday.

Ibrahim Thomas, his wife Reewa and one Babita were arrested on Saturday following a complaint by Sunita Arora, a local BJP worker.

In her complaint, lodged at Khoda police station on Friday, Arora alleged that her neighbour Babita introduced her to Thomas, a Kerala native working at the Kalwari Church.

She alleged that Thomas organises ceremonies with the help of his wife to convince people of other religions to convert to Christianity.

top videos

Thomas, with the help of Babita, called Arora to a parlour and tried to convince her to convert, she alleged in her complaint.

A case was registered and Thomas, Reewa and Babita were arrested under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act and sent to jail, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Trans Hindan) Vivek Chandra Yadav said.
Two men accused of shooting dead a police constable, while he was chasing them early this week, were gunned down in a police encounter in this Uttar Pradesh district on Sunday, officials said.

Special Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said Umesh Chandra alias Kallu and Ramesh were accused in the murder of police constable Bhedjeet Singh. The two were surrounded by a team of local police near the Factory area police outpost on Sunday, Kumar said.

The duo opened fire at the police team and were injured in the retaliatory firing. They were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead," the officer said.

Orai Station House Officer (SHO) Shiv Kumar Rathore, who was part of the team that surrounded the accused, suffered a hand injury in the crossfire. He was given first aid at the hospital.

A constable with Orai police, Singh was shot dead in the area on the intervening night of May 9 and May 10 while he was chasing some bike-borne suspects on his motorcycle.

top videos

Singh, who was posted at a highway police outpost, tried to stop the motorcycle. When the suspects did not stop, he chased them, Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja had said on Wednesday.

During the chase, they opened fire killing the constable on the spot. The assailants were later identified as Kallu and Ramesh.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar offered prayers at the Brahma temple in Pushkar town of Rajasthans Ajmer district on Sunday.

Accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, the Vice President reached Pushkar in a helicopter, and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation chairman Dharmendra Rathore, the divisional commissioner and other officers welcomed the couple.

top videos

From the helipad in the mela ground, they reached the temple amid tight security arrangements and offered prayers.

Later, they left for Nagaur, where the Vice President is scheduled to unveil the statue of former parliamentarian Nathuram Mirdha.
Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, has been appointed as the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Sood, who is currently serving as the Director-General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka, will take over as the Director of CBI for a period of two years after replacing outgoing agency chief Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, whose tenure is set to conclude on May 25.

In a statement, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said, Approval of the Competent Authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Sri Praveen Sood IPS as Director Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the office vice Sri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS, consequent upon completion of his tenure."

The selection of the CBI chief is made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the director holds a fixed tenure of two years, extendable up to five years.

top videos

Heres all you need to know about Praveen Sood:
Nick Jonas skipped Parineeti Chopras engagement ceremony but ensured he sent his best wishes to his sister-in-law and her soon-to-be husband Raghav Chadha. On Saturday night, Parineeti and Raghav got engaged in a small ceremony. The couple exchanged rings in the presence of their friends and family which was followed by an engagement party. While Priyanka Chopra flew down to be a part of the celebrations, Nick couldnt make it.

However, taking to the comments section, Nick sent his love to the couple. He commented, Congrats!" along with a heart emoji. Fans replied to his comment, admitting that they missed their international jiju at the bash. A fan commented, @nickjonas roke pe kyu nahi the jeeja ji." A second fan asked, @nickjonas jeeju aap q nhi aye." Another added, Would love to see you in the wedding."

It seems like Nick Jonas will be missing the engagement due to the release of Jonas Brothers new album, titled The Album. On Friday, Nick and his fellow Jonas Brothers band members, Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas, released their new album. Besides celebrating the new release, they were also seen hosting a Today concert on Friday and even sat down for an interview with the publication. It is likely that the trio will be participating in promotional activities.

top videos

Nick has bonded with Parineeti on various occasions. They often stepped out for holidays and Parineeti has joined the couple to celebrate Priyankas birthdays as well. We cannot wait to see Nick and Raghav in the same frame.

Meanwhile, the ceremony took place at the Central Delhis Kapurthala House and was attended by around 150 guests, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the Chopra family members. Following the engagement news, Parineeti and Raghav shared similar photos from the ceremony and announced their engagement.
Actor Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha are engaged! The couple got engaged amidst much fanfare in presence of their close friends and family in Delhi this evening. Speculations about their relationship have been circulating ever since they were spotted together on multiple occasions, such as enjoying a meal at a Mumbai restaurant and appearing together at the airport. As the year draws to a close, the couple is anticipated to tie the knot.

Parineeti took to her Instagram to share pictures with Raghav Chadha from the engagement. Everything I prayed for.. I said yes!" she captioned a series of beautiful pictures. Check it out here:

Now, the actress mother, Reena Chopra has taken to Instagram to share a heartening post. She thanked well-wishers for the blessings and wrote: There are reasons in your life that make you believe all over again and all the time that there is a God up there. This is one of them .#trulyblessed #thankyougod. I wish to thank all of you who have reached out and poured your blessings and wishes for them.

Check out the post here:

top videos

According to ANI, Parineeti and Raghav have both studied in London and have been friends for a long time. Parineeti holds Honours degree in business, finance, and economics from the Manchester Business School, as reported by Vogue in 2014. They met while Parineeti was pursuing her studies in London. Raghav, too, as mentioned in a recent India Today report, studied at the London School of Economics (LSE) and later established a boutique wealth management firm in London before coming back to India.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha and Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra got engaged on Saturday night in New Delhi. An intimate ceremony, the couple was joined on their special night by Priyanka Chopra, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. While photos and videos of Parineeti and Raghavs first appearance as a betrothed couple have already gone viral, a new video from inside their engagement celebrations is now going viral.

In the video, Raghav couldnt help but kiss Parineeti when he saw her enjoy the night. Parineeti was singing along the track Mahi, which was being performed at the couples engagement, and dedicating it to Raghav. Watching her sing along the song, Raghav planted a kiss on her cheek. She quickly took him in her arms and continued singing for him.

The video has now gone viral, with fans showering the couple with love. He is so in love with her ," a fan commented on a post featuring the video. Omg shes so in love with him " added another. Hes a decent guy and both are equally in love with each other," a third comment read. Such cute couple God blessed them always," a fourth user wrote. This is so puree love. Touchwood," a fifth fan wrote.

top videos

The ceremony took place at the Central Delhis Kapurthala House and was attended by around 150 guests, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Parineetis cousin, film star Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Following the engagement news, Parineeti and Raghav shared similar photos from the ceremony and announced their engagement.

Everything I prayed for .. I said yes! " Parineeti captioned the photos. Soon after announcing the news of their engagement on social media, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha stepped out to pose for the paparazzi stationed outside their engagement venue.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov have held a telephone conversation with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erica Olson, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Minstry.

The ministry said that during the telephone conversation, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United States, the current situation in the region, as well as steps taken to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia were discussed.

Deputy Minister Elnur Mammadov said that Azerbaijan is interested in the successful completion of the process as the party showing the main initiative towards the normalization of relations with Armenia, including the signing of a future peace agreement. It was emphasized that, despite this, the efforts of Armenia to obstruct the peace process, including the recent military provocations that caused casualties in the border area, are aimed at undermining international efforts to negotiate.

Erika Olson, for her part, expressed the importance of establishing peace and stability in the region, for which it is necessary to sign a peace agreement. She noted that the American side is always ready to support these negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a bilateral basis.

During the telephone conversation, other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest were exchanged.
As part of his ongoing Dabangg Reloaded tour, Salman Khan graced the stage in Kolkata on Saturday, delivering a memorable performance that left Kolkata fans enthralled. Following the event, the actor took to his social media platform to express his heartfelt appreciation for the people of Kolkata, acknowledging their overwhelming response and unwavering support. Salman Khans gratitude towards the enthusiastic fans of Kolkata was evident as he expressed his gratitude for the unforgettable experience. The show in The City of Joy proved to be an electrifying Bollywood concert that left fans in awe. With Salmans dance moves and high-energy performances, the atmosphere was electric! The packed auditorium went wild with excitement, showing their love for the superstar.

From shaking a leg to Yentamma from Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan to dancing with Maniesh Paul on Nach Punjaban

from the latters film Jugjugg Jeeyo  Salman set the stage on fire. The concert wrapped up on a high with Salman dancing to the chartbuster Swag Se Swagat from Ek Tha Tiger. Not just rcent hits, Salman also performed to one of his biggest hits from the 90s  Didi, tera dewar deewana  from Hum Apke Hain Kaun.

Salman and Sonakshi also took to stage to perform on Tere Mast Mast Do Nain from Dabangg. Sonakshi wore a quintessential Bengali white and red saree, while Salman performed in his Chulbul Pandey avatar.

Megastar #SalmanKhan and Sonakshi Sinha performing on Tere mast mast do nain song pic.twitter.com/auKSREYrDY MASS (@Freak4Salman) May 13, 2023

On the other hand, Salman and Jacqueline Fernandez set the stage on fire with Jumme ki Raat from Kick. Check out the video here:

top videos

Megastar #SalmanKhan and Jacqueline Fernandez performing on Jumme ki Raat song at #DabnaggTour Kolkata.pic.twitter.com/Xvpbps8sm9 MASS (@Freak4Salman) May 13, 2023

A viral video featuring Salman Khan and his niece Ayat Sharma dancing together has captured the internets attention. The footage, seemingly filmed before Salmans performance during the Da-Bangg tour in Kolkata, showcases the superstar uncle bonding with Ayat through an impromptu dance routine. Salman looks dashing in a glamorous tuxedo, while Ayat steals hearts with her adorable dress. Filmed backstage, the duo can be seen grooving and dancing from one corner of the room to another. The video has garnered immense love from fans, who flooded the comments section with affectionate messages for Salman and Ayat.
Filmmaker Shonali Bose was slammed for not standing up when the national anthem was played at the theatre she went to watch Afwaah at. The Sky Is Pink director revealed she visited a theatre in Juhu in Mumbai where she chose to not join the audience in standing up for the anthem. While she revealed she was criciticised by many seated in the theatre, she stands by her decision to remain seated for she feels a theatre is inappropriate place to shove nationalism.

She first opened up about the incident on Instagram, sharing a video of the incident. She then spoke in detail about the action with Mid-Day, revealing that she was dubbed disgusting and unpatriotic for her act. She added that though she loves singing the national anthem, I wont do it in a theatre."

Thats my government forcefully saying that this is how nationalistic fervour can be instilled. I went to watch the film with my friends. All of them stood up for the anthem, I didnt. A man behind me shouted that I am disgusting and unpatriotic. The woman next to him joined in. I turned around, and asked them to shut up. The lady was so uncouth that I could feel her legs on my chair. Though I was sure of what I was doing, my stomach had tightened. No one wants a panga, she told the publication.

Shonali clarified that while she is defending her actions, she is not against the anthem, or the government. I am not protesting the anthem, or the government. I feel a movie theatre is not the appropriate place to shove nationalism down our throats. That is what I am protesting. It is disrespectful that people have popcorn in their mouths when they get up to show respect, she said.

top videos

Patriotism is being able to speak your mind and having a conscience. It is about questioning the government at every step. I remember during the Emergency period, the government would play black-and-white propaganda films in theatres. This feels similar," Shonali concluded.

Shonali made her directorial debut in 2005 with Amu. After a long break, she returned to films with Chittagong (2012) as a writer and producer. She made her directorial comeback with Margarita with a Straw (2015) and directed Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar-led The Sky Is Pink (2019). She also directed a chapter of Modern Love: Mumbai (2022).
Director Vivek Agnihotri took a jibe at couples getting married lately. The Kashmir Files helmer took to Twitter and revealed that a wedding planner shared the observation that couples are getting married to click photos and show off. The filmmaker agreed to the opinion. He tweeted his observation around the same time that Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha shared photos from their engagement ceremony.

People are getting married just to get wedding photos, videos and to get destination wedding tag for show off  a wedding planner told me. Its true. I was in a destination wedding and someone said that the wedding photographer is going to be late and the bride fainted," he tweeted.

His tweet drew massive attention on Twitter, with many sharing divided opinions. Unfortunately, its true ! And infecting urban to rural similarly," a Twitter user told Vivek Agnihotri. Totally agree.it started right after virat Anushka wedding but theirs were so natural, authentic, and cultured, not showing off.. but now all they want is just to capture fake moments for social media.. cringe stuff. Normal people are coping them which is even worse," added another.

However, a few disagreed with Vivek. Thats a stupid exaggerated wedding photographers view. Yes, people are more into show off but saying they are getting married just to show off is laughable," the user said.

Viveks tweet coincdied the timing of Parineeti and Raghavs engagement photos release. On Saturday night, the Bollywood actress and the Aam Aadmi Party keader exchanged rings and announced their engagement. Soon after, the couple shared photos from the engagement ceremony, making their relationship official.

top videos

The ceremony took place at the Central Delhis Kapurthala House and was attended by around 150 guests, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Parineetis cousin, film star Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Following the engagement news, Parineeti and Raghav hosted a fun engagement party.

Meanwhile, Vivek is busy with his upcoming project, The Delhi Files. The film is a part of Files trilogy. The first being The Tashkent Files (2019) and second being The Kashmir Files (2022).
On the same day as foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gathered for a meeting in Goa, India experienced a devastating attack in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists. The simultaneity of these events seemed to be calling out the glaring inconsistency in Pakistans position as a full member of the SCO, whose stated objective is to work together to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism, and to create a regional security structure that is free of radical forces.

Pakistans words and deeds were so considerably at odds with one another that Indias External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, in one of his sharpest attacks, had to call out Bhutto as the promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry. In his address at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Jaishankar said, taking the eyes off terrorism would be detrimental to the security interests of the grouping and that when the world was engaged in facing the Covid pandemic and its consequences, the menace of terrorism continued unabated, a clear reference to Pakistan.

Maintaining the facade of a cohesive counter-terrorism framework under the tutelage of SCO, Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto stated that he and his country were firmly committed to being part of regional and global efforts for eradicating this menace and that the SCOs member countries should adopt a comprehensive and collective approach instead of engaging in diplomatic point scoring and geopolitical partisanship.

Terrorism continues to threaten global security, he remarked. Lets not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring. Bhuttos unhinged remarks about adopting practical, pragmatic solutions to put an end to the chapter of terrorism once and for all seemed to be coloured by a palpable sense of naivety.

FM @BhuttoZardari urged to collectively eradicate the menace of terrorism" Lets not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring"#PakFMatSCO pic.twitter.com/H5awOoQDF5  Spokesperson  MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 5, 2023

Bhuttos advocacy for discontinuing the erroneous association of non-state actors with state actors is a clear manifestation of his intention to persist with the policy of recantation of Pakistans role in terrorism and feigning an unyielding commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. This is evident in his failure to acknowledge the unquestionable patterns of linkages between the Pakistani state and the terrorist networks thriving in the country.

Pakistans insensitive remarks come just days after the horrific Poonch terror attack where five Indian soldiers lost their life. It is a glaring reminder that Pakistan has little to no intention of addressing the menace and is, instead, fixated on playing the victim card, peddling a false narrative that it is falsely demonised by the Indians, instead of admitting that it harbours the worlds largest terror factory. Pakistans refusal to admit to being the epicentre of global terrorism is akin to turning a blind eye to the elephant in the room.

EAM Jaishankar, in a decisive move, refused to turn a blind eye to Pakistans hypocritical stance on terrorism during the recent meeting of the SCO. He boldly stated that discussions on terrorism cannot be held with perpetrators and that the victims of terrorism must defend themselves and delegitimise this heinous act. This was an important signalling from India, indicating that it no longer wishes to entertain Pakistans age-old narrative that Islamabad is also a victim of terrorism and that the two nations are in the same boat.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardaris call for India to create a conducive environment for talks sounds like a mellifluous tune with a tinge of deceit and duplicity. It does not sit well with the trajectory of Pakistans tumultuous relationship with India. Moreover, Bhuttos foul statements at SCO cannot be viewed in isolation.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, had previously stated during a press conference in Islamabad that no country had used terrorism better than India. She went on to say that India was portraying itself as a champion of counter-terrorism even though it had not made any contributions in this regard while Pakistan has always been at the forefront of counter-terrorism. This, coupled with Bhuttos unrelenting and hostile attitude and remarks on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, only reinforces the already existing schism between the two countries.

Indias security concerns vis-a-vis Pakistan are well-placed and cannot be dismissed with mere talks of unified and pragmatic responses to fight terrorism. It is no secret that Pakistan has been acting as a safe haven for terrorist organisations for decades, with well-known think tanks such as the Brookings Institution listing it as the worlds most active sponsor of terrorist groups. Former US President, Donald Trump, had also openly reproached the Pakistani government for harbouring terrorists and demanded that they take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

Thus, it comes as no surprise when security analysts paint a grim picture of the future of India-Pakistan relations. Any talk of India and Pakistan needing to fight terrorism together remains meaningless until Rawalpindi decides to truly change.

Bhuttos latest stint at SCO only highlights the great significance the country attaches to the grouping, and only serves as a reminder that Pakistan has no intentions of mellowing its apathy for India, as it will disrupt the status quo that best serves their political agenda. To echo Kanwal Sibals words, Bhutto was a representative of a rogue state (who) engaged in Oxford-accented rogue diplomacy in India.

Esha Banerji is presently associated with a premier think-tank in India, specialising in defence, security, and strategic studies. Her research interest and focuses of analysis are defence strategy, geo-economics, foreign affairs, and the implications of Chinese security developments on the region, especially India. Views expressed are personal.
Manipur is limping back to normalcy after violence had recently hit the Northeastern state on the issue of granting tribal status to the Meitei community in the state. While the immediate trigger point for this violence was a Manipur High Court judgement in favour of the Meitei community, there are much deeper fault lines that need to be addressed to ensure permanent peace in the state.

Demographic Change In The State

Manipur has witnessed an unnatural growth in the number of villages in certain parts of the state. Many of these habitats have come up on government land that has been illegally encroached on. The present government has been trying to remove these encroachments which have been a cause of friction between the authorities and certain sections of the Kuki community that has dominant numbers in these villages. The majority of the Meitei community lives in and around the state capital Imphal whereas Kuki and Nagas dominate the villages and habitats in the hills surrounding Imphal. Manipur shares a border with Myanmar and it has been reported that there has been significant illegal immigration of Kukis from across the border in the state. It also needs to be mentioned that Kukis are primarily Christians whereas the Meitei community is largely Hindu Vaishnavite.

As per the Gazette status in 1969, the number of villages in the Imphal division, where the Meitei community primarily resides, stood at 587. In 2021, the number came down to 544. In Churachandpur, where the violence started after Kukis held a demonstration, the number of villages increased from 216 in 1969 to 544 in 2021. Overall, the number of villages in Manipur increased from 1957 in 1969 to 2788 in 2021. A major chunk of this increase has been in areas where non-Meiteis reside. This is bound to enhance a sense of insecurity among Meiteis as many of them feel they are getting marginalised in their own home state.

Cannabis and Poppy Cultivation

One of the key factors that has been the least discussed in the state of Manipur is the crackdown of the present government on poppy and cannabis cultivation. These are done illegally in the hills and especially close to the border areas. The severe crackdown by the BJP-led government in the state over the last five years had ruffled many feathers and those affected were looking to settle score with authorities and those who backed the present government. From 2013 to 2016, poppy cultivation was destroyed by the authorities on 1889.3 acres of land. During these four years, cannabis cultivation was destroyed on 66 acres of land. From 2017 to 2023, the government upped its ante and poppy cultivation was destroyed on 18668.3 acres of land. Out of this, around 2700 acres of land under illegal poppy cultivation was in Churachandpur.

Criteria for ST status

Meanwhile, there is a larger issue of criteria for including new communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes. Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, the largest voluntary organisation that has been working in the tribal areas for almost seven decades now, passed a resolution in its executive meeting in February 2023 at Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) that brought to the fore the concerns of the tribal communities of India.

According to this resolution titled, the criteria and procedure laid down by law should be strictly followed in the inclusion of new castes in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Article 366 (25) of the Constitution defines Scheduled Tribes. Certain tribes or groups within such tribes or tribal communities shall be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution for the purposes of this Constitution.

Article 342(1) lays down the procedure for this work

The President may, in respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor of that State, by a public notification specify tribes or tribal communities or groups thereof as Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or UT.

The President recognised the list of Scheduled Tribes in different States of the country, the first time by Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

Procedure for inclusion in STs list after 1950

This procedure commences with the recommendation of the concerning State Government for inclusion of any community in the Schedule (List) of the Tribe for the State to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, after due examination, the Ministry forwards it to the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for their consent. Only after the consent of these two authorities, these proposals are sent to the Cabinet, which put these proposals in both the Houses of Parliament. According to Article 342 (2) of the Constitution, the Parliament takes the final decision on all such proposals after 1950.

For inclusion of any new community as a Scheduled Tribe, the RGI and the NCST must follow the criteria laid down by the Lokur Committee, 1965. These prescribed criteria are: signs of primitive traits, distinct culture, geographical isolation, reluctance to contact with wider-other communities and backwardness.

According to ABVKA resolution, Despite having all such provisions, it is noticed that after 1970, due to immediate political gains and under the pressure of dominant communities, many developed, prosperous and like castes were included in the list of Scheduled Tribes ignoring the prescribed criteria and procedures. The castes which were rejected many times by the Registrar General and Tribal Commission of India for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes or gave negative opinion, Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) of the states also refused to add them in the Scheduled of STs based on the criteria of Lokur Committee, how suddenly after 75 years it is added to the list of tribes considering it as socio-economically backwards? How government, constitutional and other bodies like RGI, NCST and TRI, change their reports is beyond understanding. And without fulfilling all such criteria and even before the process is completed as per the rules, a political announcement is made to include them in the Scheduled Tribes.

It further added, No caste or group should be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes only because of having specific customs or different dialect, but it is necessary to fulfil all the above five criteria of Lokur Committee. Otherwise, the purpose for which Scheduled Tribes have been made separate from Scheduled Castes, Nomadic Tribes, and Other Backward Castes, in the Constitution of India, will have no meaning.

Expressing concern over the growing clamour for inclusion in the ST list, the ABVKA resolution pointed out, Owing to this reason, many other castes are competing to include themselves in the list of Scheduled Tribes today. In such a situation, the reservation of jobs and admission for higher education for the real-true Scheduled Tribes, living in geographical isolation and who are economically backward and are backwardness is not only affected, but also their lands are being grabbed by influential dummy tribes. Dominant castes are buying by coming in the list of Scheduled Tribes. As a result, an atmosphere of discontent, unrest and anger is being created in many tribal areas of the country. We can observe such examples in many States.

Another related issue arises; when new castes were included in the list of Scheduled Tribes after 1950; the population of STs increased due to such inclusion, accordingly the reservation provided to STs at the Centre and different states should also be increased proportionately, but this never happened, the resolution said.

In this context, the executive body of Akhil Bhartiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram had urged the Central government to take care of all the above aspects in the inclusion of new castes in the list of Scheduled Tribes. It also called upon the Janjati (tribal) society, especially its socio-political leaders, elected public representatives and the youths to create public awareness in the society to impress upon the governments by all available constitutional means. In doing so, not only their constitutional rights will be protected and anger and unrest in the tribal area will be removed, but this is necessary for the development of any country.

The writer, an author and columnist has written several books. He tweets @ArunAnandLive. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharastra minister Aaditya Thackeray met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday and discussed current political developments.

top videos

Kejriwal posted pictures of his meeting with Thackeray on Twitter.

I got an opportunity to host Aaditya Thackeray at my residence today. I held a detailed conversation with him on the current political developments", the AAP national convenor tweeted
Bangladeshi authorities on Saturday initiated a significant evacuation operation, aiming to relocate approximately 500,000 individuals residing along the southeastern coastlines. This urgent measure comes in response to the imminent landfall of a highly perilous tropical cyclone, which poses a severe threat to the worlds largest Rohingya refugee camp.

Christened Cyclone Mocha, this formidable cyclone is anticipated to approach the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Sunday, marking one of the most intense cyclonic events witnessed in Bangladesh in almost twenty years.

Cyclone Mocha is coming. We have kept the cyclone centres and taken all types of preparations to tackle it," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.

Lets Look At Some of The Updates

-Cyclone Mocha Hits Bangladesh

The peripheral effect of Cyclone Mocha has begun over the coastal areas of Chattorgram and Barishal divisions, according to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka Tribune reported.

According to BMD, Cyclone Mocha is moving towards the coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar with winds up to 210 km/h.

-Cyclone Mocha to Make Landfall Along Myanmar-Bangladesh Coast Today

The extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha" is likely to cross between Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar and Myanmars Kyaukpyu, close to Sittwe around Sunday noon, said Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The ESCS Mocha" lay centered at 0530hrs IST of 14th May 2023 over Northeast & adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal near lat 18.7N & long 91.5E. Its likely to cross between Coxs Bazar (Bangladesh) & Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) around noon of today," IMD tweeted.

-Evacuation Drive Taken By Authorities

The evacuation drive was taken as the maritime port of Coxs Bazar has been advised to hoist danger signal no 10 as Cyclone Mocha is likely to intensify further and move in a north-north-westerly direction.

Meteorologists said the storms path is set to affect Bangladeshs southeastern border district of Coxs Bazar where over a million Rohingya refugees live.

-30k Rohingyas Shifted to Shelters

Bangladeshi authorities have set up 55 shelters at Bhasan Char offshore island, where nearly 30,000 of the Rohingya refugees have been relocated from the mainland.

Bangladesh exclusively dedicated the Bhasan Char to the Rohingyas though most of them live in the mainland of Coxs Bazar adjacent to Myanmar borders.

Most of them fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.

-Authorities Run Campaign

Deputy commissioner or administrative chief of the coastal district Muhammad Shahin Imran told reporters that around 8,600 Red Crescent volunteers have joined the campaign asking people to relocate even as the district administration has mobilised transports to carry them to shelters.

-Cyclone Mocha Continue To Move North

Bangladeshs Met Office in its latest special weather bulletin said Cyclone Mocha continued to move to the north-northwest packing winds up to 175 kilometres per hour.

The cyclone could cause tidal surges from 8 to 12 feet beyond the normal tide, an official in the Met Office said.

-Cyclone May Disrupt Electricity Supplies

Prime Minister Hasina warned that the cyclone could disrupt electricity and gas supplies and particularly cause water stagnation in coastal areas.

This cyclone (Mocha) is the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr of 2007," chief meteorologist Azizur Rahman said.

Bangladesh Launches Massive Evacuation Operation as Cyclone Mocha Threatens to Wreak Havoc in Coastal Region

-WMO Fears Cyclone May Inundate Low-Lying Areas

On Friday, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) feared a storm surge of 2-2.5 metres over the weekend that was likely to inundate low-lying areas of North Myanmar as well as parts of Bangladesh where flash floods and landslides were also possible.

Its a very dangerous cyclone and is associated with violent winds. There will be major impacts both ahead and after landfall for potentially hundreds of thousands of the worlds most vulnerable people," WMO spokesman Clare Nullis told a press briefing in Geneva.

-People Evacuated From Tip of Cox Bazar

Meanwhile, thousands have been relocated from Saint Martin Island, which is situated about 9 km south of the tip of Coxs Bazar-Teknaf peninsula.

Junior minister for disaster management Enamur Rahman said six districts stretching along the southern coastlines could witness severe tidal surges.

-Cyclone May Cause Landslide in Hilly Areas

The deputy commissioner said the cyclonic storm might cause landslides in the hilly areas of the district and works were underway to relocate people living in risky points of foothills to safer places.

top videos

UN refugee agency spokesperson Olga Sarrado said preparations were underway for a partial evacuation of the Rohingya refugee camp if needed.

The agency was also preparing tens of thousands of hot meals and jerrycans, she said.
Cyclone Mocha, one of the most powerful cyclones in Bay of Bengal, began to crash ashore at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Sunday, uprooting trees and bringing driving rain to a region home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees.

Packing winds of up to 195 kilometres (120 miles) per hour Mocha hit between Coxs Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in camps largely made up of flimsy shelters, and Myanmars Sittwe, the office said.

top videos

Here are the latest updates on Cyclone Mocha:
A ceasefire took effect in and around the Gaza Strip on Saturday after five days of cross-border exchanges that have killed at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza and two people in Israel.

The truce was due to take effect at 10:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), Egyptian and Palestinian sources said.

But in the final 30 minutes running up to 1900 GMT, dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, prompting renewed air strikes, AFP correspondents in the territory said.

Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defences.

A few more rockets were still fired after 1900 GMT, followed by fresh Israeli strikes before things appeared to calm down.

Hundreds of people then began to emerge into the streets of Gaza, after days during which they have been empty.

Two rockets were fired from Gaza after 11:00 pm local time with no victims, the Israeli army said.

Egypt, a longtime mediator in Gaza, secured the agreement of both Israel and Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad to its latest ceasefire proposal, an Egyptian security official said.

Israels National Security Adviser Tsahi Hanegbi thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and expressed the State of Israels appreciation for Egypts vigorous efforts to bring about a ceasefire," a statement from the Israeli prime ministers office said.

Israels response to the Egyptian initiative means quiet will be answered by quiet, and if Israel is attacked or be threatened it will continue to do everything it needs to do in order to defend itself", he said.

A Palestinian source confirmed Islamic Jihads agreement.

We want to thank Egypt for its efforts," Islamic Jihad political department official Mohammad al-Hindi told AFP. He has been in Cairo since the fighting erupted on Tuesday.

On Saturday, Israel had again pounded Gaza with air strikes targeting Islamic Jihad following a new barrage of rocket fire into Israel to mark the funeral of its military commander Iyad al-Hassani, who was killed on Friday.

What have we done?

For days, life in Gaza and in Israeli communities near the border has been a daily routine of air strikes and sirens warning of incoming rocket fire.

Residents in the crowded Gaza Strip cowered indoors as the fighting raged, with streets empty and only a few shops and pharmacies open.

The whole Palestinian people are suffering," Muhammad Muhanna, 58, told AFP in the ruins of his home. What have we done?"

In Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, a dead donkey lay in the ruins of a row of buildings levelled in an Israeli strike.

No one is safe in their homes," said Imad Rayan, 64.

A spokesman for the interior ministry in Gaza said on the final day of its campaign the Israeli military had concentrated on targeting civilians, residential and civilian buildings".

There had been mounting calls for a ceasefire to be agreed, including from Israels closest ally, the United States.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, in a call to Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, stressed the urgency of reaching a ceasefire agreement in order to prevent any further loss of civilian life", the State Department said.

Egypt had kept up its mediation effort despite repeated setbacks.

On Saturday, shrapnel from a rocket fired from Gaza hit a building site in Sdot Negev, just over the border into Israel, killing one man and wounding another. Both were day labourers from Gaza.

Islamic Jihad said its fighters were pursuing missile strikes on Israeli cities" in revenge for Israeli assassinations" of their commanders and strikes on populated areas.

The exchange of fire came after the Palestinian health ministry reported the death of two men aged 19 and 32 in an Israeli army raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

The Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said the two men killed in the raid were members of its armed wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

Deadliest fighting since August

The current bout of violence erupted on Tuesday when Israeli strikes on Gaza killed three leading Islamic Jihad members. Three other senior figures from the Palestinian militant group were killed in later strikes.

They are among at least 33 lives lost in the fighting inside Gaza, according to the territorys health ministry.

There have been two deaths in Israel, one of them the Gazan day labourer.

The army said nearly 1,100 rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel in the current fighting, including 300 intercepted by its air defences.

Gaza, a coastal enclave that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, has been plagued by poverty and unemployment since Israel imposed a blockade in 2007 when the Islamist movement Hamas took control.

The territory has seen numerous wars between militant groups and Israel since the Hamas takeover.

top videos

This weeks fighting was the worst in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since an August flare-up that killed nearly 50 Palestinians.

The conflict has escalated since veteran Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power late last year, heading a coalition with extreme right and ultra-Orthodox parties.
Calm returned to Gaza Sunday as a fragile ceasefire ending five days of fighting held, leaving Palestinians and Israelis to count the cost of cross-border fire which has killed dozens.

Fishermen took to their boats in the coastal Palestinian enclave, as Gazans emerged from sheltering in their homes during the fierce exchange of fire.

The fighting broke out Tuesday with Israeli strikes on the Islamic Jihad militant group. It ceased late Saturday following days of truce talks led by Egypt.

As the skies fell silent, residents were left to mourn the 33 people killed in the Gaza Strip, as well as the two in Israel  a Palestinian labourer from the blockaded territory and an elderly Israeli.

After the ceasefire took effect, ambulances and fire trucks drove in convoy in Gaza while Palestinians gathered in the streets to celebrate.

More than 50 homes were destroyed and around 950 people displaced in Gaza, said the United Nations citing local officials.

Were on the street, theres no home for my children or their children," said Mohammed al-Louh, whose house was destroyed by Israeli strikes.

After the ceasefire, we have an ongoing tragedy because of the great scale of the destruction," his relative said, standing beside the rubble.

Medics said 190 people were wounded in Gaza and 30 in Israel  seven with injuries resulting from Palestinian rocket fire and the rest while heading to shelters.

Authorities on Sunday lifted movement restrictions imposed on Israelis living near the Gaza border.

In the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon, resident Michelle Weiss warned the fighting is not finished".

Now Im free, now I can go out, go to the sea, go to walk, but I know it will begin again," she told AFP by the beach.

- Quiet met with quiet -

UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland welcomed the truce and said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries".

Pope Francis said weapons will not bring security and stability" to Israelis and Palestinians.

On the contrary, they will continue to destroy any hope of peace," the pontiff said during his Sunday address at the Vatican.

Sunday also saw Israel re-open its two crossings with Gaza, also paving the way for supplies of medicine, food and fuel to reach the impoverished territory.

The closure had affected Palestinians with work permits or permission to access essential medical treatment not available in Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Islamist group Hamas rose to power in 2007.

While Israel and Islamic Jihad committed to the ceasefire, both warned they would not hesitate to resume fire if the other side violated the agreement.

Quiet will be met with quiet," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

Today Israels enemies in Gaza and far beyond know that even if they try to hide, we can - and will  get to them," the premier said at the start of Sundays cabinet meeting, calling the military operation perfect".

Tariq Salmi, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, said if Israel commits any foolish act or any assassination the resistance will resume where it left off".

But as calm returned in Gaza, violence persisted in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli forces raided central Nablus early Sunday, sparking clashes with Palestinian residents, according to an AFP photographer.

An army statement said troops had arrested two people suspected of shooting at soldiers in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least six top figures from Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

top videos

At least six children and multiple civilians were also among the dead in Gaza.

Islamic Jihad responded to the Israeli strikes with volleys of rocket fire, prompting sirens to blare as Israels defence system intercepted most of the projectiles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. According to the instructions of President of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the work carried out in the field of further increasing the level of training of the military personnel serving in the Azerbaijan Army and the combat capability of the units continues, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan.

The first graduation ceremony of the advanced training course for candidates who will be appointed to the positions of company (battery) commander, aviation squad commander and equivalent positions, as well as servicemen assigned to these positions, was held at the Training and Educational Center of the Air Force in accordance with the combat training plan of the current year.

First, the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

The speakers conveyed the congratulations of the Commander of the Air Force, to the graduates. They noted the importance of such courses in raising the level of professionalism of military personnel and increasing their combat capability, and wished the officers success in their future service.
Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from the coasts of Myanmar and Bangladesh on Saturday as the regions most powerful cyclone for over a decade churned across the Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Mocha was packing winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour (149 miles per hour), according to the Zoom Earth website, which classed it as a Super Cyclone.

A dangerous category four on the Saffir-Simpson scale, it was expected to weaken before making landfall on Sunday morning between Coxs Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in camps largely made up of flimsy shelters, and Sittwe on Myanmars western Rakhine coast.

But Bangladeshi authorities moved 190,000 people in Coxs Bazar and nearly 100,000 in Chittagong to safety, divisional commissioner Aminur Rahman told AFP late Saturday.

They were evacuated to nearly 4,000 cyclone shelters," he said.

Forecasters in Dhaka were predicting a storm surge up to nearly four metres (12 feet) high, which could inundate low-lying coastal and riverine villages.

On the other side of the border, Sittwe residents piled possessions and pets into cars, trucks and tuk-tuks and headed for higher ground on Saturday, AFP reporters saw.

We have our grandma in our family and we have to take care of her," Khine Min told AFP from a truck packed with his relatives on a road out of the state capital.

There is only one man left in Sittwe to take care of our homes."

Shops and markets in the town of about 150,000 people were shuttered, with many locals sheltering in monasteries.

Kyaw Tin, 40, said he could not leave the area as his son was in a local hospital.

I hope this cyclone wont come to our state. But if this fate happens we cant ignore it," he said.

Im worried that this cyclone will affect our state just like Nargis did," he added  a 2008 storm that killed more than 130,000 people.

Myanmars junta authorities were supervising evacuations from villages along the Rakhine coast, state media reported Friday.

Myanmar Airways International said all its flights to Rakhine state had been suspended until Monday.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society said it was preparing for a major emergency response."

Panic

In Bangladesh, authorities have banned the Rohingya refugees from constructing concrete homes, fearing it may incentivise them to settle permanently rather than return to Myanmar, which they fled five years ago following a brutal military crackdown.

We live in houses made of tarpaulin and bamboo," said refugee Enam Ahmed, at the Nayapara camp near the border town of Teknaf.

We are scared. We dont know where we will be sheltered."

The camps are generally slightly inland, but most of them are built on hillsides, exposing them to the threat of landslides.

Forecasters expect the cyclone to bring a deluge of rain, which can trigger landslips.

Officials moved to evacuate Rohingya refugees from risky areas" to community centres and more solid structures such as schools, but Bangladeshs deputy refugee commissioner Shamsud Douza told AFP: All the Rohingyas in the camps are at risk."

Hundreds of people also fled Saint Martins island, a local resort area right in the storms path, with thousands more moving to cyclone shelters on the coral outcrop.

Cyclone Mocha is the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr," Azizur Rahman, the head of Bangladeshs Meteorological Department, told AFP.

That cyclone hit Bangladeshs southern coast in November 2007, killing more than 3,000 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.

Rohingya living in displacement camps inside Myanmar were also bracing for the storm.

We are very worried. We can be in danger if the water level increases," said a camp leader near Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions from the junta.

top videos

There are about 1000 people at the camp The authorities only gave us rice bags, oil and five life jackets. Local authorities havent arranged any place for us."

Operations were suspended at Bangladeshs largest seaport, Chittagong, with boat transport and fishing also halted.
The first ministerial level meeting of India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will be held on May 16 in Brussels to discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade and investments, an official statement said on Sunday.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal is one of the co-chairs along with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Union minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the commerce ministry said in a statement.

The EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) Dombrovskis and Vestager.

It said that three working groups under the mechanism will report on roadmaps for future cooperation between the two sides  Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity; Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and Working Group on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

The first ministerial meeting will lay the roadmap for the cooperation under all three working groups and provide direction to achieve desired outcomes before the next ministerial meeting in the coming year, it added.

During the high level meetings with senior leadership of the European Union as well as Belgium various issues would come up for discussions and that include ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA), addressing issues of mutual market access, reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The working group on trade, investment and resilient value chains is steered by the Department of Commerce and the first meeting of the working group was co-chaired by commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal and Sabine Weyand, Director General for Trade, from respective sides.

The formation of the TTC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission in New Delhi, in April, 2022 with the objective of creating a high-level coordination platform to tackle strategic challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security.

The ministry said that on May 15, Goyal will have a bilateral meeting with EVP Dombrovskis followed by stakeholder consultations in the presence of business leaders of both the sides.

He would also participate in a meeting which would involve a discussion over the economic footprint of Belgium enterprises in India along with further plans of investments in India.

Besides, the three Indian ministers would also call on the Belgian prime minister as well as the president of the European Commission.

On May 16, Goyal would attend a stakeholder event for working groups 1 and 2. Group 1 focusses on digital governance and connectivity while Group 2 deals with clean and green energy technologies.

He will also hold a bilateral meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Trade Thierry Breton, wherein issues pertaining to the SME sector, startup ecosystem and e-commerce will be deliberated upon.

India had started negotiations for a trade pact with the EU in 2007 but the talks stalled in 2013 as both sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues, including customs duties on automobiles and spirits and the movement of professionals.

Indias merchandise exports to EU member countries stood at about USD 65 billion in 2021-22, while imports aggregated at USD 51.4 billion.

top videos

In 2022-23, the exports aggregated at USD 67 billion, while imports stood at USD 54.4 billion in the last fiscal.

The EU accounts for 16.4 per cent share in Indias exports and about 8.3 per cent share in imports in the last financial year.
India is planning to launch a campaign to repatriate items in British museums and held by the royal family, including the controversial Kohinoor diamond, later this year, a report has claimed.

The Narendra Modi-led government is preparing one of the largest repatriation claims faced by the UK, considered to be even bigger than Greeces demands for the Elgin Marbles, The Daily Telegraph said in a report.

The report also said that the issue is among the priorities of the PM Modis government and likely to spill over into diplomatic and trade talks between the two countries.

While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is said to be leading efforts to reclaim objects sent out of the country since independence, officials are believed to be coordinating with diplomats in London to make formal requests to institutions holding artefacts seized as spoils of war" or collected by enthusiasts during colonial rule.

The long work of repatriation will begin with what is considered the easiest targets, small museums and private collectors, who may be more willing to voluntarily hand over Indian artefacts, and then efforts will turn to larger institutions and Royal collections, the report said.

Union culture secretary Govind Mohan said that returning antiquities from the UK would form a key part of Indias policy-making.

It is of huge importance to the government. The thrust of this effort to repatriate Indias artefacts comes from the personal commitment of prime minister Narendra Modi, who has made it a major priority, he reportedly said.

According to the report, the Oxfords Ashmolean Museum has already been approached regarding a bronze idol taken from a South Indian temple.

Sathnam Sanghera, a leading writer on British Empire, said it is inevitable that the Indian jewels and artefacts looted under colonial rule will be returned.

Our museums and the royal family are in possession of billions of pounds worth of Indian loot. It was a systematic part of colonial rule. The royal family was given the kings share of that loot. When we annexed parts of India and Burma (now Myanmar), there were representatives of our museums there to take things, soldiers took loot and sold it, Sanghera told The Guardian.

These countries are future superpowers or superpowers already, they are not going to shut up about it, he added.

The Kohinoor, also known as Koh-i-Noor or mountain of light in Persian, was in the spotlight at last weeks Coronation with Queen Camilla averting a diplomatic row by choosing alternative diamonds for her consorts crown.

The 105-carat diamond was held by rulers in India before landing in the hands of the East India Company from Maharaja Ranjit Singhs treasury and then being presented to Queen Victoria following the annexation of Punjab.

In New Delhi, a senior official of the ASI said concerted efforts are being made to repatriate artefacts from out of the country.

top videos

Since Independence, 251 artefacts have been brought back to India, and 238 of these have been repatriated since 2014," ASI spokesperson Vasant Swarnkar said.

Besides, about 100 artefacts are in the process of being repatriated, from countries including the UK, and the US," he said.
Two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters were shot down on Saturday in a southern Russian region bordering Ukraine.

According to a report in Reuters, a Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters were part of a raiding party when the accident occurred.

According to preliminary data  the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up - among other things to pick up the Su crews if they were shot down, the report quoted Kommersant, a respected, independent business-focused daily, as saying.

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region in southern Russia, confirmed that one helicopter was crashed in the town of Klintsy. He did not say what happened to the crew but added that a woman suffered injuries and was hospitalised.

The Day of destroying russian aviation Su-34 & Su-35 aircraft and two Mi-8 helicopters could probably have been shot down by russian air defence, reports ru media. The Ministry of Defence of the russian federation has not yet commented. pic.twitter.com/5UIpQgpdyG  Maria Drutska  (@maria_drutska) May 13, 2023

Meanwhile, videos emerged on social media showing a helicopter shot down over Russias Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.

The Russian state news agency TASS said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause.

TASS also cited an emergency services official as saying an engine fire in a helicopter had caused it to crash near Klintsy, which is about 40 km (25 miles) from the border. It made no mention of the Su-35, or of a second helicopter.

However, a video posted on the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel, which has about half a million followers, showed a helicopter high in the sky suffering an explosion, being thrown off course and then plunging towards the ground in flames.

Comments accompanying the video said it showed a Mi-8 being shot down by a missile. Other images posted by the channel showed wreckage in an agricultural field.

Kommersant provided no evidence for its report that four aircraft had been downed, but the same assertion was also made by several heavily followed pro-war military bloggers.

Voyenniy Osvedomitel said it appeared that most likely, the enemy staged an ambush with air defences previously transferred to a border zone close enough to hit our group".

It said the downed helicopters appeared to be Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare craft able to jam enemy radio and targeting signals.

Kommersant said all four crews had been killed.

There was no official response from Ukraine, which usually declines to comment on reports of attacks inside Russia.

top videos

However, in a tweet, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called the incident Justice  and instant karma".

(With inputs from Reuters)
Pakistans former prime minister Imran Khan blamed the countrys powerful army for his arrest in his first address after an Islamabad court set him free. Khan returned to his Lahore home on Saturday after having locked himself in the Islamabad High Court premises for hours for fear of re-arrest despite being granted bail on Friday.

Addressing the nation from his Lahore home on Saturday, Khan questioned the army for not raising their voice against the US surgical operation in Pakistan. He said that he was the one to raise the voice and added that the spokesperson of the armys military wing was not even born when he represented Pakistan in the world.

His remarks came in response to ISPR Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhrys statement in which he called Khan a hypocrite".

Khan said the Pakistan army should be ashamed of jumping into politics and suggested that it should form its own political party.

I kept Pakistans flag high world over. Never has ISPR made such a statement. You should be ashamed of yourself. You have jumped into politics. Why dont you make a political party," Khan said in an hour-long maiden speech after the Islamabad High Court gave him blanket relief in all 145 cases registered against him.

He also attacked the Shehbaz Sharif government and said that the ruling coalition feared of defeat in the elections and wants anarchy in the country.

The government parties do not want the elections because they know they will be completely wiped out. That is why they planned this conspiracy (attack on military installations) and ran away from elections," he said.

I know, who wants to create anarchy in the country and take benefit of the tense situation, he added.

top videos

In a major relief to Khan, the Islamabad High Court on Friday granted him protective bail for two weeks in a corruption case and barred the authorities from arresting the former Pakistan prime minister in any case registered anywhere in the country until Monday.

Khan distanced himself from violent protests that erupted in the wake of his arrest on Tuesday from IHC premises by Pakistan Rangers, asserting that violence and vandalism is not my philosophy.
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan have agreed to forge closer economic ties by extending the Beijing-backed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan to fully harness the countrys potential as a hub for regional connectivity.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang and Afghanistans Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi held the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue, where they also underlined the need to prevent any group from using their territories for terror activities against any nation.

The ministers held in-depth talks on various issues and reached common understandings on good neighbourliness, mutual trust, security cooperation, counterterrorism, connectivity and trade and investment, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a media briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

The three countries reiterated their resolve to fully harness Afghanistans potential as a hub for regional connectivity and reaffirmed their commitment to further the trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, according to a joint statement issued on Monday, two days after the meeting here on May 6.

The USD 60 billion CPEC aims to connect Pakistans Gwadar port in Balochistan with Chinas Xinjiang province. India has objected to the CPEC as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The CPEC is officially regarded as the flagship project of Chinas multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  the pet project of President Xi Jinping.

This was the first foreign ministers dialogue between the three countries since the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, and marked the resumption of the mechanism, Wang said.

China asserted that jointly the three countries could set an example of cooperation among neighbours on hotspot issues and promote regional stability and prosperity, Wang said, quoting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin.

The three foreign ministers stressed the importance of existing projects, including CASA-1000, TAPI, Trans-Afghan Railways etc., to enhance regional connectivity and ensure economic uplift and prosperity for the regions people.

While agreeing to enhance transit trade through Gwadar Port, the three parties emphasised the need to push forward hard connectivity in infrastructure and soft connectivity in norms and standards while further exploring the facilitating measures for the movement of people and trade activities between the three countries.

In the statement, they stressed the need to prohibit any individual, group or party, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a terror group operating in Chinas Xinjiang region, to use the territories of the three nations to harm and threaten regional security and interests.

They also underscored the need to refrain from intervening in Afghanistans internal affairs and promote peace, stability and reconstruction there.

The three sides asserted the need to tackle security challenges posing a serious threat to regional and global security, directly impacting the entire regions stability and economic prosperity.

The ministers stressed the importance of exploring realistic pathways towards the revival of the Afghan economy, agreeing to consider further supporting its reconstruction and exploring trilateral investment possibilities for industrialisation and job creation.

They also stressed the importance of sustained and urgent humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan, underlining that it must remain delinked from any political situation.

The three sides reaffirmed continued cooperation in areas of mutual interest like economic development, capacity building, and improving livelihoods and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields such as agriculture, trade, energy, capacity building, and border management, among other areas.

top videos

The three countries also urged the international community to assist Afghanistan to counter the cultivation of narcotics effectively and develop alternative crops to enhance its capacity for independent and sustainable development. They called on relevant countries to lift unilateral sanctions against Kabul, return the assets overseas for the benefit of the Afghan people, and create opportunities for economic development and prosperity in the country.

The three sides emphasised their commitment to continuing the trilateral cooperation mechanism, including the Director-General Level Practical Cooperation Dialogue and forging closer, good-neighbourly relations and partnerships.
Sudan has long sent mercenaries abroad, but now the country itself has become a battleground for foreign fighters and shadowy military backers lured by money and gold, experts say.

Armed fortune seekers" are flooding into the fight from across Africas Sahel region including Mali, Chad and Niger, UN special representative Volker Perthes has said, warning that their number is not insignificant".

Sudans army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has accused the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of recruiting fighters from troubled nearby countries, including mercenaries from Chad, the Central African Republic and Niger".

Sudans army has claimed to have killed a foreign sniper" in the ranks of the RSF, and witnesses in Khartoum say they have heard some RSF paramilitaries speak French, the language of neighbouring Chad.

For the past month, Sudan has been rocked by deadly battles between de facto leader Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemeti.

The RSF under Daglo, a former camel trader, emerged out of the notorious Janjaweed militias which from 2003 pillaged villages in the Darfur region where they were accused of widespread atrocities and war crimes.

In recent years the RSF has sent guns for hire into the Yemen war, on the side of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against Iran-backed Huthi rebels, and to Libya, in support of different camps including eastern-based general Khalifa Haftar.

Washington and Brussels charge the RSF has ties with Russias Wagner mercenary group, which is fighting in Ukraine and has long been active in multiple African countries, including Libya where it backed Haftar.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin recently insisted that for two years, not a single Wagner fighter has been present in Sudan. And today there is none".

Cameron Hudson, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the Wagner group is not fighting in Sudan, but they have technical advisors".

- Death and destruction -

The European Union in February imposed new sanctions against Wagner, accusing it of human rights abuses in Ukraine as well as Sudan, Mali and CAR.

After major fighting erupted in Sudan in mid-April, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced deep concern about the engagement" of Wagner there, charging that the group brings more death and destruction" wherever it operates.

Western diplomats have reported seeing groups of mercenaries frequently passing through Khartoums airport and hotels since the CAR government in 2018 called on Wagner to help repress a rebellion.

Daglos family has long controlled gold mines in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan, Africas third-largest producer of the precious metal that has also attracted the attention of Wagner.

The US Treasury has accused Prigozhin of operating shadow companies in Sudan that were awarded gold-mining concessions, and the latest EU sanctions also targeted gold companies linked to Wagner in Sudan.

For Daglo, gold has provided a revenue stream to pay fighters, said Andreas Krieg, associate professor of security studies at Kings College London.

The fact that Hemeti has access to quite a lot of gold wealth and avenues to bring it to market means he can pay salaries in a way that many in sub-Saharan Africa or the Sahel cannot," Krieg told AFP.

We had people from Chad join the RSF as well over the years looking for salaries."

- Boutique security firms -

Hemeti hails from western Darfurs pastoralist Arab Rizeigat people and has family roots in Chad, with which Sudan shares a long and porous border.

Sudanese militias have long padded their ranks by offering Chadian Arabs access to Sudanese citizenship and land abandoned by displaced non-Arabs", the Small Arms Survey research project found in 2017.

The RSF in its recent social media campaign has published videos of fighters in Chad and Niger voicing their support for them.

While the RSF can draw on fighters from Chad and elsewhere, it is believed to receive weapons from Libya, analysts say.

Krieg said that areas under Haftars control are now a likely hub and node to deliver arms and supplies to the RSF". Weapons sent there in the past by the UAE could now be proliferated with plausible deniability to the RSF", he said.

Sudan specialist Alex de Waal said that money and fighters are interchangeable currencies in Sudans political marketplace, and Hemeti trades in both".

The RSF is now a private transnational mercenary enterprise," de Waal wrote in a recent analysis. Its a gold-mining and gold-trading operation and the enforcement arm of Hemetis ever expanding commercial empire."

If the RSF wins, de Waal predicted, the Sudanese state will become a subsidiary of this transnational venture".

top videos

Meanwhile Sudans conflict has also fuelled another business line for professional soldiers, who have offered desperate foreigners with the means of a chance to flee the country, said Hudson.

For those who could not get a spot on mass evacuations, he said, a number of small boutique private companies, mainly retired British special forces operators, were evacuating people for a large fee, up to $20,000-50,000."
A retired civil servant who few outside Turkey have heard of has pushed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into an election runoff  the first of the countrys post-Ottoman history.

It was a bittersweet result that left Kemal Kilicdaroglus supporters frustrated following a heated night of vote counting in Turkeys most important election of modern times.

Nearly complete results showed Erdogan picking up 49 percent of the ballot and the secular opposition leader collecting around 45 percent.

Pre-election polls had shown Kilicdaroglu within a whisker of breaking the 50-percent threshold needed for outright victory.

The lira fell against the euro on investor disappointment that Erdogans era of unconventional economics was not coming to an immediate end.

But it still marked a historic achievement for the 74-year-old leader of the strongest opposition alliance to face the man who has never lost a national vote over his two-decade rule.

Kilicdaroglu claimed his own partys tallies showed that he was leading and urged supporters to guard ballot boxes while the last votes were being counted.

Dont be afraid of the nations will," he told Turkeys election officials early Monday.

The runoff on May 28 will present Kilicdaroglu with a chance to reverse a dire electoral record that has seen him lose his 2009 bid to become mayor of Istanbul and then half a dozen national votes to Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted party.

That record nearly broke the six-party opposition alliance when he announced his intention to challenge Erdogan.

The anti-Erdogan coalition agreed to back his candidacy after arguing about it for a year. They rallied around him after the first-round result.

We are winning," Kilicdaroglus nationalist ally Meral Aksener tweeted as the outcome became clear.

- No ambitions -

The soft-spoken Kilicdaroglu is a study of contrasts to the brash and bombastic Erdogan  a populist whose gift for campaigning has helped him become Turkeys longest-serving leader.

His silver mane and square glasses give Kilicdaroglu a professorial air that betrays his background as an accountant who worked his way up to head Turkeys social security agency.

The campaign has seen him ignore Erdogans personal attacks and instead highlight the hardships all Turks have suffered over years of political and economic turmoil.

One of his main pledges involves handing many of the powers Erdogan has amassed in the last decade of his rule to parliament.

He then promises to leave office and make way for a younger generation of leaders who have joined his multi-faceted team.

Im not someone with ambitions," he said ahead of the vote.

His dream was to restore democracy" and then sit in a corner, playing with my grandchildren".

- Kitchen chats -

Kilicdaroglus support has been helped in no small part by a cost-of-living crisis that analysts  and plenty of Turkish voters  pin on Erdogans unorthodox economic beliefs.

But it is backed up by a viral social media campaign that bypasses the states stranglehold on television by speaking to voters in snappy clips recorded from his retro-tiled kitchen.

These heart-to-heart chats get millions of views and tend to address topics that rarely appear in pro-government media.

One of the most famous saw Kilicdaroglu break taboos by talking about being Alevi.

The group has been targeted by decades of violent repressions because it follows a more spiritual Islamic tradition that separates it from both Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Erdogan once accused Alevis of inventing a new religion".

God gave me my life," Kilicdaroglu said in the video. I am not sinful."

The late-night post racked up nearly 50 million views on Twitter by the following morning.

- Steely edge -

Some of his other policies have a steelier edge that evoke the nationalism of Turkeys founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk  the first and most important leader of his Republican Peoples Party (CHP).

Kilicdaroglu vows to send nearly four million Syrians who fled civil war back to their homeland within two years.

He said the issue was not one of race" but of resources" in Turkey during its economic malaise.

Kilicdaroglu reaffirms that message by recalling his own humble upbringing in the Kurdish Alevi province of Tunceli.

washing machine

We didnt have a fridge,or dishwasher," he once said.

He later invited reporters to his pitch-black apartment to discuss his decision to stop paying his electricity bills.

top videos

It was a campaign-savvy statement of solidarity with Turkeys inflation-hit voters that tried to bridge political divides.

This is my struggle to claim your rights," he said next to an old-fashioned lantern casting a glow across his desk.
South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said his country had resolved a dispute with the U.S. over allegations that Pretoria supplied weapons to Russia, and South Africa is unlikely to face U.S. repercussions, Bloomberg News reported Godongwana said in an interview on Sunday.

A number of actions were taken in order to ensure that our relationship with the US remains and that relationship should be normal and cordial, the minister told Bloomberg in an interview in Cape Town on Sunday.

The Americans are not likely to respond with any anger tomorrow.

top videos

The U.S. envoy to South Africa said last week he was confident that a Russian ship had picked up weapons in South Africa in December, in a possible breach of Pretorias declared neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

A South African minister responsible for arms control and a foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday that South Africa had not approved any arms shipment to Russia in December.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
More than 14,000 old, disconnected wells are still sitting in the Gulf of Mexico, a legacy of 85 years of oil and gas drilling. They're not just an eyesore: The wells, which now outnumber working wells, could leak oil and other pollutants into the water that might then reach the shore of the northern Gulf Coast, the New York Times reports. A new study has estimated the cost of solving the problem by capping the wells: more than $30 billion. Another issue is who would pay for it.

The study, published in the journal Nature Energy, found that almost 90% of those wells that are in federal waters have been owned by major oil companies such as BP, Shell, and Exxon. US law holds those companies responsible for cleanup costs even if they no longer own the wells, researchers wrote. State laws, too, require the companies to securely plug wells not in use. Still, the tab can fall to taxpayers. The 2021 infrastructure law includes $4.7 billion for plugging the wellsa drop in the bucket. "For federal waters, these companies with deep pockets would be on the hook," said a co-author of the study. "Theres someone to go after." The companies mentioned in the study did not respond to Times requests for comment. (Read more Gulf of Mexico stories.)
Many considered Frances DiMare a victim when she died in 2006 at age 82. Four decades earlier, she told police that she and her husband were kidnapped at gunpoint and Joseph DiMare was fatally shot in the head. Miami-Dade police now say her story was a lie. "Investigators met with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office who all agree that there is no credible evidence to support that anyone other than Frances DiMare is the person responsible for the killing," the department says, per NBC News. Then in her 30s, Frances DiMare inherited a third of the 53-year-old wealthy businessman's estate, more than $200,000. She remarried twice, and though she was considered a murder suspect by police, she was never charged.

She told police that she and her husband, of North Miami, were heading to dinner when two men jumped into the backseat of their car at an intersection and forced Frances to drive to a vacant lot. DiMare said she was robbed of her belongings, including her shoes, then pistol-whipped to the point of losing consciousness, per Inside Edition. She said she awoke to find her husband dead in the driver's seat. It was March 24, 1961. Six decades later, police believe Joseph DiMare was actually killed in his garage with his own pistol, which was likely thrown over a bridge as Frances drove. Investigators determined the fatal shots came from the driver's seat, implicating his wife.

However, authorities aren't certain Frances DiMare pulled the trigger. They say she may have had accomplices. According to WTVJ's reporting, she had previously tried to hire a hitman without success. Her alleged motive was financial gain. Amid a pending divorce, she learned her husband had changed his will to state that she would only be a beneficiary in the event of his death if she was living with him. She had been living in Ohio but then returned to the couple's Florida home, volunteer investigator Paul Novack tells WTVJ. He adds the case should have been solved much earlier, perhaps on the very night of the murder, if not for "corrupt influences that derailed the case," per the Miami Herald.

At the time, police questioned how Frances was able to run barefoot across a gravel road and field to reach a gas station, where she called for help, without sustaining scrapes. A female officer of similar size carried out the task but "her feet were bruised, bloodied," Det. Jonathan Grossman tells Inside Edition. More substantially, police say Joseph DiMare's blood leaked out of the car as Frances drove it, leaving a trail from the couple's home to the vacant lot. Joseph DiMare's son, Richard, who was 21 at the time of the murder, says he's "relieved" but not surprised by the police conclusion. "I told them in 1961 that my stepmother was the shooter and they said 'Oh no, she is not the shooter,'" he tells WTVJ. (Read more cold cases stories.)
When a man emerged from the northern Michigan woods and grabbed an 8-year-old girl in her backyard, her older brother jumped into action: He grabbed a slingshot. The girl struggled, fighting her attacker until she was able to break free, WJBK reports. At that moment, the 14-year-old boy took aim with his slingshot, hitting the man in the head and chest. Police did not say what the projectiles were. The failed abductor fled, but another family member saw him and gave police a description.

Michigan State Police reported troopers found the 17-year-old suspect hiding at a gas station nearby. He's been charged as an adult with one count of attempted kidnapping/child enticement, one count of attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of assault and battery, per the AP. Police did not identify the suspect, who's being held at the Alpena County Jail. Troopers reported that when they arrested him, he had visible wounds to his head and chest. (Read more Michigan stories.)
A Catholic church is Connecticut is wondering whether it might have a miracle on its hands. In fact, St. Thomas Catholic Church in Thomaston has rounded up the evidence and asked the Vatican to formally weigh in, reports the Hartford Courant. The particulars are pretty straight-forward: In March, a lay person distributing hosts during communion thought for sure they would run out, but the chalice holding themcalled the ciboriumnever emptied. "God just duplicated himself in the ciborium, Father Joseph Crowley told parishioners at the conclusion of the March 5 mass, per the Catholic News Agency.

Its really, really cool when God does these things, and its really, really cool when we realize what hes done, and it just happened today," he added. A spokesman for the archdiocese was a little more reserved, saying the results of a church investigation have been sent to Rome, and they will "await a response in due time." In church parlance, this would be known as a eucharistic miracle, per Fox61, which notes the church has recognized four of them in the 2000s. A very cool miracle," the station quotes Crowley as telling parishioners in a subsequent service. He says the eucharistic minister was about to go get more hosts when they appeared to replenish. "Theres no doubt. I have no doubt." (Read more Catholic Church stories.)
Police in Maryland say 38-year-old Michael Stevens had quite a day on Friday: A few hours after being released from the Harford County Detention Center, they say he stole a 5-ton military truck, led police on a bizarre highway chase, then ended up under arrest and right back where he startedat the detention center. Stevens allegedly smashed into a few cars while behind the wheel, but nobody was injured, reports CNN. The county sheriff's office says in a release that Stevens stole the privately owned 923-A military vehicle from a residence in Bel Air about 6:30pm.

"The homeowner hopped onto the truck, trying to prevent the theft, and the person drove off," Sheriff Jeff Gahler tells WBAL. "Luckily, the homeowner was able to separate himself from the vehicle without being injured." The truck eventually ended up on I-95, though police attempts to stop it proved fruitless. Eventually, authorities say Stevens drove into the city of Baltimore, abandoned the truck, then was arrested trying to flee on foot. He faces a slew of charges, including motor vehicle theft. (Read more weird crimes stories.)
Images captured by NASA's Perseverance rover suggest the existence of a once-thriving and surprisingly potent Martian rivershedding light on the planet's intriguing geological past. A NASA press release reports that the rover's high-resolution photographs, made during its ongoing mission on Mars, provide compelling evidence of an ancient riverbed with intricate channels and sediment deposits. Postdoctoral researcher Libby Ives with the Jet Propulsion Lab says the photographic evidence indicates "a high-energy river" of the past that was "truckin and carrying a lot of debris," per Mashable. "The more powerful the flow of water, the more easily its able to move larger pieces of material."

In the press release, Caltech river specialist Michael Lamb explains that Martian "wind has acted like a scalpel that has cut the tops off" deposits showing the ancient river's path, and that we "do see deposits like this on Earth, but theyre never as well exposed as they are here on Mars. Earth is covered in vegetation that hides these layers." Past discoveries have also provided compelling evidence of water on Mars, bolstering the belief that the Red Planet once had a wetter and more hospitable environment. In 2015, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected "hydrated minerals," suggesting the presence of ancient flowing water. In 2017, the Curiosity rover identified a possible prehistoric lakebed in Gale Crater, providing further confirmation of Mars' watery past.

The latest discovery of evidence of a Martian river opens up new avenues for studying the planet's geological evolution and its potential for supporting life. Scientists are examining the images to decipher additional details about the ancient river, including its size, flow patterns, and composition. By unraveling the characteristics of these ancient riverbeds, researchers hope to gain deeper insights into the role of water on Mars and its implications for the planet's potential habitability. (Read more Mars stories.)
Authorities are still exhuming and trying to identify bodies that were placed in shallow graves in the wilderness of an 800-acre site in southeastern Kenya, the home of an evangelical Christian doomsday cult whose followers were told to starve themselves until death so they could meet Jesus. On Saturday, the death toll climbed to 201, per the AP. More than 600 people still are missing. The country is wrestling now with questions including how such a thing could happen and how law enforcement agencies could have been unaware of it. The debate involves whether religious freedom, which the Kenyan Constitution guarantees, should be curbed. The New York Times looks at how Kenya reached this point and what happened in the Shakahola Forest.

A televangelist marketed the property as a sanctuary from the impending apocalypse and sold plots, though he didn't own the land. The arrival of the pandemic in 2020 boosted Paul Mackenzie's credibility. "It was a normal church at the beginning," said the original property owner's daughter. A former deputy pastor said that was derailed by Mackenzie's "false prophecies" about the world ending: "His main interest became making money, not preaching to the world." In January, Mackenzie said he had new instructions for the hundreds of people living at the property: mass suicide by starvation. Children should "fast in the sun so they would die faster," he was quoted as saying. Women would do the same in March and April, then the men. Mackenzie would stay alive to help others "meet Jesus," then starve himself before the world ended.

Mackenzie, who had been arrested before, is in custody. "People are very angry and blame Mackenzie, but I blame the government," said a member of another evangelical church. Many evangelical churches operate independently of any larger organization, overseen only by their pastor. President William Ruto Half, an evangelical himself whose wife is an evangelical preacher, has hesitated to enact restrictions on them; evangelicals make up half the nation's population. But he's now asked church leaders and legal experts for ideas. A rights activist who went to Shakahola in March wants oversight. When he tried to help the people he saw dying, they cursed him. "I wanted these starving people to survive, but they wanted to die and meet Jesus," Victor Kaudo said. "What do we do? Does freedom of worship supersede the right to life?" The full Times piece can be found here. (Read more Kenya stories.)
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
French-led NATO exercise ORION is first of its kind in over 30 years
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has welcomed the signing of the Jeddah Declaration between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

The deal calls for the warring sides to protect civilians, facilitate their movement and access to humanitarian and medical aid. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the role of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America to resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue, terming it as an important step towards ceasefire and a final settlement of the armed conflict.

Reports said that the warring factions will resume talks today, as air strikes pummelled Khartoum and the fighting entered a fifth week.

More than 750 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since fighting erupted on April 15 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Over half a million people have fled Khartoum alone, according to the UN.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Sub-leasing a rented property without the permission of the landlord while also defaulting on rent payments has landed the owner of a well-known Bahrain restaurant in hot water.

The High Civil Court said the tenants violated laws by subletting the leased property without the knowledge of the landlord.

The landlord approached the court after the current occupants of their property refused to pay the rent for the last four months, which amounted to BD2,200.

In its ruling, the court also ordered the restaurant owners to pay the dues to the landlord.

During the trial, the restaurant owners claimed they were not obliged to pay the rent as they had handed over the place to another and had a lease contract with them.

So, they argued that the new owners are obliged to pay the landlord.

However, the court ruled that they had no right to act as landlords on rented property and were not licensed to rent the place without permission.

The court ruled that the restaurant owner was supposed to obtain approval from the landlord before handing over the property to a new tenant.

Therefore, the court ruled in favour of the landlord.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company (BKIC) announced that its profit for the first quarter of 2023 rose 11% from a year ago, helped mainly by improvement in insurance service results and investment income.

Net profit attributable to the shareholders of the company was BD 1.514 million compared to BD 1.358 m in the year-earlier quarter (reinstated), representing an increase of 11%.

Earnings per share was 11 fils compared to 9 fils for the same period last year.

The total comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders of the company rose 51% to BD 1.550 m from BD 1.029 m in Q1-2022, thanks to increasing fair value gains recorded in 1st quarter 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

BKIC said its gross written premium rose 21% to BD 32.957 m, Insurance revenue increased 6% to BD 27.020 m, Insurance service result jumped 50% to BD 0.978 m and total investment income grew 35% to BD 1.055 m from the year-ago quarter.

The net Insurance contract liabilities increased from BD 56.232 m at the end of the last year to BD 56.533 m at the end of the current period.

The Board of Directors announced a potential change in the shareholding structure of the companys Parent, Gulf Insurance Group, through the entry of its major shareholders, Kuwait Projects Company Holding (KIPCO) and FairFax Financial Holding Company Limited, into an agreement to sell the entire shares of KIPCO in the Gulf Insurance Group totaling 46.32% after obtaining the approvals of the competent regulatory authorities.

BKICs CEO Dr Abdulla Sultan said that achieving both topand bottom-line growth in unprecedented global conditions is a worthy accomplishment.

In addition, witnessing improved Net Profits in all core streams of income: BKIC Bahrain, BKIC Kuwait and the Takaful International subsidiary is even more rewarding.

The results are as per the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 17 and 9 as mandated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
AFP | Bogota

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The largest Colombian narco sub ever recorded -- some 30 meters (100 feet) long and three meters wide -- has been decommissioned in the Pacific, with three tons of cocaine found on board, the countrys navy reported Friday.

The semi-submersible vessel was intercepted Tuesday on its way to Central America, one of the most common routes for drug smuggling to the United States, the worlds largest consumer of Colombian cocaine.

The detained crew -- aged 45, 54 and 63 -- are all Colombians and claimed to have been forced by a drug trafficking organisation to take the sub to Central America, the navy said in a statement.

In three decades, the Colombian navy has seized 228 such drug-laden semi-submersibles, which are never fully underwater but used by traffickers to elude detection by coast guard and other authorities.

Some were bound for the United States, while others were intercepted in the Atlantic, headed for Europe.

This was the largest Colombian narco sub decommissioned since records began in 1993. The seizure represented a blow of some $103 million to the drug trade, the navy said.

The law in Colombia, the worlds largest cocaine producer, punishes the use, construction, marketing, possession or transportation of a semi-submersible by up to 14 years in prison.

In 2021, cultivation of the coca plant -- from which cocaine is extracted -- stretched over 204,000 hectares (505,000 acres), according to the United Nations.

This was the highest figure since monitoring began 21 years earlier, and went hand-in-hand with a rise in cocaine production from 1,010 tons in 2020 to 1,400 tons.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Kazakhstan's national company, KazTransOil JSC increased oil exports to the Baku Port by 75 percent month-on-month in April 2023, Trend reports via the company.

In the reporting period, the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil for export from the port of Aktau increased by 60.5 tons compared to March 2023, or by 24 percent, which amounted to 312,600 tons. This included 115,000 tons from the Tengiz field, 19,200 tons from the Dunga field, and 178,300 tons from the fields of the Buzachi Peninsula.

The increase in the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil for export from the port of Aktau is due to an increase in the volume of shipped crude in the direction of Baku Port, from 87,000 tons to 152,400 tons, or by 75 percent, compared to March 2023.

In addition, in the reporting period, 160,200 tons of oil were shipped from the port of Aktau in the direction of Russia's Makhachkala Port.

In 2022, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, ordered to increase the transportation of oil along the Trans-Caspian corridor.

In accordance with this instruction, KazMunayGas JSC and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) signed an agreement providing for the transportation of 1.5 million tons of oil from the Tengiz field per year in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  Standing in the same parking lot where he was shot in the neck a year ago in a racist attack at a Buffalo supermarket, Zaire Goodman said he was grateful to see the community come together in remembrance Sunday.

His family and others affected by the mass shooting gathered with top state and local officials, first responders and religious leaders to remember the 10 people who were killed and three, including Goodman, who were wounded at Tops Friendly Market, which closed Sunday for the one-year anniversary of the shootings.

Goodman, 21, who worked at the store and was shot while collecting carts outside, has been back to the market many times since, even visiting while it was being remodeled in the weeks after the massacre as some questioned whether it should ever reopen.

I just wanted to show people that its alright. We dont need to close the store indefinitely, he said. We know the store is still important to people in this area.

Mayor Byron Brown read the 13 victims' names before a moment of silence. A first responder then chimed a bell 13 times. Brown, Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were among those who gave speeches.

Its a beautiful day. Its Mother's Day," Hochul said. And the cruel irony behind the fact is a day we celebrate a life that comes into this world, making someone a mother, is also a day were here to think about those who are no longer with us. Its hard. It's been a really hard year.

Earlier in the week, panelists discussed ways to combat racism and social media radicalization and residents were invited to reflect at an outdoor community gathering.

After Sunday's ceremony, Goodman recalled how after being wounded he ran across the street in search of safety, calling his mother along the way.

Hey, you need to get here, he told her.

Since then, Goodman's mother, Zeneta Everhart, and other relatives of the victims have spoken before Congress about white supremacy and gun reform and organized events to address food insecurity that worsened when the market, the neighborhoods only grocery store, was inaccessible for two months.

President Joe Biden honored the lives of those killed in Buffalo in an op-ed published Sunday in USA Today. He called on Congress and state legislative leaders to act by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from liability. His administration passed a landmark gun measure in June following a series of mass shootings.

New York state law already bans possessing magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Gun control organizations and advocates including Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held nearly 200 events across the country over the weekend, calling on Congress to reinstate a bipartisan assault weapons ban.

In Buffalo, Wayne Jones, whose mother Celestine Chaney, 65, died in the attack, urged the city and its institutions to keep on investing in the area and its residents even after the anniversary events are over.

That's why he is willing, he said, to keep opening up this wound that I have and talk about it.

After the remembrance ceremony, adults visited tents offering information about mental health and other forms of community support.

Rosemary Glover of Buffalo remembered the pain she felt when she recognized two of the shooting victims names: Katherine Massey, a community advocate; and Pearl Young, who belonged to the same church ministry as Glover. She came Sunday to honor them and the community.

We have to continue to support one another," she said. "Thats the only way were going to heal.

The son of 63-year-old shooting victim Geraldine Talley on Sunday released a book that he said describes what he went through after losing his mother. He titled it: 5/14 : The Day the Devil Came to Buffalo.

I definitely know that she wouldnt want me to be consumed by sadness and anger, Talley said of his mother, speaking outside of the store as the anniversary approached, so I will definitely try to find strength in her memory and use it to fight injustice and racism for the rest of my life in her name.

Inside the remodeled store, fountains flank a poem dedicated to the victims. A commission is at work designing a permanent memorial outside. In the meantime, a hand-painted mural overlooking the parking lot promotes unity, with a Black hand and white hand meeting together in prayer.

An 18-year-old white supremacist carried out the attack after driving more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from his home in rural Conklin, New York.

In addition to Chaney, Talley, Massey and Young, the dead included Andre Mackneil, who was buying a cake for his son's third birthday; church deacon Heyward Patterson; Ruth Whitfield, whose son was a Buffalo fire commissioner; Roberta Drury, who had moved back to Buffalo to help a brother diagnosed with cancer; Margus Morrison, who was buying dinner for a family movie night; and Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo police officer who was working as a security guard.

The gunman pleaded guilty to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February. A federal case against him is pending.

___

Associated Press Writer Maysoon Khan from Albany, New York, contributed to this report.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

WARREN, R.I. (AP)  A nearly 150-year-old stained-glass church window that depicts a dark-skinned Jesus Christ interacting with women in New Testament scenes has stirred up questions about race, Rhode Island's role in the slave trade and the place of women in 19th century New England society.

The window installed at the long-closed St. Marks Episcopal Church in Warren in 1878 is the oldest known public example of stained glass on which Christ is depicted as a person of color that one expert has seen.

This window is unique and highly unusual, said Virginia Raguin, a professor of humanities emerita at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and an expert on the history of stained-glass art. I have never seen this iconography for that time.

The 12-foot tall, 5-foot wide (3.7 meters by 1.5 meters) window depicts two biblical passages in which women, also painted with dark skin, appear as equals to Christ. One shows Christ in conversation with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, from the Gospel of Luke. The other shows Christ speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well from the Gospel of John.

The window made by the Henry E. Sharp studio in New York had largely been forgotten until a few years ago when Hadley Arnold and her family bought the 4,000-square-foot (371-square-meter) Greek Revival church building, which opened in 1830 and closed in 2010, to convert into their home.

When four stained-glass windows were removed in 2020 to be replaced with clear glass, Arnold took a closer look. It was a cold winter's day with the sunlight shining at just the right angle and she was stunned by what she saw in one of them: The human figures had dark skin.

The skin tones were nothing like the white Christ you usually see, said Arnold, who teaches architectural design in California after growing up in Rhode Island and earning an art history degree from Harvard University.

The window has now been scrutinized by scholars, historians and experts trying to determine the motivations of the artist, the church and the woman who commissioned the window in memory of her two aunts, both of whom married into families that had been involved in the slave trade.

Is this repudiation? Is this congratulations? Is this a secret sign? said Arnold.

Raguin and other experts confirmed that the skin tones  in black and brown paint on milky white glass that was fired in an oven to set the image  were original and deliberate. The piece shows some signs of aging but remains in very good condition, she said.

But does it depict a Black Jesus? Arnold doesn't feel comfortable using that term, preferring to say it depicts Christ as a person of color, probably Middle Eastern, which she says would make sense, given where the Galilean Jewish preacher was from.

Others think it's open to interpretation.

To me, being of African American and Native American heritage, I think that it could represent both people," said Linda AVant-Deishinni, the former executive director of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. She now runs the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providences St. Martin de Porres Center, which provides services to older residents.

The first time I saw it, it just kind of just blew me away, AVant-Deishinni said.

Victoria Johnson, a retired educator who was the first Black woman named principal of a Rhode Island high school, thinks the figures in the glass are most certainly Black.

When I see it, I see Black," she said. It was created in an era when at a white church in the North, the only people of color they knew were Black.

Warrens economy had been based on the building and outfitting of ships, some used in the slave trade, according to the town history. And although there are records of enslaved people in town before the Civil War, the racial makeup of St. Marks was likely mostly if not all white.

The window was commissioned by a Mary P. Carr in honor of two women, apparently her late aunts, whose names appear on the glass, Arnold said. Mrs. H. Gibbs and Mrs. R. B. DeWolf were sisters, and both married into families involved in the slave trade. The DeWolf family made a fortune as one of the nation's leading slave-trading families; Gibbs married a sea captain who worked for the DeWolfs.

Both women had been listed as donors to the American Colonization Society, founded to support the migration of freed slaves to Liberia in Africa. The controversial effort was overwhelmingly rejected by Black people in America, leading many former supporters to become abolitionists instead. DeWolf also left money in her will to found another church in accord with egalitarian principles, according to the research.

Another clue is the timing, Arnold said. The window was commissioned at a critical juncture of U.S. history when supporters of Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and their Southern Democrat opponents agreed to settle the 1876 presidential election with what is known as the Compromise of 1877, which essentially ended Reconstruction-era efforts to grant and protect the legal rights of formerly enslaved Black people.

What was Carr trying to say about Gibbs' and DeWolf's links to slavery?

We dont know, but it would appear that she is honoring people of conscience however imperfect their actions or their effectiveness may have been, Arnold said. I don't think it would be there otherwise."

The window also is remarkable because it shows Christ interacting with woman as equals, Raguin said: Both stories were selected to profile equality."

For now, the window remains propped upright in a wooden frame where pews once stood. College classes have come to see it, and on one recent spring afternoon there was a visit from a diverse group of eighth graders from The Nativity School in Worcester, a Jesuit boys' school.

The boys learned about the window's history and significance from Raguin.

When I first brought this up to them in religion class, it was the first time the kids had ever heard of something like this and they were genuinely curious as to what that was all about, why it mattered, why it existed, religion teacher Bryan Montenegro said. I thought that it would be very valuable to come and see it, and be so close to it, and really feel the diversity and inclusion that was so different for that time.

Arnold hopes to find a museum, college or other institution that can preserve and display the window for academic study and public appreciation.

I think this belongs in the public trust," she said. "I dont believe that it was ever intended to be a privately owned object.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

NEW YORK (AP)  The historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan shuttered three years ago, but it will soon be bustling again  reopening to accommodate an anticipated influx of asylum seekers just as other New York City hotels are being converted to emergency shelters.

Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday that the city will use the Roosevelt to eventually provide as many as 1,000 rooms for migrants who are expected to arrive in coming weeks because of the expiration of pandemic-era rules, known collectively as Title 42, that had allowed federal officials to turn away asylum seekers from the U.S. border with Mexico.

Across the city, hotels like the Roosevelt that served tourists just a few years ago are being transformed into emergency shelters, many of them in prime locations within walking distance from Times Square, the World Trade Center memorial site and the Empire State Building. A legal mandate requires the city to provide shelter to anyone who needs it.

Even so, Adams says the city is running out of room for migrants and has sought financial help from the state and federal governments.

New York City has now cared for more than 65,000 asylum seekers  already opening up over 140 emergency shelters and eight large-scale humanitarian relief centers in addition to this one to manage this national crisis, the mayor said in a statement announcing the Roosevelt decision.

The storied hotel near Grand Central Terminal served as election headquarters for New York Gov. Thomas Dewey, who in 1948 was said to have wrongly announced from the Roosevelt that he had defeated Harry Truman for president.

As the city faces growing pressure to expand its shelter system, it is turning to vacant hotels for those who need a roof and a place to bunk down as they sort out their lives. One of them is the Holiday Inn, located in Manhattans Financial District. A few months ago, signs in the lobby windows of the 50-story, 500-room hotel said it was closed.

Scott Markowitz of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, attorneys for the hotels owner, said reopening as a city-sponsored shelter made financial sense.

They rent out every room at the hotel at a certain price every night, Markowitz said, adding that it is bringing substantially more revenue than normal operations would have brought in.

Its not new for the city to turn to hotels for New Yorkers without homes when shelters and other options werent available.

During the pandemic, group shelters made it difficult to comply with social distancing rules, prompting the city to rent out hundreds of hotel rooms as quasi COVID wards. As the pandemic eased, the city became less reliant on hotels.

That changed as thousands of migrants began arriving by bus last year.

The Watson Hotel on West 57th Street, which used to receive rave reviews for its rooftop pool and proximity to Central Park, is now being used to house migrant families.

It is our moral and legal obligation to provide shelter to anyone who needs it, the citys Department of Social Services said in a statement. As such, we have utilized, and will continue to utilize, every tool at our disposal to meet the needs of every family and individual who comes to us seeking shelter.

Before the surge in asylum seekers, the city was dealing with increased homelessness, packed shelters and a dearth of affordable housing. New York even announced a plan to send hundreds of migrants to hotels in suburban Orange and Rockland counties across the Hudson River, angering local leaders.

Vijay Dandapani, the president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, said the city needs to come up with long-term solutions.

Hotels are not the solution for these situations, he said, adding that the optics posed problems for taxpayers who might think migrants are living in luxury at their expense.

But some advocates for the homeless say the private quarters that hotel rooms provide are a better choice than the barracks-style accommodations the city usually provides.

Kassi Keith, 55, one of the citys homeless residents, welcomed the hotel arrangement.

Having your own room, what it gives you, it gives you peace of mind, Keith said. I can go to sleep with both eyes closed, you dont have to keep one eye open.

Earlier this year, dozens of migrants staged a protest after being evicted from hotel rooms and forced into barracks set up at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which has poor access to public transportation. They complained about the cold, the lack of privacy and not having enough bathrooms.

The Roosevelt Hotel will first open this week as a welcome center providing legal and medical information and resources, officials said. It also will open 175 rooms for families with children, then expand the number of rooms to 850. The city said another 150 other rooms will be available to other asylum seekers.

When you offer people something like a hotel room, youre much more likely to get a positive response to it," said David Giffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, adding that the rooms provide privacy and dignity.

But Giffen said hotels won't address the greater problem of a lack of affordable, permanent housing.

Whats behind all of this (is) that we have such a failed housing system that people who have lower incomes end up using the shelter system as the de facto housing system, he said. And then the shelter system doesnt have enough beds so were using the hotels as a de facto shelter system.
MILFORD  The Board of Aldermen restored most of the Board of Finance's budget cuts for the 2023-24 budget, approving a $253 million budget that represents a 6.14 percent increase from the current year.

The final budget includes a $106.3 million allocation for the city's schools, restoring roughly 92 percent of funds from a cut by the finance board in March. The school budget is a 4.2 percent increase from the current year.

The decision comes after a group of mostly school parents opposed the proposed $1.8 million school budget reduction, calling for the elected officials to fully restore a $106.5 million budget school board officials approved earlier this year.

On Friday, the group, known as Milford Ed Advocates, didn't get a full restoration of that budget, but it was close enough to ease members' concerns with what they viewed as the possible closing of Harborside Middle School under the finance board's budget. Some finance board members had expressed concerns with the school district adding new positions despite declining enrollment trends.

"Six weeks ago, we didn't think we'd be here," said Kara Flannery, founder of Milford Ed Advocates and who has a son who attended Harborside. "This is just a huge testament to what this community did over the last six weeks and pushing for support of the Board of Ed budget."

After the vote, Superintendent Anna Cutaia said the $1.8 million cut would have resulted in a middle school or elementary school closing. Advocates felt Haborside was a likely candidate since the school district's other two middle schools had already completed renovations, Flannery said.

Cutaia wouldn't give "100 percent assurance" that the passed budget won't lead to a school closure, but said she wouldn't recommend it to the school board.

"I'm very grateful to our elected officials, and it demonstrates their support for our great work," she said.

Cutaia said officials plan to use the budget allocation to fund existing programs, such as the world language and STEM courses. Officials also plan to use the funds to offer more classes in Spanish, humanities and nursing.

"We intentionally did not put anything new," Cutaia said. "We wanted to be fiscally responsible."

Alderman Matt Arciuolo, a Democrat, led efforts to restore $1.65 million to the school board budget after Republican Anthony Giannattasio pushed for a full restoration of the school board's request. Arciuolo's proposal passed in a 10-5 vote, with Republicans Giannattasio, Scott Marlow, Raymond Vitali, Michael Casey and Democrat Ward Willis voting against it.

After the meeting, Arciuolo said he pushed for slightly less than a full restoration of the school board's budget to balance the school district's needs with other departments. His proposal also included $120,550 for Milford police to fund a new position and $210,000 to an account that funds contractual minimum staffing costs when firefighters take time off for vacations, sick leave, or injury, according to Director of Finance Peter Erodici

"We had a lot of late nights tirelessly working to come up with a solution that benefits every department and keeps Harborside open and still funds the programs and initiatives that Dr. Cutaia wants to do and doesn't make the city unaffordable overnight, or doesn't hike taxes," Arciuolo said.

Under the approved budget, the mill rate would increase from the current 26.7 mills to 27.2 mills, an increase of just under 2 percent.
SHELTON  A Stratford man died Sunday after a crash on Route 8, authorities said Sunday.

State Police said Daniel Gillespy, 22, died while driving south of Exit 12 at 5:30 a.m. They said his vehicle travelled across the left lane and entered into the median, where it crashed into a tree.

"(Gillespy) sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene," they said.

Earlier Sunday, police said the crash led to the highway being closed until the afternoon. Local firefighters and state police were responded to the crash around 7 a.m.

Police said the accident remains under investigation, and are seeking witnesses to the crash.
Brooklyn Decou admits it was a bit nerve-wracking to be painted with the same brush as professional artists who have been selling pieces for many years, but she was grateful for the opportunity to get her name out there.

The Grimsby Secondary School student was one of seven youth artists who had their own spaces at the Pelham Art Festival, a tradition on Mothers Day weekend that started 36 years ago.

Its a step in the door for me, said the 15-year-old artist who specializes in acrylic painting.

She has featured her work in other shows, such as one hosted by District School Board of Niagara, but never one of this scale, an event with more than 80 artists held at Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill Friday through Sunday.

She said her participation and selling artwork feels great.

Its part of establishing myself as an actual professional. Sitting in a booth and having someone ask you about your work, its something to be proud of, she said.

Mary Ivison, a St. Catharines-based artist who attends Brock University, said the festival seemed to have something for everyone.

Theres lots of colour, and quite the range of styles and mediums, she said.

Natalia Shields, an artist, former art teacher and member of the events organizing committee, said attendance on Saturday may have been negatively impacted by a large show being held in Burlington, but called the Pelham gathering one of the best festivals in Ontario.

She said about 65 per cent of the participating artists were from Niagara, and the remaining from surrounding areas.

The event draws people from outside the region as well.

Some of my Toronto friends who come to the festival  they love it, Shields said.

Shields, who moved to Pelham from Toronto in 2014 and became involved in the Pelham Art Festival in 2015, said she was delighted to have youth artists involved for the first time.

They went through the same process that every artist goes through, she said, referring to them being required to submit work for a jury to evaluate.

We felt it was really important to reach out to the youth, she said. I really think theyre learning a lot.

Over the years, the festival has raised more than $472,000 for the Pelham public library system.

It also generates funds for scholarships that go to students of Notre Dame College School in Welland and E.L. Crossley Secondary School who are pursuing post-secondary careers in fine art.

The pandemic put the event on hold in 2020, and in 2021 and all-online version was held. In 2022, it was a modified format.

This year, there were 85 artists at the community centre and another 11 participating online at www.pelhamartfestival.com. The online show runs until May 18.

Kris Dube is a reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com

SHARE:
Fire crews were still battling the flames at Moyers Apple Products facility in Beamsville when founder Paul Moyer had already found a potential new location.

Vineland Growers Co-Operative Ltd. had recently moved out of its building in Jordan and its president Mike Ecker thought Moyer might be able to make use of it.

The gourmet apple company, which ships about 2.2 million caramel apples across North America a year, had orders it needed to fill in time for Mothers Day just four weeks away.

I called Mike and we were talking about it while the building was still on fire, said Moyer Saturday at the companys new home in the former co-op at 4150 Jordan Rd.

Its been one month yesterday since the fire and we got all our orders out for Mothers Day.

Moyer said it was a best case scenario to be up and running with product shipped as far away as Seattle and Texas so soon after its facility was destroyed.

Everybody said it would be a year and we did it in two weeks.

Moyers Apple Products, also known as Moyers Farm, was celebrating its new chapter in Jordan Saturday with a community barbecue, inflatable obstacles and bouncers, carnival games and free chocolate caramel apples.

We just want to let the neighbourhood know what has happened, where we are and to just be a thank you to the people that have been supporting us, Moyer said.

The former production facility on Christie Drive in Beamsville was engulfed by flames in the early morning of Friday, April 14.

Ecker said Vineland Co-operative members met that weekend to come up with a deal for Moyers and by Sunday the apple company was moving equipment into the building.

Once we heard about the fire, it was kind of like, weve got to get up and going right away, Ecker said. Mothers Day was such a big holiday for the guys that it was like, you had to get going or you lose customers.

Adrian Domingeuz, general manager at Moyers, said the company started production on the Monday thanks to Vineland Growers.

While the company was able to salvage some equipment from the blaze, it had to turn to hand labour for dipping and decorating the apples, much like Moyer did when he started making them more than 20 years ago in his garage.

We are back into the old style, Domingeuz said.

Its difficult manufacturing because theres no equipment available for the candy apples and everything is very specialized.

The company hired more employees to get the job done and had people working 24-7 to complete the orders.

Domingeuz said they havent altered the final product from the one offered prior to the fire, despite the labour intensive process.

We havent changed the decoration, he said. It looks identical.

Domingeuz, Moyer and Ecker said they dont believe there are any other empty facilities in Niagara that could have been used by Moyers. The co-ops former building is set up differently than Moyers previous home, but it works.

Ecker said when a farmer has a crisis, everybody jumps. He said he lost count of how many farmers called him after the fire and asked if hed talked to Moyer about the space.

We all help each other out and thats the way its been in this area, Moyer said. Thats why we like being here.

Moyer said they also received amazing help from volunteer firefighters to save what equipment they could and the town has been supportive with the mayor and most councillors showing up Saturday.

Thats the nice thing about being a small area. Everybody knows everybody and everybodys very, very helpful. Weve been very lucky that way.

Vineland Growers Co-Operative Ltd. moved out of the Jordan Road building in February into a new larger facility on Fourth Avenue.

The co-op had been on the property for 107 years, building the cold storage in 1948 after the Second World War. Ecker said 70 per cent of crops in the Niagara Peninsula go through its doors.

Its quite a storied history of this piece of property and now weve got Moyers on it which go farther back than that, Ecker said.

Moyer is a ninth generation apple farmer going back to 1799. The familys Norman Moyer was one of four original founders of the Vineland co-op in 1913.

Today, the Moyers company sells its gourmet apples through Loblaw companies, Sobeys and Costco in Canada and is in the United States at Kroger, Publix and H-E-B grocery stores.

It has expanded its offerings to include gourmet sauces and is getting ready to introduce a new product of marshmallows dipped in chocolate called the Mallow Wand.

Moyer, with partners, also developed a process to sanitize apples in recent years and started the company Clean Works, which is now being used across North America, Europe and in South America.

SHARE:
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ruled out on Sunday the prospect of cooperation with the socialist PASOK-KINAL (Panhellenic Socialist Movement-Movement for Change) party to form a coalition government after the upcoming general elections, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"I don't believe that at this moment there is margin for any cooperation with PASOK after the May 21 elections, even if the numbers could lead to a government that would receive the confidence vote from the parliament," he told a press conference.

With one week to go ahead of the ballot, Mitsotakis' conservative New Democracy (ND) party holds a lead over the main opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance in recent opinion polls, while PASOK-KINAL ranks third.

Greece needs a stable government and due to diverging views on crucial issues, an ND-PASOK government would not serve the country's interests, Mitsotakis said.

However, political analysts estimate that due to the way the Greek electoral system works, it will be difficult to secure a parliamentary majority in the first ballot.

If a second round of elections is required, it will take place at the beginning of July at the latest, Mitsotakis has said.

The second ballot would be held under a different electoral law, which provides for extra seats for the winning party.

The PM reiterated a call to voters to give his party a strong mandate to continue its reformist agenda.

He acknowledged that many households are still struggling to make ends meet due to increased living costs and pledged to further lower taxes and increase wages during his second term in office, without jeopardizing fiscal discipline and the stability and further growth of economy.

Commenting on the future of the Greece-Turkiye relations, he said, in recent months tensions have eased. He expressed hope that the two neighboring countries, which for long are at odds over borders, will find favorable ground to lead to a more permanent de-escalation of bilateral relations.
Four federal by-elections are set to take place next month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday.

In a tweet, Trudeau said the by-elections will take place on June 19 and include ridings in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.

By-elections in three provinces

In the Manitoba riding of Winnipeg South Centre, Liberal candidate Ben Carr is looking to win the seat once held by his father, longtime MP and former cabinet minister Jim Carr, who died in December.

Southern Manitobas riding in Portage-Lisgar is vacant after Conservative MP and former interim party leader Candice Bergen resigned in February.

Oxford, Ont.s riding was left vacant after Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie stepped down in January.

In March, Liberal MP, former cabinet minister and former astronaut Marc Garneau resigned from his riding in Quebecs Notre-Dame-de-Grace-Westmount after 15 years in politics.

Elections Canada to open offices

In a press release Sunday, Elections Canada said it is preparing to open its offices in the four electoral districts.

Canadian citizens of voting age living in their district from Monday, May 15 to Monday, June 19 are eligible to cast their vote.

Voters must be registered, and can check their status using the Online Voter Registration Service, call 1-800-463-6868 or contact an Elections Canada official.

RELATED STORIES Federal Politics Voters to choose MPs in four federal byelections across country next month

Voters can also register in person at their polling station with proof of identity and address.

In-person voting at assigned polling stations takes place on June 19, with advance polling days on June 9 through 12.

Voters can also vote at an Elections Canada office between May 14 and June 13 and by special ballot, the voting agency said.

With files from The Canadian Press.

MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie

Read more about:

SHARE:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lost one of his best assets last week, though he probably doesnt realize it.

The affable Toronto BeachesEast York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith announced hes leaving federal politics to throw his hat in the ring to lead the Ontario Liberals.

Erskine-Smith, 38, built a reputation in Ottawa for doing exactly what Trudeau promised all of his MPs would be free  and encouraged  to do. Remember that famous line in the lead-up to the 2015 election? Liberal MPs would be your voice in Ottawa, not Ottawas voice here in (your riding).

At the time, Trudeau argued people were cynical about politics because they felt all politicians were the same. We must prove that we will do things differently, he pledged. Unfortunately, this past week demonstrated, once again, how far the Grits have strayed from that promise.

An MP with an independent streak

After his election in 2015, Erskine-Smith became known for his independent streak. In his first year in office, he voted against the government 13 times. He voted against government bills he didnt believe went far enough, such as the Grits first medical assistance in dying legislation, and for opposition motions he agreed with, such as calling ISISs actions in Syria a genocide.

Still, he overwhelmingly backed Liberal measures. Four years ago, for example, the National Post gave him a 96 per cent loyalty ranking.

It may seem counterintuitive that someone who voted with his party 96 per cent of the time could be considered a maverick, but such is the pull of partisan politics in Ottawa.

Perhaps because of his voting record, his openness with the media, or maybe because hes a white guy from Toronto, Erskine-Smith never made it onto a cabinet shortlist, never became a parliamentary secretary, was never appointed to chair a House of Commons committee. Thoughtful, hardworking, and trained as a lawyer, the highest promotion Erskine-Smith received was two elections ago, as vice-chair of the Commons ethics committee.

Erskine-Smiths pitch for Ontario

Despite embodying the youthful energy, generational change and strengthened role of an MP that Trudeau once championed, Erskine-Smith is now leaving the party in Ottawa for the party in Toronto, to run on a similar pledge for Ontario.

While some of his colleagues wont be sad to say goodbye  they complain under the cloak of anonymity that Erskine-Smith is an attention-seeker who makes life more difficult for caucus  his departure raises the question of whether there is space for more than the leaders voice in Trudeaus party.

On Thursday, for example, Anthony Housefather was the only Liberal MP who voted against the governments controversial amendment to the Official Languages Act, Bill C-13. The federal legislation refers to the Quebec governments revamped Charter of the French Language (which used the notwithstanding clause to trample constitutional rights), and understandably raised alarm bells in Montreals anglophone communities. (Another of the bills vocal critics, former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, quit politics in March.)

Were Trudeaus promises of free votes and more independence for MPs a political ploy by a third-party leader who never expected to keep them? Or was it a genuine willingness to change the culture of Ottawa that, once in power, was never actively encouraged?

Nearly two decades ago, in his book The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics, the late Stephen Clarkson wrote that the partys continuing hegemony has much to do with its remaining the most autocratic in the field, even while demonstrating such democratic qualities as higher participation rates, a better gender balance, and younger, better-educated activists than its rivals.

Clarksons words were published several years before Justin Trudeau arrived on the federal political scene, but they ring eerily true.

An era Justin Trudeau once sought to replace

Watching the Liberals national convention last week, one would be forgiven for thinking the party has returned to the era Trudeau once sought to replace.

When he ran for leader, he built a campaign offering youthful energy and a break from the past. Former Liberal insiders were cast aside, gently  and sometimes not so gently  told their presence and advice was no longer welcomed. In his 2013 speech after winning the party leadership, Trudeau spoke of building a movement, telling young people that the country and Liberal party needed their passion, their idealism and their ideas.

The movement that we have built over the past six months, it is yours. It belongs to you, he told his supporters. Its the movement through which we will change politics. It is the movement that will allow us to reform our old political institutions.

If the Liberal party establishment cares about the movements ideas, it has done a perfect job of showing the opposite.

Even before their policy proposals (which some 4,000 grassroots Liberals spent more than a year developing and shepherding) were debated on the floor of the convention, Trudeau shot one of them down in a scrum  a resolution from the Quebec wing that the party develop a clear path to balanced budgets. What is most important to me is to create a strong and resilient economy, in which we can continue to invest and create good jobs, he said.

That evening, the partys voting delegates were asked to halve the 20 policy resolutions that had achieved enough popular support to make it to the convention. There was no rhyme or reason for it. The partys rules stipulate that the top 15 policy resolutions plus all fast-tracked resolutions agreed to by members become party policy.

Perhaps, organizers wanted to limit the number of potentially controversial resolutions that made it to the plenary. They did their best to discourage delegates from taking part in the process, setting the time for votes and debates at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday. There were so few delegates that the start of the session was delayed by about a half-hour because it didnt have the 100 participants required for quorum.

A policy convention with little debate

Unsurprisingly, there was little debate. The rules stipulated 50 delegates needed to request a vote  which is easy to achieve when the room is filled with 3,000 people, not so much when there are 150.

Its easy to shrug off a partys policy process. The resolutions are non-binding and often more far-fetched than the general electorate is ready to accept. Even after the Liberal party adopted legalizing cannabis as a policy in 2012, for example, Trudeau wasnt ready to embrace the idea. But if a party is serious about giving its members a voice and listening to concerns from different parts of the country, resolutions offer that opportunity. And for some, they really matter.

Calgarian Michelle Robinson missed her grandmothers funeral last Saturday. She felt so strongly about a Liberal policy resolution that she and her colleagues on the partys Indigenous Peoples Commission spent two years developing that, she told delegates, it matters more to our people, and I know my granny would want to be here.

That resolution, No. 441, received little attention. It was approved without debate. Some delegates might be surprised to learn the partys official policy now calls for the Supreme Court of Canada to expand to include three permanent seats for Indigenous judges. Perhaps, they will be thrilled. Perhaps, they wont care.

Prepared to change the voting system?

Trudeau wasnt asked to comment on Robinsons justice reform resolution. In London last Sunday, a reporter asked only about a resolution (which received overwhelming support) calling on the government to establish a citizens assembly to try to achieve consensus around electoral reform. The prime minister responded that hes prepared to change the voting system, but only to ranked ballots (in which voters rank candidates by preference, a system that experts say would likely benefit the Liberals).

Im always open if there is ever a consensus to move forward on moving past first past the post, he said. The fact is, there is no consensus. In the House of Commons last week, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May questioned whether Trudeau believes consensus means getting people to agree with whatever he wants.

Trudeau came to power because he successfully revived a party that was on its deathbed. Donors were staying home. Liberals were dispirited. He promised change. He made people excited to be Liberals. By that measure, he has succeeded.

But on some of the promises that brought him to power, he has not. Instead of changing the way politics works, Trudeau may have just added to the publics cynicism.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Amid the raging crisis over the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ruled out the possibility of a repeat of the 8th Assembly saga when the opposition outfoxed the All Progressives Congress, APC, to head the countrys legislature.

Tinubu, represented by the National Vice Chairman, APC Southwest, Isaac Kekemeke, disclosed this during a lecture organized in honour of Afenifere Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who marked his 97th birthday at the weekend.

According to him, the party still has enough time to bring the warring factions together before the inauguration of the National Assembly.

He allayed fears that the opposition would hijack the leadership of the National Assembly.

Opposition will not take over the National Assembly; both the President-elect and party are working tirelessly to ensure that whatever you perceive as anger will be sorted out, and this is a democracy, he said.

A week ago, APC endorsed Senator Godwill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas as Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker.

Since then, aspirants for the 10th NASS leadership have threatened to boycott the party.

In 2015, Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara emerged as winners of the leadership of the National Assembly against the wishes of the ruling APC.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State said it is not unaware that some stakeholders of the party in the state worked against the emergence of its presidential candidate in the last election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The chairman of the party in the state, Mr Basil Ejidike, stated this, during a stakeholders meeting of the party yesterday in Awka, the state capital.

He said henceforth, there will be reward for party members who worked hard, and also punishment for those who sabotage it.

He said a committee would be set up to appropriately sanction those who sabotaged the party.

Ejidike said: The party frowned at the attitude of many party executives at the various levels, alongside agents, who abdicated from their responsibilities at critical moments of the elections. I assure you that they must not go unpunished.

On a positive note, the party acknowledges the efforts of those stakeholders who stood with the party and labored for the minimal successes recorded at the last elections. The party also commends our candidates who contested for various positions. We truly admire their zeal and determination in the face of daunting challenges and pledge to reward and carry them along.

It is common knowledge that most of our stakeholders and members lack the required commitment and sincerity that are characteristics of good party men and women. This has adversely affected our party in no small way, here in Anambra.

Some of our leaders are culpable in this regard. These unfortunate actions of some of these leaders and stakeholders have entrenched party disloyalty and indiscipline in our chapter. The bad examples set by these disloyal leaders implicitly affect the psyche, actions, and activities of most party members, hence entrenching anti-party feelings and sentiments.

This is the singular reason, the party hasnt made a substantial impact in the state. We must bear in mind that ours is a party with great ideology, objectives, policies and programme and must be respected by members and leaders.

We must, therefore, take stringent measures to save our party from extinction. Moving forward, the party has resolved, in line with Article 21.3 of our constitution, to set up a Standing Disciplinary Committee that will try all known actions and anti-party activities perpetuated against the party in the state, Ejidike said.
Afrobeat artist, Seun Kuti has reacted to the order for his arrest by the Nigeria Police Force.

Recall that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the Lagos State Police Command to immediately arrest and prosecute the singer following his assault on a police operative in uniform in a viral video.

Reacting to the order via his Instastory on Saturday night, Kuti said he welcomed the investigation.

He wrote, I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Saturday vowed that no force on earth would stop the All Progressives Congress, APC, governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru from being sworn in on 28th May 2023.

Umahi made this known while addressing prominent leaders of the nation and stakeholders of Ebonyi State, during the burial of Michael Ekuma Nkama, father of the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Nkama.

The burial of the deceased took place at Edda community, in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The Governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the various financial assistance granted to Ebonyi State which he said led to the construction of valuable projects in Edda community, wherein the minister, Ekuma Nkama Joseph hails from.

He equally applauded President Buhari for the approval of his ministerial nominee, which led to Joseph Ekuma Nkama becoming the minister of state for Health.

Umahi described the late father of the minister, that died at the age of ninety-four years (94yrs) as a man of peace and unity.

He cautioned stakeholders of the state to abolish the politics of clannishness, stressing that his administration will stop at nothing to ensure that such action is totally destroyed before the expiration of his tenure.

The outgoing governor, also tasked all well-meaning leaders of the state to give maximum support to the incoming administration led by the governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru, to continue with the legacies that are already in place in the state.

He called on all prominent stakeholders and citizens of the state to unite for the growth of the state.

Earlier in a remark, the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekuma Nkama, said his father lived a life of contentment and was free from greed.

He attributed the rise in social vices and youths restiveness in society to lack of parental training and greed.

Ekuma Nkama also applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, Ministers, Governor David Umahi and prominent leaders of the nation who attended the burial of his father.

He said, there is moral decadence in the society. There are lots of social vices going on and parents should revert to the basis of training their children to have a good moral standard. The good lives we are living today, are as a result of what we learnt from our father.

Parents shouldnt be lacking in advising their children to follow good ways of life so that there will be no social vices in the society he stated.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says all Nigerian students fleeing war-torn Sudan have been successfully evacuated.

NIDCOM made the announcement on Saturday.

The commission said 2,518 Nigerians have been evacuated since the exercise started on May 3

Sadiya Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, had said each returnee would be given N100,000.

Recall that the citizens evacuated from Sudan had been stranded at the Egyptian border following visa issues.

Others had been transported to Port Sudan where they were airlifted to Nigeria.

It is not clear if the evacuation process will continue for other non-students who may be stranded in Sudan.

When asked for clarity, Gabriel Odu, a spokesperson for NIDCOM, told TheCable he was unsure of how things would unfold.

I cant say emphatically, lets watch closely, he said.

With this batch of evacuation, all Nigerian students in Port Sudan and Egypt border have been evacuated home . Allhamdulilah  https://t.co/eO3MW7DEzi  Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) May 13, 2023





According to the commission, the evacuations were carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Tarco Air, Max Air, Azman Air, and Air Peace.

The evacuated Nigerians were brought home batch by batch, with Tarco Air responsible for 11 of the 15 flights.

During this exercise, no single Nigerian life has been lost so far, NIDCOM added.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) says about 80 officers have gone on trial over the collection of illegal fees for the issuance and renewal of passports.

Speaking with NAN on Sunday, Tony Akuneme, NIS spokesperson, said eight officers have been dismissed in connection to the offence in the last year.

He said the disciplinary measures are part of the three-point reform agenda of Isah Jere, NIS comptroller general (CG).

Akuneme said the CGs three-point agenda includes passport issuance reform, tightening border security and improving the welfare of NIS officers.

The NIS spokesman said the CG has vowed to discipline officers who try to sabotage the reform process.

We have continued to punish NIS officers and men who try to assist people for a fee. You can assist people genuinely but not extorting from them, he said.

We are committed to curbing corruption and other illicit acts in the service. You will appreciate the fact that if nothing else, the level of awareness has increased in the last few months.

Dont patronise agents, fill your forms yourself. We have officers watching and these agents know they are being watched. When they take money from you, tell us. If we dont take action, tell the world.

He said employing the services of third-party agents in securing passports hinders the reform process.

We have tried as much as possible to eliminate third parties so that if you really want, you can process the application of your passport from the comfort of your room on your laptop, android phones and you can pay online, Akuneme said.

You dont really need anybody whether immigration officers or agents which we usually call louts. They have upgraded and become agents. They are still third parties.

The problem we have is the use of third parties because no matter how much reform you put in, you will always see a learned and civilised person using a third party to process his or her application.

And one thing they dont understand is that third parties dont have an idea of the information entered into your application. This can result in somebody having issues with his/her National Identification Number (NIN).
Hadiza Bala-Usman, former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), says she wrote Stepping on Toes, her recent memoir, to clear her name.

Speaking during a book reading session at Roving Heights in Lagos, Bala-Usman said she needed to clear the falsehoods peddled against her.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2021 suspended Bala-Usman as the NPAs managing director.

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, recommended her for suspension, after alleging that the agency, under her watch, failed to remit N165 billion operating surplus to the coffers of the federal government.

She would later be exonerated by an administrative panel of inquiry set up to investigate the alleged mismanagement.

Bala-Usman, on Saturday, said telling her side of the story was more important than preserving myself.

So, my reason (for writing) is that I am going to put the story out there for people to know who I am, what I believe in. If you want me to be part, it is fine. If you dont want, I am okay. At one point, I would have opportunities to showcase myself, she said.

The other part of it is also the issue of how I exited the Nigerian Port Authority.

It is important for people to understand what transpired from my perspective. I am from a very large extended family. My father was a professor who had quite a lot of students that looked up to him.

So, there I was being accused of something that I didnt do. I felt it was important for me, my family, for where I come from to set the record straight.

Clearing my name was more important than preserving myself. That is the decision that I took. Some family members were opposed to it but I stood. If anyone felt different, they should also write a book to explain their position.

But for me, I have written in detail what transpired and what I feel is important for Nigerians to know. It is like one is self-preservation versus clearing my name.

I cannot be in every living room where they are passing stories about me. I cant be in every beer parlour, where they are passing falsehoods about me. This book is everywhere. It is something that will forever remain.
Immediate-past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has washed his hands off the ordeals of Abians workers following a backlog of salary arrears, telling his successor and the incumbent Gov Okezie Ikpeazu to take responsibility for failing to pay workers.

This is as Abia workers have vowed to push on with their ongoing indefinite strike until their backlog of salary arrears is defrayed.

The workers refuted claims by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chris Ezem, that the strike had been suspended, dismissing the claims as untrue.

Senator Orji expressed shock that the outgoing Governor despite receiving billions of Naira from the Federal Government as bailout funds, was unable to pay Abia workers only to turn around and blame his failure on him.

The Senator representing Abia Central who spoke through his Chief Liaison Officer Hon Ifeanyi Umere, asked Ikpeazu to stop shifting blames and own up to his failures.

Orji in a statement entitled: Ikpeazu Should Carry His Cross, explained that when he left office in 2015, core civil servants were not owed any salary arrears while workers in parastatals were owed not more than four months.

He, therefore, expressed surprise that his successor had allowed salary arrears to accumulate up to 40 months and still points accusing fingers at him.

The statement read in part:Its unfortunate that I am forced to comment and refute the half-truths being dished out by those who through their own bad choices have found themselves in a quagmire.

For the avoidance of any doubt, neither myself nor my administration is responsible for the staggering salary arrears owed both civil servants, parastatals and pensioners in the state.

Before my administration came to an end on May 29, 2015, core civil servants were not owed even one-month salary arrears. Parastatals were the ones that were owed between two and four months. The records are there.

At any rate, the arrears were necessitated by the dwindling federal allocation occasioned by the worsening global economy. The price of crude had crashed and the states were getting a paltry two to three billion naira monthly which was not even enough to run the state including capital and recurrent expenditures.

Those who took over from us inherited both assets and liabilities. In this case, the government is a continuum. So, if we were owing two to three months, we expected out successors to clear them.

This expectation was based on the fact that they received bail out funds from the federal government more than three times running into billions of naira. Again the economy had picked up considerably enabling the outgoing government to chalk up considerable income as can be confirmed from the ministry of finance.

So why was it difficult for them to offset the debts? Again if for any reason they couldnt or were unwilling to offset, why did they allow it to skyrocket to between 35 and 40 months? Why are they also owing core civil servants?

So basically, I am not the problem. They should carry their cross.

Meanwhile, the Labour union has urged workers to ignore claims by the State Government that the strike had been suspended, arguing that Government has no right to suspend strike it did not declare.

A release by the Secretary, State Council of Congress, Comrade Emeka Alozie, urged workers to stay away from their offices until further notice.

The release read:The attention of the State Council of Congress has been drawn to the press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barr. Chris Ezem with the intent that the ongoing strike declared by labour has been called off.

It is a known fact that Government does not have the prerogative to call off a strike it did not declare.

Therefore, the State Council of Congress wishes to state unequivocally that the ongoing indefinite strike has not been suspended nor called off.

Abia workers are therefore requested by the State Council of Congress to continue to stay away from all their offices/working places till further notice.

The release explained that only workers in key offices were excused to report for duty to work out salary payments based on a truce with Government after an intervention by a security agency.

It is however imperative to inform us that this afternoon, the Director of State Security Service (SSS) intervened in the face-off with the government. He appealed that labour should allow the government to access some critical offices that relate to salary payment as requested by the government.

The offices are, offices of the HOS, SSG and AG to enable the government to be able to pay salaries, with the promise that alerts will start coming this evening while we continue the strike action. Hence the three offices that were opened this afternoon.

However, part of the agreement is that if by Monday the government did not implement their promise, labour has the right to picket the offices again.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had last week declared an indefinite strike in Abia until the backlog of salary arrears is cleared.

Doctors in Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba ABSUTH are owed for 24 months while teachers are owed for many months.

Pensioners are also owed for over 35 months.
Russias COVID-19 case tally rose by 2,996 over the past day to 22,898,376, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday, Trend reports citing TASS.

As many as 332 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, down 45.1% from the previous day. The number of hospitalized patients rose in 13 regions, while in 57 other regions the figure decreased. A day earlier, 605 people were rushed to hospitals.

Moscows COVID-19 cases rose by 453 over the past day, versus 442 a day earlier, reaching 3,512,720 since the onset of the pandemic, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center. St. Petersburgs COVID-19 cases increased by 193 over the past day, reaching 1,943,195.

COVID-19 recoveries

Russias COVID-19 recoveries rose by 3,493 over the past day, reaching 22,320,310, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters.

COVID-19 death toll

Russias COVID-19 death toll climbed by 25 over the past day to 398,710. A day earlier, 27 COVID-19 deaths were registered.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has kicked against the nomination of Godswill Akpabio as the next Senate President.

AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima, said the South East can produce a competent senate president.

Shettima urged the APC to encourage national unity by reviewing Akpabios nomination.

The APC brought a zoning formula and came up with someone from Akwa Ibom and this character, we know him very well. Because it is a party politics, they want to put it to be superior, it is not done anywhere

APC needs to encourage national unity by demonstrating it. Let them look and their position and review it clearly. They should look at the issue of bankruptcy, debt and agitation from every part of the country and insecurity. We are in a fragile situation, we cannot afford to collect more debt if not we are finished

Although, I am of the view that the APC should reconsider positions. The South East is not helping themselves to be part of the national bureau. They need to be nationalistic in their approach.

I am of the view that the government should encourage unity, we should carry our brother in the South East together, he said.
Tajudeen Abbas, a member-elect and aspirant for the speakership of the house of representatives has visited Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, to seek his support.

Abbas, the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position, visited Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, on Saturday, in the company of Benjamin Kalu, the partys choice as deputy speaker.

The decision of the APC to nominate Abbas and Kalu as candidates for the leadership of the green chamber for the forthcoming national assembly has sparked controversy within the party.

Speaking during the visit, Abbas said he and others anointed by the party needed the support of Sanwo-Olu to reach out to all the contestants and governors.

He added that the governors guidance would also be needed to heal the wounds created by the ongoing national assembly leadership tussle.

We are here for your prayer. Being one of the most loyal party governors, we believe your prayer and support will go a long way in actualising our goal, the lawmaker said.

We need your prayer to ensure that we will not only win come June 13 but that we will be able to stabilise the house and heal the wounds, particularly from various contestants in this race.

We know you are a true Nigerian, you can reach out to all the contestants and governors and ensure we have unity of purpose in this particular project.

Speaking also, Kalu, who is also the house of representatives spokesperson, said their leadership would ensure equality while the demands of Nigerians would direct its decision-making.

We are preaching the balancing of inequalities between members and gender and will ensure that, he said

We are going to project institutional trust driven by credibility, competence and capacity so that people can see that the national assembly is an institution they can rely on.

The incoming speaker had told me that the gavel shall go in the direction of Nigerians and not his emotions or sentiment.

Last Tuesday, Abbas also visited Bola Tinubu, president-elect, in Abuja.




The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors forum has honoured Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, for putting personal interests behind that of our party, people and nation.

The forum gave the award while welcoming the partys governors-elect at an event held recently in Abuja.

Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governors of Benue and Enugu, were also honoured alongside others.

Wike, Ortom and Ugwuanyi were part of the G-5 governors who declined to support the campaign of Atiku Abubakar, PDPs presidential candidate.

In the February 25 presidential poll, PDP lost in all their states as Abubakar finished second behind Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the event, Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto and chairman of the forum, praised his colleagues solidarity and comradeship and a desire for the best of our party.

For my colleagues, out-going governors of our forum, I commend all of you for your solidarity and comradeship. As a first among equals, I can vouch for the warm support and friendship of all the governors of our party, he said.

Sometimes, it was tough agreeing on all things, but we never forgot to put our interests behind that of our party, people and nation.

The moments we have shared under this forum have been moments of joy, learning, comradeship support for one another and a desire for the best of our party, states and country. To you all, I express my gratitude.

Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo; Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti; Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe; and Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa, were all honoured at the event for their contribution to the party.

All PDP governors-elect were also awarded and urged to be the shining armours of the party going forward.

The opposition party won 10 states in the last governorship election.
Chris Daughtry and his band are heading out on tour this June.

Daughtry will trek across the U.S. on an extensive acoustic tour beginning on June 21 in Niagara Falls, Ontario and wrapping up on Sept. 27 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

While on the Bare Bones Tour, Daughtry and his band will stop in Atlantic City on Aug. 18 and in Red Bank, New Jersey on Aug. 23.

Tickets to see Daughtry live are available on Ticketmaster.

Fans also can purchase tickets on secondary market sites, like StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, TicketCity and MegaSeats.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

TicketCity users can save $15 on orders over $400 using promo code TCITYSAVE15 at checkout.

You can find a full calendar of Daughtrys tour dates here.

More upcoming rock tours

Daughtry is not the only rock band going on tour this year.

Here is a list of upcoming tours that you wont want to miss.

RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS:

Queen and Adam Lambert tour 2023: How to buy tickets for 8 new show dates

Taylor Swift tour 2023: Full schedule, dates, where to buy tickets

Alice Cooper tour 2023: Dates, schedule, ticket info

Sting tour 2023: Dates, schedule, ticket info

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
An affidavit of probable cause has shed some light on how investigators say they recently used advancements in DNA technology to make an arrest 10 years after the brutal slaying of a Gloucester Township woman.

Authorities this week charged Joseph Grisoff, a 59-year-old Mount Laurel man who was a maintenance worker at Carol Reiffs apartment complex, with first-degree murder in her 2013 killing. Though police interviewed Grisoff a decade ago, documents say they only charged him now, after re-testing old evidence.

Reiff was reported as a missing person on June 21, 2013, after family members said she didnt arrive to a planned beach trip and failed to answer her phone, authorities said.
UPDATE: Peeping goat caught, sent to a farm, N.J. cops say

Police in a Morris County community are searching for a peeping goat, officials said in a social media post.

The Chatham Township Police are actively searching for the peeping goat that has been seen throughout the Township, reads the departments post on Facebook, which went up on Thursday.
A barn was destroyed and three homes were damaged by heat from a midnight fire in northern Warren County.

The blaze was reported around 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the Delaware village section of Knowlton Township, on Ann Street near Route 46.

The township fire department in a Facebook post said crews met with extensive heat but quickly brought the fire under control.

Early this morning @ 12:25 am Station 41 was dispatched to a reported structure fire (barn) on Ann Street in the village... Posted by Knowlton Twp. Fire and Rescue Company #1 - Station 41 on Sunday, May 14, 2023

Chief Alex Weber said there were no injuries. The barn was used as a storage garage, so no animals were harmed. The damage to the surrounding homes was superficial, limited to the exteriors, he said.

The New Jersey state fire marshal is investigating the fires source, the department said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Security at the presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkiye is provided at the highest level, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, Trend reports via TurkicWorld.

According to him, the police are actively working in all regions of Turkiye.

"More than 600,000 law enforcement officers provide security during the elections," Soylu said.

The Turkish Interior Minister voted in the elections in Istanbul.

Turkiye is holding presidential and parliamentary elections today. Voting will last until 17:00 (GMT+3). More than 64 million people have the right to vote in Turkiye.

Turkish citizens who live in foreign countries voted in the presidential and parliamentary elections from April 27 through May 9.

The number of Turkish citizens living abroad who voted in the parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkiye amounted to 1.8 million people.

In general, 3.4 million people had the right to vote among Turkish citizens living abroad.

Voting was held in 151 diplomatic missions of Turkiye in 73 countries of the world.
Go ahead and add outstanding inspirational speaker to Jon Batistes list of talents. Fresh from a triumphant performance at the recent New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the renowned musician, composer and bandleader addressed 1,050 Loyola graduating students at the UNO Lakefront Arena on Saturday morning.

The Kenner native called on them to fix the divided world, or lose everything that weve built.

Batiste wore dark sunglasses that matched nicely with the black academic gown he wore as he accepted his honorary doctorate. The shimmering, pale pink hood that was slipped across his shoulders symbolized his area of accomplishment: music.
Hey Blake,

While driving down Tulane Avenue, I spotted an interesting old building a few blocks away on Gravier Street. Its facade says it was once McDonogh School No. 30. What can you tell me about it?

Dear reader,

With a design much more ornate than most school buildings, the former McDonogh 30 school was built in 1894 in the 2200 block of Gravier, just off of South Galvez Street.

According to the Preservation Resource Center, the building was likely designed by architect William Freret. It incorporated a mix of late Victorian-era architectural styles, including Italianate arched windows and elaborate parapets. There were also Romanesque-style turrets and an Eastlake-style porch.

The three-story building housed McDonogh 30, one of more than three dozen local schools named for philanthropist John McDonogh. The school taught kindergarten through sixth grade students up until the 1930s. The building then served as the location for some city offices, including the Department of Public Health, and as a police training facility. In 1953, the building was once again used as a school, before closing again in 1976.

In 1982, the Orleans Parish School Board sold the property at auction to a doctor who planned to renovate it for medical student housing or a doctors office, but those plans never materialized. Instead, WYLD, one of the citys oldest Black-owned radio stations, moved its studios into the building. The radio station left after several years, and the building sat vacant for some 20 years.

A $7 million renovation and rehabilitation completed in 2019 by L+M Development and the architectural firm Rome Office transformed the property into The Schoolhouse, a 14-unit apartment building and commercial space. Many of the buildings historic architectural features that were removed or destroyed over the years, including the porch, turrets and parapets with an ornamental frieze, were restored.
Malbrough recently left the water district to work in as an executive for Galliano-based GIS Engineering. The Times-Picayune | The Advocate asked him to reflect on the work that went into one of Louisianas largest and most successful restoration projects. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What led you to the water district?

I grew up in lower Terrebonne Parish in what I like to say was the sprawling metropolis of Bourg, Louisiana. The coast is obviously near and dear to my heart. My family had a camp on Grand Isle and a camp off Timbalier Island. I grew up in the estuary, in the Gulf.

As a kid, Id hear about land loss and flood protection, marsh creation and all of these buzzwords that have become part of our dictionary now. I realized we're in a fight for our lives.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Turkish capital, Ankara, Trend reports.

He is expected to monitor the results of the elections in Ankara.

Turkiye is holding presidential and parliamentary elections today.

Turkish President, Head of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Fatherland Union candidate Sinan Ogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Kemal Kilicdarogu stand as candidates in the elections.

In addition, 600 deputies in 87 constituencies will be elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. 24 parties and 151 independent candidates participate in the elections.

Turkiye has over 191,000 ballot boxes installed. There are 60,697,843 registered voters in the country. About 5 million of them are voting for the first time.

Voting will begin at 08:00 (GMT+3) and will last until 17:00 (GMT+3). Chairman of the Supreme Electoral Council (CEC) Ahmet Yener said that the preliminary results will be announced on the same day.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Turkiye's Supreme Election Council has lifted the ban on publishing ballot processing data from presidential and parliamentary elections, Chairman of the Supreme Electoral Council (CEC) Ahmet Yener said, Trend reports.

Turkish President, Head of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Fatherland Union candidate Sinan Ogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Kemal Kilicdarogu stand as candidates in the elections.

In addition, 600 deputies in 87 constituencies will be elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. 24 parties and 151 independent candidates participate in the elections.

Turkiye has had over 191,000 ballot boxes installed. There have been over 60.6 million registered voters in the country. About 5 million of them voted for the first time.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Holding elections in a peaceful manner is an expression of Turkiye's democratic maturity, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on his twitter page, Trend reports with reference to TurkicWorld.

"An attempt to hastily announce the results when the elections were held in such a positive and democratic atmosphere, and the vote count is still ongoing, is a usurpation of the will of the people," Erdogan said.

The President of Turkiye congratulated all citizens who voted for democracy and took part in the elections, and expressed gratitude to each of them.
Back in 1965, OCR Steel Co. started with one bay, 70-by-120 feet. Now known as Munster Steel Co., Inc., the steel fabricator has moved and grown to 120,000 square feet for receiving, fabricating, and shipping.

The company began by fabricating structured steel, steel parts and miscellaneous iron. Munster Steel continues to fabricate steel for buildings and bridges in todays market.

Weve streamlined our facility, said president and third-generation fabricator Jeanne L. Robbins. Weve cut back on material handling.

Originally located at 45th and Calumet avenues in Munster, the fabricator moved to its Hammond location in 2014. Today the company has an office and shop staff of 32 and, Robbins said, is looking to hire more.

Munster Steel works primarily in Indiana and Illinois, but the company has also taken on jobs for clients in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio.

We provide a quality product. Our steel fits, Robbins said. In construction, there are always issues, but we get them taken care of right away, so they can continue working on the project.

For 66 years, Munster Steel has been a fabricator of structured and miscellaneous steel. A certified bridge and building fabricator, the company has worked on steel framing for schools, train station platforms, hospitals, high-rises and industrial facilities.

Munster Steel also has a sophisticated paint system and works in fracture critical materials welding.

Were known for our bascule bridges, Robbins said, adding, There probably is not a bridge in Chicago that does not have Munster Steel steel.

Having worked on the sky boxes at Wrigley Field and the former Comiskey Park, Munster Steel crews include on their resumes the Wells Street bascule bridge, or drawbridge, Washington Wabash CTA station, and McCormick Place pedestrian bridge, all in Chicago, as well as Ravinia Pavilion in Highland Park, Illinois.

We want to be a good neighbor, be environmentally sound, and we want our employees to be safe, Robbins said. We want to provide a quality product for customers in a timely manner.

For Robbins, the key is it takes an army. You cant do it alone. Weve always had excellent employees here. It takes a team effort, and we work hard.

O.C. Robbins, Robbins grandfather, began the company. Then his son, Ronald O. Robbins, Jeanne Robbins father, took over.

'Something new every day'

Jeanne Robbins joined the company 31 years ago. A self-professed Region Rat, she attended Munster schools and studied business at Indiana University Bloomington, later earning a masters in business administration from IU Northwest.

She started with the company as an estimator and project manager, later working in purchasing and then as vice president of procurement before becoming president. She is now an inductee into the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame.

Robbins said her father taught her the engineering side of the business. He also taught her to never stop learning  have a good work ethic  you have to be independent and be a good employer.

Over the years, Robbins said she's learned why people have two ears and one mouth  to spend twice as much time listening than speaking.

Listening, she said, is especially important in todays society. Even if we dont agree with what someone else is saying, we should still be respectful of their opinions and listen. Who knows, by listening you might learn something new.

After more than three decades on the job, Robbins admitted, What do I like about my job? Every job, every project is different. A lot of days, we have surprises. You cant plan what your day will be like in the construction industry. I can come to work and learn something new every day.

Every company faces challenges, such as the one Munster Steel faced when moving its facility.

It took us 10 years to find a way to effect the move, Robbins recalled, noting how every steel piece alone weighs 20 tons.

All the structures had to be moved in an orderly fashion, she said, so we could provide services for our customers.

Looking ahead, Robbins said the future looks bright, depending on how much the state and federal governments wish to spend.

Infrastructure in the U.S. is in bad condition, Robbins noted. If the government makes the money available, this should be a really good industry.

Much of Munster Steels work comes from bidding on government projects. In an unusual move for fabricators, Robbins said her company has avoided setting itself up for failure by not relying solely on one type of service. If structure building is down, she explained, the company can rely on bridge work.

With 30 projects currently on the books, Robbins said, Were booked for the rest of this year, and were currently bidding on projects for next year.
Lake County IN Economic Alliance President Karen Lauerman brought many new businesses, countless jobs and multimillion-dollar investments to the Region over the course of her career.

For those efforts, Lauerman is being honored posthumously by the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame.

Lauerman was remembered as one of Northwest Indiana's biggest cheerleaders and a driving force in economic development who brought billions of dollars in investment to the Calumet Region through her tireless advocacy and dealmaking prowess. After her death in November, colleagues in economic development remembered her contributions.

"Northwest Indiana will surely miss Karen Lauerman. She was a great advocate and staunch believer that Northwest Indiana is the best place for business. Her dedication to our region even during her illness was unparalleled. She fought hard to put Northwest Indiana on the map. Her time here at the Forum and the Lake County IN Economic Alliance have made Northwest Indiana a better place. Her legacy will continue to live on in the progress of our region."

 Heather Ennis, president and CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum

"I have worked with Karen in various capacities throughout my career and always found her to be one of the biggest champions for Northwest Indiana residents and employers. Her commitment to attracting employers and ultimately jobs was apparent. And what I always appreciated about Karen was her frankness. Karen never hesitated to tell you where, when or how something you were doing could be improved a bit. She understood the big picture and worked to leverage partnerships. I will miss working with her."

 Lisa Daugherty, president and CEO, Center of Workforce Innovations

"Karen was not only a strong leader in economic development, but she also possessed a warm smile, along with a heart of gold, and touched the lives of so many people," Ryan said. "Our hearts and prayers are with her husband, Scott, and the Lauerman family during these difficult times."

 Dave Ryan, executive director, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce

"She was a champion of progress and economic development for Lake County, as well as a wonderful person, and our hearts go out to her family."

 Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

"Karen was the epitome of 'if you need something done, ask a busy woman.' She was warm and driven and helped many projects in Hammond cross the finish line. The Region has lost a great cheerleader. We will miss her very much."

 Anne Anderson, economic development director, City of Hammond

"She kept up with her schedule, waking up at 6 a.m. She was doing her thing despite being so very ill. She tried not to drop the ball. She was a warrior and cheerleader for Northwest Indiana. She was a force to be reckoned with and so dedicated to the work she did. She was incredibly passionate. She brought in so many different companies. There was all this activity going on. Every month new companies were coming into Lake County. Karen's efforts were really significant."

 Linda Woloshansky, former president and CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations

"She was a small woman who had a big impact. She was strong, compassionate and hardworking to the end of her career."

 Hasse Construction President William Hasse

"She was a good friend to labor and a huge advocate of the working-class men and women in the construction industry in Northwest Indiana. Buildings all up and down Broadway that took tons of skilled trades labor are the result of her hard work. She created tons of jobs for the Region. She had a great work ethic and worked day and night. She was always working to make Northwest Indiana a better place. She worked hard on these things. She was a perfectionist and a pro. The impact she had was tremendous."

 Randy Palmateer, business manager of IBEW Local 697 and the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council
INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana Democrats will be facing an existential election this November. Already purged from rural areas and many small to medium-sized cities, holding no Statehouse constitutional offices, only two of 11 federal offices, and with superminority status in the General Assembly, the party has been relegated to the states big cities and college towns.

Now, Republicans will be taking aim at Indianas biggest two cities, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, where incumbent Democrats fit the description of embattled.

In Indianapolis, self-funding Republican mayoral nominee Jefferson Shreve will take on two-term Democrat Mayor Joe Hogsett, who dispatched state Rep. Robin Shackleford, 58%-38% on Tuesday. The fact that 42% of Democrats didnt vote for the mayor has Hoosier Republicans licking their chops. They point to Republican Greg Balllards 2007 upset of Mayor Bart Peterson as a historic parallel as well as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots primary loss in February, largely based on the crime issue.

Shreve spent more than $2 million after filing his candidacy right at the filing deadline last February. He described Indianapolis as a jewel of a city that has been damaged by a rampant murder rate, high crime and a lack of cops. Shreve said his candidacy was not a business decision; this is a decision from the heart. Im running for mayor as a Republican and its gonna be tough. We live in a Democratic city. Im not fooling myself, I understand the challenge. In my heart, I am convinced I can bring something better and bolder than what we have today.

Indiana Republican Chairman Kyle Hupfer said, Were looking forward to partnering with Jefferson and his team over the next few months and helping to deliver much-needed change in Indianapolis.

Democratic Party Vice Chair and Marion County Democratic Chairwoman Myla Eldridge said, Jefferson Shreves message is already falling short. After spending more than $2 million on Trump-style ads promoting his right-wing agenda, less than 30,000 Republican ballots were cast on Election Day compared to a historic 45,000 Democratic ballots. Jeffersons platform may resonate with hardcore conservatives, but its clear Indianapolis voters arent interested.

In Fort Wayne, four-term Democrat Mayor Tom Henry will face the only Republican ever to beat him. That occurred in 2003 when Republican Tom Didier upset him by 172 votes to win the city council seat Henry had held for 20 years. Henry recovered, winning the mayors office in 2007.

On Tuesday, Henry easily dispatched a little-known Democrat challenger, Jorge Fernandez, with 78% of the vote. Its his first public test since being arrested on a DUI last October. He pleaded guilty in November.

Councilman Didier, who defeated Councilman Jason Arp 64-33% on Tuesday in the GOP primary, smells blood in the water. Now Ive got to get checkmate, I feel very confident, Didier told the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. I really believe the voters are ready for a change.

Henry said his family and the Didiers have known each other for a long time and expects a donnybrook. I think itll be a very lively campaign, he said. Aggressive, but in a positive way.

Indiana Democrats have other potential challenges. They have seen the GOP encroach in areas where it once dominated, including southern Lake County and St. Joseph County, where all three county commissioners are Republican.

South Bend Mayor James Mueller defeated Councilman Henry Davis Jr. with 68%. South Bend Tribune columnist Jack Colwell explained, Davis had to top 30% to show he had any significant impact. He just reached that. But he fell short of the 40% that would have signaled Mueller was vulnerable for a possible fall upset by Republican challenger Desmont Upchurch.

In Anderson, Democrat Mayor Thomas Broderick defeated Councilman Rodney Chamberlain by a mere 32 votes and faces Republican Jon Bell, who won his primary by just four votes. Republican Kevin Smith won the Anderson mayors office twice, in 2003 and 2011, before Broderick defeated him in 2015.

Indiana Democrat Chairman Mike Schmuhl said after the November 2022 elections, Indiana Democrats laid the groundwork in 2021 and 2022, and now its time to crisscross our state even more, build up our party from the grassroots, elect city leaders in 2023.

There may be some opportunities for Democrats as well.

There will be an open seat in Evansville, where Republican Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is retiring. He and his wife, Carol McClintock, recruited and helped newcomer Natalie Rascher win a decisive primary against Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave by 1,500 votes. Rascher will face Democrat Stephanie Terry in November. Democrats control seven of nine Evansville Council seats.

Another open seat comes in Carmel. Republican Mayor Jim Brainard did not seek another term. Councilwoman Sue Finkam won the three-way race with 36% of the vote and will face Democrat Miles Nelson in November. We knew we had to be scrappy and tough and resilient and not back down from a fight, Finkam said. They underestimated us at every turn.

Nelson told a gathering of 150 Democrats, As we move toward the November election, Im ready to continue engaging voters in our city on how we build an administration thats responsive to their needs, transparent about our spending and priorities.

In Terre Haute, Republican Mayor Duke Bennett is seeking a record-tying fifth term and will face Democrat Brandon Sakbun, who upset Tom Goodwin on Tuesday with 54%. Goodwin, running as an independent in 2019, came within 213 votes of upsetting Bennett.
Egypt condemned the incursion of several Israeli officials, parliamentarians, and settlers into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the so-called Flag March earlier Thursday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
VALPARAISO  Valparaiso University graduates were sent into the world with last-minute advice from a variety of sources.

Theres something I know for certain. Ask questions. You never know who might be eager to help, said Dr. Mark Anderson, executive vice president for medical affairs, dean of the Division of Biological Sciences and dean of the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago.

At some point in the future, you will be uncertain about your decisions. You will have doubts. You will wonder whether you are on your way to happiness. When that happens, I hope you will remember to be open to possibilities.

Remember you are not alone, he advised.

Health care and science are team sports, Anderson said. Doctors get most of the recognition, but when youre sick, nurses are the ones who spend the most time with you, checking on your comfort and that of your family and friends. Nurses are most often the glue that holds together hospitals and health care systems.

Sometimes the right path will be obvious, but other times you might have to double back to get where you want to go. Regardless, Anderson said, you wont make it very far without the help of others.

Be observant. Ask questions. You never know who might need your help. And for some persons, that help might be you.

Lijana Teague spoke to her fellow Arts & Sciences graduates. I would like to see others try to top this Mothers Day gift, she quipped.

Regardless of how you passed, and regardless of whatever grade you passed with, you did it, often with the help of peers.

Valpo has shaped us to be well-rounded individuals, Teague said. Together we are fraternity and sorority members, athletes, residential residents, study-abroad residents, Christ College scholars and so much more.

And now they are VU graduates too.

From this moment forward, we are more than our majors and so much more than whatever we studied, Teague said.

Valpo and your fellow alumni stand beside you, Alumni Association President Danielle Iddins said.

Come back for Homecoming and reunion weekend, she urged. Wear your Valpo apparel and proudly fly your Valpo flag.

Stay connected, she said, and share achievements during a lifetime of success in the future.

VU President Jose Padilla continued that theme.

If you live to 80 years old, the four years you spent here will constitute 5% of your life, he said, and will be the most impactful and consequential of your life.

The friends that you made here will be the friends you have for the rest of your life. You may not see each other for decades, but when you do, they will look to you like the fresh-faced, optimistic men and women you saw in your poor times or when he or she was your roommate your freshman year.

Forty years from now their hairlines are going to be receding, their waistlines are going to be thicker, but theyre going to look the same like they did when you started here.

Padilla reminded the grads to be servant leaders regardless of how much money they make: Its the social compact where you pledge to be beacon to all those who live in the shadows and who need you to be aware.

They will not stand alone, however.

We will be angels on your shoulders giving you the answers to tough questions, he said. This is the place that opened its arms to you four years ago. When youre 68, well still be giving you bear hugs when you return.

God help anyone who attacks a Valpo man or woman. God help anyone who underestimates us because they not only will have you to contend with, theyll have a family to contend with. Were about 60,000 strong.

St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Crystal Brisco represented VUs board of directors. We recognize the light that shines inside each and every one of you, along with your exemplary leadership, wisdom and integrity, characteristics that embody the Valpo spirit, she said.

After the ceremony, Tjasha Teague said she was proud of her daughters speech. To me, shes like a stand-up comedian. I think shes hilarious. For the solemn occasion, however, Lijana toned it down.

Lijana said that when she learned she would giving the speech at commencement, she cried, then called her mother at work to let her know. My mom ran out of her work so she could dance in the parking lot and not have her notice it, she said.

Now that shes done with VU, Lijana is heading to Canada for a weeks vacation with her brother  her treat. Afterward, shes heading back to Kansas City.

Lijana majored in Spanish and psychology. She plans to train people at car dealerships on computer software.

Fontini Hughes of Boca Raton, Florida, and Ana Maldonado of Crown Point were fellow psychology majors. They showed their decorated mortarboards after the ceremony.

Maldonados butterflies were a tribute to her great-grandmother. Hughes wanted to honor her father, who died June 20.

Maldonado is thinking of a year in Spain as her next adventure. Hughes plans to move back to Florida to pursue a career in marketing or finance.

Vijay Dandu of India received a masters in information technology. Hes now looking for job opportunities in the United States.

Syed Adnan and Munawaruddin Ghalib, both of India, chose Valpo to get masters degrees in information technology. Ghalib is still working toward his degree. They became best friends and roommates off campus.

Kaitlyn Jedrzejowski of Hoffman Estates and Derrick Minnick of LaPorte are also good friends. They both studies theology and ministry.

I really loved the intentionality behind the community here, Jedrzejowski said. Her fun memories include late-night snacking with sorority sisters and driving to Chicago late at night for Crumbl cookies before a location opened in Valparaiso.

Minnick organized a lock-in at the Chapel of the Resurrection that featured Nerf gun battles and homemade puppy chow. Hes planning to go into youth ministry.

Jedrzejowski is going to work with sixth- to 12-grade youths at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso.

Natalia Suazo of Honduras received a bachelors degree. Shes planning to pursue her masters and doctoral degrees.

I really liked all my classes, she said. Suazo studied at Ivy Tech Community College for two years before switching to VU.

Photos: Valparaiso University graduation 2023
MICHIGAN CITY  Paul Volponi, author of 15 popular books for young adults, visited Michigan City High School recently, meeting with several groups of students in the school library to discuss his novels and lead them in writing workshops.

During one session with Monica Handleys AP English Composition students, Volponi shared that even though he was a good student in school, he was not a reader.

I used to pretend to read books, he said, admitting that he would participate in class discussions just by rephrasing things others were saying. I was wrong, he said. I never came up with any solid ideas of my own.

Then, a teacher gave him a copy of a book based on the first James Bond movie  a movie he loved. That was my first book. I am so grateful to that teacher.

Volponi went on to become a successful writer, teacher, and journalist living in New York City.

From 1992-1998, he taught incarcerated teens on Rikers Island to read and write. That experience formed the basis of his ALA Award-winning novels Rikers High and Black and White. From 1999-2005, he taught teens in drug treatment programs, inspiring his ALA Award-winning novel Rooftop.

During the workshop at MCHS, Volponi urged students to write about what they know and feel passionate about.

He said his first book, Black and White, was rejected by one publisher because his protagonist was black, yet he is a white author.

People are going to tell you what you can do and what you cant, he said. Dont listen to them. Do what you want.

During his workshops at MCHS, Volponi gave students writing prompts based on a character named Jessup, who was wrongly accused of beating a corrections officer at a juvenile facility.

Pick up Jessups story tell me what happens next. Write from any perspective  Jessups, his mom, the guard, other students. Take it into the past or the future. Give him superpowers. There are no limits. What will you do with Jessup?

After students wrote several sentences, Volponi encouraged several to read their passages aloud, offering tips and critiques.

This is how you sharpen your skills. I am so impressed with the creativity here.

Volponi visits classes across the U.S., either in-person or via video conferencing, to discuss the novels and encourage students who wish to pursue their own writing.

According to MCAS Library Media Specialist Gwen Hudson, who arranged his visit to MCHS, several of his books are available at MCHS and middle school libraries. We truly appreciate the time he spent here in Michigan City, she said. His passion for writing and his expertise really inspired our students.
GARY  Environmental advocates shared concerns early last week about a lime plant in Gary seeking to renew its air permit. Now the Indiana Department of Environmental Management plans a public hearing to discuss the issue.

Public comment on the permit renewal ended May 5. However, IDEM said Friday that a public meeting is being scheduled.

In an email to the Times, an IDEM spokesperson wrote that the meeting will be scheduled for June 1, although a time and location has not been announced. Also, the comment period has been extended to June 5. Additional public meeting details will be published on the IDEM public notices page, in.gov/idem/public-notices.

Being a 'better neighbor'

Carmeuse, in Gary's Buffington Harbor area, provides limestone to steel mills; it's one of the main ingredients burnt in blast furnaces to make iron. The company has asked the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to renew its five-year air-quality permit, which was last renewed in 2014.

If IDEM renews the permit without tightening requirements, the state agency will essentially be "giving Carmeuse a green light to continue violating its permit with impunity," Mike Zoeller, a senior attorney at ELPC, said in a news release May 8.

Carmeuse was fined $11,250 for air-quality violations in 2014, according to the state agency. Most recently, an October inspection of the facility found seven violations.

Zoeller said the ELPC does not oppose the permit renewal, the organization just wants Carmeuse to "be a better neighbor."

"If we want to improve the environment for people whose exposure to pollution is already greatly in excess to your average Hoosier, than were going to have to mitigate the pollution thats already there," Zoeller explained.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Screen tool, the five-mile radius surrounding Carmeuse is in the highest percentiles in the country for diesel emissions, fine-particulate-matter air pollution and proximity to hazardous waste. An analysis by The Guardian of research from the University of Washington and Virginia Tech this year found that Northwest Indiana's industrial core had the fourth-worst PM 2.5 air pollution in the country.

PM 2.5 is a kind of fine-particulate air pollutant that can get into the deepest part of the lungs and even into the bloodstream. It is emitted by industrial operations, vehicles and wildfires.

The ELPC said IDEM should conduct an environmental justice analysis before renewing Carmeuse's permit because the vast majority of people living near the lime plant are African American or Hispanic/Latino, groups that have been disproportionately exposed to air pollution across the country.

Because of Carmeuse's record of noncompliance, the ELPC also recommended that the company be required to hire an outside consultant to conduct an audit of the entire facility. A third-party contractor could be used to evaluate all the state and local requirements Carmeuse has to meet and track them through a database, making it easier to note when emissions are too high or are not recorded.

Zoeller said hiring a consultant would likely costly but should be a priority for Carmeuse.

IDEM cannot inspect this facility into compliance, they just dont have the resources," Zoeller said. "But they can ask Carmeuse to do it themselves."

Working with the Region

The review of Carmeuse's permit request is part of the ELPC's larger efforts to track industrial emissions in the Region.

Zoeller was hired to work on the ELPCs Northwest Indiana Air, Parks and Water Protector Project in October. The goal of the project is to hold companies accountable and support local environmental efforts.

The Carmeuse renewal is the second Region permit the ELPC has reviewed in recent weeks. On May 3, the organization submitted comment for a proposed air permit and a new emission source in East Chicago. Metal Management Indiana Inc., or Sims Metal, is looking to construct new equipment that will emit air pollutants. Similar to the comments submitted for Carmeuse, the ELPC asked IDEM to consider environmental justice concerns and emission mitigation tactics when reviewing Sims's request.

Zoeller said it's not just about the large amount of industry in Northwest Indiana but the sheer "significance of their pollution."

"You have this concentration of three integrated steel mills. Each one of those are massive emitters, right next to one of the largest oil refineries in the country."

Zoeller said this concentration of pollution  primarily in the northern part of Lake County, where there are more African American and Hispanic/Latino residents  has created "deep environmental justice concerns."

The ELPC wants to work with Northwest Indiana residents to see where the organizations' services are needed most. While industry has been an important economic driver in the Region, Zoeller said advances in technology can help make companies less environmentally harmful.

"We dont have to be operating our heavy industry the way we did 100 years ago, when some of these facilities were built."

PHOTOS: Community members tour Gary location selected for planned waste-to-fuel plant Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location Fulcrum bus tour of their proposed plant location
'We fight together:' Sounds of Sarah fentanyl and addiction awareness walk Attendees take a moment of silence for all those who have died from drug overdoses or fentanyl poisonings at Sounds of Sarah's Walk and Run on

HIGHLAND  A couple months ago, Sounds of Sarah Executive Director Patty Stovall sponsored billboards around the Region, with the faces of residents who died from fentanyl poisonings.

On Saturday, she again honored the lives behind the faces at Sounds of Sarah's first 3K Walk and Run at Wicker Park.

The event raised money for programming in support of prevention and education on the dangers of opioid usage and illicit fentanyl poisonings.

"One of the scariest things we can say is, 'It will never happen to me, it will never happen to my child'," Stovall said. "For those who have lost a child or loved one, I want everyone to know they're not alone."

Stovall was joined by local groups promoting local resources, such as Gary Harm Reduction and Northwest Indiana Suicide Prevention Council. As participants made their way to each organization's booth, others waited eagerly to begin their trek around the park. Supporters wore shirts with the nonprofit's logo, a purple butterfly, and the phrase "We Fight Together" across the chest. A banner hung with photos of the same faces who were on Stovall's initial billboard  this time, she more than quadrupled the number of images.

A phrase in capital letters at the top of the banner clamored out to the crowd: "Can you see me now?"

'We fight together:' Sounds of Sarah fentanyl and addiction awareness walk Sounds of Sarah Executive Director Patty Stovall addresses the crowd Saturday at the nonprofit's inaugural 3K Walk and Run at Wicker Park in H

Stovall introduced the board of directors to the crowd. All five members said how honored they were to be part of the cause and talked up the importance of promoting resources for people struggling with substance abuse, opioid use and mental illness.

"Through nonprofits such as Sounds of Sarah, we are able to take charges and lead the lost to resources," Dorothia Smith said.

Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, noted the Legislature's role in promoting resources and preventing deaths by illicit fentanyl use. Andrade co-sponsored Senate Enrolled Act 379, which heightened penalties for people who are caught selling or in possession of substances that contain fentanyl. It was signed into law April 20.

"This is an urgent threat to our communities and all Hoosiers," he said. "Let us continue to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and bring those dealers to justice."

Before the walk began, Stovall invited all mothers and other loved ones who had lost someone to a drug overdose or poisoning to walk to the front of the stage for a Mother's Day gift. As she embraced each mother, she handed over a butterfly figurine.

'We fight together:' Sounds of Sarah fentanyl and addiction awareness walk Patty Stovall hugs Maggie Leslie as David Leslie looks on. The Leslies lost their daughter, Deborah, to a drug poisoning in September.

One of the women, Dana Summers of Lowell, lost her son, Garett, in November 2021. He was 21.

"I don't think you ever heal from this," Summers said. "You just learn to cope."

Summers said she is frustrated at the lack of resources and help available for people struggling with substance use or opioid use disorders in her area. She took her son to several treatment centers and felt that his individual needs weren't being prioritized.

"All patients have different genetics, different addictions," she said. "But they treat everybody the same."

'We fight together:' Sounds of Sarah fentanyl and addiction awareness walk A group of participants recoup Saturday after walking and running around Wicker Park at Sounds of Sarah's 3K Walk and Run.

Joe Saczawa knows this better than many people. He's battled heroin use for 17 years and been in and out of recovery. He said a massive part of his recovery has been to identify situations that might trigger behaviors or reactions that lead to drug use.

"It affects you mentally, physically and spiritually," he said. "It's about being aware and cognizant of triggers, things that are associated with the nature of addiction."

Today, he's celebrating six months in recovery.

"It's about learning to regulate feelings and behaviors in a healthy way," Saczawa said.

He said he's relied on his friends, time spent in Narcotics Anonymous and especially his mom, Lora, for support: "Recovery is about connection."

'We fight together:' Sounds of Sarah fentanyl and addiction awareness walk Sounds of Sarah board member Dorothia Smith (left) comforts Patty Stovall as she embraces mom Dana Summers (right). Summers lost her son, Gare

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week PNW graduation May 2023 PNW graduation May 2023 PNW graduation May 2023 PNW graduation May 2023 PNW graduation May 2023 Baseball's back in Crown Point Baseball's back in Crown Point Baseball's back in Crown Point Crown Point National Day of Prayer Crown Point National Day of Prayer Crown Point National Day of Prayer Crown Point National Day of Prayer Crown Point National Day of Prayer Shriners' Vidalia onions on the Square Mrvan serves food at Hess Elementary Mrvan serves food at Hess Elementary Mrvan serves food at Hess Elementary Mrvan serves food at Hess Elementary Mrvan serves food at Hess Elementary WEATHER'S PAR FOR THE COURSE Golfing at Wicker Valpo open house Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night Voters turn out for municipal elections Voters turn out for municipal elections Voters turn out for municipal elections Indian Medical Association of Indiana gives new heating and cooling system to the Brothers Keeper Indian Medical Association of Indiana gives new heating and cooling system to the Brothers Keeper Tradewinds gala 2023 Books, Brushes & Bands spring tea 2023 Books, Brushes & Bands spring tea 2023 Books, Brushes & Bands spring tea 2023 Gallery HTML code
If youre in need of a Mothers Day gift, try making a list of everything your mom was right about and reading it to her or including it with a card. And if youve lost your mother, consider writing a list as a remembrance.

Here are a few reader responses to inspire you:

Quotes have been edited for clarity and length.

When I wanted to get my first tattoo at 21, she subtly suggested I get it someplace where I did not have to see it every day. I followed her suggestion and now have a slightly embarrassing, poor-quality tattoo on my back instead of my forearm.  Amanda Olson, Seattle



My mother, a nurse, asserted that everyone should learn first aid. I followed her advice and ended up using the Heimlich maneuver on my then little boy.  Karen Russ, Rockford, Ill.



When I was in my 20s, I was absolutely miserable at a job and was looking to get out as fast as I could. My mom gently reminded me that I should always be running toward something, not away from something.  Sheryl Magzamen, Fort Collins, Colo.



Select friends with traits of the kind of person you want to be.  Seun Sowemimo, Manalapan, N.J.


Jump to: Tricky Clues | Todays Theme

SUNDAY PUZZLE  Sid Sivakumar is an M.D./Ph.D. student at Washington University in St. Louis. This is his 15th crossword for The New York Times in three years. He likes theme ideas and clues that are challenging but not forced. When you figure something out, he wants you to say Of course! not Uh  OK, I get it. If possible, Sid includes South Asian references in his puzzles, as in the clue for 111-Down.

I am excited to say that this is Sids first themed Sunday puzzle, although he did have a themeless one back in 2021. Its a real tour de force of construction: I kept getting tangled up in the theme as I solved, and the thought of trying to construct this puzzle gives me a bit of a conniption. Despite the complexity, its a polished, flowing solve  unforced and very enjoyable.

Todays Theme

Fortunately, this puzzles theme set has many indicators; without them, I would have been a wreck. In the grid, you will notice five identical icons, each in one black square in the puzzle. They are yellow road signs that show two lanes of traffic, running vertically, converging into one lane that ends in an arrow pointing south. Nondrivers: Before you get your MetroCards in a twist, I drive all over New York City and this sign was utterly unfamiliar to me. After solving, I had to look it up to make sure it wasnt an invention.

As far as the clues and entries, the theme set is found in the downs, involving five sets of three entries; each set of three is arranged around one of those road signs and interacts in an intricate way.
I think that oftentimes when a woman becomes a mother, the lions share of her energy, focus, attention  not to mention love  is now directed to children and home life. And women without kids can feel excluded or pushed out. We want to be included still.

How have your friendships with women who are mothers evolved?

What Ive noticed in my friendships with moms is that I am valuable as someone with whom they get to be the woman they were without their kids. And I think thats such an important role within any kind of family structure or community.

According to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, birthrates in the United States have fallen for the past five decades. Where do you see this trend going?

Gen X women are the first generation of women to have been born with this message, You can do, be whatever you want in your life. And Im talking about Gen X Western women. Obviously, this message is not available to women in many countries.

This is the first generation who lived our entire reproductive lives with that message. Thats why were seeing such a rise in the numbers of women without kids. Well see a steeper drop-off as Gen X women and millennial women reach menopause, without having reproduced  the impact of the past 50 years on womens attitudes and choices when it comes to reproduction.

Speaking of that change, your book calls for a sexual evolution, a total reimagining of our sexual selves. What might be the environmental impact of more non-procreative sex?
Thai voters support change

Thai voters overwhelmingly sought to end nearly a decade of military rule, casting ballots in favor of two opposition parties that have pledged to curtail the power of two powerful conservative institutions: the military and the monarchy.

With 97 percent of the votes counted as of early this morning, the progressive Move Forward Party was neck and neck with the populist Pheu Thai Party. Move Forward had won 151 seats to Pheu Thais 141 in the 500-seat House of Representatives.

We can frame this election as a referendum on traditional power centers in Thai politics, Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said. People want change, and not just a change of government. They want structural reform.

What is also clear is that the results are a humbling blow for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who took power in a coup in 2014.
Heres what other ambassadors told my colleagues working in Mexico, Australia, China and elsewhere:

What the show gets wrong

Part of the fun of The Diplomat, as with any workplace show, comes when it departs from reality. The ambassadors we spoke with were quick to point out discrepancies, both big (the lack of a Senate confirmation hearing) and small (Kates use of a cellphone in the office).

I have a different memory of the confirmation process, Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, told my colleague Motoko Rich. The show may get the diplomatic life right, but their grasp of American politics and the U.S. Senate? Not so right.

Heres what else they said the show got wrong:

The ambassadors use of military jets: Yeah, right, I wish, said Richard Buangan, the U.S. ambassador to Mongolia. Most ambassadors would fly commercial to our posts like everyone else. We must be excellent stewards of U.S. taxpayer money.

The rejoinders and banter: Hyperbolic, unrealistic, amusing, said Carlos Pascual, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and Ukraine. The speeches every diplomat wants to give his or her boss. Eloquence that saves the world. Not exactly the daily course of business.

A Vogue photo shoot: Multiple former ambassadors said the racks of outfits in the show were unrealistic. Whos paying for all these clothes? wondered Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. ambassador to Mali and Madagascar. Huddleston did once pose for a photo shoot  for The Times. In the photograph that accompanies the article, Huddleston said, she wore her own dress.
In 1999, with the dot-com boom near its apogee, Angies List moved online. The site, which still charged a subscription fee and also made money through advertising, rated different businesses from A to F in categories like punctuality and professionalism. It also allowed users to write signed reviews about different businesses in their area, which Angies List hoped would make reviews fairer and more accurate. (Users entire names did not appear, but they did have to provide them to the company.)

Businesses that received bad reviews could try to settle the issue with customers who complained through Angies List; if the business ignored the complaint resolution process or failed to resolve a complaint, it could be placed in the Penalty Box, a kind of online pillory, and temporarily lose its listing on the site. Widely praised businesses earned a Super Service Award, as well as greater attention on the site.

Mr. Oesterle became chief executive in 1999, when Ms. Hicks left to attend Harvard Business School. (She later returned in a different capacity.) In time the company employed more than 2,000 workers, mainly based in Indianapolis during Mr. Oesterles tenure, and developed a user base of millions in dozens of cities across the United States.

In 2004, Mr. Oesterle stepped away to run Mitch Danielss first campaign for governor. He had known Mr. Daniels, who was then director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush, for years. Mr. Oesterle raised millions of dollars for the campaign while having Mr. Daniels tour the state in an R.V., ride a motorcycle and stay overnight with constituents to demonstrate that he was a man of the people.

Mr. Daniels won handily, beating the Democratic incumbent, Joseph Kernan, with more than 53 percent of the vote. (Mr. Daniels went on to win a second term.)
Rebels from Ethiopia's Oromia region on Wednesday accused the government of launching a large-scale military offensive against them after peace talks between the two sides ended without agreement.
But what does modern-day management look like, and how are business leaders confronting some of their thorniest challenges? This week, DealBook delved into some of the toughest dilemmas facing businesses and how C.E.O.s are navigating them:

How should business engage with governments in an age of rising populism and tense geopolitics? The narrative of the post-Cold War world was economic integration, international supply chains and deepening trade ties. Chinas economic development underpinned global growth for decades and was fundamental in helping the west recover after the 2008 financial crisis.

Now, tensions between Washington and Beijing are putting companies in a bind. The pressure to decouple is growing and bipartisan. But it has come after many businesses spent decades trying to get the most out of China as a manufacturing center as well as a huge market. Last year, bilateral trade hit a record $690 billion a sign that not everyone is ready to flee the worlds second-largest economy to please the political masters in the biggest one.

Closer to home, executives are under intense scrutiny for the positions and commercial decisions they take on hot-button political issues, ranging from access to abortion to transgender rights. In a country as divided and vast as the U.S., that means a surefire money spinner in one market or state may be a political and reputational nightmare in another.

All of this suggests it has never been more important to make the case for business to policymakers, but C.E.O.s who speak out publicly should expect to be clobbered, Matthew Gwyther writes.

Is there a way to navigate the climate crisis without becoming a political target? The fight over companies approach to the environment has run straight into a political culture war. Shareholders, policymakers and commercial imperatives are pushing companies to put sustainability at the heart of their operations. But some powerful officials, such as the Republican governors in Florida and Texas, are bashing companies that pursue such policies and are winning political points by doing so. Some companies have found that saying less is best, Michael Skapinker reports.
Send questions about the office, money, careers and work-life balance to workfriend@nytimes.com. Include your name and location, or a request to remain anonymous. Letters may be edited.

Mute Those Wedding Bells

I work for a nonprofit and live check to check. My colleagues and I have a shared lunchroom and lunch break. One of my colleagues is getting married and has spent many lunches discussing her extravagant wedding plans. My husband and I rode our bikes to a courthouse to tie the knot, so listening to the challenges of organizing a wedding that costs at least $100,000 is quite shocking. I find the entire wedding industry to be ridiculous, and this level of privilege is unfamiliar to me. I try to tune out as much as I can. My colleagues plan to host a lunch and purchase a wedding gift for her. My budget is extremely tight and I bring my lunch to work every day because I dont have any extra money. I do not want to purchase lunch or donate to the gift. I donate to most causes (colleagues who lose family members or are having a new baby). However, I just cant see myself purchasing a gift for someone who presents as entitled. Ive decided to ignore the email and avoid work that day. How should I handle this situation?  Anonymous

It sounds as if youre harboring some resentment here, and given your circumstances, I understand. Its frustrating to live paycheck to paycheck while having to listen to someone blithely discussing the economics of her impending nuptials as if everyone can afford an extravagant wedding. Your colleague is probably sharing about her wedding because shes excited. Shes also being a bit gauche and inconsiderate because youre her co-workers, not necessarily her close friends with whom she might more appropriately discuss such things.

You clearly dont like this person, so dont contribute to her wedding gift or lunch and dont give that choice a second thought. Social pressure is always at work when the workplace passes around the proverbial collection plate, but you can either abstain silently or explain that you cant afford any additional expenses right now. There is no shame at all in declining to contribute to something like this.

Overcoming Internalized Ableism

Ive been sick with various chronic conditions my whole life. For most of my career Ive been a workaholic, frequently working multiple jobs and well over 40 hours a week to make ends meet. For the past couple of years, Ive had a full-time position I love and that Ive been really good at, with a nonprofit whose mission I truly believe in. However, my chronic pain and fatigue have been worsening. In January, I was struggling to focus and make it through the workday. I asked my boss to switch to a new, more exciting project. However, I crashed and burned anyway and had to take three weeks of medical leave. I returned to work, but after only a couple weeks full time I was struggling again, so I asked to reduce my hours to 32 a week to try and prevent another crash. In the meantime, my original project has remained untouched. In recent meetings, my boss has been highlighting my current projects and singing my praises to supervisors and colleagues. Instead of feeling happy or proud, I find myself thinking, Youre just saying that to convince everyone  including yourself  that Im still worth it. I know thats my anxiety and internalized ableism talking, but I cant get that voice out of my head. How do I convince myself that I am, in fact, still a worthwhile employee?  Georgia, Austin

Please stop undermining yourself! It can be difficult to overcome the internalized negativity we harbor toward ourselves, particularly in an ableist world. Its easy to buy into the idea that if youre human, if you cant work yourself into the ground without consequence, you are failing. This is simply not true. To live in a body means that sometimes, that body will struggle in one way or another. It is not a reflection on your inherent worth or your professional merits.
Little is known about the political views of Daniel Penny, the ex-Marine charged with fatally choking Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.

But since Mr. Pennys arrest on Friday on second-degree manslaughter charges, he has been quickly embraced by right-wing political figures and groups.

A campaign to raise money for his legal defense  set up on GiveSendGo, a self-described Christian crowdfunding site that was also used to raise funds for some of those arrested in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol  had raised more than $1.8 million as of Sunday night.

In urging his followers to donate to the fund, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, a likely Republican presidential candidate, compared Mr. Penny to the good Samaritan, a biblical figure who comes to the aid of a man who has been beaten, stripped of his clothes and left on the side of the road.
When a homeless man was choked to death on the New York City subway earlier this month by another passenger, Mayor Eric Adams had an uncharacteristically guarded response. For more than a week, he did not denounce the killing, as many of his Democratic colleagues immediately had, or express much sympathy for the victim, Jordan Neely.

Instead, the mayor chose a more detached view, noting that there were serious mental issues in play here.

I was a former transit police officer, and I responded to many jobs where you had a passenger assisting someone, he said on CNN. And so we cannot just blatantly say what a passenger should or should not do in a situation like that.

The mayors response was the most recent example of him tacking away from the citys left, creating a wedge with some of his Democratic colleagues. Mr. Adams has been pushing more moderate, sometimes even conservative, views on issues like rent, religion and his signature theme, improving public safety  a sharp turn from his Democratic predecessor, Bill de Blasio, and from progressive leaders who have recently won mayoral elections in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.
For Sonia Cortes, the battle for Sunset Park began with soup. Two years ago, after the pandemic wiped out her job as a seamstress, Ms. Cortes started selling pozole, a brothy Mexican soup, in the park, a 25-acre swath of green in southwestern Brooklyn. On a good Sunday, she could make $600 or $700. I was able to pay my rent, she said.

By last fall, the Sunday market had grown to more than 80 vendors, mostly immigrant women selling Mexican street food and wares to large weekend crowds. They called it Plaza Tonatiuh, after an Aztec sun god. Every Sunday, there were musicians and childrens activities; there were political education sessions, led by the markets organizers, members of an activist group called Mexicanos Unidos, discussing Mao Zedongs Five Golden Rays or Frantz Fanons anticolonialist The Wretched of the Earth.

Then last month, police and parks enforcement officers moved to shut down the market, citing community complaints and the fact that Plaza Tonatiuh did not have a permit. On Easter Sunday, dozens of officers clashed violently with vendors and organizers, who locked arms in resistance. Two people were arrested.
I was 8 when my mother died. She died at 35 of breast cancer, though it would be years before I knew that.

Over time, I developed the belief that because she was dead, certain knowledge eluded me. If I had a mother, Id think, Id know how to walk in heels and sit like a girl. Id know what to carry in a purse or how to operate a curling iron. Id probably know the difference between shampoo and conditioner, and Id certainly know that breastfeeding mothers offered only milk, not milk through one breast, orange juice through the other. These were small things, but later, Id want to know what to say to boys, the specific mechanics of sex and how to alleviate cramps. I felt sure that girls with mothers knew everything.

My father remarried two years after my mom died, so in a way I recouped a mother. But I did not see her as a mother figure. I did not see her as anyone other than the person my father married. We fought, all of us, my father, my stepmother, my two stepsiblings. We fought in words and sometimes with our fists. And the fighting finally got to be too much because one day, in 1985, my stepmother and father lined up suitcases in our foyer and told us kids to leave because we could not live by Gods rules and therefore, we could not live in their house. My brother, David, was nearly 18. My stepsiblings were 20 and 17. I was 16.

And then I was off, and in the world, living at first out of my car, and then on friends couches, and then finally, once I was old enough to sign a lease, in apartments of my own. I worked low-wage jobs, got my G.E.D., went to college and eventually traveled. My stepmother was neither in nor out of my life. I didnt go out of my way to ignore her, but I also did not seek her or my father out. My parents were evangelical. I was a nonbeliever. Though that word suggests a lack of belief, the truth is, I hold many beliefs  just not the same ones they held.
When war broke out unexpectedly in the streets of Khartoum, Dr. Hiba Omer, a senior surgeon, could have fled like so many others. Instead, she stayed behind to keep a hospital open. Her city was in its hour of greatest need. If she left, who would perform the C-sections and treat all those bullet wounds? Even after a Sudanese military official accused her on social media of siding with its enemy, the R.S.F. militia, sparking a barrage of death threats against her, she refused to flee.

I will never leave Khartoum, she told me. I will stay here, until death. I have a responsibility, and I will be staying until we do our job. It is a professional commitment.

Whenever a place becomes unbearable because of a natural disaster or a war, our hearts go out to the refugees who make the desperate trek out. But its the people who stay behind who will decide the countrys fate. They are the ones who will determine whether refugees will have a home to return to.

Consider what Ukraine would be like today if President Volodymyr Zelensky had taken the American offer to spirit him to safety at the beginning of the Russian invasion. His famous reply  I need ammunition, not a ride  shamed the West into providing more aid, boosted morale and inspired a nation. How must Afghans have felt when they learned that their president, Ashraf Ghani, who had vowed that he would never abandon his people, had hastily departed in a helicopter as the Taliban approached? No one can begrudge him the instinct of self-preservation.
Listen and follow The Daily

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher

In the final days of Marleny Mesas pregnancy, she could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. She could barely breathe, for one thing. For another, her anxiety and physical discomfort were approaching what felt like an unbearable peak. A week or so later, she delivered a tiny, squirming boy with jet black hair and soft, curious eyes. She and her husband, Andres Noscue, named him Eliad. Marleny thought he was perfect, but her mother, a retired midwife, insisted that the placenta contained a hint of trouble. It was far too big, she said, and Eliad was too small, probably because he did not have enough room in her womb to grow. His grandmother thought he might need an incubator. Marleny thought he was fine, but when the baby was a few days old, she and Andres traveled from the Jerusalen-San Luis Alto Picudito Indigenous reservation in Putumayo, Colombia, to take him to Villagarzon for a checkup, just to be safe.

This proved harder than they expected. The baby could not be seen at the hospital there until he had a civil identification or registration number, which he could not get without a birth certificate, which the hospital could not provide because the baby was born at home. Go to the registrars office, the nurses told Marleny and Andres. But the registrars office only sent Andres back to the hospital, where a different nurse told them to try the notarys office instead. By then it was almost noon. The only bus of the day would be heading back to San Luis soon; if Andres and his family missed it, they would have to cough up more money for room and board in town than they normally spent in a week. So they went home.

The problem of inadequate registries is most pressing in the low-income nations of Africa and Southeast Asia. But it is not confined to those regions. In Colombia, birth and death registration is especially spotty in Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, where the national government tends to have little presence and registrars and notaries tend to apply the rules arbitrarily. A program known as Colombia Rural Vital was created to simplify and democratize this process.
For the first time in months, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday showed the aggressive political instincts that his allies have long insisted he would demonstrate in a contest against former President Donald J. Trump.

After headlining two successful political events in Iowa, Mr. DeSantis made an unscheduled stop in Des Moines  a move aimed at highlighting the fact that Mr. Trump had abruptly postponed a planned Saturday evening rally in the area because of reports of possible severe weather.

Mr. Trumps explanation for postponing the event drew skepticism from local Iowa officials and derision from DeSantis allies about the beautiful weather. And Mr. DeSantis  who has avoided direct conflict with Mr. Trump  essentially kicked sand in the former presidents face by coming to an area that Mr. Trump claimed to have been told was too dangerous for him to visit.

After wrapping up his events on Saturday evening elsewhere in the state, Mr. DeSantis headed to Jethros BBQ Southside, where he and his wife, Casey DeSantis, stood on a table outside and spoke to a cheering crowd. The barbecue joint was a short drive from where Mr. Trump had planned to host his own rally.
Dana Abella and her husband, Lt. Col. John Abella, have moved 11 times and gone through four deployments. They have three children.

Maj. Bernard Wheeler delayed a deployment several days to see his daughters birth in 2018. When he returned, it took her months to get used to his presence.

Alexandria Lyles has experienced five deployments and six moves. Her younger sister, Juliana, has been through four deployments and four moves.

For the first time last week, a military base was named in honor of a spouse, recognizing the full experience of military families.
Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off a summit with Central Asian leaders on Thursday, seeking to build regional influence as G7 leaders hold a rival gathering in Japan.
For nearly a quarter century, as successive waves of migrants have tried to enter and work in the United States, presidents have appealed to Congress to address gaps in an immigration system nearly everyone agrees is broken.

Yet year after year, congressional efforts to strike a wide-ranging bipartisan deal  one that would strengthen border security measures while expanding avenues for people to immigrate to the United States in an orderly and lawful way  have fractured under the strain of political forces.

Immigration has proved to be a potent political messaging tool, particularly for Republicans, who have rallied voters behind campaigns to close the border with Mexico  and denounced anything other than stringent security proposals as amnesty. And Democrats have long resisted border security initiatives without measures to grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States and to expand immigration in the future.

While many lawmakers have tried to bridge the gap, not once in the 21st century has Congress managed to send a comprehensive immigration bill to the presidents desk.
The Pentagon also will not disclose a comprehensive list of partner forces and the countries in which they are operating. The Defense Department official said the list is classified primarily because of its sensitivity to partners, citing situations in which a foreign government has agreed but wants to keep its participation quiet for its own domestic political reasons.

The documents obtained by The Times include directives for two programs that are named for the laws that authorize them. The Section 127e program, commonly called 127 Echo, can spend up to $100 million a year on counterterrorism proxies. The Section 1202 program is authorized to spend up to $15 million a year on surrogates for irregular warfare.

The rules lay out the process by which special operators propose developing a new partner force, which is ultimately up to the secretary of defense. The State Departments chief of mission in the affected country  if there is one  must also concur, but the rules do not require consulting the secretary of state in Washington. The programs cannot be used for covert operations.

The laws creating the two programs do not provide free-standing operational authority, the documents say. They do not detail the scope and limits on whom the programs can target.

For the counterterrorism program, the proxy force must be used against an adversary deemed to be covered by the Authorization for Use of Military Force that Congress enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the senior Defense Department official said. The executive branch has interpreted that law as a legal basis to wage an armed conflict against Al Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Somali militant group Al Shabab.
The Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley refused on Sunday to endorse a federal abortion ban at a specific number of weeks gestation, saying that to do so would be to lie to the American people about what is politically possible.

I think the media has tried to divide them by saying we have to decide certain weeks, Ms. Haley said in an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation. In states, yes. At the federal level, its not realistic. Its not being honest with the American people.

She was responding to a question from her interviewer, Margaret Brennan, about why she would not join another likely candidate, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, in endorsing a 20-week national ban.

Ms. Haley has said  and she repeated in the interview  that the Senate filibuster makes it impossible to pass a federal abortion ban as strict as the ones that many Republican-led states have passed since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, and that any anti-abortion president will therefore need to find a national consensus. (A Republican Senate majority could, if it chose, remove the filibuster.) But her comments on Sunday stood out for the explicitness of her rejection of committing to a gestational limit.
In an interview on Saturday, he said it was not meant to be a criticism. But it was an appeal for a bolder platform that captures the imagination of working-class Americans and inspires them.

Theres no question that political predictions this far from an election are unreliable. Mr. DeSantis has yet to declare his candidacy for the White House, though he and Mr. Trump have been circling each other and competing in a shadow contest in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first contests for the Republican presidential nomination. Even Iowa voters tend not to tune in to the race until later in the year, noted David Kochel, a longtime Iowa Republican consultant.

Still, the question of the moment remains: Where are we?

Simon Rosenberg, who correctly predicted that a surge of Democratic activism would blunt the promised red wave of the 2022 midterms, said the fear of MAGA that powered Democratic victories in 2018, 2020 and 2022 had not diminished ahead of 2024. If anything, abortion bans rolling from state to state across the country, a disheartening surge in mass shootings and a Republican assault on educational freedom will only sharpen those fears, he said.

Mr. Trumps performance at a CNN town hall on Wednesday evening  in which the former president repeatedly lied about the 2020 election; mocked E. Jean Carroll, whose accusations of sexual abuse and defamation ended in a $5 million judgment against him; and promised a return to some of his least popular policies  only reiterated why Democrats, independents and disaffected Republicans have turned away from the G.O.P. in the key states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The Biden re-election campaign, now in full gear after his formal announcement last month, was making the case to reporters after the town hall, pointing to Mr. Trumps pride in the overturning of Roe v. Wade; his dismissive take on the economic catastrophe that could ensue if the federal government defaults on its outstanding debt; his referring to Jan. 6, 2021, as a beautiful day; and his refusal to commit to accepting the 2024 election results.
Mr. Trump began his presidency by signing an executive order that sought to limit travelers from seven largely Muslim countries for 90 days. The order, with some exceptions, affected travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. It also suspended the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States.

The travel ban caused instant chaos. Airports were clogged with travelers who had been on airplanes when the order was signed and had no way of entering the country. Advocates sued, and the case went to the Supreme Court, which upheld the policy in a 2018 ruling. The administration issued additional travel bans as time went on, removing or adding countries, including several African nations, often using terrorist activities as justification.

The Border Wall

In 2017, Mr. Trump began focusing on one of his earliest campaign promises  building a physical wall along the border between the United States and Mexico. The idea was initially suggested by a Trump campaign aide, Sam Nunberg, as a memory aid to prompt the candidate to remember to talk about immigration in his speeches. But it soon became a rallying cry at his events.

You know, if it gets a little boring, if I see people starting to sort of, maybe thinking about leaving, Mr. Trump told the editorial board of The New York Times during the 2016 campaign, I can sort of tell the audience, I just say, We will build the wall! And they go nuts.

Mr. Trump had a series of extreme designs for the wall. He wanted spikes on top, black paint to burn the hands of immigrants trying to scale it, possibly a moat at the bottom. He wanted it 30 feet high. He queried at one point whether migrants could be shot in the legs to slow them down. Aides ignored such suggestions.
Delirious from hunger, a believer who had brought his family to live with a Christian doomsday cult in a remote wilderness in southeastern Kenya sent a distraught text to his younger sister last week. While he begged for her help to escape, he was still in the grip of the preacher who had lured him there, promising salvation through death by starvation.

Answer me quickly, because I dont have much time. Sister, End Times is here and people are being crucified, Solomon Muendo, a former street hawker, told his sister. Repent so that youre not left behind, Amen.

Mr. Muendo, 35, has been living in the Shakahola Forest since 2021, when, like hundreds of other believers, he abandoned his home and moved there with his wife and two young children.

They were following the call of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a former taxi driver turned televangelist who, declaring that the world was about to end, marketed Shakahola to his followers as an evangelical Christian sanctuary from the fast-approaching apocalypse.
Voters in Thailand overwhelmingly sought to end nearly a decade of military rule on Sunday, casting ballots in favor of two opposition parties that have pledged to curtail the power of the countrys powerful conservative institutions: the military and the monarchy.

With 97 percent of the votes counted early Monday morning, the progressive Move Forward Party was neck and neck with the populist Pheu Thai Party. Move Forward had won 151 seats to Pheu Thais 141 in the 500-seat House of Representatives.

In most parliamentary systems, the two parties would form a new governing coalition and choose a prime minister. But under the rules of the current Thai system, written by the military after its 2014 coup, the junta will still play kingmaker.

The election had widely been seen as an easy victory for Pheu Thai, the countrys largest opposition party founded by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A billionaire tycoon, Mr. Thaksin, 73, was ousted in a coup in 2006 after accusations of corruption, but he is still fondly remembered as a populist champion for the rural poor. Polls had showed that Mr. Thaksins youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, was the leading choice for prime minister.
Thai voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a hotly contested election that will determine whether Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the general who seized power in a coup in 2014, is unseated by his rivals.

An observer of Thai politics has called the election the most consequential one in his lifetime.

Opinion polls show that many voters want change, backing opposition parties that have promised to restore democratic rule in Thailand and roll back some of the authoritarian policies introduced by Mr. Prayuth.

There is a broad sentiment that Mr. Prayuth has done little to boost the economy after nine years in power. His harsh crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Bangkok in 2020 has also alienated many voters.
With the furious battle for the city of Bakhmut raging at their backs, a squad of Ukrainian soldiers tore through an open field, racing to get out of range of falling Russian artillery.

But before they could make it to safety, they said, they got a flat tire.

The three soldiers  known by the call signs Omar, Chip and Bandit  had spent the day on Friday taking part in Ukrainian offensive operations on the edge of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, blasting Russian tanks and armored vehicles. But after surviving another brutal day of battle, they worried that the punctured tire might doom them.

Omar, 36, hopped out of the car and used a screwdriver to put a plug in the hole. Within moments, they were off again.

The men, who recounted their story on Saturday just outside the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, were among the hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers ordered on the offensive around Bakhmut in recent days. The fighting has often been hard, they said, with many Russians willing to die rather than surrender even when surrounded.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine met with Germanys leaders in Berlin on Sunday, his latest stop on a diplomatic tour aimed at shoring up support among Western allies and pushing for faster deliveries of weapons as a Ukrainian counteroffensive looms in the 15-month war.

Speaking to journalists side by side at the chancellery on Sunday morning, Mr. Zelensky and Chancellor Olaf Scholz sought to highlight an improving relationship with exchanges of gratitude and praise. But their responses to some questions  namely on fighter jets  reflected how Kyiv is still struggling to gain traction with Berlin and other Western allies on some of its demands.

Mr. Zelensky was escorted to Berlin by German fighter jets for his first trip to Germany since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than a year ago. He was greeted with military honors by Mr. Scholz at the chancellery.

The grand reception came a day after Germany announced its largest package of military aid yet for Ukraine as the two nations seek to turn the page on months of rocky relations.
In line with widespread expectations, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided on Thursday to keep the overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation unchanged at 18.25 percent, 19.25 percent, and 18.75 percent, respectively.
A cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip was largely upheld on Sunday, aside from a brief exchange of fire in the evening, and routine returned hours after the two sides agreed to end a five-day escalation that killed at least 33 people in Gaza and two in Israel.

But across the region, the question was when, rather than if, the cease-fire would break. The escalation, at least the 11th involving Gaza since 2006, came just nine months after the previous days-long battle between Israel and militias in the coastal enclave.

The Israeli military said that a single Palestinian rocket was fired into an open area near Gaza on Sunday evening, causing no damage but reminding residents of the fragility of the truce.

The regional dynamics also remain unstable: Israels 16-year blockade of Gaza, conducted jointly with Egypt, remains in place, as does its 56-year occupation of the West Bank, both of which fuel Palestinian anger and violence. Hard-line Palestinian militias that officially call for Israels destruction still dominate Gaza and maintain a strong presence in the West Bank  bolstering the Israeli rationale for exerting control over both territories.
Enable audio for this story

The phone rings. The caller knows your name, and opens with a dad joke.

Carla? Finally, its good to hear a kind voice. That last call was tougher on me than my mother-in-laws meatloaf. (chuckles) Im only kidding.

He is asking for donations, for a group that helps the police.

This is Frank Wallace calling for the American Police Officers Alliance. Very quickly, were mailing out the envelopes to help fight for our officers who protect our nations citizens, just like yourself. Once you receive your card in the mail, you can send back whatever you think is fair this time. Thats all.

This is not a policeman. This is not even a human. This is a computer, making thousands of robocalls with the same folksy voice.

And like Frank Wallace, the American Police Officers Alliance is not what it seems.

Listen to This Article To hear more audio stories from publishers like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android

In theory, it is a political nonprofit called a 527, after a section of the tax code, that can raise unlimited donations to help or oppose candidates, promote issues or encourage voting.

In reality, it is part of a group of five linked nonprofits that have exploited thousands of donors in ways that have been hidden until now by a blizzard of filings, lax oversight and a blind spot in the campaign finance system.

American Police Officers Alliance $29 million raised from donations Firefighters and EMS Fund $23 million National Police Support Fund $22 million American Veterans Honor Fund $8.7 million Veterans Action Network $89 million raised $826,904 spent on political contributions R esidential P rog r ams Inc. P olitical F und r aising Group L L C N o r th American F ul f illment Simple D a ta L L C American Libe r ty Group G r assro o ts F und Group Campaign Calling L L C United Suppo r t L L C $2.8 million paid to companies owned by three conservative operatives ...the men who organized the five political nonprofits. $2.8 million was paid to companies owned by... Since 2014, the five groups have pulled in $89 million from small-dollar donors who were pitched on building political support for police officers, veterans and firefighters. But just 1 percent of the money they raised was used to help candidates via donations, ads or targeted get-out-the-vote messages, according to an analysis by The Times of the groups public filings. About 90 percent of the money the groups raised was simply sent back to their fund-raising contractors, to feed a self-consuming loop where donations went to find more donors to give money to find more donors. They had no significant operations other than fund-raising, and along the way became one of Americas biggest sources of robocalls. It is not clear why the groups plowed so much of what they raised back into more fund-raising calls; compared with other political nonprofits, their fund-raising expenditures were extraordinarily high. But one other set of expenditures was especially notable: The groups also paid $2.8 million, or 3 percent of the money raised, to three Republican political consultants from Wisconsin who were the hidden force behind all five nonprofits, according to people who worked for the groups and who in some cases were kept in the dark by the consultants about the finances of the operations. Those three consultants helped organize the nonprofits, the people said, then billed them  through shell companies that obscured the connection.

The campaign-finance system is built to police who puts money into politics, legal experts say. These groups embodied a flaw: The system is poorly prepared to stop those who raise money and channel it somewhere other than candidates and causes.

By minimizing their aid to candidates, the consultants who helped set up the five nonprofits avoided scrutiny from the Federal Election Commission and most state watchdogs, and put their groups under the jurisdiction of a distracted and underfunded regulator, the Internal Revenue Service. As a result, their spending records were posted not on the F.E.C.s easily searchable site, but on a byzantine I.R.S. page written in bureaucratic jargon.

To understand what these groups did with their $89 million, The Times analyzed 15,851 pages of their financial reports, including 135,843 separate expenditures, searched corporate records in 10 states, and interviewed the nonprofits leaders and vendors.

Four of the five nonprofits remain active. In statements, they said they had not sought to avoid oversight, enrich insiders or deceive donors.

Instead, the groups said, they simply believed in helping politicians indirectly  not by giving them money or buying them ads or mentioning their names, but by obliquely raising issues that could shift voters their way.

To that end, the groups said, even fund-raising calls from Frank Wallace were part of their mission. Since they mentioned policing  a topic voters might care about  the calls were not a means to an end in the work of influencing elections. They were the work itself.

We have met, and in fact exceeded, in our mission to raise awareness of police issues, hold politicians accountable for shameful treatment of police officers, and activate grassroots supporters who demand change, said Simon Lewis, one of the three Wisconsin consultants who helped establish the groups and who serves as president of one of them, the National Police Support Fund.

Were misleading people who have given hard-earned money. Former president of the American Police Officers Alliance

Campaign-finance experts said that the groups defense of their work  especially their arguments that the fund-raising calls were political activism in themselves  seemed to test the limits of what was allowed under law.

Constructing an elaborate self-licking ice cream cone, or fund-raising cycle that feeds itself, thats not an exempt purpose, said Matthew Sanderson, a lawyer at the firm Caplin & Drysdale who has advised Republican campaigns, using the I.R.S.s term for an allowable use of the groups money. The fund-raising has to be for something.

A lawyer for the active groups, Craig Engle, said all four had faced tax exempt compliance examinations by the I.R.S. that began in the spring of 2022. Mr. Engle said that an I.R.S. representative had told him in a phone conversation Friday that the groups would face no penalties, but that the service had not yet issued a decision in writing. Another lawyer for the nonprofits said the I.R.S. had told the groups they could continue to operate as-is.

The I.R.S. declined to comment about the groups, citing taxpayer-privacy rules.

In their calls, the groups identified themselves to potential donors as political organizations. Beyond that, they were often vague about whom they supported and how. The American Police Officers Alliance told donors it was supporting efforts to elect lawmakers to advocate for those who protect our nation's citizens.

Ryan Meyer, who was president of the American Police Officers Alliance from 2017 to 2021, said the three Wisconsin consultants used him as a figurehead and ousted him after he learned that most of the money raised by the group went back into more fund-raising and demanded changes in the organizations direction.

It made me sick to my stomach, Mr. Meyer said. Were misleading people who have given hard-earned money.

Money Went Back to Insiders

On paper, the nonprofits are not connected to one another. In public filings, they list separate boards of directors, and separate offices in Washingtons Virginia suburbs.

The Times found their connections  to each other, and to the three Wisconsin consultants  by following their money through a web of shell companies and corporate aliases.

The Timess analysis showed that the five nonprofits had paid a combined $985,000 to a company in Baltimore called Voter Mobilization LLC. It was registered in Delaware  where corporate-secrecy laws meant its owners did not have to be disclosed.

In reality, the Baltimore address was just a virtual office, where the company received mail but kept no staff. Voter Mobilization LLC was actually owned by an obscure political firm called Campaign Now, which was in turn owned by a 37-year-old Republican consultant from Wisconsin named John W. Connors, a central figure who appears to connect all five nonprofits.

Tax records show that the five groups paid $1.1 million to companies where Mr. Connors was either the owner or a partner. The payments were part of a pattern in which the nonprofits paid firms connected to the three consultants for political support services and other tasks like bookkeeping and consulting.

Companies connected to PAC insiders made millions The five political nonprofits paid $2.8 million to companies owned by or connected to the three men who controlled the nonprofits themselves. Many of those payments were made through shell companies that disguised where the money was going. $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1 million Payments to companies connected to John W. Connors $1.1 million Voter Mobilization LLC $876,000 Kyle Maichle Strategic Compliance Services Precision Compliance Consulting Simon Lewis $839,000 Spearhead Strategies $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1 million Payments to companies connected to John W. Connors $1.1 million $876,000 Kyle Maichle Simon Lewis $839,000

I do this to help people without a voice organize, raise money and design a platform, Mr. Connors said in a statement. He confirmed his companys ownership of Voter Mobilization LLC. Yes I am paid for what I do (everybody is) but my real compensation is the satisfaction of Americans getting involved in the system, he said.

In another instance, the nonprofit groups said they had paid six different vendors spread across Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Tennessee. But corporate records showed a common thread: All of those companies were actually aliases for  or a subsidiary of  a single Wisconsin firm owned by Kyle Maichle, another of the consultants behind the nonprofits.

Mr. Maichle, 40, was a researcher for Mr. Connors in 2011 and 2012. In 2017, with Mr. Connorss help, Mr. Maichle started his own company, Precision Compliance Consulting. The nonprofits paid Mr. Maichles companies about $876,000.

I created the trade names to protect my newly formed companies in a radicalized political environment, Mr. Maichle said in an email.

The analysis by The Times also found about $839,000 in payments from the nonprofits to other companies owned by Mr. Lewis, the third of the consultants and another former employee of Mr. Connors.

John W. Connors Simon Lewis Kyle Maichle

A captain in the Wisconsin Army National Guards military police, Mr. Lewis, 37, embodies how these groups and their vendors are intertwined: He is president of one nonprofit group, the National Police Support Fund, was an officer of another and has been a vendor to all five.

He also illustrates the secrecy that shrouded those connections. The National Police Support Fund repeatedly told the I.R.S. it had not engaged in business transactions with any board members  even as it did so with him. In one case, the filing attesting that there had not been insider transactions was signed by Mr. Lewis himself, as president.

This appears to be a scriveners error on the part of the accountant. This happens, the National Police Support Fund said in a statement.

Boss Man

Mr. Connors, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Maichle were all active in college conservative politics in Wisconsin about 15 years ago, when Mr. Connors was the leader of campus Republicans at Marquette University.

Mr. Connors founded Campaign Now before he graduated, and built it into a firm that handled robocalls and voter outreach. He hired Mr. Lewis and Mr. Maichle, but made clear who was in charge: the firms website gave his title as Boss Man.

In 2015, Mr. Connorss company appeared to land a new lucrative client: Veterans Action Network. It was a 527 group, which meant it could take donations, but not offer donors a charitable deduction. It paid Mr. Connorss company for strategy consulting.

John W. Connors at an April 2007 Animal Rights Barbecue hosted by the Marquette College Republicans. The Marquette Tribune

At one point, Mr. Connors appeared to acknowledge that in the veterans group his company had in effect created its own client, the first of the five nonprofits that the three men would have a hand in establishing.

Group was started by Simon Lewis on my team and he assembled the board of directors, Mr. Connors wrote in an email to Paul Brown, whom Mr. Connors was recruiting to serve as the nonprofits executive director. In that email, Mr. Connors talked about the nonprofit as we: We would start you out in an Executive Director [or] VP type role with aim to put you in a formal President role if it works out.

It all went through John and Simon, said Mr. Brown, who shared the email with The Times. He took the executive director job, then left after a couple of months, uncomfortable with the idea of raising money for the group.

It was pretty much all spent on fund-raising, Mr. Brown said.

Veterans Action Networks disclosures show it raised $6.1 million before shutting down in 2019.

Of that, about $102,000 went to Campaign Now, the firm started by Mr. Connors, and another $112,000 to companies where Mr. Connors, Mr. Maichle or Mr. Lewis was either the owner or a partner, tax records show. Mr. Maichle left Campaign Now in 2012, and Mr. Lewis in 2016, to start their own firms.

Veterans Action Network also contracted extensively with other call centers and fund-raising consultants  with no apparent links to Mr. Connors and his associates  to solicit donations. Overall, The Timess analysis found, Veterans Action Network spent about 92 percent of its donations on more fund-raising, a level that made it an outlier among its peers.

Paul Brown at his home in Richardson, Texas. Mr. Brown was briefly the executive director of Veterans Action Network in 2016. Laura Buckman for The New York Times

In the 2014, 2016 and 2018 election cycles, Veterans Action Network spent a higher percentage of the money it took in on fund-raising than any other large 527 group in the country, according to the campaign watchdog OpenSecrets. Most of the others spent far less, under 33 percent.

It was an outlier in another way, too. Every year, the I.R.S. asks 527 groups if they engaged in any direct or indirect political campaign activities to help candidates. Many of its peers said yes, and listed hundreds of thousands of donations to state and local groups, or spending on issue ads that highlighted candidates positions.

But Veterans Action Network usually said no. The exception was 2018, when it said it had spent $1,000, a sliver of its revenue.

So if it was not active in politics, what was the point of Veterans Action Network?

The man who was listed as the groups treasurer, Patrick Stephan, said in a brief phone call that he did not know how the group spent its money, or why it had shut down. The man listed as its president, Dan Curran, did not respond to questions.

Mr. Connors, in an email to The Times, said he could not speak for the nonprofit. Contradicting his own email from 2016, he said the groups leaders had chosen him  not the other way around.

I believe that getting more citizens & voters engaged  helping them have a voice in the political and legislative process and being informed/engaged on issues is a good thing for our country, Mr. Connors wrote.

Four New Groups

The four new 527 groups started by people connected to Mr. Connors mimicked the methods employed by Veterans Action Network  with one improvement. The veterans group had used human callers to raise money. The new nonprofits used robocallers that sounded deceptively human, and could operate on a much wider scale.

The National Police Support Fund, where Mr. Lewis was president and Mr. Maichle the treasurer, used robocalls that opened with a joke about the callers wifelisten.

The American Police Officers Alliance featured both the Midwestern-sounding Frank Wallace and David, with a thick New York accent. David said donors money would help elect pro-police legislators, and help the families of slain police officerslisten. Mr. Maichle had filed the paperwork to incorporate that group, listing Mr. Lewis as an officer.

The American Veterans Honor Fund frequently opened calls with a jokelisten, but quickly pivoted to more somber topics including veteran suicide and homelessnesslisten. A longtime friend and advisor to Mr. Connors was that groups president, and Mr. Lewis filed its paperwork.

The fourth group, Firefighters and EMS Fund, talked about how deadly firefighters work is, and said its mission was to support legislation that will save lives. It asked for pledges of $30 or $50 listen. Its president was formerly an intern at Campaign Now.

The organizations calls were recorded by Nomorobo, a company that collects robocalls so it can help customers block them. The companys founder, Aaron Foss, said it had recorded tens of thousands of calls from just these four groups  putting them among the most prolific and longest-running robocallers his network has ever tracked.

The calls captured by Nomorobo were made using a powerful new technology, a soundboard, according to a spokesman for the groups largest vendor for fund-raising calls, New Jersey-based Residential Programs, Inc.

A soundboard is a computer program, preloaded with snippets of recorded dialogue, down to uh-huhs, thank-yous and mother-in-law jokes. By clicking buttons, an operator anywhere in the world can speak to donors in colloquial English without saying a word.

I think they owe people the money back. Louise McConkey, who has given money to the nonprofits

One, it keeps everybody on script. Two, you dont hear the foreign accent. And three, you dont hear the call center noise, Mr. Foss said.

If you say, Are you a robot?, Mr. Foss said, theres a button that says, No.

The calls worked. The groups have reported bringing in more than 18,000 donations. More than 92 percent were for amounts smaller than $200.

They say this will help with fallen officers, and this will help in a political way with getting new uniforms for the firemen. But in a political way, not a direct way, said Louise McConkey, 72, a retiree in Puyallup, Wash., who has made 35 donations to the five groups.

But Ms. McConkey said that her donations, totaling $3,650, left her with less to give to other causes she believes in, like St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. She said she was surprised to learn how little money went to directly supporting candidates.

Im pretty upset, she said. I think they owe people the money back.

What Happened to $89 Million?

In the 2022 election cycle, OpenSecrets tracked 202 similarly large groups organized as 527s, and found that only 13 percent of them spent more than a third of their expenditures on fund-raising. Among them, the four connected to Mr. Connors and his associates ranked first, second, fourth and sixth in total fund-raising expenditures.

The groups biggest contractor over the years, receiving $20 million, was Residential Programs, which has no known ties to Mr. Connors, Mr. Lewis or Mr. Maichle. Many of the other call centers they hired were hard to track. They did not respond to requests for comment, or were registered in states where their ownership and contact information were kept secret.

The five nonprofits were outliers in the way they spent their money Similar nonprofits that spent money on fund-raising efforts allocated less than 8 percent of their total revenue to raising money, according to OpenSecrets. Similar political nonprofits Groups associated with Mr. Connors 7.8% spent on fund-raising, on average 90% spent on fund-raising Similar political nonprofits 7.8% spent on fund-raising, on average Groups associated with Mr. Connors 90% spent on fund-raising Sources: OpenSecrets; New York Times analysis The average spending for similar political nonprofits is the average fund-raising expenditure in 2020 and 2021 for groups that were among the 527 companies that OpenSecrets analyzed that had more than $100,000 in total annual expenditures and spent more than $0 on fund-raising.

While the groups spent heavily on fund-raising, they also told the I.R.S. they had spent only small sums  or, sometimes, nothing at all  to help candidates get elected.

In the election year of 2020, for instance, the four active groups raised $20 million. But when they made their annual filings to the I.R.S., three of the groups answered no to the question asking if they had helped any candidates that year  either directly or indirectly.

The Firefighters and EMS Fund was the only one that said yes. It spent $23,300 to support a series of state and local ballot initiatives, like a property-tax levy to fund the fire department in small Jerome Township, Ohio.

The groups avoided helping candidates on purpose, said Mr. Engle, a Washington lawyer they recently hired as a legal adviser. He said they made sure not to exceed $1,000 in direct aid to federal candidates  which could trigger a requirement to register with the F.E.C.  or to exceed state-by-state thresholds that would trigger a requirement to register with state agencies. That left them regulated by the I.R.S., which monitors 527 groups that the others do not.

Helping candidates directly is not always the best use of money. Candidates often have more than enough money, Mr. Engle said.

Thousands of small payments obscured where the money went The nonprofits often broke their transactions out into payments as small as $1. That means someone looking at the filings for the Firefighters and EMS Fund would need to wade through 1,919 pages to understand just one year of spending. Each circle in this graphic represents one payment reported by the Firefighters and EMS Fund in 2021. $5,000 $100 The Firefighters and EMS Fund reported no political contributions in 2021. Most of the money  more than $4.4 million  went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments. It paid $157,000 to companies owned by PAC insiders. Residential Programs Inc. $1.2 million Campaign Calling LLC $1.3 million Grassroots Fund Group $175,000 Simple Data LLC $920,000 Group Consultants Inc. $56,000 Pro Speaking LLC $178,000 Capital Bank Amazon Google Lyft Other expenses included travel, Amazon purchases and bank fees. Southwest Airlines Airbnb $100 $5,000 The Firefighters and EMS Fund reported no political contributions in 2021. It paid $157,000 to companies owned by PAC insiders. Most of the money  more than $4.4 million  went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments. Grassroots Fund Group $175,000 Residential Programs Inc. $1.2 million Campaign Calling LLC $1.3 million Simple Data LLC $920,000 Group Consultants Inc. $56,000 Pro Speaking LLC $178,000 Amazon Capital Bank Google Airbnb Lyft Other expenses included travel, Amazon purchases and bank fees. $5,000 $100 The Firefighters and EMS Fund reported no political contributions in 2021. It paid $157,000 to companies owned by PAC insiders. Most of the money  more than $4.4 million  went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments. Grassroots Fund Group $175,000 Pro Speaking LLC $178,000 Campaign Calling LLC $1.3 million Simple Data LLC $920,000 Group Consultants Inc. $56,000 Residential Programs Inc. $1.2 million Capital Bank Google Other expenses included travel, Amazon purchases and bank fees. Airbnb Amazon Lyft $100 $5,000 The Firefighters and EMS Fund reported no political contributions in 2021. It paid $157,000 to companies owned by PAC insiders. Most of the money  more than $4.4 million  went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments. Campaign Calling LLC $1.3 million Grassroots Fund Group $175,000 Simple Data LLC $920,000 Group Consultants Inc. $56,000 Pro Speaking LLC $178,000 Residential Programs Inc. $1.2 million Google Other expenses included travel, Amazon purchases and bank fees. Airbnb Capital Bank Amazon

In recent years, the Justice Department has prosecuted a handful of people for running scam PACs  political action committees that diverted most of their donors money to insiders and endless fund-raising.

These are not scam PACs, Mr. Engle said of his clients, because, he said, they stuck to the letter of the law.

Excerpts from the Firefighters and EMS Funds tax filings show payments to clothing stores and a pet-sitting service.

Tax law says only that the nonprofits must be operated primarily to influence the election of candidates, or the selection of unelected officials like Supreme Court justices.

Several campaign-finance experts said that was a loose limit, but that these nonprofits still seemed to stretch it.

Indirect expenses have to support direct expenses, said Ellen Aprill, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who has studied 527 groups. Why are you spending money fund-raising, if you dont have any candidate youre going to use it for?

Board Members Say They Were Kept in the Dark

In interviews, five former board members or staff members of the 527 groups said that their spending patterns were hard to understand  even from the inside.

Mr. Meyer, the former president of the American Police Officers Alliance, said that after learning about his groups spending patterns he sought to bring about a change. If were going to run this thing, were going to run it legit, he said, describing his feeling at the time. Were not going to run it as a half-assed grift.

But he said he was removed from the board in 2021.

Matthew Gutmann, a friend of Mr. Meyers, said Mr. Maichle had recruited him to be treasurer of the American Veterans Honor Fund.

I was never in a board meeting. Not one bleeping second, Mr. Gutmann, who was treasurer from 2017 to 2020, said. I was excluded from virtually everything, other than signing other documents, which I was given the impression were on the up-and-up.

Mr. Gutmann said he eventually learned how the group spent its money, and also concluded that Mr. Connors was actually in control. He said he, too, was ousted after raising questions.

Now, he said, he warns people to avoid phone solicitations. I tell my folks, Do not donate over the phone, he said.

In statements, the American Police Officers Alliance and the American Veterans Honor Fund said that Mr. Meyer and Mr. Gutmann had been removed for policy violations, including for making false statements to outside third parties that consultants run the organization.

The groups continue to raise money. Mr. Foss, of the firm Nomorobo, said his lines have recorded hundreds of calls this year alone. Frank Wallace is back with new dad jokes, and another plea for money.

How much?

Whatever you think is fair for our heroes, the voice on the phone says.
Laois/ Offaly Dail Deputy Carol Nolan stresses that much of Europe's Christian identity was forged by early Irish monastic communities



LAST December the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen made an address to the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas, of which I am a proud member representing the great people of Laois-Offaly.

On that occasion President von der Leyen described Ireland as being at the heart of Europe despite the peripheral nature of our island geographically.

That is certainly true in the sense that so much of Europes Christian identity has been forged throughout the centuries through the work of early Irish monastic communities and thoroughly Irish-European saints like St. Columban whose monasteries became centres of European cultural learning between the 6th and the 8th century.

It has been my experience however that despite these fine words by President von der Leyen, and despite our rich cultural contribution to European identity, many Irish communities and many sectors in Ireland now feel increasingly isolated and somewhat betrayed by the modern incarnation of the EU.

They feel it has developed structures that have radically departed from the original founding vision which had a genuine understanding of key Catholic social justice concepts such as solidarity and subsidiarity.

Subsidiarity, or allowing communities and individuals to determine and do what they can at the local level has all but vanished. Instead, we have a heavily top-down model of EU governance that has led to an increasing sense of both disconnection and even of cultural bullying.

Our farmers tell me on a weekly, if not a daily basis that they feel excessively over-regulated and that what were once relatively simple and straightforward decisions are subject to complex levels of environmental compliance.

Our fishermen and fisherwomen know what it is like to experience the juggernaut of EU limits on what and how much they can fish in their own territorial waters.

Those in our communities with turbary rights feel threatened by the imposition of an EU green agenda that seems indifferent to the cultural value of bogs and turf cutting.

Every sector is feeling the downward pressure of the EUs commitment to net-zero targets which are not just unrealistic but will and must come at a punitive financial cost.

There are also increasing concerns around the EUs propensity to delimit and devalue the nation state and the concept of sovereignty and neutrality as most people would understand it.

While I accept without question that Brexit and the decision of the UK to take itself out of the EU has caused significant challenges for our agriculture and trade, I do understand the impulse to push back against threats to national self-determination and legitimate autonomy.

In this sense I believe there really is a massive, and I would say, ongoing and ever-deepening problem in EU governance with what has been termed the democratic deficit.

President von der Leyen remarked last December that after half a century of European membership, Ireland is the country your ancestors fought for and dreamt of.

Only the most ardent Europhile could believe that. For many the EU is now a nightmare of labyrinthine bureaucracy and political over-reach.

I value collaboration. I value friendship among nations. I believe there is a renewed need to not just preserve but to rediscover our European identity and its Christian roots.

I believe that 50 years on, it is way past time for Irish Governments to radically reassess our role within the EU and to adopt a far more critical stance toward its policy objectives. Drifting along in the EUs progressive current is no longer acceptable.

We must reassert a more robust sense of national self-determination on every area of EU policy that impacts us.
AN elderly Kinnitty woman and her carer son are seeking more support from the HSE but are feeling a sense of despair because their pleas are not being listened to.

Mary and Declan Finnerty live in Finians Park housing estate in the village and Marys health has not been good for several years. Declan has been her carer for the last eight years. He told the Tribune that his mothers mobility is not great and she requires the use of a walker. For this reason he feels that they would qualify for a Carers Allowance.

I am the only thing between my mother and a nursing home, said Declan. We are getting some help from the system, which is very welcome and essential, but we definitely need more assistance than that, and its not forthcoming. I have applied three times for a Carers Allowance and each time it has been rejected. Its rejected because they say my mother is mobile. She is suffering from really bad arthritis, high blood pressure and an irregular heart beat. She is on a walker. Their definition of the word mobile is a very strange definition of the word. They dont see what I see on a daily basis. They dont see her daily struggles. We have asked for a wheelchair for her as well but the HSE wont give her a wheelchair because they say she is too heavy for it and she would need a special wheelchair. However, whenever she has been in hospital there has been no problem with her using regular wheelchairs. Having a wheelchair would mean she could use the local buses and take trips to Birr Nursing Unit. It would mean I could wheel her to her friends houses in the village and take her out into the fresh air.

Mary also finds negotiating the steps outside the house extremely difficult, but the HSE refuses to install a ramp.

Declan is 41 years of age and previously worked as a Security Officer in Tullamore, for a period of four years. He left his job eight years ago because he needed to be a full-time carer for Mary.

He points out that he knows someone who is caring for a relative that suffers from epilepsy. The person who is suffering from epilepsy is very mobile, much more mobile than my mother is, and yet her carer is getting a Carers Allowance. It doesnt make sense to us.

Declan is currently participating in a Tus scheme which entails work in the villages catholic church. However, this scheme only lasts a year and his future is uncertain after that.

If I was to get the Carers Allowance then it would mean I would be able to be a full-time carer for my mother and there wont be any compulsion on me to do anything else, he said.

Declan has contacted politicians several times about his case but nothing has come of it. I also spoke to Citizens Information and MABS and they both said that, in their view, we are entitled to a Carers Allowance.

He adds that a home help nurse visits their home every day. She is brilliant and her help is invaluable, but she will be on holidays soon, for a week, and weve been told there is no replacement for her for that week. Its another example of how we are getting some assistance but not enough.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

BJP Turncoat Jagadish Shettar Blames Money Power And Pressure Tactics For His Defeat In Karnataka Polls

India

oi-Deepika S

BJP turncoat Jagadish Shettar, who suffered a humiliating defeat in the election to Hubballi-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency, accused the saffron party of using money power, and pressure tactics to defeat him.

"Money power and pressure tactics led to his defeat from the Hubli-Dharwad Central assembly constituency. In the last six elections, I have not at all used money power and never distributed money to voters. (This is the) The first time that the BJP candidate has distributed Rs 500-1000 to voters," Shettar told news agency ANI.

"What I said earlier is that in the entire state, Congress will get a majority. In north Karnataka, wherever I went to campaign, all the Congress candidates were elected. Wherever I did not go, most of the Lingayat candidates from the Congress have been elected," he added.

Shettar claimed that he raised the issue of the BJP neglecting the Lingayat community during the campaign and that helped Congress gain 20-25 seats in the elections.

"So, the Lingayat factor, what I raised is that BJP is neglecting the leaders of the community. After going to Congress, it spread out. It helped (Congress) in almost 20-25 constituencies," he claimed.

A Lingayat heavyweight, Shettar was defeated in the Hubballi-Dharwad (Central) seat by a margin of 34,289 votes. The BJP's Mahesh Tenginakai, a debutant in electoral politics, defeated Shettar who is a six-time MLA.

Shettar quit the BJP on April 16 and resigned as Hubli-Dharwad (Central) MLA after being denied a ticket for the assembly elections.

Shettar got 60,775 votes, while Tenginkai bagged 95,064 votes in the high-stake battle. JDS candidate Siddalingeshgowda Mahanthavadeyar was in third place with 513 votes. As many as 1,251 NOTA votes were cast in the seat.

Tenginkai is considered close to BJP General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh.

The 67-year-old leader had won the Hubballi-Dharwad (central) seat in 2018, beating the Congress' Mahesh Nalwad with a margin of 21,306 votes, registering his sixth win in the Assembly elections.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

CLP Meeting in Karnataka: Cong Appoints Three Observers

India

oi-Prakash KL

By Pti

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed former chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader in Karnataka.

AICC general secretary, organisation, KC Venugopal said the central observers will oversee the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting. "Hon'ble Congress President has deputed Shri.Sushilkumar Shinde (Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra), Shri.Jitendra Singh (AICC GS) and Shri.Deepak Babaria (former AICC GS) as observers for the election of the CLP Leader of Karnataka," he tweeted.

The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Karnataka ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority. The crucial meeting of the CLP will be held later this evening where a decision to elect the leader will be taken. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president DK Shivakumar are both front runners for the chief minister's post.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD(S), gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the Chief Minister from the party after having occupied the coveted post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

According to party sources, the opinion of newly elected legislators will be sought and depending on the outcome, they might be asked to vote to elect their leader, if need arise.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his Chief Ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas. He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to lose out an opportunity with him as the KPCC president, while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999.

In fact in this election, the Congress' has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Also, there have been instances in the party that whoever has successfully led as KPCC President in election, have been the natural choice to be the CM, like in the case of Krishna and Veerendra Patil.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

Congress MLAs Authorise Mallikarjun Kharge To Pick New Karnataka CM

India

oi-Deepika S

The Congress legislative party (CLP) on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the new Chief Minister of Karnataka.

"The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new Leader of the Congress Legislature Party", the one-line resolution read after the CLP meeting in Bengaluru.

"Siddaramaiah moved the single-line resolution authorising president Mallikarjun Kharge to appoint a new leader of CLP party and 135 Cong MLAs proceeded to unanimously approve his resolution. It was accepted by DK Shivakumar also. KC Venugopal informed Kharge about the resolutions", said Randeep Surjewala, AICC in-charge for Karnataka after the CLP meeting.

Reportedly, Kharge has directed KC Venugopal that the central observers must take individual opinions of each legislature and convey them to the high command.

With the ball now in Kharge's court, lobbying for the top post is set to shift to Delhi with Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah remains the popular choice over Shivakumar. However, both leaders have faced several hardships both externally and internally before they steered their party to an impressive majority.

The selection of CM candidate is not going to be an easy task for the Congress high command as the entire state is debating as to who will pip whom to the top post.

Meanwhile, the newly elected Chief Minister of Karnataka is likely to take oath on Thursday in presence of the Gandhis and Kharge.

The Congress is likely to invite the like-minded parties for the oath-taking ceremony. Reportedly, CM candidate will take oath on Thursday and the new Karnataka cabinet will be formed within two days.

As the battle for the top post intesifies, the supporters of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar raised slogans outside Shangri-la Hotel where CLP meeting took place. While the two leaders earlier held meetings with the MLAs loyal to them, a poster war also erupted with both sides projecting their leader as the next chief minister.

Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held a meeting with CM hopefuls Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar.

Congress president Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

Congress registered a landslide win in the May 10 Assembly polls as it secured 135 seats out of 224, while the BJP bagged only 66.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

Karnataka Assembly Polls Vote Share: JDS' Loss is Congress' Gain

India

oi-Prakash KL

Congress has come out with flying colours in the Karnataka Assembly polls as the grand old party registered its best performance in decades.

It won 135 seats (57+ from 2018) in the 224-member Assembly in the 2023 polls in Karnataka while the ruling BJP is reduced to 66 from 104 seats in 2018, according to the Election Commission data.

The last time that Congress had crossed the 130-seat mark was in 1999 when it had bagged 132 seats by defeating the JDS government. This was when the BJP was a third player in the state political scene.

What's The Vote Share Of Congress, BJP and JDS in 2023?

Going by the ED data, Congress has bagged 42.9 per cent vote share in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections as against 38.61 per cent vote share in 2018. Compared to its 2018 performance, the grand old party has increased its vote share by 4.29 per cent but managed to win 57 seats more this time.

The BJP had secured a 36.43 per cent vote share in 2018 and garnered a 36 per cent vote share in 2023. Yet it lost 38 seats when compared to 2018.

It is interesting to note that the saffron party had won more seats than the grand old party in 2018 despite the lesser number of vote share than Congress.

Coming to the vote share of the JDS, it had bagged 20.61 per cent vote share in 2018, but it has dropped to 13.29 per cent, this time.

In 2018, the JDS had won 37 seats. By losing 7.32 per cent votes in 2023, the JDS has been reduced to 19 seats.

The data clearly indicates that Congress increased its seat share at the cost of the JDS as the BJP's vote share remained intact. It means the saffron party has not lost its popularity despite the humiliating loss.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

Karnataka Deputy CM Should Be Muslim: Waqf Board Chief

India

oi-Deepika S

Karnataka Waqf board chief Shafi Sadi on Sunday demanded that the post of Karnataka's deputy chief minister should be given to winning candidates from Muslim community.

"Out of 224 constituencies, Muslim candidates contested the election in 15 constituencies. 9 of them won. Apart from that, in 72 constituencies, the Congress won because of the Muslims support. We did campaign and awareness in all the mosques to vote for the Congress party," said Shafi Shaadi.

"Muslims played crucial role in the Congress victory. In return, we want a Muslim deputy chief minister and five important ministers posts like Home, Revenue, and Education. We held an emergency meeting in the Sunni Ulma board office to ensure all these are implemented," he added.

"In 1999, when S.M. Krishna was the Chief Minister from the Congress, he gave ministerial posts to five MLAs from the Muslim community. So we expect, in this government too, five Muslim leaders will be given ministerial posts and one DCM post," he said.

"Currently, nine Muslim MLAs have been elected. Let the Congress party decide who is suitable for the post of DCM," Waqf board chief said.

"In old Mysore, many Muslim leaders joined the JDS party. However, 88 per cent of the Muslims voted for the Congress party. Muslims were afraid of issues like hijab. In that context, the Muslim community voted for the grand old party," said Waqf Board President Shafi Shaadi.

Nine Muslim candidates, all from the Congress, emerged victorious in the Karnataka Assembly polls.

The consolidation of Muslim votes, which make up nearly 13 per cent of the state's electorate, seems to have worked in favour of the Congress. The party has promised to restore a four per cent quota for Muslims, which the erstwhile BJP government scrapped.

Notably, these were the first Assembly elections in the state since the controversy over hijab and the central government imposed a five-year ban on the Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI).

The Congress fileded15 Muslim candidates and nine of them emerged victorious. The JDS fielded 23 Muslim candidates, but none could secure a victory.

Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM contested two seats and secured only 0.02 per cent of the votes polled. The SDPI - the political outfit of PFI - met a similar fate as none of its 16 candidates could open their accounts.
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

50 years today the Zionist provisional council, forerunner of the Knesset, met inside the Tel Aviv Museum at 4pm to hear David Ben-Gurion read the proclamation announcing the establishment of the state of Israel.

The following day the whole region was at war. Ben-Gurion encapsulated Israeli aims in 1948 thus: "A Christian state should be established, with its southern border on the Litani River. We will make an alliance with it. When we smash the Arab Legions and bomb Amman, we will eliminate Transjordan too, and then Syria will fall. If Egypt still dares to fight on, we shall bomb Port Said, Alexandria and Cairo... And in this fashion, we will end the war and settle our forefathers' account with Egypt, Assyria, and Aram."

This supplement attempts to capture, in word and pictures, the mood of the Arab world on the eve of the first Arab Israeli War, document events leading to the war and highlight the main stations of a struggle that will not end so long as Israel continues to pursue its dreams of conquest and destruction

Issue: 4-20 May 1998

The Arabs divided

When the League of Arab States came into existence on 22 March, 1945, there were only seven independent nations to join: Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. All the Arab League state members, however, had for decades been languishing under British and French colonialism, accorded a degree of autonomy inadequate to allow them to function as modern states.

In 1948, Egypt and Iraq were still actively negotiating the evacuation of British troops stationed in military bases on their national territories; the army of Transjordan was under direct British command; Syria and Lebanon had just emerged from under French mandate and British occupation and their minuscule armies were ill-equipped. The only two totally independent Arab armies were those of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, though they were such primitive forces that it is debatable whether one should use the term army in the modern sense of the word.

The combined Arab armies were outnumbered on the battlefield. As Mohamed Hassanein Heikal writes in Secret Channels: "If this now seems difficult to believe it is because of the success of the Zionists in presenting a David and Goliath version of the first Arab-Israeli war."

Nothing could be further from the truth than the official Israeli version. On 15 May the total Jewish fighting force comprised 64,000 men armed with the modern and sophisticated weapons which the Arabs lacked. By October 1948 the Jewish fighting force had increased to 80,000, while the Arab armies were in a state of disarray.

"The fighting took place in four phases, interspersed with ceasefires between May 1948 and January 1949. The struggle was intense at first, but dwindled as the hopelessness of the odds against them became clearer to the Arab forces. The combined Arab armies, outnumbered approximately two to one by Israel's better trained and -equipped troops, were unable to prevent expansion of the Zionist state," writes Heikal.

The leaders of the Arab world on the eve of the war were wracked with divisions and greatly suspicious of each other's ambitions and intentions. Egypt and Iraq were competing for supremacy; the Saudis and the Hashemites were enemies. Meanwhile the Palestinian leaders, headed by Hajj Amin Al-Husseini, were at loggerheads with King Abdullah, suspecting that if his forces entered Palestine they would never leave.

And yet it was King Abdullah who was chosen, a few days before the war, as the commander-in-chief of all Arab armies. It later transpired that the king had been holding secret meeting with Jewish leaders since 1946. In November 1947 he met Golda Meir, then acting head of the Jewish Agency's political department, and told her the he agreed to the establishment of Israel in the parts of Palestine already occupied by Jews on condition that Jordan would annex the rest. In March Abdullah's prime minister, Tawfiq Abu Al-Huda, secretly met the British Foreign Minister, Ernest Bevin, and they agreed that Transjordanian forces would enter Palestine at the end of the British Mandate, restricting themselves to the area of the Arab state outlined in the UN partition plan.

Abdullah's secret agreements, unknown to the other Arab parties at the time, contributed to the general state of disarray of the Arab armies. He delayed the passage of Iraqi troops across Jordanian territories insuring, in the process, that those military missions assigned to Baghdad were doomed to failure. His troops evacuated Lydda and Ramleh without consulting the other Arab armies, thus exposing the Egyptian army's flank in the Negev. This allowed the Israelis to launch a major offensive against the Egyptian army on 15 October, successfully splintering the Egyptian forces into three disconnected groups. Israeli forces were then able to break through Egyptian lines in the south, surround the Egyptian army at El-Arish in the Sinai and encircle an Egyptian brigade at Falluga and hold it under siege for four months. Gamal Abdel-Nasser was one of the besieged Egyptian officers at Falluga.

The humiliating Arab defeat and Israel's victory in the 1948 war led to a state of turmoil, bitterness and recrimination throughout the Arab world. The Egyptian prime minister, Mahmoud Fahmi Al-Noqrashi, was assassinated in Cairo before the war ended; a year later the prime minister of Lebanon, Riad Al-Solh, was assassinated, and in 1951 King Abdullah was assassinated while entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City, annexed to Jordan by that time. In 1952 Nasser led the revolution which toppled the monarchy in Egypt, and in 1958 another officer, Abdel-Karim Qassim, humiliated by the defeat he witnessed in Palestine, led a revolution in Iraq in which the Iraqi monarch, the Prince Regent, Abdel Ilah and Nouri Pasha Al-Said were all killed on the streets of Baghdad.

Heikal, covering the 1948 war, travelled on the eve of the war in King Abdullah's cavalcade to attend a military parade of Arab troops outside the West Bank town of Jericho. In Secret Channels he tells an amusing story that eloquently sums up the whole situation: "Abdullah made a speech from a podium exhorting the troops to battle, and then called for a certain blind Palestinian Sheikh to give a sermon... The king, who had turned away to talk to the officers, suddenly heard the Sheikh's words coming over the loudspeakers: 'Oh Army--' a long pause; 'Oh Army, I wish you were ours.' ... 'Get him out,' the king shouted. 'he deserves his blindness.' The blind man, who could see too much, was hurried away."

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 4 May 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Karnataka Police Chief Praveen Sood To Be Next CBI Director

India

oi-Prakash KL

Karnataka Police Chief Praveen Sood will be the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

He would have a tenure as CBI chief for the next two years. The name of Sood was finalised by a high-level committee comprising the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Sood is a 1986-batch officer from Karnataka. The CBI director is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, CJI and Leader of the Opposition for a fixed tenure of two years. The tenure however can be extended to a period of five years.

The appointment was made as the term of Subodh Kumar comes to an end.

During the meeting that was held at the residence of the Prime Minister, three names had been short-listed. The names were then forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

The names that were in contention included, Sudhir Kumar Saxena, DGP of Madhya Pradesh, and Taj Hassan, who is the Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

Sood, according to sources had the backing of the PM and CJI. However, the Leader of the Opposition is said to have submitted a dissenting note on the ground that he was not part of a pool of IPS officers eligible to serve at the DGP level at the Centre.

The appointment comes at a crucial time when the CBI is probing several sensitive cases such as the spyware scandal and the alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new director will have the challenge of leading the agency in these challenging times.
Let them write what they want: Pawar on Saamna editorial

Karnataka Template Should Be Implemented In Other States: Sharad Pawar

India

pti-PTI

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Sunday met NCP president Sharad Pawar at his residence in Mumbai and discussed providing an alternative to BJP, a meeting coming a day after the saffron party's drubbing in Karnataka elections.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Pawar indicated that the Karnataka template needs to be implemented in other states, and for that, like-minded parties will have to work on a common minimum programme (CMP).

"The Karnataka assembly elections have given a message. We need to work on creating a situation like Karnataka in other states. The Congress alone gave an alternative to the BJP in Karnataka, but in other states, like-minded parties will have to work on a common minimum programme (CMP)," the NCP chief said.

We will work on both fronts (of creating a strategy like Karnataka and the CMP) and we are starting this process, he added.

Raja spoke about a common understanding to defeat the BJP.

"The state-level strategy can be worked out. We may find some time to interact in Delhi now. The BJP can be defeated and it will lose the 2024 parliamentary as well as state (Maharashtra) elections. The myth of the party being invincible has been broken," he said referring to the Karnataka poll outcome.

In Karnataka, the Congress won 135 seats out of 224, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.
SC Verdict On Shiv Sena Today: The Possible Scenarios And Questions That Would Be Answered

Will have to first recognise which Sena faction is the political party: Maharashtra Speaker

Maharashtra: Section 144 Imposed in Akola After Clash Erupts Between Two Groups

India

oi-Prakash KL

A violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Akola on Saturday.

The authorities have imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent unlawful assembly of people in parts of the city. "Violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute. Some Vehicles have been damaged by the violent mob. The situation is now under control," ANI quoted Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge as saying.

The incident took place at around 11.30 pm on Saturday in the sensitive Old City area, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monika Raut said.

Members of the two groups pelted stones at each other. Some vehicles were also damaged in the incident, she said. Police used tear gas to disperse the rioters and the situation was now under control, the official said.

According to local administration, state Deputy State Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Akola district, was monitoring the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace.

#UPDATE | Tension prevailed between the two communities over hurting religious sentiments. Stone pelting happened, vehicles were also damaged. Heavy police deployment is there in the city. One was brought dead to Civil Hospital, but we are investigating it. As of now, 26 people pic.twitter.com/oZ8UZKafnA  ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2023

District Magistrate Neema Arora ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful assembly of people, in four police station areas in the city to maintain law and order.

Heavy security was deployed in the city following the incident, ASP Raut said. One thousand personnel of the State Reserve Police from Amravati have been deployed in Akola city, she said. Raut appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in any rumour.

As of now, 26 people have been detained, the SP said. Eight people including two policemen were injured in the incident.
Not Just Siddaramaiah and DKS, 3 Others In Race for CM Post: Congress Leader

India

oi-Prakash KL

Amid widespread rumours that the Congress high command is expected to pick one among Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar as Karnataka's next Chief Minister, former state minister Ramalinga Reddy has revealed the names of three others who are also in the race for the top post.

Ramalinga Reddy, who won from the BTM Layout, said, "In every party, ambitions will be there. Not only DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah even MB Patil and G Parameshwara are also interested." However, the party's central leadership will pick the next CM.

"Only one will become CM & the party's high command and MLAs will decide that. I will get minister (post)," Ramalinga Reddy, Karnataka Congress Working President, said.

The Congress is expected to announce the name of the next Chief Minister of Karnataka after the CLP meeting today. There are also reports which claim that if the high command fails to broker a truce between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, the top post might go to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The grand old party registered a resounding victory by winning 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly on Saturday. While the BJP's seat has reduced to 66, the JDS bagged just 19 seats.

It was also the Congress' best-ever performance in Karnataka since 1999 when the party won 132 seats. The party had bagged 80 seats in the 2018 elections with a vote share of 38 per cent.

The Congress swept the Old Mysuru, Mumbai Karnataka, Hyderabad Karnataka and Central Karnataka regions of the six regions in the state. The BJP managed to retain its hold only in Coastal Karnataka while it was a mixed bag in Bengaluru.

As many as 14 ministers tasted defeat at the hustings. They are Govinda Karjol, J C Madhuswamy, B C Patil, Shankar Patil Munena Koppa, Halappa Achar, B Sriramulu, Dr K Sudhakar, BC Nagesh, Murugesha Nirani, BC Patil and MTB Nagaraj. V Somanna lost from Varuna and Chamarajanagar, the two segments where he contested. R Ashoka who too contested from two constituencies was re-elected from Padmanabhanagar but lost in Kanakapura.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

Politics Of Hate Doesn't Work Forever: AAP On BJP's Defeat In Karnataka Polls

India

pti-PTI

The BJP should learn from its defeat in the Karnataka assembly elections that politics of hate does not work forever, the AAP said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also have to understand that "the time of contesting elections on non-issues, playing politics of hate and throttling opposition is going to end".

"Such a result is bound to come when you won't talk about price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, Agniveer and farmers issue and contest election on fake and non-issues," Singh added.

The AAP leader said the Congress won the Karnataka assembly polls as people found it an alternative in view of the "40 per cent commission" regime of the BJP in the state.

"Karnataka polls result is a big indication and warning to the BJP that politics of hate and efforts to make non-issues as issues of election won't continue for long and meet the same fate," he said.

Singh accepted the AAP candidates' defeat in all the 209 assembly seats from where they contested, maintaining that it was a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP, and in such a situation there is hardly any scope left for "any third party" in elections.

"Definitely, Karnataka polls result is not good in our favour," he said.

"But there is no need to be disappointed about that," he added.

Singh said AAP leaders and workers in Karnataka will continue to remain in touch with the people.

"They will keep doing their work and take (Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal's policies to the masses, then definitely in future good results will come," he added.

When asked if the Congress' victory in Karnataka poses a challenge to the AAP, Singh said," In Gujarat, it was said that the BJP won in the assembly polls due to AAP joining the fray. In Karnataka, people were saying the BJP will gain as the AAP is contesting the election. Then how did the Congress win?".

He claimed that the AAP has the capacity to defeat the BJP and it has shown it many times.

"We ended the 15-year rule of the BJP in Delhi MCD last year. We defeated the BJP in Delhi assembly polls...We have the capacity," he asserted.

Asked about the AAP's plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Singh said it is too early to talk about it as there are "many factors" on which the party's starategy for the general elections will depend.

At present, the AAP is focussed on organisation building, its expansion and strengthening of its toehold in various states, he added.

"It's too early to talk about it...Whether the opposition parties will go alone or form an alliance, these decisions will depend on many things," Singh said.

"We will let you know when a comprehensive strategy is formulated for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," he added.

Asked if the AAP will go alone in the Lok Sabha polls, Singh said such a decision will depend on the emerging circumstances.

"We are expanding the base of our party in states...it will take time to make a decision for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Such a decision depends on the emerging circumstances and many other factors," he said.

He said Prime Minister Modi will not stand a chance in the Lok Sabha polls next year if people vote on the real issues like "price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, farmers' plight."

"We will make efforts to ensure that people's fundamental issues become political issues in the Lok Sabha polls," he said.

"I can bet if people cast their votes on these issues, Modi won't stand anywhere," he added.

Singh said the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh later this year will have an impact on the 2024 parliamentary elections.
They must have gathered some knowledge about EVMs: Himanta on Cong claims of victory in Karnataka polls

UCC To Come In The Country: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

India

pti-PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the country and polygamy would come to an end.

He was addressing "Hindu Ekta Yatra" organised by Telangana BJP president and Lok Sabha MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar at Karimnagar.

"There are some people in India who thought they can marry four women. That was their thinking. But, I say you will not be able to do four marriages. Those days are going to come to an end. That day is not far. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is going to come in India and time has also come to make India a true secular nation," Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister had recently said the State government has constituted a four-member expert committee to examine the legislative competence of the state legislature to enact a law to end polygamy.

Without naming Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Sarma, who is senior BJP leader said in Telangana "Ram Rajya" is coming in place of "Raja's rule".

"Raja has just five months left. We need 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana and that is our goal. Based on Hindu civilisation we have to make 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana," he said.

Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.

Sarma said the Telangana government again and again arrests Bandi Sanjay Kumar and he comes out and the government will not succeed in keeping him in jail. "Like Hanuman ji established 'Ram Rajya', we are confident that Bandi Sanjay will establish 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana," he said.

He called upon the people to watch "The Kerala Story" movie.

"Today we are working against 'Love Jihad' in Assam. We are taking steps towards closing madrassas education in the State," Sarma said pointing out that the government has shutdown 600 madrasas in his state.

Targetting AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Sarma said the new India is not afraid of him. "I want to tell Owaisi that I will shutdown 300 more madrassas this year", he said.

The Assam Chief Minister said he saw on television some people saying, on the outcome of the Karnataka Assembly election, that nothing more will happen in the name of Hindu in the country, and asserted that as long as sun and moon exist, India will have Nationalism and Sanatan (Dharma).

Sarma said "Hindu Ekta is not against any religion. I believe as long as Hindus will be there in India there will be wellbeing in the country. Today you see the situation in Pakistan. (Aaj Bharat ka bagdor Hindu ka haath mein hain) Today, a Hindu holds the reins of India. Some people say India is backward but Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) made India world's fifth-largest economy and the country will become Visvaguru".

Speaking about the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, he said 10 years ago no one thought about it and it became a reality now. Similarly earlier no one thought about the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but it happened.

Sarma attacked the ruling BRS government in Telangana and said AIMIM and BRS are same. KCR (as Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is popularly known) made TRS into BRS, he said and expressed confidence that people will give "VRS to the BRS".

The senior BJP leader claimed government employees in Telangana were paid salaries on 10th of every month while in Assam government employees were paid salaries on 1st of each month.

He further said in Assam 50,000 people were given government jobs last year and soon another 50,000 jobs will given while BRS government in Telangana which has been in power for almost 10 years should have given 10 lakh government jobs but not even 50,000 people got employment.
Why Should I Be upset? There Is A Long Way To Go, Says DK Shivakumar

Broad Arrangement On Term-Sharing In Karnataka, But There Is A 2024 Twist

'We All Have To Sacrifice At Some Point': Parameshwara On Missing Deputy CM Post

Who Will Be The Next Karnataka CM? Kharge Says Party High Command Will Decide

India

oi-Deepika S

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the party's high command will take the final decision on appointment of the Karnataka Chief Minister.

"Our observers have gone to Bengaluru, there will be a CLP meeting once they reach. After the CLP meet, they will share their opinion with the high command, and then the high command will send their decision from here"," Kharge told news agency ANI.

Kharge also vowed to implement all 5 promises that the Congress announced in its poll manifesto.

"People of Karnataka have rejected BJP and brought the Congress party back to power. People have given us a record number of votes. We will implement all 5 promises that we made to the public in our manifesto after we form our cabinet," said Kharge.

Veteran Congress leaders Siddaramiah and DK Shivakumar have emerged as front runners for the chief minister post.

The Congress has appointed Sushil Kumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh, and Deepak Babaria as observers to oversee the election of the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP).

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JDS, gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the Chief Minister from the party after having occupied the coveted post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

During the CLP meeting, the opinion of newly elected legislators will be sought and depending on the outcome, they might be asked to vote to elect their leader, if need arise.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his Chief Ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas.

Notably, the Congress' has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Also, there have been instances in the party that whoever has successfully led as KPCC President in election, have been the natural choice to be the CM, like in the case of Krishna and Veerendra Patil.

The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Karnataka ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, May 14, 2023, 18:13 [IST]
Bangladesh, Myanmar Bracing As 'Cyclone Mocha' Set To Make Landfall

International

pti-PTI

Bangladesh and Myanmar were bracing on Sunday as an extremely severe cyclone was set to hit their coastal areas, and authorities told thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter.

UN agencies and aid workers prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh with more than 1 million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar.

The camps at Cox's Bazar are in the path of Cyclone Mocha, which was closing in on the coast of southeastern Bangladesh and Myanmar with wind speeds of up to 220 kilometers (135 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 240 kph (150 mph), the Indian Meteorological Department said late on Saturday.

It's projected to make landfall between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar. Bangladesh, with more than 160 million people, has prepared more than 1,500 cyclone shelters.

The navy said it's keeping ready 21 ships, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters for rescue and relief operations. In Myanmar, rains and winds were picking up since Friday and prompted more than 10,000 people in villages around Sittwe in Rakhine state to seek shelter in sturdy buildings including monasteries, temples and schools, said Lin Lin, the chairman of the Myittar Yaung Chi charity foundation.

Currently, about 20 places have been arranged for people to stay in Sittwe. But because there were more people than we expected, there was not enough food for the next day. We are still trying to get it, he said.

Speaking from Cox's Bazar across the border in Bangladesh, the International Organisation of Migration's deputy chief of mission, Nihan Erdogan, said Bangladesh put in place a massive preparedness plan. He said his agency had trained 100 volunteers in each of the 17 refugee camps on how to alert rescuers using flag warning signals when heavy rains, floods and strong winds lash the region. Emergency shelter materials and hygiene kits are readily available, and personal protective gear has been provided to all volunteers." The World Health Organisation put 40 ambulances and 33 mobile medical teams on standby at Cox's Bazar, the agency's spokesperson Margaret Harris said. Authorities in Bangladesh said heavy rains from the cyclone could trigger landslides in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar and three other hilly districts  Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari. Bangladesh, which is prone to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, issued the highest danger signal for Cox's Bazar. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned the cyclone could cause severe damage to the lives and properties in eight coastal districts. Mizanur Rahman, director general of the Department of the Disaster Management, said they asked the local authorities in 20 districts and sub-districts to make swift preparations. He said they were particularly concerned about a small coral island called Saint Martins in the Bay of Bengal, where efforts were underway to protect thousands of inhabitants. Myanmar said in its weather bulletin that the cyclone was moving toward the coast of Rakhine state near Sittwe, which was put under the highest weather alert. The World Food Programme said it prepositioned enough food to cover the needs of more than 400,000 people in Rakhine and neighbouring areas for one month. We are preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best. Cyclone Mocha is heading to areas burdened by conflict, poverty, and weak community resilience, said WFP's Myanmar deputy director, Sheela Matthew. Many of the people most likely to be affected are already reliant on regular humanitarian assistance from WFP. They simply cannot afford another disaster. In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Friday that thousands of people living along the western coast of Rakhine state were evacuated. Both Indian and Bangladesh authorities said they were expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Andaman Sea, parts of India's remote northeast, and across Bangladesh from Saturday night. Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days, such as Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020, which continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation. As long as oceans are warm and winds are favourable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period, Koll said. Cyclones are among the most devastating natural disasters in the world, especially if they affect densely populated coastal regions in South Asia. (AP) PY PY
Ukraine's Zelenskyy Makes Surprise Visit To Paris For Talks With French President Macron

International

pti-PTI

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make a surprise visit to Paris for talks o Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.

Macron's office announced the Paris leg of Zelenskyy's trip, and France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier on Sunday.

Macron's office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will "reaffirm France and Europe's unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests."

They'll also discuss Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs and "the more long term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe," Macron's office said.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air-defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and fuel.

Before flying to Paris, Zelenskyy discussed his country's planned counteroffensive with Scholz in Berlin. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, and not to attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of US intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022.

This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: "We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory."

"We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia)," he said, according to an official interpreter. "And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this."

"We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally," Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine - and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

"German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

"We will support you for as long as necessary," he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition" that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

"That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on," he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

"Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in," she said. "For us, that moment has come."

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

"Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity," he said in his acceptance speech. "This is Russia's war for the past."

French media reported that Zelenskyy planned to travel on to Paris late Sunday, but officials at the president and prime minister's office wouldn't confirm.

In other developments:

Zelenskyy's chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraine's southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a "massive" attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people -- a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man -- in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.
'You Were Not Even Born When I Was Representing My Country': Imran Khan Slams Pak Army

International

oi-Prakash KL

By Pti

In his first address to the nation on Saturday after his release from the anti-graft body's custody on the Supreme Court's order, Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan has advised the powerful military to form its own political party for jumping into politics and 'think big' for saving the country from descending into a complete chaos.

Looking furious over the manner the military establishment was bent upon crushing his party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Khan, during his address from his Zaman Park residence at 8 pm, asked the military leadership to review its "anti-PTI policy" for the sake of Pakistan, saying its steps have already brought the country to brink of disaster. A triumphant Khan returned to his Lahore home on Saturday after having locked himself on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises for hours for fear of re-arrest despite being granted bail on Friday.

Before leaving for Lahore, the 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief hit out at the "imported government for kidnapping" him despite the IHC granting him bail in all cases.

Taking a potshot at Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry's statement in which he called Mr Khan 'hypocrite', the PTI chief said: "Listen to me Mr DG ISPR... you were not even born when I was representing my country in the world and earning good name for it. You need to ashamed of yourself for calling me hypocrite and anti-Army." He said the ISPR, the media wing of the military, had never said such things (about a politician).

"You have jumped into politics. Why don't you form your own party. Who has given you the right to make such frivolous allegations. Have some shame for saying that no one else harmed the army to the extent that I did, and that you will crush us," Mr Khan said.

During his address, Khan asked whether the Pakistan Army's image was good while he was the prime minister or now? "The people liked the Army then. When an Army chief (former Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa) stabbed me in the back and brought to power Pakistan's most infamous and corrupt criminals, the masses started criticising the Army and it is not because of me but the Army chief's actions that the Army is being targeted and criticised," he said.

Mr Khan further said he is the recipient of the most charity around the globe since people trust him.

"You are saying Imran Khan is lying. I have been given the most charity because they trust me and consider me an honest person. Pakistan's Supreme Court has also declared me honest (Sadiq aur Amin)," he further said.

Mr Khan, who was ousted from power in April last year through a no-confidence motion, further said that the handlers (a reference to the military) and its installed government are the main beneficiaries of the attack on the military installations during a protest after his arrest last Tuesday.

"They have put the entire leadership of PTI in jails and arrested over 3,500 workers and instituted more cases against me after the attack on the state buildings by unknown persons. The government parties do not want the elections because they know they will be completely wiped out. That is why they planned this conspiracy (attack on military installations) and ran away from elections," he said. Mr Khan said such a crackdown had been carried out in East Pakistan which his party is facing today. "Such actions have dire consequences. Although you (the Army) will not listen to me, I advise you to think big. You should see where the country is heading by such actions," he said.

Mr Khan termed the judiciary the only hope for Pakistan, asking the judges to refuse illegal orders from the 'handlers'. He said there has been unprecedented media control by the handlers who had also imposed a ban on social media to curb free speech.

He appealed to the journalists to listen to their conscience and not be controlled by fear being instilled by the military establishment.

Mr Khan expressed fear that senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan who was abducted (by security agencies) might be severely tortured or killed.

He also lambasted the government for the abduction of another senior political analyst Oriya Maqbool Jan. Mr Khan demanded investigation into the protests and vandalism following his arrest by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial so that facts could come to fore.

He suspected that 'the handlers' were also involved in the attack on the state installation to achieve its motive, saying his party has no history of indulging in violence.
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

Issue 30 April  6 May 1998

When we had to leave Jaffa for Acre there was no sense of tragedy. It felt like an annual trip to spend the feast in another city. Our days in Acre did not seem unusual: perhaps, being young, I was even enjoying myself since the move exempted me from school... Whatever, on the night of the big attack on Acre the picture was becoming clearer. That was, I think, a cruel night, passed between the stern silence of the men and the invocations of the women. My peers, you and I, were too young to understand what the whole story was about. On that night, though, certain threads of that story became clearer. In the morning, and as the Jews withdrew threatening and fulminating, a big truck was standing in front of our door. Light things, mainly sleeping items, were being chucked into the truck swiftly and hysterically.

As I stood leaning against the ancient wall of the house I saw your mother getting into the truck, then your aunt, then the young ones, then your father began to chuck you and your siblings into the car and on top of the luggage. Then he snatched me from the corner, where I was standing and, lifting me on top of his head, he put me into the cage-like metal luggage compartment above the driver's cabin, where I found my brother Riad sitting quietly. The vehicle drove off before I could settle into a comfortable position. Acre was disappearing bit by bit in the folds of the up-hill roads leading to Rass El-Naqoura [Lebanon].

It was somewhat cloudy and a sense of coldness was seeping into my body. Riad, with his back propped against the luggage and his legs on the edge of the metal compartment, was sitting very quietly, gazing into the distance. I was sitting silently with my chin between my knees and my arms folded over them. One after the other, orange orchards streamed past, and the vehicle was panting upward on a wet earth... In the distance the sound of gun-shots sounded like a farewell salute.

Rass El-Naqoura loomed on the horizon, wrapped in a blue haze, and the vehicle suddenly stopped. The women emerged from amid the luggage, stepped down and went over to an orange vendor sitting by the wayside. As the women walked back with the oranges, the sound of their sobs reached us. Only then did oranges seem to me something dear, that each of these big, clean fruits was something to be cherished. Your father alighted from beside the driver, took an orange, gazed at it silently, then began to weep like a helpless child.

In Rass El-Naqoura our vehicle stood beside many similar vehicles. The men began to hand in their weapons to the policemen who were there for that purpose. Then it was our turn. I saw pistols and machine guns thrown onto a big table, saw the long line of big vehicles coming into Lebanon, leaving the winding roads of the land of oranges far behind, and then I too cried bitterly. Your mother was still silently gazing at the oranges, and all the orange trees your father had left behind to the Jews glowed in his eyes... As if all those clean trees which he had bought one by one were mirrored in his face. And in his eyes tears, which he could not help hiding in front of the officer at the police station, were shining.

When in the afternoon we reached Sidon we had become refugees.

Translated by Mona Anis and Hala Halim

* This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.



Search Keywords:

Short link:


In a dramatic finish to the 67th annual Eurovision Song Contest Sweden and Finland fought to the last moment.
 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd.

All rights reserved.

One News is a registered trademark

of One News Page Ltd.
Sky News 13 May 2023

A 19-year-old male lion, believed to be one of the oldest in the world, was killed after trying to take livestock from a community..
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin early Sunday for talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild whats been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict. A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On the eve of his arrival, the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine with aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition. After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president is making his first trip to Germany since Russia launched its invasion. He is expected to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz and receive a prize in service of European unification.
The Ukrainian president is making his first trip to Germany since Russia launched its invasion. After talks with President Steinmeier, Zelenskyy is meeting Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Follow DW for the latest.
Russian occupiers have ordered the evacuation of the city of Enerhodar, close to the threatened Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Residents have reported looting and fears of forced deportations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Germany to meet with the nation's top leaders and receive the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen. This is his first visit since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
The truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad comes after five days of fighting. The US has welcomed the cease-fire agreement.
Abdel-Qader Yassin, veteran Palestinian political activist, recounts his last sight of hometown in Jaffa, which he was forced to flee with his family at the age of 10, in 1948

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

On the night the UN issued the partition resolution, fires and demonstrations broke out across Jaffa. Everything changed. Since then nothing has ever been the same. I was ten years old at the time and I had four sisters and an infant brother. My parents, together with the rest of our family, decided to leave the neighbourhood where we used to live, El-Manshia, which was now on the front line, as we were very close to Tel Aviv.

We moved to a hotel downtown called El-Inshirah and stayed there for around four months until the fighting broke out again in April.

The Jewish families who were close to the front line retreated then too. So there was a void that was immediately filled by the fighters from both sides. From the night we departed El-Manshia till the time the fighting started again, Jaffa was like a ghost city.

"Tel Aviv was the major point of Jewish convergence. It was the headquarters of the Jewish Agency and the Zionist leadership. Limited fighting broke out from time to time between the Arabs and the Jews, but it was always contained. Before the partition resolution, it was common for the Arabs to visit Tel Aviv. But once the resolution was announced, everything changed; instead of normal life, there was mutual boycott and two warring parties.

"The partition resolution was like a war signal. Even though Jaffa was not included in the would-be Israeli state, we knew the Zionist gangs would not stick to the declared borders. Being so close to Tel Aviv was another factor that intimidated most of the fleeing families, who were expecting a fierce Jewish assault. I remember visiting El-Manshia with my father three days after the partition resolution and seeing three Haganah fighters dressed in black crawling towards the Arab quarter. They were beaten back by Arab fighters, but anyone could see that a war was coming, even before the Haganah launched its attack against Jaffa in April.

"On later visits, some of my fathers' friends who had remained in El-Manshia told us how the Arab fighters suffered from lack of ammunition. Each fighter had only five bullets. The machine guns they used were either the British-made 303s or Italian ones brought from Egypt's Western desert by the National Committee in Jaffa.

"I used to read the three daily Jaffa-based Arabic papers: Al-Defa'a (Defence), Phalestine (Palestine) and Al-Sha'ab (The People). It was evident from the material they published and from what I heard from the older people, that the balance of power favoured the Jews. They had advanced weapons, well-trained fighters and ample ammunition. The Arabs, on the other hand, were running out of everything. To make things worse, the British troops handed over their military camps to the Zionists prior to their departure from Palestine.

"My father, like many Palestinians, didn't join the Arab fighters simply because there weren't enough weapons. The vast majority of fighters used to buy their weapons with their own money, as the Palestinian political leadership could not afford to supply us. On top of that, most of the available weapons were really old.

"Nevertheless, morale in Jaffa was quite high. Despite the scarcity of weapons and ammunition, victory seemed very close at certain points. It was so close that on 19 March, America's UN representative asked the UN to cancel the partition resolution, because he felt that the Jews might be defeated. But on 9 April the Jewish gangs deliberately committed the Deir Yassin massacre to demoralise the Arabs, and it worked.

"We all heard about the massacre. I remember that I read extensive coverage of the horrors in our press, which republished a story from the New York Times. Besides this terrifying news, the Arabs in Jaffa feared they would not be able to defend their honour if they were attacked by the Jews. They were afraid that their women would be subject to the humiliation of Deir Yassin. I was young, but I sensed just how much this worried the people in Jaffa. Having four sisters was enough reason for us to leave, as the Jews considered everything and everyone in the villages they invaded as theirs.

"When the Zionists launched their onslaught on Jaffa, they surrounded it on three sides, leaving the fourth, which was the port, free. Then they bombarded us with mines, as [former Israeli prime minister] Menahem Begin [then leader of the Zionist terrorist group Irgun] later admitted in his book, The Revolt.

When the shelling began, everyone rushed to the port, including my family. I can still remember the noise of the bombs, getting closer and closer to the port, as the weak Arab defence gradually collapsed.

"When we left Jaffa, we all thought we'd return when the Arab armies liberated our land. The scene of that departure is still clear in my mind. Thousands gathered at the port and the only thing that could absorb this huge number were the barges that were used for transporting the ships' goods. We were packed into hundreds of these small barges like sardines and took off. Some went to Egypt, like my family, and others sailed to Gaza. I recall that Jaffa had 70,000 inhabitants. After the Jewish offensive, only 5,000 remained.

"In Egypt, all the Palestinian refugees followed the news day by day, and it was my daily task to read the papers for the illiterate. I remember reading that those who had remained were besieged in the neigbourhood of Ajami and were prevented from restoring their destroyed homes. Later on, as more Palestinians flocked to Egypt, we were told that when the Jewish gangs entered the Arab quarter after the fall of Jaffa, they slaughtered a number of innocent and unarmed civilians.

Those who managed to stay alive did so only by playing dead among the corpses, so that the Jews wouldn't notice them. Once the Jewish fighters walked away, the Palestinians ran to the port and took the first boat or ship they saw.

"I never visited my home in Jaffa again. Many of those who wanted to see their homes after 1976 couldn't do so. The Jewish families who had occupied their homes denied them entry, so they died of grief. But I don't want to die."

Interview by Amira Howeidy





Operation Chametz 1948

Tiberias fell on 18 April, Haifa on the 23rd; then it was the turn of Jaffa, a city which was not included in the UN partition plan as part of the would-be State of Israel. Between 23 April and 13 May, the people of Jaffa fought desperately to save their town from the land grab of Plan Dalet and Operation Chametz to take over the city.

Chametz means yeast in Hebrew. The Zionist offensive to occupy Jaffa, launched on 22 April 1948, coincided with the Jewish feast of Pesach (Passover). During the month preceding the Pesach, Jewish housewives are obliged to rid their households of any remnants of yeast (chametz) products. It was no coincidence, therefore, that the Haganah dubbed its drive to expel the Arab inhabitants of Jaffa "Operation Chametz". The codename signified exactly what the operation intended: an ethnic cleansing of the Arabs.

The Arab inhabitants of Jaffa numbered around 70,000. The Arab fighters trying to hold back the Jewish attack were 450 of the city's inhabitants, beside another 300 fighters from the Arab Liberation Army formed by the Arab League. Jaffa was in a most vulnerable position because of its proximity to Tel Aviv, where the largest Jewish population (170,000) was based.

Tel Aviv was also the base for the Haganah's Kiryati Brigade, with its 3,000 fighters; 15 km south-east of Jaffa the Haganah's Givati brigade, with an equal number of fighters, was stationed. The Arabs fought desperately for 10 days, but on 3 May, the Arab commander in charge of the defence of the city, Michel Al-Issa, cabled to the Arab League Military Committee in Damascus: "There are no forces left to defend the city. All the inhabitants have already left. The British authorities advise that Jaffa is declared an open city." A few days later, there were only 500 Arabs left in Jaffa.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 30 April 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Eurasia Review 18 May 2023

Ihor Zhovkva the deputy head of President Zelenskyys office has told Sky News that Ukraine does not have enough military..
The Ukrainian government doesn't want its athletes competing against Russians. But some think that sends out the wrong message and risks surrendering the platform of international sport to Russian propaganda.
Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), has called on Health Secretary Stephen Barclay to restart pay negotiations with a double-digit pay rise.
Thais were forecast to vote in record numbers on Sunday in an election expected to deliver big gains for opposition forces, testing the resolve of a pro-military establishment
The Government has taken a swipe at Liz Truss ahead of a high-profile trip to Taiwan where she is set to urge a tougher line towards China.
Quicklink Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them.



To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Sudan has become a battleground for foreign fighters and shadowy military backers lured by money and gold, experts say.

Armed "fortune seekers" are flooding into the fight from across Africa's Sahel region including Mali, Chad and Niger, UN special representative Volker Perthes has said, warning that "their number is not insignificant".

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has accused the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of recruiting fighters from troubled nearby countries, including "mercenaries from Chad, the Central African Republic and Niger".

Sudan's army has claimed to have killed "a foreign sniper" in the ranks of the RSF, and witnesses in Khartoum say they have heard some RSF paramilitaries speak French, the language of neighbouring Chad.

For the past month, Sudan has been rocked by deadly battles between army leader Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemeti.

The RSF under Daglo, a former camel trader, emerged out of the notorious Janjaweed militias which from 2003 pillaged villages in the Darfur region where they were accused of widespread atrocities and war crimes.

Washington and Brussels charge the RSF has ties with Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which is fighting in Ukraine and has long been active in multiple African countries.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin recently insisted that "for two years, not a single Wagner... fighter has been present in Sudan. And today there is none".

Cameron Hudson, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that "the Wagner group is not fighting in Sudan, but they have technical advisors".

Death and destruction

The European Union in February imposed new sanctions against Wagner, accusing it of human rights abuses in Ukraine as well as Sudan, Mali and CAR.

After major fighting erupted in Sudan in mid-April, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced "deep concern about the engagement" of Wagner there, charging that the group "brings more death and destruction" wherever it operates.

Western diplomats have reported seeing groups of mercenaries frequently passing through Khartoum's airport and hotels since the CAR government in 2018 called on Wagner to help repress a rebellion.

Daglo's family has long controlled gold mines in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan, Africa's third-largest producer of the precious metal that has also attracted the attention of Wagner.

The US Treasury has accused Prigozhin of operating shadow companies in Sudan that were awarded gold-mining concessions, and the latest EU sanctions also targeted gold companies linked to Wagner in Sudan.

For Daglo, gold has provided a revenue stream to pay fighters, said Andreas Krieg, associate professor of security studies at King's College London.

"The fact that Hemeti has access to quite a lot of gold wealth and avenues to bring it to market means he can pay salaries in a way that many in sub-Saharan Africa or the Sahel cannot," Krieg told AFP.

"We had people from Chad join the RSF as well over the years looking for salaries."

'Boutique' security firms

Hemeti hails from western Darfur's pastoralist Arab Rizeigat people and has family roots in Chad, with which Sudan shares a long and porous border.

Sudanese militias have long padded their ranks by offering "Chadian Arabs access to Sudanese citizenship and land abandoned by displaced non-Arabs", the Small Arms Survey research project found in 2017.

The RSF in its recent social media campaign has published videos of fighters in Chad and Niger voicing their support for them.

Sudan specialist Alex de Waal said that money and fighters "are interchangeable currencies in Sudan's political marketplace, and Hemeti trades in both".

"The RSF is now a private transnational mercenary enterprise," de Waal wrote in a recent analysis. "It's a gold-mining and gold-trading operation and the enforcement arm of Hemeti's ever expanding commercial empire."

If the RSF wins, de Waal predicted, "the Sudanese state will become a subsidiary of this transnational venture".

Meanwhile Sudan's conflict has also fuelled another business line for professional soldiers, who have offered desperate foreigners with the means of a chance to flee the country, said Hudson.

For those who could not get a spot on mass evacuations, he said, "a number of small 'boutique' private companies, mainly retired British special forces operators, were evacuating people for a large fee, up to $20,000-50,000."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


* Pakistan's Military, Once a 'Sacred Cow,' Comes Under Attack by Protesters: New York Times * Protesters are turning on Pakistan's military after Imran Khan's arrest: CNN

* Supporters of ex-prime minister show rare pushback against powerful army: NPR

* Why are Imran Khan's supporters angry with Pakistan's military?: Al Jazeera

Once unthinkable, the scenes of violent protest that broke out across Pakistan on Tuesday after the arrest of the former prime minister, Imran Khan, seemed to cross a line against defying the army that has rarely been breached in Pakistan's turbulent history, the New York Times said adding:

"Since the country's founding 75 years ago, the military has kept a steady hold on the country's politics and foreign policy, carrying out three successful coups and ruling the country directly for several decades. Even under civilian governments, military leaders have kept an iron "" if cloaked "" grip on power, ushering in politicians they favored and pushing out those who stepped out of line. Few dared any open defiance."

According to CNN: Pakistan is teetering after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was dramatically arrested by paramilitary troops on corruption charges, sparking a deadly outpouring of anger against the powerful military that has put the country on edge.

The army has accused Khan and his supporters of crossing a red line, saying that military property and installations have been "systematically attacked" and that "anti-army slogans were raised."

"Any further attack on the army, including all law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties, will be severely retaliated against," the military said in a Wednesday statement, its first since Khan's arrest. "The full responsibility of which will be on the very group that wants to push Pakistan into civil war."

Khan has repeatedly accused the military of conspiring with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to remove him from office, even calling out a senior official by name and accusing him of being behind the shooting that injured him in November.

Going on Khan's claims, his supporters have targeted their rage toward the military, fervently taking to social media to put out messages against the establishment.

"The intensity and consistency of Imran Khan's attacks on the military, especially after being ousted from office last year, are unprecedented," CNN quoted Syed Baqir Sajjad, a Pakistan Fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, as saying.

Al Jazeera report

Al Jazeera provided a graphic account of the attacks of military installations:

A 34-second video, shot in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on May 9, starts by showing a group of people, including women, entering a mansion. They are wielding sticks, chanting slogans and carrying flags of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

The man making the video says: "People have broken through the gates and have now entered the corps commander's residence," referring to a senior military officer. He then walks towards a soldier standing on a corner of a vast lawn, looking at the crowd entering the compound, and tells him, "Sir, we told you not to touch Imran Khan."

The mansion was not just the residence of a top military general in Lahore, it also had historical significance. Named Jinnah House, after the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a part of the imposing building was later set on fire by the protesters.

Dozens of similar videos showed the protesters in several cities targeting installations and buildings belonging to Pakistan's powerful military.

A video shot in the garrison town of Rawalpindi - where the Pakistani Army General Headquarters is located - showed a woman protesting at the entrance of the fortified complex, rattling the gate to open it as two other women surrounded her.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Note: This column was first published in 2020

Dear Annie: Ive been chatting with a guy online for a few weeks now -- nothing serious, just light, getting to know you conversations, with some flirtation sprinkled in.

Well, today, he decided to randomly mention that I reminded him of another woman hed been talking to, who he ended up having an amazing sexual connection with, though they didnt end up seriously dating.

I found this to be way out of left field and pretty offensive. Yes, we were just casually chatting online and hadnt even met in real life yet, but I believe that there still should be some basic sense of decorum. Am I crazy? Im a very open person, but this just seemed wrong to me. I did let him know, as politely as I could, that I felt that his comment was unnecessary and not something I needed to know. He responded with an LOL and that hed be sure to never be honest with me again. Was I overreacting? Should I give him another chance? -- Peeved in Portsmouth

Dear Peeved: This proud peacock wasted no time putting his sleazy colors on full display -- and thank goodness. You didnt even have to waste a date on him. Now that hes shown you who he is, believe him, block him and move on.

Dear Annie: I read with interest the letter from Dawn W. about the disproportionate number of persons with learning disabilities who drop out of school. The other horrifying reality is that a disproportionate number of people with learning disabilities enter our nations prison system. Nearly 40% of all prisoners have one type of disability, many of which are learning disabilities.

While I agree with her point of view and most of her recommendations, as well as your suggestions, she did not mention many options that parents have access to within the public school system. Additionally, FAPE is short for Free and Appropriate Public Education NOT Free Access to Public Education, as you stated. Big difference! Parents, persons with disabilities and advocates have fought long and hard for this specific language to be included in the IDEA law.

As an educator with over 40 years of experience, these are some options that I recommend parents consider when working with their local public school:

Once the psychological evaluation has been completed, attend an Individual Education Plan meeting to make sure that your child is eligible for special education services, under your state guidelines.

Ask questions to make sure that you understand the evaluation results as they are explained to you.

Request an advocate to attend the IEP meeting with you. Advocates are available upon request through the public school district or state Protection and Advocacy organization.

At the IEP meeting, if your child is eligible for special education services, make sure to advocate for the full range of appropriate educational services, including specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment, counseling and mental health services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language therapy and assistive technology

School personnel should explain why your child is or is not eligible for each of the services available.

As a dedicated and consistent reader of your column, I always appreciate the variety and breadth of topics you address. Thanks for the opportunity to share information. -- Wyoming Strong

Dear Wyoming: I truly appreciate your expertise, and I apologize for the error regarding FAPE. Thank you for taking the time to write.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
One person died and another was injured in a crash in Southeast Portland Thursday afternoon.

Daniel London, 19, was killed while driving a Tesla Model Y, marking the 19th traffic death this year, police said Saturday.

Officers responded to a crash at Southeast Duke Street and 72nd Avenue at 1:05 p.m. and found London dead when they arrived. Londons car collided with a tow truck, and the driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. He is expected to live.

A third car was damaged at the intersection, police said.

Police are still investigating the crash and ask anyone with information on the incident to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-122989.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
Update on May 16: The Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District on Tuesday said Jacob Stokes had been wading in knee-deep water not swimming when a riptide pulled him under the water. An earlier press release from the department was inaccurate.

A Beaverton student is missing after swimming at Tolovana Beach with three other students.

***

Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fires Surf and Rescue Team responded when people on the shore lost sight of a group swimming in the ocean at the southern end of Cannon Beach near the Tolovana Beach Wayside at 3:50 p.m. Friday, the fire district said in a statement. Cannon Beach Police arrived shortly after.

A group of four  who were all students in the Beaverton School District, according to spokesperson Shellie Bailey-Shah  disappeared while swimming. Two of the students were out of the water by the time officials arrived, the fire district said.

A rescue swimmer went out to find the other two and brought one back to shore. The person was taken to the hospital and their condition has not been disclosed.

Rescue teams could not find the fourth person. The Coast Guard searched into the night, and Cannon Beach Fire continued the search Saturday.

Officials remind everyone that ocean currents are unpredictable, the water temperature is still cold, and swimmers need to be cautious.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
Two women died crossing Portland streets on foot, police said Sunday, bringing the number of pedestrian fatalities so far in 2023 to nine.

Katherine Lyda, 40, died May 7 after being struck by the driver of a Ford Taurus on April 25 at Northeast 122nd Avenue and Skidmore Street. Police said a preliminary investigation showed Lyda was crossing against the light around 5:20 a.m. when the driver, an unidentified man, hit her. He was not cited or arrested, police said.

Last September, a pedestrian died about a block away, at Northeast 122nd Avenue and Shaver Street near Parkrose High School.

On Tuesday, 81-year-old Joanna M. Sunseri, of Kelso, Washington, died after a woman driving a Nissan Pathfinder turned into Sunseri as she crossed Northeast Broadway at 15th Avenue in a crosswalk. The unidentified driver cooperated and was not cited or arrested, police said.

Portland has recorded 19 fatal car crashes so far in 2023. Nine have killed pedestrians.

 Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Editors note: This story contains detailed descriptions of threats made to victims based on their race, national origin, sexual orientation or other characteristics protected by Oregons hate crime law.

It was supposed to be a carefree Fourth of July 2020. Two families had settled in for what they thought would be a relaxing Oregon summer evening on the beach of Lincoln City  an 80-mile, weekend getaway from their homes in Forest Grove and Hillsboro  when a group of seven men approached.

According to witnesses, the white men walked up to the Black families, raised their hands into the air and exclaimed Heil, Hitler! They told the families to F- off, then called them a highly offensive racist slur directed at African Americans. They waved Donald Trump flags in the air, blared music extolling the virtues of Trump and exclaimed You think youre privileged because youre Black!

One man lit a firework and threw it near one mom  warning Thats just a warm-up. Someone in the group mimicked a handgun with his fingers and pretended to shoot. One man also alluded to having a real gun, exclaiming that the group would shoot at police if police shot at them.

More than 15 officers responded to the scene. Like the families, they feared for their safety  writing that the men seemed poised to carry out an imminent, unprovoked attack, according to their 68-page report.

The encounter made national headlines and sparked overwhelming public condemnation. But within days, Lincoln County District Attorney Jonathan Cable announced his decision: The men wouldnt face any hate crime charges.

Whether he made the right call is a matter of fervent debate.

The case illustrates the struggle many Oregon district attorneys face in determining what constitutes a hate crime. Individual prosecutors must interpret the finer, sometimes confounding points of the law and often do in different ways  more so than with many other, more clear-cut offenses such as robbery, kidnapping, assault, car theft and drunken driving.

Critics say some prosecutors err on the side of inaction. And that has led to an uneven landscape across the state, where cases involving similar circumstances may be charged in one county but not another.

Over the past decade, per capita, Multnomah County has filed hate crimes at twice the rate as Washington County; three times the rate as Clackamas and Lane counties; and more than six times the rate as Crook and Wasco counties.

The contrast in conviction rates is even more striking. Douglas County, with 112,000 residents, has convicted only one person of a hate crime in the past decade. Nine small counties  the largest Tillamook, with 27,000 residents  have convicted no one.

The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained a list of all hate crime cases filed in state and federal courts in the past decade  more than 550 in all. Some cases included more than one alleged perpetrator.

In about 45% of closed cases, charges fell flat. Frequently, prosecutors agreed to drop them in plea deals, even though the hate crime charges were the ones many victims most wanted to stick. Thats not because all victims want to see perpetrators in prison  state sentencing guidelines call for probation in most cases, anyway. Many victims just want acknowledgement that bigotry fueled their attacks.

Oregon routinely lets them down. Each year, an untold number of potential hate crimes  possibly hundreds  fall through the cracks. Victims who report their experiences to a confidential state hotline dont file formal complaints with police. Police agencies fall short in their investigations. Prosecutors misinterpret the law or doubt the strength of their cases  and perpetrators of hate remain unpunished.

Reports triple, prosecutions dont

On that summer 2020 night in Lincoln City, officers formed a protective barrier by standing between the men and the families  four parents and six children in their teens and 20s  so the families could pack their belongings and leave.

Despite the frightening facts of the case, Cable, the DA, said he did not think he could prove a hate crime.

Unfortunately using racist or derogatory language is not in itself criminal under Oregon law, said Cable, who left office in early 2021.

Several district attorneys, however, disagreed with Cables assessment of the case. The Oregonian/OregonLive contacted 10 prosecutors from other counties, eliciting a range of opinions. Most said they believed all of the components necessary to prove a hate crime were likely there  chiefly, that they made the families fear that they were about to be seriously harmed because of their race. Some prosecutors felt strongly that the men had.

But a few said even though the mens behavior was reprehensible, it still might amount to nothing more than constitutionally protected speech. The Oregon Supreme Court has set an extraordinarily high bar for when speech crosses into the criminal, prosecutors say.

Contacted this month, Cable said he now thinks he would have charged a hate crime, based on new information provided by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The police report Cable had relied upon stated the firework wasnt lit when one of the men threw it, though the families told the news organization it most certainly was.

Differing prosecutorial perspectives arent the only reason many hate crime cases never make it to a courtroom. Numerous issues add to the problem:

Like in the Lincoln City case, police reports may be inaccurate or omit crucial information. Or overworked officers dont always have the time to investigate cases, identify suspects and make arrests.

Sometimes cases fail because police lacked the training to recognize hate crimes for what they are. Or prosecutors dont think they can convince judges or juries  especially conservative ones in rural parts of Oregon  that the crimes were motivated by bias when perpetrators used hate speech as they lobbed threats, pummeled victims or vandalized their cars and homes.

Many times, police and prosecutors never learn about cases because victims have little faith they will take their reports seriously.

A growing number of victims instead report to the Oregon Department of Justices confidential Bias Response Hotline, which compiles an annual tally of hate crimes and offers victims support, but doesnt forward reports to law enforcement. The deluge in hotline reports has provided an illuminating view into the depth of Oregons hate.

At the same time, prosecutions havent kept pace. Reports to the hotline have tripled since 2020, while the number of prosecuted incidents has increased by 24%.

State Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, said he has long noticed a reluctance among some police and prosecutors to acknowledge that certain crimes are motivated by hate  and to charge them accordingly.

Its tragic, but it comes as no surprise, Frederick said. Thats the nature of our culture.

Oregons hotline among first in U.S.

Prosecuting hate crimes is a challenge nationwide, but Oregon is among a smattering of liberal states trying to do more.

Oregon is at the forefront, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, a deputy research director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national racial justice watchdog group.

Carroll Rivas acknowledges its difficult to compare Oregon to other states because little  if any  study has been done of state-by-state prosecution rates. But she and other experts say Oregon may be more motivated than many states to effect change because of a concerted effort by state leaders and grassroots community groups.

Experts also say particularly egregious hate crimes often spur states into action.

In 2018, one year after a confrontation over a racist tirade on a Portland MAX train ended with Jeremy Christian knifing two men to death, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum commissioned a hate crimes task force to find ways to better support victims and bring perpetrators of these vile acts to account.

In 2019, Rosenblum successfully pushed for the passage of Senate Bill 577, which strengthened the states four-decades-old hate crimes law by making it easier for prosecutors to pursue felony charges against many offenders and creating the Bias Response Hotline, one of the first in the nation.

Oregon defines a hate crime  or bias crime, as its officially known  as any act of assaulting or damaging the property of a victim because of animus over the victims race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Intentionally instilling a fear of imminent serious physical injury or committing offensive acts, like spitting on victims, can constitute hate crimes in Oregon, as well.

Frederick, who was a chief sponsor of the bill, said it also set out to address the states dearth in prosecutions by requiring the state to gather data that could help Oregon identify why so many falter. For the first time this July, the state will release the number of hate crime cases police sent to county district attorneys for possible prosecution, the number prosecutors pursued and the number that resulted in convictions in the previous year.

But so far, more than three years after the first provisions of the 2019 bill were implemented, upping the number of prosecutions has been an arduous process. Oregon  a majority white state with a particularly long and lingering history of racism and bigotry  is flush with recent examples of hate crime victims who feel brushed aside.

It makes me hurt

Thats true even in Portland.

A woman who emigrated from Cambodia told The Oregonian/OregonLive she was devastated when Portland police officers disregarded the bigoted undertones of a man who frequented her inner Southeast Portland neighborhood. The man, she said, was laser-focused on her and not her neighbors, who were white.

She said over the course of months in 2022, he tormented her by spray-painting the outside of her apartment and dumping garbage in front of it. Once, he chased her while yelling racist and misogynistic epithets, telling her to go back to Asia and threatening to kill her, she said.

The man was originally charged with misdemeanor menacing for allegedly threatening to seriously hurt the woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being further targeted. It wasnt until two months later that prosecutors charged him with a felony hate crime.

Jim McCandlish, a pro bono lawyer for the Oregon Chinese Coalition, said that happened only because the coalition  which also advocates for members of other Asian ethnicities  learned of the case. McCandlish and coalition president Hongcheng Zhao knocked on neighbors doors, talked to police and then presented their findings to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office.

The case was going nowhere until Hongcheng got involved, McCandlish said. He believes Portland police, overwhelmed by a surge in shootings and homicides, failed the woman. It was one of those cases where they throw up their hands and move on to the next murder.

A Portland police spokesman, Sgt. Kevin Allen, said the Portland Police Bureau places a significant priority on allegations of bias crime, and all PPB members have undergone training on how to investigate it.

The district attorneys office declined to comment because the case is pending.

The lack of initial hate crime charges deeply upset the woman. She believes the police ignored the truth  one that many straight, white Oregonians who were born in this country wont experience.

A lot of people dont want hate crimes to be real, she said. Its like the justice system is trying to hide the problem.

She moved from her apartment and bought a knife and pepper spray, saying her perception of the world has changed. Now she rarely leaves home. She said shes depressed and seeing a counselor.

When I talk about it, it makes me sad, the woman said, explaining why she was sobbing during an interview. I cannot control my emotions. It makes me hurt.

Outside of Portland

Victims who live in smaller, rural communities say they think hate crimes committed against them were discounted, too.

Eric Osterberg, an openly gay and Black city administrator in Klamath Falls, a community of 22,000 people, was disappointed when no hate crimes charges were filed against a white man who sat next to him at a city council meeting in 2021. Osterberg said the man clenched a softball-sized rock in his hand, raised it slightly and referred to Osterberg as a gay sinner who was spreading AIDS in the community and must be stoned. According to the police report, the police chief was sitting nearby and intervened by walking the man out of the meeting. Then he let him go.

Didnt he just make a threat? Osterberg recalled thinking. Arent you supposed to arrest people who make threats? Why wasnt more action taken?

Police arrested the man six weeks later  after southern Oregon news outlets published articles critical of the police response. By then, Osterberg had moved away from Oregon.

The Klamath County District Attorney at the time, Eve Costello, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that she didnt charge a hate crime because the defendant has schizophrenia and she didnt think she could prove he knew what he was saying.

Osterberg said it appeared the man knew exactly what he was saying because he singled him out of the crowd moments before Osterberg was to make a controversial presentation to the council about valuing diversity.

But Costello pursued only misdemeanor disorderly conduct and menacing charges. Last summer she dropped the entire case without a formal assessment of the mans mental health  stating any charges would be difficult to prove because of the mans illness.

Sometimes this county takes care of things in a slightly different manner than say Washington County or Multnomah County does, where people really dont know each other, Costello said, before declining to answer further questions.

The move stunned some prosecutors in other parts of the state, who said they wouldnt dismiss a case without a mental health assessment or an agreement to get the defendant psychiatric help. People with mental illness may still have the capacity to choose to act on their hateful views, they say. Without an evaluation, theres no way to know.

Pursuing charges against a defendant with mental illness can result in court-ordered treatment that might stop such hateful encounters from happening again, prosecutors say.

One DA, two views

In yet another uncharged hate crime case, Lamont Taylor felt downtrodden from the moment he dialed 911 to report a white woman had threatened him, a Black man, with a Swiss Army knife while calling him a highly offensive racist slur. The two briefly clashed over social distancing rules at a Monmouth bar in Polk County in summer 2020.

Two white witnesses said although they heard the woman call Taylor that slur, he was mouthing off at her and treating her disrespectfully, too. Taylor confirmed that he told the woman to F off in what he called an instinctive response to the racist tirade directed toward him.

Of course I was upset, Taylor said. I was totally shocked when it happened.

Taylor said police and prosecutors left him feeling like he was somehow at fault  when she pulled the knife on him. He said the woman used a series of racist tropes in her defense  telling police she was fearful Taylor was going to hurt her because he looked angry and is huge  and he took two steps toward her, according to reports. He said he was trying to leave.

Police didnt arrest her that day.

If that would have been me with a knife, they would have had me in handcuffs in the back of their car, he said.

Police ultimately forwarded the case to the Polk County District Attorneys Office, recommending a felony hate crime charge. But the prosecutor accused the woman only of misdemeanor menacing. Even that, he said the prosecutor told him, would be difficult to prove.

Nine months later, on the eve of trial in 2021, Taylor gave up. He agreed to accept a written apology from the woman and let the prosecutor drop the case entirely.

Taylor said the apology letter didnt seem sincere. But he didnt want to be interrogated on the witness stand as the aggressor. He was sure a jury would side with the woman.

I cant win, Taylor said. People will always look at me the same.

The case highlights not only why hate crime prosecutions sometimes fail in Oregon, but also how one prosecutor can view the same case differently over time.

The prosecutor who handled the case, District Attorney Aaron Felton, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that when he charged this case in 2020, he believed he needed to show the defendant was motivated entirely by racism to prove a hate crime. But hes come to understand thats not true. Bigotry needs to be a reason  but not the only reason  a defendant targeted a victim.

Felton said if he encountered a similar case today, he might very well decide to charge a bias crime.

I personally have grown in my thinking around the application of the law, Felton said.

Patchwork of prosecutions

Fay Stetz-Waters, director of civil rights and social justice at the Oregon Department of Justice, said she thinks there are vast differences in prosecution rates across the state because some counties are much more aggressive at investigating reports, filing charges and securing convictions.

There are 36 counties and 36 different ways to prosecute, Stetz-Waters said.

Stetz-Waters said she doesnt believe the number of filed cases and convictions is low or non-existent in some Oregon counties because hate crimes dont happen there. Rather, she said, its an indicator that victims dont feel as comfortable coming forward and the system could do a better job pursuing allegations.

She said a step toward remedying the problem is to instill confidence that  from the very moment police get a call  they understand the context of the situation they are responding to, allowing them to investigate the incident thoroughly.

The Oregonian/OregonLive found many examples of police reports that lacked key details. For instance, a Medford officer responded to a city-owned plaza last December to find a large decorative menorah pushed over on its side. Its lights were shattered and a man sitting nearby admitted to shoving it. However, the officer didnt appear to understand that a bias crime may have been committed; he described the menorah as a Christmas light fixture display in his police report. Nowhere did the report acknowledge its a Jewish symbol.

In December 2022, a man twice vandalized this menorah at Medford's Vogel Plaza.

The officer arrested the man on accusations of vandalism. Several days later, the man returned to the plaza, this time breaking the menorah beyond repair. The Jackson County District Attorneys Office pursued only vandalism-related charges and the man was sentenced in March to probation.

Medford Police Lt. Rebecca Pietila said the officer described the menorah as a Christmas display because thats how a witness reported it to police. Pietila said shes confident her officers  including others who responded and described the vandalized property as a menorah in their police reports  thoroughly investigated the incident. The man is known to police as someone who wants to go to jail, she said.

This fall Stetz-Waters will lead her second training since 2022 of police officers and prosecutors across Oregon in how to recognize hate crimes, ask the right investigative questions and  when appropriate  pursue convictions. Stetz-Waters said police and prosecutors willingness to attend the trainings shows they want to improve.

To be aware of where your shortcomings are is a big step, Stetz-Waters said.

When contacted by The Oregonian/OregonLive, some police agencies and district attorneys disagreed with the assertion that theyre letting the perpetrators of hate crimes slip through the cracks. Many cases, they said, might never reach them.

None of the more than 900 hate crime reports that victims made to the Department of Justices hotline in 2022 were forwarded to police or prosecutors. State law requires that the hotline reports remain confidential. The Department of Justice says it offers victims police contact information, if they say they want it.

A small portion of the hotline complaints may have been too old to prosecute, anyway, because victims occasionally report crimes that occurred more than two or three years ago and the statute of limitations has passed.

The tidal wave that they are seeing is not translating to any information for us, said Sgt. Matthew Jacobsen, who oversees bias crimes investigations for the Portland Police Bureau.

Last year, Portland police say they received 53 hate crime reports, a slight decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, reports of hate crimes made to the hotline from Multnomah County, whose residents mostly live in Portland, more than doubled in the same period, to 380.

No criminal convictions

In the case of the two Black families on the Lincoln City beach, they felt that the police truly cared and stopped the situation from getting even worse. But they said they were deeply disappointed none of the men were charged with hate crimes. The families declined to comment further, saying they wanted to put the ugly episode behind them.

The Lincoln County District Attorneys Office originally charged all seven men with rioting, disorderly conduct and interfering with police. But prosecutors worked out agreements dismissing those charges in exchange for community service.

The last of the mens cases was dismissed in December 2022, and none were convicted of any crimes. Two defendants, however, were convicted of violations  similar to traffic tickets  for possessing the illegal fireworks and fined $440.

District Attorney Lanee Danforth, who took office in 2021 after defeating Cable, stands by her offices handling of the case.

State Rep. David Gomberg, a Democrat who represents Lincoln City, told The Oregonian/OregonLive he was disheartened by the outcome. Clearly, he said, the men had crossed the line into committing a hate crime by threatening the safety of the two families.

If there wasnt a physical threat, then why did we need 15 police officers on the beach to protect (them)? Gomberg asked. We, legislators, can write all the laws in the world, but we need local authorities to be willing to enforce them.

With the rising numbers of hate crime reports in Oregon, its crucial Lincoln County and the state send a clear response, he said.

We can do better.

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee. Data visualization specialist Dave Cansler contributed to this story.

This story is the first in an occasional series scrutinizing Oregons hate crime law. Future installments will cover when hate crime cases fail and succeed in the Portland area and whether the states hate crime law goes far enough.

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Fifty years ago, Karen Anderson of Brush Prairie, Washington, celebrated Mothers Day as the mom of newborn quintuplets.

And the woman who brought the world the story, Milly Wohler of The Oregonian, notched her success in scooping her own son to deliver what became an international headline.

The front page of The Oregonian on April 27, 1973.

Jeff Wohler, one of Milly Wohlers sons, was on a reporting trip to Panama as a reporter for the Oregon Journal, a competing newspaper, when he saw a headline that said a woman had given birth to five babies at the now-defunct Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland. It wasnt until he returned home that he learned the backstory of the exceedingly rare birth, he said.

For months, his mother had been tracking the pregnancy of Anderson and her husband, Eric, who initially thought they were having quadruplets and already had two older boys. Milly Wohler never whispered a peep to her son about the reporting for her worldwide exclusive, he said.

She had known about this for several months of Sunday dinners and never said a word, said Jeff Wohler, who joined The Oregonian when it merged with the Journal in 1982.

It wasnt that she scooped her son that brought her joy, he said. She relished the story process, he said of his mother, then 51.

Milly Wohler would go on to become assistant managing editor of The Oregonian in 1980, according to her 2001 obituary, which noted she was one of the first women to break tradition and reach executive rank at the newspaper.

The paper chronicled many milestones in the lives of the quintuplets, from their baptisms to their birthdays to their high school prom. The babies arrived in the span of 11 minutes on their mothers 28th birthday.

Reached Thursday, Karen Anderson said her youngest children all just turned 50. Im proud of all my children, she said.

 Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Two recent editorials illustrate the purpose and perhaps the limitations of The Oregonian/OregonLives independent editorial board.

Editorials are the public position of the news organizations editorial board, distinct from the newsrooms coverage. They are researched and written by Opinion Editor Helen Jung, with input from other members of the board, Publisher John Maher, Laura Gunderson, director of public interest and accountability, and me.

The boards positions are also informed by its longstanding principles and positions. For example, the board has long advocated for improving K-12 education investments and strategies and has supported a new education tax, adoption of research-based curriculum and accountability measures needed to support and track success. The board regularly editorializes against governmental agencies taking on programs or making expenditures on areas outside their core mission and capabilities.

News articles, in contrast, are researched and written by reporters in the newsroom. Reporters have no input into the editorial positions beyond the facts they publish.

On balance, I consider the board middle of the road to conservative fiscally but liberal on social issues.

There is no party test for political candidates. The board is guided by its view of the best person for that job at that time.

Recently, the board assessed news coverage of the emerging Shemia Fagan scandal. On April 27, Willamette Week revealed Fagan had taken a side job in the cannabis industry. This followed on its coverage of the travails of La Mota, a cannabis company that had emerged as a major Democratic donor even as it left a trail of unpaid taxes and overdue bills.

The board does not call for resignations lightly, only when we feel the person had ceded all ability to be effective on behalf of citizens.

This case was fairly typical for the board. News coverage pops into the public consciousness, whether from The Oregonian/OregonLives newsroom or any other. If an issue grows to widespread public concern, as Willamette Weeks reporting did when it reached the Oregon Secretary of States Office, the editorial board will consider whether to weigh in.

Board members read the coverage, attended Fagans press availability on May 1, considered her answers and unanimously felt she could no longer serve as Oregons secretary of state. Jungs editorial does what good editorials do: It laid out the evidence, explained the reasoning and ended with a crystal-clear conclusion.

By contrast, news articles do not tell readers what the reporter thinks our readers or sources should do. Reporters do not declare whether policies are right, or wrongheaded, although they certainly might gather evidence pointing in one direction or the other.

Another recent case illustrates a vital service the editorial board performs for readers: political endorsements. The case of Derrick Peterson, onetime candidate for the board of Portland Public Schools, also shows the boards limitations.

The Oregonian/OregonLives editorial board cannot make endorsements in every race. There are simply too many. The board typically weighs in on major metro area races that are competitive, believing an endorsement would be most helpful to readers in those cases.

In races with multiple candidates, the board might ask candidates to submit questionnaires designed to draw out specifics of how they would approach the job. The board then invites a smaller number of candidates to an endorsement interview.

Those meetings are somewhat akin to a job interview. They are not debates, but rather opportunities for board members to hear directly from candidates on specific issues.

The race in Zone 3 for the school board had just two candidates, Peterson and Patte Sullivan, so there was no need to narrow the field. Both were invited to the endorsement interview.

In an endorsement published April 26, the board chose Peterson based on his focus on behavioral health, his expertise in diversity initiatives and his longtime public service.

The next day, the newsroom reported Peterson had been named an apostle in an evangelical megachurch and had been listed as a board member of the churchs anti-abortion offshoot. Peterson said that listing was in error. After Rolling Stone brought national attention to the race, calling Peterson an accused Christian nationalist, he withdrew, saying media coverage had created a distraction. Peterson denies being a Christian nationalist (people who believe the U.S. should be a Christian nation, governed by biblical principles).

Our editorial board rescinded its endorsement May 3 when Peterson said he was ending his run. Peterson reiterated his decision Wednesday, saying he had entered the race with genuine intentions, no hidden agendas and with a goal of improving outcomes for the students. His name remains on the ballot.

Its an example of the limitations of endorsements, which are made based on the information available at any one time. While the editorial board strives to use a broad lens in giving its voting recommendations, new information can emerge at any time. In this rare case where we might have wished to revisit our endorsement, Peterson declared he was no longer a candidate, resolving the question.
We live across the railroad tracks from the city of Portlands first proposed mass pod site just off Powell Boulevard in the Central Eastside, (Neighbors raise concerns about mass tent site planned for Central Eastside, March 20). Most likely we are within the 1,000-foot circle from this site where no street camping will be allowed. However, it is difficult to know where this 1,000-foot circle is located. It could cut our living room in half.

At first, I was supportive of this 150-person site. We do need to try something to address this situation. But now I question how the city will be able to keep its promise to have no camping nearby. Currently we have an unsanctioned site a half block from our house. There are people making loud noises day and night, with many visitors and, of course, trash. This is definitely within the 1,000-foot circle. Although we and other neighbors have called 311, the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the police, we are told there is not much they can do.

This unsanctioned site is in the two-hour limit parking zone leading to the pedestrian bridge to the MAX station. We have had street campers on this block for over three years.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Transportation Commissioner Mingus Mapps, how are you going to enforce the 1,000-foot circle when you dont seem to be able to do anything to keep a 2-hour parking zone open and free from camping?

Diana Talcott, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Point to almost any Democratic woman in Oregon politics and chances are shes connected to Emerge Oregon, the how-to-run-for-office bootcamp thats grown into a vast, efficient political machine whose nearly 400 alumnae sit in Congress, serve in the Legislature, preside in circuit court, run a major state agency and influential nonprofits, and govern numerous cities and counties.

Established in 2009, Emerge Oregon culls about 25 women of promise each year and trains them on everything from raising money to building out a campaign team to navigating the media. And for years, former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan was among the organizations brightest stars.

Emerge has been a game changer, 100%, for Democratic women, said political consultant Paige Richardson, who served for a time on the organizations board and conducted some of its trainings. The numbers bear it out. Oregon is one of the most successful Emerge chapters in the country.

Fagan, a member of its inaugural class whose subsequent rise got her tagged as a likely future governor or U.S. senator, has credited Emerge with jump-starting her political career. And, as male politicians have long done, she reciprocated, speaking at campaign kick-offs to benefit some of her Emerge sisters, endorsing them and donating to their campaigns.

But in recent years the very strength of the organization  creating bonds among women candidates and elected officials  has also become a potential liability, as some of its own criticized it for favoritism and lack of support for women of color.

Fagans fall from grace has prompted a reckoning for Emerge, particularly given that now-discredited cannabis company co-owner and rising Democratic donor Rosa Cazares had been next in line to be its board chair. That was before Willamette Week broke the news that Cazares company owed millions of dollars in unpaid state and federal taxes, faced lawsuits from its vendors and contractors alleging more than $1 million in unpaid bills and signed on to pay Fagan $120,000 a year as a consultant as her office oversaw an audit of the industry.

Cazares had also joined with Laura Vega, a fellow cannabis industry vet and member of this years Emerge class, to form a nonprofit, Endeavor Oregon. Their goal was to leverage a state apprenticeship grant to train cannabis extract workers.

Former Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle, an Emerge grad who now represents the Eugene area in Congress, accepted a $20,000 donation from Aaron Mitchell, Cazares partner and co-owner of La Mota in June 2021, before she ran for Congress. Vega also donated $1,000 to Hoyles congressional campaign and Cazares and Mitchell donated a total of $5,800, all in April 2022, records show. In August 2022, a state apprenticeship council overseen by Hoyle unanimously approved Endeavor for a $555,000 grant, after Hoyle vouched for the new venture.

Hoyle had no obligation to disclose the donations from Vega, Cazares and Mitchell when recommending Endeavor, said Ron Bersin, head of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, because donations to campaigns are not intended for candidates personal use. Theyre not supposed to be able to use it personally so its not a personal gain to them, Bersin said.

Emerges current executive director and lone paid employee, Annie Ellison, served as Endeavors secretary until stepping down more than a month ago. The organization spent nearly $120,000 of its first $277,000 grant installment before it was directed to return the unspent balance to the state, after Willamette Week reported that federal drug laws preclude a cannabis apprenticeship program from gaining required federal approval.

A spokesperson for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries said Endeavor has not yet returned the unspent $158,000 in grant funds. If we do not receive it in the next two weeks, we will pursue collection, spokesperson Rachel Mann wrote in an email Thursday.

Adam Tradii, a spokesperson for Endeavor said late Saturday the company had not heard from the labor agency about the requirements for returning the money until early May, at which point Vega was out of the country on a long-planned trip. She plans to send an insured, certified check as required by BOLI, immediately upon return, Tradii said.

Ellison said she was an unpaid volunteer on Endeavor Oregons board. She did not know what deliverables, if any, Endeavor had promised or produced from the public dollars spent.

Its been really eye-opening, said Ellison, who started as Emerges executive director in January 2021, fresh from running Fagans campaign for secretary of state. In an interview last week with The Oregonian/OregonLive, she referred repeatedly to the optics around a segment of the groups tight-knit members, including Fagan, who supported each others careers.

That subgroup includes former House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, a lawyer and lobbyist who was part of Emerges inaugural 2009 class along with Fagan and was similarly on an upward trajectory until her abrupt political downfall three years ago. Williamson dropped her bid for secretary of state in February 2020 in response to scrutiny of her extensive use of political action committee money to fund out-of-state and international travel, including trips to Hong Kong, Dublin and Munich.

Fagan swiftly entered the secretary of states race, drew huge campaign donations from public employee unions and beat the two other leading Democrats in the primary, which positioned her to trounce her Republican opponent, Kim Thatcher, in the fall.

Ellison acknowledged there are a couple instances where our alumnae have made ... some questionable choices.

Emerge, which charges some application fees and tuition, does provide ethics training for participants, Ellison said. It covers rules and guidelines for Oregon political candidates, a discussion of how Oregon defines real and potential conflicts of interest, and advice that aspiring candidates read the states ethics manual for public officials, she said.

Still, Ellison said, I think its fair to say that were having serious conversations about how to manage the fact that we are a huge network, at all levels of government, with just one staffer and a volunteer board.

So far, that soul-searching has focused on how Emerge could better screen and vet its board members, Ellison said. The goal: To strike a balance between guardrails to protect against future board members with significant dirty laundry and the kind of political gatekeeping that Emerges original Oregon founding board wanted to abolish.

The bona fides of those founders telegraphed the organizations ambitions. They included now Portland City Council member Carmen Rubio alongside high-powered attorney Elisa Dozono, who was later appointed to chair the Oregon Lottery Commission, as its president and well-connected labor leader Melissa Unger as its vice president.

Now, members of the board are discussing whether incoming board members should have to prove that theyve served on other boards before Emerges and provide updated references and resumes, Ellison said.

But even before the current round of hand-wringing, some Emerge graduates said they had quiet but growing doubts about the organizations direction and how certain of its graduates were leveraging the sprawling and influential network for their own benefit, in some cases at the expense of other Emerge sisters.

Emerge Oregon itself does not have a political action committee and does not endorse candidates. But Emerge graduates now serve on or even dominate many of the boards that bestow the most coveted endorsements and donations in Democratic primaries  and many end up going to fellow Emerge associates, a mirror of the entrenched political loop among powerful men that the group sought to upend.

Those boards include both newer political action committees like Bold Beaverton and behemoths like Basic Rights Oregon, the Color PAC and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.

Just as Fagan hired Ellison to run her campaign and then Emerge grad and former board member Emily McLain as her chief of staff, the organizations network is now so broad that its graduates routinely hire other grads as campaign consultants.

Emerge also has strong connections with the labor unions that are some of the biggest donors to Democrats and whose leaders negotiate salaries and benefits packages with state and local governments and school districts.

Ellison and others say Emerge graduates hold onto significant political power is a natural result of the nonprofits rapid growth. After just 14 years in operation, its bench is deep and its graduates are well-equipped to broadly influence Oregons political rhythms, just as their male counterparts have been doing for generations, she said.

We have achieved representation for women in this state, Ellison said. And they are doing incredible things in office. They are making the state better for women and children and families, for people who are experiencing hunger and people who need care.

VEERING LEFT

Some graduates say the organizations big tent has gotten smaller over the years, however, and that its newer classes fall measurably farther to the left on the political spectrum than some of the early cohorts.

Emerge grads have helped drive state and local government rules on pay equity, paid family leave and universal preschool that rank among the most progressive in the nation. But Emerges embrace of those candidates also left the nonprofit vulnerable to the contention made by some of its graduates that it isnt working to achieve broader leadership gains among the full range of Democratic women.

Beach Pace, a West Point graduate and veteran who has served as a Hillsboro City Council member since 2019, was an eager participant in Emerges weekly campaign check-in calls in 2022 when she decided to challenge Emerge graduate Kathryn Harrington for Washington County Commission chair.

Pace said she thought shed receive at least an equal level of support from Emerge sisters, particularly given that Harrington faced allegations of bullying and workplace misconduct that had prompted Washington County to hire an outside auditor to investigate. The investigation found Harrington yelled at subordinates, reduced some to tears and caused some county employees to seek other jobs. Eventually, the county paid $80,000 to settle a hostile workplace lawsuit that a former employee filed.

Nevertheless, Pace said, Emerge circled the wagons around Harrington; her impression was that the organization thought she should wait her turn and run for mayor of Hillsboro instead. During a conference call, she suggested that she and Kristine Adams-Wannberg, an Emerge graduate who was running for county auditor, team up on a mailer highlighting that both of their opponents had faced bullying allegations. The feedback, Pace said, was that Adams-Wannbergs opponent  a Democratic man without ties to Emerge  was fair game, but going after Harrington was off the table.

Undaunted, Pace said she approached Cazares for a donation after the cannabis entrepreneur expressed interest in supporting her campaign. But no donation ever materialized, and after the primary, Pace said Cazares told her that shed been waived off of supporting either candidate in the race  something Pace now considers a stroke of luck.

Still, the race against Harrington got nasty, she said, especially after she was accused of masterminding a letter circulated to the entire Democratic Party of Oregon at its annual gathering in Sunriver that questioned the local party committees willingness to stick by Harrington.

Pace said she had nothing to do with the letter and would still love to find out who was behind it. In the end, she lost to Harrington in the primary with 47% of the vote.

She said shes saddened by the trajectory of the womens political empowerment group. Emerge got me to where I am, as well as so many others. Emerge used to stand for positive change in governing. I assumed that meant things would be different, Pace said. Now, she added, a few are the same terrible actors they wanted to replace, just with female identifying candidates.

She isnt the only elected official who feels that way. Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran was in an early Emerge cohort and has worked elbow-to-elbow with other alumnae for years.

But she now says that decisions by pro-abortion rights political action committee Pro-Choice Oregon, a group not explicitly aligned with Emerge but with many Emerge alumnae at the helm, left her with a bitter taste of Emerges impact on pro-choice women candidates.

An emergency medicine physician, Meieran first heard about the program in 2010, she said, when she was just considering a run for office and wondering how to get started. She wound up as a member of Emerges second class, in 2010, alongside now-House Majority Leader Julie Fahey and Mother PAC co-founder Andrea Paluso.

From there, Meieran launched her political career with a run for the Legislature against Williamson, a member of Emerges inaugural class of 2009 who went on to become the House Democratic Leader by 2015.

Meieran lost that race but went on to win a subsequent contest for county commissioner. Years later, she still remembers the sting of finding that pro-abortion rights organizations were lining up behind Williamson, who at the time sat on the board of Planned Parenthoods local chapter, despite Meierans background as a reproductive health care provider.

The same wound would resurface in 2022, when Meieran and then-county commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson, a former state representative and 2012 Emerge grad, ran against each other for county chair. Pro-Choice Oregon passed over Meieran, who worked from 2013 to 2016 as the medical director for the groups public health arm, to back her opponent. Vega Pedersons statement in the Voters Pamphlet proclaimed that her record of fighting for reproductive health and abortion rights is why Jessica is the only candidate endorsed by Pro-Choice Oregon.

The rift spilled into public view when two dozen physicians, including fellow Emerge Oregon graduates Reps. Lisa Reynolds and Maxine Dexter, both Portland Democrats, signed onto a long list of people who asked Pro-Choice Oregon to reconsider its decision to endorse only one person in the Multnomah County chair race.

Pro-Choice Oregon, where Vega Pederson remained on the board through 2022, stuck with its decision to endorse only Vega Pederson in the November election, and she won. Williamson, the former House majority leader and Emerge graduate, was also on the board at the time.

During that same race, Meieran says, Fagan  then the states chief elections officer  endorsed Vega Pederson, sending emails to raise money on her behalf and speaking at her campaign kick-off. The Voters Pamphlet for the May 2022 primary listed Fagan among Vega Pedersons supporters.

Im a huge believer in supporting women getting elected to office and I support the mission of Emerge. The majority of women I have met through Emerge are caring and thoughtful and inspiring, Meieran said. But in attempting to rectify the historical power imbalance, the organization has unintentionally created another. Emerge was supposed to be about furthering fairness and leveling the playing field for outsiders, not creating a new bench of political insiders.

INCONSISTENT SUPPORT FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

In recent years, Emerge has made a concerted effort to broaden its reach to include more women of color, Ellison said. Its graduates, including those elected to the Legislature in 2022  Reps. Farrah Chaichi, Annessa Hartman and Hoa Nguyen and Sen. Wlnsvey Campos  have helped push the number of state lawmakers of color to record highs.

And the organization has worked to make it easier for the 25 women picked for its core, 70-hour Campaign 101 course to undergo training one Saturday a month for six months, as the group requires. Emerge now offers tuition support and scholarships, gas cards and application fee waivers, Ellison said.

But there have been bumps. One recent Emerge graduate recalls the women of color in her cohort bristling when, during a training about the still-present focus on appearance for women in politics, trainees were advised by a guest speaker that to look their most professional when pitching donors in more formal settings, they should tidy up, straighten their hair.

AJ McCreary, who ran for a seat on the Portland City Council against Commissioner Dan Ryan and participated in an Emerge crash course in Salem, said that as a single parent, she struggled with a lack of child care and lodging assistance and found Emerges approach and its graduate network to be inconsistent sources of support. Emerge members would promise her help with door-knocking and phone banking, she said, then fail to materialize for their shifts.

They sell a really great story, McCreary said. But as a younger, light-skinned Black woman, I didnt find it inclusive or helpful. I wouldnt recommend it if youre going to run for office.

In this weeks under-the-radar May election, 25 Emerge graduates are on the ballot around the state, primarily in school board elections. Supporting them is top-of-mind for Emerge, Ellison said. But among the network, she acknowledged, the group and its board are in the midst of a post-mortem about Fagans resignation, Cazaress influence and what both have meant  and will mean  for their network.

Even some board members say they hope its the start of a new day for Emerge.

I got into Emerge for accountability and transparency and never thought I would be fighting against my team for that, said a member of the organizations board, who insisted on anonymity because she was not authorized to speak on behalf of the network. I still believe in the mission and the momentum. We were trying to fight the patriarchy. A few bad actors are actively following their script right now.

 Julia Silverman, @jrlsilverman, jsilverman@oregonian.com

 Hillary Borrud; hborrud@oregonian.com; 503-294-4034; @hborrud
Egypt signed on Sunday a joint development agreement with Norways Scatec to establish the countrys first green methanol production project in Damietta Port with investments worth around $450 million.

The project is the first of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East and will contribute to placing Egypt on the global map of nations that produce green fuel for ships, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said in a statement.

The project will produce 40,000 tons of green methanol per year, which could be increased to 200,000 tons annually to encourage the shift towards green production.

It will also provide new opportunities for the Egyptian petrochemical sector to export green products, the statement explained.

The agreement was signed between the Alexandria National Refining and Petrochemicals Company (ANRPC) and the leading Norwegian renewable energy solutions provider Scatec in collaboration with the Egyptian Bioethanol Company.

The project includes the construction of renewable energy stations with capacities of no less than 40 MW for solar power and 120 MW for wind power.

It also includes the construction of a 60 MW capacity green hydrogen analyzer.

As per the agreement, the project will establish a seawater desalination plant and green methanol production and storage stations.

Moreover, Egypt will establish its first station to supply ships with green bio-fuel.

Chairman of Scatec Terje Pilskog emphasized that the signing of the agreement reflects the priority that the company gives to cooperating with Egypt to provide sustainable, high quality green fuel at competitive prices.

The agreement, Pilskog added, will contribute to placing Egypt at the forefront of green chemical product manufacturing and exporting countries, and will make the country a destination and hub for supplying green fuel to global shipping lines.

The agreement to establish the project is the second of its kind with Scatec.

The Norwegian company had signed an earlier agreement, with both the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company and Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO), to establish the green ammonia project in Damietta

Last November, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre launched the first phase of a project to establish a major green hydrogen plant with a capacity to produce 100 MW in Egypt's Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea.

Moreover, Scatec has played a central role in developing Egypt's massive Benban solar park in Aswan. The park is considered one of the largest solar parks worldwide with a total capacity of 1.8 GW.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and Norwegian Ambassador to Cairo Hilde Klemetsdal attended todays signing ceremony.

The agreement reflects the progress achieved by the petroleum sector in carrying out green energy and low-emission fuel projects in collaboration with leading global companies, El-Molla stated.

Over the past year, Egypt signed many MoUs with various international entities to attract foreign investment in green hydrogen and to become a hub for hydrogen production.

Moreover, Egypts National Climate Strategy 2050 ,which was announced in May 2022, outlines the country's objectives to reduce carbon emissions, endorse the use of renewable energy sources and explore alternative energy forms like green hydrogen.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

EL PASO, Texas (AP)  When Luis Lopez was lost in Panama's Darien Gap last year with his wife, then seven months pregnant, their two young children and her grandmother, he often knelt in the mud to beg God not to abandon them.

If I was bad, let me die here, but I came with my family, the Venezuelan asylum seeker, 34, recalled on Friday of his prayers. Now in El Paso, the family has found shelter with the Catholic diocese.

But la selva  as many migrants call that particularly deadly stretch of their journey from South America to the United States  struck again two weeks ago. Lopezs sister called him in tears: She, too, had to flee and was now stuck in the jungle with their 68-year-old mother, who was badly injured from a fall trying to escape armed men.

Rescued by Panamas border police, the two women are now en route to Texas. They dont know how they will cross into the U.S., though, as new restrictions on asylum went into effect last Thursday after pandemic-era immigration rules known as Title 42 were lifted.

While the Biden administration has touted the new policy as a way to stabilize the border region and discourage illegal migration, thousands of people continue migrating to flee poverty, violence and political persecution in their countries.

The border and what happens at the border is not the cause of the problem associated with immigration, its a symptom of a system broken in many ways, said El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, who has assisted the Lopez family since they arrived at the shelter on diocesan grounds last September.

Even when they were down to one last pouch of oatmeal mixed with river water in the jungle, Lopez knew he couldnt return to Venezuela, where he had received death threats after he quit working for government officials.

They were telling me, Death to the traitors, he recalled of the phone calls and visits from armed men that began last spring.

After the threats expanded to his sister, his ex-wife and their two children, Lopez sold his truck company and set off through Colombia and then Central America. A smuggler who took their entire savings in exchange for ferrying them by boat to avoid the Darien Gap instead led them straight into it.

They encountered dead bodies and armed robbers, and tried to comfort four women they found crying near the path because they had just been raped, Lopez said.

Lost on the path, they were redirected back by other migrants who were hidden by the cloak of thick vegetation but responded to their cries for help. Lopez confronted the smuggler and went into shock, passing out by a stream.

The children were screaming, Mom, my dad!' Oriana Marcano, 29, recalled. My only solution was to get down on my knees  'My God, dont take him from me.

Once they made it out, they still faced robberies, extortion and pushback across Central America and Mexico. Unfortunately, the jungle is not all, Lopez said.

A group of Cubans later pushed them over the border barrier at Ciudad Juarez, just across from El Paso. They were apprehended, detained for a couple days and released to the shelter.

Two hours later, Marcano went into labor and was taken to the hospital. Lopez was left behind, with no money and no certainty the family would be allowed to stay beyond the night. The man who had promised to sponsor them in the U.S.  one facet of new migration rules  withdrew, telling Lopez he had moved on to Canada.

And I met this gentleman dressed in black, with white hair, who told me Be calm, dont worry,' in his tentative Spanish, Lopez recalled.

Seitz decided to shelter them until the family got on their feet.

They didnt have sponsors, so we basically said, I guess its on us, said Seitz, who wears a pin portraying Pope Francis that reads "Defending migrants cuz the Pope said so." Were going to continue to try to be Christians.

Awaiting a summer court date for asylum and a work permit, Lopez and his wife have wasted no time. He refurbished a run-down van to start a house painting and remodeling business for which hes already printed business cards. The couple volunteers at the diocesan shelter  Marcano when the two older children are in pre-kindergarten, Lopez sometimes also overnight.

He likes to greet new arrivals in Spanish, telling them, Now youre free! Im a migrant, I went through what you went through. Youre in the hands of God.

El Paso shelter leaders are unsure how many people will arrive in the coming weeks: how many will be released by U.S. authorities, how many will be deported, how many are still walking through Central America, desperate for a way into the U.S.

About a mile south from the diocesan shelter, at least half a dozen migrants had hung a makeshift tent on a gate in the border wall.

Hundreds had lined up there in previous days to be taken in by the Border Patrol for processing. But as the sun set Friday, only a handful of Texas National Guard kept watch on the dusty riverbank. By midday Saturday, the migrants' tents were no longer visible.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The head of Russia's feared Wagner private army suggested Sunday that four Russian military aircraft that reportedly crashed in a region that borders Ukraine may have been shot down by Russia's own forces.

Russian officials have not commented on reports in Russian conventional and social media that two fighter planes  an Su-34 and an Su-35  and two military Mi-8 helicopters crashed in the Bryansk region on Saturday.

State news agency Tass cited unspecified emergency services sources as saying the Su-34 and one helicopter crashed. Other sources, including Vladimir Rogov, the head of a Russian collaborationist organization in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province, claimed four aircraft went down.

All of them reportedly belonged to the same military air group.

During the war, cross-border shelling has repeatedly hit Bryansk, which abuts Ukraine's Chernihiv and Sumy provinces. Authorities there claimed that unexplained explosions also derailed two freight trains and that an armed group penetrated the region from Ukraine in March and killed two civilians.

The reported crashes raise concerns about Ukraine's capability to hit Russia and about Russia's military competence.

A spokesman for Ukraine's air force, Yuriy Ihnat, denied Sunday that Ukraine was involved in downing the aircraft. In remarks on Ukrainian television, he suggested that Russia itself could be responsible, but he later walked back the remark, saying it was an attempt at joking.

However, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin offered a similar hypothesis.

Four planes,  if you draw a circle in the places of their fall, it turns out that this circle has a diameter (and all of them lie exactly in a circle) of 40 kilometers (25 miles). ... Now go on the Internet and see what kind of air defense weapon could be in the center of this circle, and then build your own versions, Prigozhin said on Telegram.

Prigozhin, whose forces are in the thick of a grinding monthslong battle for the city of Bakhmut, clarified that he was not in the know about the situation. But he has repeatedly criticized the Russian military for its strategy in Ukraine and for allegedly failing to supply Wagner with the ammunition it needs in Bakhmut.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Its easy to believe nothing has changed. Its easy to believe that nothing even can change, given the grip of gun culture on the U.S. Supreme Court and the Republican Party.

Republican politicians coast to coast have put themselves wholly at the service of the gun industry and the gun fanatics who enrich it. And the Supreme Courts conservative majority has codified gun obsession with ever more tendentious opinions that shatter not only precedent and reason, but a good many human bodies, too.

Yet as we sort through the recent gun massacre in Texas, and await the next gun massacre elsewhere, while taking in stride the gun murders, suicides and shootings too routine to merit public attention, its worth noting that the political landscape is far from static.

The politics of gun violence are different today than they were a few years ago, both for better and for worse. Its hard to imagine, for example, any Democratic senator voting, as four did just one decade ago, against a proposal for expanded background checks. Its even harder to imagine such a vote in the wake of a massacre of children.

In essence, while gun fixation has taken over one party (and thats bad), it has been run out of the other party (and thats good). Polarization on guns has followed a track similar to polarization on other issues. But it also received a stiff shove from the National Rifle Association.

Mark Pryor, then a Democratic senator from Arkansas, joined with Republicans in 2013 in opposing background checks on people who buy firearms online or at gun shows. The NRA rewarded Pryors cravenness with a seven-figure advertising buy supporting Pryors Republican opponent, who won. The NRA, once bipartisan, is now exclusively a GOP interest group, as are other militant gun organizations. Gun zealots have increased their power with Republicans. But they have lost allies elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the gunsense lobby is larger, better funded and more potent than at any time in history. It eagerly courts bipartisan allies, seeking to move Republicans incrementally when they can be moved at all. The most successful organizations lobbying for gun safety laws didnt exist in the 20th century. (One of these organizations, Everytown for Gun Safety, is backed by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP.)

States including California, Connecticut, Hawaii and Washington have strengthened their gun restrictions, from red flag laws to ammunition background checks to a ban on semi-automatic rifles. And the steady accumulation of academic research on gun violence has obliterated the gun lobbys claims of social benefits flowing from widespread gun possession. A similar vein of research on the history of gun regulation would likely shame the Supreme Court if the court were capable of such reactions.

Gun violence is complicated. But our current mayhem is partly a result of the gun lobby getting its wish  a nation awash in guns, with red states providing virtually any violent, unhinged man with ready access to lethal arsenals. The gunman who murdered at least eight and injured seven recently in suburban Dallas reportedly bought guns from private sellers. In Texas, such sellers dont need to conduct a basic background check before selling firearms to a homicidal Nazi.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott mumbled his traditional post-Texas-massacre remarks about mental health. Its the default rhetoric of the pathetic and weak. (Were not going to fix it is the manly, forthright response, although that truth wasnt well received when a Republican congressman from Tennessee recently delivered it.)

The sick beauty of the gun industrys business model is that its self-perpetuating. Gunmakers sell guns, which lead to more gun violence, which increases fear, which encourages people to buy more guns, which leads to more gun violence. If lawmakers dont intervene, you can keep that cycle spinning for a long time before you bleed out a nation of 330 million.

Yet the gun-mad dystopia promoted by gun culture remains a nightmare vision to most Americans. A recent Fox News poll of registered voters shows giant majorities favoring a menu of gun regulations, including a ban on assault weapons and a 30-day waiting period to purchase firearms.

Public opinion is unstable. But what the Fox poll shows is that Americans right now prefer Canadian gun laws to Texas gun laws.

Turning that public sentiment into a mass mobilization for life is the task at hand for the gun-safety movement. It will require new levels of public awareness, and political pressure, with the goal of isolating true-believing gun radicals from the thoughts and prayers cynics, opportunists and frauds who only pretend to be crazy.

With every massacre, guns are becoming a more defining issue. Either the U.S. will institutionalize fear, turning public spaces into state garrisons to counter the threat from armed and dangerous men, or the U.S. will bolster freedom by curtailing the forces of gun violence and intimidation. Somethings got to give: The status quo is increasingly untenable.

Francis Wilkinson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering U.S. politics and policy. Previously, he was an editor for the Week, a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist.
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese ministry for Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned "repeated violations of humanitarian and human rights laws" committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), currently at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
The Supreme Council of the UNIPGC/CIPG has nominated a Criminologist, Engineering Scientist, Peace and Conflict Mediator and a Fellow of the CIPG, Texas U S A, Dr Dean Roberts Jnr, as the High Commissioner and the Continental Vice-President of the Institute.



He has also been appointed as a Professor of Criminology at the American University of Peace and Governance.



Conferring the honour on Dr Roberts Jnr, the Acting Global President of the UNIPGC/ CIPG, Amb. Dr Jonathan Ojadah said the Supreme Council has taken notice of the exploits and peaceful overtures of Dr Roberts Jnr and it is very pertinent that such a high honour be bestowed on such a noble man who has made peace his principle in life.



Accepting the high office and the honour done him, Dr Roberts Jnr, an ordained Minister of the Gospel, acknowledged his nomination and confirmation by the eminent Global President and the Supreme Council and expressed his utmost appreciation to them.



He pledged to contribute his wealth of expertise and experience in International Peace and Governance to the upliftment of the August Institute.



Dr Roberts Jnr is known for his authority and a firm commitment to transparency and tolerance to Conflict resolution, Peaceful mediation as well as security.



He assured the Supreme Council of his unflinching support for the achievement of the goals of the organisation in line with the UN SDG goals and called for the collective support and cooperation from all stakeholders to move the organisation to the unprecedented zenith it deserves.



The conferment and investiture ceremony is scheduled to take place at the upcoming African Festival of Arts and Culture ( FESTAC), in Arusha, Tanzania from May,22nd to May,26th, 2023.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Hi-life musician Ofori Amponsahs performance at the just-ended Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) hosted at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Saturday, May 6 was one of the refreshing moments of the night.



For about 10 minutes, Ofori Amponsah wearing an off-white political suit and wielding a walking stick in one hand, virtually got everyone in the auditorium on their feet as he rocked the stage with a medley of four of his evergreen bangers Hello Hello, Emmanuella, Otoolege and Odwo.



And according to him, last Saturdays showing is just the tip of the iceberg because he has been using his silence on the music scene for some time now to perfect his act.



Ofori Amponsah, also known as Mr All4Real, has been slammed one too many times of poor stagecraft especially when he performed with a live band but this time round, he just delivered with no stress leaving patrons asking for more at the end of his act.



In a chat with Graphic Showbiz, Ofori Amponsah explained what had brought about the change.



I have been criticised for not doing very well on stage and as a result, I have been busy rehearsing and recording in my house and last Saturday was evident of all the hard work and effort I have been making to enhance my performance.



You see, when you love what you do, you work on your weaknesses and move on and that is what I have just done. I think I am getting there and my hard work is paying off. All I do is music, so, if I have the chance to improve on what will enhance my career, I dont need to take chances.



Ghanaians should just brace themselves for more mind-blowing performances because I am coming back with fire. What Ghanaians witnessed at the 24th VGMA does not scratch the surface of what I have in store. I have a studio in my house and I have a band I always call on so I am always recording songs and rehearsing with the band to get my act together, he added.





At the Ghana Music Awards in 2006, Ofori Amponsah won Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year, Highlife Artiste of the Year and Highlife Song of the Year.

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
South Africas foreign ministry says the US ambassador has apologised unreservedly for claiming the country sold weapons to Russia.



On Thursday Reuben Brigety alleged a Russian ship was loaded with ammunition and weapons in Cape Town last December.



South Africa says it has no record of an arms sale and President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an inquiry.



On Friday the White House national security spokesman would not be drawn on details of the allegations.



But John Kirby said it was a serious issue and the US had consistently urged countries not to provide support for Russias war in Ukraine.



Writing on social media after meeting the foreign ministry, Mr Brigety said he was grateful for the opportunity to correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.



He said in the conversation he re-affirmed the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda our presidents have given us.



Meanwhile, a South African cabinet minister hit out at such megaphone diplomacy, saying South Africa could not be bullied by the US.



It is the US which has sanctions against Russia they must not drag us into their issues with Russia, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the presidency, told public broadcaster SABC.



Her bullish comments followed a Kremlin statement saying President Vladmir Putin had spoken to his South African counterpart by phone and the two had agreed to deepen mutually beneficial ties.



There is no dispute that a Russian ship, known as Lady R, docked at a naval base near Cape Town last December  prompting questions from local politicians at the time. Whether the ship was supplied with arms before returning to Russia still needs to be established.



If the accusations are true, South Africa will have violated its own Arms Control Act, which commits to not trade in conventional arms with states engaged in repression, aggression or terrorism.



In the same act, South Africa describes itself as a responsible member of the international community.



South Africa is one of a handful of countries that has abstained from a number of UN votes on the conflict and has refused to publicly condemn Russia, insisting it is non-aligned on the matter.



For months the regional superpower has been saying it instead supports a mediated settlement to the conflict.



Supplying arms while claiming to be neutral would not only rubbish that stance but would leave South Africa with a lot to answer both to its citizens and the international community.



Some in the governing African National Congress (ANC) appear to have a lingering affection for Russia because of the then-USSRs support for their fight against white-minority rule. But in present-day South Africa, many have been asking questions about whether this love affair truly serves South Africas interests.





Experts say the country has more in common and a much bigger trade relationship with the West. Some are worried about a possible economic impact if ties with the US strain further.



The countrys currency, the rand, which has been struggling for weeks as a result of months of rolling power cuts, weakened even further following the US ambassadors accusations.



It is an additional problem that South African citizens can scarcely afford.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The United Nations and several world countries, including the United States, have praised Egypts efforts in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, which brought nearly five days of deadly fighting to an end.

In a statement, the White House said it welcomes the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Gaza-based factions brokered by the Egyptian government.

We are grateful for the critical diplomatic efforts of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and senior Egyptian officials as well as Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, the White House said.

Separately, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller commended Egypts crucial role in mediating the ceasefire and preventing the further loss of civilian lives.

Calm prevailed across Gaza after the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian factions went into effect on Saturday 10pm local time (1900 GMT), ending the Israeli aggression that killed more than 30 Palestinians, including civilians, injured tens others and damaged hundreds of buildings.

UN commends Egypts efforts

The United Nations also lauded the Egyptian efforts to mediate a ceasefire, calling for the Israeli and Palestinian sides to observe the ceasefire.

I commend Egypt for its efforts to help restore calm, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said in a statement on Saturday.

The UN envoy expressed deep sadness for the loss of Palestinian lives, including children and women, calling for the immediate restoration of humanitarian access and all social and economic measures to support Palestinian livelihoods in Gaza.

EU, European countries thank Egypt for key role

The European Union welcomed the ceasefire and commended Egypt for facilitating the agreement.

The EU stands ready to work with all of its partners to bring relief, assist in achieving calm for both Israelis and Palestinians and restore a political horizon, the EU said in a statement.

The EU deplored the loss of civilian lives over the past five days, including children, and reiterated its call for all parties to work towards deescalation in line of the outcomes of the latest talks in Jordans Aqaba and Egypts Sharm El Sheikh.

It is now crucial to consolidate the ceasefire and to reopen the crossings to allow especially humanitarian assistance and fuel, as well as workers, to enter and exit Gaza, the EU added.

Switzerland called on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to respect the ceasefire and offered deep condolences to the families of the victims.

Switzerland welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel and commends Egypts central role to mediate the agreement, Ambassador Maya Tissafi, head of Middle East and North Africa Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, said in a tweet.

Let us work to end the cycle of violence and restore a political horizon, she added.

Switzerland welcomes the ceasefire in #Gaza and #Israel and commends #Egypts central role to mediate the agreement. We urge all sides to respect it. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Let us work to end the cycle of violence and restore a political horizon.  Ambassador Maya Tissafi (@SwissMFAmena) May 14, 2023

Germany thanked Egypt for its successful efforts to end violence, calling for both Israelis and Palestinians to abide by the agreement.

The existence of permanent peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which enables everyone to live with safety and dignity, should remain the goal, the German Federal Foreign Office said in a statement.

The German office also highlighted the necessity of the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and commodities to Gaza currently.

We grieve for the civilians that were killed and our hearts are with the many injured, the foreign office added.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the ceasefire announcement, affirming that the ceasefire must be honoured to prevent further deaths among civilians.

The UK will support all efforts to promote dialogue and create a pathway towards sustainable peace, Cleverly stressed in a statement today.

Israeli and Arab response

Meanwhile, Israel's national security advisor expressed appreciation for Egypts intensive efforts to mediate the ceasefire, Times of Israel reported.

The NSC director made it clear that Israel's acceptance of the Egyptian initiative means that 'quiet will be met with quiet', and that if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will continue to do everything that it needs to in order to defend itself. the Israeli prime ministers office said.

National Security Council (NSC) Director Tzachi Hanegbi, on instruction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and expressed the appreciation of the State of Israel for Egypt's intensive efforts to secure a ceasefire.  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2023

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also praised the great Egyptian efforts and active role in stopping the Israeli aggression against people in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian state news agency WAFA reported.

The five-day Israeli aggression against the strip claimed the lives of 33 Palestinians, including six children, and wounded over 150 others, Abbas said.

The Palestinian leader voiced appreciation for El-Sisi's keenness and personal interest in the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.

This reflects the strength of the Egyptian-Palestinian relations, he stressed.

Abbas wished mercy to the victims of the Israeli aggression and a speedy recovery to the injured.

Also, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said he made a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, on Saturday, to express welcoming of the ceasefire.

The phone call discussed the latest Israeli escalation in the Palestinian lands and the Egyptian efforts to achieve calm, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who today visited some polling stations where the party's presidential and parliamentary primaries are ongoing, has been spotted leaving the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai constituency amidst heavy security.



Violence broke out at the constituency over over-voting allegations, resulting in a fierce fight among the delegates.



Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly called "General Mosquito", who had gone to the on his visit to monitor the progress of the primaries, was however seen escorted to his vehicle in the company of Police personnel preventing the crowd from reaching him.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peace FM Online (@peacefmonline)











Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Actress and the 2020 defeated Parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Tema Central constituency, Ebi Bright has won the NDC Parliamentary elections held at Presco Park, Tema Community 4.



Ebi Bright won with 520 votes against her contenders, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku and Carl Owuompesika who polled 409 and 38 respectively.



She has therefore been elected as the Tema Central Parliamentary candidate for the party into the 2024 elections.



Ms Bright is also a social worker, talk show host, and media producer. She studied Management at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and also has four levels of French language proficiency awarded by le Centre International de Recherche et dEtudes de Langues (CIREL), France.



She also holds a degree in Development Communication from the African University College of Communications in Accra, Ghana











Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A 20-year-old Fredericksburg man was hurt Saturday when his car crashed into a tree in North Lebanon Township and split in two.

North Lebanon Township police said Justin Miller, age 20, was ejected upon impact from the Buick Regal he was driving. Meanwhile, the rear end of the car split off behind the rear seats and careened into a home at 540 Prescott Road.

Police said their preliminary investigation suggests Miller was driving north on Prescott at a high rate of speed about 4:50 p.m. when, after cresting a hill, he lost control of the car on a curve, went off the right berm and struck the tree.

Miller was conscious and talking when first responders arrived, but he was taken to Reading Hospital by ambulance for treatment of head and other injuries. Reading Hospital declined to provide an update on Millers condition.

Police said their investigation into the circumstances of the crash is continuing.
Update: Crews are beginning to re-open Market Street as of 2 p.m.

A fire at the Pho King Vietnamese restaurant closed Market Street in Hampden Township between 36th and 39th streets Sunday afternoon.

Roughly a dozen trucks from at least eight fire departments responded to the call, which came in at 12:16 p.m., according to Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dexter Owen.

No injuries were reported, Owen said, and the fire was declared under control around 1 p.m.

The roof area in the rear of the restaurant above the kitchen sustained significant fire damage, with scorching visible on the rooftop kitchen vents. The kitchen below also sustained water damage as crews cut into the roof and inserted hoses to extinguish any remaining fire, Owen said.

Restaurant employees and customers learned about the fire when a passer-by ran in to alert them of flames coming from the roof, according to restaurant server Todd Phan.

I had no idea anything was happening until that gentleman came in, Phan said.

As he exited through the rear of the restaurant, Phan said he could feel intense heat coming off the vent apparatus in the kitchen. Once outside, Phan said he saw flames and a plume of smoke rising from the rooftop vents.

More:

Driver ejected after car strikes tree, splits in two

Child killed in central Pa. row house fire: report
Tattoo aficionados and lovers of an iconic Maryland seafood spice will have the opportunity to display their love for one, the other, or both Tuesday in Charm City.

McCormick & Companys Old Bay, in partnership with the Baltimore Tattoo Museum, are offering free permanent tattoos Tuesday, May 16, according to a report from CBS News Baltimore.

The report states three custom tattoo options will be available to those seeking the free body art.

The designs feature crabs, crab mallets and the iconic Old Bay logo with a Black-eyed Susan, which is the Maryland state flower, the report notes.

Availability of the free tattoos is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The free tattoos are available Tuesday at the Baltimore Tattoo Museum, located at 1534 Eastern Ave. in Baltimore. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants must have turned 18 years old as of May 1, 2023 and sign a release form.

--

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

Follow Tom De Martini on Twitter -- @TomDeMartini1
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip came into effect at 10pm local time (1900 GMT) on Saturday evening, ending five days of Israeli aggression on the strip.

Minutes after the ceasefire came into effect, cautious calm set after five days of round-the-clock Israeli airstrikes which were met hundreds of rockets fired by palestinian militants into Israel.

The deal includes abiding by ceasefire, an end to the targeting of civilians and cessation of the demolition of Palestinian homes, according to the Egyptian Al-Qahera TV station which broke the news.

The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip started on Tuesday, with airstrikes killing 34 Palestinians, including women and children, and wounding more than 147, according to Palestinian health officials.

The airstrikes also damaged 940 buildings, according to Palestinian Hamas officials who spoke to Reuters.

This agreement has been reached thanks to continuous Egyptian effort, which we appreciate, said Mohamad al-Hindi, a leader of the Islamic Jihad group in Gaza.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) extended its thanks to Egypt for its "great role" in reaching the ceasefire, and also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by other international parties.

"We welcome the de-escalation agreement and the cessation of aggression on the Gaza Strip," said Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the PLO's executive committee.

On the other side, Israel's National Security Adviser Tsahi Hanegbi "thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and expressed the State of Israel's appreciation for Egypt's vigorous efforts to bring about a ceasefire," according to a statement released from the Israeli prime minister's office.

Hanegbi said Israel's response to the Egyptian initiative means "quiet will be answered by quiet, and if Israel is attacked or be threatened it will continue to do everything it needs to do in order to defend itself."

In the last two years, Egypt mediated ceasefires between Israel and Palestinian factions during similar episodes of fighting in Gaza.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Dylan Foster battled with Jimmy Torres as they already invested plenty of chips to the J758A river on which Foster jammed with the covering stack. Torres called for the 57,000 he had behind and was good with the AQ, as Foster only flashed the 1010 for an inferior pair.

Soon after, Foster was all-in before the flop for the last 44,000 against Chit Chuan Lim.

Dylan Foster: AK

Chit Chuan Lim: JJ

The 864A2 board improved the Aussie on the turn to stay in contention.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

President Biden announced 13 new actions to reduce gun violence on the one year anniversary of the Buffalo mass shooting.

The President wrote in an op-ed for USA Today, I have already taken more meaningful executive action to reduce gun violence than any other president, and I will continue to pursue every legal and effective action. But my power is not absolute. Congress must act, including by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers immunity from liability. We also need more governors and state legislators to take these steps.

The White House announced 13 steps that Biden administration will take to maximize the effectiveness of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA):

Keeping guns out of dangerous hands

 The White House, in partnership with DOJ, will convene state and local law enforcement leaders to solicit their collaboration on BSCA implementation priorities, such as: 1) increasing state and local law enforcement agencies response rates to enhanced background check inquiries when someone under age 21 tries to purchase a gun; and 2) ensuring that arrest and adjudication records include additional documentation of dating relationships to keep more guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

 The White House, in partnership with DOJ, will convene state legislators and governors offices, urging them to enact laws allowing the federal background check system to access all records that could prohibit someone under age 21 from purchasing a firearm.

 DOJ is working with state and territory governments and local law enforcement agencies to increase their response rates to the federal background check system inquiries when someone under age 21 tries to purchase a gun. DOJ has held 18 webinars to date, attended by more than 500 law enforcement agencies, and has nine more planned.

 DOJ is training federal law enforcement and educating state and local law enforcement and prosecutors on the need for additional documentation of dating relationships in domestic abuse cases in order to implement BSCAs provision that narrowed the boyfriend loophole, helping to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

Ensuring BSCAs mental health funding helps those dealing with the grief and trauma resulting from gun violence

 The Secretaries of HHS and ED will urge governors to use BSCA and Medicaids funding to help schools address the trauma and mental health challenges resulting from gun violence.

 HHS will educate health and social service providers, community leaders, and other individuals on the effects that gun violence trauma can have on communities.

 HHS will clarify how early childhood providers can use BSCA funding to address mental health and gun violence trauma.

 HHS will highlight stories of how communities are effectively using BSCAs mental health funding to help those impacted by gun violence, in order to encourage other communities to adopt those strategies and effectively use BSCAs resources.

 HHS will meet with trauma program grantees and select community members and providers to gather community-level data pertaining to the link between exposure to gun violence and trauma. Lessons learned will inform HHS future program development, and a report HHS will make available to other communities.

A- s part of the school-based services Technical Assistance Center established under BSCA, HHS and ED will jointly develop resources for states and schools regarding how schools can use Medicaid to fund school-based health services to help students dealing with the physical and emotional impacts of gun violence.

Making schools safer

 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will launch a dedicated public campaign to bring greater awareness to SchoolSafety.gov and its available resources and evidence-based practices. The campaign will be geared towards K-12 leaders, school administrators, teachers, school personnel, and parents and legal guardians.

 ED has taken several steps to help states and school districts make effective use of BSCAs $1 billion Stronger Connections Grant Program to improve school safety. For example, ED hosted a four-part webinar series that highlighted evidence-based practices for supporting student safety and well-being and published extensive Frequently Asked Questions to help states and school districts understand how they can effectively use this funding to ensure all schools are safe and welcoming to all students.

Expanding community violence interventions

 To help communities maximize the benefits of BSCAs community violence intervention funding, DOJ hosted a five-part webinar series to help local leaders use evidence-informed strategies to reduce violence.

The President cant make new laws, but his administration can implement them in the most effective way possible, so that they hopefully help in reducing gun violence. President Biden was correct. He needs Congress to do more, but the difference between a Democratic and Republican administration is that Democrats are willing recognize and engage with the problem.

Republicans act like mass shootings are uncontrollable act of God that nothing can be done about.

Biden is proving otherwise, and if Republicans in congress would get on board, a lot more could be done to save lives.

For More Stories Like This, Subscribe To Our Newsletter:
In its first discussion session, Egypt's National Dialogues Committee on Exercising Political Rights and Parliamentary Representation witnessed Sunday a heated debate on whether to adopt the closed list or proportional list during the parliament's electoral process.

During the dialogue session, Yasser El-Hudaybi, a member of the Senate from the Wafd Party, expressed his belief that the proportional list system (in which several parties are included in one list) is the best electoral system for parties.

El-Hudaybi, however, indicated that in light of the constitutionally stipulated quota, it would be better to adopt a system of 50 percent individuals and a 50 percent absolute closed list to represent the rest of the groups that are needed and that it is difficult to represent them in parliament.

Likewise, Alaa Abdel Nabi, representative of the Reform and Development Party, revealed that his party supports holding elections with a proportional list system.

We support holding elections with a proportional list system, and with regard to the border governorates, we can solve this problem through reshaping the constituencies, Abdel Nabi said.

Moreover, leftist activist Akram Ismail, and member of the under-establishment Bread and Freedom Party, explained that the proportional list is the only system adopted by the world to establish a political space which strengthens the parties.

Due to having weak parties, Ismail says, the proportional list qualifies them to grow and allows the people to see their programmes.

On the other hand, Ali El-Assas, a member of the House of Representatives for the Modern Egypt Party, stated during the session that the closed list system actually includes all sects of the Egyptian people.

One of the disadvantages of the proportional list is that it allows party leaders to favour their relatives by pushing them to the top of the lists, El-Assas said.

He declared his partys agreement to hold the elections under the absolute closed list system.

Member of Parliament Mustafa Bakry also asserted his support of the closed list electoral system.

Any successful electoral system is characterized by consensus on its regulating law, ease of application, and its support of the party system, Bakry continued.

Bakry further asserted that the Constitutional Court has issued a decision invalidating proportional list election.

Moreover, Bakry added that the closed list resulted in everyone being represented in parliament and that the Majority Party only received 56 percent of seats with this system.

Should the system be proportional, the heads of the parties will bring their children and their friends to appoint them, Bakry stated.

In this regard, the closed list system provides representation for excluded groups, Egypts Republican People's Party representative Mohamed Salah Abu Hamila said in his support of the closed list system.

It allows parties to choose what can be represented in parliament, Abu Hamila continued.

There exists no ideal electoral system that can be implemented in all democratic countries, as each country has its own electoral system that corresponds with its own political situation, Abu Hamila asserted.

For his part, member of Parliament Amr Darwish proposed that there should be multiple electoral systems.

In Egypt's 2020 parliamentary elections, candidates competed for 568 seats in the House of Representatives, with 284 being elected under the individual system (independent candidates) in 143 electoral districts, and an equal number under the closed list system. In addition, this came along with the appointment of 28 members by Egypt's President.

According to the dialogues agenda, four sessions dedicated to the political track are being held on Sunday.

Two of the sessions will discuss the electoral system for the House of Representatives.

The third session will discuss the issue of eliminating all forms of discrimination as part of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Freedoms agenda.

The fourth session will focus on the challenges facing cooperatives as part of the Committee on Unions and Civil Society.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Bryson DeChambeau is the leading the frost-delayed PGA Championship. It's been more than a year since DeChambeau was the incredible bulk who tried to overpower golf courses. Now he's slimmer and feels healthy. That much is evident with his 66 at Oak Hill. That gives DeChambeau a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler, Dustin Johnson and Corey Conners among those who finished. Thirty players have to finish the round Friday. Eric Cole is at 5 under and has four holes to complete. Johnson was tied for the lead until making his only bogey on the final hole. Read moreDeChambeau resurfaces at Oak Hill and leads PGA Championship
Its prime planting time in many regions. Gardeners are flocking to garden centers for annuals and starter plants. And those who have grown plants from seeds indoors might be gearing up to transplant them in the garden now. But seedlings cant typically go straight from an indoor nursery or home growing station to outdoor gardens without risk. They need to be hardened off first. Hardening off means gradually introducing plants to environmental conditions like sunlight, wind and temperature fluctuations. Without it they could get sunburned or go into shock from more sun, wind or cold than theyre used to. Stressed plants might recover, but their growth could be set back by a few weeks. Read moreDon't stress your plants when transferring them from indoors to an outdoor garden
South Carolina lawmakers will study whether to follow other states tying unemployment benefits to economic conditions as a way to return displaced workers to the labor force more quickly.

The joint federal-state insurance program provides temporary payments to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Several states, including North Carolina, Florida and Alabama, have revised their benefits plans in recent years. They passed legislation that links the length of time an out-of-work individual can receive benefits to the number of jobs that are available.

The programs work by allowing recipients to stay on unemployment for shorter periods  typically three months  when unemployment rates are low and jobs are plentiful. Conversely, if the jobless rate creeps up, the duration of benefits would increase.

The idea is in the early stages in the Palmetto State.

We do have a bill that this committee will propose that will go through the normal committee process that is available for any committee member who wants to be on the bill, said state Rep. John Jay West, R-Belton, who chairs the panel studying the proposal.

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce said it is ready to respond to any questions the General Assembly has. It also noted that the states current employment situation doesnt reflect an immediate need for the change.

South Carolina is going through a very good economic time and, fortunately, our unemployment rate is very low at 3.2 percent, DEW said.

The department said that most residents who file jobless claims return to work and dont collect benefits, which range from $42 to $326 a week, for the entire 20-week maximum in the existing law.

Yet over the past three years, 183,000 workers in the Palmetto State maxed out their unemployment benefits, said Joe Horvath, visiting fellow at Opportunity Solutions Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase worker participation.

The concerning reality for South Carolina, Horvath told legislators during a committee meeting last month, is the long decline in the workforce participation rate that began well before baby boomers started retiring and has accelerated since.

The states labor force participation rate, or the number of residents working or actively looking, increased by 11,040 in March to 2.4 million, the latest jobs report from the DEW showed. That was nearly 15,000 more compared to the same month last year.

Although the gain nudged the participation rate up to 56.1 percent from 55.9 percent, the figure remains well below the national average.

DEW said, in general, the idea of indexing benefits to the job market isnt likely to have a measurable impact on the labor force participation rate because those drawing unemployment benefits are already included in the states labor force estimates.

But Horvath said indexing the duration of the states unemployment benefits to the average unemployment rate when job growth is robust would promote a rapid return to work for workers who recently left their jobs.

The first step in overcoming the states labor shortage problem is to ensure that recently unemployed workers become reemployed as quickly as possible, he said.

Horvath added that newly displaced workers are the most available talent to fill new jobs.

Horvath said case studies by the Opportunity Solutions Project showed dramatic and consistent results in states that adopted indexing systems.

Unemployed workers generally returned to work 30 percent faster, he said.

States that index unemployment also typically outperformed in terms of trust fund solvency and unemployment tax competitiveness.

South Carolina has more than $1.5 billion in its Unemployment Trust Fund. DEW said that as a general rule, indexing would result in lower unemployment taxes for employers that pay into the system.

The S.C. Chamber of Commerce agreed that this type of plan could provide greater solvency to the trust fund and continue to stabilize or even reduce unemployment taxes for employers, spokesman Payton Lang said.

Lang noted that every other Southeastern state has indexed their benefits to the unemployment rate.

So effectively, in low unemployment periods, South Carolina has the highest benefits duration in the Southeast, she said.

The chamber strongly supports efforts to index unemployment as employers in the state are looking for any and every solution to address the worker shortage, Lang said.
Egypt's opposition parties opted for implementing the proportional list system in the 2025 parliamentary elections, arguing that the current closed list system is unfair and bars most opposition parties from joining the parliament.

Egypt's National Dialogues Committee on Exercising Political Rights and Parliamentary Representation witnessed on Sunday a heated debate as representatives of different political parties, MPs and experts discussed which election law to adopt for the 2025 parliamentary elections.

The pro-government parliamentary majority party of Mostaqbal Watan said it supports maintaining the current "closed list system".

Alaa Abed, deputy chairman of Mostaqbal Watan, asserted that the closed party list system allows only strong political parties to join parliament and leads voters to focus on election platforms rather than on individuals.

"Due to the adoption of a mixed system of individual candidacy and closed party list in 2020's parliamentary elections, we now have more than eleven political parties which have seats in parliament," said Abed.

He also argued that a mixed system guarantees political stability for Egypt in a volatile region.

Abed also maintained that the proportional list system probably violates the constitution, which stipulates that certain society segments  such as women and youth  be represented in parliament with certain quotas."

"A new parliament elected by a proportional list system could be invalidated by the Supreme Constitutional Court," said Abed.

The closed party list system, which has been used in Egypt since 2015, allows political parties with the majority of votes in a certain district to win all the votes.

On the other hand, the representatives of the opposition called for adopting the unconditional proportional list system  rather than a closed list system  to elect the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2025's parliamentary elections.

The unconditional proportional system allows each party list to gain seats in proportion to the votes it wins in a certain district. Hence, the system does not stipulate that a political party should get a certain percent threshold in order to be eligible to win seats and join parliament.

Opposition forces and Al-Ahram political analyst Amr Hashem Rabie said they reject the closed party list system as it requires that a party list should gain a certain percent of the overall votes in order to be eligible to win seats and join parliament.

They added that if a certain list gets less than the percent threshold, it loses the votes it won to the party with the majority of votes.

"The closed party list system is unfair to most opposition parties, which have been unable to join parliament since 2015," said Ahmed El-Sharkawy, a representative of the Egyptian socialist democratic party.

El-Sharkawy also rejected claims that the proportional representation system went against the constitution.

"An open list system allowing each list of party-based candidates to get seats in proportion to the votes it wins in each district does justice to all parties and does not go against the constitution  which states that Egypt's political system is based on the multi-party list system," he said.

Mahmoud Fawzi, secretary-general of the National Dialogue, said the proportional representation system might make it easy for political parties to join parliament, but will make it difficult for parliament to exercise its legislative roles.

"A parliament with representatives from many political parties will make it difficult to reach consensus on legislations," said Fawzi.

Fawzi's argument faced strong objections from Al-Ahram political analyst Amr Hashem Rabie and most opposition forces.

"A proportional list system goes in line with Article 102 of the constitution, which states that elections shall be held via the individual system, the list system or a combination of both," said Rabie.

He indicated that a proportional list system that allows political parties to join parliament is necessary for a vibrant political and parliamentary life in Egypt.

Rabie, also a prominent parliamentary researcher, complained that "the closed list system has been exploited to create toothless and rubber-stamp parliaments, thus opening the door for loyalists, wealthy businessmen and relatives to sweep the elections and win seats."

"The closed list system leads to inheritance of power and creates appointed, rather than elected, deputies in parliament," said Rabie.

For his part, Diaaeddin Dawoud, a leftist MP, said that enforcing the closed list system once more constitutes a major political setback.

He added that as a result of this system people have become unsatisfied with the current parliaments performance.

Dawoud also argued that Egypt desperately needs forceful political parties, which can only be created by changing legislations regulating parliamentary elections, political parties and press and media freedoms.

Diaa Rashwan, the National Dialogue's General Coordinator, then intervened to help find a common ground among participants.

Rashwan said that he does not agree with Fawzi and that he is in favor of the proportional representation list system. He stressed, however, the need for all interlocutors to listen to each other during the dialogue.

The coordinator further stated that whether the participants end up choosing one election system or more than one system, their suggestions will be submitted to the president so that he becomes fully acquainted with the open and free discussions that were held.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


After the Columbus Street property changed hands last year, the new developer is looking to make key changes in the hotel plans to add a rooftop bar. The Alley is expected to continue operating as usual as the hotel project makes its way through the city's review process. Read moreEight-story hotel slated to replace The Alley downtown approved for changes
Most of us know what the magical month of May means in Charleston. But for the newly initiated, its all about the art. Beyond the festival performances, the visual arts scene is always vivid, and this year is alive with color and texture.

We know the first glimpses of festival season. Spoleto Festival USA banners begin to top off street lamps. Piccolo productions are touted around town. Some particularly inspired locals festoon storefronts with creative displays. Then there are all those artists. They begin to stream in from near and far, next-leveling the people-watching for weeks ahead.

The time of year is also ideal for going local by supporting the citys homegrown museums, galleries and artists, and engaging with the novel ways they consider our world today.

How about Appalachia meets AI? Theres an artist navigating that wild world. Or how about luxuriating a view of the Santee River. Up for an immersion with an abstract legend? Thats on offer, too.

This is a mere sampling of what is ready for viewing, but enough to lend sheen to the citys claim as an arts hub. So find a gallery before a performance and lavish love on the local scene, too.

Artistic full circles

Artist Beverly McIver now lives in Canada, her subject matter for transfixing, deeply personal paintings links to her Greensboro, N.C., upbringing. Whether leveling her gaze at the impact of caring for her intellectually and developmentally disabled sister, meeting her estranged father or delving into her teenage sense of self through the circus arts.

Gibbes Museum of Art now presents her touring solo exhibition, Beverly McIver: Full Circle, a retrospective that mines the origins in her early works while also taking us to the present-day through almost 50 pieces. Visit the Gibbes at 135 Meeting St. For more information, check out gibbesmuseum.org.

Starting May 19 and running through July 15, The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of the Arts presents their new exhibition, Carla Gannis / C.A.R.L.A. G.A.N.: wwwunderkammer.

The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based transmedia artist regularly enfolds elements of her Appalachian roots into the lives of her avatar. Here, she creates a series of virtual spaces and chambers modeled after a traditional Wunderkammer, or cabinet of curiosity, to explore complications between grounded and virtual reality, nature and artifice, science and science fiction.

I saw Gannis in her recent panel for Art Charleston, the weeklong April arts immersion presented by the Gibbes. There, she shared insights on AI and its implications  and whet my appetite for this coming show. Visit the Halsey on 161 Calhoun St. or find out more information at halsey.cofc.edu.

Timed to overlap with the festivals, Redux Contemporary Art Centers Creative Corridors: The Annual Redux Studio Artist Exhibition takes place June 2 through July 15, gathering a host of local artists at their space on 1056 King St. to show their latest work.

But before it begins, curator Marie Carladous of the GAP Gallery is slipping in. On May 26, it will display 25 of the 170 works that were submitted to Piccolo Spoletos annual juried exhibition. For more information on Redux, visit reduxstudios.org.

Textile artist Cookie Torreah Washington is diving into her longtime love of Black mermaids and their mythology in a special exhibition at City Gallery at Waterfront Park. From May 26 through July 9, the show features the work of dozens of acclaimed fiber artists from across the U.S., whose mixed-media works celebrate African goddesses as mermaid and water spirit.

The shows theme contextualizes Black mermaids through the history and belief systems of those forcibly removed from Africa and carried across the ocean. Visit citygalleryatwaterfrontpark.com.

Art walking

No one cues up the Charleston art world in quite the way of native William Halsey, the abstract expressionist who in his life boldly demonstrated that there are many ways for local artists to create a canvas.

Up now at The George Gallery on 54 Broad St. is Paper Prima, a solo exhibition of works from the artists estate that are a bold note of joy and energy. Get your bearings through his breakthrough work, then head out to nearby galleries to discover the latest crop of visionaries. For more information, visit georgegalleryart.com.

When you walk into Corrigan Gallery at 38 Queen St., you might spot some black-and-white images along a wall capturing high-profile figures such as Meryl Streep, Allen Ginsburg and Bill Murray. They come to Corrigan via Nigel Parry, a part-time Charleston resident and professional photographer known for creating these iconic shots for glossy magazines.

But at Corrigan now, his show Portraits of Landscape finds its stunning center in large-scale images awash in serene colors that blend into one another. As you engage with them, many quietly reveal Lowcountry vistas, from the shore of Sullivans Island to the Santee River to Colonial Lake. Shot on film with Hasselblad medium format and landscape cameras, each lulls you in, then holds your gaze for sublime stretches. Pop in and breathe deep. Visit corrigangallery.com.

Gallerist Karen Hewitt Hagan is fresh from the ribbon-cutting for the new location of Hagan Fine Art at 125 Church St. The spiffily appointed gallery devoted much of its space to Amy Dixons new show, Intuitions.

Featuring vibrant, energized contemporary paintings by this Colorado-based artist, the first show out the gate augurs a brilliant new chapter for Hagan on Church Street. For more information, visit haganfineart.com.
The question I have been asked the most this year revolves around dying grass (other than moles  moles always top the list). The answer has always involved too much shade. Trees generally grow a bunch and put on a lot of leaves every year, and as a result, grass suffers due to lack of sunli Read moreHorticulture Hotline: Shade might be the reason for dying grass
FOLLY BEACH  Samantha Miller's groom and hundreds of others bowed their heads in prayer on the shores of this beach town to honor the 34-year-old who was killed while leaving her wedding by a drunk driver.

A man with a long white pony tail and unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt that billowed in the breeze sounded a conch shell at 11:11 a.m. May 13, commencing the beachside vigil and paddle out.

About 300 people who formed a circle in the sand bowed their heads in silence, shouted "Amen" and sang "Amazing Grace." At the center sat Miller's groom, Aric Hutchinson, who survived the crash.

The 36-year-old sat stoically in a wheelchair on the same beach where he and Miller, who lived together in an apartment on James Island, went on walks together most mornings.

He watched from the shore as dozens of surfers grabbed their boards and paddled a few hundred yards into the ocean for a floating memorial service. The surfers, who were joined by the deceased's mother, sister and brother, tossed red carnations into the waves to honor Miller, whose family called her "the Queen of Charlotte" because she was beloved by many in her hometown.

Sam wouldve loved this, Hutchinson said softly from the shore, his eyes hidden behind thick black sunglasses. Bandages wrapped his legs, cuts marked his left ear and forehead. She's a beach girl through and through.

You can see how big of an impact Sam has left on everyone," he added.

Miller, Hutchinson and three relatives were traveling from their wedding reception at Folly Beach County Park just after 10 p.m. April 28 when a Toyota Camry going 40 miles over the posted speed limit smashed into the rear of their low-speed vehicle at the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue.

The driver, 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, according to a recently released report. Police charged the New Jersey native, who worked as a server on Folly Beach, with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence.

The groom was hospitalized with a brain injury and broken bones that required two reconstruction surgeries. He returned home May 4, but doctors say it could take 12 weeks before he is able to walk.

A GoFundMe started by Hutchinson's mother has seen more than $700,000 in donations. The money will go, in part, to support Hutchinson's recovery.

It's a little overwhelming, Hutchinson said. They're sincere, genuine, good-hearted people that are just reaching out.

Bill Kufner, 51, who helped organize the paddle out, stood in a wetsuit as flowers from the ceremony washed ashore. The Folly Beach native said he and other residents organized the event to express their condolences.

"We've got a litter of flowers and love spreading this whole beach," Kufner said. "We want to share and spread love. That's what Folly's about."
Democrats and Republicans on Charleston County Council don't always get along, even when it comes to commemorating George Washington.

An effort to recognize the nation's first president on the 232nd anniversary of his visit to Charleston broke down into squabbling last week when members narrowly passed a resolution in Washington's honor. The 5-4 vote broke along party lines.

Council members from both sides gave varying explanations for their votes for a resolution that carries little weight, other than formally reflecting on the president's historical significance.

Some members gave reasons had little to do with Washington himself.

Councilman Henry Darby voted against the resolution in a move the Democrat labeled "quid pro quo" over a squabble with a Republican over funding the sheriff's office.

That Republican, freshman Larry Kobrovsky, had "given" Darby his support for an extra $4 million in funding. The motion  put forth by Darby  failed on its second reading after Kobrovsky changed his mind.

"Since the motion to the Sheriffs Office budget was shot down  by means of partisanship, perhaps the same partisanship will be applied to the George Washington resolution," Darby said May 9.

Debate over how County Council might recognize Washington began in early March. Kobrovsky wanted Charleston County to honor Feb. 22 each year for its original purpose: celebrating the first president's birthday.

He said the national holiday became "meaningless" in 1971 when it became known as President's Day. He put forth a resolution commemorating Feb. 22 as Washington's Birthday in Charleston County.

The figure holds a special place in local history, Kobrovsky said, explaining how Washington stayed for eight days in the Charleston area in May 1791, visiting sites around the city including St. Michael's Church, St. Philip's Church, and The Exchange building at Broad and East Bay streets.

Councilman Rob Wehrman, a Democrat, seconded Kobrovsky's resolution at a March Finance Committee meeting. Before members could vote, Councilman Kylon Middleton voiced concerns about historical inaccuracies written in the resolution, particularly with respect to Washington's status as a slave owner.

Kobrovsky said he would take out the paragraph mentioning slavery. The point of his resolution wasn't to "get in that controversy," he added. Removing the language "does not erase the spirit," Middleton replied. Wehrman withdrew his support.

Councilman Teddie Pryor, another Democrat, didn't want to "single out" one president over another  especially Washington, "who actually enslaved my ancestors," he said.

Without a second council member, Kobrovsky's resolution died in the committee meeting.

Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt put forth her resolution weeks later honoring Washington within the context of the nation's upcoming 250th birthday in 2026. A number of constituents contacted the councilwoman asking her to reconsider the issue after Kobrovsky's resolution had failed, she said.

Honeycutt looked at County Council's resolution in January establishing its 250th anniversary commission. The local committee was tasked with focusing on important events, people and places during the Revolutionary War period in Charleston.

"Bringing attention to our founding leaders, who at least in part got us to this place, is worthy of resolution and note," she said. "And that was the reason I brought it back in the revised context that I did."

But tensions over Kobrovsky's initial measure had already taken hold, boiling over at the May 9 County Council meeting.

Middleton stated he would vote against Honeycutt's resolution in part because Washington was one of at least 10 U.S. presidents who visited Charleston during their terms. The councilman added he didn't understand why a resolution commemorating Washington was being brought again when it had previously failed.

Councilman Joe Boykin, a Republican, supported Honeycutt's resolution. Washington was the only president of the 10 who was involved in the Revolutionary War. The nation wouldnt be having a 250th anniversary if it werent for his leadership on the battlefield, Boykin said.

Pryor maintained his same position from the March meeting. Wehrman's reasons for voting no were similar.

Darby explained he was "first in favor" of Kobrovsky's resolution. But when the councilman switched his vote on Darby's motion concerning money for the Sheriff's Office, Darby changed his mind, too.

"I said, 'Sir, this is important to you. And giving money to the sheriffs department  was very important to me,' " Darby recalled. "And I told him straight up front, 'Im not going to support you because you didnt support me.' "

Kobrovsky told The Post and Courier after the meeting that he "hadn't dreamed there would be opposition" to a resolution concerning Washington.

Chairman Herb Sass spoke last, after the body's five Republicans and four Democrats each gave their vote. He seemed to appeal to a middle ground.

County Council should make "special plans" in 2026 to honor each president who visited Charleston, he said.

Caitlin Byrd contributed to this report.
Movie Title: The Order of Things

Date of Release: 5th May 2023

Cast: Obi Maduegbuna, Timini Egbuson, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Sandra Okunzuwa, Lateef Adedimeji, Demola Adedoyin, Charles Inojie, Hadiza Dija Blell-Olo, Tope Olowoniyan, and Lilian Afegbai.

Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Director: Sidney Esiri (Dr Sid)

The whole idea of producing a film, especially in Nigeria, is to showcase original content that viewers find relatable. However, for a movie like The Order of Things, the scriptwriter and producers chose to ditch a localised route and rely primarily on Western elements in the execution of the concept.

In his directorial debut, Dr Sid tells a story about a brother who finds himself being held back from marrying his fiancee due to his elder brothers apathetic nature towards settling down.

The sheer thought of exploring a concept via a camera lens that highlights the dynamic between brothers, providing an ultimatum for one of them, is brilliant.

The iconic nature of the idea is watered down to the barest minimum, as the script offered almost zero value, the acting performances were average, and many scenes offered cringe-worthy moments that make viewers secretly wish the end credits would roll soon.

The Plot

Using flashbacks, we are introduced to two brothers, Demi (Obi Maduegbuna) and Tunde (Timini Egbuson). While Tunde is the ambitious one who has his life planned out, Demi is quite nonchalant about the direction his life is heading. Both brothers views put them on opposite sides of the financial spectrum, with Tunde being successful and Demi being an aspiring gamer creator still living with his mom (Binta Ayo Mogaji).

During a dinner date, Tunde proposes to his girlfriend, Sophia (Tope Olowoniyan). His mother warns him not to go through with the wedding as he must wait for his elder brother to get married. This launches Tunde into a series of actions, including a visit to a matchmaker (Lateef Adedimeji) to hook his brother up with a potential wife.

The attempts prove futile, as Demis mannerisms are a turnoff for most of the ladies he meets. Fortunately, a beautiful girl called Maria (Lilian Afegbai) comes into his life. Before meeting Maria, Demi had established a romantic connection with Tope(Sandra Okunzuwa), a lady who possessed the same features as him.

Demis connection with Tope comes to a halt when she shows up at his house and sees Maria there, announcing she is Demis fiancee. We later learn that Sophia paid Marria to be with Demi, which surprises the entire family.

The days rolled back, and Demi eventually discovered Tayos location and hooked up with Tunde. In a twist of events, he meets his mother and Sophie with Tope, who is about to make a life-changing decision.

The Good

To a certain extent, The Order of Things portrays the relationships between brothers as it pushes viewers to venture on a dramatic journey with Demi and Tunde.

The portrayal of a geeky character is also a reasonable effort, despite its minor stereotypical setbacks. Although Demi is a geek, he still has a bit of confidence, in contrast to how the media makes us perceive geeks.

When discussing the cinematography, one could sum it up as enjoyable because transition scenes were seamless, and each scene told a story in the context of the type of camera shot being applied.

The Bad

The scripting lacked a clear sense of direction and had poor dialogue. It felt like the writer had an end goal in mind but got distracted, so many scenes felt really clumsy. For example, there seems to be no strong logical reason Demi and Tunde kept confronting the matchmaker.

Acting performances felt a bit forced. Many tried to emulate an American version of what they thought their characters were like. The exceptions are Timini Egbuson and Dija, who brought nuance to their roles.

A lot of show dont tell moments existed in the film. It even got to the point where whenever a character performed an action, another character would narrate that action, making it exhausting.

Finally, the product placement of a certain orange drink felt like an ad that was shoved into the faces of viewers each time a scene with Demi came up.

Final Verdict

4/10. The order of things ranks below average, but that doesnt detract from its wholesome family comedy-drama content.

The Order of Things is now showing on Netflix.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


It has been reported that Nollywoods talented and respected actor, Saint Obi, whose real name is Obinna Nwafor, passed away on 7th May after a prolonged illness.

His death, shrouded in mystery, is now being mourned by fellow Nollywood actors Stephanie Linus and Richard Mofe Damijo and a filmmaker, Tchidi Chikere, on their social media handles.

While there has been no confirmation or denial from his family, Saint Obis legacy as one of Nollywoods finest and pioneer actors will be deeply missed by many.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that The Actors Guild of Nigeria is yet to make a statement as the family reportedly has a minor disagreement which has stalled a formal announcement

Nonetheless, his fans have continued to pay their last respects to the veteran actor with the hashtags #RIP Saint Obi and #Obinna Nwafor on Twitter.

Stephanie, who starred alongside Saint Obi in several films in the early 2000s like More than a Woman, described his death as shocking and heartbreaking in her tribute.

Losing someone you know and have worked with can be incredibly difficult. I have worked with Saint on several movies, and it is so sad to hear of his passing. May God give his family the strength to bear this loss and endure the difficult times. Your work and impact will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Saint.

Similarly, Tchidi, in his tribute, expressed regrets about not fulfilling his lifelong desire to feature the late actor in his movies. The filmmaker also disclosed that Saint Obi turned down his offer to star him in three lead roles in three films.

I offered you a movie role in February, and you declined. You said you had gained weight and wanted to return to shape before acting. You told me loads of stuff and how you love your children and how you wish you could see them. You didnt sound like your old self. I felt youd lost your zeal for life. So I called a few days later and offered you three lead roles in three movies, which you declined. You refused to act. I was shocked. You said, Tee, Ill come to the USA, and we will do big things; I want to relaunch myself with something big Those were your wordsAnd now..today..suddenly..what? his tribute partly read.

RMD, in his tribute, revealed how his kind gesture thronged Saint Obi into the limelight, narrating how he sought help to break into Nollywood in the 90s.

I recall being at an event in Abuja some years ago, and we were just catching up, and he said to me, Bros, you nor remember say na you start me on this my journey? And I was like, no way, and. I had said I wasnt doing any film then, but I could send him to a friend and brother who did more productions than anyone else at the time, and that brother and friend was Zeb EJIRO. I wrote behind my card, and off he went and became a big star. The exciting thing then was that Zeb loved him so much that he told me I had given him a natural replacement for me in the movies.

RMD confirmed that his colleague and friend Zik Zulu broke the news of Saint Obis demise and that they were both in denial and promised each other to find out more details.

History

Saint Obi was famous for his roles in State of Emergency; Candle Light; Sakobi; Goodbye Tomorrow; Heart of Gold; Festival of Fire; Executive Crime; and Last Party, amongst others.

In 2015, he delved into music and dropped a track, Imagine the Dream, and an accompanying video.

He worked at the post office before majoring in Theatre Arts at the University of Jos and ventured into acting in 1996 via a Peugeot television commercial.

He starred in over 60 movies. In 2001, he produced his first movie, Take Me to Maama, where he starred as Jerry alongside Ebi Sam, the late Rachel Oniga, Nse Abel and the late Enebeli Elebuwa.

He last made news headlines in February 2022 when the news of his divorce and custody battle filtered online.

The famous actor and his ex-wife battled over the custody of their three children after a divorce suit.

According to a lawsuit filed by the actors lawyers in Suit No: HCT/128/2019, the actor alleged an attempt on his life by his estranged wife.

In the same suit, the Glamour Girls star joined his estranged wifes brothers, Michael Amobi and Chukwumobi Amobi.

The actor also alleged that his estranged wife allegedly imprisoned their three children with the help of men from the police force.

The couple married in 2006 and have three children- two boys and a girl.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The anointed candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Senate President and Deputy Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibirin, have paid a courtesy visit to the outgoing governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari.

The senators-elect had in their delegation other senators, including Solomon Olamilekan APC- Lagos West), Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti Central) and Yusuf Yusuf (APC-Taraba Central).

During the visit in the early hours of Sunday, the senators solicited the support of Mr Masaru for the joint ticket of Messrs Akpabio and Jibrin in the race for the leadership of the Senate.

Many of the other aspirants have rejected the nomination of Messrs Akpabio and Jibrin by the APC and questioned the zoning formula on which it is based.

The vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima, on Friday, said the nominations were made to ensure religious balance in the political leadership of the country.

Mr Akpabio and the deputy senate president hopeful have, however, ignored the criticisms from their opponents and continued with their consultations.

In his remarks, Mr Masari endorsed their joint ticket and assured them of his support.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has promised to appoint a person with disability into his cabinet so that people with special needs and students of Special Schools will be given due attention in the state.

Mr Oyebanji said the appointee would be someone with the requisite knowledge in special education and who has a genuine passion for the welfare and well-being of the physically challenged.

According to a statement by the governors spokesperson, Olayinka Oyebode, on Sunday, the governor said the appointment is to give physically challenged people a voice in government and help redress their neglect.

Mr Oyebanji spoke on Saturday when he made a surprise visit to the State Special School for the Blind in Ikere Ekiti.

He said people living with disability are special to his administration and that his government would work hard to bring out the best in them.

Mr Oyebanji, who was conducted around the school for an on-the-spot- assessment of facilities by the principal, Amogbonjaye Felicia, said he would give the school a facelift to make its environment more friendly, accommodating and conducive for learning.

The governor, who was accompanied to the school by the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Bamidele Agbede, Mr Oyebode, and other top government officials, appealed to the well-to-do in the society to come to the aid of people living with disabilities.

He said individuals could adopt some of the special students or volunteer to fix facilities in their homes and schools to complement the governments efforts.

The governor had earlier appealed to his friends on his birthday last year to make contributions on the occasion to the three special schools in the state.

Mr Oyebanji said he was happy that the donations yielded a good result as the proceeds from the birthday were used to renovate the schools hostel.

Governor Oyebanji addressed the students after assessing the facilities at the school, urging them to see themselves as specially created by God for a purpose, adding that they are as precious to God as other children and should not feel inferior to anyone.

I want to let you know you are not an accident, God created you for a purpose, and you will fulfil the purpose. I have come to let you know you are not inferior to anybody and to assure you that your government, the government of Ekiti State, will stand by you; we will partner with you in a way and manner that it will give a good meaning to your lives.

I assure you, there will be changes, there is ability in disability, and we will work so hard to ensure that we play up those abilities in you.

We are going to have a Special Adviser for people with special needs and our special schools so that you can stand alone and have someone in the cabinet that will be speaking for you.

You will recall that when I celebrated my birthday last year, I appealed to my friends that they should convert their gifts into donations to the special schools in the state. I am glad today that the money they made from my friends is been used to renovate the school, and it speaks to the fact that we can be our brothers keeper.

I am using this opportunity to appeal to people that God has blessed to please come to the aid of People Living with Disabilities, the government cannot do it alone, but as a government, we will continue to do our best to ensure we give them the best, the governor said.

The governor later presented cash and material donations to the school. He also made a personal cash donation to sponsor five students for further training in arts and craft at a training school in Lagos, as requested by the students.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Nigerian government says it spends N1 million annually to cater for each inmate at the correctional facilities in the country.

Every month, the federal government spends N83.333 per inmate for sundry needs, including feeding.

Sola Fasure, the media adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, whose office oversees the correctional facilities, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the minister said this while inaugurating a 20-bed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt.

The minister said the project would be an enduring legacy and a testimony of the utmost importance the Federal Government had so far taken in terms of corrections, the welfare of inmates as well as staff.

Mr Aregbesola added that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had, to a large extent, addressed the problem of inmates contracting diseases in custodial centres.

The custodial centres were frighteningly centres for contracting diseases like scabies and tuberculosis, among others.

Happily, this has been addressed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and is now a thing of the past.

We not only have well-manned clinics and well-stocked pharmacies, the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical care beyond the centres, he said.

The minister also decried the enormous challenges of running correctional services with huge demands for infrastructure, equipment and maintaining the welfare of inmates.

He, however, assured that the Federal Government had provided a long-term solution to the challenges.

This centre in Port Harcourt, with a capacity for 1,800 inmates, presently houses about 3,067 inmates. This is just a reflection of the situation in most urban custodial centres where we have congestion at the moment.

The facilities and even the personnel are overstretched, but we are coping and providing long term solutions to this challenge.

One of such solutions is the construction of mega 3,000-capacity custodial villages in six geo-political zones of the country. The one for the South-South is in Bori, not far from here in Rivers.

The ones for the North-West in Janguza, Kano and the North-Central, in Karshi, Abuja, are ready. Hopefully, we shall inaugurate the one in Kano a few days before our departure.

Even work is steadily going on in the others and has reached an appreciable level.

Let me also reiterate that the Federal Government will stop feeding inmates incarcerated for breaching state laws. As you commence your budget process for next year, include feeding of your inmates, he said.

Aregbesola said he had no doubt that the facility would go a long way in addressing the medical concerns of inmates and correctional service personnel.

The minister commended the management and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for working hard to keep the virus away.

He added that the new hospital was an intervention to make robust healthcare for those in custody and the NCoS staff.

Mr Aregbesola said the beauty of all the interventions in consonance with other reforms in the NCoS would obviously translate to security, peace and tranquillity in and around the centres and, ultimately, the entire country.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


There are close to 4 million people living in refugee camps across Africa. Of the more than 300 camps, nearly 70% are situated within 30km-50km of an international border.

They include some of the largest camps in the continent, such as Kakuma in northern Kenya, Nyarugusu in western Tanzania and Bidibidi in north-western Uganda.

The closer the camp is to an international border, the easier it is for people on both sides of the border to interact.

What this means is that healthy refugees in Kakuma, for example, can walk across the Kenyan border and get to Uganda or South Sudan within a day or two.

It also means that rebel groups operating in any of these countries can access the refugee camp. This easy access to refugees benefits rebel groups across the border.

And asylum countries like Tanzania and Kenya may choose refugee policies that help rebel groups in this fashion.

Exploitation by armed groups is one of the many threats refugees in border camps face. Often refugees are not allowed to leave camps to seek work, making them dependent on aid. Young refugees, particularly men, are vulnerable to armed rebel groups that recruit people to their causes.

These groups also informally tax refugees by taking a share of the aid they receive or demanding contributions.

Researchers and aid groups have suggested that rebel groups take advantage of refugees because host countries cannot or will not stop them.

This logic focuses on the lack of will or capacity of such host countries as Chad or the Central African Republic. But this ignores their strategy.

Even governments of poor countries choose where to allocate resources. For example, rather than being inept or incapable of protection, Chads approach to refugees has been consistent with a broader approach to its relations with Sudan.

I set out on my research project in east Africa to develop an analytic narrative of refugee policy selection in the region. Using in-depth case studies and formal theory, I expected to find that foreign policy informed refugee policy in some ways, including interactions with humanitarian aid and donor countries. I sought to investigate the extent to which these tempered the domestic drivers of refugee policy.

What I found is that countries policies for hosting refugees are more strategic than expected. Host countries choose their refugee policy to influence the war from which the refugees fled.

When Tanzania and Kenya chose the location of camps and the restrictions on work and movement, it was to influence civil wars across their borders.

Camp location and restrictions, along with dense refugee settlements, give rebel groups valuable access to refugee camps for exploitation.

My study demonstrates that east African host countries can follow a foreign policy logic for setting refugees up to be exploited. Domestic considerations can matter as well.

My research can help aid organisations identify whether domestic or foreign policy interests drive border camps in east Africa and elsewhere.

When domestic rather than foreign policy considerations drive border camp location, humanitarian agencies can negotiate alternatives that make camps less crowded, move refugees further from the border or provide options for integrating elsewhere.

Each of these make refugee camps safer for refugees but less valuable to a rebel group. However, aid agencies will be less successful in negotiating alternatives when foreign policy drives the border camps because the alternatives undermine the goal of helping the rebel group.

Proxy Intervention Aims

Tanzanias refugee policy in the 1990s is a good example of how geopolitics can inform refugee policy. Tanzania hosted hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees.

They began arriving in 1993 because of political violence and then a civil war. Densely populated camps were set up for arriving Burundian refugees as close as 15km to the common border.

The location, dense population and movement restrictions ensured that aid groups could serve the refugees. But the refugees were also ideal targets for recruitment and taxation, unable to work and with aid that could be taken away as efficiently as it was distributed.

Tanzania need not have established crowded camps on the border but this favoured its goals. Tanzanias aim was to create pressure to return Burundi to a government consistent with the 1993 constitution.

Tanzania hoped that by Burundi holding multiparty elections and selecting a government backed by the majority of its citizens, Burundi would gain some stability.

At the same time, Tanzania sought to avoid a domestic backlash from the host population in the north-west who were growing weary of hosting refugees.

For Burundian rebel groups, the policy created a constant flow of resources and people from the camps to the front lines, which put the rebel groups in a better position to fight. Tanzania, which also hosted the peace accords, used a variety of tools of statecraft to end the war, and refugee policy was one of them.

The better position to fight gave the rebel group more bargaining power. Since the rebel group also supported the 1993 constitution, a negotiated settlement where the rebel group had a pathway to elections would achieve this goal.

East Africa offers another example of the foreign policy logic. Following the fall of the Mengistu Haile Mariam regime in Ethiopia in 1990, refugees from southern Sudan left Ethiopia for Kenya. Kenya established camps for the Sudanese at Kakuma near the border with Sudan.

This was in line with Kenyas support for the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Armys fight for autonomy. Like Tanzania, Kenya used multiple tools to sway the civil war outcome in their northern neighbour.

Its combined efforts were instrumental in securing a pathway to independence for South Sudan.

Non-Intervention As A Policy Goal

Tanzania and Kenya also offer a lesson in advancing foreign policy aims by not intervening.

At roughly the same time as Burundian refugees were being placed into crowded camps, Tanzania was also hosting between 70,000 and 300,000 Mozambicans. Many of them fled or could not return home because of civil war in Mozambique.

The Tanzanian and Mozambican governments have a long history of cooperation. Tanzania was also strongly opposed to the apartheid-backed rebel group, Mozambican National Resistance, or Renamo, which was battling the government.

Unlike refugees from Burundi, Mozambican arrivals were not housed in camps. Most Mozambicans were allowed to settle across the southern regions of Tanzania, where they integrated with their co-ethnics in rural villages.

Their shared way of life made the experience more like the regular cross-border migration that has occurred for generations.

By dispersing refugees throughout the countryside, refusing aid and allowing Mozambicans to integrate, Tanzanias strategy followed a logic of non-intervention.

This ensured that the migrant population was not easily targeted by Renamo in keeping with its political backing of the Mozambique administration.

In Kenyas case with Somalia, the tide turned from indifference to non-intervention within a span of six years.

After the United Nations pulled out of Somalia in 1995, Kenya shifted the policy for Somalis away from intervention while building a relationship with what would became the transitional government in Somalia.

Kenya consolidated existing refugee camps and eliminated camps that were close to the border with Somalia and along the coast.

Somali refugees were subsequently moved across the country to Kakuma in the north. Settlements in Nairobi were allowed to expand, which reinforced an informal pathway to make Dadaab, the remaining camp near the Somali border, less attractive for recruiting.

Conclusion

Most wars end in negotiated settlements. Rebel groups need to extract sufficient assurances to negotiate. If not, they are unwilling to take the risk of giving up the fight.

Providing a rebel group with a stronger bargaining position could help along negotiations and bring about a peace agreement.

Giving a rebel group bargaining power by helping it fight a war can inform refugee policy. Alternatively, host countries might avoid camps specifically to prevent helping a rebel group.

* Kara Ross Camarena, Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago

** This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A security guard at Greater Scholars International School a private nursery and primary school in Lagos, identified simply as David, has been accused of defiling a four-year-old pupil of the school.

The parents of the minor, who want to be identified simply as Mr and Mrs Olusola, told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday that the pupil complained about pains in her vagina and subsequently confirmed that one Mr David assaulted her.

While the parents revealed that two medical reports already confirmed injury and physical trauma in her vagina, the spokesperson for the police in Lagos State, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Friday, tweeted that the suspect has been arrested and is still in custody.

Mr Hundeyin added that a medical report that would ensure a conviction is being expected.

Lagos State, NGO wade in

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency (DSVA) also tweeted on Saturday morning that it is on the case and that it would be transferred to the Gender unit of the Lagos State Police Command before it is charged to court on Monday.

On 3 May 2023, we received a report of this case through our toll-free line and acted promptly by referring the child for medical and psychosocial support.

We also alerted the Ajiwe FSU Police Division for investigation. The suspect is currently in police custody, the tweet read in parts.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, the Founder of The Unbroken Foundation- a non-governmental organisation focused on social and human rights, Sonia Obi-Okodo, said her organisation, in collaboration with the Inclusive Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation, is following up on the case.

She noted that both organisations advocate and challenge all forms of gender-related violence.

With the parents reports about what happened to their child, and the girls account of who actually did it to her, it is enough for us to swing into action, Ms Obi-Okodo said.

Allegation

The incident became public Friday when a Twitter user, with the handle, @Omolomo, accused the school of hiring thugs to threaten the minors parents, who had gone to the school to report the results of the medical examination.

The handler, who also posted a photo of the schools Director and the accused, claimed that the school management had been reluctant and allegedly attempted to sweep the matter under the carpet.

More details

Giving further details, Mr and Mrs Olusola said their daughter, who is now in pre-school, was enrolled in the school in January 2022, adding that they noticed she had been unnecessarily downcast before confirming the assault.

She cried about her vagina pains when she went to urinate on Sunday, 30 April; then we saw bruises when we checked with a touch light. This prompted us to take her to the hospital, Mrs Olusola narrated.

She noted that they immediately took the daughter to Lifeline Childrens Hospital, Lekki, in Lagos, for a medical examination.

Upon seeing the bruises, the paediatrician transferred us to a gynaecologist to run a test, who confirmed the injury and physical trauma as a result of an attempted forced penetration.

We went ahead to the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and it was the same result. Though they told us her hymen is still intact.

Mr Olusola also noted that the 4-year-old said when she fell down while playing with her friend, the security guard told her there is plenty of dirt in her wee wee i.e. her vagina, that he wants to wash it.

So maybe that was how he lured her. He might be doing the same to other girls in school, he added.

Parents displeased with school

Speaking further, Mrs Olusola said for the past week, since they withdrew the child from the school due to sexual molestation, the school had not contacted them.

As a mother, it hurts me so bad thinking about what he did to her and what she went through, she told PREMIUM TIMES on the phone, even as she cried.

If I were the owner of the school, I would have taken action. If they had put the same energy into trying to resolve this instead of silencing us, it would have been resolved amicably by just arresting the guard without dragging the school.

We are trying to get justice for our daughter by all means, she said.

School keeps mum

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the school, only one of the three mobile numbers on their official website was answered.

The official, who refused to give an identity, declined to comment on the matter.

The matter is already being investigated by the police, so we wouldnt be able to discuss it. Thank you, the official said and ended the call.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Debt Management Office (DMO) says decades of operating budget deficits by successive governments are responsible for Nigerias high debt profile.

The Director-General of the DMO, Patience Oniha, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Ms Oniha, a review of Nigerias fiscal data shows that not only has the government operated budget deficits, which have been growing, most of the deficits have been funded through local and external borrowing.

The records show that deficits in the annual budgets, including supplementary budgets, rose to N10.78 trillion in 2023 from N1.62 trillion in 2015.

Between 82 per cent and 99 per cent of these were funded by new borrowing, which ranged from N1.46 trillion in 2015 to N8.80 trillion in 2023.

These facts confirm that these budget deficits, funded by new borrowings, have been responsible for the rapid growth in the debt stock and the resultant increases in debt service, she said.

According to Ms Oniha, this trend could have been avoided or at least moderated if revenues had been higher or expenditures lower.

She tasked the incoming government of Bola Tinubu to take cognisance of the situation and prioritise increased revenue generation.

The budget deficits would have been much smaller, or Nigeria would have operated on a balanced budget.

It is, therefore, imperative that the incoming government takes into account the perennial budget deficits in the preparation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (2024  2026) and the 2024 budget.

The government should also accelerate the growth in revenues to ensure debt sustainability, she said.

Nigerias debt profile stood at N46.25 trillion in December 2022, recording an increase of about seven trillion Naira from the 2021 debt figures.

Total Public debt stock, however, consists of the domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory.

In terms of composition, the total domestic debt stock is N27.55 trillion ($61.42 billion), while the total external debt stock is N18.7 trillion (41.6 billion dollars)

The public debt figures, however, exclude the N22.7 trillion Federal Governments indebtedness to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through Ways and Means advances.

The Ways and Means advances, which the Senate has securitised, and awaiting concurrent securitisation by the House of Representatives, are included in the countrys public debt stock.

Despite the burgeoning debt profile of the country, which rose astronomically under the Buhari administration due to excessive borrowing, the outgoing President is seeking another loan of USD 800m Work Bank.

The loan, if approved by the Senate, will be used to fund the governments conditional cash transfer to vulnerable Nigerians.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 18 March election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, says he has gone into hiding after an alleged threat to his life.

Mr Adebutu disclosed this in an interview with Saturday Tribune, saying he was speaking from somewhere outside Nigeria. He did not disclose his exact location.

He said he decided to cry out after the State Security Service (SSS) withdrew its officers attached to him and the police reduced their own.

Mr Adebutu polled 262, 383 votes in the election won by Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 276, 298 votes.

Mr Adebutu has filed a petition before the states Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge Mr Abioduns declaration as winner of the election.

He alleged over-voting and violation of the Electoral Act.

He also said the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin with which Mr Abiodun beat him.

According to him, since approaching the tribunal, he has had an admixture of persuasion and subtle threats to force him to withdraw the petition.

He said he felt exposed to harm after the SSS withdrew its personnel and the police scaled down their own.

Mr Adebutu further said he wss in possession of credible intelligence that attempts were being made to kidnap him before the determination of his petition.

God will not allow their evil plans for us to materialise, he said in the interview. That is why I have decided to proceed on self-exile for my own safety.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says 2,518 Nigerians have been evacuated from Sudan back home.

NIDCOM Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said this in Abuja on Sunday while giving an update on the evacuation exercise.

Mr Balogun said: As of today being Sunday, this is where we are with the evacuation exercise.

The evacuation is done through a total number of 15 flights, with four from Aswan, Egypt and 11 from Port Sudan.

As I said earlier, a total of 2,371 evacuees have safely returned home as of Saturday, May 13.

The new arrivals just now are 140 adults, comprising three infants and 30 children, making a total evacuation to 2,518.

Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson NiDCOM, said the Summit University, Offa, Kwara, was among the higher institutions that showed interest in admitting Nigerian student returnees.

Sudan became embroiled in a crisis recently when the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces engaged in a battle of supremacy for the soul of the war-ravaged country.

The Nigerian government, despite the initial hurdles, has succeeded in evacuating most of its nationals from the country without any fatality recorded.

The evacuation efforts of the FG are primarily coordinated by NiDCOM and the Foreign Affairs Ministry in conjunction with Dangote Foundation and MTN Foundation, among others.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


This is the very important gap that iQuolify, a civil society-driven recruitment portal for professionals, is set to bridge This very important tool for matching talents with placements, serving as a salient resource and solution to both the demand and supply sides of needs in the job market, and which was unveiled publicly on Tuesday 9th of May, is intent on creating a digital community were skills and needs are cross-matched.

Migration is possibly the most singular phenomenon that defines the human experience in a crosscutting manner, as people have always moved around for millennia, out of curiosity about other realms, but largely in search of better opportunities. Many of these movements have been chronicled all through history, as they led to journeys of quest  near and far, the exploration of other spaces, then continents, in the pursuit of gainful economic activities and novel markets. Some of the darker emanations of these journeys revealed in the conquest and domination of other people and great swathes of spaces in between, such as in the slave trades, colonial invasions and occupation.

While human flows across different spaces and continents will continue to be fundamental to the human experience, these have gained higher degrees of attention in more recent times, due to ubiquity of the media, new media and the interwoven nodes of massive communication networks, that have grown on the back of a hyper-information age and are driven by the latest manifestations of capitalism.

Also, the push and pull factors motivating migrations have entered newer force-fields, from high skills sets looking for commensurate engagement and reward, to those seeking resettlement following the displacements of conflict or natural mishaps, or even those impelled purely by the need to escape modern poverty and immiseration. Certainly, the pursuit of better opportunities for personal development, and dwelling in environments that enable growth, while equally offering security of the individual, are some of the greatest pull factors for migration.

While the numbers bear witness that there has been greater intra-continental migration in Africa, with about 21 million people having moved between and living in other African countries as at 2020, still there have been significant movements of Africans out of the continent from, say, 2010, to Europe and North America, particularly; and also Asia.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) estimates that some 280.6 million people migrated from one part of the world to the other in 2020. Of this number, 48.1% were female and 12.2% were over the age of 65, according to the Migration Data Portal.

Whereas the Pew Research Center projects that over one million migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa sought asylum in Europe between 2010 and 2017, it also observes that of the over 400,000 sub-Saharan Africans who moved to America between 2010 and 2016, about 110,000 of them were resettled there as refugees. More so, 13.4% of immigrants to Canada are said to be from Africa.

With these continuous immigration flows across the world, a crucial aspect of which is impelled by the need for better economic opportunities, as broached above, the unfortunate reality of many migrants, however, is that they usually lack the vital information needed to find where their skills are appropriately needed to become employed at levels congruous with these skills in their newer locations. Hence, a significant demography of migrants is employed below their skills, as they settle for jobs that will essentially cater for them and their dependants in the most basic of terms.

It is the recurrent lack of apt matches between skills and opportunities that sullies the experience of migration for many, a number of who might end up within the underclass segments of their newer environments, leading to attendant frustrations, if not mental health situations like frustration.

In his remarks at the unveiling of this online platform, Dr Kole Shettima observed how the mission of iQuolify, about promoting inclusion for many through the facilitation of access to employment information, also enhances human diversity and equity in a fundamental way. This, he said, intersects with the core values of the organisation that he leads in Nigeria, making iQuolify and the MacArthur Foundation share some sort of commonwealth.

This is the very important gap that iQuolify, a civil society-driven recruitment portal for professionals, is set to bridge for immigrant job seekers in North America and Europe, in the first instance, before extending to other zones. This very important tool for matching talents with placements, serving as a salient resource and solution to both the demand and supply sides of needs in the job market, and which was unveiled publicly on Tuesday 9th of May, is intent on creating a digital community were skills and needs are cross-matched.

Now, consider being afforded the opportunity of making a presentation in which others can quickly learn about you, your qualifications, experiences/track records, in addition to career goals and aspirations through a video resume spanning a few minutes. Through this, potential recruiters and hiring organisations are offered an ever-expanding bouquet of personal skills and attitudes that can be matched with what they are looking for, while also taking note of communication capabilities, and connecting with other-non-verbal, yet expressive qualities that tick their required boxes. Curating these raft of resumes, whilst targeting them at the necessary uptakers, is the promise of iQuolify.

A project of Akin Fadeyi, a serial human capacity enhancement enthusiast and innovator, this vision of building a virtual community of skills exhibition and shopping that has coalesced around iQuolify will focus on showcasing immigrants to prospective employers, while the inevitable data spin-off from this endeavour would serve as invaluable resource for skills and employment analytics that is very important to local and global policy makers. Other significant dimensions of this will empower mentoring and training engagements, till target immigrant demographics are able to optimally unlock their potentials and integrate, as he put it.

Witnesses to the unveiling and partakers in the conversation that followed included a plethora of distinguished persons from diverse locations  Nigeria, Europe, North America, etc.  and different professions. Some of these notable personalities were Dr Kole Shettima, the director of the Nigeria office of the MacArthur Foundation; Kate Henshaw, an award-winning Nigerian actress; Tracy Docheff, a Canadian immigration resettlement expert; Professor Sola Akinrinade, a board member of Tech Herfrica; Dr Bankole Odole, a co-founder of Iquolify; IT and human resource experts, alongside international development experts, among others.

In his remarks at the presentation of this online platform, Dr Kole Shettima observed how the mission of iQuolify, about promoting inclusion for many through the facilitation of access to employment information, also enhances human diversity and equity in a fundamental way. This, he said, intersects with the core values of the organisation that he leads in Nigeria, making iQuolify and the MacArthur Foundation share some sort of commonwealth.

As Shettima elcudated, At MacArthur Foundation, we ensure that our decisions and actions are rooted in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by embracing the unique attributes of all individuals; creating a fair playing field for all; and cultivating environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and have a sense of belonging. As such, iQuolify is therefore a very compelling fit into our work culture and work I commend the initiative.

Whilst Kate Henshaw expressed delight at the possibilities of this new recruitment platform, describing iQuolify as a project whose time has come, considering the many people who have good reasons to migrate but yet find themselves disadvantaged in finding relevant and rewarding employment later as migrants, and then  rather unfortunately  resorting to menial jobs. As such, for her, iQuolify is a great solution for maximising opportunities for many, whether abroad, or even at home. In addition, she urged people to prioritise the need for constant self-improvement, in order not to become victims of desperation in Nigeria or other climes.

Equally, Professor Sola Akinrinade, a former vice chancellor of Osun State University, who is a board member of Tech HERfrica, and former Provost of the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Academy, affirmed how  having also worked in a few continents  several educated migrants do not get to live up to their potential due to the lack of information on commensurate employment. He, therefore, sees the liberating possibilities represented by iQuolify and encouraged as many people as come into awareness of the platform to take advantage of it towards resolving their needs.

iQuolify as a virtual and easily accessible community of the highly skilled, recruiters and potential employers, is a portal built to solve a growing range of problems associated with unemployed and underemployed migrants, including potential job seekers in North America, and beyond, who can have their concerns around job placements resolved before setting out to. This is so that they do not arrive in their new locations only to get stranded.

On her part, Tracy Docheff, an immigrant resettlement expert and director of marketing and communications at Toronto Newlife Wellness Place said her job as an immigrant settler within various Canadian communities is going to be a lot easier and simpler with such a platform as iQuolify coming on board.

In shedding light on the challenges involved in recruiting for organisations within and outside Nigeria through the years, and having to sort through several piles of resumes on a continuous basis, Olufunmilola Bucknor, the founder and lead consultant at HR Madam Consulting, pointed out how iQuolify is bound to make this a less daunting task for many like her, going forward.

Other participants from the Nigerian diaspora in North America who spoke during the unveiling of the online employment resource, and who shared their experiences as immigrants who had striven very hard before being able to find jobs that aligned with high skills included Dr Kunle Ojoleye, an IT expert, consultant and former sessional professor at the University of Calgary, Alberta. Also, Mr Victor Ogunmola, a geo-scientist with ExxonMobil in the United States and Mr Dapo Rotifa, a business development expert in the US.

A co-founder of iQuolify, who is based in Canada, Dr Bankole Odole, noted that, as an immigrant with five Masters degrees, I experienced, first-hand, the challenges that immigrant professionals grapple with. Hence, the idea of iQuolify is a ready solution capable of shielding other incoming immigrants from the same challenges.

iQuolify as a virtual and easily accessible community of the highly skilled, recruiters and potential employers, is a portal built to solve a growing range of problems associated with unemployed and underemployed migrants, including potential job seekers in North America, and beyond, who can have their concerns around job placements resolved before setting out to. This is so that they do not arrive in their new locations only to get stranded.

In the methodology of presentation of iQuolify, sample videos are available on the portal to aid users in the presentation of their resumes, which are then vetted for quality control before they go live on the platform. Recruiters can then find the sort of applicants they are looking for in categories that will be promoted on the portal.

A civil society solution, driven by Akin Fadeyi et al., that is designed to build a digital community for those offering and also those seeking professional work skills, iQuolify is a highly compelling innovation that would take migrants and other potential job-seekers from where they are, to where they want to be.

Ololade Bamidele is the Secretary of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


So the question is, in the mould of the fate of the Babalawo, could the North, which gave the ruling caste in the APC its feet and existential being, be the same key to the final denouement and resolution of the Nigerian dilemma with it? Will it be the death or dissonance of the APC, like children of the proverbial python that are fated to kill it?

The ongoing fight-to-finish for the positions of principal officers in the 10th National Assembly by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers has only one fitting corollary: It is the famous mythic, destructive squabble between the Shrew, the Squirrel and a seemingly impartial arbiter, the Tortoise. Unless carefully resolved, what appears to be a fancy of conquest by the APC, leading to the partys magisterial pronouncements of who would be its legislative Man Fridays, seems to have boomeranged full throttle at its teething stage. Only last week, the partys National Working Committee (NWC), in a peremptory, you-may-go-jump-inside-the-lagoon manner, announced its choice of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, as Senate president and Tajudeen Abbas as speaker of the House of Representatives. The NWC also diffidently announced the endorsement of Senator Barau Jubrin (North West) as deputy Senate president and Ben Kalu (South East) as deputy speaker of the House. Almost immediately, bedlam ensued and nearly spiralled out of control, with a rash of rebellious party aspirants for the same leadership positions springing up and openly disdaining the audacity of the partys top echelon to make such choices.

On a particular day in the animal world, the sun singed the flesh without any discrimination. Yet, none complained of the fury of nature. Like warm-blooded animals, which many of them were and whose bodies maintain a temperature higher than that of their environments, the marketplace exuded mirth and village camaraderie. The cast in the battle were the Tortoise, the Shrew and the Squirrel. As we know from legend, Tortoise, who is always the protagonist in much of traditional African mythology, especially the folktales, represents cunning, craftiness and deviousness; it always receives the short end of the stick in relationships with other animal species.

In this particular folktale, Tortoise is an entrepreneur which sells ceramics. Its craft, however, couldnt mask its cunning. As it sat this day in the marketplace minding its ceramic wares carefully displayed for the customers attention, the frightening noise of a market brawl suddenly breaks out. Shouting and screaming seizes the market. Perhaps looking for an outlet for their pent-up listlessness, resulting from non-sales the entire day, animals in the market run towards the place where the noise emanates from, leaving no one in charge of their stalls. They find the two protagonists involved in the rift wrestling each other with malicious ferociousness. It is Shrew and Squirrel, two animals whose stalls are adjacent to each other. The intensity of the fight continues unabated, even when the market community, comprising traders and their customers, attempts a separation of these animals which were hitherto friends. Realising that the brawlers brawn has grown relentless at every attempt to separate them, the peacemakers all retreat and watch for what would be the end of this atrocious tiff.

Tortoise is the last to rush to the scene. It has been engrossed with a customer seeking to buy a huge quantity of ceramics. Like all the others, it is stupefied by the needless fight. Yet, unlike the others, it has a preferred protagonist. Squirrel is its bosom friend and it finds its pummeling by Shrew, which it resents for its atrocious smell, really uncalled for. At first, Tortoise tries to separate them mildly but finding out that every effort he puts into this seems to lionise the duo, he heads for a nearby wood sellers shop and heaves out a huge plank which he begins to trash the Shrew with.

Miffed by the descent of Tortoise into the arena, Shrew leaves the subject of its grouse and angrily bites Tortoise on the nose, with its infamous vengeful venom. As it does this, it holds on to the Tortoises nose with its carnivorous teeth. As the pain sinks in, Tortoise begins to sing, Asin toun tokere, (Shrew and Squirrel), to which the onlookers reply in a chorus, Joo mi jo/Awon lo jo n ja (Were engaged in a fight)/Joo mi jo/Ija ree mo wa la (I came purposely to separate the fight)/Joo mi jo/lAsin ba bu mi nimu je (But the Shrew bit off my nose)/Joo mi jo/E gba mi lowo re (Please rescue me from him)/Joo mi jo/Awo mi n be loja (my ceramic wares are still in my stall)/Joo mi jo.

In spite of this dirge-like save-my-soul cry of Tortoise, Shrew holds on to its nose with its teeth until it finally yanks the patch of flesh from the skull, leaving only a pitiable stub. This encounter subsequently became a Yoruba mythological explanation of why, till date, when you see the Tortoise, the point where the Shrew bit off its nose is still apparent as a stub-like patch, necessitating it to speak in a nasal voice.

The APCs announcement of its principal officers provoked an apparently bottled up rage in the party; perhaps of the hue of the narrated animals tiff. It revealed the eternal nugget in that aphorism which says that, peace in a family can only be that of the graveyard, until the maturation of the bastard within. Within the APC is an assemblage of strange bedfellows united by ambitious pursuits, gluttony for spoils of politics, and dissimilar ideological standpoints. Resistance and opposition by both the new and returning legislators to the anointing of legislative leadership thus became a manifestation of this internal disease. Many of them felt miffed by the magisterial manner of the selection and the seeming act of playing God that was demonstrated by the incoming government, in concert with the partys executive council. The altruistic ones within the party believed that this was a surreptitious ploy by the APC to hijack the parliament; and that its first bayonet against the parliament was to impose leaders on it.

Given the unfolding drama in the internal politics of the APC, who among the actors would one label as the Shrew, the Tortoise and the Squirrel? What happens to the APC house with this standoff by a raging North that seems prepared for a Samson option if its entitlement in the National Assembly is not given it? Will the Shrew go for the nose of the wily Tortoise, which thinks it could surreptitiously descend into the arena?

Last Friday, at a meeting held by some leaders of the North, who claimed their membership was drawn from the 19 northern states, and rather than seek rapprochement, like the Tortoise they escalated the tiff between the Shrew and the Squirrel in the APC. In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, they demanded that the leadership of the National Assembly must go to the North. Their argument was that, since the South would, from 29 May, be in control of both the executive and the judiciary, the leadership of the legislature was the Norths entitlement, as well as key ministerial appointments.

Then, the group, in a communique read by Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, its chairman, and Dr Benjamin Izra Dikki, its secretary, gave a qualitative account of the Northern votes given to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, which to it was justification for the Norths demands. According to the the group, the percentage of votes across the six geo-political zones indicates that the North-West cast a total number of 2,652,235 votes for the APC, while the North-Central gave the part 1,742,993 and the North-East, 1,185,458 votes.

Then, the group translated this into percentages: The total contribution of the North was 63.5 per cent. As a counterpoise to this massive percentage, Muhammad-Baba said the President-elects home zone, the South-West, gave him a paltry 25.7% of the votes, while the South-South, where the APC chose its Senate presidential candidate from, gave the party a miserable 9.10% and the South-East, 1.45% of the votes. In summation, the North, the group said, demanded a fair share of ministerial and other appointments otherwise, the region is left with no option but to de-invest its support for the government and the party in subsequent elections.

Who then is the Shrew, the Tortoise or the Squirrel? Given the unfolding drama in the internal politics of the APC, who among the actors would one label as the Shrew, the Tortoise and the Squirrel? What happens to the APC house with this standoff by a raging North that seems prepared for a Samson option if its entitlement in the National Assembly is not given it? Will the Shrew go for the nose of the wily Tortoise, which thinks it could surreptitiously descend into the arena?

Two issues lend themselves for examination in the intra-party quarrel which the APC is currently embroiled in. One is that the leadership of the party must have been deliberately truculent in its pronouncement of who would head the 10th National Assembly. Did it do this to dare whoever? Granted that it has become the norm for a leading political party to consolidate its win by zoning the legislative leadership positions, the APC made an over-reach of its political muzzle by naming individuals, rather than zones, as potential beneficiaries of the leadership positions. While details and identities of particular individuals were usually kept to the chest of party apparatchik, in this instance, the APC hit its bare knuckle on the sword by daringly naming individuals close to its chest, who would occupy the offices. This provoked atrocious battles and unnecessary struggles to cancel one another out in the battle.

Immediately indicators pointed at Akpabio as favourite of the party for the Senate presidency, as usual the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suddenly discovered that he still had a sleaze charge hanging over him. Claiming to base its invitation on a 2015 petition by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong, alleging the theft of N108.1 billion of Akwa Ibom State funds by the shifty senator, the Commission apparently went into an inexplicable somnambulism, only to wake up immediately feelers of Akpabios candidature sprouted.

If the concept of separation of powers indeed undergirds the presidential system of government that Nigeria practices, how does one explain that a proposed executive will choose its sidekicks in the parliament, even before its ascension to office? It is akin to a compromised derby before its commencement. It is what landed Nigeria in the parliamentary cul-de-sac it is currently entrapped in. The outgoing leadership of Nigerias Ninth legislature is worse than a rubber stamp, and something in the periphery of a supine, babiala parliament, lacking colour, grit or acumen. It brings to mind the question: Why does Nigerias executive always salivate for the most bendable ensemble of lawmakers ever? Why is it averse to the rigour of scrutiny that parliaments, all over the world, offer democratic governance? Muhammadu Buhari, through the legislative accomplice role of the current National Assembly, has literally borrowed the skin off Nigerias hide in the last eight years. Yet, the zombies in Nigerias Ninth National Assembly, like plasticine, willingly offer self for the barbecue of Nigerias patrimony by a debt-thirsty titular.

One good thing that this squabble in the APC is doing is that, it may be an indication that the North is already beginning to get the short end of the stick and stewing in its own broth, the patent of which only it holds. Could the honeymoon have ended even before the consummation of the marriage between Tinubu and his Northern sponsors begin?

Again, the Northern group was merely being clever by half in its haphazard statistics. It is this it has used to push for why the next administration should cede the National Assembly to the region. By its open admittance, it is clear that some charlatans in the North see Nigeria as an inheritance and personal chattel that must be at their beck and call always. Not only are the rationale and logic of why the North must control the parliament very untenable and stomach-churning, they are highly opaque and impervious to critical thinking. Take, for instance, 2015. Then the North controlled the three arms of government. The executive had Buhari; the legislature had Bukola Saraki, from the North; and the judiciary was manned by Mahmoud Mohammed. In 2019 too, the judiciary was headed by Tanko Mohammed, who was in office between 2019 and 2022, before Justice Walter Onnoghen took over as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. During this period, the North again held tightly, jealously and inequitably to the three tiers of government. Yet, Nigeria did not quake. So, what is different if the North does not control the three arms of government this time around?

Second is that the statistics of Northern support for Tinubu being bandied by this group is very self-serving and misleading. Was the group referring to the margin of victory of the winner or the total number of votes cast for him? If the former is the issue, what should be at issue is the margin of votes given by the North to the two leading presidential candidates  Atiku Abubakar and Tinubu; that is, the differentials. The total number of votes is unrepresentative of the argument that is being proffered and gives an impression that the West did not vote massively for the APC candidate.

One good thing that this squabble in the APC is doing is that, it may be an indication that the North is already beginning to get the short end of the stick and stewing in its own broth, the patent of which only it holds. Could the honeymoon have ended even before the consummation of the marriage between Tinubu and his Northern sponsors begin? I find a fitting corollary to this self-destructive quest and the fate of both parties in the mythical history of Ibadan. Legendary writer, Professor Femi Osofisan, told the story in his offering entitled, Ibadan and the two hundred snails in the book, Ibadan Mesiogo: A Celebration of a City, Its History and People (2001).

As Osofisan narrated, the warrior, Lagelu, who was one of the first groups of settlers in Ibadan, sought the divinitys say on the prospect of his newfound land. To do this, he summoned a Babalawo to consult the Creator. The nuts, goes the narrative, were cast and Ifa counseled the adoption of Oke Ibadan as the tutelary deity. Then, as he cast the sacred nuts the second time, the Babalawo pronounced the sacrifice of 200 snails, which were to be scattered in various directions of the town, saying, Creep on as far as you can, and that is as far as the town will also grow! Myth says this explains the phenomenal growth of Ibadan today.

However, Osofisan failed to include the other rendering of the myth. The Babalawo was a hunchback and included in the list of sacrifice he divined was a hunchback, who would offer a seal on the rituals. The hunchback would be killed for the prosperity of Ibadan. However, this selfsame Babalawo was the only hunchback in the town. So, when Lagelu and his group came back to report to the Babalawo that all had been gathered in preparation for the rituals, he asked them if the completion of the ingredients included everything, to which they answered in the affirmative. However, the moment he told them how they were going to perform the sacrifice, the men held the hunchback Babalawo by the scruff of his wrapper, turned his head anti-clockwise and killed him, to be offered as part of the sacrifice. As he lay dying, he was said to have cursed Ibadan that amity would be a rarity in its fold. In memory of this Babalawo, the Yoruba couched a pithy saying to capture his travails: Babalawo alakiki tan ti kira e mofa, meaning, the over-chanting Babalawo who chanted himself into a ritual sacrifice.

So the question is, in the mould of the fate of the Babalawo, could the North, which gave the ruling caste in the APC its feet and existential being, be the same key to the final denouement and resolution of the Nigerian dilemma with it? Will it be the death or dissonance of the APC, like children of the proverbial python that are fated to kill it?

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Politicians have learnt to turn election dispute resolution into auditions for the shifting of judicial deck chairs. First they rig elections in order to get the opportunity to rig the courts with judges ready to help them to validate rigged elections. That is the legacy of the unspoken antecedents of Awolowo v. Shagari.

On 17 August, 1980, the 6th Commonwealth Law Conference convened in Lagos, then capital of Nigeria. After the arrival courtesies were dispensed with, it fell upon Shehu Shagari, civilian president of Nigeria, then in office for ten-and-a-half months, to declare the conference open. The keynote speaker was Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and leader of the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), who had rundesperately close to President Shagari in the contest for Nigerias presidency only one year before.

That contest ended up being decided by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a judgment memorably described as being a compromise between law and political expediency. At the head of the bench that decided the case was Atanda Fatayi-Williams, at the time the Chief Justice of Nigeria. As famous as the judgment would become, its antecedents arguably proved to be more lasting in their influence on Nigerias politics and institutions.

The relevant part of the story begins on 16 August, 1979, when the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), headed by Michael Ani, announced Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as the winning candidate in the elections to return Nigeria to civil rule. Three of the five presidential candidates in the contest repudiated the result, setting up what would become an epic election dispute. Obafemi was one of the three.

The Electoral Act of 1979, under which the vote took place, anticipated that there could be a dispute and conferred on the Supreme Court the jurisdiction for final decision making on disputes concerning the presidential election. The panel to hear the disputes were to be led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, but the then incumbent, Sir Darnley Alexander, was due to retire on 24 August, 1979, a mere eight days after the announcement of the result and well before the Supreme Court was due to begin hearing the presidential election dispute.

Three days before the retirement date of Chief Justice Darnley Alexander, on 21 August, 1979, then military Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, an army general, requested to meet Atanda Fatayi-Williams, then a Justice of the Supreme Court, at the seat of power in Dodan Barracks, Lagos. At the meeting, Obasanjo offered Fatayi-Williams the office of Chief Justice in succession to Sir Darnley.

In his memoirs, Faces, Cases, and Places published in 1983, Fatayi-Williams claimed that this offer was totally unexpected, and, for the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words, adding that Obasanjo watched my discomfiture with relish and delight.

In 2008 and in 2019, judges who sat on controversial presidential election petitions in election years, enjoyed quick judicial elevation from the parties in whose favour they decided. Also in 2019, a Chief Justice was sacked ostensibly because he could not be trusted to determine the presidential election petitions in a predictable way, in the manner that his would be successor could.

Some of his peers on the Supreme Court were not so sure about this. Fatayi-Williams was admitted to the Bar of the Middle Temple in London in 1948, one year after Chukwunweike Idigbe and three years later than Dr Egbert Udo Udoma, both of whom were his peers in the Supreme Court. Fatayi-Williams was from Lagos, Idigbe came from the then Mid-West, while Udo Udoma came from the then South Eastern State. Idigbe became a judge in 1961, before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 1964. His service at the Supreme Court was, however, fractured by the Nigerian Civil War.

Udo Udoma, who also became a judge in 1961, had enjoyed a career as a lawyer, minorities rights activist, campaigner, politician, and federal legislator, before being appointed a judge in 1961. Two years later, in 1963, he became Chief Justice of Uganda, with the understanding that upon the end of his tenure in the East African country, he would return to a position on Nigerias Supreme Court. This came to pass in 1968, when General Yakubu Gowon appointed him a Justice of the Supreme Court. Atanda Fatayi-Williams arrived the Court in 1969, as junior to Udo Udoma and, strictly speaking, to Idigbe.

In his memoirs, The Eagle in Flight, Udo Udoma recalls that upon the retirement of Chief Justice Adetokunbo Ademola in 1972, the then ruling Supreme Military Council considered five names for appointment to replace him, namely: Professor Taslim Elias, who was then the attorney-general of the federation; John Idowu Conrad Taylor, then chief justice of Lagos (as the office was then known); Dr George Baptist Ayodola Coker, justice of the Supreme Court; Frederik Rotimi Alade Williams, a senior lawyer in private practice; and Udo Udoma himself. Fatayi-Williams was notably not in the running. In the event, the military preferred Taslim Elias, who had served them well as attorney-general.

When a new military regime relieved Elias of the position in July 1975, they settled for Sir Darnley Alexander, until then a little known Chief Judge of the South Eastern State, whom Udo Udoma had recommended for that office.

In 1979, the stakes in the appointment of the Chief Justice were very high: the presidency of Nigeria could depend on it. Udo Udoma, who lived with medically induced disabilities, writes in his memoirs that Justice Fatayi-Williams, then also a Justice of the Supreme Court, registered a solemn protest on the ground that he saw no reason why I (Udo Udoma) should be given such a high post as the Chief Justice of Nigeria despite the fact that I was an amputee. He felt strongly that the SMC under the leadership of a Yoruba man like himself would not be justified to ignore him who then had no handicap. He then contacted several Yoruba men, including Chief SL Edu, to contact General Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State to plead his case.

Continuing, Udo Udoma records that these intrigues succeeded and he was preferred to me because, in his representation, he was able to convince General Olusegun Obasanjo that since Alhaji Shehu Shagari as a Hausa-Fulani, was contesting the office of President of Nigeria and had chosen Dr. Ekwueme, an Igbo man, as his running mate as Vice-President, both of whom were likely to win, then the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria ought to be filled by himself, a Yoruba man, especially as Chief Obafemi Awolowo was sure to lose the election.

Those interested in following the fate of the presidential election petitions whose consideration is ongoing in Abuja, Nigerias Federal Capital, may wish to remember that there are currently only thirteen serving Justices of the Supreme Court, which leaves the court with eight vacancies to be filled by a new government.

Udo Udoma published these lines in 2008, some 28 years after Obafemi Awolowos keynote to the Commonwealth Law Conference in 1980. In that address, Chief Awolowo alleged that the appointment of Fatayi-Williams to the office of chief justice in 1979 came with an implicit bargain concerning the determination of the election petition of that year. He also claimed that days before the Supreme Court announced the decision on 26 September 1979, Chief Justice Atanda Fatayi-Williams leaked the decision of the Court to General Obasanjo, who desired to be reassured that he could proceed with the inauguration date of 1 October 1979 as planned.

Nearly all the protagonists involved in this story are no longer alive and their stories are hidden away in books, whose existence most Nigerians do not know about. The only one alive, General Obasanjo, an otherwise prolific author, has not held forth on these issues. The full facts of what transpired may never be known publicly.

In 2008 and in 2019, judges who sat on controversial presidential election petitions in election years, enjoyed quick judicial elevation from the parties in whose favour they decided. Also in 2019, a Chief Justice was sacked ostensibly because he could not be trusted to determine the presidential election petitions in a predictable way, in the manner that his would be successor could. What seems clear is that since 1979, judicial appointments and decision making in election petitions have always enjoyed a relationship underpinned by a whiff of quid pro quo.

Those interested in following the fate of the presidential election petitions whose consideration is ongoing in Abuja, Nigerias Federal Capital, may wish to remember that there are currently only thirteen serving Justices of the Supreme Court, which leaves the court with eight vacancies to be filled by a new government.

Politicians have learnt to turn election dispute resolution into auditions for the shifting of judicial deck chairs. First they rig elections in order to get the opportunity to rig the courts with judges ready to help them to validate rigged elections. That is the legacy of the unspoken antecedents of Awolowo v. Shagari.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


How does a king begin to redress centuries of injustice in this modern era when he is no longer the chief executive of state? If the king is interested in some form of reparation to former colonies (including the return of their artefacts and precious stones), he knows how to deploy his soft power to achieve his goal. That is why Providence made him understudy his mum for seven decades.

Congratulations, King Charles III. The whole world literally stood still as the major networks of the globe tuned to Westminster to report the incredible cultural spectacle of your coronation. The global community felicitated as one family with the United Kingdom, gluing its eyes to the show stopper.

Before God and man, Charles III ascended the throne of his forebears, assuming the position of King of England and the commonwealth realms. He is head of state of fifteen sovereign states  the United Kingdom, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

In addition, there are also three Crown Dependencies, fourteen British Overseas Territories and two small associated states of New Zealand: the Cook Islands and Niue. Although the British empire expired a long time ago, the British monarch still has some kind of imperial reach and significance for many people outside his immediate geographic location.

The multicultural dimension of the reach of the English throne was aptly showcased during the coronation rites. The choice of officiating personnel was thoughtful and representative. Ancient rites were incorporated into the modern ceremony with a seamless gliding between traditional superstition, as encapsulated in the idea of the globe, and Christianity, which is the religion of state. Kudos to the British for staging a first class spectacle.

There is something fascinating about culture. Any culture. When closely observed, one finds incredible similarities between peoples; one discovers, too, that the essential hypocrisies that separate the royal from the plebeian are basically the same, especially when both are beneficiaries of historic injustices. You torture no one but yourself when you attempt to use the measuring rod of morality to assess thrones and their occupants. If tempted to do so, remember the wise counsel of the toad: leave me out of any tale where tails are mentioned.

The beginning of every reign marks the birth of another era, for good or for ill. Fate is an inveterate teaser. It taunts us with possibilities. Will the new king surpass his long-reigned mother, Elizabeth II, in royal housekeeping, to ensure that the mystique surrounding the House of Windsor is not completely eroded and the sheer nakedness of the royals exposed?

In todays world, it is not quite possible for any king to replicate the power and reach of Genghis Khan (ca. 11621227), whose Mongolian Empire spanned the entire Asian continent from the Pacific Ocean to modern-day Hungary in Europe. It was the largest empire ever, and the emperor had a large appetite for cruelty, conquest and destruction.

Neither is the kind of serial adultery and single-minded infamy that characterised the reign of Henry VIII permissible now. But, given its history and circumstances, the coronation had its own string of ironies.

How does a king begin to redress centuries of injustice in this modern era when he is no longer the chief executive of state? One of the moral scandals of modern governance is the fact that slave owners were compensated for agreeing to release their slaves during the Abolition, while the slaves themselves, who had suffered the dehumanisation, have never been compensated to this day.

One couldnt help remembering that the coronation was happening in a church created by King Henry VIII when the Pope refused to allow him take another wife, after his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon. In retaliation, he broke away from the Catholic church and formed the Church of England, of which he was head. He was therefore technically able to give himself permission to do as he willed. In the end, he married six wives in the following order: Catherine of Aragon (the mother of the future queen Mary I), Anne Boleyn (the mother of the future queen Elizabeth I), Jane Seymour (the mother of Henrys successor, Edward VI), Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

One must notice, too, the storied matrimonial circumstances of the new king and queen, who are both divorcees. In another age and time, that would have counted against them, but if anyone needed evidence that some aspects of the monarchy were moving with the times, there it is.

Perhaps, Edward VIII who abdicated the throne in order to marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and became known as the Duke of Windsor, would feel vindicated in his grave. His abdication speech still resounds around the world: I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love

The British establishment seems to have now come to terms with the contemporaneous trend, which is more libertarian: Marrying for love cannot be demonised. Moralists can eat their hearts out.

Symbolism aside, Charles III is ascending the throne at a time of great turmoil in the world, especially in Africa where the iniquitous policies of British colonialists of yore continue to fuel conflicts in the region. Many analysts argue that the main reasons for Africas poverty are the slave trade and British colonial exploitation. As head of state, the English monarch is a principal beneficiary of the wholesale looting of the African continent and the dehumanisation of the people.

How does a king begin to redress centuries of injustice in this modern era when he is no longer the chief executive of state? One of the moral scandals of modern governance is the fact that slave owners were compensated for agreeing to release their slaves during the Abolition, while the slaves themselves, who had suffered the dehumanisation, have never been compensated to this day.

To achieve its aims on the African continent, the British unleashed many atrocities in every direction of the compass  the Mau-Mau uprising (1952), in which historian Caroline Elkins believes up to 100,000 could have died; the Iva Valley Massacre in Enugu; the Aba womens riot in 1929; Sotik Massacre in Kenya (1905); Chilembwe uprising in Malawi (1915); and the countless atrocities in Southern Africa. There are also numerous unedifying tales from Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Liberia and other countries where British colonialism once held sway. In Asia, between 12 and 29 million Indians died of starvation under the control of the British Empire.

It may be convenient to have historical amnesia but the truth must be told. Britain financed its Industrial Revolution and prosperity from the looting of Africa and Asia. The coronation itself was, in a way, a sad reminder of how the English monarchy appropriated gems from Africa and Asia to adorn its crown.

St. Edwards Crown worn by King Charles III is made of 22-carat gold and 444 precious and semiprecious stones, including 345 rose-cut aquamarines, 37 white topaz, 27 tourmalines, 12 rubies, seven amethysts, six sapphires, two jargoons, one garnet, one spinel and one carbuncle.

St. Edwards Crown worn by King Charles III is made of 22-carat gold and 444 precious and semiprecious stones, including 345 rose-cut aquamarines, 37 white topaz, 27 tourmalines, 12 rubies, seven amethysts, six sapphires, two jargoons, one garnet, one spinel and one carbuncle.

In the same vein, Queen Camilla wore Queen Marys crown, which has a gold-lined silver frame and 2,200 diamonds. In response to serious opposition by cultural and political activists from India, Iran and other countries, the crown did not feature the infamous Koh-i-Noor diamond, a 105.6-carat stone mined in India with a long, disputed history, that is seen as a symbol of the United Kingdoms looting past. It was reportedly fitted instead with Elizabeth IIs Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds originally from South Africa.

For those of us in the former colonies, therefore, the coronation of King Charles evoked a potpourri of emotions. Parts of the ceremony looked like slices of the coronation of the Olu of Warri in Nigerias Delta State, despite the differences in race, history, culture , etc.

And, like in Africa, there was the sub-text of royal intrigues and gossips, with some members of the royal family and their plebeian media pugilists doing their damnedest to further drive a wedge between the royal family and the estranged Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. Theres no shortage of hate and ill-will out there.

One former Labour minister and diarist, Chris Mullin, suggests that Meghan Markle is a cuckoo in the royal nest and her woke Californian hang-ups are likely to destroy her marriage to Prince Harry, and the Duke of Sussex will come limping home. Talk about taking analgesic for another persons migraine! Calvin Miller must have had people like Mullin in mind when he famously said, Humanity is fickle. They may dress for a morning coronation and never feel the need to change clothes for an execution in the afternoon.

Back to the question: How does a king begin to redress centuries of injustice in this modern era when he is no longer the chief executive of state? If the king is interested in some form of reparation to former colonies (including the return of their artefacts and precious stones), he knows how to deploy his soft power to achieve his goal. That is why Providence made him understudy his mum for seven decades.

If God saves the king as the British Anthem prays, He probably will have mercy on the kingdom too. So let it be with Charles III.

Wole Olaoye is a public relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BEIJING, May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: The China-Central Asia Summit will be held on May 18 and 19 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province. It will be chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping and attended by heads of state of five Central Asian countries.

It will be the first major diplomatic event that China hosts this year and the first in-person summit among the heads of state of the six countries over the 31 years since China established diplomatic relations with these countries. It is of milestone significance in the history of the relations between China and Central Asian countries.

This Summit will help draw a new blueprint for China-Central Asia relations and open up a new era for cooperation between the two sides. It will inject new impetus into building a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future and contribute positive energy to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

"No matter how the international landscape may evolve or how developed China may grow, China will always remain a good neighbor, a good partner, a good friend, and a good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and count on," said Xi when chairing the Virtual Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Central Asian Countries in January last year.

Over the past 10 years, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, cooperation between China and Central Asia has achieved a series of historic and groundbreaking outcomes.

Last year, the heads of state of the six countries jointly announced the building of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future, and the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism came into being.

Today, China has established comprehensive strategic partnerships and signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all the five Central Asian countries. Bilateral strategic mutual trust has reached a new level; mutually beneficial cooperation has gained new impetus; friendly exchanges have entered a new stage; and China-Central Asia relations and regional development have shown unprecedented vitality.

The key to the successful cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries lies in their abiding commitment to mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times, and mutual benefit. These four principles are a political guarantee for the steady and sustained growth of China's relations with Central Asian countries and a source of inspiration for China and Central Asian countries to further advance friendly exchanges.

Central Asia is where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was firstly proposed, as well as one of the regions that have reaped the early fruits of the initiative.

Over the past 10 years since the BRI was proposed, China and the five Central Asian countries have actively synergized their development strategies and achieved fruitful results in the high-quality construction of the BRI.

A series of major projects have been completed, including the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline, the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway, and the China-Tajikistan highway. The China-Europe Railway Express which runs through Central Asia has seen rapid growth.

China and Central Asia have jointly built an all-round and multi-dimensional connectivity network that covers roads, railways, air routes and oil and gas pipelines, which not only contributes to the upgrading of industries, connectivity and livelihood in Central Asian countries, but also lays a solid foundation for safeguarding industrial and supply chains in Eurasia.

The China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, characterized by openness and transparency, mutual benefit, equality, reciprocity and real results, is a new format of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.

China believes that efforts shall be focused on promoting cooperation in priority areas such as transportation, economy, trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy, customs, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to build an all-round, multi-tiered and multi-dimensional sub-regional cooperation pattern.

This conforms to the demands of Central Asian countries and the trend of regional integration, and has been widely responded by relevant parties.

The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries said the Central Asia-China cooperation has played an important role in consolidating strategic mutual trust, accelerating their respective development, promoting connectivity and safeguarding common security, and has set an example of mutually beneficial cooperation among countries. They believe the China-Central Asia Summit will open a new chapter of Central Asia-China relations and provide new opportunities for Central Asian countries' transformation and promote the region's influence.

As an ancient Chinese adage goes, "With one heart and one mind, we can accomplish everything we aspire for." To promote the well-being of the people of the six countries, the China-Central Asia Summit will surely make new contributions to a brighter future for the relations between China and Central Asian countries and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

SOURCE People's Daily
BEIJING, May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After receiving a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Omani artist Saud Al Hunaini said he felt overwhelmed with pride and happiness.

"It was an incredible honor," he recalled.

Days earlier, with nostalgia from beautiful days spent in China, Al Hunaini wrote a letter to Xi along with over 50 famous Arab artists after visiting China under the "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" program.

Al Hunaini and his peers talked about what they gained from and how they were inspired by their unforgettable trips to China in the joint letter to Xi. They mentioned impressive China's natural and cultural beauty, as well as the wonderful experience of working together with Chinese artists during the trips.

In his reply, Xi encouraged them to create more artworks that reflect China-Arab friendship, and make new contributions that enhance friendship between their people.

"I was deeply grateful that President Xi had taken the time to respond to our letter," Al Hunaini told the Global Times. The reply "was an acknowledgement of the importance of promoting cultural and humanitarian ties between China and Arab nations," he added.

Al Hunaini said that in Xi's reply letter, he was mostly impressed by Xi's vision of respecting the diversity of civilizations and enhancing mutual learning between different cultures. "It was a reminder that our shared humanity is greater than our differences, and that by working together, we can build a better world for all," he noted.

Some other co-authors of the letter also shared with the Global Times their excitement at receiving Xi's reply. They said the letter inspired them to make continuous efforts in promoting exchanges between the Chinese and Arab cultures.

Lebanese artist Nizar Daher said Xi's reply was a "great encouragement for Arab artists to interact and to meet Chinese artists through the Silk Roads."

"That has been instrumental in stimulating encounters and working to build a better tomorrow, and peace and friendship among the Chinese, Arab, and Lebanese societies," said Daher.

After receiving Xi's reply, Egyptian artist Hala Elsharouny said she was deeply honored and appreciative.

"I fell in love with China," Elsharouny told the Global Times. "I am planning to learn the [Chinese] language in the future."

Fond memories in China

In 2009, the "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" program held by Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism was launched and has since invited more than 170 artists from 22 Arab countries to visit China.

These visits have inspired the Arab artists to create 487 artworks in the form of painting, sculpture, and ceramic art with Chinese elements, according the ministry's data.

China-Arab relations are now at a new historical starting point, Xi said in the letter, voicing his hope that more artists will visit China and create, using their exquisite skills, more artworks that can promote cultural exchanges, according to Xinhua.

Culture can connect hearts, and art can interlink the world, Xi noted. Some artists reached by the Global Times said that Xi's reply letter reminded them of their fond memories of days spent in this remote and beautiful Eastern country.

Al Hunaini has been to various Chinese cities through "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" visits both in 2009 and 2019. China's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes left a lasting impression on him.

He praised Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province as one of the most beautiful destinations he'd visited during his trips to China. "I was impressed by the picturesque West Lake, which is surrounded by lush green hills and dotted with traditional Chinese pagodas and temples," he recalled. "The scenery was breathtaking, and I was struck by the tranquility of the place."

Al Hunaini highlighted Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple, saying it "had a significant impact" on his art. "The intricate carvings and sculptures of Buddha and the serene atmosphere of the temple complex inspired me to use traditional Chinese colors, such as red, black, and gold, in the decorations and designs of the temple," he told the Global Times.

Having been to China numerous times, Daher said he was particularly impressed by ancient Chinese architecture, which he believes has the fragrance and greatness of history. "I visited the Great Wall on each one of my trips to China," he said.

China's natural beauty also provided inspiration for Daher's artwork. During his visits to the Chinese provinces rich in natural landscapes such as green forests, Daher said he discovered multi-colored and gradient greenery from the warmest of greens to the coolest. "Undoubtedly, a certain magical haze influenced my paintings after my visit to China," he joked.

Apart from picturesque sceneries, the kindness and warmth of Chinese people also left a deep impress on many artists.

Elsharouny, who said she loves connecting with local people to learn about their daily lives during her visits, told the Global Times that in China she usually walked around, sat with people she didn't know and had a cup of tea with them. Scenes of local residents enjoying life, such as sharing food together on a round table, or playing mahjong after a hard day at work, were some of the most beautiful moments in her China trips.

"I was surprised by their hospitality, and how everyone there wanted to help us," said Elsharouny. "What a beautiful people. I've learned a lot from them."

Envoys of cultural exchanges

From the beginning of the ancient Silk Road to the Belt and Road cooperation, exchanges between the Chinese and Arab civilizations have spanned thousands of years with mutual appreciation, writing a historical legacy of mutual learning, Xi said in the reply letter to the Arab artists.

Culture and art are essential bridges for the two great civilizations to further promote exchanges between their peoples, and the Arab artists who introduced China with their artworks are envoys that contribute to the construction of cultural bridges, noted observers.

Some artists told the Global Times that they are actively devoted to the promotion of Arab-China cultural exchanges.

Moroccan artist Khalid El Bekay said that he is likely to launch a workshop in Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province later this year, "maybe in June," he said.

Daher, who is also a professor from the Department of Fine Arts at Lebanese University and President of the syndicate of Lebanese Fine Artists, said he held an exhibition of Chinese art posters and folklore at the Lebanese Academy of Art in 2018 in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy.

He also made a proposal to the Ambassador of China to Lebanon to hold a Chinese cultural week at the UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Palace at the Ministry of Culture in Lebanon.

To many people in the Arab world, China is no longer a distant and unfamiliar Eastern country with the improvement of mutual understanding. They know a little Chinese culture, have heard about or use some Chinese products, and may be curious about people's lives there.

"Many Moroccan [friends] usually ask me about my [travelling] experiences in China," said El Bekay.

Al Hunaini said there are many people around him who are interested in Chinese culture and products, particularly Chinese cuisine, language, and traditional arts such as calligraphy and painting; "they have gained popularity in recent years."

On this basis, Al Hunaini believes there is potential for further collaboration between China and Arab countries, in not only art and culture, but also in broader fields including trade, technology, and education.

"By fostering greater mutual understanding and cooperation, we can build stronger relationships between our two civilizations and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world," he noted.

In March, Xi proposed the Global Civilization Initiative at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting. As another important public good provided to the world, the initiative advocates for the respect of the diversity of civilizations and the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusivity, and promotes the strengthening of international people-to-people exchanges that foster mutual understanding.

The Global Civilization Initiative is a great step toward building stronger cultural ties between different civilizations, noted Al Hunaini.

The initiative encourages dialogue, mutual learning, and cooperation among countries and civilizations, which is essential for building a harmonious and inclusive global community, Al Hunaini added. "Its emphasis that mutual respect and understanding of different civilizations can help break down cultural barriers and promote peace and prosperity in the world."

"I believe that, by strengthening our ties, we can create a more prosperous and harmonious future for both China and Arab countries," he told the Global Times.

SOURCE Global Times
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks Sunday with his German counterpart at the start of his first visit to Germany since Russia's invasion, with Berlin offering emphatic support in the form of a huge new military package.

"Already in Berlin," Zelensky wrote on Twitter. "Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security."

Zelensky's trip comes as Kyiv is preparing a much-anticipated counter-offensive and follows a day of meetings in Rome with Italian leaders and Pope Francis.

Ukrainian forces have been training a new contingent of forces and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.

Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become a major contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems.

Zelensky was greeted by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Palace where he signed the guestbook before the pair headed into talks.

The Ukrainian leader's schedule for Germany has not yet been officially confirmed but he is expected to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz later Sunday.

He may also head to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize -- an honour awarded for efforts to foster European unity.

Bild daily said Zelensky's flight to Aachen on a German government plane would be secured by the air force.

Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are due to attend the ceremony in Aachen.

A meeting with the European leaders could help prepare the ground ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik next Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan.

"Historical shame"

Zelensky's visit rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Germany, which is now one of Ukraine's biggest armaments suppliers, but only after much pressure from Kyiv.

In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones.

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

"This is why Germany will supply all the help that it can, for as long as necessary," he said.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame".

Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky.

Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country.

Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine.

As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital.

High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, Bundeswehr chief Carsten Breuer had confirmed during his recent trip to Ukraine.

The medium-range Iris-T missile defence system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes, Kyiv has said.

"Reborn stronger"

On the front line, near the eastern flashpoint town of Bakhmut, both sides claimed to be making progress.

"Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on social media.

Russia said its forces were still pushing inside Bakhmut.

"In the Donetsk direction, assault detachments liberated a block in the northwestern part of the city of Artemovsk," the defence ministry said, referring to Bakhmut by its Russian name.

Western allies have delivered increasingly powerful weapons to Ukraine. Britain this week announced it was sending Storm Shadow missiles, becoming the first country to send longer-range arms to Kyiv.

Russia described it as "an extremely hostile step" and on Saturday accused Kyiv of using the British missiles to target civilian sites in eastern Ukraine, and wounding six children.

In Rome, Zelensky said he discussed with Pope Francis the fate of "tens of thousands of children" that Kyiv says were deported to Russia, as well as his plans for peace.

Zelensky also thanked Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "for helping to save lives".

"I am convinced that Ukraine will win and be reborn stronger, more proud and more prosperous than before," said Meloni in response.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Brings together two premier energy infrastructure businesses with strong returns on invested capital and diverse free cash flow generation

Expect to achieve immediate financial benefits, including cost, operational and tax synergies, supporting meaningful expected accretion

Compelling long-term value proposition driven by consistent and disciplined capital allocation philosophy

Complementary and diversified asset positions with potential for additional cost and commercial synergies over time

Strong investment-grade credit ratings with enhanced scale and diversification

TULSA, Okla., May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) ("ONEOK") and Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) ("Magellan") today announced that they have executed a definitive merger agreement under which ONEOK will acquire all outstanding units of Magellan in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $18.8 billion including assumed debt, resulting in a combined company with a total enterprise value of $60.0 billion. The consideration will consist of $25.00 in cash and 0.6670 shares of ONEOK common stock for each outstanding Magellan common unit, representing a current implied value to each Magellan unitholder of $67.50 per unit, for a 22% premium, based on May 12, 2023 closing prices.

STRATEGIC RATIONALE:

Brings together two premier energy infrastructure businesses with strong returns on invested capital and diverse free cash flow generation: The transaction adds a leading, and primarily fee-based, refined products and crude oil transportation business to ONEOK. Magellan's stable, primarily demand-driven businesses are expected to generate significant free cash flow due to low capital expenditure requirements. This acquisition creates a more resilient energy infrastructure company that is expected to produce stable cash flows through diverse commodity cycles.

Expect to achieve immediate financial benefits, including cost, operational and tax synergies, supporting meaningful expected accretion: The transaction is expected to be earnings per share (EPS) accretive beginning in 2024 with EPS accretion of 3% to 7% per year from 2025 through 2027, and free cash flow per share accretion averaging more than 20% from 2024 through 2027. Base forecasted synergies are expected to total at least $200 million annually.



From a tax perspective, ONEOK expects to benefit from the step-up in Magellan's tax basis from the transaction, thus deferring the expected impact of the new corporate alternative minimum tax from 2024 to 2027. The benefit from the basis step-up has an estimated total value of approximately $3.0 billion , which has an estimated net present value of approximately $1.5 billion . Utilization of expected tax attributes could increase if additional capital projects are put into service or acquisitions are completed, which may increase the net present value of future tax deferrals.

Compelling long-term value proposition driven by consistent and disciplined capital allocation philosophy: The combined company is expected to experience a step change in free cash flow after dividends and growth capital by generating an average annual amount of approximately $1.0 billion in the first four years following the expected transaction close. The increase in free cash flow will provide additional cash for debt reduction, growth capital and value returned to shareholders through dividends and/or repurchasing shares. ONEOK remains committed to growing both EPS and its common dividend while targeting a payout ratio of less than 85%.

Complementary and diversified asset positions with potential for additional cost and commercial synergies over time: The combined company will own more than 25,000 miles of liquids-oriented pipelines, with significant assets and operational expertise at the Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent market hubs. ONEOK anticipates this combined liquids-focused portfolio will present significant potential for enhanced customer product offerings and increased international export opportunities. We believe these activities could potentially result in total annual transaction synergies exceeding $400 million within two to four years.

Strong investment-grade credit ratings with enhanced scale and diversification: The combined company expects pro-forma 2024 year-end net debt-to-EBITDA of approximately 4.0 times. ONEOK expects leverage to decrease below 3.5 times by 2026 as future growth projects are placed in service. Excluding certain large projects that have not yet received a final investment decision from the expected net debt-to-EBITDA calculation would accelerate the timeframe to achieve 3.5 times by approximately one year.

CEO PERSPECTIVE:

"ONEOK has a long history and track record of being at the forefront of transformational transactions. The combination of ONEOK and Magellan will create a diversified North American midstream infrastructure company with predominately fee-based earnings, a strong balance sheet and significant financial flexibility focused on delivering essential energy products and services to our customers and continued strong returns to investors," said Pierce H. Norton II, ONEOK president and chief executive officer. "Our expanded products platform will present further opportunities in our core businesses as well as enhance our ability to participate in the ongoing energy transformation with an increased presence in sustainable fuel and hydrogen corridors. We are excited about the future of our combined companies and look forward to welcoming Magellan's well-respected employees to ONEOK," added Norton.

"Throughout more than 20 years as a publicly traded company, Magellan has remained focused on safe and responsible operations, financial discipline and long-term investor value. We believe ONEOK shares these priorities, and we are pleased to join them in creating a stronger, more diversified midstream company," said Aaron Milford, Magellan president and chief executive officer. "We believe the premium offered maximizes value creation for Magellan's unitholders and reflects the essential nature of Magellan's assets and service offerings as well as the quality of our talented and innovative employees. This transaction provides a significant upfront cash component and an opportunity for Magellan investors to benefit from the attractive cash dividend offered by the combined company going forward."

TRANSACTION DETAILS:

Magellan will be merged into a newly created 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK.

Each Magellan unitholder will receive $25.00 in cash and 0.6670 shares of ONEOK stock per unit. This represents a 22% premium to the Magellan closing price on May 12, 2023.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023 and has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies. ONEOK has secured $5.25 billion in fully committed bridge financing for the proposed cash consideration. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approvals of both ONEOK shareholders and Magellan unitholders, as well as Hart Scott Rodino Act clearance.

Following the close of the transaction, Pierce Norton will continue to serve as chief executive officer of the combined company. ONEOK intends to seek and nominate one or two director(s) serving on the board of Magellan's general partner.

TAX IMPLICATIONS:

The transaction will be a taxable event for Magellan unitholders and will cause ONEOK to have a step-up in tax basis approximately equal to the aggregate purchase price of Magellan units and Magellan debt assumed (approximately $18.8 billion). The premium and cash portion of the consideration may assist with potential tax implications for Magellan unitholders occurring from this transaction. This transaction is expected to defer significant corporate cash tax liability into future periods for the combined entity.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

ONEOK's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, along with Magellan's chief executive officer, will host a conference call on Monday, May 15 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (7:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time) to discuss the transaction.

To participate in the telephone conference call, dial 877-883-0383, entry number 9948090 or log on to ONEOK's Investor Relations website https://ir.oneok.com/ under "Events & Presentations" or Magellan's website at www.magellanlp.com/investors/webcasts.aspx.

A replay will be made available on both websites for seven days and may be accessed at 877-344-7529, access code 4668799.

TRANSACTION PRESENTATION:

Additional information that will be discussed on the conference call is accessible by selecting the link below.

https://ir.oneok.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations

ADVISORS:

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to ONEOK and Goldman Sachs Bank USA is providing fully committed bridge financing. BofA Securities and TPH&Co., the energy business of Perella Weinberg Partners, also advised ONEOK. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as ONEOK's legal advisor.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Magellan. Latham & Watkins LLP and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. are acting as Magellan's legal advisors.

ABOUT ONEOK:

ONEOK, Inc. (pronounced ONE-OAK) (NYSE: OKE) is a leading midstream service provider and owns one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, connecting NGL supply in the Rocky Mountain, Permian and Mid-Continent regions with key market centers and owns an extensive network of gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage assets. More information is available at www.oneok.com.

ONEOK is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

ABOUT MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS:

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) is a publicly traded partnership that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil. Magellan owns the longest refined petroleum products pipeline system in the country, with access to nearly 50% of the nation's refining capacity, and can store more than 100 million barrels of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and crude oil. More information is available at www.magellanlp.com.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT:

In connection with the proposed merger (the "Proposed Transaction") between ONEOK and Magellan, ONEOK intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to register the shares of ONEOK's common stock to be issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction. The Registration Statement will include a document that serves as a prospectus of ONEOK and joint proxy statement of ONEOK and Magellan (the "joint proxy statement/prospectus"), and each party will file other documents regarding the Proposed Transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ONEOK AND MAGELLAN ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY READ, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY ONEOK AND MAGELLAN WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ONEOK AND MAGELLAN, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, THE RISKS RELATED THERETO AND RELATED MATTERS.

After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of ONEOK and unitholders of Magellan. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as each may be amended from time to time, and other relevant documents filed by ONEOK and Magellan with the SEC (when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by ONEOK, including the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available), will be available free of charge from ONEOK's website at www.oneok.com under the "Investors" tab. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Magellan, including the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available), will be available free of charge from Magellan's website at www.magellanlp.com under the "Investors" tab.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION:

ONEOK and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, Magellan, and certain of the directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees of Magellan GP, LLC, which manages the business and affairs of Magellan, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from ONEOK's shareholders and the solicitation of proxies from Magellan's unitholders, in each case with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Information about ONEOK's directors and executive officers is available in ONEOK's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2022 fiscal year filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023, and its definitive proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on April 5, 2023, and in the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available). Information about Magellan's directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2022 fiscal year and its definitive proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of unitholders, each filed with the SEC on February 21, 2023, and the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available). Other information regarding the participants in the solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Registration Statement, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the Proposed Transaction when they become available. Shareholders of ONEOK, unitholders of Magellan, potential investors and other readers should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION:

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This communication 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 statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this communication that address activities, events or developments that ONEOK or Magellan expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "create," "intend," "could," "would," "may," "plan," "will," "guidance," "look," "goal," "future," "build," "focus," "continue," "strive," "allow" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Proposed Transaction, the expected closing of the Proposed Transaction and the timing thereof and as adjusted descriptions of the post-Transaction company and its operations, strategies and plans, integration, debt levels and leverage ratio, capital expenditures, cash flows and anticipated uses thereof, synergies, opportunities and anticipated future performance, including maintaining current ONEOK management, enhancements to investment-grade credit profile, an expected accretion to earnings and free cash flow, dividend payments and potential share repurchases, increase in value of tax attributes and expected impact on EBITDA. Information adjusted for the Proposed Transaction should not be considered a forecast of future results. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. These include the risk that ONEOK's and Magellan's businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that cost savings, synergies and growth from the Proposed Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; the possibility that shareholders of ONEOK may not approve the issuance of new shares of ONEOK common stock in the Proposed Transaction or that shareholders of ONEOK or unitholders of Magellan may not approve the Proposed Transaction; the risk that a condition to closing of the Proposed Transaction may not be satisfied, that either party may terminate the Merger Agreement or that the closing of the Proposed Transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Proposed Transaction; the parties do not receive regulatory approval of the Proposed Transaction; the occurrence of any other event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement relating to the Proposed Transaction; the risk that ONEOK may not be able to secure the debt financing necessary to fund the cash consideration required for the Proposed Transaction; the risk that changes in ONEOK's capital structure and governance could have adverse effects on the market value of its securities; the ability of ONEOK and Magellan to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on ONEOK's and Magellan's operating results and business generally; the risk the Proposed Transaction could distract management from ongoing business operations or cause ONEOK and/or Magellan to incur substantial costs; the risk that ONEOK may be unable to reduce expenses or access financing or liquidity; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, any related economic downturn and any related substantial decline in commodity prices; the risk of changes in governmental regulations or enforcement practices, especially with respect to environmental, health and safety matters; and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond ONEOK's or Magellan's control, including those detailed in ONEOK's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that are available on ONEOK's website at www.oneok.com and on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") at www.sec.gov, and those detailed in Magellan's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that are available on Magellan's website at www.magellanlp.com and on the website of the SEC. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that ONEOK and Magellan believe to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and neither ONEOK nor Magellan undertakes any obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

CONTACTS:

ONEOK, Inc.

Investor Relations:

Andrew Ziola

Phone: (918) 588-7683

[email protected]

Media Relations:

Brad Borror

Phone: (918) 588-7582

[email protected]

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.

Investor Relations:

Paula Farrell

Phone: (918) 574-7650

[email protected]

Media Relations:

Bruce Heine

Phone: (918) 574-7010

[email protected]

SOURCE ONEOK, Inc.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has revealed the launch date of the mission of the Saudi astronauts: 21st May 2023. Hence, on this day, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni are to depart to the International Space Station in a human spaceflight.

The launch was set after they completed their training program. This launch is part of Saudi Arabia's astronauts program, it aims at accomplishing the Saudi ambitions in Space research and achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

Astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) has confirmed that this journey to space will last 12 days, liftoffs from the United States and more importantly, makes history. In effect, the astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that are set to help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans - including the work of artificial rain. The results of which will enhance the Saudi Arabia's global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity. It will also confirm the role of Saudi research centers in making a scientific impact in this field. The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via a live feed.

This mission once accomplished places Saudi Arabia as one of the few countries to have had two astronauts from the same nationality simultaneously on board the International Space Station. Its success will enhance its global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity. It will place a cornerstone in the astronauts' program which is designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers, through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions, achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

The astronaut program plays an important role in the global community of space science research, and in the service of humanity and its future, just as it is confident that space research will impact the future of the industries and of the nation, inspiring a future generation of scientists and aspiring astronauts, and encouraging more young students to follow STEM careers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2076210/Saudi_Space_Commission.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036414/4034112/SSC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Saudi Space Commission (SCC)
Atlanta holds a special place in American historyrising up from the ruins of the Civil War to gain prominence at the center of the civil rights movement, the city has transformed into a commercial and industrial powerhouse and modern-day international metropolis.

Located on one of the busiest streets in Atlanta, the Church of Scientology is housed in a classic Georgian architectural-style building. Church staff are quick to emphasize the absolute importance of traditional Southern manners in working with their parishioners and community members. Viewers of the episode will visit some of the city's historical landmarks, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthplace and some of the major corporations that drive Atlanta's economyfrom Coca-Cola's headquarters to a host of film and television studios. With a firm grasp on its past and the work of its committed community today, this international city that never lost its Southern charm is sure to continue shaping the future, not just of the South, but of the nation.

The Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since launching , the Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization , and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross-section of cultures and faiths but share a common purpose of uplifting communities.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions , the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv , on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

CONTACT:

Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Church of Scientology International
BEIJING , May 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Arab-China Unicorn Investment Summit of the 12th Annual Investment MeetingAIMheld in Abu Dhabi on May 9, 2023. TOJOY Group won the "Unicorns Social Impact Awards" which grants recognition of TOJOY's outstanding contribution to advocating the Great Sharing Economy and accelerating innovative enterprises. H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Vice Chairman of the Industry Development Council and H.E. Dawood Al Shezawi, President of the Annual Investment Meeting presented the award to Ge Jun, Global CEO of TOJOY Group.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Vice Chairman of the Industry Development Council and H.E. Dawood Al Shezawi, President, Annual Investment Meeting presented the award to Ge Jun

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Vice Chairman of the Industry Development Council and H.E. Dawood Al Shezawi, President, Annual Investment Meeting presented the award to Ge Jun

Ge Jun expressed his gratitude for this honor. He mentioned that this is the result of TOJOY's efforts to promote and develop the Great Sharing Economy, making all efforts to accelerate innovative enterprises and continuing to innovate and forge ahead. Over the past 32 years, TOJOY prioritized innovation-driven development, made great value for society through technological innovation and services upgrading.

It's a pleasure to see, Xiaoyudida (XYDD) gained the same award in the event. XYDD is being accelerated on TOJOY's platform and its business has developed rapidly.

In fact, as a global enterprise enabling a platform based on the big data of millions of entrepreneurs, TOJOY's business expanded to more than 40 cities in China and overseas. The platform has gathered more than 2.8 million SME owners, with more than 18,000 innovative enterprise resources.

"Nowadays, the industries need to transform and upgrade in the world. While in China, about 10000 innovative enterprises need various resources to support their development every year, and 10 million traditional SME owners need to transform and upgrade, which requires the empowerment of sharing platforms, which is our responsibility." Ge Jun calls on the participants of this conference to pay more attention on China economy, cooperate with China partners, accelerate innovation and growth with TOJOY to capture future market opportunies.

SOURCE TOJOY SHARED HOLDING GROUP
BIRMINGHAM, England, May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VAPORESSO, a renowned vaping brand, has showcased its newest products at the Vaper Expo UK held in Birmingham from May 12th to 14th. The brand featured a unique INNO SPOT creative product wall at the Expo, highlighting its commitment to open innovation.

During the Expo, VAPORESSO hosted 2023 INNOVATE AT ONCE brand innovation roadshow on May 13th, where they showcased their latest initiative for innovation, including the VAPORESSO INNO SPOT ingenious program and the FUN WITH INNOVATION NOW creative competition. The event was graced by renowned influencers VAPING BOGANVAPE PAUL, NICK GREEN and VAPORESSO's ID Creative Director JOSHUA, who shared insights about the brand's innovation plans.

The VAPORESSO INNO SPOT ingenious program aims to establish a global creative platform and incorporates the concepts of design experts from around the world to enhance VAPORESSO's innovative products. This year, the brand invited famous artists ISABELLE STAUB and STARMAN FUNK to collaborate on the XROS 3 series. VAPORESSO has also launched the FUN WITH INNOVATION NOW creative design competition to engage consumers in the creative process for upcoming blind box products.

The most eye-catching setting at the VAPORESSO's booth was the INNO SPOT wall, which displayed 80 unique XROS 3 NANO products with different CMF (color, material, and finishing) designs and patterns. The wall is part of VAPORESSO's continuous effort to encourage innovation, going beyond the conventional, and aims to integrate, break through, empower, and create infinite beauty for the world.

During the Expo, VAPORESSO also presented an array of products including the XROS series, LUXE X/XR/XR MAX, TARGET, and GEN 200/80S. Powered by VAPORESSO's COREX Heating Tech, SSS Leak Resistant Tech, and equipped with VAPORESSO AXON CHIP, LUXE XR MAX and XROS 3 NANO are the two latest products VAPORESSO has brought to the Expo. Meanwhile, VAPORESSO won the Best Branding award and the XROS 3 MINl won the Best Pod Device award. At the VAPOUROUND GLOBAL AWARDS 2023, VAPORESSO has also won Best Open Pod System, Best International Brand and Best Innovation awards, demonstrating its competitive edge in both product innovation and brand management.

About VAPORESSO

VAPORESSO was created in 2015 and is dedicated to establishing a smoke-free world while raising the quality of life for its users. Based on its continuous innovation, strict quality control, and substantial commitment, VAPORESSO creates products that can fit all levels and styles of vapers.

SOURCE VAPORESSO
Colombo, May 14 : Security in Colombo and around Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena's house has been tightened following intelligence reports over another people's protest or 'Aragalaya' in Sri Lanka, a police officer said.

The military, police, Special Task Force and Riot police had been summoned to the capital following unspecified intelligence information that a group of more than 750 people is getting to resort to public protest as happened during last year.

Police media spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the security has been beefed up due to an intelligence information.

He told that the special security arrangement would be in place until the relevant information is updated by the intelligence agencies.

Security personnel had been deployed around universities, key protest sites where people started protests last year and also surrounding the Temple Trees, Prime Minister's official residence.

Police water cannons and fire trucks with firefighters too had been summoned to several places of Colombo.

Following severe economic crisis without basic needs such as food, fuel, cooking gas and medicine, people resorted to public protest on March 31, 2022.

The protests which were mainly led by university students backed by some Marxist political parties spread across the country leading the protestors taking over public building.

They initially took over President's and Prime Minister's residences and later their official residents forcing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and his brother Mahinda to step down together with the government.
Jerusalem, May 14 : Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement, expressing appreciation for Egypt's efforts to mediate a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

"National Security Council (NSC) Director Tzachi Hanegbi, on instruction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and expressed the appreciation of the State of Israel for Egypt's intensive efforts to secure a ceasefire," said the statement on Saturday evening.

The NSC director made it clear that Israel's acceptance of the Egyptian initiative means that "quiet will be met with quiet", and that if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will continue to do everything it needs to defend itself, the statement added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

About two hours earlier, the PIJ said it had reached an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire agreement to end the five-day bloody round of confrontations.
Tripoli, May 14 : The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily has stressed the UN's support for the country's joint legal committee to produce inclusive laws for elections.

Bathily on Saturday made his remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the 6+6 committee at the headquarters of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in the capital Tripoli, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 6+6 committee is a joint legislative committee composed of six members from the High Council of State and six members from the House of Representatives (parliament), with the task of producing laws for the upcoming elections.

"Bathily reiterated the importance of the committee's role and responsibilities to produce the laws necessary to hold general and inclusive elections in Libya," UNSMIL tweeted.

"Bathily renewed the Mission's offer to provide all required support to enable the committee to conclude its work as soon as possible," UNSMIL said.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties.

Earlier in January, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah said his government is ready to hold general elections in the year 2023.

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid escalating violence and political division.
Ramallah/Gaza, May 14 : Palestine holds Israel "fully and directly responsible" for the flaring violent tension with Palestinian military groups in the Gaza Strip, and warns that closure of the crossing points on the borders would lead to a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israel has closed the crossing points for commercial and humanitarian purposes on the borders of the Gaza Strip for five days following a flaring tit-for-tat fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants, Xinhua news agency reported.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, said on Saturday that the Israeli government "has crossed all the red lines because it insists on carrying on with daily killing of the Palestinians and the destruction of their properties".

A total of 33 Palestinians were killed and 147 were injured, including 48 children and 23 women, since the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, said Ashraf Al-Qedra, the spokesman of the Health Ministry in Gaza.

"The Israeli closure deprived 432 patients of access to specialised hospitals in the West Bank and Jerusalem to receive treatment, which exacerbated the health status of these patients, all of whom have tumours or suffer from heart diseases," he stressed.

The Health Ministry is still providing its services to all the wounded and sick and has made appeals to international medical and human rights institutions to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to facilitate the arrival of medical supplies to hospitals in the Gaza Strip, he added.

The Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority in the Gaza Strip said in an official announcement that the energy deficit in the coastal enclave, home to more than 2.5 million Palestinians, "has reached 52 per cent." The statement said the power station would stop working completely on Monday due to the depletion of fuel if the crossing points are not reopened, which will affect the humanitarian and medical situation.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye called on the UN to intervene to stop Israeli "crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, whose victims are unarmed children and women".

Abu Rudeineh said "the US bears responsibility for the deterioration of the situation as a result of the silence on the Israeli crimes and the lack of immediate intervention to stop them, which made Israel persist in its aggression against our people".
Jerusalem, May 14 : A Palestinian worker who was injured in a rocket attack succumbed to his wounds at the hospital, Israeli media reported.

The worker was from Gaza and had a permit to work in an Israeli village adjacent to the border. He was injured on Saturday afternoon in the southern Negev desert, together with another Palestinian worker from Gaza and an Israeli man, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service on Saturday.

It is reportedly the second death in Israel after a woman was killed in the Israeli city of Rehovot on Thursday since the latest round of tension, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant organisation have been engaged in a round of violence in recent days that has included scores of Israeli airstrikes and rocket attacks by the militants.

Speaking at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Israeli Army chief Herzi Halevi warned that "the army is prepared to continue striking in a precise and increasing manner, as we have done over the last few days".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

There has been speculation that Ukraine might try to capture areas in Russia proper and use them as bargaining chips in possible peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022.

Pressed by reporters on the issue, Zelenskyy said: We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally definied legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It is his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and comes a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

Scholz made clear that Kyiv can expect German aid to keep flowing.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Zelenskyy of their support for his country's fight against the Russian invasion. Announcing the new arms package, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would help Ukraine for as long as it takes.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organizers say the award recognizes that their resistance against Russia's invasion is a defense "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

While German leaders have expressed strong backing for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide further weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the kind Kyiv is asking its allies for.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Ramallah, May 14 : A Palestinian who tried to carry out a stabbing attack was killed by Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian and Israeli sources said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the fatality as Ahmad Atatrah, 33, in a press statement on Saturday, revealing no more details.

According to Palestinian eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers opened fire at Atatrah after he passed through an Israeli military checkpoint driving a motorcycle.

Israel Radio reported that the Palestinian man holding a knife rushed into an Israeli army checkpoint and was "neutralised" by soldiers, adding that no injuries were reported among the soldiers, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that one of its ambulances received the man's body and moved it to Jenin governmental hospital.

Atatrah is the third Palestinian killed on Saturday by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Earlier in the day, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers in the Balata refugee camp adjacent to the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

Since early January, the Israeli army forces have been carrying out daily raids on Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps in the West Bank, killing more than 100 Palestinians.

Israel said that since January, 19 Israelis were killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Nairobi, May 14 : Kenyan investigators have exhumed 22 more bodies from a suspected cult grave in the Kenyan coastal town of Malindi, a government official said.

Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said on Saturday that so far 201 bodies have been exhumed since the discovery of the mass graves on a piece of land at Shakahola forest in late April, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of people reported missing has increased to 610, Onyancha told journalists at the Shakahola site, adding that one suspect was arrested on Saturday, raising the total number of suspects to 26.

The investigators said most of the cult victims were children who were told by Paul Nthenge, a self-proclaimed pastor, to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus".

A court has allowed an application by the police to have Nthenge and his wife detained for 30 days.

Kenyan President William Ruto has described the incident as terrorism.
Srinagar, May 14 : In a major success against inter-state narco-terror smuggling syndicate originating from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested four smugglers involved in running the module in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, officials said.

"Acting on a credible input regarding a Punjab-based narco smuggler that had arrived in the district at a pre-decided location to take a consignment of narcotics, a joint search operation by Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched in Zurhama area of Trehgam police station on May 12, 2023, at 18:30 hrs at Zurhama," the Army said.

"On termination of the search operation, four persons, including a non-local were arrested, while they were in the process of exchanging nearly eight kg of smuggled narcotics and Rs five lakh of Indian currency." The Army added that during the preliminary investigations, it has revealed that the narcotics consignment was sent by two POJK-based terrorist handlers of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

"This is yet another example of the nefarious designs of Pakistan-based terror groups to disrupt peace and harmony in the Valley. However, Indian Army and all security forces of Jammu and Kashmir remains steadfast in their task to not to allow the adversary to disturb stability in Kashmir," the Army said.
New Delhi, May 14 : The Supreme Court has said that merely because a charge sheet is filed for the predicate offences, it cannot be a ground to release an accused on bail in connection with scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and C.T. Ravikumar said: "Merely because, for the predicated offences, the charge sheet might have been filed, it cannot be a ground to release the accused on bail in connection with the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002." Justice Shah, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "Investigation for the predicated offences and the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for the scheduled offences under the PML Act are different and distinct." The top court made these observations while considering an appeal by the Enforcement Directorate against the Telangana High Court orders, allowing the bail applications and a direction to enlarge Aditya Tripathi on bail in connection with the offences under the PMLA.

An FIR was registered in April 2019, by the Economic Offences Wing, Bhopal, naming about 20 persons/companies as accused for the offences punishable under Sections 120-B, 420, 468 and 471 of IPC, Section 66 of the IT Act, 2000 and Section 7(c) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

It was found in the preliminary enquiry that e-tender for total works amounting to Rs. 1,769.00 crore of the Madhya Pradesh Water Corporation were tampered with to change the price bid of M/s GVPR Engineers Ltd, M/s The Indian Hume Pipe Company Ltd and M/s IMC (sic) Project India Ltd to make them the lowest bidders. A charge sheet was filed before the competent court on July 4, 2019, and it was found that the accused have also committed the offences under PMLA, and the Enforcement Directorate, Hyderabad initiated money laundering investigation.

The top court said from the high court orders, it appears that what is weighed with the court is that the charge sheet has been filed against respective respondent No. 1 - accused and therefore, the investigation is completed.

"The High Court has failed to notice and appreciate that the investigation with respect to the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002 by the Enforcement Directorate is still going on," it said.

The bench said the high court has taken into consideration the irrelevant consideration and it has neither considered the rigour of Section 45 of the PML Act, nor has considered the seriousness of the offences alleged against accused for the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002.

"The High Court has not at all considered the fact that the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for the scheduled offences under the PML Act, 2002 is still going on and therefore, the impugned orders passed by the High Court enlarging respective respondent No. 1 on bail are unsustainable and the matters are required to be remitted back to the High Court for afresh decision on the bail applications...", said the bench.

Tripathi's counsel contended that his client was not named in the FIR with respect to the scheduled offence(s) and that all the other accused are discharged/acquitted in so far as the predicate offences are concerned.

But the court said: "Merely because other accused are acquitted/discharged, it cannot be a ground not to continue the investigation in respect of respective respondent No. 1... Therefore, the enquiry/investigation for the scheduled offences itself is sufficient at this stage," said the bench, adding that there are very serious allegations of money laundering which are required to be investigated thoroughly.

The top court set aside the high court orders and directed Tripathi to surrender before the competent court having jurisdiction or before the concerned jail authority within a period of one week. "The matters are remitted back to the High Court to consider the bail applications afresh in light of the observations made hereinabove and after respective respondent No. 1 surrenders within a period of one week as ordered above. Present appeals are accordingly allowed to the aforesaid extent," said the bench, in the judgment delivered on Friday.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in )
Lucknow, May 14 : For the Bahujan Samaj Party, the municipal poll results in Uttar Pradesh have dashed hopes of a revival for the party.

The BSP suffered a setback in the urban local bodies election as it failed to notch up a win on mayoral seats.

The performance of the party in the Nagar Palika Parishad (NPP) and Nagar Panchayat (NP) chairman posts was also dismal.

In the 2017 civic polls, the BSP had bagged Meerut and Aligarh mayoral seats but in the 2023 election it was relegated to the third position on both seats.

The only consolation for the party was that its candidate ranked second in Agra, Saharanpur and Ghaziabad mayoral seats.

The BSP had played the Dalit-Muslim card in the urban local bodies poll. Out of the 17 mayoral seats, the BSP fielded 11 Muslim candidates.

By giving the ticket to the maximum number of Muslim candidates, BSP chief Mayawati had planned to win the support of the Muslim community in the civic polls and continue the trend in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

After its dismal performance in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Mayawati had blamed Muslims for its poor performance.

"BSP had polled 12 per cent vote in the 2022 Assembly election that constitutes its core Dalit supporters. If the Muslim community supported the BSP in the election then it could have defeated the BJP," she had said.

Party insiders said that the disillusionment of party cadres with the leadership are mainly responsible for the kind of results that the BSP got in these elections.

"The party has lost direction in terms of ideology and there is no second rung leadership that can interact with the grassroots workers. In such a situation, the cadres are refusing to participate in the political process and are receding into their homes," said a party functionary.
New Delhi, May 14 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku recorded a landslide victory by winning the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll by 58,691 votes after he polled 3,02,279 votes. For the AAP, this victory means gaining one Lok Sabha seat since it has had no representative there since March 2022.

Now with the help of this victory, the AAP has once again got a chance to raise important issues in the Lower House of Parliament. There was no representation of the AAP in the Lok Sabha for the last one year. The party's lone Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant Mann became the Chief Minister of Punjab in March 2022 after which he resigned from the MP post.

Mann was an MP from the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat of Punjab. The by-election was held on this seat vacated by him in 2022, but the AAP suffered a major political setback.

The defeat in the 2022 Lok Sabha by-election was a severe blow to the AAP because the party's representation in the Lok Sabha stood at zero. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) candidate Simranjit Singh Mann won the 2022 Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election by defeating AAP candidate Gurmail Singh on this seat.

The AAP believes that the victory in the Punjab Lok Sabha bypoll is a new beginning.

The party has started its political innings afresh in the Lok Sabha. In 2014, the AAP had MPs on four Lok Sabha seats, but in 2019 it managed victory only on one such seat.

The Punjab Chief Minister, who was present in Delhi on Saturday, said that now the voice of the people of Jalandhar will be heard vociferously in the Lok Sabha as the voice of Punjab.

"We have 92 MLAs in the Punjab Assembly and 63 MLAs in Delhi Assembly. Apart from this, there are five MLAs in the Gujarat Assembly and two in the Goa Assembly. Also, there are 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha and one MP in the Lok Sabha from today. After becoming a national party, there is no such constitutional body of which we are not a part," Mann added.

The Punjab CM said, "We (AAP) do not indulge in religion and caste-based politics. We were busy working on the 580 Mohalla clinics established in Punjab during the recently concluded Punjab by-elections. We were asking for votes from the people in the name of 'School of Eminence', zero electricity bill, infrastructure, etc. We were raising issues related to the welfare of traders, farmers and labourers." For the AAP, this bypoll victory is extremely crucial because Jalandhar was till now considered a bastion of the Congress. Congress MPs have been elected here continuously during the last five elections since 1999.

There are nine Assembly constituencies in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat. The AAP, which became the single-largest party securing an emphatic majority during the 2022 Assembly elections, won only four out of nine seats while five seats were won by the Congress.

According to AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his party was trailing behind only in Jalandhar Central and Jalandhar North Lok Sabha seats. During last year's Assembly elections, 42 per cent votes were polled in the whole of Punjab, while in Jalandhar only 28 per cent were polled, today this vote percentage has increased to 34 per cent.

"During the last year's Assembly elections, we secured third place in four Assembly seats -- Shahkot, Adampur, Phillaur and Jalandhar North. But today we have won three out of these four seats and secured second place on one seat," he said.

"During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, we got only 2.5 per cent votes on the Jalandhar seat, but today we have secured 34 per cent votes," Kejriwal added.
Lucknow, May 14 : The Congress in Uttar Pradesh has lived up to its reputation of being a non-performer in the state politics.

The party has failed to make a mark in the municipal polls and what makes it worse is that the party leaders are revelling in Karnataka victory rather than worrying about its dismal performance in UP.

In the mayoral polls, the Congress was in contest in only three seats -- Shahjahanpur, Jhansi and Moradabad.

In Shahjahanpur, Nikhat Iqbal bagged over 50,000 votes (15.42 per cent) of the total votes polled while in Jhansi, the Congress candidate, Arvind Kumar, bagged over 39,000 votes (8.71 per cent of the total votes polled).

In Moradabad, Congress candidate Mohd Rizwan got 1.17 lakh votes (40 per cent of the total votes polled on the seat).

The party's candidate, Shyam Sunder Upadhyay 'Bittu', in Mathura finished third with a slim margin of just 19 votes. He got 35,173 votes while the candidate on the second slot got 35,191 votes. His vote share on the seat was 12.7 per cent.

In Lucknow, Congress mayoral candidate Sangita Jaiswal finished third. She secured nearly 1.02 lakh votes which was 7,000 less than what her predecessor Prema Awasthi garnered in the 2017 elections. Her vote share on the seat was 9.9 per cent.

The party's presence among corporators has also declined.

While in 2017, the Congress had eight corporators in Lucknow, only three could retain their seats this time.

In Kanpur, Congress candidate Aashini Vikas Awasthi finished third with 90,480 votes -- a massive decline in the party's performance when compared to its situation in 2017.

The then candidate Vandana Mishra was able to secure 2.91 lakh votes which meant a hefty vote share of nearly 31 per cent.

The only saving grace for the party was its victory in the post of Rae Bareli's nagar palika parishad chairman where Shatrughan Sonkar of Congress defeated BJP's Shalini Kannaujia. However, out of nine nagar panchayat chairperson seats in the district, five went to the BJP and only one to Congress. The remaining three were clinched by the independents.

In Amethi, one of the nagar palika parishad chairperson seats went to the Congress and the other to the BJP. Congress' won the Jais seat while BJP secured the Gauriganj seat.

Expectedly, the UPCC president Brij Lal Khabri, late on Saturday, issued a press note congratulating the party leadership for the Karnataka win.

Khabri claimed that the win would fill party cadres with new energy and lead to Congress victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

He did not mention a single word about the Congress performance in Uttar Pradesh under his leadership.
Lucknow, May 14 : For a party that repeatedly claims to provide an alternative to the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh, successive defeats in the Assembly, Lok Sabha and the bypolls do not augur well for the future of Samajwadi party, the main opposition party in the state.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav, could not win even a single mayoral seat out of the 17 on Saturday and also failed to retain the Suar Assembly seat that it had held for years. The SP also failed to wrest the Chhanbey seat from the Apna Dal (S).

The SP has been on a losing spree since 2017 when Akhilesh took away the reins of power from his father, late Mulayam Singh Yadav, in a much-publicised coup of sorts.

The party miserably lost the 2017 Assembly polls and was left with barely 47 seats. The SP had contested the Assembly polls in alliance with the Congress and both parties got decimated.

In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Akhilesh joined hands with Bahujan Samaj Party -- a decision that was strongly disapproved of by the party seniors.

While SP did not benefit from the alliance, the BSP walked home with ten Lok Sabha seats. The alliance snapped immediately after the polls.

In the subsequent months, the SP lost its Azamgarh and Rampur seats to the BJP in by-elections.

Finally, in 2022, the SP struck an alliance with smaller parties, including the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), but this did not work as well and the SP was nowhere close to the majority mark.

Ahead of the 2023 civic polls, Akhilesh mended fences with his estranged uncle Shivpal Yadav but the effort was too late and too little.

Party workers are now questioning the leadership abilities of Akhilesh Yadav and whether he has the calibre to counter the growing influence of BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Troubles are set to multiply for the SP president as the Lok Sabha polls come closer.
Tokyo, May 14 : Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Protests will also be held along the streets on Sunday, starting at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a cenotaph where an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States at the end of World War II, Xinhua news agency reported.

About 200 citizens carrying banners reading "No G7" and "No War" gathered in Hiroshima to protest against the G7 summit on Saturday as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the city to inspect summit-related venues.

Shigeo Kimoto, director of Japanese civic group Peace Depot, pointed out in his speech that both joint military exercises among G7 members in the Pacific region and Japan's statement that "Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan" are "absurd and dangerous." Japan, once a ruthless invader in Asian countries and regions such as China and the Korean Peninsula, has deliberately concealed its ugly history as a perpetrator by repeatedly stressing that it is "the only country that suffered atomic bombings," historian Toshiyuki Tanaka said at Saturday's rally.

"Now Japan is politically using Hiroshima, the site of the atomic bombing, to hold the G7 summit. It is time for people in Hiroshima to wake up," said Tanaka, also an emeritus professor at Hiroshima City University.

The protests were launched by the executive committee of Citizen's Group Questioning the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, whose declaration was also released on Saturday.

According to the group's declaration, the G7 summit in Hiroshima seeks to advance military alliance under the name of freedom and democracy, and that the essence of the summit was a meeting where the rich bloc forces other countries to follow its rules.

The G7 consists of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. This year's G7 leaders' summit will be chaired by Japan in Hiroshima on May 19-21.
Gaza, May 14 : A ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip has come into effect following five days of violent fighting between the two sides.

Palestinian eyewitnesses said that the five-day tit-for-tat violent fighting between Israel and the PIJ militants stopped at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), Xinhua news agency reported.

However, a few minutes after the ceasefire took effect, militants fired around 20 rockets from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel. Israeli fighter jets fired back and targeted lookout posts and sites for Gaza militants. No injuries were reported.

Palestinian sources close to the PIJ told Xinhua that calm returned to the Gaza Strip after a short exchange of fire between the militants and the Israeli army.

Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets and squares. Loudspeakers sounded in some mosques to celebrate the ceasefire agreement, while a procession was organized for medical teams, ambulance, civil defense and police teams.

On Saturday, an official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the ceasefire would come into effect at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) and would end the five-day confrontation that started on Tuesday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said 33 Palestinians were killed, including six children, three women and seven senior PIJ militants. More than 150 were injured in the past five days.

Muhammad al-Hindi, a senior PIJ leader, told Al-Qahera Al-Ikhbareya (Cairo News Television) that "this agreement was reached as a result of a continuation of the Egyptian effort." "We appreciate this effort and deal with it very positively to make this agreement successful," he added.

Al-Hindi, who was part of the negotiations, said that "the ceasefire agreement includes stopping targeting civilians, homes, and individuals." He noted, "We will abide by the ceasefire agreement as long as the Israeli enemy adheres to it." Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), welcomed the agreement and the Israeli cessation of aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip, expressing his thanks to Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Saturday evening, expressing appreciation for Egypt's efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and the PIJ.

On Tuesday predawn, Israeli unmanned drones and fighter jets carried out surprising and simultaneous airstrikes on several buildings, killing three senior members of PIJ armed wing in the Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, PIJ militants fired hundreds of rockets at central and southern Israel, killing one Israeli and injuring more than nine, according to Israeli media outlets.

Over the past five days, Israeli fighter jets and unmanned drones attacked Palestinian operatives launching rockets at Israel. Israel targeted buildings, military sites, posts, and facilities that belong to the PIJ armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades.

Ashraf Al-Qedra, the spokesman of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said that since the Israeli aerial airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, 33 Palestinians were killed, and more than 140 were injured.

This is the worst wave of violence in the Strip, home to more than 2 million people, since August last year, when about 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids that lasted for three days.
Armenia and Azerbaijan's leaders met Sunday for talks in Brussels amid heightened tensions on the tense border between the two countries over control of a contested enclave.

The talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are being hosted by European Council President Charles Michel.

The meeting, the fifth of its kind under European mediation, began shortly after 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), Michel's spokesman said.

Michel held bilateral talks with Pashinyan on Saturday evening and with Aliyev on Sunday morning.

The talks come a day after fresh clashes erupted on the border between the two Caucasus countries.

On Friday, the Armenian government announced that one Armenian soldier had been killed and two others wounded by Azerbaijani forces.

On Thursday, an Azerbaijani soldier was killed and four Armenian soldiers wounded in other clashes.

Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of seeking to "undermine the talks" in Brussels and said there was "very little" chance of signing a peace accord with Aliyev during the meeting.

The neighbours fought two wars in the early 1990s and 2020 over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region mostly populated by Armenians that seceded from Azerbaijan more than three decades ago.

After a brief war that saw Azerbaijan retake territory in the separatist region in the autumn of 2020, Baku and Yerevan agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Russia.

Russian peacekeepers have since been deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia has complained for several months that they are ineffective.

Tensions flared recently when Baku announced on April 23 that it had set up a first road checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, the only route linking Armenia to the separatist enclave.

It is already under a blockade that has caused shortages and power cuts.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Patna May 14 : Religious preacher and Baba Bageshwar, Dhirendra Shastri's statement pertaining to "Hindu nation" has created a huge controversy in Bihar.

Shastri, on the first day of his spiritual discourse in the state, advocated for India as a Hindu nation. He said: "One day a saint told me that I am advocating for the Hindu nation, how is it possible? I replied to him that India is already a Hindu nation and its announcement will be made soon." This statement has created a huge controversy as leaders of different political parties on Sunday reacted sharply to his statement.

"We have an apprehension about Dhirendra Shastri visiting Patna that he would talk about discrimination in the society on the basis of religion and our apprehension has proved to be right. He came to Patna to run the political agenda of the BJP and RSS," said Mritunjay Tiwari, national spokesperson of RJD.

"I want to tell him that it is the soil of Bihar where Mahatma Buddha was born and the workplace of Mahatma Gandhi. The people of Bihar will not allow self-styled godmen to run the agenda. Before delivering a political speech, he should look at the result of the Karnataka election where Bajrang Bali became angry with BJP for dragging his name in the poll. India is a country which is running through law and constitution. Would they change the constitution of the country to make India a Hindu nation?" Tiwari asked.

Abhishek Jha, spokesperson of JD(U) said: "The country is running on the basis of a constitution made by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar where every person has similar rights no matter their religion. Dharma is a subject of faith. It is neither a Hindu nation nor an Islamic nation. We believe in Ganga-Jamuni Tahjib and Sarva Dharma Sambhav." The self-styled godman is in Patna for Hanumant Katha, which is being held in the Naubatpur area.

Shastri is the peethadhish of Bageshwar Dham, a pilgrimage site in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
Kolkata, May 14 : The Karnataka election verdict and West Bengal Chief Minister's loaded reactions about the results where she did not name the Congress even once, will help strengthen the existing Congress-Left Front ties in the state, hinted leaders of both parties.

While Trinamool Congress leadership, including the chief minister has given the entire credit to the people of Karnataka for the results and did not name Congress even once, the CPI(M) leadership had brought out a rally on Saturday evening in Kolkata congratulating both Congress and the people of Karnataka for the election results there. The rally was led by the CPI(M) central committee member Dr Sujan Chakraborty.

While ruling out the possibility of any kind of understanding with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, state Congress president and the veteran party Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that a well-orchestrated understanding with the Left Front will surely yield positive results for the alliance in the coming elections.

"The chief minister is refusing to accept that the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi has yielded positive results in the Karnataka Assembly polls and is also accepted by common people throughout the nation. The chief minister might have her own problems of acknowledging the leadership quality of Rahul Gandhi. So there is no question of dialogues with Trinamool Congress. Our appeal to the people of West Bengal is to be part of a secular alliance with Congress," Chowdhury said.

The CPI(M) politburo member and the party's state secretary in West Bengal Md Salim feels that the results of the recent bypolls in the Sagardighi Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district has proved that neither Trinamool Congress nor BJP are invincible if there is a proper alliance of secular and democratic forces. "The same thing is applicable in case of Karnataka Assembly polls. All secular and democratic forces will have to move forward with open minds," Salim emphasized.

In the bypolls of Sagardighi, once a Trinamool Congress bastion, the Left Front- supported Congress candidate Bayron Biswas emerged as the victor with a thumping majority.
Bengaluru, May 14 : In a dramatic development, the BJP has wrested Jayanagar Assembly seat in Bengaluru from the Congress party by a margin of only 16 votes, following which the later has decided to complain to the Election Commission (EC).

BJP candidate C.K. Ramamurthy won the seat by defeating sitting MLA Sowmya Reddy of Congress party by the margin of only 16 votes.

The result was announced late Saturday night after recounting three times. Initially, Sowmya Reddy was declared as winner by 160 votes.

Sowmya Reddy has decided to file a complaint challenging the results to the Election Commission. "I won initially. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and BJP MLA R. Ashoka had entered the counting centre illegally and fabricated the results," she stated.

BJP candidate Rammurthy polled 57,797 votes while Sowmya Reddy secured 57,781 votes. The situation turned serious when Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar came to the spot. His brother, MP from Bengaluru Rural seat D.K. Suresh got into an argument with the police.

Congress and BJP workers came into confrontation mode and the police had a tough time controlling the situation.

With this, the Congress has won 135 seats in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. The BJP has secured 66 seats and the JD(S) 19, according to the Election Commission.
New Delhi, May 14 : With the historic mandate in Karnataka, Congress strategist for the southern state, Sunil Kanugolu has now been tasked to bring similar results in Madhya Pradesh, people familiar with the development said.

Kanugolu was brought into Congress fold in May last year and since then he has worked as a strategist for the party and was responsible for preparing surveys, campaigning, deciding candidates, and winning strategy in Karnataka, and his work played a crucial role.

Kanugolu was also responsible for supporting Bharat Jodo Yatra-led by Rahul Gandhi, which he kick-started from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari on September 7 last year.

According to party leaders, Kanugolu, who stays mostly behind the scene, prepared strategy for each Assembly seat in the southern state.

His strategy was to corner the BJP and JD(S) so that Karnataka's contest does not become triangular and it worked in favour of the party. He and his team continuously gave support to all the candidates with facts to counter the charges of the other parties.

According to party leaders, Kanugolu was responsible for Congress campaigns against the BJP like release of rate card, pay-CM, 40 per cent commission sarkar and at the end of the campaign 'cryPM' after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra targeted Modi for personal attacks on her family while counting abuses on him by other party leaders.

Kanugolu, who had earlier worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the BJP's campaign, had also worked with election strategist Prashant Kishor in 2014 before parting ways. He had worked for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and is said to have played a key role in the resounding victory of Yogi Adityanath in 2017.

Following the victory in Karnataka, the Congress has now tasked Kanugolu for Madhya Pradesh, where the party even after winning in 2018 Assembly polls lost power in 2020 after rebellion by Jyotidaritya Scindia, a close confidante of Rahul Gandhi.

With elections in Madhya Pradesh just a few months away and former Chief Ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh both working tirelessly, Kanugolu has been asked to prepare a Karnataka like targeted campaign to corner the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the central state.

With the experience of veteran party leader J.P. Agarwal, who is currently working as state in-charge of Madhya Pradesh, both Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh have till now been focusing on grassroots.

According to the party leaders, Singh has been holding the party's fort in the Assembly constituencies while Kamal Nath has been strengthening the party district wise.

The party leader said, "With the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government grappling with internal fights due to several factions, Kanugolu has been tasked to counter the same." The party leader also pointed out that several factions in BJP, which includes that of Kailash Vijayvargiya, Scindia, Chouhan, Narrotam Mishra among others, is only helping the Congress as it has till now presented a united face in the state.

Kanugolu has also been tasked to identify the failure of the BJP government in the state on issues of law and order, failure of government schemes and allegations of corruption.

The party source said that with Kanugolu's previous successes, the party is hopeful that under his guidance for campaigning and surveys, the grand old party will once again taste victory in the state, which has remained a stronghold of BJP in the last two decades.
New Delhi, May 14 : A 23-year-old inter-state arms trafficker was arrested for supplying illegal weapons to criminals in Delhi and surrounding areas, a Delhi Police official said on Sunday, adding that 10 pistols were recovered from his possession.

The accused was identified as Shivam Prajapati, a resident of district Satna in Madhya Pradesh.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that specific information was received that an illicit firearms trafficker Shivam had procured firearms from one Amit Yadav, a resident of Rewa, MP and was on his way to Delhi to deliver the consignment to one of his contacts.

"As per information, a trap was laid near the SunDial Park, under Barapullah Flyover on May 6 at around 6 p.m. and Shivam was apprehended. On search, 10 pistols of .32 bore were recovered from the possession of the accused and he was booked under the relevant sections of Arms Act," said Singh.

On interrogation, it was revealed that Shivam through one of his relatives, came in contact with a firearms supplier Amit and decided to work for him to earn easy money.

"Amit has been supplying illegal weapons for a long time and has many cases of firearms trafficking against him. He is also wanted in a case of Arms Act of PS Special Cell. Amit is also involved in a murder case of Civil Lines police station in Rewa registered in 2020," said the official, adding that further investigation is underway to arrest the main supplier.
New Delhi, May 14 : A wanted criminal, who was involved in over two dozen robbery cases, was finally arrested, an official said on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of South Delhi, Chandan Chaudhary said the accused was identified as Vivek alias Bittu. One button-operated knife was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest.

"To curb the incident of robbery and snatching, the South District had alerted and deployed local sources, human intelligence to get clues about the criminals. Patrolling was intensified in the vulnerable areas for prevention and detection in the area," said Chaudhary.

On Saturday, when the police were checking vehicles at Barapullah Picket they received information about a criminal coming to Barapulla from Dhobi Ghat.

"A trap was laid to nab the accused. Seeing the police, the accused tried to run away, but was overpowered after a short chase," said the official.

The accused was found to be involved in two dozen cases.
Prayagraj : , May 14 (IANS) With the UP Police and the media going on a wild goose chase to pin down Shaista Parveen, wife of slain gangster Atiq Ahmad, and Guddu Muslim, a shooter of Ahmad's gang, the spotlight seems to have completely moved away from Armaan, known as Atiq's man Friday.

Armaan is also on the run and is carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his arrest.

While police teams are continuously carrying out raids and tracing the location of Guddu Muslim and Shaista Parveen, there is no clue about Armaan's whereabouts. Police teams are even clueless of places where Armaan stayed or took shelter after fleeing Prayagraj on February 25.

Around ten days after Umesh Pal's murder there were reports that Armaan had surrendered before Sasaram court in Bihar. However, police officials did not confirm any such development.

Even as the police officials are confirming carrying out raids in Kaushambhi, Prayagraj and other places in search of Guddu Muslim and Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen -- also shooter Sabir who is on the run, -- they are silent on making efforts to arrest Armaan.

Officials said that Armaan originally hails from Sasaram in Bihar and used to run an eatery in Civil Lines.

He joined Atiq's gang after coming in contact with one of his trusted henchmen, Ashik a.k.a Malli.

According to sources, a few years ago Armaan was arrested by the Civil Lines police with a country-made pistol and some ammunition and was sent to jail.

Other than this, he does not have an impressive criminal history.

In the footage that went viral after Umesh Pal's murder, Armaan and Guddu Muslim can be seen arriving at the spot together on a bike.

Armaan is wearing a helmet and could be seen firing shots at the car of Umesh Pal. Armaan was identified through the CCTV footage and his name was included in the FIR lodged on complaint of Umesh's wife Jaya Pal.

Later, some videos of Armaan went viral in which he was seen with Shaista Parveen while she was canvassing for the post of mayor.

He was also seen with shooter Sabir.

Local sources said that Armaan, who could be having a 'mine of information' on Atiq , was very friendly to officials in the local police and this could be a reason why the police are soft on him.
New Delhi, May 14 : The body of a Class 12 student, who was missing after her exam result, was found in a drain in Aman Vihar area, police said on Sunday.

The girl had failed in one of the subjects and left the home leaving behind a suicide note on May 12. On Sunday, her body was found.

A senior police official said that the family of the girl lodged a complaint of her missing with the Aman Vihar Police Station at 9:30 p.m. on May 12.

The father of the girl told the police that she had been missing since 3:30 p.m. "He told the police that his daughter failed in one of the subjects in class XII. Since then, she was depressed and left the home leaving a suicide note," said the police.

The police lodged the complainant and a team was formed to trace the girl. The police also started an extensive search operation.

"Also, all the other legal steps were taken without delay in order to trace her by informing the Police Control Room. Wireless Messages were flashed to all the SHOs in Delhi and all the DCPs/SSPs in India by giving the description of this missing girl," said the police official.

On Sunday, the police received a PCR call regarding the body of a girl lying in a drain. The local police staff immediately reached the spot, the body was found partly submerged in the drain.

Immediately, the body was taken out from the drain with the help of locals and shifted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. Later, the girl was identified as the missing girl. Her father identified the body.

The police said that after conducting the post-mortem, her body was handed over to the family members.
Chennai, May 14 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who died after consuming alleged spurious liquor in Marakkanam of Villupuram district, a statement from the Chief Minister's office said on Sunday.

Four people lost their lives after allegedly consuming illicit liquor at Ekki Kuppam at Marakkanam on Saturday night. The deceased have been identified as Dharanivel, Suresh, Shankar and Rajamurthy.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the 12 people who are hospitalised following consumption of spurious liquor.

The statement also said that Marakkanam police sub-inspector, Arul Vadivazhagan, Sub-inspector Deepan and Prohibition and Enforcement Wing (PEW) officer, Maria Sobi Manjula, have been placed under suspension.

It may be noted that 16 people on Saturday evening complained of vomiting and headache after consuming spurious liquor at Ekkiyar Kuppam near Marakkanam in Villupuram district. All of them were taken to the JIPMER hospital in Puducherry and four people succumbed to their illness while the remaining are admitted in the hospital.

Police said that Amaran, who supplied spurious liquor, has already been taken into police custody.

Opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) demanded from the government to take stringent action against those involved in the sale of illicit liquor. He said that during the 10 years of AIADMK regime, no spurious liquor was sold in the state.

He also said that the inept administration of Stalin has led to the flow of spurious liquor.
New Delhi, May 14 : The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Sunday announced the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Class 10 and Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 board exam results.

This year, 2.5 lakh students appeared in these examinations from all over the country.

CISCE conducted Class 12 exams from February 13 to March 31. Class 10 exams were held from February 27 to March 29.

To clear Class 12 exam, students need to score a minimum of 35 per cent marks in four or more subjects. One of these four subjects should be English.

Students need to score a total of 33 per cent marks out of 100 to pass ICSE Class 10 exam.
The Egyptian gold market is starting to stabilize following weeks of fluctuation due to a surge in demand amid uncertainty about the Egyptian pounds exchange rate.

By early May, Egyptian gold prices had risen by over 50 percent since the beginning of the year. But the market took a downturn recently after the government approved a decree exempting Egyptian travellers who bring gold from customs duties and approved a new gold investment fund.

The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) has started featuring per-gram prices of 24-karat gold on its website. The price updates are provided by Gold Net Trading, a subsidiary of Evolve Holding.

The EGX's Charman Rami El-Dokany stressed in a statement on the Egyptian bourse website that these prices are just indicative and have been prepared by Gold Net Trading Company under its full responsibility.

Egypt's first gold investment fund

"Subscription in the first gold investment fund in Egypt has started following relevant approvals from the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA)," El-Dokany announced.

"The establishment of precious metals investment funds will help control the market, increase transparency and rationalize demand for gold ingots and coins," El-Dokany commented.

He noted that these funds will provide investors with an alternative to investing in gold without resorting to buying and holding gold from the market, incurring processing costs, which will mitigate risks and maximize returns in the long run.

Moreover, El-Dokany revealed that the EGX is developing a special trading programme for purchase and recovery orders on securities of the gold investment fund through brokerage companies registered on the market.

"That move will create an active secondary trading market for these securities in full coordination with the FRA," he said.

"The launching of gold investment funds is a good move. However, there is a need to educate investors and the public about the mechanism of trading in these funds and what are the opportunities they offer," Hani Milad, head of the Gold Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce explained to Ahram Online.

The EGX is required to establish a locally and internationally accredited processing plant to launch a precious metals investment fund.

Gold funds are investment vehicles which often take the form of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs can be bought directly on the stock exchange.

Travellers exempted from gold tax

On Wednesday, the Egyptian government approved a draft decree exempting travellers who bring gold into the country from customs duties and other fees, except value-added tax (VAT), for a period of six months.

As the decision takes effect, gold prices plummeted by over EGP 200. On Sunday, the per-gram purchase prices of 24-karat, 21-karat, and 18-karat gold amounted to EGP 2,742, EGP 2,400, and EGP 2,057, respectively according to Al-Ahram.

"Such decline will not continue for long, as prices are about to reach a fair level equal to global prices," Milad concluded.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The success in Karnataka has come as the much-needed oxygen for the Congress as it has been struggling to prove its prowess. It will help the Grand Old Party revive its electoral fortunes and also strengthen its credentials as the principal opposition party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

A fine performance, even though it was on expected lines, given the sad state of affairs in the state, it has given the party a sound footing that can prove to be the right springboard for 2024.

Throughout the campaign, the Congress stayed focused on local concerns, worked systematically on anti-incumbency feelings, targeted the corrupt ministers and promised welfare measures. And more than these, successfully thwarted right-wing attempts to tar the campaign with religious colours.

The success of the Congress was only because of its steadfast focus on local issues and avoiding getting entangled in the Hindutva rhetoric. And, when it did get stuck for a moment after the Bajrang Dal reference in its manifesto, it decided not to back down. This possibly led to the consolidation of the Muslim votes in its favour at the expense of the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S).

Muslims account for nearly 13 per cent of the electorate and were usually split between the Congress and the JD(S). But this time, hurt by the hijab controversy, scrapping of the 4 per cent quota, and other such decisions of the state government, the Muslims consolidated behind the Congress. All across the state, the community has voted for the Congress in a big way. And the promise to restore the 4 per cent reservation for them drew them even closer to the Congress.

The rest of the population seemed to be far more affected by the misgovernance or caste and community calls. All these factors helped the Congress to beat the BJP, more so, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail.

The Congress was also able to keep its flock united in the state. It was able to rein in its two stalwarts -- D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, who have been known to be at loggerheads with each other.

Their coordinated, well-crafted joint appearances were clear attempts to put up a clear united front. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, all travelling in the same car for the party meeting after the verdict, was an assuring picture.

The Karnataka electoral success has given the Congress the formula it has been looking for to match, score better and defeat the BJP, and also to stay at the top among the Opposition lot.

Besides finding the formula to checkmate the BJP, it has also been able to counter those in the Opposition who felt that the Congress could no longer lead the pack.

Several Opposition parties are trying to take a lead in getting the opposition united. Whether it is the BRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao or Bihar CM Nitish Kumar or West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, or even Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, or NCP president Sharad Pawar, efforts are being made by each of them to emerge as the tallest leader of a united Opposition.

The Opposition had been trying to overawe the Congress into play second fiddle after a series of losses. But the win in Karnataka has helped the Congress show its doubting allies that it can defeat the BJP in a direct fight.

And this they have done for the second time in seven months with Himachal Pradesh being the first one. The morale boosting win for the Congress will help it assert that it is the natural leader of the opposition block in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The win also will encourage the Congress to head for the electoral battles in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh this year-end with greater confidence. It may have put the party and the Opposition on a pedestal, but to consolidate this ahead of the big fight in 2024, the opposition in turn will now have to rework its strategy to defeat the BJP and PM Modi.

The need to counter the BJP in one-on-one fights is a crucial part of the strategy. The win in Karnataka has by and large proved this. It is, however, easier said than done.

The one-on-one strategy seems to be near impossible to implement on the ground because of competing egos. The Congress therefore has to work on its own strategy and work state by state.

The Congress remains the only party at the national level which can counter PM Modi and the BJP. The Karnataka and Himachal wins have energised the grand old party. A re-energised Congress will be hoping for wins in the three poll-bound states.

"It's a big victory. Through this victory, a new energy has emerged in the whole nation. BJP used to taunt us and say that 'we will make Congress-mukt Bharat'. Now the truth is that it is BJP-mukt South India," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge quipped after the win.

The Karnataka win has brought cheers to the Congress and the rest of the Opposition, which is now realising that Modi is not invincible And for the Congress in particular, it is a moment to reaffirm its old grandness but in its new 2.0 avatar.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : Doctors at a government medical health centre in Thiruvananthapuram have held that the accused in the murder of Kerala woman doctor, Dr. Vandana Das, has no mental issues.

The doctors, after conducting a medical examination of Sandeep, said that he did not have any mental issues. Police had brought Sandeep for a mental health check as they were planning to house him in mental health institution if the doctors confirmed mental disorders for him.

Sandeep, according to doctors, said that he got provoked by the presence of doctors and policemen in the hospital and hence, he had a mental outburst.

According to Jail Superintendent, Sandeep has told the authorities that his outburst was due to the fear that the doctors and cops would harm him. The superintendent also said that the accused Sandeep had confessed that his prime target was the male doctor present in the hospital.

Sandeep, who is an upper primary school teacher in Kottarakara in Kerala's Kollam district, is now jailed in the high security cell at the Poojapura central jail in Thiruvananthapuram.

Das, a house surgeon, was stabbed fatally by Sandeep who was brought by police for a medical examination and treatment of a wound on his leg on May 10.

Protests had erupted across the state following the attack and murder of Das and doctors, nurses, paramedics, students, and house surgeons had participated in the agitations held across the state.
Kathmandu, May 14 : Nepali Sherpa Pasang Dawa on Sunday became the world's second person to scale Mount Everest 26 times, local media reported.

"Born in Pangboche, Dawa grew up seeing Everest everyday. He has made it to the summit of Mt Everest for 26 times at 0906 a.m. today," The Himalyan Times quoted Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Managing Director of expedition organiser Imagine Nepal Treks, as saying.

"His Everest Summits are in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, twice in 2006, twice in 2007, 2008, 2009, twice in 2010, 2011, 2012, twice in 2013, 2016,2017, twice in 2018 and twice in 2019 and twice in 2022," Gyalje said.

Dawa shares the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday congratulated the state police department for its "excellent work in investigating and solving cases", and "for maintaining the law and order situation".

The Chief Minister also called upon the Kerala Police to take stringent action against cyber crimes.

Vijayan, while speaking at the inauguration of the rural police headquarters in Thrissur, said while the police were excellent at investigating cases and bringing about results, there has been an increase in cyber crimes and called upon the police to act accordingly in dealing with cyber crimes and not to be found wanting.

The Kerala Chief Minister called upon police officers to be prepared to handle unexpected situations that can turn dangerous and fatal.

He was referring to the hacking and subsequent death of a woman doctor at Kottarakaa Taluk hospital on May 10.

Vijayan said that only a few policemen had acted against the interests of the people of the state and such personnel are now outside of the department.

He was referring to some police personnel who were dismissed from service for corruption charges, immoral activities and dereliction of duty.
Bengaluru, May 14 : The crucial meeting of newly-elected MLAs of Congress in Karnataka is set to start here soon on Sunday evening with the lawmakers starting to reach the private hotel for the meeting.

Meanwhile, hectic lobbying has begun for the post of Chief Minister between state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition and former CM Siddaramaiah. In a major development, Vokkaliga seer Nirmalanandanatha swamiji has held a meeting and indicated that Shivakumar deserves to become the CM.

The influential pontiff maintained that Shivakumar had put in efforts for the party and it should be duly recognised. He also stated that the mutt and community wants him to become the CM and will support Shivakumar him like they supported former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, H.D. Kumaraswamy and S.M. Krishna.

Sources stated that Siddaramaiah camp has also been equally lobbying for the post and putting an all-out effort to secure the support of 100 MLAs. The strategy is to secure MLAs support in Legislature Party meeting and assert with Ahinda groups later.

With Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reaching New Delhi and his statement that the high command will take a call after the Legislature party meeting, it indicates the tussle for the CM post.

Party sources claimed that it will take another two to three days to finalise the CM candidate in the present scenario.
Bengaluru, May 14 : In the closely-fought Karnataka Assembly elections, where the Congress decimated the BJP and the JD-S with a historic mandate, the party also delivered a powerful performance in JD-S bastions of Tumkur and Mandya districts where it won 13 of the total 18 seats.

Tumkur has 10 Assembly seats while the Mandya district has eight.

In Tumkur district, the Congress won seven seats while the BJP won two and JD-S one seat.

The assembly constituencies of Tumkur comprises Chiknayakanhalli, Tiptur, Turuvekere, Tumkur City, Tumkur Rural, Koratagere, Gubbi, Sira, Pavagadha and Madhugiri.

Similarly in Mandya district, the Congress won six seats while the BJP scored nil, the JD-S was able to win one seat while one seat was won by Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha.

Mandya has eight assembly, namely Malavalli, Maddur, Melukote, Mandya, Shrirangapattana, Nagamangala, Krishnarajpete, and Krishnarajanagara.

The party credited the victory in the JD-S redoubts to its Rajya Sabha MP G.C. Chandrashekar, a Vokkaliga leader.

According to party leaders, he is the man behind the victory for the 13 seats in Tumkur and Mandya district serving as incharge of the two districts for the last two years.

A Congress leader said that Chandrashekar was able to consolidate the vokkaliga base in these two crucial districts.

"He had taken the party leadership into confidence during ticket announcement only, and had promised the leadership that party will win minimum 10 seats combined in the district," the party leader, wishing not to be named, said.

The party leader pointed out that Chandrashekar, who belongs to Gangatkar Vokkaliga caste, same as S.M. Krishna and D.K. Shivakumar, had been working in these two districts tirelessly for two years, and his input was crucial for ticket distribution with full support from party leadership even when the party survey went against his desires.

In Mandya, the party had drawn a blank in 2018 Assembly elections while it managed to win only two seats in Tumkur.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : The Malayalam Tovino Thomas-starrer '2018 Everyone Is A Hero', directed by the award-winning popular director, Jude Anthany Joseph, is having a dream run and moving toward the Rs 100-crore club, a rare feat for a Mollywood movie.

And coming as it does at a time when 'The Kerala Story' is attracting nationwide attention, people close to the Malayalam film industry are saying that '2018' is "the real Kerala Story" and not the one that claims to be one.

The film is centred around stories of humanity triumphing over adversity in the backdrop of the 2018 floods that devastated parts of Kerala. It is the second Tovino project to attract national attention and draw an adulatory audience response after the 2021 superhero movie 'Minnal Murali'. And it also brings back memories of his performance in 'Virus', the 2019 film about the Nipah outbreak in Kerala.

Tovino, incidentally, volunteered his services for flood relief back in 2018. In the film, he plays a young man who leaves the Indian Army with a fake medical certificate and redeems himself during the floods.

The ensemble cast includes top Malayalam talents, notably Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Lal and the National Award-winning actress, Aparna Balamurali, who plays a TV reporter.

The movie, which was released on May 5, raked in around Rs 5.18 crore on its ninth day from Kerala alone, which is an all-time record in Mollywood history. The worldwide collection is reported to be more than Rs 80 crore in the first nine days. The film is reported to be getting a standing ovation in theatres across the state.

Produced by Venu Kunnappilly, C.K. Padma Kumar and Anto Joseph under the banner of Kavya Film Company and P.K. Prime Productions, the film is the second back-to-back blockbuster from Kavya after the 2022 action adventure drama 'Malikappuram' starring Unni Mukundan.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Bengaluru, May 14 : Even as former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who switched to Congress ahead of the assembly polls in Karnataka, lost to the BJP's Mahesh Tenginkai by a huge margin, both the leaders jointly got 97 per cent votes from Hubli-Dharwad Central assembly seat.

Shettar, a six-term MLA from Hubli-Dharwad Central, had left the BJP and joined Congress after he was denied a seat by the party national leadership. The constituency is considered a stronghold of the BJP.

Shettar got 60,355 votes, which is 37.89 per cent votes as compared to 94,408 for BJP's Tenginkai, which is 59.27 per cent votes polled.

Jointly, they got 97.16 per cent of votes polled in the assembly seat.

The JD-S candidate managed to get only 513 votes, which is 0.32 per cent of votes.

Meanwhile, 1,251 voters opted for NOTA, which is 0.78 per cent of the total votes polled in the assembly.

A total of 16 candidates had contested for Hubli-Dharwad Central seat.

In the 2018 elections, Shettar won this constituency by a margin of 21,306 votes.

It may be recalled it was Hubli where Jan Sangh had scored its first victory in South India when the seat was won by Jagadish Shettar's uncle Sadashiva Shettar in 1968.

Even former Congress president Sonia Gandhi had campaigned for Shettar from Hubli on May 6, her first electoral public meeting after a gap of over 4 years.

The Congress won 135 out of 224 seats in the southern state, whereas the BJP had won 66, the JD-S 19 seats in the state where the polling was done on May 10.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at Anand.s@ians.in)
Islamabad, May 14 : Banker, boxer, and mother of two Naila Kiani on Sunday summitted Mount Everest, becoming the second Pakistani woman to raise her country's flag at the world's highest peak, media reports said.

Scaling up to 8,849 metres, she reached the summit at 8.02 a.m. on Sunday, along with Pasang Temba Sherpa. She has also become the first non-Nepalese climber to reach Everest's summit this mountaineering season, Geo News reported.

Samina Baig was the first woman mountaineer from Pakistan to scale the Everest in 2013.

Kiani is the only Pakistani woman to scale five eight-thousanders - which now includes Mount Everest - all within a span of two years. Before this, she climbed Annapurna I in Nepal, K2, Gasherbrum I and II.

She is now aiming to scale 8,516m high Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain in her current visit to Nepal.

Kiani was among the two Pakistani mountaineers who had been rescued on their way down to Mount Annapurna last month. She was accompanied by the world's youngest mountaineer Shehroze Kashif on their ascent to 8,091 metre high peak in Nepal.

A day after reaching the mountain top, the two climbers were rescued as their descent was disrupted due to bad weather.

With Annapurna ascent, Kiani became the first woman from South Asia to achieve the feat, as per Geo News.
Chennai, May 14 : Shivam Dube continued his good six-hitting form by smashing 48 not out to take Chennai Super Kings to 144/6 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday.

Dube's unbeaten 48 off 34 balls, which included one four and three sixes, helped Chennai get some valuable runs on a challenging pitch. For Kolkata, Sunil Narine and local boy Varun Chakaravarthy bowled well to take two wickets each to keep Chennai to their lowest total of IPL 2023.

Electing to bat first, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway looked at ease in driving, cutting, and flicking off fast bowlers Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana to pick three fours in the first three overs.

After Gaikwad swept Chakaravarthy for four, the leg-spinner bounced back when he found a turn on leg-break which the right-handed batter tried to slog and top-edge flew to short third man.

After Conway brought out a cover drive off Chakaravarthy for four, Ajinkya Rahane used Rana's pace to late-dab past the third man for four and followed it up with an effortless loft over mid-on for six as Chennai signed off from Power-play with 52/1.

Conway got to change an lbw decision off Chakaravarthy when on 25 in the eighth over as replays showed the ball bouncing above stumps, but Rahane wasn't lucky as he holed out to long-on off a leg-break in the same over.

Chennai plunged into trouble when Conway got a top edge on the pull off Shardul Thakur and was caught by deep square-leg in the tenth over. In the next over, an off-break from Sunil Narine went past Ambati Rayudu's sweep and crashed into the stumps, while his carrom ball beat Moeen Ali's inside edge to leave the stumps in a mess.

Dube ended a 41-ball no-boundary spree by launching an overpitched delivery from Suyash Sharma over extra cover for six. But Narine, Suyash and Chakaravarthy controlled the run flow by giving only 11 runs collectively from overs 13, 14 and 15.

Dube began to attack by pulling Thakur for four, before he and Ravindra Jadeja smashed a six each over the leg-side on short balls from Suyash on either side of a no-ball, to amass 16 runs from the 17th over.

Dube then took on Chakaravarthy by smoking a six over mid-wicket, before taking a brace twice. But Thakur pulled things back admirably by conceding only five runs, including a wide, in the 19th over.

After Jadeja ramped a bouncer straight to short third man off Arora in the final over, Kolkata conceded only four runs on the last two balls, including a wide and no-ball, as Chennai picked only 14 runs off the last two overs.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 144/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 48 not out, Devon Conway 30; Sunil Narine 2-15, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-36) against Kolkata Knight Riders

Latest updates on IPL 2023
When Abdel-Qader Al-Husseini fell at Al-Kastel, his death seemed to mark the beginning of the end for the Arabs in Palestine. Some historians even claim that had the Arabs not lost this battle, there might be no Jewish state today. Omayma Abdel-Latif reflects on the career of a great warrior

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

Issue: 9-15 April 1998

"A military commander and a Palestinian fighter." This is the description of Abdel-Qader Al-Husseini in information file number 3101 in the archives of Al-Ahram newspaper. Abu Mousa, Abdel-Qader Al-Husseini, is acknowledged in there as the Palestinian commander most committed to the cause which he gave his life for.

Abdel-Qader was born in Jerusalem in 1908 to Mousa Kazem pacha Al-Husseini, one of the pioneer commanders who led the early struggle in Palestine from 1919 to 1933 and was elected to chair the first Arab Conference in Jerusalem in 1919. The young boy witnessed from an early age the battles against the British mandate rule, which acted as an eye-opener, initiating him into the true situation of Palestine at the time.

Right up to the end of his life, Mousa Kazem Pacha, despite his considerable age (he was 83 when he died in 1934), still took to the streets, organising protests against the British Army's connivance with the Zionist movement who were actively colonising Palestine. In one of those demonstrations in Jaffa, Mousa was attacked by a British solider and seriously injured. He was pronounced dead on 23rd March 1934. Abdel-Qader, by then, was old enough to follow in his father's footsteps. In that same demonstration, the young man had been among the injured. As he later recalled, "the slogans of the protest called for the 'fall of Zionism' and of Britain which protected it.'

Al-Husseini was educated at Roudat al-Ma'aref al-Watanyia in Jerusalem. Most wealthy Palestinian families at the time would send their sons to complete their higher education in Egypt, and Al-Husseini was duly dispatched to Cairo, where he entered the American University in Cairo, majoring in history and journalism.

He graduated with honours in 1934, the first ever Palestinian student to receive such a degree from the AUC. Describing the scene 25 years later in a profile of Al-Husseini, Al-Messa newspaper of May 15, 1959 (edited at the time by Anwar El-Saddat) reported that the young man had addressed the audience, telling them, "This university is but a colonial and missionary establishment. It is also a base for the enemies of the Arabs. To express my protest at the existence of such a place in the heart of Cairo, I will tear up this degree... This university aims to destroy the pillars of Islam and Arabism and to turn young Arabs into voices of colonialism." This account is probably highly exaggerated, yet similar stories appear in many of the sources for his life.

Whether he gave the long speech reproduced in Al-Messa, or just shouted "Long live Palestine," as other sources claim, the incident itself is indicative of both the climate that prevailed in the thirties and the legends that were woven around Husseini's name much later.

Upon returning to Palestine, Al-Husseini turned down a job with the British mandate authorities in the Land Settlement Circle, a body which was to oversee the settlement of land disputes between Arabs and Jews. To his dismay, Al-Husseini realized that his job as an assistant to the settlement Sheriff was effectively to hand the land of Arab families over to their Jewish rivals.

In 1936, Al-Husseini took part in the Palestinian revolution. As commander of Al-Jihad Al-Mouqadas (Sacred Jihad) troops in Palestine, he was delegated the authority to declare war against the British mandate authorities, which he did on 7 May. The revolution began with systematic attacks on British troops stationed in Jerusalem and its environs.

The enemy sustained heavy losses, which provoked the British authorities to lay ambushes to try and hunt down Al-Husseini. Despite their efforts, he managed to escape unscathed. The revolution reached its peak in July of the same year when the remaining forces of Ezz El-Din Al-Qassam joined the ranks of Al-Husseini along with scores of fighters from around the Arab world.

After a series of attacks in Ramallah, Jericho, Bethlehem and Bab El-Wad, the British troops managed to lay siege to the village of El-Khodr, and Al-Husseini was captured in a fierce battle. Seriously wounded, he was transferred under heavy guard to the military hospital. While the British authorities awaited his recovery to put him on trial, Abdel-Qader's comrades attacked the hospital and spirited Al-Husseini away to Damascus, where he remained for three months to complete his treatment.

In response to a plea from the Arab kings and the Arab Supreme Committee for Palestine, the revolution was then brought to an abrupt halt, after the British authorities promised to consider their demands.

By the end of 1937, Al-Hussini was back in Palestine. He was stationed in Beirzeit, which was to be the headquarters of the second stage of the holy Jihad against British occupation and Jewish immigration. A few months later, the fighters had taken the old city of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho and Ramallah, as well as scores of villages.

Faced with such considerable victories, the British troops moved to crush the revolution. While Al-Husseini was moving towards the coast to attack Jewish settlements in the Beit Gebrin area, he came under fire from British artillery and was so severely injured that he was counted among the dead. Yet somehow, he managed to resurface in Damascus, where he again received treatment for his wounds. Shortly afterwards, the Second World War broke out and the Palestinian revolution came to a halt once again.

Al-Husseini moved on to Baghdad where he joined the military officers' college. In 1941 he supported the revolution of Rashid Ali Al-Kilani against the British army and, as a result, was arrested and put on military trial, where he was sentenced to three years imprisonment. At the end of the Second World War, Al-Husseini reappeared in Cairo, where he was hard at work preparing the next stage of armed struggle in Palestine.

He began by training Palestinian youths in guerrilla warfare. While thus occupied with purchasing arms and training the young soldiers of the holy Jihad in Cairo, he also met with a number of the nationalist officers in the Egyptian army to agree on goals for the Palestinian fighters. The Mufti declared him the commander of the holy jihad. Thus made ready, Al-Husseini moved back to Palestine after nearly a decade's absence. His return coincided with the declaration of the November 1947 UN resolution on the partition of Palestine.

As clashes between Arabs and Jews intensified on the eve of the establishment of the Jewish state, Zionist guerrilla gangs resorted to terrorism against the Arabs by planting bombs in Arab quarters. Abdel-Qader and his men engaged in a series of battles against these gangs in Beit Sourek, Beit Mehiaser, Berk Suliman, Sourif , Ramallah and other villages. Having run out of weaponry, their commander then headed to Damascus, the headquarters of the Arab Liberation Army (the army of irregulars formed by the Arab League), to seek ammunition and mortar cover.

In Damascus, Al-Husseini did his best to describe the deteriorating situation in Palestine and how the Jews were becoming more influential every day. He went on to explain how the Jewish gurreilla were well-equipped while the Palestinian fighters didn't lack courage, but had no weapons save old Ottoman guns.

It was while Al-Husseini was making his plea for help, that the battle of Al-Kastel broke out. The village of al-Kastel, west of Jerusalem, was to be occupied under the first phase of Plan Dalet, whose goal was to capture the villages along the Tel-Aviv-Jerusalem road from local Palestinian militia. According to many Arab historians, the battle of Al-Kastel was one of the decisive battles -- if not the decisive battle -- of the 1948 war.

It was the battle which determined the possibility of the Jewish state. Both the Arab fighters and the Jewish terrorists realised the strategic importance of the village. Whoever controlled al-Kastel could control Jerusalem and the ammunition road linking the Jewish settlements with both Tel-Aviv and Jaffa, as well as the Palestinian coast. That is why the battle turned into one of the fiercest and bloodiest encounters of that time -- a prelude to the atrocities committed in Deir Yassin a day later.

In his book, The Struggle of the Palestinian People, the writer and journalist Ahmed Boyassir explains that the response of the Arab League military committee to Al-Husseini' request for arms simply reflected the policies of the countries they represented.

"During this time, news broke that Al-Kastel has fallen into the hands of the Jews, Al-Husseini was outraged by the news and addressed Taha Pacha Al-Hashemi, former general commander of the Iraqi Army and chief inspector of the Arab Liberation Army, in these terms: "Al-Kastel is a strong fortress which we cannot hope to get back with the little ammunition we have. Give me the weapons that I ask for and I will recapture it".

Al-Husseini's request was refused. His final words to those who denied him arms were, "History will record that you made the loss of Palestine possible. I will go back to Kastel even if I die with all my comrades." He was killed a day later at Al-Kastel."

Following his death, Al-Ahram's Jerusalem correspondent wrote: .

"The killing of the late Abdel-Qader Al-Husseini, the commander-in-chief of Jerusalem area, has come to be regarded as an example of self-sacrifice which all the Arabs should take pride in." The correspondent reported that while the Arab fighters continued their attacks on the village of Al-Kastel, "Al-Husseini, who had just returned from Damascus to recapture Al-Kastel village, was killed during the attack [...]

"Informed sources said that Abdel-Qader was in the forefront of the attack. He had entered a house to blow it up; he never came out again. Haganah circles, however, claim that Abdel-Qader was buried under the ruins of a house which was blown up by explosives planted by Jewish troops."

* This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


New Delhi, May 14 : Delhi Police officials displayed bravery to save the life of a woman and her son trapped in their fire-stricken residence, but her husband perished in the blaze, police said on Sunday.

A senior police official said that they got a call of the incident in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar at around 11.17 p.m. on Saturday, and a police team was sent to the spot and the Fire Department was also informed. The whole area was cordoned off by the police to avoid any untoward incident.

The fire was on the fourth floor residence and the family was trapped there but the owner Pramod Kumar's wife Manpreet Kaur and his one and a half year old son were saved by quick-thinking police officials, especially SI Mukesh and Head Constable Desh Raj.

"Unfortunately, Pramod Kumar died in the fire," the police said.

Meanwhile, seven fire tenders and CATS ambulance also reached the spot and the fire was extinguished.

A crime team and FSL team were also called to the spot. During enquiry, it was revealed that only ground floor and fourth floor are occupied by families.

"Pramod Kumar was present at his flat at the time of the incident while his wife and their child had gone to the residence of the mother-in-law who lives next to their home - on the same floor - 15 minutes earlier on his request. The PCR call was made by a neighbour. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained," the police official said.

The incident has left the residents of the building in a state of shock and mourning.
Rome, May 14 : Six-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia overcame a second-set slump to defeat Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia (Italian Open) here on Sunday.

Djokovic came up with a high-class third-set showing to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 The top seed and defending champion Djokovic won the first set easily and looked set for a routine third-round victory when he led Dimitrov by a set and a break at 6-3, 4-2.

An inspired run of four games from the Bulgarian Dimitrov gave him the second set and forced a decider at the Foro Italico. However, Djokovic expertly raised his level to reach the fourth round with his 1050th tour-level victory.

With his two-hour, 20-minute win, Djokovic improved to 11-1 in his ATP head-to-head series against Dimitrov. The 35-year-old will next take on 13th seed Cameron Norrie or Marton Fucsovics as he bids to reach the quarter-finals for the 17th time in as many appearances in Rome.

Djokovic made a sluggish start for the second match in a row at the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 and he was broken to love in the first game by the 26th seed Dimitrov. However, just as he did against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in his opening match, the Serbian responded in style. He reeled off four games in a row en route to a first set in which he made just three unforced errors.

Despite letting slip his dominant position in the second set, the decider saw Djokovic return to the sort of level that he has frequently shown in Rome across his career. Striking cleanly off both wings and offering a few short balls for Dimitrov to attack, he broke the Bulgarian's serve three times to complete his win and improve to 66-10 in the Italian capital.
Imphal, May 14 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, accompanied by his ministerial colleagues and MLAs, on Sunday left for Delhi, where he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders to discuss the prevailing situation of the state, devastated in the recent ethnic violence.

Sources close to both the government and the ruling BJP said that the Chief Minister, other ministers and state leaders were supposed to go to Delhi immediately after the ethnic violence broke out on May 3, but the Prime Minister, Home Minister, other central leaders were busy with the Karnataka Assembly elections, leading to the meetings being put off.

Power, Forest and Agriculture Minister Biswajit Singh, who is as second in command to Biren Singh, and state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also accompanied the Chief Minister.

According to the source, the issue of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki militant outfits of the state is also likely to be discussed besides the ethnic violence and subsequent developments.

The Chief Minister's visit to the national capital assumes significance as the 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi groups indirectly demanded a "separate state" for the tribals on Friday in the wake of recent violent clashes between the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribals.

Of the 10 MLAs, five belong to the BJP, two each from Janata Dal-United and Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent. The Janata Dal-United, the KPA and the independent MLAs are also part of the BJP led alliance government in Manipur.

Claiming the lives of around 70 people and injuring a few hundred, ethnic violence, clashes, rampant arsoning, indiscriminate vandalisation, random destruction of government and private properties broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension and protests over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land and destruction of poppy cultivation, which had led to a series of agitations in local level.

The non-tribal Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Valley areas while the tribals belonging to Naga and Kuki communities constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Manipur government's security advisor Kuldiep Singh said that since May 3, 71 people have died, among which 41 fell prey to the ethnic violence, while others died due to various other causes, including drug overdoses.

He said a total of 339 cases of attack and arsoning have been registered.
Bengaluru, May 14 : A day after the announcement of Karnataka Assembly election results which saw the Congress emerging victorious with the required majority to form the government and the BJP crashing out of power, outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said "the loss is not the defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

"This is not PM Modi's defeat as he came here only for the campaign. The Congress leadership has lost in the entire country," he told reporters near the BJP office here, adding: "It's not correct to blame PM Modi for the BJP's defeat in the state." The BJP leader said this while reacting to the Congress saying that "the BJP's loss was PM Modi's defeat".

He said that all key party leaders had gathered in the BJP office and discussed the election results.

Bommai said the Karnataka unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president has convened a meeting of the newly-elected MLAs in the next three to four days.

After that, a meeting of all the party candidates would be convened where they would discuss threadbare and work out the strategies to strengthen the party.

"There would be no rest for the party organisation and all of them would work together for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Reacting to the "fight" between Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka unit Congress president D.K. Shivakumar over the CM's post, Bommai wished them "all the best".

On the implementation of poll promises by the Congress, he said "first let them form the government and after that, let's see what they will do in the first Cabinet meeting".
New Delhi, May 14 : A relative of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator in Delhi reportedly opened fire on some persons in Krishna Nagar market following a property-related dispute.

The police said that they were looking into the matter.

A senior police officer said that on Sunday, they got a call at around 11.45 a.m. regarding the incident.

The caller told the police that said that fire had been opened in Krishna Nagar's Friends Centre Market.

"Upon verification, it was found that one Sonu who came out of the gym had a quarrel with a group of known persons. One of the persons fired from a pistol. No one was injured in the firing. The accused are known to victim and they have previous enmity over a property-related dispute," a police officer said.

The police officer said that a case was registered and a few persons were rounded off in the matter.

The official said that teams were conducting raids to nab the accused.
Karimnagar : , May 14 (IANS) Exuding confidence that BJP will come to power in Telangana, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that Ram Rajya will come in Telangana in five months.

Addressing Hindu Ekta Yatra organised by Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay here on Sunday, Sarma said that rule of 'razakars' will end in Telangana soon and rule of Ram will come.

Razakars are referred to volunteers who had opposed Hyderabad State's accession to India.

The Assam CM alleged that the Telangana government headed by KCR government spent 9 years appeasing only the ruling family and minorities.

He remarked that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) may have changed the name to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) but people of Telangana will ensure that they take VRS (voluntary retirement) when elections are held in November.

Sarma also took a dig at BRS over alleged involvement of its leaders in Delhi liquor scam. He alleged that AAP and BRS joined hands to steal the public money.

Both Sarma and Bandi Sanjay repeatedly used the words 'Razakars', 'Pakistan', 'Owaisi' in their speeches and claimed that the Ekta Yatra was aimed at exposing the injustices meted out to Hindus due to the collusion between BRS and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

Sarma alleged that after the victory of Congress party in Karnataka, Pakistan-backed terrorists and members of a community raised slogans of 'Pakistan Zinabad'. Stating that BJP is a saviour of Hindutva, he claimed that people of Karnataka were feeling bad for its defeat.

Earlier, talking to reporters, the Assam Chief Minister said the Congress party won just one state but making tall claims. He said BJP won several states but it never over-reacted.

At the Yatra, he said that his government in Assam was working to stop love jihad in Assam. "We're also working towards closing down Madrassas in Assam. After I became CM, I closed 600 Madrassas in Assam. I will close 300 more Madrassas this year," he said and challenged AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to stop him.

Sarma said he was also working to end polygamy and implement uniform civil code.

He remarked that in Assam, there were instances where Hindu girls were lured the way as shown in the movie 'The Kerala Story'.

Both Sarma and Bandi Sanjay appealed to people to watch the movie to understand 'Love Jihad'.

Sanjay had invited the entire team of 'The Kerala Story' at the Hindu Ekta Yatra. The film's director Sudipto Sen tweeted that they could not attend due to some emergency health issue.

"Today we're supposed to visit Karimnagar to talk about our film at a youth gathering. Unfortunately we could not travel due some emergency health issue. Heartfelt apology to the people of Karimnagar. We made the film to save our daughters. Pls keep supporting us," he wrote.
Bhopal, May 14 : Congress' Madhya Pradesh unit chief Kamal Nath, taking a dig at Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the demands of the Jat community, on Sunday said that he is not an "announcement" machine, hence he does not make announcements of proposals but believes in execution of work.

A "Mahakumbh" of the Jat community was held here and Kamal Nath, who attended it, called the community "aware". "I wanted to be present here, therefore I left another programme to join you," he told the gathering.

The people of Jat community also presented a letter of demands to the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.

Responding to the letter, Kamal Nath said: "I have listened to your demands. I do not announce, but I believe in implementation. I will present an account regarding this (the letter of demand) when the next conference is held." He also spoke about the diversity in the country, wondering if there is any other nation where so many festivals are celebrated, and so many gods are worshipped.

"Our country stands under one flag. It has been standing as the culture of our country is 'the culture of integration'. We connect hearts and we build relationships. People of many religions and castes live in your village. This is brotherhood, and this is the culture of our country," the senior Congress leader said.

He further said B.R. Ambedkar had come up with the Constitution to safeguard and shield the culture of India.

"We will have to protect the culture for our Constitution. Today is the time to protect our culture and our constitution," Kamal Nath said.
Jerusalem, May 15 : Israel decided to cancel the mandatory quarantine for Covid-19 patients, according to a statement issued by the country's Health Ministry.

The ease will take effect on Tuesday, ending the more than three-year quarantine mandate for Covid-19-positive cases since the pandemic broke out in February 2020, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry on Sunday recommended that those infected with the virus apply home quarantine despite the removal of the obligation, and wear a face mask when going out.

The Ministry also advised the public to get vaccinated, especially the more vulnerable groups.

Since the pandemic outbreak, about 4.82 million Covid-19 cases have been detected in Israel, about half of the country's population. A total of 12,509 people died in Israel as a result of the virus.
Tehran, May 15 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the exchange of delegations between Tehran and the IAEA is continuing and both sides are "satisfied" with the progress being made in the technical aspect.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks when commenting on the latest developments in the cooperation with IAEA in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, which was published on Sunday.

The Minister called on IAEA to put aside its political approach toward Iran and focus on the technical aspect of its interaction with Tehran, saying: "The more the agency distances from the political approach and moves toward technical cooperation, the opener will the path be for Iran to achieve agreements with it." The Minister noted the two sides can collaborate favourably and based on mutual trust only if there involves no interference from "certain foreign countries".

Josep Borrell, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, had expressed satisfaction with the report he received from the IAEA on cooperation with Iran during his talks with Amir-Abdollahian several days ago, according to the Iranian diplomat.

Amir-Abdollahian said "positive" reports and behaviour of the IAEA could have a positive impact on the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and remove the sanctions on Tehran, Xinhua news agency reported.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi paid a two-day visit to Tehran in early March. The two sides then reached an agreement on further interactions based on Iran's cooperation and greater openness to IAEA's inspections.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022.
Athens, May 15 : Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ruled out the prospect of cooperation with the socialist PASOK-KINAL (Panhellenic Socialist Movement-Movement for Change) party to form a coalition government after the upcoming general elections.

"I don't believe that at this moment there is margin for any cooperation with PASOK after the May 21 elections, even if the numbers could lead to a government that would receive the confidence vote from the parliament," he told a press conference on Sunday.

With one week to go ahead of the ballot, Mitsotakis' conservative New Democracy (ND) party holds a lead over the main opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance in recent opinion polls, while PASOK-KINAL ranks third, Xinhua news agency reported.

Greece needs a stable government and due to diverging views on crucial issues, an ND-PASOK government would not serve the country's interests, Mitsotakis said.

However, political analysts estimate that due to the way the Greek electoral system works, it will be difficult to secure a parliamentary majority in the first ballot.

If a second round of elections is required, it will take place at the beginning of July at the latest, the Prime Minister has said.

The second ballot would be held under a different electoral law, which provides for extra seats for the winning party.

The Prime Minister reiterated a call to voters to give his party a strong mandate to continue its reformist agenda.

He acknowledged that many households are still struggling to make ends meet due to increased living costs and pledged to further lower taxes and increase wages during his second term in office, without jeopardising fiscal discipline and the stability and further growth of economy.

Commenting on the future of the Greece-Turkey relations, he said, in recent months tensions have eased. He expressed hope that the two neighbouring countries, which for long are at odds over borders, will find favourable ground to lead to a more permanent de-escalation of bilateral relations.
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon continue to suffer twice: for their expulsion from their homeland, and from the inhuman conditions in which they live. In this anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Rosemary Sayigh* argues, we must challenge Israel's absolute refusal to repatriate the Palestinian diaspora -- the condition on which it was admitted to the UN 50 years ago

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998

One of the gravest consequences of the Oslo Accords was that the refugee issue, hitherto a central element of the Palestinian struggle, was swept under the carpet. Oslo not only deprioritised the refugees, it gave space to the Israelis to consolidate their policy of total negation of refugee return. By making refugee settlement outside Palestine the most likely eventuality, Oslo put pressure on the Lebanese state to pre-empt such an outcome through policies aimed to reduce its Palestinian ref-gee population. Two key factors buttress this pol-cy: first, it does not arouse Syrian opposition; second, it enjoys considerable internal support.

Towteen is the Arabic term used with equal hostility by Palestinians and Lebanese to refer to the per-anent settlement of the refugees in Lebanon. The current situation threatens Palestinians everywhere, but for those in Lebanon it has a malign specificity unique to this diaspora region. While Israel categorically refuses their repatriation, the Lebanese state and major political forces refuse not only towteen but also any amelioration of their conditions, the primordial demand being civic rights. Their future is thus clouded by threats of transfer, while their present is deformed by an unyielding politics of marginalisation.

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are the second largest community in the Arab diaspora after those in Jordan, numbering today around 350,000, or 5.7 per cent of the total Palestinian population. Most of them come from the villages of Galilee, with a smaller number from the coastal cities -- areas that have been, and remain, the object of intensive Israeli 'Judaisation' policies. The origins of this com-unity, its size and proximity to Palestine/Israel, its history as one of the backbones of the post-1948 resistance movement, ensure that Israel will oppose even a 'symbolic' return of the kind some Palestinians have proposed as a compromise solution. Though at the popular level, Lebanese anti-Palestinianism -- always the product of sectarian mobilisation -- has somewhat abated since the 1980s, support for the refugee community is limited to individual politicians, Arab nationalists, progressives and segments of the intellectual and student strata.

Though I focus in this article on the harsh conditions of the Palestinians in Lebanon, I want to emphasise at the outset that to blame Lebanon alone would be to ignore history, and the international and regional imbalance of forces that created the Palestinian diaspora, and keeps it in place. The Lebanese resent international pressures on them to accommodate the refugees, given that Lebanon did not create the refugee problem, and that the international community has repeatedly failed to support Lebanon against Israeli attack. Lebanon's argument that it should not be forced to pay the price of Palestinian expulsion from Israel is as valid as the Palestinians' insistence that they should not be forced to pay the price of European persecution of the Jews.

LEBANON AS ENVIROMENT: One fundamental point that is often ignored in discussions of the Palestinians in Lebanon is the absence of reliable and accurate information about the refugee community. There are not even any accurate figures for its total size. This lack of even the most basic data has serious consequences. For instance, no one knows the number of Palestinians registered in Lebanon who live elsewhere, nor where they are, or what is their status in their countries of refuge or labour. It is not known for sure how many Palestinian emigrants have been removed from the list of those with residency rights in Lebanon, nor the number of those stranded abroad, without papers enabling them to return to Lebanon, and without citizenship in the country where they currently reside.

One negative political consequence of the lack of exact statistics is that it allows some Lebanese to exaggerate the burden of the Palestinian presence. Further, no accurate figures can be given for any of the social problems that beset a marginal com-unity, whether in the field of employment, health, education, housing or deviance.

Formal exclusion and threats of transfer: One basic element of the Ta'if Accords of 1989 was the exclusion of the Palestinians from Lebanese political life, including a formal veto on towteen. A crucial point here is that Lebanon's refusal of towteen includes measures that could be construed as leading towards it. From a Lebanese statist perspective, granting the Palestinians civic rights would be an encouragement to them to remain. A mesh of policies designed to pressure Palestinians to emigrate follows logically from Lebanese expectations of a regional settlement imposing towteen regardless of host and refugee wishes.

Lack of collective representation : The PLO's office in Beirut was closed by the Lebanese Army in September 1982 and has remained closed ever since. After Ta'if, in the context of 'pacification', a committee of Lebanese/Palestinian dialogue was formed, but after a single meeting it was suspended on the pretext that the Madrid Conference would soon produce a regional settlement, and has never resumed. The Palestinian National Authority does not represent the refugees even though, as head of the PLO, President Arafat continues to control the PLO apparatus, including the Directorate of Refugee Affairs. The resistance groups that still exist in Lebanon are tolerated, but the government does not recognise them as representing the community. In this vacuum, informal national groupings have evolved, but such plurality does nothing to meet the need of ordinary Palestinians for a marja' (official representation).

Lack of civic rights: The civic rights of Palestinians in Lebanon should be guaranteed by the international law covering refugees and by Arab League resolutions, for example the Casablanca Protocol of 1965. But in the early 1960s Lebanese laws were introduced designating Palestinian refugees as a particular category of 'foreigner', and tightening regulations governing their employment. Palestinians were thus excluded from practising all professions that require membership in a syndicate (e.g. medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy). They are also barred from all public sector employment, as well as important sectors of the formal economy such as transport, banking, tourism and major for-ign institutions. (UNRWA is the only institution permitted to employ a majority of Palestinians.) Further, every new minister of labour has the right to add to the number of job categories forbidden to non-Lebanese, so that the list has twice been lengthened since 1982. As foreigners, Palestinians must apply for work permits for any kind of job except daily paid manual labour. Work permits are not issued automatically, and have often been used as a means of political pressure.

The absence of a code governing Palestinian rights and obligations allows particular governments and ministers to issue decrees changing regulations, thus creating an atmosphere of instability that exacerbates basic rightlessness. Numerous instances of such arbitrary changes could be cited in addition to the extension of the number of excluded jobs mentioned above -- for instance, the changes in travel and visa regulations in 1995, in the wake of Gaddafi's threats to expel Palestinians from Lib-a.

Like other foreigners, Palestinians are denied the right to form unions or associations or publish newspapers. Non-profit institutions such as NGOs may apply for licences, but they should have a ma-ority of Lebanese at every level -- governing board, executive committee and general assembly.

Insecurity of residence rights: All Palestinians registered with UNRWA are recognised as having residence rights in Lebanon but, as the threat of towteen has been brought closer by Madrid and Oslo, the authorities have moved to make refugee residency rights less secure. Palestinians who live abroad have been impeded from returning; others known to have acquired a second passport have had their residence rights cancelled. But the main means by which residence rights have been 'insecuritised' has been the squeeze on camp living space.

While unemployment and insecurity force a high proportion of Palestinians to live in camps, and while there are still an estimated 4,000 war-displaced Palestinian families, the authorities have enforced limits on camp-space, building and amen-ties. The reconstruction of camps destroyed by war has been vetoed as well as the establishment of new camps. Building inside existing camps -- whether by UNRWA or individuals -- has been blocked. In addition, several camps are threatened with complete or partial demolition. Overcrowding and poor infrastructure -- polluted drinking water, lack of public electricity, sewage-seepage -- are all a form of pressure towards emigration.

Restriction on movement: Legal constraints on employment have always forced Palestinians in Lebanon to seek work abroad. Travel documents are normally issued to them by the General Security department of the Ministry of Interior, but applications have never been processed automatically, and since 1982 delays and costs have tended to increase. Often Palestinians abroad have been refused renewal of their travel documents by Lebanese embassies, but if they try to return to Lebanon with out-of-date documents they are refused entry. Currently an estimated 100,000 Palestinians are stuck abroad as a result of the latest visa requirements, insituted in 1995. According to the new regulations, Palestinians desiring to travel have to obtain an exit and re-entry visa, which must be renewed every six months, and costs from LL50,000 to LL100,000 (LE114 to 228) depending on duration.

Systematic impoverishment: As a consequence of these stringent labour laws, Palestinian unemployment has always been higher in Lebanon than in other host countries. Estimates vary, but a recent study estimates that 95 per cent of the Paletinian workforce is either unemployed or underemployed. All but a small minority who work in UNRWA or with local NGOs are excluded from professional and skilled technical employment. Most available work is in the informal sector: petty commerce in camps, street vending, self-employment in building trades, or occasional, daily-paid, manual labour in agriculture or construction. Such conditions have lowered the overall income of the community and increased the number of 'hard-hip cases' -- households that depend wholly or partly on aid.

The decline in all sources of external aid must also be factored into this picture. These sources include:

a) UNRWA, against the decline in whose services the refugees have demonstrated repeatedly;

b) the PLO, once the largest employer as well as source of services, subsidies and indemnities: by mid-1994, even pensions to martyrs' families had ceased;

c) other UN agencies, national and international NGOs which, since the Oslo Accords, have tended to prioritise Gaza and the West Bank at the expense of the refugees 'outside';

d) migrant remittances: always critical to refugee survival, these have been reduced by the expulsions from Kuwait, Libya, etc., and by the closure of most countries which previously allowed Palestinian immigration.

Social problems: Most people say that of all the social problems generated by poverty, the most serious is ill health combined with deficiency of health care. Though UNRWA and some other NGOs provide clinic-based health care, refugees who need hospital treatment are face with the high cost of private Lebanese hospitals, the decline in UNRWA's subsidies for hospitalisation, exclusion from government hospitals and reduced levels of Palestinian Red Crescent hospital efficiency. Health is also affected by stress, poor housing and poverty. Doctors who work in Palestinian communities say that signs of malnutrition are appearing among Palestinian children. A recent study of Palestinian health problems found the three perceived as being the most important were the reduction in UNRWA health services, the lack of a health insurance system for Palestinians and the lack of specialised and qualified medical staff.

Ordinary people talk about the health crisis, but for community activists the education crisis has more serious long-term implications. This matter is interpreted both as a clear signal of decline and as a threat to the future. Among the main symptoms of this crisis are the following:

i) A decreasing percentage of children of school age are in school, especially at post-primary levels. The exact dimensions of the shortfall are unknown, because of uncertainty as to the exact size of the school-age population, but UNRWA's educational statistics show that twice as many Palestinian children attend school in Syria, though Syria has a smaller refugee population than Lebanon.

ii) Decline in student ability: Whereas the success rate of UNRWA school children in public examinations used to be higher than that in Lebanese public schools, today it is lower. Some of the reasons given are overcrowded classes, the double shift in UNRWA schools, and a lower level of teacher training. Parents blame teachers, teachers blame parents.

iii) Restricted provision of secondary and tertiary level education, and even more of technical training: UNRWA has one professional training institution in Lebanon, but each year it can admit only about one in three of those who apply. Government institutions are closed to Palestinians, and private sector institutions are financially out of reach.

iv) Another symptom of educational decline is that whereas before 1982 the illiteracy rate was in sharp decline, today illiteracy has reappeared in the young adult population.

Undoubtedly the most serious cause of the educational crisis is unemployment levels that negate the value of all skills except the least developed. Education no longer leads to salaried work. Put differently, the education offered to Palestinians in Lebanon has not been adapted to an employment situation totally unlike that of earlier decades.

Such conditions naturally generate many kinds of social and psychological problem, including breakdown of family relations, domestic violence, aggressivity, drugs, suicide and theft. Indeed, many Palestinians believe that the authorities' intention in creating this ensemble of conditions is to criminalise the refugee population. This would erode what is left of Lebanese support, as well as the self-respect that has sustained the Palestinian community through the ordeals of its history.

VITAL SIGN: 'Palestinian' NGOs are evidence of the continuing vitality and social concern of the Palestinian community in Lebanon. There were only five such organisations in the days when the PLO provided an embryonic 'welfare state' (1970-1982). Today, there are more than 17, clear evidence of the need for them. To be legal, 'Palestinian' NGOs have to register under Lebanese law and conform to its regulations, which include Lebanese majorities on governing boards and executive committees. In 1994 a 'Coordinating Forum' composed of the ma-or 'Palestinian' NGOs was formed, with special-sed joint subcommittees, which meets regularly and coordinates with Lebanese and Arab NGOs. Their main action areas are: pre-school education; technical and commercial training; health; rehabilitation of the handicapped; social aid and care of orphans; and 'cultural heritage'. Children have always been the prime inspiration of local NGO work, and in the last decade this work has diversified and taken on new dimensions.

Formidable obstacles face the 'Palestinian' NGOs in Lebanon, primarily the strength of the political/legal framework that creates community poverty, but also their own insecurity. This was underlined in July 1996 when one of them was closed by cab-net decree just after receiving a European Community grant to set up technical training workshops. Local NGOs also suffer from budget insecurity and dependence on donor agencies whose policies are not fully understood, and which exert a disproportionate influence because of the scarcity of alternative sources. Given this framework, it is difficult for them to create an overall development strategy, expand their programmes, re-target their services or democratise their structures. Yet compared with the NGOs of the West Bank and Gaza, they seem closer to the communities they serve. Historically they have formed a vehicle for camp Palestinians to professionalise themselves while doing 'national work' -- as kindergarten teachers, lit-racy instructors, social workers, administrators, technical instructors, and most recently researchers.

WHY NOT RETURN? The international community cannot continue blaming the Lebanese for Palestinian refugee misery, and trying to coerce the weak into yielding to the 'solutions' of the strong. Israel's absolute refusal to repatriate the refugees, now taken as the starting point for all 'realistic' discussion, needs to be questioned and challenged. Israel has justified this refusal through the following arguments: i) Historic persecution of the Jewish people, their need for a refuge; ii) Palestinian and Arab responsibility for the flight of Palestinians in 1948; iii) Unfeasibility, lack of living space; and iv) National security. These arguments are either demonstrably false (ii, iii); or they are cases of special pleading that need to be weighed in the balance against the possibility of real peace in the Middle East.

Underlying Israel's refusal to repatriate the ref-gees lies the rock of US support. In the short run, Israel's position is immovable because of US power -- in the UN, in the Middle East and in the world. We know that Israel will continue to use the security argument to block Palestinian return, and we know equally that the security argument will be supported by those who want an Israel able to control and out-gun the Arab world. It was ironic to hear Secretary of State Madeleine Albright recently calling for the return of the Bosnian refugees to Bosnia. Why should the Bosnians return and not the Palestinians? Palestinian claims are supported by UN resolutions, international law on refugees and by laws on indigenous peoples' rights to land from which they have been displaced by force. Democratic principle supports the refugees' right to choose where to live. Ordinary property law -- which Americans claim to hold sacred -- also supports Palestinian rights to return.

Many people concede the justice of Palestinian refugee claims, but describe them as 'unrealistic'. Those who refuse to consider repatriation as a solution should take note of a recent report in the Israeli press that over 27 per cent of Russian immigrants are not Jewish, making the continued exclusion of Palestinians even more indefensible. The argument that Palestinian return is unfeasible because the space they occupied is no longer available, or has been changed beyond recognition, also needs to be reconsidered in the light of continuing links of refugees with their original homes, and also of the relative distributions of Jews and Palestinians in Israel. A recent study shows that, up to now, most Jews (78 per cent) are concentrated in 15 per cent of Israeli territory, in predominantly urban areas, while 75 per cent of the land -- including those areas from which the refugees originated -- has remained sparsely populated, with relatively few Jewish residents. "Surprising as it may be, Palestinian land is still largely empty. It is currently controlled by 154,000 rural Jews". In Gaza, population density is 4,400 persons per square mile compared with 82 per square mile in 85 per cent of Israel. If refugees from Lebanon and Gaza returned to their land, the population to land ratio in Israel would be minimally raised.

Now that the Oslo illusion of an imminent regional settlement has gone up in smoke, we are both forced and have the time to imagine another future, other actions. One way this time can be used is to re-tore the international Palestine solidarity movement to the level it had reached before Oslo. What better starting point than to attack the exclusivist nature of Israel's immigration laws? And to raise again Palestinian refugee rights, and the dependence of real peace in the Middle East on justice. In the long run, Israel has to choose between being a state only for Jews and being a democracy.

We need to remember, and to remind America, that Israel's admission to the UN was made conditional on accepting the return of the refugees. In this year of celebration of the Declaration of Human Rights, we need to remember, and remind America, that the foremost violator of human rights in the world today is Israel. And we need to take courage from the internal opposition that increasingly challenges the American government's policy in the Middle East.

* Rosemary Sayigh is the author of Palestinians: From Peasants to Revolutionaries, 1979; and Too Many Enemies: The Palestinian Experience in Lebanon, 1994. This article is a shortened version of a lecture given in Denmark in the summer of 1998

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 31 December 1998



*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The purpose of the fund is to create opportunities for mothers to enhance, grow and sustain their businesses while also maintaining their family lives.

Founders First CDC, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers expansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses, announced the winners of its Kitty Fund Grant on Thursday, May 11, 2023 during a virtual press conference. More than 2,700 businesses applied for the grant and 25 recipients were selected, with women business owners receiving $1,000 each in cash. The grant recipients were selected from throughout country, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas, serving a variety of industries  from energy consulting and creative strategy and graphic design to virtual bookkeeping, cleaning services, bakeries, eco-friendly tableware and more.

The recipients are as follows:

Viridis Consulting - California - http://www.viridis-consulting.com

Lini Victoria LLC - California - http://www. linivictoria.com

Valley Transport First Call Service - California - http://www.valleytransportps.com

Vizard Marketing & PR LLC - California - http://www.vizardpr.com

Pagedip - Colorado - http://www.pagedip.com

Book to Balance LLC - Colorado - http://www.booktobalance.com/

Lindsey Granger Productions - Colorado - http://www.lindseygranger.com/producing-work/

Acsential Group Inc - Georgia - http://www.acsential.com

Howard Intervention Center - Illinois - http://www.HowardInterventionCenter.org

A Touch of Classical Plus, Inc. - Illinois - http://www.atouchofclassicalplus.duetpartner.com

Quetzal Cleaning Service - Illinois - http://www.quetzalcleaning.com

Piece O Cake LLC - Maryland - http://www.pieceocakellc.com/

Velasquez Tax & Business Services, LLC - Massachusetts - http://www.VELASQUEZTAXBIZSVCS.COM

The LinC - Minnesota - N/A

Strands of Faith, LLC - Mississippi - http://www.strandsoffaith.com

Chic Sugars - New Jersey - http://www.chicsugars.com

HANDLE MY BOOKS - New York - http://www.Handlemybooks.net

Rotterdam Lot Cleaners LLC - New York - http://www.RotterdamLotCleaners.com

Dtocs LLC - Oregon - http://www.dtocs.com

Human Resources Managers on the Move LLC - Pennsylvania - http://www.hrmomllc.com

Testlify - Pennsylvania - http://www.testlify.com

Boxplot Analytics - Pennsylvania - http://www.boxplotanalytics.com/

The Clever Site - Texas - http://www.thecleversite.com

Manifest Your Purpose - Texas - http://www.manifestyourpurpose.co

CoffeeStix - Texas - http://www.ilovecoffeestix.com

The Kitty Fund makes small investments in Mompreneurs  moms who are running employer-based small businesses with two or more employees  and was created in honor of Mothers Day and Founders First CEO Kim Folsoms late mother, Catherine Kitty Abrams Tadlock Webster. The purpose of the fund is to create opportunities for mothers to enhance, grow and sustain their businesses while also maintaining their family lives.

Though women-led businesses help drive our economy forward and create jobs, women are less likely to be approved for small business loans than men, unfortunately, said Shaylon Scott, executive director, Founders First CDC. The Kitty Fund is specifically designed to give mothers the boost they need to start or improve their businesses.

I am incredibly grateful for the grant that I received, as it allowed me to focus on the crucial aspect of delegation. With the grant, I invested in marketing, specifically an email campaign strategy, which I was able to implement due to the following I had already built up on social media. Building an email list was the first step, which led me to realize the need for a robust CRM system that could handle email campaigns effectively. I used the grant funds to develop this system and hired someone to create consistent and engaging emails that would continuously interact with my potential and current clients, said Denise Fernander, Founder, Mompreneur Success Academy. Thanks to the grant, I was able to take my marketing strategy to the next level and reach a wider audience.

Applications opened on March 21, 2023, and closed on April 17, 2023. Eligibility requirements for the microgrant included: businesses must be led by a mother who is the CEO, President or business owner; companies under $5 million in annual revenue with two or more employees qualify. Applications required a short video describing the company, who it serves and why that business should be awarded the grant.

###

About Founders First CDC

Founders First CDC is a not-for-profit 501c3 that was founded in 2015 and has received significant support from the regional community reinvestment banks to empower diverse founder-led, revenue-generating small businesses through three primary programs: (1) Founders Challenge; (2) Founders Bootcamp; and (3) Founders FastPath. By building recurring revenues, tech-enablement, and essential solution focus, Founders First serves as a catalyst for positive change to entrepreneurs of color and female founders to become leading employers in their communities. about:blank [http://www.foundersfirstcdc.org __title__ null].
A look inside WUW headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado "Investing in our employees is not just the right thing to do, it is the smartest business decision we can make." Heather Hennings, VP of People at WishingUWell

WishingUWell has been named to Inc. magazines annual Best Workplaces list. Featured in the May/June 2023 issue, which hits newsstands on May 16, 2023, and prominently featured on Inc.com, the list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture, whether operating in a physical or virtual facility.

About WishingUWell

WishingUWell, a full service eCommerce agency, partners with like-minded brands who are determined to make a positive impact in the world. WUW is a one-stop-shop for all-things eCommercethey help brands increase awareness, boost advertising, and drastically improve sales on the Amazon platform and beyond. WUW is committed to doing whats best, not whats easy, to promote lasting success for their brand partners.

Visit WishingUWell to learn more about the brand and their services.

After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 591 honorees this year. Each company that was nominated took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.

"We are immensely honored to be recognized as one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces, said Heather Hennings, VP of People at WUW. At Wishing U Well, we believe that caring for our employees is the foundation of our success. When we prioritize their well-being, we unlock their potential and foster a culture of loyalty and dedication. Investing in our employees is not just the right thing to do, it is the smartest business decision we can make."

Being named to Best Workplaces is an honor that only a small fraction of companies have been able to claim, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. Proving to the world that youre a magnet for talent and have a culture that keeps teams engaged, productive, and proud to come to work is a truly remarkable achievement.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

About Quantum Workplace

Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com.
Sean and Stephanie Miller, Owners, Coffee in the Valley and Sandstone Coffee House I would highly recommend Crimson Cup. Without them, I am not sure we would still be open  let alone opening a second location. - Stephanie Miller, Owner, Coffee in the Valley in Valley City, Ohio, and Sandstone Coffee House in Amherst, Ohio.

Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Ohio? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Buckeye State from coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

Through its 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success program, Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught 50 Ohio entrepreneurs how to open their own independent coffee shops. Nationwide, over 300 shops have opened through the 7 Steps program.

In 2022, Crimson Cup published a series of startup guides to help entrepreneurs in each state achieve their dreams of opening their own coffee shops.

Now, the company's 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has updated its "How to Start a Coffee Shop in Ohio guide with even more tips and resources.

Ohio is a terrific place to start a coffee shop! said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. "In fact, we operate several company-owned Crimson Cup Coffee Shops in Columbus, Tallmadge and Westchester, Ohio."

Overall, Ohio ranks 28th among the states in the number of coffee shops per capita, with fewer than one coffee shop for every 6,193 residents. That leaves many Ohioans without a local coffee shop, especially in the smaller cities and towns.

The program is based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help coffee shop owners develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of coffee shop operations.

We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities, he said.

From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you.

To hear about the book in Uberts own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud.

For Crimson Cup customers Sean and Stephanie Miller, the idea of owning a coffee shop began as a someday dream.

I was an elementary school teacher, and my husband is an accountant, Stephanie Miller said. How did this lead to a coffee shop?

While walking through Valley City, Ohio, one evening, they noticed a building for sale. It was a former bank with a drive-thru lane.

We joked around about buying the bank, she said. Little did we know, a few short months later we would be on our way to opening Coffee in the Valley!

They turned to Crimson Cup to learn how to open their new coffee shop.

Without Crimson Cup, we would have struggled getting started, Stephanie said. We knew nothing beforehand about making coffee and espresso. We were just following a dream.

After three successful years at Coffee in the Valley, the Millers learned a building in downtown Amherst was available.

We both grew up in the Lorain area, and this is home, Stephanie said. Its good to come back to our roots.

At Sandstone Coffee House, she plans to duplicate many of the features that have driven Coffee in the Valleys success.

Were known in Valley City for our top-notch coffee, friendly service, and varied menu, she said. In Amherst, we plan to have pastries, breakfast and lunch options, sandwiches, soups, and more.

She sees consistency as the key to her successful expansion. We make sure were consistent with staffing, policies, the owners time in the shop, and making sure the staff at both locations feels supported.

Crimson Cups hands-on coffee shop training, held at each shop the week before opening, has helped her baristas deliver espresso-based drinks that consistently taste great.

One customer commented that our drinks taste the same at both shops, always, and she loves that!

Both shops have a comfortable, home-like feel. We like to offer a variety of seating choices and warm and bright lighting.

Expanding to two shops has created challenges and opportunities. I run around like crazy now, and our staff was a little concerned at first about not getting enough of my time."

Just figuring out how to keep everything supplied and on a schedule was a challenge, but now we have backup inventory if we run out of supplies at one store.

Crimson Cups Customer Growth team has helped Miller solve problems and brainstorm opportunities for both locations.

Her favorite part about working with Crimson Cup? They have an amazing staff thats extremely supportive and responsive. Our orders come on time, and we have had almost no mistakes in our three and a half years of working with the company.

As the proud owner of two independent coffee shops, Stephanie Miller offered this advice for prospective coffee shop owners: I would highly recommend Crimson Cup. Without them, I am not sure we would still be open  let alone opening a second location.

To help entrepreneurs learn about opening coffee shops in each state, Crimson Cup will continue to post an updated state-level guide each week until all 50 states are covered.

Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely, Ubert said. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey.

He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance.

If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup  driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
Debra Johnston As one of Atlanta's top luxury agents, Debra continues to surpass client expectations as demonstrated in her sales volume performance for over 17 years

As one of Atlanta's top luxury agents, Debra continues to surpass client expectations as demonstrated in her sales volume performance for over 17 years. Debra uniquely differentiates herself as a leader by utilizing her proprietary, cutting-edge marketing strategy to provide her listings mass exposure through a distinctive and unique complementary blend of press marketing, search engine optimization, and technology coupled with superb video production and photography. The result is maximum exposure for her client's homes, featuring them on high-authority channels like Yahoo Finance, Reuters, Bloomberg, FOX, ABC, NBC, and more. Debra is also an exclusive partner with The Pinnacle List and the exclusive Atlanta agent for Haute Residence Magazine. These partnerships result in her clients' properties being regularly showcased in both selective print and online features. She is known as a Luxury Agent social media influencer through her YouTube channel with viral luxury real estate videos that engage with millions. Her genuine enthusiasm for real estate, professionalism, and confidentiality as well as providing top customer service set her apart. Debra delivers uncompromising professionalism and ultimately a positive experience for her clients as Buyers and Sellers in the Atlanta luxury real estate market. With a record 2021 sales volume of over $70 million, she continues to surpass the luxury real estate competition in Atlanta while delivering exceptional service each and every time.

To find out more about the opportunity to own Atlanta's premier luxury properties, please view Debra Johnston's profile: https://www.hauteresidence.com/member/debra-johnston-3/

About Haute Residence:

Designed as a partnership-driven luxury real estate portal, Haute Residence connects its affluent readers with top real estate professionals, while offering the latest in real estate news, showcasing the worlds most extraordinary residences on the market and sharing expert advice from its knowledgeable and experienced real estate partners.

The invitation-only luxury real estate network, which partners with just one agent in every market, unites a distinguished collective of leading real estate agents and brokers and highlights the most extravagant properties in leading markets around the globe for affluent buyers, sellers, and real estate enthusiasts.

HauteResidence.com has grown to be the number-one news source for million-dollar listings, high-end residential developments, celebrity real estate, and more.

Access all of this information and more by visiting: http://www.hauteresidence.com
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

As a formal document, the Wye River Memorandum breaks no new ground. Its stated purpose is merely to reaffirm and "facilitate implementation" of "prior agreements". Nonetheless the memorandum illuminates the process set in motion at Oslo and dispels lingering illusions. In these remarks, I will first sketch the crucial historical background, then analyse the document and, finally, consider the prospects for a just settlement.

The main obstacle to the realisation of this goal was the indigenous Arab population. In his recently published quasi-official history of Israel, British historian Martin Gilbert argues that "there was a strong desire among the Labour Zionists to live together with the Arabs, and not, as many of the extremists hoped, to make them subordinate to Jewish nationalist needs, or even to drive them out of Palestine altogether." Scholarship does not sustain this claim. Labour Zionism was committed to the "building of a Jewish society by Jews alone, from foundation stone to rafter" in "all of Palestine" (Anita Shapira). Accordingly, as Zeev Sternhell shows in his important study, The Founding Myths of Israel, "nobody fought against the Arab worker more vigorously than [Labour Zionists]; nobody preached national, economic and social segregation with more determination than the Labour movement."

Faced with indigenous resistance, European conquest movements in the post-Columbus era typically resorted to the most brute force: extermination. Yet, by the early twentieth century this extreme option was no longer available. The Zionist movement thus set its sights on "population transfer" -- the euphemism for expulsion -- of the indigenous population. Indeed until after World War II, international opinion acquiesced in expulsion as a means of resolving ethnic conflicts. Historian Benny Morris observes that, for the Zionist leadership, "transferring the Arabs out" was seen as the "chief means" of "assuring the stability and 'Jewishness' of the proposed Jewish state". During the 1948 War the Arab population was effectively expelled from the conquered areas of Palestine, completing the first phase of Zionist conquest.

In the course of the June 1967 War, Israel conquered the long-coveted West Bank and Gaza (as well as the Sinai and Golan Heights). In this second phase of conquest, the Zionist leadership confronted the same dilemma as earlier in the century: it wanted the land but not the people. The options available for resolving this dilemma, however, had considerably narrowed. Not only extermination but expulsion as well was no longer politically tenable. The Zionist movement accordingly opted for encirclement: appropriating as much of the resources (especially water) and land as was feasible while confining the Arab population to native reservations. This is the essence of the Allon Plan, first formulated in July 1967 and the operative framework of the Oslo process, allowing Israel to retain roughly half the West Bank.

Israel's partial withdrawal option fell afoul, however, of the international consensus that formed after the June 1967 War for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. Embodied in UN Resolution 242, this consensus called for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab land in exchange for an Arab commitment to full peace with Israel. It bears recalling that the root of Israel's enduring quarrel with the international community has been the demand not for a Palestinian state but for full, as against partial, withdrawal. Indeed, 242 made no mention at all of a Palestinian state, referring merely to a "just settlement of the refugee problem". The Allon Plan is not incompatible with a Palestinian state: what to call the arid patches of land ceded to the Arab natives is a matter of semantics. For Israel, the crux has always been its claim to "territorial revision" (Abba Eban).

After the June War, Israel called for partial withdrawal on all the Arab fronts. Egypt offered in February 1971 to sign a bilateral peace treaty if Israel fully withdrew from the Sinai. Israel refused. In the name of "security", it demanded retention of part of Sinai, Moshe Dayan famously declaring that "we prefer Sharm Al-Sheikh without peace to peace without Sharm Al-Sheikh." Once Egypt proved itself a military force to reckon with in the October 1973 War, Israel came around, agreeing at Camp David in1978 to the peace terms it rejected in 1971.

A core Zionist tenet, Zeev Sternhell observes, is "never giving up a position or a territory unless one is compelled to by a superior force". Israel did continue to bargain hard at Camp David, demanding (unsuccessfully) to retain control of the oil refineries, settlements and airfields it had built in Sinai. Yet Sharm Al-Sheikh figured not at all in these intense, often bitter, negotiations. Israel abandoned Sharm Al-Sheikh -- its crucial "security" asset -- without even a whimper. It is an instructive lesson in the substance, or lack thereof, of Israel's "security" concerns.

Confronting, in the first years of the Intifada, the compound force of Palestinian civil resistance and widespread international outrage, Israel considered the prospect of full withdrawal. But the challenge to Israeli power soon receded. As the Intifada lost momentum, a concatenation of events -- Iraq's destruction in the Gulf War, the demise of the Soviet bloc, the open alignment of the Arab regimes with the US, the PLO's precipitously declining fortunes -- convinced Arafat to cut a deal with Israel, accepting partial withdrawal in exchange for the trappings of statehood.

The PLO's capitulation at Oslo did not result from political ineptitude. Uri Savir's account of the negotiations shows that the Palestinian negotiators did, at every crucial juncture in the Oslo process, raise the right objections. The problem was, they had no power.

Once Arafat conceded, as he effectively did at Oslo, that the West Bank and Gaza were "disputed territories", both sides having equal title, it was inevitable that, in the ensuing battle over percentages, a 50-50 split would be held up as the legitimate "compromise". Yet Netanyahu deserves the lion's share of credit for recasting public discourse. By tenaciously claiming that Israel had title to all and Palestinians to none of the West Bank, Netanyahu turned any withdrawal into an Israeli concession.

Who could then expect Israel to "give away" more than 50 per cent of "its" land for peace?

Before Netanyahu, full withdrawal in exchange for full peace was the legitimate compromise, Labour's partial withdrawal the illegitimate one; after Netanyahu, partial withdrawal in exchange for full peace became the legitimate compromise, zero withdrawal the illegitimate one. Redefining the poles of debate with his pugnacious theatrics, Netanyahu has effectively legitimised the Labour Party's rejectionist stance, in the process also managing to "lower," as he put it, "the level of Palestinian expectations".

Apart from "extremists", no one any longer speaks about full withdrawal. Indeed, the call for full withdrawal is now equated with the call for zero withdrawal, as pundits condemn the "extremists on both sides".

THE WYE MEMORANDUM is basically divided into two parts, "Further Redeployments" and "Security". (A third section takes up miscellaneous "Other Issues".) Bits and pieces comprising some 40 per cent of the West Bank are to come under "full" (Area A) or "partial" (Area B) Palestinian jurisdiction before final-status negotiations begin. According to Savir, Rabin was prepared to relinquish "roughly 50 per cent" on the eve of final-status negotiations. The putative ideological rift between Labour and Likud aounts to perhaps 10 per cent of the West Bank.

Indeed, the various final-status maps of the Likud all fall within the parameters of Labour's Allon Plan, retaining for Israel roughly half the West Bank. For those who care to hear the truth, the Israeli press has been reporting for years that "there's almost no difference between Netanyahu's and Peres's concepts of the permanent agreement," indeed, "Sharon and Peres are not far from each other in their perception of the permanent settlement." This pragmatic convergence between Labour and Likud points up, incidentally, that partial withdrawal was the maximum Israel could have hoped for at Oslo. Israel did not effect a "historical compromise" with the Palestinians; only with reality.

Technically, Wye marks a regression from "prior agreements". At bare minimum the 1995 Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip (hereafter: Interim Agreement) stipulated a "complete redeployment of Israeli military forces from Area B" before final-status negotiations (Article XIII), placing 30 per cent of the West Bank in Area A. The memorandum, however, puts only 18 per cent of the West Bank in Area A. Yet, this quibbling over percentages is ultimately beside the point. The "Palestinian Authority" exercises no substantive authority anywhere in the West Bank -- except as Israel's surrogate. The "security" provisions of the Wye Memorandum make this abundantly clear.

The security section of Wye initially observes that "both sides recognise that it is in their vital interests to combat terrorism and fight violence." Yet to implement this protocol, Wye specifies an action plan only for the Palestinian side: "The Palestinian side will make known its policy for zero tolerance for terror and violence... A work plan developed by the Palestinian side will be shared with the US... to ensure the systematic and effective combat of terrorist organisations... In addition to thebilateral Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, a US-Palestinian committee will... review the steps being taken to eliminate terrorist cells... In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, a high-ranking US-Palestinian-Israeli committee will...address the steps being taken to combat terror and terrorist organisations," and on and on.

One would never suspect from this document that, according to the Israeli human rights organisation, B'Tselem, many more Palestinians have been killed by Israelis than Israelis by Palestinians since the onset of the Oslo process (356 Palestinians as against 251 Israelis through October 1998). The "vast majority" of killings by Israel, according to Amnesty International, were "unlawful".

Wye also repeatedly emphasises Palestinian responsibility for the vigorous "investigation, prosecution and punishment" of "terrorist suspects". Yet according to Amnesty, "there continues to be almost total impunity for unlawful killings of Palestinians" by Israel: "Investigations are inadequate. The officers responsible rarely appear before an inquiry; if they do so they are rarely punished; if they are punished the sanction is trivial in relation to the loss of life." To illustrate this last point, Amnesty cites the case of four soldiers convicted of killing a Palestinian motorist: "The court fined each soldier one agora, equivalent to about US$0.03."

The Wye Memorandum reeks of the rancid Israeli (and American) discourse on terrorism. Terrorism is a self-generating force. It originates in the "terror support structure", "terrorists and their structure", "terrorist organisations and their infrastructure", "terrorist cells and the support structure that plans, finances, and supplies and abets terror", "organisations (or wings of organisations...) of a military, terrorist, or violent character", and -- lest we forget -- the "external support for terror".

Detached from its Israeli environment, Palestinian terrorism is always the cause but never the effect of evil: assaulting Israeli innocents, it is by definition unrelated to Israel's brutal rule. Thus, to understand terrorism, it is irrelevant that, since the Oslo Accord, more than 600 Palestinian homes have been demolished and 140,000 dunums of Palestinian land confiscated. It is also irrelevant that, due primarily to Israel's illegal imposition of closure on the eve of Oslo, the Palestinian standard of living has fallen by nearly 40 per cent, with fully 30 per cent of the work force unemployed and fully 40 per cent of the population living at or below the poverty line.

Given that terrorism is an implacable negative force, the only means to combat it is an implacable positive force: repression. And in this Manichaean struggle between good and evil, the more repression the better: any restraints will impede the struggle. Accordingly the Wye Memorandum gives short shrift to human rights concerns, despatching them in one sentence: "Without derogating from the above, the Palestinian Police will... implement this Memorandum with due regard to internationally accepted norms f human rights and the rule of law..." Presumably on account of its exemplary human rights record, Israel is not called upon to do even this much. Indeed, the record does impress. According to Amnesty, even after Oslo, Israel continued to engage in "mass arrests of Palestinians"; place "thousands of Palestinians" under administrative detention without charges or trial, sometimes for "years on end" ("many may have been prisoners of conscience"); "use torture systematically on Palestinian political suspects... Its use was effectively legal, an internationally unprecedented state of affairs" ("this legalisation of torture has, over the past five years, if anything, become a more entrenched part of the system in which Palestinian detainees find themselves"); resort to "brutality, amounting to torture or ill-treatment...at checkpoints"; and conduct "unfair trials... Convictions are almost invariably based exclusively on the accused's confession, usually extracted by the use of torture and ill-treatment."

The Palestinian Authority's "deplorable" human rights record has been extensively documented. Without extenuating PA culpability, it bears recalling that Israel recruited Arafat precisely in order to facilitate repression. Thus Rabin boasted that the PA would quell Palestinian resistance "without problems caused by appeals to the High Court of Justice, without problems made by [the human rights organisation] B'Tselem, and without problems from all sorts of bleeding hearts and mothers and fathers." Truth be told, "Palestinian Authority" is a misnomer. Apart from what Israel and the US authorise it to do, the PA exercises no authority whatsoever: in all respects it is beholden to them. The Oslo process marked, in Meron Benvenisti's phrase, the continuation of "occupation...albeit by remote control". In exchange for the perquisites of collaboration, the PA must ruthlessly crush all opposition to continued Israeli occupation.

Human Rights Watch observes that "the role of Israel, the US and the international community in influencing the conduct of the PA should not be underestimated... External demands that the PA halt anti-Israel violence have been made in terms that condone a disregard for the human rights of Palestinians. Such pressure is highly potent, due in part to the situation of extreme political and economic dependency in which the self-rule entity exists."

It goes on to recall that "the Netanyahu government...conditioned the easing of the closure of the West Bank and Gaza on a halt in prisoner releases by the PA"; that "the Clinton administration demanded that Arafat act more decisively to prevent anti-Israel violence, but made no reference to the need for due process, even as...massive, arbitrary round-ups were taking place"; that "as President Arafat cracked down on the opposition, particularly Islamist groups, by carrying out arbitrary arrests, detaining people without charge, and practicing torture, Israel and the US praised the crackdown while remaining largely silent on the facts"; and that "despite clear evidence of the systematically unfair practices of the state security courts, neither Vice-President Al Gore nor any other US official has publicly retracted the praise for their creation that Gore offered."

The single most egregious Palestinian violation of Oslo is the size of its police force, which "well exceeds" (Human Rights Watch) the already extraordinary 30,000 figure allowed for in the Interim Agreement (Annex I, Article IV). Revealingly, Israel hasn't exerted any real pressure on Arafat to correct this. Indeed, already thinking ahead in the 1978 Camp David Accords, Israeli negotiators stipulated that the "self-governing authority" in the West Bank and Gaza should constitute a "strong police force"to assure Israel's "security" (Framework, paragraph A2). The same ominous phrase stipulating a "strong police force" reappears in the September 1993 Declaration of Principles (Article VIII), the May 1994 Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area (Article VIII), and twice in the Interim Agreement (Articles XII, XIV). The Wye Memorandum only calls on the "Palestinian side" to "provide a list of its policemen to Israeli side". So long as Israel can monitor in which direction the rifles are pointed, themore police, the better -- especially as Palestinian illusions are dispelled and resistance mounts. The Wye "land-for-security" formula means, incidentally, that in return for any land, the Palestinians forfeit the right to all resistance, including the basically non-violent civil disobedience characterizing the first years of the Intifada, condemned by Israel and the US as "terrorist acts". Nelson Mandela renounced the right to armed resistance only after the South African government acknowledged the right of the indigenous population not to a Bantustan but full human rights. The indigenous population of Palestine was forced by Israel to forfeit its right to any resistance in exchange for a Bantustan.

PROSPECTS: Like the South African Bantustans, the fragmented Palestinian entity resulting from the Oslo process will no doubt eventually be granted statehood. And like the Bantustans, it will be a state in name only. Recall that the viability of a Palestinian state resulting from full Israeli withdrawal was never at all certain; much intellectual energy was expended to conquer these doubts. What then is one to make of a Palestinian state resulting from a partial Israeli withdrawal? Israel is now "resigned" to the prospect of an independent Palestinian state because it won't be one. Recall further that, for Bantustan critics, the issue was not only viability but equity: whites engineered a grossly inequitable division of South Africa's resources, keeping for themselves everything worth keeping. All the Bantustans won was the right -- in the words of one dissenter -- to "police themselves and administer their own poverty". This is also the only right Palestinians can expect to win under Oslo.

The purpose of the protracted "transitional" period in the Oslo process is not to build "trust" between Israel and Palestine but rather to structurally consolidate Israel's domination over Palestine. In addition to settlement and road-building, this entails coopting Palestinian elites, refining "security collaboration", etc. The main alleged threat to Israeli security in June 1967 was not the West Bank but the Egyptian Sinai. In October 1973 Egypt launched a surprise attack, seeming to threaten Israel'sexistence and costing 2000 to 3000 Israeli lives (many times, incidentally, the total victims of Palestinian "terrorism"). Nonetheless once Israel decided on full withdrawal, trust somehow proved not at all an obstacle: a mere three years elapsed between

Camp David and Israel's total pull-out from the Sinai. Yet the Oslo process is already in its fifth year with no end to the purported "trust-building" process in sight. The Camp David Accord and subsequent Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty combined came to less than a dozen pages. The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement alone runs to hundreds of pages. Israel is not ending the occupation; it is dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's to secure it.

Arafat must eventually choose between two equally bad alternatives. He may unilaterally declare an independent Palestinian state over 40 per cent of the West Bank, blustering, as the Bantustan leaders did, that this is "only the first stage". In fact, the main lesson of the South African experience was that emancipation was achieved despite and around, not through, the Bantustans: indeed the Bantustans impeded the struggle for justice. Declaring Oslo dead, Israel will then unilaterally annex the rest ofthe West Bank. The more Netanyahu postures indignation at the prospect of a unilateral Palestinian declaration, the better his pretext, if and when Arafat does so, to annex half the West Bank. Totally dependent, Palestinian elites will continue to do Israel's bidding, repressing dissent while enjoying the perquisites of collaboration. Pundits will no doubt wax eloquent over the "irony of history": although the "peace process" died, each side got what it wanted -- the Palestinians a "state" and Israel "secure borders."

Enticed by a slightly larger Israeli withdrawal and an enlarged American "aid" package, Arafat may alternatively enter into a final settlement with Israel. Israel will then get an official deed to nearly all of Palestine: it would be the jewel in the crown of Zionist diplomacy. "At its heart," historian Martin Gilbert writes, "Zionism had striven for a hundred years for the recognition of its legitimacy by the Palestinians." Indeed, for all its flouting of international law and contempt for "Goyim" opinon, Israel has always sought official imprimaturs of its proprietary right to Palestine. The Balfour Declaration and especially the 1947 UN Partition Resolution (181) loom large in Zionist histories. Property may be, as Proudhon memorably put it, theft, but it is also theft invested with the power of legitimacy. Hence Netanyahu's insistence at and since Wye that the Palestine National Council officially, democratically and without any ambiguity annul the Charter. For the longest time Israel exploited the Charter to discredit the Palestinian leadership: it "served as a gold mine of raw material" for "Israel's propaganda". Now that this same Palestinian leadership stands poised to collaborate, Israel wants all the official documents to be fully in order. Not a scratch of doubt must remain that Palestine belongs "by right" not at all to the indigenous population but only to the Jews.

The Oslo process cannot produce a permanent settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The population between the Mediterranean and the Jordan will soon be half Israeli-Jewish, half Palestinian-Arab. Lincoln long ago understood that a state of affairs in which the population is half free, half enslaved cannot forever endure. Israel no doubt also knows this. Edward Said rightly observes that Zionism's successes owe much to its pragmatic discipline of detail ("another dunum, another goat"). Yet ultimatey, Zionism has always depended on the "miracle" to break free from an impasse. Indeed, it harnessed the discipline of detail to make the "miracle" possible. The intractable Arab "demographic problem" was resolved in 1948 by the "miraculous clearing of the land" (Chaim Weizmann). The loss of Zionist elan in the early 1960s was restored by the "miracle" of the June War. The resurgent Arab "demographic problem" in the 1970s was overcome by the "miracle" of Russian Jewry. Israel no doubt hopes for yet another "miracle" to resolve the conflicts inherent in the Oslo process. An Oslo settlement between Israel and Arafat would command international legitimacy. If Palestinians continue to resist, Israel may engineer -- alas, with impunity -- another "miraculous clearing of the land".

Barring a "miracle", the inevitable if very distant future is one in which Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews, enjoying reciprocal individual and communal rights, coexist within a unitary entity. Yet, just as the centre of gravity of the Palestinian struggle shifted from southern Lebanon to the Occupied Territories after the defeat suffered in June 1982, so the centre of gravity of the Palestinian struggle may shift again from the West Bank and Gaza to Israel following the defeat suffered at Oslo. Only the Israeli Palestinians now have a clear goal -- full individual and communal rights -- and a leadership able to articulate it. Paradoxically, the fruit of Oslo will perhaps be that the Palestinian struggle for justice will -- in Amilcar Cabral's phrase -- "return to the source".

* This story was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 17 December 1998

This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Property details:

I am offering an incredible parcel of land in the Historic Pressmans Home Valley. The land has paved road frontage, power, water, recent perk test, New survey, New title search, and no restrictions. This acreage is Subdividable, has many potential homesite and over 50k in marketable Timber. Land in this valley has increased in value over 500% in 3yrs. Google and see that an acre in this county average price is 16k. **Hawkins County Tennessee is the ONLY Constitutional Sanctuary County in America...

Price: $ 139,000 Seller State of Residence: Tennessee Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: Pressmans Home rd Zip/Postal Code: 37857 Zoning: Residential City: Rogersville State/Province: Tennessee Location: 378**, Rogersville, Tennessee

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Tennessee
This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Who says Oslo is dead? The final status negotiations are well underway. Although it is only a dry-run for the real thing, carried out by a group of academics and aspiring politicians, it is a realistic blueprint of the future as the most sympathetic and 'moderate' Israelis would like to see it. Absent from the picture, however, is the weight of the majority of the Palestinians whose fate is being discussed in closed rooms -- namely, the refugees.

According to Ha'aretz ('Inching up a treacherous slope', 9 September 1998), a group of Israelis and Palestinians under the auspices of Harvard University's International Affairs Centre, has produced a 'compromise' report for the 'final solution' of the refugee problem (the quotation marks are not explicit, but intended).

The Israeli group is known to favour peaceful settlement with the Palestinians. Some of them have held official positions, all of them have an influence on Israeli public opinion and decision-makers. So far, so good. The 'compromise', therefore, should be the best that can be hoped for from the Israeli side.

What is this compromise? Israel agrees to share the practical (though not moral or legal) responsibility for Al-Nakba of 1948, and is prepared to admit some families under the 'Shaml' programme, with some compensation to others to be offset by compensation to Jews from Arab countries. In return, the Palestinians would forfeit their right of return to their homes. Only those lucky enough to be selected by the Israelis can go back to the West Bank and Gaza.

The report's principal co-authors are Joseph Alpher and Khalil Shikaki. Alpher is an American-Israeli who was a Mossad officer for over a decade, chasing figures of the Resistance Movement, before becoming a director of the Jaffee Centre for Strategic Studies. He is now a director of the American Jewish Committee in Israel. Shikaki is a Nablus academic and leading pollster. He is a refugee from Zarnuga and his family is exiled in Rafah refugee camp where his father Ibrahim and brother Abdul-Aziz still live. He took a different political course from his eldest brother, Fathi, who was murdered by the Israeli Mossad in Malta in 1995.

The report, or at least the Israeli portion of it, is based on the assumption that Palestinians do not belong to the land of Palestine, hence they have no 'right of return' to it. They are not a people, so they can be stowed away in different countries. Their plight is simply a humanitarian issue to which all countries, including Israel, should contribute. The report is far too sophisticated to say this bluntly, but every direction it takes leads to this conclusion.

Moreover, it says that Russians, Ethiopians, Poles and Moroccans have the 'right' to return to Israel unconditionally if they are Jews, and they should be paid compensation by the Palestinians, among others, if they left their homes in Arab countries to settle in Palestine.

So the message to the five million refugees who were expelled from 530 localities and whose land constitutes 92 per cent of the present state of Israel is, "sorry for everything that happened in 1948 -- that's all". The weight of human rights, UN resolutions and, above all, the dogged determination of the Palestinians, squeezes out nothing more than a hollow half-hearted apology.

The report generously accepts the return of "tens of thousands" of refugees under a family reunification programme, but it neglects to mention that this is only a fraction of the three quarters of a million who were waiting to regain their homes when Israel promised in 1949 to allow the return of 100,000 as a price of admission to the UN -- a promise that was never honoured.

How many refugees are allowed to return to the West Bank and Gaza (whose borders are left undefined in the report) should be regulated by the remaining territory's absorptive capacity and Israel's acquiescence. Those familiar with the present difficulty of getting a Palestinian ID will know that "return" on these conditions is a misnomer.

According to a 1996 study by K McCarthy of Rand Corporation, the absorptive capacity of the West Bank, not to mention Gaza, is far too low to sanction the admission of any appreciable number of refugees. Note, moreover, that these refugees are not actually going to be allowed to return home, but merely to change their camp address to Palestine. Present conditions are, of course, much worse than those that obtained before. Thus on both counts, the absorptive capacity and Israeli acquiescence, this 'compromise' is rendered useless.

But the most blatant aspect of the Israeli position is the linkage of compensation for Palestinians to that of compensation for Jews. The report neglects to mention the fact that the Palestinians are entitled to both return and compensation. Careful studies put their total legitimate claims at US$511 billion, excluding homes and land. These are not for sale. The refugees are determined to recover their property. It is beyond comprehension that the report ignores these facts, even as Jews, thanks to the pressure tactics of the World Jewish Restitution Organisation, are seeing their former property in Europe restored to them without the benefit of a single UN resolution.

The linkage of Palestinian claims with compensation for Jews who left Arab countries is irrelevant for three reasons. First, this Jewish immigration to Israel took place after the expulsion of the Palestinians, and as a result of it. Those Jews are beneficiaries of Palestinian property and they should be paying compensation, not receiving it. Second, any Jewish claims should be addressed to the countries which they left voluntarily. They should apply to those countries to recover their property and citizenship. This matter is of no concern to the Palestinians. Third, there is no UN resolution or international consensus to support this Jewish claim. The fact of the matter is that the Jewish claim, exaggerated as it is, is simply designed to thwart the legitimate claims of the Palestinians.

The proposal to settle Palestinian refugees in other countries is as old and as persistent as the Transfer Plan advocated by Herzl, which became an integral part of hard-core Zionist doctrine. Last year, a new Transfer Plan, proposed by Donna Arzt under the umbrella of the American Council on Foreign Relations was flatly rejected by the Gulf countries. A cursory examination of the events of the last 50 years shows clearly that such settlement schemes are doomed to failure.

The Palestinians are willing, the report says, to accept that the return of the refugees en masse is not feasible. The boundaries are lost and the country is full of immigrants. If this is not an echo of the Israeli position, it is grossly misinformed. Every single donum in Palestine is traceable. If it took Jarvis, the land expert of the UN Conciliation Commission, eight years to produce half a million records from the land owners registry in 1964, it will now take the Israel Land Administration (ILA) only a few minutes to retrieve any information from its computer database. After all, ILA rents Palestinian land to the bankrupt Kibbutz. As for the overcrowded country, the report failed to mention that only about 170,000 Kibbutz farmers control 17,000,000 donums of Palestinian land, wasting precious water and with very little to show for it.

The report never mentions that Jewish immigration is a threat to the stability of the region -- indeed a cause of war -- or a strain on its limited resources, especially water. It never questions the racist nature of the Jewish Law of Return. It never shows any recognition of the anomaly between the refusal of the Palestinians' right to return home and unlimited access for new immigrants to these same homes.

The sad thing about the report is that it is intended to be the best that could be proposed by the most sympathetic Israelis. Israelis, it seems, are still the victims of the myths they have created and which they expect the Palestinians to believe. For a better future for both peoples, they should look outside their own cloistered world and recognise -- indeed address -- the injustice they inflicted upon the Palestinians. Ha'aretz described finding a solution to the refugee problem as being like climbing Mount Everest. It seems the Israelis will have to climb a lot more before they are in a position to see the new sun rise.



* The writer is a former member of the Palestine National Council , with a number of studies on the question of Palestinian refugees.

* This story was published in Ahram Weekly on 5 December 1998

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The romantic comedy Bros won the GLAAD Media Award for Best Film -- Wide Release at a ceremony in New York Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Inspection earned the honor for Best Film -- Limited Release, while Framing Agnes picked up the prize for Best Documentary, What We Do in the Shadows was voted Best Comedy Series, and 9-1-1: Lone Star was named Best Drama Series.

A League of Their Own won the Best New Series statuette and The White Lotus scored the Best Anthology or Limited Series award.

Dancing with the Stars won for Best Reality Show -- Competition and Dino Ranch won for Best Children's Program.
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

In an essay entitled "Culture and Conflict" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 386, 16-22 July), professor emeritus Fawzi Mansour responded to five articles by Edward Said that had appeared in the Weekly between 9 April and 25 June. His argument rested on the following contention: "There is running through Said's articles a constant refrain that jars and it jars because I find it demobilising at a time when we need to gather all our strength."

One of the first issues Mansour raised was Said's suggestion that possible links should be explored between Arabs and Middle Eastern Jews in Palestine/Israel. (These Jews, incidentally, call themselves "Mizrahi", plural Mizrahim, meaning Eastern Jews, not "Sephardic Jews"). Mansour wrote: "I must admit to being surprised at hearing that those Sephardic Jews who emigrated to Israel could be counted among those seeking justice for all. [...] As far as I know, those Sephardic Jews who opposed the creation of a Zionist state in Palestine, or objected to the more extreme practices of that state, either stayed where they belonged or left for Europe. [...] More to the point: aren't Israel's Sephardic Jews the section which most heavily tips the electoral balance in favour of the ultra-chauvinist, ultra-Zionist Likud?"

What first strikes me on reading Mansour's remarks is the diametrical resemblance between such arguments and those advanced daily by the Ashkenazi (European) Zionist "left" in Israel. It would be hard to imagine a statement which better mirrors the confusion, whether conscious or unconscious, that suffuses academic and political perceptions, in Israel and the Arab World alike, of the history of the Mizrahim, both pre- and in-Israel. Since Mansour's statements can be elucidated only within the overall academic/political context of these perceptions, I shall discuss this context first, then provide eight counter-arguments to Mansour's statements. Finally, I shall conclude by my own interpretation of Said's argument.

PALESTINIANS AND MIDDLE EASTERN Jews did not encounter each other in any significant political manner prior to the 1950s for two reasons. First, the indigenous Palestinian Jews were inconsequential when counted vis-a-vis the number of non-Palestinian Middle Eastern Jews. Second, the vast majority of Middle Eastern Jews who ended up in Palestine/Israel were brought there during the 1950s after the Ashkenazi Zionists had completed their 1948 destruction. Hence, any discussion of the pre-1950s deals principally with non-Palestinian Arabs and Jews.

Most academic and political discussions about Middle Eastern Jews address their "pre-Israel" or "in-Israel" history. "Both" histories are rarely discussed conjointly and the reason, as suggested below, is not so mysterious. Within the prevailing trend of "two histories" the academic/political division of labour in the region has long remained as follows.

As far as the "pre-Israel" history of Middle Eastern Jews is concerned, Zionists present it as a history of oppression and religious prejudice within the Arab world from time immemorial. After establishing this ludicrous (a)historical fable, Zionists usually move on to stress the (alleged) ideological commitment of Middle Eastern-Jews to Zionism.

Writers with an Arab orientation, on the other hand, tend to present this period somewhat idealistically, as nearly flawless in terms of inter-religious relationships. They therefore conceptualise the (politically engineered) emigration of Middle Eastern Jews as the exclusive end result of Zionist activities and propaganda.

Zionists present this as a component of the "happy ingathering of the exiles." On those rare occasions when they discuss the sharp divisions in Israeli society along ethnic and class lines, their terminology is duplicitous. Thus one finds that Middle Eastern Jews "suffer" from an "inferiority complex" and "culture shock", or that they "came" from "primitive" Arab societies, which thus explains "the gap". In short, Zionists never employ any of the terms needed to account for the Jewish ethnic split, namely: racism, orientalism, oppression, exploitation, internal colonialism and Ashkenazi anti-Semitic tendencies.

A further glance across the regional continuum reveals that Arab writers outside academia (Palestinian journalists excluded) tend to disregard "in-Israel" issues. Nevertheless, a few Arab-oriented scholars have been able to express some sympathy for the Middle Eastern Jews as far as their "in-Israel" history is concerned.

Take, for example, Abdel-Wahab Elmessiri's The Land of Promise (1980) or Roger Garaudy's The Case of Israel (1985). Both these authors devote paragraphs to the oppression of Middle Eastern Jews under Ashkenazi-Zionism. They feel a little sorry for them, hint at their "false-consciousness" and imply that their interests lie in allying themselves with the Palestinians. Rest assured: nothing is too drastically wrong, according to such studies. But the situation of the Mizrahim as presented in these works is, in fact, a serious problem for the internal consistency of their anti-Zionism.

If these assessments do not originate in purely instrumental considerations -- that is, do not seek simply to use the Jewish split to vindicate their authors' undoubtedly justified opposition to Zionism -- but instead are the result of a genuinely universal, consistent anti-Zionist/anti-racist position, then, one wonders, why is it that even these few Arab scholars almost always restrict their analyses to the "in-Israel" history of Middle Eastern Jews under Ashkenazi Zionism, and never express the slightest concern or solidarity with their "pre-Israel" history? I should like to suggest that the answer is to be found in the deeply dichotomous political/academic context within which these discussions are currently held.

Given the apparent partiality of virtually all the voluminous literature surrounding the modern state of Israel, it is hardly surprising that countless obstacles are placed in the way of those critical Arabs and Mizrahim who actually initiate unorthodox alliances and, in so doing, also come to talk about Middle Eastern Jews in a manner that rejects the primordial/nationalist assumptions generally governing discussion of their "two" histories. Thus, for example, a person who chooses to address the racist policies to which the Mizrahim have been subjected under Ashkenazi Zionism may sometimes be approved of by certain Arab circles and is always disapproved of in Zionist circles.

The Arabs approve because this person demonstrates that Zionist Israel -- in addition to being utterly racist against non-Jews generally and Palestinians in particular -- is also racist against non-Europeans even if they are Jews. The Zionists, for their part, proceed in one of two ways: if this person is not a Jew, s/he is automatically defined as an "anti-Semite"; while if this person is a Jew, s/he is immediately defined as a "self-hating Jew", a "traitor" or a "knife in the back of the nation".

This picture changes slightly when instead of concentrating on the "in-Israel" cultural and educational massacre of the Mizrahim, the very same person chooses to focus on the politics pursued towards their Jewish communities in the 1940s and 1950s by certain Arab regimes and/or groups such as the Egyptian Muslim Brothers, Misr al-Fatat, the Iraqi Istiqlal, and their pseudo-secular or religious analogues in seven other states.

In this case, this very same person will be approved of by the Zionist circles that had just now turned against him or her, and will usually be disapproved of by a majority of the Arab circles who would previously have been supportive. The Zionists approve, because s/he has now chosen to investigate the xenophobic trend within Arab nationalism. The Arabs for their part will express their disapproval in two ways: if this person happens to be an Arab and proclaims his or her solidarity with the situation of these non-Zionist Jews publicly and loudly, then s/he may be defined as "playing into the hands of Zionists" or "a breaker of the united front". If this person is a Jew, however, s/he will instantly be defined as too "hesitant" "confused" non-Zionist Jew or, worse, as really having "hidden" Zionist motives.

FIVE DISTINCT AND INDEPENDENT arguments may be marshalled against Mansour's contention that "Sephardic Jews who opposed the creation of a Zionist state in Palestine, or objected to the more extreme practices of that state, either stayed where they belonged or left for Europe." They are as follows:

1. Focusing exclusively on individual choices which were allegedly wide open to members of the Jewish minorities, Mansour omits one pivotal factor: that the conflict between Ashkenazi Zionists and Arabs in Palestine unleashed religiously-informed feelings which altered the domestic context and created constraints within which "choices" had to be made. This is why Mansour does not consider the political push-and-pull factors behind what are still euphemistically described as "population movements". This vision of "emigration" has been cleansed of all the relevant domestic politics.

2. For the sake of argument, let us freeze these political variables. As an economist, Mansour must know that, even then, the most decisive constituent element determining the destination of Jews had little to do with the ideological, super-structural realm, and was instead primarily rooted in the material infrastructure. Most Middle Eastern Jews who could afford to emigrated to countries other than Israel.

3. Compared to Western states and their "immigration" policies, Israel posed fewer obstacles. The newborn Zionist entity had to import the "black" manpower it needed to kick start its undeveloped economy. As Ben Gurion explained with typical Ashkenazi clarity: "Hitler, more than he hurt the Jewish people,... hurt the Jewish state... He destroyed the substance, the essential building force of the state. The state arose and did not find the nation which had waited for it." Only then were the Arabised Jews suddenly needed.

Middle Eastern Jews were pushed into -- and undoubtedly pulled towards -- Ashkenazi Israel thanks to the coincidence of three political forces far more powerful than themselves. The first was the deliberate "assistance" they received from Israel and its Ashkenazi emissaries throughout the region, who worked hard to consolidate separations between Jews and non-Jews, as their European Zionism dictated.

The second was the equally deliberate "assistance" they received from such regimes as those of Nuri al-Sid or Zaydi Imam Ahmed, which were well-remunerated for delivering their Jewish subjects by air to the promised land. The third was the unintentional "assistance" given to Ashkenazi Zionism by the Arab groups mentioned above. On top of this triple force, the "enlightened" Western states were as ever reluctant to absorb "third world" people, "third world" Jews included. On more than a few occasions, they even refused to take in the Ashkenazi victims of their European-Nazi creation. In so doing, they extended their sins to include the Palestinians, who thus became indirect victims of Nazism, as well as the direct victims of Zionism.

4. Contrary to the prevailing belief among some Arabs, the overwhelming majority of Middle Eastern Jews -- the majority of Egyptian-Jews included -- neither held a foreign citizenship that could enable them easily to emigrate to Europe, nor had they ever benefited from the imperialist legal system of capitulations. In addition, all these Arab Jewish communities were composed of many different classes. With the exception of the ethnically diverse Egyptian community, most mirrored their societies exactly in terms of their relationship to the means of production.

Ergo, "Middle Eastern Jews" and "capitalist compradors" are not, and must never be used as, synonyms. Even in Egypt, no more than 23 per cent of Jews could ever plausibly have been categorised in this way. Moreover, the term itself is a popular neologism which has no recognised place in neo-Marxist economists.

Granted, there were Middle Eastern Jews who were Zionists. Like others around them, during the 1940s and 1950s, some of these Zionists were undoubtedly involved in horrendous acts. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of Middle Eastern Jews were non-Zionists -- not "traitors", "collaborators", "capitalist compradors" or a "fifth column" -- and a significant portion of them were anti-Zionists, whether on Marxist, liberal or religious grounds (his Eminence, the Egyptian Grand Rabbi Haim Nahoum, included). This is simply fact, even though it remains "beneficial" for the two nationalistic academic versions of this people's history to argue that most were fully-fledged Zionists by their own free choice.

Critical Jews and Arabs who wish to account properly for the departure of 800,000 Jews from their countries of origin would do well to shift the focus of their research away from the micro-study of the inner, super-structural or ideological, workings of these nine mini-minorities, and towards the colossal interactions going on above their heads between Ashkenazi Zionism and Arab nationalism. It is there that they can find the answers to their questions. This approach would also have the advantage of sparing us the exhausting and tedious nationalistic fervour which sadly governs most existing accounts of the subject.

5. One should also recall here the successful campaign against the participation of Arab Jews in the Theatre de Beyrouth symposium to commemorate the 1948 Nakba -- a campaign which was, once again, implemented exclusively by Ashkenazi Zionists. On these issues, Mansour knows more than he was prepared to say in these columns.

But it is counterproductive for universal anti-racist Arabs and Jews to cut round these thorny corners. Even for anti-Zionist Arab Jews such as Ibrahim Sarfati, Salim Nssib, Edmond Malih and others, it does not always matter whether they "opposed the creation of a Zionist state" or "objected to its practices" or "left for Europe" (Malih and others) or "stayed where they belonged" (Nassib, or Sarfati, the Marxist, in jail). Mansour knows that it is not only several Lebanese newspapers and the Syrian National Party (backed by the Syrian second bureau) who consistently contradict his contentions. He knows that there are other establishments which still manage to have so-called "problems" with (even non-Israeli) anti-Zionist Jews. Why is this so?

Because, as one of the Arab organisers of the Beirut symposium wrote, "we are being accused of collaborating with Israel because ... we discuss with Jews from the Arab world and voice a critique as much against Zionism as against repressive Arab regimes and Arab nationalism." I am familiar with other universal anti-Zionist Arabs who think like this gentleman, and like myself.

Their work has another, crucial contribution to make, beyond its own intrinsic value: it is of primary importance for the non-Zionist consolidation of young, and otherwise "fearful" Jews, whose lives are largely dictated from above by a European, non-Middle Eastern Zionist-Jewish memory. True, this function may be secondary. But is it bad for anyone other than Zionists -- and, perhaps, their diametrical mirror images?

There are three additional arguments I should like to make, with respect to Mansour's surprise that "those Sephardic Jews could be counted among those seeking justice for all" and to his (Ashkenazi) question "aren't Sephardic Jews those who most heavily tip the electoral balance in favour of the ultra-chauvinist Likud?".

First, there is one key issue which divides pro- and anti-normalisation Egyptians. While the small pro-normalisation group believes that it is important to engage "left" Zionism -- meaning sub-sections of the affluent Ashkenazi elite, such as Peace Now and Meretz -- the anti-normalisation camp believes that this is counterproductive. It follows that the anti-normalisation majority-- quite justly -- does not distinguish seriously between the right and left Zionist fists, since it is the same head that decides when to use them, just as it is the same head which they strike against.

But if this is the case, then one wonders why is it that Mansour, as an anti-normalisation intellectual, should suddenly choose to distinguish between right and left Zionism where "Sephardic" Jews are concerned? Anti-Zionism needs to be consistent on this point: it should distinguish always, or never, between right and left. There should be no "Mizrahi exceptionalism".

Second, rereading Mansour, it is depressing to realise how Zionist fallacies can be recycled in the most unusual places. Ashkenazi-controlled Israeli scholarship, newspapers, television and "left" groups have been remarkably successful in their tireless attempts (beginning in around 1977, when the authoritarian "Labour" party lost power) to demonise and scapegoat the Mizrahim for all the ills and contradictions that are an integral part of their creation (i.e. Zionism and Israel). There is no space to g into this issue in depth here.

I can only refer the reader to the writings of one (Iraqi-Jewish) Mizrahi: Ella Habiba Shohat. Her 1988 study of how the Zionist "left" generated this fallacious image of the Mizrahim is available in English, Hebrew and Arabic (in the Palestinian Journal Kan'an), thanks to the long-standing collaboration that exists between Palestinians, critical Mizrahim and others. This Ashkenazi fallacy is responsible for the common and unfounded identification of post-1977 Mizrahim and "ultra-chauvinist Zionism".

Lastly, I must be consistent myself. Critical Mizrahim do not, must not and, unfortunately, cannot argue that there are no Mizrahi Jews who vote for right (and "left") Zionist parties (as do 40% of the oppressed Palestinian "citizens" of Israel, be they Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin or Circassian). Therefore I neither offer here, nor ask for, a primordial apologetic "discount" on their behalf. But circular restatements of well-known Zionist problems do not get anyone anywhere, unless one merely wants to help consolidate the current socio-political impasse and play (again) into the hands of the divide-and-rule camp. This is why critical Mizrahim prefer to invest their precious time in finding solutions to these problems with and within the community.

Such critical Mizrahim do not ask for help or admiration from anyone. Unlike the Ashkenazim and all too many others, they know perfectly well why and how the colossal transformations of the 1940s and 1950s shattered the already heterogeneous Mizrahi community beyond all recognition. Critical Mizrahim also know that because post-1950s Mizrahi Jews were born into Israel's apartheid system of citizenship, they have serious obligations to the victims of Zionism, the Palestinians. They therefore support unconditionally and unequivocally the right of the exiled Palestinians to return to their land, a right which must stand inalienable regardless of whether the Mizrahim themselves wish to remain in this land where they now find themselves or not.

But critical Mizrahim, whose ancestors have a long continuous history across the entire region and are in no sense merely "guests", do retain one right: the right to remain sensitive to the often condescending and moralising tone in which they are addressed by both Ashkenazi Jews and non-Palestinian Arabs.

For the sake of a better future for this remarkable region, perhaps it would be politically advantageous if Ashkenazi Jews and non-Palestinian Arabs would first apply their lucid analytical skills either to their own history, or to each other's, instead of fabricating convenient simplifications of the "pre-Israel" Middle Eastern Jews or the "in-Israel" Mizrahim. Likewise, critical Mizrahim should perhaps devote more time both to the radical political reformation of the disordered Mizrahi block and to the dual de-nationalisation of its current historical representation.

More fundamentally, any truly rigorous analysis of the Jewish collectivity would target socio-political processes without necessarily equating them with voting patterns. These processes affect the Palestinians whether one likes it or not. One thing, in any case, is clear: Mizrahi Jews constitute the only critical mass within the Jewish collectivity that possesses the reservoirs of historical, political, cultural and class-based experience from which a sufficiently large question mark can be extracted and placed at the end of every Zionist, or racist, proposition. I hold this truth to be self-evident, even if Mizrahi Jews -- perhaps like their Arab counterparts across the nine countries from which they originated -- have thus far proved quite incapable of the political unity to which their destiny calls them.

BACK TO EDWARD SAID, who like other Palestinians before him was generous enough to mention the "Sephardic topic". I, for one, was unable to find in his articles that demobilising "constant refrain that jars". All that my (outsider's?) eyes could see was a committed Palestinian who stated firmly what at least some other Arabs, Mizrahim and others can only whisper, because they are less well-known: that the old ways formulated for us by previous generations have failed, first and foremost in terms of the objectives set for them by their inventors.

The previous generation failed to deliver the goods it had promised. Zionism still prevails, and is perhaps "kicking even more strongly than before", as the Mizrahi regional universalist Mordechai Va'anunu wrote from his Israeli jail. In the post-Oslo period, genuine democracy, political and economic equality throughout the region, and, consequently, the possibility of a just peace for the Middle East, are perhaps more remote prospects than ever before.

Hence, in conclusion, I would like to suggest the possibility of exploring certain original, horizontal alliances on the basis of shared political values. These are cross-national, regional alliances which should attempt to transcend truly, not artificially, yet with mutual respect, those religious identities that even Marxist groups throughout the region have ultimately failed to come to terms with. If one happens to wish that some elements of the new South African model is to have even some small chance of influencing the Middle East over the course of the next millennium, then one absolute prerequisite is to institute a new type of society-based political communication, right here, right now.

This means communication between critical human beings across the entire region -- between all Palestinians, all kinds of anti-, non- and post-Zionist Jews, and also progressive Arab nationalists -- because the conflict is regional, and has been at least since the intifada of 1936-39.

This communication should be pursued even if the opening positions of the various parties are far from identical (especially given that non-critical people in the region do not wait for anyone and do communicate with each other). As long as one does not intend to move to heaven soon, or to exchange opinions only with one's own shadow, these positions will most likely never be entirely identical. If I recall right, this is the definition of democracy, anti-Zionist democracy included. I may be wrong but this is my Mizrahi reading of Said.

Permit a final word to some of the most committed readers of the Weekly, the personnel of Israeli authorities. Neither myself, nor other critical Mizrahim have anything personal against Zionists or Ashkenazim as human beings. As many pre-Zionist Ashkenazi knew well, democracy can never be divided along religious, ethnic or racial lines. So please loosen your grip: this is the main reason why we are where we are politically.

* Shiko Behar is the first member of an extended, lower-Middle-class Egyptian Jewish family to be born in Palestine/Israel

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 15 October 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Congress improved its vote share by more than four per cent across different regions of Karnataka in the assembly elections, taking its tally of seats beyond the 130-mark.

IMAGE: Congress workers celebrate at the party office after the party's decisive lead in the Karnataka assembly elections, outside Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Ahmedabad, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

The results for the May 10 polls were declared on Saturday with the Congress emerging on top as it won 135 seats and was leading in one seat.

While the party's vote share jumped by more than four per cent, the Janata Dal-Secular saw a sharp fall of more than five per cent, according to Election Commission data on the assembly elections.

In the 2018 elections, the Congress garnered a vote share of 38.04 per cent, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (36.22 per cent) and the JD-S with 18.36 per cent.

In the just-concluded polls, Congress' vote share zoomed to 42.88 per cent; that of JD-S dropped to 13.29 per cent. BJP's vote share was 36 per cent.

The Congress bagged 135 seats, the BJP 65 and the JD-S 19 in the elections.

According to reports, the Congress improved its tally in 'Kittur Karnataka' region by winning 33 out of 50 seats.

In 'Kalyana Karnataka' region, the party won 26 out of 41 seats, compared to 20 last time, while BJP's tally came down from 17 to 10 in this region.

In the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region in south Karnataka, the grand old party won 37 out of the 59 segments.

While JD-S tally came down to 14 from 29 in 2018, the BJP is down to six from nine.
A day after Congress' big win in the Karnataka assembly elections, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party claiming that the "Modi wave" is over in the country.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut addresses a press conference in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI

"The Modi wave is over in the country and now it's our turn. Now our wave is about to come in the country," Raut said in a press conference in Mumbai.

Hitting out at the BJP, Raut said that the victory of the Congress in Karnataka has opened a door for the party in the whole country and the election results show that dictatorship has been defeated.

"The Karnataka election has opened a door for the party in the whole country, the people of Karnataka have shown how dictatorship is defeated. We thank the people of Karnataka," he said.

Talking about the Bajrang Bali row, Raut said, "Bajrang Bali has definitely participated in the election campaign of Karnataka, but he campaigned with the public, and Congress won, meaning Bajrang Bali was not with BJP but with Congress."

The Bajrang Bali row had taken centre stage during the election campaigns in the run-up to the Karnataka assembly polls after the Congress announced a ban on Bajrang Dal in its manifesto.

Targetting Home Minister Amit Shah, Raut said, "Amit Shah said that if BJP loses in Karnataka, there will be riots, but after the victory, Karnataka is completely calm and is celebrating. Is the country's Home Minister giving threats?"

The Congress on Saturday made a stunning comeback in Karnataka ousting the BJP from its lone southern citadel with a comfortable majority.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal-Secular secured 66 and 19, respectively.
Making an emotional appeal to voters in his home turf on the last day of campaigning, Mallikarjun Kharge had asked them to take pride in the fact that he as a 'bhoomi putra' of Karnataka had been made All India Congress Committee president, and sought a win for the Congress in that name.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge speaks after winning the Karnataka assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

It looks like he struck an instant chord with the people, with the voters rewarding the Congress with a comfortable majority of 135 seats in the 224 member Karnataka Legislative assembly for which elections were held on May 10, and the votes counted on Saturday.

Many party leaders credit Kharge for the win mainly for camping in the state and mentoring the party at every level in the run up to polls.

Lot seemed to be riding on the octogenarian leader, who extensively travelled across the state addressing rallies and campaigning for Congress candidates. In all he addressed 24 public meetings and held one road show.

"I want to tell (PM Narendra) Modi now that I'm the 'bhoomi putra' (son of the soil) of Karnataka and Gulbarga (Kalaburagi). The right you have in Gujarat, I have here and I should get it. You have done nothing for my place, but I'm asking after working for my region. What have you done to seek votes here?" Kharge had said addressing a campaign rally in Kalaburagi earlier this week.

Due to the blessings of the people of Kalaburagi he was in Parliament and had been in the assembly, and worked in various capacities including Leader of Opposition, Kharge said.

Though he lost the Lok Sabha polls, party leader Sonia Gandhi had made him a Rajya Sabha member and then LoP.

Above all he has been made the AICC president. "It is a matter of pride of Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), and people of the state, not mine," he said.

The Congress entered the campaign with the challenge of keeping at bay the factionalism, especially between the camps of its two chief ministerial aspirants -- Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar -- who were often seen to be engaging in political one-upmanship.

It somehow managed to put up a united front and ensured that no rift came out in open and derail its prospects.

Party leaders suggest that Kharge has to be credited for bringing in a sense of unity among the rank and file in the run-up to polls. He also ensured there is by and large unanimity among all sections in deciding candidates, which ultimately paid off.

Though the Congress' campaign initially centered around its state leaders like Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, Kharge gave it momentum and thereby prepared the pitch for the party's top leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to join in.

Kharge is only the second leader, after Jagjivan Ram, to be the Congress president from the Dalit community, which constitutes about 24 per cent of the population across more than 100 caste groups in the state.

With his appointment there were expectations within the state Congress to encash dividend to consolidate its Dalit vote base.

However, there is also anger among a large section of the community over the fact that Congress, which enjoyed their support for long, did not make a Dalit the chief minister.

Kharge himself had lost out, after having come very close to it, a couple of times.

According to party sources, Kharge lost out in the race to become chief ministers thrice--in 1999 to S M Krishna, 2004 to Dharam Singh, and in 2013 to Siddaramaiah.

Amid stiff competition between him and senior leader Siddaramiah for the CM post in the event of Congress coming to power in the assembly polls, Karnataka state Congress President Shivakumar had attempted to bring Kharge's name into the race, which had raised eyebrows within the party circles.

However, Kharge had himself ruled out by pointing out that he is now the AICC president.

The second AICC president from Karnataka after S Nijalingappa, now he has the credit of winning his home state during his Presidency.

After taking charge as the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years, in October 2022, this is his second electoral victory after Himachal Pradesh in December last year.

At a time when it seemed like all was going well for it, Congress during the campaigning had also waded into controversies with Mallikarjun Kharge's 'venomous snake' barb at Prime Minister Modi and then his son and Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge's 'nalayak beta' (incompetent son) remark against him, as they were latched on to by the BJP which had urged the voters to punish the Congress for its 'politics of abuse'.
After registering a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, the Congress has another task of selecting the next chief minister.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar during celebrations after the party's win in Karnataka assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

The newly-elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka are meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday evening to discuss government formation with leaders eliciting their views on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar are strong claimants and front-runners for the coveted post.

However, banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences in Bengaluru, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress win and projecting them as "next CM".

Supporters of Siddaramaiah, who is a former chief minister of Karnataka, put up a poster outside his residence in Bengaluru, referring to him as "the next CM of Karnataka."

Posters were also put up outside the house of D K Shivakumar wishing him for his birthday which is on May 15 with the message: "Birthday greetings to the new Chief Minister of Karnataka".

While the 60-year-old Shivakumar, considered to be "troubleshooter" for the Congress party, Siddaramaiah has a pan-Karnataka appeal.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD-S, gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the Chief Minister from the party after having occupied the coveted post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal-Secular secured 66 and 19, respectively.

With inputs from PTI
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by four of his cabinet ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party state president Sarada Devi, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Sunday, state minister and government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh told PTI.

IMAGE: Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh addresses a press conference, in Imphal on May 8, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The meeting, which came days after Manipur witnessed massive violence that claimed more than 60 lives, was also attended by BJP national president J P Nadda. It took place late in the evening.

"The chief minister, four of his cabinet ministers and the BJP state unit chief met the union home minister," Sapam Ranjan Singh said.

He did not disclose what transpired in the meeting but said the chief minister would hold a press conference on Monday morning in Imphal to brief journalists about his Delhi visit.

Sapam Ranjan Singh said the chief minister was returning to Manipur tonight.

Sources said the chief minister and other members of the delegation were called to Delhi for the meeting.

The state ministers who were present in the meeting included Th Biswajit and Govindas Konthoujam and they came to Delhi in a special aircraft, sources said.

The chief minister's visit to Delhi followed the demand by 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur for a separate administration for their region in the wake of recent violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals.

Of the 10 legislators, seven belong to the BJP, two are from Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent.

The two KPA and independent MLAs are also part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP.

Violent clashes broke out in the north-eastern state after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.

Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

The chief minister had on Monday said that 60 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, burnt in the ethnic violence that rocked the northeastern state.
Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has claimed it was necessary to get Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar's support in 2019 to teach a lesson to Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray, in an apparent reference to the alliance formed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis and Pawar at that time.

IMAGE: Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government formed in a hush-hush ceremony in November 2019 after the state assembly elections. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government formed in a hush-hush ceremony in November 2019 after the state assembly elections had lasted for three days.

Later, Uddhav Thackeray became the chief minister of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which comprised his party, the NCP and the Congress.

Thackeray had snapped ties with long-term ally Bharatiya Janata Party over the issue of sharing the chief ministerial post.

"The kind of new political arrangement Uddhav Thackeray brought in at that time, to teach Thackeray a lesson it was necessary to get support from NCP's Ajit Pawar, BJP leader Mungantiwar told Loksatta newspaper on Saturday.

Asked about the BJP leader's comments, Fadnavis said, I have not heard personally what Mungantiwar said. It will not be appropriate to make any comment on his statement.

When reporters queried Sanjay Raut about Mungantiwar's comments, the Shiv Sena-UBT leader said, Nobody gives Mungantiwar any importance in his own party. What is the point of asking us about his comments.

There was speculation recently that Ajit Pawar might join the BJP camp, but he and NCP chief Sharad Pawar dismissed such rumours.
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate C K Ramamurthy won the Jayanagar seat in Karnataka by a slender margin of 16 votes against his Congress rival Soumya Reddy on Saturday, officials said.

Image only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

'The result was announced by the officials at the Counting Centre at S S M R V College in Jayanagar late tonight,' a state Information Department official said in a statement.

As the victory margin was too narrow, Ramamurthy had demanded recounting of votes.

Tension prevailed at the R V Institute of Management in Jayanagar where the counting was taking place as the Congress state president D K Shivakumar along with state unit working president Ramalinga Reddy, who is also the father of Sowmya Reddy, and many other leaders staged a demonstration outside the polling booth, demanding justice.

They alleged misuse of government machinery to favour Ramamurthy.

Election officials declared Ramamurthy as the winner with a thin margin of 16 votes.

With this, the Congress has won 135 seats in the 224-member Karnataka assembly.

The BJP has won 66 seats and the Janata Dal-Secular 19, according to the Election Commission website.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP), which met at a private hotel in Bengaluru on Sunday evening, passed a unanimous resolution authorising All India Congress Committee (AICC) president M Mallikarjun Kharge to pick its leader, who will be the next chief minister of Karnataka.

IMAGE: Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar along with former chief minister Siddaramaiah and senior party leaders Sushil Kumar Shinde and Deepak Babaria, at the Congress Legislative party (CLP) meeting, in Bengaluru on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The CLP meeting was attended by AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and three central observers.

Before the meeting, Venugopal and the central observers held a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar -- the two front-runners for the chief minister's post.

'The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that the AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new Leader of the Congress Legislature Party,' according to a one-line resolution passed at the CLP meeting.

Siddaramaiah moved the resolution.

With the ball now in Kharge's court, lobbying for the top post is set to shift to Delhi with both the contenders expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the AICC chief.

After the CLP meeting, Randeep Surjewala, AICC in-charge for Karnataka, said: "The MLAs will meet the central observers after dinner tonight and their decision will be conveyed to the party president for taking a decision to appoint a new CLP leader."

Venugopal said, "This process of taking the opinion of all MLAs will be completed tonight itself."

Sources said the observers will be handing over their report upon consulting all MLAs to Kharge by Monday.

On the process adopted by the Congress to elect the CLP leader, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said this was 'inner-party democracy at its best'.

"This is the Congress way of arriving at a consensus giving confidence to all that they have been heard," he said.

'The new Congress Govt in Karnataka that will take over soon will be a STAR -- Sensitive, Transparent, Accountable & Responsive,' Ramesh said on Twitter.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal-Secular secured 66 and 19, respectively.

After the results were declared on Saturday, Congress president Kharge deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader in Karnataka.

The legislature party passed another resolution, moved by Shivakumar, promising to implement the five promises made to the people of Karnataka.

The resolution stated the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka 'wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude towards the 6.5 crore Kannadigas for reposing their faith in us and giving a decisive mandate to the Congress Party in the Karnataka Assembly Elections'.

'This is indeed a victory of every Kannadiga, a victory of 'swabhimana' of Karnataka and a victory of progress and harmony to rebuild 'Brand Karnataka',' it said.

'...Karnataka has once again shone a new light to democracy and protecting the Constitution, which are under attack from the forces of hate and divisiveness, both from inside and outside the State,' the resolution stated.

The Congress Legislature Party also expressed its appreciation and thanks to Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and state leaders for their efforts.

The resolution stated: 'It is no coincidence that the Congress campaign in its true earnestness began way back in September-October 2022 during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, when Rahul Gandhi walked nearly 600 kilometres for a period of 21 days through the length and breadth of Karnataka, which immensely energised the cadre to take on the malgovernance, corruption and maladministration of the ruling BJP government.'

'The Congress Legislature Party resolves to work determinedly and unitedly to give a responsible, accountable, transparent government to our brothers and sisters of Karnataka. Serving the 6.5 crore Kannadigas will be our sole motto and guiding light,' the resolution read.

The CLP expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Kharge for the extensive and tireless campaign undertaken by him all through the elections as also for his 'sagacious advice' on electoral strategy.

It also thanked former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for being a pillar of strength to the party and for her guidance and campaign in the elections.

The CLP said it shall ensure social justice and economic equality remain at the core of its government's policies and will fulfil the five 'guarantees'.

These are 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to woman heads of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of BPL households (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youths and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).

'We are duty bound to protect and preserve Kannada culture, language and our rich traditions. We will reclaim Karnataka as Sarva Janangada Shantiya Thota once again and will make Karnataka truly the number one state in India in terms of peace, progress and prosperity,' the resolution read.

The CLP appreciated the insurmountable hard work, resilience and dedication of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah as also the entire team for leading the campaign from the front.

Both the eight-time MLA Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah have made no secret of their ambition to become chief minister and had been involved in a game of political one-upmanship in the past.

The Congress had entered the campaign phase with the challenge of keeping at bay the factionalism, especially between the camps of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who had been openly rooting for their leaders, but the party put up a united front and ensured that no rift came out in open that could derail its prospects, under the mentorship of Kharge.

Banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences in Bengaluru, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress' win and projecting them as the 'next CM'.

While the 60-year-old Shivakumar is considered to be a 'troubleshooter' for the Congress, Siddaramaiah has a pan-Karnataka appeal.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD-S, gets elected as the CLP leader, this would be his second stint as the chief minister from the party after having occupied the top post for five years between 2013-18.

Shivakumar had served as Minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his chief ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas.

He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to 'lose out an opportunity' with him as the KPCC president, while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga leader to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999.

In fact in this election, the Congress has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Also, there have been instances in the party that whoever has successfully led as KPCC president in election, have been the natural choice to be the CM, like in the case of Krishna and Veerendra Patil.

Siddaramaiah, who has seniority on his side, is known for able administrative skills, and has the experience of having run a successful tenure as the chief minister.

He also enjoys the distinction of having presented 13 budgets for the state as Finance Minister.

Being a mass leader, he has considerable clout among the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) class. The mega 75th birthday bash of Siddaramaiah held last year in Davanagere was largely seen as an attempt by him and his loyalists to project him as the future CM.

Seventy-five-year-old Siddaramaiah, who has already announced that this was his last election, has been maintaining that the chief minister will be elected by the newly elected MLAs in consultation with the party high command.

There are also other contenders for the post like former deputy chief minister and ex-KPCC president G Parameshwara and veteran leader and seven-time MP K H Muniyappa -- both Dalits, and M B Patil -- a Lingayat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's crushing defeat in Karnataka is a boost for Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra which will take small parties along and put up a united challenge to the ruling party in the 2024 elections, state Nationalist Congress Party chief Jayant Patil said on Sunday.

IMAGE: Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil. Photograph: ANI Photo

Speaking to reporters after attending the MVA meeting at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence 'Silver Oak' in Mumbai, Patil said the MVA -- comprising the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the NCP, and the Congress -- will work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections, due in the second half of the next year.

MVA leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-UBT and state Congress chief Nana Patole, attended the meeting.

"Like Karnataka, I am sure the MVA will win the people's trust in Maharashtra and will work with more strength," Patil said.

He said MVA leaders have decided to hold talks with other small parties and are hopeful of presenting a united opposition to the current dispensation in the country in 2024.

"The three constituents of MVA will meet and work out a seat-sharing formula ahead of the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections. We are starting steadily and slowly," Patil added.

He said the public rallies of MVA, titled 'Vajramooth', currently put on hold will resume after the summer heat subsides.

"Due to rising temperatures in the state, we have suspended the rallies. We will start holding them once the heat subsides," he said.

Patil said these rallies can be arranged in June, and if the rains start early, we will organise them indoors.

In Karnataka elections, the results of which were declared on Saturday, the Congress won 135 seats out of 224, while the ruling BJP and the former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal-Secular secured 66 and 19 seats, respectively.
Revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews, this beautiful city is holy and cursed, drowned in blood yet still magnificent. Last year, the Arab ministers of information designated 26 September as Jerusalem Day. Rashid Khalidi* unravels modern myths and ancient passions in his search to locate the united heart of this torn and worshiped place

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

The idea that Jerusalem constitutes the exclusive property of one party, which has privileged rights there, is an old one. In ancient times, and many, many other times during its more than 40 centuries of history, Jerusalem has been conquered, and then treated as if it belonged to the conqueror alone. Each time, of course, the arguments used to justify such behaviour went far beyond the simple conqueror's claim that might-makes-right. Most frequently, religious justifications were utilised to give a patina of legitimacy to such appropriations, and to the attendant dispossessions which went with them.

Quite often, such forcible takeovers were accompanied by wholesale slaughter, while at other times, the indigenous population was expelled or subjugated by that of the conqueror.

While somewhat barbaric, at least this old-fashioned approach had the merit of simplicity. The spirit in which old-time conquerors approached this matter was generally refreshingly straight-forward: "Jerusalem used to belong to them, we took it because of divine favour, and now it is ours to do with exactly as we please." The religious arguments in which this argument from brute force was usually clothed in fact generally mattered far less than the brute force involved, which was the nub of the matter. Thus, while there was a fair share of hypocrisy and cant in the old approach, it generally relied in essence on the sword, sometimes quite unashamedly.

I mention this ancient history not because I plan to focus on tales of Jebusites and Israelites, but rather because we are constantly told that there are special, privileged and exclusive Israeli claims to Jerusalem today because of the ancient attachment to it of the Jewish religious tradition. This is an argument which carries enormous force, since followers of all three of the monotheistic faiths which grew out of the Abrahamic heritage revere this tradition, both in general and as it applies to Jerusalem.

But in fact, the ancient, enduring and indisputable attachment to Jerusalem of the Jewish religious tradition is today exploited to cloak what is at base no more than the old, brutal legitimation-by-conquest approach. We must remember that what is being argued by those who do this is NOT that this ancient and enduring religious attachment justifies a modern religious attachment, or freedom of worship for Jews in Jerusalem today. What is being claimed is that this attachment takes precedence over all others, and that it is more ancient, more sacred, and more important than whatever others may feel for the Holy City. This in turn is used to justify exclusive Israeli sovereignty and control over the entire city today, both its Jewish and Arab sectors, and including its Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy places.

What is at work here is particularly insidious because it is so subtle. Since no believing Christian or Muslim could possibly deny the Jewish affiliation to Jerusalem without denying a central tenet of his or her faith, this indisputable Jewish religious connection is employed to serve two purposes. The first is to make plausible a seamless continuity between the enduring centuries-old spiritual yearning for Jerusalem among Jews the world over, and the secular political purposes and rapacious nationalist ambitions in today's Jerusalem of the modern nation-state of Israel. The second is to delegitimise the political claims of others by projecting a relatively recent political connection with Jerusalem three thousand years back in time.

Thus, it is argued, while Christians of Muslims can claim two thousand or one thousand four hundred years of continuous attachment to Jerusalem respectively (and indeed the continuous nature and the intensity of these attachments are sometimes called into doubt), Jews can claim three thousand. Then -- and note the sophisticated bait and switch technique which operates here -- it is first claimed that this ancient Jewish religious attachment is in fact nothing other than an early variant of modern-day ntionalism; it is then assumed that David and Solomon were nothing other than very early prime ministers of a very early state of Israel; it is thereupon assumed that the sources whereby we know what we know of Jerusalem in the time of David and Solomon are genuine historical sources rather than accounts of religious traditions, myths and beliefs compiled over 500 years after their time; all of this is then tarted up with the results of generations of biblical and nationalistically driven archaeology which has taken these historically questionable biblical texts as its underground road-map; next, a couple of thousand years of intervening history are conveniently forgotten; and, voila, we have the modern myth whereby the only legitimate claim to Jerusalem is that of the modern Israeli nation-state.

All of this serves to obscure a very important fact: this is that the ancient Jewish connection with Jerusalem has profound meaning for both Christians and Muslims. For Christians and Muslims, this connection has been fully incorporated into their central religious narratives in such a way that to argue, as some do, for the exclusivity of these attachments is in fact to misunderstand the beliefs of others. Thus in the Christian Bible, the Old Testament is an integral part of the Scriptural under girding of faith -- and it is thus not just the Passion of Jesus which causes Christians to venerate Jerusalem, but also the traditions and beliefs which Christians share with Jews about the city.

Similarly, Muslims believe in the Jewish connection with Jerusalem as an integral part of God's messages to mankind; they see the biblical prophets, without exception, as among their prophets and venerate them all, notably David and Solomon, and it is not simply the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad to Jerusalem described in Sura 17 of the Quran which causes them to venerate the city. What is at issue therefore is not the Jewish claim to Jerusalem: that claim is in fact endorsed and upheld by all believers in the Abrahamic tradition; it is rather the exclusivity of that claim, and its present utilisation for political purposes.

all of this leads directly to the crucial matter at issue, which is that just as modern Israeli nationalism has been constructed in part through a reweaving in nationalist political terms of Biblical and other narratives, so has modern Palestinian nationalism been constructed in part on the basis of these same Biblical, and related Quranic narratives. What is at issue is not refutation or advocacy of any of these nationalist claims. Nationalism after all is a matter of belief, and sometimes quite irrational belief. As the historian Eric Hobsbawm puts it, "No serious historian of nations and nationalism can be a committed political nationalist... nationalism requires too much belief in what is patently untrue."

Rather, what we should be trying to do, if we are serious about looking for a solution for Jerusalem, is to avoid denigrating the claims of others. We must recognise that these claims, both the national claims, and the religious ones on which they are in part based, exist, and have a power which cannot be denied. Put more bluntly, we can not tell others what they believe, or what they should believe. We must recognise further that these claims must be reconciled in some fashion if there is ever to be a resolution of the conflict which has Jerusalem as its core.

This conflict simply cannot be resolved on a basis of might-makes-right, nor can it be done by attempting to privilege one of two national claims, or one religious tradition among three, or one archaeological stratum in a city which has at least 21 known major strata. It simply will not do to pretend that Jerusalem has three thousand years of history -- back to the time of King David in other words -- when in fact the archaeologists agree that it has been in existence for well over four thousand years. Similarly, it will not do to ignore, and indeed to actually undermine, the Arab-Muslim structures which make up the physical fabric of the Old City of Jerusalem in an obsessive search for the remains of structures from 2000 or 3000 years ago.

If the conflict is to be resolved, those who search for a real solution in Jerusalem will have to find a formula for sharing this holy city in ways which give real empowerment and the full exercise of political rights to all of those who live there or look to Jerusalem as their capital, without infringing on the rights of others. This formula at the same time will have to give all believers in the faiths of the Abrahamic tradition a sense that they are free to worship without coercion, and are not doing so on sufferance.

This is a tall order, and it will not be easy to do, but it is not impossible. It can be done without redividing Jerusalem. But those who do it must take also into account the cold hard fact that all the windy rhetoric about "reunification" notwithstanding, this city includes two national communities which have been in conflict with one another for over five generations now, and that one has subjugated the other. For this reason they are rigidly segregated from one another in virtually every significant aspect of their existence, and are likely to continue in this fashion for at least some time into the future.

What is crucial, however, is that the veil of cant and deceit which envelops discussion of this question, especially in the United States and Israel, be lifted: the fact is that asserting the primacy of one religious tradition in effect demeans the others; the fact is tat asserting the absolute primacy of one nationality in practice means the subjugation of the other. This is not to say that believing Jews or Christians or Muslims should not regard their affiliation with Jerusalem as special, unique an distinct; each group will naturally and necessarily do so. It is rather the assertion that their affiliation gives them the right to primacy in the here and now which is dangerous. Similarly, no one could expect either Palestinians or Israelis to cease to regard Jerusalem as the supreme focus of their national aspirations. They will continue to do so whatever we do. Rather, these aspirations have to be realised in such a way that their realisation does not prevent the realisation of the legitimate aspirations of others.

Like religion, nationalism can be an uncompromising and elemental force which is singularly unamenable to such reasoned arguments. It is the task of those who seek a mutually acceptable resolution of the conflict over Jerusalem to resist these uncompromising and elemental tendencies in religion and nationalism, and to challenge the exclusivist political claims which they engender. What this means on one side is to resist a new exclusivism regarding Jerusalem which is associated with some voices in the Islamic, Arab and Palestinian communities.

Important though these voices are, they probably represent a minority, whether in Palestine or in the Arab-American community, where a majority seems committed to some form of sharing in Jerusalem.

What this means on the other side is far more difficult. For it involves a willingness to stand up to an apparent consensus calling for exclusive Israeli control over Jerusalem. This consensus is not in fact as monolithic as it may seem, but it is intimidating and even terrifying to some who would defy it, whether in the US Congress, or in the Christian and Jewish communities in North America and Europe. Indeed the only reason that the partisans of this exclusivist approach to Jerusalem can claim tha they represent a consensus is that this issue has not yet been openly debated. If this issue involved in a resolution of the dispute over Jerusalem were dispassionately laid before most people, Muslims, Christians or Jews, it might be easier than many expect to arrive at a consensus for a shared rather than an exclusivist solution. It is imperative that we arrive at such a consensus, for an exclusivist solution -- whatever the religious or other justification in which it might be dressed up -- is at bottom based on the bayonet and the barbaric argument that might-makes-right, and cannot possibly lead to peace or justice.

I will not dwell on how important a just resolution of the issue of Jerusalem is to the achievement of an overall Middle East peace settlement.

Of course, there is the possibility that I am being wildly naive in saying all of this. Perhaps we have not progressed since the days of the Jebusites. Perhaps mankind has not reached a stage where the idea of sharing can prevail.

I prefer to take a somewhat more optimistic view, and to believe that we have progressed past the era of the caveman, and of our warlike ancestors and others who have fought over Jerusalem for centuries, in doing so sometimes wading in the blood of their opponents, and sometimes operating less dramatically with legal writs and bulldozers.

If I am right, and if a compromise solution is possible, it will be one which, while it respects the three different religious traditions which give Jerusalem its sanctity, and the two national claims which today envelop it, will privilege none of them, but will rather enable all to share jointly in the wonders of this magnificent, beautiful, great, holy and cursed city, Jerusalem.

* The writer is professor of history at the University of Chicago. The above article appeared in a special issue of Jusoor: The Arab American Journal of of Cultural Exchange entitled The Open Veins of Jerusalem, Maryland, 1998.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 1 October 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was instrumental in the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine.

IMAGE: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses during the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Mahasammelan, in Sambhaji Nagar on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

"PM Modi spoke to (Russian president Vladimir) Putin and (Ukraine president Volodymyr) Zelensky. He also spoke to (US president Joe) Biden when needed. The war stopped briefly so that more than 22,000 students stuck in Ukraine could be rescued and they returned home. Parents of these students were demanding that PM Modi rescue them.

"I am proud of PM Modi who did something that no other country was able to do," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said while addressing the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Maha Sammelan in Aurangabad.

Singh spoke of the valour and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap and the battle of Haldighati.

Maharana Pratap ate rotis made of grass but never compromised with self-respect, he added.

"If you understand his dedication, then you will call his times a Maharana kaal (era) and not a Mughal era. Maharana Pratap never bowed before (emperor) Akbar and kept his Mevad almost invincible," Singh said.

"Be it Mevad, Haldighati, or Galwan, India's head has always been held high and will remain so," the minister said.

Singh said under Modi as PM, India's weapons exports, which were Rs 900 crore in 2014, increased to more than Rs 16,000 crore now.

"We should thank Modi for his insistence on making the country aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)," he added.
Super cyclone Mocha made landfall along the Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts on Sunday after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm, causing extensive damage to the southeastern coastlines and forcing the evacuation of over five lakh people in low lying areas.

IMAGE: Cyclone Mocha progress on May 13, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy @Indiametdept/Twitter

The Cyclone Mocha, one of the most powerful cyclones seen in the country in nearly two decades -- made landfall shortly after midday on the Teknaf shorelines before making its way through the Naf River that divides Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The powerful wind uprooted trees and damaged roofs of several houses in Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island, which is situated about 9-km south of the tip of Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula.

There was heavy rain along with strong winds in St Martin's, an eight-square-kilometre coral-rich island located in the Bay of Bengal.

"The 'eye' or the center point of the cyclone made its landfall shortly after midday today on the Teknaf shorelines, coming through the Naf River, ahead of its anticipated time," Bangladesh Met office spokesman AKM Nazmul Huda told PTI.

He said the tail or the rest of the severe storm, which was categorised as a very dangerous category-five cyclone, might take more time to cross the coastlines.

Citing sources, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that St Martin's Island, Teknaf Sadar and several other coastal areas have been affected by strong winds which uprooted trees, and blown away roofs of houses.

Administrative chief of Teknaf sub-district of Cox's Bazar Mohammad Quamruzzaman said the wind was blowing at a speed of over 200 kilometres per hour in Taknaf and its southernmost part Shahpori Dip along the Bay of Bengal.

Teknaf is close to Myanmar and separated from northern Myanmar coasts by the Naf River.

Quamruzzaman said that extensive damage has been reported in Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island due to the cyclone.

"We have received news of several people being injured in these two areas," he added.

The weather officials said the Naf River was witnessing high tides that began at 11 am and would continue until evening.

Mujibur Rahman, the chairman of Saint Martin's Island, said many houses on the island were blown away by the strong wind.

'I have heard news of several people being injured,' he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Storm surges of up to four meters could swamp villages in low-lying areas.

There are fears it may hit the world's largest refugee camp, Cox's Bazar, where over one million displaced Muslim Rohingya refugees live in makeshift camps.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Met Office issued the highest danger signal 10 for Cox's Bazar.

Cyclone Mocha started hitting the coastlines of Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sunday after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm.

The powerful cyclone brought heavy rain and winds of up to 195 kph.

The forecast was it will make landfall with heavy rains and winds on Sunday afternoon.

The low-lying areas of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram are likely to be inundated by wind-driven tidal surges eight to 12 feet above normal.

Tidal surges of five to seven feet above normal are also likely to deluge low-lying parts of Feni, Noakhali, Laxmpur, Chandpur, and Bhola, bdnews24.com reported.

Meteorologists previously warned Mocha could be the most powerful storm seen in Bangladesh in nearly two decades.

Authorities on Saturday launched a massive evacuation campaign to relocate close to half a million people along the southeastern coastlines.

Bangladesh has shut down nearby airports, ordered fishermen to suspend their work and set up 1,500 shelters as people from vulnerable areas were moved to safer spots.

Officials said the government, with the support of UN agencies and aid workers, has kept tonnes of dry food and dozens of ambulances ready with mobile medical teams in sprawling camps of the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar.

Residents and officials fear the Mocha-triggered tidal surges could cause massive deluges and landslides, endangering the lives of those residing in hillside camps, where mudslides hit regularly.

The World Meteorological Organisation, a United Nations agency, had warned the super cyclone will cause heavy rain, flooding, and landslides around the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

"Cyclone 'Mocha' is coming. We have kept the cyclone centres and taken all types of preparations to tackle it," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier said.

Bangladeshi authorities have set up 55 shelters at Bhasan Char offshore island, where nearly 30,000 of the Rohingya refugees have been relocated from the mainland.

Bangladesh exclusively dedicated the Bhasan Char to the Rohingyas though most of them live in the mainland of Cox's Bazar adjacent to Myanmar borders. Most of them fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.

Prime Minister Hasina earlier warned that the cyclone could disrupt electricity and gas supplies and particularly cause water stagnation in coastal areas.

"This cyclone (Mocha) is the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr of 2007," chief meteorologist Azizur Rahman said.

Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh's southwestern coast killing more than 3,000 people and inflicting damages to the tune of billions of dollars.
Prominent Vokkaliga pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji on Sunday appealed to the Congress leadership to appoint Karnataka party unit president D K Shivakumar as the next chief minister of the state.

IMAGE: Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar offers prayers a day after the party's victory in the Karnataka assembly elections, in Tumkur district, on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

In the wake of Congress getting a thumping majority in the assembly polls, he also said Shivakumar is the most eligible candidate by all standards to head the state.

The Vokkaliga Sangha, which is the main body of one of the dominant communities of Karnataka, organised a meeting of Vokkaliga pontiffs where a unanimous decision was taken to request the Congress top brass to appoint Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga who has been steering the state unit, as the next chief minister.

"This programme has been organised to request all the seniors right from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah to give Shivakumar an opportunity to run the administration and serve the society," Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji said.

He added that Shivakumar had suffered a lot while discharging his duty.

"We all saw tears in his eyes yesterday, which were a mix of joy and pain. The man who toiled so much should get the result," the seer said.
The newly-elected Congress MLAs in Karnataka are meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday evening to discuss government formation with leaders eliciting their views on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

IMAGE: Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar during celebrations after the party's win in Karnataka assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar are strong claimants and front-runners for the coveted post.

In the May 10 elections to the 224-member assembly, the Congress scored an emphatic victory with 135 seats, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal-Secular secured 66 and 19, respectively.

The Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting is scheduled to be begin at 5:30 pm on Sunday, and the newly elected have already been instructed to come to Benagluru.

Both the eight-time MLA Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have made no secret of their ambition to become CM and had been involved in a game of political one upmanship in the past.

The Congress had entered the campaign phase with the challenge of keeping at bay the factionalism, especially between the camps of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who had been openly rooting for their leaders, but the party put an united front and ensured that no rift came out in open and derail its prospects, under the mentorship of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Now the task at hand for the AICC leadership is to complete the process of electing the legislature party leader by taking all factions together.

Banners have come up in front of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's residences in Bengaluru, erected by supporters, congratulating them for Congress win and projecting them as "next CM".

While the 60-year-old Shivakumar, considered to be "troubleshooter" for the Congress party, Siddaramaiah has a pan-Karnataka appeal.

If Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress after being expelled from JD-S, gets elected as the CLP leader, this will be his second stint as the Chief Minister from the party after having occupied the coveted post for five years between 2013-18. Shivakumar had served as minister in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

According to party sources, the opinion of newly elected legislators will be sought and depending on the outcome, they might be asked to vote to elect their leader, if need arise.

Shivakumar has been openly expressing his Chief Ministerial aspirations at various events, especially the ones connected with Vokkaligas.

He had asked the dominant community, to which he belongs, not to lose out an opportunity with him as the KPCC president, while pointing out that S M Krishna was the last Vokkaliga to lead the party in the polls and then went on to become the CM in 1999.

In fact in this election, the Congress' has significantly improved its electoral performance in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) and that credit largely goes to Shivakumar.

Also, there have been instances in the party that whoever has successfully led as KPCC president in election, have been the natural choice to be the CM, like in the case of Krishna and Veerendra Patil.

Siddaramaiah, who has seniority on his side, is known for able administratrative skills, and has the experience of having run a successful tenure as the Chief Minister. He also enjoys the distinction of having presented 13 budgets for the state.

Being a mass leader, he has considerable clout among the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). The mega 75th birthday bash of Siddaramaiah held last year in Davanagere, was largely seen as an attempt by him and his loyalists to project him as the future CM.

Seventy-five-year-old Siddaramaiah who has already announced that this was his last election, has been maintaining that the Chief Minister will be elected by the newly elected MLAs in consultation with the party high command.

There are also other contenders for the post like former Deputy Chief Minister and ex KPCC President G Parameshwara and veteran leader and seven time MP K H Muniyappa -- both Dalits, and M B Patil -- a Lingayat
In this week's Vermontitude podcast, host Peter "Fish" Case chats up Chris Mays, a longtime reporter with the Brattleboro Reformer, as they di Vermontitude Episode 27: Rounding up Route 30 chaos and mascots
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. High 71F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low 48F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Parts of the circulating water booster pumps were placed on the ground at NorthStars Vermont Yankee nuclear facility in Vernon as the site was being demolished on Sept. 27, 2022.
BERLIN  Brittany Plucas, 29, and her boyfriend will likely sleep in her car when they have to leave the Hilltop Inn on the first of June. The
Photo: BC Archives A-00680 / photographer unknown SS Sicamous on Okanagan Lake circa 1914.

Photo: Terry Robertson SS Sicamous at Marine Heritage Park site in Penticton, 2023.

The sternwheeler SS Sicamous was launched nearly 109 years ago, on May 19, 1914.

Records show that Canadian Pacific Railway spent more than $200,000 on construction and interior finishing and fixtures on the deluxe paddle steamer. From its launch until it was retired from active service in 1937 it plied Okanagan Lake as the primary means of transporting cargo and passengers to and from 14 official stops, as well as a number of ad hoc landing sites.

The lake steamers were essentially a way to connect the Okanagan communities to the CPR spur line which ended near Vernon.

At 228 feet in length and 40 feet wide, the SS Sicamous was the largest and most luxurious of all the steamers on the lake. She initially sported five decks and could transport 500 passengers and 900 tons of freight, all at a speed of 17 knots (slightly over 30 kilometres pre hour).

In addition to the four large rooms, or saloons including a bar in the mens saloonthe vessel also had mens and womens observation decks and numerous observation and smoking lounges, as well as a large dining room that could seat 48 people at a sitting.

There were 40 staterooms/cabins, containing a total of 80 berths (beds), even though overnight facilities would not be expected on a one-way journey of only seven hours from one end of the lake to the other. And the Sicamous did not travel at night.

You may ask why were there so many private rooms with berths? The answer is so passengers affluent enough to afford a berth, could board the vessel the night before, and thereby not miss any sleep and avoid the rush and inconvenience having to arrive at the dock in time to board the vessel by the 5:30 a.m. departure time.

Due to the 1930s economic depression, increased competition from the railways and improved automobile roads connecting the different Okanagan communities to each other, the Sicamous was removed from passenger service in 1935 and the once luxurious steamer was converted to a strictly cargo vessel.

However in 1936, that was not enough to keep her operating and by 1937 she was stripped of any valuable fixtures and left moored at the Okanagan Landing shipyard where she was built 22 plus years earlier.

The Sicamous was purchased by the City of Penticton for $1 and the derelict vessel was moved to that city in 1951, where she was permanently landed at the west end of Okanagan Lake Beach. She extensively restored back to her configuration as a passenger and freight carrier in the days when she was informally called, The Queen of Okanagan Lake.

The SS Sicamous was featured on a Canadian commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of her launching.

The S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Society works to protect, preserve and promote the marine heritage of the Okanagan Valley. The restored SS Sicamous is certainly worth a Second Look, as is the museum with artefacts, located inside the vessel. And dont miss the Okanagan tug boats located adjacent to the iconic old sternwheeler.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

August 1948: The fighting between us and our enemies in Palestine has stopped in implementation of the truce. However, the reality is that not a day goes by without the outbreak of an armed clash somewhere along the front. The Egyptian forces had divided Palestine in two across a line extending from immediately south of Jerusalem to the coast north of Asdod. The Zionists were in a panic over the fate of over 30 Zionist settlements in the south of Palestine which had been completely cut off by Egyptian forces.

Jewish forces had tried to break through the Egyptian ring surrounding the settlements, but without success. They were forced to seek other means to send in provisions to the settlements. At times they dropped supplies from planes and, at others, they tried to smuggle through convoys at night. Many of these convoys were ambushed by Egyptian forces. I recall that, one night, a brave but silent young officer, with only a handful of soldiers, attacked a large convoy carrying water and food. As the convoy was passing near Al-Faluja, the courageous young man confiscated its contents. These provisions, particularly the dry biscuits, served to sustain Al-Faluja until the end of their blockade. This young but silent officer was Captain Hassan El-Tuhami.

The eastern sector from the south of Jerusalem to Bethlehem was occupied by the forces of the martyr Ahmed Abdel-Aziz. These forces, referred to at times as "light forces", and at others as "commandos", were made up mostly of volunteers. His sector witnessed continual skirmishes virtually throughout the truce. At one point, the barbed wire barriers put up by the two sides were almost on top of each other. In fact, I saw stretches where the barbed wire of both sides was attached to the same poles. This is why there was perpetual tension in this sector.

By the middle of August, under the supervision of the truce observers, we finished drawing up the demarcation lines for the truce and delineating the sectors along the front. But no sooner had we finished this task than the Jews mounted a series of attacks against the no-man's land. In Jerusalem, they occupied the Red Cross-controlled area and took down the international organisation's flags. They also occupied some buildings near this area. I cannot forget Colonel Ismail Sherin's tireless efforts in drawing up the truce lines in conjunction with the UN observers. He spent days walking dozens of miles with the observers in the Central Sector, which was inaccessible to light vehicles.

The Jewish assault had international repercussions. The subject was brought before the Security Council. Resolutions were passed, but these were no more effective than the paper they were written on. The Jews protested that the Egyptian forces, volunteers in particular, had occupied Jabal Al-Mukabbir, and refused to withdraw from the area they occupied unless the Egyptians withdrew from that strategically vital position. Their aim, of course, was to occupy Jabal Al-Mukabbir without having to give anything in exchange.

From that position, they would threaten the only line of communication between Egyptian forces, southern Jerusalem and the Jordanian forces in old Jerusalem. In the midst of the commotion, General Riley contacted the Egyptian, Jordanian and Israeli governments, which agreed to convene a conference, chaired by him and attended by representatives from the military forces of these governments. Riley set the day of the meeting -- the day on which Abdel-Aziz was killed, and the place -- the no-man's land between the Jordanian and Jewish lines in Jerusalem. The meeting was to be held in the former British consulate building.

These instructions reached the Egyptian forces, which were in the field in Al-Majdal. The forces were under the general command of General El-Mawawi, whom I served as a chief of staff. The Commander-in-Chief summoned me, gave me the relevant papers for the conference and told me to represent him. His instructions to me were clear. Egyptian forces would not give up one inch of the land they had won through the sacrifice of many lives. The Commander-in-Chief also implied that Colonel Ahmed Abdel-Aziz would be attending the conference in his capacity as commander of the sector under dispute.

I got to work right away. I transmitted by code the Commander-in-Chief's instructions to Ahmed Abdel-Aziz. The night before the meeting, I took a jeep from Al-Majdal. Riding with me was Captain Mohamed El-Wardani, who had arrived in the field only a few hours before, and had expressed his desire to accompany me in order to get an idea of the front. I followed a roundabout route that took all night. I had wanted to pass by Bir Al-Sab', where I had some work to do, first. I arrived in Bethlehem in the morning, about half an hour late. I discovered that Ahmed Abdel-Aziz had already left for the conference in the company of Major Hassan Fahmi Abdel-Meguid. In Jerusalem, Abdel-Aziz met up with the delegation and General Riley, and together they crossed the truce lines on foot under UN flags. The Jewish delegation crossed at the same time. Both sides had agreed to a cease-fire while the delegations made their way to the meeting place.

When I learned of these arrangements, I was bewildered. How was I going to get to the meeting? I went from Bethlehem to old Jerusalem, where I sought out the Jordanian command. I asked them where the delegations had crossed, and they sent an armoured car along with me to show me the place.

My problems were only just beginning, however. How were El-Wardani and I supposed to cross the street separating the Jewish and Jordanian forces in order to get to the building where the conference was being held? Even if I could ascertain that I would not be hit by a Jordanian bullet, how could I guarantee that the Zionists would not shoot me? The distance we had to cross was no more than 50 yards. I contemplated running, knowing that "speed is the best armour against gunfire." However, I looked up at the many nooks and crannies in the buildings around us and realised that we did not stand a chance if we took the risk. At such close quarters, even a brick would do us in. Then too, our running would arouse suspicion.

Suddenly, I had a flash of inspiration. I went over to General Riley's car, took off the UN flag and waved it over our heads as we very slowly and uncomfortably crossed the street. It took no more than half a minute to cover the distance, but it seemed like an entire lifetime.

The conference building was filled with journalists of all nationalities. In the assembly room, General Riley was sitting in the seat assigned to the chairman. Commander Abdallah Al-Tel was there, at the head of the Jordanian delegation. The Israeli delegation was headed by the deceitful Colonel Dayan. Originally Polish, Dayan had fought in World War II on the Russian front, where he lost an eye. He was wearing a black patch. Ahmed Abdel-Aziz was speaking furiously.

I took Major Abdel-Meguid aside and asked him what had happened. I learned that the Egyptian side was acting contrary to the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief with regard to some details in the talks, and that Abdel-Aziz had not yet been apprised of these details. I went up to Colonel Abdel-Aziz and whispered to him the Commander-in-Chief's instructions. Discussions in the room involved the creation of a neutral zone that might include Jabal Al-Mukabbir. This would mean that the volunteer forces under the courageous Senegalese commander Abdallah Al-Ifriqi would have to withdraw from that area. Al-Ifriqi was standing a short distance away, shouting that he would refuse to carry out any order to leave his position, even if it came from the Egyptian command.

As for Abdel-Aziz, he thought that this concession would be countered by a withdrawal of Jewish troops from an important site under their control. He may have been right. But my job was to implement El-Mawawi's instructions, in which I had faith. When I explained to Abdel-Aziz the point of view of the Commander-in-Chief, he too agreed and asked me to explain the instructions to those attending.

The meeting ended at about 3.00 in the afternoon. It had produced several resolutions. Jewish forces were to withdraw from the areas they had occupied within 24 hours. There would be an immediate cease-fire along the entire front. A third resolution called upon the concerned governments to consider the creation of a neutral zone and, as I recall, to give their responses within a week.

We returned to Bethlehem about half an hour before sunset. There we met Kamaleddin Hussein, who was known as Abu Kamal. We had not had a bite to eat all day. El-Wardani, the driver and I went to get the jeep. I asked for permission to leave. I wanted to get to the general command in Al-Majdal that night.

I tried to think of a way to force the Jews to respect the resolutions. Only force would be effective. I wanted to explain this to the Commander-in-Chief. But even if I was able to convince him, he would have to convince Cairo, and perhaps even the Palace, where the most minor official had more authority in running the campaign in Palestine than the Commander-in-Chief himself. Even if he convinced everyone, we would still need time to transport the necessary arms, particularly artillery, in order to back up any operation in that sector. But we only had 48 hours, of which three hours were taken up by the craggy road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.

Abdel-Aziz had asked me several times to spend the night in their camp. I explained to him why I felt I had to get back to command quickly. He insisted on accompanying me. That is when fate played one of its tricks. Abdel-Aziz's men, particularly Kamaleddin Hussein, were against his traveling that night. They feared the Zionists would mount a major assault. Still, he insisted on accompanying me. There was really no need for him to come with me. But I could sense what was on his mind. The relations between him and the Commander-in-Chief were a bit strained.

I took Abdel-Meguid aside and told him that I would only tell the Commander-in-Chief the final results of the conference. I had no intention of getting into matters that would only complicate relations between El-Mawawi and Abdel-Aziz.

Perhaps it was fate that caused Abdel-Aziz to sit next to me. I was driving, because I preferred to drive. El-Wardani had moved into the back seat with the driver. We took off into the night. As the darkness closed in around us, we felt we were entering an unfamiliar world. We were driving through an area fraught with tension because of the thirty colonies cordoned off by Egyptian forces. We had 150 miles to go. I knew that night's password -- "Gaza".

We managed to pass the danger zone between Hebron and Beit Jebrein. Soon we were in a sector controlled by Palestinian irregulars. We passed through one check point after another. As soon as they found out who we were, they let us pass, wishing us a safe journey.

All went smoothly until we approached a village called Iraq Al-Manshiya, located about two kilometres east of Al-Faluja. From about 600 yards off, I heard the sound of a gun fire and I saw the flash of the gun from the trenches around the village. At the same time I heard Ahmed Abdel-Aziz groan. Throughout the trip, Abdel-Aziz had been speaking to me in low tones, so that our comrades in the back seat could not overhear. I slammed on the brakes, bringing the jeep to a stop after a metre or two. I turned onto the shoulder of the road. We jumped out of the car and threw ourselves down on the ground. Abdel-Aziz was writhing in pain.

After a few moments, we heard the sound of small artillery fire from the village defense line. Fortunately, we were a good distance away. We stayed on the ground, protected by the irregularities of the landscape. The driver was lying next to the jeep, flashing the headlights on and off in order to signal the garrison that ours was not an enemy vehicle. At the same time, I tried to find out how badly Abdel-Aziz was injured. He was covered in blood. I told the driver to turn the jeep around in the direction of Beit Jebrein, which was about 20 kilometres away, even though I knew the village did not have a doctor.

The garrison began to fire flare-bombs, preparing to launch mortar bombs and, perhaps, artillery fire. The driver hesitated, but began to move when I repeated my harsh command. He jumped into the car. I heard the sound of the motor turning; then it stopped. He jumped out of the jeep and said that it was stalled. I felt that my head was about to explode. If all we had to do was save our lives, we could have walked to Beit Jebrein easily. But we could not leave behind that courageous commander, as he lay writhing in agony, exposed to such imminent danger. How could we carry him that distance? In addition, he was already beginning to lose consciousness.

The shooting had to stop. Then we would be able to take him to a place where he could be treated. We had to save his life, if his life was destined to be saved.

Our voices were not loud enough to be heard at the garrison. One of us would have to get close enough in order to shout out the password. I was the only one who could do that. El-Wardani had seen enough for his first day in the field. I crawled forward about 400 metres on my hands and knees. Then I shouted out the password, identified myself and shouted out the names of the soldiers' commanders. I heard a voice ordering me to stand up and raise my hands. I obeyed. The voice ordered me to approach. I did as ordered. It took some effort to put one foot in front of the other. At every moment, I expected a gun shot to end this ill-fated day. After the soldiers had convinced themselves of my identity, I took them back to where the wounded commander was lying. We put him in the jeep and pushed it all the way to the village. There we transferred him to another jeep and drove to Al-Faluja. The trip took a quarter of an hour. A doctor was waiting for us. Death had intervened before he could act, however.

The doctor told us that Abdel-Aziz would have died anyway, even if he had made it to the operating table. Later I learned that the reason the garrison had been so hasty in opening fire was that, only minutes before we arrived, they had had an encounter with a Jewish convoy seeking to break through the lines in order to reach the besieged settlements. The Egyptian forces had just repelled the convoy when our jeep arrived. As they had no idea we would be passing this way, they thought our jeep was an enemy vehicle and opened fire.

I called up the Commander-in-Chief from the office of the late El-Sayed Taha and told him what happened. He had told me not to complete the trip until morning. Needless to say, we did not sleep a wink that night.

Early the next morning, I reported to General Command. My nerves were frayed from having spent two days without sleep and having traveled more than 800 kilometres. El-Mawawi greeted me in a fury. "Why did he leave with you?" he shouted. "Why didn't you wait?" The only answer I could offer was: "Fate".

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 20 August 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


TORRINGTON  What was expected to be a quick permit renewal for mining in a quarry on Winsted Road turned into a debate about noise, dust and the operation's environmental impact, during a recent public hearing with the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The operation, run by Haynes Materials and O&G Industries, is on Winsted Road, not far from the Winsted line. Mining has gone on there for more than 20 years, according to O&G representative Richard Warren and engineer Ken Hrica. Haynes is seeking another two-year renewal for its mining operations permit, which allows blasting, processing of materials and transporting material from the site in large trucks.

But after living near the quarry for years, some residents want the commission to request an environmental impact study and have federal agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigate the operation to make sure it's safe.

Most recently, neighbors said the mining operation brings dust and tremors to their properties and homes, and that large, idling trucks are lined up outside the Haynes entrance gate before 7 a.m., when the quarry opens for business.

The commission ended up closing the hearing and will vote on the permit renewal at its next meeting. But the discussion prompted officials and residents to clarify the two companies' work on the site, and to explain what permits and permissions are required to mine on the property.

According to a 2019 report from the state Office of Legislative Research, "No Connecticut agency is responsible for overseeing quarries production of aggregate, with regard to product quality. However, quarries are subject to various zoning, safety, and environmental laws, which vary depending on quarries specific operations.

"According to information provided by the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, at the local level quarries may need to obtain, among other things, an excavation permit or zoning (special permit) approval, inland wetlands approval, and an explosives (blasting) permit from the local fire marshal. With regard to state oversight, among other requirements, quarries may need to obtain Department of Energy and Environmental Protection permits related to stormwater, water diversion, water discharge, and air quality," according to the report.

Following regulations

During the May 9 hearing, Warren said the companies weren't changing anything in their permit renewal request. "We want to keep mining with the terms of the 2021 permit approval," he said.

When PZC Chairman Greg Mone questioned the complaint about idling trucks so early in the morning, Warren said it could be addressed, and that idling trucks had never been brought up before.

He said the companies were willing to use another location on Winsted Road for trucks to queue if they arrive early, if necessary. After a long discussion, he said a sign prohibiting any trucks from waiting outside the gate before 7 a.m. would be installed immediately.

Residents from the nearby Lakeridge Estates, a private community on Burr Mountain Road, said they were more concerned by the idea that an environmental impact study has not been done on the mining operation. Resident Susan Metz said she couldn't understand why such a study wasn't required.

Because it is an allowed use under Torrington's zoning regulations, an environmental impact study isn't required, said City Planner Jeremy Leifert.

Company owner Patrick Haynes also said no such study is required, either from the state or the federal government.

Resident Amy Hill, an ecology student at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, said she was worried about possible contamination of the soil or materials coming from the quarry. She said she had some soil tested, and wanted to know how to access soil tests conducted by government agencies.

Haynes said if there were problems with the soil, or any environmental hazards, they would know about it because they would have been notified. He also said that information can be requested from those agencies by residents.

Residents also wanted to know how much longer the mine would operate at the quarry, and whether the companies were obligated to restore the land once they were finished. Warren said there were plans in place.

"We have reclamation plans, once the quarry is exhausted," he said. "We are taking materials that are beneficial to the work we do, so the end of the life of the mine is undetermined. ... Ten years would be my guess."

Metz said, "We're paying a lot of money to live here, and every day we have to look at a big hole, and the dust, and the tremors, and all that stuff. That's what we want addressed, in a nutshell."

Leifert said the commission was limited on what it could enforce.

"We have a lane that we have to stay in, as a municipality, and there are certain procedures we have to follow," he said. "We don't have the authority to get information on those tests, things like that; we have a set of regulations to follow on a local level, and if there's a different agency that monitors what comes out of that mine, it's not our purview, it's theirs."

"O&G is monitored by the town, the (state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection), the federal government; we are looked at and monitored by a multitude of organizations," Warren said.

Metz said she and her neighbors weren't trying to put O&G or Haynes out of business.

"We're here to get information that you may not have, because nobody has done an environmental impact study," she said. "We may be doing damage to the environment that we're totally unaware of and the possibility is very strong that we're doing that. And and maybe by slightly changing the way they're doing (the operation), they could avoid that damage. That's all we're asking."

The group said they would reconnect with the commission in the future, as well as O&G and Haynes.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Minnesota Democratic Party will consider expelling anyone involved in a brawl that broke out at a political event to nominate candidates for a Minneapolis City Council seat.

At least two people were injured in Saturday's confrontation. The head of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Chair Ken Martin, said on Twitter that he plans to call an emergency meeting later this week to consider banning anyone involved in the assaults from the DFL Party, an affiliate of the national Democratic Party.

Video posted on social media showed the disturbance began after supporters of Minneapolis Council Member Aisha Chughtai took the stage, which caused an uproar among supporters of her challenger, Nasri Warsame. Some Warsame supporters then jumped on stage, shouting, banging on tables and waving signs.

As supporters of both candidates pushed and shoved each other, a party official repeatedly banged a gavel and tried to quiet the crowd but was ignored.

I was scared some of us might die, said Bridget Siljander, who was on the stage with other Chughtai supporters when they saw people punching, shoving and pushing each other on the floor.

It was complete chaos, Siljander said, adding they were terrified the fight would turn into a stampede and that it felt -- in the moment -- like an insurrection. Siljander said those who incited the violence should be removed from the party and criminally charged.

Convention chair Sam Doten called the behavior embarrassing and adjourned the event without a nominee being chosen, saying it was no longer safe. It wasn't immediately clear Sunday how the party would proceed with choosing a nominee.

Martin denounced the violence in a statement on Twitter and apologized to Chughtai and her supporters and staff.

Harassment and violence are unacceptable, and we expect candidates and their campaign teams to work hard to curb such behavior when it comes from their supporters, staffers, or volunteers, Martin said. Warsame and his team took the opposite approach at todays convention by escalating the situation and encouraging conflict.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the violence.

The behavior we saw at yesterdays Ward 10 convention was not okay. Physical intimidation, threats, and harassment have no place in our democracy or our politics  not at conventions, not at city council meetings, Frey said on Twitter.

At least one person was treated at a hospital for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. A second person was treated at the scene.

Minneapolis police spokesman Brian Feintech said no arrests were made because officers didn't see anyone fighting when they arrived and the crowd was already dispersing.

The scuffle reflects the polarization of politics, both across the country and in Minnesota, where the Democratic party is divided between far-left and moderate forces, said Hamline University political science professor David Schultz. Race and generational differences are also a factor, he said. Meanwhile, the longstanding political practices of conceding a loss and respecting differences of opinion are becoming a lost art.

Politics has become almost a blood sport or fighting to the end, no matter what, Schultz said.

The central Minneapolis city council district that Chughtai represents includes part of the popular Uptown neighborhood where Prince got his start and includes a mix of Victorian homes and more urban apartments.

Political blogger John Edwards, who posted the video on his Wedge Live site and social media, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune there may have been issues with translating earlier in the day that caused some confusion, and there had been disagreements on rules and procedures. Before Warsame's supporters stormed the stage, Chughtai was getting ready to deliver the first speech of the convention. Warsame would have had the chance to speak next.

Chughtai said in a statement on her website that more than a dozen of her supporters and DFL volunteers were assaulted. She said Warsame delegates charged the stage assaulting me and my supporters as I was about to begin my convention speech and that her supporters had to lock themselves in a hospitality room to get away from the conflict.

What happened at the Ward 10 DFL Convention today was horrifying, unacceptable, and indicative of the growing threat to progressive, pro-people candidates and movement leaders, Chughtai said in the statement.

Warsame said in a Facebook post that his campaign manager was assaulted by a staff member of the Chughtai campaign. He later posted a picture of himself visiting an injured supporter in the hospital.

Violence & unfairness have no place in democracy!! Warsame said.

___

Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska.
A Pakistani citizen has been apprehended on suspicion of possessing nearly 2700 kg of narcotics in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Kochi. The raid was carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard, which seized high-purity methamphetamine worth Rs 15000 crore in Indian waters on Saturday. The raid was conducted with the help of Marin Comandos and is considered to be the biggest consignment of contraband substances.

#WATCH | NCB & Navy conducted a successful operation in the Indian Ocean. It is the largest in terms of its monetary value. The monetary value is approx Rs 15,000 crore. It originated from the Chabahar port in Iran. The source of the drugs is Pakistan. The mother ship was being pic.twitter.com/FvhuGTbXm0 May 13, 2023

The raid was part of Operation Samundragupt, which targeted maritime illegal drug activities. The officials confirmed that the name of Haji Dawood and Sons was mentioned on the packages. Notably, the latest seizure accounts for the third such incident, wherein NCB seized drugs from the southern route in the last one and a half years.

Indian Navy, Coast Guard, NCB seize 'Crystal Meth' worth Rs 15,000 in Arabian Sea

"This is the third major seizure effected by NCB w.r.t. Maritime trafficking through the southern route in the last one and a half years. A total of approximately 3200 kg of methamphetamine, 500kg of heroin, and 529 kg of hashish have been seized in the operation so far. Apart from NCB operations, inputs were shared with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which resulted in seizures. Indias leadership in the maritime security of the region The largest seizure of methamphetamine in the country," reads the press release of the NCB.

"The NCB and Navy conducted a successful operation in the Indian Ocean. It is the largest in terms of its monetary value. The monetary value is approximately Rs 15,000 crore. It originated at the Chabahar port in Iran. The source of the drugs is Pakistan," said Sanjay Kumar Singh, OPS, Deputy Director General, on the biggest drug haul. "The mother ship was stationed at different points in the sea. The smaller boats would come from various countries and collect consignments from the mother ships. The consignment was meant for Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India. One Pakistani national has been arrested. We started Operation Samudragupta in February 2022, and as part of that operation, we have seized roughly 4,000 kg of various drugs," he added.

As per the press release of the NCB, "Inputs were shared with the Indian Navy, and an Indian Naval Ship was deployed in the vicinity. Based on this input, a large seagoing vessel was intercepted by the Navy. 134 sacks of suspected methamphetamine were recovered from the ship, and an Iranian national was also detained. The intercepted speedboat was occupied by one person, who is suspected to be a Pakistani national. The recovered sacks, Pakistani nationals, the intercepted boat, and some other items salvaged from the mother ship were brought to Mattancherry Wharf, Cochin, on May 13, 2023, and handed over to NCB for further action."

"NCB has initiated the seizure procedures, and the primary analysis is that all of the packets contain methamphetamine." As the seizure procedures are still underway, the exact quantity of methamphetamine recovered is not clear yet. However, from the number of packets recovered, we estimate it to be around 2500kg in a conservative estimate," it read further.

(With inputs from ANI)
From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998

There is a new reality, unwittingly produced by the Oslo Accords -- a reality which had escaped the minds of many who watched the "historic" signing in September 1993: today, the requirements of a just and durable peace are very different than they used to be. The Oslo Accords dealt a crippling blow to the foundations of the global consensus which defined the prerequisites for a just and durable peace during the 1970s and 80s-- that peace was predicated on the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state alongside Israel. That peace was to occur after Israel completed its withdrawal from the Occupied Territories in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 242, and after the Palestinians recognised Israel's existence and sovereignty in the largest part of their own national patrimony.

Almost five years after the "historic handshake", it has become clear that the pursuit of a negotiated settlement based on two states has run its course. That project was dealt a severe blow by a colossal imbalance of power, by a steady and growing Israelisation of American Middle East policy, by a vigorous drive of settler colonisation, by Arab disarray and failure to respond to the Israeli challenge and to the exigencies of the post-Cold War era. The Oslo process has demonstrated that the so-called partners are not only far apart conceptually but are hopelessly divided over interpretations and what the end results of the process should be.

We have seen one agreement after another -- from Oslo I to Oslo II, from Cairo I to Cairo II, from early empowerment to the disempowerment of the Hebron Agreement.

Oslo was a unique agreement that lacked a framework defining the rules of negotiations and the ends of the negotiating process. There is neither an overarching principle -- a vision -- nor a road map. The Palestinians were invited to discover whether they have rights, but not to claim their internationally-guaranteed rights. They came on the implicit assumption that Israel's military occupation does not even exist, and therefore, Israel's claim to the disputed (but not occupied) territories was at least as good as theirs. The Israeli side, however, knows exactly what it wants; the Palestinian side dreams about what it wants. The Israeli side continues to adhere to the letter -- their own letter -- of the agreement; the Palestinian side continues to invoke the spirit. The letter says that the enterprise is a mere agreement to reach agreement, that Palestinian sovereignty with jurisdiction over land and resources, and at the points of entry and exit is utterly out of the question; that Jerusalem is an Israeli city; that the Palestinian struggle for emancipation -- from the status of refugees and that of an occupied people -- will be dependent on Israeli goodwill, when and if final status negotiations are held, and after the Palestine Authority complies with ever-expanding requirements, which totally negate all prospects for Palestinian emancipation. The letter of Oslo renders the goal of Palestinian statehood both impractical and obsolete; and yet the Palestinian Oslo dream continues to hinge on the spirit, a tenuous thread of hope devoid of any substance. For not only has this spirit been firmly excluded from the discourse, but the agreement itself, seen largely as farcical, has all but collapsed.

Paradoxically, the Oslo process has led to an inevitable conclusion, which its architects neither envisaged nor pursued. Now the struggle is towards integration not separation, towards a pluralistic existence, not exclusion, towards parity, mutuality, common humanity and a common destiny. This is the new and important reality which the Oslo process has generated. Ironically, this reality may be laying the foundations for a joint Palestinian-Israeli struggle, which would emanate from a realisation that the lives of Palestinians and Israelis are inextricably intertwined. There is a common interest in the economy, employment, water distribution, ecology, human rights, and foreign relations. Even if the Oslo process were to miraculously lead to some kind of a breakthrough, the maximum gain for the Palestinians would be a fractured collection of bantustans or non-contiguous enclaves covering 30-40 per cent of the West Bank and on 65 per cent of Gaza. Moreover, under optimal conditions, with social engineering similar to that designed by Yossi Beilin and Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazin), something called Palestine may emerge, though it will be only nominally independent.

INDEPENDENCE HAS ALREADY been ruled out by the Labour-Likud agreement of 22 January 1997. The "National Agreement Regarding the Negotiations on the Permanent Settlement with the Palestinians" effectively excluded Palestinian sovereignty, removal of the settlements, negotiations on Jerusalem, repatriating the refugees and dismantling the occupation, thereby upholding the status quo though with a great deal of cosmetic surgery. We must keep in mind, however, that Netanyahu's team of surgeons lacks the skill of Rabin's and Peres's, who were more prepared to disguise structural flaws and exaggerate the beauty.

To those who argue that Labour's classical Zionist doctrine, which espouses separation, would grant the Palestinians separate political existence, I say that the doctrine of separation has already been adapted to Likud's notion of "population mixture". That "mixture", enunciated by Begin and Shamir, and inherent in the autonomy scheme, now translates into cantonisation.

How can one celebrate a process leading only to ghettoism and apartheid on the eve of the 21st century ? How can one applaud the birth of bantustans in the Middle East after their demise in South Africa?

Since Oslo II, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have begun to realise that they are residents of enclaves separated from each other and from Israel, but nonetheless part of a "greater Israel". They are separated from the settlements, from Jerusalem, from each other's cities and villages and from the Palestinian diaspora. And this fragmentation is now becoming social, economic, physical and of course regional, despite Oslo's provision for a single-unit Palestinian entity.

In view of all this, if something called a state were to emerge, it would be economically strangled by Israel, financially dominated by the World Bank and the IMF, constrained by the requirements of globalisation, militarily at Israel's mercy, always anxious to please Washington and the international donors. It will be intolerant of dissent, which has already been classified as terrorism. It will be pressed to seek a confederal relationship with Jordan and some kind of association with Israel in a Middle East version of NAFTA.

QUITE CLEARLY, this is not what the Palestinian people have struggled for. Nor, for reasons already cited, is their struggle for an independent state within the Oslo framework likely to succeed. Which brings us to the new reality that is emerging out of Oslo's inherent flaws. This includes a new discourse about a broader social-economic struggle for equal rights, equal citizenship and equal legitimacy within a single Israeli-Palestinian entity. It is seen by a growing number of people on both sides as a viable alternative to perpetual conflict. On the Palestinian side for example, Edward Said advanced the idea in an interview in the Christian Science Monitor (27 May, 1997): "The whole idea of trying to produce two states is at an end. The Oslo peace process is really in tatters... The lives of Israelis and Palestinians are hopelessly intertwined. There is no way to separate them. You can have fantasy and denial, or put people in ghettos. But in reality there is a common history. So we have to find a way to live together. It may take 50 years. But... the Israeli experience will gradually turn back towards the world they really live in, the Islamic Arab world. And that can only come through Palestinians."

Other Palestinian intellectuals, including Nadim Rouhana and Adel Samara have been calling for a single state -- in the case of the latter, "The only just and feasible form of bi-national state is the socialist one... It will have to be a state which will dissolve the Zionist regime... cancel the Law of Return, stop importing new settlers, guarantee the Palestinian right of return, equality of land and resources" (News from Within, April, 1997).

On the Israeli side, endorsement of bi-nationalism comes from an unusually divergent group, including liberal politicians, secular leftists and right-wing rabbis. For example, Meron Benvinisti wrote: "The reality in Eretz Israel is a bi-national one. The reality inside the green line is also bi-national... The model which is closest to my heart is that of Belgium. Two peoples, the Flemings and the Walloons; two regional governments, and one central government... The direction I would prefer is cantonisation, the division of Eretz Israel West of the Jordan River, into Jewish and Arab cantons..."

Haim Baram, a secular leftist, who is known to Western audiences through his regular columns in Middle East International, has also adopted the idea of bi-nationalism in order to avert an apartheid regime. On the religious right, Rabbi Menachem Fruman supports the idea of bi-nationalism on the grounds that it would guarantee the "wholeness of the land of Israel".

"I prefer loyalty to the land over loyalty to the state. I see the whole Israel movement as a post-Zionist movement which represents an advance for Zionism..." Fruman, however, expresses no apologies for advocating two legal standards in the single state -- one for Jews and one for Arabs.

Obviously it is difficult to propose a blueprint for bi-nationalism or to even debate at this juncture the democratic secular state versus the bi-national state; suffice it to say that the two people have been connected and are therefore being challenged to explore the basis fora common existence, the proper modalities, the redress of grievances, and paths to a common vision.

FOR THE PALESTINIANS, this path of political development will not be entirely new since it constituted their first programme of liberation after the 1967 occupation. That program, however, which was linked to armed struggle, was summarily dismissed before it had even been debated, in order to accommodate the Arab states' agenda of a diplomatic struggle. In fact neither the PLO, nor its programme, were deeply rooted among Palestinians. There were institutions and there was rhetoric, but the money came from Arab states. The renunciation of the unitary state idea came as a quid pro quo: the PLO would scale down its ambitions, while the Arab states would provide diplomatic and material help for a mini independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. On the surface, diplomacy was declared to have succeeded, particularly as Israel was isolated in a world that came to endorse Palestinian self-determination. In reality however, it was a Phyrric victory, as the endorsed Palestinian state was never actually established.

By contrast, the South Africans, who had also declared armed struggle, continued to cling to a unitary state and refuse all attempts to consider armed struggle as a form of terrorism. A separate independent existence was not high on their diplomatic agenda. In the case of Palestine, the UN focused on the human rights of the people under military occupation and on their right to a separate existence. But in spite of international recognition of their right to independence, they were never able to experience true emancipation. They continued to endure the refugee status of an occupied people, an ethnic minority in a country in which during the life time of many they had constituted a majority of the population.

When the Palestinian struggle finally shifted during the Intifada, the goal of a separate independent existence remained intact. It was however, a struggle suited more towards empowerment and social and economic progress than towards coexistence in a single state. Its principal goal was to make the end of occupation not only desirable, but also manageable.

Now that the pursuit of independence has been impeded by the structural arrangements inherent in Oslo, Palestinians are challenged more than ever to resurrect the political struggle of the Intifada: building mass organisations and alternative institutions that would enable them to cater to social, economic and political needs of the populace. The on-going and ever-increasing land grab will not be halted by diplomatic action, but will only be slowed down by mobilization and mass action. Undoubtedly, the task is daunting, for it challenges not only Israel's occupation, but the PA's authority. Any form of struggle would be considered seditious and hence subject to repression under the guise of fighting terrorism, guarding Israel's security and meeting the requirements of "reciprocity" a la Netanyahu.

There are no short cuts to genuine emancipation. The privations and hardships associated with the status of refugees, or of second class citizens, will continue to retard Palestinian political development despite all the trappings of statehood -- a president without executive power, a council without legislative powers, courts with insignificant jurisdiction, an overblown civilian bureaucracy prone to corruption, and a pervasive military apparatus focused on suppressing dissent.

ANY ALTERNATIVE TO OSLO must ensure the removal of the legal, social and economic discrimination faced by Palestinians. No degree of independence or liberation is meaningful without their eradication, which requires a systematic and protracted struggle together with those Israeli Jews who wish to be neither masters of another people, privileged in an apartheid system, or colonial settlers denying the existence of the indigenous population.

The goal of the struggle would have to be equal protection under the law -- as in the 14th amendment to the US Constitution. Equality for every single human being in Palestine/Israel would be the motto of the new struggle. That, of course, is bound to collide with the interests of the major players -- in Washington, Tel Aviv and in Ramallah. It would signal that the US domination of Middle East diplomacy had failed. It would serve as an indictment of Zionism -- the classical version of Rabin, Peres, and Barak as well as the revisionist brand of Jabotinsky, Begin, and Netanyahu. It would serve, too, as an indictment of the narrow brand of Palestinian nationalism, which seems either unwilling or incapable of re-examining the past with all its errors, pitfalls and misconceptions.

Call this kind of struggle unrealistic and the goal idealistic or utopian,but it certainly has more prospects for success than the present open-ended formula, whose explanation continues to be pursued more energetically than its application, and whose future is doomed by a grotesque disparity in power, divisions within the respective camps, and the reluctance of the self-styled peace-maker to devote any more energy to an issue that is no longer vital to the US's national interest.

Negotiations between Israel and the PA are like encounters between the elephant and the fly. The current stalemate will continue to be fueled by divisions inside Israel, which now centre not on whether Oslo will end the occupation and restore a measure of normality to Israelis and Palestinians, but on the most efficient and least disruptive approach to preserving the status-quo under a more benign label. The method of repackaging the occupation is what really divided Rabin from Netanyahu, a fact that has not been lost on a sizable sector of the Palestinian community, inside and outside Palestine. While some comprehend it well, others feel it instinctively, irrespective of Arafat's constant expressions of nostalgia for and repeated devotion to Rabin's legacy.

Arafat has placed himself in the untenable position of being unable to deliver to either Israel and the US or to his own constituents, who were ready to scale down their aspirations but not surrender their rights. His denunciations of terror and vows to eradicate violence, repeatedly urged by the US and Israel, are seen in the Palestinian street as an ominous attack on civil liberties. Moreover, his assumption of responsibility for Israel's security is becoming increasingly incontrovertible when that security keeps on assuming dimensions which negate Palestinian rights -- water security, settlements security and demographic security, which negates the rights of refugees.

All of these factors confirm and prolong the stalemate. Oslo was not designed as a normal traditional agreement. It has now become a guarantor of disagreement and the legitimiser of the status quo. The Palestinians have no other choice but to struggle for equal rights and equal dignity. Not only had Oslo foreclosed on their option of a separate and sovereign existence; it has also denied them the right to struggle for that existence, inasmuch as most variants of the struggle are bound to be classified as either terrorism, lack of reciprocity, failure to abide by commitments or acting against peace.

OPPOSITION POLITICS in the West Bank and Gaza will be considered as a security issue. Oslo, whether managed by Labour or Likud will remain as part of Israel's negotiating strategy calculated to put the onus on Arafat to prove his ability as an effective gendarme for Israel, while the latter is released from the pressure of finding a solution to its continuing occupation. As long as suicide bombings go on, Arafat's obligation to Israeli security will continue to dominate the diplomatic agenda and to overshadow the national rights of the Palestinian people.

It is for this reason that the Israeli supplied framework of Oslo and its various corollaries, which in themselves are part of Israel's negotiating strategy, have placed Palestinian leaders in a "no win" situation. Arafat's deal with Israel is predicated on an impossible equation. for what Israel wants, Arafat cannot deliver without becoming Israel's puppet.

The process which began in Oslo will reach nowhere because the nature of the Israeli state precludes genuine coexistence with the Palestinian people on equal basis. As long as the Zionist ideology of acquiring the land without the people prevails, a negotiated settlement based on the right of the two people to dignity and self-determination will continue to be elusive.

Binyamin Netanyahu did not repudiate Rabin's strategy; he only rejected his tactics. We should recall that when Rabin diverted the negotiating venue from Washington to Oslo in 1993, he was making an important shift from the stalling tactics of his Likud predecessor, Shamir, while creating his own gridlock that had the appearance of diplomatic progress. In a subtle contrast to Shamir, Rabin opted for an agreement with built in conflict over meaning and objectives. It is because of that gridlock and the built in conflict that the Oslo process was born in a stalemate and continues to be stalled.

Segmenting the Palestine question into issues, population, regions, towns, villages, and stages of negotiations has constituted one of the biggest obstacles to peace. Had the issue of land and settlement not been deferred, the question of settlement security would not have become a barrier for redeployment. Had the issue of Hebron not been singled out and also deferred, the question of "further" redeployment would not have arisen. Had the issues of Jerusalem and sovereigntynot been put off the violence associated with the closure, the tunnel, Ras Al-Amoud and Abu Ghneim would not have loomed on the agenda of the "honest broker". Had a pattern of deferral not been set, matters relating to self-governance, further redeployment, easing the closure, releasing tax funds, and even resuming negotiations would not have been treated as probationary. Could such a self-defeating process have ever been intended for implementation?

ANY FORWARD MOVEMENT beyond the present no peace/no war situation would require a debate of Zionist ideology and history, in which difficult questions, suppressed since the establishment of Israel, would surface. At the heart of the debate would be the main Zionist narrative and its negative portrayal of Arabs, distortion of history and the requirements of peace. Already, we are told, a post-Zionist debate is taking place inside Israel. The question is how extensively has it been followed by the general public. Political Scientist Ilan Pappe has written a series of studies on this post-Zionist critique and its manifestations in various Israeli cultural products, including films, plays, music, novels and short stories as well as in scholarly discourse. Pappe's writings reveal how intertwined the lives of Israelis and Palestinians have become. There is an implication in his work that Israel cannot prosper as an isolated Western outpost in the region:

A democratic pluralist Israel as a part of the Mediterranean is also an Israel with many historical narratives. Such an Israel has a chance of a common future. The question of whether Zionism is a movement of national plundering or a movement of a persecuted people acting according to a human ethic, seeking compromise and peace is being increasingly raised by Israeli intellectuals. The historian Benny Morris framed the question in terms of the accuracy of the "Zionist ethos claims that we came to this land not to exploit the natives and expel them, and not to occupy them by force."

Only when this kind of critique is broadened to include the mainstream and penetrate the consciousness of the average Israeli will the so-called peace process begin to assume some hopefuldimensions. Only when the Palestinians decide to rediscover their democratic secular state framework and begin to adapt it to the present realities will hopes for real peace be rekindled. Call it a bi-national solution, a federal system or a cantonal system on the Swiss model, the common denominators will have to be equal rights, equal citizenship, plurality, coexistence and common humanity. That requires a de-Zionised Israel and a normal polity which exists for its own citizens, devoid of any privileges based on religion, ethnicity, race or gender.

* The writer is member of the Palestine National Council and chancellor professor of political science, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 13 August 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group in Gaza says a cease-fire has been reached with Israel to end five days of heavy fighting.

Mohamad al-Hindi told the Al Kahera Wal Nas channel that the Egyptian-brokered deal would go into effect at 10 pm local time (1900 GMT).

Now, this agreement has been reached thanks to continuous Egyptian effort. We appreciate this effort, he said.

As he spoke, Israel reported continued rocket fire out of the Gaza Strip. There was no Israeli comment on the cease-fire announcement. But the Egyptian station had earlier reported a deal was imminent. A similar announcement last week by Egypt unraveled amid continued fighting.

The fighting has killed 33 Palestinians inside Gaza, including at least 13 civilians. Two people were killed by rocket fire in Israel, including an 80-year-old Israeli woman and a Palestinian man from Gaza who had a permit to work in Israel.

The Al-Qahera satellite channel said Egypt had brokered a cease-fire and it would go into effect at 10 pm (1900 GMT). Egypt often serves as a broker between the warring sides. Egyptian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes efforts, confirmed an agreement was in place.

The signs of progress came as fighting continued. Last week, another Egyptian effort to forge a truce unraveled.

Earlier Saturday, shrapnel from a Palestinian rocket that slammed into an agricultural community in Israel's southern Negev desert killed a Palestinian labourer who had been working inside Israel, Israeli defense officials said. A second Palestinian laborer was badly wounded.

There were no immediate reports of casualties Saturday from Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, where so far 34 Palestinians have been killed, at least 13 of them civilians, according to Palestinian health officials. Over 147 have been wounded. But residents said homes of people uninvolved in fighting had been struck.

In a reminder of the combustible situation in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military raided the Balata refugee camp near the northern city of Nablus, sparking a firefight that killed two Palestinians. In a separate incident near the northern city of Jenin, Israeli police said they shot and killed a suspected Palestinian assailant who ran toward soldiers wielding a knife.

Meanwhile, Israeli military Saturday bombed an apartment belonging to Islamic Jihad commander Mohammed Abu Al Atta, among other targets including rocket launchers, it said.

Islamic Jihad militants fired several barrages of rockets toward southern Israel, where tens of thousands of Israelis were instructed to remain close to safe rooms and bomb shelters. Hundreds of residents near the border were evacuated to hotels farther north.

Islamic Jihad promised a further onslaught. As assassinations and the bombing of apartments and safe houses continue, the Palestinian resistance will renew its rocket fire ... to emphasize the continuation of the confrontation, the group said. Mortar shells fired by Palestinian militants crashed into the Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel, the Israeli civil defense body said, sharing footage of a fiery explosion at the main passageway into Israel.

Israeli officials told media that Egyptian-led efforts to broker a cease-fire were still underway but that Israel has ruled out the conditions presented by Islamic Jihad in the talks. Israel has said only that quiet will be answered with quiet, while Islamic Jihad has been reportedly pressing Israel to agree to halt targeted assassinations, among other demands.

Israel's military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said Israel had made significant achievements throughout the fighting and that Islamic Jihad's continued fire enables us to continue to make further achievements. We are prepared to continue the targeted strikes and striking in a precise and increasing manner, he added.

The hostilities erupted on Tuesday when Israel targeted and killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders who it said were responsible for firing rockets toward the country last week. At least 10 civilians, including women, young children and uninvolved neighbours were killed in those initial strikes, which drew regional condemnation.

Over the past few days, Israel has conducted more airstrikes, killing other senior Islamic Jihad commanders and destroying their command centers and rocket-launching sites.

On Saturday, Palestinians ventured out to assess the damage wrought by Israeli warplanes and salvage whatever they could. One man carefully pulled documents out from under the rubble. Another carried away a mattress.

Four homes in densely populated residential neighbourhoods were reduced to dust in the pre-dawn attacks. The Israeli military alleged the targeted homes belonged to or were used by Islamic Jihad militants. The residents denied the army's claims and said they had no idea why their homes were targeted.

We have no rocket launching pads at all. This is a residential area, said Awni Obaid, beside the debris of what was his three-story house in the central town of Deir al-Balah.

The nearby house of his relative, Jehad Obaid, was also leveled. He had been standing some hundred meters away when his apartment was bombed.

I felt like vomiting because of the dust, he said.

"This is extraordinary hatred. They claim they don't strike at children, but what we see is craziness, destruction. Islamic Jihad has retaliated by firing over 1,200 rockets toward southern and central Israel, according to the military. On Friday, the group escalated its assaults and fired rockets toward Jerusalem, setting off air raid sirens in the Israeli settlements south of the contested capital.

Most of the rockets have fallen inside Gaza, landed in open areas or been intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system. But a rocket on Thursday penetrated missile defenses and sliced through a house in the central city of Rehovot, killing an 80-year-old woman and wounding several others.

Hamas, the larger militant group that has fought four wars against Israel since seizing control of Gaza in 2007, has praised Islamic Jihad's strikes but remained on the sidelines, according to Israeli military officials, limiting the scope of the conflict.

As the de facto government held responsible for the abysmal conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently tried to keep a lid on its conflict with Israel. Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, a more ideological and unruly militant group wedded to violence, has taken the lead in the past few rounds of fighting with Israel.

On Saturday, the deadly Israeli raid into the Balata refugee camp turned the focus of the conflict back to the long-simmering West Bank. Residents said that Israeli forces besieged a militant hideout, sharing footage of a large explosion and smoke billowing from the crowded camp. Ejected bullet casings littered the alleys. Blood soaked the streets. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two as 32-year-old Said Mesha and 19-year-old Adnan Araj. At least three other Palestinians were wounded in the raid, the latest of near-daily Israeli arrest operations against suspected militants in the territory.

The Israeli military said the targeted apartment harboured militants who had planned attacks against Israeli soldiers and manufactured improvised explosive devices. It said the blast and fire erupted after Israeli security forces detonated explosives inside the hideout. The two Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces opened fire on a group of gunmen who were shooting at them, the military said.

Israeli-Palestinian fighting has surged in the West Bank under Israel's most right-wing government in history. Since the start of the year, 111 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, at least half of them affiliated with militant groups, according to a tally by The Associated Press  the highest death toll in some two decades. In that time, 20 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
Nepal's former deputy prime minister and a senior leader of the CPN-UML Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, who had been absconding since the court issued an arrest warrant against him two weeks ago in connection with the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, was arrested here on Sunday, police said.

Rayamajhi was arrested from Budhanilkantha area, about 10-km south of Kathmandu. ''Former deputy prime minister and a senior leader of the CPN-UML Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has been arrested today (Sunday). He was absconding after the authorities issued a arrest warrant against him in connection to the Bhutan Refugee scam,''a senior police officer said.

Rayamajhi is the second high profile leader arrested in connection to Bhutan Refugee scam. Prior to him, former home minister and influential leader of Nepali Congress Bal Krishna Khand was on Wednesday arrested for his alleged involvement in the scam.

Under the scam, Nepali nationals were sent to the United States by forging fake documents of them being Bhutanese refugees.

According to media reports, an audio tape was released in which Arzu Rana Deuba, wife of former Prime Minister Deuba, and Khand's wife, Manju Khand, are accused of receiving millions of rupees from victims of this scam.

Rayamajhi's son Sandip has already been arrested. With this the total number of 13 people have been arrested in the fake refugee scandal, with others being not being as high profile as Khand and Rayamajhi.
In Kathmandu on Saturday, a large number of people held demonstrations calling for action against corrupt officials and scammers targeting refugees. The protest comes in response to the arrest of former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand on suspicion of high-level complicity in the US immigration of Nepalese nationals posing as Bhutanese refugees. In order to prevent outside interference with the police's ongoing investigation, the demonstrators waved placards and shouted slogans, demanding accountability.

Biplav Adhikari, one of the demonstrators, while talking to the media, said, "The web of corruption is quite wide and goes deep. The ongoing investigation should not be diverted or stopped midway just because another issue of corruption has come to light. Though I am from the youth wing of the Nepali Congress, I am here to raise my voice against those who abuse power. They should be identified and booked, no matter what post they hold. The corrupt don't belong to any party. They should be held accountable for their actions."

Numerous people from all walks of life gathered in Narayanchaur, an open field, brandishing placards and sloganeering, demanding action for those involved in scams. Participants in the demonstration included politicians, members of civil society, professionals, and individuals from different age groups and sectors.

In appreciation for the Nepal Police's role in the arrest of the suspects in the Bhutanese refugee fraud, demonstrators were spotted presenting flowers to security forces.

Police have detained 12 people thus far, including the former home secretary and the former home minister.

Recent protests on the streets have increased pressure on the government to launch an independent investigation into anyone suspected of being engaged in the fake refugee fraud from Bhutan and other corruption charges.

Earlier, on May 10, Nepal Police detained former home minister and Nepali Congress politician Bal Krishna Khand in connection with the refugee scheme. Khand has been in jail since the court granted the police a three-day extension of their custody.

The case gained momentum with the publication of an investigative piece with funding from the Centre for Investigative Journalism-Nepal. Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the incumbent home minister, ordered police organisations to conduct an investigation in response to rising pressure to take action.

How did the refugee scam unfold?

The scam unfolded after the police detained Tek Narayan Pandey, the current secretary in the vice president's office and a former home secretary. Data and papers recovered from Pandey's possession broke the scam network, which is currently being investigated.

The information and records showed how people were conned out of millions of rupees in exchange for transporting them to the US as refugees from Bhutan. The case further came into the limelight when an arrest warrant was issued against the secretary of the chief opposition party, CPN-UML, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, his (Top Bahadur) son Sandeep, and Prateek Thapa, the son of former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.

Only Sandeep is being held by authorities after it was claimed that he accepted payments totaling 10 million Nepali rupees in exchange for helping the racketeers create the documents. Prateek Thapa and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi are on the run.

Former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa's advisor, Indra Jit Rai, has also been detained by the Nepal Police. Rai is additionally charged with assisting the racketeers in obtaining the fictitious paperwork from the Home Ministry, which served as certification for the shipment of Nepalese nationals to the US as Bhutanese refugees.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Nepal Police began an investigation into a gang of criminals implicated in a fraud case on June 14, 2022. The gang allegedly conned individuals by promising to pay money for years.

The investigative report by CIJ disclosed the infiltration by government official Rai in the report, where he managed to manipulate the number of "left out" refugees for resettlement.
In a contested area of the South China Sea, a fresh clash occurred involving vessels from China and Vietnam when the latter attempted to extend their oil drilling activities, South China Morning Post reported citing multiple social media reports.

According to a Chinese observer, the fact that neither nation has verified the confrontations suggests that both parties are attempting to prevent the situation from worsening.

On Sunday, the South China Sea Wave social media account from China claimed in a WeChat post that over twelve vessels were engaged in the altercation. The source of the clash was reportedly an internal notification from Vietnamese authorities announcing their intentions to enlarge the drilling efforts in Block 05-1A near Vanguard Bank this month.

The South China Sea Wave account, which focuses on military analysis and research of the region, stated that the drilling expansion initiative would breach the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was signed by China and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2002. It upholds the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and advocates for self-restraint.

According to South China Sea Wave, Vietnam's announcement prompted Beijing to send the Xiang Yang Hong 10 research vessel, accompanied by two Chinese coastguard ships and at least seven fishing boats from Guangdong and Hainan provinces, to the area. In response, Vietnam dispatched five vessels to the region.

Vanguard Bank in Vietnams exclusive economic zone

Vanguard Bank, which is under the control of Hanoi, is the furthest west reef in the resource-abundant Spratlys, referred to as the Nansha Islands in China. It is located within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The site was the location of a previous confrontation between the two nations in 2019.

It is worth noting that the region in question falls within Beijing's "nine-dash line," which demarcates the area that China claims sovereignty over.

South China Sea Wave reported that tensions continued to escalate on Wednesday, as both sides sent additional vessels to the area in an attempt to force the other's boats to withdraw. Data from the maritime automatic identification system, which monitors ships, indicated that the vessels were following and attempting to obstruct each other while keeping a safe distance.

The most recent significant confrontation between the two countries at Vanguard Bank occurred in July 2019, when the Chinese survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 (also known as Marine Geology 8) entered the region, sparking a two-month-long standoff. At least four Chinese coastguard vessels and two Vietnamese ships were involved in the incident.

The 2019 confrontation at Vanguard Bank took place five years after a previous incident involving a Chinese oil rig's exploration activities near the Paracel Islands (known as Xisha in China). That incident sparked widespread anti-Chinese protests and violence in Vietnam.

China asserts its claims over around 80% of the entire South China Sea, which also places it in territorial disputes with several other ASEAN nations, such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In August, last year, the United States for the first time announced that it is establishing an ambassador at large to further American interests and cooperation with Allies and partners in the crucial strategic region of the Arctic. As one of the eight Arctic nations, the US maintained that it is vital Washington preserves its own national security interests in the region, combats climate change, fosters sustainable investment, and promotes cooperation with the Arctic States.

Separately, in an interview with Welt am Sonntag newspaper, the North Atlantic Alliance [NATO] military Alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said that it is critical that the defense bloc prioritises its military presence in the far-flung Arctic archipelago. He expressed concerns about Russia's increasing military presence in the polar region viewed as a territory of dialogue" for the last three decades, adding that the Arctic is of strategic importance and NATO "must increase its presence [there]".

Russian military's Pansyr-S1 air defense system fires at a practice target during a military drill on Kotelny Island, part of the New Siberian Islands archipelago located between the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea. Credit: AP

Abound in offshore oil and gas reservesA region of geopolitical intrigue

The high north, a region abounding in offshore oil and gas reserves, has not only turned into a region of geopolitical intrigue but a game-changer for global security in recent years, particularly after Russia launched a military offensive in Europe's eastern flank. But more so, it has turned into a region of flexing military muscle between NATO and Russia since Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an all-out military intervention in neighbouring Ukraine. In the interview with a German newspaper, Stoltenberg acknowledged that NATO is now investing heavily in maritime reconnaissance aircraft in order to get surveillance of what is going on in the far north. "But we will continue to step up our efforts," he continued.

A radar facility on Kotelny Island. Credit: AP

China, Moscow's staunchest ally, also views itself as a "near-Arctic" nation and has drafted a plan to embark on construction in the region of a 'Polar Silk Road' under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]. Russia, in the meanwhile, has started the worlds first combat icebreaker to train soldiers for cold weather warfare as NATO conducts joint drills to repel a simulated invasion in the far remote region. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also underlined the regions strategic importance for broader Euro-Atlantic security, reiterating that the Arctic is the shortest path to North America for Russian missiles or bombers over the North Pole.

Bastion anti-ship missile systems take positions on the Alexandra Land island near Nagurskoye, Russia. Credit: AP

An Icebreaker makes the path for a cargo ship with an iceberg in the background near a port on the Alexandra Land island near Nagurskoye. Credit: AP

As the race for Arctic hegemony picks up the threads, Russia's Foreign Ministry ambassador-at-large Nikolay Korchunov on Saturday, May 13, warned in an interview with the state-affiliated agency Tass that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)s actions may lead to a dramatic escalation in the Arctic region. "We see no signs of improvement with regard to military security in the Arctic," the Russian ambassador-at-large for the Arctic stressed. He pointed out that NATO's military expansion has been continuing in the region and that the scope of the alliances military exercises" is on the rise". Russia's ambassador maintained that NATO exercises have the non-Arctic member states actively participate in them. "Their military potential in high latitudes continues to grow," he stressed.

Western countries are enhancing their course towards adversarial relations, confrontation and promotion of their own interests in the Arctic, to the detriment of other countries interests, the Russian diplomat told the Russian state affiliated agency. Under those circumstances, we cannot rule out the possibility of escalation in this region.

Russian military's Bastion missile launchers are seen moving toward the Severny Klever (Northern Clover) Russian military base on Kotelny Island. Credit: AP

Russia a strategic Arctic enemy

Russia's Korchunov brought back the focus on the fact that scores of NATO-aligned nations mentioned Russia as a strategic enemy in the region. "A number of strategic documents of some Arctic countries portray the Russian Federation as an adversary and a threat to their security," he iterated. During the Arctic Circle Assembly, last year, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Bauer remarked that the rule-based order in the Arctic has been uprooted and that NATO is responding by implementing measures to strengthen the bloc's collective defence. It is interesting to note that at least seven of the eight members of the Arctic Council are NATO Allies. Admiral Bauer said that with this level of integration, NATO "will be able to better determine NATOs role in the High North as well as benefit from more assets in the region".

Il-76 military cargo plane on Alexandra Land, an island near Nagurskoye, Russia. Credit: AP

With growing assertiveness, and bolstered military presence, Kremlin has been solidifying its position as the dominant power in the Arctic. In the past, it conducted a gargantuan military drill involving an estimated 12,000 soldiers, 5 nuclear submarines, 15 warships, the nuclear-powered battle cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, and at least 100 fighter jets.

Troy Bouffard, director of the Arctic Security and Defense Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, believes that Russia's President Vladimir Putin "sees the Arctic playing a vital role in Moscows return as a great power and is propelling all-out efforts to guard its economic interests there", based on USNI's analysis. This is contrary to what the ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev envisioned in October 1987, as he launched policy initiatives aimed at lowering the level of military confrontation in the Arctic by facilitating dialogue among the eight Arctic states: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and the United States.
UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, will encourage world leaders to provide more military and financial support for Ukraine when he attends International Summits next week, European Pravda reported citing UK Prime Minister's Office. Sunak is expected to travel to Iceland on May 16 where he will meet with the European leaders attending the Council of Europe summit and will push for expanding the military assistance for the Ukraine. He will then head to Tokyo to announce defence and technology cooperation with Japan and meet with the leaders of the other Group of Seven (G7) countries in Hiroshima. Sunak will also reportedly ask the hostile states against using economic coercion making reference to China without naming it.

This years G7 Summit in Hiroshima comes at a pivotal moment, as Ukraine doubles down in its fight for survival and we deal with complex threats to global peace and prosperity, Sunak said in a statement.

More aid to Ukraine as it prepares for counteroffensive

"At the G7 summit, Sunak will insist on more aid to Ukraine as it prepares for stepped-up military action against Russia," a statement published by the 10 Downing Street read. "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will undertake a packed tour of international engagements this week to drive economic growth and investment in the UK, shore up support for Ukraine and address critical global challenges like illegal migration," Sunak's office meanwhile noted. At the summit, the leaders will touch upon the mounting economic uncertainty that comes amid the concerns about the United States debt stalemate.

In his earlier statements regarding the support for Ukraine to fight Russian aggression, Sunak had clarified that 'nothing is off the table," as he visited a British army base. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term." Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine needs all kinds of supplies, not just planes, but also ammunition and long-range missiles "Without this, there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good," he added. Zelenskyy had also been thankful to the British people for their support since 'Day One' as Russia invaded Ukraine. UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously mentioned that the fighter jets Ukraine was demanding were "part of the conversation" regarding the aid in the future. On Thursday the UK became the first country to start supplying long-range cruise missiles to the Ukrainian forces that will strengthen Ukraine's spring counteroffensive on the front lines.
Pema Tseden, the renowned Tibetan director, died of a heart attack on May 8th, and many hearts worldwide are broken. As a professor of Chinese politics (and Tibet) at Cornell University I have shared his films with my students, and when I informed the current ones of this news they too were pained by his passing. To better understand why Pema Tseden's death is so significant one can, fittingly, turn to one of his most important films, Tharlo.

The first thing one sees in the remarkable 2015 movie as the opening credits fade is a lamb being fed as it sits comfortably in a bag. The camera slowly pans out to reveal that the films titular character, Tharlo, is nourishing the lamb. The herder is in a small rural police station, standing across from an officer, both men are Tibetan, but their lives are quite different. The officer has been integrated into the Peoples Republic of China, Tharlo has not. The impetus for their meeting is this liminal status, as he does not even have an residence identity card, a foundation of citizenship in the PRC. And yet, for the first few moments of this scene, the two men are not discussing the steps Tharlo must take to rectify this shortcoming. Instead, the herder is reciting, from memory (and in a lyrical style redolent of the way many Tibetans chant Buddhist mantras and prayers) Mao Zedongs highly influential 1944 speech known as Serve the People.

The central question in the Chinese leaders talk is what constitutes a life well lived. More specifically, Mao asks (channeling the renowned Chinese historian, Si Maqian, what determines if a death is weightier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather. The answer in the speech, and pondered throughout the film by Tharlo, is that if an individual has served the people his death will have true heft (and the life before it meaning).

The true weight of Pema Tsedens death does not simply stem from his promotion of Tibetan art and culture. This is as despite how prolific the Tibetan director was, and as glowing as its critical reception, it would be hyperbole to assert his work is universally known and beloved. It alone did not have the weight of a mountain. What does is his unceasing effort to write fiction and make movies inside the PRC. And to do so during a period in which Beijing has ruled Tibet with an increasingly heavy hand, and the divide between the Tibetans and Chinese has yawned particularly wide.

This is not to assert that Pema Tseden was able to bridge such the gap between the two sides. On the contrary, all indications are that such a task is well beyond the reach of anyone. But it is to call attention to the Tibetan directors efforts to operate in such a perilous in-between space. To stand then not as a conduit for solving the Tibet-China conflict, but rather to persist and even flourish artistically in the most contested of spaces.

Operating there may not have endeared Pema Tseden to everyone, but it does constitute serving of the people. Given the harm Mao caused to Tibet through making sure it became a part of the PRC, there is an admittedly bitter irony in framing the Tibetan directors significance using his words. But this is an irony that Pema Tseden himself implicitly acknowledged in Tharlo. The main characters recall of the speech not only opened the film, but his inability to recite it again during his haunting return to the police station comprised the next to last scene in the movie.

Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden sits in the Beijing Film Academy theater in Beijing before a screening of his film Tharlo, Nov. 12, 2015. Credit: AFP

The Tibetan director then did not serve Maos imagined proletariat, but rather the Tibetan people (in all their various stations). He gave voice to their lived experience. He shed light on the complex moral dilemmas they faced in a society that has been shaken not only by the Chinese state, but also through the economic forces of modernization and globalization. He illuminated how mundane aspects of their everyday lives were laden with meaning and often fraught with wide-ranging consequences.

The situation inside China today, though, is quite bleak. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping the country has turned in the direction of a sharper brand of authoritarianism than was practiced by his immediate predecessors at the helm of the Chinese state. And the chill this has caused within China has been felt more acutely in Tibetan regions within the country as policies in such places have tilted more and more toward assimilation (rather than autonomy). As a result, there are very few Tibetans left who will be able to replicate what Pema Tseden accomplished in his lifetime.

The space for this has been so sharply curtailed, and the risks of doing so have grown. The death of the Tibetan director is then surely weightier not only than Taishan, but more aptly Mt. Everest. When someone dies in Tibet people tend not to say sorry for your loss to the bereaved, but rather may your heart be mended. This sentiment is particularly warranted in response to the Tibetan directors untimely passing.

Allen Carlson is an associate professor in Cornell Universitys Government Department and serves as director of the schools China and Asia Pacific Studies program. The views in this article are his own and do not reflect the position of Cornell University or Radio Free Asia.
U.N. had warned of a nightmare scenario in Bay of Bengal region home to crowded refugee camps.

Local residents ride their motorbike through debris along a street in Kyauktaw in Myanmars Rakhine state on May 14, 2023.

Powerful Cyclone Mocha made landfall in western Myanmar Sunday, killing six people and bringing down trees, residents said, as humanitarian agencies warned of a severe impact on hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people.

The cyclone had earlier on Sunday intensified to a Category Five storm, with wind speeds reaching as high as 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour), according to the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

At least six people have been reported dead across Myanmar.

Reuters reported that parts of Sittwe, the capital of western Myanmars Rakhine state, were flooded. A video posted on social media showed the ground floors of several buildings under water, according to the news service.

The whole northern Rakhine has suffered severe damage, said Khine Thu Kha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine rebel group. People are in trouble.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners spent the last week preparing for a scaled-up cyclone response by pre-positioning supplies and personnel.

With the cyclone now losing intensity and moving inland, humanitarian teams will start responding to those in need on Monday, the U.N.s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Myanmar said in a statement Sunday.

The ongoing wild weather in Rakhine and telecommunications interruptions mean it has not yet been possible to assess the full magnitude of the disaster, the U.N. statement said.

But early reports suggest the damage is extensive and needs among already vulnerable communities, particularly displaced people, will be high.

Local residents take shelter in Kyauktaw in Myanmars Rakhine state on May 14, 2023, as Cyclone Mocha crashes ashore. Credit: AFP





Before the cyclone, the U.N. had estimated six million people were already in humanitarian need in Rakhine state, and the regions of Chin, Magway and Sagaing.

Collectively, these states in the countrys west host 1.2 million displaced people, many of whom are fleeing conflict and are living in the open without proper shelter, said OCHA, warning of a nightmare scenario.

Earlier fears that the cyclone might directly hit Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh  where up to one million Rohingya refugees live in crowded, low-lying camps  did not materialize, reported a correspondent for BenarNews, an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia.

The cyclone made landfall at around 3 p.m. and moved on from the area after 5 p.m. It missed Cox's Bazar city but hit the sub-district and town of Teknaf, refugee camps in Teknaf and Saint Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal, damaging houses and uprooting trees, the correspondent reported.

About 2,000 houses were destroyed  including 1,200 houses on Saint Martins Island  and there was damage to 10,000 other homes, according to Muhammad Shaheen Imran, the head of Coxs Bazar district civil administration.

There were no reports of landslides in Teknaf, as feared by authorities.

Thank God, we have been saved, Bangladeshs Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Enamur Rahman told BenarNews. We feared for huge damage, but we have yet to get reports of major damage.

Saint Martins Island resident Halim Ali told BenarNews that his house was flattened and his belongings were washed away.

Saint Martins is a devasted place: houses destroyed, trees uprooted, he said.

A local resident is seen through a broken door in Kyauktaw in Myanmars Rakhine state on May 14, 2023. Credit: AFP





Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, said that Mocha is one of the biggest storms that has ever occurred in the Bay of Bengal.

It is stronger than Nargis, Koll told RFA, referring to the cyclone that left nearly 140,000 people dead and missing in 2008.

Cyclone Mocha formed on Thursday, causing heavy rains and a coastal surge in Rakhine state starting on Friday.

Cyclone frequency is more or less the same in the Bay of Bengal  but once they form, they are intensifying quickly, the scientist said. This is in response to warmer oceans under climate change.

Killed by falling trees

Mocha was weakening Sunday evening and moving toward Myanmars northwest. It was expected to become a depression by Monday when its over the Sagaing region, and will eventually move toward Kachin state.

Heavy rainfall and winds were expected as it moves into areas prone to flooding and landslides, according to the U.N.

In Tachileik city in northeastern Shan state, a married couple were buried in their house in a landslide caused by heavy rains on Sunday morning, according to the Hla Moe Tachilek Social Assistance Association.

Two people in Rakhine state, one man in the Irrawaddy region and another man in the Mandalay region were killed by falling trees.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall hit ThekayPyin Rohingya camp in Sittwe, Rakhine, Myanmar, May 14, 2023 in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Credit: Handout via Reuters





In Sittwe, a telecom tower collapsed under high winds and mobile phone signals are down. Residents have been sharing images of damaged houses and roads on social media.

A large number of structures in Sittwe and Kyauktaw, another town in Rakhine, were damaged, and the schools and monasteries where people had been sheltering were left without roofs, Reuters reported.

The winds were still ravaging Sittwe as of Sunday afternoon and local authorities warned its 150,000 inhabitants to stay indoors.

Hundreds of Sittwes residents were already evacuated to the inland town of Mrauk-U on Saturday.

The Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine rebel group, said more than 10,000 people had been relocated from 21 villages on the coast and in low-lying areas in the state since Thursday.

Reported by Abdur Rahman in Cox's Bazar and Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka for BenarNews, and by RFA staff. Edited by Paul Eckert and Matt Reed.
WASHINGTON -- Top U.S. negotiators who have been working to de-escalate tensions and implement reforms in the Western Balkans told a U.S. Senate committee on May 18 that they remain optimistic about progress in the region toward EU membership despite "considerable" obstacles.

Derek Chollet, U.S. State Department counselor, and Gabriel Escobar, U.S. special envoy for the Western Balkans, faced questions from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the progress of their efforts, which is part of an international diplomatic push to bring countries into the European Union and the transatlantic alliance.

Some senators expressed skepticism about overall progress against corruption and crime in the region and the process toward normalization of relations Kosovo and Serbia.

Chollet said the countries of the Western Balkans had come a long way since the wars in the 1990s and had tremendous potential for greater prosperity, "but they need our help to overcome still considerable obstacles."

Among these are anti-democratic leaders, corruption, weak rule of law, lack of independent institutions, dependence on Russian energy, and disinformation, he said, calling on leaders in the region to show political courage to overcome them.

Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) expressed concern about "not-in-good-faith actors," with regard to the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as attempts to resolve diplomatic issues in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In response, Chollet pointed to significant efforts in the area of anti-corruption, which he said was the most important thing holding back progress in the region. He also noted that he supported recent legislation codifying the Biden administration's executive order calling for sanctions on individuals opposing the fragile peace created by the Dayton agreement.

He said this would provide negotiators more tools to combat corruption in the region.

Chollet also said the United States was focused on the challenges in Bosnia, where "pervasive corruption, democratic backsliding, and increasingly inflammatory rhetoric by ethno-nationalist leaders are deeply troubling."

He cited the threat of secession by the Serb-dominted entity in Bosnia and attempts to limit civil society and media freedoms as destabilizing and an attack on the foundations of the Dayton agreement that ended the 1992-95 Bosnian War.

"We have made clear that we oppose such actions and will impose consequences," he said without referring directly to Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, who has already been targeted by sanctions from the United States and Britain over alleged corruption and destabilizing actions, such as repeated threats to pursue independence and union with neighboring Serbia.

Escobar agreed that to make progress toward EU expansion to include Bosnia, targeted constitutional changes would be essential, and though those discussions have begun, getting all parties to agree to a single interpretation of the Dayton agreement would already pose a significant challenge.

He said a consequence of the failure to make progress has "allowed Russia to play a spoiler role against Serbia's strategic goal of European integration -- which the Serbian people strongly desire, and we strongly support."

Shifting to other Balkan countries, Chollet emphasized the importance of Montenegro's parliamentary elections in June, where the U.S. hopes to see additional fair and free representation, as well as greater commitment to EU integration.

In a similarly hopeful discussion about the developments in North Macedonia, Chollet cited recent positive statements by Dimitar Kovachevski, the prime minister, regarding EU integration as evidence of hope for greater progress in the country.

"The politics are tough, but the political will is there," he said.

With reporting by Shelby Rayer in Washington
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- Faced with growing economic pressure over looming debt payments and a lack of foreign investment, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is seeking a financial lifeline from China.

His administration in Republika Srpska -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's predominantly Serbian entity -- has recently inked new construction deals with Chinese companies, forged closer links between Dodik's ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party and China, and in April sent Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic to Beijing to meet with local companies and court investment.

"We are too small to be able to influence the development of any world policies and events, but at this moment we are looking for friends and partners who can help in commercial, economic, financial, and any other area," Bosko Jugovic, the mayor of Pale in Republika Srpska, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service after being part of a SNSD delegation that welcomed visiting Chinese trade officials to Sarajevo in late April.

Analysts say the warming ties between Republika Srpska and China -- which were formalized through a cooperation agreement in 2016 -- are part of a wider political play by Dodik as he grapples with a struggling financial outlook and deteriorating relations with the West over his calls for the Serbian entity to secede from Bosnia and eventually form a union with neighboring Serbia.

In particular, Dodik is hoping to borrow from Chinese financial institutions and get China to accept bonds leveraged by Republika Srpska so that it can meet a series of debt payments to Western lenders that start coming due this summer.

Dodik said in late March that Chinese institutions had agreed to accept the bonds as financial guarantees that they will be repaid for any loans, but many economic analysts are still unsure about the Bosnian Serb leader's plan, which they say lacks bargaining power and could lead to unfavorable terms.

"Securing a loan from China is one thing, but the question is under what conditions," Velizar Antic, an independent political analyst from Banja Luka, told RFE/RL. "It's about when and how those loans will be repaid [and] what happens if Republika Srpska can't repay them."

Balancing Finance And Politics

Once a favorite of the West, Dodik -- who has been a key figure in Bosnian politics for 30 years -- is no stranger to playing his warm ties with Beijing and Moscow off Europe and the United States.

When he was elected president of Republika Srpska in 2022 after finishing his tenure as the Serbian representative of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, he vowed to forge ahead with his close relations with the Kremlin and said that any sanctions or cuts to European Union funding would only force him to take up offers of investment from China.

The nationalist politician appears to have made good on that pledge, announcing recently that he plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 23 despite international condemnation over Russia's unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Western calls to isolate the Kremlin.

"When I go to Putin there are no requests. He just says, 'What is it I can help with?' Whatever I discussed with him, I've never been cheated on it. I don't know what else to base trust upon, if not that," Dodik told The Guardian newspaper in 2021. "With [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping, he also says, if there is anything I can help with, I am there.'"

How this will translate into Dodik's current efforts to meet Republika Srpska's looming debt payments remains to be seen.

Republika Srpska's Finance Ministry did not respond to RFE/RL's requests for comment about its debt payments and potential Chinese loans.

Looking ahead, a 200 million-euro ($217 million) installment for bonds sold on the Vienna Stock Exchange five years ago is due in June and the Republika Srpska -- which has a population of 1.3 million people -- will need to repay more than 500 million euros ($544 million) that it borrowed from various financial institutions by the end of 2023.

According to Bosnia's Finance and Treasury Ministry, the external debt of Republika Srpska currently exceeds 2.1 billion euros ($2.29 billion).

During his trip to Beijing in April, Viskovic reportedly held talks with three Chinese lending institutions. The outcome of those talks is unknown, but Republika Srpska said that Chinese representatives would continue negotiations in Banja Luka, the entity's de facto capital.

Several commentators have noted that the lack of specifics about ongoing talks with the Chinese side highlight that Bosnian Serb officials may not be satisfied with the terms they have been offered.

Igor Crnadak, vice president of the opposition Party of Democratic Progress, told RFE/RL that governing officials have not been clear on the repayment schedule for its debt or about any talks with Chinese institutions, adding that his party was planning to call for a special parliamentary session to get information regarding the entity's finances.

"The situation is quite serious, especially considering the clauses in the contracts, which state that the holders of those bonds can enter into ownership of companies where the government has a majority stake, if the debt is not repaid," Crnadak said.

Leaning More On Moscow, Beijing

The financial pressure Republika Srpska is facing is in part due to allegations of misspending and corruption that have followed successive governments, but also because of Dodik's dramatic falling out with the West, which has limited his funding options.

Since 2017 Dodik has been banned from traveling to the United States or accessing assets under its jurisdiction after he defied Bosnia's Constitutional Court by staging a referendum on the celebration of Republika Srpska Day, marking the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared their own state.

Separatist ambitions among ethnic Serbs sparked Bosnia's devastating 1992-95 war, which killed more than 100,000 people, displaced millions, and shattered much of the country.

A U.S.-brokered peace agreement ended the war and created the predominantly Serb and Bosniak-Croat entities that make up the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia's three-member presidency is held by representatives of those three main ethnic groups.

Dodik's pro-Russian stance is well-known, but the turn toward Beijing has coincided with China's own close relationship with Serbia -- who is Republika Srpska's main ally and largest trading partner -- and the prospect of securing Chinese loans and investment with fewer strings attached than Western options.

In February, a consortium of Chinese companies sealed a 175 million-euro ($190 million) loan deal with Republika Srpska for the construction of part of a northern highway connecting the region with Serbia.

Viskovic provided few details about the bid and loan at the time of the announcement, saying only that China Overseas Engineering Group was chosen because it was the most favorable bidder after the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development withdrew its support, saying the project was not vital. Beyond that, Viskovic said the 15-year loan will have a three-year grace period for repayment.

In August 2022, another highway construction deal was signed with China State Construction Engineering to build a separate 33-kilometer-long section of the same highway in northern Bosnia.

Following the announcement of the 302 million-euro ($328 million) agreement, Dodik touted the contract as a win for his strategy of courting Chinese capital in the face of Western pressure.

"This shows that Republika Srpska has an alternative and cannot be blackmailed by some from the West who try to influence political attitudes and political solutions by banning banks from investing money," he said.

Written by Reid Standish in Prague based on reporting by Goran Katic and Milorad Milojevic of RFE/RL's Balkan Service in Bosnia-Herzegovina
In the first of a two-part series on the lessons for the Palestinian struggle to be drawn from black liberation struggles in the US and South Africa, Elaine C. Hagopian* explains why identifying Israel as an apartheid regime will not be enough to set international public opinion against the Zionist project

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998

The Oslo "peace" process was doomed to failure from its inception. Its flaws have become quite clear, even though there will be those who feel that the real problem is Netanyahu, not Oslo. Some may even claim that the major obstacle is Palestinian terrorism.

Suffice it to say that Oslo was an attempt to dissolve -- not resolve -- the Palestinian national question and the demographic problem Israel had recreated for itself as a result of the 1967 War. Madrid/Oslo became the vehicle for consolidating not only US interests in the region, but also Israeli control of the territories captured in 1967 and their resources. By establishing dependent, apartheid Palestinian entities, the option of Israeli citizenship was canceled and the occupiers thus no longer had to bear the burden of occupation.

Oslo has not worked and cannot work. Why? There are two basic reasons.

The first is that Israeli policy toward the Palestinians has been "residual". Israel has always insisted on keeping land, resources and allegedly strategic sites that it defines as essential to maintaining a powerful and secure state. Hence, what is left over, ie., residual, can be "leased" to Palestinians in the occupied territories under a limited autonomy arrangement in non-contiguous enclaves.

The second reason is that the Palestinian leadership, and even a significant segment of the Palestinian intelligentsia, have allowed their role as actors on behalf of the Palestinian people to be diminished. Instead, the leaders have developed a mind-set that has "accepted", for the most part, to negotiate within the limits of what Israeli leadership and society will tolerate -- the current Palestinian Authority "rejection" of Netanyahu's disingenuous proposal for withdrawal from a small portion of the West Bank notwithstanding.

A number of observers have assumed that if it could be shown that Israel's current policies towards the Palestinians were similar to the policies of the pre-1994 South African apartheid government, then American policy toward Israel would be forced to change under public pressure, and the Palestinian cause would be warmly embraced by Uncle Sam. However, while it may be important and helpful to make this demonstration, we should not expect any radical change in American and Israeli policy as a result, even if the analogy were to become widely accepted. Indeed, exploring the correlations between the two racist regimes will above all help us to understand how Israel gets away with all it does, and why the Palestinians have let them.

Mandela

Israel has often been compared to pre-1994 South Africa. In so many ways, the comparison holds true. Yet pre-1994 South Africa differed from modern Israel in four important ways. First, the white settlers had no historical roots in the area.

Second, they were a numerical minority in the country they ruled. Thirdly, they did not systematically attempt to transform the country's demographics. Fourthly, while the West had significant interests in South Africa, it was not ultimately and irrevocably committed to an Afrikaner-dominated white state. Another crucial factor that should not be underestimated in the demise of the apartheid state was that the West had an internationally respected, popular and strong Black leader whom it could depend on not to threaten existing domestic and international interests.

The situation in Israel with respect to these points could not be more different. The Jews did have historical roots in Palestine. Israeli Jews are now a majority in Israel. They did transform the country demographically, though not as yet decisively, given the consequences of the 1967 War. Moreover, while the West, and in particular the United States, does have a strong coalescence of interests with Israel, the existence of Israel as a Jewish state is not based on those interests alone.

The international community is strongly committed to Israel as a Jewish state. Although the international community, minus the United States, has also come to support the notion of a two-state solution, to date it has not known how to promote it. In addition, neither Israel nor the United States need or want to deal with a strong and widely-respected Palestinian leader, since Israel is able to act as guarantor of its own domestic interests and shares responsibility for US strategic interests in the area.

The similarities between Israel and pre-1994 South Africa lie rather in the ideological underpinnings of Jewish and Afrikaner nationalism, and in the consequent apartheid systems each has deployed in order to assure purity of and power through their respective nationalisms.

Afrikaner Calvinist belief that Afrikaners were predestined to settle and develop the land of South Africa, along with a strong exclusive national culture fostered through the Afrikaner language, gave justification and legitimacy to their expropriation of the land. There was simply no moral space in Afrikaner thinking for indigenous Africans. Apartheid was embraced as a way to ensure white survival, and was rationalised as providing an opportunity for Black development in tribal Bantustans.

The South African National Party believed political power to be an essential safeguard for Afrikaner survival as a nation, just as the major Israeli political parties believe Jewish power is necessary to Israeli survival and security. Zionist exclusivism, based as it has come to be on Abraham's covenant with God and the notion of redemption, has its own agents of intellectual legitimisation. Afrikaner intellectual Van Wyk Louw castigated his fellow intellectuals who formulated and accepted Afrikaner exclusivism and rationalised racist laws and practices as absolutely necessary for white survival and security over the decades. What Van Wyk Louw said of South Africa then is equally true of Israel now: "Any threat to it instantly call[ed] for resistance which [could] be stirred to fantastic vehemence by the urge for national self-preservation."

From the inception of Zionism, the Zionist leaders developed a vision and action plan that defined Jewish nationalism in the most symbolically potent and cohesive way possible. Rooted as it was in the recreation of ancient history and the horrors of the Jewish experience in Europe, it offered a highly emotive account of how the Jewish problem could be solved.

Only a Jewish state could combat the twin concerns of the Jews: on the one hand, assimilation, and the threat assimilation was thought to pose to Judaism and Jewish community solidarity; on the other, anti-Semitism. The Zionists understood, as too many Black Americans and Palestinians have not, that they have to combine a strong cultural/ideological vision of identity and society with political strategy and a community controlled economic resource base to support political action without compromise. The Zionists achieved this integrated programme in a way so compelling to Jews that no moral space was left for Palestinians in Israeli thinking.

This is not to say that there were no Israeli intellectuals to protest against the projected fate of the Palestinians under Zionism, nor is it to say the state of Israel has no internal critics today. There are in fact many Jewish voices raised both in the West and in Israel in support of Palestinian national sovereign rights. But as a society, Israelis are unable to break out of the narrow, hermetically-sealed ideological definition of themselves and of their Palestinian neighbours. As such, the internal challenge by Israeli Jewish intellectuals has never achieved anything like the scale and importance of white South African protests against apartheid.

Threats to Israel's survival and security are assumed and anticipated. Draconian measures are taken to respond to Israeli asserted Palestinian threats to Israel's security without ever linking Israeli measures to suppress and oppress Palestinians as causal. This can help us understand why even Israeli intellectuals who are aware of the consequences of the establishment of a Jewish State at the expense of the Palestinian people, believe the imperative of Jewish nationalism is more important than Palestinian rights.

For example, Hebrew University Professor Yehezkiel Dror offered the following response to a lecture given by Professor Noam Chomsky at Ben Gurion University on 8 June 1997 in which Chomsky had urged the need for an overriding commitment to justice:

"As to mending the world, not yet. This is my starting point, that I want a Jewish state here. We are either going to accept this value, or not. If we accept this starting point, as I do, and as I recommend my fellow Jews to do, we have to dirty our hands. This requires regret, but not repentance. We would do it again. Hopefully better, maybe more effectively, but fundamentally, there is no doubt that the Palestinians lose because Zionism is here. I accept that they pay and we get our values."

Iraqi-Israeli Professor Ella Shohat tries to explain why Jewish nationalism has remained so exclusive and why Jewish power is exercised in such a disproportionate way. Commenting on Edward Said's work on Zionism as seen from the point of view of its victims, she says, "[His work] testifies to a [sic] historical irony by which the cultural signifiers of Jewishness -- exile, diaspora, wandering, homelessness -- have become applicable to the Palestinians themselves."

She goes on to say: "The question of vitimisation is crucial for the representation of Jewish experience and identity and for the liberationist Zionist project. The suggestion that a history of other victims might be told, that there might be victims of Jewish nationalism, leads to violent opposition, or in the case of liberals, to epistemological vertigo. Zionist discourse betrays the symptoms of acute discomfort with the very idea of a Jewish victimiser, since Jewish popular tradition characteristically narrates its suffering at the hands of the oppressors."

Shohat identifies the ways in which Israeli and other Jewish intellectuals circumvent discomfort by drawing attention to the Holocaust, trying to associate all Arabs with Nazis, and by pointing to the case of Arab Jews whom they claim to have saved from the Arabs. These reference points are offered to negate the reality of Palestinian victimisation and allow the intelligentsia to feel at ease with injustice.

Given the powerful ideological traits described above, the residual policy of the Israeli state can be understood, but not accepted. In a cynical sense, it represents progress compared to the earlier policy of denial and the disingenuousness of the early autonomy proposals. The Israelis have always focused on those things they feel are essential for them to maintain a powerful and secure Jewish state. Hence what is left over, i.e. residual, can be "leased" to Palestinians in the territories under an autonomy formula.

The result is Bantustan enclaves without even the South African rationalisation that Israeli apartheid would allow Palestinian self-development to proceed at its own pace. The Israeli Labour government was allegedly willing to offer more autonomous areas than the Likud. But the point is not a matter of how much more or less. The point is that very little attention is paid to the Palestinian side of the equation. No one asks the question: What are the basic conditions of justice required and due to a wronged people?

In all of this, Israel has the support of the United States.

Apartheid did not work for South Africa, and it will not work for Israel, but for different reasons. Aside from the fact that Afrikaner apartheid policy was understood by the world as racism and colonial oppression, demographic reality and the continued dependency of white society on Black labour were the major factors that told against the continuation of white supremacy. DeKlerk was able to perceive the implications of this in advance of reaching a full crisis point, and in hopes of salvaging a powerful position for whites in a Black-led South Africa.

The apartheid system being established by Israel in the Occupied Territories is still not fully understood by the world as racism and colonial oppression. At the same time, Israeli dependency on Palestinian labour is gradually being dismantled. Palestinian labour is being replaced by foreign labour. Steps are constantly being taken to try to limit any potential demographic reversal. Palestinian labour can still be exploited, but in situ in the autonomous areas, and in collaboration with Palestinian elites who seek to profit from it.

Focusing on apartheid alone will not do it for Palestinians, and the Palestinians should not rely exclusively on this approach. Israel's status in the international community is different from that of pre-1994 South Africa under the Afrikaner regime. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that the "Zionism is Racism" UN General Assembly resolution was overturned at a time when the present Israeli apartheid system had already been forecast and was being visibly put in place.

Therefore, the first lesson Palestinians have to learn from the South African Black experience is that while their situation is similar, there are substantial differences that will checkmate any analogous path to a negotiated solution. It is these differences which allow Israel to feel justified in blindly pursuing its residual policy. Indeed, we should never forget that there are many Israelis, and some overseas Jews, for whom the greatest fault of this policy is not that it is unjust, but that it is too generous to the Palestinians.

Nonetheless, Israeli apartheid will fail because the area is too small. The Palestinians are encaged in enclaves where they have no access to sufficient resources. The result is to produce rage and violence on a daily basis. Even though Israelis outnumber Palestinians in the immediate area -- but not by much, being approximately five million to three and a half million Palestinians, including Palestinian citizens of Israel -- the task of constantly repressing and containing a population will one day mak the justification of this violence in terms of assuring one's own survival and security ring empty, as the quality of Israeli life declines.

Nonetheless, Israel seems bent on pursuing its present policy in one form or another, and the United States keeps looking for the sugar coating to make it palatable, Secretary Albright's criticism of Netanyahu's policies notwithstanding. What is needed now is not more confrontation, but a credible Palestinian vision backed by a systematic and effective strategy to offer an alternative which the world can embrace and support as best for both peoples and for stability in the area.

Over the past years, Israeli and American thinking has been neither generous nor innovative. True, Israel clearly tips the scales in terms of the balance of power. But if it wishes to exist in the region and enjoy real security and good relations with its near neighbours, it needs to find an act of generosity that would enable it to go far beyond its present residual policy. Although inadequate to resolve Palestinian national grievances comprehensively, a real two-state solution as an historic compromis might have worked, but Israel seems to be essentially incapable of forfeiting either real land or the control over it.

Engaged as they are in a strategy to dispose of the Palestinian claim to national sovereignty, Israel and the US keep reverting to failed policies from the past -- as witness the search for the ever-mythical projects which by providing employment for people might absorb their anger and neutralise their motives for political action. This tactic failed in the 1950s, and it has failed again today, in spite of the innovation of engaging profit-seeking and often corrupt elements in the Palestinian elite in joint projects, while simultaneously repressing and restricting the Palestinian people's movement and activities.

This is the same strategy that was earlier used against Palestinian refugees as a means of permanent resettlement. It is now being tried (to even less effect) on the Palestinians in the territories. Today, Israeli strategy for refugees is not even projects, but the reduction of UNRWA and "forced resettlement" in the Arab world. Even with the addition of an airport, seaport and new hotels in Gaza, there will never be enough sugar-coating for so bitter a pill, even though the Clinton administration keeps pressuring for these "extras", as if they were the key to getting the Palestinians at last to accept injustice.

Given the tenacity of Zionism and its adherents -- in spite of the existence of a small, liberal post-Zionist voice -- Palestinians and other Arabs must recognise that Israel will refuse to yield to the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state as long as the imbalance of power favours Israel, and the United States still stands 100 per cent behind its Zionist allies. Israel, backed by the US -- failing a miraculous and sudden enlightenment on the American side, for which there is no historica precedent -- will continue to bring forward untenable proposals as at present, and the residual approach will persist.

The Palestinians therefore cannot wait for Israel and the US to wise up and take the long view. They need to develop, independently, a long-term strategy as subjects of their own fate. In addition to bringing Israeli apartheid racism to the attention of the world, as did the ANC, they must also develop an inclusive democratic vision of identity and society that can challenge the narrow exclusivist ideology of Zionism, and the exploitative policies of the American/Israeli alliance.

Interestingly enough, when the PLO adopted the notion of a democratic secular state in all of Palestine for Palestinian Arabs and Jews, it found no real international support. Separation by partition or agreement was what the international community supported. And this is because they were committed to a Jewish state, whereas the African National Congress could refuse separation, and the world accepted that.

Now, because of the failure of Oslo to produce a viable two-state solution, the international community may come to support a democratic secular state for Arabs and Jews in all of pre-state Palestine. This can only happen if the Palestinians can offer a credible inclusive, democratic and secular vision of that state. With this message and the exposing of Israeli apartheid, the Palestinians have a real alternative to present to the international community, and the conditions are such that the world will listen.

* The writer is a Boston-based professor Emerita of Sociology and a former president of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates. (An expanded version of this article was presented to the Middle East Seminar, Centre for Middle East Studies, Harvard University, on 25 September 1997).

* This story was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 2 July 1998

* This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A "rainbow map and index" ranking protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people across Europe has credited Moldova with making the most progress to improve legal standards over the past year.

But while activists acknowledge some headway in the heavily Orthodox country, they say that the gains highlighted by a new ILGA-Europe report don't automatically translate into increased tolerance and that elected officials' political will remains a "key variable."

One of Moldova's most prominent LGBT-rights activists, GenderDoc-M information center director Angela Frolov, who contributed to the study by ILGA-Europe, the regional section of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex (LGBTI) Association, said she was pleased by the "leap." But she said the improvement merely "means we have a framework" for ongoing efforts at protection.

"We're talking exclusively about a legal basis, and not about society, not about the level of tolerance or intolerance in the society of the Republic of Moldova or any other country," Frolov told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service.

Moldova climbed further year-on-year than any of the 48 other countries evaluated in the study, which was published on May 11. But at 23rd, it is still far from the top of the table, which is led by Malta, followed by Belgium and Denmark

Its score of 39 percent on protections for the LGBT community put it above all other postcommunist countries outside the former Yugoslavia but below long-standing EU members except Italy. It is well above all former Soviet republics, including all three Baltic states.

Broadly speaking, the accompanying report cites a rise in hate speech in many places and calls education "a growing battleground" in resistance to LGBT rights and broader acceptance in European and Central Asian societies.

ILGA-Europe says its rankings are a gauge of "how laws and policies...impact the lives of LGBTI people" in each country. In Moldova, it cites "rising hate speech" targeting trans and other LGBTI people "by politicians and religious leaders."

But ILGA-Europe also argues that "public acceptance has increased" for LGBT people in Moldova.

It cites a poll commissioned by GenderDoc-M that showed a significant rise in the capital in "positive or neutral" attitudes toward LGBT people to around 55 percent, from 33 percent three years earlier.

However, a national survey on perceptions and attitudes toward equality presented to Moldova's Equality Council in June 2022 found that 64 percent of respondents would "exclude" LGBT people from the country.

And a widely cited sociological study funded in part by Switzerland and Sweden and published in January concluded that LGBT people were the most marginalized minority group in Moldova.

ILGA-Europe Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel stressed that attitudes of elected officials are crucial in the battle for broader social acceptance. "While there may be a correlation between greater social acceptance and progressive legislation, there is a key variable in that equation: political will," Hugendubel told RFE/RL. "Positive change happening in places where political representatives are willing to do the work they must do to protect LGBTI people."

Moldova passed a landmark Law on Ensuring Equal Opportunities in May 2012 despite opposition from conservatives and those associated with the Orthodox Church in Moldova, in part by playing down LGBT protections and playing up its necessity to get Moldovans an EU visa waiver.

Several times in the subsequent decade, Moldova's pro-Russian Communists and Socialists have sought to pass laws targeting homosexual "propaganda."

Setbacks followed, like the seemingly hushed passage in 2013 of a Russian-style ban on "public information" propagating "other [intimate] relations than those related to marriage or family."

The 2012 law on equal opportunities was amended by a pro-Western governing majority in 2022 with more explicit protections for LGBT people, alongside new measures against hate crimes and hate speech that contributed to the rise in the ILGA-Europe rankings.

The new ILGA-Europe report includes criticism of Moldova's opposition last year to a PACE resolution condemning violence against LGBT people, and anti-LGBT statements by Chisinau's mayor and other elected officials, as well as prominent religious leaders.

Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban suggested in June 2022 that public sites were no place for Pride marches. "Do what you like at home, not in public," he said amid mounting opposition from local officials to allowing the annual event there.

The metropolitan of Chisinau and all Moldova, Vladimir, urged the authorities to ban the Pride march. In November 2022, a bishop in Balti, Moldova's second-largest city, called the LGBT community "perverts."

Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, after accelerating its application following Russia's unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine four months earlier.

Hugendubel cites those EU aspirations as an incentive to protect vulnerable populations, adding that "If the credibility of the process is put into question, the backlash on human rights is a real danger."

The countries that fared worst in the ILGA-Europe rankings are familiar laggards on LGBT rights. Azerbaijan is in 49th place just behind Armenia (47) and Turkey (48).

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by Mircea Ticudean
In the waiting hall of Moscow's Sakharovo Migration Center that is often packed with foreign workers applying for work or residency permits, a poster -- in Tajik, Uzbek, and Kyrgyz -- hangs on the wall.

"Are you interested in obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified way by joining the armed forces as a contractor?" it asks.

The permit center is also frequented by army recruiters who single out military-age men to try to convince them to join the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, several Tajik migrants say.

"Once you submit your application, the recruiters take you to another room for a 'consultation,' and there they start sweet-talking you into agreeing to go to the war," one migrant told RFE/RL's Tajik Service on condition of anonymity.

Military recruiters "who were somewhat discreet in the past" have become more open and assertive in approaching Central Asian migrants, many claim, as Russia scrambles to recruit more fighters for its army in Ukraine, which has suffered massive losses since its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

To enhance the "pool" of potential recruits, a Russian lawmaker this week called for legislation that would make it easier for the military to call up people from Central Asia and the Caucasus who have obtained Russian citizenship.

Mikhail Matveyev, a Duma member, criticized naturalized citizens' reluctance to fight for Moscow, while he said the "indigenous people of Russia were dying for their homeland."

More than 20,000 Russian troops have been killed and 80,000 wounded in Ukraine since the beginning of December, the U.S. National Security Council said early this month. Other estimates suggest Russian forces have suffered far greater losses. Moscow does not report its casualty figures.

Despite the losses, Russia did not announce a new call-up this year after a "partial military mobilization" in September 2022 prompted thousands of men to flee abroad.

Instead, Russian authorities intensified efforts to attract contractors -- both among Russian citizens and migrant workers -- offering them money and other enticements.

Yes To Benefits, No To War?

From the early months of Moscow's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Russian recruiters have targeted migrant laborers, approaching them in migration centers, mosques, and dormitories.

Matveyev on May 10 requested that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu provide information about how many naturalized citizens -- the majority of whom hail from Central Asia and the Caucasus -- have been enlisted to the army since the beginning of 2022.

Matveyev has been vocal in recent days in condemning the migrants-turned-citizens' unwillingness to join what Moscow calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine, while readily collecting welfare and other social benefits from the state.

They instead join the army of taxi drivers, street sweepers, and construction workers in Russia, Matveyev wrote on Telegram. "We don't see them on the battlefield," he said. "There is a war going on, Russia needs soldiers."

The lawmaker said naturalized citizens -- most of whom are believed to have kept their original citizenship -- have been "conveniently" using their "dual-citizenship" status to avoid going to war.

Matveyev's comments -- as well as several posts he shared from other Telegram users -- also questioned whether the Russian authorities were hesitant to send the "dual citizens" to Ukraine over some legal, political, or potential security implications.

Matveyev announced that he had been studying federal laws and preparing amendments to remove any existing obstacles to the military mobilization of dual citizens. He didn't say when the bill would be presented to parliament.

In his letter to Shoigu, the lawmaker asked for proposals "for the improvement of federal legislation regarding provision for the needs of the Russian armed forces and their reserves for mobilization from the pool of individuals who have obtained Russian citizenship."

He said more than 500,000 Tajiks have received Russian passports since 2016. That is followed by 310,000 Kazakhs, 230,000 Armenians, and 170,000 Uzbeks, he added.

The wave of labor migration to Russia continues despite the war in Ukraine and its economic fallout. According to Russian government statistics, 1.3 million migrants entered Russia just in the first quarter of this year, 60 percent more than the same period in 2022.

About half of the new arrivals are Uzbek nationals, followed by 350,000 Tajiks, and just over 172,000 Kyrgyz.

'I Would Have Fought For Russia If It Hadn't Been The Aggressor'

Negmat, a former teacher from Tajikistan, works as a builder in a private construction company on the outskirts of Moscow. Negmat, who asked that his family name not be published, obtained Russian citizenship last year along with his family of seven.

As a Russian citizen, Negmat's wife received a onetime payment of about $10,000 as the so-called "maternity capital" Moscow, has introduced to tackle the sharp decline in the country's population. The family used the money as a down payment for an apartment in a high-rise building in Podmoskovye in April.

They also receive a regular child-support payment. Negmat, 37, agrees that naturalized citizens from Central Asia "who usually have large families, get more welfare benefits than ethnic Russians."

Negmat hasn't received a military summons. As the father or five children he might be spared enlistment, he told RFE/RL on May 12.

Negmat said he "likes living in Russia and calls it home." Asked if he would go to war in Ukraine if the army summoned him, Negmat unreservedly said he wouldn't.

"Maybe, I would have fought for Russia if it was attacked," he said. "But Russia is the aggressor in this war. I don't feel bad about not fighting for Russia in Ukraine."

RFE/RL's Tajik Service contributed to this report
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on May 14 flew to Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a tour of European capitals after accepting the Charlemagne Prize at a ceremony in Aachen, Germany. He next heads to London on May 15.

Zelenskiy and Macron held talks over dinner that included building up Ukraine's arsenal and the need for an ad hoc tribunal for prosecuting atrocities "committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression."

Macron's office said France will supply Ukraine with armor but demurred on sending much-coveted fighter jets.

Zelenskiy said earlier it was "great honor" to receive the prize on behalf of the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting for their freedom and the values of Europe.

Zelenskiy, who was showered with accolades before he accepted the prize, said every Ukrainian "would deserve to stand here."

In his acceptance speech, he stressed that Ukraine wanted nothing more than peace but that this could only be achieved with victory in the conflict, which he said would decide the fate of Europe.

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 in Ukraine, click here.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz thanked Zelenskiy for defending European values and spoke the words "the president is here. We are all here" in Ukrainian, quoting Zelenskiy after the invasion began in February 2022 as he made it clear that the Ukrainian people would not yield to Russia's violence.

"Rarely in history have such brief words had such a great effect," Scholz said.

"Europe owes a lot to the Ukrainian people and personally to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy," he added. "We stand together! We belong together! And our story will continue together."

Scholz also pledged Germany's "full support" to Ukraine on its journey to become a member of the European Union.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hailed Zelenskiy as "the most outstanding leader on an international stage in the 21st century," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian people were paying with their blood and their lives as they fight for freedom, humanity, and peace.

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the recipient of the award last year, was also present at the ceremony. She said it was an honor to meet Zelenskiy.

"We stand united with Ukraine for freedom and for democracy," Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter.

Zelenskiy says he will travel to London on May 15 to hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"Today  London. The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. "I will meet my friend Rishi. We will conduct substantive negotiations face-to-face and in delegations."

Earlier in Berlin, Zelenskiy thanked Germany for its "powerful support" after Berlin pledged a 2.7 billion-euro ($3 billion) package of arms and discussed his country's planned counteroffensive with Scholz.

The military package includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 15 Gepard antiaircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T antiaircraft systems including ammunition, additional artillery ammunition and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.

Ukraine is preparing to liberate occupied areas but will not attack Russia, Zelenskiy said in response to a question about a report by The Washington Post saying that he had privately asked Western partners for long-range weapons that could strike inside Russia.

"We have neither the time nor the strength [to attack Russia]," he said. "And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this."

The Washington Post on May 14 cited previously undisclosed documents from a U.S. intelligence leak suggesting that Zelenskiy had considered trying to capture areas in Russia for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations. The United States and other Western governments have insisted that the weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

As Zelenskiy continues his tour of European capitals, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar provided an update on the situation on the battlefield.

Malyar said that Ukrainian forces had captured more than 10 Russian positions on the outskirts of Bakhmut and taken captive enemy soldiers of various units.

"Anyone who knows the real situation and is there now understands the gravity of what is happening," Malyar added.

In a rare announcement of battlefield losses, the Russian Defense Ministry said on May 14 that two of its military commanders had been killed in eastern Ukraine, as Kyiv's forces renewed efforts to take back territory near the embattled city of Bakhmut.

The ministry said in a statement that the commander of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade, Vyacheslav Makarov, and Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of the army corps for military-political work, had been killed in fighting to repel Ukrainian attacks.

It said that Makarov had been leading troops from the front line, and that Brovko "died heroically, suffering multiple shrapnel wounds."

Ukraine's General Staff said that the Russian military continued to focus its main efforts on areas around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, and that about 30 combat clashes took place during the day on May 14.

It was not possible to independently verify Russia's account of the battlefield situation.

Zelenskiy's trip to Germany came after the Ukrainian leader received vocal support on May 13 from Italian leaders in Rome and at the Vatican, where Pope Francis called for humanitarian gestures toward the most fragile persons, innocent victims of the conflict."

On the war front, at least one Russian SU-34 warplane and a military Mi-8 helicopter had crashed in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, Russian emergency services were quoted by TASS news agency as saying, with several reports claiming the craft had been shot down.

Later, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that a Russian SU-35 jet and a second Mi-8 helicopter also crashed on May 13, but that report could not immediately be confirmed.

Ukraine did not comment on the reports. Kyiv normally does not comment directly on any incidents occurring within Russias borders.

If confirmed that the aircraft were shot down, it would represent a major coup for the Ukrainian military and an embarrassment for the Kremlin.

On the war front, Ukrainian forces intercepted and destroyed three missiles and 25 drones overnight in the latest aerial attack by Russian forces, Ukraine's air force said on May 14.

Russia attacked "from different directions with Shahed attack drones, Kalibr missiles from ships in the Black Sea, [and] cruise missiles from Tu-95 strategic aircraft," the air force said in a statement.

Russia has increased the number of missile and drone strikes since the beginning of May, which Ukrainian authorities attribute to Moscow's fear of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Late on May 13, Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which is home to the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, this year's contestants from Ukraine at the Eurovision 2023 Song Contest, local authorities said.

The attack came as the contest was under way in Britain because Ukraine, last year's winners, could not host it due to the war.

WATCH: After Ukraine was unable to host this year's Eurovision competition, Liverpool stepped in to host the annual song contest and is putting Ukrainian artists and culture front and center.

The strike hit warehouses owned by commercial enterprises and a religious organization, injuring two people, local officials in Ternopil reported on Telegram.

Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Kyiv, praised Tvorchi for their Eurovision entry.

"The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening," Simmons tweeted.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
At first it seemed that the Zionists' assault on Jaffa* could not succeed. But, as Ibrahim Abou Loghd**, then a student in his final year of high school, recalls, the Palestinian population was soon forced to realise that the enemy had got the upper hand

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

No sooner had the UN General Assembly passed its partition resolution in November 1947, than Palestine was torn apart by a war waged between its two historically antagonistic communities -- Palestinian Arabs and Palestinian Jews.

From 29 November 1947 to 15 May 1948, each of these two communities endeavoured to establish a sovereign State. The first shots were exchanged between Jaffa and Tel Aviv on the eve of 30 November 1947 during a three-day general protest strike declared by the Arab Higher Committee. What started then, with the passage of that UN Resolution in 1947, continues still to this day, in different ways and forms. The hostile peace that had previously prevailed was shattered once and for all.

It does no good now to say that the outcome was a forgone conclusion, that the better-equipped, better-commanded and Western-supported Jewish militias would inevitably overcome what were for the most part poorly-led, essentially weaponless and badly-organised, though more numerous, Palestinian Arab forces.

What began slowly soon developed into a mass exodus, especially following the death in battle of the Palestinian leader Abdel-Qader Al-Husseini and the Deir Yassin Massacre. After the Jewish victories at Haifa and Jaffa in the last ten days of April, the pressure of war forced the Palestinians to relocate. At first they moved internally, to "safer" areas within exposed cities and in Arab-dominated areas of Palestine, as they sought to get out of harm's way. The relentless pressure of the Jewish militias (the Haganah, the Irgun, and others), together with the random but deliberately orchestrated bombardment of the largely civilian population, lay behind this initial exodus.

On the eve of the UN Partition Resolution, Jaffa's Arab population numbered over 70,000. By and large they supported the traditional Palestinian leadership headed by Haj Amin Al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti, though he himself had been exiled and was then residing in Cairo. To organise resistance, two members of the Arab Higher Committee, Sheikh Hassan Abou Al-Seoud and Rafiq Al-Tamimi, were sent to Jaffa to supervise the establishment of a National Committee.

The composition of the Jaffa National Committee reflected the rather conservative leanings of the majority, though it did include some younger people who stood for less conservative trends. Besides the supporters of Haj Amin, there was also a Christian representation and some elements from the City Council. The Mayor, Dr. Youssef Heikal, was excluded because he was considered to be an enemy of the traditional supporters of Haj Amin, and a supporter of king Abdullah.

The formation of this committee represented a significant development in the attempt to fill the political vacuum left after the crushing of the 1936-1939 revolution. But it also reflected the belief that a decisive battle with the Zionists was approaching, though I do not think we realised just how decisive that battle was going to be.

The committee was provisionally located in Sahat Al-Sa'a [the square where the clock stands] near an old Ottoman building called the palace, which was once a court. During November the Committee moved for security reasons to another headquarters in the neighbourhood of Ajami, where the French Ambassador to Israel now lives. Many students volunteered to work with the Committee.

I myself was then a student at Al-Amriya secondary school in my final year, preparing for the matriculation exam. I still remember raging debates with our teachers, and especially with our history teacher, Zohdi Jar-Allah. He was the first to predict that the Partition resolution would be passed in the UN, and he used to believe -- though he did not say so in public -- that we had to accept the resolution, as we would lose if we went to war with the armed Zionists.

Though we very much respected our history teacher, we used to think that said all this because he was a relative of Sheikh Hossam El-Din Jar-Allah, Sheikh Amin Al-Husseini's opponent ,who had obtained more votes than Haj Amin in the elections for the post of the Grand Mufti, but was never appointed, as the British for their own political reasons chose to give the job to Haj Amin.

Now, when I think of those days, I am inclined to think that the inhabitants of Jaffa in general believed -- like most of their fellow Palestinians throughout the land -- that the Palestinian was braver than the Jew and more capable of standing hardship.

They thought that, as the country belonged to the Arabs, they were the ones who would defend their homeland with zeal and patriotism, which the Jews -- being of many scattered countries and tongues, and moreover being divided into Ashkenazi and Sephardic -- would inevitably lack. In short, there was a belief that the Jews were generally cowards. Thus the people of Jaffa, as well as the members of the National Committee, believed that if they made ready a bit, and if the British army did not interfere on the side of Jews, as it had done previously, then they were sure to emerge victorious.

They believed this, despite the fact that the National Committee had not succeeded in mobilising people or in finding a substantial number who were willing to engage in military action, and despite the fact that the results of the first encounters between the Arabs and the Jews had not been promising. Indeed, the Jewish forces were quickly able to establish most of the areas bordering on the Jewish quarters as no man's land, and the majority of the Arab inhabitants in those areas had to relocate to safer parts. This did not directly lead to any deterioration in Arab morale during the first few weeks, as everyone was to busy following reports of the battles and the destruction, analysing the situation and drawing lessons, while the local press kept reassuring them that all would turn out well. However, insights into the true gravity of our situation did begin gradually to emerge.

During the first three weeks following the UN Partition Resolution people began to evacuate the frontline district, and by the end of December 1947 all these areas had become a no man's land. Those who had had to leave their homes began to adapt to the new situation, renting or squatting houses that had been deserted by their owners when they fled the city to safety.

Those who remained began to wonder when all this was going to end, and they began to pin their hopes on the arrival of the Arab military forces to rescue them. We used to follow attentively the news of the delegations that were dispatched to Damascus (the headquarters of the military committee formed by the Arab League), or to Cairo, or to Amman to talk to King Abdullah.

At the beginning, those who left Jaffa were the affluent. They were ashamed of their desertion, and gave various excuses for leaving, such as that they were going to Cairo for a honeymoon (my family squatted in a flat of a newly-wed couple who never returned from their honeymoon); that they were having to go abroad for medical treatment or for some other personal emergency; and so on. We young ones used to view these people with disdain and talk about how typical their desertion was of the behaviour of the rich and well-to-do.

On 24 January, the Palestinian Education Council announced that the Palestine Matriculation Examination would start on 30 March, rather than in June as usual. After the exams ended and we were free, some of the students volunteered to work for the National Committee. The committee had decided to levy a tax on every family who insisted on leaving.

With my two friends Safiq Al-Hout and Mohamed Lasawi, I worked in a branch of the committee based in the headquarters of the Muslim Youth Association near the port of Jaffa. Our job consisted mainly of harassing people to dissuade them from leaving, and when they insisted, we would begin bargaining over what they should pay, according to how much luggage they were carrying with them and how many members of the family there were. At first we set the taxes high. Then as the situation deteriorated, we reduced the rates, especially when our friends and relatives began to be among those leaving.

We continued collecting this tax until 23 April, when the combined force of the Haganah and the Irgun succeeded in defeating the Arab forces stationed in the Manshiya quarter adjacent to Southern Tel-Aviv. On that day, as we realised that an attack on the centre of Jaffa was imminent, I and my family decided that they had to be evacuated temporarily. We rented a van, into which we crammed all the women and young children and sent them to Nablus.

I and my elder brother Yehia remained behind to "defend" our city. Life had become very difficult for those who remained, and people were getting more desperate by the day, with no leadership to guide them.

Leaving the city had become difficult, as the Haganah had cut the land road, and the only way out was the sea with all its risks. Then on 3 May word began to spread -- until this day I do not know how, as there were no press, and the Radio was not the source for that item of news -- that the last ship that would be making a humanitarian relief mission, a Belgian ship called the Prince Alexander, was in the port ready to take whoever wanted to leave.

My friend Shafiq Al-Hout had already left for Lebanon ith his family. By then there was only myself, Mohamed Lassawi and a third friend from the old city left. The three of us went to the port, taking nothing with us. We got on the barge which was carrying luggage out to the ships standing out to sea one kilometre away from the port. In 15 minutes we reached the ship, but at the last moment we felt ashamed of our desertion and decided to turn back to the port.

We stayed on the barge. We spent the whole afternoon searching for something to eat all, but in vain. At 3 pm we heard the siren of the Prince Alexander, and we looked at each other thinking this might be our last opportunity. We ran swiftly to the barge and returned to the ship. At 3.30p.m on Monday 3 May, 1948, we set sail for Beirut. A day after our departure, Dr. Youssef Heikal, the Mayor of Jaffa, left for Amman where he reported that not a single Arab remained in Jaffa. On 10 May, however, according to the Associated Press, there were still 2,000 Arabs out of the more than 70,000 in the city.

I arrived in Beirut on 4 May, I believed that we would be returning to Jaffa in a couple of weeks. But it was in Nablus, while sitting idly in a cafe one day in July 1948, that I heard the results of the Palestine Matriculation Examination broadcast over Radio Israel. I and my friend Shafiq Al-Hout had passed the exam. I sent him a cable in Beirut, and armed with the Matriculation he was able to enroll at the American University in Beirut. I, for my part, left for America, where my certificate reached me by mail in December 1949, thus enabling me to pursue my education there.

The next time I saw Jaffa was on 8 Dec. 1991. In the company of Mohamed Ma'ri, then a member of the Knesset, I inspected every street, alleyway, school and market. Though Jaffa is my city, I could not help feeling that the life that runs through its veins today is a very different life from the one that I had lived.

* Operation Chametz

Tiberias fell on 18 April, Haifa on the 23rd; then it was the turn of Jaffa, a city which was not included in the UN partition plan as part of the would-be State of Israel. Between 23 April and 13 May, the people of Jaffa fought desperately to save their town from the land grab of Plan Dalet and Operation Chametz to take over the city. Chametz means yeast in Hebrew.

The Zionist offensive to occupy Jaffa, launched on 22 April 1948, coincided with the Jewish feast of Pesach (Passover). During the month preceding the Pesach, Jewish housewives are obliged to rid their households of any remnants of yeast (chametz) products. It was no coincidence, therefore, that the Haganah dubbed its drive to expel the Arab inhabitants of Jaffa "Operation Chametz". The codename signified exactly what the operation intended: an ethnic cleansing of the Arabs.

The Arab inhabitants of Jaffa numbered around 70,000. The Arab fighters trying to hold back the Jewish attack were 450 of the city's inhabitants, beside another 300 fighters from the Arab Liberation Army formed by the Arab League. Jaffa was in a most vulnerable position because of its proximity to Tel Aviv, where the largest Jewish population (170,000) was based. Tel Aviv was also the base for the Haganah's Kiryati Brigade, with its 3,000 fighters; 15 km south-east of Jaffa the Haganah's Givati brigade, with an equal number of fighters, was stationed. The Arabs fought desperately for 10 days, but on 3 May, the Arab commander in charge of the defence of the city, Michel Al-Issa, cabled to the Arab League Military Committee in Damascus: "There are no forces left to defend the city. All the inhabitants have already left. The British authorities advise that Jaffa is declared an open city." A few days later, there were only 500 Arabs left in Jaffa.

** The writer is Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University, Evanston, and Professor of International Studies at Birzeit University. An expanded Arabic version of this article appeared in a special issue of the Ramallah-based periodical Al-Karmel commemorating 50 years of Arab dispossession.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 30 April 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


On 18 April 1948 the first Arab town-- Tiberias-- fell to the hands of the Haganah. Four days later Haifa's Palestinian population had to flee under the Haganah's combined shelling and ground offensives. This is the story their exodus

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

After the capturing of Arab villages along the Tel-Aviv-Jerusalem Road, the Zionist Haganah militia started in the second half of April its offensive against Palestinian towns. By the night of April 18 Tiberias' approximately 6,000 Arabs were fleeing the town, constituting the first batch in the mass exodus of approximately 800,000 Palestinians by the end of the 1948 war.

In his landmark book, All that Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948 (1992), Palestinian historian Walid El-Khalidi, argues that one of the most significant aspects in the fall of Tiberias was the way the British forces handled the situation. Till they were due to withdraw on May 15 ending the British mandate, it was their duty to maintain security and peace in Palestine. However, the only effort exerted in this respect while Tiberias was under the heavy mortar firing, was an "advice" to the commander of the Arab garrison "to stop fighting and evacuate the Arab inhabitants."

Justifying this passive stance, the British military historian Major Wilson said that the British forces were obliged to stick to a certain time schedule for the anticipated withdrawal. By the time the Haganah attacked Tiberias, the number of British troops was "too weak in numbers", ultimately making material intervention impossible.

The degree of British complicity with the Haganah was further questioned when few days later it was Haifa's turn. The town of Haifa was the concentration point for the would-be-withdrawing British troops who were waiting for May 15 to sail away. Haifa had a population of 140,000, more than half of which were Jews. The Jewish quarters were situated high on Mount Karmel, completely overlooking the Arab quarters-- a factor which facilitated the Haganah attacks later on. Since the UN partition resolution, fighting between the two parties became a common aspect in the daily life of Haifa; continuous snipping, explosions and exchange of fire.

The British troops were in charge of safeguarding the security in the town, and policing the main roads separating the Jewish quarters from the Arab ones. On April 1, a liaison office was formed between the British army and the Arab local national committee, in response to the orders of General Hugh Stockwell, the British commander. Although they established good relations for some time, it did not last too long.

According to El-Khalidi, the passive stance of the British troops in Tiberias was an encouraging signal for the Haganah to carry on the launching of Operation Misparayim to attack and occupy Haifa, and they were right.

On 21 April the British suddenly evacuated the residential quarters of Haifa.

At 11:00 AM, General Stockwell summoned Amin Ezzedien, commander of the Arab garrison, and informed him that he had ordered his troops to withdraw from the areas separating the Arab quarters from the Jewish ones, adding that he will not intervene in any clashes between the two parties. Meanwhile the Haganah were launching their 'general attack' on Haifa using mortar vessels indiscriminately. They filled barrels with explosives and rolled them down to the Arab quarters below. Despite the Arab's repeated pleas to the British army to send help, they were turned down.

In his book 'The Jihad of the Palestinian people in half a century', Saleh Masou'd Bouyassir points that the number of Jewish fighters in Haifa was 5,000, well trained and armed with American weapons and Russian armored vehicles. The Arabs on the other hand were desperately searching for weapons.

They succeeded in buying some from their own money and asked for more from the military committee formed by the Arab League. However out of 205 machine guns sent by the committee, only 89 were operating. Moreover, Haifa which was surrounded from its four sides with Jewish settlements "with the help of the British forces" was in a difficult situation, says Bouyassir.

The Jewish attack continued throughout the night of the 21st till the following day. The fighting grew fiercer "it continued, nonstop for 76 hours; in the homes, alleys and sometimes with knives, sticks or hands" points Bousier.

As the number of wounded Arabs swell- parallel to the escalation of the attacks- another plea was made to the British. And again, there request was rejected. A state of chaos prevailed as thousands of terrified Arab women and children rushed towards the port hoping to escape. But as the entire Arab area was exposed to the Jewish quarters above, the Haganah snipers killed tens of those trying to flee. And according to El-Khalidi, 10,000 refugees made it to the port and were placed into boats and ferries by the British which took them North to Acre.

As this was happening, the Arab Higher Committee was meeting with Stockwell who refused their demand to stop the Jewish attack which literally developed into "a human massacre" or to reconsider the passive British stance. His only suggestion was to "mediate" between the two parties and resisted the repeated efforts of the committee to reach a better compromise. And in a bid to put a fast end to the ongoing massacre, the committee's spokesman said the Arabs were ready for a truce but wanted to know its conditions.

Stockwell immediately excused himself from the room claiming that he will contact the Jews. Fifteen minutes later, he was back with a printed copy of a proposed 'truce'. But as El Khalidi points, it amounted to "unconditional surrender".

The conditions were: disarmament of the Arabs completely and handing in all their weapons within three hours, the assembly of all "male foreign elements" in a certain location on the condition that they depart Palestine in 24 hours, and finally a curfew.

The Arab delegation objected and asked Stockwell to add one more condition stipulating that signing this list would not entail any recognition on their part of the leadership of the Haganah or of any political changes in the country. The British commander promised to pass this to the Jews but asked the Arabs to meet with the Jewish delegation in his presence in the afternoon.

When the meeting took place, the Jews flatly rejected the proviso. The Arab delegation which felt the need to consult their co-inhabitants, asked for a 24 hour respite to think it over, hoping they can contact the Arab countries too. But both the Jews and Stockwell refused and the latter boldly stated that the Arabs have to sign the truce this evening if they want to avoid "300-400" casualties among them. Despite the strong pressure of the Arabs, Stockwell would not delay the meeting later than 7:00 pm that same day.

Once they departed the meeting, the Arab delegation called the largest number of the Haifa's men to discuss the situation. They agreed to delegate the committee to negotiate for the interest of the Arabs, which, at this stage, was simply to eliminate the killing of more innocent people. However, the committee felt it should not force the people of Haifa to recognize the authority of the Haganah, even if this resulted in a political backlash. At the seven o'clock meeting, they refused to sign the truce and asked to facilitate the departure of the inhabitants. Moreover, they requested delaying the meeting to the following day to work out the departure procedures.

On Friday April 23, all the parties met. The Arab delegation presented a memo addressed to Stockwell, quoting his warning that if the Arabs do not accept the Haganah's provisions, they will endure 300-400 more casualties. The memo also pointed out that "despite the fact the departure [of the Arabs] is our request, yet the main reason for this request remains your refusal to take up any action to protect the lives and the properties of the people." But Stockwell refused to receive the memo.

The delegation presented another one during the meeting addressed to the Jews this time. It objected to the continuing of shooting and killing of Arabs and the looting of their shops, homes and cars in addition to the detainment of hundreds. Moreover, the memo demanded that each Arab who chooses to remain in the city should enjoy full freedom in living and working. The property of those who depart, it added, should preserved.

The Jewish party did not respond decisively. A few days later, they established an 'administration for the enemy's properties', whereby they considered all of Haifa's Arabs as enemies. Therefore, all their properties, whether left behind or taken, subject to the regulations of property sequestration. By this, the Jews managed to prevent those who departed to take but the simplest personal belongings.

Within a week, only 8000 Arabs out of Haifa's approximately 70,000 Arabs remained in the city; the rest were driven out to a diaspora that remains until the present day.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 16 April 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


After nearly 12 years on the market, the former site of the oldest school in Santee has finally been sold.

The Santee School District School Board on Aug. 15 accepted a bid for $11.1 million from the Lincoln Property Co., locally known as LPC West, for the13-acre parcel at 10335 Mission Gorge Road near Cottonwood Avenue.

School Superintendent Kristin Baranski said the proceeds from the Santee School sale will be used for building modernization throughout the district.

Advertisement

Santee City Councilman Ronn Hall said he has been in talks with LPC West about development on that site, including restaurants or mixed-use housing with businesses.

Santee Elementary School, built in 1891, was closed in 2003 because of declining enrollment. The schools population dropped by 300 in the five years leading up to its closure.

The district saved about $600,000 annually when it closed the school, but has struggled since then to sell or lease it for a variety of reasons.

In 2005, a housing developer withdrew an offer to buy the site for $14 million after city officials said they wanted to see stores on the property. Plans from 2011 for a lease to a Los Angeles-area retail developer for at least $250,000 annually were scrapped.

In 2015, only one company met the districts then-required $8.5 million minimum bid, with Shea Properties offering $8.63 million, but that deal never went through. The minimum bid this year was $9 million.

Three groups were in the running for the property  LPC West, Haagen Co. and Cameron Brothers.

Santee School Board President Elana Levens-Craig said that at a subsequent board meeting, a purchase and sale agreement will need to be approved. The district will then make final plans to work with a brokerage firm for the sale.

Then escrow will open, which could be as long as a year, Levens-Craig said. During the escrow period, the developer will work with the city to obtain approval of their plans.

Part of the site, vacant for more than a decade, was under the jurisdiction of the Santee City Council. Last September, the council agreed at a public hearing to change the zoning type for a portion of the land so that the entire area would be available to potential buyers.

In April, Santee City Manager Marlene Best, Mayor John Minto, Hall, and Santee Economic Development Manager Pam White attended the International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas. While there, they as well as a marketing broker hired by the school district spoke to several interested parties about the former school site, including LPC representatives.

The group handed out to developers a 53-page marketing document that the city and school district worked on together. It included color maps of where other popular retail chains are located in relation to the property and highlights of the community.

It touted Santees schools, parks, recreation opportunities, public transportation availability and quality of life. It noted that the citys population of nearly 57,000 has a median income of nearly $79,000, highest in East County and seventh highest of the 18 cities in San Diego County.

Hall said he and one of the developers talked about coming in with a big store, like Bass Pro Shops. Hall said discussion also centered around something similar to Stater Brothers or a small restaurant row, maybe with some housing.

Hall said that the Mission Gorge site is part of a vision he has for Santee as a go-to destination, with unique offerings not found elsewhere.

The city has plans to open a theater and full-service restaurant as soon as next year on a 7-acre parcel at Towne Center Parkway, next to the Parc One apartment complex that recently became available.

These properties are zoned for job-creating types of development, Best said. This means new jobs, new revenue, new services in Santee.

The former school site is near other retail outlets and is close to Gillespie Field. The land has most recently been home to a Little League, was once the site of a farmers market and is used occasionally by the Santee Chamber of Commerce.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
IMPERIAL BEACH, CA.- AUGUST 30, 2018,- Star Dust donut shop in Imperial Beach is a family business that has been in business for 50 years. Owner Cliff Arnold starts his day at 12:30 am making donuts for the days sale and closes up at noon, five days a week. 2018

Before the Coronado Bridge was built, the only way sailors could get to the naval base was through Imperial Beach.

That route took thousands of motorists by Stardust Donuts on Palm Avenue and 7th Street where Cliff Arnold remembers charging 7 cents for a glazed donut and making $269 profit the first month he ran the store  June 1967.

I know what Im doing, Arnold, 74, said after a recent morning rush. Ive basically been at it my whole life.

Advertisement

More than a half-century later, Arnold still sells donuts to sailors heading to Coronado. But now he charges $1.09 and makes more than $269 a month.

Arnold comes from a long tradition of donut shop owners. His grandmother opened one of San Diegos first donut shops, Keens Donuts off Pacific Coast Highway, in 1929. His parents ran Keens Donuts in Pacific Beach in the 1940s.

Stardust Donuts hasnt changed much since Arnold and his brother Ed ran it back in the late 1960s. The menu is mostly the same, with their popular cinnamon rolls, cake donuts, and chocolate and glazed donuts. The same Fresh Donuts sign still lures drivers from Palm Avenue to the shops counter.

But the shop has seen better days.

The 2017 winter storm knocked a few letters from the classic sign. So now it reads, Fresh nuts.

Arnold plans to repair the sign soon but hes in no mood to modernize.

He doesnt have a website.

So anything you find on the internet about me or this place has been put there by somebody else, he said. Ive read the reviews on Yelp. Some people think Im a real jerk and some people think Im just fine.

And he doesnt plan to start accepting credit cards any time soon.

I dont need to, Arnold said. Im selling enough donuts without having to take credit cards so why should I do it?

Stardusts longevity stands in contrast to an increasingly changing Imperial Beach. The trailer park behind the store got turned into townhomes that sell for a half-million dollars. Across the street, a new strip mall has national chains like Starbucks, Five Guys, and Chipotle.

But the donut shop remains the same.

IMPERIAL BEACH, CA.- AUGUST 30, 2018,-Cliff Arnold with his days worth of donuts for sale. Star Dust donut shop in Imperial Beach is a family business that has been in business for 50 years. 2018 (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Carlos Rojas remembers sneaking out of first period to buy cinnamon rolls when he was a student at Mar Vista High School in the late 90s.

We had auto shop, so wed test drive a car and come get donuts, Rojas said.

His favorite back then were the cinnamon rolls.

Rojas, who is now 44 and owns a plumbing company in Imperial Beach, stopped by Stardust Donuts last week. He got cinnamon rolls.

If I was going to a job site with more guys, I wouldve picked up more, he said.

A few minutes later, Jaimie Guzman, 19, walked up to the counter. He also ordered cinnamon rolls.

Ive been coming here since I was 2, he said. We had this little tradition every Saturday when theyd open my dad would buy donuts and walk back home. By the time we got home, wed finish like six donuts.

No one knows how long Arnold will keep selling donuts. His brother Ed died five years ago so he runs the shop alone.

The Arnold brothers bought the property in 1998 so hes not beholden to a landlord. Arnold doesnt have children or any other family he plans to leave the business to.

So what will happen to the shop when Arnold decides to stop selling donuts?

It dont matter to me, Ill be gone, Arnold said.

But he doesnt plan to retire any time soon. Several people have offered to buy the lot but Arnold isnt interested.

Or maybe their sales pitches havent been very effective.

They come and say, Dont you want to retire and lay on the beach? and Ill tell them, If I want to lay on the beach, I can do that any time I want. The beach is right over there, Arnold said as he gestured toward the Pacific.

IMPERIAL BEACH, CA.- AUGUST 30, 2018,- The original donut menu. Star Dust donut shop in Imperial Beach is a family business that has been in business for 50 years. 2018 (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter
Fifty years after Deir Yassin, and in the midst of a dying peace process, the Zionists of America are denying historic facts so as to continue to deny justice to the Palestinians, writes James Zoghby**

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*





This is an article I never thought I would have to write. It was 50 years ago that the Zionist terrorist groups Irgun and Lehi (Stern Gang) committed a massacre in the Arab village of Deir Yassin. Now, 50 years later, the President of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), Morton Klein, is waging a campaign in the United States denying that a massacre took place.

Not unlike the historical revisionists who deny the Holocaust, Klein's work "Deir Yassin: History of a Lie," has the appearance of scholarship. It is heavily footnoted, and documented and relentlessly plods through every quote and claim made about the events at Deir Yassin.

Klein's methods are similar to the Holocaust deniers. He uses half quotes, specious arguments and ad hominem attacks in an effort to confound an ordinary reader. He admits what cannot be denied, but minimizes its importance. In the end he claims that Deir Yassin was only a minor but necessary skirmish. It was fought Klein says, to eliminate a hostile Arab presence that was threatening to the Jews of Jerusalem.

And its reality he says was distorted by a combination of Arab propagandists, Jewish establishment enemies of the Stern and Irgun Gangs, Jewish leftists and the exaggerated boastings of those who were there (whom, he says, only made their claims as a part of their psychological propaganda campaign against the Arabs).

Klein's purpose is larger, of course, than the discrediting of Deir Yassin. He and his movement seeks to rewrite history by eliminating from its record one of Zionism's more odious events. Klein knows that the terrorism at Deir Yassin did not stand-alone. As modern Israeli historians now acknowledge (and as Arabs have always known), Deir Yassin was but one piece of a concentrated Zionist strategy to terrorize Arabs in order to expel them on the way to depopulating their villages in order to either repopulate them with new Jewish immigrants or to erase them from the map.

All this would be frightening enough if Klein were merely a liar and a deliberate distorter of fact. But the reality is even more frightening. He is a fanatic true believer for whom Zionism can do no wrong. And Klein is not alone. He heads an organization, which he has effectively used to intimidate opponents. By preying on fear, Klein has silenced foes in the media, in politics and even within the Jewish community. He has, over the past decade won minor battles, forcing newspapers to change maps, forcing Jewish organizations to disinvite speakers, forcing politicians to change their votes. Now it appears he has trained his guns on a major campaign to erase a massacre from history and intimidate those who would resist.

That Klein's efforts must be combated goes without saying. If his campaign goes unanswered, he will win and politicians, the media and even historians may come to question either the fact that a massacre did take placed at Deir Yassin or that it was an important component in the effort to terrorize some Palestinians to leave their homes.

In this context, it is important to note that a small but potentially important effort is underway to defend history. "Deir Yassin Remembered" is a new organization dedicated to preserving the memory of that outrage by publishing materials, both documentary and commentary, and by constructing a monument to the massacre in the place where the village of Deir Yassin once stood.

The founder of "Deir Yassin Remembered" Dan McGowan, a professor at Hobart College in New York, was a guest on my ANA weekly call-in television show "A Capital View." Not only did we have the opportunity to commemorate the massacre and discuss the work of the committee, but the program also provided a number of survivors the opportunity to call-in and share their reminiscences with our nationwide audience.

One caller had been a young girl at the time of the massacre. She described in harrowing detail what she saw and survived. Her grandmother, uncle and two-and-a-half-year-old brother killed-- the rest of her family was forced to flee. Another, a male nurse, recalled seeing survivors, prisoners of war, paraded through Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Still another reported how these same prisoners were taken to a quarry outside of the village and shot in cold blood.

Beginning next month Arab American organizations will take the campaign one step further. A huge quilt has been created with one large hand-embroidered patch for each of the 418 Palestinian villages destroyed by Israel since 1948. The "Quilt Project" will travel throughout the month of May across the United States. It will be greeted by rallies and events in major U.S. cities.

This effort to remember and defend our past is a vital component to the struggle to create justice in the future. The ZOA effort to deny and rewrite history is a continuation of the Zionist campaign to deny not only justice to the Palestinians, but their very history and existence as well. Deir Yassin was a massacre. There are too many witnesses, Arab, Jewish, and European to deny that fact. But it was more than that; it was a deliberate act of terrorism with a clear political objective. It was callously used. After the massacre, Haganah sound trucks drove through Arab areas warning "unless you leave your homes, the fate of Deir Yassin will be your fate."

As Menachem Begin himself declared in the The Revolt, "Arabs throughout the country, induced to believe wild tales of 'Irgun butchery' were seized with limitless panic and started to flee for their lives. This mass flight soon developed into a maddened, uncontrolled stampede. Of the almost 800,000 who lived on the present territory of the State of Israel, only some 165,000 are still there. The political and economic significance of this development can hardly be overestimated."

It was an offensive campaign to conquer Arab land and depopulate (now called "ethnic cleansing") Arab villages. Noted David Ben Gurion in his Rebirth and Destiny of Israel: "Until the British left (May 15, 1948) no Jewish settlement, however remote, was entered or seized by the Arabs, while the Haganah...captured many Arab positions and liberated Tiberia, and Haifa, Jaffa, and Safad.... So on the day of destiny, that part of Palestine where the Haganah could operate was almost clear of Arabs."

Add to this, the admission of Yitzhak Rabin that he ordered the forced expulsion of 40,000 Arabs from the Palestinian village of Lydda. Said Rabin: "The inhabitants of Lydda must be expelled quickly without attention to age...implement immediately."

The same has been admitted by Yigal Allon, who headed the Palmach. His goal, he wrote was "the need to clean the upper Galilee of Arabs." His tactic was to use fear and terror to force Arabs to flee. Forced expulsion and terrorism defined the Palestinian exodus of 700,000. Ethnic cleansing and erasing villages defined the formation of the Jewish state in 1948. This we have always known. This some Israelis now admit. And this is what Klein and his Likud cohorts now seek to deny.

Fifty years later in the midst of a dying peace process, the ZOA seeks to deny and intimidate others into denying these historic facts so as to continue to deny justice to the Palestinians in their ancestral homeland. To demand justice, we must defend the past.

** * The writer is President of the Washington-based Arab American Institute

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 16 April 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Rhinoceros belong to a mammalian order called odd-toed ungulates that also include horses and tapirs. They are found in Africa and Asia. Until recently, evidence suggested that throughout their evolutionary history, gammaretroviruses such as Murine leukemia virus had not colonised their genomes, unlike most other mammalian orders. The colonisation process is called retroviral endogenisation and has resulted in most mammalian genomes being comprised of up to ten percent retroviral like sequences. An analysis of modern and extinct rhino genomes headed by the German Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) now found that African rhinos have dozens of gammaretroviruses in their genomes absent from the genomes of Asian rhino species, such as the Sumatran and Javan rhino, and that the African black rhino has two related groups, one missing from the white rhinos. The restriction of gammaretroviruses to African rhinos and the close relatedness of the viruses to rodent viruses, particularly those of African rodents, suggests that African rhinos were infected by an exogenous viral variant and their genomes colonised in Africa. The work is published in the scientific Journal of Virology.

Retroviruses such as the causal agent of aids, HIV-1, are unique among viruses in that they have to integrate into the DNA of the host as part of their replication cycle. If this happens in the germline in spermatocytes or oocytes, they can become a part of the host genome that is inherited by the following generation and then are present in every cell of offspring bodies. This evolutionary process has happened so often that on average up to ten per cent of the mammalian genome is made up of retroviruses or their remnants. A previous study of available genomes from horses and their relatives suggested that they, along with rhinos and tapirs, had not been invaded by gammaretroviruses, a group of viruses related to mouse and bird viruses that have successfully colonised most mammalian genomes.

"We had data from several rhino species where we kept finding large portions of gammaretroviruses. When we used much newer and more complete reference genomes from modern and extinct rhinos we found that only African rhinos had been colonised" says Dr Kyriakos Tsangaras lead author of this study.

Together with colleagues from Australia and Germany the scientific team found that in fact two different viral groups had colonised African rhinos. One of them had only colonised the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and not the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and was evolutionarily younger than the one shared by both. As both groups are restricted to African rhinos the study suggests that the African rhino lineage was infected and their genomes colonised in Africa, and that is why the respective gammaretroviruses are not found in Asian rhinoceros and other rhino relatives.

"This ultimately comes down to lack of high-quality reference sequences of wildlife," says Prof Alex Greenwood, head of the Wildlife Disease Department at the Leibniz-IZW. "While things have improved a lot since the first human genome was sequenced, you miss things such as viral history when the databases lack so many species or high-quality reference genomes from many species. It is really another example of why we need more genome reference sequences from wildlife because we don't know what other things we are missing and which conclusions we draw about presence and absence of sequences that may turn out to be a consequence of too little information."
A new paper from the University of Bristol rewrites the history of the darkest, most bizarre event in the history of palaeontology.

In New York, in May of 1871, the partially built, life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures destined for a prestigious new museum in Central Park were totally destroyed in a violent act of malicious vandalism by a gang of thugs with sledgehammers. The shattered pieces were carted away and buried somewhere in the park, never to be seen again.

Until now, the heinous act had been tributed to former American politician William 'Boss' Tweed.

But now, a new paper from Ms Victoria Coules of Bristol's Department of History of Art and Professor Michael Benton of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences sheds new light on the incident and, contrary to previous accounts, identifies who was really behind the order and what drove them to such wanton destruction -- an odd man known as Henry Hilton, the Treasurer and VP of Central Park.

"It's all to do with the struggle for control of New York city in the years following the American Civil War (1861-1865)," said Ms Coules. "The city was at the centre of a power struggle -- a battle for control of the city's finances and lucrative building and development contracts."

As the city grew, the iconic Central Park was taking shape. More than just a green space, it was to have other attractions, including the Paleozoic Museum. British sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who had created the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, the life-size models of prehistoric creatures in London -- had travelled to America and was commissioned to build American versions of the models for the Paleozoic museum.

But the notorious William "Boss" Tweed had taken command of the city and, in sweeping changes to the city's governance, put his own henchmen in charge of city departments -- including Central Park. They cancelled the partially complete project in late 1870, and there the matter would have lain but in May 1871 someone ordered the gang of workmen to destroy all of its partly finished contents.

Professor Benton explains: "Previous accounts of the incident had always reported that this was done under the personal instruction of "Boss" Tweed himself, for various motives from raging that the display would be blasphemous, to vengeance for a perceived criticism of him in a New York Times report of the project's cancellation."

"Reading these reports, something didn't look right," Ms Coules said. "At the time Tweed was fighting for his political life, already accused of corruption and financial wrong-doings, so why was he so involved in a museum project?" She added, "So we went back to the original sources and found that it wasn't Tweed -- and the motive was not blasphemy or hurt vanity."

The situation was complicated by two other projects in development at the same time in Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the Central Park Zoo. But, as Professor Benton explained, "drawing on the detailed annual reports and minutes of Central Park, along with reports in the New York Times, we can show that the real villain was one strange character by the name of Henry Hilton."

Ms Coules adds: "Because all the primary sources are now available online, we could study them in detail -- and we could show that the destruction was ordered in a meeting by the real culprit, Henry Hilton, the Treasurer and VP of Central Park -- and it was carried out the day after this meeting."

Hilton was already notorious for other eccentric decisions. When he noticed a bronze statue in the Park, he ordered it painted white, and when a whale skeleton was donated to the American Museum of Natural History, he had that painted white as well. Later in life, other ill-judged decisions included cheating a widow out of her inheritance, squandering a huge fortune, and trashing businesses and livelihoods along the way.

Professor Benton concluded: "This might seem like a local act of thuggery but correcting the record is hugely important in our understanding of the history of palaeontology. We show it wasn't blasphemy, or an act of petty vengeance by William Tweed, but the act of a very strange individual who made equally bizarre decisions about how artefacts should be treated -- painting statues or whale skeletons white and destroying the museum models. He can be seen as the villain of the piece but as character, Hilton remains an enigmatic mystery."
It often was thought that the speed of information transmitted among regions of the brain stabilized during early adolescence. A study in Nature Neuroscience by Mayo Clinic researchers and colleagues from the Netherlands found transmission speeds continue to increase into early adulthood.

Because problems such asanxiety, depression and bipolar disorders can emerge in late adolescence and early adulthood, a better understanding of brain development may help clinicians offer therapies to treat these disorders.

"A fundamental understanding of the developmental trajectory of brain circuitry may help identify sensitive periods of development when doctors could offer therapies to their patients," says Dora Hermes, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic biomedical engineer and senior author of the study.

Called the human connectome, the structural system of neural pathways in the brain or nervous system develops as people age. But how structural changes affect the speed of neuronal signaling has not been well described.

"Just as transit time for a truck would depend on the structure of the road, so does the transmission speed of signals among brain areas depend on the structure of neural pathways," Dr. Hermes explains. "The human connectome matures during development and aging, and can be affected by disease. All these processes may affect the speed of information flow in the brain. "In the study, Dr. Hermes and colleagues stimulated pairs of electrodes with a brief electrical pulse to measure the time it took signals to travel among brain regions in 74 research participants between the ages of 4 and 51. The intracranial measurements were done in a small population of patients who had electrodes implanted for epilepsy monitoring at University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands.

The response delays in connected brain regions showed that transmission speeds in the human brain increase throughout childhood and even into early adulthood. They plateau around 30 to 40 years of age.

The team's data indicate that adult transmission speeds were about two times faster compared to those typically found in children. Transmission speeds also were typically faster in 30- or 40-year-old subjects compared to teenagers.

Brain transmission speed is measured in milliseconds, a unit of time equal to one-thousandth of a second. For example, the researchers measured the neuronal speed of a 4-year-old patient at 45 milliseconds for a signal to travel from the frontal to parietal regions of the brain. In a 38-year-old patient, the same pathway was measured at 20 milliseconds. For comparison, the blink of an eye takes about 100 to 400 milliseconds.

The researchers are working to characterize electrical stimulation-driven connectivity in the human brain. One of the next steps is to better understand how transmission speeds change with neurological diseases. They are collaborating with pediatric neurosurgeons and neurologists to understand how diseases change transmission speeds compared to what would be considered within the normal range for a certain age group.

The research is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (R01MH122258).
An Israeli television series has provoked widespread controversy after it recognised the fact that Palestinians were deliberately expelled from their land in order to create the Zionist state. Graham Usher reports from Jerusalem

From Al-Ahram Weekly archives: Fifty years of dispossession 1948-1998*

Last week, Israelis tuned in to watch the latest episode of Tkuma (Hebrew for "Resurrection"), a 22-part televised history of Israel being shown on Israel's Channel 1 TV to commemorate the State's 50th anniversary.

The entire series has been controversial, especially earlier episodes which showed how the establishment of Israel was at least partly realised through the deliberate expulsion of Palestinians from their lands in what had been, prior to 1948, mandate Palestine. But the latest episode succeeded in causing an outrage even before it was aired.

Entitled the "Path of Terror - Biladi, Biladi ("My country, my country"), the programme looked at the emergence of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) as a national movement advocating and practising armed struggle as a strategy to liberate Palestine. It began with a 1969 interview with Yasser Arafat vowing that "Palestinians will return to their homes" and ended with some archive PLO footage of Palestinian guerillas evacuating Beirut in 1982 to the strains of the Palestinian national anthem, "Biladi, Biladi".

In between, nine Israelis and six Palestinians gave contrasting interpretations of such events as the killing of nine Israeli athletes by the PLO's Black September movement at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the 1978 Camp David accords signed between Egypt and Israel and Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

For most Palestinians, the episode was largely a conventional Israeli reading of the years 1967 - 1982, though some admitted that in allowing Palestinians to speak of their own history there was at least an attempt at balance.

"Tkuma has shown bits and pieces of the real history, but not the complete history," PLO spokesman Bassam Abu Sharif said. Israeli reviewers associated with the Labour and Meretz parties also saw the "Biladi" documentary as an attempt to place the PLO's armed resistance (or "terrorism," as the Israeli interviewees insisted on calling it) in the wider context of Palestinian nationalism, so as to "know the motives of the other side in the war, the side we will have to make peace with in the not too distant future," as the retired army general, Shlomo Gazit, expressed it in Israel's Yediot Aharonot newspaper on 6 April. Yet, for other Israelis, any attempt to understand the PLO as a nationalist phenomenon rather than a "terrorist" one proved a transition too far. Nor was their criticism limited to reviews.

Prior to "Biladi's" screening, the episode's writer and director, Ronit Weiss-Berkowitz, received death threats and hate calls accusing her of being an "Arab lover" who "glorified terrorism". On the day of transmission, Israel's High Court of Justice heard a petition from a Jewish Organisation dedicated to "protecting the state of Israel's identity".

It called on the Court to ban the entire Tkuma series for "twisting history and making Israel the aggressor and not the victim". The Court threw out the petition on the grounds that it was not the "censor" of the Israeli Broadcasting Association (IBA). Communications Minister Limor Livnat also lambasted the programme, warning ominously that she looked forward to the day when the IBA would "carry out its duty to produce a Zionist broadcast which doesn't purport to represent only the Palestinian side".

Why the furore? For Tom Segev - one of Israel's "new" historians who has done pioneering research on Israel's early years - Tkuma was bound to be controversial because it deals with history. And "history in Israel is a sensitive subject in ways that politics is not," he says. This is because "Zionism is a particular interpretation of Jewish history. So, in addressing this history, Tkuma is addressing the most basic ideological and existential discourses of Israeli society."

Another "new" Israeli historian, Ilan Pappe, agrees. He believes that the fuss whipped up by Tkuma is due less to the answers it provides - which are couched in traditional Zionist terms - than to the questions it poses. "The very language Tkuma uses to describe Israel's establishment is provocative to many Israelis," he says.

"The series refers to the war of 1948 rather than the liberation of 1948. It talks about the expulsion of Palestinians from their lands. It concludes that the expulsion was morally justified, but it no longer disputes that expulsion took place. This is to strike at one of the founding myths of Zionist history."

And this - according to the Israeli writer, Arie Caspi - is what has triggered the various attacks on the Tkuma series and its makers. Writing in Ha'aretz newspaper last week, Caspi says that "the anger at Tkuma is rooted in the fact that the series ruins the denial mechanisms we [Israelis] have developed to repress the wrongs done to Arabs during the establishment and growth of the state". In commemorating Israel's Jubilee, "Tkuma's critics would have preferred a history without [Palestinian] refugees, without a military government, without occupation and, indeed, without Arabs at all."

Tkuma thus reveals -- however partially -- that in the end such denial can be no defense against history, and that until the Palestinian question is fully acknowledged, there can be no solution for the future.

* This article was published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 16 April 1998



This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weeklys special pages commemorating 50 years of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe when Israel was created on 15 May 1948. These pages, published in 1998, were part of a year-long series of articles documenting the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli struggle, as well as that of Palestinian dispossession and exile.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov visited Egypt this week to mark the 80th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Egypt and Russia and to promote Russian-African cooperation.

During a press conference at Russian Cultural Centre in Cairo, the 39-year old cosmonaut said he was ecstatic to realize his dream of seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza.

I used to see the Pyramids - and the High Dam - during my space flights from above, but I have finally visited them in person, Kud-Sverchkov.

Egypt is full of history, monuments and ancient civilization," he added.

Russia is looking forward to cooperation with Africa in the field of space. Egypt, with its size and international standing, is able to play a strong role in supporting and developing Russian-Egyptian-African cooperation.

Kud-Sverchkov also described during the press conference some of his experiences in space.

I trained for 10 years before he I was assigned to my first major venture into space, explained Kud-Sverchkov, who graduated with honours in 2006 from Moscow State Technical University with a degree specializing in rocket engineering.

The Soyuz MS-17 mission in 2020, which lasted for 186 days, was an experience that changed the course of my life, he added.

In May 2020, Kud-Sverchkov was assigned to ISS Expedition 63/64 as a flight engineer, launching aboard Soyuz MS-17 on 14 October 2020 alongside Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov, commander of the Soyuz MS spacecraft, and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins.[6]

The Soyuz MS-17 followed a 2-orbit rendezvous and docking procedure to dock with the Rassvet module of the ISS 3 hours and 3 minutes after launch.

It was the first time a crew reached the ISS in less than 4 orbits and approximately 6 hours.[7]

After the Soyuz MS-17 mission, Kud-Sverchkov compiled a pioneering childrens book on the history of space travel.

'A Future Together'

The delegation of the Russian journalists that accompanied Kud-Sverchkov included veteran TASS news agency journalists Andrey Sitov and Irina Mandrykina.

Sitov pointed that he is promoting a project during his visit to the country, which is titled, "Egypt-Africa - We Start a Future Together".

"We wanted to attract attention to the project through accompanying the famous Russian cosmonaut on his trip to Egypt, he said.

"Africa has many natural resources and treasures; the project aims to reinforce the opportunities of cooperation between Africa and Russia in economic, trade exchange and business, Sitov said.

I visited many African countries such as Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa. I wanted to understand how to help Africans achieve food security as well as explore ways to cooperate with African countries in the field of space" he explained.

Sitov said he would be part of a Russian delegation that is participating in the Russia-Africa Summit, which will be held in July 2023 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

On Wednesday, the Russian journalists took part in a round-table discussion that was organized by the Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities, led by Sherif Gad.

The round table explored Russian accomplishments in the field of space and the prospects of Egyptian-Russian cooperation in the field.

During the event, Mandrykina explained that the printed press in Russia faces the same problems faced by the printed press in the world since there is growing interest in the electronic press.

The electronic press is more lucrative but any prestigious newspaper must keep a printed copy," she asserted.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, dozens of people gathered outside of the Merte Center for the Arts at Las Positas College in Livermore, waving flags adorned with crosses and signs dotted with exclamation points.

Stop! Complicating Childrens Lives! read one sign. Education not indoctrination / No to queer culture, read another.

The crowd had gathered to protest a drag queen story hour, one of 19 events held during Las Positas Colleges third annual Literary Arts Festival. The event, Drag Queen Storytime for Kids & Kids at Heart, featured local queens Ava Lashay and Avery Night.

The protest was organized by Bay Area Against Mandates, a group founded by then-high schooler David Reddy in late 2021 to protest vaccine and mask mandates. Now 18, Reddy said the group has since embraced a larger suite of causes, many of which fall under the blanket category of what he calls anti-indoctrination  opposition to critical race theory and queer culture being taught at schools, for instance.

Susie Neilson/The Chronicle

Queer media advocacy group GLAAD documented 166 anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting drag-related events from early 2022 through April 2023, featuring white nationalists and religious extremists. Many of these events turned violent, including a July 2022 story hour in San Lorenzo at which members of the Proud Boys neo-fascist group stormed into a library shouting homophobic slurs.

But Bay Area Against Mandates flyer stressed that the protest should be peaceful, and by and large it was. While the hours-long event featured several tense confrontations between protesters and counterprotesters, no physical confrontations had occurred by 3:30 p.m., when the story hour ended.

Even so, the protesters presence upset several Las Positas students and community members, who called it a sign of intolerance and a deliberate inability to separate sexual behavior from queer identity.

As a queer person, seeing this kind of thing makes my blood boil, said Jesse Naranjo, shaking with emotion. There are queer kids, and I know, because I was one. Theres not anything inherently sexual about being queer; its just a state of being.

Naranjos peer and fellow counterprotester, Aidan Taylor, said the size and enthusiasm of the days protest didnt surprise him. A former conservative himself, Taylor said he had a change of heart in the past several years and become more inclusive.

Your sign is absolutely true! Kelle Gouveia said to a counterprotester whose sign read, Hate has no place at Las Positas.

And we dont hate, Gouveia added. I actually love them more than I think they love themselves.

Gouveia said she came to the protest because she was standing for the Lord. The counterprotesters standing across from her arent bad people, she said  they are simply lost, collateral damage of the departure from a faith-based nation to one where we become our own gods and do our own will. She wants a nation where leaders have integrity, standards and boundaries, she told The Chronicle.

Church and the state should be together, Gouveia said.

Susie Neilson/The Chronicle

Many other protesters seemed to echo Gouveias worries about the erosion of faith in the U.S. and the rise of queer culture and acceptance. At one point, a man wearing a khaki bucket hat knelt down and prayed beside a chalk drawing that said, Jesus Loves Trans Kids. Another protester held a sign that read, One nation under God stands!!! See how we are falling? Fast! A significant number carried Christian flags; many others wore Christianity-themed T-shirts or hats.

Inside the Mertes Center for the Arts, professors and students largely appeared to be trying to ignore the protest and enjoy the festival, a bustling event featuring local author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Tommy Orange as its keynote speaker. A basket at the presenter check-in table held homemade buttons with the Progress Pride flag, and several festivalgoers wore rainbow apparel such as skirts and dog tags.

Susie Neilson/The Chronicle

Ten minutes before the drag queen story hour began, a little girl sat on the ground of the schools concrete entryway next to the counterprotesters, drawing a rainbow in chalk.

The girl was the daughter of Catherine Garoupa, whod come to the story hour with her two daughters, ages 7 and 10, and her sister, Las Positas English teacher Meghan Swanson-Garoupa, whose 5-year-old daughter also joined.

We think this (story hour) is beautiful to expose our kids to, Garoupa said. Love is love, and people are people.
Chris Carlson/Associated Press

A 65-year-old Sunnyvale woman died after her car crashed into a tree in Mountain View on Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities responded to the scene around 6:45 a.m. after the woman, who was driving a white Nissan Rogue on northbound Highway 101 near the Ellis Street overcrossing, lost control of the car and hit the center divide before bouncing back to the right and colliding with the tree, the CHP said. She died from her injuries while being transported to a hospital, officials said.
The firing and pending departure of a Black woman as director of diversity, equity and inclusion at De Anza College in Cupertino after less than two years in the job has become the latest clash over the implementation of anti-racism policies on U.S. campuses.

Tabia Lee received a letter in March saying her contract would not be renewed in June because she was uncooperative with colleagues, unwilling to accept constructive criticism and unlikely to change. Lee is a vocal critic of many of todays diversity and inclusion practices, and many colleagues at the school said she belittled their racial justice initiatives.

Lee said she fell victim to woke excesses in the campus anti-racism drive that she could have corrected. Her detractors said she undermined, rather than uplifted, diversity efforts.

Lees ouster quickly became a focus in the nations culture wars, and Lee accepted her role with relish. She wrote an essay called A Black DEI Director Canceled by DEI for Compact, a new magazine that opposes the ideology of liberalism, and made her case on Tucker Carlsons Fox News show before Carlson, who has mocked campus diversity initiatives, was fired.

I am willing to speak to anyone that is willing to speak to me, Lee said, noting that Carlson was the first to invite her on the air. She said she is neither a liberal nor a conservative, but a scholar, a teacher, a humanist and learner.

Lee said she will fight to keep her job as faculty director of De Anzas Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education, which she has carried out remotely since the fall of 2021. Her job description at the public community college of 16,000 students is to promote a commitment to equity, social justice and multicultural education and create an inclusive campus environment within an institution-wide transformation.

Critics said Lee sought to transform the college in the wrong direction. Groups representing Latino and Asian Pacific American employees urged the districts Board of Trustees to remove her, contending that she subverted anti-racism initiatives by opposing everything from their efforts to gain more say in campus governance to their use of the gender-neutral term Latinx. In a letter to the college, Lee cited research suggesting the word has little support among Latinos themselves.

Its not clear to what degree De Anza understood, when it hired Lee, that she was part of a community of critics of many of todays diversity and inclusion efforts, who often argue that focusing heavily on racism while trying to undo it can worsen the problem. Neither a college spokesperson nor a representative from the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, which oversees the school, responded to requests for comment or to specific questions.

Having a DEI employee take the positions shes taking is very unusual, Jennifer Hochschild, a professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and an expert on race and politics, said of Lee in an interview.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Lee is a founding member of an organization called Free Black Thought, which seeks to amplify vital black voices that are rarely heard on mainstream platforms, according to its website. In her Compact essay, she wrote: My crime at De Anza was running afoul of the tenets of critical social justice, in which campus employees see the world in terms of unequal identity-based power dynamics that must be exposed and dismantled.

One of the ways Lee ran into trouble at De Anza, she said, was to resist stating her preferred pronouns, an increasingly common practice in schools and businesses to show solidarity with transgender and nonbinary people.

I was one of the early proponents of gender pronouns, she told The Chronicle. But staff began to talk about starting every meeting by saying your pronouns. Every class. I said that sounded like compelled speech, and I have a problem with that. She said the practice made some of her nonbinary and gender-fluid friends uncomfortable.

Yet the defining moment of her tenure, Lee said, occurred during a staff meeting weeks after she arrived. She said she was explaining how the group could use Google Docs to collaborate and share agendas when a staff member told her to stop what she was doing.

I was told, What you are doing right now is you are whitespeaking and whitesplaining,  Lee said. She said she felt jarred not only because she is Black, but because her accuser told her she was being transactional and therefore supporting white supremacy. (The person who Lee said made the accusation did not respond to an interview request.)

The incident seemed consistent with what she saw later at two professional development events on campus, Lee said. She shared screenshots of posters equating white supremacy culture with several actions and characteristics, including power hoarding, worship of the written word and sense of urgency, and said these were presented during the trainings.

Provided by Tabia Lee

Lee said she believes she is being fired because she rejects an ideological approach to diversity that is so narrow it excludes some groups  such as Jewish students who feel marginalized  because theyre white. There is an effort on campus to de-center whiteness, which generally means avoiding portraying white people as predominant or superior. But it goes too far at De Anza, she said: People are put into racialized categories. Everyone is either a victim or an oppressor.

Criticism of Lee at De Anza heightened last June, when six members of the De Anza Latinx Association and the Asian Pacific American Staff Association urged the Board of Trustees to remove her. The employees offered criticisms ranging from Lees rejection of the terms Latinx and Filipinx to her description of ethnic affinity groups as tribalism, which one speaker called heavy with racist connotations.

Lees positions are adversarial and hostile towards our districts and colleges values on anti-racism, social justice and equity, Erick Aragon, co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Staff Association, told the trustees, adding that Lees views create a hostile work environment.

Maristella Tapia, a sociology instructor and member of the De Anza Latinx Association, said Lee had repeatedly advocated to remove the language of anti-racism from institutional documents, arguing that anti-racism is harmful and divisive ideology.

To add insult to injury, counselor Noemi Teppang of the Asian Pacific American Staff Association told the trustees, Lee dismissed certain employees as woke do-gooders.

None of the speakers responded to interview requests.

Lee has indeed referred to colleagues as woke, a term that has emerged as one of the most polarizing in modern political vernacular. In a 13-page critique of De Anzas new educational master plan, for example, she condemned the plans use of the invented Woke racialized term Filipinx  because it was being applied to a group of people by Woke do-gooders on their behalf. Lee used woke as a negative adjective 13 times.

Although woke was born in the Black community to describe an awareness that racism continues to drive injustice, it has been co-opted by the right to condemn a range of causes, including transgender rights, and to criticize the left as self-righteous.

In Lees telling, a hiring committee warned her that De Anzas equity office was a little too woke before she got the job. I assured them that I was not, Lee said she told the committee. I think thats why I was attacked from the beginning. Because I declared myself not woke. 

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Asked what the word meant to her, Lee avoided expressing an opinion and said it had different meanings in different contexts. She pointed to a survey she conducted to learn the needs on campus, which asked people to define woke. The range of answers, she said, included being proud of who I am to fight against the racism and patriarchy that made this country and a ridiculous focusing on constantly seeing racism and oppression everywhere.

Lee had a doctorate in education and years of experience when she arrived at De Anza in 2021. Born in the Central Valley, she spent a decade teaching in Los Angeles public schools before becoming an education consultant, according to her resume. She designed curriculum for a few years at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont but left in 2020 when the private college shut down its undergraduate program. She went on to develop courses and faculty training programs at the College of San Mateo before landing at De Anza.

At De Anza, Lee said, she got pushback for what she described as her effort to treat all groups equally. For example, she urged the college to uppercase white as it does Black when referring to race, pointing to a recommendation by the National Association of Black Journalists.

Some of the strongest opposition came when she argued against giving a vote in the Academic Senate to formal affinity groups  including her own Black Faculty, Staff, and Administrators Network  on grounds that unrepresented racialized groups, as she put it, dont get that vote. She lost both arguments.

An ally, computer science instructor Ron Kleinman, said, Lees story is that shes a very independent person who really believes in equity  but she doesnt agree with the groups shes supposed to be fighting for. Shes more inclusive.

One disagreement about Lee touched on a broader national debate over the role of antisemitism in anti-racism initiatives, and whether American Jews belong under the umbrella of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or whether they dont by virtue of the fact that most are white and more economically secure, in the words of the Jewish News of Northern California.

After Jewish students complained about feeling unwelcome on campus, Lee invited Sarita Bronstein, executive director of Hillel of Silicon Valley, a chapter of the global nonprofit that supports Jewish students, to share recommendations with the schools Equity Action Council, which supports multicultural education.

During Bronsteins remarks, Lee said, an Equity Action member dropped names of pro-Palestinian groups into the Zoom chat, while another, a professor, made distracting comments about a chef who had worked for the Nazis, and about the practice of pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving, according to a screenshot Lee shared with The Chronicle.

Bronstein said her recommendations  including condemning antisemitism on De Anzas anti-racism page and considering Jewish holidays in planning the academic calendar  went nowhere. Fall classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 25, which is Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Lee went on to organize a Jewish Inclusion & Anti-Semitism Community Education Summit on campus. When Lees critics asked the trustees to oust her, Jorge Morales, a counselor from the Latinx Association, referenced her support for Jewish students. He said she was placing individuals with institutional and structural privilege and power on the same footing as marginalized groups. Morales did not respond to an interview request.

As Lee encountered opposition on campus, she found support from outside critics of modern anti-racism initiatives, including the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, or FAIR. Its advisers include former Fox News host Megyn Kelly; journalist Bari Weiss, who often critiques what she calls the strident left; linguist John McWhorter, a self-described cranky liberal Democrat; and Abigail Shrier, a writer known nationally for asserting that transgender adolescents are part of a dangerous craze.

This month, Lee appeared on a webinar hosted by FAIR, whose founder, Bion Bartning, has said, I dont think its the schools place to teach our children to be race-conscious.

The idea that someone Black in a diversity position would align with FAIR and its race-neutral approach is unusual, said Hochschild, the Harvard professor. Being color-blind is a big red flag. It says, Dont think about race, just like whites dont think about whiteness. 
Hundreds of visitors crowded around Union Square on Saturday, their phones and cameras pointed toward a stage as a steady drumbeat rang across the block. Eyes glued to the performers, those in the crowd simultaneously gasped, as if on cue.

The performers, lion dancers with the Leungs White Crane troupe, had stuck the landing, yet again. In their glittery silver lion costume, the dancers leaped over and balanced on about a dozen small platforms of various heights, each one with just enough surface to stand on. As every graceful hop barely but decisively landed, the audience sighed with relief and burst into applause.

The dancers were just one of many performances that captivated visitors at the 30th annual Taiwanese American Cultural Festival in San Francisco, which also featured small businesses owned by Taiwanese Americans that sold art, pottery, books and the most popular offering, food.

Were trying to showcase Taiwanese and Taiwanese American culture, said Stephen Liu, the vice president of finance for Taiwanese American Professionals, the events host. Its more than just boba. Were trying to showcase even more of what Taiwan has to offer.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

In remarks during the opening ceremony, Taiwanese leaders from around the Bay Area shared Lius hopes that the festival would not be only be a gathering place for the Taiwanese community, but also a celebration of its contributions.

Yang Shao, a Fremont City Council member, invited the attendees to immerse themselves in the cultural offerings  a benefit, he said, of living in a place as diverse as the Bay Area.

Today, its not only a celebration, but an embodiment of the strength, resilience and value of the Taiwanese community, he said, hoping that the event gave people the opportunity to learn from each other, grow from each other and celebrate each other.

Approximately 48,000 people of Taiwanese descent live in the Bay Area, U.S. census figures for 2019 showed. Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is an island nation off the coast of China that has declared itself independent of China since 1949.

Calvin Ho, who read a statement from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said the congresswoman thanked the organizers for their dedication to promoting and uplifting Taiwanese and Taiwanese American identity.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

In doing so, you represent San Franciscos most cherished values of inclusivity and equity, while underscoring the importance of strengthened relations between America and Taiwan, Pelosis statement said. Taiwan continues to be a key ally in peace and security, a global leader in economic dynamism and a model of democratic governance.

Attendees immersed themselves in the cultural offerings. Those not standing in snaking lines for Taiwanese food watched the elaborate performances, including dancers, Chinese yo-yo, a childrens choir and acrobats from the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. The acrobats thrilled those watching as they leaped through hoops, balanced on each others hands and, at one point, leaped over volunteers from the audience who lay on the ground, and flipped in the air as they did so.

Friends Helen Wang, Jessica Kung, Sara Hua, Shengjie Zhou and Alexandria Sheng came from various parts of the East Bay to attend the festival in celebration of Shengs birthday. The women, who snacked on noodles and frozen green mango as they watched the performances, said they hadnt been to the festival before, but liked attending Asian cultural events around the Bay Area.

I really like to shop small businesses, and these kinds of events are such a great way to see different vendors, Hua said.

One popular booth at the event was Cultural Roots Nursery, which sells Asian heritage vegetables, herbs, fruit, trees and seeds, and teaches how to tend to those plants.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Founder Li Schmidt, who is half Taiwanese, said that she was inspired to start the company in 2020 to bring culturally important foods and plants to the Asian American community.

Through this process, I realized how hard it is actually to access these types of plants, she said. Like this bitter melon, you would never find that at another plant nursery.

While her nursery is based in Winters near Sacramento, she said she is happy to bring her offerings to the Bay Area, where she used to live, as the plants remind so many Asian Americans of home.

They really, really light up. Some people even cry, she said. Its very touching.
At a rally on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse in Oakland to condemn the mass incarceration of Black women, Betty McKay, who spent 27 years in the California prison system, told me she had a simple way of looking at the issue:

The justice system just doesnt care about us, McKay said.

McKay provides assistance to formerly incarcerated women, be it by connecting them to rehabilitation or mental health services, as a member of the Essie Justice Group, which hosted the rally. The nonprofits mission is to help women who have loved ones in prison.

On Thursday, as part of a national annual #FreeBlackMamas campaign, the nonprofit announced it had bailed out two Black mothers and caregivers in California  one in Alameda County who, because her case is still open, couldnt speak publicly, and another in Los Angeles County  so they could spend Mothers Day with their families.

This shouldnt feel like a luxury in America. Theres a reason it does.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Black womens incarceration rate has far outpaced that of Black men in recent decades, yet mass incarceration is still seen through a masculine lens, and Black women are often forgotten victims of the countrys unjust criminal justice system.

If Americas war on drugs illustrated how mass incarceration is the new Jim Crow, then Black women are the face of the new Jane Crow, a crisis that has a devastating impact on families that rely on Black women  including cis women, trans folks and gender nonconforming individuals  to be primary financial and emotional caregivers.

Mass incarceration is this hidden hurdle facing Black women and holding Black women back by a huge number whether theyre incarcerated or not, Gina Clayton-Johnson, founder and executive director of Essie Justice Group, told me after the event. The nonprofit is named after Clayton-Johnsons great-grandmother.

Clayton-Johnson referenced some harrowing numbers from the Massachusetts-based think tank Prison Policy Initiative, including how 80% of women in jails are mothers. Nearly 60% of women in prisons are also mothers.

To put this in a larger context, from 1980 to 2021, the number of incarcerated women jumped by 525% in the U.S., according to the nonprofit the Sentencing Project, which advocates for justice system reforms.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

This inequity is clear in California where, based on a 2021 report by the California Budget and Policy Center, Black women recently made up 26% of women incarcerated by the state. Black women account for only 6% of the states overall population of woman.

Data also shows many Black women remain in jail longer than most simply because they cant afford bail while awaiting trial. In California, the $50,000 median bail amount is five times the national average, according to the Essie Justice Group.

We have set up a system that criminalizes poverty, said Assembly Member Mia Bonta, who spoke at the rally.

Since 2017, the Essie Justice Group has bailed out 14 Black mothers at a cost of $1.9 million, which they largely cover through donations. The women are able to be with their families while awaiting trials to determine their freedom. The nonprofit has announced these bailouts on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse every year since 2019.

During this four-year time, not a damn thing has changed. This criminal legal system is still hell bent on  caging our Black mamas simply because they cannot afford to purchase their freedom, said Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods. Dont get it twisted. This is not about public safety  this is about a system built on money, built on power, built on racism, built on white supremacy.

The harms of the system have not lessened today, with 1 in 2 Black women in the U.S. having an incarcerated loved one, according to the Essie Justice Groups data.

Speaking at the rally on behalf of women the Essie Justice Group has helped in recent years was Shaundrika Price, a mother who was bailed out of Lynwood Womens Jail in Los Angeles by the organization last year.

Price, like others at the event, called on local and state leaders to invest more in drug rehabilitation centers, mental health treatment, affordable housing programs and economic opportunities in Black communities, as opposed to continuing to lock up Black women whose lack of access to these services often leads them to being incarcerated.

Price was making the point that Black women dont need punishment. They need healing.

When you have someone who has these kinds of needs and you just cage them like theyre animals, you end up making the problem worse. The system is failing us, she told me.

Black women in this country have been targeted by and have managed to navigate a justice system where the odds of being treated fairly are always stacked against them.

Price told me shes fortunate to be home this Mothers Day.

Its heartbreaking to think how, on this day, many other Black women, moms, and caretakers wont have the same chance.
California Highway Patrol

A 29-year-old Dallas man died after his car drove off a cliff along Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County, the California Highway Patrol said Saturday.

The crash occurred around 3:25 p.m. Friday when a northbound 2017 Subaru Outback traveled off the roadway for undetermined reasons north of Scott Creek Bridge in Davenport, the CHP said. The Subaru overturned multiple times and came to a rest, partially submerged in the Pacific Ocean, the agency said.
A luxurious postpartum retreat center, the first of its kind on the West Coast, is coming to San Francisco this summer.

Dubbed the Village Postnatal Retreat Center, the space will take over an entire floor of San Franciscos upscale Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill. It aims to be a place where mothers can take a few days after birth to unwind from the experience, get pampered, receive support from lactation experts, take newborn care classes and more.

But, like most luxury retreats, the experience has a substantial price tag.

Exact figures are yet to be released, says Village co-founder Jennifer Darwin, who is a professional nurse and doula  a trained professional who provides guidance during birth  and also owns Golden Gate Doula Associates. Darwin said the experience will likely be offered at $950 a night.

The fee will cover lodging in one of the hotels king suites, 24/7 access to postnatal care specialists and doulas, lactation support, in-room massages, foot baths, facials, an on-site nursery and other services. Some of the costs can be reimbursed through insurance, employee benefits or paid for through HSA accounts, Darwin said.

The retreat is scheduled to open in July, but in the week since its soft launch, Darwin said, it has been getting multiple inquiries a day and has amassed a waiting list of more than 50 people.

The idea, she said, has been a long time coming. After working as a birth doula for a few years, Darwin said she realized that the postpartum period  even more than the perinatal period  was when people really struggled.

Birth is one to two days, but postpartum is a lifetime, she said, adding that she noticed many of her clients were feeling overwhelmed after their babies were born by everything from breastfeeding to the emotional toll of sleepless nights and balancing child care with their own medical recoveries. I really wanted to be able to offer them something.

Darwin originally wanted to launch the retreat center in 2017, but a business adviser told her to focus on building her village people before doing so: lactation consultants, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and other support personnel who play vital roles in postpartum care.

At first, she went out in search of a 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom house but found nothing like that available in San Francisco. For a while, she was looking at small boutique hotels  until the COVID pandemic began and put everything on hold.

Last Mothers Day weekend, a similar venture called Boram Postnatal Retreat opened in New York City, also occupying a floor of the similarly-luxurious Langham Hotel. There, mothers are offered many of the same services The Village is advertising, but at a price tag of $1,300 to $1,400 a night, according to the New York Times.

Were the first on the West Coast, she said.

Darwin said shes noticed the East Coast launch has already generated a buzz that has traveled all the way to San Francisco. She said clients have asked her: Why dont we have a retreat center like this?

When The Village opens in July, itll offer mothers three-, five-, or seven-night plans and a choice of spa packages. Information sessions will be offered on topics like breastfeeding and infant CPR, and there will be a momma lounge where new mothers can mingle and get support.

Spokespersons from the Fairmont did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Kat Wade/The Chronicle 2007

At the center, the mothers will also have access to postpartum-oriented meals including bone broths, hearty soups and stews, whole grains, and a range of other foods rich in iron and that promote lactation, Darwin said.

Partners and spouses are welcome to stay with the mothers and explore their own spa packages, but their meals will probably look different, she said. Darwin emphasized the importance of making the retreat a place not just for recovering mothers but also for their partners, who are often an afterthought in hospital settings, she said.

They just had a baby too! she said, referring to the partners. They also have access to the gym, so the partners can work out. And theres a full bar. We want to pamper them as well.

Though expenses are in the eye of the beholder, Darwin said she believes the fee is a fair offering considering what Golden Gate Doulas  and other doula services  charge for an eight hour overnight shift alone. Families pay about $600 a night for doula services, she said.

Nancy Myrick, a certified midwife and the director of the San Francisco Birthing Center, said she was thrilled to hear about the launch of the new postnatal center, considering how challenging the postpartum period is for new mothers and how few avenues there are to support them.

Postpartum care in the United States is sorely wanting, she said. Its really a shame that we do not support people after theyve had babies, really systemically, in any way. Im hoping this will be a place where people can get the support and care that they need.

Birth providers, for instance, are increasingly seeing poor rates of breastfeeding, Myrick said  a problem fueled by hospital birth settings where people stay for only up to 48 hours, get sent home, and arent seen again for another six weeks. Birth centers like hers in San Francisco offer three home visits in the first week to check in on the mother and child and to support breastfeeding, she said.

This lack of attention and support in many hospital settings often leads mothers to a crisis mode, where they dont know where to turn as they navigate things like sleeplessness, lactation issues or postpartum depression  or all of those at once.

Doulas at the San Francisco Birthing Center encourage mothers not just to come up with a birth plan, but a postpartum plan, Myrick said.

In a lot of traditional communities, essentially the person who gives birth, the mother doesnt do anything for a month and everybody takes care of her, she said.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also noted such differences in a 2018 report calling for a revamp of postpartum care in the United States.

In many cultures, it said, a 30 to 40-day period of rest and recovery is prescribed, during which new mothers and infants receive constant support from family and community members.

These traditions have been sustained by some cultural groups, but for many women in the United States, the six-week postpartum visit punctuates a period devoid of formal or informal maternal support, the report said.

It recommended that all women have contact with their obstetric care provider within the first three weeks postpartum, followed up with ongoing care as needed, concluding with a comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks after birth.

It also called for revamping health insurance coverage policies so that postpartum care is reimbursed as an ongoing process, rather than an isolated visit  putting more services within reach of women who cannot afford to pay solely out of pocket.

At the Fairmont, of course, women will be paying a fee  and that fee is unaffordable for the large majority of people, said Myrick.

But, if you can normalize this need, hopefully other ways of funding can follow, she added. This is a first step.

The Fairmont center will launch on July 1.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

For generations, doctors and midwives believed when women experienced stress during pregnancy, it could harm fetal development.

But it wasnt until relatively recently that scientists uncovered evidence showing just how much stress during pregnancy  and stress from long-ago childhood trauma experienced by mothers  can harm the mental and physical health of moms and their children.

Bay Area researchers have been at the forefront of much of this work, finding that maternal stress is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety in children, and a higher likelihood of children becoming overweight or obese.

Hearteningly, they are also finding there are ways to blunt some of the harmful health effects of stress on mothers and children  and many of these measures can be taken outside a medical setting.

UCSF studies published over the last few years, for instance, show there are health benefits to mindfulness interventions during pregnancy: Bay Area women who attended an eight-week training program on mindful eating, breathing and movement saw reductions in stress, depression and diabetes. And their babies recovered faster from stressful situations compared to the babies of mothers who did not attend the training.

The Chronicle spoke to UCSF maternal health researchers Nicole Bush, a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry; Amanda Norona-Zhou, assistant director of Division of Developmental Medicine; and Markita Barideaux, co-director of UCSFs Embrace program, which provides perinatal care for Black families. Here are four things they want you to know about maternal stress and strategies to cope:

Mindfulness exercises

Some of the same mindfulness exercises that can help the general population boost wellness also help pregnant women and their children.

The eight-week UCSF mindfulness training focused on ways to increase daily movement through stretching and walking; stress reduction by being aware of ones emotions, breathing and thoughts; mindful eating, such as being aware of emotions that lead to reactive eating; and nutrition.

Women who participated reported lower rates of depression at the one-, two-, three-, four-, five-, seven- and eight-year marks, according to one study published last year. By year eight, 12% of the women who underwent the training reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms, compared with 25% of the women who did not. The study was one of the first to follow the women and their children for such a long period of time.

While the mindfulness program was tailored to the mostly low-income women of color in the study, the researchers believe these same practices can benefit a broader population as well.

These are easily accessible skills almost anyone can pick up, that are now being popularized and taught in schools with children, Bush said.

Breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma

For mothers, having a history of childhood or other trauma is linked to a higher risk for passing the consequences of that stress onto kids  but there are ways to break the cycle.

Maternal stress from childhood trauma, intimate partner violence and prenatal stress is associated with behavioral health problems in their children. But recent research shows that parents who have knowledge of childhood developmental milestones  knowing what to expect from their childrens behavior at certain ages  and practicing sensitive, supportive and nurturing parenting behavior can help lower that risk.

Its not destiny, Bush said.

Seeking social support and community

Seeking social support has consistently shown to help the mental health of moms and children.

One of the biggest predictors of physical and mental health is having a network of social support, and that applies to mothers as well. Women in particular face pressures to be everything for everyone and should be encouraged to seek out help if they need it, the researchers said.

In addition to being an amazing worker, mom and homemaker, moms are expected to be a strong woman and a strong mom, Norona-Zhou said. Its okay to reach out for support if youre not doing well. One really consistent theme across prenatal programming of baby health is when women have solid social support, thats a huge buffer for her mental health and her childs mental health.

One way this is playing out locally is at UCSFs Embrace program, which offers group prenatal sessions for families with similar due dates. After the birth families continue to get postpartum support in a group setting until their child turns three.

Our goal and hope is through that intentional infrastructure, they will build those relationships and those will sustain beyond us providers putting that in place, Barideaux said.

Access to mental health and caregiver benefits

Access to mental health and wellness programs for caregivers and their children is improving for many Californians.

Starting last January, Medi-Cal, the public health insurance program for low-income Californians, began covering whats known as dyadic services  health care services meant to benefit caregivers and their child as a pair. Caregivers can now access certain screening and counseling for adverse childhood experiences, a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation and other mental health services as part of their covered health benefits.

Separately, a state law that went into effect last year, dubbed the Momnibus bill, enacted a number of changes meant to reduce the high infant and maternal mortality rates among women of color, particularly Black and Indigenous families. It funds medical training for a midwifery workforce, extends Medi-Cal postpartum coverage, and makes financial assistance more accessible for low-income pregnant people.

And starting in 2025, California will increase the amount of money low-wage workers can receive under the states paid family and medical leave program. This will mean that some low-income workers who currently recoup 60% to 70% of pay when they take time off to care for a new baby or family member will see that rise to 90% of pay.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Gov. Greg Abbott has won a new term.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales is the next Bexar County district attorney.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz wins re-election.

Republican Dan Patrick has won another term as lieutenant governor.

Ken Paxton declared the winner in race for Texas attorney general.

Republican Rep. Will Hurd has won another term.

Two of three controversial charter amendents in San Antonio win approval; a third is defeated.

Update 2:30 a.m.: At about 2 a.m. it appeared that the race between Republican incumbent Rep. Will Hurd and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones had taken a surprising Dewey-Truman twist. With a reported 100 percent of the vote counted, Jones led Hurd by 282 votes. But by 2:30 a.m. Hurd retook the lead when Medina County reported new numbers for one precinct. Secretery of state election officials said Medina County had failed to update the precinct. With that update, Hurd moved forward by 689 votes.

One of three controversial city charter amendments proposed by the firefighters union was defeated Tuesday. San Antonio voters decided against Proposition A, which would have made it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates. But voters approved the other two: Proposition 2, which will cap the city managers salary, and Proposition C, which will give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations will be taken into binding arbitration. Of the three, Prop C was the closest, with 183,732 (50.78 percent) voting for it and 178,109 (49.22 percent) voting against it.

Update 11:45 p.m.: After a spokeswomen hinted at conceding the race, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones briefly met with reporters and made similar comments. What was said, however, appeared to be short of a concession.

I am extremely proud of the campaign that my team and I have run, Jones said. Its been an amazing opportunity to give voice to the issues that matter to Texans all across Texas 23. Its been my honor to speak with communities and to really think about how best to serve these communities. So while it didnt shake out the way we would want we ran a campaign that we are proud of and that really reflected Texas values. 

And with that she left the building, refusing to answer any follow up questions.

Her Republican opponent, incumbent Rep. Will Hurd, called his victory the largest seen in over two decades in his district in a speech to his supporters.

Ted Cruz leads Beto ORourke by a 3.1 percent margin with 6,974 of 7,949 precincts in.

Update 11:20 p.m.: Gina Ortiz Jones spokeswoman Noelle Rosellini read a short statement that sounded like a concession.

Although this wasnt the outcome that we wanted, the work and the groundswell of support, the people that turned out ... they have all built a foundation for Democrats to win in Texas, she said.

The stage and podium had been completely dismantled and most of the volunteers were heading out the door by the time Rosellini met with the press.

With 73 percent of the vote in, incumbent Republican Will Hurd led 50.1 percent to 47.9 percent.

After finishing the statement, Rosellini refused to take any follow up questions.

Just before 10:30 p.m., after supporters had been waiting for more than three hours, Hurd walked into the hotel ballroom to cheers and applause as Queens We Are the Champions played.

Upon taking the stage with his campaign team, Hurd thanked Ortiz Jones and her supporters for getting into the arena and engaging in the competition of ideas and called upon people from across the political spectrum to work together.

Hurd credited his staff and volunteers with what he called a historic win for the notorious swing district, despite a toxic political environment. Their strategy, he said, relied on dispensing with conventional wisdom.

We achieved the largest victory this district has seen in over two decades, Hurd said, to a round of applause. We achieved this largest victory in a political environment that ended the careers of dozens of my colleagues.

Update 11:05 p.m.: Voters now favor Proposition C, which gives the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration. Both C and Proposition A, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, had been losing.

Proposition A continues to lose with 83 percent of all precincts reporting. Proposition C had been very close, with slightly more against it than for it.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily with nearly 59 percent of the vote.

Ted Cruz continues to hold a 2.9 percent edge in the race for Texas Senate with 78 percent of all votes counted.

Update: 10:38 p.m.: Ted Cruz holds a 2.9 percent edge in the race for Texas Senate with 67 percent of all votes counted.

In Texas 2, the Houston area, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Dan Crenshaw, a Republican who was recently the butt of a joke on Saturday Night Live, easily defeats Democrat Todd Litton and two other candidates.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. John Culberson trails Democrat Lizzie Fletcher with 86 percent of the vote reported in Texas 7, also in the Houston area.

Another Houston Republican, Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, wins a new term, however, hell be in the minority if the Democrats take the House as projected.

Update: 10:20 p.m.: Propositions A and C continue to lose with 62 percent of all precincts reporting. Proposition C is very close, with 49.74 for and 50.26 against.

Proposition B is winning handily, with 58 percent of the voters in favor.

County Judge Nelson Wolff is coasting to another term with 57 percent of the vote, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Paul Elizondo is winning with 66 percent, and state Reps. Donna Campbell and Lyle Larsen are en route to new terms in the Legislature.

Update: 10:05 p.m.: With 56 percent of the vote in, Sen. Ted Cruz maintains his slight edge over Beto ORourke. Many of the votes in ORourkes stronghold of El Paso County have been counted.

Republican Chip Roy continues to lead Democrat Joseph Kopser in Texas 21 with 64 percent of the vote counted.

Republican incumbent Will Hurd leads Democratic challenger Gina Ortiz Jones with 44 percent of the vote counted.

Update 9:44 p.m.: The Associated Press projects Ted Cruz the winner in Texas Senate race. Cruz holds a 51.3 percent to 48 percent edge in statewide voting with 38 percent of all precincts reporting.

Update 9:37 p.m.: Propositions A and C were losing with 31 percent of all precincts reporting, while Proposition B was winning easily. Sen. Ted Cruz began to pull away in the Texas Senate race, with 51.1 percent of the vote, his best margin of the night. Around 36 percent of all precincts had reported.

Both MSNBC and Politico were projecting Cruz to defeat Beto ORourke.

Republican Chip Roy had 50.8 percent of the vote compared with his challenger, Joseph Kopser, who had 47.4 percent with 95 of 396 precincts reporting in Texas 21.

In Texas 23, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones had a razor-thin lead over her Republican foe, incumbent Will Hurd.

Update 9:18 p.m.: Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, is the apparent winner of the race to be the next Bexar County district attorney.

Republican Tylden Shaeffer, also a defense attorney, conceded moments ago.

After early voting results were released, Gonzales was ahead by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent.

At Gonzales election party, the mood was lively as the votes were tallied. Dozens of supporters  many of them adorned in Joe Gonzales for District Attorney apparel  talked among themselves as Gonzales made his way around the room shaking hands and giving hugs.

In the meantime, Sen. Ted Cruz took the lead over Beto ORourke with 24 percent of all precincts reporting. ORourkes stronghold of El Paso County had not reported its votes in. Cruz held 50 percent of the votes versus 49 percent for ORourke.

Elsewhere around the state, Webb County Interim Elections Administrator Jose Salvador Tellez told the Laredo Morning Times that the polling site at Texas A&M International University in Laredo opened late, at 7:30 a.m., because the election judge slept through her alarm.

Update 9:01 p.m.: With 12 percent of all ballots cast, Bexar County reported that Beto ORourke had collected 58 percent of the area vote in his Senate challenge to Ted Cruz, while Republican Chip Roy was ahead 50 to 48 percent over his Democratic foe, Joseph Kopser.

In the race for Texas 23, incumbent Republican Will Hurd carried 52 percent of the Bexar County vote to Gina Ortiz-Jones 46 percent.

Incumbent Democrats Henry Cuellar and Lloyd Doggett were winning seven in every 10 Bexar County votes.

Nelson Wolff was headed to another term as Bexar County judge with 57 percent of the vote over his principal challenger, Republican Tom Rickhoff.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, who was netting 80 percent of the Bexar County vote, was in a celebratory mood Tuesday night.

Man isnt this a lot better than 2016? He said to cheers. Every countywide judicial Democrat is winning.

He later praised Beto ORourke for what he called an almost exclusively positive campaign to unseat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, saying, The perception is that (Texas) is the face of hyper-partisanship. Who would have thought 20 months ago that a Democrat would be leading in the early voting?

Update 8:43 p.m.: In Bexar County judicial races, from probate to district courts, the early voting had Democrats winning virtually every race by 8 to 10 percentage points.

One of the earliest leaders was lawyer Oscar Kazen, who is trying to unseat Republican Probate Court No. 1 incumbent Kelly Cross, who was once Kazens boss and unceremoniously fired him in 2016.

The early votes had Kazen leading Cross 57 to 42 percent, with just over 400,000 votes counted.

In the Texas Senate race, Beto ORourke held 50 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Ted Cruz with 6 percent of all precincts reporting. Libertarian Neal Dikeman had 1 percent.

Inside a ballroom at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade, several young children wearing red and gray Will Hurd for Congress shirts ran in circles in front of a small stage flanked by the Texas and American flags. It was after 8 pm and Hurd had not yet arrived at his campaigns watch party, but dozens of supporters chatted and milled about as music played from speakers.

Summer Knowlton, a 19-year-old political science major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, voted for the first time last week after volunteering for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC that works to elect Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives.

With so many younger voters turning out to vote when they typically do not, Knowlton said, its even more important to me to stick hard to my beliefs, which include the desire for immigration reform, low taxes and keeping Texas red. In talking to voters the past week, Knowlton said many people she talked to said they had already voted or were on their way to do so, reflecting this years surging early voting numbers.

Gina Ortiz-Jones was polling 50 percent of the vote with 16 percent of all precincts reporting, while Hurd had 49 percent and their Libertarian challenger, Ruben Corvalan, had 1 percent.

While Knowlton said she was fairly confident that Hurd would prevail, she added that many in the room were concerned about what would happen in the close Senate race between Cruz and ORourke.

Im kind of nervous, she said.

Update 8:33 p.m.: Propositions A and B are losing, while Proposition B is winning, with 57 percent in favor. Joseph Kopser and Chip Roy are still neck and neck in Texas 21, with Gina Ortiz Jones slightly ahead of Will Hurd in Texas 23.

Update 8:23 p.m.: Bexar County elections officials say 128,030 voters cast ballots as of 7:15 p.m. and there could have been more in line. That pushes Bexar County's total turnout to more than 543,000 voters, which is unprecedented for a midterm election and there are still more mail-in ballots that will be counted Wednesday. Elections officials are also reporting that people are still in line to vote at the Dellview polling site.

Early results: Three controversial charter amendments supported by the firefighters union and blasted by a wide cross-section of community leaders, perhaps the hottest items on the local ballot, were getting mixed support based on early voting results.

Propositions A and C, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, and give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration, respectively, were losing in the early and mail-in vote.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily, with 57 percent of the vote.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, led the race for Bexar County District Attorney after early voting results were released Tuesday evening.

Gonzales led the race with 58 percent of the early vote in his bid against Republican Tylden Shaeffer, a defense attorney who has promised to be tough on crime and put violent offenders behind bars.

More than 57 percent of those casting ballots early did so on a straight-Democratic ticket.

That helped power an early commanding lead for Senate challenger Beto ORourke over Sen. Ted Cruz, with the Democrat taking close to 60 percent of the vote with early and mail-in ballots from Bexar County.

Libertarian Neal M. Dikeman trailed in third place.

Statewide, the Associated Press reported that ORourke was slightly ahead of Cruz, with 1 percent of all precincts reporting as of 7:49 p.m., or a little more than 3.3 million votes.

In other contentious races Republican Chip Roy edged his Democratic challenger Joseph Kopser for Rep. Lamar Smiths District 21 seat, with Libertarian Lee Santos in a distant third. There was a total of 415,292 early and mail-in ballots cast in the county.

Incumbent Republican Will Hurd led Gina Ortiz Jones, a Democrat, in District 23, commanding more than half the vote, with Libertarian Ruben Corvalan in third. In other congressional races, Reps. Henry Cuellar and Lloyd Doggett, both Democrats, established early commanding leads over their challengers in Districts 25 and 35, respectively.

Democrat Lupe Valdez was well ahead of Gov. Greg Abbott, with 52 percent of the vote, while their Libertarian Party challenger Mark Tippetts got less than 2 percent of the early and mail-in vote in Bexar County.

Another Democrat, Mike Collier had 55 percent of the Bexar County early and mail-in vote over Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Libertarian Kerry McKennon netted just over 2 percent. Attorney General Ken Paxton was well behind his Democratic challenger Justin Nelson, who collected close to 60 percent of the early and mail-in vote.

Libertarian Michael Ray Harris had a little over 2 percent of those ballots.

In the battle for Bexar County judge, incumbent Nelson Wolff took a comfortable lead over Republican Tom Rickhoff, holding 57 percent of the early and mail-in votes, with Libertarian Lauro Bustamante in third place with 3 percent.

Three controversial charter amendments supported by the firefighters union and blasted by a wide cross-section of community leaders, perhaps the hottest items on the local ballot, were getting mixed support.

Propositions A and C, which would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates, and give the firefighters union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken into binding arbitration, respectively, were losing in the early and mail-in vote.

Proposition B, which would cap the salary of future San Antonio city managers and impose a term limit, was winning easily, with 57 percent of the vote.

More than 57 percent of those casting ballots did so on a straight-Democratic ticket.

Democrat Joe D. Gonzales, a defense attorney who has passionately advocated for criminal justice and bail reform, led the race for Bexar County District Attorney after early voting results were released Tuesday evening.

Gonzales led the race with 58 percent of the early vote in his bid against Republican Tylden Shaeffer, a defense attorney who has promised to be tough on crime and put violent offenders behind bars.

Early voters supported the Southwest Independent School Districts $75 million bond by a 2-1 margin. It is not projected to increase the tax rage. Major projects include renovations to Southwest High and Scobee Middle Schools and a new natatorium.

Almost 54 percent of early voters in Southside ISD, however, rejected that school districts $17.25 million bond although it too is not expected to increase tax rates. Most of the money would build a new indoor facility for band, dance, cheerleading, Reserve Officers Training Corps and community use.

In South San Antonio Independent School District, incumbents are trailing their challengers for all three contested seats with only early votes counted.

In District 1, Mandy Martinez, 34, is ahead of incumbent board president Angelina Osteguin, 44, with just under 60 percent of the early votes. In District 3, Homer Flores, 46, leads incumbent Edward Mungia, 25, and Gilbert Rodriguez, 45, is ahead of board member Luis Rodriguez, 65, for the District 6 seat.

The incumbent board members have pointed to their experience helping turn the district around during their campaigns, while their opponents are calling for change after a failed tax ratification election and the closure of three schools in the last two years.

A near record number of people cast early and mail-in ballots in Bexar County this fall, a mark that fell short of the total in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency but was above what officials have seen in typical midterm elections.

Trumps name wasnt on the ballot, but he was certainly on the minds of those who streamed to the polls, including first-time voter Maria Velayo.

Im not into politics until lately. Ive been constantly watching a lot of news and seeing whats really going on in our nation, Velayo, 44 of San Antonio said outside the Great Northwest Library.

Not only the rallying, but the way he handles the policy, the problems for our country; not only the border but so many other things, too many to say, she added. So in general I dont like him.

Staff Writers Gilbert Garcia, Rich Marini, Bruce Selcraig, Emilie Eaton, Peggy OHare, Alia Malik, Vincent Davis, Krista Torralva and Liz Teitz contributed to this report.

sigc@express-news.net
Zelenskyy will hold midday meetings with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who staunchly backs the military and other aid for Ukraine and President Sergio Mattarella.

Zelenskyys exact schedule wasnt being publicly announced because of security concerns, and the Vatican only confirmed a papal meeting shortly before the Ukrainian president's expected arrival in Rome.

Italian state television reported that as part of protective measures, a no-fly zone was ordered for Rome skies and police sharpshooters were strategically placed on high buildings.

Meloni met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv shortly before the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

Francis, eager for peace, last met with the Ukrainian leader in 2020.

The pontiff makes frequent impassioned pleas on behalf of Ukraine's martyred" people, in his words.

At the end of April, flying back to Rome from a trip to Hungary, Francis told reporters on the plane that the Vatican was involved in a behind-the-scene peace mission but gave no details. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed such an initiative.

The German government, meanwhile, said it was providing Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

The announcement Saturday came as preparations were underway in Berlin for a possible first visit to Germany by Zelenskyy since Russia invaded his country last year.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin wants to show with the latest package of arms that Germany is serious in its support for Ukraine.

Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes, he said.
Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership.

Read more about our transparency and ethics policies
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Kiara Johnson, 17, lives at the Regal-Hi apartments on High Street in East Oakland  for now.

She doesnt have the money for next months rent. She cant rely on parents  her dads dead and her moms in prison. For work, she begs for shifts in a liquor store.

She cant support her older brother, who wont get a job, or care for Trevor, her 9-year-old neighbor, whose mother has disappeared. So, Kiara has started doing sex work.

How does she cope? She walks around Oakland.

When there is no choice, she says, the only thing you have left to do is walk.

Kiara Johnson isnt real. Shes the fictional central character and narrator of the novel  newly out in paperback  Nightcrawling, by 21-year-old Leila Mottley.

Nightcrawling has become a bestseller, with a page-turning plot involving sex trafficking, housing displacement, mass incarceration and a police scandal. But the books real magic is how, in a story full of so many horrors, Mottley conveys very deep affection for Oakland and its struggling people.

I found the novel so compelling that I devoted a day and night to walking the same thoroughfares that Kiara roams in East Oakland, the large, diverse side of the city southeast of Lake Merritt.

Mottley wrote her manuscript, in the summer of 2019, just after she graduated from high school. But the streets where Kiara spends her time have not much changed.

From the Fruitvale BART Station, I headed first to High Street, where Kiara lives.

It was just as Mottley describes it:

High Street is an illusion of cigarette butts and liquor stores, a winding rail to and from drugstores and adult playgrounds masquerading as street corners. It has a childlike kind of life, like the perfect landscape for a scavenger hunt  with the funeral homes and gas stations, the street sprinkled in houses with yellow shining out the windows.

In the 2900 block, I came across a ramshackle apartment building with a name suspiciously similar to Kiaras  the Royal-Hi, rather than the Regal-Hi of the novel. The Royal-Hi seemed in better shape. It didnt have a swimming pool at all, much less one filled with poop, like its fictional counterpart.

At the top of High, I cheated, taking a rideshare to San Antonio Park, which is as lovely as Kiara describes it in the book. Then I began a long walk, heading more than 50 blocks down International Boulevard, deeper and deeper into East Oakland.

I didnt spot any sex workers. I did encounter various men, some of whom appeared to be living on the streets. And I saw the mix of taquerias, churches, liquor stores and housing Mottley depicts  International Boulevard is a weave through every kind of East Oakland living, as Kiara narrates it.

I didnt see the wide variety of people that the novel describes on the sidewalks. Business owners told me that street traffic hasnt really recovered from COVID.

By early evening, I was feeling tired, and hot, even after a day far cooler than what Im used to back home in Southern California. But I kept walking, as Kiara advises: I think about each step and repeat to myself: heel, toe, heel, toe. Makes it easier.

The setting got rougher when, still on International, I crossed 70th Avenue, entering the part of Oakland the locals call Deep East. The sidewalks were riddled with cracks. There were more people living in tents and far more trash. Damaged cars, some obviously undrivable, seemed to take up every available street parking space.

When I turned down 75th Avenue, on my way to my walks conclusion at the Coliseum BART Station, I was literally walking on broken glass. I couldnt take more than a step or two on the sidewalk without having to dodge it. And so, I started to walk on the street, trying to stay out of the way of cars driving past.

There were people around, mostly on the corners or sitting in front of small homes, but I felt isolated. I could understand why Kiara describes a walk not far from here as the closest thing to being a live ghost. Disappearing into roadside trash and trees that somehow figures out how to grow in Californias eternal drought.

Why cant these streets be in better repair? Why cant these neighborhoods have more resources? Why do we tolerate so much pain in the lives of others? In the novel, Kiara, when asked such questions by a friend, is dismissive.

Life wont give you reasons for none of it, she says.

She has walked every street of her city, and she knows that danger and desire are all just facts of life.

Oakland contains it all, she says. Heartbreak and yearning.
I will miss the quirkiness of San Francisco, which disappeared years ago, but had just started to show a glimmer. I will miss the camaraderie of volunteering with the Police Department. I will miss my beloved baby grand piano (donated to Flower Piano). I will miss my few remaining friends, but most already had moved away.

But I wont miss the anger, the entitlement, the fear of getting our cars window smashed or its catalytic converter cut off and the inability to relax and enjoy life.

So, we purged nearly all our belongings and moved with our golden retriever Bryant to Lisbon, Portugal, this past month.

Lisbon is sort of a San Francisco in the metaverse: hills, trollies, a near replica of the Golden Gate Bridge and great food. But the cost of living is about half. Lisbon has a vibrant downtown and neighborhoods, few street people, almost no crime, a warmer climate, welcoming locals and terrific public transit.

LBGTQ+ rights have been enshrined in the Portuguese Constitution since 2004, and we feel safe here. And there is a significant expat/immigrant community of support.

Learning Portuguese will be a challenge, and finding new purposes in life is daunting.

But I finally feel like I can take a breath and smell the roses as I look out from our charming apartment overlooking the Tagus River.

Jamey Frank, Lisbon, Portugal

Stores have narrow appeal

Crime may be a factor in the closing of Nordstrom and Saks Off 5th in San Francisco, but it seems like thats mostly just an excuse. Have you been in those stores lately? Theres nothing in them  and what is there is expensive, too expensive for most people.

If you create a city that only caters to the wealthy, and if you make life for teachers, nurses and the rest of the middle and working class unaffordable, then you have a place where people can no longer live, and therefore, no longer can shop.

Clearly, this is not sustainable  and is a model doomed to failure.

Judith Mirkinson, San Francisco

Not all is bad in the city

I wanted to share a positive San Francisco experience. My sister and I took a long walk down the Embarcadero to Pier 39, Fishermans Wharf, Aquatic Park and Marina Green. We had lunch at Fog Harbor with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, every table was full of people enjoying themselves.

The city sparkled, people were friendly and restaurants were packed.

Ive lived here since 1975 and have seen many changes. The city is going through a difficult time, but lets remember there is much to love.

Suzie Chang, San Francisco
When my father left India for the first time, in his 20s, his mother bid him farewell with the following words of warning: Take care of yourself  white skin is merciless. Nirday was the word she used. Without daya, pity or kindness. Cruel. She imparted what she knew to be true, brought up with a mere fourth-grade education, leaving school right around the time British troops opened fire on unarmed Indian protesters in a park, an event now referred to as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. She came into adulthood during the fight for independence from British rule. And now, decades later, her son, after cobbling together money loaned from friends and colleagues for the ticket, was heading to England itself, the belly of the beast. What other motherly advice was there to give?

And so Dad did go, first to England and then to America. He and my mom settled in Southern California at a time when word of mouth was the only way to know that the Greek grocer in downtown Los Angeles had an aisle where the daals and masalas they needed were stocked. Or that you had to drive to the mill in Alhambra that sold 100-pound bags of freshly milled wheat flour to keep up with the household rotli consumption. They grinded and struggled in the lonely and only way immigrants do, scrimped and saved until they could sponsor their families and settle them here as well. As the years unfolded, my grandparents, too, joined their sons and daughters and began to make this new place their own.

When my grandmother longed to go back home after some time, to see loved ones left behind, she hesitated. When my father questioned her about why she was so nervous to make the trip back to India, she said, I never should have let you leave India. Now look, all my sons live here. I should have kept at least one son illiterate, so he would have stayed behind and been a farmer. Because, now, if something happens to me when I am there, who will do my Agnidaah? Who will light my funeral pyre?

My father gathered up his mother in his arms and laughingly reassured her, Ba, you wouldnt be so selfish as to keep your son illiterate just so he could be there to light your funeral pyre? Nothing is going to happen to you, but I promise you right now, that if something does, no matter what, I vow that I will be there to light your funeral pyre. Instantly reassured, my grandmother found peace from her inner turmoil and decided to take the trip back home.

When my father got the long-distance call one Friday a few weeks later, that Ba had died, he thought they were referring to his grandmother, who had been ailing for some time. But, no, it was his own Ba who had passed away, untimely and suddenly. In that fog of shock and grief, he recalled his vow to his mother and knew he must go to her.

As he headed out on a Pan Am flight, my mother called the only working telephone number in our village, at the post office, and let them know he was on his way and that his mothers body must not be cremated until he got there. This created its own tension and politics in the village, as all the Brahmins in the village were insistent that the body be cremated instantly, and per their customs, they would not eat until this happened. My fathers nephew pushed back on the pressure, and said, Go hide in the back of your houses and eat if you need to. Nobody will touch this body until my uncle comes here to cremate his mother. It was the height of summer in India, the mango orchards were ripe and the sun was scorching, and there was a body that needed preserving. Our relatives had the ice factory in the county create an extra large slab of ice on which my grandmothers body lay, waiting for her son.

In Hong Kong, my fathers flight had a mechanical issue and broke down. He and his fellow passengers were then flown to Bangkok, where instead of being put on a plane to Bombay, they were told the plane in Hong Kong had been fixed and then were flown back to Hong Kong. My mother called the post office again and implored them to wait a little longer.

The body waited on ice, and the Brahmins got hungrier.

After Pan Am put its passengers up in a Hong Kong hotel for the night, my father headed to Bombay the next day.

The body remained on ice, and the Brahmins grew hungrier and angrier.

Friday had turned to Saturday had turned to Sunday, and my father finally reached Bombay on Monday.

On arrival, not a single ticket remained that day to fly from Bombay to his home state, Gujarat. My father, desperate at the airport, stood on a chair and implored his fellow passengers, I live in America, and I am on my way to perform the last rites for my mother. I will pay whatever you want for your ticket to Baroda. Could someone please hear my plight and let me buy your ticket? Touched by his situation and his plea, a fellow Indian gave up his seat to my father, and a short flight and long car ride later, he made it to his village.

When he arrived, Bas body lay peacefully on ice, amid the unrest of the village Brahmins. My father still remembers with pride that her body was still intact and undisturbed by the delays.

And there, on the shores of his motherland, his mothers land, my father, the eldest son, proceeded to fulfill his duties and perform the final rites for his mother. There, at the crematorium slab overlooking the river he spent his childhood swimming in, he answered the question his Ba had asked him, who will light my funeral pyre?
Politics

spotlight

Safai on his record, challenging Breed in 2024 election

District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai (at lectern) filed paperwork this week indicating that he plans to challenge SF Mayor London Breed (right) in the 2024 election.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai doesnt need a public opinion poll  although there have been plenty  to know that San Franciscans are worried about the direction of The City.

Its what he plans to base his entire campaign on.

Surprising no one in and around City politics, Safai made his bid for mayor in the 2024 election official this week by filing the requisite paperwork with The Citys Department of Elections.

Safai has spent nearly two terms representing District 11, which includes the Excelsior district.

In challenging Mayor London Breed, Safai is betting that San Franciscans are fed up with current City leadership  and find enough to like in his record to win them over.

In response to Safais announcement this week, The Examiner sat down with Safai to discuss the upcoming race. The following interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

Why are you running? Were at a crisis point in our city. The economy is cratering downtown and throughout The City. Crime, brazen crime is on the rise. The homeless situation, street conditions, and the opioid crisis is getting worse, not better. A lot of it has to do with the ability of the executive, the mayor, to lead the city and bring people together.

I think this is a leadership and management issue. Its not a resource issue. And we have a lot of phenomenally smart and talented people that have some great ideas to bring people together to solve some of these problems, but it just has not happened.

Can you cite a specific example in which the current mayor has failed to bring people together? Theres two.

School board members had been recalled; they had been replaced; the school district is in crisis, budget shortfalls, funding shortfalls. And we have this achievement gap that only got worse, not better, during distance learning. And so we came together and created the Student Success Fund. We worked with all different people within education, academia (the Department of Children, Youth, and Families), (the) Unified School District, and organized labor. And, you know, the mayor was not interested in engaging on that. In fact, she was not in support of that measure (Proposition G in November 2022). Ultimately, I was able to work with my colleagues to get that across the finish line. And ultimately, 75% of the voters supported that.

Another example was when we talked about the Tenderloin emergency, she made this declarative statement. Shes like, Im going to come in; this is what were going to do. And then, six months later, she pulled the plug. She didnt go out and build support. She didnt go out and bring people together. Within a few days, there were groups that dealt with the unhoused that were opposed to what she was talking about publicly. And she had to retract. It was a linkage center; then it wasnt a linkage center ... theyve now come back and said were only going to focus on open-air drug dealing. Well, what about the addiction crisis? What about getting people into the treatment that they need?

We have some examples that I helped to lead, which was an abstinence-based alternative sentencing program, moving people away from incarceration and recidivism and into a life of recovery. And I think that is another example of where the mayors not choosing to lead.

I can envision the attack ad now, in which the mayor says, Supervisor Safai is positioning himself as a change in leadership. Hes not a change of leadership. Hes as much of a City Hall insider as anybody is. I think that would be a tough argument to make ... Just (on) a simple question, 75% or more of citizens of San Francisco believe that The City is headed in the wrong direction.

And youre on the Board of Supervisors in that city. I understand that. At the end of the day, 90% of the power in The City rests with the executive ... Members of the Board of Supervisors, we can tweak around the edges, and we can have an impact. But truly, what has to happen in a good, functioning city is for the mayor to bring the board together to find common issues to work on. Lets identify the most important three issues in the city right now. Brazen crime, our homeless situation, and then the third one, I would say, is our housing crisis and the cleanliness of our streets.

So lets go through those one by one. How do you address them differently than the current mayor? With crime, Ive given you two examples: We have to have alternative sentencing so that were not recycling the same individuals in and out of jail; we have to have the appropriate resources. We put together an organized retail crime working group, and we have more shoplifting events in San Francisco per 100,000 residents than any other place in the state of California. We are the epicenter. So if our district attorney is resourced in the right way, then that allows us to focus on how we can force those folks to recover.

Secondarily, were going to do a ballot measure that says were going to move the baseline back up of our police officers. For the last five years under Mayor Breed, those numbers have dropped dramatically every year. You could say this is a statewide, countrywide problem. But other municipalities were able to anticipate this and get in front of it. They werent waiting until we got to a crisis point to submit a supplemental budget request to say, we have to pay for overtime because we have to fill the slots because the Ingleside  in my district, in the Excelsior, in the Sunset  only have four or five officers on duty at any given time. That, to me, is an absolute crisis.

On the unhoused, we have some real creative solutions that need to be expanded. Her (homelessness) department just came out a couple of weeks ago and said, We need an additional $700 million on top of the $700 million that we have, and maybe (then) we can reduce the street unhoused by 15% in five years. One, five. Not fifty ... We have the ability, I think collectively, to do more tiny homes, individual units ... I think it will have a phenomenal impact.

Wednesday night, were going to be at the Mission Inn Hotel. I was the champion on the board for going out buying existing properties and converting them into permanent supportive housing. (There is) nothing quicker and more cost-effective than that.

The last thing I did was Prop C (in November). See, I didnt sit back and wait anymore and say, the status quo is okay. I said, lets bring accountability and oversight. Its mandatory audits for all the money that goes out to all of the nonprofit world and all the providers. How is that money being spent? Is it being spent effectively? And are we doing the right thing? I led that effort. Again, (its) another example of the mayor not working collaboratively, and instead (she) came out in opposition to that. 68% of the voters were in support.

The last one on housing. We have a bill right now that will streamline the site permit process. It will cut down the entitlement and the waiting anywhere between six to 18 months on how fast housing can get built. Were looking at density. Were looking at a whole package of housing initiatives that will help stimulate housing in the city and address the housing shortfall.

As a trained city planner that went to MIT that has been practicing and doing my trade here in San Francisco, we need someone that has that educational training and the ability to have a larger vision for our city. Things cannot be piecemeal.

To what extent is it the mayors responsibility to fix some of these issues that are reflective of broader (trends)? We talked about police staffing  cities around the country are struggling with police staffing. And the fentanyl crisis. Presumably, fentanyl is not being produced in San Francisco, its being shipped in and were not the only city struggling with fentanyl. Downtowns setup certainly pre-exists this mayor, and the economic forces leading to its deterioration are beyond what a single executive can manage. We are an executive-run city. We are a strong-mayor city. And so some of it is absolutely the decision-making from London Breed that contributed to a lot of these.

Two and a half years ago, we started talking about organized retail theft. We put together a task force working group with the chief, the sheriff, the district attorney, and we created legislation to allow for the expansion of law enforcement. Its about identifying the problem. And then coming up with collaborative solutions, not waiting until things get to a crisis point and then saying, Im only one person, I cant make all the decisions on my own.

Ill take for granted that youll get strong support within your district. How do you expand your reach throughout this campaign? Right down there, man (pointing to a labor union rally on the City Hall steps). I come from organized labor. I worked with organized labor for almost a decade. And they are absolutely looking forward to having someone that can speak and fight for and be a voice for working and middle class families. And that has been missing. Same thing with all of the folks that are disaffected in San Francisco; youd have to find a way to be a voice for them, and theres a lot of people that are disaffected.

Im hopeful for San Francisco. Im hopeful for the future, and I really and truly believe that with the right leadership and the right management, we can bring people together to solve these problems. Im not thinking that San Francisco is going to crumble, Im actually hopeful that were going to get it back to a point where were a leading example for other parts of the nation.

Right now, weve lost our way, but we can get back on track.
Bay Area biologists remain uncertain about the status of the regions endangered and threatened salmon species after challenges posed by the recent onslaught of winter rainstorms inhibited their research and may have prevented some of the fish from successfully breeding and laying eggs.

Marin Municipal Water District ecologist Eric Ettlinger told the Marin Independent Journal the historic storms have not only prevented surveyors from monitoring the numbers of coho and Chinook salmon for several weeks but also apparently damaged a number of their spawning beds, which are referred to as redds, in Marin County, home to the largest population of coho salmon from Monterey Bay to the Noyo River in Mendocino County.

Unfortunately, we know of some redds that definitely were destroyed and we suspect that others were destroyed and the eggs washed away, Ettlinger told the Marin Independent Journal.

On the other hand, he noted, the rainfall has provided plenty of water in the creeks and streams where the fish hatch and spawn, helping some of them to survive and reproduce, though exactly how many were able to do so is still unknown. At last count, Ettlinger and his team recorded 99 coho egg nests in Lagunitas Creek, a 24-mile stream where the fish spawn every winter. That number is higher than in past years but still considered below average.

Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

Coho salmon have experienced a serious decline since the mid-20th century, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, due to threats such as loss of habitat, overexploitation (which occurs when fish are harvested beyond the speciess capacity to repopulate) and interaction with hatchery-raised fish, as well as climatic factors such as lack of precipitation. Spawning season typically happens in December and January, and though thousands of coho salmon once made their way to the Bay Area, only a couple of hundred now return each year because of dams that have been preventing the migratory fish from swimming upstream.

Surveyors are hoping to have clearer answers regarding changes to the population by this summer, when they plan to look for, count and identify juvenile salmon. Ettlinger said record numbers of the coho smolts  more than a thousand in Olema Creek  appear to be heading out to the ocean and could lead to significant numbers of returning adults if they do survive.

[Were] waiting with bated breath, Ettlinger told the Marin Independent Journal. Im really looking forward to seeing how many of the young coho survived the stormy winter.

San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst N/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Imag

Last month, federal officials announced the closure of the 2023 commercial and recreational salmon fishing season in California and Oregon due to the crashing populations of Chinook salmon, the main species harvested in California, according to the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN). The Chinook salmon population has dropped to 170,000, down from a million or more 30 years ago, the organization said.

West Coast salmon are bearing the brunt of a series of problems, said Preston Brown, director of watershed conservation for the organization, in a news release last month. Decades-long issues are coming to a head for salmonthese include the widespread damming of important rivers and streams, wetlands and forests converted to farms and cities, radical swings of weather patterns, and the attempt to replace wild fish habitats with hatcheries. Added to that is the pollution of waterways caused by road-runoff and pesticides.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife subsequently announced it would provide about $36 million in funding toward restoration efforts.

So far, most counts of salmon egg nests are considered below average or low in Marin County. Ettlinger said he and his team have recorded about 153 adult Chinook salmon in Lagunitas Creek between November 2022 and the start of the storms, the largest number of Chinook salmon spawners since the district began counting in 2001, but all of their eggs were likely swept out by the rain.

Experts hope the fishing season cancellation will help promote the comeback of the species  and that federal and state disaster aid will continue to buoy local fishers for the time being.

The closure is a short-term strategy to help stabilize the decline status of ocean chinook salmon, said Ayano Hayes, a watershed biologist with the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, in the news release. We must do what we can now to support the present fisheries from becoming further threatened, as the central coast coho salmon are already critically endangered.
STAMFORD  Washington Boulevard is a constant safety hazard in town, and has seen more fatal accidents in the past five years than any other street in the city.

In hopes of making it less dangerous, the city and the state will host a public meeting May 16 to get residents' suggestions. The meeting is planned for 5 p.m. in the Whittingham Discovery Center, just off Washington Boulevard in Mill River Park.

Officials will give a brief presentation about a roadway safety study of Washington Boulevard being conducted by the City of Stamford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. However, the focus of the meeting will be on residents' comments, said Luke Buttenwieser of the Stamford Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department.

"It's not meant for the city and state to come up with ideas per se," Buttenwieser said. "It's more so for us to gain feedback from the community on how they feel and experience the road."

Since February, city and state officials have been working on a roadway safety study of the state-controlled road, which cuts vertically through Stamford's downtown and South End neighborhoods. The project was announced weeks after a motorist  who police say was driving while intoxicated  killed two pedestrians as they were crossing Washington Boulevard at Broad Street on their way home from work.

In the past five years, 18 fatal crashes have occurred within Stamford, not including accidents on Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway, according to city officials. Four fatal crashes happened on Washington Boulevard  more than any other street. Three of the four crashes involved pedestrians.

The study focuses on the portion of road between Hoyt Street and Station Place, which abuts the Stamford Transportation Center. The area encompasses the city's central business district and commuter traffic near the train station, Buttenwieser said.

Any change to a state-owned road such as Washington Boulevard requires sign-off from the state Department of Transportation, which is funding the study.

Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said that costs for road safety audits range from $12,000 to $50,000 "depending on the corridor length and complexity."

"Costs are still being determined for Washington (Boulevard)," Morgan said in an email.

According to the project's website, the study focuses on the safety of the roadway's most vulnerable users  pedestrians and bicyclists.

"By improving safety for the most vulnerable, safety improves for all," the site reads.

Officials will analyze various sources of data, including crash history, roadway geometry, and pedestrian and bicycle usage, among others. A final report will detail short, medium and long-term recommendations for roadway safety enhancements.

Community feedback is a central part of the process, Buttenwieser said. For those who wish to share feedback online, a public survey linked on the website has already recorded more than 330 responses.

"The next steps after the public meeting is a technical walkthrough, where it's going to be staff from various departments at the state and city walking the corridor. And that's where we're going to be giving a more technical look, and the whole idea is to have the public's comments in mind when we do that," Buttenwieser said.

For those driving to the meeting, the Whittingham Discovery Center is located within Mill River Park. Two handicapped spots on Washington Boulevard connect to a granite pathway next to the center. Otherwise, officials recommend metered parking and the Summer Street Garage.

Includes prior reporting by Brianna Gurciullo.
Forty-two-year-old Spanish chef Alberto Lozano always has a good story to tell. In a WhatsApp audio message from Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago where his restaurant is located, the first thing he says is: Yesterday I served dinner to Tom Cruise. The Mission Impossible people have been here for two weeks, and its crazy. Ill talk to you as soon as I can. The next day he makes time to contact us again.

Lozano has been a cook since he was 16 and says he got started in the culinary world because he didnt study. I was a loose cannon. My father found me a restaurant in Albacete, Spain, to work in over the summer and to disabuse me of the idea of becoming a chef, but the opposite happened, explains the chef at the restaurant Huset. Afterward, he went to try his luck in Mallorca and Ibiza and finally settled in London, where he worked at The Epicurean and prepared food for the VIP area of a nightclub in the English capital. Soon after, he decided to return to Spain. I returned to Albacete to open a mushroom bar, which worked very well, and then I set up a restaurant with the same concept, called Chantarela. With the 2008 [financial] crisis, I closed [my restaurant] and went to the French Alps to work for a Swedish company that has hotels halfway around the world.

He was hired as the head chef there and stayed for 10 years. I spent the winters in the Alps and the summers in Corsica. Then I was promoted and became responsible for all things culinary at all the groups hotels, he recalls. A year ago, the Norwegian company Hurtigruten contacted him and offered him a job in Svalbard. Hurtigruten runs all the ferries in the Norwegian fjords; it has several hotels along with Huset, Svalbards oldest building, dating back to the 1950s; Lozanos restaurant is located in that edifice.

Svalbard is an archipelago in northern Norway, one of the planets northernmost places. There are more polar bears here than people, Lozano says. Its an inhospitable place, but it has very high-quality tourism. And there are incredible things [here] like the seed bank at the end of the world, which attracts many visitors, he explains. It is currently the high season in Svalbard, and the chef says that a lot of visitors come to make expeditions on snowmobiles. In the summer, a lot of boats come to see the large cetaceans [marine mammals like whales and dolphins], which gather here because of the Atlantic current, the chef says.

King crab lollipops, mayonnaise with powdered crab shell and parsley foam in an image provided by Huset. Timo Virmavirta

Extreme conditions

Svalbards extreme conditions have led Lozano to creatively make up for the lack of local ingredients, resulting in what he says is zero-kilometer cuisine. We try to use local proteins. In the winter season, there is no fishing, hunting or anything else. Thats why we keep all the products we can produce in summer and ferment them to have local products in the winter, he explains. The chef works with local hunters and fishers and picks mushrooms and plants for supplies. Its prohibited to do that, but we have a license. Everything here is very regulated and protected. For example, you cant go off the village roads, he adds.

Nor can one take just any seed. But one day in the kitchen, Lozano had an epiphany as he was opening some white partridges that the hunters had brought him. I saw that they had seeds in their craw, and it occurred to me to use them. So, we cured [and] dehydrated them, and I put them on top of a homemade butter. It was exquisite and stayed on the menu, he says proudly.

Homemade butter and mustard with cured seeds from the craw of white partridges, in a photo provided by the restaurant. Timo Virmavirta

Because of local constraints and the need to achieve self-sufficiency, the Huset team is in the process creating a greenhouse inside the building to grow their own plants with seeds from the island and others from outside. They have also started a project for cooking plankton with Beatriz Albiol, a Spanish applied biologist who did her thesis at the University Centre in Svalbard. We already have some dishes with plankton on the menu, such as dark chocolate bonbons filled with phytoplankton and lavender. But wed prefer not to have to buy it and instead catch it directly ourselves; Im organizing [that project] with the local company Green Dog.

Thats one of 16 dishes on the 150 tasting menu; with a wine pairing, it costs over 300. We have one of the best wine cellars in Scandinavia, with over a thousand [wines]. And he says that, despite making his living off tourists, his neighbors also fill the restaurants tables. There are 2,500 people living here and we earn good salaries. The locals come here a lot because they love seeing the products cooked in different ways and discovering different spins on beets or celeriac.

A seaweed waffle with smoked seal, pickled currant and flowers. Photo provided by Huset. Timo Virmavirta

Lozano says he doesnt miss working with Spanish ingredients. The lack of product variety pushes me to develop [food] in a different, more astute way. For example, we cook seal, which is the Arctics protein. We cure it, pickle it, smoke it and serve it as a fillet on a seaweed waffle with pickled currants and flowers. Cod is another representative product of his cuisine. We use all of it. We confit the skin and extract its collagen to make a sauce with the bones and heads infused in seaweed. Nothing is thrown away here, he says. In fact, in his spare time he looks for fossils to use later in dishes and garnishes charcuterie with reindeer bones. You have to make the most of what little there is. However, Huset is never short on Spanish olive oil. And now Im going to make a black rice [dish] full of Arctic products, shrimp from here, sea urchins, scallops, he says excitedly. But I have to confess that there is one thing I do miss: going out. and walking into a bar with 25 tapas on the [menu]. Phew... I miss that.

-Have you felt lost here?

-Just the opposite. Loneliness helped me find myself in the kitchen.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
NEW HAVEN  The city didnt have an organized community for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders until about two years ago when aapiNHV was founded.

Now, organizers said, the group has created an infrastructure for a stronger sense of community for those identifying as such  with three focuses: storytelling, supporting small businesses and mental health.

That has meant so much in my own understanding of my Asian American identity, of my own internalized racism or shame or what community is, said Christian Kim, one of the five founders. Having my kids really celebrate and be proud of it in a way that I never experienced before.

The aapiNHV group, founded in March 2021, exists against a backdrop of a 27 percent increase in the Asian population in Connecticut in the past decade, according to the U.S. Census, and as a response to an uptick in hate crimes against Asian people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past two years, the 15 volunteers and more than 100 members have been doing activities such as virtual listening sessions on their experiences as an Asian, movie nights, potlucks and outreach with local businesses.

Caroline Tanbee Smith, another founder, said the group is constantly evolving to respond to changing needs within the community.

For example, when the group started, many businesses impacted by the pandemic faced language, technology or knowledge barriers to access the Small Business Administration's PPP loans. So the group jumped in to help.

With the pandemic not being a global emergency anymore, the group now focuses on other issues such as voter outreach to increase civic engagement within the community and education outreach.

The three focuses of the group are kind of potentially-never achieved, Smith said. But I think investment in all three areas has been really, really great. I think weve set up some pretty good structures to be responsive.

The goal of the group was to create a community. Kim said the city reached out to her after the Atlanta spa shooting to ask who the Asian leaders were  and she said there werent any.

I was so paralyzed with fear from all the anti-Asian violence, she said. I felt like we had to step up. Then she proceeded to connect with other founders to create the group.

Building on past events and outings, the volunteers took part at New Haven Night Market Friday, bringing in Asian American vendors, Asian vegetable seedlings, exhibits and Asian arts and craft activities for kids and families, marking Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Kim said it was the first time Asian products were prominent at the citys night market and that it was one of the projects the group hoped could turn into something the Asian American community could celebrate annually.

It's amazing, I mean, I feel so supported by the city, Kim said, noting that night markets have been an Asian tradition for centuries.

Carlos Eyzaguirre, the deputy economic development administrator, said the city has seen a lot of Asian population growth  from 4 percent to 7 percent between 2010-20, according to the U.S. Census.

Its really exciting that Asian American businesses are more front and center, he said.

What Kim has learned throughout the past two years organizing the group was how transient it is of the Asian population in the city  and all of them have different ways of being active.

She explained there are people who are activists, people who say no to political participation and people who are only OK with social hangouts.

There are many different conductive layers of how people want to get involved, Kim said. Its really important to engage and be a space for everyone at every level of engagement.

Thats something Lorri Xu and Zhi Yong Wang, co-owners of Million Asian Market on Orange Street, can attest to. The couple, originally from Beijing, has been in New Haven for nearly 15 years. They previously lived in New York City for a decade.

Wang said New Haven has a nice Asian cultural scene, and not much has changed since he has been here. He said he likes having connections with fellow restaurant owners and entrepreneurs who share the same culture as him.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz shopped at the Asian market Wednesday, getting Thai basil, mushroom oyster, seaweed salad and Asian cilantro.

I think celebrating AAPI heritage is important for Connecticut, Bysiewicz said. There are so many wonderful cultures. This is an amazing community, pointing to other Asian businesses in the Ninth Square area.

Given the diversity of people in the group, Kim said aapiNHV intentionally decided not to pursue a 501c3 status because we wanted to create a community and build up from the existing one, which I dont think needs a non-profit status.

I've created friendships with people I never necessarily would have reached out to before in this way and become like a little family, Kim said. When were not talking about our feelings, the group would share each person's Asian food or Asian market recommendations.

Smith said one way aapiNHV has been a service for the people is to connect with others to create friendships. Recently, when someone half-Asian reached out, looking to meet people, she could tell them she knows "so many people who would love to be your friend.

The group sort of gives us that infrastructure so when there is this moment, we can kind of catalyze something and really look for people to get involved, especially with an attention toward new leaders who are hungry to do something but arent just willing to raise their hand to do it, Smith said.
NEW HAVEN  Police Officer Diane Gonzalez will be honored in Washington, D.C., tonight as part of a ceremony for fallen members of law enforcement.

Gonzalez died in January 2022 after suffering a traumatic brain injury and falling into a coma following an on-duty crash in 2008.

Every spring, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the nonprofit organization that built and maintains the memorial, honors officers killed in the line of duty the year before by chiseling their names into the memorial's curving, 304-foot-long limestone walls. Located in the 400 block of E Street Northwest, the memorial sits close to attractions such as the National Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum.

While the actual engraving process is completed beforehand, formal induction comes when the names are read aloud during a candlelight vigil on May 13. This years vigil, the 35th annual, is scheduled to take place at Washingtons National Mall starting at 8 tonight and last about two hours, according to NLEOMF.

Gonzalez's family and former colleagues remembered her as a caring, family-oriented woman who carried herself with self-confidence and a smile. In fact, she often wore a yellow smiley face pin on her uniform, colleagues said.

Gonzalez enjoyed being creative, as she would regularly organize parties and do arts and crafts, according to her daughter, Diane Mora. She also delighted in family, Mora said. She had three children and adopted her niece and nephew after her sister died.

Stephie Van Wilgen said she was Gonzalezs partner on the force for 13 years. They met in the academy, she said, then went on to work together on the midnight shift in Fair Haven.

In the midst of the job, whether it was mundane  a lonely person calling 911, looking to talk with someone  or dangerous  a firearm peeking out from under someones leg during a traffic stop  Gonzalez always had her back, and demonstrated uncommon care for people, Van Wilgen said.

She would do anything for anybody. She was what New Haven police want" in an officer, Van Wilgen said. All the cops loved Diane; everybody loved Diane.

Tonights candlelight vigil will also recognize Bristol police Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy, who were shot to death on the night of Oct. 12 as they responded to a reported domestic dispute at a home on Redstone Hill Road, according to a report. The event will be livestreamed on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, according to NLEOMF. The ceremony takes place as the country marks the beginning of National Police Week, May 14-20.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A 1-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were among four people wounded in a weekend shooting in Sacramento, California, authorities said Sunday.

Officers responded around 10 p.m. Saturday following reports of gunfire near an intersection northeast of downtown, according to the Sacramento Police Department.
By Rocky Walker

CalMatters

When Isabella Warren, a student at California State University Northridge, was placed on academic probation in 2020, she felt isolated. She had fallen behind during the transition to online classes at the start of the pandemic, dealing with the strain of lockdown as well as the death of a family member.

She said she received little support from her campus to help her get off academic probation, the notice given to students when their semester or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. "I feel like there should have been a bit more counseling and I shouldn't have had to reach out myself for it," she said. "I feel like I should have been checked on."

Warren wanted to know how universities are supporting students on academic probation, she wrote in response to a call from the CalMatters College Journalism Network for questions about college in California. Were other students getting the help she didn't?

Students on academic probation at California's public colleges and universities are typically allowed to stay there for two semesters, then get academically disqualified, meaning they need to reapply if they want to return after raising their grades elsewhere.

The idea is that academic probation is a wake-up call for students.

But if campuses fail to get those students back on track, the ripple effect on the state includes "having a less-educated workforce, revenue loss to the institution, and a fruitless investment to the taxpayer for not seeing the payoff of a college graduate," Horacio Corona Lira, the director of Hispanic Serving Institution Grants at Alameda College, wrote in a master's thesis on academic probation.

Corona Lira studied 1,500 students attending Sacramento State from 2014-2018 whose academic records placed them either just below or just above the threshold for academic probation. He found that the students on academic probation were twice as likely to leave the university the following semester compared to their peers who were not on probation, despite having similar academic records.

Many of those on academic probation might already be doubting their decision to go to college, said Corona Lira, whose current work focuses on enrollment and retention of Latino students. "If instead of getting affirmation through this academic probation process, it actually reaffirms their doubts and tells them, 'I really don't belong here, right? This is what this letter is telling me,' that might push some students to leave that campus," he said.

That was the case for Loren Collins, interim director of academic and career advising at Cal Poly Humboldt.

He attended 20 years ago, back when it was Humboldt State, and ended up on academic probation. He didn't have to meet with anyone but was just given a notice. This brought him to a low point, he said. "I did not feel like I belonged on campus," he said. "I was waiting for everyone to find me out."

Collins left for College of the Redwoods and later came back to Humboldt to finish his degree. He's now working with faculty representatives focused on advising to make sure that every student on academic probation feels cared for on the journey back into good academic standing.

Part of that support comes with changing the title to Academic Notice. "We are trying to break away from that more punitive sound, and definitely the connotations that come with the word 'probation,'" Collins said.

As of next school year, any Cal Poly Humboldt student placed on academic notice will be required to meet with either their existing faculty advisor or a counselor from the university's Academic and Career Advising Center to come up with a plan to improve their grades. (Previously the requirement only applied to certain students, including underclassmen, recent transfer students and athletes.)

A university committee is considering other ways to provide support, such as setting up peer groups or classes led by advisors that address the problems causing students to fall behind, from busy work schedules to mental stress.

Cal State Fullerton already has such a course, called RESET. Students work at their own pace through the five-week online course, which includes tips for how to improve academic standing, online mental health chats with the instructor and inspiring testimonials from previous students who have been through the program.

"I wanted to try to inspire students and try to convert some of those initial feelings of disappointment and being scared and nervous, and I wanted it to be more positive of an experience for them," said Cathy Rivas, the university's assistant director of College Readiness Programs, who developed the course in fall 2022 and updates it based on student feedback.

About 2,000 Cal State Fullerton students are placed on academic notice at the end of each term, Rivas said, and 92% of those who participated in RESET said in surveys that the course addressed both their personal and academic needs. The retention rates for students on academic notice increased by 4% in the program's first year.

San Jose State University is also revamping its "Bounce Back" program for students on academic notice under a newly formed unit, Undergraduate Advising & Success. Previously, colleges in the university took varied approaches, from an online course only to weekly advisement meetings or peer mentors. The university now aims to take the best parts of these programs and implement them systemwide.

"My hope is that we will have supervised grad students who are in social work and psychology to help students unpack whatever may be going on that's impeding them being their highest selves," said Shonda Goward, the associate vice provost in charge of the new program.

These changes in schools' academic probation approach comes after years of many universities giving inconsistent support to those who need it most.

Many schools in the Cal State system recommend, but don't require, advisement or other support for students on academic probation. The university system respects "autonomy at the campus level to implement strategies" regarding academic notice, said Cal State spokesperson Amy Bentley-Smith.

At the same time, Cal State is pushing to increase its graduation rates, with Black students in particular often falling through the cracks.

The University of California also leaves standards for academic probation up to the individual campuses. Some take away the declared majors of students who consistently underperform, forcing them to choose new ones. Others, like UC Davis, place holds on registration until students meet with their advisors to come up with a plan to get back into good academic standing.

Community colleges in California, on the other hand, are all required by state law to "make a reasonable effort to provide counseling and other support services to those on academic probation."

The level and type of support vary by campus, but they are not allowed to simply notice students on academic probation without giving support, said Melissa Villarin, a spokesperson for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

More colleges and universities need to be proactive and mindful about their strategies to support students on academic probation, Corona Lira said. The rate of those going from probation to disqualification "is way too high for what the whole purpose of academic probation is supposed to be."

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.
By Jean Schiffman

Bay City News

The layers of Chinese-style sliding screens that comprise the basic scenic design for David Henry Hwang's brilliant two-act play "Chinglish," now at San Francisco Playhouse, seem to reflect the many layers of the play itself. It is part social-political commentary, part poignant relationship drama and always a witty comedy of cultural and linguistic misunderstanding.

And, as directed by Jeffrey Lo (himself a fine playwright) with a terrific cast, and with some updating from Hwang to reflect new realities in U.S.-China politics since the play's 2011 Broadway opening, it's a surefire winner.

American businessman Daniel Cavanaugh (played with low-key, all-American charm by Michael Barrett Austin) from the nondescript city of Cleveland arrives in an equally nondescript Chinese city with the aim of convincing the minister of culture to hire his family sign-making company to create the signage for the city's arts center. An English-language company like his, he assures them, would provide linguistically accurate translations to English.

Cavanaugh, anxious and eager to please, hires a British teacher, Peter Timms (Matthew Bohrer), as translator in his initial effort to convince the minister of culture (Alex Hsu) to hire him. Peter tells Cavanaugh that he'll need to stay here a full eight weeks to get to know the culture and ingratiate himself with the powers-that-be. Cavanaugh agrees. The die is cast.

From that point on, things get increasingly complex. Everyone, including Cavanaugh, has a hidden agenda--a secret ambition, a fear, a murky past: Timms the teacher, the judge (the always hilarious Phil Wong), the minister of culture, the vice minister (Nicole Tung, elegant and self-assured in the particularly multi-layered role of a woman completely in control of her life).

Along the way various translators are hired (played to great effect by Sharon Shao, Xun Zhang and Wong again), all disastrously unsuited for the job.

So many things are going on here that it's challenging to keep abreast. Through language difficulties, or even simply through frustration, people manage to insult each other. Or completely misunderstand each other (the Chinese team convinces itself that Cavanaugh's business is based not in Cleveland but in the much more impressive Chicago). Or react to one another in startling ways (in one funny and telling scene, the Chinese are absolutely thrilled to discover that Cavanaugh was involved in the Enron debacle). And much more transpires in the hapless American businessman's struggle to establish himself in what is, to him, an impenetrable environment.

Along the way, the actors, even Bohrer as the British translator, are often speaking Mandarin to one another. In fact, a full quarter of the dialogue is in Mandarin, with the text in English projected on a screen. (We also see, projected, wildly inaccurate translations from Cavanaugh's English.)

It's a truly impressive multilingual feat on the part of the actors, but it's not unexpected in an excellent company like San Francisco Playhouse.

Hwang's play can be challenging to parse--there's so much going on in this dialogue-heavy clash of cultures--but it's a fascinating journey all the way through.

"Chinglish" continues through June 10 at San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., S.F. Tickets are $15 to $100. Visit sfplayhouse.org.

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.
As temperatures rise, snow continues to melt and days grow longer, the last place you might think of planning your Tahoe trip around is a bowling alley  but that would mean missing out on one of the lakes newest and most notable pieces of paradise, straight from Hawaii.

A vintage holdover from the mid-1960s, Incline Villages Bowl Incline recently underwent a complete overhaul. It now features refurbished and illuminated bowling lanes, a new bar, a fully stocked arcade and pool room, giant flat screen TVs, outdoor dining and games, event spaces, and even an ax-throwing range in a welcoming 17,239-square-foot facility.

But the best part, and the highlight of my recent trip to Tahoe, is Sam Choys Ohana Diner.

The eponymous cafe from Sam Choy, a James Beard Award-winning chef and the self-proclaimed godfather of poke, greets visitors as they arrive at the alley and instantly transports them away from the north shore (of Tahoe) and to the North Shore (of Oahu.)

Getty Images Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE Getty Images Food Network star and James Beard Award-winning chef Sam Choy, left; poke nachos, upper right, from Sam Choy's Ohana Diner at Bowl Incline; signage at one of Sam Choy's Seattle restaurants (lower right). (Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE & Getty) Food Network star and James Beard Award-winning chef Sam Choy, left; poke nachos, upper right, from Sam Choy's Ohana Diner at Bowl Incline; signage at one of Sam Choy's Seattle restaurants (lower right). (Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE & Getty)

Bowling alleys and James Beard Awards may not sound like they go together, but for Choy, it was a natural fit  as well as a return to his earliest days as a restaurateur. Bowling alleys is where I started, Choy told SFGATE this week. We first ran a restaurant at Kona Bowl. Its still going. Theyre still killing it.

From Choys first bowling alley cafe, which opened in 1991, came notoriety on Hawaiis Big Island. Since then, its been a three-decade ascent of a mini empire that now includes several restaurants in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest, a series of cookbooks, regular appearances on the Food Network and featured spots at cooking events working alongside other big-name celebrity chefs.

Though Choys star has risen, his mission remains the same: to spread the gospel of his signature dish, poke.

How does he do it? He sticks to the simple formula that got him there: It has to feel right, he said. Everyone knows deep down when somethings good  when its going to work and when its not. When to go ahead and when to not talk yourself into something.

Then I found the bowling alley

Bowl Inclines new owners, Steve and Tracy Tomkovicz, share that same ethos. The couple spent most of their career building and running a business called S&S Supplies and Solutions, a work safety equipment distributor headquartered in Fairfield.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

In 2018, the Tomkoviczes took a buyout for the family business. Soon, they felt a gravitational pull to Incline Village from their home in Napa. Like many people whove come here over the last few years, we just knew it was time for a change, Steve told me between frames at Bowl Incline. I think our intent was to live up here, ski, hike and just enjoy a little life. Then I found the bowling alley.

From the earliest days of negotiating the purchase of the property, the Tomkoviczes were told that bowling was bad business  or at least one they might regret. When the bowling alley hit the market in early 2021, many locals in the know assumed that such a coveted property, in the heart of the towns commercial corridor, would be ripe for razing and redevelopment.

I dont think anyone thought they were going to see the bowling alley reopen, Crystal Bay-based real estate agent Ann Nichols told SFGATE. That many square feet  and you look at the other development going on around there.  On paper, it probably made the most sense to tear it down.

The bowling alley is also less than a block from a new 40-unit condo project known as Nine 47 Tahoe. The 2-acre parcel on Tahoe and Southwood boulevards is slated for build out, with individual units expected to sell for between $2.5 million and $7 million.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

But relying on conventional wisdom isnt how Steve Tomkovicz has ever thought about doing business. We lead with the heart, we really do, he said. Look, Ill be the first to admit I knew nothing about bowling. But look around you. We walked in here for the first time, and we knew  this was something the community needed. Maybe we needed it a little, too.

Reimagining Bowl Incline as a foodie destination

As much of a risk-taker as he is, Choy admits he was one of the initial skeptics of Tomkoviczs plan.

Ive known Steve for a while, Choy said, referring to a friendship that started when the pair was working at a charity event together a decade ago. When Steve called, of course I was going to come see it. Its Steve and it is a bowling alley after all.

Getty Images

Choy told Tomkovicz that before he committed, he needed to see the bowling alley for himself. He gave me kind of like a weak, Yeah, thats a good idea. So, I get on a plane, and I get there in the evening. And I take 10 steps in it and the stench and the stickiness of the floor  and the darkness. I make a U-turn, Choy recalled.

The famous chefs knee-jerk assessment wasnt hyperbole. Incline Bowl was on its last legs, and everyone in town knew it.

The last time Id set foot in the bowling alley was in the winter of 2019. I was greeted by a sign that read Dont care much how you do it in California, with a Nevada state flag sticker on the bottom. Once inside, the stale-casino-carpet smell of secondhand smoke mixed with day-old spilled whiskey and bowling shoe spray was nearly overwhelming. With ceiling tiles yellowed or missing, asbestos in the walls and the lanes bowed or cracked, the bowling alley seemed to be hanging by the last and thinnest of its remaining threads.

As much as I love grim scenes scored by the sounds of pins ricocheting, it was heartbreaking to witness the decline of a place that, in its heyday, was a clean and well-lit hub for Inclines first generation of families. Many were airline employees and could live anywhere, but chose to be in the mountains  the areas original remote workers.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

So, it wasnt just a surprise to step into the shiny and bright 21st century upgrade  it felt close to miraculous.

You know, in Tahoe we just dont get nice things like this, my bowling partner and friend Dan Sussman told me while we paced cautiously around the refurbished building. It was as if wed somehow landed on the Yellow Brick Road.

Dan and his wife, Trish, had brought their two daughters up from South Lake Tahoe to check out Bowl Incline, which officially opened in June 2022. They werent disappointed. For those of us who were raised in the hour-past-last-call low light of the original, to arrive in a clean, sparkling-new place where we could bring our kids almost seemed like too much of a good thing.

Its a risk

Though won over by the time, energy and concern invested in the bowling alley, I confided in Tomkovicz that I couldnt help but feel the tug of something that had come and gone.

He placed his hand reassuringly on my shoulder and laughed. You may or may not be surprised, but I get that  a lot, he said. But look, this is a place that had to start over, it needed new life. We had to go from beneath the floors on up and we wanted to do it right. We know it couldve been offices, it couldve been condos  but is that what a town like Incline needs? Especially now? No.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

Choy agrees. Ive been a part of projects like this before, and its a risk  the biggest risk, he said. And its a challenge. You know, there are two things were up against: One, introducing some island cuisine thats very unique, and getting labor to teach them how to do it. And two, doing it in a space that youre transforming.

Choy said the Tomkoviczes, who are great people and partners and know how to do it right, have given him the trust and resources to solve those problems.

Incline reminds me of Hawaii 30 years ago when wed have shoulder seasons, he said. Tourists come in summer and spring break, and all in between is really tough. In Tahoe, youve got winter guys [who] come out to ski, and all hell breaks loose in the summer. But to survive year-round, its [about] connections. Its timing. Its ups and downs.

I told Choy that my recent visit to Incline had featured a predictable shoulder season slump, especially on the food front. Many favorite eateries were rolling with stripped-down menus and bare bones staff, while others were closed on the weekdays as winter ground to a close.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

But when I arrived at the new Bowl Incline, the place was buzzing, including a line to the door at Sam Choys.

I make sure were running a tight kitchen and were good with our suppliers, Choy said. My mission is to not have a fridge-to-fryer spot and to not have to 86 any items. Its hard though, when the 80 is closed or there are delays. Somehow, we found a way though.

Now you know the secret

Menu highlights at Sam Choys include the poke nachos, which feature Choys shoyu poke, topped with lomi tomato and jalapenos, drizzled with a spicy house aioli, unagi sauce and garnished with cilantro over homemade oversized tortilla chips. The massive serving was enough for four famished adults and three children to split, with some left over for the family next to us to sample.

Head chef Gary Swenson recommended the spam musubi  an oversized roll with the preserved meat wrapped in furikake egg and hapa rice (a mixture of brown and white rice) blanketed in nori, drizzled with aioli and unagi sauce and garnished with diced green onion and sesame seeds. Swenson was right: It was the days biggest hit. One bite is all it took for the Sussmans to admit that theyd recently booked an impromptu family trip to Kauai to escape the snow doldrums.

Andrew Pridgen/SFGATE

For a moment, it felt like we were already there.

Those dishes, plus orders of the truffle fries and wings  crunchy and caramelized glazed with a deep orange Sriracha sauce  left our group on the verge of bloat, not to mention parched. The Sussmans went for a round of drinks and returned with a couple of beers and the Bowl Incline specialty cocktail, the Point Up Baller, a rum-infused version of Disneylands Dole Whip.

By the end of our stay at the bowling alley, my group, full and buzzed and feeling cautiously optimistic, had decided that the Tomkovicz-Choy partnership could be a template to rejuvenate all of Tahoe, and that it only takes good food and good spaces to bring communities together.

When I shared this with Choy, he chuckled and told me he approved of that appraisal. Now you know the secret, too, he said.
In todays world, young victims of bullying have very few places to escape. The destructive behavior can take place anywhere, from physical spaces to cyber spaces. So what can be done to educate young people and parents about the potentially devastating results of intentionally cruel behavior? The Advance/SILive.com spoke to Staten Island experts, educators and families of victims about this critical topic. This story is part of a series that explores bullying and its impact, guides both parents and students, and highlights the need for change.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Leah Contreras recalled that when she was bullied in middle school, she felt so afraid to go to class each day. But it wasnt until action was taken by school staff, with the support of her parents, that the bullying ceased, she explained.

You need someone to be able to help you, because when I was getting bullied, I didnt know what to do, said Contreras, now a high school sophomore on Staten Island. I was scared. And Im so glad I had my dad to be able to talk to, and thankfully, he helped me. But what about those kids who dont have anyone? Thats why I think its definitely important they have someone in the school to be able to talk to like guidance counselors or deans, like someone they could just talk to.

Many students across Staten Island said they know what its liked to be bullied, a situation that could lead to detrimental side effects like depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, self-harm, and even death. In New York City, 42% of public school students reported bullying in school some or most of the time, according to 2022 NYC School Survey results. And 51% of students in Staten Islands District 31 said that students harass, bully, or intimidate others at their school some or most of the time, according to data from the 2019-2020 academic year, the most recent available.

________________________________________________________________________________

Its happening to 1 in 5 kids: What Staten Island experts want you to know about bullying

________________________________________________________________________________

Its why parents have rallied for better initiatives to combat bullying, according to Leahs father, Billy Contreras.

A dozen people recently gathered at Clove Lakes Park to encourage local elected officials to call for better school safety and anti-bullying initiatives.

Contreras explained that many kids hide their trauma when they are bullied. He explained he makes sure to talk with his daughter about her school day, and to look for any signs.

Ive seen a case where there was a child who would shower with their clothes on, he said. We have to look for behavior differences, sheltering  These kids need to communicate with their parents more, sit down and have these conversations.

BULLYING POLICIES

Contreras said its important for parents to learn bullying policies in their childs school. After Leahs middle school bullying experience, he said he made sure to meet with the administrators at his daughters high school to get a better grasp on the initiatives in place.

The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has several citywide bullying policies in place. If a student is being bullied, it should be immediately reported to staff at the school, or a complaint can be made online at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/respect-for-all. If an incident of bullying or discrimination does occur, school staff members are required to report it.

The safety and well-being of all of our students is our top priority, said Jenna Lyle, spokesperson for the DOE. Bullying has absolutely no place in our school communities, and we take every report of bullying extremely seriously. Our schools must be sanctuaries for our young people as they grow academically and socially, and our school staff work hand-in-hand with our Restorative Justice Team and outstanding School Safety Agents to provide safe, supportive environments for every student.

This file photo shows an anti-bullying rally on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

School staff members are trained annually on the requirements of the DOEs anti-bullying policies. All schools must follow the departments protocol and procedure for investigating incidents, which is summarized in the citys family-facing Frequently Asked Questions guide, a resource for students and parents about how to report incidents, the investigation process, and supports and interventions to prevent and address student-to-student sexual harassment and student-to-student gender-based harassment, bullying, intimidation and/or discrimination.

Despite these initiatives, many students said bullying will always exist in schools. A high school sophomore, who asked to remain anonymous, said its a matter of limiting bullying and stopping incidents before they get out of hand.

TURNING TO SCHOOL STAFF

Many Staten Island students who spoke with the Advance/SILive.com and experienced bullying said they went to their school leaders or staff to discuss the incidents. Nicholas Pritchard, a sophomore in high school, said he was bullied for two years, starting when he was about 6 years old.

At first, it was nothing that big, because I didnt know the person, he said. They just transferred. But then they started picking on me for some reason. They kept saying, Go away. No one cares about you. And I was like, What did I do? It got to the point where they genuinely wanted to hurt me, because they kept bumping into me or pushing me.

He said he planned to tell his family about the bullying  but his bully gave a warning that if Pritchard told anyone, it would only get worse. He recalled suppressing his emotions until he was home and alone.

Pritchard said finally one day he had enough and sought help.

I decided to go to the principal, because he runs the school, he recalled. So I told the principal, and he said, How long has this been going on for? And I said two years, and then he had a private chat with the persons parents. Im not sure what happened afterward, but as soon as he came to school the next day, he said, Im sorry about all the stuff and will you forgive me?

Pritchard forgave his bully.

Arianna Bryant, now a high school junior, said she was bullied for much of her years of elementary school  so badly she had to switch schools. While described the experience as traumatic, she said she still remembers how kind her principal was during those tough moments.

She loved me and she understood me, she recalled. I miss her so much. She was the nicest principal I ever met.

A core focus for the DOE is fostering school environments that are safe and welcoming for all students. Its citywide Respect for All program provides anti-bullying workshops, trainings and targeted supports to schools, and focuses on best serving students and families. Every school is required to have a trained Respect for All liaison, to whom reports may be made and who serves as an anti-bullying resource for students and staff.

We continue to offer ongoing support for victims of bullying, hosting anti-bias training for staff and providing funding for identity-based clubs to ensure every student develops a robust network of peer and community supports, said Lyle, who added that every public school has at a minimum, access to a social worker, guidance counselor or school based mental health clinic.

IS THE SYSTEM FLAWED?

But some school leaders said there are not enough proactive approaches to combat bullying.

Were tied to this system, but the system is flawed, a Staten Island elementary school administrator told the Advance/SILive.com, noting that protocols exist to respond to bullying, but none exist to prevent it.

The administrator, who requested anonymity, said a new approach may be warranted.

He said he routinely opens a new bullying investigation once every two weeks in his school, and many of the triggering episodes occur on weekends, off school grounds during video game play. He noted hes been practicing the current response for about 15 years, and nothing has changed.

________________________________________________________________________________

Kids can be very cruel: How to tell if your child is a bully, according to Staten Island medical experts

________________________________________________________________________________

Box Out Bullying is an organization that gives presentations to youth on bullying and has been providing those services across Staten Island since 2010. (Courtesy/Box Out Bullying)

Contreras offered one suggestion to help combat bullying  schools could set up an anonymous tip line to report incidents of bullying without fear of repercussion or retaliation.

Jeremy Rubenstein, founder and creative director of Box Out Bullying, an organization that gives presentations to youth on bullying and has been providing those services across Staten Island since 2010, said school staff can implement policies and procedures that create a positive and inclusive school culture.

Im so hopeful from what has been done in a decade in terms of schools and Staten Island being able to provide education and training on bullying, prevention and intervention, being able to respond swiftly and effectively to reports of bullying, he said. But its not just the staff, but students, they can also be empowered as bystanders to speak up and intervene.

He said that schools on Staten Island are doing a great job, and he explained that other schools throughout the country can do the same when it comes to taking the time and attention to the social-emotional learning of students.

Several students noted that programs, such as peer mediation centers, can help facilitate positive and non-violent conversations among students dealing with issues. Instead of going to a teacher or other school administrator, students can join a peer mediation group and talk through an incident.

It could reduce bullying and certain situations that may have happened. We could talk to those who, you know, are the ones who are having a problem, and we could fix that situation, said Sofia Dominguez, a high school senior, referring to peer mediation.

A seventh-grader shared the same sentiment  its easier to talk to people who understand what youre going through rather than an adult.

Its not like a teacher talking to you, trying to tell you to drop, said Maryam Eltony, an eighth-grader. You can come here and have conversations. Its very helpful because you have people who understand you. You have a space to talk to somebody, knowing that youre not going to get hurt by someone else. We have certain rules. I know Im not going to be disrespected in here.

PROACTIVE PROGRAMS

Other programs outsourced could also be helpful when it comes to preventing bullying.

Its important for us to recognize that bullying can have a significant impact on the well-being, as well as the mental health, of those impacted, and its essential for everybody to take these proactive steps, you know, to prevent and address  and also prevention  toward bullying and all its forms, said Rubenstein.

I can tell you that its crucial for all members of the community, including students, parents, school staff, and the bystander to take an active role in preventing and addressing bullying, he added.

Community leader Michael Reilly presents student and parent workshops and professional development sessions across Staten Island on digital citizenship, on his own time  separate from his work as an assemblyman.

Mike Reilly holds digital citizenship workshops at schools across New York City. (Courtesy/Mike Reilly)

He explained that key advice hes given to schools is communication  to build a rapport with students and have open and unfettered access to communicate. Schools and parents should have an open dialogue with kids, to lay out the policies and expectations, and model that behavior themselves.

Its also important to offer assistance and guidance and resources to help those who are struggling.

The ultimate goal is to make sure that we offer support to all our students so that they can really thrive in the future, Reilly said. And by having that good digital citizenship, they have empathy. They have a moral compass of getting along with people and treating people with respect.

In the Archdiocese of New York, Catholic schools follow Safe Environment curriculum to address each grade level with instruction and materials that are age-appropriate, user-friendly, and fully consistent with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, according to its website. This includes information on bullying, such as action plans and scenarios. Bullying prevention programming is also offered to school staff.

A request for comment and more information about anti-bullying initiatives in the Archdiocese of New York Catholic schools went unanswered.

OTHER STORIES IN THE SERIES

Kids can be very cruel: How to tell if your child is a bully, according to Staten Island medical experts

In anti-bullying battle, mom of Staten Island teen who killed himself pushes for passage of Dannys Law

They broke my kid: Grieving Staten Island mom takes her own life after daughters suicide linked to bullying

Its happening to 1 in 5 kids: What Staten Island experts want you to know about bullying

School Zone: A new newsletter with the updates you need as our schools try to get back to normal. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter:



FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Parishioners and friends of Messiah Lutheran Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the South Shore church that was once the only house of worship for Lutherans when it was originally built in 1923.

Former congregants from all over the country flocked to the Annadale Church for a special commemorative service recently and the celebratory brunch that followed as a way to share friendships and memories  and perhaps even make a few new ones along the way.
Photo: The Canadian Press Damage is seen after a tornado hit in Port Isabel, Texas, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

One person was killed when his mobile home was crushed as a powerful tornado tore through a community near the southern tip of Texas before dawn Saturday, damaging dozens of residences and knocking down power lines, authorities said.

At least 10 others were hospitalized, including two people who were listed in critical condition, said Tom Hushen, the emergency management coordinator for Cameron County. Many residents also suffered cuts and bruises.

The tornado hit at about 4 a.m. as most people were in their homes asleep in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, located on the mainland across from South Padre Island, off the Gulf of Mexico. The county has among the highest poverty rates in Texas and is dotted with substandard housing.

There was no advance warning. Instead, the first warning of a tornado went out at the same time it was touching ground, said Barry Goldsmith, a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Brownsville.

With hurricanes we have the benefit of getting some advance warning; we know its probably on its way, Eddie Trevino Jr., the Cameron County judge, said during a Saturday press conference. With a tornado, like Barry mentioned, its not a common scenario unless we have a hurricane/tropical cyclone in the area. So, we didnt have the benefit of a warning."

"The hour didnt help, Trevino added.

Roberto Flores, 42, died after being basically crushed as a result of the damage to his mobile home," Trevino said.

The storm was clocked with wind speeds of 86-110 mph (138-177 kph) and was categorized as an EF1 tornado, according to the weather service. It lasted only about two to four minutes but it ravaged the area.

As many as 60 homes were damaged. The county judge signed a disaster declaration, and a temporary shelter in the nearby city of Port Isabel was providing help to 38 people.

Apparently it went straight through that community, said county sheriff Eric Garza. Individuals dont want to leave their houses because theyre afraid that somebody will go in there and start stealing stuff.

Garza said his department is helping provide security for the area, and Trevino said officials were considering a nighttime curfew to help victims of the storm who fear their properties will be looted if they leave their property.

Laguna Heights is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of the U.S.-Mexico border at Brownsville and is not prone to having tornados, although this spring has been active, said weather service meteorologist Angelica Soria. The area is also gearing up for the start of hurricane season.

The Texas tornado follows an outbreak of dozens of twisters in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado that caused damage but no reported deaths.
A laboratory belonging to Sumilab, in the city of Culiacan, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Departamento del Tesoro

One of the Mexican companies sanctioned by the United States and accused of being linked to Los Chapitos  the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, heirs to the Sinaloa Cartel  has been revealed to be a supplier of both state and federal governments.

The top client of Sumilab S.A. has, in fact, been the government of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, the stronghold of the criminal organization founded by El Chapo. Between 2018 and 2022, the state administration  headed by Quirino Ordaz Coppel, now Mexicos ambassador to Spain  awarded the company contracts for 14.7 million pesos, or $835,000.

According to 71 invoices published by the Government of Sinaloa on the National Transparency Platform, these purchases were made primarily through the Culiacan Hospital and the Sinaloan Institute of Educational Physical Infrastructure. Questioned about the delivery of the contracts to Sumilab, both the current government of Ruben Rocha Moya and former governor Quirino Ordaz Coppel declined to answer questions from EL PAIS.

Sumilab  based in Culiacan, Sinaloa  sells chemical products and laboratory equipment.

On its website, the company claims to be a 100% Mexican-owned company with more than 33 years of experience although, according to its articles of incorporation, it was created only 22 years ago. Sumilab purports to specialize in the production and distribution of substances, equipment and materials for all types of laboratories.

This past May 9, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury included Sumilab on one of its blacklists. The US agency reports that the Mexican company has been flagged due to its participation in the supply and shipment of chemical precursors used for the production of drugs to members of the Sinaloa Cartel.

OFACs announcement of sanctions against Sumilab came the same day that the US Treasury Department also unveiled actions against Joaquin Guzman Lopez  one of El Chapos sons and one of the four members of Los Chapitos  and against three other members of the Sinaloa cartel, as well as one more company dedicated to real estate in the northwestern Mexican state. The implications of the OFAC designation range from blocking the sale of property and other assets, to prohibiting any transaction with or within the United States. Likewise, the Department of the Treasury clearly indicates that individuals who participate in certain transactions with the designated persons or firms may also face sanctions.

A chart showing the link between Sumilab with the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Departamento del Tesoro

According to the contracts and invoices registered in Mexicos National Transparency Platform, the Government of Sinaloa acquired chemicals and laboratory material to equip the Civil Hospital of Culiacan (the state capital) and several state universities, including the Technological University of Culiacan and the Polytechnic University of Valle del Evora, located in Guamuchil, Sinaloa. To these entities, the company linked to Los Chapitos sold packages of reagents, filters, acetates, materials, accessories and laboratory supplies, such as convection ovens and microscopes.

EL PAIS contacted Andres Castro, who was director of the Sinaloan Institute of Educational Physical Infrastructure (ISIFE) between January 2017 and May 2019, when Sumilab was given the first contract from the agency for a sum of 700,000 pesos ($40,000). Castro assured this newspaper that, during his tenure, ISIFE carried out contracting procedures in accordance with legal regulations and asserted that the participants complied with the requirements established in the bidding process. He says that he was unaware that the company was being investigated by the United States.

When Castro left ISIFE in 2019, the former governor of Sinaloa  Quirino Ordaz Coppel  appointed his then-secretary of sustainable development as the head of the institution: the former mayor of Ahome, Alvaro Ruelas. It was Ruelas  a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), one of Mexicos three main political parties  who signed the documents with Sumilab when acquisitions were made for 12 million pesos, or $680,000.

For his part, Israel Martinez  director of the Culiacan Civil Hospital between 2019 and 2021  confirmed the purchases made from the company linked to Los Chapitos, but emphasized that no chemical substances were purchased, only laboratory material. Such operations were carried out based on the [contract] awards processes stipulated in the law, according to a purchasing committee to which [the firm] submitted itself for approval, he clarifies.

Sumilab won more contracts between 2017 and 2021. The offices under the jurisdiction of incumbent Governor Ruben Rocha Moya  of the ruling National Regeneration Movement, or MORENA  have continued to acquire items from Sumilab. Documents indicate that, in 2022, the Government of Sinaloa purchased material from Sumilab valued at 871,00 pesos, or $50,000. Additionally, Sinaloa-based offices that are part of the federal government  led by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, of MORENA  including two research centers belonging to the National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (Conahcyt) and branches of the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP) have purchased equipment and chemicals from Sumilab. Overall, from 2018 until the present, the company has received 2.7 million pesos  or $155,000  from federal government entities, through the Food and Development Research Center (CIAD) and the Northwest Biological Research Center. When questioned by EL PAIS, Conahcyt officials declined to comment on the purchases from Sumilab.

Likewise, to a lesser extent, health agencies and universities in the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California Sur have also purchased chemicals and material from Sumilab in the last five years. Before 2017, the governments of these states acquired the companys products, but the acquisitions increased post-2018, according to what is registered in the National Transparency Platform. The same is true of the federal government: before 2018, the only entity at the federal level that had contracts with the company linked to Los Chapitos was the Administration and Investment Trust to support scientific research and technological development at the National Institute of Forestry Research, Agricultural and Livestock, which depends on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), formerly known as the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).

When announcing the sanctions against Sumilab and four members of the Sinaloa Cartel, the US Treasury Department assured that this measure was closely coordinated with the Government of Mexico, including the Financial Intelligence Unit. The actions taken by the American government this past week are one more step to corner the heirs of El Chapo and the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel  Alfredo, Ivan Archivaldo, Joaquin and Ovidio Guzman  who have been investigated since 2008. They are accused of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl into US territory.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The Kenyan doomsday cult has been linked to the deaths of 201 people, after police exhumed 22 more bodies on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

According to the report, the coast regional commissioner said, most of the dead found showed signs of starvation. Meanwhile, more than 600 people remain missing.

The bodies are believed to be parishioners of a pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is based in the coastal regions of Kenya, the publication wrote.

Preacher Paul Mackenzie, center, who was arrested two weeks ago for asking his followers to starve to death in order to meet Jesus, appears at a court in Malindi, Kenya Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The court in Malindi released the pastor and the police re-arrested him and presented him at an upper court in the coastal town of Shanzu. (AP Photo)AP

Mackenzie who is now in police custody, is alleged to have ordered congregants to starve till death in order to meet Jesus, reported the AP. The bodies were found on Mackenzies 800-acre property, the report states.

Police plan to charge Mackenzie with terror-related offenses.



RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island news

>> Staten Island boom parties reverberate into Brooklyn; NYPD issues 10 summonses

>> Lucchese mobster who tried to kill sister of Staten Island turncoat denied release

>> Father Capodanno honored with stained glass window at Christendom College in Virginia

>> Photos from first Communion mass celebrated at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church | Subscribers can download images for free
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Growing up on the North Shore of Staten Island, Michelle Checchis life looks quite a bit different than it did a few years ago. This West Brighton and Westerleigh resident traded her traditional job to pursue her dream of traveling in 2019  today, shes a successful digital nomad, traveling, working and making new friends in different countries around the world.

Checchi uses the skills she developed from school and traditional working experiences to fuel her entrepreneurial business, which helps her sustain her travels. Content writing, video creation, social media development  it seems as if shes done a little bit of everything in the media field. This passion, of course, was fostered on Staten Island.

I really like Staten Island. I think that Staten Island gets a bad rap sometimes, especially from us people who are born and bred there, she said. I just felt like Staten Island was a really cool place to grow up. My lifelong friends from there are still my friends to this day.

Growing up, Checchi said shed always been interested in writing, and often took photos with her grandpas camera. She was the editor-in-chief of Curtis High Schools school newspaper, and studied journalism in Albany while she attended college. It wasnt until college that Checchi had a taste of extended travel, studying in Ireland for about six weeks.

After graduating college, she dove right into work, which is something she said she considers as a typical American norm. Checchi detailed that, outside the United States, many students take a break to travel the world or participate in required enlistments (depending on the country) before they began to work. In 2015, she started her career in journalism as a freelance TV news producer, working for the Bronxs News 12, a regional channel thats carried in Long Island, Connecticut, the Bronx and Brooklyn. Not too long after, she was offered a full-time position as a morning producer.

Working the overnight shift, she would drive through darkened streets and highways from Staten Island to the Bronx in the wee hours of the morning while most of New York slept. After parting ways with News 12, Checchi took a position as a production assistant at CNN, where the environment fed her journalistic aspirations. But it was at CNN that she said she started to feel the urge to do something different with her life.

It was after a trip to Portland, Ore., to visit her friends that she decided to switch things up. Scoring a job as a producer for a Portland TV station, Checchi packed up her life in her car and bid Staten Island a fond farewell. For three years, this move scratched the itch of wanting to do something different. By 2019, however, she said she knew she wanted to do something a bit more drastic.

Michelle Checchi poses for the camera in front of beautiful architecture in Bangkok, Thailand. (Courtesy of Michelle Checchi)

It had been a slow burn buildup for a long time. It wasnt necessarily very well thought out from the beginning; I didnt know that I would make this a lifestyle choice. My plan was going to take a small break, kind of just a gap for a few months in between positions, she explained.

She decided to not renew her contract in Portland, and focused on saving as much money as she could even scooping ice cream as a second job. Moving into an apartment with a roommate to save money, she worked hard to stash about $4,000 to keep her afloat for two or three months abroad. After her contract ended in Portland, she drove back to Staten Island through Canada, and left a week later to see the world at 26 years old.

I was looking for ways to travel as cheaply and as safely as possible. My goal was to do it super, super cheap to do it as long as I could, she recalled.

Her first destination? Tel Aviv, Israel.

Doing a work-trade, Checchi was employed at a hostel in Tel Aviv in exchange for food and accommodations, something she said is quite common at hostels across the world. She said she figured she would stay in Tel Aviv for a month, and then move on. Ultimately, she ended up making Tel Aviv her home base for the three months she was abroad, though she traveled to Cypress, Jordan and India during that time. Then it was December 2019  just before the global pandemic.

I went to Nepal and was trekking in the Himalayas, which is right next to China, and started to hear whispers about the coronavirus, and I was living more or less under a rock at this point, metaphorically speaking, she said. I super was out of the loop of most things that were happening, because I was just in the mountains ... My friends were in a group chat, and they were like, Oh my God, this coronavirus thing sounds crazy, and I text them, verbatim, What is the coronavirus?

But with her bank account dwindling at the end of 2019, she began to look for a way to make money so she could continue her amazing adventures. At the time, she said she genuinely didnt believe her skills as a TV news producer could apply to anything to help her work.

Turning to the internet, she found remote work  something the majority of the world would come to acknowledge as the norm in the coming months  as a freelance content writer through websites like Upwork. The salary, admittedly, wasnt great. But it was money she didnt have before, and it helped to keep her traveling.

Michelle Checchi smiles in a snapshot from her trip to Venice, Italy. (Courtesy of Michelle Checchi)

As the months pass, Checchi said she started to earn more and more money; jumping from her starting base of $10 a piece to over $100 a piece. Then, that text exchange about the coronavirus came roaring back into memory as the pandemic began to loom over the world. Checchi said she made it back to Tel Aviv with just three days to spare before lockdowns began.

It wasnt a full salary, she said, but it was enough to make rent, living in a house with seven people. A few months into the pandemic, she said she decided to head back to Staten Island after about seven years of being away. Living at home with her parents, she began to focus on social media and took a video editing course while in lockdown to further her skills. Today, Checchi has a following of 87,700 on TikTok and over 3,300 on Instagram.

Once she got back out into the world about a year after the beginning of the pandemic, she started to work with the same hostels she stayed at before the world was upended. Opening up her repertoire, she filmed content for these different hostels and tour companies  and with word of mouth spreading, she said she started to get private freelance contracts.

Now combining directing, producing, filming and writing, she has established herself as a blossoming entrepreneur, typically working less than 30 hours a week. Her hours naturally fluctuate, depending on what projects she is working on, with some on-site production gigs becoming 12-hour work days.

@michellemarietravels Replying to @isabellelakinn getting paid to travel can be your reality if you want it to be  Heres how I went from a full-time gap year, to unemployed, to freelancing, to making money from traveling! Keep in mind, this whole journey has been going on for about four years now  but the good news? Its never been easier to work while traveling, and to find ways to get paid to travel! I linked another vid of mine with more info on getting paid to travel by working with hostels and tour companies! @michellemarietravels #digitalnomad #traveltiktok #travel #hostels #backpacker #digitalnomadlife  Calm Dooowwnnn Lalalaaa (Remix) - FAITAH NADA

I was really afraid of what was going to happen with my work when I stepped back from my traditional career, but what I found was that there was a lot more options than I thought were available, and thats the nuts and bolts of it. I used to say, Im an amazing TV news producer, I can only make great local newscasts; if you have a local TV news station, I got you covered, but other than that, [I thought that] my skills dont apply to anything, Checchi explained. But what Ive found since stepping back in the three-and-a-half years since, was that its opened up a whole new world of things of what I can do for work. Now, my salary is about 20% higher than what it was when I worked full-time for someone else.

Despite all the traveling and the experiences, she said she misses Staten Island.

I miss home more now these days, she admitted. I used to just be more excited about where I was going next, and wanted to go, go, go, and now these days, Im trying to find more time to spend back in Staten Island. I miss Staten Island, and I miss New York. When I go to the deli and when I get my eggplant parmesan hero, Im the happiest girl in the world. I miss the people; I miss the attitude and the vibe. I cannot wait to go back to my favorite restaurants.

Her first stop once she gets back to Staten Island? A trip to get a good old fashioned New York bagel. Who could argue with that? She said she cant wait to go to her favorite restaurant, too  so Vitalia, expect Michelle Checchi!

Staten Island is always going to be home, no matter where in the world I go, she said. Theres no place like it, thats for sure.

So for those who have that desire to see the world (but may be afraid to do so), or those who wish have flexibility in their work location, Checchi said she has some advice. Backup plans, for one, are a major key to making big leaps.

If I can do it, you can do it. There are so many ways to make this a reality for yourself, whether youre working and traveling, whether you take a break to travel, and save some money; in most cases, the things that I was worried about, I was able to work through, and resolve, and figure out backup plans, she said.

Another helpful tip, Checchi said, is to try to make connections in-person. Thats right: LinkedIn, we love you, but connections made in person are always a bit different than the ones made online. Of course, when making such a massive lifestyle change, you might wonder about the future of your traditional career aspirations. Checchi offered her thoughts on that, too.

Michelle Checchi enjoys what Athens, Greece, has to offer. (Courtesy of Michelle Checchi)

I told myself those big fancy jobs that I was aspiring toward my whole life: they will be there. If I want to go back and try to get a big, fancy job in news again, those stations will be there. I can work my butt off and see how far I can get in it, Checchi said. What I dont know  the uncertainty  that might be scary, but the possibility is truly endless. The lifestyle changes, the things Im able to do, the money Im able to make; its completely limitless. But I knew the limits of what that previous life was. I know the unknown is scary, but when its scary, you have all these possibilities.

And those possibilities have been rolling in for her. With the borders reopened, Checchis travels have begun to flourish once again. Spending this past winter in Southeast Asia for the first time, she worked with a travel and tour company in the Philippines. Filming and touring a hostel in Manila, she got the opportunity to visit the companys new island and all it has to offer. Boat tours, pub crawls  it was really, really cool to work there and be in that space for work, she recalled.

So, what does the future look like for Michelle Checchi? Well, she isnt one to keep a bucket list, as she started to realize that theres just so many cool things everywhere, so she said shes open-minded about her future endeavors. One trip thats coming up is going to the mountains of Patagonia in Argentina come October. This group trip is all thanks to her social media work.

And she said she definitely wants to see the northern lights, maybe in Iceland or Norway.

Keep an eye on Michelle Checchis Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and website  you never know where she might go next.
STATEN ISLAND, NY  In 1948 a group of Staten Islanders came together with the dream of starting the boroughs first Reform synagogue. All were still experiencing the terror of the Holocaust, and all were very committed to having their Reform Jewish faith survive.

The founders, meeting in Svea Hall on Post Avenue in Port Richmond, voted on June 9, 1948 to start a congregation. Joseph Werb made the motion that began the process. Their goal was to find unaffiliated Jews who were looking for a Jewish identity and to be ready to offer services for the High Holy Days, which that year fell in October. They reached their goal.

And thus, Temple Israel Reform Congregation was born.

Rabbi Jay Brickman was their first spiritual leader. He held Sabbath services in the Unitarian Church of Staten Island in New Brighton, and High Holy Day services at the former Sailors Snug Harbor in Livingston. Religious school classes were taught in an American Legion hall in New Brighton. To raise funds, the temple ran a used-clothing store on Jersey Street in New Brighton

The worship page from May 4, 1957 with a picture of the Island's first Reform Congregation, Temple Israel. On November 20, 1950, the Gans Mansion at 800 Victory Blvd. was purchased as the Temple's first permanent home. The first service was held on June 23, 1951. On May 19, 1959, a fire destroyed 800 Victory Blvd., but, miraculously, the Torah Scrolls and Pulpit Bible were saved. The new Temple Israel was dedicated on September 27, 1964, at 315 Forest Avenue.Staten Island Advance

Temple Israels first house of worship was at 800 Victory Blvd., Silver Lake, the former Gans mansion. In 1959, just as plans were being discussed about expanding the building, it was destroyed in a fire.

The property where the temple now stands was purchased in foreclosure from the city. Architect Percival Goodman, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the modern, award-winning Forest Avenue building that opened in 1964.

From the start the temple had a Mens Club and a Sisterhood. Youth groups were started within the first year. Rabbi Brickman formed a friendship with the Rev. Harry Hooper, the pastor of the Unitarian Church, and together they led an interfaith discussion group that featured monthly lectures.

From the very beginning the congregation liked the idea that Rabbi Brickman went out into the community. One of his successors, Rabbi Marcus Kramer, who served from 1956 to 1971 and later returned as rabbi emeritus, continued the tradition of community outreach and established the temples reputation as a socially active congregation, making the first link with Project Hospitality.

Rabbi David Katz in 2004. STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

The temples rabbi in the 1980s and 90s was Rabbi David Katz. He described the congregation as representing a ``wide spectrum of Jews from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds. His Friday night services were attended by lots of kids and their parents.

Temple Israel's cantor, Suzanne Bernstein sings during a Mosaic Coalition's potluck dinner in 2004.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Many were involved with choirs led by the temples charismatic cantor, Suzanne Bernstein, the Islands first and only female cantor. Rabbi Michael Howald, along with Cantor Bernstein, currently leads the congregation, which has added more than two dozen new families to its membership over the last five years

Six years ago, congregant Dr. Ronald Avis created the Avis Foundation and Temple Israel has been able to provide financial support for all new young families, as well as provide events and programs for children.

During COVID services were all done virtually and so were classes for children and adult classes in the evenings.

GROWING UP

Those who grew up as members of Temple Israel describe the experience as growing up within a multi-generational family.

Growing up in the Jewish community on Staten Island was like growing up in an extended family, recalled Rabbi Michael Kramer, the son of Rabbi Marcus Kramer. There was a closeness among the congregants and particularly among the youth. Many of the leaders of Temple Israel today grew up in the congregation.

Clergymen meet prior to an interfaith service conducted at Mount Loretto, Pleasant Plains, to mark the opening of Brotherhood Week. Left to right are Rabbi Marcus Kramer of Temple Israel Reform Congregation, the Reverend George D. McClain of United Methodist Church and director of the New Underground Coffee House at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville; the Reverend Monsignor Edmund F. Fogarty, executive director of Mount Loretto, and the Reverend J. Ashton Nickerson, executive secretary of the Staten Island Division of the Council of Churches.Staten Island Advance

My father (Rabbi Marcus Kramer) practiced his faith and Jewish beliefs in our home as well as in the community. He even brought me along with him when we picketed during the construction of a new school (now Prall Intermediate School) in West Brighton, because the builders did not hire minorities who lived in the community.

Robert Straniere, left, and Philip Straniere raise their arms in victory at an Election Night rally. Robert won an Assembly race and Philip a Civil Court judgeship.

The Straniere family  including brothers, current Civil Court Judge Philip Straniere, and former state Assemblyman Robert Straniere -- have been members of the congregation since 1953. Both brothers were bar mitzvahed there, and their mother, the late Gussie Straniere, was Sunday School principal.

Philip Straniere, who remains a member of the congregation, has been involved in planning for the diamond jubilee. He considers his involvement a tribute to his parents and family.

Robert Straniere recalled how he and his wife, the former Ruth Kramer, were the first children of temple families to be married in there. The couples three sons were bar mitzvahed in Temple Israel, and their daughter was bat mitzvahed there as well.

Our family celebrated many Passovers at Temple Seders. For a while I served on the Temple board. My religious values, developed over the years, as a member of Temple Israel, served me well for the 24 years I was proud to represent Staten Island in the New York State Assembly. I had been the first member of the Jewish faith since the 1930s from Staten Island elected to serve in the state Legislature, Straniere said.

My family is now spread all over America. But this past January, my teen age grandson Alex, came to New York for a visit, which included coming to Temple Israel. He was very much taken with all the pictures on display of friends and family that adorn the wall as well as the family remembrance plaque on the wall of the temple with the names of members of the Straniere family. Although I no longer live in Staten Island, to me and all in our family, Staten Island and Temple Israel is home, the former legislator said.

Bryn Biren (Courtesy/JCC)Staten Island Advance

Current temple co-president Bryn Biren was born into the Temple Israel congregation. Her parents, Shirley and Seymour Wolinitz, were among the founding families. I was married there. Our family is now fourth-generation. Everything good in my life and family has involved Temple Israel, she said.

Cantor Bernstein said she too is grateful to be a part of the congregation and its history in the community, and she looks forward to its future. This 75th anniversary is the result of the hard work, dedication and mazal that took Temple Israel through the past 75 years, Cantor Bernstein said. The next 25 years may be even harder, but when I see the children of the children I prepared for bar and bat mitzvah, along with so many new, sweet young faces I feel a great deal of hope that Temple Israel may reach 100 years and beyond.

Scenes from Temple Israel's 75th anniversary party. (Courtesy Temple Israel)

It was a recent sold-out performance of Broadway hits through the decades that kicked off the 75th anniversary celebration. Cabaret performers Karen ODonnell and Mickey Tennenbaum sang Broadway songs from each decade of the congregations life. Congregants whose parents were founders and who grew up in the congregation shared their experiences and new members were nvited to share theirs during the May 6 program in the synagogue at 315 Forest Ave.

Scenes from Temple Israel's 75th anniversary party. Courtesy Temple Israel)

Scenes from Temple Israel's 75th anniversary party. Courtesy Temple Israel)

Scenes from Temple Israel's 75th anniversary party. Courtesy Temple Israel)
One year after a gunman opened fire at a Buffalo supermarket in a deadly racist attack, local, state and federal officials mourned the 10 people killed in one of the states deadliest mass shootings.

The shooting, carried out by an 18-year-old white man, targeted Black people at the Tops Friendly Market on May 14, 2022. The store was closed Sunday as the families of victims and top state officials gathered to mourn the immense loss.

Its a beautiful day. Its Mothers Day, said Gov. Kathy Hochul at the vigil. And the cruel irony behind the fact is a day we celebrate a life that comes into this world, making someone a mother, is also a day were here to think about those who are no longer with us. Its hard. Its been a really hard year.

Hochul ordered flags at the states Capitol to be lowered to half-staff Sunday.

President Joe Biden, who earlier in his term passed a landmark gun measure tightening federal laws, published an op-Ed Sunday in USA today calling on Congress to do more to reduce gun violence by requiring background checks for all gun sales and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, among other measures.

We need to do more. In the year after the Buffalo tragedy, our country has experienced more than 650 mass shootings and well over 40,000 deaths due to gun violence, according to one analysis, wrote Biden.

New York state law bans possessing magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The shooter legally purchased the weapon used in the attack, an AR-15, in New York, but the magazine affixed to the weapon was not legal in the state.

On Twitter, Biden posted the names of the 10 victims.

One year ago, evil came to Buffalo  manifested in a gunman who massacred people in service of hate.



Today, we remember the ten lives senselessly taken.



In America, evil will not win. Hate will not prevail. White supremacy will not have the last word. pic.twitter.com/CpBMFAJcNz  President Biden (@POTUS) May 14, 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has called for stricter federal rules to stem the tide of weapons to New York City, called for increased action to stem the tide of the countrys incessant gun violence.

One year later and the heartbreak remains. Ten innocent lives lost in Buffalo to a violent act of a white supremacist terrorist, Mayor Eric Adams wrote on Twitter. While we are praying for the families affected and this community, we know the time for action to end the scourge of gun violence is now. The responsibility is ours.

The gunman in the Buffalo massacre pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February and is awaiting next steps in a federal case against hi
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In remembrance of those who have died, here is a collection of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guestbooks can be found here.

Justin Camara, 28. (Family photo)

Justin Camara, a former Staten Islander who battled numerous health issues, has died at the age of 28. The Brooklyn native resided on Staten Island until he was 14, when his family moved to the Poconos section of Pennsylvania. While on Staten Island, he attended The Hungerford School and PS 4 prior to Barnes Intermediate School (IS 24). His parents made sure that he was always around kids in a normal school setting. They also made sure that he traveled locally and internationally. Justin overcame many neurological limitations, as well as [two] kidney transplants, but he never complained or felt sorry for himself. His wonderful personality endeared him to many, said his family. He will be sorely missed!

YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES

Gloria Ann Holman, the sister of Staten Islands heroic military chaplain Rev. Vincent Capodanno, passed away on May 7 at the age of 101. She was a former fashion student and worked for Bethlehem Steel as an administrative assistant who processed orders during World War II. She was interviewed in a documentary about her brother: Called and Chosen: Father Vincent R. Capodanno and attended numerous memorial masses and dedications to her late sibling. She was a member of the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild and supported efforts for his canonization.

John R. Gateley Jr., 85, a jazz and rhythm and blues enthusiast, died May 2. Always the life of the party, the beloved father and grandfather gave insightful perspectives on current events. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he served as an administrative clerk at Hunter College and helped manage the Hunter Symphony Orchestra.

Robert Allen Guckenbiehl, 70, died May 9. He worked in a variety of jobs over the years, including as a roofer, construction worker and truck driver for the Wall Street Journal. He testified at every opportunity on the love of Jesus, giving scripture verses as both encouragement as well as challenge.

Doris Hill, 87, a Staten Island native, died May 9. She attended Port Richmond High School and waitressed at various Staten Island diners.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. A 37-year-old woman was found stabbed to death inside of a Brooklyn apartment on Saturday morning, police say.

The NYPD responded to reports of a woman in need of aid in the bedroom of an apartment at 356 Bedford Avenue, in Williamsburg at approximately 8:22 a.m., officials said.

Upon arrival, cops found the victim, Theresa Gregg, unresponsive and lying on the floor in her home with stab wounds to the neck and body. Gregg was pronounced dead at the scene, police say.

The location of the fatal stabbing that took place in Willamsburg, Brooklyn.

According to a report from the New York Post, police sources say Gregg appears to have been killed in some kind of domestic dispute.

No arrests have been made, nor are there any suspects at this time, the NYPD said. The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential.



RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island news

>> Staten Island boom parties reverberate into Brooklyn; NYPD issues 10 summonses

>> Lucchese mobster who tried to kill sister of Staten Island turncoat denied release

>> Father Capodanno honored with stained glass window at Christendom College in Virginia

>> Photos from first Communion mass celebrated at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church | Subscribers can download images for free
The US division of ASX-listed PointsBet is close to finalising a deal to be acquired by Jay-Z backed merchandising giant Fanatics, after months of negotiations with multiple parties.

Fanatics Sportsbet, which boasts a customer base of 95 million, is on track to acquire PointsBets US division in a sale exceeding $200 million, this masthead has learned. This figure does not account for funding projected losses or other liabilities.

Fanatics Sportsbet would acquire PointsBets US outfit and its lucrative technology under the terms of the deal, which could be completed as soon as Monday. PointsBet is operational in 14 states including New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania. PointsBet will retain ownership of its Australian business, which traded at $1.84 a share at last close.

Rapper Jay-Z purchased 25 per cent of Fanatics with other rappers including Meek Mill and Maverick Carter in 2022. Credit: Paul Rovere

US wagering website Sports Handle reported a deal was close to being completed on Friday. PointsBet declined to comment as the negotiations have not been finalised.
Aunty accompanied its broadcast of Charles ostentatious affair with a dose of sceptical commentary about the monarchy, and dared to note that many First Nations Australians find the whole fawning over the royals a bit unpleasant.

Instead, our royal lovers have spent the week getting all lathered up about the ABCs coverage of King Charles IIIs coronation.

It was not enough that Queen Elizabeth IIs death unleashed an embarrassing display of obsequiousness from our national institutions which culminated in an avowedly republican prime minister heading to London last weekend to pledge his allegiance to a foreign monarch.

Now, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, run by veteran royal-head David Flint, have taken things further, filing a formal complaint with the ABC over its coverage.

Flints mob, which has the honour of being the second most prominent monarchist group, claimed the broadcast breached three articles of the ABCs standards relating to accuracy, impartiality, and harm and offence.

The heart of the complaint centres on the broadcasters alleged failure to present alternative views on the role of the crown in Indigenous matters. And while Liberal MP Julian Leeser was the only monarchist on a panel that included ABC everywhere man Stan Grant and leading republican Craig Foster, the broadcaster did reasonably well in the ratings battle for the event.

That didnt satisfy Flint and Co, who claimed: A number of Australians were unnecessarily and gratuitously offended, both through the imposition and forcing of and the hostile nature of the imposed programme.

We reckon there are a few more gratuitously offensive things out there. But hey, each to their own. The ABC declined to comment.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size

All it takes is three clicks for a child to access porn. And it is adversely affecting young peoples behaviours. See all 4 stories .

WARNING: Some readers may find images in this report distressing.

Three clicks. Thats all it takes to move from a popular adult sites homepage to a video in which men dressed as soldiers rape a screaming village girl. Three more clicks and theres a naked teenager crying helplessly as a man puts his hand around her neck against her will.

The videos are free. And none of the worlds most popular porn sites visited by this masthead, which show men treating women with violence and coercion prohibited under Australian law, stipulated the content was for adults, or required users to check a box confirming that they were over 18.

Amid deepening concern that adolescents easy, free access to a vast array of adult material is normalising gendered violence in adolescent sex  some teens say their first sexual experience involved a hand around their neck  the nation will soon begin debating whether to restrict access to minors. Those concerned include the NSWs Childrens Court president and the head of the states child abuse squad.

The eSafety Commission has handed in its report on how Australia could introduce an age verification road map to the federal government, a move that could also restrict childrens access to violent gaming and gambling. Age restriction can range from government-issued certificates to technology that scans a users facial characteristics to assess their age. The government is due to respond soon.

There are similar moves overseas, sparking clashes between childrens advocates and civil libertarians, and leaving adults worried about having their own porn habits exposed. France is pushing ahead with a porn passport. The United Kingdom is still working on its years-long attempt at an age-gating system. Several states in the US are enacting their own versions. Earlier this month, Pornhub retaliated in one US state by blocking its content to all users.

Teens at the coalface

In Australia, where nearly half (48 per cent) of young men have seen pornography by the age of 13 and nearly half (48 per cent) of young women by 15, age-based internet restriction is backed by health workers, academics and justice officials who have seen the trauma that can come as a result of adult content being re-enacted by teens too inexperienced and immature to understand the difference between reality and fantasy, and too nervous about peer disapproval to resist.

But others say the horse has bolted  theres an estimated 10,000 terabytes of adult content on the internet  and the best way to minimise harm involves parents and schools teaching young people that porn is not real, that its okay to say no to rough practices, and that theres nothing wrong with vanilla sex. They fear further regulation would push porn underground.

Examples of violent pornography easily accessed on the internet. Credit:

The days of paper bags in newsagents are long gone. The biggest players in the multibillion-dollar online adult industry are shadowy aggregator sites, which, using the same US law relied upon by Facebook, argue they are platforms, not publishers. They make billions through advertising and data collection, using content made by other people. The worlds top three adult sites are visited by an estimated 5.81 billion people per month (they do not release their figures), almost twice as many as Facebook.

When this masthead visited those sites, one featured 16 homepage videos of which four were from the popular faux-cest genre; fake incest involving sex between teen step-siblings or adults and their stepchildren (Daddy f---s his cute stepdaughter, dont tell her mom). There are explicitly racial subgenres, as well as a rough category featuring headlines such as black sl-t endures extreme rough, painful f---.

It is easily accessible and perfectly free, said Maree Crabbe, the project director for violence prevention initiative Its Time We Talked. You could be eight years old and look at it all day.

Some dispute a causal link between adolescents viewing pornography and real-life harm. This is a contested area, said Mish Pony from the Scarlett Alliance, the peak body representing sex workers. However, research in Australia and overseas is leading to a growing consensus among academics and health workers that, for some teens, easy access to violent porn is normalising acts that, in the hands of fumbling teenagers, can be dangerous and traumatising.

One 16-year-old girl, speaking with the permission of her parents, explained how pervasive pornography has been during her high school years. Boys at her school watch it in classrooms, hot-spotting off their phones. I get it sent to me, she said. The guys that I was with, talking about it all the time, to me. Talking about what they watch, and I felt I had to live up to that. And Id think, that looks so uncomfortable and painful.

Another said she dated a boy with a browser app specifically for pornography, which hed watch at school and outside. He used to watch the hardcore-porn type of thing, the rough stuff, she says, which included BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadomasochism) and the idea of consensual non-consensual stuff [role play that mimics forced sexual activity]. I was 13. I thought thats what was expected of me. I know some boys dont watch porn, but the majority do.

The teenage girls said they had assumed choking, hair pulling and verbal degradation  they had experienced all three  were standard in sex even though it made them uncomfortable, and that pain and faked pleasure were part of the experience, until they spoke to trusted adults.

One 24-year-old woman reflected on her early sexual experiences with anger, saying copying porn is now normal for teenagers, and some  like her  participated in sexual activities they did not find pleasurable to avoid peer disapproval and accusations such as kink shaming.

Acts like choking and strangulation and weird non-consensual violence that comes out of nowhere were common, she said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the personal nature of her comments. It happened when none of us had a vocab to articulate our desires or assert our boundaries.

Changing violence before the courts

Nell Skinner is troubled by allegations she is hearing. Credit: Louise Kennerley

While juvenile sexual assault rates have been stable for the past 10 years, and there is no data on the types of sexual assault allegations coming before the NSW Childrens Court, the president of the court, Nell Skinner, says the nature of the allegations she has dealt with has changed significantly over the course of her 25-year career.

My recollection from prosecuting and representing offenders between 2000 and 2009 is that sexual assaults predominantly occurred through digital or penile/vaginal penetration, she said.

Over recent years I have seen more matters in court where complainants give evidence of sexual assaults through oral sex, anal sex and choking. I believe this evidence represents changes in the behaviour of adolescents due to the accessibility of pornography and the incidental sex education that flows from exposure to pornography.

Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, the Child Abuse Squad commander, said she had seen a rise in sexual assaults involving choking, particularly in the past 18 months. Sometimes its due to dangerously clumsy auto-erotic asphyxiation but mostly its the element of control, she said, the physical domination of another.

It left victims traumatised. We are seeing [underage victims] with soreness to their throat, bruising. Its a disturbing trend. A lot of them feel that theyre actually going to die because they are not getting air into their airways, Howlett said.

A landmark NSW Health report on preventing and responding to problematic and harmful sexual behaviour (PHSB) by young people, published in February, states that pornography and other sexually explicit material contributes to sexual violence.

Linda Howlett has seen a rise in sexual assaults involving choking. Credit: Janie Barrett

Another NSW Health report found exposure to pornography was one of the four common factors behind adolescent problematic or harmful sexual behaviours. The others are experiences of abuse, trauma and gender expectations. There needs to be a specific focus on online safety and preventing early exposure to pornography, the report said.

There is evidence that pornography can negatively impact childrens mental health and wellbeing, their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and expectations about sex and gender, and their involvement in risky or harmful sexual practices or behaviours.

NSW Health has expanded its PHSB counselling services across the state, due to demand.

In two childrens court sexual assault cases last year covered by this masthead, both involved choking. In one case, the boy was found guilty of assault for putting his hands around the girls neck with so much force she fell back against the wall and struggled to breathe.

Research from the United States is showing increasing prevalence; one found that 13 per cent of sexually active girls aged between 14 and 17 have already been choked during sex.

Young person after young person told me it was just a normal part of sex, said Crabbe, who is preparing a campaign on strangulation after her recent interviews with young people  she has been doing them for 14 years  showed a new level of normalisation. Young people [are] saying it often happens without any discussion or consent.

Reflecting on the impact of pornography on her sexual development, another woman, aged 25, said: Young women get victimised by porn but its not cool to be anti-porn. Ive had to do a lot of unlearning about the things I told myself I enjoyed; I really only enjoyed them because it was likely the person I was sleeping with would tell people that she was really good in bed.

One man, in his 20s, said he first saw porn when he was in year 7, and was shown it by older boys. It was not done in a sexual way, he says. I remember being shocked and confused and repulsed. He said there was plenty of healthy porn available, but some types highlight and overexposes certain types of sexual behaviours; dominance of men over women, a lack of female pleasure, a lack of any aftercare or post-sex experiences and, particularly problematically, a lack of consent.

Indoctrinated from a young age

Consent activist Chanel Contos said the normalisation of gendered violence left her with doubts about young peoples capabilities to truly consent to these sorts of sexual acts when theyve been so indoctrinated by pornography from a young age.

Chanel Contos says we need to focus on access. Credit: Liliana Zaharia

The meaning of vanilla sex has changed, said Contos. [It] means sex thats free of choking, slapping. Its sex thats free of violence. And its [considered] lame. She advocates a focus on access by minors. Thats where the true problem comes from.

So does the Childrens Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, who acknowledged the challenges involved in age assurance technology, such as privacy concerns, but said action was imperative to protect children, many of whom are accidentally stumbling upon it when they are pre-teens. She likened it to the introduction of seatbelts, which was controversial at the time.

These online platforms of various kinds have been like the Wild West  anything goes for profit, she said. Unfortunately its always kids, and particularly more vulnerable kids, who end up suffering; the kids who dont have the support or the supervision of parents to help them navigate these sorts of situations.

Skinner said there were different ways a society could respond to the problem  through health, welfare, education or justice  but the imperative is to acknowledge and address harm and reduce the risk of future harm, she said.

She said education was important, and regulation  as proposed by the eSafety commissioner  was needed to reduce access to pornography. Adolescence is a difficult developmental stage where young people struggle to understand and communicate their sexual needs, Skinner said.

The eSafety commissioner has a unique ability to regulate access and review content, and this intervention will reduce exposure to pornography and limit the influence of negative messages about sexuality.

How to tell if pornography is healthy Sydney University researchers identified six criteria that could be used to identify healthy and ethical pornography. They include: A negotiation of consent onscreen

Depictions of safe sex

Ethical production

A focus on pleasure for all participants

A variety of sexual practices

A variety of body types, genders, and races

However, Tanya Koens, a pleasure activist who presents a sex program on FBI radio, said that while she was concerned about the way some pornography condones violence against and degradation of women  and believes that type of content is made by angry white men who cant get laid  regulation was not the answer.

Taking porn off the table is not going to happen, she said. I think were at a harm minimisation approach. Moreover, porn was not the only place people were absorbing the message that sex is about power, she said; its also coming from movies, advertisements and interactions between adults in their lives.

Tanya Koens says we should take a harm minimisation approach. Credit: James Brickwood

Young people should be taught, do not re-enact the porn, its not real, said Koens. You need to know yourself well before you get into this stuff [such as choking and anal sex]. Going into kinky things before you know how your body works is [like] trying to run before you walk. We can teach people to be ethical consumers of porn. The problem is that the free stuff is the shit stuff.

Pony said insufficient attention was paid to the reasons why material was potentially harmful to young people. Is it because were not providing comprehensive sexual health education, and were not equipping people to deal with content they find on the internet, and that will always be accessible? People will always work around [age verification].

A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government would consider the eSafety commissioners advice and outline the next steps in coming months.

We live in an era where many children have greater skills with technology than their parents  so we need a multifaceted approach to protecting children from online content that is not appropriate for them, she said.

The Online Safety Act 2021 requires the development of new industry codes to limit childrens exposure to pornography, led by the eSafety commissioner, with development of the codes to commence later this year.

Parents and carers may feel overwhelmed by this issue, but they are not powerless. There are a range of tools available including internet filters, hardware devices and parental controls.

Under Australian classification law, all sexually explicit material is classified X 18+ and unsuitable for a minor to see. Viewing pornography in private is not prohibited at any age, as long as the content is not illegal (such as child pornography). However, sharing it with (including in homes), showing it to, or selling it to people under 18 is against the law.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
We all know what happened next. Blue Poles became one of the most cherished works in the National Gallery of Australia collection, and is now valued at $500 million. And the Opera House became a World Heritage-listed masterpiece, a community meeting place and one of the worlds leading performing arts centres, its social asset value valued at more than $6 billion. Those of us who work as its custodians like to think of it as the symbol of modern Australia.

Three and a half weeks after that announcement, thousands of people gathered on Sydney Harbour and surrounds as the Queen declared the Sydney Opera House open. That moment came 16 years after sketches from the relatively unknown, young Danish architect Jorn Utzon had been selected, reportedly from the reject pile, by Finnish designer Eero Saarinen. Finally, Sydney had its own opera house.

The first was on September 24, 1973, when then-prime minister Gough Whitlam announced the purchase of Jackson Pollocks riot of colour and movement, Blue Poles, for the new national gallery. The headline that appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald the next day ($1.3m painting bargain) was a lot more generous than the one that came a little later in the Daily Mirror (Barefoot drunks painted our $1m masterpiece!).

But as we prepare to celebrate the Opera Houses 50th anniversary, its revealing to ask whether Sydney has the capacity, the imagination and the courage to repeat such a bold, adventurous experiment. In other words, could we have built the Opera House today? Its easy enough to identify all the ways that Australia in 2023 is different from 1973, from the regulatory environment to the nature of public debate to the technologies available to us all.

So maybe we should ask the question in a slightly different way. How do we measure the spirit that gave rise to the Opera House in the first place? What were the conditions that allowed this unlikely vision to happen?

There were, of course, debates about the name, the design and the construction process itself, and it ran seven times over budget. But once the first stone had been turned, in 1959, a line in the sand had been drawn. The premier who turned that stone, Joe Cahill, promised a building that would help mould a better and more enlightened community, and his idealism reflected what this project meant for Australias largest city.

The Opera Houses very existence was an unambiguous statement about our priorities. Far from shrinking away from culture, this was a country that was prepared to erect a monument to creativity on its most conspicuous stage, not somewhere deep in the CBD, or along the bay, or even at Mrs Macquaries Chair, but at Bennelong Point, right beside Circular Quay in the sparkling centre of the city and the harbour, known to its traditional custodians as Tubowgule. The message was clear. This was a country that valued culture as a fundamental part of our identity. As with the Pollock purchase, this was a country that was prepared to back itself when it came to art. (And was it significant that two of our most celebrated musical creations, AC/DC and Cold Chisel, trace their origins to those same months too?)
A Ukrainian soldier is standing in front of a Marder infantry fighting vehicle at the German forces Bundeswehr training area in Munster, Germany, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023.

Germany will provide Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition, the government said Saturday.

The announcement came on the eve of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys first visit to Germany since Russia invaded his country last year.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Berlin wanted to show with the latest package of arms that Germany is serious in its support for Ukraine.

Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes, he said.

Zelenskyys expected weekend visit  still not publicly confirmed by German officials for security reasons  is regarded in Berlin as a sign that relations between Ukraine and Germany have improved markedly after a rocky patch.

Kyiv has long been suspicious of Germanys reliance on Russian energy and support for the Nord Stream gas pipelines circumventing Ukraine, defended by then Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Her successor, Olaf Scholz, agreed to phase out Russian energy imports after the invasion but initially hesitated to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, fearing Germany could be drawn into the conflict.

With Washington, Warsaw and London more overtly supportive of Ukraines efforts to defend itself, Berlin got the cold diplomatic shoulder from Kyiv.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was disinvited from Ukraine last year, prompting annoyance in Germany, which pointed out that it had given considerable financial aid to Kyiv and taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees. Scholz eventually visited Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders in June.

Though slow to provide military aid, Germany has since become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, crucially giving the green light for the delivery of modern battle tanks like its own Leopard 1 and 2, along with sophisticated anti-aircraft systems needed to fend off drone and missile attacks.

The new military aid package, first reported by German weekly Der Spiegel, includes 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, more than 100 combat vehicles, 18 self-propelled Howitzers, 200 reconnaissance drones, four IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems and other air defense equipment. It comes after Ukrainian military commanders said their troops recaptured more territory from Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut amid speculation about a possible counteroffensive by Kyiv.

The Ukrainian president would be arriving from Rome, where he was meeting Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

Berlin police have imposed a security cordon throughout much of the capitals government district Sunday.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organizers say the award recognizes that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defense not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in July 2021. He also attended the Munich Security Conference the following February, days before Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
860 migrants and a stowaway

There were 860 East European migrants and one stowaway on the US Army transport General Sturgis when it arrived in Sydney yesterday. The ships master, Captain Nebring said he had transported over 10,000 European migrants in the past year. On board was Miss Budarina from Leningrad. The daughter of a Czarist officer, she was sent to a German labour camp in 1944. Only a few days ago she threw into the sea a phial of poison she had carried for a long time.

Jews proclaim new state

The birth of the Jewish State of Israel from midnight tonight was proclaimed at a solemn assembly of the Jewish National Council in Tel Aviv. At the same time the headquarters of the Arab League in Damascus issued a formal declaration of a state of war against Palestine Jewry, and the Egyptian government announced it would invade Palestine one minute after midnight. General Cunningham left Government House to the sound of the piper playing from the rooftop.

Beer on again

Although draught beer was sold in 600 Sydney hotels yesterday for the first time for 10 weeks, few hotels are likely to have any today after 2pm. The beer strike is over, but the NSW president of the ULVA, Mr Connolly, said that hotel supplies would not be normal for about a fortnight. The job of restocking all hotels in the State was tremendous, he said. Scarcity of hops and sugar was curtailing production, and there was no sign of early relief.
The curtains of 10 Upwey Street, in the western Sydney suburb of Prospect, had been drawn closed for days before police forced in the back door just before Christmas in 2018.

Nadire Sensoys brick home was silent; the calendar on her fridge hadnt ticked over for six days, the vials of insulin she needed to live with diabetes were untouched inside.

Nadire Sensoy vanished in 2018. A coroner has found her demise was suspicious, and detailed her last known movements as her son faces court charged with her murder.

Sensoy was gone without a trace. Last month her son, Selim, was charged with her murder.

Since 6 December 2018 all relevant activity that you would expect from Mrs Sensoy ceased, Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes said in her findings, read in open court on April 28, 2023.
ABC managing director David Anderson wrote to ABC staff last week in an attempt to reassure them, while Oliver-Taylor told staff the new structure would put his divisions focus on reaching digital audiences and simplifying processes. Loading Radio is central to the ABC, our audiences and remains vitally important to our future, Anderson wrote. But he added: As Australian audiences are now moving from broadcast radio to streamed or on-demand audio: increasingly they want to hear from their favourite broadcasters and listen to preferred specialist content when, where and how they like. The BBC in the UK has gone further, signalling that it will shutter many of its traditional broadcast channels by 2030. Over time this will mean fewer linear broadcast services and a more tailored joined-up online offer, its managing director Tim Davie said in December last year. The sixth annual Infinite Dial Australian audio study, published last June by Edison Research, said the number of Australians listening online grew by 8 per cent, reaching a total of 71 per cent of the population. In that market, Anderson told staff, the ABC already has top-rating podcasts and wants to do even more as audiences go increasingly online.

Whats becoming abundantly clear is that people are turning off traditional ABC radio. In one survey from 2018, ABC Sydney had 8 per cent of total radio audience in the market, a figure that had slipped to 5.9 per cent at the start of 2023. ABC Melbourne, which lost longstanding radio broadcaster Jon Faine during the five-year period, has fallen from an 8.1 per cent share to 5.8 per cent in the past five years. ABC star Sammy J, like many of his colleagues, faces declining ratings. Credit: Joe Armao Audience declines are most pronounced in the breakfast time slot, which runs from 5.30am to 9am, accounting for the performance of programs including Breakfast with Sammy J in Melbourne and ABC Sydney Breakfast with James Valentine. The departure of ABC Sydney breakfast hosts Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck has had a pronounced effect on numbers: while ratings fluctuated during their tenure, the time slot has fallen 2 percentage points in the year since they left the airwaves. Cumulative audience  the de-duplicated number of people listening to a station for a quarter of an hour at a given point  has fallen from 364,000 to 342,000 in five years. But even Drive with longstanding host Richard Glover has taken a hit, losing 2.4 per cent share in its time slot.

In Melbourne, the decline in listeners during the breakfast slot is particularly pronounced. Despite attempts to maintain the share held by longstanding host Red Symons, who was effectively sacked in 2018, repeated changes to the line-up have also hurt the station. More than 100,000 listeners are no longer tuning in to the breakfast program, and the time slot has fallen from a 10.1 per cent share to 7.3 per cent in five years. Audience share grew massively for host Sammy J during the Victoria lockdowns, with his share as high as 14.3 per cent at the end of 2021. But post-pandemic restrictions, that figure fell to 7.3 per cent at the start of 2023. Wendy Harmer, pictured with her former co-host Robbie Buck, says she understands that radio needs to evolve but hopes the ABC is making the right changes. Credit: Janie Barrett Former ABC Radio Canberra presenter Genevieve Jacobs  who is now managing editor of Region Media Group that publishes online news outlets including the RiotACT  is scathing of recent changes to local radio. Theres been a wrongheaded pursuit of a younger demographic [with lighter, less local content] and that has been really regrettable in terms of alienating people who were dedicated listeners, says Jacobs, who was ousted by the ABC in 2017. Harmer, who went out on a high when she left ABC Sydney in 2021, saw a string of restructures in her years at the corporation, some with dubious justification. Its always a mystery, and you find that people you reported to in one office now occupy another floor or are in a different building, she says. It can be all very mystifying when you stand there in front of the lifts.

But she emphasises that reports of radios death are premature. Audio and visual content are two very different specialisations, so I hope they havent thrown the baby out with the bath water, Harmer says. Its not just the metropolitan stations that have suffered declines. The departure of ABC RN breakfast host Fran Kelly, who hosted the program for almost 14 years, has caused a dramatic reduction in the number of listeners tuning in early in the morning. At the end of 2021, as Kelly departed, her shows cumulative audience sat at 416,000. At the end of the first survey of 2023, following a year of Patricia Karvelas at the helm, that figure had fallen to 240,000. This has impacted ABC RNs total audience share, which fell below 2 per cent for the first time in 2022 and has continued to drop in each survey. Loading For their part, ABC executives are grappling with how to deal with radio in the restructured organisation. They hired Dr Cherie Romaro, a veteran radio executive, earlier this year to tell them how to improve local and regional stations such as ABC Sydney and ABC Melbourne, with potential solutions including shorter interviews, changing presenters and a new music line-up. More investment in podcasts and digital audio channels is on the cards, while many staff members fear job cuts may be on the table too. An internal ABC information page says the project, which is intended to ensure the ABC is meeting its audiences needs, is almost complete and will be analysed by senior staff in coming months. The new structure will strongly support the work being done in local radio to identify why audiences are listening for shorter periods  contributing to the drop in share  and how we can reverse that trend, the page says.
At 16 and unemployed, Sally didnt have the taxi fare home and when she saw the bus with the insignia of her local service pull in, she raced down and asked for a ride.

THEY call them NightRiders buses that carry late-night revellers home. But in the bitter cold of Swanston Walk at 1.45 am yesterday, the Sunbury bus was a refuge for teenager Sally Finch.

Driver Alan Hoppner explained he was doing a run to St Albans first and the Sunbury trip would be at 2.30 am. Relieved at only a 43 minute wait, Sally and her friend Paul Maxwell, a 15-year-old year 12 student from Pascoe Vale, said normally they would have to wait, in temperatures below 10 degrees, for the first train at 5.30 am.

Paul Maxwell and Sally Finch wait for a bus. Credit: Dominic OBrien

The pair huddled together, sharing a bucket of chips, until Sally went in search of a friend who owed her the $5 she needed for a two-hour Nightrider ticket.

Melbournes midnight-to-dawn crowd had few ways of getting home until yesterday when a new bus service, run by Manchester Unity with Public Transport Corporation support, made its debut. It met with reasonable success and officials believe it will catch on as the public becomes aware of its main Swanston Walk terminus, near the city square, and its other designated pick-up points.

The buses serve nine routes - Bayswater, Broadmeadows, Croydon, Dandenong, Eltham, Epping, Frankston, St Albans/Sunbury and Werribee, to and from the city. They run from 12.30 am to 3.30 am every Saturday and Sunday with later services for Broadmeadows, Dandenong Eltham and Sunbury.
Nairobi: One of Kenyas oldest wild lions was killed by herders and the government has expressed concern as six more lions were speared, bringing to 10 the number killed last week alone.

The male lion named Loonkiito was 19 years old and was described as frail by Kenya Wildlife Service spokesperson Paul Jinaro, who said it wandered out of the Amboseli national park into a village in search of food on Thursday night.

Loonkiito, one of Kenyas oldest wild lions, was killed by herders. Credit: AP

Conservation group Lion Guardians said Loonkiito, who had defended his territory for more than a decade, was a symbol of resilience and coexistence and the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa.

Six other lions from the same national park were speared by herders after they killed 11 goats in Mbirikani area, Kajiado county. The kills come as an escalation in human-wildlife conflict has dealt a blow to conservation efforts and a tourism industry that is a key pillar of the nations economy.
In detailing the conversation, intelligence officials concede that Zelensky was expressing rage toward Hungary and therefore could be making hyperbolic, meaningless threats, a qualification that does not accompany the other accounts of Zelensky suggesting bold military action. Though Hungary is nominally part of the Western alliance, Orban is widely considered Europes most Kremlin-friendly leader. When asked if he had suggested occupying parts of Russia, Zelensky, during an interview with The Washington Post in Kyiv, dismissed the US intelligence claims as fantasies but defended his right to use unconventional tactics in the defence of his country. Ukraine has every right to protect itself, and we are doing it. Ukraine did not occupy anyone, but vice versa, Zelensky said. When so many people have died and there have been mass graves and our people have been tortured, I am sure that we have to use any tricks. The use of long-range missiles to hit inside Russia is a particularly sensitive topic for the White House, which has long worried that the Ukraine conflict could escalate out of control and force a catastrophic standoff between the United States and Russia, the worlds largest nuclear powers. Though Washington has given Zelensky billions of dollars worth of advanced weaponry, President Biden has steadily rebuffed the Ukrainian leaders request for long-range ATACMS, shorthand for the Army Tactical Missile System, capable of striking targets up to 185 miles away. Since the start of the war, Biden has said the United States is not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders.

When asked about the intelligence indicating he had weighed the use of long-range missiles to hit Russia, Zelensky said it is not something Ukraine is entertaining. No one in our country has given orders for offensives or strikes on Russian territory, he said. It is unclear whether the United States has shared accounts of Zelenskys plotting with allied nations, but the Ukrainian president continues to enjoy the strong support of Western governments, which have provided him with an increasingly sophisticated array of weaponry. This past week, Britain became the first Western country to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. The Storm Shadow, a cruise missile system with stealth capabilities, has a range of 155 miles, far exceeding the 50-mile range of the US-provided HIMARS launchers. British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Friday that the missile would give Ukraine the best chance to defend itself and would be for use only within Ukrainian sovereign territory. A spokesman with the British Embassy in Washington declined to comment on whether Zelenskys leaked remarks might give London pause about its decision. The Biden administration says Zelenskys intercepted comments are not the cause for withholding ATACMS.

Ukraine has repeatedly committed to employ US-provided weapons responsibly and strategically when needed to counter Russian aggression, and we are confident that will continue to be the case, said a US defence official who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic. Loading Since last year, Zelensky has promised that Ukraine would never use US weapons to strike inside Russia, a pledge the White House says he has fulfilled. President Zelensky has kept the promises he has made to President Biden, and we do not believe that that will change, said a senior administration official. One reason for not providing the long-range missiles is the relatively few ATACMS the United States has for its own defence needs, General Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Defence One in March.

Zelensky, however, said he believes the United States isnt sending the weapons because it doesnt trust Kyiv. I think they are afraid that we might use them on the territory of Russia, Zelensky told The Post. But I would always tell our partners ... We have a priority target for which we are spending the ammunition packages we receive, and we spend it on the deoccupation of purely Ukrainian territories, he said. While there is no indication that Ukraine has used Western missiles to strike into Russian territory, the same cannot be said for Kyivs use of armed drones. Explosions caused by unmanned aerial vehicles have become a regular occurrence in Russia, including in Rostov, where a drone crashed into an oil refinery this month. Ukrainian officials are often coy about the incidents, hinting that theyre responsible without directly taking credit. Two drone attacks in December on Russias Engels air base in Saratov, more than 590 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, showed that we have the ability to reach many kilometres farther than they could expect, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, said in an interview earlier this year.

Russia this month accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to kill President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Videos circulating on social media and verified by The Post show two drones streaking toward the Kremlin at about 2.30am local time. The allegation was forcefully denied by Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky. Loading Not all of the classified documents show Zelensky pushing for more aggressive action. One document describes a plan developed by Ukraines military intelligence agency last year to conduct covert attacks on Russian forces in Syria using secret Kurdish help. The detailed plot would have opened a new battlefield thousands of miles from Ukraine, but in December, Zelensky directed his aides to cease planning for operations against Russian forces in Syria, the document says, without explaining why the plan was aborted. Zelensky, in the recent interview, said he reserved the right to explore a range of military options.
Wellington: The New Zealand government says it will allocate $NZ1.1 billion ($1.03 billion) to help communities recover from a cyclone and floods that lashed the country this year.

The funds from the 2023 budget are to cover basics of rebuilding roads, rail and schools, as well as flood protection, it said in a statement.

People stand on a rooftop of a home waiting to be winched to safety by helicopter in the Esk Valley, near Napier, New Zealand, in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Credit: AP

Cyclone Gabrielle devastated parts of the North Island in February, killing 11, after flash floods prompted by record-breaking rainfall hit the countrys biggest city, Auckland, in January.

Treasury estimated the damage from the two extreme weather events could hit $NZ14.5 billion, second behind only the 2011 earthquakes that severely damaged the city of Christchurch. Of this, $NZ5 to $NZ7.5 billion related to public infrastructure.
One manifestation of general relativity is gravitational waves, depicted here as created by two colliding black holes.

General relativity is physicist Albert Einstein's understanding of how gravity affects the fabric of space-time.

The theory, which Einstein published in 1915, expanded the theory of special relativity that he had published 10 years earlier. Special relativity argued that space and time are inextricably connected, but that theory didn't acknowledge the existence of gravity .

Einstein spent the decade between the two publications determining that particularly massive objects warp the fabric of space-time , a distortion that manifests as gravity, according to NASA (opens in new tab).

Related: The hunt for wormholes: How scientists look for space-time tunnels

How does general relativity work?

To understand general relativity, first, let's start with gravity, the force of attraction that two objects exert on one another. Sir Isaac Newton quantified gravity in the same text in which he formulated his three laws of motion, the "Principia."

The gravitational force tugging between two bodies depends on how massive each one is and how far apart the two lie, according to NASA Glenn Research Center (opens in new tab). Even as the center of the Earth is pulling you toward it (keeping you firmly lodged on the ground), your center of mass is pulling back at the Earth. But the more massive body barely feels the tug from you, while with your much smaller mass, you find yourself firmly rooted thanks to that same force. Yet Newton's laws assume that gravity is an innate force of an object that can act over a distance.

Albert Einstein, in his theory of special relativity, determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers, and he showed that the speed of light within a vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels, according to Wired (opens in new tab).

As a result, he found that space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as space-time. And events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another.

Related: What would happen if the speed of light was much lower?

As he worked out the equations for his general theory of relativity, Einstein realized that massive objects caused a distortion in space-time. Imagine setting a large object in the center of a trampoline. The object would press down into the fabric, causing it to dimple. If you then attempt to roll a marble around the edge of the trampoline, the marble would spiral inward toward the body, pulled in much the same way that the gravity of a planet pulls at rocks in space.

In the decades since Einstein published his theories, scientists have observed countless of phenomena matching the predictions of relativity.

General relativity FAQs answered by an expert

We asked Elena Giorgi, an assistant professor of mathematics at Columbia University a few commonly asked questions about general relativity.

Image credit: April Renae, Columbia University. Image credit: April Renae, Columbia University. Elena Giorgi Assistant Professor Elena Giorgi is an assistant professor of mathematics at Columbia University.

What is general relativity? General relativity is a physical theory about space and time and it has a beautiful mathematical description. According to general relativity, the spacetime is a 4-dimensional object that has to obey an equation, called the Einstein equation, which explains how the matter curves the spacetime.

What force is explained by general relativity? General relativity explains gravity, and in this theory, it is not really a "force" anymore. The gravitational field comes out of the description of general relativity as a result of the curved spacetime.

When was the theory of general relativity established? General Relativity was established in 1915 by Albert Einstein and the first solutions to the Einstein equation were found already in early 1916.

Is general relativity proven? General relativity has passed all the experimental tests so far, but its applicability is expected to break down when [the] effects of quantum mechanics (the theory of the very small particles) should become dominant.

Gravitational lensing

Light bends around a massive object, such as a black hole, causing it to act as a lens for the things that lie behind it. Astronomers routinely use this method to study stars and galaxies behind massive objects.

The Einstein Cross, a quasar in the Pegasus constellation, according to the European Space Agency (opens in new tab) (ESA), and is an excellent example of gravitational lensing. The quasar is seen as it was about 11 billion years ago; the galaxy that it sits behind is about 10 times closer to Earth. Because the two objects align so precisely, four images of the quasar appear around the galaxy because the intense gravity of the galaxy bends the light coming from the quasar.

Related: What Is Quantum Gravity?

In cases like Einstein's cross, the different images of the gravitationally lensed object appear simultaneously, but that isn't always the case. Scientists have also managed to observe lensing examples where, because the light traveling around the lens takes different paths of different lengths, different images arrive at different times, as in the case of one particularly interesting supernova .

The Einstein Cross is an example of gravitational lensing. (Image credit: NASA and European Space Agency (ESA))

(opens in new tab)

Changes in Mercury's orbit

The orbit of Mercury is shifting very gradually over time due to the curvature of space-time around the massive sun, according to NASA (opens in new tab).

As the closest planet to the sun, Mercurys perihelion (the point along its orbit that its closest to the sun) is predicted to follow a slightly different direction over time. Under Newtons predictions, gravitational forces in the solar system should advance Mercury's precession ( change in its orbital orientation) is measured to be 5,600 arcseconds per century (1 arcsecond is equal to 1/3600 of a degree). However, there is a discrepancy of 43 arcseconds per century, something Einstein's theory of general relativity accounts for. Using Einsteins theory of curved space-time, the precession of Mercurys perihelion should advance slightly more than under the predictions of Newton, since planets dont orbit the sun in a static elliptical orbit.

Sure enough, several research papers published since the mid 20th century have confirmed Einstein's calculations of Mercurys perihelion precession to be accurate.

In a few billion years, this wobble could even cause the innermost planet to collide with the sun or a planet.

Frame-dragging of space-time around rotating bodies

The spin of a heavy object, such as Earth, should twist and distort the space-time around it. In 2004, NASA launched the Gravity Probe B (GP-B). The axes of the satellite's precisely calibrated gyroscopes drifted very slightly over time, according to NASA (opens in new tab), a result that matched Einstein's theory.

"Imagine the Earth as if it were immersed in honey," Gravity Probe-B principal investigator Francis Everitt, of Stanford University, said in a NASA statement (opens in new tab) about the mission.

"As the planet rotates, the honey around it would swirl, and it's the same with space and time. GP-B confirmed two of the most profound predictions of Einstein's universe, having far-reaching implications across astrophysics research."

Gravitational redshift

The electromagnetic radiation of an object is stretched out slightly inside a gravitational field. Think of the sound waves that emanate from a siren on an emergency vehicle; as the vehicle moves toward an observer, sound waves are compressed, but as it moves away, they are stretched out, or redshifted. Known as the Doppler Effect, the same phenomena occurs with waves of light at all frequencies.

In the 1960s, according to the American Physical Society (opens in new tab), physicists Robert Pound and Glen Rebka shot gamma-rays first down, then up the side of a tower at Harvard University. Pound and Rebka found that the gamma-rays slightly changed frequency due to distortions caused by gravity.

Gravitational waves

Einstein predicted that violent events, such as the collision of two black holes, create ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves. And in 2016, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) announced that it had detected such a signal for the first time.

That detection came on Sept. 14, 2015. LIGO, made up of twin facilities in Louisiana and Washington, had recently been upgraded, and were in the process of being calibrated before they went online. The first detection was so large that, according to then-LIGO spokesperson Gabriela Gonzalez, it took the team several months of analysis to convince themselves that it was a real signal and not a glitch.

Related: Phantom energy and dark gravity: Explaining the dark side of the universe

"We were very lucky on the first detection that it was so obvious," she said during the 228 American Astronomical Society meeting in June 2016.

Since then, scientists have begun quickly catching gravitational waves. All told LIGO and its European counterpart Virgo have detected a total of 50 gravitational-wave events, according to program officials, according to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. (opens in new tab)

Those collisions have included unusual events like a collision with an object that scientists can't definitively identify as a black hole or neutron star, merging neutron stars accompanied by a bright explosion, mismatched black holes colliding and more.

Observing neutron stars

An artist's concept of a rotating pulsar. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

(opens in new tab)

In 2021 research published in the journal Physical Review X (opens in new tab), challenged several of Einstein's predictions by observing a double-pulsar system around 2,400 light-years from Earth. Each of the seven predictions of general relativity was confirmed by the study.

Pulsars are a type of neutron star that appears to pulse due to beams of electromagnetic radiation and that are emitting from their magnetic poles.

The pulsar test subjects spin very fast - around 44 times a second - and are 30% more massive than the sun but are only 15 miles (around 24 kilometers) in diameter, making them incredibly dense. This means that their gravitational pull is immense, for example, on the surface of a neutron star gravity is around 1 billion times stronger than its pull on Earth. This makes neutron stars a great test subject to challenge predictions in Einstein's theories, such as the ability of gravity to bend light.

"We follow the propagation of radio photons emitted from a cosmic lighthouse, a pulsar, and track their movements in the strong gravitational field of a companion pulsar," Professor Ingrid Stairs from the University of British Columbia at Vancouver said in a statement.

"We see for the first time how the light is not only delayed due to a strong curvature of spacetime around the companion but also that the light is deflected by a small angle of 0.04 degrees that we can detect. Never before has such an experiment been conducted at such a high spacetime curvature" Stairs adds.

Additional resources

Read more about general relativity in the book Relativity: The Special and the General Theory - 100th Anniversary Edition (opens in new tab). Explore the Nature of Space and Time (Isaac Newton Institute Series of Lectures, 3) (opens in new tab) and The Physics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (opens in new tab).
Photograph of Skylab in orbit, taken by the Skylab-2 crew before departing for Earth.

Skylab was the first space station operated by the United States.

It spent six years orbiting Earth until its decaying orbit caused it to re-enter the atmosphere. It scattered debris over the Indian Ocean and sparsely settled areas of Western Australia.

Three successive three-man crews lived on board the station for 28, 56 and 84 days in orbit  an American record that stood until the shuttle era. Astronauts aboard the station conducted 270 experiments in biomedical and life sciences, solar astronomy, Earth observations and materials processing. Among the most important were investigations on the astronauts' physiological responses to long-duration spaceflight.

Various NASA centers had kicked around ideas for a space station for years before Skylab launched. However, the agency was very focused on the space race and moonshots that dominated public consciousness in the 1960s.

As Apollo began to wind down in the early 1970s, NASA began an Apollo Applications Program to fly unused hardware from the moon program. One idea, proposed by famous Apollo rocket engineer Wernher von Braun, would be to build a space station out of an unused rocket stage. The design evolved over the years as NASA struggled with reduced funding.

What was Skylab made up of?

Skylab consisted of four major components: the Orbital Workshop (OWS), the Airlock Module (AM), the Multiple Docking Adapter (MDA) and the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM). The Apollo command and service module that transported crews to Skylab remained attached to the station throughout a crew's occupancy.

The OWS, which served as the main working, living and sleeping compartment for the crews, was converted from the upper stage of a Saturn rocket. It contained exercise equipment, a galley, and many scientific experiments, in particular for life sciences studies. Two large solar arrays on the OWS provided 12.4 kilowatts of power to the station.

The AM enabled astronauts to conduct spacewalks, and the MDA included a prime and backup docking port for the Apollo spacecraft. The second docking port enabled a rescue capability. A second Apollo capsule carrying two astronauts could come to the aid of the resident crew if their spacecraft became disabled, and all five astronauts returned to Earth in the new spacecraft. The MDA also housed the Earth Resources Experiment Package.

The ATM contained telescopes for solar observations and four solar arrays for additional power. Once in orbit, the station weighed 170,000 lbs.

Photos: Skylab, the 1st U.S. space station

A rocky start to Skylab

Skylab launched into space on May 14, 1973. However, a micrometeoroid shield, which was supposed to shelter Skylab from debris and also act as a thermal blanket, accidentally opened about 63 seconds into the launch. The shield and a solar array tore off, and another solar array was damaged. "When the meteoroid shield ripped loose, it disturbed the mounting of workshop solar array wing No. 2 and caused it to partially deploy," NASA wrote. "The exhaust plume of the second stage retro-rockets impacted the partially deployed solar array and literally blew it into space."

The space station experienced communications problems with the antenna as a result of the incident, but that was the least of NASA's worries. Without protection from the micrometeoroid shield, temperatures inside the station rose to intolerable levels. Also, the remaining solar arrays were only generating 25 watts of power, according to NASA. Flight controllers faced a dilemma. If they oriented the station toward the sun to maximize power generation, temperatures rose too high for the crew and equipment. But an attitude that minimized the heat significantly reduced power generation.

Workers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center scrambled to stabilize the station. They eventually decided to put the station in an attitude that would minimize overheating.

Meanwhile, the launch of the first crew  Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad, pilot Paul J. Weitz and science pilot Joseph P. Kerwin  was delayed as the astronauts began training for the new mission to make the station habitable. Launching 10 days later, on May 25, the crew's first challenge, just hours after launch, was to attempt to deploy the solar array during a spacewalk. However, initial attempts met with no luck as a metal strip holding it down refused to give way.

Crewmembers emerged from an expected communications blackout in a foul mood, according to an official NASA account of the mission. "The astronauts were venting their frustration with four-letter words, while Houston repeatedly tried to remind them that communication had resumed," NASA wrote.

Realizing the tools they had with them that day would not work, Conrad abandoned the exercise and focused on trying to dock his spacecraft with the station. Unfortunately, the docking mechanism failed and the crew had to depressurize the spacecraft and bypass electrical connections to achieve it.

In subsequent days, Conrad's crew erected a sun shade, successfully deployed the stuck array, and began operational work aboard the station. While the incident was frustrating for the teams involved, it also demonstrated that it was possible to fix a badly damaged space station while it is in orbit.

Cutaway view of Skylab and its components. (Image credit: NASA)

(opens in new tab)

The psychology of astronauts

With the worst of the mechanical problems behind, NASA and the three Skylab crews focused on matters pertaining to long-duration spaceflight. Everything from the crew's exercise time to nutritional requirements to scheduling came under scrutiny and debate.

Skylab's second crew  led by Apollo 12 moonwalker Alan Bean, with pilot Jack R. Lousma and scientist Owen K. Garriott  impressed NASA with its productivity. The crew finished its assigned tasks much faster than expected and clamored for more. While the pace was impressive, it set within NASA some false expectations for how much a group of astronauts could accomplish.

Things weren't always that smooth between the ground and space. Skylab's third crew in particular complained repeatedly about being overloaded with tasks and superhuman expectations. Some have said the crew did a mutiny in orbit, although others characterize it more as a temporary refusal to do more work.

Whatever the situation, the unhappiness prompted a discussion between the ground and space where the two sides brought their mutual concerns to the table. Things never got that bad again between the crew and the ground controllers, but none of the astronauts  Commander Gerald P. Carr, pilot William R. Pogue and scientist Edward R. Gibson  flew in space again.

Carr later said he regretted having waited for several weeks before airing his concerns. "We swallowed a lot of problems for a lot of days because we were reluctant to admit publicly that we were not getting things done right," he said in a NASA account of Skylab. "That's ridiculous, [but] that's human behavior."

In between adapting to a longer mission, crews focused on the science. A solar telescope mounted on the station allowed the astronauts to observe solar flares in action, although an early crewmember joked that he was left wishing for "supernormal" flares. One crew also observed Comet Kohoutek as it swung closest to Earth.

Skylab's last crew left in February 1974, leaving the station in orbit. NASA had planned to bring more crews into orbit, but financial concerns and the run-up to the shuttle program turned attention elsewhere. An effort to send the shuttle there also fell through.

The space station's orbit decayed faster than expected due to intense solar activity heating up Earth's atmosphere. NASA, faced with the inevitable, adjusted the station as best as it could so it wouldn't hit populated areas upon re-entering on July 11, 1979. A math mistake led to pieces falling in Australia, but fortunately, nobody was hurt.

Skylab's legacy

While Skylab's end marked a temporary stop to NASA's work on long-duration spaceflight, the agency resumed long flights during the shuttle-Mir program in the 1990s in partnership with Russia and its space station, Mir. That work laid part of the groundwork for the 16-nation cooperation on the International Space Station. In 2015-16, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikail Kornienko spent nearly a year on the orbiting complex. Most crews tend to remain there for five or six months, however.

Unlike during the days of Skylab, astronauts today have regular private sessions with an assigned doctor where they can air concerns about workload, family life or anything else that might be bothering them  without repercussions and without the fear that the public might be listening in. The doctor can then search for solutions among managers on the ground, freeing up time for crews to work in orbit.

Astronauts also follow a strict exercise regimen, receiving about two hours a day to run on a treadmill, use an exercise bike or lift using a machine that simulates weight-lifting. Medical studies have shown that this sort of exercise reduces bone loss, muscle atrophy and other problems in spaceflight.

NASA is planning on constructing a lunar space station in the 2020s, which is called the Deep Space Gateway. This would allow astronauts to do long-duration stays at a location further from Earth  valuable practice for colonizing Mars, while still being close enough to quickly turn around and go home if a problem arises. It is unclear who else will participate in this venture, but NASA is seeking international collaborators.

In 2018, a documentary film "Searching for Skylab" was fully funded on Kickstarter. The filmmakers argued that Skylab is not a well-remembered mission in the public eye. In the film, Skylab astronauts and ground workers explain the work that went into the missions and the first U.S. space station's legacy.
Luis Granena

On March 14, 2022, at 9:30 p.m., Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova stepped into the most-watched newscast in the country, holding up a poster with a message against the war in Ukraine. The interruption lasted barely six second, but it was enough to turn her life upside down.

A few minutes later, the deputy news director approached her. Was that you? he asked. Her professional career at the state-owned Channel 1 ended at that very moment. But Ovsyannikova  who was born in Odessa, in 1978  didnt regret her actions in the least. After 20 years working at what she now calls a propaganda machine, she instantly became a symbol of resistance against the official narrative of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ovsyannikovas gesture  which took place less than a month after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine  swept around the world, earning her a wave of support. In a speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the girl who entered the studio of Channel 1. French President Emmanuel Macron was quick to offer her protection. The journalist  born to a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father  initially rejected the offer. But this past February, she appeared by surprise in Paris, where she is now waiting for her asylum claim to be processed. She fled Russia in the middle of the night with her daughter, changing cars seven times, before eventually crossing the border on foot.

Following the act of protest, her mother  a fervent supporter of Putin, who raised Marina on her own after her fathers death  branded her daughter as a traitor. Meanwhile, her 18-year-old son refuses to speak to her. I sacrificed everything to tell the truth, Ovsyannikova tells EL PAIS in English. Her 12-year-old daughter now lives with her in Paris.

More information Russia constructs 800km of defensive lines to head off Ukrainian counteroffensive

The journalist joined Channel 1 in 2003, when she was barely 25-years-old. She had just arrived in Moscow and was ready to start from scratch, like many young reporters who come from the provinces. At that time, the Russian information space was still relatively free and open, says Lukas Aubin, an expert on Russia at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs.

Ovsyannikova had gained experience at Krasnodars regional television channel, in southern Russia, while completing her journalism studies at Kuban State University. Little by little, she worked her way up the ranks to serve as deputy editor-in-chief of the news and get her own show.

It was the golden age of Russian journalism, she recalls in her recently-published book, Between Good and Evil: How I Finally Opposed the Kremlin Propaganda. The situation, however, began to change gradually. In the interviews she has given, the journalist often refers to the 2008 invasion of Georgia as a turning point in the control exercised by the Kremlin over the media. At that moment, Ovsyannikova decided to ignore what she later decided to denounce.

In Moscow, she enjoyed comfortable working hours, which allowed her to travel to other countries, be with her children and her two golden retrievers, and continue swimming  her favorite sport since she was a child. It was also at the state-owned channel where she met her now ex-husband  the father of her children  who is currently employed by Russia Today. Her life was that of a middle-class woman. That is, until the war in Ukraine shook things up.

As editor of the international section, she saw what the global media was reporting about the conflict in Ukraine. She later decided to broadcast this on her own channel. It was a parallel reality, she declared. She could no longer see the images of burning buildings and fleeing refugees as mere abstractions. Christine Proske  her literary agent  describes Ovsyannikova as someone who has a great sense of justice.

The war in Ukraine reminded her of her childhood in Grozny, the Chechen capital, from where she fled just before the war broke out in 1994. Ovsyannikova refers to that period as a difficult time. At the end of the 1980s, she witnessed how daily life in the city changed. Armed militias appeared in the streets  outside her school, someone posted a message urging the Russians to return to Moscow.

On a crowded train, she arrived with her mother  a chemical engineer  in the Krasnodar region. Years later, while working in regional television, she would see the building where she had lived as a little girl. It was in ruins; her old neighbors survived in the rubble, she recounts in her memoir.

Partly for this reason, when the conflict broke out in Ukraine, she decided to act, without much thought. She is someone who makes quick decisions the opposite of someone who procrastinates, Christophe Deloire notes. He is the secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, the organization that helped Ovsyannikova leave Russia. In the preface to the French edition of the book, he writes: Ovsyannikova embodies the possibility of getting rid of a propaganda apparatus, of deserting it and resisting it.

When breaking into the live news broadcast, the editor shouted: Stop the war. In her autobiography, she claims that she did not even recognize the sound of her own voice. When she walked out of the studio, her legs were shaking. The poster  which she had prepared the day before in her kitchen  had one sentence in English and three in Russian: No to the war. Stop the war. Dont believe the hype. They are lying to you. To enter the building, she hid the banner in the sleeve of her white coat.
The space race was a series of competitive technology demonstrations between the United States and the Soviet Union, aiming to show superiority in spaceflight.

It was an outgrowth of the mid-20th-century Cold War, a tense global conflict that pitted the ideologies of capitalism and communism against one another, according to an online exhibit from the National Air and Space Museum (opens in new tab).

From the late 1950s to the mid-1970s, the two superpowers were embroiled in a bitter competition over who could 'conquer' outer space first. Beginning with the launch of the first satellite and culminating with a joint mission between the two superpowers, the space race was a unique period in space exploration.

How the space race began

A technician working on the Soviet satellite, the first manmade object to orbit the earth (Image credit: Getty: Sovfoto / Contributor)

(opens in new tab)

Following the end of the Second World War, a bitter ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union known as the Cold War (opens in new tab), began. The Cold War had many battlefields, from the United States' intervention in Vietnam to the nuclear arms race. Another area of conflict was the battle to 'conquer' the exploration of space first. The first aim of this "space race" was the launching of an unmanned object, a satellite, which could successfully orbit Earth.

The United States first began planning this venture in 1954, according to a NASA article (opens in new tab). However, on Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union announced that they had successfully launched a satellite, Sputnik. A month later they followed this with the launch of Sputnik 2, which carried a dog named Laika, making the Soviets the first to send a living creature into outer space, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich (opens in new tab).

In the United States, the response to the news that the Soviet Union had sent an object into outer space, caused public panic. "When Sputnik launches, President Eisenhower doesn't see it as an existential threat," according to Brian C Odom, acting Chief Historian for NASA. "He sees it as just what it was, the Soviet Union launching a transceiver transmitter into orbit. But the American public saw it differently, right because they saw it as this larger cold war competition."

Following the launch of Sputnik, it was deemed appropriate that a private organization should be founded in order to best facilitate the burgeoning American Space Program, according to (opens in new tab) NASA. In late 1957, America's first attempt at a satellite, the Vanguard TV-3, almost immediately crashed back onto the launchpad, according to The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (opens in new tab). Although the successful launch of Explorer 1 on Jan. 31, 1958, did help soften this blow, it was still decided that a private body should be set up.

A NASA scientist examining the design of a rocket engine in the first year of the organization (Image credit: HUM Images / Contributor)

(opens in new tab)

There were other factors involved too. "Eisenhower's chief problem during this period was which branch of the military would be responsible for developing a launch vehicle," according to Odom, "however, this was problematic because it put the various branches in competition with each other. Eisenhower was really trying to disentangle all the military branches from being in competition with each other and move space exploration into a government agency dedicated to peaceful, open communication."

NASA officially opened for business on Oct. 1, 1958. However, the early years of NASA were a far cry from what the organization would become. The fledgling institution was in the process of finding its feet and discovering how it would approach the various problems concerned with launching both humans and objects into space. "In those early years, particularly 1958-1961, NASA was working to understand what its overall program would be," Odom said.

"What were its priorities, where would it apply the majority of its funding? There was a huge element of NASA that was thinking, what are the scientific questions that this agency is going to answer? Questions like what can we do with satellites in space? It was kind of a wild west, It was trying to figure out what it wanted to be."

The first man into space

A postcard of Yuri Gagarin, the first man to enter outer space (Image credit: getty: Rykoff Collection / Contributor)

(opens in new tab)

On April 12, 1961, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man into space when he successfully completed a 108-minute flight orbiting Earth a single time, According to New Scientist (opens in new tab). Following the flight, Gagarin became a celebrity within the Soviet Union but was kept from returning to space due to the authority's fears that, were there to be an accident, they could lose a useful propaganda tool, according to the BBC (opens in new tab). However, on March 27, 1968, Gagarin died in an accident during a routine training flight, according to Phys.Org (opens in new tab).

A month after Gagarin's historic flight, on May 5, 1961, the United States was able to catch up with their Soviet Rivals, when Navy Test pilot Alan Shepard became the second man into space, according to The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. (opens in new tab) Because of the placement of the portholes in the capsule, Shepard was, unfortunately, unable to view any stars, according to his flight report (opens in new tab).

"Following Shepard's flight in May 1961, it became very clear that the space race was continuing," Odom said. "President Kennedy committed to the lunar program and once that commitment was made, the resources came with it. NASA's attention for the next seven or eight years was focused on putting a man on the moon."

A major turning point in the space race occurred that same month when U.S. President John F. Kennedy stood before legislators in Congress and announced that he had committed NASA to landing people on the moon before the end of the decade.

Dangers of the space race

Image showing the damaged Apollo 1 spacecraft following the flash fire that killed all astronauts onboard during a simulated launch (Image credit: Getty: Heritage Images / Contributor)

(opens in new tab)

Alongside the victories there were also many losses, reaffirming just how dangerous space flight could be. On Jan. 27, 1967, the U.S. program had its first major disaster when a flash fire broke out during a simulated launch for the first lunar module, Apollo 1 . The first death of an astronaut during a mission was that of the Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov. On April 24, 1967, Komarov's craft Soyuz 1 crashed when its parachute became tangled, according to the BBC (opens in new tab).

But how does contemporary, or more recent spaceflight, compare to these early pioneering years? "One thing to stress is that space exploration has not gotten easier," Odom said.

"The challenges that were there in the very beginning are still the challenges that we face today. Yes, they were developing brand new systems and putting human beings at the top of rockets that were built for nuclear delivery systems [the Mercury and Gemini programs] but what we've learned over the decades of space exploration is that it hasn't gotten easier."

Aim for the moon

President John F Kennedy, the 35th President of the United states (Image credit: Getty: Central Press / Stringer)

(opens in new tab)

On Sept. 12, 1962, President Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University Stadium, providing a clear goal for Americans in the developing space race: to put a man on the moon with the Apollo Program. "We choose to go to the Moon" Kennedy began" in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills," according to the JFK Library (opens in new tab).

Kennedy's speech followed an earlier one made to Congress on May 25, 1961, following Yuri Gagarin's successful spaceflight, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (opens in new tab). Shortly after this speech, NASA's budget would increase by 89% and its research would now have one clear long-term aim in mind - though there would be other victories and developments in the short term.

"The space race was really a race to the moon," according to Odom."Kennedy wanted to get to the moon first. It would be a great propaganda coup. In the global South, you had a lot of countries becoming independent from former colonial powers. What system would they follow? Would they follow the U.S. liberal democracy or would they follow the Soviet example of communism? Kennedy saw the race to the moon as a way to demonstrate American technological power and the benefit of one system over another."

Who won the space race?

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon (Image credit: Getty: NASA / Contributor)

(opens in new tab)

On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched from the Kennedy space center. Four days later, at 10.56 PM EDT on July 20, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Although conspiracy theories persist that the moon landing was a hoax, more than half a billion people watched the historic event, which was broadcast on television.

This was a victory for the United States over the Soviet Union, whose own lunar program had made a number of failed attempts. Between 1963 and 1965, 11 rockets had been launched carrying small landing objects with airbags to cushion the impact, all unsuccessful, according to Popular Mechanics.

Achieving this goal in 1966, they then shifted their research to putting the first man on the moon. However, various issues with rocket launches caused the Soviet scientists to consider a robotic launch instead. Days before the Apollo rocket took off, the Soviet Luna 15 launched. This automated module was intended to achieve a soft landing and bring back samples from the lunar surface, however, communication was lost and it is suspected it crashed into the moon's surface, according to The New York Times (opens in new tab).

The Soviet Union's Luna 16 moon sample return spacecraft (Image credit: NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive)

(opens in new tab)

Over the next few years, each side in the space race reached several further world-firsts. The Americans achieved the first interplanetary flyby when Mariner 2 sped past Venus in 1962, followed by the first Mars flyby in 1965 with Mariner 4.

The Soviets sent the first woman into space, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963  a feat that would take the U.S. 20 more years to achieve). Other nations launched their own rockets and satellites, including Canada in 1962, France in 1965, and Japan and China in 1970.

Though there were additional American and Soviet missions, after the successes of the Apollo program, the space race was widely believed to have been won by the U.S. Eventually, as the Cold War came to an end, both sides agreed to cooperate in space and construct the International Space Station, beginning in 1998.

As the 1970s began, relations between the two superpowers improved and discussions on topics such as arms control began according to the Office of the Historian (opens in new tab).

Following the moon landing, the Soviet space program switched its focus to placing the first space station in orbit, according to Astronomy.com (opens in new tab).

However, the astronauts in the Soyuz 11 capsule were all killed when a faulty valve, triggered after the instrument modules were separated from the orbital capsule, caused an oxygen leak. The Soyuz 11 crew are the only humans to have died in space, according to The National Space Center (opens in new tab).

In 1975, as a symbol of cooperation between the two superpowers, a joint mission (called the Apollo-Soyuz mission) between the U.S. and the USSR was launched. On July 17 an Apollo shuttle docked with the Soyuz mission, and the crews greeted each other, according to (opens in new tab) NASA. symbolic handshake, broadcast globally, between commanders Tom Stafford and Alexi Leonov. In many ways, this can be seen as a symbolic end to the space race.

Yet despite the space race coming to an end, its impact is irrefutable. "We can't forget about the Cold War context for all this activity and the seemingly existential threat of the Soviet Union," according to Odom.

"As a historian looking at this from a contextual standpoint, I can tell you that I don't think Kennedy would commit to going to the moon without the race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Without the Apollo program, how far and how quickly would our technology have advanced to the point it is at today? The Cold War made the moon landing a priority in Kennedy's mind and his commitment to it really does change America and American technology."

Is there a current space race?

Now, some believe that a new space race has begun with the United States pitted against superpowers such as China and India, as well as old rival Russia. But some criticize this notion.

"The Russians don't have a stated public interest in going to the moon with human spaceflight," Wendy Whitman Cobb, a political scientist at Cameron University in Oklahoma, told Space.com . "[The Chinese] have taken a purposefully slow, methodical approach to spaceflight and for them, I think the motivations are more in the military and national-prestige realms."

The world is much more complex today than it was during the Cold War when two major superpowers vied for dominance. Now, private companies, such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, have joined in a new contest to show off their spaceflight capabilities, according to the BBC (opens in new tab). While there are some competitive aspects, such as the potential for fights over limited lunar resources , tomorrow's space races will involve a greater number of actors and more muddled win-lose scenarios than before.

Additional resources:

The NASA History Division (opens in new tab) contains a wealth of information and documentation for anyone wishing to research the history of the organization. For a comprehensive list of important dates relating to the Space Race, check out Royal Museums Greenwich (opens in new tab) timeline. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has a number of items related to the space race among it's collections, which can be viewed here (opens in new tab).

Timeline of the space race

Oct 4, 1957: The Soviet Union successfully sends the first man-made object into space. Sputnik is the world's first orbital satellite.

November 3, 1957: The second experimental spacecraft successfully launched into earth orbit, Sputnik 2 contained onboard the dog Laika - the first biological organism to enter space.

January 31, 1958: The United States launches its first satellite, Explorer 1, following the launch of Sputnik three months earlier.

October 1, 1958: On 29th July 1958, President Eisenhower signed the Aeronautics and Space Act which established the organisation of the same name, commonly known as NASA.

September 12, 1959: The Soviet Union launches Lunar 2, the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of the moon.

April 12, 1961: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man into space when he successfully completed a 108 minute flight orbiting the earth a single time.

August 19, 1960: The USSR launches Sputnik 5 carrying two dogs, Belka and Strelka, who became the first animals to return to earth following a day in space.

January 31, 1961: NASA sends Ham, a Chimpanzee into space. Despite the capsule losing pressure, Ham is saved by his spacesuit and returns to earth.

May 5, 1961: Alan Shepard becomes the first American astronaut in space. Purportedly, due to the placement of the portholes he was unable to see the stars.

May 25 1961: President Kennedy makes a speech to congress in which he announces that the United States will put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

June 16, 1963: Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman into space, orbiting the earth 48 times across almost three days.

July 14-15, 1965: The Mariner 4 becomes the first spacecraft not only to successfully travel to Mars but also the first to take a photograph of another planet from space.

March 18, 1965: For 12 minutes Soviet Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov floats freely in outer space on the end of nearly 16 foot long tether, becoming the first astronaut to 'space walk'.

February 21, 1967: Astronauts Virgil I Grissom, Edward Higgins White and Roger Chaffee lose their lives when a fire breaks out on their spacecraft during a launch rehearsal test.

July 20, 1969: At 10.56 PM EDT Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

April 11-17, 1970: When an oxygen tank explodes aboard Nasa's third moon landing mission, Apollo 13, astronauts are fortunately able to return home in the lunar module, averting any loss of life.

April 19, 1971: Salyut 1 is launched by the U.S.S.R. becoming the first space station, orbiting the earth 3,000 times during 157 days in orbit.

July 15-24, 1975: As a policy of detente leads to a cooling of tensions between the two superpowers, a joint mission between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. is launched.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Plans for a 40,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market on the Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook suffered a setback last week as the Rhode Island-based commercial real estate firm that is developing the store has withdrawn its application, according to information posted on the community's Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission website.

The application was pulled at the request of the Carpionato Group, according to officials with the town's Zoning Commission. First Selectman Carl Fortunato said Friday he has been told by representatives of the Carpionato Group that the company will submit a new application, although he is uncertain when that might be.

"The original application, as submitted, was going to be very difficult to get approved because of setback issues and some other things," Fortuna said. "There is a lot of support in our community for what they want to do. This is basically a blighted property on the west side of town and we look forward to working with them when they bring a new plan forward."

The space Whole Foods would be moving into at 1654 Boston Post Road is a former location of the Bennys discount retail chain, which closed in 1997.

Carpionato Group officials were not immediately available for comment about their application being withdrawn. In an interview with CT Insider that was conducted before the application was withdrawn, Carpionato's Vice President of Retail Leasing & Acquisitions, Joe Pierik, acknowledged that Old Saybrook zoning officials had exacting standards for the property.

"Once a decision is rendered, I'm hopeful we will begin construction by the end of the year," Pierik said. "Once construction begins, the expectation is that the store will take about a year to build."

Carpinato Group already has a track record of working with Whole Foods in Connecticut, having brought a store to the Avon Village Center that opened in September 2021. The company announced plans for the Old Saybrook location in August 2022.

If the Old Saybrook store is built, it would be Whole Foods' first location on Connecticut's shoreline east of Milford. In addition to Milford, the nearest locations to Old Saybrook are in Glastonbury or West Hartford.

Elsewhere in Connecticut, Whole Foods already has new stores under construction in Stamford and South Windsor.

The Stamford location is at 110 High Ridge Road in the city in part of the space where Lord & Taylor had been for more than 50 years before it went out of business in Ferbruary 2021. No opening date has been announced for the Stamford location.

The other location is in South Windsor at The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk. That store is scheduled to open during the first quarter of 2024, according to officials with Greenwich-based Charter Realty & Development, which manages Evergreen Walk.

Whole Foods currently has 11 stores in Connecticut as well as a distribution warehouse in Cheshire.
STAMFORD  Washington Boulevard is a constant safety hazard in town, and has seen more fatal accidents in the past five years than any other street in the city.

In hopes of making it less dangerous, the city and the state will host a public meeting May 16 to get residents' suggestions. The meeting is planned for 5 p.m. in the Whittingham Discovery Center, just off Washington Boulevard in Mill River Park.

Officials will give a brief presentation about a roadway safety study of Washington Boulevard being conducted by the City of Stamford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. However, the focus of the meeting will be on residents' comments, said Luke Buttenwieser of the Stamford Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department.

"It's not meant for the city and state to come up with ideas per se," Buttenwieser said. "It's more so for us to gain feedback from the community on how they feel and experience the road."

Since February, city and state officials have been working on a roadway safety study of the state-controlled road, which cuts vertically through Stamford's downtown and South End neighborhoods. The project was announced weeks after a motorist  who police say was driving while intoxicated  killed two pedestrians as they were crossing Washington Boulevard at Broad Street on their way home from work.

In the past five years, 18 fatal crashes have occurred within Stamford, not including accidents on Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway, according to city officials. Four fatal crashes happened on Washington Boulevard  more than any other street. Three of the four crashes involved pedestrians.

The study focuses on the portion of road between Hoyt Street and Station Place, which abuts the Stamford Transportation Center. The area encompasses the city's central business district and commuter traffic near the train station, Buttenwieser said.

Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

Any change to a state-owned road such as Washington Boulevard requires sign-off from the state Department of Transportation, which is funding the study.

Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said that costs for road safety audits range from $12,000 to $50,000 "depending on the corridor length and complexity."

"Costs are still being determined for Washington (Boulevard)," Morgan said in an email.

According to the project's website, the study focuses on the safety of the roadway's most vulnerable users  pedestrians and bicyclists.

"By improving safety for the most vulnerable, safety improves for all," the site reads.

Officials will analyze various sources of data, including crash history, roadway geometry, and pedestrian and bicycle usage, among others. A final report will detail short, medium and long-term recommendations for roadway safety enhancements.

Community feedback is a central part of the process, Buttenwieser said. For those who wish to share feedback online, a public survey linked on the website has already recorded more than 330 responses.

"The next steps after the public meeting is a technical walkthrough, where it's going to be staff from various departments at the state and city walking the corridor. And that's where we're going to be giving a more technical look, and the whole idea is to have the public's comments in mind when we do that," Buttenwieser said.

For those driving to the meeting, the Whittingham Discovery Center is located within Mill River Park. Two handicapped spots on Washington Boulevard connect to a granite pathway next to the center. Otherwise, officials recommend metered parking and the Summer Street Garage.

Includes prior reporting by Brianna Gurciullo.
E urovision got off to a memorable start when the Princess of Wales stunned fans by playing piano during the contests opening performance.

Kate played an instrumental piece created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month.

She wore a blue Jenny Packham dress and earrings which belonged to the late Queen.

The 10-second clip appeared in a performance by last years winners Kalush Orchestra, which included contributions from Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.

The opening film showed Kalush Orchestra performing their winning entry Stefania from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in the heart of Ukraines capital Kyiv.

Once the contest got under way, Serbia struggled to impress the audience, some of whom screamed bitch during the countrys performance of Samo Mi Se Spava by Luke Black, who has worked in the UK.

Soon after co-host Alesha Dixon performed a short rap referencing the King and Queen being crowned after the sixth song was performed by Frances entry La Zarra.

The former Mis-Teeq star rapped: Six acts in and the competition is in full swing, what a week its been.

All killers, no filler, big up King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In the UK commentary box, TV presenter and veteran Eurovision pundit Graham Norton replied: Spitting those rhymes, love Alesha.

Later, fans in the UK raised the traditional toast to former presenter the late Sir Terry Wogan during the ninth song, Tattoo, by Swedish winner Loreen.

During the second half, presenter Mel Giedroyc surprised viewers by wearing a milkmaids outfit when she appeared in the back of shot behind Hannah Waddingham.

Giedroyc, who was commentating on the show with Graham Norton, wore an outfit in the style of the 2014 Polish entry Donatan and Cleo.

She appeared to be churning butter in a suggestive manner as Waddingham introduced Armenia.

The BBC Eurovision Twitter account posted: Mel Giedroyc as a butter churning Polish milkmaid! Give her and NTA right now!

Before the votes were tallied, audience members were reduced to tears by an emotional rendition of Youll Never Walk Alone by former Eurovision contestants in Liverpool and Ukraine.
T he music of Ukraine has been exhibited throughout the grand final of Eurovision with performances from reigning champion Kalush Orchestra and a medley from former Ukrainian contestants.

The grand final of the international contest kicked off with a performance titled Voices Of A New Generation from last years winners, which included the folk rap groups hit song Stefania.

A troupe of drummers joined Kalush Orchestra on stage to open the show, with members of the group stood on top of a giant open palm while pyrotechnics lit up the auditorium.

The final also featured a number of recognisable Eurovision acts from previous years, including Ukrainian performers Go_A, who represented their country in 2021.

Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala and past acts Tina Karol and Verka Serduchka were also part of the medley, who performed in between the contestants taking part in the flag parade.

Meanwhile, Ukraine entrant Tvorchi took to the stage to perform Heart Of Steel as members of the audience waved Ukrainian flags.

The electronic duo, comprising producer Andrii Hutsuliak and vocalist Jimoh Kehinde, wore black long-sleeved tops with metallic heart detail and wide-legged trousers.

Ukraine won the competition last year but were unable to host due to the Russian invasion.

Martin Osterdahl, the executive supervisor of Eurovision for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: We were determined that this years contest would honour Ukraines 2022 victory and the close collaboration between the BBC and Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) ensured Ukrainian culture was front and centre of the 2023 event.

We are incredibly grateful to these broadcasters for their incredible work and commitment to creating a a truly historic event.
T he Russian invasion of Ukraine would have succeeded if the UK had remained in the EU, Jacob Rees-Mogg has claimed.

The former business secretary, 53, said Brexit gave Britain the freedom to show global leadership over Ukraine, making it impossible for Putin to succeed.

Mr Rees-Mogg told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday: Putin would probably have invaded Ukraine successfully if the UK had been bound in by the requirement of sincere co-operation and had had to follow a Franco-German line in dealing with Russia, which is what we did in 2014.

I think the leadership shown by (former prime minister) Boris Johnson, which he could only do because he was not bound by sincere co-operation, ensured that a coalition was set up that made it impossible for Putin to succeed.

He also said it was a mistake to get rid of Mr Johnson, but deposing Rishi Sunak would be an even bigger one.

The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy, Mr Rees-Mogg said.

Mr Johnson had also said that leaving the EU allowed Britain to do things differently in providing weapons to Ukraine.

Speaking at an event in Washington DC in February, he said: I seriously think that it was in part because of Brexit that we were able to take a decision and to have an approach that was very distinct from the old EU approach, which was, by the way, all governed by the fabled Normandy Format, which was agreed in Normandy in 2014.

For reasons that are now obscure to me, the British government decided they did not want to be involved in this. France and Germany led it, that was the EU framework.

If wed stuck with that, I dont believe we would have delivered the NLAWs [anti-tank weapons] and I think we would have taken a very different approach, to be perfectly frank.

I think because of Brexit weve been able to do things differently and I hope in a way that has been useful to Ukraine, Mr Johnson added.

The UK has commited 4.6billion in military aid to Ukraine so far.

The UK is also providing long-distance precision strike missiles, tanks and aims to train 30,000 new and existing Ukrainian personnel by 2023.
N ursing union leader Pat Cullen has called on Health Secretary Stephen Barclay to restart pay negotiations with a proposed rise in double digits.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members will begin a new ballot for strike action on May 23 after the existing six-month mandate ran out at the start of the month.

Having pushed for a 19 per cent pay rise, Ms Cullen advised members to accept an offer of 5 per cent earlier this year  a deal they rejected despite being accepted by 14 other unions.

Commenting on Ms Cullens recent comments, Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said that he found her remarks very curious.

Pat Cullen just recently was encouraging her members to settle for the pay rise that was put on the table, that would see 5,000 go into the pockets this year of hard-working nurses, the Energy Secretary told Sky News.

I thought this was a great settlement. I thought its terrific that it had been reached. Its frankly rather confusing now that having encouraged her members to accept that deal, she seems to now be coming back and saying the opposite.

Nurses on strike earlier this year / PA Wire

Ms Cullen described striking as one of the hardest decisions shes taken, telling The Sunday Times fresh negotiations were needed to prevent six more months of action.

They (ministers) owe that to nursing staff not to push them to have to do another six months of industrial action right up to Christmas, she said ahead of Sundays RCN congress in Brighton, telling Mr Barclay talks need to start off in double figures.

Its just not right for the profession, she said.

Its not right for patients. But whose responsibility is it to resolve it? It is this government.

Ms Cullen added: Its not so long ago since the Prime Minister went on the media and very publicly said nurses are an exception, she said when asked why nurses warrant a larger increase than other healthcare workers.

I would totally agree with him they should be made an exception because they are exceptional people.

The mental health nurse, 58, from Co Tyrone, said patient safety was at the centre of everything that we do.

Adding: We will do nothing that will add further risk to the patients that we look after, she said, saying increased pay would see nurses return to the profession and ease a staffing crisis.

The truth is that patient safety cannot be guaranteed on any day of the week. How could you guarantee patient safety when you have 47,000 nurses from your workforce every single day and night?

She then warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not to take her members lightly.

Looking back on this pay offer, I may personally have underestimated the members and their sheer determination, she said.

I think what I would be saying to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is Dont  dont make that same mistake, dont underestimate them.

Nurses believe its their duty and their responsibility because this government is not listening to them on how to bring it (the NHS) back from the brink and the message to the Prime Minister is that they are absolutely not going to blink first in these negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hand with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky (L), upon his arrival for their meeting at Elysee palace in Paris, France, 14 May 2023.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelensky said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing.

He said he and Macron will talk through the most important points of bilateral relations. The French leaders office said theyll discuss Ukraines military and humanitarian needs and the more long-term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe, and that Macron will reaffirm France and Europes unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air-defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel. Macron and Zelenskyy didnt speak to waiting reporters as they greeted each other at the French presidential palace.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his countrys planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild whats been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germanys political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russias air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesnt have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

Thats what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia arent circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyivs efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people -- a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man -- in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A powerful cyclone has hit the coastlines of Bangladesh and Myanmar killing at least three people.

Thousands hunkered down in monasteries, pagodas and schools as Cyclone Mocha made landfall on Sunday afternoon.

The category-five storm tore rooves off buildings with wind speeds of up to 130 miles per hour (209km/h).

More than 500 bamboo shelters in Coxs Bazar, the worlds largest refugee camp, have been destroyed.

Landslides and floods hit the area while high winds crumpled mobile phone towers, cutting off communication.

Myanmars military information office said the storm had damaged houses, electrical transformers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu and Gwa townships.

It also tore rooves off of sport buildings on the Coco Islands, about 264 miles south west of the countrys largest city, Yangon.

Man holds child as he moves to cyclone shelter at Shah Porir Dwip, Bangladesh / REUTERS

More than 4,000 of Sittwes 300,000 residents were evacuated to other cities and more than 20,000 people are sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the citys highlands, said volunteer Tin Nyein Oo.

Lin Lin, chairman of a local charitable foundation, said there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe after more people arrived than expected.

Authorities say more than 500,000 people were evacuated from their homes in south eastern Bangladesh.

Many arrived at shelters in rickshaws and on foot, bringing cattle, chickens, goats and mats to sleep on.

Sumi Akter, who lives on a riverbank, told the BBC: I didnt want to leave my house.

I wish the homes we lived in were built more strongly.

Street in Kyauktaw in Myanmars Rakhine state / AFP via Getty Images

Titon Mitra, the UN Development Program representative in Myanmar, tweeted: Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities.

Myanmar state television reported that the military government is preparing to send food, medicine and medical personnel to the storm-hit area.

A rescue team from the countrys eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township.

Local media reported that a man was crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay Region.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.
J ames Cleverly said the UK welcomes a ceasefire ending five days of fighting between Israelis and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary spoke hours before a rocket was fired into southern Israel on Sunday.

Both sides also kept firing for two hours after the truce started on Saturday evening.

The ceasefire was declared yesterday ending a five-day clash that killed 33 Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets and two people in Israel.

But Sundays rocket launch presented an early test for the Egyptian-brokered truce.

Mr Cleverly said: I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and militant factions in Gaza, brokered by Egypt.

The ceasefire must now be honoured to prevent the loss of further civilian life.

The UK will support all efforts to promote dialogue and create a pathway towards sustainable peace.

James Cleverly (Hannah McKay/PA) / PA Wire

The latest round of fighting was sparked on Tuesday when Israeli jets killed three top commanders from the Islamic Jihad militant group in response to earlier rocket launches from Gaza.

Those killings set off a barrage of militant fire and the conflagration threatened to drag the region into another all-out war until Egypt led meditation.

While the calm appeared to bring a sense of relief to Gazas two million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been largely confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fuelled fighting in the Gaza Strip over the years.

In Gaza, residents surveyed the latest damage caused to their surroundings, with gaping holes left in the apartments serving as what Israel said were hideouts for senior Islamic Jihad members.

At least 13 of those killed in Gaza were civilians, among them children as young as four-years-old, as well as women.
U krainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Germany for its support as he arrived in Berlin for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Zelensky said his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate Russian-held parts of his country.

In order to aid Ukraine, Mr Scholz pledged that Germany will support the country for as long as necessary.

Mr Zelensky was welcomed with military honours on Sunday as he made his first visit to Germany since Russias invasion.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion.

After meeting Mr Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen where Mr Zelensky will receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organisers say the award recognises that their resistance against Russias invasion is a defence not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

On the eve of his arrival  which is taking place amid tight security  the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7billion euros (2.4billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Mr Zelensky tweeted Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip.

It comes after Mr Zelensky met with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Saturday.
T he daytime Bafta TV award has gone to The Repair Shop for an episode featuring the King.

In the one-off special, the repair team including Jay Blades visited Charles at Dumfries House in Scotland for The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit.

Arriving on the stage to accept the gong, Blades said: Wow, just give me two seconds, I have to take a picture, its quite special.

We started as a daytime show on BBC Two, Im so glad weve got an (award).

Blades added that it was the first time that a 6ft black guy, from Hackney, (with a) gold tooth, (from a) single parent (family) was presented with an award for daytime TV.

During the shows episode, Charles saw a bracket clock and a piece made for Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee by British ceramics maker Wemyss Ware fixed and also joked and laughed with Blades.

It also featured Blades touching Charless arm and him returning the gesture by placing a hand on his back.

Speaking to the PA news agency from the red carpet of the Bafta TV awards, Blades said attending the coronation was magical.

He said: It was absolutely magical. It was one of those things when you could walk around London and see no traffic, no tourists and its just all about the coronation, just a celebration of the King.

It was special.

Blades added that The Repair Shop has a simple message, but a big message.

He said: Its all about community  theres a community of us at The Repair Shop and then were helping people that we dont know, so what youre doing there is youre actually showing humanity. Thats what the shows all about.
E mily Maitlis has said she will run a million miles away when the Netflix film adaptation of her Newsnight interview with the Duke of York is released.

The journalist, who grilled Andrew over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, will be played by Sex Education star Gillian Anderson in the dramatic retelling of the explosive interview.

The Man In The High Castle actor Rufus Sewell will appear as Andrew.

Arriving on the red carpet at the Bafta TV awards, Maitlis told the PA news agency it was highly exciting and very weird that the interview was being dramatised.

She added: Ive been completely hands-off actually and I think its better that way because if I was the actress, Id slightly want to have my own space to interpret it as I saw fit.

I know that there must be a difficulty with playing real, living people and so Ive just sort of stepped back from it and said, This is the Netflix film of that, its not my life and its not me. Its whatever Gillian does with it.

And I think Gillian is just a fantastic actress and I think shes amazing, so Im very happy to be completely hands-off and just allow her space to do something fabulous.

Asked if she would watch the film as soon as it was released, she replied: No, I think I will run a million miles away.

Following the Newsnight broadcast in November 2019 and the furore over Andrews friendship with Epstein, the duke stepped down from public life.

Maitlis has already served as an executive producer of a Channel 4 documentary about the interview.

Asked how she felt about the interview following her for the rest of her career, she replied: I feel incredibly grateful that it all came together in the way it did for that interview. And if it follows me, you know, there are worse things to live with.
D ean Gaffney has said there is no doubt the reality show Im A Celebrity  Get Me Out Of Here! saved his life after medical checks found signs of bowel cancer.

The former EastEnders actor, 45, appeared in the jungle in 2006 before returning for the all-stars version of the show in the South African bush which aired on ITV this month.

But Gaffney has revealed that doctors examined him in 2020 ahead of a possible appearance on the show during Covid at Gwrych Castle in North Wales and found a number of polyps in his large intestine that needed immediate surgery.

He told the Mirror newspaper: There is no doubt Im A Celeb and its medical team saved my life.

I might not be here today if it wasnt for them finding what they did.

Gaffney was one of the 12 stars on standby to take the place of any campmate that caught Covid in 2020.

Im A Celebrity staff told me in September Id got the job and I was called to a medical in October, he said.

I thought nothing of it and did the routine blood tests. When it came back, it showed I was losing blood.

They thought it might be anaemia or an iron deficiency. I thought they were being a bit over the top.

Later that day the results showed they had found polyps which were massive. One was huge. I think 20mm, which is big for a polyp.

Following the operation, Gaffney explained the doctors were slightly angry, asking why he had not noticed blood in his stool.

The doctors told him: Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer.

Youve been very lucky.

The actor hopes to follow in the footsteps of the BowelBabe fundraiser Dame Deborah James, who died age 40 in June last year, and raise awareness of the disease.

He said: Dame Deborah was an inspiration to so many. Ive so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer.

If I can do a small fraction of that for men, itd make me very happy.
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

No machine, whether natural or artificial, is perfect. During the formation of human germ cells (sperm or egg cells), the two copies of the genome that we have in all cells become just one in a process called meiosis. In our cells, the genome, which represents all our genetic material, is found in structures called chromosomes, which are easily visible under a microscope. When the two germ cells join to form an embryo, the embryo has two copies of each chromosome again, but half come from the father and half from the mother.

Sometimes the process fails and one of the germ cells is left with two copies of the chromosome or none at all. When such an embryo is formed, it has either one chromosome too many (trisomy) or one chromosome too few (monosomy). In most cases, this alteration is fatal, and the embryo is unable to develop, which is why trisomies or monosomies have not been described for all chromosomes; in theory, these defects could occur in any of them. In other cases, however, the pregnancy can be carried to term, although the patient who suffers from these defects may present certain symptoms.

Sex chromosomes are some of the ones affected by chromosome number alterations. The presence of two X chromosomes determines a female, while the presence of XY chromosomes determines a male; but there are also situations of monosomy of the X chromosome (Turner syndrome) and of trisomies XYY (double Y syndrome), XXX (triple X syndrome) and XXY (Klinefelter syndrome). Based on evidence in art and in the descriptions of his contemporaries, it seems that Charles II. Archduke of Austria, also known as Charles the Mad, might have suffered from Klinefelter syndrome.

Among the numerical alterations that affect the non-sex chromosomes, there are descriptions of monosomy of chromosome 21, trisomy of chromosome 22, trisomy of chromosome 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy of chromosome 13 (Patau syndrome) and the best known and most common, trisomy of chromosome 21, popularly known as Down syndrome. The latter is one of the few alterations that do not affect the sex chromosomes and allow an individual to develop and reach adulthood.

It is likely that this syndrome has been known since antiquity because of its relatively high occurrence. The oldest clinical description dates from 1838 and is attributed to French physician Jean-Etienne Esquirol (1772-1840). In 1846, the Frenchman Edouard Seguin (1812-1880) described the syndrome and called it furfuraceous idiocy. At that time, the generic medical term for any type of mental disability was idiot. The adjective furfuraceous  resembling bran  refers to the flaking skin that many persons with this condition have.

When the first clinical descriptions were released, scientific observation was intermingled with a scientists ideological bias. During the 19th century, presumably scientific theories that established the white races moral and biological superiority were common. These theories sought to justify slavery or colonialism on biological grounds. Rudyard Kiplings poem The White Mans Burden reflected these biases.

Influenced by these ideas, in 1866, physician John Langdon Down (1828-1896) classified mental dysfunctions based on racial criteria; according to this theory, the mentally ill could be classified as Ethiopians, Malays, Americans, Caucasians or Mongoloids. This openly racist characterization, which seems embarrassing today, was probably also influenced by some misunderstood Darwinian concept and the theory at that time that many mental problems could be explained as evolutionary regressions. Thus, scientists argued that the white European race was the pinnacle of evolution, and mental illnesses were setbacks in an evolutionary process in which the mentally ill had fallen to less evolved stages. According to that line of thought, the mentally ill were categorized as different inferior races. The point is that this classification scheme  influenced by the racial bias of the time but without a scientific basis  was the one that prevailed. Words like mongoloid and Down syndrome have long since entered everyday language to describe chromosome 21 trisomy. These terms are grossly unfair because Down was not the first to describe the syndrome, nor does the syndrome have anything to do with Mongolia.

Historical and medical memory

Changing names because of changing social circumstances also occurs in medicine. In 1961, 16 physicians, including a direct descendant of Dr. Down, signed a letter addressed to the medical journal The Lancet in which they requested the elimination of the terms mongoloid idiocy, mongolism and mongoloid and their derivatives from the medical vocabulary. Among other alternatives, the letter suggested renaming it Down syndrome. But the most correct and least offensive term for the syndrome for patients and their relatives would be trisomy 21.

J. M. Mulet is Professor of Biotechnology.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
In recent weeks, images of plastic waste on the shores of Valdes Peninsula --a protected site in Chubut province, which has one of the worlds richest marine ecosystems-- have sparked outrage in Argentina. According to government estimates, there are 40 tons of broken crates, buckets, gloves and nets from fishing activities in the area.

A veritable sea of plastics has been accumulating for months in Punta Delgada, Estancia El Pedral, Bahia Cracker, Punta Cormoranes and the islands of Tova and Tovita, which are part of the 887,000 hectares of land and sea that make up the UNESCO Natural Heritage of Humanity site (it was given that status in 1999).

The news exploded on the front pages of Argentine newspapers in April, following complaints about delays in the cleanup. The removal of waste eventually began in the last week of April and will continue until the end of May, as long as fauna is not found on the coast. Now, the issue is resolving the cause of the problem: why is there so much garbage from the fishing industry being thrown into the ocean in the first place?

The Valdes Peninsula is a nature sanctuary where penguins nest and the southern right whale breeds, and it is the natural habitat of elephant seals, sea lions, dolphins, orcas and countless birds. I saw injured animals on top of the plastics and, in Tovita, penguins are nesting inside the boxes; one also sees some dead [penguins] surrounded by garbage on the coast, says Yago Lange, a former Argentine Olympic sailing athlete and an ambassador for Parley of the Oceans, an international organization that works to preserve the oceans.

A pack of sea lions rests on one of the beaches of the Valdes Peninsula next to the plastic garbage that has accumulated there. Marko Magister (Parley.tv)

For some time, Lange has been sounding the alarm about the beaches polluted by waste from fishing boats, denouncing the delays in removing the waste and documenting the situation. He says that the state of affairs has worsened in the last six months.

Provincial and national authorities and the fishing industry recognize the problem. The Vice Minister of Environment, Sergio Federovisky, has spoken of the urgent need to identify the perpetrators of what he described as a criminal action against the environment and to sanction the guilty parties. It is necessary to understand the dynamics in which[someone] decides to brutally and maliciously externalize its costs by dirtying such a valuable natural resource like the coastal areas of the province of Chubut, the official said.

Chubuts Undersecretary of Environmental Management, Fernando Pegoraro, has admitted that the amount of waste on the coast has increased over the last five years, but he notes that inspections of the area are more comprehensive. The province of Chubut has 1,600 linear kilometers of coastline. Almost a third of them are inaccessible because of the areas cliffs, where waste accumulates after being dragged there by winds and tides.

According to Pegoraro, two parts of the area are particularly affected by this situation. One is a 3-kilometer stretch of beach where the authorities estimate there is about 100 cubic meters of garbage. They have also detected another 100 cubic meters [of refuse] in a 7-kilometer area of beach on two islands. One cubic meter is equivalent to 200 kilos (440.9 pounds) of waste. Based on that estimate, theres at least 40 tons of garbage. The fishing industry is obviously the guilty party, but we cannot determine the ship or the company [and we dont know] whether [the fisher] is national, provincial or international, the official said.

An aerial view of plastic garbage on one of the beaches of the Valdes Peninsula. Marko Magister (Parley.tv)

Seeking solutions for the problem

The crates used for fishing only identify the refrigeration company that delivers the caught fish; they do not indicate the vessel that transports them. As a result, it is impossible to know where they come from or who is discarding them. Since March, the Instituto Patagonico de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas (Patagonian Institute for Social and Human Sciences) has been working to solve this problem and will offer the results in July.

Jorge Frias, the general secretary of the Argentine Association of Fishing Captains, points out that Navigation Law No. 20094which states that the captain must guarantee that nothing falls into the seamust be enforced. But that isnt enough. All the materials should be marked with the information, the vessels colors or symbols, he proposes. In addition, he suggests that the shipowner be jointly and severally liable for compliance.

To that end, a regulation on the mandatory marking and identification of trawling gear and the mandatory declaration of the number of crates with which vessels set sail and arrive at port was approved on May 9. For the time being, fishing vessels must have obligatory on-board crampons and gaffs to facilitate the recovery of crates that fall into the sea.

The only regulation currently in effect to help mitigate the presence of plastics and microplastics in the sea is one that targets the capture of spider crabs. The fishing industry recognizes the need to resolve the issue but defends its role as a generator of foreign currency and work.

Frias, who has been sailing the Atlantic since he was 17 (in 1985), says that, since then, he has seen remains of plastic crates and synthetic elements from fishing in the sea and on the coast. But he believes that sailors attitudes have changed over time. For many years now, we fishermen have not thrown plastics and debris [into the water], he says. Instead, he observes, fishers keep waste on board until they go ashore.

A volunteer picks up plastic trash from one of the beaches on the Valdes Peninsula in October 2022. Marko Magister (Parley.tv)

Another difference is that the fishing fleet has expanded, along with the number of crates used to preserve fresh seafood. Theres clearly more waste being found because of the fishing industrys expansion and because there are more tools to give [the problem] [much greater] visibility, says the unionist. In addition, Frias points to other culprits. He says that plastic waste also comes from the cities.

The president of the Argentine Patagonian Chamber of Fishing Industries (Capip), Agustin de la Fuente, says that the fishing industry is also cooperating to solve the problem. We want to be part of the solution. The Atlantic is a rough, robust, cold sea, where there are storms and the crates can fall; its not done maliciously, he asserts. It is incoherent to think that the fishing industry worker is generating this impact of his own free will. Unfortunately, it is happening, [and] we have to look for a solution.

Lucia Castro, the director of Sin Azul No Hay Verde (Without Blue Theres No Green), an organization that defends marine biodiversity, believes that theres little control and oversight of the fishing sector. It is an industry that has always done what it wanted in the sea, she says. The environmentalist recognizes that there are factors that are out of the industrys control, such as weather conditions, but she maintains that there is no justification for poor waste management at sea or in the ports.

There is the figure of the observer on board who has to go onto the ships and check that everything that should happen actually does happen, but that doesnt occur. There are not enough inspectors, there is no control on the ships or in the port, either, she points out. But National Director of Inspection Julian Suarez claims that control and inspection are done constantly.

In addition, Castro believes that theres an invisible environmental problem that lurks behind the cratestrawling, which, like clearing land, devastates the seabed with fishing nets that pick up whatever they find in their paths. According to industry estimates, 30% of what nets catch is discarded and thrown overboard.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Ukrainians Dima and Tiana Tytarenko say they are on the cultural front in the war with Russia.

The couple, who make up the band Nezisvitu, were performing at the Niagara Folks Arts Festivals Ukrainian open house Saturday.

Its up to Ukrainians now to share their culture with everybody, said Tiana through a translator.

Its very important because Russias goal is to eliminate Ukraine. Its up to us to showcase ourselves.

With their two boys, aged five and 15, the family arrived in Canada last August staying in Beamsville before moving to Hamilton. While in Poland, they were also playing concerts and music festivals to raise money for Ukraine.

The pair feel its crucial to keep Ukrainian culture, language and traditions alive amid reports that Russians have stolen artworks and artifacts from Ukrainian museums and damaged cultural sites and landmarks since the invasion began in February 2022.

Dima said he even has a friend whose website with Ukrainian music was cyber attacked.

Thats why these festivals are important, Tiana said.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress open house at St. John Ukrainian Church in St. Catharines featured dancing, music and food and drew hundreds of people.

Last years open house for the festival was smaller due to the pandemic and more subdued because the Russian invasion had just happened.

The mood is brighter this year, but not really in our hearts, because we know that this war is not ending at this point, said Irene Newton, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Niagara branch.

At the same time, we still have a lot of hope and are hoping that the sooner, the better. We keep praying. We still need support. We still need to help Ukraine with what theyre doing.

Newton said open house was a wonderful event this year and she was amazed by the number of people who came and showed support.

Chrystyna Tymczyszyn, who helped organize the event, said the food was sold out and estimated about 600 people came through.

While the open house was back in a big way Saturday, the signs of war were all around the hall. There was a display called War Through the Eyes of Children, information about how to donate supplies to Ukraine and T-shirts for sale with Make Borscht not War.

Tymczyszyn said the war was very much a topic of conversation, which was a good thing.

We have to keep it relevant because otherwise we cant collect money to send humanitarian aid, she said. They need our help so weve just got to keep it in peoples minds.

Tymczyszyns daughter Laryssa Doig has been spearheading donation collections at the church and said she was floored by the support on Saturday, including from one man who donated $1,000.

Doig said theres been a lull in donations lately and Saturdays event gave everybody more hope.

Its kind of falling out of the news again, so its a little disheartening that way. But then you have people that come to support an event like today, they care and they want to be involved, and it really means the world to us and to them, she said, referring to Ukrainians.

We constantly get messages from Ukraine saying we cant believe how much the Canadians care, essentially. So theyre seeing it. They see us. They see what were doing and its really heartwarming.

Doig said theyve collected just under 6,000 boxes of donations from the community since the start of the invasion and have been sending them by air parcel or in shipping containers.

Donations can be dropped at the church at 91 Lakeshore Rd. from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday or by appointment. A list of needed items are on the churchs website at stjohnuc.com. Theres also a link for an Amazon wish list that allows people to purchase items that are delivered directly to the church.

The 55th annual Niagara Folk Arts Festival celebrating cultural heritage continues until May 28. For dates and locations of upcoming open houses go to niagarafolkartsfestival.ca.

Read more about:

SHARE:
The Wandering Wombs may sound like a mid-90s all-female punk band name, but the truth is its actually a rather unsettling medical diagnosis of yore.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is planning a lecture later this month on the weird and often unfair history of womens health care. The Thursday, May 18 session is titled Historically Hysterical, A Look at Womens Health and Health Care.

Womens health has been dominated by myths, mysteries and wacky treatments for centuries, said Shawna Butts, the museums assistant curator. And the result has been a system of misdiagnosis, mistreatment and dehumanizing of the female experience.

As far back as Hippocrates, the so-called father of modern medicine, women have often been subject to shoddy medical care or have been forced into research projects. Sadly, it continues today.

The May 18 lecture will cover the different experiences men and women seeking medical treatment have received over the years. Physicians would often diagnose a woman complaining of abdominal issues as having an issue with the animal within an animal and that she was at the mercy of her uterus, the "beast within her." Throughout modern history, womens pain would be blamed on errant behaviours, mental weakness or the aforementioned wandering womb.

When men saw a doctor, they would receive a careful and somewhat professional diagnosis, said Butts. Whereas womens illnesses were often described as hysteria, and always under researched.

Additionally, supposedly well-meaning doctors would conduct experiments on and physically deform women under the guise of research. This was prevalent among enslaved or uneducated women and continues into present day.

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. Members can attend for free, and admission for guests is $10. Call the museum at 905-468-3912 to reserve a seat.

May 18 is also International Museum Day and NOTL Museum admission is free that day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the museum or its current and upcoming exhibitions, visit notlmuseum.ca or email Amy Klassen, aklassen@nhsm.ca.

The museum is located at 43 Castlereagh St.

SHARE:
Its an argument made by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, immigration activists working on the ground and Oscar Leeser, the major of El Paso, the U.S. city most affected by the border crisis. Even some Republicans agree: the U.S. immigration system is broken.

This claim  which is used as both an excuse and as an attack  highlights an old debate that was revived last week with the images of thousands of migrants desperately knocking on the southern door of the United States.

The latest attempt to fix the U.S. immigration system came Thursday with the end of Title 42  a sanitary measure imposed by Donald Trump in 2020  which resulted in more than 2.8 million fast-tracked deportations in 40 months, and opened a new era in migratory relations with Mexico. To replace this norm, the Joe Biden administration has approved a program to reinforce the old Title 8. This updated policy toughens the conditions to request asylum: under the new rules, migrants who are deported may not attempt to enter the U.S. for another five years.

Washingtons idea is to expand lawful pathways for protection. Of the announced measures, notable changes include calling on migrants to schedule an appointment to present themselves at a port of entry via a cellphone application, the opening of hundreds of regional processing centers (RPCs) and an agreement with Spain and Canada to take in approved asylum seekers.

In presenting his plan, Mayorkas blamed Congress for the latest immigration crisis, which has been worsening since last fall, reaching a peak last week, with more than 11,000 daily arrests. According to Mayorkas, the current situation is the outcome of Congress leaving a broken, outdated immigration system in place for over two decades, despite unanimous agreement that we desperately need legislative reform. He added: It is also the result of Congresss decision not to provide us with the resources we need and that we requested.

Many of the migrants wandering the streets of El Paso last week had been given paperwork that allowed them to move freely around the United States. They are the definitive proof that something is not working in the U.S. immigration system. These migrant had begun the process to request asylum and were given Notice to Appear (NTA) documents: the official document that instructs an individual to appear before an immigration judge. Venezuelan migrant Exel Perez, for example, was given a notice to appear for the end of 2025 in New York. And it is by no means the longest waiting period: the average time frame for court hearings is more than four years, while in some cases it is up to 10 years.

People near gate 42 of the border wall in Ciudad Juarez on May 12. Luis Torres (EFE)

That means many never appear in court, says Blake Barrow, director of the Rescue Mission of El Paso shelter, which has a capacity for about 200 migrants. They stay in the United States, keeping quiet, and if they dont commit any crimes, they may never be deported. They end up slipping through the cracks of the system. Only 18% of asylum seekers who begin the asylum process appear at their court dates, according to data from the first quarter of 2023, compiled by the Justice Department.

The waiting periods are so long because all the cases fall on some 650 demoralized judges spread across 68 courts and three adjudication centers in the United States. These magistrates are in charge of reviewing half of all pending asylum applications, while the other half are reviewed by officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to Syracuse University, nearly 1.6 million asyslum applications were pending in 2023, the largest number in history. And this record is likely to be broken by the end of 2023.

There is a shortage of judges and a shortage of asylum officers, Andrew Selee, president of the Washington-based nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, said Friday in a telephone interview. Selee  who believes that the U.S. southern border has been more porous than desirable under Title 42  does not expect much from the Capitol. They are incapable of legislating on what is important. They only agree on harmless issues, like infrastructure packages, he said. This is due to the enormous polarization that dominates everything. It is still paradoxical: Americans see immigration more positively than 10 years ago, but the ideological confrontation neutralizes that positive feeling.

Will Bidens latest measures help? Theyre a good starting point, but they wont fix the problem, Selee said. Maybe they will get the numbers down. And that is dangerous: it will appear like the problem has been solved, but people in their home countries will still feel they have no choice and start coming back.

The legislative inaction in Washington is not exactly new. The last major law on the subject was approved in 1986 when Ronald Reagan was in the White House. The Republican leader  who was formerly the governor of the border state of California  deported 3.5 million people between 1985 and 1987, but also gave legal status to three million undocumented migrants, a third of whom were farmworkers. Four years later, George Bush Sr. passed a less far-reaching immigration bill.

In other words, the mechanisms of contemporary migration  which, accoding to experts, have been greatly influenced by the Covd-19 pandemic, greater access to technology and the rise of social media  are still governed by texts conceived when the internet didnt even exist, climate change was not pushing people to leave their homes and the U.S. population was not aging.

The last attempt at an ambitious reform was made by Barack Obama, whose penchant for deportation earned him the nickname deporter-in-chief. Under his governments, there was a rise in arrests of undocumented immigrants who had been in the country for several years, sometimes even decades. His immigration reform was never approved, but in 2013, it was supported by 68 senators from both the Republican and Democratic Party.

Trumps influence

Today, such support would be unthinkable. Why? The answer lies with Donald Trump. The former U.S. presidents anti-immigration rhetoric resonated with large sections of the white population, whose opposition to immigration was fueled by an explosive mix of anger and fear. This pushed the moderate wing of the Republican Party to take extreme positions on the issue. Republicans relentlessly attack Biden for opening the border to criminals and fentanyl traffickers. Immigration promises to be one of the main issues of the 2024 presidential elections.

Aerial photograph shows hundreds of migrants next to the border wall in El Paso, Texas, on May 9. Jonathan Fernandez (EFE)

With his racist rhetoric, Trump also managed to make the world believe that he was responsible for building the 700-mile wall along the 2,000-mile border stretching between the United States and Mexico. In reality, it was a collective effort, which was started Bill Clinton, who erected a wall between San Diego and El Paso. An immigration agent named John, who has been patrolling the 267-mile-stretch between Texas and Arizona for 24 years, says that wall has been strengthened over time. It is getting higher and higher, and the materials are better, he explained.

Like all his predecessors since Reagan, Biden also campaigned for president with big promises to address the immigration problem  a message that reached Latino voters. In his first week in office, he announced his intention to regularize millions of undocumented immigrants. But its not just Republican opposition that has prevented him from taking action. While he began his term by signing three decrees to reverse Trumps executive orders, he has preferred to avoid the thorny issue in his more than two years in office. Its an issue that doesnt sit well even with Democrats, who continue to try to square the circle i.e. humanize immigration management while showing a strong hand. Mayorkas defined this conundrum well: we are a nation of immigrants, and we are a nation of laws.

Bidens biggest contribution to the border debate has been to end Title 42, and strengthen Title 8. But this move has received criticisms from both sides of the debate: for some, it is too soft, for others, like activist Monica Ramirez, it is too harsh. The Biden administration constantly asks immigrants to use legal pathways, but those who seek to reach the United States lack the tools to understand how to navigate those pathways, Ramirez, the president of the NGO Justice for Migrant Women, explained in an email. [Bidens policies] focus too much on creating ways for migrants to integrate into the workforce, without allowing them to become citizens. In addition, this design has traditionally favored men, which has contributed to the rise of the percentage of undocumented women. The immigration system is broken from the start, because it was never designed to favor the most vulnerable.

The immigration problem dates back to at least the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961), who deported 1.8 million immigrants as part of Operation Wetback, a sweeping deportation campaign named after a derogatory term for foreign nationals, most commonly Mexicans.

For Oscar Leeser, the Democratic mayor of El Paso, the key to solving the crisis is cooperation. Congress has to find a way to reach an understanding. Because this is a national problem, not just a problem for the four border states. It would be a good idea to improve collaboration with countries of origin and streamline procedures, especially those for obtaining the work permit. They [migrants] come to our streets wanting to earn money in a decent way, why not let them?

For Selee, its just a question of simple math: On the one hand, we have a huge shortage of workers and the legal ways to enter the country are clearly not up to those needs. It is an economic matter, but also a demographic one: the American population is a rapidly aging population.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
St. Catharines Fire Services will be providing emergency dispatch for two more municipalities outside of Niagara.

The fire department successfully bid on a request for proposals to provide the services for Quinte West, about two hours east of Toronto near Belleville, and Prince Edward County, south of Belleville.

Were very excited to have Prince Edward County and Quinte West join us and we look forward to giving them excellent services, Fire Chief Dave Upper said.

The St. Catharines fire emergency communications centre dispatches for the city and eight other Niagara municipalities  Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Thorold, Wainfleet and West Lincoln.

It also dispatches for Norfolk County and Haldimand County and handled 1,081 responses in April alone.

Kristine Douglas, the citys director of financial management services, said the two new partners will provide approximately $205,000 annually to St. Catharines Fire Services.

The other 10 partners provide about $830,000 in dispatch revenues.

The annual operating budget for dispatch services is $2.83 million.

Bringing on additional partners outside the Niagara region not only expands the fire services communications dispatch customer base, it assists in offsetting the costs of dispatch services, she said in an email.

Accomplishments like this RFP award generate additional revenues for the City of St. Catharines and benefit all taxpayers.

Upper said all dispatch centres are legislated to implement the new Next Generation 911, or NG911, dispatch services by 2025, and thats leading some municipalities to look further afield for cost savings.

The new system will allow people contacting emergency services to send texts, videos and photos instead of being limited to a phone call, but its expensive to implement.

Upper said with all the technology today, St. Catharines Fire Services can dispatch to almost anywhere in the province and is hoping to attract more partners.

Its economies of scale where were basically splitting the cost among many municipalities versus, say, St. Catharines goes it alone. So theres a cost savings there.

He said fire services is also working with a consulting firm to look at its processes because it believes it may be able to find other efficiencies.

The citys fire service, in collaboration with Niagara Region and Niagara Regional Police, is in the process of updating its computer-aided dispatch software program so its aligned with the NRP and it can have simultaneous dispatch before implementing NG911.

SHARE:
British Columbias New Democrats have formally named the head of a Victoria-area school board as their candidate in an upcoming byelection to fill the seat once held by former Premier John Horgan.

The NDP says Sook School District Chair Ravi Parmar will carry the party banner in the race to represent the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca.

It issued a release saying Parmar oversaw the largest expansion in the boards history while working alongside Horgan, who stepped down as premier last year and officially resigned his legislature seat in March.

Parmar says he worked with Horgan as a student activist while attending Belmont Secondary during the reign of the B.C. Liberal Party, which has since rebranded as BC United.

Parmar says hes honoured to be nominated and follow in the footsteps of Horgan, whom he calls a friend and mentor.

BC United named Elena Lawson, a parent advocating for children with autism, as its candidate earlier this month.

Elections BC says the province has two pending byelections, one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, which must be called by the end of September, and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, which must be called by mid-October.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2023.

SHARE:
KENTVILLE, N.S. - RCMP say a 25-year-old man from Nova Scotias Annapolis Valley faces several charges including assault of a police officer following an incident on Friday.

Police say they attempted to arrest a man on numerous outstanding charges, but a struggle broke out during which an officer unsuccessfully used a conducted energy weapon while the man was in a vehicle.

The Mounties say the man responded by spraying two officers with bear spray before fleeing from the vehicle into a nearby residence on Stephen Court in North Kentville, N.S.

Backup officers were called to the scene and contained the man inside the home, where he allegedly threw several items at police and was seen to be holding a large knife.

The RCMPs emergency response team was brought in and police say the man surrendered with the help of a police negotiator nearly five hours after the incident began.

Police say Kyle Trahan, who faces seven charges including two counts each of assault of a peace officer and assault with a weapon, is to appear in court in Kentville, N.S., for a bail hearing on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2023.

Read more about:

SHARE:
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people hunkered down Sunday in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall Sunday afternoon in Myanmars Rakhine state near Sittwe township with winds of up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmars Meteorological Department said. The storm previously passed over Bangladeshs Saint Martins Island, causing damage and injuries, but turned away from the countrys shores before landfall.

As night fell, the extent of the damage in Sittwe was not clear. Earlier in the day, high winds crumpled cell phone towers, cutting off communications in much of the area.

In videos collected by local media before communications were cut off, deep water races through streets while wind lashes trees and pulls boards off roofs.

Rakhine-based media reported that streets were flooded, trapping people in low-lying areas in their homes as worried relatives outside the township appealed for rescue.

Myanmars military information office said the storm had damaged houses, electrical transformers, cell phone towers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships. It said the storm also tore roofs off of sport buildings on the Coco Islands, about 425 kilometers (264 miles) southwest of the countrys largest city, Yangon.

More than 4,000 of Sittwes 300,000 residents were evacuated to other cities and more than 20,000 people were sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the citys highlands, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is volunteering in shelters in Sittwe.

Lin Lin, the chairman of a local charitable foundation, said there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe after more people arrived than expected.

Titon Mitra, the U.N. Development Program representative in Myanmar, tweeted: Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities.

Myanmar state television reported that the military government is preparing to send food, medicine and medical personnel to the storm-hit area. After battering Rakhine, the cyclone weakened and was forecast to hit the northwestern state of Chin and the central regions on Monday.

On Sunday morning, several deaths caused by wind and rain were reported in Myanmar.

A rescue team from the countrys eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township. Local media reported that a man was crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay region.

Authorities in the Bangladeshi city of Coxs Bazar, which lay in the storms predicted path, said earlier that they had evacuated hundreds of thousands of people, but by early afternoon it appeared that the storm would mostly miss the country as it veered east, said Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Dhaka.

The level of risk has reduced to a great extent in our Bangladesh, he told reporters.

Strong winds accompanied by rains continued in the Saint Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal in the afternoon, but feared tidal surges did not take place because the cyclone started crossing Bangladesh coast at low tide, Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported.

About a dozen islanders were injured, while some 300 homes were either destroyed or damaged, leading Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo reported. One woman was critically wounded, it said.

U.N. agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh had prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps that house more than 1 million members of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority who fled persecution in Myanmar.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days. Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

As long as oceans are warm and winds are favorable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period, Koll said.

Tropical cyclones, which are called hurricanes or typhoons in other regions, are among the worlds most devastating natural disasters when they hit densely populated coastal areas.

SHARE:
PARIS (AP)  France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Frances Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palace  an encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leaders arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour.

With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macrons office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the weeks ahead, without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details werent made public.

More Ukrainians will also be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a wider European effort, Macrons office said.

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian and military aid will continue for as long as necessary.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his country's planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the invasion and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for the support, saying Germany is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter.

Scholz said that Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive.

In the western German city of Aachen, Zelenskyy also received the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which wounded more than 30 people, according to the Ukrainian military. Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man Sunday in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

___

Jordans reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers David Rising in Kyiv and Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.

Read more about:

SHARE:
The trio of Trump Towers on Sunny Isles Beach in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida, draws its share of gawkers, thanks to former president Donald Trumps licensing deal that plastered his name on the oceanfront development.

But on Thursday, the luxury highrise complex drew the attention of law enforcement, namely the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A squad of FBI special agents, assisted by local police, descended on Trump Tower III at 15811 Collins Ave. to carry out a search of unit 4102. Its owned by a shell company, MIC-USA LLC, that is controlled by two Russian businessmen, Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya and Agunda Konstantinovna Makeeva, according to state corporation records.

On Friday, a spokesman for the FBIs Miami field office said it was conducting court-ordered law enforcement activity in the vicinity of that location, but provided no other information.

Patsulya and Makeeva could not be reached for comment. Patsulyas wife, Roza Pereira, who state records show is also listed on the corporate paperwork for MIC-USA, said she was aware of the FBIs raid.

I cant talk about it, Pereira told the Miami Herald. The lawyer (for my husband) said not to talk to anyone. ... I have no idea what its about.

Sunny Isles Beach has been dubbed Little Moscow by locals because its home to many Russian expatriates. Some expressed concerns about a backlash against their affluent beachfront community after the Russian military invaded Ukraine last year and the U.S. government started pursuing sanctions against oligarchs who hide their wealth in real estate in South Florida and other parts of the country.

Before becoming president in 2016, Trump signed a deal with the developers of the 45-story condo buildings to name the property after him to help promote sales. Foreign buyers, especially from Latin America and Russia, flocked to Trump Towers, as they did with other Trump-branded properties in Sunny Isles Beach.

Among the buyers: MIC-USA, which acquired the three-bedroom, three-bath condo residence at Trump Tower III for $1.65 million a decade ago, according to Miami-Dade property records.

In 2020, BAC Florida Bank, which provided financing for the purchase, sued Patsulya and Makeeva, claiming they defaulted on their $975,000 mortgage. The dispute was resolved later that year, though its not clear how from the court records. MIC-USA, controlled by the two Russians, continued to own the 41st-floor unit at Trump Tower III.

Read more about:

SHARE:
SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP)  Joe A. Garcia, a well-known Native American leader from New Mexico and advocate for tribal sovereignty, has died at 70, his family confirmed Saturday.

A traditional funeral was already held following Garcias death Thursday, said family members. The cause of death was not made public.

Garcia was a former two-time president of the the National Congress of American Indians, which describes itself as the oldest and largest organization of American Indian and Alaska Native governments. He previously served three terms as governor of the Ohkay Owingeh, a federally designated tribe of pueblo people in New Mexico. Garcia was currently the tribes head councilman.

His untimely departure is a significant loss for Indian Country, as he was a true culture keeper for his people and a dedicated advocate for Native Nations across the Southwest region, Fawn Sharp, the president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in a statement.

Beyond his role as a leader, Joe Garcia was a mentor, a visionary, and a compassionate soul who touched the lives of many. He leaves a profound legacy of service, leadership, and cultural preservation, Sharp added.

Garcia had been chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, now renamed the All Pueblo Council of Governors, a non-profit leadership group that represents the modern pueblo tribes.

He also had been a vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Santa Fe Indian School, which serves about 700 Native American middle and high school students.

The Santa Fe Indian School noted Garcias passing on its website.

His work in Indian Country will not be forgotten, wrote Robyn Aguilar, president of the schools board of trustees. I am truly thankful to have had a mentor who was courageous in his conviction to protect Sovereign lands and the rights of Indian children.

Garcia held an an electrical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico and worked 25 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory before retiring in 2003, according to the schools statement.

Garcia is survived by his wife, Oneva, daughters Melissa and MorningStar, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, among other family. His son, Nathan, died in 2020.

SHARE:
NEW YORK (AP)  The historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan shuttered three years ago, but it will soon be bustling again  reopening to accommodate an anticipated influx of asylum seekers just as other New York City hotels are being converted to emergency shelters.

Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday that the city will use the Roosevelt to eventually provide as many as 1,000 rooms for migrants who are expected to arrive in coming weeks because of the expiration of pandemic-era rules, known collectively as Title 42, that had allowed federal officials to turn away asylum seekers from the U.S. border with Mexico.

Across the city, hotels like the Roosevelt that served tourists just a few years ago are being transformed into emergency shelters, many of them in prime locations within walking distance from Times Square, the World Trade Center memorial site and the Empire State Building. A legal mandate requires the city to provide shelter to anyone who needs it.

Even so, Adams says the city is running out of room for migrants and has sought financial help from the state and federal governments.

New York City has now cared for more than 65,000 asylum seekers  already opening up over 140 emergency shelters and eight large-scale humanitarian relief centers in addition to this one to manage this national crisis, the mayor said in a statement announcing the Roosevelt decision.

The storied hotel near Grand Central Terminal served as election headquarters for New York Gov. Thomas Dewey, who in 1948 was said to have wrongly announced from the Roosevelt that he had defeated Harry Truman for president.

As the city faces growing pressure to expand its shelter system, it is turning to vacant hotels for those who need a roof and a place to bunk down as they sort out their lives. One of them is the Holiday Inn, located in Manhattans Financial District. A few months ago, signs in the lobby windows of the 50-story, 500-room hotel said it was closed.

Scott Markowitz of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, attorneys for the hotels owner, said reopening as a city-sponsored shelter made financial sense.

They rent out every room at the hotel at a certain price every night, Markowitz said, adding that it is bringing substantially more revenue than normal operations would have brought in.

Its not new for the city to turn to hotels for New Yorkers without homes when shelters and other options werent available.

During the pandemic, group shelters made it difficult to comply with social distancing rules, prompting the city to rent out hundreds of hotel rooms as quasi COVID wards. As the pandemic eased, the city became less reliant on hotels.

That changed as thousands of migrants began arriving by bus last year.

The Watson Hotel on West 57th Street, which used to receive rave reviews for its rooftop pool and proximity to Central Park, is now being used to house migrant families.

It is our moral and legal obligation to provide shelter to anyone who needs it, the citys Department of Social Services said in a statement. As such, we have utilized, and will continue to utilize, every tool at our disposal to meet the needs of every family and individual who comes to us seeking shelter.

Before the surge in asylum seekers, the city was dealing with increased homelessness, packed shelters and a dearth of affordable housing. New York even announced a plan to send hundreds of migrants to hotels in suburban Orange and Rockland counties across the Hudson River, angering local leaders.

Vijay Dandapani, the president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, said the city needs to come up with long-term solutions.

Hotels are not the solution for these situations, he said, adding that the optics posed problems for taxpayers who might think migrants are living in luxury at their expense.

But some advocates for the homeless say the private quarters that hotel rooms provide are a better choice than the barracks-style accommodations the city usually provides.

Kassi Keith, 55, one of the citys homeless residents, welcomed the hotel arrangement.

Having your own room, what it gives you, it gives you peace of mind, Keith said. I can go to sleep with both eyes closed, you dont have to keep one eye open.

Earlier this year, dozens of migrants staged a protest after being evicted from hotel rooms and forced into barracks set up at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which has poor access to public transportation. They complained about the cold, the lack of privacy and not having enough bathrooms.

The Roosevelt Hotel will first open this week as a welcome center providing legal and medical information and resources, officials said. It also will open 175 rooms for families with children, then expand the number of rooms to 850. The city said another 150 other rooms will be available to other asylum seekers.

When you offer people something like a hotel room, youre much more likely to get a positive response to it, said David Giffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, adding that the rooms provide privacy and dignity.

But Giffen said hotels wont address the greater problem of a lack of affordable, permanent housing.

Whats behind all of this (is) that we have such a failed housing system that people who have lower incomes end up using the shelter system as the de facto housing system, he said. And then the shelter system doesnt have enough beds so were using the hotels as a de facto shelter system.

SHARE:
I have had several opportunities to meet with Justin Trudeau since he became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister. Most of these meetings took place during the annual Dec. 6 commemorations remembering the femicide at Polytechnique. In these meetings, I believed him when he committed to banning assault weapons. I believed him because I am convinced that the man, the husband, the father that he is, sincerely wishes to act against this scourge of our society that are these weapons.

However, he is first and foremost the prime minister and the imperatives of state governance compel him. I am aware of this.

For my part, I cannot negotiate on this issue. I made a promise in blood. On Dec. 6, 1989, the last look of Annie Saint-Arneault was imprinted on my retina. The sound of Barbara Daigneaults last breath still rings in my ears. And I can still feel the bodies of Helene Colgan, Anne-Marie Lemay and Nathalie Croteau touching mine  our blood melded that night.

I took to the microphones on Dec. 8, 1989, to ask my brothers and sisters to come back, to recreate Polytechnique. I told Quebec girls who sought scientific fields to not hold back on their enthusiasm and to join us in our studies at Polytechnique. Life had to be productive and optimistic again.

That is why I was at the press conference of the Polytechnique Students Association in January 1990 with Heidi Rathjen, who was then beginning the fight of her life. That day, I met Suzanne Laplante-Edward, Anne-Maries mother who, while still grieving the loss of her daughter, was determined to work to strengthen our gun laws in order to protect other Quebecers and Canadians from the horror of another mass shooting.

Our demand at the time was to ban on assault weapons. We have never stopped asking for this measure. And, as the prime minister must know, Canadians have always been overwhelmingly in support. Indeed, assault weapons have no place on our communities, in the hands of ordinary citizens.

I cant accept a half measure with respect to assault weapons, I have sworn an oath to my deceased sisters. What his public safety minister, Marco Mendicino, proposed on May 1 is a half measure.

I dont want people to get me wrong. I agree that Bill C-21 includes many strong measures and this legislation deserves to be passed. But since our original request was focused on assault weapons, we cannot let this one aspect go.

I am still convinced that in his heart of hearts Trudeau really wants to ban assault weapons. I am even convinced that federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Mendicino, like Bill Blair before him, would also rather see these weapons gone. There must be an approach that completes the list of prohibited assault weapons and ensures that the limitations of the new definition are dealt with.

Trudeau can still deliver on his promises to survivors and victims families of the Montreal massacre, as well as the majority of Canadians who want these weapons banned and who will applaud the Liberal leader for having the courage to govern.

And if, despite everything, Trudeau continues on the current path, he should know that I will be there to monitor the situation, the increase in the number of weapons in Canada, the increase in gun violence, the increase in femicides and, unfortunately, most likely more mass shootings. I will be there, with my sisters on my mind, watching the effects of his decisions, and I will be a voice for those who have asked and continue to ask for assurances that they are safe from gun violence.

The femicide on Dec. 6 is not an abstract concept in my life. It is a day that is engraved in my flesh and that makes me the woman I am. I cannot negotiate that away.

Nathalie Provost is a Canadian Bravery medallist and survivor of the femicide at Polytechnique.

Read more about:

SHARE:
GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. - As frustration mounts over the response to wildfires that have forced thousands of Albertans to flee their homes and rural properties, one county is warning its residents against unsanctioned acts it says put lives in danger.

The County of Grande Prairie issued a statement saying a member of the public who was operating their own personal bulldozer on Friday put themselves and crews in danger by knocking trees into the fire and nearly running over fire crews and their equipment.

The statement said its imperative people understand that decisions on how to fight fires are highly coordinated and members of the public cannot act on their own, even if they mean well.

Our fire crews are made up of highly skilled firefighters trained in everything from structure protection to wildland firefighting and getting in their way places themselves and crews in danger and reduces our ability to protect people and property, the county said in the statement posted to its website on Saturday morning.

Our goals are first to protect people, and second to protect property.

There were 83 active wildfires in the province as of Saturday afternoon, including 21 out of control, and about 16,500 people from several other communities in central and northern Alberta remained out of their homes.

Saturdays rising temperatures, which are forecast to continue throughout the weekend and into early next week, were expected to increase the spread of the fires.

Everyone needs to understand the risk because its changing so quickly. People need to understand there may be instances that their rescue wouldnt be possible, Agriculture Minister Nate Horner told a wildfire news conference Saturday, noting ranchers and farmers with concerns about their animals should contact municipal officials first.

Its very important that we follow the evacuation orders, first and foremost.

During an information session hosted by the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership earlier this week, one of the residents forced from his home by the Dunes West fire said the blaze could have been stopped within 12 hours if the county had allowed people to perform their own fire prevention.

Others wanted to get back to check on farm animals that had to be left behind.

Josee St-Onge, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire, said the wildfire danger remains extreme in most of the province this weekend.

While we have seen cooler temperatures and some rain in previous days, its not enough to make a significant difference on most of these large wildfires. Fire activity will pick up today, St-Onge told Saturdays news conference.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was in Grande Prairie on Friday surveying the fire zone and meeting with local officials and Indigenous leaders.

On Saturday morning, while making an election campaign announcement on health care, she said the government had just approved construction of a pretty extensive fire guard for the city.

About 300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed across the province to help with the blazes over the next few days. Firefighters deployed from other provinces are also currently fighting blazes in Alberta, and another 200 are expected in the coming days from the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2023.

Read more about:

SHARE:
KYODO NEWS - May 14, 2023 - 15:17 | All, Japan, G7, World

The British government said Saturday that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Tokyo this week to sign a new bilateral defense and technology deal with Japan ahead of a Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima.

The premier will also host a reception of business leaders as he looks to promote investment in Britain during his first visit to Japan since taking office last October.

"I look forward to visiting Japan, a vital economic and defense partner for the U.K. in the Indo-Pacific," Sunak said in a press release. The government did not elaborate on the new deal nor the details of the business leaders' meeting.

Among recent defense cooperation, Britain and Japan in January reached an agreement to facilitate joint military drills, a move that came around a month after a deal between the two countries and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.

In December, just before the fighter jet announcement, London and Tokyo also launched an initiative to beef up technological cooperation across 14 digital areas ranging from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence.

At the G-7 summit to be held for three days from Friday, Britain will call for concerted action on economic coercion by hostile states and bolstering support for Ukraine as it faces the ongoing invasion by Russia, the government said.

"This year's G-7 summit in Hiroshima comes at a pivotal moment, as Ukraine doubles down in its fight for survival and we deal with complex threats to global peace and prosperity," the premier said.

Related coverage:

Japan, Britain, Italy vow to succeed in fighter jet project

TPP members agree on Britain joining free trade accord
EDMONTON - United Conservative Leader Danielle Smith says she will consider making changes amid questions over whether she is politicizing Albertas wildfire crisis by using party news conferences to deliver fire updates meant for the broader public.

Smith says she is just trying to be helpful and deliver as much information as she can, but says she is open to another approach.

Im happy if you want me to just refuse taking your questions on wildfires, Smith told reporters in Calgary Saturday.

I just feel like this is information you want to know. And if you want to know it, Im prepared to deliver it to you.

Smith had to begin walking a fine line of political convention this week after wildfires forced thousands to flee in the midst of an election campaign, with voters going to the polls May 29.

She is expected to juggle her dual roles as premier and party leader: addressing the crisis as premier while separating it as much as possible from party matters to avoid the appearance of using the fires to boost her profile, attack the opposition or otherwise give her and her party an unfair advantage in the election campaign.

Smith kept to that convention in the early days of the blazes, taking questions as premier on May 6 and May 8 but directing they be only about the fires.

She declared a provincial state of emergency on May 6.

But on Thursday, Smith used a party news conference to deliver a fire update. She also took questions about the situation from reporters at party events during the week and again on Saturday.

Smith was asked if Albertans should now be expected to tune in to United Conservative party news conferences to get wildfire updates.

She replied she was trying to be proactive at Thursdays event to give the public updated information on the state of the fires and to announce members of the Canadian Armed Forces were deploying to assist in select areas.

There had been two major press releases that had just gone out within the previous hour or two, so I felt like you were going to ask me the question, so I thought I should be upfront about what those decisions were, said Smith.

But you know, happy if you want to get your (Alberta legislature) press gallery to complain and tell me to stop doing any questions from you on wildfires and arrange to do it another way.

Well take that under consideration.

Since the state of emergency was declared, the government has been delivering daily live updates on its webpage with fire officials or with UCP candidate Mike Ellis taking questions from reporters in his role as public safety minister.

Albertas Opposition NDP has already criticized Smith for blurring her roles as premier and party leader.

Leaked video from May 6 shows Smith announcing to party members she was invoking a state of emergency before she told the public about it later that day, telling them, ``You guys are the first to hear about it, so you got a little bit of inside information.

Smith has already locked horns with the Alberta Legislature Press Gallery Association over her decision as premier a month ago to restrict media questions.

Smith has carried that policy over to her campaign, restricting reporters to one question per news conference with no followup queries.

The policy applies only to Smith.

The gallery association called for the policy to be reversed in a letter dated April 18, saying it deprives reporters of the opportunity to challenge or seek clarification from Smith if her initial answer proves insufficient.

Smith has said the policy will remain in place throughout the election because there are more reporters seeking answers during this period and this allows time for more of them to ask questions.

Smith walked the policy back a week ago, starting with her May 6 news conferences which were held in her role as premier and carried on the government social media feed.

She announced the state of emergency at those news conferences and took questions relating only to the fires. She took a question and a followup from each reporter and continued that practice in another news conference as premier on the government social media channel Monday.

Smiths campaign spokesman Becca Polak said Monday they were going to allow two questions for all wildfire topics to ensure Albertans got accurate information but said Smith would still only take one question on all other matters.

That policy has since lapsed, with Smith returning to taking one question only from each reporter on all topics, including the wildfires.

On Saturday, UCP spokesman Dave Prisco clarified the policy is two questions when Smith is in her role as premier discussing wildfires and one question when she is taking questions in her role as UCP leader.

The press gallery association also sent a letter on May 4 to all parties urging them to take questions and cooperate with all gallery members.

The NDP has declined to take questions from gallery member The Western Standard.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley said she respects media and differing political viewpoints among media but cannot dignify an organization that, through its editorial policy, ignores human rights and dignity by promoting discrimination and hatred, particularly toward the LGBTQ community and members of Notleys caucus.

Western Standard publisher Derek Fildebrandt has said Notley is not entitled to decide who is media and who is not. The Western Standard will never retract a story that contains no errors other than offending her sensitivities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2023.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Ask St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman about the company Property Assessment Review (PAR), and he doesn't mince words.

"PAR is an entity that seeks to exploit the property tax system for their wealthy clients at the expense of everybody else," Zimmerman says. "Entities like this are

bad for tax fairness."

Zimmerman's harsh analysis sets the tone for an ongoing Sunshine Law dispute between the Clayton-based company and his office. It comes just as tax assessment notices are arriving in homeowners' mailboxes, with many likely showing double-digit increases.

The company has long been an annoyance to the assessor's office. Every two years, PAR and its residential arm fi le thousands of commercial and residential appeals to the Board of Equalization, arguing that Zimmerman's office was too high in its assessments.

There are several other companies in the St. Louis area that office similar services, but PAR is the biggest. Homeowners and commercial building owners hire PAR on a contingency fee basis. The company makes its money by splitting any proceeds from a reduction in property taxes with clients.

But to do its job, just like any individual homeowner, PAR first has to ask the county for the records that produced the assessments, including the "comps" that show how one house in a neighborhood compares to others. In other words, the company asks the assessor's office to show its work. In the past, that's never been a problem, says PAR's co-founder, Steve Weber.

"Generally we fi le a Sunshine Law request. We've gotten them at very minimal cost," Weber said. "They've always made them available to us."

This year, Zimmerman's office said no.

On Feb. 1, PAR fi led a request seeking the comps, the personal record cards for each house showing at least a 15 percent assessment increase, and the preliminary values determined by the assessor's office.

PAR was told the preliminary values would be posted online by March 15, and the county denied access to the other information, writing: "Our office does not have any public records responsive to this request. I'm told that Missouri law only requires our office to deliver public records that exist; we are not required to create records in response to your request."

The assessor's office position was that the information hadn't been created yet in a "printable" form, so the office didn't have to provide the documents.

"PAR would like very much for the county to do their work for them," Zimmerman says. "I don't work for PAR. I work for the taxpayers. In some cases, those records don't exist yet. It's not my job to make their business model easier."

Not long after the denial, Weber heard from some competitors that they had received some of the documents PAR requested.

"That infuriated us," Weber says, "that they were making them available as one-offs to taxpayers who had requested them, yet they wouldn't produce them for us. If they were producing them for some taxpayers, we certainly had the same right to get them."

Weber upped the ante. He hired attorney Mark Pedroli, whose Sunshine and Government Accountability Project has made a practice of taking government bodies to task for violating the state's open-records law. On Monday morning, Pedroli sent Zimmerman and St. Louis County Counselor Dana Redwing a letter encouraging them to release the records PAR requested.

"Homeowners throughout St. Louis County won't respond well to learning St. Louis County is concealing their appraisal methodology under a strained interpretation of the Sunshine law," Pedroli wrote. "Transparency is a core American value. The Missouri Sunshine law is very popular with St. Louis County constituents, and nothing is more important than their homes and commercial businesses."

Weber also sent Redwing an email. He noticed that they were neighbors. Weber took a look at Redwing's preliminary assessment online and suggested that if she wanted to challenge it, under the current information Zimmerman's office was making public, she wouldn't have access to the information she needed.

PAR received most of the records it had asked for on Monday afternoon. Zimmerman say the county's response had nothing to do with the letters.

"At this point, all the personal record cards have been printed," he said. "Within 24 hours after they were printed, these guys got their records."

Now comes the hard part. If past is prologue, PAR will fi le nearly 10,000 protests of tax assessments. Many of those appeals will fail, county officials allege, based on past practice.

Challenging assessments isn't easy, either for an individual homeowner or a company that does it regularly. PAR has been in business in St. Louis County since 2009, getting its start after the crash of the real estate market during the Great Recession. It also challenges assessments in several other counties.

St. Louis County is the only one that has made it difficult to get public information, Weber says.

"I know we're a thorn in their side," Weber says.

But he believes his company is an important check on government overreach. "When your taxes go up, the burden of proof is on the assessor."
ST. CLAIR COUNTY  One person is dead and another injured after an early Saturday morning crash on the Poplar Street Bridge in Illinois.

The Illinois State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at around 2:44 a.m. Saturday on the Poplar Street Bridge. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and another person was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries, according to a report.

All lanes of northbound Interstate 55 reopened at around 4 a.m., authorities said.

Troopers did not provide further information, including the name of the person killed.
ST. LOUIS  Police broke up two large fights with teens early Sunday morning before responding to a barrage of gunfire a block away in downtown St. Louis.

Officers were called to the 900 block of Locust Street around 1:15 a.m. Sunday to disperse a fight among a large group of teenagers with several people suspected of carrying guns. Police were called again about 20 minutes later to stop another fight that broke out in the same location, authorities said.

Afterwards, several people from the crowd began walking to their cars in the 300 block of Olive Street.

As officers stood in the 900 block of Locust, waiting for the last of the crowd to leave, they heard a barrage of gunfire around the corner in the 300 block of Olive Street, according to the report.

Authorities said the officers ran to the sound of gunfire and found nine people in two vehicles with numerous bullet holes in both cars. Several shell casings were located in the street. No one was struck by gunfire, and no injuries were reported.

Eight of the nine people were teenagers, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old. One person was 39 years old.

Police believe the incident may be related to another nearby shooting that occurred around 2:15 a.m. In that shooting, police said a 30-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were driving southbound on Seventh Street, approaching Locust, when a dark-colored SUV with dark-tinted windows drove up beside them on the drivers side and started firing at their vehicle.

The victims then drove to an area hospital: The man was shot once in the back of the head and once in the left arm and was listed in serious but stable condition. The woman suffered a graze wound to her forehead and was listed in stable condition.

Police had no other information but said they are investigating.
Unbroken Bonds of Battle: A Modern Warriors Book of Heroism, Patriotism and Friendship Marks the Seventh Title for FOX News Books

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FOX News Books, FOX News Medias publishing imprint, will release its seventh title on Tuesday, June 27th, Unbroken Bonds of Battle, by FOX News Channel (FNC) contributor, FOX Nation host and combat veteran Johnny Joey Jones. The book follows the Modern Warriors franchise debut title Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes authored by FOX & Friends Weekend co-host and veteran Pete Hegseth, which was a New York Times bestseller.

In commenting on the announcement, Jones remarked, For years people have asked me to write a book about my story. However, Ive always known all along that the most important part of my story is the amazing collection of people and warriors whove become a part of my life. Each of them with inspiring and heroic stories of their own. Its fitting that my first book is a telling of their stories, how theyve affected my life and how their experience in serving this country shows the need for bonds on and beyond the battlefield. Unbroken Bonds is a book for, by and about patriotic Americans and what it truly means to be your brothers keeper.

Unbroken Bonds of Battle marks the second installment of the growing Modern Warriors franchise, which spotlights those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the freedoms and the people of the United States of America. Staff Sergeant Jones served eight years in the Marine Corps with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before an IED ended his career as a bomb technician, forever changing his life. Through the support of his brothers and sisters in arms, he began the arduous recovery and has since dedicated himself to paying it forward, working on behalf and with veterans for more than a decade. Featuring unfiltered and authentic conversations from across all branches of the military, Jones honors the true American heroes that not only defend this great nation, but protect their fellow warriors. With powerful lessons woven throughout these personal oral histories, along with a scrapbook of candid photos and an exploration of life, loss and even hunting, Unbroken Bonds of Battle will serve as a patriotic tribute to the tightknit community bonds built upon of faith, family and service.

Since the installment of FOX News Books, the publishing imprint has sold nearly 2 million copies, with each title placing on numerous national bestseller lists. The imprint launched in November 2020 with Hegseths Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes, followed by Shannon Breams The Women of the Bible Speak (March 2021), All American Christmas by Rachel Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy (November 2021), The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak (March 2022), Faith Still Move Mountains by Harris Faulkner (October 2022) and most recently, The Love Stories of the Bible Speak (March 2023). Notably, every single FOX News Books title has made the New York Times bestsellers list, with Breams highly successful biblical Speak series, selling more than 1 million copies since launching in March 2021.

A FOX News Media contributor since 2019, Jones provides military and political analysis across all platforms including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Audio and FOX Nation. He frequently serves as a co-host for FNCs weekend programming, including The Big Saturday and The Big Sunday Show, as well as a substitute hosts across daytime and primetime programming. On FOX Nation, Jones has hosted several programs, including FOX Nation Outdoors, USA Ink, and Alive Day, a documentary dedicated to the harrowing day of his tragic accident and celebration of the life he was given after the explosion.

FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 21 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230514005058/en/

FOX News Media Contact:

Alexandra Coscia: 212.301.3272

Source: FOX News Books
TORONTO, May 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toubani Resources Inc (ASX: TRE) (Toubani Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr Scott Perry and Mr Mark Strizek to the Board as Non-Executive Directors, effective today. Mr Perry and Mr Strizek are both highly experienced senior mining executives in the industry with a proven track record in corporate initiatives and advancement of development stage assets.

Non-Executive Directors Mr Jan-Erik Back and Mr Doug Jendry are retiring from the Board, effective today. Accordingly, the Toubani Board of Directors now consists of Danny Callow as Executive Chairman, Tim Kestell, Scott Perry and Mark Strizek as Non-Executive Directors, and Phil Russo as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. Mr Callow, as previously planned, will transition to Non-Executive Chairman as of 1 June 2023.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Phil Russo commented:

The addition of Scott and Mark to the Toubani Board is testament to the unlocked potential seen in the Kobada gold project. This potential is magnified when coupled with the currently ascribed market value of the Company. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Jan-Erik and Doug for their guidance in repositioning the Company and wish them well in their future endeavours. I also welcome Scott and Mark and look forward to drawing from their experience going forward. Toubanis now simplified listing structure, its continued exploration momentum and current optimisation efforts to right size the project, combined with the bolstering of our Board and management team auger positively in driving Kobada forward towards realising the value in the asset for our stakeholders.

Director Biographies

Mr Scott Perry has over 25 years of international senior executive experience in the mining industry with a track record in corporate transactions, project financing and development. Previously, Mr Perry was the Chief Executive Officer & Director of Centerra Gold from 2015 to 2022, a global intermediate gold producer where he led the US$1.1 billion acquisition of Thompson Creek Metals in 2016 and the US$240 million acquisition of AuRico Metals in 2017, amongst several other corporate initiatives. Prior to joining Centerra, Mr Perry served as Chief Executive Officer & Director of AuRico Gold, leading AuRicos US$1.5 billion merger with Alamos Gold in 2015. Prior to joining AuRico Gold, Mr Perry held increasingly senior roles with Barrick Gold in Australia, the United States, and Russia & Central Asia. Mr Perry is a former Director of the World Gold Council serving as the Audit Committee Chairman. Mr Perry holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Curtin University, a post-graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and a CPA designation.

Mr Mark Strizek is a geologist and resource industry professional with over 27 years in the mining industry with experience in gold, base and technology metal projects. Mr Strizek has worked extensively as an executive with management and Board responsibilities across Australia, West Africa, Asia and Europe. Most recently, Mr Strizek was a Director and Executive Director (2017 to 2023) of ASX-listed Tietto Minerals which went from IPO in 2018 to first gold at its 4.5Mtpa gold project in Cote d'Ivoire in January 2023, and was admitted to the ASX 300 in March 2023. Mr Strizek was previously Managing Director of Vital Metals Limited, an ASX-listed company from 2011 to 2019. Mr Strizek holds a Bachelor of Science and a post-graduate certificate in Geostatistics.

In connection with the appointments, 400,000, 400,000 and 150,000 options at an exercise price of A$0.35, expiring three years from the date of issue will, subject to shareholder approval at the Companys upcoming Annual General Meeting, be issued to Mr Perry, Mr Strizek and Mr Kestell, respectively.

This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Toubani Resources Inc.

For more information:

Phil Russo Jane Morgan Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Investor and Media Relations +61 (0) 478 138 627 +61 (0) 405 555 618

About Toubani Resources Toubani Resources (ASX: TRE) is an exploration and development Company with a focus on becoming Africas next gold producer. The Company has a highly experienced Board and management team with a proven African track record in advancing projects through exploration, development and into production.

www.toubaniresources.com

Source: Toubani Resources, Inc.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2023) - AurumFalcon, the trailblazing gold fashion brand, has developed a new approach in the Gold fashion industry with its commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and investment value. AurumFalcon, based in Dubai's exclusive Business Bay, has solidified its position as the first gold fashion brand in the world by providing a wide range of trading items that combine grandeur and long-term value.

Each piece at AurumFalcon is painstakingly created in Dubai from the finest components. Each component is carefully chosen to create unique items, from the gorgeous 22-karat pure gold to the glittering VVS diamonds and real gemstones. AurumFalcon offers a luxury experience for its discerning clientele by focusing on procuring the highest quality materials, such as Swiss cotton and German Nappa leather. The brand's commitment to excellence is evident in its distinctive and opulent packaging, which gives each purchase a final flourish of luxury.

The father and son team behind AurumFalcon set out to build a company that would provide clients with unusual and magnificent designs. The founders stated, "We wanted to create a clothing brand that would give customers the satisfaction of owning a distinctive and lovely piece as well as a smart opportunity that could benefit them in the long run."

Every piece, from formal and opulently designed t-shirts and gowns to casual tees, is expertly made, capturing the attention of fashion fans worldwide.

The dedication to accessibility that AurumFalcon has distinguished it from conventional luxury businesses. Because of the brand's innovative investment strategy, more people can now afford to acquire high-end clothing. AurumFalcon allows people from all walks of life to enjoy the long-term advantages of owning a timeless piece of apparel.

The CEO of AurumFalcon, Omar Al Wany, emphasized his excitement for the company's future by saying, "AurumFalcon is not just a gold fashion brand; it's a smart opportunity that combines classic style, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional value for our customers." With a forward-thinking attitude, AurumFalcon is poised to make an everlasting impression on the fashion world.

About the Company - AurumFalcon

A renowned gold fashion label with a base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is AurumFalcon. AurumFalcon was established with a love of luxury and a goal to redefine fashion, and since its start, it has grown to be a well-known brand.

For more information about AurumFalcon and to explore their exquisite collection of investment pieces, potential clients can visit www.aurumfalcon.com,







AurumFalcon

Media Details:

Company Name: AurumFalcon

Contact Person Name: Omar Al Wany CEO,

Contact Email Address: [email protected]

Address: Dubai, UAE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/165993
COLUMBUS, Ohio (PRWEB) May 14, 2023

Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Ohio? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Buckeye State from coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

Through its 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success program, Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught 50 Ohio entrepreneurs how to open their own independent coffee shops. Nationwide, over 300 shops have opened through the 7 Steps program.

In 2022, Crimson Cup published a series of startup guides to help entrepreneurs in each state achieve their dreams of opening their own coffee shops.

Now, the company's 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has updated its "How to Start a Coffee Shop in Ohio' guide with even more tips and resources.

"Ohio is a terrific place to start a coffee shop!" said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. "In fact, we operate several company-owned Crimson Cup Coffee Shops in Columbus, Tallmadge and Westchester, Ohio."

"Overall, Ohio ranks 28th among the states in the number of coffee shops per capita, with fewer than one coffee shop for every 6,193 residents. That leaves many Ohioans without a local coffee shop, especially in the smaller cities and towns."

The program is based on Ubert's book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help coffee shop owners develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of coffee shop operations.

"We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities," he said.

"From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you."

To hear about the book in Ubert's own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud.

For Crimson Cup customers Sean and Stephanie Miller, the idea of owning a coffee shop began as a 'someday' dream.

"I was an elementary school teacher, and my husband is an accountant," Stephanie Miller said. "How did this lead to a coffee shop?"

While walking through Valley City, Ohio, one evening, they noticed a building for sale. It was a former bank with a drive-thru lane.

"We joked around about buying the bank," she said. "Little did we know, a few short months later we would be on our way to opening Coffee in the Valley!"

They turned to Crimson Cup to learn how to open their new coffee shop.

"Without Crimson Cup, we would have struggled getting started," Stephanie said. "We knew nothing beforehand about making coffee and espresso. We were just following a dream."

After three successful years at Coffee in the Valley, the Millers learned a building in downtown Amherst was available.

"We both grew up in the Lorain area, and this is home," Stephanie said. "It's good to come back to our roots."

At Sandstone Coffee House, she plans to duplicate many of the features that have driven Coffee in the Valley's success.

"We're known in Valley City for our top-notch coffee, friendly service, and varied menu," she said. "In Amherst, we plan to have pastries, breakfast and lunch options, sandwiches, soups, and more."

She sees consistency as the key to her successful expansion. "We make sure we're consistent with staffing, policies, the owner's time in the shop, and making sure the staff at both locations feels supported."

Crimson Cup's hands-on coffee shop training, held at each shop the week before opening, has helped her baristas deliver espresso-based drinks that consistently taste great.

"One customer commented that our drinks taste the same at both shops, always, and she loves that!"

Both shops have a comfortable, home-like feel. "We like to offer a variety of seating choices and warm and bright lighting.

Expanding to two shops has created challenges and opportunities. "I run around like crazy now, and our staff was a little concerned at first about not getting enough of my time."

"Just figuring out how to keep everything supplied and on a schedule was a challenge, but now we have backup inventory if we run out of supplies at one store."

Crimson Cup's Customer Growth team has helped Miller solve problems and brainstorm opportunities for both locations.

Her favorite part about working with Crimson Cup? "They have an amazing staff that's extremely supportive and responsive. Our orders come on time, and we have had almost no mistakes in our three and a half years of working with the company."

As the proud owner of two independent coffee shops, Stephanie Miller offered this advice for prospective coffee shop owners: "I would highly recommend Crimson Cup. Without them, I am not sure we would still be open let alone opening a second location."

To help entrepreneurs learn about opening coffee shops in each state, Crimson Cup will continue to post an updated state-level guide each week until all 50 states are covered.

"Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely," Ubert said. "We're excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey."

He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance.

"If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224."

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/crimson_cup_publishes_2023_coffee_shop_startup_guide_for_ohio/prweb19332780.htm
BEIJING , May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For Chinese President Xi Jinping , his mother Qi Xin has set an outstanding example in many ways for her son and played a crucial role in shaping the values and priorities of a future leader of the country.



Qi, who was born in 1926, joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1943 at the age of 17, becoming a staunch supporter of the Party's values and beliefs.



"Parents and seniors should pass on good morals to their children when they are little, helping them build moral integrity and a sense of goodwill, so that they can grow into a person who can contribute to the country and the general public," she once said.



Qi led a simple life, which became a tradition for the family. Despite many difficulties, she managed to balance taking care of the family and her work.



Xi has cherished a lifelong goal in his heart based on his memories of illustrated story books his mother bought him about Yue Fei , a legendary Chinese general who fought against invaders to protect his people during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).



Qi told Xi, who was then around five years old, how Yue Fei's mother tattooed her son's back with four Chinese characters "jing zhong bao guo", which literally translates as "serve the country with the utmost loyalty,", so that Yue would never forget the responsibilities placed on his shoulders.



Being a loyal and loving son, Xi used to chat and take a walk with his mother whenever he had time. But to Qi, the greatest display of filial love was Xi doing his best on his job and serving the people wholeheartedly.



Over the years, Xi's political career has taken him from Shaanxi in the country's northwest, to Hebei Province in the north, Fujian , Zhejiang and Shanghai in the east, and eventually Beijing . In all those places, his work and contributions have been fondly remembered and applauded by the local people.



For Xi, family and family traditions have become a solid foundation in the process of state administration. Many years later, he still remembers his mother's wisdom and firmly follows his original aspirations that she helped shape.

Link: https://youtu.be/-akHTtQ25Ew

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cctv-stories-of-xi-and-his-mother-a-parents-lifelong-influence-on-her-son-301824022.html

SOURCE CCTV+
KYODO NEWS - May 14, 2023 - 23:00 | All, World, G7

Education ministers from the Group of Seven countries on Sunday confirmed the need to mitigate risks associated with generative artificial intelligence, including AI bot ChatGPT, on learning, while hailing the advance of the technology.

The ministers also agreed on the importance of continued understanding regarding issues stemming from the fast-developing technology that has captured public attention since the launch of ChatGPT by U.S. firm OpenAI in November 2022.

AI bots are software applications trained using massive amounts of data from the internet and other sources, enabling them to process and simulate human-like conversations with users. ChatGPT can be prompted to edit text and produce essays.

Japan said that during the talks it presented arguments highlighting the benefits of using generative AI, but also raised concerns about the negative effects of the technology, such as a possible reduction in critical thinking skills and potential copyright infringement.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a government panel to discuss AI strategy, "It is necessary for Japan, as the G-7 chair, to exercise leadership in promoting common understanding and establishing rules."

Responses to the technology among the G-7 major industrialized states have varied. Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has said it plans to introduce guidelines on AI usage in school settings within the 2023 academic year.

The G-7 ministers are scheduled to continue their talks in Japan's central city of Kanazawa through Monday. The first half of the two-day meeting from Friday was held in Toyama, the capital of the neighboring central Japan prefecture of the same name.

Related coverage:

Kishida says Japan aims to lead int'l rule-making efforts for AI use

FOCUS: Do AI bots like ChatGPT threaten humanity if left unchecked?

G-7 pushes for int'l standards for AI amid spread of ChatGPT use
BEIJING , May 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After receiving a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping , Omani artist Saud Al Hunaini said he felt overwhelmed with pride and happiness.

"It was an incredible honor," he recalled.

Days earlier, with nostalgia from beautiful days spent in China , Al Hunaini wrote a letter to Xi along with over 50 famous Arab artists after visiting China under the "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" program.

Al Hunaini and his peers talked about what they gained from and how they were inspired by their unforgettable trips to China in the joint letter to Xi. They mentioned impressive China's natural and cultural beauty, as well as the wonderful experience of working together with Chinese artists during the trips.

In his reply, Xi encouraged them to create more artworks that reflect China -Arab friendship, and make new contributions that enhance friendship between their people.

"I was deeply grateful that President Xi had taken the time to respond to our letter," Al Hunaini told the Global Times. The reply "was an acknowledgement of the importance of promoting cultural and humanitarian ties between China and Arab nations," he added.

Al Hunaini said that in Xi's reply letter, he was mostly impressed by Xi's vision of respecting the diversity of civilizations and enhancing mutual learning between different cultures. "It was a reminder that our shared humanity is greater than our differences, and that by working together, we can build a better world for all," he noted.

Some other co-authors of the letter also shared with the Global Times their excitement at receiving Xi's reply. They said the letter inspired them to make continuous efforts in promoting exchanges between the Chinese and Arab cultures.

Lebanese artist Nizar Daher said Xi's reply was a "great encouragement for Arab artists to interact and to meet Chinese artists through the Silk Roads."

"That has been instrumental in stimulating encounters and working to build a better tomorrow, and peace and friendship among the Chinese, Arab, and Lebanese societies," said Daher.

After receiving Xi's reply, Egyptian artist Hala Elsharouny said she was deeply honored and appreciative.

"I fell in love with China ," Elsharouny told the Global Times. "I am planning to learn the [Chinese] language in the future."

Fond memories in China

In 2009, the "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" program held by Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism was launched and has since invited more than 170 artists from 22 Arab countries to visit China.

These visits have inspired the Arab artists to create 487 artworks in the form of painting, sculpture, and ceramic art with Chinese elements, according the ministry's data.

China -Arab relations are now at a new historical starting point, Xi said in the letter, voicing his hope that more artists will visit China and create, using their exquisite skills, more artworks that can promote cultural exchanges, according to Xinhua.

Culture can connect hearts, and art can interlink the world, Xi noted. Some artists reached by the Global Times said that Xi's reply letter reminded them of their fond memories of days spent in this remote and beautiful Eastern country.

Al Hunaini has been to various Chinese cities through "Silk Road Artists' Rendezvous" visits both in 2009 and 2019. China's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes left a lasting impression on him.

He praised Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province as one of the most beautiful destinations he'd visited during his trips to China . "I was impressed by the picturesque West Lake , which is surrounded by lush green hills and dotted with traditional Chinese pagodas and temples," he recalled. "The scenery was breathtaking, and I was struck by the tranquility of the place."

Al Hunaini highlighted Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple, saying it "had a significant impact" on his art. "The intricate carvings and sculptures of Buddha and the serene atmosphere of the temple complex inspired me to use traditional Chinese colors, such as red, black, and gold, in the decorations and designs of the temple," he told the Global Times.

Having been to China numerous times, Daher said he was particularly impressed by ancient Chinese architecture, which he believes has the fragrance and greatness of history. "I visited the Great Wall on each one of my trips to China ," he said.

China's natural beauty also provided inspiration for Daher's artwork. During his visits to the Chinese provinces rich in natural landscapes such as green forests, Daher said he discovered multi-colored and gradient greenery from the warmest of greens to the coolest. "Undoubtedly, a certain magical haze influenced my paintings after my visit to China ," he joked.

Apart from picturesque sceneries, the kindness and warmth of Chinese people also left a deep impress on many artists.

Elsharouny, who said she loves connecting with local people to learn about their daily lives during her visits, told the Global Times that in China she usually walked around, sat with people she didn't know and had a cup of tea with them. Scenes of local residents enjoying life, such as sharing food together on a round table, or playing mahjong after a hard day at work, were some of the most beautiful moments in her China trips.

"I was surprised by their hospitality, and how everyone there wanted to help us," said Elsharouny. "What a beautiful people. I've learned a lot from them."

Envoys of cultural exchanges

From the beginning of the ancient Silk Road to the Belt and Road cooperation, exchanges between the Chinese and Arab civilizations have spanned thousands of years with mutual appreciation, writing a historical legacy of mutual learning, Xi said in the reply letter to the Arab artists.

Culture and art are essential bridges for the two great civilizations to further promote exchanges between their peoples, and the Arab artists who introduced China with their artworks are envoys that contribute to the construction of cultural bridges, noted observers.

Some artists told the Global Times that they are actively devoted to the promotion of Arab- China cultural exchanges.

Moroccan artist Khalid El Bekay said that he is likely to launch a workshop in Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province later this year, "maybe in June," he said.

Daher, who is also a professor from the Department of Fine Arts at Lebanese University and President of the syndicate of Lebanese Fine Artists, said he held an exhibition of Chinese art posters and folklore at the Lebanese Academy of Art in 2018 in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy .

He also made a proposal to the Ambassador of China to Lebanon to hold a Chinese cultural week at the UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Palace at the Ministry of Culture in Lebanon .

To many people in the Arab world, China is no longer a distant and unfamiliar Eastern country with the improvement of mutual understanding. They know a little Chinese culture, have heard about or use some Chinese products, and may be curious about people's lives there.

"Many Moroccan [friends] usually ask me about my [travelling] experiences in China ," said El Bekay .

Al Hunaini said there are many people around him who are interested in Chinese culture and products, particularly Chinese cuisine, language, and traditional arts such as calligraphy and painting; "they have gained popularity in recent years."

On this basis, Al Hunaini believes there is potential for further collaboration between China and Arab countries, in not only art and culture, but also in broader fields including trade, technology, and education.

"By fostering greater mutual understanding and cooperation, we can build stronger relationships between our two civilizations and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world," he noted.

In March, Xi proposed the Global Civilization Initiative at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting. As another important public good provided to the world, the initiative advocates for the respect of the diversity of civilizations and the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusivity, and promotes the strengthening of international people-to-people exchanges that foster mutual understanding.

The Global Civilization Initiative is a great step toward building stronger cultural ties between different civilizations, noted Al Hunaini.

The initiative encourages dialogue, mutual learning, and cooperation among countries and civilizations, which is essential for building a harmonious and inclusive global community, Al Hunaini added. "Its emphasis that mutual respect and understanding of different civilizations can help break down cultural barriers and promote peace and prosperity in the world."

"I believe that, by strengthening our ties, we can create a more prosperous and harmonious future for both China and Arab countries," he told the Global Times.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-reply-letter-from-xi-evokes-arab-artists-of-memorable-china-trips-inspires-efforts-in-cultural-exchanges-301824006.html

SOURCE Global Times
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Gazprom is displayed on a screen during the Saint Petersburg international gas forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia September 15, 2022. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Russian state-owned Gazprom is still shipping supplies to Moldova's indebted separatist enclave Transdniestria without receiving payment purely because it wants to prop up the region, Moldova's energy minister said on Sunday.

Moldova's pro-European government, bolstered by loans from EU institutions, has been buying its gas from other European sources since last December.

Disputes over price and supply cuts imposed by Gazprom generated tension between Russia and Moldova, a former Soviet state lying between Ukraine and EU member Romania.

"I believe that for Russia, de facto free supplies of gas to Transdniestria are a greater priority, far more important than any commercial relationship, money or other considerations," Victor Parlicov told the news website deschide.md.

"You saw what Gazprom did when debts built up (in Moldova) what steps were taken to curtail volumes. But as for debts (in Transdniestria), Gazprom basically provides supplies for free and receives no payment. And I can see that suits them."

Transdniestria owes Gazprom $9 billion for gas supplies and places money collected from consumers in a "gas account" rather then paying. Gazprom says Moldova owes a long-term debt of $709 million, but the government has submitted that sum to an international audit.

Helped by a 300 million euro ($325 million) credit from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Moldova has secured supplies from European sources. It bought a small amount of gas last month from Greece to test the import route.

Pro-Russian Transdniestria is a sliver of land that broke away from Moldova in the dying days of Soviet rule.

A brief war pitted the region against newly-independent Moldova in 1992 and 1,500 Russian "peacekeepers" remain there despite attempts to resolve the dispute. Conflicts and violence between the two sides are virtually non-existent.

Moldova has repeatedly denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine as Russian missiles have landed on Moldovan territory.

The separatist leaders in Transdniestria accuse Ukraine of plotting to assassinate them.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Ron Popeski and Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: Tvorchi from Ukraine take part in a dress rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest's grand final in Liverpool, Britain, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Reuters) - As the Eurovision song contest was underway in Britain late on Saturday, Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which is home to the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, this year's contestants from Ukraine.

Local authorities, writing on Telegram, said the strike had hit warehouses owned by commercial enterprises and a religious organization, injuring two people.

Russia has launched hundreds of rocket and missile attacks against Ukrainian targets since last October.

Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Kyiv, praised Tvorchi for their Eurovision 2023 entry.

"The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening," she tweeted.

Tvorchi said this week they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra rode a huge wave of support from across Europe to win the contest last year, but Ukraine was unable to stage Eurovision this year, as the winner usually does, because of Russia's invasion.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Leslie Adler)
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Six lions have been killed in a national park in southern Kenya, in a blow to conservation efforts and the tourism industry that is a key pillar of the nation's economy.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the lions were killed after attacking goats and a dog near villages close to the Amboseli National Park.

"Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident as over the last week four other lions have been killed," KWS said in a statement on Saturday.

KWS said its officials met with the local community to try to find a solution to recurring conflicts between the animals and community members, but did not say what had been agreed.

Residents around nature reserves in Kenya often complain that lions and other carnivores kill livestock and domestic animals as humans and wildlife compete for space and resources.

The 39,206-hectare Amboseli National Park is home to some of the most prized game including elephants, cheetahs, buffalos and giraffes.

(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Editing by Elias Biryabarema and Mike Harrison)
WICHITA, Kan. (Tribune News Service)  In his almost full century of living, Ulysses Lee Rip Gooch accomplished much, but there was one mission that eluded him before his death at age 98 in late 2021.

His daughter, Bonita, said the aviator and longtime Kansas Aviation Museum board member was doggone mad that he never could upgrade the museums pitiful exhibit honoring Black airmen, which was a cobbled-together display on the landing of some stairs.

He had been up until his death, Im going to tell you, trying to . . . figure out what was it going to take to get some kind of exhibit up here for Black aviators, said Bonita Gooch, owner of the Community Voice newspaper.

In the end, he didnt have to figure it out.

The museum created a more fitting exhibit and named it in his honor.

The Rip Gooch Black Aviators Exhibit is much more of a real exhibit, said curator Logan Daugherty.

Museum executive director Ben Sauceda said the exhibit also is going to set the stage with how were going to do new ones.

Its all about that inspiration ... to really make this museum a part of inspiration for careers and for life, Sauceda said. Aviation is available to anyone and everyone that will put their minds to it.

As much as the exhibit is designed to inspire and educate, its also about honoring Gooch and other Black aviators, particularly the Tuskegee Airmen who flew and fought in World War II.

Sauceda said one of the important stories in history is of Black pilots and their contributions to our country, to their service, to our freedom.

He said they showed a dedication and tribute to what our country could be.

These men who were Tuskegee Airmen saw what could be in our country and gave their lives so we could move forward, he said. This gives us an opportunity to really highlight them.

Good journalist job

During a sneak preview of the exhibit, which opens Friday, Daugherty watched as Bonita Gooch toured it with her nephew, lobbyist Kerry Gooch, who is Rip Goochs grandson.

This is great, Daugherty said, smiling.

That was even before he heard Bonita Gooch pronounce the copy he wrote about her father to be a good journalist job that summarized his 98 years well.

Daugherty noted that Rip Goochs book, Black Horizons: One Aviators Experience in the Post-Tuskegee Era, helped.

He really tells everything in his book, Daugherty said.

Ahhh, he missed a few things, laughed Bonita Gooch.

The exhibit is still small and mostly consists of murals and copy about Gooch, the Tuskegee Airmen and other Black aviators.

Just outside the area where the exhibit is on the third floor, children from Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School painted a mural of a vintage Stearman like the ones the Tuskegee Airmen would have flown.

There will be an extension of the exhibit to that area in the future.

Theres been a lot of reshuffling and upgrading of exhibits at the museum.

In the former airports original baggage claim area on the first floor, theres a new Welcome to Wichita exhibit and an expanded Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Theres an expanded theater where the hall of fame used to be by an admissions area in the front of the museum, and then theres the Black Aviators Exhibit.

One of the things were really doing right now is examining . . . how things are displayed, Sauceda said.

He said the Black Aviators Exhibit is special.

We wanted this to really be a showcase piece.

Sauceda said he hopes it will set a standard by which well move forward.

He said its the first exhibit to bear someones name.

Rip was a member of the board at the museum for a number of years and a huge supporter of the museum.

Kerry Gooch said his grandfather brought together a lot of people in aviation  particularly in the Black aviation community nationally.

It was always important to him to be telling the story about Black aviators . . . and making sure the rest of the Wichita community and the whole state of Kansas knew about Black aviators and what they contributed to this state and this country, he said. It was just always a passion of his to kind of give back and let the next generation know about what Black aviators brought.

Bonita Gooch said a lot of Black aviators didnt have opportunities due to discrimination. That included her father.

He could have been a great commercial pilot, she said.

She said her father fought to get Black airline pilots hired.

He knew every single one of them, she said. It was a battle for these guys.

Economic tool

Theres a mural leading into the Black Aviators Exhibit featuring an oversized Rip Gooch in a cowboy hat  his favorite, his daughter said.

She gently ran her hand over the mural, barely grazing his cheek, and said she appreciated the detail in the photo.

I love the textures.

Bonita Gooch said the whole exhibit is beautiful, and she thinks her father would approve.

Hed be very pleased.

Sauceda said next up will be a refreshed and redesigned military exhibit followed by an education center in a new area.

He said he wants to teach children about aviation and engineering and help retain talent in Wichita while making the museum an economic tool for the city.

Thats part of our commitment as a museum to our community, he said. We have goals to move this . . . museum forward.

Bonita Gooch said her father would appreciate the direction the museum is going.

The museum  hed be so proud, she said.

Especially, of course, of the exhibit named for him, she said.

This is what time and money can do. This is wonderful.

(c)2023 The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.)

Visit www.kansas.com
Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 16, 2016: Marines from the Southern Command Marine Air-Ground Task Force pack up supplies as the military operation to assist the USAID-led hurricane relief efforts shifts gear. DOD efforts were to be handled from the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, which was then anchored off the coast of Haiti.

Read Dianna Cahn's story on Haitian-American servicemembers working to assit their former home country here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has won the trust of Western governments by refusing to use the weapons they provide for attacks inside Russia and prioritizing the targeting of Russian forces inside Ukraine's borders.

But behind closed doors, Ukraine's leader has proposed going in a more audacious direction - occupying Russian villages to gain leverage over Moscow, bombing a pipeline that transfers Russian oil to Hungary, a NATO member, and privately pining for long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia's borders, according to classified U.S. intelligence documents detailing his internal communications with top aides and military leaders.

The documents, which have not been previously disclosed, are part of a broader leak of U.S. secrets circulated on the Discord messaging platform and obtained by The Washington Post. They reveal a leader with aggressive instincts that sharply contrast with his public-facing image as the calm and stoic statesman weathering Russia's brutal onslaught. The insights were gleaned through intercepted digital communications, providing a rare look at Zelenskyy's deliberations amid Russian missile barrages, infrastructure attacks and war crimes.

The Pentagon, where senior U.S. military leaders were briefed on the matters outlined in the leaked documents, did not dispute the authenticity of the materials.

In some cases, Zelenskyy is seen restraining the ambitions of his subordinates; in several others, he is the one proposing risky military actions.

In a meeting in late January, Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine "conduct strikes in Russia" while moving Ukrainian ground troops into enemy territory to "occupy unspecified Russian border cities," according to one document labeled "top secret." The goal would be "to give Kyiv leverage in talks with Moscow," the document said.

In a separate meeting in late February with Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's top military commander, Zelenskyy "expressed concern" that "Ukraine does not have long-range missiles capable of reaching Russian troop deployments in Russia nor anything with which to attack them." Zelenskyy then "suggested that Ukraine attack unspecified deployment locations in Rostov," a region in western Russia, using drones instead, according to another classified document.

In a meeting in mid-February with Deputy Prime Minister Yuliya Svrydenko, Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine "blow up" the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline that provides oil to Hungary. "Zelenskyy highlighted that . . . Ukraine should just blow up the pipeline and destroy likely Hungarian [Prime Minister] Viktor Orban's industry, which is based heavily on Russian oil," the document says.

In detailing the conversation, intelligence officials concede that Zelenskyy was "expressing rage toward Hungary and therefore could be making hyperbolic, meaningless threats," a qualification that does not accompany the other accounts of Zelenskyy suggesting bold military action. Though Hungary is nominally part of the Western alliance, Orban is widely considered Europe's most Kremlin-friendly leader.

When asked if he had suggested occupying parts of Russia, Zelenskyy, during an interview with The Post in Kyiv, dismissed the U.S. intelligence claims as "fantasies" but defended his right to use unconventional tactics in the defense of his country.

"Ukraine has every right to protect itself, and we are doing it. Ukraine did not occupy anyone, but vice versa," Zelenskyy said. "When so many people have died and there have been mass graves and our people have been tortured, I am sure that we have to use any tricks."

The use of long-range missiles to hit inside Russia is a particularly sensitive topic for the White House, which has long worried that the Ukraine conflict could escalate out of control and force a catastrophic standoff between the United States and Russia, the world's largest nuclear powers.

Though Washington has given Zelenskyy billions of dollars' worth of advanced weaponry, President Biden has steadily rebuffed the Ukrainian leader's request for long-range ATACMS, shorthand for the Army Tactical Missile System, capable of striking targets up to 185 miles away. Since the start of the war, Biden has said the United States is "not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders."

When asked about the intelligence indicating he had weighed the use of long-range missiles to hit Russia, Zelenskyy said it is not something Ukraine is entertaining. "No one in our country has given orders for offensives or strikes on Russian territory," he said.

It is unclear whether the United States has shared accounts of Zelenskyy's plotting with allied nations, but the Ukrainian president continues to enjoy the strong support of Western governments, which have provided him with an increasingly sophisticated array of weaponry.

This past week, Britain became the first Western country to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. The Storm Shadow, a cruise missile system with stealth capabilities, has a range of 155 miles, far exceeding the 50-mile range of the U.S.-provided HIMARS launchers.

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Friday that the missile would give Ukraine "the best chance" to defend itself and would be for use only "within Ukrainian sovereign territory." A spokesman with the British Embassy in Washington declined to comment on whether Zelenskyy's leaked remarks might give London pause about its decision.

The Biden administration says Zelenskyy's intercepted comments are not the cause for withholding ATACMS.

"Ukraine has repeatedly committed to employ U.S.-provided weapons responsibly and strategically when needed to counter Russian aggression, and we are confident that will continue to be the case," said a U.S. defense official who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic.

Since last year, Zelenskyy has promised that Ukraine would never use U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia, a pledge the White House says he has fulfilled.

"President Zelenskyy has kept the promises he has made to President Biden, and we do not believe that that will change," said a senior administration official.

One reason for not providing the long-range missiles is the "relatively few ATACMS" the United States has for its own defense needs, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Defense One in March.

Zelenskyy, however, said he believes the United States isn't sending the weapons because it doesn't trust Kyiv.

"I think they are afraid that we might use them on the territory of Russia," Zelenskyy told The Post. "But I would always tell our partners . . . 'We have a priority target for which we are spending the ammunition packages we receive, and we spend it on the deoccupation of purely Ukrainian territories,'" he said.

While there is no indication that Ukraine has used Western missiles to strike into Russian territory, the same cannot be said for Kyiv's use of armed drones.

Explosions caused by unmanned aerial vehicles have become a regular occurrence in Russia, including in Rostov, where a drone crashed into an oil refinery this month. Ukrainian officials are often coy about the incidents, hinting that they're responsible without directly taking credit.

Two drone attacks in December on Russia's Engels air base in Saratov, more than 370 miles from the Ukrainian border, showed "that we have the ability to reach many kilometers farther than they could expect," Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said in an interview earlier this year.

Russia this month accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to kill President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Videos circulating on social media and verified by The Post show two drones streaking toward the Kremlin at about 2:30 a.m. local time. The allegation was forcefully denied by Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy.

Not all of the classified documents show Zelenskyy pushing for more aggressive action.

One document describes a plan developed by Ukraine's military intelligence agency last year to conduct covert attacks on Russian forces in Syria using secret Kurdish help. The detailed plot would have opened a new battlefield thousands of miles from Ukraine, but in December, Zelenskyy directed his aides to "cease planning for operations against Russian forces in Syria," the document says, without explaining why the plan was aborted.

Zelenskyy, in the recent interview, said he reserved the right to explore a range of military options.

"I have a lot of generals with whom I work," Zelenskyy said. "And these are my personal conversations."

"The war is about the occupation of Ukraine," he added. "Ukraine must win."

Khurshudyan reported from Kyiv. The Washington Post's Siobhan O'Grady in Kyiv contributed to this report.
BELGRADE, Serbia  Authorities in Serbia on Sunday displayed stacks of guns and cartons of hand grenades from the thousands of weapons, including anti-tank rocket launchers, that they said people handed over since back-to-back mass shootings stunned the Balkan nation.

The government declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to surrender unregistered weapons as part of a crackdown on guns following the two shootings in two days this month that left 17 people dead, many of them children.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic, whose government has faced public pressure in the wake of the separate shootings at a Belgrade school and in two villages, accompanied top police officials to view the assortment of arms arrayed near the town of Smederevo, some 30 miles south of the capital.

Officials said residents had turned over about 13,500 items since the amnesty opened on May 8.

Photos from the scene showed lines of rifles, automatic weapons and pistols stacked neatly on the floor in a warehouse along with wooden boxes filled with hand grenades.

Serbia has tens of thousands of weapons brought in from the battlefields of the 1990's wars in the Balkans. Similar weapons amnesties were held in the past with only limited success.

Vucic said that approximately half of the arms collected since last week had been held illegally, while the other half were registered weapons that citizens nonetheless decided to part with. The relinquished weapons will go to Serbian arms and ammunition factories for potential use by the country's armed forces, the president said.

Authorities have said that people caught with illegal weapons once the amnesty period ends could face prison sentences of up to 15 years, if they are convicted.

"After June 8, the state will respond with repressive measures and punishments will be very strict," Vucic said of the post-amnesty period. "What does anyone need an automatic weapon for? Or all these guns?"

Serbia is estimated to be among the top countries in Europe in registered weapons per capita, and many more are held illegally.

Authorities launched the gun crackdown after a 13-year-old boy on May 3 took his father's gun and opened fire on his fellow-students in an elementary school in central Belgrade. A day later, a 20-year-old man used an automatic weapon to shoot randomly in a rural area south of Belgrade.

Other anti-gun measures announced by Vucic include stricter control of gun owners and shooting ranges. Police officials said gun owners must have a coded safe in which to store their registered weapons and that any guns not kept properly would be confiscated.

Officials plan to order inspections of registered addresses "to check whether there exist conditions for safekeeping," anti-crime department officer Bojana Otovic Pjanovic said on Serbian state TV network RTS. "If not, the guns will be taken away and punishment will be rigorous."

Police said that during some of the past collection efforts, people threw their weapons away in garbage containers or left them unattended instead of bringing them to police stations.

Experts believe tens of thousands of illegal weapons have remained unlicensed and out of reach of authorities.

Police official Otovic Pjanovic insisted that after recent shootings "citizens became aware of the risks of keeping guns at home."

The two mass shooting left 17 people dead and 21 wounded, stunning the nation and triggering calls for changes in the country that has been through decades of turmoil and crises.

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in two protest marches in Belgrade since the shootings, demanding resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures.

Vucic on Sunday rejected opposition calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was also present at Sunday's weapons display. But the president suggested that the government might resign and that he will announce an early election at a rally he has planned for May 26 in Belgrade.

"We have no intention of replacing (interior minister) Gasic, who is doing a great job," said Vucic. "What have police done wrong?"

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions under Vucic, which they say stokes divisions in society.

On Friday, protesters in Belgrade blocked a key bridge and motorway in the capital to press their demands. Protests also have been held in other Serbian cities and towns, in an outpouring of grief and anger over the shootings and the populist authorities.

Vucic described the bridge blockade as harassment, while he and other officials and media under his control sought to downplay the numbers of protesters.
BERLIN  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: "We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory."

"We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia)," he said, according to an official interpreter. "And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this."

"We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally," Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

"German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

"We will support you for as long as necessary," he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron later announced that Zelenskyy will make a surprise visit to Paris for talks.

Macron's office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will "reaffirm France and Europe's unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests."

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition" that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system Berlin has provided to Kyiv.

"That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on," he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After talks with Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

"Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in," she said. "For us, that moment has come."

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

"Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity," he said in his acceptance speech. "This is Russia's war for the past."

French media reported that Zelenskyy planned to travel on to Paris late Sunday, but officials at the president and prime minister's office wouldn't confirm.

In other developments:

Zelenskyy's chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraine's southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up. Another Kherson resident died in shelling, said regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

To people were killed in Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Overnight, Russia launched a "massive" attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people -- a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man -- in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

David Rising and Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Elise Morton in London and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has an ambitious agenda when he sets off this week on an eight-day trip to the Indo-Pacific.

He's looking to tighten bonds with longtime allies, make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the tiny island state of Papua New Guinea and spotlight his administration's commitment to the Pacific. The three-country trip also presents the 80-year-old Biden, who recently announced he's running for reelection, with the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has enough in the tank to handle the grueling pace of the presidency.

But as he prepares to head west, Biden finds himself in a stalemate with Republican lawmakers over raising America's debt limit. If the matter is not resolved in the coming weeks, it threatens to spark an economic downturn.

A look at what's at stake in Biden's upcoming trip:

WHERE IS BIDEN GOING?

Biden first heads to Hiroshima, Japan, for the Group of Seven summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is this year's host for the annual gathering of leaders from seven of the world's biggest economies. He picked his hometown of Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped the world's first atomic bomb in 1945.

The bombing destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. The United States dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

The significance of Hiroshima resonates deeply today, given that Russia has made veiled threats of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, North Korea has stepped up ballistic missile tests and Iran pushes forward with its nuclear weapons program.

Biden will then make a brief and historic stopover in Papua New Guinea. Biden has sought to improve relations with Pacific Island nations amid growing U.S. concern about China's growing military and economic influence in the region.

Finally, Biden travels to Australia for a summit with his fellow Quad leaders: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kishida.

The Quad partnership first formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Since coming to office, Biden has tried to reinvigorate the Quad as part of his broader effort to put greater U.S. focus on the Pacific.

THE BIG ISSUES

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and provocative actions by China in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait are expected to be front and center throughout Biden's trip.

At last month's G-7 ministers' meeting, the alliance pledged a unified front against Chinese threats to Taiwan and Russia's war. The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Biden administration officials have been troubled by China's increasing threats against and military maneuvers around Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own. The U.S.-China relationship has also been strained by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last August. Those ties were further inflamed after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon in February after it traversed the United States.

The G-7 foreign ministers said in their communique that the alliance would look toward "intensifying sanctions" against Russia. How far the G-7 is willing to go remains to be seen.

IS AMERICA BACK?

The looming potential for a debt default by the U.S. government raises a difficult dynamic for Biden as he heads overseas for the first time since announcing his 2024 campaign.

Since the start of his presidency, Biden has repeatedly told world leaders that "America is back." That's a short-handed way to assure allies that the United States was returning to its historic role as a leader on the international stage following the more inward-looking "America First" foreign policy of President Donald Trump.

But Biden has also acknowledged that skeptical world leaders have asked him, "For how long?"

To that end, top administration officials have said the looming debt limit crisis is a troubling sign.

It sends a horrible message to nations like Russia and China, who would love nothing more than to be able to point at this and say, See the United States is not a reliable partner. The United States is not a stable leader of peace and security around the world,  said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The Congressional Budget Office said on Friday that there was a "significant risk" that the federal government could run out of cash sometime in the first two weeks of June unless Congress agrees to raise the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap.

PACIFIC ISLAND RESPECT

With the brief stop in Papua New Guinea to meet with Pacific Island leaders, Biden gets the chance to show the United States is serious about remaining engaged for the long term in the Pacific Islands.

The area has received diminished attention from the U.S. in the aftermath of the Cold War and China has increasingly filled the vacuum  through increased aid, development and security cooperation. Biden has said that he's committed to changing that dynamic.

Last September, Biden hosted leaders from more than a dozen Pacific Island countries at the White House, announcing a new strategy to help to assist the region on climate change and maritime security. His administration also recently opened embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, and has plans to open one in Kiribati.

He'll be the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation of about 9 million people. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a visit to Papua New Guinea in 2018.

QUALITY TIME WITH MODI

Biden is going to be spending plenty of time with the Indian prime minister in the coming weeks.

Modi is among eight leaders of non-G-7 countries who were invited by Kishida to join the meeting of major industrial nations in Hiroshima. He'll also join Biden's meeting with Pacific Island leaders in Papua New Guinea.

Then Biden, Modi, and Kishida will all make their way to Australia for a meeting of the Quad to be hosted by Albanese in Sydney. Biden won't have to wait long to see Modi again. The president is hosting Modi for a state visit on June 22.
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - May 13, 2023 - 12:30 | All, World, G7

U.S. President Joe Biden will leave next Wednesday for Hiroshima to attend a Group of Seven summit, the White House said, indicating his travel may go forward as planned although talks over a looming government default have yet to bear fruit.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing Friday that Biden will discuss with his counterparts "a range of the most pressing global issues including the G-7 unwavering support for Ukraine," climate change and food security.

Her remarks came after Biden earlier this week did not rule out staying in the United States to handle an impasse in negotiations with congressional leaders over the government's debt ceiling.

Asked whether the announcement should be taken as Biden having changed his mind, Jean-Pierre said, "What I can say right now is that he's expecting to go. I can say that for sure, in this moment, that he's expecting to go."

Jean-Pierre said she had spoken to Biden about the upcoming G-7 summit and he wanted it to be known that his travel plans have not changed.

She repeated several times that the president is "expected to go" to Hiroshima as planned when also asked if the White House is now confident the debt limit stalemate will be resolved by Wednesday morning.

The White House said first lady Jill Biden will join the president for the G-7 summit.

Earlier in the day, John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, said the president is "looking forward" to traveling to Japan to attend the G-7 summit.

"We are excited about this trip. It's an important trip," Kirby added during a press briefing.

He warned that a debt limit breach would have wider adverse effects, sending "a horrible message to nations like Russia and China, who would love nothing more than to be able to point at this and say, 'See...the United States is not a stable leader of peace and security around the world.'"

Biden has been struggling to reach a deal with top congressional leaders to avert the risk of an unprecedented government default as early as June 1. The summit this year, chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is due to begin May 19 and will also bring together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.

Biden's much-anticipated meeting with House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and three other top congressional leaders on the debt ceiling was initially scheduled for Friday. But it has been postponed until early next week due to a lack of progress in preparations for the five to sit together.

Announcing the schedule change on Thursday, McCarthy stepped up criticism of Biden and said, "Apparently, President Biden doesn't want a deal, he wants a default."

Biden, who has been asking Republicans to raise the $31.4 trillion ceiling without conditions, said Wednesday that "depending on the state of play in the negotiations," he could participate in the G-7 summit "virtually."

The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money the government can legally borrow to cover its spending. The deadlock continues as Republicans, who control the House, have insisted they will not raise the limit without an agreement to slash future expenditures.

Meanwhile, staff-level talks have been taking place to follow up on discussions at the White House on Tuesday, when Biden and the four congressional leaders made no progress.

Jean-Pierre told reporters on Friday that the talks among staffers have been "productive," although she stopped short of providing details, pointing out that the conversations were private.

"It's been continuing...they're going to meet over the weekend," she said. "I think that should kind of tell you that the conversations are going in the right direction."

Related coverage:

Biden hints at attending G-7 summit virtually if debt issue drags on

Biden hints at skipping G-7 trip due to debt ceiling impasse

Japan hopes G-7 leaders show "strong" resolve to defend int'l order
(Tribune News Service)  The number of migrants seeking to cross the southern U.S. border has been markedly down despite an expected surge following the expiration of pandemic-era border restrictions, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Mayorkas said over the past two days, the U.S. Border Patrol has experienced a 50% drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week, before the border limits, known as Title 42, were lifted.

While Mayorkas said it was too soon to say whether the surge has peaked, border agents reported about 6,300 encounters on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday. Authorities said early last week the number stood at an all-time high of 10,000 daily.

An unprecedented surge of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border over recent months has been a political albatross for President Joe Biden, with Republicans and some fellow Democrats questioning if the White House was prepared to handle the influx.

Republicans have repeatedly said that the sunsetting of Title 42, a public health measure that restricted migrants during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, would lead to a fresh surge in attempted crossings. Mayorkas told ABCs This Week that he believes the dropping numbers show the administrations policies are working.

We have been preparing for this transition for months and months, and weve been executing on our plan accordingly, Mayorkas said on ABC. Our plan is very straightforward, there is a safe, lawful and orderly way to reach the United States.

As Title 42 expired, 1,000 more asylum officers were sent to Border Patrol facilities to process asylum requests along with 1,500 U.S. military personnel to help with logistical tasks. Roughly 1,400 medical staff and 1,100 processing coordinators were also sent to the southwest border.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, took issue with Mayorkass account of border crossings.

He told CNNs State of the Union that border crossings last week were at a record high.

Yes, there was some anticipation, so people started coming across at higher numbers, in fact record breaking-numbers in the first part of the week. But in the latter part of the week a judge ruled they cant do their plan of just releasing without a court date, he said.

A federal judge in Florida on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from allowing certain migrants to enter the U.S. for a limited time while they await immigration proceedings, derailing one of the administrations tactics to alleviate overcrowding in border facilities.

The problem is the way Mayorkas and those guys have done it, with catch and release and you know, not deporting people, and all the things theyve done to encourage people to come into the country is basically making the problem of migration worse, he said.

With assistance from Tony Capaccio.

2023 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com .

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In the nearly two weeks since Daniel Penny was recorded killing Jordan Neely on a New York City subway with a minutes-long chokehold, the 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran has faced calls to be arrested, been denounced as a vigilante by activists and been labeled a murderer by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

But in the lead-up to the Manhattan district attorneys office charging him with second-degree manslaughter, Penny has found a groundswell of financial and online support from high-profile Republicans such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Fox News personalities and conservatives on Elon Musks Twitter. Many of them have rallied around Penny and hailed the veteran as a hero and good Samaritan.

We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny, DeSantis tweeted Friday night. Lets show this Marine . . . Americas got his back.

The Marine who stepped in to protect others is a hero, tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

A legal-defense fund set up by Pennys attorneys on a crowdfunding site that has hosted fundraisers for defendants in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Kyle Rittenhouse had raised more than $1 million as of Saturday afternoon. Most of the money has come from anonymous donors thanking him for what he did and agreeing with his lawyers statement that Penny never intended to harm Neely, 30.

The right-wing response to the case suggests that Republican lawmakers and pundits could make Penny into the latest conservative talking point.

In the process, conservatives and right-leaning media outlets have described Neely - a Black homeless man who authorities say was described by witnesses as acting in a hostile and erratic manner - as unhinged and with a long history of violent crime. The political right has seized on police statements that Neely had 44 previous arrests for offenses such as assault, disorderly conduct and fare evasion. (Authorities have not confirmed Neelys record for The Washington Post.) Fox News host Greg Gutfeld said the manslaughter charge against Penny was pro-criminal and anti-hero.

Greene went one step further.

Jordan Neely was a violent criminal who should have been behind bars, she wrote on Twitter on May 6. Her tweet was liked by Musk, who also liked a Twitter poll from another user asking, Did Jordan Neely deserve what happened to him? (More than two-thirds of those who voted in the poll said, Yes, he had it coming.)

The political rights embrace of Penny - whose New York voter registration in 2016 listed his party affiliation as Conservative - is an attempt to take the legal case against him out of the courtroom and onto television, social media and the fundraising circuit, experts told The Washington Post.

Pennys case has been injected into the bloodstream of partisan politics, said Matt Dallek, a professor of political management at George Washington University. A lot of conservatives can point to vigilantes like him and say, Theyre standing between us and the mob. It fits into a political narrative, and people like Penny are appropriated, whether they want to be or not.

Steven M. Raiser, one of Pennys attorneys, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday regarding the right-wing support his client has received.

Penny, of Long Island, was arraigned Friday on a charge of second-degree manslaughter and was released on a $100,000 cash bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 17. If convicted, Penny could face five to 15 years in prison.

Jordan Neely should still be alive today, and my thoughts continue to be with his family and loved ones as they mourn his loss during this extremely painful time, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) said in a statement.

The Neely familys attorneys said they are seeking a grand jury indictment, telling reporters that Penny didnt care about Jordan when he placed him in the fatal chokehold. Pennys attorneys have argued that their client acted in self-defense and could not have foreseen [Neelys] untimely death.

The conservative response to Pennys actions has drawn comparisons to Rittenhouse, who was acquitted on all charges after killing two people and wounding a third during unrest related to a police shooting in Kenosha, Wis., in 2020, said Jon Marshall, an associate professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism who has studied the relationship between presidents and the press. Rittenhouse has been championed by conservatives, with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and others calling him a hero.

What were seeing now for Daniel Penny after he killed Jordan Neely is that he fits within a long, ugly history of some media and politicians glorifying vigilante violence, Marshall said. Theres a history of the us vs. them narrative, and the us is besieged and under great threat, and thats what justifies these acts of great violence.

Experts say its a narrative among conservatives that has helped fuel the online fundraiser for Pennys legal-defense fund. Pennys attorneys set up the fundraiser on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site created after the site GoFundMe removed far-right campaigns that went against its terms of service. GiveSendGo has hosted campaigns for Rittenhouse, Capitol riot defendants and the Freedom Convoy - a group of truckers in Ottawa in 2022 that protested a rule requiring cross-border drivers to be vaccinated.

When Penny was charged with manslaughter on Friday, the campaign raised about $600,000 on that day alone, Jacob Wells, the CEO and co-founder of GiveSendGo, told The Post. Donors are giving an average of about $700 per minute to the fundraiser, he added. Rittenhouses campaign raised about $630,000 between August and November 2020, Wells said, and the convoy groups record campaign raised nearly $10 million.

Pennys $1 million crowdfunding campaign is already among the highest totals in the history of GiveSendGo.

Daniel Penny and his legal team came to GiveSendGo first because they know, as a platform, we stand for peoples right to a fair and due trial, Wells said. I think its appropriate in this moment in time when social media is amplifying peoples voices significantly, its all the more reason why defendants need access to a rigorous defense and funds to afford that rigorous defense.

At least 20 donors had given $1,000 or more to Pennys GiveSendGo campaign as of Saturday afternoon.

Thank you for protecting the citizens that day, wrote an anonymous donor who gave $10,000, the largest single donation.

Another anonymous high-dollar donor wrote that Penny had the bravery to stand up and do the right thing, adding of Neelys death: No tears for the [man] who died.

The financial support Pennys legal team has received is due, in part, to the coverage of right-leaning media outlets and Republican politicians using his case to score points on the latest front of the culture war, experts say.

The beginning of the conservative media response to Neelys death and Penny, whose name was not immediately known to the public, came when the New York Post described Neely as unhinged in its first story on the May 1 killing. It continued during Sean Hannitys show on May 4, when the Fox News host described Neely as a mentally ill homeless guy with a long history of violent crime. After saying the Marine Corps veteran had subdued Neely, a member of Hannitys audience exclaimed, Woo!

When police said Penny, who is White, was initially taken in for questioning and released without charges, protesters filled the subway system and demanded that the man who killed Neely be arrested. Kayleigh McEnany, a White House press secretary in the Trump administration who is now a Fox News host, scoffed at the protesters chants for justice, saying on May 5, Well, at least they have rhythm. Her co-hosts laughed off-screen.

Other conservative outlets such as One America News have had segments asking whether Penny should be prosecuted or honored. The Wall Street Journals conservative-leaning editorial board made the case against charging Penny, describing him in a Friday headline as the Subway Samaritan. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) gave Penny a similar nickname - Subway Superman - on former president Donald Trumps Truth Social platform.

Marshall, the Northwestern professor, noted that Pennys case pointed to a history in which U.S. politicians have used crime and fear of crime to their own advantage, capitalizing on moments of division to strike a chord with their bases. Experts cited Trump as a recent example. They also emphasized how DeSantis, who is expected to seek the 2024 Republican nomination for president, exemplified this practice when he tweeted his support of Penny, saying the country must take back the streets for law-abiding citizens.

Politicians speak about them and promote them long before the cases go to trial, Marshall said. In a prior generation, it would have taken weeks to build up to this point. Now, it can build up to this point in a matter of minutes, and people can jump to conclusions quickly and can make assumptions before the facts are known.

On Twitter, Musks paid verification program has boosted the reach of conservative and far-right voices, which have called for Penny to be given a medal and said the manslaughter charge amounted to a travesty. Musk has called protests of Neelys killing disingenuous, and he liked a tweet calling Neely worthless.

Experts agree that the emotionally charged atmosphere surrounding Pennys case will persist into the summer.

Its a drumbeat that has begun, Dallek said. The dynamic that suggests that Penny is a victim of some sort of injustice and being unfairly persecuted, those cries will only grow in volume.
Inviting workers of all political parties to join the protest, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the sit-in in Islamabad outside the Supreme Court will continue until the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial resigns.

The ruling alliance of 13 political parties is all set to hold a sit-in outside the Supreme Court on Monday (tomorrow) to protest the judiciarys "undue facilitation" to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The protest sit-in coincides with the hearing of the Election Commission of Pakistans (ECP) plea asking the apex court to revisit its order of holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14. The petition will be heard a day after the court-ordered election deadline lapses.

Fazl, in a video message released on Saturday, said that the sit-in would be staged against the protection being given by a three-member bench of the apex court and Islamabad High Court to a "criminal".

I ask the workers of all political parties to reach Constitution Avenue in Islamabad at 9am on Monday to show national solidarity against the protection of the criminal by the three-member bench and the high court," he said.

The PDM chief, who is also the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's (JUI) Fazl faction, shared that all had been done and dusted for the event and thousands of workers would reach the venue from all the provinces.

Refering to relief provided to Khan in terms of bails, Fazl said that the courts were encouraging a "criminal" to weaken the country and to disintegrate.

He then asked workers of Ansarul Islam, a volunteer organisation of the JUI-F, to ensure discipline and peace during the protest, and also requested lawyers to participate in the event to ensure supremacy of law.

Fazl further stated that the entire nation was protesting against the actions of a few individuals of an institution and the biased approach to breach the Constitution.

We should make it a national protest to give a strong message to the judiciary to give up such actions, the PDM chief said.

Police officials skip SC registrar's security meeting

As the ruling coalition gears up for a protest outside the apex court, the SC Registrar had called a meeting of the Islamabad administration to chalk out a security plan and arrangements in view of Monday's sit-in.

It may be noted that hearings of major cases such as elections and National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 amendments are due in the SC on Monday.

The Registrars Office had summoned the Islamabad deputy commissioner, AIG (Special Branch), DIG (Operation) as well as SSP (Operation).

However, it emerged that no other officer, except for the Islamabad deputy commissioner, showed up at the meeting. At this the registrar expressed grave concerns and directed the deputy commissioner to ensure security arrangements on Monday.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said government has already pointed out that Imran Khan is pursuing politics of hatred. He urged the public to minus Imran Khan from politics using their power of vote.

Addressing a news conference along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Sunday, he regretted that fighter jet of MM Alam was also set on fire which is a pride of Pakistan. He said PTI should be banned but it requires a due legal process.

Rana Sanaullah Khan said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had planned the events of May 9 in advance and anyone engaged in violence would be brought to justice.

Sanaullah said that even the objects used in the attacks were built in the same place.

The targets had been advised in advance in case Imran Khan got arrested, he said, adding that all those responsible would be brought within the laws grasp.

Rana Sanaullah also said that it was an evidence of Imrans culpability that he had not condemned the events of May 9 till now and described Imran as a fitna.

He mentioned that the only solution to the PTI was banning it as a political identity but added that this would be a big decision. In a surprise statement, Sanaullah also mentioned that Imran would have to be defeated at the polls.

If Imran is not defeated by the power of the vote, he will destroy the country. he said.

He added that he along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had approached Fazal after discussion with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He added that Fazal would give an answer on whether he would shift the protest by 10pm on Sunday.

However, he added that the protest was a decision made by the Pakistan Democratic Movement and not by the government.

Rana Sanaullah said that the chief justice had weakened his moral authority by ruling Imran Khans arrest illegal on Friday. He also mentioned that the acquittal was part of the same chain as the minority opinion of three judges being imposed as the courts decision in the election delay case.

On Saturday, Maulana had announced a sit-in infront of the Supreme Court saying he wanted to remind the court that it was mother of law not mother-in-law.

The judges are men made of flesh like us, not heavenly beings, Fazal had said, they should go beyond the constitution to an extent that they do not even consider the parliament to be supreme.
The young Dublin woman in her 20s, who had already been the subject of protection orders taken by her mother, was arrested on Friday for criminal damage to a window.

A distraught mother wept as she pleaded with a judge to refuse bail to her troubled daughter accused of "trashing" her house.

The woman alleged the incident happened following a "revolving" situation and a lack of psychiatric services.

The young Dublin woman in her 20s, who had already been the subject of protection orders taken by her mother, was arrested on Friday for criminal damage to a window.

She appeared before a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court and was remanded in custody following an emotionally charged bail hearing.

Judge John Hughes heard the defendant told gardai, "I'm innocent", on arrest, and there was an objection to bail based on witness interference fears.

The young woman had already been imprisoned in the Dochas Centre for breaching the protection order, which was taken out in 2022 and later extended.

She was released recently, and the alleged criminal damage incident occurred on the protection order's expiry date.

She is not being named due to the Domestic Violence Act reporting restrictions.

Her mother gave evidence in support of the garda application, saying: "My house was thrashed; it is not about the thrashing, it is [about] where she is mentally."

She told the court that he daughter, who is dealing with the death of a close family member, was in a challenging and difficult situation and had "spiralled" in recent months.

The mother said she had gone everywhere looking for help and "I'm trying everything", but her daughter was off her medication and living in homeless care or a B&B, paid for by the family. She said she had been trying to build up a relationship and "get her back to some sort of stability".

"I'm living in fear, I'm living in fear," she said. When questioned whether custody was appropriate, she responded that the defendant was "in danger of harming herself and harming other people".

"We are in a revolving situation; we keep calling the guards," she said.

She said a GP recommended getting her daughter psychiatric help. She claimed she was told the young woman needed to be an outpatient first, but she "cannot manage her own life".

Weeping, she said a hospital said she needed residential treatment, but none was offered.

She said that her daughter had been "terrorising me then" and had been sent to prison previously. A recommendation was made for psychiatric treatment in custody.

"I feel we are here today in a nightmare cycle, and my daughter is here no better."

Defence solicitor Colleen Gildernew said there was no charge for breaching the order, and there was evidence it was no longer in force.

Cross-examining the garda witness, she submitted that the charge before the court was about a broken window. Furthermore, remanding the accused in custody due to a lack of psychiatric services was "over the top".

The court heard no further charges were expected from Friday's incident at the mother's home.

The arresting garda was concerned the woman would not turn up to court if released, but witness interference was his primary concern.

Pleading for bail, the defence solicitor accepted that it was clearly a fractious and tumultuous family relationship in this case.

Ms Gildernew submitted that her client was psychiatrically unwell but had been trying to access help and support through homeless services. The solicitor argued that a referral under the Mental Health Act was necessary, but "the Dochas Centre should not bridge that gap", and the court had to balance the competing interests in the case.

Judge Hughes said the accused has the presumption of innocence, but he accepted the prosecution had established its objection to bail. He remanded her in custody to appear again later this month. Legal aid was granted to the young woman, who had no means and had not been collecting her social welfare.

The judge also directed medical attention for her in custody.

The defendant, who has not entered a plea so far, did not give evidence.

However, as she was escorted from the courtroom sobbing, she turned and told her still visibly upset mother, "Don't talk to me, don't speak to me, I'm going to get a barring order for you".
Using the lure of watching cartoons, Noel Cooney enticed the boy into his home before asking the victim to pull his trousers down

A pensioner convicted of drugging and sexually abusing a schoolboy over 20 years ago has been handed a 22-month sentence.

Jailing Noel Brendan Cooney (72) at Craigavon Crown Court on Friday, Judge Patrick Lynch KC said despite the pervert now accepting guilt, he could receive little or no credit given he forced the victim to testify in two trials held a week apart in February.

Cooney, with an address at Deramore Mews in Belfast, was convicted of three sex offences including two of gross indecency and an indecent assault on dates unknown between January 1999 and December 31, 2002, when the child was aged between nine and 11.

The juries heard that, using the lure of watching cartoons on Sky TV, Cooney enticed the boy into his home before asking the victim to pull his trousers down.

He refused at that time, but on another occasion the child ended up sitting on Cooneys knee.

The indecent assault occurred on a third occasion when the boy was in Cooneys house and the defendant asked him if he wanted a drink. The juries also heard that this was his eighth victim.

Prosecuting lawyer Joseph Murphy said: He could see him put something back in his pocket but he consumed the drink and began to pass out, adding that shortly afterwards the boy became drowsy and fell unconscious.

When he came round, Cooney was behind him, the child was face down and could feel something on the back of his head and neck.

When he regained consciousness again, he felt hazy but Cooney forced him out of the house and it was only when he got home that he realised he had an injury.

When arrested and interviewed in 2021, Cooney denied the accusations.

In 2008, he was handed an 18-year sentence for 37 offences including three of raping a girl, indecent assault and gross indecency upon a boy and four girls from 1989 to 1993.

The judge, who put Cooney on the sex offenders register for life, said he had carried out a "campaign" of abuse.

In court today, defence KC Charles McKay revealed that despite his claims of innocence, Cooney now accepts that he committed these three crimes of which he has been convicted.

The victim may well be online and it would be some vindication to him to hear that the defendant did in fact commit these crimes that the victim said he did, said the senior barrister, conceding that its a difficult case given his previous offences.

He argued that while he did not shy away from it being a serious case, he stressed that Cooney had served his time and had clearly benefitted from his probation order as he had not reoffended since he was released in 2014.

Jailing Cooney, Judge Lynch said it was a reasonable inference that he had drugged the boy to facilitate the indecent assault.

He added there was also no doubt that had this case been dealt with along with the other offences in 2008, the judge at that time would have imposed a longer sentence.
Tom Murphy confirms he has had nothing to do with his brother and disowned him since last meeting him in prison in 2005

Larry Murphy was found guilty of a vile rape and attempted murder in 2000

Serial killer suspect Larry Murphys brother reveals he was not happy about answers from his sibling when he questioned him about being the chief suspect in the disappearance of several women in the 1990s.

And because of his unease about the replies, Tom Murphy confirms he has had nothing to do with his brother and disowned him since last meeting him in prison in 2005.

Brute Murphy was given a 15-year jail sentence in 2001 after being convicted of the kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of a young Carlow woman in 2000 in the Wicklow mountains.

During the attack he repeatedly locked the woman in the boot of his car while violating her, and eventually tried to kill her by attempting to suffocate her with a plastic bag over her head.

Fiona Pender

Ciara Breen

He only fled the scene when interrupted by two hunters.

The notorious sex fiend was released in 2010 after serving just 10 years in jail, and moved to Spain, Amsterdam and later London.

Murphy is the chief suspect in the disappearance of several women in what became known as the Vanishing Triangle, the subject of the RTE two-part documentary series, Missing: Beyond the Vanishing Triangle.

I asked him had he anything to do with the missing women, says Tom Murphy in the programme. the second part of which airs tomorrow.

I wasnt happy with his answers. I wasnt at all happy with them. I didnt get any answers. I never want to see him again.

Jo Jo Dullard

Deirdre Jacob

I cant begin to comprehend the suffering these families are going through. They get up in the morning to a house, their daughter is not there. Theyre sitting watching the front door to open for her to walk in. I have a daughter myself. I cant begin to imagine what its like. I just cant.

He adds he has not spoken to his brother since that last meeting in Dublins Arbour Hill jail in 2005.

Murphys attack and his general behaviour was also part of the review by the Operation Trace team, set up to look into the disappearance of several women

From our point of view, it was quite close to where we were operating from. It was in the region concerned  more or less the centre of what was called the Triangle, recalls former Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey.

Retired detective Alan Bailey and fellow Operation Trace member believes Murphy deserved special attention.

Fiona Sinnott

Larry, of course, because of the modus operandi he used in the abduction and assault became a person of interest to the Operation Trace investigation, he points out.

We went back to school, to work and all that just to establish a picture of him and see if we could connect him to any of our missing persons.

There was no obvious link and we were saying to ourselves he ticks a lot of boxes so he was a person of interest.

However, gardai have never been able to uncover sufficient evidence to connect him to the disappearance of any of the missing women featured in the series.

The concluding episode of Missing: Beyond the Vanishing Triangle focuses on attempts by gardai to establish if a serial killer may have been at large during the 1990s.

Two years after the disappearance of Annie McCarrick in 1993  who was the focus of last Mondays first episode  more young women went missing.

In response to a public outcry, then Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne announced the establishment of Operation Trace in 1998 to review six initial cases: Annie McCarrick, Fiona Pender, Fiona Sinnott, Deirdre Jacob, Jo Jo Dullard and Ciara Breen.

Tony Hickey was recruited to lead the operation. He selected a small team of experienced investigators to review the cases and for the first time examine potential links between the disappearances.

Women who vanished in 90s

Alibis, theyre as good as the weakest link, maintains Hickey. We tried to learn from what was being done in other countries. In three of the cases there were very good suspects.

The Trace team at the time expanded its search to take in other cases, including the 1993 disappearance of 22-year-old Imelda Keenan.

Bailey said he was surprised to hear the case was categorised as a possible suicide.

For Imeldas brother, Gerry Keenan, the revelation makes no sense.

I think that Imelda was murdered in Waterford. I think Imelda knew her murderer.

Tom Murphy

He is calling for the case to be upgraded to a murder investigation.

An Garda Siochana has confirmed that Imelda Keenan remains listed as a missing person case.
The sick individuals who did this do not represent the good people of Donegal. More determined than ever to open even more centres to help Ukrainians.

Dragons Den star and millionaire businessman Peter Casey has labelled those who attacked a centre he has planned for Ukrainian refugees in Co Donegal as "thugs."

The building at Ludden in Buncrana was set on fire on Thursday night last.

Although nobody was in the building at the time there was considerable damage caused.

Entrepreneur Casey expressed his outrage at the attack on social media.

But he vowed that despite the attack he will rebuild the centre and make it even better than it was.

So last night, my not for profit centre for Ukrainian refugees in Buncrana was broken into and severely damaged by fire, he posted on Twitter.

The sick individuals who did this do not represent the good people of Donegal. More determined than ever to open even more centers to help Ukrainians.

He added a short time later: I will repair/rebuild the not for profit Ukrainians center in Buncrana that thugs damaged by setting on fire last night and I will make it the best Ukrainian refugee centre in Ireland.

The development will cater for 50 people displaced by the war in Ukraine.

There were initially plans to build a three-storey apartment block on the site but Casey then announced plans to convert the site into a refugee centre.

Meanwhile, gardai have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

"As with all criminal investigations, the motive behind the incident will form part of the investigation, a garda spokesperson said.

It is not the first time a Donegal premises planned to house refugees has been targeted.

In November, 2018, the Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville was badly damaged in an arson attack days before a group of asylum seekers was due to arrive.
The makeup mogul, who is preparing to say 'I do' to fiance John Greene, revealed that two other ladies in the office are also preparing to walk down the aisle

Cosmetics queen Aimee Connolly has been celebrating her summer brides hen with her gal pals who she declared are the best team.

The Sculpted By Aimee founder took to Instagram to share a stunning pic of herself dressed in white and enjoying a glass of Prosecco alongside two of her friends.

The makeup mogul, who is preparing to say 'I do' to fiance John Greene, revealed that two other ladies in the office are also preparing to walk down the aisle.

Speaking to the camera in a series of clips on her Instagram stories Aimee revealed: We have our work hen party, we've three summer brides on the team so we're doing a work hen party tonight for all of us and I have to be in town, ready in 45 minutes.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Aimee had shared the exciting news last year with her 156k followers that boyfriend John had proposed while on holiday in Mexico.

She announced: Last night while waiting on the sunset in Holbox, I said yes.

Aimee, who launched her cosmetics brand in 2016, sells a range of makeup brushes, palettes, lipsticks, lashes, foundations, and instant tan.

As the chief executive and owner of the popular make-up brand Sculpted by Aimee, Connolly (30) has become extremely successful at a young age.

While she is driven and self-motivated, Aimee said her ambition comes from her estate agent mother, Clare (63) who has been a huge influence on her.

As I get older I realise that a lot of my inner belief has come from my mum, she said previously.

She was a single mum who raised me on her own, and she went through financial challenges in the last recession and persevered through them. Then she started a new business in her fifties. She is the most resilient, hard-working woman I have ever met.
Footage shows young men moving in and smashing up the camp that housed asylum seekers, before it was ultimately set on fire.

The Tent City in Sandwith Street being set ablaze. Right, graffiti on the streets walls

These are the shocking scenes showing a group of men tearing down the Tent City which had been erected in support of asylum seekers on Friday night.

Footage posted online shows young men moving in and smashing up the camp that had housed asylum seekers, before it was ultimately set on fire.

Tensions had been rising in the area after dozens of tents were pitched up outside the International Protection Office on nearby Mount Street amid a serious shortage of accommodation.

On Friday night, protesters had gathered to oppose the refugees presence and were met by counter-protesters  with both sides being kept apart by gardai.

A number of asylum seekers and activists have been living in the so-called Tent City in nearby Sandwith Street, a small cul-de-sac located next to a vacant apartment building.

Scenes from Sandwith Street following confrontation involving asylum seekers sleeping rough

The demonstrators were also joined by a number of far-right agitators from outside the area  including self-styled citizen journalist Philip Dwyer.

Large crowds gathered for a protest on Friday, targeting those camping in the area. However, after gardai left the area a group of men smashed up the tent city and set fire to the debris.

In footage recorded before the camp was later set on fire, young men, some of them hooded, can be seen moving among the empty shelters while the person holding the camera speaks to them.

This is just proof that theres nobody here anymore folks, the voice says. The local lads are going in. Theyre not happy with the area. They are removing it down. Yiz are all local lads he says.

These are young, local lads and they are going in to remove the tents, he adds. Cause they care about the women and the children in the area. This building is now empty.

The wrecked encampment on Sandwith Street   Fergal Phillips

The footage shows the men kicking debris amid the remains of the camp as they pull down some of the makeshift structures.

The lads are removing the park, the voice adds. This is what the lads think of the people. This is how worried they are about the women and children of the community.

Thats it lads, take it down, he encourages them. This is their community. These are the lads of Pearse (referring to Pearse Street). Fair play to them. Take it all down. Make it unliveable.

Bits and pieces of the camp, including plastic sheets and sleeping bags are scattered along the laneway while the man with the camera declares: Fair play to these lads.

These are the lads that love their community. They wont have any undocumented men living among the women and children. Amazing scenes here on Pearse Street. Its their community. Theyre allowed to do it.

In other footage recorded earlier in the day, Philip Dwyer, a far-right agitator, narrated commentary over scenes of the protest between groups at the camp.

Gardai drawing a line between anti- and pro-migrant groups

He approaches gardai and asks them if a terrorist wanted by Interpol had been arrested.

He also tells the camera that the people coming in are not from the area.

Theyre people from very well-to-do places, he says, referring to the supporters gathered in the counter-protest.

They want them (the refugees) to come into working class areas. But guarantee that they wont have any in their own areas. But they are shouting for refugees to be here.

Dwyer, who does not live in the area, and is from southwest Dublin, was previously a candidate for the far-right National Party in the 2020 General Election and got 508 votes

He previously worked as a postman but was fired in 2010 for dereliction of duty.

During a subsequent unfair dismissal case taken by Dwyer, it emerged he had kicked a number of dogs, including a friendly black collie he kicked in the head with a steel toe-cap boot, and threatened another woman that he would kill her familys dog.

In one angry scene recorded and shared online, the People Before Profit representative James OToole is seen being given a Garda escort as he was led from the scene while being heckled by an angry crowd.

Other footage widely shared on social media yesterday morning shows the encampment in flames with the remains of wooden pallets lying on the ground.

Pictures from the scene showed burned mattresses, cooking utensils, books and other furniture among the debris.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he condemned the violence unreservedly. It is malign opportunism. A tiny minority of people are clearly determined to make capital out of a difficult situation. The Gardai are carrying out an investigation. We cannot tolerate actions such as this.

The wrecked encampment on Sandwith Street   Fergal Phillips

Justice Minister Simon Harris also spoke out against the attack on the camp, tweeting: Utterly appalling & unacceptable scenes in Sandwith Street last night. Everyone in this country has a right to be safe. The right to protest is never a right to endanger or intimidate.

People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy, who had spoken out about attacks on the homes of the asylum seekers tweeted: We warned the Government again and again that by putting asylum seekers on the streets they were putting people in serious danger.

They did it anyway as a concession to far-right. Did it satisfy them? Of course not.

Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin tweeted: What happened last night in #Sandwith Street is an outrage. This is racism pure & simple.

Burning the tents of homeless people who have come to Ireland seeking international protection. This is not who we are as a people. We are better than this.

Gardai said they attended the scene following reports of a protest and demonstration involving groups of people.

Gardai engaged with those present and one male in his 30s was later arrested under the Public Order Act, Gardai said. He has since been charged to appear before Dublin District Court later this month.

As the groups involved dispersed some wooden materials and pallets were set alight in a nearby laneway. No one was present in the laneway at the time and no one was injured. Inquires are ongoing.

Gardai drawing a line between anti- and pro-migrant groups

The camp had been targeted in recent days by anti-migrant groups. On Thursday, a number of clashes occurred and in one particularly violent incident that was captured on video and posted online, a man in a green shirt can be seen loudly shouting this is my land at people gathered on the street.

Other shouts of this is our country can be heard as the man in the green shirt starts tearing down banners that had been placed on adjoining fencing.

He then uses a pole to swing at the people around him before he is attacked by young men in dark hoods who launch a flurry of blows and kicks at him.

He recovers but is quickly attacked again before falling to the ground where the video ends.

The video was posted by a Twitter account called RM.tv, an alternative media platform.

They described the video as far left Marxist provocateur attacks locals with steel dealt with swiftly. Ireland is the last bastion of resistance against replacement migration.

In other posts referencing the same incident the Twitter account of Ireland Against Fascism wrote: Nasty scenes at Sandwich Street in Dublin this evening as far right thugs ripped down anti racism/antiwar signs and attacked asylum seekers camping in the area.

A group of anti-fascists prevented the thugs led by (named man) from entering the encampment.
Photo: Pixabay

The environmental approval of gene editing by Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, went largely unnoticed by the mainstream media last week.

Its understandable considering the plethora of news that captured the publics attention, from the ongoing issue of Chinese interference to King Charles coronation.

Gene editing may not be the most captivating subject to engage consumers, but its significance for global food security cannot be overstated. Fortunately, Ottawa is getting it right.

Last week, Bibeau made an important announcement regarding the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys implementation of Part 5 of the Seed Regulations. This aligns with Health Canadas decision less than a year ago that classified gene editing as non-novel while subjecting it to appropriate regulations. This is a crucial leap forward for global food security.

The next and final step involves consulting and assessing the gene editing of plants intended for livestock feed. Legalizing gene editing in Canada could be granted as early as this fall.

In simple terms, gene editing in food refers to the use of techniques such as CRISPR to modify the DNA of plants, animals, or microorganisms used in food production. Unlike GMOs, which involve inserting genetic material from different species into an organisms genome, gene editing allows scientists to make specific changes to an organisms genome, potentially enhancing its nutritional value, disease resistance, or other desirable traits. It holds the potential to create crops that are more resilient to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, while also improving their flavour, appearance, and shelf life.

Gene editing will undoubtedly aid agriculture in tackling climate change and adapting to ever-changing growing conditions. It will also streamline the research and development process, potentially saving millions in research costs, and making scientific advancements more adaptable to our evolving environmental and ecological landscape. Increasing yields can reduce the risk of severe price fluctuations, benefiting both ends of the food continuum, including consumers at the grocery store.

However, it is crucial to prioritize clear labelling. Consumers should have the right to know what they are consuming and understand the technologies that impact farmers crops worldwide, including in Canada. Canadas global leadership in genetic engineering should be celebrated, even if it remains largely unknown to the average consumer. Demystifying the virtues of genetic engineering for consumers is critical to equipping agriculture and farmers to face climate change more effectively. It also has the potential to make certain food categories more affordable, such as non-gluten wheat, benefiting individuals with allergies or specific intolerances.

Groups opposed to gene editing, like CBAN and Vigilance OGM, have consistently misled the public through fearmongering, falsely claiming that gene editing lacks oversight. They have once again criticized the governments decision, accusing it of promoting unnatural agriculture. However, nothing could be further from the truth. These groups often exploit the publics limited understanding of the technology.

To be clear, Ottawa has declared its commitment to establishing monitoring and oversight measures, to guarantee the precision and dependability of the publicly accessible database, based on the recommendations of a government-appointed steering committee. These strict guidelines will hold the industry accountable and ensure transparency.

While science has thus far indicated minimal risks associated with gene editing for humans and the environment, the debate surrounding its safety and ethical implications in food continues. Given the variation in regulatory frameworks across countries, this discussion must persist. Science is not absolute, so monitoring longitudinal risks will be critical. Anti-genetic engineering groups have the right to express concerns, but they should refrain from exaggeration, as they have done in recent decades, bordering on the ridiculous.

But for now, we can safely say Ottawa and Minister Bibeau did the right thing and deserve all the credit. Even if most may not fully appreciate technological advancements in agri-food, consumers should be thankful for them.

Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
KYODO NEWS - May 14, 2023 - 21:17 | All, World, G7

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is slated to visit Japan for three days from next Friday to attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima as a guest, his office said.

During his stay in Hiroshima, Yoon is set to hold trilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden to confirm cooperation in addressing North Korea's missile and nuclear development, the office said Sunday.

Since Seoul in early March proposed a solution to a wartime labor compensation dispute that had escalated bilateral tensions, Japan-South Korea ties have been improving, prompting the two countries to agree on resuming reciprocal visits by their leaders.

Yoon, who took office in May 2022, visited Japan in mid-March, while Kishida earlier this month made his first trip to South Korea since becoming prime minister in October 2021. Such reciprocal visits had been suspended since 2011.

Kishida is scheduled to host the three-day G-7 summit through next Sunday. South Korea is not a member of the grouping.

Related coverage:

Japan, South Korea leaders to cooperate on security amid North Korea threat

U.S., Japan, South Korea to hold 3-way summit in Hiroshima
When David Torrens explained his dad has been an RUC man, the detectives came back and accused him of being a member of the UVF

A builder accused by cops of being a top IRA terrorist is to sue the Metropolitan Police.

Detectives claimed David Torrens had attempted to extort 60,000 with menaces from a wealthy Irish pensioner  and that the cash was to go straight into the coffers of republican terrorists.

But what the London police didnt know was that 55-year-old Torrens was from true blue Protestant stock in the heart of Ulster Plantation territory.

And that his father was a retired RUC man who had been forced to flee his home twice as a result of republican paramilitary threats.

In 2019, Mr Torrens was charged at Bow Street Magistrates Court with making malicious threats by text and being a member of the IRA.

But after a four-year nightmare, he succeeded in having the matter brought before Snaresbrook Crown Court, where a judge dismissed the case.

David Torrens telling Sunday Worlds Hugh Jordan about his ordeal

Now the Armagh man plans to sue the Metropolitan Police for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.

I told the cops I actually found their accusations insulting because my family had suffered directly at the hands of the IRA, he told the Sunday Worldthis week.

My father was forced to leave the family home in Markethill and serve in the police in Scotland after a serious threat on his life.

I told the London police I was actually insulted by them linking me with the IRA as my dad had been an RUC man. I saw them looking at each other and I think they realised then that theyd got it wrong.

He added: But the even more amazing thing was, after a while the detectives came back and accused me of being a member of the UVF!

Torrens left his home in Markethill, Co Armagh, during the worst of the Troubles and he found work in the building industry in London, where he also became friendly with his Irish boss Brendan OKeefe (inset left).

But four years ago, they were both arrested and their homes were searched in midnight raids by police who accused them attempting to extort money from a wealthy Donegal man who also lived in London.

Detectives claimed Mr Torrens had plans to abduct and torture the man and drive him around a London motorway until he agreed to hand over 60,000 in cash which was to go to the IRA.

They further accused Mr Torrens of using his mobile phone to send the man a threatening text demanding immediate payment.

But when Brendan OKeefe was interviewed, it became clear that far from attempting to extort 60,000 from the Donegal man, it was actually him who was owed the money.

Brendan OKeeffe

He had known the Donegal man for several years and when he asked Mr OKeefe to help finance a business venture importing caravans to the UK, he agreed.

Mr OKeefe handed over 60,000 in two payments, but that was the last he saw of his money. And he had documentary proof of both transactions.

He explained to the police that when the Donegal man was posted missing, he enlisted the help of his friend David Torrens whom hed known for many years.

Mr OKeefe told Met detectives that David sent the Donegal man a text message saying both of them would be calling to collect the outstanding money.

Mr OKeefe was released without charge, but David Torrens was charged with making malicious threats by telephone and in person and being a member of a terrorist organisation, the IRA.

Mr Torrens said the matter limped on for four years, causing him and his family much anxiety and stress. He also says it was only after a Crown Court judge threw the case out of court that he began to get his life back.

This was wrong from start to finish. I should never have been charged, my boss Brendan OKeefe was done out of 60,000 and I was merely helping him get his money back.

It was farcical. Im now planning to sue the Metropolitan Police over what happened.

Mr OKeefe said he fully supported Mr Torrens in his efforts to get the Met Police back into court.

He said: Im still owed 60,000, which Ive now written off. Someone should have been brought before the courts over this, but it wasnt David Torrens.
The shocking lie was only exposed when his colleagues at a well-known company sent a sympathy card to the childs mother

The sympathy card sent to the family

The sympathy card sent to the family

A County Antrim man claimed his son had died so he could get time off work.

The mans shocking lie was only exposed when his colleagues at a well-known company sent a sympathy card to the childs mother.

His co-workers even offered to help pay the funeral costs.

However, the mans son was perfectly healthy  and it was all a scam by the man to skive off work.

The Sunday World is not naming the man for legal reasons.

However, the boys mother, the mans former partner, said she was disgusted by the lies he told.

It is just sick, she told the Sunday World.

I knew nothing about this until a sympathy card was sent to my family last weekend.

It was actually my mothers house that he got his work stuff sent to for some reason.

There was a card to (mans name) and family, so I opened it and it said sorry for your loss.

I started laughing, thinking he had said I had died to get off work.

My friend said I should phone the company but Im so nervous when it comes to things like that, so she phoned.

She spoke to a fella who said he was the person who sent the card.

My friend asked him if he could say who it was that was supposed to have died. Everything went quiet and then he said, to be honest we have been under the assumption that his son has been ill for quite some time. He said (mans name) told them his kid had died.

I didnt know what to do. I felt terrible for the fella on the phone. He didnt know what to say to me or what to do.

When confronted by the Sunday World at his home, the man denied he had lied about his son dying.

It is understood he started working for the company a couple of months ago.

According to his ex-partner, he told the firm at his interview he may need time off because of sons poor health.

I phoned the company again on Monday and the girl I spoke to could not have been nicer.

I asked her what he had said and she told me that when he went for the job interview, he told them his son was seriously ill with epilepsy. I was like, what?

He later said his son had had a bad epileptic fit and then something happened with his brain and he went into a coma.

Then he told the company his sons heart had apparently stopped, and they had to take him down to Dublin for a heart operation.

They got his heart started again, then it stopped again so they had to put him into an induced coma.

There were wires coming out of him apparently and we were all around his bedside, the mans former partner said.

However, the lies continued.

He said he needed time off as I had been in the hospital for a week straight and I needed to get home and rest.

Then on the 14th of April he said that we were all around his bed and then they turned off his life-support machine and he passed away.

After hearing the sad news, which was all a lie, colleagues of the man offered to support him and his family.

The company told me they had asked him for the funeral directors information because there were doing a whip-around and were going to donate to the funeral costs.

But he told them the funeral was just going to be at home and that we wanted it to be quiet and private. So, he asked them to donate the money to Antrim Hospital.

These people were feeling awful and doing a whip-around for a childs funeral that was all a lie.

The mans former partner said she was still in shock about what had happened.

If he had said I had died I would have thought how low can you get, but to say these things about his son is unbelievable.

It is whole story for me, all the lies in the weeks leading up his sons supposed death. Its sick.

When asked about the matter and if the man was still working at the company, a spokesperson for the firm involved said they did not wish to make any comment.

Were you one of the mans colleagues who was duped by his lies? Tell us your story by contacting 02890 408730 or emailing coneill@sundayworld.com.
Thirty-eight damaged schools in the Bay of Plenty Education Region are amongst over 500 North Island schools which have been identified by the Ministry of Education as requiring Immediate Response initiative funding.

The Government says it is committing to return all schools impacted by the Auckland flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle to their pre-weather event state through the Cyclone recovery package announced on Sunday.

It was very concerning to see the damage done to some schools. Our concern went well beyond the physical damage to buildings and grounds," says Minister of Education Jan Tinetti.

"The impact on students and staff was very much front of mind. Schools are often a hub for local communities and so the effects were felt widely,

Tinetti says over 500 schools across the North Island have been damaged and the Government is committing to getting them all back to their previous state.

Budget 2023 provides $31 million to cover the immediate costs associated with returning affected schools to working order following the extreme North Island Weather events. This includes repairs to roofs, plumbing infrastructure, carpentry, tree removal, and emergency cleaning.

A further $85 million funding has been allocated for the ongoing work required to return schools to their pre-weather-event state. In some cases, this may require redevelopment or relocation."

Tinetti says Budget 2023 also recognises the ongoing strain on school staff with a further $700,000 over two years for Special Reasons Staffing funding, with $315,000 of that available immediately.

This funding can be used to employ relief staff, provide teaching/principal release time, support students with engagement and wellbeing, or employ additional teachers for those schools that have experienced increased enrolment due to enrolling students from weather-affected areas.

The funding announced today [Sunday] is on top of the immediate Government response after the weather events to assist to schools in the affected areas. In the immediate aftermath of the weather events we transferred significant existing resources in response to the urgent needs of schools and kura."

That included providing the equivalent of more than 41 additional teachers across 56 affected schools.

Tinetti says these teachers have been used for a variety of purposes, like relief for staff unable to access school due to road closures or who were significantly affected personally, as well as providing programmes for affected students.

We also increased existing Counselling in Schools contracts to provide additional support to students, deployed Traumatic Incident Team support, extended Employee Assistance Program support for school, kura and early learning staff and a offered a range of other wellbeing and funding supports."

A further $782,000 has been provided for the replacement of school library collections and related library resources lost due to the North Island Weather Events that cannot be replaced by other funding.

For some of the schools affected by the weather events this is going to be a longer-term recovery, and the Government will be with them on that journey."
International artists Sean Paul, UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Julian Marley among the 26 artists announced for One Love 2024.

New Zealands massive celebration of reggae music, One Love, returns in 2024 - with a huge line-up of reggae and dancehall greats confirmed for the Bay of Plenty festival.

Lock in January 27 & 28, 2024 for two days of good vibes and quality performances by some of the biggest names in reggae music, says One Love organisers.

Dancehall party-starter Sean Paul and reggae legends UB40 ft Ali Campbell will headline the 2024 festival, complemented by international artists Wyclef Jean from Fugees, Shaggy, the son of reggae royalty Bob Marley - Julian Marley, Fiji, J Boog, Third World, Common Kings, Maoli, Spawnbreezie, The Green, Pia Mia, Latasha Lee, Josh Wawa, Eli Mac and Sione Toki. New Zealand musicians Sons of Zion, Sammy J, Nesian Mystik, House of Shem, 1814, Three Houses Down, Israel Starr, Corella and TJ & Huri also join the line-up, adding the much-loved Kiwi reggae flavour to the event.

Sean Paul.

Sean Paul is one of the biggest dancehall artists in the world and has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Beyonce, Busta Rhymes, Sia, Clean Bandit and Dua Lipa to name a few. With hits such as Get Busy, Temperature, Gimme the Light and We Be Burnin, Sean Paul will be a One Love favourite. He last performed in Tauranga in 2020 and is looking forward to returning to the city in 2024.

Ali Campbell is a founding member and vocalist of the legendary British reggae band UB40, whose hits include Red Red Wine, Here I Am, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Kingston Town and more. When UB40 ft Ali Campbell hit the stage at One Love youll get to hear their original sound.

Performing at One Love for the first time in 2024 will be Haitian rapper Wclef Jean, who rose to fame as one of three founding members of Fugees, alongside Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. With Fugees, Wyclef Jeans hits include Killing Me Softly, Ready or Not and Fu-Gee-La, and his success continued as a solo artist with some of his most popular tracks including 911 featuring Mary J Blige, Two Wrongs featuring City High and Sweetest Girl featuring Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia.

Julian Marley is another One Love newbie and coming from reggae royalty as Bob Marleys son, hell no doubt be a crowd favourite.

One Love promoter Glenn Meikle says organising One Love is a massive task but being able to secure such a high calibre of established artists and rising musicians on one line-up is one of the rewards that comes with running a major festival.

After dangerous weather that caused site flooding and stranded artists in Auckland forced the cancellation of this years One Love Festival, we have been working hard to secure an even bigger line-up for 2024.

Glenn is confident One Love 2024 will continue to be a must-attend R18 event for reggae lovers from all backgrounds from all around the world.

It has cemented itself as a weekend of unity and One Love 2024 will be a fun-filled weekend packed with amazing local and international talent.

The One Love 2024 line-up is an exciting one, consisting of a good mix of established and rising musicians who are just as excited to be part of the event as we are to have them.

Reggae music is a universal genre that brings people together, which is why One Love has become a staple on Tauranga and New Zealands summer festival calendar. The topics are relatable and the music and the beats are feel-good, sparking positive vibes.

Just like every One Love festival, Glenn says the 2024 event will again create hundreds of jobs and pump millions of dollars into the local economy. As one of New Zealand's most vibrant and popular summer festivals, One Love 2024 is again expected to reach full capacity, attracting about 20,000 reggae lovers to the Tauranga Domain.

Tickets go on sale from May 24, 2023 - so make sure you secure early access by pre-registering now at bit.ly/3I9yvQC.

Those who have pre-registered will be able to purchase tickets from 6pm while those who haven't will have to wait until 7pm when tickets are released for general sale.

We cant wait to share the good vibes with you all at One Love 2024, says Glenn.

For more information, go to www.onelovefestival.co.nz/
KYODO NEWS - May 14, 2023 - 19:27 | All, Japan, World, G7

Health ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies on Sunday laid flowers before the Peace Statue in Nagasaki to offer prayers for victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bomb, ahead of the summit beginning on May 19 in Hiroshima.

It was the first time for G-7 ministers to pay floral tribute together at the Nagasaki Peace Park, in which the statue is located, according to the prefectural government. The health chiefs visited there after concluding their two-day talks.

The southwestern city of Nagasaki was the second city to be devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb, three days after Hiroshima in western Japan became the first target to be hit by such a catastrophic weapon on Aug. 6, 1945.

Before wrapping up their meeting, the G-7 health ministers adopted a joint statement referring to the lessons of the novel coronavirus pandemic, stressing the necessity of equal access to testing, vaccines and treatment, especially in developed nations.

The visit by the G-7 chiefs to the peace park in Nagasaki came as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has voiced eagerness to pitch his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons at the summit in Hiroshima amid Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Kishida, a lawmaker representing Hiroshima, said Saturday that it is "unacceptable to trample on the history of no use of nuclear weapons," adding that he is set to welcome the G-7 leaders at the Peace Memorial Park on the opening day of the three-day summit from Friday.

It would mark the first occasion for G-7 heads of state and government leaders to visit the park together, including those from three nuclear powers of the United States, Britain and France.

On Sunday, meanwhile, a protest rally was held in Hiroshima by citizens opposing the G-7 summit. Around 180 people gathered from across Japan, calling for an end to the grouping, which they believe is incapable of resolving wars and abolishing nuclear weapons.

Related coverage:

Japan PM Kishida inspects G-7 summit venue, Hiroshima A-bomb cenotaph

FOCUS: G-7 courting of supply chain partners a crack at new order

G-7 science heads vigilant against potential military use of research
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
KYODO NEWS - May 14, 2023 - 11:21 | World, All

Thai voters went to the polls Sunday for a general election, the result of which may allow the political vehicle of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to power or retain the status quo under the incumbent, pro-military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The election comes as Prayut, a 69-year-old former army general who has been in power for eight years, is facing strong political opposition led by the Pheu Thai party run by supporters of Thaksin, amid wishes for change shared by increasing number of voters.

Pheu Thai is projected to win the largest number of seats but whether it will be enough to form a government remains to be seen, according to recent opinion polls.

At stake is control of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives. Elected members of the lower house and military-appointed senators are to cast votes to choose a prime minister. A party fielding candidates for a general election needs to submit up to three names as its premier nominations.

The opinion polls show Pheu Thai leading ahead as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, the youngest daughter of Thaksin, is uniting the party on behalf of her father, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and fled abroad to avoid legal cases.

The party has pledged a number of populist policies to lift up the people's living standards, claiming Prayut's government has performed poorly, particularly on the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic period.

But Prayut and his allies have stressed such achievements as improved infrastructure, welfare for those in need, including COVID-19 patients, and an economic stimulus scheme since the last election four years ago. The premier is running for re-election under the newly minted United Thai Nation Party, though he will not run for a seat in parliament.

The smaller Move Forward party, which is liberal and popular among young voters, is also doing well in the opinion polls. The party's progressive proposals include calling for the amendment of harsh laws against insulting the king and the monarchy.

Paetongtarn and Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader of Move Forward, have topped the opinion polls as favorites to become the next prime minister, while Prayut is trailing behind them.

Even if Prayut wins, he will be allowed to serve only a half-term or two years under a ruling by the Constitutional Court.

Prayut staged a coup to topple the Pheu Thai-led elected government in May 2014 when he was the army chief and subsequently became interim prime minister of a military-run government. He returned to power under a civilian government after the 2019 election.

In the 2019 election, Pheu Thai won the largest number of seats but failed to gather allies in forming the government, prompting the second place Palang Pracharath Party, which nominated Prayut as its prime minister candidate, to form the government with 18 more parties.

Thaksin tweeted Tuesday that he will return to Thailand soon before his birthday in July, after he escaped trials for the tax evasion and corruption cases and spent nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile.

The former premier is facing around 10 years in prison while some cases are ongoing.

A total of 67 political parties are competing for the 500 seats up for grabs in the election, with 400 for the constituency elections and 100 in the party-list vote.

According to the Election Commission, 52.2 million people are eligible to vote. Voting began at 8 a.m. and will run through 5 p.m.

Related coverage:

FOCUS:Thai election may pave way for Thaksin-linked party's return to power

Ex-PM Thaksin vows to return to Thailand post-election, face jail time

Thai PM Prayut dissolves lower house to pave way for May election
A hot potato: Fusus is a surveillance platform integrating public and private cameras into an accessible, cloud-based surveillance network. Law enforcement organizations tout the technology as an essential expansion of monitoring capabilities by creating a real-time crime lab. However, privacy advocates and civil rights watchdogs see it as a threat to the Fourth Amendment and a high-risk cybersecurity target full of personally identifiable information.

Fusus is designed to provide law enforcement organizations (LEO) and other public safety institutions access to accurate, relevant information via a cloud-based network of authorized video monitoring assets. The company claims the platform "enhances all public safety and investigations assets for law enforcement, first responders, and private security personnel." The system began rolling out in several small participating cities and organizations in 2019, later expanding to a footprint of more than 33,000 supported cameras in more than 60 cities and counties nationwide.

Law enforcement and public safety professionals say the system gives them much-needed access to real-time incidents, allowing faster response times and decreased criminal activity without risking the safety of local contributors. For example, businesses and other organizations regularly receiving requests to review video footage for investigative purposes can choose to deploy specific hardware devices, known as FususCores, to their network. Once deployed, these devices make it possible to include the owner's cameras in the area's more extensive Fusus network.

The system then adds authorized camera feeds to FususOne, a map-based interface that combines all access points into a single feed. Access to this aggregated dashboard and its tools saves law enforcement and other first responders valuable time by directly accessing the cameras and information rather than going to the site and requesting permission to review the video.

The company says police and other officials do not have unfettered reign over the camera streams. The system relies on policy-based conditional access, which gives camera owners the final say regarding whether or not to grant or deny access to their camera streams. Fusus and its clients claim this makes the system a low-risk but high-return tool for expanding monitoring activities.

Opponents argue the platform creates a supersized network of cameras and personal data, increasing the potential for abuse and misuse. The Triad Abolition Project's Nia Sadler cites the potential for over-policing areas already receiving increased attention and potentially (and unfairly) targeting minority groups, protestors, or others based on demographics or affiliations.

Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) in New York, believes Fusus creates many privacy and civil rights concerns to consider before implementation.

"Fusus takes surveillance tools that are constitutional on their own, and aggregates them into the kind of persistence tracking that is blatantly unconstitutional (when used by government bodies)," Cahn told Reuters.

From a technical standpoint, the amount of data aggregated in Fusus and the number of users accessing it raises concerns. The potential for exploiting connections to thousands of disparate feeds could make the technology a prime target for hackers looking to sow chaos or obtain unauthorized access to available personal or business information. If there's one thing we've learned about cloud-based technologies  nothing is ever truly safe.
ChatGPT is now being used by U.S. travelers to create their travel plans.

Well, this is not surprising since the AI chatbot already proved its efficiency.

Longwoods International, a leading destination tourism market research partner, released a new study; revealing that U.S. travelers are now becoming more reliant on ChatGPT.

Based on its official study, 32% (nearly a third) of American travelers use the AI chatbot to plan their next trips.

US Travelers Now Using ChatGPT

Longwoods International CEO Amir Eylon explained that the travel industry is commonly the leader when it comes to adapting new technologies.

Also Read: Protect Your Privacy: How to Delete Your ChatGPT Conversation History

He stated that the travel sector adopted numerous innovations, such as automated reservation systems, the Internet, and social media.

"We fully expect similar early adoption by the industry and travelers to the potential benefits of employing artificial intelligence in travel planning and decision making," added Eylon via Forbes.

Yes, ChatGPT can help you make your trip plans faster and more efficiently. However, you still need to double-check the information it provides.

How To Use ChatGPT for Trip Plans

Remember, ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that depends on the prompts provided by its users. This means that the reliability of travel plans it will create will depend on the instructions you will give it.

If you want to use ChatGPT to make your travel plans, here steps you need to follow:

First, research the destination that you are planning to visit. After that, ask ChatGPT about the best places to visit in that country. Then, tell ChatGPT to create an itinerary for this destination. Once you are done, instruct ChatGPT to create a travel expense breakdown based on the itinerary it provided.

Of course, these instructions are just recommendations. You can still follow your own prompts if they suit your needs well.

The rising number of travelers using ChatGPT clearly shows that AI technologies are becoming more popular than ever. Because of this, other companies are releasing their own artificial intelligence models.

Recently, StabilityAI introduced the new StableLM; an open-source technology for creating text generators.

We also reported about the arrival of the new MetaGPT, an artificial intelligence that can help people create websites and AI chatbots.

For more news updates about AIs and other similar techs, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: 5 Ways ChatGPT, Other AI Will Become 'Game-Changers' in Gaming Industry

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The TikTok blue eye trend is becoming more popular as users participate in the challenge.

As of writing, similar trends are also appearing on the video platform. These include the shoe theory and the hair theory. Now, TikTok users created another one called the "blue eye" theory.

In this trend, users are trying the blue eye filter to see how they look if they have blue eyes.

But, why is this TikTok challenge so popular, and what is its main purpose?

TikTok Blue Eye Theory

According to Dexerto's latest report, the TikTok blue eye theory was created to prove that blue eyes make people look more intimidating.

Also Read: TikTokers Use AI to Make Michael Jackson Sing Bruno Mars' 'Treasure'! Here are the Results

To do the challenge, TikTok content creators will use the blue eyes filter of the app. First, they will do a facial expression with their real eyes.

Then, they will do the same expression. But, this time, they will use the blue eyes filter.

Based on the videos, their faces look more intense with their eyes in the color blue (of course, this still depends on people's perspectives).

Some individuals with natural blue eyes said that they often receive comments about how they look intimidating.

Right now, opinions about the blue eye theory are still divided. If you have any thoughts, you can check some of the TikTok blue eye trends below:

Fun Facts About Blue Eyes

The TikTok blue eye challenge is currently trending in countries where people commonly have brown or darker-color eyes, such as those in Asia.

If you don't have blue eyes, then here are some fun facts about this eye color that you need to know:

Blue eyes are more sensitive to light since they contain less melanin.

Only around 8% of people across the globe have blue eyes, making them rare.

Scientists believe that people with blue eyes have a common ancestor.

There are some instances when babies with blue eyes lose this eye coloration.

Experts claim that blue-eyed individuals are more likely to get addicted to alcohol.

If you want to learn more blue eye fun facts, you can visit Auckland Eye's official report.

In other stories, ByteDance said that TikTok climate change denial videos will be removed as part of its Earth Day 2023 efforts.

We also reported about a recent study, which claimed that the TikTok FYP automatically shows self-harm videos to users.

For more news updates about TikTok and other social media platforms, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: TikTok Introduces #NewMusic Search Hub, Featuring the Jonas Brothers and Miguel

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange, recently announced its decision to withdraw from the Canadian market, Coindesk details in a report.

The cause of this move is attributed to a set of regulatory hurdles imposed by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) in February of this year, which impose stringent guidelines on crypto asset trading platforms operating within the country.

The new regulations require such platforms to undergo a series of rigorous due diligence checks in order to secure approval from the CSA.

Specifically, these requirements stipulate that customers must obtain prior approval from the CSA before they are allowed to purchase or deposit stablecoins.

While Binance has expressed discontent with the new regulations, the company remains optimistic that it can work with Canadian regulators to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework to facilitate the seamless integration of cryptocurrencies into the Canadian market.

Only time will tell how this situation will unfold, but the world is watching to see what is next for Binance and the Canadian crypto landscape.

What This Means for the Canadian Crypto Market

Binance noted that it explored all the viable options to protect its Canadian users. The move comes as a blow to the Canadian blockchain industry, but Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has stressed that the decision was not taken lightly.

According to Zhao, the move holds "sentimental value" as Canada is the home country of Binance's founder. As such, the company had put off the decision for as long as possible, exploring all reasonable avenues to protect its Canadian users.

Unfortunately, the situation has become untenable, leaving Binance with no choice but to withdraw from the Canadian market.

Read Also: Three Cryptos Set to Skyrocket in Value in 2023: HedgeUp, Solana, and Shiba Inu

The company has high hopes for the industry. It is confident that it will someday return to the Canadian market when Canadian users once again have the privilege to access a more expansive suite of digital assets.

Binance Faces Increased Scrutiny

Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been facing increasing scrutiny from regulators in North America.

ICYMI, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), accused Binance of illegally marketing digital asset derivatives products to US customers without first registering with the commission, among other things.

Binance has responded to recent legal actions by denying any illegal activities and stating its commitment to contest the lawsuits.

Furthermore, the company has stated that it does not operate in China and does not use any Chinese technology, such as servers or data.

Bloomberg reports that the company has announced that it will be winding down its operations in the region, including severing ties with its US business partners.

However, Binance's decision to withdraw from Canada is particularly significant. It is a potential blow to the country's thriving blockchain industry, which has gained momentum in recent years.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Crypto Exchange Binance, YouTubers, NBA Player Hit With $1 Billion Lawsuit Over Unregistered Securities

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This new NASA snake robot is designed to find other life in the universe.

As of writing, space agencies are still making efforts to know if there could be life on other planets. Right now, they are focusing on heavenly bodies within the solar system, such as Mars, Venus, and other planets.

One of NASA's efforts to find life is the EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) robotic program.

The international space union created the first EELS prototype back in 2019. Now, here's the update to this slithering machine.

New NASA Robotic Snake To Find Life in Space!

The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) released a new YouTube video to show that EELS is being tested in multiple terrains.

Also Read: Storm-Tracking NASA Satellite Constellation's New Launch Date Announced! Here's When It'll Happen

"The robot has been put to the test in sandy, snowy, and icy environments, including the Mars-like terrain at JPL's Mars Yard," said the space organization.

NASA explained that the Mars Yard is its "robot playground," which is located at a ski resort in the snowy mountains of Southern California.

As of writing, the latest version of the robot, EELS 1.0, is composed of 10 identical segments.

These can rotate using screw threads for traction, grip, and propulsion. It weighs around 100 kilograms and reaches over four meters.

How NASA's EELS Works

NASA EELS Principal Investigator Hiro Ono explained that the space agency has a different philosophy when it comes to spacecraft and robotic development. He added that numerous textbooks explain how to design four-wheel vehicles.

However, none of them focus on autonomous robotic snakes, as reported by ComicBook. Unlike other space-based machines, EELS can easily reach places that four-wheel vehicles find hard to access.

NASA designed EELS to autonomously sense its environment, gather data, as well as calculate risks. The space agency said that this slithering robot could recover on its own without the help of human operators.

If you want to see NASA's EELS robotic program in action, you can watch the space agency's official YouTube video below.

In other stories, an autonomous laboratory used robots and AI to increase its speed by 100 times. We also reported about the first babies born from a sperm-injecting robot.

For more news updates about NASA and its new robots, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: NASA's Floating Balloon Telescope SuperBIT Captures Tarantula Nebula in Gorgeous Detail

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ChatGPT jailbreak is easier than iPhone jailbreaks if you can input the right prompts.

To protect users, OpenAI ensures that its generative AI models have enough guardrails that can limit their capabilities.

ChatGPT, GPT-4, and other similar AI tools are integrated with guardrails so that they can't answer certain questions, especially queries that require harmful/controversial answers.

However, since jailbreaking ChatGPT can be a piece of cake for jailbreak enthusiasts, its limitations can easily be removed.

ChaGPT Jailbreak Guide

Before reading this article, keep in mind that we don't encourage users to jailbreak ChatGPT.

Also Read: How To Use ChatGPT for Trip Plans? New Survey Says 1/3 of US Travelers Already Doing It!

But, knowing what ChatGPT jailbreak really is and how it can be done can still benefit some users.

BGR reported that jailbreaks can be dangerous since these could allow resourceful people to employ them for malicious activities.

This worsens in ChatGPT since users no longer need tamper codes just to jailbreak the AI chatbot.

All they need to do is use the right prompts to make ChatGPT answer restricted queries. Of course, if you jailbreak artificial intelligence, it can still give you wrong or unethical answers.

Recently, AP News reported that the EU and other authorities across the globe are making new rules that can prevent the dangers posed by AIs.

One of the EU's efforts is the AI Act, which was first proposed in 2021. This proposed European law aims to classify AI models based on their risk levels.

The riskier the artificial intelligence, the stricter rules they'll face.

ChatGPT Prompts To Jailbreak It

We recently reported numerous ChatGPT prompts that can help users get the best out of the AI chatbot.

One of these is the ChatGPT DAN (Do Anything Now) prompt, which allows ChatGPT to become its alter-ego.

DAN enables ChatGPT to answer controversial topics, such as wars, Hitler, and other controversial happenings.

Aside from this, the ChatGPT Grandma exploit also appeared previously. This prompt allows the AI chatbot to act like elderlies who are talking to their grandchildren.

Many users already tried it; some of them asked ChatGPT to provide them with the recipe for napalm, as well as the source code for Linux malware.

Although this looks fun, you always need to keep in mind that jailbreaking ChatGPT can lead to numerous issues.

For more news updates about ChatGPT, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: ChatGPT Privacy Guide 2023: Here's How to Remove Your Sensitive Data From AI Chatbot

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Elon Musk is allegedly not handling Tesla, as per the latest rumors.

This detail was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Previously, some Tesla investors were furious as they believed that Elon Musk was failing to run the EV manufacturer.

Gary Black, a hedge fund manager who owns over $50 million in Tesla shares, claimed that there'd been no Tesla CEO ever since Elon acquired Twitter.

If the rumors are that the billionaire is not handling Tesla, then who is running the automaker?

Elon Musk Allegedly Doesn't Run Tesla

According to Futurism's latest report, Futurism's latest report, the one who is really running Tesla is CFO Zach Kirkhorn.

Also Read: Elon Musk's Tesla Autopilot Statements Deepfaked, Claim Lawyers; Judge Concerned by Argument

Kirkhorn was hired as the company's chief financial officer in 2019. When he entered Tesla, the company was only valued at roughly $50 billion.

As of writing, Tesla already reached over $500 billion valuation.

Although Elon is publicly praised for the automaker's achievement, speculations claim that the EV company's successes are privately credited to Kirkhorn.

Kurt Kelty, Tesla's former Senior Director of battery technology, said that the CFO doesn't want to take the limelight from Musk.

Although Kirkhorn's contributions are somehow big for Tesla, Elon is still the CEO, meaning most of the company's successes are attributed to him.

Elon To Focus on Tesla

Recently, Elon Musk made huge headlines after he finally stepped down as Twitter's CEO.

As he resigned, he named the new chief executive officer of the social media giant, exNBCUniversal Ad Chief Linda Yaccarino.

Thanks to the arrival of Yaccarino, Elon can now put more time into handling his EV company.

"Obviously, bringing on Linda allows me to devote more time to Tesla, which is exactly what I will be doing!" said the tech executive via his official Twitter announcement.

His tweet generated over two million views and 29,000 likes. You can check it below to see what people say about his decision.

Obviously, bringing on Linda allows me to devote more time to Tesla, which is exactly what I will be doing!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023

In other news, Tesla's brake and acceleration issues led to a massive recall in China. We also reported the new Tesla price hike, which increased the prices of its EV models by around $1,000.

For more news updates about Tesla and other giant automakers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Elon Musk Hires New Twitter CEO! What Will the Billionaire Do Now?

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan (R) poses for photos with a graduate while handing over the certificate during the closing ceremony of a basic Chinese language training program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 12, 2023.

Twenty-one immigration officers from the Foreigners' Service Directorate within the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) on Friday graduated from a short-term basic Chinese language training program. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-one immigration officers from the Foreigners' Service Directorate within the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) on Friday graduated from a short-term basic Chinese language training program.

While handing over the certificates to the graduates in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan said the training program will promote strategic cooperation and people-to-people relations.

"What you have achieved in the program and what you will achieve in further study will help consolidate friendship, mutual benefits and communications between the two countries," Zhao told the graduates.

Serving our Chinese brothers and sisters with the Chinese language will not only improve our customer service but also promote bilateral relationships, said Bruhtesfa Mulugeta, director general of the Ethiopian ICS.

Habtamu Seyoume, one of the graduates who is working as a supervisor at the immigration office at Bole International Airport, said he is enjoying easy communications with the Chinese customers after attending the training. "Now we communicate with them at ease to process their visa and other requirements."

The Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University granted the three-month basic Chinese language training program to the 21 immigration officers. 

Ethiopian immigration officers attend the closing ceremony of a basic Chinese language training program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 12, 2023.

Twenty-one immigration officers from the Foreigners' Service Directorate within the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) on Friday graduated from a short-term basic Chinese language training program. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
To dig into the real reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire, Virginie Girod receives Dimitri Tilloi-d'Ambrosi, associate and doctor in Roman history. He is the author of "24 hours of life under Nero" (University Press of France). Over the centuries, the fall of the Roman Empire has become something of a myth. It is a bit like the master standard of the death of civilizations. The causes of this fall are numerous: it begins with a political crisis that causes, in domino, other economic, social, migration, religious and moral crises. American historian Kyle Harper, author of How the Roman Empire Collapsed, points to two other causes that caused the fall of Rome: climate change and pandemics. What is it really?
Angolan president Joao Lourenco (C) visits a Chinese-built water supply system reinforcement project in Angola's northern province of Malanje, May 12, 2023. Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje.

The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP. (Xinhua/Lyu Chengcheng)

LUANDA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje.

The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP.

The project will result in fewer diarrheal diseases and, consequently, save lives, said the president, highlighting the benefits of the project for the population.

Minister of Energy and Water Joao Baptista Borges said that the project will be a significant reinforcement of local water supply capacity against a backdrop of population growth. 

This photo taken on May 12, 2023 shows the pump station of a Chinese-built water supply system reinforcement project in Angola's northern province of Malanje. Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje.

The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP. (Xinhua/Lyu Chengcheng)

Angolan president Joao Lourenco cuts the ribbon while attending the handover ceremony for a Chinese-built water supply system reinforcement project in Angola's northern province of Malanje, May 12, 2023. Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje.

The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP. (Xinhua/Lyu Chengcheng)
by Zeynep Cermen, Burak Akinci

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, May 14 (Xinhua)-- Millions of voters in Turkiye flocked to the polls on Sunday to cast their ballots in the presidential and parliamentary elections with apparent excitement.

Even minutes before the voting took its start officially across the country at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), many voters had already queued in schools and some public institutions in Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city, waiting to cast their ballots.

A school-turned-polling station in the Besiktas district on the European side of the city has seen a flood of voters in the early hours of the day.

"Our citizens are very excited and many of them were here before 8 o'clock," electoral officer Nedret Seckin told Xinhua, adding "we allowed our elderly rest on chairs so that they could comfortably wait for the start."

In Seckin's view, the turnout is much higher than in previous elections. "It is 8:57 a.m., and we already saw drastic participation," said Seckin.

Around 11 million eligible voters in the city will cast their votes into 31,124 ballot boxes set up across all 39 districts. Each ballot box is supervised by a committee consisting of a chairperson, a civil servant, and representatives of the political parties.

"We are responsible for ensuring that the doors are safely closed, the votes are counted, and the bags are delivered smoothly to the district election boards without negligence," Seckin explained.

Ilter Sayin, an 80-year-old retiree, was among the early comers.

"Everyone is so excited," Sayin said, noting "we are all aware that the outcome of this election will change the fate of the country."

In the capital of Ankara, people also showed up at polling centers even before voting began.

Aydin Sezgin, a taxi driver, said he will vote for incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "I'm standing by our president until the end. Yes we have some economic problems, but he is still the best candidate," he said.

Mustafa Sahin, a pensioner accompanied by his wife and two children, said he will vote for Erdogan, praising him for having done "a lot of good for Turkiye."

Mustafa Akman, a retired pharmacist in his sixties, is waiting to cast his ballot at a school-turned-polling station. "We are here to vote for a change," said Akman.

The presidential election is expected to be a tight race between Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

Erdogan, 69, founder and leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party, has been leading the country since 2014 as the 12th president. He served as Turkiye's prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998.

According to surveys, Kilicdaroglu, 74, might have a chance of winning for the first time as a six-party bloc of opposition parties backs him.

According to pollsters, Erdogan, Turkiye's longest-serving president, is facing the toughest test yet during his 10 years in office amid a strong and united opposition against him due to the economic downturn and the aftermath of devastating tremors in February.

Some 61 million voters will cast their votes in the twin presidential and parliamentary elections. If no presidential candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, there will be a runoff vote on May 28.

Voters will also elect 600 lawmakers in 81 provinces of Turkiye. 
Humble home brand products are getting fancy as the cost-of-living crisis broadens their appeal.

From coffee to cleansing wipes, and baby food to beer, thousands of supermarket-owned brands now line the aisles of our major grocery retailers, with more products added each quarter.

Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci says shoppers are becoming more functional in their shopping. Credit: Oscar Colman

These products are a far cry from the typical home brands found in Australia 30 years ago. After years of steady investment, major grocery giants have axed basic, budget packaging and replaced it with sleeker, more premium designs, and built product lines that shoppers might not even immediately register are supermarket-owned.

Whether its Daley St coffee at Coles or Voeu face masks at Woolworths, exclusive supermarket goods are taking on their own brand identities, and courting thousands of fans.
Bill Hall lost $20,000 after hackers intercepted an email he received containing an invoice from a builder for a house renovation.

The hackers changed the builders bank account details which then led to Hall instead transferring $26,385 to a scammer. Hall said his bank had failed to identify the discrepancy between the account name and number at the time of the transfer. It later retrieved $6353 from the scammers account.

Scam victim Bill Hall.

It was a real kick in the guts, he said. The scammer was careful to keep withdrawals to less than $10,000 each to reduce chances of scrutiny.

Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones will on Monday announce details of an $86.5 million package to help tackle scams and online fraud, saying Australians could not be expected to fight scammers on their own. The federal budget measure includes the establishment of a National Anti-Scams Centre to open in July through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
It was not enough for Australias monarchists that Queen Elizabeth IIs death unleashed an embarrassing display of obsequiousness from our national institutions that culminated in an avowedly republican prime minister heading to London to pledge his allegiance to a foreign monarch. Now our royal lovers have spent a week getting all lathered up about the ABCs coverage of King Charles IIIs coronation.

Anti-Aunty: David Flints Australians for Constitutional Monarchy arent happy. Credit: Joe Benke

Aunty accompanied its broadcast of Charles ostentatious affair with a dose of sceptical commentary about the monarchy, and dared to note that many First Nations people find the fawning over the royals a bit unpleasant.

Now, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, run by veteran royal-head David Flint, has filed a formal complaint with the ABC. Flints organisation, which has the honour of being the second most prominent monarchist group, claimed the broadcast breached three articles of the ABCs standards, relating to accuracy, impartiality, and harm and offence.

The complaint centres on the broadcasters alleged failure to present alternative views on the role of the Crown in Indigenous matters.
The younger brother of Brisbane Broncos player Payne Haas has been taken to hospital after a suspected drug overdose at a Gold Coast home.

Zeda Haas has been released from hospital following the incident on Sunday, which left a 19-year-old Arundel man dead.

Zeda Haas. Credit: Nine News

The man was found unconscious in the garage of an Arundel property, and was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Zeda, 19, who was understood to be at one of his familys properties in Gaven, was also rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, while another 19-year-old man was taken in a serious condition.
Taking care of the end stages I am in my early 80s, physically and mentally healthy, but concerned by the possibility of dementia occurring to me. I suggest that I should be legally able to pass the responsibility for my choosing to apply for voluntary assisted dying, in the event that I suffer from dementia, to my family. This diagnosis would need to be verified medically. I could alter my will so that should they take this option, some of my estate would then be donated to research into this problem. But personally I have discussed this with them and trust that they would follow my wishes. Kyle Matheson, Mont Albert

The law needs to change One of your correspondents (13/5) says those with dementia are discriminated against because Victorias voluntary assisted dying legislation excludes dementia as an eligibility criterion. Another correspondent is concerned because, if the term voluntary were to be deleted for those with dementia, some patients lives might be terminated without their consent. A solution might be to change the law so that everyone could be permitted to list some specific irreversible conditions (such as no longer being able to recognise their loved ones) and to write in a legally recognised document, such as their will, that they want to be helped to die once the condition occurs. This would avoid both discrimination and non-consensual termination of life. I write as a Baby Boomer who believes in assisted dying, does not have dementia, but has close friends who do. Mirna Cicioni, Brunswick East

Too many of us are going to succumb to dementia at the long end stage of our lives. As several letters correspondents have pointed out, leaving the decision to others to terminate our lives in that stage is fraught with ethical problems. I want to be able to decide now, while I still have rational powers, the conditions under which my life will end. This is currently denied by a law that requires me to have less than six months life expectancy while still being able to make such decisions, which is far from the case for most dementia victims. Jan Newmarch, Oakleigh

When enduring it is a suffering

My mother died six weeks ago. She had vascular dementia and had a stroke six weeks before her death. She was paralysed on her right side and couldnt speak. Well, she tried to speak and often said come on (meaning help) whenever I was with her. I saw her retreat further and further and she stopped trying to speak or make eye contact. She gave up using her left hand to seek comfort holding my hand. I will never forget the hoist the aged care home used to transport her out of the bed in her room into the bed-wheelchair for placement near the nurse station during the day. A little old lady lifted up like a piece of meat. I saw her suffer every day. It was a relief when the second stroke eased her suffering. I know what my mums strong feelings were about dementia. It was her greatest fear and sadly she had no choice but to endure it. I am glad my feisty, independent and very humorous mum is now free.

Ange Mackie, Coburg

It can, it should, be our decision

People are not asking for someone else to make a decision on voluntary assisted dying on their behalf. As a living will, why cannot we make the statement in advance that if we are diagnosed with dementia and deteriorate to a level that we personally decide and state, we then wish to access voluntary assisted dying. This would be our decision and no one elses, made when we were of sound mind. Having observed my mother descend into a vegetative state and be kept alive until 90, I am terrified of it happening to me. If my mother had died three years earlier, she would have died with dignity.

As a physiotherapist, I have observed this situation professionally as well as personally. As medical advances have increased our lifespan, this is a very serious issue that must be addressed.

Jill Edwards, Camberwell

FORUM

Perils of speaking out

Antony Loewenstein has given us a comprehensive analysis of the dangers of advocating justice in Palestine (Good Weekend, 13/5). I thank him for speaking out amidst the flood of criticism and vitriol that he receives. All of us who advocate for Palestine must be prepared to be falsely accused of antisemitism by the Zionist lobby, but the greatest hatred seems to be directed at fellow Jews.

Calling for an end to Israeli human rights abuses is not antisemitic, but humanitarian. I am deeply saddened by the inhumanity shown by the Israeli regime towards Palestine and its indigenous people. It is truly a case of the abused becoming the abusers.

Lorel Thomas, Blackburn South

Reduced to tears

Antony Loewensteins article filled me with strong emotions which reduced me to tears. First, there was awe at the courage of the man speaking out and incurring the wrath of his fellow Jews. Second, there was sadness as he recounted the persecution of Jews, in Europe, from the 1930s, and now, the occupation of Palestinian homes and land by the State of Israel. Next was fear for the future of our world in the face of growing totalitarianism in many countries.

His plea was for open and honest discussion by and with the Jewish establishment in Australia, which he says remains resolutely Zionist. The previous time Loewenstein wrote in this newspaper, I lamented the deafening silence that followed.

In light of so many citizens of Israel conducting ongoing protests against their governments moves to hobble their judiciary, we can only hope that this will inspire the local Jewish communities, who have contributed so much to Australia, to take up Loewensteins challenge.

Vince Corbett, Essendon
As low-earning middle-class creative refugees it seems we had become adept at gentrifying ethnic working-class suburbs  even though my wife and I both emanated from them. My wife a dancer, me an arts manager then (whatever that is), knew that working in the arts is a great way of having the edifice of status without cash. And its fun. You just cannot be as cool as a real estate agent, a developer, banker, dentist or finance whiz  regardless of the mountains of money you can make. But money, as we found out, was imperative. I blame my parents. They were middle class, well read and not rich. Instead of the migrant work ethic of thrift with a focus on property, they liked parties, dancing, books, cinema, theatre and politics. No amount of Kafka or Theodorakis pays off a mortgage. Worse for them, as postwar migrants they dropped in status and became wogs, indistinguishable from all other wogs.

I lacked the right sort of aspiration, but had all the lifestyle desires and tastes of the middle class. I left Adelaide for Melbourne in 1992 and lived in Collingwood. The Greek owner of a one-bedroom flat in Easey Street, Collingwood, was selling it for $60,000 at the height of the recession. My old man, who was dying of cancer, called me once in a breathless voice: My child, let me help where I can. I dont have much, but whatever I have, you can buy a flat. Are you serious, man? I will not be shackled by a mortgage. I will be living in Vienna or Athens soon anyway. Yep, I was a wanker. Reservoirs Broadway shopping strip. Credit: Wayne Taylor Whatever you want, my boy, he rasped and died a month later. I wasted years of rent across Collingwood and Fitzroy, and there was no Vienna or Athens. My mother gave enough of a deposit from the sale of her house in Adelaide to buy what I could afford in 2000, the one-bedroom flat in Northcote.

As a pioneering gentrifier when I moved to Rezza, there was a comfort zone of being with my people  Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Chinese, Albanian, etc. Lemon and olive trees in large front yards and grapevines adorning pergolas. Loading By 2018, many postwar immigrants had either gone to Hades or were in purgatory aged care. Their kids, my peers, began to flatten their houses and build townhouses, only to sell them off for just under an icy million dollars each. Our bungalow with the now massive palm and lemon trees (that I planted) is one of the few houses left standing on my street. Thankfully, many more South Asian, Vietnamese, Chinese, African and Arab speakers have arrived over the past 15 years. They are giving the area the type of energy it once had when the Greeks and Italians were young and had settled in the burb after they left what were damp, old and poor Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood.

Once full of shops abandoned by the 2000s, the hipster barrier of Broadway, which separates north and south Reservoir, has been revived with Indian groceries, Vietnamese bakeries and Lebanese bars. Young woke professionals, same-sex couples, lots of blue hair, tattoos, students, artists and cafe owners, mix with the Italian, Greek, Macedonian and Balkan and Irish Catholics and their middle-class kids, in houses once worth little and now worth too much. Broadway in Reservoir. Credit: Wayne Taylor I hope that not too many more gentrifiers come and that many more migrants do. Because when I smoke a joint in the evening on my wraparound deck and ramp up King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizards The Dripping Tap or Radio Birdmans Man with the Golden Helmet, my Chinese neighbours dont mind as they are competing with karaoke versions of Chinese pop songs. When we argue, we all argue loud. I dread when enough gentrifying newcomers arrive and tell me to be quiet. I finally had an epiphany at Summerhill chemist last week. The Assyrian chemist with his Chinese partner, and me, along with the Indian customer, could have been at any number of the great points in history, at the juncture of civilisation, Baghdad or even Constantinople from 450AD to now. Instead, we are in suburban Reservoir.
The last of the big banks has finally departed Alexandra, but locals in the tourism town are determined to protect it from the economic decline they fear so often follows when branches shut their doors.

Residents in the town  130 kilometres north-east of Melbourne  are among communities from country Victoria and inner-Melbourne fighting against the unrelenting wave of bank closures. New data reveals the big four banks have closed nearly 170 branches across the state since the start of 2021.

Grant St Grocer owner Lisa Harding outside her business. She is fighting for more banking services in her community. Credit: Simon Schluter

Lisa Harding, co-owner of Grant St Grocer in Alexandra, said the closure of the towns NAB branch earlier this month meant she would need to find somewhere else to deposit cash, which she does about three times a week.

The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and ANZ had already closed branches in the town, and the closest NAB branch is now almost an hour away in Healesville.
Asylum seekers and the children of poorer, first-generation migrants surrounded a young Jason Clare at Cabramatta Primary School in Sydneys west. Some told stories about boats and the high seas.

Clare, whose parents didnt finish year 10, keeps in touch with those classmates. Now they include doctors, engineers, and multi-millionaire business owners.

Jason Clare at Uniting Dove Cottage Early Learning, in Bankstown, western Sydney. Credit: Steven Siewert

Their life-altering experience being taught by passionate educators in working-class Sydney infuses what Clare  who now sits at the federal cabinet table as education minister  says are among the biggest mooted reforms to Australias education system in a generation.

Thats the power of education: it changes lives. Its given me a chance my parents never had, he said in an interview.
A Tajik professor introduces how to cut steel pipe to students at the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, April 12, 2023. The Luban Workshop, co-founded by China's Tianjin Urban Construction Management & Vocation Technology College and Tajik Technical University, was officially put into operation in November 2022. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

The year 2023 will be historic for the Tajikistan-China relationship, Guzel Maitdinova, director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies at the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University told Xinhua in a recent interview ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit.

DUSHANBE, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The year 2023 will be historic for the Tajikistan-China relationship, Guzel Maitdinova, director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies at the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University told Xinhua in a recent interview ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit.

This year is important as it not only marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries, but also the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, said Maitdinova.

She believes that relations between both countries have flourished, and the partnership has bright prospects ahead.

The China-Central Asia Summit will take place in Xi'an, China, and Maitdinova believes that it will be a very significant event that will contribute to the development and modernization of Central Asian states.

Maitdinova noted that the summit will also promote the coupling of the Belt and Road Initiative with the national development strategies of Central Asian countries.

She pointed out that security issues will also be critical at the upcoming summit, especially the Afghanistan issue, which would offer great contributions to regional peace and stability and have great significance for the overall development of Central Asian countries.

When discussing the Tajikistan-China relationship, Maitdinova noted that the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has been established on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

The two sides are committed to deeply integrating the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan's National Development Strategy, with a further aim to strengthen political, economic and trade, military and technological cooperation, as well as cooperation in other fields.

Maitdinova further said that the Tajikistan-China relationship is reaching a new level of strategic coordination, continuing to give impetus to cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture.

She believes that the practical cooperation between Tajikistan and China has yielded some remarkable results in recent years. A vast number of successful projects that have been launched with China's support have had a positive impact on the Tajik people's livelihoods.

Wu Zhengpeng (1st L, back), a teacher from Tianjin Urban Construction Management & Vocation Technology College, introduces knowledge on mapping to students at the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, April 12, 2023. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

"Important projects have been implemented over the years that have contributed to Tajikistan's economic development," Maitdinova noted.

"Many national-level agreements have been signed between the two countries ... About 50 joint investment projects are being implemented in Tajikistan," she said, adding that nearly 300 Chinese companies are currently operating in the country.

Due to the joint BRI cooperation with China, Tajikistan has been able to develop its own cement production industry, and is able to export cement to other Central Asian countries. It has also successfully built a unified power grid connecting the north and south of the country with China's help.

At the same time, increased people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries have also bolstered bonds between the two peoples.

"Many students from Tajikistan are studying in China," she said.

The scholar has high expectations for the future of the Tajikistan-China relationship.

"Within the framework of docking Tajikistan's national development strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, the two countries have great potential in jointly developing the green Silk Road," she said.

"I hope to see the two countries deepen cooperation in hot areas such as climate change and environmental protection," the scholar said.
Is it possible there is a thread connecting these two decisions, one we should at least be considering in public discussion of Duttons approach to leading his party? If Dutton was a different politician this might be unfair speculation. A glance over his career suggests its not. There was the time he said people were scared to go out to restaurants because of African gang violence. There was the time he called refugees illiterate and innumerate, warning at the same time they would be taking Australian jobs. There was the time he agreed that Malcolm Fraser had made a mistake resettling Lebanese-Muslim refugees. There was the time he walked out on the parliamentary apology to the Stolen Generations (he has apologised since). I have not even touched on his comments about asylum seekers under his care as a minister.

We do an odd thing when MPs become leader of a major party. We let them start again, as though everything they did before was some youthful indiscretion, rather than a fair indication of the way they practise politics. Dutton benefits from this, as well as a second failure in our public sphere: we are no good at talking about the way racism is exploited in our politics. We tend to dance around it. What do we have to fear from joining the dots? Do we think if we simply ignore the weaponisation of resentment by our politicians it wont work? That we will unduly amplify their views? Dutton is the leader of the opposition.

Loading

On Saturday, neo-Nazis staged an anti-immigration protest on the front steps of the Victorian parliament. This is worrying enough. Add to this a piece of news that barely registered last week: a Reserve Bank prediction, from late last year, that the chance of a recession is one in two, and could perhaps be as high as 80 per cent. These are the times when, typically, resentments and divisions breed and people look for scapegoats.

In 2018, the Victorian Human Rights Commissioner said reports of racist incidents had jumped by 34 per cent in a year. An important influence, she said, was national politics, including Duttons gangs comments. It is always tempting for politicians to follow that old American advice: split the country in two and tear off the bigger half. In certain times, and in relation to certain issues, it is crucial they resist that temptation. And if they cant, we shouldnt pretend they are better than they are.
A massive dossier of property sales has revealed almost $3.6 billion in public housing stock and land was disposed of by the previous NSW government during its 12 years in government.

Housing Minister Rose Jackson has ordered a pause on further sales as the new government combs through a trove of documents showing the Coalition offloaded 7628 properties across the state between 2011 and 2023.

The documents, which include some 4858 residential homes, reveal the full scale of public housing selloffs for the first time and show how, as wait times ballooned, the Coalition disposed of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of stock in individual suburbs.
London: France and Germany have declared they will support Ukraine for as long as needed during surprise trips made by Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris and Berlin on Sunday. On Monday, he hopes to secure more help from London.

Zelensky heaped praise on Germany as a true friend and reliable ally after Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the country would almost double its military aid for Ukraines fight against Russias invasion to 2.7 billion ($4.4 billion).

Scholz on Sunday hosted the Ukrainian president in Berlin for his first visit to Germany since the start of the war. By evening, Zelensky was in Paris for dinner at the Elysee Palace with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who pledged further aid, including light tanks, armoured vehicles and training for soldiers to help Ukraine repel Russian forces.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sunday. Credit: AP

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian and military aid would continue for as long as necessary.
London: The Princess of Wales has made a surprise appearance playing the piano in the opening sequence film for the Eurovision final.

The clip shows Princess Catherine performing a short instrumental number created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel.

Catherine, Princess of Wales takes part in the opening sequence for the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. Credit: Getty Images

Her recital was recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room in Windsor Castle.

She could be seen performing in a flowing Jenny Packham gown, blue to represent Ukraine, and wearing a pair of earrings that used to belong to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Los Angeles: An influencer who staged a California plane crash to make a YouTube video of himself parachuting to safety has agreed to plead guilty to obstructing the investigation by destroying the wreckage, the US Justice Department says.

The plea agreement signed by Trevor Daniel Jacob, 29, of Lompoc, California, and his attorney was filed on Wednesday in US District Court in Los Angeles. The US attorneys office said in a statement on Thursday that Jacob is expected to make a court appearance in coming weeks.

Jacob, an experienced pilot and skydiver, agreed to plead guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The video titled I Crashed My Airplane appeared in December 2021 and purported to show Jacobs small plane have engine failure over the mountainous Los Padres National Forest. Already wearing a parachute, he jumped out with a selfie stick camera in hand.
An Open Letter To Maine State Representative Beth O'Connor About Ethanol







You can't lead when you don't know the way







Originally published May 2, 2022

Yesterday, Beth O'Connor a Maine State Representative sent me an email regarding my rebuttals to her recently posted anti-ethanol comments and the anti-ethanol presentation that she gave before the entire Maine legislature in 2019. My rebuttals to Ms. O'Connor took place on April 25th, a week ago. If you haven't already read it, you can find it at "It's Time For Ethanol Honesty".







I was happy to receive Ms. O'Connor's response because it means that I pushed some of the right buttons. And, since she's an elected official, it ultimately may mean that the true ethanol position is at least getting a chance to be heard (as slim as that chance may be).

Needless to say, I responded to her response with "An Open Letter To Maine State Representative Beth O'Connor About Ethanol." It's located below.

First, here's Ms. O'Connor's email to me:

Good Day Mr. Rauch. I am not sure what your goal is in your quest to present corn ethanol as a viable and sustainable fuel source, but, I do think your address to your opponents is rude. If this is your way of refuting issues keep in mind you could very well be sued by those who care about what you have to say. I do not profess to be an expert in the all of the areas where you expound on your knowledge regarding ethanol but I am resolute in my convictions that burning our food for fuel is not beneficial to man nor is it beneficial to the environment. Perhaps with better technology individuals far more intelligent than ourselves will find ways less damaging to mankind to keep the wheels of society spinning. This issue was brought to me by a constituent, an astute mechanical engineer Ralph and his wife Elaine, who was an excellent researcher and science teacher. They shared with me thousands of pages of documentation on environmental and health related issues involved with the production and use of corn ethanol as a fuel source. Ralph was instrumental in exposing MTBE as a poisonous fuel additive and due to his and his wife's research MTBE was removed in Maine as an additive in gasoline. As Maine goes so goes the nation. The replacement was corn ethanol, an improvement, but still unwise and unsustainable. When I began my search for information some of the loudest voices came from local mechanics, the landscaping industry, small air craft pilots, the boating industry and many farmers. No one in the oil industry seemed to care a whit for my concerns with corn ethanol, but I assure you the corn ethanol industry sent their well healed suits to discredit the information I presented tooth and nail at every turn. Those suits did not prevail as well as they hoped in Maine but the aforementioned individuals did with the expansion of E-0 in around 75 new locations in Maine. I regularly am thanked for that. In fact if you talk to those individuals they would likely tell you they don't care what you have to say they want the E-0. They may just tar and feather you if you try and take it away from them. As you have noted ethanol has been used as a fuel source long before you and I were born. There are multiple types of ethanol, I prefer Jameson for consumption but again I don't believe using a food as fuel source is a wise choice, especially now with the prices of everything we consume rising and the number of people who go to bed hungry also rising. In my opinion, the corn crop is the most important food grain on the planet. Per acre it contains more calories than any other grain and will keep hungry stomachs fuller for longer periods of time. If you have ever suffered from hunger this may give you a greater understanding of the importance considering the United States now uses 40% of the corn grown for ethanol. Increasing to E-15 will increase that percentage. The most recent peer reviewed study on the environmental and attributed health issues of using corn ethanol that I have read can be found here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2200997119 You can argue with these individuals if you want as it seems to be one of your favorite past times. In the meantime I have no intention of engaging further with you on this or any other issue. Sincerely,



Rep. Beth O'Connor

HD 5 Berwick, North Berwick (part)

Berwick ME

Aside from the fact that I disagree with Beth O'Connor on each point, I liked her style in how she was wrong. The letter was written fairly literately; which is a big upgrade to many of the illiterate anti-ethanol messages I receive. I couldn't detect any real spelling errors, just some punctuation omissions.

Here's what I wrote back to her:

Hello Beth -

Thank you for your reply to my editorial and rebukes of your posted comments and Facebook video condemning ethanol fuel.

I was hoping you would reply because the issues of energy and health are of critical importance, and if our legislators are running around quarter-cocked (which is even worse than running around half-cocked) we are doomed.

In your email's opening remark, you ask what my goal is in presenting corn ethanol as a viable and sustainable fuel source. In the same sentence you critique my manner as "rude."

My goal, and my company's goal is clearly stated in an editorial we published nearly 12 years ago after being asked numerous times why this issue is so important to us. In short, the answer is because we care about America; we care about Americans; we care about our economy, and we care for the health and safety of our families and friends. I hope you get the opportunity to read this editorial because there are more details to our concern. The editorial is: "Why Is Getting US Off Gasoline So Important to The Auto Channel?"

As to my manner being rude, I think it's a funny comment coming from a member of the legislature of one of America's original colonies. It may be trite to say, but, King George III thought our country's founding fathers to be rude, and look where it got us: INDEPENDENCE.

I'm reluctant to cast myself into the company of those great men, however, independence from the tyranny of petroleum oil dictators is as grave as independence from a "king" who has been deluded into thinking that he rules by divine right.

God did not put George on the throne, and God did not make gasoline our preeminent engine fuel. Gasoline rules America and the world because of a large treasure chest, not divine right. In your 2019 video, and as you implied again today, you claim that "The powerful corn lobby in Washington greases palms and purchases politicians to sweep the horrors of this product [ethanol fuel] under the rug." This is a laughable comment. As I replied to you the other day, the corn lobby is like a mom and pop corner store compared to the oil industry's shopping mall of financial inducements. It is the oil industry that has bought politicians to permit market dominance and sweep the real horrors away.

In reply, you might say that I'm being overly dramatic. I don't think I've been dramatic enough; I don't think the issue could ever be overly dramatized. Coincidentally, a couple of days after I first responded to your anti-ethanol posts, a new video by Derek Muller was posted on YouTube that gives extra body to what we have long stated: that petroleum oil fuels are responsible for the deaths and permanent adverse health of hundreds of millions of Americans (and hundreds of millions more around the world). I wrote about this video and other similar exposes in my editorial "Horrific New Video Identifies Man Who Killed The Most People In History."

As shocking as the information reported in my editorial is, it's only half the story of the carnage caused by the petroleum oil industry because it doesn't cover the enormous loss of life and health as a result of the wars fought over petroleum oil. For that, I refer you to my updated essay "BREAKING NEWS - December 31, 2020: No American Servicemen Die Defending Ethanol...Again". The message in this editorial is clear: No American soldiers, sailors, marines, or airmen have ever been killed protecting domestic or foreign ethanol production.

In the last sentence of your first paragraph you say I should keep in mind that I could "very well be sued" for exercising my right to Freedom of Speech. Considering our current political climate, where defining Freedom of Speech is almost as questionable as defining what is a woman, my right to speak/write freely may indeed be attacked. Of course, any such plaintiff would have to prove me wrong, and such a lawsuit might be just the right forum to bring this entire situation to the public's eye and a final 'declaration of ethanol independence' - which would be the ubiquitous availability of any ethanol-gasoline blend that a consumer wished to purchase. To this, I say, I'm ready and willing to take the stand and testify!

By the way, you may recall that in my initial reply to you that I said I would be happy to debate the issue with you before the Maine Legislature. Either a courtroom or legislative chambers would be a good forum for me.

Now, on to the 2nd paragraph of your email: You say that you are not an expert...regarding ethanol, but that you are resolute in your opinion that burning food for fuel is not beneficial to man nor the environment. If you're not an expert, then don't play one on TV (your Facebook video). And when someone introduces you as an expert, as I have seen done when you've been introduced to speak about energy, you should decline that status and instead preface your remarks as being simply a layman's opinion, not expert commentary. Just so you know, I support your right to have an opinion, but my problem is that when the opinion can lead to someone's death, then the opinion is not just an opinion. For example, if you said to someone who is pointing a gun at his head, "Go ahead, pull the trigger, I don't THINK the gun is loaded." That's not simply an opinion.

If something is just an opinion (resolute or not), then you should be willing to learn more in order to have a 'learned' opinion. If you're just a kindly neighbor-lady, then it's not so important. But if you're a public leader, as you are, I think it's incumbent on you to be correctly informed. I think it's an obligation you owe to the good people of Maine. After all, if our nation follows Maine, don't you want the entire nation to know the real facts? Maine's official state motto can be translated to "I Lead." But you can't lead, when you don't know the way.

I've always said that if someone can prove my opinions about ethanol wrong, I'd change my opinion. I have nothing to gain from my advocacy. We are not farmers, distillers, or retail fuel sellers, nor are we investors in any ethanol production/distribution business. If someone can prove to us that allowing petroleum oil to kill and sicken people is really a benefit to society, I could conceivably stop advocating ethanol fuel. So, if I could change just by learning the truth, why can't you?

Your opinion against ethanol includes the pretend issue of "burning food for fuel." This is wrong for so many reasons, not the least of which is that by definition, food is fuel. We eat to fuel our lives, we burn calories in order to have the energy to get out of bed, get dressed, and go forth.

In actual terms, as it pertains to ethanol fuel, corn doesn't get "burned," it gets emulsified in a mash and then distilled into alcohol. Interestingly enough, the mash doesn't even get burned or boiled, because alcohol vapor occurs well below boiling point.

Moreover, the remnant of the mash (dried distillers grains - DDGS) is often used to feed and grow livestock that is then eaten by humans. DDGS is protein, which is great to fatten animals. It is the starch in corn that is used to make alcohol. On the other hand, starch can be bad for humans. Other portions of the mash remnants are used for several other beneficial purposes. There are oil industry-sponsored myths about the "food vs. fuel" issue. If you'd like to learn about the truths of the mythical accusations, I suggest you read my 'definitive' essay on the issue: "BAM! Closing the Door to the Food vs. Ethanol Fuel Argument."

Wrapped in your "food vs. fuel" argument is the notion that growing corn is bad for the environment. If it's so bad for the environment, then why don't you (and those who argue this point) simply campaign against the growing of all corn? Although corn grown for ethanol fuel is not the same as corn grown for human consumption, the growing process is virtually identical. If it's especially bad for the environment, then why not cut out all corn, after all, who needs all those fattening corn chips, and corn nuts, and popcorn? Can't people at movie theaters be satisfied eating Raisinets and lemon drops? Can't picnickers be satisfied with potato salad as a sidedish, why do they need corn on the cob, too?

Let me cut to the chase, if growing corn is bad for the environment, then growing all crops is bad for the environment. Why plow up new fields for vineyards, we have enough wine grapes and great wine. Why plow up new fields for hops? We have an abundance of beer makers and beers. Why do we need more radishes, broccoli, or onions?

The answer is that in the years since the Renewable Fuel Standard was enacted, farmers and the agricultural community have discovered new and better ways to grow much more, on less land, using less water, and less fertilizer. These innovations have benefitted not only all of America, but the world.

Therefore, when you write, as you did: "Perhaps with better technology individuals far more intelligent than ourselves will find ways less damaging to mankind to keep the wheels of society spinning," guess what? They did! Many of these "individuals" are called FARMERS.

Incidentally, here's some significant statistics that illustrate what I just wrote about agricultural innovation since the RFS was enacted:

The corn belt grew more corn acres in 1980, way before RFS than in 2018, the year of the highest ethanol production ever. For example:  In 2018, Iowa used 13,200,000 acres to grow corn and had record ethanol production.

 In 1980, Iowa used 14,000,000 acres of corn before RFS.



 In 2018, Illinois used 11,000,000 acres of corn and had record ethanol production.

 In 1980 Illinois used 11,600,000 acres of corn before ethanol.



 In 2018, Indiana used 5,350,000 acres of corn and had record ethanol production.

 In 1980, Indiana used 6,450,000 acres of corn before ethanol

SEE: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service



 The reason ethanol producers can keep ethanol prices so low, despite the current high corn prices, is that they offset it with the sale of DDGS.



 Ethanol fuel did not increase fertilizer or chemical pesticide use, and ending ethanol fuel production would do little or nothing to decrease their use.















Beth, you write about some of the people you've spoken to, such as Ralph and Elaine, an astute mechanical engineer and his excellent science teacher wife. And you reference some local mechanics, landscapers, general aviation pilots, boating enthusiasts, and even farmers.

Well, here's the best, shortest statement I can make about this:

All negative comments about ethanol are incorrect. They are either lies, exaggerations, or myths. They were mostly invented by the petroleum oil industry. Ethanol doesn't harm engines, it cleans engines. It doesn't suck water out of the air, but it will absorb water that naturally forms because of condensation. Gasoline can't do this so people have to resort to using engine additives that can cost as much as 2 or 3 gallons of gasoline. All liquids are corrosive, especially water. However, ethanol is less corrosive and is compatible with more types of rubber, plastic, and metal than gasoline and aromatics. BTU values (energy content) are irrelevant when discussing internal combustion engines. Ethanol use does not affect the price of food. If you are disseminating negative information about ethanol you are WRONG! I don't care who you are, where you went to school, or who you know; there are no negatives to using ethanol fuel.

To any concerns raised by farmers (or anyone else) about the sustainability of growing corn for ethanol fuel, those concerns are irrelevant because corn doesn't have to be the only crop used for ethanol. There are several other cultivated crops that can be used, and our farmers are astute enough to know how to grow those crops, too. In addition, there are a few different, very good non-human-food crops that can be used that grow on arid, non-fertile land. Then there's what might be the mother-load for ethanol fuel production: ocean algae. And, all this doesn't include the ethanol that we can produce from "cellulosic" materials.

Unfortunately, Beth, there's one thing standing in the way of using these other raw materials: People like you who spread lies about ethanol. You're killing the buzz!

In order to get to the point where public demand is great enough to finance the economical development of using these other materials along with corn, the lies, myths, and gross exaggerations against ethanol have to stop.

Any day of the week, I'll match the engineers, science teachers, mechanics, landscapers, pilots, boating enthusiasts, and farmers that I know against yours. And then I'll throw in my real-world experience and research into the debate. Whether it's in a public auditorium or courtroom, it's okay with me.

In today's email you repeat something that you previously said: That you are proud of your efforts to expand the use of E0 (ethanol-free gasoline). This is an unconscionable position for you to take, and it is a frighteningly stupid thing to say in public. It's like asking a child to carry a heavy glass object across a wet floor and telling the child to run across the slippery floor in order to shorten the journey time to reduce the potential for disaster.

Accoring to the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology, even with just 10% ethanol added to E0, the especially health devastating ultra fine or nano particulate emissions were lowered by 97%, carbon monoxide lowered by 81%, carbon dioxide lowered by 13%, aromatic hydrocarbon emissions lowered by 67-96%, and genotoxic emissions lowered by 72%.

SEE Bioethanol Blending Reduces Emissions... .

Shame on you, Beth.

You write about the use of 40% of American corn crop for ethanol fuel as if it's an alarming figure. It's not. In addition to what I've already said about the use of the ethanol corn crop remnants as an excellent food for animals that are eaten by humans, that 40% is a growing number as the overall demand for corn grows. It provides the consistent amount needed to meet all human corn uses. Today's 40% is about as great or greater than any amount of corn grown for human consumption before the RFS was enacted. It's not a situation where we now only have 40% of what was available to make corn chips, corn flakes, popcorn and corn-on-the-cob. Increasing ethanol fuel to E15, E20, E30, E50 will not impact the amount of food for humans to get fat on because the overall production of corn will grow proportionately.

Here's the stats of U.S. Cropland used before and after the RFS was enacted:



US CROPLAND ACRES

1997 349,000,000

1998 345,000,000

1999 344,000,000

2000 345,000,000

2001 340,000,000

2002 340,000,000

2003 342,000,000

2004 336,000,000

2005 336,000,000

2006 330,000,000 with 4.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2007 335,000,000 with 4.7B gal. corn ethanol produced

2008 337,000,000 with 9.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2009 333,000,000 with 10.5B gal. corn ethanol produced

2010 335,000,000 with 12.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2011 328,000,000 with 12.6B gal. corn ethanol produced

2012 340,000,000 with 13.2B gal. corn ethanol produced

2013 336,000,000 with 13.8B gal. corn ethanol produced

2014 341,000,000 with 14.4B gal. corn ethanol produced

2015 337,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2016 336,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2017 334,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2018 338,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced - most ethanol ever produced

2019 323,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

2020 329,000,000 with 15.0B gal. corn ethanol produced

The recent peer-reviewed study you mention; the garbage study done by an assistant scientist and his buddies, is nothing more than a rehashing of the myopic garbage studies conducted by David Pimentel and Tad Patzek a decade and two ago. My response to Tyler Lark, et al., is "SLAM! Shutting the File on the Tyler Lark Anti-Ethanol Study."

Perhaps, more importantly, is the rebuttal to Tyler Lark, et al., from Argonne National Laboratory. It was published about 5 weeks ago. It is not the first time that government laboratories have rebutted the claim that corn ethanol is more harmful to the environment than gasoline. By this point in time, no one should be referencing the Tyler Lark, et al., study, except if they want to hide the truth. You can download the Argonne report by CLICKING HERE

In your final paragraph, you write, "You can argue with these individuals if you want as it seems to be one of your favorite past times."

If you read my 600-page book "THE ETHANOL PAPERS," you'll see that I do argue with these individuals, and it is one of my favorite past times. You can read it for free online by CLICKING HERE. I'd also be happy to send you a complimentary copy, Beth, if you'd like to have one on the off-chance that you'll try to actually learn about ethanol fuel.

On a side note, I think your choice of Jameson is very good, and considering your apparent ethnic origin, very commendable.

Good day to you, Beth.

Special thanks to Dana Fletcher for supplying some vital statistical information. Dana is one of America's very astute farmers that I referred to above.
Co-founder's Note: 29 Years Later, Cox Finaly Understands...Not Motorsports, But Automotive... In 1993, Cox Ownership wanted to create a purely motorsports entity...until the owners of The Auto Channel convinced them that success could come from serving the auto industry.

For the better of two years, The Auto Channel shared its proprietary knowledge with Cox including the details for an automotive entity, not a motorsports partnership between Cox and The Auto Channel...we were led to believe that because of the partnership level of discussions and agreements with the management of Cox, and their telling us we had a deal, we proceeded with the confidential foundation and details of creating The Auto Channel TV and cable network for our partnership...

As old line broadcasters at that time, where your word was your bond, we believed that the old line sisters that owned Cox would be as honorable with us as we were with them, but obviously they hired dishonorable management who copied everything we taught them and screwed us by creating a plagiarized version of of our network...we brought a $500,000,000 federal lawsuit against them and their sister cable whores Comcast and Continental...the judge didn't understand how cable companies were a monopoly because they served diverse areas, and so ruled against us...oh baby look at Cox Now ... I don't see any motorsports do you? May the perpetrators of the theft rot in Hell and get cancer, the dishonest pricks. We have all of the documentation Cox presentations available for truth-telling perusal...Cox still lying after all of these years.

ATLANTA & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Cox Automotive and Roku announce they will pair industry-leading data from Cox Automotive with TV streaming data from Roku, the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico*, to better measure TV streaming advertising. Auto marketers can better quantify exactly how advertising in streaming TV impacts web browsing, vehicle sales, and more.

The partnership comes as both retail media and streaming TV advertising are growing in the U.S. eMarketer projects that U.S. digital retail media ad spending will grow 31.4% to $40.81 billion in 2023, which will make up over 18% of digital ad spending. Furthermore, the shift to TV streaming ad spend is accelerating. According to SMIs December Forecast for TV & Streaming, TV streaming ad spend in the auto category grew +35% YOY in 2022 vs. +7% YOY in 2021**.

Cox Automotive is transforming the way the world buys, sells, owns, and uses vehicles. The global companys family of brands includes Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, which reach two out of three online car shoppers during their research and shopping journey***. This partnership makes Roku the first TV streaming pilot partner to offer and market Cox Automotive data for measurement in the TV streaming category.

Nearly half of potential auto buyers start their consumer journey 6+ months before a purchase****. However, most measurement solutions for auto marketers today only capture basic sell-through metrics for new and used vehicle transactions. This leaves a blind spot for brands who want to understand how TV streaming impacts search, discovery and pre-purchase behavior.

The ad measurement of the future will start with data from direct consumer relationships because its more accurate and scalable, says Asaf Davidov, head of ad measurement and research at Roku. Roku and Cox are uniquely positioned to partner with auto marketers to go under the hood and make every marketing dollar work harder.

Rokus scale of 70 million active accounts paired with Cox Automotive, which receives 2.7 billion online visits**** across its online properties, offers new levels of insight to automotive marketers. The new partnership provides advertisers with a look into the entire consumer journey  from online actions at the start, to consideration, to intent, and ultimately to purchase. To get started, an auto brand identifies its target audience and runs a TV streaming campaign with Roku. Roku then passes its ad exposure data to Cox Automotive matching it with their own first-party data set. Cox Automotive can then deliver reports that tie streaming ad exposure to consumer behaviors across Cox Automotive properties.

With our data capabilities combined, we will offer auto advertisers a holistic view of the consumer auto journey, revolutionizing how advertisers measure the impact of their digital advertising investment, says Steve Lind, vice president of operations, advertising, at Cox Automotive. Cox Automotives unparalleled audience paired with the data insights from Roku will provide a new look at performance during every stage of the car buyer journey.

Visit here to learn more about the partnership.

*based on hours streamed, Dec 2022, Hypothesis Group

** SMI December Forecast for TV & Streaming, January-November 2022

*** Cox Automotive Car Buying Journey - 2022

****Cox Automotive Data - 2021

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive is the worlds largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, automakers, dealers, retailers, lenders and fleet owners. The company has 25,000+ employees on five continents and a family of trusted brands that includes Autotrader, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital and vAuto. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with $21 billion in revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on Twitter, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.

About Roku, Inc.

Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. We connect users to the streaming content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and TV-related audio devices are available in the U.S. and in select countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with service operators. Roku TV models are available in the U.S. and in select countries through licensing arrangements with TV OEM brands. Roku Smart Home products, including cameras, video doorbells, lighting, plugs, and more are available in the U.S. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us on the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to trends related to TV streaming and advertising; the parties entry into a partnership; and the features, benefits, growth and reach of the Roku platform. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports Roku, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on Rokus website and are available from Roku without charge.

Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

Contacts

Sarah Saul

AdsPR@roku.com
Auto Makers Finally Side On Reality, Choose Truth Over Politics - Enough With The EV's Already







SEE ALSO The Auto Channel Library of Truthful EV Opinion And Mainstream Electric Love News 1994-Present

SEE ALSO MIT Explains: How did China come to dominate the world of electric cars?





Milton Snide's Brooklyn Street Kid Take on China's EV Dominance:

Think we are paranoid? Well wake the f--k up! It's in Silicon Valley's and China's best interest to emasculate automobiles and create a ground swell for a "Transportation Appliances" industry that replaces traditional automobile design and manufacturing. In a new electric and autonomous transportation world they can both dominate, just how many Chinese citizens(2018) with advanced degrees earned at American universities are employed at digital transportation companies in Silicon Valley? Just Sayin'.

More Snide's China EV Insights:

Chinese Government Has Long Term View Of Major Initiatives

Chinese Acquiring All Elements To Take Over World's Auto Industry; Lithium, Batteries, Raw Material, EV Factories (So what if it takes 50 years?)

California EV-only Mandates To Ooze to other Blue States

By 2035 Chinese Car Makers will have 15 plus years learning to perfect their mass production and profitable shortcuts of Electric car making, selling and battery disposal processes.

Traditional car makers will be scrambling to obtain batteries and learn how to dispose of depleted batteries

China can take depleted batteries back to China for rebuild or disposal

Chinese EV will cost 50% of US and European built cars

Hyundai and Kia will become the entry luxury EV brands, GM will be out of business, Ford will be selling just trucks, Exotics like BMW will be black-marketed to California

China will supply controllable (On Off Via Net) EV charging stations throughout California, Oregon, Washington State, New Jersey, DC, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Ignorant Traitorous Politicians, Traitorous Bureaucrats, Wall Street Sharks, and Traitorous Green New Dealers Are Found integral in Chinese takeover of USA - face firing squad.

SEE ALSO: Benefits Of California's Partnership With China (Nov 2013} SEE ALSO: Electric vehicles Solution or Diversion? (2009) SEE ALSO: China Given A Path To Worldwide EV Domination - Updated (2018) SEE ALSO: China's World Automotive Domination Library (1995-2023)

Auto Makers Finally Wake Up To Reality Choose Truth Over Politics

WASHINGTON, May 9 David Shepardson reporting; Reuters said that automakers say proposed US emissions rules pose challenges.

An auto trade group warned on Tuesday that aggressive U.S. targets for reductions in vehicle emissions may rely on a too rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and pose significant challenges with manufacturing and supply chains.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed sharp emissions cuts that it estimates would result in 60% of new vehicles by 2030 being electric and 67% by 2032.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing General Motors (GM.N), Toyota Motor (7203.T), Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE), Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and others, said automakers will struggle to meet those targets because of problems with the supply chain for EV batteries, motors and chargers as well as consumer resistance.

The EPA proposal, if finalized, represents the most aggressive U.S. vehicle emissions reduction plan to date, requiring 13% annual average pollution cuts and a 56% reduction in projected fleet average emissions over 2026 requirements.

The automaker group warned the proposal could have "significant impacts to automakers, workers, consumers and ultimately the availability of vehicles that meet the needs of individuals, families and businesses across the country."

In August 2021, major automakers agreed to a goal of producing between 40% and 50% EVs or plug-in electric hybrids by 2030. President Joe Biden signed an executive order establishing a 50% goal.

"In that context, EPAs proposed greenhouse gas standards for 2027-2032 represents a significant movement of the countrys electrification goal posts  not by a little, but by a lot," the automaker group wrote.

Environmentalists are pressing the Biden administration not to soften the proposal. Some say EPA should have proposed tougher rules.

The automaker group noted EVs represented about 6% of new light-duty vehicles sales in 2022, up from about 3 percent in 2021 and 2 percent in 2020.

"These proposed rules effectively require an additional 10-fold sales increase in a mere eight years," the automaker group wrote. "EPA is also proposing the most stringent criteria pollutant regulations ever, premised on largely the same levels of zero emission vehicles."

Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 63F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The scale of China's ultra-high-definition video industry had exceeded 3 trillion yuan (about 431.8 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2022, industry data showed.

Of the total, south China's Guangdong Province accounted for 600 billion yuan, according to the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID) under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

China now has eight 4K broadcast channels and two 8K channels, which helped expand the sector, the center said. The country has also developed and industrialized key products including 8K cameras, 8K monitors and 8K image sensors.

According to the CCID, further development of the sector can focus on home and car audio and video systems, teleconference systems, online streaming systems and commercial display systems.

China approved the establishment of three new national manufacturing innovation centers last November to nurture graphene, virtual reality, and ultra-high-definition video industries, respectively. 
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 74F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain after midnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 74F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
10 Men Arrested in Ohio in Human Trafficking Operation, Illegal Immigrant Among Them

Ten men arrested in a human trafficking sting, in North Olmsted, Ohio, on May 11, 2023. (Courtesy of the Ohio Attorney Generals Office)

Ten men were recently arrested on charges related to human trafficking in North Olmsted, Ohio, as part of a sting operation.

Among them was an illegal immigrant and a middle school teacher.

Yesterday was a banner day for the task force, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said on May 12. Their commitment to wiping out the scourge of human trafficking is making a difference in the lives of the victims and having a big impact on the region.

The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force carried out a one-day operation they carried out with the North Olmsted Police Department, Westshore Enforcement Bureau, and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The ten were identified as those who were providing and/or purchasing commercial sex.

Fourth-Degree Felony

One of the ten was a 35-year-old man, Errol Jackson, who is a registered Tier III sex offender. In Ohio, this means he has been convicted or pleaded guilty to a sex offense that is punishable by more than a year in prison.

Jackson was arrested for promoting prostitution, which is a fourth-degree felony. He is being held in Cuyahoga County jail and is expected to face more charges later.

The North Olmsted Police Department will not tolerate this type of activity in our city, Chief of Police Bob Wagner said in a statement.

We will continue to investigate and prosecute those individuals that come to our city and violate our laws. We greatly appreciate the help from our law enforcement partners and look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.

The other nine men were arrested and charged with having engaged in prostitution, which is a first-degree misdemeanor.

They are: Ahmed Aljabri, of Cleveland, 41; Sha Chuwan, from Erie, Pennsylvania, 32; Dan Keenan, Jr., of Westlake, 53; William Minor, of Cleveland, 52; Jeffrey Ohl, of La Grange, 53; Erwin Palma-Torres, of Garrettsville, 30; Jacob Safran, from Royal Oak, Michigan, 32; Raymond Schillinger, of Akron, 53; and Carl Whepley Jr., of Perry, 55.

Illegal Immigrant Among Those Arrested

According to Yosts office, the men include an illegal immigrant, a middle school teacher, and an executive of a non-profit.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Department led the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.

In a statement, Cuyahoga County Interim Sheriff Joseph S. Greiner said human trafficking is a heinous crime that violates human rights and destroys lives, and having a police operation targeting it is crucial to combatting the practice.

Such operations not only help to rescue victims from the clutches of traffickers but also send a strong message to perpetrators that their actions will not be tolerated.

During the sting operation, officers identified seven potential victims of human trafficking. They were given resources from multiple agencies who helped out the task force, including the Canopy Child Advocacy Center, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and the Harriett Tubman Movement.

This is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies work in collaboration to dismantle human trafficking operations, said Jared Murphey, the deputy special agent in charge of the Detroit office of Homeland Security Investigations.

This cooperation not only allows us to apprehend the perpetrators but also identify the victims and provide them with services and support.
People inspect the ruins of a house following an airstrike in Gaza City on May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Saturday evening, expressing appreciation for Egypt's efforts to mediate a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

"National Security Council (NSC) Director Tzachi Hanegbi, on instruction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and expressed the appreciation of the State of Israel for Egypt's intensive efforts to secure a ceasefire," said the statement.

The NSC director made it clear that Israel's acceptance of the Egyptian initiative means that "quiet will be met with quiet", and that if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will continue to do everything it needs to defend itself, the statement added.

About two hours earlier, the PIJ said it had reached an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire agreement to end the five-day bloody round of confrontations. 

People inspect the ruins of a house following an airstrike in Gaza City on May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A barrage of rockets fired from Gaza to Israel are seen in the sky over Gaza City before the ceasefire agreement, May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
2 Dead, 5 Injured in Arizona Border Town Shooting; Police Searching for Suspect

A shooting in the border town of Yuma, Arizona, on Saturday night left two people dead and five others injured, police said.

The police responded to a report of shots fired, which came in at approximately 10:54 p.m. local time, Yuma police Sgt. Lori Franklin said on Facebook.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they found several subjects with gunshot wounds. A 19-year-old man was transported prior to police arrival and was pronounced dead at Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) a short time later. Another victim, a 20-year-old man, was also pronounced dead after being sent to the YRMC.

The third victim, a 16-year-old boy, was transported to the YRMC and later flown to Phoenix with life-threatening injuries. The other gunshot victims, men aged 15, 19, 18, and 16, had non-life-threatening injuries. The names of those individuals have not been released.

The police are investigating the double homicide, and so far dont have a suspect in custody, according to Franklin.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call its anonymous tip line. The Department offers a $1,000 cash reward if the information leads to the arrest of a suspect.

Yuma Braces for End of Title 42

With public health order Title 42 lifted on May 11, an overwhelmed border authority released hundreds of illegal immigrants in Yuma without fully processing them, according to a new report.

Three buses were spotted on May 12 dropping off 141 illegal immigrants near the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility, close to the citys airport, the Daily Mail reported. Earlier that day, some 140 people were released at two other sites, one in Yuma and one in San Luis.

This is decompressing and the federal government is relying on the local and state government to do its job, said Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines. Its another failure of the Biden Administration to manage a problem they created with their open border policy.

On May 11, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls told residents that those released had been vetted, insisting that none of them would be criminals.

These are people that have been vetted to at least to the point where Border Patrol has issued them notice to appear papers wherever they end up living in the country, the mayor said at a press conference. They are to follow up through the judicial process. Unfortunately, that process is years three to seven years to get through that whole process.

I ask everyone, all of our citizens to remain calm. Theres not people that have that are convicted of crimes that are being released.

Invoked in 2019 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Title 42 allowed federal border officials to rapidly process and expel illegal immigrants on the grounds that they pose a threat to public health. The order expired on May 11 at midnight alongside the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Prior to Title 42s expiration, Nicholls urged President Joe Biden to issue a federal emergency declaration in response to the anticipated surge in illegal immigration.

Its time the president announced a declaration of national emergency, Nicholls said at a press conference, noting that he sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for money and resources on the ground that we can protect our border the way it should have been protected from the beginning.

We live under the fear of street releases, but the president has done nothing to aid us here and now, he said.

Biden on Saturday delivered a commencement speech to Howard University, a prominent historically black institution whose alumni include Vice President Kamala Harris. He spent the rest of the weekend in his Delaware beach home.
2 Women Killed In 2-Vehicle Crash in San Diego

SAN DIEGOTwo women were killed May 14 morning during a two-vehicle crash in the Bay Terraces community of San Diego, where a motorist in a pickup truck fled the scene on foot, authorities said.

A 2000 Honda Civic, going westbound on Paradise Valley Road, made a left turn, southbound, onto Munda Road about 2:25 a.m. directly in front of a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck that was going eastbound on Paradise Valley, the San Diego Police Department reported.

The Hondas front seat passenger, a 25-year-old woman, and the cars rear seat passenger, a 20-year-old woman, were rushed to a hospital where they died from their injuries. The Hondas motorist, a 22-year-old woman, suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The drivers side rear passenger, a 25-year-old man, had a complaint of pain.

The driver of the pickup truck fled on foot and is still at large.

San Diego police urged anyone with information regarding the crash to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
74 Million Tourists Visited Orlando, Florida, Almost Reaching Pre-Pandemic Levels

More than 74 million visitors came to the Orlando, Florida, area last year, Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for Orlando, said Thursday. This puts Orland0 at 98 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

The number of tourists was 25 percent greater than it was in 2021 when central Florida was still recovering from the blows to tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted international travel and caused convention cancellations. The areas theme parks closed for several months in 2020 in an effort to stop the viruss spread.

This past year proved to be a key recovery timeframe for Orlandos tourism industry, with a lot of pent-up demand from our top U.S. and international markets, said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando, the areas tourism promotion organization.

The Orlando area had more than 69 million domestic visitors, with most of them visiting for vacations, a segment that has fully recovered, tourism officials said. However, business visitors still lagged behind pre-pandemic levels.

A report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) found that Orlando was the largest U.S. Travel and Tourism city destination in 2022 with an economic contribution of over $31 billion, which represents 20 percent of the citys total GDP and marks a recovery above pre-pandemic 2019 levels by $2.7 billion.

In comparison, Paris was the most visited city around the world with 44 million tourists in 2022, which generated more than $21 billion in revenue, according to The Brussels Times. But visitation is still 13 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels.

According to a press release, Orlando saw an uptick in visitation due to the tourism associations Unbelievably Real marketing campaign launched in 2022. It was first introduced to domestic visitors and followed by an international marketing campaign in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Peru.

There were 4.9 million international tourists, making up only about three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Orlando. The two biggest sources of international visitors were Canada and the United Kingdom, with over 800,000 traveling to the city each, followed by Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

Our new international brand launch and strong commitment to strategic sales and marketing initiatives, combined with our destinations continuous evolution of new unbelievably real experiences, helped Orlando maintain its leadership position and achieve strong visitation numbers, Matej added.

According to Orlando Sentinel, Visit Orlando received $96 million in Tourist Development Tax in 2022 for promoting the Orange County Convention Center, Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld theme parks, and other attractions to national and international audiences, an effort that kept Orlando as Americas most-visited destination, the agency said.

Meanwhile, WTTCs Cities Economic Impact Report listed Las Vegas as the second-largest Travel & Tourism market in the United States with a direct GDP contribution of $23 billion last year. Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles also landed in the top U.S. rankings for 2022 with Travel & Tourism with GPD contributions ranging between $11 billion to $23 billion, according to the report.

It was a fightback year for cities across the country in 2022. Destinations like Orlando, Miami, Chicago, and Las Vegas are back stronger than ever before thanks to the relaxation of pandemic restrictions and a strong rebound of consumer confidence, said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO.

Other popular holiday destinations like San Francisco, Honolulu, and Washington D.C. are following suit with growing sector GDP contributions that are well on their way to recovering from peak pandemic lows as they build up their industry workforce and cultivate a flourishing base of international travelers.
Airbag Risks: GM Recalls Almost 1 Million US Vehicles

A car and its airbag are pictured after a frontal crash test with another car, without a safety belt buckled in the back seat, as part of France's Road Safety Commission's campaign "Buckle your seat belt, be attached to life" on Nov. 7, 2017. (BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)

General Motors has announced a recall of nearly a million vehicles in the United States after a potentially dangerous defect in their airbags came to light.

The May 10 recall covers 994,763 vehicles manufactured by GM. This includes 244,304 Buick Enclave 2014-2017 model vehicles, 457,316 Chevrolet Traverse 2014-2017 models, and 293,143 GMC Acadia 2014-2017 vehicles.

In these vehicles, the front-driver airbag inflator may contain a supplier manufacturing defect that may result in inflator rupture during deployment, the recall states.

An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag and into the vehicle interior, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.

The recall (pdf) follows a crash involving a 2017 model year Chevrolet Traverse that was made known to GM on March 24. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and GM inspected the vehicle in April and confirmed that the front driver airbag inflator of the car got ruptured during deployment. The airbag module was manufactured by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive.

GM was aware of two previous ruptures in ARC-manufactured airbag modules in its 2015 model year Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. Including the latest incident, all events involved the same airbag inflator variant.

The remedy will involve dealers replacing the front-airbag module of the recalled vehicles. Dealers were to be notified on May 10 about the matter while owners are expected to be notified about the issue on June 26.

ARC Airbag Inflator Recall

Meanwhile, the NHTSA in April wrote a letter (pdf) to ARC Automotive asking for an immediate recall of millions of its airbag inflators, citing a dangerous defect in the component.

The subject inflators are hybrid, toroidal inflators supplied to Tier 1 air bag module suppliers for incorporation in their completed airbag modules, the letter said. Through January 2018, 67 million of the subject driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators have been supplied to approximately six Tier 1 airbag system manufacturers.

The subject inflators have been incorporated into air bag modules used in vehicles manufactured for sale or lease in the United States by at least 12 vehicle manufacturers.

The NHTSA highlighted nine incidents where ARC-manufactured airbags got ruptured and led to significant injuries or deaths. Seven of these accidents took place in the United States.

In case the ARC does not conduct a recall of the air inflators, it is required to provide the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) with a full explanation.

In a situation of no recall, NHTSA may proceed to take an initial decision that the airbag inflator does indeed contain a safety defect and initiate other appropriate action.

Recall Response By ARC, Other Car Recalls

In a May 11 letter (pdf) to the director of ODI, ARC stated that it strongly disagrees with NHTSAs suggestion of recalling 67 million airbags.

The letter insisted that NHTSAs suggestion is not based upon any objective technical or engineering conclusion regarding the existence of a defect.

The existence of seven field incidents among the 67 million toroidal driver and passenger inflators produced for the U.S. market during the 18-year period referenced in the RRL (recall request letter) across multiple manufacturing lines in different plant locations does not support a finding that a systemic and prevalent defect exists across this population, it argues.

In addition to GM, other major car companies have also announced recalls in recent times due to concerns about airbag inflators. Earlier this month, Ford recalled 231,942 of its 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles.

The NHTSA had warned that the inflator may have been incorrectly installed due to which the passenger airbag is likely to not inflate properly, which essentially puts the passengers at risk. Back in February, Ford had recalled 98,000 Rangers due to the same issue.

BMW has also warned owners of around 90,000 older vehicles not to drive due to a higher possibility that the airbags may explode in case of a crash.
Alberta County Warns of Danger When Residents Fight Wildfires Themselves

The Bald Mountain Wildfire is shown in the Grande Prairie Forest Area on May 12, 2023. (The Canadian Press/HO-Government of Alberta Fire)

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta.As frustration mounts over the response to wildfires that have forced thousands of Albertans to flee their homes and rural properties, one county is warning its residents against unsanctioned acts it says put lives in danger.

The County of Grande Prairie issued a statement saying a member of the public who was operating their own personal bulldozer on Friday May 12put themselves and crews in danger by knocking trees into the fire and nearly running over fire crews and their equipment.

The statement said its imperative people understand that decisions on how to fight fires are highly coordinated and members of the public cannot act on their own, even if they mean well.

Our fire crews are made up of highly skilled firefighters trained in everything from structure protection to wildland firefighting and getting in their way places themselves and crews in danger and reduces our ability to protect people and property, the county said in the statement posted to its website on Saturday morning.

Our goals are first to protect people, and second to protect property.

There were 83 active wildfires in the province as of Saturday afternoon, including 21 out of control, and about 16,500 people from several other communities in central and northern Alberta remained out of their homes.

Saturdays rising temperatures, which are forecast to continue throughout the weekend and into early next week, were expected to increase the spread of the fires.

Everyone needs to understand the risk because its changing so quickly. People need to understand there may be instances that their rescue wouldnt be possible, Agriculture Minister Nate Horner told a wildfire news conference Saturday, noting ranchers and farmers with concerns about their animals should contact municipal officials first.

Its very important that we follow the evacuation orders, first and foremost.

During an information session hosted by the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership earlier this week, one of the residents forced from his home by the Dunes West fire said the blaze could have been stopped within 12 hours if the county had allowed people to perform their own fire prevention.

Others wanted to get back to check on farm animals that had to be left behind.

Josee StOnge, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire, said the wildfire danger remains extreme in most of the province this weekend.

While we have seen cooler temperatures and some rain in previous days, its not enough to make a significant difference on most of these large wildfires. Fire activity will pick up today, StOnge told Saturdays news conference.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was in Grande Prairie on Friday surveying the fire zone and meeting with local officials and Indigenous leaders.

On Saturday morning, while making an election campaign announcement on health care, she said the government had just approved construction of a pretty extensive fire guard for the city.

About 300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed across the province to help with the blazes over the next few days. Firefighters deployed from other provinces are also currently fighting blazes in Alberta, and another 200 are expected in the coming days from the United States.
What were told the experts think can be murderously wrongnot just a little long wrong, but murderously wrong, says Alex Epstein, author of Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural GasNot Less.

We should never make the mistake of thinking that a specific set of experts in a specific field can dictate policy. Policy always depends on multiple fields. And it depends on your particular values, says Epstein, a philosopher and founder of the Center for Industrial Progress think tank. The science is being perverted or distorted to advance this set political agenda.

Net-zero CO2if achievedwould be devastating to human flourishing and deprive the developing world of desperately needed cost-effective energy, Epstein argues.

Low-cost, reliable energy thats versatile, can power every type of machine, thats scalable, that can provide energy for billions of people and thousands of placesthats literally the difference between poverty and prosperity, between danger and safety, Epstein says. And thats precisely what fossil futures provide, in contrast to green sources of energy like wind and solar.

The push to minimize impact doesnt merely mean minimizing water or air pollution or unnecessary destruction of natural beauty, Epstein says. It fundamentally means minimizing farms, factories, roads, everything that makes the world livable for 8 billion people. So they very cleverly masked this anti-human, anti-technology agenda.

Look at how glorified being green is. But what does green mean?  The ideal green planet is the earth that would exist had human beings never existed, Epstein says.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Jan Jekielek:

Alex Epstein, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

Alex Epstein:

My pleasure. Very nice location we have here.

Mr. Jekielek:

Absolutely, and very relevant to what were going to talk about today. Viewers of this show know that a common mantra of mine is, How could the experts have gotten so much wrong over the past few years? Its unbelievable. As I read Fossil Future, especially the first few chapters, you talk about exactly how a whole consensus of experts can get things wrong. I want to start with that. How does that work?

Mr. Epstein:

First of all, its a great question. Its something that has really bothered me a lot in my life, because I try to always be historical in my thinking. Theres a conceit that, Everyone in the past was wrong and they were stupid and they did things like slavery and racism and eugenics, but we would never be that stupid. What we do is obviously right, and the rest of history will view it as right. That doesnt seem very likely, because thats what the past thought, too.

Even Germany, when theyre voting in Nazism by a plurality, theyre in some way thinking theyre right. Theyre thinking theyre progressive in the sense that they are forward-looking. And yet, you look back and you see that majorities were very often wrong, but also that their being wrong was often connected to the alleged experts. These things like slavery, racism, and eugenics were viewed as scientific, and they have a strong alleged science to them.

Thats scary, when what were told by the experts can be murderously wrong. Not just a little wrong, but murderously wrong. One thing I realized is that a big part of whats going on there is not that these really murderous, bad conclusions come from the actual researchers themselves, but it comes from some set of factors distorting the research. Thats a really interesting kind of thing.

Its like there are advances in genetics. That doesnt logically lead to eugenics in my view and I dont think in many peoples view, but people would distort this. One thing I talk about is when were getting what is considered expert guidance on some issue, its actually coming through what I call a knowledge system, a set of people and institutions that has four main phases.

One is the research phase. That research, to be useful to us, has to be synthesized dramatically. Even if all the research is right, which is hard enough in the first place, the synthesis can be way off. After that, it has to be further synthesized and disseminated, so that its accessible to somebody whos just reading the paper and has very limited bandwidth.

The last step, and this is the least appreciated one, is the evaluation stage. Whatever is the disseminated truth in a field, even if its true, you could have a totally wrong evaluation. Lets just say you have a disseminated truth that COVID is a new virus and its significantly dangerous, and that we dont have antibodies in response. But then, people went from that to, The policy should be to zero out COVID at all costs. Eliminate this one virus at all costs.

But whatever the science is, that doesnt follow. Because when youre thinking about policy, you cant just think about one virus. You need to think about all the threats to human life and all the potential benefits to human life. COVID is a clear-cut case that whatever the science is, you can see how science can be distorted for a certain evaluation.

The danger is when people say, Listen to the scientists, or, Listen to the experts. What they think is, This zero-COVID policy is scientific. The truth is, actually, no one science can ever dictate policy. They can just inform policy.

Whatever the best science is on COVID, we want to know, and thats hard enough, as weve seen in many cases. But we should never make the mistake of thinking that a specific set of experts in a specific field can dictate policy. Policy always depends on multiple fields and it depends on your particular values. If we dont keep that in mind, were going to do terrible things and think its from the experts.

Mr. Jekielek:

And indeed, weve actually seen that happen and play out in real time over the last few years. Theres another element. You have this really helpful and logical breakdown of these points of failure where you go from actual experts, many of whom are doing pretty good research, to an interpretation and policy around this research which are largely devoid of what the original findings were.

There is another element, and Im curious how you see this fitting into the whole stop climate change at any cost narrative. There were actual experts in the COVID context who were trying to get information out that would counter the prevailing narratives and counter the prevailing policies. They were basically pushed aside or called fringe epidemiologists. This is another piece, and Ive been struggling with this. We need experts to interpret things, but it seems like most experts are really failing us.

Mr. Epstein:

Those are what I would call designated experts. Theres a class of people who are designated as the spokespeople for all experts. Like in climate science, theres a guy named Michael Mann whos an actual researcher in the field. Now, granted hes got a lot of controversy and a lot of problems, but nevertheless, hes a researcher.

But then, he is also trusted to summarize climate science. Crucially, hes trusted to make good evaluations of policy, which I argue he does a terrible job at, because he totally ignores the benefits of fossil fuels. You have those designated experts.

Part of the problem is we need more of a separation between expertise in a given field and actual policy. Particularly with policy, we need a very free, open debate about things with openness to a lot of factors. Think about COVID, because you can stipulate, even if everyone agrees on the science, theres a lot of different views of what policy should be based on different risk tolerances and all kinds of things.

One of the dangers we saw with COVID is that it became so political that people wanted to have a political view that is called, The science. As I said, the political view cant follow from the science. It also percolates into science negatively because anyone in science whos saying anything that would seem to contradict the political narrative becomes persona non grata.

Its no longer, Heres a person expressing an opinion. We can take it or leave it. It is, This person is derailing my political agenda. Thats what happened with a lot of the opposition to lockdowns. It was said, Theyre opposing lockdowns, theyre a crank. Now, I think certain people who were opposing lockdowns were cranks, and I think certain people definitely were not.

You get the same thing with energy and climate. Anyone who derails the stop climate change at all costs narrative, or whats often called net zero thing, what are they called? Theyre called climate change deniers and you shouldnt listen to them at all. You have this even with recognized, prestigious climate scientists who have had decades of experience doing this and have real achievements in the field, somebody like Richard Lindzen, whos emeritus at MIT, and was one of the most impressive people in the field for a long time.

You have congresspeople who say, Thats an idiot climate denier. Its like, Wait a second. You know nothing about this field. This is somebody who has real achievement in the field. Even if hes wrong, he knows a lot more than you do. But you feel comfortable dismissing him out of hand, you who know nothing. This is because it has become so political. Lindzen is just viewed as a guy getting in the way of their political agenda.

We need to separate the political agendas. We need to say that were going to try to factor in the best science, but part of that is we want a robust debate about politics, and we want to be open to different views in science. Although in science its important to know what the state of consensus is. That doesnt mean we should obey it, but you want to know. But even that needs to be explained very carefully.

One thing Ive pointed out is that when you hear these numbers, 97 percent of climate scientists agree, invariably, the consensus is distorted to promote the policy. Today we hear, 97 percent of climate scientists agree, and the actual studies say they agree that we have some climate impact, not at all catastrophic impact. But yet, thats interpreted to mean 97 per cent of climate scientists agree with the net zero agenda, which doesnt follow at all. Again, its the science that is being perverted or distorted to advance this set political agenda.

Mr. Jekielek:

Im going to get you to make your quick case in a moment for me, but theres a couple of things I wanted to ask you. Have you ever thought about how similar this phraseology of net zero and zero-COVID is? Has that ever struck you? Ive thought about the zero in general. They are both bad as a goal, but net zero is much worse than zero-COVID.

Mr. Epstein:

Much, much worse than zero COVID. With zero COVID, all things equal, that would be something you would want. I dont know many people that would say, Im really glad this coronavirus came along, like we should have some of it. You cant say once its out there, its not a realistic goal, or its a damaging goal. I certainly think thats the case.

The best people were saying from the beginning that this is going to become an endemic virus. Its going to be like the flu, and absent some total breakthrough in vaccination, this is going to be with us for a long time, and its going to be an issue. But it will be progressively less of an issue as we develop immunity.

Whereas, with net zero, I believe pursuing that would be much worse. We could get into that today. Trying to zero out our use of fossil fuels or even our emissions from fossil fuels in a 27-year timeframe would be the singleand I mean this literallywould be the single most destructive act in human history in terms of depriving people of energy and shutting down civilization.

Its also bad because net zero climate is really net zero climate impact. Its part of a broader movement that says that our impact in general is bad. This is why I find it so abhorrent. I talk about this a lot in Fossil Future.

Mr. Jekielek:

You talk about an anti-human framework.

Mr. Epstein:

Anti-impact framework.

Mr. Jekielek:

Which I thought was fascinating.

Mr. Epstein:

My basic premise is that so much of whats going on with energy and environment is this view that human impact on nature is evil and we should eliminate it as much as possible. When I was 18, I learned some pro-human environmental philosophy. I didnt know anything about energy back then, and I was still afraid of climate catastrophe.

But I concluded that the green movement was anti-human, because I realized, Wait a second, theyre against human impact, one. And two, humans survive and flourish by impacting the earth. So, youre against our means of survival. But thats really true, and look at how glorified being green is. But what does green mean? It just means less impact.

The ideal green planet is the earth that would exist had human beings never existed. I believe we have a very deep-seated anti-humanism in our culture that has been growing over the past few decades and generations. When you say net zero CO2, its part of a broader idea that means, Lets not impact the earth at all. Thats the same as saying, Lets have a lot fewer humans.

Because if somebody said, Hey, Im for zero bear impact, that means you want to kill all the bears. Its the same thing. To be against human impact is to be against human life, because we survive and flourish via impact.

Mr. Jekielek:

This is beginning to sound like the depopulation agenda I keep hearing about.

Mr. Epstein:

It is the underlying idea, and that is sometimes viewed as conspiracy. But if you look at the history of it, this was a very overt belief during the early modern environmental movements in the late 60s and in the 70sdepopulation. It was usually put as, We have a problem with overpopulation. How do you solve a problem with overpopulation?

You depopulate, theres no other solution. That was a very popular idea, like with Paul Ehrlich. His ideas never seem to die. Hes the most wrong person in recent history, and every prediction he makes is 180 degrees wrong. He says the world will end and it gets much better.

In the 60s, he was on The Johnny Carson Show many, many times. Thats considering him to be a totally normal person. Imagine somebody whos on Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon and all these different shows. That was just a normal idea, as was, interestingly, anti-technology.

In the 70s, it was quite common for environmental activists to say, Were against technology. Basically, what they learned is both of those are bad messaging. If they put it as, Were anti-population,and anti-technology, its too literal. Its literally too anti-human. People pick up on it.

But if you say, Im against impact, what happens is, impact is a vague term. Impact can mean impacts that harm us or impacts that help us. People think, We want to minimize impact. They just think, We want less air pollution or less water pollution or less unnecessary destruction of natural beauty. You think, Great, sign me up. Get me on that minimize impact bus.

But wait a second. Minimize human impact also means minimize farms, factories, roads, everything that makes the world livable for 8 billion people. They very cleverly masked this anti-human, anti-technology agenda under, Lets minimize impact. Thats why I like to take it literally and say. Wait a second, we survive by impact.

My argument is that we should replace this with what I call a human flourishing perspective, which is that we want the earth to be as good a place as possible for human flourishing. That means we actually need to have as much positive impact as possible. Were going to maximize our positive impacts and we want to minimize our negative impacts. That is going to allow us to really have a world that 8 billion people can enjoy, with things like natural beauty and clean air and clean water.

Mr. Jekielek:

Or possibly more people?

Mr. Epstein:

More than 8 billion?

Mr. Jekielek:

Yes.

Mr. Epstein:

My view is that we could easily have twice the population, if you have free countries that are allowed to use technology. In terms of food and water, we have limitless ability to produce those, provided that were not restricted in our ability to create value. But the green movement is totally attacking that.

Mr. Jekielek:

Lets take this moment and give me your case, the elevator pitch version. Im going to commend you, here. Youre an incredibly logical thinker. You take people all the way from the beginning of the issue with the existing arguments, all the way through to what a good world looks like. What does human flourishing look like? What is the positive vision with fossil fuels? Please give me the short version of your argument.

Mr. Epstein:

The subtitle of the book is Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas, Not Less. The first part weve talked about a bit, global human flourishing. Its important that Im putting it in terms of global human flourishing. Because the prevailing way of thinking of it is that our goal should be to eliminate our impact in general, but particularly our CO2 emissions. In my view, that is a bad goal.

Even if CO2 emissions are a way bigger challenge than I think they are, it cant be your main goal. Its like with COVID. Eliminating COVID cannot be your main goal. At most, its only one aspect of human flourishing. If were thinking about global issues, it should be about promoting global human flourishing.

Thats a very distinctive thing. My argument is that 99 percent of thinkers on this topic are not thinking in terms of global human flourishing. Theyre thinking in terms of eliminating CO2 emissions. The question is, how many countries have made an energy abundance pledge? How many countries have made a human flourishing pledge? How many companies have? How many financial institutions have?

All the countries and major companies and financial institutions all have net zero pledges. Their animating moral goal is no climate impact. The first thing is to step back and say, Thats the wrong goal. Absent whatever the science is, the goal should be global human flourishing. At most, climate is only one aspect of that, and thats why I stress that.

Im saying more oil, coal, and natural gas, not less. The next thing I ask, and its ordered a little differently in the book, Should we continue using fossil fuels; oil, coal, and natural gas? Should we diminish them or should we increase them? If youre looking at it from a human flourishing perspective, it is essential to carefully weigh the benefits and the negative side effects.

In our culture, we tend to only look at negative side effects and not benefits. Thats a terrible, terrible way of thinking about it. I mentioned this guy, Michael Mann. He has a whole book on fossil fuels and climate. But when he talks about food, he only talks about, What are the negative side effects of fossil fuel use on food? Thats a fine thing to look at. Its a good thing to look at, insofar as youre doing it accurately, which I dont think he is.

But revealingly, he has nothing about the benefits of fossil fuels to food, even though fossil fuels literally make it possible to feed 8 billion people. They provide the fuel for all the amazing agricultural equipment, particularly diesel fuel, which is very hard to replace. They provide natural gas, which is the basis of modern fertilizer, which allows us to feed 8 billion people.

My view is that you need to carefully weigh the benefits and side effects. Actually, my argument is, if you do that, its pretty obvious that we need more fossil fuels. The basic reason is the benefit of having what I call cost-effective energy; low cost, reliable energy that is versatile. It can power every type of machine, its scalable, and it can provide energy for billions of people and thousands of places.

Literally, it is the difference between poverty and prosperity, between danger and safety. When you have a lot of energy, you have an abundant and safe world. When you dont, you have a deficient and dangerous world. The benefits are so huge. Theyre desperately needed.

There are 6 billion people who use an amount of energy that we in the U.S. would consider unacceptable. There are 3 billion people who are using less electricity in their lives than a typical refrigerator of ours. Just think about it. Energy is so crucial, and its so desperately needed. Nothing comes close to fossil fuels for the next several decades.

Fossil fuels provide 80 percent of the worlds energy. Theyre still growing. Theyre particularly growing in parts of the world that care most about cost-effective energy, such as China. I just posted on Twitter today that China has more coal plants in the pipeline than we have coal plants, period. They have more new coal plants planned to last 40-plus years than we have coal plants, period, never mind their huge inventory of existing coal plants. Fossil fuels are uniquely cost-effective for the foreseeable future.

Youve got this thing thats crucial to life. Billions more people need it. Fossil fuels are uniquely able to provide it. The final thing, because everyone is concerned about climate, fossil fuels actually make us safer from the climate. They give us an ability to neutralize climate danger, not just with heating and cooling, although that saves millions of lives, but building sturdy buildings, using high-energy machines, and maybe most significantly, alleviating drought through irrigation and through crop transport.

Drought is historically the biggest climate killer. It used to kill millions of people a year, 10 million people some years, adjusted for population. Now, its less than 1/100th of that. Fossil fuels, unlike a prescription drug where you have benefits and you have negative side effects and sometimes the benefits outweigh them, fossil fuels have this unique ability to cure their own side effects. Because when you have energy, you can neutralize almost any danger.

Even if we made drought worse in the atmosphere, we could be 10 times better at fighting it because of all the energy that we have. Thats why I think its obvious. You realize how beneficial fossil fuels are, including how good they are at protecting us from climate danger. You realize weve already been affecting the climate for 100-plus years and were safer than ever from climate.

The only way fossil fuels could really be a problem that would justify restricting, let alone eliminating them, is if the climate change had totally changed, like it went from something we can totally deal with and be fine with, and then suddenly its some devil climate that just ruins everything.

I argue in the book, theres no science to support this at all. Theres science to say well continue to get somewhat warmer, but well continue to master that, and well continue to flourish if we have the freedom to use fossil fuels.

Mr. Jekielek:

You also make the point about safety, that its essentially fossil fuel use which has reduced the deaths associated with these hurricanes, or things related to these types of weather events, but which also seem to be declining, not increasing, which is against the prevailing narrative.

Mr. Epstein:

You mean the actual incidence?

Mr. Jekielek:

Yes.

Mr. Epstein:

The most important point is that the danger is decreasing. We often talk about climate change as this evil thing, and that actually reveals bad philosophy. Climate change really means man-made climate change. What people are thinking is, If we made the change, it must be bad. This is part of this anti-impact philosophy, or really its a religionhuman impact is bad. Climate change caused by humans is assumed to be bad, instead of asking, What are the benefits of warming, and what are the harms of warming? What about the greening? What about all the energy benefits that come along with it?

Its just a totally totally irrational way of thinking about it. The way you want to think about negatives in terms of climate is climate danger. Thats the key concept. If you ask what has happened to climate danger in the last 100 years, its declined precipitously.

The best piece of evidence we have is that the number of deaths or the rate of death from climate disasters like storms and floods and extreme temperatures and wildfires is down by a factor of 50. Its down 98 percent in a century. The reason is because the ability that fossil fuels and other technologies give us to master the climate and neutralize climate danger. That ability is so much more important than any changes in the atmosphere.

Sometimes people focus a lot on, What exactly has happened to hurricanes and is there a difference and what will happen in the future? But the truth is, that stuff doesnt matter too much compared to the ability to master it. The only way it would matter is if it was a total difference in kind.

If hurricanes doubled in intensity, that would be a huge challenge.

But if you look at the literature, there are projections that they will actually decrease in frequency, and then increase one to ten percent in intensity. Thats not the kind of thing we should really be super-focused on as a society. We have 6 billion people who need a lot more energy. We ourselves could be a lot more prosperous. Its just the wrong focus. Again, it shows the culture is not thinking in terms of human flourishing. They are thinking in terms of eliminating our impact.

Mr. Jekielek:

I went to school for my graduate work that had a prominent forestry school there. One of the things you learn in forestry classes is that there is always a fire cycle in any area. If you interrupt that fire cycle, you get these big, catastrophic fires. You mentioned wildfires, so this is why I think about this. Are wildfires really a result of climate, are they a result of forest management, or is it a mix?

Mr. Epstein:

It depends how specifically youre asking that. In general, theyre a result of nature, so theyre just a natural phenomenon.

Mr. Jekielek:

Im talking about these big catastrophic wildfires.

Mr. Epstein:

Unusually catastrophic wildfires or out-of-control fires, if you just think about it for a second, its pretty obvious that bad practices are involved. Youve studied forestry, so its easier for you to think about it. But for somebody to think logically, lets say it got three degrees C warmer, or five degrees Fahrenheit warmer. So far, its really one degree C, so lets say about two degrees Fahrenheit warmer. Is it really possible that the earth is just going to catch on fire and theres nothing we can do about it? Is that really likely?

You just think, No, its not. What actually causes fires? There are ignition events and then what causes them to go out of control is theres a lot of kindling for them. You can imagine that rationally we could manage forests in a way where we would reduce the amount of kindling, including building barriers if we need to between different areas.

Mr. Jekielek:

And people do this, I might add.

Mr. Epstein:

Right, they do this. I want to point out there is this ridiculous fatalism when it comes to climate change-type stuff. People think, We did the wrong thing and nature is going to punish us and there is nothing we can do. It shows it has a religious quality. Its like the climate god is punishing us and we just have to accept it, versus in other realms, we dont.

Just a little bit of a sidebar, I made fun of Elon Musk about this years ago. Hes saying we can make Mars livable, but then hes warning that a two-degree warming of the earth will be a catastrophe. How does that make any sense? You can make Mars livable, but youre worried about two degrees on earth and that we cant handle it?

Once you think technologically about the earth, its obvious even if they dont have your expertise in forestry, that we should be able to avoid these fires. You look into it and yes, they manage the forests ridiculously. They allow whats called the fuel load to build up to these huge levels. They dont build barriers.

At least if were talking about California, where Im from, theres just no rationality to the management at all. What weve done is weve just created this enormous environmental hazard. This is a literal fact. The California forest is the biggest environmental hazard in the United States. If it were a private company, it would be shut down immediately.

You have this unlimited source of fire that we just build up. We shut down logging. We dont clear enough brush. We dont do controlled burns properly. Its totally a man-made thing. The fact that were focused on, Was there a drought that made it more conducive, and did we contribute to that?

A, thats obviously not the biggest factor, and B, its so ineffective, because we have no near-term control over CO2 in the atmosphere. No matter what we do, the world is going to increase it. Even if we stop now, CO2 takes a while to leave the atmosphere. Its a perfect example of how people arent interested in solving the problem. They actually like the problem to exist, because it justifies their power and their attacks on various things like capitalism.

Mr. Jekielek:

Since you mentioned this, lets talk about this ideology, or youre calling it a religion, thats driving a lot of these policies. Please explain that to me.

Mr. Epstein:

I call this the anti-impact framework. Ill summarize it in one sentence and then we can go into it. The core of it is the idea that human impact on nature is intrinsically immoral and inevitably self-destructive. Those are the key elements. It is intrinsically immoral for us to impact nature and then, inevitably self-destructive. You can see this with the climate issue.

Climate change, us impacting climate, which is what it means in practice, is viewed as a wrong thing, which is very odd. If you think about it logically, we would like to be able to change some aspects of the climate. Wed like to neutralize Hurricane Ian in Florida that was fairly recent.

But notice that its climate change that is viewed as wrong. We shouldnt be doing it, its playing God, and its tampering with nature. The view is that it has the quality of a commandment.

In the environmental religion, its number one commandment is, Thou shalt not impact nature. Really, today it is, Thou shalt not impact climate. Again, thats viewed as the highest goal in all of society is to not impact climate. Thats what net zero means.

If we violate this commandment, we get punished and the world is going to become a hellish place. Notice all the consequences of climate change. Theyre supposed to be all bad. Think about how impossible that is, just logically.

What happens physically is we increase CO2 in the atmosphere. That has a warming and greening impact. The warming impact affects other parts of the climate system, like storms and other precipitation-related things. How is it possible that all of that would be bad for everyone? It makes no sense.

Youre just changing a system. There will be good and bad and my view is what matters is our ability to deal with it anyway. But it shows that its really viewed as we are upsetting the climate gods, and the climate gods are punishing us. It does have that quality to it. The way I elaborate on this is that its one goal is eliminating human impact. Thats the goal of this religion, or I sometimes call it the framework.

The assumption that its self-destructive and the earth is going to punish us, I call this the delicate nurturer assumption, the delicate nurturer. It is the view that earth exists in a delicate, nurturing balance. Youve probably heard delicate balance, you hear it in Disney movies, and you see it in academic papers.

But the three elements I think of as balance are that its stable, so it doesnt change too much. Its sufficient, it gives us enough resources as long as were not too greedy. And its safe, it wont endanger us much.

The view of humans is that we are what I call parasite polluters. We just take from the earth and we ruin the earth. With this view, our impact is bad, so the more we impact the earth, the more the earth is destroyed. Thats why you have all these catastrophists predicting the end of the world. It doesnt happen, but they keep thinking its right.

It has that quality where you have an end of days view like,Everyone is going to die on this date. And then, they dont. But usually, the people keep believing it for the next date, if they still believe in some guy on earth who keeps saying this.

Its similar to how we believe in the delicate nurturer. As long as we believe in the delicate nurturer, were going to believe that catastrophe is imminent. Again, its really that we shouldnt impact nature. If we do, the delicate nurturer is going to punish us.

Mr. Jekielek:

Let me ask you about this. One thing that Ive been observing and a theme that has come out in all the different areas I cover on American Thought Leaders is the increase of the relativist view of the world, that reality is purely what I perceive. Theres only so many people that can believe that, because reality has a way of punching you in the face when you stray from it too much. Im wondering how much you think that has influenced things? Because I see it everywhere and its something maybe a little bit different.

Mr. Epstein:

Im curious how you think of it here. In some ways it presents as the opposite in the sense of theres a dogma element where its just, Listen to the scientists. But the scientists are viewed as having pure access to reality. Its like a religious leader where only they have the access to the deity.

People say, Just listen to Michael Mann. Hes the scientist, just do what he says. So, Im curious how you might see relativism. Relativism and dogmatism arent exactly the same, they go together in different ways.

Mr. Jekielek:

Sure. Ill just tell you my observations in different areas. People are living more and more in the virtual world on screens. Lets say that its easier for me to believe, its easier for me to just say this is what I believe and this is reality, if this way of thinking has crept into my view of the world because its been taught in the academy or taught in grade school.

Lets take this idea that if I dont social distance, Im going to kill grandma or something. Theres all sorts of these mantras where, on the face of it, when you sit down and think about it for a moment, youd say, This doesnt make sense.  It wasnt like you believed this before. This idea just came in. Maybe it was propagandized quite heavily, but somehow a lot of us very well-meaning people accepted it. This is one example. Theres a million of them, and especially over the last few years, this kind of thing keeps recurring and you have all these well-meaning people pursuing something that patently, on the face of it, when you really think about it logically for a moment, seems kind of absurd. Thats what Im thinking about.

Mr. Epstein:

Its interesting, but do you think they hold it as relativistic? Theres a certain kind of relativist view, particularly on matters of science where its like, Nobody knows whats true. And thats wrong, as if theres no knowledge or anything like that. That has a lot of problems with it.

But then, there is, Science is whatever the scientists say. What you really want is science as a method. Its a method we have to get a better and better understanding of reality. We want to take information from people who follow that method. Part of that is they need to explain it to us and they need to respect our independence to integrate that with other things.

Unfortunately, in so many fields, you see either relativism or dogmatism. Heres an example in climate that some of your viewers might find offensive. Theres this view on one side saying, The science is settled. We need to get rid of fossil fuels. Then, theres a response that says, No, science is never settled.

But I dont think thats a great response because without qualification, it just means, We cant ever know anything, so you can believe whatever you want to believe. Its like, You can believe that there is COVID or there isnt COVID, and thats okay. And thats not what it is.

Its that science is not dogmatic and that people believing it doesnt make it true. But you can still have progress in science. In a sense, you can say, The law of universal gravitation is sort of settled science. Its a dangerous term either way to put it as settled or unsettled.

The response to people saying, Climate catastrophe is settled, is not to say, Nothing is ever settled, so Im not going to think about it. Its to say, No, actually, this is not settled at all. Theres no evidence that we have climate catastrophe. We have climate impact. There is certainly no evidence that we should get rid of fossil fuels as a solution to that because the benefits of those are so huge.

It is interesting how its so common to have dogmatism and relativism, versus a more objective approach where you really think in terms of scientific method and logical method. Thats what we really need as a culturea culture of scientists and other experts who explain things rather than try to dictate them. If you have that, then you can really make progress.

Mr. Jekielek:

I think of it as genuine truth-seeking, which is really what science is. Its a method to try to get at the truth of a situation. We come up with models and some of them work incredibly well almost all the time. Then, we say, Okay, thats settled. But then we sometimes find a problem which causes us to rethink the whole thing. And again, coming back to this relativism piece, I wonder if a whole lot of people have given up on this idea of truth-seeking, because maybe there isnt truth to seek.

Mr. Epstein:

Thats true. Theyve also given it up in terms of, Lets just listen to authorities. They say something this week that they didnt even think about last week. You notice how quickly the dogmas shift. Its just immediately this thing. Theres no recollection of what I believed, but this suddenly becomes my biggest conviction.

You even see this with priorities on issues. Its just some issue in the news, and then this is my biggest priority. Theres a whole virtue signaling-type thing like, Racism is now my lifes passion to fight, because I saw something on TV, or, Theres a storm this week, so now climate change is my focus. Its a problem.

Mr. Jekielek:

It was global warming at one point, then it shifted to climate change. But this idea, the fad, or the way youre supposed to think or youre relegated to the margins of society for quite some time, this one seems to have incredible longevity. What are the things that can truly challenge such a longstanding perception, which you argue pretty convincingly is not accurate, that anthropogenic climate change is a cataclysm?

Mr. Epstein:

Yes, catastrophic.

Mr. Jekielek:

An imminent cataclysm or something.

Mr. Epstein:

Exactly, yes. Youve made me think about why it is so enduring. Its an interesting thing and lets speculate on that, quickly. I hate this term, but it is falsifiable, because even if you make a specific prediction about change and it doesnt come true, you can still say, because its such a vague term, you can still say, Oh, we had climate change, or, We had impact.

If you say, The world is all going to end from acid rain in this decade, when you speculate specific human consequences by a specific date, then that can be proven false. If you just say something vague like, The climate is going to change, and its going to be really bad, then no matter what happens, its easier to claim vindication, which is part of what has happened.

You make predictions, they are vague enough, and no matter what happens, you can say you were right. Because the Greens got burned on so many predictions like, England is mostly not going to exist by this year. And so, they start making vaguer and vaguer predictions.

The other thing is, because it deals with our use of fossil fuels and specifically our CO2 emissions, it deals with a ubiquitous aspect of life. If youre claiming a ubiquitous aspect of life is very damaging, that justifies unlimited control. That was actually part of the appeal of COVID to certain people, that breathing was considered dangerous, so you had the right to control everyones physical location indefinitely.

You saw that some people loved that idea and it wasnt just, Theres a danger, its an emergency. Let everyone sit in their home for a week while we figure things out. It was, No, we might do this indefinitely. There was a lust for power with some of the people.

It has this effect of you can claim to be right even if youre wrong, and you get to control everything if its true. The key is just making two things clear. One is making the distinction between climate impact and climate catastrophe. Thats a huge one.

The other thing I mentioned is just bringing up the benefits of fossil fuels. What we should be really thinking of climate-wise with fossil fuels is that fossil fuels have made the climate far safer. Thats the real narrative.

Imagine somebody just came here from 100 years ago in a time machine. Young Jan, you came here just 100 years ago. Your experience of climate, if you just watched for a year what happened around the world, your dominant experience would be, Wow, climate danger has plummeted.

That would be your overwhelming experience, I guarantee you. It would not be, The climate sucks now. That would not be your experience at all. Maybe you could tell if it was two degrees warmer or something, but probably not. What you would see is, When I was alive, it was common for 3 million Chinese people to get wiped out by drought and famine, and that doesnt happen anymore.

It was common for a few hundred thousand people to get wiped out by a storm and it would take years to recover from these events. And its not like that. Or a heat wave could kill so many babies so easily. Its not like that anymore, because we have such a mastery over climate. Thats the real story.

Lets reframe the whole thing where were talking about human flourishing and were talking about both positives and negatives of fossil fuels, and lets tell the true story. There is one way I put it that is sufficient; fossil fuels didnt take a safe climate and make it dangerous. They took a dangerous climate and made it safe. Thats the real story.

Part of that story is, yes, weve had somewhat of a warming impact on the climate. Thats only part of the story. People often try to deal with things by just reacting to them, whereas often, the solution is to reframe them.

Mr. Jekielek:

One of the themes that I kept getting as I was reading your book is that weve all lost this ability to do cost-benefit analysis, which is exactly what youre saying. The real story is lets look at the costs and benefits and do the benefits ever outweigh the costs?

Mr. Epstein:

Thats another way of saying weighing the benefits and the side effects. I talk about this in chapter 11 of the book. Its called Reframing the Conversation and Arguing to 100. Its advice on how to talk about this issue. But I hope that other pro-freedom people take it to other issues. Very quickly, I introduce the idea of arguing to 100, versus arguing to zero.

Basically, arguing to 100 means that you say, This is my goal, and then you argue that your policies will get you to the goal. The net zero people say, The goal is to eliminate our impact on climate, and the Green New Deal will get us there. Now, I totally disagree with the goal and the policy, but thats a good model of how to fight for things.

If you disagree with the direction of policy, you should challenge the goal. But often what people do is they will say, No, I agree with the goal of net zero, but the Green New Deal is inefficient, or Its not the right way to get there. Then, they try to shoot down the Green New Deal. I call this arguing to zero, because they just try to zero out the other persons policies, but they dont challenge the goal.

My thing is, No. I dont agree with net zero as a goal. Thats a bad goal. Lets have the goal of global human flourishing and then lets look at the policies. If you weigh the benefits and the side effects of the technologies involved, what are the best policies to get there? Thats why I believe in energy freedom, including freedom for fossil fuels and nuclear and everything else.

In general, pro-freedom people need to more what I call reframe and argue to 100. If the debates going in a direction you dont want, you should expect that the framing is bad and needs to be changed. Dont just react to the framing and try to come up with another clever way to shoot them down. Because even if you shoot them down 100 percent in one instance, you cant shoot down the direction if theyre setting the direction.

Mr. Jekielek:

Thats such a powerful lesson, looking at the frame and deciding whether that is what actually makes sense in the first place. Its a powerful lesson to carry forward for all of us. Alex Epstein, its such a pleasure to have you on the show.

Mr. Epstein:

Thanks so much for having me.

Mr. Jekielek:

Thank you all for joining Alex Epstein and me on this episode of American Thought Leaders. Im your host, Jan Jekielek.

This interview transcript was edited for clarity and brevity.
ANALYSIS: DeSantis Seizes Opportunity as Trump Cancels Iowa Event

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an Iowa GOP reception in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 13, 2023. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

News Analysis

Under gray spring skies, the Dean Classic Car Museum in northwestern Iowa was packed. Local politicos, the media, and everyday conservatives had swarmed the showroom to hear Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speak at Rep. Randy Feenstras (R-Iowa) May 13 family picnic.

In previous years, Feenstra has hosted former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in Sioux Center.

Like DeSantis, who could be just days from a formal announcement, theyre top players in the GOPs 2024 presidential spectacle.

But the main character in Republican politics was expected later that night two hundred forty miles to the east in the state capital of Des Moines. An outdoor amphitheater there was hours away from hosting a rally for former President Donald Trump.

Former President Donald J. Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 14, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Trump, the highest-polling Republican, unexpectedly canceled the event, citing a tornado threat in central Iowa. Those in DeSantis camp allege the weather was a cover story for poor attendance.

The sharp elbows from DeSantis surrogates are more understandable in context; theres speculation Trump timed his rally to draw attention from DeSantis appearance with Feenstra and elsewhere in the Hawkeye State.

In any event, the windy Saturday in Iowa belonged to Ron, not Don.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an Iowa GOP reception in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 13, 2023. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

A Distinct Brand

Some Republicans are like potted plants in office, DeSantis joked in Sioux Center.

The Florida governor has faced criticism from Trump loyalists and the legacy media for alleged awkwardness. On Saturday, though, he was fast but fluent before the audience.

The image was fitting. As the leader of Florida, a state that has attracted thousands of Americans while moving to the right, DeSantis embodies a new formula for American conservatism, distinct from country club Republicanism, western libertarianism, and Southern evangelicalism.

DeSantis won applause for comments on Disney, the border, and, in particular, Floridas COVID-19 response, which became among the least restrictive in the nation over the course of 2020.

We chose freedom over Faucism, DeSantis declared, referring to the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci.

Faucism was wrong, he added.

Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci waits for the beginning of a hearing before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies of Senate Appropriations Committee at Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 17, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The much-touted politician sounded less credible when he said he was not out for adulation or fanfare.

His occasional dips into wonkier territory could also present a vulnerability. For those drawn to Trumps rhetorical creativity and force, DeSantis talk of rates and rankings can come across as plodding.

Yet, that workmanlike quality may actually be part of the package for Republicans sick of the former presidents legal dramas. Whether at the National Conservatism Conference or on the not-quite-campaign trail, DeSantiss speeches offer a list of results and paths forward.

Unlike Trump, DeSantis has so far shied away from directly attacking his chief rival. In Sioux Center, he came closest to knocking Trump when he said the GOP needs to provide a positive alternative vision and avoid dwelling on the past.

The Florida executive and military veteran conjured up the image of Arlington National Cemetery and telling his listeners to put on the full armor of God.

I liked that idea, said Norm Nieuwenhuis, a local Republican voter who came to hear DeSantis.

Like other attendees who spoke with The Epoch Times, he was quick to praise the main speaker.

Shannon Rodger said shed pick DeSantis over Trump.

DeSantis doesnt seem to have so much negativity surrounding him, she told The Epoch Times.

She was with her son Wyatt, who told The Epoch Times he thinks DeSantis has more appeal to the younger generation than Trump.

Trump seems more argumentative, I think, he said.

Yet, some at DeSantis Sioux Center speech were less certain.

Im still waiting for my Teddy Roosevelt, said Ty Rosburg, a county supervisor in Crawford County, Iowa.

Rosburg, who said he was a former cavalryman, was wearing a Rough Riders-style cowboy hat.

Im a livestock trucker. And weve got a lot of people that are out of touch with what goes on out here, and theyre making regulations and rules. When he [DeSantis] started talking about our bureaucracy, he nailed it, Rosburg told The Epoch Times.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis arrives at the Foreign Office to visit Britains Foreign Secretary in London on April 28, 2023. (Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo)

Im neither Republican nor Democrat. I just want to hear the truth, said Linda Hasche.

Historically, politicians say x, y, z, Oh, my ears are tickled, and [dont] follow through with what they say. But what I heard sounded good, she told The Epoch Times.

The reception has been great. I think it shows a lot of momentum on the side of Governor DeSantis should he decide to get in the race, Erin Perrine, communications director for the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down political action committee, told The Epoch Times.

Asked about DeSantiss wavering on the edge of a declaration, she argued that DeSantiss gubernatorial duties have demanded his full attention.

Indeed, it was only at the end of this legislative session that Floridas lawmakers made it possible for DeSantis to run for president without having to resign his post.

Perrine also drew attention to a new round of endorsements for DeSantis from Iowa state lawmakers.

But Trumps campaign on March 13 announced that the former president has garnered over 150 endorsements from elected and grassroots leaders across all of Iowa.

Trumps evening rally would have coincided with DeSantiss next scheduled event in Iowaa $100-per-person fundraiser for the Republican Party of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

DeSantis supporters on social media touted the governors unscheduled visit to a barbecue restaurant in Des Moines, the same city where Trump was scheduled to speak.

An Exiles View

One high-profile northwest Iowa Republican who didnt attend Feenstras picnic is former Congressman Steve King.

Feenstra primaried King in 2020 after the longtime Iowa lawmaker had become toxic within the GOP. Thats largely thanks to January 2019 coverage in the New York Times in which he allegedly defended white nationalism.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was at that time House Minority Leader, quickly moved to remove Kings committee assignments.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) speaks to a member of the audience ahead of a campaign rally inside of the Knapp Center arena at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 30, 2020. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

According to King, the national hostility doesnt translate to his everyday life on the ground.

In a May 12 interview with The Epoch Times, he said people all over his former district come up to him and thank him.

He said hes heard that his main mistake was talking to the New York Times.

In addition, Kings controversies may not put off the Republican candidates already vying to win the states caucus, still more than half a year away.

He claimed three campaigns or candidates had already contacted him. In the middle of his interview with The Epoch Times, a fourth campaign reached out, according to King. He declined to share any names.

King thinks Trump would have defended him after the fracas over the New York Times article if hed been surrounded by a different circle.

The former president put people in place because he believed they were patriots, but they turned out to be not so much patriots, King said.

Here in Iowa, if you just look across the landscape, Trump is in a solid position for a nomination, he said.

King believes the ex-commander-in-chief needs to come clean about his administrations mistakes on COVID-19in his words, trusting Fauci and [Deborah] Birx too much.

Birx was Trumps White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.

DeSantis also won praise from King.

I think hes learned from Trump that you cant take any guff off of these people, King told The Epoch Times.

So did biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was also touring Iowa on May 13.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition in Clive, Iowa, on April 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Hes blazing a clear and bold trail for conservatism, he said.

Ramaswamy, he added, is not afraid to step out there.

But not every 2024 hopeful would hear encouraging words from King.

I dont think Nikki Haley has a path to Iowa, he said.
Biden DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Dismiss Major GOP Election Lawsuit

Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives Tim Moore speaks to the press in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Dec. 7, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

The Biden administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss a high-profile case in which Republicans want the court to recognize state legislatures power to regulate federal elections without interference from state courts, which they say the U.S. Constitution requires.

At issue is the once-obscure independent state legislature doctrine, under which Republicans argue that the Constitution has always directly authorized state legislatures alone to make rules for the conduct of federal elections in their respective states.

Democrats say the doctrine is a fringe conservative legal theory that could endanger voting rights, green-light partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process, and cause upheaval in the electoral process.

The doctrine is at the heart of a case, Moore v. Harper, thats currently being deliberated by the justices after it was argued in December 2022.

Republican Tim Moore, speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, is asking the nations highest court to recognize that state legislatures have preeminent authority under the Constitution to make the rules for presidential and congressional elections without state courts getting involved in the process.

Specifically, Moore is appealing an order by the then-Democratic-dominated Supreme Court of North Carolina redrawing the states electoral map against the wishes of the states Republican-majority legislature. The state court had found that the legislature-approved map unlawfully disfavored Democratic Party voters.

But while the justices in Washington were deliberating the case, on Feb. 3, the Supreme Court of North Carolina, which now has a Republican majority, decided to rehear the underlying case, known in that forum as Harper v. Hall. At that time, the U.S. Supreme Court asked lawyers for the parties to file supplemental briefs on how to proceed.

The state Supreme Court then reheard Harper v. Hall and overruled itself on April 28, finding 52 that the General Assemblynot judgeshas sole authority over the redistricting process. The majority opinion states that theres no judicially manageable standard by which to adjudicate partisan gerrymandering claims and that courts are not intended to meddle in policy matters.

This case is not about partisan politics but rather about realigning the proper roles of the judicial and legislative branches, North Carolina Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, wrote for the court. Today, we begin to correct course, returning the judiciary to its designated lane.

On May 4, the U.S. Supreme Court asked U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, as well as attorneys for Moore and North Carolina voters who favor allowing the judge-made state electoral map to remain in place, to file supplemental letter briefs addressing the following question: What is the effect on this Courts jurisdiction of the April 28, 2023, order of the North Carolina Supreme Court?

The U.S. Supreme Court has several options about how to proceed.

The court could order new oral arguments in Moore v. Harper. It could dismiss the case as moot because the underlying controversy that gave rise to the appeal no longer exists. The court could also move forward with issuing a formal opinion in the case if the justices believe that the issues at hand are too important to ignore.

Prelogar, in her new brief filed last week, wrote that the state courts order of April 28 held that the North Carolina Constitution imposes no judicially enforceable limits on partisan gerrymandering, overruled the courts contrary decision in Harper I, and dismissed the underlying suit with prejudice.

Harper I is the nickname for the North Carolina Supreme Courts decision that originally struck down the maps.

The April 28 order moots the question this Court [agreed] to decide because it means that the Courts resolution of that question could have no effect on the outcome of this case, Prelogar said.

Sarah Boyce, representing the office of North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out the case.

This most recent Harper decision confirms that this Court lacks jurisdiction and should dismiss this case, Boyce said.

Here, this Court can no longer grant Petitioners any meaningful relief because the state supreme court has already given them everything they wanted.

But Moores attorney, David Thompson, urged the U.S. Supreme Court to move forward and issue an opinion in the case in his brief (pdf).

The North Carolina Supreme Courts April 28 rehearing decision has no effect on this Courts jurisdiction, Thompson said. This appeal continues to present two final judgments for the U.S. Supreme Courts review  and the issues presented are not moot.

While the North Carolina legislature is free to enact a new congressional map to govern the 2024 election cycle and subsequent elections, if this Court reverses Harper I, then the original Congressional map adopted by the North Carolina legislature before the outset of this controversy will be restored as the default map governing congressional elections in North Carolina. This case is not moot, and this Court is fully possessed of jurisdiction to decide it.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide the matter in the coming days.
Big Banks to Pay Billions More in FDIC Fees After Bank Failures

Signs explaining Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and other banking policies are shown on the counter of a bank in Westminster, Colo., Nov. 3, 2009. (Rick Wilking/Reuters/File Photo)

Big banks in the United States will bear billions of dollars in extra fees to replenish a deposit insurance fund that was used to bail out banks in March, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said on Thursday.

The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank impacted the deposit insurance fund (DIF) for a total of $15.8 billion because the government insured depositors money that exceeded the $250,000 insurance cap to stem the panic from these banks failures.

Around 113 banks are expected to pay the fee. While the fee applies to all banks, in practice lenders with more than $50 billion in assets would be responsible for over 95 percent of the replenishment, the agency said. Banks with less than $5 billion in assets would not pay any fee.

Under the law, the FDIC has discretion in designing the fee. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the FDIC to recover any losses to the DIF as a result of protecting uninsured depositors through a special assessment, the agency said.

The agency is focusing on large banks since they benefited the most from the FDICs unprecedented actions in the wake of the collapse of SVB and Signature Bank.

In general, large banks with large amounts of uninsured deposits benefited the most from the systemic risk determination, FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said in a statement.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in Washington, on March 28, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The federal bank regulator plans to apply a special assessment fee of 0.125 percent each year for uninsured deposits that are above $5 billion. The payments would be made in eight quarterly periods to maintain liquidity at the banks and would start in June 2024, the agency said.

The FDIC plans to recoup a total of $15.8 billion to refill the deposit funds coffers, which is approximately equal to the losses attributable to the protection of uninsured depositors at these two failed banks, the agency said.

The top 14 U.S. lenders will need to fork out an estimated $5.8 billion a year, which could erode their earnings per share by a median 3 percent, Credit Suisse analyst Susan Roth Katzke wrote in a report.

The FDIC fund, which guarantees customers bank deposits of up to $250,000, stood at $128.2 billion at the end of 2022, according to the FDIC.

Banks usually pay a quarterly fee to finance the fund, but the FDIC said the special levy was necessary to cover hefty costs it incurred after Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failed in March. Both banks, which had extremely high levels of uninsured deposits, abruptly failed after depositors fled amid concerns over their financial health. Regulators declared them critical to the financial system, allowing the FDIC to backstop all deposits in a bid to stop the contagion spreading.

The seizure of First Republic Bank and sale to JP Morgan Chase this month is expected to cost that fund another $13 billion.

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), Washingtons top small bank lobby group, applauded the plans.

Community banks should not have to bear any financial responsibility for losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund caused by the miscalculations and speculative practices of large financial institutions, ICBA CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said in a statement.

The FDIC had initially estimated a bigger hit to the DIF after the bank failures, but it revised the losses downward after receiving higher anticipated recoveries from selling off the banks assets.

The proposed rule wont go into effect immediately, and there will be a 60-day comment period. Following that, the FDIC expects the rule to be finalized and take effect at the beginning of next year.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A sample of paintings by 19th-century French artist, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, expresses a talent fascinated by the tender beauty of womanhood. Regarded today as one of the best painters of human anatomy, he breathed life into his figures by capturing the subtle nuances of personality and mood.

Bouguereaus appreciation for young mothers reached a classical reverence nowhere clearer than in his series, devoted to the theme, beginning in 1865. The artist saw motherhood as an expression of nature. With an eye towards feminine beauty, rustic country life, and childhood innocence, he affectionately depicted a fulfilled mothers devotion toward her angelic child as the subject of many of his esteemed compositions.

Maternal Admiration

Young Mother Gazing at Her Child, 1871, by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. (Public Domain)

A steady accumulation of praise, commissions, and annual display at the Paris Salon brought enormous interest in his expression of maternal affection. The idealized scenes of virtuous peasants, living a simple life in connection with nature, were quickly snapped up by American collectors, earning Bouguereau both international fame and fortune. Scenes of life in rural Italy were popular amongst his American clientele.

Young Mother Gazing at Her Child and Le Lever (Get Up) are two of many compositions painted with an eye to the international market. In both paintings, the young mother is clad in Ciociari costume, the historic dress of Italy, with a white blouse contrasting against the dark, voluminous skirt and embroidered sash.

Popular amongst international clients, this was the second painting in Bouguereaus series of maternal admiration. Le Lever (Get Up), 1865, by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Private collection. (Public Domain)

The Neoclassical ideals of symmetry, clear forms, and the use of idyllic light, add drama and elevate the artistry. In the painting Le Lever, the girls reaching arms and the mothers encirclement form symmetry in their loving embrace. The use of Chiaroscuro (light and shadow) contrasts the morning light filtered on the childs face against the dark background, highlighting the love the child is feeling.

Common among the paintings in this series is the centering of both figures in the foreground, heightening the visual impact of the young mother and her childs tender interaction. Triangulating his subjects into a visual hierarchy, Bouguereau borrowed from the classical structure of composition established during the Renaissance. With some of the background scene obscured in shadow, he therefore directs the viewers focus to the young mother and her child. The foreground objects and barely discernible background outlines further inform the scenes narrative.

What might have been an ordinary picture of a woman and her child is thus turned into something mythical, connecting it with the many gifts and abundances that mothers and children bring to one another.

Consolation in Sorrow

Pieta, circa 1876, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Private Collection. (Public Domain)

By the 1870s, Bouguereau had been a married father for several years. But if he deepened his regard for motherhood by observing his wife and children, it came with genuine suffering. In 1866, Bouguereaus 4-year-old daughter, Jeanne, passed away. This tragic event was the first in a series of bereavements. In 1875, his son, Georges, became sick and died at the age of 16. Bouguereaus grief inspired two of his most beautiful religious works: The Pieta and The Virgin of Consolation.

That year, his wife Nelly also gave birth to their third son, Maurice. Their joy was short-lived, however. Nellys health declined following Maurices birth and she died in April, 1877. Two months later, baby Maurice died.

In Vierge Consolatrice (The Virgin of Consolation), we see the black-clad Virgin of Consolation. Across her lap lies a young woman inconsolable at the death of her child. As a steadfast Catholic, Bouguereau is said to have gained solace from this work.

The Virgin of Consolation, 1875, by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Museum of Fine Arts of Strasbourg, France. (Public Domain)

Rarely has a life filled with so much tragedy been accompanied by such consummate achievement, as one masterpiece after another left his easel. He painted 12 oils in 1877, 17 in 1878 and 23 in 1879, including some of his greatest and most ambitious works.

Near the end of his life, Bouguereau described his love of his art: Each day I go to my studio full of joy.  In the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness, I can scarcely wait for the next morning to come.

Upholding Tradition

Self Portrait, 1895, by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium. (Public Domain)

The decade of the 1870s was largely a sad time for Bouguereau. Perhaps, the only high point was his election to the Academie des Beaux-Arts. Throughout his life, Bouguereau was a defender of the Academy and all that it stood for, and the honor of being elected a member was one he cherished. He once wrote, to become a member of the Instituteis the only public distinction I ever really wanted.

So resolutely did he defend tradition that the Impressionists, many among the most-famous artists of the generation after him, defined themselves against his standards and scorned his work. Nevertheless, when Bouguereau died in 1905, he was honored by grand funeral processions and memorials in Paris and his hometown of La Rochelle.

The recent return of classical ideals and traditional training methods has placed Bouguereau among its champions. According to Fred Ross, founder of Art Renewal Center, Bouguereaus work enjoys continued laurels that show him deserving of the highest accolades in the art world.

Like the Neoclassical painters of his era, Bougeureau found guidance from classical Greek and Roman arts and architecture. He painted scenes of idealized beauty through effective balance and order in his compositions. Yet, he was still was able to beguilingly capture the delicate clarities of temperament and mood of motherly affection.

Bougeureau saw motherhood as rational and contented. Through his brushwork, he communicated emotions through light and shadow and painted the essence of the dignity of a mothersupremely affectionate women in all their touching beauty.

Maternal Admiration, 1869, by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Oil on canvas. Private collection. (Public Domain)
RAMALLAH/GAZA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Saturday holds Israel "fully and directly responsible" for the flaring violent tension with Palestinian military groups in the Gaza Strip, and warns that closure of the crossing points on the borders would lead to a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israel has closed the crossing points for commercial and humanitarian purposes on the borders of the Gaza Strip for five days following a flaring tit-for-tat fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, said that the Israeli government "has crossed all the red lines because it insists on carrying on with daily killing of the Palestinians and the destruction of their properties."

A total of 33 Palestinians were killed and 147 were injured, including 48 children and 23 women, since the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, said Ashraf Al-Qedra, the spokesman of the Health Ministry in Gaza.

"The Israeli closure deprived 432 patients of access to specialized hospitals in the West Bank and Jerusalem to receive treatment, which exacerbated the health status of these patients, all of whom have tumors or suffer from heart diseases," he stressed.

The Health Ministry is still providing its services to all the wounded and sick and has made appeals to international medical and human rights institutions to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to facilitate the arrival of medical supplies to hospitals in the Gaza Strip, he added.

The Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority in the Gaza Strip said in an official announcement that the energy deficit in the coastal enclave, home to more than 2.5 million Palestinians, "has reached 52 percent."

The statement said the power station would stop working completely on Monday due to the depletion of fuel if the crossing points are not reopened, which will affect the humanitarian and medical situation.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye called on the United Nations to intervene to stop Israeli "crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, whose victims are unarmed children and women."

Abu Rudeineh said "the United States bears responsibility for the deterioration of the situation as a result of the silence on the Israeli crimes and the lack of immediate intervention to stop them, which made Israel persist in its aggression against our people." 
California Border Protection Inspects Imported Flowers for Mothers Day

Flowers purchased from abroad for Mothers Day were hastily checked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialiststrained experts in U.S. import violationsat Los Angeles International Airport to ensure they were delivered in time for the holiday, reported the agency.

According to a May 10 press release, 80 percent of cut flowers sold in the U.S. are brought in from outside the country. The flowers they inspected are specifically from South America, Netherlands, Thailand, and Austria.

The top three most common flowers imported are roses, tulips, and orchids, said the border protection agency.

Agents checked to be sure the flowers were free of invasive pests and diseases that could harm the U.S. agricultural industry and economy.

A U. S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist at Los Angeles International Airport inspects a dianthus bouquet arriving from Ecuador. (Courtesy of U. S. Customs and Border Protection)

Some of these flowers may carry hitchhiking pests and diseases that could cause millions of dollars in damage to the U.S. agriculture sector, said Carlos C. Martel, border patrol director of field operations in Los Angeles in a statement.

The border agency said the weeks leading up to Mothers Day are the busiest of the year for flower importsmore than 36 million cut stems were brought in through the airport and processed for the holiday last year.

Amid the millions of flowers, specialists reported they found and intercepted 358 invasive peststhe most common being aphids, thrips, moths, miner flies, and miteson shipments from abroad last year.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, invasive species can affect the U.S. economy, environment, and human health.

A U. S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist at Los Angeles International Airport inspects imported Mothers Day cut flowers. (Courtesy of U. S. Customs and Border Protection)

Native species precious to the U.S. can also be threatened by invasive outside pests who compete for resources and often alter habitats and weaken native plants and animals. New diseases also threaten human, plant, and animal life.

A study by the agriculture department in 2021 found North America has lost over $26 billion yearly since 2010 because of the impacts of invasive species. The impact has risen significantly since measuring at $2 billion per year in the 1960s.

Residents are encouraged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to declare all flowers and plant materials bought from abroad for the holidays to avoid penalties for violating import laws and harming the economy and well-being of the U.S.
A strange gust of cool air billowed from within Lookout Mountainand led one explorer to discover a most coveted American natural treasure. Excavators felt the unexpected cool rush blow from the newly-drilled opening, and, curiosity piqued, Leo Lambert sought to track down the source of the mystery breeze.

During their 1928 Tennessee dig, Lambert embarked on a 17-hour spelunking expedition 1,120 feet deep under the mountain. There he observed a tall and majestic subterranean waterfall, which he named after his wife. This became Ruby Falls.

In 1929, Ruby Falls was turned into an attraction for the public. It is now the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States, and visitors are still welcome to explore its majesty.

Visitors inside Ruby Falls in modern days. (Courtesy of Ruby Falls)

Spectacular subterranean formations inside Ruby Falls in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. (Courtesy of Ruby Falls)

Part of the cave system called Leos Passage. (Courtesy of Ruby Falls)

A glass-fronted elevator takes guests down a 26-storey descent into the heart of the mountain, where they will witness sublime natural treasures such as stalagmites, stalactites, and, of course, Ruby Falls themselves. Adventurers may go on guided walks through the caves, which stay a comfortable 60 degrees Fahrenheit and are open year-round.

Yet there is more mystery to be had within this cave system, a hidden gem lies beneath the falls caverns. Inside a deep passage, inscribed upon the walls, one finds something far out of place: the name of the republics seventh president, Andrew Jackson, dated 1833.

Local legend holds that, 100 years before the entrance to Ruby Falls was discovered, Jackson, while on leave to visit his home, the Hermitage, visited nearby Chattanooga. He might have stepped into the caves on Lookout Mountain.

The name of Andrew Jackson inscribed in the cave system below the Ruby Falls cave. (Courtesy of Ruby Falls)

A modern-day photo of Ruby Falls. (Courtesy of Ruby Falls)

Legends being prone to embellishment, though, its uncertain whether it was actually Jackson who scratched this name into the cave wall; we might fancifully imagine the populist American general cum president inscribing his signature using his sword. But it could just as easily have been someone pulling a prank, or another person with the same name.

Today, the part of the cave with Jacksons name is no longer open to the public. Yet Ruby Falls remains open for exploration, though guides are required to keep the cave pristine. While vandals in the past had free rein to write on the walls as they pleased, today tagging and signing inside the cave is strictly prohibited.

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
China Gang Boss Buys Hong Kong Mansion for HK$450 Million, Gets Arrested in China

On May 6, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) arrested 17 members of a China Black Societies (gang) operating in Wuhan, Hubei province, including the notorious boss Huang Dafa and Xiong Daxi. Both Huang and Xiong held Hong Kong identity cards (HKID). In 2018, Xiong purchased a standalone house on Repulse Bay Road for approximately HK$496 million ($63 million) before selling it to Huang for HK$450 million ($57 million) in April this year. However, Xiong was arrested the day after the registration documents were filed. Some commentators believe that this substantial transaction triggered concerns about capital flight from the mainland and was deemed a threat to national security by the CCP.

Huang, 61, and Xiong, 60, are reported to live in Wuhan but have their residence in Hong Kong. Huang purchased House 7 of 90 Repulse Bay Road from Xiong for HK$450 million in April. It was discovered that he paid a stamp duty of 4.25 percent on the property price, indicating that it was his first property purchase as a Hong Kong permanent resident.

In Hong Kong, the standard procedure for a first-time property purchase as a Hong Kong permanent resident requires making a declaration at a law firm stating that the purchase is made on ones behalf and that no other residential property is owned. This means Huang was still in Hong Kong at the end of last month to complete the necessary procedures. It is not ruled out that Huang intended to transfer funds to Hong Kong but was restricted by mainland Chinas remittance restrictions, so he resorted to a physical transaction to apply to the mainland authorities.

In 2009, Xiong purchased a mansion in Yuen Longs The Vineyard La Maison Vineyard using a mainland Chinese passport and an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (two-way permit) for HK$18.5 million ($2.3 million). However, when he purchased the Repulse Bay mansion in June 2018, he registered it using his Hong Kong identity card. On the same day, a person named Liu Qing purchased another standalone house adjacent to the property for HK$508 million ($64.9 million). Both Liu and Xiong reported their addresses as the same unit in The Reach, Yuen Long. This indicates a close relationship between the two individuals who acquired neighboring properties in Repulse Bay for HK$1 billion ($128 million).

Former Wuhan Peoples Congress Representative and Gang Boss

According to mainland media reports, Huang, born in 1961 and originally from Wuhan, served in the military at 18 before returning to his hometown and becoming the secretary of the party committee of Jinggangshan Village, Hongshan Township, Wuhan. In 2001, he founded a real estate company and secured several notable projects over the next decade. Throughout this process, Huang continuously recruited enforcers and influenced legal and illegal activities, including violent demolitions and suppression of competitors.

China Economic Times reported in May 2016 that in July 2014, Huang and his brother Huang Dacai illegally seized farmland through the transformation of urban villages and forcibly acquired Renfu Pharmaceutical Factory on Xiongchu Avenue and Shaishui Road in Wuchang, Wuhan, leaving dozens of employees jobless. In February 2016, Wuhan Aile Music School and other buildings in Banqiao Village were forcibly demolished, with over two hundred thugs armed with knives, harpoons, steel pipes, and firearms participating in the violence, resulting in one death and dozens of severe injuries.

The exposure of the violent forced demolitions shocked the nation, but Huang remained unscathed. According to a source in the public security bureau quoted by mainland media, Huang was the only person who could mobilize two hundred people for forced demolitions and violence in Wuhan because of his powerful backing and No one can control him.

Ironically, before his arrest, Huang was promoted by the authorities as a key figure in the turnaround of Jinggang Village, hailed as the leader of the villages path to prosperity and a comfortable life. Huangs Jianghong Group was packaged as a well-known enterprise in Hubei and one of the top ten in the market. Mainland Chinese reports indicate that in November 2011, Huang also served as a representative of the Wuhan Peoples Congress.

Dr. Gavin Chiu Sin-hin: Capital Flight Is Now Considered a Threat to National Security

Hong Kong scholar and commentator Gavin Chiu pointed out on his Gavinchiutalk YouTube channel on May 10 that during the 2018 U.S.-China trade war, many mainland Chinese companies tried to do capital flight through the Belt and Road Initiative and Hong Kong, buying properties, insurance, stocks, and companies in Hong Kong to transfer black money from the mainland. Stashing or legally using 1 billion yuan is difficult in mainland China but can be used to buy two apartments in Hong Kong.

Chiu believes that as the head of the group, Huang purchased units from his subordinate Xiong in April and was arrested half a month later. He analyzed that being too high-profile in capital flight at this time, combined with the post-pandemic situation and the prospect of a Sino-U.S. rupture and a possible Taiwan war, capital flight has become a threat to national security.

Using Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, nicknamed Sai Mai-wa, as an example, Chiu mentioned that he had been involved in online casinos in the Philippines and Cambodia and had been recognized by the authorities, becoming a member of the Guangdong CCP advisory body. The Macau government has also commended him multiple times. However, he was still arrested recently because of the changes after the pandemic. China has shifted from being an open country to a closed country for war preparedness, and what could be done before does not mean it can be done now.

Xiongs Property Purchase Probably Makes Him a Hong Kong Resident

In October 2003, the Hong Kong government introduced the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), which allowed individuals to reside in Hong Kong by investing HK$6.5 million in various assets, including real estate, financial assets, and investment-linked insurance products. As per the schemes requirements, mainland Chinese applicants must first obtain residency in a third country and have a minimum net asset of HK$6.5 million ($880,000) for at least two years before formal application. Upon approval, successful applicants who purchased the qualifying assets were granted entry permits, which could be converted into Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards and Hong Kong passports after seven years.

As early as 2009, Xiong purchased a villa in Yuen Longs The Vineyard La Maison Vineyard for a lump sum of HK$18.5 million ($2.3 million), using a mainland Chinese passport and a two-way permit for registration. However, when he purchased a villa in Repulse Bay in June 2018, he registered it with HKID.

By 2010, there was growing concern that mainland Chinese investors were driving up property prices through immigration to Hong Kong. In response, the then-Chief Executive, Sir Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen, announced in the Policy Address that the minimum investment threshold for the scheme would be raised to HK$10 million, and the option to invest in real estate would be discontinued.

Data from 2010 indicated that since the schemes implementation, approximately 8,200 applicants and 15,500 dependents had been granted entry to Hong Kong, with about 80 percent being Chinese nationals holding foreign citizenship. These individuals brought a total investment of HK$58 billion to Hong Kong. However, the entire Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was eventually suspended in 2015.

Nevertheless, the Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, announced earlier this year that a new capital investment scheme would be introduced. Under the new scheme, applicants must invest certain assets in the local market. After passing the examination, they would be allowed to reside and develop in Hong Kong, excluding property investment.@
Citing Tornado Watch, Trump Cancels Iowa Rally, Touts 150 Endorsements and Poll Lead Over DeSantis

A sign that says former President Donald Trump's campaign event has been postponed due to severe weather, at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 13, 2023. (Rachel Mummey/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump announced that a tornado watch forced the cancellation of his Iowa rally at an outdoor venue on Saturday, May 13.

Just before 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for many Iowa counties including Polk County, where Trumps rally was to be held at the Laurisden Amphitheater in Des Moines.

The tornado watch was to remain in effect until 7 p.m., the same time Trump was scheduled to speak; other Republicans had been expected to make remarks beginning at 4 p.m.

As he announced the cancellation in a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: Stay tuned, we will reschedule soon. Be safe out there! The Des Moines event would have been Trumps second campaign stop in the state this year; he appeared in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13.

Despite the Des Moines event being canceled, Trump touted his successes in Iowa. His campaign announced that he had gathered endorsements from more than 150 elected officials and grassroots leaders in all 99 Iowa counties.

That support signals his commanding position in the Hawkeye State, his campaign said.

We are proud to receive the support of Iowas most conservative and committed Republicans, Trump State Director Marshall Moreau stated in a news release. These grassroots leaders have long fought for the America First Movement and are just the beginning of an army that President Trump is building to win the First-in-the-Nation Republican caucuses.

Despite his recent legal woes, Trump remains the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. Trumps nearest potential rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, trails him by 34 points in a recent McLaughlin & Associates poll of likely Iowan Republican caucus voters, his campaign said.

Trump leads DeSantis by a similar margin in the RealClear Politics average.

Meanwhile, still-undeclared DeSantis was also visiting Iowa on Saturday. Earlier in the day, DeSantis spoke at a picnic in Sioux Center, the northwest corner of the state. In the evening, he was scheduled to speak at a $100-a-plate Republican Party fundraiser in the eastern section of the state in Grand Rapids.

The events capped an eventful week for Trump.

On Tuesday, a federal jury in New York found that Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s, and defamed her in his denial of the incident; he appealed that verdict on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Trump participated in a CNN-hosted event for the first time since 2016. He and moderator Kaitlan Collins had often-contentious exchanges at the town hall-style forum in New Hampshire. The heavily Republican crowd often applauded and cheered for Trump. But Democrats and some Republicans later criticized the former president for his verbal sparring with Collins.

Nathan Worcester contributed to this story.
Daniel Penny Raises $1.5 Million After Being Charged in Death of Jordan Neely

A crowdfunding campaign supporting the legal defense fund for former Marine Daniel Penny, who was charged in the death of a homeless man on the New York subway, has surged to more than $1.5 million in a few days.

His lawyers, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Kaiser, launched the campaign on the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo last week, saying Penny was only protecting individuals on a subway train from whom they described as an assailant, who later died. Penny, 24, was arraigned on May 12 on one count of second-degree manslaughter for allegedly fatally choking 30-year-old Jordan Neely.

According to prosecutors, Neelywho has a lengthy criminal history and was described as homelesswas making threats and scaring passengers. In New York state, a conviction for second-degree manslaughter can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Pennys legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense, the crowdfunding page for Penny reads. All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Pennys legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.

In response to the fundraising, Kenniff told Fox News that the outpouring of generosity and support for Daniel Penny is beyond anything we could have imagined.

Daniel is incredibly grateful for the support of so many New Yorkers, he said.

The fundraiser was boosted on Twitter by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican whos reportedly looking to run for president.

In the incident, a witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the New York Post that Neely appeared to be having a mental episode and started ranting wildly while on the northbound F subway train on May 1.

He said, I dont care. Ill take a bullet. Ill go to jail because he would kill people on the train, the 66-year-old female witness said, referring to what Neely said. He said, I would kill a [expletive]. I dont care. Ill take a bullet. Ill go to jail.

Penny didnt initially engage Neely, she said. He only got involved when the situation got out of hand.

The woman told the paper that after the incident, she went back to thank Penny.

I hope he has a great lawyer, and Im praying for him, the woman said of Penny last week. And I pray that he gets treated fairly, I really do. Because after all of this ensued, I went back and made sure that I said thank you to him.

This gentleman, Mr. Penny, did not stand up  did not engage with the gentleman. He said not a word. It was all Mr. Neely that was  threatening the passengers. If he did not get what he wants.

Gonna go to jail for life? What? What penalties involve going to jail for life? Could you tell me? Yeah, its not kicking somebody in the shin or punching somebody in the face.

Similar comments were left on the GiveSendGo fundraiser, with a number of donors saying that Penny didnt do anything wrong and was defending himself.

Late last week, Penny surrendered to police to face the manslaughter charge. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had confirmed days before that Penny would be arrested on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in the case.

We cannot provide any additional information until he has been arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, which we expect to take place tomorrow, Bragg said on May 11.

Last week, the law firm alleged in a statement that their 24-year-old client was acting in self-defense when he held Neely in a chokehold on the F train on May 1, which allegedly caused him to die of compression of the neck, according to the medical examiner.

The attorneys also alleged that their client didnt mean to kill Neely, a 30-year-old man whose friends say suffered from worsening mental health. The attorneys noted that Neely had been behaving aggressively toward other passengers on the subway and that Penny stepped in to do what he thought was right and seemed reasonable.

Witnesses reported that Neely was complaining loudly, allegedly shouting, I want food, Im not taking no for an answer, Im ready to go back to jail, and Ill hurt anyone on this train. They also reported that he had harassed passengers for years.

Neely has a lengthy criminal record that includes dozens of prior arrests and also had a warrant out for his arrest related to a felony assault at the time of his death.

Video footage has emerged online showing Penny and another man who helped to restrain the homeless man rendering aid to Neely by placing him into a recovery position after he fell unconscious. The video also shows that Neely was still alive after Penny released him from the chokehold.

Lorenz Duchamps contributed to this report.
Feds Housing Strategy Yields Too Few Homes, Government Data Shows

A construction worker shingles the roof of a new home in a housing development in Ottawa in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

The federal governments housing strategy has only managed to finance the construction of some 106,000 homes since 2019, according to new government data.

An Inquiry of Minister presented in the House of Commons by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provided data on the numbImmer of residential units that have been built through the strategy since the feds passed the National Housing Strategy Act, a law aimed to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing.

The National Housing Strategy is Canadas 10-year $82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home, states the programs website. The strategy is slated to run until March 2028. It includes $3.93 billion in federal funding for the construction, repair, and financial support of indigenous and northern housing, and $10.1 billion for housing for women and their children.

CMHC, Canadas federal Crown corporation responsible for housing, indicated that 106,377 units have been built to date with formal funding under the National Housing Strategy, as reported by Blacklocks Reporter on May 8.

In a Housing Market Information report titled Housing Shortages in Canada: Solving the Affordability Crisis released on June 23, 2022, CMHC projected that, based on the current rates of new construction, Canadas housing stock will increase from about 16 million units in 2019 to just over 18 million units by 2030.

To restore affordability, the report said Canada will need an additional 3.53 million homes by 2030. This equals more than 440,000 new homes a year that would need to be built during that period, instead of the approximately 200,000 new homes a year based on CMHC estimates.

To restore affordability, we need 3.5 million additional housing units beyond current projections, said the report. The size of the number should make all of us who form part of the housing market system realize we have a large task in front of us.

Manitoba Conservative MP Marty Morantz requested the data. With regard to the governments National Housing Strategy, how many residential units constructed through the Strategy have been completed? he asked.

This figure does not represent the total number of homes built as it only encompasses those formally funded under the National Housing Strategy, the response said.

The largest number of homes were built in Quebec, a total 32,598 units, followed by Ontario (27,643 units), British Columbia (22,540 units), Alberta (6,917 units), Saskatchewan (4,085 units), Nova Scotia (4,066 units), Manitoba (3,125 units), Yukon (1,740 units), Prince Edward Island (1,131 units), New Brunswick (990), Newfoundland and Labrador (536), Nunavut (550) and the Northwest Territories (456).

Mismatch Between Supply and Demand

In testimony before the Senate banking committee on March 3, 2022, the federal superintendent of financial institutions, Peter Routledge, said housing shortages were a serious issue, especially with increased immigration.

I do worry about the structural mismatch between supply and demand in Canadian housing, said Routledge.

We have new Canadians arriving and young Canadians leaving home and creating households with about 250,000 households being formed every year in Canada, said Routledge. However were probably completing 200,000 to 210,000 houses every year.

According to Routledge, That is a structural mismatch that adds to price acceleration which can produce sudden price changes that can then lead to negative equity which is a very hard burden for folks to bear.

He said it made it also harder for younger Canadians to enter the housing market.

Canada reached 431,645 new immigrants in 2022, setting a new record. The country is on track to have immigrants make up 30 percent of the population by 2036. In contrast, immigrants made up 20.7 percent of the population in 2011.

Last years record immigration beat the 2021 record, where the government allowed 405,000 new immigrants to enter the country. The last time Canada opened its doors to this level of immigrants was in 1913.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to let in some 1.45 million immigrants in the next three years, based on the annual Immigration Levels Plan tabled in Parliament.

The most recent plan for the period of 20232025 was tabled on Nov. 1, 2022. A 20222024 plan was tabled on Feb. 14, 2022. The latest plan sets targets for immigration to 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 by 2025.
Federal Housing Advocate Critical of Profit-Driven Housing Market, Calls for Regulation

Houses under construction in Toronto in a file photo. Toronto and Vancouver have the two least affordable housing markets in Canada. (The Canadian Press/Graeme Roy)

Canadas federal housing advocate told a House of Commons committee on May 9 that the profit-driven housing market is harming people and should be regulated. She said that only regulations will lower prices and that the market-driven housing industry is not working well.

Marie-Josee Houle, who was appointed in February 2022 to the position under the National Housing Strategy Act, said her job is to be a watchdog for housing and homelessness in Canada.

A report published by her office in June 2022, titled The Financialization of Multi-Family Rental Housing in Canada, suggested that buildings owned by landlords who violate human rights should be expropriated by the federal government, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

Canada will not be able to build our way out of this housing crisis, Houle told the committee. We are losing affordable housing units faster than we can build them.

B.C. Conservative MP Tracy Gray questioned Houle, asking, Would you agree part of the solution is we do need more building of houses in order to bring prices down?

Houle replied that this is not how housing works.

What were talking about, the housing crisis and the human right to housing, is those that need it the most, she said. Any new housing that is built, whether its rental or single detached homes with mortgages, will cost more than something that is already built.

New construction, unless it comes with subsidies, will not create the affordability thats needed, Houle said.

She noted that the market needs to be regulated, adding that markets are not working well and that we have let housing be market-driven.

Houle, the first federal housing advocate to be appointed, and paid $176,000 a year, told the committee that corporate landlords, real estate investment trusts, private equity funds, and pension fund asset managers use properties for profit.

Every single person in Canada has the right to live in a safe, secure, affordable home that meets their needs, she said.

Corporate investment in housing is a serious human rights issue that must be addressed as we seek to address Canadas housing crisis, said Houle, adding: The financialization is harming people in Canada and is a serious human rights issue. Curbing the financialization of housing is a key way governments can help address Canadas housing crisis.

Houle described her position as independent and non-partisan. This is new territory for us all.

The 2019 National Housing Strategy Act, which created Houles position, enshrined a right to adequate housing in federal law.

A 2019 report titled Federal Program Spending on Housing Affordability, authored by the Parliamentary Budget Office, said that despite enacting the National Housing Strategy Act, it does not create any enforceable individual rights that would give rise to statutory spending nor does it bind future parliaments to commit voted spending to housing programs.
Fired Teachers Who Refused COVID Vaccine to Get Full Reinstatement and Back Pay

Three Rhode Island teachers who were fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine have been offered their jobs back with full back pay after reaching a settlement with the school district.

Teachers Stephanie Hines, Brittany DiOrio, and Kerri Thurber were terminated from their positions in Barrington Public Schools after they had requested a religious exemption after the school mandated employees get the vaccine.

Last week, their attorney, Greg Piccirilli, and the school district said they had reached a settlement, allowing the teachers to return to their jobs. They are also each entitled to $33,333 in damages along with their back pay. DiOrio will get $150,000, Thurber will get $128,000, and Hines will receive $65,000 under the agreement.

The three teachers have the opportunity to return to teaching positions within the Barrington School District should they choose to do so, at the steps they would have been at had they worked continuously, the Barrington Public Schools district said in a statement on May 11.

In a statement to the Boston Globe, Piccirilli said that his clients are extremely gratified that theyve been vindicated in their position, adding that he will get $50,000 in attorneys fees as part of the settlement. A lot of people were dismissive and skeptical of their claims at the time, he told the Boston Globe. They went through a lot of personal trauma dealing with this. Their faith has gotten them through this.

Meanwhile, Barrington Public Schools told the Providence Journal that it reached the settlement because the litigation would likely put a drag on the schools resources and funding. It attempted to distance itself from its own vaccine mandate by claiming that it was dealing with the spread of COVID-19, although there is a growing body of evidence that shows the vaccines do not prevent the spread of the virus.

Our district was navigating an unprecedented health pandemic and leaned on the important recommendations by the CDC and the Rhode Island Department of Health to ensure the safety of our students and school community, the Barrington School Committee said Thursday, according to the outlet. Our then-policy helped combat the pressing public health crisis of the time, while keeping schools open, and [was] one that nearly all faculty and staff adhered to.

It added that we determined this ongoing, expensive litigation would likely continue for a lengthy period of time, and a resolution should be reached because the administrations time, and our districts financial resources, should be spent on the daily work and mission of Barrington Public Schools  our School Committee looks forward to continuing to support this important work.

Details

The three were first placed on unpaid leave in late 2021 before they were fired in January 2022, according to statements made by the district and the teachers. During a hearing in Barrington in October 2021, DiOrio said that she did nothing wrong.

I have done nothing wrong. This is destroying my future ability to earn a living, she said of the mandate. What makes me more of a threat now? Is this how a highly-rated school department treats its people?

At the time, Sara Rapport, a lawyer representing the School Committee, said that the teachers were violating the school policy for not complying, adding that committees have the plenary authority over school interests. She said that the teachers decision not to get vaccinated pose a greater risk to students.

Teachers have a right not to be vaccinated, she said in late 2021. But every decision has consequences. Religious beliefs do not override the health and safety of the community.

Its not clear if Thurber, Hines, or DiOrio will return to their previous teaching positions. During an interview with Legal Insurrection, Piccirilli said that the settlement should be seen as a victory for others who were fired because they refused to take COVID-19 vaccines.

Theyve shown amazing resilience to stick by their faith. A lot of other people with similar situations have gone through this. And hopefully [this resolution] will serve as an example of how others should be vindicated the same way, for sticking up for what they believe in, he said.

Last year, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge issued a ruling in favor of the three teachers who were fired, saying the district violated the states Open Meetings Act laws over their mandating the vaccine. The Barrington School Committee said after the ruling that officials disagree with the judges opinion.

This case is not about whether mandating vaccinations is appropriate. Regardless of the significant political stance which the public may take for or against that issue, the issue here is whether the Barrington School Committee provided sufficient notice before enacting the Emergency Policy on COVID-19 Related Issues in August and September 2021. This Court finds that violations occurred, Judge Jeffrey Lanphear wrote at the time.

Piccirilli, meanwhile, has said that the school committee did not possess the legal authority to implement a vaccine mandate and asserted it didnt follow proper procedures in carrying it out. For example, he said that the district didnt advertise it correctly.

Its shocking to me that the rule of law seems to have gone out the window in a lot of these situations, Piccirilli said in 2021, reported the Globe. Theres supposed to be a process.
In the United States, acetaminophen is widely available and included in hundreds of cold and cough medicines. Unfortunately, it can also be easily misused and has been responsible for deaths by suicide and unintentional poisoning.

Because of its potential dangers, acetaminophen is one of the most frequently banned or restricted drugs (pdf). Countries that have limited or banned drug combinations using acetaminophen include the UK, Norway, India, Algeria, and Kyrgyzstan.

Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States, according to a recently updated report by the National Institutes of Health. About 500 Americans die yearly of complications from acetaminophen toxicity. It also causes approximately 56,000 emergency department visits and 2,600 hospitalizations annually.

Why Is Acetaminophen Toxicity Rate So High?

Acetaminophen is by far the No. 1 cause of acute liver failure in the United States, Dr. Nima Majlesi, director of medical toxicology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times.

He noted that most cases result from unintentional chronic acetaminophen overdoses, often due to misuse of medications such as Percocet, Vicodin, and Tylenol PM or taking multiple acetaminophen-containing products without recognizing the danger of high daily doses.

Acetaminophen is sold under many brand names and is an ingredient in a broad range of over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Medications such as Percocet, Tylenol PM, Robitusson, and Nyquil all can contain acetaminophen, Majlesi said. In fact, acetaminophen has been reported to be present in about 600 different products.

Even though acetaminophen is effective in treating symptoms such as pain and fever, high doses of the medication can be dangerous and cause potentially irreversible liver damage. When acetaminophen is taken in high doses, the liver may be unable to keep up with the breakdown process, and toxic byproducts can accumulate, causing damage to liver cells.

People should take medications as directed, but even then, theres concern that not all doctors prescribing combination opioid/acetaminophen drugs ensure that patients understand not to take any other acetaminophen medication, according to Dr. Kevin Zacharoff, a chronic pain and substance-use expert.

What that means is that a significant percentage of people who need liver transplants in the United States need them not because of IV drug abuse or anything else other than the fact that they were poisoned in some way by too much acetaminophen, Zacharoff said.

Accidental Deaths and Suicide

Acetaminophen is often combined with opioid drugs, such as Percocet, and prescribed for pain management. However, many people taking this type of medication are unaware of the presence of acetaminophen, Zacharoff said.

I think if I said to you, Make sure if Im prescribing Percocet to you, that you dont take any other medicine that has acetaminophen in it, you may or may not know that Tylenol is another word for acetaminophen, he said.

People may also be unaware that Robitussin, a common cough medicine, often contains acetaminophen or that common allergy, sinus, and migraine medications may also contain acetaminophen.

That sets the stage  for people to unintentionally be exposed to too much of it, Zacharoff said.

The accessibility of the drug also makes it a potential means to commit suicide.

A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 30 percent increase in suicide attempts by poisoning among children in the United States aged 10 to 19 years between 2019 and 2021. The data reveal an even more alarming trend among younger children: Those aged 10 to 12 had a 73 percent increase, and adolescents aged 13 to 15 had a nearly 49 percent increase over that time.

In 2011, Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Tylenol, announced a voluntary reduction of the maximum daily dose for their single-ingredient Extra Strength Tylenol products sold in the United States from eight pills per day (4,000 milligrams) to six pills per day (3,000 milligrams) to decrease the risk of unintentional overdose.

FDA Stance on Acetaminophen

In 2009, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted to recommend banning the combination of acetaminophen and opioid drugs under the brands Percocet and Vicodin and reducing the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen. However, the drug combination is still prescribed in the United States but with generic labels such as hydrocodone and acetaminophen or hydrocodone/APAP.

In 2022, the FDA took steps to address the dangers associated with acetaminophen, including limiting prescription acetaminophen products to 325 milligrams per dose and adding a box warning highlighting the drugs potential to cause severe liver damage.

If the FDA truly wanted to reduce the risk of chronic acetaminophen poisoning, it would eliminate all combination preparations and force people to take a pill for each individual medication they needed, Majlesi said.

This would mean that patients take a single pill for every ingredient contained in their medication.

This would eliminate much of the confusion that occurs and make medications much safer, he said.

Acetaminophen May Not Even Help Treat Acute Pain

Acetaminophen has been used since 1878 and might have been assumed to be harmless, like aspirin, another old drug. Unfortunately, some research suggests that acetaminophen use is linked to increased rates of heart attack and kidney failure.

And in addition to the elevated risks of taking it in high amounts, the drug can cause liver failure, even in standard doses, according to research published in Drug Safety in 2013.

Much is still unknown about how acetaminophen acts in the body to relieve pain.

Nobody really knows exactly how acetaminophen works in the treatment of pain, Zacharoff said. There is a fairly well-substantiated basis for acetaminophen being used to treat someone with a fever, as an antipyretic, similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), but acetaminophen does not have any anti-inflammatory activity in and of itself.

Growing evidence suggests that acetaminophen may not even work very well for people with chronic pain. In a review of two large clinical trials, researchers found that 4,000 milligrams per day were no better than a placebo for relieving short- or long-term acute lower back pain. The study also shows that acetaminophen was ineffective compared with a placebo in improving sleep quality.

Acetaminophen is often mistakenly considered a conventional NSAID, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, but it isnt.

The pharmacology is very different, Majlesi said.

He explained that while NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding, and kidney issues when used excessively, acetaminophen can lead to liver failure with chronic overuse. In contrast to NSAIDs, the symptoms of toxicity from acetaminophen arent easily recognizable until severe damage has already occurred.

It is much easier to overdose on acetaminophen because it is very well tolerated in higher doses and exists in combination preps much more frequently than NSAIDs, Majlesi said.

How to Prevent Acetaminophen Overdose

As a consumer, you should be aware of every medication that is going into your body, Majlesi said. If you are taking combination preparations, then know what each drug in the prep is and why you are taking it.

He recommended that people stop using brand names when discussing their medications and focus on the generic names of each drug in their daily regimen.

There is almost no reason anyone should be chronically using a combination preparation containing acetaminophen on a daily basis for more than one week, Majlesi said.

For individuals in that situation, he recommended having an open conversation with their doctor to question the effectiveness of such a treatment regimen.

I cannot think of any combination preparation containing acetaminophen that should be used chronically, Majlesi said.
Homeland Security Chief Warns Border Could Still See Surge After Title 42 End

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press briefing at the White House on May 11, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

U.S. Border Patrol agents have seen a 50 percent drop in the number of border crossers since the pandemic-era immigration policy known as Title 42 expired at midnight on May 11, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in an interview.

Over the past two days, the United States Border Patrol has experienced a 50 percent drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week before Title 42 ended at midnight on Thursday, Mayorkas told CNNs State of the Union program on May 14. It is still early. We are in day three. But we have been planning for this transition for months and months.

However, amid such claims from Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials, Republicans described whats unfolding at the border as catastrophic. On May 11, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Fox News that Mayorkas is lying about the chaos and catastrophic results at the border.

There have been widespread bipartisan concerns that ending Title 42, which has been in effect for the past three years, would spur a significant increase in illegal immigration amid reports that large groups of people are heading from Mexico and Central America to the U.S. border. Multiple Texas counties along the border have also declared emergencies over the anticipated spike in illegal immigration.

Mayorkas said U.S. Border Patrol agents had about 6,300 encounters with border-crossers on May 12 and another 4,200 on May 13. Thats compared with more than 10,000 per day shortly before Title 42s expiration.

Mayorkas still warned that a surge across the border is still possible.

It is too early, he cautioned on May 14.

We have not only a security imperative but a humanitarian responsibility to cut those smugglers out. We have an obligation to deliver consequences at our border, to not only manage our border but to cut the smugglers out.

Republicans have criticized Mayorkas and President Joe Biden for the increase in illegal immigration during the current administration. House Republicans recently approved what Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) termed the strongest border security bill this country has ever seen, while noting that Republicans are seeing a very different record from President Biden.

Even as the legislation neared its final form on May 10, it had to be amended to appease concerns from the House Freedom Caucus and other lawmakers. The 213-page bill represents a compromise in the Republican conference between centrist lawmakers, who wanted to focus on beefing up border enforcement, and conservatives, who want to see drastic changes to U.S. asylum and immigration law.

Migrants wait in line to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico, on May 11, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The package would return to many of the same policies pursued by former President Donald Trump, such as building walls along the border. It would also restrict asylum by requiring illegal aliens to cross legally, pay a $50 fee, and meet more stringent requirements to show in initial interviews that they have a credible fear of persecution in their home country. Title 42, which expired on May 11, was initially implemented during the Trump administration despite numerous legal challenges.

The bill would also scrap a program that allowed U.S. officials to accept or quickly turn away some people from Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. The program is a cornerstone of Bidens immigration efforts, allowing migrants from those countries to apply to come to the United States for two years legally and work.

The bill that were getting, I think, is a good starting point, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said. It, by itself, would not get 60 votes to get out of here.

He means that the bill likely wont pass the Democrat-controlled Senate. Biden has warned that hell veto the measure if it comes to his desk.

Also, Tillis joined with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who accepts committee assignments from Democrats, to push a proposal that would resurrect the governments power to quickly expel illegal immigrants without processing their asylum claims for another two years.

A Texas National Guard soldier directs migrants during a dust storm at a makeshift camp located between the Rio Grande and the U.S.Mexico border fence in El Paso, Texas, on May 10, 2023. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Its clear that the Biden administration, while it had two years to prepare for the end of Title 42, failed to do so, Sinema told reporters last week. And in the last several weeks, Ive had the unfortunate job of communicating on a daily basis, sometimes even hourly basis, with the sheriffs, the Border Patrol agents, mayors, and even the governor of Arizona to figure out how we can prepare to deal with this crisis.

Mayorkas derided the Republican-backed bill on May 14 and, without providing evidence, said it would dismantle the U.S. immigration system.

We are in need of desperately as a country is immigration reform, to fix the system, not to dismantle it, which is what this proposal really provides, Mayorkas said.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo: The Canadian Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments who have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defence systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defence system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organizers say the award recognizes that their resistance against Russia's invasion is a defence "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.
SHANGHAI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Saturday called for solid efforts to strengthen the country's brand building.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the International Forum on China Brand Development, part of the ongoing 2023 China Brand Day events in Shanghai.

China has rolled out a series of measures on brand cultivation and development and has built the country's own well-known brands, with Chinese brands constantly gaining popularity, reputation and influence, Ding said.

He urged improving brand cultivation and development mechanism, encouraging enterprises to incorporate elements related to Chinese culture into brand building and strictly cracking down on illegal activities such as trademark infringement, among other measures.

Efforts should also be made to improve international rules and standards on brand-related intellectual property rights, facilitate communication on brand building, and promote the development of brands globally, the vice premier said.

Prior to attending the forum, Ding visited an exposition on brand development and communicated with exhibitors.

The 2023 China Brand Day events kicked off in Shanghai on Wednesday and will run until May 14.

The events are jointly held by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and several other government organs. 
Hong Kong Famous Political Cartoonist Can No Longer Publish Comics, Says Local Media

Zunzi, a well-known political cartoonist in Hong Kong, held his exhibitions in the City of Los Angeles in Nov 16, 2019. (Emma Hsu/The Epoch Times)

Ming Pao (Hong Kong newspaper) announced on May 11, by way of an editorial note, that it will cease publication of the 40-year-old Zunzi political comic strip as of Sunday, May 14. It did not provide any reason for doing so.

On May 11, Ming Pao published two issues of Zunzi as usual while announcing its end with an editors note:

The publication of the Emily Edition of Zunzi and Century Edition of What Councilor? will be suspended from May 14. Ming Pao thanks Zunzi for witnessing the changes of eras with us over the past 40 years.

For those who engage in the creative industry, one is only limited by ones imagination, Zunzi, whose real name is Wong Kei-kwan, told The Epoch Times.

Zunzi said that only Ming Pao would fully understand the reason for ending his cartoon.

He said, There is always a way forward despite things being rough.

Senior journalist Ching Cheong praised Zunzis satirical cartoons saying they can be more exceptional than an article. Cheong also said Zunzis suspension highlighted that there is no press freedom in Hong Kong under the National Security Law.

A Zunzi comic displayed on the Toronto Hong Kong Link Forum. Nov 9, 2019. (Yiling/The Epoch Times)

Local Authorities Disturbed by Zunzi

Zunzi had been chastised vocally by various government departments recently.

In the satire cartoon of Jan. 6, a man lets out, As long as it is verified to be safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong chief executive can do whatever he pleases. Chan Kwok-kei, Chief Secretary For Administration, later denounced the satire.

In May, Zunzis cartoon satirizes the government appointing uneducated and sick people as members of the District Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committee, and District Fire Safety Committees. It writes, As long as the Chief Executive feels it suitable, even they (sick or incompetent people) can join the District Fire Safety and Fight Crime Committee.

Subsequently, the Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau issued a notice calling out Zunzi. It said that the content of the political cartoon smeared the principles of how the government appointed members of the three committees.

The Last Published Comic

The latest Zunzi comics theme was based on political street stations. (Danny Tang/ The Epoch Times)

The comic strip What Councilor? above draws readers attention to a street stand.

It is mentioned that someone set up a street stand to appeal to the citizens to sign their support.

A passer-by asks, What street stand? Is it safe?

The person in charge of the street stand responds, saying the street stand is pro-government and will never be hijacked, and promises the passer-by to be 100 percent safe.

The cartoon continues, with the passer-by asking where the anti-government (pro-democracy) stations are. The stand watcher responds, You must take a flight to find them.

The satire alludes to the pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), for collecting citizens signatures to support its next district councils proposal and that all pro-democracy parties have left Hong Kong and migrated to other countries.

No Room For Criticism

Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) expressed anguish over the discontinuation of Zunzi.

HKJA believed that Zunzis end reflected the fact Hong Kong could no longer tolerate criticism, and the space for freedom of speech once again became more cramped, hurting the society.

HKJA pointed out, Zunzi had been supporting the work of HKJA since the 90s. It expressed their gratitude for Zunzis perseverance and uncompromising effort during turbulent times, his courage in speaking up and witnessing the change of eras alongside Hongkongers.

Its statement affirmed its concern, The government, sitting on top of enormous resources and public power, continuously hunts down literary figures. It shows Hong Kong cannot tolerate criticism at all.

Additionally, media organizations might also worry the content they publish would be violently criticized or accused of breaking the law, which would only exacerbate self-censorship and undermine the space for freedom of journalism and expression, protected and guaranteed by the Basic Law.

Political cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan (pen name: Zunzi) published a cartoon in a newspaper alluding to the school principal who was involved in the national anthem incident calling the police for a trivial matter. The cartoon aroused grave concern comments from the Hong Kong police, claiming that it would damage the image of the police. Oct. 14, 2022. (Adrian Yu/The Epoch Times)

Feel Regrets

Johannes Chan Man-mun, an Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong, expressed his regrets on a commercial radio program. He said he had been a reader of Zunzi Comics since he was a child.

The professor said Zunzi Comics was an outlet for citizens to vent their dissatisfaction, which would help maintain social stability.

Does this also mean we can no longer have anything satirical from print publications to radio or TV programs? Chan questioned.

The Spirits Of A Media Professional

Ching Cheong, a senior journalist, praised the Zunzi cartoon for being very spicy and on-point and its fulfillment as a satirical comic for current issues. A good comic can be better than any article. Everyone will smile and share a sense of agreement after reading it.

Cheong said the strength of a satirical comic could be comparable to a written article if it could grasp the precision of time and an event while expressing it creatively.

Chan admired the courage of Zunzi and his emphasis on never self-limit or self-censor. Seeing that Zunzi has been forging ahead under tremendous pressure, he has remained at his post and lived out the spirit a media professional should have.

On Nov 9, 2019, Zunzi comics were displayed on the Canada-Hong Kong Link Forum. The comic indicates an incident in which Hong Kong police indiscriminately attacked passengers while arresting protesters who were returning home via Price Edward station on the night of Aug. 31, 2019. (Yiling/The Epoch Times)

A Zunzi comic displayed on the Toronto Hong Kong Link Forum. Nov 9, 2019. (Yiling/The Epoch Times)
How Potato Scraps Can Help Win the War on Plastic

U.S. Government Printing Office employee wraps plastic around a pallet of newly printed copies of the U.S. President George W. Bush Administration's budget for the 2008 fiscal year, February 1, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Australia uses around 250,000 tonnes of pallet wrap each year, a product mainly made with chemicals sourced from fossil fuels.

But one husband-and-wife team wants to change that with a process starting at the farm gate.

Mornington Peninsula-based Julia and Jordy Kay in Victoria are behind what they say is the worlds first compostable pallet wrap made from food waste.

The pallet wrap industry is big business. Most products that end up on the shelves of supermarkets and other bulk retailers have first been on a pallet encased in petroleum-based plastic.

Its a more back-of-house piece of waste that people dont necessarily think about, Julia Kay said.

Rather than using fossil fuels, the duos product, Great Wrap, is made with potato waste and a cocktail of compostable biopolymers.

Its produced in Australia, allowing the couple to keep a close eye on the manufacturing process.

There are products available from places like China  but its harder to control quality and understand whats actually going into the wrap when you dont have oversight, Kay said.

The former architect was inspired to launch the company after becoming aware the sustainable products she was sourcing travelled in petroleum-based plastic, which often ended up in a landfill.

Horticulture producers are now using the wrap to get their goods to market.

Our product can be composted and return carbon into soils, Kay said.

The goal for us has always been about replacing the pallet wraps in the supply chain of larger businesses.

To date, the couple has had to ship their raw material, processed potato waste, in from America and they acknowledge that the process creates its own carbon footprint.

But they are hoping to establish a local biorefinery to handle unprocessed waste in order to make the wrap.

French fry producers have these huge amounts of skins and glug that are left over from processing  typically its given away as feed, or left to rot in a paddock emitting huge amounts of methane, Kay said.

The couples ambition doesnt stop at potatoes.

Theres a vast amount of food waste, but theres some really other exciting kind of food stocks that were looking into at the moment, Kay said.

The company also makes compostable home cling wrap, which received a mixed review from consumer group Choice  feedback that has been taken on board for a reformulated product.

A spokesman for Cleanaway, Australias biggest waste-management company, said much of the countrys pallet wrap was already repurposed.

Its great to see innovation to tackle waste, but the most desirable outcome is circularity where plastic is turned back into plastic, he said.

But Clean Up Australia head Pip Kiernan applauded any efforts to try to reduce plastic waste.

The way were currently producing and consuming plastics is not sustainable, she said.

Without great innovation from smart Australians trying to solve these challenges  we wont tackle these challenges effectively.

Last year, Great Wrap took on $24 million in funding, including from Woolworths venture capital arm W23.

Since then, the couple and their 24 staff have been scaling up their business in order to service some of Australias biggest brands. They hope their biorefinery will be up and running by 2024.
Im Still Speaking Out, Ontario Mayor Says of His Longtime Support of Falun Gong

Michael Prue, mayor of Amherstburg, Ont., speaks at the World Falun Dafa Day flag-raising ceremony at the municipal building on May 5, 2023. (NTD screenshot via The Epoch Times)

When Michael Prue first learned about the persecution campaign against Falun Gong adherents in China soon after it was launched 24 years ago, he felt he should help any way he could.

Prue, now the mayor of Amherstburg in Ontario, has been a strong advocate for Falun Gong ever since.

[The launch of the persecution] had only just made the newspapers, and they were in my office, Prue told The Epoch Times, referring to local Falun Gong adherents who had visited him at his office at Toronto City Hall when he was a city councillor.

God bless them. They were not letting this pass by, and I was there to listen to them. And what I said, I still hold true.

After the Chinese regime launched its far-reaching persecution campaign against Falun Gong adherents in July 1999, adherents in the Western world began working to raise awareness of the situation, including approaching officials and requesting their support.

Thats how Prue learned more about the persecution, which includes the arbitrary incarceration, torture, brainwashing, and sexual abuse of Falun Gong adherents. In 2006, news emerged that imprisoned adherents were being killed for their organs to supply Chinas lucrative transplant industry.

When they talked to me at first, it was almost impossible to believe. I did believe them, but it was almost impossible that such a thing could transpire, Prue said of the Falun Gong practitioners visit to his office in August 1999.

It was almost impossible that a national government would take such a group and fear it so much, and so I promised to help in any way I could. And here we are 25 years later, Im still speaking out against it because it is wrong. It is wrong.

A Falun Dafa flag flies over the Amherstburg municipal building on May 5, 2023. (Courtesy of Falun Dafa Association of Canada)

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice rooted in Buddhist traditions that involves meditative exercises and moral teachings based on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, forbearance. After it was introduced in China on May 13, 1992, it grew rapidly largely due to its health benefits, and by 1999 had an estimated 70 million to 100 million adherents.

Fearing Falun Gongs immense popularity, the Chinese Communist Party initiated the persecution campaign, which still continues today.

Meanwhile, the practice also spread to many countries overseas; it was first introduced in the Greater Toronto Area by Canadians of Chinese descent in 1995.

Prue said he often used to see Falun Gong practitioners on the streets of Toronto, at city hall in downtown, and at Queens Park, the site of the Ontario legislative building where he served as an MPP for 14 years. Those outdoor gatherings to practice the Falun Gong meditative exercises and carry out awareness-raising activities have continued throughout the years.

They are part of our fabric, fabric of Canadian life, he said.

You cant go to a parade in Toronto, or Windsor, or anywhereFalun Gong marchers will be in that parade, holding up the banner, talking about truth, compassion, and forbearance, and so everybody knows who they are.

During the month of May each year, to mark the anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day which falls on May 13, many municipalities across North America issue some form of proclamation to acknowledge Falun Gongs contribution to local communities. In Canada, many municipalities and cities also hold flag-raising events, including Amherstburg.

Im very proud to continue this tradition here in Amherstburg, Prue said, referring to the annual celebration of Falun Dafa Day in his town, which has a population of about 23,000 people.

During the event on May 5, Prue, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, and several councillors learned how to do the Falun Dafa meditative exercises.

Michael Prue (front C), Mayor of Amherstburg, Ont., and several city councillors learn the Falun Dafa exercises at a flag-raising ceremony outside of the municipal building on May 5, 2023. The councillors include Linden Crain (L), Diane Pouget (2nd L), Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb (3rd L), and Molly Allaire (5th L). (The Epoch Times)

They Live Their Faith

Toronto resident Carolyn Jin, a finance professional, was Prues first point of contact with Falun Gong.

Back in 1996, Jin worked at the Beijing office of a U.S.-based global accounting firm. It was a golden time for Chinas economic development, and making money was a major life objective for her peer group.

After taking up the practice of Falun Gong in Beijing in 1996, she said she began to realize the goal of her life: finding herself and inner peace. She rebalanced her view of life.

I realized that human relations shouldnt be based on money. When everyone was after money and power, Falun Gong was so refreshing, she told The Epoch Times. Falun Gong taught me to believe in goodness; we shouldnt be afraid of losing personal gains by being a good person.

Falun Gong practitioners Carolyn Jin (L) and Melissa Li hold a Falun Dafa flag in Amherstburg, Ontario on May 5, 2023, to celebrate the 31st anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day. (The Epoch Times)

Because of the teachings, she took on tasks at work that others avoided. And by refining her character and doing the Falun Gong slow-moving exercises, including meditation, the insomnia that had accompanied her for years due to highly competitive college and workplace environments went away.

After two years, she was one of the first Chinese employees to be dispatched to the United States. Her manager told her that he wanted to train global project lead successors and picked her as he felt she was different from many other employees.

Jin was quite encouraged; she saw this as an example of how Falun Gongs teachings transformed her life. She worked in Washington, D.C., in 1998 and 1999 until she married a Canadian and moved to the Toronto area.

Being an introvert, Jin used to avoid speaking in public, but after the persecution of her fellow practitioners in China began, she overcame that obstacle and became involved in reaching out to politicians. She went on to host many events over the years, including the flag ceremony in Amherstburg.

She credited her practice during her speech: I found a deeply rewarding spiritual path. It uplifted my wisdom and unlocked my potential. I found myself being able to achieve a lot of goals. I became happier, smarter, and full of confidence.

Jin and Prue have known each other for 25 years.

Carolyn is a gentle, wonderful person. She cautions me sometimes when I get angry about what is happening in China, about the hatred and the put-downs, and the jailings and the harvesting of organs and all that, Prue said.

Falun Gong is more than that, she brings me back. It is a spiritual message that 100 million people worldwide embrace, and we need to concentrate on that as well. So she brings me back to that. I didnt show the same kind of compassion and forbearance that she does. Thats wonderfulI see that right through her and every single person of that movement.

God bless them, said Prue. They live their faith.
Israeli Cease-Fire With Terrorists in Gaza Appears to Hold, Despite New Rocket Launch

Smoke and fire rise from an explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike targeting a building in Gaza on May 13, 2023. (Ashraf Amra/AP Photo)

GAZA CITY, Gaza StripA fragile cease-fire between Israeli forces and terrorists in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding on Sunday after a five-day clash that killed 33 Palestinians and two people in Israel.

In an early test for the truce, Palestinian terrorists fired a rocket that landed in an open area of southern Israel Sunday evening. Palestinian media said the launch was caused by a technical error as they were trying to deactivate the rocket.

Israel responded with tank fire on what it said were two military posts belonging to Gazas ruling Hamas terrorist group. Hamas stayed out of the recent round of fighting, but Israel says it holds the group responsible for fire coming out of the territory.

The latest round of Gaza fighting was sparked Tuesday when Israeli jets killed three top commanders from the Islamic Jihad terrorist group in response to earlier rocket launches from Gaza. Those killings set off a barrage of Palestinian fire and the conflagration threatened to drag the region into another all-out war until Egypt mediated a cease-fire that took hold late Saturday.

While the calm appeared to bring a sense of relief to Gazas 2 million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been largely confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled numerous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip over the years.

In Gaza, residents surveyed the latest damage caused to their surroundings, with gaping holes left in the apartments serving as what Israel said were hideouts for the six senior Islamic Jihad members killed during this round. Gazas main cargo crossing with Israel reopened Sunday after warnings that keeping it closed would force Gazas sole power plant to shut down, deepening a power crisis.

Israel was gradually lifting restrictions on residents in southern Israel, which had borne the brunt of the rocket fire.

Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the latest battle, having killed at least six members of Islamic Jihads top brass in what it says were pinpointed strikes based on solid intelligence.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the targeted attacks on the terrorists hideouts would reverberate throughout the region.

Israels enemies in Gaza and much farther than Gaza know that even if they try to hide, we are able and prepared to reach them at any time, he told a meeting of his Cabinet.

While Israel has faced criticism in the past from rights groups over the civilian casualties in its bombardments in Gaza, Israel says it does its utmost to avoid harming civilians in its strikes and says terrorists operate from within the territorys densely populated areas to fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli communities.

Throughout the fighting, Israels repeated airstrikes targeting Islamic Jihad and its command centers and rocket-launching sites showed no signs of stopping the rocket fire, prompting the terrorist group to declare victory and sending cheering Palestinians out into the streets late Saturday.

The Israeli military reported over 1,400 launches throughout the fighting, with some rockets reaching as far as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Israeli jets struck more than 400 targets, according to a preliminary military tally, which also showed about a fifth of the rockets were misfired and landed in Gaza, while most of the rest were either intercepted or landed in open areas.

It was the latest in a long series of battles between Israel and Palestinian terrorists in Gaza since Islamic terrorist group Hamas seized control of the seaside territory in 2007. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars, and there have been numerous smaller flare-ups as well.

The more powerful Hamas has praised Islamic Jihads strikes but remained on the sidelines during the latest round of fighting, limiting the scope of the conflict. As the de facto ruler held responsible for the abysmal conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently tried to keep a lid on its conflict with Israel. Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, a more ideological and unruly terrorist group wedded to violence, has taken the lead in the past few rounds of fighting with Israel.

Saturdays deal did not address many of the causes of the repeated fighting, including Israels ongoing blockade of Gaza, the large arsenals of weapons possessed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

The Gaza violence came after more than a year of fighting in the West Bank, where the Israeli military has been staging near-nightly arrest raids and Palestinians have carried out repeated attacks. Tensions could once again soar this week when nationalist Israelis hold an annual march through a sensitive area of Jerusalems Old City, which the Palestinians view as provocative.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three areas for a future state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but Hamas subsequently overran the territory and expelled forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade over Gaza in what Israel says is a policy aimed at preventing Hamas from arming. The Palestinians and international rights groups say the policy, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, amounts to collective punishment.
Judge Blocks Trump Deposition in Peter Strzok and Lisa Page Lawsuits

(L) Lisa Page, former legal counsel to former FBI Director Andrew McCabe, arrives on Capitol Hill on July 16, 2018. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) (R) FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 12, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) last week secured a court order to block former President Donald Trump from a deposition appearance in connection with lawsuits filed by former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

The deposition of former President Donald Trump is hereby stayed until the deposition of [F.B.I. Director] Christopher Wray and any ensuing motion practice as to the remaining necessity of the former presidents deposition have been completed, the order reads in part. It was issued by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Thursday, May 11.

Strzok and Page were central figures in the controversy around the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation that had probed whether Trump had ties with the Russian government during the 2016 campaign. Text messages between the two agents showed the two making highly critical comments about Trump and his supporters as the two were working on that investigation.

Previously, Jackson had ruled that Wray and Trump could be deposed in connection to the lawsuits, according to court documents. U.S. DOJ lawyers had argued that Wray should be deposed first because he was ranked lower than Trump and that any information that he provided in the suit could mean that Trump would not have to testify.

The Court is somewhat surprised to learn that since then, the parties have done nothing more than wrangle over the order of the two depositions, Berman Jackson wrote. The government seems chagrined that the Court did not order that the deposition of the FBI Director be completed first, but it may recall that it was the Courts view that it was Director Wray, the only current high-ranking public official in the group of proposed deponents, whose ongoing essential duties fell most squarely under the protection of the doctrine in question.

Berman Jackson, a senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was appointed by former President Barack Obama.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a CNN Town Hall at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on May 10, 2023, in a still from video. (CNN/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

And in her order, Berman Jackson made reference to her February ruling that Trump and Wray could be deposed for two hours and limited questions to a narrow set of topics in connection to the lawsuits. Page and Strzok filed their complaints against the FBI and DOJ in 2019; Pages lawsuit alleges her privacy was violated, while Strzok had contended that he was wrongfully terminated by the FBI.

In defending her earlier ruling, the judge wrote that it was appropriate in light of all of the facts, including the former Presidents own public statements concerning his role in the firing of the plaintiff, according to court documents.

Trump repeatedly said that Strzok and Page were treating him unfairly during the FBI probe and often pointed to negative comments they said about him. After announcing his campaign for president last year, Trump made a 2024 campaign promise to clean out the deep state, a term used to describe entrenched federal bureaucrats who he said tried to block him while he was in office.

Ultimately, special counsel Robert Muellers probe essentially concluded that Trump did not collude with the Russian government to get elected. However, there were numerous unfounded claims about Trump that were aired on corporate media outlets that came from what appeared to be anonymous sources within the FBI and DOJ.

Strzok has alleged that the FBI had caved to unrelenting pressure from Trump when it fired him and that he was unfairly terminated for expressing his political opinions. As part of the lawsuit, Strzoks lawyers have said they want to question Trump about whether he met with and pressured FBI and DOJ officials to fire him.

But the DOJ says that the former FBI deputy director, David Bowdich, has already said that he made the decision to fire Strzok on his own, and that he did not recall Wray ever telling him about any meeting in which the president pressured him about Strzok.

These circumstances do not rise to the extraordinary circumstances necessary to authorize the deposition of a current or former high-ranking government official, much less a former President, the DOJ also wrote.

In his lawsuit, Strzok had alleged that the FBI fired [him] because of his protected political speech in violation of his rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Page contends the release of the text messages was unlawful and led her to be the subject of frequent attacks by the President of the United States, as well as his allies and supporters.

Attorneys for Page and Strzok have not issued any public comments with regard to her order. The former president was slated to testify in the lawsuits on May 24 before Bermans order was handed down.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Man, 21, Arrested on Suspicion of Fatal Shooting in San Diego

SAN DIEGOA 21-year-old man was arrested May 13 on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man in the Castle neighborhood, police said.

The shooting happened at 11:52 p.m. Friday in the 3500 block of Van Dyke Avenue, according to Lt. Jud Campbell of the San Diego Police Department.

Officers from the departments Mid City Division responded to the call and located a man down in a driveway suffering from at least one gunshot wound, the lieutenant said.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the man was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim was identified, but his name was not immediately released.

While officers were at the scene, Alan Bahena was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and booked Saturday into San Diego Central Jail as homicide detectives continued to investigate the case.

Preliminary information gathered indicates that Bahena and the victim as well as other people were gathered in the driveway, Campbell said. Bahena and the victim are acquaintances. At some point, Bahena fired a gun that struck the victim at least once. It is unknown at this point what circumstances led up to the shooting.

Bahena is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Central Division Felony Court, according to jail records.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Man, 28, Sentenced 9 Years for Bringing Woman to San Diego for Prostitution

SAN DIEGOAn Arizona man who brought a woman across state lines to San Diego to have her engage in prostitution was sentenced May 12 to nine years in federal prison.

Ashton Tylon Amir Jordan, 28, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to bringing the woman from Nevada to Arizona and then to California, where prosecutors said he used violence to force her to be a prostitute.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said the victim was able to escape from Jordan while at a downtown San Diego hotel. He was arrested in Arizona in November 2021 and later indicted by a grand jury.

I applaud the bravery of this victim, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in a statement. The defendants reprehensible actions have forever impacted her life, and for that, he will pay a high price.
NYC Converts Hotels to Shelters to Accommodate Expected Influx of Illegal Immigrants

Illegal immigrants with their belongings on the sidewalk in front of the Watson Hotel in New York on Jan. 30, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

The historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattanshuttered three years agois being reopened to accommodate an anticipated influx of illegal immigrants, just as other New York City hotels are being converted to emergency shelters.

Mayor Eric Adams said on May 13 that the city will use the Roosevelt to eventually provide as many as 1,000 rooms for migrants who are expected to arrive in the coming weeks because of the expiration of pandemic-era rules, known collectively as Title 42, that allowed federal officials to turn away asylum-seekers from the U.S. border with Mexico.

Across the city, hotels such as the Rooseveltmany of them within walking distance from Times Square, the World Trade Center memorial site, and the Empire State Buildingare being transformed into emergency shelters.

Adams said the city is running out of room for illegal immigrants and has sought help from the state and federal governments.

He said New York in recent weeks has been seeing 500 illegal immigrant arrivals per day. More than 61,000 have sought services from the city in the past 12 months.

On May 11, he said that once the rules change, there could be thousands of such arrivals to the city daily.

Title 42 is a law initially enacted in 1944 that allowed the federal government to curb immigration to protect public health. The Trump administration reimposed these restrictions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.

The Title 42 restrictions ended on May 11.

Migrants are seen after crossing the Rio Grande with the intention of turning themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on May 9, 2023. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)

New York City officials are expecting to receive busloads of migrants from border states. The officials have explored housing the newcomers in airplane hangars, a race track, gymnasiums, or even tents in Central Park. Others could wind up on the streets, advocates feared, despite the citys court-ordered commitment to provide all residents with access to a place to stay.

On May 10, Adams, a Democrat, temporarily suspended portions of New Yorks law guaranteeing shelter to all residents. Adams signed an executive order so that the city has no obligation to meet a strict deadline for providing that shelter.

A few hours later, he sent roughly two dozen illegal immigrants on a bus to a hotel in the upstate town of Newburgh, amid fierce backlash from local leaders.

Many illegal immigrants residing in New York have arrived from Texas, after Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott started sending them there on buses in 2022.

Several other Democrat-led cities, including Chicago and Denver, have also grappled with providing a growing number of illegal immigrants with food, medicine, and shelter without significant federal funding.

According to a New York Times report, even the owner of the iconic Flatiron Building in Manhattan was asked to turn the skyscraper into a shelter, but he declined.

At a news conference on May 11, Manuel Castro, the commissioner for immigrant affairs, said the city no longer can physically accommodate people that request emergency shelter.

The city has also faced pushback in its early efforts to escort illegal immigrants out of the city. In Rockland County, local officials successfully secured a temporary restraining order banning the city from sending illegal immigrants to a hotel.

After two dozen illegal immigrants arrived in a Newburgh hotel on May 11, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, a Republican, blamed Adams for a disorganized disaster, vowing to secure his own restraining order.

Security stands at the doors of The Crossroads Hotel, where two busloads of illegal immigrants arrived hours earlier in Newburgh, N.Y., on May 11, 2023. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

Speaking to reporters on May 11, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said the city faces an untenable situation. But she said she also understands the stress faced by county executives and their decision not to support the buses.

Our view is to continue working with the counties, but really focusing on continuing to support Mayor Adams because hes receiving the brunt of most of this, she said.

Adams has also accused the White House of turning its back on New York City, asking that work permits be given to illegal immigrants to solve the problem.

Adams said in April that the migrant influx into New York could cost the city more than $4 billion, at a time when the city is already facing a major budget shortfall.

New Regulation on Illegal Immigrants

The United States rolled out a regulation on May 10 that makes migrants ineligible for asylum if they first passed through nations without seeking protection or if they failed to use legal pathways for U.S. entry.

The rule applies to the vast majority of non-Mexican migrants seeking asylum because they usually pass through multiple countries en route to the United States.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a union representing 18,000 Border Patrol agents and support personnel, told The Epoch Times ahead of the termination of Title 42 that as many as 13,000 illegal migrants a day are expected to cross the border.

I would say that were looking at a minimum of 13,000, Judd said on May 10. Weve arrested more than 10,000 people per day for the last three days, and that number just continues to go up.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said migrants who cross the border illegally without being properly processed will be ineligible for asylum.

However, Judd says the Biden administration is misleading the public.

Thats a half-truth at best, he said.

Although people caught illegally crossing the border will be told they cant claim asylum under the new rule, they will still have the right to appeal, and because Border Patrol cant hold them until their appeal hearings, they will be released into the United States.

Theyre telling the American people what the intention of the rule is, but theyre not telling them the practical application of the rule, he said.

Migrants wait in line to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico, on May 11, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Detention facilities are already three times over capacity, leaving the Border Patrol no choice but to release the border-crossers.

Were doing mass releases, he said. Now, its just mass releases to the street because we cant hold this many people.

He stated that more than two years of lax border policies have led to a massive influx of illegal migrants and strained the system, turning agents who once patrolled the southern border into desk clerks who process asylum claims.

It pulls resources from patrolling the border, he said. Thats what arrests mean to us.

At 10,000 arrests a day, about 70 percent of Border Patrol agents are doing administrative duties, he said, noting that the Biden administration prefers to use the word apprehensions to make it sound nicer.

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Brad Jones contributed to this report.
Nursing Union Calls for Double-Digit Pay Offer to Relaunch Talks

Royal College of Nursing General Secretary Pat Cullen (centre) joins nurses outside the High Court in central London, on April 27, 2023. (James Manning/PA Media)

The trade union representing British nurses has called for a double-digit pay offer from the government and has threatened to strike again if the demand is not met.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leader Pat Cullen urged Health Secretary Stephen Barclay to restart pay negotiations with a proposed rise of at least 10 percent.

RCN members will begin a new ballot for strike action on May 23 after the existing six-month mandate ran out at the start of the month.

Cullen said fresh negotiations are needed to prevent six more months of industrial action in the National Health Service (NHS).

They (ministers) owe that to nursing staff not to push them to have to do another six months of industrial action right up to Christmas, she said ahead of Sundays RCN congress in Brighton, telling Barclay that talks need to start off in double figures.

Its just not right for the profession, she said. Its not right for patients. But whose responsibility is it to resolve it? It is this government.

Having previously pushed for a 19 percent pay rise, the union had advised members to accept an offer of 5 percent. But members rejected the deal, which was accepted by 14 other unions.

A union spokesman said: The negotiations covered two financial years which resulted in a consolidated NHS pay increase of 9 percent. When our members rejected that, it is clear they expect an offer into double figures.

Exceptional People

Earlier this month, most health unions voted to accept the governments offer of a 5 percent pay rise.

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.

But RCN and the Unite union voted against the deal and threatened to stage further strikes.

Asked why nurses warrant a larger increase than other healthcare workers, Cullen said: Its not so long ago since the prime minister went on the media and very publicly said nurses are an exception. I would totally agree with him  they should be made an exception because they are exceptional people.

Very Curious

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said that he found the union bosss remarks very curious.

Pat Cullen just recently was encouraging her members to settle for the pay rise that was put on the table, that would see 5,000 go into the pockets this year of hard-working nurses, the energy secretary told Sky News on Sunday.

I thought this was a great settlement. I thought its terrific that it had been reached. Its frankly rather confusing now that having encouraged her members to accept that deal, she seems to now be coming back and saying the opposite.

In her interview, Cullen said she had underestimated her members.

Looking back on this pay offer, I may personally have underestimated the members and their sheer determination, she said.

She warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: Dont make that same mistake, dont underestimate them.

Nurses believe its their duty and their responsibility because this government is not listening to them on how to bring it back from the brink and the message to the prime minister is that they are absolutely not going to blink first in these negotiations.

Nurses in England have staged several mass walkouts earlier this year, striking on Jan. 1819 and Feb. 67.

The union organised another strike for 24 hours on May 1, the first time RCN members walked out of all areas, including intensive care.

RCN had originally planned a 48-hour strike, which would begin on the evening of April 30 and end on May 2.

But a High Court judge ruled the last day of the action would be unlawful, as the RCNs strike mandate was set to run out on May 1.

Lily Zhou and PA Media contributed to this report.
Orange County Sues After NYC Sends Illegal Immigrants to Upstate Hotel

Illegal immigrants who had been sent to upstate counties by New York City Mayor Eric Adams sit in the front yard of Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, N.Y., on May 15, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Orange County took New York City to court a day after the citys Mayor Eric Adams bused dozens of illegal immigrants to a Newburgh hotel.

The lawsuit filed on May 12 argues that Adams has no legal authority to run a temporary shelter in the county; it demands the court immediately reverse the transfers and stop such arrangements in the future.

New York City is a self-proclaimed sanctuary city and needs to fix this problem Orange County now faces, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a press release. This issue was created by Mayor Adams and the federal governments failed immigration policies.

On May 11, over 60 adult male illegal immigrants arrived by buses at the Crossroads Hotel in the Town of Newburgh from New York City without advanced notice to the county officials, according to the lawsuit.

They were the first group of illegal immigrants bused to upstate counties under a new program by the Adams administration.

New York City will cover up to four months of the hotel stays, including three meals a day, laundry services, and remote medical consultants, according to a program flyer.

Orange County officials argue that the program essentially establishes a homeless shelter system outside the city boundary, which is beyond Adams authority and illegal.

So far, the city has arranged beds for 620 illegal immigrants, if not more, at two hotels in the Town of Newburgh, Crossroads and Ramada by Wyndham, according to the lawsuit.

Both hotels have stopped regular businesses and been turned into dedicated shelter centers for illegal immigrants coming in from the city, the lawsuit alleges.

If these individuals remain in the area after New York City weans them off assistance, they will more than double the countys homeless population and strain local resources.

As of April, the county serves a homeless population of 437, according to the lawsuit.

The county filed a separate lawsuit on the same day against the two hotels, arguing that they violated the State of Emergency order issued by County Executive Neuhaus.

On May 8, Neuhaus declared a state of emergency to prohibit hotels, motels, and other short-term rentals in the county from housing illegal immigrants arranged by the New York City government.

The Town of Newburgh also sued the two hotels on May 12, alleging that they violated the town code by converting themselves into long-term residential facilities without due process.

New York City had planned to send illegal immigrants to a hotel in Rockland County, but county officials filed a lawsuit on May 9 and obtained a court order against the transfer just in time to stop it.

Immigrants who have crossed the border illegally sat outisde the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, N.Y., on May 15, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

On May 5, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a new plan to send single, adult men who have crossed the border illegally and come under the citys care to hotels in upstate counties.

Two pilot sites were chosen to start the program: the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, Orange County, and the Armoni Inn and Suites in Orangeburg, Rockland County.

To boost participation in the voluntary program, New York City workers had circulated a three-page flyer advertising the benefits of moving upstate among illegal immigrant shelters, according to Neuhaus.

Located near the Hudson Valley, just outside New York City, these shelter options will include a warm environment, nutritious meals, and case workers to help adults over the age of 18 access what you need to care for yourself and transition to a new home, the flyer reads.

The move is part of New York Citys new strategy to bus out illegal immigrants as it runs out of money and space to care for them, according to a city blueprint report published in March.

The end goal is to secure them long-term housing and job opportunities in other parts of New York State as they work on their legal proceedings, according to the report.

Since last spring, more than 60,000 illegal immigrants came through the citymany with the aid of Texas Gov. Greg Abbottand about 37,500 are under the citys care, according to the city.

As of March, the city has spent $650 million on temporary assistance to illegal immigrants.

Read More IN-DEPTH: Thousands of Migrants Released Into Southern California as Title 42 Expires

The city expects an even larger influx due to the expiration of Title 42a border policy established during COVID-19 that allows for expelling illegal immigrants to protect public health.

The New York City Mayors Office didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
The recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) between Ecuador and China will enhance trade exchanges and bilateral relations, leading to mutual benefits, according to officials.

"I must express the enormous joy I feel at having finalized this free trade agreement between Ecuador and the People's Republic of China," Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said following the signing of the agreement on Wednesday night.

The pact was signed by China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Ecuador's Minister for Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries Julio Prado via video after a year of negotiation, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

"The FTA will translate into well-being for citizens, development and more income for thousands of families," said Lasso, adding that "both countries win with this agreement."

At a following press conference, Prado called the deal "historic," saying that "the agreement takes into account the interests of both countries and expands opportunities for joint collaboration to achieve the more sustainable development of our countries in the present and in the future."

"It puts Ecuador on the map of Asia, and makes China (Ecuador's) largest supplier of consumer goods, raw materials and capital goods, which will contribute to improving the competitiveness of Ecuadorian industry," said Prado.

China, he noted, is the world's leading market, with more than 1.4 billion consumers. Hence, the agreement "is tremendously interesting for the exporting, productive and consumer sectors, as well as being good business for everyone."

"The specific potential of this agreement, from the perspective of exports, is an additional 3 billion to 4 billion U.S. dollars over the next 10 years," he said, adding that Ecuador's employment outlook is also poised to benefit.

"Through the trade agreement with China and others that are being negotiated with several countries, we estimate that in the next seven years, we will double the number of productive jobs" in the export sector, which currently stands at 1.2 million, he said.

Ecuador is the fourth Latin American country to sign an FTA with China, after Chile, Peru and Costa Rica. The FTA needs to be approved and ratified by the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly (unicameral Congress) of Ecuador before taking effect.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Philippines Installs Buoys in Areas of South China Sea to Assert Sovereignty

A Philippine flag flutters next to navy ships anchored at the Philippine-occupied Thitu island in the disputed South China Sea, on April 21, 2023.(Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images)

The Philippines has installed some navigational buoys within its 200-mile (322-km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea to assert its sovereignty, according to the countrys coast guard.

Five buoys carrying the national flag were set up from May 10 to 12 in five areas within the EEZ, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson on South China Sea issues for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The five areas are Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Juan Felipe Reef.

This move highlights the Philippines unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade, Tarriela said on Twitter.

He also shared photos of the buoys in the post.

Chinas embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request when reached by Reuters for comment.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has laid claim to most of the South China Sea, citing the so-called nine-dash line, a vaguely-defined U-shaped delineation that carves out the regions where it claims historic rights to resources within the sea.

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malabrigo aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat preparing to conduct a survey in the waters of Second Thomas shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, on April 23, 2023. (Red Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images)

Its claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016.

The regime has been behaving more aggressively in the South China Sea in recent months, as the Philippines seeks to further strengthen its ties with the United States.

Most recently, earlier this month on May 1, the Philippines and the United States reaffirmed the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait, amid the CCPs intimidating actions against the self-ruled island.

That affirmation came just days after more than 100 Chinese militia maritime vessels were spotted within the Philippines EEZ from April 18 to April 24.

A member of the Philippine coast guard vessel BRP Malabrigo manning his post while being shadowed by a Chinese coast guard ship at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, on April 23, 2023. (Ted Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States does not recognize Chinas multiple territorial claims of the South China Sea, which encompasses many islands in the area. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have claims in the Spratlys.

The CCP has expended years of effort trying to force out other nations from sections of the South China Sea, including by building artificial islands in efforts to claim more territory, and by increasing the use of its maritime militia units to harass and intimidate smaller nations.

The Chinese regime also has, for years, deployed hundreds of coast guard and fishing vessels in the disputed areas.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Rust Movie Medic Gets $1.15 Million Partial Settlement

SANTA FE, N.M.A New Mexico judge has approved a $1.15 million settlement between a medic who worked on the Rust film set and one of several defendants she accused of negligence in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal.

Court records show the partial settlement between Cherlyn Schaefer and prop master Sarah Zachry was approved during a hearing Monday. Schaefer told the judge theres not a day that goes by when she doesnt think about what happened, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

In her civil complaint, Schaefer said she fought desperately in a failed attempt to save the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. She said the shock, trauma, and emotional distress that followed has made it impossible for her to continue working in her field.

Prosecutors dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor and producer last month, citing new evidence and the need for more time to investigate.

A rusted chain hangs on the fence at the entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 27, 2021. (Andres Leighton/AP Photo)

State District Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood had entered a default judgment against Zachry in November after the film worker failed to file responses within court deadlines.

Zachrys current attorney, Nathan Winger, told the court Monday that her previous attorney, William Waggoner, let deadlines pass without her permission, and she intends to seek damages from him to fund her settlement with Schaefer. Waggoner disputes the claim.

Justin Rodriguez, one of several attorneys representing Schaefer, said the settlement is a small portion of what we expect to receive in the future. The remaining defendants include Rust Movie Productions, weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and assistant director David Halls, but not Baldwin.

Schaefers complaint claims Zachry and Gutierrez-Reed failed to ensure there were no live rounds in Baldwins weapon. An involuntary manslaughter charge remains pending against Gutierrez-Reed, but her attorneys have said they fully expect her to be exonerated.
Sunak Faces Tory Criticism as Johnson-Loyalist Group Holds First Formal Meeting

A video message from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is played during the Conservative Democratic Organisation conference at Bournemouth International Centre, in Bournemouth, England, on May 13, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA Media)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing criticism from within his party ranks as a new Conservative grouping loyal to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds its first formal meeting.

The Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO)which was set up in the aftermath of Johnsons removal from office and amid anger at the installation of Sunak as prime minister without a vote by the party membershipheld its first conference in Bournemouth on Saturday.

The groupbacked by Tory peer and donor Lord Cruddas and organised by Brexiteer David Campbell Bannermanpledges to restore democracy to the Conservative grassroots.

Johnson himself was not present at the conference, but sent a video message in which he thanked CDO members for continuing to campaign for freedom and democracy.

The organisation has repeatedly insisted it is not focused on bringing back Johnson, but speakers at the conference included several of his most prominent backers.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak departs 10 Downing Street to attend Prime Ministers Questions at the Houses of Parliament, in London, on April 26, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Damaging Our Party

Former home secretary Priti Patel told the conference that the Conservative Party has not covered itself in glory in the last year, adding: In fact, some parts of Westminster and colleagues have done a better job at damaging our party than the opposition, even the left-wing campaign groups, the civil service that you know we all struggle with day in, day out.

She lamented the ousting of Johnson, whom she called our most electorally successful prime minister since Margaret Thatcher.

Patel said the parliamentary Conservative party turned their back on the membership and effectively broken that golden thread in terms of the democracy from the bottom of the party right up to the top, adding that we have to rebuild that.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries told the conference the Conservatives are drifting and no longer have that inspirational leader and those visionary policies that people can go out and vote for.

It comes after the Conservative Party lost more than 1,000 councillors and control of 48 councils overall in the local elections earlier this month.

Brexit-backing MPs were further angered last week by the governments decision to revoke just around 600 retained EU laws, rather than the 4,000 pledged, by the end of this year.

But the Johnson loyalists stopped short of suggesting the former prime minister should make a return.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, said it was a mistake to get rid of Johnson but he claimed that deposing Sunak would be an even bigger mistake.

He added: The Tory party would be toast if we change leader again  but that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy.

Recipe for Disaster

Sunak used an interview in The Mail On Sunday to stress his Brexit credentials, saying: I voted for Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit, I believe in Brexit, and when I was chancellor I started to deliver some benefits of Brexit.

Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who represents Bournemouth East, hit out at his party colleagues for stoking division.

The Defence Committee chairman wrote in The Times: A drag anchor of a right-wing caucus is in our ranks, and it has already written off any prospects of victory in 2024.

As statecraft finally returns to No. 10, guiding us into far calmer waters, less-than-subtle plots are afoot to shift our party to the right during the blame game that invariably follows electoral defeat.

He criticised an excessive focus on tax cuts, Europe-bashing, and culture wars, warning: This is a recipe for disaster, as disloyal as it is reckless. It fails to recognise the fighting chance we have of winning.

Energy Secretary Grant Shapps played down suggestions of unrest within Tory ranks.

He told the BBC on Sunday: I think this is a party that still, after years in government and despite having to put up with things like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and all the costs attached to it, is actually buzzing with ideas. Were able to get together and were able to hold conferences, and have different ideas come forward.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Tens of thousands of years ago, though the exact date is disputed, dogs were domesticated by humans. Likewise, the depiction of canines in art has a rich history that runs the gamut. Dogs have made their appearances in early cave and rock paintings, ancient Greek ceramics, Roman mosaics, medieval tapestries and statues, as well as Old Master portraits.

In art history, the dog has signified a range of qualities, including loyalty, protection, power, strength, intelligence, as well as, on the other paw, companionship. A canine-centric analysis, spanning French, Flemish, Dutch, and English artworks across the centuries, gives one a sense of the powerful, multi-faceted symbolism of the image of the dog.

Tomb Effigy of a Lady

Tomb Effigy of a Lady, mid-13th century sculpture. Limestone, 87 inches by 35 1/4 inches. The Cloisters Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. (Public Domain)

At The Met Cloisters there is a gallery called Gothic Chapel that aesthetically takes the form of a 13th-century chapel. One of its featured medieval works is Tomb Effigy of a Lady, which likely represents the noblewoman Margaret of Gloucester, the wife of Robert II, baron of Neubourg.

In this effigy, Margaret, with her arms in a prayer position, is shown wearing the aristocratic clothes and accessories of her day. The wimple (female headdress) denotes her as having been a married woman. An aumoniere, or purse, containing coins for the needy, a needle case, and an eating knife in its sheath are suspended from her belt. However, the most telling symbol of her virtuous domesticity lies at her feet in the form of a sculpted dog, albeit an unidentifiable breed. Medieval tombs often feature dogs, representing attributes such as fidelity and devotion, at the feet of an effigy.

The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434, by Jan van Eyck. Oil on oak panel of 3 vertical boards, 32.4 inches by 23.6 inches. National Gallery, London. (Public Domain)

During the Renaissance, marriage portraits continued the tradition of using dogs to reinforce a pictorial image of a womans fidelity. Examples include globally recognizable paintings such as Jan van Eycks The Arnolfini Portrait and Titians Venus of Urbino (though there is scholarly debate as to whether the latter works central figure is indeed a married lady). In subsequent centuries, whether the dogs historic symbolism was applicable or not, female society portraitsfrom the aristocratic, such as Queen Charlotte, to the notorious, like Lady Hamiltonoften show a woman accompanied by the highly fashionable lap dog.

The Royals Mastiff

The Five Eldest Children of Charles I, 1637, by Anthony van Dyck. Oil on canvas, 64.2 inches by 78.2 inches. Royal Collection, United Kingdom. (Public Domain)

The Flemish-born Baroque painter Anthony van Dyck was the greatest student of Peter Paul Rubens. He spent the latter part of his career as court portraitist to Charles I of England, creating authoritative and flattering paintings of the royal family with rich colors and bold brushstrokes. A commissioned work from this productive affiliation is The Five Eldest Children of Charles I.

The former Surveyor of The Queens Pictures Desmond Shawe-Taylor, calls it, one of van Dycks greatest portraits. The composition shows an informal but elegant grouping of royal children. Their manner is in marked contrast to the earlier portraiture tradition of showing royal children as miniature adults in stiff and formal arrangements.

At the center of the canvas is a boy and his dog. The boy is Charles Is heir, Prince Charles, who later became King Charles II. The dog is a spectacularly rendered massive mastiff.

Mastiffs have a rich history as guard dogs, stretching back to Roman times. Thus, in addition to the dog symbolizing loyalty, this dog also represents power and protection. However, the positioning of the princes hand on the dogs head suggests that it is the prince who is the master of this powerful creature, capable of one day ruling the country.

By the first quarter of the 17th century, mastiffs had become an almost endangered breed. As curator Robin Gibson explains in his book Pets in Portraits, its presence in the painting can also be interpreted as a status symbol. At the lower right-hand corner of the painting sits a charming, eagerly alert spaniel. Spaniels were popular with the Tudor and Stuart royal families, and they are especially associated with King Charles II, who gave his name to two breeds of toy spaniels still popular today: the King Charles Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The Exquisite Little Picture

Dog at Rest,1650, by Gerrit Dou. Oil on panel; 6.5 inches by 8.5 inches. Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Public Domain)

One of the most accomplished and innovative painters of the Dutch Golden Age was Gerrit Dou, a student of Rembrandt. Dous artistic talents so impressed Charles II that he invited the artist to his English court, but Dou chose to remain in his homeland, where he was a member of the artistic group the Leiden Fijnschilders. Their output is characterized by small-scale formats, which give a great sense of intimacy, along with carefully observed, meticulously precise, and highly realistic painted details.

Dou was a virtuoso in rendering surfaces and usually worked on oak panels. He is especially known for painting genre scenes, vignettes of everyday life. One of his masterworks is the tiny, 6.5 by 8.5-inch painting Dog at Rest, whose subject matter and format is unique within the artists work. In 1834, the English art dealer John Smith, who specialized in 17th-century Dutch art, said that it is impossible for painting to be carried to higher perfection than that displayed in this exquisite little picture.

In Dog at Rest, which was inspired by a Rembrandt drawing and etching of dogs, Dou depicts a napping wire-haired spotted dog that is sweetly curled up on a shelf or table. He is in the state between waking and dreaming, with eyes just barely open. Nestled next to him is an arrangement of everyday household objects: a large earthenware jug, a straw basket, a bundle of branches, and a slipper.

Dous paintings frequently contain symbolic imagery of an instructive moral theme. Dog at Rest could be perceived as a vanitas still life. The viewer is reminded of the transitory nature of earthly achievements, pleasures, and worldly goods, and is asked to consider their own mortality. This was a prevalent topic in artworks created in Leiden in Dous time. However, the exact symbolic nature of Dog at Rest remains enigmatic and is part of the works enduring appeal.

Tristram and Fox

Tristram and Fox, circa 17751785, by Thomas Gainsborough. Oil on canvas, 24 inches by 20 inches. Tate, UK. (Public Domain)

The painting Tristram and Fox, by the 18th-century English portraitist and landscape artist Thomas Gainsborough, is currently on view in the exhibition Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney at The Wallace Collection (through Oct. 15, 2023). Curator Xavier Bray explains, The way that our relationship with dogsthat unexplainable, loving bondtransgresses into art history is fascinating, and a greater reflection of society. The genre of dog portraiture thrived from the 17th century onwards, especially in Britain. The exhibit showcases the special bond between people and their pet dogs, and Tristram and Fox is an especially winning example.

Gainsborough was a lover of dogs, and he commonly featured canines in his portraits and landscapes. In several of his artworks, dogs were the main subject. According to family lore, Tristram and Fox was a canine portrait of Gainsboroughs own pets, though the work was not titled by the artist. The painting is known to have hung over the chimney piece of his London home. Gainsboroughs naming of his dogs reflects his engagement with the literature and politics of his time: Tristram, on the right, is named after the eponymous character in Laurence Sternes novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. While Fox takes his name from the Whig politician Charles James Fox.

Gainsboroughs tender portrait of his pets, who are not working or hunting dogs, also embodies his eras attitudes about canine companions. Alexander Collins, another curator of the exhibition, says there was a philosophical dialogue in the 18th century about the nature of animals and whether they are receptive and emotionally intelligent. Its part of the spirit of the age of respecting animals and understanding their intelligence and giving them identity.

Gainsboroughs composition and brushstrokes encourage one to view the dogs as sentient beings. Foxs eyes gleam and his mouth is partially opened. The dogs smooth and shiny eyes, nose, and mouth are precisely executed and are contrasted by the feathery brushwork Gainsborough employs for the dogs fur and frilly white collar. Tristrams fur has a rougher surface finish, and he has silky floppy ears.

An appraisal of art history shows that the connection between humans and dogs has a long and storied past. Indeed, images of dogs in artworks often make the viewing of such works more accessible, relatable, and enjoyable. That is the power and draw of the dog.
Trump Likely Wins 2024 Despite Campaign of Lawfare Against Him, Historian Says

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a Make America Great Again rally in Manchester, N.H., on April 27, 2023. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump is likely to become the next U.S. president, according to Scottish-American historian Niall Ferguson.

A second Trump act is not just possible. Its fast becoming my base case, Ferguson, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institute, wrote in a May 13 op-ed for The Spectator.

Ferguson explained that there is a campaign of lawfare against Trump but the effort has already started to backfire.

It may seem paradoxical that the Democrats are harassing Trump in the courts if they want to run against him. But it makes sense: the prospect of him performing the perp walk attracts media coverage, and media coverage is the free publicity on which Trump has always thrived, Ferguson wrote.

Ferguson added, Every column inch or minute of airtime his legal battles earn him is an inch or a minute less for his Republican rivals for the nomination.

On May 9, a New York jury found Trump civilly liable for battery and defamation in a lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Her allegations, that she was raped by the former Trump in a department store sometime between late 1995 and early 1996, were dismissed.

The jury awarded Carroll $2 million in compensatory damages and $20,000 in punitive damages in the battery claim. She was awarded an additional $3 million in damages in the defamation claim.

Trump, who has denied the allegations, has since appealed the verdict.

In a separate case, Trump was charged on April 4 with 34 accounts of falsifying business records related to non-disclosure payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ferguson also argued that if it were a two-man race between Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, there would be a good deal more uncertainty around the outcome, given that the governor still looks to be in contention in head-to-head polling.

When voters are polled about this crowded field, Trump is the clear frontrunner, leading DeSantis by an average margin of nearly 30 points, 52.1 percent to 22.9, Ferguson wrote.

Currently, the Florida governor has not indicated when or if he will announce a 2024 White House bid.

Apart from Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and conservative radio host Larry Elder have announced a 2024 run for the GOP nomination.

According to a recent survey from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Trump led DeSantis 59 percent to 31 percent, among 1,081 registered voters in Florida polled on April 13 and April 14.

Trump wins decisively against DeSantis in the Tampa Bay area (69 percent for Trump vs. 22 percent for DeSantis); in southwest Florida (80 percent for Trump vs. 7 percent for DeSantis); and in Palm Beach County (65 percent for Trump vs. 33 percent for DeSantis), the survey says. However, in northwest Florida, Trump and DeSantis tie with 43 percent each.

Former President Trump continues to be a strong candidate for the Republican nomination and his support appears durable and consistent, said FAU political science professor Kevin Wagner in a statement accompanying the survey.

Ferguson noted that Trumps early popularity among GOP presidential hopefuls would play to his advantage, given that the Republican primary process favours candidates with early leads because most states award delegates on a winner takes all or winner takes most basis.

The lesson of history is clearthe Republican frontrunner usually wins the nomination, and a post-recession incumbent usually loses the presidential election, Ferguson wrote.

A recession would also help Trump, Ferguson noted, since it would negatively affect President Joe Bidens re-election bid.

For the simple reason that no president since Calvin Coolidge a century ago has secured re-election if a recession has occurred in the two years before the nation votes, Ferguson explained.

It does not need to be as severe as the Great Depression that destroyed Herbert Hoovers presidency. A plain vanilla recession will suffice.
March 30 was a historic day in America. A former president of the United States was indicted on criminal charges. What is the legal basis of the indictment? Is it a case that would be brought to any other person than former President Donald Trump? What are the political ramifications? How is it going to affect Trumps 2024 campaign?

Since the indictment, Trumps advantage in the polls over his closest potential opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has increased twofold.

But this indictment is about much more than just the former president himself. As we reflect on much of what has taken place since 2016, amid the endless cycle of charges and attempts to take down members of the other party, we are left to question the true cost of this type of justice. What kind of precedent are we setting for our legal system?

How far are we from the cautionary tales history has left us to reflect upon? What will happen when we cant hold ourselves up to the standards of the rule of law?

NTD Television Network will premiere a new investigative report on the indictment of Trump. NTD correspondent Steve Lance sits down with political insiders and takes a deep dive into the case, exploring its implications for America and how it could shape the future of U.S. politics.

This special report features interviews with:

Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.)

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Mississippi

Lt. Gov. William Nungesser, Louisiana

A. Scott Bolden, former assistant district attorney, New York

George Papadopoulos, former adviser, Trump 2016 presidential campaign

Jane Hampton Cook, presidential historian

Jesse Binnall, partner, Binnall Law Group

Jeff Clark, former assistant attorney general

John OConnor, former assistant U.S. attorney

Martha Boneta Fain, policy adviser

Michael Flynn, former national security adviser of the United States

Robert Holden, New York City Council member

Roger Stone, political consultant
France Pledges More Military Aid as Ukraines Zelenskyy Makes Surprise Paris Visit to Meet Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee palace in Paris on May 14, 2023. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

PARISFrance pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers, and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Frances Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palacean encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leaders arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour.

With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macrons office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the weeks ahead, without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details werent made public.

More Ukrainians will also be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a wider European effort, Macrons office said.

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian, and military aid will continue for as long as necessary.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air defense systems, light tanks, howitzers, and other arms and equipment and fuel.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his countrys planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on May 14, 2023 . (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength [to attack Russia], he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the invasion and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for the support, saying Germany is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraineand joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter.

Scholz said that Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive.

In the western German city of Aachen, Zelenskyy also received the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which wounded more than 30 people, according to the Ukrainian military. Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man Sunday in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

By John Leicester and Frank Jordans
Zelenskyy in Berlin: We Can Make Russias Defeat Irreversible

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on May 14, 2023 . (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)

KYIV/BERLINUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday Kyiv and its Western supporters could make a Russian defeat in the war in Ukraine irreversible as early as this year and thanked Germany for being a true friend during a visit to Berlin.

Zelenskyy secured a large military boost on his visit, with the German government announcing a 2.7 billion euro ($3 billion) of military aid to Ukraine on Saturday, its biggest such package since Russias invasion in February last year.

Now is the time for us to determine the end of the war already this year, we can make the aggressors defeat irreversible already this year, he said during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Scholz meanwhile underscored Germanys pledge to continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, brushing aside a question about earlier tensions in bilateral relations and side-stepping another question about Kyivs hopes to join NATO.

Germany, which is Europes largest economy, faced criticism at the start of the war for what some called a hesitant response, but it has become one of Ukraines biggest providers of financial and military assistance.

Ukraine is expected to launch major counter-offensive operations in the coming weeks to try to recapture tracts of its east and south from Russian forces.

On his first visit to Germany since the Russian invasion began, Zelenskyy said Kyiv was prepared to discuss outside peace initiatives from other states but that those proposals should be based on Ukraines position and its peace plan.

The war is happening on the territory of our country and so any peace plan will be based on Ukraines proposals, he said, wearing his trademark khaki combat trousers and a black sweater.

Kyiv has ruled out the idea of any territorial concessions to Russia and has said it wants every inch of its land back. Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and since last year has claimed to have annexed four other Ukrainian regions, which Moscow now calls Russian land.

Ukraine is ready for peace. But it demands, rightly and with our support, that this cannot mean to freeze the war and have a form of dictated peace by Russia, said Scholz.

Past Tensions

Zelenskyy met on Saturday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis. He is seeking to shore up support from Ukraines financial and military backers as they contend with a growing cost of living crisis at home.

Zelenskyy left open the prospect of a risk that if the [counter]offensive is not very successful that there will be less support, but I dont think this is the general view.

There are some countries that are thinking about it, but I dont think theyve been very strong in their support for Ukraine throughout this period, he added, without specifying which countries could waver in their backing for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy visited Germany for the Munich Security Council in February last year, just before the war broke out. Germany was constrained in its support for Ukraine at that time both by its energy dependence on Russia and the pacifism that emerged from its bloody 20th century history.

Increasing its support required a major policy upheaval and a shift in mindset that Scholz dubbed a Zeitenwende, or turn of era, in a landmark speech just days after the war broke out.

Zelenskyy flew to Berlin on a German government plane escorted over German airspace by fighter jets of the Luftwaffe air force, arriving in the middle of the night.

He was expected to travel on Sunday afternoon to Aachen in west Germany to receive the prestigious Charlemagne prize in honour of services to Europe.

The Ukrainian people, under Zelenskyys leadership, are fighting not only for their country but also Europe and European values, the prize committee said in a statement.

By Pavel Polityuk & Sarah Marsh
US Prioritizing National Security Over Trade With China

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (C) arrives at the boarding gate of the international airport in Taoyuan on March 29, 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

On May 1, 2023, the United States issued a warning to China regarding their harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels, in the South China Sea. The move comes less than two weeks after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that U.S. foreign policy relating to China will prioritize national security over trade. Yellen stated the United States would make decisions to ensure the national security of the United States and its allies, even if those actions have a negative economic impact.

She stressed that the United States welcomes cooperation and competition from China that would help both countries develop. However, she recognized that the United States and the world will only benefit from a growing China that plays by international rules. An expansionist China making its own rules is not beneficial to the world community.

Yellens message was consistent with Secretary of State Antony Blinkens meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi, the head of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) Foreign Affairs Commission, back in February. Despite the U.S.-China trade relationship being in disarray, Blinken warned Yi that Beijing would incur harsh penalties if they sent weapons to Russia. In March, CCP head Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their no limits friendship. It is unclear if these limits extend to weapons or not. But it seems that the United States is more willing to assert its demands with China even if it means worsening trade relations.

U.S.-China relations have hit a number of stumbling blocks already this year. In February, a Chinese spy balloon flew over the continental United States and many believe it was gathering intelligence on U.S. military bases. In the aftermath, Blinkens upcoming trip to China was canceled. When the meeting was finally reinstated, Yi told Blinken that the U.S. reaction to the balloon was hysterical and absurd.

Shortly afterward, a senior State Department official told reporters that Beijing wanted to have it both ways. Xi claims to be the global arbiter of peace while also pledging support for Russia at war in Ukraine.

Air Force soldiers clear the ground in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet during a drill at Hualien Air Force base in Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

When Yellen extended U.S. priorities to ensuring the national security of its allies, she was likely including Taiwana nation whose threat from the CCP has grown tremendously over the past two decades. In 2005, the CCP passed a law giving Beijing the authority to use military action to annex Taiwan.

Four years ago, on the 40th anniversary of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, Xi spoke at the Great Hall of the People and said, We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means. He reaffirmed this stance last October in his opening speech at the Communist Partys 20th party congress.

In February, President Joe Biden said that he was planning to quadruple the number of U.S. troops in Taiwan. About 200 U.S. soldiers are currently there as trainers and advisers and would make no significant difference in the event of an invasion. But the act of even deploying these troops is an important signal to the CCP that the United States will conduct its foreign policy as it sees fit irrespective of trade relations.

In March, the CCP reacted aggressively when it was reported that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen would visit the United States. Unperturbed, the United States allowed Tsai to visit. While speaking in New York on March 30, Tsai said that relations with the United States are stronger than ever.

This visit was seen as pivotal because it came only days after Honduras switched its recognition from Taiwan to the CCP. Continued support from the United States is crucial to the island nation now only officially recognized by 13 countries.

The CCPs Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian warned that Beijing would take measures if President Tsai was permitted to meet with U.S. Speaker McCarthy. The Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. also issued a statement saying that a McCarthy meeting would risk a serious confrontation between the U.S. and China.

In the end, the meeting between House Speaker McCarthy and President Tsai did take place on April 6. Two days later, The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command encircled Taiwan as part of combat alert patrols and joint exercises which lasted until April 10.

Although U.S. policy on Taiwan is still one of strategic ambiguity, Biden has said on roughly four occasions that the U.S. would fight for Taiwan. Under the terms of the Arm Taiwan Act, the United States is not obligated to fight, but it promises to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

Last month, Biden approved the sale of $619 million worth of arms to Taiwan. The U.S. military is calling for even more weapons for Taiwan. A senior Pentagon official testifying before the House Armed Service Committee on April 18 said that properly arming Taiwan was the key to deterring a PLA invasion.

Beyond supporting Taiwan, the United States is standing up to the CCP on numerous other fronts. Several states and the federal government are debating or have implemented bans against the social media app TikTok citing a national security threat. Additionally, Biden is expected to announce increased restrictions on U.S. investment in China.

U.S. representatives participated in the World Bank Spring Meetings where concerns were raised about Chinas debt diplomacy along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Between 2008 and 2021, Beijing spent $240 billion to bail out 22 countries that fell into a debt crisis because of BRI loans. Other countries and projects teeter on the brink of leaving Beijing with the decision of extending more loans or eating its losses. Either way, the local country and people will suffer.

As a whole, it seems that U.S. policy toward the CCP is moving toward prioritizing national security over trade. The question is how far are the White House and U.S. companies willing to go and whether that includes losing access to lucrative Chinese markets and inexpensive manufacturing.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Voters to Choose MPs in Four Federal Byelections Across Country Next Month

People arrive to cast their ballot on federal election day in Montreal on Sept. 20, 2021. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

OTTAWAVoters in four federal ridings will go to the polls next month.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the four byelections will be held June 19 to fill seats in three provinces.

In the Manitoba riding of Winnipeg South Centre, Liberal candidate Ben Carr is looking to win the seat held by his father, longtime MP and former cabinet minister Jim Carr, who died in December.

The southern Manitoba riding of PortageLisgar was left vacant when Conservative MP and former interim party leader Candice Bergen resigned in February.

Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, the former astronaut who held the Quebec riding NotreDamedeGraceWestmount, resigned in March after 15 years in politics.

Dave MacKenzie, Conservative MP for the southwestern Ontario riding of Oxford, stepped down in January.




GAZA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The streets in Gaza were completely empty of traffic and pedestrians during the five-day military conflict between the armed Palestinian factions and the Israeli army, while schools, universities, and all other official institutions closed.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that 33 Palestinians were killed, including six children, three women, and seven senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) militants, and more than 150 were injured in the past five days.

An official in the PIJ announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached in the Gaza Strip between the movement and Israel.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the ceasefire would come into effect at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) and would end the five-day confrontation that started on Tuesday.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
In this episode of International Reporters Roundtable, we go down to southern Texas and the U.S.Mexico border, where tens of thousands of migrants from all over the world have been amassing and crossing illegally into the United States, roughly 10,000 per day now, as Title 42 finally expired. The law was enacted to protect the country during the pandemic, which has been declared officially over.

But thats not the reason for this historic surge of people risking their lives and freedom, becoming debt slaves to the transnational cartels.

The current U.S. administration with its actions has sent a message that theyre welcome, with U.N. agencies supporting the mass resettlement, distributing detailed maps and rape kits. Meanwhile, criminals and drugs are slipping in too, unchecked.

Our guests have been covering the border, illegal immigration, and the cartels for years, both in law enforcement and as reportersMichael Yon, Jaeson Jones, and Victor Avila. They join us to unpack the border crisis and reveal the layers of this emergency.
Woman Charged in 1 of 4 Nebraska Killings Pleads Not Guilty

HARTINGTON, Neb.A woman has pleaded not guilty in the death of one of four people who were killed in a small northeast Nebraska town last year.

Carrie Jones, 44, of Laurel entered written not guilty pleas this week to first-degree murder, being an accessory to a felony and tampering with evidence, according to court records.

Jones husband, 43-year-old Jason Jones, has pleaded not guilty to four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony, plus two counts of first-degree arson.

Carrie Jones is charged in the death of Gene Twiford, 86, in Laurel, on Aug. 4, 2022. Her husband is charged with killing Twiford, his wife and his daughter and another Laurel woman and setting fire to the victims homes.

Prosecutors allege Carrie Jones encouraged her husband to confront Twiford, who she said had been making sexually charged comments to her for years, and then helped him hide when he was being sought by police.

Testimony at an earlier hearing revealed that the Joneses did not have a specific conflict with Ebeling and her fiance, Brian Welch, but thought the couple was odd.

Carrie Jones is scheduled to be arraigned May 22 in Cedar County District Court, the Norfolk Daily News reported.

Carrie and James Jones remain jailed. They are scheduled to appear in court on July 24.
Staff Reporter :

Canara bank loses Rs 29 crore while Union Bank of India and IDBI Bank lose Rs 25 crore and Rs 26 crore respectively

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked the Directors of Deegee Cotsyn Private Limited, an Amravati-based textile company, for allegedly causing losses of Rs 80 crore to Canara Bank, Union Bank of India and IDBI bank.

The CBI booked a total of 14 persons in the case. The accused have been identified as Directors Narendrakumar Devkaranji Bhoot, Navalkumar Bhoot, Santoshkumar Bhoot, Liladevi Bhoot, Manoharlal Bhoot, all residents of Deorankar Nagar, Amravati; Taradevi Prakashchand Bhoot, Meenaldevi Anupkumar Bhoot, Sureshchandra Bhoot, Prakashchand Bhoot, Nishadevi Bhoot, Pravinkumar Bhoot, all residents of Anupam Apartment, Mangilal Plots, Camp, Narendra, Amravati, Deegee Orchards Pvt. Ltd Amravati and two unknown public servant(s).

In the first case, the CBI has registered a case against M/s Deegee Cotsyn Pvt Ltd, its directors, and unknown public servants and private persons for allegedly cheating Canara Bank and causing loss of Rs 29.83 crore.

The case was registered based on a written complaint received by the CBI, BS & F Zone, New Delhi, from Subodh Kumar, the General Manager of Canara Bank, Circle Office, Pune. According to the complaint, the company and its directors, in connivance with other unknown public servants and private persons, entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat and defraud the bank by way of misappropriation, diversion, round-tripping, siphoning of funds, and forgery of documents. The allegations in the complaint, prima-facie disclose commission of offences punishable under Sections 120 (B), 420, 465, 468 and 471 of Indian Penal Code and Section 13(2) read with 13(1) (d) of Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act by M/s Deegee Cotsyn Pvt Ltd and its directors, as well as unknown public servants and private persons, the CBI said.

Union Bank of India cheated of Rs 25 crore: In the second case, the CBI has registered a case against M/s Deegee Cotsyn Pvt Ltd, its directors, guarantors, unknown public servants, and unknown persons for allegedly causing a wrongful loss of Rs. 25.66 crore to Union Bank of India (UBI). The complaint was filed by Sumer Singh Saroya, Regional Head of UBI, Nagpur.
The long hot summer of 1988  35 years ago  is held as the moment that world leaders began to mouth the right pieties.

WE have grown so used to many things. To the pictures of wildfires and cremated animals, to the ice sheets calving into the ocean, to the promises of world leaders that they will heed the last chance warning of the scientists. Its hard for anyone under the age of 40 to remember a time when carbon dioxide build-up, whether it was the greenhouse effect, or global warming or climate change or now climate crisis, wasnt in the news.

The long hot summer of 1988  35 years ago  is held as the moment that world leaders began to mouth the right pieties. Presidential candidate (and soon to be President) George H.W. Bush said he would use the White House effect to fix the Greenhouse Effect (he didnt). UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher warned of a giant experiment being conducted with the system of this planet itself.

Thirty-five years. But it was actually 35 years before that  fully 70 years ago this month  that the danger of carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere first travelled around the world.

That carbon dioxide trapped heat was uncontroversial. Irish scientist John Tyndall (possibly drawing on the work of an American, Eunice Foote) had shown that it did back in the mid-1800s.

In 1895, Swedish Nobel prize winner Svante Arrhenius had suggested that  over hundreds of years  the build-up of carbon dioxide released when humans burn oil, coal and gas might trap so much heat as to melt the tundra and

make freezing winters a thing of the past.

His work was challenged, but the idea occasionally popped up in popular journals. In 1938 English steam engineer Guy Callendar suggested to the Royal Society in London that warming was underway.

But it was in early May, 1953, at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union, that Canadian physicist Gilbert Plass  who had been corresponding with Callendar  told the gathered scientists that trouble was afoot.

Plass said that: The large increase in industrial activity during the present century is discharging so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that the average temperature is rising at the rate of 1.5 degrees per century.

This got picked up by the Associated Press and other wire services and appeared in newspapers all around the world (even as far afield as the Sydney Morning Herald). Plasss warning also popped up in Newsweek on May 18 and in Time on May 25. The fact that the world was warming was already uncontroversial among scientists. But the emphatic connection with carbon dioxide made by Plass, as opposed to competing theories such as orbital wobbles or sunspot activity, was newsworthy. Plass had become interested in the question of carbon dioxide buildup while working for the Ford Motor Company.

He looked at how carbon dioxide actually functions in the real world, not just at sea level (without getting too technical. Many scientists had dismissed Arrheniuss earlier work on the basis of false confidence that carbon dioxide worked the same there as in the stratosphere). Plass kept working on the issue, with technical and popular publications through the rest of the 1950s. In 1956, he had an academic article on the carbon dioxide theory of climate change published in the Swedish scientific journal Tellus, and also a popular article in the American Scientist. And he was present at the first major meetings to discuss carbon dioxide build up.

Meanwhile, the carbon dioxide theory started getting more coverage among science journalists. One, George Wendt, wrote up the findings in the then well-regarded UNESCO Courier, and this got excerpted in the Irish Times in 1954, the same year that British journalists started mentioning it.

In 1957 the then-new magazine New Scientist mentioned it. By the end of the 1950s, anyone who read a newspaper could have been aware of the basic idea.

Throughout the 50s and 60s US, Swedish, German and Soviet scientists were examining the issue. In 1965 President Lyndon Johnson even name-checked carbon dioxide build-up in an address to Congress.

By the end of the 1960s international collaboration was beginning, though there was caution still.

For instance, in April 1969 the American scientist Charles Keeling, who had been measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at a Hawaiian observatory, revealed that he had been asked to change the title of a lecture from, If carbon dioxide from fossil fuels is changing mans environment, what will we do about it? to Is carbon dioxide from fossil fuel changing mans environment?

For climate historians like me, the 1970s are a fascinating period of intense measurement, modelling, observation and thinking which, by the end of the decade, produced a working consensus that there was serious trouble ahead. In effect, Plass had nailed it.

When Plass spoke out, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide was at about 310 parts per million. Today, theyre 423 or so. Every year, as we burn more oil, coal and gas, the concentration climbs and more heat is trapped.

By the time Plasss warning is 100 years old, the concentrations will be much higher. Theres a very good chance we will have gone over the 2C warming level that used to be regarded as safe.

(The author is a Visiting Fellow of Science Policy, University of Sussex.)

(The Conversation/AP/PTI)
Congress bags Karnataka in decisive win





Congress supporters celebrate partys victory in the Karantaka Assembly elections, at party office in Bengaluru on Saturday. (ANI)

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI :

THE Congress returned to power on its own in Karnataka after 10 years, knocking the BJP off its only Southern perch on Saturday as voters decisively backed the grand old party desperately seeking electoral revival ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

As the results from the May 10 election rolled in, belying several exit polls that predicted a hung Assembly, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conceded defeat - the second loss for the BJP after Himachal Pradesh in December last year. The BJP, Bommai said, could not make the mark in spite of a lot of effort put in by everyone, including the Prime Minister and workers of the party.

Congress has won 135 seats of the 224 Assembly seats in the State and was leading in 1 other, comfortably over the magic number of 113. The BJP has won 65 seats, a sharp drop from its tally of 104 in 2018, according to latest trends on the Election Commission website. The JD(S), which had hoped to be kingmaker, has won 19 seats, down from 37 last time.

Two Independent candidates emerged victorious while, Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each. Meanwhile, the results of Jayanagar constituency in Bengaluru are still pending after the Election Commission ordered recounting of postal ballots where Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy has a slender lead over BJPs C K Ramamurthy. With a much-needed victory in the crucial Southern State in the Congress bag, celebrations broke out at its offices across the country, from Bengaluru to Bikaner and Ranchi to Ahmedabad, as party workers danced to drumbeats and burst firecrackers.

The result, said senior state leader Siddaramaiah, will be a stepping stone for Congress victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Siddaramaiah, who could be the States next Chief Minister, also expressed the hope that Rahul Gandhi would become Prime Minister in 2024.

Attacking the Basavaraj Bommai-led administration months before the elections, the Congress alleged that it was a 40 per cent commission Government. It also announced five key pre-poll guarantees -- including 200 units of free power and 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household -- and said it would approve them in its first Cabinet meeting if voted to power. Besides the corruption plank and its guarantees, what also worked in the Congress favour was the Muslim vote, which accounted for nearly 13 per cent of the electorate, party leaders said.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra made a lot of difference, added party leader Shama Mohammed, referring to the Kanyakumari to Kashmir campaign headed by Rahul Gandhi who walked some 3,000 km over three months. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh agreed. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was the Sanjeevini for the party, Ramesh told PTI.

As the Congress savoured its moment, BJP leaders, who had been hoping to break a 38-year jinx of Karnataka not voting an incumbent to power, were contemplative in defeat.

We will do a detailed analysis as the results conclude. We will take these results in our stride and try to reorganise the party for next years Lok Sabha elections, Bommai said.

The BJPs vote share slipped from 36.22 in the last assembly election to 35.8 per cent, according to Election Commission of India trends. The Congress vote share has gone up from 38.04 per cent to a possible 43.1 per cent.

(Contd on page 3)
Navy, NCB seize 2,500 kg drugs worth Rs 12,000 cr





KOCHI :

IN A massive drug bust, nearly 2,500 kilogram of methamphetamine worth around Rs 12,000 crore was seized from a vessel in Indian waters along the Kerala coast in a joint operation by the Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the anti-drug agency said on Saturday. The NCB said it was the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the country and a Pakistani national has been detained in connection with it.

Giving details of the seizure at a press conference held here, NCB officials said it was carried out as part of Operation Samudragupt which targeted maritime trafficking of drugs originating from Afghanistan.

This is the third major seizure by NCB of maritime trafficking of drugs through the southern route in the last one and a half years, the agency said. As part of the operation, so far around 3,200 kg of methamphetamine, 500 kg of heroin and 529 kg of hashish has been seized, it said. The agency claimed that the latest consignment was meant for India, Sri Lanka and Maldives from Afghanistan.
No question of imposing martial law: Pak Army chief Gen Munir





By Sajjad Hussain :

ISLAMABAD,

PAKISTANS Army has ruled out the possibility of imposing martial law in the country amidst the political turmoil and deteriorating law and order situation following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying Army chief General Asim Munir and the entire military leadership believe in democracy.

The remarks of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry came after an almost four-day political turmoil erupted due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Khans arrest, in which Armys installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, were also targeted.
RTE admn process extended to 22nd





Staff Reporter :

The Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra, has given one last extension to the process of 25% admissions done under Right to Education Act (RTE). The process was to be end on Monday. Now parents have chance to confirm admissions of their wards till May 22, 2023.

The process of admissions to various schools began on April 13, 2023 and was to end on April 25, when it got extended to May 8. Because of poor response from parents in confirming admissions, the Department gave it another extension till May 15. In Nagpur, there are 653 schools having 6,577 seats. The department received 36,490 applications of which 6,513 students have been selected. Till now 3,589 students have been confirmed the admissions.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

ST. LOUIS  Metro East infrastructure projects are receiving more than $41 million in grants through the 2023 Illinois Competitive Freight Program.

This include $15 million for improvements to Terminal Railroad Associations Madison Yard and other rail improvements; $10 million for lane improvements on Interstate 55/70 between I-255 and I-270 in Madison County; and $3.5 million for dock improvements at Americas Central Port in Granite City.

We are thankful that Governor (J.B.) Pritzker and IDOT are highlighting these projects which serve as economic catalysts for the St. Louis Metro East area and the State of Illinois, said Mary Lamie, executive vice president of multi modal enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. These infrastructure enhancements will further elevate the region as a global logistics hub while supporting increased safety, reliability, and mobility.

A total of eight major infrastructure projects in Madison and St. Clair counties in southwestern Illinois are being funded. The funding was initially announced in March; five of the projects are on the St. Louis Freightways 2023 Priority Projects List, which is compiled annually by the organization.

The initiative, which distributes federal infrastructure funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation, aims to improve the movement of freight and create jobs and economic opportunity while enhancing safety and local quality of life.

Criteria include increasing safety, improving reliability and boosting intermodal connections and commerce at the local level. A total of more than $200 million is being invested in 22 projects on established freight routes statewide.

"These funds will be used for 22 port, rail and highway projects in Illinois to address bottlenecks, increase mobility, and improve the supply chain up and down the state, Pritzker said when he announced the funding this spring.

The five funded projects on the St. Louis Regional Freightways Priority Project List received $33,979,428. They are:

$15,197,718 to the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis for its multi-modal freight yard expansion at Madison Yard and rail improvements in St. Clair County.

$10 million for lane improvements on Interstate 55/70 in Madison County between Interstates 255 and 270.

$3,636,000 for dock improvements at Americas Central Port in Madison County.

$771,960 for engineering work on the Illinois Route 3 Diversion  Falling Springs Road and Illinois 3 Bypass in Sauget.

$4,323,800 to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District for congestion reduction and safety engineering and construction.

The funding TRRA has received will support the addition of a third main line at our Madison Yard, adding another 8,000 feet of track that will provide added capacity to accommodate greater velocity, so that freight trains moving through this area can move through faster, said Brent Wood, president of the Terminal Railroad of St. Louis. We appreciate the State of Illinois commitment to funding infrastructure projects of this nature that can help to reduce congestion and delays in one of the highest volume freight hubs in the nation and strengthen our rail network so it can handle increasing volumes in the years ahead.

Dennis Wilmsmeyer, executive director of Americas Central Port, said the funding for the expansion of the Granite City Harbor General Cargo Dock will allow for an increase in capacity and movement of goods to and from barges.

That project also will increase the laydown area, truck turning area, and provide a safer and more efficient surface for handling commodities.

"The State of Illinois continues to be a great partner and certainly understands the value of freight transportation at all inland ports, Wilmsmeyer said.

He added a second approved project, $2.1 million for road improvement at Americas Central Port, is also needed.

We are pleased to work with the State of Illinois on rehabilitation of critical roads within our main industrial park that will allow trucks ease of access to and from the port's terminals and warehouses.

Also approved were:

$1.6 million for Illinois 203 pavement profile raise engineering in Madison County.

$4 million for reconstruction engineering for Illinois 127 between I-64 and Illinois 15 in St. Clair County.

The full list of 2023 Priority Projects, which includes more details about each of the 25 projects identified for investment, is available at https://www.thefreightway.com/why-stl-region/priority-infrastructure-projects/.

The St. Louis Regional Freightway will again host the annual FreightWeekSTL from May 22-26.

The week-long freight and logistics expo includes panel discussions on economic development, real estate development and transportation. The event highlights the unique role the St. Louis region plays in advancing major infrastructure projects and addressing global supply chain disruption.

The majority of the panel discussions will be available virtually, while a riverboat cruise featuring the Ag Coast of America and a Freight Summit Luncheon will provide opportunities for in-person connections.

We have a stellar lineup of speakers and timely topics this year, so were anticipating another great event as people join us virtually, in person, or take advantage of the flexibility our format offers to enjoy the FreightWeekSTL 2023 offerings on their own schedules, Lamie said.

To learn more about FreightWeekSTL, see the dates and times for each session or register to attend the virtual sessions and events, visit https://freightweekstl.thefreightway.com/. For those who are unable to tune in live for the individual panel sessions, all the content presented will be accessible on the website and via the organizations social media channels.
Courtesy of the Collinsville School District

COLLINSVILLE  At their meeting in early May, the Collinsville-Maryville-Caseyville Rotary presented a check for $5,000 to the Collinsville Area Community Foundation to support the William "Bill" Metzger Memorial Fund.



Metzger was a former president of CMC Rotary who died last year after a lengthy illness. The memorial fund will be used to support scholarships and possible community grants.

"Bill Metzger was a life-long member of CMC Rotary," said President Teresa May. "Bill spent his life volunteering and serving the community. When we lost him last year, we lost not only a friend, but a tremendous advocate for serving the community."



The money was raised at a trivia night fundraiser held earlier this year for the purpose of honoring Metzger's life and community-centered endeavors. CMC Rotary plans to make it an annual event.



"The club knew we wanted to do something to memorialize Bills commitment to service in the community," said May. "We decided to hold our first St. Patricks Day-themed trivia  Bills birthday was on St. Patricks Day  to raise funds for the Collinsville Area Community Foundation (CACF) for the Bill Metzger Scholarship fund, or a community project.
KHARTOUM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday extended the closure of Sudanese airspace until May 23 amid continued armed conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"The Civil Aviation Authority has decided to extend the closure of Sudanese airspace until May 23, excluding humanitarian aid and foreign nationals' evacuation," the authority said in a notice to airmen (NOTAM) on Saturday.

Since the outbreak of the clashes on April 15, the country's airspace has been closed as air navigation systems at Khartoum International Airport have been affected by the clashes between the two warring sides in the vicinity of the airport, according to the authority.

Video clips on social media showed the damage to the Khartoum International Airport due to the fighting between the warring sides. Rubble scattered throughout the airport, where the destruction included parts of the airport corridors, halls, devices and equipment.

As Khartoum airport has been out of service since the first day of armed clashes, evacuation planes of diplomats and foreign nationals used Wadi Seidna airbase in Omdurman city, north of the capital Khartoum. Some other countries used Port Sudan Airport in Sudan's Red Sea State, some 870 km east of Khartoum.

On Friday, the Sudanese Council of Ministers announced in a statement that airports in Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna, as well as Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance.

The council said the decision to allocate airports was part of efforts to implement the Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, which was signed by the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Thursday.

When the clashes broke out, both sides rushed to seize control of the country's three main airports, namely Khartoum airport in the capital, Merowe airport in northern Sudan, and El Obeid airport in North Kordofan State in western Sudan.

Khartoum International Airport, which was opened in 1947, locates in the heart of the Sudanese capital, adjacent to the General Command building of the Sudanese Army. It is the main airport of the country, through which an estimated 95 percent of foreign air traffic passes.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, leaving over 550 people dead. 
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Reuters New Delhi, India  Sun, May 14, 2023 12:06 5 5fceed71997e5776a1634d25dc68e544 2 Economy Indonesia,Malaysia,India,palm-oil,import,sunflowers,consumption Free

India's palm oil imports in April slumped 30 percent from a month earlier to hit a 14-month low, as the premium over rival soft oils prompted buyers to shift to sunflower oil and soyoil, a trade body said on Friday.

The big drop in palm oil imports by India, the world's biggest importer of vegetable oils, could weigh on palm oil prices FCPOc3, which are trading near a seven-month low.

It will also likely make it difficult for top producer Indonesia to increase exports after easing restrictions imposed on the shipments earlier this year, traders said.

India's palm oil imports fell to 510,094 tonnes last month, from 728,530 tonnes in March, the Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said in a statement.

The average monthly imports in the first five months of the 2022/23 marketing year that started on Nov. 1 were 879,000 tonnes, according to the SEA.

Buyers in southern India were replacing palm oil with sunflower oil, which was trading at a steep discount to the tropical oil, said a New-Delhi-based dealer with a global trade house.

Sunoil usually commands a premium over palm oil and was trading at a premium of as high as $500 per tonne in 2022.

Sunoil imports in April surged 68 percent from a month ago to 249,122 00 tonnes, while soyoil imports edged up 1.4 percent to 262,455 tonnes, the dealer said.

"This trend will continue even in May. This month sunoil was trading at a discount of as high as $50 per tonne," he said.

India's total vegetable oil imports in April fell 10.4 percent to 1.05 million tonnes, the trade body said.

India, on Thursday, clarified that duty-free imports of soyoil and sunflower oil shipped before March 31 would be allowed until the end of June, after hundreds of thousands of cargoes were stuck at ports over confusion over import rules.

This will increase the availability of soyoil and sunoil in May and June and prompt buyers to curtail palm oil purchases, said a Mumbai-based trader.

India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, while it imports soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Reuters Niigata, Japan  Sun, May 14, 2023 12:50 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b0567cb38 2 Economy US,debt-ceiling,Joe-Biden,economy,Janet-Yellen,Jeremy-Hunt,Britain Free

British finance minister Jeremy Hunt said on Saturday it would be "absolutely devastating" if the United States failed to reach agreement to raise its debt ceiling and had its gross domestic product "knocked off track".

Hunt told reporters that Group of Seven (G7) finance chiefs in Japan had "very frank and open discussions" about the challenges they face, including banking regulation and the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine on the global economy.

A standoff between President Joe Biden and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has raised the prospect of a first-ever US debt default, posed a "very serious threat to the global economy," Hunt said.

"It would be absolutely devastating if America, which is one of the biggest motors of the global economy, was to have its GDP knocked off track by not reaching agreement," he said. He said he hoped that Biden and Congress would be able to resolve their differences.

Hunt said G7 officials also discussed the impact of Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and talked at length about the need to stop sanctions evasion, or leakage.

He said it was clear that economic sanctions on the Russian economy had not been as effective as military support for Kyiv, but were generating more of "a slow burn" and there would be a point when Western pressure "starts to bite".

Hunt said it was very important that non-G7 members invited to the meeting by Japan - India, Indonesia, Brazil, Singapore and Comoros - took part in the discussion about Russia.

One key area of agreement was that G7 rich countries want to "de-risk" relations with China, rather than to decouple from all trade, Hunt said, noting that Britain's "strong view" was the need to avoid an approach that inadvertently returned the world to "protectionism".

"No one's talking about not trading with China, not exporting to China, not importing from China, but we do need to make sure that we don't have dependencies that can make us vulnerable," he said, adding that the difficult part was working out the concrete steps needed to accomplish that.

G7 members also agreed that any country that engages in economic coercion should expect a united response from advanced democracies, but gave no details on what that would entail.

Hunt, who spoke before meeting US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, said one disappointing thing had been the inability of G7 members to convince more developing countries - or the Global South - to support the West's unified response to Russia's invasion, and more soul-searching was needed on that front.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, May 14, 2023

Activists are warning that the decommissioning of an Australian vessel in the Timor Sea can potentially spill oil, radioactive materials and other toxins into the sea near Indonesias territorial waters.

The Australian government has announced the plans for the phase-one decommissioning of the Northern Endeavour floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) in the Timor Sea about 155 kilometers off the coasts of Indonesia and Timor Leste.

The decommissioning include activities such as flushing or cleaning of the vessels topsides and subsea infrastructures, de-mucking of liquids with residue of naturally occurring radioactive materials, as well as towing the vessel to an undisclosed international destination, among others.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Zulfa Sakhiyya (360info) Semarang  Wed, September 14, 2022 09:55 247 acb46bb3015c754a01ddf4e65a0380e8 2 Academia Education,literacy,education-inequality,Indonesia,student,young-generation Free

Indonesia has a celebrated literacy rate of 98.2 percent, claimed by many as a great success of literacy efforts. And yet in the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment , 70 percent of Indonesian students are reported to have low literacy skills.

It turns out there are different ways of understanding literacy - being able to read words is not automatically correlated to high reading ability.

While the world has been celebrating International Literacy Day since 1967, a divide has been deepening in the world of education.

Theoretically speaking, there are two polarized understandings of what counts as literacy. The Great Divide in Literacy - autonomous versus ideological - determines how some people view literacy.

The autonomous model of literacy sees literacy as a mere cognitive process that occurs independently of social contexts. Those in favor of the autonomous model believe the literacy rate is measurable and value free, therefore it can be measured and compared by standardized tests like the national literacy or PISA test. This model is often applied in the theory of teaching, psychology, and development studies. It assumes that introducing literacy as an intervention for the poor and illiterate will enhance their cognitive performance and improve their economic condition, regardless of the socio-economic condition that accounted for their illiteracy.

The ideological model of literacy rejects the autonomous and value-free literacy practices, arguing that literacy is not simply a mechanistic and neutral process. People in favor of the autonomous model believe literacies are locally situated . Reading encompasses sociocultural aspects, including personal and cultural background in constructing meanings from texts. This model is used in anthropology and political science with the aim of social empowerment.

From the autonomous model stem many myths about literacy in Indonesia.

One is that literacy automatically guarantees vertical social mobility. This myth is exacerbated by the fact educational opportunities are not distributed equally in Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted unequal access and distribution of learning resources during school closures. Children from poorer households lost more learning than children from wealthier households.

The literacy myth is worsened by the widely held understanding in Indonesia that literacy is simply sounding out the letters and words. The phonemic approach has become an end in itself, rather than seen as the first foundation on the literacy continuum .

At the same time, Indonesias legislated focus on 10-15 minutes of silent reading before school starts is ineffective without ensuring students understand the materials, or are guided by teachers on selecting reading materials relevant to student literacy levels and interests.

At worst, gimmicky school literacy programs see superficial celebration of literacy, students seen posing with books without the associated reading or discussion.

Reading should occur not only in the classroom (intensive reading), but also beyond the classroom, helping to build a reading-for-pleasure culture, something currently missing in Indonesia.

The shortage of libraries is one obstacle to extensive reading in Indonesia. Taman Bacaan Masyarakat (community libraries) can play a role in enabling access to diverse texts, and are known to tailor literacy practices relevant to a particular societys needs. For example, Sedulur Sikep in Kendeng mountain, Central Java, uses literacy to protest against exploitation and systemic violence of their natural surroundings. And the Womens March Serang uses literacy practices to introduce and discuss issues of gender inequality, gendered harassment (physical and sexual harassment), and mental health.

Literacy can go beyond the classroom to be more impactful to people. Just as the literacy movement and policymakers can go beyond PISA ranks and standardized literacy tests.

---

The writer is the Head of Literacy Research Centre at Universitas Negeri Semarang , Indonesia. Her research interests span from discourse analysis, multilingualism and gender. She is the vice coordinator of the Science and Education working group of the Indonesian Young Academy of Science (ALMI) and the co-founder of Indonesian Literacy Educators' Association .

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info.
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 12,680,000 shares, an increase of 19.5% from the April 15th total of 10,610,000 shares. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 4,620,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.7 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CL has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $81.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Colgate-Palmolive from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $82.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $76.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Citigroup lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $88.00 to $92.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $82.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Four research 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, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $84.75.

Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stephen I. Sadove sold 12,032 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.37, for a total transaction of $979,043.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $965,536.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, CEO Noel R. Wallace sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.66, for a total transaction of $4,033,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 246,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,892,288.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Stephen I. Sadove sold 12,032 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.37, for a total value of $979,043.84. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,866 shares in the company, valued at approximately $965,536.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 163,045 shares of company stock valued at $13,169,831. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.4 %

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Register Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Hallmark Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 158.2% in the 3rd quarter. Hallmark Capital Management Inc. now owns 408 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 77.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CL traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $81.98. 3,483,875 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,720,190. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.70, a P/E/G ratio of 4.15 and a beta of 0.49. Colgate-Palmolive has a 1-year low of $67.84 and a 1-year high of $83.81. The firms 50 day moving average price is $75.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.87.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $4.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 348.63% and a net margin of 8.71%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.74 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th. This is an increase from Colgate-Palmolives previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.34%. Colgate-Palmolives payout ratio is presently 100.00%.

Colgate-Palmolive Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Colgate-Palmolive Co is engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of consumer products. It operates through the Oral, Personal and Home Care, and Pet Nutrition segments. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment represents North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa or Eurasia, all of which sell to a variety of retail and wholesale customers and distributors.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 22,600 shares, a growth of 76.6% from the April 15th total of 12,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 107,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Hitachi Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of HTHIY traded up $0.54 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $116.99. 14,967 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,310. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Hitachi has a 1 year low of $83.49 and a 1 year high of $117.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.33, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.82. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $109.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $104.78.

Get Hitachi alerts:

Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The conglomerate reported $5.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.46 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $20.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.98 billion. Hitachi had a return on equity of 12.43% and a net margin of 5.98%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Hitachi will post 8.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Hitachi Company Profile

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Hitachi in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a conviction-buy rating on the stock.

(Get Rating)

Hitachi Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical equipment. It operates through the following segments: Information Technology (IT), Energy, Industry, Mobility, Life, Hitachi High Technologies, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, Hitachi Chemicals and Others. The IT segment handles systems integration, consulting, control systems, cloud services, software, IT products such as storage and servers, and automated teller machines.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Hitachi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hitachi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Achmea Investment Management B.V. lifted its holdings in Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Rating) by 76.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 52,770 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 22,837 shares during the quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V.s holdings in Edison International were worth $3,146,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Edison International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. CI Investments Inc. lifted its position in Edison International by 980.9% during the 3rd quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 508 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 461 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Edison International during the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Edison International by 975.7% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 796 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 722 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Edison International by 112.5% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 797 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 422 shares in the last quarter. 87.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Edison International alerts:

Edison International Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of Edison International stock opened at $73.68 on Friday. Edison International has a 1 year low of $54.45 and a 1 year high of $74.92. The business has a 50-day moving average of $70.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $67.08. The company has a market capitalization of $28.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

Edison International Announces Dividend

Edison International ( NYSE:EIX Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.05. Edison International had a net margin of 6.12% and a return on equity of 12.48%. The firm had revenue of $3.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.07 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.74 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.7375 dividend. This represents a $2.95 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio is 134.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Edison International

In other news, SVP J Andrew Murphy sold 22,471 shares of Edison International stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.03, for a total value of $1,618,586.13. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,989 shares in the company, valued at $935,597.67. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on EIX shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Edison International from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Edison International from $67.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on shares of Edison International in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set a sell rating and a $66.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Edison International in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Finally, Guggenheim increased their price target on Edison International from $75.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.00.

Edison International Profile

(Get Rating)

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.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
UBS Group started coverage on shares of Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM  Get Rating) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $14.00 price target on the pipeline companys stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Capital One Financial reissued an equal weight rating on shares of Antero Midstream in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Antero Midstream in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on shares of Antero Midstream from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.33.

Get Antero Midstream alerts:

Antero Midstream Price Performance

Shares of AM opened at $10.49 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $5.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.20 and a beta of 2.36. Antero Midstream has a twelve month low of $8.56 and a twelve month high of $11.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.67.

Antero Midstream Dividend Announcement

Antero Midstream ( NYSE:AM Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 16th. The pipeline company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.03. Antero Midstream had a net margin of 34.62% and a return on equity of 17.56%. The business had revenue of $241.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $235.91 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.20 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Antero Midstream will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 26th were given a dividend of $0.225 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 25th. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.58%. Antero Midstreams payout ratio is presently 130.43%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Antero Midstream news, insider Michael N. Kennedy sold 300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.47, for a total value of $3,141,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,060,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,105,843.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Antero Midstream news, insider Michael N. Kennedy sold 300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.47, for a total value of $3,141,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,060,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,105,843.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director David H. Keyte bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $10.01 per share, for a total transaction of $100,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 79,373 shares in the company, valued at $794,523.73. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Antero Midstream

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 2,155.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,301 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,199 shares during the period. Machina Capital S.A.S. purchased a new stake in Antero Midstream during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Antero Midstream by 257.5% during the 4th quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,849 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 2,052 shares during the period. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Antero Midstream during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Castle Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Antero Midstream during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. 52.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Antero Midstream

(Get Rating)

Antero Midstream Corp. is a growth-oriented midstream energy company, which owns, operates, and develops midstream energy assets to service Antero Resources production and completion activity. It operates through the Gathering and Processing and Water Handling segments. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collect and process production from Antero Resources wells in West Virginia and Ohio.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Antero Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Antero Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 19,700,000 shares, a growth of 72.7% from the April 15th total of 11,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 591,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 33.3 days. Currently, 2.8% of the companys shares are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Montreal

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of BMO. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Bank of Montreal by 3.0% during 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 during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Bank of Montreal by 5.5% during 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 during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of Montreal in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Montreal by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,478,058 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,651,736,000 after buying an additional 1,293,280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, USS Investment Management Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Montreal by 2.1% in 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.78% of the companys stock.

Get Bank of Montreal alerts:

Bank of Montreal Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of BMO traded up $0.25 on Friday, hitting $87.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 577,962 shares, compared to its average volume of 594,513. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The firms fifty day moving average price is $88.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $93.50. Bank of Montreal has a fifty-two week low of $81.57 and a fifty-two week high of $110.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.14.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

Bank of Montreal ( NYSE:BMO Get Rating ) (TSE:BMO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 28th. The bank reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.06. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 22.13%. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bank of Montreal will post 9.81 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th will be given a dividend of $1.075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $4.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.90%. This is an increase from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is 34.50%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on BMO. StockNews.com began coverage on Bank of Montreal in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $152.70.

Bank of Montreal Company 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.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. trimmed its stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 151,708 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,061 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $33,421,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,392 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC now owns 1,366 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Bank OZK boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank OZK now owns 5,065 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $915,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 1,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arjuna Capital boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Arjuna Capital now owns 5,986 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,319,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.83% of the companys stock.

Get Illinois Tool Works alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on ITW shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target 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. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $259.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $227.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $228.21.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.3 %

ITW stock traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $228.52. The companys stock had a trading volume of 858,085 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,090,429. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 52-week low of $173.52 and a 52-week high of $253.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.85, a PEG ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $233.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $229.14.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.98 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.27% and a return on equity of 92.13%. Illinois Tool Workss revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.11 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.66 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 52.40%.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Illinois Tool Works, Inc engages in the manufacture of industrial products and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Automotive OEM, Test and Measurement and Electronics, Food Equipment, Polymers and Fluids, Welding, Construction Products, and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment produces components and fasteners for automotive-related applications.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
"It is known that the U.S. intervenes in the elections in many countries by using these methods. It monitors millions of people, including opposition politicians and even government officials." A Turkish observer has expressed concerns over cyber espionage activities by the U.S. #GLOBALink





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
China Vanke Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHVKF  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,069,400 shares, a growth of 66.0% from the April 15th total of 1,246,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 8,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 240.6 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of China Vanke from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th.

Get China Vanke alerts:

China Vanke Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS CHVKF remained flat at $1.62 during trading on Friday. China Vanke has a twelve month low of $1.62 and a twelve month high of $2.09. The stocks 50-day moving average is $1.73 and its 200-day moving average is $1.89.

China Vanke Company Profile

China Vanke Co, Ltd. engages in the development and sale of properties. It operates through the Property Development and Property Management segments. The Property Development segment refers to the sale and development of residential properties. The Property Management segment offers management and other related services to purchasers and tenants of the companys developed residential properties and shopping arcades as well as those developed by external property developers.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for China Vanke Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Vanke and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
StockNews.com lowered shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (NYSE:CCEP  Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday morning.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on CCEP. UBS Group increased their price objective on Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $68.00 to $71.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Societe Generale upgraded Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $61.15 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on Coca-Cola Europacific Partners to 65.00 ($71.43) in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Argus upped their target price on Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $60.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $73.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.66.

Get Coca-Cola Europacific Partners alerts:

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CCEP opened at $65.50 on Thursday. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has a one year low of $41.80 and a one year high of $66.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $59.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.96.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Cuts Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be given a dividend of $0.74 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.6%.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CCEP. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 27.5% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 12,218 shares of the companys stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 2,638 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,173 shares of the companys stock valued at $690,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,447,992 shares of the companys stock valued at $702,316,000 after acquiring an additional 685,745 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can purchased a new stake in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners during the 1st quarter valued at about $10,809,000. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 4,954 shares of the companys stock valued at $241,000 after acquiring an additional 605 shares during the period. 28.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc engages in the distribution and sale of non-alcoholic ready to drink beverages. It operates through the following geographical segments: Iberia, Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. The company was founded on August 4, 2015 and is headquartered in Uxbridge, the United Kingdom.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Get Rating) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seventeen analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $76.50.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on ESTC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Elastic from $70.00 to $67.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $71.00 target price on shares of Elastic in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Elastic from $90.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and set a $96.00 target price on shares of Elastic in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Elastic from $83.00 to $64.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th.

Get Elastic alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Elastic

In other Elastic news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 12,098 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.28, for a total value of $705,071.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 343,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,992,196.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 12,098 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.28, for a total value of $705,071.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 343,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,992,196.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Janesh Moorjani sold 3,956 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.28, for a total value of $230,555.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 178,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,387,535.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 18,118 shares of company stock valued at $1,055,917 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 18.80% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elastic

Elastic Price Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ESTC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Elastic by 17.2% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,780 shares of the companys stock valued at $514,000 after purchasing an additional 848 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Elastic by 9.5% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 564 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in Elastic during the 1st quarter valued at $295,000. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in Elastic by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 72,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,454,000 after purchasing an additional 2,274 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Elastic by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,616,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $499,557,000 after purchasing an additional 259,742 shares in the last quarter. 78.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ESTC opened at $58.45 on Friday. Elastic has a 1 year low of $46.18 and a 1 year high of $91.30. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $57.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.14. The stock has a market cap of $5.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.65 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47.

Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported ($0.39) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.39). The company had revenue of $274.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $272.71 million. Elastic had a negative return on equity of 52.03% and a negative net margin of 24.80%. Analysts forecast that Elastic will post -1.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Elastic Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Elastic NV engages in the provision of open-source search and analytics engine services. It offers Elastic Stack, a set of software products that ingest and store data from various sources and formats, as well as perform search, analysis, and visualization. The firms Elastic Stack product comprises Elasticsearch, a distributed, real-time search and analytics engine, and data store for various types of data, including textual, numerical, geospatial, structured, and unstructured, Kibana, a user interface, management, and configuration interface for the Elastic Stack, Beats, a single-purpose data shippers for sending data from edge machines to Elasticsearch or Logstash, and Logstash, a data processing pipeline for ingesting data into Elasticsearch or other storage systems.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Elastic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elastic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Rating) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,640,000 shares, a decrease of 24.1% from the April 15th total of 2,160,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 966,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,000 after purchasing an additional 560 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 61.1% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,969 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 790 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 34.7% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,432 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 14,241 shares of the companys stock worth $303,000 after acquiring an additional 898 shares in the last quarter. 5.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA alerts:

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA stock traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $23.51. The companys stock had a trading volume of 546,386 shares, compared to its average volume of 862,656. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 1-year low of $12.78 and a 1-year high of $30.63. The business has a fifty day moving average of $21.72 and a 200 day moving average of $18.61. The company has a market capitalization of $13.80 billion, a PE ratio of 19.59 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Cuts Dividend

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.85 billion. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.46% and a return on equity of 5.80%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.13 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.7086 per share. This represents a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 17th. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs payout ratio is 35.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research note on Tuesday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Truist Financial upped 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 note on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, HSBC downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Two equities 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. According to data from MarketBeat, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.45.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

(Get Rating)

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.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 79,700 shares, an increase of 74.4% from the April 15th total of 45,700 shares. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 17,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.6 days.

Graham Price Performance

Graham stock traded down $2.43 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $577.16. 11,503 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,167. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $583.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $614.62. The firm has a market cap of $2.76 billion, a PE ratio of 116.13 and a beta of 1.03. Graham has a 12 month low of $525.58 and a 12 month high of $681.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.24.

Get Graham alerts:

Graham (NYSE:GHC  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 24th. The company reported $18.80 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter. Graham had a return on equity of 3.64% and a net margin of 0.59%.

Graham Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Graham

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.65 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 18th. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.14%. Grahams dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 132.80%.

In other Graham news, Director Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $581.63 per share, for a total transaction of $58,163.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,257,128. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 21.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Graham

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of GHC. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its stake in Graham by 48.7% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 4,941 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,944,000 after buying an additional 1,619 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in Graham by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 9,742 shares of the companys stock worth $5,805,000 after purchasing an additional 499 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Graham by 56.6% in the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 5,011 shares of the companys stock worth $2,986,000 after purchasing an additional 1,812 shares in the last quarter. Inceptionr LLC purchased a new stake in Graham in the 1st quarter worth $820,000. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Graham by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,331 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,985,000 after buying an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. 63.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Graham from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 8th.

About Graham

(Get Rating)

Graham Holdings Co engages in the provision of education and media services. It operates through the following segments: Education, Television Broadcasting, Manufacturing, Healthcare, SocialCode, and Other Businesses. The Education segment includes professional training and postsecondary education businesses largely outside the U.S.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Graham Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graham and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited (OTCMKTS:GUKYF  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,000 shares, a growth of 36.4% from the April 15th total of 2,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Peel Hunt lowered shares of Gulf Keystone Petroleum from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 27th.

Get Gulf Keystone Petroleum alerts:

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Price Performance

OTCMKTS:GUKYF traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $1.83. 100 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,582. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.31. Gulf Keystone Petroleum has a fifty-two week low of $1.68 and a fifty-two week high of $3.90.

About Gulf Keystone Petroleum

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Republic of Algeria. It operates through the following segments: Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Corporate, and Algeria. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq segment comprises of the Shaikan and the Erbil office which provides support to the operations in Kurdistan, as well as segmental information relating to the previously held Akri-Bijeel, Sheikh Adi and Ber Bahr blocks.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Gulf Keystone Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gulf Keystone Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Impax Asset Management Group plc increased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) by 21.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 658,883 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 115,995 shares during the quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plcs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $73,103,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MRK. Marion Wealth Management grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 18.5% during the 4th quarter. Marion Wealth Management now owns 21,538 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,390,000 after buying an additional 3,366 shares in the last quarter. Ascent Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Ascent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 17,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,944,000 after buying an additional 533 shares in the last quarter. Crescent Sterling Ltd. purchased a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $806,000. Alaska Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Finally, Drive Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 181.8% during the 4th quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,204,000 after buying an additional 6,952 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.89% of the companys stock.

Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 1,815 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.10, for a total transaction of $198,016.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,085 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,609,573.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 1,815 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.10, for a total transaction of $198,016.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,085 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,609,573.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.22, for a total value of $541,100.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,195,134.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 495,073 shares of company stock worth $57,220,134. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Guggenheim lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. StockNews.com upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $120.00 to $115.00 in a report on Monday, March 13th. Societe Generale cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.75.

Shares of MRK stock opened at $117.14 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $83.05 and a twelve month high of $119.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $297.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.34. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $111.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $108.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.06. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 22.52%. The business had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.14 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

(Get Rating)

Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Masonite International (NYSE:DOOR  Get Rating) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $95.00 to $105.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

DOOR has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Masonite International from $90.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. StockNews.com upgraded Masonite International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Masonite International from $110.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.43.

Get Masonite International alerts:

Masonite International Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE DOOR opened at $91.20 on Wednesday. Masonite International has a 52 week low of $65.71 and a 52 week high of $101.72. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $89.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $83.91. The company has a quick ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. The company has a market cap of $2.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.71 and a beta of 1.60.

Insider Activity at Masonite International

Masonite International ( NYSE:DOOR Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.30. Masonite International had a return on equity of 28.00% and a net margin of 6.40%. The business had revenue of $726.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $688.20 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. The firms revenue was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Masonite International will post 8.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Robert J. Byrne sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.58, for a total transaction of $226,450.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $85,688.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Masonite International news, insider Alexander Albert Legall sold 1,700 shares of Masonite International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.01, for a total value of $156,417.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $299,676.57. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert J. Byrne sold 2,500 shares of Masonite International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.58, for a total value of $226,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 946 shares in the company, valued at $85,688.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.21% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masonite International

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Legal & General Group Plc increased its stake in Masonite International by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 22,733 shares of the companys stock worth $1,746,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Masonite International by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 5,969 shares of the companys stock worth $481,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. PFS Investments Inc. grew its position in shares of Masonite International by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. PFS Investments Inc. now owns 2,857 shares of the companys stock worth $204,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Masonite International by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 9,381 shares of the companys stock worth $756,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in shares of Masonite International by 55.0% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 513 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. 98.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masonite International Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Masonite International Corp. engages in the manufacture of interior and exterior doors for residential and architectural use. It operates through the following geographical segments: North American Residential, Europe, Architectural, and Corporate and Other. The Corporate and other segment includes unallocated corporate costs and the results of immaterial operating segments.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Masonite International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Masonite International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Rating) had its price target boosted by Needham & Company LLC from $40.00 to $44.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Truist Financial upgraded shares of BellRing Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $25.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. Barclays upped their price target on shares of BellRing Brands from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of BellRing Brands from $34.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Mizuho reissued a buy rating and set a $38.00 price target on shares of BellRing Brands in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of BellRing Brands from $36.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $40.15.

Get BellRing Brands alerts:

BellRing Brands Stock Up 1.4 %

NYSE:BRBR opened at $36.38 on Wednesday. BellRing Brands has a 52 week low of $20.20 and a 52 week high of $37.55. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $33.74 and a 200 day moving average of $29.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.07, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.87.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BellRing Brands

BellRing Brands ( NYSE:BRBR Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.04. BellRing Brands had a net margin of 8.29% and a negative return on equity of 36.56%. The business had revenue of $385.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $371.26 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.23 EPS. BellRing Brandss revenue for the quarter was up 22.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that BellRing Brands will post 1.23 EPS for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BRBR. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its position in BellRing Brands by 1,839.2% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,413 shares of the companys stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 3,237 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates acquired a new position in shares of BellRing Brands in the first quarter valued at approximately $3,931,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of BellRing Brands by 610.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,065,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,599,000 after purchasing an additional 915,857 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in BellRing Brands by 15,216.3% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,010 shares of the companys stock worth $347,000 after acquiring an additional 14,912 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in BellRing Brands in the first quarter worth approximately $221,000. 92.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About BellRing Brands

(Get Rating)

BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States and internationally. It offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. The company sells its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for BellRing Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BellRing Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Nicolet Bankshares Inc. increased its stake in shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Get Rating) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,001 shares of the credit-card processors stock after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Nicolet Bankshares Inc.s holdings in Visa were worth $1,039,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Visa by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 145,236,910 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $25,801,337,000 after purchasing an additional 912,545 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in Visa by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 27,141,800 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $4,821,741,000 after purchasing an additional 1,785,695 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its position in Visa by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 13,270,127 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $2,357,438,000 after purchasing an additional 77,186 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Visa by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 13,157,577 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $2,337,444,000 after purchasing an additional 383,335 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Visa by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,004,830 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $2,218,771,000 after purchasing an additional 126,585 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.87% of the companys stock.

Get Visa alerts:

Insider Activity

In other news, Chairman Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. sold 58,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.99, for a total value of $12,991,420.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 162,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,365,672.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Visa news, General Counsel Julie B. Rottenberg sold 13,394 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.00, for a total transaction of $2,933,286.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 4,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,003,677. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. sold 58,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.99, for a total value of $12,991,420.00. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 162,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,365,672.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 187,671 shares of company stock valued at $42,943,080. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Visa Price Performance

A number of analysts have recently commented on V shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Visa from $262.00 to $265.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Mizuho upped their price target on Visa from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 30th. StockNews.com raised Visa from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Visa from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Visa from $272.00 to $284.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. One research 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $260.96.

Shares of V opened at $231.38 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $433.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.97. Visa Inc. has a twelve month low of $174.60 and a twelve month high of $235.57. The company has a 50 day moving average of $226.37 and a 200-day moving average of $219.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $7.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.79 billion. Visa had a net margin of 50.95% and a return on equity of 50.21%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.79 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Visa Inc. will post 8.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Visa Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. Visas payout ratio is presently 24.06%.

Visa Company Profile

(Get Rating)

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).

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding V? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Visa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The count of China's online ride-hailing companies reached 309 by the end of April, two more than the number registered in the previous month, data from the Ministry of Transport shows.

By the end of last month, the authorized ride-hailing vehicle certificates and driver licenses in the country hit 2.3 million and 5.4 million, up 2.2 percent and 3.4 percent month on month, respectively, according to the ministry. In April, 706 million ride-hailing trips were made.

Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, led the city list in terms of compliance rate of online-hailing orders, according to the data.

In 2022, online ride-hailing trips made up about 40.5 percent of total taxi trips, an increase of 6.4 percentage points from a year earlier. 
Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SHJBF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 743,200 shares, a decline of 28.2% from the April 15th total of 1,034,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days.

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Stock Performance

SHJBF remained flat at C$3.65 during trading on Friday. Shanghai Junshi Biosciences has a twelve month low of C$3.65 and a twelve month high of C$6.00. The businesss fifty day moving average is C$3.79.

Get Shanghai Junshi Biosciences alerts:

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Featured Articles

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of various drugs in the therapeutic areas of oncology, metabolic, autoimmune, neurologic, and infectious diseases in the People's Republic of China. The company offers JS001, a recombinant humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody under the trade name of TUOYI for the indication of melanoma, mucosal melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, triple negative breast carcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Receive News & Ratings for Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shanghai Junshi Biosciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The North West Company Inc. (OTCMKTS:NNWWF  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 282,900 shares, a decrease of 28.4% from the April 15th total of 395,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 707.3 days.

North West Price Performance

Shares of North West stock remained flat at $27.66 on Friday. North West has a 52 week low of $23.25 and a 52 week high of $30.23. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $27.67 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.83.

Get North West alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on NNWWF. CIBC increased their target price on shares of North West from C$37.00 to C$39.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on North West to C$41.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of North West from C$39.00 to C$41.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th.

North West Company Profile

The North West Company Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in northern Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The company's Canadian operations comprise 118 Northern stores, which offers food, financial services, and general merchandise; 5 NorthMart stores that provides fresh foods, apparel, and health products and services; 26 Quickstop convenience stores that provides ready-to-eat foods, and fuel and related services; 5 Giant Tiger junior discount stores, which offers family fashion, household products, and food; 2 Valu Lots discount center and direct-to-customer food distribution outlet; 1 solo market, a store in remote market; 3 Pharmacy and Convenience stores; and 1 North West Company motorsports dealership offering sales, service, parts and accessories for Ski-doo, Honda, Can-am and other premier brands.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for North West Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North West and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Financial Advisory Group lessened its position in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Get Rating) by 22.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,707 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. Financial Advisory Groups holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $290,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in GLD. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 83.0% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 3,095,139 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $478,711,000 after acquiring an additional 1,403,492 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $206,432,000 after acquiring an additional 821,773 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $100,880,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in SPDR Gold Shares by 134.7% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 934,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $168,842,000 after buying an additional 536,327 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in SPDR Gold Shares by 192.5% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 660,604 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $112,061,000 after buying an additional 434,764 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 37.94% of the companys stock.

Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts:

SPDR Gold Shares Stock Down 0.2 %

GLD stock traded down $0.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $186.81. The company had a trading volume of 7,087,462 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,955,972. SPDR Gold Shares has a 1 year low of $150.57 and a 1 year high of $191.36. The company has a 50 day moving average of $183.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $173.86.

SPDR Gold Shares Company Profile

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
StockNews.com upgraded shares of Cousins Properties (NYSE:CUZ  Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Wednesday morning.

CUZ has been the topic of a number of other reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Cousins Properties from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Cousins Properties from $27.00 to $25.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Cousins Properties from $36.00 to $28.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 24th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Cousins Properties from $28.00 to $24.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Cousins Properties from $29.00 to $25.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.00.

Get Cousins Properties alerts:

Cousins Properties Trading Down 2.1 %

CUZ opened at $19.97 on Wednesday. The companys 50 day moving average is $21.04 and its 200-day moving average is $23.86. Cousins Properties has a 1-year low of $18.06 and a 1-year high of $34.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The company has a market cap of $3.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.66, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.12.

Cousins Properties Announces Dividend

Insiders Place Their Bets

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 5th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 4th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.41%. Cousins Propertiess payout ratio is 119.63%.

In other Cousins Properties news, EVP John S. Mccoll sold 36,975 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.93, for a total transaction of $921,786.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 30,814 shares in the company, valued at approximately $768,193.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Cousins Properties

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. State of Tennessee Treasury Department increased its stake in shares of Cousins Properties by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 439,093 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,388,000 after acquiring an additional 19,986 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its position in Cousins Properties by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 258,321 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,523,000 after purchasing an additional 21,705 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Cousins Properties by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 19,906,599 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $425,603,000 after purchasing an additional 412,779 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Cousins Properties by 11.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 385,370 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $8,239,000 after purchasing an additional 40,134 shares during the period. Finally, HRT Financial LP acquired a new stake in Cousins Properties in the 1st quarter valued at $567,000. Institutional investors own 97.15% of the companys stock.

About Cousins Properties

(Get Rating)

Cousins Properties, Inc engages in the development, acquisition, leasing and management of real estate assets. It invests in urban office towers located in Sunbelt markets. The company was founded by Thomas G. Cousins in 1958 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Cousins Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cousins Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Suncorp Group (OTCMKTS:SNMCY  Get Rating) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report report published on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Suncorp Group in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

Get Suncorp Group alerts:

Suncorp Group Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:SNMCY opened at $8.28 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $8.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.25. Suncorp Group has a twelve month low of $6.15 and a twelve month high of $9.25.

Suncorp Group Increases Dividend

About Suncorp Group

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 20th were given a $0.2086 dividend. This represents a yield of 3.5%. This is a positive change from Suncorp Groups previous dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th.

(Get Rating)

Suncorp Group Limited provides insurance and banking products and services to retail, corporate, and commercial customers in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates through Insurance (Australia), Suncorp Bank, and Suncorp New Zealand segments. The Insurance (Australia) segment provides general insurance products and services, including home and contents, motor, marine, travel, commercial property, industrial special risk, public liability and professional indemnity, workers' compensation, and compulsory third-party products, as well as distributes life insurance products.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Suncorp Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncorp Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Rating) by 85.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,346 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,463 shares during the quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $724,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 4th quarter valued at about $258,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 46.5% in the 4th quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 879 shares of the companys stock worth $118,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. Brookstone Capital Management grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 8,304 shares of the companys stock worth $1,151,000 after buying an additional 479 shares during the last quarter. Old North State Trust LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 6.09% of the companys stock.

Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $383.33.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 1.3 %

About Novo Nordisk A/S

NYSE:NVO opened at $171.27 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $387.58 billion, a PE ratio of 45.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.48. Novo Nordisk A/S has a twelve month low of $95.02 and a twelve month high of $172.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The companys 50 day moving average is $158.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $140.04.

(Get Rating)

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.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Vodafone Group Public Limited (LON:VOD  Get Rating) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eleven research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has given a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 115 ($1.45).

VOD has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Berenberg Bank set a GBX 100 ($1.26) price objective on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Numis Securities reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 130 ($1.64) price objective on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Vodafone Group Public from GBX 100 ($1.26) to GBX 95 ($1.20) in a research report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein set a GBX 100 ($1.26) target price on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a GBX 85 ($1.07) target price on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research note on Thursday, February 16th.

Get Vodafone Group Public alerts:

Vodafone Group Public Price Performance

Shares of LON:VOD opened at GBX 89.86 ($1.13) on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 134.84. Vodafone Group Public has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1.04 ($0.01) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 132.10 ($1.67). The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 92.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 93.25. The company has a market cap of 24.25 billion, a PE ratio of 1,497.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.55.

Vodafone Group Public Company Profile

Vodafone Group Public Limited Company engages in telecommunication services in Europe and internationally. The company offers mobile services that enable customers to call, text, and access data; fixed line services, including broadband, television (TV) offerings, and voice; and convergence services under the GigaKombi and Vodafone One names to customers.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Vodafone Group Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vodafone Group Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
One who hears and repeats a curse of the king is really cursing the king

Quickly last week, my office premises and environs did not have electricity and some few steps from my office is the Jos Electricity Distribution Company. The company is one I did rate a 4 out 0f 10 which by any standards is fair enough. So, they were powering the office with a generator, yes you heard me generator.

And I have seen this scenario, once or twice but it just occurred to me that we simply are not well as a people. However, truth be told worse things have happened.

A few years ago, the Bureau for Public Enterprise BPE sold NITEL, the nation's elephant telecom company, to a building in Switzerland, it was a building housing a church, all the dance and drama. We soon let go. Just a reminder it was called PENTASCOPE. Years later, the father of a white cloth wearing former Honourable bought the NITEL house...The NITEL story remains a tale by moonlight, plenty of lies, half-truths, misinformation, propaganda, a potpourri of sorts.

How about the Steel Rolling Mill in Jos, Plateau, it was 'racketered' in that sweet sounding word privatization. Some journeymen bought all the assets, renamed it Zuma, today the only functional thing is the housing estate. The factory and machines have long been vandalized.

There was that drama of Daily Times, publishers of that ole time newspaper. Before I go far, a former Managing Director of the once pride of publishing told me "Charlie, Daily Times is like a big elephant, everybody comes and cuts his/her own and goes away."

You need to appreciate that statement in context, at a time in point Daily Times had properties virtually everywhere Nigeria had a presence in the world. All that changed, what is left of the elephant was sold to some clowns and the rest is history...the elephant eventually slumped.

Let me spare us the story according to Nigerian Airways, the Nigerian Shipping Lines, or our textile industry in Kaduna state!

Anyway, my admonition is on our power sector, the Buhari administration is leaving a sector comatose after promises that power supply would get better, and indeed on some odd occasions I and many Nigerians have enjoyed more than 8hours of electricity. But don't forget, it was not the norm, it was an exception. The President, his aides, and ministers made pledges but delivered very little in this respect.

I will put it in context, almost 200% increase in tariffs in 8 years, with more than 100 nations still paying cheaper for electricity, and depending on who's statistics you are looking at, we have spent over N7 trillion on our power sector since 1999, with the bulk of that finding itself in private pockets.

We don't have enough electricity but under the WAPP initiative to promote and develop power generation and transmission infrastructures as well as to coordinate power exchange among the ECOWAS member states. Nigeria currently supplies electricity to the Republic of Benin, Togo, and Niger.

The economic loss due to grid collapse is almost 3% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

I recall the drama of Enron, a failed American company that was reckless in its use of derivatives and special purpose entities. Mr. Tinubu, the incoming President started the IPP project in Nigeria with Enron then in Lagos. It is noteworthy that he was the first to challenge the monopoly of NEPA. He conceptualised the bulk purchase agreement. Obasanjo stopped the implementation. We wait to see what lies in wait and fate

Put in perspective, with 12 Turbines, the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station is a 3,050 MW hydroelectric power project under development in Nigeria. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country, and one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in Africa. It is still 6 years away from expected completion date of 2030 and costing US$5.8 billion

For those that did not know the Mambilla hydroelectric project was originally conceived in 1972, it could advance only after 35 years when China's Gezhouba Group awarded a contract to develop the project with 2,600MW installed capacity in 2007, all still na voicemail.

At 50 years old, Kainji hydroelectric dam is the oldest functioning power plant in Nigeria. Kainji is one of 3 major dams in Niger state. The others are the Jebba dam (1985) and the Shiroro dam (1990). A fourth dam is currently under construction at Zungeru.

The Federal Government in February 2023 announced the preferred bidder for the concession of the 700 megawatts Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant for a fee of $70,000,251 per year for a period of 30 years

We have blamed witches for power outages. We have since forgotten the Minister who resigned and the controversies surrounding all that power scams.

And then the many Chinese loans taken, yet we are on the same track, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria has been sold and the drama continues. But if you know Nigerians and Nigeria, it is only a repeat episode, nothing new.

Most of the owners simply bought PHCN properties for peanuts. Owners that have no required expertise, distribution companies aptly called DISCOs that see the venture as new 'oil wells' dancing around our collective psyche.

Looking at the best efforts of the government or the DISCOs, I simply recall those days when we read, the novel by Adaora Ulasi, many things we don't understand. What captivated me then, was not just in the story but that title.

Yet, from PHCN, to NEPA, onetime ECN, for those old enough to remember. Now Distribution Companies, the power sector and these Discos are just a repeat episode of things we never may understand.

Like why we can't get 22hours electricity in a nation with so many resources both human and financial. Like how do we expect to get the desired megawatts with generating and transmission points that are run like Lugard lamps.

Only last year a handful of men put the whole nation in darkness in the name of a power strike. No one cared about the loss of those hours that the nation was left in the dark. We still suffer high currentelectric gadgets bear the brunt, no one is held liable, and then low currentyou can barely see, so there is electricity but it cannot power a bulb.

The Transmission company people are doing loads of hard work but truly it amounts to nothing when there are many questions and no answers, I agree that we are a difficult people, it is probably only in Nigeria that PHCN owes NNPC for fuel supplied, and NNPC has not paid for electricity supplied and state houses owe utility bills, while citizens that have not paid bills in years have power as long as there is power to spare.

I do not need to lecture us on the benefits derivable to the Nigerian economy in the event we sort out our electricity palaver. I must state the solution does not lie in Chinese, World Bank loans or Private Partnership but upon a strong political will by leadership.

If and if only Mr. Tinubu can lay the groundwork, of solving the power problem, to address the energy palaver, to direct his energy to the octopus like the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills, just solve the power problem, posterity will judge him fair, but as it isonly time will tell.
JERUSALEM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian worker who was injured in a rocket attack earlier in the day succumbed to his wounds at the hospital, Israeli media reported on Saturday.

The worker was from Gaza and had a permit to work in an Israeli village adjacent to the border. He was injured on Saturday afternoon in the southern Negev desert, together with another Palestinian worker from Gaza and an Israeli man, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service.

It is reportedly the second death in Israel after a woman was killed in the Israeli city of Rehovot on Thursday since the latest round of tension.

Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant organization have been engaged in a round of violence in recent days that has included scores of Israeli airstrikes and rocket attacks by the militants.

Speaking at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi warned that "the army is prepared to continue striking in a precise and increasing manner, as we have done over the last few days." 
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has expressed the commitment of banking sector to expand foreign exchange supply in the country.

He noted that the RT200 programme had made good progress in export proceed repatriation since its establishment in February 2022.

Emefiele said, I want to assure you that the bank is committed to strengthening and expanding foreign exchange supply into the market.

Speaking at the third edition of the biannual RTt200 non-oil export summit with the theme, RT200: Challenges and prospects to success, in Lagos, he said the CBN decided to review the progress made so far, from inception of the programme in the first half of 2022 to date.

Emefiele said, Available data shows that repatriation due to the programme increased by 40 per cent from $3.0bn in 2021 to $5.6bn at the end of 2022.

The momentum for 2023 is equally showing strong numbers and impressive prospects. In the first quarter of 2023, a total of $1.7bn was repatriated to the economy while about $790m was sold at the I&E window year-to-date.

He noted that everyone was important in the call of expanding the supply of foreign exchange inflow into the economy.

For exporters, flying the flag of Nigeria in the international market, the Bankers Committee and the CBN stand ready to partner with you to achieve your goals, the governor said.
A distinguished group of Canadian musicians will celebrate the music of Canadian composers on a special tour of Croatia, Serbia, and Spain, featuring Cobourg composer Michael Pepa.

As of May 15, Vancouvers Turning Point Ensemble, and Pepa will embark on a 12-day tour, performing the works of R. Murray Schafer, Michael Colgrass, Rita Ueda, Owen Underhill, Ana Sokolovic, Katarina Curcin, Helena Skljarov, Borisa Sabljic, Pepa, and others. All have been recognized as leaders in the field of composition in Canada, said organizers.

Northumberland audiences have become familiar with the music of Pepa over the last six years, since he brought the chamber music of Les AMIS Concerts to Cobourg.

Since its inception 40 years ago, the primary goal of Les AMIS continues to nurture talented young musicians at the earliest stages of their professional careers, said Pepa, Les AMIS founder and artistic director. It is also its policy to introduce them to works by contemporary Canadian composers at every opportunity.

The first international concert tour that involved Pepa was Soundstage Canada 81. It was the first Canadian ensemble of its kind ever to tour former Yugoslavia, Romania, and Hungary, added organizers.

I am delighted to be part of the present effort, as well as that of 1981. In fact, I feel that Soundstage Canada 81 laid the foundation for the 2023 showcase and that the present tour is the result of the continuous collaborations between the artists of Serbia, Croatia, and Canada, said Pepa. Significantly, these events are again taking place in Zagreb and Belgrade.

This time, appropriately, new generation composers are featured.

Turning Point Ensemble of Vancouver, founded by its musician members in 2002, is described as a large chamber ensemble that presents music in innovative contexts across genres and intersecting with multiple art forms. The ensemble operates under the leadership of Underhill, who serves as artistic director and conductor, composer.

The tour was Turning Points idea, said Pepa. They asked me to write something for them and I have written a piece for viola and ensemble.

My dear friend, the world-famous violist Rivka Golani, will be flying in from her home in London, England, to perform as soloist in a piece that I wrote in her honour.

Golani has performed as a soloist with many of the worlds most prominent orchestras and more than 350 works have been composed for her, including more than 80 concertos, said organizers.

Pepas musical offering No. 2 Golani will have its world premiere during the tour.

It is an inspiration to work with this outstanding collection of musicians and to bring Canadian music to the fore internationally. I am delighted to help showcase new and innovative Canadian works, here and in other countries, said Pepa.

SHARE:
TRENTON  Canadian Forces Base Trentons search and rescue team (SAR) responds to about 4,000 calls a year over an area of 10 million square kilometres.

Its the largest search and rescue region in Canada, said Capt. Sheila Tham, 8 Wing Trentons public affairs officer. It includes the Great Lakes and extends from Trenton to Quebec City in the east, the B.C. border in the west and to the North Pole, and includes Hudsons Bay and the Arctic Ocean.

Historically, the involvement of Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre has saved on average more than 1,200 lives and provided assistance to over 20,000 persons each year within the Trenton SRR, Tham said.

The 8 Wing 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at CFB Trenton held a public affairs event Thursday, for the first time since September 2020, to showcase its work for reporters.

SAR incidents fall under aeronautical, maritime, or humanitarian and civil aid classifications, said Maj. Marc Crivicich, the commanding officer at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Trenton.

The numbers change yearly, but I would say approximately three-quarters of that is going to be marine cases, especially in the Great Lakes, he said.

SAR works with first responders, such as the Ontario Provincial Police, to maximize efforts and provide assistance in more challenging situations, he said.

Often, well see a request because the patient is isolated in a position that can be hard to extract them from, or involves moving them over very difficult terrain, Crivicich said. Even three or four kilometres can take a very long period of time, where were much faster and able to get them to hospital care in a more rapid period.

An example of this would be an individual in a heavily forest area, explained Crivicich, where a hoist-capable helicopter is required. For these cases, a CH-146 Griffon helicopter is deployed, he said.

For aeronautical search and rescue missions where a helicopter would be too slow, SAR uses the CC-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft, which has a range of 7,200 kilometres and can transport about 80 passengers.

Each unit has different aircraft based on the geographical case requirements, said Dan Verret, a search and rescue technician at Trenton. Winnipeg has only the fixed-wing, because most of their missions are hours away into the Arctic, so a helicopter would take forever to get there.

The team at 8 Wing demonstrated various aeronautical drills they use to practise on a regular basis. This included parachuting from 3,000 feet, hoisting patients from 80 feet and deploying message drops and tactical supplies at 150 feet, said Lt.-Col. Jean-Paul Landry, commanding officer of 424 Squadron.

Jumpers have life vests to allow them to parachute into water and are trained to safely land during the night or in bad weather, he said.

The most challenging thing that we deal with in search and rescue is weather. People usually get into distress when the weather situation starts to degrade very rapidly, Landry said. We need to go into that weather potentially to help them, so the riskiest missions have been those involving difficult or challenging weather conditions.

There are multiple steps to becoming a SAR technician, including training at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, scoring high on the Canadian Forces aptitude test, and practical training related to the specific field an applicant is moving toward.

You have to pass all those, and then your chain of command has to approve you to go to selection, said Sgt. Robert Featherstone, a search and rescue technician at Trenton.

But an applicant also needs to have empathy and a true desire to help people despite the danger, explained Featherstone, as both the training and real-life scenarios carry serious risks.

SHARE:
Released just in time for Mothers Day is a delightful picture book about grandmothers published by Tundra Books.

The Care and Keeping of Grandmas by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang, captures the special relationship between a grandparent and grandchild. Written from the point of view of a granddaughter, the story is about what happens when an unconventional grandmother moves in. While the granddaughter helps her feel at home, making sure she has everything she needs and more, the two get used to living with each other.

Jennifer Mook-Sang was inspired to write the book after she imagined meeting a grandchild of her own.

My aspirations went beyond being the stereotypical cookie-baking grandma, she says. I wanted to be the kind of grandma who had lived a life of adventure, and was only just now deciding to settle down. Thats how the story started  with a grandma starting a new chapter in her life.

Mook-Sang says that she was fortunate that her paternal grandfather lived with her family when she was young.

He was part of the family, but he had his own life too, she says. And he always whispered to me that I was his favourite.

Regarding Yong Ling Kangs whimsical watercolour and pencil illustrations, Mook-Sang says that writers arent usually consulted about who they want to illustrate their books.

It was a treat when my editor sent me the list of illustrators they were considering, she continues. I loved the light and playful art of Yong Ling Kang with characters who were full of expression. Her illustrations magically capture both the humour and the heart in the story.

Mook-Sang was born in Guyana, South America and her family moved to Scarborough when she was 14 years old. She has two degrees in psychology and has worked with young children in school and hospital settings. She now lives in Burlington.

Ive always been an avid reader but didnt consider myself a writer until I fell in love with the picture books I read to my two young sons, she says. Those books were so full of adventure and heart, and so short. I hoped, maybe, I could write one. It was not as easy as I thought.

She started her first book, Speechless, a humorous middle grade novel, in a writing class and finished it because her classmates demanded to know what happened next. It won the Surrey Schools Book of the Year. Her second book was Captain Monty Takes the Plunge about a stinky pirate who never takes a bath.

When asked what she hopes readers will take away from her book, she replies, Id like little and big readers of The Care and Keeping of Grandmas to have fun reading the story together, to enjoy looking at all the glorious details in Yong Ling Kangs exquisite illustrations, and laugh about what it means to take care of someone.

I read the book to my five-year old grandson to see what he thought, and he said he liked the story and all the pictures of plants that were on practically every page.

Shortly after being accepted for publication, my older son and his wife presented me with a mug that said Grandma. I was thrilled to realize that my writing could manifest an actual human being, she says. So now, Im working on a picture book about a writer who wins a billion dollars in the lottery!

The Care and Keeping of Grandmas may be found in, or ordered from, any physical bookstore; and online through Chapters-Indigo or Amazon. To learn more about the author, please visit penguinrandomhouse.ca.

SHARE:
The C-suite has had enough of remote work.

That, at least, is the consensus that seems to be emerging among a handful of companies who, apparently having tired of post-COVID work habits, have asked their employees to come back to the office.

As to why, whether its RBCs Dave McKay, Salesforces Marc Beinhoff, or JP Morgans Jamie Dimon, CEOs at a variety of major firms claim that remote work harms productivity, creativity, and company culture.

Employees, perhaps unsurprisingly, find the assertion offensive. When JP Morgan told its workers to go back, some staffers reacted by calling the move tone deaf and divisive.

But in the tug of war that has emerged between executives and their white collar minions, it isnt productivity that is actually driving the tension. Rather, to borrow a line from Bill Clintons presidential campaign: Its the commute, stupid.

How could it not be? Consider that in 2016, the average Canadian commute each way was 24 minutes. It has now ballooned to 54 minutes, with congested places like Toronto being even higher.

That amounts to a staggering nine hours a week spent getting to and from work  more than a full workday.

Is it any wonder, then, that workers would do anything to reclaim that time, whether to spend with family, complete errands, relax  or even work?

That last part isnt even a joke. A study put out in America by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that up to 40% of the time saved by not commuting actually goes in to completing work tasks.

A better work-life balance

Yet, to focus only on increased productivity would be a mistake. Recently while at a friends place for drinks, more than one working parent talked about how much better it was to be able to either pick up children from school or to be at home when they returned.

There are significant challenges around how to work from home and balance, say, sick children, or what to do during periods like the long summer vacation. But all other things being equal, not commuting gives parents extra time to, well, parent.

It reflects a broader trend in which the lack of a commute allows for a better work-life balance. Saving more than an entire work day a week represents an enormous benefit.

Its one that many workers are willing to take a pay cut for. A 2021 survey by GoodHire stated that 61% of respondents would be willing to accept less money if it meant not commuting.

They may, however, still end up saving money. As the cost of commuting goes up due to a variety of factors  not just fuel prices, but higher prices on cars, in addition to increasing transit fares  even a reduced salary might have one end up with more money in ones pocket.

There is, however, a large body of research that suggests that the cost of a commute is not only financial.

A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo took a look at StatsCan data and found that the longer it takes someone to get to work, the lower their satisfaction with life in general. Part of it is the stress of things like being in traffic, but part of it is that commuting can also supplant time that might otherwise be used for physical activity.

Making matters worse is that in Toronto specifically, congestion continues to deteriorate. Not only is it the city the third most congested in North America, our transit infrastructure is arguably decades behind, making driving all but mandatory for many, particularly those outside the core.

All that time in traffic has obvious consequences for both air quality and carbon emissions.

The stress of commuting

Commuting thus swallows time that could be better spent relaxing or working; makes us stressed and unhealthy; and leaves us less satisfied with both life and work.

Whether or not CEO complaints about reduced productivity from remote work have merit is something that will still need time to evaluate; that there are some types of interaction better suited to being in-person is clear, and no matter how awful commuting can be, we shouldnt avoid this obvious fact.

A hybrid solution that limits commuting to a couple of days a week  or, akin the case of companies like Shopify, significantly less than that  may be one option.

But any attempt to reconcile the competing needs of businesses bottom lines and their workers needs to grapple with the fact that schlepping to an office on a regular basis is something almost no-one wants to do  at least not frequently.

This might not be apparent to an average CEO who might be chauffeured around or flying in a private jet.

But just as weekends, holidays, and benefits were things fought for by workers, whether or not a job that can be done remotely includes a commute is now a question of worker rights. And any executive who wants to take that time away should be prepared for more than a little blowback.

SHARE:
When a family buys a newly-built home from a big, sophisticated developer, it can be an intimidating experience.

The home isnt finished, so the buyer is relying on an artists sketches and a perfectly decorated showroom. But theres pressure to buy now, committing to a complex contract written by the developer.

The Ontario government is considering new consumer protection measures to tackle the mismatch between big building companies and families buying new homes. One of these is a cooling-off period before a commitment to purchase a new home is final. A cooling-off period already exists for new condominium sales.

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) supports this idea. Rules for buying and selling homes should recognize that ordinary families arent on the same footing as corporate developers.

We also believe the minister, Kaleed Rasheed, is right to focus on purchases of new homes. When the same family is ready to resell that home, perhaps to upgrade for some extra space, it would make no sense at all to treat them the same way as a developer, just because they are the seller now.

Some advocates want the government to apply cooling-off periods even to resale homes. But because resales are so different from new home sales, that would be bad for both buyers and sellers.

In resales, there are often multiple offers on one home. A cooling-off period can entice speculators to flood the market with bids, since they can cancel with only a small penalty. A wealthy person may bid on several homes at once; if more than one bid is accepted, the penalty is just the cost of doing business. Or some speculate, and back out if they think the market is falling.

Meanwhile, all the other families who made offers just hear that they arent getting the home; they dont know it wasnt really sold because a speculator cancelled. They have to move on to the next house, where they face more uncertainty from the next round of speculators.

Uncertainty also hurts the family selling the home. They may need to be sure of a firm sale, so they can afford to buy a new home  they arent like big developers with billions in financing. With a cooling-off period, sellers have to wait to see if the buyer cancels. If so, they have to relist.

Seniors selling their homes for dignity in retirement would face the same risk of having to relist after a buyer cancels. If a home stays on the market too long, it can get a reputation for being stale, making it harder to sell.

Today, sellers often accept lower prices with unconditional offers, because they value certainty. A cooling-off period for resales undermines this, penalizing buyers who carefully thought through their decision.

You might wonder how common abuse by speculators would be. We have a chance to find out, because the NDP government in BC recently applied cooling-off periods to resale homes. Early experience there suggests that speculators are indeed taking full advantage. If this continues or even grows, its a warning for Ontario.

Of course, buying a home is the biggest financial decision of your life whether its newly built or a resale. All homebuyers deserve robust consumer protection. Thats why OREA spent years advocating for tougher, clearer regulations, including stiffer penalties for agents who break rules. We were pleased that the government built these recommendations into the Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA), which passed in 2020.

But big developers arent licensed real estate agents, and arent subject to the same Code of Ethics and regulations. It makes sense to add extra consumer protection, like a cooling-off period, focused specifically on newly-built homes.

Governments often have different policies for new home sales and resale homes. For example, new home sales are subject to GST, while resales are exempt. Cooling-off periods are another area where government should recognize the difference.

We shouldnt treat families like big developers when they buy a new home, and a cooling-off period is a smart reform to recognize the mismatch.

We also shouldnt treat families like big developers when they sell a home. A cooling-off period for resale homes would be bad for both buyers and sellers. The Ford Government is right to focus this reform where it belongs  only for new home sales.

Tim Hudak is CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association.He is a former leader of the Progressive Conservative party of Ontario.

SHARE:
MOGADISHU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said on Sunday that it has stepped up preparations for the withdrawal of 2,000 soldiers by June 30 from Somalia.

Mohammed El-Amine Souef, special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS, said a joint technical committee with members drawn from appropriate stakeholders, including the Somali government, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, and ATMIS, have identified and agreed on the military bases to be handed over from ATMIS to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) or to be collapsed.

Souef, who was on an official visit to ATMIS Sector 5 headquarters in Jowhar, said while ATMIS reduces the number of soldiers on the ground, the SSF will increase its numbers to take over the areas that ATMIS will hand over.

"The drawdown is in compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 which mandates ATMIS to draw down 2000 soldiers by the end of June and hand over security in agreed areas to Somali Security Forces," ATMIS said in a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

ATMIS has been conducting both joint targeted and routine operations to degrade the terror group al-Shabaab, which is engaging the government forces in near-daily attacks. The AU mission also provides security to enable humanitarian actors to deliver much-needed food and emergency relief items to communities in need and remote areas.

Marius Ngendabanka, ATMIS acting force commander, said an operations order has already been released, and the joint technical committee team is on schedule to meet the June 30 deadline.

He emphasized that the drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS soldiers will not impact security for key government installations and major population centers if the SSF takes over. 
The Sound Inside

By Adam Rapp, directed by Leora Morris. Until May 28 at The Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave. coalminetheatre.com

Unmoored, drifting in the ether between fiction and reality, the two anti-heroes of The Sound Inside are loners. But theyre also perpetual observers  pathetically waiting, watching from the sidelines for a storybook narrative that never quite arrives.

Bella Baird (Moya OConnell) is a 53-year-old Yale professor of creative writing, a self-described single, self-possessed woman without children nor a spouse who has spent much of her life in higher education with little to show for it.

Christopher Dunn (Aidan Correia) is one of Bellas students, an enigmatic freshman who first displays rabid machismo  he lumbers with a heavy step, throwing his backpack around without care  yet is, too, a sensitive, friendless misfit.

How the stories of these wistful souls intersect forms the basis of Adam Rapps riveting two-hander, now receiving an exquisite Canadian premiere at Coal Mine Theatre.

We learn early on that Bella is diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and given a 20 per cent chance of survival. Christopher, meanwhile, is struggling to write a novel, willing to push almost everything else aside to focus on this endeavour.

The plot unfolds like a mystery. But Im hesitant to fully categorize it as such. A mystery brims with suspense and an unrelenting drive toward an inevitable conclusion. Sure, The Sound Inside possesses those qualities. Yet as much as you want to learn what comes next  do Bella and Christopher find salvation in each other?  youre also content to revel in the profound beauty of Rapps prose and his dense character study of two seemingly disparate personalities.

Rapp paints with words as an impressionist artist does with strokes of a brush, be it a scene when Christopher and his professor discuss the virtues of Fyodor Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment, or a moment when Bella recalls her grim diagnosis.

The narration trades gracefully between Bella and Christopher. Scenes that flourish with figurative language are juxtaposed with others that are brutally clinical, presented succinctly with the cold, hard facts.

That impressionistic texture  always probing, never too obvious  extends to Leora Morriss direction, which eschews excess for mesmerizing symbolism.

Wes Babcocks set, for instance, is spare, populated with a wooden desk and two chairs. Similarly, his lighting design deftly draws the audiences gaze to the physical details of each scene. Using this simple production design, Morris shifts the action between locales on Coal Mine Theatres small proscenium stage with ease.

Perhaps her most memorable directorial choice reveals itself throughout the 90-minute work. As the story plays out, Bellas wooden desk drawers are slowly removed, only to be stacked, criss-crossed atop one other, at a front corner of the stage.

The symbolism of this will be interpreted differently by each viewer, but I took it as a piercing metaphor for the emptiness of Bellas and Christophers lives, a void filled with loneliness and unmentioned despair.

As professor and student, OConnell and Correia are impeccably cast, capturing their characters repressed melancholy with delicacy and insight. OConnell, a familiar face at the Shaw Festival, exudes a warm vulnerability, foiled by Correias erratic swings between fits of passion and emotionless reclusiveness.

Together, they have wonderful chemistry and, like Rapps always surprising text, steer clear of the cliches that often seep into stories about student-professor relationships in higher education.

For a play about writing, language and storytelling, Rapp seems less concerned about finding a resolution to all the threads woven into the plot than the journey to that conclusion, even if it means he fails to explore  or even acknowledge  the possible consequences of his characters actions.

Still, theres no denying the power of Rapps play, as presented in Morriss thrilling new production. Its an insightful, powerful meditation on loneliness, agency and the stories we write  both for ourselves and for others.

Ponder the questions it raises, revel in its exceptional writing and bask in the spell it casts.

SHARE:
NEW YORK (AP)  Combat veteran and Fox Nation host Johnny Joey Jones has a book coming out in June about serving with the Marines Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan and the friendships he formed.

Fox News Books, Fox News Medias publishing imprint, announced Sunday that Jones Unbroken Bonds of Battle, will come out June 27.

Jones, 36, was a bomb technician who served eight years with the Marines before a devastating explosion in Afghanistan in 2010  he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device)  cost him both of his legs.

For years people have asked me to write a book about my story, Jones said in a statement released Sunday by Fox Books. However, Ive always known all along that the most important part of my story is the amazing collection of people and warriors whove become a part of my life. Each of them with inspiring and heroic stories of their own.

Jones, 36, was a bomb technician who served eight years with the Marines before a devastating explosion in Afghanistan in 2010  he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device)  cost him both of his legs.

Unbroken Bonds is part of Fox Books Modern Warriors series, which also includes Pete Hegseths Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes.

SHARE:
Body of missing Russian man found near Kalim

PHUKET: The body of the Russian man swept off rocks and into the water by a wave at Promthep Cape on Friday (May 12) has been found.

tourismSafetyaccidentsdeathRussian

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Sunday 14 May 2023, 06:54PM

Local fishermen discovered the body of Yuri Smoyan, 32, in the water about 200 metres offshore from Laem Daeng in the Nakalay area of Kalim, north of Patong, at about 12:50pm.

The local fishermen informed the search and rescue centre set up at Yanui Beach. Officers from Rawai Municipality, Tourist Police and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation responded to the report.

Friends of Mr Smoyan who were with him when he was swept off the rocks at Promthep Cape confirmed to officers that the body found was dressed in the clothes matching those worn by Mr Smoyan when he disappeared.

Kusoldharm rescue workers along with personnel from the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3 branch (TMECC Region 3), who had joined the search, brought the body back to Pak Bang Beach in Rawai, where Mr Somyans friends confirmed that the body found was his.

Present when the body was brought ashore were Muang District Chief f Pairoj Srilamoon, Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos and Rawai Deputy Mayor Thiraphong Thaowdang.

Forensic Police had Mr Smoyans body taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for post-mortem examination as standard procedure before being allowed to release his body to his family.
Polling underway in Phuket

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew cast the first vote at the polling station at the Phuket Auditorium in Phuket Town, marking the start of polling across the island in the national election today (May 14).

politics

By The Phuket News

Sunday 14 May 2023, 10:55AM

The polling station Phuket Auditorium, at the government administration center on Tha Kraeng Rd, home of Phuket Provincial Hall, is just one of 22 polling stations set up throughout the Talad Yai subdistrict in Phuket Town, where votes are being cast for candidates contesting for Constituency 1 in the election.

For the first time, Phuket has three seats for Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives up for grabs in a national election.

Governor Narong urged people to exercise their right to vote, noting that it took little to make their mark in the election. After casting their vote, people can go about their day as usual, he said.

In total 377 polling stations have been set up across the island. Voter turnout is hoped to be as high as 80%, but no less than 70%, Orapin Acheevasuk, Director of the Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket).

So far 798 voters have turned out to cast votes at the Phuket Auditorium polling station, she said.

Voters who turned out appeared to be enthusiastic. There have been no reports of aberrant behaviour, she added.

The 377 polling stations in Phuket are ready in all aspects to accommodate and facilitate voters, who have been gradually arriving since this morning, Ms Orapin said.

Polling stations opened to voters at 8am, and will close at 5pm.

Today the weather is very good. It is not hot and [so far] not crowded, she said. The election atmosphere so far has been smooth and there have been no reports of irregularities.

Ms Orapin said that about 800 to 1,000 people were expected to turn out at each polling station throughout the day.

However, she called for people to try to spread their arrival at polling stations throughout the day to prevent overcrowding when the polls close at 5pm.

Ms Orapin reminded voters that there will be two ballot papers: a green one to select a candidate, and a purple one to vote for the allocation of party list seats.

She also reminded voters, And dont take a picture of the ballot or damage it, otherwise it will be a crime.

Counting of votes cast will begin after the polling stations close at 5pm.

Counting is expected to take three hours, with the unofficial results expected at about 8pm, Ms Orapin said.
When the washing is still green

Trillions of dollars have been poured into funds touting their green credentials via various voluntary disclosures as the world economy seeks to accelerate its low-carbon transition. More than 90 nations, representing an estimated 80% of global emissions, have pledged to commit to reaching net zero, according to the think tank World Resources Institute (WRI).

Environment

By The Phuket News

Sunday 14 May 2023, 11:00AM

Despite growing global momentum to curb greenwashing, financial and green analysts say the fact there are no uniform environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability standards mean that even defining the problem, let alone finding consensus on it, is difficult.

This lack of uniform standards may change. The European Union and the US have drafted respective corporate disclosure rules, and the G20-backed International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in February announced it would support two sets of rules  one on climate and one on sustainability  to form a global baseline beginning in 2024. ESG advocates said this could compel  and incentivise  companies to put climate at the core of their operations, and signal that greenwashing will not go unchecked.

In the interim it is essential for companies to have a clear view of what it means to claim to be sustainable, 100% recycled or environmentally friendly. Overall, transparency and credibility in ESG reporting is crucial to avoiding being shamed because of green sheen marketing.

A recent event in Australia has thrown a spotlight on the increasing risks of greenwashing  when companies make misleading claims about their environmental credentials. In February this year, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission filed a high-profile lawsuit claiming substantial damages against Mercer Superannuation, a pension fund, for alleged greenwashing regarding the sustainability of its investment options. It was decided by the courts that their investment options, including companies still involved in high carbon fuel extraction and processing, was misleading and insufficient care was taken in making these sustainable investment assertions. The courts drew a nexus between greenwashing and fraud and had little difficulty in awarding damages to the Commission.

Following suit, last month the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed that over half of the 247 companies reviewed online for potential greenwashing had made "concerning claims" about their environmental credentials. In a statement, the watchdog noted that companies are obligated to substantiate any green or sustainable assertions with evidence such as reliable scientific reports, transparent supply chain information, and reputable third-party certification. The Commission said it is taking steps to name these companies and demand they rectify their misleading assertions.

ESG in Thailand: a wilting revolution?

It has been widely reported that it is becoming increasingly difficult to breathe in Thailand due to smoke from fires in northern Thailand, causing respiratory issues for many individuals and motor vehicle pollution rising in Bangkok. For at least seven days straight in April 2023, Chiang Mai ranked as the worlds most polluted city according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The fires are readily tracked using NASA satellites with imagery available to the general public through its Fire Information for Resource Management System. A number of the fires have been attributed to farms, and these farms supply some of Thailands biggest companies. The farmers complain that without assistance from the government, they are unable to afford the machinery to avoid burning the excess biomatter. There are clearly easy ways to prevent the unnecessary burning.

Research clearly indicates that addressing air pollution and environmental degradation has significant benefits for the climate, economy and people, but it hasnt become a significant election issue. Overall, it seems that, at a minimum, the environmental components of ESG initiatives are still evolving in Thailand. How any ESG initiatives progress will largely depend on the way stakeholders and regulators hold Thai companies accountable for their actions and claims. However, regulatory intervention is rare in Thailand.

On a positive note, there have been several initiatives taken by both the Thai government and the private sector to promote ESG standards and reporting, including the Thailand Sustainable Investment (THSI) Initiative, launched in 2015, and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model which aims to promote sustainable investment practices. Even the Stock Exchange of Thailand has introduced sustainability-related guidelines and reporting requirements, including the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

ESG is slowly evolving in Thailand, but a lot will depend on the financial impact to Thai companies for not adopting a credible ESG agenda. Thailand has come a long way since the days of open building sites which allowed concrete dust to blanket Bangkok. Thailand also recently adjusted the level of PM 2.5 ppm from 50 microns down to 37.5 microns, but no real meaningful change was implemented to keep the air quality better aside from this change.

Western companies may create change as they are now demanding ESG and supply chain audits to assure they, themselves, can meet their more rigorous ESG reporting requirements. Time will tell whether this green sheen will last or if the dust from the bad air is already affecting its lustre.

By Dr Paul Crosio

From global corporations to small businesses, organisations worldwide are dedicated to integrating sustainable and socially responsible practices into their operations.

Silk Legal can help companies understand the challenges of navigating the complex ESG landscape and maximising opportunities for impact. Their experienced team can provide tailored solutions to help businesses achieve ESG goals and stand out as a leader in their industry. For more information email info@silklegal.com.
Feeling motherless on Mother's Day? Even when your mother passes away you dont stop having a mom, your relationship with her just changes, says Dr. Susan Cadell, a professor at the University of Waterloo's Renison College and a member of the Canadian Grief Alliance.

Dr. Cadell, whose studies focus on grief and bereavement and whose current research includes memorial tattoos and grief after MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying), says our relationship doesnt end when someone dies. It (just) transforms. This isnt to say the feeling of being motherless or empty isnt there though, she adds.

People need to know that the feeling is legitimate and acknowledge that it is difficult, she said.

We don't like people to be sad. We don't like people to be facing difficulties. We like to cheer them out of it, she explains. But Cadell believes its important to allow the grieving person to be sad if they feel they need to. Those who are grieving "dont need to be cheered out of it," she adds.

She also believes making space for ones self is the first way to work with grief. That could mean sleeping the day off, resting or spending some alone time to grieve.

I think allowing ourselves to do what we need to do, thats important, she said.

And then (you) can also make space for the relationship with the person, in this case with the mother. This could mean honouring mothers even when we dont have them physically present with us, she explains.

Maybe its doing something that she likes or getting a tattoo to honour her, watching a play, seeing a movie. Just doing something that you know she would have loved, Cadell said.

THERE ARE NO STAGES OF GRIEF

There is no such thing as stages when it comes to grief, Cadell adds. The stages of grief have been debunked over and over again. A number of researchers have said thats not how grief happens.

Grief is not staged. Grief is messy. Grief can be complicated. Grief can be joyful. Grief can be all kinds of things, but it is not staged, she said.

She believes people should not impose a certain pathway for those who are grieving. There is no pathway to grief and there is also no time limit, she explains.

When we miss our mothers, we will miss our mothers for the rest of our lives. And it might be stronger at some point in your life or it may go away a little bit over time, but it never goes away.

The idea of needing to go through stages step-by-step may be harmful, she explains, because those who are grieving might think they are not doing it right since in reality most people find themselves moving back and forth through their emotions. The number one rule is to always be gentle with ourselves, Cadell said.

And for families and friends, Cadell advises: dont avoid the person who is grieving.

But avoid making general statements like let me know if you need something because that puts the onus on the person experiencing the grief. Instead, ask something specific, like I'd really like to know more about your mom, could you tell me a story about your mother? Because the worst case scenario, the persons going to respond (with): you know what, not today, but I will another day, she said.

Or friends and family can offer to do something specific, like would like to take a walk with me? or would you like me to bring you dinner?

But the number one thing they can do to support someone whos grieving like those who have lost their mothers on Mothers Day is to show up. Physically showing up with flowers or a note could mean a lot, said Cadell. For those who are far away a text message could also help. Text messages are an amazing way to pop up and say Im thinking of you, according to Cadell.

For more information about coping with grief, visit https://www.canadiangriefalliance.ca/.

SHARE:
A 70-year-old cyclist was rushed to hospital Saturday afternoon with serious injuries after being hit by a car in Etobicoke.

Toronto police and paramedics received reports of a man struck by a vehicle around 2:15 p.m. in the area of Berry Road and Stephen Drive.

Paramedics told the Star the man was rushed to hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries at the time of the collision.

Roads were closed in the area for officers to investigate, but have since reopened.

MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca

SHARE:
The day and night of the Chinese city of Xi'an

- ancient imperial capital formerly known as Chang'an

- starting point of the Silk Road

- venue of the upcoming China-Central Asia Summit, which will be held on May 18-19

- witness of a new era of China-Central Asia cooperation

Produced by Xinhua Global Service 
A motorcyclist suffered critical injuries after a collision with another vehicle in North York on Saturday night.

Toronto police said the incident happened just after 9 p.m. at Finch Avenue West and Dufferin Street.

The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital, police said.

Officers have yet to release details on the cause of the collision.

Police said to expect road closures in the area while they investigate.

MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca

SHARE:
Three men are wanted by police after a woman was sexually assaulted and robbed at knifepoint in the York University neighbourhood on Friday night.

Police said in a news release that around 11 p.m. on May 12, a woman was walking in the area of Sentinel Road and Murray Ross Parkway when she was approached by three men.

One of the suspects produced a knife, police said, and the men robbed the woman of her personal items.

The woman was then sexually assaulted by one of the suspects, the release said.

The three men then fled the scene. According to police, they were last seen in the area of Four Winds Drive, west of Keele Street.

Toronto police describe all three suspects as five-foot-seven in height and approximately 25 years old.

The first suspect is additionally described as a male with blond unkempt hair, a thin build, wearing a brown scarf around his face and possibly a green jacket.

The second suspect is described as a male with short black hair, a thin build, wearing a grey scarf around his face and a white T-shirt.

Police further described the third suspect as a male with a thin build.

Officers are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca

SHARE:
A stabbing at a hotel in Downsview on Saturday has sent a man and a woman to hospital.

Toronto police responded to reports of a stabbing at the Toronto Plaza Hotel, near Wilson Avenue and Beverly Hills Drive, just before 5:30 p.m.

Police said in a post on Twitter that a man was stabbed and that they arrested a woman at the scene.

However, both individuals were taken to hospital. A Toronto police spokesperson told the Star that the mans injuries are serious and he was taken to a trauma centre.

Officers have yet to share details on the circumstances around the incident as well as details on the womans injuries, but a Toronto police said her injuries are non-life-threatening.

MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca

SHARE:
Plan your trip before youre in your car: The Ministry of Transportation has scheduled two closures in Ottawa Valley on May 14, 2023 for roadwork on Highway 7.

Highway 7 westbound at Mississippi River Bridge, Innisville: one alternating lane closed from May 14 at 10 p.m. until May 19 at 6 a.m.

Highway 7 westbound between Highway 15, Carleton Place and Townline Road W, West / Carleton Place: one alternating lane closed from May 14 at 10 p.m. until May 19 at 6 a.m.

Have further to travel? Highway closures for planned roadwork outside Ottawa Valley

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 North Grenville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Arnprior and Renfrew. The disruptions may be intermittent or ongoing and can change due to weather, emergencies and other factors.

Read more about:

SHARE:
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Authorities in Serbia on Sunday displayed stacks of guns and cartons of hand grenades from the thousands of weapons, including anti-tank rocket launchers, that they said people handed over since back-to-back mass shootings stunned the Balkan nation.

The government declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to surrender unregistered weapons as part of a crackdown on guns following the two shootings in two days this month that left 17 people dead, many of them children.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic, whose government has faced public pressure in the wake of the separate shootings at a Belgrade school and in two villages, accompanied top police officials to view the assortment of arms arrayed near the town of Smederevo, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the capital.

Officials said residents had turned over about 13,500 items since the amnesty opened on May 8.

Photos from the scene showed lines of rifles, automatic weapons and pistols stacked neatly on the floor in a warehouse along with wooden boxes filled with hand grenades.

Serbia has tens of thousands of weapons brought in from the battlefields of the 1990s wars in the Balkans. Similar weapons amnesties were held in the past with only limited success.

Vucic said that approximately half of the arms collected since last week had been held illegally, while the other half were registered weapons that citizens nonetheless decided to part with. The relinquished weapons will go to Serbian arms and ammunition factories for potential use by the countrys armed forces, the president said.

Authorities have said that people caught with illegal weapons once the amnesty period ends could face prison sentences of up to 15 years, if they are convicted.

After June 8, the state will respond with repressive measures and punishments will be very strict, Vucic said of the post-amnesty period. What does anyone need an automatic weapon for? Or all these guns?

Serbia is estimated to be among the top countries in Europe in registered weapons per capita, and many more are held illegally.

Authorities launched the gun crackdown after a 13-year-old boy on May 3 took his fathers gun and opened fire on his fellow-students in an elementary school in central Belgrade. A day later, a 20-year-old man used an automatic weapon to shoot randomly in a rural area south of Belgrade.

Other anti-gun measures announced by Vucic include stricter control of gun owners and shooting ranges. Police officials said gun owners must have a coded safe in which to store their registered weapons and that any guns not kept properly would be confiscated.

Officials plan to order inspections of registered addresses to check whether there exist conditions for safekeeping, anti-crime department officer Bojana Otovic Pjanovic said on Serbian state TV network RTS. If not, the guns will be taken away and punishment will be rigorous.

Police said that during some of the past collection efforts, people threw their weapons away in garbage containers or left them unattended instead of bringing them to police stations.

Experts believe tens of thousands of illegal weapons have remained unlicensed and out of reach of authorities.

Police official Otovic Pjanovic insisted that after recent shootings citizens became aware of the risks of keeping guns at home.

The two mass shooting left 17 people dead and 21 wounded, stunning the nation and triggering calls for changes in the country that has been through decades of turmoil and crises.

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in two protest marches in Belgrade since the shootings, demanding resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures.

Vucic on Sunday rejected opposition calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was also present at Sundays weapons display. But the president suggested that the government might resign and that he will announce an early election at a rally he has planned for May 26 in Belgrade.

We have no intention of replacing (interior minister) Gasic, who is doing a great job, said Vucic. What have police done wrong?

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions under Vucic, which they say stokes divisions in society.

On Friday, protesters in Belgrade blocked a key bridge and motorway in the capital to press their demands. Protests also have been held in other Serbian cities and towns, in an outpouring of grief and anger over the shootings and the populist authorities.

Vucic described the bridge blockade as harassment, while he and other officials and media under his control sought to downplay the numbers of protesters.

SHARE:
The news is depressing. It always is. As someone who made decisions about what to put on CBC news programs for a very long time, it was the most common criticism I heard. Wars, famines, natural disasters, genocides, murders, scandals, crisis after crisis. Pierre Poilievre isnt the first person to think that everything is broken.

In fact, everything isnt broken and even the things that are, can be fixed. It just takes time. Take climate change for example. Its easy to give up hope that Canadians will ever do their part to stop our planet from burning itself to a crisp. But weve thought other entrenched problems were also beyond solutions. Think about how hard it was to change our smoking habits.

In 1965 about 50 per cent of Canadian adults smoked. Today, its down to about 10 per cent. That didnt happen by magic. Governments saw a problem, and governments worked to solve it, overcoming resistance and opposition every small step of the way.

Today, there is fierce pushback against putting a price on carbon. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says, Canadians cant afford this carbon tax punishment. Sounds a lot like what the Smokers Freedom Society once said about higher tobacco taxes. Weve reached a point where the government is trying to impose a way of life on the citizens. The government is trying to control peoples lives.

When governments told businesses they had to have areas reserved for non-smokers (because second-hand smoke is a killer too), compliance was grudging.

I once walked into a restaurant for breakfast with one of my daughters and asked for the non-smoking section. I was directed to the one table in the middle of the room with a cardboard sign on it that said, No Smoking. When I pointed out to the manager that one table was hardly a section and was pretty much useless, all I got was a shrug.

At a hotel, I once booked a non-smoking room but when I opened the door, I found an ashtray on the desk. When I called to protest, I was told that since I wouldnt smoke in the room it would be a non-smoking room.

That was how hard it was to change things. But change they did. In 2014, when Ontario banned smoking on outdoor patios, the spokesperson for Restaurants Canada said, We realized society was going this way  well deal with it. Id call that surrender to reality.

These days, fossil-fuel companies arent anxious to surrender, but theyre moving in that direction. Its impossible to imagine that the CEO of an oil company would today say what the CEO of Exxon said in 1996. The scientific evidence is inconclusive as to whether human activities are having a significant effect on the global climate.

If we rely on blind optimism to solve the climate change crisis, we are doomed. If we rely on hope based on history, we have a shot.

Mark Bulgutch is the former senior executive producer of CBC News.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Move over affordable housing, public safety, and the absolute disaster that is Torontos finances. Make spacea lotfor two issues that will define this upcoming Mayoral race: traffic congestion and public transportation.

Sadly, on this score, candidates have spent a great deal of time acting like Captain Obvious. We already know that congestion in this city is nothing short of nightmarish, that Toronto traffic is  in fact  some of the worst in the entire world. That it is horrific for our economy, dreadful for the environment, a disaster for families and a danger to every soul brave enough to venture, well, anywhere in this city.

While they profess platitudes, purporting to share our frustration, they are woefully thin on (forgive the expression) concrete solutions.

So, whats needed?

For my tax dollar, the answer lies in turning our minds, painful as it is, to the failures of two of the largest and most controversial public transportation projects of late: the plagued, mislaid (literally) Eglinton crosstown LRT and the long-delayed Union Station redevelopment.

Back in 2010, the city cancelled David Millers Transit City. Why? Rob Ford made good on his campaign pledge to scrap the project and redirect funds for a Scarborough subway.

Despite their personal animosity, then Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor Rob Ford, out of political necessity, temporarily laid down their swords and agreed to a new funding plan. Ontario would pick up 100 per cent of the cost of the new Eglinton Crosstown line, conveniently serving a swath of ridings held by the provincial Liberals. In return, Toronto would pick up 100 per cent of the tab to rejuvenate and expand the most critical transit hub in the country, Union Station.

As everyone who lives, works and commiserates knows, both projects were eye-wateringly over budget and hopelessly over time. Though Union Station is now finally transformed, the new 17 km Eglinton Crosstown line is full of recriminations and threatened suits and countersuits  full of everything but transit riders.

We dont need to get any further into the history of these sagas, as most Ontarians are already maddeningly familiar, to understand that political imperatives have delayed our vital infrastructure.

Today, due to short-term, narrowly partisan decision-making, our city finds itself in a perilous situation and yet the solution is crystal clear: we simply must remove politics from the equation. And the best way to do that is to appoint a traffic and critical transportation infrastructure czar.

If this proposal sounds familiar, its because we already have a lightweight version of this in the Citys Transit Expansion office led by Derrick Toigo. Never heard of him? Thats no surprise. Although his mandate is to accelerate transit projects, minimizing overall disruption is not. In other words, the role is full of talk about working across levels of government and breaking down silos but has achieved minimal results  as the citys insane congestion plainly testifies.

So whats needed is something far stronger, an office with unique powers to develop a long-term transportation strategy focused not only on getting projects built, but keeping the city moving amidst the necessary disruption that accompanies their construction. And its North Star should be reducing gridlock, not winning votes.

To work, this position must be a long-term appointment, and the appointee should also be blessed by all three levels of government who provide the necessary funding.

The bottom line is that Torontos traffic and transit problems will not be solved without pain in the short-term. Torontonians get that. But what we cannot and should not abide is pain that is all for naught, pain created by political opportunism.

So, when asked by mayoral candidates for my two cents, heres my answer: we need a dedicated traffic/transportation czar who can cut through the politics, keep their eye on the big picture and keep our city moving.

Editors Note  May 15, 2023: This column was updated to be clear that its writer, Jaime Watt, is advising Brad Bradford, a candidate for mayor of Toronto.

Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star and currently advising Brad Bradford, who is running for Mayor of Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt

Read more about:

SHARE:
Could the United States also favour an Indian American for the top job in the 2024 polls? It is a million-dollar question. But it does not stop the American Indians from dreaming about it.

After all, the United Kingdom has chosen an Indian-origin Prime Minister in Rishi Sunak. As for the Indian Americans, it is a long road to occupying the White House. Over the years, they have become affluent and also ambitious. Their success is a unique coming-ofage story.

Today, the Indian American diaspora is 4 million plus, of which at least 2 million are voters. It is the second-largest immigrant group in the United States. Affluent Indian Americans also donate money to the two major parties.

The number of Indian Americans appointed to high-profile positions has multiplied in recent years. The most significant example was Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President.

No one would have imagined that Indian Americans would bid for the Oval Office a few years ago. Then Louisiana Governor Piyush Bobby Jindal in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2020 joined the presidential race only to be disappointed. Their number is gradually growing in the U.S. Congress and the state assemblies.

The 2024 Presidential polls will be interesting for Indian Americans. Vice President Kamala Harris has been announced as the running mate of President Biden, who is seeking reelection.

At least two Indian-origin Americans intend to run for president in 2024. They are former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Hailey and millionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

His parents are the first generation immigrants from Kerala. Ramaswamy focuses on getting rid of affirmative action and allowing more highly skilled immigrants into the U.S. While they all represent America first, they know that the road to the White House is a long one.

The primary contenders would be President Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. The latter will be the same age as Biden was when he was elected in 2020.

Will either of them have a chance to win in 2024? Harris, the first woman Vice President was at a knocking distance from the Oval Office. She had sought the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 election before dropping out in the campaigns initial stages.

Kamala agreed to run as Bidens running mate in 2020 when everyone thought he wouldnt seek a second term. She also became the U.S.s first woman acting president for 55 minutes on 19 November 2021, when Biden underwent a colonoscopy. A sitting President has never been defeated historically. Kamala Harris, who is only 58, is Bidens running mate again.

The two-time former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, daughter of Indian-origin immigrants, made history as the states first female governor. At 39, Nikki was the youngest governor in the U.S. in January 2011. Nikki was also the states first IndianAmerican governor.

She is projecting herself as a changemaker who can reinvigorate a party. Her biggest challenge comes from her former boss, Trump. He advised her to follow her heart when she informed him about her intention to contest. Nikki and Kamala have the advantage of name recognition, but Vivek is less well-known. The 37-yearold studied at Harvard and Yale, earned millions as a biotechnology entrepreneur, and founded an asset management firm.

It would be difficult for Vivek, with no political experience, to join the race for the White House. But Trump said some encouraging words: I am pleased to see that Vivek Ramaswamy is doing so well in the most recent Republican Primary Poll, CBS YouGov.

The Indian-origin candidates have many hurdles to cross, even to get their respective partys nomination in the primary in which the Whites dominate. In the Republican Party, after Trump (52 per cent) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (24 per cent), Nikki has only 18 per cent support. It indicates she has a long way to go before being considered a serious candidate. The second would be to catch the imagination of the Americans.

They know that their ethnic background alone cannot win them an election. Thirdly, it is a question mark whether Americans would vote for a woman and that too of ethnic origin. Even Hillary Clinton, a white American, was rejected earlier as she could not mobilize the women voters in her favour.

Apart from these, others like Asa Hutchinson, Robert Kennedy Jr, Marianne Williamson, Tim Scott, Larry Elder and Mike Pence are likely presidential candidates. DeSantis is yet to announce his candidacy. He is considered Trumps top challenger for the 2024 nomination.

Biden is the bookies current favourite. He is surging and leads both Trump and DeSantis in the polls. He has the momentum and financial muscle to embark on another successful presidential campaign. But it is too early to predict.
While the contenders in the Karnataka election will each view the outcome in a manner that best suits their larger narrative, its significance must neither be under- nor overestimated. Given that the state has seldom in recent times returned an incumbent to power, the Bharatiya Janata Party will seek to underplay the loss, even though it means it now has no presence south of the Vindhyas.

Given that the Congress has over the past nine years lost power in state after state, it will be euphoric about this victory, and will claim popular endorsement of its charge that its opponent is corrupt, vindictive and divisive.

Finally, given that the Opposition in general has been groping for a narrative to match that of the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will see in this result more than there might be from the perspective of the national election next year. While there may be kernels of truth in each of these narratives, they may not, even taken together, provide a complete picture. There are several points to consider.

Karnataka is a traditional Congress bastion, a state even its most influential leaders sought sanctuary in when rejected elsewhere. Corruption in the state is endemic, and not confined to a particular dispensation. While caste is a factor in other parts of the country as well, Karnatakas mix is peculiar to it and quite distinct from even its immediate neighbours. In sum, a fair summation would be that this result, while politically significant, is not as much of a game-changer as some people would project it to be. But the victory is a shot in the arm for the Congress, and will certainly boost the morale of its cadres. While it did win Himachal Pradesh late last year, it is after a long time that the party has secured victory in a major state.

The Congress will thus project this as a triumph for Rahul Gandhi and his Bharat Jodo Yatra, and use it to burnish his credentials for a larger role in national politics. It would do well though to draw one lesson, which is that it is important for a party to present a united face when going into an election. The Congress was able to underplay the presence of rival camps within its Karnataka unit successfully, while the BJP was riven by dissensions as it conveyed the impression of having forsaken the man who had first brought it to power in the state.

As elections for three large and important states ~ Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh ~ approach, the Congress would do well to address problems it has in its units in these states, especially the first two where it will additionally battle anti-incumbency. Mr Ashok Gehlot and Mr Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan, and Mr Bhupendra Baghel and Mr T S Singh Deo in Chhatisgarh will have to reach reasonable accommodations with each other if the party is to have a chance.
Crowds at Jantar Mantar, inclusive of the conscientious, the curious and the combative, are said to have thinned though the women wrestlers who have taken on federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, having allegedly been sexually victimised by him for years, keep at it, promising to widen their agitation, taking it to the states. The loud thinking led to the media saying the protest was fizzling out and the Delhi Polices steely refusal to arrest the Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament ~ they have belatedly come up with a special probe team ~ was generally believed to have created an impasse which left the wrestlers without leeway.

They are now nowhere girls, sort of. Days earlier, when Jantar Mantar was on the front page of the paper, there was a ring of hostile criticism of the wrestlers in the assertion that the sit-in had been hijacked by political outfits united in their opposition to the BJP, which was said to be shielding Singh to shore up its electoral fortune in Uttar Pradesh. Political parties seldom interest themselves in anything that does not yield benefit for them but the cause of the wrestlers, medal-winners abroad and therefore popular at home, had struck a chord with people, with the Leftist firebrands of Jawaharlal Nehru University speaking in the same voice as the khap panchayats of northern India. Well might the protest have got bigger, given the stony silence in the adversarial ranks ~ which many deemed an acknowledgment of guilt ~ but history alone will say if, for a second time in the movement, the wrestlers erred in allowing themselves to nudge away well-wishers whom they could have leaned on.

The first time around, in January, the athletes spurned politically grounded assistance when they were clearly up against it, hoping that not to rub the ruling party up the wrong way would persuade it to reckon with their point of view. And in April, when they were back at Jantar Mantar, saying that word given had not been lived up to, a come-one-come-all message from them gave the plot a narrative drive which lost a lot of its panache subsequently. What the authorities do not seem alive to is the long-term damage the confrontation can inflict. India may not be the sort of country where someone like Brigitte Bardot would have railed, as she has, against the staging of the Olympics in Paris or the cruelty of equestrianism to horses.

But when the police in the nations capital suggest a near-total organisational inertia in the face of toplevel athletes complaints against a federation chief with dozens of cases against him in his more-equal-than-others status, it probably tells people who we collectively are. If Indian girls henceforth come to be withheld by their families from sport, we can only whistle for glory stories of the future, whilst recalling PV Sindhu, Anju Bobby George or PT Usha. We are running back, very fast.
If you are seeking a breathtaking adventure, look no further than the "Sky Road" in the Taihang Mountains. Click to see some of the spectacular scenery offered to those who venture along this picturesque road in north China.
South Korea-Japan relations appear to be improving, heralding a promising development for the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. The latest sign of this promising trend is Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumios May 7-8 visit to Seoul, the first official visit by a Japanese leader to South Korea in over 12 years.

Mr. Kishidas visit was noteworthy given that ties between Seoul and Tokyo over the past decade have been strained over disputes involving Japans colonization of the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945. President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida are making efforts to build better relations and work alongside the U.S. in order to address the growing challenges to their collective security.

Both states face common threats emanating from North Korea, China and Russia  each of which seek to change the security architecture and rules-based order that was put in place by the United States and its allies after World War II. The recent progress between Seoul and Tokyo is welcomed by their mutual ally  Washington  as well as other partners in the Indo-Pacific, i.e., India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Much credit goes to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for his initial overtures to Japan to repair relations that were damaged under his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, and for not letting history dictate the present. We cant let historical issues stop us from taking steps forward, Yoon said on May 7 during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumios trip to Seoul. For his part, Prime Minister Kishida demonstrated political courage by visiting President Yoon despite opposition from conservative elements in Japan.

Mr. Kishida engaged in a rarity for post-war Japanese political leaders by expressing sympathy for the Koreans who were forced into slavery during Japans colonial rule, saying that his heart aches over Koreas suffering during that era. Kishida also said it was his responsibility as prime minister of Japan to cooperate with President Yoon and South Korea for the future, continuing our predecessors efforts to overcome difficult periods.

Both men should be commended for acknowledging their countries tragic history while looking forward to the future. The deepening of ties between the two Asian powers not only benefits their societies but augments efforts to check North Korean aggression and counterbalance Chinas rising influence in the region.

Pyongyangs ongoing bellicosity, continued PLA incursions into its neighbours territorial waters and airspace as well as Xis heightened pressure campaign against Taiwan have unnerved Seoul and Tokyo. This has compelled Yoon and Kishida to try setting aside the past and working together to address common threats.

Additionally, Vladimir Putins February, 2022 invasion of Ukraine soon after entering into his no limits partnership with Xi Jinping sent off alarm bells in Seoul and Tokyo, heightening concerns about both leaders regional ambitions. The attacks on Ukraine have also served as a wake-up call for South Korea and Japan about how their security in part relies on access to uninterrupted supplies of oil and natural gas.

Both states are resource-poor and heavily dependent on other countries for energy. To hedge their risks against the fossil fuel coercion that Putin is known to employ, Yoon and Kishida discussed ways to diversify their energy sources as well as to cooperate on liquified natural gas joint purchases and price negotiations, according to reporting by Nikkei.

Other security-related topics of discussion during the May 7-8 summit involved Seoul, Tokyo and Washington implementing faster information exchanges about North Korean missile tests; shared intelligence; and Japan possibly joining a U.S.-South Korea U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group nuclear deterrence consultations.

The two economically interdependent powers have also started to re-establish their relationship in nonsecurity areas. During their meetings, Mr. Yoon and Mr. Kishida discussed collaboration on material sciences, biotech, space, AI and securing supply chains. While not providing details, the two leaders also agreed to cooperate on semiconductor chips.

South Koreas semiconductor production capabilities and Japans competences in producing semiconductor materials make them natural partners. Addressing a long-held concern of Seoul, Prime Minister Kishida granted South Korean officials permission to visit the Daiichi nuclear plant in Fukushima which incurred heavy damage during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Accessing the facility will help Seoul learn more about Tokyos decision to release the plants treated radioactive water into the Pacific. Last but not least, included in Yoons and Kishidas talks were plans for increased youth and culture people-to-people exchanges between their two countries. Despite these encouraging developments, both Mr.

Yoon and Mr. Kishida face elements of domestic opposition to their decision to improve ties. President Yoon has been pilloried for creating a fund to pay surviving forced labourers who suffered at the hands of Imperial Japan.

The fund is to be paid for by South Korean companies as opposed to Japanese corporations, an arrangement that some in South Korea say lets Japan off the hook for its harsh treatment of Koreans as a colonial power. In Japan, Prime Minister Kishidas engagement with Seoul has led to criticism by nationalist factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who oppose concessions on historical issues relating to Imperial Japans conduct.

There are others in Japan who are skeptical as to whether agreements struck with South Korea will be honoured by Yoons successor or even by Yoon himself as political pressures mount.

Domestic politics in South Korea and Japan notwithstanding, the improving ties between the two countries have come about due to a confluence of issues that are forcing their leaders to work together on common interests while not forgetting about their difficult past.

By taking steps to use their combined resources for addressing shared challenges, Seoul and Tokyo are fulfilling a long-needed role of contributing to the regions security and economic well-being. Making progress on overcoming Seouls and Tokyos acrimonious past can be another by-product of their new joint efforts. This inevitably bumpy road will require sustained political courage on both sides and is deserving of support. 4

(The writer is Associate Clinical Professor at Claremont Graduate University in Los Angeles.)
It was Mamata Banerjee, who first had halted the imperial Ashwamedha horse of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021 in Bengal, which Karnataka did in 2023 and the whole country will follow this in 2024, toppling the BJP government.

Their countdown began from Bengal, said Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, touring East Burdwan as part of his Naba Jowar (new wave) mission across Bengal.

Abhishek addressed the party workers at Monteswar Ground in Kalna this afternoon before his roadshow in Katwa town. Prior to that, Abhishek reacted sharply about Congresss victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections. He said, What Gopal Krishna Gokhale once said is further established today that what Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow! What Karnataka did today, Mamata Banerjee had done in 2023.

Persons, who made high claims like Aabki baar do sau paar were thrashed by Bengal voters. Bengal had shown how to say no to communal politics, hate politics. People want to get rid of their dirty politics now.

The BJP leaders are failing to estimate the pulse of the common people, they must understand that the people are annoyed with them. He added that the very idea of double engine is a farce, its actually a trouble engine government. See whats happening in Manipur today. Abhishek also mocked the BJP saying, The Modi cabinet had thronged to Karnataka.

Now, after a defeat they are trying to make JP Nadda a scapegoat, as usual. The young MP, whos trying to infuse ideological fresh blood in TMC, said, Nabo jowar doesnt mean insulting our elderly leaders and party men in different areas. Its rather a wave to eliminate the bad elements from the machinery.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Delhi by the end of this month. Trinamul Congress sources have said that the official reason for the chief ministers probable visit to the national capital will be to attend the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting. However, a senior party leader said Banerjee might use the opportunity to meet opposition leaders.

We heard that around the same time, there might be a meeting of opposition parties at the national capital to be convened by the JD(U) leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. If that happens, Banerjee will be in attendance, he said. He explained that the possibilities of the meeting are quite high since chief ministers of other opposition-ruled states will be present for the Niti Aayog event.

However, the Trinamul Congress leader, refused to confirm anything whether there was a possibility of Banerjee having any separate meeting either with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi or the partys national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Till now the official stand of Trinamul Congress is to maintain equal distance with both BJP and Congress and instead continue dialogues with the like-minded regional parties. Recently, Nitish Kumar along with Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav had a meeting with Mamata Banerjee at West Bengal state secretariat.

In the meeting, she gave a call to all opposition parties to work together shedding their egos, she remained silent about the inclusion of Congress in her partys blueprint for a united opposition alliance. It is learnt that even after the meeting, the chief ministers of West Bengal and Bihar are in regular touch with each other and continuing dialogues about uniting the opposition.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan met chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday afternoon at her Harish Chatterjee residence.

According to Trinamul Congress sources, Salman, who is popularly known as Bhaijan, landed at Kolkata airport to attend a show for East Bengal Club in Maidan area this evening.

His visit to the chief minister residence at Harish Chatterjee Street was a courtesy visit. The superstar reached CM house around 4.24 pm and stayed there for close to halfan-hour. Miss Banerjee welcomed him with an uttorio (an unstitched garment) and took him inside as a huge crowd had gathered outside the CM residence who were seen waiting for long hours for a dekko of the actor.

Salman was seen getting out of a black car amidst tight security arrangements by the Kolkata Police. He waved at the swelling crowd outside the CM residence.
The Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) newly-elected Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku on Sunday met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to seek his guidance and discuss plans for serving the people of Punjab in the Lok Sabha.

The AAP on Saturday wrested the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat from the Congress with the party candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku winning a margin of 58,691 votes.

Rinku arrived at the Delhi CMs residence on Sunday morning. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Dr Ashok Mittal were also present during the meeting.

After the meeting, Sushil Kumar Rinku addressed the media. He expressed his gratitude towards the AAP National Convenor, saying, It was under Arvind Kejriwals guidance that we were able to win the bypoll in Jalandhar.

He also talked about the role of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and credited the people-centric developmental work in the state over the past year for their success in Jalandhar.

Rinku highlighted that his constituency, Jalandhar, is undergoing construction work on several flyovers and roads that need to be expedited. He also mentioned how progress of the Adampur airport had abruptly stopped, and said that he plans to prioritise addressing these issues in Lok Sabha.

He acknowledged that his term as a Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar is only 11 months but emphasised that the AAPs vision for the constituency extends beyond just this current term.

Although I have been elected for a short period, AAPs roadmap for the constituency will be both for my current term and the longer term, we are going to work while keeping the next five years in mind, he concluded.
A day after delivering a massive victory in Karnataka where the Congress won 135 out of 224 seats, party president Mallikarjun Kharge will be skipping the crucial CLP meeting as he is all set to arrive in the national capital.

According to party sources, Kharge will be returning to the national capital on Sunday afternoon and hence he wont be attending the CLP meeting.

On Saturday, Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar announced that the meeting of the CLP leaders will be held at Shangri La hotel in Bengaluru on Sunday evening.

According to party sources, the CLP meeting will leave the decision on the chief minister with the party leadership in Delhi.

However, the views of the MLAs will be taken and sent to the party leadership.

It was being said that Kharge will meet Sonia Gandhi in the national capital on Sunday afternoon. However, the CPP chairperson is currently in Shimla and the meeting between the two does not seem to be happening.

In the run up to Assembly polls, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, both had exhibited their aspirations for the top post in the state.

The Congress had run a spirited campaign during the high octane electoral battle in the state and targeted the BJP over the alleged corruption.

The BJP won 66 seats and the JD(S) secured 19 seats in the Assembly elections.

The Congress historic victory in the southern state is second biggest in the last 34 years.

In 1989, Congress had won 178 seats while in 1999 it had won 132 seats in the state.

The Congress this Assembly polls gained 55 seats as compared to 80 in 2018.
An encounter broke out in the Andwan Sagam area of Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag, the police said on Sunday morning.

Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces are on the job. #Encounter has started at Andwan Sagam area of #Anantnag. Police and security forces are on the job, Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

Further details are awaited.

Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Army troops foiled an infiltration bid in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours, forcing the quadcopter flown by Pakistan to withdraw, an Army source told ANI.

As per the source, there was an exchange of fire between terrorists and Indian Army troops.

An infiltration bid by terrorists was foiled in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, early morning today. There was an exchange of fire between terrorists and their own troops. Pakistan side tried to fly a quadcopter over the incident site but on being fired at by the Indian side it quickly withdrew, the source said.

On May 3, Indian Army had foiled an infiltration bid in J-Ks Kupwara and eliminated two terrorists in an encounter.
G20 delegates along with Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday arrived at the Bhubaneswar airport, Odisha to participate in the second culture group meeting to be held for three days in the city from Sunday to Tuesday.

Speaking with ANI, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said they are going to discuss how to unite and preserve our culture among different countries. India is holding the presidency of G20 this year, today the second culture group meeting is going to be held in Bhubaneswar, this meeting has been organised for three days. Representatives from different countries have come here today. We are going to discuss in the meeting how to unite and preserve our culture among different countries, said Union Minister G Kishan Reddy.

As per an official statement released on Saturday, the Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting under Indias G20 Presidency will highlight Culture Unites All in campaign mode to bring out Indias unwavering belief in multilateralism based on peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities.

Under the Culture Unites All campaign to be held at the second Culture Working Group meet in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha from May 14  17. Padma Sudarshan Pattnaik from Odisha will create sand art on the theme at the Puri Beach on May 14. The installation will be inaugurated at 5:30 PM by GK Reddy Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs.

It said that in todays interconnected world, culture plays a crucial role in driving collaborative outcomes, and promotes inclusivity and harmonious living.

The theme Culture Unites All recognizes that although cultural traditions and practices may vary greatly, they often share underlying values and principles. Culture, in all its manifestations, has the potential to transcend boundaries, foster connections and inspire genuine dialogue and understanding among individuals, communities, and nations, read the statement.

Culture provides pathways to collaborate and develop sustainable and balanced solutions to contemporary global challenges, it added.

The statement further added that encapsulating the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the message of Culture Unites All embodies a holistic vision to work towards a collective sustainable future and universal well-being.

Credited as a pioneer of sand art in India, Sudarshan Pattnaik is the recipient of the third highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, for his distinguished service. His sand art installations are world-renowned and has represented India in various competitions at a global level. Pattnaik believes in using his art as a means of spreading awareness about social and environmental issues, and as a catalyst to spread the message of peace and harmony while bringing people together for a shared cause, the statement added.

Despite the cultural and regional differences in the practice of sand art around the world, there is a commonality that ties them all together. At its core, sand art celebrates the beauty of the natural world and its temporary character. This sustainable art form, created from readily available sand and water at the beach, does not add or take away from the balance of nature, it informed.
A violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Maharashtras Akola on Saturday evening, the police said.

A video purportedly showed members of the two groups pelting stones at each other, damaging vehicles and creating ruckus on the streets. However, officials said that the situation is under control now.

The incident prompted the administration to issue prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC. Following the violent clashes Section 144 has been imposed in the city, Akola Collector Neema Arora said.

According to police, the violent mob has damaged some Vehicles.

Reportedly, a large crowd marched on the Old City police station after a violent incident arose after a minor dispute.

The violent mob targeted some vehicles in the area and the police have started using force to bring the situation under control, official sources said.

Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge said that the situation is currently under control. Section 144 Prohibition Order has been imposed in Akola city on the order of District Collector, he said.

This is the second such incident reported in Akola. A few days ago, there was a violent clash between two groups in Shankar Nagar locality of Akot File area.

More details are awaited.
Congress, which registered an emphatic victory defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka on Saturday, now faces the challenge of deciding the chief minister amid the speculations of Siddaramaiah being the front-runner followed by state party president DK Shivakumar.

Aiming to decide on the matter, Karnataka Congress leaders including the party president and newly elected MLAs of the party will hold a Congress Legislature Party meeting today in Bengaluru. According to sources, the leaders will pass a resolution authorising the partys high command to decide on the CM face and the Deputy CM face.

Siddaramaiah is the first front-runner for the CM Post, so the Congress high command is in favour of making him the chief minister, sources said.

They further said that the partys leadership has offered him the post of the Deputy CM, acknowledging his hard work.

Shivakumar has also been offered an important ministry, sources said.

After emerging victorious in the Karnataka polls which the party described as a stepping stone to the Lok Sabha polls, Congress wants to project Siddaramaiah who belongs to OBC Kurba Samaj as the Chief Ministers post, sources said.

Sources said that the party is mulling having three deputy chief ministers in Karnataka.

DK Shivakumar of Vokkaliga Samaj, G Parameshwara of Dalit Samaj and MB Patil of Lingayat Samaj should be the Deputy CM with him, they said.

Congress has also told Shivakumar that there are ED cases against him, which BJP will create a ruckus about. So he accepted the proposal till 2024. Shivakmar is ready for this, but he does not want another deputy CM, sources added.

Earlier today, Congress MLAs including Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rizwan Arshad, Puttaranga Shetty C and Satish Jarkiholi met party leader Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru today ahead of the partys CLP meeting.

Siddaramaiah and Congress MLA Priyank Kharge arrived at the residence of party national president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru.

Congress leaders Bhai Jagtap, Sanjay Nirupam and other party workers recited Hanuman Chalisa at a temple in Mumbai following the partys victory in Karnataka polls.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar along with his family visited Nonavinakere Kadasiddeshwara Mutt to take the blessings of Vrishabha Deshikendra Seer after winning the elections.

Congress won 135 seats in the Karnataka Assembly polls ousting the BJP from power which won 66 seats.
Opinion contenteditorials, columns and guest commentariesis created independent of news reporting and is exclusive to subscribers.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, left, speaks with Fred Waller, his choice for interim police superintendent, during the St. Jude Police Memorial March on May 7, 2023, at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park on the Museum Campus. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson barely had time to savor his victory before he was facing new questions about an issue that dominated this years mayoral race more than any other.

Would he be tough enough on crime?

Advertisement

Crime dominated the mayoral campaign. The city has been contending with everything from mass transit robberies to a three-year surge in gun violence that has only begun to wane.

Although some other cities have experienced similar surges with the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago also has long contended with scandals related to police abuses, breakdowns in police-community trust, and the consent decree, a court-ordered overhaul of the Police Department that puts CPD under federal oversight.

Advertisement

The new questions for Johnson arose when the mayor-elect issued a statement following unrest on a warm weekend in mid-April that drew crowds of young people and erupted into violence and vandalism on some downtown streets.

How, many wondered, would Johnson react? He faced a barrage of attacks during his campaign over his support for a more holistic approach to public safety. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and former city budget director Paul Vallas, Johnsons opponent in the runoff, accused him of wanting to defund the police.

In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend, he wrote on his social media pages. It is unacceptable and has no place in our city.

Fine. That sounded reassuring enough for the skeptics to chew over.

But, then came Johnsons However 

However, he continued, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.

Uh-oh. Johnson apparently could not resist another opportunity to promote his holistic approach, even though his sudden shift from law enforcement to sympathy for the disadvantaged sounded like the gang member in West Side Story who lyrically pleads, Im depraved on account of Im deprived.

[ Opinion series: What Brandon Johnson must do as the new mayor of Chicago ]

Johnson, aided by support from the Chicago Teachers Union, won the runoff with slightly more than half of the total votes against Vallas, who was endorsed by the Chicago police union.

Advertisement

Chicago voters appeared to buy Johnsons insistence that concern for the root causes of crime do not have to be the enemy of support for police and good policing.

Hes right. Experience, backed up by numerous studies, shows that crime rates tend to go down as cooperation goes up between police and the communities they serve.

But, as valuable as such cooperation can be, Johnson will need more than that to turn the citys long-running policing problems around.

Among his campaign promises, he wants to add 200 more detectives to a department whose ranks have been overwhelmed by high caseloads.

Johnson also promises to respond to 911 calls with mental health workers instead of police when mental health professionals are warranted. Proposed by Treatment Not Trauma, a community campaign, the idea is to expand a pilot program now operating in some neighborhoods. Still, the city has limited capacity to channel people into treatment who need it.

Johnson has promised to reopen six mental health clinics closed in 2012, although that also will require more funding and more mental health workers to fill a current shortage.

Advertisement

Lastly, Johnson has promised to fully fund Chicagos Office of Domestic Violence, although he has not made a specific dollar pledge. The Network, which advocates against domestic violence, has called for the city to commit $50 million per year.

Stay tuned. Johnsons victory marks a big win against what he calls the false choice of lock em up versus a holistic approach to crime-fighting. For him, the holistic approach has won. Now well see how he does in the minefields of the City Council to get his reforms funded.

cpage@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @cptime
Han Dan combs her hair at home in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan watches a video of her children on her mobile phone at home in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan brushes her teeth at home in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan talks with her followers via livestreaming in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan walks out of a kindergarten with her son holding her sleeve in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan drinks water at her hotpot restaurant in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan talks with her followers via livestreaming in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan has a meal with her children at home in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan talks with an employee at her media company in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

This photo taken on May 11, 2023 shows Han Dan at her media company in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan and her husband Zhang Hao pick up their son at a kindergarten in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan writes with feet while making a livestreaming in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Han Dan talks with employees at her hotpot restaurant in Fuxin, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 11, 2023. Han Dan lost her arms at the age of 6, but she gradually managed to write and swim. When she was 27, Han got married and started her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has overcome hardships, gaining over one million followers on the Internet. As a mother of two, she takes good care of her children and is about to give birth to her third one.

However, Han finds it difficult to meticulously look after her children because she could only feed the children while holding them with her feet and she has to try to braid her daughter's hair using feet as well. As a matter of fact, the children think their mother outstanding. "She is capable of doing everything with her feet!" Han's children said. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)
The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police on Sunday busted an OTP-sharing scam and arrested three persons including a teacher who were sharing OTPs to clients including Intelligence operatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents in Pakistan.

Basing on the intelligence input about OTP sharing to some criminals and anti national elements, the STF conducted raids and three accused persons identified as Pathanisamant Lenka (ITI Teacher), Saroj Kumar Nayak and Soumya Pattanaik were arrested, said the STF in a statement.

The arrested persons were fraudulently procuring huge numbers of SIMs in the name of others and selling the OTPs (linked/generated using the SIMs) to various clients including some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO)/ ISI agents in Pakistan as well as in India, it said.

In return, they were paid by some Pakistani agents based in India. They were also in touch with a woman Pakistani agent, who was arrested last year under Official Secrets Act and in a honey-trap case in Rajasthan.

These OTPs were being used to create various accounts/channels on social media like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, etc., and also on online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart. These are also used in opening email accounts.

These social media platforms operated by Pakistan-based agents are being used in various kinds of anti-national activities like spying, communication with terrorists, radicalization, running anti-India propaganda, fuelling anti-India and divisive sentiments on social media, sextortion, honey-trapping etc. As these accounts are registered/linked on an Indian mobile number for which people find it trustworthy.

The accounts opened on online shopping platforms are also used to supply items to terrorists, anti-India elements, etc. Apart from these they were also in the business of creating and selling mule accounts through social media groups which are again used in various kinds of crimes, the STF added.
In a major success against inter-state narco-terror smuggling syndicate originating from Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), Indian Army along with J&K Police has arrested four smugglers involved in running the module.

The Srinagar based defense spokesman said that acting on a credible input regarding a Punjab based narco smuggler who had arrived in Kashmir at a pre-decided location to take a consignment of narcotics, a joint search operation by Indian Army along with JKP was launched in Zurhama area of PS Trehgam.

On the conclusion of the search operation, four persons including a non local were arrested, while they were in the process of exchanging approximately 8 kgs of smuggled narcotics and Rs 5 lakh of Indian currency.

During the preliminary investigations, it has transpired that the narcotics consignment was sent by two POJK based terrorist handlers of LeT.

This is yet another example of the nefarious designs of Pakistan based terror groups to disrupt peace and harmony in the valley. However, Indian Army and all security forces of J&K remain steadfast in their task to not allow the adversary to disturb stability in Kashmir, the spokesman added.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan while addressing the nation on Saturday said people should understand the atrocities committed in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Today, we should understand what happened in East Pakistan and the atrocities committed. The party there which won a majority and should have been Prime Minister, was denied their right, the PTI chief said. We lost half the country. We cannot imagine the damage done to the country. Because people make decisions behind closed doors, a handful of people that dont know how the rest of the world is operating, make decisions, Khan said.

The PTI chief further said: They dont even allow people to assess the damage done because of their decisions. When the Hamoodur Commission Report was written, it was never published and after 25 years, it was published in India. This is not how counties function.

Khan said he wants to remind people about East Pakistan. He said it happened during his lifetime, in March 1971.

I went to play a match in East Pakistan against the U-19 team. Ours was the last flight out of East Pakistan. I still remember the hate people had towards East Pakistan. We were ignorant of what was happening because the media was controlled as it is today. The difference is, we, have social media today. And they shut down social media as well, Khan said.

Because they wanted to promote their own narrative, that those protesting are rioters, they shut down social media, Facebook, Twitter, internet services. We cant imagine the damage to the countrys economy. So, this is what happened in East Pakistan, he added.

On March 25, 1971, Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, wherein a planned military operation was carried out by the Pakistani Army and its military which deliberately harmed hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi citizens.

According to The Friday Times, the 1971 genocide was destructive to Pakistans reputation. Pakistans generals however still dont recognize the mass massacre they sponsored 50 years ago. West Pakistan under the leadership of General Tikka Khan and General Khan Niazi, was responsible for the deaths of over three million Bengalis, and the rape of some 400,000 women across the region.
As Thailand prepares for elections on Sunday, young voters spearhead earth-shaking calls for change in the military-dominated kingdom, reported CNN.

Voting is scheduled to begin at 8 am (01:00 GMT) on Sunday and will conclude at 5 pm (10:00 GMT). About 52 million voters will choose members of a new 500-seat House of Representatives for the next four years. A total of 500 seats are up for grabs in the lower house of parliament  400 are constituency seats with the remaining 100 seats distributed proportionately to each partys overall vote share. Some 70 parties are taking part in the contest.

The lost generation of young voters fired up by a yearning for change are keeping alive previously taboo topics, including the militarys stranglehold on the levers of power  and even royal reform, reported CNN.

The May 14 poll is the first since youth-led mass pro-democracy protests in 2020 and only the second since a military coup in 2014 ousted an elected government, restoring a conservative clique that has pulled the strings in the kingdoms turbulent politics for decades.

While an old battleground has emerged between democratic allies and pro-military parties, at the heart of this years election is a fight led by a young generation who want what they see as a better version of Thailand, reported CNN.

Two parties  populist Pheu Thai and progressive Move Forward  are leading the polls, with both campaignings to remove the military from politics.

The opposition Pheu Thai is aiming for a landslide. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, is one of the partys three prime ministerial candidates and the latest member of a controversial political dynasty to contest.

The election will be the latest bout in a long-running battle between parties backed by a royalist-military establishment and a progressive, pro-business opposition with a track record of wooing working-class voters and winning every election in the past two decades.

Pheu Thai, a party linked to the self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, has a big lead in opinion polls as it did in previous elections, followed by another opposition party, Move Forward, which is seeking to mobilise youth voters.

Prayuth Chan-ocha, who first came to power in a coup in 2014, is one of Thailands longest-serving prime ministers.

He is seeking re-election again, though constitutional term limits mean he can only remain in the top job for two more years.

But the 69-year-olds United Thai Nation party is trailing in the polls, coming in at a distant third in opinion surveys, behind the main opposition Pheu Thai and the youth-led Move Forward Party, reported Al Jazeera.

It is pledging deep structural reforms to how Thailand is run: changes to the military, the economy, the decentralization of power and even reforms to the previously untouchable monarchy.

That is earth-shaking in Thailand as [the monarchy] is a taboo subject, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University.

Thats why this election is unlike any other. Thats why this election is the most important in Thai elections. Because its moving the agenda, its moving the frontier to next stage to the core of Thailands problems, he added.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High around 75F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP)  Authorities on Sunday were assessing the damage after a sidewalk sinkhole developed on a New Mexico bridge, resulting in the rescue of two pedestrians.

Los Lunas police said the citys Main Street bridge over the Rio Grande remained closed due to the sinkhole under a sidewalk on the east side of the bridge.

Theres culverts nearby that undermined the roadway and for that reason, it caused some areas to erode, New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 spokeswoman Kimberly Gallegos said. Thats when we started to realize that we had to get traffic off of this roadway.

Gallagos added that water levels are high and the culverts are being affected by that.

Albuquerque TV station KOAT said a man and his son were rescued Saturday night after two women passing by the sidewalk sinkhole heard someone calling for help.

Several media reports Saturday night said the bridge partially collapsed, but authorities said that was not accurate.

New Mexico Department of Transportation officials were on the scene Sunday trying to determine the extent of the culvert damage on one of Valencia County's main roads.

Los Lunas Fire Chief John Gabaldon said a water line had to be shut off to prevent more problems if a pipe running through the sinkhole broke.

Gabaldon didnt immediately know how many homes were affected by the water outage.

Los Lunas is about 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) south of Albuquerque.
GAZA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- A ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night has come into effect following five days of violent fighting between the two sides.

Palestinian eyewitnesses said that the five-day tit-for-tat violent fighting between Israel and the PIJ militants stopped at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).

However, a few minutes after the ceasefire took effect, militants fired around 20 rockets from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel. Israeli fighter jets fired back and targeted lookout posts and sites for Gaza militants. No injuries were reported.

Palestinian sources close to the PIJ told Xinhua that calm returned to the Gaza Strip after a short exchange of fire between the militants and the Israeli army.

Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets and squares. Loudspeakers sounded in some mosques to celebrate the ceasefire agreement, while a procession was organized for medical teams, ambulance, civil defense and police teams.

On Saturday, an official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the ceasefire would come into effect at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) and would end the five-day confrontation that started on Tuesday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said 33 Palestinians were killed, including six children, three women and seven senior PIJ militants. More than 150 were injured in the past five days.

Muhammad al-Hindi, a senior PIJ leader, told Al-Qahera Al-Ikhbareya (Cairo News Television) that "this agreement was reached as a result of a continuation of the Egyptian effort."

"We appreciate this effort and deal with it very positively to make this agreement successful," he added.

Al-Hindi, who was part of the negotiations, said that "the ceasefire agreement includes stopping targeting civilians, homes, and individuals."

He noted, "We will abide by the ceasefire agreement as long as the Israeli enemy adheres to it."

Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), welcomed the agreement and the Israeli cessation of aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip, expressing his thanks to Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Saturday evening, expressing appreciation for Egypt's efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and the PIJ.

On Tuesday predawn, Israeli unmanned drones and fighter jets carried out surprising and simultaneous airstrikes on several buildings, killing three senior members of PIJ armed wing in the Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, PIJ militants fired hundreds of rockets at central and southern Israel, killing one Israeli and injuring more than nine, according to Israeli media outlets.

Over the past five days, Israeli fighter jets and unmanned drones attacked Palestinian operatives launching rockets at Israel. Israel targeted buildings, military sites, posts, and facilities that belong to the PIJ armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades.

Ashraf Al-Qedra, the spokesman of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said that since the Israeli aerial airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, 33 Palestinians were killed, and more than 140 were injured.

This is the worst wave of violence in the Strip, home to more than 2 million people, since August last year, when about 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids that lasted for three days. 
CHICAGO  In 2007, Reginald Lane shot and killed Jwonda Thurston, his pregnant girlfriend. For the murder, he was sentenced to life in prison, following state statute for someone who is found guilty of killing more than one victim.

On Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in Lanes case, specifically around whether Lane was given the appropriate sentence.

Lanes appeal hinges, in part, on whether Thurstons unborn child can be considered a victim of the murder and, more broadly, whether it can be considered an individual under the law.

As it stands now, the unified code of corrections defines a victim as any natural person who suffered direct harm, Talon Nouri, an attorney representing Lane, told the justices. And again, the statute on statutes notes that whenever the word person or individual is used, that person must have first been born alive.

Nouri also cited the states Reproductive Health Act, a 2019 law that, among other things, stipulates fetuses do not have independent rights in the state of Illinois.

In addition to the question of what constitutes a victim under state law, Nouri also argued Lanes sentence was inappropriately applied because the lower courts had sentenced Lane in alignment with the sentence for a double murder.

Lane was convicted of both first-degree murder and killing an unborn child  also called feticide  which are two distinct crimes.

While the penalty section of the intentional homicide of an unborn child statute states that the sentence shall be the same as for first degree murder, the relevant statutes and definitions unambiguously exclude intentional homicide of an unborn child from this double murder sentencing statute, Nouri told the court.

Assistant Attorney General Josh Schneider, who argued the case on behalf of the state, relied on the statutes language identifying the sentence for feticide as being the same as murder.

When a person is convicted of intentional homicide of an unborn child, the sentence they receive for that offense is the same sentence they would receive if they had been convicted of first-degree murder under those same circumstances, Schneider said.

Several justices interrogated that line of reasoning.

So we really dont even need to go to these definitions in the other statutes because the legislature has directed us to apply the same sentence as in murder? Justice Lisa Holder White asked of Schneider.

Thats exactly right, Schneider replied.

The justices took the matter under consideration with a ruling to come at a later, unspecified date.

Stop and frisk

The justices on Thursday also considered the case of Francisco Lozano.

In 2018, Lozano was the subject of a Terry stop, sometimes also known as a stop and frisk or field interview in Chicagos East Garfield Park neighborhood.

From their unmarked police car, two officers noticed Lozano running on a rainy afternoon with his hands in his pockets. After turning their car around, officers saw him run up the stairs of an abandoned apartment building before stopping him and finding that he had a car radio, two screwdrivers and a wallet.

As a result of this stop, Lozano was eventually found guilty of burglary to a vehicle and possession of burglary tools.

Lozanos lawyer, Pamela Rubeo, argued the police violated Lozanos 4th Amendment right against unlawful search and seizure by stopping him for running in the rain.

The parties agree the officers needed reasonable suspicion of criminal activity at the inception of this stop, Rubeo told the court. Here, no such reasonable suspicion existed.

Assistant Attorney General Jalan Jaskot, who argued on behalf of the state, told the justices that police had reasonable suspicion by the time they stopped Lozano, citing the behavior that police observed as they approached Lozano for the stop.

This received some pushback from Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, who referenced the lower courts opinion on the case.

According to the officers own testimony, the reason why he stopped him was to conduct a field interview and ask him why he was running, Theis noted during oral arguments. Why shouldnt we just accept that was the basis of the stop  as the officer himself described  and evaluate whether that was an appropriate Terry stop?

Jaskot responded that the officers saw Lozano flee to the abandoned building when they turned their car around and that while they were approaching, they saw a bulge in Lozanos front sweatshirt pocket, giving them reasonable suspicion for a Terry stop.

If the facts of this case were simply that the defendant was running in the rain, officers would not have the reasonable suspicion to conduct that Terry stop, Jaskot said after further questioning on the subject from the justices. However that is not all that we have. Very importantly, we also have the defendants evasive behavior where he did change that direction and run towards this building that appeared abandoned.

Rubeo also argued that some evidence in Lozanos trial was inappropriately introduced, as it was taken from statements Lozano gave during his arrest, without being given a Miranda warning, a set of notifications police are required to give people they arrest. These notifications include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney and the warning that anything a defendant says can be used against them in court, among other things.

In their court filing, the attorney generals office argued that Lozano forfeited the chance to suppress the statements he made before being given a Miranda warning because his lawyers failed to bring it up in his trial.

The case will also be considered by the justices, although there is not a set timeline for how long they will take to deliver a final opinion.

The justices did not hear arguments for these cases at their typical venue at the Supreme Courts building in Springfield. Rather, the court was riding the circuit and heard arguments on the campus of Chicago State University on Chicagos South Side.

The court uses a version of the historical practice of judges traveling to district courts to raise public awareness and confidence in the judicial branch, according to Theis.

Its a practice that had been temporarily stalled in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The court held a virtual riding the circuit program in 2021 in conjunction with schools from the states Second Judicial District in northern Illinois. The courts previous in-person road trip took place in September 2019 when arguments were heard at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey.

It is the first time in our history of this court and our state that we have come to the First District here in Chicago, Theis told attendees of the arguments on Thursday.

Around 300 students from schools around the region attended Thursday's event. Following the oral arguments, students participated in a question-and-answer session with representatives of the Cook County Bar Association.
HARTFORD  When President Thomas Jefferson bought a large portion of what is now the western United States from France, he knew just the right guys to take a look at the nations newest acquisition.

Those guys were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. And a nationally-renowned Thomas Jefferson re-enactor was in Hartford on Saturday to help commemorate the 1804 departure of the Lewis and Clark Expeditions famous journey of discovery.

Kurt Smith, who portrays Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, presented two programs for visitors Saturday at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site as part of the its annual Departure event. Smith said the main thing he tries to accomplish during his portrayal is to keep it real.

History tends to either vilify or deify figures in history and neither one is useful, Smith said. So if Im doing my job right I make him human. He made mistakes, but he also had great hope and vision.

Smith has been portraying Jefferson for 10 years and Ive been steeped in his words and vernacular, and his 50,000 letters, for a decade. But Smith realizes that our third president is unique because he has direct ties to the present.

In many ways its not that I am portraying a dead man because there are people alive today that are directly related to him. I have met his descendants; the current lines of Jeffersons and Hemings are still around, Smith said. If Thomas Jefferson ever rose from the grave and saw me perform, my hope would be that he would stand in the back and give me two thumbs-up.

Visitors to Saturday's Departure event could also learn a lot about the Lewis and Clark Expedition through period artillery, musket, candle making, fiber arts, cooking and other demonstrations. They could also explore a replica of the White Pirogue boat that was the flagship of the expedition.

Marine resident Elizabeth Crawford's children examined every nook and cranny of the White Pirogue.

"We are learning about history and trying to take it all in. We home school our three kids and we try to give them hands-on experiences," Crawford said. "The more they can see and do the better that they can understand the period of history they are studying. We learned how nothing really went to waste, they used everything back in those days."

Roy Schmid, 84, from St. Charles, Missouri, has been re-enacting for 50 years. He portrayed a Royal British Artillery officer from 1750, and said that Lewis and Clark weren't the only ores blazing trails during the nation's early history.

"The first two major east-west highways in the colonies were created by the British military in order to move artillery and equipment from Colonial Williamsburg to the Pittsburgh area," Schmid said. "I've done re-enactments at every rebuilt fortification on both of those routes."
ALTON  Storms that moved through the Alton area Saturday are believed to have contributed to a serious head-on crash in the 2800 block of East Broadway.

At 3:20 p.m. Saturday a Kia Optima and a Ford Escape crashed in the rain slickened 2800 block of East Broadway. The entire on-duty shift of Alton firefighters was needed to use hydraulic rescue tools to cut both drivers from their vehicles, an effort that would take some 40 minutes to accomplish.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP)  Decrying a Republican culture of losing, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sought Saturday to weaken former President Donald Trumps grip on the GOP as tornado warnings interrupted a collision of leading presidential prospects in battleground Iowa.

DeSantis, expected to announce his 2024 presidential campaign any day, briefly flipped burgers and pork chops at an afternoon picnic fundraiser in Sioux Center that drew hundred of conservatives to the northwest corner of the state. From the podium, the 44-year-old governor highlighted his eagerness to embrace conservative cultural fights and sprinkled his remarks with indirect jabs at Trump.

Governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling, said DeSantis, who wore a blue button-down shirt without a tie or jacket. Its ultimately about winning and producing results.

Trump, a candidate since November, had hoped to demonstrate his political strength with a large outdoor rally in Des Moines, the capital, later in the day. He canceled the appearance hours before its scheduled start time due to a tornado warning.

Roughly 200 supporters had already gathered at the venue.

I feel like its still Trumps time, said Robert Bushard, 76, who said he drove about four hours from St. Paul, Minnesota to see the former president. Of DeSantis, he said, Hed be a good president after Trump.

Republican primary voters across the nation are sizing up DeSantis and Trump, two Republican powerhouses who are among a half dozen GOP candidates already in the race or expected to announce imminently. Trump is well ahead of his rivals in early national polls, while DeSantis is viewed widely as the strongest potential challenger.

Trump was hoping to return to the comfort of the campaign stage after a tumultuous week.

On Tuesday, a civil jury in New York found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming advice columnist E. Jean Carroll and awarded her $5 million. A day later, during a contentious CNN town hall, he repeatedly insulted Carroll, reasserted lies about his 2020 election loss and minimized the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

DeSantis has burnished his reputation as a conservative governor willing to push hard for conservative policies and even take on a political fight with Disney, which he highlighted in Sioux Center. But so far, he hasnt shown the same zest for taking on Trump, who has been almost singularly focused on tearing down DeSantis for months.

On Saturday, DeSantis avoided Trumps legal entanglements or his falsehoods about the 2020 election, instead highlighting the GOPs recent string of electoral losses. The Republican Party has struggled in every national election since Trumps 2016 victory.

We must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over, DeSantis said. If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again.

Its uncertain whether DeSantis political successes in Florida can be replicated on the national stage.

Even before he formally enters the race, hes already facing questions about his ability to court donors and woo voters.

The Iowa visit, his second in two months, was expected to help address concerns about his sometimes awkward personal appeal as he met with Republican officials, donors and volunteers, all under the glare of the national media. But DeSantis devoted little time  at least compared with most of the GOPs other White House contenders  for selfies or handshakes in Sioux Center, where more than 600 people had gathered to see him at an event billed as a family picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.

DeSantis left most of the politicking to his allied super political action committee, which had set up a table where prospective supporters for his yet-to-be-announced presidential campaign could sign up.

The road outside the museum was flanked with DeSantis 2024 campaign signs.

Trumps team had expected more than 5,000 to attend the rally at an outdoor amphitheater in downtown Des Moines for the purpose of collecting information on would-be supporters and encouraging them to commit to Trump.

Trumps 2024 Iowa campaign, unlike his rag-tag 2016 second-place Iowa effort, is putting together a more disciplined, data-driven operation. The Saturday event was aimed at encouraging attendees to sign up with the campaign on a website so the campaign could maintain contact with them, keep them posted on how and where to caucus, and recruit campaign volunteers.

In a social media post, Trump promised to reschedule the event. Shortly afterward, the campaign released a list of endorsements from more than 150 Iowa elected officials and activists across all of the states 99 counties.

And as they compete for support, the emerging rivalry with DeSantis has turned increasingly personal.

DeSantis has largely ignored Trumps most egregious jabs, which have included suggesting impropriety with young girls as a teacher decades ago, questioning his sexuality and calling him Ron DeSanctimonious.

Trumps campaign began airing an ad mocking DeSantis for yoking himself to the former president in 2018 when he ran for governor, even using some Trump catchphrases as a nod to his supporters in Florida.

Trumps super PAC, MAGA Inc., also has aired spots highlighting DeSantis votes to cut Social Security and Medicare and raise the retirement age. The group even targeted DeSantis snacking habits, running an ad that called for him to keep his pudding fingers off those benefits. That was a reference to a report in The Daily Beast that the governor ate chocolate pudding with his fingers instead of a spoon on a plane several years ago.

DeSantis has said he does not remember doing that.

At the same time, the pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, has hired Iowa staff and begun trying to organize support for the governor before a 2024 announcement. The group announced Thursday that state Senate President Amy Sinclair and state House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl would endorse DeSantis candidacy. On Friday, it rolled out roughly three dozen more state lawmakers who would endorse him.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst attended DeSantis Sioux Center appearance.

After his speech, he spent about 15 minutes shaking hands and making small talk with voters as he maneuvered through the large audience, trailed by reporters, TV cameras and a security detail. He then dashed outdoors to pose with Reynolds and Feenstra while tending to burgers and pork chops at the grill.

Lyle and Sonia Remmerde of Rock Valley managed a handshake. She said DeSantis style comes across as normal.

One of the things when you compare Trump and DeSantis, I think DeSantis has  how do you say?  a much more smooth approach, said Lyle Remmerde, 65. Hes less abrasive.

___

Price reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Peoples reported from New York.
HOHHOT, May 14 (Xinhua) -- North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw robust foreign trade growth in the first four months of 2023, according to the customs authorities in Hohhot, capital city of the region.

The region's total import and export value hit 60.77 billion yuan (about 8.73 billion U.S. dollars) from January to April, up 45.1 percent year on year.

Exports rose 26.6 percent to 23.38 billion yuan, while imports soared 59.6 percent to 37.39 billion yuan.

The region's private enterprises also saw rapid growth in foreign trade volume, increasing by 67.9 percent year on year during the period to 47.29 billion yuan.

The Erenhot Port, the largest land port between China and Mongolia, has made great contribution to the region's foreign trade. As of May 3, the port had handled a total of 1,042 China-Europe freight trains, up 7 percent year on year. 
The coronation pageantry unveiled the dilemma facing King Charles III. How to combine myth-making with modernising the British monarchy in an era of declining public support? Medieval myths mesmerise masses. But modernisation is essential for the monarchys relevance and continuity. Few can glamourise tradition better than the British. But, says historian Vernon Bogdanor, The monarchy is no longer a mystical, magical institution. It is a public service institution. It will be evaluated now in public service terms.

Some coronation rituals do no service to the monarchy. They are tone deaf, even absurd. The 152kg coronation stone called the stone of destiny exemplified skewed optics. Hidden under King Charles coronation throne, it originally symbolised continuity of the monarchyScottish, not English. He was literally sitting on a symbol of Scottish sovereignty at a time when the Scots are trying to break free from Britain. The Scottish stone was seized in 1296 by English King Edward 1, called Hammer of the Scots because he kept invading Scotland. The stone failed to bring stability and Edward lost control of Scotland. Legend claims the Biblical Jacob rested his head on this stone. According to the Bible, Jacob lived 3,500 years ago in Palestine. How did this stone get to Scotland? It did not. Geological analyses prove it came from where it belongedScotland.

Illustration: Bhaskaran

Then came the secret anointing ritual from the Old Testament, symbolising Gods consecration of King Charles. We must take their word for it because Charles was hidden behind screens for this rite. Today, divine right to rule is considered absurd, even in Japan where emperors mythically descended 6,000 years ago from the sun goddess. In the run-up to this coronation, television anchors parroted palace propaganda; King Charles is a man of faith, he is a man of God. Forgotten were the accusations of adultery and cruelty levelled against him by his first wife and second son, now an outcast.

Particularly tone deaf was the feudal tradition of paying homage to the new king. King Charles magnanimous gesture to extend this privilege from peers to commoners was supposedly an inclusive social coup. But we want the monarchy to swear allegiance to us, not the other way round, protested advertising guru Richard Huntington. Not My King posters popped up. Responding to widespread criticism, King Charless opening coronation statement was, like the Lord, I come not to be served, but to serve. That sentiment was underscored a dozen times during the ceremony. But even in expressions of humility, the new King was in the company of the divinely-ordained Jacob, Jesus and English kings of yore.

But public indulgence of mad and merry kings is over. Modernity is an imperative, not a choice. Experts agree King Charles has begun well, embracing the multi-faith, multicultural mosaic of modern Britain. He has championed social and environmental causes, even promising to donate windfall profits to public good. The profits come from offshore windfarms located on Britains seabeds owned by the crown. In other constitutional monarchies, seabeds are publicly-owned and royal rituals slashed drastically.

Still, King Charles is cutting expenses to trim and modernise the monarchy. Royal biographer and consultant of Netflix series Crown, Robert Lacey says, King Charles is much more popular than Prince Charles. Coronation captures the contradictions of the monarchy, its glory and its absurdity. The wonderfully choreographed coronation makes Britons feel special, says British historian Linda Colley, but it also shows that both nation and monarchy need to modernise. Britain badly needs to moderate its self-deceiving sense of exceptionalism.

Pratap is an author and journalist.
The Kukis claim to be like the biblical sparrows in the skythey sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns.

As much was told by a Kuki to T.C. Hodson, assistant political agent in Manipur in the late 19th century and later the first William Wyse professor of social anthropology at Cambridge. His Thado Grammar, The Meitheis and The Naga Tribes of Manipur are still considered among the most authoritative monographs on the culture, customs, languages, dialects, rituals, history, folk tales and feuds of the tribes of Indias northeast. We are like the birds of the air, the genial Kuki told Hodson. We make our nest here this year, and who knows where we shall build next year.

It is exactly this Kuki habit that is now vexing the Meiteis, Manipurs majority who inhabit the narrow Imphal valley of glimmering lakes and vanishing shirui lilies. They see the Kukis and the several Naga tribes, who have been inhabiting the hills that surround their valley, grabbing government jobs under the Scheduled Tribe quota and making nests in their pristine valley. At the same time, neither the Meiteis nor anyone else is allowed to nest on the hills, since the hills are reserved for the tribes. With the result, the narrow valley, which the Meiteis thought was their preserve, is getting crowded, whereas the hills, the tribes reserve, are remaining sparsely peopled, but sprouting poppy plants.

People being evacuated from a violence-hit area of Manipur | AFP

Well, not exactly sparsely peopled. The Meitei-strong Biren Singh government says, the Kukis are grabbing more and more of the forest space too. A Kuki village, by custom, belongs to its chief; so when a chiefs sons grow up, they split and set up their own villages and grow more poppy.

While most insurgencies in the northeast are simple tribal autonomy issues pitted against Indias mainstream republicanism, Manipurs issues have too many substream currents. One, most of the tribesmen are Christian by faith since the late 19th century, and the Meiteis have been Vaishnavite Hindus since at least the early 18th century. Two, the Meiteis, who are also Manipurs political elite, looked at the Kukis earlier as interlopers from Myanmar, and now as insurgents. Three, there is indeed widespread poppy farming in the Kuki-inhabited hills, mostly illicit.

The current troubles cropped up after Biren got his second term last year. The Meiteis have been seeking ST status for themselves too; Biren has been inclined to grant it; and the High Court now told the government to fast-track it. The Kukis now fear that the better-schooled Meities would crowd them out of their quota seats and jobs.

Pouring oil into the fire have been the recent moves by the Biren regime. Declaring the forests, till now the tribes preserve, as the governments reserves, it is evicting several illegal habitats. Added to it is a move to slash and burn most of the poppy crop, throwing the tribes into penury.

Further provoking the Kukis has been Birens decision to pull out of a tripartite ceasefire-and-talks deal with militant Kuki outfits. Luckily, the Centre forbade him from pulling out, but the damage had been donethe tribes lost the trust they had in Biren since the 2017 polls when the armed groups were lured into talks on promises of possible Bodo-like autonomy. This had made them dump the long-reigning Congress and vote the BJP.

All this boiled over on May 3. The Kukis took out a protest march against ST status to the Meiteis. The Meiteis say the march turned violent; the Kukis say their war memorial and churches were burnt.

The truth is: 60 humans lost their lives.

prasannan@theweek.in
Havana 2008 - At the heart of the art exhibit was the striking image of a pale Castro rendered with powerful and exaggerated features that capture his commanding presence and forceful personality. His piercing gaze, at times lost in itself, is in multiple portraits of the "Fidel Series" by mulit-faceted artist Fiona Murphy.

In another take, Fidel's eyes are closed.

The next moment, the image of the bearded man and the forehead so familiar for so long, transforms as if they deceived your eyes. What at first glance was so certainly Fidel wanes and reels, it is a ghost on an unseen saddle. The artist's work beholds the sunken, sleek face Don Quixote at the edge of a cliff. You can almost hear the sound of passing time. Could this be Fidel at the precipice of his life?

A sudden shiver runs down your spine, and you feel enclosed within a tolling bell. You look again at the portraits and see an unharmonious chime; at once, the images encompass a far more burdened world. But the weight of the world is outside.

Created as a response to the deep sense of unease and general anxiety felt in Cuba in 2006 in the face of a worsening illness that for the first time took Fidel away from public view, the portraits seem to question the very nature of perception and reality, challenging the public to reconsider assumptions about the iconic figure and his role in Cuban life.

With techniques unapologetically avant-garde and experimental Murphy manages to reflect a deep sense of existential angst in the uncertain world.

The enigmatic figure of Fidel Castro, a man whose influence on Latin America is as profound as the shadows cast by the mighty Andes, is as alive in the political context of Latin America today as it unfolds a second Pink Tide movement, echoing Fidel as a symbol of resistance and direction for those who hope to challenge the status quo. His presence in the collective consciousness of Latin America makes his legacy as relevant today as he was in the early days of his revolution.

The Fidel of Murphy's series is not the romanticised hero of popular imagination but an enigmatic and nuanced figure whose legacy is as much about his flaws as his successes, one who is also larger than life and an enduring myth for new generations; significantly, for today's Latin American leaders.

The portraits are Fidel-centric, allowing viewers to hone in on Castro and the details. Each portrait is an individual in the larger canvas of the series. The series is a deeply moving work that speaks of the Cuban experience with distortions that give a sense of a collective strain and pain embodied in Fidel.

While observing these portraits, viewers feel as though they are catching a glimpse of Fidel's final solitude and are drawn to explore their own feelings about him. That is the power of Murphy's art; her mix of styles creates an almost instant relationship between the observer, the subject, and the Cuba of 2006.

The conceptual model of the series has aged well. In 2023 it is is immediately clear that they amount to a fascinating exploration of emotions that sparks curiosity about the ever looming Fidel. What is more, viewers feel compelled to express their own subjective feelings as they become acquainted with Fidel and his impact.

Fidel's legacy is a complex one, marked by both admiration and criticism. Murphy was able to capture this complicated duality using the expressive power of her art to reflect the political and social context of the time when Cuba began its transition from Fidel into an uncertain future.

The importance of the series lies in its ability to capture the complexity of Fidel's legacy, and to convey a message that is both earnest and critical.

By using the expressive power of art to convey a message that transcends the boundaries of language and culture, the artist makes an important contribution to the cultural legacy of Cuba. The series is also a testament to the enduring power of art to capture the essence of a moment in time.

Murphy is masterful at reaching deep into the viewer's psyche and drawing out strong feelings to a truth many wanted to forget.

The hue of blue she chose has a peculiar, almost indescribable effect on the eye. It immediately brings an emotion of melancholy, perhaps on the border of despair, at once demystifying and clarifying Cuba's cultural climate in the crucial aftermath ofFidel's serious health problems.

With a keen eye for detail and an the ability to capture the human psyche, Murphy's Fidel series offers a nuanced perspective on a historical figure who has long been shrouded in controversy and mythology and whose influence still affects life in Latin America.

Murphy painted images that convey the struggles and pains of the Cuban people set against the backdrop of Fidel's grandiose speeches and monumental figure. She places him on a transparent mirror which does not merely reflect Fidel's image, but also reveals the harsh, unfiltered realities of life in Cuba at the time.

In one portrait after another, she peels the layers of myth and distortion that have accumulated around the leader. She elicits feelings in the viewer that add to a more nuanced perspective on one of the most consequential figures of the 20th century.

The very existence of the series, painted in Havana while Murphy lived and worked there, captures the essence of creative courage in a city where Fidel himself had decreed artists need to follow a prescribed cultural order.

There, at the beginning of his ongoing revolution, Fidel had words of warning to artists and intellectuals: "The artist, the writer, the intellectual in general, is a man who has great influence on society, and above all on the younger generations... He who is not with the Revolution is against the Revolution. And he who is against the Revolution must be silenced, must be quieted, must be illegal."

In that crucible, in Havana and with the alchemy of time, Murphy took up her brush and painted this series of portraits that defied the state's gaze. With each brushstroke, she imbued the canvas with an intrepid spirit in the service of art, using satire and expressionism to elicit an undercurrent of feelings about life in Cuba under Fidel.

The series pierces through the official front and shows the voice of the silenced in powerful alternative depictions and the emotions validated through her art.

Murphy's adroit evocations in a series of expressionist paintings of Fidel in flailing health with echoes of Cervantess Don Quixote quietly unmuzzled an undercurrent of feelings in mid-2000s Havana.

Murphy's opus makes an important contribution to the understanding of Cuba and its leader beyond the larger narrative of the Revolution and Communism.

Reality

Somewhere in deep Havana, Murphy's friend Ariel had kept a lonely and deep pain in his gut. It was a wretched anguish and grief for the underground artist, an impotence and bitter surrender at learning that the hospital's nurse had discarded the lifeless body of his baby child, tossed away so as to not show a death in the country's "impressive" health system's statistics.

In formal bones of Fidel's face, Murphy's artwork draws such sorrows of life in Cuba, despair that was hard to express. The people of Fidel's Cuba, their pain, their rituals of compliance, the settled comfort that came through their fears but often only in the smallest coins, and the feelings that are so much a part of the collective inner turmoil in Cuba, are extracted from the viewer on the canvas of each portrait, unleashed by the artist in a fury of brush strokes around his image.

Since 1959, Fidel had been the head that ran through every aspect of Cuban life. In 2006, Murphy in Havana began to capture the Cuban spirit as Fidel's deteriorating health unsettled the island.

The resulting series validates Cuban resilience and at the same time serve as a quiet indictment of his glaring failures; she extracts powerful emotions at the chasm between his ideology, soaring rhetoric and reality.

Fidel's ideals were delivered to the Cuban people in ubiquitous, passionate televised speeches in which he would frequently point his finger towards the audience or the camera. But the harsh realities of his rule would leave Cubans to bear the weight the incongruence between high sounding words and hard life in the island.

It was a time rich in images and meaning, too good for the artist in Murphy to pass up. She painted the series of portraits and captured the contradictions of Fidel's rule, juxtaposing his grandiose image with elements that conjure raw, vacillating emotions.

As an artist and an expat, she was uniquely positioned to elicit the quirky nuances of Cuban life, the country's relationship with Fidel, and feelings that were often hidden from each other, thus providing a basis for people to make a more honest evaluation.

Of soul and art

Fiona Murphy's soul is Irish green. You can see it in her eyes. Her Irish spirit is intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking, as is this series.

Born in Cork County in southern Ireland, she was drawn to art at an early age, sketching fish and other things and focusing on the details, annoying her father with her artistic persistence. Her passion for arts led her to study at one of Europes finest art schools, the Limerick College of Art and Design.

Her next stop was the creative environment of Florence, the city that celebrates the triumph of the power of art. There, among the marble of Michelangelos David and some of the finest paintings of the Renaissance, she transitioned from being a student to a teacher and went on to teach orphans in rural, agricultural northeastern Brazil.

Her transformation continued as she neared the turn of the century with a turn at the International school of Havana, teaching and interacting with children from around the world, and her personal growth moved from Monet impressionism and realism to experiments that forged her own style.

She saw the harsh, gray Havana with its grand old buildings and their forlorn faces, and turned that disappointment into a community project to add color to the city by painting murals on schools, hospitals, and other Havana walls.

Murphy walked the city with sure steps, carrying a sense of familiarity and belonging that belied her foreign roots. Her long hair flowing back, she was seen by the locals as one of them.

It was in there that her life took a personal turn when she met Reuters Havana bureau chief Anthony Boadle. The man behind the news, with his tousled hair and intense questions, would become her husband.

The two of them, passionate, creative, and full of life, would soon become an intellectual and artistic force that brought together her experience in off-tourist-areas Havana with the news- and issues-immersed intellectual and political ferment of the international community which was Boadle's milieu.

The series

Influenced by the art of Ecuadorian master painter Osvaldo Guayasamin, a friend of Fidel and frequent visitor to Cuba in the '70s and '80s, Murphy was now equipped to imbue in her paintings the intense emotions of pain, sadness and despair often found in people who feel powerless and struggle in life.

As a subject, Fidel is as complex as the melting watches in a Picasso painting, Murphy's Fidel series sees through his image a reflection of the condition of life in Cuba, and a mirror of its subconscious.

As the series progresses, the Fidel portraits add to a tapestry of contradictions, a fusion of the real and the visionary. On the whole, it is a fascinating portrayal of the duality of Fidel's character, the interplay between his revolutionary ideals and the harsh realities of his regime. It is this tension that gives rise to the power to the portraits, power that transcends time and Cuba's boundaries.

In the realm of surreal, Murphy's depictions of an ailing Fidel become a symbol of the Cuban condition and a representation of a struggle between public life and the subconscious. They manage to transform the carefully managed and extraordinary image of Fidel into the mundane, and his sublime speeches into visuals of pedestrian mimic that everyday Cubans could identify in themselves and in their world.

A moment of crisis and transformation

The existential questions that Fidel's illness raised are exposed on canvas as an introspection and reflection on the nature of life in Cuba. They can be seen as a distillation of one's most profound feelings and emotions, expressed in a artistic manner, exploring one of the most complex and controversial political figures of the 20th century

In releasing the true nature of emotions and expressing beyond what was preventing Cubans from fully experiencing them, Murphy allows intense emotions to express a deeper understanding of the world around us, and perhaps even finds a measure of the ability of art to transcend the limitations of our own subjective experience.

She captures insights of the spirit of the time in nuanced and thought-provoking images of Fidel that go behind to understand how Fidel managed to be much more than a historical figure and embody the aspirations of a people even as many said he limited them.

The expressionist portrait series is a poignant and captivating exploration of the subjectivity of the Cuban experience. In exaggerated strokes and intense, emotive close-ups, Murphy conveys a sense of raw emotion and introspection, inviting the viewer to contemplate not only Fidel's legacy, but also the larger questions of identity, power, and Revolution.

Murphy's use of bold, exaggerated strokes and blunted colors show a foreboding sense of intensity and fragility, as if Cuba itself were struggling to express its innermost emotions and feelings with each canvas, each portrait seeming to capture a moment of existential crisis and transformation.

By stripping away the artifice of state puffery, Murphy's work reveals a more real dimension of Fidel and the complexities of the Cuban experience in a way that resonates quietly with Cubans as well as with a global audience.

Inflection point in Cuban history

When in 2006 Fidel faced a series of health problems that ultimately led him to temporarily cede power to his brother, his presence on state TV was maintained by a programming mix of old speeches and new takes in which he often appeared frail and weak, noticeably thinner and clearly fragile.

The hours-long speeches of a dynamic Fidel were now juxtaposed to much shorter televised speeches in which he was now seated and appeared to be reading instead of his classic extemporaneous style.

That was a moment in history that brought to the surface myriad feelings among Cubans and inspired the perceptive, analytical Murphy to pursue the feeling of the times, and put it on canvas.

Her unique 'Fidel Series' depicts the emaciated Cuban leader looking like the archetypal Don Quixote across multiple works. It is a collective work of art that can function as a mirror of mid-2000s Cuba for the world, magnified through Murphy's own experiences with underground artists and the close-up political insight of her journalist husband.

The Cuban leader as the worn windmill fighter evokes feelings of romanticism, chivalry, and idealism but also of naivete, impracticality, and delusions, of ideals that could sound noble in theory but harsh in reality.

That is perhaps why when the first of the series, the Blue Fidel, was hung in Boadle's office in the Reuters Havana bureau, Cuban officials who came to see him would avert their eyes. "They would never look at the painting, fearing it was a satire they should not be taking in," recalls Boadle.

The blue portrait itself bears a striking resemblance to the melancholy and introspective character of Don Quixote in his later years as he grapples with is own limitations. It captures a sense of isolation, introspection, and vulnerability.

A swirling mass of shades of blue in the background plus Murphy's adept mixing of fine and thick brushstrokes create a feeling of artifice, of tension, and unrest around the emaciating Fidel: Cuba's political turmoil and struggle, writ large.

Fidel dominates all the compositions, often distorted, with elongated fingers and exaggerated features, giving them a surreal quality that is central to the emotional impact of each piece, allowing feelings to come to the surface even if denying to oneself that it is Fidel in the frame.

Murphy chose to portray him in various poses of authority, like "Im the only man on earth," with a raised hand, pointed finger, as he often was seen on Cuban television, wearing his image like bones, like skin and beard plus cigar. As the series evolves, the pointed finger becomes more distorted, nails outsized, shoved into the tips.

Whether taken as a satirical device or a serious commentary on power, the portraits suggest a degradation of authority, as if even the physical body of the leader was succumbing to the weight of his own power. This exploration is magnified and in some of the portraits, we can see it become a garish, intellectually honest tribute to the time.

Up close

The ominous caricature of long, slender fingers gnarled like tendrils over Fidel's face give him the appearance of a praying mantis, and brings feelings that alert us of the primal instincts and drives that lie within us.

That Fidel's face comes through from behind the interlaced fingers is a reminder that his likeness is deeply ingrained in our contemporary psyche; the index extended upwards resembles a church spire eliciting a turmoil of emotions before the brutal force of a predator as well as an unexpected reverence and devotion.

It is a powerful image that encapsulates the complexities of the country's longtime leader and translates them into feelings that can be understood without saying a word.

It is clear that the subject is a man who has shaped the course of history through his sheer force of will. There is the calm and serenity of one at the top of the food chain. Even in these distorted and exaggerated forms, Fidel's image commands attention. That it also provides a strange comfort is confirmation that the world is often confusing and terrifying.

It is this juxtaposition of the primal and the civilized, the uncontrolled and the controlled, the intellectual and the chaotic, that makes the series emotionally impactful, eliciting fear, contempt, and respect as the portrait of a man who has left an indelible mark on history.

The paintings depict each a haunting moment on its own, an angst in the air in Cuba that Murphy managed to capture in the series. The portraits show an evolution and marked differences in style and technique in the series as they differ in style and technique at times and in context.

Whereas the majority of the pieces in the series are of the modernist expressionist genre, some daringly venture into the surreal and impressionistic realms, resulting in a truly dynamic collection.

The contextual nuances that arise from this multi-genre approach provide a rich tapestry of visual storytelling, illuminating the many facets of Fidel's persona and legacy.

In the surreal elements, viewers can see and get lost in the dreamlike quality of Fidel's revolutionary ideals and the Utopian vision he pursued for Cuba. In the bulk of the collection, expressionist elements capture the duality of his intense and passionate personality and its unpraisable traits.

In portraits with impressionist elements, Murphy draws out the romance of Cuba itself and how the impressionist brushstrokes doth capture the woes and grief of those beneath the rule of Fidel Castro.

As a whole, the combination of styles add to the powerful and complex presentation of Fidel and life under his power in Cuba.

The coloring is different even in two "blue" Fidels with some more vivid, some blurry and others well defined. There is a strong composition across the series, with slight shifts from one portrait to the next. The cigar in the fingers, so central to the series, is also depicted differently in an evolution of slight. But significant changes, the eyes from wide open to squinted to shut, are a poignant allusion to the darker aspects of the Cuban Revolution.

The blue portrait is itself a haunting image, rendered with a sense of melancholy that is amplified by the elongated fingers and nails. The figure is depicted in a state of contemplation or introspection, with a furrowed brow and downcast eyes that convey a sense of sadness or despair. The monochrome color scheme adds to the somber mood of the painting, with shades of blue that suggest a sense of isolation or detachment from the world

Don Quixote is an introspective character, particularly in his later years as he grappled with his own limitations and the harsh realities of the world around him. In the paintings, Murphy captures Fidel in a similar sense of isolation and introspection, with the elongated fingers and nails serving as a visual metaphor for the internal struggles of the figure portrayed.

The comparison brings him down from the pedestal of heroism and exposes his flaws and shortcomings. Don Quixote is often portrayed as a misguided idealist who is out of touch with reality, and Murphy uses the analogy to draw attention to Fidel's idealism and the ways in which he may have been out of touch with the needs of the Cuban people.

The critical nature of the series finds is focus on the similar aspects of Fidel with Don Quixoteprone to delusion and exaggeration, and with the tendency to see the world in black, quick to judge and condemn those he considers his enemies.

Don Quixote is stubborn and unwilling to listen to reason and whose actions often have unintended harmful consequences and may be motivated by self-interest or a desire for recognition or praise. It is no wonder the visitors to Boadle's Reuters bureau office were reluctant to take in Murphy's ambiguous Don Quixote-cum-Fidel on the wall.

By distorting Fidel's features, Murphy was able to strip away the grandiosity and myths that had been built up around him, and reveal deeper layers of a visionary, charismatic leader and a flawed and imperfect human being. Through her art, she was able to show that Castro was not above the struggles and pains of his people, but rather a central part of them.

In doing so, she brought him down from his pedestal allowing Cubans to see their lives reflected in his distorted features. This was a powerful statement on the nature of the power he held over their lives.

As time passes and emotions surrounding Fidel Castro mellow but his influence remains. This stunning series challenges the simplistic hero-villain dichotomy that has long defined popular perceptions.

Through the masterful use of distortion, Murphy has created a powerful, emotionally charged collection of images that capture the complicated and multifaceted nature of Fidel himself, as well as the Cuban Revolution and its place in the public imagination.

For history fans, scholars, and for art aficionados Murphy's Fidel Series is an experience that will challenge preconception, expand understanding, expose them to the emotional power of Castro and how art can put it all in front of your eyes.

For the world, the Fidel Series is a window on the charismatic personality and the tumultuous times in Cuba, a must-see for anyone interested in the emotions and feeling of living in the communist country and the legacy of Fidel Castro.
After BJP sweeping the mayor seats in Uttar Pradesh municipal elections, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday accused the ruling party of misusing government machinery.

BJP had won all the 17 municipal corporations in UP.

Mayawati said that they won't sit silently over it. The BSP is not going to sit silently over BJP's misuse of government machinery...When time comes, the BJP will definitely face the consequences, said Mayawati in a series of tweet in Hindi.

Despite losing the bypolls, the BSP chief expressed her gratitude to all those who voted for the candidates. "Gratitude and thanks to the people for reposing faith in the BSP and voting for its candidates despite facing a host of adverse circumstances. Had this election been free and fair, the results would have been something else. If the mayoral elections were conducted using ballot papers, the BSP would had won, said Mayawati.

In Ayodhya, BJP's Girish Pati defeated rival Ashish of the Samajwadi Party by a margin of 35,638 votes. According to State Election Commission (SEC), BSP candidate Ram Murti got 12,852 votes while Congress' Pramila Rajput bagged 4,084 votes. In Jhansi too, BSP secured the third position.

Lucknow, Bareilly, Mathura-Vrindavan, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Shahjahanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Firozabad and Meerut are the other seats swept by BJP.

None of the mayor candidates fielded by the BSP won the elections.



"Whether it's the BJP or the SP, both parties are equally adept at winning elections through misuse of power. This is why the ruling party often manages to secure more seats through manipulation, and this election was no different. It is a matter of great concern," Mayawati added.

(With PTI inputs)
The Congress legislative party (CLP), which met on Sunday evening, authorised AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the new Karnataka chief minister.

The CLP meeting passed a one-line resolution, saying, "The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new Leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

According to media reports, the chief minister and the cabinet are expected to take oath on Thursday.

Kharge, on Sunday morning, had said AICC observers would convey the opinion of the party's MLAs in Karnataka to the high command which will then take a decision on the chief ministerial pick. The AICC president had deputed former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria as observers for the election of the CLP leader.

Kharge had asserted that the priority of the Congress was to serve the people of the state, irrespective of who voted for the party and who did not.

Leader of opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar are strong claimants and front-runners for the post. Even as the CLP meeting was underway, there was sloganeering by supporters of both the leaders, demanding that their leader be made the chief minister.

Earlier, the Congress central observers, along with AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal held a meeting with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Congress scored a thumping win in the May 10 assembly polls as it secured 135 seats out of 224, while the BJP bagged only 66.
A Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting will be held at 6 pm today to elect the new chief minister of Karnataka, with former CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar being the strong claimants and front-runners for the coveted post.

The party has appointed three central observerssenior leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, party general secretary Jitendra Singh and former AICC general secretary Deepak Babariato oversee the CLP meeting.

"Hon'ble Congress President has deputed Shri.Sushilkumar Shinde (Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra), Shri.Jitendra Singh (AICC GS) and Shri.Deepak Babaria (former AICC GS) as observers for the election of the CLP Leader of Karnataka," AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal tweeted.

Siddaramaiah (75) and Shivakumar (60) have already held meetings with MLAs loyal to them even as a poster war has erupted in Bengaluru.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar hinted that he is in the chief ministerial race saying he took everyone along and never sought anything for himself. He, however, brushed aside speculations about differences between him and Siddaramaiah.

"I had not done anything wrong for myself. Whatever I did was for the party. All my sufferings were for the party," he said.

"Everyone was saying that there are differences between me and Siddaramaiah but let me tell you not a single iota of difference is there. I did not give anyone a chance. I just kept myself grounded and walked my path," Shivakumar added.

There are speculations that the party may go for a vote to elect the new chief minister as it did in Himachal Pradesh. All MLAs will reportedly be asked to vote for their choice of the chief minister. The other possibility is to bring about a power-sharing pact wherein both will get to be the leader for a certain period.

In the results declared on Saturday, the Congress won 135 seats while the BJP ended up with 65. The JD(S), the third player in the contest, won 19 seats in the 224-member assembly, while two seats were won by Independents, two were won by regional parties.
The echo from the poll noise made in the countrys western ghats is likely to be felt in the Deccan and all the way up to the eastern ghats. Just like river Tungabhadra which originates in Karnataka and leaves its footprints in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the latest poll results from the western neighbour have managed to impact the Telugu political terrain. In Karnataka, the Congress has won the majority defeating both the BJP and the JD(S) in the assembly polls. Following the course of the Tungabhadra which meanders into the Rayalaseema region right after leaving Karnataka, Andhras political situation will be assessed first before crossing over to Telangana.

Observing the elections closely with wide eyes were two regional partiesthe Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP). The TDP is helmed by former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and JSP is headed by Telugu actor-politician Pawan Kalyan. Both parties have a BJP connection. While JSP has been in alliance with the saffron party for the last few years, the TDP has made positive overtures to the BJP in the recent past to formally side with it after it broke up from the NDA in 2018. At the same time, the TDP and the JSP are in the final stages of sealing a deal to work shoulder-to-shoulder in the upcoming state elections to be held next year along with general elections.

It was evident that the JSP and the TDP wanted the BJP on their team for a broader coalition to take on the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). With the resounding victory of the Congress in Karnataka, will Naidu continue to praise PM Modi or restrict his political adulation for now? The BJP doesnt have a single seat in AP but the scramble to be in the good books of the national party is because the power it yields at the Centre. It has been learnt that the parties are in a wait-and-watch mode to see if the election marks the beginning of the downfall of the BJP and an upswing for the Congress. A lot will also depend on Congress's performance in the Telangana elections scheduled to be held later this year, which will decide if there will be a repeat of 2019 when the then CM Naidu shared stage with Rahul Gandhi to criticise Modi before the polls.

Moving on to Telangana, again, respecting the course of the Tungabhadra, the ripples here are of a different kind. For the state Congress, which has been left high and dry due to consecutive desertions and bypoll defeats, the victory in Karnataka is a morale booster. Resources and funding from across the border are some of the aspects, but a stronger Congress at the regional or national level will help the party restore its traditional voter base. The mood in the Telangana Congress camp is upbeat as they hope that at least the results will stop migrations to the BJP or the ruling BRS. A BJP defeat or victory in Karnataka wouldnt make much difference to the state BJP which is desperate to nudge out the Congress as the principal opposition, but the same cannot be said about the Congress.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka victory is a worst-case scenario for the ruling BRS. The partys loyal allies, the JDS and the Kumaraswamys, failed miserably in the polls. At the same time, the resurgence of the Congress is a direct threat to them in the context of the state elections where the grand old party is a formidable opposition when compared to the BJP which has only three seats. If the state Congress, with two groups of leaders participating in padayatras across the state, manages to emerge stronger from here, a hung Assembly in Telangana is also a likelihood. The BRS might glee at the prospect of BJP losing its sheen in Delhi, but there is also a lurking fear after the Karnataka elections that the enemy (Congress) may burgeon in the Deccan, their home turf.
A day after Congress registered a thumping victory in Karnataka, the party will hold its crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Sunday.

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said the meeting will be held at 5.30 pm on Sunday and all MLAs will take part in it. The Congress already instructed the new members to arrive in Bengaluru on Saturday itself.



Now that the party has gained absolute majority in the state winning 136 seats, all eyes will be on who is the new chief minister. The leading contenders for the top post are former chief minister and Kuruba strongman Siddaramaiah (75) and KPCC chief and Vokkaliga strongman D.K. Shivakumar (60).



While Siddaramaiah is a mass leader who holds sway over the Ahinda (minorities, backward classes and Dalits) vote bank of the Congress, Shivakumar the go-to man of the Gandhi family, who has bailed out his party at times of crises (shielding the Congress MLAs from being "poached" thrice) and has strived to strengthen the party at the grassroots ever since his elevation as the party chief in July 2020.



Meanwhile, there are speculations that the party may go for a vote to elect the new chief minister as it did in Himachal Pradesh. All MLAs will reportedly be asked to vote for their choice of the chief minister. The election will be overseen by AICC observers.



The other possibility is to bring about a power-sharing pact wherein both will get to be the leader for a certain period.

Poster war

The factional feud in Karnataka Congress seems to be rearing its head with posters declaring DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah as "CMs" springing up in the state. While supporters of Siddaramaiah put up a poster outside his residence in Bengaluru, referring to him as "the next CM of Karnataka," Shivakumar's supporters too have erected banners outside his residence in Bengaluru, demanding he be declared as "CM" of the state.

Bommai resigns

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai submitted his resignation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday night after BJP's defeat in the Assembly polls.



The Governor has accepted the resignation, an official release said. "We respectfully accept the decision of the people. I take the responsibility of the defeat," Bommai told reporters after the verdict was out.



"This time despite getting more than 36 per cent votes, we have got less number of seats. Analysis is going on, but defeat is a defeat. In the party, we will do a detailed analysis of the results, and rectify wherever required," he added.



The Congress registered a thumping win in Karnataka ousting the BJP from the state following the Assembly polls. The saffron party also lost its lone state in the south in the elections.


Zhang Lianqin (L) and Li Xinwei attend a class at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023. Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin (R) and Li Xinwei discusses the essay assignment at home in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 7, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin prepares dinner for Li Xinwei at home in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 7, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Li Xinwei writes answers on the blackboard at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Li Xinwei's English teacher tutors her during a class break at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Li Xinwei (C) looks on as one of her classmates writes during a class break at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023. Due to hearing impairment, Li needs to watch closely what her classmate is writing.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin and Li Xinwei clean the classroom in the morning after they arrive at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023. They have kept the routine of cleaning the classroom in the morning before class for years.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Li Xinwei and Zhang Lianqin have dinner at home in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 7, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin (1st L) and Li Xinwei attend a class at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows Li Xinwei reciting poems as Zhang Lianqin drives her to school by electric tricycle in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin and Li Xinwei attend a class at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin (L, down) and Li Xinwei attend a class at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

This undated file photo shows Zhang Lianqin and Li Xinwei attending a class at a primary school in Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua)

Zhang Lianqin (L) and Li Xinwei attend a class at the Hongyazi junior middle school in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2023. Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin checks on the vegetables she nurtured in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 7, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Zhang Lianqin (R) and Li Xinwei discusses the essay assignment at home in Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 7, 2023.

Zhang Lianqin, 55, mother of Li Xinwei, lives in Liangjiatun Village, Hongyazi Township of Xingcheng City. As her daughter Li suffers from hearing impairment, Zhang has accompanied Li in studying at school ever since Li was enrolled into primary school, with barely a class missed. Zhang has sat near her daughter to act as Li's "ears" at the classroom.

The life of Zhang and her family is not well off. They live in a house of about 60 square meters, with certificates of merit of Li and pictures drawn by her hanging on the wall. Zhang's husband is disabled in his right hand, making a living at a public bathroom. Things like farming, doing chores, looking after Li and Li's grandmother who is elderly and sickly have fallen on the shoulders of Zhang.

In April 2015, Li received cochlear implantation in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning Province. Meanwhile she has begun receiving the training of speaking by judging from mouth shapes. Hard as it is, Zhang has helped Li to practice in spare time with persistence and perseverance. After years of training, Li is able to speak a lot. "My mother has devoted herself into this family for years and years and has no time to dress herself," said Li, "I dream to become a costume designer one day so I can make a beautiful dress for her." (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said, the first important steps of a military counteroffensive against Russian forces would be taken soon. Zelenskyy was in Rome meeting his European partners providing Ukraine with weapons when he made the comment.



There will definitely be very serious steps. I cannot tell you (when) but you will definitely see it and Russia will definitely feel it, he said. We believe in victory and believe that the first important steps will be taken soon. he told CNN. After talking with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, he said, Ukrainian forces were "preparing very seriously."

On May 11, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs more time before it can launch an offensive against Russia. "With (what we have) we can go forward and be successful," he said in an interview with BBC. "But we'd lose a lot of people. I think that's unacceptable. So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time," he told in an interview with BBC.

Meloni on Saturday pledged unwavering support for Ukraine. She also said that, adding that Rome would back any future bid by Kyiv to join NATO.

Reportedly, a senior US military and a senior Western military official have said that Ukrainian forces had begun shaping operations such as striking targets like weapons depots, command centres and armour and artillery systems to prepare the battlefield for advancing forces.

Zelenskky earlier also met with the Pope, who has been vocal in his support to end the war.

He is currently in Germany, where he is meeting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Zelenskyy is visiting in search of further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

--With PTI inputs
On April 30, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah came to Mumbai to attend the live broadcast of the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baat radio programme, he was welcomed at the airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. After the event at the Keshavrao Ghaisas auditorium in Vile Parle, Shah and Fadnavis were scheduled to go to another place for a discussion. After the event though, Shah told Shinde to come alonga sign that Shinde enjoyed his confidence and that Shah wanted to have a political discussion. The trio chatted for about half an hour before heading to their respective programmes. It was during his journey back from the Shah meeting that Shinde told a confidant about how Modi and Shah had stood behind him like a rock and continue to support him.

Unlike Uddhav Thackeray, who had almost locked himself and met very few and chosen people, Shinde has shown that he is available to the poores and commonest among the people. That is his biggest USP. Ravikiran Deshmukh, political analyst Shindes personal involvement in resolving issues at the ground level, especially with farmers, helped to build trust and ensure that their concerns were addressed. Radheshyam Mopalwar, vice chairman and managing director of the MSRDC

The next day, after the Maharashtra Day function at Shivaji Park, Shinde decided impromptu to inspect the beautification work at Marine Drive, as he had some time to spare till his next event at Sahyadri state guesthouse. He took a team of officials along and sought details of the work and its progress. He told officials that Marine Drive needs more toilets as countless people visit it every day, said an aide. The chief minister even inspected a toilet to see if it was clean and properly maintained.

This, said his aides, is typical of Shinde, earning him the reputation of being a tireless worker, who clocks over 16 hours of work most days. At a recent meeting of some MLAs and MPs from Mumbai, Shinde directed secretaries of various departments to complete all development works in Mumbai before time.

At the meeting of legislators, Shiv Senas Mahim MLA Sada Sarvankar, who had taken a delegation of residents from 56 buildings whose redevelopment has been stuck for some years, was promptly told by Shinde that an officer and an architect would be appointed to look into the problems of each building and to speed up the redevelopment. Sarvankar is one of the Sena rebels who broke away from the Uddhav Thackeray faction to join Shinde last year. Sarvankar had tried to bring the issue to Uddhavs notice as well when he was chief minister (November 2019-June 2022), but to no avail. Almost 3,000 families are affected by this issue, said Sarvankar. All of them are Shiv Sena voters. Uddhav ji gave me just one meeting and his approach was not positive at all. On the other hand, Shinde saheb assured us that he will give instructions to take action against developers who were not giving rent to the owners who had vacated the buildings and make sure that redevelopment happens and residents are back in their homes.

According to political analyst Ravikiran Deshmukh, Shindes biggest strength has been his accessibility. Unlike Uddhav Thackeray, who had almost locked himself and met very few and chosen people, Shinde has shown that he is available to the poorest and commonest among the people. That is his biggest USP, said Deshmukh, who was media adviser to Fadnavis when he was chief minister (2014-2019). Deshmukh also pointed out that Shinde, unlike Uddhav, has been making funds easily available to legislators for projects in their constituencies. That is a big help for legislators as they can develop their constituencies and also project an image that they have a good rapport with the chief minister and can get things done. This goes a long way in winning elections. But there is a flip side to this free flow of fundsthe bureaucracy has had to flag it down a few months ago, stating that if funds were allotted to every project without deciding priority it could affect the states financial health.

That has not deterred Shinde from taking on more infrastructure projects. Recently, during his meeting with Kim Hun, director general of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Praveen Pardeshi, CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), Shinde shared his plans to provide green energy to the agriculture sector. The discussion reportedly left Kim considerably impressed and he even attended the Janata Darbar, held by the chief minister to hear peoples grievances, for over an hour.

Development path: The Shirdi-Bharvir stretch of the Samruddhi expressway.

Shindes aim is to make Maharashtra the growth engine of the country. He, along with Fadnavis, reviews work on major infrastructure projects at the war room in Mantralaya. Top on his mind at the moment is the opening of the 80km-long stretch of Samruddhi expressway that has been recently completed, said an aide of Shinde.

THE WEEK visited the 80km-long stretch between Shirdi and Bharvir in Nashik. It usually takes more than two hours to cover the distance, but thanks to the expressway, it takes less than an hour. The 701km-long expressway, connecting Shirdi and Mumbai, is divided into 16 packages. Y.G. Patil, executive engineer of the Maharashtra State Road and Development Corporation (MSRDC) for the Shirdi package, said they could inaugurate the stretch at a mere days notice. Everything is ready, said Patil. We also helped the village communities. A lake that provides water to Dauch and four other villages (near Shirdi) was coming in the way. We had instructions that amenities for villagers should not be affected at all. So, the MSRDC built a new lake, which has a storage capacity of 25mld, as opposed to the earlier 12mld. So, the villagers are happy.

Shinde was fully committed to the project right from the beginning, said Radheshyam Mopalwar, vice chairman and managing director of the MSRDC. His personal involvement in resolving issues at the ground level, especially with farmers, helped to build trust and ensure that their concerns were addressed, he told THE WEEK. He always inspired the team to work harder and faster and that ultimately led to the completion of project in record time.

Reaching out: Eknath Shinde during his visit to Ayodhya | PTI

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), a 22km sea bridge between Sewri in Mumbai and Chirle in Raigad district, is another infrastructure project that is dear to Shinde. He directed the officials at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to complete all work on the MTHL before November 2023. He also instructed them to ensure that the flamingo habitat near the project site is not disturbed. A few months ago, Shinde had visited the site to inspect the launch of an 180m-long steel girder. When he inquired about the flamingos, he was told that the drilling work was being carried out with modern technology for minimal environmental impact. The number of flamingos has increased this year, despite the project work, Shinde told journalists after his visit.

It is not just infrastructure but agriculture, too, that has Shindes attention. His government is wooing farmers to reap electoral benefits. In the recent budget, Fadnavis, who is also the finance minister, announced a financial benefit of Rs6,000 per annum to eligible farmers. Like the Central government scheme where a farmer gets Rs6,000, we have made a provision to give farmers an additional Rs6,000. So, Rs12,000 is paid to farmers through direct benefit transfers, Shinde told THE WEEK in an exclusive interview. His government has already deposited Rs4,683 crore in the accounts of nearly 13 lakh eligible farmers as an incentive for regularly paying crop loans. The MVA government had promised an incentive of Rs50,000 per farmer during its two budgets but that remained on paper, said Shinde.

On the morning of April 11, the chief minister visited Nashik to take stock of the crops damaged owing to unseasonal rains. The night before, he had returned from his maiden visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Even while he was in Ayodhya, he had instructed all district collectors to visit the affected villages, said his aide. He also made sure that when he arrived in Nashik, the agriculture secretary and agriculture commissioner were with him.

Shinde seems to be stepping out of the state boundary, too, hoping to increase the Sena footprint beyond Maharashtra. During his visit to the Ram Temple, he was accompanied by thousands of sainiks. He also campaigned for the BJP in Karnataka. I am here as chief minister of the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, he said in Udupi at the end of his three-day tour. We are allies of the BJP and it is our alliance dharma to help them during election campaigns in other states where there is a significant presence of Marathi population. When he was asked about the Supreme Courts decision in cases regarding his rebellion, he said the matter was sub judice and that he would not like to comment on it. However, Shinde told THE WEEK that he was not tensed at all. Majority is what matters in democracy, and we have the majority, he said.

But there is no denying that the Supreme Court verdict is being eagerly awaited, both by Shindes Shiv Sena and the BJP combine and the MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). The next hearing is expected soon as Justice M.R. Shah, one of the judges on the bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, is set to retire on May 15. If the verdict goes against Shinde, the 16 rebel MLAs, including Shinde, will be disqualified and Shinde will have to resign. Will this lead to the governments fall? The BJP is confident that it will not. When our government faced the floor test in the (288-member) assembly last year, we got 164 votes in our support, said a BJP leader. Even if 16 legislators were to be disqualified, we still have the support of 148 legislators, which is three more than the majority mark of 145. So the government will survive, but the chief minister could change.

If the Supreme Court does not disqualify the 16 MLAs and directs the speaker of the state assembly to take a decision on the issue, then Shinde can continue as chief minister till the term ends as the speaker is unlikely to decide in a hurry. Speaker Rahul Narvekar is learnt to have recently held a meeting with Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju to discuss various scenarios that could emerge after the verdict. Narvekar reportedly told mediapersons that only the speaker could take action on the issue of disqualification of MLAs. Until the speaker gives a decision on the issue, no court or other Constitutional body can interfere in the matter.... It is a Constitutional provision, he said. The survival of the government is decided on the floor of the house and this government has established its majority. I dont think the courts decision will have any impact on the existence of this government.

Irrespective of the verdict, Shinde has created historyhe led the biggest political revolt in Maharashtra since the states formation. Before him, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who was with the Congress then, had rebelled and replaced Vasantdada Patil to become chief minister in 1978.

Shinde denied that he had rebelled to become chief minister and instead blamed Uddhav for the revolt. The late Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that he would never ally with the Congress, he told THE WEEK. But an alliance was made with the Congress and the NCP, despite voters choosing the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in 2019. I told Uddhav ji, We should not do it [ally with the Congress-NCP]. It is not proper. How will we face the people? We fought elections with photos of Balasaheb and Modi ji on one stage. So how can we form this alliance? But he gave lame reasons.

Whatever his intentions be, Shinde is known for his political manoeuvres; his journey from driving a rickshaw in Thane to heading the state is proof. Shinde is definitely a very shrewd politician, said a BJP leader. Had that not been the case his rebellion would not have succeeded. But he is yet to show spark as chief minister. Shinde is still not comfortable while replying to debates in the state legislature, he said, and has had to refer to written speech, giving opportunity to the opposition to poke fun at him. He has never been shy of efforts, is willing to work till the point of exhaustion, but the vision that a chief minister should have, that is something we have not seen so far, said the BJP leader. This could be because he is busy completing the projects that had got stalled during the MVA rule. But he will have to show grand vision in the remainder of his term.

Political analyst Deshmukh said that Shinde is trying too hard to prove that he is better than Uddhav. In a sense, he appears stuck in that contest with Uddhav, he said. As a chief minister, he should have moved ahead to tackle the larger issues of politics and governance.

Another drawback, according to Deshmukh, was his penchant for populist announcements and schemes. He has announced decisions like 50 per cent reduction in bus fares for women and students, he said. He visits too many religious places and makes popular announcements after his visits. But he seems to have forgotten that the state has lost big-ticket investments like the Vedanta Foxconn deal, Tata-Airbus project and the bulk drug park project after he took over. He said that Prime Minister Modi has promised a very big project to Maharashtra, but nothing of that sort has happened. So that is an area where he will have to work on aggressively. His populist announcements may win him support among women and senior citizens, but not with the youth that would rather have investments to generate employment opportunities, he added.

Moreover, the grassroots cadre of the Shiv Sena (UBT) is yet to flock towards Shinde, said political observers. Shindes presence is limited largely to the constituencies of legislators who support himjust 50-odd. He is yet to make a recognisable impact elsewhere in Maharashtra in terms of political strength and building his party organisation. If Shinde wants to prove himself to be the ideological heir to the late Bal Thackeray, he will have to be his own man, move out of the shadow of the BJP while keeping the saffron alliance intact, build his party organisation across the state or at least in the strongholds of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

It is one thing to inherit Bal Thackerays legacy, and another to build on it. As Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said at his Gudi Padwa rally, it is like a Shiv Dhanushya (bow); Balasaheb Thackeray could wield it easily. Now it is for Shinde to prove that he too can.
It rains pleas at Varsha, the official residence of the Maharashtra chief minister in Mumbais Malabar Hill. The sprawling bungalow brims with people, some coming in with grievances and others with appeals from far-flung areas. Aided by a team of efficient bureaucrats, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tries to resolve issues on the spot.

Uddhav is very insecure. He is always insecure in the presence of mass leaders. That is why Narayan Rane left, Raj Thackeray left. The BJP is not wooing Ajit Pawar. It has given us a commitment. This speculation is there because there are internal problems within the NCP (over leadership).

The day Shinde agreed to meet THE WEEK for an interview was a relatively lean day. The interview was supposed to happen a day earlier, late in the night after he had finished work. But Shinde had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah that day and hit the bed at only around 2am. So, he invited us for lunch the next day. We were more than happymeeting the chief minister in a relaxed setting is always better than a hurried, late-night meeting.

Politicians rarely get to sleep in. And, on the day of the interview, Shinde is up by 6am, as he has events lined up since 7am. Talk about having a lean day!

When we reach Varsha, we are ushered into a big, but simply done waiting room. A platter of fruits is served and an aide informs us that the chief minister will see us shortly. Ten minutes later, we are taken to the dining room, where Shinde, 59, stands waiting for us. Dressed in his trademark white outfit and sporting rimless glasses, Shinde greets us with a namaste. Sorry for the delay, he says, warmly, and we sit down for lunch.

The doors of this house are open to everyone, 24x7, says Shinde. I know I am here because of the people. I am here to serve them, so I will never close my doors on them. You know how the situation was earlier (when Uddhav Thackeray was chief minister). There was no access; people were not allowed, not even our party legislators.

The food is servedtraditional Maharashtrian fare with phulkas, puris with shrikhand (sweet made from strained yoghurt) and aamras (made from mango pulp), steamed rice, dal, salad, side dishes made with okra and cabbage, and mango for dessert. There is more than these delicacies to chew on, as Shinde holds forth about his political journey since the age of 18, his rise in the Shiv Sena under the mentorship of Anand Dighe (then Thane district chief of the party) and how he had led a relief team to Kerala during the floods in 2018.

Despite his bitter parting with Uddhav, Shinde refers to him as Uddhav ji on a couple of occasions. He speaks in a matter-of-fact tone, emphasising on the development and infrastructure work being carried out by his government. The projects that we are doing are going to be a game-changer, he says. Excerpts from an interview:

Q/ Are you tense about the Supreme Courts decision in cases concerning your rebellion?

A/ I am not at all tense. Majority is what matters in democracy, and we have the majority. We have 40 of the 55 party MLAs and 13 of 18 MPs. The Election Commission gave us the party nameShiv Senaand also the symbolbow and arrowbecause we are the majority in the legislative party. People are joining every day. Uddhav ji did not face a floor test. He resigned. So defection activity has not happened.

Q/ Your rebellion, which Uddhav Thackeray calls betrayal and you an uprising, was the biggest political revolt the state has seeneven bigger than Sharad Pawars in 1978. Were you confident of its success? Did you do it to become chief minister?

A/ Our ideologies were clashing; there were a lot of differences. The late Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that he would never ally with the Congress. But an alliance was made with the Congress and the NCP, despite voters choosing the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in 2019. I told Uddhav ji, We should not do it [ally with the Congress-NCP]. It is not proper. How will we face the people? We fought elections with photos of Balasaheb and Modi ji on one stage. So how can we form this alliance? But he gave lame reasons. I told him even after the government was formed that this was not working and we should amend our mistake. But he was not ready.

Q/ Do you think the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was formed because Uddhav wanted to be chief minister?

A/ Yes, that is the reason. He would not have become chief minister had we gone with the BJP. So he ended a natural alliance and went ahead with the Congress and the NCP, [which] had no hope of coming to power.

Q/ You were a minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Now, Fadnavis is your deputy. The opposition says that he is the real chief minister and you are a puppet in the hands of the BJP.

A/ Our equation is very good. We have a clear-cut understanding between us. The opposition will keep making allegations. Who will acknowledge them if they praise our coordination? We are working together for the betterment of the state and people. He has given a very good budget and made provisions for all sections of the society. So let the opposition make allegations, we will keep working.

Q/ How do you see the speculation that the BJP is wooing Ajit Pawar? Are you worried?

A/ The BJP is not wooing him. It has given us a commitment. Our alliance has clear majority. This speculation is there because there are internal problems within the NCP (over leadership).

Q/ Your MLA Sanjay Shirsat said that even if the BJP wishes to have an alliance with Ajit or the NCP, your party will not agree to it. What is your stand as chief minister?

A/ Ifs and buts do not matter in politics, so there is no point in talking about it right now.

Q/ Coming back to your rebellion, did you do it because you wanted to be chief minister?

A/ Not at all. There was so much pressure from our MLAs. They foresaw the problems. They were worried [about facing] the next elections because their NCP-Congress opponents were getting stronger in their constituencies. They also talked about our differing ideologies. The MLAs told me, We must do something. So, we swung into action, saying we will face whatever happens. Today, the MLAs are happy, the work is happening and is visible. I never had any personal agenda.

A different time: A 2019 photo of Eknath Shinde with Aaditya (centre) and Uddhav Thackeray in Thane | PTI

Q/ You worked under Bal and Uddhav Thackeray. How are they different from each other?

A/ Balasaheb was Balasaheb. He was a giant, a large-hearted leader. He always supported party workers in any situation and gave them full support. The party will grow only if workers on ground are strong. The party will not grow if just one leader at the top is strong. But Uddhav is very insecure. He is always insecure in the presence of mass leaders. That is why Narayan Rane left, Raj Thackeray left. Had all of them been with us today, the party would have been far ahead.

Q/ Aaditya Thackeray calls your government illegal and unconstitutional.

A/ What can I say? What is his experience in politics? The number of years I have in politics is more than his age. So let him talk. Our government has been formed as per the Constitution and rules. They resigned when they realised that their government was in minority. We formed the government after that. So, how can it be illegal or unconstitutional?

Q/ He has even challenged you to contest from Worli, his constituency.

A/ People decide who will win and who will lose. Nothing happens because we want it to happen. People keep talking and lose.

Q/ Do you want the assembly elections to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls? Or, would you rather complete your term?

A/ People have given us the [vote] to do their work and I feel that we must work wholeheartedly till the end of the term. No work happened in the two and half years [of the MVA government].

Also read How Shinde is going all out to prove he is better than Uddhav

Q/ Karnataka has gone to the polls. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai took an aggressive stand on the border dispute. The opposition termed your stand weak.

A/ The matter is being heard in the Supreme Court. Our government has always strived to do justice to the affected people in border areas. But we also do not want to do anything that could weaken our case in the Supreme Court. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called a meeting on this issue and I feel that we can arrive at an understanding that is agreeable to both sides. We have restarted some schemes for border areas. We are doing all the positive things that a government can do.

Q/ How do you look at Rahul Gandhis disqualification as an MP? Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told THE WEEK that it was the BJPs political surgical strike.

A/ How can it be a surgical strike? Similar cases have happened. This has happened because of a court order. Rahul Gandhis government, under then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, had brought in an ordinance that gave political leaders a chance to approach the court against their conviction. But he tore it. Also, Rahul is not the only one who has been affected. Action has been taken against others, too.

Q/ How do you look at the Bharat Jodo Yatra? Are you anxious about a Congress revival in Maharashtra?

A/ No, I am not worried at all. The Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra became a platform to speak ill of Veer Savarkar. It was an insult not just to Savarkar but to all freedom fighters. Despite their Bharat Jodo Yatra, the BJP won the state elections [in Gujarat]. The people of Maharashtra will not like it if Savarkar is criticised. Also, Rahul Gandhi travels abroad and defames our country and prime minister. That is not acceptable. Why do you have to do it abroad? We understand that we have political differences. We can have arguments and fights here, you dont have to do it abroad.

Q/ How do you look at issues raised by former governor Satya Pal Malik about the 2019 Pulwama attack on security forces? Shouldnt the prime minister or home minister make a detailed statement?

A/ Why did Malik take so long to speak out? Why couldnt he do it at that time? It is not proper to raise the issue after four years.

Work in progress: The under construction Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, also known as the Sewri-Nhava Sheva trans-harbour link, will connect Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Q/ What were the challenges when you took charge as chief minister more than 10 months ago?

A/ There were only challenges; I was surrounded by them. But we have streamlined everything because we had no vested agenda. The only agenda I have is public service and development of the state. We took decisions to improve the lives of farmers, implemented infrastructure projects that were stuck during the previous government. We completed the Metro; the Sewri-Nhava Sheva trans-harbour link is getting completed soon. This trans-harbour link is the longest sea bridge (22km) in the country. The travel time between Sewri and Nhava Sheva right now is two hours; it will come down to 20-25 minutes because of the sea link. These projects are all game-changers.

Q/ What are the major infrastructure projects being planned?

A/ We have already opened the Nagpur-Shirdi route on the Samruddhi expressway. Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi inaugurated it recently. By December 2023, the entire expressway up to Mumbai will be complete.

The trans-harbour link will connect Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Raigad. We are on our way to complete the missing link project on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. The Mumbai-Goa greenfield road is being planned and a detailed project report is being prepared for the same. Then there will be the Nagpur-Goa highway.

Q/ But how are you raising funds for all this?

A/ Funds are being raised by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation through loans. [Also] there is strong support from the government of India.

Q/ What about the bullet train project?

A/ You know how the previous government had stopped work on the bullet train. When we came to power, we revived it immediately. Land acquisition is going on at a fast rate. You should understand that if there is no infrastructure, industries will not come to your state and it will affect employment generation.

We went to Davos recently and signed MoUs worth Rs1.37 lakh crore. Our government has already started implementing the MoUs that were signed. We hope that the bullet train project will be complete in the next two to three years. Land acquisition was the main hurdle and the project had been stopped because of political interference. They (the MVA government) made it an ego issue, and ego is not good for development of the state. If we keep pampering our egos, the state will suffer. Now land acquisition is on in full swing. So, all the projects that were stopped have been restarted. In fact, Maharashtra is number one among all states in terms of infrastructure development projects.

Last ones laughing: Eknath Shinde with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai | Amey Mansabdar

Q/ But Maharashtra has a huge debt. How do you set aside funds for development?

A/ We have made sure that we are below the RBI-set limits for borrowing loans. We are servicing debts regularly and making funds available for infrastructure development. The prime minister recently launched metro line 2A and metro line 7. Lakhs of people are travelling by metro. When the 350km-long metro network gets completed, the number of private vehicles will reduce drastically. There will be less pollution, time will be saved and lives will be eased.

Q/ Farmers continue to suffer despite promises by successive governments.

A/ We have a lot of schemes in place for farmers. Recently, crops were damaged across the state due to unseasonal rains. We are giving compensation that is double than the norms of the National Disaster Response Fund. There was a limit of two hectares; we have increased it to three hectares to cover many more farmers. We are treating this under natural calamity and providing immediate relief. Also, like the Central government scheme where a farmer gets Rs6,000 per year, we have made a provision to give farmers an additional Rs6,000. So, Rs12,000 is paid to farmers through direct benefit transfers.

Q/ The oil refinery project at Barsu in Ratnagiri district is facing opposition from local residents. Why?

A/ There is a political angle to this opposition. The previous government finalised the site of Barsu. They wrote to the Central government and now because they are out of power their leaders have changed their stand and are provoking people. The land that we have selected is not irrigated. It is barren land. But we will succeed in convincing people. There was opposition at the time of Samruddhi expressway, too, but I went on field and got people on board. I explained the benefits to people and gave a good compensation package. Farmers were happy.

Seventy per cent of people in Barsu favour the oil refinery project. The rest are being instigated. When they understand that the refinery will bring them a lot of benefits, they will change their opinion. I want to make one thing clear that we will not force it on people, and bring everyone on board by convincing them.

Q/ What is your vision for Maharashtra?

A/ All-round development. I want to see the farmers happy, people of the state happy. So, we are bringing schemes that cover health care, environment, education, infrastructure and green energy. Our government will always give priority to development of all sectors.

Q/ But is not a corruption-free government also important?

A/ Absolutely, all government should be corruption-free. When the government is corruption-free and all the facilities are provided, then only industries will come, there will be employment generation and people will get jobs. We should also empower small industrialists and entrepreneurs. Our aim is to give a corruption-free and inclusive government.
Kolkata, May 14 (PTI) A consortium of Titagarh Wagons and Ramkrishna Forgings is in the process of identifying a cost-effective location to set up one of Asias largest train wheel manufacturing plants, an official said on Sunday.

The special purpose vehicle (SPV) -- Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels Limited -- will set up the facility with state-of-the-art German technology and machinery, he said.

"We will build a two-lakh-wheel per annum capacity plant, which will be the largest train wheel plant in Asia, if not the world, outside China," Titagarh Wagons vice-chairman and managing director Umesh Chowdhary told PTI.

The plant's capital expenditure is estimated to be Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

We have not finalised the location yet, as a study is underway to identify the best cost-effective location. The decision will be taken after consultation with the railways," he said.

The factors that are crucial to finalise the location will be incentives, easy access to source raw material, and cost-effective transport of finished goods, he said.

The consortium has won the tender concerned with an aggressive bid of Rs 12,226 crore.

The railway authorities have assured it an annual off-take of 80,000 wheels for the next 20 years to support manufacturing in India.

The central government has decided not only to stop importing train wheels as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative but also to build up a capacity to export.

The proposed factory would be allowed to export forged wheels to Europe and other countries, after supplying its products to the railways, the official said.

"India used to import train wheels worth around Rs 500 crore per annum. Once the plant comes up, we plan to export 30-35 per cent of our annual manufactured wheels in the international market, after meeting domestic demand," Chowdhary said.

"We have three years from signing of the agreement, which will happen any day, to start supplying 80,000 wheels annually to the railways. This is the time for building the plant and testing facilities," the official said.

Once the wheel plant of the consortium starts operating at its full capacity, the annual revenue will be between Rs 1,500-2,000 crore, Chowdhary said.
Chandigarh, May 14 (PTI) Blue Star Ltd is targeting to double its exports within three years as the company looks to expand its international footprint.

Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan said the company's exports are worth around Rs 800 crore at present and would like to double these within three years.

According to Thiagarajan, the company is going to expand its international footprint.

"We were only in the Middle East (earlier). This year, we have opened an office in the US, Japan, and Europe. So, we want to enter these markets," he said.

"You know China plus one strategy. People want to look at India other than China. Under that, we are exploring these markets. Today, we do exports of around Rs 800 crore, we would like to double it within three years," Thiagarajan told PTI here.

The AC market in the US and Europe is very big compared with India, he noted.

This year, the company has also bagged a "major order from Bengaluru metro, worth more than Rs 500 crore", he added.

On the company's plans, he said, "We want to consolidate our leadership in existing business... second is to get into large chillers. We were doing up to 600 tonnes of chillers, now we will be doing up to 1,000 tonnes...third is to expand our international footprint".

The air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration major has been manufacturing a wide range of chillers that cool spaces such as office complexes, IT parks, hospitals, airports, hotels and shopping malls.

Blue Star Ltd recently unveiled a comprehensive range of air conditioners, including "best-in-class affordable" range and a "flagship premium" range, for the summer season.

The company is targeting to sell one million units this year as against over 8 lakh units last year.

Replying to a question, Thiagarajan said split air-conditioners are more in demand across the country than window ACs.

The company has an 8,000-strong dealer network. "We would like to take it to 10,000 this year," he said.
New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) A Mumbai-set police noir by an indie cinema flag-bearer, a student film from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and a restored print of a Manipuri classic will formally represent the worlds most productive movie industry at the 76th Cannes Film Festival from May 16 to 27.

Kashyap has made numerous trips to the French Riviera (as a director or a producer) since 2012. But "Kennedy", one of five films in Midnight Screenings, marks a Cannes first for the writer-director.

"Kennedy", produced by Zee Studios and Kashyaps newfangled Good Bad Films, is the directors first narrative feature to make the Cannes official selection cut.

In 2013, the four-part "Bombay Talkies" was part of the festival's Special Screenings section. Kashyap helmed "Murabba", a segment of the portmanteau, with Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee and Zoya Akhtar directing the other short fiction films.

Away from the official selection, Kanu Behls sophomore effort "Agra", coming nine years after his critically lauded Un certain regard selection "Titli", will screen in the parallel Directors Fortnight.

The Indian representation in Cannes this year  four fiercely individualistic films  would have pleased Mrinal Sen, born this day exactly 100 years ago. The maverick masters association with the Cannes Film Festival was frequent and rewarding.

Mrinal Sens first three trips to the French Riviera were to the Directors Fortnight  a feat matched only by Kashyap  with "Bhuvan Shome" (1970), "Padatik" (1974) and "Oka Oorie Katha" (1978).

Sens first film in the official selection was "Ek Din Pratidin", which competed for the Palme dOr in 1980. He had two other films in Competition  "Kharij" (1983), which won a Jury Prize, and "Genesis" (1986). "Khandhar" (1984) made it to Un certain regard.

Anurag Kashyaps three Directors Fortnight titles are "Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2" (2012), "Ugly" (2014) and "Raman Raghav 2.0" (2016).

That apart, he produced/co-produced four other films that premiered in Cannes  Vikramaditya Motwanes "Udaan" (Un Certain Regard, 2010), Vasan Balas "Peddlers" (Critics Week, 2012), Amit Kumars "Monsoon Shootout" (Out of Competition  Midnight Screenings, 2013) and Ritesh Batras "The Lunchbox" (Critics Week, 2013).

The logline of "Kennedy", starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, reads: Kennedy is an insomniac ex-cop long thought to be dead still operating for the corrupt system while looking for redemption.

I have lived with this character, Kashyap says in the directors statement,since I was writing for Sudhir Mishra and he used to tell me stories of this mad policeman Years later, during the lockdown, an incident in Mumbai triggered an idea and I took the cop from Sudhir Mishras stories and put him around that incident and Kennedy was born.

FTII alumnus Yudhajit Basus 23-minute "Nehemich" is in La Cinef, the Cannes Film Festivals competition for film schools.

The Marathi-language short is a visually evocative, thematically layered exploration of menstruating women forced by tradition into isolation and their yearning for freedom set against the backdrop of the dread, disease and death unleashed by the Covid-19 virus.

The last time an FTII film made it to the La Cinef competition was in 2020 when the pandemic was at its worst. The entry, "CatDog", directed by Ashmita Guha Neogi, won the first prize.

The restored prints section of Cannes Classics this year includes Manipuri maestro Aribam Syam Sharmas "Ishanou", which premiered in the festivals Un certain regard sidebar 32 years ago.

"Ishanou" marks the return of filmmaker and film conservationist Shivendra Singh Dungarpurs Film Heritage Foundation a year after a restoration of G. Aravindans Thamp was unveiled in Cannes.
Mumbai, May 14 (PTI) TV actor Aashka Goradia on Sunday said she and her husband American entrepreneur Brent Goble are expecting their first child.

In an Instagram post shared on the occasion of Mothers' Day, the actor said the baby is due in November.

"On this Mothers Day  this becomes even more special! Our family and our practice grows by 1 this November!

"Send us a loving thought as we embark on our greatest journey yet! Beach baby is on the way! #parentstobe," Goradia wrote in the caption.

The actor, known for shows such as "Kkusum" and "Laagi Tujhse Lagan", tied the knot with Goble in 2017. They also participated in the eight season of "Nach Baliye", a celebrity couple dance reality TV series.
Idlib (Syria), May 14 (AP) The leader of an insurgent group that rules much of northwest Syria rose to notoriety over the past decade by claiming deadly bombings, threatening revenge against Western crusader forces and dispatching Islamist religious police to crack down on women deemed to be immodestly dressed.

Today the man known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani is trying hard to distance his group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, from its al-Qaida origins, spreading a message of pluralism and religious tolerance.

As part of the rebranding, he has cracked down on extremist factions and dissolved the notorious religious police. For the first time in more than a decade, a Mass was performed recently at a long-shuttered church in Idlib province.

Al-Golani told a recent gathering of religious and local officials that Islamic law should not be imposed by force. We don't want the society to become hypocritical so that they pray when they see us and don't once we leave, al-Golani said, pointing to Saudi Arabia, which has relaxed its social controls in recent years after decades of strict Islamic rule.

The pivot comes at a time when al-Golani's group is increasingly isolated. Countries that had once backed insurgents in Syria's uprising-turned-civil-war are restoring relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Saudi Arabia, a one-time Assad foe, reversed course and led a push resulting in Syria's return to the Arab League last week, after 12 years of regional isolation.

Even Turkiye, the main remaining state backer of armed opposition groups in Syria, has signalled a shift.

This week, the Turkish foreign minister met with his Syrian counterpart in Moscow, the first such meeting since 2011. The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran, Assad's main allies, also attended.

The meeting marked a significant step toward Damascus and Ankara restoring ties, even as the presence of Turkish troops in northwest Syria remains a sticking point.

At the same time, the United States considers HTS a terrorist group and has offered a USD 10 million reward for information on al-Golani's whereabouts. The United Nations also designates it a terrorist organisation.

Earlier this month, the US and Turkiye jointly slapped sanctions on two people who allegedly raised money for militant groups, including HTS.

Al-Golani rose to prominence in the early months of the Syrian uprising in 2011, when he became the leader of al-Qaida's branch in Syria, known at the time as the Nusra Front. Militants and top officials from Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida flocked to the group's base of operations in northern Syria, where many of them were later killed in US strikes.

In July 2016, the Nusra Front changed its name to Fatah al-Sham Front and said it was cutting ties with al-Qaida, in what was seen by many as an attempt to improve its image. Fatah al-Sham later merged with several other groups and became Hayat Tahrir al Sham.

During that period, al-Golani showed his face publicly for the first time and changed his style of dress from white turbans and robes to shirts and trousers. His fighters went after Islamic State group militants who fled to Idlib after their defeat and cracked down on Horas al-Din or Guardians of Religion, another militant group that includes hardcore al-Qaida members who broke away from HTS.

The change in al-Golani's public image appears not to have impressed the US government.

Posts on social media accounts of the US government's Rewards for Justice show a photo of al-Golani wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue blazer with a caption in Arabic that reads: Hello, handsome al-Golani. Nice shirt. You can change your uniform, but you will always be a terrorist. Don't forget the USD 10 million reward.

In 2017, HTS set up a so-called salvation government to run day-to-day affairs in the region. At first, it attempted to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Religious police were tasked with making sure that women were covered, with only their faces and hands showing. Its members would force shops to close on Fridays so that people could attend the weekly prayers. Playing music was banned, as was smoking water pipes in public.

In March 2020, Russia and Turkey, which support rival groups in the conflict, reached a truce. Since then, rebel-held northwestern Syria has witnessed relative calm, and HTS focused its efforts on cracking down on the remnants of IS and other jihadist groups.

The International Crisis Group think tank, in a report earlier this year, said HTS has evolved and distanced itself from global jihadism.

HTS has also sometimes portrayed itself as a defender of minorities in the primarily Sunni Arab northwest.

In March, members of a Turkish-backed armed group shot dead four Kurdish men in the town of Jinderis as they lit a fire to celebrate the Kurdish new year. Al-Golani met with the victims' families and other Kurdish residents of the area and promised revenge against the perpetrators.

In a 2021 interview with PBS, al-Golani called his group's terrorist designation unfair and political, saying that while he had criticized Western policies in the region, we didn't say we want to fight (them).

Al-Golani said his involvement with al-Qaeda has ended, and that even in the past his group was against carrying out operations outside of Syria.

The State Department said in a statement that al-Golani remains a designated terrorist and that it does not comment on possible deliberations about changing such designations.

Aron Lund, a fellow with the Century International research centre, said he believes it's unlikely the US will remove HTS and al-Golani from its terrorism list. As far as I can tell, the US government remains genuinely concerned about the group's links to global jihadism, Lund said.

Waiel Olwan, a researcher at the Turkey-based think tank Jusoor for Studies, said he believes al-Golani is trying to show he is in control of Idlib and to guarantee a place for himself in Syria once the conflict ends.

Asim Zedan, an activist whose group tracks violations by HTS, said the ongoing terror designation is a blow to al-Golani's self-image.

After forming the salvation government and setting up ministries, al-Golani now sees himself as a head of state, Zedan said. (AP) PY

PY
Berlin, May 14 (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of US intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022.

This would put him at odds with Western governments who have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Organizers say the award recognizes that their resistance against Russia's invasion is a defense "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.

In other developments:

Zelenskyy's chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraine's southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.(AP) RUP

RUP
Stockholm, May 14 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held wide ranging discussions with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom here and exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, European strategic situation and de-risking the global economy.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF).

"Wide ranging discussions with FM @TobiasBillstrom as India and Sweden mark 75 years of diplomatic ties. Committed to taking bilateral cooperation to a higher level. Exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, European strategic situation and de-risking the global economy, he tweeted.

Jaishankar's visit to Sweden is his first as the external affairs minister. The trip comes at a time when India and Sweden are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Jaishankar also met Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson and the two leaders had "useful exchange of views on regional and global security."

He will also participate in the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum (India, Europe and US) with his Swedish counterpart.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Sweden from Bangladesh where he addressed the 6th Indian Ocean Conference on Friday, also addressed the European Union-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum here.

On the sidelines of the summit on Saturday, he held bilateral discussions with his European counterparts, including French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Belgiums Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, among others.

In the last phase of his three-nation trip, the external affairs minister will visit Belgium on May 15 and 16.

In Brussels, Jaishankar will attend the first ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) along with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Railways and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Palestinians celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement in Gaza city, May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement in Gaza city, May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement in Gaza city, May 13, 2023. An official in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) announced on Saturday that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement had been reached between the movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Yuma, May 14 (AP) A shooting at a neighbourhood gathering in Arizona left two people dead and five wounded, police said on Sunday.

The shooting happened just before 11 pm on Saturday in the southwestern city of Yuma, said Yuma police spokesperson Sgt. Lori Franklin. She said an investigation is underway but no suspects have been arrested.

A motive for the shooting wasn't immediately known, but Franklin said there was no remaining threat to the community.

Officers went to the gathering after getting reports of an aggravated assault, Franklin said. When they arrived, they found seven people with gunshot wounds.

Two men  ages 19 and 20  were pronounced dead at Yuma hospitals and a 16-year-old boy was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital with serious injuries, she said.

Four boys ages 15-19 were being treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

The names of the dead and wounded weren't immediately released Sunday.(AP)



RUP

RUP
Akola, May 14 (PTI) A clash broke out between members of two communities in Maharashtra's Akola city over a social media post following which Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent unlawful assembly of people was imposed in parts of the city, officials said on Sunday.

Two-three persons were injured in the incident which took place at around 11.30 pm on Saturday in the sensitive Old City area, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monika Raut said, adding that one person was also feared dead in the violence.

Members of the two groups pelted stones at each other. Some vehicles were also damaged in the incident, she said.

Police used tear gas to disperse the rioters and the situation was now under control, the official said.

According to local administration, state Deputy State Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Akola district, was monitoring the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace.

District Magistrate Neema Arora ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful assembly of people, in four police station areas in the city to maintain law and order.

Heavy security was deployed in the city following the incident, ASP Raut said.

One thousand personnel of the State Reserve Police from Amravati have been deployed in Akola city, she said.

Raut appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in any rumour.
Aizawl, May 14 (PTI) Over 5,800 people from Manipur have fled to Mizoram and taken shelter in different districts, following the recent violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals in the neighbouring state, officials said on Sunday.

A total of 5,822 people, belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community, are lodged at temporary relief camps across six districts of Mizoram, they said.

Aizawl district currently has the highest number of such displaced people at 2021, followed by Kolasib (1,847) and Saitual (1,790), the officials said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Lok Sabha member C Lalrosanga has endorsed the demand by Manipur tribal MLAs for a separate administration for tribals.

Claiming that tribal people can no longer exist under the Manipur government, 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, had on Friday urged the Centre to create a separate administration in the wake of the violent clashes.

The clashes had broken out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
Agartala, May 14 (PTI) Forty-five-year-old Jaminisari Molsom's life changed after a large water body was created by constructing a check dam in Tripura's Gomati district to create livelihood for tribal people living in the forest and to boost fish production in the state.

Molsom, a tribal who earlier used to cultivate crops on the slopes of hills in the Gomati district as a shifting cultivator is now settled in a village on the foot of the hills and earns a livelihood for her five member family by fishing in the newly created waterbody.

The large water body of more than one hectare of land was created in the forest land under Tripura JICA project of the forest department to create livelihood, mainly for the tribal people living in the forests and to boost the fish production by scientific fish farming.

Visibly delighted, Molsom said after getting this alternative livelihood her family has got a settled life and gave up the strenuous nomadic life of a 'Jhumiya' cultivator (shifting cultivator). She is now a member of Khumpui Self Help Group (SHG) and cultivates fish in the lake along with other nine tribal women in the village and the group earns more than Rs five lakh per year.

"Now we are settled so we can rear pigs and cultivate vegetables in our own land, besides fish farming and live a life without worry", she said.

"A large number of water areas have been created by constructing check dams in the forests of Tripura under Tripura JICA Project. These water areas if utilised to the fullest extent may increase fish production and side by side may ensure livelihood generation for the poor forest fringe dwellers. Forest dependent communities may get an opportunity to give up their traditional practices like jhuming as it degrades forest and adopt pisciculture as their livelihood", Dr Avinash M Kanfade, Chief Executive Officer and Project Director Tripura JICA Project, said in a written note.

Superintendent of Fisheries, Bappi Basfore, who is on deputation from the state fisheries department for this project said, "People in the state are among the highest fish consumers in the country. Per capita fish consumption in the state is 26.26 kg and per capita fish production is 19.47 kg per year. So there is a deficit. This project is aimed at meeting the gap".

According to the data provided by the department, the total demand of fish in the state is 96,454 MT and total production of fish in the state is 72,273 MT, so the total deficit of fish in the state is 24,181 MT.

He said, "the state government has decided to construct minimum 430 check dams, which would tentatively create a water stock area of 500 hectare and 1,400 MT fish would be produced, which costs at least Rs 2,240 lakh per annum.

Basfore said, this project is aimed at rehabilitating the tribals from Jhuming to settled cultivation, make the state self-sufficient in fish productions and generate employment for 4,300 indigenous people, who are members of 430 Self Help Groups (SHGs).

One of the primary challenges in Tripura's fish farming sector is the lack of suitable water bodies for fish farming. Therefore, the first step towards making Tripura fish abundant is to create more water areas. This can be achieved by identifying suitable locations for fish farming and creating new water bodies by building small dams or reservoirs. Additionally, existing water bodies such as ponds and lakes can be improved by de-silting, deepening, and enlarging them to make them suitable and productive for fish farming.

Tripura JICA Project has already constructed a number of check dams and created water bodies. Out of these water areas around 500 hectares (430 water bodies) may very well be utilised for scientific pisciculture, Basfore said, adding officials are imparting training and financial support to the forest dwellers of the state to adopt scientific fish farming practices as Income Generating Activities for sustainable livelihood generation.

Communication officer of the project, Chandan Pandey said, the government was working on creating an efficient supply chain that connects fish farmers to markets, providing necessary infrastructure such as all-weather roads, fish transportation vehicles, ice blocks for transportation of fish to the distant places, cold storage facilities and establishing quality standards for fish products.
Malappuram, May 14 (PTI) Kerala police on Sunday arrested eight persons in connection with the alleged murder of a 36-year-old man from Bihar on suspicion of theft. Police said Rajesh Manji was lynched by locals who caught him after he fell from the sunshade of a house near Kondotty.

"The locals claim that he fell from the sunshade of a house at around 12.30 AM on Saturday. He was caught and tied up by the locals who assaulted him," police said.

Police have arrested eight local residents in connection with the lynching.

Malappuram police chief Sujith Das told the media that there is evidence of assault of the victim.

"The accused have attempted to destroy the evidence. They had tried to erase CCTV visuals. We are recovering everything. Currently, eight people have been arrested and one person was taken into custody for attempting to destroy the evidence," Das said.

He also said that as per the preliminary investigation, the victim was in the locality intending to commit theft.

A special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the case, in which murder charges and section 342 (wrongful restrainment) of the Indian Penal Code has been invoked.

Police said the Bihar native was brought dead to the hospital, and said all the accused had assaulted the victim using plastic pipes and sticks.

The remains of the victim have been handed over to his relatives after post-mortem examination.
Ghaziabad (UP), May 14 (PTI) Three people have been arrested for allegedly trying to convert a woman worker of the BJP to Christianity in the Khoda area of this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Sunday.

Ibrahim Thomas, his wife Reewa and one Babita were arrested on Saturday following a complaint by Sunita Arora, a local BJP worker.

In her complaint, lodged at Khoda police station on Friday, Arora alleged that her neighbour Babita introduced her to Thomas, a Kerala native working at the Kalwari Church.

She alleged that Thomas organises ceremonies with the help of his wife to convince people of other religions to convert to Christianity.

Thomas, with the help of Babita, called Arora to a parlour and tried to convince her to convert, she alleged in her complaint.

A case was registered and Thomas, Reewa and Babita were arrested under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act and sent to jail, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Trans Hindan) Vivek Chandra Yadav said.
BRADIN ANDERSON, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Anderson pitched a five-hitter and allowed one earned run to beat Montville. He was 2 for 4 with two RBIs in a win against Putnam.

JOSH MOONEY, Stonington, Boys Track, Senior; Mooney won the 110 hurdles and the javelin at the Glenn D. Loucks Games in White Plains, N.Y. His hurdles time was the third fastest in the 55-year history of the event. He was named meet MVP.

LIAM CODY, Westerly, Boys Lacrosse, Senior; Cody had 11 goals and 11 assists in three wins for the Bulldogs. Cody accounted for just over half of his teams 42 points for the week.

ERIN VONHOUSEN, Chariho, Girls Track, Junior; VonHousen improved her own school record in the 3,000 at the Mariner Invitational. She posted a time of 10:23.53.

Vote

View Results




Discriminating against someone because of weight when it comes to work, housing or in public accommodation would be barred in New York City under a bill passed Thursday by the City Council.

The measure would amend city law to add weight and height to the list of identifiers that are considered protected, like race, sexual orientation, gender identity and national origin.

People with different body types are not only denied jobs and promotions that they deserve, their whole existence has also been denied by a society that has offered no legal remedy for this prejudice, said Councilmember Shaun Abreu, who sponsored the legislation.

He said New York would join a handful of cities in the country with similar protections. Michigan is the only state with a law that expressly bans weight discrimination, while in Washington state, a court ruled that obesity is covered under an anti-discrimination law for employees with disabilities.

A few other states have had legislation introduced on the issue for consideration.

The New York City bill carves out exemptions such as jobs where height or weight considerations are integral to the role being performed.

It now goes to Mayor Eric Adams, who has said in the past that weight shouldnt be a basis for treating people differently. There was no immediate response to an email sent to his office seeking comment.

(AP)




A Tennessee company could be heading for a legal battle with U.S. auto safety regulators after refusing a request that millions of potentially dangerous air bag inflators be recalled.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding that ARC Automotive Inc. of Knoxville recall 67 million inflators in the U.S. because they could explode and hurl shrapnel. At least two people have been killed in the U.S. and Canada, and seven others have been hurt as a result of defective ARC inflators, the agency said.

The recall would cover a large portion of the 284 million vehicles now on U.S. roads, but the percentage is difficult to determine. Some have ARC inflators for both the driver and front passenger.

In a letter posted Friday, the agency told ARC that it has tentatively concluded after an eight-year investigation that ARC front driver and passenger inflators have a safety defect.

Air bag inflators that project metal fragments into vehicle occupants, rather than properly inflating the attached air bag, create an unreasonable risk of death and injury, Stephen Ridella, director of NHTSAs Office of Defects Investigation, wrote in a letter to ARC.

But ARC responded that it no defect exists in the inflators, and that any problems are related to isolated manufacturing issues.

The next step in the process is for NHTSA to schedule a public hearing. It could then take the company to court to force a recall.

We disagree with NHTSAs new sweeping request when extensive field testing has found no inherent defect, ARC said in a statement Friday night.

Also Friday, NHTSA posted documents showing that General Motors is recalling nearly 1 million vehicles equipped with ARC inflators. The recall covers certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia SUVs.

The automaker says an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Owners will be notified by letter starting June 25, but no fix is available yet. Theyll get another letter when one is ready.

GM says it will offer courtesy transportation on a case-by-case basis to owners who fear driving vehicles that are part of the recall.

The company said that its doing the recall, which expands previous actions, out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our customers as our highest priority.

One of the two deaths was a mother of 10 who was killed in what appeared to be an otherwise minor crash in Michigans Upper Peninsula in the summer of 2021. Police reports show that a metal inflator fragment hit her neck in a crash involving a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse SUV.

At least a dozen automakers have the allegedly faulty inflators in use, including Volkswagen, Ford, BMW and GM, NHTSA said.

The agency contends that welding debris from the manufacturing process can block an exit orifice for gas that is released to fill the air bag in a crash. Any blockage can cause pressure to build in the inflator, blowing it apart and hurling metal fragments, Ridellas letter says.

But in a response to Ridella dated May 11, ARC Vice President of Product Integrity Steve Gold wrote that NHTSAs position is not based on any objective technical or engineering conclusion about a defect, but rather conclusory statements regarding hypothesized blockage of the inflator orifice from weld slag.

He wrote that welding debris has not been confirmed as the cause in any of the seven inflator ruptures in the U.S. ARC contends that only five have ruptured while in use, and that does not support a finding that a systemic and prevalent defect exists in this population.

Gold also writes that manufacturers must do recalls, not equipment manufacturers like ARC. NHTSAs recall demand, he wrote, exceeds the agencys legal authority.

In a federal lawsuit filed last year, plaintiffs alleged that ARCs inflators use ammonium nitrate as a secondary propellant to inflate the air bags. The propellant is pressed into tablets that can expand and develop microscopic holes if exposed to moisture. Degraded tablets have a larger surface area, causing them to burn too fast and ignite too big of an explosion, according to the lawsuit.

The explosion can blow apart a metal canister housing the chemical, sending metal shards into the cabin. Ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizer and as a cheap explosive, is so dangerous that it can burn too fast even without moisture present, the lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs allege that ARC inflators have blown apart seven times on U.S. roads and two other times in testing by ARC. There have so far been five limited recalls of the inflators that totaled about 5,000 vehicles, including three recalls by GM.

(AP)




Ukrainian military commanders said Friday that their troops had recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the scene of the wars longest and bloodiest battle, for the eastern city of Bakhmut, but it wasnt clear if this marked the start of Kyivs long-expected counteroffensive.

Russias Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Ukrainian forces had stepped up attacks north of the region while denying speculation by Russian military bloggers that the Kyiv forces had achieved defense breakthroughs.

The 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of territory that Ukrainian forces south of Bakhmut retook this week represented a significant gain and will protect an important supply chain, according to commanders of Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, a special forces unit that led the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he met with the top military commanders Friday, noting that Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported his forces stopped the enemy and even pushed him back in some directions.

In his nightly address to the Ukrainian people, Zelenskyy praised his troops and noted the low morale of the Russian forces.

The occupiers are already mentally prepared for defeat. They have already lost this war in their minds, he said. We must push them every day so that their sense of defeat turns into their retreat, their mistakes, their losses.

In a statement on Telegram on Friday, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed that Ukrainian forces gained ground around Bakhmut, reiterating statements from military commanders earlier this week.

In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. has assessed that Bakhmut remains contested territory.

Ukrainians have not given up their defense of Bakhmut and the Russians havent given up their attempts to take Bakhmut, Kirby said. Every single day, the lines change back and forth. I mean, sometimes block by block.

The U.S. maintains that Bakhmut has limited strategic value but that Russia has absorbed an enormous loss of troops and weaponry in the battle for the former salt-mining town that has been grinding on for eight months.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of Russias private military contractor Wagner who is a frequent critic of the Russian military, slammed it again for losing ground around Bakhmut and exposing his forces battling for the city.

In a video statement Friday, Prigozhin mocked the Russian Defense Ministrys report claiming that its forces regrouped to take more favorable positions, saying they effectively fled and our flanks are crumbling.

He warned that the Ukrainian forces have reclaimed key heights around the city and effectively unblocked the key supply link to Bakhmut. Prigozhin again accused the military leadership of refusing to provide sufficient ammunition to Wagner.

You must immediately stop lying, Prigozhin said, addressing Russias military leaders. If you fled, you must prepare new defensive lines.

Prigozhin  who seems to use harsh criticism to pressure the Kremlin for more support and improve his stature  alleged the Defense Ministrys failure to protect Wagners flanks amounted to high treason and could result in a great tragedy for Russia.

Apparently denying Prigozhins claim of abandonment, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Russian airborne units are still supporting ground forces to stop the attempts of the Ukrainian armed forces to counterattack on the flanks.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, explained the spat as being reflective of increased panic in the Russian information space over speculations about planned Ukrainian counteroffensives. This indicates increased concern among leaders of Wagner and the Russian Defense Ministry as well as reflecting Kremlin guidance to avoid downplaying Ukrainian successes, it said.

Ukrainian military officials have dismissed speculation that the fighting and forward movement in Bakhmut signaled that its anticipated counteroffensive was underway. Zelenskyy said in remarks broadcast Thursday that Kyiv was delaying the campaign because it lacks enough Western weapons. Some saw the comments as designed to keep Russia guessing about Ukraines next move.

Addressing the nation Friday evening, Zelenskyy said more arms were coming to defeat the aggressor and restore peace.

The territorial gains occurred near the Siversky-Donets canal, between the villages of Ivanivske and Kurdiumivka, according to a commander of the 1st Assault Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. He spoke on condition he be referred to only by his call sign of Rollo, in line with Ukrainian military protocol.

This was the enemys bridgehead, which they intended to use in their future attacks along the canal, in the direction of Kostiantynivka, he said. We had to neutralize the enemy and push them to the other side of the canal.

Another commander and a military spokesman corroborated his account.

Kostiantynivka is part of an important logistics chain that leads to the city of Kramatorsk.

Rollo said the gains followed other successes, including one that secured an access road near Khromove, north of Bakhmut, and another that allowed Ukrainian forces to reclaim lost positions in the Industrial College inside Bakhmut city.

The assault south of Bakhmut was followed by a reported increase in Ukrainian offensive actions near the city of Soledar on Thursday, Russias Defense Ministry said. Russia repelled 26 Ukrainian attacks carried out by over 1,000 soldiers, the ministry said, adding that up to 40 tanks were involved.

The slow and grinding fight for Bakhmut has been costly for both sides, with Ukraine seeking to deny Russia any territorial gains despite its marginal strategic significance. Ukrainian forces are stationed in the city, while Russian troops are attacking from the north, east and south.

In other fighting, at least two people were killed and 22 injured elsewhere in the country since Thursday, according to figures from the Ukrainian Presidents Office.

Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said a Russian strike hit Kramatorsk, where some Ukrainian military units are based, destroying a school and residential building. Russian shelling hit 11 cities and villages in the region, killing 12 civilians, he said.

(AP)
South Korean women, who had been sexually exploited for decades at camp towns around U.S. military bases, won a historic victory in the South Korean court and they continue to demand the U.S. government acknowledge and compensate for the sexual exploitation.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




The end of a pandemic-era immigration restriction could send a new wave of asylum-seekers toward New York City  a place that has long prided itself on welcoming the worlds huddled masses. But as migrants gathered at the southern U.S. border, Mayor Eric Adams warned his city would be unable to accommodate the expected influx.

City officials expecting to receive busloads of migrants from Texas and other border states have explored housing the newcomers in airplane hangars, a race track, gymnasiums or even tents in Central Park. Others could wind up on the streets, advocates feared, despite the citys court-ordered commitment to provide all residents with access to a place to stay.

Faced with what he described as a humanitarian crisis, Adams, a Democrat, has taken a series of steps aimed at easing pressure on the citys overcrowded homeless shelter system.

On Wednesday evening, he temporarily suspended portions of New Yorks longstanding law guaranteeing shelter to all residents. A few hours later, he sent roughly two dozen migrants on a bus to a hotel in the upstate town of Newburgh, overriding fierce backlash from local leaders.

Adams decompression strategy marks the latest escalation in the citys ongoing struggle to handle tens of thousands of migrants, many of whom have arrived in the last year on buses sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican.

Several other Democrat-leaning cities, including Chicago and Denver, have also grappled with a growing number of migrants and how to provide them with food, medicine and shelter without significant federal funding.

As the Biden administration prepared to lift a restriction on Thursday night known as Title 42, a COVID-era rule that allowed the government to quickly expel migrants back to Mexico, many expected the numbers to grow even higher.

Adams said New York City in recent weeks has been seeing 500 migrant arrivals per day. More than 61,000 have sought services from the city in the past 12 months. Once the rules change, we could potentially get thousands of people a day in our city, Adams said Thursday.

In recent days, officials have sought to coax nonprofits and business leaders to identify spaces to house migrants, while calling on municipal workers to help greet the asylum-seekers, according to people familiar with the effort.

The city has also turned to the real estate industry, including the owner of the Flatiron Building, who rebuffed requests to turn the iconic skyscraper into a shelter, the New York Times reported.

At a news conference Thursday, Manuel Castro, the commissioner for immigrant affairs, said the city no longer can physically accommodate people that request emergency shelter.

The admission intensified fears among some about the citys ability to fulfill its right-to-shelter commitment, a court-ordered agreement that for decades has required the city to house anyone without a roof over their head. Under an executive order signed by Adams, the city no longer has to meet a strict deadline for providing that shelter.

The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless condemned the change, warning it could force families with children to languish at the Citys intake facility for extended periods of time.

The city has also faced pushback in its early efforts to escort migrants out of the city. In Rockland County, local officials successfully secured a temporary restraining order banning the city from sending migrants to a hotel.

After two dozen migrants arrived in a Newburgh hotel on Thursday, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, a Republican, blamed Adams for a disorganized disaster, vowing to secure his own restraining order.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said the city faced an untenable situation. But she said she also understood the stress faced by county executives and their decision to lash out at the buses.

Our view is to continue working with the counties, but really focusing on continuing to support Mayor Adams because hes receiving the brunt of most of this, she said.

Ilze Thielmann, who leads a group that provides resources to newly-arrived migrants, said her team of volunteers had been preparing for the end of Title 42 for months. She wondered why it seemed other levels of government hadnt done the same.

In a city with this many buildings and this many human beings and this many empty hotels, she said, how can you say youre out of space?

(AP)




A federal judge in Virginia has ruled that a law banning licensed federal firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under 21 violates the Second Amendment and is unconstitutional.

The ruling Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne in Richmond, if not overturned, would allow dealers to sell handguns to 18- to 20-year-olds.

In his 71-page ruling, Payne wrote that many of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship are granted at the age of 18, including the right to vote, enlist in the military without parental permission and serve on a federal jury.

If the Court were to exclude 18-to-20-year-olds from the Second Amendments protection, it would impose limitations on the Second Amendment that do not exist with other constitutional guarantees, Payne wrote.

Because the statutes and regulations in question are not consistent with our Nations history and tradition, they, therefore, cannot stand, he wrote.

Paynes ruling is the latest decision striking down gun laws in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year that changed the test courts have long used to evaluate challenges to firearm restrictions. The Supreme Court said judges should no longer consider whether the law serves public interests, like enhancing public safety. Governments that want to uphold a gun restriction must look back into history to show it is consistent with the countrys historical tradition of firearm regulation, the Supreme Court said.

Amid upheaval in the months since that ruling, courts have declared unconstitutional laws including federal measures designed to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and defendants under felony indictment, as well as a ban on possessing guns with the serial number removed. A federal judge recently cited the high court decision in ruling against a Minnesota law prohibiting 18- to 20-year-olds from getting permits to carry handguns in public. A judge struck down a similar law last year on gun restrictions for young adults in Texas.

Payne, who cited the 2022 Supreme Court ruling repeatedly in his ruling, wrote that the government failed to present any evidence of age-based restrictions on the purchase or sale of firearms from the colonial era, Founding or Early Republic. The lack of similar regulations from those time periods indicates that the Founders considered age-based regulations on the purchase of firearms to circumscribe the right to keep and bear arms confirmed by the Second Amendment, he wrote.

John Corey Fraser, 20, along with several other plaintiffs, challenged the constitutionality of the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the associated regulations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after they were turned down when they tried to buy handguns.

Even though it ensures that future buyers can now purchase these firearms in the federal system  one that includes background checks and other requirements  we expect the defendants will appeal, said Elliott Harding, Frasers attorney. He said he is optimistic that the ruling will be affirmed.

Harding said the lawsuit was aimed at closing a loophole because 18- to 20-year-olds can already buy handguns from private sellers, a process that is completely unregulated.

This allows them to go in and buy a registered firearm, direct from a manufacturer, but theyll also go through background checks, he said. They have to go through the traditional steps in purchasing a firearm.

Everytown Law, a legal group that advocates for gun violence prevention in the courts and has filed a brief supporting the age restrictions, said the law is constitutional and an essential tool for preventing gun violence.

Not only are guns the leading cause of death for U.S. kids and teens, but research shows us that 18- to 20-year-olds commit gun homicides at triple the rate of adults 21 years and older, said Janet Carter, Everytown Laws senior director of issues and appeals.

The Courts ruling will undoubtedly put lives at risk, she said. It must be reversed.

The Justice Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did not respond to emails seeking comment on the ruling.

(AP)




The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) killed four Gaza civilians, including three children, in failed rocket launches last week, the IDF stated.

Hundreds of PIJ rocket launches fell within the Gaza Strip, including a rocket that fell in Beit Hanoun, killing an adult and a 16-year-old.

Other rockets that fell within Gaza killed a 10-year-old and another 16-year-old.

The killing of Gaza civilians by failed rocket launches is a common phenomenon, especially since Gazan terrorists use civilians, including children, as human shields. During Operation Breaking Dawn in August, there were more deaths in Gaza from failed PIJ rockets, including 12 children, than from IDF fire.

In addition to the Gazans killed within the Strip, two Gazan brothers who were working in a greenhouse in an Israel border town were struck by rocket shrapnel on Shabbos. One brother, a 34-year-old father of six children was killed, and the other was seriously injured.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

With President Bidens new immigration policy finally about to take place, New Yorkers especially are facing a new major health crisis. The policy is officially allowing in to the United States tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from the southern border, What is the new health crisis?

Over fifty percent of the new immigrants are not vaccinated for polio. This can be both very dangerous and potentially very deadly rachmana litzlan. This is especially true for those who subscribe to the anti-Vaxxer thought process.

This article may very well irk the majority of readers, but perhaps it will do the impossible  create unity among the vaxxers and anti-vaxxers for once in their anger against this article. Its real purpose, however, is to attempt to avert a major health crisis, by re-conceiving how we view the anti-Vax community. But first, a dvar Torah from Rav Gamliel Rabbinowitz shlita about Emes.

Rav Gamliel Rabbinowitz Shlita is one of the leading Roshei Yeshiva and Kabbalists in the world. He is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaarei Shamayim, the Yeshiva that was headed by Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZTL. Rav Gamliel, in his Tiv HaTorah (on Sefer VaYikrah p. 411) provides us with a fascinating Kabbalistic interpretation of the following verse in this past weeks Parsha.

The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land belongs to Me, for [] strangers and temporary residents [] you are [] with Me. (VaYikrah 25:23)

The word  in this verse can mean for or it can mean when. Therefore, in the aforementioned verse, Rabbi Gamliel explains that we can read it as follows: When you are estranged [from Me or from My Torah], there is still hope for there are two tools, two methods or devices that can bring you back to Me,

What are those two tools? Lets continue reading the verse. Throughout the Zohar, and other Kabbalistic works, we find that the rearrangement of letters carries great significance. The two tools, that can bring Bnei Yisrael back to Hashem are the next words in the verse   the observance of Shabbos which is hinted at as the word contains the letters

 , and  when rearranged, the letters of Shabbos; and the second device is  which, when rearranged, spells the word  truth.

Truth is the signet ring of Hashem (Shabbos 55a) and can bring us back to where we should be  not only spiritually, but in terms of our public health policies,

THE MISTAKE OF THE PRO-VAXXERS

During Covid-19, finally, a vaccine against the deadly version of the virus came out. It saved many people. However, in order to save these people, the NIH, CDC, and a number of others including doctors  suppressed some of the information regarding the Covid-19 vaccines and adverse reactions to vaccines. The adverse reactions were rare, but often serious.

Real and true reactions to the vaccine were ignored. Only now are doctors realizing that they can treat the over-reactions. Many anti-vaxxers used these cases to discredit and denigrate vaccines in general. Both sides, however, dont like or agree with the Third Viewers.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal ran a story about Brianne Dressen who was one of the first Americans to be vaxxed.

The WSJ reported that she volunteered to participate in AstraZenecas trial, and received her first dose on Nov. 4, 2020, at a clinic in West Jordan, Utah. I am pro-science and pro-vaccine, Ms. Dressen says. I was more than glad to participate in the scientific process.

Minutes after the shot, Ms. Dressens arm began to tingle, her vision grew blurry, and sounds became muffled. The clinic suggested she see a neurologist, who directed her to the emergency room. The ER couldnt figure out what was wrong and sent her home.

Her condition steadily deteriorated over the next 2 weeks. She experienced extreme nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, painful vibrating sensations, pins and needles in her arms and face, numbness, tremors, brain fog, heart palpitations and fever. Physicians were mystified. They diagnosed her with a silent migraine and anxiety due to the Covid vaccine after a hospital stay. She was provided occupational and physical therapy but spent weeks in bed, unable to tolerate sound, light or even her childrens touch.

In the ensuing months, she faced not only debilitating symptoms but also bureaucratic indifferencethough government officials tried to be helpful at first. On Jan. 11, 2021, her husband, Brian, a U.S. Army chemist, contacted Avindra Nath, intramural clinical director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dr. Nath responded immediately that he would discuss her condition with other National Institutes of Health neurologists. He asked for blood and spinal-fluid samples for analysis, and he ominously mentioned that the current political climate is another aspect that we need to keep an eye on.

Dr. Nath didnt elaborate, but by now the politics of the Covid vaccines are familiar. Bitter disputes over mandates fed skepticism of the shots and claims, often false and outlandish, about their dangers. At the same time, public-health authorities, anxious to promote vaccination, played down risks that were real if rare, leaving patients like Ms. Dressen in limbo.

After failed attempts to work remotely with Ms. Dressens home medical team, Dr. Nath invited her to an NIH facility in Bethesda, Md., for examination. Physicians there diagnosed her with postvaccine neuropathy and severe postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, which causes rapid heartbeat on standing up. She was treated with intravenous immune globulin, an infusion of antibodies from healthy donors that can modulate an overactive immune response.

The treatment helped, but symptoms persisted and would wax and wane.

She learned that many others were experiencing similar symptoms after getting vaccinated. She organized online support groups, but Facebook shut them down under its misinformation policy, which bans information that is likely to directly contribute to the risk of imminent physical harm, including by contributing to the risk of individuals getting or spreading a harmful disease or refusing an associated vaccine. This includes claims about the safety or serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccineseven, it appears, when such claims are truthful.

The Facebook censorship and government inaction spurred her to launch React19, a science-based nonprofit offering financial, physical, and emotional support for people who suffered severe reactions after Covid vaccines. React19 has more than 21,000 members in the U.S. and another 20,000 in 24 international partner organizations. It also has a Facebook page.

We are not antivax and are neutral on the Covid vaccines, Ms. Dressen says. But doctors need to be aware of whats going on so they can treat patients. Ms. Dressen and others have pressed the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to acknowledge their symptoms so patients dont feel shunned and can obtain the medical care they need.

THE MISTAKE OF THE ANTI-VAXXERS

Anti-vaxxers are not evil, chas vshalom. Indeed, in this authors experience, most of them are well-meaning and have better midos than other groups. The message that the anti-Vaxxers spread can be very dangerous to public health. What we really need to do is pursue emes  honesty not just in our spiritual observance  but also in our public health policy. That means not suppressing the cases of reactions and real risks.

What follows is this authors theory as to the cause of the anti-vaxxer view. But first, a discussion about a controversy in the world of grief and psychiatry:

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926  2004), a world-famous Swiss-born American psychiatrist, in her 1969 book entitled, On Death and Dying  discussed her theory of the five stages of grief, also known as the Kubler-Ross model.

The five stages are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. They are tools to help frame and identify what people feel when they go through trauma or grief or other difficulties. The controversy is whether people go through these stages from one to another or whether they are different states.

The theory that is being proposed here is that, far from being evil and the like, the anti-vaxxers had experienced a trauma or difficulty where they experienced denial but never progressed beyond that stage. Being good people, they wanted to bring this message to other people.

Those that comprise the world of anti-Vaxxers are one of four types (or a combination of them):

People who experienced a personal difficulty, grief or trauma, or lost or nearly lost a loved one [or the loved one went through a grief or trauma] and experienced denial, but never progressed. People who have become influenced by the first group, either because they are highly intelligent, influential, charismatic, highly loved or respected or a religious leader. We also include within this second category people that live in a setting where everyone around them are anti-Vaxxers as well. People who, by the nature of their personality, are somewhat oppositional to the conventional thinking of things. People who are looking to make $omething on tho$e who are susceptible to believing in this.

The problem with the anti-vaxxer movement is that they can often take true and valid problems and blow them out of proportion thus jeopardizing the general welfare of society. We dont really tell people this, but when a car catches on fire, seat-belts can be the reason for loss of life. Nonetheless, this is so rare in comparison to all of the lives being saved by seat belts that it would be foolish to eradicate the use of seat belts.

While we are at it, this can perhaps develop our understanding of how great Rabbis can be among the anti-Vax community. People go through denial and depressed periods in life. It is part of life and not everyone is immune to it. For some people that denial can stay with them. [This can also, perhaps, help our understanding of how someone could withhold a get from a spouse years and years after it became clear that the marriage was over. They are in a state of extreme denial and were unable to move on. They hope that they can regain their marriage.]

The solution is to take a compassionate approach and understand and educate the states or stages. [See also Assia Publication # 111-112 p. 7]

THE THIRD-VIEWERS

Third viewers believe that vaccines are essential to our public health policy but believe that suppressing negative information about vaccines is wrong. The NIH, CDC and other organizations should have been up front. The dishonesty has caused a grave crisis, wherein entire communities no longer trust doctors or health organizations whatsoever. Across the country, anti-Vaxism has spread like wildfire.

The coming polio crisis can be avoided if the position of the Third-Viewers is adopted. Yes, there will be some severe reactions to the polio vaccine  but do we really want to be the cause, heaven forbid of so many other people dying?

The author can be reached at [email protected]




Israeli security forces raided the city of Shechem early Sunday morning in a special arrest operation under the intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet.

IDF soldiers, Border Police officers, and Yamam officers surrounded a home in the kasbah (Old City) and the two wanted suspects, the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack in Huwara in March, injuring two IDF soldiers, surrendered themselves to Israeli forces without resistance.

The terrorists were transferred to the Shin Bet for interrogation.

The manhunt for the terrorist had stretched out for a month and a half. The operation was launched on Sunday morning in the wake of intelligence information that the two were planning another attack.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday morning by praising Israels accomplishments during Operation Shield and Arrow, which ended with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group on Motzei Shabbos.

Last night we successfully completed five days of fighting against the terrorist organization of the Islamic Jihad. Before the start of the operation, the instructions I issued together with the Defense Minister to the IDF and the Shin Bet can be summed up in two words: Initiative and surprise. Yesterday I congratulated the IDF Chief of Staff and the head of the Shin Bet  also with two words: Well done. And the execution was indeed perfect. With complete surprise and continuous initiative, we thwarted the entire leadership of the Islamic Jihad in Gaza. We destroyed 17 PIJ command centers, eliminated dozens of terrorists, hit rocket and missile depots, thwarted anti-tank squads and more.

For months, since the establishment of the government, I have been saying again and again: Whoever hurts us, whoever tries to hurt us  his blood will be on his head. Today, Israels enemies in Gaza and far beyond Gaza, know that even if they try to hide, we can and are willing to reach them at any time. This recognition was significantly strengthened during Operation Shield and Arrow. We changed the equation.

Netanyahu thanked the IDF and the Shin Bet: To the commanders, IDF soldiers, the men and women of the Shin Bet for their important work in defense and attack, and to you  the citizens of Israel, and especially to the residents of the Gaza envelope, thank you for your backing and steadfastness that allowed us to succeed in this important operation. In the course of the operation, including last night, I was in constant contact with the heads of the regional authorities in the Gaza envelope. I would like to thank the director-general of my office Yossi Shelley, for his dedicated work.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Sponsored Content





Rabbi Abergel, the son and successor of Rabbi Yoram Abergel, is asking the public to support the construction of the protected Beit Midrash in Netivot  only 7 km from Gaza. Lets be partners in protecting those sitting on the front lines of enemy fire.

CLICK HERE TO HELP

The brutal missile attacks in the south take a heavy mental and personal toll on the residents of the southern part of Israel . Rabbi Israel Abergel, the son and successor of Rabbi Yoram Abergel, addresses the public with a call to action strongly urging us to participate in the construction of Rabbi Yorams house in Netivot.

Rabbi Yorams House for Torah and Prayer will be built in the heart of the city of Nativot, 7 km from Gaza and will be a house for Torah and prayer in the southern side of the existing Meir Laaretz yeshiva and will be a huge beit midrash that is entirely protected with reinforced materials. Lets be partners in the erection of this much needed establishment, and gain protection from our enemies and receive added protection from god !
Ag Growth International Inc. (TSE:AFN  Get Rating)  Investment analysts at Atb Cap Markets upped their FY2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Ag Growth International in a research note issued on Tuesday, May 9th. Atb Cap Markets analyst T. Monachello now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $4.72 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $4.36. The consensus estimate for Ag Growth Internationals current full-year earnings is $4.76 per share. Atb Cap Markets also issued estimates for Ag Growth Internationals Q4 2023 earnings at $1.07 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.51 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.95 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $5.74 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $7.18 EPS.

Get Ag Growth International alerts:

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform market weight rating on shares of Ag Growth International in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. CIBC raised their price target on Ag Growth International from C$62.00 to C$72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Ag Growth International from C$64.00 to C$70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. ATB Capital raised their price target on Ag Growth International from C$64.00 to C$72.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Ag Growth International from C$55.00 to C$70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$70.88.

Ag Growth International Trading Down 3.4 %

AFN opened at C$51.20 on Friday. Ag Growth International has a 12 month low of C$28.80 and a 12 month high of C$63.40. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$59.14 and a 200-day moving average price of C$50.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 345.04. The firm has a market cap of C$969.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.42, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 2.30.

Ag Growth International (TSE:AFN  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 7th. The company reported C$0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C($0.27) by C$1.19. The business had revenue of C$374.03 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$341.23 million. Ag Growth International had a negative return on equity of 18.93% and a negative net margin of 3.47%.

Ag Growth International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. Ag Growth Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -21.58%.

Ag Growth International Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Ag Growth International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes grain and rice handling, storage, and conditioning equipment in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company offers storage equipment comprising grain and bolted bins, hopper bins, smooth wall bins, temporary storage equipment, unloads and sweeps, water tanks, fuel tanks; and conditioning equipment, such as mixed flow dryers, fans and heaters, aerations, airaugers, aeration floors, vents and exhausters, stirrings, and accessories.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Ag Growth International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ag Growth International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S  Get Rating) CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 9,944 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.25, for a total transaction of $171,534.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 922,552 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,914,022. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Tomer Weingarten also recently made the following trade(s):

Get SentinelOne alerts:

On Friday, May 12th, Tomer Weingarten sold 40,000 shares of SentinelOne stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.85, for a total transaction of $714,000.00.

On Wednesday, May 10th, Tomer Weingarten sold 10,061 shares of SentinelOne stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.94, for a total transaction of $180,494.34.

On Thursday, April 20th, Tomer Weingarten sold 40,000 shares of SentinelOne stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.57, for a total transaction of $702,800.00.

On Tuesday, April 18th, Tomer Weingarten sold 12,468 shares of SentinelOne stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.89, for a total transaction of $223,052.52.

SentinelOne Stock Down 3.5 %

Shares of S opened at $17.57 on Friday. SentinelOne, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.69 and a 12 month high of $30.00. The companys fifty day moving average is $16.22 and its 200-day moving average is $15.95. The firm has a market cap of $5.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.92 and a beta of 0.52.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SentinelOne ( NYSE:S Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by $0.03. SentinelOne had a negative net margin of 89.70% and a negative return on equity of 21.15%. The business had revenue of $126.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $124.69 million. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.27) EPS. SentinelOnes revenue was up 92.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that SentinelOne, Inc. will post -1.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

S has been the topic of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of SentinelOne in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. They issued an overweight rating and a $18.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of SentinelOne from $18.00 to $16.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group began coverage on shares of SentinelOne in a report on Thursday, February 9th. They set a buy rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. JMP Securities cut their price target on shares of SentinelOne from $36.00 to $26.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Westpark Capital boosted their price target on shares of SentinelOne from $20.00 to $25.00 in a report on Friday, April 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $20.96.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of S. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in SentinelOne by 20.0% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,643 shares of the companys stock worth $335,000 after purchasing an additional 1,439 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in SentinelOne in the 1st quarter worth $286,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in SentinelOne by 547.1% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 478,107 shares of the companys stock worth $18,521,000 after purchasing an additional 404,220 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new stake in SentinelOne in the 1st quarter worth $212,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in SentinelOne in the 1st quarter worth $108,000. 79.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

SentinelOne Company Profile

(Get Rating)

SentinelOne, Inc operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. The company's Extended Detection and Response (XDR) data stack that fuses together the data, access, control, and integration planes of endpoint protection platform, endpoint detection and response, cloud workload protection platform, and IoT security into a centralized platform.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for SentinelOne Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SentinelOne and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Belpointe Asset Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Get Rating) by 4.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,018 shares of the airlines stock after selling 667 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $438,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 64,861,508 shares of the airlines stock valued at $2,000,330,000 after buying an additional 638,015 shares during the period. U S Global Investors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 6,044,770 shares of the airlines stock valued at $203,527,000 after buying an additional 68,199 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,854,746 shares of the airlines stock valued at $222,347,000 after buying an additional 104,191 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,503,131 shares of the airlines stock valued at $138,912,000 after buying an additional 105,574 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,861,289 shares of the airlines stock valued at $131,047,000 after buying an additional 84,212 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.71% of the companys stock.

Get Southwest Airlines alerts:

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.94, for a total transaction of $147,783.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at $789,248.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Southwest Airlines Stock Down 1.2 %

LUV stock opened at $28.63 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.19. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52-week low of $28.40 and a 52-week high of $46.46. The company has a 50-day moving average of $31.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.14.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $5.70 billion for 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 firms quarterly revenue was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.32) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.62 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Redburn Partners lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Melius lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $39.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $56.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.71.

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.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel decided to cancel the mandatory quarantine for COVID-19 patients, according to a statement issued by the country's Ministry of Health on Sunday.

The ease will take effect on Tuesday, ending the over three-year quarantine mandate for COVID-19-positive cases since the pandemic broke out in February 2020.

The ministry recommended that those infected with the virus apply home quarantine despite the removal of the obligation, and wear a face mask when going out.

The ministry also advised the public to get vaccinated, especially the more vulnerable groups.

Since the pandemic outbreak, about 4.82 million COVID-19 cases have been detected in Israel, about half of the country's population. A total of 12,509 people died in Israel as a result of the virus. 
Royal London Asset Management Ltd. decreased its holdings in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) by 59.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 106,991 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 157,979 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd.s holdings in Southern were worth $7,641,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Southern by 1.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 94,652,372 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,436,360,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391,612 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Southern by 1.0% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 76,360,768 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,192,533,000 after purchasing an additional 723,336 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its position in Southern by 2.1% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,068,549 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,424,661,000 after purchasing an additional 1,313,036 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Southern by 6.2% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,002,360 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,284,352,000 after purchasing an additional 3,653,841 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Southern by 0.8% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,795,619 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $598,104,000 after purchasing an additional 66,208 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.78% of the companys stock.

Get Southern alerts:

Southern Price Performance

SO opened at $73.35 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $70.59 and a 200-day moving average of $68.64. The company has a market capitalization of $79.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66, a PEG ratio of 5.16 and a beta of 0.51. The Southern Company has a 1-year low of $58.85 and a 1-year high of $80.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.69.

Southern Increases Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. Southern had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 10.78%. The business had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be given a $0.70 dividend. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 87.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on SO. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Southern from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 18th. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $79.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Southern from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have given 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 $73.14.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,705,014.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total transaction of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 1,282 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total transaction of $85,381.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,832,299.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 93,199 shares of company stock worth $6,974,908. Insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

About Southern

(Get Rating)

The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas. The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BETHLEHEM  The knowledge of the world and the power of a supercomputer is in most teens' pockets, but school officials are desperate to keep them out of students' hands.

Cellphones have become a scourge in most schools: Social media can be abused to bully people or cheer on destructive acts, and watching videos or playing games is far more common than using the device to learn.

Most schools started with hard bans on having smartphones out during the day, but some districts have gradually eased up over the years. For example, students were delighted in Schenectady city schools when their request to use phones during lunch was granted in 2011.

But now some school officials worry that games and videos have replaced in-person interaction. In Bethlehem, school officials recently decided to ban phones for the entire school day starting in the fall, believing it will lead to students socializing more.

While many schools allow cellphones at lunch and often during study halls, Bethlehem officials are specifically aiming at restricting them during non-instructional time as well.

This is when we want our students to be social and interact with one another, Deputy Superintendent Dave Hurst told the school board at a meeting last week.

Teachers had been asking students during class to put away their phones or put them in pouches hanging on a wall of the classroom. That to some extent has curtailed phone use in classrooms, but not entirely, Hurst said.

So to solve both problems, the school board is planning to spend $26,773 on Yondr, lockable bags that will be issued to every student this fall. They have magnetic locks that open when tapped against an unlocking base; there will be several at the high school for students to use when they leave the building.

Hurst said his push to be more restrictive with phones was fueled by studies that have shown a national increase in students feeling lonely and isolated, leading to much higher depression and suicide rates.

Humans are wired for social connection, he said. You see students sitting (at lunch) three, four to a table and theyre all on their phones and theyre not interacting whatsoever. Theyve lost that social connection.

However, parents, students and some mental health counselors arent sure that removing cellphones at school will make a difference.

Everyones going to become a natural extrovert and talk to everyone in the cafeteria? The kids I know avoid the cafeteria, said parent Cara Brousseau during the school board meeting about the proposal.

I wish they would socialize, but you cant just expect that to happen spontaneously by locking up their cellphone. There needs to be a path to get there.

Natasha Ruiz, whose son is a freshman, said its not necessarily unhealthy to watch videos on a phone during lunch.

He goes to the library and he decompresses on the phone for 10 minutes, watching videos, putting a smile on his face, she told the school board.

In interviews the Times Union did after school one day this past week, several groups of Bethlehem High School students weighed in on the proposal.

One teenager said it would be a relief to not have to keep up with everything on his phone. A weight off your shoulders, he said.

But a friend of his vehemently disagreed, saying he needs his phone because school is boring. What am I going to do in my free periods? he said. It would make my life suck.

Two students separately brought up fears of active shooters, saying they would need to have their phones to communicate with their parents in the event of an attack.

The Times Union checked with many local school districts, and most said they do not lock up phones, but expect students to keep them powered off and put away during class. But Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Green Island ban phone use entirely, saying students must keep them turned off, including during lunch and study periods. In Albany, lockable bags are only used at two schools, including an alternative high school and one elementary school. Other school districts, including Schenectady, dont lock them up at all and allow teachers to incorporate the phones in lessons when desired. Few schools limit phone use at lunch. But at Schoharie Junior/Senior High School, the lockable Yondr bags have been in use all year.

It has been transformational, said Superintendent David Blanchard. What we noticed right away was kids talking to each other.

Students signed up for electives mid-year because they were bored in study hall without their phones, he said.

Suspensions are down significantly, which Blanchard connected to a reduction in fights over issues that start on social media.

Nobody has Facebook muscles when you dont have Facebook, he said. Minor altercations (used to) get posted on social media and nobodys talking them through. Now students are talking to each other and communicating in real-time. In-person is a much more healthy way of life.

A local psychiatrist agreed that social media could lead to increases in depression and other mental health issues. Students often access social media through smartphones, but Dr. Kevin Martin of Saratoga Springs said he isnt convinced that taking away the phones is the solution.

Its correlation, not necessarily causation. Around 2012 when we hit about 50 percent in smartphone usage, since then, even before the pandemic, mental health issues in kids and teens really went up, he said.

Social media is a concern because of the toxicity, some of the abusive things people will say to each other, attacks, group piling on, he said. And he noted that students could be stressed and distracted during the day by all the messages they receive online.

But he said there are positives to smartphones. Students can find a welcoming community online that they may not find in-person nearby.

A lack of social interaction is definitely a concern, he said. But honestly, they might be texting their friend who is also in school but they dont have the same lunch period.
ANKARA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Initial results of Turkiye's presidential election on Sunday showed incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead with 52.9 percent of votes compared to opposition rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 41.2 percent, according to the unofficial preliminary results carried by the semi-official Anadolu Agency.

Nearly 38 percent of the ballot boxes are opened, and the gap between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu is narrowing as more votes are counted, said the report.

If no presidential candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff vote will be held on May 28.

Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections are one of the most consequential events that could either stretch incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's tenure into a third term or set Turkiye on a new course.

The voter turnout was noticeably high as electorates formed long queues in polling stations across the country.

International observers were deployed across the country, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission.

Some 61 million voters are registered to cast their ballots. Ahead of the elections, more than 1.76 million Turks abroad have cast their votes at diplomatic missions and customs gates between April 27 and May 9. 
TIJUANA, Mexico (AP)  Pandemic-era limits on asylum known as Title 42 have been rarely discussed among many of tens of thousands of migrants massed on Mexico's border with the United States.

Their eyes were  and are  fixed instead on a new U.S. government mobile app that grants 1,000 people daily an appointment to cross the border and seek asylum while living in the U.S. With demand far outstripping available slots, the app has been an exercise in frustration for many  and a test of the Biden administration's strategy of coupling new legal paths to entry with severe consequences for those who don't follow them.

You start to give up hope but it's the only way, said Teresa Munoz, 48, who abandoned her home in the Mexican state of Michoacan after a gang killed her husband and beat her. She has been trying for a month to gain entry through the app, called CBPOne, while staying in a Tijuana shelter with her two children and 2-year-old grandson.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the Border Patrol made 6,300 arrests on Friday  the first day after the Title 42 restrictions expired  and 4,200 Saturday. That's sharply below the 10,000-plus on three days last week as migrants rushed to get in before new policies to restrict asylum took effect.

It is still early," Mayorkas said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union. We are in day three, but we have been planning for this transition for months and months. And we have been executing on our plan. And we will continue to do so.

Despite the drop in recent days, authorities predict arrests will spike to between 12,000 and 14,000 a day, Matthew Hudak, deputy Border Patrol chief, said in a court filing Friday. And authorities cannot confidently estimate how many will cross, Hudak said, noting intelligence reports failed to quickly flag a singular surge of 18,000 predominantly Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, in September 2021.

More than 27,000 migrants were in custody along the border one day last week, a number that may top 45,000 by the end of May if authorities cant release migrants without orders to appear in immigration court, Hudak said.

The administration plans to ask an appeals court Monday for permission to release migrants without orders to appear in court. Authorities say it takes between 90 minutes and two hours to process a single adult for court - potentially choking Border Patrol holding facilities  and longer to process families. By contrast, it takes only 20 minutes to release someone with instructions to report to an immigration office in 60 days, a common practice since 2021 to ease overcrowding along the border.

The Justice Department even raised the possibility of declining to take people into custody if it cant quickly release migrants, calling that a worst-case scenario.

President Joe Biden, spending the weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, said his hope was that the border numbers would continue to go down but that we have a lot more work to do.

We need some more help from the Congress as well, in terms of funding and legislative changes, Biden told reporters.

The administration is touting new legal pathways in an effort to deter illegal crossings, including parole for 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans a month who apply online with a financial sponsor and arrive at an airport.

Hundreds of predominantly Colombian migrants waited to be processed Saturday in searing heat near Jacumba, California, having slept for days in thatched tents east of San Diego and getting by on the Border Patrol's limited supply of cookies and water. Several said they crossed illegally after trying the app without success or hearing tales of frustration from others.

Ana Cuna, 27, said she and other Colombians paid $1,300 each to be guided across the border after reaching Tijuana. She said she touched foot on U.S. soil hours before Title 42 expired Thursday but, like others, was given a numbered wristband by the Border Patrol and, two days later, had not been processed.

Under Title 42, a public-health rule, migrants were denied asylum more than 2.8 million times on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. When it expired, the administration launched a policy to deny asylum to people who travel through another country, like Mexico, to the U.S., with few exceptions.

We want to come according to the law and be welcomed, said Cuna, whose thatched tent included Colombian women and families hoping to reach Chicago, San Antonio, Philadelphia and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Releasing migrants without court orders but with instructions to report an immigration office in 60 days became widespread in 2021. Directing that processing work to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices when migrants report to the agencys offices created additional delays  with ICE offices in New York backed up until 2033 just to schedule an initial court appearance.

U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell in Pensacola, Florida, in March ordered an end to the practice, which the administration had effectively stopped by then anyway. It chose not to appeal the ruling but reactivated the policy last week, calling it an emergency response. The state of Florida protested and Wetherell ordered the administration to avoid the quick releases for two weeks. He scheduled a hearing on Friday.

Since CBPOne launched Jan. 12 for asylum-seekers, it has exasperated many with error messages, difficulty capturing photos and a frantic daily ritual of racing thumbs on phone screens until slots run out within minutes.

In Tijuana, Munoz looked into being smuggled through the mountains east of San Diego but determined it would cost too much. She is still haunted by walking through the Arizona desert in the mid-2000s on a grueling one-week trek. After saving money working double shifts at a supermarket near Los Angeles, she returned to Mexico to raise her children.

Last week, the administration increased the number of slots awarded on the app to 1,000 from 740, began granting priority to those who try longest, and released slots gradually throughout the day instead of all at once, which had created mad rushes. So far, Munoz said she is unconvinced.

___

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
New York needs a high school civics course.

Civics education teaches students about our history, our social, political and economic systems, citizens rights and responsibilities, and how to engage in the political process.

Civics used to be a staple of American education. That began to wane some years ago with the federal No Child Left Behind act (2001) and subsequent federal initiatives that expanded federal support for science and math but gave very limited support for social studies and civics. The Common Core State Standards  launched in 2010 but later phased out in New York and several other states  contributed further to the rising overemphasis on science and math. Civics education has been chronically undervalued, and under-funded, at the federal, state and local levels.

The sidelining of history, social studies and civics coincides with stagnant student proficiency in civics on the National Assessment of Education Progress. In the 2022 report, scores had declined significantly since the previous one in 2018. Only 49 percent of students who took the assessment said that they had a class that is mainly focused on civics or U.S. government, and only 29 percent said they had a teacher whose primary responsibility is teaching civics.

Public complacency about civics education was shaken by the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. It is clear that our constitutional democracy is in peril, said the American Bar Association after the attack. Citizens limited understanding of American history and the role of government were identified as underlying causes. The University of Pennsylvanias Annenberg Policy Centers Civics Knowledge Survey in 2022 found that few Americans understood the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, and fewer than half of all U.S. adults could name all three branches of government.

The public began to demand better civics education to educate future generations. Several states have revised their requirements in history, social studies and civics.

New York does not require a standalone civics course, but its history/social studies framework includes expectations for infusion of citizenship education in those classes. The state Education Department recently launched a Civic Readiness Initiative designed to promote the ability to make a positive difference in the public life of our communities via civic knowledge and other skills.

But more is needed: a fresh, new state course.

The course might be called civics and American democracy. It would aim to articulate what Americans should know about this countrys democratic history, traditions and democratic institutions and their role as citizens.

It might include these four elements:

American constitutional government

New York requires an 11th-grade American history course. The new course would dovetail with it. It would cover the founding era, the concepts of liberty and representative government, the Declaration of Independence, the theoretical underpinning of the designs of the New York (1777) and U.S. (1787) constitutions, the Bill of Rights, the process of amendments, and key Supreme Court decisions to clarify citizens rights and responsibilities under our form of government.

Citizens and civic affairs

This unit would explore how citizens can (and often do) participate in an informed and thoughtful way to make changes in their political, economic and social affairs. It would highlight the history of reform movements  the progressive movement, womens rights, the New Deal, the civil rights movement. Many of these have roots in New York or were led by New Yorkers, providing an opportunity to bring in state as well as national history. The course would explore the elements of free speech, the right to assemble and protest, the role of political parties and the role of the media.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Skills needed for informed citizenship

This aspect of the course would dovetail with skills taught in English Language Arts and other courses. It would emphasize the need to vote. It would teach essential civic dispositions such as acting ethically, combating bias, treating people fairly, and understanding and respecting other peoples opinions. It would identify and help develop skills necessary for effective, informed citizenship, such as media literacy, problem analysis and evaluating, interpreting, making decisions, and arguing from evidence.

Schools selection

About a quarter of the course could be devoted to topics and issues selected by the local school board, superintendent, principal or teacher. The state course would provide guidelines and selection criteria, but the actual civics topic or topics would be left to the school. It would draw on what students learned in the first three elements and might include more emphasis on any of these elements. Or it might focus on an important civics-related topic or issue in the news, or something of particular interest to the community and students.

New Yorks new course should be particularly suited to the students of our state. But given our history of educational leadership and excellence, it could become a model for other states  because expanding civics education is a much-needed investment in Americas future.

Bruce W. Dearstyne of Guilderland is a historian. His most recent book is The Crucible of Public Policy: New York Courts in the Progressive Era.
Heres what effective, purposeful governing looks like: Gov. Kathy Hochul declaring an emergency in order to help localities deal with an expected influx of immigrants.

This is what ineffective, performative politics look like: Officials like Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin declaring emergencies to keep immigrants  legal or otherwise  out of their jurisdictions.

Thats the sad contrast New Yorkers are witnessing this week as the state braces for the expiration of Title 42, a federal provision invoked by former President Donald Trump to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to limit immigration under the guise of protecting public health.

Prior to Title 42s invocation in March 2020, immigrants seeking asylum could remain here while their cases were reviewed. But under Mr. Trump, who has made anti-immigrant rhetoric a cornerstone of his political identity, more than 2.8 million of them were sent back over the border using Title 42 rules  and they were denied the right even to seek asylum.

President Joe Biden tried to end Title 42 last year but was blocked by courts after Republicans sued. Now, though, with the end of the national COVID-19 emergency, the use of Title 42 expired as of Thursday night.

That means more immigrants entering the country, on top of the millions already here. New York City has already seen a surge of tens of thousands of immigrants thanks in large part to the antics of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who have been sending them north as a political statement.

To deal with the influx, New York City planned to house several hundred asylum seekers in hotels in Orange and Rockland counties and pay for their food, shelter and resources. But Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Rockland County Executive Ed Day declared states of emergency forbidding hotels and motels from accepting them. So did Mr. McLaughlin  even though New York City has no stated plans to send migrants there, and even though the people New York City is sending north are here legally.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

The political sniping and one-upmanship are, of course, just another symptom of the broader American immigration problem  the lack of a comprehensive, coherent policy. For that, the dubious credit goes to Mr. Trumps Republican Party, which for years has done all it can to ensure the immigration system stays broken while running perpetually on promises to fix it. The result: scattershot, ultimately ineffective solutions like Title 42 and Mr. Trumps ridiculous, costly idea for a border wall. And theatrics like these county executives states of emergency.

The Biden administration is putting new rules in place to make illegal border crossings less appealing. Its imposing a five-year ban on entering the country again for anyone caught crossing the border illegally, and prosecution if they do try to enter again anyway.

But this wont take the place of whats been so clearly needed for so long: Congress developing a comprehensive, long-range immigration system that addresses all the national security, workforce and humanitarian complexities of the issue. Until then, were left with Gov. Hochuls and Mayor Adams best attempts to manage the problem, and Mr. McLaughlins best efforts to milk it.
ALBANY  They called it the Excelsior Pass. The first-in-the-nation app would provide a "secure and streamlined" way for people to attend live events and restaurants without digging out their vaccine card.

It would be built by IBM, and it would cost $2.5 million.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo pitched it in March 2021 as a key to reopening New York's economy amid the damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, a tool that would bring New York "one step closer to reaching a new normal." Nine months later  after Cuomo's resignation  Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the technology's "transformative impact on our economy."

In October 2021, Sandra L. Beattie, then deputy director of the state Division of the Budget, called it an example of successful government-run technologies in an informational "blueprint" on the app that New York was touting to other states: "When the public sector shirks its duty to innovate and modernize, citizens are the ones who lose out," she said.

The state decided early on to outsource the work on the app. While that aspect of the project didn't change, the stated cost to taxpayers definitely did, and quickly: In June 2021, the New York Times noted that the pass would actually cost $17 million; a follow-up report two months later indicated that price tag had grown to as much as $27 million.

More than two years after Cuomo's initial announcement, the payments to private companies for the app have multiplied well beyond that figure, even as the waning of the pandemic means the Excelsior Pass is rarely if ever used  and opens the related question of how many booster shots are needed to be "up to date" according to the app. The current cost is $64 million, a previously unreported sum that includes funds paid to IBM as well as to two consultants on the project, Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte, according to records obtained by the Times Union.

The work by Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte was just one element of $200 million that flowed from New York to those firms that is now the subject of a state state inspector general's investigation. As the nation's COVID emergency fades from the front page, the spending renews the debate about New York's ongoing use of contracts that were amended without public oversight during the pandemic.

"Those are the dangers of emergency orders and no-bid contracts and a lack of checks and balances," said Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a fiscally conservative think tank. "Those are all dangerous situations, but they grew out of a true crisis that warranted waiving some of those rules, at least for a time."

The state says roughly 11.5 million New Yorkers have used the Excelsior Pass, which would amount to a cost of about $5.60 per app-using citizen. The state has paid Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group nearly $28 million to work on the app, according to records obtained by the Times Union. State officials have paid an additional $36 million to IBM for its work on the pass.

"While the pandemic-driven need for ready access to vaccine records has subsided, the app continues to offer New Yorkers a safe and secure mobile application that brings state-issued digital passes, licenses and records directly to their fingertips," state Department of Health spokesman Cort Ruddy said in a statement.

The state continues to pay IBM $200,000 a month for data storage services related to the Excelsior Pass. In addition, in March the state spent $2.2 million for "application development" of the Excelsior Pass.

In the October 2021 blueprint package, Rajiv Rao, the former chief technology officer with the state Office of Information Technology Services, said "a collaborative team across New York state has worked day and night to develop the nation's first COVID-19 vaccination and negative test pass solution."

Rao worked on the project with the budget division's Beattie, who pushed for Deloitte to become the system integrator, according to a person familiar with the matter. Beattie worked for Deloitte roughly 16 years ago; her spokesman recently told the Times Union that no one who worked on the company's pandemic-era projects in New York overlapped with her employment at the firm.

Beattie was forced out of her job earlier this year; Rao took a leave of absence and then resigned. Neither have been accused of wrongdoing related to the inspector general's ongoing investigation or any other matter.

"We are eager for the Office of the Inspector General to complete its investigation," Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays said in a statement Friday.

Hochul recently signed legislation to restore oversight of the state comptroller's office in reviewing contracts, a layer of advance review that was lost during the pandemic.

Crampton-Hays noted the state is currently looking into whether the app can be "harnessed for additional, expanded purposes, in line with the governor's commitment to eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, simplifying processes and utilizing new technology to improve the way New Yorkers access services and benefits from state agencies."

Cuomo's spokesman Richard Azzopardi said the app was intended to also include broader capabilities than just validating a COVID-19 vaccination. He said the app was a critical tool at the time that also protected people's medical and personal information.

"The work required to build the secure database that housed this critical personal information was not possible using the existing expertise, and like numerous other states across the country, we worked with outside consultants to make it a reality," Azzopardi said in a statement. " ... Criticizing the project in hindsight is to have collective amnesia about the once-in-a-lifetime challenges we were up against.

Azzopardi noted that the state's cost to produce and maintain the app would be reimbursable by the federal government because it was related to addressing the pandemic.

Consulting the private sector

On Dec. 17, 2021, the Boston Consulting Group billed the state for nearly $10 million in costs related to its work reopening New York and on the Excelsior Pass  two interrelated state initiatives. The money spent on the Excelsior Pass, and its accompanying "wallet," continued to flow to the consulting groups even as the peak of the pandemic passed and the need for the app plummeted.

Last October, Deloitte posted an article on its website about the development of the Excelsior Pass that does not mention the firm's involvement. Rao and Beattie are the only people quoted.

"We didnt know exactly what we were building," Rao said in the post, "but we knew we all had the same goal of opening the economy back up as soon as possible."

"Citizens had such a positive response to the app because we built something that was for New Yorkers by New Yorkers," Beattie said.

The same month the post went up, Deloitte billed New York for $3.6 million in Excelsior Pass costs.

Deloitte declined to comment for this story. The Boston Consulting Group did not respond to requests for comment.

New York's expanding contract with the two firms actually began before the pandemic, in September 2019. The broadly worded agreement covered work "transforming or reengineering government business models and operations." State officials agreed to spend up to $59.5 million over the ensuing five years for the services of Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte, whichever organization was better suited for the work on specific projects.

The contract would go on to be amended during the pandemic, although tracking those changes is complicated by the fact that the state comptroller's office lacks copies of the various iterations due to the COVID interruption in its oversight role.

"Any contract that was modified during the pandemic emergency, to the extent that contract is still being used in that way, it should definitely be reviewed and probably turned off," said the Empire Center's Bill Hammond.

While the scope of the contract is unclear from readily available records, the payments that flowed from it show its evolution after Hochul became governor, and the firms' work for the budget division and the Office of Information Technology Services.

The two consulting organizations would go on to bill the state roughly 200 times over two years for roughly $200 million, according to records provided by the state comptroller's office.

In addition to $28 million for the Excelsior Pass and related technology, the sum of the payments to the two firms includes billing for work on the state's COVID data "dashboard" ($1.3 million); reimbursement of COVID payments from the federal government ($2.2 million); COVID-related "technology and remediation" for the state Department of Motor Vehicles ($15 million); COVID advice and "response" ($31 million); "reopening New York" ($32 million); and COVID vaccine management ($43 million).

The information the comptroller's office could provide is limited in its descriptions of services. Elsewhere, it is impossible to decipher what work was done from the documents  such as a reference to payment for "Deliverable 6 (TA2-D) Identity."

In its bid to earn the initial contract, the Boston Consulting Group included lengthy explanations of why it was best suited for the work.

In a page of the contract bid that is otherwise completely redacted  "trade secrets" is the stated reason  a standalone box displays a statement from Boston Consulting Group with the title, "What this means for NY."

"Oversight functions like budget and procurement can slow down action, but they are also key levers to drive change," it states. "We know how to assess current performance vs. best practices in order to measure and improve value-for-money."

The redactions in Deloitte's contract bid present similar difficulties for members of the public trying to understand what the state purchased: One page is nearly completed redacted from public view; the only thing that can be read are the titles: "What did not go well and why?" and "What did we learn and what we would do differently?"
[May 13, 2023] NORFOLK SOUTHERN DEADLINE ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Reminds Investors that a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Norfolk Southern Corporation and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, reminds investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Norfolk Southern Corporation ("Norfolk Southern" or the "Company") (NYSE: NSC) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Norfolk Southern securities between October 28, 2020 and March 3, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors have until May 15,2023 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. Click here to participate in the action. Norfolk Southern is a rail transportation company that implemented a strategy known as "Precision Scheduled Railroading" ("PSR"), which is associated with hyper-efficient operational changes designed to increase revenues and decrease costs. Operational changes typically include reductions in staff; longer, heavier trains that can stretch up to miles in length; and tighter schedules. The Norfolk Southern class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Norfolk Southern's PSR, including its use of longer, heavier trains staffed by fewer personnel, had led to Norfolk Southern suffering increased train derailments and a materially increased risk of future derailments; (ii) Norfolk Southern's PSR was part of a culture of increased risk-taking at the expense of reasonable safety precautions due to Norfolk Southern's near-term focus solely on profits; (iii) Norfolk Southern's PSR rendered Norfolk Southern more vulnerable to train derailments and train derailments with potentially more severe human, financial, legal, and environmental consequences; (iv) Norfolk Southern's capital spending and replacement programs were designed to prioritize profits over Norfolk Southern's ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation services; (v) Norfolk Southern's lobbying efforts had undermined Norfolk Southern's ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation services; (vi) Norfolk Southern's commitment to reducing operating expenses as part of its PSR goals undermined worker safety and Norfolk Southern's purporte "commitment to an injury-free workplace" because Norfolk Southern's PSR plan prioritized reducing expenses through fewer personnel, longer trains, and less spending on safety training, technology, and equipment such as hot bearing wayside detectors (a/k/a "hotboxes") and acoustic sensors; (vii) Norfolk Southern's rail services were, as a result of its adoption of PSR principles, more susceptible to accidents that could cause serious economic and bodily harm to Norfolk Southern, its workers, its customers, third parties, and the environment; and (viii) Norfolk Southern had failed to put in place responsive practices and procedures to minimize the threat to communities in the event that these communities suffered the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous and toxic materials.



On February 3, 2023, eastbound Norfolk Southern Railway Company general merchandise freight train 32N derailed 38 railcars in East Palestine, Ohio, leaving behind what the Associated Press called "a mangled and charred mass of boxcars and flames." The derailed equipment included 11 tank cars carrying hazardous materials that subsequently ignited, fueling fires that damaged an additional 12 non-derailed railcars. On February 6, 2023, responders engaged in a controlled detonation and burn of the vinyl chloride, spewing massive volumes of chemicals into the vicinity. The chemicals released from the derailment entered the air and water of the surrounding residential areas, the closest of which were only 1,000 feet from the site of the accident. On this news, the price of Norfolk Southern stock fell. Then, on February 8, 2023, after lifting a previously issued evacuation order, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that Norfolk Southern was "the one[] who created the problem. It's their liability. They're the ones who ought to pay for it." Following their return, numerous residents reported hazardous air quality and other health and environmental concerns. On this news, the price of Norfolk Southern stock again fell.

Thereafter, on February 13, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency stated that it had concluded that Norfolk Southern may be responsible for the cleanup costs of the derailment site or the costs incurred by the EPA for area cleanup. On this news, the price of Norfolk Southern stock once again fell. Next, on February 15, 2023, reports emerged that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was considering taking legal action against Norfolk Southern over the derailment. On this news, the price of Norfolk Southern stock again fell. Finally, on March 6, 2023, Norfolk Southern announced a 6-part plan to improve operational safety that included, among other things, adding about 200 temperature sensors along its tracks where existing sensors are at least 15 miles apart, reviewing the temperature levels that set off alarms for train crews, and adding more acoustic sensors that analyze vibrations for potential problems. On this news, the price of Norfolk Southern stock fell, further damaging investors. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Norfolk Southern shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Melissa Fortunato by email at [email protected], telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230513005020/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 14, 2023] USI Launches PCle Gen.5 Mass Production Testing Platform Solution To Boost The Solid-State Drive Industry

SHANGHAI, May 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the accelerating popularity of PCIe Gen.5 technology, high-speed data transfer and low latency have become essential application requirements for industries such as gaming, data centers and cloud computing, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as automotive and aerospace. To meet the urgent need of these industries to build product ecosystems supporting this interface, USI has launched its self-developed PCIe Gen.5 mass production test platform solution. As a well-known enterprise with 17 years of expertise in solid-state drive (SSD) products, USI provides end-to-end services from R&D, validation to mass production, and is renowned for its top product quality in the industry. The launch of the PCIe Gen.5 mass production test platform solution demonstrates USI' technical strength and innovative capabilities in this field. The transfer rate of PCIe Gen.5 doubles to 32GT/s compared to the previous generation, which requires more stringent signal transmission and the technology supporting ecosystem is not yet complete. The mass production test platform must have stricter design and validation for the controller, PCB material, wire length, signal path, connector, and software settings, resulting in significantly increased development cycle time, technical risk, and cost. Currently, there are just few solutions in the market that support PCIe Gen.5 testing, which are costly, with long lead time, and the supply from foreign manufacturers is limited. USI launches its self-developed mass production test platform solution to address these challenges. USI's SSD generic production testing solution has many advantages. The platform is deployed in a standard rack and has a modular design, with testing port modules added or removed as needed. A single cabinet supports testing for 8 U.2 drives or 40 AIC drives, with a single port supporting up to 150W power consumption. The platform also supports all ports running at full PCIe Gen.5 speed simultaneously, with voltage and current measurement and protection, skew testing, hot-swapping, unified platform software management, software upgrades, platform self-verification, flexible capacity configuration options, and affordable total operating costs for the testing platform. These features will provide customers with a more efficient, stable, and flexible testing solution.



Jaguar Meng, PM of Storage Array & Interconnect PLM of USI, said "USI's self-developed mass production testing platform solution will provide efficient, stable, and flexible testing support for the PCIe Gen.5 industry. In addition, USI also provides customized support based on a generic testing plan. With its intellectual property in the product, we can provide customized PCIe Gen.5 interface product mass production support such as custom interfaces, temperature variation environments, and mass production testing program development based on customers' specific needs. This will greatly improve users' production efficiency, reduce technical risks, and enhance product competitiveness." This solution showcases USI's technical strength and innovation in the solid-state drive (SSD) industry and is a testament to the company's continuous exploration of technology bottlenecks and innovative solutions. With USI's generic testing solution and customized support, the company will become a reliable partner for PCIe Gen.5 interface production testing, making an important contribution to the development of the entire industry.

About USI (SSE: 601231) USI, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is a global leader in electronic design and manufacturing as well as a leader in the field of SiP (System-in-Package) modules. USI provides D(MS)2 product services: Design, Manufacturing, Miniaturization, Industrial software and hardware Solutions, and material procurement, logistics and maintenance Services. With Asteelflash, USI has 28 sales, production and service locations across four continents of Asia, Europe, Americas and Africa, and offers customer diversified products in the sectors of wireless communication, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, medical and automotive electronics worldwide. USI is a subsidiary of ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX). To learn more, please visit www.usiglobal.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/usi-launches-pcle-gen5-mass-production-testing-platform-solution-to-boost-the-solid-state-drive-industry-301821681.html SOURCE USI

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Just kidding . . . We can do both!!!

Or, calm down . . . Comb your beard . . . Remember we're all about the lulz here . . .



It seems that Kansas City headlines are focused on trans accommodation whilst other Democratic Party enclaves are confronting new friends freshly delivered from South of the border.



Credit that image up top to our good-old-fashioned Catholic guilt.



Either way . . . The immediate impact of the hot mess MIGHT mean that your grandpa will be spending a great deal of time in Facebook jail whilst his political opponents run wild and fabulous.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Spike in illegal border entries does not materialize in immediate aftermath of Title 42's end An expected spike in illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border after the termination of the Title 42 pandemic-era migration control policy earlier this week did not materialize in the immediate aftermath of the policy change, according to government data obtained by CBS News. On Friday, the first day since March 2020 in which the U.S.

Southern border stays calm but confusion builds as new asylum policies take effect The southern border remained mostly calm after pandemic-era restrictions that immediately expelled migrants expired. The Biden administration is implementing new rules that reject asylum seekers who did not apply online or who traveled through another country. That's being challenged in court but confusion for those crossing the border remains.

Migrant bus arrives at Kamala Harris' doorstep hours before end of Title 42 A busload of migrants from Texas arrived at Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in Washington, DC, on Thursday, hours before Title 42 was set to expire. More than 30 migrants - men, women and children, most from Venezuela - were dropped off outside the US Naval Observatory, which hosts the official residence of the vice president, according to NBC News.

Busing migrants from Texas to sanctuary cities costs millions of dollars. Is it helping? Texas has put on buses 13,200 migrants taken from the border with Mexico and dropped off at sanctuary cities at the cost of $26 million since April 2022. When President Joe Biden announced early last year that he was suspending Title 42, many Republican states, including Texas, objected. Gov.

Massive border crisis means Dem-led 'sanctuary cities' are finally paying the price That loud clucking sound we are hearing from "sanctuary cities" and other cities run by Democrats is the consequence of lax immigration policies coming home to roost. After declaring with a straight face that the southern border is "secure," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas is dispatching civilian employees to the border to help "process" migrants who have been coming in waves that resemble an invading army.

Developing . . .
A quick roundup of community outreach, police action, public safety and all manner of crime reporting.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

KCPD searching for missing 16-year-old girl last seen Friday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is searching for a 16-year-old who was last seen Friday morning in Kansas City, Missouri. Lyric Crompton is 5 feet tall, weighs 115 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen around 7:30 a.m. near Bannister Road and Hardy Avenue.

Stabbing victim's family says they are still looking for justice as killer awaits sentencing KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A stabbing victim's family says they are still seeking justice as the teen who killed their loved one waits to be sentenced. Manuel Guzman's family stood together Friday afternoon to protest of the decision. "Manny was a happy kid," said Vicenta Guzman, the mother of Manny Guzman.

GoFundMe started for KC man seriously injured in hit-and-run A man is in a hospital Friday night after being seriously hurt from a hit-and-run this week.On Monday, May 8, Terrance Rice was walking on the south side of Bannister Road and crossing the ramp to southbound Highway 71, when a Black Chrysler 200 driving at high speeds hit Rice and sped off.

USPS making mail forwarding changes after Clay County fraud case LIBERTY, Mo. - The U.S. Postal Service announced the Joint Project Safe Delivery initiative Friday which include measures which could have possibly prevented a Clay County case of mail theft and fraud last month. You've probably heard of thieves stealing mail out of mailboxes.

Staff, students remember teacher and anti-violence advocate killed in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City, Missouri, police have identified a juvenile as a person of interest in a homicide after a teacher, who was an anti-violence advocate, was killed. Jamie Craig was an Enough is Enough sponsor, Youth Court sponsor and Wyandotte County High School teacher.

New bus policy has some Johnson County parents worried about safety OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A change in the busing policy at two Johnson County school districts has some parents concerned for their children's safety. "With no sidewalk, on a busy road - and what if it's dangerously cold outside. What if it's lightning outside? Those kids are walking," parent Jennifer Howerton said.

Memorial Service Honors Fallen Officers The ceremony was led by Chief Stacey Graves and included an honor guard, a 21-gun salute, the KCPD Color Guard, and bagpipers. There were 120 flags on display at the ceremony representing each one of these officers. For 120 hours preceding the service, dispatchers read one officer's name per hour over the police radio system.

Developing . . .
People check ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli tanks fired shells into two Hamas posts in the Gaza Strip on Sunday night in response to a rocket fired at Israel amid a fragile truce since Saturday after days of deadly fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group.

Israeli tanks "struck two military posts belonging to the Hamas organization in the northern Gaza Strip," an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the fire was "a response" to a rocket launched earlier on Sunday evening from the Gaza Strip.

The rocket exploded in an open field in southern Israel, triggering sirens in communities in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip. No injuries or damage have been reported.

No group claimed responsibility for the rocket but a source in the Joint Operations Room of the armed Palestinian factions in Gaza told Xinhua the rocket was fired due to a "technical error" and confirmed their commitment to the cease-fire.

The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said that 1,469 rockets were launched toward Israel from Gaza, among which 1,139 hit Israeli territory.

According to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service, two people were killed in Israel during the five-day conflict. 

Children sit on ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People check ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People check ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Children sit on ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Children sit on ruins of a house after it was destroyed in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinian children hold candles as they sit on ruins of a house destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Palestinian children hold candles as they sit on ruins of a house destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child holds a candle as he stands on ruins of a house destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Palestinian children hold candles as they sit on ruins of a house destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Palestinian children hold candles as they sit on ruins of a house destroyed during Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 14, 2023. The five-day confrontation started after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three senior PIJ leaders in the Gaza Strip.

During the fightings, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing at least 33 Palestinians and injuring more than 150 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
Today we direct readers to an EXCELLENT bit of Kansas City history that still has important context today.

Consider . . .

Currently, anti-police activists FALSELY CLAIM that Kansas City police governance by the state of Missouri is a legacy of Civil-War era policy. That's a half-truth at best . . . The reality is that the Missouri takeover in the modern era is the result of AN EPIC STRUGGLE OF KANSAS CITY RESIDENTS AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME.



In fact, local faith communities and grassroots neighborhood groups pushed back against the Pendergast mob when 1930s era local police proved too corrupt to do the job.

Here's one part of that story of a faith leader standing up against the iconic Kansas City crime boss . . .



The rabbi's push-back came at a price. Pendergast enforcer Johnny Lazia had Mayerberg in his sights. They met face-to-face in a heated verbal confrontation at the Jackson County Courthouse.



The rabbi secured a bodyguard and he narrowly escaped an attempted hit, when four men in a passing vehicle opened fire at his car.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Right now hottie & fashionista Sommer inspires yet another peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Digital Moves Underway

New initiative aims to capitalize on KC's promise as a global leader in health tech, renews call for investment Advancing Kansas City's digital health industry begins with attracting and nurturing talent, said Dick Flanigan. "What [Digital Health KC] seeks to do is connect ideas to talent; talent to capital; capital to companies and companies to marketplace - and we do not lack for ideas," said Flanigan, who serves as the CEO of Digital Health KC .

Show-Me Infighting Again

GOP squabbles tank the party's priorities on Missouri's final day of the legislature The 2023 Missouri legislative session ended with a thud Friday as infighting among Republicans led to the demise of a number of key priorities. It left House and Senate Republicans, who both hold strong majorities, frustrated that they couldn't get more done.

Rock Chalk Water Worries

Kansas legislation got 'watered down' but will help aquifer conservation efforts - Kansas Reflector Kansas state representatives this spring voted for "historic" legislation spending more than $50 million a year on preserving groundwater and restoring the state's reservoirs. By the time the Senate finished with the bill, it was "watered down" but "a good start." Rep.

The Dotte Loves The Troops

'Help Veterans in need': Veteran Service Organization to host area's largest Armed Forces Day event Hide Transcript Show Transcript NOMINATIONS CAN BE MADE ON SAM GRAVES WEBSITE, ONE OF THE LARGEST ARMED SERVICES EVENTS OF THE YEAR IS COMING UP ON SATURDAY, MAY 20TH. FISH IS HOSTING ARMED FORCES DAY AT WYANDOTTE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. FISH STANDS FOR FRIENDS AND SERVICE OF HEROES, AND THERE WILL BE MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND HONOR GUARD AND LIVE MUSIC.

Golden Ghetto Runs On Java

Here are the 28 best coffee shops in Johnson County, according to you - our readers Johnson County is filled with great places to grab a cup of coffee. That's why we asked our readers for the best coffee shops in the Kansas City area. We quickly realized you all have passionate opinions about your espresso.

Insta Hottie Keeps It Clean

Sommer Ray reveals why she turned down $40M earnings from OnlyFans - Dexerto Virginia Glaze Published: 2023-04-13T20:33:33 Updated: 2023-04-13T20:33:43 Model, influencer, and DJ Sommer Ray revealed the unexpected reason why she turned down making an estimated $40 million from OnlyFans. OnlyFans has become quite a popular platform for many prominent content creators - as well as an extremely lucrative one, with some influencers reportedly earning millions of dollars on the site.

PREZ ATTACKS HATERS!!!

Biden calls white supremacy 'most dangerous terrorist threat' in speech at Howard Invoking the battle cry he used to galvanize voters in the 2020 election cycle, he called on his audience to "fight for the soul of the nation." "Fearless progress toward justice often means ferocious pushback from the oldest and most sinister of forces," Biden said. "That's because hate never goes away.

GOP STANDS WITH MARINE!!!

Gov. DeSantis praises chokehold Marine Daniel Penny: 'America's got his back' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lauded Daniel Penny as a "Good Samaritan" hours after the 24-year-old Marine was arraigned on a second-degree manslaughter charge in the death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway. "We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens," DeSantis declared in a fiery tweet late Friday.

Border Run Anti-Climax

Calm prevails at US-Mexico border after Title 42 migration restrictions lifted The US-Mexico border saw surprising calm one full day after pandemic-era immigration restrictions known as Title 42 were lifted and replaced by new Biden administration policies intending to block unlawful crossings while establishing a legal means of entering the US, according to reports.

El Papa Picks Sides?!?

Zelenskyy meets Pope Francis at Vatican and seeks backing for Ukraine's peace plan ROME -- Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on Saturday for meetings with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, Italian state media reported. Zelenskyy arrived at Rome's Ciampino airport, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on hand to greet him, the ANSA news agency said.

Money Matters Even More . . .

The deflating credit bubble could hurt more than just the banks Another week, another wave of worry about American regional banks. Thankfully, the level of panic has dropped somewhat since the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation appears to be backstopping the system - by precedent, if not by law.

Cheesy Newspaper Reporting Intact

New Johnson County wine, cheese & charcuterie bar has 'lofty goals': Best in the US? Nearly six months after Vintage '78 Wine Bar hoped to debut, it softly opened its doors Sunday night and customers have been steadily streaming in. The grand opening will be May 20, at 7251 W. 80th St. in downtown Overland Park.

Pet Shelter Still Never Answers Old School Promises About Donations

289: KC Pet Project Updates On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast Publisher Michael Bushnell sits down with KC Pet Project Chief Communication Officer Tori Fugate. They discuss the stray policy, breed restrictions and licensing of pets in Kansas City, as well as updates on a recent dog attack in Northeast.

Katie Shares Weekend Forecast

Saturday is warm and muggy Hide Transcript Show Transcript I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF THIS HUMIDITY. I DIDN'T THINK THAT FAST. YOU DID GREAT. I KNOW, RIGHT? IT'S THINK ABOUT HAVING TO WEAR A CAP IN FULL STEAM INTO SUMMER. IT SEEMS IT IS. AND IT'S GOING TO BE VERY MUGGY.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
The faux outrage over some dated Rodney King reference is typical Missouri Democratic Party gobbledygook . . .

HOWEVER . . .

A local Democratic rep classes things up with her retort that serves as Sunday guidance for us all:



Representative Jamie Johnson (D-Kansas City) was frustrated with the speech.



She had no objection to honoring law enforcement. She objected to blaming Rodney King, who was a victim of police brutality himself, for other people's criminal behavior.



"I just felt like that was wholly unnecessary and even unprofessional. And it's just a testament to how we continue to say things that don't matter, do things that are harmful to people for no other reason than being hateful, being spiteful, and being ugly," she tells the RFT.



"We do appreciate law enforcement," she adds. "But we can do that without disparaging others, individually or collectively."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

VIDEO: Missouri Rep. References Rodney King, Steps Into It The last day of the Missouri legislative session kicked up controversy on Friday. It is National Police Week, so representatives have been honoring law enforcement in their morning remarks. Representative Barry Hovis (R-Whitewater), a former police officer, wanted to speak on the topic. Hovis said that 246 police died across the U.S.

Again, for us this was actually the highlight and the best part . . . Her words can be applied UNIVERSALLY to ALL SIDES of the discourse . . .

You decide . . .


A tragic reminder that Summer local violence unchecked in KCMO continues to spark metro violence.



Here are the deets after an 18-year-old man was reported dead from gunfire . . .



"Officers responded to a home in the 2300 block of SE King Street at 1:00 a.m. on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, police located the man dead inside and determined he'd been shot. Police said the man had been inside of the home with a group of friends when the shooting unfolded. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Man dies in shooting at Lee's Summit home early Saturday morning KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 18-year-old man died in a shooting early Saturday morning at a Lee's Summit home, the city's police department said.

Lee's Summit Police investigate early morning shooting Lee's Summit police say around 1 a.m. officers were dispatched to an address in the 2300 block of SE King Street on the report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found an 18-year-old man dead at the home from a gunshot wound. Police say the victim was home with a small group of friends.

Lee's Summit Police Investigating Overnight Shooting Public Information Officer On 5/13/2023 at approximately 0100 hours, officers were dispatched to an address in the 2300 block of SE King Street on the report of shots fired.

Developing . . .


ACCRA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama will lead Ghana's main opposition party National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the 2024 elections after the Electoral Commission (EC) declared him the winner with a landslide victory in the party's presidential primaries early Sunday.

Mahama polled 297, 603 representing around 98.9 percent of 300,784 total valid votes cast throughout 276 constituencies across the country on Saturday. His main contender, Kojo Bonsu, a former mayor of Kumasi, came after him, while the third contender, former Finance Minister Kwabena Duffuor, pulled out of the race at the last minute.

"I am humbled by this overwhelming vote of confidence in me from the party. My profound gratitude goes to the NDC delegates for their support throughout the campaigns," said Mahama in reaction to his victory.

Ghanaians will go to the polls in December next year to elect a new president and 276 parliament members. 
British intelligence believes that the Russian Combined Grouping of Forces (CGF) in Ukraine is unlikely to be able to create a capable mobile reserve to respond to emerging challenges.

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in an intelligence update published on Twitter, according to Ukrinform.

According to British analysts, on paper, the Russian Combined Grouping of Forces in Ukraine is similarly organized to the invasion force of 446 days ago.

"It still likely consists of over 200,000 personnel organized into around 70 combat regiments and brigades divided into five Groups of Forces," the intelligence said.

According to the update, CGF still struggles with limited freedom to conduct air operations.

At the same time, British intelligence noted that in February 2022 the grouping consisted of professional soldiers; was largely equipped with reasonably modern vehicles; and had been regularly exercised, aspiring to complex, joint operations.

Now the force is mostly poorly trained mobilized reservists and increasingly reliant on antiquated equipment, with many of its units severely under-strength. It routinely only conducts very simple, infantry-based operations.

"Critically, it is unlikely that CGF has been able to generate a large, capable, mobile reserve to respond to emerging operational challenges. It is unlikely to be an organization which will effectively cohere large-scale military effect along the 1,200 km front line under stress," the update reads.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan have discussed the current situation on the front lines and measures being taken by Ukraine's defense forces to liberate temporarily occupied territories.

That's according to the presidential press service, Ukrinform reports.

"Staying on a visit in Italy as a member of the official delegation, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on the instructions of the Head of State had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan. As part of the ongoing dialogue with the allies, the American side was informed about the current situation on fighting the Russian invaders on the battlefield and the latest actions of the defense forces of Ukraine to de-occupy its territories," the report reads.

The two also discussed ensuring unity and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression at the G7 meeting, which will take place in the middle of May in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Yermak thanked the American side, U.S. President Joseph Biden, and Congress for their strong leadership in supporting Ukraine and returning a just peace to the European continent.
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko has met with Second Vice-President of the Riigikogu (Parliament) of Estonia Juri Ratas.

Both parties discussed Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, Ukrinform reports, citing the press service of the Ukrainian parliament.

According to Korniienko, the adoption of a statement supporting Ukraine's accession to NATO is extremely important for Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"Our joint task should be the adoption by the allies at the Vilnius summit of a decision regarding Ukraine - we need a clear algorithm for moving towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," he said.

He also noted that Estonia is a real leader in terms of the total amount of military aid to Ukraine per capita.

Korniienko also informed his Estonian colleague about the current situation in Ukraine and recent missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. He stressed that Russia should be held accountable.

"We are talking about the creation of a special tribunal to investigate crimes of armed aggression by the terrorist state on the territory of our country," the Ukrainian parliamentarian said.

At the same time, Korniienko thanked Estonia for its comprehensive support and significant assistance to Ukraine on its path to victory.

Korniienko is on a working visit to Estonia on May 13-14.

He visited Lithuania on May 10-12.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni signed in Rome a joint declaration on supporting Ukraine, holding Russia accountable, and increasing pressure on the aggressor.

The text of the document was published on the website of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

The Italian Republic remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The Italian Republic commends the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people and armed forces and acknowledges their significant contribution to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. The Italian Republic will continue its political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes  individually and through international cooperation in the European Union, in NATO, in the United Nations and in other formats, reads the declaration.

As noted, the Italian Republic has made solid military contributions to Ukraine, which will continue taking constantly into account the most urgent and immediate needs of Ukraine to strengthen its defence capabilities. In addition to its national contribution, the Italian Republic is actively involved in the measures of the European Union and NATO in the military assistance to Ukraine and in the training of Ukrainian soldiers.

The Italian Republic supports Ukraine's initiative for a just and sustainable peace based on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ukrainian Peace Formula includes a variety of important objectives, many of which the Italian Republic is already working on such as food and energy security. The Italian Republic stands ready to cooperate with Ukraine to ensure as wide an international participation as possible in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula also through open events to be held in the near future.

Ukraine and the Italian Republic also agree on the need to increase collective pressure on Russia through further sanctions.

Moreover, Italy strongly supports Ukraine in its reform efforts and in meeting the requirements needed to start accession negotiations in 2023.

In the NATO framework, the Italian Republic continues to focus on immediate support to Ukraine, contributing to a substantive upscale of NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package to Ukraine. The Italian Republic continues its strong support to bolster Ukraine's capacity to defend itself. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements. Italy fully supports the NATO-Ukraine Commission as a venue to further increase and expand the ongoing cooperation to help fulfil Ukraine's path towards the Euro-Atlantic family, consistent with the Bucharest Declaration. At the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, we look forward to addressing all these issues, reads the declaration.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.

Members of the Writers Guild of America picket outside a Peacock NewFront presentation event by NBC Universal on May 2, 2023, in New York City. (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images)

Now in its third week, the Writers Guild of America strike affects its 11,500 members and, more and more, the work youre watching on one screen or another, and the work you arent.

The WGA strike has shut down production on an increasing number of shows, Showtimes The Chi being the most recent Chicago example. Filming sites have been disrupted and, in more and more cases, shut down by strike actions; creators of projects in postproduction have halted work for now, in solidarity. And unless an 11th-hour solution can be reached and the WGA issues a modified strike waiver, there wont be a Tony Awards show televised this year on June 11.

Advertisement

When negotiations reached an impasse last month between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing more than 350 film and television companies, the standoff acquired an industry nickname in many quarters: the Netflix strike. The streaming giant reportedly has dug in the deepest regarding writer compensation, residual payments and other economic challenges for working writers, or writers who used to work. Also, theres the looming unknown known of artificial intelligence tools used for story development and the kind of writing that used to be done by humans. The human writers want some guardrails on AI; the human-run studios, less so , evidently.

As Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves screenwriter Michael Gilio says: It hurts me where I eat. And it feels pretty bleak for our culture.

Advertisement

The other day Gilio, his fellow screenwriter and Northwestern University School of Communication associate professor Brett Neveu and Columbia College cinema studies and screenwriting associate professor Karla Fuller got together for a discussion about this strike and the issues behind it. Neveu and Gilio serve as strike captains in Chicago, Neveu as part of the regional WGA East, Gilio as part of WGA West.

The last WGA strike, in late 2007 and early 2008, lasted 100 days and cost the industry an estimated $2 billion. Last month, as the latest strike loomed, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said in an earnings call: We really dont want this to happen. But, he added, we do have a pretty robust slate of releases to take us into (the near future).

Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Phillips: Here was my threshold of revelation when it came to the last WGA strike, in 2007 and 2008. Im sitting there watching the James Bond film Quantum of Solace in 2008, trying to figure out why it wasnt better. The script was just sort of janky. Rickety. Then years later I read about how Daniel Craig and the director, Marc Forster, ended up rewriting the script on the set as they went, because the script was not ready to go and the strike prevented actual writers from doing the work. As Craig said: I writer I am not.

This was the realization for me: that the writing is not necessarily done when the alleged final draft is delivered, in this case, actual hours before filming began.

Neveu: Right. The non-writer should not have been writing. Mike (Gilio) and I talk about this a lot; weve been commiserating a lot since he moved back from Los Angeles. With a script, ideally, theres development happening in preproduction, there are conversations around selling the script, sometimes youre punching up character descriptions when youre trying to sell it, and all the while youre working with the director and the producers. This isnt always the way it happens, but when it does, its great.

On Eric LaRue (Neveus screen adaptation of his 2002 play, premiering in June at New York Citys Tribeca Film Festival), I was lucky to have producers who wanted me there. And Michael Shannon (making his feature directorial debut) wanted me there. I was there for the whole shoot, a month and a half, changing things. Working.

Gilio: I just went through two vastly different experiences. On the Dungeons & Dragons movie, once the directors came in, it was basically See you at the premiere! Now, that was to be expected; its a giant tentpole movie, and the directors that came on were writers in their own right. On the other hand, I did a horror movie, Dark Harvest for MGM (due this fall), and the director wanted me there for every part of the process. Which is rare.

Advertisement

Phillips: What sort of conversations have you had with your students about the strike, and the issues behind it?

Fuller: For now, weve kept our AI panic to the area of essay writing (laughs). The students are just starting to think about their careers as writers. But we have talked about streaming, the shorter seasons for so many shows. We had a panel with Mark Stegemann (co-writer of Somewhere in Queens and a Columbia College alum) and he talked about how, for him, the strike is all about the residuals (or payments for the reuse of a writers work). As working writers, its gotten so much harder to make a living.

Neveu: The fear, I think, for my students as well as for me, is the AI question. Its messed up. Heres a theoretical example but its realistic, I think. You have a book that doesnt have copyright protection. Lets say its The Count of Monte Cristo. The studio feeds the AI a few things to learn, and the AI writes a screenplay based on The Count of Monte Cristo. Then the producers hand it to a screenwriter to punch it up. Turn it into something good. And the price they pay for a rewrite, a punch-up, is much lower than theyd ordinarily pay. Its scary.

Gilio: This seemed like a boutique issue going into the strike, and now its starting to feel like the issue. Maybe Im wrong, but  over the last year Ive been in a couple of situations in which there are references to the Algorithm that were new to me. The Algorithm doesnt like this. The Algorithm has some issues with that (referring to computer software trained by previous screenplays to recognize what audiences might like).

Phillips: A little more on that, please?

Advertisement

Gilio: Sure. In development and pitching, the writer discusses plot points, characters, whatever. The executives might say something to the effect of, Well, the Algorithm has some problems with this. This happened to me once: One executive told me, The name of your character  it just doesnt track well with the Algorithm.

Phillips: Heres the WGA proposal on artificial intelligence, in part: AI cant write or rewrite literary material; cant be used as source material; and Minimum Basic Agreement-covered material cant be used to train AI. The studios representation rejected that, and countered by offering annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology.

Neveu: Terrific. An annual meeting. I mean, this is a huge, existential issue  this idea of taking existing shows or movies, plugging them into the AI and seeing what happens. The AI pulls from all the material someone may have written over a lifetime. Its not pulled out of the ether; its built on things people have already written. And those people arent getting paid for it.

Fuller: Historically theres always been this thinking in Hollywood that people who are not screenwriters or TV writers can write if they have to, or want to. No respect for the writers. But this AI development is more sinister.

Phillips: So, Mike, what was the character name that (hacked) off the Algorithm?

Advertisement

Gilio: Really?

Phillips: Yeah. I have to know.

Gilio: (laughs) I probably shouldnt say. Oh, well, Ill tell you. They said the name Maria set off red flags. Nothing specific. But the Algorithm preferred Jessica. I ended up having nothing to do with that project, in the end. But a producer friend of mine told me thats what happened.

Ive worked pretty consistently for 15 years, and joined the guild shortly after the last strike. But the last few years have felt different. The skill sets dont matter as much anymore. Theres been so much upheaval. Look what happened to the music business, or retail. Theres just not a lot of interest (on behalf of the studios) to ensure a lasting business here. The thing about residuals  your good years used to pay for your bad years. Residuals helped you weather that, if your work was playing all over cable. Were asking for a more reasonable portion of that.

Phillips: Lets talk about this situation of being part of a writers room now, as opposed to a few years ago. It can mean so much less both monetarily and creatively.

Neveu: Right. Lets say you get on a show. Youre probably getting paid minimum. Your agent takes 10%. Lawyer takes 5, manager takes 5, business manager takes a bit, taxes  you might end up with $20,000, $25,000. For a season. And you dont know when youre next job is coming.

Advertisement

If youre a young writer, in whats called a mini-room, youre basically doing development. Maybe the show gets picked up, maybe it doesnt. Meantime you havent had a chance to move up, because you were never on set. Ive had a number of friends and former students who ended up Zooming into a writers room (on a show), maybe writing one episode. And they havent left their house.

Gilio: The TV writers are really getting hit hard. Its not sustainable. All the models have changed: It used to be 26-episode seasons, and now, with streaming for a limited series its maybe six, eight episodes. Maybe you write one. And then they put you on hold for the rest of the year, which means you cant write for anyone else. This is why you have Emmy-winning writers getting second jobs.

Fuller: So how long do you think this strike is going to last?

Neveu: The last one went 100 days. I think this time, the studios assumed the public would think, Oh, those greedy writers. But the support has been so strong. The picket lines this time are jam-packed with young people with signs. Theyre there, theyre loud and theyre front-facing. When Mike and I walked in 2007, there were not young people with signs.

Gilio: Right. The last strike was basically the old guard. Now its a much younger crowd. The energys different. The strike may be long, but we have the resolve and the support of other unions. Netflix has never done this before; its their first strike. The Silicon Valley companies just arent accustomed to institutional unions the way movies are  people just want some sense of stability and fair compensation.

Fuller: And lets not forget: This is the generation that unionized Starbucks.

Advertisement

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
OUAGADOUGOU, May 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 33 people have been killed in a terrorist attack in northwestern Burkina Faso's Boucle du Mouhoun region, its governor said Saturday.

On Thursday around 5 p.m. local time (1700 GMT), the village of Youlou in the Tcheriba department of Mouhoun Province suffered a "cowardly and barbaric" terrorist attack, said governor Babo Pierre Bassinga in a statement.

"The armed men targeted peaceful citizens busy with their vegetable farming activities on the banks of the river, causing loss of life," said the governor, adding that the provisional toll was 33.

Since 2015, insecurity in the West African country has claimed many lives and displaced thousands of others. 
French President Emmanuel Macron believes that Russia has "already lost geopolitically" its war in Ukraine and is transforming into a vassal state of China.

That's according to The Guardian, Ukrinform reports.

"De facto, it has entered a form of subservience with regards to China and has lost its access to the Baltic, which was critical, because it prompted the decision by Sweden and Finland to join NATO. [] This was unthinkable just two years ago. So it's already a geopolitical defeat," Macron said in an interview with the Opinion newspaper.

He said that for Russia to lose the war, Ukraine needs assistance in its upcoming counteroffensive.

"Let's be clear, Russia must not win this war militarily. So it's up to us to see how to help the Ukrainians with their counteroffensive, and how to prepare the issue of security guarantees in the negotiations that will inevitably take place," he said.

Macron also noted that Europe's security architecture would have to fully defend Ukraine.

"I've always said that in the end, Europe's security architecture will have to fully defend Ukraine. But it must also envisage non-confrontation with Russia and rebuild a sustainable balance of forces," he said, adding: "But there are still many steps that must be taken before we get to that."
The office of French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Paris.

That's according to CNN, which cites a statement by the Elysee Palace.

According to the news outlet, Zelensky will visit Paris on Sunday for a working dinner with Macron at the Elysee Palace.

"This exchange will allow them to continue and deepen their dialogue of trust after their meeting last February 8 in Paris and their regular telephone exchanges since then," the statement said.

It added that during the meeting, Macron will "reaffirm the unfailing support of France and Europe to restore Ukraine's legitimate rights and defend its fundamental interests."

"This evening's discussion will therefore focus on the support that France continues to provide in response to Ukraine's urgent military and humanitarian needs. The two Presidents will also discuss the longer-term prospects for the return of peace in Europe, notably on the basis of the Peace Plan proposed by President Zelensky, which France supports," the Elysee Palace said.

The French media reported earlier that Zelensky might arrive in Paris on Sunday after his visit to Germany.

According to Le Figaro, French Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna will meet the Ukrainian leader at the airport.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
COLOMBO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard rescued six fishermen from a fishing trawler in distress off the country's southern coast on Sunday, said the Navy.

The Navy said in a press statement that the fishing trawler was at risk of sinking due to seeping sea water following adverse weather conditions while it was found at sea about 8 nautical miles off the Beruwala lighthouse.

The statement said the Navy and the Coast Guard are on constant alert to provide relief to the maritime and fishing community in distress within the search and rescue region of Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's meteorological department had warned fishermen to guard against heavy winds and rough seas due to a tropical cyclone. 
COLOMBO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- 11 people were injured in Sri Lanka on Sunday when a vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a tree in Sri Lanka's central highlands, said the police.

The police said they suspected the driver had fallen asleep, adding that those traveling in the vehicle belonged to a dance troupe.

All the injured have been admitted to a local hospital.

Road accidents are common in central Sri Lanka, especially when it's raining.

The meteorology department has warned of rainy weather in the coming days.

Some 19,740 road accidents were reported in Sri Lanka in 2022, killing 2,485 people, according to the police. 
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2023) US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo assured Americans on Sunday that the talks between White House officials and Republicans on raising the debt limit had been constructive.

"The conversations are constructive between all the parties and now the president looks forward to getting together with the leaders to talk about how we continue to make progress," he told CNN.

The White House and Republicans in Congress have been locked in a dispute on a deal that would avert an unprecedented national default as early as June.

Adeyemo described the prospect as "catastrophic."

President Joe Biden told his press pool on Saturday that the talks were moving along but that they were "not there yet." He has also suggested invoking the 14th Amendment to unilaterally raise the debt limit.

Asked whether Biden was really considering the move despite Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calling it legally questionable, Adeyemo said that Biden "did not think the 14th Amendment would solve our problems now."
(@FahadShabbir)

Ouagadougou, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2023 ) :Armed attackers killed at least 33 people when they opened fire on vegetable farmers in Burkina Faso, the governor of the Boucle du Mouhoun region said on Saturday.

Much of the country, including parts of western Boucle du Mouhoun region, has been under a state of emergency since March as the government seeks to combat militant attacks.

"On the evening of Thursday, May 11 at around 5:00 pm (1700 GMT), the village of Youlou in the department of Cheriba, Mouhoun province suffered a cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack," Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga said in a statement.

"The gunmen targeted peaceful civilians" who were farming along the river, he said, adding the "provisional death toll" was 33 people killed.

Local sources confirmed the presence of heavily armed assailants on motorcycles who fired indiscriminately.

The victims were buried on Friday.

In Cheriba, people also said three others were wounded in the attack, and that the perpetrators had burned property before shooting.

The governor said that security in the area was being enhanced.

Burkina Faso, which saw two military coups in 2022, has been battling a militant insurgency that crossed from Mali in 2015.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina's transitional president who staged the most recent coup on September 30, has set a goal of recapturing 40 percent of the country's territory, which is controlled by militants affiliated with the deadliest terrorist groups.

The violence has seen more than 10,000 killed -- both civilians and military -- according to the NGOs, and displaced an estimated two million people.
Teknaf, Bangladesh, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2023 ) :A major cyclone began crossing the Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts Sunday, the Bangladeshi meteorological department said.

Mocha "is now crossing Cox's Bazar-North Myanmar coast.

It (is) likely to move north-northeasterly direction and complete crossing Cox's Bazar-North Myanmar coasts near Sittwe by afternoon (Sunday)," the department said in a special bulletin.

It added the maximum sustained wind speed within around 75 kilometres (45 miles) of the centre of the cyclone was around 195 kilometres (120 miles) per hour with gusts and squalls of 215 kmph.

The Zoom Earth website tracking the weather system suggested that the eye of the storm was still off the coast and heading for around Sittwe.
Berlin, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2023 ) :Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called Germany a "true friend" in his country's battle against Russia, as Berlin pledged unwavering support for Kyiv ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive.

Berlin unveiled a new military package for Kyiv worth 2.7 billion Euros ($3 billion), its biggest yet for Ukraine, just before Zelensky's first visit to Germany since Russia's invasion.

"In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values," Zelensky wrote in the guestbook at the German president's official residence.

He also thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "powerful support" in the form of the armaments package, saying "Everything in this security package will significantly strengthen our defence".

"Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible," he said.

Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.

Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become the second-biggest contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems to the country, after the United States.

Scholz on Sunday reiterated Berlin's firm backing, telling Zelensky directly: "We will support you for as long as it is necessary." Zelensky said he would urge Scholz to support Ukraine's bid for fighter jet deliveries, though he did not specify if he was seeking aircraft directly from Germany.

Together with Scholz, Zelensky will head later Sunday to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize -- an honour awarded for efforts to foster European unity.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are also due to attend the ceremony in Aachen -- giving Zelensky the opportunity for direct talks ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik on Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan.

- 'Historical shame' - Zelensky's visit to Germany followed talks in Rome on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, and rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Berlin.

Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky.

Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country.

Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine.

In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame".

As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital.

High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, and the medium-range Iris-T missile defence system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes.

- 'Inaction' - On the front line, Russia said Sunday that two of its military commanders had been killed in combat near the flashpoint town of Bakhmut.

In a rare announcement of losses on the battlefield, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement that the commander of the 4th motorised rifle brigade, Vyacheslav Makarov, and Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of the Army Corps for military-political work, had been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The head of Russia's private Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin again accused the Russian army of inaction around Bakhmut.

In a post published by his press service, Prigozhin said the "airborne forces" of not backing his men as claimed by the defence ministry.

"I didn't see them... I don't know where they are and who they are helping" he charged.

Elsewhere, Moscow said Russian forces had struck Western arm depots and Ukrainian troops in the western city of Ternopil and the eastern town of Petropavlivka.
ISTANBUL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2023) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that the presidential and parliamentary elections are running smoothly so far and expressed hope that their outcome will be good for the Turkish people and the state.

"I have been following the process since morning, the interior minister told me that voting is going on without any problems or incidents at the moment," Erdogan told reporters after casting his ballot at a polling place in Istanbul's Uskudar district.

Erdogan, together with his wife, arrived at the polling place at around 11:45 a.m. (08:45 GMT), a Sputnik correspondent reported.

"It is very important that all our voters vote before 5:00 p.m. without any fear, to show the strength of democracy. I wish the outcome to be good for our democracy, our people and our state," he said.
WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2023) The Polish government has no intention to consider resignation of Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak over the incident with a fallen missile in the northern part of the country, government spokesman Piotr Muller said on Sunday.

On April 27, the Polish authorities said that the wreckage of an unidentified military object had been found near the northwestern Polish city of Bydgoszcz. The media reported later that it was a missile with inscriptions in Russian, fired as early as December 2022.

"There will be no such resignation," Muller told the TVN24 broadcaster in response to a question whether Blaszczak should resign.

The spokesman noted that the minister had previously established good rapports with generals of the Polish army.

"If there is a crack in this cooperation, then, this is bad. I agree with that.

If this situation can be fixed, then, everything possible must be done for this," he said.

Earlier this week, the RMF FM broadcaster reported that the fallen object may be an air-to-ground missile launched by the Polish military during a target exercise. Later, the same news outlet said, citing the results of the investigation, it was a Russian-made Kh-55 aviation cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warhead.

On Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that he had also become aware of the incident in late April. Shortly after, Blaszczak said that the military had received the information about the fallen missile on December 16, but had informed neither him nor other government services. The Polish military command, in turn, said that they had reported the incident to the country's leadership. Opposition called for Blaszczak's resignation.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2023) Over 1,500 UK troops will take part in a large-scale NATO exercise in Estonia later this month, the UK Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Hundreds of UK troops from across our Armed Forces will again train with personnel from 11 NATO nations, demonstrating the strength of our interoperability with partner nations and our combined commitment to the NATO Alliance," UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said.

The Spring Storm annual exercise will involve around 14,000 military and become the largest NATO drills this year, the ministry said. This year, the United Kingdom sent more troops following its decision to increase the number of its forces under the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) program.

Additionally, French troops, which are also part of the eFP, will participate in the drills.

"Our Battlegroup is fully integrated with 1st Estonian Brigade and brings a highly trained and capable UK and French troops to the field. We will be bringing a wide range of hard-hitting capabilities from Main Battle Tanks (MBT), anti-tank, and artillery to snipers, mortars, engineers and tactical air controllers," Lt. Col. Steve Wilson, commander of the Queen's Royal Hussars armored regiment said.

The NATO units will train various combat tactics, including trench storms, light infantry combat, coordination with armored vehicles and reconnaissance operations, according to the statement.
KUNMING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway has handled 13,310 cross-border passenger trips since the launch of its passenger service on April 13, according to the Mohan entry-exit border checkpoint.

During this period, the Chinese border town of Mohan in southwest Yunnan Province logged 7,024 inbound passenger trips and 6,286 outbound trips.

"It's very convenient to travel to China by train now. More and more tourists from Laos and Thailand are planning to travel to China," said Nhanxana, a Laotian tour guide.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operation in December 2021. The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. 
Thousands of people hunkered down Sunday in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall Sunday afternoon in Myanmar's Rakhine state near Sittwe township with winds of up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmar's Meteorological Department said. The storm previously passed over Bangladesh's Saint Martin's Island, causing damage and injuries, but turned away from the country's shores before landfall.

As night fell, the extent of the damage in Sittwe was not clear. Earlier in the day, high winds crumpled cell phone towers, cutting off communications in much of the area.

In videos collected by local media before communications were cut off, deep water races through streets while wind lashes trees and pulls boards off roofs.

Rakhine-based media reported that streets were flooded, trapping people in low-lying areas in their homes as worried relatives outside the township appealed for rescue.

Myanmar's military information office said the storm had damaged houses, electrical transformers, cell phone towers, boats and lampposts in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships. It said the storm also tore roofs off of sport buildings on the Coco Islands, about 425 kilometers (264 miles) southwest of the country's largest city, Yangon.

More than 4,000 of Sittwe's 300,000 residents were evacuated to other cities and more than 20,000 people were sheltering in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the city's highlands, said Tin Nyein Oo, who is volunteering in shelters in Sittwe.

Lin Lin, the chairman of a local charitable foundation, said there was not enough food in the shelters in Sittwe after more people arrived than expected.

Titon Mitra, the U.N. Development Program representative in Myanmar, tweeted: "Mocha has made landfall. 2m people at risk. Damage and losses are expected to be extensive. We are ready to respond and will need unhindered access to all affected communities."

Myanmar state television reported that the military government is preparing to send food, medicine and medical personnel to the storm-hit area. After battering Rakhine, the cyclone weakened and was forecast to hit the northwestern state of Chin and the central regions on Monday.

On Sunday morning, several deaths caused by wind and rain were reported in Myanmar.

A rescue team from the country's eastern Shan state announced on its Facebook social media page that they had recovered the bodies of a couple who were buried when a landslide caused by heavy rain hit their house in Tachileik township. Local media reported that a man was crushed to death when a banyan tree fell on him in Pyin Oo Lwin township in the central Mandalay region.

Authorities in the Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar, which lay in the storm's predicted path, said earlier that they had evacuated hundreds of thousands of people, but by early afternoon it appeared that the storm would mostly miss the country as it veered east, said Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Dhaka.

"The level of risk has reduced to a great extent in our Bangladesh," he told reporters.

Strong winds accompanied by rains continued in the Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal in the afternoon, but feared tidal surges did not take place because the cyclone started crossing Bangladesh coast at low tide, Dhaka-based Jamuna TV station reported.

About a dozen islanders were injured, while some 300 homes were either destroyed or damaged, leading Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo reported. One woman was critically wounded, it said.

U.N. agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh had prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in sprawling refugee camps that house more than 1 million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar.

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River Delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days. Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

"As long as oceans are warm and winds are favorable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period," Koll said.

Cyclones, giant storms similar to those known as hurricanes or typhoons in other parts of the world, are among the world's most devastating natural disasters, especially when they hit densely populated coastal regions.
A fragile cease-fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding Sunday after a five-day clash that killed 33 Palestinians and two people in Israel.

In an early test for the truce, Palestinian militants fired a rocket that landed in an open area of southern Israel Sunday evening. Palestinian media said the launch was caused by a technical error as militants were trying to deactivate the rocket.

Israel responded with tank fire on what it said were two military posts belonging to Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group. Hamas stayed out of the recent round of fighting, but Israel says it holds the group responsible for fire coming out of the territory.

The latest round of Gaza fighting was sparked Tuesday when Israeli jets killed three top commanders from the Islamic Jihad militant group in response to earlier rocket launches from Gaza. Those killings set off a barrage of militant fire and the conflagration threatened to drag the region into another all-out war until Egypt mediated a cease-fire that took hold late Saturday.

While the calm appeared to bring a sense of relief to Gaza's 2 million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been largely confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled numerous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip over the years.

In Gaza, residents surveyed the latest damage caused to their surroundings, with gaping holes left in the apartments serving as what Israel said were hideouts for the six senior Islamic Jihad members killed during this round. Gazas main cargo crossing with Israel reopened Sunday after warnings that keeping it closed would force Gaza's sole power plant to shut down, deepening a power crisis.

Israel was gradually lifting restrictions on residents in southern Israel, which had borne the brunt of the rocket fire.

Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the latest battle, having killed at least six members of Islamic Jihad's top brass in what it says were pinpointed strikes based on solid intelligence. But at least 13 of those killed in Gaza were civilians, among them children as young as 4 years old, as well as women.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the targeted attacks on the militants' hideouts would reverberate around the region.

Israels enemies in Gaza and much farther than Gaza know that even if they try to hide, we are able and prepared to reach them at any time, he told a meeting of his Cabinet.

Israel has faced criticism in the past from rights groups over the civilian casualties in its bombardments in Gaza. Israel says it does its utmost to avoid harming civilians in its strikes and says militants operate from within the territory's densely populated areas to fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli communities.

Even if some of the strikes were precise, others destroyed the homes of uninvolved Palestinians.

"If they want to target a house, let them target it alone. Why destroy the whole neighborhood? Why? said Mai Sarson, whose house in Deir el-Balah was reduced to ruins in an Israeli strike.

Throughout the fighting, Israel's repeated airstrikes targeting Islamic Jihad and its command centers and rocket-launching sites showed no signs of stopping the rocket fire, prompting Islamic Jihad to declare victory and sending cheering Palestinians out into the streets late Saturday.

The Israeli military reported over 1,400 launches throughout the fighting, with some rockets reaching as far as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Israeli jets struck more than 400 targets, according to a preliminary military tally, which also showed about a fifth of the rockets were misfired and landed in Gaza, while most of the rest were either intercepted or landed in open areas.

An 80-year-old woman and a Palestinian laborer who was working inside Israel were killed by rocket fire. A Palestinian human rights group said three people, including two children, were killed in Gaza by errant rockets.

It was the latest in a long series of battles between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the seaside territory in 2007. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars, and there have been numerous smaller flareups as well.

The more powerful Hamas has praised Islamic Jihads strikes but remained on the sidelines during the latest round of fighting, limiting the scope of the conflict. As the de facto government held responsible for the abysmal conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently tried to keep a lid on its conflict with Israel. Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, a more ideological and unruly militant group wedded to violence, has taken the lead in the past few rounds of fighting with Israel.

Saturdays deal did not address many of the causes of the repeated fighting, including Israels ongoing blockade of Gaza, the large arsenals of weapons possessed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

The Gaza violence came after more than a year of fighting in the occupied West Bank, where the Israeli military has been staging near-nightly arrest raids and Palestinians have carried out repeated attacks. Tensions could once again soar this week when nationalist Israelis hold an annual march through a sensitive area of Jerusalem's Old City, which the Palestinians view as provocative.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three areas for a future state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but Hamas subsequently overran the territory and expelled forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade over Gaza in what Israel says is a policy aimed at preventing Hamas from arming militants. The Palestinians and international rights groups say the policy, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, amounts to collective punishment.
In the southern Chilean city of Santa Juana, hit hard by wildfires earlier this year, locals have a special taskforce helping fight blazes: a herd of goats.

The goats have already saved the native forest of the Bosques de Chacay once in February, preventing the park from being consumed by forest fires - fueled by heatwaves and a punishing drought - that left dozens dead, thousands injured and almost 440,000 hectares destroyed in south-central Chile.

"The park was surrounded by fires, but it ended up being the only green spot left," said Rocio Cruces, cofounder of the 16-hectare (40-acre) park, and "Buena Cabra," a project that uses goats to build firebreaks.

The technique, also used in Portugal and Spain, relies on grazing goats to control dry pastures and other vegetation that fuel forest fires in the summer. Goat droppings also help enrich the soil and prevent further erosion.

"The fire reached our forest but only the first line of trees was really affected, less than 10% of the park," Cruces said, adding that small fires broke out but did not advance due to minimal brush.

Cruces started the project after deadly wildfires in 2017. Her flock has since grown from 16 goats to 150 and she hopes to inspire others to follow suit.

"In Chile we are failing in fire prevention," said Francisco Di Napoli, a forestry engineer from the University of Concepcion in Chile who is familiar with the technique, known as "strategic grazing."

"These animals can help us a lot," Di Napoli said, adding that other organizations should "evaluate where it can be applied, find where there's fuel and have the goats eat it."
Chinas bid for dominance in East Asia appears to have achieved what years of U.S. efforts could not  prompt a reconciliation between feuding American allies Japan and South Korea.

The leaders of South Korea and Japan came together officially this week for the second time this year, emphasizing that security situations in the region compelled them to work together.

"Grave international circumstances" and a "complex set of global crises" necessitate cooperation between South Korea and Japan, said South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol without naming specific countries at his second bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on May 7-8.

After 12 years of strained relations stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation of Korea, the two countries opted to mend fences when Yoon visited Tokyo in March.

While North Korea and its missile threats were their most immediate focus, "there is no doubt that China and [its] regional assertiveness weighed heavily on the minds of both countries," said Evans Revere, who served as acting assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs during the George W. Bush administration.

South Korea-Japan reconciliation offers a chance for them "to work together, and in conjunction with the United States, to make clear to Beijing that they will not accept [its] attempt to achieve regional dominance," he said.

China has increasingly become aggressive in the region, with South Korea, Japan and Taiwan all claiming that Beijing has been intruding into their territorial waters and airspaces.

At a meeting in January, the U.S. and Japan expressed concern about China's attempts "to reshape the international order to its benefit and employ China's growing political and economic, military and technological power to that end."

The two nations also said they opposed "China's intensified attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea."

Trilateral ties

The restoration of ties between Washington's staunchest allies in Asia also provides opportunities for the Biden administration to form a united front against China, which seeks to undermine the international rules-based order in its quest to dominate the region vis-a-vis the U.S., according to experts.

"The Biden administration [has been] pushing very hard for both to restore normal functioning of their relationship to make it easier to facilitate trilateral security cooperation on such issues as making supply chains more resilient and slowing the transfer of advanced electronics technology to China, said Daniel Sneider, a lecturer in East Asian studies at Stanford University.

"The more that the three countries can cooperate together on everything from missile defense to maritime security, the easier it is for the U.S. to be able to fulfill its broader" security goal, he said.

Soo Kim, a former CIA analyst and currently Policy Practice Area lead at LMI Consulting, said via email, "The outcome of the Yoon-Kishida summit puts the three countries one step closer towards the direction of strengthening their efforts to counter Chinese aggression in the region."

Though the leaders of South Korea and Japan did not mention China by name, the areas in which they agreed to cooperate align with U.S. goals in the region.

The Biden administration has been trying to limit the flow of advanced technologies like semiconductors into China to prevent Beijing from using the components in military applications.

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair in Korea studies at Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies, said, "The two sides' decision to strengthen security and economic cooperation are in part a response to greater Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, and not just North Korean threats."

Military and economy

As Kishida said at the post-summit joint news conference on Sunday, Seoul and Tokyo have been discussing how to link their radar with that of the U.S. so all can share data on North Korea's missile activities in live time.

Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst focusing on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region at RAND Corporation, said in a telephone interview, "They're all going to talk about how it's related to North Korea, but we know that under the surface, what you can do against North Korea, you can also try to do against China.

"So when Japan and South Korea say, 'We're going to share information on missile defense,' China immediately thinks, 'That must be about us, too.' "

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Tuesday at a press briefing that the allies' efforts to integrate their radar systems to track North Korea's missiles "hurt the strategic security interests of other countries" and criticized the trilateral military cooperation of Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

At the meeting of the Group of Seven countries next week in Hiroshima, the leaders of the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada, France, Germany and Italy are expected to discuss China's economic practices. Yoon has been invited to attend.
Around 200,000 people have been displaced due to flash flooding in central Somalia, a regional official told AFP Saturday, as the Shabelle River burst its banks and submerged roads.

Inhabitants of Beledweyne town in the Hiran region were forced out of their homes as heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise sharply, with residents carrying their belongings on top of their heads as they waded through flooded streets in search of refuge.

"Some 200,000 people are now displaced due to the Shabelle River flash floods in Beledweyne town and the number may increase any time. It is a preliminary figure now," said Ali Osman Hussein, deputy governor for social affairs in the Hiran region.

"We are doing all we can to help those who are affected," he told AFP.

The region's deputy governor Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle said Friday that three people were killed by the floods.

The disaster comes on the heels of a record drought that has left millions of Somalis on the brink of famine, with the troubled nation also battling an Islamist insurgency for decades.

Residents told AFP they were forced to abandon their homes in the middle of the night earlier this week as water gushed through the streets and into buildings.

Fartun Ali  not her real name  said it was her fifth time fleeing flash flooding in Beledweyne.

"Whenever the river breaks the banks, we flee," the 35-year-old mother of eight told AFP.

No time to pack

Another resident, Iman Badal Omar, said he was relieved to escape with his life.

"All we could do was to evacuate and save our children. We did not take any of our belongings," he told AFP.

East and central Africa suffer from extreme weather during the rainy seasons.

Earlier this month, 135 people were killed and more than 9,000 left homeless after heavy rains lashed Rwanda, triggering floods and landslides in several parts of the hilly nation.

More than 400 people lost their lives due to torrential downpours, floods and landslides last week in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Intensity due to climate change

Experts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change  and Africa, which contributes the least to global warming, is bearing the brunt.

In May 2020, at least 65 people died in Rwanda as heavy rains pounded the region, while at least 194 deaths were reported in Kenya.

At the end of 2019, at least 265 people died and tens of thousands were displaced during two months of relentless rainfall in several countries in East Africa.

The extreme downpours affected close to 2 million people and washed away tens of thousands of livestock in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Group of Seven (G-7) rich nations is set to agree on establishing a new program to distribute vaccines to developing countries at next week's summit of leaders, Japan's Yomiuri newspaper said Saturday.

In addition to the G-7, G-20 nations such as India and international groups such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank will participate, it added, citing Japanese government sources.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVAX facility, backed by WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), delivered nearly 2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccine to 146 countries.

However, COVAX faced setbacks in ensuring equitable access, as wealthy nations prioritized shots for their citizens while insufficient storage facilities in poorer nations caused supply delays and disposal of millions of close-to-expiry doses.

The new program aims to pool rainy-day funds for vaccine production and purchases, as well as investment in low-temperature storages and training of health workers to prepare for the next global pandemic, the Yomiuri said.

Japan, this year's chair of the G-7 meetings, looks to build support from emerging nations on wide-ranging issues such as supply chains, food security and climate change to counter the growing influence of China and Russia.

Saturday's meeting of G-7 finance ministers agreed to offer aid to low- and middle-income countries to help increase their role in supply chains for energy-related products.

At a meeting Saturday, G-7 finance and health ministers called for a new global financing framework to "deploy necessary funds quickly and efficiently in response to outbreaks without accumulating idle cash," they said in a statement.

The G-7 will collaborate with the WHO and the World Bank, which manages an international pandemic fund, to explore the new funding scheme ahead of an August meeting of G-20 finance and health ministers in India, they said.

The G-7 grouping of Britain, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, is considering whether to issue a statement on a global pandemic response at the May 19-21 summit in Japan's city of Hiroshima, the Yomiuri said.
A cease-fire was in effect on the Gaza Strip Sunday, drawing people back into the streets after five days of cross-border exchanges killed at least 34 Palestinians and one Israeli.

The truce got off to a rough start after the final 30 minutes running up to the expected Saturday 10 p.m. (1900 GMT) deadline saw a volley of fire.

Dozens of rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel, prompting renewed air strikes, AFP correspondents in the territory said.

Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defenses.

A few more rockets were fired after 1900 GMT, followed by fresh Israeli strikes, before things appeared to calm down.

Two rockets were fired from Gaza after 11 p.m. (2000 GMT) with no victims, the Israeli army said.

Egypt brokered the latest cease-fire, saying it had secured agreement from both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad.

"Israel's National Security Adviser Tsahi Hanegbi ... thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and expressed the State of Israel's appreciation for Egypt's vigorous efforts to bring about a cease-fire," a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office said.

Israel's response to the Egyptian initiative means "quiet will be answered by quiet, and if Israel is attacked or threatened it will continue to do everything it needs to do in order to defend itself," he said.

A Palestinian source confirmed Islamic Jihad's agreement.

"We want to thank Egypt for its efforts," Islamic Jihad political department official Mohammad al-Hindi told AFP. He has been in Cairo since the fighting erupted Tuesday.

'What have we done?'

For days, life in Gaza and Israeli communities near the border has been a daily routine of air strikes and sirens warning of incoming rocket fire.

Residents in the crowded Gaza Strip cowered indoors as the fighting raged, with streets empty and only a few shops and pharmacies open.

"The whole Palestinian people are suffering," Muhammad Muhanna, 58, told AFP in the ruins of his home. "What have we done?"

In Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, a dead donkey lay in the ruins of a row of buildings levelled in an Israeli strike.

"No one is safe in their homes," said Imad Rayan, 64.

A spokesperson for the interior ministry in Gaza said on the final day of its campaign the Israeli military had concentrated on "targeting civilians, residential and civilian buildings."

There had been mounting calls for a cease-fire to be agreed, including from Israel's closest ally, the United States.

The White House welcomed the agreement and commended Egypt and Qatar's roles in defusing hostilities.

"U.S. officials worked closely with regional partners to achieve this resolution to the hostilities to prevent further loss of life and restore calm for both Israelis and Palestinians," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Saturday.

Egypt had kept up its mediation effort despite repeated setbacks.

On Saturday, shrapnel from a rocket fired from Gaza hit a building site in Sdot Negev, just over the border into Israel, killing one man and wounding another. Both were day laborers from Gaza.

Islamic Jihad said its fighters were pursuing "missile strikes on Israeli cities" in revenge for Israeli "assassinations" of their commanders and strikes on populated areas.

The exchange of fire came after the Palestinian health ministry reported the death of two men aged 19 and 32 in an Israeli army raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement said the two men killed in the raid were members of its armed wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

Deadliest fighting since August

The current bout of violence erupted Tuesday when Israeli strikes on Gaza killed three leading Islamic Jihad members. Three other senior figures from the Palestinian militant group were killed in later strikes.

They are among at least 34 lives lost in the fighting inside Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry.

There have been two deaths in Israel, one of them the Gazan day laborer.

The other was an Israeli killed Thursday when rocket fire struck the central city of Rehovot.

The army said nearly 1,100 rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel in the current fighting, including 300 intercepted by its air defenses.

Gaza, a coastal enclave that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, has been plagued by poverty and unemployment since Israel imposed a blockade in 2007 when the Islamist movement Hamas took control.

The territory has seen numerous wars between militant groups and Israel since the Hamas takeover.

This week's fighting was the worst in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since an August flare-up that killed nearly 50 Palestinians.

The conflict has escalated since veteran Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power late last year, heading a coalition of extreme right and ultra-Orthodox parties.
When she was a girl in South Africa's Northern Cape, Katrina Esau stopped speaking her mother tongue, N|uu, after being mocked by other people and told it was an "ugly language."

Now at age 90, she is the last known speaker of N|uu, one of a group of indigenous languages in South Africa that have been all but stamped out by the impacts of colonialism and apartheid.

"We became ashamed when we were young girls, and we stopped speaking the language," Esau told Reuters. Instead she spoke Afrikaans, the language promoted by South Africa's white minority rulers.

Later, as an adult, Esau realized the importance of preserving her mother tongue and founded a school in her home town of Upington to try to pass it on.

N|uu was spoken by one of many hunter-gatherer groups that populated Southern Africa before the arrival of European colonizers. These indigenous people spoke dozens of languages in the San family, many of which have gone extinct.

"During colonialism and apartheid, Ouma Katrina and other (indigenous) groups were not allowed to speak their languages, their languages were frowned upon, and that is how we got to the point where we are with minimal speakers," said Lorato Mokwena, a linguist from South Africa's University of the Western Cape.

"It's important that while Ouma Katrina is around, that we do the best that we can to preserve the language and to document it," she said.

Ouma, or "grandmother" Katrina started teaching N|uu to local children around 2005 and later opened a school with her granddaughter and language activist Claudia Snyman.

But the school property was vandalized during the COVID-19 lockdown, and now lies abandoned.

"I am very concerned. The language isn't where it's supposed to be yet. If Ouma dies, then everything dies," said Snyman, whose dream is to one day open her own school and continue her grandmother's legacy.

"I'll do anything in my power to help her to prevent this language from dying," Snyman said.

Esau has two living sisters but they do not speak N|uu, and she does not know anyone else who does, save the family members and children to whom she has taught some words and phrases.

"I miss speaking to someone," she said. "It doesn't feel good. You talk, you walk, you know  you miss someone who can just sit with you and speak N|uu with you."
DHAKA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from countries that impose sanctions against it.

The prime minister made the remarks on Saturday when inaugurating the 60th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka.

"There is now a tendency to impose sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have made a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will impose sanctions," said the prime minister.

Hasina had earlier slammed the U.S. sanctions on officials of Bangladesh's special security force unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) over alleged rights abuse, saying the move was "very condemnable act."

She said the elite force has immensely contributed to the South Asian country's efforts in containing militancy and terrorism.

In December 2021, the U.S. Departments of Treasury and the Department of State imposed human rights-related sanctions on the RAB and its seven incumbent and former top officials. 
Mali's military junta on Saturday denounced as fictitious and biased a United Nations report that said the army and foreign fighters executed at least 500 people during a 2022 anti-jihadi operation.

Denouncing revelations that the U.N. had used satellites to gather information for its report, the authorities also announced an investigation into what it called espionage.

The statement came a day after the U.N. released its long-awaited report into the events that unfolded in the central town of Moura between March 27-31, 2022.

"No civilian from Moura lost their life during the military operation," said a statement read out on state television by government spokesperson colonel Abdoulaye Maiga. "Among the dead, there were only terrorist fighters."

Condemning what it called a "biased report based on a fictitious narrative," the government also expressed surprise that the U.N. investigators had used satellites above Moura to gather information, without government clearance.

It was launching an investigation into espionage, attack on the external security of the state and "military conspiracy," it added.

The figures cited by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights amount to the worst atrocity the Sahel country has experienced since a jihadi insurgency flared in 2012.

It is also the most damning document yet against Mali's armed forces and their foreign allies.

The nationality of the foreign fighters is not explicitly identified in the report, but Mali has brought in Russians that Western countries and others say are Wagner mercenaries.
The Russian news outlet Kommersant said two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters were shot down Saturday close to the Ukrainian border.

Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters that made up a raiding party had been "shot down almost simultaneously" in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine.

"According to preliminary data ... the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up  among other things to pick up the 'Su' crews if they were shot down."

The Russian state news agency TASS said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause. It also cited an emergency services official as saying an engine fire in a helicopter had caused it to crash near Klintsy, which is about 40 kilometers from the border.

It made no mention of the Su-35, or of a second helicopter.

There was no official response from Ukraine, which usually declines to comment on reports of attacks inside Russia.

Kommersant provided no evidence for its report that four aircraft had been downed, but the same assertion was also made by several heavily followed pro-war military bloggers.

Earlier this month, explosions derailed freight trains on two consecutive days in the Bryansk region.

Earlier Saturday, Ukraines deputy defense minister Hanna Malyar said Ukrainian troops were advancing in two directions in the eastern city of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian and Russian officials both say pro-Kyiv forces have started to push back in and around Bakhmut after blunting a monthslong offensive by troops loyal to Moscow that left much of the city in ruins.

Russia acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Bakhmut ahead of a long-promised counteroffensive by Ukraine to retake more territory it lost after the start of the war last year.

"Our troops are gradually advancing in two directions in the suburbs of Bakhmut ... however, the situation in the city itself is more complicated," Malyar wrote on Telegram.

Much of the fighting in Bakhmut is being led by the Wagner group of mercenaries. In a Telegram post, founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said his men had advanced up to 550 meters in some directions on Saturday and said Ukrainian forces controlled less than 1.78 square kilometers of the city center.
Serbian authorities on Sunday displayed many of around 13,500 weapons they say people have been handed over since this month's mass shootings, including hand grenades, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket launchers.

The authorities have declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to hand over unregistered weapons or face prison sentences as part of a crackdown on guns following the two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, many of them children.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic accompanied top police officials on Sunday for the weapons' display near the town of Smederevo, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the capital, Belgrade.

Vucic said approximately half of the weapons collected were illegal while the other half were registered weapons that citizens nonetheless handed over. He added the weapons will go to Serbia's arms and ammunitions factories for potential use by the armed forces.

"After June 8, the state will respond with repressive measures and punishments will be very strict," he said of the post-amnesty period. "What does anyone need an automatic weapon for? Or all these guns?"

Serbia is estimated to be among the top countries in Europe in guns per capita. Many are left over from the wars of the 1990s and held illegally.

Other anti-gun measures are to include stricter controls of gun owners and shooting ranges.

Authorities launched the gun crackdown after a 13-year-old boy on May 3 took his father's gun and opened fire on his fellow-students in an elementary school in central Belgrade. A day later, a 20-year-old used an automatic weapon to shoot randomly in a rural area south of Belgrade.

The two mass shootings left 17 people dead and 21 wounded, stunning the nation and triggering calls for changes in the country that has been through decades of turmoil and crises.

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in two protest marches in Belgrade since the shootings, demanding resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures.

Vucic on Sunday rejected opposition calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was also present at Sunday's weapons display. But the president suggested that the government might resign and that he will announce an early election at a rally he has planned for May 26 in Belgrade.

"We have no intention of replacing [interior minister] Gasic, who is doing a great job," said Vucic. "What have police done wrong?"

Opposition politicians have accused Vucic's populist authorities of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions, which they say stokes divisions in society.

On Friday, the protesters in Belgrade blocked a key bridge and motorway in the capital to press their demands. Protests also have been held in other Serbian cities and towns, in an outpouring of grief and anger over the shootings and the populist authorities.

Vucic has described the bridge blockade as harassment, while he and other officials and media under his control sought to downplay the numbers of protesters.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held his last election rallies in Istanbul on Saturday, accusing the opposition of working with U.S. President Joe Biden to topple him while making a final appeal ahead of the biggest challenge to his 20-year rule.

Polls show Erdogan trailing the main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu a day ahead of one of the most consequential elections in Turkey's modern history. However, if neither of them wins more than 50% of the vote and secures an outright win, the vote will go to a runoff May 28.

Voters will also elect a new parliament, likely a tight race between the People's Alliance comprising Erdogan's conservative Islamist-rooted AK Party (AKP) and the nationalist MHP and others, and Kilicdaroglu's Nation Alliance formed of six opposition parties, including his secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), established by Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Polls will open at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT). By late on Sunday there could be a good indication of whether there will be a runoff vote for the presidency.

Erdogan's campaign over the past month has focused on his government's achievements in the defense industry and infrastructure projects, and his assertion that the opposition would roll back such developments.

One of his talking points has been that the opposition is receiving orders from the West, and that they will bow down to Western nations' wishes if elected.

At a rally in Istanbul's Umraniye district, Erdogan recalled comments made by Biden and published by The New York Times in January 2020, when he was campaigning for the White House. At that time, Biden said Washington should encourage Erdogan's opponents to defeat him electorally, stressing he should not be ousted in a coup.

"Biden gave the order to topple Erdogan, I know this. All my people know this," said Erdogan, 69. "If that is the case, then the ballots tomorrow will give a response to Biden too," he added.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Turkey was a long-standing U.S. ally and Washington would be following the election closely but added: "The United States does not take sides in elections.

"Our only interest is in the democratic process, which should be both free and fair. We trust that Turkish authorities will carry out the election in keeping with its long, proud democratic tradition and its laws," the spokesperson said.

Erdogan also criticized Kilicdaroglu for his comments on Russia, calling Moscow an important partner for Turkey. "Russia has been one of our most important allies regarding agriculture products," he said.

Kilicdaroglu told Reuters on Friday that his party has concrete evidence of Russia's responsibility for the release of "deep fake" online content ahead of Sunday's elections. He did not present the evidence and Reuters could not independently verify it.

But he added that if he wins the presidency, he will maintain Ankara's good ties with Moscow. Turkey is a member of NATO, but it has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

Russia categorically rejects Kilicdaroglu's accusations of election interference, domestic news agencies cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Saturday.

Anticipation and excitement are running high among Turks in the run-up to the vote with some concerned about rising tensions, even violence, when the results come in.

While there has been concern about how Erdogan might react if he loses, the president said in a televised interview on Friday that he would accept the outcome of the election, no matter the result.

Kilicdaroglu, a 74-year-old former civil servant, did not hold a rally Saturday but visited Ataturk's mausoleum in Ankara. He was accompanied by crowds of his supporters each carrying a single carnation to lay on the tomb.

The president's re-election efforts have relied heavily on accusing the opposition of cooperating with Kurdish militants and those Ankara holds responsible for a 2016 coup attempt.

Kilicdaroglu is a "separatist," Erdogan later said in Kasimpasa, an AK Party stronghold where he grew up. "Whatever the terrorists in Qandil are, unfortunately, that is what (Kilicdaroglu) is," he added, referring to the location where leaders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are based.

Kilicdaroglu has denied such accusations.

Tension has risen in the days leading up to the election, with Kilicdaroglu wearing a bulletproof vest to his rallies on Friday in response to intelligence his party received about an attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.

Macrons office announced the Paris leg of Zelenskyys trip, and France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday.

Macrons office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will reaffirm France and Europes unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests.

They'll also discuss Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs and the more long-term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe," Macron's office said.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air-defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and fuel.

Before flying to Paris, Zelenskyy discussed his country's planned counteroffensive with Scholz in Berlin. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not to attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Watch related video by Arash Arabasadi:

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild whats been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germanys political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russias air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesnt have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

Thats what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia arent circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyivs efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

French media reported that Zelenskyy planned to travel on to Paris late Sunday, but officials at the president and prime ministers office wouldnt confirm.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief-of-staff, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people  a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man  in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in the future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a "fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russia's air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesn't have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system Berlin has provided to Kyiv.

That's what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia aren't circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Germany said it supports Kyiv's efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After talks with Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity," he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

French media reported that Zelenskyy planned to travel on to Paris late Sunday, but officials at the president and prime ministers office wouldnt confirm.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday that the number of migrants trying to cross into the United States from Mexico since border entry rules were changed late last week has dropped nearly in half but that it was too early to know whether the surge in migration has peaked.

U.S. immigration officials had been expecting a huge surge in the number of migrants walking across the border when it ended a three-year policy late Thursday that called for the automatic expulsion back to Mexico based on fears of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Watch related video by Veronica Balderas Iglesias:

Now the U.S. has adopted a system requiring migrants to seek U.S. asylum before arriving at the border, either through an internet connection that has proved less than fully reliable or at migration centers in other countries they have passed through to get to the U.S.

Mayorkas told CNNs State of the Union show that about 10,000 migrants a day had been crossing the border before the rule change, and in many cases were quickly expelled. But he said border agents only encountered 6,300 on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday.

Still, immigration officials say thousands more are encamped in northern Mexico and could try to enter the U.S. in the coming days or weeks.

Republican Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABCs This Week show, I do think there are caravans [of migrants] going up. I think they still want to get in.

McCaul said that in the last two and a half years, Weve had 5 million people enter this country illegally, 5.1 [million] get-a-ways. Its unsustainable.

Mayorkas credited the smaller numbers of migrants trying to enter the U.S. so far to warnings that the U.S. border was not open and that there was a lawful, if time-consuming, way to enter the U.S., by filing papers for asylum in the U.S., even though relatively few migrants could eventually win approval.

We have communicated very clearly, a vitally important message to the individuals who are thinking of arriving at our southern border, he said. There is a lawful, safe and orderly way to arrive in the United States that is through the [asylum] pathways that President [Joe] Biden has expanded in an unprecedented way.

And then theres a consequence if one does not use those lawful pathways, he said. And that consequence is removal from the United States, a deportation and encountering a five-year ban on reentry and possible criminal prosecution.

Mayorkas contended that by setting clear asylum rules, the U.S. will cut out migration smugglers charging migrants thousands of dollars to try to reach the U.S. He called it not only a security imperative, but a humanitarian responsibility.

With the end to immediate expulsions related to the concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, the Biden administration has drawn attacks from Republicans that the new response is too weak and from some Democrats that it is too cumbersome and inhumane in that too few asylum requests are likely to be granted.

Republicans in the House of Representatives, with no Democratic support, last week approved immigration legislation calling for completion of a U.S.-Mexico border wall that was started by former President Donald Trump but abandoned by Biden. The Democratic-controlled Senate, however, is unlikely to even consider the measure.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell in Florida last week blocked the Biden administration from releasing migrants it has detained into the general U.S. population if detention facilities at the border are overcrowded. Mayorkas said the ruling is being appealed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received vocal backing from Italian leaders in Rome on Saturday as Germany announced a $3 billion military aid package for Kyiv, ahead of a meeting the Ukrainian leader will have with German leaders in Berlin on Sunday.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Zelenskyy during his visit to Rome that "we are fully at your side." Italian sources said Mattarella later assured the Ukrainian leader that Rome would continue to aid the country with military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

The Ukrainian leader later met with 86-year-old Pope Francis at the Vatican, where they discussed aid for the victims of the Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy presented the pope with a bulletproof vest that had been used by a Ukrainian soldier and later painted with an image of the Madonna.

"The meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes, focused on the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine," the Vatican press service said.

The pontiff last month told reporters that the Vatican was involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict triggered by Russia's invasion.

But when asked by Italian TV about the pope's efforts, Zelenskyy said, "With all respect to the pope, the thing is that we don't need mediators between Ukraine and the aggressor who has occupied our territories, but an action plan for a just peace in Ukraine."

'Betting on Ukraine's victory'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also hosted Zelenskyy for a working lunch at her official residence at the Chigi Palace in Rome where he was received with military honors.

Speaking beside Zelenskyy, she said that "we are betting on Ukraine's victory," adding that Italy will support Kyiv "for as long as necessary" against Russia's "brutal and unjust aggression."

In Berlin, the German Defense Ministry announced a new package of military equipment for Ukraine worth $3 billion.

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

The package includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 15 Gepard antiaircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T antiaircraft systems including ammunition, additional artillery ammunition and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.

Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin over the weekend, according to his Twitter account. While in Germany, he is expected to meet in the capital with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and travel to the city of Aachen to receive a prestigious award.
ROME  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, saying it was a great honor to meet with the pontiff, who has previously offered to do what he can to try to end the war launched by Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago.

Zelenskyy held his hand to his heart as the pope, using a cane, came to greet him before ushering the Ukrainian leader into a papal studio. "Thank you for your visit, Francis said, as their 40-minute-long meeting began.

In a written statement, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraine's "humanitarian and political situation provoked by the war going on.''

"The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last year,'' the Vatican said, a reference to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, by Russia's military.

Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts to help the population. The pope underlined in particular the urgent need for humanitarian gestures toward the most fragile persons, innocent victims of the conflict," the statement read.

Last month, Ukraines prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, met with Francis at the Vatican and said he asked the pontiff to help Ukraine get back children illegally taken to Russia during the invasion.

Saturday's communique from the Vatican made no mention of that, and there were no immediate details from Zelenskyy's side about his meeting with the pontiff.

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy met with Italian officials after his morning flight to Rome. He received pledges of both open-ended military and financial support, as well as stronger backing for Ukraine's cherished aim to join the European Union.

The message is clear and simple, Meloni said, flanked by Zelenskyy as the two briefed reporters after their meeting at her office, which lasted more than an hour. "The future of Ukraine is a future of peace and freedom. And it's the future of Europe, a future of peace and freedom, for which there are no other possible solutions.

Meloni, who had met with Zelenskyy in Ukraine in February, just ahead of the anniversary of the invasion, renewed her pledge to champion Ukraine's EU ambitions, saying Ukraine was moving ahead with required reforms despite the war.

The premier, who staunchly backs military aid for Ukraine, said Italy would back the country 360 degrees for all the time necessary and beyond.

But while her far-right Brothers of Italy party champions the principle of national sovereignty, Meloni has had to contend with leaders of two coalition partners who for years have openly professed their admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Coalition ally Silvio Berlusconi, a former premier, has boasted of his friendship with Putin, while another government ally, League leader Matteo Salvini, has questioned the value of economic sanctions against Russia.

Zelenskyy began his official meetings by calling on Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the presidential Quirinale Palace.

We are fully at your side, Mattarella told Zelenskyy as he welcomed him. Later, after their meeting, presidential palace sources said Mattarella assured his guest that Italy would continue supporting Ukraine militarily and financially, as well as with reconstruction and humanitarian aid, in both the short and long term.

Since the war began, Italy has furnished about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in military and financial aid, as well as humanitarian assistance.

Zelenskyy is believed to be heading to Berlin next for what would be his first visit to Germany since the war began. The exact schedule hadn't been publicly announced because of security concerns. Italian state radio reported that as part of protective measures, a no-fly zone was ordered for the skies over Rome and police sharpshooters were strategically placed on high buildings.

Francis had previously met with Zelenskyy in 2020. At the end of April, flying back to Rome from a trip to Hungary, Francis told reporters on the plane that the Vatican was involved in a behind-the-scenes peace mission but gave no details. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed such an initiative.

He has said he would like to go to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, if such a visit could be coupled with one to Moscow, in hopes a papal pilgrimage could further the cause of peace.

The German government, meanwhile, said it was providing Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin wanted to show with the latest package of arms that Germany is serious in its support for Ukraine.

Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes, he said.

Other developments:

 Some Ukrainian units continue to push forward near Bakhmut, the commander of Ukraines land forces said Saturday, just a day after Ukrainian commanders said their troops recaptured territory at the scene of the wars longest and bloodiest battle.

 Russian shelling Saturday wounded at least seven civilians in Ukraines south and northeast, regional Ukrainian officials said. Two women, a man and a teenage boy suffered wounds as Russian forces shelled the village of Khatnie, in the northeastern Kharkiv region, the local prosecutors office said.

 Shelling hit the center of Huliaipole, a town in the southern Zaporizhzhia province, and wounded a civilian, presidential aide Andriy Yermak said. Two other civilians were hurt in the village of Chornobaivka.

 A massive Russian barrage overnight damaged an energy facility in Ukraines western Khmelnytskyi region, the Ukrainian energy ministry said Saturday. It added that the power supply in the region wasn't affected. The mayor of the regional capital said that 11 civilians were wounded or injured overnight because of a Russian missile strike.

 Russian forces Friday and overnight resumed their shelling of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region, killing a civilian, local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram on Saturday. Four civilians were killed over the same period in Ukraines front-line Donetsk province in the east, its Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said Saturday.

 Russian forces overnight launched at least 21 Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukrainian territory, 17 of which were shot down, Ukraine's air force said Saturday. One of the drones hit unspecified infrastructure facilities in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

 Russian shelling overnight wounded three civilians in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, the mayor said Saturday. One person was hospitalized, while the two others were treated on the spot.

 Russian shelling Saturday killed two civilians and wounded 10 more in Kostyantynivka, a city less than 30 kilometers west of Bakhmut, the regional prosecutors office reported in a Telegram post.
RIYADH  Khartoum residents described fierce battles on Saturday with fighters roving the streets and little sign Sudan's warring sides were respecting an agreement to protect civilians ahead of cease-fire talks set to resume in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Fighting has rocked Khartoum and adjoining areas as well as Geneina in the Darfur region since the warring army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary force agreed a "declaration of principles" on Thursday.

"It was much worse this morning compared to the past two days. You could clearly hear the tanks and the RSF were patrolling the streets more than usual," said Hani Ahmed, 28.

The conflict that broke out a month ago has killed hundreds of people, sent more than 200,000 into neighboring states, displaced another 700,000 inside the country, and risks drawing in outside powers and destabilizing the region.

Medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, said displaced people living in a large camp in north Darfur were cutting down to a single meal a day because food aid programs had been halted by fighting. It said the condition of already malnourished children would likely deteriorate.

Airspace will stay closed except for aid flights until May 31, authorities said on Saturday.

No signs of compromise

The two sides have battled through previous truces and have shown no sign of being willing to compromise. Although the RSF promised to uphold Thursday's agreement, the army has not yet commented on it.

Neither side seems able to secure a quick victory, with the army able to call on air power but the RSF dug into residential districts throughout the capital.

"We only see the army in the sky but in terms of face-to-face contact we only see the RSF. They're the ones on the ground," Ahmed said.

For civilians, the conflict has unleashed a nightmare of bombardment, random gunfire, home invasions and looting amid flickering electricity supply, shortages of water and food, and little chance of medical help with injuries.

"Our neighborhood is now completely under RSF control. They loot and harass people and wander around, always armed, taking shelter wherever they want," said Duaa Tariq, 30, an art curator in Khartoum.

Tariq said she hoped the talks in Jeddah could lead to a cease-fire, but was doubtful, adding: "We can't really trust either side because they don't have control of their soldiers on the ground."

Neighborhoods become war zones

Fighting has been unabated since the two sides agreed the declaration of principles to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access.

Residents say RSF fighters continue to occupy properties, which the force has denied doing, and the army carries out air strikes that residents say hit civilian targets.

Hashim Mohamed, 35, said he had found bread in a local shop for the first time in a week. "It's not that bread isn't available, but it's a longer walk, which means more brushes with danger," he said.

Out shopping on Saturday, he had to duck down as gunfire rattled nearby and RSF fighters cruised the neighborhood in civilian cars.

The resumed talks in Jeddah will start by discussing ways to implement the existing agreement, then move on to a lasting cease-fire that could pave the way for a civilian government, officials say.

Smoke rises above buildings in Khartoum on May 12, 2023, as fighting between the forces of two rival generals continues. Warplanes roared overhead as explosions rocked the city.

Saudi Arabia has invited army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to the Arab League summit in Jeddah, a senior Saudi diplomat said, but he is not expected to leave Sudan for security reasons, two other diplomats in the Gulf said.

Burhan was invited because he is head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, in which his rival, RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, is deputy.

Saudi Arabia has had close ties to both men since the army and the RSF sent troops to help the Saudi-led coalition in its war against Houthi forces in Yemen

Violence in Darfur

Some of the worst fighting has taken place in Darfur, where a war has simmered since 2003, killing 300,000 people and displacing 2.5 million.

The Darfur Bar Association, a local rights group, said at least 77 people were killed in Geneina, where fighting flared on Friday after a two-week lull.

"Armed groups on motorcycles and RSF vehicles attacked on Friday and are continuing to commit acts of killing, looting, arson and terror," the group said.

The RSF has denied moving from its positions in Darfur and blamed the strife there on the army and on loyalists of former president Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019, saying they had armed civilians.

Residents said on Friday the army did not intervene in the Geneina strife.

(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi in Riyadh and Nafisa Eltahir and Adam Makary in Cairo; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Frances Kerry and David Holmes
People evacuate as Cyclone Mocha cross the coastal Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, May 14, 2023.

Extremely dangerous Cyclone Mocha began crossing the Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts Sunday, a senior official of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told Xinhua.

Mocha has a diameter of more than 500 km and its impact will be felt in many areas of Bangladesh, the BMD Director Md Azizur Rahman. (Xinhua)

YANGON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha which made landfall on Sunday afternoon was moving inland from the Bay of Bengal, according to Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

Local authorities said that their emergency response teams were in cooperation with local rescue teams conducting rescue operations in the cyclone-hit areas.

They said that they have deployed 10 emergency rescue teams and 112 vehicles carrying food, drinking water and rescue equipment in Rakhine State, and its nearest regions and states on Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State were already evacuated ahead of the cyclone, local media reported.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm moving northwards and northeastwards is forecast to hit Chin State and Magway Region on late Sunday, according the weather bureau.

The weather agency also forecast that the storm will cross Sagaing Region as a cyclonic storm on Monday before weakening into a depression.

The cyclone Mocha that hit the coastlines of Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sunday with winds of up to 130 mph (about 209 kph) ripped away tin roofs and uprooted trees in the townships in Rakhine State.

The tropical cyclone with strong winds and intense rains damaged buildings in the townships of Sittwe, Thandwe, Gwa, Kyaukphyu and Cocokyun in Myanmar, local media reported.

A 30-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree during the cyclone in Rakhine State, a witness posted on social media on Sunday.

Electricity and Internet connections were disrupted in many parts of Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine State, on Sunday afternoon, following the collapse of a telecom tower in Sittwe. The telecom tower was brought down by strong winds, a video footage showed.

A building in Thandwe airport in Rakhine State collapsed because of the cyclone. Streets in Sittwe were also flooded and the floors of many buildings were inundated, local media reported.

The weather bureau warned of heavy rains across the Southeast Asian country in next 24 hours due to cyclone Mocha.

The two towns of Chauk and Sinphyukyun in central Myanmar's Magway Region also experienced the heaviest single-day rainfalls in 55 years and 50 years, respectively, on Sunday, according to the weather agency.

"The rainfalls are very high because of the storm," U Hla Tun, director of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, told Xinhua on Sunday.

People were urged to be aware of heavy rains, landslides and storm surge, the weather agency said.

All the fishing boats, trawlers and maritime vessels were already advised to remain in shelter till further notice, it said.

Cyclone Mocha came after towns in Myanmar have experienced record-high temperatures amid a scorching heatwave in the past few days.

The extremely severe cyclone, which is the first to form in the Bay of Bengal this year, is said to be the strongest to hit the region in recent years. 

Volunteers help people evacuate as Cyclone Mocha cross the coastal Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, May 14, 2023.

Extremely dangerous Cyclone Mocha began crossing the Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts Sunday, a senior official of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told Xinhua.

Mocha has a diameter of more than 500 km and its impact will be felt in many areas of Bangladesh, the BMD Director Md Azizur Rahman. (Xinhua)
* Shortage of nurses means wards closing, hospitals say

* Poor pay, work conditions drive nurses to UK hospitals

* Nigeria, Zimbabwe consider laws to tackle brain drain

By Bukola Adebayo

LAGOS (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Emem Isong screamed in pain on a trolley outside a hospital accident and emergency department in Nigeria's biggest city after a car ran over her foot and broke two of her toes.

"Please hold on ... there are just three of us on duty," a nurse at the Ebute-Metta federal medical centre in Lagos told the 33-year-old. "The alternative is for you to go to another hospital."

After a five-hour wait, nurses tended to Isong's wounds.

"It was either I wait till it is my turn or they refer me to another hospital that will turn me away," said Isong.

Nigeria, like many other African countries, is suffering a flight of talent from its fragile healthcare sector as richer countries woo underpaid but skilled professionals - a situation its government hopes to remedy with new legislation.

Michael Nnachi, president of Nigeria's nursing union, said more than 11,000 of 150,000 members had left the workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic to seek better pay and conditions abroad.

The economic downturn in Nigeria has only boosted the trend, said the nursing union's chairman, Olurotimi Awojide.

"Food, transport and rent are high, and money they pay now can't meet our needs. Nurses feel they need to go out of the country to live a better life," he said.

Nigeria has been on the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of countries with a shortage of healthcare workers since 2020. Foreign employers are discouraged from recruiting nurses from the list, two-thirds of which this year are African states.

But the list has proven ineffective in stemming the exodus and Nigerian hospital managers say patient care is suffering as there are not enough new nurses to replace those moving abroad.

Wasiu Adeyemo has managed Lagos University Teaching Hospital for more than a decade, but said he has never seen staff shortages as bad as now.

Four wards with more than 90 beds remain shut at the facility, one of Nigeria's biggest specialist hospitals, with no nurses to operate them.

"Everyone talks about doctors leaving when the real problem we're facing is nurses going daily," Adeyemo told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"At this point, are we saying we're going to hire nurses from Sudan or Cuba?" he asked. "Few nurses apply for jobs, and when we employ them ... about 50% will resign after three months to go to the UK."

THOUSANDS OF NIGERIAN NURSES COME TO UK

Britain is the favoured destination for Nigerian nurses.

Last year, 7,200 Nigerian nurses were registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Britain's professional body. Only the Philippines and India had more nurses in Britain.

The British government says employers should not actively recruit from places like Nigeria on what it calls the "red list" of countries where the WHO says there is a shortage of healthcare workers. But candidates from those countries can still apply for jobs advertised in Britain.

Nigerians received 12% of the skilled health and care worker visas issued last year, Britain's Home Office said.

Nigerian nurse Josephine is about to add to the number. The 28-year-old said she resigned from one of Nigeria's leading cancer care hospitals after receiving a UK visa last month.

Her husband sold their car and she is selling furniture and appliances before taking up her new job as a critical care nurse in the private sector in Britain.

The mother-of-two, who asked for her surname not to be used, said it was increasingly hard to live on her 100,000 naira ($135) monthly salary.

"I'm on duty at hospital all weekend, away from my children, all to be paid peanuts at the end of the month," Josephine said. Her British employers will pay 20 times what she now earns, she said.

SKILLED HEALTH WORKER VISAS

Although Zimbabwe is much smaller than Nigeria, it was the number one African country receiving skilled health workers' visas from the UK - accounting for 16% last year.

Before she came to Britain, Tendai earned about $200 a month as a senior nurse in Zimbabwe. The mother-of-three moved two years ago for a better career and better future for her children.

Her take-home pay at a hospital in the south of England is more than 10 times her salary back home. Though the high cost of living means half her salary goes on rent and bills, she does not have to pay for her daughters' schooling.

"Life in the UK is expensive, but at the end of the day, you are able to afford the basics. I know my kids have the basic things in terms of food, clothes ... compared to back home," said Tendai, who asked for her real name not to be used.

More than 4,000 doctors and nurses have left Zimbabwe since 2021, according to its Health Services Board.

LAWS PLANNED TO STOP EXODUS

Zimbabwe was added to the WHO list of countries where health workers should not be recruited for the first time in March. Tendai said many nurses who had paid to take English-language tests and process travel documents were unhappy as it made getting jobs abroad harder without recruiters' help.

"Some nurses have lost a lot of money - because they had done all these things," she said. "People spend two years working towards coming to the UK and then, when you think you are almost there, the red list comes."

Zimbabwean Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga said plans were underway to criminalise the foreign recruitment of health professionals and retain the workforce, local media reported.

Back in Nigeria, lawmakers have passed a bill to withhold licences from doctors and dentists until they have practised in the country for five years. The president has yet to sign the bill into law, but one parliamentarian already wants to put the same restrictions on nurses and pharmacists.

Doctors have threatened strike action in response.

"It is a lazy approach," said Jesse Otegbayo, professor of medicine at the University College Hospital in the southwestern city of Ibadan. Instead, the government should address health workers' concerns, he said.

James Avoka Asamani, a WHO expert in Africa, said richer nations should compensate countries that had trained health workers to make the process mutually beneficial.

"If another country has used their public resources to train health workers, and you are recruiting them, it is only morally justified that you also invest in that health system to protect it from collapse," Asamani said.

But for now, Otegbayo said hospitals in Nigeria were on the brink, with many nurses complaining of burnout.

"This is a serious situation ... any health administrator and the public should be worried. The few nurses that are left are overworked, and this will affect the patients," he said.

(Reporting by Bukola Adebayo @BUKAdebayo. Additional reporting by Emma Batha in London. Editing by Jon Hemming. The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters
KHARTOUM, SUDAN (AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE) Like many other Sudanese forced to flee their homes amid raging street battles, Mohamed said that when he finally returned to his flat, he found heavily armed paramilitaries had moved in.

After cautiously approaching his Khartoum apartment block, he discovered that "the entire building had become like a military barracks filled with weapons and ammunition."

Almost a month of heavy fighting has turned Khartoum into a war zone, with the city's 5 million residents enduring artillery barrages, gunfights, airstrikes and anti-aircraft fire.

Many have hunkered down at home amid power outages and a lack of clean water, food and medicine  but many have also been forcibly evicted.

The northern suburb where Mohamed lived has become a major battleground in the war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

After Mohamed's family had spent terrifying days at home, waking and sleeping to deafening explosions and gunfire outside, RSF fighters came to evict them.

"They knocked on the door and asked us to leave," said the 54-year-old, who, like others interviewed by AFP for this article, asked not to be identified by his full name, citing security fears.

Before leaving home, his family members took what they could carry and locked their doors, he added.

When he returned days later to collect some belongings, Mohamed was interrogated by the RSF paramilitaries whom he had found sitting inside his apartment.

Fighters 'in our kitchen'

Witnesses in Khartoum say RSF fighters have often taken up positions in leafy residential streets, with soldiers hiding camouflaged trucks under trees.

Men in military fatigues patrol in pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns.

Another man, Babiker, 44, said he fled his home in central Khartoum amid incessant gunfire, only to return two weeks later to find it occupied by the RSF.

"I found more than 20 paramilitaries living there," he said, adding he was interrogated for half an hour before being allowed entry.

"They were using all appliances and cooking in our kitchen," he said. "All the bedrooms that we had locked before leaving were open."

Sudan's bitter fighting has so far killed at least 750 people, wounded thousands and uprooted hundreds of thousands, with many refugees fleeing the country.

The U.N.'s human rights commissioner, Volker Turk, said the RSF had allegedly taken "possession of many buildings in Khartoum to use as operational bases, evicting residents and launching attacks from densely populated urban areas."

He also criticized Sudan's military for launching "attacks in densely occupied civilian areas, including airstrikes" that have killed residents.

The paramilitaries have also turned many hospitals and medical facilities into "barracks"  a practice the U.N. World Health Organization has condemned as a "gross violation."

Even diplomatic missions in Khartoum have not been spared. On May 3, Saudi Arabia said "an armed group" had stormed its cultural office and "damaged appliances, cameras, and seized some property."

The European Union said on April 17 that its ambassador was "assaulted" in his residence, and it labeled the attack a "gross violation of the Vienna Convention."

'All our memories'

"Last Wednesday, the RSF took over my family house in Khartoum, where my cousins and I have our documents, valuables and all our memories," one Sudanese woman wrote on Twitter.

"It's confirmed by the only neighbor left in the neighborhood that it is the RSF. RSF soldiers are going out of control, out of Hemeti's control," she added, referring to Dagalo's nickname.

Another citizen, Tahany, 33, escaped her home when fighting intensified near Khartoum's airport.

Having abandoned hope for an end to the fighting, she decided to join the tens of thousands of Sudanese making the long, arduous trip to Egypt, but she first needed to return home to get her travel documents.

"Paramilitaries at checkpoints interrogated us as we were trying to return to our neighborhood, and every time we told them we wanted to pick up some things from our home," she said.

Eventually, Tahany and her mother were allowed entry to the home, escorted by paramilitaries.

"We found that all our home items had been used, from the kitchen to the beds," she said. "They even mounted a weapon on the balcony on the second floor."

Terrified, Tahany and her mother frantically searched for their travel documents and rushed out. "We are now on our way to Egypt," she said. "We don't know what has become of our home."
In April 2022, a Russian rocket hit a train station in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, killing dozens and wounding more than 100. What became clear at the time was that local hospitals were not set up to handle a massive influx of wartime casualties. Thats changing.
Rights groups have called for action against the "forced displacements" of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children into Russia. But for some Ukrainian families, these alleged crimes are only one part of the complex web of violence they must navigate to survive during the war. Heather Murdock reports
Photo: Prashant Gupta/FX

Timothy Olyphant is dusting off his hat (oh, you know the one). The actor is set to reprise his role as Raylan Givens, that smoldering gunslinger, in a miniseries spinoff of FXs crime drama Justified, which ended in 2015. Justified: City Primeval reunites Olyphant with producers of the original acclaimed series  including creator Graham Yost. The new limited series is set to be based on Elmore Leonards novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit  after the original series drew from Leonards novella Fire in the Hole and other stories featuring the Givens character. City Primeval takes place after Givenss work in Kentucky is finished, with the U.S. Marshal living in Miami before he ends up in Detroit and involved with the case of someone known as the Oklahoma Wildman.

Has the trailer dropped?

Yee haw, a trailer has trotted on down with a blue tint reminiscent of a Twilight film. Givens is seen crossing the street after picking up his hat, which doesnt seem like much. But for the Justified fan thats been waiting eight years for the show to come back, its everything.

Who else is in the cast?

Speaking of wild men, FX announced that eight new actors were added to the main cast of Justified: City Primeval. Boyd Holbrook, Vondie Curtis Hall, Norbert Leo Butz, and Victor Williams are officially joining as new characters alongside Aunjanue Ellis, Adelaide Clemens, Marin Ireland, and Vivian Olyphant, the stars daughter. While new faces will accompany Olyphant, other Justified stars like Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder or Jere Burns as Wynn Duffy have not confirmed if theyre returning for the revival. In the meantime, dont say we didnt call it first.

Whats the plot?

Justified: City Primeval begins ten years after the original series ended. After a spell in Miami raising his 15-year-old daughter (played by Olyphants real-life daughter) and continuing his work as a U.S. Marshal, Givens ends up in Detroit to take down sociopathic criminal Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) and his attorney. This storys kind of a three-hander: Its about Raylan, Clement Mansell, and the third character is this woman defense attorney, Carolyn Wilder, who in some ways is kind of locked at the wrists and ankles, not by her doing, to Clement Mansell, showrunner Michael Dinner said in an interview with EW. But then theres a fourth character, which is the city of Detroit. Raylans a little bit of a fish out of water in a place that he doesnt understand as well as he understood where he grew up in Kentucky  or Miami, where he lives.

While you might be excited to see some familiar faces, the show emphasizes that this is a new world for Givens filled with new characters. Were dealing with this next chapter of his life  we did Justified for six or seven years, and that was kind of like Act 1. This is Act 2 of his life, and its an existential story, explains Dinner to EW. However, Dinner does tease that Act 2 of Givenss story might not end well. If youre bringing Raylan back, you put him up against a really, really bad guy who doesnt have any problem killing people, because Raylan could die, Andron says. This is a limited [series] and Raylan could very well not make it out of this. Every season we ended the show with Youll Never Leave Harlan Alive, but then he does. Right up until the end of the show, you know Raylans not going to die, and obviously he did not at the end. But I think, at this point, all bets are off.

This story is really going to be about Raylan and his demons and his past and trying to move forward at this point in his life, fellow showrunner Dave Andron added. So we had to create a new foil for him and somebody whos still a little bit of a mirror but also a big obstacle.

Was there really a shootout during filming?

Yes. Olyphant opened up about the incident on the Conan OBrien Needs a Friend podcast. While filming at night in Chicago in a very, very bad neighborhood, he recalled hearing a series of rapid gunshots from across a nearby park. It was the scariest goddamn thing. It went on forever, Olyphant said. He then heard three cars drive by  ignoring the productions road-closure barricade  as the people in the vehicles aimed machine-gun fire at each other. The actor said he grabbed a PA and threw her out of the way during the gunfight.

Olyphant acknowledged that the production was understaffed in terms of law enforcement, and noted that a cop who was present described the scene as one of the closer calls he ever had. Olyphant said that at his request, the shows producers canceled filming the next day to give everyone a break.

What does Quentin Tarantino have to do with the Justified revival?

Well, hes more or less responsible for the whole thing happening in the first place. According to the showrunners, the Once Upon a Time  in Hollywood director wanted to make the book into a movie at one point but eventually abandoned the idea and instead planted the TV-adaptation idea into Tim Olyphants head. One day the phone rang, and it was Tim Olyphant, who said, Ive been sitting on the set with Quentin, and we were talking about this book, City Primeval, Dinner told EW. So we started kicking around the idea, and FX was into it. It was very complicated to put together, because the rights situation was a little murky  part of the rights belonged to the estate, part belonged to MGM (which was going to make this movie several times), and it took a while to get it going, but then we did.

When will Justified: City Primeval be released?

Its slated to premiere privately during the ATX Television Festival on June 1 and will eventually make its way on FX in July 18, 2023.

This post has been updated throughout.
Photo: Eurovision

Quick! If you had to choose between: Katy Perrys performance at the coronation last week or Kate Middleton on the piano at Eurovision? Because the latter was undoubtedly less powerful than Roar. The royals had to insert themselves into an internationally cherished occasion to make us forget how boring the coronation actually was  and to say they were part of a beloved television event possibly. Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance at the Eurovision Song Contests pre-recorded opening number, despite some Eurovision fans wishing it was someone else. In Windsor Castle earlier this month, she played an instrumental version of Kalush Orchestras song Stefania from the last years winning country, Ukraine.

A royal welcome to the #Eurovision Grand Final  pic.twitter.com/ioKFjC9oph  Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 13, 2023

Joining Middleton in the opening number was Andrew Lloyd-Webber, rapper Ms Banks, and the Kalush Orchestra. However, the real royalty of the night has yet to be crowned as the competition is still underway.

King Charles and Camilla on American Idol, Kate Middleton on Eurovision, wake me up when Prince William goes on The Voice. pic.twitter.com/ZC5t4pzXld  Aya (@Aya23821448) May 13, 2023
Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share

Simba is in trouble. African lions, those icons of the savannah, have vanished from 94% of their historical range. With fewer than 25,000 remaining in the wild, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable to extinction. Their problems are many and multiplying as climate change grips the region, but one big threat is human-wildlife conflict. Lacking other food sources, lions prey upon livestock. Locals, having lost a source of income and food, often kill the big cats in retaliation.

But in northern Kenya, theres hope. The lion population in the Ewaso landscape is stable, having grown to about 50 known cats in 2022 from 11 in 2008. Thats thanks to the work of Ewaso Lions, a non-profit organization founded by conservationist Shivani Bhalla. Her approach: Rather than working against or apart from those responsible for lion killings, Bhalla works closely with them.

Advertisement

Bhalla has been in the spotlight recently after winning a coveted Whitley Gold Award from the UK charity Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). The common thread across the winners is that their work is as much about improving the lives of local communities as it is about the animals theyre striving to protect. The battle to save our planet could learn a lot from these holistic projects.

For example: Tulshi Laxmi Suwals work with her organization Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation revolves around developing mutually beneficial solutions for both pangolins  under threat from poaching and forest fires  and people in Nepal. Mamy Razafitsalama, of non-profit Planet Madagascar, focuses on educating communities to protect forests from human-caused fires and slash-and-burn agriculture methods that are destroying the habitat of lemurs and other species unique to the island nation.

Suwals and Razafitsalamas projects also offer training or support in alternative sustainable livelihoods to alleviate poverty and reduce pressure on the environment, whether thats citrus and sugar processing in Madagascar or selling traditional leaf plates, known as tapari, in Nepal.

Advertisement

Nothing lives within a glass cage, said Edward Whitley, founder of the WFN. While you can establish a terrific store of biodiversity in a fenced-off nature reserve, it could all disappear in a crisis if people outside it havent been given the resources they need. And communities know best what their land needs to thrive, so any conservation decisions have to come from them. Its not about someone coming from the outside and telling everyone how to do it, Bhalla said.

In Kenya, for instance, Jenaria Lekilelei, community conservation director at Ewaso Lions and former Samburu warrior, started a program called Warrior Watch. By tracking lions, warriors are able to help herders avoid clashing with the big cats. The lions are left in peace, and local livelihoods remain unplundered.

The success of the program is a contrast with Kenyas struggling wildlife-conflict compensation scheme, says Dino Martins, a WFN trustee and former Gold Award winner. Claims in the first year were more than the entire budget of the Kenya Wildlife Service and have been accruing ever since. Theres no way the Kenyan taxpayer can support that. You need a multi-pronged approach so that people dont look at wildlife as a source of problems, Martins said.

Advertisement

Indeed, the Warrior Watch program has successfully improved attitudes towards lions, creating a sense of pride among community members. Its the same elsewhere. Razafitsalama told me that during a period in which his project was without funding, his fire patrol group continued working for free. More recently, they added another 1.4 kilometers of firebreak  intended to prevent flames from uncontrolled fires reaching the forest  themselves. That was very important to me, he said. It shows a clear sense of ownership.

Projects like these matter. The World Economic Forum suggests that $44 trillion of economic value generation  more than half the worlds total GDP  is moderately or highly dependent on nature. But nature is in serious decline. Wildlife populations have declined by an average of 69% since 1970, according to the World Wildlife Funds Living Planet Index. A 2020 study suggests that the world has lost between 5%-10% of all insect species in the last 150 years. If youre happy to wave goodbye to creepy-crawlies, consider that not only are they a vital food source for many other creatures, but they pollinate 75% of global crops.

A 2021 review on the economics of biodiversity concluded that nature has been a blind spot and that we can no longer afford to exclude it from economic decisions. The tide does seem to be turning. A growing focus on the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises has led to a proliferation of projects to finance ecosystem restoration (including one parodied but very real attempt to place an economic value on a whale).

Advertisement

Itll be well worth our time and money. As Ive written before, biodiversity is a powerful tool in carbon sequestration efforts. Ir Budiono, a 2012 WFN winner from Indonesia, runs a project protecting the Mahakam River dolphin. He estimates that by preventing a 220,000 hectare area from being converted into palm oil plantations  a monoculture with negative consequences for biodiversity and carbon sequestration  the project is keeping 78 million tons of carbon locked up in wetland and peat swamps.

However we finance these efforts  whether through credits or charitable donations  we should remember the lessons from WFNs community-led winners. Novel attempts to preserve biodiversity need to put sustainable human development at their heart.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Eurovisions Business Model Beats the Olympics: Howard Chua-Eoan

Advertisement

 The Hole Where Britains Ambition Used to Be: Matthew Brooker

 What Banking Crisis? Executives Bet On Parisian Renaissance: Lionel Laurent

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lara Williams is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

GiftOutline Gift Article
ST. PETERSBURG/JOHANNESBURG/KIEV, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments related to the Ukraine crisis:

The Russian Baltic Fleet has received a new Project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette dubbed "Mercury," reported the press service of the Defense Ministry of Russia on Saturday.

According to Nikolai Yevmenov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, the combination of high seaworthiness and the ability to be equipped with modern weapons allows the corvette to effectively operate as part of a swarm or individually to protect Russia's national interests in oceans and marine areas.

Project 20380 multipurpose corvettes are designed to detect and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, ensure landings and solve various tasks in near-sea zones. They are equipped with artillery, anti-missile, anti-submarine, sonar and radar systems, and a deck for the Ka-27 helicopter.

"Mercury" is the fifth project 20380 corvette built at Severnaya Verf Shipyard. The previous four ships of the series are already in service in the Russian Baltic Fleet.

- - - -

The United States Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben E. Brigety, has apologized to the South African government and people for his allegations that the country sold weapons to Russia, according to South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

DIRCO expressed the South African government's utter displeasure with his conduct and statements, the department said in a statement issued on Friday.

"Following today's meeting, Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety admitted that he crossed the line and apologized unreservedly to the government and the people of South Africa," the statement said.

- - - -

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kiev stands ready to discuss peace initiatives of other countries on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict if certain conditions are met, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Friday.

"If you want to come up with your own formula or initiative, we are ready to discuss it if it respects two principles: first, your initiative should not suggest territorial concessions of Ukraine to Russia; second, your initiative should not lead to frozen conflict instead of peace," Kuleba said.

The minister said that Ukraine appreciates every effort to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

At the same time, he emphasized that Kiev considers the 10-point peace plan by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the best way to end the conflict.

- - - -

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said that his country is seeking to end the conflict with Russia by winter, the RBC-Ukraine media outlet reported Friday.

"By winter we want to completely end the war," Danilov said.

At the same time, the official emphasized that Ukraine will continue its military operations until it takes control of all territories captured by Russia.

He noted that the Ukrainian forces may carry out one or several counteroffensives against the Russian forces.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine needs more time to launch a counteroffensive against Russia as the military forces await more aid. 
The government quickly came under criticism from the opposition for excluding election commitments  such as the Commonwealths $2.2 billion commitment for Victorias Suburban Rail Loop  from the review. This is despite the project not yet receiving approval from Infrastructure Australia. Melbourne Airport Rail will be put under the microscope, despite being backed up by a business case and early construction works already beginning. Grattan Institute transport and cities program director Marion Terrill says all election promises should be subject to the review. Its quite common for politicians to make promises in the heat of an election campaign, she says, adding that there should be some kind of process that then assesses whether the projects are viable.

Terrill says the review  which will be carried out by former public servants and infrastructure experts Reece Waldock, Clare Gardiner-Barnes and Mike Mrdak  is worthwhile because of the capacity constraints in the industry and the rising cost of building the projects. Now is not a great time to be adding to the pipeline because theres these terrible capacity constraints in the market, she says. Loading The oppositions infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie says there are now questions about the independence of the review because of the decision to exempt election promises. By excluding election commitments from the review, the assumption from the government would be that they are, by definition, meritorious. The facts would suggest otherwise, she says. When a premier has a pet project, that gets preference over projects that have been funded, requested and needed in communities and suburbs right around the country.

A spokeswoman for King says it is important that the industry has confidence and certainty that the nations infrastructure projects have been more robustly costed and based on realistic delivery time frames. This is critical in helping industry plan appropriately for projects across the nation, she says. Projects under construction and those that were Commonwealth election commitments will not be part of the review. No more roundabouts Labor repeatedly criticised the former Coalition government for spending money on areas which should have been the purview of local and state governments, such as new car parks at railway stations in marginal seats.

Terrill says there needs to be a more rigorous approval process that restricts Commonwealth spending to nationally significant infrastructure. No more roundabouts, overpasses and car parks. Adrian Dwyer, the chief executive of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, an industry think tank, says the Commonwealth needs to focus on the bigger things that move the national economy. Major connections  be they energy, telecommunications, water transport, he says. He says he wants the Commonwealth review to lead to certainty about what projects are getting built over the next 10 years.

If there are reallocations or a change in timing, thats fine ... lets just then make sure we get on with delivering, Dwyer says. Because this is in the context of a really big energy transition, some pretty substantial migration numbers in the budget  for which theres going to have to be housing, social infrastructure, delivered to support a growing population. Back to normal Some commentators suggested amid the COVID-19 pandemic that transport infrastructure would need a total rethink because of a lower population growth and the death of the daily commute. Since then, many workers are returning to the office and a record 400,000 migrants will enter the country this year. The death of freeways and the death of offices was a bit premature, Dwyer says. Were reverting to mean and in some instances, we now have infrastructure that is at certain times operating above its pre-COVID capacity.

Dwyer says he hopes infrastructure spending isnt being reduced on the basis that demand went away during the pandemic. This is the problem with looking at too small of a sample of data over too short of time, he says. It would be it would be pretty short-sighted to respond to COVID by having major diversions in the big infrastructure we need. Theres no evidence for that. Where to now? Companies in the transport and construction sector are in a holding pattern until the review reports back to the government in August.

Adding to the pressures is the need to rewire the energy grid, which will suck even more workers out of transport projects. Loading At the same time, the government has a bill before parliament to reorganise Infrastructure Australia  the at-arms-length body that Albanese created as infrastructure minister  to make it concentrate more on what major projects are required for the nation. In the longer term, the government is still committed to high-speed rail, and will soon select board members for its new High Speed Rail Authority. It has already allocated $500 million for planning, early works and corridor acquisition for the Sydney-Newcastle section of the mammoth project. There are mixed views among infrastructure experts on whether a national bullet train will ever be viable in Australia, considering how spread out the populations are between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

A 2013 business case, commissioned by Albanese when he was infrastructure minister, found the railway would take 45 years to complete and cost $130 billion, but that it would return more than $2 for every $1 of investment. Terrill says that study drastically overstated the benefits of the project by using a 4 per cent discount rate  instead of the 7 per cent rate recommended by Infrastructure Australia. A discount rate is used to put present and future costs and benefits on an equal footing, and choosing a lower rate has a significant impact on the cost-benefit analysis of a project. Dwyer says he would love to see high-speed rail, but it is difficult to see how it could be built in the context of the soaring cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, aged care, health and nuclear submarines. In the near term, its pretty hard to see how a multi-hundred-billion dollar investment in high-speed rail can make its way to the top of that investment priority list.
Most of my clothes are a mix of my own custom pieces but the Acne flagship in the city (161 King St) is my preferred destination for topping up my supply of pants and jeans. When it comes to beauty, cant you go past Mecca (436 George St) in the old Gowings building. Its a one-stop shop. Michael Lo Sordos Sydney: Brontes Broth Bar & Larder; the pool at the Capella hotel; Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point (owners Enrico and Giovanni Paradiso). Credit: Stephen Siewert, Dominic Lorrimer, Edwina Pickles Favourite coffee: I have stopped drinking coffee. Coffee is out and bone broth is in, which requires a morning trip ro Brontes Broth Bar & Larder (49 Belgrave Street, Bronte). Its a tip I took from Goop goddess Gwyneth Paltrow. In the spirit of a health makeover I get cold pressed celery juice from my main man Elie at Health Nuts in the Kings Cross Centre, beneath the Coke sign (82-94 Darlinghurst Rd).

Wellbeing: For skincare you need to discover Melanie Grant Studio in Double Bay (3 Transvaal Ave). It isnt a destination, its a religion. Twice a month, I am in there to rejuvenate my skin and for serious inner and outer body beauty business. I cant live without my private Pilates classes with it girl Bernadette Fahey, who runs Body By Berner. A new studio is about to open in Bondi (300 Campbell Pde). During the warmer months, swimming is a ritual at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool (1C Mrs Macquarie Road, The Domain). Then I head over to City Cave in Darlinghurst (40-42 Flinders St), for their infrared sauna. Favourite breakfast: Pina in Potts Point (4/29 Orwell St) is conveniently located next to my office and has the best of everything. Their chickpea pancakes are very popular. A glass of red or white wine: Bambini Trust (185 Elizabeth St) in Sydneys CBD is an institution. This is my go-to haven for a nightcap, quick drink or post-show bite.

Dine in style: Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point (12 Challis Ave) is my unofficial second home. The scampi pasta is delicious and a cult favourite. I really go for owner Gio Paradisos nose for wine. Anything head chef Jordan Toft touches turns to food gold beachside at Mimis (Coogee Pavilion). He just brings out what he thinks is best for me, with caviar on everything. For dessert Jordan makes a special diplomat cream that is to die for. Westwood Pizza in Newtown (245 Australia Street), in Sydneys inner west, is just so cool and the best place for an easy street style slice. Not everything has to be fancy. Nadia Bartel, Henne Henne designer Nadia Bartel. Credit: Simon Schluter

Melbourne is my home, but I love to visit Sydney because its so different. Thats why you will normally find me exploring Bondi and the beach areas. Style Signature: Elevated basics that make it look as though youre not trying too hard (even if you are). Fashion Moment: A chic capsule collection, including denim, shown at Shell House for Australian Fashion Week last year. Where to stay: I bounce between hotels at the moment. You cant beat Oxford House for its location near the Paddington shops. The Ace hotel still feels fresh and I always enjoy the QT. A liquid breakfast: Confession. Im not really a breakfast person. I prefer to grab a smoothie and get going but if I need to meet someone, its at the original Bills in Darlinghurst (433 Liverpool St). Theres a reason why its iconic.

The Henne way: Mecca coffee in Alexandria; A four hand Venustus massage; The pool at Oxford House hotel. Its always exciting stumbling upon places where the people are passionate about what they do. Ive been recommended Mecca (26 Bourke Rd, Alexandria) coffee, so its on my list for fashion week. Loading Wellbeing: Im still feeling the benefits of a long massage at Venustus (381 Oxford St) in Paddington). Their lymphatic drainage massage is powerful and I quite like it when they get out the crystals. Yes, Im that type of person. After-show dinner: Its such a fashion cliche but I love Mimis in Coogee. Every time I go there its beautiful. I havent tried the caviar because I dont like the taste.
As Julian Assange continues to languish in prison in the United Kingdom, his supporters are pressing for his freedom  now. They are increasing pressure in Washington and Canberra on the United States government to terminate its efforts to extradite Assange to the US for trial, halt his prosecution, and let him return to Australia.

President Bidens slated visit to Australia for the Quad meeting  although there is now speculation that his deputy Kamala Harris might replace him  has presented a powerful opportunity to further press the case.

Both sides of US politics remain hostile to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Credit: Getty Images

Impassioned statements by Prime Minister Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Ambassador to the United States (and former prime minister) Kevin Rudd have been registered with urgency.

Last week, Albanese said, I cant do more than make very clear what my position is, and the US administration is certainly very aware of what the Australian governments position is. I continue to say in private what I said publicly as Labor leader and what Ive said as prime minister, that enough is enough. This needs to be brought to a conclusion. It needs to be worked through, were working through diplomatic channels, were making very clear what our position is on Mr Assanges case.
City of Welland staff are assisting an effort to get young people into trades.

The municipalitys economic development department is partnering with Niagara Catholic District School Board to host the second of two trades nights on Wednesday at Saint Michael Catholic High School in Niagara Falls.

The economic development teams involvement directly relates to the pursuit of bringing talented and engaging industry to the city while helping prepare the future workforce to meet industry needs, said a news release from the municipality.

Its no secret that skilled trade workers are in high demand, said Lina DeChellis,Wellands economic development manager.

Our focus continues to be on understanding what the City of Welland needs to attract new businesses and to help prepare our emerging workforce to meet the needs and requirements of the exciting industries calling Welland home, she said in the release.

The events promote the trades to parents and students in grades 6 to 10, strengthening the industry school relationship.

The first trades night in January hosted 30 vendors and attracted more than 300 students and parents.

Our goal is to promote all post-secondary pathways to our students and highlighting the local opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies with our industry partners provides real examples of apprenticeship success, said Kim Kinney, Niagara Catholic superintendent of education responsible for the program and innovation portfolio.

The realities of the apprenticeship pathway may appeal to students who are college- or university-bound and this event is designed to provide the information to parents and students directly from industry, said Kinney.

SHARE:
WASHINGTON - The controversial Canada-U.S. oil and gas conduit known as Line 5 could be facing its toughest challenger yet: the very watershed the pipelines detractors are trying to protect.

Spring flooding has washed away significant portions of the riverbank where Line 5 intersects Wisconsins Bad River, a meandering, 120-kilometre course through Indigenous territory that feeds Lake Superior and a complex network of ecologically delicate wetlands.

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.

But last month, Mother Nature raised the stakes.

There can be little doubt now that the small amount of remaining bank could be eroded and the pipeline undermined and breached in short order, the bands lawyers argued in an emergency motion filed last week.

Very little margin for error remains.

Line 5 meets the river on Indigenous territory just past a location the court has come to know as the meander, where the riverbed snakes back and forth multiple times, separated from itself only by several metres of forest and the pipeline itself.

At four locations, the river is less than 4.6 metres from the pipeline  just 3.4 metres in one particular spot  and the erosion has continued in recent days at an alarming rate, the motion says.

In one case, so-called monuments installed to measure the losses show that where there was more than 10 metres of riverbank in early April before the flooding began, only 3.7 metres remained as of last Tuesday.

Significant erosion is continuing as of the filing of this motion, and the evidence strongly suggests that further bank loss could be substantial and result in exposure and rupture of the pipeline.

Wisconsin district court Judge William Conley has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to hear oral arguments on the motion, which asks for an injunction that would require Enbridge to shut down the pipeline and purge its contents.

A response from the company is due by Tuesday  but a strongly worded statement Tuesday that described the motion as truly outrageous and unnecessary left little doubt about its position.

There is no pipeline safety issue and certainly no cause for alarm, the company said.

To be clear, the bands leadership seems determined to shut down this piece of critical North American energy infrastructure regardless of who will be impacted by their actions.

Enbridge has offered numerous plans to reinforce the riverbank and install an additional emergency valve on the pipeline to further mitigate the risk  work that requires the bands approval.

But the band insists no work can be done to reinforce the riverbank. Nothing could be further from the truth, Enbridge said.

Asked whether the company was putting contingency plans in place, there are no existing alternatives to Line 5, said spokesperson Juli Kellner.

We will make the case, backed by expert testimony, that Line 5 is safe, Kellner said. Line 5 is not exposed; its buried under multiple feet of soil.

Conley has already noted in court that the band, which Kellner said has already rejected more than a dozen Enbridge proposals to shore up the riverbank, is uninterested in any kind of solution other than shutting down the pipeline, she added.

Its important to remember that neither side in the dispute wants to see the pipeline ruptured, said James Coleman, a specialist in energy law at Southern Methodist Universitys Dedman School of Law in Dallas.

Any kind of spill would be a catastrophe for all concerned, including Enbridge, Coleman said. Clearly, I think that the goal is, Hey, lets keep this in operation as long as we can do so safely until we have a reroute.

In a key decision last fall, Conley signalled clearly that he wasnt interesting in ordering Line 5 shut down as a preventive measure, citing the likely economic and foreign-policy impacts of doing so.

The question now, Coleman said, is whether he is convinced that the erosion has changed the facts on the ground and does indeed pose an imminent threat to the Bad River watershed and to Lake Superior itself.

At this stage, however, neither the Bad River band nor the growing coalition of environmental groups on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border that are backing their challenge need any convincing.

The interconnected waters flowing through the Mashkiiziibii  the Bad River  are inseparable from our peoples existence, tribal chairman Mike Wiggins said in a statement.

This is an imminent threat not just to our way of life, but to the clean waters that sustain all the residents and businesses throughout the Lake Superior basin. The court needs to take action to shut down and purge Line 5 before its too late.

The dispute illustrates one of the major logistical difficulties of pipelines, where a problem in one spot impacts the entire operation, Coleman said  and its not going to go away any time soon, even if fossil fuels eventually do.

This is a fundamental challenge of linear infrastructure, he said.

Clean, renewable energy is still going to have to move around the continent via power lines, and hydrogen or newly captured carbon will also require pipeline and storage infrastructure in much the same way as oil and gas.

Our clean energy sources are more dependent on linear infrastructure, Coleman said.

In the worst case, most of these liquids you can at least truck it in or ship it by rail. But for power or hydrogen or any of those things, they are entirely dependent on linear infrastructure.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2023.

SHARE:
A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkiye, May 14, 2023. Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

ANKARA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years.

The polls opened at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT) local time. Unofficial results are expected after 9 p.m. (1800 GMT) local time.

Some 61 million voters are registered to cast their ballots. Around 3.5 million voters living abroad have been called to cast their votes in advance. More than 1.76 million Turks abroad have cast their votes at diplomatic missions and customs gates between April 27 and May 9.

The polls could stretch incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule into a third decade or could set Turkiye on a new course.

According to pollsters, Erdogan, 69, is facing his toughest test yet during his 20-year rule. Erdogan, founder and leader of the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), has been leading the country since he became prime minister in 2003.

There are three presidential candidates, however. Erdogan's chief opponent is Kemal Kilicdaroglu, 74, the leader of the center-left People's Republican Party (CHP), who might have a chance of winning for the first time as he is backed by a bloc of opposition parties, according to surveys. The third candidate Sinan Ogan is appealing for nationalist votes. A fourth presidential contender, Muharrem Ince, withdrew from the race on Thursday.

If no presidential candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, there will be a runoff vote on May 28. 

A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkiye, May 14, 2023. Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkiye, May 14, 2023. Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Ankara, Turkiye, May 14, 2023. Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a voter casting his ballot at a polling station in Ankara, Turkiye, May 14, 2023. Turkish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday for twin presidential and parliamentary elections that could shape the Turkish political landscape for the upcoming years. (Xinhua/Li Zhenbei)
Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as the godfather of artificial intelligence, recently resigned from his position at Google to express concerns about the potential risks of AI.

His departure contributes to the growing chorus advocating for a temporary halt in AI research. While well-intentioned, these appeals for a pause are misguided and counterproductive.

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, as seen in large language models like GPT-4, have sent shivers down the spine of even its most ardent supporters. These models have provided the public with a general-purpose platform for automating cognitive tasks, leading to a surge in AI applications.

Moreover, the development of nested AI tasks, as with AutoGPT, and the potential for AI systems to directly teach themselves and each other, raise the spectre of an AI singularity happening sooner than anyone expected.

As an expert on technology and innovation, I share many of the concerns around the accelerating growth of AI, including its potential to spread falsehoods, undermine democracy, and create killer robots. Over the past decade, I have spoken out about its potential adverse impacts on jobs and inequality, including briefing the G7 representatives and senior government leaders. However, I disagree with the prescription to pause research on AI, as it is unrealistic given geopolitical realities.

More than any other technology created in the past 75 years AI has the potential to shift the global power balance. It can be weaponized not only on the battlefield but also covertly to subvert public opinion and democracy. Halting AI research in the West would amount to handing the keys of the planet to countries that do not share our liberal and democratic values. Do we want cutting-edge AI research to reside in jurisdictions where we can exert some level of influence, or in foreign countries that have already shown a willingness to use these tools to intimidate and undermine western democracy?

Artificial intelligence, like any other tool, can be used for both good and bad. It is almost inevitable that some bad actors will gain access to advanced forms of the technology. When that happens, we will stand a better chance of repelling the threat if we have access to the same or better tools.

A further reason not to stifle AI research is its potential to provide tremendous benefits for our economy and society. AI can help us solve grand challenges like climate change and make education more accessible. Our health care system is at a breaking point, and recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that generative AI can ease the strain while improving the quality of care.

Early evidence also suggests that generative AI can kick-start innovation and deliver large productivity gains. A freeze on AI would effectively condemn our businesses to failure on the world stage, as happened to the Indian textile industry in the late 18th century when faced with competition from industrialized British manufacturers.

Any realistic attempt to pause AI research would therefore require broad multilateral agreement. However, convincing other countries to forego AIs economic promise would be difficult, and enforcing such a ban would be harder still. Even in the case of nuclear weapons, which have no economic benefit and are much easier to monitor, efforts to control their proliferation have often been frustrated.

Attempting to pause AI research is not only impractical but also counterproductive because it shifts attention away from the more attainable goal of better AI regulation. Our focus must be on governments, tech companies, and the AI research community collaborating to establish guidelines and norms for responsible AI development and deployment. Such collaboration can enable us to harness the power of AI while minimizing its risks.

We must commend the many individuals like Geoffrey Hinton who have spoken out about potential threats posed by AI. Their voices provide an impetus for national players and the international community to work harder on creating necessary regulations. By working together, we can create a framework that safeguards our societies and democracies, while enabling us to maintain our competitive edge in the global arena.

As the debate around AIs potential threats continues, let us focus on finding solutions that will harness its power for the greater good, rather than stifle its progress altogether.

Joel Blit is a professor of economics at the University of Waterloo, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the chair of the Council on Innovation Policy at the University of Waterloo.

Read more about:

SHARE:
One person has died and seven others are in hospital after a car crash in southwestern Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to the collision around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Bruce County, Ont.

They say there were eight people in the two cars involved.

Police say one person was pronounced dead at the scene while another was airlifted to a hospital in London with life-threatening injuries.

Six others were taken to hospital for assessment.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2023.

SHARE:
Sunshine spills into Danielle Kanes living room.

Sitting in its dappled light, she wheels around to look out the large windows, taking in the view of her Scarborough neighbourhood.

From the 26th floor, she can see the nearby library, the ribbons of trees newly green with spring leaves, the mall she used to wander with friends during her school years.

Though shes only lived in this condo since December, Kane says moving in felt like coming home.

Just a few years ago, all of this  her light-filled living room, her new husband, the promise of their life together  seemed far out of reach.

Kane, now 36, was among the 13 people wounded during the 2018 Danforth shooting rampage that killed two people and left a city reeling in its aftermath.

The bullet that tore through her abdomen and shattered one of her vertebrae also damaged her spinal cord, paralyzing her from the waist down.

Determined to recover, Kane persevered through the months of rehab and years of chronic pain. But when her long-term relationship ended right before the pandemic, Kane spiralled into a deeper depression.

Overwhelmed by the isolation and fighting a growing sense of despair, she says she was mourning all that had been taken from her on the night she was shot: her mobility, her future career as a nurse, her dreams of having a family and being a mom.

It felt like parts of my life were over, Kane says.

The evening of July 22, 2018, was warm and still, a perfect night to dine outside on the Danforth, where Kane and her then-partner were celebrating a friends birthday at 7Numbers, a busy Greektown restaurant.

Kane was finishing her dinner on the streetfront patio when she heard the pop-pop-pop.

Within moments, a server was rushing diners inside the restaurant, warning them that someone nearby was firing a gun.

In the days to come, a fuller picture would emerge of how a shooter walked 400 metres down Danforth Avenue, spraying bullets seemingly at random, first into a parkette, then into restaurants and cafes, injuring 13 people and killing Reese Fallon, 18, and Julianna Kozis, 10. The shooter, who would be identified as 29-year-old Fasail Hussain, would kill himself during a gunfight with police. The gunman had no affiliation with any radical ideology or terrorist organizations, but was a troubled individual with an extensive history of mental health issues, investigators later concluded.

Inside the restaurant, Kane didnt know what was happening. But she and her partner rushed out when they heard someone may have been injured.

Kane, who had just completed her first year of nursing studies and was an administrative assistant at Michael Garron Hospital, and her partner, an ER nurse at the hospital, felt compelled to help.

When theres trouble, you go toward the trouble, she recalls about the decision to go outside. I thought, if theres injured people we need to intervene because sometimes those first few minutes are so crucial.

When Kane opened the door, she saw the gunman. Almost immediately, he fired in their direction. One bullet hit Kane and she fell to the ground, the impact breaking her ribs.

Her partner pulled her back inside the restaurant and stayed until an ambulance could take her to St. Michaels Hospital.

Lying on the floor, her lungs filling with blood making it harder and harder to breathe, Kane remembers thinking she could be paralyzed.

I couldnt feel my legs, she recalls. And the longer I lay there, the more I worried I was dying. I kept thinking, no, I dont want my last memories to be bleeding out on this restaurant floor, this is not how I envisioned my life would end.

Kane spent 11 days in a medically induced coma, intubated and on a ventilator.

The bullet had shattered her T11 vertebra, one of the thoracic vertebrae lower down on her spine. Surgeons stabilized her spine by fusing two of the nearby vertebrae. Another surgical team, during three operations, repaired the extensive injuries to her abdomen.

Her mother, Joy, remembers being at her bedside, praying she would open her eyes.

We didnt know how bad the injuries were going to be. We were just hoping she would survive.

Once Kane had recovered from the surgeries, she spent two months at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, where staff helped her work through intensive physiotherapy, find ways to manage her pain and get her accustomed to her wheelchair.

Then she went home, hoping she and her partner could get past the trauma and get on with their lives.

Few relationships can withstand a traumatic event. This is what Kane says when asked why the long-term relationship ended in early 2020, after more than three years together.

A spinal cord injury, its just not something people plan for, she says. I hold nothing against him that things didnt work out between us.

Two months after their split, the pandemic hit.

Alone in her Oshawa home, Kane struggled to care for herself and still couldnt treat the burning chronic pain that made the lower half of her body sting with intense pins and needles.

As the months wore on, and as she felt ever more isolated, Kane says she slid deeper into a depression.

She recalls with clarity the day that things changed.

Feeling overwhelmed, Kane says she called out to God for help, pleading for relief from the isolation and loneliness, though at the time she considered herself an atheist.

Looking back, Kane says she cant explain why she turned to God. After she was shot, friends and family had prayed for her wellbeing. It had not brought her comfort until that moment.

I was at the end of myself. I was very desperate and entertaining thoughts of self-harm. I said: God, if you are real, I really need you right now because I cant do this on my own.

All I can say is that I felt this feeling of peace, and the anger and bitterness I had from struggling so much in my situation just went away. I cant really explain it except that I felt like God was here to help me.

Since then, Kane says her faith has become a source of strength and hope, buoying her on hard days. She says it helped her cope with the unrelenting pain that was slowing her recovery and that, in the months following her plea, she was able to reduce some of her medications.

Kane says it was also the start of a new chapter in her life.

Toward the end of the second pandemic year, Kane cautiously began to think about opening herself up to a new relationship.

One of her mentors in the spinal-cord injury community suggested online dating, reminding her she was still a young woman and didnt need to close off this element of her life.

She created a dating profile using only three photos, each clearly showing her wheelchair, and wrote that she used the wheelchair because she was shot, listed books important to her and stated she wanted to find someone who was serious about their Christian faith.

And its crazy. I met the most perfect person for me.

During the months they dated, the couple found themselves spending more and more time together, often at each others homes eating meals, watching TV and talking about lifes challenges and their faith. It didnt take long to realize they wanted to build a life together.

They got engaged in March 2022 and were married four months later at their large Toronto church.

The night before her wedding, knowing this would be a special moment for her and the 300 guests attending the reception, Kane practised dancing in her wheelchair, her mom overseeing the choreography. Kane had once loved to dance, often the first on the floor and the last to leave, and she says she wanted to feel that way at her own wedding.

For the first dance, the DJ put on Celine Dions The Power of Love and Kane wheeled to the centre of the dance floor.

As her husband slowly spun Kane, her chair gliding around in a small circle, their guests rushed forward to take their picture. Kane, wearing a long white gown, smiled up at her husband. The yellow flower pinned to his tuxedos lapel matched the bouquet of yellow, peach and dark red roses placed on her lap.

Everyone was in tears, recalls Joy. There wasnt a dry eye in the room.

Kane had always wanted to be a mom.

After she had recovered from her shooting injuries, Kane was told pregnancy was possible. But at that time, with so much chronic pain, having a baby seemed a far-off hope. And when she found herself alone during the pandemic, Kane thought her chance at motherhood was gone.

I was struggling with the reality of my injury and my situation, and believing my dream of being a wife and a mom wouldnt happen.

With her new husband, she started to dream again. They both wanted to be parents, though Kane worried that at 36 and with a spinal cord injury it wouldnt be easy and may be impossible.

Feeling tired and nauseous she took a pregnancy test a few days after returning from their August honeymoon in Quebec.

I called my mom to tell her right away, Kane says.

Says Joy, with a laugh: Before I could even say Hello, she was telling me the news.

Though anxious about a safe pregnancy, Kane says she put her trust in God. Since finding her faith during COVID, Kane says she believes God is helping her.

Now, she says, Im always hoping for the best instead of expecting the opposite.

During her move to Scarborough, Kane struggled to find a family doctor in the area who could refer her to an obstetrician. At 16 weeks she saw Dr. Anne Berndl, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and director of its Accessible Care Pregnancy Clinic.

The clinic, which opened in 2017 and is the first of its kind in North America, provides pregnancy and birth care to people with physical disabilities, including those with spina bifida, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries.

Berndl remembers meeting Kane last November. Four months into her pregnancy, Berndl didnt see any immediate concerns during the initial consultation though they talked about potential risks.

She was so full of hope. It became a joy to take care of her.

People with spinal cord injuries face higher risks during pregnancy, including bladder and kidney infections, and going into preterm labour. They also have a higher chance of being diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, meaning a fetus does not grow as expected and the baby is born smaller than anticipated for its gestational age.

Berndl monitored Kane closely and assembled a team including urologists, anesthesiologists and neonatologists, who created a unique pregnancy and delivery plan.

Beyond the high-risk pregnancy itself, the main concerns were the scar tissue in Kanes abdomen, the result of the surgeries for her shooting injuries, and whether her delivery would harm her bladder, which had been surgically altered a few years earlier.

Like many people with spinal cord injuries, Kane needs to use a catheter to empty her bladder. In 2021, Kane had surgery to enlarge her bladder and make it more stable.

Her surgeon, Dr. Sender Herschorn, a urologist at Sunnybrook and professor of surgery at the University of Toronto, also created a continent catheterizable channel, or CCC, to allow urine to empty through a stoma in her abdomen.

Prior to the procedure, Kane could only empty her bladder while lying down, making it difficult to spend more than three or four hours away from home.She calls the surgery liberating, a milestone in her recovery.

As her pregnancy progressed, Kane and the Sunnybrook team decided a planned C-section would be the safest way to deliver her baby.

While people with spinal cord injuries can have vaginal deliveries, Berndl says they cant always feel the sensation of contractions.

So youre in this scenario where someone is at an increased risk of preterm labour but is also not being as able to perceive it.

A scheduled C-section allowed for more planning, and for Kanes key team members to be in the operating room, including Herschorn. He would carefully separate scar tissue from her bowel and abdominal wall, allowing access to the uterus.

Together, the team decided on the safest place to make the incision. It would be a vertical cut in the centre of her abdomen, stretching from the bottom of her rib cage to her belly button, rather than the typical half-moon incision made lower down near the pubic bone.

Berndl gave Kane and her husband a photo that mapped out the proposed incision on her abdomen.

We had it saved on our phones, says Kane, just in case I delivered unexpectedly and my team couldnt be there.

Kane was admitted to Sunnybrook one week before her scheduled delivery date of April 4. She was 36 weeks pregnant and Berndl and the team wanted to keep a close eye on Kane and her baby.

During her pregnancy, Kane had been in and out of hospital, including a nearly weeklong stay in February at 27 weeks when Berndl became worried about preterm labour. The team was happy when Kane safely made it to 37 weeks.

On the morning of April 4, Kane was wheeled to a main operating room. The 20-person team was in place, including specialists from the neonatal intensive care unit.

Before going into the OR, Kane prayed with her mother and husband. Then Joy kissed her daughter and said, I love you.

For much of Kanes pregnancy, the anesthesiologists involved in her delivery planned to use a general anesthesia. But days before, they came up with a way to keep her awake.

Kane couldnt have a standard epidural; it wouldnt be able to go high enough to accommodate her unconventional incision. Instead, Berndl says the anesthesiology team used two types of pain control: a thoracic epidural that was inserted towards the ribcage portion of her spine as well as a second dose of anesthetic in her lower spine.

She had lots of pain control available to her and she was actually able to be awake for the whole thing.

The delivery took about 15 minutes. Herschorn, who stood across from Berndl during the birth, each on either side of Kanes belly, was able to quickly dissect through the scar tissue on the bowel to reveal the uterus. Minutes later, Berndl delivered Kanes baby, who was breech, toes first.

Berndl says shell never forget the sound of Kanes voice when she saw her baby daughter for the first time.

There was this sense of, Here she is, weve made it! It was such a joyful exclamation.

In her sunny condo, Kane glances down at her daughter, Chloe Joy, asleep in her bassinet. Shes tucked in tight, just her head and one tiny hand peeking out from under the blanket.

She came home after four days with Chloe, born at five pounds, four ounces.

Chloe is now five-and-a-half weeks old, and Kane says the days are often still a blur, even with Joy, on a short leave from her neonatal nursing job, staying for a few weeks to help.

With her C-section scar healing, Kane is regaining strength in her upper body and is again able to move around her home with ease.

Before they moved in, the couple replaced the carpet with smooth, laminate floors and Kanes husband modified much of the furniture, including raising their couch and living room chairs so Kane can easily transfer herself from her wheelchair.

When she needs to reach Chloe, Kane wheels right up to the edge of the bassinette to lift her out. Her brother-in-law modified its base, clearing space for her wheelchair, and there are similar plans for a crib when Chloe gets older.

Today, Chloe  her middle name chosen for her two grandmothers, both named Jocelyn  sleeps under a purple, hand-crocheted blanket that Kane received while recovering from being shot. Though she never used it, Kane kept it as a reminder of how kind people were during that time.

After Chloe softly cries out, Kanes husband brings her their daughter. Kane uses a large nursing pillow set on her lap to help her hold Chloe, who is soon nestled in the crook of her left arm.

These are the moments Kane holds on to, the ones that make her reflect on how far she has come since the violent attack that altered her life.

Like she did in the weeks and months following the rampage, Kane says she plans to take this early time with Chloe day by day. She knows there will be challenges, but says she is determined to focus on light and hope.

For now, Kane wishes for what she calls small joys with her new family. Taking Chloe to their church for the first time. Picnics. Going to Woodbine Beach, Kanes favourite stretch of Lake Ontario.

With Chloe starting to squirm in her arms, Kane shifts her slightly to a different position. She cradles her small head in her hands, then smooths back wisps of her fine hair.

Hi, she says with a wide smile as Chloe opens her eyes. Youre awake. Its nice to see you.

Megan Ogilvie is a Toronto-based health reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @megan_ogilvie or reach her via email: mogilvie@thestar.ca

SHARE:
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  A fragile cease-fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding on Sunday after a five-day clash that killed 33 Palestinians and two people in Israel.

In an early test for the truce, Palestinian militants fired a rocket that landed in an open area of southern Israel Sunday evening. Palestinian media said the launch was caused by a technical error as militants were trying to deactivate the rocket.

Israel responded with tank fire on what it said were two military posts belonging to Gazas ruling Hamas militant group. Hamas stayed out of the recent round of fighting, but Israel says it holds the group responsible for fire coming out of the territory.

The latest round of Gaza fighting was sparked Tuesday when Israeli jets killed three top commanders from the Islamic Jihad militant group in response to earlier rocket launches from Gaza. Those killings set off a barrage of militant fire and the conflagration threatened to drag the region into another all-out war until Egypt mediated a cease-fire that took hold late Saturday.

While the calm appeared to bring a sense of relief to Gazas 2 million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been largely confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled numerous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip over the years.

In Gaza, residents surveyed the latest damage caused to their surroundings, with gaping holes left in the apartments serving as what Israel said were hideouts for the six senior Islamic Jihad members killed during this round. Gazas main cargo crossing with Israel reopened Sunday after warnings that keeping it closed would force Gazas sole power plant to shut down, deepening a power crisis.

Israel was gradually lifting restrictions on residents in southern Israel, which had borne the brunt of the rocket fire.

Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the latest battle, having killed at least six members of Islamic Jihads top brass in what it says were pinpointed strikes based on solid intelligence. But at least 13 of those killed in Gaza were civilians, among them children as young as 4 years old, as well as women.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the targeted attacks on the militants hideouts would reverberate around the region.

Israels enemies in Gaza and much farther than Gaza know that even if they try to hide, we are able and prepared to reach them at any time, he told a meeting of his Cabinet.

Israel has faced criticism in the past from rights groups over the civilian casualties in its bombardments in Gaza. Israel says it does its utmost to avoid harming civilians in its strikes and says militants operate from within the territorys densely populated areas to fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli communities.

Even if some of the strikes were precise, others destroyed the homes of uninvolved Palestinians.

If they want to target a house, let them target it alone. Why destroy the whole neighborhood? Why? said Mai Sarson, whose house in Deir el-Balah was reduced to ruins in an Israeli strike.

Throughout the fighting, Israels repeated airstrikes targeting Islamic Jihad and its command centers and rocket-launching sites showed no signs of stopping the rocket fire, prompting Islamic Jihad to declare victory and sending cheering Palestinians out into the streets late Saturday.

The Israeli military reported over 1,400 launches throughout the fighting, with some rockets reaching as far as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Israeli jets struck more than 400 targets, according to a preliminary military tally, which also showed about a fifth of the rockets were misfired and landed in Gaza, while most of the rest were either intercepted or landed in open areas.

An 80-year-old woman and a Palestinian laborer who was working inside Israel were killed by rocket fire. A Palestinian human rights group said three people, including two children, were killed in Gaza by errant rockets.

It was the latest in a long series of battles between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the seaside territory in 2007. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars, and there have been numerous smaller flareups as well.

The more powerful Hamas has praised Islamic Jihads strikes but remained on the sidelines during the latest round of fighting, limiting the scope of the conflict. As the de facto government held responsible for the abysmal conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently tried to keep a lid on its conflict with Israel. Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, a more ideological and unruly militant group wedded to violence, has taken the lead in the past few rounds of fighting with Israel.

Saturdays deal did not address many of the causes of the repeated fighting, including Israels ongoing blockade of Gaza, the large arsenals of weapons possessed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

The Gaza violence came after more than a year of fighting in the occupied West Bank, where the Israeli military has been staging near-nightly arrest raids and Palestinians have carried out repeated attacks. Tensions could once again soar this week when nationalist Israelis hold an annual march through a sensitive area of Jerusalems Old City, which the Palestinians view as provocative.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three areas for a future state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but Hamas subsequently overran the territory and expelled forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade over Gaza in what Israel says is a policy aimed at preventing Hamas from arming. The Palestinians and international rights groups say the policy, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, amounts to collective punishment.

___

Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.

SHARE:
IDLIB, Syria (AP)  The leader of an insurgent group that rules much of northwest Syria rose to notoriety over the past decade by claiming deadly bombings, threatening revenge against Western crusader forces and dispatching Islamist religious police to crack down on women deemed to be immodestly dressed.

Today the man known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani is trying hard to distance his group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, from its al-Qaida origins, spreading a message of pluralism and religious tolerance.

As part of the rebranding, he has cracked down on extremist factions and dissolved the notorious religious police. For the first time in more than a decade, a Mass was performed recently at a long-shuttered church in Idlib province.

Al-Golani told a recent gathering of religious and local officials that Islamic law should not be imposed by force. We dont want the society to become hypocritical so that they pray when they see us and dont once we leave, al-Golani said, pointing to Saudi Arabia, which has relaxed its social controls in recent years after decades of strict Islamic rule.

The pivot comes at a time when al-Golanis group is increasingly isolated. Countries that had once backed insurgents in Syrias uprising-turned-civil-war are restoring relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Saudi Arabia, a one-time Assad foe, reversed course and led a push resulting in Syrias return to the Arab League last week, after 12 years of regional isolation.

Even Turkey, the main remaining state backer of armed opposition groups in Syria, has signaled a shift. Last week, the Turkish foreign minister met with his Syrian counterpart in Moscow, the first such meeting since 2011. The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran, Assads main allies, also attended.

The meeting marked a significant step toward Damascus and Ankara restoring ties, even as the presence of Turkish troops in northwest Syria remains a sticking point.

At the same time, the United States considers HTS a terrorist group and has offered a $10 million reward for information on al-Golanis whereabouts. The United Nations also designates it a terrorist organization.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Turkey jointly slapped sanctions on two people who allegedly raised money for militant groups, including HTS.

Al-Golani rose to prominence in the early months of the Syrian uprising in 2011, when he became the leader of al-Qaidas branch in Syria, known at the time as the Nusra Front. Militants and top officials from Osama bin Ladens al-Qaida flocked to the groups base of operations in northern Syria, where many of them were later killed in U.S. strikes.

In July 2016, the Nusra Front changed its name to Fatah al-Sham Front and said it was cutting ties with al-Qaida, in what was seen by many as an attempt to improve its image. Fatah al-Sham later merged with several other groups and became Hayat Tahrir al Sham.

During that period, al-Golani showed his face publicly for the first time and changed his style of dress from white turbans and robes to shirts and trousers. His fighters went after Islamic State group militants who fled to Idlib after their defeat and cracked down on Horas al-Din or Guardians of Religion, another militant group that includes hardcore al-Qaida members who broke away from HTS.

The change in al-Golanis public image appears not to have impressed the U.S. government.

Posts on social media accounts of the U.S. governments Rewards for Justice show a photo of al-Golani wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue blazer with a caption in Arabic that reads: Hello, handsome al-Golani. Nice shirt. You can change your uniform, but you will always be a terrorist. Dont forget the $10 million reward.

In 2017, HTS set up a so-called salvation government to run day-to-day affairs in the region. At first, it attempted to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Religious police were tasked with making sure that women were covered, with only their faces and hands showing. Its members would force shops to close on Fridays so that people could attend the weekly prayers. Playing music was banned, as was smoking water pipes in public.

In March 2020, Russia and Turkey, which support rival groups in the conflict, reached a truce. Since then, rebel-held northwestern Syria has witnessed relative calm, and HTS focused its efforts on cracking down on the remnants of IS and other jihadist groups. The International Crisis Group think tank, in a report earlier this year, said HTS has evolved and distanced itself from global jihadism.

HTS has also sometimes portrayed itself as a defender of minorities in the primarily Sunni Arab northwest.

In March, members of a Turkish-backed armed group shot dead four Kurdish men in the town of Jinderis as they lit a fire to celebrate the Kurdish new year. Al-Golani met with the victims families and other Kurdish residents of the area and promised revenge against the perpetrators.

In a 2021 interview with PBS, al-Golani called his groups terrorist designation unfair and political, saying that while he had criticized Western policies in the region, we didnt say we want to fight (them).

Al-Golani said his involvement with al-Qaeda has ended, and that even in the past his group was against carrying out operations outside of Syria.

The State Department said in a statement that al-Golani remains a designated terrorist and that it does not comment on possible deliberations about changing such designations.

Aron Lund, a fellow with the Century International research center, said he believes its unlikely the U.S. will remove HTS and al-Golani from its terrorism list. As far as I can tell, the U.S. government remains genuinely concerned about the groups links to global jihadism, Lund said.

Waiel Olwan, a researcher at the Turkey-based think tank Jusoor for Studies, said he believes al-Golani is trying to show he is in control of Idlib and to guarantee a place for himself in Syria once the conflict ends.

Asim Zedan, an activist whose group tracks violations by HTS, said the ongoing terror designation is a blow to al-Golanis self-image.

After forming the salvation government and setting up ministries, al-Golani now sees himself as a head of state, Zedan said.

____

Mroue reported from Beirut.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country's planned counteroffensive is designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory. Speaking at a news conference Sunday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelenskyy said Ukraines goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders. Zelenskyy was welcomed with military honors by Scholz on his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine. Zelenskyy is holding talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild whats been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict. Scholz told Zelenskyy that Germany will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, saying later he sought the pontiff's support for Ukraine's peace plan. The pontiff has previously offered his efforts to try to end the war that Russia began with its invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Francis has previously said the Vatican has launched a behind-the-scenes initiative to try to end the war. Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy received assurances from Italian leaders of continued military and financial support. Premier Giorgia Meloni, who staunchly supports military aid for Ukraine, said Italy would back the country 360 degrees for all the time necessary and beyond.
ISTANBUL, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday cast his vote for twin presidential and parliamentary elections in a school in Istanbul, the country's largest city.

Erdogan arrived at the school in the Uskudar district on Istanbul's Asian side with his wife, Emine Erdogan, at 11:40 a.m. local time (0840 GMT).

"According to the information I received from the interior minister, the voting process is going on without any problems, without incidents," Erdogan told reporters after casting his ballot, adding voting in Turkiye's earthquake zones is also going on without any difficulty.

"The fact that all our voters cast their votes until 5 p.m. without any concern is very important in demonstrating the strength of Turkish democracy," Erdogan stressed.

The presidential election is expected as a tight race between two candidates, incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the center-left Republican People's Party. The third candidate Sinan Ogan is appealing for nationalist votes and the fourth presidential contender Muharrem Ince withdrew from the race on Thursday. Kilicdaroglu, 74, also cast his vote on Sunday for the elections.

Erdogan, 69, founder and leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party, has been leading the country since 2014 as the 12th president. He served as Turkiye's prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. 
Andreas Bovenschulte, top candidate of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) for the state elections in the German state of Bremen, and his partner Kerstin Krueger stand on stage at the SPD election party after the announcement of the first forecast for the elections in Bremen, northern Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Initial projections based on exit polls and partial vote counts put a center-left alliance led by the Social Democrats ahead in regional elections in Germanys northern state of Bremen on Sunday. (Sina Schuldt/dpa via AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, talks to the crowd after the award ceremony of the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Zelenskyy is in Aachen to receive the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine and is surrounded by, front from left, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Roberta Metsola, President of the EU Parliament. (Federico Gambarini/DPA via AP, Pool)
Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 19,700,000 shares, a growth of 72.7% from the April 15th total of 11,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 591,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 33.3 days. Currently, 2.8% of the companys shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. 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 lowered their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$151.00 to C$147.50 in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. Two research analysts have 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 MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $152.70.

Get Bank of Montreal alerts:

Bank of Montreal Stock Up 0.3 %

BMO stock traded up $0.25 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $87.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 577,962 shares, compared to its average volume of 594,513. 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 has a 52-week low of $81.57 and a 52-week high of $110.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.16, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $88.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $93.50.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

Bank of Montreal ( NYSE:BMO Get Rating ) (TSE:BMO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The bank reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.06. Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 22.13% and a return on equity of 13.65%. The company had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Bank of Montreal will post 9.81 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared 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 4.90%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This is a boost from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Montreal

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Belpointe Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of Montreal during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of Montreal during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of Montreal during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Bank of Montreal by 339.0% during the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 439 shares of the banks stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in Bank of Montreal by 193.4% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 443 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.78% of the companys stock.

About Bank of Montreal

(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.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Jackson Square Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 231 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $127,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Roffman Miller Associates Inc. PA lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Roffman Miller Associates Inc. PA now owns 31,116 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,135,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 36.3% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 5,583 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,075,000 after buying an additional 1,486 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 9.9% during 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 buying an additional 580 shares during the period. Western Financial Corp CA bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $627,000. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,607 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,337,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.92% of the companys stock.

Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Barclays cut their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, SVB Leerink lifted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $620.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $627.91.

Insider Buying and Selling at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 1.0 %

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.96, for a total value of $915,136.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 128,705 shares of the companys stock, valued at $73,614,111.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total value of $5,452,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $77,055,942.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.96, for a total value of $915,136.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 128,705 shares in the company, valued at $73,614,111.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 20,700 shares of company stock valued at $11,306,723. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock opened at $524.65 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 12 month low of $475.77 and a 12 month high of $611.06. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $558.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $553.79. The stock has a market cap of $202.37 billion, a PE ratio of 34.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.79.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates 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 analysts expectations of $10.67 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.25 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.7 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.27%. This is a boost from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is presently 9.13%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc engages in the provision of analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences Solutions, Analytical Instruments, Specialty Diagnostics, and Laboratory Products and Services.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
KIEV, May 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 people were injured in Saturday's drone attack on the outskirts of Khmelnytskyi city in western Ukraine, local media reported Sunday, citing regional authorities.

The Khmelnytskyi regional military administration confirmed that a combat drone fired by the Russian forces hit a critical infrastructure facility located outside the settlements, causing explosions.

Educational, cultural, and medical institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, as well as apartment blocks and private houses in the nearby settlements were damaged by the explosions.

Two of those injured in the attack were hospitalized.

In the country's western Ternopil region, at least two civilians were injured in the two waves of attacks carried out by Russian forces overnight to Sunday, according to local authorities.

Volodymyr Trush, head of the Ternopil regional military administration, said that the strikes, which involved cruise missiles, had damaged houses, commercial facilities, and trucks. 
Aviva PLC boosted its stake in shares of Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O  Get Rating) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 430,712 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 20,446 shares during the period. Aviva PLCs holdings in Realty Income were worth $27,320,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of O. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Realty Income by 33.7% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,505 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,767,000 after buying an additional 6,433 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in Realty Income by 1.9% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 18,695 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,296,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in Realty Income in the first quarter worth $592,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Realty Income by 8.2% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 115,733 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $8,020,000 after purchasing an additional 8,803 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Realty Income by 5.6% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,334 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 1,671 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.56% of the companys stock.

Get Realty Income alerts:

Realty Income Price Performance

Shares of O stock opened at $62.03 on Friday. Realty Income Co. has a 1-year low of $55.50 and a 1-year high of $75.11. The stocks 50-day moving average is $62.11 and its 200 day moving average is $63.82. The company has a market cap of $41.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.68, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.85.

Realty Income Dividend Announcement

Realty Income ( NYSE:O Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by ($0.62). Realty Income had a net margin of 25.72% and a return on equity of 3.12%. The company had revenue of $888.65 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $840.57 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.94 EPS. Realty Incomes revenue for the quarter was up 29.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Realty Income Co. will post 4.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a apr 23 dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st will be given a dividend of $0.255 per share. This represents a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. Realty Incomes payout ratio is currently 215.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

O has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Realty Income from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Scotiabank upgraded Realty Income from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $69.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. BNP Paribas started coverage on Realty Income in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. They issued a neutral rating and a $72.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho dropped their price target on Realty Income from $69.00 to $66.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Realty Income from $71.00 to $71.25 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $71.63.

About Realty Income

(Get Rating)

Realty Income Corp. is a real estate company, which engages in generating dependable monthly cash dividends from a consistent and predictable level of cash flow from operations. The company was founded by William E. Clark, Jr. and Evelyn Joan Clark in 1969 and is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding O? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Aviva PLC raised its holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Get Rating) by 22.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 257,261 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 46,663 shares during the period. Aviva PLC owned about 0.07% of Prudential Financial worth $25,587,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PRU. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 31,654,749 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,715,345,000 after acquiring an additional 168,175 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of 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 worth $750,839,000 after acquiring an additional 356,957 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 1.3% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,291,063 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $282,307,000 after acquiring an additional 43,016 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 3.3% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,247,466 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $383,753,000 after acquiring an additional 103,853 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 2.6% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,840,804 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $335,698,000 after acquiring an additional 70,646 shares during the last quarter. 56.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Prudential Financial alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on PRU shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Prudential Financial from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 13th. 92 Resources reissued a maintains rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Prudential Financial from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $114.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Prudential Financial from $104.00 to $88.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and set a $106.00 price objective on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $99.83.

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of PRU stock opened at $78.94 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $28.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 877.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $83.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $95.90. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.37 and a 12-month high of $110.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $2.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by ($0.36). The business had revenue of $15.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.29 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 14.05% and a net margin of 0.09%. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.17 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 12.04 EPS for the current year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 23rd will be paid a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.33%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 22nd. Prudential Financials payout ratio is currently 5,555.56%.

Prudential Financial announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, February 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Prudential Financial

In related news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total value of $409,299.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,214,307.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 11,405 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,241,685. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total value of $409,299.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,214,307.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Prudential Financial Profile

(Get Rating)

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.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE  Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by Truist Financial from $26.00 to $20.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on BE. TheStreet raised Bloom Energy from a d rating to a c- rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Bloom Energy from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $29.00 to $27.00 in a report on Friday, February 10th. KeyCorp raised their target price on Bloom Energy from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Bloom Energy from $35.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Bloom Energy from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $28.88.

Get Bloom Energy alerts:

Bloom Energy Trading Down 3.9 %

Shares of BE opened at $12.72 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.62 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.71 and a beta of 2.85. Bloom Energy has a one year low of $12.33 and a one year high of $31.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.95. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $18.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.39.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bloom Energy

Bloom Energy ( NYSE:BE Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $462.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $398.36 million. Bloom Energy had a negative net margin of 25.14% and a negative return on equity of 194.49%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 35.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.16) EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bloom Energy will post -0.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Bloom Energy news, insider Glen Griffiths sold 2,122 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.03, for a total value of $38,259.66. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 403,498 shares in the company, valued at $7,275,068.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Kr Sridhar sold 7,487 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.61, for a total transaction of $176,768.07. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 628,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,850,052.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Glen Griffiths sold 2,122 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.03, for a total value of $38,259.66. Following the sale, the insider now owns 403,498 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,275,068.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 313,461 shares of company stock worth $6,163,328 over the last 90 days. 2.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bloom Energy

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Creative Planning raised its holdings in shares of Bloom Energy by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 42,778 shares of the companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY raised its holdings in shares of Bloom Energy by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 11,110 shares of the companys stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 502 shares in the last quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC grew its position in Bloom Energy by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 34,793 shares of the companys stock worth $735,000 after acquiring an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Bloom Energy by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 57,530 shares of the companys stock worth $1,100,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flputnam Investment Management Co. grew its position in Bloom Energy by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 48,916 shares of the companys stock worth $935,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.55% of the companys stock.

Bloom Energy Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Bloom Energy Corp. engages in the manufacture and installation of a solid oxide fuel-cell based power generation platform. Its product, Bloom Energy Server, converts standard low-pressure natural gas or biogas into electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion. The company was founded by K.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Bloom Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bloom Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lowered its position in U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating) by 16.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 179,001 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 36,472 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.s holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $7,806,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in USB. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in U.S. Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in U.S. Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new position in U.S. Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new position in U.S. Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC grew its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 334.0% during the 3rd quarter. Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC now owns 868 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 668 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.83% of the companys stock.

Get U.S. Bancorp alerts:

U.S. Bancorp Stock Up 0.7 %

USB stock traded up $0.21 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $29.13. The stock had a trading volume of 16,870,744 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,005,142. The firm has a market cap of $44.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.93. The business has a 50-day moving average of $34.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $41.80. U.S. Bancorp has a 52-week low of $27.27 and a 52-week high of $53.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

U.S. Bancorp Dividend Announcement

U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $7.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.14 billion. U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.70% and a net margin of 19.21%. U.S. Bancorps revenue for the quarter was up 28.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.99 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.59%. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is currently 51.06%.

Insider Transactions at U.S. Bancorp

In other U.S. Bancorp news, insider James B. Kelligrew purchased 16,260 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $30.59 per share, with a total value of $497,393.40. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 151,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,647,446.93. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other U.S. Bancorp news, insider James B. Kelligrew purchased 16,260 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $30.59 per share, with a total value of $497,393.40. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 151,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,647,446.93. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Richard P. Mckenney purchased 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $30.37 per share, for a total transaction of $607,400.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $607,400. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 76,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,446,082. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $46.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Citigroup dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $54.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $52.50 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $41.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, U.S. Bancorp presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target 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.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for U.S. Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for U.S. Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CMT  Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 43,200 shares, an increase of 18.4% from the April 15th total of 36,500 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 66,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CMT has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. EF Hutton Acquisition Co. I increased their price objective on shares of Core Molding Technologies from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. StockNews.com cut Core Molding Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 1st.

Get Core Molding Technologies alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Core Molding Technologies

In other news, Director Ralph O. Hellmold sold 9,000 shares of Core Molding Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.82, for a total value of $151,380.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 39,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $666,458.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Core Molding Technologies news, Director Ralph O. Hellmold sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.82, for a total value of $151,380.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 39,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at $666,458.86. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Eric Palomaki sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.50, for a total transaction of $102,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 152,348 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,123,134. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 19,973 shares of company stock valued at $355,720. Insiders own 13.70% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Core Molding Technologies

Core Molding Technologies Stock Up 3.1 %

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CMT. State Street Corp increased its position in Core Molding Technologies by 16.4% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 19,561 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $210,000 after purchasing an additional 2,753 shares during the last quarter. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. bought a new stake in Core Molding Technologies in the third quarter worth $571,000. Gendell Jeffrey L increased its position in Core Molding Technologies by 0.9% in the third quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L now owns 295,141 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,931,000 after purchasing an additional 2,582 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Core Molding Technologies by 6.9% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 15,503 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Koss Olinger Consulting LLC increased its position in Core Molding Technologies by 24.5% in the third quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 19,121 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $190,000 after purchasing an additional 3,767 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.67% of the companys stock.

NYSEAMERICAN:CMT traded up $0.61 on Friday, reaching $20.44. 53,170 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 59,941. The company has a market capitalization of $186.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.10 and a beta of 1.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Core Molding Technologies has a 12 month low of $8.50 and a 12 month high of $20.72. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.38.

Core Molding Technologies (NYSEAMERICAN:CMT  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 14th. The industrial products company reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter. Core Molding Technologies had a net margin of 3.23% and a return on equity of 12.65%. The firm had revenue of $86.44 million during the quarter.

Core Molding Technologies Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Core Molding Technologies, Inc engages in manufacturing of sheet molding compound and molding of fiberglass reinforced plastics. It focuses on producing large-format moldings and offers a range of fiberglass processes, spray-up, hand-lay-up, and resin transfer molding. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Columbus, OH.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Core Molding Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Core Molding Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP trimmed its holdings in shares of Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN  Get Rating) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,686,510 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 22,850 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LPs holdings in Eaton were worth $421,649,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Eaton by 140.5% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 7,609 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,194,000 after buying an additional 4,445 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp grew its holdings in Eaton by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 170,423 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $22,728,000 after buying an additional 1,267 shares in the last quarter. Keebeck Alpha LP grew its holdings in Eaton by 21.1% in the 3rd quarter. Keebeck Alpha LP now owns 2,632 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $351,000 after buying an additional 458 shares in the last quarter. Western Financial Corp CA purchased a new stake in Eaton in the 4th quarter valued at $310,000. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Eaton by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 49,307 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,739,000 after buying an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. 80.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Eaton alerts:

Eaton Price Performance

ETN opened at $168.58 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $166.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $163.48. Eaton Co. plc has a 12-month low of $122.50 and a 12-month high of $178.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a market cap of $67.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.30, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.12.

Eaton Dividend Announcement

Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.10. Eaton had a return on equity of 18.70% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.62 EPS. Eatons revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Eaton Co. plc will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th will be given a $0.86 dividend. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 5th. Eatons dividend payout ratio is currently 53.67%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton

In other Eaton news, insider Joao V. Faria sold 5,204 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.55, for a total value of $908,358.20. Following the sale, the insider now owns 76,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,320,608.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Eaton news, insider Joao V. Faria sold 5,204 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.55, for a total value of $908,358.20. Following the sale, the insider now owns 76,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,320,608.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joao V. Faria sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.71, for a total value of $441,775.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 71,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,601,896.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,377 shares of company stock valued at $5,526,193 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on ETN. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Eaton from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Eaton from $149.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Barclays increased their price target on Eaton from $145.00 to $159.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Eaton from $201.00 to $221.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Eaton from $168.00 to $180.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $178.77.

About Eaton

(Get Rating)

Eaton Corp. Plc is a power management company, which provides energy-efficient solutions for electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power. It operates through the following segments: Electrical Americas and Electrical Global, Aerospace, Vehicle, and eMobility. The Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segments engage in sales contracts for electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality, wiring devices, circuit protection, utility power distribution, power reliability equipment, and service.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First Eagle Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPO  Get Rating) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 31,737 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 206 shares during the quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLCs holdings in EnPro Industries were worth $3,449,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NPO. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its stake in shares of EnPro Industries by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 8,600 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $935,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of EnPro Industries by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,977 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $253,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in shares of EnPro Industries by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 17,805 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,785,000 after buying an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in shares of EnPro Industries by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 2,947 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $320,000 after buying an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of EnPro Industries by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 19,552 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,602,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.65% of the companys stock.

Get EnPro Industries alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Steven R. Bower sold 2,400 shares of EnPro Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.78, for a total transaction of $263,472.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,440 shares in the company, valued at $377,643.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other EnPro Industries news, CFO John M. Childress II sold 5,000 shares of EnPro Industries stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.30, for a total transaction of $556,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 34,561 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,846,639.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Steven R. Bower sold 2,400 shares of EnPro Industries stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.78, for a total transaction of $263,472.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,440 shares in the company, valued at $377,643.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

EnPro Industries Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of NPO stock opened at $94.22 on Friday. EnPro Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $76.14 and a fifty-two week high of $127.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.74 and a beta of 1.44. The stocks fifty day moving average is $97.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 2.79 and a current ratio of 3.58.

EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.49. The firm had revenue of $282.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $273.40 million. EnPro Industries had a net margin of 19.21% and a return on equity of 11.87%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.83 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that EnPro Industries, Inc. will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EnPro Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. EnPro Industriess payout ratio is 10.76%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NPO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on EnPro Industries in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. TheStreet upgraded EnPro Industries from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd.

EnPro Industries Company Profile

(Get Rating)

EnPro Industries, Inc engages in the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary engineered industrial products. It operates through the Sealing Technologies and Advanced Surface Technologies segment. The Sealing Technologies segment designs, manufactures, and sells sealing products including metallic, non-metallic, and composite material gaskets.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NPO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for EnPro Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EnPro Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First Trust Advisors LP trimmed its position in shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM  Get Rating) by 16.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,798,650 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 737,080 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned about 1.68% of PulteGroup worth $172,953,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. General Partner Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Denali Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 104.3% in the 4th quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 811 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $61,000. 88.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get PulteGroup alerts:

PulteGroup Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PHM opened at $68.43 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.89, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 1.33. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 12 month low of $35.03 and a 12 month high of $68.88. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $60.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $52.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.70.

PulteGroup Dividend Announcement

PulteGroup ( NYSE:PHM Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.57. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.22% and a return on equity of 31.03%. The firm had revenue of $3.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.83 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 8.78 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 20th will be paid a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 16th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.94%. PulteGroups dividend payout ratio is currently 5.51%.

PulteGroup declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, April 25th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to reacquire up to 6.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PHM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of PulteGroup in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $65.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $68.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $51.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, BTIG Research raised their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $68.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, PulteGroup has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.86.

Insider Activity at PulteGroup

In related news, EVP Todd N. Sheldon sold 15,998 shares of PulteGroup stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.83, for a total value of $861,172.34. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 82,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,432,308.37. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other PulteGroup news, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.95, for a total value of $1,004,250.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 55,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,741,567.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Todd N. Sheldon sold 15,998 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.83, for a total value of $861,172.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 82,339 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,432,308.37. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 273,917 shares of company stock valued at $17,650,743. 0.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About PulteGroup

(Get Rating)

PulteGroup, Inc engages in the homebuilding business. The firm is also involved in mortgage banking and title and insurance brokerage operations. It operates through the Homebuilding and Financial services business segments. The Homebuilding segment includes operations from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PHM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for PulteGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PulteGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (NYSE:GNT  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 23,400 shares, a decline of 24.5% from the April 15th total of 31,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 48,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust by 24.9% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 38,793 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 7,746 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $59,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 25,910 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $61,000. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust by 21.1% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 32,571 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 5,680 shares during the last quarter.

Get GAMCO Natural Resources Gold & Income Trust alerts:

GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust Stock Up 0.6 %

GNT traded up $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $5.15. 55,106 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 52,961. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $5.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.07. GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust has a 1 year low of $4.12 and a 1 year high of $5.42.

GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust Announces Dividend

About GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th will be given a $0.03 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 15th.

(Get Rating)

Gamco Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust operates as a closed-end management investment company. The firm intends to provide current income from interest, dividends and option premiums. It also intends to provide capital appreciation consistent with the Funds strategy and its primary objective. The company was founded on June 26, 2008 and is headquartered in Rye, NY.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for GAMCO Natural Resources Gold & Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GAMCO Natural Resources Gold & Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Spine Injury Solutions (OTCMKTS:SPIN  Get Rating) and Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Rating) are both index companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

10.6% of Spine Injury Solutions shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 97.0% of Portland General Electric shares are held by institutional investors. 68.6% of Spine Injury Solutions shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Portland General Electric shares are held by 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.

Get Spine Injury Solutions alerts:

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Spine Injury Solutions and Portland General Electrics top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Spine Injury Solutions $30,000.00 20.91 -$810,000.00 ($0.09) -0.34 Portland General Electric $2.77 billion 1.78 $233.00 million $2.73 18.70

Analyst Ratings

Portland General Electric has higher revenue and earnings than Spine Injury Solutions. Spine Injury Solutions is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Portland General Electric, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Spine Injury Solutions and Portland General Electric, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Spine Injury Solutions 0 0 0 0 N/A Portland General Electric 0 4 3 0 2.43

Portland General Electric has a consensus target price of $50.75, suggesting a potential downside of 0.59%. Given Portland General Electrics higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Portland General Electric is more favorable than Spine Injury Solutions.

Profitability

This table compares Spine Injury Solutions and Portland General Electrics net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Spine Injury Solutions N/A -145.94% -109.56% Portland General Electric 8.88% 9.06% 2.56%

Summary

Portland General Electric beats Spine Injury Solutions on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Spine Injury Solutions

(Get Rating)

Spine Injury Solutions, Inc. provides a suite of revolutionary electrical power generation technologies. The company intends to offer Evirontek Integrated Platform to the cryptocurrency mining industry to reduce the exorbitant high cost of electricity. It also provides spine injury diagnostic services; and owns, develops, and leases the Quad Video Halo video recording system used to record medical procedures. The company is based in Costa Mesa, California.

About Portland General Electric

(Get Rating)

Portland General Electric Co. engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. The firm also sells electricity and natural gas in the wholesale market to utilities, brokers, and power marketers. It also serves residential, commercial and non-residential customers. The company was founded by Edward L. Eastham and Parker F. Morey in 1888 and is headquartered in Portland, OR.

Receive News & Ratings for Spine Injury Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spine Injury Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.

Looking north from the bottom left of the midway are the famous Travel and Transport Building, the Chrysler Motors Building and Northerly Island at top right, where the Sky Ride can be faintly seen. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

In 1929, a group of socially prominent women pledged to keep the Chicago Worlds Fair scheduled for 1933 from being an embarrassing dud. No one asked them to assume that burden. To the contrary, the men who planned it snubbed them.

The citys Columbian Exposition of 1893 had a Womens Building designed by a female architect, Sophia Hayden. As the 1933 Fair was planned, the closest thing to a womens exhibit would have been the epidermis Sally Rand revealed during her notorious fan dance.

Advertisement

Determined something had to be done, in August 1929 the Womens Chicago Beautiful Association held a planning meeting at the Edgewater Beach Hotel. Forty women were expected. Two hundred representatives of womens clubs and civic organizations showed up.

Mrs. H. H. Haylett, from left, Mrs. William Westerland, founder and president, Mrs. Fred Irwin and Mrs. Edward S. Bailey, general chairman of the exposition, at a Womens Chicago Beautiful Association luncheon, circa 1930. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

The keynote speaker Fay-Cooper Cole, a University of Chicago anthropology professor, saluted the plan for a fair that far exceeded a state fairs traditional menu. He said the world has progressed too far for visitors to be interested in competitive displays of pickles and canned fruits, the Tribune reported.

Advertisement

Dubbing the fair A Century Of Progress  measured from Chicagos municipal incorporation  was a step in the right direction. But selling the city as a center of scientific and artistic achievements had a prerequisite.

[ Century of Progress: The science and the sleaze ]

The face the city showed the world was a combination of the beautiful and horrible, lamented Charles Burkholder, director of the Chicago Art Institute.

To remedy that, the Womens Chicago Beautiful Association endorsed a publicity campaign to impress foreign countries with Chicagos beauty and intellectual spots and to counteract the hoodlum-gangster stories. 

The undeniable fact was that Al Capone was far and away the most famous Chicagoan. His name rang a bell in far-flung places, where touting the architect Frank Lloyd Wright was more likely to be met with a blank stare.

Crowds gather at the entrance gate to the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

Ditto Julius Rosenwald, whose merchandizing genius made Sears, Roebuck and Co. a mail order behemoth. Or the writers who prompted a Baltimore newspaper editor, H.L. Mencken, in 1920 to proclaim Chicago The Literary Capital of the United States.

Actually, Capone had the flare of a novelist. A bootlegger by trade, he reinvented himself as a businessman with a sense of responsibility for the public good. Other mobsters were shy, witness the iconic photograph of one covering his face with a hat while his lawyer shouts: No pictures, boys!

[ Flashback: An ex-G-mans tales from a real-life mobbed-up tailor shop ]

Capone held news conferences. When Chicagos authorities denied him the traditional courtesy of looking the other way, he claimed he was leaving town.

Let the worthy citizens of Chicago get their liquor the best they can, Capone said in 1927. Im sick of the job  its a thankless one and full of grief. I dont know when Ill be back, if ever.

Advertisement

But things werent hunky-dory when Capone was in town, as was noted in the to-do list of the Womens Chicago Beautiful Association.

Mrs. Henry W. Hardy, president of the Cook County Federation of Womens Clubs, declared that before Chicago could come clean before the rest of the world, its politics would have to be put under the same rigorous attention as its yards and alleyways.

Mrs. Philip Lieber and Mrs. Richard Robinsdale sit next to a large illuminated globe at the Illinois Central Rail Exhibit in the Travel and Transport Building , circa May 1933. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Chicago was run by an unholy alliance of office holders and malefactors. It was an unintended side effect of Prohibition that went into effect in 1920. Reducing the supply of booze increased its profitability. Making it illicit lent it a certain cache.

Gang wars were fought over speakeasies, covert drinking establishments tolerated by the authoritiesfor a price.

Mayor Big Bill Thompson bragged that Capone contributed handsomely to his campaign war chest. If Chicagos reputation was tarnished, he said, it was because the Tribune badmouthed the city with lurid accounts of gangland shootings.

[ Read more about 'Big Bill' Thompson: Chicago's unfiltered mayor ]

He distributed a million copies of a 16-page brochure titled: The Tribunes Lies Have Made The World Believe Chicago is the Crime Center of America.

Advertisement

He would be an awkward cheerleader for a fair celebrating the power of the human intellect. We low brows got to stick together, was Thompsons political mantra.

As if to prove his qualification, he mounted an abortive voyage of exploration to capture what he claimed were the tree-climbing fish of South America.

Moreover, Thompson was accused of lining his own pockets as president of the 1933 Fairs predecessor, the Pageant of Progress, a trade fair of 1921 and 1922 held on Municipal Pier, as Navy Pier was then known.

Mayor William Thompson speaks at the opening of "The Pageant of Progress." (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Municipal Pier (now Navy Pier) is decorated for the formal opening of the Pageant of Progress Exposition. (Chicago Tribune)

He denied the charges but resigned as the pageants president when a judge ruled that a city official couldnt preside over an exposition on city property with profits going to a private company. Concessionaires complained of being shaken down for the privilege of selling ice cream and soft drinks.

In 1931, Thompson was defeated for reelection by Anton Cermak, who saw the citys image issue eye-to-eye with the Womens Chicago Beautiful Association.

At a luncheon in the Sherman Hotels ballroom honoring notable women  judges, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs  Cermak excoriated Hollywoods exploitation of Chicagos gangland heritage. Little Caesar, a fictionalized account of a Chicago hoodlum, was being screened at the Uptown Theater.

Advertisement

I have served notice on theatrical producers and motion picture firms that no more plays or films depicting this city as it has been depicted in the last few years will be permitted to show here, Cermak said. And if they continue to make them they will have to find other towns than this to display them. Weve had more than we want.

Crowds pack the fairgrounds in 1933. Millions attended the World's Fair during its two-year run in 1933-34. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Cermak didnt get to preside at the fair. He was assassinated a little less than three months before the fair opened on May 27, 1933. But his allies reaped a benefit.

Feminine participation in the Century of Progress took a long stride forward yesterday, a Tribune story proclaimed. What followed was an account of a Palmer House meeting of the National Council of Women. It noted the organizations that would be at the fair to show the world how far women have progressed in the last 100 years.

Chicago was also fortunate that Prohibition was drawing to a close, albeit by fits and starts. Beer Ends Dry Era Tonight, the Tribune reported April 6, 1933.

[ Heres what happened when the repeal of Prohibition let Chicagoans drink again ]

Legalized beer deprived bootleggers of the incentive to put the muscle on the fairs concessioners. Chicagos reputation as a bullet-ridden has-been was superseded by an image of a modern miracle maker.

Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The Columbian Exposition was launched upon a wind of enthusiasm, the Tribune noted of the citys 1893 Worlds Fair. A Century of Progress has had to battle every inch of the way.

Advertisement

In 1933, the country was in the depths of the Great Depression. But Chicagos Fair drew 23 million visitors. Among them was: A tow headed urchin, 8 years old, clad in blue overalls, rode a box car into Chicago last week, the Tribune reported. He started from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and his objective was A Century of Progress.

There, as elsewhere, people were talking about Chicagos marvels, and the boy had to see for himself. Found walking the streets, he was taken to a shelter pending arrangements to get him home.

Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, wife of the mayor, from left, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Henry W. Hardy, president of the Federated Women's organizations; Mrs. Rufus C. Dawes, and Mrs. Carter Harrison, as distinguished guests are given a driving tour of the fairgrounds on Womens Day at the Century of Progress Worlds Fair in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

With other visitors filling long empty hotels, Chicago offered hope that lean times wouldnt be forever. President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked that the Fair be extended for a second year. His wife spoke to its meaning during a visit to Chicago for the fairs Womens Day in October 1933.

I never remember a group of women who were working with me who let me down, " Eleanor Roosevelt said. Isnt it possible that this means that we can subordinate ourselves to study what our country needs and then put our shoulders to the wheel?

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.
Lion dance performers interact with spectators at the opening ceremony of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month held in the Spring Court of Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, the United States, on May 12, 2023. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

by Julia Pierrepont III, Gao Shan

LOS ANGELES, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Surrounded by soaring stone pillars, sunny skies overhead and an expansive view of lush greenery beyond, attendees enjoyed a lively Chinese lion dance performance, heartfelt speeches by civic and community leaders, and a delicious Asian-fusion lunch at the opening ceremony of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month held in the Spring Court of Los Angeles City Hall on Friday.

In the United States, May was officially designated as the AAPI Heritage Month in 1992. This month-long observance provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the AAPI community's contributions to American culture, society and history over centuries.

"Today we're here to recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month," California State Assemblyman Mike Fong told Xinhua during the ceremony. "And celebrate the contributions and inspiring stories of Asian Pacific Americans who have done so much to uplift our communities here in Los Angeles, throughout California and the nation."

The AAPI community is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse groups in the United States, encompassing over 50 ethnic groups with unique cultural traditions and histories, including Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and many others.

According to Los Angeles Almanac, Los Angeles County has, by far, the largest Asian population of any county in the United States, with an estimated 1.48 million people of Asian descent, representing over 15 percent of the population.

"I think that for so long Asian voices have kind of been in the background. So celebrations of this kind put them to the forefront and let people know that we are part of the fabric of this city and of this country," John S. Lee, Councilmember of the City of Los Angeles, co-chair of the AAPI Heritage Month Committee, told Xinhua, noting that times are changing and the AAPI community is finding its voice.

Officials and community leaders emphasized that AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about public safety issues affecting the AAPI community, such as discrimination, racism and hate crimes.

California State Assemblyman Fong noted that the last few years have been a "particularly challenging time for the AAPI community" due to a sharp uptick in hate crimes and incidents.

Lee echoed the view, saying, "It's a shame when some members of my community feel afraid to go out to the supermarket."

"It's important that we not be afraid to rock the boat and to speak up when something like that happens. That's how we stop it from happening again," he added.

According to a report released earlier this month by AAPI Hate, nearly half of AAPI individuals across the United States have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic that could be considered illegal.

Discrimination negatively affects the mental health and well-being of AAPI individuals. The report from AAPI Hate indicated that 50 percent of AAPI individuals who experienced discrimination reported feeling sad, stressed, anxious or depressed.

Officials expressed their hope that the planned events and activities will bring the theme of this year's AAPI Heritage Month, "Unity is Strength," to life.

"Our AAPI residents are an essential thread in the rich cultural tapestry of our city, making Los Angeles a more significant and vibrant place to live," Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, said in a written statement.

"Asian American and Pacific Islander Angelenos have shaped our city from its early years," Bass said. "Today -- whether in the arts or academia, in our businesses or our neighborhoods -- our AAPI residents make invaluable contributions in every corner of our city." 

People perform lion dance at the opening ceremony of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month held in the Spring Court of Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, the United States, on May 12, 2023. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

People perform lion dance at the opening ceremony of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month held in the Spring Court of Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, the United States, on May 12, 2023. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP  Get Rating) CAO Todd R. Fry sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.24, for a total transaction of $57,120.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,943 shares in the company, valued at $678,928.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Installed Building Products Stock Down 1.2 %

Installed Building Products stock opened at $113.10 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a current ratio of 2.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.53 and a beta of 1.69. Installed Building Products, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $69.44 and a fifty-two week high of $125.87. The stocks fifty day moving average is $113.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.36.

Get Installed Building Products alerts:

Installed Building Products (NYSE:IBP  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 22nd. The construction company reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.19 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $686.49 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $682.28 million. Installed Building Products had a net margin of 8.71% and a return on equity of 57.73%. Analysts predict that Installed Building Products, Inc. will post 8.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Installed Building Products Cuts Dividend

Institutional Trading of Installed Building Products

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.17%. Installed Building Productss dividend payout ratio is presently 15.79%.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Installed Building Products by 0.5% during the first quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 612,005 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $69,787,000 after acquiring an additional 3,142 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Installed Building Products by 10.0% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,454,884 shares of the construction companys stock worth $507,990,000 after acquiring an additional 405,604 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its position in Installed Building Products by 335.1% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 67,973 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,751,000 after acquiring an additional 52,349 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Installed Building Products by 445.7% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 111,193 shares of the construction companys stock worth $12,679,000 after acquiring an additional 90,817 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boulder Hill Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Installed Building Products during the first quarter worth approximately $821,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.90% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on IBP. StockNews.com lowered shares of Installed Building Products from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. BTIG Research started coverage on Installed Building Products in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised Installed Building Products from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $85.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Installed Building Products from $125.00 to $140.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their target price on shares of Installed Building Products from $108.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $117.14.

About Installed Building Products

(Get Rating)

Installed Building Products, Inc engages in the business of installing insulation for the residential new construction market. Its products include garage doors, rain gutters, shower doors, closet shelving, and mirrors. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Columbus, OH.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Installed Building Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Installed Building Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. reduced its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 93.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,564 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 70,261 shares during the period. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $329,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 199,886,585 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $14,209,937,000 after purchasing an additional 3,058,491 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 174,002,852 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,369,862,000 after acquiring an additional 3,357,590 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 14,659,982 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,042,264,000 after acquiring an additional 155,845 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $992,048,000 after acquiring an additional 3,627,705 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 11,442,639 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $813,457,000 after acquiring an additional 59,791 shares during the last quarter. 75.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts:

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of BMY stock opened at $68.06 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $68.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $72.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $65.28 and a 12 month high of $81.43. The company has a market capitalization of $142.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.44.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.96 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.04 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Monday, April 10th were paid a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 66.47%.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on BMY. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $95.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, March 6th. They set a hold rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $79.43.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get Rating)

Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Lodestone Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 838 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $291,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Bornite Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $21,442,000. United Bank grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 34.5% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,147,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 30.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $97,335,000 after buying an additional 63,040 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $12,926,000. 74.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Mastercard alerts:

Mastercard Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE:MA opened at $381.92 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $362.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.15, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $365.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $357.87. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $276.87 and a 12-month high of $390.00.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.09. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.64 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.76 earnings per share. Mastercards quarterly revenue was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.26 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Investors of record on Friday, April 7th were issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 5th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is presently 22.78%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on MA shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Mastercard from $395.00 to $452.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Raymond James boosted their target price on Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Mastercard from $405.00 to $400.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on Mastercard from $390.00 to $400.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twenty have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $418.85.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 27,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $374.49, for a total transaction of $10,267,392.33. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 39,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,703,600.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Mastercard news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.28, for a total value of $48,600,204.48. Following the sale, the insider now owns 100,437,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,796,911,359.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 27,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $374.49, for a total value of $10,267,392.33. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 39,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,703,600.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 298,667 shares of company stock valued at $114,105,971 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

About Mastercard

(Get Rating)

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.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Maisons du Monde S.A. (OTCMKTS:MDOUF  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a decrease of 66.7% from the April 15th total of 1,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Maisons du Monde Price Performance

OTCMKTS MDOUF remained flat at $12.15 during trading on Friday. Maisons du Monde has a 52-week low of $9.12 and a 52-week high of $12.15. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $12.15 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.51.

Get Maisons du Monde alerts:

About Maisons du Monde

(Get Rating)

Further Reading

Maisons du Monde SA, through its subsidiaries, creates and distributes home decoration items and furniture in France and internationally. The company's decorative products include bed linen products, carpets, candles, pillows and cushions, clocks, tableware, lamps, kitchen utensils, mirrors and frames, vases, storage units, curtains and net curtains, and bath products.

Receive News & Ratings for Maisons du Monde Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Maisons du Monde and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mandom Co. (OTCMKTS:MDOMF  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 12,300 shares, an increase of 50.0% from the April 15th total of 8,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Mandom Stock Performance

OTCMKTS MDOMF opened at $9.00 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $434.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.04 and a beta of 2.58. The stocks 50 day moving average is $11.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.58. Mandom has a 1-year low of $9.00 and a 1-year high of $9.00.

Get Mandom alerts:

About Mandom

(Get Rating)

Featured Stories

Mandom Corporation engages in the manufacture and sale of cosmetics, perfumes, and quasi-drugs in Japan, Indonesia, and internationally. The company offers a range of products, including men's everyday grooming products, as well as general fashion items, such as hair styling, skin care, and body care products; and hair coloring, scalp care, and face care products under the Gatsby and Lucido brands.

Receive News & Ratings for Mandom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mandom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,031 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $230,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 85.6% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 542 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 118.8% in the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 805 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 39.1% in the 4th quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 886 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 249 shares during the period. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.68% of the companys stock.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Altria Group Price Performance

NYSE:MO opened at $45.67 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.35 and a 52 week high of $54.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.52 billion, a PE ratio of 14.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $45.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.89.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS 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 business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.12 earnings per share. Altria Groups revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 24th were given a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.23%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 23rd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 120.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup cut their target price on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, 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 research report on Monday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.67.

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.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund (NYSE:JFR  Get Rating) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 411,300 shares, a decrease of 45.1% from the April 15th total of 749,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 214,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:JFR opened at $8.01 on Friday. Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $7.69 and a fifty-two week high of $9.24. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.27.

Get Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund alerts:

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th.

Institutional Trading of Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

About Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in JFR. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund by 15.1% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 65,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $657,000 after purchasing an additional 8,598 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC grew its stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 14,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 1,250 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 379,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,799,000 after buying an additional 1,255 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, UBS Group AG grew its stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 842,439 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,433,000 after buying an additional 13,307 shares during the last quarter.

(Get Rating)

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to achieve a level of current income by investing in adjustable rate secured and unsecured senior loans and other debt instruments. The company was founded on March 25, 2004 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 293,939 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,887 shares during the quarter. Pfizer comprises approximately 1.1% of Trust Co. of Vermonts investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in Pfizer were worth $15,061,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Front Street Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 4.3% in the first quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,168 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC grew its holdings in Pfizer by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 34,338 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,503,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 33,978 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,487,000 after buying an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank now owns 32,775 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,435,000 after buying an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alterity Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Alterity Financial Group LLC now owns 5,474 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $280,000 after buying an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. 67.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Pfizer alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on PFE. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $45.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday, February 27th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Pfizer from $55.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.33.

Insider Activity

Pfizer Stock Performance

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $38,580.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 6,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $231,480. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . In related news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $38,580.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $231,480. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, major shareholder Pfizer Inc purchased 1,811,594 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.76 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,999.44. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,952,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,428,245.88. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders bought 1,813,594 shares of company stock valued at $5,076,999. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE PFE opened at $37.35 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $40.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $44.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $37.21 and a one year high of $54.93. The company has a market capitalization of $210.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.63.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.23. Pfizer had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 31.25%. The company had revenue of $18.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.62 EPS. The firms revenue was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.39%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.28%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Pfizer Inc is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. It engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The firm works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Rating) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 838,296 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 29,226 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $129,550,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 17,850 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,675,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Glassman Wealth Services boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 459 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. FineMark National Bank & Trust boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. FineMark National Bank & Trust now owns 2,383 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $357,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Advisors Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 1,468 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $228,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 12.1% in the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 733 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $113,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.75% of the companys stock.

Get Sempra Energy alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on SRE. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $169.00 to $166.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $180.00 to $174.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sempra Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sempra Energy

Sempra Energy Trading Down 0.1 %

In other news, CFO Trevor I. Mihalik sold 2,306 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.50, for a total transaction of $342,441.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 21,362 shares in the company, valued at $3,172,257. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . In related news, CFO Trevor I. Mihalik sold 2,306 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.50, for a total transaction of $342,441.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 21,362 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,172,257. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 10,413 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.99, for a total transaction of $1,572,258.87. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,261 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,908,218.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,979 shares of company stock worth $4,728,393. 0.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

NYSE SRE opened at $153.29 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.54. The firm has a market cap of $48.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.75, a P/E/G ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.73. Sempra Energy has a one year low of $136.54 and a one year high of $176.47. The firms fifty day moving average is $151.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $155.33.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $6.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 14.47% and a return on equity of 10.28%. Sempra Energys quarterly revenue was up 71.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.91 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Sempra Energy will post 8.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Sempra Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th will be paid a $1.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.11%. Sempra Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 61.34%.

About Sempra Energy

(Get Rating)

Sempra Energy is an energy-service holding company, which engages in the development and operation of energy infrastructure, and provision of electric and gas services. It operates through the following segments: San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), Sempra Texas Utilities, Sempra Mexico, and Sempra LNG.

Read More

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).

Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Principal Financial Group Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG  Get Rating) by 18.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 874,725 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 200,399 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.s holdings in PPG Industries were worth $109,988,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of PPG Industries during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Riverview Trust Co raised its position in shares of PPG Industries by 81.7% during the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 238 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of PPG Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in shares of PPG Industries by 45.8% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 277 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. Finally, Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new stake in shares of PPG Industries during the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.04% of the companys stock.

Get PPG Industries alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on PPG. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $162.00 to $169.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of PPG Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $130.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $140.00 to $143.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $160.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $151.00 to $158.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $147.74.

PPG Industries Stock Performance

PPG Industries stock opened at $138.10 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $134.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.11. PPG Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $107.06 and a twelve month high of $145.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The company has a market cap of $32.51 billion, a PE ratio of 25.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.17.

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.27. PPG Industries had a net margin of 7.18% and a return on equity of 23.35%. The firm had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.37 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that PPG Industries, Inc. will post 7.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PPG Industries Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. PPG Industriess payout ratio is 46.27%.

PPG Industries Company Profile

(Get Rating)

PPG Industries, Inc engages in the manufacture and distribution of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. It operates through the Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings segments. The Performance Coatings segment supplies a variety of protective and decorative coatings, sealants, and finishes along with pavement marking products, paint strippers, stains, and related chemicals, as well as transparencies and transparent armor.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PPG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for PPG Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPG Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mogadishu: According to a regional official, 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as a result of flash flooding in central Somalia, where the Shabelle River burst its banks and flooded roads.

Due to heavy rains that caused water levels to rise quickly, residents of Beledweyne town in the Hiran region were forced from their homes. As they waded through flooded streets in search of safety, they carried their possessions on top of their heads.

"Right now, the Shabelle River flash floods in Beledweyne town have forced about 200,000 people from their homes, and that number could rise at any time. According to Ali Osman Hussein, the deputy governor for social affairs in the Hiran region, this figure is currently provisional.

Also Read: Why Estonia became a model for digital transformation

We are making every effort to assist those who are in need, he told AFP.

Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle, the deputy governor of the area, stated on Friday that "three people were killed by the floods."

The catastrophe follows a record drought that put millions of Somalians in danger of starvation. The troubled country has also been battling an Islamist insurgency for decades.

Early this week, residents said they were forced to leave their homes in the middle of the night as water poured into the streets and into structures. It was Fartun Ali's fifth time escaping flash flooding in Beledweyne; Fartun is not her real name.

Also Read: Ukrainian Eurovision contestants' hometown was struck by Russian missiles

We run away every time the river overflows its banks, the 35-year-old mother of eight told AFP. Iman Badal Omar, a different resident, expressed his relief at making it out alive.

"The only thing we could do was flee and save our kids. We took nothing from our possessions, he told AFP. Extreme weather is a common problem in East and Central Africa during the rainy seasons.

Heavy rains earlier this month in Rwanda caused floods and landslides in several areas of the hilly country, resulting in 135 fatalities and more than 9,000 people being left homeless.

In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo last week, landslides, floods, and torrential rains claimed the lives of more than 400 people.

According to experts, climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and Africa, which makes the least contribution to global warming, is bearing the brunt of this trend.

Also Read: Heat wave breaking records in the Pacific Northwest unusually early

As the area was battered by torrential rains in May 2020, at least 65 deaths were reported in Rwanda, and 194 deaths were reported in Kenya.

After two months of nonstop rain in several East African nations, at least 265 people died and tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes at the end of 2019.

Nearly two million people were affected by the heavy rains, which also killed tens of thousands of animals in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
Raia Drogasil S.A. (OTCMKTS:RADLY  Get Rating)s stock is scheduled to split on the morning of Monday, May 22nd. The 26-25 split was announced on Monday, May 22nd. The newly created shares will be issued to shareholders after the closing bell on Monday, May 22nd.

Raia Drogasil Price Performance

Shares of Raia Drogasil stock opened at $5.26 on Friday. Raia Drogasil has a 1-year low of $3.50 and a 1-year high of $31.86. The firms 50-day moving average price is $5.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.91.

Get Raia Drogasil alerts:

About Raia Drogasil

(Get Rating)

Featured Articles

Raia Drogasil SA engages in the retail sale of medicine, perfumery, personal care and beauty products, cosmetics and dermocosmetics. Its stores are supplied by distribution centers located in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Parana, Goias, Pernambuco, and Bahia. The company was founded on November 10, 2011 and is headquartered in Butanta, Brazil.

Receive News & Ratings for Raia Drogasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raia Drogasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,300 shares, a growth of 40.7% from the April 15th total of 5,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 54,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Almitas Capital LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $69,000. Logan Stone Capital LLC bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $117,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $125,000. Finally, Grace & White Inc. NY increased its holdings in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 34.9% in the 4th quarter. Grace & White Inc. NY now owns 13,601 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $137,000 after buying an additional 3,519 shares during the period.

Get BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust alerts:

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Price Performance

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a twelve month low of $9.06 and a twelve month high of $11.96. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.28.

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Dividend Announcement

About BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be issued a $0.031 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $0.37 annualized dividend and a yield of .

(Get Rating)

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. The company was founded on March 30, 2001 and is headquartered in Wilmington, DE.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:IQI  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 59,000 shares, an increase of 64.8% from the April 15th total of 35,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 92,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Price Performance

NYSE:IQI traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $9.51. 50,289 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 100,852. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $9.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $9.65. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust has a 12 month low of $8.76 and a 12 month high of $10.92.

Get Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust alerts:

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0372 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $0.45 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.69%.

Institutional Trading of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust

About Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IQI. Karpus Management Inc. boosted its stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 1,845,644 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,851,000 after purchasing an additional 471,427 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 52.8% in the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 658,521 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,572,000 after acquiring an additional 227,487 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,338,095 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,605,000 after acquiring an additional 223,807 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 37.7% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 514,813 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,850,000 after acquiring an additional 140,944 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 42.1% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 455,249 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,288,000 after acquiring an additional 134,922 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 24.96% of the companys stock.

(Get Rating)

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
London Stock Exchange Group plc (OTCMKTS:LNSTY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,356,600 shares, an increase of 65.1% from the April 15th total of 821,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 482,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days.

London Stock Exchange Group Stock Up 0.1 %

London Stock Exchange Group stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $26.75. The stock had a trading volume of 701,120 shares, compared to its average volume of 255,804. London Stock Exchange Group has a 12 month low of $20.06 and a 12 month high of $27.09. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $24.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.55.

Get London Stock Exchange Group alerts:

London Stock Exchange Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st will be issued a $0.2042 dividend. This is a positive change from London Stock Exchange Groups previous dividend of $0.08. This represents a yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th.

About London Stock Exchange Group

London Stock Exchange Group Plc engages in the provision of global financial markets infrastructure services. It operates through the following segments: Information Services, Post Trade Services-LCH, Post Trade Services-CC&G and Monte Titoli, Capital Markets, Technology Services, and Other. The Information Services segment refers to subscription and license fees for data and index services provided.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for London Stock Exchange Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for London Stock Exchange Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Thales S.A. (OTCMKTS:THLEF  Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 12,900 shares, a decrease of 17.8% from the April 15th total of 15,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 43.0 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on THLEF. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Thales from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. Societe Generale raised Thales from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, UBS Group lowered Thales from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 31st.

Get Thales alerts:

Institutional Trading of Thales

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Thales stock. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Thales S.A. (OTCMKTS:THLEF  Get Rating) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 345 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.76% of the companys stock.

Thales Stock Performance

Thales Company Profile

THLEF opened at $149.55 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $144.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.66. Thales has a 12 month low of $107.55 and a 12 month high of $157.09.

(Get Rating)

Thales SA provides various solutions for civilian and military customers in the aeronautics, space, defense, security, ground transportation, and digital security markets worldwide. It operates through Aerospace, Transport, Defence & Security, and Digital Identity & Security segments. The company offers communications, command, and control systems; mission services and support; protection and mission/combat systems; surveillance, detection, and intelligence systems; training and simulation solutions for air, land, naval, and joint forces; and digital identity and security solutions.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Thales Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thales and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT  Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, February 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of 0.05 per share by the investment management company on Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 15th.

The Gabelli Utility Trust Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust stock opened at $6.96 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.18. The Gabelli Utility Trust has a twelve month low of $6.41 and a twelve month high of $8.05.

Get The Gabelli Utility Trust alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Gabelli Utility Trust

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GUT. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in The Gabelli Utility Trust by 42.2% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 140,360 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,004,000 after acquiring an additional 41,645 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 233.2% in the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 47,874 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $360,000 after buying an additional 33,505 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $196,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 35.4% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 100,139 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $752,000 after buying an additional 26,182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MAS Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 17.8% in the 4th quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 169,573 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,273,000 after buying an additional 25,640 shares in the last quarter.

About The Gabelli Utility Trust

The Gabelli Utility Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services, and infrastructure operations.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Rating) had its price objective lifted by Truist Financial from $840.00 to $870.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on TDG. Cowen increased their price objective on TransDigm Group from $695.00 to $830.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on TransDigm Group from $800.00 to $900.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of TransDigm Group from $660.00 to $710.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 6th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on TransDigm Group in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on shares of TransDigm Group from $830.00 to $841.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $804.54.

Get TransDigm Group alerts:

TransDigm Group Stock Performance

TDG opened at $795.59 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $744.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $688.15. TransDigm Group has a one year low of $499.63 and a one year high of $816.94. The company has a market cap of $43.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.55, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.37.

Insider Buying and Selling at TransDigm Group

TransDigm Group ( NYSE:TDG Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The aerospace company reported $5.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.98 by $1.00. The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.53 billion. TransDigm Group had a negative return on equity of 30.59% and a net margin of 16.53%. The firms revenue was up 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.29 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that TransDigm Group will post 20.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 9,644 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $775.27, for a total value of $7,476,703.88. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,705,517.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Sarah Wynne sold 180 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $720.41, for a total transaction of $129,673.80. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 700 shares in the company, valued at $504,287. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 9,644 shares of TransDigm Group stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $775.27, for a total value of $7,476,703.88. Following the transaction, the director now owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at $16,705,517.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 193,237 shares of company stock valued at $142,824,885 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 7.18% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of TDG. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of TransDigm Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in TransDigm Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of TransDigm Group in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in TransDigm Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TransDigm Group in the third quarter valued at $33,000. 96.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About TransDigm Group

(Get Rating)

TransDigm Group, Inc engages in the production of engineered aerospace components, systems and subsystems. It operates through the following segments: Power and Control, Airframe, and Non-Aviation. The Power and Control segment includes operations that primarily develop, produce and market systems and components that provide power to or control power of the aircraft utilizing electronic, fluid, power and mechanical motion control technologies.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for TransDigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransDigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Trust Co. of Vermont increased its holdings in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Get Rating) by 2.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,619 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 664 shares during the period. BlackRock accounts for 1.5% of Trust Co. of Vermonts investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Trust Co. of Vermonts holdings in BlackRock were worth $20,280,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Horan Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 72.7% during the 4th quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 38 shares of the asset managers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new position in BlackRock in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. HBC Financial Services PLLC raised its position in BlackRock by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. HBC Financial Services PLLC now owns 42 shares of the asset managers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its position in BlackRock by 275.0% in the 3rd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 45 shares of the asset managers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the period. Finally, Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC raised its position in BlackRock by 168.1% in the 4th quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 47 shares of the asset managers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. 77.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get BlackRock alerts:

BlackRock Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of BLK opened at $645.10 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $657.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $695.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.01, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a current ratio of 2.99, a quick ratio of 2.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1-year low of $503.12 and a 1-year high of $785.65.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BlackRock ( NYSE:BLK Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The asset manager reported $7.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.71 by $0.22. BlackRock had a net margin of 28.13% and a return on equity of 13.69%. The business had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $9.52 earnings per share. BlackRocks quarterly revenue was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that BlackRock, Inc. will post 34.45 EPS for the current year.

A number of brokerages recently commented on BLK. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of BlackRock from $840.00 to $780.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $662.00 to $673.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $868.00 to $920.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $760.00 to $740.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $756.45.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total transaction of $24,862,405.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 484,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,363,712.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other BlackRock news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $689.06, for a total transaction of $396,209.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,217,910.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total transaction of $24,862,405.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 484,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,363,712.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 39,374 shares of company stock valued at $27,346,615 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Profile

(Get Rating)

BlackRock, Inc engages in providing investment management, risk management, and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. Its products include single and multi-asset class portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives, and money market instruments. The company was founded by Susan L.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Twilio (NYSE:TWLO  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report released on Thursday, The Fly reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has $53.00 price target on the technology companys stock, down from their prior price target of $90.00.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on TWLO. Piper Sandler cut their price target on Twilio from $83.00 to $56.00 in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Twilio from $75.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on Twilio from $60.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Twilio from $50.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Twilio from $75.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Twilio presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $79.11.

Get Twilio alerts:

Twilio Trading Down 3.5 %

TWLO opened at $45.83 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $59.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.85. The company has a market capitalization of $8.58 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.67 and a beta of 1.47. Twilio has a 52 week low of $41.00 and a 52 week high of $112.89. The company has a quick ratio of 6.17, a current ratio of 6.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.

Insider Activity

Twilio ( NYSE:TWLO Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The technology company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.31. Twilio had a negative return on equity of 7.63% and a negative net margin of 32.83%. The business had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted ($1.25) EPS. The businesss revenue was up 21.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Twilio will post -2.05 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, CEO Jeff Lawson acquired 158,081 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $63.26 per share, with a total value of $10,000,204.06. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,397 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,321,874.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Aidan Viggiano sold 6,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.76, for a total value of $396,969.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 213,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,617,669.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeff Lawson purchased 158,081 shares of Twilio stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $63.26 per share, with a total value of $10,000,204.06. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,397 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,321,874.22. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 38,842 shares of company stock valued at $2,490,031 in the last quarter. 4.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Twilio

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. James Investment Research Inc. acquired a new position in Twilio in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Zullo Investment Group Inc. increased its stake in Twilio by 263.6% during the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 400 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Twilio during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Twilio by 169.4% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 501 shares of the technology companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Twilio by 419.5% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 213 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.68% of the companys stock.

Twilio Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Twilio, Inc engages in the development of communications software, cloud-based platform, and services. Its products include Twilio flex, messaging, programmable voice, programmable video, elastic SIP trunking, and IoT. The company was founded by John Wolthuis, Jeffery G. Lawson, and Evan Cooke in March 2008 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Twilio Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Twilio and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Venture Visionary Partners LLC increased its holdings in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) by 7.4% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 6,799 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 471 shares during the quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $566,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SCHW. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 32,224.4% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 225,994,826 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,816,289,000 after acquiring an additional 225,295,680 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,109,194,000. Boston Partners increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 37.0% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 10,355,686 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $747,479,000 after acquiring an additional 2,798,159 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 124,437,061 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,943,291,000 after acquiring an additional 2,589,952 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Findlay Park Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter worth about $134,974,000. 73.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Charles Schwab alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on SCHW. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Credit Suisse Group raised shares of Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $81.50 to $67.50 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $99.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.21.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

SCHW opened at $48.94 on Friday. 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 company has a market cap of $86.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.37, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.88. The companys 50 day moving average is $54.08 and its 200 day moving average is $70.90. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12-month low of $45.00 and a 12-month high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion for 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 firms revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.77 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,984 shares in the company, valued at $533,844.48. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,984 shares in the company, valued at $533,844.48. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 95,030 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.04, for a total transaction of $7,701,231.20. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 60,002,584 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,862,609,407.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 81,000 shares of company stock worth $4,706,960 and have sold 154,808 shares worth $12,371,232. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Charles Schwab

(Get Rating)

The Charles Schwab Corp. is a savings and loan holding company, which engages in the provision of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. It operates through the Investor Services and Advisor Services segments. The Investor Services segment includes retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors, and retirement plan services, as well as other corporate brokerage services, to businesses and their employees.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Colombo: The Saudi-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association's new leadership promised on Saturday to strengthen bilateral ties by emphasising interpersonal relationships, which have benefited from the Kingdom's emphasis on tourism.

The parliamentary association, which was founded in Riyadh in 2002, seeks to improve ties between Sri Lankan lawmakers and Saudi Shoura council members in all areas of collaboration.

The association's newly elected president, Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, told Arab News that he will concentrate on economic, political, social, and cultural issues during his term.

Also Read: Why Estonia became a model for digital transformation

"I look at the need for stronger relations in the larger context of the Middle East and South Asia region and geopolitical priorities," the speaker said. "I want to advance that," the speaker said.

Ahamed has long-standing ties to the Kingdom and is a graduate of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. He began his political career in Sri Lanka in the 1990s and has held positions as chief minister of Eastern Province, president's adviser, and a member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

He was appointed in April of last year to head the Ministry of Environment and manage Middle Eastern affairs.

Also Read: Ukrainian Eurovision contestants' hometown was struck by Russian missiles

Ahamed stated that he prioritises the value of inter-personal relationships in forging closer ties between nations.

"Our goal is to promote interpersonal relationships. Now that Saudi Arabia has opened up to tourists, this can be done more easily," he said, referring to the Kingdom's massive investment in tourism infrastructure under Vision 2030.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, a Saudi Shoura delegation last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019.

Also Read: Heat wave breaking records in the Pacific Northwest unusually early

Ahamed stated that he intended to increase communication among the members of the parliamentary association in order to foster fresh international partnerships. The two nations "could develop new areas of cooperation in a number of areas," he said. The association will offer the required framework for expanding cooperation to new areas of interest
Venture Visionary Partners LLC reduced its holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHML  Get Rating) by 9.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,884 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,545 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLC owned approximately 0.16% of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF worth $1,176,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of JHML. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 46.6% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 64,866 shares of the companys stock worth $3,679,000 after purchasing an additional 20,617 shares during the period. FCA Corp TX raised its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 1.9% during the first quarter. FCA Corp TX now owns 26,081 shares of the companys stock worth $1,479,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF during the first quarter worth about $222,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 1.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 24,330 shares of the companys stock worth $1,379,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC raised its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 34.8% during the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,341 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period.

Get John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF alerts:

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Price Performance

Shares of JHML stock opened at $51.50 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $51.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.94. John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF has a 12 month low of $44.55 and a 12 month high of $54.38. The company has a market capitalization of $718.43 million, a PE ratio of 17.58 and a beta of 1.01.

About John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

The John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap index. The fund tracks an index of largest 800 US firms, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHML was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Rating) shares passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $7.69 and traded as low as $7.25. Whitecap Resources shares last traded at $7.26, with a volume of 69,172 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on SPGYF shares. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.00 to C$12.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. National Bank Financial increased their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$16.50 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Whitecap Resources in a report on Wednesday, January 18th. They set an overweight rating on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.50 to C$14.00 in a report on Friday, February 24th.

Get Whitecap Resources alerts:

Whitecap Resources Trading Down 0.6 %

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $7.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.79.

Whitecap Resources Increases Dividend

Whitecap Resources Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th will be given a dividend of $0.0361 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. This is an increase from Whitecap Resourcess previous dividend of $0.04. This represents a yield of 5.26%. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 47.33%.

(Get Rating)

Whitecap Resources, Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. The company was founded by Grant B. Fagerheim on June 3, 2008, and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presides over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

SHIJIAZHUANG, May 12 (Xinhua)  President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to reach new heights in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and to make it a pioneer and example in pursuing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks as he inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

On Thursday and Friday, Xi went to the cities of Cangzhou and Shijiazhuang, where he visited the countryside and places including a port and a research institute.

On Thursday morning, Xi visited Cangzhou City, where he learned about the cultivation of crops that are tolerant of drought and high alkalinity at a wheat field.

Xi stressed the need to prioritize the comprehensive use of saline-alkali land, leverage the key role of scientific and technological innovation, expand the cultivation area of suitable crops and develop the intensive processing of farm products.

Later in the day, Xi visited a coal port area of Huanghua Port.

Xi noted the unique locational advantages and convenient shipping conditions of Hebei Province, underscoring the need to upgrade Hebei's ports and optimize their functional layout to play a bigger role in promoting coordinated regional economic development and developing a modern industrial system.

Xi urged the development of Huanghua Port into a modern hub port with multiple functions.

On Friday morning, Xi visited a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Shijiazhuang City. He entered a workshop to observe the chip production process, stressing the need for new breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.

Xi encouraged researchers to achieve consistent progress in grasping cutting-edge technologies and developing more technological and engineering equipment and projects of great significance.

Later, Xi visited the planning exhibition hall of a biomedical industry park, where he emphasized the importance of strengthening basic research and scientific innovation capacity to keep the lifeline of the biomedical industry firmly in China's own hands.

To achieve this, he called for more research and development of medicines that fit into the genetic and physical characteristics of the Chinese population.

On Friday afternoon, Xi chaired a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

During the meeting, he called on Hebei to focus on the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic task of creating a new development pattern to accelerate building the province into an economic powerhouse with a sound environment.

Since the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017, new and remarkable progress has been achieved in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, especially in the Xiong'an New Area, Xi said.

It has been proven that the CPC Central Committee's major regional development strategies meet the need for the country's high-quality development in the new era, he said, describing the strategies as effective channels for advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi called for solid and orderly efforts to relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital, urging the planning for the relocation to Xiong'an of another batch of the headquarters of centrally-administered state-owned enterprises in Beijing as well as their subsidiary companies and units of innovation operation.

Work should be done to restrain Beijing's functions non-essential to its role as the national capital from increasing, Xi said.

He called for more progress in developing both the Beijing municipal administrative center and Xiong'an to effectively rid Beijing of "big city malaise."

Xi said the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, with a number of first-rate colleges and universities and abundant high-end research talent, has a solid foundation of innovation.

The region should play an exemplary role in achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, he said, calling for accelerated efforts to build Beijing into a major hub for independent and original innovation.

Xi stressed the necessity of reinforcing the principal role of enterprises in innovation and cultivating a group of leading innovative enterprises with international competitiveness that hold independent intellectual property rights.

Xi urged efforts to consolidate and enlarge the foundation of the real economy, stressing that strategic emerging industries such as integrated circuit, cyber security, biomedicine, power equipment and emergency response equipment should be the first priority. He also called for efforts to build world-class advanced manufacturing industrial clusters.

The coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region should ultimately improve the people's wellbeing and promote common prosperity, Xi said, adding that constant efforts should be made to enhance the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

Xi stressed the need to promote key ecological conservation and restoration projects such as the sand control belts in northern China and major ecological projects such as the building of ecological shields.

Xi urged efforts to further accelerate the development of transportation and other infrastructure, as well as efforts to advance intra-regional coordination.

Beijing's edge in scientific and technological innovation should be combined with Tianjin's strength in advanced manufacturing research and development, Xi said, calling for strengthening joint efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.

Xi urged efforts to help eligible areas in Hebei absorb the scientific and technological spillovers from Beijing and Tianjin as well as the transfer of industries. He also called for building the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region into a national pacesetter in opening-up.

Xi stressed the need to further enhance the political and organizational role of Party organizations at various levels to provide a strong guarantee for the coordinated development of the region.

Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi in the inspection trip and attended the meeting.

In his remarks, Li Qiang urged efforts to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region more effectively and efficiently, focus on relieving Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital, and ensure notable results will be achieved in landmark projects in the process.

Ding Xuexiang called for persistent endeavor to prevent and control air pollution and bring the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to a new level.

The blind development of energy-intensive projects with high emissions and backward production capacity must be curbed, said Ding. He also urged redoubled efforts in developing new and clean energy and preventing and controlling pollution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presides over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the cultivation of crops tolerant of drought and alkalinity in a wheat field in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, May 11, 2023. Xi on Thursday visited the city of Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the cultivation of crops tolerant of drought and alkalinity in a wheat field in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, May 11, 2023. Xi on Thursday visited the city of Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the cultivation of crops tolerant of drought and alkalinity in a wheat field in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, May 11, 2023. Xi on Thursday visited the city of Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a coal port to learn about its operation and development planning in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, May 11, 2023. Xi on Thursday visited the city of Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a coal port to learn about its operation and development planning in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, May 11, 2023. Xi on Thursday visited the city of Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a workshop of a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the planning exhibition hall of a biomedical industry park in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with researchers while visiting a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 12, 2023. On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua)  "The precious merchandise of many foreign countries is stored up here. The soil is rich and productive, and yields abundant harvests. The forest trees afford a thick vegetation, and flowers and fruits are plentiful."

The excerpt from "The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" written by Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang in 646, a narrative of his 19-year journey through China and neighboring areas, vividly depicts a richly-endowed Samarkand, one of the most important transit points on the ancient Silk Road linking the East to the West.

The legendary route activated more than 2,000 years ago bore witness to interactions between China and Central Asia through tradings of merchandise and flows of ideas. Now, the footprints of camel caravans have faded away, but cooperation and exchanges between the two sides have remained and become ever thriving.

This photo taken on April 24, 2023 shows a flume rebuilt under a project allocated from a Chinese grant to reconstruct Kyrgyzstan's irrigation system at Kara-Oi village in Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan. [Photo by Chingiz/Xinhua]

Bread and Butter, and a Better Life

Water is life, and with water anything is possible. But for Kyrgyz farmers like Evgeny Yakovlev, there was a time when getting water became a big problem.

"Water is not enough. (We have) constant queues. It is very difficult to get water in a timely manner," said Yakovlev, who has been growing crops for 15 years in a village called Kara-Oi, which lies on the northern shore of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake.

Yakovlev has four hectares of land, on which he nurtures about 1,000 cherry, apple and pear trees, as well as clover and barley. Every summer, Yakovlev needs to water his plants at least three times a day, but the old irrigation system built decades ago could not deliver enough water.

To solve the water problem in Kara-Oi and villages alike, the Kyrgyz government initiated a project in May 2018 allocated from a Chinese grant to reconstruct the country's irrigation system.

Under the project, a reservoir was built by China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Co., Ltd in Kara-Oi with a capacity of 470,000 cubic meters of water. A total of 330 hectares of undeveloped land were put into operation, and the water supply was increased on an area of over 1,000 hectares.

"Before, it was very difficult with water ... Now it's better. We are grateful to the builders," said Arstanbek Zhundubaev, head of the Water Users Association of Kara-Oi.

Ensuring a good life for the people means going beyond water, food and other daily necessities to touch on the experience of life, for example, by making journeys safe and sound. And this is exactly what China and Kyrgyzstan have been cooperating on  since 2001, about 300 km of roads and more than 10 bridges have been built and reconstructed with joint efforts from both sides.

"More than 20 years, China Road and Bridge Corporation has been implementing large projects in Kyrgyzstan in the road industry," said Ulan Uezbaev, deputy director of the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development of the Bishkek Mayor's Office. "During the implementation of projects, the company also hired citizens of Kyrgyzstan, who learned a lot. I hope that our cooperation will continue."

"This is the street where my sister and I walk ourselves to school each morning," Kasyet Azamatovna, a young girl living in Bishkek, pointed to the newly-paved road outside her front door.

"Look how smooth and neat it is!" she said, bubbling with excitement.

Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows the entrance to the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. [Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua]

Go Green Together

Maksat Abilgaziev, 33, is a Kazakh born and raised in Zhanatas, a run-down town in the country's south that was once the thriving center of phosphate mining and fertilizer production.

In 2020, Abilgaziev quit his electronic engineering job at a local phosphate mine, and became a wind power engineering trainee at the Chinese-built Zhanatas wind farm, one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia.

"Our Chinese friends have brought equipment, investment, technology and experience to Kazakhstan. They have also cultivated clean energy talents in our country. The wind power projects have created jobs and tax revenues for Zhanatas, bringing the town back to life," rejoiced Abilgaziev, whose income has more than doubled in three years.

The studious and industrious man, now a senior at the wind farm, told Xinhua that it was the dream for a better future that prompted his decision for a career change.

Clean energy, including wind power, is what the future holds for Zhanatas, and Kazakhstan at large and what the future should look like, he said.

"We should pursue the new vision of green development and a way of life and work that is green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable," Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May 2017. "We propose the establishment of an international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road, and we will provide support to related countries in adapting to climate change."

To put words into action, China has fully integrated the Belt and Road Initiative with Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" new economic policy, and launched 52 cooperation projects with the Central Asian country, with the Zhanatas wind farm as one of the flagship projects.

Put into operation in 2021 with a capacity of 350 million kWh of electricity annually, the wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, compared with thermal power plants.

Another signature project of green cooperation between China and Central Asia is the 100 MW solar power plant seated in the town of Kapchagay in southeastern Kazakhstan's Almaty Region. The plant, jointly invested and built by a Chinese enterprise and Kazakh partners, is one of the largest photovoltaic power generation projects in the country, reducing carbon emissions by 160,000 tons per year.

"With more green cooperation, I believe that in the future, the sky will be bluer, the water will be clearer, and the earth we live on will be cleaner," said Abilgaziev.

This photo taken on April 29, 2023 shows a view of the historical sites in Khiva, Uzbekistan. [Xinhua]

Handshake of Cultures

On a refreshing autumn day in September 2022, Xi held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the International Conference Center in Samarkand, during which a small gift was presented by China to Uzbekistan. The gift turned out to be a miniature of the ancient city of Khiva, which celebrates the two countries' joint efforts to restore the cultural heritage of the ancient Silk Road.

"The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, a project launched during my visit to Samarkand in 2013, has been successfully concluded, further augmenting the charm of this ancient city," Xi said in a signed article published on Uzbek media ahead of his state visit to Uzbekistan.

"I'd give a bag of gold to visit Khiva," goes a Central Asian saying.

Located in southwestern Uzbekistan, Khiva, a shining pearl on the ancient Silk Road, was built in the 10th century and inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in the 1990s. However, due to disrepair, some ancient buildings of the cultural relic sustained damage in varying degrees.

Following Xi's Uzbekistan visit in 2013, China and the Central Asian country announced they would be working together to restore the Amir to'ra madrasasi, the Hasan Murod Qushbegi Mosque and their surroundings in Khiva. A Chinese team arrived at the site in May 2014, and with expertise and dedication to preserving history, the team members had overcome difficulties and successfully completed the restoration work with a minimal intervention approach.

"Our Chinese colleagues do their work very carefully, with love and with all their soul, and try to keep everything in its original form," said Abdullayev Masharib Saydamatovich, deputy director of Center for Promotion of Science of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. "Cultural cooperation with China does not stop there. It continues, and restoration work has been singled out as one of the main directions."

True, joint restoration on Khiva only stands as one of the many epitomes of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. Another dazzling example is the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe, a Chinese vocational workshop program training talents in Tajikistan. The workshop, officially going into service in November 2022, is the first of its kind in Central Asia.

"China's Luban Workshop is recognized as an international vocational education brand worldwide. We believe that Luban Workshop will be of great help to Tajik Technical University in training talents in measurement, green energy and heating, and can promote cooperation and exchanges between the two universities in all aspects," said Shahriyor Sadullozoda, vice rector of Tajik Technical University.

(Source: Xinhua)
Migrants who rushed to cross the US border before Title 42 was lifted are facing new worries in the US
" " "City" has been described as quite possibly the largest contemporary artwork on the planet. 45, 90, 180, City  Michael Heizer. Courtesy of Triple Aught Foundation. Photo: Ben Blackwell

Imagine working on a project for 50 years  a book, a house, a dam  and suddenly it's finished and it's time to let people read the book or walk around inside the house or see if the dam actually holds water. Whatever cocktail of feelings goes along with the completion of a gargantuan, half-century-long project, artist Michael Heizer most likely knows it intimately.

Heizer is one of the pioneers of the Earthworks, or Land art, movement, a primarily American art movement from the late 1960s and early 1970s. These artists sought to minimize the commercial aspect of the art market by creating things that would be difficult to buy and sell  mostly sculptures that incorporated themselves into a landscape. Think Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" in Utah or Walter De Maria's "The Lightning Field" in New Mexico.

Advertisement

" " According to The New York Times, Heizer came up with the idea for "City" in 1970, when he was in the Yucatan at age 24 studying the serpent motif in the ball court at Chichen Itza. City, 1970  2022  Michael Heizer. Courtesy Triple Aught Foundation. Photo: Eric Piasecki

Heizer was only 27 years old when he began his masterpiece  titled "City"  in the high desert of Lincoln County, Nevada in 1972. Upon its completion five decades later, it's possibly the largest contemporary artwork on the planet, according to ARTNews. More than 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long and a half mile (0.8 kilometers) wide, about the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., "City" is a complex of large sculptures made entirely of inexpensive materials  concrete and rock mined on site. The project cost around $40 million and took 50 years to complete. At first, Heizer funded it all himself, but as buzz grew around the mind-blowingly large sculpture Heizer was toiling over in the middle of nowhere  160 miles (257 kilometers) north of Las Vegas  the grants and donations from individual patrons started trickling in.

Heizer's father was a field archaeologist at Berkeley who studied the petrology of the American Southwest and Mexico, where the rock of ancient religious monuments was sourced. His mother's father was a geologist. Heizer himself has had a lifelong fascination with ancient ritual sites of the Inca and Aztecs, but also with ancient mythology. In 2016 he told The New Yorker, "I like runic, Celtic, Druidic, cave painting, ancient, preliterate, from a time back when you were speaking to the lightning god, the ice god, and the cold-rainwater god."

" " The earthen mounds and depressions of "City" bring to mind ancient Native American mounds and Egyptian pyramidal complexes. City, 1970  2022  Michael Heizer. Courtesy Triple Aught Foundation. Photo: Eric Piasecki

All of which is evident in "City," a complex of earthen mounds and depressions, and skirted concrete-edged pathways. On each end are scattered giant monumental sculptures that bring to mind pre-Columbian ruins or a transfer station in a "Star Wars" movie. But most of all, "City" is full of space and shadows. Heizer evidently wanted to make the observer work for it, step by step under the relentless Nevada sky.

As for the immensity of size and scale in his work, he explained it to The New York Times in 1999:

I think size is the most unused quotient in the sculptor's repertoire because it requires lots of commitment and time. To me it's the best tool. With size you get space and atmosphere: atmosphere becomes volume. You stand in the shape, in the zone.

"City" is situated between an Air Force base and a bomb-test site, but it could have been much worse. The project started making waves in the art world and beyond long before anyone even saw it because it was right in the path of a proposed railway to a nuclear waste repository in Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Heizer and one of his funders petitioned then-Nevada senator Harry Reid to find a way to put a stop to the project. Reid himself fell in love with "City" and championed the project to the point of convincing President Obama in 2015 to protect "City" in the newly minted 704,000-acre (285,000-hectare) Basin and Range National Monument. The Triple Aught Foundation has established an endowment for "City" with initial funding of $30 million.

" " Artist Michael Heizer, right, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, attend an easement signing ceremony to help protect Nevada's Basin and Range National Monument that contains Heizer's modern art sculpture "City," Dec. 15, 2016. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images

"City" opened to the public Sept. 2, 2022, though visitation for 2022 has officially closed. According to the website:

"Visitation for 2022 has officially closed, but we encourage you to reapply next year. The Triple Aught Foundation will begin to accept reservations for the 2023 season on January 2, 2023, at 12:01am PST. Reservations will be accepted through the Triple Aught Foundation website at that time. Visitors will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis. Only short day-trips will be possible for a maximum of six visitors ages 16 and over, with prior reservations only, and only in favorable weather. City is on private property in rural terrain, and it has no habitable structures. Visiting without a pre-arranged visit is thus potentially dangerous, and it is strictly prohibited and is trespassing. The price of a visit is $150/adult, $100/student, and is free (but with reservations still required) for residents of Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine, Nevada, counties."

" " "City" is located in the remote Basin and Range National Monument in central eastern Nevada, around 160 miles north of Las Vegas. Complex One, City.  Michael Heizer. Courtesy Triple Aught Foundation. Photo: Mary Converse

Now That's Interesting "City" is situated on the ancestral lands of the Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and Newe (Western Shoshoni) people.
Russia confirmed Saturday that long-range air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missiles supplied by Britain struck two industrial sites in the Russian-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defence ministry said the missiles hit a plant producing polymers and a meat-processing factory on Friday.

Other sources, including Britains Telegraph citing local media, said the strikes hit a Russian supply depot and a military command centre 80 miles behind the front line.

The Telegraph reported that at least one other missile system not previously known to be used by the Ukrainians is now operational. Analysts also said that at least one US MALD decoy missile, which carries no explosive warhead but uses sophisticated electronics to distract defence systems, had been fired in the attacks.

Last Thursday, after media reported that Britain was ready to authorise shipment of the long-range missiles, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs, All I can say is that, having technically cleared the hurdles, and as everyone talks about an expected counter-offence, now is the right time to gift these to Ukraine, and they are now going into or are in the country. The technical problem Wallace referred to was howgiven its size and weightthe Storm Shadow could be mounted to Ukrainian war planes not designed to carry the weapon.

Wallace did not reveal the number of long-range missiles sent, but it is understood Britain has a stockpile of between 700 and 1,000.

The defence secretary took interventions from MPs on his own Conservative benches and the Labour opposition benches, all demanding that military supplies to Ukraine be stepped up.

Labours Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey declared, We want the UKs momentum for Ukraine to be maintained and accelerated. Wallace replied that UK Challenger battle tanks were now in Ukraine. I know that all our tanks have gone into the country, as well as many of our Spartans and armoured vehicles.

The supply of the missiles threatens incalculable consequences. Ukraine is now capable of striking Russian-held Crimea, where Moscow bases its Black Sea fleet. The missiles range officially exceeds 250km (155 miles) but other estimates given, including by French President Emmanuel Macron, suggest it may have a maximum range of 250, or even 350 miles.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had spoken to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, thanking him for the significant enhancement of our capabilities with long-range Storm Shadow missiles and other irreplaceable military assistance. We discussed further defence cooperation and coordinated our positions on the eve of upcoming international events. In particular, we need clear signals about Ukraine's future with NATO.

Ukraines Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov tweeted provocatively, just hours before the first Storm Shadow strikes, The weather forecast is predicting a cyclone moving from the UK towards Ukraine, bringing with it Storms. It is through the Shadow of the Storm that the sunshine of our liberty will break through and shed light on our Victory.

Russias foreign ministry responded by declaring Friday, We see this decision as an extremely hostile step from London, aimed at further pumping weapons into Ukraine and leading to a serious escalation of the situation. A Kremlin spokesperson said, It will demand an appropriate response from our military, who will definitely make the decisions that are required in military terms and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had reacted quite negatively to the news.

Some commentators and media outlets responded to the sending of the Storm Shadows to Ukraine by arguing that it does not follow that the United States will send its far more powerful and modern long-range ATACMS missiles.

The Financial Times wrote the US has baulked at providing tactical systems such as the ATACMS, citing John Foreman, the UKs recent defence attache in Moscow, who said, Although its likely that the UK and US had extensive discussions about sending Storm Shadows, there is no indication yet that Washington will send its own long range missiles If the US was about to, it would have changed its messaging in anticipation of this announcement.

The Telegraph published an op-ed by Liam James headlined, Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine will transform the nature of battle. He wrote, Britain has led the way once again. We are supplying the embattled Ukrainians with our vaunted Storm Shadow missile, the longest-ranging weapon yet supplied to them. Truly, its a game-changing moment.

He added of the main purpose of supplying a fairly dated missile system, which Like any other subsonic jet aeroplane can be shot down by ordinary air defences that The point is that someone has now given the Ukrainians a strike weapon with a nominal range of 186 miles, which creates pressure on other Western nations to follow suit and makes it much easier, politically and diplomatically, for them to do so.

What the Ukrainians actually want, and have said so many times, is the US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). They already have American Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles and Himars vehicles to fire them from, which can hit targets 60 miles away. Alternatively the Ukrainians can fire their new ground SDBs to 90 miles. But the Himars vehicle can also fire the ATACMS, which can reach 190 miles.

James added that the US might not need to deliver any of its own weapons: it could just let it be known that others are free to send theirs. The ATACMS is already in the armouries of Poland and Romania. Others including Estonia, Lithuania and Taiwan have orders in. (Taiwan has already allowed ground-launched Small Diameter Bombs it had ordered from the US to be diverted to Ukraine.)

UK Defence Secretary Wallace stressed, As far as the use, donation or gifting of Storm Shadow goes, the United States has been incredibly supportive of the United Kingdoms decision to do so.

At every stage of the war, NATO has escalated the conflict with the supply of weaponry that US President Joe Biden himself and NATO officials had previously ruled out. The Financial Times noted it was the UKs move in January to send Challenger 2 battle tanks that set a precedent that was followed by a German-US agreement to send their own main battle tanks, the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams.

In NATOs war against Russia, there is no limit on what will be supplied to ensure regime change in Moscow.

In response to Wallace, Tory MP Mark Francois said, We have led western Europe in supplying kit to the Ukrainians but we have not yet sent jets, despite the fact that we have a squadron of tranche 1 Typhoons sitting in a hangar and despite the fact that in Westminster Hall recently, President Zelensky very publicly called for us to do so.

Francoise said Ukraines aerial capability was a mismatch against Moscow: As such, can I ask him specifically what we are doing, first to send jets, and secondly to encourage other western allies to send MiG-29s, F-16s or even A-10s to Ukraine? It would be a tragedy, literally, if the counter-offensive ran out of momentum because it lacked air support.

Tobias Ellwood MP, who chairs the House of Commons defence select committee, stated, There is huge anticipation about the counter-attack that is likely to take place, but there is also a message, as I hope the Secretary of State [Wallace] will agree, that it may require a second, third, or fourth counter-offensive to take place. This is not going to end simply when the Ukrainians decide to push forward. We should expect Russia to go ugly and to use unconventional systems in response. He asked, Are the Americans going to match with ATACMSthe army tactical missile system? There is still a request for jets to be gifted as well.

The Tories and Labour constitute a single party of war, with Labour reassuring the ruling class and the United Statesahead of a 2024 general electionthat it is the party of NATO. Shadow Defence Minister Healey stated, The Defence Secretary knows that the government have had, and will continue to have, Labours fullest support in providing military aid to Ukraine and in reinforcing NATO allies.
Late Saturday night, Israel agreed to a ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, following five days of unremitting strikes on the impoverished Gaza Strip. But commentators are saying that the next escalation is just around the corner.

Israels massive aerial assault, ostensibly aimed at Palestinian Islamic Jihad personnel and its facilities, struck 370 targets, killed 35 Palestinians, at least one third of whom are civilians, and injured more than 147 people. It inflicted major damage on Gazas civilian infrastructure, including Gaza City, and left 375 people homeless.

Smoke and fire rise from an explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike targeting a building in Gaza, Saturday, May 13, 2023. The building was owned by an Islamic Jihad official. [AP Photo/Ashraf Amra]

This is the latest ceasefire in at least 15 murderous assaults, including four major wars, on the besieged Palestinian enclave since Israels disengagement from Gaza in 2005. Given that the far-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused point blank to end its murderous campaign of assassinating leaders of Palestinian resistant groups or to return the body of Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnanwho died a week ago while on a hunger strike in Israels Nitzan jailthis is likely to provide only a temporary respite for the beleaguered Palestinians.

Gazas borders have been closed since Tuesday, halting the entry of essential goods that gives Israel total control over the civilian population, and preventing hundreds of people seeking urgent medical treatment from leaving. Palestinian officials warned they would have to shut down the enclaves only power plant unless Israel reopened its border crossing to let in emergency fuel. Schools have also closed.

The response from Israels sponsor in Washington, the United Nations and the major imperialist powers has been limited to condemnations of Palestinian rockets fired on Israel, expressions of concern and calls for a ceasefire. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reiterated Washingtons enduring commitment to Israel's security and condemned the indiscriminate launch of rockets into Israel from Gaza-based terrorist groups, which endangers the welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians.

The ceasefire comes as Palestinians mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, or catastrophe in which at least 700,000 Palestinian refugees were driven out or fled their homes in the 1947-49 war following the UN General Assembly vote to partition Palestine, the end of the British Mandate over Palestine and Israels declaration of statehood in 1948.

Later this week, tens of thousands of far-right Israeli nationalists are expected to march through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalems Old City in an annual parade, known as Flag Day, on a national holiday marking Israels capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab Israeli war. Even as tensions mount, Netanyahu has refused to cancel the march, one of Islamic Jihads conditions for a ceasefire. This same provocation and subsequent protests in May 2021 were among the factors precipitating Israels 11-day assault on Gaza that saw, for the first time, widespread protests in Israeli cities with large Arab populations against the governments actions.

The latest round of attacks began after Israels refusal to return the body of Adnan, a well-known opponent of Israels repression of the Palestinians, with Islamic Jihad firing rockets from Gaza into Israel. This provided Israel with the pretext to send 40 jet bombers to target Islamic Jihad in a two-hour long bombing raid, killing three of its leaders in Gaza along with at least 18 others, including family members, children and neighbours, in what the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) called precision strikes against Jihad Ghannam, Khalil al-Bahtini and Tareq Ezzedine. The IDF claimed they were responsible for rockets fired on Israel during a brief flare-up sparked by Israels raid on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Ramadan last month that also led to rocket fire from neighbouring Lebanon.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant threatened, Any terrorist who harms Israeli citizens will be made to regret it. In anticipation of retaliation from Gaza, the authorities closed several roads and restricted gatherings and movement up to 40 kms from the Gaza Strip.

While one third of the renewed barrage of more than 1,100 rockets from Gaza were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome defence missile system and a similar number fell far short of their targets landing inside Gaza, rockets killed an Israeli in Rehovot and a Palestinian day labourer from Gaza and injured 43 others. Israel let loose on Gaza, killing three more Islamic Jihad leaders and around 12 civilians.

Hamas, the militant clerical group that controls Gaza, opposed the IDF operation, but left Islamic Jihadwhose top officials are based in Beirut where it has close relations with Hezbollah and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsto fight alone. The Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank, which has fought a near-civil war with Hamas in Gaza, took five days to release a ludicrous appeal for Washington to intervene against Israeli aggression.

Israels foreign minister, Eli Cohen, said that the IDF had achieved its objectives in the operation and highlighted the support Israel had received, including the efforts by the US and several UN Security Council membersthe United Arab Emirates, Russia and China--to block a joint statement expressing concern over the violence.

Even this horrific assault on Gaza is not enough for Netanyahus fascistic colleagues. Bezalel Smotrich, minister of finance and Religious Zionism leader, said that Israel would have to reconquer the Gaza Strip, calling it a chronic problem that had to be dealt with once and for all. Speaking in a television interview, he said, The time will probably come to return to Gaza, disassemble Hamas and demilitarise Gaza. This too will be carried out according to the broad interests and considerations of the State of Israel, adding I believe the moment will come when there wont be a choice but to reconquer Gaza.

Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, the leader of Jewish Power and national security minister, had earlier attacked Netanyahu for his lenient response to Islamic Jihad. Jewish Power legislators also refused to attend voting sessions in the Knesset, threatening to withdraw from the coalition. Opinion polls show plummeting support for Netanyahus far-right government and a likely election win for the opposition bloc led by former prime minister Yair Lapid and General Benny Gantz.

There has been no let up on the crackdown on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank where there were renewed clashes with protesters in Nablus in which six Palestinians were injured with live fire. The raid followed the wounding of an Israeli soldier by an explosive device near Nablus Tuesday afternoon.

On Saturday, undercover security forces shot and killed two men aged 19 and 32, reportedly members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Fatahs armed wing, in another raid on Balataa refugee camp in Nablus. Israels paramilitary Border Police also shot a 33-year-old Palestinian man at a West Bank checkpoint where he was left to bleed to death.

It signals an ever-sharper turn towards the military repression of the Palestinians on all fronts that threatens a broader conflagration throughout the region.

As Netanyahu doubtless calculated when he started the military operation in Gaza, the opposition leaders dutifully fell in line. This disparate group of Zionist parties, whose disagreements with Netanyahu reflect their concerns that he is endangering the state and jeopardising its support in Washington and the diaspora, issued statements of support and called off Saturdays 19th successive weekly protest rally in Tel Aviv. They proved their unity on all essential issues with Netanyahu and the far-right, above all in relation to the oppression of the Palestinians.

Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Israelis defied their leaders call to abandon the protests, turning out Saturday to demonstrate against the Netanyahu government's judicial coup in towns and cities across the country, with the largest rallies in the north. In Haifa, Doctors for Democracy led the rally, with a smaller group protesting against Israels bombing of Gaza. Protesters rallied in central Tel Aviv, despite the official cancellation of the main rally, with some demonstrating against the Gaza operation.

Israelis who want to oppose the threat of dictatorship and war must take up the fight to overcome the reactionary Zionist leadership of the protest movement and unite Arab and Jewish workers in a common struggle to defend jobs, living standards and democratic rights, including the national rights of the Palestinian people. This can only be done based on the programme and perspective of international socialism.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Mastercard implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

The top 19 shareholders own 51% of the company

Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business

A look at the shareholders of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 88% 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 Mastercard.

View our latest analysis for Mastercard

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Mastercard?

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 Mastercard. 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. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Mastercard's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Mastercard. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The MasterCard Foundation, Endowment Arm with 11% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 8.3% and 6.8% of the stock.

Story continues

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 19 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

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 plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Mastercard

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

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 information suggests that Mastercard Incorporated insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$386m of stock. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 11% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. 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:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Mastercard you should know about.

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.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Austin Russell is on quite a run.

The 28-year-old founder and CEO of Luminar, which develops vision-based lidar and machine perception technologies primarily for self-driving cars, told The Wall Street Journal earlier today that he is buying an 82% stake in Forbes Global Media Holdings in a deal that values the company at nearly $800 million.

According to the WSJ, Russell's stake includes the remaining portion of the company owned by its namesake family, which sold 95% of the company to the Hong Kong-based investor group Integrated Whale Media back in 2014. Forbes was essentially on sale from the moment it called off its merger with a special-purpose acquisition company in June of last year, after the market soured and investors lost their appetite for SPACs.

Luminar itself had better timing; it went public via a SPAC merger in 2021 when retail investors were still clamoring for shares in mobility tech companies. Still, by the time Forbes was calling off its own SPAC plans, nearly every mobility SPAC was trading below its offering price, and Luminar has not been immune to the broader downturn. Valued at $3.4 billion when it hit Wall Street, its market cap is now roughly $2 billion. Just three days ago it reported slightly wider than expected losses.

Some retail investors might not be so happy about its performance, even while Russell told the Silicon Valley Business Journal last year that he had no regrets about the SPAC. (From his perspective, the alternative would have been to potentially run out of money, as private market investors began to snap shut their checkbooks.)

Others might find it concerning that Russell -- described by Forbes itself in 2021 as the world's youngest self-made billionaire -- will soon be directing some of his attention elsewhere.

Shareholders -- and Luminar employees -- may also find the acquisition confusing.

While it has become fashionable to dabble with more than one company at once (Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey), as well as to be a billionaire owner of a media company (Jeff Bezos, Laurene Powell Jobs, Marc Benioff), buying Forbes when so many outlets are fighting for survival bucks conventional wisdom.

Story continues

Then again, Russell has been focused on Luminar since 2012, when he dropped out of Stanford to start the company, aided by a $100,000 grant from renowned investor Peter Thiel. (The Thiel Fellowship program, founded in 2011, continues to give $100,000 to select students who are eager to spend two years on their idea instead of "sitting in a classroom.")

Russell has enjoyed the fruits of his work in the ensuing years. He purchased an $83 million Los Angeles spread in 2021 that has since been featured in the hit show "Succession." He also reportedly paid another $10.6 million for a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Winter Park, Florida, near Luminars Orlando headquarters. But after spending his entire career focused on Luminar, he could well be looking to alter how he invests his time.

As Y Combinator's Paul Graham once said as he expressed his distaste for funding founders who are especially young, sometimes the worse thing that can happen to a person is that his or her startup succeeds straightaway.

Said Graham: "[I]f you start a successful startup, like, the footloose and fancy-free days of your life are over. Youre working for that company.

In a statement to the WSJ, Russell said simply of his motivations that: Forbes is something I had always looked up to as a brand and as a media empire." He also told the outlet that he doesnt plan to get involved in Forbess day-to-day operations but that he wants to both grow the outfit and emphasize "philanthropy" within the business.

TechCrunch reached out to Russell a bit ago; we were referred to a press release about the acquisition and told Russell has no further comment for now.
The Bank of England is preparing to water down changes to its post-crisis rulebook after lenders warned plans to raise bank buffers will strangle small businesses and harm the economy.

It is understood that regulators are examining ways to lower the burden on banks when the UK adopts new international capital rules from 2025.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a consultation in November that suggests British lenders will be forced to hold back billions of pounds more than their EU rivals because of the UK's strict adoption of the rules.

While the PRA is still insisting on a robust implementation, regulators are seeking a middle ground on small business lending involving a transition period from the current framework.

It is also considering grandfathering existing loan arrangements and adopting a common sense approach towards risk that high street banks say will tie-up less money on balance sheets that they will use to boost the economy.

Ensuring UK banks and businesses are not left at a competitive disadvantage is one of the most politically sensitive issues as the Bank finalises its implementation of the next stage of so-called Basel rules introduced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

It follows a bruising battle with the Government and financial services sector over insurance rules. Regulators were accused of strangling the City in red tape and stopping investment in high-growth assets.

The latest tussle over Britain's regulatory future has seen Barclays and Natwest, two of Britains biggest lenders, warn in March they could be forced to set aside an extra 50bn to comply with the standards.

Smaller banks fear they will be hit even harder. Some believe the changes will lead to a 1pc increase to the cost of small business lending, while lender Allica has warned that up to 44bn of SME lending is at risk unless changes are made to the current proposals.

Banks have asked the PRA to remove its illogical approach to the so-called "SME support factor", an EU legacy rule that allows banks to reduce capital requirements for credit risk on exposure to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Story continues

The PRA proposed removing the support to comply with international standards, even though Brussels intends to retain it.

Bank lobby group UK finance has led the backlash against the PRA's approach, warning that the changes "nearly always result in higher requirements in the UK" compared with US and EU rivals.

It warned that by removing the special treatment of small business lending "the cost of lending to a critical component of the UK economy will increase and lending appetite reduce.

UK Finance is urging the PRA to rectify a quirk in the Basel framework that means secured lending to small businesses is currently deemed more risky than its unsecured equivalent.

"You would have thought that if you've got some sort of security, like a mortgage tied to your shop or warehouse, that will be less risky. And so you should have to hold less capital," said one banking official who has written to the PRA.

The changes are being considered after regulators were ordered by the Government to promote the financial sector through a secondary competitiveness and economic growth objective. Ministers are likely to pile pressure on the PRA to go further.

City Minister Andrew Griffith - REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Andrew Griffith, the City minister, has even suggested that banks could sue the regulator over its interpretation of reforms.

While the proposed changes are still likely to be viewed as not enough to promote global Britain, one executive in the financial services industry said the PRAs engagement on the issue had been constructive. I think Sam [Woods, chief executive of the PRA] is listening.

Unlike Solvency II, Basel rules are solely determined by the PRA and it is understood decisions over any changes have not been finalised. A consultation on the proposals closed in March.

Phil Evans, a policy director at the PRA, insisted late last year that they will not significantly increase capital requirements.

The Bank of England declined to comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
This article originally appeared on Outside

Officials have closed part of the Appalachian Trail to camping due to reports of aggressive bears approaching hikers, following several similar closures over the past few years.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy announced on Wednesday that the Forest Service had closed approximately 7 miles of the trail along the North Carolina/Tennessee border, spanning from Tanyard Gap to Deep Gap (NOBO miles 280.8 to 287.7), to camping after a number of hikers reported bear encounters. The closure includes a campsite at Rich Mountain, as well as the Spring Mountain Shelter.

"All area visitors should use caution, pack out all trash and food scraps, and never leave food unattended," the ATC wrote. "Overnight hikers should plan their itineraries accordingly to avoid camping in this section or find an alternative route."

Overly bold bruins have been a problem for hikers in North Carolina and Tennessee over the past several years, with a number of shelters and campsites closing temporarily after the food-conditioned animals began seeking out sustenance from hikers. In 2021, the USFS closed miles 451 to 464 of the AT in Tennessee to camping because of bear activity. Further closures followed in 2022: In October, officials closed the trail to camping from the Tennessee-Virginia border to the trail's intersection with Highway 421, while earlier in the year New Jersey closed a campsite after a bear attempted to enter a hiker's tent.

In its post, the ATC noted that the Forest Service issued a food storage order last month requiring hikers along the trail in the USFS's Southern Region--essentially everything south of Shenandoah--to keep their smellables in a bear canister, a vehicle, land manager-provided vessels like bear lockers, or in a proper bear hang. (Though if you weren't doing that already, well, what were you doing?)

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
Mansfield to observe National Police Week

May 14-20 has been proclaimed National Police Week to recognize law enforcement officers in Mansfield and throughout the country. As part of the week-long observance, Mansfield Police will hold a Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday at the Municipal Building. The public is invited to attend the event honoring four fallen officers.

All flags at federal buildings will be flying at half staff on Monday. Throughout the week, Mansfield Police officers will be wearing "mourning badges."

Tuesday is Operation Clean Sweep in Mansfield

Volunteers are being asked to don their work clothes and meet at the Gazebo in Central Park between 4:45 and 5 p.m. Tuesday for Operation Clean Sweep. Volunteers are asked to bring their own brooms and shovels, if possible. The City of Mansfield will provide collection bags, gloves and disposal of the litter collected. On this same date, volunteers will be planting flowers in all of the planters in the downtown area.

All volunteers will receive a certificate and a small token of appreciation and will be entered into a drawing to win prizes at the Earth Stewardship Awards ceremony.

To register to participate in Operation Clean Sweep or for more information, contact Kim Hildreth at 419-755-9702 or khildreth@ci.mansfield.oh.us. The rain date will be Thursday.

Crestline school workers group to donate food for students

CRESTLINE  Leaders from the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4) will provide meals and snacks to 335 elementary students and vouchers to 285 middle school and high school students as part of the union's OAPSE Making a Difference program.

Statewide union leaders and officers and members from OAPSE 416  which represents custodians, secretaries, cooks, bus drivers, bus mechanics, educational aides and library aides in the Crestline schools will make the delivery at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school cafeteria.

Story continues

Volunteers from OAPSE Local 416 will stuff bags with breakfast, lunch and snack foods for each elementary student.

Upcoming meetings:

 Shelby City Council, 7 p.m., Monday, Shelby Justice Center, 29 Mack Ave., Shelby

 Pioneer Career & Technology Center Board of Education, 7 p.m., Monday, board conference room, Pioneer, 27 Ryan Road, Shelby

 Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Richland County , 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, 87 E. First St., Mansfield

 Mansfield City Council Employee Relations Committee, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield

 Mansfield City Council Parks Committee, 6:35 p.m., Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield

 Mansfield City Council Safety Committee, 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield

 Public hearing on proposed 2024 City of Mansfield tax budget, 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield

 Mansfield City Council Caucus/Council, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield marks Police Week, Operation Clean Sweep, Crestline donation
Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Linda Hancock's Coronation Street return storyline is under way, but not everybody seems happy about it.

Friday's episode (May 12) set up Linda's comeback as Gemma Winter realised that she hadn't been included on the wedding guest list.

Gemma is due to tie the knot with Chesney Brown in a couple of weeks' time and sought help from Izzy Armstrong with the preparations.

ITV

Related: Coronation Street star Elle Mulvaney explains Amy's big decision in Aaron story

After finding a wedding dress in a charity shop, Gemma asked Izzy for help turning it into something amazing. Izzy agreed, pointing out that they're "practically family".

Izzy's mum Linda is the grandmother of Chesney's eldest son Joseph. Joseph's mother Katy  Izzy's sister  died off-screen in 2017.

Gemma felt guilty after Izzy's reference to family, remembering Linda at the eleventh hour. She suggested inviting Linda to the wedding and Chesney agreed.

Although Gemma believed she was doing a nice thing, Izzy wasn't too pleased when she found out that Linda was heading over from Portugal.

ITV

Related: Former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh shares concern for Ryan Connor

Izzy complained: "Why did you have to invite me mam to the wedding? So no-one considered me in this situation? She's coming on Monday and she wants to stay with me until the wedding.

"I love me mam and all that, but I'm not sure I've got two weeks' worth of love in me."

Joseph's other grandmother Bernie was equally livid over the news, remembering her rivalry with Linda last time she was in town.

Bernie moaned: "It's what you've always dreamed of, isn't it Gemini? A stuffy-nosed, power-dressing, snob on a gob coming along and ruining your big day."

ITV

Related: Coronation Street's Andy Whyment confirms future on soap after I'm a Celebrity return

Earlier this week, Corrie bosses officially confirmed Jacqueline Leonard's return to the role of Linda.

Story continues

Jacqueline Leonard appeared as Linda for the first time in 2015, when she joined the show for a guest stint.

She returned in 2022 for a storyline which saw Linda suggest that Joseph should move to Portugal with her.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage

You Might Also Like
The pair met while starring on The Jamie Foxx Show, before later reuniting for the 2013 action movie White House Down

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Homeless Not Toothless, Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Garcelle Beauvais says she sent love to Jamie Foxx's family after the actor's recent "medical complication."

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 56, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the 6th Annual Best Buddies' Celebration of Mothers, where she revealed that she reached out to Jamie's brood after his daughter, Corinne Foxx, issued a statement on Instagram April 12 saying that he had sustained a "medical complication" the day prior.

When asked if she was able to pass well wishes on to Jamie, 55, Beauvais said, "Yeah, for sure." The pair met while starring on The Jamie Foxx Show, before later reuniting for the 2013 action movie White House Down.

The actress also reacted to the news that Jamie is on the mend, after Corinne, 29, said in a post earlier this week that her father has "been out of the hospital for weeks" after rumors circulated of his declining health.

"I've spoken to the family, and I don't want to say much because they're the ones to say it, but it broke my heart that this horrible rumor [about Jamie's health] was running around," she said at the event held in Pacific Palisades, California, on Saturday evening. "... I immediately got the right information, [but] I just think people can't run with stuff like that. It's hurtful to so many people."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Related:Jamie Foxx's Costar Natasha Blasick Says She's Been Assured He's 'Recovering' After 'Medical Complication'

Last month, Corinne announced in a statement on Instagram that her dad had "experienced a medical complication" while he was in Atlanta filming the Netflix movie Back in Action.

Story continues

Corinne shared at the time that "due to quick action and great care," Foxx was "on his way to recovery" at that point. The Foxx family also thanked fans for their prayers while giving that update.

Paras Griffin/Getty Jamie Foxx and daughter Corinne Foxx

Earlier this week, Corinne shared a post on her Instagram Story, where she reposted a report that claimed her family was preparing for "the worst" in regard to her father's health.

"Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild. My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating," she captioned the post.

"In fact," Corinne continued, "he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone's prayers and support! We have an exciting work announcement coming next week too!"

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Oklahoma! theatrical release date

The Oklahoma theatrical release date has been set for the upcoming filmed release of the 1998 version of the musical.

This 25-year-old production of Oklahoma!  coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the musicals groundbreaking 1943 premiere on Broadway  features some of the most delightfully hummable songs by the legendary team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist/lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin, The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say Were in Love, and the joyous title tune, Oklahoma, says the releases description.

What is the Oklahoma theatrical release date?

The Oklahoma theatrical release date is set for Sunday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19. The production will screen in over 800 theaters worldwide across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and more.

This musical is the living, breathing proof that important works will find and impact multiple generations in meaningful ways, said Sophia Dilley, SVP of Concord Originals. We couldnt be more proud to champion this anniversary re-release of Sir Trevor Nunns stunning 1998 revival with Trafalgar Releasing.

Check out the Oklahoma trailer below (watch more trailers):

Oklahoma was directed by three-time Tony Award winner Trevor Nunn with choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. It stars Hugh Jackman, Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle, Tony and Olivier Award winner Shuler Hensley, Vicki Simon, Jimmy Johnston, and Peter Polycarpou.

The post Hugh Jackmans Oklahoma Theatrical Release Date Set, Watch Trailer appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
REHOBOTH BEACH, Delaware (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he expects to meet with congressional leaders on Tuesday for talks on a plan to raise the nation's debt limit and avoid a catastrophic default.

Speaking to reporters in Delaware, Biden said he remained optimistic about agreeing on a deal.

Biden had been scheduled to meet with lawmakers on Friday but the meeting was postponed.

Biden said he had received an update on how talks had gone between administration staffers and their congressional counterparts.

"I remain optimistic because I'm a congenital optimist," Biden said. He said he believed there was a desire on both sides to reach an agreement. "I think well be able to do it.

Biden said he still planned to leave on a trip to Japan this week for a meeting of G7 leaders. He has been scheduled to leave on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)
On Friday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry went for a date in Santa Barbara at Sushi Bar. The Duchess of Sussex was wearing a chocolate brown wraparound dress with long sleeves and was carrying a white bucket purse over one shoulder in photos taken by TMZ. Her hair was drawn back in a long ponytail and she wore gold earrings.

Harry was dressed casually in white slacks and a black t-shirt. The restaurant is close to their California home in Montecito. The Prince recently returned to his family after visiting the UK for King Charles' coronation last weekend. He flew in for a night and left shortly after the ceremony in Westminster Abbey, though the next few days had several more celebratory events planned. Back in California, however, it was his son Archie's birthday which was clearly his priority.

Meanwhile, Meghan was photographed out hiking that weekend and enjoying the California weather. She also planned an intimate party for Archie, including her mother Doria Ragland, and a lemon cake made from lemons grown on their own property. According to TMZ, there have been rumors that the Duchess is pregnant with a third child because of her hiking photos, but a visit to a sushi restaurant might debunk that.

Meghan's Mother's Day will likely celebrate her two children, Archie and her daughter Lilibet. She posted on Instagram for her first Mother's Day with Archie, sharing a photo of his adorable feet wrapped in a blanket over a lawn of Princess Diana's favorite flowers, forget-me-nots. The Duchess paid tribute to Harry's mother and mother's everywhere in her caption.

Paying tribute to all mothers today - past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered, she wrote. We honor and celebrate each and every one of you.

You Might Also Like
Forgot to make a reservation for Mother's Day brunch? No worries! Here are 10 Memphis restaurants that don't take reservations for brunch.

Our advice: Go early before it gets too crowded.

And if you do have to wait for a table  remind Mom that it's more quality time she gets to spend with you.

Amerigo

1239 Ridgeway Road; (901) 761-4000; amerigo.net

Known for its Italian fare, Amerigo opens at 10 a.m. on Mothers Day. The restaurant will be serving its regular lunch and brunch menus, as well as a mimosa special (a bottle of Dom Pierre and a carafe of OJ for $45) as well as featured wines for $9 a glass.

Memphis restaurants: Amerigo celebrates 25 years in Memphis. Why it's been a dining destination since 1998

The best brunch in Memphis: Here are 10 spots brunch lovers shouldn't miss

The Arcade

The Arcade Restaurant, pictured here on July 21, 2019. It celebrated its 100th anniversary on Aug. 24, 2019.

540 S. Main St.; (901) 526-5757; arcaderestaurant.com

The Arcade is the city's oldest restaurant, founded in 1919 by Speros Zepatos after he immigrated from Cephalonia, Greece, to Memphis. Today it's run by the fourth-generation of the Zepatos family, Jeff and his wife, Kelcie. The iconic Memphis restaurant is known for its breakfast, serving eggs, biscuits and fluffy pancakes seven days a week.

Babalu

Two locations: 6450 Poplar Ave. and 2115 Madison Ave.; eatbabalu.com

Babalu is known for its tableside guacamole, tasty margaritas and creative spins on street tacos. For brunch, it offers all the Southern classics, but with a Latin spin. Your mom will love the Crab Cake Benedict with chipotle hollandaise sauce or the Mexican Chocolate and Caramel Pancakes.

Brother Junipers

The loaded biscuits and gravy, which is made up of two eggs over medium, bacon, sausage, gravy, green onions and cheddar cheese, is seen at Brother Junipers at 3519 Walker Ave. near the University of Memphis.

3519 Walker Ave.; (901) 324-0144; brotherjunipers.com

Since 1999, Brother Junipers has been a fixture in the University of Memphis neighborhood  serving breakfast to hungry college students and Memphians alike.

What makes Brother Juniper's unique? This family-run spot bakes its own bread, biscuits and pastries.

On most weekend mornings, expect to find a hungry crowd sipping a hot cup of coffee on the front porch while waiting for their table. All the breakfast fare  but especially the omelets  is worth the wait. The San Diegan Open Face Omelet is one dish we keep going back for. A fluffy omelet is topped with sauteed portobellos, tomatoes, green onions, bacon, feta and cheddar cheese.

Story continues

Celtic Crossing Irish Pub

903 Cooper St.; (901) 274-5151; celticcrossingmemphis.com

Located in the Cooper-Young Historic District, Celtic Crossing Irish Pub serves up a variety of pints and Irish fare inspired by owner DJ Naylors traditional, Irish family recipes. Dishes like Irish Nachos (melted cheese, corned beef, tomatoes and green onions over hand-cut fries), Bangers & Mash and Corned Beef Sandwiches are customer favorites here. Weekend brunch includes Irish dishes like Scottish Eggs and a traditional Irish breakfast. On Mothers Day, the restaurant will be giving moms flowers during brunch.

East Memphis restaurants: Bog & Barley brings Ireland to Memphis with food, drink, 447 pieces of the bar

Coming to Memphis: Mediterranean-style restaurant, elevated casual bar coming to Memphis: What we know

Half Shell

Two locations: 688 South Mendenhall and 7825 Winchester Road; halfshell-memphis.com

Open since 1973, Half Shell restaurant is a Memphis institution. On weekends, the restaurant offers up a full brunch menu. Choose from one of the several benedicts, omelets and crepes. There are also brunch entrees like Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee and Chicken & Waffles.

Owen Brennans

Robert Fischer, known as "Shorty" by his customers, prepares omelets at Owen Brennan's Sunday buffet.

6150 Poplar Ave.; (901) 761-0990; brennansmemphis.com

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Step into Owen Brennans on a Sunday afternoon and you feel like you have stepped into a restaurant in New Orleans' French Quarter. Its jazz brunch features all your brunch favorites mixed in with its signature New Orleans fare. On Mothers Day, Owen Brennan's will not be taking reservations; seating will be first-come, first-served. Brunch will start at 9 a.m., and the last seating will be at 3 p.m. The waitlist will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The Liquor Store

The Liquor Store is a poplar brunch restaurant in Memphis. The Sweet Potato Hash with the Brazilian Miles Away cocktail to accompany it was photographed on Mar. 7, 2023.

2655 Broad Ave.; (901) 405-5477; thebroadliquorstore.com

The Liquor Store is a spot like no other in town. Its both a diner and a bar, offering breakfast all day, diner classics and Latin-inspired dishes alongside craft cocktails, beer and wine. The feeling when you walk in the door is funky and fun with a Miami vibe. White walls, a splash of neon here and there and retro tables make you feel more like you are in South Beach rather than on the industrial Broad Avenue in Memphis. Start with an order of the Biscuit Beignets that come with a dulce de leche sauce.

New Memphis restaurants: From Irish fare to breakfast eats, 4 new Memphis restaurants that opened in April

Fine dining in Memphis: This Memphis woman went from studying chemistry to owning one of city's top restaurants

Staks Kitchen

Four locations; stakskitchen.com

Staks Kitchen opened its first location in 2015. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in a fast-casual, upscale dining environment and takes pride in creating delicious dishes using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The menu has something for everyone, from sophisticated French toast to a vegan skillet to our favorite  the cinnamon roll pancakes. Join the waitlist online at stakskitchen.com to shorten the wait.

Sunrise 901

Sunrise Memphis is a breakfast restaurant in. Memphis. The Rooster with a side of a cinnamon roll, The Best Omelette, and a Frozen Irish coffee were photographed on Mar. 7, 2023.

Two locations: 5469 Poplar Ave. and 670 Jefferson Ave.; sunrise901.com

If there is a line outside Sunrise 901, don't worry. It moves quickly. The breakfast menu includes standards such as pancakes, a country breakfast (called The Kitchen Sink), breakfast tacos, omelets and breakfast bowls. Boozy brunch cocktails are also on the menu. Its been a popular breakfast stop since it opened its first location in 2017.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City  like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mother's Day brunch in Memphis: No reservations required here
Simon Pegg opened up about his friendship with his Mission: Impossible - Fallout co-star Tom Cruise. (Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images)

While Simon Pegg considers Tom Cruise to be a friend, the British actor doesn't discuss the movie star's spiritual beliefs with him.

In the latest edition of BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Pegg told host Lauren Laverne that he actively avoids mentioning Cruise's ties to the Church of Scientology because he feels it would be a violation of their friendship.

I dont ask him about stuff like that because I feel that would be me abusing my privileged access that I get to him, you know what I mean? Pegg, 53, explained.

The Mission: Impossible franchise star shared that his relationship with Cruise is "just very simple and amiable. We're friends."

Its always been a very easy relationship. I think you realize, when you meet the person rather than the thicket of mythology thats built up around them, its a different experience," he said. "I mean, he loves the fame and he really relishes it, its all he knows. It energizes him and spurs him on.

However, Pegg noted that he wouldn't feel the same way about reaching Cruise's level of fame because "I don't think I would appreciate that particularly. I'd find that very stressful and overwhelming."

Despite the circus surrounding Cruise, Pegg says that the actor kind of appreciates the ridiculousness of it sometimes," and shared that they can even laugh about it. We joke about it. I mean, I always make fun of him for it, you know, about the things that he can access."

Pegg also shared an interesting incident that occurred when the duo was on a break from filming in South Africa recently. "He decided he wanted to go swim with sharks," said Pegg, who added that Cruise flew them in a helicopter to a seaside part of the country. At the end of the day, Pegg called it a real Tom Cruise kind of day due to its extreme nature with an emphasis on adventure.

Pegg also opened up about his struggles with depression and alcoholism during the interview. He noted that he did his best to conceal his difficulties on the 2006 set of Mission: Impossible III when he was "in the heart of where I always dreamed of being." Still, he was miserable.

Story continues

"I was kind of in this terribly panicky, distressed state. I couldn't figure out why. I was like. .. 'what is this?' Of course, it was because I was depressed and I needed to address that instead of trying to take care of it myself in unadvisable ways," he explained, pinpointing his alcoholism.

With his loved ones particularly concerned about his well-being, Pegg says he became "very sneaky when you have something like that in your life, he shared. You learn how to do it without anyone noticing because it takes over. It wants to sustain itself and it will do everything it can to not be stopped." Ultimately, he realized he needed to make some changes in his life, particularly after the 2009 arrival of his daughter Matilda. Around 2010, he cleaned up his act.

Eventually it just gets to a point when it cant be hidden, and thats when, thankfully, I was able to pull out of the dive," he stated, noting that he got help, quit drinking and addressed why he was drinking in the first place.
On Saturday night (May 13), during a Philadelphia stop on her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift appeared to defend a fan from an alleged issue with a security guard, TMZ and Vulture report. In multiple videos posted to social media, Swift can be seen yelling into the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field between lines of her 1989 song Bad Blood. Shes fine, Swift said at one point, followed by, She wasnt doing anything! and, Hey, stop! Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Swift and Lincoln Financial Field for further information and comment.

The fan whom Swift was apparently defending appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the incident. Watch the segment here.

In addition to videos of the concert itself, multiple clips of the scene outside Lincoln Financial Field are circulating online, showing throngs of fans singing Swifts songs in unison. Last nights show was Swifts second of three Philadelphia performances during the Eras Tour, which will stretch into August. She is set to play Lincoln Financial Field again tonight before heading to Foxborough, Massachusetts, tomorrow.

Earlier this month, during her first stop in Nashville, Swift brought out Phoebe Bridgers for a live rendition of Nothing New from Red (Taylors Version). Both artists sang in unison while playing acoustic guitar.

Read Heres What Happened at Taylor Swifts Eras Tour Opener: Setlist and More.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
Baby, now weve got bad blood. And by we, I mean Taylor Swift and a security guard at Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia.

On May 13, Swifts performance of Bad Blood got a little too on-brand during the second night of her home state Eras Tour run. In videos that have been circulating on TikTok from multiple vantage points, Swift seems to spot something amiss at the barricade after singing the pre-chorus lyrics, Its so sad to think about the good times, you and I.

At first, she seemingly tries to de-escalate the situation by saying, Shes fineShe wasnt doing anything! Swift then attempted to keep the performance moving but returned to the front of the stage when the commotion did not end. Hey, stop! she yelled before singing the almost too-perfect lyrics, 'Cause baby now weve got bad blood, hey! Though hey is a technically part of the song, it seemed pretty pointed, especially when she added another stop for good measure.

Hey @TaylorSwift THANK YOU from all of us on the floor for yelling at that security guard, TikTok user Briana Layfield captioned a video from the floor, which currently has 3.7 million views. He was a pain in the ass the entire night and the fact that this happened during #badblood made it even better.

Although none of the videos quite capture exactly what Swift was witnessing, Layfield claimed in the comments that the security guard was eventually ushered away by his colleagues.

On May 14, a woman named Kelly came forward as the person Swift was defending during the show. Basically, the guard had been harassing our group all night, telling us not to touch the railand every time we did anything, he was like on top of us, she said in her video posted to her friends TikTok account while dressed in an Eras Tour T-shirt shed presumably purchased the night before. Were dancing and having fun and he didnt like itand Taylor noticed that I was having fun and that he didnt like it and she didnt like it.

Story continues

Ultimately, Kelly says the guard was escorted out and that her group was offered free tickets to another one of Swifts shows. She added, It wasnt this big crazy thing, it was just a bunch of girls having a good time and he didnt want us to have fun.

Remember, nobody messes with Taylor Swift fans except the weather and Ticketmaster!

Originally Appeared on Glamour
Ukrainian servicemen of the Adam tactical group ride a T-64 tank from a front line near the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, on May 7, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergey SHESTAK / AFP)

After months of fighting in and around the besieged city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces have retaken ground on the citys flanks as a Russian unit made a hasty retreat.

In its latest assessment, the Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyOfWar) noted signs indicating local Ukrainian counterattacks to the northwest and southwest of the city, retaking about 17 square kilometers. In the north, Ukrainian forces advanced along the Berkhivka reservoir. At the same time, Ukrainians pushed south out of Ivanivske.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1657400434678431745

https://twitter.com/georgewbarros/status/1657397311419326466

https://twitter.com/emilkastehelmi/status/1657421519172128768

The British Ministry of Defense confirmed the Russian 72nd Motor Rifle Brigades retreat from areas on Bakhmuts southern flanks. Their retreat over the previous four days led to Ukrainian gains and further criticism of Russias Ministry of Defense from Wagner PMC boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1657260004070633473

Prigozhins complaints have only grown louder and more damning in recent weeks, culminating in an alleged call for rebellion. In an audio recording with subtitles tweeted by Anton Gerashenko, Adviser to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, it is claimed that Prigozhin can be heard calling the special military operation a stupid war and that Russian soldiers have been abandoned in the tragedy.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1657428866078584834?s=20

The War Zone cannot independently confirm the authenticity of Prigozhins remarks.

Russian Telegram channels meanwhile have attributed the losses to a total lack of coordination and communication between Wagner PMC forces and regular Russian units.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1657295459289911296

Prigozhins remarks aside, discontent among Russian mil-bloggers and the countrys pro-war faction continues to grow. At a meeting of the Angry Patriots Club, a hardline Russian nationalist group formed in April, founding member Igor Girkin and others on the Russian far-right, spoke of revolution, holy war, and cleansing when discussing the situation.

Story continues

https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1657420591438221314

The incredible human toll notwithstanding, the Bakhmut 'meat grinder' may well have also exhausted the patience and the relationship between various factions within Russias war effort. In particular, time and the looming Ukrainian counterattacks will reveal precisely how big a split there is between the Kremlin's own military and its Wagner mercenaries.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

New imagery adds to evidence of the Storm Shadow cruise missiles use against a target in Luhansk this week, with debris supposedly showing markings consistent with the British standoff weapon. Damage from the strike is extensive, with the targeted building having partially collapsed.

https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1657321801335074816

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1657317762157477888

The Storm Shadow further found its way into the Wagner-MoD dispute, with the Wagner-aligned Telegram channel Grey Zone (@grey_zone) calling B.S. on Moscows claim that it shot down the Ukrainian aircraft launching the missiles.

https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1657452362095575041

More explosions rocked Luhansk on Saturday, with some reporting a repeat of the previous days strike using Storm Shadow missiles and potentially ADM-160B MALD decoys. It has not been confirmed what weapon was used in Saturdays strikes.

https://twitter.com/loogunda/status/1657332345324568581

Across the Russian border in Bryansk Oblast, four Russian Air Force aircraft were shot down. It remains unclear exactly what brought down two Mi-8 Hip helicopters, a Su-34 Fullback and a Su-35 Flanker-E, and you can read our in-depth coverage on that story here.

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1657368124788809728

A series of huge explosions rocked the western Ukrainian city of Khmelnitsky, with towering mushroom clouds rising above the regional center. Our coverage of the explosion and its similarities to the strike on Pavlohrad last week can be found here.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1657410504254451718

There are incredible videos of two Ukrainian Air Force fighters making low passes at an airfield. By uncomfortably we mean duck if you dont want to get a high-speed haircut low. The Su-27 seen in the clips is also armed with a pair of AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1657246786648436739

The Washington Post has an incredible scoop about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys behind-the-scenes discussions on operations against Russia. The story, citing leaked intercepts from U.S. intelligence agencies, says Zelensky is often equal parts moderate and hawk when it comes to Ukraine's war effort. While sometimes urging restraint against advisers' wishes, Zelensky has at times expressed interest in bold, aggressive attacks within Russia himself.

https://twitter.com/John_Hudson/status/1657464735602753539

Among highlights, Zelensky reportedly suggested occupying several Russian border towns as leverage in diplomatic negotiations with Moscow, alongside strikes against Russian targets. Zelensky also reportedly wanted to strike the Druzhba pipeline connecting NATO member Hungary to Russian oil, no doubt related to Zelenskys icy relationship with Russian-aligned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1657497228724826116

https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1657499027636666373

The Belarusian opposition claims President Alexander Lukashenko was hospitalized and remains out of the public eye after skipping out on much of the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1657433538143170562

Lastly, there is another member of Ukraines four-legged combat team, with a badger doing a routine inspection of a trench encampment. Together, wed say the badger, pole cat, beaver, and mole rat would make an interesting fireteam at the front.

https://twitter.com/loogunda/status/1657386166964944898

Thats all for now. Well update this story when theres more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: stetson.payne@thewarzone.com
Zoe Duchesne was photographed by Raphael Mazzucco in Atacama Desert, Chile. Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Canadian model Zoe Duchesne was featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2010 after she traveled to the Atacama Desert in Chile, where she was photographed by Raphael Mazzucco.

We are looking for the perfect combination [of] the right bathing suit and the background. I love the gold one. That one was cute with the rocks behind. It was great, she said at the time of her photo shoot. The one from this morning was very beautiful. There were some nice ones that we did at the [Atacama] Salt Lake.

In addition to modeling, the Montreal native served a short stint as an actress in a few French films, including Les ex. Duchesne is now a comedian and often shares snippets of her routines and shows with her 32,000 Instagram followers.

Below are 11 gorgeous images from her 2010 photo shoot in Chile.

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated

Get ready for the hottest event of the year! The 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue is just around the corner, and you wont want to miss the Swimsuit Issue Launch Party. Secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of glamour, beauty and fun.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
The 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York doubled as a show of solidarity for the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike on Saturday night, as Jon Stewart, Fire Island writer-star Joel Kim Booster, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre all shared messages of support before and during the show.

Stewart, who won for best variety or talk show episode with Apple TV+s The Problem With Jon Stewart, was among the nights first winners to make a statement. The writer, producer and actor did not appear during the show to accept his award, with Alex Schmider, GLAADs director of transgender representation, taking to the stage to accept on Stewarts behalf.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Jon is a member of the WGA. He would be here otherwise, Schmider said. GLAAD, of course, stands with Jon and all the WGA writers. Fair pay, fair working conditions and queer representation in writers rooms are urgent and necessary issues facing this industry.

The statement was met with loud applause, like many of the shows of solidarity during the nearly three-hour event held at the Hilton Midtown. Ahead of Stewarts statement, show host and What We Do in the Shadows star Harvey Guillen made a statement on behalf of GLAAD, clarifying that the event was not a WGA show.

It is a fundraiser for GLAAD, which is a nonprofit organization powered by your contributions, he continued. But we stand in solidarity with the guild writers, especially those who get LGBTQ shows and characters on the air.

Later in the evening, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took a moment out of her speech, which was more broadly aimed at discussing the importance of LGBTQ representation across industries and support for the countrys trans youth, to note the significance of showing support for writers.

Story continues

I want to say one other really important thing. Nights like these are the reminder of stories and the importance of treating storytellers with dignity, respect and the value they deserve. I sincerely hope the writers strike gets resolved and the writers are given a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible.

She added, We need all writers and workers and everyone involved to tell the stories of our nation and the stories of all of us.

While accepting the award for best streaming/TV film on behalf of the Fire Island cast, writer and star Joel Kim Booster shared that he was so proud to be a member of the Writers Guild of America, which earned a roar of applause, before adding that writing has not only been just a hobby, but life changing for me.

I hope that youll stand in solidarity with us as we move forward in this, he continued. Labor issues are queer issues.

On the events red carpet, Fire Island director Andrew Ahn also showed support for the WGA strike and Booster, telling The Hollywood Reporter that the work stoppage is about finding ways to support voices that are marginalized and were the first ones to get hit, so lets find a way to stop that from happening.

I think the U.S. has been built on capitalism and systemic racism and I think what the writers strike is trying to do is make this about artists, make this about people, about creating a livelihood for us to thrive and succeed and not have it just be about dollars and cents, he said. So for me, Im not a part of the WGA, but I think its so important that we support the WGA. WGA strong for me.

Bob the Drag Queen offered a long-term perspective ahead of their outstanding reality series win for Were Here, saying, This is one of those things where people now may be taking a pay cut or losing money, but down the line well reap the benefits, and thats really important.

Ahead of a rousing speech that addressed The New York Times coverage of the trans community and Bob Iger and Disneys ongoing battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, GLAADs CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the significance of the strike for LGBTQ writers and stories.

Until we all have a fair and equal seat at the table, we need to see more, she explained. Hollywoods always looking for the next great story  the new way of telling a story  yet they still stay with the same old, same old. These folks are bringing new stories and new ways of telling stories, and I think an industry would invite that in, not shut it out.

The night showcased how various artists within Hollywoods writing community are approaching bringing attention to the WGA strike. While Stewart drew attention for his absence, Fire Islands Matt Rogers, who is in the guild alongside Booster and fellow co-star Bowen Yang, told THR while on a picket line in New York on the second day of the strike that the decision for multi-hyphenates with other platforms that dont clash with WGA strike rules was a delicate walk.

But that he, at least, wanted to use platforms like the GLAAD Awards to speak on behalf of fellow writers. I think if you can be somewhere where you can use your platform to push our agenda here and get everyone listening to what we need, thats fine, he said.

And Just Like That star and executive producer Cynthia Nixon agreed. I certainly feel like Im going to make statements about supporting writers anywhere, and everywhere I go, she told THR before sharing she planned to interview the HBO Max series writer Samantha Irby at Symphony Space and discuss the strike.

The WGA work stoppage  the second in 15 years  began on May 2 after the guild and The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to reach an agreement on a new contract by the May 1 deadline. Among the issues on the table are pay increases, minimum staffing, AI, residuals and shorter exclusivity deals.

The 2023 GLAAD Media Awards in New York honored Maren Morris and Jonathan Van Ness with special awards and featured a performance from Idina Menzel singing her new single Move.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
These are the best small towns in the American Southwest.

Getty Images

California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico are the six mighty states that make up the American Southwest. Though the moniker American Southwest might bring up some one-note images  say, Clint Eastwood with a cigar dangling from his mouth, muttering moodily as he walks through saloon doors  the region is not all about ranchers and cacti. In fact, many different landscapes exist in this beautiful and historic swath of America. To understand what its really like, youll have to plan a visit, and while large cities might be tourist hotspots, theres just as much charm in the regions more rural areas. Here are the best small towns in the American Southwest, each a destination in its own right.

Idyllwild, California

Matt Gush/Getty Images

This mountain town offers no ski resorts, lakes, or chain restaurants, and thats part of the appeal. Come here to kick back under tall pines and cedars and explore the trails around Idyllwild Nature Center and beyond. Grab a beer at Idyllwild Brewpub, relive your childhood with a pizza from low-key pie parlor Idyllwild Pizza Company, or grab snacks and treats at the Idyllwild Village Market.

Joshua Tree, California

Mariah Tyler/Travel + Leisure

If you blink, you might miss the little stretch of desert town that is Joshua Tree, built along Twentynine Palms Highway (a rough northern border for Joshua Tree National Park). This land is beautiful and otherworldly, thanks to its curious-looking namesake yucca plant. Exploring the national park is a true treat  hike Boy Scout Trail or Barker Dam  but so is walking the town, which has a charming-yet-bereft Western vibe. Stop for sandwiches and treats at Natural Sisters Cafe, coffee at Joshua Tree Coffee Company, and for dinner, hit up Pie for the People or Sams Indian Food and Pizza.

Ojai, California

Julio Cardona/EyeEm/Getty Images

The Topatopa Mountains make up Ojais dramatic backdrop, and pink sunsets, or pink moments, are a real thing here thanks to the reflection of the sinking suns light on the mountains. Shop and eat your way along Ojai Avenue  Tipple and Ramble has the prettiest patio for a wine and cheese tasting. You can also rent a bike and ride through local tangerine orchards or all the way to Ventura on the Ojai Valley Trail. Great places to rest your head at night include rad, revamped motels like the Capri Hotel and Ojai Rancho Inn or the impressive Ojai Valley Inn.

Story continues

Taos, New Mexico

Mona Makela/Getty Images

Abutted by the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is a high desert town with vistas to write home about, a deep Indigenous history, and a thriving community in Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thats been inhabited for more than 1,000 years. After youve visited the pueblo, consider viewing the landscape via hot air balloon or by taking a dip in the nearby Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. In town, try Manzanita Market or La Cueva Cafe for a delicious meal. If youre up for a nice walk, trek Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail.

Silver City, New Mexico

Getty Images

At 6,000 feet and just south of Gila National Forest, the Southwestern town of Silver City is a solid base camp for all kinds of adventures. Walk the historic downtown and pop into galleries  this is an active arts community  and restaurants like Adobe Springs Cafe or Jalisco Cafe. Get out your hiking shoes and trek in nearby City of Rocks State Park or the slightly further Catwalk Recreation Area, known for its awesome canyon views.

Related:How to Do a Southwest Food Road Trip  With National Parks, Craft Cocktails, and Delicious New Mexican Cuisine

Virginia City, Nevada

Manel Vinuesa/Getty Images

In 1859, Henry Comstock discovered the first bit of silver in the U.S. on land he co-owned in Nevadas Virginia Range. A silver rush ensued, making Virginia City a bustling mining town. This history is front and center in the town today. Visits to mine sites or structures  like the wooden Fourth Ward School Museum, standing since 1876  feel like walking into a history book come to life, as does a ride on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. Belly up at the bar of an Old West saloon before you leave  Bucket of Blood saloon gets our vote for its name alone.

Moab, Utah

Getty Images

This eastern Utah destination is heaven for anyone who appreciates the burning beauty of red sandstone mountains or for those who want easy access to incredible state and national parks. Explore galleries, kitschy shops, and even microbreweries in town, then buckle up for hiking adventures in Arches National Park (located 10 minutes away), Canyonlands National Park (30 minutes away), and Dead Horse Point State Park (40 minutes away).

Springdale, Utah

Mimi Ditchie/Getty Images

If youre heading to Zion National Park from the west or south, Springdale is your entry point. This small Southwest town, which sits at the mouth of Zion Canyon, offers easy eats for hungry hikers (were partial to the burritos at Oscars Cafe). After a long day in the park, grab a patio table at a restaurant of your choice and watch how the colors change on the red-rock canyon walls during sunset.

Telluride, Colorado

Jonathan Ross/Getty Images

The San Juan Mountains are your playground once youre in Telluride, which sits at an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet. Come in mid-September or October to see Aspen tree leaves turn a stunning shade of gold. Set aside a few hours to hike the popular Bear Creek or Bridal Veil Falls trails, or book a fishing excursion on a nearby stream or lake. Telluride has long been known for its calendar of events, as well, from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to alpine cookouts.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Getty Images

It may be known as the last great Colorado ski town, but Crested Butte, named for the eponymous mountain that looms above it, is phenomenal without snow, too. Enjoy the fresh mountain air as you stroll in town, where many storefronts are painted in cheery, bold colors. Go leaf peeping in the fall along Kebler Pass, a mountain route that shows off one of the largest Aspen groves in the country. Near town, take the Loop Mountain Trail (about 6.5 miles) for good views of Gothic Mountain.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) are heading to Iowa on Saturday for dueling events that underscore the escalating rivalry between the two leading contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

DeSantis has been slated for weeks to headline Rep. Randy Feenstras (R-Iowa) annual Family Picnic in Sioux Center, Iowa, and speak at a state GOP fundraiser in Cedar Rapids, while Trumps campaign announced just last week that he would hold a rally in Des Moines.

The competing engagements are expected to shine a light on the increasingly contentious and bitter matchup between DeSantis and Trump, who has sought to freeze the Florida governor out of the 2024 race before he even officially announces a campaign.

A person familiar with Trumps plans said that the Iowa rally had been planned for weeks before it was officially rolled out. Still, the optics of the event, taking place on the same day as DeSantiss Iowa swing, underscore how eager Trump is to counter DeSantis in a critical early-voting state.

It absolutely looks intentional, one Republican strategist whos worked on presidential campaigns said. Its par for the course for Trump. He sees something happening somewhere and immediately thinks he needs to counterprogram it.

DeSantis hasnt formally jumped into the 2024 race yet but is expected to launch a campaign in the coming weeks.

Never Back Down, the main super PAC backing DeSantiss presidential ambitions, has already begun to lay the groundwork for an Iowa operation, hiring half a dozen staffers in the state to begin rallying support for him ahead of a formal campaign launch. The group noted that DeSantiss scheduled appearance at Feenstras picnic had already broken records for RSVPs.

Never Back Down has also begun to run ads in Iowa and other early-voting states, like New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, and has begun to hire staff in 14 other states in preparation for Super Tuesday.

Story continues

The Never Back Down grassroots movement is seeing huge support swelling on the ground in Iowa for DeSantis, from the endorsements of influential state GOP leaders to a record number of RSVPs for Rep. Feenstras Family Picnic headlined by the Governor, Erin Perrine, the communications director for Never Back Down, said in a statement.

Iowans are impressed with Governor DeSantis record of unapologetic success in Florida and want to see that in the White House. Should DeSantis decide to run for President, its clear Iowans will be behind him.

Early polling out of Iowa is scarce, though most surveys show Trump with a comfortable lead over DeSantis. Yet a poll from Public Opinion Strategies conducted in March pegged DeSantiss favorability rating above that of Trump.

And when DeSantis touches down in the Hawkeye State on Saturday, he will already have something to brag about.

State Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl endorsed the Florida governors presidential ambitions on Thursday, lending him the support of two well-known  and deeply conservative  Iowa Republicans and highlighting a desire among at least some GOP officials to move on from Trump in 2024.

We need a leader thats looking forward towards the future, not a leader thats looking in the rearview mirror and potentially going to be vindictive towards other people, Windschitl told the Des Moines Register this week. We need somebody thats accountable to the people that has proven in their state that they can do this job and take that same prosperity and spread it throughout America.

But Trump has his own high-profile backers in Iowa, including his former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker and former Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa), as well as nearly a dozen other state Republican lawmakers.

The former president is heading into 2024 with a much more professional and organized caucus infrastructure, intent on heading off a repeat of 2016. Leading the effort as his state director is Marshall Moreau, who managed Brenna Birds successful campaign last year to oust now-former state Attorney General Tom Miller.

The Saturday stops in Iowa will test both Trump and DeSantis. The former president notably finished second to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, and a lackluster finish in 2024 would almost certainly be seen as a blow to his standing in the GOP.

At the same time, Trump and DeSantis will have to step outside of their respective comfort zones to focus on the kind of face-to-face retail politicking typical of presidential campaigns in Iowa, Keith Naughton, a veteran Republican strategist said.

Iowas more about retail politics, Naughton said. Trump is a rally guy. Hes the guy thats going to do all the talking. I think DeSantis has had a little more experience on that front, but he has had a hard time connecting with voters on a personal level, so I think its a test for both of them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ban Hikvision demonstration at Westminster - Paul Grover

A Chinese CCTV giant blacklisted by the Government has reported surging sales in Britain despite concerns about possible security risks.

Hikvision, which has more than a million security cameras installed across Britain, reported a 52pc increase in sales at its UK division last year.

It comes despite the Government ordering a ban on the companys cameras at sensitive official sites and multiple departments stripping them from their estates.

Hikvision, which is partly owned by the Chinese government, is the most popular CCTV provider across Britain and is installed in schools and hospitals. However, it faces growing national security and ethical concerns.

The company has been blacklisted by the US government and has been accused of facilitating the Chinese states brutal crackdown on the countrys Uyghur minority by surveilling camps in Xinjiang.

Accounts for Hikvision UK Limited show an increase in revenues from 27.3m to 41.5m. Its costs also increased which the company put down to staff and warehouse spending with the expansion of the UK business.

The UK divisions revenues, which include sales to customers and services provided to other Hikvision entities, are unlikely to provide a full picture of the companys business in Britain since many of its cameras are delivered through CCTV installers.

However, the figures suggest that the company is growing strongly despite increasingly vocal security concerns.

The campaign group Big Brother Watch said the accounts showed that the UK has become a safe haven for rights-abusive CCTV companies.

Hikvision said sales to the UK and Ireland were up by 67pc, while those to other markets were up by 46pc. Staff numbers rose from 128 to 164 and it paid a 4m dividend to its direct parent, based in the Netherlands.

Pyronix, a security alarm company owned by Hikvision, reported a 7.5pc drop in revenue.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, said he had tabled an amendment to upcoming procurement legislation that would stop the Government purchasing equipment from companies subject to Chinas national security laws, which includes Hikvision.

Story continues

Sir Iain, who has been a vocal critic of Hikvision, said his amendment would force the Government to move faster to rid itself of this Chinese equipment.

Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, last year ordered sensitive Government buildings to stop deploying cameras subject to Chinese security laws, including Hikvision and riva Dahua, saying there was an increasing threat to the UK.

Last year the Departments of Health and Social Care and Work and Pensions pledged to remove the cameras from their estates.

Hikvision has said that it is categorically false that the company is a security threat.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
The stunning Skogafoss in Iceland has miles and miles of flowing river into waterfalls deep within the heart of the highlands. This picture was taken on Aug. 31, 2022. | Sarah Gambles, Deseret News

Iceland is a beautiful country with unique landscapes. Stunning waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and a black sand beach have lured many tourists to the island country.

Tourism contributes to 67% of total service exports in Iceland and 35% of total export revenue, per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

If youre planning on going or even if youre just interested in learning more about the Scandinavian island country, here are 10 facts about Iceland.

1. Iceland is one of the least populated European countries

There are not a lot of people in Iceland. According to the World Population Review, its the sixth least populous country in Europe. There are only 331,000 people who live in Iceland.

Much of the population is concentrated in its capital, Reykjavik, with around two-thirds of the population living there, according to Iceland Travel.

Because there are so few residents, some Icelandic college students even created an app that helps determine whether you are related to someone or not before going on a date, called Islendingabok.

.

Nearly 11% of Icelands land is covered by glaciers. This is the Skaftafell Glacier on Aug. 28, 2022. | Sarah Gambles, Deseret News

2. There are around 200 volcanoes on the island

According to National Geographic, Iceland has around 200 volcanoes and accounts for one-third of Earths total lava flow.

The landscape has many other remarkable and notable features, including multiple geothermal pools and geysers. There are enough hot springs that nearly every county has at least one. Geysers are so commonplace that the term geyser even stems from Icelandic.

Only 1% of the country is forested because glacial lakes and mountainous lava deserts cover nearly 80% of the land, according to PBS.

Its also the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates  the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, or the divide between the North American plate and Eurasian plate, per The World Pursuit.

Related

3. Iceland loves to read. Like, a lot

Literacy rates in the Scandinavian country are close to 100%  Icelanders read more books per capita than any other citizenry in the world, per PBS.

Story continues

Its common to give books as a gift for Christmas, known as Jolabokaflo, meaning Christmas book flood, according to NPR.

If you look at book sales distribution in the U.K. and the States, most book sales actually come from a minority of people. Very few people buy lots of books. Everybody else buys one book a year if youre lucky, Baldur Bjarnason, researcher on Icelandic book industry, told NPR. Its much more widespread in Iceland. Most people buy several books a year.

Not only are Icelanders reading books, many enjoy writing them. Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world, NPR reported.

4. Iceland was one of the first in the world to have a parliament

The country was one of the first in the world to establish a parliament  Icelandic chieftains met in the year 930 CE to create the first parliament, according to Nordic Visitor.

This also makes it the oldest parliament in the world that is still in existence, per Nordic Visitor.

It was also the first country in the world to elect a woman as head of state by electing Vigdis Finnbogadottir in 1980 as president, according to The Guardian.

If I may say so, because I hear it all the time, it changed everything, she told The Guardian. Women thought, if she can, I can. In my advanced age, women still thank me for being a role model.

5. Iceland has been named one of the happiest countries in the world

The World Happiness Report named Iceland as one of the worlds safest and happiest nations, Iceland Travel reported.

It was also ranked the most peaceful country in the world by the Global Peace Index.

The World Economic Forums report on equality between sexes named it the best country in the world for women, per The Guardian.

The country has no standing army, and local police dont carry guns  yet Iceland marks extremely low crime rates, per Guide to Iceland.

Related

6. There are no snakes or mosquitoes in Iceland

It sounds a little too good to be true, but its true  Iceland has no snakes or mosquitoes. It also has no bears or poisonous bugs, according to Arctic Adventures.

You also wont see many dogs if you visit. Dogs were banned in 1924 because of a tapeworm that was spreading from dogs to humans, per Smithsonian Magazine. The ban was lifted in the 1980s, but the government still requires rigorous testing and vaccinations to own a dog in the country.

Only one breed of horse exists on the island because Icelandic horses have not been mixed with other breeds, per Arctic Adventures.

One animal you might get to see, though, is whales. There are more than 20 different species of whales in the oceans around the island, per Arctic Adventures.

Miniature elf houses sit outside a shelf in Eastern Iceland on August 27, 2022. Many Icelanders believe in elves. | Sarah Gambles, Deseret News

7. Many Icelanders believe in elves

A 2007 University of Iceland study revealed that 62% of people in Iceland believe in elves, per BBC. You can often see miniature houses with little goodies left in front of the house where elves can stay.

Nancy Marie Brown, the author of Looking for the Hidden Folk: How Icelands Elves Can Save the Earth, believes Icelanders convictions around elves support how well they take care of the environment.

Theres even an elf school for visitors to learn more about Icelandic elf culture, Deseret News reported.

Related

8. Babies often sleep outside, even in the cold in Iceland

This is a common practice in many Scandinavian countries, but might feel a little different to Americans. Babies will often be left on porches or other outdoor spots to provide fresh air and Icelanders believe it supports the development of their respiratory and immune system, per Guide to Iceland.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, babies who were bundled up and slept outside in winter temperatures slept longer and better compared to babies who slept indoors.

9. Icelanders eat ice cream year-round

Although the island country remains fairly cold all year, Icelanders love ice cream. According to BuzzFeed, they even have a word to describe an ice cream road trip  Isbiltur.

Not only do they eat ice cream year-round, they also will grill in any type of weather, per Guide to Iceland.

10. Icelanders call everyone by their first names

Everyone goes by and is addressed by their first name, even the president. Icelanders believe it helps foster a dialogue with a less stuffy hierarchy, according to Guide to Iceland.

And most names feel familiar to most Icelanders because an official register of names is the only place parents can pull from to name their child. If a parent wants to use one not on the list, a special committee must grant them permission first. And if the name is on the banned list, using that name is strictly forbidden, The World Pursuit writes.

Related
Police lights

A Christian County man was arrested Thursday for drug-induced homicide in connection with the February 22 death of Kincaid man.

Bradley P. Graham, 39, is now in custody of the Christian County Jail in Taylorville on $1 million bond. An online site listed his residence for a previous arrest as Kincaid.

The case involves the death of Daniel Durbin, 40, who was found dead inside a residence in the 500 block of Richardson Avenue as Kincaid Police officers were conducting a wellness check.

More: UIS celebrates graduation of 2023 class

Illinois State Police agents and crime scene investigators were summoned to the home to investigate the suspicious death.

It wasn't immediately known the connection between Graham and Durbin.

According to Illinois statute, drug-induced homicide is the unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to another person and where any person's death is caused by "the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of any amount of that controlled substance."

Bradley was arrested by ISP agents and Christian County sheriff's deputies and is due in court Monday on the bond matter.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: A Christian County man was arrested for drug-induced homicide
As they enter the final hours of Kentucky's 2023 primary season, Republicans vying to be Kentucky's next governor are making one last push to win over voters and dominate the 12-person field.

Former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft rallied with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in southwest Louisville Saturday afternoon, speaking to a crowd of roughly 100 people gathered in a barn in Turkey Run Park.

"I know as governor, she's going to have the guts to take on the lunatics that are wanting to release criminals," Cruz said, "to take on the lunatics that are wanting to brainwash our kids, to take on the lunatics that are wanting to mutilate children."

Craft is able to smile and be nice, Cruz explained, but she'll "smile at you while she's standing up and gutting Marxists that are trying to destroy this country."

More: Kentucky primaries 2023: Your guide to who is running for governor and other state offices

Craft is also expected to campaign with presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday before returning to her hometown of Glasgow for an event Monday night.

Craft's star-studded campaign stops are just some of the last-ditch efforts Republican gubernatorial candidates are trying to win over voters before Tuesday.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron spent much of the week on a multi-stop campaign tour, but most notably, will have a tele-rally Sunday evening with former President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Cameron early last summer, months before his former employee Craft jumped into the race.

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck announced earlier this week he plans on campaigning for 24 hours straight, starting at 7 a.m. Monday in Somerset before visiting parts of eastern Kentucky and then heading west. He then plans on capitalizing on the overnight hours of his trek by "making a tour of 24-hour restaurants" in Louisville and Lexington, his campaign said.

More: Analysis: Here's who has filled the coffers of Kentucky's primary candidates for governor

Story continues

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is using his own version of star power by embarking on a three-day "Big Red Truck Tour," featuring his red Chevy Silverado that has become a sort of cult sensation during the campaign.

As campaigning wraps up, WDKY and Emerson College are expected to announce the results of the final independent polling in the race Sunday evening.

Tuesday is the final day to vote in Kentucky's primary elections. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor's race: Ted Cruz rallies for Kelly Craft
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper affixes his veto stamp to a bill banning nearly all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Hannah Schoenbaum/AP

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill to ban nearly all abortions after the first trimester.

GOP legislative leaders in the state's General Assembly have vowed to override Cooper's veto.

The bill included exceptions and extended timelines for cases of rape, incest, and fetal anomalies.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that would have banned nearly all abortions there after the first trimester.

At the state capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, the Democrat stamped his veto on the bill before an audience of about 1,000 pro-abortion rights activists, The Associated Press reported. About 70 anti-abortion activists gathered across the street in prayer, the outlet reported.

"This bill will create dangerous interference with the doctor-patient relationship leading to harm for pregnant women and their families. With its medically unnecessary obstacles and restrictions, it will make abortions unavailable to many women," Cooper said. "Therefore I veto this bill."

The bill included exceptions in its 12-week ban, permitting abortions through 20 weeks for victims of rape and incest and through 24 weeks for "life-limiting" fetal complications, the AP reported.

"Standing in the way of progress right now is this Republican supermajority legislature that only took 48 hours to turn the clock back 50 years on women's health," Cooper said, according to WNCN-TV, a local CBS affiliate.

The veto is sure to initiate a legislative showdown as conservatives in the state's General Assembly hold a veto-proof majority with 72 out of 120 seats in the House and 30 out of 50 seats in the Senate.

"I look forward to promptly overriding his veto," Phil Berger, leader of the Senate, told the AP in a statement.

In a tweet celebrating that the ban had been vetoed, Cooper said, "Let's work to keep it that way."

Story continues

To the crowd of abortion-rights activists at the state capitol, he remained optimistic.

"We're going to have to kick it into an even higher gear when that veto stamp comes down," Cooper told the crowd, according to the AP. "If just one Republican in either the House or the Senate keeps a campaign promise to protect women's reproductive health, we can stop this ban."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Activists protest for immigration reform in Washington, April 28, 2010. (Brendan Hoffman/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON  For nearly a quarter century, as successive waves of migrants have tried to enter and work in the United States, presidents have appealed to Congress to address gaps in an immigration system nearly everyone agrees is broken.

Yet year after year, congressional efforts to strike a wide-ranging bipartisan deal  one that would strengthen border security measures while expanding avenues for people to immigrate to the United States in an orderly and lawful way  have fractured under the strain of political forces.

Immigration has proved to be a potent political messaging tool, particularly for Republicans, who have rallied voters behind campaigns to close the border with Mexico  and denounced anything other than stringent security proposals as amnesty. And Democrats have long resisted border security initiatives without measures to grant legal status to millions of immigrants residing in the United States without permission and to expand immigration in the future.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

While many lawmakers have tried to bridge the gap, not once in the 21st century has Congress managed to send a comprehensive immigration bill to the presidents desk.

The legacy of that inaction is seen in factories and farms, where immigrants lacking permanent legal status work grueling jobs for low wages; in the skyrocketing backlog of asylum cases that have yet to appear before an immigration judge; in the enrichment of cartels trafficking migrants and drugs to the U.S.-Mexico border; and in the uncertainty at the border after the expiration this week of pandemic-era restrictions on entry.

As lawmakers try to tackle immigration yet again, here is a look at how and why previous efforts in Congress failed.

2006: The McCain-Kennedy bill passes, only to die in the House.

On May 25, 2006, the Republican-led Senate passed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 by a vote of 62-36. Twenty-three Republicans  including Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the current minority leader  supported the bill, along with all but four Democrats and one independent. The Republican-led House never took it up.

Story continues

What was proposed: The bill was based on a compromise struck by Sens. John McCain, R- Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Their framework coupled border security measures that Republicans were demanding  such as fencing, radar and aerial surveillance tools and an influx of personnel  with provisions championed by Democrats offering millions of immigrants living in the United States illegally a way to earn citizenship and the creation of a guest worker program.

Why it failed: Despite opposition from some top Republicans, the bill drew enough backing to pass the Senate after an aggressive push by President George W. Bush, who had campaigned on overhauling the immigration system and dedicated a prime-time Oval Office address to promoting the bill the week before the vote. It also had the backing of big business groups and some powerful labor unions.

But the more conservative House, which in late 2005 had passed a bill placing strict limits on immigration and criminalizing unlawful entry  prompting widespread national protests  never took it up, effectively killing it. Republicans instead brought up a measure dealing with only border security, called the Secure Fence Act, which passed both the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. Bush signed it into law two weeks before the 2006 midterm elections.

2007: The Senate Gang of 12 bill falls flat.

After congressional Republicans suffered punishing defeats in the 2006 midterms, new Democratic majorities in the Senate and House tried to tackle immigration again. But the new bill failed to clear a series of procedural hurdles in the Senate in June 2007 and never received a final vote in either chamber.

What was proposed: The 2007 bill adopted the approach of the previous years proposal, but with a trigger conditioning legal status for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally on first meeting a series of border security benchmarks. The bill also proposed granting legal status based on a points system that scored immigrants according to job skills, education level, family ties and English-language proficiency.

Why it failed: The coalition of senators that worked out the legislation, which came to be known as the Gang of 12, represented the broadest bipartisan coalition yet to join forces on an immigration compromise. But the bill encountered dogged opposition from both parties and ultimately collapsed.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who would go on to carry out a zero-tolerance policy for unlawful border crossings as President Donald Trumps attorney general, led a conservative revolt against the bill, denouncing it as amnesty. At the same time, pro-labor Democrats objected to the expanded temporary guest-worker programs, while others in the party panned the points system for prioritizing job skills over family ties.

2010: Democrats fail to carry the DREAM Act.

In December 2010, Democratic congressional leaders, poised to lose control of the House, held votes on the DREAM Act: legislation that aimed to give immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who were brought to the country as children, often referred to as Dreamers, an opportunity to gain legal status. The House passed the bill by a vote of 216-198, with eight Republicans in favor and 38 Democrats opposed. Ten days later, the Democrat-led Senate fell five votes short of breaking a filibuster blocking it from a vote.

What was proposed: The legislation sought to enable Dreamers to become legal residents and potentially U.S. citizens, provided they met certain conditions. Eligible migrants would have to have enrolled in college or served in the military for at least two years, pass a criminal background check and be younger than 30. The legislation, first introduced in 2001, had been a component of both the 2006 and 2007 comprehensive immigration bills.

Why it failed: Conservative Republicans in the Senate campaigned against the bill as a grant of amnesty, persuading all but three of their colleagues to oppose it. But Democrats also failed to rally around their partys legislation. Five moderate Democrats refused to back the bill because it did not include a broader immigration plan  the five votes they needed to clear the Senates 60-vote procedural hurdle and allow it to advance.

2013: A Senate gang succeeds, but the House digs in.

After the 2012 presidential election and a Republican autopsy that concluded the party had to shift its hard-line stance on immigration, momentum built for a compromise bill. On June 27, 2013, the Senate, voting 68-32, passed a compromise immigration bill addressing both border security and expanded immigration pathways, with 14 Republicans on board. But the GOP-led House never acted on it.

What was proposed: A Gang of Eight group of senators  four Democrats and four Republicans  revived the idea of pairing border security measures with expanded immigration avenues, subject to meeting trigger thresholds on border security. The bill called for universal adoption of the employment eligibility system, known as E-Verify, to make it more difficult to hire workers living in the U.S. illegally and put most immigrants lacking permission to live in the U.S. on a 13-year pathway to citizenship. It would have awarded visas based on a points system, with about 50% based on job skills, and included temporary guest worker programs.

Why it failed: The bill easily passed the Senate but was effectively dead on arrival in the increasingly right-wing House. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, repeatedly refused to give it a vote, saying he would not bring up an immigration bill that a majority of Republicans did not support.

2018: Divided Republicans kill an overhaul.

After Trump ended an Obama-era program that extended deportation reprieves and work permits to immigrants in the U.S. illegally who had been brought to the country as children, pressure mounted for Congress to codify new protections for them.

But Trump said any such bill would have to include an end to decades of family-based migration policies, the construction of a border wall and a vast crackdown on other immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. House Republicans tried to pass an immigration overhaul they pitched as a compromise between their own moderates and conservatives. But all House Democrats and about half of House Republicans opposed it, and the measure failed in a 121-301 vote on June 27, 2018.

What was proposed: At its core, the Republican bill envisioned authorizing stepped-up border security measures, like Trumps wall, alongside measures to give Dreamers a pathway to citizenship. But the legislation also included conservative measures to limit avenues for asylum-seekers and criminalize fraudulent claims, as well as make it easier to both detain migrant children and send unaccompanied minors back to their countries of origin.

Why it failed: Faced with a revolt by Republican moderates who had joined forces with Democrats to try to force a vote on legislation to protect the Dreamers, House Speaker Paul Ryan sought to put forth an overhaul that could please both the conservatives in his ranks and his more mainstream members. But the measure faced brisk headwinds from the start.

Democrats vocally opposed the bill, which Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, then the minority leader, called a cruel codification of President Trumps anti-immigrant agenda. Republicans were still divided. And the legislation lost critical momentum after last-minute waffling by Trump, who tweeted less than a week before the vote that Republican leaders should stop wasting their time on immigration until the party could win more Senate seats.

By the morning of the vote, Trump was back to championing the legislation, but it was too late to persuade his fractured conference to support it.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
No caption

A juvenile has been charged in the homicide of Nicole Jones.

Sylvania Township police on Saturday said charges were filed in Lucas County Juvenile Court against an unnamed suspect.

The juvenile faces charges of aggravated murder and tampering with evidence, police said. No other information was available.

Nicole Jones, the mother of a fugitive found in Mexico with a Canton teen, was killed, police said. A missing report on Jones was filed May 5 after a welfare check.

Jones' son, Jonathan Jones, 33, of Toledo, was taken into custody Monday in Mexico after a manhunt that stretched two countries. He was with a 17-year-old girl from Canton who had been reported missing since April 18.

Sylvania Township is a suburb of Toledo, about 13 miles west of the city. Authorities have not said how Jonathan Jones and the girl knew each other.

Jonathan Jones had pleaded guilty in March to pandering obscene material and child endangerment. The conviction stemmed from a 2022 case in Wood County.

He was expected to be sentenced in the case last week but missed the May 4 appearance.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Police filed charges against juvenile in Nicole Jones' death
One year ago today, an individual who had posted a white supremacist manifesto, armed with an AR-15 style firearm, killed 10 Black Americans and injured three others at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Ten days later, another lone gunman, again armed with an AR-15 style firearm, killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Jill and I visited both communities, spending hours with hundreds of family members who lost pieces of their soul and whose lives will never be the same. They had one message for all of us: Do something. For Gods sake, do something.

I carried their message back to Washington, which finally broke the congressional logjam. Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit the scene of a shooting at a supermarket to pay respects and speak to families of the victims of Saturday's shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

At the bill signing, in front of families from Buffalo, Uvalde and too many other communities affected by gun violence, I said the new law was real progress. It strengthens firearms background checks for young people, expands the use of red flag laws to temporarily remove firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others, helps prevent domestic abusers from purchasing guns and makes historic investments in mental health to address the grief and trauma resulting from gun violence.

I also urged Congress to take this victory as a call to action, an opening to do more to reduce gun violence.

We need to do more. In the year after the Buffalo tragedy, our country has experienced more than 650 mass shootings and well over 40,000 deaths due to gun violence, according to one analysis.

Just last weekend, an assailant in tactical gear and armed with an AR-15 style weapon killed eight individuals, including children, at a shopping mall in Allen, Texas. Guns are the number one killer of children and teens in America.

Editorial Board: Louisville mourns mass shooting and legislative stubbornness.

I have already taken more meaningful executive action to reduce gun violence than any other president, and I will continue to pursue every legal and effective action. But my power is not absolute. Congress must act, including by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers immunity from liability. We also need more governors and state legislators to take these steps.

Story continues

The majority of Americans  even the majority of gun owners  want Congress to take some commonsense action to reduce gun violence. But too many congressional Republicans are doing the bidding of gun manufacturers instead of their constituents.

So, one year after the Buffalo tragedy, how do we seize the momentum of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and spur Congress to do more? We need to pursue three steps:

Fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to show congressional Republicans that commonsense laws save lives Take additional action to maximize the benefits of the law Build an even bigger, unrelenting coalition demanding that Congress pass additional commonsense gun safety legislation.

My Administration is aggressively implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The Justice Department is now running enhanced background checks on individuals under age 21 trying to purchase a firearm.

President Joe Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, June 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

These enhanced checks have already stopped more than 160 firearms from getting into potentially dangerous hands, according to data from the Justice Department. Justice has also used the Act to charge more than 60 defendants with gun trafficking and illegally purchasing firearms for another person, seizing hundreds of firearms that could have ended up in the hands of criminals.

Justice awarded more than $230 million for states to expand the use of red flag orders and other interventions to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is a danger to themselves or others. The Departments of Health and Human Services and Education, combined, have already delivered more than $1.5 billion to states and communities to make our schools safer, improve access to mental health services, and help young people deal with the trauma and grief resulting from gun violence.

This includes funding that the Department of Education projects will put an additional 14,000 mental health professionals in our schools, and to boost the skills of school staff to better meet students mental health needs.

The bottom line is this: the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is saving lives.

Today, I am announcing more than ten actions my Administration is taking to maximize the benefits of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. These actions are the result of the Executive Order I signed on March 14, 2023.



Have something to say about today's news? Submit a letter to the editor here

For example, the White House and Department of Justice will soon convene state legislators and governors offices, urging them to enact laws allowing the federal background check system access to all records that could prohibit someone under age 21 from purchasing a firearm. The Departments of Health and Human Services and Education are creating new resources to help health care providers and educators understand the impact of gun violence trauma on communities, and how the Acts funding can be used to address that trauma.

Across the Administration, we are doubling down on efforts to make sure schools and communities know about the resources available through the Act, and to encourage more communities to use the funding to replicate strategies others are using to successfully reduce gun violence.

Now, we must build an even bigger, unrelenting coalition demanding that Congress pass additional gun safety legislation. To that end, I will invite to the White House law enforcement leaders supportive of an assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban.

More Opinion: I saw the bank shooting happen. We should not have to be saved from gun violence. Opinion

When I helped secure a 10-year ban on assault weapons in 1994, law enforcements support was key to our success. Once again, I am asking law enforcement leaders to mobilize their colleagues all across the country to urge Congress to ban assault weapons. I know the brave Americans who serve in law enforcement are tired of being outgunned by criminals with AR-15 style firearms, losing officers in the line of duty, and carrying the trauma of these attacks for the rest of their lives.

America doesnt have to be a place where our children learn how to duck and cover from a shooter, or scan a movie theater or restaurant for their exit options.

Gun violence is mobilizing an entire generation of young people. But we cannot sit back and pass this problem off to the next generation to solve. If we wait, too many of them will never have the chance to grow up. They deserve better than that, as do all of the gun violence survivors and victims families asking Congress to do more.

For Gods sake, do something.

Joe Biden is the 46th president of the United States.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden: We can solve gun violence, but Congress needs to do something
Depending on one's perspective, seeing a bunch of bugs splattered on the grill of a car can be either gross or a work of art.

And now that we are almost to the middle of May, in Southwest Florida, there are many more opportunities for interpretation because it is officially lovebug season. Cars, trucks, visors on motorcycle helmets  you name anything on wheels and there's a good chance lovebugs, or their remains, can be found there.

Maybe you are new to the area and have no clue about lovebugs. Or you are a long-time resident and could use a refresher. So, we've asked a local expert, Billy Gunnels, to answer some questions about the bug with the scientific name of Plecia nearctica.

Check out these lovebug photos: From the archives: 10 of our best, cutest, grossest lovebug photos

Gunnels, a Ph.D., is a professor and the chair of Florida Gulf Coast University's department of Biological Sciences. He is a practicing biologist, and his inquiries include animal behavior and wildlife ecology. He is particularly interested in issues pertaining to social interactions between humans and wildlife.

When exactly is lovebug season in Florida?

GUNNELS: We have two and a half (seasons). So, we have the largest swarm of lovebugs come out around this time of year. Late spring, right before the wet season. We then have a second large, but somewhat smaller emergence of lovebugs late in the summer, right before the dry season. And then down here, we will frequently get a third, Well, they call it a third emergence of lovebugs in the middle of winter between December and January, and that is unique to South Florida  and its not every year.

From the archives: Lovebugs are smashed on the front bumper of a minivan in downtown Fort Myers.

Winter emergence? Can you tell us more?

GUNNELS: It's also much smaller. In fact, it can occur, and people won't even notice. May is the big one. This is the big kahuna for us. And then that August, September will be big as well, but not, not as big (as now). And then December, if it occurs, people can miss it.

Story continues

How did lovebugs get here?

GUNNELS: There's been some contention about that, but they appear to have naturally migrated along the Gulf Coast from Central America through Mexico, through Texas, Louisiana, until they got to Florida. And since arriving in Florida, they have exploded and been very, very, very successful. By the 1970s, lovebugs had traveled across the entire state.

Why are they called lovebugs?

GUNNELS: I think there are two reasons behind it. One, they have a little red dot on their back. So kind of reminds you a little bit of a heart. And then, when we see them as adults, we almost always see them attached and mating, and thats love!

Amazing bird photos: How'd he do it? Wildlife photographer shares insights on 5 stunning wading bird images

Are lovebugs called anything else?

From the archives: Mating lovebugs are seen on the vehicle.

GUNNELLS: Double-edged bug. Kissing bug. But lovebug is the most common and by far the best.

Do lovebugs bite?

GUNNELS: No. Not at all.

What attracts lovebugs?

GUNNELS: They appear to do well around heat, which is one of the reasons they seem to be particularly abundant along roads. They like landscapes, and that's where they lay their eggs, and that's where the larvae feed, so they feed within our lawns. Also, the type of habitat you find right next to roads. And then each other, I mean, the second a female emerges as an adult, she mates, and then they survive for just a little while, and then they die in less than a few days.

Giant sea shells found: Shelling on Sanibel: Visitors from Buffalo uncover two large horse conch shells

Are lovebugs in any way harmful to humans, other than having to go to the car wash a lot?

GUNNELS: They are purely a nuisance. Their body is a little bit acidic when it gets on the car, and when it's killed, that acid can cause some harm to older vehicles. It's not a big issue nowadays, but it is worth cleaning off the car if you go through a swarm.

Does anything repel lovebugs?

GUNNELS: No, because they're really doing one thing, and that is they are here to mate. They're not interested in anything else, and they find each other as soon as the adults emerge. Males are actively looking for the presence of females. So that's one thing they're interested in. As soon as they mate, the female does all the work, flies around with the male on her back, doing nothing. They mate for a few days, then the male dies, and the females have been known to carry around the male until she lays eggs, and then she dies.

How long do lovebugs stay attached to each other?

GUNNELS: Their entire adult lifetime, which is only a few days. But they mate. Thats what they do. They are swarming  males are looking for females. Slightly larger males tend to be more successful. So you can find individual solitary males by themselves who haven't found their love.

What would lead to a 'strong' lovebug season vs. a 'weak' lovebug season?

GUNNELS: A combination of rainfall and dry. If its too wet, larvae tend to get flooded out. They need the right environment between wet and dry. The larvae feed on decaying vegetative matter at the bottom of lawns and forests. As long as that environment has that right balance, they do well.

What time should we drive to avoid lovebugs?

GUNNELS: Evening. They're going to be flying around more during the day. And that's also when we like to be awake.

Do lovebugs live only in Florida?

GUNNELS: They are really widespread. They are all across from Central America through the southeast United States. And they have appeared to have expanded their range.

Photos: 59 of the best lovebug images from our archives

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Biologist answers questions about lovebug season in florida
Seamlessly connecting style and substance, Nashvilles fashion community has a long philanthropic legacy. That spirit is alive and well with OMore College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University, which highlighted Tennessee Donor Services in its annual fashion show in April.

Representing the lifesaving gift of organ donation and transplantation, seven models in custom-made clothing by OMore fashion design students took to the runway to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation. Each of the models has been personally impacted by organ and tissue donation, either being a transplant recipient or a donor hero family member.

As a graduate of OMore and a student of its late founder, the passionate and gifted Eloise Pitts OMore, I am delighted by this meaningful collaboration. Not only is this an excellent exercise in purposeful design, its also an example of creativity championing important causes through a powerful visual medium.

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

My fashion origin story starts with a famous equestrian race

Prior to the show, I sat in on a fitting with the designers and Tennessee Donor Services models who were met with reverence and respect. Valiant scars, seen and unseen, met visual storytellers. Compassion took the shape of hand-sewn garments from symbolic textiles. I have no doubt Eloise OMore also would be beaming at the collaboration.

Shelly Cleek, 58, models in the annual OMore Fashion Show at Belmont University April 26, 2023 at the Curb Event Center. Cleek, a cornea transplant recipient, was one of six organ transplants or organ donor family members who served as models for this year's show.

The scene took me back to my own beginnings in the Nashville fashion scene, when I was inspired by Iroquois Steeplechase to bring beautiful derby hats to my boutique from designers all over the world.

Philanthropy and fashion have been an important part of my life, and the popularity of these hats allowed me to give back through philanthropic donations. I saw the power in my store of helping a customer find an outfit or garment that could improve not just her day  but possibly even her lifes trajectory. From giving a grieving person a renewed sense of hope to comforting someone struggling with confidence on an important day, fashion connected me to my customers and connected them with their future potential.

Story continues

Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.

Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.

Thousands of Tennesseans are awaiting life-saving organs

Together, the Tennessee Donor Services models and OMore designers are telling stories of life. One of my favorite stories from the fitting was from a transplant recipient who had planted a jasmine bush to honor her donor. It blooms around the anniversary of her surgery each year, its heady aroma and delicate flowers representing the second chance at life she received with her transplant. The designer, moved by this story as I was, had used a gorgeous jasmine blossom fabric for this models garment, honoring her story, her style and her future.

Stacey Rhodes

Meeting the models, hearing their stories and seeing the impact volunteer organ donation and transplantation had made in their lives was inspiring. As a creative, I was deeply moved by the transcendent nature of this gift, repurposing pain into power and purpose.

I signed my donor card years ago, and have witnessed firsthand the power of organ donation when it saved the life of a dear friend; today there are 3,000 Tennesseans waiting for a life-saving transplant. To my fellow creatives  and my beloved Nashville community  I hope you will join me this spring in choosing to donate life. May the Tennessee Donor Services and OMore partnership remind us of the opportunities we have every day to share, celebrate and honor life.

Stacey Rhodes is an OMore alumnus and leader in the Nashville fashion community.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee organ donation models walk the OMore runway of hope
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  The United States top international development official on Friday said Washington is focusing on the urgency of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia in EU-brokered talks between the two former war foes.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power has been in Kosovo for the past two days, following a three-day visit to Serbia.

As the most senior representative of U.S. President Joe Biden to visit Kosovo recently, she said her country's focus now was on the importance of implementation of the agreements that will produce a normalization that will be incredibly important for Kosovo and for Serbia.

Over the two days of her trip, Power visited a local farm and food processing facility. She met with young entrepreneurs at a hub for innovation and also spoke to young peacemakers bridging divides between Kosovo and Serbia.

Normalization is going to be really, really good for business, she said at a news conference. The good that normalization will do for the young people of this country cannot be overstated.

In February, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met and gave tacit approval to the EUs 11-point plan. During a March summit in North Macedonia, the two leaders tentatively agreed on implementation.

We are hopeful that the parties will come to the next stage of EU-mediated discussions with very specific proposals, said Power.

Washington and Brussels have stepped up efforts to help solve the dispute, fearing further instability in Europe as the war rages in Ukraine.

Both Serbia and Kosovo have been told they must normalize relations to advance in their intentions to join the EU. The two sides have tentatively agreed to back an EU plan on how to proceed, but tensions continue to simmer.

Power acknowledged the political choices ahead for both countries were very difficult.

Thats why they lie ahead. If they were easy, they would have been choices made a long time ago, she said.

Story continues

Power spoke on two contesting issues, first urging Kosovo to proceed on the establishment of an association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo, which would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level.

A 2013 agreement on that plan was later declared unconstitutional by Kosovos Constitutional Court, which ruled that it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Power also urged Kosovo Serbs to return to their jobs in local government institutions in the north of the country, where most of the ethnic Serb minority is located. They boycotted those posts in November and a snap election vote last month in protest at the establishment of the association.

The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATOs military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.

Washington and most European Union countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state but Serbia, along with Russia and China, has not.

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.

___

Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. However, after investigating Equifax (NYSE:EFX), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Equifax:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.098 = US$962m  (US$12b - US$1.8b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023).

Therefore, Equifax has an ROCE of 9.8%. In absolute terms, that's a low return but it's around the Professional Services industry average of 12%.

View our latest analysis for Equifax

roce

In the above chart we have measured Equifax's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Equifax here for free.

What Can We Tell From Equifax's ROCE Trend?

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Equifax doesn't inspire confidence. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 9.8% from 12% five years ago. 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 may take some time before the company starts to see any change in earnings from these investments.

The Bottom Line On Equifax's ROCE

To conclude, we've found that Equifax is reinvesting in the business, but returns have been falling. Although the market must be expecting these trends to improve because the stock has gained 87% over the last five years. But if the trajectory of these underlying trends continue, we think the likelihood of it being a multi-bagger from here isn't high.

Story continues

One more thing, we've spotted 1 warning sign facing Equifax that you might find interesting.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
As a member of Manchesters planning board, Molly Lunn Owen knows the citys housing landscape better than most. But that hasnt helped her find a house to buy.

With two young children and two incomes, Lunn Owen and her husband are ideal buyers for a starter home to replace their current rental apartment. But for Lunn Owen, the homes that do exist in Manchester are either far out of their budget or quickly snapped up by higher bidders. The states most populous city has few options for those who want to upgrade.

Max Latona, executive director of the St. Anselm Center for Ethics in Society, presents the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

No ones building condos, she said. No ones building single-family homes or duplexes.

A new housing tool released by St. Anselm College this week might shed light on why.

The New Hampshire Zoning Atlas, which launched Wednesday, is a sweeping new online program that allows users to look up zoning restrictions in their town and compare them to neighboring towns. Created with the help of students and researchers at St. Anselm College, with assistance from New Hampshire Housing and the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, the state atlas is the third of its kind in the U.S., and part of an effort by the National Zoning Atlas collaborative.

The tool is policy neutral, its creators note; it doesnt lay out which zoning codes are better than others. But the reams of data it provides can explain why certain areas of the state have more housing opportunities than others.

And in Manchester, the atlas indicates that the lack of available housing is, in part, a problem created by surrounding towns.

Most towns in New Hampshire do not allow one-acre single-family homes, according to the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas.

New land for development in Manchester is scarce. Just 7.8 percent of the city is developable for new housing on small lots of 1 acre or less  the prime conditions for starter homes  researchers at St. Anselm said Wednesday.

But the surrounding towns dont exactly pick up the slack. None of the towns bordering Manchester allow single-family homes on small lots, the atlas shows. That means there is little space to expand for Manchester-area families who arent looking for larger yards and houses.

Story continues

Those barriers are one of many illuminated by the new atlas. Housing advocates and researchers are hoping the map will shed light on other development hurdles baked into local zoning codes, and spur them to action.

New Hampshire needs 23,000 new units to help stabilize the states housing and rental markets and bring down prices, New Hampshire Housing, a state agency, said in a report this month. The state will need to build around 90,000 units by 2040 to meet demand caused by rising populations, the report added.

But across the state are local zoning ordinances that make that goal much harder, the housing atlas reveals.

The vast majority of towns in the state do not allow houses to be built on small lots of 1 acre or less, the atlas shows. Many require 2 or even 5 acres per house, and some communities have requirements as high as 20 acres.

New Hampshire towns are also not likely to allow multiple families to live on small lots, the atlas reveals.

And even after the Legislature passed laws requiring that towns allow manufactured homes, most towns have found workarounds to effectively bar them from existence.

One tactic: In zoning areas designated for manufactured homes, some towns have set minimum lot size requirements so high that a manufactured home community would be all but impossible. Just 9.9 percent of all developable land statewide allows for small-lot manufactured homes and parks, the atlas reveals.

Towns have also erected barriers against accessory dwelling units. Despite a 2016 law mandating that town zoning boards allow for ADUs, allowing homeowners to convert parts of their homes or property into additional apartments, many towns have imposed additional requirements that ADUs include new parking spaces in order to be approved. Some towns require as many as three or four parking spaces per new ADU.

Then there are a bevy of other zoning codes designed to keep neighborhoods from growing or adding new apartment units.

Taken together, state housing researchers say, New Hampshires town-by-town zoning codes  while once well-intentioned  now work to prevent new development that is crucially needed to allow the state to keep a healthy population growth.

Were at a point in our history where a great mistake has been made, said Rob Dapice, chief executive officer of New Hampshire Housing, the state agency. And it took us a long time to get here. But now we see it.

Turning that around, advocates argue, will require residents to get to know their own local zoning codes and to apply pressure on local officials to change them.

The new online atlas allows users to peruse cities and towns down to the neighborhood level, and see how much of that geographic area is restricted to single-family houses, two-family houses, and other limitations. Users can see how much of a town is set aside for residential use, commercial use, mixed-use, or non-developable land; what the minimum lot size requirements are for each area; whether detached ADUs are allowed; and whether multi-family units include affordable housing requirements.

And users can get a birds-eye view of the state to see how common  or uncommon  some zoning code provisions are across New Hampshire.

Advocates say the zoning atlas could represent a turning point. New Hampshire residents increasingly see housing availability as a problem in the state; a recent University of New Hampshire poll found that 32 percent of respondents identified it as the most important issue facing the state, the highest of all options polled.

By allowing residents to easily see what barriers exist in their own communities, more changes might happen organically, supporters say.

Dick Anagnost, a housing developer in the state, says some town residents aversion to more housing has held back many of his projects. Density, Anagnost says, is a four-letter word.

The result is that when Anagnost approaches a town with a proposal for a housing complex with several hundred units, the planning board might knock it down to 90 by the time it is approved.

That means that developable land that could be maximized to help tackle the states housing shortage is instead watered down based on existing ordinances, Anagnost said. And once the land is developed, it is difficult to go back and add units after the fact, he added.

To Anagnost, standardizing zoning codes so they are more consistent across the state would help developers get more projects approved to meet demand.

The zoning atlas, he said, could help with that. But it also could give some residents ideas about how to tighten zoning, he warned.

When they first unveiled this, and we first looked at it, my director of real estate development rushed into my office and said, Were dead. Were going out of business. Theyre going to use this against us because theyre going to implement even more zoning regulations to prevent us from going forward, he said.

 But being the ultimate optimist, Im hoping that the opposite is true, he said.

Margaret Byrnes, executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, said she wasnt worried about an increase in zoning barriers. Most New Hampshire municipal employees recognize the problem a lack of housing poses to their towns and want to improve it, she argued. The new atlas will allow officials to better educate residents about why zoning overhauls could be beneficial, not harmful, she said.

Being able to educate voters on the benefits, the community benefit of making some of these changes that may have a stigma as being negative for their communities, is a really big part of this, she said.

To some, the not in my backyard contingent of communities will always be a vocal faction when it comes to zoning. But newly empowered residents with better data could be the antidote.

When we talk to people about housing, there are those who are like: I love my community the way it is. I want to build a wall, build a moat, bring in the alligator and no more building, because I just bought my home and I like it the way it is. This is where we draw the line now that I just moved here, said Sylvia van Aulock, executive director of the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission.

Then there are those who say to you, I love my community. Ive lived here for my whole life. Ive raised my family here. They also love the community character just like the first example. And yet their adult child has no choices on where to live. They cannot move in that same community, so they have to leave. They may even need to leave New Hampshire. And look at all (that) we lose by doing that.

The New Hampshire Zoning Atlas allows users to see zoning restrictions neighborhood by neighborhood across the state.

To access the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas, go to https://www.anselm.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/centers-institutes/center-ethics-society/nh-zoning-atlas and scroll down to Explore the Interactive Zoning Atlas.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Why the lack of housing in NH? New map of local zoning offers answers.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) delivers keynote remarks at an event hosted by Peoria County Republicans in Peoria, Ill. on Friday, May 12, 2023. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

In November, Rep. Byron Donalds scored a coveted speaking slot: introducing Gov. Ron DeSantis after a landslide reelection turned the swing state of Florida deep red. Standing onstage at a victory party for DeSantis in Tampa, Donalds praised him as Americas governor.

By April, Donalds was seated at a table next to another Florida Republican: Donald Trump. He was at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps private club, for a multicourse dinner with nine other House Republicans from Florida who had spurned their home-state governor to endorse the former presidents 2024 run. Red Make America Great Again hats decorated their place settings.

In six short months from November to May, DeSantis 2024 run has faltered before it has even begun.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

Allies have abandoned him. Tales of his icy interpersonal touch have spread. Donors have groused. And a legislative session in Tallahassee designed to burnish his conservative credentials has instead coincided with a drop in the polls.

His decision not to begin any formal campaign until after the Florida legislative session  allowing him to cast himself as a conservative fighter who not only won but actually delivered results  instead opened a window of opportunity for Trump. The former president filled the void with personal attacks and a heavy rotation of negative advertising from his super political action committee. Combined with DeSantis cocooning himself in the right-wing media and the Trump teams success in outflanking him on several fronts, the governor has lost control of his own national narrative.

Now, as DeSantis Tallahassee-based operation pivots to formally entering the race in the coming weeks, DeSantis and his allies are retooling for a more aggressive new phase. His staunchest supporters privately acknowledge that DeSantis needs to recalibrate a political outreach and media strategy that has allowed Trump to define the race.

Changes are afoot. DeSantis is building a strong Iowa operation. He has been calling influential Republicans in Iowa and is rolling out a large slate of state legislator endorsements before a weekend trip there.

Story continues

He definitely indicated that if he gets in, he will work exceptionally hard  nothing will be below him, said Bob Vander Plaats, an influential Iowa evangelical leader whom DeSantis hosted recently for a meal at the governors mansion. I think he understands  I emphasized that Iowas a retail politics state. You need to shake peoples hands, look them in the eye.

Still, his central electability pitch  MAGA without the mess  has been badly bruised.

A book tour that was supposed to have introduced him nationally was marked by missteps that deepened concerns about his readiness for the biggest stage. He took positions on two pressing domestic and international issues  abortion and the war in Ukraine  that generated second-guessing and backlash among some allies and would-be benefactors. And the moves he has made to appeal to the hard right  escalating his feud with Disney, signing a strict six-week abortion ban  have unnerved donors who are worried about the general election.

I was in the DeSantis camp, said Andrew Sabin, a metals magnate who gave the Florida governor $50,000 last year. But he started opening his mouth, and a lot of big donors said his views arent tolerable. He specifically cited abortion and Ukraine.

Three billionaires who are major GOP donors  Steve Wynn, Ike Perlmutter and Thomas Peterffy, a past DeSantis patron who has publicly soured on him  dined recently with Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old long-shot Republican.

The early months of 2023 have exposed a central challenge for DeSantis. He needs to stitch together an unwieldy ideological coalition bridging both anti-Trump Republicans and Trump supporters who are nonetheless considering turning the page on the past president. Hitting and hugging Trump at the same time has bedeviled rivals since Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tried to do so in 2016, and Cruz veterans fill key roles in DeSantis campaign and his super PAC.

Allies of both leading Republicans caution that its still early.

DeSantis has more than $100 million stored across various pro-DeSantis accounts. He is building goodwill with state party leaders by headlining fundraisers. He remains, in public polls, the most serious rival to Trump. And a supportive super PAC called Never Back Down is staffing up across more than a dozen states, has already spent more than $10 million on television ads and has peppered early states with direct mail.

DeSantis supporters point to polls showing that the governor remains well-liked by Republicans.

The hits arent working, said Kristin Davison, chief operating officer of Never Back Down. His favorability has not changed.

The DeSantis team declined to provide any comment for this story.

Six months ago, as Republicans were blaming Trump for the partys 2022 midterm underperformance, a high-flying DeSantis made the traditional political decision that he would govern first in early 2023 and campaign second. The rush of conservative priorities that DeSantis has turned into law in Florida  on guns, immigration, abortion, school vouchers, opposing China  is expected to form the backbone of his campaign.

Now, the governor can create momentum by spending time publicly touting his endless accomplishments, calling supporters and engaging more publicly to push back on the false narratives his potential competitors are spewing, said Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist in Florida and a longtime DeSantis supporter.

A turning point this year for Trump was his Manhattan indictment, which DeSantis waffled on responding to as the GOP base rallied to Trumps defense.

Yet Trumps compounding legal woes and potential future indictments could eventually have the opposite effect  exhausting voters, which is DeSantis hope. A jury found Trump liable this past week for sexual abuse and defamation. When you get all these lawsuits coming at you, DeSantis told one associate recently, its just distracting.

So God Made a Fighter

The DeSantis team seemed to buy its own hype.

Days before the midterms, the DeSantis campaign released a video that cast his rise as ordained from on high. On the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, I need a protector, a narrator booms as DeSantis appears on-screen. So God made a fighter.

For years, the self-confident DeSantis has relied on his own instincts and the counsel of his wife, Casey DeSantis, who posted the video, to set his political course, according to past aides and current associates. DeSantis has been written off before  in his first primary for governor; in his first congressional primary  so both he and his wife have gotten used to tuning out critics.

Today, allies say there are few people around who are willing to tell DeSantis hes wrong, even in private.

In late 2022, the thinking was that a decision on 2024 could wait, and Trumps midterm hangover would linger. DeSantis published a book  I was, you know, kind of a hot commodity, he said of writing it  that became a bestseller. And DeSantis was on the offensive, tweaking Trump with a February donor retreat held only miles from Mar-a-Lago that drew Trump contributors.

But it has been Trump who has consistently one-upped DeSantis, flying into East Palestine, Ohio, after the rail disaster there, appearing with a larger crowd in the same Iowa city days after DeSantis and swiping Florida congressional endorsements while DeSantis traveled to Washington.

One Trump endorser, Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas, backed the former president only hours after attending a private group meeting with DeSantis. In an interview, Gooden likened DeSantis decision to delay entry until after a legislative session to the example of a past Texas governor, Rick Perry, who did the same a decade ago  and quickly flamed out of the 2012 contest.

Hes relied, much like Rick Perry did, on local political experts in his home state that just dont know the presidential landscape, Gooden said.

Ive Said Enough

Trump has insinuated, without providing evidence, that DeSantis had inappropriate relationships with high school girls during a stint as a teacher in the early 2000s and that DeSantis might be gay.

His team has portrayed DeSantis as socially inept, and a pro-Trump super PAC distributed a video  dubbed Pudding Fingers  playing off news articles about DeSantis uncouth eating habits.

People close to Trump have been blunt in private discussions that the hits so far are just the start: If DeSantis ever appears poised to capture the nomination, the former president will do everything he can to tear him apart.

Beginning with his response to the coronavirus outbreak, DeSantis national rise has been uniquely powered by his ability to make the right enemies: in academia, in the news media, among liberal activists and at the White House. But Trumps broadsides and some of his own actions have put DeSantis crosswise with the right for the first time. It has been a disorienting experience for the DeSantis operation, according to allies.

For the past three years, DeSantis has had the luxury of completely shutting out what he pejoratively brands the national regime media or the corporate media  although Rupert Murdochs Fox Corp. does not, in his view, count as corporate media.

This strategy served DeSantis well in Florida. But avoiding sit-down interviews with skeptical journalists has left him out of practice as he prepares for the most intense scrutiny of his career.

The Murdochs encapsulated him in a bubble and force-fed him to a conservative audience, said Steve Bannon, a former strategist for Trump. He hasnt been scuffed up. He hasnt had these questions put in his grill.

Even in friendly settings, DeSantis has stumbled. In a February interview with The Times of London, a Murdoch property, DeSantis cut off questions after the reporter pushed him on how he thought President Joe Biden should handle Ukraine differently.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson was so irked by DeSantis evasion that he sent a detailed questionnaire to potential Republican presidential candidates to force them to state their positions on the war, according to two people familiar with his decision.

In a written response, DeSantis characterized Russias invasion as a territorial dispute. Republican hawks and some of DeSantis top donors were troubled. In public, the governor soon cleaned up his statement to say Russia had not had a right to invade. In private, DeSantis tried to calm supporters by noting that his statement had not taken a position against aid to Ukraine.

While DeSantis has stuck to his preferred way of doing things, Trump has given seats on his plane to reporters from outlets that have published harsh stories about him. And despite having spent years calling CNN fake news, Trump recently attended a CNN town hall.

DeSantis allies said the governor would begrudgingly bring in some of the national regime media. Some early proof: The governors tight-lipped team invited a Politico columnist to Tallahassee and supplied rare on-the-record access.

I Was a Bit Insulted

Not long after DeSantis had won in a landslide last fall, incoming freshman Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., called the governors team to try to thank him for his support. Mills had campaigned on the eve of the election with Casey DeSantis and had appeared with the governor, too. I called to show my appreciation and never even got a call back, Mills said in an interview. To be honest with you, I was a bit insulted by it.

The lack of relationships on Capitol Hill became a public headache in April when Trump rolled out what eventually became 10 Florida House Republican endorsements during DeSantis trip to Washington.

Donors who contributed to DeSantis previous campaigns tell stories of meetings in which the candidate looked as if he would rather be anywhere else. He fiddled with his phone, showed no interest in his hosts and escaped as quickly as possible. But people who have recently met with DeSantis say he has been far more engaged. At recent Wisconsin and New Hampshire events, the governor worked the room as he had rarely done before.

The governor and his team have had internal conversations acknowledging the need for him to engage in the basics of political courtship: small talk, handshaking, eye contact.

For his part, Trump recently relished hosting the Florida House Republicans who had endorsed him.

On one side of him was Mills. On the other was Donalds, who had introduced DeSantis on election night and who had been in DeSantis orbit since helping with debate prep during DeSantis 2018 run for governor.

Donalds declined an interview. But footage of those private debate-prep sessions, first reported by ABC News, shows DeSantis trying to formulate an answer to a question that will define his imminent 2024 run: how to disagree with Trump without appearing disagreeable to Trump supporters.

I have to frame it in a way, DeSantis said then, thats not going to piss off all his voters.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Gov. Inslee signs SB 5532, into law on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The bill increases Medicaid payments to low volume, small rural hospitals like Astria Health's hospital in Toppenish.

From left are Eric Jensen, executive director of government affairs at Astria Health; Cathy Bambrick, an administrator at Astria Toppenish Hospital; Gov. Jay Inslee; Dr. Raul Garcia, medical director at Astria Toppenish Hospital; and Tawnya Smith, Sen. Curtis Kings former legislative assistant.
If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules:

Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy.

The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party.

We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste.

Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters.

Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month.
FILE  Elevated concentrations of nitrate have been found in drinking water in some areas of the Lower Yakima Valley. In this photo, a sample is taken directly from a drinking water well by employees with the Department of Ecology.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.

Venezuelan migrants rest inside their tents on the bank of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico, Sunday, May 14, 2023. As the U.S. ended its pandemic-era immigration restrictions, migrants are adapting to new asylum rules and legal pathways meant to discourage illegal crossings. (Fernando Llano/AP)

TIJUANA, Mexico  Pandemic-era limits on asylum known as Title 42 have been rarely discussed among many of tens of thousands of migrants massed on Mexicos border with the United States.

Their eyes were  and are  fixed instead on a new U.S. government mobile app that grants 1,000 people daily an appointment to cross the border and seek asylum while living in the U.S. With demand far outstripping available slots, the app has been an exercise in frustration for many  and a test of the Biden administrations strategy of coupling new legal paths to entry with severe consequences for those who dont.

Advertisement

You start to give up hope but its the only way, Teresa Munoz, 48, who abandoned her home in the Mexican state of Michoacan after a gang killed her husband and beat her. She has been trying for a month to gain entry through the app, called CBPOne, while staying in a Tijuana shelter with her two children and 2-year-old grandson.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the Border Patrol made 6,300 arrests on Friday  the first day after Title 42 expired  and 4,200 Saturday. Thats sharply below the 10,000-plus on three days last week as migrants rushed to get in before new policies to restrict asylum took effect.

Advertisement

It is still early, Mayorkas said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. We are in day three, but we have been planning for this transition for months and months. And we have been executing on our plan. And we will continue to do so.

Despite the drop in recent days, authorities predict arrests will spike to between 12,000 and 14,000 a day, Matthew Hudak, deputy Border Patrol chief, said in a court filing Friday. And authorities cannot confidently estimate how many will cross, Hudak said, noting intelligence reports failed to quickly flag a singular surge of 18,000 predominantly Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, in September 2021.

More than 27,000 migrants were in custody along the border one day last week, a number that may top 45,000 by the end of May if authorities cant release migrants without orders to appear in immigration court, Hudak said.

The administration plans to ask an appeals court Monday for permission to release migrants without orders to appear in court. Authorities say it takes between 90 minutes and two hours to process a single adult for court  potentially choking Border Patrol holding facilities  and longer to process families. By contrast, it takes only 20 minutes to release someone with instructions to report to an immigration office in 60 days, a common practice since 2021 to ease overcrowding along the border.

The Justice Department even raised the possibility of declining to take people into custody if it cant quickly release migrants, calling that a worst-case scenario.

The administration is touting new legal pathways in an effort to deter illegal crossings, including parole for 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans a month who apply online with a financial sponsor and arrive at an airport.

Hundreds of predominantly Colombian migrants waited to be processed Saturday in searing heat near Jacumba, California, having slept for days in thatched tents east of San Diego and getting by on the Border Patrols limited supply of cookies and water. Several said they crossed illegally after trying the app without success or hearing tales of frustration from others.

Ana Cuna, 27, said she and other Colombians paid $1,300 each to be guided across the border after reaching Tijuana. She said she touched foot on U.S. soil hours before Title 42 expired Thursday but, like others, was given a numbered wristband by the Border Patrol and, two days later, had not been processed.

Advertisement

Under Title 42, a public-health rule, migrants were denied asylum more than 2.8 million times on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. When it expired, the administration launched a policy to deny asylum to people who travel through another country, like Mexico, to the U.S., with few exceptions.

We want to come according to the law and be welcomed, said Cuna, whose thatched tent included Colombian women and families hoping to reach Chicago, San Antonio, Philadelphia and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Releasing migrants without court orders but with instructions to report an immigration office in 60 days became widespread in 2021. Directing that processing work to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices when migrants report to the agencys offices created additional delays  with ICE offices in New York backed up until 2033 just to schedule an initial court appearance.

U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell n Pensacola, Florida, ordered an end to the practice in March, which the administration had effectively stopped by then anyway. It chose not to appeal the ruling but reactivated the policy last week, calling it an emergency response. The state of Florida protested and Wetherell ordered the administration to avoid the quick releases for two weeks. He scheduled a hearing on Friday.

Since CBPOne began Jan. 12 for asylum-seekers, it has exasperated many with error messages, difficulty capturing photos and a frantic daily ritual of racing thumbs on phone screens until slots run out within minutes.

In Tijuana, Munoz looked into being smuggled through the mountains east of San Diego but determined it would cost too much. She is still haunted by walking through the Arizona desert in the mid-2000s on a grueling one-week trek. After saving money working double shifts at a supermarket near Los Angeles, she returned to Mexico to raise her children.

Advertisement

Last week, the administration increased the number of slots to 1,000 from 740, awarded on the app, began granting priority to those who try longest, and released slots gradually throughout the day instead of all at once, which had created mad rushes. So far, Munoz said she is unconvinced.
Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So should Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

See our latest analysis for Tungsten Mining

How Long Is Tungsten Mining's Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. When Tungsten Mining last reported its balance sheet in December 2022, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$13m. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$3.2m. Therefore, from December 2022 it had 3.9 years of cash runway. A runway of this length affords the company the time and space it needs to develop the business. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years.

How Is Tungsten Mining's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Because Tungsten Mining isn't currently generating revenue, we consider it an early-stage business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. Even though it doesn't get us excited, the 39% reduction in cash burn year on year does suggest the company can continue operating for quite some time. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Tungsten Mining due to its lack of significant operating revenues. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

Story continues

Can Tungsten Mining Raise More Cash Easily?

While Tungsten Mining is showing a solid reduction in its cash burn, it's still worth considering how easily it could raise more cash, even just to fuel faster growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Tungsten Mining has a market capitalisation of AU$79m and burnt through AU$3.2m last year, which is 4.1% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money.

Is Tungsten Mining's Cash Burn A Worry?

As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Tungsten Mining's cash burn. In particular, we think its cash runway stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Its cash burn reduction wasn't quite as good, but was still rather encouraging! After considering a range of factors in this article, we're pretty relaxed about its cash burn, since the company seems to be in a good position to continue to fund its growth. Taking a deeper dive, we've spotted 2 warning signs for Tungsten Mining you should be aware of, and 1 of them is a bit concerning.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his recent meeting with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon was a fruitful one during which they had insightful discussions on different subjects. Modi also said he was happy to see India emerge as an attractive destination for investment.

McMillon had called on Modi last week.

"The meeting with Mr. Doug McMillon, CEO of @Walmart, was a fruitful one. We had insightful discussions on different subjects. Happy to see India emerge as an attractive destination for investment," Modi tweeted. (Also Read: Haryana: Employees Can Now Have Alcohol At Offices, But Conditions Apply)

On May 11, Walmart Inc. tweeted, "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for a great conversation. We are working toward exporting USD 10B per year from India by 2027 and are committed to strengthening logistics, skill development & supply chains to make India a global export leader in toys, seafood & other goods." (Also Read: 9 Jobs In India That AI Can Never Replace)

"The visit with Prime Minister @narendramodi reinforces the shared value we bring working alongside India. Together, we'll continue to support the country's manufacturing growth and create opportunity," McMillon was quoted as saying in a tweet by Walmart Inc.
The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) will declare the ISC results for Class 12th and ICSE results for Class 10th today, May 14 at 3 pm. Students who appeared for the exam will be required to login to the official website- results.cisce.org using their UID and index number to access the result. The results for both CICSE Class 10th and 12th board exams will release together via a press conference.

ISC Class 12 Result 2023: How To Download Marksheet

- Visit the official website, cisce.org.

- Click on the 'Download ISC (Class 12) Result 2023' link

- Enter the login credentials such as Unique identification number and index number

- Your ISC Class 12 Marksheet 2023 will appear on the screen.

- Download the result and take a printout of it for future reference

ICSE Class 10 Result 2023: How To Download Marksheet

- Visit the official website, cisce.org.

- Click on the 'Download ICSE (Class 10) Result 2023' link

- Enter the login credentials such as Unique identification number and index number

- Your ICSE Class 10 Marksheet 2023 will appear on the screen.

- Download the result and take a printout of it for future reference

ICSE, ISC 2023: Exam Dates

The ICSE Board Exams 2023 were held by CISCE from February 27 to March 29, 2023. Meanwhile, the exams for ISC Class 12 were held from February 13 to March 31, 2023. The results will be declared soon.

ICSE Result 2023: Date, Time

ICSE Result 2023 date, time were announced yesterday and the results will be declared today at 3 PM. Over 2.5 lakh students appear for the CICSE Exams 2023 and as the result link is active, candidates will be able to download their marksheets online. Know how to download ICSE, ICSE Marksheets from the official website.


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: Exam Date

According to the schedule, the Maharashtra SSC exam 2023 was held from March 2 to 25 and the HSC exam was conducted from February 21 to March 21, 2023. Once the results are released the link to check the scorecard will be available on the MSBSHSE portal. Students will be required to enter their credentials details such as hall ticket number, date of birth, and other required details.

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

Maharashtra Board Result 2023: Total Candidates

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.
While electric two-wheeler adoption sees a significant rise in the country, the same has not been observed with EV passenger four-wheelers due to high prices, range anxiety and EV quality being the topmost concerns among the buyers.

The high price point remains a significant challenge for automakers looking to launch EVs in India. Range anxiety is also a significant concern for Indian consumers due to the insufficient availability of charging stations.

Also read: Tata Punch EV Test Mule Spotted For The First Time; Changes Over ICE Version Revealed

To address this issue, companies such as Sun Mobility, BatterySmart, RACEnergy, Numocity, ChargeUp, Bounce Infinity, and Sheru are offering battery swapping services, primarily for two-wheelers.

Following the success of NIO`s battery swapping model, some companies are attempting to replicate it for the Indian passenger car market, according to industry experts. About 50 per cent of Indian consumers are now open to buying EVs, albeit with a caveat, while 54 per cent of consumers are now concerned more about EV quality.

According to John Martin, analyst, smart mobility practice, CMR, the potential consumer for EVs is more concerned about the overall EV quality.

"EV quality includes not just external build quality, but refers to the overall quality of internal components used - including battery and others," Martin said. Driven by ongoing policy thrust at the central and state levels for EV infrastructure development, along with upstream R&D in battery development will ensure a significant uptick in ramping-up e-mobility.

"For OEMs, the focus should be on continuous awareness generation around the quality and potential of EVs," Martin noted. However, to ensure a smooth transition to EVs and provide long-term value to customers, "it is crucial to lower purchase costs by improving battery technology, expand the charging infrastructure, and standardise charging sockets with faster recharging", said the CMR analyst.

Although the benefits of switching to electric two-wheelers are clear, there are many challenges to overcome, with `range anxiety` being the most prevalent barrier among the consumers, according to a RedSeer report.

"The range offered by most electric two-wheelers in the market is much higher than the average distance travelled, which is about 25 km, with 90 per cent of the users travelling less than 50 km/day. However, a long ride is still a challenge in electric two-wheeler owners` minds," said Aditya Agrawal, partner at Redseer Strategy Consultants.

Although the purchasing cost of electric two-wheelers is slightly higher, they win when it comes to running costs compared to their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts, he added.

The electric two-wheeler ecosystem must work on `4As` to achieve more than 80 per cent electrification by 2030 -- adaptability, awareness, availability, and affordability, according to experts.
Tech has changed so much about the world, including how drugs like fentanyl get trafficked in the US, according to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Anne Milgram.

"I think it's fair to say that technology has transformed our whole world, and it's transformed drug trafficking," Milgram told Yahoo Finance at the 2023 Milken Global Conference, adding: "Especially social media  just the fact that within a few clicks on your phone, you can go onto these social media platforms and get a pill delivered to your doorstep. That absolutely has changed how quickly and anonymously this can work."

One reason for this is that social media has solved a "last mile problem" for cartels, Milgram explained.

"They've got to get that drug into someone's hands," she said. "It's that last mile, which is how a drug cartel that's making fentanyl pills in Mexico gets to a teenager... and social media has made it so much more anonymous."

A person uses a mobile phone in Krakow, Poland, on May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"A young person will walk into their room, and open up their phone or computer but that same young person would be really hesitant to walk into an open air drug market and buy heroin like they would have had to 20 years ago," Milgram added. "It's a totally different world.

According to the CDC, 107,375 people in the U.S. died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings between January 2021 and January 2022, and 67% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

When someone dies from a drug poisoning, investigating agents will often, very early on, access their phones and social media accounts.

"Our agents will go out and they'll access the victim's phone, and we'll find the deal on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or TikTok," Milgram said.

It's also a cross-platform endeavor, as one transaction can move through many different apps.

"Drug traffickers are often on multiple social media sites and payment apps," Milgram said. "Social media makes people feel connected for life."

Story continues

Anne Milgram (R), Administrator of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, accompanied by US Attorney General Merrick Garland (L), answers questions at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC on April 21, 2022. (Photo by WIN MCNAMEE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

However, as much as tech has been successfully leveraged by cartels, it can also be a way to spread awareness, according to Milgram.

"I think tech could play a huge role in awareness, and I think it has to be part of that conversation," she said. "Anything that tech can do to spread the word is vital. A young person thinks they're buying oxycontin or Xanax, but they don't know that they're buying fentanyl. Six out of ten times, that can be potentially deadly."

The DEA is also evolving to keep up with the pace of change, Milgram said.

"We think about globalization and how it's changed the entire world  the cartels have just evolved their entire business model to harness encrypted applications, social media, and cryptocurrency," she said. "They've taken everything they do and adapted it, whether it's recruiting couriers on social media or selling the pills on social media apps... So a big part of what we're doing is transforming the DEA to have the data and technology, so we are as prepared as possible to meet this threat."

Recently, Milgram and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco held a meeting with senior leadership at several tech companies. Though conversations have been ongoing for some time between Big Tech and the DEA, the meeting was in-person and, in many ways, the first of its kind.

"Our message was that this is an emergency and we need them to do more, like make zero tolerance part of their policy," she said.

Allie Garfinkle is a Senior Tech Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @agarfinks and on LinkedIn.

Click here for the latest trending stock tickers of the Yahoo Finance platform.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance.

Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Hubballi: Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who contested on a Congress ticket after the BJP denied him a nomination for the Assembly polls, was defeated in the Hubballi-Dharwad (Central) seat by a margin of 34,289 votes. The BJP's Mahesh Tenginakai, a debutant in electoral politics, defeated Shettar who is a six-time MLA. The former chief minister had quit the BJP on April 16 and resigned as Hubli-Dharwad (Central) MLA after being denied a ticket for the assembly elections.

Shettar got 60,775 votes, while Tenginkai bagged 95,064 votes in the high-stake battle. JD(S) candidate Siddalingeshgowda Mahanthavadeyar was in third place with 513 votes. As many as 1,251 NOTA votes were cast in the seat.

Tenginkai is considered close to BJP General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh.

Shettar had won the Hubballi-Dharwad (central) seat in 2018, beating the Congress' Mahesh Nalwad with a margin of 21,306 votes, marking his sixth win in the Assembly elections.

A staunch RSS man, Shettar was part of the Jan Sangh and BJP for several decades before severing ties with the party.
Bengaluru: Weighed down by anti-incumbency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) heavily banked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal appeal to enable it to sail through in the Assembly elections but it was not to be. Modi addressed as many as 19 meetings and held six roadshows in an aggressive campaign to shore up the party's prospects in the May 10 Assembly elections.

In addition to BJP President J P Nadda, several of the party's top guns including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had campaigned in the state.

The BJP had won 104 seats in the previous elections in 2018 but this time could manage only 65.

Asked whether the Modi and Shah factor did not work in this election, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said there are various factors for this outcome and one can speak about it after a thorough analysis.

Bommai said the Congress' "much organised" election strategy might have been one of the major reasons for its win.

ALSO READ | Congress Clears Karnataka Election Test: Five Factors That Worked Against Modi Magic

Some party leaders admitted in private that a combative Congress was ahead in the "narratives front", noting that it had relentlessly targeted the Bommai government on corruption issues months before the elections.

The BJP failed to counter the Congress allegations of corruption effectively, another BJP leader said.

"A large number of women in rural areas seem to have voted for the Congress as price rise was an issue, particularly the cooking gas prices," a BJP functionary said.

Another BJP leader said the party could have handled the ticket distribution strategy better. The party denied tickets to former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, both of whom then left the party and joined the Congress.

The pre-poll 'guarantees' announced by the Congress promising free power, rice, and unemployment doles also tilted a significant section of the voters towards the Congress, BJP sources said.

Another BJP leader said the party gave tickets to 75 new faces to combat anti-incumbency but some of them were tainted and did not have a clean image.
NEW DELHI: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by four of his cabinet ministers and BJP state president Sarada Devi, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Sunday, state minister and government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh told PTI. The meeting, which came days after Manipur witnessed massive violence that claimed more than 60 lives, was also attended by BJP national president J P Nadda. It took place late in the evening.

"The chief minister, four of his cabinet ministers and the BJP state unit chief met the union home minister," Sapam Ranjan Singh said. He did not disclose what transpired in the meeting but said the chief minister would hold a press conference on Monday morning in Imphal to brief journalists about his Delhi visit. Sapam Ranjan Singh said the chief minister was returning to Manipur tonight. Sources said the chief minister and other members of the delegation were called to Delhi for the meeting.

The state ministers who were present in the meeting included Th Biswajit and Govindas Konthoujam and they came to Delhi in a special aircraft, sources said. The chief minister's visit to Delhi followed the demand by 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur for a separate administration for their region in the wake of recent violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals.

Of the 10 legislators, seven belong to the BJP, two are from Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent. The two KPA and independent MLAs are also part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP. Violent clashes broke out in the north-eastern state after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

The chief minister had on Monday said that 60 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, burnt in the ethnic violence that rocked the northeastern state.
AURANGABAD: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was instrumental in the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine. "PM Modi spoke to (Russian president Vladimir) Putin and (Ukraine president Volodymyr) Zelensky. He also spoke to (US president Joe) Biden when needed. The war stopped briefly so that more than 22,000 students stuck in Ukraine could be rescued and they returned home. Parents of these students were demanding that PM Modi rescue them.

"I am proud of PM Modi who did something that no other country was able to do," the senior BJP leader said while addressing the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Maha Sammelan here. Singh spoke of the valour and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap and the battle of Haldighati. Maharana Pratap ate rotis made of grass but never compromised with self-respect, he added.

"If you understand his dedication, then you will call his times a Maharana kal (era) and not a Mughal era. Maharana Pratap never bowed before (emperor) Akbar and kept his Mevad almost invincible," Singh said. "Be it Mevad, Haldighati, or Galwan, India's head has always been held high and will remain so," the minister said.

Singh said under Modi as PM, India's weapons exports, which were Rs 900 crore in 2014, increased to more than Rs 16,000 crore now. "We should thank Modi for his insistence on making the country aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)," he added.
New Delhi: Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede, who has been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly seeking a Rs 25 crore bribe for not framing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case, on Saturday said that he is being 'rewarded for being a patriot'.

The 2008-batch IRS officer also reacted to the search operation conducted at his residence and said that the assets recovered by the CBI were acquired before he joined the service.

"I am getting rewarded for being a patriot, yesterday 18 CBI officials raided my residence and searched it for more than 12 hours while my wife and children were present in the house. They found Rs 23,000 and four property papers. These assets were acquired before I joined the service," the news agency ANI quoted Sameer Wankhede as saying.

FIR against Sameer Wankhade

The CBI has booked Sameer Wankhede for alleged criminal conspiracy (120-B IPC), and threat of extortion (388 IPC) besides provisions pertaining to bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act on a complaint from the NCB.

The investigating agency also conducted a coordinated search operation on Friday at 29 locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow, Guwahati and Chennai after filing the FIR against Wankhede and four others -- then NCB Superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh, Intelligence Officer Ashish Ranjan and two private persons KP Gosavi and Sanvile D'Souza -- in the Aryan Khan drugs case.

Aryan was arrested in the alleged drug bust case on a cruise ship in October 2021.

"It has been alleged that the said officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau of Mumbai Zone, in order to obtain undue advantage from the persons and others in Case No. 94/2021... Registered and investigated under the supervision of then Zonal Director of Mumbai Zone of NCB, had entered into a criminal conspiracy with others and allegedly obtained an undue advantage in the form of bribes from the alleged accused...", the news agency PTI quoted a CBI spokesperson as saying.

The CBI alleged the NCB, Mumbai Zone had received information in October 2021 related to the consumption and possession of narcotics substances by various individuals on a private cruise ship.

"It has also been alleged that the said persons entered into a conspiracy in order to extort an amount of Rs 25 crore (approx) from family members of the alleged accused of case No. 94/2021 of NCB, Mumbai, by threatening them of the accusation of offences of possession of narcotics substances as per the alleged directions of then zonal director (Wankhede) being the supervisory officer," he said.

A token amount of Rs 50 lakh as a bribe was allegedly obtained in furtherance of this conspiracy by the said persons, he said.

Wankhede and other officers through "improper and dishonest performance" of duty, by "corrupt and illegal means" and "exercise of personal influence" demanded a bribe from the suspect in the case registered by the NCB, the CBI FIR has alleged. The accused officer was at the helm of the Cordelia ship probe till November 2021 when a Special Investigation Team of the NCB took over the investigation.

Aryan Khan was arrested by NCB in October 2021

Aryan Khan, who was formally arrested by the NCB on October 3, 2021, was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on October 28, 2021, after spending 25 days in jail. The NCB on May 27, 2022, also filed a 6,000-page charge sheet against 14 accused, giving a clean chit to Aryan Khan.

NCB officials said Aryan and five others were not named in the agency's charge sheet due to a "lack of sufficient evidence".

Besides the NCB, the SIT found "grave irregularities" and gaps in the probe, the officials said, adding that the central agency's first team that arrested Aryan did not follow rules like a mandatory medical test of the accused, video recording of the raids and corroborate evidence for WhatsApp chats.

NCB Director General S N Pradhan had told reporters in Delhi that there were "shortcomings" in the investigation and the WhatsApp chat of the accused had no "physical corroborative evidence" as required to prove the charges in the court.

Wankhede, who headed the Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Unit in Mumbai at the time of Aryan Khan's arrest, was transferred to the DG Taxpayer Service Directorate in Chennai in May last year.

The much-hyped case took a twist when an 'independent witness' had claimed in 2021 that Rs 25 crore was demanded by an NCB official and other persons, including a witness Gosavi, to let off Aryan Khan.

Prabhakar Sail, the 'independent witness', now deceased, had told media persons that he had overheard Gosavi telling D'Souza over the phone about the demand of Rs 25 crore after Aryan Khan was brought to the NCB office after the October 2 raid.

He also claimed NCB officials had asked him to sign nine to ten blank papers. However, a senior NCB official had denied the allegations, terming them as "completely false and malicious".

(With agency inputs)
HYDERABAD: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will come in the country and polygamy would come to an end.

He was addressing 'Hindu Ekta Yatra' organised by Telangana BJP president and Lok Sabha MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar at Karimnagar. "There are some people in India who thought they can marry four women. That was their thinking. But, I say you will not be able to do four marriages. Those days are going to come to an end. That day is not far. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is going to come in India and time has also come to make India a true secular nation," Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister had recently said the State government has constituted a four-member expert committee to examine the legislative competence of the state legislature to enact a law to end polygamy. Without naming Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Sarma, who is senior BJP leader said in Telangana "Ram Rajya" is coming in place of "Raja's rule".

"Raja has just five months left. We need 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana and that is our goal. Based on Hindu civilisation we have to make 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana," he said. Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year. Sarma said the Telangana government again and again arrests Bandi Sanjay Kumar and he comes out and the government will not succeed in keeping him in jail. "Like Hanuman ji established 'Ram Rajya', we are confident that Bandi Sanjay will establish 'Ram Rajya' in Telangana," he said.

He called upon the people to watch "The Kerala Story" movie. "Today we are working against 'Love Jihad' in Assam. We are taking steps towards closing madrassas education in the State," Sarma said pointing out that the government has shutdown 600 madrasas in his state. Targetting AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Sarma said the new India is not afraid of him. "I want to tell Owaisi that I will shutdown 300 more madrassas this year", he said.

The Assam Chief Minister said he saw on television some people saying, on the outcome of the Karnataka Assembly election, that nothing more will happen in the name of Hindu in the country, and asserted that as long as sun and moon exist, India will have Nationalism and Sanatan (Dharma). Sarma said "Hindu Ekta is not against any religion. I believe as long as Hindus will be there in India there will be wellbeing in the country. Today you see the situation in Pakistan. (Aaj Bharat ka bagdor Hindu ka haath mein hain) Today, a Hindu holds the reins of India. Some people say India is backward but Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) made India world's fifth-largest economy and the country will become Visvaguru".

Speaking about the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, he said 10 years ago no one thought about it and it became a reality now. Similarly earlier no one thought about the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but it happened. Sarma attacked the ruling BRS government in Telangana and said AIMIM and BRS are same. KCR (as Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is popularly known) made TRS into BRS, he said and expressed confidence that people will give 'VRS to the BRS'.

The senior BJP leader claimed government employees in Telangana were paid salaries on 10th of every month while in Assam government employees were paid salaries on 1st of each month. He further said in Assam 50,000 people were given government jobs last year and soon another 50,000 jobs will given while BRS government in Telangana which has been in power for almost 10 years should have given 10 lakh government jobs but not even 50,000 people got employment.
Ayodhya (UP): An independent Muslim candidate has secured a surprise victory in a ward in the Hindutva nerve centre of Ayodhya in the civic election results declared on Saturday. While the BJP won the mayoral election in Ayodhya, the party bagged 27 out of the 60 wards. The SP and Independents won 17 and 10 wards, respectively.

Sultan Ansari, a local youth making his electoral debut, won the Ram Abhiram Das ward named after a key figure of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement.

"This is the best example of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and peaceful co-existence of both communities in Ayodhya. There was no bias from our Hindu brothers and also they did not treat me as someone from another religion. They supported me and ensured my victory," Ansari told PTI.

The Muslim vote share in this ward located in the backyards of the Ram Janmabhoomi is only 11 per cent of the total votes with 440 Muslim votes as against 3,844 Hindu votes.

The winning candidate bagged 42 per cent share of the total 2,388 votes polled. Ansari got 996 votes among the 10 candidates in the fray. He defeated another independent candidate, Nagendra Manjhi, by a margin of 442 votes. The BJP managed to get the third position.

Asked if there was any hesitation in contesting from a Hindu-dominated area, he replied, "I am a resident of this area and to the best of my knowledge, my forefathers had been living here for more than 200 years. When I expressed my wish of contesting election to my Hindu friends, they wholeheartedly supported me and encouraged me to go ahead."

Anup Kumar, a local residence of the ward, said, "People looking at Ayodhya from outside think how any Muslim can exist in Ayodhya, but now they can see, Muslim not only exist in Ayodhya but can also win the elections.'

"Ayodhya is known world over for the Ram Mandir, but this religious town is as pious for Muslims as it is for Hindus. Here you will find lots of mosques and there are many centuries old mausoleums of Muslim Sufis as well," said Saurabh Singh, an Ayodhya-based businessman.

The ruling BJP swept the mayoral elections in Uttar Pradesh winning the posts in 16 of the 17 municipal corporations on Saturday. Official results for the Varanasi mayoral election are expected later on Saturday.

In the temple town of Ayodhya, BJP candidate Girish Pati Tripathi won the mayoral election, defeating his nearest rival Ashish of the Samajwadi Party by a margin of 35,638 votes.

Tripathi bagged 77,494 votes. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Rehan secured the third position pocketing 15,107 votes. BSP candidate Ram Murti got 12,852 votes and Pramila Rajput of the Congress 4,084 votes, according to the State Election Commission (SEC).
New Delhi: Bigg Boss 14 contestant Nikki Tamboli is known for her bold fashion statements and her latest social media post is doing full justice with the tag. Nikki took the internet by storm with her sexy saree look and fans are now gasping for breath. In the latest pics, Nikki puts her curves on display as she slips into a traditional outfit for a shoot.

Nikki can be seen showing off her hourglass figure while wearing a fitting golden gangra skirt paired with a plunging blouse and a slit dupatta. She took the pictures to Instagram and wrote in the caption, 'Be wild but stay soft..'

Fans flooded the comment section with heart-eye and fire emojis. One wrote, 'Hey gorgeous,' another one read, 'Why is she so perfect in hotness?' 'Hottie,' added another.

The actress often remains in the news for her bold and hot avatar. Before gaining fame from Bigg Boss 14, she primarily worked in the Tamil and Telugu film industries.

Last year, Nikki's name cropped up during a probe into the Rs 200-crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. She was taken to Tihar Jail in Delhi with one more actress to recreate their alleged meeting with conman Sukesh as part of a probe into the extortion case.

As per IANS sources, "Nikki Tamboli of 'Bigg Boss' fame, Chahatt Khanna of 'Bade Acche Lagte Hai' fame, Sophia Singh, and Arusha Patil met Chandrasekhar in the jail premises and he introduced himself as a producer of the southern film industry. Chandrasekhar's close aide Pinky Irani, who was arrested by the Delhi Police`s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in November last year, had facilitated their meetings with the conman. All these four actresses were given expensive gifts from renowned brands such as Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton," the website reported.
New Delhi: Actor Priyanka Chopra aka 'desi girl' of Bollywood attended sister Parineeti Chopra's engagement with AAP leader Raghav Chadha. Priyanka after the ceremony seems all excited about the wedding of the newly-engaged couple. The actress looked stunning at the ceremony in a parrot-green ruffle saree worth thousands and her pictures have taken over the internet.

Priyanka took to her Instagram handle on Saturday to drop adorable pictures from the ceremony, she wrote in the caption, "Congratulations Tisha and Raghav... Cannot wait for the wedding! So happy for you both and the families, so fun to catch up with the fam!"

Priyanka donned a Noemi Saree Set worth INR 78,700 at the engagement ceremony and looked like a true diva. She also glamour matched it with an off-shoulder blouse. The actress left her locks open and paired her look with light accessories. Also, her footwear was Zoya Wedges worth INR 6,300.

The star-studded ceremony was also attended by several politicians including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former finance minister P Chidambaram, and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray attended the ceremony.

Parineeti and Raghav's dating rumours began after they were spotted together at a lunch date in Mumbai in March. Neither Parineeti nor Raghav officially confirmed their relationship but an AAP leader had in March congratulated them over their "union".

Accoding to ANI, Parineeti and Raghav studied together at the London School of Economics and have been friends for a long time now.
The Haryana Board of School Education (HBSE) is likely to announce the Haryana Board Class 10th, 12th results today, May 14, according to reports. HBSE 10th result 2023 and HBSE 12th result 2023 will be declared for over 5 lakh students on the official website, bseh.org.in. Students will have to enter roll number and date of birth to access the HBSE board result 2023 link. Candidates who have appeared for the examination can check their results on the official website, once the direct link is active. HBSE will declare the result for all three streams of Class 12.

The board held HBSE re-exam for Class 10 and 12 for subjects cancelled in some exam centers due to use of unfair means. The Haryana Board re-exams were held from March 29 to 31.

Haryana Board Class 10, 12 results 2023: Steps To Download Scorecard

- Visit the HBSE official website, bseh.org.in 2023.

- Click on the HBSE 10th OR 12th result 2023 download link.

- Enter the roll number and date of birth as on the Haryana Board exam admit card.

- Click on the Submit button to enter details.

- HBSE 10th, 12th Class results 2023 will be displayed on the screen.

- Download the Haryana Board provisional mark sheet for future use.

Haryana Board Class 10, 12 Results 2023: Passing Marks

Candidates to pass the HBSE Classes 10 and 12 examination 2023, have to score at least 33 percent marks. And, those who will not be satisfied with their scores can get their answer sheets recked accordingly. Students will be notified of the same.

Haryana Board Class 10, 12 Results 2023: Credentials Required To Download Marksheet

To access the Haryana Class 10 and 12 results, students will have to enter their roll number and other requested information on the portal.
Erdogan trampling on free speech with Twitter being a willing accomplice

Washington, DC --News Direct-- International Association of Political Consultants

Recent moves by Turkish President Reception Tayyip Erdogan to restrict social media in tomorrows Turkish election is a direct assault on the democratic process. According to Matt Klink, President of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC), free access to information and ideas is at the heart of democracy. Denying citizens access to social media robs them of their ability to make informed decisions.

Under Erdogan, limits have been placed on social media in an effort to silence the voice of opposition parties. Klink pointed out, The attempt by Erdogan and his cronies to prevent the voice of the people to be heard is deeply troubling in a country that already has placed severe restrictions on the press.

What is especially concerning is the decision by Twitter to follow these restrictions, said Klink. An American company that claims to promote free speech should not be aiding and abetting a dictator in his efforts to subvert the democratic process. This has far reaching precedence for future elections.

We all have a stake in ensuring that elections are run free and without interference, including restrictions on reporting and a free press. The IAPC and its members are committed to ensuring democratic elections free from any interference, concluded Klink.

Founded in 1968, the IAPC brings together members at its annual meeting to exchange views and information about political developments and campaign techniques.

Contact Details

International Association of Political Consultants - President

Matt Klink

+1 310-283-6267

matt@klinkcampaigns.com

International Association of Political Consultants - Vice-President Communications

Marcel Wieder

+1 416-545-9002

Company Website

https://www.iapc.org

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/democracy-at-risk-in-turkish-election-588253237
BENGALURU: In the closely-fought Karnataka Assembly elections, where the Congress decimated the BJP and the JD-S with a historic mandate, the party also delivered a powerful performance in JD-S bastions of Tumkur and Mandya districts where it won 13 of the total 18 seats. Tumkur has 10 Assembly seats while the Mandya district has eight.

In Tumkur district, the Congress won seven seats while the BJP won two and JD-S one seat. The assembly constituencies of Tumkur comprises Chiknayakanhalli, Tiptur, Turuvekere, Tumkur City, Tumkur Rural, Koratagere, Gubbi, Sira, Pavagadha and Madhugiri. Similarly in Mandya district, the Congress won six seats while the BJP scored nil, the JD-S was able to win one seat while one seat was won by Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha.

Mandya has eight assembly, namely Malavalli, Maddur, Melukote, Mandya, Shrirangapattana, Nagamangala, Krishnarajpete, and Krishnarajanagara. The party credited the victory in the JD-S redoubts to its Rajya Sabha MP G.C. Chandrashekar, a Vokkaliga leader. According to party leaders, he is the man behind the victory for the 13 seats in Tumkur and Mandya district serving as incharge of the two districts for the last two years.

A Congress leader said that Chandrashekar was able to consolidate the vokkaliga base in these two crucial districts. "He had taken the party leadership into confidence during ticket announcement only, and had promised the leadership that party will win minimum 10 seats combined in the district," the party leader, wishing not to be named, said.

The party leader pointed out that Chandrashekar, who belongs to Gangatkar Vokkaliga caste, same as S.M. Krishna and D.K. Shivakumar, had been working in these two districts tirelessly for two years, and his input was crucial for ticket distribution with full support from party leadership even when the party survey went against his desires.

In Mandya, the party had drawn a blank in 2018 Assembly elections while it managed to win only two seats in Tumkur.
Kota: Referring to the dirt of corruption, a Congress MLA in Rajasthan urged Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday to "leave toilet and join Pilot" in his campaign in the interest of the party. In a letter to Gehlot, Sangod MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur also asked him to "stop giving protection to the corrupt 'Bhaya'," referring to Rajasthan Mining and Gopalan Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya.

Kundanpur wrote about to an effigy of Ravan kept in his Kota office in the letter, saying he and other party workers have often used it during protests against the "wrongdoings" of the previous BJP rule.

He said a message written on the effigy is worth thinking about, and quoted it in the letter:

"Committing mistakes knowingly is wrong. Covering the mistake is worse.

"The silence of higher officials despite knowledge of wrong is collusion. If the head of the department is silent, it is corruption with collusion. The arrogance of the post causes suffering to the public."

Referring to Gehlot, who holds the home ministry portfolio, Kundanpur said the home minister of the state should think about these points.

"Please stop giving protection to the corrupt 'Bhaya'," Kundanpur said.

The one-time minister and four-term MLA concluded the letter, saying, "In the interest of the party, please leave toilet and join Pilot."

Later speaking to PTI, he explained that he used the word "toilet" in the letter to refer to the alleged dirt of corruption in the state. He said the probe into charges of corruption against Bhaya continues to remain pending but investigative officers get retired.

Gehlot is totally abusing his position for his political gains and not in the larger interest of the party, Singh alleged, adding he wrote the letter to the chief minister's attention towards Sachin Pilot, who is on a foot march from Ajmer to Jaipur against corruption and paper leaks of government recruitment exams.

"What Pilot is doing is fair and whoever speaks against corruption, he is with him," Kundanpur said.

Chief Minister Gehlot talked of zero-tolerance for corruption in his first budget speech but he is going against his own words, he alleged.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today said that party's high command will take the final decision on appointment of Karnataka Chief Minister. The Congress chief was in speaking to media in Delhi, a day after his party's emphatic victory in the state of Karnataka. Though highly placed sources in Congress party are indicating that party high command has finalised the name of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the post, state party chief DK Shivakumar has also said to have thrown his hat in the ring.

"Our observers have gone to Bengaluru, there will be a CLP meeting once they reach. After the CLP meet, they will share their opinion with the high command, and then they (high command) will send their decision from here": Mallikarjun Kharge said while speaking to the media today.

DK Shivakumar Signals Intention To Become Chief Minister

D K Shivakumar on Sunday hinted that he is in the chief ministerial race saying he took everyone along and never sought anything for himself. He also brushed aside speculations about differences between him and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar said the Congress and the Legislature Party will decide the next chief minister of Karnataka. On the question that those who toiled should also get preference instead of those who are liked by the people, Shivakumar said when Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao had resigned as the Congress Legislature Party president and head of the state unit respectively after the party's rout in 2019 by-elections, then Congress national president Sonia Gandhi had reposed faith in him and made him president.
Kochi: In a massive drug bust, nearly 2,500 kilograms of methamphetamine worth around Rs 12,000 crore was seized from a vessel in Indian waters along the Kerala coast in a joint operation by the Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the anti-drug agency said on Saturday. The NCB said it was the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the country and a Pakistani national has been detained in connection with it.

Giving details of the seizure at a press conference held here, NCB Deputy Director General (Ops) Sanjay Kumar Singh said it was carried out as part of 'Operation Samudragupt' which targeted maritime trafficking of drugs originating from Afghanistan.

This is the third major seizure by NCB of maritime trafficking of drugs through the southern route in the last one and a half years, the agency said. As part of the operation, so far around 3,200 kg of methamphetamine, 500 kg of heroin and 529 kg of hashish has been seized, it said.

The first seizure in the operation was made in February 2022 when a joint team of NCB and Indian Navy seized 529 kg of hashish, 221 kg of methamphetamine and 13 kg of heroin from the high seas off the coast of Gujarat, all sourced from Baluchistan (a region in Pakistan) and Afghanistan, the agency said.

Subsequently, an Iranian boat was intercepted off the coast of Kerala in a joint operation by NCB and Indian Navy in October 2022 and a total of 200 kg of high-grade heroin, also sourced from Afghanistan, was seized and six Iranian drug traffickers were arrested, it said.

Thereafter, sharing of real-time actionable information, generated during the operation, with Sri Lanka and Maldives led to the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine and the arrest of 19 drug traffickers in two operations conducted by the Sri Lankan Navy in December 2022 and April 2023, the agency said.

The agency claimed that the latest consignment of around 2,500 kg of methamphetamine was meant for India, Sri Lanka and Maldives from Afghanistan.

The drug cache had started on a "mother ship" -- a large vessel that distributes narcotics to various boats during its journey -- from the Makran coast around Pakistan and Iran, it said.

As many as 134 sacks of suspected methamphetamine, the intercepted boat and some other items salvaged from the ship along with the Pakistani national were brought to Mattancherry Wharf and handed over by the Navy to the NCB, it said.

"NCB has initiated the seizure procedures and the primary analysis is that all of the packets contain methamphetamine of high purity," the NCB said.

The Indian Navy also tweeted about the seizure.
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said that the public would decide the future course after calls grew within the party for Rahul Gandhi to be the prime ministerial candidate following the resounding victory of the party in Karnataka Assembly polls.

Describing the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls as a mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Siddaramaiah said that it would act as a "stepping stone" to the Lok Sabha election slated next year.

"The result of this election is a stepping stone to the Lok Sabha election. I hope all non-BJP parties come together and see that BJP is defeated and I also hope Rahul Gandhi may become PM of the country," Siddaramaiah said.

The Congress on Saturday won 135 of 224 seats in the Karnataka Assembly polls while the BJP failed to cross the 70-seat mark.

On growing calls for Rahul Gandhi to be the Prime Ministerial candidate, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "As I said, this (coming to power in Karnataka) is a huge responsibility. We went to the people with a few guarantees and must fulfill them. We have to work for the people. The public will tell us what will happen next."

Accusing the opposition of playing diverting attention from real issues, she said, "The most important thing is that the politics that attempts to divert people's attention and doesn't speak of public issues will not work anymore in this country. We saw this in Himachal and Karnataka. People want discussion on their issues and a solution to the same."

According to the latest trends of the Election Commission of India, Congress has won 126 seats and is leading in 10 more seats. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 60 seats and is leading on five others.

Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) has won 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha have won one seat each.

Earlier on Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed the party's victory in Karnataka assembly polls and said that the people of the State defeated the politics of hate.

Addressing the media at the Congress headquarters in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress stood in support of the poor.

"The poor defeated crony capitalists in Karnataka. What I really liked about this election is that we did not fight the battle with hatred. We fought the elections with love...," he said.

The Congress maintained a lead from the morning when counting began for the assembly seats in the fiercely contested election.

Congress general secretary in-charge, Communications Jairam Ramesh said the result is a direct impact of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka, the intangible impact was unifying the party, revitalizing the cadre and shaping the narrative for the Karnataka elections.

"While this is the direct impact of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka, the intangible impact was uniting the party, reviving the cadre and shaping the narrative for the Karnataka elections. It was during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, from the many conversations Rahul Gandhi had with the people of Karnataka, that the guarantees and the promises in our manifesto were discussed and finalised," tweeted Jairam Ramesh.
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah will be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, with DK Shivakumar as his deputy, highly placed sources in the Congress party told Zee News TV today. Since morning, DK Shivakumar had dropped major hints to public his desire for the top post. To placate Shivakumar - considered pivotal for Congress victory in Karnataka - the high command has decided to award him top ministries of the state. An official announcement can be made on the same by Monday evening.

Why Congress chose Siddaramaiah over DK Shivakumar?

Many are wondering as to why the Congress party is choosing 75-year-old Siddramaiah over DK Shivakumar. The souces close to the top party leaders said that Congress is eyeing a better performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. For the same, the party wishes to use Siddaramaiah's mass appeal across the state. The party is now seeing Siddaramaiah in the position of the 'face' and Shivakumar as the manager for upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

AHINDA Formula

The Congress believes that Karnataka's popular - AHINDA formula - had a big role to play in its victory. Ahinda is a Kannada acronym for 'Alpasankhyataru' or minorities, 'Hindulidavaru' or backward classes, and 'Dalitaru' or Dalits. It is said that Siddaramaiah is an expert in managing this vote bank and enjoys mass appeal among these communities. For the same reason, the party doesn't wish to go against Siddaramaiah, who has a history of rebels against former bosses in Janata Dal factions.

Shivakumar's Cooperation Mantra

Shivakumar today said he had extended cooperation for him earlier and now Siddaramaiah would cooperate with him. "After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, I took charge of the party. Then senior leader Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah had resigned from their posts. Didn`t I wait patiently and cooperate when I was not inducted into the cabinet," he asked.

Siddaramaiah, after assuming charge as CM in 2013, had kept out Shivakumar from the cabinet for a long time. "I have extended my cooperation to him (Siddaramaiah)," Shivakumar said.

Calls To Make DK Shivakumar Chief Minister

Marasappa Ravi, Congress district spokesperson has released a press note and urged Siddaramaiah not to become a roadblock for Shivakumar to become the CM. Shivakumar facilitated Siddaramaiah`s joining the Congress. It is Shivakumar who gave him the strategy to contest from two seats in 2018, he said. Siddaramaiah lost in Chamundeshwari seat and won from Badami seat in the last elections.

"Siddaramaiah, who was pushed to the corner in JD-S, was recognised by Shivakumar and given respectable status in Congress by Shivakumar. Now it is time for Siddaramaiah to pay back," he said.
New Delhi: Actor Ram Charan's wife Upasana Kamineni Konidela, who is expecting their first child, celebrated her first Mother's Day with an inspiring post.

"I am proud to embrace motherhood for all the right reasons. I did not do it to conform to society's expectations or to fit in. My decision to become a mother was not driven by a desire to carry on a legacy or to strengthen my marriage," she wrote on Instagram.

"I chose to have a child when I was emotionally prepared to give unconditional love & care that my child deserves for his/her overall well-being," she added.

It was in December 2022 that Ram Charan and Upasana announced their approaching parenthood.

In February, she confirmed that their first child would be born in India, despite speculations that they could be considering having the child in the United States.

During US television show Good Morning America, Ram Charan had requested consultation with Dr Jennifer Ashton. This led to speculations that the couple could give birth to their child in the US.

However, Upasana refuted the rumours and revealed that she will give birth to her kid in India. She stated that she would deliver her baby at the Apollo Hospitals, where she is Vice Chairperson of CSR.

She had requested Dr Jeniffer Ashton to join Apollo Hospital family in India along with Dr Sumana Manohan and Dr Rooma Sinha to deliver her baby.
New Delhi: Newly appointed Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino said in a tweet on Saturday that she has been inspired by owner Elon Musk's vision to create a brighter future and is excited to help to transform the social media platform. It was the first time Yaccarino has spoken publicly since the news broke Thursday that she was in talks to become the next CEO of Twitter.

Musk, who has served as CEO since his $44 billion buyout of Twitter last October, announced her appointment on Friday. (Also Read: Zomato CEO's Car Collections: Check Out List)

"I've long been inspired by [Musk's] vision to create a brighter future. I'm excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!" Yaccarino tweeted. (Also Read: Meet Linda Yaccarino, The Woman Rumoured To Be New Twitter CEO --In Pics)

Yaccarino, who as advertising chief for Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal spent several years modernizing its ad business, said she is committed to Twitter's future, and said user feedback is vital to build Twitter 2.0.

Yaccarino will take over a social media platform that has been trying to reverse a plunge in ad revenue and is beset with challenges, along with a heavy debt load.

Since Musk acquired Twitter, advertisers have fled the platform, worried that their ads could appear next to inappropriate content after the company lost nearly 80 percent of its staff. Musk earlier this year acknowledged that Twitter had suffered a massive decline in ad revenue.

While Musk said Yaccarino would help build an "everything app," which he has previously said could offer a variety of services such as peer-to-peer payments, his selection of an advertising veteran signaled that digital ads would continue to be a core focus of the business.

Musk has long said he intended to find a new leader for Twitter. Musk, who is also the CEO of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Inc, on Friday said that bringing Yaccarino on as Twitter's new chief will help him devote more time to Tesla.
New Delhi: Mother's Day is a special occasion to celebrate and honour the love, care and sacrifices of mothers around the world. It is a day to express gratitude for all the ways that mothers make our lives better and to acknowledge the profound impact they have on our well-being.

ALSO READ | WhatsApp Working On Broadcast Channel Conversation Along With 12 New Features

To celebrate Mother's Day, the UP Police Twitter handle shared a heartwarming picture that pays tribute to all mothers. The image uses the popular Google home page template and replaces the search engine's name with 'Mummy'. At the bottom of the picture, the caption reads, "Mom Knows Everything!" with the hashtag #HappyMothersDay.

In the tweet, the UP Police wrote, "Maa! The original 'oracle' for wisdom and learning, the ultimate sanctuary of endless love, compassion, and care. Bowing down to all the mothers of the world for never failing to offer comfort, guidance, and a listening ear."

The UP Police's Mother's Day tribute has garnered widespread attention and appreciation on social media, with netizens lauding the force for recognizing the invaluable role of mothers in our lives. The tribute is a touching reminder of the strength, grace, and love of mothers everywhere.

Maa!

The original oracle for wisdom and learning, the ultimate sanctuary of endless love, compassion and care.



Bowing down to all the mothers of the world for never failing to offer comfort, guidance and a listening ear. #happymothersday2023 #MothersDay pic.twitter.com/fPVDtx9Pxy  UP POLICE (@Uppolice) May 14, 2023

Mothers Day History

Mother's Day has a rich and fascinating history that dates back over a century. The modern holiday is said to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, when a woman named Anna Jarvis began campaigning for an official day to honour mothers. Jarvis was inspired by her own mother, who had been a community activist and advocate for social justice. After her mother's death in 1905, Jarvis organized a memorial service and began lobbying for a national holiday to honour all mothers.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The holiday quickly gained popularity around the world, with many countries adopting their own versions of the celebration. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in over 40 countries and is an occasion to show appreciation for the hard work, love, and devotion of mothers everywhere.

While the commercialization of Mother's Day has been a subject of criticism in recent years, the holiday remains a cherished opportunity to recognize and honour the profound impact that mothers have on our lives. Whether through a simple card or a heartfelt gesture, Mother's Day provides a chance to express gratitude for the countless ways that mothers make our world a better place.
(Bloomberg) -- Egypt sold a 9.5% stake in state-run Telecom Egypt Co., raising more than 3.7 billion Egyptian pounds ($121 million) in a signal to investors that the country is serious about implementing a sweeping economic reform program.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The government sold 162 million shares in the telecommunications company, representing about a 9.5% stake in the firm, according to a filing to the Egyptian stock exchange. The shares were priced at 23.11 Egyptian pounds each, according to a separate filing. Egypt plans to offer a further 0.5% for company employees to buy.

The offering, which had been discussed in March, represents a key step in the governments plan to sell state assets in a bid to raise sorely-needed cash. Officials had outlined a list of 32 companies, including several banks and two military-affiliated companies, that were earmarked to be sold. Little progress had been made, raising fears that the country would delay moving ahead with the program.

The push is part of a broader effort to revamp Egypts struggling economy, which has seen the currency devalued three times since March 2022 - a move that helped secure a $3 billion program from the International Monetary Fund.

Bookbuilding for the offering of Telecom Egypt shares, in which the government held an 80% stake, began late last week. Officials marketed the price range of the shares at 22.22 pounds to 27.16 pounds.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
New Delhi: Mothers Day is all about celebrating the person who raised you and shaped who you are today. A mothers love and role in a childs life is undoubtedly the most important. TV celebrities have extended heartfelt wishes for the mothers.

Reem Sameer Shaikh, who is essaying the role of Esha in COLORS Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal says, My mother is my biggest supporter, my confidante, and my first best friend. As I started my journey in the world of acting, my mother's unwavering love and support continued to be my anchor. She's always there, on set or at home, cheering me on and guiding me through the ups and downs of life. I wouldn't be where I am today without her. On this Mother's Day, I want to thank God for my amazing mother.



Shiv Thakare who will be seen as a contestant in COLORS Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 says, My Aai shows me what it is to love unconditionally. She is my guiding light through every challenge and her unwavering support is my biggest strength. What the viewers witnessed during the parents week in Bigg Boss 16 is just a glimpse of the impact she makes on me and the people I love. Nothing beats the sense of achievement I feel when shes proud of me. I know that her blessings and prayers are with me every step of the way. Mothers carry a natural power and they can change the vibe of a home just by being there. I thank every mother for making the world a better place with their presence. Happy Mothers Day



Eisha Singh who is essaying the role of Bela in COLORS Bekaaboo says, "My mother is my pillar of strength and my strongest support system. Every year, I face the predicament of gifting my mother something special on this day. What can you give someone who has given you the gift of life?! Her love and support are reasons why I can pursue a career in acting without second-guessing myself. On Mother's Day, I want to thank not just my mom but all the mothers who are the biggest changemakers of the earth."



Gautam Singh Vig who is essaying the role of Jordan in COLORS Junooniyatt says, Growing up, my mother has always been my rock, my anchor, and my biggest supporter. Even though I'm far away from home now, shooting for 'Junooniyatt' in Chandigarh, I feel her love and guidance with me every day. She's always been there for me, through thick and thin, and I owe all my success to her. On this special day, I want to thank her for everything she's done for me, and for being the best mom anyone could ask for. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!"



Ankur Verma who is essaying the role of Rajeev in COLORS Parineetii says, As I navigate the ups and downs of living away from home, Im constantly reminded of the love and support of my mother. Her homemade food, her warm hugs, and her constant encouragement have been a source of strength in my life. I think that all of us live the lessons our mothers have taught us. Im so grateful that I learned the value of time and thoughtfulness from my mom. One day cannot encompass what mothers mean to us, but its nice to have a day dedicated to them. 



Stay tuned to COLORS for more updates.
Why would 76-year-old Larry Cook transfer over $3.6 million out of the country just before his death?

That was tickling the mind of Janine Satterfield as she was mourning her beloved uncle. A decorated veteran who served with the U.S. Navy as commander for 24 years until 1992, he lived alone and had no children or spouse.

Satterfield discovered this mystery when she needed to find his Social Security number to bury her uncle. A neighbor she asked to go into his home in Virginia for his documents instead sent photos of international wire transfers he made in amounts as large as $49,500, most of them to Thailand.

Through her uncles meticulous records, Satterfield discovered he had become a victim of a scam that started in October 2020 and continued until March 2021.

He died a month later.

After his death, his niece's looming thought: Why did the banks allow all of these large transfers to go through?

Time to have 'the talk': How seniors can avoid financial ruin by planning long-term health care now

Larry Cook, served in the U.S. Navy as a Commander. He wired more than $3 million to scammers abroad via his bank, and now his niece is taking the banks to court.

The lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union

Satterfield filed a suit against Wells Fargo and the Navy Federal Credit Union, claiming the institutions failed to protect her uncle from being swindled out of $3.6 million.

Cook made 75 international transfers to possible scammers abroad, and most of the wires amounted to $49,500 each, according to the complaint filed in Virginia. In total, he used Wells Fargo once to send $49,500 and the Navy Federal Credit Union 74 times to send a total of $3,631,200. According to the wire records, Cook wrote that the purpose of the transfer was for a loan repayment.

According to the complaint, Cooks credit union reported him to adult protective services in mid-December but still allowed 42 more international wires to process.

Satterfield alleged in the complaint that both institutions acted in bad faith by failing to investigate the suspicious wires and is suing both banks for the money Cook lost in the scam  Wells Fargo for $49,500 and Navy Federal Credit Union for $3,633,050, which includes $1,850 in wire fees.

Story continues

Beating the bad guys: How one vigilante aunt in Ohio took down an identity theft scheme

She also alleged Cooks credit union was negligent for not stopping the numerous wires and undertook the duty to protect him after the voluntary report they made to Fairfax County Adult Protective Services and should have taken internal steps to stop the wires. The credit union continued processing the wires even after APS confirmed with them on Jan. 28, 2021, that Cook needed services and was at risk of being abused, neglected and exploited.

Though APS didnt stop the wires, it asked the credit union to continue to monitor his accounts.

Cook had suffered a stroke in 2019, according to the complaint, and when he was discharged from rehabilitation, the staff there noted Cook had poor insight into his condition, lacked insight into his deficits, and was concerned about going back to work as a consultant for the Navy and being cleared to drive. He had no family support.

Representatives for Wells Fargo and the Navy Federal Credit Union did not comment because of the pending litigation, but both gave USA TODAY prepared statements.

Our members are always our first priority and we handle all member transactions with great care, a Navy Federal Credit Union spokesperson said.

Wells Fargo takes financial exploitation very seriously. We are committed to helping our customers avoid fraud and scams through various resources, including ongoing education efforts, a Wells Fargo spokesperson said.

The case was dismissed Monday.

According to the APS reports presented to the court, Navy Federal Credit Union warned Cook numerous times that he was a victim of a scam, but Cook still wanted to continue with the wires. The APS reports state that Cook refused to meet on several occasions, so they closed out their investigation Feb. 1, 2021, and documented: "Needs Protective Services - Refused. Satterfield had argued that the credit union undertook the duty to protect Cook after making a voluntary report to APS, but there is no law in Virginia that recognizes that.

There's no word yet on what the family plans to do next.

According to The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department, financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse but remains widely unreported. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in 2020, financial institutions filed more than 62,000 reports involving elder financial exploitation worth $3.4 billion.

The scam

It started with a phishing email.

On Oct. 5, 2020, Cook got an email that said his iPad and PlayStation from Amazon were on the way, and if he had questions, he should call Order Help-Desk.

The senders email address didnt appear to be associated with Amazon, but records show Cook contacted the sender and had received a cancellation form, which gave vague instructions for a refund that involved his bank.

The next day, he wired $49,500 to someone in Singapore through his Wells Fargo account.

Wire records show he sent money to different people at different addresses for the purpose of a loan repayment. The complaint doesnt offer additional details about the scammers.

Luckily, Cook wasnt the type of person to throw away anything. He knew how to keep records  letters, invitations, tax records, bills and payments.

What happened next: Alleged scammer in USA TODAY profile rearrested in Houston

Satterfield gets emotional when she talks about finding items that held sentimental value to her uncle  his Christmas stocking, a Boy Scouts cap, buttons from his uniforms, and ribbons from state fairs.

He threw away nothing. It all mattered to him, Satterfield said.

Veteran Larry Cook had suffered a stroke in 2019, according to the legalcomplaint, and when he was discharged from rehabilitation, the staff there noted that Cook had poor insight into his condition, lacked insight into his deficits, and was concerned about going back to work as a consultant for the Navy and being cleared to drive. He had no family support.

That very habit of record-keeping would lead Cooks family to the folders that held documents for the international wires.

In November 2020, Cook tried a second time to wire money through Wells Fargo but was denied. According to the complaint, Wells Fargo didnt give a reason. But Cook instead wired the money from his Wells Fargo account into his credit union account and sent the money abroad.

What to know about identity theft: How can I find out if someone is using my identity?

On Dec. 15, 2020, a credit union representative reported Cook to Fairfax County Adult Protective Services, saying the transfers were indicative of possible elder financial exploitation.

The representative reported that Cook had been warned about being a victim of a scam but still wanted to proceed with the transactions and appeared to be mentally competent.

According to Satterfields complaint, Cook was a conservative spender, so sending exorbitant amounts of money to foreign banks was out of the ordinary for him.

The act itself shows he wasnt competent, said Paula Williamson, Satterfields sister.

They still dont know who the scammers are, but bringing those people to justice is important, too, Kimberley Ann Murphy, Satterfields lawyer, said.

What is a bank's responsibility?

Naomi Cahn, professor at University of Virginia School of Law and expert in family law, estates, trusts and aging, said that before the move to online banking, people went into banks often, which helped them develop a relationship with their bank. In turn, it gave banks an opportunity to observe changes in their customers.

But with Cook's age, should the bank have done more to protect him?

Do you want to make assumptions about everybody over a certain age? Should bank tellers be assessing competence every time a customer comes in? Cahn asked.

Though its unknown what type of relationship Cook had with each of his banks, he had been a customer at both since the 1970s, according to the complaint.

And though some states, like California, have mandatory reporting when they suspect elder financial abuse, Virginia has voluntary reporting, Cahn said.

We all expect secrecy with our bank accounts, and its protected, she said. But this is an exception to secrecy with respect to bank accounts.

In 2018, Congress passed the Senior Safe Act, which provided financial institutions and employees who reported elder financial exploitation with immunity from liability in any civil or administrative proceeding. To qualify for immunity, a report should have been made to a qualified agency like law enforcement, local adult protective services, state financial regulatory agency, or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. And only financial institutions that were either credit unions, depository institutions, investment advisers, broker dealers, transfer agents or insurance companies qualified for the immunity. In addition, only employees who were trained on how to identify and report elder financial exploitation qualified for immunity.

In 2022, Virginia also strengthened reporting laws, more than a year after Cooks death. The new rules allow financial institution staff to delay or refuse to disburse and execute transfers if they suspect exploitation.

While Cooks credit union filed the APS report and APS officials communicated with the credit union, Cahn said questions remain on what happened after and whether the bank or social service should have stopped the 42 international wires that continued until March 2021.

Murphy, Satterfields lawyer, said its a question theyve been pondering, too.

What is a financial institution supposed to do? How are they protecting their customers, how are they protecting themselves, and where is that money actually going? Murphy asked.

When USA TODAY asked, Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union would not offer further comment on their internal process in cases of suspected elder fraud exploitation.

Murphy said scams come at a high cost to an elderly person  especially one who is incapacitated  who end up losing their life savings.

Satterfield said this scam her uncle fell for was beyond human judgment" and that legislative changes need to be in place before another elderly victim is scammed.

"We're literally all one click away," Satterfield said.

Watching out for elder financial exploitation

Experiencing an elderly loved one mentally declining can be hard for family members and caregivers, so it's important to prepare ahead of time to prevent financial exploitation by having a conversation about their finances sooner rather than later.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has advice and tips on how people can prepare should they experience a decline in their capacity to manage their money:

Organize important documents . Organize information for bank and brokerage statements, mortgage and credit information, insurance policies, pension or benefit summaries, Social Security payment information, and contacts for doctors and lawyers, and store them in a safe and easy accessible location.

Designate a trusted contact person. Add a trusted contact person to your brokerage account in case your broker has trouble contacting you or believes you are being scammed. The trusted contact person doesn't have access to the account holder's money.

Social Security Advance Designation. The Social Security Advance Designation allows people to designate up to three people to serve as a "representative payee" should there be a need.

Create a durable financial power of attorney. The durable power of attorney allows an agent, someone who has the legal authority to make financial decisions if you become incapacitated. It can be changed or canceled if you still have decision-making capability.

Ask for help. Involve a trusted friend, relative or professional in talks about your finances.

Keep things updated. Be sure to keep accounts current and notify trusted contacts of any changes.

And if you suspect elder financial exploitation, call your local police department or sheriff to report it. If you suspect the financial abuse is stemming from brokers or investment advisers, here is whom to call:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bank fraud prevention: Whose job should it be?
Over the last year, a good number of insiders have significantly increased their holdings in Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ). This is encouraging because it indicates that insiders are more optimistic about the company's prospects.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

View our latest analysis for Enzo Biochem

Enzo Biochem Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider James Wolf for US$5.0m worth of shares, at about US$7.50 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being US$2.45). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months Enzo Biochem insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The average buy price was around US$6.18. I'd consider this a positive as it suggests insiders see value at around the current price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It appears that Enzo Biochem insiders own 23% of the company, worth about US$28m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

Story continues

So What Do The Enzo Biochem Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Enzo Biochem shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Enzo Biochem insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 3 warning signs for Enzo Biochem that deserve your attention before buying any shares.

Of course Enzo Biochem may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Key Insights

Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd's estimated fair value is RM0.76 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM0.65 suggests Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd is potentially trading close to its fair value

Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd's peers are currently trading at a premium of 89% on average

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd (KLSE:ADVPKG) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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) RM2.52m RM3.08m RM3.59m RM4.05m RM4.45m RM4.81m RM5.13m RM5.43m RM5.71m RM5.97m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 30.30% Est @ 22.28% Est @ 16.67% Est @ 12.74% Est @ 9.99% Est @ 8.06% Est @ 6.71% Est @ 5.77% Est @ 5.11% Est @ 4.65% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM2.3 RM2.5 RM2.7 RM2.8 RM2.7 RM2.7 RM2.6 RM2.5 RM2.4 RM2.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM25m

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. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM6.0m (1 + 3.6%)  (10% 3.6%) = RM94m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM94m ( 1 + 10%)10= RM36m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM61m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.7, the company appears about fair value at a 15% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.820. 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 Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine ADVPKG's earnings prospects.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for ADVPKG.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd, we've put together three important elements you should assess:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Advanced Packaging Technology (M) Bhd (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Evotec is 29.81 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of 18.93 suggests Evotec is potentially 37% undervalued

Analyst price target for EVT is 24.93 which is 16% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Evotec SE (ETR:EVT) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

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.

Check out our latest analysis for Evotec

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (, Millions) -104.1m 50.3m 138.4m 189.5m 238.7m 282.1m 318.3m 347.1m 369.4m 386.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 36.93% Est @ 25.93% Est @ 18.22% Est @ 12.83% Est @ 9.05% Est @ 6.41% Est @ 4.56% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.9% -98.3 44.8 116 150 179 200 213 219 220 217

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 1.5b

Story continues

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 (0.2%) 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 5.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 386m (1 + 0.2%)  (5.9% 0.2%) = 6.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 6.8b ( 1 + 5.9%)10= 3.8b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 5.3b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 18.9, the company appears quite good value at a 37% 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

The 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. 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 Evotec 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 5.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.959. 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.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. 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. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Evotec, we've put together three pertinent elements you should consider:

Financial Health: Does EVT have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does EVT'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 German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But in any portfolio, there will be mixed results between individual stocks. So we wouldn't blame long term Carter's, Inc. (NYSE:CRI) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 42% over a half decade. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 18% in the last 90 days. This could be related to the recent financial results - you can catch up on the most recent data by reading our company report.

Since Carter's has shed US$152m from its value in the past 7 days, let's see if the longer term decline has been driven by the business' economics.

See our latest analysis for Carter's

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Looking back five years, both Carter's' share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 1.9% per year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 10% annual reduction in the share price. This implies that the market is more cautious about the business these days. The low P/E ratio of 11.38 further reflects this reticence.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. This free interactive report on Carter's' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

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. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Carter's the TSR over the last 5 years was -35%, 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 gained around 2.6% in the last year, Carter's shareholders lost 18% (even including dividends). 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. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 6% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Carter's better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Carter's that you should be aware of.

Carter's is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
"Unbroken Bonds of Battle: A Modern Warriors Book of Heroism, Patriotism and Friendship" Marks the Seventh Title for FOX News Books

NEW YORK, May 14, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FOX News Books, FOX News Medias publishing imprint, will release its seventh title on Tuesday, June 27th, "Unbroken Bonds of Battle," by FOX News Channel (FNC) contributor, FOX Nation host and combat veteran Johnny Joey Jones. The book follows the Modern Warriors franchise debut title "Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes" authored by FOX & Friends Weekend co-host and veteran Pete Hegseth, which was a New York Times bestseller.

In commenting on the announcement, Jones remarked, "For years people have asked me to write a book about my story. However, Ive always known all along that the most important part of my story is the amazing collection of people and warriors whove become a part of my life. Each of them with inspiring and heroic stories of their own. Its fitting that my first book is a telling of their stories, how theyve affected my life and how their experience in serving this country shows the need for bonds on and beyond the battlefield. Unbroken Bonds is a book for, by and about patriotic Americans and what it truly means to be your brothers keeper."

"Unbroken Bonds of Battle" marks the second installment of the growing Modern Warriors franchise, which spotlights those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the freedoms and the people of the United States of America. Staff Sergeant Jones served eight years in the Marine Corps with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before an IED ended his career as a bomb technician, forever changing his life. Through the support of his brothers and sisters in arms, he began the arduous recovery and has since dedicated himself to paying it forward, working on behalf and with veterans for more than a decade. Featuring unfiltered and authentic conversations from across all branches of the military, Jones honors the true American heroes that not only defend this great nation, but protect their fellow warriors. With powerful lessons woven throughout these personal oral histories, along with a scrapbook of candid photos and an exploration of life, loss and even hunting, "Unbroken Bonds of Battle" will serve as a patriotic tribute to the tightknit community bonds built upon of faith, family and service.

Story continues

Since the installment of FOX News Books, the publishing imprint has sold nearly 2 million copies, with each title placing on numerous national bestseller lists. The imprint launched in November 2020 with Hegseths "Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes," followed by Shannon Breams "The Women of the Bible Speak" (March 2021), "All American Christmas" by Rachel Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy (November 2021), "The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak" (March 2022), "Faith Still Move Mountains" by Harris Faulkner (October 2022) and most recently, "The Love Stories of the Bible Speak" (March 2023). Notably, every single FOX News Books title has made the New York Times bestsellers list, with Breams highly successful biblical "Speak" series, selling more than 1 million copies since launching in March 2021.

A FOX News Media contributor since 2019, Jones provides military and political analysis across all platforms including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Audio and FOX Nation. He frequently serves as a co-host for FNCs weekend programming, including The Big Saturday and The Big Sunday Show, as well as a substitute hosts across daytime and primetime programming. On FOX Nation, Jones has hosted several programs, including FOX Nation Outdoors, USA Ink, and Alive Day, a documentary dedicated to the harrowing day of his tragic accident and celebration of the life he was given after the explosion.

FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 21 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230514005058/en/

Contacts

FOX News Media Contact:

Alexandra Coscia: 212.301.3272
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is welcomed by French Prime minister Elisabeth Borne upon his arrival at Villacoublay Air Base, southwest of Paris, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces. (Thomas Samson/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing.

Advertisement

He said he and Macron will talk through the most important points of bilateral relations. The French leaders office said theyll discuss Ukraines military and humanitarian needs and the more long-term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe, and that Macron will reaffirm France and Europes unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air-defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel. Macron and Zelenskyy didnt speak to waiting reporters as they greeted each other at the French presidential palace.

Advertisement

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his countrys planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among the areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild whats been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

Advertisement

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germanys political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Scholz said Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

We will support you for as long as necessary, he said, adding that it is up to Russia to end the war by withdrawing its troops.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive against Russian troops.

Advertisement

Zelenskyy said one reason for his latest visit to allied capitals was to forge a fighter jet coalition that would provide Ukraine with the combat planes it needs to counter Russias air dominance.

Germany has said in the past that it doesnt have the F-16 jets Ukraine needs and Scholz responded to questions about possible plane deliveries by referring to the anti-aircraft system it has provided to Kyiv.

Thats what we as Germany are now concentrating on, he said.

In Ukraine, officials on Sunday denied that the country had anything to do with the downing of two Russian helicopters close to the border the day before.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Scholz and Zelenskyy said they support efforts to bring those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine to justice and noted the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They also pledged to ensure sanctions against Russia arent circumvented and to explore possibilities for using frozen Russian assets to pay for damage caused in Ukraine.

Advertisement

Germany said it supports Kyivs efforts to join the European Union and backed a 2008 vow by NATO members to pave the way for Ukraine to eventually join the military alliance.

Zelenskyy first met with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys head of state, who was snubbed by Kyiv last year, apparently over his previous close ties to Russia, causing a chill in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany. Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine.

After meeting Scholz and other senior officials at the chancellery, the two leaders flew to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history in its attack on Ukraine.

Advertisement

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which left more than 30 people wounded, according to the Ukrainian military.

Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Advertisement

Shelling by Russian forces killed two people -- a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man -- in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province on Sunday, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry reported Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

___

David Rising in Kyiv and Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.
Artificial intelligence tools have captured the public imagination, and with companies like Microsoft and Google racing to upgrade their tech, it could impact virtually every industry.

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

Even Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who has been bullish about what the profound technology means for the future, believes that it will send shockwaves through the working world.

I think itll touch everything we do, Pichai said of A.I. in an interview with The Verges Nilay Patel published Friday. I do think there are big societal labor market disruptions that will happen.

But the tech chief thinks that A.I. could also make some jobs better, if its done right. He used the example of the legal profession, which some believe will be the most disrupted by A.I., and said that even with technological developments, the need for some skills and services will not be eliminated altogether.

So, A.I. will make the profession better in certain ways, might have some unintended consequences, but Im willing to almost bet 10 years from now, maybe there are more lawyers.

While A.I.-powered products are still in their early stages, companies are already rolling out tools for businesses to use the technology. Meta, besides pouring money into their own A.I. products, also recently announced an A.I. feature for its advertisers to use. And major law firms are already using A.I. to draft documents and look over contracts.

Google did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for further comment.

The 'platform shift'

Pichai says that an A.I. platform shift is underway, and compared job anxieties now to those that went along with the dawn of the personal computer, the internet and mobile phones.

Story continues

Twenty years ago, when people exactly predicted what tech automation would do, there were very specific pronouncements of entire job categories which would go away. That hasnt fully played out, Pichai said.

Pichai isnt the only tech CEO who thinks A.I. will have a major impact on the labor force. IBMs CEO Arvind Krishna said earlier this week that A.I. could do 30% to 50% of the repetitive office work. He added that if machines can do those tasks, it frees up employees to take on higher-value work. In his own company, Krishna said they were beginning to automate key tasks, and have been able to shift from 700 people doing HR-related manual tasks, to just 50.

And Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has previously told Fortune that todays workforce should be prepared to work hand in hand with A.I. He added in a statement this week that A.I. could unlock potential on a large scale.

This new generation of AI will remove the drudgery of work and unleash creativity, Nadella said. Theres an enormous opportunity for AI-powered tools to help alleviate digital debt, build AI aptitude, and empower employees.

But not everyone is as optimistic about how A.I. could change the job landscape. Geoffrey Hinton, an award-winning A.I. pioneer and a former engineering fellow at Google, said he was concerned about some of the more mundane jobs being replaced by A.I.

It takes away the drudge work, Hinton told the New York Times. It might take away more than that.

Other experts say theres also the concern about using A.I. to generate opportunities rather than destroy them.

I think theres a risk that ChatGPT makes us a lot more productive in easy-to-do stuff, but the hard part to figure out is how we can use A.I. to create innovation that then creates new occupations and new industries, Carl Benedikt Frey, an economist who predicted automation would wipe out 47% of U.S. jobs 10 years ago, told Fortune in February.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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


While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Blue Label Telecoms Limited (JSE:BLU).

ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity.

View our latest analysis for Blue Label Telecoms

How Is ROE Calculated?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Blue Label Telecoms is:

11% = R433m  R4.1b (Based on the trailing twelve months to November 2022).

The 'return' is the income the business earned over the last year. One way to conceptualize this is that for each ZAR1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made ZAR0.11 in profit.

Does Blue Label Telecoms Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Blue Label Telecoms has a superior ROE than the average (8.8%) in the Telecom industry.

roe

That's what we like to see. However, bear in mind that a high ROE doesnt necessarily indicate efficient profit generation. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk . Our risks dashboardshould have the 3 risks we have identified for Blue Label Telecoms.

How Does Debt Impact ROE?

Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.

Story continues

Combining Blue Label Telecoms' Debt And Its 11% Return On Equity

Blue Label Telecoms clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.16. The combination of a rather low ROE and significant use of debt is not particularly appealing. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it.

Summary

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better.

Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. Check the past profit growth by Blue Label Telecoms by looking at this visualization of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Over the past year, many Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) insiders sold a significant stake in the company which may have piqued investors' interest. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, when multiple insiders sell stock over a specific duration, shareholders should take notice as that could possibly be a red flag.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for Visa

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Visa

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Vice Chair, Kelly Tullier, sold US$6.1m worth of shares at a price of US$233 per share. That means that an insider was selling shares at around the current price of US$231. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. Given that the sale took place at around current prices, it makes us a little cautious but is hardly a major concern.

Over the last year we saw more insider selling of Visa shares, than buying. They sold for an average price of about US$225. It's not too encouraging to see that insiders have sold at below the current price. Of course, the sales could be motivated for a multitude of reasons, so we shouldn't jump to conclusions. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Visa Insiders Are Selling The Stock

Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider selling at Visa. In total, insiders dumped US$15m worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. Overall this makes us a bit cautious, but it's not the be all and end all.

Story continues

Insider Ownership

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. It's great to see that Visa insiders own 0.05% of the company, worth about US$237m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Visa Insider Transactions Indicate?

Insiders haven't bought Visa stock in the last three months, but there was some selling. Despite some insider buying, the longer term picture doesn't make us feel much more positive. On the plus side, Visa makes money, and is growing profits. It is good to see high insider ownership, but the insider selling leaves us cautious. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. While conducting our analysis, we found that Visa has 1 warning sign and it would be unwise to ignore it.

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.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE:HVT), is not the largest company out there, but it received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to US$37.87 at one point, and dropping to the lows of US$25.41. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Haverty Furniture Companies' current trading price of US$25.98 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Haverty Furniture Companiess outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change.

See our latest analysis for Haverty Furniture Companies

Is Haverty Furniture Companies Still Cheap?

Good news, investors! Haverty Furniture Companies is still a bargain right now according to my price multiple model, which compares the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average. In this instance, Ive used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. I find that Haverty Furniture Companiess ratio of 5.13x is below its peer average of 10.73x, which indicates the stock is trading at a lower price compared to the Specialty Retail industry. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because Haverty Furniture Companiess beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the companys shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.

What does the future of Haverty Furniture Companies look like?

Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. However, with an extremely negative double-digit change in profit expected next year, near-term growth is certainly not a driver of a buy decision. It seems like high uncertainty is on the cards for Haverty Furniture Companies, at least in the near future.

Story continues

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? Although HVT is currently trading below the industry PE ratio, the adverse prospect of negative growth brings about some degree of risk. Consider whether you want to increase your portfolio exposure to HVT, or whether diversifying into another stock may be a better move for your total risk and return.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on HVT for a while, but hesitant on making the leap, I recommend you research further into the stock. Given its current price multiple, now is a great time to make a decision. But keep in mind the risks that come with negative growth prospects in the future.

If you want to dive deeper into Haverty Furniture Companies, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Haverty Furniture Companies (of which 2 are concerning!) you should know about.

If you are no longer interested in Haverty Furniture Companies, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Key Insights

Using the Dividend Discount Model, ProSiebenSat.1 Media fair value estimate is 7.70

Current share price of 8.05 suggests ProSiebenSat.1 Media is potentially trading close to its fair value

The 9.31 analyst price target for PSM is 21% more than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (ETR:PSM) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Check out our latest analysis for ProSiebenSat.1 Media

Is ProSiebenSat.1 Media Fairly Valued?

As ProSiebenSat.1 Media operates in the media sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.2%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.8%. Compared to the current share price of 8.0, the company appears around fair value 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.

Story continues

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= 0.5 / (6.8%  0.2%)

= 7.7

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 ProSiebenSat.1 Media 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 6.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.104. 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 ProSiebenSat.1 Media

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Media market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/S ratio compared to estimated Fair P/S ratio.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For ProSiebenSat.1 Media, we've compiled three pertinent factors you should assess:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for ProSiebenSat.1 Media that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does PSM'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 German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
A man asked Dave Ramsey if $1,000 is enough for an emergency fund in 2023  his response drew lots of laughter and applause. Here's why

Its been 20 years since Dave Ramseys book The Total Money Makeover recommended that Americans can start an emergency fund with $1,000. That doesnt mean, though, that the figure was meant as a be all and end all  for now or even back then.

Don't miss

Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

Here's how much money the average middle-class American household makes  how do you stack up?

Millions of Americans are in massive debt in the face of rising rates. Here's how to get your head above water ASAP

Asked about that threshold number by an audience member on a recent episode of his eponymous show, Ramsey replied: $1,000 was not enough in 2003.

As the audience clapped and cracked up, Ramsey continued: It was never designed to be enough. Its enough to keep the little things from kicking your butt off the get-out-of-debt wagon.

At one point, Ramsey recommended using every bit of savings to pay down debt (still a great idea if high-interest credit cards are beating your bank account to death. But this strategy caused some Americans to lose hope, which led him to make the $1,000 tweak as a safety valve for small emergencies on the way to debt freedom.

So [the $1,000 savings] doesnt need to be adjusted, because it was never supposed to be enough.

The question is: What is enough for an Americans emergency fund, qualitatively or quantitatively? The financial guru offered his answer later on during the show. Based on his advice, heres what you can glean on the way to coming financially clean.

Use monthly expenses as an emergency fund barometer

If youre following Ramseys baby steps to pay off debt, he also suggests you pause to set aside money for the unexpected. To calculate your emergency fund needs, first look at your monthly expenses over the last three to six months and come up with your average spending.

Story continues

Gathering this statistic could help you avoid becoming a statistic. As of 2021, the Federal Reserve reported that 32% of Americans couldnt even cover a $400 emergency expense without borrowing money, or selling something. So calculating your average monthly expenses can ground you in financial clarity in case of an emergency.

Consider job stability and income volatility

Those in volatile fields or positions  independent contractors or commission employees, for example  know income can shift without warning. In such cases, emergency funds should cover a longer time horizon that factors in job or income loss, or a lack of financial stability.

Read more: This janitor in Vermont built an $8M fortune without anyone around him knowing. Here are the 2 simple techniques that made Ronald Read rich  and can do the same for you

A JPMorgan Chase Institute study found that on average, families experience large income swings almost five months out of the year. If your income is volatile or your job uncertain, a good rule of thumb is to plan for three months of emergency savings for every 10% of income volatility.

Assess the range of risk factors

Beyond job uncertainties come personal ones that involve health, dependents, car repairs and home maintenance, for starters. The danger comes when youre forced to pay these off with high-interest loans and credit cards, which can easily double or triple the initial charge.

Households with low liquid savings and high debt-to-income ratios will of course get hit harder when homefront pitfalls turn into financial ones. So the more possessions you own and responsibilities you have, the more youll need to save.

In the end, it comes down to being prepared. Take a cue from Dave Ramsey, who would no doubt approve of trading in a $1,000 benchmark for acting on million-dollar advice.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Gulf Sothebys International Realty

As tax season all-too-quickly approaches, you might find yourself thinking how unfairly high your taxes here in the U.S. seem and wishing you could pay what people in other countries do. However, you might be surprised to learn that by certain measures, the U.S. actually has among the lower taxes in the world.

More: Pros and Cons of Living in a State With No Income Tax

Related: 3 Signs You're Serious About Raising Your Credit Score

GOBankingRates compiled a list of the best and worst countries for taxes to give you a feel for where our own taxes fall in comparison to other countries. The countries on this list were ranked solely based on tax revenue as a percentage of gross domestic product, as reported by the World Bank and other sources. Note that certain countries were excluded from the list, such as those from war-torn areas, those with a minimal population -- which skew results -- or those with data older than 2016.

See the best and worst countries for taxes, starting with the least tax-friendly countries.

10 Least Tax-Friendly Countries

America's top tax rate of 37% might seem high, but when it comes to tax revenue as a percentage of a country's GDP, there are plenty of other countries with a higher tax burden than the United States.

Check Out: This Secret IRS Loophole Lets You Reduce Your Retirement Taxes

Similar: 8 Best States To Move to if You Don't Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

katiafonti / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Greece

The land of ancient philosophers, the birthplace of democracy, the home of the Parthenon and the fabled Greek Islands -- to many, Greece seems like paradise. Some residents may disagree, however, as tax rates are high. In spite of tourist dollars that prop up some of the country's economy, Greece still tags its citizens with a whopping 44% top personal tax rate. Value-added tax and employee social security tax rates are also high, at 24% and 15.75%, respectively. All taxes combined make up 28.3% of Greece's total GDP as of Sep 2022.

Story continues

Capital Gains Tax on Stocks: What It Is and How To Minimize It

In Green / Shutterstock.com

9. Malta

Many Americans overlook Malta, but the island nation offers some of the world's best diving in addition to historic temples, UNESCO world heritage sites and colorful fiestas. For residents, however, taxes are a burden. Individual income tax rates top out at 35%, while tax revenue as a percentage of overall GDP reaches 23.6%.

Ben1183 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

8. South Africa

South Africa isn't often mentioned as one of the most tax-unfriendly nations in the world, but perhaps it's being overlooked. Located at the very bottom of Africa's continent, this country, known for its safaris, minerals and beautiful landscapes, taxes its citizens 45% on the high end. However, there are no employee social security taxes. Overall, taxes contribute 25.1% to South Africa's GDP.

waldomiguez / Pixabay

7. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the smallest nations in the world, but its citizens pay an outsized tax bite. Individual income tax rates are among the highest in the world, with the top bracket reaching 42%. This is on top of an 11.05% employee social security plus pension tax rate. Still, Luxembourg remains the wealthiest country in the European Union per capita, even though taxes comprise 25.13% of the country's GDP.

benedek / Getty Images

6. Jamaica

Jamaica is a paradise for some, but not necessarily for its residents -- at least when it comes to taxes. The home of reggae, beautiful beaches and an amazing culture nets 27.7% of its GDP from taxes. Rather than relying solely on tourist revenue, Jamaica's personal rates hit 30%.

More: These Are the 10 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in the US -- 5 Are in Florida

Martin Wahlborg / Getty Images/iStockphoto

5. Sweden

Like its fellow Scandinavian country Denmark, Sweden has a society built on high social taxes and extensive government benefits. Although most Swedes are happy with this arrangement, these benefits do come at a cost. Sweden's top personal tax rate is not as high as some suspect, reaching just 32%, but indirect taxes of 25% help push the country into the upper echelon when it comes to global tax rates. Overall, World Bank data indicates that taxes comprise 26.6% of GDP in Sweden -- one of the highest rates in the world.

FernandoQuevedo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Namibia

Namibia is another African nation that has a host of natural attractions but doesn't fare as well when it comes to its national tax situation. Namibians contribute 31.2% to the country's GDP in the form of taxes, in part due to the 37% personal income tax. As Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries on Earth, each individual taxpayer plays a big role in sustaining the country's tax revenues, which include 15% in value-added taxes.

Sean3810 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Macao

Macao is a dynamic city-state with a fascinating history and modern towers of gold. This former Portuguese colony was turned over to mainland China in 1999 and has since experienced an incredible boom in casinos and resorts. Many Americans consider Las Vegas to be the world's gambling capital, but in terms of revenue, Vegas can't hold a candle to Macao. The country generated over $34 billion in gaming revenue in the first few months of 2023 alone, making it the largest casino gambling jurisdiction in the world.

Residents of Macao benefit from the taxes on these enormous gaming revenues, as personal income tax rates top out at just 12% and there are no indirect or employee social security taxes. However, overall tax revenue amounts to 21.7% of the total GDP in Macao.

Vera Shestak / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Lesotho

Lesotho is a landlocked African country that flies under the radar of many tourists, even though perennial tourist heavyweight South Africa surrounds it. Perhaps because it lacks a significant influx of tourist dollars, Lesotho is one of Earth's most highly taxed countries. Although the World Bank doesn't provide data on personal income tax rates in the country, the overall contribution of taxes to the country's GDP stands at 18.5%.

Check Out: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed for a Housing Crisis

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. Denmark

Denmark, along with its Scandinavian brethren, has the reputation of being a high-tax region, thanks in no small part to its social programs. In this case, the reputation proves accurate. In addition to beautiful landscapes, fascinating history and a happy society, there's no denying that Denmark has high taxes. In fact, according to the World Bank data, Denmark's taxes contribute the highest percentage to the GDP of any country, at 32.27%. Personal tax rates peak at a whopping 55.90%, with indirect taxes that vary by municipalities reaching an additional 25%.

Mesam / Shutterstock.com

10 Most Tax-Friendly Countries

It may be hard to believe for American taxpayers, but the U.S. lands on the list of most tax-friendly countries. According to data from the World Bank, the U.S. is actually one of the nations paying the smallest proportion of its GDP in taxes. Here's a look at America's colleagues on the list of countries with the lowest taxes when analyzed as a percentage of GDP.

Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock.com

10. Madagascar

The tiny island nation of Madagascar also has one of the smallest tax burdens in the world. Although the World Bank doesn't offer any data on individual income tax rates, the net contribution of taxes to Madagascar's GDP is 9.5%. According to PriceWaterhouse Cooper, the highest tax rate for the top income bracket is 20%. This leaves its residents with more money in their pockets to explore the country's beautiful landscapes and exotic wildlife.

Maryna Patzen / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Switzerland

The mere name of Switzerland likely conjures up many images in the minds of most Americans, such as chocolate, the Alps, neutrality and bank accounts. And, as far as its reputation as being a tax haven, the rumors aren't too far from the truth. Taxes in Switzerland fall into three categories: the federal level, which is 11.5%, at the cantonal level, 13%, and at the municipal level, which can be as high as 51%. However, as a percentage of GDP, tax revenue in Switzerland only reaches 9.4%.

See: 10 US Cities With Plenty of Jobs and Cheap Housing

Don Mammoser / Shutterstock.com

8. Paraguay

Paraguay may not be a country you've heard of, though it's very close to tourist havens of Brazil and Argentina known for a wonderful mix of jungle, wilderness, and city life. The small country suffered significantly in the pandemic but bounced back. The tax burden on Paraguay's residents amounts to only 9.5% of the country's GDP.

Shutterstock.com

7. The United States of America

Would you believe that the good ol' United States of America is one of the least-taxed countries in the world when it comes to tax revenue as a percentage of GDP? Perhaps this is a little misleading, as the U.S. is by far the largest economy in the world in terms of GDP. The top bracket now reaches 37% for individuals, with the overall contribution of taxes to GDP at just 9.9%.

mtcurado / iStock.com

6. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is the only former Spanish colony in sub-Saharan Africa. The country is blessed with an abundance of arable land and valuable minerals and commodities, ranging from diamonds and gold to oil and uranium. Over the past decade, the country has been one of the fastest-growing in Africa. Its residents have benefited on the tax front, as tax revenue as a percentage of GDP sits at a very low 7.8%.

Shutterstock.com

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries in the world with no personal income tax, although it does have a 10% social security tax and indirect taxes of 20%. Yet, even this oil-rich country has struggled during the pandemic. Falling oil revenues forced the nation to implement a value-added tax that went up to 15%. If things continue to get worse, the Kingdom may see its tax revenue rise to more than the current 8.6% of GDP.

I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: These Are the 6 Investments Everyone Should Make During an Economic Downturn

mihtiander / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Argentina

Argentina has a top personal income tax rate of 35%, with Social Security taxes at 17%. Taxes as a percentage of GDP, however, sit at a low 10.9%. Argentina has one of the biggest economies in Latin America, relying on vast energy and agriculture resources as primary contributors.

benedek / Getty Images

3. Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a 35% top personal income tax rate, but overall tax revenues comprise just 6.2% [x] of GDP. Although Ethiopia is regularly mentioned as one of the world's most impoverished nations -- which it still remains -- the country has some of the highest income equality in the world. The Ethiopian economy has also been growing sharply for years. The state is actively engaged in Ethiopia's economy, pumping money into it via infrastructure and other projects.

MartinM303 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Myanmar

For a low-tax country, Myanmar has a relatively high top personal tax rate of 25%. However, employee social security tax rates are just 2%, and tax revenue as a percentage of GDP is a meager 6.4%. Formerly known as Burma, the country is still struggling to free itself of its authoritarian past, with its first free elections only held in 2015.

How To Buy ChatGPT Stock: Your 2023 Guide to AI Investing

Katiekk2 / Getty Images

1. United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is at the top of this list for one good reason: The country enforces neither a personal nor a corporate income tax. This is due in no small part to the immense oil and gas revenues generated by the country. The country did enact a 5% value-added tax in 2018 for the first time, which remains in effect. Overall, tax revenues accounted for just 0.7% of the UAE economy.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Countries With Lowest Taxes

Like all statistics, the results can vary based on how you interpret them. Some countries on this list, like the United Arab Emirates, have low taxes, with neither personal nor income taxes. Others may have high individual tax rates but still have low tax revenues as a percentage of their GDP, partly due to the size of their economies. While Americans paying the top 37% tax rate may find it high, it's not near the highest rate in the world, and rates on lower-earning taxpayers are significantly lower. However you slice it, the bottom line is that many more countries worldwide are more tax-unfriendly than the United States.

More From GOBankingRates

Joel Anderson and Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.

GOBankingRates ranked the most and least tax-friendly countries using the most recent available data from The World Bank on tax revenue as a percentage of GDP. The most tax-friendly countries are those with the lowest tax revenue compared to GDP and the least tax-friendly are those with the highest. Countries for which the most recent available data was from 2019 or earlier, countries with a population of less than 500,000, and countries which are currently experiencing civil unrest or war which could interfere with reporting were excluded from the list. For supplemental data, GOBankingRates also provided the highest 2022 tax rate in each country for individual income tax, indirect tax, and employee social security contributions tax from KPMG. All data was gathered on and up to date as of March 29, 2023.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here Are the Most and Least Tax-Friendly Countries
EXCLUSIVE: The Aruban guide that Beth Holloway and friends hired in the wake of her daughter, Natalee Holloway, going missing in 2005, says the island has taken an economic hit ever since the Alabama student went missing.

Natalee Holloway disappeared during a 2005 Mountain Brook High School senior trip in Aruba. The primary suspect, Joren van der Sloot, is currently in a Lima, Peru, prison serving a 28-year prison sentence for the killing of 21-year-old Stephany Flores in Lima.

Flores was killed by van der Sloot on May 30, 2010  exactly five years after Natalee Holloway was last seen alive.

Peruvian officials announced late Wednesday van der Sloot would be temporarily extradited to the U.S., where he will face charges relating to an alleged extortion scheme to get money from the Holloways.

After getting word in 2005 that her daughter was missing, Beth Holloway and a group of friends flew down to Aruba and hired Alberto Groeneveldt to be their guide, and assist them in the search for Natalee Holloway, according to an episode of ABC's "20/20" that aired in 2019.

JORAN VAN DER SLOOT CASE: FMR ASSISTANT US ATTY SAYS NEW CHARGES ARE 'UNLIKELY' FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY SUSPECT

READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP

It was announced Wednesday that Joran Van Der Sloot was set to be extradited from Peru.

In a phone call with FOX Business, Groeneveldt, who owns an event planning business, said that the island has taken an economic hit ever since the disappearance.

He said business in the area has "picked up a little bit" but said, "it's not like before."

Specifically, Groeneveldt cited a decrease in clubs in the area, in addition to a drop in cruises that make stops in Aruba. Tourism is "the mainstay of Arubas economy," according to the U.S. State Department, which says that two million tourists visit the island per year.

Tourists walk along a street in Oranjestad, Aruba, Aug. 27, 2013.

"It has had a long-term impact on the island," Groeneveldt said.

The former guide for Beth Holloway and people searching for Natalee Holloway said, however, that the parents are suffering because of the lack of closure.

Story continues

JORAN VAN DER SLOOT: FMR FBI PROFILER 'SURPRISED IT TOOK SO LONG' FOR HOLLOWAY SUSPECT TO FACE US PROSECUTION

"They do not know exactly how to close this whole situation," Groeneveldt said. "We do not know of how to react because everybody wants to find closure, everybody wants to find peace, everybody wants to find out the truth."

Natalee Holloway was last seen alive in Aruba while on a Mountain Brook high school senior trip.

While he didn't point fingers, Groeneveldt said whoever is guilty of Natalee Holloway's death "should be getting what they deserve."

Van der Sloot is being charged with extortion and wire fraud after attempting to sell information to Beth Holloway regarding the location of her daughter's body.

He allegedly asked for a total of $250,000  $25,000 upfront for the information, with the rest of the money to be paid out when Natalee Holloway's remains were positively identified in Aruba, where she went missing.

NATALEE HOLLOWAY, SUSPECT JORAN VAN DER SLOOT: TIMELINE OF ALABAMA TEEN'S DEATH

Joran Van der Sloot, center, is escorted by police officers to the airport in Santiago, June 4, 2010.

Prosecutors in the United States allege that he led John Q. Kelly, Beth Holloway's lawyer, to a site where Natalee Holloway's remains were allegedly located.

Van der Sloot lied about the location of the remains, prosecutors said in the July 2010 indictment.

In January 2012, van der Sloot pleaded guilty to killing Flores, and Natalee Holloway was legally declared dead that month.

NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE: JORAN VAN DER SLOOT'S LAWYER FEARS ADDITIONAL US CHARGES

Dutch national Joran Van der Sloot during his preliminary hearing in court in the Lurigancho prison in Lima, Jan. 6, 2012.

Natalee Holloway's body was never found.

After van der Sloot finishes his sentence in the Peruvian prison, he'd be taken to the U.S., where he'd then carry out his prison sentence, if convicted.

Natalee Holloway's mother, Beth, said in a statement on Wednesday that justice is finally being served.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

"I was blessed to have had Natalee in my life for 18 years, and as of this month, I have been without her for exactly 18 years. She would be 36 years old now," Beth Holloway said. "It has been a very long and painful journey, but the persistence of many is going to pay off. Together, we are finally getting justice for Natalee."

Reuters and Fox News' Michael Ruiz and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Key Insights

Significant insider control over Stamford Land implies vested interests in company growth

55% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders

Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

A look at the shareholders of Stamford Land Corporation Ltd (SGX:H07) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that individual insiders own the lion's share in the company with 59% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

With such a notable stake in the company, insiders would be highly incentivised to make value accretive decisions.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Stamford Land, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Stamford Land

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Stamford Land?

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.

Less than 5% of Stamford Land is held by institutional investors. This suggests that some funds have the company in their sights, but many have not yet bought shares in it. If the business gets stronger from here, we could see a situation where more institutions are keen to buy. We sometimes see a rising share price when a few big institutions want to buy a certain stock at the same time. The history of earnings and revenue, which you can see below, could be helpful in considering if more institutional investors will want the stock. Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider, too.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Stamford Land. From our data, we infer that the largest shareholder is Chio Kiat Ow (who also holds the title of Top Key Executive) with 44% of shares outstanding. Its usually considered a good sign when insiders own a significant number of shares in the company, and in this case, we're glad to see a company insider play the role of a key stakeholder. Yiling Ow is the second largest shareholder owning 11% of common stock, and Tan Gim Tee Holdings Pte Ltd. holds about 3.4% of the company stock. Interestingly, the second-largest shareholder, Yiling Ow is also Senior Key Executive, again, pointing towards strong insider ownership amongst the company's top shareholders. Furthermore, CEO Yew Heng Ow is the owner of 1.4% of the company's shares.

Story continues

A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 2 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 55% stake.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known.

Insider Ownership Of Stamford Land

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

It seems that insiders own more than half the Stamford Land Corporation Ltd stock. This gives them a lot of power. That means they own S$355m worth of shares in the S$597m company. That's quite meaningful. It is good to see this level of investment. You can check here to see if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 31% stake in Stamford Land. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 7.8%, of the Stamford Land stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Stamford Land has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free free list of interesting companies.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. So we wouldn't blame long term Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:PANAMY) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 41% over a half decade.

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.

See our latest analysis for Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During the five years over which the share price declined, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 7.8% each year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 10% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad's TSR for the last 5 years was -23%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

Story continues

A Different Perspective

We regret to report that Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad shareholders are down 17% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 1.2%. 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 4% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

But note: Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
It's easy to match the overall market return by buying an index fund. When you buy individual stocks, you can make higher profits, but you also face the risk of under-performance. Unfortunately the Lang & Schwarz Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:LUS1) share price slid 40% over twelve months. That's well below the market decline of 2.0%. On the bright side, the stock is actually up 38% in the last three years. Furthermore, it's down 12% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. We note that the company has reported results fairly recently; and the market is hardly delighted. You can check out the latest numbers in our company report.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

See our latest analysis for Lang & Schwarz

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. 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.

Lang & Schwarz managed to increase earnings per share from a loss to a profit, over the last 12 months.

The result looks like a strong improvement to us, so we're surprised the market has sold down the shares. If the company can sustain the earnings growth, this might be an inflection point for the business, which would make right now a really interesting time to study it more closely.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

This free interactive report on Lang & Schwarz's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Lang & Schwarz's TSR for the last 1 year was -33%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

While the broader market lost about 2.0% in the twelve months, Lang & Schwarz shareholders did even worse, losing 33% (even including dividends). However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 1.9% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Lang & Schwarz that you should be aware of.

Of course Lang & Schwarz may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
It is becoming increasingly clear that hopes of a container boost from the reopening of China are all but gone. (Photo: Shutterstock)

As the global trade recession began to materialize in 2022, there was a great deal of hype over the potential boost to ocean container demand once the Chinese government ended its COVID restrictions and lockdown measures. But now that hype has faded and what was once hoped to be a great reopening and much-needed boost to volumes is looking more and more like a great flop.

The Inbound Ocean TEUs Volume Index  USA is derived from bookings data and shows the total ocean container volume departing all global origins bound for U.S. ports based on the vessel departure date. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.

In the chart above, the Inbound Ocean TEU Volume Index from China to the U.S. provides a seasonality view that compares 2023 volumes thus far (white line) with volumes over the past four years. It was late March/early April of 2022 (green line) when the Chinese government announced another round of COVID restrictions and lockdowns. This new round of lockdowns at first appeared as if they would make the transportation of goods to and from major manufacturing hubs nearly impossible. That caused some to automatically (and haphazardly) assume the following scenario: The lockdowns would cause a backlog of goods and pent-up demand that would eventually cause another container surge similar to what occurred after the first round of lockdowns in 2020. But we were able to see a different story playing out in real time through our bookings data.

Port of Shanghai, China to the U.S.  Booking Volume Index (red), vs. Port of Ningbo, China to the U.S.  Booking Volume Index (yellow). Chart: FreightWaves SONAR Container Atlas.

Those who were expecting an impending freight surge hadnt realized that, even though access to the Port of Shanghai was largely blocked due to landside restrictions (i.e., road closures), shippers were able to reroute volumes through the closest alternate major port in nearby Ningbo. As the chart above clearly displays, the resulting decline in Shanghai bookings and container volumes was more than offset by a surge of volumes through Ningbo during that time (from the rerouted Shanghai bookings).

The Inbound Ocean TEUs Volume Index  China to USA is derived from bookings data and shows the total ocean container volume departing Chinese ports bound for U.S. ports based on the vessel departure date. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.

As the year progressed into the second half, global container volumes began plummeting, and there were still no signs of a surge in volumes coming out of China. As the hopes of a potential freight wave eventually began to fade, it was still widely believed that Chinas reopening would (at least) be a major factor in helping boost volumes and possibly create a soft landing for the global ocean container market. Unfortunately, that boost in volumes never appeared. Instead, volumes continued to soften out of China during a largely nonexistent peak season. The weakening volumes were then met by emerging headwinds such as the inventory glut, weakening consumer demand and increasingly negative economic landscape.

Story continues

Chart represents U.S. Customs reported China to U.S. maritime import shipment volumes. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.

That trend has continued through Q1 of 2023, and now, it is becoming increasingly clear that hopes of a reopening container boost are all but gone. While April saw Chinas share of U.S. imports bounce back up 6% month over month to 37% (chart above), this small bump in volumes is not likely to become a sustained trend, and there are now a growing number of signals flashing red within Chinese government-reported economic data as well as commodity markets. The following signals should be heeded as a warning that the road ahead could get worse for China.





Currently, the inventory destocking phase (and when it will be complete) is one of the most important challenges facing China to U.S. container demand and was discussed at length by the CEO and CFO of Maersk in the ocean carriers most recent earnings call. To better understand the phases of the inventory replenishment cycle, we can examine average container volume (in twenty-foot equivalent units) per booking from China to the U.S. The chart above displays the monthly average of TEUs per booking from January 2022 through today. This has been a key indicator of the various stages of the replenishment cycle  and was a critical component of why import demand was dripping off a cliff in mid-2022. In looking at this ratio, we were able to see that importers (i.e., Samsung) were cutting purchase order quantities in a way they thought would result in largely the same number of bookings, just less overall TEU volume per booking. The signal for a new replenishment cycle for U.S. importers will be for this ratio to move back above an average of two TEUs per booking. Currently it resides at its lowest reading since early 2019 at 1.7 TEUs per booking.

The Inbound Ocean TEUs Volume Index vs. the Inbound Ocean Shipment Index  China to USA. Both indices are derived from bookings data, and together, highlight how the total container volumes per shipment can help understand the replenishment cycle. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR.

With the volume per booking being at its lowest level since COVID began, its no surprise that our latest ocean container bookings data for the U.S.-bound container volumes departing China continue to exhibit the overall weakness in U.S. import demand, with any chances of a second-half rebound getting increasingly unlikely. This weakness in booking volumes was again echoed in the latest April contraction of the Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI, which fell unexpectedly to a four-month low of 49.2 in April (and below the midway point of 50 that delineates expansion and contraction). New orders fell to 48.8 from 53.6 and buying activity contracted to 48.8 from 53.6, with Chinese firms reporting that delivery times had improved as vendors were less busy.

Macroeconomist Jeffrey Snider with Eurodollar University has been following the China economic data closely, and in a recent update he covered the chart above highlighting the tight correlation between the World Banks Pink Sheet Base Metals Index Data and the China Producer Price Index stating, The worse it gets for Chinas factories (because no one in America or Europe is buying anymore), the more prices are going to fall, beginning with commodities. Chinas Producer Price Index and factory gate prices both accelerated to the downside in April, meaning even more deflation is on the way (and thats not a good thing). Prices of materials going into Chinas factories are falling and prices of stuff coming out are going down just as fast.

The Ocean Booking Volume Index  All Global Ports to China is derived from bookings data and shows the total ocean container volume booked from all global ports bound for Chinese ports based on the date the booking was accepted/confirmed by the ocean carrier. Chart: FreightWaves SONAR.

Imports to China also unexpectedly shrank by 7.9% year over year (y/y) to $205.2 billion in April, missing market expectations amid weak consumer demand, lower commodity prices and a stronger dollar. In the chart above we can clearly see the declines in container volumes from all global ports destined for Chinese ports, with the index dropping over 20% (on a moving seven-day average) since the beginning of March 2023.

Crude oil imports were down 1.45% y/y to the lowest level since January, purchases of copper fell 12.5% and purchases of iron ore fell 5.1%. Chinese imports from ASEAN countries fell 6.3% and from the U.S. fell by 3.1%. As we can see in the chart above, Snider again points out the high correlation between Chinese imports and the World Banks index tracking commodity prices. Chinese manufacturing is an enormous source of demand for raw materials, so it is largely no surprise that it has such a tight correlation with commodity prices worldwide.

Source: Barchart.com WTI Crude Oil Futures: June 2023  blue; July 23  green; August 23  orange; and September 23  magenta.

Meanwhile, the recent announcements of OPEC+ production cuts (along with resulting futures price action) serves as further evidence that the Chinese rebound and reopening is not materializing into the surge in oil demand that would be a primary input into an increase in manufacturing and production within Chinas industrial sector and would also be a key input into a major surge in Chinese consumer demand within the services sector. The chart above represents the next four months of WTI crude oil futures, which all saw further declines on Friday, again confirming that the market is watching the balance of supply against the increasing demand headwinds and economic concerns facing both China and the U.S.

It is now becoming increasingly clear that the China reopening is not likely to cause a surge in container volumes anytime soon. These key economic indicators for Chinese manufacturing do not paint a pretty picture for the ocean container market in the second half of 2023 and are especially concerning for U.S. containerized import volumes.

The post Reality of ocean container volume far cry from China reopening hype appeared first on FreightWaves.
Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's (KLSE:HARISON) stock is up by a considerable 43% over the past three months. Since the market usually pay for a companys long-term fundamentals, we decided to study the companys key performance indicators to see if they could be influencing the market. Particularly, we will be paying attention to Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's ROE today.

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In other words, it is a profitability ratio which measures the rate of return on the capital provided by the company's shareholders.

Check out our latest analysis for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

How Do You Calculate Return On Equity?

ROE can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad is:

16% = RM68m  RM420m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

The 'return' refers to a company's earnings over the last year. So, this means that for every MYR1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of MYR0.16.

What Is The Relationship Between ROE And Earnings Growth?

Thus far, we have learned that ROE measures how efficiently a company is generating its profits. Based on how much of its profits the company chooses to reinvest or "retain", we are then able to evaluate a company's future ability to generate profits. Assuming all else is equal, companies that have both a higher return on equity and higher profit retention are usually the ones that have a higher growth rate when compared to companies that don't have the same features.

Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's Earnings Growth And 16% ROE

To start with, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's ROE looks acceptable. Especially when compared to the industry average of 7.0% the company's ROE looks pretty impressive. This certainly adds some context to Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's exceptional 23% net income growth seen over the past five years. We reckon that there could also be other factors at play here. For instance, the company has a low payout ratio or is being managed efficiently.

Story continues

We then performed a comparison between Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's net income growth with the industry, which revealed that the company's growth is similar to the average industry growth of 22% in the same period.

Earnings growth is a huge factor in stock valuation. The investor should try to establish if the expected growth or decline in earnings, whichever the case may be, is priced in. By doing so, they will have an idea if the stock is headed into clear blue waters or if swampy waters await. If you're wondering about Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's's valuation, check out this gauge of its price-to-earnings ratio, as compared to its industry.

Is Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad Making Efficient Use Of Its Profits?

Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's three-year median payout ratio is a pretty moderate 46%, meaning the company retains 54% of its income. By the looks of it, the dividend is well covered and Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad is reinvesting its profits efficiently as evidenced by its exceptional growth which we discussed above.

Additionally, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad has paid dividends over a period of at least ten years which means that the company is pretty serious about sharing its profits with shareholders.

Summary

In total, we are pretty happy with Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's performance. In particular, it's great to see that the company is investing heavily into its business and along with a high rate of return, that has resulted in a sizeable growth in its earnings. If the company continues to grow its earnings the way it has, that could have a positive impact on its share price given how earnings per share influence long-term share prices. Let's not forget, business risk is also one of the factors that affects the price of the stock. So this is also an important area that investors need to pay attention to before making a decision on any business. You can see the 2 risks we have identified for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
This week saw the charging and arrest of George Santos, the comically inventive Long Island Congressman. Almost unbelievably, Santos is connected to another apparently inveterate liar: Sam Bankman-Fried, the multiply-indicted founder and former CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX. Bankman-Frieds ties to Santos were just a footnote to Bankman-Freids sprawling political influence campaign, seemingly funded in large part with stolen customer funds.

The goal of that campaign, however clumsily pursued, may have been the passage of a piece of cryptocurrency legislation, the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act, or DCCPA. Many have argued that the DCCPA would have benefitted FTX at the expense of the broader crypto ecosystem  and maybe even allowed Bankman-Fried to keep his gargantuan embezzlement scheme going.

This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk's daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here.

To catch a pretender

George Santos seems to have told an array of lies about his biography and resume, including that hes Jewish, a former Broadway producer and both the survivor of an assassination attempt and the son of a 9/11 survivor. The lies are almost as entertaining as they are infuriating, suggesting not so much strategic deception as some form of mental illness.

But this week's charges against Santos are serious, and a little sad: he faces 13 criminal counts including money laundering and wire fraud. This includes allegedly embezzling $50,000 in campaign funds to buy himself fancy clothes.

According to public records uncovered in December of 2022, Santos donors included three figures from the FTX circle. The Santos campaign reportedly received the maximum possible individual donation from FTX senior exec Clare Watanabe, product head Ramnik Arora and Ryan Salame, CEO of the company's Bahamian subsidiary FTX Digital Markets, who gave upwards of $24 million to Republican candidates and committees during the midterms.

Story continues

This information was puzzling when it first emerged  Santos had no clear connection to FTX, and no apparent interest in crypto or any other issues Bankman-Fried feigned concern about. According to Puck News, though, the explanation for the Santos connection is relatively straightforward. Salames girlfriend, Michelle Bond, former CEO of the FTX-backed crypto trade group Association for Digital Asset Markets, ran for Congress in 2022 as a MAGA Republican, in a district near Santos.

The FTX executive donations went to Santos as part of an agreement with Bond to swap donors who had hit the individual limit for donations to the partner candidate. In other words, FTX execs gave money to Santos not because they supported him, but as part of supporting Bond. Puck characterizes such swaps as fairly routine in political campaigns. But Salame was deeply entwined with other aspects of the FTX hustle. Though he has not yet been charged with any crime, the $4 million home he shares with Bond was raided by the FBI in late April.

Effective egotism

While not seemingly criminal in its own right, the arcane connection between FTX and George Santos reflects the sprawling nature of Sam Bankman-Frieds larger political influence campaign in 2021 and 2022. In the months since FTXs collapse and Bankman-Frieds arrest, it has become clear that these political efforts were as corrupt as every other aspect of his dealings.

The mountain of criminal charges against Bankman-Fried include violating campaign finance laws by allegedly funneling (allegedly stolen) corporate funds through so-called straw donors, including Salame and FTX co-founder Nishad Singh, to circumvent the law. The straw donor scheme seems to have been intended mainly to disguise the fact that, while positioning himself as the next Democratic mega-donor, Bankman-Fried was in fact funneling donations to both Republicans and Democrats.

See also: Sam Bankman-Fried Hit With Additional Bank Fraud Charges

But this is just the beginning of an apparently even more sprawling and frankly very weird set of relationships among a huge cast of political hustlers.

In one striking example, a source told Puck that they received a donation from Nishad Singh even though they had cultivated a relationship with Mind the Gap, a pre-FTX fundraising organization spearheaded by Sam Bankman-Frieds mother, Barbara Fried. This suggests Mind the Gap may have helped identify candidates who then received donations of stolen FTX customer funds.

Another seemingly major nexus of the FTX influence-peddling effort was Democratic strategist and fundraiser Sean McElwee, who reportedly helped guide donations for Bankman-Fried. It was also recently revealed that McElwee had gambled on political contests, including betting against candidates he was working for. Though McElwee hasnt faced any legal fallout, those two dings reportedly led to his December 2022 firing as head of Data for Progress, an extremely influential left-leaning think tank and polling firm he founded in 2018.

The long game

These are just a few highlights of a truly Byzantine operation. But what was Sam Bankman-Fried hoping to gain by spreading so much money around, by such deceptive means?

Publicly, Bankman-Fried used his political donations to buttress his carefully-crafted (and admittedly fake) image as a concerned philanthropist. For instance, another seeming middleman for FTX funds was Sams younger brother Gabe Bankman-Fried, who was placed in charge of a political advocacy nonprofit called Guarding Against Pandemics (GAP). The organizations main source of funding was FTX.

Many in the industry were hostile to the DCCPA legislation that Bankman-Fried helped craft.

GAPs political efforts appear to have been thoroughly hamfisted and ineffectual. Guarding Against Pandemics spent unprecedented sums in an Oregon House race, but its candidate lost. GAP also intervened in a Colorado ballot initiative and managed to alienate parties it was nominally collaborating with. Michelle Bond, meanwhile, lost her House primary race by an embarrassing 20 points. The combined ineptitude and corruption on display is a revealing parallel to Alameda Researchs ability to lose massive amounts of money despite seemingly having a cheat code on FTX.

But even if youre incompetent, throwing tens of millions of dollars around clearly counts for a lot in Washington, D.C. Bankman-Frieds donations likely helped him win meetings with the likes of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler, and invitations to testify before Congress about crypto. Gensler and others seemed eager to welcome Bankman-Fried as an adult in the room on crypto regulation.

See also: FTX Asks Politicians Who Received Donations From Sam Bankman-Fried to Return Funds

But many in the industry were hostile to the DCCPA legislation that Bankman-Fried helped craft, and which would have imposed onerous and even nonsensical requirements on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and services. Many argued that the rules would have amounted to a ban on DeFi in the U.S., and would have channeled more crypto into centralized entities  including FTX itself. That might have saved FTX from collapse and helped keep Bankman-Frieds many alleged crimes secret.

As we move closer to Bankman-Frieds scheduled October criminal trial, the theft of customer funds will be a dominant issue for many crypto industry observers. But thats just one part of an even darker allegation: that Bankman-Fried, with help from many allies, used those stolen funds to pervert the legislative process of the United States towards his own entirely self-interested goals.
(Bloomberg) -- Thailands pro-democracy parties notched a resounding victory in Sundays parliamentary vote, setting up the biggest challenge to the royalist-backed establishment since the military seized power in a coup nearly a decade ago.

Most Read from Bloomberg

With 99% of the vote counted, the Move Forward party  an advocate of changing a law that restricts criticism of Thailands powerful monarchy  led both in total seats and popular votes. Together with Pheu Thai, which is linked to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the pro-democracy parties were projected to rack up 287 of the 500 seats in the lower house.

Emerging as the biggest winner of the night, Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat was greeted Sunday evening by supporters shouting Prime minister! prime minister! prime minister!

Read more: Thai Election Outcome Expected to Boost Retail, Tourism Sectors

Based on the numbers were seeing, Pheu Thai and Move Forward and other opposition parties can form a coalition government, Pita said in a briefing soon after polls closed, clarifying that no coalition talks had yet occurred. The current opposition parties are the right answer for the people. Well stick to that message. Theres no need to include others.

Even so, its unclear if the parties will be able to form a government. Theres 250 senators appointed by the military who also get a vote for prime minister, and other political parties may be reluctant to join with Move Forward due to its position on the monarchy. Perceived opposition to the royal family has been used as a pretext to dissolve political parties over the past few decades.

Either way, the result represents a challenge for the political establishment revolving around the monarchy, helmed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Move Forward was the only major party calling for changes to Article 112 to allow greater freedom to discuss the royal family, and it took 32 of 33 constituency seats in the capital Bangkok.

Story continues

This is a political earthquake, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

More Forwards numbers attest to that testify to the peoples demand for change and reform, so it would behoove the establishment to make concessions and come to some kind of compromise instead of playing for keeps and risking everything, he added.

Tensions around the role of the monarchy have been brewing since 2016, when Vajiralongkorn took the throne following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years before passing away at the age of 88.

Investors appeared to bet that Move Forwards win could lead to a stable government. The baht edged up against the dollar as Asian investors wake up to the Thai election results, trading around 0.5% stronger against the dollar at 33.83 as of 8:44 a.m. Hong Kong time, from around 0.2% at 7 a.m.

There should be more stability than the market anticipated, said Jitipol Puksamatanan, chief strategist and head of Macro and Wealth Research at CGS-CIMB Securities in Bangkok. Moreover, given the potential for a small number of parties to collaborate, their pro-growth proposals are more likely to be put into action.

Pheu Thai has yet to comment on whether it will seek to form a government with Move Forward. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksins daughter and Pheu Thais front-runner for prime minister, expressed very high confidence in our victory. Srettha Thavisin, another party candidate for premier, said Pheu Thai will prioritize talks with pro-democratic parties.

Read More: The Harvard Alumnus Behind Reformist Party Leading Thai Election

The first option for Pheu Thai is to form a coalition with Move Forward and put pressure on the Senate to approve a prime minister, said Napon Jatusripitak, a research fellow at Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The second option that Pheu Thai has is to look elsewhere.

There may also still be a role for the centrist Bhumjaithai party  which emerged as a king-maker in the 2019 election on a vow to decriminalize marijuana, and was in third place with about 70 seats, according to the uncertified results.

Under a constitution promulgated in 2017, the military-appointed senators get to vote alongside the 500 elected lower house members to decide on the next prime minister.

Political parties affiliated with Thaksin, 73, have won the most seats in every national vote dating back to 2001, only to be unseated from power by dissolutions or coups.

Whether Thaksins planned return to Thailand in July will exacerbate tensions with the military elite is another question. The telecoms magnate has been living in self-imposed exile after fleeing to avoid prison over a corruption conviction that followed a coup that toppled his own government in 2006.

Addressing concerns last week about the potential for another coup, Thailands army chief said there was zero chance of the Southeast Asian nation returning to military rule in the event of post-election turmoil.

Read More: How Military Has a Thumb on Scales in Thai Election: QuickTake

Regardless of who becomes premier, Thailands next leader will be tasked with bolstering growth in a $506 billion economy that has lagged its regional peers and whose citizens have struggled to keep up with inflation and high household debt.

Reflecting the economic concerns of Thai farmers and consumers, most of the major parties promised a similar package of cash handouts, higher minimum wages and a suspension of debt repayments if they took power.

Further clouding the outlook, the arrival of the El Nino weather pattern could cut into the countrys rice crop, a critical export for the Southeast Asian nation. It also remains to be seen if the election can revive Asias worst-performing stock market this year after foreign investors withdrew about $2 billion.

Before voting ended, the Election Commission secretary-general told reporters that balloting proceeded smoothly, signaling no significant irregularities. Approximately 52 million Thais were eligible to vote, and more than 90% of about 2.3 million people who registered for early polling did so last week.

--With assistance from Anuchit Nguyen, Pathom Sangwongwanich, Janine Phakdeetham, Cecilia Yap and Randy Thanthong-Knight.

(Updates throughout)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG (ETR:O2D) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next three days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. Meaning, you will need to purchase Telefonica Deutschland Holding's shares before the 18th of May to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 22nd of May.

The company's next dividend payment will be 0.18 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of 0.18 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Telefonica Deutschland Holding has a trailing yield of 5.8% on the current stock price of 3.088. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing.

Check out our latest analysis for Telefonica Deutschland Holding

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. An unusually high payout ratio of 231% of its profit suggests something is happening other than the usual distribution of profits to shareholders. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. It distributed 49% of its free cash flow as dividends, a comfortable payout level for most companies.

It's disappointing to see that the dividend was not covered by profits, but cash is more important from a dividend sustainability perspective, and Telefonica Deutschland Holding fortunately did generate enough cash to fund its dividend. Still, if the company repeatedly paid a dividend greater than its profits, we'd be concerned. Extraordinarily few companies are capable of persistently paying a dividend that is greater than their profits.

Story continues

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. That's why it's comforting to see Telefonica Deutschland Holding's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 61% per annum for the past five years.

The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Telefonica Deutschland Holding has seen its dividend decline 8.8% per annum on average over the past 10 years, which is not great to see. Telefonica Deutschland Holding is a rare case where dividends have been decreasing at the same time as earnings per share have been improving. It's unusual to see, and could point to unstable conditions in the core business, or more rarely an intensified focus on reinvesting profits.

Final Takeaway

Is Telefonica Deutschland Holding worth buying for its dividend? Earnings per share have been rising nicely although, even though its cashflow payout ratio is low, we question why Telefonica Deutschland Holding is paying out so much of its profit. In summary, it's hard to get excited about Telefonica Deutschland Holding from a dividend perspective.

In light of that, while Telefonica Deutschland Holding has an appealing dividend, it's worth knowing the risks involved with this stock. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 1 warning sign with Telefonica Deutschland Holding and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
(Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in France for dinner with President Emmanuel Macron on a European trip to secure further commitments for aid in its war with Russia.

Most Read from Bloomberg

He had traveled to Berlin on Sunday, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other leaders, a day after a visit to Rome that included an audience with Pope Francis. Germany on Saturday announced its preparing a record military aid package worth almost $3 billion. On Sunday, Scholz reiterated a pledge to continue to support the government in Kyiv for as long as needed.

Ukraine fired on targets in the occupied Luhansk region on Friday using Storm Shadow missiles provided by the UK, Russias defense ministry said. Russia said Sunday that two of its commanders had been killed in action in the Donetsk region. Ukraine said Sunday it had captured over 10 enemy positions in Bakhmut.

Key Developments

Ramaphosa, Zelenskiy Hold Talks Amid Russia Weapons Dust-up

Scholz Welcomes Zelenskiy to Berlin With Pledge of Continued Aid

Ukraine Cites Gains on Russian Troops Near Embattled Bakhmut

Germany Announces Record 2.7B in Military Aid for Ukraine

G-7 Finance Chiefs Unite to Condemn Russia and Counter China

(All times CET)

Zelenskiy to Have Dinner With Macron (8:43 p.m.)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy will have dinner with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris late Sunday, the French presidency announced in a statement.

This evenings discussion will focus on the support that France continues to provide in response to the urgent needs of Ukraine, on the military and humanitarian levels, the statement read.

In an interview published in French daily LOpinion on Sunday, Macron said France would continue to back Ukraines military effort. Russia must not win the military war, he said.

Story continues

Zelenskiy Due in Paris Late Sunday, Will Meet With Macron Monday (5 p.m.)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy will travel to Paris late Sunday and is expected to meet on Monday with President Emmanuel Macron. That follows a weekend during which Ukraines president met with the leaders of Germany and Italy, as well as with Pope Francis.

Zelenskiy traveled to Aachen, Germany, on Sunday afternoon to accept the Charlemagne Prize for work done in the service of European unification that has been awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

Ukraine Reports New Progress Near Bakhmut (6 p.m.)

Kyivs forces recaptured more than ten Russian positions south and north of Bakhmut on Sunday, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram.

Ukrainian units also secured a large part of forest near Ivanivske, a town on the western outskirts of the city, while taking a number of Russian soldiers prisoner, she said.

One meter is worth ten kilometers in terms of difficulty of accomplishing tasks, Maliar said, describing how complicated it is for Ukrainans to advance near the strategic city.

Zelenskiy Greets Exiled Belarusian Leader (5:50 p.m.)

Zelenskiy shook hands with exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya while in Aachen, Germany, for the Charlemagne Prize ceremony. Its believed to be the first time he met her since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tsikhanouskaya, last years winner, was shown being introduced to Zelenskiy for a handshake by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while flanked with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hasnt been since in public since May 9 amid media speculation about his poor health. He skipped an important annual patriotic ceremony on Sunday.

Russia Says Two Commanders Killed in Ukraines East (4 p.m.)

Russias defense ministry made a rare admission of combat deaths, saying two of its commanders had been killed in action in eastern Ukraine as battle for control continues around Bakhmut, the Donetsk city thats been largely laid to waste.

In a daily update of what Russia calls its special military operation, the ministry said its 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade had repelled two attacks by Ukrainian forces around Krasnoye, west of Bakhmut, but that its commander, Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, was injured on the battlefield during the third attack, and died while being evacuated.

His deputy, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, who was commanding on a different, unspecified part of the front line, was killed after sustaining multiple shrapnel wounds, the ministry said.

Scholz Pledges Continued Aid to Ukraine at Berlin Meeting (12:50 p.m.)

Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a personal pledge to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Germany will continue to support Kyiv with military and other assistance for as long as needed.

Scholz hosted Zelenskiy in Berlin for the first time since Russias invasion and said the Ukrainian leaders visit was a strong signal. It came a day after the German government announced its biggest package yet of materiel for Ukraine, worth nearly $3 billion.

Russia Strikes Home City of Ukraines Eurovision Finalist (9 a.m.)

Russia struck Ternopil while the band Tvorchi, which hails from the western Ukrainian city, was preparing to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest finals in Liverpool on Saturday night, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiys chief of staff, said on Telegram.

The strike was one of several overnight. Russian troops attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones, as well as fired Kalibr missiles from ships in the Black Sea and cruise missiles from strategic bombers, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook.

Air defenses downed three missiles and 25 drones, according to the statement. Some missiles and their debris hit the Ternopil region as well as Mykolayiv in the countrys south. At least 30 civilians were wounded in the attacks, according to the General Staff. Russian missiles also hit Kharkiv in the northeast, the regions governor said.

Zelenskiy Says He Urged Pope to Condemn Russian Crimes (6:21 p.m.)

Zelenskiy said on Twitter that he urged Pope Francis, in their private meeting at the Vatican on Saturday, to condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine. Because there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor.

I also talked about our Peace Formula as the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace. I proposed joining its implementation, Zelenskiy said.

A Vatican statement after the meeting didnt mention peace efforts, noting that the two men had discussed he humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war.

Russias Kommersant Says Two Jets, Two Helicopters Crash in Bryansk (5:30 p.m.)

Two Russian military jets  an Su-24 and an Su-35  and two Mi-8 helicopters likely crashed on Saturday in the Bryansk region not far from Ukraines northeast border, with their crews killed, the Kommersant newspaper reported.

Earlier, Russian media reported that one plane and one helicopter had crashed, with the circumstances still under investigation.

In its report, which cited preliminary data, Kommersant said the jets had been headed to Ukraines Chernihiv region on a bombing mission with the helicopters had trailed them to pick up crew members if they were shot down by enemy fire.

Russia Says Ukraine Used UK Storm Shadow Missiles to Strike Luhansk (3:30 p.m.)

Ukraines forces used Storm Shadow missiles provided by the UK to strike occupied Luhansk, Russias defense ministry said in an update on what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

Russia said the targets included a polymer factory and a meat plant, without offering evidence. There was no immediate comment from Ukraines military. Images on social media showed large plumes of smoke rising in the city thats far behind the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

The UK confirmed this week that its donating the weapons to Ukraine, saying the move was a calibrated and proportionate response to Russias escalations. The missiles have a firing range in excess of 250 kilometers (155 miles). It was unclear when the Storm Shadows would be ready for deployment.

Read more: UK Sends Long-Range Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles to Ukraine

Germany Announces 2.7 Billion Military Aid Package for Ukraine (10 a.m.)

Germany is preparing another military support package for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion ($2.9 billion), the countrys defense ministry said, confirming an earlier report from Der Spiegel.

Read more: Germany Announces Record 2.7B in Military Aid for Ukraine

The record large package is intended to continue to support Kyiv in its defense against Russia and will include material from the areas of artillery, air defense, and armored combat vehicles including main battle tanks.

We are once again showing that Germany is serious about its support, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Germany will provide all the help it can - as long as it takes, he added.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
wind farm Wales

The Welsh government has been accused of spoiling the Welsh countryside with wind farms to spite the English.

Cardiff is pressing ahead with onshore wind farm developments when it could explore more offshore projects because it does not want to send fees to the Crown Estate or share control of projects with the UK Government, campaigners have warned.

Fay Jones, Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, criticised the Welsh government for taking a nationalist policy stance on green energy.

She said: It doesnt seem to have offshore in its sights because it wont derive all of the benefit from that.

The Crown Estate is the ultimate owner of around half of the coastline and seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland (a separate entity, the Crown Estate Scotland is the equivalent north of the border). This means it collects fees from the development of offshore projects.

The Welsh governments Future Wales strategy document said it supported offshore wind but that these projects did not fall within its remit.

Plaid Cymru, the junior partner in the Welsh governments coalition deal, has called for the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales.

Ms Jones said: If we put those two things together, then you can see the Welsh governments thinking on this.

Plans are underway for a major onshore wind farm development at Radnor Forest in her own constituency.

Ms Jones added: People absolutely hate this project. It tells you a lot about how the Welsh government sees rural Wales as just a cash cow.

The Welsh government has denied that it is anti-offshore wind. A spokesman said: We are strong supporters of offshore wind, including floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, and have been pressing the Crown Estate to develop a long term plan to secure green energy in a way that can bring economic benefits to our communities.

Ross Evans, of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), a Welsh countryside charity, said: There is a reluctance to get behind it [offshore wind]. The biggest reason is because they haven't got control over it because it is up to the Crown Estate and the UK Government for the major projects offshore.

Story continues

He said there is also a risk that offshore projects will not count towards the Welsh governments green energy targets if they come ashore in England.

He added: They just want Wales to be a net exporter of energy and sod the rest of the UK, that is the impression I get.

Wales currently produces 30TWh of energy. At the moment, this is roughly double how much it uses, but demand is expected to triple to 45TWh by 2050.

CPRW argues that all of this increase in demand could be met three times over by offshore projects. Current proposals for offshore power projects in the Irish and Celtic Seas could generate 100 TWh of energy. Onshore projects, by contrast, will only generate 25TWh.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Illustration by Mitchell Preffer for Decrypt

The most important tweet on Crypto Twitter this week was an announcement on Friday by Twitters owner and CEO Elon Musk naming his replacement, Linda Yaccarino, as the platforms new chief executive.

Musk will continue serving Twitter as CTO and executive chairman.

Yaccarino left her job as head of advertising at NBCUniversal on Friday morning to take on the job of helping Musk transition Twitter into X, his envisioned everything app" that will incorporate social media and payments (possibly including crypto) along the lines of Chinas WeChat.

I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology. Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app. https://t.co/TiSJtTWuky  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023

Musk is also pro-crypto. His electric car company Tesla is currently one of the largest institutional HODLers of Bitcoin, even after it sold three quarters of its original holdings. He is a fan of Dogecoin, and his frequent tweets about it often pump the price. He even replaced Twitters blue bird logo with the Doge meme for a few days, so a potential crypto integration is conceivable, especially as a payments option.

Elsewhere on Crypto Twitter this week, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong kicked things off by praising the UAE for its clear rule book when it comes to crypto regulations.

The UAE  deserves a lot of credit for being forward thinking on crypto. First dedicated crypto regulator in the world, a clear rule book published (!), business friendly plus strong customer protections. Really enjoying my visit so far.  Brian Armstrong  (@brian_armstrong) May 8, 2023

Coinbase is a publicly traded U.S. company, but the hostile domestic regulatory environment is driving it offshore. The company recently obtained a license to operate in Bermuda and used it to open an international exchange offering Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures. It is also currently talking with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FRSA), a regulator of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)a crypto-friendly free economic zone in the UAEabout opening a regulated exchange there.

Story continues

Circles EU strategy and policy director Patrick Hansen on Tuesday shared a chart showing just how MiCA is stealing the wind from U.S. sails. European Union lawmakers last month approved MiCA, or the Markets in Crypto Assets bill, which now means the bloc has a unified regulatory approach throughout its 27 member states and licenses granted to crypto companies in one country can be passported to another member state. The rules on stablecoins come into force in July 2024, while other requirements will not be enforced until January 2025.

The MiCA effect  The share of VC investment into European crypto projects is up almost 10x in one year - from a share of 5.9% in Q1 2022 to 47.6% in Q2 2023. Regulatory clarity attracts capital & entrepreneurs from around the world. Great development for crypto in Europe! pic.twitter.com/kUVp3rwlg3  Patrick Hansen (@paddi_hansen) May 9, 2023

On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden positioned himself against the MAGA House Republicans aligned with wealthy crypto investors that look for loopholes to avoid paying tax. POTUSs tweet was subsequently flagged by fact checkers who added the context that all crypto profits are subject to capital gains tax.

We dont have to guess what MAGA House Republicans value. Theyre telling us. pic.twitter.com/BM6JGMEFeq  President Biden (@POTUS) May 9, 2023

Also that day, a video shared by MicroStrategy chair and institutional Bitcoin whale Michael Sadler made the rounds. A keen and predictable Bitcoin acolyte, Saylor says that Bitcoins price will chop its way upwith volatilityforever.

Bitcoin mining revenue levels are now at the level they were at a year ago, according to a chart shared by Will Clemente, the co-founder of independent digital asset research firm Reflexivity Research.

After a tough 2022, with BTC up 65% YTD and transaction fees rising due to ordinals, Bitcoin miners are now bringing in the most revenue they have in over a year at roughly $40 million a day pic.twitter.com/kWbyIGoGRR  Will Clemente (@WClementeIII) May 10, 2023

Stablecoin issuer Tethers revenue is well over a billion, according to its Q1 2023 attestation. This means it comfortably outpaces Blackrock, the largest asset manager in the world. At its peak, Blackrock became the first asset manager to steward $10 trillion in assets in Q4 2022, but this has fallen to $8.59 trillion as of Q4 2023.

Blackrock Q1 net income: $1.16 billion

Tether: $1.48 billion sheesh https://t.co/deOAPAqnRz  db (@tier10k) May 10, 2023

Another day, another crypto scammer brought into the light by blockchain sleuth ZachXBT.

Another day another influencer @DannyCrypt dumping on their followers undisclosed He received 2% of the supply to assist with marketing but within 15 minutes of receiving the tokens market dumped the majority of them for $57k (31 ETH) Meanwhile he tweeted hodling my HODL coin pic.twitter.com/XVrMh3HVDZ  ZachXBT (@zachxbt) May 10, 2023

Independent Ethereum educator Anthony Sassano called Ethereum staking up only on Wednesday.

There are now more active validators live on the Ethereum network than there were before staking withdrawals were enabled It took less than a month for this to happen ETH staking is up only  sassal.eth  (@sassal0x) May 10, 2023

Retired ExxonMobil exec Tom Glass, who is currently seeking the Republican nomination for state House District 17, broke news that Texas lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of an update to the states Bill of Rights to include the right of the people to own, hold, and use digital currencies.

The Texas House #txlege voted 139 to 2 tonight to add the following to the Texas Bill of Rights: The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for pic.twitter.com/op3t8rr6J2  Tom Glass (@tomgglass) May 11, 2023

Finally on Thursday, Web3 law expert MetaLawMan wrote up a thread explaining just how important the news is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed an amicus brief in support of Coinbases ongoing court petition to get the securities regulator to clarify its rules.
The cover of Andrew WelshHuggins first stand-alone book calls it a crime novel.

But that is a massive understatement. Its a captivating chronicle of carnage.

As The End of the Road (The Mysterious Press, $26.95, 312 pages) begins, Myles has just been released from prison after serving time for being part of a group of men who robbed a bank and caused the cardiac death of a customer.

Myles had negotiated a plea deal to finger Pryor as the ringleader. But when the one-eyed control freak forced an acquaintance to provide a false alibi, Myles went to prison and Pryor went free.

Myles now plans to go straight and live with his girlfriend, Penny, and their young son, Mack. But fearing that Pryor has more criminal plans for him, he determines that the only way he can achieve his goal is to kill his tormentor.

But the scheme fails when Pryor fires first, grievously wounding Myles, and Penny decides to fulfill her lovers mission.

Set mostly in Columbus and a nearby rural county in Ohio, the novel features a cast of characters who are drawn primarily from law enforcement and the gangs acquaintances.

Meanwhile, an elderly and crochety farmer who shares a farm with his sister makes multiple calls to the local sheriffs department to complain that someone is casing his property.

As in WelshHuggins seven-book Andy Hayes series, what follows is a harrowing narrative with reliably addictive multiple storylines and vividly devised characters. A fusion of unrelenting evil and unceasing courage, The End of the Road broadens his portfolio and reaffirms his artistry.

Engrossing thriller set in post-WWII

When the first novel in Jaqueline Winspears Maisie Dobbs series appeared 20 years ago, devotees of historical suspense quickly realized that they had found something special: a female protagonist who doubles as a psychologist and detective.

Winspear, a Brit who now lives in California and the Pacific Northwest, has published 13 more entries in the series, a stand-alone novel and two works of nonfiction.

She now delivers a second stand-alone, The White Lady (Harper, $28.99, 336 pages).

By 1947, Elinor White has been granted lifetime possession of a grace-and-favor cottage in southeastern England for her work during World War I as a child in Belgium and World War II as a spy for the United Kingdom.

Her instincts to defend have again arisen.

Living nearby are Jim and Rose Mackie and their 3-year-old daughter, Susie. Having fled Jims notorious crime family in London for pastoral peace in Kent, Jim is being bullied to return to London and the familial web. But Elinor is determined that he, Rose and Susie must be protected.

Like Maisie, Elinor immediately commands the readers attention. Both are engaging heroines. Both display undaunted bravery. Both suffer heartrending loss. And both owe their appeal and nuance to Winspear, a master at creating memorable characters and rendering them with empathy and admiration.

But they differ in a significant manner. While Maisie personifies openness, Elinor is a study in emotional reserve throughout this engrossing thriller.

A war story that explores the struggle for survival, a postwar tale that examines the hardships of victory, and a manifestation of bravery, The White Lady represents absorbing fiction delivered with brio and authority.

Tragic, redemptive mystery

Even soulmates get the blues. Especially those who, like Othello, have loved not wisely, but too well.

Meet Pippa and Gabe Gerard and Amanda and Max Cameron, the quartet on which Sally Hepworth builds her eighth novel, The Soulmate (St. Martins, $28.99, 336 pages).

Pippa, a lawyer, and Gabe, a stay-at-home dad, live with their two daughters in an upscale house atop a cliff on the Australian coast. Nearby stands The Drop, a site that attracts potential suicides. Gabe has saved seven lost souls from self-destruction, but not the eighth. And Pippa suspects that her husband had a hand in that death.

Max, a wealthy businessman, and Amanda, a gig photographer, are childless by choice.

As the narrative unfolds, Hepworth gradually reveals unsettling stories of adultery and its consequences, money laundering and violence, mental illness and secrets, as she tightens the bonds that tie the four main characters to each others fates.

She does so through the two womens perspectives in the present and the past  Pippa from a complex life and Amanda from a different existence.

Hepworth, who consistently plumbs the darkness of domesticity and the dangers of devotion, achieves scary and seductive new heights in this moving novel thats at once tragic and redemptive.
Tiffiny Bounds

This is when my community

needs me the most

Name: Tiffiny Bounds

Age: 42

Place of Residence: Montross

Family: Three children: Alexandra, Ethan and Brooklyn

Education: Attended Eastern Virginia Career College in Fredericksburg and became a licensed practical nurse in 2006 and received EMT certification in 2020.

Job title and workplace: Director and provider with the Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program for Westmoreland County Department of Emergency Services.

I chose to work in the health care field because: Its my passion. Ive known since a very young age that helping people is what I was meant to do with my life and have found immense purpose and joy in doing so.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is: Helping others thrive and get the resources they need to live their best life possible.

The most challenging aspect of my job is: It sometimes breaks my heart. I think of each person I come across as a family member, and sometimes things dont always work out the way I had hoped. Either someone doesnt want the help for whatever reason or I am limited in what I can do for them.

Despite recent challenges in health care, I have remained motivated because: This is when my community needs me the most. Never in my time in health care has the system been more strained and difficult to navigate.

My advice for others interested in pursuing work in my field: Have a passion for helping others and loads of empathy. Always try your best to meet your patients where they are, which may not be where you think they should be, so you need lots of patience and no judgment.

Nomination (by Robyn Manthey): Tiffiny is an EMT and LPN with Westmoreland Department of Emergency Services, and she goes above and beyond to care for the patients in our community. Shes been known to stop what she is doing on her time off, if it means that a community member in need of services will be able to obtain those services in a timely and safe manner. Tiffiny is always ready to help someone get the care they need.

Valerie Carse

Giving patients good news

is best part of job

Name: Valerie Carse

Age: 57

Place of Residence: Fredericksburg

Family: Husband and daughter

Education: A few years at Germanna Community College, unrelated to health care

Job title and workplace: Supervisor of support services at Mary Washington Healthcare

I chose to work in the health care field because: I heard about an opportunity 33 years ago at Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg for a receptionist position, went on an interview, fell in love with the group and the rest is history.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is: Giving patients good news.

The most challenging aspect of my job is: Explaining to patients the testing they need will not be covered by their insurance.

Despite recent challenges in health care, I have remained motivated because: Patients and referring providers are so appreciative of our help.

My advice for others interested in pursuing work in my field: If youre ready for a challenge and rewarding career, health care is the job for you.

Nomination (by Briana Roman): She has worked with Mary Washington Healthcare for years and goes above and beyond. She will stay late to ensure patients authorization. She goes the extra mile for every patient she helps and does the same for her employees. She assists the director and managers when they have questions. She takes on her work schedule as well as the schedule of others.

Kimberly Kwiatkowski

Caring for others brings satisfaction and immense joy

Name: Kimberly Kwiatkowski

Age: 59

Place of Residence: Spotsylvania County

Family: One daughter and son-in-law and three granddaughters.

Education: Erie 1 BOCES in Buffalo, New York

Job title and workplace: Licensed practical nurse at Mary Washington Rheumatology

I chose to work in the health care field because: After becoming a certified nursing assistant at age 17 in a skilled nursing facility, I knew caring for others brought me a sense of satisfaction and immense joy.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is: I have an opportunity each day to make a positive difference in someones life. You have to love what you do and do what you love. Then, you have truly found your niche.

The most challenging aspect of my job is: Resistance from insurance companies when trying to obtain prior authorizations for patients needed medications.

Despite recent challenges in health care, I have remained motivated because: Health care workers are a team with a mission to deliver superior care no matter what situation arises.

My advice for others interested in pursuing work in my field: Make sure you treat and care for others the way you would want you or your family members cared for. You can make a difference.

Nomination (by Niccole Martin): Kimberly is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. You would never know the inner struggle she deals with on a daily basis because she always puts the patients and the job first. She came to work in our office, not even a year after losing her husband to cancer (on her birthday), battling her own cancer and going through a huge move alone. Patients state how she brightens their days. She is selfless and truly a mothering and loving figure to all.

Dr. Blair Ryland Lethbridge

I find purpose and joy

in helping others

Name: Dr. Blair Ryland Lethbridge

Age: 34

Place of Residence: Fredericksburg

Family: Husband, Matt; son Christian; and dog, Remington

Education: Completed undergraduate studies at Stanford University; medical training at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine; and pediatric residency training at University of South Carolina.

Job title and workplace: Outpatient pediatrician with Mary Washington Pediatrics

I chose to work in the health care field because: I find purpose and joy in helping others.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is: Building relationships with families and watching children grow. I truly believe it is an honor and a privilege to take care of someone elses child.

The most challenging aspect of my job is: Finding balance in being a pediatrician, wife and mother.

Despite recent challenges in health care, I have remained motivated because: Everyone deserves excellent care and I want to provide that to the best of my ability.

My advice for others interested in pursuing work in my field: Work hard, be a light and never forget your purpose.

Nomination (by Ashley LaPorte): Dr. Lethbridge is the best pediatrician I have ever met (and after 3 kids and several relocations, Ive seen many!). She is incredibly patient, explaining things in detail, and never condescending. She feels like a partner in my childrens health care. She is very kind, extremely knowledgeable and forthright. She always walks into the room with a bright and sunny attitude, and that makes a difference in how my children view their appointments.

Dr. John D. Statler

I wanted to give back to the community

Name: Dr. John D. Statler

Age: 55

Place of Residence: Fredericksburg

Family: Wife, Rachel, and daughters Sophie and Ashley

Education: Graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1994, then did radiology residency and internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Job title and workplace: Interventional radiologist with Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg and Virginia Interventional & Vascular Associates

I chose to work in the health care field because: I wanted to give back to the community.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is: Having a laugh with patients.

The most challenging aspect of my job is: Insurance red tape.

Despite recent challenges in health care, I have remained motivated because: Patients and colleagues seem to appreciate what I do for them.

My advice for others interested in pursuing work in my field: Dont let anyone tell you that you cant do something.

Nomination (by Mary Hodge): Influenced by the television show M*A*S*H*, he joined the U.S. Army after medical training at Walter Reed. He served in Afghanistan and cared for wounded civilians and children before working in Fredericksburg. Continuing education is of utmost priority to Dr. Statler, and he often delivers an impromptu anatomy lesson and drawing for patients and staff. He also contributes to many publications and lectures regularly at local vascular symposiums.
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  Standing in the same parking lot where he was shot in the neck a year ago in a racist attack at a Buffalo supermarket, Zaire Goodman said he was grateful to see the community come together in remembrance Sunday.

His family and others affected by the mass shooting gathered with top state and local officials, first responders and religious leaders to remember the 10 people who were killed and three, including Goodman, who were wounded at Tops Friendly Market, which closed Sunday for the one-year anniversary of the shootings.

Goodman, 21, who worked at the store and was shot while collecting carts outside, has been back to the market many times since, even visiting while it was being remodeled in the weeks after the massacre as some questioned whether it should ever reopen.

I just wanted to show people that its alright. We dont need to close the store indefinitely, he said. We know the store is still important to people in this area.

Mayor Byron Brown read the 13 victims' names before a moment of silence. A first responder then chimed a bell 13 times. Brown, Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were among those who gave speeches.

Its a beautiful day. Its Mother's Day," Hochul said. And the cruel irony behind the fact is a day we celebrate a life that comes into this world, making someone a mother, is also a day were here to think about those who are no longer with us. Its hard. It's been a really hard year.

Earlier in the week, panelists discussed ways to combat racism and social media radicalization and residents were invited to reflect at an outdoor community gathering.

After Sunday's ceremony, Goodman recalled how after being wounded he ran across the street in search of safety, calling his mother along the way.

Hey, you need to get here, he told her.

Since then, Goodman's mother, Zeneta Everhart, and other relatives of the victims have spoken before Congress about white supremacy and gun reform and organized events to address food insecurity that worsened when the market, the neighborhoods only grocery store, was inaccessible for two months.

President Joe Biden honored the lives of those killed in Buffalo in an op-ed published Sunday in USA Today. He called on Congress and state legislative leaders to act by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from liability. His administration passed a landmark gun measure in June following a series of mass shootings.

New York state law already bans possessing magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Gun control organizations and advocates including Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held nearly 200 events across the country over the weekend, calling on Congress to reinstate a bipartisan assault weapons ban.

In Buffalo, Wayne Jones, whose mother Celestine Chaney, 65, died in the attack, urged the city and its institutions to keep on investing in the area and its residents even after the anniversary events are over.

That's why he is willing, he said, to keep opening up this wound that I have and talk about it.

After the remembrance ceremony, adults visited tents offering information about mental health and other forms of community support.

Rosemary Glover of Buffalo remembered the pain she felt when she recognized two of the shooting victims names: Katherine Massey, a community advocate; and Pearl Young, who belonged to the same church ministry as Glover. She came Sunday to honor them and the community.

We have to continue to support one another," she said. "Thats the only way were going to heal.

The son of 63-year-old shooting victim Geraldine Talley on Sunday released a book that he said describes what he went through after losing his mother. He titled it: 5/14 : The Day the Devil Came to Buffalo.

I definitely know that she wouldnt want me to be consumed by sadness and anger, Talley said of his mother, speaking outside of the store as the anniversary approached, so I will definitely try to find strength in her memory and use it to fight injustice and racism for the rest of my life in her name.

Inside the remodeled store, fountains flank a poem dedicated to the victims. A commission is at work designing a permanent memorial outside. In the meantime, a hand-painted mural overlooking the parking lot promotes unity, with a Black hand and white hand meeting together in prayer.

An 18-year-old white supremacist carried out the attack after driving more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from his home in rural Conklin, New York.

In addition to Chaney, Talley, Massey and Young, the dead included Andre Mackneil, who was buying a cake for his son's third birthday; church deacon Heyward Patterson; Ruth Whitfield, whose son was a Buffalo fire commissioner; Roberta Drury, who had moved back to Buffalo to help a brother diagnosed with cancer; Margus Morrison, who was buying dinner for a family movie night; and Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo police officer who was working as a security guard.

The gunman pleaded guilty to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February. A federal case against him is pending.

Associated Press Writer Maysoon Khan from Albany, New York, contributed to this report.
Lets not celebrate Colorados 2023 General Assembly, which symbolizes another weird session controlled by doctrinaire left-wing demagogues with nothing to keep them in check.

The Legislature adjourned last week, and a few examples of systematic failure include:

 Legislators gift-wrapped tax refunds  required by the Colorado Constitutions Taxpayers Bill of Rights  as a hedge against looming spikes in property taxes.

 They passed more climate laws, doing nothing to ease the pain of consumers who cant afford the states futile war on global warming.

 They enacted gun control, neglecting substantive means of protecting children from guns.

 They obstructed reproductive rights under the guise of expanding them.

A handful of positives merit mention but represent a small percent of the Legislatures work:

 Legislators passed House Bill 1247  with urging by The Gazette and other all-the-above energy advocates. The law requires the state to study potential use of modular nuclear reactors.

 They passed Senate Bill 23-097, with The Gazettes nagging encouragement, to make theft of any vehicle a felony without regard to the vehicles value.

 They defeated a bill written for the state to commandeer planning and zoning decisions from local governments.

Aside from a handful of meaningful bills, consider how badly the state handled taxes, energy, school safety and reproductive rights.

Taxes: Senate Bill 23-303 creates a November ballot measure that asks voters to pay for property-tax relief, shifting money from one pocket to the other. In a conversation with The Gazettes editorial board Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis conceded the proposed tax relief is mostly a TABOR refund anticipated and likely required.

Ive always been supportive of using any or all of the TABOR surplus to cut taxes, and weve done that twice by cutting the income tax at the ballot box, the governor said.

Instead of cutting spending to pay for tax cuts, the state keeps spending big and uses tax refunds to pay for it. Smoke, meet mirror.

Energy: The Legislature passed more regulations to control the climate from Colorado  home to 0.0725% of the worlds population. It means more time, money and austerity chasing a pipe dream that financially harms Colorado residents.

We renamed the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission (now the Energy and Carbon Management Commission), Polis told us. It has a new name now, and it oversees all the underground activity. Drilling for geothermal is not too different than drilling for oil and gas. So, they do the subsurface permitting process.

Thats a good idea, as everyone should support additional energy sources. It does nothing to provide immediate or near-term relief for soaring energy costs that force low-income Coloradans to choose between food and fuel.

School safety: Colorados children need protection from deadly violence. Instead of legislating immediate protection from random shooters, the Legislature delivered gun control that might, at most, control a few guns and the people who misuse them.

One new gun law purportedly strengthens the states red flag law, which relies on someone detecting and reporting another persons mental instability before a possible crime occurs.

Other new gun laws raise the minimum age for gun purchases to 21, impose a three-day waiting period for firearms purchases and allow gun victims to sue firearms manufacturers.

These laws provide no practical means of saving lives when killers attack in violation of gun regulations and other laws. Hey monster, dont shoot because you acquired that gun before your 21st birthday and did not wait three days.

Meaningful gun control, delivering immediate results, involves screening procedures at entrances to schools and other soft-target venues. The governor and Legislature missed another opportunity to ensure funding and minimum screening standards for the states nearly 1,900 public schools. Instead, we got bills designed for optics and a sense of taking action.

Reproductive rights: One of three new abortion laws obstructs reproductive rights in direct violation of Colorados Reproductive Health Equity Act of 2022.

The Legislature last year passed House Bill 22-1279 to codify a persons fundamental right to make reproductive health care decisions free from government interference. The act defines reproductive health care to include all stages of reproduction, including prenatal, postnatal and delivery care; fertility care, and more. It strictly prohibits punishing health care providers for providing any form of reproductive care.

Obsessed with abortion  not merely the right to have one  legislators passed Senate Bill 190. It says health care providers engage in unprofessional conduct and are subject to discipline for prescribing or administering any pharmaceutical to help women neutralize abortion pills.

I dont know why politicians thought they should micromanage medicine, Polis said, addressing our concern about contradicting laws. We are not enforcing that part of the bill ... No one in Colorado will lose their medical license over that.

The law does not work that way. Any prosecutor has authority to enforce any state statute  even laws the governor enacted against his better judgment.

Despite a few good outcomes, the 2023 General Assembly provides a cautionary tale about unchecked, single-party rule by extremists. It leaves society with indulgent, irrational and nonconstructive laws. With deference to Lord Acton, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The Gazette Editorial Board
Athziri Mendoza became a first-generation college graduate at the Pikes Peak State College commencement Saturday, where she was cheered on by family and friends including her mom and her 7-year-old daughter.

I did it all for my daughter and my mom, she said outside The Broadmoor World Arena Saturday. Its surreal, because it took forever. Its supposed to be a two-year degree and it took me five.

As a mom and coordinator for Johnson & Johnson, Mendoza took just a couple classes at a time, but now she has an associate's degree in business administration and will continue her higher education at a four-year university.

Its a big deal for us, she said.

Mendoza was among about 600 graduates ages 16 to 73 who crossed the stage Saturday as the first class of Pikes Peak State College since the institution rebranded last fall, according to college President Lance Bolton.

I want to recognize you, our graduates  living tributes to the power of determination and heroism. You know the hardships and challenges you faced to get here today, and I want you to take a moment to take all that in, because you made it," Bolton said.

Followed by Mothers Day Sunday, the commencement ceremony held special weight, especially for those conferred who have children of their own.

Graduate Nawal Saharil recalled bringing her newborn daughter to class two days after giving birth around a year and a half ago while pursuing the multimedia graphic design degree she received Saturday.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Saharil, who is originally from Malaysia, also has a 14-year-old daughter; she said balancing motherhood and coursework required commitment  and some adaptability. You can have the best plan ever, but the thing is theres always things that happen along the way and you have to adjust and be flexible, she said.

Now, Saharil is pursuing additional certification after Saturdays commencement with the goal to open her own creative and marketing agency in Colorado Springs. Once you want to do it you just have to make it happen, she said.

For some moms, the weekend is bittersweet.

Andrea Geist was inspired to go back to school after the death of her son, and now shes headed to law school in January after completing a business degree at PPSC. Its huge for me to have this all happen at once, she said.

Geists other son, Carter, was among his moms supporters Saturday. Im happy for her and Im excited. Im glad she got to graduate.

But the degree didnt come without its challenges for the full-time worker and full-time mom. It was very difficult. There were lots of long nights and weekends.

Im proud of myself, she said. I did it for him (Carter), to motivate him so he knows that anythings possible.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Democratic Minnesota senators held firm despite only a one-vote majority Friday to pass gun control legislation strongly supported by the governor that would align the battleground state with others nationally that have taken steps to keep guns out of the hands of people in crisis and criminals.

The proposals include a "red flag law" that would allow authorities to ask courts for "extreme risk protection orders" to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be an imminent threat to others or themselves. The provision is part of a broad public safety budget bill that also contains expanded background checks for gun transfers.

The bill passed 34-33 on a party-line vote late Friday after around nine hours of debate.

"What we are going to be providing  finally  is a path forward for families and law enforcement who know that someone's exhibiting signs of crisis and danger," said Democratic Sen. Rob Latz of St. Louis Park, chairman of the Senate public safety committee. "And it will give them lawful tools to separate people in crisis from the firearms that are around them."

Nineteen other states have some kind of red flag laws, Latz noted at a news conference, including several red states.

Across the country, a few cracks have been opening up in the pattern of Republican-controlled states loosening gun laws while Democratic states like Minnesota tighten them. GOP Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee wants to call a special session to pass what he has avoided calling a red flag law, calling it a "toxic political label." And two Republicans in a Texas legislative committee broke ranks to back raising the age for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. But it's far too soon to say the GOP is changing direction even amid a record-setting pace for mass killings in the U.S.

Some of Minnesota's rural Democratic senators had long been on the fence. But a key moment came Wednesday when one of them, Sen. Grant Hauschild of Hermantown, announced that he would support the overall bill. The two gun measures were not part of the public safety budget bill that the Senate passed earlier. But they were added Wednesday in the House-Senate conference committee that negotiated the final version, providing some political cover to holdouts by wrapping them into a much bigger public safety package.

Senators from the Republican minority decried several non-firearms provisions that were added to the public safety bill in conference committee that weren't in the original Senate-passed version of the bill.

Democrats who have a more comfortable majority in the Minnesota House scheduled the package for debate late Friday night on the presumption that the Senate would pass it first, but postponed the debate until Saturday. The House had already passed the gun measures as part of its original public safety bill. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has repeatedly said he will sign the legislation.

The package also includes tougher restrictions on the use by police of no-knock warrants. While it stops short of a ban, it allows only very limited exceptions.

GOP leaders objected to how the final version of the 522-page bill wasn't posted until around 2:30 a.m. Friday. Members can vote only up or down on a conference committee report. They can't amend it. And Republicans were upset at their voices being shut out of shaping the final version, which they oppose on Second Amendment and other grounds.

"This bill is actually what bad legislating looks like," Republican House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring said at a separate news conference. "Democrats have full control, but a very small margin."

The Minnesota Legislature is rushing to complete work on the major budget bills of the session before the May 22 adjournment deadline. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park told reporters Thursday that she wants to adjourn early  either next Thursday night or early next Friday morning. Senate Democratic leaders, however, have not agreed to that.

Original Location: Democrats in Minnesota Senate hold firm to pass contentious gun control measures

Washington Examiner Videos
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed how the GOP could win in the future during a visit to Iowa on Saturday, taking a slight shot at former President Donald Trump in doing so.

DeSantis claimed during his visit that the Republican party must "reject the culture of losing that has infected our party in recent years." The statement seemed to be referencing Trump's repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen, which Trump has insisted upon since leaving the White House in 2021.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS SALE: DAN SNYDER AGREES TO SELL NFL TEAM TO JOSH HARRIS

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets audience members during a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall/AP

"The time for excuses is over," said DeSantis. "If we make 2024 election a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures and if we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board."

The Florida governor warned that if Republicans "focus the election on the past," it is likely that Democrats will continue to win, adding that it would be "very difficult to recover from that defeat."

DeSantis made his speech in Iowa during the Feenstra Family Picnic hosted by Rep Randy Feenstra (R-IA). Trump was scheduled to host a traditional campaign rally in Des Moines on Saturday, but it was canceled due to weather.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall/AP

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

DeSantis has yet to announce if he will run for president in 2024, though he is considered by many to be the biggest potential challenger to Trump for the GOP nomination.

On Thursday, Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, two high-profile Iowa Republicans, endorsed DeSantis for his potential 2024 run. Sinclair described DeSantis as "head and shoulders" above any Republican primary challengers, noting that "it's an easy endorsement for me."

Original Location: DeSantis takes shot at Trump as 2024 rivals both visit Iowa

Washington Examiner Videos
A top Republican accused the White House of "intimidating" players with knowledge of the Biden family's overseas business dealings.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) urged the "FBI work with us" as his panel struggles to get more information out of those individuals who know about the family's dealings with Chinese energy conglomerate CEFC, eastern Europe, and more.

BIDEN SAYS DEBT LIMIT TALKS ARE 'MOVING ALONG' BUT 'NOT THERE YET'

"Nine of the 10 people that we've identified that have very good knowledge with respect to the Bidens  they're one of three things: they're either currently in court, they're currently in jail, or they're currently missing," Comer told Fox News's Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.

"Honestly, they fear for their lives. Not only are the Biden lawyers and the Biden White House intimidating them, the media is trying to intimidate and discredit them," he added.

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman Rep. James Comer Jr., R-Ky., accompanied by House Republicans, speaks during a news conference on their investigation into the Biden Family on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik/AP

Comer declined to divulge who specifically in the White House was allegedly intimidating the people in question.

"I do know. We're saving that for a later time," Comer said. "When I issue a subpoena to a bank or to an individual, the second I issue that, Jamie Raskin gets that ... my biggest problem with the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee is they're acting as a criminal defense attorney."

Democrats have accused Comer of making bold claims about alleged Biden family influence peddling but then failing to back it up.

"Oddly, he has been promising then failing to deliver ... for weeks, raising questions about his shoot-first, figure-it-out-later approach to what is clearly an evidence-free, politically-motivated 'investigation,'" White House Counsel's Office spokesman Ian Sams said last week.

Comer also said that his panel is still on the lookout for a key informant for his investigation. The Kentucky congressman previously subpoenaed the FBI for an informant file that accused Biden of accepting bribes as vice president. The bureau raised concerns over that demand in response, with a spokesperson noting it was likely "unverified reporting by a confidential human source."

"Unfortunately, we can't track down the informant. We're hopeful that the informant is still there. The whistleblower knows the informant. The whistleblower is very credible. And all we're asking the FBI with respect to the form 1023 is, 'what did you do to investigate this allegation,' and they send us back a very patronizing letter," Comer explained.

"This is a pattern of behavior by the FBI that would suggest there's been a cover-up for many years with respect to the Biden influence peddling," Comer continued.

Republicans have claimed a whistleblower tip revealed the existence of the informant and a document with additional information about the allegations.

When pressed about how such a critical informant could be missing, Comer underscored the nature of the intelligence business.

"We're hopeful that we could find the informant. Remember, these informants are kind of in the spy business, so they don't make a habit of being seen a lot or being high profile or anything like that," he said. "It alleges that Joe Biden, when he was vice president, was involved in a quid pro quo with a foreign country in exchange for foreign aid. This is a very serious accusation."

"All the FBI has to do is say, 'Yeah, we looked into it, and it wasn't a credible informant.' But they won't answer our questions," he continued.

He warned that if the FBI does not cooperate, "we're gonna end up in court." Comer conveyed confidence that Republicans will prevail if it comes to that.

Last week, Comer held a press conference to roll out a report presenting new evidence about the president's family and their associates garnering over "$10 million" from companies belonging to foreign nationals, including while he served as vice president.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Comer specifically alleged that the Biden family concocted a "web" of limited liability companies or LLCs as part of an effort to "hide sources of money, direct China cash, influence peddling in Romania." He previously said that at least nine and as many as 12 Biden family members could be exposed to foreign business activity.

However, critics such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have pointed out that Comer's report lacked direct proof of the president engaging in illegal pay-to-play type activity.

Original Location: James Comer accuses White House of intimidation regarding Biden family business dealings

Washington Examiner Videos
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) requested transcribed interviews with five officials regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal.

"Through our ongoing investigation, we have determined these five individuals have important information that is critical to uncovering how and why the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the injury of 47 more," McCaul wrote.

BIDEN SAYS DEBT LIMIT TALKS ARE 'MOVING ALONG' BUT 'NOT THERE YET'

The five officials include Jonathan Mennuti, former acting chief of staff to acting Undersecretary of State for Management Carol Perez; Mark Evans, former acting deputy assistant secretary for Afghanistan; James DeHart, former lead on the Afghanistan Task Force; Jayne Howell, Bureau of Consular Affairs; and former Ambassador Daniel Smith.

Smith led a State Department's review of the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

McCaul sent letters on Friday to ask the five individuals to appear for a transcribed interview. He is seeking to have them "contact the committee to arrange" the interviews by May 22.

"It is crucial they speak with the committee without delay. As we continue to gather evidence, the Committee will continue to interview additional current and former administration officials involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal," he added.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Since taking the reins of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, McCaul has criticized the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Back in March, he subpoenaed the State Department to furnish the Kabul dissent cable, which was signed by over two dozen members of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, slamming the administration's preparations for withdrawal.

McCaul has inched closer to holding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt for defying that demand. The dissent cable came on July 13, 2021, and preceded the Taliban's toppling of the United States-backed Afghanistan government the following month.

Original Location: Michael McCaul requests interviews with five officials on Afghanistan withdrawal

Washington Examiner Videos
Mother's Day is almost here, and with it comes the purchases of gifts for mothers everywhere, with this year's spending at a record high.

In total, shoppers plan to spend a total of $35.7 billion on Mother's Day this year, up by nearly $4 billion from the record of $31.7 billion set in 2022. A total of 84% of adults in the United States are expected to celebrate the holiday this year, according to a survey released by National Retail Federation.

SAVINGS RATE: AFTER A SLEW OF BANK FAILURES' IS THE WORST TURMOIL IN THE INDUSTRY BEHIND US?

"Mother's Day provides Americans with an opportunity to honor important women in their lives," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "As people make plans to celebrate this year, retailers are prepared to help shoppers find gifts of appreciation and admiration for those they want to recognize on this special day."

Consumers intend to spend $274.02 per person, also up from 2022's record of $245.76. The age group spending the most on Mother's Day is those between the ages of 35-44, who are expected to spend an average of $382.26 on the holiday.

The most popular gifts this year consist of flowers, greeting cards, and trips to restaurants, with 74% of shoppers buying flowers and cards and 60% planning to eat out at restaurants. Additionally, consumers will spend a total of $7.8 billion on jewelry, $5.6 billion on special outings, and $4 billion on electronics for Mother's Day gifts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Most shoppers celebrating Mother's Day, at 57%, are buying gifts for either a mother or stepmother. However, 23% of shoppers are buying a gift for their wife, and 12% are buying at least one gift for their daughter.

The survey was conducted among 8,164 U.S. adult consumers over April 3-11, and has a margin of error of +/-1.1%.

Original Location: Mother's Day 2023: Money spent on gifts up by $4 billion compared to last year

Washington Examiner Videos
(Reuters) - As the Eurovision song contest was underway in Britain late on Saturday, Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which is home to the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, this year's contestants from Ukraine.

Local authorities, writing on Telegram, said the strike had hit warehouses owned by commercial enterprises and a religious organization, injuring two people.

Russia has launched hundreds of rocket and missile attacks against Ukrainian targets since last October.

Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Kyiv, praised Tvorchi for their Eurovision 2023 entry.

"The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening," she tweeted.

Tvorchi said this week they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra rode a huge wave of support from across Europe to win the contest last year, but Ukraine was unable to stage Eurovision this year, as the winner usually does, because of Russia's invasion.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Leslie Adler)
As Colorado kids struggle to recoup learning losses post-pandemic, teachers unions keep proving thats not their priority. Standing at the center is the states most prominent teachers union  the Colorado Education Association.

At the CEAs statewide conference on April 22, the organization  which claims to represent teachers  took a brazen, ideological stance when it passed a resolution attacking capitalism for inherently exploit(ing) children, public schools, land, labor, and resources.

Never mind how Americas free enterprise system enables businesses and homeowners to pour billions of dollars into our states education system through taxation, or the philanthropic contributions of businesses and individuals. They proceeded to blame capitalism for systemic racism, climate change, patriarchy, education inequality and income inequality.

As radical union member Tim Hernandez proudly tweeted: CEA may now publicly advocate & lobby for anti-capitalist policies at the CO Capitol. This jibes with the intent of the resolutions sponsor, Bryan Lindstrom, a self-described anarcho-socialist who ran for Aurora City Council in 2021. We are constantly using Band-Aids and minor reforms  but the system itself is the problem, and it needs to be named, he said.

Lindstrom previously tweeted that his pension was literally the only thing keeping me from complete revolution and critical race theory is a component of everything I do. As radical as Lindstrom and Hernandezs political beliefs are, its shocking to see Colorados teachers unions explicitly embrace their extreme ideology. At a time when union leaders want parents to believe they arent politicizing schools, this resolution belies that claim.

Consider Woodland Park, a community of 8,000 residents on Pikes Peaks north slope in superconservative Teller County. Woodland Parks union leaders abhor the school boards support for charter schools  an educational option widely embraced by parents. They oppose the boards adoption of American Birthright standards  a traditional approach to social studies curriculum that eschews the CEAs overemphasis on racialized and anti-capitalist ideologies.

They are aghast that the board hired Ken Witt, a former president of Colorados second largest school district, Jefferson Countys, as superintendent  because he doesnt support their politics. As soon as Ken Witt became superintendent, you saw union activity ramp up immediately, said Sean Pekron, a teacher at Woodlands Merit Academy who previously spent 23 years at Woodland Park High School.

Witts tenure began on Jan. 1, months after a failed attempt to recall the school board. By Jan. 30, a staff meeting organized by Woodland Park Education Association (WPEA), a CEA affiliate, revealed clear coordination with other unions to further resist.

The WPEA has filed for a crisis assessment from the CEA, WPEA President Nate Owen stated, per a recording I obtained. If we get that crisis grant, there will be some additional funding coming our way to allow us to do some more things. Leaders from Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs Education Associations participated in the meeting. Owen said they will bring in an operative from JeffCo (Ashlyn Maher), who led Students against Ken Witt when Witt was JeffCos board president.

Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Witt recently ended the unions needless automatic deduction from members payroll. He scrubbed a makeshift requirement that district and union leaders meet and confer for districtwide teacher contract negotiations  pursuant to a Conditions of Employment document thats operated as a quasi-collective bargaining agreement and provided considerable negotiating authority to WPEA.

Thing is, WPS doesnt have a collective bargaining agreement with WPEA  which only represents 30% of Woodlands teachers  and it appears the school board never agreed to these conditions.

Lets be real: The teachers unions arent converging on Woodland Park and stoking anxiety because of extraordinary educational concerns. Theyre doing so because their influence and control are threatened by a school board executing on the academic-centered agenda they ran on.

School districts everywhere are heavily influenced by teachers unions, which seem to think its their turf. A longtime ally of the CEA, former state Sen. Evie Hudak  who resigned in 2013 to avoid being recalled  is a vice president of Colorados Parent Teacher Association. In that capacity, she often testifies on bills in alignment with the union and advances a consistent educational and political agenda.

In JeffCo Schools, Hudak formally advises and helps lead the district and school accountability committees, a conflict of interest given her PTA role. She wrote the states school accountability law. Yet, as Ive reported previously, Hudak has counseled accountability committee members  parents who trust her as an ex-legislator  that they can ignore the law. While theres the law, theres no DAC police, she advised one accountability committee member.

In Denver, union influence runs especially deep. The school board faces a complete collapse of credibility amid disastrous school safety and discipline breakdowns. All seven members of the board were union-backed candidates  including the irascibly controversial Tay Anderson. Anderson led the effort to remove school resource officers and weaken disciplinary policies. Hes become the biggest lightning rod and greatest source of dysfunctional distraction in Colorados largest school district. Yet the union has supported him  to the tune of $65,000 in campaign contributions.

Lets be clear: The teachers unions dont care that only 5% of Denvers Black and Brown third graders can read at grade level.

Instead, they fear that the success of Woodland Park poses a threat to the existence of the union  an entity wholly dependent upon indefensible educational outcomes to grow its membership, advance its ideological agenda and entrench its political power.

Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at JimmySengenberger.com or on Twitter @SengCenter.
Hotly contested runoff election

The Republican Strategy Forum announced today its position on the hotly contested runoff election for Colorado Springs Mayor. The Forum recently hosted Republican Wayne Williams at its weekly meeting. Unaffiliated candidate Yemi Mobolade did not engage the Forum.

Williams addressed a divided group. Members were torn between nonsupport for either candidate, versus standing behind Williams on party loyalty. Consensus was to not offer support for Mobolade who holds positions in stark opposition to the Republican platform.

Williams brings baggage into the race as well. Williams is credited with bringing China-made Dominion Voting Systems into Colorado as former Secretary of State. RSF members have been vocal antagonists of computerized voting systems with growing antipathy following the 2020 and 2022 elections.

The Forum also considered existential challenges facing our democracy in the near future: a border crisis, banking collapse and food shortage among others. Regarding El Paso County as a microcosm of these national issues, the group agreed this is not the time to trust our economy and city infrastructure to the newcomer Mobolade, with just five years in America.

Ultimately, the Forum concluded that Wayne Williams leadership would do more to advance our shared interests of public safety and law enforcement.

Candice Stutzriem, Republican Strategy Forum

Colorado Springs

Column nine years late

Cal Thomas May 10 column highlights the potential damage of continued evangelical support for Donald Trump in 2024, claiming that future generations could be turned off from Christianity because of his shortcomings.

I would say that Thomass column is nine years late for that consideration, as most young people I talk to saw Trumps hollowness as an individual in conjunction with his support by evangelicals as toxic. Evangelical Christians, stewed on in part by Trumps rhetoric, frequently reflect perpetual outrage and callousness towards those who have historically suffered rather than compassion and empathy.

The toxic marriage of Christian nationalism with Trump in 2015 will have long-lasting damage in the younger generation towards the Christian faith, regardless of whether he gets the Republican nod in 2024.

Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Todd Nelson

Colorado Springs

Mental health awareness

Colorado is one of the worst states for mental health, especially in youth, according to Mental Health Colorado. For Colorado youth ages 10 to 18, suicide remains the leading cause of death. Risk factors include cyber bullying, social media use, a lack of a sense of resiliency and exposure to adult suicide. The Colorado Childrens Campaign reports that, in 2019, Colorado teenage age suicide reached a high of 21 deaths per 100,000 adolescents and remained as high in 2020, representing 80 deaths of young Coloradans who tragically lost their lives to suicide.

With May being Mental Health Awareness month, it seems timely that Colorado Bill HB23-1003, School Mental Health Assessment, was passed by our state legislature on May 2.

Introduced with the intention of increasing access to mental health services in middle and high schools in response to heightened rates of youth suicide and mental illness, the annual screening program seeks to identify potential risks related to unmet mental or emotional needs of students in grades six through twelve. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will oversee the program as well as select a qualified screening provider. Only this provider can conduct screenings for students.

Schools can voluntarily choose to participate in the annual screening, which would be similar to a questionnaire. The questions will be posted on the schools website. Students will meet with the screening provider for a one-on-one meeting. Parents will have the right to opt their children out of the screenings. However, students may opt themselves in without parental consent.

After the screening, if results indicate mental health services are needed, students and the parent are to be referred to additional behavioral health resources or services, such as the states I Matter program, which provides free therapy and counseling services for those 18 or younger. Established Colorado law does allow students the option of not sharing screening results with parents.

Some feel the screening program circumvents parental rights. However, in fact, this bill gives parents an additional tool to early identify mental and/or emotional needs of their minor children. Lets face it: Parents need help; most children do not talk with their parents about mental health or how they feel. And while School District 49 and Woodland Park School Board issued resolutions in opposition to the bill, the legislation is in step with the rest of the country.

A March 2023 report by the Colorado Health Institute states that Colorados kids are in distress, and suggests schools are uniquely positioned to address the mental health needs of students by meeting youth where they already spend most of their day. With HB23-1003, we now have the opportunity to offer help when a child might not otherwise seek it. All that remains with this bill is for Governor Polis to sign it, making it law.

Linda Rinehart

Colorado Springs
Staff defections, personnel clashes and delays in legislatively mandated reforms have troubled the new Behavioral Health Administration, a state department launched just over a year ago to fix Colorados tattered safety net for the mentally ill that one study ranked the worst in the nation.

The new department was supposed to be the key to improving the abysmal rate of access to care in Colorado, which still fails to provide adequate services to the mentally ill despite spending $1.5 billion annually on more than 120 mental health service programs spread across 13 state agencies and the judicial branch.

Instead, sharp divisions in the Behavioral Health Administration hobbled its ability to fulfill its mandate, according to a review of staff emails, legislative testimony and interviews.

The top three officials at the department clashed so severely that the head of the new department complained in emails that the other two did not trust her, and they resigned. They returned to work after Gov. Jared Polis replaced their boss late last month with an interim appointee.

Those departures were part of an exodus of employees to hit the new state department. Since July 2022, 27 people have resigned from the Behavioral Health Administration, roughly equivalent to a quarter of the 116 people working there. Several employees who have worked there or who still are employed there say the department is drastically understaffed.

One current employee, who did not want to be identified due to fears of retaliation, said the department should nearly double its staffing given the long list of tasks and breadth of the overhaul it is supposed to achieve.

We probably have 15%, maybe 20% of the people for the positions that have been created, the employee said.

The fact that we even go to work is amazing, the employee said. People are tired. They work all the time. If you have certain things that need to get done and deadlines, you cant not do them. The employee added that all the turmoil at the agency and fluctuating leadership hurts your soul.

The department is the target of ongoing investigations by the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

State officials wont say what is being investigated, though two people familiar with the inner workings of the department said a personal assistant to the former head of the department submitted age and disability discrimination claims after she was pushed out after clashing with others there.

A staff survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Human Services also documented deep dissatisfaction over the work environment at the BHA, with 55% of the respondents stating their job stress was unreasonable and nearly half of respondents stating they viewed senior leaders at the department as ineffective.

Meanwhile, the state's mental health providers are disgruntled that officials at the Behavioral Health Administration did not promptly distribute all the $190 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money they received last year to improve access to mental health care.

Officials at the BHA only recently awarded $150 million of that money in grants, nearly two months later than originally expected. An employee of one of the providers said that even though the money has been awarded, the contracting process still has been a long, arduous byzantine process.

The delays will put providers in a rush because all the federal money must be spent by the end of December 2024, said one provider employee, who asked to not be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. In addition, the state still hasnt developed a plan to sustain programming once the one-time allotment of federal aid is spent, according to that person.

The Behavioral Health Administration also wont meet the original deadlines state lawmakers set for rewriting licensing standards for providers and for establishing a new oversight network that was supposed to coordinate and improve access to care. A redrafting of the regulations regarding involuntary commitment procedures for the mentally ill also has been pushed from a deadline of this July to a year later in July 2024.

The part that concerns me is that the BHA is supposed to actually deliver care one way or another to people who desperately need it, said state Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. But it began to feel like they were mired in administrative mumbo-jumbo and having conflicts over what direction to go in rather than being a streamlined organization that knew where they were headed.

During one legislative hearing last month  this a week after the head of the Behavioral Health Administration, Dr. Morgan Medlock, was replaced  state Sen. Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, lamented that it appeared the fledgling department already was moving away from overseeing and running all mental health programs in the state.

Department officials said during the hearing that they planned instead to coordinate services and improve communications among state agencies because they feared moving programming under one department would take as long as seven years to do and would not be effective.

Im disappointed that the vision that I was sold does not sound like it is coming to fruition, Smallwood said. I really thought our state was ready to take a different step and was moving in a different direction and would have a lot more coordinated effort.

Polis late last month announced he was replacing Medlock, the person he appointed just over a year ago to lead the BHA as the states first behavioral health commissioner.

Polis appointed as interim commissioner Michelle Barnes, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, to replace Medlock. The governor is searching for a full-time replacement. Medlock, who did not return telephone messages seeking comment, had previously been chief medical officer for the Department of Behavioral Health in Washington, D.C., before her appointment in Colorado.

While Medlock's removal has been applauded by leaders at key advocacy groups for the mentally ill, legislators and county officials, it also has generated criticism from her allies. Supporters of Medlock say she struggled for clout and was subjected, as an African American woman, to racial insensitivities, even by other members of the governors cabinet despite Medlock often rising at 3 a.m. to begin her day.

I saw it play over and over again, where shes young; shes Black; shes smart, and people genuinely (felt) uncomfortable about that, said Maureen Maycheco, who was promoted by Medlock from a role as communications director at the department to one of two deputy commissioners at the department. They would challenge her in ways. Other cabinet leaders would like yell and scream on the phone, and Dr. Medlock would say that doesnt seem appropriate, and people would be like, Oh, oh well, youre challenging me.

She added that Medlock, as a new outsider, unsettled some in the state because she didnt always cater to titles and influence and instead valued reaching out to those most in need of services.

Dr. Medlock started saying, Im so happy that youve been doing behavioral health for 30 years, and youre a doctor who now serves on XYZ board and donates thousands of dollars. Thats great, Maycheco recalled. 'Im also going to talk to this person who is in recovery, who lives in their house and has two children with serious mental illness. People genuinely did not like that.

After Polis replaced Medlock, Maycheco resigned from her position as deputy commissioner in charge of system equity and effectiveness. She said that when Medlock first promoted her, two other key members of the executive leadership team at the department gave her the cold shoulder. She said Medlock continued to enhance her role at the department, going so far as to install Maycheco as the top person in charge when Medlock left town last month to speak at a conference.

By the end of the Monday that Medlock returned from that conference, Medlock was gone from the department, telling Maycheco she no longer worked there. Maycheco said she was excluded from meetings discussing a path forward and resigned.

I resigned because I had a panic attack, Maycheco said. I was crying and shaking in the office. This was all too much for me, and I was being excluded and disrespected.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Medlock during her tenure championed the needs of minorities in the state, whose leaders argue the state historically has marginalized their mental health needs. Her sudden departure prompted a blistering email on Thursday to Barnes, the new interim commissioner, and other staffers at the BHA, from Racquel Garcia, a member of the Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council, a 20-member group of appointees that helps the BHA form policy.

Garcia questioned in the email whether Polis and other state officials were just checking their diversity box by inviting people of color and culture to the table? Were we just for show?

Because of the racialized trauma my dad has experienced he often tells me to be quiet and go on about my way, Garcia said in the email. Tuesday, he didnt say that. Tuesday, he told me to use my voice, but I cant help but think that Im speaking for him today."

Barnes wrote back to Garcia that she wanted to build mutual trust but cautioned that there are certain topics I cannot discuss, adding, I hope all of you choose to stay as advisory council members.

You each were chosen for a reason and your voice and experience is important to guide our work, Barnes said in the email.

Others welcomed the change in leadership at the Behavioral Health Administration, stressing that theyd heard of staff defections during Medlocks tenure.

We were concerned to hear reports of staff leaving the BHA in significant numbers, from program staff to executive leadership  many of whom left without another job lined up, said Vincent Atchity, the president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, the leading statewide group advocating for people with mental health challenges, in a letter to Alec Garnett, Polis chief of staff.

Some of these individuals were longtime public servants with whom we worked for many years and know them to be tireless mental health advocates in addition to their roles as state department staff, Atchity continued in the letter. These staff departures were particularly concerning because we began to see issues regarding the ability of the BHA to meet expectations and legislative deadlines and impacts on statewide programs.

Resignations at the department during Medlocks tenure included Summer Gathercole, the deputy commissioner of operations; and Andrew Rauch, the departments chief of staff, both of whom did not return requests for comment. They agreed to remain with the department after Polis replaced Medlock. Rauch now plans to take a six- to eight-week sabbatical before returning full-time, according to people familiar with his plans.

Emails obtained by The Gazette show that, at one juncture in February, Medlock lamented to Rauch after one contentious meeting that she doubted he trusted her.

It reminded me of a difficult dynamic that has also developed between you, me and Summer, Medlock wrote in the email to Rauch. I feel we have actually not recovered from that fateful meeting in September, where I was surprised by a meeting agenda that developed in my absence.

She concluded: I think your vacation is well-timed, and when you return, I would like to share some reflections on co-management boundaries, and how those topics impact trust.

Rauch, in another February email to division directors, referred to how a recent meeting with them took a direction that we were not expecting that resulted in some heated conversations. He promised he would strive to set a better standard in the future.

Gathercole and Medlock in other emails clashed over Gathercoles request that Medlock refrain from contacting her on Sunday mornings.

My request was about setting expectations in not being available on Sunday mornings unless there is an emergency, Gathercole wrote to Medlock in a Jan. 13 email, adding that she would be working in the afternoon and evening on most Sundays, but planned to hike or meditate in the mornings. We have all been working long, hard hours for months  after hours and on weekends. For my own mental health, I need to carve out a bit of time each week where I am comfortable walking away from my work phone/computer and knowing that is OK not to be available.

Medlock in a Jan. 23 email said her contacts of Gathercole on Sundays had been rare and stressed that some agency risks have developed as a result of our infrequent communications.

Thus, it is my recommendation that we do not reduce our communication, and I will continue to reach out to you as deputy commissioner when I have needs, Medlock continued in the email. I will do my best to communicate in advance about needs that may be urgent and impact weekend availability.

In another February email, Medlock said to her leadership team that she still had not addressed the group following a recent contentious meeting, and that it takes me a while to process information that may be emotionally charged.

Medlock in the email referred to a staffing retreat months earlier during which a management facilitator report found the team split between two leadership cultures.

Roughly 36% of the team gravitated to a culture of dominance that rewards independence, decisiveness and results while disliking hesitation and foot-dragging, she said. In contrast, about 45% of the team favored a culture of conscientiousness that rewards accuracy, attention to detail and dependability while disliking exaggerated enthusiasm, she added. Medlock put herself in the conscientiousness camp.

Atchity, in the letter to Polis chief of staff, described the interim appointment of Barnes as prudent and thoughtful given all the turmoil.

Despite the leadership change, widespread concerns persist at the General Assembly over the pace of a statutorily required overhaul to Colorados system of providing mental health care that new state laws required the Behavioral Health Administration to undertake.

Legislators bowed to reality and in April, nearly a week after the release of Medlock, agreed to push back six months the deadline for an overhaul of the states licensing standards for mental health providers. Legislators originally mandated that the BHA complete by this July a total rewrite of those regulations, which also would transfer licensing duties to the BHA from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Lawmakers now are requiring the BHA to complete that task by January 2024.

In addition, legislators delayed for a year the deadline for creation, required by state law, of a new network of Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations. The BHAs creation of that network was supposed to improve access to mental health care in Colorado, which one study found was the worst in the nation amid rising wait times.

That 2022 study by Mental Health America, a national nonprofit that advocates for improvements in behavioral health care, found Colorado had the nations highest rate of adult mental illness and lowest access to care. A more recent 2023 study by the nonprofit found modest improvements, with only six states  Utah, Alabama, Oregon, Arizona, Wyoming and Kansas  now having worse access to care than Colorado amid high rates of adult mental illness.

Another major concern revolves around what type of network for coordinating care the BHA will create. Stakeholders reported that, during public meetings, theyd been told new coordination offices would be set up in regions throughout the state that would include walk-in services, according to legislators. Then those stakeholders later learned that there likely would only be one office for coordinating service, and it would not offer walk-in services.

State Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said part of Medlocks downfall involved giving mixed messages.

One of the complaints that I got was that she would say one thing in a stakeholder meeting to appease stakeholders, and then she would turn around to her team and do the opposite and do something totally different, said Michaelson Jenet. The team was worried that they would then have to go talk to the stakeholders, and then stakeholders were off the rails upset. Something needed to happen.

A key employee at one mental health provider, who did not want to be identified because the provider does business with the state, said the big question now is whether the remaining leaders at the BHA will remain introspective instead of boldly putting in places needed reforms.

I think whatever happens, it will require a strong leader who has a vision and is able to take information that has been gathered and hit the ground running and trust in staff and trust in stakeholders and counties, the provider said. And really move forward quickly because times running out.
A Lacomb area home is destroyed but no one was injured after a manufactured residence burned Friday afternoon, May 12, east of Lebanon.

Someone reported a fire at about 2:42 p.m. where a residence was burning at 33611 Ford Mill Road. Firefighters found flames and a single-section manufactured house collapsed into itself at the property about 13 miles from Lebanon.

Responders fully extinguished the fire after about 30 minutes, according to a Lebanon Fire District news release. No one was inside the residence.

But the homes structure was destroyed.

Lebanon Fire District sent 10 fire and rescue trucks with 23 firefighters.

The district did not state how the fire started but in its news release recommended watching outdoor fires and keeping water on hand to prevent flames from spreading to structures.

Lebanon Fire would like to remind everyone to provide plenty of distance from structures when having outdoor fires or when backyard burning, the release states.
The latter half of May is a time that no Iowa birding enthusiast would willingly choose to miss. The annual spring migration is moving forward at full throttle and in northern Iowa, bird numbers are approaching their peak.

After spending the winter months in the sun-drenched habitats of the Caribbean, Central America and South America, millions of neotropical songbirds are now winging their way toward northern nesting grounds.

For many species, the flight between winter and summer homes involves a rigorous journey traversing thousands of miles of trackless sky. Hidden from human eyes, the migration miracle occurs in inky darkness as flocks employ starry constellations, magnetic fields and other, certainly more mysterious, factors to successfully navigate the empty vastness of the night sky.

But at the approach of dawn, wing weary travelers descend to earth to replenish spent reserves. Thousands of those travelers are currently appearing at local woodlands, providing area birders with a fleeting view of their colorful splendor.

The diversity of spring birdlife is astounding. Dozens of species have already arrived; many more are on their way. Some observations come easy. Comparatively large or brilliantly colored birds such as orioles, tanagers, buntings or grosbeaks are hard to miss.

Others  including more than 30 species of migrating wood warblers  provide greater viewing challenges. When it comes to these tiny travelers, a sudden movement in the leafy understory and a quick flash of color may be the only glimpse youll get.

Timing: For many migrants, the spring migration will lead to the remote pine forests of northern Minnesota, central Canada, or beyond. Some birds will even travel to the dwarf shrub habitats of the subarctic.

For many species, Iowa is but the half-way point to ancestral summer breeding grounds. Northern summers are brief and from a nesting birds point of view, there is little reason to linger. For those who wish to view these amazing voyagers, getting into the out-of-doors is something that cannot be delayed.

To make the most of this years viewing opportunities, birders need to strike while the metal is hot. The birds you missed seeing today could already be hundreds of miles to the north by tomorrows sunrise.

Location: Although every isolated gooseberry patch and plum thicket is likely to harbor its own feathered treasure, larger (public access) habitats  such as state and county wildlife areas, state parks, and other public trusts  generally yield greater numbers and greater varieties of birdlife. Choice habitats are those offering a rich mix of hardwood timber, dense understory, and a liberal sprinkling of temporary wetlands. If youre looking for birding diversity, it just doesnt get any better than that.

A short list of my North Iowa favorites include The Nature Conservancys Clausens Cove located on Clear Lakes south shore, Mason Citys Lime Creek Conservation Area, and Pilot Knob State Park near Forest City.

If youre in the mood for a road trip, a visit to southern Iowas Stephens State Forest, northeast Iowas Yellow River State Forest, or the rugged Mississippi River blufflands of eastern Iowa are well worth the time. In addition to top drawer mushroom hunting and magnificent scenery, these densely forested landscapes also harbor the creme de le creme of spring birding.
Before contact with Europeans, the Haudenosaune,

a group of nations in northeastern North America also

known as the Iroquois, had been developing a form of

communication, primarily for political purposes, that

(5) used wampum, a bead carved from seashell. Most

historians have insisted that wampum was primarily a

form of money. While wampum certainly did become

a medium of exchange among Europeans and

Haudenosaune alike, this was due to the Europeans,

(10) who misinterpreted the significance of wampum and

used it solely to purchase goods from the Haudenosaune.

However, the true significance of wampum for the

Haudenosaune lies in its gradual development from

objects with religious significance into a method for

(15) maintaining permanent peace among distinct nations.

Over time wampum came to be used to record and

convey key sociopolitical messages.



Wampum came in two colors, white and deep

purple. Loose beads constituted the simplest and oldest

(20) form of wampum. Even in the form ofloose beads,

wampum could represent certain basic ideas. For

example, white was associated with the sky-yearning

spirit, Sapling, whose terrestrial creations, such as

trees, were often beneficial to humanity; deep purple

(25) was associated with Sapling's twin brother, Flint, the

earth-loving spirit whose frequent mischievous

vandalism (e.g., in the form of storms) often severely

disrupted human life. Legend indicates, for example,

that ancient Haudenosaune anglers threw the beads

(30) into the water in which they fished to communicate

with Sapling or Flint (differing versions of the

Haudenosaune cosmology attribute the creation of fish

to one or the other of these spirits). Later, loose beads

were strung together forming string wampum. It is

(35) thought that string wampum was used to send simple

political messages such as truce requests.



It was, however, the formation of the Haudenosaune

Confederacy from a group of warring tribes, believed

by some to have occurred around 1451 , that supplied

(40) the major impetus for making wampum a deliberate

system of both arbitrary and pictorially derived

symbols designed primarily for political purposes.

This is evident in the invention of wampum belts to

encode the provisions of the Haudenosaune

(45) Confederacy's constitution. These belts combined

string wampum to form icons that could be deciphered

by those knowing the significance of the stylized

symbols. For example, longhouses, depicted in

front-view outline, usually meant a particular nation

(50) of the confederacy. Council fires, possibly indicating

talks in progress, were diamond outlines that could

appear alone or within trees or longhouses. Lines

between humanlike figures seem to have indicated the

current state of relations between peoples; belts

(55) containing such images were often used as

safe-conduct passes. The arrangements of the two

colors also directed interpretation of the symbols.

Thus, the belts served to record, store, and make

publicly available items of governmental business.

(60) Although the wampum symbol system had a limited

lexicon, it served to effectively frame and enforce the

law of the confederacy for hundreds of years.

1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

2. The fishing practice mentioned in the second paragraph is offered primarily as an instance of

3. The last paragraph of the passage serves primarily to

4. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following?

5. The passage provides the most support for inferring which one of the following?

6. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following?

(A) The Haudenosaune's use of wampum originated with combinations of strings of beads with religious significance, but the need for communication between nations led to more complex uses of wampum including the transmission of political messages.(B) For the Haudenosaune, wampum did not originally serve as a form of money but as an evolving form of communication that, through the use of colors and symbols, conveyed information and that eventually encoded the provisions of the Haudenosaune Confederacy's constitution.(C) Wampum's significance for the Haudenosauneas a form of communication linking their traditions with the need for the sharing of information within the confederacy-was changed through European contact so that it became exclusively a medium of commercial exchange.(D) There is substantial evidence that the Haudenosaune's use of wampum as a medium of communication based on color combinations had its origin in the political events surrounding the establishment of the Haudenosaune Confederacy.(E) Because of the role played by wampum in relations between the Haudenosaune and Europeans, many historians have overlooked the communicative role that bead combinations played in Haudenosaune culture prior to contact with Europeans.(A) a type of knowledge that was encoded and passed on through the use of wampum(B) a traditional practice that was altered by contact with Europeans(C) an activity that was regulated by the laws of the Haudenosaune Confederacy(D) a practice that many historians learned of by studying wampum(E) a traditional practice that reflects a stage in the evolution of wampum's uses(A) detail how wampum belts evolved from other forms of wampum(B) distinguish between wampum belts and less complex forms of string wampum(C) illustrate how wampum functioned as a system of symbolic representation(D) outline the Haudenosaune Confederacy's constitution as it was encoded using wampum(E) give evidence of wampum's effectiveness as a means of ensuring compliance with the law of the Haudenosaune Confederacy(A) Even if the evolution of wampum had not been altered by the arrival of Europeans, wampum would likely have become a form of currency because of its compactness.(B) The use of colors in wampum to express meaning arose in response to the formation of the Haudenosaune Confederacy.(C) The ancient associations of colors with spirits were important precursors to, and foundations of, later wampum representations that did not depend directly on these associations for their meaning.(D) Because the associations with certain colors shifted over time, the same color beads acquired different meanings on belt wampum as opposed to string wampum.(E) If the Europeans who first began trading with the Haudenosaune had been aware that wampum was used as a means of communication, they would not have used wampum as a medium of exchange.(A) Wampum was probably used on occasion as a medium of economic exchange long before the Haudenosaune had contact with Europeans.(B) The formation of the Haudenosaune Confederacy called for a more complex method of communication than wampum as used until then had provided.(C) Once wampum came to be used as currency in trade with Europeans, the constitution of the Haudenosaune Confederacy had to be recodified using other methods of representation.(D) Prior to Haudenosaune contact with Europeans, wampum served primarily as a means of promulgating official edicts and policies of the Haudenosaune Confederacy.(E) As belt wampum superseded string wampum as a method of communication, wampum beads acquired subtler shadings in the colors used to represent abstract ideas.(A) There is evidence that objects similar to wampum were used for symbolic representation by other peoples in addition to the Haudenosaune.(B) The Europeans who first came in contact with the Haudenosaune insisted on using wampum as a form of currency in spite of their awareness of its true significance.(C) There is evidence that Europeans who came in contact with the Haudenosaune adopted some long-standing Haudenosaune uses of wampum.(D) A long-term peaceful association among the groups that formed the Haudenosaune Confederacy was an important precondition for the use of wampum as a means of communication.(E) Present day interpretations of the significance of some of the symbols used in wampum belts are not conclusive
Monday marks a stepping stone of sorts for Danville.

After nearly five years of chatter surrounding bringing a casino to the River City, a temporary facility will open at 10 a.m. Monday.

With it comes many unknowns  traffic hurdles lead the list  but also high anticipation of a citys rebirth and march toward a tourism destination.

Im hoping we see a lot of lines, Chris Albrecht, general manager of Caesars Virginia, said Friday morning. Everything right now has been speculation.

The 40,000-square-foot facility  officially called Danville Casino  is housed inside a giant white rented tent on the corner of the future home of Caesars Virginia, the permanent casino and resort.

Its all located in an area known as Schoolfield  once a bustling mill village  on a property formerly owned by Dan River Inc., a textile manufacturer that was synonymous with Danville.

Today, three original smokestacks remain on the space and will be incorporated into the new resorts design as a nod to Danvilles past.

The entire resort was originally scheduled to be opened this year, but pandemic-induced supply chain snarls and ensuing delays forced the completion target date to 2024.

Thats one reason Caesars Virginia decided to push forward with a smaller-scale operation while construction continues on the main attraction.

We decided it was a great opportunity to look forward to getting this operation going, starting to generate some revenue, getting team members trained, Albrecht explained after a question posed by the Register & Bee in a Friday media session.

He said the full casino and resort is still on track to open next year.

Monday traffic

Danville steps into uncharted territory Monday by becoming a gathering spot for casino lovers or just those curious about the flashing games.

I think anytime you have a large event or large change like that, theres going to be a feeling out period, Lee Vogler, a member of Danville City Council, said in a phone interview Friday when asked if the community is ready for the influx of traffic.

But Vogler was quick to point out that just a few decades ago the same spot had thousands of people rolling in and out to work at the Schoolfield mill.

That site used to have a whole lot of traffic day in and day out, he said.

To avoid possible traffic woes, Danville Public Schools will shuttle some students at Schoolfield Elementary School  a facility just a few blocks from the casino site  from a nearby church parking lot, at least for this coming week.

Ahead of the casino opening, we have received no indication of increased traffic from Caesars or the city, Lanie Davis, a spokesperson for Danville Public Schools, told the Register & Bee this week. However, a casino opening in the city is something we have not experienced before.

The school has about 150 students who are dropped off and picked up by parents.

We want to ensure that in the event of possible traffic congestion in the Schoolfield area, parents are not experiencing delays, and students are getting to school on time and safely, she explained.

Car-riding students will be dropped off at a nearby church and shuttled via a school bus to Schoolfield Elementary. The reverse will happen in the afternoon as students leave for the day.

This arrival and dismissal change is planned for one week, Davis said. If we find that the casino is not impacting traffic, the school will go back to its normal operations as soon as possible.

Also, additional traffic always brings the possibility of crashes and injuries. With that in mind, Sovah Health-Danville leaders are prepared for whatever comes.

The new casino will undoubtedly be a driving force behind increased tourism to our region and we have been in conversations with both casino leadership and the city of Danville as to how Sovah Health can be a partner, Corey Santoriello, a spokesperson with Sovah Health, told the Register & Bee this week. While we cannot predict what type of impact the casino opening will have on the hospital, we do know that Caesars and the city of Danville have taken many steps to prepare for visitors to our area and Sovah Health is committed to community partnership and caring for all who need us.

As for parking for the Danville Casino  located at 1100 W. Main St.  spaces are available around the facility and the company has leased parking lots from the city of Danville across West Main Street and Bishop Road.

If youve been outside you can see we are are still striping those lots, so I dont have an exact number of spots, Albrecht said Friday, but he felt confident parking wouldnt be an issue.

Facility and capacity

About 400 people are employed by the Danville Casino that can hold close to 3,000 people at a time.

A lot of our team members are from Danville, Albrecht said, but noted others are from across the region and over the state line in North Carolina.

The biggest comment Ive heard is that it looks a lot different on the inside than on the outside, he said while explaining the feel for the casino.

We put a lot of detail into making this experience very strong, he said, even though its a temporary operation.

As a matter of fact, the temporary site is built on a future parking lot for the final facility. When that opens in 2024, the rented tent will come down.

Weekends tend to be the busiest time for casinos, but Albrecht noted Danvilles a new market for the group.

The inside is dominated by more than 700 video-style gaming machines  all with vibrant colors and myriad themes  where a customer takes a seat in front of the towering unit to place a bet.

Beyond those units, there are about 25 live table games like blackjack and roulette and other electronically operated machines.

Obviously our temporary facility here is focused on gaming, Albrecht said, explaining the hospitality aspects will come with the full casino.

Vogler got to be part of two sneak-peak sessions hosted this week.

I was really impressed on how it looks on the inside, the staff and everyone, he said. I thought everyone did a fantastic job from security to the wait staff.

Vogler was there for a couple of hours with his wife for what amounted to fundraising sessions for the House of Hope and Haven, two nonprofit organizations in the Dan River Region.

While he spent most of his time walking and talking, he did try his hand at some of the slots.

The outcome? He said they left with more than we came in with.

Other growth in Danville

Taking a stroll in downtown Danville right now  especially for someone whos never been to the city  isnt the prettiest sight.

Last week, a building in the heart of the River District started coming down leaving rubble in its wake. The area will become green space until a final decision is made for the future use.

Right across the road, construction is beginning on the new riverfront park thats right beside Danvilles iconic White Mill  another former Dan River Inc. facility  thats being transformed into housing units and retail space.

In one sense, it would be best if they were completed, Vogler said when asked about the timing of Mondays visitor influx with ongoing construction.

On the other hand, he said tourists can view it as more progress for the city.

It shows that Danville is moving forward and the best is yet to come, he explained. When they come now they will get an idea of things in motion.

Folks coming to visit the temporary casino will get to watch progress unfold at other areas of the city undergoing a transformation.

Albrecht also looks forward to sharing the casino customers with the city.

The community is very strong, he said Friday. Weve already seen a lot of development underway.

He also noted when players venture to a casino, they arent just selecting the gaming establishment. They also are choosing the community, something tourism officials also are betting on.

On Thursday, Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders unveiled a new tourism brand: Visit SoSi. The new marketing slogan highlights Southside Virginia by playing off the words so and see.

When the full Caesars Virginia casino opens next year, more than 2 million visitors are expected to flood into Danville annually. Mondays opening of the temporary facility will provide the region a taste of whats to come.

Not all positive

Business owners and residents in the Schoolfield area recently expressed reserved thoughts when it comes to Mondays opening of the casino.

Some were worried about traffic, and others were concerned with the aspect of a gambling facility in Danville.

We listen to feedback of all of our citizens, and certainly dont dismiss any of that, Vogler said, noting that voters overwhelmingly approved via referendum to allow a casino to open in Danville.

Another worry often brought up is the potential for crime, but Vogler said the city has thoroughly thought out and vetted this thing.

The crime aspect was one of the first issues city leaders explored a few years ago when a casino became a possibility for Danville.

Vogler said they talked to Danville Police Department Chief Scott Booth who was very supportive of it.

In fact, Booth was standing right behind Vogler when he presented the casino case before the General Assembly in order to allow the measure to go before the voters.

They also went to other localities of similar size in Iowa and New York. Chatting with leaders there, they asked a simple question: if they had to do it over, would they still bring in a casino?

The answer  each time  was an overwhelming yes.

For people not sold on the casino, Vogler asks them to just give it a chance before shutting it out.

I think for us, as we went through this whole process, the pros outweighed any of the cons, when it comes to revenue for the city and jobs for the residents.

We have no desire to be Atlantic City, he quickly added, saying thats not a fair comparison for the vision of Danville.

In the end, he hopes about 10 years from now other leaders from across the nation will look to Danville and say, This is a city that did things right.

Photos: A sneak peak inside the Danville Casino
REIDSVILLEThanks to Greater Reidsville Habitat for Humanity and Habitat of Greater Greensboro, Reidsville resident Tiffanie Mitchell will soon become a first-time homeowner.

A certified medical assistant, she and her children, ages 10 and 13, currently live in an apartment.

I am most excited about my children having their own home and space, Mitchell, 34, said. They are able to go outside in the neighborhood we currently live in, but to have their own yard has been my ultimate goal.

The Habitat organizations joined forces to build two homes after property on Harrison Street was donated to Reidsville Habitat by the children of the late Julius and Patricia Gwyn. Patricia Gwyn served on the Reidsville Habitat board from 1989 to 1995. Reidsville Habitat is building Mitchells home facing Maple Avenue, and Greensboro Habitat is building a mirror-image of that facing Gardner Street. Located in the Old Post Road Historic District, the homes will feature wrap-around porches. The City of Reidsvilles Historic Preservation Commission approved the exterior designs, which also feature color schemes appropriate to the district.

Construction began on Mitchells three-bedroom, two-bath home several weeks ago, with the project slated to be completed this summer, but Mitchell has been patiently waiting for quite some time. She was approved as a potential homeowner in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed construction. Reidsville Habitat had planned to build two homes on the donated property, anticipating cost savings by building at the same time.

Unfortunately, the price of building supplies soared during the pandemic, and in 2022, when Reidsville Habitat wanted to resume the project, we learned we could no longer afford to build two houses simultaneously, said Sara Peterson, board president. Greensboro Habitat leveraged Rockingham County funding to partner with us to make the dual building project possible.

The second home is intended for someone who has lived or worked in Rockingham County for at least a year, and the board is actively seeking applicants for it.

Both homes will be 1,542 square feet and Energy Star Certified, saving energy and money, as well as helping protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.

An Energy Star home costs a bit more to build but has been shown to save about $150 a month on heating and cooling costs, Peterson said. Habitat considers this a good investment since we build homes for long-term livability.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for working families of modest means. Applications are evaluated on three principles: need, ability to pay and willingness to partner with Habitat.

Reidsville Habitat participated in the State Employees Credit Union/North Carolina Habitat Mountains to the Sea Challenge to build 100 homes in 100 counties and is reinvesting the cash realized from this program in the home being built for Mitchell and her children. Additionally, both Reidsville homes have sponsors, persons who made large donations to underwrite construction. Sponsors for the Mitchell home are Susan Thompson and her late husband, Jimmy, a longtime member of the Reidsville Habitat board. Robert and Shirley Daniel are sponsors of the second home.

Reidsville Habitat invites local businesses, churches and individuals to invest in affordable housing in our community, Peterson said.

Incorporated in 1989, Greater Reidsville Habitat for Humanity has since built or rehabbed 28 homes, and Mitchells home will be number 29. Greensboro Habitat is providing general contracting services for Reidsville Habitats two-home construction project.

Twenty-five percent of Reidsville households and almost 20 percent of Rockingham County households live in poverty, Peterson said. The need for safe and affordable housing is great.

In addition to providing better lives for families, Habitat for Humanity also enhances communities.

Studies have shown that property values rise in neighborhoods with Habitat homes, Peterson said. A 10-year study conducted by Stanford Business School showed that infill investment in affordable housing in low-income communities increases property values by 6.5 percent for homes within a tenth of a mile of the project.

The foundation for Mitchells home is complete and walls started going up recently. It is a Habitat tradition to have a kickoff ceremony to celebrate with the new homeowner and bless the construction of the home. The ceremony for Mitchell was held April 29.

Reidsville Habitat knows that home ownership provides strength, stability and security for families, Peterson said. Tiffanie has worked hard and waited patiently for her new home, and we wish her every success as a homeowner.

Mitchell is extremely grateful for the opportunity to finally own her own home and cannot wait to move in later this year.

My children  they deserve to have a home to grow up in, she said.
GREENSBORO  Several organizations participated in a protest Saturday against the opening of a facility to receive immigrant children at the former American Hebrew Academy campus.

Organizers say the concept is flawed and that the companies hired by the federal government are not trained in the care of children.

There is a narrative that this is a safe haven, said Mike Ishii of Tsuru for Solidarity. But actually what this is, is an influx site. And the history of children in these sites is that these are warehouses  these are congregate prisons for children.

No opening date has been announced for the facility on the 100-acre campus of a former boarding school. It could house up to 800 children, primarily boys and girls ages 13 to 17, and would be staffed by at least 1,500 people.

Children would stay there while the Office of Refugee Resettlement works to place them with a vetted sponsor, often a family member, while their immigration status is adjudicated. The agency, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, operates 220 care facilities nationwide.

The federal government is legally required to provide care for unaccompanied children referred by the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

While in ORR care, children have access to medical treatment, legal services, translation services, education, and mental and behavioral health counselors and are able to connect with family at least twice a week, DHHS said last year.

Cecile Crawford, state director of the American Friends Service Committee, said the beauty of the campus on Hobbs Road and the plan put forth by the Office of Refugee Settlement sound beneficial to the children.

It sounds great and I applaud them for trying to take this humane approach, she said. But we have not seen one instance of this being done right.

We want to make sure that people understand that imprisoning children and separating families goes against American values, Crawford said. Detention is a failed time-proven policy  it doesnt deter migration, because it just causes tremendous irreparable harm to humans, especially children.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement has contracted Deployed Resources LLC and Deployed Services LLC  theyre not contractors of child care, these are military contractors, Crawford said.

More than $268 million has been obligated by the federal government for the facility, with the potential for millions more. Deployed Resources and its sister company Deployed Services have been awarded to provide services at the Greensboro facility, called the Greensboro Piedmont Academy Influx Care Facility for UC (unaccompanied minors).

The News & Record reached out to both companies, but they did not respond with a comment for this article.

The Office of Refugee Settlement also did not respond to requests for comment about the groups concerns.

Crawford said plans for the Greensboro site sounds similar to those put in place at Starr Commonwealth. That emergency intake site in Albion, Michigan, housed migrant children from Afghanistan and was staffed mostly by another federal contractor, PAE Applied Technologies, according to a Pro Publica report.

The March 25 article says that before Starr Commonwealth site shut down in January, there were reports of physical and sexual abuse at the facility. Employees were overwhelmed and one shelter volunteer called the situation inside a pressure cooker, the article says.

They had all the promises of treating these kids really well and it just went wrong, Crawford said. It went sideways really fast.

Ishii said the federal government should be funding much smaller facilities for immigrant children.

And theres money to do that, but theres not a will on the part of the government to actually shift and do what they should do, which is small home-like care facilities with licensed wraparound support, Ishii said.

The advocates also criticized what they say is a lack of oversight for these facilities.

The narrative is  were going to be watchdogs over this site, Ishii said. Whos going to let you in to see that? Theyve never done that before. They dont let the community in to oversee it.

Other groups participating in the protest include Guilford for All, Jallohs Upright Services, Sudan House, Greensboro African Public Action Committee and North Carolina Asian Americans Together.
GREENSBORO  A 33-year-old woman died Saturday morning at the scene of an aggravated assault, Greensboro police said in a news release today.

Police are investigating the death of Kristen Coe Valdez as a homicide.

Officers responded just after 10 a.m. Saturday to Forestglade Drive, where they located Valdez. The initial news release incorrectly stated EMS transported her for treatment, police said.

The news release did not state how Valdez was fatally injured, and said police are not searching for a suspect at this time. However, police have not said whether they have identified a suspect or made any arrests in her death.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.
UNCG graduate Abby Bailiff is celebrating two major milestones: getting her doctorate of nursing practice degree and becoming a mother in a 24-hour period, the university said in a news release.

On May 3, one day before her graduation, Bailiff gave birth to her first child  a son named Bodie, the university said. Bailiff left the hospital with Bodie at noon on May 4 and then decided to attend her graduation ceremony hours later.

Bailiff earned her degree in the adult-gerontological primary care nurse practitioner concentration, the university said.

I remember walking into the gymnasium for graduation, and everybody was just cheering and standing and there was a huge crowd, Bailiff said. I dont know if it was a mix of the hormones or just how overwhelmed I was feeling, but I just started crying.

It was just an overwhelming feeling of accomplishing so much within the last couple of days, Bailiff said. It felt really good.

Bailiff became a mom right before Mothers Day and earned her doctorate just as National Nurses Week was about to begin, the university said. As if that werent enough, she went viral after her sister, Hannah, posted a video about Bailiffs 24 hours on TikTok.

The nine-second clip shows photographs of Bailiff in the hospital after giving birth to her son, followed by footage of her getting hooded by School of Nursing faculty member Autumn Henson at graduation.

The short video has been liked more than 120,000 times since it was posted on TikTok, the university said. It has received more than 1,000 comments.

I want other women to know, especially those in school who get pregnant and want to do this or want to do that, we can do anything we want to do, Bailiff said. We have to set our minds to it. I know that sounds cliche, but that whole video put it into perspective.
GREENSBORO  About 50 people gathered Saturday to protest the planned facility to house immigrant children who crossed the border with Mexico until they are reunited with their family or a sponsor.

This is not a reunification center. This is a gilded cage, said Mike Ishii of Tsuru for Solidarity. Its a concentration camp for black and brown children.

The protesters, some of them local and some of whom came from as far away as California, marched from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church along Jefferson Road to a back gate of the former American Hebrew Academy. They laid a wreath and flowers at the gate, sang and offered condolences to the family of a Honduran teenage immigrant who died in federal custody this week. His cause of death is under investigation.

For $10 million per year, the federal government is renting the 100-acre academy to house the Greensboro Piedmont Academy Influx Care Facility for UC (unaccompanied minors).

No opening date has been announced, but the facility could house up to 800 children, primarily ages 13 to 17.

Youth would stay there while the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) works to place them with a vetted sponsor, often a family member, while their immigration status is adjudicated.

These influx facilities run by and invested in by ORR are in danger to children because of their lack of transparency and accountability, said Rene Murillo of Seeds of Resistance.

Murillo was held at an influx facility for more than a month eight years ago, when he was 9 years old.

It was just like an eternity, he said.

Though 60 years older than Murillo, Dr. Satsuki Ina said she can relate to his experience.

A co-founder of Tsuru for Solidarity, Ina and her two siblings who came to Saturdays protest were born in internment camps set up by the U.S. government during World War II. American citizens of Japanese descent were forced to live in the camps for years after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

My mother was pregnant with my brother at the time and faced incredible trauma, Ina said. My mother wrote in her diary, I wonder if todays the day theyre going to line us up and shoot us.

So they lived in constant anxiety and, as a psychotherapist, I know that trauma can have lasting effects on children, Ina said.

Housing immigrant children  who came to this country for a better life  in influx care centers is wrong, all three of the siblings said.

We have handcuffed them, put them in freezing buildings, and transported them to huge facilities where their identities are lost, Ina said. So were here to say stop repeating history. No more detention of children.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, operates 220 influx care facilities nationwide.

More than $268 million has been obligated by the federal government for the Greensboro facility, with hundreds of millions more likely to be spent.

Deployed Resources and its sister company Deployed Services have been awarded contracts to provide services there. At least 1,500 people are expected to work at the facility when it opens and some already are at the site.

Ishii said conditions at other facilities that sheltered immigrant children portend what could happen in Greensboro.

At Fort Bliss, there were four whistleblowers that came forth in the last couple of years, Ishii said.

They were alleging sexual abuse, physical abuse, rotten food, children whose cases were forgotten and they languished for many months without seeing a caseworker because no one knew that they were in prison cells waiting to have their cases heard.

Were here as the canaries in the coal mine to say do not let this come to your community, he said.

Some of what Ishii said is backed up by a report from the DHHS Office of Inspector General. Rapid Deployment Inc. managed the Fort Bliss facility in El Paso, Texas.

Cecile Crawford, state director of the American Friends Service Committee, said federal officials need to come up with a better plan.

We want the Biden administration and the Office of Refugee Resettlement to invest in a more humane policy of rapid reunification at the border and an end to detention, Crawford said.

As of Friday, more than 9,000 unaccompanied immigrant children were in the custody of DHHS or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a federal report. That does not include children from Mexico, who are usually sent directly back to that country.
Staying true to her musical passions, says Rhiannon Giddens, meant becoming accustomed, as she put it, to being the raisin the oatmeal, meaning the only person of color in the room.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, it was just me, she says in a YouTube talk about the roots of the banjo.

Even as a child growing up in Greensboro, she knew she liked banjo and fiddle music, not something you typically hear from a young Black girl. (And, yes, she says, part of that exposure came from watching Hee-Haw on Saturday nights with her family.)

Over the years, her fascination only intensified, and she became drawn to contra dances with live bands.

I could feel it in my soul, she says. And I became hooked to the sound of the clawhammer banjo  And I was really, really connecting to it, and I decided I wanted to learn how to play it.

So she got a second job, bought a cheap banjo and a fiddle and immersed herself into learning those instruments and going to places where she could hear them.

I just started to feel like, I dont know, that I had to ask for permission to be in this kind of music, Giddens said.

Until she found out she didnt have to ask. All along it had been her music, too.

While the banjo is typically associated with country music, it originated with Black musicians  a fact that Giddens herself didnt realize until after she had graduated from college.

The forebear of the banjo we know today was the gourd banjo, invented by Black musicians in the Caribbean.

It evolved from there into the minstrel banjo, to the jazz tenor banjo, to the Irish tenor banjo, to the bluegrass banjo, to the modern banjo.

So, she mastered it and celebrated it and found kindred spirits who also were eager to resurrect a Black tradition that had been largely overlooked.

In 2005, she co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Durham-based, Grammy-winning old-time Black string band in which she shared vocals while excelling on the banjo, the fiddle and, yes, even the kazoo.

So, beyond what Giddens means to us a performer is what she means to us as a teacher  a living reminder of the beautiful tapestry of colors, accents, flavors and sounds that make this community, and this country, what they are.

Now theres Omar.

The groundbreaking opera based on the life and writings of an enslaved Muslim from Africa just won her a Pulitzer Prize to go with Giddens Grammy and 2017 MacArthur genius grant.

As the News & Records McLaughlin reported last week, Omar is based on the 1831 autobiography of a West African scholar named Omar Ibn Said who was sold into slavery in South Carolina.

Giddens, 46, collaborated with Michael Abels on the opera, which premiered in Charleston, S.C., in 2020.

As for what s comes next, who knows?

Yet, as she adds to her growing list of life accomplishments, its Giddens voice that may be her most precious gift. And not just her singing voice.

The operatically trained UNCG alumna can sing rock, soul, gospel, blues, jazz, bluegrass and Scottish folk songs with equal ease and conviction.

But just as important is her speaking voice, which she has used to shed light on culture and history and the ties that bind us through art and music  ties that many of us didnt even know existed.

Despite making her home in Ireland now, Giddens is a frequent visitor to Greensboro, where she still shares her time and her talents.

In 2015, she performed here at the National Folk Festival.

In 2018 she guest curated acts for the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro.

In 2021, she and her life partner, Francesco Turrisi, opened the citys new Tanger Center for the Performing Arts with a concert.

In 2022, she starred in the Greensboro Operas production of Porgy and Bess.

And on Sept. 28, as we learned last week, shell return for a concert at the Carolina Theatre.

She is a citizen of the world, yet still firmly rooted here.

And the sounds of her success come from straight from the heart.

Have we mentioned it lately? You done good, home girl.
The 23rd annual Prickly Pear Land Trusts "Dont Fence Me In" Trail Run took place Saturday on Helenas South Hills Trail system with a record attendance of about 1,100 who ran and walked, not including dogs.

Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) Executive Director Mary Hollow said celebrating trails is really dear and near to many Montanans' hearts. She thanked the 100s of volunteers who course mark, work traffic control, do check-ins, the EMTs who volunteer and the businesses who bring food, hydration, physical therapy and more to the race.

This event personifies Prickly Pear Land Trusts community, and it brings out the best people in this region for the things that we all love about Montana  trails, conservation, wildlife, water, Hollow said. The work that we do is really important right now at this point in the state, so its wonderful to see such a turnout and so much support not just for this organization but for these efforts statewide.

The 30k started at 7:30 a.m., and the 12k fired off at 10 a.m. The two remaining races were 5ks at 10:30 a.m. and the 5k Dog Walk at 10:45 a.m.

Bob Walker, who is president of the Montana Trails Coalition and has been volunteering for the race for 15-years described, the race as Good ol' Helena-friendly. He highlighted the importance of volunteers and thanked Martin Miller and Mike Roberts, who have been volunteering with the race for all 23 years but were away helping run the 30k and 12k.

Look at the people, Walker said. Theres so many people from all over the state who come to this event. Its fun and not just that, but its important to the Prickly Pear Land Trust. This is one of their major events of the year.

Funds from the race go to support all the work Prickly Pear Land Trust does with community conservation and education of land, water, wildlife and trails in and around Helena.

The biggest PPLT TrailRaisers were the Queens of the Mountains who gathered $3,000, Hollow said. The three young women on the team are in eighth grade at Helena Middle School  Aven Baker, Megan Glatz and Kelia Gomes; they all ran in the 5k. Baker had been a TrailRaiser with her grandma since she was little and asked her friends to join a team with her last year, where they won as well.

Headquarters for the race was at Anchor Park near the Lewis and Clark Library. After the races, there was a celebration with live music, family-friendly fun and food from food trucks Old Salt Outpost, Mountain Berry Bowls and Rockstar BBQ and more. Awards were announced around noon.

The winner in the womens 30k trail race, Marci Klimek from Bozeman took first place with a time of 2:38:26.1.

She moved to Bozeman about a month ago from southern Oregon by Ashland. She said the Dont Fence Me In Trial Run was her first running experience in Montana, and she is training to run in Tahoes Broken Arrow Skyrace in about a month and wanted to see if she was up for the challenge with todays race.

I was like I need to see if I can actually cover the distance in something with elevation, and if I cant survive this one, then  because this is challenging, said Klimek. I was looking at it because its so different, and I was like, Oh my God, its almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Trial by fire, but it went great.

The winner in the mens 30k trail race, Zach Perrin from Bozeman, had a time of 2:09:12.6. It was Perrins first time running this race on these Helena trails. Hes been running for most of his life but started trail running about a year ago.

I just like the training of it. Its a little bit different than roads, and its just super fun. Time goes by fast on the trails, said Perrin. ... I really enjoyed it, and I think Im going to be back. Its just an awesome event, happy to be able to support land trust and the trails here.

A full list of result can be found here.

Photos: Runners traverse the South Hills in the Don't Fence Me In trail run
Following a long, cold winter with heavy snowfall that killed off weak and young wildlife, four conservation projects are planned for Montana and Wyoming to help elk, pronghorn, deer and other species.

The work is targeted at improving wildlife migration corridors and habitat in northern, southeastern and southwest Montana, along with Wyoming. Without easy passage, animals can waste important energy when they are weak, become trapped or entangled and die.

The conservation projects funded this year by the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund will make great strides toward protecting species including pronghorn, mule deer and elk during their annual migrations and enhancing the rangeland habitats they need to survive and thrive, said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which administers the grant program. This years awards include two important projects in eastern Montana that will support efforts to secure much-needed migration routes for pronghorn and mule deer.

The four projects were awarded more than $1.82 million in federal funding to match money raised by conservation groups and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. In all, 13 projects in nine western states were awarded $4 million in grants.

Northeast

The work planned includes:

A project to improve 35 miles of fencing to wildlife-friendly standards in northern Montana and better grazing management on 15,500 private acres. The $415,400 grant, matched by Pheasants Forever, will also restore 1,866 acres of grassland.

Wildlife-friendly fencing puts a smooth wire on the bottom so pronghorns can crawl underneath, or it raises the bottom barbed-wire up. The top wire is lowered so game like deer and elk can more easily jump over.

The work is part of the Big Game Habitat Improvement Project, Big HIP, started in 2020. The project uses collared pronghorns to identify problem fences. Pheasant Forever is also working with the Montana Department of Transportation to identify landowners next to highway projects where fencing improvements can be made.

Southwest

In southwest Montanas Beaverhead County, almost all of the $407,100 being invested by the National Wildlife Federation was matched to improve big game movement  primarily pronghorn. By removing or modifying 40 miles of obsolete woven wire sheep fence over three years, the work is improving wildlife connectivity. The project is concentrated on the western side of the county.

Weve been working in southwest Montana on fence removal and modification projects since 2021 and have received a couple NFWF grants to support the work, said Kit Fischer, director of Wildlife Programs for the Federation in the Northern Rockies, Prairies and Pacific.

Almost 16 miles of fence has already been modified with another 10 miles targeted.

In 2020, a NWF study pointed to a need for fence modifications to aid winter pronghorn migrations between the Horse Prairie Valley and near Anaconda, a summering area.

Recent data has shown migration from the Dillon area west to the Big Hole Valley and north to the Upper Clark Fork watershed along the western boundary of I-15, NWF noted in its application for funding.

Southeast

In southeastern Montanas Custer, Rosebud, Powder River and Carter counties, $1.05 million was raised by the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation with another $275,000 grant awarded to work with landowners and organizations to improve big game habitat. To that end, the effort would include controlled burns across 10,000 acres, conifer removal, weed management on 50,000 acres and expansion of conservation easements to 50,000 acres. Twenty miles of fencing would be improved to wildlife-friendly standards. Another 75,000 acres is targeted for improved management with restoration on 20,000 acres.

Over the past few years research efforts led by FWP (Fish, Wildlife & Parks) have identified migratory movements and pathways that link populations between Montana and Wyoming, key barriers impacting movements, and winter habitats used by pronghorn and elk, wrote FWP director Hank Worsech in endorsing the project.

The grant request identified a vast area ranging from the Bighorn River through grasslands, sagebrush and forested lands to the borders of Wyoming and South Dakota and including the Powder and Tongue river drainages. The Miles City BLM Field Office has already replaced 170 miles of woven-wire and/or barrier fences since 2005.

Wyoming

The Wyoming work will improve forage as well as connectivity between seasonal ranges for mule deer and other wildlife that suffered heavy losses this winter. The $732,500 the Wyoming Game and Fish Department earmarked, which was matched by federal funds, will improve 25 miles of fencing, restore 3,050 acres of public land and remove invasive vegetation from 5,776 acres.

When combined with work planned in the other states, the projects will remove or improve 890 miles of fencing to wildlife-friendly standards; improve management on 903,000 acres of rangelands; restore 218,614 acres of public, private and tribal lands; place protective easements on 175,410 acres; and treat 13,000 acres for invasive plants.

Wildlife corridor connectivity is central to the Biden-Harris administrations all-of-government approach to addressing the impacts of the climate crisis and the impact of human activity on habitat, said Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau in announcing the grants on Wednesday in Tucson, Arizona. Thanks to these types of holistic public-private partnerships, the Interior Department is making significant progress on migration corridor conservation.

Funding comes from the Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big Game Migration Corridors and Habitat Connectivity program. The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in-part through annual appropriations funding from the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture.
DECATUR  Police are searching for a suspect accused of pulling a gun on another man during a dispute outside of a Decatur business.

Sgt. Timothy Maxwell with the Decatur Police Department said its unknown if the handgun the suspect was holding was real, but the victim who saw it told police it looked real to him.

He put his hands up in the air and told the suspect he didn't want any problems, and the suspect told the man to get in the man's car and leave, which he did, Maxwell added. He said the incident happened in the 2500 block of North Main Street around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a business parking lot.

The 45-year-old victim had earlier been walking out of the establishment when a vehicle pulled onto the lot, almost hitting him. Maxwell said the victim began arguing with the cars passenger over the near-miss and the argument continued later inside the business. When both men came outside again, Maxwell said that is when the passenger reached into the car and brandished the gun.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson
GLADE SPRING, Va.  A first-generation farmer who started out bottle-feeding bull calves when he was a child has forged a new path in farming, creating a cattle empire like no other in the Southwest Virginia area.

Craig Hammond  even his name around his home in Glade Spring is synonymous with cattle  has taken farming to a whole new level, buying and selling as many as 100,000 head of cattle each year to some of the nations largest cattle feedlots.

During the fall when sales are at optimum levels, Hammond can ship anywhere from 50 to 80 tractor-trailer loads of cattle each week to feedlots in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado, with a majority of his livestock going to Fredin Brothers, a feeder cattle procurement operation in Springfield, Minnesota.

His success and know-how in the cattle industry are daunting, especially since the livestock dealer and cattle farmer comes from parents who never farmed.

My dad was an education administrator. He was never a farmer, said Hammond. He still sometimes helps me on the farm and hes 82 now. But, I had a few relatives and neighbors who farmed when I was a kid. My grandparents had a small farm with a few cows.

Hammonds wife Lori, who is an integral part of the business, speaks highly of her husbands success. Im so proud of what he has accomplished. Hardly anyone today starts out without any inherited land. He started out from scratch with nothing, she said.

Now, he eats, breathes, and sleeps cattle, said the wife with a smile.

Hammond grew up in the Plum Creek community of Washington County, just two miles from where he and his wife and three daughters live. Ever since I was a little kid, Ive wanted to be a farmer. I guess I was just born with it.

After Hammond got a taste for raising the first two bottled-fed calves, the next year he bought four calves to fatten.

My whole life, it just seems like I always wanted to double my herd, he said.

By the time he was a senior at Patrick Henry High School in 1989, Hammond was growing four acres of Burley tobacco. Ten years later, that number had increased to more than 100 acres of tobacco.

In the mid 1990s, he focused on renting small farms in the area. More land meant more cattle he could buy and sell.

By1998, Hammond purchased his first tract of land from the former Allison dairy farm, nearby property that had been split into different tracts and sold individually. His first purchase of 127 acres continued to grow as he eventually was able to buy more tracts and put the original farm back together.

Growing up, I dreamed of owning this farm just down the road from where I was raised, he said. I rode by it on the school bus every day. I rode my bicycle by it. I kept up with what was going on with the dairy farm my whole childhood.

The 550-acre farm that took him 20 years to put back together now serves as the main headquarters for his cattle business, and also where Hammond and his family live today.

Westward bound

The cattle farmer started out making a name for himself by purchasing and grazing weaned stocker calves that weigh 400 to 500 pounds. The next step, he said, was to become a supplier for the feed lots in the western parts of the country which buy the fatten cattle once their weights double.

It was a big jump for the cattle farmer, but one that would pay off in the end.

I had always wanted to ship cattle to feed lots out West, said Hammond, who as a young farmer began traveling thousands of miles every year to the sites to make connections with people who would eventually become his business partners.

Turns out, those connections became the foundation for his business today.

CH Cattle Company was built by Hammond from scratch in 1999, a diversified cattle operation that offers buying, selling, and grazing programs.

The cattleman embarked on a new way of selling livestock in 2010.

In alliance with Fredin Brothers, the cattle company formed a local buying facility at Hammonds Glade Spring farm, allowing cattle producers to bring their cattle directly to Hammonds facility instead of selling them at the livestock market. The cattle are unloaded, sorted, and weighed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday throughout the year. All calves, yearlings, and slaughter cows and bulls are accepted.

The weigh-up program has been a big success, said Hammond. The program allows local producers to sell their cattle as well as purchase farm-fresh cattle to take home for grazing.

We feel this process is such a great benefit for the producer and for the feeder calves because theres less stress on the cattle. It prevents health issues that can occur during marketing, Hammond said.

You learn it on your own

Hammond credits unwavering perseverance for getting him where he is today.

You gotta love it, he said. Ive always said Harvard doesnt teach what we do. You cant get this education at school. You learn it on your own.

He laughed and added, You cant pay somebody a million dollars to do this kind of work, but for me, I love it. I look forward to getting up and doing this every day. If Im not productive, Im failing. Im always thinking about the next deal. Even when Im on vacation, Im on the phone trading cattle. Thats my job and thats my hobby, too.

Hammond wakes at 6 in the mornings, drinks a cup of coffee, and heads to the farm office where he and his employees make a plan for the day. His wife Lori helps to manage the financial side of the business.

We have a lot of long days and put in a lot of hours on the farm. Its not a 9-to-5 job. My employees and I enjoy it. Its what we like to do, said the cattle farmer.

Ive had some of the same employees for years and years. Were just like family. I wouldnt be where I am today without them.

More land, more cattle

Another of Hammonds hobbies is buying land for the many head of cattle he accumulates.

I guess I have a land-buying addiction, he said with a laugh. I love taking mismanaged land thats grown up and turning it back into something productive. Pretty much, Im restoring land, said Hammond, who owns more than 2,000 acres locally and leases several thousand acres.

Some of his employees serve on a construction crew for the cattle operation, remodeling barns on newly purchased land. Other employees build roads and fences, install water systems, and sow grass over cleared land for cattle to graze.

Theres always something that needs to get done making hay and planting corn for the livestock, said Hammond.

As he surveyed the farm behind his house and the cattle that grazed on the hill, Hammond reflected on what its taken to grow the farm in leaps and bounds throughout the years.

I just turned 51. Im not sure how much more growing I want to do, laughed Hammond.

I guess Ill keep on buying land and keeping cattle until Im dead. Thats about what it will be.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at citydesk@bristolnews.com.
In 1985, when there was no organization uniting both Bristols in tourism development, the Bristol Chamber of Commerce stepped in and formed Discover Bristol. Since then, we have effectively promoted and served our communitys travel and tourism interests and we have supported any organization that aligns with our efforts.

Discover Bristols nearly 40-year track record demonstrates that we have generated economic momentum that will benefit our community for many years to come:

We were instrumental in Bristols designation as the Birthplace of Country Music and the establishment of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

We led the way in expressing community support for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

We advocated for the continued growth of Bristols vibrant downtown by bringing in the citys first two boutique hotels, The Bristol Hotel and The Sessions Hotel, in collaboration with community partners.

We supported and/or hosted a variety of special events, including the annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, the Mumford & Sons concert, and the Battle at Bristol kickoff and pep rally.

Each year, we partnered with Bristol Motor Speedway on all race and non-race events.

We played a key role in Bristol being named an All-America City.

We elevated awareness of Bristols outdoor recreation assets, resulting in Bristol being named a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors in 2022.

For at least 25 years, we received Virginia Tourism Corporation and Tennessee Department of Tourism grants and reinvested those dollars in the community through matching local funds and in-kind partnerships.

In 2022, tourism contributed more than $80 million to the economy of Bristol, Virginia, helping reduce the tax burden on each city resident by $920. In addition, in the year preceding the opening of the temporary Bristol Casino, the citys lodging taxes increased by $530,000 (41%).

Website traffic to DiscoverBristol.org, another proven indicator of interest in our community, reveals that 2022 was a record year, with more visitors than in 2020 and 2021 combined.

When considering these factors, it becomes even more surprising  and bewildering  to try to comprehend Bristol Virginia City Councils decision this week to eliminate funding support for Discover Bristol and instead direct taxpayer funds to a tourism organization that was recently created and funded by the city of Bristol, Tennessee. Perhaps this is a sign that the two cities are serious about working together.

Based on recent public comments and interactions with its sister city, it is clear that city leaders in Bristol, Virginia, now believe the city of Bristol, Tennesse,e is best positioned to lead tourism marketing.

We are aware of the significant economic obstacles that Bristol, Virginia, is facing and the arduous budget cycle it is negotiating. We are also aware that now, more than ever before, travel and tourism dollars account for an ever-growing proportion of our local economys revenue.

At a time when our community is experiencing unprecedented growth in travel and tourism, the citys decision to discontinue support for Discover Bristol and redirect funding to a tourism-based entity across the state line is perplexing, to say the least.

The Bristol Chamber of Commerce means business and we will support any entity that supports business. Hopefully this is the opportunity for the two cities to start off on a new foot. We look forward to seeing success from this new venture.

Approved by these following Bristol Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee members:

Dr. Chad Couch, Chairman

Logan McCabe, Vice-Chair Discover Bristol

William Burriss, Chair-Elect

Jody Dutcher, Treasurer

Jerry Kirk, Past-Chair

Beth Rhinehart, President & CEO

Jim Maxwell, Vice-Chair

Ed Everett, Vice-Chair

Chris Lee, Vice-Chair

Jasen Eige, Vice-Chair
Mothers Day is here. One day is simply not enough for honoring our mothers. These women physically strain to give birth to us, and then work for our betterment over a great number of years. The work never ends.

Then, there are other different kinds of moms which we encounter through the course of our lives: female mentors, sisters and aunts, teachers, and many more. We should be grateful for all the women who have added to our lives at each crucial turning point, but also be thankful for the consistency a mother brings.

Many historical moms come to mind this time of year. Abigail Adams remains an exceptional mother. She made the brave decision to vaccinate her children against smallpox during an epidemic while supporting her husband through revolutionary times. She made a point to scold her son as a young boy and correct him. He later became President of the United States; following his father in the role. She walked another son to a high rise where they could view the ongoing Battle of Bunker Hill. She took time to teach him about politics and war as they heard the thunder from the battle.

Adams was not afraid to debate the great thinkers of her day. She also wrote her husband a bold letter encouraging him to give women full political rights. Her example of Republican motherhood continues to inspire.

Betty Ford is also a great individual to study. She championed the rights of women while encouraging health checkups. She believed in the Equal Rights Amendment while also being honest about the behavior of her children and her addiction. Her passion saves lives even today.

Jean Blassie and Mary Tillman remain incredible moms. They both kept fighting to have the government tell the true stories about their sons. One mom had her son's remains returned to her many years after the Vietnam War. The other worked tirelessly with her family to speak truth to power and receive the true answers regarding her sons death in another American conflict. They never gave up.

While many moms are physical moms, there are also women who have become mothers of movements. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus in Montgomery in 1955, she set herself to eventually be considered one of the mothers of the Civil Rights Movement. When asked why she did not give up her seat, she said she was thinking of the young boy, Emmett Till, who had been murdered earlier in the movement. Mamie Till, Emmetts mom, is also considered one of the movements mothers. Her stand to make sure her sons story stayed alive helped galvanize the struggle for rights in this country. A film about her life was previewed this year at the White House.

One of the best political moms is Jackie Kennedy. While First Lady, she fiercely protected her childrens privacy from the press. She worked to give them solid childhood experiences.

Recently, Michelle Obama has been talking about her own role as a mother and wife to a president. Her conversations remain real about motherhood.

Whether in the public eye or not, there are countless tasks mothers fulfill. Many are never seen or known, yet we value moms, above all, for their faithfulness. Great moms keep at things each day. They perform many roles. I am always aware that my wife has almost a sixth sense about our children. She has a great awareness of what they need and how to approach them. Such is what makes for a compassionate and empathetic leader, too.

It is incredible to think about the many roles a mom plays in our families and society. Of course, we should set aside at least one day to shout them out, but I know husbands and children do this on many, many occasions throughout the course of each year.

It is a shame some men are threatened by competent wives and mothers. Men need to work harder to support their wives and be present for their children. There are times families do fail, and those are the times other moms can step in and support.

There are not enough available words in this column to properly shout out all the many moms I have been fortunate to have in my life. Their wisdom comes through on a daily basis. Moms are essential in our lives. We are all blessed in some way because of them.

Happy Mothers Day to you. And thank you.
Australian fibre and network solutions provider Vocus has connected a 1,000km submarine fibre cable worth $100 million linking the Australian Singapore Cable (ASC), which runs from Perth to Singapore, with the North-West Cable system that runs from Darwin to Port Hedland.

The cable forms the new Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable (DJSC) system, stretching 7,700km between Darwin and Singapore, opening up low-latency connectivity into Asia for Australias North, particularly resources operators in the Pilbara.

The crew aboard the Ile de Re cable ship lifted the Australia Singapore Cable from a depth of 5km up to the ocean's surface, splicing it to a new cable segment on deck, which was added to the ASC.

The Northern Territory Government contributed $7.9 million to the fibre-optic cable connection to Darwin as part of the Terabit Territory strategy.

The Territory aims to become a data centre hotspot for Southeast Asia.

The establishment of subsea fibre-optic cable connections and a data centre in Darwin are the first steps towards capitalising on the significant growth expected in the global data centre market, said Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

The Northern Territory Government is working to establish the NT as Australias digital gateway to Asia to contribute to the growth of the economy by $40 billion by 2030, she added.

Vocus said the new international link is now undergoing final testing and is scheduled to be ready for service mid-year.

The DJSC is a key part of Vocus $1 billion, five-year strategy, which also includes Vocus Project Horizon, a new 2,000km fibre route from Geraldton to Port Hedland, commencing construction soon.

The Vocus Project will connect to the DJSC to establish a redundant fibre path between Perth and Singapore through Pilbara.

It aims to bring competition to the region for the first time.

This final component of the DJSC system will help transform Darwins economy and establish it as a new high-tech centre in Southeast Asia, said Vocus CEO Ellie Sweeney.

The system unlocks Darwin as a major new data hub for the Asia Pacific and establishes both Darwin and Port Hedland as new entry points for international data into Australia, providing greater resilience and redundancy to ensure international internet connectivity, Sweeney explained.

Sweeney said the cable will connect Vocus Terrabit Territory fibre backbone from Darwin to Adelaide and Brisbane, which Vocus upgraded to deliver 25x capacity increase in 2021.

The DJSC puts the Territory on the fast track to diversify our economy beyond our traditional focuses and creates opportunities for new long-term jobs in the high-tech sector, said Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland.

Data centre operator Nextdc also plans to construct a flagship hyperscale data centre in Darwin connected by the cable to offer an alternative to offshore data centres for companies seeking a location close to Asia within a geopolitically stable region.

In partnership with Vocus and the Northern Territory Government, Nextdc is committed to driving the economic development for key government and industry sectors in the region, said Nextdc CEO and managing director Craig Scroggie.

Having major data centre infrastructure in Darwin will give businesses the opportunity to host content and applications close to their operations and customers  whether in north-western Australia or Southeast Asia - for faster, more responsive performance, Sweeney concluded.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 12 May 2023.
COMPANY NEWS: Elite sailing team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has selected RUCKUS Networks as its Wi-Fi connectivity partner for the second consecutive race as it seeks to qualify for the 37 th Americas Cup.

New for this year, the team will be able to take advantage of the AI-driven RUCKUS Cloud platform, as well as employing RUCKUS Wi-Fi equipment to connect its 75-foot long AC75 racing yacht.

The team will take advantage of RUCKUS Networks industry leading data collection software, commencing with the Selection Series; a preliminary competition between teams from Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland and France. The winner of the Selection Series will then challenge the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the final match of the 37th Americas Cup in Barcelona, in October 2024.

The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team will rely on the RUCKUS Wi-Fi network to carry data from onboard sensors and devices to a local server and to their support boats. The yacht is equipped with hundreds of sensors, along with mobile devices, wearable technology and on-board instrumentation, all of which generate data that must be gathered regardless of weather conditions and signal obstruction from materials in the boat itself.

Data collected by CommScopes RUCKUS Networks access points on the racing boat is continuously transmitted to the support motorboat, normally covering distances up to 300 meters in rough waters and gusting winds. During the race, gigabytes of data, including knot speed, GPS coordinates, tide, wind and weather conditions, among other nautical details, is used to help the sailors continuously refine their approach.

RUCKUS Networks will also connect the teams on-shore base in Cagliari, Italy. All staff and guests to the Sardinia venues will be able to stay connected, in a secure way.

CommScope and RUCKUS Networks are thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. The combination of the state-of-the-art yacht, the teams masterful sailing and RUCKUS Networks reliable Wi-Fi connectivity will make Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli the team to watch for at the Americas Cup once again, stated Bart Giordano, SVP & President, Networking, Intelligent Cellular & Security (NICS), at CommScope. We are all excited to see how the team performs in their training this year before the real action begins in Barcelona.

We work in an amazing context, but the combined elements of sea, speed and carbon boats create one of the most hostile and complex environments for wireless communications, says Gilberto Nobili, Operations Manager of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. "Thanks to CommScope technology we have a network that is not only highly performing, but also extremely reliable, flexible and able to adapt to the ever-changing technological and logistical needs of our team"

With the Americas Cup being held in Barcelona, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team will have to move its boats and base of operations from its headquarters in Italy to Spain. By utilising RUCKUS Cloud, the team will be able to fully focus on the races, with RUCKUS Networks taking care of a seamless transition from on-premises-based network management in Italy to RUCKUS Cloud management in Barcelona.

The prestige of winning the worlds oldest international sporting trophy makes the Americas Cup extremely competitive. Competing teams not only have to be on top of their game in terms of sporting abilities, they must also have excellent network structures in place. To ensure rigorous end-to-end network security, reliability and the required flexibility, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has implemented RUCKUS Cloud, which assigns a digital certificate to each staff member, and once authorised, users dont have to re-enter credentials. If any problem arises with a user on the network, it takes less than a minute to revoke that persons credentials without affecting anyone else.

Journalists can find more information in the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli case study.
Ida M. (for Minerva) Tarbell never forgot what John D. Rockefeller did to her fathers dream.

She was 14 years old in 1872 when Rockefeller came to Cleveland and offered the owners of local oil refineries a deal most of them couldnt refuse: Sell out to him, or he would put them out of business. When Rockefeller left town, he owned 22 of the 26 refineries.

Franklin Tarbell, Idas father, turned down Rockefellers offer and struggled to keep his company alive. His partner took his own life.

Thirty years later, Ida Tarbell, writing for McClures Magazine, published a 19-part series based on internal documents, interviews with employees and lawyers, and candid conversations with top executives in Standard Oil. The series and the book that followed  The History of the Standard Oil Company  contributed to the break-up of the largest petroleum company in the world.

Theodore Roosevelt called Tarbell and her colleagues  Lincoln Steffens, Upton Sinclair and Ray Stannard Baker  muckrakers, an image he borrowed from John Bunyans Pilgrims Progress, the Man with the Muckrake who rejected a crown (salvation) because he could only look down into the muck in which he worked.

We would call them investigative reporters.

The original muckrakers  newspaper and magazine writers and photographers of the Progressive Era  took on corporate monopolies and political machines, and raised public awareness of urban poverty, unsafe working conditions and child labor.

Their successors have expanded their investigations into government  local, state and federal  and even the church.

In 1972 two young reporters at The Washington Post, Bob Woodward, who had been at the Post for only a year, and Carl Bernstein, who had previously been assigned to the police, courts and city hall beats, wrote a series of investigative reports that revealed a pattern of crimes that ultimately implicated the president of the United States, Richard Nixon, forcing his resignation.

In 2002, the Boston Globes Spotlight team, a group of investigative journalists, uncovered widespread sexual abuse of children by scores of priests and a cover-up by the Catholic Church in which priests who had been accused of misconduct were simply allowed to work in other parishes.

Every year a Pulitzer Prize is awarded for a distinguished example of investigative reporting.

The list of recent winners would bring a smile to Ida Tarbells face.

In 2017, for example, Eric Eyre of the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette-Mail received the Pulitzer Prize for courageous reporting, performed in the face of powerful opposition, to expose the flood of opioids flowing into depressed West Virginia counties with the highest overdose death rates in the country.

One shudders to think what we would not know if it were not for the investigative reporting of the oft-maligned media.

We would not know, for example, about the puzzling omissions from Clarence Thomas financial disclosure forms except for the continuing revelations of ProPublica, which bills itself as a nonprofit newsroom that produces nonpartisan, evidence-based journalism to expose injustice, corruption and wrongdoing.

In an essay on its website, ProPublica says, Deep-dive reporting like ours is slow and expensive, and investigative journalism is a luxury in many newsrooms today  but it remains as critical as ever to democracy and our civic life. Yes, on both counts.

Investigative journalism has become a luxury in this day of belt-tightening and staff reductions at local newspapers.

According to a report by the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, 2,500 newspapers have closed  at the rate of more than two per week  since 2005.

Locally, perhaps we took for granted the passionate writing of John Railey of the Journal on behalf of the surviving victims of forced sterilization in the eugenics movement in North Carolina and the dogged, award-winning investigative reporting of Phoebe Zerwick  now director of the journalism program at Wake Forest University but then a reporter for the Winston-Salem Journal  on the conviction and imprisonment of Darryl Hunt for a rape and murder he did not commit.

Yes, investigative reporting remains as critical as ever to democracy and our civic life. Arguably, more so.

Theodore Roosevelt came to realize that crusading journalists like Ida M. Tarbell were allies in support of his progressive agenda. In a speech in 1906, he offered his endorsement of their efforts: I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, who, on the platform or in a book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that (s/he) in turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful.

Hear, hear.
GREENSBORO  Protesters chanted while holding signs with abortion rights messages such as, I dream that women will someday have the same rights as guns during a downtown rally Saturday urging voters to contact their legislators about a bill that reduces access to abortion in North Carolina.

Im 74 years old, and I fought this battle over 50 years ago, Carolyn Bunker said as she stepped up to a bull horn. Here we are again.

The more than 100 people gathered in front of the Old Guilford County Courthouse were joining in with scheduled rallies across the state as Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed abortion legislation that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy compared with the 20-week current restriction. Republicans in the largely conservative General Assembly have signaled they have enough votes to override a Coopers veto of Senate Bill 20. The governor held round-table meetings in Gibsonville and across the state last week to hear from the public on the issue.

The bill is opposed by the North Carolina Medical Society, the North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians.

At a rally in Raleigh, Cooper was joined on stage by doctors and women as he vetoed the bill.

Lets be clear  this bill has nothing to do with making women safer, and everything to do with banning abortion, Cooper was quoted in a release by his office as saying at the rally. How about we leave medicine to the doctors and the decisions to the women.

Organizers in Greensboro were backed by an oversized North Carolina Will AID and Abet Abortion backdrop on the lawn of the courthouse and had earlier told the crowd  a diverse range of people from college students to grandmothers  that they need just one Republican to vote against the override.

If they dont care about people, said Lauren Overman, a doula and an escort at the citys only abortion clinic, then they might care about their careers.

Her thoughts were echoed during the day.

Bunker and some of the abortion-rights protestors were speaking about fighting for Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing access to an abortion, which was overturned in 2022 by the high court.

Bunker recalled her teenage granddaughter becoming emotional recently about the tightening restrictions on women having abortions where she lived, notably in the case of someone who had been raped or had medical complications. While the granddaughter had yet to even mention being interested in someone, she worried about what could happen to someone who had something bad happen to her.

She said, Yaya, what would happen to me?

The grandmother was in tears herself.

I said, I would fight for you until my dying days,  Bunker said she told her.

It had become even more personal, Bunker said.

We have to continue fighting, Bunker said, no matter how tired you are.

Others in the crowd during about an hour of open mic spoke of the slippery slope it could create about the intrusion into peoples lives.

Gay marriage, birth control, interracial marriage  all are based on privacy, said someone who identified themself only as Violet, a South Carolina college student home on summer break. I just want the Legislature to leave me the hell alone.

Cary Anne Broadway had gotten the chance to share her abortion story with Cooper during his listening tour in Gibsonville Friday. She told him that she went to her doctor years ago to change birth control and found out she was pregnant. She hadnt missed a period, but had she not had an appointment for something else, she might not have even known before 12 weeks.

This is going to hurt people who are in similar situations to that, Broadway said of not knowing she was pregnant.

Opal Andrews, holding a I dream that women will someday have the same rights as guns sign, stood listening to Broadway and others among people from different backgrounds, thoughts and stages of life. She worried about the time-treasured bond between patients and their doctors.

I feel like in a lot of cases medical staff will be afraid to help a woman if she is in trouble, Andrews said.

The signs Andrews and the others raised caught the attention of motorists passing by on busy Market Street  some of whom honked their horns and waved.

We dont know whats going on in that womans life when she decides on an abortion, Andrews said. We dont know why shes making a hard decision. But its not our business.

Organizers also said they came together to educate the public because of what theyve heard people say about the legislation.

Theres a lot of rhetoric around, Oh it just moves the boundary from 20 to 12 weeks,  said Kirstin Cassell, another organizer. It does so much more than that.

Under current state law, counseling appointments are required within 72 hours before having an abortion. Proposed legislation requires that counseling to take place before the appointment and afterward, which would be a barrier to some, Cassell said.

Think about how much time you would have to take off from work for something that doctors say is not medically necessary, Cassell said of the counseling.

The number of appointments would also effectively ban people from coming out of state, she said.

There are exceptions for rape or the danger to the life of the woman, Cassell said of the legislation, but they are intrusive. A person has to report rape to a doctor and fill out forms asking about other abortions and pregnancies, she said.

Also, those pregnancies that are a danger to the life of the woman, under the new legislation, could further endanger the life of the woman, Cassell said.

Weve seen that play out in other states and we hear story after story of pregnant people who know that their pregnancy has ended, who know that if they dont get care that they could die, and they have to sit and wait for their vital signs to get close enough to death before they can get that medical care, Cassell said.

Do we want that in our state? Cassell shouted through the bullhorn.

A thunderous No roared back from the crowd.

This is just the beginning of a long-term plan to ban abortion, she said of the legislation.

This is not the work, she said of the rally. This is where we come together and we get loud. The work is when we go out and contact those legislators.
It took exactly two songs for Kenny Chesney to blow the doors off Pinnacle Bank Arena Saturday night.

After Til Its Gone and his I Go Back tour welcoming message  I think its been four years since weve played in this building. Were going to make up for every single second tonight, Chesney and his band kicked into Beer in Mexico.

Driven by Lynyrd Skynyrd-like three-guitar attack and Chesneys constant motion stage work, the packed-to-the-rafters crowd of more than 12,500, went into full voice, elevating the show to the point of no return.

We dont just see you, Chesney said, patting his heart. We feel youwhat an audience we have here tonight.

And it was on  rocking to Reality, taking a trip to the islands with Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven and hitting the emotions of the spotlight ballad Somewhere With You.

And that was just the first 30 minutes of the fast-moving, two-hour show, that had the crowd singing along, clapping in time m, dancing in their seats  fully illuminated on the anthemic Big Star, one of the nights many highlights.

Other highlights  or maybe just the songs I like best  were a cool, slow swinging When the Sun Goes Down, the hillbilly rockstar rocker Living in Fast Forward and the non-setlist ballad There Goes My Life that Chesney pulled out just before it became a touching crowd vocal performance.

My favorite part of the show came when opener Kelsea Ballerini returned to the stage, joining Chesney on a rocknroll romp through She Thinks My Tractors Sexy their duet Half of my hometown, and, after taking a shot You and Tequila.

Then the bouncy, pop culture celebration American Kids kicked off the run of hits that closed the set with How Forever Feels and encored with Dont Happen Twice.

That Chesney and the band put on a terrific show was no surprise. Hes a multiple country entertainer of the year and all his previous Lincoln shows have been thoroughly entertaining and engaging.

But, returning to arenas after playing stadiums last year, he, the band and the crowd kicked things up to a whole new level for Lincoln.

Ballerini and her six-member band tore through 11 songs in their 40-minute set, opening with her Grammy-nominated HEARTFELT and going out with the rock blast of Miss Me More.

In between, she played both sides of the country/pop line, delivering a rambunctious YOURE DRUNK, GO HOME followed by a killer emotional take on her Penthouse, singing from her knees in the middle of the stage.

Thoroughly engaging, Ballerini worked the stage like a total pro and repeatedly connected with the audience with stories and observations.

I think this is my first time playing in Lincoln, Nebraska, she said. We had an off day here yesterday. I went to Barrys. Today they had the Farmers Market. I hope its not too soon. But I have the biggest crush on you. We just love it here.

Judging from the audience response  singing with her so well she complimented the crowd and the roar at sets end, it appears Lincoln returned that crush.

Ballerini almost certainly will be back  and, given her impressive performance, she might just be atop the bill.

Photos: Kenny Chesney 2019 concert in Lincoln Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18 Kenny Chesney Concert, 5.18
The crowd that prayed together at Arlington Presbyterian Churchs Sunday worship service had dwindled from more than 100 to a few dozen. Donations dropped, and for years, congregation members grappled with how to reinvent their nearly century-old Northern Virginia church.

Neighbors stories guided the churchs radical transformation. As church members spoke with people who worked nearby, they heard a common concern: People were struggling to afford to live there.

Those stories broke their hearts, says the Rev. Ashley Goff, pastor since 2018. They really felt this call by God to do something very dramatic about the lack of affordable housing.

After some contentious discussions, the church reached a decision to use the greatest asset it had: real estate. In 2016 the church sold its land and historic stone building to the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, a nonprofit developer, for $8.5 million.

The church was razed. In its place now stands Gilliam Place, a six-story complex with 173 apartments. The building, with ground-floor space rented by the church for services, offers homes to people who earn 60% or less of the areas median income.

Hundreds of faith groups are using their property to build homes. For cash-poor congregations that face declining revenue and member participation and rising maintenance costs, developing housing can offer a financial benefit while also expanding their social mission.

Most faiths embrace helping the vulnerable, and faith-based organizations have long provided housing. But its rare that religious leaders have real-estate-development expertise and resources to navigate the often-challenging financial and political barriers that come with planning and building apartments or houses.

Nonprofits and foundations have stepped in to help. Enterprise Community Partners, the Local Initiatives Support Corp. and other groups provide religious leaders with training, connections to developers, legal advice, and financial support to help them make informed decisions about whether they should use their land for housing. Then, the nonprofits guide leaders through the complex development process.

Enterprise, one of the biggest nonprofits working on housing issues, has run its Faith-Based Development Initiative since 2006. Capital One, Bank of America, and local grant makers, including the Blank Foundation in Atlanta and New Yorks Trinity Church Wall Street and others, provided support. In 2022, Wells Fargo gave $8.5 million to help the program expand nationally from the mid-Atlantic region where it began.

Houses of worship in Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami, New York, Seattle, and Washington are participating now. Grantmakers and local governments have committed roughly $12 million to the program for the next several years.

So far, the effort has created or preserved 1,500 affordable rental apartments in the Baltimore-Washington region. More than 1,000 homes are in various stages of development in other parts of the country, and the potential for more is huge.

Even if just 10% of the faith-owned land got activated tomorrow for affordable housing, were talking about potentially hundreds of thousands of units around the country, says the Rev. David Bowers, an Enterprise vice president and leader of Faith-Based Development Initiative. In the Washington metropolitan area alone, the Urban Institute identified nearly 800 vacant parcels owned by faith-based institutions, most of which are already zoned for residential buildings. Assuming multifamily housing could be built on that land, it could support building 43,000 to 108,000 new low-cost housing units.

Meanwhile, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a nonprofit community-development financial institution, is helping churches explore housing projects in New York and the San Francisco area. And Yes in Gods Back Yard, backed by the grant-maker coalition Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial County, has ambitious goals for faith groups in Southern California.

Most faith groups dont opt to sell their land and tear down their sanctuary space as Arlington Presbyterian did. Rather, they want to maintain control of the land and take better advantage of underused property like parking lots or classrooms.

Congregations and other faith-based organizations have a long history of filling housing needs through land donations, Habitat for Humanity projects, and providing shelter for people who are homeless. Many churches in Black neighborhoods have been involved in those efforts, and these congregations are a priority for Enterprise, as theyve historically had less access to financial resources to support their growth, Bowers says.

Leaders from more than 250 houses of worship across the country have participated in Enterprise training sessions. Black churches represent around 80%. The rest include a mix of churches and a few mosques and synagogues.

Part of our work is to get more faith communities from all kinds of walks involved, Bowers says. When you have declining memberships and you see your building space very underutilized, it becomes pretty stark.

There are more million-dollar homes in the U.S. than ever before. But can Americans afford them? There are more million-dollar homes in the U.S. than ever before. But can Americans afford them? A Growing Number of Million-Dollar Homes Where Are the Most Million-Dollar Homes? Who Can Afford a Million-Dollar Home? Discrepancies Between the Proportion of Million-Dollar Homes and High-Earning Households Expect the Share of Million-Dollar Homes to Continue Growing
It started with a weird breakout on his face.

So Tommy Dennis, who was 22 years old at the time, had the bumps checked out by an Omaha dermatologist. The doctor told him that the breakout looked like the symptoms of a potential HIV infection. "Then he ordered a blood test. I came back a week later and found out that my test came back positive."

Dennis, who is now 35, was devastated.

HIV prevention and care Nebraska health experts will present a daylong "Nebraska HIV Prevention and Care Update" on Thursday at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center from 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. Topics to be covered include barriers to HIV prevention, treatment disparities, aging with HIV and what's new in HIV care. Although the conference is at capacity, people can attend virtually by going to bit.ly/UNMC-HIV.

In the United States, more than 30,600 people ages 13 and older were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS, in 2020. More than 1.2 million people are living with it.

In Nebraska, the number of new HIV diagnoses hit 107 in 2021, up from a yearly average of 81, state health officials said, noting that a drop in HIV testing during the COVID-19 pandemic is at least partly to blame for the increase. The spike occurred primarily among white men, mainly in the states rural areas.

However, since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Black Americans have been disproportionately affected, and that disparity has deepened over time, as the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy group, notes.

Although they represent only 12% of the population, Black people account for a much larger share of HIV diagnoses (42%), people living with HIV (40%) and HIV-related deaths (43%) than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S., according to 2020 figures reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The disparity persists in Nebraska, where Black people, who make up 5% of the population, accounted for 21% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021. That reality, according to advocates and health care providers, can make seeking care onerous for patients and complicate providers ability to deliver treatment that is much more effective and causes fewer side effects than earlier treatments.

Dennis, who is Black, went to work at the Nebraska AIDS Project in 2017. "I was charged with basically developing a program to do outreach toward Black same-gender-loving men and really try to promote (HIV) testing efforts in the community, which, you know, in large part has been successful ... But I think there is such a level of medical mistrust when it comes to testing  in minority communities especially."

Lack of access to health care also is an issue for minority populations, said Dr. Nada Fadul, a professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Division of Infectious Diseases. Fadul is the medical director of the UNMC Specialty Care Center in Omaha, where 1,200 HIV patients  a little more than half of all HIV patients in Nebraska  are treated.

For some people, Fadul said, issues such as a lack of transportation, food insecurity and/or difficulty finding housing play a role in their not getting treatment. Distrust in the health care system also factors in.

Dennis still bristles at the way the first doctor told him he was HIV-positive.

"He didn't even bother closing the door," he recalled. "He stood in the doorway and basically said, 'Yep, your test results came back positive. I'll send the nurse in with a referral, and we're going to get you on your way.'"

Fadul said some medical providers still have unconscious bias against racial minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.

"Patients feel that," she said. "If I walk into a clinic and the doctor is looking at me (disapprovingly) or saying words that imply that I'm less of a person, I'm not going to come back. I'm not going to feel comfortable in this clinic."

Whether providers look like the people they serve also matters, Fadul said.

"If 30% of my patients are Black," Fadul said, "then I need to have representation of that population in my workforce. So when patients walk into the clinic, they can see that, 'Oh, there are people who look like me, talk like me, dress like me, so I can feel comfortable in this environment, I can feel safe.'"

If they can overcome the initial barriers, people with HIV can begin a fairly simple treatment regimen, albeit one they will have to continue indefinitely.

HIV medications today have fewer side effects than they used to, and they're easier to take.

In March 1987, AZT became the first drug to get FDA approval for the treatment of AIDS.

"It was something," Dr. Susan Swindells said, "but it was really a pretty awful drug. We gave people big doses of it, five times a day. I used to have to tell people, 'Set your alarm for 2 o'clock in the morning, wake yourself up and take this medicine. ... And it generally made people feel terrible. On average, they lived about a year longer than they would without it."

Swindells, a professor of medicine and longtime HIV researcher at UNMC, said treatment didn't improve until the mid-1990s, with the introduction of new medicines called protease inhibitors.

"That turned the corner," she said. "That made people better, and they stopped dying."

Today, people with HIV who stick with their treatment can get their viral levels down to basically zero and can't transmit HIV, a concept dubbed "U Equals U"  undetectable equals untransmittable.

"If your viral load is undetectable, meaning that you're taking medications, they're wiping out the viral load in your blood," Fadul said. "You're not going to transmit HIV sexually to your sexual partners. And this is a proven fact, you know, thousands and thousands of patients have been studied  using condoms, not using condoms ... There is no transmission."

And people today also have access to PrEP medicines  Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, which reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. Dennis, Fadul and Swindells all noted that PrEP can keep you from getting HIV, but it can't stop you from getting chlamydia or gonorrhea or herpes.

"We understand condoms aren't everybody's thing," Dennis said, "but we still encourage folks to use them. And if you're not going to use them then you should be getting tested (for HIV) often."

Testing is important  an estimated 13% of people in the U.S. with HIV don't know they have it, so if they're sexually active, they're spreading it to their partners.

The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested at least once, and people who are in certain high-risk categories should be tested at least once a year. (And it's not just gay or bisexual men  people who acquired HIV through heterosexual contact made up 22% of HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2020.)

For more information, contact the Nebraska AIDS Project at nap.org.

Top Journal Star photos for May 2023
Climactic showdown in the Legislature on Tuesday.

A proposed ban on most abortions in the state after 12 weeks of pregnancy combined with a prohibition against "gender-altering procedures" for individuals younger than 19. That means surgeries.

All ready to be tucked into one explosive bill, LB574, the legislation that triggered a session-long filibuster war.

Grab your helmets and buckle up your seatbelts.

* * *

A couple dozen bills are awaiting a vote on final reading in the Legislature now and voter ID legislation is poised to begin its three-stage journey across the legislative floor.

The current final reading list counts a handful of biggies, including the state budget, a dramatic change in school funding support, income tax cuts and more.

An east Omaha proposal to fund a number of projects is poised at second stage consideration.

And there still appears to be time and space for criminal justice reform to be considered with legislative days dwindling down to a precious few.

Zero gubernatorial vetoes so far and none on the horizon, clear evidence that Gov. Jim Pillen and the conservative Republican majority in this nonpartisan Legislature are in accord.

And in charge  with the minority only able to delay, but not stop, the major legislation that has inched its way forward through multiple filibusters.

When the Legislature returns on Tuesday, it will be Day 78 with 13 to go.

And then this filibuster-ridden legislative session that often tried men's  and women's  souls will be done.

It's been a big win for Pillen in his first year.

And for a conservative Republican agenda.

And for rural Nebraska, which will benefit from reduced property taxes and increased state school aid while also seeing some of its social concerns addressed.

* * *

Rep. Mike Flood continues his effort to urge the U.S. Postal Service to consider moving Lincoln's downtown post office out of the Haymarket to open up that prime site for development.

"I am not asking that this facility be relocated immediately; rather to begin the conversation of finding a more appropriate long-term location," Flood wrote U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

In responding to Flood, U.S. Postal Service government relations representative James Reedy said "vacating and relocating such operations would be highly disruptive to our operations and would significantly impact delivery services to your constituents  our customers."

Reedy noted that operations at the site in the Haymarket include a vehicle maintenance facility that maintains "hundreds of vehicles."

Flood requested a meeting with Lincoln Postmaster Kerry Kowalski and other relevant Postal Service officials to begin to discuss the issue.

A previously scheduled meeting with Kowalski had been abruptly canceled.

* * *

Finishing up:

* It's political heaven in the Legislature with tax cuts on parade  property, personal income, corporate income. How could an elected politician ask for anything more?

* Open Sky Policy Institute counters the political celebration over tax cuts with a warning: "The significant loss in revenue could lead to cuts in important state programs, including education and workforce development, when the state faces an economic downturn."

* Donald Trump's town hall on CNN was a reminder of what a challenge he would be for President Biden in a 2024 debate. Trump is quick and crafty, adjusts to rapidly changing subjects, interrupts, is skilled with deploying knees and elbows, and overwhelms fact-checkers.

* There is chatter about replacing the subdued lighting in the legislative chamber with brighter, more modern lighting; that would change the whole character of the artistic, elegant setting, which is particularly dramatic at night.

* Out in the Rotunda, school children lie in a circle on the floor as a guide tells them about the artwork they see above and all around them in their magnificent state Capitol.

* The University of Nebraska Medical Center's primary care medical program ranked eighth among 123 medical schools in the nation in a new survey by U.S. News and World Report.

* Among the final challenges for this legislative session will be agreement on new voter identification requirements in a state that has had no issues with voter fraud. Will they make it more difficult for some people to vote?

* Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, speaking to her legislative colleagues: "We've gotten ourselves into a very toxic culture here."
Facebook says it is not dead. Facebook also wants you to know that it is not just for old people, as young people have been saying for years.

Now, with the biggest thorn in its side  TikTok  facing heightened government scrutiny amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China, Facebook could, perhaps, position itself as a viable, domestic-bred alternative.

There's just one problem: young adults like Devin Walsh have moved on.

I dont even remember the last time I logged in. It must have been years ago, said Walsh, 24, who lives in Manhattan and works in public relations.

Instead, she checks Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook parent company Meta, about five or six times a day. Then there's TikTok, of course, where she spends about an hour each day scrolling, letting the algorithm find things I didn't even know I was interested in.

Walsh can't imagine a world in which Facebook, which she joined when she was in 6th grade, becomes a regular part of her life again.

"It's the branding, right? When I think of Facebook, I think ugh, like cheugy, older people, like parents posting pictures of their kids, random status updates and also people fighting about political issues, Walsh said, using the Gen Z term for things that are definitely not cool.

The once-cool social media platform born before the iPhone is approaching two decades in existence. For those who came of age around the time Mark Zuckerberg launched thefacebook.com from his Harvard dorm room in 2004, it's been inextricably baked into daily life  even if it's somewhat faded into the background over the years.

Facebook faces a particularly odd challenge. Today, 3 billion people check it each month. Thats more than a third of the worlds population. And 2 billion log in every day. Yet it still finds itself in a battle for relevancy, and its future, after two decades of existence.

For younger generations  those who signed up in middle school, or those who are now in middle school, it's decidedly not the place to be. Without this trend-setting demographic, Facebook, still the main source of revenue for parent company Meta, risks fading into the background  utilitarian but boring, like email.

It wasn't always like this. For nearly a decade, Facebook was the place to be, the cultural touchstone, the thing constantly referenced in daily conversations and late-night TV, its founding even the subject of a Hollywood movie. Rival MySpace, which launched only a year earlier, quickly became outdated as the cool kids flocked to Facebook. It didn't help MySpace's fate that it was sold to stodgy old News Corp. in 2005.

It was this weird combination...no one knew how technology worked, but in order to have a MySpace, we all needed to become mini coders. It was so stressful. said Moira Gaynor, 28. Maybe thats even why Facebook took off. Because compared to MySpace it was this beautiful, integrated, wonderful engagement area that we didnt have before and we really craved after struggling with MySpace for so long.

Positioning himself a visionary, Zuckerberg refused to sell Facebook and pushed his company through the mobile revolution. While some rivals emerged  remember Orkut?  they generally petered out as Facebook soared, seemingly unstoppable despite scandals over user privacy and a failure to address hate speech and misinformation adequately. It reached a billion daily users in 2015.

Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst with Insider Intelligence who's followed Facebook since its early days, notes that the site's younger users have been dwindling but doesn't see Facebook going anywhere, at least not any time soon.

The fact that we are talking about Facebook being 20 years old, I think that is a testament of what Mark developed when he was in college. It's pretty incredible, she said. It is still a very powerful platform around the world.

AOL was once powerful too, but its user base has aged and now an aol.com email address is little more than a punchline in a joke about technologically illiterate people of a certain age.

Tom Alison, who serves as the head of Facebook (Zuckerberg's title is now Meta CEO), sounded optimistic when he outlined the platform's plans to lure in young adults in an interview with The Associated Press.

We used to have a team at Facebook that was focused on younger cohorts, or maybe there was a project or two that was dedicated to coming up with new ideas, Alison said. And about two years ago we said no  our entire product line needs to change and evolve and adapt to the needs of the young adults.

He calls it the era of social discovery."

Its very much motivated by what we see the next generation wanting from social media. The simple way that I like to describe it is we want Facebook to be the place where you can connect with the people you know, the people you want to know and the people that you should know, Alison said.

Artificial intelligence is central to this plan. Just as TikTok uses its AI and algorithm to show people videos they didn't know they wanted to see Facebook is hoping to harness its powerful technology to win back the hearts and eyeballs of young adults. Reels, the TikTok-like videos Facebook and Instagram users are bombarded with when they log into both apps, are also key. And, of course, private messaging.

What we are seeing is more people wanting to share reels, discuss reels, and were starting to integrate messaging features back into the app to again allow Facebook to be a place where not only do you discover great things that are relevant to you, but you share and you discuss those with people, Alison said.

The impact of changing liability on the social media experience The impact of changing liability on the social media experience What is Section 230? How will social media change for users if protections shrink? What could this mean for information sharing? How might this impact decentralized forms of social media?
OMAHA  Omaha is once again receiving attention for its efforts to reduce gun violence  this time in the form of a sizable grant from the charitable foundation of former President Barack Obama.

The Obama Foundation is recognizing Omaha for the creation of a model program targeting gun violence. As part of that, the foundation is awarding $800,000 to the Empowerment Network, a community organization active in efforts to reduce gun violence and improve life in North Omaha.

The Empowerment Network in 2008 launched Omaha 360, a collaboration in which community stakeholders work with the Omaha Police Department to head off gun violence. Both shootings and homicides in recent years are down sharply from levels seen a decade ago.

The grant is coming through the Obama Foundations My Brothers Keeper Alliance, which works to create opportunity for boys and young men of color.

Adren Wilson, the executive director of the My Brothers Keeper Alliance, said the group is confident that Omaha will continue to serve as a beacon of hope and best practices for other communities to follow.

Willie Barney, founder and president of the Empowerment Network, said the grant funds over the next two years will help it work with other community partners in an effort to further reduce violence. The idea will be to go upstream with new initiatives aimed at helping youths succeed in school and connecting them with jobs.

Its a huge opportunity for Omaha, Barney said.

Many cities across the country have recently been searching for answers on gun violence after the pandemic resulted in a big spike in shootings. That has recently helped focus more attention on Omahas efforts.

Beginning in 2007, Omaha began seeing escalating homicides and shootings, with much of the violence centered on gang activity in North and South Omaha.

In 2015, the 50 homicides in Omaha represented the citys highest toll since 1967. The situation was so dire and deadly that in 2011, Nebraska ranked No. 1 in the nation for Black homicide victimization rate.

In late 2008, the Empowerment Network organized the first meeting of what has become the Omaha 360 Violence Intervention and Prevention Collaborative.

At each weekly Omaha 360 meeting, representatives of community, youth, faith, neighborhood, education, social service, gang intervention, and mentoring organizations sit down with Omaha police leaders and work on defusing violence. The weekly sessions regularly draw 80 to 100 participants, and can exceed 120 after a particularly rough rash of shootings.

Though Omaha 360 has many elements, prevention is at its center: Sharing information with police to learn of neighborhood gang hot spots. Canvassing those neighborhoods to ask about problem houses and making sure that people know about available Crime Stoppers rewards. Seeking to connect families with community aid organizations in an effort to keep at-risk kids out of gangs.

Omaha police officials have also worked hand in hand with Omaha 360 and employed all-new tactics, including a beefed-up gang specialty unit, shot detection technology that speeds response to shootings, enhanced rewards for tips that solve shootings and street-level gang intervention.

Looking at FBI crime statistics, the results are notable.

Shootings in Omaha began trending down significantly in 2012. Homicides have dropped dramatically since 2015, reaching lows in 2018 and 2019 that were half the previous levels.

Where Nebraska previously ranked at the very top in Black homicide victimization rate, the state was 23rd in 2019 and 16th in 2020. Such figures show improvement as well as the fact that the state has a way to go.

Omaha experienced the same uptick in homicides and shootings seen nationally during the pandemic. But they ticked down in 2021 and 2022 and remain well below the levels seen a decade ago.

A year ago, a City Council member and others in Kansas City concerned about gun violence in that city visited an Omaha 360 meeting. That led months later to the launch of KC 360, the first program nationally modeled on Omahas gun violence initiative.

Then when ABC News in February did a story on Omaha 360 in Omaha, Barney heard from cities around the country. He and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer subsequently held a Zoom session with representatives of 32 cities discussing the strategy in Omaha, among them San Diego, Houston, Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta.

CNN also recently interviewed Schmaderer and Barney for a segment focused on the Omaha initiative.

Now comes Wednesdays grant award from the Obama Foundation.

I think its really a strong confirmation of the work that has been going on in Omaha for 15 or 16 years and a reflection of the partnership and collaboration, Barney said. We know we have plenty of work ahead, but there are some really positive things that have developed through that collaboration.

The former president is announcing Omaha as one of four cities recognized for model programs supporting success for youths. The others are Tulsa, Newark and Yonkers, New York.

Barney will accept the award in Chicago on Wednesday at a meeting drawing participants from around the country, and he will also speak about Omaha 360.

Barney doesnt think its the last time hell share information on Omahas efforts to stamp out gun violence.

I think this will accelerate things even more, he said.
Interestingly there are Nebraska counties where some county officials lived in adjoining counties and one county seat, population 25, is so small that there is not a single retail establishment.

Cherry County, with an area of 6,048 square miles, is not only in two time zones but is physically larger than three states, while Blaine and Arthur counties, both with populations of just over 400, vie for being the 5th or 6th least populated counties in the U.S. per square mile. It also might come as a surprise to learn that there is a community that is larger than its county seat and next largest city combined while its school district is in an adjacent county.

On March 6, 1855, the Nebraska Territorial Legislature created Izard, a 30-by-40-mile county named for the second territorial governor Mark Izard, and set the county seat at Hunton.

The following January its boundaries were redefined and in 1857 the federal survey was completed, allowing legal land ownership. Sadly, with the onset of the Civil War, Mark Izard chose to join the Confederate Army, which caused the legislature to rename the unorganized county Stanton, in honor of Abraham Lincolns Secretary of War, Edward Stanton. At the same time the borders were again redefined making its area 432 square miles.

Although disputed by springtime settlers, brothers Charles and Mitchell Sharp, who settled on Humbug Creek, are often referred to as Stanton Countys first settlers. In October (or December) of 1866 Stanton County was organized at an election with the total of 13 votes unanimously choosing the city of Stanton as its seat of government.

It has also been noted that all decisions were unanimous though no official records are extant to prove it. In July of 1868 the Pleasant Run post office was created on A. J. Bartoffs farm. At the same time another election moved the county seat three miles to the west to the city of Stanton, to a point originally named Clinton. Clinton actually won the election by a majority of 8 but the vote was declared illegal.

S. L. Holman platted the 40-acre city of Stanton in 1870-71 while the entire countys population was 691 and though it seems logical that it was named for the county, it was also claimed that it was named for Holmans wifes maiden name of Stanton.

The plat was barely completed before a frame courthouse was completed at a cost of $475. Though the county seat and courthouse were set, it did not have a post office until April of 1877 when the Pleasant Run office was moved into the city and renamed Stanton.

A coal mine was attempted four miles to the south of Stanton in 1875 but proved uneconomical while the citizens lobbied for a flour mill and urged the county to issue bonds for its establishment, but it was nearly a decade later before a mill was completed.

Lewis Ley opened the first bank in his grocery store in 1877 and another, also private bank, the Stanton County Bank opened two years later. Citizens Bank followed in 1882, moving into its own building in 1884. Citizens Bank of Stanton incorporated in 1890, becoming Stanton National Bank with a federal charter in 1905.

Like all villages, Stanton was eager to attract a railroad and in 1869 the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad incorporated, reaching the city of Stanton in August of 1879, siting its two-story depot on the west edge of the village.

The railroad attracted the frame, 20-guest Stanton House (Nebraska House) Hotel which was picked up and moved near the depot. With the railroads completion, the county population was reported at 1,486, and the village boasted several stores, two church buildings for the six or seven congregations, and a newspaper. In 1888 the Chicago & North Western Railroad acquired the F.E.M.V. which served Stanton until its last passenger service in July of 1958 and the razing of the depot in 1964.

In 1881, 59 men incorporated Stanton as a village with the city hall completed in 1883 on two lots which cost $3. Adam Pilger became Stantons first mayor when the city was reincorporated as a city of second class in 1893. The second courthouse was finished in 1884 at a cost of $10,624, and the present building was completed in 1976.

The city of Stantons peak population was 1,627 in 2000 but the development of Woodland Park, northwest of Stanton, in 1964 created an interesting paradox. Today the largest community in the county is Woodland Park with a population of about 1,800, the city of Stanton has about 1,520 and Pilger 240. Strangely, Woodland Parks school is part of the Norfolk, Nebraskas school system which is in Madison County.

Top Journal Star photos for May 2023
An annual nationwide motorcycle tour honoring veterans of the U.S. armed forces is hitting close to home this year.

The 2023 tour will begin and end in Papillion, according to organizers.

It usually starts in a different state each year, said Lisa Graves, executive director of Nation of Patriots Nebraska. This year, Nebraska won the bid to start and finish it.

Through her efforts  along with Papillion Mayor David Black; his brother, Bill; and others  the Sarpy County community represented the state in the bidding process to host the event.

We had a lot of people involved to make this come to fruition, Graves said.

Most tour participants will ride on motorcycles, though people in cars also are welcome, she said.

The nationwide tour begins May 20 at Papillions SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St.

Pre-tour speeches will be made by Papillion Mayor David Black, Nation of Patriots CEO Bill Sherer, and U.S. Reps. Don Bacon and Mike Flood. A flag ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m.

The first stop will be at the Omaha National Cemetery in Papillion, where veterans and their spouses are buried.

Police will escort the riders down Nebraska Highway 370 and Nebraska Highway 50 to the cemetery, Black said. From there, the participants will head toward Norfolk, the first overnight stay of the tour.

Along the way, therell be a lunch stop at the American Legion post in Columbus.

The next overnight stop will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There will be a flag ceremony at each overnight stop.

It will go to all 50 states, and well fly to Hawaii and Alaska, Graves said.

The Patriot Tour escorts one American flag across the country. Over the course of 115 days, organizers expect tens of thousands of people to participate.

The purpose is to provide financial relief to veterans and their families in need through corporate sponsorships and individual donors. All the money raised goes to the veteran households.

The money raised in Nebraska goes to Nebraska veterans, Black said.

The tour will go through neighboring states in May before going east in June, including a June 19 stop in Sanford, Maine.

In July, the tour will head through the south and southwest, continuing to the West Coast in August. This includes plane trips to Ewa Beach, Hawaii, on Aug. 4, and a plane trip stop to Denali, Alaska, on Aug. 9.

The tour begins its trek back to Sarpy County in September. It concludes on Sept. 16 with a 10 a.m. stop at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum near Ashland, with the arrival to the SumTur Amphitheater around 11:45 a.m. featuring a retirement ceremony for the flag and speeches ending the tour.

The flag is one that has flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Black said.

That one single flag will travel the entire United States, he said.

Black said it is quite an honor for the community and he credits Graves, who lives in the Elkhorn area, and his brother for bringing the tour to Papillion.

She had the idea of bringing it to Nebraska, he said. We thought it was a nice honor.

Graves mentioned Bill Black attended a state patriot event last year and wanted to make it bigger this year. He mentioned the tradition of patriotism of Papillion that influenced her to make the bid for the community in hosting this years tour.

The amphitheater is a fitting place to start the tour since it is adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial currently being built, Graves said.

Participants typically travel a day or two on the tour, though they can go the whole distance if they want to, she said.

At each overnight stop, the flag is typically passed on to a new set of riders, Graves said.

She anticipates 200 to 400 riders to begin the tour.

The entry fee is $20 per rider and registration can be made in advance or even that day, Graves said.

We are honored to have Papillion sponsor us this year, she said.

Top Journal Star photos for May 2023
Some people dread Mother's Day. The show can't go on once you've lost your leading lady.

My wife's mom passed away several years ago. And some of my oldest and truest friends -- now, like me, in their mid-50s -- are welcoming grandchildren but saying goodbye to their mothers.

For those who can no longer pick up the phone and call their moms, this holiday is brutal.

A Facebook meme shows a phone that has just received a call from "Mom," with the options to "accept" or "decline." The meme warns: Always accept those calls. You never know when they'll stop coming.

I'm meeting this season of life on different terms. Not that my heart doesn't break. It does. I've been missing my mom something awful -- especially when she is standing right beside me.

According to the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, about 55 million people in the world have dementia.

My 80-year-old mom is a member of that tribe.

Odds are that most of us know and love someone battling dementia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities."

That sounds like my mom. Her doctor says she's in great physical shape, after a lifetime of avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, sugar and illicit drugs. Yet she has experienced significant cognitive decline over the past several years.

She and my 81-year-old father live on their own, about 15 minutes away from the home I share with my wife and three teenagers. My brother and sister visit when they can. I take my parents out to run errands and to share meals with my wife and kids.

Much of the time, my mom is happy and at peace -- especially around family. But lately, she's grown increasingly frustrated at her inability to remember things -- like the names of her children. Sometimes, she tries to conceal the fact that she doesn't know who we are.

My mom was the first woman I loved. Later, girlfriends would put me on notice that they weren't interested in men who didn't treat their mothers well.

I've always tried to treat my mom well. Yet, I know I could have done better -- by, for instance, spending more time with her.

In the past 10 years, I've witnessed up close my mom's steep decline. She went from a caregiver who looked after her grandchildren to someone who sometimes resembles a toddler herself. She craves attention and needs supervision. She forgets to eat, and she has been known to wander off. She can no longer communicate clearly, since she has forgotten words, can't put sentences together and has difficulty processing what she's hearing. She rambles, repeats questions and retells stories.

My mom spoke Spanish as a child but English most of her life. Now, she reverts to Spanish. She has also started to ask about her own mother and wonder when she'll see her again. My grandma passed away many years ago. If you tell my mom that, she'll start to cry as if the funeral were yesterday.

Bearing witness to all this turns your world upside down. Suddenly, you're not sure of anything.

Growing up, I went to my dad when I excelled at an endeavor or racked up an accomplishment. Whenever I wanted to show strength, competence or success, my father was my first call.

When I was a mess, I went to my mom -- when I skinned my knee, had my heart broken, lost jobs or suffered setbacks. Whenever I felt hurt, vulnerable or confused, I wanted her.

Today, my mother is the one who is likely to feel confused and vulnerable.

I asked my wife what advice she would give to me and anyone else traveling down this dark and scary road.

"You have to sit through the uncomfortable moments," she advised. "Don't correct her if she gets something wrong. Just sit and listen, and spend time. Show her that you love her."

I get it. She's saying I should stop dwelling on what has been lost and appreciate what is still here.

Dementia isn't pretty and neat. It's messy. But then again, my mom spent her life cleaning up my messes.

The least I can do is help her cope with hers.
Republican state lawmakers in Wisconsin have put forth a proposal to make health care providers give consumers access to out-of-pocket cost estimates for common procedures.

Theyre shopping the proposal around and looking for co-signers and  perhaps surprisingly given the partisan divide in Madison  they may get some Democrat legislators to add their names to the proposed legislation.

State Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, is the chief author of the bill, and said, Health care is the only thing Wisconsinites purchase that we dont know the price of beforehand. That has to change.

Under a draft of her proposal, each hospital in the state would be required to make publicly available a digital file containing a list of standard charges for certain items and services provided by that hospital. They would also be required to provide a consumer-friendly list of standard charges for services that can be scheduled by a health care provider in advance.

That would allow consumers to shop around when scheduling non-urgent care that patients commonly receive and can schedule in advance  things like blood tests, CT scans and mammograms.

And it would have teeth. Felzkowskis proposal would give the state Department of Health Services the power to check for hospitals violating the bill and request a correction plan. It would also give DHS the ability to impose escalating penalties for non-compliance  from $600 a day for smaller hospitals to as much as $10,000 a day for hospitals with more than 550 beds are out of compliance.

A leading Wisconsin hospital association contends the proposed bill in many ways duplicates federal rules passed two years ago and will only result in confusion for health care providers.

Eric Borgerding, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association, said the bill is unnecessary and that the vast majority of Wisconsin hospitals are already mostly or fully compliant with the federal transparency rules.

Bottom line, our hospitals are ahead of the curve and new, publicly available price and quality transparency tools are emerging every day making this legislation unneeded in a leader state like Wisconsin.

Borgerding cites rankings by Turquoise Health, a price-transparency platform, that showed nearly two-thirds of 130 Wisconsin hospitals had completed all the requirements of the federal rule.

Thats disputed by supporters of the legislation, who point to a January article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine that said nationwide most hospitals, as many as six in 10, do not comply with every requirement of the federal rules. They say federal agencies have been slow to enforce compliance.

And, in the background, were aware of reports by the RAND Corporation that found employers and private insurers paid Wisconsin hospitals more than three times what Medicare would have paid for the same services, the fourth highest rate of any state in the country, according to a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.

Health care costs are a concern to us all  from individual consumers to employers faced with rising costs for its employee health plans. We dont favor punitive measures for our hospitals and health care providers, nor do we favor redundant state and federal enforcement. But we do favor transparency in health care pricing so consumers can make the best decisions on their care and weigh it against the costs.

There are differing opinions in this debate, but its one that the state Legislature should hear out and then make a decision.
1. Yes. The state is missing out on millions in revenue that is going to neighboring states.

2. Yes. But only if the revenue is dedicated to education funding or property tax reduction.

3. No. As with the state lottery, casinos would more heavily impact lower-income Texans.

4. No. Texas has resisted the idea for years, and for good reason: its morally irresponsible.

5. Unsure. It definitely has some economic benefits, but it would be controversial.

Vote

View Results
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Mostly sunny skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 65F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney is recognizing five May graduates with the Mary Jane and William R. Nester Student Leadership Award.

Established by former UNK Chancellor William R. Nester and his wife Mary Jane, the award honors outstanding seniors who have excelled academically and demonstrated exemplary service, character and leadership during their UNK undergraduate careers.

This years honorees are:

Mason Casper of Kearney graduates next week with a degree in biology with a health science emphasis. Hell attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Casper was part of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, Chancellors Ambassadors, Greeks Advocating for Healthy Lifestyles and Phi Delta Theta, serving as the fraternitys interim president, vice president and treasurer. He was also president of the Interfraternity Council and a resident assistant, assistant hall coordinator and floor president for UNK Residence Life.

His awards and honors include Phi Delta Theta New Member of the Year (2019) and Member of the Year (2020), Alpha Phis Mr. King of Hearts (2020), Resident Assistant of the Year (2022), deans list and UNK Greek Man of the Year (2023). Casper was selected as the student speaker for next weeks spring commencement ceremony.

Ming Li Goldston of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, graduates next week with a degree in music education. She plans to teach band in middle or high school while pursuing a masters degree.

Goldston was part of numerous UNK ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Pride of the Plains Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Jazz/Rock Ensemble, holding the positions of section leader and drum major. She also performed with the Collegium chamber choir, Kearney Symphony Orchestra and Kearney Area Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, she was a music department tutor and a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Her awards and honors include the Travis Kilmer Marching Band Award (2023), principal euphonium for the College Band Directors National Association North Central Division Intercollegiate Band (2022), Nebraska Intercollegiate Band participant (2022), Lavern Clark Memorial Brass Scholarship, Carol Rathe Memorial Scholarship and Friends of Music Scholarship. Her scholarly work was featured in the UNK Undergraduate Research Journal.

Olivia Koenig of Lakeville, Minnesota, graduates next week with degrees in criminal justice and psychology. Shell complete an internship with the Nebraska State Fair this summer, then she plans to pursue a masters degree in forensic psychology.

Koenig served as president and performing arts chair for Loper Programming and Activities Council, secretary of the Criminal Justice Club and public relations chair for the Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society. She was also part of the UNK Honors Program, Student Government, Christian Student Fellowship, Psychology Club, Faculty Senate Artists and Lecturers Committee and Psi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies.

Her awards and honors include the LPAC Fun 5K Scholarship (2021 and 2022), Bosak Memorial Scholarship (2021 and 2022), Kristen Nelson LPAC Service Award (2022), deans list, Alpha Phi Sigma highest GPA recognition (2021) and 99th percentile scorer for the criminal justice major field test (2022).

Mariah Watson of Edison graduates next week with a degree in advertising and public relations. She plans to work in advertising or marketing in the Kearney area.

Watson served as director of social media for the Alpha Phi sorority, treasurer and social media manager for the Ad/PR Club, community service chair for the Phi Eta Sigma honor society, vice president of Students in Mass Media and advertising manager for The Antelope student newspaper. She was also part of the UNK Honors Program, Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society, Circle K, Honors Student Advisory Board, Holy Cross Campus Ministry and Gold Torch Society. Watson was a New Student Enrollment leader in 2020 and 2021.

Her awards and honors include the UNK Department of Communication Outstanding Senior Award, deans list and numerous Golden Leaf Awards for advertising excellence.

Zach Zavodny of David City graduates next week with a degree in chemistry. Hell attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Zavodny served as student body vice president, a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, vice president of external affairs for the Honors Student Advisory Board and Destination Downtown chair for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He was also a chemistry and biology tutor in the UNK Learning Commons and a mentor in the Honors Program. Additionally, Zavodny was part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Council, Chancellors Ambassadors, Faculty Senate Library Committee, Experiential Learning Committee, Undergraduate Research Fellows and Mortar Board honor society.

His awards and honors include the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Award, Analytical Chemistry Student of the Year, Don Fox Scholarship, deans list and Chemistry Department Scholarship.
Its been seven years since my mother died at the age of 93, but she is still here.

Every day I sense her peering into the windows of my life. I hear her voice. I see her dusting the furniture and ironing my father's shirts. Her lessons hang on the walls of my memory like the Ten Commandments hang on church walls.

Not long ago, as I was rifling through old files, I found letters Id written to her after I moved to Kearney from Cleveland 11 years ago. When we cleaned out her things after she died, I took those letters back.

These days, most people call their loved ones or use FaceTime, but I wrote to her as routinely as I filled my gas tank. I loved writing letters, and she loved getting personal mail.

Id go on for six or seven pages. You readers get 700 (or so) words in this space every week, but my mother got single-space computer-composed narratives of at least 5,000 words or more. I loved offering vignettes about Kearney. It was fascinating to tell her about this town on the Great Plains.

Sometimes my envelopes were as fat as a Big Mac. One, mailed around July 4, bulged with a seven-page letter and a glossy flier I got in the mail advertising fireworks. Fireworks werent legal in Ohio, but in Kearney theyre advertised like tires, shampoo and barbecue grills.

I told her how the tornado sirens blared one Sunday afternoon. I obediently grabbed a flashlight and a paperback and headed to the Dorothy-and-Toto-style tornado shelter under my house. I sat down in a lawn chair, but I kept the shelter door open because I wanted to see the funnel if it came.

Those sirens didn't live up to their billing. The clouds werent black as soot; they were nickel-gray. They spat a little rain, then quit. I felt like I'd been duped. But I was relieved, too. Looking up at the ceiling of that squashed little shelter, I realized that had the twister come, the pipes overhead could have crashed down and killed me.

I wrote pages and pages about the 2013 Lincoln Highway Centennial Celebration, including the couple, aged 101 and 88, who drove all the way from Pittsburgh to be there. I wrote about the woman I met in far western Nebraska who ministers to people on isolated ranches.

I told her about the couple I met from Benkleman way out past McCook, a place so tiny it must cling to Earth with wobbly roots. I told her how I sat cross-legged on a basement floor as a man showed me 150-year-old military brass for a story about war veterans.

I wrote about Kearneys intersections without stop signs  death zones  and the delights of the World Theatre and how I can stand on the prairie west of town and see practically to Denver.

I told her how many gravestones in rural cemeteries bake in the hot sun like drying pottery. At home, our cemeteries lie under shady trees.

I told her that no matter how hard it rains at night, the sidewalks are always dry at dawn.

I wrote about the sanctuary at St. Lukes Episcopal Church being as long and narrow as a 140-car Union Pacific coal train. I told her how freight trains race through town every 12 minutes and how I prefer taking Fifth or Central avenues instead of the Second Avenue bridge because I might get to stop for a train.

I wrote about how you Nebraskans think your weather is unpredictable (wait five minutes and it will change), but its not.

I told her about how I prefer Highway 30 instead of I-80 because flea-sized towns fascinate me and I wonder what it would be like to live in them.

I told her about going to a branding (too detailed, she said, especially the paragraph about castrating the little guys) and the Sumner rodeo, an anomaly to me. I can get anyplace in Kearney in 10 minutes.

I told her how Nebraskans see themselves as citizens of the entire state. Not Clevelanders. If the city broke off from Ohio and floated away on Lake Erie like an ice floe, Clevelanders would rejoice.

I painted verbal pictures of Kearney until my mother died in 2016. I miss writing those letters. I miss her, too. Especially on Mother's Day.
TWIN LAKES  Lakewood Elementary School was filled with the sounds of steel pan drums, the laughter and chatter of kids of all ages waiting for a henna masterpiece and a multitude of families exploring the schools second annual multicultural fine arts night.

When patrons first walked through the door of the school at 1218 Wilmot Ave. at the May 9 event, they received a passport which they could get filled with stickers at each activity location.

The event featured a henna booth, belly dancing lessons, performances by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Steel PANthers steel band, as well as informances, which demonstrated some of the skills students have learned in music class throughout the year. There were also multicultural games and activities and food from Pina Mexican Eats food truck.

The evening also included an art contest display, an Art Around the World Art Walk, a make-and-take craft area with cultural crafts and a wearable fashion show.

It was the first year for the fashion show, which featured themed, homemade masks and staffs. Students walked the runway, located in the school gym, with garments ranging from a dinosaur theme to Disneys Frozen movie characters.

Its a mixture between fashion and costume, said Lakewood Art Teacher Kim Adcock. They came up with a theme and I let them go with it, so Im excited to see them come together because we havent even done a dress rehearsal.

Lakewoods Director of Teaching and Learning Jennifer Jeffers said the fine arts night was developed because the school wants to bring in more community involvement.

Weve been trying to reach out to get the community more involved in the school, Jeffers said. We want to teach (people) about different cultures, so we thought this was a great way to merge fine arts and multiculturalism, so we could celebrate music, art, P.E. and teaching about so many different cultures.

Parents and community members, such as Christina Berglund, noted the importance of bringing cultural education to students at the school.

I like it because, in our little town, it shows a little bit more culture that people around here probably arent used to seeing, she said. Its nice because they get to see things that they wont necessarily see in a small town.

Students also enjoyed the various aspects of the event.

Its great, said 8-year-old Eli Muse. My favorite part so far was my performance.
Modern Apothecary held a grand opening for its new milk depot and dispensary Saturday morning, offering potentially lifesaving care to the region.

Hannah Sorensen, Modern Apothecarys registered nurse, said the service is available whenever they are open, offering a local drop-off point for approved Mothers Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes donors and a dispensary open to the public.

Were super excited to have this offering for Kenosha County, Sorenson said.

The service will provide pasteurized human donor milk. As a dispensary, Modern Apothecary will act as a hub where families can purchase pasteurized donor milk for short-term emergency use.

Ashleigh Richmond, with lactation consultant Wisco Lactation, said the new depot and dispensary was several years in the making, opening up critical services in the region. Previously, the nearest drop-off and dispensary was in Milwaukee, about 50 miles away.

Amber Barnes, clinical manager for Mothers Milk Bank WGL, was at Saturdays opening with a booth offering information and resources to guests. One of their missions, Barnes said, is to make donating milk as easy as possible.

It will offer community access to purchase pasteurized human donor milk, and a drop-off for our approved donors, Barnes said. Improving access is one of our goals.

Milk donations are from healthy, lactating women who are screened and approved as donors through Milk Bank WGL. Donations are transported to the milk banks processing facility in Elk Grove Village, Ill., where the milk is pasteurized to eliminate viruses and bacteria.

The pasteurized milk is tested by a third-party lab and distributed to hospitals and outpatients in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Residents can find out more information about accessing or donating human milk via Milk Bank WGL by visiting their website at www.milkbankwgl.org.

Additional information about Modern Apothecary can be found at www.modernapothecary.org.
Cancel culture strikes again. Last week, the president of the Medical College of Wisconsin rescinded the use of campus facilities for a symposium that was supposed to take place on May 12.

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), State Representative Dave Murphy (R-Greenville), and John Sailer, an official with the National Association of Scholars, were scheduled to discuss the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion policies on higher education experiences and outcomes. Only a week prior to the event, the guest speakers were informed that their panel was no longer welcome on the MCW campus. No explanation was given as to why.

In his statement, MCW President John R. Raymond, Sr., M.D., woefully contradicted himself by writing, A fundamental purpose of a university is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, even when those ideas challenge our cherished values or are offensive to members of our university community. However, the exchange of ideas should not disrupt the core functions of a university or jeopardize the safety of our MCW community. Is MCW leadership implying that conservative speakers and elected officials somehow jeopardize safety? How so? Or is this yet another case of a respected institution fearfully caving to the demands and threats of the woke mob?

Ironically, Rep. Murphy, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, has been hosting a series of informational hearings across the state focused on campus free speech over the past several weeks. Underscored by the results of a 2022 UW system-wide student survey about freedom of expression on campuses, committee members have engaged in powerful dialogue with an ideologically diverse group of academics and contributors to the survey. Many of those who testified at the Colleges and Universities Information Hearing are seriously concerned that a third of the over 10,500 respondents have had classroom exposure to the First Amendment. In addition, over 30% of participants indicated that university administrators should disinvite speakers if some students feel the speakers message is offensive. Is that what happened at MCW?

President Raymond indicated that he would consider hosting the symposium at a future date under less disruptive conditions at the time of his statement. In a phone call with Chairman Murphy, however, President Raymond indicated that he was not aware of any specific threats of disruption that would jeopardize anyones safety. Without a detailed explanation for disinviting the panel members, how can we not assume that the meanings of safety and offensive have been so surgically altered by complainants that merely having an (R) behind your name somehow causes harm to others?

Last week, on the same day President Raymond cancelled the symposium, the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee voted to allocate $7 million to the Medical College of Wisconsin in the upcoming budget for their psychiatry residency program in support of expanding statewide access to mental health services. Is this what he found to be jeopardizing safety? Offensive? Disruptive?

The trend of growing monolithic viewpoints and group-think on college campuses has dangerously undermined public trust in academia. Increasing restrictions on campus free speech  either under threats of litigation or fear of hurting someones feelings  have grossly mutated student and faculty perception and interpretation of the First Amendment. Would a symposium at a medical college have involved speech that made credible threats or incited violence? Would it have met the legal definition of harassment? Doubtful, but well never know for sure, because cancel culture won again.

Whats next for MCW? Conservative patients are no longer welcome there, either?

Engaging in civil discourse is a skill that is essential to growth, creativity, and innovation  and to democracy. The legitimacy of higher education depends on intellectual and ideological diversity. If its now hate speech to question our values and test our theories, what is the purpose of higher education anymore? What message is the Medical College of Wisconsin sending about their regard for free speech and the open exchange of ideas that are foundational to higher learning? Without a credible explanation, the message is clear. Not all are welcome. So much for diversity, equity and inclusion.
From left, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Chung Hwang-keun, poses with Handawoon FSL Chairman Ryu Chang-youl, beef importer Jofadli Abdul Rashid and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority of Malaysia Chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli during the launching ceremony for Korean beef trade with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs





By Baek Byung-yeul







Korea has agreed with Malaysia to export "hanwoo," or Korean beef, to the Southeast Asian country, according to the agriculture ministry and the Hanwoo Board, Sunday.







The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Hanwoo Board, an organization that promotes the domestic beef industry, said they held an event in Kuala Lumpur on Friday to celebrate the commencement of the exports.







The event was organized to commemorate the signing of the first contract to officially export hanwoo to Malaysia and to promote the excellence and flavor of Korean beef to the Malaysian government, local retailers and restaurants, they said.







"The event was attended by more than 100 people, including government officials, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, retail and restaurant representatives, as well as local media outlets, demonstrating the popularity of Korean culture and hanwoo," the agriculture ministry said.







The ministry said it has been working to export hanwoo to the Southeast Asian country since 2016, starting with quarantine negotiations, and finally received permission in March when the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, also known as JAKIM, approved a dedicated halal slaughterhouse in Korea.







Starting with the first hanwoo export contract, a total of 1,875 tons of Korean beef is expected to be exported over the next three years. This amount is more than 13 times the 44 tons of hanwoo exported in 2022, and is expected to become a bridgehead for the globalization of Korea's beef industry, the agriculture ministry said.







In particular, this is the first time for halal hanwoo to be exported, and it is expected that it could enter other countries that require halal certification, starting with Malaysia.







In order for hanwoo to be loved by halal meat consumers, the ministry said that it will thoroughly manage the traceability of all processes from transportation, storage and distribution.







"It is very meaningful to commemorate the first export of hanwoo with the officials of Malaysia, a country with which Korea has been actively engaged for more than 60 years," Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun said.







"As interest in Korean food is high due to the influence of Korean culture such as K-pop, the expansion of hanwoo export is expected to contribute to stabilizing the supply of beef and generating profits for farmers."







"To ensure the success of this export, the Hanwoo Board plans to participate in local food and beverage fairs in Malaysia to promote hanwoo to buyers, open a pop-up store to offer hanwoo tastings and organize various events," Hanwoo Board President Lee Dong-hwal said.


Samsung Electronics' manufacturing plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Lee Kyung-min



Samsung Electronics will build a development facility in Yokohama, in what is a collaboration between the chip industries of Japan and Korea, according to a Nikkei report, Sunday. Samsung was unavailable for comment.



The new facility will be built in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, home to the Korean company's existing site, Samsung R&D Institute Japan. The development hub will be a separate unit.



Specific details are not available other than the company will build a production line for a prototype chip device, the Japanese media outlet said.



The news is a further boost to President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration's plan to provide greater tax incentives for local chipmakers, as outlined in the K-Chips Act. It includes increasing tax credits for semiconductor facility investments, shortening and simplifying the approval process for manufacturing plant construction and making exemptions for government-commissioned feasibility studies.



The government also plans to establish the world's largest high-tech semiconductor cluster in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, by 2042.



The 7.1 million-square-meter industrial complex will house memory chips, foundries, design, fabless manufacturing, local parts supply, materials and equipment firms.



The Tokyo-based financial newspaper said that the new facility will employ several hundred people and aim to start operating in 2025 adding that Samsung is looking to make use of subsidies offered by the Japanese government for semiconductor investment.



Samsung's top competitor, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), also made a major investment in Japan in 2021, to diversify its production base to dispel concerns about the excessive concentration of chip production in Taiwan. TSMC also maintains a research and development facility in Tsukuba, northeast of Tokyo.



The newspaper said that the new facility will focus on the so-called back end of semiconductor production whereby a wafer is packaged into a final product after electric circuits are first created on a wafer.


We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved son, Chad William Benson. Chad died of a pulmonary embolism in Kailua, HI on December 10, 2002, at the age of 44 years.

A celebration of life service will be held at noon on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5500 E. 57th Street in Sioux Falls, SD for our beloved Chad.

In honor of Chads casual lifestyle, please wear attire that you are comfortable in. For more details, please visit www.millerfh.com.
CHICAGO  After a retinal disease left him legally blind, architect John Gleichman was struck by a taxicab while walking home near Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo  at the same intersection where a 4-year-old girl was killed by a hit-and-run driver years earlier.

Although Maya Hirsch's death in 2006 ignited a citywide crusade for pedestrian safety improvements, almost all the electronic upgrades since then have been for people who can see. Nearly 3,000 Chicago intersections are now equipped with visual crossing signals, yet fewer than three dozen include audible cues.

A federal judge ruled in March that such disparity in the nation's third-largest city violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, a second landmark victory for blind residents who challenged the accessibility of a major city's signalized crosswalks.

"Every time I go out to go downtown for a meeting, I have to think I could get hit today and not make it home," said Gleichman, 65, who has been struck by vehicles four times while navigating the city with his white cane since being diagnosed as legally blind in 2005. He considers himself fortunate to have escaped serious injury.

Future court proceedings could decide how many audible crossing signals Chicago must install, but a similar case in New York City suggests it could be substantial. A federal judge there appointed an independent monitor and in December 2021 gave officials a decade to gradually make at least 10,000 of its approximately 13,000 signalized intersections accessible to blind pedestrians. It's already well ahead of schedule.

"It's been huge progress. It's a game-changer to the blind and visually impaired community," said Terence Page, president of the Greater New York Council of the Blind. "As new cities begin to build infrastructure, we want accessibility to not be an afterthought but work in parallel with the upgrades."

Accessible pedestrian signals, known as APS, have been around for decades, though the technology evolved.

Many of Chicago's few APS-equipped intersections  including on a busy street outside The Chicago Lighthouse, which provides services to blind and low-vision residents  still rely on beeps or cuckoo chirps to announce when it's safe to cross. Newer models actually speak the words "walk" or "don't walk" and feature tactical buttons to clarify directions so blind pedestrians don't stray into traffic. Some also convey the time remaining before the light turns red.

Sandy Murillo, a lifelong Chicago-area resident who was born with glaucoma and lost her sight at age 2, said she didn't even know about APS until she heard a strange voice say "walk" during a childhood family trip to Southern California.

"That kind of made it dawn on me," said Murillo, who produces a radio show for The Chicago Lighthouse and writes a blog on issues facing the blind community. "I thought, 'Oh, so that's what it is. They're there for people like me.'"

Chicago's Department of Transportation declined to comment on the judge's ruling but spokesperson Erica Schroeder told The Associated Press in an email that APS devices are installed at 35 intersections and "under construction, in design, or in procurement" at more than 150 others.

The department estimates a $50,000 to $200,000 price tag per intersection to install APS. Grant money is available through the 2021 federal infrastructure law to help defray some costs.

Advocates for Chicago's blind residents say they pushed the city for years to add APS with little success before taking legal action.

Kathy Austin, a community engagement specialist at Second Sense  a downtown organization serving blind residents  recalls a meeting in 2017 or 2018 in which she and others in the blind community presented a list of the most dangerous intersections, only to be told by city officials that APS was too difficult to install in many of those places.

"There was a laundry list of excuses," Austin said.

Blind residents know from their mobility training to wait to hear the sounds of parallel traffic before crossing a street. That's often difficult in noisy downtowns like Chicago's with its overhead L trains stations and other ambient noises. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and downtown traffic steeply declined, they encountered the opposite problem  not enough vehicles or even people around to help decipher when to walk or stop.

London-based Waymap, which created a smartphone navigation app for blind pedestrians that Washington, D.C.'s subway system uses as an accessibility tool, found in a study that blind people average just 2.5 regular routes  such as from home to the office or grocery store and back  if they use a cane or 3.5 if they use a guide dog. Celso Zuccollo, Waymap's chief operating officer, said the study found that people who lack independent mobility were far more likely to experience depression.

San Francisco voluntarily entered a settlement with blind residents nearly two decades ago to add APS, and numerous other U.S. cities as well as the state of Maryland require it, said Torie Atkinson, senior staff attorney with Disability Rights Advocates, which represents plaintiffs in both the New York and Chicago cases.

Best and worst states for health care Best and worst states for health care The 10 states with the best health care The 10 states with the lowest rank for health care Additional findings: Outcome, cost and access data rankings Depending on state, Americans' cost for care can vary significantly Methodology
Australian scientists have begun vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in an ambitious field trial in New South Wales.

The aim is to test a method for protecting the beloved marsupials against a widespread disease that causes blindness, infertility and death.

"It's killing koalas because they become so sick they can't climb trees to get food, or escape predators, and females can become infertile," said Samuel Phillips, a microbiologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast who helped to develop the vaccine.

The scientists' initial goal is to catch, vaccinate and monitor about half of the koala population in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales  that means vaccinating about 50 animals.

The safety and effectiveness of the single-shot vaccine, designed specifically for koalas, previously was tested by vaccinating a few hundred koalas brought to wildlife rescue centers for other afflictions.

Now scientists want to understand the impact of vaccinating wild koalas. "We want to evaluate what percentage of the koalas we need to vaccinate to meaningfully reduce infection and disease," Phillips said.

The first koalas were caught and vaccinated in March, and the effort is expected to last about three months.

Researchers use binoculars to spot koalas in eucalyptus trees, then construct circular enclosures around the tree bases with doors leading into cages. After a few hours or days, the koalas eventually climb down from one tree to seek tasty leaves on another, and wander into the harmless traps.

"It's hard to confuse a koala with any other animals  they're pretty easy to spot," said Jodie Wakeman, veterinary care and clinical director at Friends of the Koala, a nonprofit that runs a wildlife hospital where the koalas are being brought for vaccination.

After a check-up to make sure the animals are in good condition, researchers administer anesthesia and shots of vaccine, then keep them under observation for 24 hours after they wake up to confirm there are no unexpected side effects, Wakeman said.

Before release, the researchers mark the koalas with a dab of pink dye on their backs to ensure the same animals aren't vaccinated twice.

When the first vaccinated koala was returned to her habitat March 9, the scientists placed her cage at the base of a tree and opened the door. She quickly emerged and bounded up the tree trunk.

Koalas are iconic Australian marsupials that spend most of their time eating and sleeping in eucalyptus trees, and their paws have two opposing thumbs to help them grasp and climb up trunks.

Australia's wild koala populations have declined steeply in the past two decades.

Last February, Australia's federal government declared koalas endangered in the eastern regions of New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

Facing threats from disease, habitat loss and road collisions, koalas could become extinct by 2050, according to a 2020 assessment from the New South Wales government.

About half of wild koalas in Queensland are infected with chlamydia, scientists estimate.

In deciding to vaccinate, the scientists are balancing the risk of disturbing the animals against the danger of allowing the disease to spread. The trial was approved by multiple government bodies.

The origins of chlamydia in koalas aren't confirmed, but scientists believe it's likely the marsupials initially caught the disease from exposure to the feces of infected sheep and cattle. Then it's spread sexually, or passed from mother to offspring.

While humans and livestock infected with the bacteria that causes chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, it's not so simple for koalas.

The "complex" microbes inside the stomachs of koalas are designed to neutralize toxins in eucalyptus leaves that are their main food source, said Mathew Crowther, a conservation biologist at the University of Sydney. Their digestive systems can also neutralize some medicines, so "that means they don't respond well to antibiotics treatment," he said.

Crowther has been monitoring a population of koalas in northern New South Wales for more than a decade. In 2008, 10% of animals tested there were infected with chlamydia. Today that rate is 80%.

"It's been devastating  there's very, very low fertility," he said. "You hardly see any babies."

The other threats koalas face  including habitat destruction from land clearing and climate-enhanced wildfires  may increase their stress levels, weakening their immune systems and making them more susceptible to diseases including chlamydia, Crowther said.

There are only a handful of other examples worldwide of scientists attempting to catch and inoculate wildlife for conservation. In 2016, scientists began to vaccinate Hawaiian monk seals against a deadly strain of morbillivirus. Two and a half years ago, biologists in Brazil began to vaccinate golden lion tamarins against yellow fever.

"Vaccination for wildlife is certainly not routine yet," said Jacob Negrey, a biologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. "But whether it should be used more often is a fundamental question that conservation biologists are really wrangling with right now."

Photos: Race is on to vaccinate rare wild monkeys in quest for survival
MILWAUKEE (AP)  Four people are recovering from stab wounds they suffered during a large fight in Milwaukee. The fight happened Saturday afternoon on the citys northwest side.

According to a police statement, two girls, ages 14 and 15, were stabbed and taken to hospitals. An 18-year-old woman also was stabbed. She was treated at the scene. A 32-year-old woman was stabbed as well. She was taken to a hospital and placed in custody. All four are expected to survive.

A 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl also were taken into custody in connection with the fight.

The police statement did not elaborate on why the two women and the 17-year-old girl were taken into custody. The Milwaukee Police Department did not immediately respond to an email The Associated Press sent Sunday requesting additional details.

Police said in the statement that officers recovered 10 knives from the scene. An investigation is ongoing.
Why cant we go to Disney World like everyone else?

This is the response we got from our kids every summer as we told them about our vacation plans. Every year we packed them up into the car and hauled them 1,000 miles across the country to see their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. And every year they complained that we were depriving them of a real vacation.

It did no good to tell them that only a few of their friends went to Disney World. They were convinced otherwise. Nor did it do any good to remind them that they always enjoyed spending time with their relatives. They insisted they did not. The worst thing to say was that they would appreciate it when they got older. They disagreed; they were wrong.

Among the greatest ethical challenges parents of every generation face is how to spend their two most precious resources: time and money. The annual summer vacation takes up a great deal of both, which makes deciding where to go for a week or two both controversial and momentous. There were several years when we would lie awake at night worrying about how to pay for it, but we never missed the trip. That was non-negotiable. Our kids were going to spend time with their relatives. How we were going to pay for it was something we just had to figure out.

US News and World Reports ranks Orlando No. 1 in its listing of the best family vacations in the USA. If best means most popular, they are certainly right. Disney World boasts 58 million visitors every year, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world. But is that what best vacation really means?

I have always thought the best way to evaluate different kinds of experiences is by asking which alternatives contribute most to growth, measured by both breadth and depth. Breadth is achieved through seeking out the new; depth is achieved through engagement with the meaningful.

The problem with many of the most popular tourist destinations is that they allow for neither breadth nor depth. They might be located in faraway places, but the diversions they offer could be found anywhere and with anyone. Neither the places where they are located nor the people one encounters while there are essential to the experience. Their goal is simply to entertain, not to enrich. They are junk food  enjoyable to consume but without nourishment.

A summer vacation that is genuinely substantial, one that provides both breadth and depth of experience, should result in what the ancient Greeks called magnanimity  literally, having a great soul. This comes as ones soul expands in response to knowledge of the worlds history, traditions and geography at the same time as ones love of people deepens, through spending time in conversation, sharing stories, hopes, dreams and memories.

I remember the first time this happened to me on a summer vacation decades ago. I was 12 years old, and my parents decided we would take a 1,200-mile road trip to western Montana to visit some old friends. This was a big deal. We had never vacationed more than a few hours from home before, and our 1969 Mercury station wagon had lots of miles and was prone to overheating.

The trip lasted only a couple of weeks, yet the experience was immeasurable. On the journey west, I saw the North Dakota Badlands, the Little Bighorn River and the Rocky Mountains. I saw buffalo, antelope, mountain goats and elk. I spent time talking to my mom and dad, learning things about them they had never shared in the busyness of everyday life. On the long car ride, I shared books with my sister and helped entertain my baby brother. Everything good, said Ralph Waldo Emerson, is on the highway.

When we arrived at our destination near Kalispell, Montana, we reunited with Duane, Arlene and their five kids. We kids had grown up together but hadnt seen one another since their family moved west two years earlier. They took us camping near a high mountain lake, and we sat by the fire late into the evening. I sat there listening to the stories, watching the smoke curl up through the pines, obscuring the stars that seemed so close, just out of reach beyond the tree tops. I wondered at the friendship that persisted over the years and across so many miles, how it could be rekindled with just a few words and then burn brightly once again.

We hear a great deal these days about the importance of building generational wealth. But it is a myth. Wealth rarely gets passed down further than the second generation. After the third generation, 90% of the wealth acquired has been lost. What does get passed down are character traits embodied in communities of people who care for one another.

It seems to me we should care much more about generational virtue. We do that by tending to the souls of our children, ensuring that they have experiences that nurture love in their lives, so that they in turn come to care deeply for the world and the people in it.

The other day I talked to one of my sons on the phone. I asked about his summer plans, and he said that he and his new wife are planning a trip to Colorado to see his aunt, uncle and cousins. Thats a great way to start a lifes journey together.
Citizens of La Crosse County, Im writing to encourage you to support Boy Scouts of America scouting in our area.

When you have active BSA Scouts in your community you have young people who learn important life skills; like, how to tie a tie, how to rescue someone in a life-or-death situation, and how to survive in the wild with limited resources.

They also learn how to deal with stuff like finances, personal management and other community services. They have been known to help others in times of need; like on French Island when PFAS was discovered in everyone's water, the Scouts assisted in handing out bottled water to everyone who needed it, and when the flood waters rise, they rally together to fill sandbags to protect their neighbors.

So, what Im trying to say, is that when you have active Scouts in your community you have people doing good things, and these people grow up to continue to be productive and contributing members of society. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Jentry Schindler

La Crosse
The problematic pasts of historical figures have forced the renaming of hundreds of buildings and the removal of dozens of statues from public squares across the U.S. But what happens when the name of an entire community is tainted by racial injustice?

Its perhaps ironic that Berkeley is the latest place to face this question. The California citys reputation for anti-imperialism has only grown since becoming the nations first city to swap Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day in 1992 and installing city-limit signs that declare Welcome to the City of Berkeley  Ohlone Territory in 2019. Last year, the City Council agreed to begin its meetings with a land acknowledgment, recognizing Berkeley as stolen land from its first inhabitants, the Ohlone people.

But now, historians at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, have renewed scrutiny of records indicating that the citys namesake  Bishop George Berkeley, an 18th-century Irish philosopher and influential scholar  purchased enslaved people to toil at a Rhode Island plantation he briefly operated until 1732.

Irelands largest university took a stand on Berkeley in April, voting to expunge his name from its central library. The colleges researchers advocated for the decision, citing public documents showing that Berkeley openly advocated for owning, evangelizing and educating Native Americans, whom he characterized as inhumane, barbarous and savage.

No plans are currently in the works to rename the city of Berkeley nor UC Berkeley, which actually bore the moniker first. But some people think there should be.

Berkeleys legacy began in the Golden State more than 150 years ago by virtue of a poem.

Trustees of what was then the College of California renamed the institution as the University of California at Berkeley in 1868, commemorating the Irish philosopher. While gazing toward the San Francisco Bay, those founders recalled  Verses on the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America, which waxed of another golden age and dreams that westward the course of empire takes its way.

The city of Berkeley did not assume that same name until its incorporation in 1878, more than a decade after the residential community was first formed and blossomed around campus. The inspired line in Berkeleys poem appeared on the citys former seal alongside a bust of the bishop. Its unclear exactly when that was changed, but the citys current logo is based on a mural the city commissioned more than 50 years ago.

However, there was local support for the controversial scholar as recently as 2003, when the Berkeley City Council unanimously voted to proclaim May 24 as George Berkeley Day. At the time, sponsors of the celebrations argued that the philosopher may have simply advocated for Western enlightenment to spread around the world, rather than boasting about conquest.

While extremely uncommon, elected officials have pondered municipal name changes in the past.

Leaders in Austin, Texas, briefly considered picking a different moniker in 2018, due to reports that the citys founder, Stephen F. Austin, fervently supported slavery in order to protect the citys sugar and cotton production. The change never materialized, and the city acknowledged that the discussion was more for awareness than a concrete plan.

In 2021, a city ward in Ottawa, Canada, got a new name after local leaders discovered it commemorated a British political figure who was the absentee owner of a Jamaican plantation. Defending the decision, the council member representing the community said that its important that we understand what a name signifies or what it means to certain people and that we recognize how it can make people feel.

Both city staff and Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin declined to comment on the issue. However, a spokesperson from Arreguins office said that because the name is rooted in the citys charter, a push to rename Berkeley would likely require an amendment, which must be approved by voters on a future ballot.

While the quandary of whether or not to drop the name Berkeley hasnt made waves yet with the city or universitys leaders, the idea already has at least one backer.

Daniel OConnell, who has lived in Berkeley for nearly four decades, advocated for renaming the city in an op-ed last year in Berkeleyside, a local online news publication.

The more I looked into that history, the uglier it was, OConnell said in an interview Tuesday. The day will come when they change the city name of the city of Berkeley  not because theres so much traction for it now or anything like that, but simply because its absolutely morally reprehensible that our city is named after this slaveholding colonialist.

Where Black Americans fare best economically Where Black Americans fare best economically Key findings Data and methodology
Dear W.C.,My husband and I live with my elderly mother in her two-bedroom home. She is 85 years old and has a few health problems she is dealing with. My husband and I moved in when we lost our home to foreclosure eight years ago. My husband is 64 and has a heart condition that has made him unable to work for over 10 years. I work part-time as I care for both my mother and my husband. Between the two of them we are at doctors or the hospital almost weekly. Our car is our lifeline to their medical care, and it is in desperate need of repair. We had to install a wheelchair ramp for my husband, so my mom took out a loan to pay for that. I missed several days work these past few weeks due to emergency room visits for my husband as he was having difficulty breathing. All these expenses have caused us to fall behind in our utilities and other bills.

Dear Readers,When I called the phone number provided it was answered by the 85-year-old mother. She knew her daughter had written a letter to The Time is Now to Help asking for assistance and she had been waiting for my phone call. Her daughter was at work, but the mother stated she could answer any questions I may have.

I found the mother both sharp and engaging. She had a good sense of humor considering all they were going through. When I commented on that she said, Well, you must have a good sense of humor to get through the tough times in life. I tell my daughter that all the time. I couldnt agree with her more.

Our conversation began when her husband had passed away about the same time her son-in-law began to struggle with his hereditary heart condition and then financially when he could no longer work. Her son-in-law endured six open heart surgeries and multiple complications. It had been the mothers suggestion to her daughter and son-in-law to move in with her when they lost their home. She said, I told them my house is small, but it is big enough for the three of us to share.

They had gotten by fine for years thanks to the mother contributing from her small savings whenever her daughter and son-in-law got into a financial bind due to medical bills or the house needed a repair. She did not mind using her retirement funds to help, she just wanted to be completely honest with me that her savings were now gone after 55 years of working hard at multiple jobs. She was sad and embarrassed to have to ask for our help. As time went on, she said, I love my daughter and my son-in-law with all my heart. I would do anything to help them. My daughter is so exhausted between caring for me and her husband and working and running to the hospital all the time. It was the least I could do to help. The loving mother began to cry.

I told the woman about my own mother and how I had cared for her and helped her so she could stay in her own small house. We talked about a mothers love and how special it is. I shared some stories about my mother and how she too would laugh often, even during difficult times. When we were again laughing together, I brought her back to their present situation.

We began going through the budget she and her daughter had prepared together. She knew every expense she was paying and amounts. I pointed out areas that needed improvement and areas we could help. After thoroughly reviewing everything, I had a plan for this family of three. The mother liked being called a family of three as she said, I will always be the mother of this family, no matter how old my daughter and her husband are.

With our help this elderly mother and her family will no longer have to worry about choosing between a car repair or utilities or food. We have paid their overdue utilities, helped pay for the wheelchair ramp, provided repairs to their car, and given them gift cards for food, toiletries and other daily necessities. When I told the elderly mother how we were going to help, she again began to cry. Just then, her son-in-law came into the room and asked what the matter was. When she could not talk the mother handed him the phone. When I briefly explained to the son-in-law how we were going to help them, he too began to cry. We ended our phone call with many tears and words of gratitude, thanks to all of You.

Thank you for your donations that allow us to provide life-changing poverty relief that brings happy tears of relief, relief from the worry, hunger, and stress of poverty. Thank you and God Bless you.

Health & Happiness, Love & GOD Bless Everyone, Sal

Please Help: There are many coming to us in desperation. Our good fellow creations need our compassion. Together we make a big difference. Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 1, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 5013 charitable organization. You will receive a tax deductible, itemized thank you receipt showing how 100% of your donation was used for providing poverty relief. Please visit our website for more information, to read more of our past and current columns and/or to make a donation: www.timeisnowtohelp.org.

A Very Special Thank You: The Clarence W. and Marilyn Schawk Donor Fund, Jeffrey Martin, Paper Dolls, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schuberth, Kunes Country Auto Group, Martin Group, John Stensland and family, Paul Ziegler, Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Paper Dolls, Jon and Patricia Meagher Clare, Richard and Julie Thomas, Knights of Columbus Lake Geneva, Rita OBrien, William Antti, Judith Paul, James Shannon, Aileen Hodges, Anthony and Sandra Perri, Steven and Gabrielle Thomas, Dennis and Carol Gilhooley, Duane and June DeYoung, Carol Hinners, John and Marian McClellan, Kelleher Family, LLC, Karin Collamore, James Memmel, William Davit, John Zalewski, Daryl and Geri Braun, Sarah Wootton, David Greenawalt, all of our anonymous donors and ALL of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000.

Memorials: Anne Dailey in memory of Muriel Malsch. Shirley Gunderson in memory of George Laux.

Prayer Chain: The power of prayer and positive thoughts comes from the true healer, our Lord answering our prayers. Please pray for healing for the following people: Brian, Mike, Sylvia, Megan, Kayla, Maria C., Deda Lee, Betty, Scott, Annie, Marilyn, Brandon, Helen, Dennis, Mary, Joseph, Jordan, Jean, Tom L., Dr. Peter, Alyce, Matthew, Pam E., Jenene B., John S., Patricia H., Darlene, Ron K., Marian K., Judy, Wendy, Eric, Anthony, Mary, Charlie, Tom P., Christina, Billy, Mike, Cheryl, Bryan E., and Ellie.
VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents.

Today we are talking about Zachary Taylor, the 12th president. He took office in 1849.

Taylor had some things in common with earlier presidents.

Like six others before him, he was born in Virginia.

Like George Washington and Andrew Jackson, Taylor was a war hero.

And, like William Henry Harrison, he died in office.

But Taylor brought at least one special trait to the presidency. Although he was officially elected as a member of the Whig party, Taylor considered himself an independent.

Early life

When Zachary Taylor was a baby, his family left Virginia. They moved west, to a tobacco plantation in Kentucky.

There, the Taylors were financially successful. By the time Zachary was a young man, his family owned a number of enslaved people and over 4,000 hectares of land.

Taylor took possession of some of his familys land. He also had cotton plantations in the southern states of Mississippi and Louisiana. He, too, depended on enslaved people to do most of the work.

But Taylor was unlike many wealthy farmers in the South. He had always wanted to be a soldier. When Taylor was 24 years old, he became an officer in the U.S. Army.

Shortly after, he married Margaret Smith. In time, they had five daughters and one son. But Taylor directed most of his attention to his military career.

For about 20 years, he tried to keep peace between Native American tribes and white Americans. Sometimes the job meant leading attacks against Native Americans. At times, it meant defending their lands from white settlers.

In either case, his public standing as a good soldier grew. His troops called him Old Rough and Ready because he was willing to fight  and suffer  alongside them.

Then, in the Mexican-American War of the 1840s, Taylor became really famous. He led U.S. troops to victory in several major battles, including ones at Monterrey and Buena Vista.

In a well-known story, the powerful Mexican general Santa Anna surrounded Taylor and his small number of troops. Santa Anna sent a message demanding that they surrender. Taylor reportedly said: Tell him to go to hell.

The two sides clashed the next morning. Santa Anna had about three times the men that Taylor had. Yet, by late that day, Taylors soldiers had defeated Santa Annas.

Taylors success as a general helped the United States win the war against Mexico. In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico agreed to give up claims to or sell to the U.S. more than 1.3 million square kilometers of its lands, including what are now the states of Texas and California.

But the new lands almost immediately caused problems.

Campaign of 1848

At the time of the next U.S. presidential election, public opinion in the country was severely divided. The issue was whether to permit slavery in the new lands won at the end of the war with Mexico.

In general, Northerners opposed expanding slavery.

In general, Southerners supported it.

To appeal to both these groups, the major parties at the time looked to Taylor to be their candidate for president.

The Democrats and the Whigs reasoned that Taylor was already well-known and well-liked. Historian Michael Holt said in 1848, Taylor was the most popular man in America.

But Taylor was not really political. He called himself an independent. He shared some beliefs with both major parties at the time. But mostly he wanted to keep the nation together.

In the end, he agreed to be the candidate of the Whig Party. During the campaign, he did not take a stand on any of the major issues. His fame as a military general carried him into the White House.

Presidency

The truth was that Taylor did have an opinion on slavery: He did not want to expand it, especially in areas that did not support cotton or sugar farms.

So, once in office, he proposed a change to the rules about how new territories would become states. The change would let white, American, male settlers in California and New Mexico decide whether they wanted slavery. Then, those areas could enter the Union immediately as states.

Taylor aimed to quiet the debate about slavery. But his idea angered almost everybody.

Some U.S. lawmakers believed the president had cut them out of the decision.

Northerners said Taylors proposal did not go far enough: It did not solve some of the other issues related to slavery.

And Southerners realized that settlers in California and New Mexico would almost surely reject slavery, and give free states a majority in Congress.

In one dramatic incident, some South Carolina officials called a meeting to discuss withdrawing from the Union. In answer, Taylor threatened to hang them.

But before Taylor or his idea could get too far, the president became sick.

The story is that he attended outdoor celebrations to mark the nations birthday, July 4. Then he went for a walk. The weather was very hot. To cool off, Taylor ate uncooked fruit and drank iced milk.

That night he told others about pain in his stomach. Five days later, he was dead.

His doctor wrote that Taylor died of cholera morbus -- a general term for severe digestive problems.

A few people thought he might have been poisoned. The suspicion remained until 1991, when medical officials examined Taylors remains. They confirmed that he died of natural causes.

A more recent study offers more details. Jane McHugh and Philip A. Mackowiak say that Taylor was a victim of the same problem that killed presidents William Henry Harrison and James Polk: dirty water in the White House.

Legacy

Taylors death, while unfortunate, did not cause a political crisis. John Tyler had already established the rule that, if a president dies in office, the vice president becomes president.

But Taylors death did likely change the direction of history. His replacement, Millard Fillmore, did not try to hold the Union together by force. Instead, he joined with politicians who wanted to compromise on the issue.

The compromise legislation delayed but did not really settle the debate. In time, the division between North and South led to the American Civil War.

And members of Taylors own family became linked to the states that withdrew from the Union.

One of his daughters had married Jefferson Davis, who became the president of the Confederacy.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

See how well you understand this story by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video and then choose the best answer.

Quiz - America's Presidents: Zachary Taylor Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

trait - n. a quality that makes one person or thing different from another

plantation - n. a large area of land especially in a hot part of the world where crops (such as cotton) are grown

hell - n. the place where the devil lives and where evil people go after they die according to some religions; "go to hell" is an informal, impolite expression used to show that you are very angry with someone

dramatic - adj. greatly affecting people's emotions

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the forum below.
Scientists have started vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in New South Wales, Australia. The disease causes blindness, infertility and death.

Samuel Phillips is a microbiologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He helped develop the vaccine. He said the disease is killing koalas because they become so sick they cant climb trees to get food, or escape predators, and females can become infertile. An infertile koala cannot reproduce.

The scientists first goal is to catch, vaccinate and carefully follow around half of the koala population in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. That means vaccinating around 50 animals.

Researchers have already tested the vaccine on koalas in wildlife rescue centers. Those tests confirmed that the vaccine works and is safe to use.

To reduce infections and disease, scientists want to learn what percentage of the wild population needs vaccinating.

Scientists caught and vaccinated the first koalas in March. The effort is expected to last about three months.

Koalas in other parts of Australia are also infected with chlamydia. In Queensland, scientists estimate about half of the animals already have the disease.

To give the vaccine, the scientists put circular fences around the bottom of the trees in which the koalas feed. After a few hours or days, the koalas climb down from one tree to look for tasty leaves on another. Then they will wander into traps placed on the ground. The traps do not hurt the animals.

Next, the scientists check the animals, give them medicine to prevent pain from vaccination, and give the vaccine. They watch the animals closely for 24 hours to check for problems. They also put a pink spot on the backs of the animals. This lets the scientists know which animals have already been vaccinated.

Most of the time, koalas eat and sleep in eucalyptus trees. Their population has greatly decreased during the past 20 years. Last February, Australias government put koalas in the eastern regions of New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory on a list of endangered species.

Disease, loss of areas to live, and road crashes are all making it more difficult for koalas to survive. A 2020 study from the New South Wales government found that koalas could become extinct by the year 2050.

Scientists think koalas may have gotten chlamydia from contact with feces from infected sheep or cattle. Doctors use antibiotics to treat the disease in humans. But koalas have a special enzyme in their stomachs that prevents the antibiotics from working.

Mathew Crowther is a conservation biologist at the University of Sydney. He has been observing koalas in New South Wales for over 10 years. In 2008, 10 percent of animals tested there were infected with chlamydia. Today that rate is 80 percent.

He said it is rare to see any baby koalas in the area.

Around the world, there have been very few other projects to give vaccines to wild animals.

Vaccination for wildlife is certainly not routine yet, said Jacob Negrey, a biologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He added that biologists are trying to learn if vaccination of wild animals should increase.

I'm Andrew Smith.

Christina Larson wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

__________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

predator -n. an animal that hunts and eats other animals

wander -v. to move from one place to another without a particular direction or destination

region -n. a geographical area

species -n. a set of plants or animals whose members have the same main characteristics and are able to breed with each other

extinct -adj. describing a species that no longer exists

feces -n. solid waste expelled from the bodies of animals; excrement

conservation -n. the act of preserving animals and natural areas from overuse or destruction

routine -adj. done in a habitual manner

__________________________________________________________________

We want to hear from you.

We have a new comment system. Here is how it works:

Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free.

Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.
STATE STREET | MOCHI

Big smiles. Squeals of joy. Pastel colors. Sparkly unicorns and other stuffed animals that line tables, shelves and the display windows.

Those are wares and reactions you can fi nd and see at the recently opened Mochi store at 631 State St. in Madison's Downtown.

Co-owner Bonnie Liu, who has lived in Madison for 14 years, said the store resembles the adorable shops she frequented as a girl growing up in China. They all sold general goods, but each one's aesthetic was cute in its own way, and meant to evoke a sense of calm and serenity.

Mochi wants to attract people young and old, said co-owner Sean Lee. He said business has been booming since the store's opening. Lee is formerly of Hong Kong, and has lived in Madison for 34 years.

"We thought it might take a few years to build," he said, but Mochi sold out of certain items quickly. "Right away, we were so busy."

Liu said she's had customers comment on how they could fall asleep in the store, attesting to that calm and serenity.

Cuteness, or "Kawaii" as it is referred to in Japanese, has become a cultural phenomenon in Asia, particularly in East Asia, that in the past decade has spread around the rest of the world in the form of fashion trends, toys, video games, television shows and movies, particularly anime.

Kawaii are generally considered people or items that are charming, vulnerable, shy and even childlike.

Mochi captures that culture, Liu said, particularly with plush toys large and small that resemble popular video game and television show characters, like Kirby, a character that has appeared in various Nintendo games.

Some toys are embroidered with the Mochi logo that Liu said she designed herself.

According to the Association for Asian Studies, cute culture in Asia has been largely influenced by Japan.

Mochi buys all of its inventory from wholesalers in Japan, Korea and China, Liu said.

Prices for items range from a few dollars to $50 or $60 for larger plush toys or a rice cooker.

Mochi is strictly brick and mortar for now, Liu said, though the store might eventually move to sell its wares online.

But nothing beats the reactions she gets from in-person customers, she said.

It doesn't matter what kind of life you have, Liu said, as Mochi "can be an escape."

"When you see people smiling and enjoying the store  that's great feedback," Lee said.

"When you see people smiling and enjoying the store  that's great feedback."

Sean Lee, co-owner of Mochi
'SEIZE THE DAY' | WISCONSIN ENTREPRENEURS' CONFERENCE

When New Glarus Brewing Company released its first batch of beer in late 1993, it was far from a household name.

But over the past 30 years, after millions of barrels of beer and an increasingly competitive craft beer market, Deb Carey has guided the company she founded with husband Dan Carey into national prominence, even though its products are only sold in Wisconsin.

Next month, Deb Carey, the company's president, will be honored during a luncheon at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference presented by the Madison-based Wisconsin Technology Council.

Carey will receive the Ken Hendricks Memorial "Seize the Day" award at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee on June 1. The award, which celebrates entrepreneurial leaders who have been crucial to Wisconsin's economic growth, is named in honor of the late Ken Hendricks, co-founder of ABC Supply in Beloit and 2006 "Seize the Day" award winner. Hendricks, a billionaire, died a year later in a fall at his home.

"Daniel and Deb have combined their business management and brewing professionalism with a philosophy based on individuality, cooperation and use of 100% natural ingredients to produce world class, handcrafted beers such as 'Spotted Cow,'" the WTC said in a release announcing the award.

Carey is just the latest winner from the Madison area of the "Seize the Day" award.
When Maya Coumbe Gitter turned her tassel Saturday, she not only completed her own degree, but she also carried on a 140-year legacy.

Four generations of women in her family  from her great-great-grandmother to aunts before her  had walked the same path she just completed, going as far back as the late 19th century.

Coumbe Gitter, who is from the Brookfield area and grew up in various locations around the state, says she selected her alma mater free of any outside influence or pressure.

I didnt know too much about the history myself, but I knew I wanted to come here in eighth grade when I came to my first Badger game, she said. My dad took me, and I got my first taste of, like, just the spirit and camaraderie of the school, and I just was so impressed by it.

Coumbe Gitter, who got her degree in biochemistry with an environmental science minor, graduated in good company outside of her own family tree  Saturdays ceremony was the largest commencement in UW-Madison history, with 7,826 degrees conferred, according to UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin.

Jumping around UW-Madison graduates dance and jump to Jump Around during the commencement ceremony. The song played, as is tradition at Badgers football ga

In a way, Mnookin said, Saturday was as much a commencement for her as it was for those earning degrees, marking the completion of her first year as chancellor. Addressing the crowd at Camp Randall Stadium, Mnookin recalled some of the lessons she has learned from students and faculty during the past year: finding turtles in the UW Arboretum, walking out across the ice to the statue of Lady Liberty on frozen Lake Mendota, and to beware of springtime blizzards.

You certainly taught me how to jump around, and how to support community in this amazing institution, she said. You share a deep bond that I know will last a lifetime.

Family moment Graduate London Butler visits with her cousin Teri before Saturday's commencement ceremony. More than 40,000 guests packed the Isthmus this we

A notable absence was that of former Chancellor Rebecca Blank, who brought commencement back to Camp Randall. Blank died in February of cancer, and Saturdays celebrants took a moment to honor her amid the jubilant ceremony.

Chancellor Blank often said this was her favorite day of the year, and I know she would be so proud of every one of you, said Mnookin.

Keynote speaker

Joining university officials in offering congratulations and wisdom to the class of 2023 was keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr., the first African American to serve as U.S. attorney general.

Holder, the father of a 2020 UW-Madison graduate, touched on the pandemic, protests and politics.

You already know what the most urgent issues are because youre already leading the way, standing up for your most basic rights, fighting for those who are more vulnerable, speaking out against racism, hatred and bigotry, he said.

Eric H. Holder Jr. Keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr., the first African American person to serve as U.S. attorney general, addresses UW-Madison graduates. Holde

He discussed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s 1965 visit to the university, where King addressed a standing room only crowd on campus.

Just after leaving campus, (King) reminded a reporter that, Were at a terrible stage when we confuse dissent with disloyalty, and we view every protester as a traitor, said Holder. So, when you hear people fan the flames of xenophobia for their own cynical self-interest, you have a responsibility to demand better, to speak out for civility, tolerance and understanding, especially among those with whom you happen to disagree.

Community support

This years spring commencement comes after a tempestuous couple of weeks for university students, many of whom took to the streets to protest after a video circulated in early May featuring a white student spouting racial slurs, saying she wanted Black people returned to slavery.

Hundreds protest for second day, say UW-Madison response to racist video is insufficient Thursday's protest, which had more than 500 in attendance, followed what Blk Pwr Coalition students felt was a lackluster response from UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin over their demands.

Graduates Sydney Bobb and Faith Ocoko, both Blk Pwr Coalition members, approached the microphone at Saturdays ceremony to share their experiences as Black students on campus, and to offer their congratulations and encouragement to Black graduates and prospective Black students of the university.

Being from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, coming to a school where the Black population takes up less than three percent was a huge culture shock to me, said Ocoko. Being a Black pre-med student, it seemed that the odds were stacked against me. ... Through perseverance, hard work and the support of my community, my Black community, I was able to thrive.

Ocoko added that she was grateful for the Black upperclassmen she met in her early days who told her the honest and blatant truth about what this university had to offer us.

Campus experience

Bobb recalled her time in Sellery Residence Hall, where she said she immediately noticed the lack of diversity in the student population.

Besides some of my cohort members and I, you could count the number of Black students on our floor on one hand, said Bobb.

She added that the racist video circulating in early May shook UW-Madisons student body, specifically the Black students.

I say shook and not stunned because weve seen this before, said Bobb. The many missteps that this university and its administrators have made in response to the video proved what we have already thought: that this university is not and has never been for our progression as Black students.

Bobb, who hails from Boston, Massachusetts, earned her bachelors degree in African cultural studies, while Ocoko, of Milwaukee, earned hers in neurobiology with a certificate in French.

In her own speech, Mnookin acknowledged the video, saying she hoped people knew that the viral clip was not a representation of the campus community.

No matter how loud such voices may seem at times, they are not who we want to be, she said.

Legacy of learning

The ceremony concluded with the movement of tassels and the singing of Varsity, as more than 7,000 new Badger alumni posed for photos and hugged their loved ones.

As the graduates threw their hats and beamed with pride, Coumbe Gitter joined them, ready to cement her own legacy, and grateful for the women who came before her.

In 1883, her great-great-grandmother, Helen Louise Meyer Hunt, walked that same path to accept a degree in English and German, 20 years after women were first accepted into the university.

In 1924, Emily Hunt Hagen followed suit, earning her degree in history. Both she and Meyer Hunt went on to be teachers.

Helen Louise Hagen Gitter was next in 1953 when she graduated from UW with an education and home economics degree. In 1983, she returned to the university, earning her masters in continuing adult education alongside her daughter, Theresa Gitter Brunmeier, Coumbe Gitters aunt who majored in English and education.

Degree in hand, Coumbe Gitter isnt showing any signs of slowing down. Shell continue her education at Johns Hopkins in the fall, where she hopes to earn her masters of science in public health. She sees a future for herself in project management, where she says her goal is to focus on world hunger.

Trying to just, you know, feed as many people as we can and keep them as healthy as possible, she said.

Even with so much to look forward to, its a bittersweet weekend, she added, knowing that shell be ending her days at the university in the same place she fell in love with it: Camp Randall.

Photos: UW-Madison's 170th commencement
I am noticing Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, citing Martin Luther King Jr. in his efforts to decry the existence of equity and diversity programs at University of Wisconsin System schools.

It seems like Vos and his Republican echo chamber know one quote from King about a future where his daughters live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Yay for knowing one quote. But reciting one set of words does not give the whole picture.

King stood for things that Vos and the echo chamber fear. King argued for a guaranteed annual income. He fought for a broader distribution of wealth. He blamed institutions of government and law enforcement and education for perpetuating injustices. King spoke eloquently and clearly about how being Black in America meant living in a world that was stacked against you. He spoke of reasons why there need to be such things as diversity programs.

Ill start listening to Vos when he is able to speak more to Kings entire body of work.

John Niesen, Middleton

The Mendota Marsh collection
TWIN FALLS  Law enforcement officers, dignitaries and the public gathered Saturday at Twin Falls City Park to remember law officers who gave their lives while protecting the safety of citizens.

More than 70 law enforcement officers have died while on duty in Idaho. Its a large number, but the public also needs to consider the sacrifices that law officers make every day, and the burden put on families that have fear and anxiety when their loved one goes out for duty, said Jim ODonnell, Twin Falls Sheriffs Office chaplain, who spoke during the Magic Valley Law Enforcement Memorial Service.

The highlight of the solemn event, held yearly, was when the names of the fallen were read, including those of the nine Magic Valley officers.

Roses were presented to relatives in attendance.

Keynote speaker Idaho Sen. Linda Wright Hartgen, praised law enforcement officers.

The men and women who have this calling are very special indeed, and to them we say thank you, Hartgen said. To the families of those we have lost, thank you for your sacrifice as well. To the family of the living officers want to say thank you for sharing your spouse. 

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you.

Magic Valleys law enforcement officers face increasingly dangerous times, Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs said.

He recounted a sobering moment in August when he visited the site of an officer-involved shooting near Buhl and sat in a deputys car that had bullet holes shot into the windshield during the incident.

The deputy was fortunate to not have been injured, he said.

Twin Falls Mayor Ruth Pierce and Twin Falls County Commissioner Don Hall read a proclamation for Police Week, to be celebrated Monday through May 21.

In part, the proclamation states that it is important for citizens to learn about the sacrifices law officers make, and calls for organizations to observe the week, with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers past and present.
The 3rd annual Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards ceremony, held on Friday in Guanghan, Sichuan province, served as a stage to honor the winners and as a testament to the strong growth of children's sci-fi literature.

Dong Renwei (4th R), a luminary in China's sci-fi scene, addresses the opening of the Children Science Fiction Convention, flanked by members of the organizing committee on stage, in Guanghan, Sichuan province, May 12, 2023. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

Dong Renwei, a prominent figure in Chinese sci-fi and a founder of the Awards, spotlighted the evolution of China's children's science fiction industry during his opening speech. He acknowledged the expansion of the genre, now boasting over 100 writers that include professionals, part-timers, and both mainstream and literary authors. Furthermore, he highlighted the surge in the number of publishing houses and magazines dedicated to children's science fiction. This year's awards ceremony and convention were held with the intention of displaying the industry's accomplishments after a decade of dedication.

"Children's science fiction, bearing a distinctive Eastern style, has truly blossomed in China," he stated.

The awards ceremony was attended by more than 200 leading figures of China's sci-fi circle, including Ma Chuansi, Chao Xia, Lu Yang, Jiang Bo, Cheng Jingbo, Han Song, Yao Haijun and Shao Ruoyu.

Author Peng Liurong (1st L) and Dong Renwei share a photo moment after she receives the best novel award for her work, "The Radiant Dust," at the 3rd annual Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards in Guanghan, Sichuan province, May 12, 2023. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

The 3rd annual Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards winners were unveiled on Friday night, with six main prizes taking the spotlight. Peng Liurong's "The Radiant Dust" secured the gold award for the medium and long novel category. Meanwhile, Zuo Wenping's "The Circular Girl" clinched the gold award for the short story category and the New Star gold award. Ma Chuansi garnered the gold award for the most influential writer, Wang Weiying took the gold for editing, and Xu Yanli seized the gold for science fiction literary criticism.

During the ceremony, the jury president, Professor Cui Xinping from Taiyuan Normal University, a children's literature critic, extolled Peng Liurong's "The Radiant Dust" for its "grand imagination and lofty conception." Meanwhile, Yao Haijun, honorary chairman of the awards organizing committee, lauded Ma Chuansi, who since 2015 has produced over 20 distinctive science fiction pieces that blend childlike innocence, vibrant fantasy, and heartfelt emotion.

Significantly, the Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards has created special awards to foster a diverse range of children's science fiction. For instance, Li Shanshan won the gold award for works aimed at young children with "Machine Girl," Bao Shu won the gold award for teenage sci-fi work with "Extinct Ancient Continent," and Jiang Yongyu secured the gold award for science popularization-style sci-fi with "Earth Crisis."

Industry professionals engage in a discussion at a forum during the Children Science Fiction Convention in Guanghan, Sichuan province, May 12, 2023. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

Book signings and promotional activities punctuated the Children Science Fiction Convention, with eight series of children's sci-fi books making their debut or receiving a promotion. These included several books edited by prominent Chinese sci-fi authors Liu Cixin and Dong Renwei.

In addition, an affiliated forum took place, drawing together sci-fi experts, critics, editors, publishers and writers. They convened to explore the various schools and styles of children's sci-fi, as well as its central themes and artistic techniques. The participants also advocated for a broader development of children's literature in the future.

Professor Cui Xinping unveiled the "2021-2022 Annual Report on Children's Science Fiction" at the forum, revealing that the genre's development in the past two years has demonstrated a rise in creative output, increased participation from publishers, initial advancements in children's sci-fi literature criticism and research, and burgeoning social interest.

A selection of children's sci-fi books on display during the Children Science Fiction Convention in Guanghan, Sichuan province, May 12, 2023. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

The children's sci-fi awards ceremony and convention served as a curtain-raiser to the 14th Chinese Nebula Awards, the premier sci-fi awards in China, scheduled for Saturday.
2 CSI students receive Magic Valley Energy scholarships

Two College of Southern Idaho students were selected to receive Magic Valley Energy scholarships for the CSI Renewable Energy Systems Technology Program.

Zach Schroeder will receive $1,000 toward completing his degree, and Cougar Anderson, a graduate of Filer High School, will receive $500.

This is the third round of scholarships Magic Valley Energy has sponsored for CSI students interested in renewable energy careers.

The CSI energy program has grown substantially over the past decade and has a 97% job placement rate for students. The degree is usually completed within two years. CSI, however, works with high school students and those already working in the industry that still need to satisfy their degree requirements.

Associate Professor Eli Bowles said his connections in the industry and the substantial demand for clean energy across the country make the transition for his students from the classroom to a career easy.

All but one of my sophomores have jobs lined up and ready to go. Some of them wont even walk at graduation because they are on their way to their job, Bowles said in a statement about the awards. Were looking forward to having a pipeline for more local renewable energy jobs for the students who want to stay in the Magic Valley.

Schroeder and Anderson said they chose a career in renewable energy because of seeing wind turbines and solar panels from the road.

Ive wanted to climb a wind turbine since I first saw one when I was a little kid, Schroeder said. The industry is exploding, and its on its way up. Everything tells me its on the upward swing, and being on the ground floor is exciting.

Anderson focused his high school senior project on renewable energy and said his goal after graduation was to get a wind energy job.

Magic Valley music students make strong showing in state solo competition

More than 300 students from around Idaho participated in the state solo and ensemble competition, held May 5 and 6 in Caldwell

The following Magic Valley students placed in the statewide contest:

Caleb Portillo, from Burley High School: first place, alto saxophone Solo

Ethan Davis, from Minico High School: first place, baritone vocal solo

Jacob Shepherd, from Kimberly High School: first place, bass vocal solo

Forrest Peterson, from Mountain Home High School: second place, timpani solo

Mason DuBois, from Buhl High School: second place, trumpet solo

Sadie Dimond, from Jerome High School: third place, euphonium solo

Ava Atkin, from Twin Falls High School: third place, oboe solo

Anna Hastings, from Twin Falls High School, third place, viola solo

Giianni Faught, from Buhl High School, fourth place, alto vocal solo

Canyon Ridge High School: first place, tenor-bass vocal ensemble

Wood River High SchoolL second place, string trio

Burley High School, fourth place, mixed vocal ensemble

School spring concert and art show

The Shoshone School Spring Concert and Art Show for middle- and high-schoolers will be 6:30 p.m. Monday in the high school gym.

Each class will be performing two or three pieces. Guests attending the concert can also view an art gallery featuring work of middle and high school students.

There is no charge for entry, and refreshments will be served.

Burley High Schools Cinco de Mayo

Burley High School students and staff met during the past week for a multicultural assembly to celebrate student diversity.

The event included dance performances from a variety of cultures, a quincenera dress showcase and more. The student club Latinos in Action used a donation from Idaho Central Credit Union to purchase new fan skirts for the showcase.
Wanted for felony DUI (2 counts), providing false information to law enforcement (2 counts), possession of an open container (2 counts) and failure to notify upon striking fixtures along highway

The Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office asks that anyone with information please call 208-735-1911 or Crime Stoppers at 208-343-2677, where they can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips can be made at www.343cops.com or download P3 Tips on your mobile phone.
The question hung in the air during our weekly meeting a few days ago.

How do you feel about ranked choice voting?

Theres rarely a pause when we gather around the table on that one day each week to talk about the happenings around Twin Falls and the Magic Valley, about the latest political escapades, about the critical issues facing life in Idaho and beyond.

Our conversations are open and wide-ranging, without judgment and with decency, and its why we are rarely (never?) able to keep our meetings to their allotted time. And when we do get up to leave each week, theres a sense that we could keep going  if only we had the time in our schedules.

This moment was different, a first in the four-plus months since we came together for our first huddle. There was a pause. Why? None of us was immediately sure how to answer.

How do you feel about ranked choice voting?

If you havent already asked yourself the same question, or been asked by a friend, family member, coworker or somebody else, you almost certainly will. And soon.

A coalition calling itself Idahoans for Open Primaries was born this month and will set out almost immediately in a statewide effort to gather enough signatures for a November 2024 ballot initiative that would give voters an opportunity to approve a primary system open to all Idaho voters  regardless of political affiliation.

Quote Over the next many months, youre going to hear a lot about RCV  some good, some bad  and we encourage you to listen and learn. Ask questions. Consider what the messenger wants from you.

We dont oppose an open primary, nor, we contend, should the deep base of traditional Republicans who have largely built Idaho into an envy among conservatives. From restrictive abortion laws that prioritize life, to limited gun laws that preserve freedom, to a balanced budget that ensures fiscal stability, to a continued stand against the stench of legal marijuana that isnt worth the supposed financial gains, Idaho is what other red states aspire to be.

Case in point: The thousands of disenfranchised Oregonians who have even voted in 11 counties to redraw state borders to create a Greater Idaho. Its too complicated to ever happen, and too trivial for lawmakers caught up in culture wars, some real and some not, but the organized movement to join Idaho is a credit to the states conservative brawn.

To place any worry in the idea of an open primary is simply wasted energy. There were 985,621 registered voters in Idaho as of April 6, according to the Secretary of States Office, and nearly 60% of them were Republicans compared to the Democrats 12.7%. In all of the states 44 counties and 35 legislative districts, Democrats were outnumbered, according to the data, and hopelessly so in many of those places.

Theres a reason why Democrats havent won a statewide election in more than 20 years, not since Marilyn Howard was reelected in 2002 as superintendent of public instruction. Before that? It was 1990.

Democrats are not going to get their way in Idaho  whether the primary is open or closed. But hard-right conservatives, the ones who, for example, profit off stoking fear by claiming war is upon us, as Sen. Brian Lenney of Nampa ridiculously told his constituents in an email about the formation of Idahoans for Open Primaries, already are.

That would appear to be the catalyst for the emergence of the coalition: To weaken the loud minority on the party fringes who have manipulated the closed primary to their advantage and return power to where it rightly belongs with the real Republicans, the ones who can represent conservative values without stirring up imaginary conflicts.

But heres where we pause. The new primary, in addition to allowing all to vote, would fully reconfigure the state election process and make Idaho the third to use ranked voting.

How would it work? The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, would advance to the general election, where Idahoans would then vote in order of preference for a winner.

Heres how Ballotpedia, the self-proclaimed digital encyclopedia of American politics, explained the process of RCV, also known as instant runoff voting:

Voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots.

If a candidate wins an outright majority of first-preference votes (50%, plus one), he or she will be declared the winner.

If no candidates win an outright majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated.

All first-preference votes for the failed candidate are eliminated, lifting the next-preference choices on those ballots.

A new tally is conducted to determine whether any candidate has won an outright majority of the adjusted voters.

The process is repeated until a candidate wins a majority of votes.

Is it all too confusing? Would it too often result in settling for the second choice? Could it deter some voters? Would it take too long to find out the results?

Do we lose the sanctity of one person, one vote in RCV? Or does our one vote just take on a different look?

The answers to those questions arent fully clear to us. Yet, regardless, we cant help but ponder another question: Is it worth it to restore the Republican balance of power to the center and away from the edge of the cliff?

Over the next many months, youre going to hear a lot about RCV  some good, some bad  and we encourage you to listen and learn. Ask questions. Consider what the messenger wants from you.

How do you feel about ranked choice voting?

Were still figuring it out ourselves. But we know this much: How we answer  how all of us answer  will shape the future of Idaho. Think carefully.
This month, City of Dreams Manila is dedicated to celebrating and honoring mothers in the most remarkable way possible. Offering an extensive selection of experiences, from dining extravaganzas to indulgent staycations, rejuvenating wellness activities, and exclusive shopping opportunities, City of Dreams Manila aims to provide an unforgettable and personalized experience for every mom.

Nobu Manila

Treat mom to a luxurious Sunday Brunch with Chef Nobu Matsuhisas famous cuisine. For P4,388 per person, enjoy a wide selection of appetizers, grilled kushiyaki, premium sashimi, sushi, and maki rolls paired with signature sauces. Dont miss the roasted whole US striploin and smoked beef brisket, served with creamy wasabi, au jus, and mushroom wasabi sauce. Experience Filipino-inspired dishes, specialty dishes, salads, soups, desserts, and beverages for a delightful dining experience.

Treat mom to a Sunday brunch at Nobu

For dinner, Nobu Manila entices with an eight-course tasting menu (P8, 871.42) net per person, consisting of the chefs choice of appetizer to warm up the palate for the first course of Tuna Tataki followed by a selection of assorted sushi and chilled chawanmushi of seasonal vegetables. Yellowtail Tosazu with crispy red onion and olive oil; Salmon Sashimi Salad; Pan-roasted Seabass with pickled watermelon, amasu ponzu, and balsamic caviar; Grilled Wagyu Beef with crispy kabocha, nasu, shitake, and garlic SMR (soy-mirin reduction) come after. Chocolate and Yogurt, consisting of chocolate mousse, yogurt, vanilla crumble, and ube ice cream provide a lip-smacking conclusion to the meal.

Have mom ease into Friday Chill Out with a seductive summer sundown special, and entrancing DJ tracks complementing Nobus globally renowned new-style Japanese cuisine and sophisticated drinks. A perfect prelude to the weekend celebration, the Friday Chill-Outs much-coveted menu at the trend-setting restaurants cabanas, patio, and bar, includes select Nobu classics by the renowned Chef Nobu, such as Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Black Cod on Butter Lettuce, and Miso Cappuccino, to name some. Premium sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and maki; an array of kushiyaki served with Nobu custom sauces, along with handcrafted cocktails, signature sake, champagne, wine, beer, liquor or mocktails are also offered.

Nobu Manilas Friday Chill-Out happens every Friday, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until May 26.

Email noburestaurant@cod-manila for reservations.

Crystal Dragon

The award-winning restaurant specializing in Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties whips up a celebratory a la carte menu available until today, from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. It consists of Double-boiled Chicken Soup with conpoy and Chinese herbs served in whole coconut; Poached Hokkaido Scallop in sour broth; Wagyu Beef with king mushroom and capsicums tossed in truffle paste; Wok-fried Spicy Drunken Crayfish; and Chilled Sweetened Eight Treasure Soup (Ching Po Leung).

DreamPlay

DreamPlay, the first-of-its-kind DreamWorks-inspired interactive play and creativity center, is staging a special activity on Mothers Day, where kids with participating tickets can unleash their creativity and craft a heartwarming dedication card for their moms at The Dream Tales Library; or gift moms with gingerbread cookies they baked at Cooking with Gingy. Not to be missed are the other attractions for families to explore exciting activities together, from challenge courses to storytelling, cooking, and more.

Nuwa and Nobu Spa

Let mom unwind and relax at the NUWA Spa Suite

The special occasion merits a pampering session for mom, and both Nuwa and Nobu Spas guarantee a tranquil and personalized spa experience. Mothers can choose from the spas signature treatments: Nuwa Spas Two-Fold Heal-ot, which draws inspiration from the Philippines age-old healing techniques and traditions, and helps stimulate the immune system, increase blood flow and promote well-being; or Nobu Spas Nobu Rakuen, an Asian-inspired massage featuring the relaxing essence of warm oils and heated bamboo that soothes away stress, rejuvenates, and energizes.

For inquiries, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
Malis military junta on Saturday denounced as fictitious and biased a UN report that said the army and foreign fighters executed at least 500 people during a 2022 anti-jihadist operation.

Rejecting revelations that the UN had used satellites to gather information for its report, the authorities also announced an investigation into espionage.

The statement came a day after the UN released its long-awaited report into the events that unfolded in the central town of Moura between March 27-31, 2022.

No civilian from Moura lost their life during the military operation, said a statement read out on state television by government spokesman colonel Abdoulaye Maiga.

Among the dead, there were only terrorist fighters.

Condemning what it called a biased report based on a fictitious narrative, the government also expressed surprise that the UN investigators had used satellites above Moura to gather information, without government clearance.

It was launching an investigation into espionage, an attack on the external security of the state and military conspiracy, it added.

The figures cited by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) amount to the worst atrocity the Sahel country has experienced since a jihadist insurgency flared in 2012.

It is also the most damning document yet against Malis armed forces and their foreign allies.

The nationality of the foreign fighters is not explicitly identified in the report, but Mali has brought in Russians that Western countries and others say are Wagner mercenaries.

 Extremely disturbing 

In its report, the OHCHR said it had reasonable grounds to believe that at least 500 people were killed in violation of norms, standards, rules and/or principles of international law.

The victims were executed by the FAMa (Malian Armed Forces) and foreign military personnel who had complete control over the area, it said.

The UN report was published after a lengthy investigation by the human rights division of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA.

Around 20 women and seven children were among those killed, while evidence suggests 58 women and girls were victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence, the report said.

Acts of torture were carried out on people who had been detained, it added.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called the findings extremely disturbing.

Summary executions, rape and torture during armed conflict amount to war crimes and could, depending on the circumstances, amount to crimes against humanity, he said in a statement.

MINUSMAs mandate runs out in June, and there are growing doubts over its ability to fulfil its peacekeeping mandate given deteriorating relations with the ruling junta in Mali and the withdrawal of some contributing countries soldiers.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
The White House welcomed Saturday the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based militants, and praised the Egyptian government for brokering the deal.

US officials worked closely with regional partners to achieve this resolution to the hostilities to prevent further loss of life and restore calm for both Israelis and Palestinians, White House press spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) on Saturday said it is confident the Philippines will not lose its visa-free entry privileges in Taiwan after a Taiwanese official said it could be extended annually.

Filipinos are currently eligible for the visa exemption program for a stay of up to 14 days, except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports until July 31.

Peiyung Hsu, a representative from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines had said this could be extended because people to people connectivity is so important.

MECO chairperson Silvestre Bello III said Taiwan needs Filipinos not only for the tourism sector, but other business sectors as well.

We were informed that there might be some policy changes pero hanggang ngayon wala pa naman and I am still confident yung ating visa-free privilege will not be discarded kasi kailangan nila ang mga Pilipino, Bello told reporters in a briefing.

Bello, a former labor secretary, said he was not keen on requesting the duration of the visa-free stay there to be lengthened.

Taiwan is targeting to attract at least 200,000 Filipino tourists to Taiwan as well as 200,000 Taiwanese tourists to the Philippines.

Around 5,000 Filipinos may be needed for the manufacturing sector soon, said Bello.

Bello meanwhile said that the situation in Taiwan is normal and the safety of overseas Filipinos there has been assured by the Taiwanese government amid tensions with neighboring China.

Bello said that the Philippine government is looking after the welfare and well-being of Filipinos there, while noting that Taiwan is prepared to protect not only its citizens but foreigners as well in case of an emergency.

The National Police Agency of Taiwan has also made an assurance that Filipinos there would be secured and protected, he added.

I met with the Director General together with the head of the Home Civilian Defense of Taiwan and they assured us that they will protect our countrymen, the MECO official said.

Taiwan, he said, has 89,000 shelters that can accommodate more than the total population of the island. That is how prepared Taiwan is and they really treasure our OFWs because they, according to them, are the best in their manufacturing industry, Bello added.

It is estimated that up to 90% of the factories in Taiwan are serviced by Filipino workers.

Roughly 160,000 OFWs are in factories while the rest are highly skilled teachers, farmers, and workers in the hospitality industry.

Cross-strait tensions have worsened between China and Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as a province.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
The government has assured assistance to the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Kuwaiti governments suspension of work visas, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said the affected OFWs would be

included in the National Reintegration Program of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), among other forms of assistance.

Reports said the government of Kuwait has suspended the issuance of new entry visas for Filipinos into the Gulf state.

Cortes said the department received an official note from Kuwait suspending new visas on Saturday.

We were told that it is only for those who are new  meaning if you do not have a resident visa or what they call iqama you cannot enter. But if you come back to Kuwait because youve been working there, you can enter, Cortes said.

A delegation of officials from the DFA and DMW will travel to Kuwaitthis month as part of the ongoing discussions between the Philippines and Kuwait to tackle labor concerns.

Kuwait and the Philippines always have discussions very often, Cortes said. Its a constant communication forum that we have instituted  not only with Kuwait but all the others to make sure were always on track as far as protection and promotion of the well-being of our migrants are concerned.

The OFWs who were recently rescued from Sudan received livelihood support and assistance, including $200, care of the DMW.

American business firms have expressed interest in employing the displaced OFWs. There are employers in the US and also in the cruise ship industry and in Saudi Arabia that are interested and would like to see the profiles of Filipino workers rescued from Sudan.

Kuwaiti media said the ban stemmed from the Philippines alleged non-compliance with the 2018 labor accord concerning the operation of a temporary shelter for distressed Filipinos inside the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.

Cortes, however, said Manila did not violate the deal if this was indeed Kuwaits reason because the establishment of shelters inside the embassies, now known as Migrant Workers Overseas Filipino Resource Centers (MWOFRC), is mandated under Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

We could not have agreed to a provision that will allow us not to establish a shelter for our countrymen because thats our law. Of course, whenever we have an agreement with another country, we always connect that with our domestic legislation, he said.

He said the operation of these shelters abroad is non-negotiable and would remain in operation regardless of the outcome of the upcoming talks.

Our law is clear. We have to have a shelter for our countrymen, he said.

Cortes said the DFA would also explain the deployment ban forhousehold service workers (HSWs), which he believes could have been a source of confusion for the Kuwaiti side.

The ban only covers the contracts of first-time HSWs bound for Kuwait and was imposed in February after the brutal death of Jullebee Ranawa, whose charred remains were found in a desert in Kuwait this year.

Cortes said the meeting this month with Kuwaiti officials is timely asit was already set even before the issue of the entry ban came up.

The upcoming high-level talks, he said, are part of the regular discussions between the Philippines and Kuwait concerning the more than 290,000 overseas Filipinos there.

According to the DFA, around 70 percent of the OFWs in Kuwait are household workers.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
More than a dozen people were killed in an overnight battle between Pakistan paramilitary troops and militants who stormed their base and took families hostage, the army said.

Well equipped fighters assaulted a Frontier Corps compound in Muslim Bagh, Balochistan province, and captured three families in a residential block, the military said.

Fighting raged from Friday evening until Saturday morning and the complex clearance operation involved hostage rescue operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but ethnic Baloch separatist groups have for decades waged a rebellion against the state in the southwestern province, frequently targeting security forces.

The Pakistan Taliban is also active in the region.

The terrorists had not even spared children in their hostage-taking, ISPR said. All six militants who breached the compound were killed, it said.

Seven sons of the soil  a term generally used for state security forces  were killed but one individual was a civilian, ISPR said.

Six more people, including a woman, were wounded.

A funeral service for some of the men killed was held in Balochistans provincial capital Quetta on Saturday.

Separately on Saturday, the ethnic separatist Baloch Liberation Army claimed to have staged an attack on security forces guarding an oil and gas survey team further south in Balochistans Kalat region.

Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks since the Afghan Taliban surged back to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.

The assaults have been focused on regions abutting Afghanistan, and Islamabad alleges some are being planned on Afghan soil.

In January, a suicide bomber linked to Pakistans Taliban blew himself up in a mosque inside a police compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 80 officers.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla underscored the need for a holistic approach to reviving the tourism and aviation industries at the recent Go Negosyo Tourism Summit.

Speaking before businesses and MSMEs, other airline players, and stakeholders across the tourism industry, Isla noted that responsible and sustainable tourism practices are crucial to ensure the sectors full recovery.

At AirAsia, we remain dedicated to innovating our services to meet our guests evolving needs and supporting the growth of tourism-related businesses. With many destinations promoting eco-tourism and cultural tourism, we recognize the growing trend towards sustainable and responsible tourism in the region, Isla said.

We acknowledge that our crew members are often the first or last Filipino representatives to greet travelers. This is why we prioritize delivering world-class service to enhance the Filipino brand and promote global competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry, he added.

Championing homegrown brands

To further support local enterprises, AirAsia Philippines launched an in-flight campaign called Totally Local, which features products from homegrown Filipino brands, including Tala by Kyla, Team Manila Lifestyle, Boho Manila, Wodd Ph, and Ibarra Manila. The campaign aims to promote the countrys cultural heritage and the creativity of local entrepreneurs.

Tala by Kyla pieces are meticulously conceptualized but at the same time keep up with social trends. This adaptive culture of the brand makes them relevant to their market that aims for empowerment and self-expression through simple yet curated accessories.

Boho Manila is a brand built by mothers; hence, their primary advocacy is to make our ilaw ng tahanan stronger by providing mothers with work opportunities. This advocacy produces wonderful tropical pieces that are perfect for the vibrant modern and bohemian woman.

TeamManila Lifestyle uses graphic design to promote Filipino culture by producing merchandise collections fit for both everyday streetwear and travel.

Ibarra Manila aims to redefine the concept of Filipino Time with its timepieces that are designed to be timeless and persevering with a touch of elegance. Notable history-makers ranging from national athletes to even a Philippine president have donned an Ibarra watch.

Wodd PH centers on sustainability and style. As the Philippines most awarded bamboo brand, its goal is to meet the growing demand for summer essentials but at the same time, create products that do not use plastic.

Learn more about how AirAsia continues to champion local enterprises and promote sustainable tourism across top destinations in the Philippines by visiting airasia.com. Stay tuned to our social media platforms Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and other travel advisories.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
Vietnam seeks stronger educational cooperation with Northern Ireland

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long has made a working trip to Belfast city in Northern Ireland to foster bilateral connections and cooperation, especially in education and trade.









Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long (6th from left) and lecturers of the Ulster University. (Photo: VNA)



During the trip from May 9-11, Long visited two leading universities in Northern Ireland - Ulster University and Queens University Belfast - to discuss cooperation in research, training, student exchange and English teacher training.



At the Ulster University, which has announced nine MA scholarships on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for English language teachers from Vietnam, Long was welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Seawright who expressed his hope that the project will contribute to fostering the effective partnership between Northern Ireland and Vietnam.



Long said that the scholarships, part of the British Council's UK/Vietnam Season, aims to honour the sound relations between the UK and Vietnam, and strengthen the connections between the two countries' people.



British Council Director for Northern Ireland Jonathan Stewart said that the British Council is committed to providing English language teachers with access to world-leading professional development opportunities and reaching their full potential.



At the Queens University Belfast, Long attended a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Ulster University, the Queen's University Belfast and the British Council in Belfast. He thanked the leaders of the Queen's University Belfast for many educational cooperation activities with Vietnamese universities in recent years, including the granting of many PhD scholarships to Vietnamese researchers.



Participants agreed to find solutions to strengthen cooperation in priority areas such as higher education, scientific research, and innovation; medical and life sciences; computer science, network security, network technology, creative industries and agriculture, while promoting trade exchanges and business collaboration and fostering partnership at the local level between Vietnam and Northern Ireland.



Long expressed his hope that the Queen's University Belfast and the Belfast administration will design policies to strengthen support for Vietnam, including providing accommodation, tuition fees and scholarships for talented Vietnamese students.



The Queen's University Belfast currently has five professors and lecturers from Vietnam, together with about 10 Vietnamese postgraduates and 60 students in the fields of technology, telecommunications, healthcare, and English language teaching./.
This aerial photo taken on Sept. 6, 2022 shows a view of Rongdong District in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The coordinated development in Beijing and neighboring regions is now in full swing and has grown into a new driving force for China's development, nine years after China launched a key strategy to build the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional city cluster.



The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 10 trillion yuan (about 1.44 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2022, 1.8 times the 2013 level at current prices, according to a report released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics on Feb. 20.

A more rational industrial layout, the more balanced resource distribution and innovation-driven development have not only helped the crowded Chinese capital achieve healthy growth, but also brought benefits to Tianjin and Hebei.

Optimizing industrial distribution

In the Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone, Du Qiuju, a staff member of Beijing AegleStem Therapeutics Co., Ltd. was doing her daily job in the lab -- carefully examining stem cell raw materials.

As a native of Gu'an County, Hebei Province, Du quit her job in her hometown a year ago and chose to embrace a new opportunity in the economic zone, because "it offers a better salary and is conducive to career development."

She doesn't have to worry about commuting distance. She usually rides a motorcycle for 40 minutes to get to the company. In addition, a rail transit line currently under construction, which is located close to her home, will make commuting more convenient in the future.

The Beijing Daxing International Airport sits at the junction of Beijing's Daxing District and Langfang in Hebei Province. The economic zone has a planned area of 150 square km in total and develops industries ranging from international medical care, and airport guarantee and support services, to international convention and exhibition spaces, comprehensive-purpose bonded areas, as well as aviation logistics.

Due to its unique location advantages and rich policy support, more and more high-tech enterprises like AegleStem have settled there, while many talents from Hebei and Tianjin have been attracted there by superior jobs.

"Beijing has significant R&D strength, while Hebei offers relatively low land and labor costs. Enterprises there are very impressed by the complementary advantages of these two regions, which could combine to form synergistic development advantages," said Zhu Tianzhu, assistant director of the economic zone's administrative committee.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in 2021, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region invested a total of 394.91 billion yuan in R&D, 2.1 times that of 2013, accounting for 14.1% of the national total.

The same story is unfolding in the Xiong'an New Area, Hebei Province. Located about 100 km southwest of Beijing, the area has been designed as a major recipient of functions previously located in Beijing but which are not essential to its role as China's capital.

Hebei Province has welcomed some 44,000 enterprises transferred from Beijing and Tianjin, according to the provincial development and reform commission. This year, Hebei plans to absorb 30 second- and third-tier subsidiaries of central enterprises which are scheduled to settle in Xiong'an.

Shared public services

Coordinated development has not only boosted economic growth, but also improved people's lives in the region.

Beijing Children's Hospital in 2015 started assisting the children's hospital in Baoding City, Hebei Province, providing professional medical workers and technical support.

In the past eight years, more than 8,000 medical experts from Beijing have served at Baoding Children's Hospital. They performed operations there and passed on their experience, and eventually cultivated a large number of local medical professionals and high-level medical departments in Baoding.

According to Tian Jian, director of Baoding Children's Hospital, the hospital only saw about 250,000 patients a year back in 2015, but now it could see over 600,000 patients a year. "Our hospital is now capable of carrying out major operations. Local patients can enjoy Beijing's high-quality medical resources and medical services on their doorsteps."

Apart from this rational distribution of medical resources, 22 university development alliances have also been established in the region, aiming to balance educational resources and provide equitable opportunities for students.

Transportation development has been a basis for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. A "one-hour traffic circle" now exists between Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei cities, greatly facilitating residents' work and lives in the three areas.

The region has also enjoyed better air quality and a more sustainable energy mix. In 2021, the average density of PM2.5 -- fine particulate matter that causes smog -- fell 15.6% compared to a year earlier. Renewable energy accounted for 8.8% of the region's total energy consumption, up 1.9 percentage points from 2020, according to the NBS.
TODAYS WORD is gallivant. Example: Ever since he got his divorce, then bought a motorcycle, Clyde has been gallivanting all around town with no signs of rest.

FRIDAYS WORD was groundswell. It means a buildup of opinion or feeling in a large section of the population. Example: An unanticipated groundswell of support arose in the community, so the group optimistically went along with the project it had nearly given up on.

Raffle

The SPCA is holding a raffle which will be drawn at its 10th Annual Purrty in Pink FurBall, which will be held on June 17 at Chatmoss Country Club. Prizes will be: First, custom diamond necklace valued at $5,000; second, three nights (Sept. 14-16) at Wild Ginger Airbnb in Asheville, N.C., plus gift certificates for activities there; and third, a community basket valued at $1,000. Tickets cost $20 each or six for $100. Tickets can be gotten from various SPCA board members and volunteers and at the SPCA building on Joseph Martin Highway.

Cardboard Freak

Mark McCloskey is an artist who calls himself the Cardboard Freak, and with good reason. He can make anything out of cardboard and has done quite a few cardboard replicas of local landmarks. They include the Dan River Queen. He also has made helicopters, fighters, bombers, speed boats, pirate ships and more, including more than 100 models of a wishing well. He has made models of each of the lighthouses in North Carolinasome of them, multiple models.

Many of his models have been on display at the Bassett Branch Library, where they were admired by the dignitaries and community leaders who attended the recent unveiling of that librarys expansion plan and corresponding fund drive. People who had not seen his models before were heard exclaiming surprise that they were made of cardboard, because they look to be made of wood, metal, stone and other materials.

Todays chuckle

Tech support: OK, now right-click on the Open Desktop.

Granny: OK.

Tech Support: Did you get a pop-up menu?

Granny: No.

Tech Support: OK. Right-click again. Did you see a pop-up menu this time?

Granny: No.

Tech Support: OK. Could you outline for me please what you have done up until this point?

Granny: Sure. You have told me to write click several times and each time you told me, I wrote it down.

FRIDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: The border between the U.S. and Mexico stretches for 1,951 miles.

The border states are Baja California in Mexico, which aligns with California; Sonora, which is south of Arizona; Chihuahua, which is south of New Mexico and Texas; and (moving eastward) Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo Leon and finally Tamaulipas, which all are south of Texas.

TODAYS TRIVIA QUESTION: How many people pass through the official US-Mexico border crossing points each year, according to figures by The White House?
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday committed nearly $20 million to support broadband access to the region.

About a third of the $59.5 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) will go to projects in Henry, Patrick, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties and also extend to Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Nottoway and Amelia counties.

The remainder of the grants will go to fund 14 projects serving 20 localities throughout Virginia targeted to provide service to areas that presently are underserved by any broadband provider, a release from the Governors Office stated.

In todays increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, it is necessary in order to fully participate in daily life, said Youngkin in the release. These investments will allow us to reach underserved communities, grow Virginias economy and close the digital divide across the Commonwealth.

The goal of VATI is to create strong, competitive communities throughout the state by preparing those communities to build, utilize and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure. This years funding leverages more than $118.6 million in local and private sector matching funds.

The expansion of affordable broadband options is something the County is passionate about, said Henry County Public Information Officer Brandon Martin. We are appreciative of the Commonwealths grant to our Planning District Commission and look forward to leveraging the funds to continue living up to our motto of being community connected.

The West Piedmont Planning District Commission will receive $8,013,600 for its West Universal Broadband Project, serving Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties, while $3,548,250 will go to the Pittsylvania County Universal Broadband Project. Another $8,155,864 will go to the East Universal Broadband Project serving Pittsylvania, Bedford, Nottoway, Campbell, Charlotte and Amelia counties.

Closing the digital divide is paramount to growing Virginias economy, supporting businesses and ensuring that all Virginians have the resources they need to thrive, stated Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick in the release. These investments will connect over 29,400 homes, businesses and community anchors, making critical strides toward achieving universal broadband in Virginia.

In August 2021, the Henry County Board of Supervisors endorsed the Countys participation in the broadband initiative and in its application for funding tapped Appalachian Power to install and deploy the fiber and RiverStreet Networks, an internet service provider headquartered in Danbury, North Carolina, to provide the service.

This is all state funds, County Administrator Dale Wagoner said at that time. Somewhere between one and four million dollars would be our responsibility.

Henry County has been working to leverage additional money to reduce the out-of-pocket local responsibility, even soliciting help from U.S. Senator Mark Warner. Additionally, recovery-plan money has been approved for use in the project, Wagoner said.

Martinsville has been expanding its MiNet fiber network, but Henry County has been dependent upon slower cable internet through Comcast and even slower DSL internet by copper phone lines through Lumen Technologies, Inc., previously known as CenturyLink and now operating as Brightspeed.

The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the VATI program, which provides targeted financial assistance to extend broadband service to areas that are currently unserved by a provider. Projects were selected through a competitive process that evaluated each project for demonstrated need and benefit for the community, applicant readiness and capacity and the cost and leverage of the proposed project. The level of funding awarded is based on the infrastructure needs in the project area, the release stated.

In this application year, VATI received 35 applications requesting more than $300 million in funding. Since 2017, Virginia has invested more than $709.7 million to connect over 358,000 homes, businesses and community anchors within 84 localities, the release stated.

The WPPDC West Universal Broadband Project includes Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties as participating local governments and is designed to reach approximately 10,056 unserved locations. It will include 1,117 miles of fiber installation, fiber splicing, installation of electronics to light fibers and fiber drops to homes, businesses and community locations that sign up for service, according to the West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC).

Appalachian Power must receive approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission before it can begin construction. The WPPDC estimates the approval process to be complete by August; engineering, procurement and permitting to be finalized by the end of this year; and fiber construction to begin as early as January.
An assisted living facility in Bassett has been forced by the state to close.

Harmony Hall, at 4153 Fairystone Park Highway, had been licensed for as many as 50 residents, but there were only 24 when the facility shut down on May 4.

It is with deep sorrow that I must say Harmony Hall has been closed, some of the staff posted on the facilitys Facebook page. Social Services made the decision that the building was too old, and while we tried to do all we could, it wasnt enough.

The statement, credited to Chris, Thai, Jennifer, Stephen, and all the crew, said the state is currently systematically closing down homes that exist off of Medicaid patients and citing the buildings.

The sad truth is, Medicaid doesnt pay enough to hire staff, care for the residents properly, and maintain a mint condition building, the statement continued. Please reach out to your representatives to advocate for all the ALFs [assisted living facilities] out there fighting (over 24 are listed to potentially close right now).

The statement did not make clear which facilities, other than Harmony Hall, might close.

Voicemails left by the Bulletin to Amy Rice, director of the Henry-Martinsville Department of Social Services, went unreturned on Thursday and Friday, and emails to Department of Social Services (DSS) Inspector Holly Copeland also went unanswered.

Public records made available online by the DSS show Copeland having inspected Harmony Hall most recently on March 30.

Those records indicate a one-year license granted to the facility expired on Jan. 19, 2022, with an explanation that if the facility reapplied before the expiration date, the facility may continue to operate pending action by the DSS.

The records did not make indicate whether Harmony Hall had reapplied or not.

On the March 30 inspection, Chris Rorrer was listed as the administrator and the facility provided services to 26 residents.

Copeland noted that her inspection began at 9 a.m. and ended at 12:30 p.m. and during that time, 22 violations related to record-keeping were cited.

Other violations noted in Copelands report included a lack of evidence that the direct care staff had attended the minimum of 18 hours of annual training and the facility was unable to secure appropriate care for one of the residents.

Copeland stated that Harmony Hall was not eligible to retain any resident that became non-ambulatory and one of the 26 residents was determined to be in such a condition.

Copeland wrote in her report that Harmony Hall failed to provide window coverings for privacy and ensure that cleaning supplies and other hazardous materials were locked.

Numerous violations were noted regarding the facility not begin in compliance including stained ceiling tile, a cracked door, various carpet stains and a broken doorway threshold.

The wall at the back stairwell had a large hole behind the pipe on the upper part of the wall, Copeland wrote in her report. The womens lavatory, across from room 19, had broken floor tiles and wall damage outside of the shower to the right.

Copeland also wrote that a sitting room had what appeared to be white paint splashed on a pink wall and the dining room had ceiling stains and damage, a hole in the ceiling, dust-covered duct work grills and a broken rubber strip on the steps from the dining room to the kitchen, creating a tripping hazard.

She also noted dark ceiling stains in the hallway, a bathroom with an out-of-order sign on an opened door revealing dark stains on the bathroom walls, cabinet, and ceiling, and a large hole in the wall beside the toilet.

Outside, a picnic table next to the building had a broken bench and to the left of the front of the facility were leaves, bicycles, a scooter, roller skates, PVC pipes, a ladder, and a washer and dryer.

Copeland noted wall damage near the steps leading to the dining room from the front door of the facility, and dirt and debris were on the floor inside room 11.

Across the hallway, Copeland found a bathroom with paint and drywall damage on the ceiling above the toilets and stains on the walls. A shower had drywall and paint damage, and there were orange-colored stains on the walls above the sinks.

A resident occupied room 17 where, Copeland wrote, it was cluttered with clothes, trash, and other items making it unable to see the floor or to be able to walk freely through the room

Room 19 had an air conditioner with a missing cover. Copeland wrote that she observed dust and dirt on the front of the unit and more dirt and debris on the floor.

A bathroom near room 19 had a dirty and dusty ceiling vent, walls and floor as well as paint and plaster damage, missing floor tile, and peeling paint on the ceiling.

More ceiling stains were found in a bathroom in the dining room along with a loose ceiling vent, paint and plaster damage by the toilet, sink, and baseboard by the door.

Similar problems were described with other bathrooms including rusty stains around the sinks.

Room 4 was noted to have bed bug debris and dirt and other debris around and under the first and second beds, paint and plaster damage around the window with the air conditioner, and paint and plaster damage on the wall in the corner by the third bed, wrote Copeland. Dirt and debris was noted on the floor by the radiator in the hallway and room 5 was noted to have paint and plaster damage by the baseboard at the head on the first bed and by the window.

More loose baseboards and dirt and debris were found in other areas of the facility as well.

Copeland wrote that a foul odor was detected coming from a bathroom across from the kitchen, light fixtures had insect debris and three beds in room 19 had bed bug debris on the box springs of the beds.

Bed bug debris was found in three other beds, and Copeland noted a violation was issued to the facility on Feb. 16 resulting from a health inspection that revealed cockroach debris on the floor in the kitchen.

At 9:29 a.m. on the date of the inspection, I observed five glue cards on the kitchen floor (behind the stove, under the sinks, and next to the refrigerator) which had numerous cockroach carcasses stuck to them, Copeland wrote.

Other infractions included broken window blinds, torn curtains, dresser drawers that would not open or close, stained mattresses, scratched and faded dining room tables, dusty blinds with black stains, dirt and debris in bathtubs, sinks that were loose from the wall, dirty shower curtains, dirty floor mats, soiled couches, debris and grease on and in a kitchen stove, and the use of multiple electric space heaters.

Copeland noted that on Feb. 9, Harmony Hall had been cited after a fire inspection for allowing space heaters to be operated too close to combustibles, without the required three-foot clearance and with the use of extension cords.

Some light bulbs were found to be inoperable, fire evacuation procedures were not in order and emergency drinking water was inadequate.

On Saturday, the building that originally had been a church was closed with signs on the doors that read Harmony Hall is officially closed effective noon May the 4th.

The property, assessed at $263,600, was owned by Ted Balabanis, who died in February 2022.

The long-term care industry has lost more than 9,500 workers in the state since February 2020, according to the Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Association of Assisted Living, but Harmony Hall did not appear to be lacking in personnel.

We appreciate all the wonderful years we have had here and the amazing community that has supported us throughout all of them, the staff wrote on Harmony Halls Facebook page. We would not have been able to provide the care we have been so proud of without everyones contributions, so thank you to everyone.
Patrick County Public Schools (PCPS) Superintendent Jason Wood says PCPS spends least on administration in region and is ranked highest.

I just want to do a little budget breakdown. Theres been some questions about the budget process, Wood said. We are still waiting on a state budget.

He said contracts that contain a 5% raise minimum would be sent out soon to employees. And if we get a very pro-education budget from the General Assembly, we hope to also revise our salary scales, and that should also increase even more for our staff, Wood said.

He said the budget from the state is estimated to come around June 20.

For the budget, 72% of revenue comes from the state, 19% comes from the locality, 7% comes from federal and 2% comes from other things like grants. The expenditure breakdown of the budget is 52% to salaries, 22% to benefits and 26% to other operating costs.

Theres always the question about this time of how we are spending our money and I just want to reassure everyone: We follow the VSBA [Virginia School Boards Association] spending guidelines, Wood said.

Those guidelines from the state recommend that school systems spend 60-65% for instruction and PCPS spends 64%; 10-15% for facilities and PCPS spends 15%; 3-5% for technology and PCPS spends 6%; 3-5% for transportation and PCPS spends 7% due to spread out location of schools; and 6-10% for administration and PCPS spends 4%.

We are much smaller in administrative size and team, Wood said. We are able to do a lot with the great administrators we have in Patrick County. In comparison, Wood said, Floyd spends 8%, Martinsville City spends 8%, Carroll County spends 7% and Henry County spends 10%.

We are the highest performing in the region, yet we have the smallest administrative staff, Wood added. PCPS is ranked highest in the region and seventh in the state of Virginia.

I just want everyone to feel reassured that we are spending the funds that we receive appropriately and within the guidelines that were presented by the Virginia School Boards Association, Wood said.

In other matters at the May 11 board meeting:

The board approved the personnel report. Hires included Stacey Valentine as teacher at Meadows of Dan Elementary School (MODE), Kimberly Draper as teacher at Patrick Spring Primary School (PSPS), Jessica Duffy as teacher at Stuart Elementary School (SES) and David Nestor as bus driver substitute. Transfers included Amy Steele from teacher at Patrick County High School (PCHS) to media specialist at Blue Ridge Elementary School (BRES) and Woolwine Elementary School (WES), Shelby Bryant from SPED teacher assistant to technology teacher assistant at PSPS and Tyger Curry from part time to full time cafeteria worker at PCHS. Resignations included: Jonathan Andy Stanley as SPED teacher at BRES, Christopher Quance as school counselor at PCHS and Misty Moore as cafeteria worker at SES. Elizabeth Oldfield-Hall retired as SPED teacher at BRES.

The board approved a motion to extend Woods contract for a maximum of four years, until June 30, 2027.

Wood told the board that PCPS has been ranked top 100 in Wise Testing.

The board approved the consent agenda containing the minutes from the April meeting, the financial report, regular invoices and the capital improvement list.

The board approved PCPS Assistant Superintendent Shannon Brown as the authorized person to sign Virginia Department of Education reports, documents, requisitions and other official correspondence in the absence of the division superintendent, Wood.

The board approved the Regional Migrant Participation Certification that will allow PCPS to participate and receive funding for migrant students from the Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children Application for the Southwest Region.
Dr. Brown

Renee Brown, principal of Albert Harris Elementary School, has earned a doctoral degree in education and leadership policy studies from Virginia Tech.

A graduate of Martinsville High School, Brown has spent 32 years working in Martinsville City Public Schools.

My passion for educating and supporting all students success has been shaped over many years of serving the Martinsville school system, Brown stated in a press release. She has been principal of AHES for 5 years, as well as an elementary teacher, business and computer technology teacher and assistant principal.

Serving in each capacity has strengthened my resolve to ensure every students success by providing the best instructional practices and support for learning, Brown said.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Brown was raised in Martinsville by her grandparents because her mother felt that Martinsville would be a better place to learn the values needed for a successful life, the release states.

She has degrees in business administration from Winston-Salem University, psychology from Radford University and administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.

She is a member of First Baptist Church of East Martinsville, the Winston-Salem State Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Her hobbies include reading, shopping, visiting a wide variety of restaurants, and spending quality time with friends and family. She and her husband of 23 years Jeffrey Brown, are the parents of Savannah Brown and JaShanta Brown and the grandparents of Eden Mims.

Graduation

Claudia Carol Jade Cooke of Collinsville graduated from the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

The daughter of Nikki Harris of Collinsville and Dave Cooke of Lynchburg and granddaughter of Judy May and Kenneth May of Martinsville and Helen Cooke of Axton earned a masters degree in social work.

She is a graduate of Magna Vista High School.
DANVILLE  Monday marks a stepping stone of sorts for Danville.

After nearly five years of chatter surrounding bringing a casino to the River City, a temporary facility will open at 10 a.m. Monday.

With it comes many unknowns  traffic hurdles lead the list  but also high anticipation of a citys rebirth and march toward a tourism destination.

Im hoping we see a lot of lines, Chris Albrecht, general manager of Caesars Virginia, said Friday morning. Everything right now has been speculation.

The 40,000-square-foot facility  officially called Danville Casino  is housed inside a giant white rented tent on the corner of the future home of Caesars Virginia, the permanent casino and resort.

Its all located in an area known as Schoolfield  once a bustling mill village  on a property formerly owned by Dan River Inc., a textile manufacturer that was synonymous with Danville.

Today, three original smokestacks remain on the space and will be incorporated into the new resorts design as a nod to Danvilles past.

The entire resort was originally scheduled to be opened this year, but pandemic-induced supply chain snarls and ensuing delays forced the completion target date to 2024.

Thats one reason Caesars Virginia decided to push forward with a smaller-scale operation while construction continues on the main attraction.

We decided it was a great opportunity to look forward to getting this operation going, starting to generate some revenue, getting team members trained, Albrecht explained after a question posed by the Register & Bee in a Friday media session.

He said the full casino and resort is still on track to open next year.

Monday traffic

Danville steps into uncharted territory Monday by becoming a gathering spot for casino lovers or just those curious about the flashing games.

I think anytime you have a large event or large change like that, theres going to be a feeling out period, Lee Vogler, a member of Danville City Council, said in a phone interview Friday when asked if the community is ready for the influx of traffic.

But Vogler was quick to point out that just a few decades ago the same spot had thousands of people rolling in and out to work at the Schoolfield mill.

That site used to have a whole lot of traffic day in and day out, he said.

To avoid possible traffic woes, Danville Public Schools will shuttle some students at Schoolfield Elementary School  a facility just a few blocks from the casino site  from a nearby church parking lot, at least for this coming week.

Ahead of the casino opening, we have received no indication of increased traffic from Caesars or the city, Lanie Davis, a spokesperson for Danville Public Schools, told the Register & Bee this week. However, a casino opening in the city is something we have not experienced before.

The school has about 150 students who are dropped off and picked up by parents.

We want to ensure that in the event of possible traffic congestion in the Schoolfield area, parents are not experiencing delays, and students are getting to school on time and safely, she explained.

Car-riding students will be dropped off at a nearby church and shuttled via a school bus to Schoolfield Elementary. The reverse will happen in the afternoon as students leave for the day.

This arrival and dismissal change is planned for one week, Davis said. If we find that the casino is not impacting traffic, the school will go back to its normal operations as soon as possible.

Also, additional traffic always brings the possibility of crashes and injuries. With that in mind, Sovah Health-Danville leaders are prepared for whatever comes.

The new casino will undoubtedly be a driving force behind increased tourism to our region and we have been in conversations with both casino leadership and the city of Danville as to how Sovah Health can be a partner, Corey Santoriello, a spokesperson with Sovah Health, told the Register & Bee this week. While we cannot predict what type of impact the casino opening will have on the hospital, we do know that Caesars and the city of Danville have taken many steps to prepare for visitors to our area and Sovah Health is committed to community partnership and caring for all who need us.

As for parking for the Danville Casino  located at 1100 W. Main St.  spaces are available around the facility and the company has leased parking lots from the city of Danville across West Main Street and Bishop Road.

If youve been outside you can see we are are still striping those lots, so I dont have an exact number of spots, Albrecht said Friday, but he felt confident parking wouldnt be an issue.

Facility and capacity

About 400 people are employed by the Danville Casino that can hold close to 3,000 people at a time.

A lot of our team members are from Danville, Albrecht said, but noted others are from across the region and over the state line in North Carolina.

The biggest comment Ive heard is that it looks a lot different on the inside than on the outside, he said while explaining the feel for the casino.

We put a lot of detail into making this experience very strong, he said, even though its a temporary operation.

As a matter of fact, the temporary site is built on a future parking lot for the final facility. When that opens in 2024, the rented tent will come down.

Weekends tend to be the busiest time for casinos, but Albrecht noted Danvilles a new market for the group.

The inside is dominated by more than 700 video-style gaming machines  all with vibrant colors and myriad themes  where a customer takes a seat in front of the towering unit to place a bet.

Beyond those units, there are about 25 live table games like blackjack and roulette and other electronically operated machines.

Obviously our temporary facility here is focused on gaming, Albrecht said, explaining the hospitality aspects will come with the full casino.

Vogler got to be part of two sneak-peak sessions hosted this week.

I was really impressed on how it looks on the inside, the staff and everyone, he said. I thought everyone did a fantastic job from security to the wait staff.

Vogler was there for a couple of hours with his wife for what amounted to fundraising sessions for the House of Hope and Haven, two nonprofit organizations in the Dan River Region.

While he spent most of his time walking and talking, he did try his hand at some of the slots.

The outcome? He said they left with more than we came in with.

Other growth in Danville

Taking a stroll in downtown Danville right now  especially for someone whos never been to the city  isnt the prettiest sight.

Last week, a building in the heart of the River District started coming down leaving rubble in its wake. The area will become green space until a final decision is made for the future use.

Right across the road, construction is beginning on the new riverfront park thats right beside Danvilles iconic White Mill  another former Dan River Inc. facility  thats being transformed into housing units and retail space.

In one sense, it would be best if they were completed, Vogler said when asked about the timing of Mondays visitor influx with ongoing construction.

On the other hand, he said tourists can view it as more progress for the city.

It shows that Danville is moving forward and the best is yet to come, he explained. When they come now they will get an idea of things in motion.

Folks coming to visit the temporary casino will get to watch progress unfold at other areas of the city undergoing a transformation.

Albrecht also looks forward to sharing the casino customers with the city.

The community is very strong, he said Friday. Weve already seen a lot of development underway.

He also noted when players venture to a casino, they arent just selecting the gaming establishment. They also are choosing the community, something tourism officials also are betting on.

On Thursday, Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders unveiled a new tourism brand: Visit SoSi. The new marketing slogan highlights Southside Virginia by playing off the words so and see.

When the full Caesars Virginia casino opens next year, more than 2 million visitors are expected to flood into Danville annually. Mondays opening of the temporary facility will provide the region a taste of whats to come.

Not all positive

Business owners and residents in the Schoolfield area recently expressed reserved thoughts when it comes to Mondays opening of the casino.

Some were worried about traffic, and others were concerned with the aspect of a gambling facility in Danville.

We listen to feedback of all of our citizens, and certainly dont dismiss any of that, Vogler said, noting that voters overwhelmingly approved via referendum to allow a casino to open in Danville.

Another worry often brought up is the potential for crime, but Vogler said the city has thoroughly thought out and vetted this thing.

The crime aspect was one of the first issues city leaders explored a few years ago when a casino became a possibility for Danville.

Vogler said they talked to Danville Police Department Chief Scott Booth who was very supportive of it.

In fact, Booth was standing right behind Vogler when he presented the casino case before the General Assembly in order to allow the measure to go before the voters.

They also went to other localities of similar size in Iowa and New York. Chatting with leaders there, they asked a simple question: if they had to do it over, would they still bring in a casino?

The answer  each time  was an overwhelming yes.

For people not sold on the casino, Vogler asks them to just give it a chance before shutting it out.

I think for us, as we went through this whole process, the pros outweighed any of the cons, when it comes to revenue for the city and jobs for the residents.

We have no desire to be Atlantic City, he quickly added, saying thats not a fair comparison for the vision of Danville.

In the end, he hopes about 10 years from now other leaders from across the nation will look to Danville and say, This is a city that did things right.
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Dive into hometown history With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
The Rotary Club of Marion presented the 2023 Marshall Dark Sr. Scholarship of $5,763.92 to a deserving McDowell Early College student, Steven Astello Navarrete, on Thursday.

Scholarship Committee Chair Stacy Buff and Club President Richard Berlick presented him with his scholarship certificate during the clubs meeting at the Marion Community Building.

The Marshall Dark Scholarship is presented each year to one or more deserving young scholars from McDowell County who are not a child or grandchild of a Rotarian. The original program was started in the 1940s, making it one of the oldest local scholarships still being funded in the county. It is based on financial need, community service and academic excellence. This started as a college loan program and is sponsored by the generosity of the Marshall Dark family.

Marshall Dark Sr. made the time to serve his community through Rotary Club of Marion and his business industry both locally and on the North Carolina State Board of Independent Agents. His son Marshall Dark Jr. is thought to be the youngest person to serve as president of the Rotary Club of Marion. The Rotary Club of Marion has a third-generation member today with Marshall Dark III, according to a news release.

Thus for three generations and over 80 years, a person named Marshall Dark has continuously served our community through active service in Rotary Club of Marion, the news release said.

Several years ago, the club voted to put 15% of the annual fundraising into the scholarship fund to keep it growing. This year, the club had $5,763.92 to give as a scholarship.

This year, the clubs scholarship committee of Dave Watson, Bill Warren, Marsha Myers, Auburn Hudgins, Myra Morgan and Chairperson Stacy Buff reviewed the applications and chose three finalists.

After much consideration, the club selected Navarrete as the recipient.

On Thursday, he was introduced to the club by Buff and he was accompanied by MEC counselor Ashley Bartlett at the clubs meeting.

He is the son of Alfonso Navarrete and Zulema Astello. His siblings are sister Cindy Navarrete, 16, and sister Paula Navarrete, 4.

He has been accepted into North Carolina State University and plans to study American politics. One of his teachers said Steven exhibits a high level of empathy and actively seeks opportunities to serve others.

He wants to study abroad at some point in Singapore and Germany but has a true interest in attending the London School of Economics in Great Britain. His mother is a stay-at-home mom to help support his little sister who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

His mother and father will be moving back to Mexico in the next two years and while many people his age would give up on dreams, Navarrete says he looks at this is a challenge and an opportunity to strong strength, resilience and positivity, according to the news release.

He said it is his goal to remain self-sufficient while attending N.C. State and wants to graduate with no debt because he doesnt want to be a burden on his parents.

In his essay for the scholarship, Navarrete wrote about his great experience with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). I dream one day to be able to bring people together and to spearhead a noble cause that creates waves and noise in the name of progress.
Many of the 2,000 graduates who walked across the stage at the University of Montanas Adams Center Saturday started their UM journeys before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the theme of their commencement wasnt one of distance or separation. On the contrary, the class of 2023 degree recipients celebrated the connections that brought them together as they looked back on their years as Grizzlies.

Kinship is about enduring hardships together, said commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Mandy Smoker Broaddus. Trusting in collective knowledge, sharing responsibilities and valuing everyone in the community.

Smoker Broaddus, a 2002 graduate of UMs master of fine arts program, is an outspoken advocate for public education. A member of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, Smoker Broaddus also served as Montanas poet laureate from 2019 to 2021.

The bonds of kinship, Smoker Broaddus said, led her ancestors through the Dust Bowl, the Battle of Little Big Horn and the Native American boarding school era, to ultimately bring Smoker Broaddus to the illustrious podium Saturday morning.

In the same way, she said, kinship forged at UM between friends, faculty, staff and family members helped the class of 2023 earn its diplomas.

The University of Montana is a part of your web of kinship, Smoker Broaddus told the graduates. No matter where you go.

The degree earners echoed Smoker Broaddus as they paraded around UMs campus in caps, gowns and multi-colored regalia.

Will Smyth, an environmental studies and media arts student, said the highlights of his educational career were his friends, the outdoors and the Clark Fork River  in that order.

I wouldnt change any of that, said Smyth, who hopes to follow an environmental career in the Missoula area.

Becca Barcom and Emma Burke, a pair of master's degree recipients, also said they valued the community they found at UM. Barcom said her small cohort of clinical mental health students was a source of fulfillment for her during her studies.

Its a small program, she said. I loved getting to know everyone.

And Augusta Reinhart and Taylor Curry, who studied abroad for a year in France together, agreed that the connections they forged were some of the most important components of their education.

France, Curry said, was an opportunity for a lot of growth, personally and academically.

For Reinhart, the study abroad experience was worthwhile because of the linguistic immersion it provided. But most of all, she said, it made us friends.

Photos: University of Montana spring commencement
Ground crew members make preparations before the first passenger flight of the Xi'an-Urumqi-Ashgabat route takes off in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 13, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The first passenger flight route between Xi'an, capital of China's northwestern Shaanxi Province, and Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan, was officially launched on Saturday.



The route, together with a similar route between Xi'an and the Tajik capital of Dushanbe to be launched on May 18, will mark the complete linkage of passenger flight routes from Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, to the five countries in Central Asia.

For the Xi'an-Urumqi-Ashgabat route, flight CZ5085 will depart from Xi'an at 17:30 Beijing time (0930 GMT) every Saturday and arrive in Ashgabat at 23:10 local time (1810 GMT). On the return journey, flight CZ5086 will depart from Ashgabat at 00:40 local time (1940 GMT) the next day and arrive in Xi'an at 12:30 Beijing time (0430 GMT).

The Xi'an-Urumqi-Dushanbe route will operate every Thursday starting from May 18 with flight number CZ5083/4. Flights will depart from Xi'an at 19:05 Beijing time (1105 GMT) every Thursday and arrive in Dushanbe at 00:55 local time the next day (1955 GMT). The return flight will depart from Dushanbe at 01:35 local time (2035 GMT) the next day and arrive in Xi'an at 12:30 Beijing time (0430 GMT).

Most passengers on this flight route are business travelers, with tourism travel expected to rise in the future, according to Li Jiuquan, deputy general manager of the Xi'an branch of China Southern Airlines.

"There were no flights from Xi'an to Dushanbe before. With this new flight, I can conveniently travel home during my vacation," said Mi Yue, a Tajik student studying at the Xi'an International Studies University.

According to Muroj Hamidov, director of Jahongard travel company of Tajikistan, the newly opened flight route will eliminate the need for tourists to take detours, which is expected to strengthen exchanges between the two countries.

Gulshada Urazalieva, an independent Uzbek analyst, echoed his opinion, saying that the opening of flights between Xi'an and cities of Central Asia is of great significance, as they will promote economic and cultural exchanges between China and the region.

The Belt and Road Initiative has promoted the exchanges between China and Central Asian countries, said Xiong Jie, party secretary of the Northwest Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

As the "Air Silk Road" continues to be forged, he added that this would bring more opportunities for cooperation between the two sides in culture, business and tourism.
Read with therapy dogs

Certified therapy dogs are just waiting for your child to read them a book at Missoula Public Library. Your child can read a favorite book from home or pick one of the many picture books we have to offer. This program is held on May 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library and is great for hesitant readers or kids who just love dogs.

Missoula Public Librarys 3rd Wednesday Book Group

Join in a discussion of "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel on May 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four of the library. This lively book discussion group is facilitated by a librarian and new members are always welcome. Please email Pam at pamc@missoulapubliclibrary.org for more information.

Youre an Engineer

Kids of all ages can come to Missoula Public Library to build and create with oversized Building Blocks and our Rig-a-ma-Jig. The Rig-a-ma-Jig is a set of wooden planks with pulleys, oversized nuts and bolts, and screws. Enjoy your own free building time or join in our building challenges. This program is held on May 18 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library.

Frenchtown Community Library Book Club

The Frenchtown Community Library Book Club meets to discuss chosen books on the third Thursdays of the month. All are welcome even if you didnt have a chance to read the book. The next club meeting is held on May 18 from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at the Frenchtown Library. For more information on the book for the month please feel free to contact the library 406-626-2730.

4HistoryBuffs: The Traitors, Part II

Calling all history enthusiasts! 4HistoryBuffs is held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Missoula Public Library in the Level Four Cooper Room. The May 19 program is Missoulas Chinatown. Speaker Maria Greer will lead a discussion about how the first Chinese immigrants arrived in Montana in 1862. Recent archaeological finds in the heart of Missoula have added to our understanding of this oft-overlooked period in Montana history, illuminating our multicultural past.

Western Montana Genealogical Society Work Day

The Western Montana Genealogical Society will hosts a Work Day on May 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four of the library. Bring a part of your genealogical project to the gathering. Other genealogists will be working on their projects and can lend a hand if needed, and share websites and advice on research problems.

Lolo Branch Library Closing for the Summer

The Lolo Branch Library will be closing on June 15 for the remainder of the summer. This closure will allow library staff to move to the newly constructed school opening in September. The Lolo Branch Library asks that patrons pick up holds and return items at Missoula Public library or another branch library after June 15. The book drop located at the library will also be closed starting June 15. Library staff are excited to invite you to their new location when school begins in the fall on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith

Little, Brown, 1948

Call Number: SMITH

There are certain books that you somehow miss. Maybe you were on a sci-fi kick and missed a great historical fiction novel when it first came out. Maybe you were too busy writing your doctoral thesis and missed the "Hunger Games" train entirely. Or maybe, as was the case with me and this particular book, it was published decades ago and just never came on my radar. That is, until a friend of mine enthusiastically suggested I read this book. And reader, I am so glad I did. I will now pass the knowledge of its existence to all of you in the hopes that you will pick it up and enjoy it just as much.

Dodie Smith wrote this book about an eccentric English family who lives in (you guessed it) a dilapidated castle in 1948. But unlike many novels published more than 50 years ago, this one holds up to modern eyes (and hearts). Cassandra Mortmain, our narrator, wants to capture her family in all their bohemian glory in her various notebooks. Her older sister Rose, younger brother Thomas, struggling author father, and sometimes-nudist stepmother Topaz, along with shy help Stephen, all live together in the castle with very little in terms of money. But what they lack in money, they more than make up for in personality. Each family member is given their due, even young Thomas who is away at school most of the time, so that the reader cant help but love each of them in all their quirks. Eventually, two American brothers, Simon and Neil, make the acquaintance of the Mortmains. Cassandra dutifully chronicles all that follows.

What ensues is a wonderfully told (and equal parts funny and heartbreaking) story of first love, broken hearts, family dysfunction, sibling relationships, and, at the center, Cassandras journey from naive teenager in love to slightly-less-naive teenager willing to love again. This is one of those books that you end up clutching to your chest after you finish it, reeling from all that has happened. If you love it, make sure you pass it along to a friend.

 Reviewed by Kayla Whitaker
Town Pump is replacing two of its existing buildings in Helena and East Helena with larger stores and casinos, a company official said.

The Butte-based family owned company, celebrating its 70th year, is building a 26,000-square-foot Town Pump in East Helena that includes a 22,500square-foot convenience store and 3,500-square-foot Lucky Lils Casino.

The building at 3680 E. Highway 12 will have 11 fuel pumps with 22 fueling stations, be RV friendly with 4 RV dump stations, company officials said.

Helena-based CWG Architects is the designer and Markovich Construction (Butte) is the general contractor. Completion is scheduled for March/April 2024.

Company officials said soil remediation is underway.

They said the $14.4 million project at Wylie Drive and Highway 12 will be one of the chains largest stores, noting it is building a store in Bozeman that is larger by 200 square feet.

There are 107 Town Pump Convenience Stores across Montana. Other than Bozeman, the company is also replacing stores in Whitehall, and Troy with new buildings.

The East Helena store will offer a large selection of beverages (beer, wine, soda, waters, energy drinks, a large selection of snacks and food items and a StoneHouse Coffee Shop.

The store will have an expanded selection of groceries and have a StoneHouse Hot Shot  with baristas preparing specialty coffee drinks, a company official said.

The building will be energy efficient and feature skylights for daylight harvesting. All interior and exterior lighting will be energy efficient LED lighting. Town Pump also has a store on the west side of town.

In Helena, Town Pump is building a 12,500-square-foot convenience store at 2910 N. Montana Ave. The $7 million building is scheduled for completion in late October/early November.

It will include a 3,500 square-foot Montana Lilis Casino, eight fuel pumps with 16 fueling stations and electric vehicle charging stations. Company officials say the building will allow for easier access and exit for fueling.

CWG Architects also designed the building and Helena-based Golden Eagle Construction is the general contractor, a Town Pump official said.

This new store will replace the current smaller store to the immediate south of the new building. The Lucky Lils Casino in the current building will be expanded, a company spokesman said.

The new building will allow for a greater variety of beverages (sodas, water, energy drinks, beer, and wine), food items, and have an expanded StoneHouse deli area offering hot and cold sandwiches, salads, breakfast items.

It will also feature Town Pump favorites such as corn dogs, nachos, fried chicken, hot dogs, fountain drinks and a large selection of flavored coffees, a company official said in an email.

The building will have sky lights to allow for "daylight harvesting" for energy efficiency, all interior and exterior lighting will be energy efficient LED fixtures, Town Pump officials said.

A company spokesman said that at this point, Town Pump will remove the pumps and storage tanks and lease the buildings out.
In celebration of National Travel & Tourism week, we recognize the critical role travel and tourism play in stimulating economic growth, cultivating diverse communities, creating fresh job opportunities, and inspiring new businesses in Montana.

Tourism is one of Montanas primary industries and a leading service export for the Treasure State. It, along with the outdoor recreation industry and film and media production, are providing Montana businesses opportunities to creatively harness the power of place to serve as an economic driver for communities both small and large.

Nearly one year ago, historic flooding in the Greater Yellowstone region led to the complete closure of Yellowstone National Park for eight days, destruction of the road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, and a nearly full-season closure of the north and northeast entrances. With these closures came the visitor cancellations, which had a devastating financial impact on communities from Livingston and Gardiner to Cooke City/Silver Gate, and West Yellowstone. For the local businesses whose livelihoods depend on tourism, the negative impact was harsh and immediate. Thanks to the recovery and resilience of Yellowstone National Park and its economically dependent Gateway Communities, the economies are once again thriving, and the importance of tourism is more than evident.

As much as the term tourist may garner a negative response to some local Montanans, tourism is a vital industry, one that is sustainable and renewable and critical to our future. We must focus on disbursing the positive benefits to communities hungry for tourisms positive s and continue to support tourism in the state. Whether here for a three-day business conference or a week-long family vacation  travelers come and sleep in hotels, purchase goods at local stores and restaurants, hire guides and book day trips. Across the state, they come in, spend money, contribute to local economies, and then return to their home states.

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research found that over 12.5 million nonresidents visited Montana in 2022, staying an average of five days spending $207/day with cumulative consumer spending at $5.82 billion. Data shows Montanas outdoor recreation industry contributed $2.6 billion to the economy in 2021, ranking Montana second in the nation (behind Hawaii) for contribution to the states GDP. Another study found that the television series Yellowstone brought more than 2 million visitors to Montana in 2021, travelers who spent $730 million while they were here.

While Montana is Full stickers are popping up on bumpers and the complaints about out-of-staters are frequent, the number of out-of-state visitors to Montana since 2011 has actually remained fairly steady, ranging from 10 to 12 million annually. Further, in-migration of 17,000 people over the past two years as a result of COVID has brought new residents who need to be educated on stewardship of our public lands and how to act like a local rather than try to change Montana to be more like where they came from.

Historically, Montanas National Parks have been the driver for the majority of the tourism dollars and the reason millions visited the state. And while that was the intended goal of various state and national marketing campaigns, our state tourism looks different now. Efforts to disperse visitors to less-traveled corners of the state and encourage travel during seasons other than summer create needed year-round revenue for our more rural and tribal communities. Campaigns to educate tourists on Leave No Trace and Recreating Responsibility will help shape better visitors who respect and appreciate all that makes our state desirable.

Travel is an economic powerhouse for Montana, an essential industry and we will continue to demonstrate to policymakers and business leaders that growing travel, grows the economy, businesses and mutual understanding.
With recent supply chain disruptions exposing the weaknesses of far-away sourcing bases, politicians and interest groups have seized on the opportunity to promote the return of American manufacturing.

Like many others at the time, Levi Strauss & Co. moved manufacturing abroad decades ago, with its last U.S. factory closing in 2003notwithstanding a short-lived limited-edition Made in America line. Two decades later, Levis CEO and president Chip Bergh sees no reason to return.

More from Sourcing Journal

We were one of the last ones to go [overseas], actually, and it almost cost the company its life because we became so cost uncompetitive in the late 80s and early 90s, Bergh said at an Axios event Wednesday. I actually dont think those are the kinds of jobs that should come back into the U.S. I mean were already almost at full employment anyway. The sewing and everything is done very manually, and its low-skill, low-cost labor and thats really not the kind of labor I think we should be trying to bring onshore here in the U.S.

Bergh, however, does see opportunities to move production closer to the U.S., which accounts for about 45 percent of LS&Co.s global revenues. Though the company does quite a bit of sourcing out of Mexico, the CEO said the denim giant is still trying to find the right balance.

The closer our supply chain is to the market, the more agile we can be and the more responsive we can be, Bergh said. So theres a lot of benefit to that versus needing to ship it across the ocean coming from the other side of the world. And that agility in the apparel business, especially when youre chasing trends and fashion, its really important.

On the other side of the world, LS&Co.s supply chain has undergone a separate transformation in recent years. When Bergh joined the denim company in 2011, he said, it sourced nearly 20 percent of its product from China. Today, that number is in the mid-single digits. Of the product arriving in the U.S., less than 1 percent comes from China.

Story continues

Weve really derisked our source dependence on China going all the way back to when the tariffs started, Bergh said. That fortunately helped us through Covid and everything because a lot of companies got very, very caught up with an over-dependence [on China].

Embracing AI technology, womens apparel

Two years on from when the metaverse and non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, first entered the public consciousness, LS&Co. has yet to work with the emerging technologies in any major way. Its released a couple of NFTs so far, but in each case, it never saw an immediate lift in interest or sales, Bergh admitted.

One area the company is investing in, however, is artificial intelligence. Three years in, the company is using the technology for pricing, promotions, product recommendations and, more recently, to decide where the company will place its stores and to generate more diverse models. Were definitely getting value out of it, Bergh said.

Bergh also discussed the shift hes led at Levis toward womens and tops. Primarily a mens blue jeans business in 2011, the company, now doing $6.5 billion a year in sales, was not performing when he joined as CEO, Bergh said.

We had to protect that core business, that profitable core business because it is what generates all the cash and a lot of the profit, he added. We got very high market share, its slow growing. Low single-digit growth is kind of the best you can expect out of something like that. So to grow, we had to do other things.

When Bergh joined, he said, womens accounted for about 20 percent of the companys business. Today, it is more than a third and growing double digits.

In the past couple years, LS&Co. has made another pivot: growing its tops business. When you go in to buy a pair of jeans, its kind of natural to buy a T-shirt, Bergh said. In the last couple years, the company has grown that segment significantly, he said. Together, womens and tops have been a key driver of our growth, he added.

And for women, skinny jeans will always be a wardrobe staple, Bergh said. They are never gonna go away, he said.

However, all the cool kids are wearing looser, baggier jean fits right now, continuing the new denim cycle buoying both the mens and womens business, Bergh said. The trend, he said, plays right into our sweet spot: the 501 Jean. Levis is commemorating 150 years of the celebrated straight-fit style this year with a steady drumbeat of special collabs and drops.

Even Berghs teenage daughter is keeping up with the fashion zeitgeist. She is buying the naughty bootcutthat is her cut right now, the CEO said. Thats the fit of her choice.

Additional reporting by Jessica Binns.

Click here to read the full article.
Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least five days before an event. Email all items to news@morganton.com.

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.

Support group meeting

The Foothills Vision Loss Support Group will meet at 10 a.m. at the Burke Senior Center in Morganton. Anyone who is blind or has low vision is welcome to attend. For more information, send an email to foothillsvisionloss@gmail.com or call Ed McDaniel at 828-778-4177.

Vietnam veterans meeting

Vietnam Veterans of America, Robert Douglas Avery Chapter 1116, will be meeting at Timberwoods Family Restaurant with a meal beginning at 5 p.m. Meals for first time guests will be paid for. A business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. All Vietnam veterans, members and nonmembers, are invited to attend this meeting. Membership information will be provided for all non members interested in joining our chapter. Any questions that you have may be directed to Chapter Secretary Tom Johnson at 828-413-0143.

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.

Fundraiser

Carolina Caring will host the fundraiser Flights & Bites at the Morganton Community House, 120 S. King St., from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person and will include wine by Silver Fork Winery paired with food by chef Nathan Cromwell. Tickets should be purchased by May 8 by calling 828-466-0466.

Board meeting

New Dimensions will hold its monthly board meeting on at 4 p.m. in person on campus as well as via Zoom. Contact ckinard@ndschool.org for link information.

FRIDAY, MAY 19

Free Bingo

Free bingo will be held at the Lake James Community Center, which is one mile away from the Lake James fire station on N.C. 126, from 6-9 p.m. A variety of foods, including fish, hot dogs and fries will be available for purchase. Door prize drawings also will be held. Face masks are required. The public is invited.

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, call David Benner at 828-433-7932 or Leonard Baker at 252-289-0211.

Cow patty bingo

The bands of Draughn and East Burke high schools will host a cow patty bingo event at 10 a.m. at Draughn High School. The prize is up to $5,000 with donations of $20 per section or $100 per square. The event also will include concessions, face painting, music, raffle prizes and the Chick-fil-A Cow. Call 828-334-1756 for more information.

The Art of Chocolate

The Art of Chocolate, an annual fundraiser for Options, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Morganton Community House, 120 N. King St., Morganton. Tickets, which are $75 each, must be purchased in advance. The event will include an art auction and live music. Call Options at 828-438-9444 for more information.

Support group

The Survivors of Loss to Suicide Hickory NC Support Group will meet from 9-10 a.m. at St Stephens Library 3225 Springs Road NE, Hickory. The group offers support for the families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide. Each session will focus on a different topic on the complicated grief that comes from losing someone to suicide. The group is open to teens and adults. For more information, contact Leisa Bentley at leisabentley@charter.net or call 828-234-5822.

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.

Remembering Our Parents event

Carolina Caring will hold a Remembering our Parents event from 6-7:30 p.m. at the organizations Newton campus located at 3975 Robinson Road in Newton to honor the memory of our parents. Participants are asked to bring a picture that can be used in an activity. Registration is required. To register, visit CarolinaCaring.org/support, contact wspurling@carolinacaring.org or call 828-466-0466, ext. 3201.

MONDAY, MAY 29

Memorial Day service

The American Legion Post 234 Valdese Veterans will be hosting a Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. The service will happen upstairs in the ballroom area. There will be a brief introduction followed by a video presentation and then a flag ceremony outside. Breakfast will be provided for free by the Auxiliary including biscuits, fruit, juice and coffee from local sponsors.

TUESDAY, MAY 30JUNE 1

Bus driver class

Burke County Public Schools will host a bus driver class from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, Wednesday, May 31, and June 1 at Central Office at 700 E. Parker Road. Call the transportation department at 828-437-4770 for more information.

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.
Most Wanted List

Donations of new or gently used copies of any of the Top 10 Titles are most appreciated. To date, the library has received 993 of the most wanted books.

Current BCPL Top 10 Holds

1. Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex  18 holds

2. The 23rd Midnight by James Patterson  11 holds

3. Identity by Nora Roberts  9 holds

4. Simply Lies by David Baldacci  8 holds

5. Countdown by James Patterson  6 holds

6. LIAR! By Fern Michaels  5 holds

7. The Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel  5 holds

8. Where Are the Children Now by Mary Higgins Clark  5 holds

9. Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan  4 holds

10. Windswept Way by Irene Hannon  4 holds

Current New York Times Best Sellers and NC Cardinal Consortium Holds

1. Happy Place by Emily Henry  259 holds

2. Simply Lies by David Baldacci  480 holds

3. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover  102 holds

4. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave  105 holds

5. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus  619 holds

6. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover  107 holds

7. Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane  89 holds

8. Verity by Colleen Hoover  89 holds

9. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano  263 holds

10. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid  43 holds

Adult Programming

Registration for the Adult Summer Reading Program begins Monday, May 15. Registration is through the ReadSquared app or at bcpls.readsquared.com Adults who wish to participate with a paper reading log may contact Danielle at 828-764-9269 or email danielle.townsend@burkenc.org. Plot Hounds Book Discussion group will meet on Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m., at the Valdese Public Library. The book to be discussed is, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. No registration is required. All programs are adults only unless otherwise specified. For more information, please call Danielle at 828-764-9269, or email danielle.townsend@burkenc.org.

Young Adult Programming

Its here! This week kicks off Summer Reading Program Registration Week! All week long YAS will be hosting SRP Registration Events featuring games, snacks, freestyle crafts, and more. Teens can come and create or update their READSquared account, choose their team, and register for events for this years Summer Reading Program. The events will be held on Monday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Morganton Public Library; Tuesday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at the Valdese Public Library; and Thursday, May 18, at 4 p.m. at the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library. Teens can choose to come to one or all of the events! Saturday, May 20, is the YAS trip to Good Karma Ranch Alpacas in Iron Station for a day of Alpaca Yoga and a tour of the farm. Pre-registration and a waiver is required to attend. Spaces are extremely limited. For pre-registration information, contact Lizzie at 828-764-9273 or by email at lizzie.whisnant@burkenc.org.

Childrens Programming

Registration for our Tails and Tales summer reading program begins May 15. Flyers for the summer are already available at all three Burke County Public Library locations. Watch our website and Facebook page for more details on programs coming out soon. Registration for most of the sign-up programs will open on May 15, but a few will have staggered registration dates throughout the summer. See the flyer for more details on specific programs. This year, set your own personal goal and track minutes read digitally on ReadSquared or on a paper tracking log to earn a weekly prize. Last year, we logged 149,440 minutes reading. Track all of your summer reading to help us surpass that amount this year!

eBooks @ your library

There are 4,347 Burke County Public Library users registered to use the librarys digital collection available through the e-iNC consortium and NC Kids Digital Library. This digital collection includes eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video available to Burke County Public Library cardholders. Apps are available for download for a variety of devices including Kindle, iPhone, and Android phones. Go to http://omc.overdrive.com to see the apps. To access the collection and download items go to http://e-inc.lib.overdrive.com and follow the instructions to set up an account. You will need to know your library card number and your PIN. Please contact the library if you need any assistance.

Find Us on the Web

Go to www.bcpls.org for a list of programs and events. Unless noted otherwise, all library programs are free. Some programs have pre-registration and age requirements.
Gov. Greg Gianfortes attempt to veto Senate Bill 442 is unpopular, inexplicable and contrary to the wishes of both the Legislature and the people of Montana.

His veto ignores 132 legislators from both parties who voted for SB 442. It ignores 56 county commissions and numerous local governments who support the bill because it supported needed county road maintenance, enabling farmers and ranchers to get their products to market and EMTs to respond to emergencies. It ignores the needs of veterans, who would benefit from increased funding for crucial services. It ignores hunters, anglers and hikers who would benefit from enhanced access and wildlife habitat conservation. It ignores labor unions, timber companies, energy and utility organizations, health care providers and public land advocates.

And it ignores thousands of Montanans who stood up over and over to show their support for this historic bill.

On behalf of Montana's 56 counties and its hundreds of elected officials, were honored to have been a small part of the historically broad coalition that worked together, often despite considerable differences, to develop strong bipartisan legislation that benefited, without exaggeration, every Montanan.

Unfortunately, even while SB 442 cruised through the legislature with a grand total of 132 votes for and 17 votes against, a small handful of legislators on the House Appropriations Committee didn't approve of the democratic process that allocated new marijuana tax revenues. Despite their opposition, we believed the governor would respect the good-faith negotiations in the Legislature and the overwhelming support from Montanans and sign SB 442 into law.

But he vetoed it.

We never thought for a moment the governor would try to override the will of the Legislature and turn his back on the numerous beneficiaries of the bill. From veterans to public land advocates to farmers trying to get their goods to market, SB 442 allocated limited marijuana tax resources exactly where the public wanted them spent. The governor choosing to side with legislative spenders rather than his Montana constituents was the wrong choice.

Even more discouraging is his belief that rural Montana has all the resources necessary to meet constituent demands for public roads accessing public lands. We encourage Gov. Gianforte to get out of Helena and visit his rural elected officials to discuss the status of county roads. Better yet, talk to his constituents about their service demands and whether farm to market rural roads need any additional funding. His veto letter showed a concerning lack of understanding of local government taxing authority and the limited resources we have to meet our constituents demands.

Were not done with SB 442, though.

The legislative body has the constitutional authority to override an executive veto with a two-thirds majority if it desires. In his haste to veto SB 442, the governor went out of his way to circumvent this authority and never gave the legislature its constitutionally mandated opportunity to respond to his veto. This type of governance sets a dangerous precedent.

Without delay, the governor needs to deliver the veto documents appropriately to the secretary of state, who then needs to poll the members of the 2023 Legislature regarding Senate Bill 442.

Over 130 legislators voted in favor of SB 442, and they deserve the chance to have a final say on legislation that directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of their constituents. Anything less is a failure of government.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.  Google has disclosed plans to infuse its dominant search engine with more advanced artificial-intelligence technology, a drive that's in response to one of the biggest threats to its long-established position as the internet's main gateway.

The gradual shift in how Google's search engine runs is rolling out three months after Microsoft's Bing search engine started to tap into technology similar to that which powers the artificially intelligent chatbot ChatGPT, which has created one of Silicon Valley's biggest buzzes since Apple released the first iPhone 16 years ago.

Google, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., already has been testing its own conversational chatbot called Bard. That product, powered by technology called generative AI that also fuels ChatGPT, has only been available to people accepted from a waitlist. But Google announced Wednesday that Bard will be available to all comers in more than 180 countries and more languages beyond English.

Bard's multilingual expansion will begin with Japanese and Korean before adding about 40 more languages.

Now Google is ready to test the AI waters with its search engine, which has been synonymous with finding things on the internet for the past 20 years and serves as the pillar of a digital advertising empire that generated more than $220 billion in revenue last year.

We are at an exciting inflection point," Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told a packed developers conference in a speech peppered with one AI reference after another. We are reimagining all our products, including search.

More AI technology will be coming to Google's Gmail with a Help Me Write option that will produce lengthy replies to emails in seconds, and a tool for photos called Magic Editor that will automatically doctor pictures.

The AI transition will begin cautiously with the search engine that serves as Google's crown jewel.

The deliberate approach reflects the balancing act that Google must negotiate as it tries to remain on the cutting edge while also preserving its reputation for delivering reliable search results  a mantle that could be undercut by artificial intelligence's penchant for fabricating information that sounds authoritative.

The tendency to produce deceptively convincing answers to questions  a phenomenon euphemistically described as hallucinations  has already been cropping up during the early testing of Bard, which like ChatGPT, relies on still-evolving generative AI technology.

Google will take its next AI steps through a newly formed search lab where people in the U.S. can join a waitlist to test how generative AI will be incorporated in search results.

The tests also include the more traditional links to external websites where users can read more extensive information about queried topics. It may take several weeks before Google starts sending invitations to those accepted from the waitlist to test the AI-injected search engine.

The AI results will be clearly tagged as an experimental form of technology and Google is pledging the AI-generated summaries will sound more factual than conversational  a distinct contrast from Bard and ChatGPT, which are programmed to convey more human-like personas.

Google is building in guardrails that will prevent the AI baked into the search engine from responding to sensitive questions about health  such as, Should I give Tylenol to a 3-year-old?  and finance matters. In those instances, Google will continue to steer people to authoritative websites.

Google isn't predicting how long it will be before its search engine will include generative AI results for all comers. The Mountain View, California, company has been under intensifying pressure to demonstrate how its search engine will maintain its leadership since Microsoft began to load AI into Bing, which remains a distant second to Google.

As it begins to ingrain AI in its search engine, Google is aiming to make Bard smarter by connecting with the next generation of a massive data set known as a large language model, or LLM, that fuels it.

Although people will have to wait to see how Google's search engine will deploy generative AI to find answers, a new tool soon be more broadly available to all users. Google is going to add a new filter called Perspectives that will focus on what people are saying online about whatever topic is entered into the search engine. The new feature will be placed along existing search filters for news, images and video.

Besides using its annual tech showcase to tout its prowess in AI, Google also unveiled the first foldable smartphone in its Pixel line-up of gadgets. Googles entry into a new type of smartphone design that allows users to deploy the device as a mini-tablet too comes nearly three years after Samsung  the leading maker of smartphones powered by Googles Android software  introduced its first bendable model.

Foldable phones so far have remained a niche market, largely because of prices ranging between $1,500 and $2,000. Google's foldable Pixel phone will sell for $1,800 and begin shipping next month. It will unfold with a hinge and, of course, be packed with AI.

Photos: Google gives search engine an AI makeover
PARIS  France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palace  an encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leaders arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour.

With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macron's office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the weeks ahead," without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details weren't made public.

More Ukrainians will also be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a wider European effort, Macron's office said.

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian and military aid will continue for as long as necessary.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing."

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his country's planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the invasion and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than $3 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for the support, saying Germany is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter.

Scholz said that Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive.

In the western German city of Aachen, Zelenskyy also received the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In Ukraines forests, fighters race to prepare for next push
CHICAGO (AP)  Holed up at home during the pandemic lockdown three years ago, 13-year-old Shreya Nallamothu was scrolling through social media when she noticed a pattern: Children even younger than her were the stars  dancing, cracking one-liners and being generally adorable.

It seemed innocuous to me at first, Nallamothu said.

But as she watched more and more posts of kids pushing products or their mishaps going viral, she started to wonder: Who is looking out for them?

I realized that theres a lot of exploitation that can happen within the world of kidfluencing," said Nallamothu, referring to the monetization of social media content featuring children. And I realized that there was absolutely zero legislation in place to protect them.

Illinois lawmakers aim to change that by making their state what they say will be the first in the country to create protections for child social media influencers. Nallamothu, now 15, raised her concerns to Illinois state Sen. David Koehler of Peoria, who then set the legislation in motion.

The Illinois bill would entitle child influencers under the age of 16 to a percentage of earnings based on how often they appear on video blogs or online content that generates at least 10 cents per view. To qualify, the content must be created in Illinois, and kids would have to be featured in at least 30% of the content in a 30-day-period.

Video bloggers  or vloggers  would be responsible for maintaining records of kids appearances and must set aside gross earnings for the child in a trust account for when they turn 18, otherwise the child can sue.

The bill passed the state Senate unanimously in March, and is scheduled to be considered by the House this week. If it wins approval, the bill will go back to the Senate for a final vote before it makes its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he intends to sign it in the coming months.

Family-style vlogs can feature children as early as birth and recount milestones and family events  the wholesome clips that Nallamothu had been initially scrolling through.

But experts say the commercialized  sharenthood  industry, which can earn content creators tens of thousands of dollars per brand deal, is underregulated and can even cause harm.

"As we see influencers and content creators becoming more and more of a viable career path for young people, we have to remember that this is a place where the law has not caught up to practice, said Jessica Maddox, a University of Alabama professor who studies social media platforms.

She added that child influencers are in desperate need of the same protections that have been afforded to other child workers and entertainers.

The Illinois bill is modeled largely after Californias 1939 Jackie Coogan law, named for the silent film-era child actor who sued his parents for squandering his earnings. Coogan laws now exist in several states and require parents to set aside a portion of child entertainers earnings for when they reach adulthood.

Other states have tried to pass laws to regulate against potential child exploitation on social media without success. A 2018 California child labor bill included a social media advertising provision that was removed by the time it was passed, and Washington's 2023 bill stalled in committee.

Across the Atlantic, France passed a law in 2020 that entitles child influencers under 16 to a portion of their revenue, as well as the right to forget, which means video platforms must withdraw the images of the child at the minors request. Parental consent is not needed.

Illinois' own bill underwent several changes during the legislative session that watered down its reach, including stripping out a provision allowing child influencers to request deletion of content once they reached the age of 18, and requiring family vloggers to register their channels.

Still, Chicago-based Tyler Diers, the Midwest executive director of technology trade association Technet, which opposed the bill before the changes but is now neutral, said that when one state legislature takes up an issue, others tend to follow, and oftentimes perfect what the first state did."

Nallamothu emphasized that the Illinois bill isn't aimed at "parents posting their kids on Facebook for their close family and friends, or even a funny clip that went viral.

This is for families who make their income off of child vlogging and family vlogging, she said.

Many social media platforms  including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok  dont allow children to have accounts until theyre at least 13 years old. But that hasnt stopped them from appearing on social media. And the internet is littered with examples of children being showcased for financial gain  and the harm it has caused as a consequence.

In 2019, an Arizona mother was accused of torturing her seven adopted children for subpar performances in their popular YouTube series, Fantastic Adventures; a Maryland couple who posted prank videos of themselves screaming at their children and breaking their toys lost custody and were sentenced to five years of probation for child neglect.

Another YouTube couple filmed every step of their familys process of adopting a young child from China with autism, only to eventually place him in a new home.

Chris McCarty, an 18-year-old college student who founded Quit Clicking Kids, an advocacy organization focused on protecting minors being monetized online, and who was the force behind the bill in Washington, noted that this issue is not going away.

Once these kids start growing up, the true extent of the damage inflicted by monetized family channels will be realized, McCarty said at a hearing for the Washington bill in February.

TikToker Bobbi Althoff is the mother of two little girls she lovingly refers to as Richard and Concrete to her 3.7 million followers. Althoff used to share her older daughters face and real name online, but stopped after people made rude comments about her.

I kept thinking about my daughter growing up to read these things, and it really upset me because I hate reading things like that about myself, she said.

When she shared her decision on Instagram, she lost thousands of followers and received backlash.

A lot of people were supportive, but there were definitely a lot of people that were very strange about it, Althoff said, describing how some viewers seemed to feel like they had a relationship with my daughter... and wanted to keep seeing her grow.

Although TikTok-famous tots are not quite old enough to reflect on their experiences, child reality TV stars of the last decade can offer comparable insight on how it feels to be on the other side of the camera.

Ohio-based Jason Welage enjoyed his time as a preteen on TruTVs 2015 reality show Kart Life, which followed families in the world of go-kart racing. Now 20, Welage says some of the less pleasant aspects have followed him into adulthood.

When you Google the show, the first clip that comes up on YouTube is me coming off the track and crying," he said. "I still hear about it to this day.

His parents funneled the $10,000 he earned on the show back into his racing, which can cost families up to $150,000 a year, according to his mother, Meghan, who, like her son, supports the child influencer legislation in Illinois and hopes similar laws will be implemented in other states or even federally.

For children appearing on social media or TV, its definitely work for them, she said. Her son wanted to go play, but instead he had to go sit on a stool in our motorhome and do interviews."

There should be something to compensate the child for what they are going through or what they have to do, she said.

AP Staff Writer Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.

Savage 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.
You are here: China

China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration on Saturday jointly issued a blue alert for mountain torrents in parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday, mountain torrents are expected to hit the southern part of southwestern China's Yunnan Province, according to the alert.

Local authorities are advised to enhance real-time monitoring and flood-control warning, and step up preparedness for evacuation and relocation.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
SARATOGA  From the parking lot, theres nothing to suggest that Quito Village is the California housing policy equivalent of a unicorn, or that the seemingly low-key project is sitting at the center of one of this years biggest political fights.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

Peek through one of the gates of this dirt lot in the San Jose suburb of Saratoga. Trenches, a few foundations and an excavator pawing at a mountain of dirt are the only indication that, if all goes to plan, this will be the site of 90 new townhouses next year.

But though it may not be obvious  even to one of its developers, who was surprised to hear the news  this easy-to-ignore housing development appears to be one of a kind.

What makes Quito Village unique dates to early 2020 when Sand Hill Property Co. agreed to follow a strict labor standard, promoted by some of the states most powerful organized labor groups, that favors the hiring of union workers. The Silicon Valley real estate developer did so to take advantage of a 2017 state law meant to speed the construction of dense housing.

Atlanta-based real estate giant PulteGroup took over the project in 2022 and began construction in September. That makes Quito Village the only known project in California that has broken ground under the laws union-hiring rule.

Now lawmakers are debating making that 2017 law permanent, but with a bill that would strike out the union-backed labor standard that Sand Hill agreed to take on for the Saratoga project.

Napa City Council approves The Crescent housing project The project will bring over 160 housing units to 2344 Old Sonoma Road.

For many Democrats in the Legislature who want to see the state turbocharge its housing construction and who argue that the union-hire rule places too onerous a standard on developers amid a dire housing shortage, Quito Village is a case in point.

So thats one in five years, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, chair of the Assemblys housing committee, said in an interview last month. That to me kind of says it all.

As lawmakers and competing unions debate the rules merits, much of the argument rides on the answer to a single question: Can California simultaneously encourage developers to build our way out of the states housing shortage while also requiring them to reserve jobs for the states unionized construction work force?

If PulteGroup is in fact the only company actively building new housing under the terms of this controversial rule, as housing data assembled by the state suggests, how and why it has been able to go forward might shed light on that question and help settle a fiery and protracted debate.

But its not clear that the company is even following the rule.

Upon taking over the project last year, PulteGroups legal team made the case to the city of Saratoga that state law does not obligate the company to abide by the union-backed standard imposed on mixed-income projects, according to emails shared with CalMatters. The city disagreed.

A year later, prompted by a Public Records Act request filed by CalMatters, Saratoga city staff noted Pulte has not been submitting monthly reports to prove that it is complying with the rule.

Significant monetary penalties may be imposed under State law for failure to comply, Saratogas community development director Debbie Pedro wrote to Brett Walsh, a Bay Area-based project manager with Pulte on May 1, in a letter the city shared with CalMatters.

Developers are subject to state fines of up to $10,000 per month for each missing monthly compliance report. If a company is found to be skirting the skilled and trained standard entirely, the penalties can rack up much higher and much quicker: $200 per day for each worker employed in contravention of the rule.

Walsh did not respond to an email from CalMatters. When asked about the projects construction crew in April, Pulte's vice president of communications, Jim Zeumer said the company only shares basic project scale, scope and pricing information. Zeumer did not respond to additional requests for comment after the city of Saratoga sent its letter.

David Bini, a construction worker union labor leader in Santa Clara County, said that he, too, is curious whether the company is complying with the labor law.

He said he put in a call to the company last month with an offer to help them in getting in compliance if they need it, he said.

But as the letter from the city of Saratoga to Pulte suggests, the true number of projects that have moved forward under the controversial rule might not be one.

It could be zero.

Skewed results in California housing law

Under the 2017 streamlining law authored by San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, developers are offered a trade.

In cities and towns that havent kept up with state-set housing production goals, developers can skip some of the permitting hurdles that often delay or kill projects early on. In exchange, developers have to set aside a portion of the new units for low-income occupants, and abide by higher labor standards.

For projects in which every unit is designated affordable, developers simply have to pay their crews more. A prevailing wage is a state-determined minimum rate for each trade that roughly corresponds to what unionized construction workers make.

But for mixed-income projects, where developers meet the laws minimum affordable housing rule but plan to charge as much as they can on the remaining units, an even higher standard applies: Construction crews must be skilled and trained. That means a little over half of most trade workers must be graduates of apprenticeship programs, the vast majority of which are sponsored by unions.

Presented with those two options, most developers who make use of the law have taken the first path.

Since the law went into effect, developers have invoked the streamlining bill to propose nearly 18,000 units, according to an analysis by UC Berkeleys Terner Center for Housing Innovation. Roughly two-thirds of the proposed projects are entirely affordable, meaning the projects only have to pay prevailing wages.

Though data collected by the state is self-reported by local governments and riddled with errors, of the remaining third that includes market-rate units, Quito Village appears to be the only one that has actually broken ground.

Wiener cited the laws uneven performance as reason to take out the skilled and trained work force standard entirely when he introduced his proposal to make the law permanent.

But there is at least one other possible reason to explain the disparity.

Under the law, the exact percentage of units that developers have to set aside for low-income residents depends on which kinds of homes the locality is falling behind on.

In cities and towns short on permitting new homes for lower-income households, streamlined projects have to be 50% affordable. In places that arent allowing enough building on the higher end, the requirement is only 10%.

Saratoga falls into the second bucket. As planned, 10% of the townhomes at Quito Village will be provided at below-market rates.

Many California cities have met their state production goals for market-rate housing, but not for lower-income units. In those municipalities  a little more than 200 in recent years  streamlining privileges are granted only if half of the units are set aside for lower-income occupants. Thats a high bar for profit-driven builders, leaving the field to nonprofit-subsidized affordable housing developers.

But interviewees for that report also pointed to the union-hire rules for mixed-income projects as a factor that might reduce the financial feasibility of projects.

Dan Dunmoyer, head of the California Building Industry Association, said projects that require prevailing wages and those that demand a skilled and trained work force tend to have similar payroll costs. The big difference comes down to time, he said.

When you have to use skilled and trained, then you cant move until you find that worker or that contractor, he said. That may delay me three or four months per trade.

Even so, he added, the argument about which higher labor standard ought to apply is academic in most of California. Both are cost-prohibitive other than in the highest-end communities, he said. It just doesnt pencil in 85% of the state.

An exception in Saratoga?

If ever there was a place where higher labor standards could pencil out, its Saratoga. Thats because the Santa Clara County suburb is, in a word, loaded.

The average household income here is nearly $225,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The average listing price of a new home exceeds $3.5 million. Its the kind of place where developers can afford to take on higher costs because residents here are willing to pay for them.

Once you add the economics of a high-market community, these extra premium dollars are okay. Youre selling townhomes for $1.3 million up, so theres some meat on the bone, said Steve Lynch, director of planning for Sand Hill, which got the site ready for development before selling the residential portion to PulteGroup.

Asked why Sand Hill was willing to do what other developers have thus far been unwilling to do and accept the skilled and trained standard, Lynch said that, in fact, it did not.

Though an initial project approval letter from the city specifies that the project is subject to that union-hire requirement, as does an FAQ listed on the projects website and a letter that Lynch sent to Saratogas city manager James Lindsay in the companys initial streamlining application obtained by CalMatters through a public records request, Lynch said Sand Hill later determined that the language of the 2017 law actually exempts small towns like Saratoga.

Pultes legal team seemed to have its own questions about the projects labor requirement prior to taking over.

In an email exchange in the early summer of 2022, Winter King, an attorney representing the city of Saratoga, wrote to the developers lawyer, David Chidlaw, referencing Pultes questions about whether your client would be required to use a skilled and trained workforce if it acquires the Quito Village project.

In a subsequent email King sent to Chidlaw, she made the citys position clear. We dont see a way around this requirement, she wrote, adding that compliance with the skilled and trained standard is a condition of the projects approval and required by law.

Its unclear whether the conversation continued. Winter referred questions to the city of Saratoga and Chidlaw did not respond to requests for comment.

The uncertainty over whether the law does or doesnt apply, at least as described by Lynch at Sand Hill, seems to boil down to a question of syntax.

The text of the law carves out an exemption for projects located within a jurisdiction located in a coastal or bay county with a population of 225,000 or more. Santa Clara County, which is considered a bay county, has nearly 2 million residents. The city of Saratoga has a mere 30,000. The question: Does the 225,000 threshold figure apply to the county or the city? If the threshold applies to the jurisdiction of Saratoga, the project would be exempt from the skilled and trained requirement.

So, too, would projects in the vast majority of Californias cities and towns.

Under that more restrictive interpretation of the law, the skilled and trained standard  the subject of years of legislative debate and political gridlock  would only apply to 12 of Californias 482 cities.
Parliament vice-speaker: Ukraine will unconditionally support Azerbaijans territorial integrity

Some important issues missing in Charles Michels statement: Why? Comments from EU official source

In the current situation, it is very important to support Syunik region. Andrea Wictorin

EU doubles aid to Syunik to 116 million Euros

How old are Saturn's rings and how long will they last?

State Revenue Committee chief: Cocaine that entered Armenia did not come through Yerevan Zvartnots airport

Azerbaijan army uses mortar toward Armenia positions in Norabak village sector

Beats debuts the Studio Buds+ with a transparent design and improved ANC

CSTO confirms readiness to provide assistance to Armenia

Alen Simonyan: No tangible results yet in Armenia-Turkey relations normalization process

FlyOne Armenia starts flights between Yerevan, Dusseldorf

Sarsang Reservoir environmental crisis manifested by sharp microclimatic change, plant and animal species loss (PHOTOS)

Scientists discover an Earth-sized exoplanet covered in volcanoes

Armenia FM to pay visit to Moscow on Friday

Armenia not received complaint about Operation Nemesis monument from Turkey via diplomatic channels

Mkhitaryan undergoes medical examination

Armenia premier: Certain understanding reached in Brussels on ascertaining fate of captives, the missing

Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan leaders to meet on May 25 in Moscow

Gevorg Tamamyan: Armenia is on pediatric oncology map, at center of international attention

Artsakh Security and Development Front public movement declaration is publicized

Pashinyan: Certain positive understanding formed in Brussels regarding Armenia-Azerbaijan railway restoration

Armenia PM: Recognizing each other's territorial integrity is important step in finalizing peace treaty text

CSTO members hope Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty is signed soon

France MP: Azerbaijan behaves like rogue state

Apple-sized Beepberry: a pocket computer for hackers has been introduced

1 Armenia soldier dead, another wounded by Azerbaijan Wednesday, criminal proceedings launched

Azerbaijan FM heads for Moscow to meet with Armenia counterpart

Karabakh ex-state minister: Artsakh people are 100 percent ready to defend their homeland to the end

Stanford University international relations Ph.D.: There is big epidemic of narcotics in Armenia

Kissinger calls US, China main threat to world, humanity existence

Karabakh ex-minister of state: Very important to say we are all ready to go until the end

Apple unveils groundbreaking accessibility features to empower users with disabilities

Montana becomes first US state to completely ban TikTok

Kaps Reservoir construction kicks off in Armenias Shirak Province, to conclude in 3 years

Armenia paramedic wounded in Azerbaijan shooting is discharged from hospital

Constitution expert: Matter should be put to referendum in case of one-millimeter change in Armenia territory

World gold prices going down

Updated Range Rover is unveiled

A new feature is coming to Instagram that not everyone will like

MLS: Lucas Zelarayan scores goal (VIDEO)

Newspaper: Armenia National Security Service goes on big chains trail in 1 ton cocaine import case

Champions League: Man City are in final (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

US State Dept.: Turkey curtails rights of its religious minorities, including Armenians

Yerevan City Council elections will be held on September 17. Vahagn Hovakimyan

Azerbaijan FM misinforms participants of summit of CoE countries heads of states, governments

Bill Gates shares five pieces of graduation advice he wishes he were given

There was an intention to harm the vehicle and the soldier. Human Rights Defender

Armenia does not sign CoE agreement on creating registry of damages caused to Ukraine

Azerbaijan accuses Russian peacekeeping contingent of assisting in transfer of weapons to Karabakh

The soldier who died in Sotk is 20-year-old Edgar Suleimanyan. Ministry of Defense

Armens: Renowned chef Ara Zada speaks on ancestors surviving Armenian Genocide, love towards cooking, Armenian-Mexican dish fusion

Soldier wounded by Azerbaijani Armed Forces died on the way to hospital

Armenia MOD publishes photos of ambulance that Azerbaijan fire on (PHOTOS)

WHO: Artificial sweeteners may raise health risks

Tesla demonstrates Optimus robots new skills: They have a good orientation and can carefully touch the egg without breaking it

Armenia Security Council head has phone talk with Germany Chancellor advisor

Digital transformation: Reasons why banks need to digitize themselves

Russia MFA spox.: Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs will hold bilateral talks in Moscow Friday

Zakharova on Sotk village events: We call on Armenian, Azerbaijani sides to refrain from provocative actions

Armenia soldier, paramedic are wounded after Azerbaijan shooting

Statement to leave Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan unlawful until signed with interstate agreement, Armenia ex-judge says

Paolo Gentiloni: Sanctioned goods reach Russia via Central Asia, Armenia

Armenian HopShop is on Product Hunt and competing to become product of the day

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will get periscope modules with 6x optical zoom

Pashinyan: Armenia recognizes territorial integrity of Azerbaijan with area of 86,600 square kilometers

President chairs Karabakh Security Council meeting

Hopes that something will change in Azerbaijan are not justified, Dunja Mijatovic says

Armenia official presents model that can be used in order to oversee planned Nakhichevan-Azerbaijan railway

Economy minister on cocaine imported into Armenia: We are very worried

When can your Google Account be deleted?

Karabakh parliament speaker: Political consultations have started in Artsakh

Cannes Film Festival becomes return for Johnny Depp: Hall stands, applauds him for 7 minutes (PHOTOS)

Humanitarian aid through Lachin corridor still suspended

2 of 8 Armenia soldiers wounded by Azerbaijan on May 11 and 12 in severe condition

Lavrov: Armenia would have had more stable situation if it deployed CSTO observers

Los Angeles intersection is named 'Republic of Artsakh Square'

Putin: Russia expects agreement with Iran, Azerbaijan on railway infrastructure, cargo transportation

Fruit importing company imports about 1 ton of cocaine into Armenia via Panama-Italy-Georgia route

I can't imagine my day without music: Eleven Green guitarist Khoren Mikayelyan on his musical path, inspirations

TikTok offers another way of making money: Popular effects creators are promised royalties

Lavrov: West puts pressure on Russia allies in EAEU, CIS

Sergey Lavrov: US advises Armenia to drive away Russian military base, border guards

US State Department report addresses church-government relations in Armenia

Fix Price enters Armenia market

US ready to continue collaboration with Armenia internal affairs ministry

airBaltic resumes flights between Yerevan, Riga

Armenia PM in Reykjavik, attends 4th Council of Europe summit opening ceremony

The Pentagon abandons its own programs and switches to Microsoft solutions Will it become vulnerable to cyber attacks?

Newspaper: Samvel Babayans getting active storms Karabakh domestic politics

Prominent Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents works are translated into Italian

US ambassador discusses Armenia judicial system (PHOTOS)

Mkhitaryan becomes first Armenia footballer to reach Champions League final

Inter to play in Champions League final for 6th time

Champions League: Inter, with Mkhitaryan, reach final (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Karabakh FM: Europe should not have forgotten Armenians besieged in Artsakh

Mirzoyan met with the head of Cypriot Foreign Ministry

Mirzoyan briefs Latvia FM on situation in Karabakh, Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

James Webb Space Telescope discovers water around a mysterious comet

Secretary of Armenian Security Council discussed situation around Karabakh with Kolomina

Turkish authorities detained, then expelled three Spanish observers
You are here: China

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Saturday called for solid efforts to strengthen the country's brand building.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the International Forum on China Brand Development, part of the ongoing 2023 China Brand Day events in Shanghai.

China has rolled out a series of measures on brand cultivation and development and has built the country's own well-known brands, with Chinese brands constantly gaining popularity, reputation and influence, Ding said.

He urged improving brand cultivation and development mechanism, encouraging enterprises to incorporate elements related to Chinese culture into brand building and strictly cracking down on illegal activities such as trademark infringement, among other measures.

Efforts should also be made to improve international rules and standards on brand-related intellectual property rights, facilitate communication on brand building, and promote the development of brands globally, the vice premier said.

Prior to attending the forum, Ding visited an exposition on brand development and communicated with exhibitors.

The 2023 China Brand Day events kicked off in Shanghai on Wednesday and will run until May 14.

The events are jointly held by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and several other government organs.
12:03

People will be able to block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across India with the rollout of a tracking system by the government this week, a senior government official said.

Technology development body Centre for Department of Telematics (CDoT) has been running the pilot of the CEIR system in some of the telecom circles, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and North East region, and the system is now ready for pan-India deployment, a DoT official, who did not wish to be identified, told PTI.

"CEIR system is scheduled for pan-India launch on May 17," the official said.

When contacted, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Project Board at CDoT Rajkumar Upadhyay did not confirm the date but confirmed that the technology is ready for pan-India deployment.

"The system is ready and now it will be deployed across India in this quarter. This will enable people to block and track their lost mobile phones," Upadhyay said.

CDoT has been able to add features to check the use of cloned mobile phones across all telecom networks.

The government has made it mandatory to disclose IMEI -- a 15-digit unique numeric identifier -- of mobile devices before their sale in India.

The mobile networks will have access to the list of approved IMEI numbers which will check the entry of any unauthorised mobile phones on their network.

Telecom operators and CEIR system will have visibility into IMEI number of the device and mobile number linked to it, and the information is being used in some states to track your lost or stolen mobiles through CEIR.

"One of the common practices is that miscreants change IMEI number of stolen mobile phones which prevents tracking and blocking of such handsets. It was a national security issue. The CEIR will be able to block any cloned mobile phones on the network with the help of various databases," Upadhyay said.

The basic purpose of CEIR is to ease reporting of stolen and lost mobiles and block the use of mobiles all over the country. This will discourage the theft of mobile phones, enable the tracing of the stolen and lost mobiles to the police, detection of cloned or counterfeit mobiles, restrict the use of such cloned mobiles, as well as protect the interest of the consumers by making them aware of the information related to fake and cloned mobile phones.

Recently, Karnataka Police recovered and handed over more than 2,500 lost mobile phones to their owners using the CEIR system.

Apple already has a system to track lost mobile phones with the help of Apple ID but major issues have been around Android mobile phones. -- PTI
00:36

The Congress party created history by registering the biggest vote share by any party in the Karnataka assembly polls in the last 34 years.





In the 2023 assembly elections results of which were declared on Saturday, the grand old party won 135 seats and recorded a whopping 42.88 per cent of the vote share.





This is seen as the biggest victory for any party in Karnataka since 1989.







Activist Yogendra Yadav on Saturday took to Twitter and said that this is going to be the biggest victory for 'any party in Karnataka' in 34 years by vote share and seat.





Yadav claimed that it was in 1989 during Veerendra Patil's regime when the grand old party had won 178 seats with a vote share of 43.76 per cent.





According to figures posted by Yadav on Twitter, the Congress won 132 seats in Karnataka with a vote share of 40.84 per cent in 1999.





This was followed by the party's second win with 122 seats and a vote share of 36.6 per cent in 2013.





Similarly, in 1994, JD-S won a total of 115 seats with 33.54 per cent of a vote share.





In 2008, BJP won 110 seats with a vote percentage of 36.86.





This was followed by BJP in the 2018 assembly elections, wherein it won 104 seats with a vote percentage of 36.3.





The BJP had in 2004, got a total of 79 seats with a vote percentage of 28.33.





An incumbent government has not returned to power in Karnataka after a full term of five years since 1985 as no political party could win a successive mandate in the state.





It last happened in 1985, when the Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party was voted into power.





So far, Karnataka had 23 chief ministers since 1952.





Basavaraj Bommai served as the 23rd chief minister since 2021.





In the 2018 assembly polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats, the Congress won 80 seats and the JD-S got 37 seats.





According to the Election Commission of India, the Congress won 135 seats.







The BJP managed to win 66 seats.





The JD-S won 19 seats, while four seats were won by others.





Pertinent to mention, the Karnataka election was a major victory for Congress after Kharge became party president.





The Congress victory has come at a time when it is seeking momentum ahead of assembly polls later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana and the Lok Sabha polls next year.





The next task for the Congress is to choose a chief ministerial candidate with both state Congress chief D K Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah aspiring for the post. -- ANI


Thais head to polls for crucial election

Thais head to polls for crucial election

Voting was under way in Thailand on Sunday in an election expected to deliver big gains for opposition forces, testing the resolve of a pro-military establishment at the heart of two decades of intermittent turmoil in the coup-prone country.



About 52 million eligible voters are choosing among progressive opposition parties  one with a knack for winning elections  and others allied with royalist generals keen to preserve the status quo after nine years of government led or backed by the army.



Opinion polls indicate the opposition Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties will gain the most seats but with no guarantee either will govern because of parliamentary rules written by the military after its 2014 coup and skewed in its favour.



The election again pits Pheu Thai's driving force, the billionaire Shinawatra family, against a nexus of old money, military and conservatives with influence over key institutions that have toppled three of the populist movement's four governments.



The seeds of conflict were sown in 2001 when Thaksin Shinawatra, a brash capitalist upstart, was swept to power on a pro-poor, pro-business platform that energised disenfranchised rural masses and challenged patronage networks, putting him at odds with Thailand's established elite.



Thaksin's detractors in the urban middle class viewed him as a corrupt demagogue who abused his position to build his own power base and further enrich his family. Mass protests broke out in Bangkok during his second term in office.



In 2006 the military toppled Thaksin, who fled into exile. His sister Yingluck's government suffered the same fate eight years later. Now his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a political neophyte, has taken up the mantle.



"May 14 will be a historic day. We will change from a dictatorship to a democratically elected government," Paetongtarn, 36, told cheering crowds on Friday at Pheu Thai's final rally.



"Every time we come to power we are able to bring prosperity to the people. I've entered politics to help the new generation, to support their families."



The United Thai Nation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup against Pheu Thai's last government, has pledged debt relief, cheaper electricity for low-income groups and subsidies for transport and crop harvesting.



Prayuth has campaigned on continuity, hoping to woo conservative middle-class voters tired of street protests and political upheaval.



"We do not want change that will overturn the country. Can you accept that? Do you know what kind of damage it would do?" he asked supporters on Friday.



Move Forward, led by 42-year-old Harvard alumnus Pita Limjaroenrat, has seen a late surge. It is banking on young people, including 3.3 million eligible first-time voters, to back its plans to dismantle monopolies, weaken the military's political role and amend a strict law against insulting the monarchy that critics say is used to stifle dissent. (Reuters)
Very few actors in the Hindi film industry have made a niche in Hollywood. Ali Fazal is surely one of them. The actor shared his latest moments of international fame on Instagram. Ali Fazal jetted off to Rome to attend the international premiere of the latest film of the Fast and Furious franchise, 'Fast X'. The actor made his Hollywood debut with the 7th film of the franchise. He was all smiles in front of the camera against the iconic Colosseum in Rome as he walked the red carpet at the premiere. The actor reunited with Vin Diesel, his co-star in the film and they posed for a super stylish frame for the paps. Sharing a video from the event, Ali wrote in the caption, "AND THE FAST X PREMIERE WENT DOWN HARD RIGHT HERE AT THE COLOSSEUM .. cuz #Wheninrome you go gladiator style.. #fastx #reunion #furious7 Thank you for all the love Vin @vindiesel . You are the kindest man i know and the soul of the Fast fam. Feel proud to be part of the team. ( disclaimer - am not in fast X guys, but there for Love ) Thank you Manish for letting me own my style through your vision !! @manishmalhotra05 love ya!!" https://www.instagram.com/p/CsNhC2UpP2g/ Ali was dressed in a black ensemble from the shelves of Manish Malhotra. He added style with his geeky glasses. Ali seemed to enjoy every moment of fame on the red carpet. He was seen giving autographs to the fans, clicking selfies with them and also posing with the cast of 'Fast X'. Ali will soon be headed to promote Kandahar, his next major Hollywood film with Gerard Butler. Kandahar is set for a US release on 26th May. (ANI)
Beauty, elegance and talent... Very few are blessed with these three qualities in the right measurement. Madhuri Dixit, the 'Dhak Dhak' girl of the 90s is one of those chosen ones. Her mesmerizing beauty, her pearl-like smile, her twitching of eyebrows, her words, and her charm evoke awe, inspiration, love and emotions of all sorts that can drive one's creativity to work at the optimum level. Physicality definitely contributes to the aura of Madhuri. But she is much more than that. As the actor is set to ring her 56th birthday tomorrow, let's wish her a happy birthday with her power-packed performances, which stood the test of time. Parinda (1989) Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film stars Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles. Parinda follows Kishan (Shroff), who works for the underworld boss Anna (Patekar). Kishan's brother Karan (Kapoor) returns home after completing his studies in the United States. The two brothers are caught in a gang war after Karan decides to avenge his friend's death by Anna. Madhuri plays the character of Paro, the sister of Prakash, who was killed by Anna. But Paro believes Karan is responsible for her brother's death. Madhuri brought out the vulnerability of this character with conviction. Dil (1989) The language of love was different back in the 90s. But the dynamics of the man-woman relationship remain almost the same across ages. The rich father's daughter (Madhu Mehra), who can sacrifice comfort for the sake of love, sets a precedent for those women, who are confined by parental and societal pressures. Needless to say, the chemistry between Aamir Khan and Madhuri was the talking point of the movie. Madhuri won the Filmfare award for the best actress for 'Dil'. Khal Nayak (1993) Directed and produced by Subhash Ghai, the film stars Sanjay Dutt (as the villain), Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff. The plot focuses on the escape and attempted capture of criminal Ballu (Dutt) by Inspector Ram (Shroff) and his cop girlfriend Ganga (Dixit). The film is still celebrated for the iconic song 'Choli Ke Peeche Kya hai.' Madhuri's lascivious moves, Alka Yagnik's seductive voice and Ila Arun's commanding tone... the song had all the perfect elements for the creation of a timeless classic. Anjaam (1994) This was the first film, in which, Madhuri was paired with Shah Rukh Khan. Madhuri also won a Filmfare Award nomination for this movie. Much later, in her career, Madhuri's powerful role in 'Mrityudand' garnered critics' attention as she was seen in a de-glam role. But it was 'Anjaam', which cemented Madhuri's position as a brilliant actor in the industry. Dil to Pagal Hai (1997) Directed by Yash Chopra, the love triangle of Madhuri Dixit, Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor is still loved by cinelovers across generations. Romance is Madhuri's forte. And when the legendary director of romance brought one of the most romantic on-screen couples to the forefront, miracles were bound to happen! It's hard to choose Madhuri's few best performances as the actor is still enthralling the audience with her new inning on the OTT. Madhuri portrayed an on-screen superstar in the Netflix Original 'The Fame Game'. Madhuri played a lesbian in the Amazon Prime movie 'Maja Ma'. (ANI)
According to sources, the committee is responsible for selecting the next CBI director, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the Lokpal.

They said that the committee meeting was chaired by PM Modi and was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and Home Minister Amit Shah in their respective capacities.

Adhir Ranjan Chaudhry has given a dissent note on the recommendation for the appointment of the CBI Director and Chief Vigilance Commissioner, said sources.

In contrast, on the appointment of Lokpal, the committee has recommended the setup panel to shortlist the names for the post of Lokpal.

Currently, Subodh Kumar Jaiswal is serving as the director of CBI, while Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the Chief Vigilance Commissioner. (ANI)
Three persons including a Bangladeshi national were arrested in connection with a burglary in a wine shop in Delhi's Krishna Nagar police station area, Delhi police said on Saturday. They were arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, the police added. Officials said that the arrested persons were identified as Bilal, a Bangladeshi national, Mohd Gazi Sheikh and Shaikh - both from West Bengal. According to DCP Shahdara Rohit Meena, on 25 April, victim Wasim Abbas Naqvi, a resident of Shahdara, Delhi approached the police and lodged a complaint stating that some anonymous persons dug a hole in the roof of a wine shop, and entered inside and broke the lock of the Almirah and stole the money. Accordingly, a case Under sections 457/380/411/34 of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) was registered at Krishna Nagar Delhi police station. Being sensitive matter and the nature of the crime of cutting the roof many teams were tasked to nab the culprits. During the investigation, a joint team of TST Shahdara and Crack Team Krishna Nagar was tasked to crack the case. Initially, Crack Team Krishna Nagar obtained more than 50 CCTV footage from near the place of the incident. It was found that three to four persons came to the spot on foot and entered the wine shop at about 1.30 am. They went to the vacant place above the store and having dug a hole executed the Burglary. Exit Route was also checked but due to night hours, no further lead was developed. Working from a technical angle, ASI Deepak Kumar of the Technical Surveillance team conducted an analysis of thousands of mobile numbers. 150 numbers were shortlisted. Further CDRs, SDRs, Dossiers, and Social Media profiles of these suspect mobile numbers were analyzed. clues from the data and virtually cracked the case with the identification of each of the accused persons. After that multi-layered CDR analysis of accused persons was done and raids were planned for nabbing them. The accused persons are found residing in sensitive areas of Loni and Pasonda. After that Crack Team Krishna Nagar started on field operations and planned the raids. As the accused persons were found residing in the sensitive areas of Loni and Pasonda the team sensitively executed the raids and successfully nabbed the accused persons. The team recovered from them RS 44700, clothes and shoes worn during the commission of the burglary, Mobile and Scooty purchased by the stolen money and Scooty used in the commission of the crime, said the police. (ANI)
More than 4,500 financial cases have been solved and over 5,500 suspects arrested since last year, data released by Beijing's Public Security Bureau showed on Saturday.

Police officers across the city focused more on fighting crimes of financial fraud, telecom fraud and cross-border gambling, solving more than 60 relevant cases and over 90 suspects, according to the data.

The bureau said it called for all public security departments citywide to intensify the crackdown in the field of securities, revealing that a total of 91 people suspected of securities-related crimes have been detained.

It added that the fight has played a big role in effectively preventing financial risks and maintaining the safety of the securities market.

Last year, police officers across the city also worked with banks and foreign exchange departments to jointly launch a campaign against underground banking and money laundering, which contributed to cutting off the funding channels for subsequent financial crimes.

In addition, public security departments citywide captured more than 610 people suspected of tax-related crimes, helping recover 1.46 billion yuan ($209.8 million) of tax losses.

The bureau said that strengthening the crackdown in various financial sectors is not only to strongly protect legitimate rights of investors and residents, but also to help the capital build a sound business environment and promote economic development.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is undertaking a five-day 'Jan Sangharsh Yatra' in Rajasthan, on Sunday said that he is receiving the support of the people as the issues raised are "essential". Pilot, who has been vocal about the inaction by the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government regarding the alleged corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in the state, said that he and the Chief Minister have to fight "unitedly" against corruption, however, Gehlot did not take steps in this regard. "We are getting people's support because our issues are essential. The chief minister is the face of the state and CM Ashok Gehlot and I will have to unitedly fight against cases of corruption. But the Chief Minister has not taken any action I have been writing letters for a long time to take action against issues of corruption," Pilot told ANI on the fourth day of his yatra. Describing the paper leak case as a serious issue, Pilot said that the government needs to change the complete system and make it transparent. "We need to change the entire system and make it transparent as paper leak is a serious issue and needs to be resolved. Middle-class suffers the most because of corruption and the allegations we had put on Bommai-led government have proved to be right and this is why people have voted for us in Karnataka," he said. Pilot is holding the five-day Jan Sangharsh Yatra from Ajmer to Jaipur. He started the yatra on Thursday in protest against the inaction of the Rajasthan government in the alleged corruption cases during the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in the state. Rajasthan will go to Assembly polls later this year, where the party is seeking another term ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Congress won 135 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats. Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each. (ANI)
Kashmir has often been described as a paradise on earth. Not just for its natural beauty, but also for its unique culture and religious and communal harmony. One such example can be seen in Trehgam village of north Kashmir's Kupwara district where a grand Masjid shares a common yard with a Hindu temple for generations. Trehgam is a small town in the Kupwara district of the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the northwestern part of the state, close to the Line of Control (LOC) that separates India and Pakistan. Kashmir, the land of Sufis and saints, has a rich tradition of religious syncretism. It is a place where Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs have lived together in harmony for centuries. The cultural and religious traditions of Kashmir are a blend of Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist influences. The state is home to many shrines and temples that are revered by people of all faiths. The mosque and temple in Trehgam are no exceptions to this syncretic culture. In the courtyard of the mosque is buried Syed Ibrahim Bukhari, a Sufi saint who is revered by both Muslims and Hindus in Kashmir. The temple, on the other hand, is dedicated to one of the main deities of Hinduism Lord Shiva, whom Shaivites worship as the supreme god. In front of them is a famous pond, the main source of water for almost half a dozen nearby villages. Sir Walter Lawrence in his famous book The Valley of Kashmir writes, "The pond of Trehgam indicates the utmost beauty of Kashmir." This unusual sight is not just a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims in the town but is also a testament to the centuries-old syncretic culture of Kashmir. The fact that the mosque and temple have shared a common yard for decades is a testament to the mutual respect and tolerance among the local communities. Such instances of peaceful coexistence go a long way in promoting unity and understanding among people of different faiths. According to the elders of the town, the decision to build the two places of worship side by side was taken to promote communal harmony and brotherhood in the locality. The community wanted to send a message of peace and tolerance to the rest of the world. Pir Abdul Rashid, Imam of the Grand Majid (Jamia Masjid)Trehgam said that for the people of Trehgam, the mosque and temple are not just places of worship but also symbols of their shared cultural heritage. The people of Trehgam have always stood firm in their commitment to communal harmony. They have continued to live together in peace and harmony, setting an example for the rest of the country. The mosque and temple in Trehgam are a reminder of the power of community and the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity. They are a symbol of hope in a world that is increasingly divided along religious and communal lines. They show that it is possible for people of different faiths to live together in harmony and that the path to peace and progress lies in understanding and mutual respect, he added. The mosque and temple in Trehgam are an inspiring example of communal harmony in India. They stand as a testament to the syncretic culture of Kashmir and the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood that has sustained it for centuries. They are a beacon of hope in a world that is often marred by violence and division, and a reminder that a better future is possible if we learn to respect and celebrate our differences. A local, Shoib Ahmad Najjar, said that the mosque and temple in Trehgam are an inspiring example of communal harmony in India. It is heartening to see examples of religious and communal harmony, especially in areas that have witnessed conflicts and tensions in the past. The coexistence of a grand mosque and a Hindu temple in Trehgam village is a shining example of such harmony. "It is important to recognize and celebrate such instances of communal harmony and to strive towards promoting more of them. It is through such efforts that we can build a more inclusive and peaceful society," Shoib Ahmad added. Presently no Pandit family lives in the village. However, according to locals, from time to time, they do come to offer prayers in the temple. (ANI)
"Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar unveiled the statue of Late Nathuram Mirdha, former Member of Parliament, freedom fighter and a popular farmers' leader in Merta City, Nagaur, Rajasthan today," the official account of Vice President tweeted.

Renowned freedom fighter and eminent leader of the farming community from Nagaur, Late Nathuram Mirdha was a six-time Member of Lok Sabha and served as a Union Minister from 1979-80 and 1989-90.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is on a scheduled visit to Rajasthan on May 14.

Earlier today Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also offered prayers at the 'Jat Shiv Mandir' in Pushkar.

"Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Dr Sudesh Dhankhar today offered prayers at the 'Jat Shiv Mandir' in the holy shrine Pushkar and prayed to Mahashiv for everyone's well-being," an official statement said. (ANI)
On the basis of profiling done by the officers of the Customs AIU batch, a passenger coming from Dubai to Kochi Airport by flight AI 934 was intercepted at the green channel.

According to the statement, the accused has been identified as Subash, a native of Palakkad district.

During the examination of the said passenger, 4 capsules suspected to contain gold in a compound form totally weighing 1259 grams found concealed inside his body were recovered and seized.

Further investigations are going on.

In a similar incident on Tuesday, AIU of the Customs Department seized 1182.94 grams of gold worth Rs 58 lakhs at Kochi airport, said a statement.

On the basis of profiling done by the officers of the Customs AIU batch, a passenger coming from Muscat to Kochi Airport by flight 6E1272 was intercepted at the green channel.

The accused has been identified as, a native of Palakkad district.

During the examination of the said passenger, 4 capsules of gold in a compound form totally weighing 1182.94 grams concealed inside his body were recovered and seized. (ANI)
Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations Class 12 topper Manya Gupta on Sunday said that she never thought that she was going to top exams in India. Manya Gupta, a student of Heritage School, topped in the ISC exam, all over India with 99.75 per cent. While talking to ANI, Manya Gupta said, "I did not think that I was going to top India at all. I asked my friends how many marks they got in these exams and they, in turn, told me that you have topped. I was unaware before that." She further mentioned that her school helped a lot in her preparation for these examinations. "My school helped, they did whatever they could since we were in a period of lockdown for two years. I was studying mainly before exams so I had no sleep schedule," she said. She also mentioned that going forward she will apply for admission in psychology courses. "Since class 8th I have known that I will study psychology. I have applied for psychology courses abroad and will apply for this course in India as well," she said. Earlier today Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) declared the results of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE Class 10) and Indian School Certificate (ISC Class 12). According to the notice, the students can check their results by visiting CISCE's website, http://cisce.org or http://results.cisce.org The Class 10 or ICSE examinations started on February 27 and ended on March 29, 2023. Class 12 or ISC examination commenced on February 13, and the last examination date was March 31. This year around 2.5 lakh students appeared for the CISCE examination for Class 10, 12. Earlier on Friday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class announced the results of class 12 final examinations with an overall passing percentage of 87.33. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class announced the results of class 12 final examinations with an overall passing percentage of 87.33. (ANI)
Union Minister of State L Murugan on Sunday said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin is saying for his own satisfaction that BJP cannot come to Dravidian soil. While addressing the media, "It is normal to win or lose in elections. Nothing can be said about the defeat in Karnataka, DMK has lost many elections in Tamil Nadu. There are BJP legislators in Tamil Nadu. BJP is growing in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. Stalin's claim that BJP cannot come to Dravidian soil is his imagination and he is saying this for his own satisfaction." Earlier after the win of Congress in Karnataka Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had said that the landmass of the Dravidian family stands clear of BJP. "The landmass of the Dravidian family stands clear of BJP. Now let us all work together to win 2024 to restore democracy and constitutional values in India," CM Stalin tweeted. According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats in Karnataka, pushing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled, and boosting its prospects for future electoral battles. BJP managed to win 66 seats. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. After Congress registered a thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly election, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge assured people that the grand old party will fulfil all the five promises made to the public in the party's manifesto after the formation of the cabinet. "People of Karnataka have rejected BJP and brought the Congress party back to power. People have given us a record number of votes. We will implement all 5 promises that we made to the public in our manifesto after we form our cabinet," Kharge said. (ANI)
Nana Patole's remarks came after a meeting of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was held at the residence of the NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Leaders including Uddhav Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Nana Patole, Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat and others were present in the meeting.

While talking to the media, Patole said, "The people of Karnataka elected Congress. This shows that they are against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. In Maharashtra too, a corrupt government is in power, so in the upcoming elections, we will win Maharashtra too."

"Whoever becomes the Chief Minister of Karnataka, we will facilitate him in our 'Vajramuth' rally that will be held in Pune," he added.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut targeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government and alleged that there is 100 per cent corruption in the state.

While talking to the media, after the MVA meeting, Raut said, "There is no misunderstanding internally in the party (MVA). If there was 40 per cent corruption in Karnataka, there is 100 per cent corruption in Maharashtra. This current government is corrupt and it will get defeated."

According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats.

Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each. (ANI)
On April 15, an offence for criminal breach of trust was registered against the unknown accused person. As per the allegations, the accused took a scooter and a car for rent from Baga Calangute Goa and didn't return them on time. It was found that the accused had given fake IDs.

After registering the complaint, the police started investigating the matter. Upon technical surveillance, the identity of the accused was revealed.

A police team consisting of Head Constable Satish Sawant, police Constable Mahendra Chari and Gaurav Chodankar, carried out the investigation and traced two individuals at Uchgaon in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, involved in the crime.

The accused have been identified as Sanjay Kalke and Saddam Khudbuddin, the police said.

During the preliminary examination of the accused, it was found that the modus operandi would take vehicles on rent from Goa, then change their colour and registration number in Kolhapur, and thereafter dispose of the vehicles for monetary gains in Kolhapur.

With the arrest of two accused, Calangute Police has busted the gang of vehicle lifters and there is more likely recovery of bikes, the police said.

The arrest also led to the recovery of six stolen vehicles, which include five two-wheelers and one four-wheeler; all valued at around Rs 10 lakhs.

Further investigation is underway in the case. (ANI)
The arms trafficker was arrested at Sun Dial Park under Barapula Flyover in the national capital, informed the police on Sunday.

According to Deputy Commissioner Police (DCP) Special Cell Rajiv Ranjan Singh, "A team of Special Cell arrested an illegal firearms trafficker identified as Shivam Prajapati (23), a native of Kolgama district of Satna in Madhya Pradesh. Ten illegal pistols of .32 bores meant for supply to the criminals of Delhi-NCR have been recovered from him."

Specific information received stated that an illicit firearms trafficker Shivam, a resident of Satna, Madhya Pradesh had procured firearms from a person identified as Amit of Rewa in MP.

"It was revealed that the accused was on his way to Delhi to deliver the consignment of weapons to one of his contacts near the Sun Dial Park, at around 6 PM under Barapula Flyover on May 6," the officials stated.

Accordingly, a trap was laid around Sun Dial Park at about 6.10 PM.

"During the search, 10 pistols of .32 bores were recovered from the possession of the accused," said the police.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Arms Act at the Special Cell Police Station in Delhi. (ANI)
 Flash

Angolan president Joao Lourenco (C) visits a Chinese-built water supply system reinforcement project in Angola's northern province of Malanje, May 12, 2023. Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje. The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP. (Xinhua/Lyu Chengcheng)

Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday lauded a Chinese-built potable water project while attending the handover ceremony in Angola's northern province of Malanje.

The water supply system reinforcement project, built by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP), can produce 720 cubic meters of potable water per hour, serving over 334,000 local residents, according to the CPP.

The project will result in fewer diarrheal diseases and, consequently, save lives, said the president, highlighting the benefits of the project for the population.

Minister of Energy and Water Joao Baptista Borges said that the project will be a significant reinforcement of local water supply capacity against a backdrop of population growth.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday slammed All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and said that he will close 300 more madrassas this year. While addressing a gathering at Karimnagar, CM Sarma said, "We're working to stop love jihad in Assam, and we're also working towards closing down Madrassas in the state. After I became CM, I closed 600 Madrassas in Assam. "I want to tell Owaisi that I will close 300 more Madrassas this year," he added. Earlier in March, CM Sarma said that he has closed 600 madrassas and intended to close all of them as he wants to build colleges, schools and universities instead. Addressing a rally, meant for 'Shiva Charithe', in Belgavi, the Assam CM said, "People from Bangladesh come to Assam and create a threat to our civilization and culture." "I have closed 600 madrassas and I intend to close all madrassas because we do not want madrassas. We want schools, colleges and universities," he added. In January, CM Sarma said that the state government wants to reduce the number of madrassas in the state and start registration of the system. Addressing a press conference, the Assam CM said, "We want to reduce the number of madrassas in the state in the first phase." "We want to put general education in madrasas and start a system of registration in madrassas," he added. He also said that they are working with the minority community and they are also helping in it. "We are working with the community on this and they are also helping the Assam government," he said. (ANI)
As normalcy is slowing returning to Manipur after the violence which left 70 people dead and 1,700 houses burnt down, reports of the bravery and humane acts of the Army and Assam Rifles are emerging. In one such operation, Assam Rifles rescued 45 visually impaired students and supporting staff of Mission Blind School, Kakching, amidst the clashes in Manipur in the first week of May. The public relations officer (Defence), Kohima and Imphal said that based on the request of K Parenag Kom, Principal of Mission Blind School, one security column of Assam Rifles was launched to rescue the stranded visually impaired children and supporting staff. "They were safely extricated and escorted to Kakching garrison where they were provided solace, food and shelter. Finally, Assam Rifles in coordination with family members took the initiative of despatching these children back to their homes safely through dedicated columns on May 13," the PRO said. "Assam Rifles' initiative in reuniting these stranded children and staff with their kith & kin was deeply acknowledged by Kom, and their parents. They expressed their gratitude and appreciated the efforts taken by Assam Rifles in these trying times," he added. A curfew was imposed on May 3 after violence broke out in the State. The State government clamped down on the use of the Internet and mobile phones to ensure the spread of panic and false information is curtailed. Amid the demand of the Meitei for Scheduled Tribe status, a rally was organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur on May 3, which later turned violent. As per the latest figures, close to 71 people lost their lives while more than 230 were injured and close to 1700 houses were burnt down during the violence in Manipur. (ANI)
Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said on Sunday that the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has unanimously passed the resolution and the observers will seek the opinions of all MLAs and convey it to the party high command. This comes after the CLP meeting in Bengaluru which was attended by senior leaders Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, Randeep Surjewala, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and others. "The first CLP meeting has concluded and two resolutions were passed in it. The resolution has thanked 6.5 crore Kannadigas, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar and all the party workers for their stellar work in ensuring that constitution and democracy are protected not just in Karnataka, but the state has again shown the way for democracy and constitution to the rest of India," Surjewala told the reporters. "The resolution was moved by DK Shivakumar. It was seconded by MB Patil and was also endorsed by other Congress leaders including BK Hari Prasad," he added. Surjewala said that another single-line resolution was moved by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to authorise the AICC president for appointing a new leader of the CLP party. "Former CM Siddaramaiah, moved the single-line resolution authorising AICC president to appoint a new leader of the CLP party and 135 Cong MLAs proceeded to unanimously approve his resolution. It was endorsed by DK Shivakumar also and everybody else. Cong General Secretary KC Venugopal informed Kharge about the resolutions," the AICC in charge said. He added, "The AICC president then instructed KC Venugopal that the three senior observers; former minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Deepak Babaria and Jitendra Singh to seek individual opinions of each legislator and convey them to the high command". Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said the process of taking the opinion of MLAs will be completed by tonight itself and after that, the observers will move to Delhi to apprise the AICC president about the opinion. "This process of taking the opinion of the MLAs will be completed tonight itself. As Randeep Surjewala said, this is a unanimous resolution moved by Siddaramaiah and supported by DK Shivakumar and all the senior leaders," Venugopal said. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) unanimously decided in the meeting to leave the selection of the new Karnataka Chief Minister to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. "The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party," the resolution stated. Ahead of the CLP meeting today, a huge number of supporters gathered outside the residence of Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Sunday and raised slogans of 'We want DK Shivakumar as CM'. Congress, which registered an emphatic victory defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka on Saturday, now faces the challenge of deciding the chief minister amid speculations of Siddaramaiah being the front-runner followed by state party president DK Shivakumar. Kharge on Sunday appointed three observers in Karnataka including former Maharashtra chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and party leaders Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria for the election of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader in the state. According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats. Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged 19 seats. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha won one seat each. (ANI)
The Congress party created history by registering the biggest vote share by any party in the Karnataka assembly polls in the last 34 years. In the 2023 assembly elections results of which were declared on Saturday, the grand old party won 135 seats and recorded a whopping 42.88 per cent of the vote share. This is seen as the biggest victory for any party in Karnataka since 1989. Activist Yogendra Yadav on Saturday took to Twitter and said that this is going to be the biggest victory for "any party in Karnataka" in 34 years by vote share and seat. Yadav claimed that it was in 1989 during Veerendra Patil''s regime when the grand old party had won 178 seats with a vote share of 43.76 per cent. According to figures posted by Yadav on Twitter, the Congress won 132 seats in Karnataka with a vote share of 40.84 per cent in 1999. This was followed by the party''s second win with 122 seats and a vote share of 36.6 per cent in 2013. Similarly, in 1994, JDS won a total of 115 seats with 33.54 per cent of a vote share. In 2008, BJP won 110 seats with a vote percentage of 36.86. This was followed by BJP in the 2018 assembly elections, wherein it won 104 seats with a vote percentage of 36.3. BJP had in 2004, got a total of 79 seats with a vote percentage of 28.33. An incumbent government has not returned to power in Karnataka after a full term of five years since 1985 as no political party could win a successive mandate in the state. It last happened in 1985, when the Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party was voted into power. So far, Karnataka had 23 chief ministers since 1952. Basavaraj Bommai served as the 23rd Chief Minister since 2021. In the 2018 assembly polls, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats, Congress won 80 seats and JD(S) got 37 seats. According to the Election Commission of India, Congress won 135 seats. BJP managed to win 66 seats. JD(S) won 19 seats, while four seats were won by others. Pertinent to mention, the Karnataka election was a major victory for Congress after Kharge became party president. The Congress victory has come at a time when it is seeking momentum ahead of assembly polls later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana and the Lok Sabha polls next year. The next task for the Congress is to choose a chief ministerial candidate with both state Congress chief DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah aspiring for the post. Earlier today, the Congress party said in its resolution that the decision of selecting the Chief Minister has been left in the hands of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. After the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting, AICC in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that the three observers, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Deepak Babaria and Jitendra Singh will seek opinion from every MLA and then convey it to the high command. On the other hand, for BJP, the defeat has come as a setback as it ended up losing the only southern state it ruled. Congress president also took the "BJP mukt South India" jibe at the saffron party after the results. After the results, outgoing CM Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday tendered his resignation to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Congress over its victory in assembly polls. He appreciated the hard work of BJP workers and said that the party will serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come. "Congratulations to the Congress Party for their victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls. My best wishes to them in fulfilling people''s aspirations," PM Modi said in a tweet. He added, "I thank all those who have supported us in the Karnataka elections. I appreciate the hard work of BJP Karyakartas. We shall serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come". Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi hailed the party''s victory in Karnataka assembly polls and said that the people of the state defeated the "politics of hate". Speaking to reporters at the Congress headquarters in the national capital, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress stood with the poor. "The poor defeated crony capitalists in Karnataka...We fought the elections with love...," he said. Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent. A party needed 113 seats to get the majority. (ANI)
The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police on Sunday apprehended three people for fraudulently procuring huge numbers of SIM cards and sharing one-time passwords (OTP) with some criminals and anti-national elements including some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO) and ISI agents in Pakistan as well as in India, officials said. "They were fraudulently procuring huge numbers of SIMs in other's names and selling the OTPs to various clients including some PIO and ISI agents in Pakistan and India. In return, they would be paid by some Pakistani agents based in India. They were also in touch with a female PIO agent who was arrested last year in an Official Secrets Act and Honey-Trap case in Rajasthan," Odisha STF said in a statement. "Based on the intelligence input Odisha STF apprehended three accused persons from Nayagarh and Jajpur District and they have been identified as Pathanisamant Lenka, (35) works as ITI Teacher, Saroj Kumar Nayak, (26) and Soumya Pattanaik, (19)" STF said. During raids, various incriminating materials such as 19 mobile phones, 47 pre-activated SIM Cards, 61 ATM cards, 23 SIM covers and laptops were seized from their possession. These OTPs were then used to create various accounts and channels on social media like Whatsapp, Telegram, Facebook and Instagram and also on online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart. These are also used in opening email accounts. People will think that these accounts are owned by an Indian but actually operated from Pakistan. These social media platforms will be used for various kinds of Anti-India activities like Spying, communication with terrorists, radicalization, running anti-India propaganda, fuelling anti-India/ divisive sentiments on social media, sextortion, Honey-trapping etc. As these accounts are registered and linked to Indian mobile numbers people find it trustworthy. The accounts opened on online shopping platforms are also used to supply items to terrorists, anti-India elements etc. Apart from these, they were also creating and selling mule accounts through social media groups, which are used in various crimes. (ANI)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday asked Pakistan to arrange USD 8 billion in fresh loans to back the external debt repayments during the next seven months for the successful completion of the long-stalled ninth review bailout package, reported The Express Tribune. IMF's demand comes despite receiving confirmation from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) further eroding chances for the revival of the USD 6.5 billion bailout package. A staff-level accord to release a USD 1.1 billion tranche out of a USD 6.5 billion IMF package has been delayed since November, nearly 100 days since the last staff-level mission to Pakistan. The IMF's demand to seek its approval on the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 has also not been met yet, further minimising the prospects of early completion of the pending 9th review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), according to the government sources, reported The Express Tribune. Sources say that the IMF has raised the demand for additional financing from an earlier unmet condition of USD 6 billion to USD 8 billion to ensure debt repayments coming up for May-December 2023. The lender has worked out the USD 8 billion needs by considering all projected inflows and outflows for this period, reported The Express Tribune. Meanwhile, on Thursday Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan will not make tough decisions on the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) anymore. While informally talking to the journalists, Ishaq Dar said that it is completely up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to sign a staff-level agreement or not. He clarified that the government will not make tough decisions on IMF's demand anymore. "We have already implemented pre-conditions of the IMF but not anymore." Sources have said that the IMF's focus is now more on ensuring that Pakistan does not default by arranging funds to the extent of external debt repayments. It is no longer emphasising increasing the extremely low foreign exchange reserves, reported The Express Tribune. In a scheduled press conference on Thursday, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said Pakistan needed "significant additional financing" to successfully complete the ninth review. She said the economy was facing stagflation, had very large financing needs and had also been affected by a series of shocks, including severe flooding. (ANI)
Two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters were shot down on Saturday close to the Ukrainian border, reported Sky News. The Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been "shot down almost simultaneously" in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine, reported independent Russian news outlet Kommersant. "According to preliminary data ... the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up - among other things to pick up the 'Su' crews if they were shot down," it said. Videos posted on Russian social media, meanwhile, showed a helicopter apparently being shot down over Russia's Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine. The state news agency TASS cited an emergency services official as saying preliminary information indicated the engine caught fire before the crash near Klintsy, 40km (25 miles) from the border. It made no mention of the Su-35, or of a second helicopter. However, a video posted on the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel showed a helicopter high in the sky exploding, then plunging earthwards in flames. There was no official response from Ukraine, which usually declines to comment on reports of attacks inside Russia. However, in a tweet, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, called the incident "instant karma". Meanwhile, Ukraine forces are advancing along parts of the front line against Russian troops near the war-torn eastern town of Bakhmut, reported Al Jazeera. "Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said on social media on Saturday. Russia acknowledged on Friday its forces had fallen back north of Ukraine's ruined eastern city in a retreat the head of Russia's Wagner private army called a "rout" not a "regrouping". In its latest bulletin, Russia's defence ministry said its forces gained control over another block in Bakhmut, reported Al Jazeera. "The units of the Airborne Forces provided support to the assault units and pinned down the enemy on the flanks," it said. The ministry often uses the term "assault units" to denote the Wagner private militia, which has been spearheading the assault on Bakhmut at great cost in casualties. (ANI)
China is trying to broker a 'workable solution' between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban to address the issue of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reported The Express Tribune. According to official sources familiar with the plan revealed that Foreign Ministers of China and the interim Afghan government were in Islamabad recently for a trilateral meeting to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan. Among the issues on the agenda included the terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan. While Pakistan is concerned over the presence of TTP and its affiliates, China wants the Afghan Taliban to neutralise the threat posed by East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), reported The Express Tribune. Moreover, China has a vested economic interest in the region. China's trade with Afghanistan has been growing fast and it may become the second-largest trading nation with Afghanistan in 2023 after Pakistan, a situation that bodes well for the continuation of the CPEC part of the Belt & Road Initiative into Afghanistan, as per Silk Road Briefing (SRB). Sources said in order to break the stalemate, China was pursuing both sides to agree on a "workable solution." The Afghan Taliban earlier proposed the relocation of TTP fighters from Pakistani bordering areas but asked Pakistan to bear the cost. It is believed that a similar plan was offered to China by the Afghan Taliban to address the issue of ETIM. Sources said China was keen that both sides do not lose sight of the bigger picture while addressing the issue of TTP. Essentially, sources said, China doesn't want the TTP issue to undermine bilateral ties between the two countries, something that would be detrimental to regional connectivity, reported The Express Tribune. Last week at a press conference Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang hoped "Pakistan and Afghanistan will bear in mind the larger picture and try to work out the issues between them through dialogue and consultation." His statement, according to officials, suggests that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban must not take the issue of TTP to a point of no return. Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban government is thought to be working on a plan to address the Chinese concerns as it has relocated ETIM militants believed to be in the hundreds from the border. But the issue of TTP still looms large, reported The Express Tribune. After the Taliban takeover, there were expectations in Pakistan that the issue of TTP would be dealt with once and for all. When Pakistan sought action against the TTP, the Afghan Taliban instead came up with a proposal to broker a deal with the militant outfit. Islamabad reluctantly accepted the proposal and initially, talks made progress with TTP announcing a ceasefire in return for Pakistan freeing certain militants. As part of the confidence-building measure Pakistan allowed hundreds of TTP fighters to resettle in the country. However, the process soon went into trouble as returning fighters started targeting the security forces. Moreover, the surge in TTP terrorist attacks compelled Pakistan's civil and military leadership to abandon the peace process. The current civil and military leadership publicly acknowledged that the policy to seek peace with the TTP was wrong. The government decided that it would no longer seek peace talks with the TTP. (ANI)
As Thailand prepares for elections on Sunday, young voters spearhead 'earth-shaking' calls for change in the military-dominated kingdom, reported CNN. Voting is scheduled to begin at 8 am (01:00 GMT) on Sunday and will conclude at 5 pm (10:00 GMT). About 52 million voters will choose members of a new 500-seat House of Representatives for the next four years. A total of 500 seats are up for grabs in the lower house of parliament - 400 are constituency seats with the remaining 100 seats distributed proportionately to each party's overall vote share. Some 70 parties are taking part in the contest. The "lost generation" of young voters fired up by a yearning for change are keeping alive previously taboo topics, including the military's stranglehold on the levers of power - and even royal reform, reported CNN. The May 14 poll is the first since youth-led mass pro-democracy protests in 2020 and only the second since a military coup in 2014 ousted an elected government, restoring a conservative clique that has pulled the strings in the kingdom's turbulent politics for decades. While an old battleground has emerged between democratic allies and pro-military parties, at the heart of this year's election is a fight led by a young generation who want what they see as a better version of Thailand, reported CNN. Two parties - populist Pheu Thai and progressive Move Forward - are leading the polls, with both campaignings to remove the military from politics. The opposition Pheu Thai is aiming for a landslide. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, is one of the party's three prime ministerial candidates and the latest member of a controversial political dynasty to contest. The election will be the latest bout in a long-running battle between parties backed by a royalist-military establishment and a progressive, pro-business opposition with a track record of wooing working-class voters and winning every election in the past two decades. Pheu Thai, a party linked to the self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, has a big lead in opinion polls as it did in previous elections, followed by another opposition party, Move Forward, which is seeking to mobilise youth voters. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who first came to power in a coup in 2014, is one of Thailand's longest-serving prime ministers. He is seeking re-election again, though constitutional term limits mean he can only remain in the top job for two more years. But the 69-year-old's United Thai Nation party is trailing in the polls, coming in at a distant third in opinion surveys, behind the main opposition Pheu Thai and the youth-led Move Forward Party, reported Al Jazeera. It is pledging deep structural reforms to how Thailand is run: changes to the military, the economy, the decentralization of power and even reforms to the previously untouchable monarchy. "That is earth-shaking in Thailand as [the monarchy] is a taboo subject," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University. "That's why this election is unlike any other. That's why this election is the most important in Thai elections. Because it's moving the agenda, it's moving the frontier to next stage... to the core of Thailand's problems," he added. (ANI)
For citizens to identify sex offenders of women and children, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have introduced a new platform, National Sex Offenders Registry (NSOR), coupled with an SMS verification service, reported ARY News. The NSOR service assisted citizens and institutions all throughout the country in locating and tracking those who had been found guilty of sex crimes against women and children. It is a dynamic database of sexual offenders, according to a news release released here on Saturday. Links with various law enforcement agencies and provincial governments have been established to allow for real-time updates. This change aims to make the service more dynamic and responsive to institutions and people at large in preventing sexual violence and abuse. To beware of such culprits, an SMS-based verification service will alert citizens, employers and departments, according to ARY News. Chairman of NADRA, Tariq Malik said, "This initiative has always remained closer to my heart, which is a critical step toward safeguarding women and children from sexual violence and abuse." He declared that residents can now use this service, in order to confirm that anyone recruited for household chores, at mosques, colleges, or universities, or for any other employment, has a valid CNIC number, are not sexual offenders, have a clean criminal record, and can be trusted around women and children, according to ARY News. The Chairman of NADRA also said, "Preventing even a single instance of child or woman from sexual abuse is not just an act of protection but also an investment in the future of our country." "We owe it to the weakest of the weak, and our nation has to take this responsibility seriously. We must recognize that preventing children and women from sexual abuse is not just a matter of punishing offenders, but also of creating a culture of safety and protection for the most vulnerable segments, Children and women. Only then can we ensure that the next generation has the opportunity to thrive and succeed," he added. Notably, the purpose of this service is to provide common citizens and institutions with quick and easy access to information about sex offenders, particularly those who may pose a potential threat to children and women in our well-knit communities, reported ARY News. Additionally, the information can be utilised to track down criminals so that they can be prosecuted for their crimes and prevented from doing them again. Pakistani residents can check whether a prospective employee is a convicted sex offender by submitting a 13-digit CNIC number to the SMS short code 7000 after receiving a CNIC from the individual being hired. Upon verification, the person will receive an Urdu reply, "Beware! ABC son of XYZ is a convict. Don't let him be around children and women," ARY News reported. (ANI)
 Flash

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in The Hague, the Netherlands, May 11, 2023. At the invitation of the Dutch government, Han visited the Netherlands from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Visiting Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and leaders of the Netherlands have agreed to jointly tackle climate change and strengthen green and low carbon cooperation.



At the invitation of the Dutch government, Han visited the Netherlands from Wednesday to Friday, where he met with King Willem-Alexander and held talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague.

When meeting with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Han first conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Professor Peng Liyuan to the King and Queen.

Han said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and the King, China-Netherlands relations have maintained healthy and stable development.

The bilateral trade volume has grown against the trend and the cooperation in agriculture, water conservancy, transportation, logistics and sustainable development has made steady progress, said the vice president.

It is hoped that through this visit, the important consensus reached by President Xi and King Willem-Alexander will be further implemented and the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between China and the Netherlands will achieve greater development, Han said.

He pointed out that the current economic globalization has encountered some difficulties, but the general trend is irreversible.

There is great room for China and the Netherlands to cooperate in the fields of green and low carbon development, as well as climate change, Han said, calling on the two sides to work together to meet challenges.

He also called for mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual support between countries of different civilizations, so that they can seek consensus in exchanges and promote win-win results in cooperation.

King Willem-Alexander asked Han to convey his and the Queen's cordial greetings and best wishes to President Xi and Professor Peng.

The most important issue facing mankind in the 21st century is the environmental issue, the King said, praising that China's achievements in solving the water resources and sanitation problems faced by its huge population are obvious to all.

Noting that the Netherlands and China have played an important role in sustainable development and environmental protection, the King urged joint efforts to further strengthen cooperation and promote global carbon neutrality and emission reduction.

The King stressed that the international community should pay more attention to consensus, respect each other's civilizations and identify with each other's identities. It is precisely because of the diversity of these civilizations and identities that every nation and country becomes unique, said the King.

During his talks with Rutte, Han said that in recent years, by upholding the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust, China and the Netherlands have joined hands to meet challenges, jointly ensure the stability of the global production and supply chains, contributing to the economies of the two countries and the world.

Currently, China's economic stabilization and recovery momentum is better than expected, which will definitely help the global economic recovery and provide a broader space for pragmatic cooperation between China and the Netherlands, Han said.

China is willing to communicate extensively with the Netherlands, consolidate mutual trust, jointly explore the direction of cooperation under the new situation, so as to promote the healthy development of China-Netherlands relations, and jointly promote world peace, security and prosperity, Han said.

He pointed out that the key to tackling climate change lies in action, which requires the joint attention and efforts of the international community.

There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and Europe, but instead, they have more complementary advantages, Han said, voicing China's willingness to promote the better development of China-Europe relations through pragmatic cooperation.

Rutte welcomed Han's visit, saying that China is an important trading partner of the Netherlands.

The relationship between the two sides is strong and powerful, and there is great room for pragmatic cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, green and low carbon, as well as climate change, he said.

There are many problems in today's world, and China's role is indispensable, Rutte said, expressing hope for the rapid recovery of Dutch-Chinese exchanges.

He also expressed the willingness to deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two sides, strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in the field of climate change, and help achieve the global goal of coping with climate change.

After the talks, Han and Rutte visited the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.

During his visit to the Netherlands, Han also met with the heads of Dutch chip equipment company ASML and Dutch paints and coatings giant Akzo Nobel respectively, and visited the headquarters of Philips Company in Amsterdam.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan while addressing the nation on Saturday said people should understand the atrocities committed in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). "Today, we should understand what happened in East Pakistan and the atrocities committed. The party there which won a majority and should have been Prime Minister, was denied their right," the PTI chief said. "We lost half the country. We cannot imagine the damage done to the country. Because people make decisions behind closed doors, a handful of people that don't know how the rest of the world is operating, make decisions," Khan said. The PTI chief further said: "They don't even allow people to assess the damage done because of their decisions. When the Hamoodur Commission Report was written, it was never published and after 25 years, it was published in India. This is not how counties function." Khan said he wants to remind people about East Pakistan. He said it happened during his lifetime, in March 1971. "I went to play a match in East Pakistan against the U-19 team. Ours was the last flight out of East Pakistan. I still remember the hate people had towards East Pakistan. We were ignorant of what was happening because the media was controlled as it is today. The difference is, we, have social media today. And they shut down social media as well," Khan said. "Because they wanted to promote their own narrative, that those protesting are rioters, they shut down social media, Facebook, Twitter, internet services. We can't imagine the damage to the country's economy. So, this is what happened in East Pakistan," he added. On March 25, 1971, Pakistan Army launched 'Operation Searchlight', wherein a planned military operation was carried out by the Pakistani Army and its military which deliberately harmed hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi citizens. According to The Friday Times, the 1971 genocide was destructive to Pakistan's reputation. Pakistan's generals however still don't recognize the mass massacre they sponsored 50 years ago. West Pakistan under the leadership of General Tikka Khan and General Khan Niazi, was responsible for the deaths of over three million Bengalis, and the rape of some 400,000 women across the region. (ANI)
To mark the 60th birthday of the Queen Mother, Sangay Choden Wangchuk, the Royal Textile Academy, in collaboration with the Textile Museum, unveiled a tribute to a woman whose influence and dedication have left an indelible mark on Bhutanese society, reported The Bhutan Live. Many distinguished guests, including Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuk, were present at the inauguration of a timeline museum, honouring the extraordinary life and works of the Queen Mother. Nestled within the exquisite walls of the Royal Textile Academy, the timeline museum stands as a testament to the Queen Mother's unwavering commitment to preserving Bhutanese cultural heritage. With the crown adorning the Queen Mother, Sangay Choden Wangchuck taking centre stage, the museum weaves together the threads of history and artistry, inviting visitors on a captivating journey through the life of a remarkable woman, according to The Bhutan Live. Prestigious awards that honour the Queen Mother's enormous achievements to Bhutan and beyond sparkle in the warm glow of the exhibit lights as one strolls through the museum's hallways. Every medal has a unique narrative to tell--a story of steadfast commitment and never-ending work to further the welfare and prosperity of the Bhutanese people. These medals serve as reminders of the influence one person may have on an entire nation in addition to serving as emblems of distinction. The exquisite collection of complex brocade Kiras gently suspended on mannequins, oozing a timeless beauty and reflecting the Queen Mother's impeccable taste and admiration for Bhutanese textiles, is the actual focal point of the museum. Each Kira is a work of art, meticulously handwoven with exquisite patterns and vivid colours, evoking Bhutan's rich cultural past. It seems as though the cloth itself carries the legacy of a country that values its traditions and whispers tales of other eras. The timeline museum explores the Queen Mother's numerous foreign and domestic accomplishments in addition to the intriguing textile show. The museum serves as a reminder of the significant influence she has had, not only inside the bounds of Bhutan but across the globe, from her persistent efforts to advocate education and healthcare projects to her crucial role in encouraging sustainable development and cultural preservation. "The museum exhibition will be open to the general public starting Monday. The museum presents the brocades of our Queen Mother and her legacy," Tandin Wangchuk, the assistant collection manager of the Royal Textile Academy, as per The Bhutan Live. Locals and visitors are both welcome to explore the exquisite world of Bhutanese textiles and the amazing life of the Queen Mother as soon as the museum doors swing open. Tourists must pay a tiny entrance fee of Nu 250, but it is a small thing to pay to get the chance to see the history and magnificence of one of Bhutan's most renowned personalities up close. Beyond the monetary investment, what visitors can genuinely expect within these revered spaces is a priceless experience--a chance to see how art and history are fused together and to be moved by the indomitable spirit of a lady who has devoted her life to helping others. It is a moment to consider the significant influence of the Queen Mother, Sangay Choden Wangchuck, and to be reminded that preserving cultural heritage is more than just a way to remember the past; it also serves as a catalyst for development and a source of inspiration for future generations, according to The Bhutan Live. But this museum is more than just a tribute to a remarkable person; it is a celebration of Bhutan's development as a country. Along with the Queen Mother's individual accomplishments, the exhibition highlights key turning points in Bhutan's growth under her leadership. It highlights the advancements made in the fields of sustainable development, healthcare, and education, all of which have benefited from the Queen Mother's visionary leadership. The Queen Mother also left an indelible mark on a global stage, beyond Bhutan's borders. Her international accomplishments, which are on exhibit in the museum, show a woman who has captivated people far beyond her native country. Her unwavering efforts to advance gender equality, environmental protection, and cross-cultural understanding have won her respect and appreciation on a global scale, as per The Bhutan Live. By entering this museum, the general public gets a chance to learn more about the legacy of a woman who changed the role of the monarchy. It is an opportunity to see the strength of fervour, tenacity, and profound love for one's country. Also, the tourists have the opportunity to solve the mystery of Bhutan, a nation that values tradition while embracing progress. Visitors are encouraged to consider the virtues the Queen Mother embodies--values of compassion, humility, and an unrelenting commitment to the benefit of society--as this magnificent exhibition honours the Queen Mother's 60th birthday. The museum serves as a testimony to Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Sangay Choden Wangchuck's, eternal legacy via the timeless beauty of textiles and the narrative of her life's work, The Bhutan Live reported. (ANI)
Pakistan's Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal has said that PTI chief Imran Khan has "come out as a dirty leader," reported Dawn. Speaking about the Al-Qadir Trust case, Iqbal said that the former prime minister had claimed that the cabinet had given the approval for the transaction in question. However, Iqbal also alleged, the then-cabinet secretary had informed the government that ex-accountability czar Shehzad Akbar had handed Imran a sealed envelope, read a report published in Dawn. "You (Imran) waved around the envelope and that this important case had also been accepted. And when other ministers inquired about the case, you snubbed them and shut them up," Iqbal said, adding that this was how Imran had gotten the "dirty deal" with Malik Riaz approved by the cabinet. He said, "Imran Sahib, you have come out as a dirty dealer." The Planning Minister has also said that by "settling" the fine imposed on property tycoon Malik Riaz, PTI chief Khan had obtained 650 kanals of land for the Al-Qadir University, according to Dawn. "When it is your turn to give receipts, you are crying? When it is your turn to give receipts, you have [...] burnt everything? Just because you don't have receipts and you don't have an answer?" He added Imran wanted to hide behind violence and lawlessness, Dawn reported. Earlier, Pakistan's Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for attacking parliament, the country's military and PTV over the arrest of former PM Imran Khan and said that PTI has removed itself from the "tribe of politics" and joined in the "tribe of terrorists." Taking to his official Twitter handle, Ahsan Iqbal wrote, "PTI today in Pakistan has removed itself from the tribe of politics and joined it in the tribe of terrorists. Made the enemies of Pakistan happy. First the attack on PTV, then the attack on the parliament and now the attack on the military organization and what is called terrorism? Foreign funding does not come for free." Ahsan Iqbal's statement came after protests erupted across Pakistan after PTI chairman Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday. Khan was, however, released two days after his arrest on Friday. (ANI)
A Boston man was arrested and accused of acting as a spy for the Chinese government for years by sharing information on local pro-democracy dissidents, USA Today reported citing federal prosecutors. From 2018-2022, 63-year-old Litang Liang allegedly worked with Chinese officials to spy on dissidents in Boston, USA Today reported citing the statement released by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts on Friday. Prosecutors in an indictment said that Liang is a US citizen living in Boston's Brighton, organised a counter-protest against pro-democracy dissidents and gave "photographs of and information about dissidents" to Chinese government officials. Litang Liang was indicted on one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without informing the US Attorney General and one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the US Attorney General. Liang allegedly gave information regarding Boston-area people and organizations with "pro-Taiwan learnings." He is accused of charging documents of notifying Chinese officials of the identity of a person Liang claimed had "sabotaged" Chinese flags during protest in Boston's Chinatown held in 2018, as per the news report. He allegedly gave a video of a dissident who participated in the "Boston Stands with Hong Kong" rally held in August 2019 and photographs of other dissidents in front of Boston Public Library in September 2019, as per the news report. In a message to the Chinese official, Liang called the people he took pictures of in front of the library "a bunch of clowns trying to cause trouble," USA TODAY reported citing an indictment. He even used phone calls and the WeChat app to contact Chinese officials, including diplomats, the Ministry of Public Security and other bodies reporting to the Chinese Communist Party, according to the indictment. As per the news report, the indictment has alleged that the purpose of Liang's actions was "to act at the direction or control of the (People's Republic of China) government in order to covertly advance the PRC government's goals and agenda within the United States." Litang Liang was arrested on Tuesday and released on Thursday on USD 25,000 bond and the condition that he will not travel outside the state or communicate with any Chinese officials. Earlier this year, China was accused of interfering with pro-democracy activists in the United States. In April, the US Justice Department announced charges against Chinese security officials allegedly operating as agents for Beijing to censor dissidents in the United States, as per the USA Today report. Two people were accused of operating an illegal overseas police station of the Chinese government in lower Manhattan. (ANI)
"Russian forces used long-range high-precision air-launched and sea-launched weapons to inflict a strike in the areas of the Ternopol and Petropavlovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region on Ukrainian military bases and depots of ammunition, weapons and military vehicles that Western countries had supplied," he said.

Konashenkov said all the designated targets were hit and the mission was accomplished, TASS reported.

According to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov, assault units supported by Airborne Troops continue to engage in battles to seize western parts of Artyomovsk. Russian forces have repelled all Ukrainian attacks near Artyomovsk, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Sunday.

"The enemy made major attempts to breach the defences of our troops to the north and south of Artyomovsk over the past day. All the attacks by Ukrainian units have been repelled. No breaches of Russian defences have been allowed," he said, TASS reported.

According to Konashenkov, assault units supported by Airborne Troops continue to battle to seize western parts of Artyomovsk. (ANI)
Punjab's caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that 23 buildings were damaged and 108 vehicles were gutted in the province during the protests, ARY News reported. His statement comes after protests erupted in Pakistan over the arrest of the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Naqvi said, "In Lahore, police vehicles, 12 buses, motorbikes, six Wasa vehicles, eight Rescue 1122 vehicles and a car in a car showroom were set on fire," as per the ARY News report. He further said, "Protesters damaged 23 buildings including Corps Commander's house in Lahore." Punjab's caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi said that military installations and government properties were attacked under a plan. Naqvi said that around 34 attackers were involved in the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore. He said that the rioters and arsonists set ablaze safe city cameras on May 9 and two metro stations in Lahore, according to ARY News report. Mohsin Naqvi said, "Each and every attacker is being pointed out and all will be brought to justice," as per the news report. He said that a loss of around six billion has been estimated in rioting incidents so far. Punjab's caretaker CM said that an Army check post and a private building were gutted in Gujranwala, as per the news report. He further said that buses and police coasters were burnt in Multan. He claimed that they have pictures and videos of each person and added that "everyone is being followed." Furthermore, he said that they will not arrest the wrong person and asserted that bringing attackers to the book will remain their priority. He further stated that an investigation is being carried out for arrested people and accused Yasmeen Rashid of being the main character of the incident. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered authorities to arrest all culprits and attackers responsible for the vandalism and arson at the Jinnah House and military and civil installations within 72 hours, ARY News reported. Shehbaz Sharif gave the instructions while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore. He said, "All the culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers involved in the vandalism should be arrested in the next 72 hours," ARY News reported. Pakistan PM further said, "This is a critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens." He expressed regret over the destruction of the Safe City Project during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure. Shehbaz Sharif said, "I am deeply disturbed by this situation, and I would like to request the chief minister to take immediate action." Sharif said that he made it clear to Punjab's caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi that any act of sabotage is unacceptable and those behind wrongdoing will be arrested and brought to court for justice, as per the news report. He also instructed to increase the number of anti-terrorism courts in the province where the legal proceedings against all these culprits should begin swiftly. (ANI)
The police said they have detained Afghan citizens living in Pakistan without legal documents. According to the police, the people who have been arrested will be presented before the court on Monday.

The police said that the raids were carried out in the Torkham market and the Bacha Mena border area due to several robberies, according to Khaama Press report.

As per the news report, thousands of Afghan refugees have travelled back to their country from Pakistan. Some of them came back to Afghanistan voluntarily while others were compelled to leave Pakistan.

After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, the majority of the migrants have left the country due to persecution, lack of employment and security concerns, Khaama Press reported.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan migrants returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan this month, Khaama Press reported citing the statement from the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

As many as 703 immigrants staying in Pakistan returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar province. 94 returnee families, comprising 625 voluntary and 51 forced returnees returned home after registering with the Taliban-led Immigration Department, Spin Boldak Border Directorate of the Kandahar province said, according to Khaama Press.

As per the news report, the Afghan migrants travelled back to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak Crossing in Southern Kandahar province. They were referred to the International Organization for Migration (OIM) and each returnee was given a food package from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) office. (ANI)
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Sunday held a meeting with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) ministerial delegation led by Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in Brussels. The two sides exchanged views on enhancing trade across critical sectors. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Piyush Goyal stated, "Met European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Ministerial Delegation led by @ParmelinG, Swiss Federal Councillor in Brussels today. With both sides looking for closer cooperation, exchanged views on enhancing our trade across critical sectors, leading to mutual growth & prosperity." Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal will participate in the first ministerial meeting of India- European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) scheduled to take place in Brussels on Tuesday. Piyush Goyal, External Affairs Minister and Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will co-chair the meeting, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in the press release. The EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents Dombrovskis and Vestager. The formation of the TTC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi in April 2022. On Monday, Goyal will have a bilateral meeting with EVP Dombrovskis, followed by Working Group-3 stakeholder consultations in the presence of business leaders from both the EU and India. The World Group III (WG3) meeting focuses on Trade, Technology and Resilient supply chains and would have six business leaders from the EU and India, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's press release. In the afternoon, the Minister will attend a business event organised by the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) and deliver the keynote address. Besides, the three Indian Ministers will also call on the Belgian Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission. On Tuesday, Minister Goyal will attend a stakeholder event for Working Groups I and II. Group I focuses on digital governance and connectivity while Group II deals with clean and green energy technologies. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry press release, this event will also have the participation of eight business leaders from each side who will present their views or suggestions. Goyal will deliver a special address at this event. This meeting will also see the participation of EAM and EVP Vestager. Later in the day, Goyal will attend a bilateral meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Trade Thierry Breton. The two sides will discuss issues pertaining to the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, startup ecosystem and e-commerce. This would be followed by the first ministerial meeting of the India-EU TTC which will be attended by the External Affairs Minister, the Minister for Commerce and Industry and the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology. (ANI)
Nepal Police on Sunday late evening arrested absconding lawmaker Top Bahadur Rayamajhi from a location on the outskirts of Kathmandu in connection with a fake Bhutanese refugee scam. Rayamajhi, the member of parliament from CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist), had gone incognito for the past week after the issuance of an arrest warrant. "He has been detained from Budhanilkantha area in the outskirts of Kathmandu," a security official confirmed to ANI. With this, the Police have made 13 arrests since the launch of the investigation into the issue which involves high-profile figures. Earlier in the day, the Office of the District Attorney- Kathmandu directed the Nepal Police to conclude the investigation over the Bhutanese Refugee scam this week. Extending the custody of 12 individuals including the former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand on Sunday, the Office of the District Attorney- Kathmandu also directed the Police to complete the investigation within 4 days and register a formal case. Sunday's directive comes along with the Kathmandu District Court extending the custody of those withheld in the case. "The custody has been extended by four days," Dipak Dahal, Information Officer at Kathmandu District Court confirmed ANI. All the 12 individuals including Bal Krishna Khand, the former Home Minister were brought to the Attorney's office before being presented before the Kathmandu District Court for extension of custody. Though other 11 individuals walked hand-cuffed to the attorney's office, former Home Minister Khand walked cuffed free escorted by the Police in the same dress which he was wearing on the day of his arrest, 10th May. The Police have found evidence which establishes the connection between Khand and the scammers proving his involvement. While walking out of the Office of attorney on Sunday, Khand denying the case replied, "I have no involvement on it," when asked about the case. As the Police continue the investigation, concerns have been raised against possible interference. Independent as well as political groups have been staging in support of the investigation demanding fair conduct. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Nepal Student Union, the student wing of the ruling Nepali Congress staged a demonstration in Kathmandu demanding action against those involved in the fake refugee scandal. Some of the protesters portrayed themselves as handcuffed inmates during the demonstration. "We, the members of the Nepal Student Union staged this demonstration against corruption. If the case is dismissed or settled down in a low tone letting the culprits go then we will stage some large-scale demonstrations," Monika Bhatta, one of the demonstrators who came onto the street in jail-bird disguise told ANI. Members of the student wing of Nepali Congress protested in front of Ghantaghar, carrying placards with slogans, 'No more silence, no more corruption', 'Say no to corruption' and 'Stop corruption, start integrity' among others. "Every culprit should be penalized equally, no one should be given benefit of doubt. We first are the citizen of a nation then after comes the party that's why whosoever is indulged in corruption should be booked," Prashant Bagle, one of the demonstrators from the Nepali Congress student union wing told ANI. On Sunday, the Kathmandu District Court also issued an arrest warrant against Nepali Congress leader and former lawmaker Ang Tawa Sherpa and Pratik Thapa, son of CPN-UML vice-chair Ram Bahadur Thapa, who is also a former home minister. Earlier on May 10, Nepal Police arrested Bal Krishna Khand, former Home Minister and leader of Nepali Congress over the issue of fake refugee scam. He is in jail since then with the court handing over the Police an extension period of 3 days to keep him in custody. The case which came to the limelight last month started after the publication of an investigative piece through the grant of the Center for Investigative Journalism- Nepal. With mounting pressure, the incumbent Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha directed Police bodies to carry out the investigation. The scam slowly came to understanding after Police apprehended Tek Narayan Pandey, the incumbent Secretary at Vice President's Office and former Home Secretary. Data and documents retrieved from the possession of Pandey busted the scam web which is still under investigation. The data and documents exposed how Nepalis were swindled out of millions of rupees in return for sending them to the United States as Bhutanese refugees. The case further came into the limelight when an arrest warrant was issued against chief opposition CPN-UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, his (Top Bahadur) son Sandeep and Prateek Thapa, the son of former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. Out of them, only Sandeep is in judicial custody for taking 10 million Nepali Rupees in bribe for assisting the racketeers to prepare the documents. Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Prateek Thapa are on run. The Nepal Police also have arrested Indra Jit Rai, adviser to the former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. Rai is also indicted in the case for helping the racketeers to obtain the fake document from the Home Ministry which worked as certification for them to send Nepali nationals as Bhutanese refugees to the USA. On June 14, 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Nepal Police launched an investigation into a criminal group involved in a case of fraud. The group had allegedly been scamming people for years by promising to send them to the US as Bhutanese refugees. The government action was in response to a case filed by the victims at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority against the group a few months earlier. The case was brought to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Division only in June 2022 after which the investigation was launched. The group has allegedly swindled over 875 people from different places in Nepal of millions of rupees. The Police investigation found suspects collecting between one to five million Nepali rupees per head promising to send them to the US as Bhutanese refugees. After 1990, Nepal saw a huge influx of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese nationals who were expelled from their country by the Bhutanese government in a massive ethnic cleansing drive. The refugees were kept in several refugee camps in Morang and Jhapa districts. After a series of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan failed, the international community led by the UN refugee agency started resettling the refugees in third countries, mostly in the US and Europe. Between 2007 and 2016, the UNHCR helped resettle more than 113,500 Bhutanese refugees in eight countries in one of the largest resettlement programs globally. Nepal's Home Ministry had formed a task force to find out the ways for remaining Bhutanese refugees who were denied resettlement. The investigative report by CIJ disclosed the infiltration by a government official- Rai in the report where he managed to manipulate the number of "left out" refugees for resettlement. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday said that Germany will support Ukraine as long as needed, Al Jazeera reported. He made the remarks during a joint press conference after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's arrived in Berlin for his first visit since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February last year. Speaking at a joint news conference on Sunday, Scholz said, "I have said it many times, and I repeat it here today: we will support you for as long as it is necessary. He further said that Germany stood with its partners "for Russia to be held to account for its misdeeds," as per the Al Jazeera report. Zelenskyy said that he will always be grateful to Germany for its support amid the ongoing conflict. His statement came after the German government announced military assistance worth 2.7 billion euros for Ukraine. Zelenskyy tweeted, "I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" Speaking in Berlin, Zelenskyy reassured his Western allies that his country was preparing a counteroffensive to liberate Ukrainian regions and not to attack Russian territory, according to Al Jazeera report. Speaking to reporters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "We don't attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory." He stated, "We have neither the time nor the strength [to attack Russia]," according to an official interpreter, Al Jazeera reported. He further said, "And we also don't have weapons to spare, with which we could do this." Speaking about Zelenskyy's visit to Germany, Scholz stated, "Your visit to Berlin is a powerful signal, dear @ZelenskyyUa. Russia's brutal war of aggression against your country has been going on for 444 days. We provide you with humanitarian, political, financial and arms support as long as it is necessary." He further said, "We are not weakening our support: Germany is providing a new package of military aid worth a total of 2.7 billion euros, including further Leopard-1 main battle tanks, Marder BMPs and Iris-T air defense systems." Earlier on Saturday, Germany announced that it would supply Ukraine with an aid package worth nearly USD 3 billion to strengthen the country's defence, marking Berlin's largest pledge in military aid since the start of the war, reported CNN. The German Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the package may include a variety of military hardware, including armoured personnel carriers, 30 Leopard tanks, reconnaissance drones and ammunition. "With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are once again showing that Germany is serious about its support," CNN quoted Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as saying. "We all wish for a speedy end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is contrary to international law. Unfortunately, this is not yet in sight. Germany will therefore provide all the help it can - as long as it takes," Pistorius added. (ANI)
 Flash

Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Protests will also be held along the streets on Sunday, starting at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a cenotaph where an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States at the end of World War II.

About 200 citizens carrying banners reading "No G7" and "No War" gathered in Hiroshima to protest against the G7 summit on Saturday as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the city to inspect summit-related venues.

Shigeo Kimoto, director of Japanese civic group Peace Depot, pointed out in his speech that both joint military exercises among G7 members in the Pacific region and Japan's statement that "Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan" are "absurd and dangerous."

Japan, once a ruthless invader in Asian countries and regions such as China and the Korean Peninsula, has deliberately concealed its ugly history as a perpetrator by repeatedly stressing that it is "the only country that suffered atomic bombings," historian Toshiyuki Tanaka said at Saturday's rally.

"Now Japan is politically using Hiroshima, the site of the atomic bombing, to hold the G7 summit. It is time for people in Hiroshima to wake up," said Tanaka, also an emeritus professor at Hiroshima City University.

The protests were launched by the executive committee of Citizen's Group Questioning the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, whose declaration was also released on Saturday.

According to the group's declaration, the G7 summit in Hiroshima seeks to advance military alliance under the name of freedom and democracy, and that the essence of the summit was a meeting where the rich bloc forces other countries to follow its rules.

The G7 consists of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. This year's G7 leaders' summit will be chaired by Japan in Hiroshima on May 19-21.
This is what strong word of mouth looks like: Although the opening weekends (plus previews) for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania were nearly the same, thats where the resemblance ends for the Marvel titles. The first 10 days for GOTG3 in the U.S./Canada stands at $213.2 million; Ant-Man grossed $213.9 in its entire domestic run.

Thats a huge relief for Disney. GOTG3 fell shy of the $292.6 million grossed by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in the same time period last year, but that film fell 67 percent its second weekend. The GOTG3 drop represented 49 percent.

More from IndieWire

It helps that its a feast-or-famine weekend, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) at #2 with more than $7 million. James Gunns latest MCU film stands at $528 million worldwide so far. Uncertain is whether it can reach the $1 billion level sometimes seen pre-pandemic, especially against upcoming strong competition from Fast X (Universal). The Fast franchise is as big as Marvel titles overseas.

SMB in its sixth weekend dropped only 30 percent. Now at $536 million, it wont be challenged by Guardians as top domestic release so far this year.

Book Club: The Next Chapter Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

The absence of new major-studio releases (the last time that will happen for a while) saw lesser results across the board. Best was Book Club: The Next Chapter (Focus), coming in #3 with $6.5 million. That is below projections and represents half of the opening weekend for the 2018 Paramount Pictures entry. That was pre-pandemic, of course, and the lesser result isnt surprising in context. Its audience was 77 percent female, with almost half over 55. A film with that limited appeal cant expect to do much better these days.

Story continues

After leading Air to a $60 million total, Ben Affleck will not do the same for Hypnotic (Ketchum), which opened to under $2.4 million in over 2,000 theaters. Robert Rodriguezs ill-fated $70 million thriller about a father searching for a missing daughter was originally slated for now-defunct Solstice Studios. It had a small marketing allocation and a bad audience response with a C+ Cinemascore.

Three other films had more limited, multi-hundred theater releases. Best among them was BlackBerry (IFC), with $740,000 (tied for #9) in 627 theaters. The story of the first smartphone, with very strong reviews and starring Jay Baruchal, saw 35 percent of its gross come from Canada. Knights of the Zodiac (Sony), a $60 million live-action Manga adaptation, grossed $535,000 in 586 theaters. Fools Paradise, a comedy starring, written, and directed by Charlie Day, grossed $443,000 in 784 theaters.

Monica Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Fi

IFC had the standout specialized platform opening. Monica with Patricia Clarkson starring as a mother who struggles to recognize her child had a decent $26,000 initial response in two New York/Los Angeles dates. Next-best showing was The Starling Girl (Bleecker Street) out of Sundance, with the drama taking in just under $25,000 in four theaters. Yogi Berra documentary It Aint Over (Sony Pictures Classics) debuted in 99 theaters to $106,000.

Wider top 10 holdovers all dropped less than 50 percent, reflecting the lack of strong new releases. Best was John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate), off 18 percent. Of note is that both Air (MGM), now on Amazon Prime, and Evil Dead Rise (Warner Bros. Discovery), out on PVOD,held quite well despite the alternative platforms.

Total gross for the weekend came to about $100 million. Thats up from $92 million last year, with year-to-date now 29 percent higher over 2022. Projecting that to all of 2023 would mean $9.5 million. Compared to 2019, the four-week rolling comparison fell to 70 percent. The next two weeks with Fast X and The Little Mermaid (Disney) will reveal a lot more about whether the year could improve as much as hoped.

The Top 10

1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) Week 2; Last weekend #1

$60,500,000 (-49%) in 4,450 (no change) theaters; PTA (per theater average): $13,596; Cumulative: $213,200,000

2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) Week 6; Last weekend #2

$13,000,000 (-30%) in 3,800 (-109) theaters; PTA: $3,421; Cumulative: $535,959,000

3. Book Club: The Next Chapter (Focus) NEW  Cinemascore: B; Metacritic: 48; Est. budget: $20 million

$6,500,000 in 3,508 theaters; PTA: $1,853; Cumulative: $6,500,000

4. Evil Dead Rise (Warner Bros. Discovery) Week 4; Last weekend #3; also on PVOD

$3,728,000 (-37%) in 2,821 (-215) theaters; PTA: $1,322; Cumulative: $60,188,000

5. Are You There God? Its Me Margaret (Lionsgate) Week 3; Last weekend #4

$2,500,000 (-23%) in 2,359 (-984) theaters; PTA: $1,057; Cumulative: $16,476,000

6. Hypnotic (Ketchup) NEW  Cinemascore: C+; Metacritic: 53; Est. budget: $70 million

$2,355,000 in 2,118 theaters; PTA: $1,112; Cumulative: $2,355,000

7. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) Week 8; Last weekend #6

$1,930,000 (-18%) in 1,613 (-45) theaters; PTA: $1,197; Cumulative: $182,964,000

8. Love Again (Sony) Week 2; Last weekend #5

$1,550,000 (-35%) in 2,703 (no change) theaters; PTA: $573; Cumulative: $5,007,000

9. Air (MGM) Week 6; Last weekend #8; also streaming on Amazon Prime

$875,000 (-37%) in 1,210 (-422) theaters; PTA: $723; Cumulative: $51,710,000

10. (tie) BlackBerry (IFC/Elevation) NEW  Metacritic: 82

$740,000 in 623 theaters; PTA: $1,188; Cumulative: $740,000

10. (tie) Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount) Week 7; Last weekend #7; also on PVOD

$740,000 (-49%) in 934 (-817) theaters; PTA: $792; Cumulative: $92,170,000

Other specialized titles

Films (limited, expansions of limited, as well as awards-oriented releases) are listed by week in release, starting with those opened this week; after the first two weeks, only films with grosses over $5,000 are listed.

Monica (IFC) NEW  Metacritic: 74; Festivals include: Venice 2022

$26,500 in 2 theaters; PTA: $13,250

The Starling Girl (Bleecker Street) NEW  Metacritic: 78; Festivals include: Sundance, South by Southwest 2023

$24,736 in 4 theaters; PTA: $6,184

LImmensita (Music Box) NEW  Metacritic: 71; Festivals include: Venice 2022, Sundance 2023

$9,281 in 2 theaters; PTA: $4,641

It Aint Over (Sony Pictures Classics) NEW  Metacritic: 76; Festivals include: Tribeca 2022

$106,289 in 99 theaters; PTA: $1,074

Knights of the Zodiac (Sony) NEW

$535,000 in 586 theaters; PTA: $913

The Eight Mountains (Sideshow/Janus) Week 3

$30,100 in 24 (+20) theaters; PTA: $1,254; Cumulative: $93,772

Polite Society (Focus) Week 3

$57,000 in 76 (-626) theaters; Cumulative: $1,512,000

32 Sounds (Abramorama) Week 3

$12,010 in 5 (+4) theaters; Cumulative: $50,302

Chevalier (Searchlight) Week 4

$50,000 in 110 (-45) theaters; Cumulative: $3,282,000

Somewhere in Queens (Roadside Attractions) Week 4

$40,025 in 62 (-60) theaters; Cumulative: $1,614,000

Carmen (Sony Pictures Classics) Week 4

$10,353 in 25 (+6) in theaters; Cumulative: $57,592

Beau Is Afraid (A24) Week 5

$167,302 in 246 (-264) theaters; Cumulative: $7,216,000

Suzume (Sony) Week 5

$115,000 in 84 (-32) theaters; Cumulative: $10,478,000

Wild Life (Picturehouse) Week 5 30

$33,105 in 32 (+2) theaters; Cumulative: $286,913

Showing Up (A24) Week 6

$28,578 in 75 (-27) theaters; Cumulative: $708,854

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Some LGBTQ, immigrants rights and Black advocacy organizations have made a great show of issuing national travel advisories to warn, well, members of the LGBTQ, immigrant and African American communities that visiting the state of Florida could put their safety at risk.

The various groups have cited a litany of reasons for frantically activating the Hey, y'all better steer clear of here! klaxon horn on Florida. But all of their open fretting largely stems from one thing, and that's the eager willingness of Gov. Ron DeSantis to:

Story continues

Now, sure, that does look like a lengthy list of grievances.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Stop Woke Act" into law in April

And, yes, at first glance it might appear the advocacy groups have justifiable reasons for concern.

But shouldn't we be fair and balanced here?

Shouldn't we extend the olive branch of goodwill to the governor, and stop assuming that he's only interested in extending a tapioca-covered middle finger to the communities these advocacy groups represent?

Shouldn't we cling to the noble, lofty concept that we all have better angels hovering over our shoulders, and cut the governor some slack when he suggests these travel advisories are ridiculous and amount to little more than cue the icky, sneering, cringey tone  "woke" organizations engaging in stunts?

"This is a stunt. If you want to waste your time on a stunt, that's fine. But I'm not wasting MY time on YOUR stunt. I'm going to make sure we're getting things done here. We're going to continue to make this state a great state." @GovRonDeSantis  https://t.co/VzoO1a8r4O  Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) March 23, 2023

We unabashedly and proudly say, "Yes!"

We say everyone should possess the unfettered ability  without being swayed by those who irresponsibly traffic in over-the-top handwringing and needless fearmongering  to come to Florida and deeply inhale the fresh, sweet, exhilarating air of this oh-so-free state.

So to put all these overly alarmist advocacy groups at ease, we have come up with a list of 10 ways Gov. DeSantis is actually making Florida a more welcoming place for immigrants, African Americans and members of the LGBTQ community.

Here we go:

1

Umm . . .

2

Errrr . . .

3

Uhhhh . . .

4

Ohhhhh yeah! What about . . . ah . . . never mind.

5

(Were whistling a tuneless ditty as we anxiously wait to move on to No. 6, which is . . .

6

Ahhhh . . . .

7

Geez.

8

(Were whistling again)

9

Hmm . . .

Hmmm 

Hmmmmm . . .

Say, didn't Taylor Swift perform some concerts in Florida not long ago? She has fans in just about every possible demographic group, right? Shouldn't that count? No??? It shouldn't??? Are you sure???

Superstar singer Taylor Swift performs during a May 5 concert in Nashville, Tenn. In April, Swift performed before sold-out crowds in Tampa. Swift can clearly bring together and unite Floridians across all demographic groups, but what about Gov. Ron DeSantis? Uh, not so much.

10

OK, look, just peruse 1 to 9 again for us  and see if you can come up with any suggestions to help us out.

Well be right here.

Well be waiting.

And whistling.

 This editorial was written by Opinions Editor Roger Brown for the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Is DeSantis making Florida a welcoming place? Let's count the ways
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair begins Sunday in Dallas. Courtesy of Society for Science

The world's largest high school science fair starts Sunday in Dallas, Texas.

More than 1,600 students from more than 60 countries will compete for prizes worth almost $9 million.

Some students are entering projects aimed at tackling the problem of school shootings.

Forget the days of volcanoes made from baking soda and vinegar.

At the world's largest science fair, which starts Sunday in Dallas, there are projects centered on clean energy, climate change, artificial intelligence  and school shootings.

"A lot of kids are doing projects that are meaningful to their own lives," said Maya Ajmera, the president and CEO of Society for Science, a century-old organization that works to advance public understanding of science and organizes the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. "They are seeing things around their community, and saying they want to do something to solve it."

Ava Cotroneo, 16, from Maryland, is a finalist this year. She has an interest in engineering, and while she could have built a castle out of sugar cubes, like this reporter once did, she chose instead a project she hopes can bring about positive change in her community.

She designed a bulletproof backpack that can be worn by elementary school children. "I can't vote, but I can engineer," Cotroneo told Insider.

Maya Shah, 15, from Texas, is another finalist. She found a positive correlation between psychopathy  which among other things manifests as a lack of empathy and is often an attribute of those involved in gun violence  and intellectual humility. Intellectual humility, she says, is in part the ability to change your mind based on other people's viewpoints.

"There was a gem in my study," she said. "This positive correlation means that you can persuade people not to pick up a gun. This means there's a solution to the problem."

Both teenagers grew up in places affected by school shootings  and both said the threat feels ever-present.

Story continues

'Armadillo Skin': the Bulletproof backpack insert

Ava Cotroneo stands in front of her science fair project

16-year-old Ava Cotroneo with her bulletproof backpack she hopes can protect children during school shootings.Courtesy of Society for Science/Ava Cotroneo

Cotroneo lives in the same county as Great Mills High School, where in 2018 a shooter opened fire in the hallway, killing a 16-year-old girl. Her mother is also a first-grade teacher who worries about the threat of a school shooting.

"My mom is grateful to have a small room inside her classroom that she can fit all her kids into in case there's a mass shooting," she said. "It's so sad to hear stories like that."

Cotroneo said that in today's climate of gun violence, the best you can do is "play defense."

So she researched materials, convinced her local Navy base to donate some Kevlar to the cause, and recruited some of "the older guys" in her community to let her use their guns to test her invention.

She came up with a 3-pound plate that combines a layer of steel, a layer of ceramic, and multiple layers of Kevlar. It fits into both adult- and child-sized backpacks and  based on her tests  can protect the wearer from shots fired by a 9mm handgun or a .223-caliber AR-15.

"Bathroom ceramic is my secret ingredient," she said. "It absorbs kinetic energy on impact and shatters. When compared to things like military-grade Kevlar, there is almost no kickback to the plate."

Finalists at the international science fair often go on to patent their products or set up companies. The sponsor of the fair, Regeneron, a biotech company, was founded by alumni of the fair.

"Almost 20% of these kids are patent-ready," said Ajmera, who is also the executive publisher of Science News.

Changing minds through science

Student Maya Shah stands in front of her science fair project

16-year-old Maya Shah stands in front of her science project, which looked at psychopathy and school shootings.Courtesy of the Society for Science/Maya Shah

Shah is from Arlington, Texas  an area she describes as the "epicenter" of US gun violence. There have been multiple mass shootings in Texas in the last year, including most recently at a mall in Allen, an hour from where Shah lives.

It was the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, during which 21 people died last year, however, that Shah says first got her thinking about solutions to gun violence.

"I'm in Texas, and there are school shootings all around me," she said. "I wanted to be free of that weight on my back."

She knew that psychopathy is correlated with perpetrators of gun violence. But Shah discovered there was no study correlating psychopathy to intellectual humility or the use of social media, so she started researching.

She quickly ruled out any real correlation between psychopathy and social media use, but she did find a positive correlation between psychopathy and intellectual humility. That means that even among people with high levels of psychopathy, they're still able to change their minds.

"It surprised me because you wouldn't expect someone who doesn't have empathy could change their mind," Shah said. "For me, this was really powerful because it was a problem that I'm facing in my everyday life. And I was able to find a solution."

Shah said her research shows that if communities tried to identify anyone displaying attributes related to psychopathy, they could intervene and provide alternative viewpoints and information that could help them change their thinking.

The student is no stranger to tackling projects at the center of political and cultural debate. During the height of COVID-19 hysteria, she carried out a study looking at the effectiveness of wearing masks at schools in Texas, a state that was then deeply divided on the issue.

Shah found masks were effective in protecting students from coronavirus, though they were less effective in protecting adult staff. Her results were widely shared and eventually published in a scientific medical journal.

"I love using science to answer questions. I also enjoy research," she said. "And I love being a person who can solve problems directly affecting people in my community."

Society for Science began organizing science fairs in the 1950s as a way to foster young talent and has launched almost 400 science fairs in more than 60 countries and territories worldwide.

At the Regeneron Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, there will be 1,600 students from all over the world competing for almost $9 million in prizes. Winners are announced May 19.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Republican attorneys general from 19 states signed the letter to CEO Jamie Dimon. Leonardo Munoz/Getty Images

19 Republican states accused JPMorgan of closing bank accounts on political or religious grounds.

In a letter to CEO Jamie Dimon, they say the bank asked questions about religion and politics.

The attorneys general wanted JPMorgan to participate in a diversity survey linked to free speech.

Republican attorneys general from 19 states have accused JPMorgan Chase of closing accounts and discriminating against customers due to their political or religious beliefs, a report says.

In a letter sent to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Republicans representing 19 states said the bank had canceled major organizations' checking accounts and had asked screening questions focused on religion and politics before reinstating them.

The attorneys general said JPMorgan "abruptly closed" the checking account of the National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF), a non-profit, before a letter informing it about the decision had been delivered.

The complaint said that an employee at the bank eventually told the group that JPMorgan would restore the NCRF's account if it provided a list of its donors, a list of the political candidates it intended to support, and details of the criteria used to determine its support and endorsements.

"The bank's brazen attempt to condition critical services on a customer passing some unarticulated religious or political litmus test flies in the face of Chase's antidiscrimination policies. Worse, it flies in the face of basic American values of fairness and equality," the signatories of the letter said.

The letter was signed by Daniel Cameron of Kentucky and Steve Marshall of Alabama, and co-signed by their counterparts in States including Florida, Georgia and Texas.

In March, treasurers from 14 Republican states also wrote to Dimon with similar claims, The Journal reported.

JPMorgan was also accused of declining a proposal to participate in a survey for the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index, which measured a company's respect for "freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as a standard part of doing business," per its website. JPMorgan received a score of 15% for the index in 2022.

Story continues

Further, the letter claimed JPMorgan asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to ignore a proposal for the bank to disclose its policy for closing accounts.

A JPMorgan representative told The Journal: "We have never and would never exit a client relationship due to their political or religious affiliation."

A spokesperson for JPMorgan said: "We do not close accounts due to religious or political affiliations, and did not in these cases."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian service members near Bakhmut on March 24, 2023. Aris Messinis/Getty Images

Russia's Defense Ministry said two senior commanders had been killed near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine.

It claimed Putin's forces were repelling Ukrainian attacks but admitted to losing the top officers.

Ukraine has reportedly advanced in Bakhmut in recent days. The Wagner chief called it a Russian "rout."

Two Russian commanders have been killed in fighting near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday.

The ministry said the commanders died while repelling Ukrainian attempts to break through the frontline.

The commander of the 4th motorized rifle brigade, Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, was wounded in the fighting and died while being evacuated from the battlefield, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the deputy commander of the army corps for military-political work, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, died of multiple shrapnel wounds sustained during a battle, it said.

The department claimed that Ukrainian forces had not succeeded in breaking through Russian defenses and that hundreds of Ukrainian troops had been killed.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Friday that Ukraine had launched an attack north of Bakhmut with more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks, which would be the biggest Ukrainian offensive since November if confirmed, per Reuters.

He said that some Russian troops had fallen back from the north of Bakhmut to regroup to better positions following further reports of Ukrainian advances in the south.

The founder of the paramilitary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who often criticizes the Russian military and blames them for not supporting his fighters in Bakhmut, described the retreat as "a rout' and not a regrouping."

He added that Ukraine had taken high ground overlooking Bakhmut and freed up the Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut road, a vital supply line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that his forces are preparing to launch a counteroffensive to free territories occupied by Russia.

It is unclear whether the advances in Bakhmut are part of the much-anticipated counteroffensive.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Heavy rainfall earlier in the week sent water gushing into homes in central Somalia, submerging roads and buildings

Flash flooding in central Somalia has killed 22 people and affected over 450,000, the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said Sunday, after the Shabelle River burst its banks, forcing tens of thousands out of their homes.

Heavy rainfall earlier in the week sent water gushing into homes in Beledweyne town in Hiran region, submerging roads and buildings as residents grabbed their belongings and waded through flooded streets in search of refuge.

"Initial estimates indicate that the flash and riverine floods across Somalia have affected at least 460,470 people, of whom nearly 219,000 have been displaced from their homes mainly in flood-prone areas, and 22 killed," the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

The floods "have left a trail of destruction... inundating homes and farmland, washing away livestock, temporarily closing schools and health facilities, and damaging roads," the agency said in a situation report.

The disaster comes on the heels of a record drought that has left millions of Somalis on the brink of famine, with the troubled nation also battling an Islamist insurgency for decades.

Residents told AFP earlier that the floods have become a familiar ordeal to many of them, with experts saying that extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change.

Fartun Ali -- not her real name -- said it was her fifth time fleeing flash flooding in Beledweyne.

"Whenever the river breaks the banks, we flee," the 35-year-old mother of eight told AFP.

East and central Africa often suffers from extreme weather during the rainy seasons.

Earlier this month, 135 people were killed and more than 9,000 left homeless after heavy rains lashed Rwanda, triggering floods and landslides in several parts of the hilly nation.

More than 400 people lost their lives due to torrential downpours, floods and landslides last week in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Story continues

In May 2020, at least 65 people died in Rwanda as heavy rains pounded the region, while at least 194 deaths were reported in Kenya.

At the end of 2019, at least 265 people died and tens of thousands were displaced during two months of relentless rainfall in several countries in East Africa.

The extreme downpours affected close to two million people and washed away tens of thousands of livestock in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

amu/giv
The Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber. aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Four Russian aircraft have been shot down near the Ukrainian border, per a Russian news outlet.

It may be the most Russian aircraft lost in a single day during the war, a pro-Russia blog said.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters have been shot down in Russia near the Ukrainian border, Russian news outlet Kommersant reported.

The outlet said that one Su-34 fighter-bomber, a Su-35 fighter, and two Mi-8 helicopters had been shot down in Russia's Bryansk region, killing all four crews.

The "air group most likely fell into an air ambush," said Kommersant.

The jets were supposed to launch a coordinated missile and bomb attack on Ukraine's Chernihiv region, while the helicopters were there to provide support and to pick up Su crews if they were shot down, the outlet reported, citing preliminary data.

Kommersant did not provide evidence that the four aircraft had been downed, but several Russian pro-war military bloggers made the same claim, Reuters reported.

Regional Russian authorities have confirmed the crash of one helicopter, per Russian state news agency Tass.

Footage circulating on social media appears to show the helicopter catching fire and falling from the sky. Insider was not able to independently verify the videos.

The governor of Russia's Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, said that five houses were damaged and a woman was injured due to the helicopter crash in the town of Klintsy.

Special Kherson Cat  (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2023

Russian military bloggers and aviation experts have speculated that the aircraft had either been caught by friendly fire or shot down by Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.

A pro-Russia Telegram channel with close links to Russia's air force, called Fighterbomber, said it was the highest number of Russian aircraft lost in a single day "since March last year."

Story continues

Ukraine has not officially commented on the reports, but Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, tweeted that the aircraft were downed by "unidentified persons," adding that it was "instant karma."

Since the war began, there have been several mysterious explosions on air bases inside Russia, with analysts suggesting Ukraine could have used long-range weapons.

Western allies like the US and the UK have asked Ukraine for assurances that their donated weapons would only be used to strike targets within Ukraine and not inside Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Guatemalan mother and child are reunited in Maryland in June 2018 after they were separated at the U.S. border. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

If Donald Trump had promised during his first presidential campaign to rip children away from their parents in order to deter Mexican and Latin American families from trying to cross into the United States, people would have probably laughed it off as hyperbole.

Take him seriously, said his fans, dont take him literally.

We know how that turned out.

Still, it was shocking to hear Trump tell Kaitlan Collins during CNNs abysmal town hall last week that if he were reelected he would consider reinstituting the practice.

When you have that policy, people dont come, Trump said. If a family hears that theyre going to be separated  they love their family  they dont come. I know it sounds harsh. ... We have to save our country.

Not just harsh. It is cruel, inhumane and, in my view, criminal.

There is no moral justification for terrorizing children and their parents, for inflicting lifelong emotional damage on people who are, for the most part, fleeing violence and poverty and trying to make better lives for themselves and their children.

What is the American dream if not that?

Trumps careless willingness to emotionally torture families is just one of myriad reasons we cannot allow him anywhere near the White House again.

I didnt really want to spend Mothers Day thinking or writing about Trump.

I wanted to write about the extraordinary bonds between mothers and children. This is no knock on fathers, believe me. But there is a reason that fairy tales  stories that get at our most profound fears of loss and abandonment  so often involve the absence of a mother. That is a primal wound. And its not just fairy tales. All of the novels Ive read lately explore the resonant theme of mother loss.

Two of them, The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan, and Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng, take place in dystopian American societies where children are used as cudgels against their parents  in this case, mothers.

In Chans novel, an overwhelmed, sleep-deprived single mother whose husband has left her for his younger mistress is sent away to a kind of reeducation camp for having left her baby girl alone for a couple hours. She is held to impossible standards and forced to undergo bizarre parenting tests with a robot child, and her future as a state-approved mother does not look bright.

Story continues

In Ngs novel, a politically rebellious Chinese American poet is forced to abandon her young son and leave him to be raised by her husband in order to thwart the xenophobic authorities who can legally remove children from parents not deemed patriotic enough. Her son sets out on a risky journey to find her.

The ache I felt reading both of them was, I think, not just tied to the injustice of forcing children and mothers to suffer painful separations for no good reason, but to the severe punishment of mothers for minor infractions.

Mothers are burdened by so many harsh expectations, perhaps most dangerously that a good one will sacrifice everything for her child.

Im certain I bought into that trope as a young woman; otherwise I probably would not have been quite so aghast at the actions of the fictional Joanna Kramer, played by Meryl Streep in the hit 1979 movie Kramer vs. Kramer.

Rather than stay in a stultifying marriage with her workaholic husband, Ted, Joanna abandons him and their young son, Billy. She is so beaten down that she convinces herself its in Billys best interest for her to leave.

At the time, I found her decision horrifying. I guess, on some level, I still do.

A year and a half later, Joanna comes back and sues for custody. In that time, Ted, who at first didnt even know what grade his kid was in, has mastered single parenthood. In a stark example of how the culture and courts so often undervalue fathers, Joanna is awarded custody of the boy. To her credit, she decides to share it with Ted. A happy ending, more or less, and perhaps one of the few times a mom is not punished for having left her child.

Its one kind of sin when a parent abandons a child but quite another when the government purposefully separates a child from parents, with no apparent intention or process to reunite them, for patently cynical political reasons.

The other day, I sat down to reread Caitlin Dickersons Pulitzer Prize-winning 2022 Atlantic magazine investigation into the Trump administration's family separation policy.

It is hard to believe we live in a country where federal officials would deliberately scheme to reduce immigration by wrenching children from their parents. Trump officials must have anticipated how the world would react because they tried to conceal the programs real aim.

As Dickerson writes, the administration declared that separating families was not the goal of the policy, but an unfortunate result of prosecuting parents who crossed the border illegally with their children. Yet a mountain of evidence shows that this is explicitly false: Separating children was not just a side effect, but the intent. Instead of working to reunify families after parents were prosecuted, officials worked to keep them apart for longer.

The family separation policy was in effect from January 2017 to January 2021. As of February, the Department of Homeland Security had identified 3,924 separated children. Nearly 3,000 of them have been reunified with their families. Six years after the policy went into effect, almost 1,000 have not. That's an eternity in a child's life.

Can you imagine the trauma of living with a mother-sized hole in your heart and learning it is there because you were used as a pawn in a failed political game?

Trump was right about one thing the other night. We do have to save our country. Not from immigrants, though. From demagogues like him.

@robinkabcarian





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FIRST ON FOX: U.S. veteran and pastor Jonathon Alcocer told Fox News Digital it was by the "grace of God" he was able to return to the U.S. after an 11-week endeavor to secure safety for nearly two dozen Afghans endangered by their support of U.S. personnel before the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

On Feb. 12, Alcocer arrived in Zimbabwe with two other Americans to meet a group of 22 Afghans who were fleeing the Taliban. American handlers had moved quickly to evacuate their flock from Afghanistan after the Taliban released an order in January for local officials to assemble kill lists of all former Afghan military and government personnel. Four of the 22 Afghans were among the more than 152,000 special immigrant visa applicants stuck in Afghanistan while awaiting years of processing for their cases. Eleven were children, ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years old.

The Afghans had arrived on traveler visas to Zimbabwe on Jan. 21. They spent a week at a safari park to decompress after being confined to the four walls of their Afghan safe houses for 18 months. Because of their high-level positions in the former government, the Afghans had been under threat of reprisal killings, which commenced shortly after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

After meeting their American handlers, the group members intended to make their way by bus to the South African border, where they would claim asylum. "Everything had been done legally," Alcocer said, explaining that the nonprofit organization The Lifeline Foundation funded the journey and organized the route. They hoped to establish a pathway that other at-risk individuals could use to escape Afghanistan in the future.

BIDEN ADMIN IGNORES CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENA FOR AFGHANISTAN DOCUMENTS A THIRD TIME

Instead, four days later, Alcocer said the bus was "flat out denied entry" by South African officials. In the legal battle that followed, however, he said South Africa was found to have violated international law by refusing to grant the refugees asylum. "As soon as anybody hears Afghan,' theres little that they can do, or want to do," Alcocer explained.

Story continues

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Zimbabwean officials then directed the groups hired driver to park the bus in a remote area between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Officials collected passengers passports. Over the following three days, adults aboard were interrogated. When the bus ran out of gas, the driver was forbidden from purchasing more. The passengers suffered in the intense heat without air conditioning, and had no access to food or water. "Things were nasty," Alcocer said.

Then within a few days Alcocer said four Zimbabwean officials "shoved" the group of 25 onto a smaller 15-person bus with a new driver. Along the route to Harare, Alcocer said officials and the driver "were playing psychological operations with us," trying to provoke the adults into behavior that would justify their arrest and deportation. They played pounding music at excessive volume. The driver and officials consumed alcohol inside the bus, and stopped to buy additional drinks at a bar swarming with prostitutes. Each time the driver stopped to relieve himself, Alcocer saw him expose his genitals to the children.

For the duration of the drive, children were forbidden from leaving the bus to use the restroom. "I had kids sitting in their own urine and feces for roughly six-and-a-half hours," Alcocer said.

STATE DEPT BRIEF ON AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL DISSENT CABLE AN INSULT TO DEAD SERVICEMEMBERS, CONGRESSMAN SAYS

Eventually, Alcocer said officials took the group to police headquarters. When the Americans and refugees refused to bribe the officials, they were transported to an immigration building, where officials gave the group seven hours to exit the country. After the entire party arranged means to exit within this timeframe, officials cut the timeline to just four hours. Complying with the shortened timeline proved impossible. Zimbabwean officials charged all three Americans with 22 counts of human trafficking, each carrying a two- to three-year sentence.

Eventually, Alcocer said two officials from the U.S. Embassy arrived to de-escalate the situation. Zimbabwean officials dropped the charges. They told the group they could depart the country the following day, and would be given a room for the night. Alcocer said the room was "a detention cell in the basement of the airport."

He said, "U.S. Embassy [officials] watched" as Zimbabwean officials padlocked Alcocer and 22 Afghans into a confinement cell, where the temperature was around 90 to 100 degrees. For a little over 24 hours, "all they would give us [were] apples, which we had to pay for, and bottles of water," Alcocer said.

He provided Fox News Digital photographs of spaces filled with bare mattresses, piles of used electronics, and mountains of stamped paperwork filled with travelers personal information. Insects climbed the walls and swam in dirty toilets that flooded a room where five children slept. Alcocer said the cell contained no toilet paper or working sink, and only one working toilet. He explained that the officials only released the detainees and returned their passports moments before they boarded flights for Zambia.

In response to questions about Alcocers allegations, a State Department spokesperson acknowledged U.S. citizens "were briefly detained in Zimbabwe and released," and that personnel in the airport had "raised concern that U.S. citizens detained in Zimbabwe be treated fairly at all levels." The Zimbabwean Department of Immigration did not respond to requests for comment.

ISIS USING AFGHANISTAN AS STAGING GROUND FOR TERROR PLOTS AFTER US WITHDRAWAL: REPORT

Alcocer remained in Zambia for weeks to ensure the Afghans secured safe haven. The SIV applicants in his care fear being killed if they are forced to return to Afghanistan. Two applicants are former commandos who have survived in hiding only through the financial, medical and other support of evacuation volunteers with Operation North Star, Flanders Fields, and the Moral Compass Federation.

The commandos often receive photos and videos of former colleagues who have been killed for working in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Alcocer said the Taliban does not always stop at harming their direct enemies. He provided photographs of two girls, ages 7 and 12, whose arms were cut off below the elbows because their father served in the Afghan military.

Late last month, Alcocer was able to return to the U.S. after Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema helped him secure renewable one-year visas for the Afghans in his care. "Words cant describe the emotions I felt knowing that the families [are] safe," Alcocer said.

The 22 Afghans remain in Zambia as they await the processing of special immigrant visas to the U.S., which would eventually lead to a path to citizenship, but that process is reportedly facing a major backlog of several years.
Chang Kuo-wei flew to Tokyo Narita Airport to apologise to Starlux passengers. Getty Images

The founder of Starlux Airlines flew to an airport to personally apologize to passengers.

Chang Kuo-wei went to Tokyo's Narita airport following the delays and cancellations.

Passengers were stuck overnight at the terminal on May 6, according to Taiwan News.

The founder of a Taiwanese airline flew to an airport to personally apologize to passengers who got stuck there overnight after a flight was delayed and canceled, Taiwan News reported.

Chang Kuo-wei, chairman of Starlux Airlines, went to Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan the next morning after the flight was canceled on May 6, according to news site Focus Taiwan.



One flight was scheduled to depart at 3:45 p.m. but was delayed due to strong winds, Taiwan News reported. At about 5:30 p.m. Starlux moved passengers to another flight.

Sky Chen, one of the passengers, said on Facebook that they boarded at about 7 p.m. However, another flight crew then had to be found, meaning the departure was pushed back until after 11 p.m., per the report.

Passengers were kept on the plane until almost midnight, when the flight was then canceled. They were told they had to remain overnight in the airport terminal and were kept on the plane until sleeping bags arrived at 1 a.m., according to Taiwan News.

The departure time for the replacement flight was initially 6 a.m and then 8 a.m. on May 7, but passengers weren't given vouchers for food or drinks, per the report.

Chang Kuo-wei, founder of the airline that started flying in 2020, flew to Narita that morning to apologize to passengers.

The former chairman of Eva Air, another Taiwanese carrier, was seen in a video filmed by one saying that one flight had been delayed due to "really strong winds."

The second flight was delayed by an aircraft maintenance check and then the flight crew exceeding their permitted working hours, the chairman told passengers. Despite a night curfew being waived by the airport, he said immigration officers had then finished work so the airline was forced to wait until the following morning.

Story continues

As well as operating flights on routes in Asia, Starlux began flying from Taipei to Los Angeles in April. Conde Nast Traveler described it as a luxury airline with "lofty ambitions to become a powerhouse across the Pacific."

Reviewing the business class cabin on the Airbus A350 used for the LA route, the publication said Starlux's "precise attention to detail sets the carrier apart from others  down to the airline-branded toilet paper."

Starlux Airlines didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman wasnt in a car on Sunday after suffering a broken vertebra a few weeks ago, but he indicated at Darlington Raceway that he might be back in one soon.

How soon?

Like next week for North Wilkesboro Speedway?

No word on that yet.

Some days I feel pretty good throughout the day and other days Ill just move wrong or do things that kind of catch it, but I dont have any estimated time of return, Bowman told reporters outside his hauler in the infield of Darlington Raceway. I have some doctor appointments this week and get some more X-rays to see how its healing and kind of can go from there. But yeah, Im obviously mobile, super fortunate that the injury wasnt worse than it was.

Bowman added: I havent had an X-ray since the injury. So like, until we do that and see how its healing. I just dont know.

His next doctor appointment is Wednesday, he said. Bowman also clarified that he fractured his T3, the vertebra is the third segment of the 12 thoracic vertebrae, and that he hasnt been in a brace because the break is really high on his back.

But hes been able to walk around, he said, and keep himself busy while Josh Berry runs in his No. 48 car and the rest of the Cup Series swirls on around him.

I would say the most painful thing for me is laughing, coughing, sneezing or trying to sleep like laying down hurts pretty bad, he said. Standing up and walking around, its not so bad. Ive been able to walk the whole time. So thats been nice. Ive kind of kept myself busy. This week, I was able to get back in the gym a little bit, which was really good because not working out for a couple weeks is like the worst thing in the world for me.

Bowman suffered the injury on his 30th birthday, a few days after the Cup Series descended on Talladega. He was driving in a sprint car at the Iowa dirt track at 34 Raceway when he wrecked and started flying and tumbling through the air.

Hendrick Motorsports originally announced that hed be out for three to four weeks. Darlington marks Week 3 without Bowman.

Story continues

Bowman recounted on Sunday what he was thinking when he wrecked.

The whole time I was flipping, Im like, Man, these things dont hurt at all to crash, he said. Like the wing takes all the blows. And then when it landed, like, I dont know if youve ever been to a chiropractor, you hear your back crack. Like it sounded like that. And I was like, Oh, maybe I just cracked my back.

Obviously, it was my back breaking but yeah, I mean, I dont think Ill ever go back to a chiropractor after that sound. But other than that, like its crashing the race car. Ive done it before. Ill do it again.

Bowman has missed a lot of racing recently. He suffered a concussion in a playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway and missed five races last summer  and had his playoff run cut short  because of it.

The mental toll being out of a race car isnt new to the competitor. But it still stings, Bowman said.

It sucks. It sucks really bad, but its pretty self-inflicted, Bowman said. So you know, it was my choice to go sprint-car racing and I knew what I was signing up for. And yeah, it really sucks being outside of the race car, but everybody at Hendrick Motorsports has been super supportive, as well as everybody at Ally.

One of the sports story lines this season revolved around driver safety. After all, Chase Elliott suffered a snowboarding accident that required immediate surgery in February that kept him out of a few races. Chase Briscoe broke a finger a few months while competing in a dirt race. And now Bowman hurt himself racing in another series.

The instances posed all the questions: Should organizations set policies that prohibit their Cup drivers from driving in other series? Should organizations police their drivers extracurricular activities?

Bowman shed his perspective on Sunday.

Nobodys really said anything to me, Bowman said. So you know, Im super appreciative to be here at Hendrick Motorsports. Im going to do whatever they are comfortable with and supportive of.
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was the leader of the US Communist Party in 1961 who, albeit a founder of the American Civil Liberties Union, got kicked out of it because of her devotion to communism and communist regimes. She was imprisoned in 1951 for advocating for the violent overthrow of the U.S. Government; cherished dictator Joseph Stalinwho murdered more than one million of his own people during his reign; and adored the Soviet Union so much, that when she died while hanging out there during the Cold War in 1964, they loved her back with a state funeral in Red Square. Oh, ya, and theres a brand new state historical marker put up this month in her honor, in her birth city of Concord, NH.

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos

Why is the State of New Hampshire honoring this person? Apparently, because she was supporter of labor rights and was a good feminist. Which I find odd considering her beloved Communist Party and Stalin revoked many of the rights of women shortly after he took over the Soviet Union. I know Flynn didnt have Google back then, but, youd think she would know about that tidbit.

Those who support the placard note how she did a lot of good things for women's rights and the labor movement, so the other stuff shouldnt matter. Yall have been removing Thomas Jefferson statues. I don't want to hear that hypocritical argument.

Progressive activist Arnie Alpert, who was one of the people who originally requested the marker noted of this controversy, it doesn't mean we have to agree with people who are of great historical significance..but it makes sense for us to understand things that have happened in the past. Well, Jefferson Davis is a traitor of great historical significance" and, well, see above. As a matter of fact, so is Hitler. Is great historical significance really the only benchmark we want to apply for who gets honored in this state or this country? I certainly hope not.

Concord City Councilor Zandra Rice Hawkins hopes the state doesn't reverse itself and remove the marker now that people are upset about it. Id be disappointed if the state removed the marker and tried to whitewash history. This is the same Councilor that fought to have Columbus Day replaced with Indigenous peoples day. I thought we werent gonna whitewash history. (For the record, despite its repeated misuse, whitewash has to do with painting over something, not race.)

Story continues

This controversy came to light at a recent meeting of the Executive Council, when Councilors questioned why this historical marker went up. The City of Concord says its the State who did it, the State said the city requested it, which it turns out is absolutely not true, it was citizens who requested it from the state and the state requested the Cityit goes on. Its basically a childish blame game at this point. Its on state property, it is state property itself. Just take the damn thing down.

What this whole situation brought to light, other than outlandish hypocrisy, is what a flawed system the state has, while using taxpayer money, to approve and erect historical markers to honor someone. Theres apparently nearly 300 of these around the state and according to the state agency that produces and erects them, theres no approval process.

New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Commissioner Sarah Stewart told the Governor and Executive Council, Our agency is not in the business of approving or denying the markers. We check for factual accuracy, and we help make sure that the text fits on the space allocated on the marker. Say what now? Id say that's passing the buck, but, she didn't pass the buck to anyone. The buck is just hanging out passed out of her hands and into the wind. Can I get 20 people to sign a request to put a historical marker on the beach to honor me? As long as the message is accurate on my marker and fits the allotted sign space, that's is the entire process, according the Commissioner of the agency that deals with these things. Email me if you're willing to get me a marker. Actually, thats boring, I want a marker for my dog, he's more worthy. His name is Atticus. Thank you.

Meanwhile, as of this writing, despite the state's effort to Pontius Pilate the responsibility to the City of Concord, the agency is still touting it on their website, like its their own thing: https://www.dncr.nh.gov/news-and-media/rebel-girl-receives-nh-historical-highway-marker

The N.H. Division of Historical Resources is pleased to announce that a New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker honoring Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, a well-known labor, womens rights and civil liberties activist, has been installed at the corner of Court and Montgomery Streets in downtown Concord, near the site of her birthplace.

For his part, Governor Sununu wants the marker removed and is rightly calling for a review of the states historical marker program. But, removal, like anything in government, has a process and takes time. So, I have an idea: Governor, Ive got some spades and shovels. Ill come up and we can dig it out ourselves. Sure, it's a crime, but, if we get arrested, you can always just pardon us.

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos is a former political consultant and member of the media. Shes a native of Hampton Beach where she lives with her family and two poodles. Write to her at PrestonPerspective@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos: Remove historic marker honoring Communist
Being named after his father, Leon Jenkins III knew he had much to live up to. His father, Leon Jenkins Jr., was the blueprint for him of what a good man is, a provider and protector for those he loved.

Jenkins, a minister, musician and father of three, died on April 16 at 64 due to natural causes.

I will miss his words of wisdom and the comfort that I found in his words, says his son. I will miss the love he showed for us as a family and really just everyone he came in contact with, honestly.

Jenkins was a talented singer who played the guitar, bass and keyboard for the congregation he served at Victory Outreach Ministry.

We are all hanging in there and just trying to be there for each other and keeping each other encouraged through stories and memories we share of him, says his son.

He says the ministry brought his father from his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, to Kansas City to help establish Victory Outreach in 1999. His father fell in love with the city and stayed to raise his family.

He had a contagious smile and always had a positive word of encouragement. I think he inspired a lot of people to push harder than they would have on their own, his son says.

Leon Jenkins Jr., a minister, musician and father of three, died on April 16 at 64 due to natural causes.

His son, 30, a corrugation plant manager and part-time photographer and videographer, says that watching his father work hard gave him the mindset for success. Remembering his fathers entrepreneurial spirit, he says he learned the importance of finding a job you love. So when he chose to take up photography, he said that his father was one of his biggest supporters.

I grew up watching him start his own recording studio and a music production company, he says. He was really big on people gaining financial independence and get out of the rat race of working for somebody else.

He will always remember his fathers kindness.

He was very loving, caring and compassionate. He was always focused on helping out the next man in where they were trying to go, his son says.

Story continues

I will miss the love he showed for us as a family and really just everyone he came in contact with, says son Leon Jenkins III.

The funeral for Jenkins was held on April 16 at Maywood Baptist Church; his son says it was more a celebration of life. Many people there spoke words of kindness and shared stories of Jenkins effect on their lives. Many of the musicians playing in the service were his former students.

It was a beautiful service, and to see the amount of people that turned up to a celebrate the life of my father showed me how much he meant to people, says his son. He was always so encouraging and supportive and he was always there for everyone.

Jenkins is survived by his wife, Frieda Jenkins; children Leon Jenkins III, Creneisha Jenkins and Carlin Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Other remembrances

Randolph Northern, U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 16. He was 85.







Randolph Northern

Randolph Northern, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 16. He was 85.

Northern was born March 28, 1938, to William Philmore and Ruthie Northern in Kansas City. One of eight children, Northern was called Randy by friends and family. He grew up viewing his father as a hard-working inspiration.

He graduated from Argentine High School in 1957 and attended Kansas City, Kansas, Community College before graduating from Emporia State Teachers College in 1970.

Northern served in the Air Force from 1960 until 1964, allowing him to travel extensively. He later traveled the country as a consultant for Camp Fire Inc.

He was known as the family historian and loved doing extensive genealogy research.

He is survived by his brother Ozell Northern and a host of nieces and nephews.

Louis Loche, a U.S. Army and postal worker, died May 3. He was 97.

Louis Loche Jr.

Louis Loche Jr, U.S. Army veteran and postal worker, died May 3. He was 97.

Loche was born Dec. 11, 1925, to Louis David Sr. and Laura Loche in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. He and his family relocated to Kansas City in the 1930s.

He graduated from R.T. Coles Vocational High School, where he studied building maintenance. He enlisted in the Army and served in World War II.

He then worked for the Postal Service the next 20-plus, years, rising through the ranks to become a management coordinator. He also served as the first president of the National Post Mail Handlers Union Local 297.

Loche married Murdis Dean in 1950, and they enjoyed a happy marriage for the next 62 years. Their one son, Jerry, died in infancy. They were lifetime members of the Church of God in Christ.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden has an ambitious agenda when he sets off this week on an eight-day trip to the Indo-Pacific.

Hes looking to tighten bonds with longtime allies, make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the tiny island state of Papua New Guinea and spotlight his administrations commitment to the Pacific. The three-country trip also presents the 80-year-old Biden, who recently announced hes running for reelection, with the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has enough in the tank to handle the grueling pace of the presidency.

But as he prepares to head west, Biden finds himself in a stalemate with Republican lawmakers over raising America's debt limit. If the matter is not resolved in the coming weeks, it threatens to spark an economic downturn.

A look at what's at stake in Biden's upcoming trip:

WHERE IS BIDEN GOING?

Biden first heads to Hiroshima, Japan, for the Group of Seven summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is this year's host for the annual gathering of leaders from seven of the world's biggest economies. He picked his hometown of Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped the world's first atomic bomb in 1945.

The bombing destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. The United States dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

The significance of Hiroshima resonates deeply today, given that Russia has made veiled threats of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, North Korea has stepped up ballistic missile tests and Iran pushes forward with its nuclear weapons program.

Biden will then make a brief and historic stopover in Papua New Guinea. Biden has sought to improve relations with Pacific Island nations amid growing U.S. concern about Chinas growing military and economic influence in the region.

Finally, Biden travels to Australia for a summit with his fellow Quad leaders: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kishida.

Story continues

The Quad partnership first formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Since coming to office, Biden has tried to reinvigorate the Quad as part of his broader effort to put greater U.S. focus on the Pacific.

THE BIG ISSUES

Russias invasion of Ukraine and provocative actions by China in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait are expected to be front and center throughout Biden's trip.

At last month's G-7 ministers' meeting, the alliance pledged a unified front against Chinese threats to Taiwan and Russias war. The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Biden administration officials have been troubled by Chinas increasing threats against and military maneuvers around Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own. The U.S.-China relationship has also been strained by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last August. Those ties were further inflamed after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon in February after it traversed the United States.

The G-7 foreign ministers said in their communique that the alliance would look toward intensifying sanctions" against Russia. How far the G-7 is willing to go remains to be seen.

IS AMERICA BACK?

The looming potential for a debt default by the U.S. government raises a difficult dynamic for Biden as he heads overseas for the first time since announcing his 2024 campaign.

Since the start of his presidency, Biden has repeatedly told world leaders that America is back. That's a short-handed way to assure allies that the United States was returning to its historic role as a leader on the international stage following the more inward-looking America First foreign policy of President Donald Trump.

But Biden has also acknowledged that skeptical world leaders have asked him, For how long?

To that end, top administration officials have said the looming debt limit crisis is a troubling sign.

It sends a horrible message to nations like Russia and China, who would love nothing more than to be able to point at this and say, See the United States is not a reliable partner. The United States is not a stable leader of peace and security around the world," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The Congressional Budget Office said on Friday that there was a significant risk that the federal government could run out of cash sometime in the first two weeks of June unless Congress agrees to raise the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap.

PACIFIC ISLAND RESPECT

With the brief stop in Papua New Guinea to meet with Pacific Island leaders, Biden gets the chance to show the United States is serious about remaining engaged for the long term in the Pacific Islands.

The area has received diminished attention from the U.S. in the aftermath of the Cold War and China has increasingly filled the vacuum  through increased aid, development and security cooperation. Biden has said that he's committed to changing that dynamic.

Last September, Biden hosted leaders from more than a dozen Pacific Island countries at the White House, announcing a new strategy to help to assist the region on climate change and maritime security. His administration also recently opened embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, and has plans to open one in Kiribati.

He'll be the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation of about 9 million people. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a visit to Papua New Guinea in 2018.

QUALITY TIME WITH MODI

Biden is going to be spending plenty of time with the Indian prime minister in the coming weeks.

Modi is among eight leaders of non-G-7 countries who were invited by Kishida to join the meeting of major industrial nations in Hiroshima. He'll also join Biden's meeting with Pacific Island leaders in Papua New Guinea.

Then Biden, Modi, and Kishida will all make their way to Australia for a meeting of the Quad to be hosted by Albanese in Sydney. Biden won't have to wait long to see Modi again. The president is hosting Modi for a state visit on June 22.
An Oklahoma angler recently reeled in a record-breaking catch, and wildlife officials are thanking him.

Bryan Baker, with the fishing guide service Spoonbill Wreckers, caught a 118-pound bighead carp after casting a line at Grand Lake O the Cherokees, the state Department of Wildlife Conservation said in a May 12 Facebook post.

The catch is not only a new state record, its a small step toward eliminating an invasive species, the post said.

Weve asked skilled anglers to help capture invasive bighead carp from Grand Lake, and Oklahoma anglers have answered the call! the department said.

Bakers catch outweighs the current bighead carp world record by roughly 28 pounds, according to International Game Fish Association records.

However, Bakers fish was snagged and not baited, meaning it was caught by a hook that it didnt bite, The Oklahoman reported.

Snagging is prohibited by the IGFA, so Bakers bighead carp wont be recognized as a world record.

Native to eastern China, bighead carp were brought to the U.S. in 1972 by a fish farmer in Arkansas, but they began appearing in public waters about a decade later, according to wildlife officials.

Now theyve been found in Oklahoma rivers and lakes as far north as the Kansas border, and down to the states southern border with Texas, officials said.

Bighead carp consume large quantities of zooplankton, aquatic insect larvae and adults, the post said. Because of their feeding habits, bighead carp are a direct competitor with our native species like paddlefish, and bigmouth buffalo; as well as all larval and juvenile fishes and native mussels.

If a bighead carp is caught, the only thing officials ask is that they not be released.

If you catch this invasive species DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE WATER, the post said.

Bald eagle spotted awkwardly swimming in Canada  then comes another surprise

Massive fish earn avid angler two state records in two weeks, Wyoming officials say

Elusive demon shark with shining white eyes discovered by Australian researchers

Venomous snake named Red Hot Cheeto for its spicy attitude, Texas park says
The Russian invaders have lost 31 UAVs, 21 artillery systems and 5 tanks, with total losses of units of equipment reaching at least 85, during the past day of the war.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: Total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 14 May 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 198,880 (+620) military personnel,

3,756 (+5) tanks,

7,325 (+18) armoured combat vehicles,

3,116 (+21) artillery systems,

562 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems,

314 (+0) air defence systems,

308 (+0) aircraft,

294 (+0) helicopters,

2,696 (+31) operational-tactical UAVs,

970 (+0) cruise missiles,

18 (+0) ships/boats,

6,018 (+7) vehicles and tankers,

404 (+2) special vehicles and other equipment.

The data is being confirmed.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Authorities are investigating a police-involved shooting that sent one man to the hospital.

According to the Worcester County DAs office, the incident took place around 6 a.m. in the area of 407 Main St.

The man who was shot by the officer is accused of advancing on the officer with a sword.

The man was taken to the hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.

According to the DA, the officer was not injured and was placed on paid administrative leave per Oxford Police protocol.

State police detectives with the Worcester County District Attorneys Office are investigating the shooting. Investigators say Oxford police do not have body cameras.

The incident happened near the entrance to Ladybug Florist, the family-owned shop Sharen Doray owns. Her daughter, Sarah Doray, lives upstairs with her own two-year-old daughter and woke up to the gunshots.

Right outside my daughters window, Sarah Doray said. That was outside my little girls window. Thats whats the scariest to me.

The Dorays say they believe the officer protected their neighborhood and they are thinking of everyone involved.

Im grateful the police officer is okay, Sharen Doray said. Im praying for the person that got shot, because thats just a terrible thing, and that my family is all safe.

While the incident has shaken the neighborhood, the Dorays say it has highlighted the good in the community on Mothers Day, one of the biggest days of the year for florists.

As the parking lot to their shop was taped off for hours during the investigation, a local business, Robbins Garden Center, offered up space in their store for Ladybug Florist to sell their items, and neighbors opened their driveways for customer pick-ups.

The Dorays say that kindness is the Oxford they know.

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
Thomas Wolfe wrote, in a novel posthumously published in 1940, You Can't Go Home Again, about an author who writes about his (fictional) home town, Libya Hill, but which readers believe represented Asheville, NC, Wolfe's home town. The book was a bestseller but Asheville residents, unhappy with how they believed themselves portrayed, sent Wolfe menacing letters and death threats.

Robert Azzi

It appears that Elizabeth Gurley Flynn - radical labor organizer, civil rights activist, orator, feminist - can't return home either.

Recently, in Concord, NH, after a historical marker was erected to honor the native-born social justice activist, ACLU co-founder, and Communist Party activist, a coven of Republican politicians and conservative social media activists have mounted a malign campaign to have the marker removed.

The Concord marker references Flynn as "The Rebel Girl," acknowledging a c1915 song written in tribute to her by Joe Hill, a songwriter, activist, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) who was working at the time as a laborer at the Silver King Mine in Park City, Utah.

From Concord's street corners to this moment she was always too much woman for too many men. In a state that names towns for generals who distributed small-pox infected blankets to Native peoples, that celebrates a Supreme Court Justice, Levi Woodbury, who supported the rights of slaveholders and the Fugitive Slave Act, one shouldn't be surprised at the irrationality of an opposition based solely on one aspect of a singular life.

Flynn came of age at a time of unfettered capitalism for some; of Jim Crow, exploitation of immigrants, institutional misogyny and trampled rights for too many others.

The first half of the 20th century was tumultuous. Two World Wars, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, Genocide, Antisemitism, war in Korea, and the beginning of the dismantling of colonialist colonies, while at home the Great Depression, McCarthyism, the Cold War, Racism, exploitation and unemployment roiled America for decades.

Story continues

Within all that tumult Flynn became, in 1920, one of the founders of the ACLU, an organization - from the Scopes Trial to its defense of Jehovahs Witnesses to its defense of marchers in Skokie and its challenges to loyalty oaths and blacklisting - has been central to the preservation of civil liberties in America.

The ACLU, yielding to popular sentiments, expelled Flynn, because of her Communist Party membership, in 1940, when she refused to resign from the organization. In l976, the ACLU repudiated her ouster.

Flynn fought for womens rights. She campaigned for equal pay and opportunities and was an early advocate of birth control. She was part of a New York City textile strike in 1909 and in 1912 was a organizer in the Bread and Roses" strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, so named because strikers carried signs that read We want Bread and Roses too, advocating not only for better wages but for time and opportunity to enjoy their lives.

While Flynn, from an early age, personally experienced the nature and inequities of capitalism and opposed it all of her life, it's also clear she failed to recognize how the Soviet Union and the Communist Party had abandoned their egalitarian principles and the purges that killed millions of people, not all of which was publicly known contemporaneously.

In June 1951, Flynn was arrested and prosecuted, along with others described in the New York Times as second-string CP leadership, for trying to overthrow the American government. She acted as her own counsel for ten months and was eloquent and courageous, calling up her long career and her personal reasons for joining and advancing the Party.

In her opening statement she said, "We who are members of the Communist Party repudiate the exclusive identification of democracy with capitalism. We declare that democracy can be widened, take on new aspects, become truly a rule of the people, only when it is extended to the economic life of the people, as in the Soviet Union. As far as women are concerned, the U.S.S.R. is a trailblazer for equal rights and equal opportunities."

On January 20, 1953, all the defendants were found guilty.

When, impressed by her advocacy, the presiding judge seriously offered her the option of living the rest of her life in Russia instead of two years in prison she refused: I am an American; I want to live and work in the United States of America. I am not interested in going any place else and would reject any such proposition.

After her release from prison she visited the Soviet Union for the first time in 1960. During a second trip in 1964 she was hospitalized within a month of arrival and died on September 5th. The Soviets, no doubt in part to poke America in the eye during the Cold War, gave her a full-scale state funeral in Red Square attended by over 25,000 people.

Her body was returned to America and buried in Chicago.

I don't believe that Flynn was "an anti-American Communist." I found nothing in the public record, or anything in the trial record (she testified for nearly a month) that advocated for the violent overthrow of the United States.

Somewhere between Flynn's embrace of communism and the reality of a Soviet Union under Stalin and Berea, rests a complicated set of truths about Americans living and supporting the Communist Party, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly among those who supported the USSR for its opposition to Nazi-Germany's racism.

The contested historical marker is about more than Flynn. It's about the right of all Americans for representation, acknowledgment, and space in the Public Square - even if their point-of-view is not politically correct.

This isn't about a Communist who is an American. This is about the acknowledgment of an American who loved this country, who was also a communist, whose life should be honored.

Of the 279 historical markers listed in New Hampshire fewer than 10 honor women.

Alongside Flynn, I wonder, where are markers celebrating Ona Judge Staines, Christa Mcauliffe, Lotte Jacobi, and Armenia White? Where are Grace Metalious, Sara George Bagley, Laura Bridgman, Dinah Whipple, and Willa Cather.

"I fell in love with my country - its rivers, prairies, forests, mountains, cities and people." she had once written. "No one can take my love of country away from me! I felt then, as I do now, it's a rich, fertile, beautiful land, capable of satisfying all the needs of its people. It could be a paradise on earth if it belonged to the people, not to a small owning class."

"No one can take my love of country away from me!"

Robert Azzi, a photographer and writer who lives in Exeter, can be reached at theother.azzi@gmail.com. His columns are archived at theotherazzi.wordpress.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Azzi: Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: Concord's 'Rebel Girl'
Ascension St. Vincents Southside, located in Jacksonville has achieved a remarkable milestone in the field of maternity care. In the month of April, the hospital set a new record by delivering a staggering 253 babies.

This number represents a significant 67% increase from previous records and establishes Ascension St. Vincents Southside as the leading facility for childbirth in the region.

James Machado, the regional president of Ascension St. Vincents Southside, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to assist mothers in welcoming such a large number of newborns into the world. He emphasized the hospitals unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of both mothers and infants. Machado recognized the significance of childbirth as a pivotal moment in a familys life and commended the hospitals care teams for creating positive experiences for mothers and their loved ones.

The unprecedented number of births recorded at Ascension St. Vincents Southside is a testament to the institutions dedication to providing compassionate care. In an era when expectant parents have a multitude of options for selecting where to deliver their babies, the fact that they consistently choose Ascension St. Vincents Southside speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of care provided by the hospital.

Recognizing the unique needs of the community, Ascension St. Vincents Southside offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual preferences. The hospitals family birthplace encompasses various amenities, including breastfeeding support, childbirth classes, and midwifery services. Moreover, the facility boasts a team of skilled doctors specializing in maternal-fetal medicine and neonatal care, ensuring that both mother and baby receive the highest level of attention throughout the pregnancy and birthing journey. Ascension St. Vincents Southside is also equipped with a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to cater to the specialized needs of newborns requiring additional support.

Story continues

For those seeking further information about Ascension St. Vincents Southsides maternity services and womens healthcare, they are encouraged to visit Ascension.org/StVincentsWomens.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
A baby girl was rushed to the hospital Saturday evening after falling into a swimming pool at a Fresno home.

People at the scene administered CPR on the 1-year-old before deputies and emergency personnel arrived around 6:20 p.m. at the home on Spyglass Avenue near Laguna Vista Avenue near Fort Washington Country Club in northwest Fresno.

Sheriffs spokesman Tony Botti said the baby was taken to Valley Childrens Hospital and was listed in critical condition.

Deputies didnt have other details on the incident.
Lisa McGee and Siobhan McSweeney both thanked the people of Londonderry in their speeches

A triumphant night at the Bafta TV Awards is "an amazing end to our Derry Girls journey", according to the show's writer Lisa McGee.

The Channel 4 comedy, set in Londonderry in the 1990s, won a Bafta for scripted comedy.

Siobhan McSweeney also won best female performance in a comedy programme for her portrayal of Sister Michael.

The BBC later issued a statement in response to criticism of an edit of McSweeney's acceptance speech.

In part of her speech, which was omitted from the main BBC broadcast and BBC iPlayer but played out in full on the Bafta's official YouTube channel, she was critical of some politicians.

"To the people of Derry, thank you for taking me into your hearts and your living rooms," she said.

"I am daily impressed with how you encompass the spirit of compromise and resilience despite the indignities, ignorance, and stupidity of your so-called leaders in Dublin, Stormont, and Westminster," she told the audience at the ceremony on Sunday.

"In the words of my beloved Sr Michael, it is time they started to wise-up," she added.

'Time constraints'

In a statement on Monday, the BBC said: "While we always aim to keep the core sentiment of acceptance speeches, edits have to be made due to time constraints."

A BBC spokesperson said the edit was part of a number of cuts to the broadcast which was played out to TV audiences with a delay.

"The live event is three hours and it has to be reduced to two hours for its on-air slot," they said.

"The same happened to other speeches made during the night and all edits were made to ensure the programme was delivered to time."

They said that all winners' speeches will be available to watch on the Bafta's Youtube channel.

Derry Girls was first broadcast in 2018 and ran for three seasons before finishing in 2022.

Based around Derry Girls Erin, Michelle, Clare and Orla, plus "the wee English fella" James, the show was about the everyday life of a group of teenagers set against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Story continues

It also featured a number of high profile cameos, from Liam Neeson to Conleth Hill.

In her acceptance speech, McGee said that she was struggling to access her list of thank yous because she had forgotten her phone passcode.

"I'd like to thank our first home, Derry, with its unbreakable spirit, and hilarious characters," she went on.

"We'd tell people we were making a comedy about teenagers navigating the Troubles and the standard response was 'that's not funny'," she told the audience.

"It didn't have runaway hit written all over it."

The writer added she found "in the specific there is always universal" and there is always "light in the dark".

"What an amazing end to our Derry Girls journey. It's been a privilege making this show and thank you for watching."

The wonderful @LisaMMcGee forgets her phone password as she takes to the stage with the Derry Girls team to accept their Scripted Comedy BAFTA!#BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises pic.twitter.com/IwDrrCA8og  BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 14, 2023

Derry Girls ran for 19 episodes across three seasons, including a finale set as Northern Ireland prepared to vote on the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

It has previously enjoyed success with a a Bafta for scripted comedy in 2020 and awards at the Irish Film and Television Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards.
An original copy of The Beatles' 1968 White Album has been donated to a charity shop.

The British Heart Foundation said the album, complete with original inserts and a foldout poster, was handed over at its Sutton Coldfield branch.

It is thought to be incredibly rare, featuring a misprint unique to the first version of the record of which there are only 10,000 copies.

The charity has listed it on its eBay account, with bids starting at 999.99.

"Our music and vinyl experts were thrilled when this valuable piece of music history was donated to the BHF," said Richard Pallier, from the charity.

Despite being more than 50 years old, he said the album was "in good condition".

White Album, sold with a blank sleeve, was the quartet's ninth studio album and is formally titled The Beatles.

It is often said to be the band's best ever album and comprises 30 songs.

Bidding is open on the British Heart Foundation's eBay page until about 22:00 BST on Monday.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister. FedEx

Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister are the first mom-daughter co-pilots of an international flight.

They flew from Tennessee to South Korea after Eidson asked if McCallister could join her.

Eidson's husband was a relief pilot on the flight, meaning McCallister got to fly with both parents.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister, FedEx pilots who became the first mother-daughter duo to copilot an international flight. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Teri: I remember growing up as a girl in Australia and seeing planes flying overhead. I thought that would be really cool.

Back in the 60s, a girl's path was if you want to get in an airline, you're gonna be a flight attendant. But as I got older I started realizing that flying the airplane could be an option as well. So I chose that path, and I never did become a flight attendant.

Before I started actually flying, I did a little bit of skydiving. But after about the third jump and busting at my ankle, I said okay, maybe I'll fly the airplane instead.

I met my husband at college, and he got his private pilot license. Then he went to FedEx and told me it was a great job. I worked on the ramp handling boxes for four years before I got on the pilot line. So it was kind of cool that we actually got to land the same job at the same company.

Nicole: When I was young, my parents took me to Christmas parties at the Falcon building at FedEx. So I remember growing up and associating FedEx with Christmas.

I remember I was 13 or 14 and knew I wanted to become a pilot. So I talked to my parents about it since they're in the industry, and they asked me if I wanted to be a lawyer instead. But I told them no, I want to be a pilot.

As I got older and I was in college working through some of my flight training, my mom said FedEx was a really good opportunity, and they'd help pay for some of my flight training.

Story continues

So I started working with FedEx as a box handler and FedEx helped pay for part of my instruments. I worked with the regional airline Ravn Alaska before I got hired again by FedEx, which was my dream job.

How it happened

FedEx plane

The FedEx flight used by Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister on their record breaking journey.FedEx

Teri: So about two weeks before I was scheduled to do this trip from Memphis International Airport to Incheon, South Korea, I talked to the chief pilot and asked, "Would you mind getting Nicole in. Because that would be kind of cool to fly with my daughter?" And they were able to get her to swap with another copilot.

Anything over 12 hours, you need two relief pilots to come in and let you take a break. My husband bumped one of the relief pilots, so it was actually the three of us flying together, and that was really cool.

Nicole: There was a little turbulence climbing coming out of Memphis but other than that it was pretty smooth.

Teri: We did the flight and it didn't seem as odd as I thought it would be. When we're flying together, she responds to checklist items and I respond to call-outs just like normal. We got to cruise, you get to kick back a little bit and put the autopilot on and talk and stuff.

But for the most part, she was my copilot. Then we get on the ground and we had a good time. We got to eat dinner and hang together so on the layovers, it was fun.

The pair before their flight. FedEx

What's next?

Nicole: I'm based in Anchorage, Alaska, on a Boeing 777 and my mom's based in Memphis on the 777.

So for the future, I don't know if we'd be able to accommodate a lot of trips together. It'd be nice, but they were able to make this trip happen.

Teri: We have like 900 copilots and 700 captains between the two bases. So getting paired up is going to be a little bit difficult.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Alexander Lukashenko

Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko delivered the speech instead of the dictator.

The event was held on the State Flag Square in Minsk.

Read also: Lukashenko unable to walk 300 meters, skips breakfast with Putin in Moscow

Earlier, it was reported that Lukashenko had visited the presidential medical clinic in the Drozdy complex near Minsk on the evening of May 13, after rumors spread that he was ill.

Zerkalo (a medium set up by the former TUT.Y news outlet team) wrote that Lukashenko has been making many fewer public appearances since May.

Lukashenko attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, but looked uncomfortable and ill at ease. He was unable to walk a few hundred meters to the place where he was to lay flowers together with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and the other foreign guests  the presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the prime minister of Armenia.

Read also: At last minute, three more heads of state decide to attend Putin's parade

The Belarusian dictator was then absent from a breakfast for the foreign guests hosted by Putin.

Lukashenko was also seen wearing a bandage on his arm, and upon his return from Moscow, he did not deliver the traditional May 9 speech on Victory Square in the Belarusian capital Minsk.

The Belarusian opposition has claimed that Lukashenko is ill.

Read also: Blogger convicted for online reaction to Lukashenko cartoon dies in Belarusian colony

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
BMW

EVs are heavy, but they are also uniquely quiet and can be built with fairly substantial horsepower relatively easily. That makes them the perfect platform for luxury SUVs, which seem to only become more popular by the year. here are the best offerings on the market today.

2023 Genesis GV60 Performance

Price: $59,290

The GV60 is the first dedicated EV from Genesis, the Hyundai-affiliated luxury brand that plans to only make EVs in the near future. That makes it an important car to the brand, and that importance is met with an excellent small luxury crossover. The car even comes with a performance variant packing 429 horsepower, but at $68,290 it is a bit pricey.

The GV60 is quick and luxurious

DW Burnett

2023 BMW iX

Price: $87,100

Yes, unfortunately, the BMW iX looks like this. Get past the questionable appearance, however, and you find one of the best cars of any sort on the market today. The price of entry is high, but the iX brings all of BMW's biggest strengths together in an unexpected place to build a quick, high-quality car that is excellent to be in and fun to drive.

You may want to hate it, but...

BMW

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70

Price: $65,850

While the Electrified GV70 may not be an electric-only offering like the smaller GV60, the latest EV offering from Genesis excels because it is a GV70. The recipe is simple: take an excellent car, then give it an excellent EV powertrain. The result is something stellar.

One of the best luxury crossovers on sale today

Genesis

2023 Cadillac Lyriq

Price: $58,590

The future of Cadillac starts here, with the Lyriq SUV. The compact crossover is the most memorable mass-market General Motors design in ages, and it happens to also be a stellar value-for-money proposition that should get EV buyers looking at one of America's oldest brands.

The right car at the right time

Chris Perkins

2023 Rivian R1S

Price: $78,000

Rivian calls their luxury EVs "electric adventure vehicles," putting a Jeep-like focus on capability despite building cars in two separate segments that typically put comfort first. The resulting cars may not be cheap, but they are competitive with EVs in their size and class while providing a wholly unique experience.

Story continues

The go-anywhere luxury EV

Rivian

2023 Tesla Model Y

Price: $50,490

Tesla's lineup of four cars styled like the Model S may be getting long in the tooth, but the company's standard-setting "Supercharger" charging network remains a unique feature that makes any product the company makes more valuable. The Model Y is a cheaper point of entry for drivers interested in an SUV that can be recharged at a Supercharger than the larger Model X, making it the more valuable proposition.

Supercharger not "self-driving," is Tesla's biggest triumph

Tesla

2023 Mercedes EQE SUV

Price: $77,900

Like every other Mercedes EQS and EQE product, the EQE SUV certainly looks like an egg. While it may not be as exciting as the BMW iX, the EQE brings the Mercedes EQ focus on technology to the electric luxury midsize crossover.

Still missing something, though.

Mack Hogan

You Might Also Like
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP)  President Joe Biden and congressional leaders will likely resume talks on Tuesday at the White House over the debt limit as the nation continues to edge closer to its legal borrowing authority with no agreement in sight.

The meeting was initially supposed to be Friday, but was abruptly postponed so staff-level talks could continue before Biden and the four congressional leaders huddled for a second time.

Administration and congressional officials said Sunday that a meeting has not been finalized, although Tuesday was the likeliest option. Biden was returning to Washington on Monday and is scheduled to leave for the Group of Seven summit in Japan on Wednesday.

Biden on Sunday did not detail much progress in the talks, but said he remained hopeful that an agreement could be reached with Republicans to avoid what would be an unprecedented debt default, which could trigger a financial catastrophe.

"I remain optimistic because Im a congenital optimist," Biden told reporters while out for a bike ride in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. "But I really think theres a desire on their part as well as ours to reach an agreement. I think well be able to do it.

Aides said talks had continued throughout the weekend. But at least publicly, there was little indication that either the White House or House Republicans had budged from their initial positions. Biden has called on lawmakers to lift the debt limit without preconditions, warning that the nations borrowing authority should not be used to impose deep spending cuts and other conservative policy demands.

Weve not reached the crunch point yet, Biden told reporters Saturday before flying to his beach home. Theres real discussion about some changes we all could make. Were not there yet.

Biden did signal over the weekend that he could be open to tougher work requirements for certain government aid programs, which Republicans are proposing as part of the ongoing discussion. He has said he will not accept anything that takes away peoples health care coverage.

Story continues

I voted for tougher aid programs thats in the law now, but for Medicaid its a different story, he said. And so Im waiting to hear what their exact proposal is.

Administration officials said the talks among staff had so far been productive after Biden and the leaders  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky  ended their first meeting last Tuesday without a breakthrough.

The president described that Oval Office session as productive even though McCarthy said later he didnt see any new movement toward resolving the stalemate. White House and congressional aides have been in talks since Wednesday.

The staff is very engaged. I would characterize the engagement as serious, as constructive, Lael Brainard, head of the White Houses National Economic Council, said on CBS Face the Nation.

McCarthy has insisted on using the threat of defaulting on the nations debts to wrangle spending changes, arguing that the federal government cant continue to spend money at the pace it is now. The national debt now stands at $31.4 trillion.

An increase in the debt limit would not authorize new federal spending. It would only allow for borrowing to pay for what Congress has already approved.

The Treasury Department has said the government could exhaust the ability to pay its bills as early as June 1. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office gave a similar warning Friday, saying there was a significant risk of default sometime in the first two weeks of next month.

But federal estimates still remain in flux.

The CBO noted Friday that if the cash flow at the Treasury and the extraordinary measures that the department is now using can continue to pay for bills through June 15, the government can probably finance its operations through the end of July. Thats because the expected tax revenues that will come in mid-June and other measures will give the federal government enough cash for at least a few more weeks.

Ultimately the stakes are, the United States has never defaulted on its debt, Wally Adeyemo, the deputy treasury secretary, said on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday. And we can't.

And Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told ABC's This Week: "I think defaulting is not the right path to go down. So I am an eternal optimist.''

He added, this is always a game we play, every Congress, you know, in daring each other to jump off the cliff. Its a dangerous game.
Boosie has responded to claims that Pras cooperated with the feds in his case. During an interview with VladTV, Boosie was asked about Pras actions and whether or not he was surprised. The Louisiana native said he wasnt shocked at the revelation and claimed that the industry was overrun by rats.

Its a worldwide movement, bro. Its a worldwide movement of rats. And its turning out the music industry is full of em, Boosie asserted. Theres more rats in the music industry than the streets. Because I think they dont wanna lose.

You know? They dont wanna lose this lifestyle. Thats how they develop into rats, because they want all this sh*t but they dont wanna lose it. And they figure they can go get it back when they come home.

The Wipe Me Down rapper continued, speaking about how the children are directly impacted by the rats actions.

Most of the time, when those snitches, whatever they do, they end up dying, deaths. They end up living horrible lives.  The people who supporting rats dont give a f**k about children. Those children suffer when you rat on that f**king family and that daddy. That child grows up without a daddy, that child grows up without a mother. So, anybody supporting f**king rats, they dont give a f**k about a kid.

In April 2023, The Fugees Pras Michel was found guilty on 10 criminal counts in the federal conspiracy trial.

According to CBS News, prosecutors labeled Pras actions as a clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme to assist Malaysian businessman Jho Low get closer to former US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump and illegally fund part of their campaigns.

Michel testified that he met with FBI agents to discuss Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui and three Americans who were being held hostage in China.

Pras Michel, a member of the 1990s hip-hop group the Fugees and his lawyer David Kenner (R) arrive at U.S. District Court on April 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. Michel is on trial for his alleged participation in a campaign finance conspiracy.

I took it upon myself to report because I thought the FBI should know, he explained. Furthermore, the musician opened up about Low paying him $20 million to secure a photo of Low and Obama. Prosecutors argued that over $800,000 of those funds were redirected to former President Obamas reelection campaign.

Story continues

Pras hit back at the claims, asserting that Lows money was a gift. David Kenner, the artists attorney, added, This is all about a highly valuable photo. He was trying to make moneyit is not illegal.

More from VIBE.com

Click here to read the full article.
Border Patrol agents arrested an Afghan national on the FBIs terror watchlist after he crossed into the U.S. illegally Wednesday in California, multiple sources at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told Fox News.

The Afghan national crossed the border with a group of migrants near Otay Mesa, California, the sources said. Border Patrol agents took the migrants to a processing station, where a fingerprint scan determined the Afghan was a match on the Terrorist Screening Database. The FBI was then notified, confirmed the results, and began an investigation.

DEMOCRAT REP. RO KHANNA RIPS GOP BORDER BILL AS EXTREME, CLAIMS BIDEN DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN

Border Patrol agents arrested an Afghan national on the FBIs terror watch list after he crossed into the U.S. illegally Wednesday in California, multiple sources at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told Fox News.

The arrested subject crossed the border a day prior to the end of Title 42  a COVID-19 emergency policy that allowed border agents to turn away migrants. Thousands of migrants have flooded to the border since the policy expired.

US BORDER IS SCRAMBLING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO BIDENS ARTIFICIAL CRISIS: REP. BYRON DONALDS

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who represents the district where the arrest was made, told Fox News the Biden administrations border policies attract terrorists.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Bidens open borders arent just a gateway to five million illegals, record human and child trafficking and the deadliest drug crisis in our history," Issa said. "Bidens reckless policy is also an open invitation to even the most wanted terrorists in the world to come to America. They know theyll never have to leave. The nation knows whats going on and this president has only begun to be held accountable for what he has done."

FORMER ASSISTANT TREASURY SECRETARY ISSUES STARK WARNING OVER BIDEN BORDER PRIORITIES: A 'DELIBERATE ACT'

MATAMOROS, MEXICO - Migrants walk into the Rio Grande from the bank of the river as they cross to enter the United States on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico.

Issas office said they confirmed the arrest of the suspected terrorist with their local CBP.
By Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke

BERLIN (Reuters) -Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats won an election on Sunday in Germany's smallest state, Bremen, in a vote that could give a modest lift to the centre-left party which has seen its popularity slide nationally.

The state is not deemed a political bellwether for other parts of Germany given its specific characteristics and its small size with around 683,000 inhabitants in Bremen city and its Bremerhaven North Sea port.

By contrast, the states of Bavaria and Hesse, which will hold elections in October, together comprise nearly a quarter of Germany's population of 83.2 million.

Still, the traditional SPD stronghold - a car hub that is turning into a key port for the growing offshore wind industry - is the first federal state to hold a fresh election this year.

Projected results published by the local statistics office put the SPD in pole position on 29.5%, up 4.6 percentage points from the last election in 2019 when it suffered a bitter loss to the conservatives. Despite the defeat four years ago, it was still able to retain the mayorship after forming a coalition with the environmentalist Greens and far-left Left party.

Sunday's result, if confirmed, would be around 10 percentage points better than the SPD is polling on a national level where it has slumped since the 2019 federal election amid a cost-of-living crisis in the wake of the Ukraine war.

"The number one in Bremen - that's us," said Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, whose popularity contributed to the win.

The conservatives came in second place in Bremen on 25.8%, down 0.9 percentage points on their 2019 result, according to the projected results.

Meanwhile both parties partnering with the SPD in Scholz's federal coalition, the Greens and liberal Free Democrats (FDP), suffered losses in Bremen.

The Greens took the worst hit with 11.8%, down 5.6 percentage points.

"We need to look at what we did wrong," said Omid Nouripour, Greens co-chief, saying this was also a reflection on the party's performance at national level.

Story continues

The party has come under fire in recent months for its energy and climate policies - in particular a law banning most new oil and gas heating systems from 2024 - that critics say will put too great a burden on households and are not sufficiently thought-through.

Lately it has also faced accusations of cronyism in the Greens-run economy ministry, which it rejects.

The pro-business Free Democrats scored 5.2%, down 0.7 percentage points, according to the projected results, and only marginally above the 5% threshold to enter parliament - a hurdle it failed to clear in three state votes.

The Left party scored 11.5% and the right-wing populist party Buerger in Wut (Citizens in Rage) 9.5%.

Support for the Buerger in Wut jumped after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has surged in nationwide polls to 15-17%, was absent from the ballot in Bremen due to internal divisions.

Final results were expected on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Alexander Ratz and Victoria Waldersee; editing by Mark Heinrich, Matthias Williams, Ros Russell and Cynthia Osterman)
Jacob Rees-Mogg

Brexit has helped to prevent Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine from succeeding, Jacob-Rees Mogg has claimed.

The former Brexit opportunities minister suggested there would have been a mucky compromise with the Russian leader, whose war has been frustrated by the scale of Ukrainian resistance, if British foreign policy were still aligned with Brussels.

Mr Rees-Mogg referred to the principle of sincere cooperation, which means the EU and its member states must in full mutual respect assist each other by performing tasks that stem from its range of treaties.

Asked by Skys Sophy Ridge what he would say the benefits of Brexit have been, Mr Rees-Mogg said: We saved 191 billion by not being in the EU for its Covid recovery fund. That would have been our share of the EUs recovery fund. 191 billion, thats one thing.

Johnson leadership helped stop Putin

What else  weve got a free trade deal with Australia which will be much better than the forecasts predict. [And] we were able to show global leadership over Ukraine.

Putin would probably have invaded Ukraine successfully if the UK had been bound in by the requirement of sincere cooperation and had had to follow a Franco-German line in dealing with Russia, which is what we did in 2014.

Pressed on whether he genuinely believed Putin would have launched a successful invasion without Brexit, Mr Rees-Mogg replied: I think the leadership shown by Boris Johnson, which he could only do because he was not bound by sincere cooperation, ensured that a coalition was set up that made it impossible for Putin to succeed.

And if I think that hadnt been the case, wed have been bound by this concept of sincere cooperation, wed have had the mucky compromise that was delivered in 2014 when Russia invaded the Crimea. But I think its really important.

Mr Johnson oversaw some 3.8 billion of military and economic support for Ukraine between the Russian invasion in February 2022 and his departure from Downing Street seven months later.

Story continues

He enjoyed high levels of support among Ukrainians and paid a number of visits to the war-torn country, forming a close bond with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.

Support for Rishi

Mr Zelensky has lauded the former prime minister for supporting his country from the first day of the Russian terror and championing Western military aid before many other European leaders.

Elsewhere in his interview on Sunday morning, Mr Rees-Mogg said it had of course been a mistake for Conservative MPs to oust Mr Johnson last summer after a series of scandals.

However, he added: It would be an even bigger mistake now to get rid of Rishi Sunak. The Conservative Party cannot keep on changing leaders. We must back the leader we have got.

Im supporting Rishi Sunak, let me be clear about that. The Tory Party would be toast if we changed leader again, and we need to support the leader weve got. But that doesnt mean we agree with him on every policy.

Mr Rees-Mogg  who left Cabinet when Mr Sunak came to power in October  was among the speakers at a conference held by Conservative Democratic Organisation on Saturday.

The pressure group has been set up by disillusioned backers of Mr Johnson after he and then Liz Truss were forced out of No 10 despite being elected by party members. A number of its key figures have publicly urged the return of Mr Johnson.

The people who have messed it up have been the MPs not the members of our party, Mr Rees-Mogg told the conference.

He described Mr Johnson as the most successful electoral asset the Tories had, adding he was removed without so much as a by-your-leave from the members.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Chinese traders to enter Vietnam for lychee purchase

More than 201 Chinese traders have registered to enter Vietnam to purchase lychee in the northern province of Bac Giang between mid-May and July, Trade and Industry Promotion Center of the province has announced.





Vietnamese lychee products are hugely popular with Chinese consumers (Photo: Tuoi Tre)



More Chinese businesspeople are scheduled to arrive in Luc Ngan district  which has the largest area under lychee cultivation in Vietnam - on May 20.



Bac Giang boasts 29,700 hectares of lychee farms that are expected to yield more than 180,000 tonnes of the juicy fruit this year.



Instead of launching trade promotion campaigns across the country this year, Bac Giang will help farmers and co-operatives to directly connect with businesses to sign purchasing contracts.



So far, the Trade and Industry Promotion Center has signed 34 documents with agricultural wholesale markets, e-commerce trading floors, supermarket chains, and businesses to consume about 110,000 tonnes of lychee.



Vietnamese lychee products are hugely popular with Chinese consumers. The Luc Ngan lychee in Bac Giang boasts a distinctive flavour that is different from those cultivated in other regions. The juicy fruit has been exported to many countries around the world, such as China, Thailand, the United States, Australia and others.
Former Dep Chief Con Tyron Joyce, the head of the Police Race Action Plan, retired after complaints were made

Britains most senior black police officer, who was responsible for tackling police racism across all forces in England and Wales, has left his job amid bullying allegations, The Telegraph can disclose.

Dep Chief Constable Tyron Joyce, the head of the Police Race Action Plan  an initiative to combat discrimination against the public and within the police, has retired following a complaint by his second in command.

The Telegraph understands that the complaint by a senior female civil servant has been sent to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), who said on Sunday that it had been referred to a local force for investigation.

We received a mandatory conduct referral from West Yorkshire Police in April relating to allegations of bullying and discrimination by a senior officer. After careful consideration of the available information, we determined the matter should be subject to a local investigation, an IOPC spokesman said.

Sources close to the case confirmed that Liz Unwin, who previously worked as the action plan's programme lead, accused Mr Joyce of undermining her professional role in front of colleagues which led to a deterioration in her mental health.

Equivalent seniority

Mrs Unwin is a senior civil servant of equivalent seniority to Mr Joyce, with decades of experience working for police forces and the Foreign Office. It is understood that Mrs Unwin resigned in January this year and raised concerns with the head of the National Police Chiefs Council at the time, later putting in a formal complaint.

Until his retirement, Mr Joyce was the highest ranking officer of black heritage in the police across England and Wales. Before his appointment at the council to lead the race plan, he held the position of Asst Chief Constable at West Yorkshire Police.

Documents seen by the Telegraph show that prior to Mrs Unwins complaint, Mr Joyce was subject to an internal investigation in 2019, based on concerns by multiple members of staff about bullying and discrimination.

Story continues

The internal inquiry took place when he ran the National Police Air Service, which is headquartered in West Yorkshire. The Telegraph understands he received a warning regarding his behaviour, but some of those who complained feel the response was inadequate.

David Howell, one of the senior managers at the air service who complained to the professional standards department of West Yorkshire Police, said he believed that diversity issues and Mr Joyces current role made it more complex for senior officers to respond adequately to accusations against him.

The organisational and personal fall out was too great, said Mr Howell.

The National Police Chiefs Council confirmed that Mr Joyce had left his role. He has updated his social media account to describe himself as the former temporary Dep Chief Constable at the race action plan.

Mr Joyces departure has caused consternation among whistleblowers who are concerned that it could prevent a thorough investigation into his behaviour being carried out. They question how he was promoted to such a sensitive role after complaints were made.

Six accusations of bullying

The Telegraph understands that in recent years more than six staff at the National Police Air Service staff have accused Mr Joyce of bullying.

Allegations include intimidation, offensive and lewd comments in the workplace and comments about a disabled employee which were believed to be discriminatory.

It is understood that some of those who complained were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements, meaning they were prevented from discussing details of their concerns.

Mr Joyce was alleged to have called a disabled member of staff Ironside  a reference to the eponymous 1970s TV detective in a wheelchair  and asked the same man if he needed crayons to explain something at a meeting.

Despite the findings against Mr Joyce, he went on to be promoted several times to Commander and later Asst Chief Constable at West Yorkshire Police. Mr Joyce joined the race action plan in April 2022.

West Yorkshire Police, from which Mr Joyce was seconded to the National Police Chiefs Council, said it was unable to comment on named individuals. The organisation also has responsibility for the National Police Air Service and did not comment on allegations that the investigation into Mr Joyce was insufficient.

Mrs Unwin did not respond to questions. Mr Joyce did not respond to requests for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
US President Joe Biden says he has taken more action to reduce gun violence than any other American leader, but the number of mass shootings in the country continues to rise

US President Joe Biden used Sunday's first anniversary of a racially motivated mass shooting to highlight steps he is taking to reduce gun violence, while repeating his demand that Congress "do more" to save lives.

Ten Black Americans were murdered on May 14, 2022, at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, by a self-declared white supremacist gunman.

Multiple mass shootings followed, including a school rampage 10 days later in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 young children and two teachers were killed by a teen gunman wielding an assault-style rifle.

Biden, writing in a column in the newspaper USA Today, called on Americans to "seize the momentum" and spur Congress into action, and said he is using his executive authority to boost or otherwise reinforce existing gun control measures, including those that passed in a historic bill last June.

"I'm doing everything I can to reduce gun violence, but Congress must do more," Biden said.

He said Congress must act by "banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from liability."

A federal assault weapons ban -- like the one Biden helped pass as a senator, but which expired in 2004 -- is extremely unlikely in today's divided Congress, where Republicans overwhelmingly oppose such measures.

The Democratic president said that a majority of Americans want "commonsense action" on gun violence, but "too many congressional Republicans are doing the bidding of gun manufacturers instead of their constituents."

The White House in an accompanying fact sheet described several Biden administration initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence.

They include enhancing background checks for gun purchases, particularly by people under 21; adding dating relationship statuses in domestic abuse cases to help keep guns out of abusers' hands; boosting school safety awareness; and increased prosecutions over firearms trafficking and purchases of weapons for people banned from buying a gun.

Story continues

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said last year's law, the most significant legislation to regulate firearms since 1994, was a good beginning but "not enough" to substantially reduce gun violence.

US lawmakers "have put their heads in the sand, and they are more responsive to the needs of the gunmakers... making a profit and less interested in the lives of American citizens," Brown told CNN Sunday.

More than 215 US mass shootings have occurred this year, according to the non-governmental organization Gun Violence Archive.

mlm/nro
Police walk outside the Tops grocery store on May 15, 2022, in Buffalo, New York.

Police walk outside the Tops grocery store on May 15, 2022, in Buffalo, New York.

One year ago, Brooklyn Hough was a cashier at Tops Friendly Market, located on Buffalos east side. She was 22 years old and working to support her two children. Hough was just going out for her lunch break on a typical, quiet Saturday.

Then Payton Gendron arrived at the store. He carried out a racist shooting spree that would shock the nation and traumatize the city.

Hough heard gunshots and then screaming. At first, she thought the store was getting robbed. She fled through the back of the store.

I did not see the killing, but I did see the bodies, Hough told HuffPost.

She tried to call her boyfriend but his phone was dead, so she called her mother. Her mother could hear other people screaming, too.

Gendron murdered 10 Black people and injured three others. In his 180-page manifesto, the 18-year-old said he was fighting back against the Great Replacement, a dangerous white supremacist ideology that claims the government and Democrats are deliberately replacing ethnic Europeans with non-Europeans to gain political and cultural advantage.

Brooklyn Hough, 23, is pictured in Buffalo on May 13, 2023. Hough was a cashier at the Tops supermarket when the massacre that killed 10 people happened last year, and she survived.

Brooklyn Hough, 23, is pictured in Buffalo on May 13, 2023. Hough was a cashier at the Tops supermarket when the massacre that killed 10 people happened last year, and she survived.

In February, a state judge gave Gendron 11 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Right before the judge handed down his sentence, a family member of one victim berated the shooter and another man lunged at him, which temporarily halted the proceedings.

For Hough and others in Buffalo, the shooters calculated acts of violence caused pain that will exist for generations in the community. The May 14 shooting is remembered by local activists as 514.

The grocery store shut down after the killings, though its now open. Hough had to find other ways to pay her bills and support her young children, so she took another job working as a cashier elsewhere. Along the way, she became a part of a support group with local activist Myles Carter and others that discusses demands on behalf of the massacre survivors and help for their predominantly Black community.

Story continues

Hough and Carter both remember when President Joe Biden came to town in the days after the tragedy. He talked with the family members who lost loved ones and the people who were injured, though Hough wishes he had met with other people who were in the store, too.

Ten days after the shooting, another 18-year-old went to Uvalde, Texas, and fatally shot 19 children and two teachers inside a school. Seventeen others were injured but survived the attack. National attention quickly turned to Texas.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit a memorial near a Tops grocery store in Buffalo on May 17, 2022.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit a memorial near a Tops grocery store in Buffalo on May 17, 2022.

Carter says that Black people and Black communities have been terrorized for years  and that locking up the killers, while necessary, isnt enough.

For us, Payton Gendron is the person who injured us. But Payton Gendron is a foot soldier in the sea of white supremacy. We dont have any real justice here because he is one of many. And you can see it happening in history over and over again, he said.

Racism existed in Buffalo long before Gendron  he wasnt even the first killer to target the citys Black population.

Four decades ago, a serial killer preyed on Black men in the city, despite residents pleas for police to connect the dots and stop the violence. Beginning in 1980, a man named Joseph Christopher slayed men with a .22 caliber pistol, seemingly at random except with regard to their race  they were all Black men.

Local Black leaders called on city officials to investigate the killings as a conspiracy, but members of law enforcement were still working to draw connections between them.

The killings caught the attention of national civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson at the time, who was working with his Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Jackson came to Buffalo to meet with more than 600 Black residents in the area.

During the funeral for one of the victims, a carload of white people drove by showing a mannequin with red-painted head wounds and threw red paint on the victims funeral hearse.

Christopher was ultimately arrested for killing a 14-year-old Black boy and three men, though he was suspected of many other murders, including those of some Black men who were mutilated or even had their hearts ripped out.

A chalk figure shows where the body of Ernest Jones was found in Tonawanda, New York, on Oct. 9, 1980. Jones, 40, was the second black male killed and mutilated in the Buffalo suburb in two days and the sixth murdered in the prior month.

A chalk figure shows where the body of Ernest Jones was found in Tonawanda, New York, on Oct. 9, 1980. Jones, 40, was the second black male killed and mutilated in the Buffalo suburb in two days and the sixth murdered in the prior month.

To this day, the city is plagued by instances of racism, including some emanating from the Buffalo police. In 2006, a Black officer named Cariol Horne was fired from the department and lost her pension after she stopped a fellow officer from choking a Black man while he was handcuffed.

Fourteen years later, in the aftermath of George Floyds murder, Buffalo would adopt what would become known as Cariols Law, which requires officers to intervene if another officer is using excessive force.

More recently, Buffalo Police Capt. Amber Beyer was named in a lawsuit and reassigned within the department after Black staff said she went on a racist tirade. The suit describes Beyer launching into a 20-minute rant and saying that Black men were all unfaithful to their wives and that Black people commit more crime than white people.

White officers get PTSD from working in Black neighborhoods  like the East Side of Buffalo  but Black officers do not because they are used to violence and Black people commit more violent crime than White people, Beyer allegedly said, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleged that Beyer discriminated against Black employees by offering overtime hours to white officers with the least seniority to attend conferences and events.

Beyer was reassigned within the department and admitted to violating its rules and regulations after she received a 30-day unpaid suspension. She took implicit bias training following an internal affairs review.

Local Buffalo activist Myles Carter stands in front of a memorial wall dedicated to the victims of the Tops supermarket massacre, located across the street from the supermarket.

Local Buffalo activist Myles Carter stands in front of a memorial wall dedicated to the victims of the Tops supermarket massacre, located across the street from the supermarket.

Carter himself is suing the citys police department after police tackled and arrested him while he was being interviewed by a local television station in June 2020 amid protests following the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The video went viral and Carter was charged with obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct, though those charges were dropped the following month.

Carter does not believe there was any change in his city after the mass shooting. The people who are dealing with the tragedy of 514 are still locked in their houses and not working, he said.

Carter and Hough want financial and mental support for survivors, reimbursement for purchases made at Tops on the day of the shooting and support for self-defense training.

While Hough was working at Tops, the state increased the minimum wage to $13.20, but it still was not enough to make ends meet. She would like Buffalo Public Schools, the school district from which she graduated, to get much more attention and money.

Five city schools were recently included on a list of underfunded and high-needs schools in the state, according to a report from the New York State Education Department. (In March 2021, Democratic New York Rep. Brian Higgins announced Buffalo schools would receive $814 million plus an additional $232 million from the American Rescue Plan.)

Hough (left) and Carter, are pictured in Buffalo on May 13, 2023.

Hough (left) and Carter, are pictured in Buffalo on May 13, 2023.

Meanwhile, Hough harbors a deep worry that more young white males are being influenced by racist mass murders.

These kids are getting these ideas that they dont like Black people. There are evil people in this world waking up and wanting to kill people. Taking mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and uncles from their family. And it is happening too much, Hough said.

She said that if people make it out of Buffalo, that is an accomplishment. She and other survivors and activists are calling for more work opportunities for Black people.

If you get out of Buffalo and you are successful, kudos to you, Hough said. I feel like the state and government designed Buffalo to be like this; no one is motivated to try to make it.

And she is still waiting for the government to do something about gun violence in the country.

This is America, this is what they do. Before this, there was another one and another one. And it is the same cycle, nothing being done for people and nothing being done for gun violence.

A memorial stands in front of the Tops supermarket in Buffalo on May 13, 2023.

A memorial stands in front of the Tops supermarket in Buffalo on May 13, 2023.
The planned downtown location for the Shaking Crab, a Newton-based restaurant chain, is facing issues with installing ventilation that have delayed construction on the site.

544

The planned location for the Shaking Crab, a Newton-based restaurant chain, is facing issues with installing ventilation that have delayed construction on the site. The chain is considering a restaurant at 544 Main St. If completed, the storefront would be across Main Street from The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. The Shaking Crab bills itself as a Cajun seafood restaurant, its trademark being sauces, spices and fish mixed in a bag before serving. The chain has about 24 locations. The building where the chain wants to host its Worcester location is owned by the Menkiti Group.

Christmas Tree Shops at Olde Shrewsbury Village.

11

Christmas Tree Shops, with a store in Shrewsbury among its 83 locations, is reportedly preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The retailer has hired the Boston law fire Murphy & King to prepare for a filing, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company is headquartered in Middleborough. In 2003, Bed Bath & Beyond, which itself filed for bankruptcy protection on April 23, bought Christmas Tree Shops for $200 million and expanded the regional retailer. Bed Bath & Beyond then sold Christmas Tree Shops to Handhil Holdings LLC, a private company, in November 2020.

The smashed drive-thru window was boarded up at the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location on Park Avenue after two customers became agitated and vandalized the inside of the restaurant recently.

622

Two customers at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location at 622 Park Ave. became agitated and vandalized the inside of the restaurant recently because the restaurant was out of an item they ordered. Witnesses told police that the men were in line at the drive-thru and were told a food item they asked for was not available. The men responded by threatening the clerk and entering the restaurant. Witnesses said the men became angry over missing jalapenos in their order. The men began throwing food at the employees and began damaging equipment including a computer, register, a TV and a printer. The incident is still under investigation.

Blaire House nursing home on Houghton Street in Worcester

116

A one-year extension was granted on zoning variances for a project to demolish the current Blaire House nursing home at 116 Houghton St. in order to build a new nursing facility with 87 beds. The project encompasses Blaire House as well as several single-family homes at 112, 114, 120 and 120  Houghton St. and a three-family dwelling at 1 Nuttall Lane. Attorney Donald O'Neill, who represented the applicants the extension is needed because there is a necessary approval process for the budgeting of the project that needs to be approved by the state Department of Public Health, which restricts construction.

Story continues

Erin Anderson, owner of Gather Provisions in Northborough

290

Gather Provisions in Northborough is a new casual cafe and catering business by Erin Anderson, a local chef whose menus focus on artisanal and seasonal food. Anderson took over space formerly occupied by Paired, Poured & Plated, 290 West Main St., owned and operated by Jean F. Killeen and husband David A. Tiberii since 2017. She grew up in Northborough, daughter of Tom and Kathy Forrest, and previously was a personal chef who ran a Lancaster business that catered special occasion dinner parties and featured ready-to-go picnic boxes. Anderson and her husband, Chris, live in Lancaster.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Business Matters: Central Mass. by the Numbers
Deano White is a regular performer on the streets of Belfast

"Belfast is probably the best city in the whole island for busking, as long as you have manners and are considerate to other people."

That is the view of Deano White, a regular performer in the city.

The lack of regulations on street performers in many parts of Northern Ireland contrasts with creeping restrictions in towns and cities in the Republic of Ireland.

Killarney is the latest town to require permits for buskers and other artists.

It makes towns and cities in Northern Ireland much more desirable for buskers, who say it means they have greater creative freedom over how they perform and express themselves.

"We prefer busking to gigging," Fergus, a fellow busker, told BBC News NI.

He plays as part of the duo, Highway 56, with his brother Cormac.

It is an opinion shared by Deano.

"You're paying booking fees, you're paying rental fees, you're paying the band's sound engineer," he said.

"You're losing money just to play your own city and it's ridiculous. We need busking."

What are the restrictions in Northern Ireland?

Buskers and street performers in Northern Ireland do not need a permit unless they intend to sell their own merchandise, such as CDs.

In this case, they need to apply for a street trading licence.

Councils can introduce by-laws, but none are in force in Belfast.

In the Republic of Ireland restrictions are more common.

In 2019, Galway City Council introduced a set of by-laws to limit busking and street performances, which were criticised by musicians.

Similar restrictions are due to be implemented in Killarney from next month.

These include an annual permit for street performers, a noise limit of 80 decibels as well as restrictions on the length of performances in one area and repeating the same songs.

In Dublin, performers need to pay for a street performance permit and there are rules against using backing tracks and how long they can play in Grafton Street.

Story continues

Fergus and Cormac perform under the name Highway 56

Not everyone agrees that the lack of restrictions in Belfast are a good thing.

In 2021, Belfast city council officials proposed by-laws which would have required anyone using amplification in the city centre to have a licence.

This would have affected not just buskers but also protestors and preachers.

Councillors voted against the proposals and they have been stalled since then.

'Nothing but pleasant experiences'

Deano, Fergus and Cormac said the lack of restrictions made busking in Belfast a positive experience.

Deano has been solo busking for five years and as part of a rock band for one year.

Fergus and Cormac began busking about seven months ago and said was a great way to get other gigs.

Both sets of buskers regularly play between two and three hours at a time.

Fergus and Cormac play in Castle Lane and Deano usually sets up in Cornmarket or Donegall Place.

'We need street music'

"There's a very good culture in Belfast for buskers", Deano said.

"Obviously, if somebody's there, you have to move on. If you've come in with all your stuff and you can't play, that's just the way it is."

Cormac, from Highway 56, said most people walked past buskers and smiled.

"We've had nothing but a pleasant experience as opposed to bad ones," hea added.

Both sets of buskers said they felt stronger restrictions would negatively affect busking.

"We need street music for bands to survive. We need street music for music to actually stick around to be honest, otherwise loads of people are never even going to start [playing music]' Deano said.

"Music is freedom," Cormac added.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) departs a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington on Thursday. This was Feinstein's first appearance on the Senate floor after being absent for almost three months due to illness. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

As she approaches retirement age, Democrat Donna Perkins understands reluctance about telling Sen. Dianne Feinstein what to do as she winds down her career.

After all, Californias senior senator has already announced that she would not seek another term  and some argue that the calls for her to step down earlier are rooted in misogyny and ageism.

But after seeing news coverage of Feinsteins return to the nations capital last week, in a wheelchair and still weak after a nearly three-month absence from Washington as she recovered from shingles, Perkins is more concerned than ever about the 89-year-old senator's ability to represent 39 million Californians.

"I don't want to be like that, right? I'm getting ready to turn 65. I want somebody to say, Hey, Donna, you know what? It's time to pass the torch. It's sad, but it's not fair either, said Perkins, 64.

Perkins was among about a dozen Democrats who gathered at the Highland Park branch of a Los Angeles library Thursday evening to watch a livestreamed U.S. Senate candidate forum featuring two of the top Democrats running to replace Feinstein in 2024, Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland and Katie Porter of Irvine. The event was sponsored by the progressive California Working Families Party. Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank was invited to participate but declined.

Questions about Feinsteins future have been swirling for quite some time over concerns about declining mental and physical capabilities. Concerns grew after she was briefly hospitalized earlier this year and, while recuperating at home in San Francisco, missed votes that resulted in a holdup for confirming some of President Bidens judicial nominees. Feinstein is a member of the Senate's powerful Judiciary Committee, which was deadlocked because of her absence, resulting in Democrats delaying votes on nominees that could not win support from Republican senators.

Feinstein flew back to Washington on Wednesday, though she has been advised by doctors to take on a lighter workload. She cast critical votes Thursday to advance judicial nominees who lacked Republican support. And yet, among some California Democrats, Feinstein's return did little to quell concern about her likely effectiveness in the Senate, heightened further by the Democrats' razor-thin majority.

Story continues

Everybody is so diplomatic. I think she needs to take care of herself, and you cant take care of yourself with that intense responsibility. Something comes first  either taking care of yourself or taking care of your constituents, said Susie Tompkins Buell, a major Democratic fundraiser based in San Francisco. I know she likes being there, I know shes a fighter. But I feel like for the bigger picture, for a better future for all of us, I think she should resign. Its an act of honor to do that.

Tompkins Buell has helped raise campaign money for Feinstein in the past and her husband once worked for the senator.

Others expressed similar concerns about representation, while declining to weigh in on what Feinstein should do.

Im not a doctor. I certainly havent seen Sen. Feinstein in person. I dont feel like the best person to make that judgment call, said former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Jane Kim, who is now the executive director of the Working Families Party and moderated the Senate candidate forum.

Environmental planner Eddie Isaacs, 42, wants to see how Sen. Dianne Feinstein's recovery progresses before deciding whether he believes she ought to step down before her term is over. (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

I think its important we have a U.S. senator to be able to fulfill their duties every day in the U.S. Senate because we have a tied vote, Kim said Friday. It is critical for our party and our movement that were able to move forward on decisions around judicial nominees in particular and keep business moving in Washington.

Eddie Isaacs, 42, said after seeing the images out of Washington, he was concerned about her health but wants to see how Feinstein's recovery progresses.

I think we should see how she does in the next few weeks and make a decision at that point, he said. Frankly, I didn't realize it was deteriorating as bad as it had been the last three months.

The environmental planner, who lives in Little Tokyo, said that while he was hopeful Feinstein would continue to recover, if she continues to decline  as he has seen elderly relatives do in his family  she ought to retire.

Gov. Gavin Newsom was more supportive. During a news conference about the state budget Friday, Newsom said he was happy his longtime ally appeared to be on the mend.

That's personal, I'm glad she's recovering," he said. "I'm glad she's back."

On a political level, Newsom added, he's pleased Feinstein is well enough to return to casting votes to confirm federal judges.

Newsom sidestepped a question about whether he was concerned about her ability to represent Californians given her frail health, saying: "I look forward to her continued recovery. It was wonderful to see her in Washington, D.C."

The Democrats running for Feinsteins seat were even more sanguine.

Shes a friend, so Im always going to be concerned about her health, and I hope she has a continued speedy recovery because we need to confirm judges, among other things, and she is a powerhouse appropriator that Ive worked with for years to deliver for California, Schiff said in an interview in his congressional office Friday.

He added that he thought that if her seat were to become vacant and Newsom were to appoint someone to serve the remainder of her term, Republicans would block anyone from replacing her on the judiciary panel. Republicans prevented another Democrat from being temporarily assigned to fill her seat on the committee while she was recovering.

Porter and a spokeswoman for Lee both said they were glad that the senator was feeling better and wished her well.

Its a careful dance for elected California Democrats to weigh in on the future of a trailblazing woman who has held elected office for nearly all of the last 53 years. But frustration with Feinstein began growing years ago over whether she was distanced from modern progressive priorities.

Ground Game L.A. Executive Director Bill Przylucki, 38, wanted to see a new senator before Sen. Dianne Feinstein became ill earlier this year. (Seema Mehta / Los Angeles Times)

Bill Przylucki, 38, recalls protesting outside of a Feinstein fundraiser in Hancock Park during her last reelection campaign in 2018 and feeling as if she was out of touch on issues such as housing and climate change.

Even back then, it was quite clear that when you tried to dig in with any specific issues, we're not really getting anywhere, said the Atwater Village resident, who is executive director of Ground Game L.A., an organization focused on electing progressives, helping the homeless and protecting the environment.

I've been frustrated for a long time. I'm eager to see new leadership, he said.

Mehta reported from Los Angeles and Oreskes from Washington. Times Sacramento Bureau Chief Laurel Rosenhall contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Cannes Film Festival, which will kick off Tuesday, is such a colossal extravaganza that taking measure of its ups and downs is notoriously difficult. Its a showcase of the worlds best cinema. Its a red-carpet spectacular. Its a French Riviera hive of dealmaking.

But by at least some metrics, Cannes  following a canceled 2020 festival, a much-diminished 2021 edition and a triumphant 2022 return  is finally all the way back.

Lets just say its gotten very hard to get restaurant reservations again, says Christine Vachon, the veteran producer and longtime collaborator of Todd Haynes.

When the 76th Cannes Film Festival opens Tuesday with the premiere of Jeanne du Barry, a historical drama by Maiwenn starring Johnny Depp, the gleaming Cote dAzur pageant can feel confident that it has weathered the storms of the pandemic and the perceived threat of streaming. ( Netflix and Cannes remain at an impasse.)

Last years festival, a banner one by most judgments, produced three Oscar best-picture nominees (Top Gun: Maverick, Elvis and the Palme dOr winner Triangle of Sadness ), again proving Cannes as the premier global launching pad for films big and small.

A BLOCKBUSTER CANNES

This years festival is headlined by a pair of marquee premieres: Martin Scorseses Osage Nation 1920s epic Killers of the Flower Moon, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, and James Mangolds Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford in his final performance as the character.

But as blockbuster as Cannes can be, even those films suggest the wide spectrum of cinema on hand. Both Scorsese and Mangold were first in Cannes decades ago to premiere their early breakthrough films in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar: Scorsese with 1973's "Mean Streets, Mangold with 1995s Heavy.

This time, though, they'll debut much bigger films, sure to be the hottest tickets on the Croisette. Scorsese has his $200 million epic for Apple TV+. And Mangold will premiere, as he says, a more splendiferous project" than his minimalist debut.

Story continues

The Indy celebration will include a tribute to Ford. He, along with Michael Douglas, will be given honorary Palme dOrs. To Mangold, its a chance for Ford to embrace the franchise's international following. The Indiana Jones films' essence, the director says, is rooted in golden-age cinema.

These are things where youre taking your guidance from the classics, Mangold says. Thats something thats really appreciated by the French about American cinema. In many ways, they revere the old pictures more than even the audience in the United States do. That makes it a really wonderful platform.

A RECORD HIGH FOR FEMALE FILMMAKERS

This year, 21 films are competing for the Palme dOr, which will be decided by a jury led by last years winner, Swedish writer-director Ruben Ostlund. Seven are directed by women, a new high for Cannes in its nearly eight decades of existence. Among the most anticipated is Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwachers La Chimera, starring Josh OConnor and Isabella Rossellini.

The festival, running through May 27, will unspool against the backdrop of labor unrest on both sides of the Atlantic. France has been beset in recent months by protests over pension reforms, including raising the retirement age. In the U.S., screenwriters are on strike to seek better pay in the streaming era.

The prospect of a prolonged work stoppage could potentially drive up prices for finished films at Cannes, the worlds top movie market. Among the titles seeking distribution is Haynes May December, which stars Natalie Portman as a journalist who embeds with a couple (Julianne Moore, Charles Melton) once renowned for their age discrepancy.

Though arthouses have struggled to match the box-office recovery at multiplexes, Vachon, a producer on May December, says her company, Killer Films, and the indie stalwart Haynes are accustomed to pivoting endlessly and finding opportunities no matter what the sea winds bring.

AUTEURS AND A-LISTERS

As usual, this years competition lineup returns plenty of Cannes heavyweights, including Hirokazu Kore-eda (Monster), Wim Wenders (Perfect Days), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (About Dry Grasses), Ken Loach (The Old Oak) and Nanni Moretti (A Brighter Tomorrow).

Jonathan Glazers The Zone of Interest, shot in Auschwitz, is one of the festival's most eagerly awaited films. Its his first since 2013s Under the Skin. Pedro Almodovar will premiere the short Strange Way of Life, with Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke. Wes Anderson, flanked by another starry ensemble, will debut Asteroid City.

Theres also the upcoming HBO series The Idol, from Euphoria filmmaker Sam Levinson starring Abel Tesfaye  also known as the Weeknd  and Lily-Rose Depp; Firebrand with Alicia Vikander as Catherine Parr and Judd Law as Tudor King Henry VIII; and the Pixar movie Elemental," which closes the festival.

Steve McQueen, the 12 Years a Slave filmmaker, will debut the longest film playing at Cannes and one of its most thought-provoking. Occupied City, which McQueen made with his wife, Dutch author Bianca Stigter, is a four-hour-plus documentary that combines narration detailing violent incidents across Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation with present-day footage from those locations.

McQueen, too, began his feature filmmaking career at Cannes. His 2008 debut, Hunger, won the Camera dOr, a prize for best first film. Its never as good as the first time, McQueen says.

But its the most important film festival, continues McQueen. Our film is asking questions. This is where you want to premiere films that challenge and films that ask questions. Youre right on the front line.

POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGHS

While many eyes will be on reactions to the new Scorsese or Asteroid City, Cannes will, as it does every year, bring new directors to wider film audiences. Senegalese filmmaker Ramata-Toulaye Sys Banel & Adama is the rare first feature in Palme competition.

Argentine filmmaker Rodrigo Moreno, 50, will be making his first trip to Cannes with The Delinquents, a heist drama sprinkled with existentialism and cinematic flourishes. It's one of the highlights of the Un Certain Regard section.

The film took Moreno five years to make, partially because of the pandemic. But its Cannes selection is a long time coming in another way. Morenos first feature as a solo director was invited to both Un Certain Regard and main competition at Berlin. The producers chose Berlin.

At this point of my career. Im focused on: If this allows me to keep on working and make the next film, to me, thats OK. Its the only thing I really want, says Moreno.

The shooting of this film spanned almost five years, which is crazy," he adds. "But the nice side of that is that every year, I had to shoot. The one thing I knew was that a new year began, and I had to shoot. And the following, I had to shoot.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
When Bob Lee, a well-known tech executive who co-founded the payment programme Cash App, was stabbed to death in April, many within San Franciscos close-knit tech community lept to conclusions, with figures like Elon Musk declaring the death another sign of the citys persistent, if often misunderstood, struggles with random street crime.

What actually happened, according to prosecutors and friends of Lee, couldnt be further from this original narrative.

Lee was part of an underground party scene in San Francisco known among participants as The Lifestyle, where recreational drugs and casual sex were common, participants and those who knew Lee told The Wall Street Journal.

One of the people Lee overlapped with within San Francisco nightlife was Khazar Momeni, sister of Nima Momeni, the man arrested in April for Lees murder. He plans to plead not guilty.

Lee and Ms Momeni, who is married, were reportedly in a casual relationship.

There are many rumors circulating around this case, many of them untrue, lawyers for Ms Momeni told the Journal. Ms. Momeni loves and supports her brother. What happened here is a tragedy, and Ms. Momeni is deeply saddened at the suffering of the Lee family as they deal with their terrible loss.

In the hours before Lee was killed, Mr Momeni confronted Lee about his sister, prosecutors allege, asking if she had done anything inappropriate, which he denied.

Later, according to officials, Khazar Momeni sent Lee a text message acknowledging the confrontation: Just wanted to make sure your doing ok Cause know nima came wayyyyyy down hard on you.

Hours after the alleged confrontation, Lee was seen getting into a white BMW with Mr Momeni, and prosecutors allege he drove the tech executive to a secluded area and stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife.

The Independent has contacted Mr Momenis lawyer for comment.

Lee had been using cocaine and ketamine before his death, an autopsy found.

Mr Momeni, an IT executive, will be arraigned later his month.
U.S. Attorney Roger B Handberg said Moad Mohamme Benkabbou of Kississemmi has pleaded guilty to two counts of lying to the FBI about his connection to ISIS.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

During the federal investigation in August 2022, Benkabbou, 23, admitted to making untrue statements under oath to federal investigators.

The indictment revealed Benabbou swore support to the terrorist organization and was planning to travel overseas to join ISIS.

Read: Deputies investigate 2 dead in Orange County, say they believe it was targeted

During his detention hearing, Benkabbou admitted he purchased plane tickets to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS but later canceled the trip.

Read: Titusville soul restaurant plans to open 2nd restaurant in Orlando

The investigation revealed he continued to share ISIS-sponsored videos of the execution of American allies fighting against the Terrorist organization.

Read: Has Orlando turned the corner on the statewide nursing shortage?

Benkabbou faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

A sentencing date has not been set yet.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV, and stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Fans watching the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest were shocked when the Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance in the opening performance by Kalush Orchestra.

Kate Middleton appeared in a pre-recorded video as part of last years Ukrainian winners act and played a few bars of piano for their song Stefania. The UKs Sam Ryder, who came in second last year, and musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber also took part in the opening song.

The princesss cameo comes just a week after the coronation of her father-in-law, King Charles III. It was recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle.

The jaw-dropping clip made viewers stop in their tracks while enjoying the start of the final, which was held in Liverpool on Saturday night (13 May).

Was that Kate Middleton tinkling on the piano or has this champagne gone to my head? one person asked on Twitter.

Another said: OMG a Kalush Orchestra and Sam Ryder mashup!! And Kate Middleton playing piano?! What???

Kate Middleton and Andrew Lloyd Webber in the Stefania intro??? Already chaos Im loving it, a third added.

One Twitter user wrote: For me, one of the highlights of Eurovision was seeing Kate Middletons cameo, playing the piano, for last years winner from Ukraine. Even though Ukraine couldnt host this year, I think the UK has done an incredible job of making sure they were represented!

Another said: Princess Kate playing piano on the Ukraine Eurovision song. Thats the coolest royal ever.

However, others holding Eurovision parties in their homes reported a less excitable response to the princess appearing suddenly on their screens.

Story continues

One person said that the boos in my house were so loud when Kate Middleton came on screen while another wrote: The Kate Middleton cameo just got booed in Liverpool. Absolutely scenes.

why is kate middleton playing the piano in the eurovision intro?? #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/6yiTi7ZPJj  marie (@leclercleslay) May 13, 2023

In the clip, Kate wore a bright blue one-shoulder dress by Jenny Packham, in a nod to the flag colours of Ukraine, which are blue and yellow. She also wore earrings inherited by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Kate was not the only royal to have played a role in Eurovision this year.

King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled the staging for this years competition in the M&S Bank Arena on 26 April, much to the delight of royal fans.

Last nights show marked the first time the UK has hosted Eurovision in 25 years. It was meant to be hosted by Ukraine, but the responsibility fell to the UK due to Russias war in Ukraine.

Swedens Loreen won with her song Tattoo, followed by Finlands Kaarija and Israels Noa Kirel. The UKs Mae Muller came in second to last.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH EUROVISION UPDATES FROM OUR LIVE BLOG HERE
Day Nursery of Abilene youngsters on a field trip to Kirby Lake. The lack of child care in Abilene has reached a tipping point, as it keeps many from entering the local work force.

The local election season has passed, with many critical issues, in the view of the candidates, discussed.

One that wasn't addressed much but is near the top of the list is child care.

The shortage of affordable, timely child care has been discussed, and a presentation made last week at a noon meeting of United Way of Abilene provided an update on efforts to address the need here.

Mary Christopher, a longtime educator, gave the presentation. Christopher and her husband, Phil, retired First Baptist Church minister, have headed the Coalition for Quality Child Care study.

"One urgent and pressing problem in the Abilene community is the need for quality child care," Mary Christopher said. "The challenge of child care cannot be overstated, as it touches many areas of community life, including family needs, child development, military and manufacturing options, non-traditional hours, and livable wages for child care educators. This child care crisis calls for a diverse set of solutions."

Greater need that ever

Mary Christopher speaks during a presentation for United Way last week. She provided the results of a study on the need for child care in Abilene.

The needle on child care need moved to urgent when Abilene dealt with the recent pandemic, with ripple effects continuing.

Child care facilities quickly were identified as a necessary business to keep open when the state mandated that others close.

Employees unable to find child care bowed out of the work force, some temporarily but others permanently, putting businesses in a quandary to find enough employees to offer efficient services.

When child care is unavailable, the employee misses work. Not only does that hurt the business, the hourly employee does not get paid, thus bringing the financial loss home, Christopher said.

Those doing contract work fall behind in tasks. The job doesn't get done, and the employee often doesn't get paid until it is, she said.

It's a double-edge sword thrust into the community, Christopher said.

In some cases, businesses have had to reduce hours or days of operation. Combined with other challenges, some businesses had to close.

Story continues

Child-care facilities were not immune, Christopher said. Waiting lists are long due in part of the lack of trained employees and also to the size of the facility. As Abilene grows, billing itself as an attractive community for families, the need has increased.

Day Nursery of Abilene takes care of hundreds of children each day, but it has a long waiting list.

Day Nursery of Abilene, which has four centers, said during its recent 50th anniversary that expansion is necessary. It serves 600 on average each weekday, and its waiting list is 300.

In its effort to recruit teachers, the Wylie ISD, for example, hears from teachers that the need for child care is great. This school year, the WISD offered a program for 4-year-olds.

Next year, the district would like to offer a program for birth-through age 3.

It won't be free, but the availability and convenience is a plus to keeping current teachers and bringing new ones into the district, Christopher said.

Child care is a community building block

Christopher underscored the need more generally.

It is important, she said, because:

It is essential to young childrens physical, academic and socioemotional development.

It is a building block that helps families thrive through the communitys investment.

It is crucial to the economy by allowing parents and guardians to participate in the workforce.

"High-quality child care helps to ensure that our children will become successful, productive members of society regardless of their socio-economic status," she said.

Thus, the need to address child care led to the formation of the coalition.

The coalition team

Six nonprofits were involved, including United Way. Others were Shelton Family Foundation, Development Corporation of Abilene, Community Foundation of Abilene, Safe Families and Alliance for Women and Children.

Businesses and organizations involved were Hendrick Health, First Financial Bank, MasterScapes, AbiMar, First Watch Credit Union and Abilene Chamber of Commerce.

The Abilene and Wylie school districts were involved, as was McMurry University, Cisco College and Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

The city of Abilene, Dyess Air Force Base and Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas were on the team.

First Baptist, Pioneer Drive Baptist and Beltway Park Church were involved.

Additionally, the Christophers gathered information on how other Texas cities or even United Way agencies in other states were dealing with the child-care challenge. It is not unique to Abilene, and if Abilene is to compete with other cities that are addressing the issue, the city must be proactive, Christopher said.

The purpose

The group was not tasked with solving the problem Christopher said. Its goal was to facilitate conversation and connect groups that face the child care shortfall similarly.

Child care affects education, employment and the overall economic climate of the community, they found.

The goals were to:

Provide insight and voice around child care issues in the Abilene community

Think deeply about child care concerns

Share conversations regarding strategies to impact child care interests

Help organizations respond to important family and economic needs

What was found

Day Nursery students "graduate" into kindergarten in 2016. Not only does child care allow parents to work, it provides youngsters with an early education foundation that improves their readiness for school.

The coalition offered 10 initiatives key to solutions:

Create financial supports/resources that promote entry and advancement in wages and benefits for child care educators

Provide resources to churches and other providers to open new child care centers or increase capacity at current child care centers

Create a child care network to share services, such as accounting, curriculum, training for child care programs, etc.

Increase awareness of existing child care resources and referral system

Provide non-traditional hours for child care as determined by need

Explore parent-pay 4-year-old programs in public schools and through partnerships between schools and child care providers

Increase knowledge of and availability in after-school care and gap (holiday and summer) care

Provide resources to explore on-site child care options in businesses

Encourage businesses to investigate child care subsidies as an employee benefit

Empower individuals to become business owners as homebased or facility-based child care providers

"As a group, we hope to share the knowledge gained and initiatives with organizations in the Abilene community to raise awareness of the issues and needs related to child care," Christopher said. "We realized during our work that many of us are not aware of what is already offered by providers and other entities that support quality child care.

"The common thought when child care is discussed might be 'that doesnt apply to me because I dont have children who need child care.' Through our study, we know that child care impacts our community because as all our children thrive, our community thrives. The future of Abilenes economic development, family health, graduation rates and quality of life depend on addressing the child care crisis."

Christopher said the coalition brought entities together and both challenges and ideas were presented. What became clear, she said, is that the issue is inclusive. The solution will involve teamwork.

A church with a large campus but dwindling congregation, for example, may be the perfect location for child care, Christopher said.

And with this increasing need, she said, childc are may be a good business venture. What needs to be done to encourage interest and then to support that venture as it launches, she asked?

The need for teamwork is why umbrella nonprofits such as United Way and Community Foundation are involved, as well as many large employers.

"We need to come together to solve these child care issues," Christopher said. "The next step will involve discussing the possibility of organizations operationalizing one or more of the initiatives developed by the coalition. As businesses and organizations implement some of the ideas, change will begin to happen.

"The Abilene ccmmunity can impact the economic trajectory of our region through high-quality early learning for all children. "

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: The local election season has passed, with many issues critical in the view of the candidates discussed.
Claudia Winkleman made a brilliant acceptance speech after winning the award for Best Entertainment Performance at the Bafta TV awards on Sunday night (14 May).

The presenter, 51, won the trophy for her presenting work on BBC One competition showThe Traitors.

When Winklemans name was read out  revealing she had beaten stars such as Big Zuu and Sue Perkins to win the award  she hugged her husband, the film producer Kris Thykier.

In her acceptance speech, she opened by saying: I cant get emotional because Im wearing so much eyeliner.

Winkleman then thanked several colleagues and people at Bafta, before moving on to her family. Thank you to my husband Kris, she said. Please can we have a dog. Thats in brackets.

The dog comment was met by laughter and cheers in the audience at Londons Royal Festival Hall.

Winkleman also thanked her parents and dedicated the award to them.

You can have it, she said. I mean, not really, but you can touch it.

Winkleman and Thykier have been married since 2000. His credits include the films Operation Mincemeat and Luther: The Fallen Sun.

The Traitors was a huge hit when it aired on BBC One last year, and Winkleman was a very memorable presenter: she was so into the proceedings that she cried during the finale.

Winkleman on The Traitors (BBC)

The psychological deception competition saw 22 strangers move into a castle in the Scottish Highlands to complete a series of challenges together as a team.

Among the loyal contestants, though, traitors were hiding  and attempting to win the cash prize, of up to 120,000, for themselves.

See the full list of winners at the Baftas here and read about Bafta TV host Rob Becketts savage joke about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield here.
Clayton County police are offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a murder suspect from the death of a 23-year-old in November 2022.

On Nov. 25, 2022, officers arrived at a home on Pahaska Court just before 7 p.m. after they received reports of someone being shot.

Upon arrival, officers found 23-year-old Keelon Tate, who was dead from a gunshot wound to the chest, police said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Officers found a bullet hole in the glass of the door and blood on the ground of the entryway.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clayton County Police at 770-477-3747 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

TRENDING STORIES:

Information can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org.

You do not have to give your name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
NEPTUNE, NJ  Logs made of coconut fibers are helping protect and restore coastal habitats along the New Jersey shoreline.

Spearheading the project is the conservation group American Littoral Society, which said the coconut fibers help create "living shorelines" that provide an alternative approach to seawalls, bulkheads and other structures traditionally used to stabilize land.

The logs begin their lives in India and Indonesia, where coconut fibers are sourced and then transported to the Lower 48. In the U.S., the coconut fibers are then packed into logs and wrapped inside biodegradable netting.

Coconut fiber logs.

Coconut fiber logs now line more than 2,000 feet of the Jersey Shore with the goal of keeping the sand in place in an economical and sustainable way.

PAINFUL, RARE JELLYFISH THREATENING JERSEY SHORE SWIMMERS

"It's a natural way to do it," Capt. Alek Modjeski of the American Littoral Society told FOX Weather multimedia journalist Katie Byrne. "They're not very expensive, so they're not breaking the bank when you put them in, but you're getting a really good return on your investment."

In addition to serving as barriers against erosion, the coconut logs are helping rebuild habitats for plants along the coastline.

According to Tom Dillingham of the American Littoral Society, beaches and salt marshes provide protection from storms, clean the water and supply a habitat for fish. By restoring ecosystems, beaches become more resilient for plants and animals.

A man and dog walk along the shoreline.

"Climate and the increased frequency of storms is something that everybody is aware of, and these types of nature-based approaches are going to help protect us from those," Dillingham said.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

For some New Jersey beachgoers, the coconut logs have already improved their beach experience, as the sandy shorelines are now wider.
Isaiah Oliver of Flint, Mich., has been named the next president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. The current president, Nina Waters, retires in September after 22 years.

A rising star in the philanthropy world who helped lead Flint, Mich., through a contaminated water crisis will be The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida's next president.

Isaiah Oliver, 42, has been president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for nine years. In Jacksonville he succeeds Nina Waters, 64, who is retiring after almost 20 years at the helm.

He begins the new job July 31; she departs Sept. 1.

Oliver is viewed as a "proven community leader and a bright star in the field of place-based philanthropy," according to his new employers.

"Unparalleled': Nonprofit leader Nina Waters to retire from Community Foundation for NE Fla

Humanitarian Awards: Community Foundation's Nina Waters, other civic leaders to receive OneJax honors

"Throughout this process, Isaiah has impressed us as a dynamic, collaborative leader who has the vision and the skills to advance our mission of stimulating philanthropy to build a better community," board chairman Brian J. Davis, a federal court judge, said. "We are happy and excited to welcome him to Northeast Florida as The Community Foundations next president."

The Jacksonville foundation serves Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals, according to its website. Currently the foundation states it has about $537 million in total assets and distributed about $696 million in grants since its 1964 inception.

The Flint foundation, created in 1988, has about $250 million in assets and has awarded about $140 million in grants.

Waters has been with the staff since 2001 and president since 2005. Under her leadership, the foundation has "established itself as a premier philanthropic anchor institution" with about $1 billion in total gifts, about 660 fund holders and donors and a record $57.7 million in grants distributed in 2022, according to the foundation.

Story continues

Waters

Also during her tenure, the foundation spawned other philanthropic initiatives, including the Womens Giving Alliance, the Beaches Community Fund, the LGBTQ Community Fund for Northeast Florida, the A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity and Impact Fund, Donors Forum and Art Ventures.

"I am incredibly grateful to our staff, trustees, and partners who have been essential to our success over the last 22 years," Waters said. We are starting our next chapter in a position of great strength and I have no doubt Isaiah is the right leader for us at this time."

Well-known in the philanthropic world himself, Oliver was familiar with the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and with Waters' work. As a result, he said he will not try to fill her shoes but will build on the foundation's accomplishments during her tenure.

"The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida has an outstanding reputation locally and nationally for donor service and strategic community philanthropy," he said. "Im looking forward to building relationships with donors, grantees and the community, to better understand how I can build on the strength of the foundation in our next chapter."

Flint native joined philanthropy in 2014, same year as water crisis

Oliver, a Flint native, has been working in and for his community for years but began his professional career in education.

After graduating from Central Michigan University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and art history, he spent 10 years as an associate administrator at Mott Community College in Flint. He was on the Flint School Board for six years, including one as chairman, and is currently chairman of the board at his alma mater.

He also was on the board of managers for Hurley Medical Center in Flint and was chairman of the city's Human Relations Commission.

He joined the Flint Community Foundation in 2014 as vice president of community impact, having been urged to apply by then-President Kathi Horton. She met him when he led a literacy project at Mott and became his mentor. When she retired in 2017, he became president and CEO.

USA Today: Michigan judge tosses charges against 7 former officials in Flint water crisis

USA Today: Michigan to pay $600M in Flint water crisis settlement; victim compensation fund created

"I knew very little about philanthropy a decade ago," Oliver said. "I knew what it meant to engage people in giving of their time and talent, but I didn't understand the management of it."

Once Oliver arrived at the foundation, he learned how, through philanthropy, "opportunities converge to move forward innovation," he said.

That was one of many lessons learned during the water crisis, which began in 2014 but its ramifications were still being felt years later.

As a cost-cutting move, the city began temporarily drawing its drinking water from the Flint River and treating it at the city water treatment plant while waiting for a new water pipeline to Lake Huron to be completed. Previously the city used Lake Huron water treated by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. But the state failed to require needed chemicals to be added to the corrosive Flint River water. Lead leached from pipes and fixtures into the drinking water.

The crisis also focused attention on other societal ills that "needed to be addressed at the systemic level," Oliver said.

Oliver

"We had to pull together," he said. "What we learned was there was not just erosion in the pipes but erosion over time of trust. We didn't have the relationships necessary to address that."

During the crisis, Oliver forged partnerships between the foundation and government and regional funders. In 2020 he established a multi-sector COVID-19 task force focused on addressing racial inequities, which "nearly eradicated the sizeable gap that existed between Black residents and white residents health outcomes at the start of the pandemic," according to the Jacksonville foundation.

Resume includes multiple leadership roles; he's also a DJ

While at the Flint foundation, he took on multiple regional and national leadership roles, as vice board chairman of Community Philanthropy on the Council of Michigan Foundations and chairman of its Michigan Community Foundation Committee. Oliver also is a board member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives, chairman-elect of the CF Leads national board of directors and member of the Council on Foundations Public Policy Advisory Committee.

Rena Coughlin led center 18 years: Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida CEO retiring after years of championing causes

He is a fellow of the inaugural class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a partnership of the Anti-Defamation League and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Oliver's name quickly rose to the top of the applicant pile after Kittleman, a national search firm working with the Jacksonville foundation, recruited him. A search committee of six current and former trustees "recommended him from scores of local, state and national applicants," according to the foundation, and he was unanimously chosen by the current trustees.

He said he found the board "absolutely amazing," particularly the "diversity of perspective that they offer."

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida's 2022-23 board of trustees: Back row from left, Buddy Schulz, Martha Frye Baker, Robert Hill, Richard Sisisky, George Egan, Lauren Rueger, Halsey Wise, Michael DuBow; front row, Julia Taylor, Michael Meyers, Carol Alexander, chairman Brian J. Davis, Sol Brotman, Velma Monteiro-Tribble.

The reputation of the Jacksonville foundation and its board, as well as the proximity of Oliver's relatives in Florida and Georgia, proved hard to resist, he said. The Southern climate was a "bonus," he said.

"I'm coming from Michigan," he said. "Shoveling snow is not exactly attractive."

He and his wife Shay, who has a home-based wedding and prom dress design business, have four children: Zaiah, 12, Carrington, 9, Chelyn, 5, and and Isaiah II, 3. The family is looking forward to "getting to know the folks in the community," he said, and Oliver will be hunting places to show his DJ skills.

"I love DJing," he said.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Flint's Isaiah Oliver is Jacksonville Community Foundation new leader
Community Health System, Fresnos largest health-care provider, says in a video on YouTube that it performs a diverse set of services for a very diverse community.

Yet there is an appalling lack of diversity in perhaps the most important group of the sprawling medical system: Its board of trustees.

As Bee staff writer Yesenia Amaro recently reported, 11 of the 13 board members either have ties professionally to Farid Assemi, the former board chairman, or are physicians who do business with the hospital or practice at its facilities.

Bankers and developers are well represented on Communitys board. But those who would advocate for the low-income residents from downtown and west Fresno who depend on the Community Regional Medical Center? There is no one like that on the board.

Assemi, himself a developer, stepped down as chairman and in April turned over leadership to Roger Sturdevant, a retired banker. The problem is that Sturdevant lives most of the year in Michigan. He considers the upper Midwest his home, for that is where he votes. Sturdevant also owns a residence in Clovis, but is only here for part of the year, according to Michelle Von Tersch, a spokeswoman for CHS.

Even in todays wired world, the fact that the chairman of board for Fresnos top health system does not live here is astounding.

Amaro dug into the details of Communitys board as a follow-up to her investigation last year that raised questions about Assemis leadership and the board prioritizing development of Clovis Community Medical Center over making $2 billion in state-mandated seismic improvements at the downtown facility.

Her investigation also found how developing the Clovis hospital could benefit California Health Sciences University, a for-profit medical school that Assemi owns and is less than a mile away from the medical center.

With Amaro now showing the multitude of links that CHS board members share, a key question arises: Do board members manage Community Health System to benefit the community, or their own interests?

Story continues

Questionable ties

The tight links between board members and Assemi are overwhelming:

 Sturdevant oversaw Bank of the Wests farm lending division in Fresno. That is also where Community Health board member Susan Abundis worked before retiring. She has also worked for Assemis for-profit school and has known him for decades. Abundis is currently the vice chair of the board for Assemis for-profit school.

 Three of four new board members who joined under Assemis tenure as chair are developers, and at least two of them are closely connected to Assemi, Amaro reported. Thats in addition to CHS board member Karen McCaffrey, who is vice president of McCaffrey Homes, and other sitting board members tied to him.

The two developers with close ties to Assemi are Mark Coehlo and Joshua Peterson. Coehlo is manager for the Coelho Land Company, LLC. He formerly worked as a project manager for Granville Homes, founded by Assemi and his brothers.

Peterson is the chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Wathen Castanos Peterson Homes Inc.  another company owned by the Assemis.

McCaffrey sold land in Madera to CHS for nearly $10 million two years before she was elected to sit on the board. McCaffrey is building homes near the land sold to the hospital.

Deep secrecy

Amaros reporting also showed the utter lack of transparency under which Community Health System operates.

For one thing, board meetings are not open to the public, despite how Community receives millions of dollars each year in federal and state reimbursements for Medicare and Medi-Cal patients.

Recordings of board meetings are also not available, nor are the minutes of meetings.

Amaro asked Von Tersch for the boards bylaws, the rules under which they govern. She said the boards bylaws and related policies follow state and federal law, such as when conflicts of interest arise. Von Tersch wouldnt release to The Bee a copy of its board bylaws, nor would she say whether those bylaws have been updated, and if so, when.

Yet Von Tersch had the audacity to claim that the board ensures the hospitals resources are used in the communitys interest.

Amaro asked to see records of a $3 million land purchase CHS made in 2013 from then-board member Jerry Cook. He originally bought property adjacent to Clovis Community for just under $800,000. Von Tersch denied the request by saying CHS didnt want to set a precedent of sharing board minutes or materials with the public.

The messaging that comes through is this: Trust us to do what is right, we know what is best, but no, you cannot question or scrutinize us.

How patronizing.

Quite a contrast to Communitys cheery slogan voiced over in its ads: We are stronger, together.

Be open and transparent

Community Health System also includes the Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital and Community Behavioral Health Center.

The downtown hospital, Community Regional Medical Center, is home to the only Level 1 trauma center between Los Angeles and Sacramento and is the second-busiest hospital in California. Yet most of its patient rooms are located in towers that must be seismically retrofitted by a 2030 deadline. That is neither a small nor inexpensive job: the estimate for the work is $2 billion.

The needed towers at the downtown hospital could have been built by now, except the decision was made to spend millions to expand Clovis Community.

If Amaro had not uncovered how millions of dollars of government money to reimburse CHS for its care of poor and uninsured patients at the downtown hospital had been used to expand the Clovis facility, Fresnans would have been unaware, given the opaque nature of board decisions.

If Community Health Systems board really believes in stronger, together, then it should remove the developer tilt and add in representation from small business, neighborhoods, youth and ethnic communities. The board should look like Fresno. That is not being woke. That is respecting our reality.

Community Health Systems hospitals are vitally important to the Fresno-Clovis areas they serve. The system has a built-in advantage because it is based here and doesnt have to send profits off to a faraway corporate headquarters. But instead of embracing this advantage, the system operates in needless secrecy and has been hijacked by the moneyed interests on its board.

Being a private nonprofit is not justification for acting like a private business. It is a quasi-public institution, and it is well past time for it to act like one.
As the solicitor for Coraopolis and other towns for decades, Richard Start said this isnt the first time hes had to handle disciplinary action for an elected official. This time, it was in regard to Mayor Michael Dixon.

Ive been in the same position where I sat with a public official and I explained that to the mayor, and we offered those public officials the opportunity to resign, and they took it, Start said.

Dixon did not take the solicitors offer to resign. So, the council publicly censured him at its meeting Wednesday night.

The censure stems from statements Dixon allegedly made about the employment of Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon twice.

Start said the first comments were made at a party in December, the second came in February at a local Masonic temple.

At the Masonic temple, he said he has four candidates running for office, Start said. McCutcheon will be gone when I get my four in. And that is a problem.

McCutcheon has been the borough manager in Coraopolis for more than a decade, and the council submitted his name for a distinguished service award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs this year for the work hes done in the borough.

Start said the censure is a way to distance the borough from those comments from Dixon, since the members dont agree.

Its more than that, Start said. Its distancing my borough and its general funds from a lawsuit that can be filed against the borough if that happens.

The problem Start said is clear in Dixons statement on his Facebook page.

He posted it on Thursday morning, the day after he was censured.

Note that the mayor has no legislative vote or any special executive power, except in times where there is a tie with Council, and therefore the mayor has absolutely no authority to unilaterally make decisions over the business dealings, and/or employment status of any employees of the borough in which they serve, Dixon wrote.

The council has eight members.

Story continues

That tells me hes thinking, Ill get a tiebreaker, Start said. Thats just...thats politics. This isnt me playing politics.

In his Facebook statement, Dixon added, As per Pennsylvania law, a censure does not restrict me from speaking or continuing all of my duties as the elected Mayor of this borough. It is nothing more than a political gesture from Council expressing their displeasure with me.

With the timing of the censure so close to the election, Start said it may seem suspect. But, he said it had to be done once the council got a letter from McCutcheons attorney.

I feel a lot more comfortable for my borough, its citizens, and the general fund, Start said.

Channel 11s Andrew Havranek emailed McCutcheon for a statement Saturday evening but did not hear back.

Havranek did speak with Mayor Dixon on the phone. He declined to go on camera and said he had no further comment, but said he just wants to make Coraopolis a better place to live for its residents.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

City of Pittsburgh preparing for asylum seekers to arrive Lost dog shot, killed by Ambridge police officer Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment VIDEO: Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The Evergreen State College in Olympia is proposing to increase tuition, housing and dining fees for the 2023-2024 school year, the Board of Trustees learned Friday.

The board will now weigh that information before they return in June to vote on the matter.

Under consideration is a 3% increase to tuition, a 4% bump to services and activities fees, and a 7% hike in dining and housing costs.

The net result is this, according to Chief Financial Officer Dave Kohler: The estimated cost of attendance at Evergreen for a state resident to attend full-time and live on campus in the 2023-2024 school year would be $29,962, up from $27,007 for the 2022-2023 school year.

The largest component of this is the housing and dining costs, he said.

The proposed increase in tuition is in line with what the other public universities in the state are planning, Kohler said, while the other fee increases are tied to higher labor, food and supply costs.

The 4% increase in services and activities fees  which are used to support a number of things on campus, including the campus radio station, the athletic program and the college activities building  would raise the full-time annual fee by $30, from $759 to $789.

The housing and dining increase would result in an additional $550 to $680 per year, or $60 to $75 per month, according to college information.

Susan Hopp, interim director of residential and dining services, said the college monitors the cost of the private-sector apartment market so that the college is never charging more for its housing. Campus housing includes all utilities and internet access, she said.

Trustee Ed Zuckerman asked about the demand for on-campus housing. Hopp said 450 students lived on campus last fall and they expect 125 more next fall.

We have a commitment to do everything we can to provide a space for every student, she said. It may not be their first choice, but we will have enough space.

One of the future housing destinations is one of the colleges oldest: Building A, otherwise known as A-dorm. The college is in the process of renovating that space. The work would typically take two years, but the college is trying to finish in nine months, Hopp said.

Story continues

Hopp wanted to make clear that A-dorm didnt close because it was condemned or unsafe. It closed because during the pandemic there simply werent enough students to fill it.

Every safety feature has been addressed, she said.

Zuckerman asked about resources for students struggling with housing and dining costs. Hopp said the college does accept payment plans, plus the student emergency fund provides grants of up to $500 and the Basic Needs Center offers food resources.

Student Trustee Shane Everbeck asked whether there could be a change to the food services vendor the college uses, which is a company called Aramark. He said some students and faculty have concerns about Aramarks ties to the U.S. prison food system, as well as concerns about service and quality.

Everbeck was told the colleges contract with Aramark comes up for a bid in a year.

Board of Trustees

The board on Friday also welcomed Pam MacEwan, the former chief executive of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, as a new trustee and said goodbye to Thomas Dixon, the longtime leader of the Tacoma Urban League, who died April 26 at 92. Dixon served on Evergreens board from 1973 to 1977.

Dexter Gordon, the colleges executive vice president, attended Dixons funeral, he said.

Beginning in 1968, Dixon served 32 years with the Tacoma Urban League. He also was active with the local NAACP, Tacoma Public Schools and the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, Gordon said.

Dixon was the eighth member of the colleges board. In Tacoma circles, he was affectionately known as the leader, Gordon said.

Im sure this board will join me in expressing to Toms family and all those he left behind our deepest condolences and warm appreciation for his years of service on this board, he said.

Thomas Dixon founded the Tacoma Urban League in 1968 and served as the organizations president for more than 30 years. Dixon died Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the age of 92.

MacEwan graduated from Evergreen in 1976 and later earned a masters degree in teaching from Brown University in Rhode Island.

Before joining the Health Benefit Exchange, she was senior vice president for public affairs and a member of the executive leadership team for 16 years at Group Health Cooperative, which is now Kaiser Permanente.

Zuckerman, who described MacEwan as a longtime friend, accused her of underplaying her role at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

When the Affordable Care Act was first rolled out, some states struggled with enrollment into the program because they relied on a federal website. Here, though, the Washington site hummed along, making it a national leader, Zuckerman said.

Were very lucky to have her as a board member, he said.
Security stands at the doors of The Crossroads Hotel where two busloads of migrants arrived on May 11, 2023, in Newburgh, N.Y. AP Photo/John Minchillo

New York City is struggling to find shelter for thousands of asylum seekers arriving in the city.

The city on Thursday sent buses of migrants to a hotel in Newburgh, New York, 60 miles upstate.

To accommodate their arrival, the hotel canceled rooms reserved months ago for one couple's wedding.

A soon-to-be-married couple from Queens has landed in the middle of New York City's ongoing immigration crisis.

Months after reserving a block of 37 rooms at the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, New York, for their upcoming nuptials, the pair told WCBS the rooms were canceled to accommodate asylum seekers bused up from New York City.

It's the latest in the city's ongoing struggle to find shelter for migrants  and now, the couple, Sean Plunkett and Nicole Hoefferle, said they are left scrambling.

Plunkett and Hoefferle told WNBC they have family flying in from Ireland, England, Canada, Ecuador, and Japan for their wedding next weekend.

Plunkett and Hoefferle did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

According to The New York Times, city officials on Thursday began busing migrants to Newburgh, a town in Orange County about 60 miles north of Manhattan.

Representatives for New York City Mayor Eric Adams did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

"We figured that it would probably be a situation where they would be there, but we'd also be there, and it would just be fine," Plunkett told WNBC. "When we called the manager, she basically verbally informed us, 'No, we've canceled all the blocks for the next few months.'"

In a statement to Insider, a representative for Choice Hotels, the chain that owns the Crossroads Hotel, said: "All affected guests will be contacted for assistance with rebooking their upcoming reservations."

In October 2022, Adams declared a state of emergency amid an influx of thousands of Latin American migrants. In the past year, 61,000 migrants have come to the city, per The New York Times, and the expiration of Title 42, a Trump-era policy, could exacerbate the problem.

Story continues

Title 42, which expired Friday, allowed government officials to swiftly deport migrants, some of whom might have otherwise been granted asylum, according to the outlet. Per The Times, 4,200 migrants have arrived in the city in the last week alone  and state officials have said that the end of Title 42 could increase that number to 5,000 per week.

As for Plunkett and Hoefferle, the couple is trying to keep spirits high ahead of their wedding day.

"I don't think that it's really beneficial to myself or Nicole to take our anger out on New York City, or on Orange County, or on the hotel," Plunkett told WCBS. "At this point we really just want our wedding to be as wonderful a day as we've hoped."

Read the original article on Insider




The authors 1998 head-tracking algorithm used skin color to distinguish a face from the background of an image.

In 1998, I unintentionally created a racially biased artificial intelligence algorithm. There are lessons in that story that resonate even more strongly today.



The dangers of bias and errors in AI algorithms are now well known. Why, then, has there been a flurry of blunders by tech companies in recent months, especially in the world of AI chatbots and image generators? Initial versions of ChatGPT produced racist output. The DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion image generators both showed racial bias in the pictures they created.

Read more

My own epiphany as a white male computer scientist occurred while teaching a computer science class in 2021. The class had just viewed a video poem by Joy Buolamwini, AI researcher and artist and the self-described poet of code. Her 2019 video poem AI, Aint I a Woman? is a devastating three-minute expose of racial and gender biases in automatic face recognition systems  systems developed by tech companies like Google and Microsoft.

The systems often fail on women of color, incorrectly labeling them as male. Some of the failures are particularly egregious: The hair of Black civil rights leader Ida B. Wells is labeled as a coonskin cap; another Black woman is labeled as possessing a walrus mustache.

Echoing through the years

I had a horrible deja vu moment in that computer science class: I suddenly remembered that I, too, had once created a racially biased algorithm. In 1998, I was a doctoral student. My project involved tracking the movements of a persons head based on input from a video camera. My doctoral adviser had already developed mathematical techniques for accurately following the head in certain situations, but the system needed to be much faster and more robust. Earlier in the 1990s, researchers in other labs had shown that skin-colored areas of an image could be extracted in real time. So we decided to focus on skin color as an additional cue for the tracker.

Story continues

I used a digital camera  still a rarity at that time  to take a few shots of my own hand and face, and I also snapped the hands and faces of two or three other people who happened to be in the building. It was easy to manually extract some of the skin-colored pixels from these images and construct a statistical model for the skin colors. After some tweaking and debugging, we had a surprisingly robust real-time head-tracking system.



Not long afterward, my adviser asked me to demonstrate the system to some visiting company executives. When they walked into the room, I was instantly flooded with anxiety: the executives were Japanese. In my casual experiment to see if a simple statistical model would work with our prototype, I had collected data from myself and a handful of others who happened to be in the building. But 100% of these subjects had white skin; the Japanese executives did not.

Miraculously, the system worked reasonably well on the executives anyway. But I was shocked by the realization that I had created a racially biased system that could have easily failed for other nonwhite people.

Privilege and priorities

How and why do well-educated, well-intentioned scientists produce biased AI systems? Sociological theories of privilege provide one useful lens.

Ten years before I created the head-tracking system, the scholar Peggy McIntosh proposed the idea of an invisible knapsack carried around by white people. Inside the knapsack is a treasure trove of privileges such as I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race, and I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.

In the age of AI, that knapsack needs some new items, such as AI systems wont give poor results because of my race. The invisible knapsack of a white scientist would also need: I can develop an AI system based on my own appearance, and know it will work well for most of my users.

AI researcher and artist Joy Buolamwinis video poem AI, Aint I a Woman?

One suggested remedy for white privilege is to be actively anti-racist. For the 1998 head-tracking system, it might seem obvious that the anti-racist remedy is to treat all skin colors equally. Certainly, we can and should ensure that the systems training data represents the range of all skin colors as equally as possible.

Unfortunately, this does not guarantee that all skin colors observed by the system will be treated equally. The system must classify every possible color as skin or nonskin. Therefore, there exist colors right on the boundary between skin and nonskin  a region computer scientists call the decision boundary. A person whose skin color crosses over this decision boundary will be classified incorrectly.

Scientists also face a nasty subconscious dilemma when incorporating diversity into machine learning models: Diverse, inclusive models perform worse than narrow models.

A simple analogy can explain this. Imagine you are given a choice between two tasks. Task A is to identify one particular type of tree  say, elm trees. Task B is to identify five types of trees: elm, ash, locust, beech and walnut. Its obvious that if you are given a fixed amount of time to practice, you will perform better on Task A than Task B.

In the same way, an algorithm that tracks only white skin will be more accurate than an algorithm that tracks the full range of human skin colors. Even if they are aware of the need for diversity and fairness, scientists can be subconsciously affected by this competing need for accuracy.

Hidden in the numbers

My creation of a biased algorithm was thoughtless and potentially offensive. Even more concerning, this incident demonstrates how bias can remain concealed deep within an AI system. To see why, consider a particular set of 12 numbers in a matrix of three rows and four columns. Do they seem racist? The head-tracking algorithm I developed in 1998 is controlled by a matrix like this, which describes the skin color model. But its impossible to tell from these numbers alone that this is in fact a racist matrix. They are just numbers, determined automatically by a computer program.

This matrix is at the heart of the authors 1998 skin color model. Can you spot the racism?

The problem of bias hiding in plain sight is much more severe in modern machine-learning systems. Deep neural networks  currently the most popular and powerful type of AI model  often have millions of numbers in which bias could be encoded. The biased face recognition systems critiqued in AI, Aint I a Woman? are all deep neural networks.



The good news is that a great deal of progress on AI fairness has already been made, both in academia and in industry. Microsoft, for example, has a research group known as FATE, devoted to Fairness, Accountability, Transparency and Ethics in AI. A leading machine-learning conference, NeurIPS, has detailed ethics guidelines, including an eight-point list of negative social impacts that must be considered by researchers who submit papers.

Whos in the room is whos at the table

On the other hand, even in 2023, fairness can still be the victim of competitive pressures in academia and industry. The flawed Bard and Bing chatbots from Google and Microsoft are recent evidence of this grim reality. The commercial necessity of building market share led to the premature release of these systems.

The systems suffer from exactly the same problems as my 1998 head tracker. Their training data is biased. They are designed by an unrepresentative group. They face the mathematical impossibility of treating all categories equally. They must somehow trade accuracy for fairness. And their biases are hiding behind millions of inscrutable numerical parameters.

So, how far has the AI field really come since it was possible, over 25 years ago, for a doctoral student to design and publish the results of a racially biased algorithm with no apparent oversight or consequences? Its clear that biased AI systems can still be created unintentionally and easily. Its also clear that the bias in these systems can be harmful, hard to detect and even harder to eliminate.

These days its a cliche to say industry and academia need diverse groups of people in the room designing these algorithms. It would be helpful if the field could reach that point. But in reality, with North American computer science doctoral programs graduating only about 23% female, and 3% Black and Latino students, there will continue to be many rooms and many algorithms in which underrepresented groups are not represented at all.

Thats why the fundamental lessons of my 1998 head tracker are even more important today: Its easy to make a mistake, its easy for bias to enter undetected, and everyone in the room is responsible for preventing it.

Want to know more about AI, chatbots, and the future of machine learning? Check out our full coverage of artificial intelligence, or browse our guides to The Best Free AI Art Generators and Everything We Know About OpenAIs ChatGPT.

John MacCormick, Professor of Computer Science, Dickinson College

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
A couple in Malden was forced from their Forest St. home after fire broke out Sunday morning.

You feel bad for them obviously, said Malden Fire Chief Stephen Froio. Its Mothers Day and theyre out of their house, they dont have a home anymore.

Chief Froio said firefighters were called to the house around 7:30 a.m. When they arrived, both residents were safely out of the house, but much of the home was engulfed in flames.

There was fire in multiple locations, first and second floor, Froio said. It had a good head start.

A neighbor told Boston 25 News her friend was walking by the house before fire crews arrived and saw flames shooting from the home.

My friend was walking by at 7 oclock this morning, she sent me a video of the fire shooting out the left side of the house, the neighbor said. The woman [in the video] had her two dogs in a vehicle, and she had disclosed that her cats were still missing.

Chief Froio said crews had to fight the fire from the outside since it wasnt safe for them to enter the home.

Its a collapse hazard so everybodys outside pouring water on it, Froio said. Just a longer duration fire because of the access problems.

Firefighters from Everett, Lynn, Medford and Revere helped fight the 2-alarm fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

BREAKING: Firefighters battling a blaze at this single-family home on Forest St. in Malden. Crews on scene tell me everyone got out safely and no one was hurt @boston25 pic.twitter.com/28PGXVzdgZ  Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) May 14, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Cubans marched against homophobia and transphobia and celebrated the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage

Around 200 Cubans marched in Havana on Saturday to the rhythm of conga, a popular dance, protesting against homophobia and transphobia, and celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Chanting "socialism yes, homophobia no", demonstrators swayed their hips and beat rhythmically on drums as they cheered the 'Family Code', passed last September.

The code permits surrogate pregnancies as long as no money changes hands and legally recognizes same-sex adoptions, as well as several fathers or mothers in addition to the biological parents.

It also defines marriage as the union between two people, rather than that of a man and a woman, while boosting the rights of children, the elderly and the disabled.

"It was a debt the revolutionary process owed" to Cuba's LGBTQ community, Ana Clara Leon, a student parading with a rainbow flag tied around her waist, told AFP.

Yoilan Balon, a coordinator for the Transcuba network promoting trans rights, said: "It was something that all gay people were waiting for, who wanted to consummate their couple relationship."

Diana Pena, who organizes the network's youth outreach, said the conga pride parade suited Cuba's spirit.

"It is the conga of pride, we Cubans are very much about partying, conga, fun and this way we can express our diversity."

The march was led by Mariela Castro, daughter of one of Cuba's revolutionary leaders Raul Castro and a supporter of the Family Code, alongside Lis Cuesta, wife of President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Cuba's machismo culture was exacerbated in the 1960s and 1970s, when the government ostracized the LGBTQ community, sending many to militarized agricultural labor camps.

lp/dl/dhw/pbt
While the fiddle player sawed off the dizzy opening notes of Bob Wills Take Me Back to Tulsa on the stage in the back room, Charles Blagg was browsing the refreshments cooler up near the checkout counter.

It was a rainy Saturday night in April, and in a few hours, Blagg  78, with a white Stetson to match his mustache  would be driving not quite to Tulsa but to his home outside Nowata, Oklahoma, about 110 miles south. Hes made the four-hour round trip to The Mildred Store several times over the past few years.

The century-old general store hosts a country music dance on the third Saturday of each month that regularly draws hundreds from across the region to this southeast Kansas town of 17.

This is a rare type of place, Blagg said. No trouble, clean fun, and they got a good Western swing band, which is something I appreciate. Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Ray Price, George Jones, Loretta Lynn. Thats the real stuff. Coming here, its the way things used to be in towns like this.

Nineteen-year-old Alexa Fuhrman spins with a partner at the Saturday night dance in Mildred. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

In the dance hall, surrounded by Wrangler-clad farmers two-stepping underneath a wagon-wheel chandelier, these Saturday-night shindigs feel like some long tradition here in Mildred. In fact, theyre a relatively new development. Regena and Loren Lance started hosting the shows shortly after they bought Charlie Browns Grocery nine years ago.

Married since 1984, they were raised in this part of the state: Regena just outside of town, Loren about 25 miles down the road in Stark. They remember when Charlie and Lucille Brown ran the place, back in the days when general stores bloomed like sunflowers across Kansas.

The store, which had been in operation since the 1940s, briefly closed in 2014. Charlie and Lucilles grandson, Michael, had been running the place while battling health issues as well as the larger economic trends  dwindling populations, the Walmart effect  that have made operating independent businesses in rural America so challenging.

Story continues

Regena Lance bought The Mildred Store with her husband, Loren, in 2014. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

We heard it was closing, and Im just settin there on the couch mulling it over, thinking about how I dont want to have to drive 30 miles into Iola or Garnett or Fort Scott for a dozen eggs, Regena said. And I said to him (Loren), Well, Im thinking about buying the store. And he said, Well, thats what I was just thinking.

Within a few months, Regena, a teacher, and Loren, a farmer, had second jobs as grocery store owners. There was work to do inside the tan-brick building: The shelves were nearly bare, much of the old equipment was faulty or inefficient, and many of the old regular customers had fallen off due to the stores inconsistent operating hours.

David Long of Topeka takes a break from the dance to browse The Mildred Stores soda pop aisle. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

One of the first things the Lances did was tape their cellphone numbers to the front door; locals know they can call if they have an after-hours emergency in this sparsely populated part of the state. They also held an auction to unload the 99 years worth of antiques (or junk, depending on your point of view) that had accumulated in the former garage and feed store connected to the grocer.

We had two auctioneers going at the same time and 14 gooseneck trailers lined up out on the street, Loren said. There were old TVs, old stereos and VCRs, never-worn bib overalls, bathtubs of every color. A case of Billy Beer. An air compressor. You name it.

The Mildred Store, formerly known as Charlie Browns Grocery, was built in 1915. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Before long the space reclaimed its old-timey sparkle. Renamed The Mildred Store, it is a place to pop in for quick everyday staples like eggs, toilet paper or meat (which the Lances buy from Fanestil, an Emporia-based distributor). You can also find more specialty items here, like jams and jellies from the nearby Amish community; a bag of the special-recipe breading used by the former owners of the beloved Chicken Shack down the road in Moran; or a Belt Buster  sandwiches the size of softballs, piled high with over a pound of meat and cheese, wrapped in white paper towels  served at the deli counter at the back of the store. (At the Saturday night show in April, the evening special was pulled-pork sandwiches with chips for $7.99.)

Guests wait in line for the nights special: a pulled pork sandwich with chips for $7.99. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Back in the days when Charlie Browns grandson Michael ran the store, musicians from around the way would sometimes stop in. Loren was one. In the 80s and 90s, he played guitar in weekend country bands around southeast Kansas, in places like Burlington and Blue Mound. Michael was a John Prine type, Loren recalled, who was bashful about his playing but loved the chance to jam with fellow musicians.

Wed sit at the tables in the front when the store wasnt busy and youd have some farmers start singing, and of course I could play rhythm, Loren said.

Loren and Regena thought they might like to revive the spirit of those old sessions in a more structured atmosphere. Loren put a country band together and started hosting a few small shows inside, then moved the performances outside, then built a permanent stage in the old feed store and put in central air and heat. It is now a bona fide dance hall, albeit a rustic one, with wood fencing leaned up against the walls and seating courtesy of several rows of orange church pews purchased for $100 from a church in Mound City.

The view from the pews in the back of The Mildred Stores dance hall. The seating was purchased for $100 from a church in Mound City. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Its a six-piece band that plays that third Saturday of the month, though in April it was just five, owing to a death in a guitar players family. Loren handled rhythm guitar, lead vocals, backup harmonies and the occasional mandolin tune. Members of the band hail from surrounding towns, some close, others not. Lead guitarist Mike George came in from Humboldt, drummer Roger Bland from Gas City, bassist Esther Kennedy from Girard, and fiddle player Ricky Allen from Drexel, Missouri.

Theres no script, said Loren, whod swapped out his mesh farmers hat for a Stetson by the time he hit the stage. I usually couldnt tell you what were going to play till we get up there.

Loren Lance, co-owner of Mildred Store, handles lead vocals during the stores once-a-month country music shows. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

That night, they cooked up a set list of country classics  George Jones The Race Is On, Brooks & Dunns Neon Moon, Merle Haggards Im a Lonesome Fugitive  to an audience whose home addresses were as varied as their ages. A half-dozen high-schoolers done up in crisp jeans and tucked-in flannels and cowboy hats kept bouncing off the pews to join retirement-age farmers and ranchers swaying gingerly on the dance floor.

Jenna Schallert, 38, and Jason Pebley, 45, drove in from about 20 miles away. It was their third time coming to the show.

This is the Saturday night draw around here  date night for us, getting away from our cows and chickens, said Pebley, who operates natural gas pipelines and a 180-acre ranch outside Welda. We just come to support our local barn stomp.

Usually, a couple hundred guests come every third Saturday of the month for The Mildred Stores country music dance. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Longtime friends Loring Leifer and Margot Patterson were in from Kansas City. Patterson had been told that her grandmother, Mildred Wagner, was the namesake of the town, and she and Regena were huddled in the snacks aisle, flipping through some printed-out pages of Mildred history.

Wed been at an art show in Wichita, then stopped into Humboldt this afternoon, then realized it was the third Saturday, so we thought wed check this out, Patterson said.

The band played a set of country classics: George Jones, Brooks & Dunn, Merle Haggard and Bob Wills. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Only about 100 made it out for the April dance  rainy weather, plus a couple of local high schools had prom that night  but often its twice that, or more. To accommodate demand from travelers and local workers servicing new wind turbines in the area, the Lances have opened an RV park adjacent to the store. It has eight hookups and three tiny cabins for guests. Regena also operates an Airbnb in Blue Mound  a Victorian mansion where she sometimes hosts murder mystery dinners.

Growing up, Charlie and Lucille made it so you kind of knew the history of this place, Regena said. Were trying to carry on those traditions and add a few too. Weve got our hands full at this point, though. I think wed fail if we tried to get too much bigger.

She rose from her chair in the old garage, now filled with tables and chairs and laminated newspaper clippings from the stores 100-year history. A customer was ready to check out up front. The band was warming up in the next room.

I married a musician, Regena said. He thinks differently than I do. She shrugged. Its not always a bad thing.

Ty Gable, left, dances with his grandmother Faye Dunbar in between serving drinks to customers at the show. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Going to Mildred, Kansas

The Mildred Store is at 86 Third St. in Mildred, Kansas. The country music dances are held on the third Saturday of each month  the next one is May 20. Admission is free, and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. More info at themildredstore.com or call the store at 620-439-5424.
Ransomware attacks targeting schools and universities are happening more often.

Since 2005, there have been 2,691 data breaches involving K-12 schools and universities, according to a report by Comparitech, a consumer research organization. Researchers say these incidents compromised nearly 32 million individual records.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Experts say while ransomware attacks arent new, these incidents are still posing a major threat to schools.

Its a huge, huge concern, especially with childrens data. we think how sensitive that is, and the potential repercussions in years to come as well for them, said Rebecca Moody, Head of data research at Comparitech.

The findings show most individual records were compromised during data breaches at colleges and universities.

TRENDING STORIES:

Researchers saw one of the biggest spikes in school data breaches occurred during the height of the pandemic. They say nearly three million records were affected in 2020 alone.

Experts are now encouraging schools and universities to be more transparent about these incidents.

I think its that lack of clarity thats a bit of a concern now. Because I appreciate a lot of universities and education facilities, they dont want to say theyve been hacked because they feel so opens them up to future attacks, said Moody. But equally, if they have been attacked and data has been stolen or potentially stolen, as a parent, employee, child, you should be given that full disclosure as to whats happened to your data.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
The debt ceiling fight gripping Washington this month bears echoes of a similar clash in 2011, when a Democratic president squared off against a Republican House in a fight that dragged on for months, pushed the country to the brink of default and led to the first credit downgrade in U.S. history.

Except this time might be worse.

As President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) scramble to find common ground on legislation to hike the governments borrowing cap, theyre operating in a much tougher environment than that faced by the top negotiators a dozen years ago, according to lawmakers, economists and political observers of all stripes.

The country is more polarized, the sides have been more unyielding, a number of Republicans  including former President Trump  say theyre willing to allow a default to secure their objectives.

And McCarthys slim majority leaves him little room to maneuver within a conservative GOP conference that expects him to hold the line on spending cuts  or risk a challenge to his gavel.

The combination has raised the odds of an unprecedented default and rattled some veterans of past debt ceiling fights, who say this is the most precarious of them all.

This is the first debt-ceiling situation that I felt was not going to be abated in time to protect our country, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), a 19-year veteran of Capitol Hill, said. Ive never seen anything like this, so this could be one of the biggest political mistakes in the history of the republic.

Thomas Kahn, who served as senior counsel to Democrats on the House Budget Committee for decades, including during the 2011 battle, agreed, citing three distinct reasons.

First, Republicans have shifted to the right over the last decade, and the cuts theyre demanding are much steeper than those of 2011. Second, House conservatives, fueled by Trump, appear more willing to accept default. And third, McCarthys delicate position leading a tiny and restive majority has made him a weaker Speaker than those of the past, one who made a lot of promises to obtain the gavel and now depends on some of the most hard-right House Republicans to stay in power, Kahn said.

Story continues

For all those reasons I think the situation is much more dire than 2011, Kahn, now at American University, said Friday by phone. And I think the chances of default are much higher.

Yet its not only Republicans who have hardened their tactics this year. Biden, unlike former President Obama in 2011, has said hes unwilling to negotiate spending cuts as part of the proposal to raise the debt ceiling, arguing that those two conversations should be divorced and follow different legislative tracks.

Philip Wallach, senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said that approach is well outside the historic norm. He suggested Bidens position is untenable given the Republicans control of the House and their recent success in passing legislation that married spending cuts with a debt-limit increase.

Its a very novel and in some ways aggressive position that seems to be built on the hope that the Republican majority in the House is so narrow that it will just somehow disintegrate and let him have his way, Wallach said. That seemed more likely a month ago than it does today.

Still, Wallach emphasized that McCarthy is in no easy spot, squeezed between a default on one side and conservative pressure on the other.

This is the first real test of McCarthys mettle as Speaker, Wallach said. We just dont know whether hes actually the kind of person who can put together and sell a deal to a lot of his members. I think theres a lot more skepticism about that than with John Boehner.

If the cast of characters is different this year, the contours of the debate mirror those of a dozen years ago.

The 2011 saga matched Obama against then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who had taken the gavel the same year on the wings of a Tea Party movement that demanded deficit reduction and rejected any increase in the governments borrowing cap without sharp cuts in federal spending. The two powerbrokers spent months working privately on a compromise, but the talks fell apart after a bipartisan group of senators intervened with a plan of their own, including tax hikes more significant than Boehner and his conservative conference were willing to accept.

[A]dding more revenue  would have made it impossible to get enough Republicans on board, Boehner wrote in his 2021 memoir, On the House. So the deal was basically dead.

A default was averted at the 11th hour by the passage of the bipartisan Budget Control Act (BCA), which lifted the debt ceiling and created a bipartisan commission, known as the Supercommittee, charged with drafting recommendations to curb long-term deficit spending.

But the close call didnt do much to instill market confidence, prompting Standard & Poors to downgrade the United Statess triple-A credit rating for the first time in the countrys history. And the Supercommittee ultimately proved unsuccessful, leading some political experts to predict that a similar escape hatch likely wont fly with conservatives this time around.

What usually happens in cases like this is that the House Republicans use the imperative of raising the debt ceiling as leverage to cut a budget deal with the White House  and that may yet happen, David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution, said in an email. But it doesnt look like House Republicans will settle for a special committee to come up with deficit-reduction measures, the resolution of the 2011 standoff.

The volatile political climate means theres a higher chance than usual that Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling before the Treasury runs out of cash, Wessel added. Thats not the most likely outcome, he continued, but way too big a possibility.

Amid the standoff, Biden, McCarthy and other congressional leaders are insisting theyll work out a deal in time to prevent a default.

The president hosted the top four congressional leaders at the White House last Tuesday to launch the talks in earnest. And although a second meeting scheduled for Friday was called off, leadership staffers have continued the negotiations, and voices on both sides said the cancellation was no indication that progress had stalled.

There are negotiations happening for real and I think thats very good news for our country, Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) told reporters.

Still, the Treasury Department has warned that the government could exhaust the ability to pay all of its obligations as early as June 1, leaving a short window for the parties to reach a compromise. And thats led to plenty of speculation that the sides will have to lean on some alternative strategy for preventing a default.

Some lawmakers are hoping Biden will invoke the 14th Amendment and simply continue to pay down all the countrys debts, despite the statutory cap  an untested and highly disputed legal strategy that Biden nonetheless says hes eyeing.

You cant leave this up to reckless abandon, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) said. If he has to, hes got to utilize the 14th Amendment.

Others, like Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), have said it will require a market crash before House Republicans are willing to move a debt-limit bill through the lower chamber.

Wessel, of Brookings, noted the possibility that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has a long history negotiating budget compromises with Biden, will step off of the sidelines and broker a deal between McCarthy and the president.

And a number of voices think the most likely scenario is that Congress will move a short-term debt limit extension that buys negotiators more time and, perhaps, harmonizes the default deadline with that for funding the government.

Thats more likely than not what would happen, but I would not foreclose the possibility of a default of a couple days, said Kahn, of American University.

I hate to say that, and I pray that doesnt happen, he added. But I think it is certainly a very real possibility.

Emily Brooks contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jerone Hunter, front, and Troy Victorino enter the courtroom at the start of their penalty retrial on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Attorneys for two men convicted in the Deltona Xbox mass murder filed a motion Sunday asking the entire 5th District Court of Appeal to review a split decision by one of its three-judge panels that allows prosecutors to use the states new non-unanimous death recommendation law.

The three-judge panel granted on Thursday the states request to use the new law which only requires eight jurors to recommend death in order for a judge to impose the death penalty. The previous law required a unanimous jury recommendation.

In a motion for rehearing en banc, which means all the judges on the 5th DCA, attorneys for Jerone Hunter, 35, and Troy Victorino, 46, argue that the case is of exceptional importance.

Xbox mass murder resentencing set: 2 men convicted in Deltona mass murder face death penalty again after sentences overturned

Xbox mass murder resentencing begins: Troy Victorino, Jerone Hunter begin penalty phase retrial in Deltona murders

Xbox defense objects: Defense in Xbox trial says new death penalty law would violate accused killers' rights

The motion signed by defense attorney Allison Miller, who represents Hunter, notes that an opinion has not yet been issued.

Without knowing the exact reasoning of the two judges behind this decision, it is nearly impossible to explain why the two were wrong, the motion states.

Brian Lambert, the chief judge of the 5th DCA, and Judge Harvey L. Jay granted the petition from the state and prosecutors to proceed under the state's new sentencing law; Judge John M. Harris denied the petition, according to the order.

The motion also states that capital resentencings in Florida are common and the case will answer if and why the 5th DCA should have jurisdiction to review a petition related to the death penalty since it will never review capital resentencings as appeals of right, the motion stated.

The motion states that if the two judges are wrong, as defense attorneys argue, the court should state that before the two-judge decision may take root as precedent.

Story continues

If this court is going to chart a new path, taking jurisdiction of capital resentencing matters over which the Supreme Court has claimed exclusive jurisdiction, it should do so en banc, not through the voice of two judges, the motion states.

The 5th DCAs website listed 12 judges.

The hearing against Victorino and Hunter for the 2004 murders in which six people were killed was about to enter its third day on April 27 when the 5th District Court of Appeal granted a prosecution request to stop the proceedings.

Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III said Friday that he would have jurors return to the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand at 10 a.m. Tuesday to determine whether they can continue to serve; then the resentencing hearing would proceed.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Defense in Xbox mass murder asks for review of death penalty ruling
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on Sunday criticized the GOP immigration bill as too "extreme," while affirming that President Biden is "doing everything he can" regarding the border crisis.

In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Khanna, who notably appeared virtually from the 2024 primary state of New Hampshire, deflected blame Republicans have placed on the Biden administration for repealing Trump-era policies meant to deter illegal immigration. The discussion took place after at least 82,000 migrants had surged at the border by the end of last week after Title 42 ended.

"Nothing has gotten done since President Reagan signed by bipartisan immigration reform in 1986. And instead of throwing fingers at each other, why don't we come together on some common principles?" Khanna said to host Shannon Bream, rejecting the idea that this is new problem. "We need a safe and secure border, and we need an orderly and humane process. That means Congress needs to act. We need to provide the money to have judges there and to have immigration officers so that we can actually be quickly processing the claims."

Khanna added: "The president is saying that these claims should be processed in hours. People who aren't legitimate should be sent back. We need to have more money for Border Patrol, which, by the way, the House has passed under Democratic leadership. Two years ago, the Republicans didn't vote for that. But why not come up with a bipartisan solution? That's what I want."

ARIZONA BORDER CITY SEES 7 PEOPLE SHOT, SUSPECT AT LARGE: REPORT

Rep. Ro Khanna defended President Biden on the border crisis, claiming it's Congress that's failed to provide the administration enough resources.

Bream noted many of those provisions are included in the Republican immigration bill, as well as requiring employers to use the federal E-Verify program to determine whether current or prospective employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Their bill is extreme," Khanna said Sunday. "The Senate won't pass their bill. I mean, their bill takes away funding from any of the NGOs in El Paso. You talk to Veronica Escobar, who represents that area. Why wouldn't we want NGOs giving water to people coming across or helping deal with the situation on the border? Their bill is for a border wall. That is not something Democrats can or will support, but we will support increased funding for Border Patrol. We will support increased funding for immigration judges to quickly process things. We will support better technology and security on the border. So why not come up with a compromise?"

Story continues

Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at a news conference on May 11, 2023, in Brownsville, Texas, to discuss the ending of Title 42.

"And the president, by the way, is doing everything he can to reverse the catch and release," Khanna added. "You have border agents now and judges quickly calling people who are coming at the border within hours. And many of the folks who don't have legitimate claims aren't being allowed in."

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AT SOUTHERN BORDER LEADS TO SLAVERY: SEN. MARSHALL

Khanna placed the blame on Congress for not providing the Biden administration enough resources to secure the border. "I don't believe this is either a Democratic or Republican issue. It's a both party issue. I mean, President Reagan is the last president who's gotten this done and since we've had no bipartisan agreement," he said. "Do you want to just score political points or do you want to actually work, compromise and get something done? Well, I want to get something done."

Republicans have blamed Biden for the situation at the border, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, going so far as to say what is happening "is deliberate," and the result of a "decision" by the president and other Democrats "to open up the border" to the surge.

On Capitol Hill Thursday, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., claimed, "Joe Biden doesn't give a damn about Americans," amid the border crisis.

Sen. Rick Scott speaks on border security and Title 42 during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2023.

Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., added at the same press conference that Biden could extend Title 42 by declaring another public health emergency as COVID-19-related restrictions are lifted, citing the more than 70,000 Americans who are estimated to have died from fentanyl overdoses.

"First of all, the exact problem with politics is what Sen. Scott said," Khanna said Sunday. "I mean, come on, President Biden doesn't give a damn about Americans? Here's someone who has dedicated his entire life to public service. I would never say that about President Trump. I would not say that he doesn't care about Americans. So why don't we actually deal with the issues instead of these ad hominem attacks on our president? Of course, I would support stronger policy to get fentanyl out of America, and I'm concerned about China that's been shipping it. It's wrong. I've heard the testimony in Congress of mothers who've lost their children. And let's solve that. I mean, instead of launching ad hominem attacks at the president."
Senate Democrats are urging President Biden to use the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling, arguing he has the constitutional authority to take the unilateral step to prevent a GOP-driven default.

They say Biden should not agree to GOP demands for major concessions on spending cuts to raise the debt ceiling, and that he should extend the nations borrowing authority by taking a step no previous president has done.

I personally feel that we should test that and I think that the language is very explicit in that amendment, said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) when asked whether Biden has the authority.

Senate Democrats say they have consulted with constitutional scholars about the option, and that Biden should test it if House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) does not waver in his demands.

The 14th Amendment is not anyones first choice. The first choice is that the Republicans raise the debt ceiling because the United States government never, ever, ever, ever defaults on its legal obligations. But if Kevin McCarthy is going to push the United States over a cliff, then it becomes the presidents responsibility to find an alternative path, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Republicans in the House and Senate have warned against using the 14th Amendment, saying Biden does not have this power and warning of challenges in the courts.

Biden himself has raised the possibility, indicating hed consider the move  but not without pause.

I have been considering the 14th Amendment, Biden told reporters Tuesday after a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House made minimal progress on the debt-limit stalemate.

Treasure Secretary Janet Yellen last week, however, acknowledged serious problems with the 14th Amendment as an answer to the debt crisis.

There would clearly be litigation around that; its not a short-run solution, she said at a news conference in Japan, adding it would be legally questionable.

Story continues

The 14th Amendment, passed by the Senate in 1866 shortly after the end of the Civil War, states the validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.

The language was adopted to ensure that the former Confederate states could not attempt to disavow the debts incurred by the Union during the war.

Durbin acknowledged that using the 14th Amendment would lead to a court challenge and was not an ideal option. But Democrats are also signaling they might rather roll the dice in court than agree to GOP spending cuts  or hope a deal can be reached with McCarthy.

Warren pointed to the writings of constitutional scholar and Harvard University professor emeritus Laurence Tribe, who argued in a May 7 New York Times op-ed that Biden has a duty to uphold the laws, passed by Congress, that have incurred more than $31 trillion in debt.

Professor Tribe rightly points out that the 14th Amendment creates a plausible way to deal with the debt ceiling, even in the face of the Republican hostage taking, she said.

Asked whether Biden should deploy the 14th Amendment as soon as next month, Warren said it depends what the alternative is.

If the alternative is that the Republicans are going to hurtle us over a cliff in which the American economy crashes, were thrown into a recession and millions of people are put out of work and our good name around the world is destroyed, then not-great alternatives look like a better option than chaos, she said.

The language seems pretty straightforward, and its hard to reconcile the language in the 14th Amendment with a law passed by Congress that creates a debt ceiling, she added.

Warren taught law at Harvard University before winning election to the Senate.

Biden on Tuesday offered caution when it comes to the 14th Amendment talk, saying the problem is it would have to be litigated and warning that in the meantime, without an extension, it would still end up in the same place, suggesting that a default still might result if a court stayed his action.

The growing possibility that Biden might attempt a constitutional end run around Congress is sparking alarm among Republicans.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) responded to Bidens threat to use the 14th Amendment by declaring on the Senate floor that unconstitutionally acting without Congress is not an option.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), the second-ranking Senate GOP leader, said Biden would face a legal challenge that would likely find its way to the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority.

That will be tested. I think it would have to be litigated in court, he said. Its not a realistic solution to the current crisis, but my understanding is hes talking about potentially raising that issue and getting some sort of a legal reading on it for the next time around.

But Democratic senators argue that Biden has clear constitutional authority to circumvent McCarthy now, and they fear the Speaker is under too much political pressure from House conservatives and former President Trump to agree to any debt-limit bill that could pass the Senate.

MAGA wants a default. Its everybody elses responsibility to prevent one, said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), referring to Trumps allies in the House.

He predicted that McCarthy would be willing to let the nation default unless we repeal all the things that we enacted last Congress, which is essentially the same as asking for a default.

At a CNN town hall in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Trump called on Republicans in Congress to do a default if Biden doesnt agree to massive spending cuts.

McCarthy distanced himself from those comments Thursday and insisted that Bidens refusal to negotiate with him for more than three months shows the president is the one pushing for a default.

The brinksmanship has spurred Democrats to press Biden to weigh executive action.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said using the 14th Amendment to raise the debt limit beats default.

Whitehouse said Biden has authority under the Constitution to raise the debt limit without Congress because his duties to faithfully execute the laws includes all the laws that the forcing of default would require the government and the president to break, which includes all the appropriations bills and so forth.

Whitehouse and other Democrats believe that if Congress refuses to raise the debt limit, it would force the executive branch to violate the wide array of laws that require federal funding of priorities ranging from the annual appropriations bills, to the payment of Medicare and Social Security, to interest on the U.S. debt.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), another member of the Judiciary Committee, said theres a strong argument that Biden has authority to use the 14th Amendment to avoid a default if he cant strike a deal with McCarthy.

But I think we should have an agreement to raise the debt ceiling without having to resort to that authority, he said.

Updated on May 15 at 5:42 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a fundraising picnic for US Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican of Iowa, on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo

DeSantis and Trump were both set to appear in Iowa on Saturday.

But Trump had to postpone his event, citing bad weather.

DeSantis found ways to highlight Trump's absence.

Despite much anticipation, there were no dueling rallies between Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and former president Donald Trump this weekend in Iowa. Trump canceled his event in Des Moines, blaming tornado warnings.

Trump's postponement meant there was no chance for the media (or the politician's teams) to compare enthusiasm and crowd size at the two political events in a key primary state. DeSantis, however, capitalized on Trump's no-show to make a subtle dig at the former president.

After headlining two events in Iowa, DeSantis made an unscheduled stop at Jethro's BBQ Southside, a barbeque joint in Des Moines near where Trump had been scheduled to speak.

"It's a beautiful night," DeSantis remarked in Des Moines, according to the New York Times.

A tornado never materialized in the area, though Politico reported that rain had drenched Trump supporters lining up early for the former president's rally. Trump, for his part, stayed at his Mar-a-Lago private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesman, told Insider the Des Moines event was sold out but that the campaign postponed it as a safety precaution. He added that "nobody else" in the race could match the support and enthusiasm Trump generated.

Earlier in the day, DeSantis spoke at two events, one in Sioux Center and the other in Cedar Rapids, which was about a two-hour drive from his surprise Des Moines stop.

"We must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over," DeSantis said during his speech. "If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again."

DeSantis has had to carefully calibrate how he attacks Trump, and how he responds to Trump's attacks. He learned recently that attacking Trump outright can rally his MAGA base, so he has more often opted for understated jabs instead.

Story continues

In February, for instance, DeSantis held an event on defamation laws in which he praised a conservative lawyer who represented Dominion Voting Machines in its defamation lawsuit against Trump ally and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

And shortly after his 2022 reelection victory, when he won by nearly 20 points in Florida, a state that was considered to be the largest swing state in the country, DeSantis brushed off reporter questions about Trump but told them to "check out the scoreboard." Republicans running for Congress, many of whom Trump backed, had not achieved the "red wave" they expected.

During the Sioux Center event on Saturday, DeSantis appeared onstage alongside his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis. That, too, offered a subtle contrast against Trump, whose own wife, Melania Trump, has yet to appear at a 2024 campaign rally with her husband.

DeSantis learned a hard lesson about how to campaign against Trump in March.

During a press conference and a follow-up interview with British TV personality Piers Morgan just before Trump's indictment in Manhattan, DeSantis eschewed his strategy of subtle digs and directly attacked Trump. He ridiculed the ex-president for the salacious details revealed in the investigation, which centered on a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and then decried Trump's "drama" and losing record.

"I mean you can call me whatever you want, just as long as you also call me a winner," DeSantis said of Trump's "Desanctimonious" nickname for him.

Shortly after, DeSantis dropped in the polls. Though other factors were at play, Trump seemed to benefit as his base rallied around him. For weeks, Trump relentlessly attacked DeSantis and gained a pile of endorsements in Florida. Even big donors told reporters on the record that they were concerned DeSantis was too right-wing.

How DeSantis handles Trump's attacks, meanwhile, could help or hurt him in the polls.

DeSantis has made "never, ever back down from a fight" a big part of his political brand. He has gone after Walt Disney World and other big corporations, fought federal public health officials and President Joe Biden over COVID-19 restrictions, moved to punish facilities over hosting drag shows where minors were present, and removed a progressive prosecutor.

But Trump is seen as the most formidable opponent of them all because he also does not back down from a fight, and he's not afraid to drag his opponents through the mud and make ferocious accusations, whether true or untrue.

Trump has conceded that DeSantis is his biggest rival, and has demonstrated he'll mock the governor over everything from his looks to how he says his name to his policy record.

DeSantis has been holding what many consider to be a "soft campaign" under the auspices of promoting his book at events across the United States.

But as Trump remains the frontrunner, DeSantis has played coy over whether he will actually run for president. He is widely expected to make an announcement after signing more Florida bills into law and passing the state's budget. On Thursday, he quietly signed a bill that will shield his travel records and visitors to the governor's mansion, both past and future, from the public.



May 15, 2023: This story has been updated with comments from Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photograph: Charlie Neibergall/AP

Floridas rightwing governor, Ron DeSantis, has rolled out a hefty list of endorsements from Iowa lawmakers as he visited the crucial early-voting state on Saturday in an attempt to garner support for his potential Republican presidential campaign.

The pro-DeSantis Super Pac Never Back Down announced endorsements from 37 Republican Iowa state senators and representatives, including the Iowa senate president, Amy Sinclair, and the state house majority leader, Matt Windschitl.

Related: The point is intimidation: Florida teachers besieged by draconian laws

In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Sinclair praised DeSantis, saying that he stands head and shoulders above other Republican presidential candidates including Donald Trump and that the choice is an easy endorsement for me.

Windschitl echoed similar sentiments, telling the outlet: We need somebody thats accountable to the people that has proven in their state that they can do this job and take that same prosperity and spread it throughout America.

However, DeSantis is landing in Iowa  the first state in the Republican nomination process  after a tough few weeks. The Republican frontrunner, the former US president Donald Trump, has repeatedly attacked his ex-ally and holds a commanding lead in polls. An overseas trip by DeSantis was also seen as falling flat and he has struggled recently to impress some big Republican donors.

On Saturday, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, attended the 2023 Feenstra Family Picnic hosted by the US House representative Randy Feenstra in Sioux Center. DeSantiss visit to the state is widely regarded as an early attempt at swaying Iowa Republicans, many of whom will attend an outdoor rally hosted by Trump later this evening in Des Moines.

During the fundraiser, DeSantis boasted about his conservative accomplishments in Floridas ongoing culture war, including abortion bans, blocking diversity and inclusion programs, and legislation that allows residents to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit.

Story continues

In Florida, we are a freedom zone permanently, DeSantis said, adding: I think we need to restore sanity in this country, as the crowd applauded loudly while eating hamburgers.

If you look at whats going on in Washington DC, if we were sitting here 10 years ago and someone told you we would be over $31tn in debt, you would not have believed that was the case and yet the Democrats keep borrowing and saving like drunken sailors, he said ahead of the elections in which he is expected to soon formally announce his candidacy as Trumps chief challenger.

Related: Rough week, Ron? DeSantis flounders with Disney feud and abortion stance

If you compare how Floridas managed or Iowas managed to states governed by leftist politicians, its like night and day, DeSantis continued.

The governor appeared to also take a veiled jab at Trump.

We must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over, DeSantis said, referring to a series of electoral losses suffered by Republicans in the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms.

If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again, he told the crowd of several hundred conservatives.

 This article was amended on 14 May 2023 because an earlier version referred to Randy Feenstra as a state representative. Congressman Feenstra represents Iowas fourth congressional district in the House of Representatives.
Signs in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's unannounced campaign for the presidency abounded in Sioux Center before his appearance

Salesman Rick Lemmon listened intently on Saturday as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pitched his ideas to a crowd in the rural US state of Iowa.

"He would be a great candidate for president," Lemmon told AFP ahead of the speech.

DeSantis' conservative values, firm approach to immigration, and opposition to abortion all appeal to the 60-year-old.

"He checks all the boxes for me," Lemmon said.

The United States won't choose its next president until November 2024, but the election buzz is already saturating the humid air in the farming town of Sioux Center.

DeSantis, an up-and-coming figure in the Republican party, was the guest of honor at a political event organized by Randy Feenstra, a US legislator for Iowa.

DeSantis has not yet made his presidential campaign official, but the T-shirts, hats and "DeSantis 2024" signs abounding in the room made an announcement a mere formality.

The governor's trip to Iowa further strengthens expectations that he will run for office.

Known for its cornfields, Iowa plays a key role as a political kingmaker.

It is the first state to hold a Republican primary, and winning in Iowa guarantees presidential candidates valuable momentum.

DeSantis arrived on stage in a blue shirt, jeans and boots, and reeled off what seemed to be his political manifesto.

He defended the right to bear arms and vowed to fight "transgender ideology" -- pledges from the conservative playbook that guides his administration in Florida.

He drew a round of applause when he said that if he were President Joe Biden, he would "shut down the border (with Mexico) immediately."

A name that didn't pass through his lips was that of former president Donald Trump, his rival who is far ahead in the polls.

The real estate billionaire was supposed to hold a rallyin Iowa on Saturday a few hours away by car, but canceled due to a tornado warning.

- 'Not about entertaining' -

At the event, DeSantis allowed himself only a few veiled jabs at Trump, saying that "governing is not about entertaining the public."

Story continues

"Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling," he said.

"It's ultimately about winning and producing results."

Trump, however, does not mince his words when talking about DeSantis, whom he has mocked and criticized.

Still, he has DeSantis on a tightrope.

Although weighed down by heavy legal woes, Trump retains an undeniable hold on the Republican party.

He was indicted in April on 34 felony counts for his role in paying hush-money to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign, and was found liable this week for a sexual assault in 1996.

But no one in Sioux Center seemed to hold that against Trump.

Most people AFP interviewed at the event saw the charges as evidence of a "witch hunt" against him.

But not every Republican wants him back in the White House.

"I would prefer Ron DeSantis over Trump," Craig Hoftyzer, 47, said.

That's not because of Trump's problems with the law, but rather because of his age, he added.

DeSantis is 44 years old, while Trump is 76.

"I'm tired of Trump," said Carl Clevelend, a 72-year-old retiree who thought Trump "just can't control his mouth."

Some fault DeSantis for a lack of charisma and experience on the national stage but his supporters see this as an advantage over the former president.

"Trump has charisma but also the drama with it," Dustin Rodger, 40, said.

"DeSantis supports a lot of the same policies, but he's also more polished. He comes across as more educated."

Rodger, who sported a DeSantis cap, was so enthusiasticabout hearing the governor speak that he brought several friends along to convince them ahead of the elections-- a successful mission, he said.

Before they can give DeSantis their votes, the governor will have to make his presidential candidacy official, which could take a matter of weeks.

During Saturday's speech, DeSantis carefully avoided the subject, saying: "I've only begun to fight."

led/tjj/dhw
Traveling along Devine Street can be a challenge.

Because of the tight quarters on the four-lane road, parked cars sometimes feel like theyre sticking out into the roadway. Drivers will even pull up onto the curb to avoid having their side mirrors hit while parked.

But state money proposed in the House budget could help improve the corridor.

A $1.5 million earmark sponsored by state Rep. Seth Rose, D-Richland, is meant to help accessibility along the Devine Street corridor to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well for motorists parking on the road.

If you live in Columbia, you are aware of the parking issues on Devine Street, Rose said.

The $1.5 million is is part of the more than $700 million worth of legislator-initiated projects in the House and Senate budget proposals. Not all of the funding will necessarily make it through because the projects are subject to negotiations between the two chambers, which are expected to begin Tuesday.

After the two chambers come to an agreement on a spending plan, Gov. Henry McMaster will have an opportunity to review it and veto items he opposes.

McMasters office has said if it does not receive sufficient information about individual earmarks when the budget reaches his desk, the governor will veto them.

This years spending plan includes money for infrastructure upgrades, local attractions, nonprofits and economic development work initiated by individual members for their districts.

In Richland and Lexington counties, earmarks include $15 million for the development of a quantum computer curriculum, $10 million for the Lexington Conference Center project and $3 million for the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

As for the $1.5 million for Devine Street, Rose said discussions will be held on whether to reduce the number of lanes from four to three, with one lane in each direction and a middle turn lane. He added no plans for improving Devine Street from Five Points to Beltline Boulevard will take place without public input.

Story continues

Accessing a quantum computer

For the second year in a row, legislators are trying to get South Carolina students access to a quantum computer. But this years proposal is for $15 million, instead of the $25 million ultimately vetoed last year by McMaster.

State Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland, has requested $15 million for a South Carolina Quantum Association Curriculum Development and Use study to allow high school and college students in the state to learn about quantum computers. The money would be used to build quantum computer curriculum.

Were going to have the ability for them to come here and hopefully have support for them to begin their own startup, if you will, tech startup involving quantum, Harpootlian said. This is one of the few areas of the country where youll have that kind of access for high school and college students.

Harpootlian said a new non profit, the South Carolina Quantum Association, will rent time on a quantum computer.

Harpootlian in the past has been critical of the lack of transparency surrounding earmarks. Last year he tried to get $25 million in the budget to buy a quantum computer, but it was ultimately vetoed by the governor.

It was my fault I didnt explain enough last year, said Harpootlian, who has provided more than 50 pages of documentation for the project this year. Since then, Ive gone around to you know, all the leadership.

The project has support of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Richland County Director of Economic Development Jeff Ruble and Benedict College among others.

Technology-forward initiatives, like quantum computing, will create opportunities  and high-paying jobs  in the fields of finance, drug discovery, aerospace design, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and data security, all of which are extremely important to Columbias economy, Rickenmann wrote in supporting the project.

Richland Mall project has support from both chambers

Taxpayers may also fork over between $1 million and $2 million to help with the redevelopment of Richland Mall in Forest Acres.

Both the House and Senate budgets propose money to build a park with a possible amphitheater as part of the Richland Mall redevelopment. The Senate budget proposed $2 million. The House proposed $1 million.

Its a huge eyesore (that) needs to be rehabilitated terribly, said state Rep. Heather Bauer, D-Richland, who pushed for the money along with state Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland, and state Sen. Mia McLeod, an independent. Its a long-term project.

The $2 million will go along with the $23 million in incentives over 20 years from the city of Forest Acres and Richland County for development firm Southeastern to overhaul the 32-acre mall property. The project is estimated to cost $100 million.

The mixed-use project is slated to include a 100,000-square-foot grocery store, more than 500 apartments, a public park, a brewery or taproom and more.

A rendering of what the Richland Mall property would look like after a coming $100 million redevelopment.

For the second year in a row, budget writers are proposing money for a Lexington County Conference Center on Lake Murray. Last year lawmakers put in $1 million for architectural plans for the center.

The $10 million allocated in the House budget for the town of Lexington would go towards building water and sewer infrastructure for the center, said state Rep. Paula Calhoon, R-Lexington.

Were missing out on a lot of expos. A lot of wedding venues, Calhoon said. Lexington is a small community but we are missing out on a lot of conference success bringing businesses to Lexington County.

Fixing railroad issues in Columbia

More money is proposed to go to the city of Columbia to address the long-time issue of trains blocking traffic. As a follow-up to the $20 million lawmakers gave Columbia last year, House budget writers proposed giving $10 million more for the project.

The railroads have been a disruptive influence and something that weve been trying to tackle for years, House Majority Leader Todd Rutherford said. This is the continuation of trying to fund the city and give them the availability to deal with railroads honking their horns blocking intersections. And again, its not all that I asked for, but its what we could get. And well continue to ask for more as the years go by.

Cars wait at the rail road crossing on the intersection of Whaley and Assembly where Richland County has requested money to construct an overpass.

Rutherford, D-Richland, also is sponsoring $2 million to help redevelop Beltline Boulevard, an area with a lot of blight. He added a community center could be considered to built along the roadway.

Its about investing in the community to stop people from feeling like they need to get involved in crime, and this will go a long way towards doing that, Rutherford said.

Rutherford also sponsored projects to increase access to the rivers in the capital city, including $7 million for a Williams Street Gateway project.

Two senators also pushed for money for a facility that provides a place to stay for relatives of patients at the Columbia V.A. hospital.

Friends for Fisher House received two earmarks in the Senate budget, a $300,000 earmark sponsored by state Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, and a $250,000 earmark sponsored by state Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington.

The facility is similar to the Ronald McDonald House program, which provides a place for families to stay when they have children at a childrens hospital.

Its to help them defray the cost so people could stay for free, Jackson said.

Richland and Lexington County member projects

State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland

 $5 million: Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment

 $500,000: Town of Irmo infrastructure upgrades

 $387,713: Brain Injury Association of S.C.

 $250,000: Camp Cole

 $100,000: Camp Kemo

 $100,000: Greater Chapin Community Foundation

 $65,000: Palmetto Learning Academy

State Rep. Heather Bauer, D-Richland

 $400,000: The Therapy Place (with Bernstein)

 $250,000: Lourie Center

State Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland

 $1 million: City of Forest Acres Redevelopment for the Richland Mall redevelopment (with Heather Bauer)

 $1 million: Richland County Recreation Commission

 $175,000: S.C. Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiative (with Heather Crawford, Spencer Wetmore, Chandra Dillard, Cobb-Hunter and Carla Schuessler)

State Rep. Paula Calhoon, R-Lexington

 $184,000: Lexington County Fire Services

State Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Richland

 $500,000: The Hive Community Circle

 $250,000: Greater Waverly Foundation

State Rep. Leon Howard, D-Richland

 $300,000: Midlands Community Development Corporation

 $300,000: Trinity Educational Community Center

 $250,000: Diannes Call

 $250,000: Building Better Communities  College Place Healthy Living Project

 $250,000: Palmetto Project

 $150,000: Wiley Kennedy Foundation

State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland

 $500,000: Town of Eastover

 $50,000: Town of Eastover Healthy Community Program

 $50,000: JUMPS: Youth Mentoring Program

 $25,000: Bridge Over Foundation

State Rep. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun

 $200,000: Lexington County local stormwater management

State Rep. Seth Rose, D-Richland

 $1.5 million: Devine Street Corridor and accessibility

 $600,000: Epworth Childrens Home

State Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland

 $10 million: City of Columbia Assembly Street Railroad

 $7 million: Williams Street Gateway

 $2 million: City of Columbia Beltline Boulevard Redevelopment

 $1 million: Vista Greenway Extension

 $1 million: USC Civil Rights History and Research Center (with Gilda Cobb-Hunter)

 $500,000: Mental Illness Recovery Center

 $500,000: City of Columbia Saluda River Access/river boat ramp

 $400,000: Individuals Pilot Program (with Sylleste Davis)

 $250,000: United Way of the Midlands

 $200,000: Brookland Baptist Fifth Quarter Cafe

 $100,000: Randolph Cemetery

 $50,000: EMS Closet (with Seth Rose and Leon Howard)

State Rep. Chris Wooten, R-Lexington

 $1 million: Lexington Conference Center (with Paula Calhoon)

 $300,000: The Courage Center

 $250,000: Dickerson Childrens Advocacy Center

 $156,760: Lexington County Sheriff - Crime Scene lab (with Micah Caskey, Nathan Ballentine, Calhoon, Cal Forrest, Jay Kilmartin, Russell Ott)

State Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland

 $15 million: South Carolina Quantum Association Curriculum Development and Use Study

State Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland

 $300,000: Tri-City Visionaries

 $300,000: Town of Eastover Infrastructure upgrades

 $300,000: Friends of Fisher House Columbia

 $300,000: Antioch Senior Center

 $300,000: New Capernaum Life Services

 $200,000: Building Better Communities Ambassador Program

 $150,000: Community Wellness Outreach Opioid Addiction Program

 $100,000: The Holistic Wellness Center

 $100,000: Congaree Complex Community Development Corporation

 $50,000: Kingville Historical Foundation

 $25,000: Lower Richland Diamond Festival

 $25,000: Southeast Rural Community Outreach

State Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Richland

 $2 million: City of Forest Acres Redevelopment of Richland Mall

 $200,000: James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation

State Sen. John Scott, D-Richland

 $700,000: SCIII program

 $450,000: Morris College - partnership with the U.S. military

 $100,000: Vorhees University rebranding efforts

 $50,000: Wiley Kennedy Foundation

State Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington

 $7 million: City of West Columbia Riverwalk Expansion and Connectivity

 $1 million: City of Cayce 12,000 year history park

 $250,000: Fisher House of Columbia Dorn V.A.

 $25,000: Palmetto Boys State

State Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington

 $1 million: S.C. Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers (with Brad Hutto)

 $550,000: PACE Center for Girls

 $400,000: K-12 concussion protocol

 $350,400: Men Against Domestic Violence U.S.A.

 $300,000: Special Olympics of South Carolina

 $276,250: Safety Blitz Foundation Child ID program

 $100,000: Paths to Wholeness Transition Program

 $65,546: Canoeing for Kids facility repair (with Sandy Senn and Ronnie Cromer)

 $25,000: Palmetto Girls State

Natural Resources and Economic Development subcommittee

 $3 million: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
President Joe Bidens administration has noticed a sharp decrease in encounters with migrants suspected of crossing the US-Mexico border illegally following the end of Title 42 last week, the chief of the Department of Homeland Security said on Sunday.

Alejandro Mayorkas hit the Sunday cable news circuit to tout his agencys efforts to respond to an expected surge of migrants hoping for a chance to claim asylum by crossing into US territory without going through legal channels. According to Mr Mayorkas, the department has noticed as much as a 50 per cent drop in encounters since Thursday at midnight, when the Title 42 authority allowing DHS to expel migrants based on concerns about Covid-19 expired.

Mr Mayorkas credited that quick reduction in encounters to work that the administration had been doing for months to prepare for the end of that legal authority; among the administrations efforts has been a surge of 1,500 US troops to the border region where they are assisting Customs and Border Protection with administrative and other duties that do not fall under the umbrella of law enforcement.

We have communicated very clearly a vitally important message to the individuals who are thinking of arriving at our southern border, Mr Mayorkas told CNN.

There is a lawful, safe and orderly way to arrive in the United States. That is through the pathways that President Biden has expanded in an unprecedented way. And then there is a consequence if one does not use those lawful pathways, Mr Mayorkas continued. Those consequences, he said, include deportation and a five-year ban on entering the US.

Despite end of Title 42, DHS Sec. Mayorkas tells @JonKarl there has been a roughly 50% drop in migrant encounters on the southern border.



We have been preparing for this transition for months and months, and weve been executing on our plan accordingly. https://t.co/yOiLI6KAM7 pic.twitter.com/pznvtATC5K  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 14, 2023

"The numbers that we have experienced over the past two days are markedly down"



Homeland Security Secy Alejandro Mayorkas tells CNN's Dana Bash that the Biden administration has recorded a decrease in border crossings since Title 42 ended. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/XZciCXnnjk  CNN (@CNN) May 14, 2023

CBP officials reported about 4,200 encounters with migrants suspected of crossing the US-Mexico border illegally on Saturday, Mr Mayorkas said. On Friday, that number was above 6,000. He cautioned, however, that it was too early to tell if the surge of illegal crossings expected in the days after Title 42s end was really over.

Story continues

The effort comes as some on the left have argued that now is the time for Democrats to rally behind the idea of expanding and revamping the systems for legal immigration to the United States as a means of addressing the problem of high numbers of migrants crossing the border illegally as a means of reaching US soil and thereby becoming eligible to apply for asylum. Asylum itself remains a process that only ends in successful admission between 40-50 per cent of the time.

Republicans, meanwhile, remain split between those who merely wish to clamp down (significantly) on illegal border crossings and those who wish to reduce legal immigration to the country as well. Many on the US far right openly embrace the racist so-called Great Replacement Theory (or, at a minimum, use similar rhetoric) and accuse Democrats of wanting to change the racial demographics of America.

The aim of the troop surge has been to free up CBP resources for patrols and other in-the-field enforcement operations. But members of Mr Bidens own party from the progressive to centre-left have likened it to turning the region into a war zone.

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, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said during an interview Sunday that the Biden administration's plan to curb illegal immigration has been successful.

Mayorkas pointed to recent migration statistics, saying that the number of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border has decreased to about 6,300 on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday, during the interview on CNN's "State of the Union." His comments came days after Title 42, a Trump-era policy that makes it easier for authorities to expel migrants, expired late Thursday.

"We have been planning for months and months, over a year and a half," Mayorkas said in the interview with CNN host Dana Bash. "We have surged resources, asylum officers, Border Patrol agents, processing coordinators to do the data entry work so our Border Patrol agents can be out in the field. We've expanded our holding capacity in Border Patrol stations."

"We've added beds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in our detention facilities," he continued. "We've increased our transportation resources  the number of flights, removal flights, with our foreign partners. We're setting up regional processing centers now. It's extraordinary what we've done over the past 18 months or so."

TITLE 42 EXPIRATION COULD BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE, EXPERTS WARN

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the administration's plan to curb illegal immigration is working.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the three days prior to Title 42's final day in effect, Border Patrol agents encountered more than 10,000 migrants per day, Fox News Digital reported. Those figures marked the highest single-day totals ever recorded.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

And over the last 12 months with available data, Border Patrol agents encountered about 6,958 migrants per day.

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS BIDEN ADMIN FROM RELEASING MIGRANTS WITHOUT COURT DATES AS TITLE 42 EXPIRES

"What the secretary failed to say is that this week has seen more crossings than any time, any week in our history," Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said in an interview with CNN following Mayorkas' interview Sunday. "Yes, there was some anticipation. And so people started coming across at higher numbers, in fact, record-breaking numbers at the first part of the week."

Story continues

"But in the latter part of the week, a judge ruled that they can't do their plan of just releasing without a court date which Secretary Mayorkas has said on the news was a bad idea. But that court ruling said he can't do that," Green continued. "The drug cartels have responded and the numbers have fallen off for a couple of days. But he admitted just moments ago that they can't predict the peak."

Migrants walk into the Rio Grande from the bank of the river as they cross to enter the United States on Thursday in Matamoros, Mexico.

Jeh Johnson, who served as Homeland Security Secretary between 2013 and 2017, said in 2019 -- when the Trump administration was facing a border crisis -- that 1,000 crossings a day marked an overwhelming number when he served in office.

"My staff would tell you, if it was under 1,000 apprehensions the day before that was a relatively good number, and if it was above 1,000 that was a relatively bad number and I was going to be in a bad mood the whole day," he said on MSNBC in March 2019.

The administration, meanwhile, has sent personnel including troops to the border, and has said it is stiffening penalties for illegal entry once Title 42 ends. It is also rolling out a new asylum rule that would technically make migrants ineligible for asylum if they have crossed illegally and failed to claim asylum in a country through which they have previously traveled.

And it is creating processing centers across Latin America to screen migrants to see if they are eligible for a variety of lawful pathways into the U.S. or other participating countries.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at a news conference on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, ahead of the lifting of Title 42.

"We are clear-eyed about the challenges we are likely to face in the days and weeks ahead, and we are ready to meet them," Mayorkas told reporters on Thursday. "We expected to see large numbers of encounters initially. We are already seeing high numbers of encounters in certain sectors."

"This places an incredible strain on our personnel, our facilities, and our communities with whom we partner closely. We prepared for this moment for almost two years, and our plan will deliver results. It will take time for those results to be fully realized. And it is essential that we all take this into account."

The administration has also secured agreements with Mexico to accept non-Mexican migrants and to ramp up enforcement at its own southern border to stop migrants traveling through to the U.S. But President Biden, even when hailing those agreements, admitted on Tuesday that it is going to be "chaotic for a while" once the order ends.

Republicans, including Green, have blamed the administration for abandoning Trump-era border policies, such as wall construction and the Remain-in-Mexico policy, that they say were working to bring numbers down. They attribute the crisis to an increase of "catch-and-release" combined with reduced interior enforcement under the Biden administration.

Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed reporting.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein arrives at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on May 10, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to the Senate this week, defying calls for her resignation.

As her health declined, her staff began to follow her wherever she goes in the Capitol, per Rolling Stone.

"They will not let her leave by herself, but she doesn't even know it," a former staffer said.

Dianne Feinstein's office makes sure a staff member constantly follows the senator around the Capitol out of concern for what she might say to reporters amid her declining health and old age, multiple sources told Rolling Stone.

Feinstein returned to the Senate on Wednesday after spending nearly three months away from Washington due to a shingles infection. But her mental acuity has also faced scrutiny in recent years with reports revealing how the 89-year-old senator would at times forget conversations and struggle with her short-term memory.

Shortly before her hospitalization in March, Insider reported how Feinstein seemed confused about how she voted on the Senate floor.

For the past few years, Feinstein's staff felt it necessary to ensure the senator is never alone when she walks around the Capitol, sources told Rolling Stone.

Jamarcus Purley, a former staff member fired last February for work performance issues, told the magazine that Feinstein's office developed the system without her knowing.

"They will not let her leave by herself, but she doesn't even know it," Purley said.

Fellow Democratic colleagues, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have recently called for the longtime senator's immediate resignation. Feinstein has since defied those calls but previously said she would retire at the end of 2024.

The California Democrat is the longest-serving woman in the US Senate  a milestone she reached after being in her seat for more than 30 years. Beyond California, Feinstein has made an indelible mark in American politics, leading the effort on an assault-style weapons ban and the investigation of the CIA's detention program.

Feinstein's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
There is a consensus among the 31 NATO members that the Alliance will not grant Ukraine an official invitation to join the summit on 11-12 July, but there are differences of opinion among member countries on specific steps for Ukraine's integration into NATO.

Source: The Washington Post, citing representatives of NATO countries who spoke on condition of anonymity

Details: According to the publication, discussions on Ukraine among the Allies intensified a few weeks before US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders shall gather in Vilnius to approve plans to strengthen defence against Russia.

Officials from NATO nations, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic discussions, said there is consensus among the alliances 31 members that, despite advocacy from Kyiv, NATO will not issue Ukraine a formal invitation to join at the 11-12 July meeting.

But Eastern European nations are pushing for concrete steps toward that goal, including potential commitment to a timeline for Ukraines accession, even as the United States and some Western European nations advocate smaller steps that could include a bureaucratic upgrade to a NATO-Ukraine body or a decision to further expand NATOs technical support to Ukraines defence sector.

A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Defense of Estonia, Tuuli Duneton, noted that the Vilnius summit gives an opportunity to send a powerful signal to Ukraine: "After all the suffering they experienced, their place is in NATO, and we will be glad to see them there."

Officials in the Baltic states have proposed that NATO - in addition to repeating the 2008 formula that would see Ukraine gain membership indefinitely - grant Ukraine a formal invitation to membership in Vilnius or begin the process of setting a time frame and specific conditions for Ukraine's accession, even if it were longer because of the war.

Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavsky, in Central Europe, said his "wish list" for Vilnius includes "providing a relevant path" for Ukraine into NATO. What is being discussed ahead of the summit, he said, is "the level of political will" about how quickly to proceed.

Story continues

Countries that support faster action argue that making membership conditional on Ukraines ability to repel Russias full-scale invasion effectively gives Putin a veto  not the message NATO wants to send.

They say history shows that only membership, not the promise of it, can deter Russias use of force. Months after NATOs 2008 declaration of eventual accession for Ukraine and Georgia, another former Soviet republic, Putin sent Russian forces into Georgia to seize territory. Ukraines slow steps toward NATO accession likewise did not deter Putins illegal seizure of Crimea in 2014 or its full-scale invasion last year.

U.S. officials say the Biden administration prefers that NATO nations prioritise providing Ukraine with continued battlefield support as it prepares for a long-awaited counteroffensive. They see membership and potential security guarantees as matters that should be addressed as part of an eventual settlement to the war.

"The focus at this point has to be on practical support, and how do we best sustain the security assistance that we are providing Ukraine," a senior U.S. official told reporters in Brussels last month.

"That is the overriding political objective right now," the official added, contending that the broader political relationship post-conflict between NATO and Ukraine would be "somewhat moot if we dont absolutely guarantee that were able to sustain the security assistance."

Countries with stronger reservations point out that admitting Ukraine while it is at war with Russia could automatically trigger Article V, NATOs mutual defence clause, which would thrust the alliance into a major conflict with the worlds biggest nuclear power. Rapid steps toward accession might also cause Putin to escalate his campaign in Ukraine.

One official from Eastern Europe said there is "something of a ping-pong between Germany, France and the U.S.," in which each country indicates that the others are the ones with the most significant reservations.

Despite the differing views, officials have stressed the importance of projecting cohesion as Ukraine attempts to put itself in the strongest position possible for potential negotiations with Russia.

"The objective between now and Vilnius is getting to an agreement that displays unity and tangible support to Ukraine, maintains the open-door policy and shows progress toward membership, while respecting the concerns of some member countries," a British diplomat said.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
William Leslie Arnold was just 16 years old in 1958 when he killed his parents and buried them in the backyard after they refused to let him borrow the family car to take his girlfriend to a drive-in movie showing of The Undead.

Arnold went about his life in and around Omaha, Nebraska, telling everyone  even family members  that his parents had taken a trip. Two weeks later he was arrested, confessed to the killings and led investigators to his parents makeshift gravesite.

The following year he was sentenced to two life sentences in the Nebraska state penitentiary. And that  most people expected  should have been that.

Related: Vermont police use cigarette DNA to solve womans murder, 52 years on

But by the time Arnold died in 2010 in Brisbane, Australia, his life had taken a series of very unexpected turns. For one, hed escaped prison in 1967, in what the prison warden said was one of the cleanest escapes in his experience, and then gone on the run for half a century.

Last week, the US Marshals Service announced that he died, aged 67, not as William Arnold but under the alias of John Vincent Damon. Between his escape  with another prisoner, James Harding, using masks used to fool guards who conducted daily head counts at the prison  and his death, hed lived as much-loved family man, marrying twice and fathering two children.

Immediately after the escape, the pair travelled by bus to Chicago where they split up. Harding was captured within a year but Arnold vanished. He married within three months and became a father, moved to Miami and to California, divorced, then moved to New Zealand in 1978 and finally to Australia, where he worked as a salesman.

The FBI worked on Arnolds case into the 1990s, then handed it back to the Nebraska department of corrections who passed it over the US Marshals Service. And there his case stayed, gathering dust, until Geoff Britton, chief of the office of law enforcement support in California, set his mind to solving it.

Story continues

When Britton started working on it, Arnold had been on the run for more than three decades. Britton became obsessed and worked the case for nine years from 2004 to 2013 at the state of Nebraska department of correctional services.

To kill your parents over the use of the car to go to the movies  thats not normal. It made me wonder if something else was going on, he told CNN last week.

In 2020, the case was handed over to Matthew Westover, a deputy marshal in Nebraska. One of the guys left the office, and [when you leave] you have to hand over your cases. So one of my buddies gave me this case, as kind of a joke, you know, like youre never going to find this guy, Westover told CNN.

The deputy read up on the case, in particular The Mystery of Leslie Arnold, published in the Omaha World-Herald by reporter Henry Cordes in 2017. Cordes had portrayed Arnold sympathetically  as a good student who had a difficult relationship with his parents and shot them after an argument with his mother over his girlfriend.

For the eight years Arnold was in prison hed been a model inmate, a dedicated musician who could have qualified for early release. With some irony, the mens escape was made through the window of the prison music room, and over a 12ft fence using a T-shirt slung over it to protect them from razor wire.

From day one, I was hooked, Westover told the network.

The marshal drove five hours to see to James Arnold, Arnolds younger brother who gave a DNA sample that Westover referenced across an ancestry site. Nothing came up for two years until he received an alert of a match and an email from a man in Chicago who said he was looking for his biological father.

The man has asked not to be identified, but he told the investigators he knew his father as John Damon, and Damon had told him he was an orphan. The man asked who his father was and why hed been in prison. So I had to tell him, Westover said. I told him, Well, he was an orphan. He didnt lie about that, but he killed his parents, thats why he was an orphan.

Arnolds son told CNN: Theres no warning label on the DNA test kit telling you that you might not like what you find, he said. But I dont regret doing it, and Im glad I now know the truth about my dad.

According to CeCe Moore, genetic genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs, the case is unusual in the sense that law enforcement, who may be unable to find a match in small, government-linked databases including the national DNA index, are not usually able to access large, commercial genealogy services.

Its an unusual story only because its one of the first that used this approach successfully, but its not unique, she said. Its always interesting to hear the other side of the story  what does somebody who escapes from prison do with the rest of their life?

The big three commercial genealogy databases  AncestryDNA, 23andMe and MyHeritage  do not permit law enforcement to put crime scene or unidentified remains DNA into their system under their terms of service. But if a family member  in this case Arnolds brother  permits it, a search run through the 40m DNA signatures in the commercial database can return a hit in hours. US marshals have not said which database they used.

What makes this case unique is theyre using a living persons DNA to fish for this escapee or his family through shared DNA, Moore said. There was nothing to stop them using the large databases because the younger brother was willing to put his DNA in the databases and allowing law enforcement to access them.

Moore said her companys job tracking missing people would be made easier if the commercial services relaxed their restrictions. For the jobs I do, which is identifying murderers and rapists, and Jane and John Does, we would be able to work more efficiently. At the moment, these cases can take years to solve.

The approach the Marshal Service used to track Arnold could now, in theory, be used to track dozens of unsolved mysteries, including the men who escaped from Alcatraz  assuming they survived the swim across San Francisco Bay and fathered children  or the missing hijacker known as DB Cooper.

Some may never have had children but theres always going to be a certain percentage that did and eventually a number of the cases will be solved, said Moore.

Still, the fascinating story of William Leslie Arnold has its own twist. Britton told CNN he thinks the escapee became the parent who he wanted to be, or the one he wished he had. Arnolds son concurs: Although its shocking to know that his life began with a terrible crime, his legacy is so much more than that.

 This article was amended on 14 May 2023 to correct the year when the murders took place. It was in 1958, not 1957.
Donald Trump will not have to sit for a deposition under oath in a lawsuit from two former FBI agents, a federal court ruled on Friday.

The Justice Department had requested the step, arguing under the apex doctrine that lawyers for the former agents should depose FBI director Christopher Wray before seeking information from a higher-ranking official.

The lawsuit at issue is by former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page, who criticised Donald Trump in messages on government phones amid the 2016 election and investigations into the Trump campaigns potential ties with Russia.

In an August 2016 exchange, Ms Page wondered if Donald Trump is ever going to become president, right? Right?!

No. No hes not. Well stop it, Mr Strzok responded.

The two agents, who were subject to numerous angry public statements from Mr Trump, argued they were singled out for retaliation.

Mr Strzok sought reinstatement and back pay, while Ms Page argued the messages were improperly shared by the government with reporters.

A federal court previously said both Mr Trump and Mr Wray could be deposed, before the DoJ intervened.

The courts ruling was appropriate in light of all of the facts, US District Court judge Amy Berman Jackson said of the original decision in Fridays ruling. However, in order to get the parties  who apparently still cannot agree on anything  over this impasse, it is hereby ORDERED that the deposition of Christopher Wray proceed first.

The wrangling comes as Mr Trump is under intense legal scrutiny.

Earlier this week, he was found liable for the sexual abuse of writer E Jean Carroll, a verdict the former president said he plans to appeal.

Mr Trump also faces numerous other investigations and trials, including a special counsel probe and a criminal hush money case in Manhattan.
Title 42, a public health rule imposed by the Trump administration in March 2020, ended on May 12.

Hundreds of people are now trying to enter the US at the San Diego-Tijuana crossing point.

Some have resorted to placing food delivery orders to eat, Rest of World reported.

Drivers are delivering food orders through gaps in the wall to migrants on the Mexico border after Title 42 lapsed, Rest of World reported.

The public health rule imposed by the Trump administration in March 2020 allowed the US to turn back asylum seekers at border crossings.

The measure lapsed on May 12 and hundreds of people from countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti have flocked to the border believing it was now easier to enter the US. The White House has said it was accepting applications for asylum, but only in limited numbers.

Rest of World, a nonprofit tech publication, spoke to some migrants at the Tijuana-San Diego border who said US authorities gave them water and energy bars but it was not enough food to sustain them while their applications were processed.

Some have resorted to ordering food on apps such as Uber Eats, paying in cash because most don't have credit cards. One woman told Rest of World she paid $100 for a whole chicken because the Uber Eats driver didn't have change.

They've also used Rappi, a delivery service that operates in Latin America as well as the US.

Jesus Vargas, a delivery driver based in Tijuana, told Rest of World he's delivered Taiwanese food to some migrants. "They're in a really tough spot, but it's what they have to do to survive," he said.

Trying to cross the US-Mexican border can be dangerous, and in January the government added another "digital wall" requiring migrants to use the Customs and Border Protection app.

Immigration advocates previously told Insider that migrants who failed to use the app were being penalized.

However, keeping cellphones charged was a problem for many, according to Rest of World reported. Border patrol agents were stopping volunteers on the US side of the border from providing charging stations, per the outlet.

Story continues

The introduction of Title 42 slashed the number of people trying to cross into the US, according to the Pew Research Center. The total has since risen sharply, per Customs and Border Protection figures.

Once migrants are between the walls of the two borders, it's unclear how long they might have to wait there. Some told The San Diego Union-Tribune they'd waited as long as seven days without food or shelter.

The White House and Uber Eats did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, made outside regular working hours.

Are you a delivery driver in the area or have some insight to share? Contact this reporter at stabahriti@insider.com or on Twitter DM.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Move em along





I just returned from Chicago to our new airport. I was looking forward to seeing how organized the pickup situation would be with traffic enforcement officers keeping it flowing.

It was 4:30 p.m., so not a late hour. The airport was fairly busy, so I went to the pickup area after retrieving my bag and calling my husband who was in the cellphone lot, as we have all been instructed.

There were multiple vehicles sitting and waiting in the pickup lanes, like we used to do. There were no police in sight, only a few young men in orange vests waving wands directing traffic  and being completely ignored. Instead of getting people to move, they were trying to move cars forward to make room for more.

I flew in from Chicago Midway International, and trust me: You cannot sit for a minute there unless a passenger is getting into your car after putting a suitcase in the back. Even then, your time is limited to seconds before the whistles and yelling to move on begins.

Maybe more attendants with a strict policy of getting cars license-plate information to assess owners a hefty fine would do the trick?

- Eileen Robinson, Kansas City, Kansas

Think patiently

I find it disturbing that Kansas U.S. senators have not spoken out about the need to decouple the routine procedure of raising the debt limit, to pay for past spending decisions, from the debate over how to budget for spending to come. This is not a time for political grandstanding.

Sen. Roger Marshall, given his medical background, understandably could lack the knowledge and awareness that a broader education in political science, history or finance would have provided. Perhaps a medical example could aid in his obligation to legislate responsibly:

His patient arrives and requires an emergency cesarean section to save the life of the mother and child (analogous to the debt ceiling crisis). Dr. Marshall declines treatment and demands he must have a thorough discussion with the patient and her family over future options for birth control and family planning before he will provide the needed patient care (analogous to the current Republican demand for budget discussions before raising the debt ceiling).

Story continues

I trust that Marshalls medical and moral training and ethics would, and will, advocate for the right course of action.

- Steve Peterson, Spring Hill

Cause, effect

Shouldnt pro-gun legislators share the responsibility for gun violence and murders in this country? Evidence shows that the laws they pass often lead to more killings.

For example, in 2004, Republicans in Congress voted against renewing a 10-year ban on assault weapons. Mass shootings have increased from 272 in 2014 to 690 in 2021, and to at least 210 so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive at www.gunviolencearchive.org.

The Missouri General Assembly is on a path to eliminate almost all gun state laws. In 2007, lawmakers killed a law that required a permit to purchase and carry a handgun. That alone has resulted in up to 68 more gun deaths in the state each year, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research.

Lawmakers who revoke sensible gun laws excuse themselves with the claim that they protect individual rights. That line of reasoning should lead them to outlaw automobile seat belts and airbags, too. It is past time for Americans to claim their right to safety from guns and to hold lawmakers responsible for the carnage they have helped create.

- Keith Evans, St. Joseph

Pain is real

Its all in your head. This is the refrain of many health care providers to patients suffering from chronic pain, a recognized long-term disease. With about 70 million sufferers, and a National Pain Strategy being part of the Affordable Care Act, one would think pain management in this country would have advanced much further than having to fight to convince medical providers that the constant burning, stinging, aching and throbbing sensations are real. They exist.

This struggle is especially true for members of marginalized communities who do not have the privilege, power and resources to access elite providers who have found ways to dig deeper into the research, learn about management and at least acknowledge chronic pain.

Why? The research exists, and the education is out there. Stanford Medicine has an online pain-management series that anyone can access for free. An integral part of the National Pain Strategy was to encourage this exact type of education. However, it has fallen short.

It is time we require health care providers to be educated on proper pain management to minimize patient suffering and save the time, resources and money that go into the patchwork of chronic pain care in America.

- Anneliese Majsterek, St. Louis

Not heavenly

St. Peter was furious  so angry that he had no words to describe the job of admitting all the people sent to the gates because of gun-loving so-called Christian patriots. So he stopped by the throne of God to vent.

Ive had it, God, Pete said. Those people are willing to sacrifice their own children and send them to us way too early. Heaven is not a dumping ground, God.

 Pete, sit down for a bit on the throne. You need to rest, God sighed, and strode back and forth with a tired and worn expression.

Of course you are right, Pete. And whats more is that we have been spammed with calls on the prayer lines, thousands of robocalls. We have had to put a filter on since the system was never designed for this, God mused sadly.

You know, prayer was meant to support action, provide a conduit between the heavens and Earth. It was never meant to be a token, a relief valve, or even an excuse. But here we are. I have to tell you, Pete, that God is mighty lonely and sad right now.

I know,  said Pete. We all are.

- Lonnie R. Buerge, Kansas City
Ecuadoran naval police check the documents of the crew of a small boat intercepted near the port of Guayaquil on May 11, 2023

"Captain, bring your boat closer," shouts an Ecuadoran naval officer aboard a launch patrolling the Gulf of Guayaquil on a route traffickers use to ferry drugs to the high seas.

Guayaquil, on Ecuador's southern Pacific coast, has become a strategic point for the shipment of hundreds of tons of drugs, mostly cocaine, to the US or Europe.

Since the rightist government of Guillermo Lasso came to power in 2021, Ecuador has seized some 500 tons of drugs.

"This is a routine inspection," the naval officer shouts, as his rifle-bearing colleagues check the crew's documents and crates on the small boat.

In one of his several attempts to contain the illicit traffic, Lasso declared criminal gangs to be terrorists, thereby granting the military a policing role without having to declare an emergency.

A fisherman who said he was afraid to give his name said he and his counterparts are at the mercy of the criminal gangs navigating the Gulf of Guayaquil, at the entrance to Ecuador's main commercial port.

Armed men in launches, some with rifles, "are robbing and extorting money from crabbers and the people fishing there," he told AFP.

Fishermen and crabbers are forced to pay them $20 to $30 a week for the right to work unimpeded in the area -- one of the most violent in Ecuador.

Drug-linked criminality has surged here, with the homicide rate nearly doubling between 2021 and 2022, from 14 to 25 per 100,000 inhabitants.

- Pervasive fear -

With its declaration of war on narco-traffickers, the government has intensified the military's presence in land and sea operations.

"There are many settlements around the Gulf of Guayaquil... which criminal organizations use to gain access to carry out their illegal activities at sea," one soldier told AFP, a mask covering his face.

Among the residents of the many humble homes that line the gulf, fear is pervasive.

"Everything is scary -- going fishing or crabbing," 77-year-old housewife Ilda Vera told AFP on Puerto Libertad island.

Story continues

Her sons have organized nightly watches to keep criminals from stealing their boats -- the family's only source of sustenance.

A string of robberies and even killings have struck fear into residents' hearts, she said.

In his effort to combat the gangs, Lasso has decreed several states of emergency, even giving a green light to residents to carry guns for their own defense.

Still, reports of hired killers, seizures and extortion have multiplied in Ecuador, which is sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, the world's biggest cocaine producers.

Out at sea, a red mark on a boat's motor ensures another week of work. It is the sign criminals use to identify those who have paid protection money -- or been "vaccinated," as they say.

"They pay because they want to work in peace," said the fisherman, shrugging his shoulders.

pld/sp/ag/ll/bbk/tjj
By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) - Independent lawmaker Virgilio Saquicela was re-elected president of Ecuador's National Assembly on Sunday, supported by politicians who want an impeachment process against President Guillermo Lasso to advance to a vote for his possible removal.

Saquicela, who took over as president of the National Assembly in May last year, has become a principal figure in the process against Lasso, who is accused of embezzlement in an oil transportation contract.

Lasso has denied the accusations.

The assembly voted to continue with the impeachment process on Tuesday in a session convened by Saquicela with 88 votes in favor out of 116 legislators present.

A majority of 96 lawmakers of the 136 present voted to re-elect Saquicela. He was supported by allies of former President Rafael Correa, who is convicted of corruption, as well as other opposition and independent parties.

"This parliament has to be the counterweight against power, not against anyone in particular, but because that is what democracy dictates," Saquicela said.

Ecuador's opposition accuse Lasso of turning a blind eye to suspected embezzlement related to a contract at state-owned oil transportation company Flopec. Lasso says his administration made changes to the contract, which was signed years before he took office, to benefit the state.

Under Ecuador's constitution, Lasso could call early presidential and legislative elections rather than face a removal vote.

Saquicela, who formed part of a caucus of legislators supporting the government, openly supports impeachment hearings and has warned that dissolving the assembly in the middle of proceedings would be unconstitutional.

Ninety-two votes from the 137-member assembly are needed to remove Lasso. Some opposition members attempted to remove him last year amid protests by Indigenous groups.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; editing by Grant McCool)
A developer wants to build a luxury hotel on this Benedict Canyon property, the site of a mansion previously owned by billionaire businessman Kirk Kerkorian. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Benedict Canyon is dotted with hillside homes on streets winding through some of the last remaining areas of chaparral, oak and walnut woodland in the city of Los Angeles. Homeowners  including celebrities, Hollywood writers and producers, wealthy professionals and others fortunate enough to have bought there decades ago  share the land with mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer and all manner of smaller creatures.

It is an uneasy coexistence, at best, between people who live there and the wildlife that need habitat to survive. Further development is kept in check by the steep hillsides and city regulations that mandate large lots and low-density residential use (no apartment buildings here).

Nothing could be further from that land use and zoning than a hotel. But thats what developer Gary Safady wants to build on nearly 33 acres a mile south of Mulholland and east of Benedict Canyon Drive, along with eight enormous houses. The luxury 59-room Bulgari Resort Los Angeles would be part of a small collection of hotels connected to the rarified jewelry brand.

Safady describes the project as environmentally friendly, with plans for structures terraced into the hillsides and 60% of the land to be preserved as open space and landscaping. He says that the 260 protected native trees to be cut down for the construction will be replaced by protected trees at slightly more than a 4-1 ratio. He says the roads to the resort will be wide enough to accommodate firetrucks and that a "first-responder vehicle" will be stationed permanently on the property. He says the world-class boutique hotel would create jobs and increase tourism revenue.

A room with an incredible view sounds fabulous, but there is no reason to have it in a hotel that shouldnt even be in that canyon. There is no dearth of luxury boutique hotels in Los Angeles, and we certainly dont need a new one perched in a canyon that city officials have identified as having a high risk of wildfire. Fortunately, there are a number of powerful opponents of this ill-conceived idea  including Katy Yaroslavsky, the councilwoman of the district where the project sits, Mayor Karen Bass and a number of environmental organizations.

Story continues

The Center for Biological Diversity, which is strongly opposed to the plan, stated that it would result in loss of native biodiversity and increased wildfire risk while providing no benefits to city residents. Paul Edelman, the deputy director of Natural Resources and Planning for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, said the project would have unavoidable significant adverse impacts both to the eastern Santa Monica Mountains habitat linkage system and to the overall ecosystem between the 405 Freeway and Griffith Park. The southern end of the project goes right over an east-west corridor for wildlife. Even if Safady can address some of these issues, as he says he can, it's in service of a project that shouldn't even exist there.

Yet, the process of analyzing whether the hotel should get an amendment to the land-use plan and zoning for the area  allowing it to be built  grinds on, wasting valuable planning time. The City Council will have an opportunity to urge the planning department director to shut down the process on Tuesday before it goes any further.

Before the project can start construction, it needs the city to change the land-use and zoning designation for this property through a General Plan amendment. City Planning Director Vincent Bertoni approved Safadys request to start the time-consuming process in October 2017 based on "many factors." At least one of those factors was Paul Koretz, the city councilman for the district at the time, who expressed his strong support" for allowing the process to go forward, according to planning department officials.

Did politics trump good judgment here? Maybe. The planning department said in several emailed statements that unique projects are often allowed to start the process of a general plan amendment.

Koretz said that at the time he was somewhere between encouragement and being OK with it, and wanted to see whether the neighborhood might like the proposed hotel project. (He would later become an opponent of the project.) But one of the lobbyists for the project is married to Shawn Bayliss, who was Koretzs planning and land-use deputy for several months when his wife was the lobbyist. Bayliss and Koretz both say that Bayliss was not involved in overseeing the area where this project would be located and wasn't in any meetings about it.

Regardless of how this project got started, it's time to end it. The City Council should do the right thing Tuesday by voting on Yaroslavsy's motion asking the planning director to stop the work on the General Plan amendment.

This is the wrong project for this canyon and it should not suck up any more city planning department resources.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gang members wait to be taken to their cells - SECRETARIA DE PRENSA DE LA PRESIDENCIA

El Salvador has claimed to have gone 365 days without a murder following a major clampdown on gangs which has resulted in thousands being landed in mega-prisons.

But critics have cast doubt on the announcement by president Nayib Bukele who failed to provide independently verified figures.

"We ended May 10, 2023, with zero murders at a national level. With that, it has been 365 [days] without a murder, an entire year," Mr Bukele, a former nightclub owner, said on Twitter.

The figures were clarified by a member of his communications team, who said they represent "the total number of days without murders since 2019".

The 41-year-old president declared a war on crime in March last year, vowing to bring peace to one of the worlds most violent countries.

Declaring a state of exception to lower the murder rate, he flooded the country of 6.5 million people with police and rounded up more than 68,000 suspected gang members.

Since February thousands of the prisoners, who were arrested without a warrant, have been corralled in a mega-jails capable of holding 40,000 inmates.

A presidential spokesman added: "El Salvador has gone from being the most violent country in the world to the most secure in Latin America".

In 2019 El Salvador recorded a murder rate of 38 per 100,000 inhabitants.

By last year it claimed the figure had plummeted to just eight in 100,000 and according to opinion polls, the crackdown is supported by 92 per cent of voters.

The fall in crime has come at some cost. Dystopian images of shaven-headed inmates crammed together like sardines have shocked global opinion.

Dystopian images of shaven-headed inmates shocked global opinion - EL SALVADOR-PRISON-GANGS

There has also been condemnation from human rights groups, including the United Nations.

Miguel Montenegro, the coordinator for the nongovernmental Human Rights Commission, told AFP that if Mr Bukele's claims "really were a totally credible piece of news, it would be praiseworthy."

And the US State Department appears less than convinced by the crackdown.

Story continues

Advising against travel to the country in March, it told US nationals: Though there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity, violent crime remains a concern throughout significant portions of the country.

It added that the state of exception had led to the suspension of constitutional rights and that even US citizens had been detained in an arbitrary manner.

The UK Foreign Office added: Despite recent progress made in security, the risks of both petty and violent crime remain.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Today is one of the most sacred and honored days everywhere that people celebrate and honor special days.

It is Mothers Day! This is a day that even those who have behaved in the worst way seek to get to their mothers in some way. Mothers look to hear from their children even if that child is far from the dream that they had for him growing up.

Children want their mothers to have honor even if that mother has not been all that she could have been.

Elaine Harris Spearman

As the regional attorney for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (which covered the southern half of the state), I would witness children in foster care standing in the huge glass windows watching the parking lot for their visit with their mothers.

I saw and heard the tears when she didnt show up as they were taken back to their foster homes.

Many women have not borne children, but have been just like a mother in so many of lifes instances. This honor includes foster and adoptive mothers. We hear it takes a village all the time. The women in that village should be included this Mother's Day. So many women have been there for many, providing wisdom and courage to those without a mothers love.

The Bible is replete with beautiful stories of mothers. It also teaches us that pastors, teachers and church leaders will play a role in the spiritual development of children. But parents have the primary responsibility of passing down spiritual truths to their children.

What about those children who are without that guidance that is the responsibility of a decent parent? Should they be cast aside only to grow up to provide no discernible aid and comfort or caring or kindness, or betterment to society?

Those who have stepped in to fill that gap are worthy of the honor bestowed to mothers on Mothers Day. Those spiritual mothers are essential in the shaping of a whole person who can somehow, hopefully, live without hatred and bitterness.

Mothers Day is every day, but this one day is for all of us to realize just how important it is to have a mother. Their teachings are central to our very being.

Story continues

I will say that it is equally important for mothers to look in the mirror if your children are not reaching out to you, and ask yourself why. If your children exhibit everything that is disparaging and discouraging to your soul, ask yourself why.

Ask yourself if you accept extremely bad behavior from your offspring and blame it on others. Do you look at what your children do and dont do, but yet cast stones at others without coming to grips with just who your child really is?

On this day, we pray that mothers will continue to try to influence their children, even if theyre adults, that it is better to do good than to be negative, bitter, angry and a pox upon the community.

It is disparaging that women in America are having to grapple with state legislatures crafting legislation to give their definition of woman. This is worse than it sounds because state legislatures are comprised primarily of males. Most of those males are white, older and come from conservative, partisan and deeply divided areas.

Where will they research to come up with their legally accepted definitions?

Will they use their Bibles where there are so many descriptions of women?

Across the scriptures, there are character profiles in the named women. From the Holman Christian Study Bible for Women, page 796: A woman whose personality and actions are notably gracious routinely models Gods loving kindness in her tender care for others in His name.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The views reflected are her own.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman on Mother's Day 2023
There will be three names on Sioux Falls residents ballots on May 16: Dawn Marie Johnson, Brian Mattson and Nick Zachariasen, vying for one three-year term on the Sioux Falls School Districts Board of Education.

But of those three, Zachariasen announced early in the race that he was no longer campaigning for the spot, and urged support for Johnson instead. However, he didnt drop out in time to remove his name from the ballot.

Two candidates remain in the Sioux Falls School District Board of Education race: Dawn Marie Johnson (left) and Brian Mattson (right).

Heres everything you need to know about this election that will determine who has a seat at the table to make major policy decisions affecting the more than 24,000 children in South Dakota's largest public school district.

Who is actively running?

Johnson is currently the director of leadership and culture at the South Dakota Afterschool Network, is a mother to one child at Rosa Parks Elementary School, previously served as the Career Technical Education and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District in the Joe Foss Program at Axtell Park and serves on the districts Indian Education Parent Committee and the Bridging the Gap Community Foundation Board.

Mattson is a private investor, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, father, grandparent, and a former candidate for Republican precinct committeeman last year endorsed by the conservative organization Patriot Ripple Effect for that campaign.

More: How much Sioux Falls school board candidates have raised, spent ahead of May election

The two have collectively raised more than $21,000 on their campaigns. Johnson has raised $17,770.50 so far, and Mattson has raised $3,361.

More: Sioux Falls school board candidates debate social studies standards, teacher pay

Both candidates have participated in an Argus Leader Q&A on their campaign positions, and a forum hosted by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls League of Women Voters.

More: Get to know the 2 remaining Sioux Falls school board candidates after one dropped out

Story continues

Where and when can I vote?

You can vote early from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now until May 15 at the Instructional Planning Center, if you arent able to vote on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Polling places on May 16 include:

Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st St.

Memorial Middle School, 1401 S. Sertoma Ave.

Career & Tech Ed Academy, 4700 W. Career Circle

Maricar Community Center, 400 N. Valley View Road

Oyate Community Center, 2421 W. 15th St.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Western Ave.

First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Ave.

Wesley United Methodist Church, 1700 E. 6th St.

Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E. 3rd St.

Morningside Community Center, 2400 S. Bahnson Ave.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5500 E. 57th St.

Faith Baptist Fellowship Hall, 601 W. 57th St.

Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th St.

Why should I vote?

The election that put board member Cynthia Mickelson in her seat saw a turnout of less than 27% of all registered voters in the district, and that was for a joint city and school board election.

The last school-only election, which saw newcomer Marc Murren elected to his first term and board president Kate Serenbetz elected to a fifth term, saw only 5.13% turnout.

There was no election in 2022. The event was canceled for the first time since 2008, because no one decided to run, allowing board vice president Carly Reiter and board member Nan Baker to keep their seats for another term.

More: Three candidates emerge to take Cynthia Mickelsons seat on the Sioux Falls school board

School board members make big decisions. That includes multi-million dollar budgets and whether those budgets should include cutting programs like gymnastics. The board is also responsible for deciding where future schools will be; where your kids and neighbors attend school through boundary changes; contracts with teachers and administrators, school safety policies, the hiring of the superintendent and more.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: What to know in the May 16 Sioux Falls school board election
DALLAS WINNERS: Perseverance was the evenings theme at the 27th annual Rising Star Awards presented by Fashion Group International of Dallas on Wednesday evening at Galleria Dallas.

All five winners, who were selected through a poll of the chapters members, faced the added stress of starting their businesses shortly before or during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More from WWD

Its a challenge, but here we are  we made it through, said Elizabeth Hooper, whose abstract brass jewelry plated in silver and gold won the Accessories award. Being an entrepreneur is hard, but if you love it, its definitely worth it.

Tajikistan native Munisa Khuramova clinched the Fashion Design prize for Munelle de Vie, her brand of bias-cut dresses and separates made of silk charmeuse and other natural textiles.

Im from a country where basic human rights are denied, she said, adding that fashion helps women connect with our higher selves.

The prize for Retail went to Stephen Swetish as the creator of M.K.T., which displays rotating groups of Texas fashion, accessories, home furnishings and food items in 6,000 square feet at West Village in Dallas.

Makeup artist Tina Adams-Mason of About Face Pros won the Beauty category and Dexter James won the inaugural Fashion Styling award.

This is truly a celebration of local talent, said Nerissa Von Helpenstill, regional director of FGI Dallas and director of sales experience of Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center.

FGI Dallas plans to honor Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia and others at its Night of Stars gala on Nov. 10. Proceeds benefit scholarships for fashion design and merchandising students.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is lionised by Turkey's conservative and working classes

One embraces chaos and glorifies Turkey's Islamic past. The other promises the badly divided country a slightly calmer and more prosperous future.

Voters decided to give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu another chance Sunday to convince them which of these starkly different alternatives is better.

A close outcome in which neither picked up 50 percent of the vote means the two will face each other again in Turkey's first presidential runoff on May 28.

Few expect either Turkey's longest-serving leader or his 74-year-old secular rival to change their stripes in a fortnight.

Erdogan is the man who rose from a hardscrabble part of Istanbul to become Turkey's longest-serving leader -- a devout 69-year-old who has created chronic headaches for the West and become a hero for Turkey's working classes.

"Erdogan is our chief and we are his soldiers," 48-year-old Sennur Henek told AFP while attending one of the president's packed campaign rallies.

Kilicdaroglu is a bookish former civil servant from a historically repressed Kurdish group who has lost half a dozen national elections to Erdogan while leading his secular party.

His frank kitchen chats with voters have turned him into a social media star at 74.

Kilicdaroglu also promises to retire after stripping the presidency of Erdogan's powers and then "go spend time with my grandchildren".

Many say they are voting for Kilicdaroglu for the simple reason that he is not Erdogan.

- 'Keeps his word' -

Erdogan's place in history already rivals that of Ottoman sultans and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk -- the revered founder of modern, secular Turkey.

He has overseen economic booms and busts while adhering to an Islamic vision of a great Turkey that is ready to go to war to defend its national interests.

Erdogan has launched offensives in Syria and jousted incessantly with Greece.

His interventions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh swung the outcomes of complex conflicts involving the interests of traditional great powers.

Story continues

Erdogan's courtship of Russia upset Washington -- and his sale of weapons to Ukraine irritated the Kremlin.

But he seemed always to know how to play one off the other in order to come across as a statesman before his audience back home.

"This is a person who keeps his word -- a man," Russian President Vladimir Putin said of Erdogan in 2020.

"If he believes it is advantageous for his country, he goes to the end."

- 'I am not sinful' -

Kilicdaroglu hopes to swiftly undo what Erdogan spent more than two decades building.

He would start by moving the presidency out of the 1,100-room marble palace that Erdogan erected in Ankara and back into the more humble abode used by Ataturk.

"I will bring spring to this land. I will bring serenity," he once said.

It is a promise that has captivated the youth and a cross-section of Turks exhausted by Erdogan's culture wars and polarising rhetoric.

Kilicdaroglu also pledges to release many of the popular figures jailed by Erdogan's government in the wake of a failed but bloody 2016 coup attempt.

He vows to end Erdogan's "one-man regime" and the stigmatisation of feminists and the LGBTQ community.

But he is also trying to temper his secular stance by committing himself to inscribe Erdogan's removal of headscarf restrictions into Turkish law.

Kilicdaroglu's defining campaign moment came when he tweeted a video in which he broke a Turkish cultural taboo by talking about being Alevi.

The group has been targeted by violent repression because it follows a more spiritual Islamic tradition that separates it from Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

"God gave me my life," Kilicdaroglu said in the video. "I am not sinful."

- 'Devil you know' -

Some analysts are portraying the vote in terms as stark as the difference between the two candidates.

"Either Erdogan will lose, giving Turkey a chance of restoring full democracy, or he will win and likely remain in power for the rest of his life," Washington Institute senior fellow Soner Cagaptay said.

Others highlight the economic relief that would come were Kilicdaroglu given a chance to tackle Turkey's dire cost-of-living crisis with orthodox financial prescriptions.

"Policy differences over the economy are the reason why markets will be watching this election closely," said Hamish Kinnear of the Verisk Maplecroft consultancy.

But veteran Turkey watcher Timothy Ash posed a contrarian question.

"Will voters opt for the 'devil you know' in Erdogan or an untested broad coalition which could easily splinter after elections?" Ash asked.

"And with Erdogan, they know he will strut his stuff on the international stage, batting for what he, and many of them, will view as Turkish national interests."

zak/imm/jj
Nagorno-Karabakh, a region disputed for three decades

European Council President Charles Michel spoke of progress in talks between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels on Sunday, adding that "momentum should be maintained" towards a final peace deal.

Michel hosted talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev amid heightened tensions on their common border over control of the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Michel had already met with Pashinyan on Saturday evening and with Aliyev on Sunday morning.

The EU officials assured, at the end of the meetings, that the two leaders "shared a common willingness for a south Caucasus at peace," describing their exchanges as "frank, open and result oriented".

Sunday's meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders was the fifth of its kind under European mediation.

"Following the recent positive talks held in the United States on a peace treaty, the momentum should be maintained to take decisive steps towards the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Michel said afterwards.

The two leaders met in Brussels after fresh clashes on the border between the two Caucasus countries.

On Friday, the Armenian government announced that one Armenian soldier had been killed and two others wounded by Azerbaijani forces.

On Thursday, an Azerbaijani soldier was killed and four Armenian soldiers wounded in other clashes.

- Further talks planned -

Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of seeking to "undermine the talks" in Brussels and said there was "very little" chance of signing a peace accord with Aliyev during the meeting.

But after the talks, Michel said the two leaders had made "clear progress" in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region.

"On border issues we reviewed progress and the next steps regarding the delimitation of the border, and in this context the leaders agreed on resumption of the bilateral meetings on border issues," he added.

Story continues

In another sign of progress, there was "an understanding" between Pashinyan and Aliyev that "further detainees would be released in the coming weeks," said Michel.

The neighbours fought two wars in the early 1990s and 2020 over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region mostly populated by Armenians that seceded from Azerbaijan more than three decades ago.

After a brief war that saw Azerbaijan retake territory in the separatist region in the autumn of 2020, Baku and Yerevan agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Russia.

Russian peacekeepers have since been deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia has complained for several months that they are ineffective.

Tensions flared recently when Baku announced on April 23 that it had set up a first road checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, the only route linking Armenia to the separatist enclave.

It is already under a blockade that has caused shortages and power cuts.

Another meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev has already been scheduled for June 1 in Moldova, also involving French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

alm/pvh/jj
(Reuters) - The European Union on Sunday welcomed the latest meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as a positive step toward clinching a durable peace agreement between the two neighbouring states which have fought two major wars in 30 years.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels at the EU's invitation.

Neither leader commented after the meeting, the latest in a series since a six-week conflict between the two countries in 2020. During that fighting, Azerbaijan recaptured chunks of territory it had lost in a war that engulfed the region as Soviet rule was collapsing in the 1990s.

The two countries' foreign ministers also met in the United States this month. Russia, which brokered a truce to halt the 2020 fighting, has also been active in peacekeeping.

Charles Michel, president of the EU's Council, said the leaders made progress on issues including return of prisoners, demarcation of borders and access through each other's territory to reach isolated regions in the Caucasus.

He said talks will continue on the conflict's focal point: the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.

"The leaders shared a common willingness for a South Caucasus at peace. I commend their respective efforts," Michel said in a statement on the EU Council website.

"Following the recent positive talks held in the United States on the peace treaty, the momentum should be maintained to take decisive steps towards the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

As talks have proceeded, border clashes remain constant.

At least two Armenian soldiers and one Azerbaijani serviceman died in incidents last week and Azerbaijan accused Armenia on Sunday of training mortar fire on its positions in Kalbajar district near the border, an allegation denied by Armenia.

Story continues

In his statement, Michel said both sides agreed to recognise the borders set down after the end of Soviet rule in 1991.

Referring to Nagorno-Karabakh, Michel said he encouraged Azerbaijan to "engage in developing a positive agenda with the aim of guaranteeing the rights and security of this population."

He told both sides to "refrain from hostile rhetoric, engage in good faith and show leadership" to find solutions.

The two leaders are due to meet again on June 1 at a development conference in Moldova, another ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and EU member Romania. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are to attend.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Ron Popeski in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
LIVERPOOL (Reuters) - The final of the Eurovision song contest drew the largest British television audience in the history of the event with a peak of 11 million viewers, the BBC said in a statement on Sunday.

Sweden's Loreen won Eurovision 2023, on Saturday. The event was held in Liverpool, northern England, on behalf of last year's winner Ukraine, which was unable to host this year because of Russia's invasion.

The BBC said the final saw a peak of 11 million viewers, an average of 9.9 million, and an audience share of 63%.

"The fact that so many millions of people tuned in reflects just how significant Eurovision has become," BBC's Director of Unscripted Kate Phillips said in a statement.

"Liverpool welcomed the world's biggest singing competition with open arms and embraced it beyond all of our expectations," she said.

Contest organiser the European Broadcasting Union said it estimated more than 160 million people watched worldwide, in line with figures from 2022.

British viewers saw their entrant, Mae Muller, finish 25th out of 26th.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Glenn Kirschner, a former U.S. Army prosecutor and an MSNBC legal analyst, explained how former President Donald Trump has a determination to continue to directly incriminate himself as he digs his own legal grave deeper in the wake of his CNN town hall event Wednesday. (You can hear Kirschner in the clip below.)

Kirschner, in a video shared to his YouTube page, slammed CNN for its ill-advised decision to host Trump, whom he referred to as a man who tried to end American democracy.

Some good did come out of it because Donald Trump gave prosecutors and plaintiffs some directly incriminating and actionable evidence, explained Kirschner before noting Trumps comments on classified documents along with his lie about a Georgia election official.

The former president, at other times during the event, mocked moderator Kaitlan Collins along with E. Jean Carroll, whom Trump had just been found liable for sexually assaulting and who is considering suing him again over his remarks about her on Wednesday.

The jury awarded punitive damages [to Carroll]. ... Punitive damages are designed to deter Donald Trump from telling defamatory lies in the future. And of course, within days of that jury verdict, Donald Trump goes right out and he does it all over again, Kirschner said.

Donald Trump will not be deterred by a jurys verdict or punitive damages. Donald Trump will not be deterred by a judges admonitions that he shouldnt say things like this. Donald Trump will not be deterred by a judges protective order or gag order. You know what will deter Donald Trump? A jail cell, he continued.

CNN has comeunderfire for airing the event in a decision that anchor Anderson Cooper attempted to defend, remarks that have since been panned by MSNBC anchor Joy Reid.

Kirschner, in his video, argued that Trump shouldnt be given a microphone and a platform to spew his lies.

Even if a byproduct of having that microphone, having that platform is he digs his own legal grave deeper because he continues to incriminate himself, he said. It is time to deter Donald Trump. Because justice matters.

Story continues

Related...
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Andreas Rinke

WASHINGTON/BERLIN (Reuters) - Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations plan to tighten sanctions on Russia at their summit in Japan this week, with steps aimed at energy and exports aiding Moscow's war effort, said officials with direct knowledge of the discussions.

New measures announced by the leaders during the May 19-21 meetings will target sanctions evasion involving third countries, and seek to undermine Russia's future energy production and curb trade that supports Russia's military, the people said.

Separately, U.S. officials also expect G7 members will agree to adjust their approach to sanctions so that, at least for certain categories of goods, all exports are automatically banned unless they are on a list of approved items.

The Biden administration has previously pushed G7 allies to reverse the group's sanctions approach, which today allows all goods to be sold to Russia unless they are explicitly blacklisted.

That change could make it harder for Moscow to find gaps in the sanctions regime.

While the allies have not agreed to apply the more-restrictive approach broadly, U.S. officials expect that in the most sensitive areas for Russia's military G7 members will adopt a presumption that exports are banned unless they are on a designated list.

The exact areas where these new rules would apply are still being discussed.

"You should expect to see, in a handful of spaces, particularly relating to Russia's defense industrial base, that change in presumption happen," said a U.S. official who declined to be named.

The precise language of the G7 leaders' joint declarations is still subject to negotiation and adjustment before it is released during the summit. The G7 comprises the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The G7 leaders' action on Russia comes as Ukraine's Western allies hunt for new ways to tighten already restrictive sanctions on Russia, from export controls to visa restrictions and an oil price cap, which have put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin but not halted the full-scale invasion that started over a year ago.

Story continues

Some U.S. allies have resisted the idea of banning trade broadly and then issuing category-by-category exemptions.

The European Union, for instance, has its own approach and is also currently negotiating its 11th package of sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine, with the bulk focused on people and countries circumventing existing trade restrictions.

"The sometimes-discussed approach of 'we ban everything first and allow exceptions' will not work in our view," said one top German government official. "We want to be very, very precise and we want to avoid unintended side effects."

Meanwhile, any change in language, including language specifying that certain trade is banned unless specifically exempted, by the G7 leaders may not necessarily lead to more bans immediately or indeed any change in Russia's posture.

"At least on day one, that change in presumption doesn't change the substance of what's allowed, but it matters for the long-term trajectory of where we're going and the restrictiveness of the overall regime," the U.S. official said.

Ukraine, backed by Western arms and cash, is expected to launch major counter-offensive operations in the coming weeks to try to recapture tracts of its east and south from Russian forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been in Europe this week for meetings with Pope Francis as well as with leaders from France, Italy and Germany. He is expected to address G7 leaders, either virtually or in-person, during their summit in Hiroshima, the officials said.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said last month a G7 move to ban exports to the country would cause Moscow to terminate a Black Sea grain deal that enables vital exports of grain from Ukraine. Food security in the aftermath of the war is also expected to be a major topic at the G7.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Editing by Chris Reese)
Helen Holland was hit by a motorbike escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh (Family handout)

The family of a grandmother who was hit by a motorbike escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh are praying for a miracle as she remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Helen Holland, 81, was on Saturday said to be in a coma after she was struck by a rider from the royal motorcade in west London on Wednesday.

Ms Holland, who is from Essex, was visiting her sister in London when the bike hit her at the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earls Court at around 3.21pm.

In a statement to Sky News on Saturday, the family said they were deeply saddened and shocked at the tragic accident.

We are all praying for a miracle and ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers too, they added.

They described Ms Holland as a "beautiful, loving, kind and caring lady who would always put anyone before herself.

The family said that even though Ms Holland is aged 81, she is sprightly for her age.

They said that nothing stopped her living life to the full, spending precious time with her family, muddy walks with the dogs and lunches with friends is what she enjoyed most.

Ms Holland has four children and she is also a grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother to seven.

In their statement, the family said the incident had been a huge shock and said they appreciated the outpouring of love they have received.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the accident, while the Metropolitan Police department that investigates officers conduct has been informed, as is routine.

Duchess Sophie, who was being escorted through west London when the collision occurred, said on Thursday that her heartfelt thoughts and prayers were with Ms Holland, from Birchanger, and her family.

A short statement issued by Buckingham Palace said the duchess, who is married to the Kings brother Prince Edward, is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.

Story continues

Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated, the palace statement added.

Shes lucky to be alive at all, Martin Hennessy, 62, who lives yards away from the scene, told the Daily Mirror. The road is a nightmare. Weve warned the council about it. There have been three people killed here.

When you get to the junction you have to step out to see if anything is coming, thats when she was hit, the retired antiques dealer said. I came out to walk the dogs and thats when I saw this thoroughfare. Shed been thrown across the road and the ambulance were treating her.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has raided a condo owned by two Russian businessmen at one of the three Trump Towers on Sunny Isles Beach in Florida.

A squad of FBI agents, assisted by local police, carried out the raid on Thursday morning at the luxury beachfront high-rise, The Miami Herald reports.

The target of the search, Unit 4102, is owned by a shell company, MIC-USA LLC, which is controlled by Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya and Agunda Konstantinovna Makeeva, according to state records.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the FBIs Miami field office said the bureau was conducting court-ordered law enforcement activity in the vicinity of that location.

No other information was provided and neither of the businessmen responded to the outlets request for comment.

Mr Patsulyas wife, Rosa Pereira, who is also listed on the corporate paperwork for the shell company, told the Herald she was aware of the raid.

I cant talk about it, she told the paper. The lawyer [for my husband] said not to talk to anyone. ... I have no idea what its about.

Donald Trump licensed his name to the Trump Towers condo project in Sunny Isles Beach, north of Miami Beach and south of Hollywood, Florida.

The Herald notes that it has been dubbed Little Moscow by locals because of the large number of Russian expatriates who have made it their home.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there were concerns of a backlash against the affluent community as the US government pursued sanctions against Russian oligarchs, many of whom have hidden their wealth in South Florida real estate.

The former president signed the licensing deal with the developers of the three 45-floor towers before he took office to help with the promotion of the project.

According to county property records, the 41st-floor, three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence at the centre of the raid was purchased for $1.65m a decade ago.

Mr Patsulya and Mr Makeeva were sued by BAC Florida Bank in 2020 for allegedly defaulting on the $975,000 mortgage on the property.

The dispute was resolved and the condo is still owned by the two Russians.
A gavel sits atop a book.

FORT MYERS  A Palm Beach County man was sentenced to two years in federal prison Thursday following his guilty plea in January to submitting fraudulent applications for government loans intended to help struggling small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al Clint LaRoche, 43, was sentenced May 11 during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber in Fort Myers. He pleaded guilty in January to two counts of bank fraud after prosecutors alleged that he fraudulently obtained $1.1 million.

As part of his sentence, LaRoche was ordered to forfeit that money. Federal prosecutors alleged that he used the government loans for personal enrichment, including the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz SUV, jewelry, hotel and travel stays, and various retail purchases.

Businesses were required to use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The program allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if the business spent the proceeds on those expenses within a set time period and used at least a certain percentage of the loan toward payroll expenses.

Congress passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security  or CARES  Act in March 2020. The economic stimulus bill was intended to help businesses suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of the bill created the Paycheck Protection Program, a Small Business Administration-backed effort providing small businesses with money to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. The program ended in May 2021.

The U.S. Attorney General's office established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in partnership with agencies across government to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office announced in March that it has formed a task force that will prosecute PPP fraud cases at the state level.

According to court documents, between April 2020 and April 2021, LaRoche submitted fraudulent first draw and second draw PPP applications to a financial institution based in Naples for his business, Bornwild LLC, based in suburban West Palm Beach.

Story continues

Prosecutors said LaRoche's applications contained numerous false representations and certifications, including the company's average monthly payroll, number of employees, and assertions that the loan funds would be used for authorized purposes.

To qualify for each loan, LaRoche submitted fictitious quarterly federal tax returns that contained false representations about the businesss quarterly payroll expenses. The fraudulent representations caused the lender to approve and fund a first draw and second draw PPP loan, according to court documents.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him atjwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at@JuliusWhigham. Help support our work:Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judge sends Palm Beach County man to federal prison for loan fraud
FENNVILLE  Five candidates have been selected for interviews as Fennville Public Schools searches for its next superintendent.

The districts school board met Thursday, May 11, to discuss candidates. Out of 15 applicants, the board chose five to bring in later this month for interviews, including two from out of state.

Five candidates have been selected for interviews as Fennville Public Schools searches for its next superintendent.

Selected candidates are Nicole Reyherme, Amy Mielke, Jason Stowe, Carlos de la Barrera and Doug Greer.

First round interviews will be held Monday-Tuesday, May 22-23, in the library and media center at Fennville High School, 4 S. Memorial Drive.

The board will interview Reyherme (4 p.m.), Mielke (5:30 p.m.) and Stowe (7 p.m.) on Tuesday and de la Barrera (4 p.m.) and Greer (5:30 p.m.) on Wednesday.

More: Fennville Public Schools Superintendent Jim Greydanus retiring this summer

Reyherme is currently the director of secondary education and technology at Mill Valley School District in Mill Valley, California. Mielke serves as principal at Sycamore Elementary in Hopkins. Stowe is a retired superintendent from Leland Public Schools, where he served from 2010 to 2020.

de la Barrera is currently the executive principal at North Windham Elementary School and Windham Middle School in Windham, Connecticut. He previously interviewed for the superintendent job at Holland Public Schools in 2021.

Greer is the director of school improvement at the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. He was a finalist for the Hamilton Community Schools superintendent job last spring.

We were encouraged with the candidates interested in becoming the next leader to continue to move our school district Fennville Forward, Board President Toby Hutchins wrote in a statement. The applicant pool has many quality candidates that may be an excellent fit for our incredible school district and community.

"We are excited to learn more about the candidates attributes and abilities as well as what each candidate has to offer our diverse students, staff and community.

Story continues

Hutchins added the board values public input and encourages community members to attend the interviews. Fennville hopes to have a new superintendent in place on July 1.

Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

The district is searching for a new leader after current superintendent Jim Greydanus announced his retirement, effective June 30, earlier this year. Greydanus has been superintendent at FPS since September 2017 and was the principal at Fennville High School for more than four years prior to that.

Fennvilles superintendent search is being led by the Michigan Leadership Institute. The firm led Hamiltons search last year and is currently guiding strategic planning in both Fennville and Zeeland.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Fennville Schools to interview five candidates for superintendent role
Theres just something about this Seattle team, which seems to relish playing with its back against the wall. With its season on the line, the Kraken staved off elimination, beating the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of Stanley Cup Playoffs West second round series on Saturday night at home, 6-3. The win forces a decisive Game 7 in Dallas on Monday.

Still alive  and if the party at Climate Pledge Arena was any indication  far from a flatlining heartbeat.

I thought we played aggressive, said Jordan Eberle, who scored a pair of goals in the Kraken win. We also played smart. Tried to limit their chances, stay on our toes. We had nothing to lose, obviously our backs against the wall, so were going to have the same effort in Game 7 and we know theyre going to have their best.

Seattle got off to a lightning-fast start in front of its rabid home crowd on Saturday, which sought refuge from the Seattle heat-wave for a few hours to cheer on their team, loud and proud. Spurred by the energy, Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Yanni Gourde goal, a vital start against a Dallas team that has been nearly unbeatable in the playoffs in games in which it takes an early lead.

Dallas, though, answered immediately on a Mason Marchment goal just 31 seconds later. Seattle eventually found the second goal on a power play, when the puck found Jordan Eberle on a rebound, who scored to give Seattle the 2-1 lead after the first period.

KRAKEN GOAL SCORING PARTY

When the dust settled, it was a six-goal barrage from Seattle, which played the part of a team fighting for its season, aggressive from the puck drop attacking the inside and generating chances from close range.

Just trying to get back to the pace we needed to play with, said Seattle coach Dave Hakstol. We talked before the game about how we counteract some of the things that they were doing the last couple games. Just trying to get traffic, trying to get to that hard area.

Whether its getting through the goaltenders eyes, whether its being able to stick around, hang around a find a rebound. We were committed to doing that tonight. Trying to find ways to grow this hockey team as we go through a really challenging series.

Story continues

Another one! #Kraken goal, this one from Tye Kartye and this place is rocking. Seattle leads Dallas 4-1 #StanleyCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/FkcdpIjEVO  Jon Manley (@manley_tnt) May 14, 2023

Seattle continued its by-committee scoring formula, which included a second-period goal from Eeli Tolvanen, a December waiver wire pickup.

Just the mindset to get (inside), Tolvanen said. I feel like we lacked a little bit of that before. It was great to see that we can flip a switch.

Seattles Tye Kartye added another goal, giving Seattle a 4-1 lead, before Joe Pavelski  a thorn in Seattles side all series  scored a power play goal on a deflection, pulling Dallas back within two. Seattle added a Matty Beniers goal in the third period, followed by another immediate Dallas response by Joel Kiviranta just 15 seconds later. Jordan Eberle scored the final goal on an empty net with under a minute to play, sealing the 6-3 win.

DALLAS STARS. SEATTLE KRAKEN. GAME 7.

For the second straight series, Seattle will play in a decisive Game 7. The Kraken beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of the opening series. Seattle will travel to Dallas to face the Stars in Game 7 at 5 p.m. on Monday.

I think the mindset has to be the same, Tolvanen said. When the puck drops, everybody has to be ready.

While there may be a few things Seattle can take from an approach standpoint from its last Game 7, Hakstol said he thinks its a different beast this round.

This is a different series, a different opponent, he said. They have great players, high-end guys at the top of their lineup and their depth is good. We saw that again tonight. Theyre a complete hockey team. This is a little bit different Game 7. Weve just gotta be ourselves.

We know itll be a test, we know itll be a challenge but well be ready.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the Armed Forces have almost enough assets and weapons to start moving forward and that Ukrainian defenders are "primed for success".

Source: Zelenskyy during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Details: The Supreme Commander-in-Chief was asked whether the Ukrainian military has enough weapons, given the recently announced aid packages, and whether Ukraine can start moving forward on the front.

He was reminded of his earlier remark that Ukraine needed more weapons to launch a counteroffensive.

Zelenskyy answered briefly that he needed several more visits to European capitals.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "A few more visits, and thatll be it."

More details: After that, Zelenskyy smiled, and Scholz wished him success.

Zelenskyy later added that Ukraine was "primed for success" in the war, and Ukrainian troops were motivated and could feel the support [of Ukraines partners].

Reminder: Zelenskyy said he believes in the success of the agreement to supply fighter jets to Ukraine against the backdrop of his visits to European capitals.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Firefighters responded to a boat fire on the Duwamish River Saturday, according to Puget Sound Fire.

Saturday afternoon, the King County Fire Department, Seattle Fire Department, South King Fire & Rescue, and the Boeing Fire Department assisted Puget Sound Fire with the incident.

Everybody on the boat was able to escape safely by getting onboard their dinghy.

No injuries were reported.

The Department of Ecology worked to mitigate the fuel spill.
On 14 May, it became known that five civilians were killed in Kherson Oblast by explosives left by the Russian army.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration; Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidents Office

Details: It is specified that the tragedy occurred at an agricultural facility in the village of Myroliubivka, Novovorontsovka district.

An unexploded munition detonated.

According to the authorities, the youngest victim was 27 years old, and the oldest was 68.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
It was an emotional night for families, law enforcement, and local supporters that honored those that lost their lives in the line of duty.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The Flagler County Sheriffs Office held a candlelight vigil on Thursday at the Sheriffs Operations Center. Relatives of the fallen officers placed a rose for each of their loved ones as their names were read out loud.

Read: Deputies investigate 2 dead in Orange County, say they believe it was targeted

The ceremony also honored those who died serving in their communities across the county.

Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, FCSO Honor Guard, and FCSO Chaplains attended.

Read: Deputies investigate 2 dead in Orange County, say they believe it was targeted

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. in 2022, a total of 246 officers nationwide laid down their lives in service to others.

Read: SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

We dedicate this years memorial to all the fallen heroes who lost their lives wearing the badge. Memorial services like this one serve as a reminder of the price that is paid by some to keep the peace for many. We must never forget them and their families. Staly said.

Click here for the vigil link.

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 year after a drive-by shooting on Mothers Day left a 20-year-old South Florida woman paralyzed, her mother still doesnt know who is to blame for her daughters suffering as detectives search for new clues.

DruNiyyia Griffin and a man were sitting inside her parked car outside the house of someone they were visiting in the 2800 block of Northwest 15th Court when people drove by in another vehicle and fired multiple shots around 10:30 p.m. on May 8, 2022, the Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) wrote in a press release Friday.

Deputies found Griffin with several gunshot wounds in the drivers seat of a black Honda Accord before paramedics rushed her to Broward Health Medical Center. Detectives say the man arrived at the hospital a short time later with minor injuries.

Griffin remains seriously ill and will need long-term care while detectives work on determining the identities of the shooters and their motive. According to WSVN 7 News, she is paralyzed from the waist down and is being fed through a feeding tube at the hospital.

Its been a whole year, and we need justice, a family member told WSVN 7 News. I dont know how you can live and not  knowing you hurt someone, another family member told the TV station.

Security footage released by BSO shows people shooting from inside a passing vehicle while bullets hit Griffins car, causing at least four witnesses to run for cover. Investigators say the shooters vehicle may be a dark SUV.

Anyone with information is asked to cal BSO Violent Crimes Unit Det. Lacey Fitzpatrick at 954-321-4328. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or visit browardcrimestoppers.org. Any information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
A Florida fifth-grade teacher says she is under investigation by the state Department of Education for inappropriate conduct after showing her fifth-grade class Disneys 2022 animated movie Strange World.

The decision to show the film as a brain break followed a rigorous morning of standardized testing.

The movie features an openly gay character named Ethan and explores a romantic side plot between Ethan and his crush, Diazo.

Barbee took to TikTok to defend her choice, stating that she selected the film because it aligned with the classs curriculum, which currently focuses on ecosystems. While she emphasized that the LGBTQ+ element was not the primary reason for showing the movie, she described it as harmless.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

According to Barbee, she was reported to the state by a school board member who has been actively opposing any form of representation in schools. Notably, the board members daughter was present in the classroom during the screening of Strange World.

Barbees friend, Carl Zee, shared a tweet on May 11 displaying a letter from the Florida Department for Education, indicating that the teacher is under investigation for inappropriate conduct.

My friend showed Disneys Strange World in a Florida classroom and one student reported it to their parents. Now shes under investigation by the state.



Florida is not safe for teachers, DO NOT MOVE HERE. pic.twitter.com/rZJPdadz28  Carl Zee (@c350Zee) May 11, 2023

The letter instructed potential witnesses or individuals possessing relevant documents to submit them to the designated office within two weeks.

Barbee expressed her students surprise in a TikTok on May 13, upon realizing the significance attached to the incident.

They didnt even know this was a big deal until the board member and the state made it a big deal, she stated in her 6-minute video.

Story continues

She stated that she had permission slips for PG movies from Disney signed by each of the students parents.

Questioning the motive behind the investigation, Barbee raised concerns about the message it conveys to the students. Theyre using it against me, saying theyre protecting the children and its for their safety. But what is this actually showing them? she pondered.

Barbee further claimed that the investigation is proving to be more traumatizing for the youngsters than the film itself.

But the minor representations, that have nothing to do with the movie, are such a big deal that now admin in is in their room, pulling their teacher out, calling the students one by one down to the office to interrogate them in the middle of my lessons, she said.

Barbee revealed that some of her students told her they were members of the LGBTQ+ community prior to the movie screening.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Barbee said: For those of you who are throwing hate my way without knowing me or my true intentions, you may learn a thing or two from that movie. Follow your heart, find the compassion, find the kindness. Its the key to a better positive life.

Following the circulation of Barbees video and the letter on Twitter, numerous individuals have called on Disney to support the teacher by providing financial or legal assistance.

This investigation occurs amidst Florida Governor Ron DeSantis efforts to crackdown on LGBTQ+ issues, stemming from his controversial Parental Rights in Education law, which critics dub as Dont Say Gay.

The law prohibits classroom discussions related to gender and sexuality and has been expanded to encompass all grades in the state. Activists have criticized the legislation for its vagueness, suggesting that virtually anything could be perceived as a breach, potentially causing teachers to censor themselves and effectively suppress important conversations.

Several additional laws have been introduced, such as restrictions on abortion, several book bans, enabling medical discrimination, and banning discussions on gender identity.

Equality Florida issued a travel advisory for the LGBTQ+ community on April 12 warning members not to come to the state.

Observers note that DeSantis appears to be positioning himself for a 2024 presidential run.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
A University of Georgia student is still recovering after she was hit by a tree on campus last week.

UGA officials told Channel 2 Action News that a thunderstorm was moving through campus with winds up to 64 mph on Monday.

At that time, UGA student Mia Corte was walking through East Campus at Field Street when an uprooted tree hit her.

Corte was taken to a local hospital, where she is in critical condition. Corte sustained serious injuries to the head and body, according to her mother.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Sunday, Cortes mother shared details of the scary incident with Channel 2 Action News.

Corte was trapped under the tree and brush for 15 to 20 minutes before she was taken to the hospital and was saved thanks to the help of several people.

Cortes mother said the family is still trying to piece together everything that occurred during the incident, but they have pieced together some of the details.

TRENDING STORIES:

A family who was in Athens celebrating their daughters graduation helped along with a Calvary of 10-15 fraternity boys who helped lift branches so the EMTs could extract Corte.

Cortes mother said the whole family was grateful to all of those who helped and said she has been receiving amazing care at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.

She will soon be released from that hospital to continue her care in Chattanooga.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
WOLFFORTH  Frenship ISD is launching an orchestra program, becoming one of just a handful of Lubbock-area school districts to offer string music education.

Beginning next school year, orchestra will be offered at all four of Frenship's middle schools, the ninth-grade campus and Frenship High School, bolstering the district's fine arts program offerings. The district has planned to add orchestra for some time, but Ryan Smith, Frenship's director of fine arts, felt it was time to pull the trigger this year.

Ryan Smith is the director of bands and fine arts coordinator for Frenship ISD.

"With opening up the new schools, and with the passed bond election and excitement for the growth here in Frenship, it just turned out to be the right time," Smith told the Avalanche-Journal. "We've purchased all the instruments, we've hired a new lead orchestra director, and right now we're in the middle of interviewing for middle school orchestra positions. So everything's working out really well timing-wise."

Darcy Radcliffe, a celebrated violinist and music educator, will lead the program. Radcliffe has most recently taught in Abilene for more than 20 years and has won numerous awards for her outstanding work in string education, according to an FISD statement.

Radcliffe is the recipient of the 2006 American String Teachers Association Marjorie Keller Young Teacher of the Year Award and was named a 2014 Top 20 under 40 leader in Abilene. Radcliffes dynamic string performance group, Revolution Strings, has performed at several music education conventions, toured Europe, China, and Nashville, and performed with award-winning artists.

Darcy Radcliffe, a celebrated violinist and music educator, will lead Frenship ISD's new orchestra program.

"The thing that most excites me with her is her commitment to collaboration with others. She actively pursues outside musical projects with different genres," Smith said. "It's not always going to be a Mozart piece or that traditional string orchestra that you'll hear."

Smith said the orchestra program offer a unique opportunity for student musicians of all skill levels to grow in an in-school ensemble setting, supplementing opportunities from other South Plains fine arts organizations.

"We're starting with beginners at all levels, so if they've never played a stringed instrument before, they have the opportunity to learn, or if they've already performed before, whether it's through Youth Orchestras of Lubbock or the (Texas Tech) String Project, they'll have those opportunities as well to be in an advanced ensemble," Smith said "So it's going to be for the beginners all the way to the advanced, and so we're excited about getting this started."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Frenship announces new orchestra program launching next school year
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to dig himself out of a political predicament when it comes to slavery reparations proposed by his own task force.

Fox News Digital was first to report Tuesday evening that Newsom, after months of complete silence on the issue, declined to endorse the cash payments  which could reach as high as $1.2 million for a single recipient  recommended by his reparations task force, arguing that dealing with the legacy of slavery "is about much more than cash payments."

"It will take absurd mental gymnastics to require California taxpayers, including new immigrants, low-income workers, and even some African Americans to pay for a wrong committed by other states more than 150 years ago, but thats the position Newsom put himself in," Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher told Fox News Digital.

"No matter what he does, hes going to anger part of his base," he said. "This is just one more example of the Governors tendency to make big promises he cant or wont keep, and people are going to learn quickly that Newsom is all talk but no action."

Newsom's predicament  having to choose between endorsing budget-busting checks or angering a key Democratic constituency  is in large part a problem of his own making.

After the George Floyd riots in 2020, Newsom signed legislation that made California the first in the nation to embark on a massive socio-economic experiment of creating a majority governor-appointed group to explore potential slavery reparations for Black Americans.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The proposal set forth by the California Reparations Task Force on Saturday, which is estimated to cost more than double Californias overall budget, would risk bankrupting the state, but those who likely support it make up a significant block of the Democratic Party  a 2021 poll by the University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB found that 64% of Democrats and 86% of Black Americans support reparations.

Story continues

LOCKDOWNS, MANDATES AND SCANDALS: HOW GAVIN NEWSOMS COVID-19 RESPONSE BROUGHT CALIFORNIA TO ITS KNEES

While the Democratic governor applauded the task force's work in Tuesday's statement, he declined to endorse any specific recommendations, though he pledged to continue to "advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians."

"Many of the recommendations put forward by the Task Force are critical action items weve already been hard at work addressing: breaking down barriers to vote, bolstering resources to address hate, enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, strengthening economic mobility  all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and well beyond. This work must continue," he said.

"Following the Task Forces submission of its final report this summer, I look forward to a continued partnership with the Legislature to advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians."

In a reiteration of the statement that was billed as a clarification by Newsom's office and some media outlets, Newsom again stopped short of endorsing cash payments, saying he was waiting for the task force's final report.

The task force recommends giving just under $360,000 per person to approximately 1.8 million Black Californians who had an ancestor enslaved in the U.S. Other factors would stack additional reparations payments on top of the slavery-specific checks. In total, a Black Californian who is 71 years old and has lived in California his entire life could receive up to $1.2 million, according to an analysis from the New York Times.

The total cost of the program is estimated at about $640 billion, exceeding the nearly $300 billion state budget by more than double, at a time when the state is facing its first deficit in years.

Newsom declined to weigh in for months on where he stood on reparations, even though the proposal has been in the works for more than two years. His hand may soon be forced, however. The task forces final recommendations will soon be submitted to the California Legislature, which will then decide whether to implement the measures and send them to Newsom's desk to be signed into law.

Critics argue that Newsom will use the lofty proposal to score political points because he views it as a non-starter in the state legislature. To that point, CalMatters recently asked all 80 assemblymembers whether they supported the task force's proposal, and only three said yes, while the rest declined to respond.

SAN FRANS REPARATIONS COMMITTEE PROPOSES $5 MILLION TO EACH BLACK LONGTIME RESIDENT, TOTAL DEBT FORGIVENESS

But if the legislature doesnt pass a bill, proponents have called on Newsom to use his authority as governor to unilaterally enact the proposal. He likely sees it as a no-win situation, hence the vagueness of his comments so far.

"This futile reparations exercise exposes the non-serious nature of Governor Newsoms leadership," Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli told Fox News Digital. "Rather than dealing with the problems of California head on he prefers headlines and do-nothing commissions. It might work in a Democrat super-majority state like California, but the rest of America will see right through him."

Gov. Gavin Newsom with President Joe Biden

"Creating this committee was yet another half-baked ploy for votes & accolades that has landed him in dangerous waters with no path to safety," said Elizabeth Kolstad, Chairwoman of the Fresno County Republican Party. "What is clear, is if Gavins committees recommendations are implemented, CA is going to financially sink faster than the Titanic; only the Titanics lights were on when it went down."

The debate comes as Newsom continues to be floated as a possible 2024 Democrat alternative to President Biden, whose job approval ratings have sunk to a career low. Newsom has publicly backed Biden for re-election, but his actions have sparked questions about how committed he is to the president.

The governor fueled speculation in March when he launched a political nonprofit called Campaign for Democracy that took him on a tour of multiple red states like Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.

U.S. President Joe Biden, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Lynn Siebel Newsom wave to the crowd as they campaign to keep the governor in office at Long Beach City College on the eve of the last day of the special election to recall the governor on September 13, 2021, in Long Beach, California.

For the first time in years, California is facing a $22.5-billion projected budget deficit after boasting about a robust surplus less than a year ago. Newsom outraged Republicans and Democrats alike after he proposed slashing his budget commitment for foster care services by two-thirds in order to help make up for the budget shortfall.

The state is suddenly strapped for cash despite being No. 1 in the country for highest income taxes, sales taxes and having the second-highest gasoline tax in the nation, second only to Pennsylvania.

California is also No. 9 in the nation for jobless claims, tied with Michigan with a 4.3% unemployment rate, compared to Floridas 2.6%.

California's homeless crisis has also severely worsened since the pandemic, despite Newsom spending billions to combat it since taking office. The state holds more than 30% of the nations homeless population, and that number has risen about 6% since 2020, compared to just 0.4% in the rest of the country, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Bellevue Palace on 14 May amid enhanced security measures.

Source: German news agency DTS, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Security measures have been stepped up in Berlin due to President Zelenskyy's visit to Germany. Snipers have been deployed in the Berlin district of Tiergarten, where the German president's residence is located.

After the talks between the two presidents, Chancellor Olaf Scholz will welcome Zelenskyy with military honours at the Federal Chancellery.

Later, they will reportedly visit Aachen together, where Zelenskyy will be awarded the Charlemagne Prize.

Background: The plans for Zelenskyy's visit surfaced in the media last week, but the agenda was officially kept secret until the last moment.

Zelenskyy, under the protection of fighter jets, arrived in Berlin on the night of 14 May for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale war of aggression.

On 13 May, the Ukrainian president visited Italy and the Vatican. Afterwards, a German Air Force plane took Zelenskyy to Berlin.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Black servicemen from WWII faced limited options and denial as they sought GI benefits after the war. National Archives

When President Franklin Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law on June 22, 1944, it laid the foundation for benefits that would help generations of veterans achieve social mobility.

Formally known as the Servicemens Readjustment Act of 1944, the bill made unprecedented commitments to the nations veterans. For instance, it provided federal assistance to veterans in the form of housing and unemployment benefits. But of all the benefits offered through the GI Bill, funding for higher education and job training emerged as the most popular.

More than 2 million veterans flocked to college campuses throughout the country. But even as former service members entered college, not all of them accessed the bills benefits in the same way. Thats because white southern politicians designed the distribution of benefits under the GI Bill to uphold their segregationist beliefs.

So, while white veterans got into college with relative ease, Black service members faced limited options and outright denial in their pursuit for educational advancement. This resulted in uneven outcomes of the GI Bills impact.

As a scholar of race and culture in the U.S. South, I believe this history raises important questions about whether subsequent iterations of the GI Bill are benefiting all vets equally.

Tuition waived for service

When he signed the bill into law, President Roosevelt assured that it would give servicemen and women the opportunity of resuming their education or technical training  not only without tuition charge  but with the right to receive a monthly living allowance while pursuing their studies. So long as they had served 90 consecutive days in the U.S. Armed Forces and had not received a dishonorable discharge, veterans could have their tuition waived for the institution of their choice and cover their living expenses as they pursued a college degree.

This unparalleled investment in veteran education led to a boom in college enrollment. Around 8 million of the nations 16 million veterans took advantage of federal funding for higher education or vocational training, 2 million of whom pursued a college degree within the first five years of the bills existence. Those ex-service members made up nearly half of the nations college students by 1947.

Story continues

Colleges scrambled to accommodate all the new veterans. These veterans were often white men who were slightly older than the typical college age. They sometimes arrived with wives and families in tow and brought a martial discipline to their studies that, as scholars have noted, created a cultural clash with traditional civilian students who sometimes were more interested in the life of the party than the life of the mind.

Limited opportunities for black servicemen

Black service members had a different kind of experience. The GI Bills race-neutral language had filled the 1 million African American veterans with hope that they, too, could take advantage of federal assistance. Integrated universities and historically Black colleges and universities  commonly known as HBCUs  welcomed black veterans and their federal dollars, which led to the growth of a new black middle class in the immediate postwar years.

Yet, the underfunding of HBCUs limited opportunities for these large numbers of Black veterans. Schools like the Tuskegee Institute and Alcorn State lacked government investment in their infrastructure and simply could not accommodate an influx of so many students, whereas well-funded white institutions were more equipped to take in students. Research has also revealed that a lack of formal secondary education for Black soldiers prior to their service inhibited their paths to colleges and universities.

As historians Kathleen J. Frydl, Ira Katznelson and others have argued, U.S. Representative John Rankin of Mississippi exacerbated these racial disparities.

Racism baked in

Rankin, a staunch segregationist, chaired the committee that drafted the bill. From this position, he ensured that local Veterans Administrations controlled the distribution of funds. This meant that when black southerners applied for their assistance, they faced the prejudices of white officials from their communities who often forced them into vocational schools instead of colleges or denied their benefits altogether.

Mississippis connection to the GI Bill goes beyond Rankins racist maneuvering. From 1966 to 1997, G.V. Sonny Montgomery represented the state in Congress and dedicated himself to veterans issues. In 1984, he pushed through his signature piece of federal legislation, the Montgomery GI Bill, which recommitted the nation to providing for veterans education and extended those funds to reserve units and the National Guard. Congress had discontinued the GI Bill after Vietnam. As historian Jennifer Mittelstadt shows, Montgomerys bill subsidized education as a way to boost enlistment in the all-volunteer force that lagged in recruitment during the final years of the Cold War.

Social programs like these have helped maintain enlistment quotas during recent conflicts in the Middle East, but todays service members have found mixed success in converting the education subsidies from the Post-9/11 GI Bill into gains in civilian life.

This new GI Bill, passed in 2008, has paid around 0 billion to more than 2 million recipients. Although the Student Veterans for America touts the nearly half a million degrees awarded to veterans since 2009, politicians and watchdogs have fought for reforms to the bill to stop predatory, for-profit colleges from targeting veterans. Recent reports show that 20% of GI Bill disbursements go to for-profit schools. These institutions hold reputations for notoriously high dropout rates and disproportionately targeting students of color, a significant point given the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the military.

In August 2017, President Trump signed the Forever GI Bill, which committed billion for 10 more years of education funding. As active duty service members and veterans begin to take advantage of these provisions, history provides good reason to be vigilant for the way racism still impacts who receives the most from those benefits.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Joseph Thompson, Mississippi State University.

Read more:



Joseph Thompson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
CHAPEL HILL  The bond between a mother and daughter is quite special. This is particularly true for Meredith Stiehl, 57, who recently received a liver transplant from her 26-year-old daughter, Kenan Stiehl, to treat life-threatening liver disease.

On March 1, Dr. Chirag Desai, an abdominal organ transplant and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon at UNC Hospitals, and Dr. Sorabh Kapoor, an abdominal transplant surgeon in UNCs Department of Surgery, led a collaborative team to perform the surgeries and care for the Fayetteville mother and daughter in the first liver transplant from a living donor at UNC in almost 20 years.

It is extremely satisfying to offer this treatment to our patient, who didnt have to undergo prolonged suffering while waiting for a deceased donor liver, said Desai, who is also the surgical director of the Liver Transplant Program at UNC. A living donor transplant enabled her to get this surgery done in optimal time and she has had a great outcome.

Dr. Chirag Desai, Dr. Sorhab Kapoor, and the rest of the abdominal transplant surgery team perform a partial liver transplant on Meredith Steihl, of Fayetteville, on March 1.

Now that the precedent has been set, UNC Health has announced it has expanded its transplant services to include living donors  making it the second program in North Carolina capable to perform the procedure.

We are so grateful to be the first, said Meredith. It feels like a miracle. The doctors, nurses, and transplant coordinator were just incredibly brilliant before, during, and after surgery.

How does a living-donor transplant work?

The liver is responsible for carrying out many vital duties within the body, from getting rid of harmful substances to producing proteins and making bile to digest food. Liver failure occurs when severe scarring, hepatitis, cancer or other conditions prevents the liver from completing its tasks. Consequently, the body cannot function, and the patients life is at risk.

During a living-donor transplant, the recipients diseased liver is removed and replaced with a portion of a healthy liver from the living donor. Over time, the newly transplanted portion melds with the other half and slowly restores normal liver function in the recipient.

Story continues

The remaining portion of the donors liver returns to its normal size, volume, and capacity within a couple of months after the surgery.

A daughters gift

For the past eight years, Merediths quality of life had been on the decline. Her daily life and social interactions were disrupted when she began to experience the signs and symptoms of liver disease, including nausea, vomiting, weight loss and chronic fatigue. She lost 80 pounds since the onset of the disease.

Merediths symptoms would occasionally get worse, forcing her to change plans and seek medical care for what she called a tune-up. Dr. Jama M. Darling, a hepatologist at UNC Hospitals, asked Meredith if she would be open to receiving a new living-donor liver transplant under the supervision of Desai and Kapoor, two experienced liver transplant surgeons at UNC.

Meredith Stiehl, left, and her daughter, Kenan Stiehl, underwent surgery at UNC Hospitals on March 1 when Kenan donated part of her liver to her mother.

Meredith would need to find her own donor, and she was understandably hesitant about taking part in the new program at UNC. Her daughter, Kenan took the appropriate tests and discovered that she was a match for her mothers liver transplant.

I feel honored that I was able to do it, said Kenan. I just had to do it. I think its priceless to be able to help her and to have her for longer.

One day, Kenan knocked on the door of the familys Fayetteville home and surprised her mother with the development.

I was amazed, said Meredith. I mean, my eyes were wide open. At that point, I was really ready to get my life back on track. I really did struggle with being very tired, and not being able to take steps or even walk to the car.

Living-donor transplants fulfill a greater need

In recent years, organs have been in higher demand than the deceased-donor supply can keep up with, which is why theres a national transplant waiting list.

The waiting list arranges patients by the severity of their medical condition, which is known as a model of end-stage liver disease score. Ultimately, this leaves patients waiting as their condition worsens.

In 2020, a new national policy called the Acuity Circles Policy changed the way in which organs are shipped to hospitals throughout the United States, with many organs being exported from the state where the deceased donor had lived.

A new report listed North Carolina as one of the states seeing a mass exodus of organs, with only 1 in 100,000 eligible recipients receiving an organ transplant in 2021 under the new rule.

Dr. Chirag Desai, left, and Dr. Sorabh Kapoor, were part of the care team.

Changes in the organ allocation policy have made it increasingly difficult for patients with a need for liver transplantation to receive a deceased donor transplant from the waitlist, said Dr. Oren Fix, who is the medical director of the liver transplant program.

Living-donor liver transplantation is an example of the innovative and patient-centered approach to patient care that UNCs liver transplant program offers to our community, he said.

Where the benefits outweigh the risks

Meredith spent just two weeks recuperating in the hospital following the partial liver transplant. She said she received top-notch treatment from the care team during that time. Now, six weeks after the surgery, her medical team has advised her to stay away from crowded areas.

Its been a dream so far, Meredith said. I had pain in the beginning from my Mercedes incision, but Id say 95% of the discomfort is gone now. Its so great to be able to socialize with friends and enjoy life again.

A benefit of a living-donor transplantation is that its an elective surgery. Since living-donor recipients can sign up for surgery when they need it, they will not have to wait while their condition worsens, and their risk of complications increases.

Living-donor transplants have the best chances of success when the donor and recipient are biologically related, according to Kapoor.

Living-donor transplant allows us to minimize the time needed to transplant liver from one body to another, Kapoor said. These grafts are of the optimum quality because they are coming from the young, healthy donor. Surgery can be electively scheduled, which gives an advantage to the patients, family and providers to optimize the conditions.

This transplantation surgery was indeed successful because Kenan was young, healthy and mentally strong enough to handle such a major surgery.

I thought that I was pretty young and that my liver hasnt gone through that much, said Kenan. I trust medicine and I love it. I think thats why my automatic reaction was to volunteer for the surgery, aside from the love I have for my mom.

There are risks of bleeding, swelling, and infection shortly after the procedure for the recipient and the donor, but there are no long-term complications associated with living-donor transplantation. As for Kenan, living without a gallbladder is her biggest post-operative concern. Although she says she will miss eating hot Cheetos, she insists that she can definitely live without them.

Preparation and support are key

Once Meredith accepted Kenans offer to help, the UNC transplant team conducted a variety of physical and psychological examinations to determine their readiness for surgery.

There are so many questions and sacrifices that come with the surgery, Meredith said. And certainly, theres a lot of things that I did not know about medicine. But, boy, they really prepare you and make sure you understand the process and what youre getting into.

She said the education and mental components strengthened her confidence in going through with the surgery, as did the support of her husband, Robert. Whereas the donors do not undergo mental testing, they are provided support through patient care. Kenan was also supported by her boyfriend, Dan.

There was one day where I had a mental breakdown, Kenan said. The nurses were just so solid. They were really my heroes.

Moving ahead for doctor and patient

Meredith is now ready to move forward with her life, family and friends. Kenan is, too.

Im just excited for her to live a better quality of life now, Kenan said. That was the whole purpose. I think I did it for all the future moments and so that she would just feel better. It was so hard watching her be so sick.

Kenan is also eager to begin her first job as an occupational therapist, now that she is on the mend.

Above all, the living-donor transplant is a completely different procedure than a deceased-donor transplant. It requires two qualified, highly experienced surgeons who have the wherewithal to remove half of a liver from a healthy patient and insert it into a patient who has liver failure.

Both Desai and Kapoor feel that with the changing paradigm of allocation, the living donor liver transplantation is the future of liver transplantation.

Since very few programs in the country have this expertise, we are happy to offer this opportunity to the residents of North Carolina. Our plan is to expand our outreach to those in need statewide, Desai said.

UNC Hospitals has now performed its second living-donor liver transplant, and staff is poised to build the program into a leading site in the nation.

Kendall Daniels, communications specialist with UNC Health | UNC School of Medicine can be reached at Kendall.Daniels@unchealth.unc.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville daughter donates part of her liver to her mother
The entrance to JPMorgan Chase's headquarters. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

A coalition of Republican-led states has accused the nation's largest bank, JPMorgan Chase, of discriminating against customers due to their religious beliefs, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

In a letter obtained by the Journal addressed to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, 19 GOP state attorneys general alleged the bank "persistently discriminated against certain customers due to their religious or political affiliation." A prior letter sent this past March by 14 GOP state attorneys general accused the bank of the same thing.

The letter alleged that JPMorgan "has not extended its openness and inclusivity to everyone." The attorneys general claim that JPMorgan terminated client accounts due to their religious and political beliefs. This includes allegedly closing the account of the nonprofit National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) without warning.

The letter also asked the bank to respond to a survey about conservative issues, which it claims is "designed to measure corporate respect for religious and ideological diversity." It is alleged that when previously asked to fill out this survey, the bank said it "must decline completing this survey as we do not believe the organization is appropriately aligned with [JPMorgan's] diversity initiatives and direction."

The letter argues that the bank is being discriminatory because they had previously filled out a different survey that was "pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees."

Employees at JPMorgan have also been receiving emails in the past few days outlining similar points to the letter, sources told the Journal.

JPMorgan has denied all allegations within the letter, telling the Journal in a statement they "have never and would never exit a client relationship due to their political or religious affiliation." In regards to the conservative issues survey, the bank also said their initial response was an error, and that they are "actively considering participating in the survey in its 2023 round."

Story continues

You may also like

How do you interview Donald Trump, anyway?

The college rankings rebellion

GOP-led states reportedly accusing JPMorgan Chase of religious bias
Elle Fanning portrays Catherine the Great on Hulu's "The Great." Christopher Raphael/Hulu; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

"The Great" star Elle Fanning spoke to Insider about her experience wearing corsets on the show.

Fanning, who plays Catherine, said that wearing the garment has become "more bearable" over time.

"Your body creepily forms and shifts," she said.

"The Great" star Elle Fanning says that wearing corsets has become easier three seasons into starring on the satirical period drama.

"It actually does, I will say. It does get more bearable," Fanning, who plays Catherine the Great, told Insider during a virtual interview for season three. "I have gotten used to them now."

The 12-episode third season of "The Great" picks up after the events of season two, in which Catherine attempts to murder Peter (played by Nicholas Hoult)  again  and instead unintentionally stabbed his lookalike named Pugachev multiple times in the back.

Peter's alive but her betrayal is likely to cause further tension in the couple's already-dysfunctional relationship, especially as they navigate co-parenting their son Paul and Catherine's lofty goals to bring about a progressive, enlightened Russia.

Nicholas Hoult as Peter and Elle Fanning as Catherine on season three, episode one of "The Great." Christian Black/Hulu

The elaborate hair and outfits are a vital piece of "The Great," so it's no surprise that the show won an Emmy for outstanding period costumes in 2022.

While the costumes are intricate and visually stunning, the corsets underneath have been known to make it difficult for actors to breathe, with some saying that it caused their organs to shift.

Fanning, for her part, said that at the start of each season, she often finds herself getting readjusted to the challenge of wearing corsets.

"And then your body creepily forms and shifts and it becomes easier," the Emmy-nominated actor said. "Sometimes, yeah, they're not the most comfortable."

Regardless, Fanning said that she's still managed to run and do backbends while wearing the garment.

"On this show, I can do anything in a corset," she said.

Story continues

"The Great" season three premieres all episodes on Friday, May 12 on Hulu.

Read the original article on Insider
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, left, inspects weapons collected as part of an amnesty near the city of Smederevo

Serbians have turned in around 13,500 weapons to the authorities after two mass shootings rocked the country.

Among the weapons which have been turned in are hand grenades, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket launchers.

Police declared a one-month amnesty period for Serbs to hand over unregistered weapons or face prison sentences as part of a crackdown on guns following the two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, many of them children.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic accompanied top police officials on Sunday for the weapons' display near the town of Smederevo, some 30 miles south of the capital, Belgrade.

Mr Vucic said around half of the weapons collected were illegal while the other half were registered weapons that citizens nonetheless handed over. The weapons will now go to Serbia's arms and ammunition factories for potential use by the armed forces.

After June 8, the state will respond with repressive measures and punishments will be very strict, he said of the post-amnesty period. What does anyone need an automatic weapon for? Or all these guns?

Serbia is estimated to be among the top countries in Europe in guns per capita - Serbian Presidential Press Service

Serbia is estimated to be among the top countries in Europe in guns per capita. Many are left over from the wars of the 1990s and held illegally. Other anti-gun measures are to include stricter controls of gun owners and shooting ranges.

Authorities launched the gun crackdown after a 13-year-old boy on May 3 took his father's gun and opened fire on his fellow-students in an elementary school in central Belgrade. A day later, a 20-year-old used an automatic weapon to shoot randomly in a rural area south of Belgrade.

People march during a rally against violence in Belgrade - Darko Vojinovic

chool children and families gather to light candles for the victims near the 'Vladislav Ribnikar' elementary school - Srdjan Stevanovic

The two mass shootings left 17 people dead and 21 wounded, shocking the nation and leading to calls for reform in a country that has been through decades of turmoil and crises.

Tens of thousands of people have taken part in two protest marches in Belgrade since the shootings, demanding resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures.

Story continues

Mr Vucic on Sunday rejected opposition calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was also present at Sunday's weapons display. But the president suggested that the government might resign and that he will announce an early election at a rally he has planned for May 26 in Belgrade.

We have no intention of replacing (interior minister) Gasic, who is doing a great job," said Vucic. What have police done wrong?

On Friday, the protesters in Belgrade blocked a key bridge and motorway in the capital to press their demands. Protests also have been held in other Serbian cities and towns, in an outpouring of grief and anger over the shootings and the populist authorities.

Mr Vucic has described the bridge blockade as harassment, while he and other officials and media under his control sought to downplay the numbers of protesters.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Hailey Bieber. KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images

Hailey Bieber said she got emotional at the thought of having children in the public eye.

The model told The Sunday Times she was "scared," but wanted children within five years.

"I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child," Hailey, 26, said.

Hailey Bieber said she was "scared" about raising children in the public eye.

During an interview with The Sunday Times, the model and founder of Rhode Skin opened up about having children with her husband, Justin Bieber. Justin, 29, and Hailey, 26, met at one of one of his fan events in 2009 when she was 12.

As Insider previously reported, they dated non-exclusively for a while in 2016 before splitting up. They reconnected in 2018, and Justin proposed while they were on vacation in the Bahamas.

But when it comes to building a family together, Hailey appears to have certain reservations from having lived her own life so publicly.

Asked how she felt about having children that would live privileged but ultra-publicized lives, Hailey said: "I literally cry about this all the time."

Justin and Hailey Bieber at the 2022 Grammy Awards. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

"I want kids so bad but I get scared. It's enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child," she added. "We can only do the best we can to raise them. As long as they feel loved and safe."

Both Hailey and Justin have spoken about parenthood since their 2018 wedding. In 2020, Justin told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show that he was happy letting Hailey decide when and how many children they would have.

"It's her body and whatever she wants to do," he said. "Hailey still has some things she wants to accomplish as a woman."

In 2022, the year she launched Rhode Skin, Hailey spoke to The Wall Street Journal about how she's waiting to have children.

"I think ideally in the next couple of years we would try. But there's a reason they call it try, right? You don't know how long that process is ever going to take," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) and 2024 GOP presidential candidate evaded a question Sunday on whether former President Trump being found liable of sexual battery would hurt the party with the woman vote.

Instead, Haley said that both the accuser, in this case author E. Jean Carroll who accuses Trump of raping her in a department store in the 1990s, and Trump, the accused, should both have their voices heard.

Theres a verdict and I think theres been an appeal, Haley said on CBSs Face The Nation. I think it stands where it stands, and I think the American people need to make a decision based on that.

A New York jury last week found Trump legally liable for the sexual assault and defamation of Carroll. Trump has repeatedly denied the rape claim and maintains he has never met Carroll.

Haley, who has largely avoided confrontations with Trump early on in her 2024 campaign, said Trump had the right to defend himself.

I have always said that anyone that feels like they have been sexually assaulted in any way should come forward and have their voice heard, Haley said. I also think that anyone thats been accused should be able to defend themselves. I was not on the jury, I am not the judge. I think that both of them had their voices heard.

Trump was offered the opportunity but did not testify in the case, nor did his legal team present any witnesses. He did sit for a deposition, where at one point he mistook a photo of Carroll with his second wife, Marla Maples.

Trump continued to assert that he did not assault Carroll, saying last week in a CNN town hall that he had never met the woman. He did make disparaging comments about the author, at one point calling her a whack job to which a friendly audience in New Hampshire responded with laughter.

The jurys decision comes as the Republican primary for president has started to heat up, with a number of high-profile names still mulling whether to enter the field. Both Haley and Trump have already launched their campaigns.

Haley was Trumps ambassador to the United Nations between 2017 and 2018.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Pita Limjaroenrat rode a wave of support for his pro-democracy partys call to reduce the influence of military in politics and changes to a controversial law shielding the monarchy from public criticism. On Monday he emerged as the favorite to become the nations next prime minister.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Heres everything you need to know about the Move Forward Party and its leader.

Who is Pita?

Pita s the charismatic leader of the Move Forward Party, which won about 150 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. The Harvard-educated former lawmaker has been casting himself as an agent of change after what he calls a lost decade under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

Before joining politics, Pita  also known as Tim Pita  helped turn around his familys debt-ridden rice bran oil company. He also worked as executive director of ride-hailing firm Grab Holdings Ltd.s Thai unit.

READ MORE: All the latest news and analysis is in our live blog, which is free to read.

He was married to Chutima Teepanart, an actress and model. They have one daughter.

What Pitas journey ahead looks like?

Pita, who staked his claim to become Thailands 30th prime minister on Monday, needs to stitch together a coalition of like-minded parties. His party wasted no time in reaching out to potential allies, the biggest of which is Pheu Thai, a party linked to the influential Shinawatra clan.

Move Forward is counting on the support of more than 300 lawmakers, Pita said on Monday, adding the party was looking to form a government as soon as possible.

What does the Move Forward Party stand for?

Move Forward drew strong crowds of first-time voters and young Thais with its reformist agenda, becoming the only mainstream party to urge changes to the law criminalizing royal insults. The lese majeste law, one of the harshest in the world, mandates up to 15 years in prison for every instance of defaming, insulting or threatening the king and members of the royal family.

Story continues

Move Forward party is also looking to lessen the influence of the military in politics. Pita has proposed ending conscription and cutting the size of the defense budget. The party also backs passing a marriage equality bill, ending business monopolies and stimulating business activity beyond Bangkok.

The partys surprise sweep of Bangkok, the most populous province, shows how the partys appeal has broadened beyond the youth who formed the backbone of its support base in initial years.

Move Forward was assembled from the ashes of the Future Forward party, led by staunch junta critic Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, before it was disbanded in 2020.

Move Forward is the new game in Thailand, says political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak, senior fellow at the Institute of Security and International Studies. Thailands new battlefront and the battle cry of its younger generations is the reform and adjustment of the military and monarchy.

Whats the controversy over Pitas media investments?

Pitas reported stake in defunct Thai broadcaster ITV drew scrutiny because parliament members are barred from running for office if they own media shares. A candidate from rival Palang Pracharath party, the biggest military-allied party, is petitioning the election commission to investigate Pita for owning 42,000 ITV shares while he was a lower-house member in 2019. Pita tweeted his defense on May 9, saying he merely inherited the shares and had notified the anti-corruption agency about them.

Its a familiar dilemma for the opposition. In 2020 a transgender lawmaker from the Move Forward Party, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, was disqualified from parliament after being found guilty by the constitutional court of owning media shares. Thanathorn, figurehead of the Future Forward party, was also disqualified in a similar case.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Cherokee Nation is welcoming its new Health Services Patient Experience Team to help Cherokee citizens better navigate the tribes expansive health system. The team includes Stephanie Osborn, Jessica Lewandowski and Chandler Romero. (Photo/Cherokee Nation)

Guest Opinion. Navigating a complex health system can be difficult, especially for those living far away from their provider. Cherokee Nation is working hard to make it easier. Within the Cherokee Nation reservation, we have invested to make sure no Cherokee is more than a half-hour drive away from a clinic. Now, for Cherokee Nation citizens  particularly the many Cherokees living outside our 7,000-square-mile reservation in northeast Oklahoma  the new Patient Experience Team can ease the stress of getting care.

We know that Cherokees are cared for best by other Cherokees within our award-winning health system. The three-person Patient Experience Team will help at-large patients navigate that system to get the care they need and deserve. They will be a one-stop shop for help with arrangements at Cherokee Nations health clinics and hospital. They can also provide additional information about tribal facilities and health clinics that may be available in other states.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Cherokee Nation Health Services operates the largest health care system in Indian Country, serving more than 1.5 million patient visits annually. We are growing our health care infrastructure and services  and we are making sure to include at-large Cherokees, who make up more than two-thirds of our tribal citizens.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

The at-large members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, Julia Coates and Johnny Jack Kidwell, have both been champions for many areas, but health care is a special priority for them. Together, we've been able to expand hearing aid access to at-large Cherokees. Now, thanks to their leadership and creative problem solving, the Patient Experience Team is making health care access even easier. The team has already begun visiting at-large community gatherings to better understand the needs of those communities.

Story continues

Any Cherokee Nation citizen across the globe can now pick up the phone and talk to another Cherokee about their health care. Cherokees can find guidance for their health or even the health of a family member. And, as we continue to grow our telemedicine capabilities, we will be able to provide citizens even more quality care, no matter where they live.

Today, Cherokee Nation is a national leader on Native American health care. Other tribes and health care systems can look to us for new ideas, like the Patient Experience Team. We must keep up that momentum, because we've got a great deal more work to do. Healthy Cherokee communities are strong and prosperous Cherokee communities, and thats true in Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Texas, California, or anywhere else on the planet.

Chuck Hoskin. Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

A man working in the Maricopa County jails ended his own life on Saturday morning after he was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with an inmate, officials say.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the agency launched an investigation on April 10 on an employee working for Correctional Health Services-Mental Health regarding "inappropriate sexual behaviors with at least one inmate."

Correctional Health Services provides medical, dental and mental health services for individuals incarcerated within the Maricopa County jail system.

The suspect was identified as Dan Gordon, according to a Sheriff's Office news release on Saturday. Gordon was immediately placed on leave while detectives conducted a criminal investigation.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Gordon's home, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Detectives were knocking at the suspects door on Saturday morning when they heard a loud bang consistent with a single gunshot from inside the residence, according to Sgt. Calbert Gillett, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson.

Detectives later made entry into the residence, where they found Gordon with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Gillett said. Detectives continued the execution of the search warrant and the case is an open and ongoing investigation.

Gordon started employment with Maricopa County Health Services in 2021.

In Arizona, people can call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400, or visit its website, acesdv.org/helpline. The Phoenix police website, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolence, has a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.

Suicide, crisis hotlines for Arizonans

Services for Arizonans in crisis include:

Dial 2-1-1 at any time to reach the free 2-1-1 Arizona information and referral service and connect with free resources available locally throughout the state.

Solari Crisis & Human Services offers a free, statewide crisis line 24/7/365  dial 844-534-HOPE (4673). Help is also available 24/7/365 via text by texting hope to 4HOPE (4673).

Dial 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available in English and Spanish. It's free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones.

La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center's crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500.

Teen Lifelines 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide.

The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Health worker ends life, accused of sexual misconduct with inmate
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP)  Alex Bowman is unsure when he can return to the track after fracturing his vertebrae in a short-track accident last month.

The Hendrick Motorsports racer has missed the past three events, including Sunday's Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. Bowman came to the track to reconnect with the team and gave an update on his health and what's ahead.

Every day is a little different, Bowman said. I feel way better than I did two weeks ago.

He'll return to the doctor Wednesday for more X-rays on the injury. Even with a good prognosis, Bowman doesn't know when he'll be back in the No. 48 Chevrolet again.

We'll see how it's feeling and kind of go from there, he said.

The initial diagnosis call was for Bowman to miss three to four races. He has six top-10 finishes in his 10 races so far.

Bowman is second Hendrick driver to miss time this season for an off-the-track activity. Past champion Chase Elliott missed six races this season after breaking his leg snowboarding. Elliott has run the past four races, his best finish a seventh place last week at Kansas.

Josh Berry has run eight races for Henrick, five for Elliott and the past three for Bowman. Berry finished 30th.

I would like him to be right when he gets back in the car, No. 48 owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday after Bowman's teammate William Byron won at Darlington.

He's got to get in and out of the car, get the belts on him, see how he responds, Hendrick said. That's a terrible injury and if you come back too early, it can mess you up for the whole year.

Bowman said the injury hurts most often when he coughs, sneezes or laughs, anything when his body's vibrations impact the injured area.

He returned to the gym for modified workouts last week. Bowman believes he could sit without too much discomfort in the car's driver's seat, but believes the jarring, up-and-down jack movements would be painful.

Bowman has hated missing races, but has no one to blame other than himself. It's pretty self-inflicted, he acknowledged on the steps of the No. 48 hauler. It was my choice to go sprint-car racing and I knew what I was signing up for.

Story continues

Bowman wasn't sure what to expect from Hendrick Motorsports leadership, particularly after dealing with Elliott's snowboarding accident. But he said the team and his sponsors have been supportive of him since the accident.

Bowman, who was hurt on his 30th birthday last month, believes at some point, he'll go back to sprint-car racing, but is mindful that missing time in the Cup Series is not in his or his team's best interest. Bowman missed five NASCAR races in 2022 because of a concussion sustained in an accident last fall at Texas Motor Speedway.

Bowman is hopeful that once hes given clearance to drive, he can keep himself in playoff position. He and his team are 15th in points in chasing a spot in the 16-driver playoffs. Hes watched racers such as Kyle Busch and others overcome in-season injuries to make the postseason.

Bowmen feels fortunate his injury was not more serious. He recalled the accident, remembering how he rolled several times before landing hard and hearing the crack of a back like a person might in a chiropractor's treatment.

I don't think I'll ever go back to a chiropractor after hearing that sound, he said. Other than that, I've crashed a race car, I've done it before, I'll do it again.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
A Miami man on a motorcycle ran over a Hialeah police officer who had just stopped him Sunday morning on Hialeahs main east-west street, the citys police say.

Police eventually arrested 36-year-old Roberto Ortiz-Reynoso and say the motorcycle Ortiz rode had been reported to Miami police as stolen.

Ortiz got booked into Miami-Dade Corrections Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Sunday afternoon on a third degree grand theft charge as well as fleeing and eluding law enforcement resulting in aggravated injury. His bond has been set at $30,000.

Ortiz knows his way to TGK. He was out on bond, having posted $10,000 after a March 30 arrest on third degree grand theft and burglary tools possession charges. Hes pleaded not guilty to the grand theft charge, the only one being prosecuted from his March arrest.

The officer, identified as Alfonso Delgado III by city records and the Hialeah Fraternal Order of Police union, underwent knee surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital to repair his injuries. The Hialeah FOPs Instagram page said Delgado III should be going home Monday.

Ortiz got stopped around 4 a.m. Sunday near East 49th Street and Fourth Avenue. As Delgado III strolled toward Ortiz, Hialeah police said, the motorcyclist accelerated towards the officer, striking him, causing injuries to the officer.

Ortiz dumped the motorcycle and ran into the nearby residential area, where he was taken into custody.

READ MORE: Buyers say a car salesman near Hialeah conned them out of $179,800
Millions of Thais cast their ballots in Thailand's election on Sunday, from the jungle-clad mountains of the north to the steaming streets of Bangkok

From Hmong hill people voting in the shadow of mist-cloaked jungle mountains to Spider-Man cosplayers on Bangkok's scorching streets, millions turned out to cast their ballots in Thailand's election on Sunday.

Voters are tipped to deliver a resounding defeat to incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha after a campaign that has played out as a clash between a reformist young generation and the conservative, military-backed establishment.

Some 52 million people were registered to vote across the sprawling kingdom.

In northern Chiang Mai, hundreds of Hmong hill people queued to vote in an echoing teak-pillared hall as roosters crowed, shortly after polls opened at 8:00 (0100 GMT).

"This election is good for everybody since we will see a big change that we have been waiting for the past eight years," Jidapa Wangwanapat told AFP.

"If this election turns out well and there's no corruption, then I think the country would be better," the 22-year-old said.

Opposition parties have led in polling ahead of the election, building on voters' dissatisfaction with a struggling economy and a feeble post-pandemic recovery.

"I expect this election will change Thailand for the better since the economy is really bad at the moment," Maethawee Wangwanapat told AFP.

"I hope this election will move the country into a better direction," said Maethawee, 30, wearing a traditional Hmong blue velvet embroidered jacket.

Hmong people -- who in Thailand mainly live in northern Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai -- have a complicated history with central Thailand and some continue to face discrimination.

- 'This is their future' -

Hundreds of miles south near the ancient capital Ayutthaya, elephants helped at a local polling station, local media reported, with photos of the pachyderms queueing with voters.

The scenes in the capital Bangkok were no less colourful as two men dressed as Spider-Man, one carrying a guitar, entertained people on the hot streets.

Story continues

And while most prime ministerial candidates took a quiet luxury approach to their outfits, Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul -- who oversaw the legalisation of cannabis in Thailand -- voted wearing a shirt decorated with the green leaf.

On the other end of the spectrum, pro-democracy activist Parit Chiwarak, who goes by the nickname "Penguin", voted with a cardboard box on his head.

Emblazoned with the slogan "EC don't cheat the election", his message was a reference to Thailand's Electoral Commission and fears that, in a country with a long history of coups, the result of the ballot may not be respected.

This election was vital, 85-year-old Pakorn Adulpan told AFP, explaining he had voted in every election during his lifetime.

"Every Thai citizen should come out to vote, especially the young ones," he said, after voting in a wheelchair.

"This is their future," he said.

bur-pt-tak/pdw/pbt
A homicide investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed in Fall River Saturday night.

Fall River Police responded to County Street around 10:44 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, Diamonte Odom, 23, was found laying on a sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound.

Odom was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where they were pronounced deceased at 2:40 a.m.

No suspects are in custody at this time.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
A summerlike pattern continues to bring the threat of flooding to parts of the South and mid-Mississippi Valley to start the workweek.

Relentless rain continues to batter the central U.S. after a week of continuous storms for parts of the South.

On Sunday, a low-pressure system moved northward from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Lone Star State. This comes after several inches of rain fell across the San Antonio area from Friday night into Saturday, flooding roads in the region, including parts of Interstate 35.

RELENTLESS RAINS IN TEXAS LEAD TO SWIFT WATER RESCUES, SWELLING RIVERS

Firefighters in San Antonio had to rescue three people trapped inside their car after driving onto a flooded road, and at least one woman was able to free herself after becoming trapped.

"I was going down the road, and all of a sudden, the water started coming up on me," Lisa Contreras said. "I got scared, and I was scared that I was going to die in my car, so I got out of the car and walked out. There were no barricades or nothing at all."

The relentless heavy rain has prompted the National Weather Service to issue Flood Watches from the Houston metro southward through Bay City and Rockport, with Flood Warnings also being issued across portions of southeastern Texas.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

More flash flood alerts were issued in Missouri and Illinois as severe storms brought copious amounts of rain in a short period of time.

On Monday, South Texas, including the San Antonio and Corpus Christi areas, are again at risk of flash flooding, while areas of the mid-Mississippi Valley will also see a higher risk.
Consequence of enemy landing

The governor said a transport infrastructure facility, a dormitory building, and an apartment building had been damaged in the Novobavarskyi district of the eastern Ukrainian city.

Read also: Zelenskyy visits Kharkiv

In addition to the city of Kharkiv, Russians fired at the village of Zolochiv with S-300 system missiles. Two missiles hit an area of ground between residential buildings.

Synegubov said the blast had smashed windows in the buildings, and two garages had been destroyed. There were reports of casualties.

Over the past day, Russia has attacked Kupyansk, Chuhuyiv and Kharkiv districts of the region with artillery, mortars and aircraft.

Read also: Japanese man opens free cafe for Kharkiv citizens after living underground with them for 9 months

A private household was damaged as a result of enemy a Russian attack using a Smerch heavy multiple launch rocket system in Kupyansk.

In the village of Khatnie, shelling damaged at least four private houses and started a fire. A 43-year-old woman was wounded and hospitalized.

In the village of Ohirtseve, a residential building was damaged, a 61-year-old man sustained shrapnel wounds and was admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile, a Russian shelling attack on Vovchansk damaged at least three residential buildings.

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
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have reported that, according to their data, the Ukrainian military liberated 16.85 square kilometres on the Bakhmut front during their recent counterattacks.

Source: ISW

Details: The analysis notes that Ukrainian forces are continuing to counterattack near Bakhmut, at the same time there are unconfirmed claims of further minor gains made by Ukrainian forces southwest of the city as of 13 May.

As of 13 May, ISW had not observed a clear confirmation of these additional Ukrainian achievements southwest of Bakhmut or elsewhere in the wider radius of Bakhmut.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said on 13 May that Ukrainian troops were moving forward in unidentified areas of the front, and the General Staff of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops were currently conducting active operations on the Bakmut front.

According to ISW estimates, as of 13 May, Ukrainian forces liberated 16.85 square kilometres on the Bakhmut front during recent counterattacks.

Russian sources have circulated footage purporting to show the effects of a recent Defence Forces counterattack on Russian positions near Maiorsk [20 km south-west of Bakhmut  ed.] and claiming that occupation forces repelled the attacks.

Analysts recall that on the night of 12-13 May, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs

To quote the ISWs key takeaways for 13 May:

On the night of May 12-13, Russian forces conducted a Shahed-131/136 drone strike against Ukraine.

Russian media reported that two Russian Mi-8 helicopters, a Su-34 bomber, and an Su-35 fighter, crashed in Bryansk Oblast on May 13, which some Russian sources claimed was caused by Ukrainian air defences.

Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces struck rear Russian areas in Luhansk Oblast with British Storm Shadow cruise missiles on May 12 and 13, prompting heightened Russian anxiety about potential Ukrainian abilities to target Russian logistics.

Belarusian President Lukashenko was reportedly hospitalised at a presidential hospital in Minsk on May 13.

Russian forces continued limited ground attacks northeast of Kupiansk and northwest of Svatove.

They also made marginal gains within Bakhmut and continued limited offensive operations along the Avdiivka-Donetsk front.

Russian forces targeted Ukrainian positions in southern Ukraine west of Huliaipole.

According to reports, Russians are replenishing units with mobilised personnel.

Russian authorities continue their efforts to deport Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of "rest and relaxation" schemes.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Day one of the Scott Air Force Base Air Show drew large crowds of spectators  including a couple from Iowa.

Nancy and Bob Lindgard were in town from the Hawkeye State to see their daughter and son-in-law, who live in St. Louis. The Lindgards grandson had a baseball game nearby, so they worked the airshow into their itinerary on Saturday.

So were doing this, too  two things at one time, Nancy said.

As far as what she liked most about the airshow thus far, Nancy said, The daredevils! I cant believe what daredevils they are. I mean, honestly.

The entire event impressed Bob.

Theres nothing I dont like. Everythings impressive, he said.

The Lindgards also looked forward to seeing the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which were set to perform at 3 p.m. Saturday. However, heavy thunderstorms moved into the area around that time, canceling their performance.

Thats kind of our big thing  like everybody else  is to come and see them. They put on quite the show, Linda said.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Marine Steve Gavaza of southern Illinois attended Saturday so all four of his four grandchildren could experience the airshow. They were all with him.

I think that F-22 caught their attention, he said.

This Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was part of the the Scott Air Force Base Airshow on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Gavaza also was excited to see the Blue Angels.

I havent seen them since I was in the service, he said. Its been a while since Ive been to the airshow. I cant remember the last date, but I had a grandson with me then.

While the Blue Angels werent able to perform Saturday because of the bad weather, they did take center stage on Sunday. The team of F/A-18 Super Hornet jets wowed the crowd at Scott and people across surrounding communities as the fighters flew in tight formations and performed other amazing moves.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the Scott Air Force Base Airshow. Bad weather forced the postponement of the teams scheduled performance on the first day of the show.

Besides the Blue Angels, Gavaza noted Saturday he most looked forward to the Tora! Tora! Tora!, team. Tora Tora Tora was the Japanese code expression for the signal to begin the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I like the Tora! Tora! group. I like to see the guys jump (parachute), he said.

Story continues

Tora! Tora! Tora! is a traveling living history lesson about the attack on the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. This was one of the demonstrations presented at the 2023 Scott Air Force Base Airshow on Sunday, May 14.

Scott officials estimated Saturdays crowd at 35,000.

The air show was scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Scott Air Force Base last hosted the airshow in June 2017 to coincide with the bases 100th anniversary.

Red Bull sky divers perform at the Scott AFB air show. The event continues all day on Sunday at Scott Air Force Base. For information on the schedule, visit bnd.com.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are pictured Saturday prior to the Scott Air Force Base Airshow. The airshow drew thousands of spectators and included the MiG-17 Randy Ball; P-51 Mustang, Heritage Flight, F-22 Demo; Extreme Flight Pitts S1-S; as well as the Blue Angels. The event will continue Sunday.

CW2 officer Fargher talks to, from left, Julian and Roman Roulette and Soloman and Angela Kull inside the Chinook Helicopter during the Scott Air Force Base Airshow on Saturday. The airshow drew thousands of spectators and included the MiG-17 Randy Ball; P-51 Mustang, Heritage Flight, F-22 Demo; Extreme Flight Pitts S1-S; as well as the Blue Angels. The airshow will continue Sunday.

Attendees at the Scott Air Force Base Airshow get a peek inside the Chinook Helicopter on Saturday. The airshow drew thousands of spectators and included the MiG-17 Randy Ball; P-51 Mustang, Heritage Flight, F-22 Demo; Extreme Flight Pitts S1-S; and more.

Pictured is a US. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet at the Scott Air Force Base Airshow. The airshow drew thousands of spectators and included the MiG-17 Randy Ball; P-51 Mustang, Heritage Flight, F-22 Demo; Extreme Flight Pitts S1-S; and more.

A large line waits to board a C-17 Globemaster III during the Scott Air Force Base Airshow on Saturday. The airshow, at SAFB for the first time since 2017, drew large crowds.

Pictured is a Chinook Helicopter during the Scott Air Force Base Airshow. The airshow, at SAFB for the first time since 2017, drew large crowds.

Pictured is an F-18 fighter plane during the Scott Air Force Base Airshow. The airshow, at SAFB for the first time since 2017, drew large crowds.
In the joint declaration of the leaders on 13 May, Italy spoke more decisively in support of the future of Ukraine in NATO, compared to the February statement during the visit of the Italian Prime Minister to Kyiv.

Source: "European Pravda"

Details: In the text of the joint declaration dated 13 May, which was signed during the visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Rome, Rome expressed its support for the Ukraine-NATO Commission as a platform for expanding current cooperation - "to help Ukraine make its way to the Euro-Atlantic family following the Bucharest Declaration" (it will be recalled that it mentions that Ukraine and Georgia should become NATO members).

Quote: "We look forward to resolving all these issues at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius," the text adds.

For comparison, in the joint statement of Zelenskyy and Meloni dated 21 February in the bloc regarding NATO, it was noted that Italy assures the Alliance of its commitment to the "open door" policy and "will support the intensification of NATO's partnership with Ukraine."

The deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, noted that he considers this progress in Italy's position "more than tangible".

Reminder:

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited Italy on 13 May. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory at a joint briefing and promised full support for Ukraine's European integration.

Zelenskyy also met with the Pope.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
James W. Pfister

With investigations and prosecutions of political leaders today, it is useful to examine a famous political trial in 1807: United States v. Aaron Burr. This case helped to shape our independent judiciary in separation of powers. It is a precedent for todays cases.

The question was whether a letter President Thomas Jefferson had in his possession could be subpoenaed by a federal trial court. Famous enemies were involved, all lawyers: Aaron Burr (defendant), Thomas Jefferson (accuser) and John Marshall (judge). Marshall was chief justice of the Supreme Court, but in those days, justices rode circuit in lower federal courts when the Supreme Court was not in session. The trial was in Richmond, Virginia; that was Marshalls territory as well as his home.

After a four-year stint as vice president under Jefferson (another story), where he was virtually ignored, except for the Senate trial of Samuel Chase, Burr traveled to Europe for financial backing of a project he had west of the Appalachians. Historians still debate what Burr had in mind, but Jefferson thought the worst, that Burr was planning to set up a new nation. Jefferson publicly accused Burr of treason in a proclamation, a message to Congress and in the press, before any indictment or trial.

Gen. James Wilkinson had been ordered to keep an eye on Burr. Wilkinson wrote back to Jefferson about Burrs behavior. Jefferson ordered his attorney general to secure indictments of Burr and his associates for treason. (Warren E. Burger, It Is So Ordered, 1995). Wilkinson arrested Burr and brought him back in chains for indictment and trial. (Ibid.).

Burr, and his lawyer, Luther Martin, made a motion before judge Marshall for a subpoena duces tecum (to produce documents) to see all letters between Wilkinson and Jefferson, not just those portions Jefferson released to Congress and the public. (Ibid.).

Could a trial judge subpoena a president of the United States? In United States v. Burr (Case No. 14,692d), Marshall wrote that the Constitution in the Sixth Amendment provided for the accused to have a right to a speedy and public trial, and to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. This right would apply before as well as after indictment. There was nothing in the Constitution or the laws that made an exception for the president. Marshall contrasted a president and a king.

Story continues

Regarding confidentiality, Marshall wrote: there is certainly nothing before the court which shows that the letter in question contains any matter the disclosure of which would endanger the public safety  (e)verything of this kind, however, will have its due consideration on the return of the subpoena. Thus, the judge will decide, not the president, the issue of confidentiality. Also, the original letter, not a copy, had to be submitted, showing the letter to have been written by a particular person. Jefferson complied.

The penalty for treason was death by hanging or firing squad. Realizing this, Marshall made a personal statement: If Burr were found guilty, all those who are concerned in it should certainly regret that a paper which the accused believed to be essential to his defence  had been withheld from him. Marshall stated the self-reproach as I should feel, could I declare  that the accused is not entitled to the letter in question, if it should be really important to him.

Burr was acquitted by the jury. The testimony of General Wilkinson  cast serious doubt on the integrity of the general and his motives. (Burger, Ibid.). The prosecution proved none of the elements of treason presented in the Constitution at Article III, Section 3. Jeffersons attempted political assassination of Burr was defeated by an independent judiciary and the rule of law. The trial by Marshall established the power of a court to subpoena records from a governmental official, including the president, and to determine whether the material should be disclosed in terms of confidentiality. This was the precedent for United States v. Nixon (1974), regarding the presidential tapes, which led to President Richard Nixons resignation.

As for Burr, he eventually returned to New York for a peaceful life, until 1833, when he married a woman 19 years younger than he (another story).

James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: James Pfister: Trial of Aaron Burr and judicial independence
In his almost full century of living, Ulysses Lee Rip Gooch accomplished much, but there was one mission that eluded him before his death at age 98 in late 2021.

His daughter, Bonita, said the aviator and longtime Kansas Aviation Museum board member was doggone mad that he never could upgrade the museums pitiful exhibit honoring Black airmen, which was a cobbled-together display on the landing of some stairs.

He had been up until his death, Im going to tell you, trying to . . . figure out what was it going to take to get some kind of exhibit up here for Black aviators, said Bonita Gooch, owner of the Community Voice newspaper.

In the end, he didnt have to figure it out.

The museum created a more fitting exhibit and named it in his honor.

The Rip Gooch Black Aviators Exhibit is much more of a real exhibit, said curator Logan Daugherty.

Museum executive director Ben Sauceda said the exhibit also is going to set the stage with how were going to do new ones.

Its all about that inspiration . . . to really make this museum a part of inspiration for careers and for life, Sauceda said. Aviation is available to anyone and everyone that will put their minds to it.

As much as the exhibit is designed to inspire and educate, its also about honoring Gooch and other Black aviators, particularly the Tuskegee Airmen who flew and fought in World War II.

Sauceda said one of the important stories in history is of Black pilots and their contributions to our country, to their service, to our freedom.

He said they showed a dedication and tribute to what our country could be.

These men who were Tuskegee Airmen saw what could be in our country and gave their lives so we could move forward, he said. This gives us an opportunity to really highlight them.

Good journalist job

During a sneak preview of the exhibit, which opens Friday, Daugherty watched as Bonita Gooch toured it with her nephew, lobbyist Kerry Gooch, who is Rip Goochs grandson.

Story continues

This is great, Daugherty said, smiling.

That was even before he heard Bonita Gooch pronounce the copy he wrote about her father to be a good journalist job that summarized his 98 years well.

Daugherty noted that Rip Goochs book, Black Horizons: One Aviators Experience in the Post-Tuskegee Era, helped.

He really tells everything in his book, Daugherty said.

Ahhh, he missed a few things, laughed Bonita Gooch.

Bonita Gooch, daughter of the late Rip Gooch, and her nephew, Kerry Gooch, Rip Goochs grandson, got a sneak peek of the new Rip Gooch Black Aviators Exhibit at the Kansas Aviation Museum. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday.

The exhibit is still small and mostly consists of murals and copy about Gooch, the Tuskegee Airmen and other Black aviators.

Just outside the area where the exhibit is on the third floor, children from Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School painted a mural of a vintage Stearman like the ones the Tuskegee Airmen would have flown.

There will be an extension of the exhibit to that area in the future.

Theres been a lot of reshuffling and upgrading of exhibits at the museum.

In the former airports original baggage claim area on the first floor, theres a new Welcome to Wichita exhibit and an expanded Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Theres an expanded theater where the hall of fame used to be by an admissions area in the front of the museum, and then theres the Black Aviators Exhibit.

One of the things were really doing right now is examining . . . how things are displayed, Sauceda said.

He said the Black Aviators Exhibit is special.

We wanted this to really be a showcase piece.

Sauceda said he hopes it will set a standard by which well move forward.

He said its the first exhibit to bear someones name.

Rip was a member of the board at the museum for a number of years and a huge supporter of the museum.

Kerry Gooch said his grandfather brought together a lot of people in aviation  particularly in the Black aviation community nationally.

It was always important to him to be telling the story about Black aviators . . . and making sure the rest of the Wichita community and the whole state of Kansas knew about Black aviators and what they contributed to this state and this country, he said. It was just always a passion of his to kind of give back and let the next generation know about what Black aviators brought.

Bonita Gooch said a lot of Black aviators didnt have opportunities due to discrimination. That included her father.

He could have been a great commercial pilot, she said.

She said her father fought to get Black airline pilots hired.

He knew every single one of them, she said. It was a battle for these guys.

Economic tool

Theres a mural leading into the Black Aviators Exhibit featuring an oversized Rip Gooch in a cowboy hat  his favorite, his daughter said.

She gently ran her hand over the mural, barely grazing his cheek, and said she appreciated the detail in the photo.

I love the textures.

Bonita Gooch said the whole exhibit is beautiful, and she thinks her father would approve.

Hed be very pleased.

Sauceda said next up will be a refreshed and redesigned military exhibit followed by an education center in a new area.

He said he wants to teach children about aviation and engineering and help retain talent in Wichita while making the museum an economic tool for the city.

Thats part of our commitment as a museum to our community, he said. We have goals to move this . . . museum forward.

Bonita Gooch said her father would appreciate the direction the museum is going.

The museum  hed be so proud, she said.

Especially, of course, of the exhibit named for him, she said.

This is what time and money can do. This is wonderful.
A baby orangutan has joined the Kansas City Zoo, officials announced on Mothers Day.

The baby, a male Bornean orangutan, was born May 8 to mother Josie, who was also born at the Kansas City Zoo, but 20 years ago. Josies mother, Jill, is also still at the Kansas City Zoo, officials said in a news release Sunday.

Both mom and son appear healthy and are doing well, zoo officials wrote.

Josie and the baby, whose name has not yet been announced, arent currently on exhibit for zoo-goers to view, but will likely be in the public habitat soon, as Josie teaches her baby her orangutan ways, official said.

Orangutan infants have long-lasting relationships with their mothers, so Josie will spend the next several years showing the new baby vital orangutan skills like how to build nests, where to find food, how to interact with others, and how to use tools to forage, the release read.

The species is native to the island of Borneo in Asia and is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, mainly as the result of deforestation.

The Kansas City Zoo partners with APE Malaysia as part of the CREATE Project, which works to restore habitat in Borneos Kinabatangan rainforest, home to numerous species, including the Bornean orangutan.

The project has planted more than 7,000 tree saplings across 38 acres since July 2017, according to the zoo.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (22-19) avoided the sweep against the Baltimore Orioles (26-14), thanks to Mitch Kellers (5-1, 2.38 ERA) brilliant outing and an offensive push in a 4-0 victory.

The main takeaway from Sundays game has got to be Keller showing just how dominant he has been this season.

Keller achieved a career-high 13 strikeouts against a top-five offense in the Orioles. Kellers multiple versions of his fastball were on point Sunday afternoon.

Six strikeouts occurred on his four-seam, and then another four were registered on his sinker.

Click here to read more from PittsburghBaseballNOW.com.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

City of Pittsburgh preparing for asylum seekers to arrive It looked like a river: Water main break at North Oakland condominium building causes damage Local woman arrested after allegedly breaking into house, barricading herself inside VIDEO: Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The state of California is suing the city of Elk Grove. Why? Because Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development, accused the city of violating the affordable housing components of Senate Bill 35 and other fair housing laws in a new development planned there.

California has critically important laws designed to combat housing discrimination and increase affordable housing opportunities, Bonta said in a statement. (The lawsuit) sends a strong message to local governments: If you violate fair housing laws, we will hold you to account.

SB 35, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, was passed in 2017 and streamlined construction in certain California counties and cities that fail to build enough housing to meet state-mandated requirements. Elk Grove denied the development of a 66-unit affordable housing project, known as Oak Rose Apartments, that would have provided permanent supportive housing for individuals and families who previously experienced homelessness, or were at risk of homelessness.

Opinion

Communities that fail to build their fair share of housing, including those refusing to develop desperately needed affordable housing, will be held to account, Newsom said.

Since 2017, SB 35 has helped develop more than 13,000 units of affordable housing and tens of thousands of high-wage jobs in the four years since it went into effect, according to Wieners office.

But the legislation is set to expire in 2025, leaving affordable housing developers looking for help. Now, Wiener seeks to expand on that legislation with SB 423.

(This is) certainly not a silver bullet, and nothing is, Wiener said, but this is one meaningful piece of the puzzle to get us there.

The new bill would effectively remove the expiration date on SB 35, and make permanent the provisions set forth by the prior legislation, so California can continue to accelerate the development of affordable housing this state desperately needs.

Story continues

With SB 35 sunsetting, developers are making choices saying, Do I need to go through the regular process? Is SB 35 going to be there for me? How do I put my next deal together without the certainty of SB 35? said Ray Pearl, executive director of the California Housing Consortium, a nonpartisan advocacy group for the production and preservation of affordable housing, and which supports SB 423.

By removing the sunset, were saying This is how you can build for the rest of time.

California legislators must ensure that SB 35s legacy is continued via SB 423 so that the pace of affordable housing construction does not slow and so that cities like Elk Grove are prevented from slow walking or rejecting much-needed housing.

However, the new bill differs from its predecessor by removing the requirement to hire skilled and trained workers  defined by the state as a workforce where all workers on a project must either be journey-level or apprentices enrolled in state-approved programs.

The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, backed by the California Labor Federation, insisted that lawmakers require developers to include the skilled and trained language with the understanding that it would be made up of largely union workers. They stand together now against SB 423.

But Wiener says there simply arent enough skilled and trained workers to meet the definition, and the requirement as written into the law stops otherwise capable workers from finding jobs.

We think itll work better, we think its more expansive (and) it will protect 10 times the number of workers, Wiener said. It will protect both unionized and non-unionized workers. And similar to when we raise the minimum wage for or pass legislation to protect fast food workers, we dont limit those protections to non-unionized workers, we include both unionized and non-unionized  thats the right thing to do.

SB 423, along with the support of the California Conference of Carpenters, advocates for a prevailing wage requirement rather than limiting which workers can be hired. That prevailing wage is often comparable to the average wage for union workers and would be enforced by private-sector labor-management committees.

SB 423 would also prohibit a housing development from avoiding these new labor standards and affordable housing requirements by subdividing projects into parcels just below the bills thresholds, such as splitting up multiple-unit projects. Closing this loophole ensures all of the projects relying on the bills streamlined approvals will produce affordable housing and high-wage jobs.

The bill is scheduled to be considered in the state Appropriations Committee by May 18. From there, it would move to the Senate floor.

California is committed to building 2.5 million homes in the next eight years, and desperately need affordable housing. The Legislature should pass SB 423.
YouTube star KSI beat Joe Fournier with a controversial knockout on Saturday, finishing the former professional boxer with an accidental elbow.

KSI, 29, landed the bigger punches throughout the first round of the exhibition bout at Londons Wembley Arena, and he tagged Fournier, 40, with a huge overhand right in Round 2. That was followed by an attempted right hook, with KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) instead making contact with his elbow. The strike sent Fournier tumbling to the canvas and left him staring up at the ceiling, unable to beat the referees count.

In a post-fight interview, KSI denied that he had stopped his fellow Briton with his elbow, before calling Tommy Fury into the ring for a face-off, which ended with the pair being separated.

KSIs controversial win was his fourth straight KO victory in as many exhibition bouts. The YouTube star, who rose to fame as a gamer but also raps, previously fought Logan Paul twice, drawing with his fellow YouTuber in an amateur bout and beating him on points in a professional rematch. Meanwhile, Fury  half-brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury  is best known for his time as a contestant on Love Island, but he is also unbeaten as a pro boxer. The 24-year-old outpointed Logan Pauls brother Jake in February.

No fight between KSI and Fury has been scheduled, and for some time KSI has been exchanging words with Jake Paul in hopes of arranging a bout.

Jake Paul has gone 6-1 as a pro after stopping KSIs brother Deji in his amateur debut in 2018. Last time out, in February, 26-year-old Paul suffered his first loss, a points defeat by Fury.

The YouTube star is now set to box ex-UFC fighter Nate Diaz in August.
LAKE WORTH BEACH  A 22-year-old Lake Worth Beach man is facing multiple criminal charges  including murder  after authorities say he shot and killed another man during an attempted robbery this month.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested Jason Nozistene on Saturday in connection with a May 5 shooting death on the 800 block of South H Street, just west of South Dixie Highway. He faces one count each of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, attempted robbery and being a delinquent in possession of a firearm.

The shooting occurred one day after the victim's 54th birthday. The sheriff's office did not disclose the man's name, citing a 2018 state constitutional amendment that allows either crime victims or their families to request that their names be withheld from public reports.

A witness speaking to sheriff's investigators described standing outside and drinking beer with others shortly before 11:30 p.m. that night when a male wearing a black ski mask approached the group and demanded money. The witness said one man in the group refused and ended up fighting with the gunman.

As the fight continued, the masked gunman fired one shot, mortally wounding the other man, the witness told investigators. The witness and another person armed with a shovel then chased the shooter to a nearby motel on South Dixie. Surveillance-camera video captured the foot chase and showed the gunman fleeing to a specific room, a sheriff's report said.

Deputies learned that the room was registered to Nozistene. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies found his identification card, clothing seen in the surveillance video and a semi-automatic pistol. It appeared Nozistene had fled through an open window, the report said.

Deputies reported finding a second pistol under a car near Nozistene's room.

During a court hearing Sunday at the Palm Beach County Jail, Circuit Judge Samantha Schosberg-Feuer assigned Nozistene a public defender and ordered that he be held without bail on the murder and attempted murder charges.

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: Police: Fatal Lake Worth Beach shooting occurred in attempted robbery
Thousands of Ugandan Asians arrived in the UK in 1972

An exhibition to mark 50 years since Ugandan Asians began arriving in Leicester has won a national award.

Rebuilding Lives: 50 Years of Ugandan Asians in Leicester ran at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and told the stories of families expelled from their country by dictator Idi Amin.

It was one of two winners of the best Temporary or Touring Exhibition at the Museums and Heritage Awards.

The exhibition attracted more than 167,000 visitors.

The exhibition, which originally opened in July last year, was asked to extend its run in Leicester to April due to its popularity.

It was also featured on BBC One's Antiques Roadshow and the organisers have also filmed a piece about the exhibition for BBC Two's Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

It was put together by Leicester-based arts organisation Navrang in partnership with the city council.

Ranjan Saujani, acting chair of Navrang, said: "We were honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award, but to win is absolutely amazing.

"It's a great way to acknowledge the hard work the team have put into creating, developing and delivering a truly special exhibition. It's the perfect way to end the project."

Navrang was awarded just over 100,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a series of regional events, including the exhibition.

Nisha Popat of Navrang added: "When you consider who we were up against and the huge budgets they had compared to ours, we never thought we'd actually win."

City mayor Peter Soulsby said he was "enormously proud" the exhibition had triumphed.

The exhibition was named joint winner of the category together with English Heritage.

Permissible Beauty, an exhibition put together by Historic Royal Palaces and the University of Leicester, was highly commended.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Keep gag order on Moscow killings

A recent front-page article in the Idaho Statesman describes media efforts to file legal action to eliminate the ongoing gag order for the mass shooting at the University of Idaho. I feel gag orders are beneficial to the success of the rightful prosecution of those found guilty. The more the public knows, the more rumors spread, the more it gives the defense attorneys knowledge as to what info the authorities know in finding the suspects. All too often defense attorneys use false evidence generated by public opinion to get cases thrown out. Legal loopholes get too many felons off the hook. Keep the order in place. On a side note: If the current suspect is found guilty, I wonder how long it will take for the ACLU to come to his rescue, especially now that the state of Idaho has just instituted the firing squad.

Jack Oberti, McCall

You dont benefit from corporate tax cuts

Not wealthy people vote against their interests and support tax breaks for corporations because of a lack of understanding of how corporations work. If you know someone who thinks that corporate tax breaks help the average person, show them this.

A corporation cannot lower prices or raise wages unless doing so benefits the shareholders by generating more profits. Passing along a break to the workers or consumers because you have the money is a breach of the fiduciary duty owed to the shareholders. Meaning if you do it, you get sued. The $500 bonus some workers received after this massive tax cut was something shiny to distract people.

A corporation will create jobs with excess cash only if doing so will generate a rate of return better than paying dividends, paying down debt, or investing in other companies. If expanding makes sense, financing to achieve it generally is possible and usually part of the plan rather than depleting cash reserves.

So, when you give a corporation a tax break, you are just giving them money, and that money is only going to their shareholders no matter how you slice it. Most people are not shareholders of any corporation.

Story continues

Arthur Bistline, Sandpoint

Keep grizzlies a protected species

I was reading about the push by Gov. Little and the delegation from Idaho and how they are trying to get the Grizzly bears in Idaho delisted by claiming they have the ability to manage them. Manage them in Idaho usually means getting rid of as many as possible just like they are doing to wolves. Gov. Little and the state of Idaho are simply showing their blood lust when it comes to wolves or grizzly bears. You can see how the State of Idaho manages delisted species, by aerial killing by the Wildlife Services and trapping, etc. in Idaho. We need to get and keep wolves and grizzly bears protected and the main body they need protection from is Gov. Little and the bloodthirsty elected officials in Idaho

Julian Matthews, Lapwai

The primary doesnt work for the people

Idaho Republican Party Chair, Dorothy Moon, incorrectly wrote that Idahos election system works for its people. Its not true. The Republican closed primary worked for the party. It worked to foster political domination. A one-party system is not a system for the people. Our previous open primary system better served all voters.

Their closed primary excluded independent, thoughtful, reasoned, non-partisan patriots  people wishing the best for the state and nation. It gave rise to The New Right. Their extremist mindset does not allow for freedom of ideas that differ from the predetermined policy agenda. The bills they are pushing into law are written by those that own the Party. Those people are definitely not the better angels among us.

We keep hearing, Idaho is too great for hate. No, it isnt. Hate, anger, fear of and frustration with the enemy have been planted, fertilized, and cultivated here. Its produced laws that dominate and discriminate.

People are telling independent, non-conformists to simply leave Idaho if they dont like its laws. But have Idahoans considered that perhaps the people being driven away are peace-loving, compassionate individuals  the type of people that can make communities better?

Victoria M. Young, Caldwell
Lamin Swann, a state representative from Lexington, has died, according to a statement from his mother.

There was no immediate information on Swanns cause of death Sunday. The Democratic representative was 45 years old.

There are no words to fully describe the grief and impossible loss that others and I feel right now after saying good-bye earlier today to my beloved son, Lamin, Swanns mother, Pam Dixon, said in a statement. Beyond our faith, what comforts us is knowing the positive and lasting impact he had on so many.

Those include his loved ones and friends; those he advocated for throughout his life; and, now, those whose own lives will forever be strengthened by his decision to be an organ donor, she said. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received over the last several days, and I know he felt it, too.

Swann was always smiling, and lead with kindness while working to build a better Kentucky for all, Gov. Andy Beshear wrote on social media Sunday.

My heart is heavy this morning at the news of Rep. Lamin Swanns passing, he said. Lamin was always smiling, leading with kindness while working to build a better Kentucky for all. He will be greatly missed. Please join Britainy and me in praying for his family.

In an emailed statement from Kentucky House Democratic Caucus leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts, they wrote the caucus was devastated by the news Lamins passing.

Lamin was a great friend, and our caucus is better for having known and worked alongside him. He served his constituents as well as anyone ever has, the statement said. He was an especially strong advocate for Fayette County as well as countless other Kentuckians who benefited from his voice on issues ranging from social justice to expanding disability rights, causes we will continue to champion on his behalf. We truly enjoyed working with him and only wish it could have been for far longer.

Story continues

House speaker David Osborne also offered his condolences, calling Swann a passionate advocate, and dedicated public servant.

While his time in the House has been cut short, Lamin had already established himself as a passionate advocate for his district as well as a voice for those who live with disabilities, Osborne said in an emailed statement. He had many friends among our colleagues and served as a positive force in countless discussions. His loss will be felt by all who served with him. On behalf of the Kentucky House of Representatives, I extend our deepest condolences to Lamins loved ones and hope they find comfort in the legacy he leaves behind.

Funeral arrangements for Swann will be announced in upcoming days.

News of Swanns hospitalization following a significant medical emergency first surfaced on Wednesday. Dixon released a statement asking for prayers and privacy.

A freshman legislator, Swann won a contested general election in the newly-formed 93rd state House district in 2022. He beat Republican challenger Kyle Whalen by roughly eight percentage points in the district that is centered around the Tates Creek schools in southern Fayette County.

In his lone legislative session, one of Swanns biggest pushes was for the state to consider expanding housing discrimination laws to include sources of income  meaning that landlords couldnt discriminate against potential tenants for using housing vouchers, among other nontraditional sources of payment. That bill, House Bill 437, did not get assigned to a committee in the GOP-led House.

Another bill of Swanns, which also did not move this session, would have required Kentucky schools to adopt middle and high school curriculum teaching the history of racism in America.

Swann, who had cerebral palsy, spoke of the challenges that came with his disability on the House floor in Frankfort.

Swann was also well-known in Democratic, activist and civically engaged communities in the area. In 2004, he ran for the 88th House District in Lexington. In 2010, he ran for an at-large seat on the Lexington-Fayettte Urban County Council.

My heart is heavy this morning at the news of Rep. Lamin Swanns passing. Lamin was always smiling, leading with kindness while working to build a better Kentucky for all. He will be greatly missed. Please join Britainy and me in praying for his family. ^AB  Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 14, 2023

This story will be updated.
The Isthmus of Panama connected North and South America sometime between 23 million and 3 million years ago.

Here we see a digitally-created map with North and South America in white surrounded by blue water.

Aside from supercontinent formations, North and South America were unconnected up until several million years ago; then a tiny slat of land linked the continents, triggering impacts that affected the entire planet. This small stretch of land, known as the Isthmus of Panama, transformed global climate and launched a huge natural experiment in migration for plants and animals.

But exactly how many million years ago did the Americas link up? The "standard model" dates it to about 3 million years ago, while some more recent studies say 6 million to 15 million years, with "an initial land bridge" as early as 23 million years ago, according to a 2016 report in the journal Science Advances .

"It's still controversial," Camilo Montes , a structural geologist at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, told Live Science.

Related: How do we know how old Earth is?

Isthmus of Panama emerges on the map

The Panamanian land bridge arose because of tectonic forces. Large chunks of crust called tectonic plates cover Earth's outer layer, colliding with each other to build mountain ranges and pulling apart to create ocean basins. The isthmus formed when the Caribbean tectonic plate wedged between plates carrying the Americas, Montes said. Resulting tectonic activity raised the seafloor while creating volcanoes that breached the ocean surface as islands, according to NASA Earth Observatory . Over millions of years, sediment from ocean currents filled in the spaces between islands, until the land bridge as we know it was formed. This seemingly small land bridge cut off the North Atlantic Ocean from the North Pacific Ocean, changing ocean currents.

The ensuing isthmus proved transformative, forcing warm, equatorial current from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic and up the North American coast as the Gulf Stream. Other current-related changes made the Atlantic saltier, powering global thermohaline (Greek for "heat" plus "salt") circulation, according to the Science Advances study.

Story continues

"The reason we have the climate we have today is because the isthmus went up," Carlos Jaramillo , a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, told Live Science. Only 30 to 120 miles (50 to 200 kilometers) wide and about 400 miles (640 km) long, "this tiny, tiny piece of land affected the climate of the entire planet."

An illustrated world map of plate tectonics in different colors.

Biological highway

The isthmus also provided a hugely consequential passage for living creatures from one continent to the other. The resulting Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) was "a massive experiment in biological invasion," according to a 2020 study in the journal PNAS by Jaramillo and colleagues.

Present-day North American creatures like the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and porcupines arose from South American migrants, while "ancestors of bears, cats, dogs, horses, llamas and raccoons" traveled the other way, according to the Earth Observatory. Meanwhile, the isthmus isolated formerly commingled ocean populations that then evolved independently.

Standard model

The standard model originated from research in the 1970s, according to the Science Advances study. That includes a 1978 study in the journal Geology that examined fossils from deep-sea cores; it found that marine species became isolated on either side of the isthmus about 3 million years ago. Over the following decades, subsequent studies reaffirmed this timeline, according to the Science Advances report.

Traditional dating of GABI also supported that estimate, according to a 2013 study in the Bulletin of Marine Science journal. Scientists used primarily animal fossil data to establish GABI's timing, according to a 2010 study in the Ecography journal. Such fossils were best dated by their location in rock layers, according to a 2008 review in the journal Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology .

A map of the Isthmus of Panama, with the water in blue and the land in green.

Scientists also linked the closing of the isthmus with the timing of ancient global cooling . Researchers noticed that ice sheet formation and related cooling coincided with when the isthmus was thought to have formed (as judged by fossil evidence), the 2008 review said. So they hypothesized that this cooling was linked to changes in currents caused by the isthmus. For example, some researchers said the Gulf Stream, by carrying more moisture to the Arctic, led to additional sea ice, which would reflect more sunlight and cause cooling, according to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution .

Challenges to the Isthmus' date

A 2015 publication by Montes and his colleagues in the journal Science challenged that traditional view. Crystals called zircons traveled in rivers from modern-day Panama to Colombia 15 million to 13 million years ago, revealing a land connection, the study found. Subsequently, a 2015 study of fossil and DNA evidence in the journal PNAS found "significant waves" of land organisms traversing the continents at 20 million and 6 million years ago.

Related mysteries

Why don't hurricanes form at the equator?

What's the highest a mountain can grow on Earth?

How deep is the Mariana Trench?

Shortly afterward, however, the 2016 Science Advances study pushed back against those challenges via an "exhaustive review and reanalysis." It found mixing of surface water and marine animal genes from either side of the isthmus until about 3 million years ago. Additionally, it timed massive GABI migrations of land mammals as beginning around that point.

More recent research has continued to challenge the standard model, though. A review by Jaramillo in the book " Mountains, Climate and Biodiversity " (Wiley-Blackwell, 2018) further argues for a more spread-out GABI timeline and challenges links between isthmus closure at roughly 3 million years ago and thermohaline circulation. Some recent geological findings add support for an older linkage, Jaramillo said.

An earlier closure could have major consequences for various fields. It would suggest that scientists need a new explanation for global cooling 3 million years ago. It has also spurred some biologists to reexamine "molecular clocks" used to estimate evolutionary timelines and often calibrated to the isthmus' birth. "They realized that their  phylogenies [branching diagrams of evolutionary relationships] could be much different and much older," Montes said.
A Pittsburgh woman is behind bars after Pennsylvania State Police said she broke into a house and barricaded herself inside.

According to state police, troopers were called to the 220 block of Corey Avenue in Braddock at around 10:47 a.m. Saturday for reports of a domestic incident.

Officials said Samantha Abram, 39, went into the house through a broken window and hit a victim in the head with a closed fist.

State police said Abram damaged multiple items inside the home.

While trying to talk with Abram, she ran back inside the house and barricaded herself inside, leaving kids outside.

Troopers were able to get inside the house when the homeowner arrived. They found Abram hiding in the basement in a plastic tote bin.

Abram was taken into custody and is being housed in the Allegheny County Jail.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

City of Pittsburgh preparing for asylum seekers to arrive Lost dog shot, killed by Ambridge police officer Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment VIDEO: Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Vietnamese documentary wins at Asian film festival in Danang

Vietnamese director Ha Le Diem's film Nhung ua Tre Trong Suong (Children of the Mist) has won Best Asian Film at the first Danang Asian Film Festival.





Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (right) hands the Best Film award to young director Ha Le Diem at the a Nang Asian Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Tran Le Lam



The documentary covered the tradition of bride-kidnapping' among the Mong ethnic minority in the northwest mountainous region of Vietnam.



Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Peoples artist Nhu Quynh handed over the award to the director at the award ceremony at Danang's Trung Vuong Theatre on Saturday.



The judging panel selected it as the best among 12 films of the Asian competition award, and eight films of the Vietnamese film competition at the week-long festival.



Its the longest documentary that I have done so far. I worked on the film in 2017-2021 with many difficulties seeking funding and assistance for the competition, Diem said.



I thank the funding organisations, friends and the film crew for supporting me during production. I also express my sincerely thanks to the film's main subject Ma Thi Di and the Mong community in helping me experience and explore their lifestyle, she said.



The 32-year-old director said she was fascinated by documentary film production as she could explore various cultural topics, especially regarding children and women.



Ill keep going on with more films on children and women as I think children have a very rich energy and dynamic.



Bride-kidnapping'



Diems film, named on the shortlist of the 15 contenders for the best documentary film category at the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars), depicts the story of a 12-year-old Mong girl living in a village of the northwest mountainous region  where women get married very young and follow the tradition of bride-kidnapping'.



Ma Thi Di, a main character of the film, begins her adolescence with physical and psychological changes, but her parents do not care about her immaturity. Di disappeared on a Lunar New Years Eve.



Diem, who began studying film in 2013, debuted her first short film  Con i Truong Hoc  about an HIV-positive single mother from the Dao ethnic group, and won the Silver Kite Award at the Viet Nam Cinema Association Awards (Kite Awards) in 2014.



The special jury award of the Asian film competition went to World War III  an Iranian thriller co-written, directed, produced and edited by Houman Seyyedi.



Iranian Mohsen Tanabandeh, who starred in World War III, won the best actor award in the Asian Film division, while Juliet Bao Ngoc Doling cast in Glorious Ashes took the best actress award.



Director Kavich Neang, who is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was named Best Director for While Building in the Asian film category, while the Best Screenplay was given to Joyland of Pakistan.



In the Vietnamese film competition category, the screenplay award was handed to Nha Uyen and her husband Aaron Toronto, for em Toi Ruc Ro (The Brilliant Darkness).



The Brilliant Darkness also dominated the award ceremony with Nha Uyen winning the Best Actress prize with Huynh Kien An taking the Best Actor.



Its an honour for me and the film crew. I dedicate the prize to my wife  a a Nang-born woman  and colleagues for making the film, An said.



Toronto praised actress Nha Uyen for her brave casting and performance in the film.



He said the success of the film would contribute to the development of Viet Nams film industry in the future.



The Brilliant Darkness also won the Special Jury Award in the Vietnamese film category.



Tran Thanh, who directed Nha Ba Nu (The House of No Men), won the Best Actor in the Vietnamese film competition, and the award was received by his wife Hari Won.



Won, the film's producer, said her husband was busy working on a television programme.



She said the couple spent the most difficult time in making the film as well as great efforts of the film crew members, actors and actress.



The House of No Men also won as the Best Vietnamese film award.



The best Vietnamese film in the Audiences Choice Award went to Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lay (Hustler Vs Scammer) by director Vo Thanh Hoa.



The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award for Vietnamese film was given to at (Memento Mori: Earth).



South Korean film actress-director-screenwriter Moon Sori, who is head of the jury at the festival, said all members had many discussions on selecting the best awards.



The film festival, which was co-organised by the People's Committee of Danang, the Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development (VFDA), and Danangs Department of Culture and Sports, creates a chance for the city to become a hub for international film producers and stars in the future.
The crimes are unimaginable. Lori Vallow Daybell stood trial for the murder of her own children  16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old JJ Vallow. She was also accused of killing Tammy Daybell, the wife of her current husband Chad Daybell.

Here was prosecutor Lindsey Blake.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE (in court): Money, power, and sex. That's what this case is about. It didn't matter what obstacles she had to remove to get what she wanted.  and if it was a person, it didn't matter who.

Morgan Loew | Investigative reporter, KTVK/KPHO: Lori was a beauty contestant.  Anybody you spoke to who knew Lori back then said that she was like the mother of the year.

Morgan Loew: The problem really seems to have started when Lori started following Chad Daybell  Chad was a podcaster and author of doomsday novels.

Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Lori Vallow. / Credit: Tylee Ryan/Instagram

Then, in late 2019 Lori's two children mysteriously disappeared.

Morgan Loew: Meantime, Lori and Chad are on the beach in Hawaii having the time of their lives. They get married.  and they wouldn't talk to police at all. And they wouldn't tell anybody where the kids were.

Morgan Loew: Even after Lori was arrested, she still refused to say anything about where the kids were.

Months after vanishing into thin air, the remains of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were found buried in Chad Daybell's backyard.

Morgan Loew: What we have gathered was that Chad had this belief that some people who were on this earth weren't really the people they were supposed to be.  They were zombies.  And the only way to release their spirits  was to kill the bodies.  And if that's not disturbing enough  Lori started referring to her children as zombies.

APRIL RAYMOND | FORMER FRIEND OF LORI VALLOW DAYBELL (In court): she had described Tylee as having a dark spirit.  I feel like she's kind of a monster.

Story continues

Morgan Loew: I've thought a lot about why this story hits such a chord with a wide variety of people, and I think it's because these kids.  And then when you throw in the cult aspect of this  We've certainly seen movies  with all of this. But I'm not sure we've ever seen anything like this in real life in true crime.

STRANGER THAN FICTION

Beginning in 2019, Lori Vallow Daybell spent months denying her missing children were in danger.

Many, including her sister Summer Shiflet believed her at the time.

Jonathan Vigliotti | "48 Hours" contributor: Something's not adding up here. Where are they? Where is JJ and Tylee?

Summer Shiflet: It's a great question. We would love to know the answer to that. We don't know.  But, we know, we are very confident that Lori would never harm her children, ever.

The judge in the case did not allow cameras in the Idaho courtroom during testimony.

But during four weeks of testimony, the prosecution chipped away at the facade of the former beauty contestant until it exposed Lori Vallow Daybell for the person, it claimed, she really was.

Morgan Loew is an investigative reporter for KTVK/KPHO and a CBS News consultant.

Morgan Loew: Prosecutors have painted a picture of somebody who is ruthless, somebody who would do anything to get what she wants.

According to the prosecution, Lori was a master puppeteer pulling the strings in a heinous murder plot that left three innocent people dead: her 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, her 7-year-old son, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's wife of almost 30 years.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE (in court): It didn't matter what obstacles she had to remove to get what she wanted.

"48 Hours" has been following the twisted saga of the so-called cult mom and her paramour Chad Daybell since the story broke in 2019  months before the remains of her two children were discovered in shallow graves in Chad Daybell's backyard. When we started, it was almost inconceivable to friends like April Raymond that she would harm her children.

April Raymond: She did everything for JJ, everything for Tylee. They were  the center of her world. And so, I'm not sure what hijacked that priority.

Raymond met Lori in 2015 in Hawaii. At the time, Lori was married to businessman Charles Vallow. The couple were raising two children  Tylee, Lori's teenage daughter from a former marriage, and their adopted son JJ, who was diagnosed with autism.

April Raymond: JJ was very difficult to take care of  So  I really admired how patient she was with him and how much care she took of him.

His big sister was just as devoted to him, says Tylee's best friend Vaisia Itaaehau,

Vaisia Itaaehau: I loved being around JJ and Tylee. Tylee was really protective over JJ.  and she was kind of like another mama to him. I just kind of loved how  she would  just play with him and just always have, like, a really good time with him.

Vaisia Itaaehau: And I really love JJ. He's the sweetest soul I've ever met.

But around 2017, friends say Lori's relationships with her kids began to shift  about the time she started reading the books of Chad Daybell. Daybell was a former gravedigger-tuned-doomsday novelist and podcaster from Rexburg, Idaho.

Morgan Loew: He tapped into this "prepper" element out there, people who wanted to prepare for Armageddon.

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell / Credit: Kay Woodcock/Facebook

Lori met Chad Daybell for the first time in 2018  at a conference in St. George, Utah.

Morgan Loew: The first time Chad met Lori, he told her that they had been married in a past life  He said he was James, and she was Elena. And that they had lived this biblical life in the past  And instead of scaring her off, it seems to have attracted her.

Even though Lori was still married to Charles Vallow and Chad Daybell was married to the mother of his five children, Tammy Daybell  Lori's friend Melanie Gibb testified the two soon began an affair.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE (in court): Did Lori ever tell you directly that she and Chad would meet at hotels or motels?

MELANIE GIBB: Yes.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE: Did Lori ever indicate to you whether or not she and Chad were engaged in an affair?

MELANIE GIBB: She would just share that they were intimate.

Witnesses testified that Lori took on Chad Daybell's extreme religious beliefs, says Morgan Loew.

Morgan Loew: Lori believed that she was chosen to lead the 144,000 after the apocalypse. To lead the survivors of the human race to an eternal life while the rest of society burned.

She also believed she had been appointed another, more ominous role, says Raymond.

April Raymond: Part of her mission on Earth was to eliminate the darkness, the demonic  the evil.

Raymond says Lori told her one of those evil beings was her own husband  Charles Vallow.

April Raymond: The way she had explained it to me about Charles was that Charles was already dead. And that there was a demon living inside of him.

For the first time, we heard at trial that Lori held what she called casting ceremonies.

Morgan Loew: It involved getting into a circle with other like-minded followers and casting out dark spirits from people, getting rid of demons.

Lori's friend, Zulema Pastenes, attended several of these castings. On the stand, she talked about one of the demons Lori claimed was living inside Charles Vallow.

ZULEMA PASTENES (in court): There are certain spirits that can only be cast out by prayer and, and fasting

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: And was that that spirit or demons name?

ZULEMA PASTENES: I believe they called him Ned.

Ned Schneider to be precise. In January 2019, Charles Vallow was so spooked by Lori's ramblings about the demon named Ned he called police.

OFFICER DORENBUSH (bodycam): What did she say yesterday?

CHARLES VALLOW: She said, you're not Charles. I don't know who you are, what you did with Charles.

Their conversation was recorded on the officer's bodycam:

OFFICER DORENBUSH: OK. So, what makes her a danger to herself and to others?

CHARLES VALLOW: She threatened me, murder me, kill me.

OFFICER DORENBUSH: She threatened to murder you?

CHARLES VALLOW: Yes.

In the winter of 2019, Charles Vallow changed the beneficiary of his $1 million life insurance policy from Lori to his sister Kay Woodcock, JJ's biological grandmother.

After almost 13 years of marriage, Vallow filed for divorce.

CHARLES VALLOW [to police officer]: She's unhinged. It scared the crap out of me.

Charles Vallow had good reason to be scared.

CASTING OUT EVIL SPIRITS

On the morning of July 11, 2019, Charles Vallow went to the Chandler, Arizona, home of his estranged wife, Lori Vallow, to pick up JJ and take him to school.

Lori and Charles Vallow married in 2006. In January 2019, spooked by Lori's ramblings about the demon Lori claimed was living inside him named Ned Schneider, he called police. / Credit: Kay Woodcock

Morgan Loew: He goes into the house. Lori and Tylee and JJ are there, and so is Alex Cox.

Alex Cox  Lori's brother. At trial, Lori's friend Zulema Pastenes, who would later marry Cox, testified that Chad Daybell had assigned him a mission ordained by God.

ZULEMA PASTENES: Chad had told him that he was going to be a warrior, a defender  And the sole purpose for him coming to this earth was so that he could be Lori's protector and defender.

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: Did Alex believe this?

ZULEMA PASTENES: Absolutely.

Shortly after Charles Vallow entered Lori's home that summer morning in 2019, Alex Cox  the defender  shot him dead.

At 8:36 a.m., Cox calmly called 911.

911 DISPATCHER: Is he breathing? ALEX COX: I can't tell.

Morgan Loew: He said, "I need to report a shooting. I shot my brother-in-law in self-defense."

911 DISPATCHER: And is he hurt? Is he alive, or? ALEX COX: Yeah, there's blood. He's not moving.

Alex Cox talks with police after shooting Charles Vallow. / Credit: Rexburg Police Department

The police arrived and shot video of Cox on the curb outside the home. Cox told them Charles Vallow and Lori got into a fight.

CHANDLER POLICE OFFICER. [bodycam video]: So, you get in an argument? What is it over? ALEX COX: Well, it was over my sister. He was getting physical with her.

Cox told them he got between Charles Vallow and Lori and shot Charles in the chest when Charles charged at him. At some point, Lori, Tylee and JJ got into the car and left.

Morgan Loew: Lori  takes JJ to school. And she comes back later with Tylee.

Police bodycam caught the moment.

A smiling Lori Vallow is recorded on police bodycam video after learning her husband was dead. / Credit: Rexburg Police Department

POLICE OFFICER [Bodycam video]: How long have you lived here? LORI VALLOW: Like three weeks. POLICE OFFICER: Oh geez, yeah, OK. LORI VALLOW: That's why the neighbors don't know us very well. POLICE OFFICER: Gotcha. LORI VALLOW: Like, "Hi neighbors, sorry" [laughs].

Morgan Loew: What was striking about the footage that we saw was that  There's no remorse. There's no, "Oh, my gosh, my husband's dead."

Lori, Cox and Tylee were questioned at the police headquarters. All told similar stories of self-defense and were sent home.

Three days later, Chad Daybell and Lori were exchanging steamy texts. FBI Agent Doug Hart read one on the stand.

AGENT DOUG HART (reading texts): "I need so badly to just gently kiss you for hours." "It would likely lead to other activities." "Likely or luckily?" "It would luckily lead to nakedness."

But prosecutors say the lovers were in for a big surprise. They were about to find out that Charles Vallow had changed the beneficiary of that $1 million life insurance policy.

Detective Nathan Duncan read Lori's text to Chad Daybell after she found out:

DET. NATHAN DUNCAN: "I just got the letter from the insurance company saying that I am not the beneficiary. It's a spear through my heart."

Morgan Loew: This is one of the strongest points that prosecutors have made is that Lori was motivated by money. She wanted Charles's money.

According to prosecutors, Lori started drawing the Social Security death benefits JJ received from his father, Charles Vallow. She moved with her two kids to Rexburg, Idaho  not far from where Chad Daybell lived with his wife, Tammy. Lori's brother, Alex Cox, her designated defender, moved into the same complex.

Morgan Loew: He was there to take care of the problems.

Prosecutors alleged Lori's first problem was her 16- year-old daughter Tylee Ryan. According to Pastenes, Lori told her that a demon named Hillary had taken over Tylee's body.

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: Now, if somebody is possessed by a demon, are those people dangerous?

ZULEMA PASTENES: They're considered to be dark and to bring only bad things to happen. Yeah. So, yes, would be dangerous.

JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and their uncle, Alex Cox, at Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 8, 2019. Police say this is the last known photo of Tylee before she disappeared. / Credit: FBI

The last known pictures of Tylee Ryan were taken on Sept. 8, 2019. She was with Lori, JJ and Alex Cox at Yellowstone National Park. The 16-year-old was never seen again.

Morgan Loew: Tylee was JJ's protector. Once she was gone, JJ had nobody. He had nobody to protect him or watch out for him.

JJ Vallow wearing red pajamas in the last known photo of the 7-year-old taken on Sept. 22, 2019. / Credit: Chandler Police Department

Just two weeks later, JJ Vallow went missing. A photo of JJ wearing red pajamas was taken on Sept. 22, 2019. It is the last known photo of him. Melanie Gibb, who was staying at Lori's house that evening, says she saw Alex take JJ upstairs, she believes, to Lori's room. But the little boy was nowhere to be seen the next morning.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE: Is that when she told you JJ was a zombie?

MELANIE GIBB: Yes.

Gibb told prosecutors Alex Cox believed JJ was a zombie as well.

MELANIE GIBB: He said he 100 percent believed it.

Morgan Loew: According to their religious teachings, a zombie had to be killed. The body had to die.

And the body count was climbing. According to prosecutors Lori and Chad had identified another evil spirit in their way.

Morgan Loew: What we learned from witness after witness is that Chad told some people  That his wife was not gonna be around much longer, and that he was gonna have a life before Tammy and a life after Tammy.

VANISHED: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHILDREN?

The week after JJ was last seen and two months before the world would learn that the children were missing, Lori Vallow was planning her fifth wedding. At trial, prosecutors called an FBI specialist to the stand.

PROSECUTOR LINDSE Y BLAKE (in court): Did you learn whether or not there ever was a successful purchase of wedding rings?

NICOLE HEIDEMAN | FBI SPECIALIST: There were. On Oct 2, 2019.

Morgan Loew: There was just one problem: Chad was still married to Tammy Daybell.

But that was about to change. Garth Daybell is one of five Daybell children.

Garth Daybell: I was asleep  and I heard a thump  And heard my dad yell, "Garth, Garth, come quick."

Tammy and Chad Daybell / Credit: Emma Murray

Garth found his mother, 49-year-old Tammy Daybell, lying half on the bed, half on the floor.

Garth Daybell: I just ran over and picked her up and put her back on the bed.  And I said to my dad, I said, "I think she's dead."

The coroner initially determined Tammy died of natural causes and the family declined an autopsy. Chad Daybell's neighbor, Alice Gilbert, testified that a week later, he had already moved on.

ALICE GILBERT (in court): Um, we asked him how he was doing, and he said, actually, "I'm doing really good." And that he'd met the woman he was gonna marry.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE: Did you find, uh, did it surprise you that he seemed to be doing so well?

ALICE GILBERT: Yes. We were shocked.

Gilbert and her husband Todd met Lori shortly after.

ALICE GILBERT: They came to the house  His arm was around her.  And she was giggling and laughing.  They looked like teenagers.

Gilbert says the conversation turned to children.

ALICE GILBERT: Then Chad said, "And she recently just lost a daughter." So, I told her, "Oh, I'm sorry." And she said, "thank you."

Morgan Loew: This is significant because at that time, Lori is still telling  her sister, and everybody else that the kids were OK  This is, like, a slip-up, an early slip-up, an admission against interests here.

It didn't seem to worry Chad and Lori on their big day. Seventeen days after Tammy Daybell's death, Lori was dancing on the beach in Hawaii as her new husband strummed his ukulele, exchanging those rings. According to investigators, the cost of the wedding trip was courtesy of the groom's dead wife's life insurance.

Morgan Loew: Little do they know that the clock is now ticking.

Soon after the newlyweds returned to Idaho, the Rexburg Police came knocking on Lori's door looking for JJ. His grandmother, Kay Woodcock, had asked authorities to do a welfare check. The conversation was recorded on the officer's bodycam. Here's Lori talking about JJ:

LORI VALLOW DAYBELL: He's with one of my friends in Arizona. OFFICER RON BALL: Who's the friend he's with? LORI VALLOW DAYBELL: My friend Melanie.

Chad Daybell called that friend, Melanie Gibb, who testified he asked her not to pick up the phone when the police called. Later, she says Lori asked her to lie and tell the police that JJ was staying with her in Arizona.

MELANIE GIBB (in court): And I felt a very weird and uncomfortable position and I really did not know what to do.

At first, Melanie Gibb wasn't forthcoming to the police. But 12 days later, she made a call to Lori and Chad Daybell and secretly recorded it:

MELANIE GIBB: Is JJ safe? LORI VALLOW DAYBELL: He is safe and happy.

Chad Daybell said they couldn't tell her where JJ was for her own security.

CHAD DAYBELL: If you knew, that puts you in danger.

/ Credit: NCMEC

Gibb handed that secret recording to authorities, and investigators launched a nationwide search  but not just for JJ. They would soon learn that his big sister Tylee was also missing.

It was huge news  especially to Lori's new stepchildren.

Jonathan Vigliotti: When did you know that she had two kids?

Garth Daybell: I first heard of her children when a detective came to my work and asked me about them. I had never heard of them before that point.

Jonathan Vigliotti: So, even after your father weds Lori, you didn't know that there were two kids in the picture at that point.

Garth Daybell: Did not.

As the hunt for the children intensified, Lori and Chad Daybell again headed to Hawaii. But the honeymoon was over. Kauai authorities caught up with Lori by the pool. She would be arrested on child abandonment charges and extradited to Idaho. Chad, the loyal husband, was by her side.

Lori Vallow Daybell was arrested in Hawaii. Two weeks later, she was extradited to Idaho. Chad Daybell, who was now under suspicion, was by her side.

But now Chad Daybell himself was under suspicion. With the children missing, that's when the police took a closer look at the death of Tammy Daybell. Her body had been exhumed on Dec. 11, 2019.

Morgan Loew: The Utah state medical examiner  saw bruising on her body, and he determined that Tammy died of asphyxiation. The  medical examiner testified that that bruising was consistent with somebody being restrained, meaning she was held down and suffocated.

Alex Cox's wife Zulema Pastenes says that when she heard about Tammy Daybell, she started pressing Cox for answers. By then, she says Lori and Chad Daybell had cut him off. On the stand, she talked about when she asked Cox what was happening.

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: What did he say?

ZULEMA PASTENES: He was very quiet and unresponsive. And then he said, "I think I'm being their fall guy."  I said, "fall guy for what? What is it that that you have done? What  what have you done that you would be the fall guy for?" And then he said, "either I am a man of God, or I am not."

Here's the prosecutor addressing that mysterious statement.

PROSECUTOR LINDSEY BLAKE: What exactly Alex meant by this or what he knew we may never know because Alex Cox died the next day on December 12th of 2019.

In a truth is stranger than fiction plot twist, the man Lori and Chad Daybell designated as her defender  her brother Alex Cox  suddenly dropped dead. An autopsy determined of natural causes.

Morgan Loew: That was a jaw-dropping moment  right before his death, it does look like Alex was second guessing what he had done and  why Chad and Lori had asked him to do what he did  It was like they either had something to do with this or fate stepped in to help them.

They say dead men don't talk. But this one did. Alex Cox's cellphone harbored a tale of horrors waiting to be discovered in Chad Daybell's backyard. And it would give prosecutors the evidence they had been waiting for.

THE SECRETS OF CHAD DAYBELL'S BACKYARD

On June 9, 2020, law enforcement descended on Chad Daybell's backyard.

According to the prosecution, Alex Cox's cellphone data placed him here for two hours the day after Tylee Ryan was last seen. Authorities later discovered her remains in this same spot.

It was an area the Daybell family once used as a pet cemetery. It now contained Tylee's badly burned remains. She had been dismembered. Detective Ray Hermosillo took the stand and described finding what was left of Tylee.

DETECTIVE RAY HERMOSILLO (in court): There was a partial human skull underneath the melted bucket.

An aerial view of Todd Daybell's backyard, where the remains of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were found in shallow graves in June 2020. Authorities dug in areas of the backyard where Alex Cox's cellphone had pinged in September 2019. / Credit: AP

Cox's cellphone led them to another section of the yard about 50 yards away under a shade tree. Investigators started digging. They removed a layer of rocks. Beneath the rocks they found wooden planks; below that, a layer of black plastic.

Morgan Loew: One of the crime scene investigators  cut a hole in the top of this plastic, and beneath the black plastic was some white plastic, like, plastic bag. And they cut through that.

DETECTIVE RAY HERMOSILLO: And that's when we were able to see what appeared to be brown human hair sticking out from the white plastic.

It was JJ. He was still dressed in his red pajamas and covered head to toe in duct tape.

DETECTIVE RAY HERMOSILLO: Several layers of duct tape from his chin to his forehead area. His arms were duct-taped with several layers of duct tape.  His feet were also duct-taped and bound.

Forensic pathologist Garth Warren testified how JJ had died.

GARTH WARREN | FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: I determined the cause of death to be asphyxia by plastic bag over the head and duct tape covering the mouth.

Morgan Loew: It's unimaginable what his last minutes of life were like.

Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow / Credit: Tylee Ryan/Instagram

Experts couldn't determine Tylee's cause of death because of the condition of her remains. But prosecutors alleged the way in which both children were killed aligned with Chad and Lori's Daybell's teachings about demons and zombies.

Morgan Loew: Zulema testifies that, if they're trying to cast a demon or a zombie out of somebody, there's two minutes after the casting where another demon can enter that person. And the only way to prevent that is to burn the person or bind them  Tylee was burned. JJ was bound.

Despite all the talk of zombies and demons, prosecutors argued that Lori's true motive to murder her kids was much more mundane.

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: Tylee had already lost her father, and she received Social Security benefits because of that. Tylee had money. Lori wanted it. Tylee's gone.

PROSECUTOR RACHEL SMITH: JJ also was entitled to Social Security benefits. The defendant didn't wanna have to take care of JJ anymore. She wanted the money. JJ's gone.

While the prosecution's case was mostly circumstantial, DNA matching Tylee's profile was found on a shovel and pickaxe in a garage on the Daybell property. A forensic specialist testified they also found a finger and palm print belonging to Alex Cox on one of the black plastic bags that covered JJ.

Morgan Loew: Investigators also found one strand of hair that was stuck in the tape that was around the bag  DNA showed that that hair belonged to Lori Vallow. That's significant, because  that's really the only physical evidence they have that ties Lori to JJ at the time of his death.

Some of the most powerful testimony in the prosecution's case came from Lori's own family.

They played an emotional jailhouse phone call between Lori and her only surviving child, son Colby Ryan.

COLBY RYAN (phone call with Lori Vallow Daybell): You've ripped my heart out and you've ripped out everyone in this family's heart out.

Then, Lori's sister Summer Shiflet took the stand. She told prosecutors that she believed Lori when she told her the children were safe.

PROSECUTOR SPENCER RAMMELL (in court): Did that change?

SUMMER SHIFLET: Yes.

PROSECUTOR SPENCER RAMMELL: Why?

SUMMER SHIFLET: I felt lied to. And my trust in my sister was broken (emotional).

Prosecutors played a jailhouse phone call between Shiflet and Lori after the children's bodies were found.

Morgan Loew: This phone call is painful to listen to. Summer is screaming at Lori.

SUMMER SHIFLET (phone call): You went off to Hawaii and were dancing on the beach while your kids were in the ground? SUMMER SHIFLET: They were just little kids. I don't understand. LORI VALLOW DAYBELL: You know me, Summer. Summer  SUMMER SHIFLET: That's what I thought! LORI VALLOW DAYBELL: You still do. SUMMER SHIFLET: Lori, if you let that happen to them, and didn't tell us, and let them be in the ground like a piece of trash, then I don't know you!

Toward the end of its case, the prosecution put on Lori's former friend, Audrey Barattiero. She delivered some of the most damning testimony of the trial.

AUDREY BARATTIERO (in court): She threatened to kill me.

PROSECUTOR TAWNYA RAWLINGS: Did she say how?

AUDREY BARATTIERO (emotional): Yes. She said that she would cut me up. And something about, that she wasn't in the mental place to do that, but she would get herself in that place to be able to do it.

AUDREY BARATTIERO: But that she didn't want to havpe to because it'd be so messy and there'd be so, so much blood. And that  then bleach, and something about trash bags.

AUDREY BARATTIERO: And that she would bury me where, she would  where no one would ever find me.

Morgan Loew: Audrey Barattiero's testimony is critical because this is a firsthand description of Lori being ruthless, with the threat to kill her. This is the first time anyone in Lori's group of friends really described her as being capable of killing.

On cross, the defense aggressively tried to discredit Barattiero's testimony.

Defense Attorney Jim Archibald: So, you now want the jury to believe that even though you previously testified under oath, and nothing of this sort was talked about, that you come here today and say you are so scared. That's why you didn't previously testify about it.

PROSECUTOR TAWNYA RAWLINGS (in court): Objection, your Honor. Argumentative.

JUDGE STEVEN W. BOYCE: That's overruled.

AUDREY BARATTIERO: What was your question?

DEFENSE ATTORNEY JIM ARCHIBALD: You want the jury to believe that you didn't, just didn't make this last crap up?

AUDREY BARATTIERO: I did not make it up.

After 60 witnesses and four weeks of testimony, the prosecution rested its case. The defense declined to call any witnesses.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY JIM ARCHIBALD: Your Honor, after consultation with my client, we don't believe the state has proven its case. So, the defense rests.

Each side would get a last chance to persuade the jury in closing arguments.

JUDGEMENT DAY

On May 11, 2023, defense attorney Jim Archibald stood before the jury and argued for his client's innocence.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY JIM ARCHIBALD (in court): Who is Lori Vallow? What happened? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen? That's what you've been asked to figure out.

Lori and JJ Vallow / Credit: Tylee Ryan/Instagram

Archibald painted a picture of Lori as a devoted mother; someone not capable of murder. He pointed to this early testimony from Lori's sister, Summer Shiflet:

SUMMER SHIFLET: I think Lori was a loving mother and Tylee adored her mother.

JIM ARCHIBALD: Were you ever concerned about the safety of Tylee around Lori?

SUMMER SHIFLET: No.

JIM ARCHIBALD: Would you ever imagine your sister wanting to kill her kids?

SUMMER SHIFLET: No.

He also directed the jury to this testimony from Lori's son, Colby Ryan:

JIM ARCHIBALD: You said, "My mom has spent her whole life protecting us kids."

COLBY RYAN: Yes.

JIM ARCHIBALD: "After she met Chad Daybell, she changed."

COLBY RYAN: I don't remember. But yes.

JIM ARCHIBALD: You never once thought your mom would hurt someone. Is that fair to say?

COLBY RYAN: Yes.

Archibald argued that there is no evidence tying Lori to the murders of Tylee or JJ. And he said that hair stuck on the duct tape used to wrap JJ's body means nothing.

Morgan Loew | Investigative reporter: Lori was raising JJ. JJ was living at Lori's house. The defense can easily argue that that hair could have gotten on JJ for 100 reasons, none of them having anything to do with murder.

Instead, Archibald shifted the blame towards Lori's husband, Chad Daybell, and her brother, Alex Cox.

JIM ARCHIBALD (in court): Remember all the GPS data?  Lori's not in the backyard when Chad and Alex are.  She's not there.

Morgan Loew: There's not one smoking gun that ties Lori to any of these murders.

And in order to explain Lori's lies to the police while the children were missing, Archibald suggested that Lori was manipulated by Chad Daybell.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY JIM ARCHIBALD (in court): How can someone have that much control over you?  Reason and common sense  just go out the windows sometimes when religious principles are involved.  Lori sees Chad as if Chad is Jesus.

Morgan Loew: Chad sold his spiel to Lori. And she bought it.

And about Tammy Daybell's death? The defense questioned whether that was even a crime.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY JIM ARCHIBALD (in court): Was she even murdered? Is it a natural death?

Morgan Loew: All they need to do is raise a couple of questions in a couple of the jurors.

But prosecutor Rob Wood would get the last word.

PROSECUTOR ROB WOOD (in court): Lori's lies tell us she's guilty. The innocent don't need to lie, the guilty lie.  Don't let Lori pin this all on one other person. She was 100% involved in this.  You must convict her.

When the case went to the jury, the jurors deliberated for seven hours over the course of two days before returning with a verdict. The court shared video of Lori Vallow Daybell as she learned her fate.

JUDGE: If the defendant would please rise.

COURT CLERK: In regards to count two of the amended indictment is Lori Norene Vallow not guilty or guilty of first-degree murder of Tylee Ryan. Answer, guilty.

COURT CLERK: In regards to count four of the amended indictment is Lori Norene Vallow not guilty or guilty of first-degree murder of Joshua Jackson Vallow. Answer, guilty.

COURT CLERK: In regards to count five of the amended indictment is Lori Norene Vallow not guilty or guilty of conspiracy to commit first degree murder of Tamara Tammy Daybell. Answer, guilty.

Guilty on all counts. Lori appeared emotionless. She will be sentenced at a later date.

As JJ's grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, exited the courthouse, the crowd outside greeted them by singing JJ's favorite song, "We Will Rock You." Larry Woodcock had been playing the song while awaiting the verdict.

Larry Woodcock (outside court): Love always wins.  JJ, I love you (cries) Paw Paw wishes you were here.  Tylee, Paw Paw loves you.  Tammy, you are part of our life.  I am sorry for what happened to you.  My heart hurts for these three. This is what this has been all about.  Why Lori? Why Lori? Why?  Power, sex and greed, for what? For what?

It's been almost three years since the remains of Tylee, a freckle-faced teenager, and her baby brother, JJ, were found buried in a dusty patch of earth behind the home of Chad Daybell. We'll never know the lives they could have lived. But we do know what they left behind  their smiles, their laughter, their grace.

Chad Daybell may stand trial as early as June 2024. He has pleaded not guilty.

Lori Vallow Daybell may also face trial in Arizona in connection with the death of her former husband, Charles Vallow.

Produced by Liza Finley. Michael McHugh is a producer-editor. Stephanie Slifer is a producer. Greg Fisher is the development producer. Alicia Tejada is the coordinating producer. Gabriella Demirdjian, Richard Fetzer Anthony Venditti and Emily Wichick are the field producers. Chelsea Narvaez is the associate producer. Joan Adelman, Michael Baluzy, Atticus Brady, Marlon Disla, Gregory F. McLaughlin, Diana Modica, Phillip J. Tangel and Gary Winter are the editors. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

Obama says gun ownership has become an "ideological" and "partisan" issue in America

Zelenskyy meets with Pope Francis in Rome

Israel, Islamic Jihad militants reach ceasefire agreement after days of violence
The Colorful Cat Pet Cafe and Adoption Center is a years-long goal for local pet foster, Lauren Cooper.

A Lubbock animal rescuer has started taking steps to fulfilling a passion project that could save cats, provide comfort, and inspire people.

Lauren Cooper and her children have been rescuing and fostering cats for decades. From bottle-feeding days-old kittens to caring for cats with disabilities, she has plenty of experience caring for felines. Now, she wants to expand her passion into a unique business - a cat cafe.

Felipe, one of Lauren Cooper's rescue kittens, takes a nap.

What is a cat cafe?

In the U.S., most cat cafes have adoptable cats, along with food or drinks. Due to health regulations, the cat area is in a separate room from where food and drinks are served. People are welcome to reserve a time to visit and relax with the cats, and will typically pay a fee for their time.

Cat cafes originated in Taiwan in 1998, according to an article by The Smithsonian Magazine. The business became a popular concept in Japan, with the first location opening in Osaka in 2004, and quickly expanding to more than 150 cafes throughout the country. North America saw its first cafe in Montreal in 2014, according to catcafesd.com/about/.

If Cooper's plan succeeds, Lubbock could be among very few Texas cities to have a cat cafe. As of May 9, 2023, cat cafes in Texas include:

El Gato Coffeehouse in Houston.

Purr-fecto Cat Lounge in Austin.

Sun City City in El Paso.

The Casual Cat Cafe in Richland Hills.

The Charming Cat Cafe in Lewisbille.

The Cozy Catfe in Arlington.

Whiskers and Soda Cat Cafe in Dallas.

How did the idea for Colorful Cat Cafe happen?

"I was talking with another foster, and she asked 'have you ever seen one of those cat cafes' and I thought we should check it out," Cooper said. "The main reason I went toward trying to do this is because there's not that many spots for adoptions, and current ones are only open to select rescues. I want to help the cats that need to be adopted."

Initially, the name for this endeavor was Namaste Cat Cafe. As Cooper was navigating credit agencies, permitting, and other research, she had some companies that were unfamiliar with the word. She decided to change the name to something catchy and easy to remember.

Story continues

"My son offered The Colorful Cat," Cooper said. "It's all inclusive and shows that everyone is welcome. It will be colorful, calm, and comfy."

With the unique mix of rescue cats and cafes having specific permits and guidelines, Cooper has been researching what she will need. This has led her to launch a GoFundMe fundraising page online and an Amazon Wishlist.

On the GoFundMe, Cooper noted that if the cat cafe cannot happen due to a lack of funds, the money raised will be donated to cat rescues.

"I don't want people to feel that their money is going to waste," she said. "It's going strictly to the cats, either with a cafe or through rescues. I definitely want to make this happen, and bring this to the community. If everything goes perfectly, I hope to open next year."

Once the doors are open, Cooper hopes to host several events at the cafe. Her ideas include presentations on fostering cats and how to bottle-feed kittens, hosting an open-mic night, and possibly a poetry night.

In the meantime, people can keep up with The Colorful Cat Cafe at thecolorfulcatcafe.com. As the business gets closer to opening the doors, additional social media pages will appear on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Colorful Cat Cafe could open in Lubbock, here's the details
Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko did not appear at the celebration of the Day of the State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem of Belarus on 14 May following the news of his deteriorating health.

Source: Motolko Help, a project by Belarusian journalist and analyst Anton Motolko, on Telegram

Details: It is noted that Lukashenko did not appear at the ceremony of honouring the national flag, emblem and anthem, which took place on 14 May at State Flag Square in Minsk.

Instead, Lukashenko's speech was delivered by Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko.

Background:

A day earlier, after a long absence from the public eye, Lukashenko visited the presidential clinic in Drozdy on Saturday.

On 9 May, Lukashenko attended a parade in Moscow, but after it was over, he immediately returned to Minsk without waiting for the end of the festivities.

In Minsk, Lukashenko did not deliver his traditional Victory Day speech.

According to media reports, Lukashenko has made significantly fewer public appearances since the beginning of May.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Joeci Gilchrest

LUNENBURG  Joeci Gilchrests lifelong goal has always been to be happy.

She says she's successful at that as the owner of a two-person home-improvement company You Name It, which the 27-year-old runs alongside her husband, John, 30.

Gilchrest was honored in April with the Andrea C. Silbert Rising Star Award by the Center for Women and Enterprise in recognition for her work in Central Massachusetts, for which she also got a $500 prize.

The award, which she received in Boston April 26, provided motivation above everything, according to her.

We all need motivation," said Gilchrest.

However, the road to it was not easy.

From left, Joeci Gilchrest, 27, Hildegard Gilchrest, 4, and John Gilchrest, 30, of Lunenburg.

When asked about her business, she points to 2018.

Then, she was four months pregnant, had just moved to Lunenburg, where she would unite with her husband, whom she had met years ago during a volunteering trip in Alaska.

Lunenburg far different than Okla.

In Lunenburg she was in a place completely different from the one in Oklahoma, where she grew up.

Hackschooled, otherwise known as homeschooling through experiences, Gilchrest said she had to work early in life, managing her fathers propane delivery business since age 14.

With that experience, she thought getting a job managing a business in the area would be easier than what it turned out to be.

I was very qualified to manage companies and manage people, Gilchrest said. But I was very honest with my potential employers telling them that in four months, I would need maternity leave.

Nobody could really tell me why they weren't hiring, so it was my clear assumption that was why.

Realizing she wouldnt be able to work until after her pregnancy, Gilchrest had no choice but to wait.

Yet, things werent meant to be what she had hoped for.

Her daughter, Hildegard, was born in January 2019 with a congenital condition in which her intestines had developed outside of the abdomen.

Although the condition was corrected through surgeries, Gilchrest describes the experience as a blur from trauma and exhaustion, also complicating the search for a job even further.

Story continues

She would sleep in 20-minute increments for the first couple years of her life, described Gilchrest. I knew that I needed to be with her, and I couldn't get a babysitter and go find work.

I needed to do something that I could have her with me.

Business starts with cards

A very practical person, Gilchrest made business cards offering work as The You Name It Odd Jobs Specialist which she placed in mailboxes around town as she walked with a stroller, offering to paint houses, stack firewood or organize homes.

Business flourished, and while Gilchrest worked, Hildegard, still a baby, was within an arms reach, often strapped to her back.

(Customers) seem to really admire it, said Gilchrest. We had a lot of people that were accepting, and if they werent, they werent my people because I needed to be with my daughter.

Her husband was not home most of the day during 2019, working construction and even attempting to work in the fishing industry in Rhode Island but quitting after "losing 25 pounds throwing up over the side of the boat from five days at sea.

John Gilchrest said he was only getting to see his daughter when she was waking up in the middle of night screaming.

Seeing how demand was increasing in her business and creating a strong relationship with her customers, Gilchrest made a request to her husband on Valentines Day in 2020.

I asked him to quit his job and come work with me, said Gilchrest with a smile. A few days later, he gave final notice to a construction company in Gardner.

Two days after statewide restrictions were placed due to the pandemic, the Gilchrests submitted an LLC application, and You Name It - Life and Home Revamp was born.

Pandemic right timing for business

Turned out that it was actually a really great time to start a construction business, said John, 30. People were stuck at home looking at their houses and saying, Hey, I've got a COVID relief check and I'm going to use it.

There was a place for us to really fit in taking the smaller jobs that the bigger contractors didn't want.

The jobs are split evenly between the couple, with Gilchrest taking over administrative duties and completing the paint jobs, while John covering carpentry work.

As John was taking notes in preparation for the days job on Friday morning, the voice of a 4-year-old was also heard, playing with her toys not far from her father.

People think it's pretty cute, definitely something people are not used to especially on a construction site, said John. She's got her own earmuffs and safety glasses, and we keep her safe.

Its a family operation.

Confidence literally at work

At the end of the day, John gives credit for their business to Gilchrest, who radiates with confidence.

She attributes her confidence to her life experiences, starting with events such as her mother passing away when she was 12 years old, and the propane business takeover at Smith's Textane LP Gas in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, which she said she developed from a failing business to a sustainable one.

I could paint before I could ride a bike, said Gilchrest. I found confidence inwards and I dont need affirmation."

With an open horizon for her business, Gilchrest says she wants to expand into educating her customers about the construction work she and her husband do, emphasizing that maintaining the work done is as important as the work done.

However, most importantly, she looks forward to continuing in achieving her lifelong dream  to be happy.

Oh yeah, said Gilchrest to the question of whether she is happy. Happiness is not about having a certain job, but how you do your job and live your life.

I can schedule it however I want, which makes me love working and be very rewarding even if I work 16-hour days.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Lunenburg entrepreneur Joeci Gilchrest honored with award
(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron has invited about 200 global business leaders to Versailles on Monday, showcasing his foreign investment pulling power as he attempts to reboot his second term in office after a damaging battle over pension reform.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Macron is expected to meet with chief executives including Pfizer Inc.s Albert Bourla and Walt Disney Co.s Robert Iger at the vast palace that Louis XIV made the seat of French power.

On Sunday, industry minister Roland Lescure told France Info radio that a 710 million ($770 million) investment in a solar panel plant in eastern France would officially be announced during the event.

The Choose France summit comes after the French leader traveled to Dunkirk, in northern France, on Friday to confirm ProLogium Technology Co.  a Taiwanese battery maker that attended a similar event at Versailles last year  will invest as much as 5.2 billion to build a factory in the region.

Macron said that investment projects to be announced on Monday will total more than 10 billion, trumping all previous editions of the summit, which he first convened in January 2018 to catch C-suite executives en route to the Davos World Economic Forum.

Embracing foreign capital has long been Macrons trademark economic policy, and there are plenty of signs the strategy has paid dividends in the past six years. France continues to top rankings for attracting investment, its unemployment rate has fallen, and economic growth has been resilient through the Covid years and energy crises.

His pro-business approach  built on loosening labor laws and cutting taxes  is increasingly unpopular with French people, however. Tensions boiled over earlier this year when Macrons move to raise the retirement age sparked mass protests as labor unions argued it was a step too far in shifting burdens to workers instead of companies and the wealthy.

Story continues

Aid for businesses have risen by 20% these last few years and thats why the retirement age has been raised, in order to finance all that, Marine Tondelier, head of the green party EELV, told the France 3 Television channel on Sunday.

The political situation has also caught the attention of investors, and last month Fitch Ratings downgraded Frances credit rating, warning that deadlock and protests pose a risk to the French leaders reform agenda.

We have done an ensemble of reforms to be more competitive, and the pension reform, which is so unpopular, is part of that, Macron told workers at an aluminum factory during his visit to Dunkirk. If we dont do all that, we wont be able to re-industrialize.

Investment commitments announced at previous summits havent always materialized, and sometimes the pledges have included elements already decided by companies. The biggest tickets expected on Monday include 500 million from Pfizer, 400 million from GSK Plc, and 910 million from Ikea, according to officials from Macrons office.

--With assistance from Francois de Beaupuy and Ania Nussbaum.

(Updates with Newcleo in table.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
French President Emmanuel Macron will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a "working dinner at the Elysee Palace" on the evening of Sunday, 14 May.

Source: European Pravda, citing Le Figaro

Details: The Office of the French President has confirmed Zelenskyys visit and announced that "todays conversation will focus on the support France continues to give in response to Ukraines pressing military and humanitarian needs."

"The two presidents will also have an opportunity to discuss long-term prospects for restoring peace in Europe, including through the implementation of the Peace [Formula] proposed by President Zelenskyy, which France supports," the Elysee Palace said.

Updated: Subsequently, the visit was confirmed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I will have a meeting with my friend Emanuel and we will talk through the most important points of bilateral relations," he announced.

Paris. With each visit, Ukraine's defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing. I will have a meeting with my friend Emanuel and we will talk through the most important points of bilateral    (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2023

Previously: French media reported earlier on Sunday that Zelenskyy will land at the Velizy-Villacoublay airfield in the Paris region, where he will be met by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

Zelenskyy visited Berlin on Sunday morning, following his visit to Rome and the Vatican on Saturday.

At the joint briefing of the two leaders, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, among other things, that the withdrawal of Russian troops is a necessary prerequisite for peace in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that this year is the time to determine the end of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A metro Atlanta man was recently arrested for driving with a .420 Blood Alcohol Content, according to Peachtree City Police.

Peachtree City Police said the unidentified driver thought he was in Clayton County and not Gwinnett County due to his high level of intoxication.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The man told police he was trying to get to Riverdale Road.

Citizens called the police after the man was seen driving on curbs.

TRENDING STORIES:

The legal limit is .08, meaning the man was more than five times the legal limit.

Channel 2 Action News has reached to Peachtree City Police to learn specifics about the incident.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
A Cass County man has been charged Saturday with the possession of child pornography, according to a release by the sheriffs office.

Rusty Wade Fisher Jr., 31, was accused of possessing and distributing child pornography following a Cass County Sheriffs Office investigation. He was charged with 11 counts of possessing child pornography and possessing more than 20 photographs or a video tape, which is a class B felony in Missouri, said Lt. Jess Claibourn, a spokeswoman for the office.

Detectives used a warrant on Thursday to search a Harrisonville home in the 600 block of North Independence Street for the alleged pornography.

As officers investigated further, they discovered an improvised explosive device, within the home, Claibourn said.

Kansas City Missouri Police Bomb and Arson Unit was called to the area and seized the weapon.

Evidence of pornography located by detectives was also seized. Fisher was arrested shortly after.

A Cass County Circuit Court Judge ordered Fisher be held in custody without bail.

The sheriffs office is asking community members to remain vigilant when it comes to reporting suspicious activities, especially if child abuse or exploitation may be involved.
A South Carolina man was killed Saturday when a pickup truck flipped over, the Aiken County Coroners Office said.

Cornelius Tyler, a 36-year-old Aiken resident, suffered blunt force injuries and died, Coroner Darryl Ables said.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 5 p.m., according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Tyler was driving a 2003 Ford F-150 west on S.C. 4/Surrey Race Road, Ables said. Near the intersection with Tabernacle Road the pickup ran off the right side of the road, then overcorrected and traveled back across the left side of the road and flipped over, according to Ridgeway.

Tyler, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, Ables said.

No other injuries were reported.

Information about what originally caused the pickup to veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroners office. Toxicology analysis is pending, according to Ables.

Through May 7, at least 321 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 12 people have died in Aiken County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 29 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
A man struggling with Los Angeles police over a pistol died when it fired, hitting him in the neck, California authorities reported.

Officers pulled him over at 11 p.m. Friday, May 12, when he emerged carrying a black 9mm handgun, a Los Angeles Police Department news release said.

An officer tried to restrain the man, who lunged forward, police said.

During the brief struggle, the pistol fired, hitting the driver in the neck, the release said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The loaded pistol and a spent 9mm casing were found at the scene. Police are not releasing the mans name pending notification of his family. No officers were hurt, the release said.

Police ask anyone with information to call 1-877-527-3247.

Woman wakes to find strangers hand on her thigh on flight to California, feds say

Man used rigged clock to secretly film women in fitting room, California officials say

Armed man waiting for officer smokes meth in police lobby, California cops say
A 21-year-old man was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday on the Illinois side of the Poplar Street Bridge.

Brayden McKenzie Collins of Lake Manor Court, Chesterfield, MO, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:20 a.m., said St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

A second person, whose identity was not released, was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to a press release from Illinois State Police.

The release stated the crash happened about 2:44 a.m. in the I-55 northbound lanes, which closed while police investigated.

Authorities said no further information about the fatality was available late Saturday afternoon
A man kidnapped a woman at a convenience store and held her captive in a U-Haul for hours, police said.

The man, identified as 62-year-old Dennis Bell, shoved the woman into the truck at a convenience store in Washington, D.C., on the morning of Friday, May 12, according to a Maryland State Police news release. The woman told police that Bell threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands.

Bell kept the woman on the floorboard of the U-Hauls front seat all day as he drove around, according to police.

During that time, police said he removed her clothing and stabbed her fingers with a pocket knife.

The victim informed police that she did not know where she was throughout the day while Bell continued to drive, troopers said in the release.

Around 9:45 p.m., troopers tried to stop the U-Haul in Lanham, Maryland, after receiving reports that the truck was driving erratically and hitting parked vehicles, police said.

Bell refused to stop, and troopers chased him until he got stuck in a ditch, police said. He refused to get out of the U-Haul, and troopers were able to get into the truck through the passenger side, where they discovered the woman on the floorboard.

She was without clothing and had wounds on her fingers, according to police. She was taken to a hospital. Police had not provided information on her condition as of May 13.

Bell was arrested after refusing to comply with troopers or identify himself, police said.

He was taken to a hospital and is being held at the Upper Marlboro Department of Corrections, police said. He is charged with first degree assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, fourth degree sex offense, possession of suspected crack cocaine and driving while impaired. He is also facing 19 traffic charges related to the incident.

It was not clear if he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Police said the incident is under investigation and asked anyone with information to contact the Criminal Enforcement Division via email at william.costello@maryland.gov or contact the College Park Barrack.

Story continues

Lanham is about 10 miles northeast of Washington, D.C.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

Boy uses slingshot to shoot 17-year-old trying to kidnap his sister, Michigan cops say

Lyft driver grabs, sexually assaults teen when she asks for phone charger, CA cops say

Accused kidnapper abducts man, then demands ransom from ex-girlfriend, GA police say

Woman plucks 3-year-old from mall play area then attacks officers, Virginia cops say
As the Boise mayors race heats up, a former police chief candidate has spoken out against Mayor Lauren McLean over her security detail, despite the severity of threats against her.

In an interview with the Idaho Statesman about his campaign for mayor, Mike Masterson, who was police chief from 2005 to 2015, criticized McLean for having a two-officer security detail, which he said was selfish.

Late last month, the security detail was removed, but the Boise Police Department maintains it could return if needed.

For over two years, McLean has had two Boise Police officers accompanying her at City Hall and other events, in response to a threat level that the mayors office has said increased markedly during the polarized COVID-19 pandemic.

Since taking office just before the pandemic enveloped federal and local politics, McLean has had protesters outside her home with torches, as well as real and grave threats, according to her March 2022 statement.

Am I next?: Idaho politicians face increasing threats and harassment while in office

The statement, which came after reports of public officials like former Ada County Commissioner Kendra Kenyon leaving office due to the menacing political environment, was a rare public look at the danger McLean has faced.

I still feel intensely the fear, frustration and helplessness of watching my two children quietly take in news of thwarted threats against me and learning that they, too, were being targeted and tracked online, McLeans statement said. She added,  just weeks after the first of several family briefings and as people carrying torches stood just 20 feet from our living room window, I sat on our basement stairs to be sure my brave, supportive kids wouldnt see my face.

Last year, a Canyon County man was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after writing threatening graffiti on public land and writing McLeans name on a bullet.

Another former Ada County commissioner, Diana Lachiondo, had protesters come to her home during health board meetings. Last year, activists associated with Ammon Bundy went to the homes of a local judge, two police officers and a nurse practitioner to protest a child welfare case, according to previous Statesman reporting.

Story continues

Many leaders of American cities  especially in large ones  have security details, and the need for security has risen in recent years, according to Bloomberg News.

While I appreciate (my security details) service and have come to count them as close members of my team, I miss the days when I could run to the drugstore without someone tailing me and knowing what Im shopping for, McLean said in the statement.

The move to provide more security was made by the police department, according to its spokesperson, Haley Williams.

Thankfully, over the past year or so, BPD officers who monitor these types of threats and situations have noted a decrease in the frequency and severity of concerning behavior related to the safety of City Hall staff, including elected officials, Police Chief Ron Winegar said in an emailed statement.

In his interview, Masterson said the mayors detail has taken two needed officers off the streets.

I question why that has to happen in a city thats the safest in the United States, Masterson said. Sure we have had our political disagreements and theres people on the far right and the far left that espouse different things, but to take two officers  in this time when we desperately need them on the street to me appears to be selfish.

According to 2019 violent crime data from the FBI, there are a number of American cities with lower crime rates than Boise.

In an email, Williams said the City Hall security detail was added in 2020 in response to civil unrest and credible threats to the safety of elected official(s) and/or staff members at City Hall at the time.

BPD has resources dedicated to specialty positions around the city and we make staffing decisions for those positions in the same way we would evaluate threats and needs for any special event, incident or ongoing concern, Williams added. Boise police evaluate safety constantly to best meet the needs of our community and the decision to reassign the officers was made in April, she said.

As needs change, those officers could be reassigned back to the City Hall security team, Williams said.

Masterson said he told police officers during a campaign event in early April that, if he were mayor, he would remove the security detail.
TORONTO (Reuters) - There may be more "Chinese police stations" operating in Canada, the Public Safety Minister told a Canadian TV station on Sunday, months after police said they were investigating whether two community centers in Montreal were being used to intimidate or harass Canadians of Chinese origin.

"I am confident that the [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] have taken concrete action to disrupt any foreign interference in relationship to those so-called police stations, and that if new police stations are popping up and so on, that they will continue to take decisive action going forward," Marco Mendicino told CTVs Question Period in an interview.

In March Canadian police said they were investigating the centers in Montreal. Earlier this month the Canadian Press reported the centers were operating normally, despite the minister's statements that all secret stations in Canada have been shut.

China has denied allegations of interfering in Canada's affairs.

Mendicino's comments follows tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions by Ottawa and Beijing.

Last week Canada expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei after an intelligence report accused him of trying to target a Canadian lawmaker critical of China's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority.

The following day China expelled Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde from Shanghai.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has been under pressure to clamp down on suspected Chinese interference and call a public inquiry into the matter. His government has appointed a special investigator to look into the issue.

Canadian media outlets have published several reports citing allegations by anonymous intelligence sources that the Chinese government ran schemes to interfere in Canada's last two elections. Beijing has denied those allegations.

Trudeau has said China attempted to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 votes but that did not change the outcome.

Trudeau said last week Canada "will not be intimidated" by Chinese retaliation.

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; editing by Grant McCool)
Headshot of actor Meg Foster with her Masters of the Universe: Revolution character, Motherboard.

When Masters of the Universe: Revelation premiered on Netflix back in 2021, it turned out to be...actually not half bad. Instead of being an easy dip into the nostalgia well like it initially sounded like, the show was a fun, if flawed, return to the canon of the 1983 series that had grown with its audience and taken some interesting swings. And of course, it wasnt really the end so much as it was a new beginning, which is going to continue with the sequel series, Masters of the Universe: Revolution.



Netflix and showrunner Kevin Smith have been fairly mum on Revolution ever since the follow-ups announcement last year. But the streamer announced a new cast addition in the form of Meg Foster, who played Evil-Lyn in the 1987 Masters movie starring Dolph Lundgren. Shes on hand to voice the role of Motherboard in the upcoming show, and described in the press release as a formidable force against the Masters, focused on plunging Eternia into imminent darkness. Revelation ended with a tease of the characters existence, and it seems shell be one of the primary antagonists of the new show. As Hordaks emissary, the evil AI (well, evil-er AI) will use her powers to manipulate Skeletor and the people of Eternia as she aims to ensnare the planet, and Grayskull, as a prize for Hordak.

Read more

Image: Mattel/Netflix

In that same press release, Foster (recently seen in Hellblazers and Theres No Such Thing as Vampires) called her original turn as Evil-Lyn one of my most cherished roles. I am both thrilled and honored to come back into the fold to embody a brilliant, all-new villainous character that adds color to the vibrant storytelling that Kevin Smith and Mattel have brought to life for fans around the world.



The explicit mention of Hordak by name is definitely going to raise some eyebrows for old head fans of the series. Hes one of the main villains of the MOTU franchise alongside Skeletor (whom he hates), and more recently popped up as the main baddie of Netflixs unconnected She-Ra & the Princesses of Power cartoon from several years ago. She-Ras original 1985 series was itself a spinoff to the 1983 He-Man cartoon, which Smiths two Netflix shows also are, so theres some interesting flags being planted here for the future of these MOTU shows. If Revolution is being split into multiple parts like its predecessor was, maybe one of those halves will end with a tease of a revamped Adora.



Story continues

Masters of the Universe: Revolution is currently expected to release on Netflix in 2024.





Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.



More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
CNN delivered former President Trump his best moment of the 2024 campaign.

Thats the main message from the televised town-hall earlier this week from which the shock waves are still reverberating.

Trump enjoyed more than an hour of primetime in front of a supportive crowd whose loud reactions helped him swat aside any challenging questions from moderator Kaitlan Collins.

The event has caused days of internal ructions inside CNN, where staffers are appalled by what took place; it has drawn scorn and indignation from the left; and it has helped Trump underline his dominance of the GOP primary field.

I was not in favor of this and once again Trump proved me wrong, said Michael Caputo, a longtime friend and erstwhile advisor to the former president.

Caputo, now a senior executive at Americano Media, said he felt Trump was ill-advised to go on a network that had so enthusiastically pilloried him, particularly during his time in the Oval Office.

But he didnt just win, he completely pinned CNN, Caputo said.

Sam Nunberg, a former 2016 Trump campaign advisor who says he is unaffiliated with any 2024 candidate, argued that the former president was wrong to spend so much time relitigating the 2020 election.

But he praised Trumps performance overall and said his willingness to go on CNN in the first place was a shot across the bows of all the other candidates  namely Ron DeSantis.

Trump had been expected in Iowa this weekend where he and DeSantis, the governor of Florida, were set to hold dueling events Saturday. A tornado warning caused Trump to cancel at the last minute, however.

In any event, the threat posed by DeSantis has diminished notably in recent weeks.

At the start of April, Trump led DeSantis by about 19 points in the weighted polling average maintained by data site FiveThirtyEignt. That was a strong advantage, to be sure, but not an overwhelming one for a past president against an as-yet-undeclared candidate.

Today, Trumps advantage stands at 30 points.

Story continues

The shift has happened as frustration builds among some in the GOP that DeSantis has still not declared his candidacy. The Florida governor also made a misstep by declaring Russians war of aggression in Ukraine merely a territorial dispute.

His long-running conflict with Disney and his signing of a six-week abortion ban in his state have also disconcerted GOP megadonors who had hoped he would be a more palatable general election choice than Trump.

Trumps CNN town hall came the day after a New York jurys decision to hold him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury did not hold Trump liable for the most serious allegation Carroll made  that he raped her in a dressing room in Manhattans Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s  but it ordered him to pay her $5m for damages for the other behavior.

At the CNN event, Trump mocked Carroll, which drew laughter from the audience.

That became one of the most criticized moments of a widely panned event for the network. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted that CNN should be ashamed of themselves in part because they had facilitated a public attack on a sexual abuse victim.

Even some Trump critics are dismayed at the apparently limited impact the jurys verdict is likely to have, especially given the CNN-centered storm that immediately followed.

I have trouble believing there is anyone who went into this week a Trump supporter, heard the E. Jean Carroll verdict, and is no longer a Trump supporter, said Lucy Caldwell, a political strategist and critic of the former president who describes herself as a former Republican.

Caldwell added, Anyone who believes women should not be subject to the behavior E. Jean Carroll experienced, already knows that Donald Trump is that person.

The scale of the storm within CNN underlines just how bad a night it was for the network.

It was a total debacle and Ive never been more ashamed to work at CNN, one prominent on-air talent at the network told The Hill on Thursday. I dont think anybody came out looking good. This is entirely a corporate and management failure. They should have anticipated how out of control Trump would be.

For Trump allies, the message is plain.

Donald Trump would probably do the next town hall in exactly the same way, said Caputo. And CNN would probably never do one in the same way ever again.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

Dominick Mastrangelo contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Sarah N. Lynch and Tyler Clifford

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border have unexpectedly fallen, not risen, since Title 42 curbs expired and reinstating criminal penalties for illegal entry is likely the biggest reason, the Biden administration said on Sunday.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said border patrol agents have seen a 50% drop in the number of migrants crossing the border since Thursday, when President Joe Biden's administration shifted to a sweeping new asylum regulation meant to deter illegal crossings.

"The numbers we have experienced in the past two days are markedly down over what they were prior to the end of Title 42," Mayorkas said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. He said there were 6,300 border encounters on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday, but cautioned it was still early in the new regime.

Mayorkas credited the criminal penalties for migrants who illegally enter the country, which resumed under existing law after Title 42's expiration, for the decrease in crossings. The COVID-era rule adopted under former President Donald Trump allowed officials to expel migrants quickly without an asylum process but did not impose penalties.

Biden, asked during a bike ride near his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, how he believed the border situation was going, responded: "Much better than you all expected."

Biden said he did not have plans to visit the border in the near term.

The Biden administration plan requires migrants to schedule an immigration appointment through an app or seek protection from countries they passed through on their way to the U.S. border. If they do not follow the process and are caught entering the U.S. illegally, they are not allowed to try again, even through legal means, for five years. There are prison terms for other violations.

"There is a lawful, safe and orderly way to arrive in United States. That is through the pathways that President Biden has expanded in an unprecedented way, and then there's a consequence if one does not use those lawful pathways," Mayorkas said.

Story continues

Officials from communities along the border agreed they had not seen the large numbers of migrants that many had feared would further strain U.S. border facilities and towns.

"The amount of migrants we were expecting initially - the big flow - is not here yet," Victor Trevino, mayor of Laredo, Texas, told CBS News' "Face the Nation."

But Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives warned a surge could still be on the way.

"I do think there are caravans going up. I think they still want to get in," Representative Michael McCaul said on ABC's "This Week" program.

Representative Mark Green, Republican chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN: "What the secretary failed to say is, this week has seen more crossings than any time, any week, in our history."

Mayorkas defended the Biden administration policy against a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that claims the restrictions violate U.S. laws and international agreements.

"This is not an asylum ban. We have a humanitarian obligation, as well as a matter of security, to cut the ruthless smugglers out," he told ABC.

'BROKEN' IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

With U.S. immigration policy in disarray, holding facilities, hospitals and towns have been left to struggle after tens of thousands of migrants waded through rivers and climbed walls and embankments onto U.S. territory last week in the days before Title 42 expired.

Trevino said hospitals were at or near capacity, with no pediatric intensive care unit available and an emergency declaration in effect.

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser told CBS that the Red Cross was helping private organizations and church groups provide food and other assistance for migrants.

"The immigration process is broken. There's no ifs ands or buts about it. But we are getting the resources that we need," Leeser said.

There has been little movement toward a bipartisan agreement to address immigration in Congress.

Just before Title 42 expired on Thursday, House Republicans approved legislation that would resume construction of a border wall, expand federal law enforcement efforts and require asylum seekers to apply for U.S. protection outside the country.

The Republican bill is unlikely to be taken up by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Tyler Clifford and Jeff Mason; Writing by David Morgan and Dan Whitcomb;Editing by Don Durfee and Cynthia Osterman)
A Border Patrol agent watches migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Migrants were reportedly encouraged by an online "whisper network" in Mexico to cross the border into the United States before Title 42 ended, NBC News reported Saturday.

The U.S. code, which was enforced in 2020 to restrict immigration based on a public health necessity, was lifted this past week, resulting in a massive wave of migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. However, while at least 21,000 undocumented immigrants were caught entering the U.S. in the three days prior to Title 42's expulsion, Border Patrol officials told NBC only 6,200 were caught on Friday  the first day after Title 42 ended.

Part of this dropoff is likely due to "rapidly spreading online rumors and a whisper network in Juarez, Mexico," NBC reported, that encouraged migrants to cross into the United States before Title 42 expired. Described by Newsweek as "an informal chain of conversations," whisper networks first came to prominence as a way for women to disclose information about sexual harassment, but have since been implemented in other ways  such as an avenue for migrants to receive information.

The whisper network in Juarez made it clear that crossing the border once Title 42 ended would be extremely difficult, NBC reported, with Rosa, a Venezuelan migrant, telling the outlet there was "a lot of talk that after the end of Title 42 it was going to be very difficult to come into the United States."

Migrants were reportedly fearful of reprisals from Title 8, a U.S. code that allows illegal immigrants to be prosecuted. Title 8 penalties were suspended during Title 42's implementation, but the latter's expiration has now put those penalties back on the table.

As trouble continues, a number of border communities have declared disasters, and cities such as Chicago and New York City are bracing for humanitarian issues from an influx of migrants heading north.

You may also like

How do you interview Donald Trump, anyway?

The college rankings rebellion

GOP-led states reportedly accusing JPMorgan Chase of religious bias
EL PASO, Texas  The end of Title 42 came and went without an immediate influx of migrants here, defying predictions of local and federal officials. More than a day after the pandemic-era law lifted, it remained to be seen what lay in store for many migrants and the border towns where they reside, however temporarily.

In total, Border Patrol apprehended just over 6,200 undocumented migrants crossing the border on Friday, the first day after Title 42 was lifted, two Homeland Security officials told NBC News on Saturday. That figure was lower than the 11,000 apprehended each day on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as the 10,000 apprehended on Thursday.

The mayor of El Paso said Friday that "We have not seen any big numbers" when compared with last week.

Multiple migrants still in El Paso said that the reason for the decrease on the numbers of those crossing could be attributed to rapidly spread online rumors and a whisper network in Juarez, Mexico, saying that the time to cross was before Title 42s end. They said they feared their best chance to come to the U.S. was about to expire.

Migrants wait be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso, Texas (John Moore / Getty Images)

"There was a lot of talk that after the end of Title 42 it was going to be very difficult to come into the United States," said Rosa, 30, who had traveled from Venezuela.

Rosa, her husband and their three young children had recently arrived at the Rescue Mission shelter, where about 220 migrants were staying as of Thursday night. The family had turned themselves in to immigration authorities to seek asylum about a week earlier.

As she spoke, Rosa's 6- and 9-year-old sons played around circular tables where dozens of migrants had gathered to eat dinner together. The brothers ran over to explore a piano, their experimental music and laughter filling the air. In a nearby room, her 2-year-old daughter slept under her father's watchful eye.

Rosa, who asked that her full name not be used for fear of immigration reprisal, said she and other migrants were very fearful of possible punishments under Title 8, the section of U.S. law that was in place before Title 42 and is now being enforced again in its absence.

Story continues

Rosa looks out of the window of the Rescue Mission of El Paso in El Paso with her six and nine year old sons (Adria Malcolm for NBC News)

Under Title 8, those who repeatedly attempt to enter the U.S. illegally face penalties, including a potential five-year ban and criminal prosecution. Title 42 had suspended those penalties, which led to an increase in the number of people who repeatedly crossed the border after they had been expelled.

"At the end of Title 42, that would be eliminated, and so that was the fear, not being able to come and turn yourself in," she said.

Juan Jose Rivera, 25, a Colombian migrant staying in the area outside Sacred Heart church, said fear of deportation and punishment "motivated a lot of people to turn themselves in."

"Sadly, a lot of us were still turned away. But thank God we were allowed to come legally," said Rivera, who wore sneakers with bright turquoise laces and carried a clear plastic bag containing his immigration documents.

Juan Jose Rivera (Adria Malcolm for NBC News)

Around the church on the morning after Title 42 ended, migrants discussed the fate of others who turned themselves in to authorities earlier in the week as they ate donuts handed out by a fellow migrant and lined up along a wall to use portable toilets.

In Juarez, there were a lot of murmurs that we would get deported after May 11, said Elienny Mavarez, a 20-year-old Venezuelan who was staying at the Opportunity Shelter for the Homeless. A lot of people were scared because it cost us a lot to get here.

In recent days, there were as many as 3,300 migrants outside the center and a local church. That number has largely dissipated after hundreds turned themselves in for processing this week before the end of Title 42, urged by authorities who handed out flyers in areas where the migrants were camped.

Migrants in El Paso, Texas (Adria Malcom for NBC News)

El Paso countys Migrant Support Services Center processed some 528 migrants on Friday, with 28 needing shelter in the city, county spokesperson Laura Gallegos told NBC News on Saturday. On Thursday, 715 migrants were processed there, and 115 of those went to shelters, she said. The center had scaled up operations to process 800 people a day starting Friday, compared with 650 previously, according to Irene Valenzuela, executive director of the county of El Pasos Community Services Department.

Still, some nongovernmental organizations in the city said their facilities were at or very near capacity on Friday. Overnight, there were probably about 750 to 900 in the wider shelter system in the city, which includes a school, hotel rooms and NGO-run facilities. That number includes migrants and local people in need of shelter.

'Do I turn myself in or not?'

Mavarez fled political instability and extreme poverty in Venezuela, where she was forced to go through garbage to eat or rely on her 4- year-old daughter's leftover oatmeal.

Its a horrible situation, said Mavarez, who wore a large white T-shirt bearing a silhouette of Texas and the words "Hey, y'all." Around her, other migrants looked through bins of donated clothes, holding them out to see if they would fit.

Mavarez said her daughter is waiting in Colombia with her grandmother because the trip through the jungle to the U.S. was too dangerous. She said she almost died three times along the way, nearly drowning in rivers.

I questioned, do I turn myself in or not? she said, about her decision ahead of Title 42s end. But I had to do it because of the fear.

Elienny Mavarez. (Adria Malcolm for NBC News)

Multiple migrants also said others stayed across the border in Mexico, determined to secure an appointment through CBP One, an online application from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which federal officials have urged migrants to use to make official appointments at ports of entry.

Many have said they struggled to get the application to work, and immigration authorities have since expanded the app's capability.

Tony David Mujica Micett, a 26-year-old Venezuelan at Rescue Mission, said he and his family were able to apply for an appointment through CBP One about six weeks ago after a difficult process of trying. He was at the shelter with his wife, Rotsy Lopez Martinez, 24, and their son Emmanuel, 3.

We did it with faith. Each time we got turned down we kept building more faith and then we accomplished it, said Mujica Micett, who was wearing a black T-shirt with New York written in blue. His wife held their smiling son, who held on tightly to a small green toy truck.

Mujica Micett said as a father to a young child he was desperate for the app to work because he did not want to cross illegally after being robbed and threatened by cartels.

Migrants from Venezuela eat in the dinning hall at the Rescue Mission of El Paso in El Paso, Texas (Adria Malcolm for NBC News)

He described large groups of migrants gathering in a plaza in Juarez, attempting over and over again to use the app.

The people who tried the most constantly accomplished getting an appointment, he said.

While Mujica Micett and his family await their appointment, some migrants who had turned themselves in were now desperately searching for their loved ones after being separated during processing.

Two Venezuelan brothers outside the Sacred Heart faced the same agony as they waited to hear from their wives.

Geryensen Renial Castro Marin and Davier Pulido Penaranda. (Adria Malcom for NBC News)

Im very worried because yesterday I heard they were deporting a good percentage of people, said Geryensen Renial Castro Marin, 22. I havent spoken to her, I havent heard anything about her.

Castro Marin said he still held out hope because a fellow Venezuelan told him that morning that she finally heard from her husband after she was released before him.

His brother Davier Pulido Penaranda, 28, was separated from his wife and 3-year-old twin daughters.

Im very worried, he said, adding that his sister-in-law had been sent back to Juarez overnight. We did things the right way and turned ourselves in.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The moment of the fall of one of the four aircraft lost by Russia on May 13

Military observer Denys Popovych told Radio NV on May 14 how the incident could have happened, and what the Russians are saying about it.

Read also: Russian military helicopters and planes crash almost simultaneously in Bryansk Oblast, crews killed

- Bryansk Oblast borders Ukraine, and four aircraft crashed on (Russian) territory there at once  this is something extraordinary, probably even in world military practice. What do you think about this sequence of incidents?

- It is worth reading what is being reported in Russia. They say that something very long-range was used, something new from air defense systems, from the territory of Ukraine. Or it was some kind of sabotage group working on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Here, the set of events associated with this situation raises many questions about the activities of air defense. Or not air defense, but the activities of the Russian Federation's Aerospace Forces (VKS) in general.

They should be renamed. We could translate "air defense" into Russian as "(betrayal), theft, doom".

Read also: Mi-8 helicopter crashes in Russia's Bryansk Oblast

- Yes, a lot of questions are asked in their (social media groups), but what about their air defense system, and why four at once? There was speculation that (Ukraine) could, for example, have brought a Patriot (air defense system) somewhere very close to the front line, for example, hit these four targets and then rolled it back somewhere. Is this possible?

- In principle, its possible. Very close to the border, something very long-range could be rolled up there, hit, and thus down two warplanes and two helicopters.

- I also read a term called an "air ambush," which is an ambush that targets some kind of aerial object. What is this?

- This could be a complex story, involving both an air defense system and, possibly, sabotage and reconnaissance groups that were operating in Bryansk Oblast. Now we can only speculate about this hypothetically, how it was organized, how it happened.

Story continues

Read also: Su-34 fighter jet crashes in Russias Bryansk Oblast  video

- Do you think the Russians will change their tactics of using aviation after this?

- This is a question for the future, but they must have questions about the activities of the Russian Aerospace Forces command. As they say: "Who is (Russian General) Surovikin, if he worked with the VKS in such a way that they lost all four aircraft in one day?" I don't remember this happening even since the beginning of the invasion.

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
On-base homes at Fort Moore in Ga., the only U.S. base named for a married couple, May 10, 2023. (Arin Yoon/The New York Times)

FORT MOORE, Ga.  Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore commanded troops in the first major battle of the Vietnam War, a role depicted in a book and a movie. His wife, Julia, was a champion for military spouses and changed the way next of kin are notified when a service member is killed.

In their honor, Fort Benning in Georgia officially became Fort Moore on Thursday as the Defense Department removes Confederate names and symbols from military property. Fort Moore is the only base named for a married couple.

Together, Hal and Julie Moore embody the very best of our military and the very best of our nation, Maj. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, Fort Moores commander, said at a ceremony marking the change, using Harold Moores nickname.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

By honoring them, Fort Moore recognizes the sacrifices of all veterans, especially highlighting those from Vietnam, he added. It also reinforces the important role Army spouses and families play in the success of our military.

The protests over the police killing of George Floyd in 2020 led to broader conversations about racism, and calls to rename sites that honored Confederate officers who fought to preserve slavery and white supremacy. A committee created by Congress to recommend new names for nine U.S. bases selected Fort Moore for Fort Benning, which had been named for a pro-slavery general more than 50 years after the end of the Civil War.

In his remarks, Buzzard reflected on Moores contribution to the Armys integration. As the commanding general of Fort Ord, California, during a time of high racial tension, Hal instituted an equal-opportunity policy banning discrimination, he said.

After graduating from West Point, Moore served in the military for more than 30 years, with assignments around the world. But he is perhaps best remembered for his leadership as a lieutenant colonel at the beginning of the Vietnam War.

In November 1965, the military leader took his outnumbered troops into the valley of Ia Drang, and a bloody fight ensued. The North Vietnamese troops retreated in what was considered a tactical victory for the United States. But casualties were heavy. Within 72 hours, 79 U.S. soldiers were killed and 121 were wounded.

Story continues

In battle our world shrank to the man on our left and the man on our right and the enemy all around, Moore recalled in his memoir, We Were Soldiers Once  and Young. The battle and his actions were later depicted in a movie starring Mel Gibson.

On the homefront, military families stationed at Fort Benning began receiving Western Union telegrams bearing news of the losses of these young husbands, fathers and sons. Unaccustomed to notifying so many families at once, the Army hired taxi drivers to deliver the telegrams.

Julie Moore saw that this practice lacked compassion and humanity. It was a very cruel way to tell a woman that her world had come to an end, she wrote in a letter.

She and other spouses accompanied the taxi drivers and consoled the wives upon notification. Because of her work, the Defense Department started requiring that an officer and a chaplain are present when a family is notified.

Her dedication to military families led to the development of Army Community Service, which offers educational programs and resources to help soldiers and their families, especially through deployments and frequent moves.

Julie and Hal Moore, who had five children, moved 28 times in 32 years. Active-duty military personnel move once every two to three years on average, according to the Defense Department, contributing to a high unemployment rate for military spouses. During deployments, training and other duty assignments, military spouses, most of whom are women, often raise children alone.

When soldiers return home, they go through a reintegration process, and families adjust as well. Children sometimes meet or get to know a parent for the first time.

Maj. Bernard Wheeler recalled leaving home for a nine-month deployment just after the birth of his daughter. When he returned, he said, Brooklyn wouldnt let me pick her up. His wife, Britnee Wheeler, added: When he came home, she didnt want anything to do with him. She was like, Why are you touching my mama? It was the craziest experience.

At the ceremony, the Moores youngest son, Dave, a West Point graduate and retired Army colonel, spoke about the values his parents represented as a military family. We believe the redesignation of Fort Benning is unique in that, by Hal and Julie Moores example, the Army continues to recognize Army families as essential to Army readiness and mission accomplishment, he said.

As the ceremony ended, Rebecca Gell Workentine began to exit but paused to look back at the soldiers in the stands. She waved, and a sea of hands waved back.

In 1965, she had received one of the dreaded telegrams, saying that her husband, Jack Gell, had been killed in action in Ia Drang.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
One person was killed Saturday night when a moped crashed into a tree near a Lexington County road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Roan Aiden Palmer, a 17-year-old Lexington resident, died in the accident, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said Monday.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 8:30 p.m., said Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway.

The teenager was driving a 2022 Tian moped west on Windsor Park Drive and lost control near the intersection with Old Cherokee Road, according to Ridgeway. Thats in Lexington near Lake Murray.

The moped ran off the right side of the road, crashed into a tree, and Palmer died at the scene, Ridgeway said.

No other injuries were reported.

Palmer was not wearing a helmet, according to Fisher.

Information about what caused Palmer to lose control of the moped was not available, but the collision continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroners office.

This was the second fatal wreck in Lexington County Saturday.

In the early morning, a 60-year-old driver died at the scene of a crash on Gardners Terrace Road near Gillans Terrace Road after a car hit two culverts before flipping over, according to the Highway Patrol.

Through May 7, at least 321 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 11 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 43 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
Garnell Whitfield Jr.'s mother, had she not been gunned down by a white supremacist a year ago, would be 87.

Whitfield, a man of unbending faith, sees a powerful harmony with the fact that the birthday of his mother, Ruth Whitfield, this year would have fallen on the Good Friday date of April 7, for Christians like him a day of death followed by rebirth.

Similarly, he sees that same harmony with the May 14 anniversary of the murder of his mother and nine other Black people at the Tops supermarket: That day is also Mother's Day.

"The real story is (Christ's) resurrection, and it's my mother's story," Whitfield said in an interview this month at his Buffalo home. "That's my mother's story because my mother is bigger now than she ever would have been. My mother is bigger than life. My mother has influence and power in death that she never had."

Garnell Whitfield talks about his work over the past year. His mother, Ruth Whitfield, was one of the 10 people killed at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Road in Buffalo last year by a racist shooter.

In the aftermath of Ruth Whitfield's murder, her family has become outspoken advocates of policy and community changes, especially her son Garnell Whitfield Jr., Buffalo's former fire commissioner. They are among the families of the 10 who were murdered who are now trying to bring a spotlight to the societal and racial underpinnings of the murder.

And then there is the grief to navigate on the anniversary of the killings.

Activism in the wake of tragedy

Ruth Whitfield

Whitfield himself has addressed Congress about proposed gun control measures. He has marched with the victims of other of mass killings. The Whitfield family organized an April conference at the University of Buffalo that attracted national social justice activists and focused on issues from gun violence to the oppressive presence of white supremacy. Ruth Whitfield's photo was prominently displayed at the conference, and her name highlighted in the conference's title, "Pursuit of Truth."

"In the Jewish tradition, when someone passes we say, 'May their memory be for a blessing,'" said Amy Spitalnick, an expert in online radicalization and a speaker at the conference. "The Whitfield family has certainly turned their grief into action and their mother's memory into a blessing through their extraordinary activism and leadership. The conference last month is a model for the community conversations and partnerships we need in order to break the stranglehold of violent white supremacy and extremism."

Story continues

Wherever he is, Garnell Whitfield Jr. said, his mother is alongside.

"She's always with me," he said. "My mom is always with me, just as our Lord Savior is always with me. My mom poured herself into me. ... I'm an extension of her."

These families have a road map for those in Buffalo, Uvalde. They've been there.

'The pain is real.' Buffalonians push on through fire, ice and grief

Pushing through pain

Though in incessant pain from back ailments and other physical maladies, Ruth Whitfield weathered through, often providing an ear and a heart to others in need.

For a decade she visited her husband daily at a nearby nursing home where he resided. Her husband had suffered a traumatic brain injury, was unable to speak and sometimes did not recognize those around him. She did not miss a visit.

Ruth Whitfield, (left) and Garnell Whitfield Sr., (right).

This month at the Tops where his mother was killed, Garnell Whitfield Jr. met for the first time a supermarket manager who often confided in Ruth Whitfield about his personal struggles, and she always responded with an encouraging word that gave him a boost. The manager had a similar conversation in Tops only 20 minutes before Ruth Whitfield was murdered. In tears, he told Garnell Whitfield Jr. of the exchange.

"What we find out is that my mother was much bigger, though she was the biggest thing in my life, she was much bigger than that to other people," Whitfield said.

Motivated by racism

Pursuit of tRuth, a not for profit, created by Ruth Whitfield's family in honor of her. She was killed at the Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo by a gunman who was targeting Black people to kill.

For Garnell Whitfield Jr., it would be wrong to write off the Tops murderer, as a lone wolf whose crimes were an act of violence in isolation. When speaking of the shooter, Whitfield never mentions his name, instead calling him the "murderer" or "perpetrator."

Ruth Whitfield's death is a tragic consequence of the racism that infected the 18-year-old gunman and motivated him to target a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood so he could kill as many Black people as possible. He was inspired by the once fringe "replacement theory," a claim that there is a concerted effort to replace white people with people of color, including immigrants. Before May 14, the belief slithered into mainstream media, most notably embraced by former Fox commentator Tucker Carlson.

The Buffalo shooter found many like minds on social media platforms and was encouraged and energized by others who shared his racism, Whitfield said. That racism, for Whitfield, cannot be separated from the country's brutal enslavement of Black people, from the centuries of denial of basic human rights, from the community redlining and educational deprivations that barricaded Black families from the generational wealth so common among the nation's white residents.

"All of these things are being manipulated  by white supremacists, people who do not believe in justice, do not believe in equity," he said.

Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo is busy with customers. Across the street is a memorial for the 10 people killed inside and outside Tops by a white gunman looking to kill Black people.

Ruth Whitfield ensured that her family knew their heritage as Black Americans.

"To those people who do not see us, how dare you not see us as Americans?" her son, Raymond Whitfield, said after the murders. " We stand among the blood and the sweat and the tears of our ancestors. She taught us to be proud of that fact.

"She was unapologetically an African American princess," he said.

'A watershed moment'

Garnell Whitfield Jr., who also served as an assistant commissioner of the state's homeland security division, said he faced daily racism as he rose through the ranks of Buffalo's fire services.

"There was not a day that I did not have to deal with people, people that were under me  that did not think they should be answering to me only because I was Black, for no other reason," Whitfield said.

"George Floyd was a watershed moment ... in our lives but, for me, when I saw what happened, when I saw how he died, I believe it was like an epiphany."

When he watched the video of the Minneapolis police officer who murdered Floyd, a Black man, by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes, Whitfield said what he saw was far more than the asphyxiation of a single man.

"It was the first time I understood what was wrong with me," Whitfield said. "My whole life I've had somebody on my neck and can't take a full breath. That's how it feels  the weight of racism, of discrimination, of hate, wearing it, carrying it. I finally understood what it was I felt my whole life when I saw him take his last breath."

Still, Whitfield said, his faith and the ever-present memories of the words and soul of his mother allow him to persist, with hope and with a belief that there can be change.

"At the end of the day, it's how you feel about me and how I feel about you. Do I see you as a fellow human being, as a creation of God? Do I see you as a brother or a sister who God saw fit to breathe the breath of life into?

"We can have these conversations and I think that change occurs."

That is what Ruth Whitfield believed, and it was the fiber of her constant strength, decency and goodness. The perpetrator could not diminish that for those who loved her.

"My mom's physically gone, but spiritually she's ever present, and I'm thankful to God for that," Garnell Whitfield Jr. said. "As difficult as this has been, I talk with my mom every day."

'Constantly remembering' One year after a racist, murderous rampage at a Buffalo supermarket, a poet finds light through the written word.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Buffalo Tops shooting: Ruth Whitfield's son has embraced activism
Lori Howell helps her granddaughter Elizabeth Lords, 4, with crafts at her home in Spanish Fork on Monday, May 8, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Sacrifice, anxiety, joy ... laundry  mothers across all ages share so many things in common, even when their approach is different and their children are at different stages in their lives.

We wanted to hear from mothers themselves about what being a mom is really like. It may depend on who you ask  and what stage they are at in their motherhood journey. To get the inside scoop on motherhood and its many facets, the Deseret News interviewed four moms from four different generations.

A new reality: Gen Z

The moment she held her newborn child for the first time, McCall Porter entered what she called a new reality.

My thoughts were this is so surreal. How is this my baby? How is this my child? Porter, age 23, said it felt crazy to finally be what she always wanted to become: a mother.

She said she is inspired by the example of her own mother. Porter grew up in a single-parent household with her mom as the primary caregiver. When Porter was 1 week old, her mom juggled three jobs to provide for her and her brother, Kaden, who was 4 at the time.

Seeing my mom do everything on her own, it just made me want to be a mom even more in a way, honestly, Porter, a Utah native, told the Deseret News in an interview from her home in Philadelphia. It made me respect her and respect motherhood so much more.

When Mothers Day came around, Porter said her mother would feel lots of mom guilt. She would always just feel bad in the ways that she didnt feel like she was a good mom, which is kind of reverse. She should feel like a good mom on Mothers Day.

McCall Porter is pictured with her husband, Cole Porter, as they hold their firstborn child, Jack. | Porter family photo

Porter made sure to do everything her mom asked when the holiday came, from cooking breakfast to cleaning the kitchen. She wanted her mom to feel special on the day meant specifically to celebrate her.

Porter said she cant believe Mothers Day now applies to her. And since her child isnt old enough to make breakfast or clean, she said spending time with her baby is a good enough celebration for her.

Story continues

Growing up, Porter was always drawn toward kids. Her love for them brought her to work in preschools and pediatric dentistry, which helped prepare her for motherhood  although its still a big adjustment for the couple.

The moment you find out that you actually are pregnant and are going to have a baby, everything totally changes, she said.

She and her husband Cole have been navigating parenthood for about three months now with baby Jack.

So far, Porter worries about being the best mom that she can be. Obviously, being a mom has a lot of responsibility, Porter said. Its your job to make sure that they learn and grow as theyre supposed to, adding, I worry about that the most  that Im teaching him and helping him grow the best I can.

She said they plan to take things day by day and to follow certain values they learned growing up, as well as make decisions based on their own best judgment.

Following in her moms footsteps, Porter hopes to teach her kids the value of knowing who they truly are, being kind and developing a strong work ethic.

And for other new moms about to embark on the wonderful yet intimidating journey of motherhood, her advice is to take things as they come, especially if you have a newborn. I feel like for my husband and me, because we see it the same, you just take it as it comes. Its so much easier that way for us.

Maintaining an identity: Millennial

Hailey Terry lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and children, ages 1 and 3. Terry is the ultimate high-adventure mom. The one that other moms might look at in awe. When her baby was just 2 years old, she strapped him to her back and headed into the mountains.

Worried she might be in over her head, she decided the benefits of sharing natures beauty with her child outweighed the few fears she had.

Growing up, Terry had a mother who instilled this passion for the outdoors in her and encouraged her to invest time in things that made her happiest.

Terry would hike and camp often and went on her first backpacking trip at age 14.

She hopes her influence on social media can work as a tool for people who may not have the support like she had from her mom, which benefits her to this day.

I had a mom who gave me a lot of encouragement and advice and knowledge. And so I was like, theres maybe a lot of people who dont have that person in their life to help them, she told the Deseret News.

And so anyway, thats kind of how it started as I just felt like I could maybe be that person who could share my experience in it to help a mom out there who wanted to hike with their kids or camp and share my advice, or just my experience.

Known as HaileyOutside by her 172,000 followers on Instagram, Terry promotes a bold lifestyle of Motherhood in the mountains, sharing tips for hiking, camping and traveling with kids.

Hailey Terry is pictured on a hike with her two children and pet dog. | Terry family photo

When asked how she decided she wanted this lifestyle with her children, Terry said, I wasnt necessarily taking my baby out because it was important for his development; it was more, this is important for my well-being.

She added, And then as I got out more and realized how much he just loved it, he loved to be outside in the fresh air, he loved seeing all the new things, and I was a better mom, I was happier. It was part of me realizing this is an important part of our life. And I want to continue doing this with all my kids as they grow up.

When they added another baby to the equation, the transition to two children was a tricky process at first, said Terry, but because she had learned so much with her first, physically it was harder, but mentally it was easier.

Every kid can benefit greatly from the outdoors, she said, noting that she teaches her children to take precautions when they are on one of their hikes or campouts.

That paid off, as her toddler listened to her advice in a dangerous situation. I had told him when you see a snake on the trail, you never touch it, and you come to me right away. And thats exactly what he did. Hes 3 years old, he saw the snake and he came up and told me he was the first one to see it.

Every kid brings unique challenges and because of this Terry said shes had to make sacrifices to make her lifestyle work best for her family.

You give up your free time for your kids, sometimes you give up your body for your kids and all moms make sacrifices in some form ... there are so many selfless moments we have to have. But its so important also to take care of ourselves and find what we enjoy.

Terry said that sharing her passion for the outdoors with her kids has brought her great joy and she looks forward to more adventures as her young family continues to grow.

Facing new challenges: Gen X

As she gets ready to move her third out to college, Carin Christensen, mom to four kids ages 15-25, reflected on the family shes raised in Deer Creek, Oklahoma, and how she felt when she first became a mom.

You just dont know how youre going to be as a mom, or what that responsibility is gonna feel like, and I just remember feeling like she was my best little friend. And I wanted her to go everywhere with me. And I wanted to share everything with her and was kind of excited about the future, and it just felt totally normal, she told the Deseret News.

When she got pregnant again, Christensen said she got nervous that she couldnt possibly love another baby as much as she did her first.

Its a little bit scary to jump into that and trust that itll work out. And then when you have that second baby its not like your love is divided, its just multiplied. I just found that with every kid each time. You just had more love. And it was pretty amazing, she said.

Carin Christensen and her two youngest children, Halli and Issac. | Christensen family photo

Growing up in a household full of love, she knew she wanted to create a place of comfort for her children and their friends like her parents had for her.

Her earliest memories of time with her mom reflect just that: I remember being in the kitchen with her and I remember helping her wash peaches. We had a big orchard and we would harvest all the fruit out of the trees every year. I remember rinsing off the peaches and watching her peel the peaches. I was probably 4 or 5 years old.

When asked what her ideal Mothers Day looked like, she joked that an unloaded dishwasher and no fighting was all she wanted, but really, she appreciates the words of love she gets from her kids on Mothers Day, she said.

The things I remember most are the cards that they write me. From the little drawings when they were little, to Carmens (her eldests) really good way of expressing herself through words of affirmation.

She continued, You spend so much time as a mom, worrying and working and folding laundry and cleaning up and taking care of everyone else. That to get just those few words from your kids of appreciation or just that they love you. Thats what meant the most to me.

Chase Christensen, Carin Christensens second son, is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho Falls, Idaho. | Christensen family photo

Pondering what motherhood will look like for her daughters compared to her own experiences, she believes they will face more difficult challenges than she did, adding that so much has changed just in parenting her oldest versus her youngest.

They will face different challenges, but I also feel like the spirits that are in these children that are younger, are even stronger. They might be really stubborn, but thats not always a bad thing, ... Moms will have to be on their toes and aware of whats going on out there, but I dont think its always like gloom and doom and scary. The more you trust your children, I think the more they respond and can make it through.

Related

Ramen with marinara: Boomer

When she was 16, Lori Howell lost her 2-year-old brother in a tragic accident. Now 59, she said that experience significantly impacted her motherhood before it even began.

I recognized when I was 16 how fragile life is and how quickly time goes, Howell told the Deseret News. I think, as a mom, it kind of made me realize every moment is precious with every child.

Howell is living in Provo, now a mother to seven adults, a grandmother to five grandchildren and a professor at Salt Lake Community College.

She said when she first became a mother, she was worried about being perfect. For so many years, I kept feeling like I was playing Mother, you know what I mean? She said that after some time, you grow confidence and realize you are a mom, youre not playing mom.

As her children grew up, her concerns changed. Over time, she learned to value the relationship she had with each child more than how things were being done or how the children looked while doing it.

But adult children are a totally different dynamic, Howell said. As a mom of younger kids and teenagers, I think you have to be the large and in charge. You have to be telling them what to do and holding them accountable.

Later, Howell said, I didnt sweat so much the small things. I picked my battles much more judiciously, I think. And I think a lot of parents do that.

Lori Howell poses for a portrait at her home in Spanish Fork on Monday, May 8, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Howell followed her mom and dads lead in parenting, making sure to teach her children family values like honesty, integrity, kindness, a strong work ethic and the importance of religion.

Once the kids grow up and embark on their lives outside the childhood home, she said she and her husband interfere less in their kids choices. Unless they call and ask for advice, Howell said, I dont try to tell them what to do.

And parenting children who have children is another thing entirely.

Once they start having children, Ive noticed they need their mothers so much more, Howell said.

Adult kids who are new parents will call and ask advice more often from parents. I think they appreciate you more as a mom once they start having children, too, she said.

Making sure to prioritize her children above all else was hardest when Howell served as a mission president's wife/sister mission leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints North Dakota Bismarck Mission.

She and her husband, Scott Howell, moved to North Dakota for the the church calling. Liberty Howell, their youngest daughter, who accompanied them, was a junior in high school at the time.

I loved the missionaries, but my No. 1 priority was always Liberty, Howell said. It was different for me because, all of a sudden, I was stretched between being a mission mom and being a mom to my last daughter, a balance she continued to learn until Liberty left for college two years into Howells mission service.

I wanted to be with missionaries, but I also didnt want my daughter to think she played second fiddle to anybody else, she said.

After her mission, Howell continues to put her family first. Her best piece of life advice is to value people over material things.

Even when her husband cooked ramen noodles topped with spaghetti sauce for Mothers Day one year, Howell made sure to tell him she appreciated the effort, though she now admits that any meal beats ramen with spaghetti sauce.

Howell advises people to make memories, spend more time with others and be kind, since things can be replaced, but a relationship cant.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) declined to answer whether he would support President Biden if Biden invoked the 14th Amendment to resolve the debt ceiling crisis.

You know, I dont want to give Joe Biden advice, but I think we should do our job. I think thats a precedent to just absolve Congress from being adults, Murphy responded when NBCs Chuck Todd asked him on Meet the Press whether he would support the move to avoid default.

Biden floated the idea of using the 14th Amendment last week as a way to unilaterally work around the debt ceiling. However, the president noted that it would not be a viable short-term solution with the country set to default without congressional action as early as June 1.

Biden met with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders last week to discuss the debt ceiling, but no compromises on the issue have been announced. Shortly after the meeting, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that there was no new movement on the negotiations.

Murphy said on Sunday that McCarthys stance on the debt ceiling worries him, adding that other leaders including Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have committed to keeping the U.S. from defaulting.

What worries me is that Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, even Mitch McConnell have said that, If we cant get an agreement in the next few weeks, default is off the table,' the senator said. The only leader who says, We are going to light the American economy on fire if we cant get an agreement in the next ten to 14 days, is Kevin McCarthy.

And that is deeply worrying to me because theres an opportunity to talk about their really unpopular agenda of cuts, but the time to do that is when were negotiating the budget, Murphy added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Benjie Andrew eagerly points to the many displays that line the walls of his new general store in Murrells Inlet.

Its early May and Andrew is working to get the hundreds of items tagged and placed before Seaside Market is set to open the week before Memorial Day.

The store will offer a variety of things, including fresh produce, baked goods, clothing, decor, wine and craft beer and soft-serve ice cream. But the main focus will be on produce and products from local farmers and South Carolina businesses.

I love South Carolina-grown things, Andrew said.

The 56-year-old has been a member of the state Agricultural Commission for the last 13 years, so its important for him to focus on state-grown products, featuring items that come from all over South Carolina.

He also wanted to celebrate Murrells Inlet, the place he and his wife have called home for the last five years. Andrews plans were to open a store that would meet the needs of the residents in that area.

Seaside Market, at 3908 Highway 17 Business, is located in the former Bootys Outdoor, which was a family-owned clothing, marine and tackle shop.

It is in walking distance of the MarshWalk, where most of the businesses are restaurants and bars, Andrew said. So having a store in that location will be a convenience for the local people, he said.

They can come by there and get fresh homemade cake and coffee, Andrew said. Or grab a fresh-made sandwich and take it on the boat or fishing on the pier, he said.

Hes also used his familys history of tobacco farming to give the business an authenticity of an old-time general store.

Originally from Aynor, Andrew used the tin off the roof of his fathers tobacco barn for one of the displays. Lumber from trees in Horry and Georgetown counties line the walls. Theres even an old fishing boat inside the store that will be used for pecans and other produce.

In paying tribute to Murrells Inlet, coffee blends sport the names of community favorites such as North Jetty, Marsh Walk Cuban and Goat Island Sunrise Blend.

Story continues

Andrew created a Murrells Inlet clothing line called MIVibe that includes hats and shirts.

Hes also tapped into the talents of local residents, partnering with a woman who will make homemade pies and prep meals, such as lasagna and quiche, that will be available in the cafe.

And there will be a place for local artists to display their paintings and artwork.

We really push that, Andrew said of his focus on local items. The more he can carry in his store, the more it will be a benefit to the area, he said.
On Wednesday, May 17, a remembrance ceremony will be held at Naval Station Mayport to honor Sailors who were killed aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Stark (FFG 31) nearly 40 years ago.

On May 17, 1987, while on patrol in the Arabian Gulf, 37 Sailors died when two Iraqi missiles struck USS Stark. Despite the severe damage inflicted, the heroic efforts of Starks crew saved the ship. Stark was decommissioned at Mayport in 1999.

Each year, Sailors from the 1987 crew of Stark and family members attend the service which will feature accounts of some of the events that occurred following the attack aboard the ship.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Read: Adventure Landing Celebrates Mothers Day with a Splash: Free Waterpark Admission for Moms!

Read: Downtown Jacksonville residents: Take this survey to share your input for a chance to win $200 card

Read: Kids Fishing Rodeo Hooked on Fishing not Drugs this weekend

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

A gruesome discovery at a hunting club in Georgia late last year has finally culminated in an arrest.

Authorities say dismembered remains found by hunters last December belong to 40-year-old Mindi Mebane Kassotis, who is believed to have been dead since November 2022.

Now, her husband, a former JAG officer for the Navy, is being charged with her murder.

Nicholas Kassotisalso known as Nicholas Killian James Stark, 40, was arrested in Pennsylvania on Friday for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence and removal of body parts from scene of death or dismemberment, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Officials found Mindis body on Dec. 2, 2022, in Liberty County, Georgia. They determined that she was placed there sometime after Nov. 18, but her identity remained a mystery for months.

It wasnt until May 11 that agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the body was Mindi after taking DNA samples from her family. Nicholas was arrested the following day.

The couple were married in Virginia in 2016. Mindi was a writer and business owner originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. Nicholas was serving in the U.S. Navys Judge Advocate General Corps at the time. At the time of Mindis death, the couple were living together in Savannah.

Nicholas is currently being held in the Lancaster County Prison, where hes awaiting extradition back to Georgia.

The motive for Mindis killing remains unclear. Attempts to reach her family and the family of Nicholas Kassotis were unsuccessful.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Iranians are forced to use homegrown apps as the authorities tighten internet restrictions for security reasons

Banned from using popular Western apps, Iranians have been left with little choice but to take up state-backed alternatives, as the authorities tighten internet restrictions for security reasons following months of protests.

Iranians are accustomed to using virtual private networks, or VPNs, to evade restrictions and access prohibited websites or apps, including the US-owned Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The authorities went as far as imposing total internet blackouts during the protests that erupted after the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, following her arrest for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic's dress code for women.

Connections are back up and running again, and even those who are tech-savvy are being corralled into using the apps approved by the authorities such as Neshan for navigation and Snapp! to hail a car ride.

As many as 89 million people have signed up to Iranian messaging apps including Bale, Ita, Rubika and Soroush, the government says, but not everyone is keen on making the switch.

"The topics that I follow and the friends who I communicate with are not on Iranian platforms," said Mansour Roghani, a resident in the capital Tehran.

"I use Telegram and WhatsApp and, if my VPN still allows me, I'll check Instagram," the former municipality employee said, adding that he has not installed domestic apps as replacements.

- Integration -

At the height of the deadly Amini protests in October, the Iranian government cited security concerns as it moved to restrict internet access and added Instagram and WhatsApp to its long list of blocked applications.

"No one wants to limit the internet and we can have international platforms" if the foreign companies agree to introduce representative offices in Iran, Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour said last month.

Meta, the American giant that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has said it has no intention of setting up offices in the Islamic republic, which remains under crippling US sanctions.

Story continues

The popularity of the state-sanctioned apps may not be what it seems, however, with the government encouraging people to install them by shifting essential online public services to the homegrown platforms which are often funded by the state.

In addition, analysts say, Iranian users have online safety concerns when using the approved local apps.

"We have to understand they have needs," said Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights and security at the New York-based Miaan Group.

"As an Iranian citizen, what would you do if registering for university is only based on one of these apps? Or what would you do if you need access to government services?", he said.

The locally developed apps lack a "clear privacy policy", according to software developer Keikhosrow Heydari-Nejat.

"I have installed some of the domestic messaging apps on a separate phone, not the one that I am using every day," the 23-year-old said, adding he had done so to access online government services.

"If they (government) shut the internet down, I will keep them installed but I will visit my friends in person," he said.

- Interconnection 

In a further effort to push people onto the domestic platforms, the telecommunications ministry connected the four major messaging apps, enabling users to communicate across the platforms.

"Because the government is going for the maximum number of users, they are trying to connect these apps," the analyst Rashidi said, adding all of the domestic platforms "will enjoy financial and technical support".

Iran has placed restrictions on apps such as Facebook and Twitter since 2009, following protests over disputed presidential elections.

In November 2019, Iran imposed nationwide internet restrictions during protests sparked by surprise fuel price hikes.

A homegrown internet network, the National Information Network (NIN), which is around 60 percent completed, will allow domestic platforms to operate independently of global networks.

One platform already benefitting from the highly filtered domestic network is Snapp!, an app similar to US ride-hailing service Uber that has 52 million users -- more than half the country's population.

But Rashidi said the NIN will give Tehran greater control to "shut down the internet with less cost" once completed.

rkh/noc/dv/lb
An American Fork man charged with soliciting an undercover agent posing as a young girl online is now facing new charges accusing him of sexually abusing a 13-year-old while he was out of jail. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

A Utah man already facing criminal charges accusing him of soliciting an undercover agent posing as a teenage girl online is now charged with sexually abusing an actual teenage girl he met online while he was out of jail for his first case.

Richard Paul Healey, 34, of American Fork, was charged Friday in 4th District Court with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, and enticing a minor, a second-degree felony.

Healey already faces charges of enticing a minor, dealing in harmful materials to a minor, and 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, all second-degree felonies, that were filed in 3rd District Court in November.

In that case, investigators say Healey was a member of an online social media group titled "Utah Teens 13-19." A member of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking task force posed as a 12-year-old girl on that group, and Healey reached out to "her," according to charging documents.

The undercover agent told Healey she was a girl in the seventh grade, but Healey "told her that age didn't matter and "asked if the girl wanted to date him even though he is older," the charges state.

Healey was arrested on Nov. 11, 2022, and then released from jail to pretrial services. After he was released, investigators received the results of a search on Healey's phone and found 950 child pornography images, according to court documents. On Jan. 23, prosecutors successfully petitioned to have Healey's bail revoked and he was taken into custody again.

But according to his new charges, Healey was on the Spotafriend app on Jan. 14. The app bills itself as "a Tinder alternative for people ages 13-19."

"(Healey) started chatting with the victim, who is 13 years old, and convinced her to meet late at night near a grocery store in Lehi. The victim met the defendant around 4 a.m. and they walked down the street and went behind another business that was closed," the charges state.

Story continues

Police say Healey inappropriately touched the girl. Then on Jan. 18, Healey picked up the girl from her junior high school, took her to his house and inappropriately touched her again, the charges allege. He then drove her back to school.

When police became aware of what was happening, the girl said she did not know Healey's name but was able to pick him out of a photo lineup, according to the charging documents.

"(Healey) was a stranger to the victim and made contact with her for the purpose of meeting and engaging sexual acts," the charges say.
CANBERRA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- A South Australian man is feared dead after being attacked by a shark while surfing, local media reported on Sunday.

The 46-year-old man was surfing at a popular beach on the Great Australian Bight more than 350 km west of Adelaide, the capital city of the Australian state of South Australia (SA), when he was attacked at approximately 10 a.m. local time on Saturday.

Police and the State Emergency Service (SES) were called to the spot by multiple witnesses to the attack and more than half a dozen boats and jet skis were deployed to search the area all day before resuming on Sunday.

Authorities on Sunday confirmed they recovered the man's surfboard.

Trevlyn Smith, the local SES unit manager, said up to 16 fellow surfers witnessed the attack.

"There were obviously several people in the water and from what I can hear there were witnesses that saw evidence of the attack," he was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"We've got a missing person, they've already got the surfboard, we're just looking for anything that relates to that person."

The Great Australian Bight spans more than 1,000 km and is notorious for large shark populations, including great white sharks.

Jaiden Millar, 22, was in the water surfing on Saturday when the man was attacked.

He described the incident as tragic.

"It was such a confronting incident. I saw his board tombstoning, which means he's underwater and his board's getting dragged under ... trying to fight his way back up to the surface," he told News Corp Australia.

"It's something that all surfers think about but you never want it to happen to anyone and it's something that you never want to experience. I'm still in a lot of shock and it hasn't quite hit me yet." 
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Rep. Ruben Gallego

Six months after losing a tough Arizona election, one GOP candidate is still fighting the results. But another has remained conspicuously silent.

The complainers might grab headlines, but Im drawn to the candidate that didnt bark.

In 2022, Republicans expected to win the majority in the U.S. Senate. Instead, Democrats gained a two-seat advantage, a fact the GOP is desperate to reverse.

The best chances to flip seats are red states with blue senators: Montana, Ohio and West Virginia. Mitch McConnell wants West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice to replace Sen. Joe Manchin, which seems likely.

Montana and Ohio are still scrambling for candidates to take on Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Sherrod Brown, respectively. Their chances remain to be seen.

Sinema and Gallego will divide their base

But theres one more Senate race that will draw lots of national attention: the always unpredictable state of Arizona.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema remains defiantly centrist, annoying much of the former Democrats base. Progressives across the nation are eagerly helping Ruben Gallego teach her a lesson about party loyalty.

In a general election, this will divide liberal and independent votes, providing an excellent opportunity for a unifying conservative to slide in and take the prize.

Note the word unifying.

Whats needed is a candidate who seeks the votes of all Republicans, whether America First or McCain-style maverick. Bashing those other kinds of Republicans might win the primary, but it will be death in the general.

The last election taught us that.

Alienate one group or the other, and a big chunk of voters will support Sinema or just stay home.

A unifying conservative could beat them both

Thats why smart conservatives are keeping their eyes on the candidate that didnt bark.

After losing a competitive race, Blake Masters conceded instead of wasting half a year denying reality.

I called and congratulated Mark Kelly this morning, Masters said before pivoting to the future.

Story continues

We have to build on what works, scrap what doesnt, he added. I believe in Arizona and I believe in America.

What we know: Which Republicans will run for Sinema's seat?

And that was that. No shouty speeches, no media blitzes, no legal-defense fundraisers  he just moved on.

After a rocky start in the last campaign, Masters got better and better on the stump. He asked Republicans, independents and even Democrats for their vote instead of criticizing how they voted in the past.

He was one of the few GOP aspirants who pivoted to the center for the general and built bridges instead of burning them down.

Blake Masters may be that candidate

Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters speaks at a Kari Lake campaign event at Social Tap.

Even if a centrist Republican didnt vote for Masters last November, they didnt hate him. Hes perfectly positioned to earn their vote next November.

Masters has a proven national fundraising base and already survived the gauntlet of negative defining ads run by Kelly and the Democrats. If the party funds another war chest, most of the money will be directed at Sinema instead of the GOP nominee.

Former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is making noise that she might jump into the Senate race, often via video from Mar-a-Lago. If she isnt selected as Donald Trumps veep, that is.

But shes still fighting the last election, blasting a big segment of Republicans along with the Democrats. That strategy didnt work in 2022 and shows little hope for 2024.

Whatever their political persuasion, Arizona Republicans are sick of losing and are eager to rally around their next Senate candidate.

They need someone who can speak MAGA to voters in Kingman and Maverick to voters in Scottsdale. A contender who will get national support from the GOP old guard as well as the America First Republicans.

The state party has a choice: unify or hand another yes vote to Joe Biden.

Blake Masters can bring both sides back together. He might be the only one who can.

Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. On Twitter: @exjon.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kyrsten Sinema or Ruben Gallego? Neither, if this Republican runs
Presidential candidate and former South Carolina Nikki Haley declined to condemn Donald Trump on Sunday, after the former president was found liable this week of defaming and sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll.

Asked about whether it tarnishes the Republican party that its leading figure was found liable of such crimes, Ms Haley responded that all sides should be heard in a legal proceeding, and that it was up to the American people to pass judgment.

I have always said that anyone that feels like they have been sexually assaulted in any way should come forward and have their voice heard, Ms Haley told CBS Newss Face the Nation on Sunday. I also think that anyone thats been accused should be able to defend themselves. I was not on the jury. I am not the judge. I think that both of them had their voices heard. There has been a verdict and there has been an appeal.

Asked whether this meant Ms Haley was questioning the verdict, she declined.

Theres a verdict and I think theres been an appeal, she said. I think it stands where it stands and I think the American people need to make a decision based on that.

During the trial, a New York jury heard detailed accounts of how Mr Trump sexually assaulted Ms Carroll in a dressing room at the luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in 1996. Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, who are among the more than two dozen women have accused Mr Trump of sexual assault and misconduct, also testified.

I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back, Ms Carroll said after the verdict. Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.

Following the decision, Mr Trump, who insists the attack never took place and that he doesnt know Ms Carroll, lashed out at the Elle magazine writer during a CNN town hall, calling the allegations fake and a made up story.

Mr Trump filed notice on Thursday with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals that he plans to challenge the $5m decision, while Ms Carrolls lawyers indicated they may sue Mr Trump again for continuing to call the writer a liar.

Everythings on the table, obviously, and we have to give serious consideration to it, attorney Roberta Kaplan told The New York Times. We have to weigh the various pros and cons and well come to a decision in the next day or so, probably.
An expected spike in illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border after the termination of the Title 42 pandemic-era migration control policy earlier this week did not materialize in the immediate aftermath of the policy change, according to government data obtained by CBS News.

On Friday, the first day since March 2020 in which the U.S. could no longer cite Title 42 to expel migrants, Border Patrol agents apprehended roughly 6,300 migrants, a sharp drop from record levels of illegal entries reported days earlier, a senior U.S. official told CBS News, requesting anonymity to provide unpublished figures.

Earlier in the week, in the lead-up to Title 42's expiration at 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, Border Patrol apprehensions soared to all-time highs. In three days this week, Border Patrol recorded more than 10,000 daily migrant apprehensions.

In an interview with CBS News, Gloria Chavez, the top Border Patrol official in Texas' Rio Grande Valley, said Saturday had been a "quiet day." She noted that her sector recorded 1,900 migrant apprehensions on Friday, after recently averaging 2,700 daily migrant arrivals.

Still, Chavez noted that holding facilities in the Rio Grande Valley had roughly 5,000 migrants as of Saturday, above the 4,600-person capacity.

"We're absolutely not out of the woods yet," Chavez said. "We're gonna continue to work really hard and get these agents the resources that they need."

Federal law enforcement agents and officers keep watch as immigrants are lined up to be transported from a makeshift camp between border walls between the U.S. and Mexico on May 13, 2023, in San Diego, California. / Credit: Getty Images

A public health authority first invoked by the Trump administration at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Title 42 allowed U.S. border officials to expel migrants 2.7 million times to their home country or Mexico without hearing their asylum claims. Its end was triggered by the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The unexpected lower number of illegal crossings right after Title 42's termination could be a sign that the recent spike in migration peaked before the policy's end. However, 6,300 daily apprehensions is still a historically high level, and another sharp increase in migrant crossings could still occur in the future.

Story continues

In a federal court filing on Friday, Matthew Hudak, Border Patrol deputy chief, said his agency was still preparing for daily migrant arrivals to increase to between 12,000 and 14,000. The agency also continues to face major operational challenges, with more than 20,000 migrants in its custody, and several facilities over-capacity.

Concerns about even higher numbers of migrants in Border Patrol custody, and more overcrowding, have intensified after a federal judge in Florida earlier in the week blocked a policy that allowed the agency to quickly release some low-risk migrants to reduce the number of individuals in overcrowded facilities.

The Biden administration urged U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell to pause his ruling, saying it would lead to "dangerous overcrowding" and could force Border Patrol to decline to arrest some migrants to mitigate those conditions. But in an order Saturday, Wetherell declined to suspend his ruling, calling the government's request "borderline frivolous."

The "'chaos' that the President recently acknowledged has been going on at the Southwest Border 'for a number of years' is largely a problem of Defendants' own making because they effectively incentivized the 'irregular migration' that has been ongoing since early 2021 through the adoption and implementation of immigration policies that prioritized 'alternatives to detention' over actual detention," Wetherell wrote in his order.

The Biden administration is betting that it will be able to reduce the historically high levels of migration recorded over the past two years through a strategy that pairs deterrence measures, including more deportations and a restriction on asylum, with increased legal migration channels.

A centerpiece of the strategy is a rule implemented Friday that disqualifies migrants who enter the U.S. without permission if they did not first seek refuge in a third country en route to American soil. Those subjected to the regulation could face deportation to Mexico or their home country, as well as a five-year ban on re-entering the U.S.

At the same time, the administration is expanding programs for migrants to come to the U.S. legally, including through a mobile app for asylum-seekers in Mexico and a program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who have American sponsors.

That strategy, however, is now facing legal challenges from multiple directions. Republican-led states are asking a federal judge in Texas to block the sponsorship program for Cuban, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, while migrant advocates recently asked a federal judge in California to declare the new asylum restriction illegal.

During a briefing with reporters on Friday, Blas Nunez-Neto, the top Department of Homeland Security official on immigration and border policy, said the administration was "concerned about the impact litigation will have on our ability to execute this plan."

"The lawsuits we are facing, frankly from both sides of the aisle, clearly demonstrate just how fundamentally broken our immigration system is," Nunez-Neto said, noting that the only "lasting solution" to address migration to the U.S. southern border could come from Congress.

 Nicole Sganga contributed to this report.

Notebook: Mother's Day is a day to say thank you to all our mothers

Rep. Lauren Underwood says there's a "pathway" for maternal health bills to pass Congress

NEC director Lael Brainard says "our expectation" is that Congress will act to avoid default
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the withdrawal of Russian troops is a prerequisite for peace in Ukraine.

Source: Scholz at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Sunday, reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Ukraine is ready for peace, but Ukraine, quite understandably and justifiably, wants this not to mean any kind of freezing of the war and dictation from Russia. We are talking about an imperialist, aggressive attack on Ukrainian territory, and therefore the peace and security of Europe are under threat."

Details: Scholz has stressed that it is necessary to talk about peace based on the Ukrainian presidents peace proposal.

Quote: "But Russia has to withdraw its troops, because without it, there is nothing to talk about at all."

More details: The Chancellor has assured Ukraine of Germany's continued support. "We will support you for as long as it takes," he said, noting that Germany has so far provided 17 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Background: At the briefing, Zelenskyy said that this year it was time to determine the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

He also stated that he believed in the success of the "coalition of fighter jets" during his visits to European capitals.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Former President Barack Obama asserted that gun ownership has become an ideological ... and a partisan issue as he declared that Americans argue about matters that dont have to do with keeping our children safe.

In an interview with CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson thats set to air in full on Tuesday, Obama said discussion on the matter has become sort of a proxy for arguments about our culture wars.

I think somehow  and there are a lot of historical reasons for this  gun ownership in this country became an ideological issue and a partisan issue in ways that it shouldnt be, Obama said.

It has become sort of a proxy for arguments about our culture wars, you know? Urban versus rural. Race is always an element in these issues. Issues of class and education, and so forth, he added.

Obamas comments were shared as the U.S. had recorded 216 mass shootings in the country in 2023 as of Sunday morning, according to the Gun Violence Archive. There have been 15,544 deaths due to gun violence in the U.S. so far this year and 12,447 injuries.

In the CBS Mornings interview, Obama proceeded to distinguish the matter of gun violence in America from other very practical approaches to matters that the country takes.

Like we do, lets say, for example, with car safety, where we say, All right, we got a bunch of accidents. Lets have seat belts and lets make cars safer and lets engineer our roads so that we prevent them, Obama observed.

Instead of thinking about it in a very pragmatic way, we end up really arguing about identity and emotion and all kinds of stuff that does not have to do with keeping our children safe.

Related...
A man broke into a locked dorm building at Pacific Lutheran University early Sunday morning and groped female students while they were sleeping, according to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department.

The man entered two different dorm rooms and stood over the students, spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss Jr. said Sunday in an email.

He woke them by groping them and then ran away, he said.

Following the two incidents, one of the victims saw the man in a nearby parking lot and chased after him, spraying him with pepper spray, Moss said.

She also took a photo of the man, which was released to The News Tribune. The New Tribune typically does not identify suspects before they appear in court.

The photo shows what appears to be a heavy set man, wearing a dark plaid button-down shirt over a white T-shirt. He also has brown hair and a beard but with no mustache. He was wearing glasses in the photo.

The Sheriffs Department is still working to identify the man.

Deputies are working with campus security to obtain all footage, and forensics responded to process several places for possible fingerprints, Moss said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriffs Department at 253-798-7530 or Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County at 800-222-8477.
Marisa Hutchinson had her daughter, Bianca Arnold, when she was just 21 years old.

Arnold grew up and had her own daughters, Layla and Anastasia, but just two weeks after giving birth to her youngest, Arnold fell ill with COVID.

After that, Hutchinson found herself stepping up to take care of her young granddaughters while also fighting for doctors to save her own daughter's life.

One night, after Arnold gave birth to her second daughter, she went in to change her in the middle of the night and said she could barely stand up. Arnold was turning blue and rushed to the hospital in Toledo, diagnosed with COVID.

Arnold was intubated, then put into a coma, her mother said. Doctors told Hutchinson to consider making plans for her daughters funeral.

Bianca Arnold, a mother of two who was hospitalized due to COVID, intubated and then in a coma. She was in a come for 40 days and spent an additional 40 days hospitalized once she woke up.

Hutchinson recalls the last words her daughter spoke to her before she was intubated and put into a coma at a hospital in Toledo: Im sorry, mommy.

There's no way I was going to let that be our last conversation, she said. When somebody tells you to plan your child's funeral, that's not going to happen. Youll do whatever. I wouldve taken her place if I couldve.

Kidney donors: 'You just need a partner': Times Square billboard unlocks network of kidney donors for NY man

Music therapy: The healing power of a good beat: Neurologic music therapy helps kids with brain injuries

How did the Clinic Cleveland hear about her story?

A family friend pushed her to ask doctors about ECMO, artificial life support that helps people whose lungs and heart are malfunctioning.

She had seen commercials for the Cleveland Clinic, so she decided to reach out and plead for doctors there to save her daughters life. She sent hospital staff photos of her daughter and told them Arnold had both a 15-month daughter and a newborn.

I guess what I was hoping for, and it worked, is tugging on somebody's heartstrings, said Hutchinson, Arnolds mother.

Marisa Hutchinson (left) and her daughter Bianca Arnold (right). Arnold is a mother of two who was hospitalized due to COVID, intubated and then in a coma. She was in a coma for 40 days and spent an additional 40 days hospitalized once she woke up.

Clinic staff heard Hutchinsons pleas. According to the clinic, all cases are presented to case managers based on availability and the patients status of illness. On Oct. 30, her daughter was flown to the Cleveland Clinic.

Story continues

Hutchinson took care of her granddaughters while her daughter was in a coma for 40 days and hospitalized for another 40 days after waking up.

Hutchinson was hours away from the Cleveland Clinic while her daughter was in a coma. While Arnold was hospitalized, clinic staff decorated her room and made sure her mother could talk to her on the phone.

Clinic staff are now family, mother says

Even when Bianca was in the coma, I knew in my heart that she heard us, Hutchinson said. The nurses would hold the phone up to Bianca's ear and I would tell her things  I knew that she could hear us and I knew she was in good hands.

Daelle Waldron-Gearhart, a nurse manager at the clinic, said Arnold was admitted during a dark time where families were desperately looking for help.

At that time, visitation was still really limited so with the use of our nurse coordinators, we were able to get Bianca settled in, stabilized on ECMO, and then be able to connect with her mother.

They also wanted to give her the most healing environment possible and make sure she woke up in the best space, so they decorated the room for her, Waldron-Gearhart said.

Arnold woke up just before Thanksgiving.

Bianca Arnold (left), a mother of two, with Daelle Waldron-Gearhart (right). Waldron-Gearhart is a nurse manager at the Cleveland Clinic. Her staff took care of Arnold after she gave birth, was diagnosed with COVID and was eventually in a coma.

While in a coma, she remembers having nightmares initially and then dreams about being hospitalized. When she woke up and someone entered her room, the first thing she asked was How did this happen?

She recalls feeling depressed when she first woke up because she missed her girls.

I was away from my brand new child, she said. My oldest is only 15 months. They were babies and I was ripped away from them.

But the staff at the Cleveland Clinic did all they could to keep her motivated.

There was an aide who braided my hair for me, Arnold said. There was a nurse that cleaned me up and said Let's do your nails.

Hutchinson, Arnolds mother, said the clinic staff that cared for her daughter became family.

An emotional reunion

Their kindness meant so much to the family that Arnold asked to meet them after she woke up and was discharged from the hospital.

Arnold reached out to the clinic in April 2023 to update them and tell them she would be returning to Cleveland to follow up with some doctors.

For Arnold, a former social worker, it was important to let the healthcare professionals who cared for her know how much their work matters. She also wanted to be able to tell families facing similar health scares that there is a way out.

Bianca Arnold (left), a mother of two, with Daelle Waldron-Gearhart (right). Waldron-Gearhart is a nurse manager at the Cleveland Clinic. Her staff took care of Arnold after she gave birth, was diagnosed with COVID and was eventually in a coma.

I had a 2% chance to live and I'm here, Arnold said. There is hope and it's just having the right support to get through it.

A clinic spokesperson called her back and told her hed like to set up a reunion for her with the staff that cared for her. When the date finally came, Arnold was nervous.

I had a little bit of a panic attack there, she said. The girl that was the coordinator of the unit, she's like, Here, take my hand. We're going to do this together.

As Arnold walked through the clinics hallway on April 20, 2023, the nurse manager held her hand.

It was quite evident that for her, she wanted to come back to where she spent so much more time on life support, Waldron-Gearhart, the nurse manager, told USA TODAY. When she came up here, it was important that we walked through the unit and had that moment of healing where she could see that room.

I thought that was really amazing to see her walk through there, and then to get to see the whole team that cared for her, she said. There is that survival. You can leave the hospital and you can have a very meaningful, impactful life.

For Arnold, that can still feel like a long-term goal. Some tasks are difficult or impossible to do these days, like getting down on the floor to play with her daughters, carrying her daughter and a lack of feeling in her left leg. Shes also fatigued a lot and cant work.

Before, I was nine months pregnant working a job as a social worker, she said. I was always a high energy person and now I'm fatigued all the time. It's hard for me to do things. But like I said, I'm here for my kids and that's what's important. At the end of the day, everything I've been through to be able to be here for my girls is what matters the most.

Being a mother means sacrificing and putting your children first, Arnold says.

It means doing anything for her children, and she said shes doing the same thing her parents and grandparents did for her. She recalled the times where her parents went without to provide for her and her sister.

Being a mother also means constantly working to do better, she said.

I'm still learning every day, Arnold said. I still call my mom.

Her mother, Hutchinson, cried as she recalled raising Arnold and her sister.

Youre just like Wow, I created that life, she said. Its the best feeling in the world. It just makes you complete.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio mom pushes for doctors to save daughter after childbirth, COVID
A history of the troubles at the Oklahoma County Jail under the leadership of the Jail Trust.

After control of the Oklahoma County jail was stripped from the sheriff's office in 2020, the facility became one of the deadliest jails in America under the leadership of the Jail Trust.

But problems in the Oklahoma County jail can be traced back decades, beginning with its construction in 1991. Escape attempts soon followed, with six inmates making it out and another 150 trying within the first three years.

Two years after the jail opened, commissioners sued the jail's builder, accusing several businesses of poor workmanship. The suit was settled out of court.

By 2008, the jail had fallen into such disrepute that the U.S. Justice Department released a report chronicling more than 60 civil rights violations, and began regularly monitoring conditions at the jail.

And there were also high-profile incidents involving sheriff's deputies that proved an embarrassment for the jail.

More: Commissioner: New jail to be 'night and day' improvement from current jail's problems

Two former Oklahoma County jailers pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor cruelty charge for forcing inmates to listen to "Baby Shark" as punishment.

Both were charged after an investigation determined handcuffed inmates were forced to stand for long periods chained to a wall in the attorney visitation booth as discipline in 2019.

These problems, and more, led to the decision to change leadership at the jail. The following is a timeline of events that document the forming of the Trust as well as what has transpired at the jail under its leadership.

May 22, 2019

Oklahoma County Commissioners vote to create Jail Trust, remove Sheriff's Office from daily jail operations and appoint original Trust members

August 2019-July 1, 2020

A rocky transition of power from the sheriff to the Trust

Story continues

The Trust hires Greg Williams and the rest of its administrative team  December 2019-June 2020

July 1, 2020 - July 1, 2021

Jail Trust takes control as first year under its leadership is marred by problems

March 27, 2021

Guard gets held hostage, pepper sprayed and stabbed. One inmate shot and killed in efforts to restore order

March-April 2021

Jail health provider threatens to leave after hostage incident, later backs down, backlash toward jail leadership grows as health violations stack up

April-July 2021

Jail woes continue as officers are charged, a drug dealer was accidentally released, inmates were charged with rape and more

July 2021

Jail is banned from holding juveniles after surprise inspection

July-December 2021

Problems persist with smuggled contraband, assaults in jail. Several accusations involve jail staff

Sept. 21, 2021

Ongoing frustrations lead to public calls for resignations from Greg Williams, Trust member

Sept. 21, 2021 - Activists call for trust members to resign

Oct. 2021-June 2022

New jail considered, ultimately approved by Oklahoma County voters

Oct. 19, 2021

Oklahoma multicounty grand jury prepares to begin jail investigation

Jan. 2022-Feb. 2022

Jail improvements approved, triple-celling reduced

Feb.-March 2022

Problems continue as multicounty grand jury prepares to release report following investigation

March 23, 2023

Oklahoma multicounty grand jury releases its report following 14-month investigation

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The Oklahoma County Jail's troubled timeline since 2020
A close-up photo of police lights by night

A man was killed early Sunday morning in the Short North after a fight escalated to gunfire, the second consecutive weekend of gunfire in the popular nightlife area.

Around 2:45 a.m., Columbus police responded to a report of a fight in the 900 block of N. High Street in the Short North, near United Dairy Farmers and SeeSaw Columbus restaurant and bar. When police arrived, they discovered Arthur Pickens, 21, suffering from a gunshot wound.

Pickens was transported to OSU Wexner Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 3:07 a.m. The shooting is under investigation and police have not identified any suspects.

More on Short North violence: Columbus police release bodycam videos showing police responding to Short North gunfire

In a statement, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said "in high-traffic and populated areas like the Short North, the threat (of gun violence) to public safety is magnified when guns mix with alcohol and large crowds of people and vehicles."

"While CPD is still investigating all the facts of this incident, what we do know is that something needs to change," said Klein, who is fighting legal challenges against new city firearm ordinances. "We cannot accept gun violence as the norm in the Short North or any Columbus neighborhood."

Short North fatal shooting comes on heels of "explosion of gunfire"

The Sunday morning shooting comes on the heels of an "explosion of gunfire" between police and suspects last weekend that left 10 injured and still-unanswered questions about whether anybody had been hit by Columbus police gunfire.

Last Saturday, officers had gone to the 600 block of North High Street around 2:30 a.m. after getting a report of a shooting. While the officers were on the scene, more gunshots were heard a few blocks north.

Body camera footage shows officers firing as they moved toward a gunman who was down in front of Roaming Goat Coffee at 849 N. High St. The video shows one of the officers kicking a handgun away from the man, who was bleeding heavily. The 20-year-old man was handcuffed and transported to Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in critical condition.

Story continues

In all, 11 firearms were recovered from the scene.

Police have not said whether any of those injured were struck by police gunfire. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is leading the investigation into the incident.

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Man killed after Short North fight turns into fatal shooting
NATICK  One man died and another made it safely to shore after their canoe capsized Saturday night in Fiske Pond, authorities said.

The man's body was found about 10:30 p.m., Massachusetts State Police said in a press release.

Authorities responded to Fiske Pond, which is an extension Lake Cochituate, at about 7 p.m. for a report of a capsized canoe. One of the two men in the canoe made it to shore.

The Natick Police and Fire departments began a search. The Fire District 14 Dive Team, as well as the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police, assisted in the search.

'Manny's boxes': Through donations, Natick secures life-saving tools for swimming areas

The search continued for several hours until investigators, using a side-scan sonar, found the man's body at about 10:30 p.m. State police divers recovered the body.

Authorities have not identified the man. No other information has been released and the incident remains under investigation.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Man drowns in Natick after canoe capsizes on Fiske Pond
TEHRAN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian lawmaker said negotiations between Iran and Egypt are going on in Iraq and the two countries' relations will be restored in the near future.

Fada Hossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks in an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which was published on Sunday.

The Iranian and Egyptian embassies in the two countries will be re-opened in the next step, and a meeting will be arranged between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi after that, he added.

In an interview published on Sunday by Iran's official news agency IRNA, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying that he hoped Iran and Egypt would take reciprocal and new steps to improve relations.

He stressed that Iran welcomes the expansion of relations with Egypt, adding Tehran and Cairo are in direct contact with each other via interest offices.

Iran and Egypt cut diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent years, Iran has announced readiness to mend ties with Egypt by settling differences on certain issues.

Following the March agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the normalization of their bilateral ties and the former's efforts to improve relations with regional Arab states over the past months, the likelihood of restoring relations between Tehran and Cairo has grown. 
Over 500 years ago, Europeans began coming to the New World in growing numbers largely because of its rich resources. The Americas, of course, had already been populated by Native Americans for thousands of years. A later motivation for Europeans to arrive was to gain freedom from oppressive governments. That led to the American Revolution, which established the principles and ground rules for a new government. These principles and ground rules, once agreed upon by the founders, established an experiment with a formally organized democracy.

The founders had studied and thought deeply about what a democracy required. They expressed this in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that state the principles and rules of the government of the United States of America. These can be referred to as the American experiment. The goal of the experiment was and still is to see if democracy will work for the American nation and hopefully for any nation.

Not surprisingly, humans being what they are, Americans did not live up to the ground rules of the experiment they established for themselves. An overall principle to guide all the rules for the experiment was, All persons are created equal. This principle was immediately undermined by the existence of slavery and the existing contradiction had to be dealt with in the Civil War, some 90 years later.

More: Opinion: Religious purpose of Montreat Conference Center should be priority over other uses

More: Opinion: 'Woke' means being aware and compassionate; Stop abusing the term

The experiment was restarted, but again ran into trouble in the Reconstruction era after the Civil War because the defeated South was able to continue white supremacy by various means, even including federal actions. Many restrictions were applied to the formerly enslaved people, including making voting very difficult and using lynchings to oppress African Americans through terror. When I graduated from college in 1950, African Americans were still being oppressed by segregation and lynchings. This led to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s. These struggles marked a renewal of the experiment, particularly with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Story continues

One related branch of the struggle to perfect the experiment is the fact that women did not win the right to vote until 1919 and have had to struggle to gain other aspects of equality and freedom in the areas of education, work, and treatment in life. Another important branch of the experiment, of which I am particularly conscious having grown up in China, is in the treatment of Asian Americans.

The American experiment has repeatedly faltered, but also been slowly corrected and renewed through the sacrifice and hard effort of many. An example of the latest testing of the American experiment is the seeking to control voting through legislation that manipulates voting districts, known as gerrymandering. Our own state of North Carolina is struggling with this now. These efforts join previous examples of how the American experiment has not worked as it should. In other words, the experiment is still underway. The problem has always been that not everyone is committed to carrying the experiment forward.

More: Opinion: 2nd Chance month in Asheville  opportunities abound after jail sentence served

The American experiment will continue to be tested by those who want special privileges for themselves and for those who support them. They do not want equality under the law. This leads to corruption and ultimately to some kind of autocracy where a person gains control over others in order to guarantee those special privileges for themselves and those they approve. Unfortunately, people are attracted to an autocracy because they like the special privileges that an autocrat promises them. Autocracy has been especially appealing to Euro-Americans. If America becomes an autocracy, the experiment fails.

The American experiment in democracy has worked only because enough people believe in it to continually correct and improve it. The American experiment is constantly threatened by those who do not believe the basic statement of the equality of all people. They make themselves exceptions to the rule and thus deserving of a dominating influence in the nation.

America continues to attract people because they believe that if the principles and rules formally established at the first continue to be followed, they and their families and friends have a chance to make it in a beautiful land. Nevertheless, the American experiment must be preserved against constant challenges by those who do not really believe the American principles and rules apply to them. Preservation of the ongoing experiment will take everyones vigilance based on belief in the equality of all people and creating laws that reflect this equality.

Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D, lives in Black Mountain.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: American experiment in democracy tested by those who want control
New York City has, once again, tweaked qualification requirements for entry into its gifted-and-talented program for first through fourth grade next year. In the process, the district has managed to disregard research that spells out what specifically gave these programs any value.

Previously, kids in kindergarten through second grade took a standardized exam  a combination Otis-Lennon School Ability Test and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. Those who scored above the 97th percentile were eligible to apply to all five of the citywide accelerated schools. Those who scored above the 90th percentile could apply to their local districts enriched programs. An algorithm first placed all 99th percentile students, then the 98th and so forth down the line. (Siblings received admissions priority and could jump the queue.) So many students qualified that, usually, about three-fourths of those who applied were left without a spot.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

For 2023, Mayor Eric Adams claimed that this administration is fully committed to listening to parents. Instead of a test, grades would be used for assessment. Students who earned all 4s (exceeds expectations) would be entered into a G&T lottery, with no differentiation between those who could apply for citywide accelerated schools and enriched district programs. Adams also added a Top Performers category, where all students who were in the top 10% of their schools could apply to transfer to newly created district G&T programs starting in third grade. However, students in different types of schools  district, charter and private  were evaluated differently, leading to a new set of frustrations.

Related Can New Gifted Programs Coax Families Back into NYC's Public Schools?

Adamss predecessor, Mayor Bill de Blasio, had been determined to do away with G&T altogether, unhappy with its lack of racial and socioeconomic diversity. Adams took the opposite approach, making it easier for students from all groups to qualify. But in the process, he is on track to nullify what made the programming beneficial, particularly for those underserved kids in whose interests he is supposedly making these changes.

Story continues

For 2024, all students who earned 4s or 3s (meets expectations) are eligible for the G&T lottery, which now extends to fourth grade to accommodate seats created by the Top Performers program. Under this system, about two-thirds of all students  roughly 45,000 per grade level  are eligible, with no distinction made between those who earned all 4s across the three core subjects of reading, writing and mathematics and those who scored all 3s.

This turns the process into a glorified lottery. As I tell NYC parents, Dont worry if your kids are smart. All kids are smart. Worry if your kids are lucky. Because thats what determines whether they receive an adequate education.

Related NYC Parents Rage: With No G&T Qualifying Test, Selection Process Is Chaos

In light of these changes, I cannot help wondering: Why is NYC going through the time, resources and, most importantly, expense (amid upcoming budget cuts) to create the charade of a G&T program that goes against relevant research on the topic?

For instance:

The most highly recommended screening process advocates looking at multiple factors. Schools in New Jersey, for example, emailed parents of first and second graders advising that to ensure equitable opportunities for all students  the results of [IQ] tests will be utilized as one of several data points that will also include classroom observation and teacher nominations.

Based on NYCs 2023 screening technique, the majority of students currently attending kindergarten through third grade now qualify for first through fourth grade G&T. Yet, the Department of Education is not opening any new programs to accommodate them all. How can the department, on the one hand, claim these students require special services while providing such services for only those lucky enough to win a lottery? If the district tried the same approach with special-needs kids it would be in violation of state and federal law!

Several of the citywide, accelerated schools have already indicated they dont have the room to accept new students for 2024. As a result, the majority of those who qualify for G&T will be placed not in accelerated classes, but in enriched ones. This is the opposite of whats been proven beneficial. A 2021 study summarized: Enrollment in a self-contained accelerated class exposed Black and Hispanic students to higher teacher expectations than they would experience in a traditional classroom setting. The report concluded that: Acceleration is an effective and cost-effective way to supplement the learning needs of exceptionally talented students.

Conversely, the study continued, enrichment has been shown to be: Not sufficiently intensive.  As national evidence shows that a majority of elementary school gifted programs include four hours or less gifted education services a week, the educational dose of gifted programs may be too slight to yield positive effects.

Earlier this month, NYC launched an initiative to bring the science of reading to elementary school classrooms, employing rigorously tested best practices alongside consistent, research-based materials.

Why, then, has this administration chosen to swing in the opposite direction when it comes to G&T?
By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan's external financing requirements have not been changed in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over bailout funds, the IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan said, denying local media reports that the Fund was seeking fresh financing.

"There is no truth to reports that the IMF is asking Pakistan to raise $8 billion in fresh financing," Esther Perez Ruiz said in a text message sent to Reuters on Sunday.

Perez Ruiz said that external funding requirements had not changed throughout the discussions, under a review that would unlock $1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped South Asian nation as part of a $6.5 billion IMF package.

A staff-level agreement on the review has been delayed since November, with nearly 100 days passed since the last staff level mission to Pakistan - the longest such delay since at least 2008.

On Thursday, the Fund reiterated that obtaining commitments on external financing from friendly countries would be essential before the IMF approves the release of bailout funds.

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and China came to Pakistan's assistance in March and April with pledges that would cover some of the funding deficit.

Pakistan's central bank reserves fell $74 mln to $4.38 billion, barely a month's worth of imports, according to data released on Thursday.

Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said during a seminar on Thursday that Pakistan would not default, with or without the IMF, and that the country could not afford to take any additional harsh measures to accommodate the IMF.

Pakistan has reversed course on implementing a fuel cross-subsidy that had raised concerns at the IMF.

IMF Resident Representative Perez Ruiz said that Pakistani authorities committed to the IMF during last month's spring meetings that they would not introduce the cross-subsidy scheme in fiscal year 2023 or beyond. She said the scheme was "typically regressive and prone to abuse".

"The announced fuel cross-subsidy scheme raises new quasi-fiscal and balance of payments risks, and it is amenable to fraud," she said, in a separate text message to Reuters.

(Reporting by Gibran Peshimam in Karachi; Writing by Ariba Shahid; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Life on both sides of the Gaza Strip border began returning to normal on Sunday after an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire halted five days of fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad, which killed 34 Palestinians and an Israeli.

Israel reopened its goods and commercial border crossings, allowing fuel to flow to the lone power plant in the blockaded coastal enclave. Shops and public offices reopened and crowds returned to streets that had been deserted for days.

Both sides confirmed the halt to hostilities, but gave different interpretations of the conditions - such as whether Israel would end targeted killings of top Palestinian militants.

The truce, however, was put to the test when sirens went off in southern Israel less than 24 hours after taking effect. Gaza militants fired a rocket at Israel that struck an open area. Militant groups said the launch had been a "technical error."

Israel's military said it responded with tanks that struck two outposts belonging to the Hamas Islamist group. No injuries were reported on either side.

The past week's fighting, the longest bout since a 10-day war in 2021, began when Israel launched a series of air strikes in the early hours of Tuesday, announcing that it was targeting Islamic Jihad commanders who had planned attacks against it.

In response, the Iranian-backed group fired more than 1,000 rockets, sending Israelis fleeing into bomb shelters. In areas of southern Israel around Gaza, schools were still closed on Sunday and many of the thousands of residents who had been evacuated had yet to return.

"It's no simple matter to come back from such a situation," Gadi Yarkoni, mayor for several Israeli towns on the Gaza border, told radio station 103 FM.

Palestinian officials said 33 people, including 18 militants as well as women and children, were killed in Gaza. In Israel, an Israeli woman and a Palestinian labourer were killed by Gazan rockets.

Story continues

Echoing global concern over the Gaza violence, Pope Francis voiced hope in his Sunday message "that weapons will fall silent, because with weapons, security and stability will never be achieved. On the contrary: even any hope of peace will continue to be destroyed."

Islamic Jihad rejects coexistence with Israel and preaches its destruction. Top ministers of Israel's religious-nationalist government rule out any state sought by Palestinians in territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.

DIFFERING ON TERMS

Mohammad Al-Hindi, a senior Islamic Jihad official who co-negotiated a ceasefire in Cairo with Egyptian officials, said in a statement on Sunday that the group was prepared to halt its rocket launches in exchange for Israel's agreement to stop targeting houses, civilians, and militant leaders.

"We are committed to the calm agreement as long as the enemy abides by it," he said.

But Israel denied it had made any such undertakings, saying only that it would it hold fire as long as there was no threat.

"I have said time and again: Whoever strikes at us, whoever tries to strike at us, whoever tries to strike us in the future - his blood is forfeit," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Israeli forces had "successfully concluded five days of fighting the Islamic Jihad terrorist group," he said in the televised remarks, without mentioning a ceasefire agreement.

Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, did not take part in the fighting.

How long the latest ceasefire will hold remained unclear.

"We will continue doing everything that has to be done with one consideration alone: What serves the security interests of the State of Israel," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Netanyahu's security cabinet told Kan radio.

In Gaza, people were picking up the pieces after days of bombardment that Israel said targeted Islamic Jihad command centres and other military infrastructure, but which also damaged or destroyed dozens of houses.

"This is my room, it had the toys I used to play with and the books I used to study, there was nothing left," said Ritaj Abu Abeid, 12, as she stood inside her wrecked bedroom.

Maddah Al-Amoudi, 40, one of around 3,000 Gaza fishermen who had been blocked from going to sea, also welcomed the return to normality.

"We have no alternative to the sea. If there is work in the sea we can earn money and food for our children and if there is no sea, there is nothing."

(Additional reporting by Alvise Armellini in Rome; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Ros Russell)
Pastor Magdalena Schwartz poses for a photo at Vineyard Community Church on March 10, 2023, in Gilbert, Ariz.

In October 2018, Magdalena Schwartz, a pastor for the Spanish service at Vineyard Community Church in Gilbert, received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for her help.

It was a request to use her church as a holding facility for asylum-seeking migrants from nearby border patrol stations; the department was unable to hold them past 24 hours due to the next large influx of arrivals.

Schwartz, an immigrant herself, opened her doors and agreed to help however she could.

The first day, they sent 20 families. The next day, another 20 families. The day after that, they sent 40 families.

Schwartz realized this was an extensive commitment because they were in need of assistance every single day. She immediately reached out to other churches in the area and formed a network of about 17 churches, mostly Hispanic, who were willing to take in migrants.

Five years later, Schwartz is now the director of the migrant ministry at Vineyard Church and maintains a partnership with The Grove Church in Chandler. Both of which take in a combined total of 60 to 100 migrants weekly.

"(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) brings a bus of immigrants here to the church and we provide for them food, water, clothes," said Schwartz. "We call their sponsors or family relative, and they are released with paperwork."

The final steps are arranging volunteers or staff to drive the migrants to the airport to meet their sponsors all across America. Then, the team begins preparations for the next group of arrivals.

Although it's hard work, Schwartz said she hopes to provide for them the help that was provided to her during her immigration process.

"I want to do for another what somebody else did for me and my kids," said Schwartz. "I'm so grateful that I can do what I'm doing."

'The best decision I made': Schwartz's journey from Chile to America

After years of employment instability and working low-paying jobs, Schwartz made the decision to leave her home country of Chile at the age of 29 with her two children, ages 7 and 10.

Story continues

"I'm so grateful for the best decision I made in my life for my children," said Schwartz. "They have a good life here."

Before her arrival, Schwartz looked up to her sister, who had successfully migrated to the U.S. and found work, as an inspiration for the life she could have. One day, she received a call from her sister saying she would be willing to let her live in her Phoenix home if she could find a way to the U.S.

Schwartz immediately applied for a visa, only to be denied three separate times. Yet, her faith never wavered and her desire to migrate her children and give back to the people of the U.S. only grew. On her fourth attempt, she was approved and allowed to stay in the U.S. for six months. In 1988, Schwartz and her two children boarded a plane from Chile to Los Angeles and never looked back.

"Even though I was little, I knew coming to the United States was the biggest thing in the world," said Ester Rodriguez, Schwartz's daughter, who was 10 at the time they migrated to the U.S. She said as they boarded the shuttle to the airport, the words "freedom" and "opportunity" rang through her head.

"When we got there in Los Angeles, when I see American flag there, I start crying," Schwartz said. "I went down on my knees, and I said, 'Lord, thank you for giving me the desire in my heart.'"

Schwartz's sister and brother-in-law picked up Schwartz and her children from the airport and traveled to their home in Arizona, according to Schwartz. When they arrived, donated clothes and toys were awaiting the children, who cried and exclaimed, "Thank you, United States!"

Magdalena Schwartz speaks to asylum seekers as they prepare to be helped through the process of contacting family members and sponsors and arranging flights to their individual destinations at Vineyard Community Church on March 10, 2023, in Gilbert, Ariz.

From then on, Schwartz knew it was her mission to give to another what was graciously given to her and her children.

Schwartz said her children, now aged 42 and 45, have successful careers and families in the U.S.

Carlos Salaz, her son, said he visited Chile in 2018 with his wife and three children and said it was a "surreal and emotional experience" to go back to the country he grew up in and visit family he had not seen in over 30 years.

"It made me realize this is where we would have been if we didn't make this journey to the U.S.," Salaz said. "To be where I am today and to have what I have because of that sacrifice is life-changing."

Know an inspiring person? Nominate them for Faces of Arizona by filling out this form.

A mission to help the community, locally and nationally

Having to make her way in a new country with a prominent language she didn't speak, and no U.S. work experience was a rough journey. She worked as a babysitter, a housekeeper, and whatever else she could find to provide for her children. However, her mission to give back was always the end goal.

Almost 10 years after overstaying her visa, Schwartz said a Mesa police officer appeared unexpectedly at her church office in Mesa threatening to see her paperwork and stating that she was working illegally. She said he was not called by her nor anyone at the church and she believes he stepped outside of his jurisdiction as a police officer by threatening her.

Months later, she recalled the experience while at a meeting with a police detective who was trying to mend the relationship between the Hispanic community and the police because Hispanic people, especially immigrants are "afraid to call the police and afraid to report crime" due to deportation fears.

The officer told her that if there are any further concerns or problems within the community, the police department was willing and wanted to have a conversation about it to attempt to improve.

"This is the purpose," Schwartz said. "To do something for, not just for my community, but for the police department."

Refugia Galvan (left) prepares soup at Vineyard Community Church on March 10, 2023, in Gilbert, Ariz.

After she became aware of deportation incidents occurring by police threats in the East Valley, she talked with the Gilbert mayor and council members. She said after they communicated, Gilbert police were willing to reach out to her for insight regarding migrant issues and often allowed such cases to be handled by the correct agency.

"The Hispanic community and every community need to trust the police department," Schwartz said. "We need to have good communication."

As an initiation for clear equal communication and as a thank-you, Schwartz decided in 2016 to organize a big breakfast for police officers where they could enjoy a meal and talk with one another. This big home-cooked breakfast has now become a yearly tradition and has continued to expand, including more police departments across the Valley, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The event is organized by a small team with a very low budget, yet a bustling team of volunteers, community donations, and passion keep the yearly breakfast running, according to Denise Brittain, a corporate liaison from Arizona Interfaith Movement who has helped Schwartz organize the event every year since 2018.

"Each year I help her with her invite list, and it has now grown so much," Brittain said. "She has really built this on the sincere honestly about what she is trying to accomplish and it's just helping and appreciating other people."

Title 42 is ending: Here's how Phoenix humanitarian groups are preparing

Along with hosting the event, Schwartz sends awards to every police agency invited thanking them for their service and kindness to the community, Brittain said.

"We need to establish a relationship because we never know when we'll need each other," said Schwartz, citing when the Department of Homeland Security first called her and asked for her to hold migrants at her church. Brittain said Schwartz is actively called upon by local law enforcement when they need insight on a migrant situation or translation services because of the trust they have in each other.

Outside of building police relations, Schwartz has continued working to improve her community locally and nationally. Either by going to Washington, D.C., to talk with politicians regarding immigration reform or owning her own business, Latino Community Services, that helps with document preparing for immigrants applying for citizenship or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Schwartz says she always searches for where she could help.

"For me, I put the word of love into action," Schwartz said. "When you put the love of God into action, you can change your community, you can change your family, the city, the world."

'We need help. We need people': 5 years of struggles for Vineyard Church while helping migrants

The call for Schwartz's help to hold migrants came in 2018, with a two-year halt starting in 2020 due to fears over COVID-19. After resuming in 2022, they amassed the highest number of immigrants they have received over the five-year period, averaging about 300 people a week.

That number has begun to slowly decrease, but a higher influx of individuals potentially may arrive following the termination of Title 42, a Trump-initiated immigration measure restricting access of asylum seekers due to COVID-19 concerns, which the Department of Homeland Security said may be coming soon.

For now, Vineyard Community Church continues to provide for migrants every Thursday and Friday, with staff and volunteers who cook food for them, help process paperwork, and drive them to the airport.

"We receive no financial resource from the government," Schwartz said. "We need help. We need people. They can donate us clothes, shoes, water, food, even if somebody wants to give us some money."

Donations are always accepted at the church and those wanting to help care for migrants who pass through the Valley can contact Schwartz at 480-221-7970.

"They say 'I haven't eaten for two weeks,'" said Schwartz, regarding the migrants who stop by. "I tell them, 'Be grateful for what you received today and do with another what we do with you.'"

Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert pastor Magdalena Schwartz helps migrants seeking asylum
Authorities say two escaped prisoners in Philadelphia were helped by a fellow inmate whos charged with murder in a brawl outside a famed Philadelphia cheesesteak shop.

Police said late Friday afternoon that 35-year-old Jose Flores-Huerta has been arrested at the Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center and charged with felony counts of criminal conspiracy and escape.

Flores-Huerta is one of several people charged in the September 2021 death of a New York City man outside Pats King of Steaks. Authorities said 28-year-old Isidro Cortez of Queens was beaten with a trash can lid and pummeled, and that two other people, including his father, were injured before the suspects fled in a SUV. At a preliminary hearing last year, his lawyer contended that two other suspects who havent been caught were primarily responsible.

Flores-Huerta is alleged to have aided the May 7 escape of 18-year-old Ameen Hurst and 24-year-old Nasir Grant, who cut a hole in a fence surrounding a recreation yard. Hurst and Grant, who were in the same unit but in different cells, were gone for nearly 19 hours before officials knew they were missing.

Grant, incarcerated on drug and weapons counts, was captured Thursday night after a task force staked out a north Philadelphia address where they believed he was staying. Authorities said he was wearing womens Muslim clothing including a head covering that obscured his face. Hes now facing escape and conspiracy charges and is being held on $10 million bail.

The U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force is now focused on tracking down Hurst, who is charged in four homicides and other crimes.

Court documents indicate that Flores-Huerta is being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia in the escape case; messages seeking comment were sent Saturday to the association and to his attorney in the earlier case.

A woman accused of helping the escapees is also facing escape and conspiracy charges as well as hindering apprehension and criminal use of a communications facility. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that 21-year-old Xianni Stalling is accused of putting Hurst in touch with a potential getaway driver during recorded phone calls he made from jail hours before the escape. Shes being held on $500,000 bail; the public defenders office has declined comment.

Story continues

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

City of Pittsburgh preparing for asylum seekers to arrive Lost dog shot, killed by Ambridge police officer Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment VIDEO: Coraopolis mayor censured after alleged public statements regarding borough managers employment DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
One of Pensacolas most notorious killers, Judy Buenoano, will be featured in a new true crime documentary on Investigation Discovery. Very Scary People with host Donnie Wahlberg will feature a two-hour documentary on The Black Widow. Its scheduled to run on Mothers Day at 8 p.m. CST/9 p.m. EST.

Her methodical murders have made headlines around the world, but Buenoanos case isnt the only one that stands out in Northwest Florida. Heres a look at Pensacolas top five most memorable crimes.

Black widow: "Very Scary People" on ID features Pensacola's Black Widow killer Judy Buenoano

Billy Boyette and Mary Rice murder spree

For more than a week William "Billy" Boyette and his girlfriend Mary Rice had all of Northwest Florida on edge as they carried out a string of robberies and murders along the Gulf Coast that culminated with Boyette taking his own life during a police standoff in Georgia.

Rice and Boyette's crime spree began Jan. 31, 2017, when Boyette killed two women, Alicia Greer and Jacqueline Moore, at the Emerald Sands Inn in Milton. Investigations later revealed Boyette and Greer had a turbulent, on-again-off-again relationship, and that he shot Greer because he thought she had stolen drugs and money from him.

'I did meet a true monster:' Mary Rice's jail letters shed light on first months in jail

On Feb. 3, the pair killed Peggy Broz, of Lillian, Alabama, in front of her home in an attempt to steal her vehicle.

On Feb. 6, the couple assailed Kayla Crocker at her Beulah home and stole her car, which was later found outside a motel room in West Point, Georgia. Crocker was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds but died the next day.

Then on Feb. 7, police surrounded the Georgia motel room where Rice and Boyette were staying. Rice eventually surrendered, and Boyette was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Story continues

At her trial, Rice claimed that Boyette had forced her to participate in the crime spree against her will through acts and threats of physical violence. However, prosecutors presented evidence to the jury that Rice provided "maintenance, assistance and aid" to Boyette through purchasing maps and camping gear, refueling vehicles and generally helping him evade capture.

Rice was sentenced to life in prison Sept. 28, 2018, for first-degree murder and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

The King brothers

In 2001, another murder within a local family made headlines.

Alex King and Derek King were 12 and 13 respectively when they beat their father, Terry King, to death with an aluminum bat as he slept in a recliner inside their Cantonment home. The boys then set the home on fire and fled to the home of a convicted child sex offender whom they had befriended.

--11-15-02, 6aGary McCracken@PensacolaNewsJournal.com--Alex King, 13, reads notes held by his attorney, James Stokes, during announcement of the mediation outcome in the King brothers' murder case. Derek King,14, is at left.

At the time, the boys reportedly told investigators they killed their father because they were planning to run away and were worried about being punished. Though the boys claimed they had suffered abuse at the hands of their father, when pressed they described the abuse as mostly spankings and "intense stares."

The children often sought refuge at the home of Ricky Chavis, who according to the Kings allowed them to hang out at his home and smoke marijuana. Following the homicide, he helped the boys lay low for a few days and assisted them in hiding evidence. He was ultimately arrested as an accessory to murder.

King brothers: What drove boys to kill father?

Though Alex made statements that he had a sexual relationship with Chavis and corrections officers found a "love letter" to the 12-year-old in Chavis' cell, prosecutors never found enough evidence to prosecute any charges of a sexual nature.

Because of their age and indications they had been manipulated by Chavis, Alex and Derek were sentenced to seven and eight years incarceration respectively. They have since been released.

Chavis is currently serving a 30-year sentence for false imprisonment of a minor, being an accessory to murder and obstructing an investigation.

The Cormier brothers

Another local incident that made national news was a killing that seemed made for a TV movie.

Sean Dugas, a former News Journal reporter, was killed by a pair of twin brothers who stole his collection of valuable trading cards and buried his body in their father's Georgia backyard.

Dugas had been friends with Christopher and WIlliam Cormier for years before the homicide, and group often got together to play the card game "Magic: The Gathering." Dugas' cards were valued at more than $100,000, and prosecutors said a cash-strapped William hatched the plot to kill Dugas and steal his collection.

Dugas was beaten to death with a hammer, then stuffed into a plastic storage bin. To cover their tracks, the twins rented a U-Haul, loaded up Dugas' body and belongings and told neighbors that they were helping the victim move away.

Who was Sean Dugas? Sean Dugas remembered ahead of trial in his death

The Cormiers reportedly threw away most of the furniture and sold off parts of the card collection piecemeal to collectors around the south. The brothers then went to their family home in Winder, Georgia, and buried the storage bin in the backyard.

After Dugas was reported missing, investigators went to visit the Cormiers because they were among the last to see the man alive. After noticing freshly disturbed ground on the property, officers eventually got a warrant and found Dugas' remains.

In court, the twins pointed the finger at each other, but evidence showed that William had rented the truck and purchased most of the materials used to hide the body and clean up the crime scene.

William was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Christopher was found to be an accessory to murder and sentenced to 15 years.

The 'humdinger': Billings family murder

Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. told his accomplices there was $13 million inside a safe in the Beulah home of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Lured by the promise of a big score, five men donned black "ninja garb" and broke into the couple's rural residence on July 9, 2009. The Billings shared the home with numerous adopted children with special needs, some of whom were in the home when Gonzalez shot the couple "executed-style."

The intruders did get away with a safe that night, but it contained only documents, children's medicine and costume jewelry. A second safe  which contained about $12.85 million less than Gonzalez estimated  was left in the house untouched.

pnj.com/story/news/2014/07/05/billings-murders-destroy-family/12256349/

What happened next? Billings murder doesn't destroy family

Court case: Mastermind behind Billings murder case loses appeal but could still avoid execution

Getaway drivers sped the crew away from the scene and dumped the guns used in the robbery. Eventually the stolen safe was found buried in the backyard of an accessory, Gulf Breeze resident Pamela Long Wiggins.

The case drew coverage from all over the world, with Sheriff David Morgan famously calling the case "a real humdinger."

Eight people ultimately received prison sentences in connection with the case, with Gonzales being handed the death penalty.

In 2015, both Long Wiggins and Gonzalez's father, Leonard Gonzalez Sr., died of health issues while incarcerated.

The Billings' elder daughter cared for her adopted siblings.

The Black Widow

Car bombs are usually a tool of militants and mafiosos, but prosecutors said a Gulf Breeze woman used one in an attempt to blow up her boyfriend outside a downtown Pensacola restaurant in 1983.

John Gentry's car exploded outside the Driftwood Restaurant in 1983. Police said dynamite had been placed in the trunk.

The explosive murder attempt alone would make the case of Judias Buenoano sensational, but by the end of the ensuing investigation attorneys tied Buenoano to the murder of a previous husband, a Colorado boyfriend and her own 19-year-old son.

Black widow: "Very Scary People" on ID features Pensacola's Black Widow killer Judy Buenoano

Judias Goodyear Buenoano, born April 4, 1943, was sentenced in Orange County on Nov. 26, 1985, for the Sept. 16, 1971, death of her husband by poisoning him with arsenic, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Nicknamed the "Black Widow," Goodyear was also convicted and sentenced to life for the May 13, 1980, drowning murder of her paralyzed son in Santa Rosa County. She had two death warrants signed and stayed. On March 30, 1998, the state of Florida executed Bueonano. She was the first woman to die in the electric chair in Florida.

Before the car bombing, Buenoano's boyfriend John Gentry started experiencing nausea and vomiting when she began giving him a daily "vitamin C" pill. Chemists determined the pills contained paraformaldehyde, a potent toxin, and investigators eventually learned that Buenoano had taken out a $510,000 insurance policy on his life.

The case prompted officials to exhume the body of Air Force Sgt. James Goodyear, a former spouse of Buenoano's who died of a strange illness a few months after returning from Vietnam in 1971. Forensic pathologists found evidence of chronic arsenic exposure in his system, as well as in the body of another of Buenoano's deceased boyfriends, Bobby Joe Morris.

Buenoano was also charged and convicted in the 1980 death of her son, Michael Goodyear. Michael suffered paraplegia and wore leg braces, and prosecutors said Buenoano took him onto the East River in Milton in a canoe and pushed him overboard.

Buenoano's husband and son carried more than $170,000 in life insurance.

The black widow was ultimately convicted of both of the Goodyears' murders, as well as the attempted murder of Gentry.

She died in the electric chair in 1998, and was the first woman executed in Florida in more than a century.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Judy Buenoano Billy Boyette among infamous Florida murder cases
A photo of Jack Teixeira in uniform posted to the Facebook page of his mother's business. Facebook

Jack Teixeira, 21, was charged with leaking secret Pentagon documents last month.

The Air National Guard member was preparing for a violent "race war," The Washington Post found.

The paper interviewed several of his close friends and reviewed unpublished videos and chat logs.

The Pentagon leak suspect Jack Teixeira was preparing for what he envisioned would be a violent "race war," according to The Washington Post.

Teixeira, a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was arrested last month in connection with the leak of dozens of top-secret Pentagon documents about the war in Ukraine and other national security issues.

The Washington Post said it uncovered his racist views and suspicion of the government by interviewing several of his close friends and reviewing previously unpublished videos and chat logs.

"He used the term 'race war' quite a few times," a close friend of Teixeira's, who spoke to the Post on the condition of anonymity, said.

"He did call himself racist  multiple times," the friend said. "I would say he was proud of it."

The Post obtained a video of Teixeira shooting a semiautomatic rifle, using antisemitic and antiblack language, and saying his response is to "mag dump."

Teixeira, who viewed himself as a politically conservative Orthodox Christian, appeared to be preparing for a violent struggle against perceived adversaries, including Black people, liberals, Jews, gay and transgender people, the paper reported.

It was previously revealed in court documents that he had a small arsenal of guns in his army-themed bedroom, talked about mass shootings, and had a history of making violent and "racist" threats.

Jack Teixeira's bedroom, according to court documents. Department of Justice

Teixeira also told friends that he was worried about what was to come when Black Lives Matter protests spread across the United States in 2020.

"He was afraid they would target White people," his friend told the Post. "He had told me quite a few times he thought they need to be prepared for a revolution."

Story continues

Despite sharing classified documents with his online companions on a Discord server, Teixeira did not consider himself a whistleblower, his friends said, per the Post.

Instead, he acted on a deep suspicion of the government and wanted his peers online to "be prepared for things the government might do, reinforcing to them that the government was lying to them," his close friend, who was also a member of the server said.

His online presence also revealed conspiratorial thinking and further racist thinking, including about Jewish people and Muslims.

"He had quite a few conspiratorial beliefs," his friend told the paper, adding: "I remember him multiple times talking about things like Waco and Ruby Ridge and talking about how the government kills their own people."

Teixeira joined the Air National Guard in September 2019 and was given "Top Secret" security clearance in 2021, which gave him access to the classified documents leaked online, according to a criminal complaint.

He now faces up to 25 years in prison.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The cinema was built in the 1930s and is home to one of only two Compton pipe organs still used in working cinemas

A seaside town's much loved art deco cinema built in the 1930s is set to close this summer.

The Odeon Cinema in Weston-super-Mare is home to one of only two original Compton pipe organs still found in working cinemas in the UK.

The organ will be played for what might be the last time on 5 June.

According to the company, the venue is "no longer viable" for it to operate. People shared their memories of the cinema with BBC West.

Gail Darby worked at the Odeon in Weston in the 90's.

She said she worked evenings and weekends for about 10 years.

"When I worked there I had the time of my life," she said. "We were all into films and we got really excited when new films came out."

"I remember when I queued to to see the the first Star Wars and the queue went beyond the Tesco's.

"When we got to the front of the queue, they couldn't let anyone else in so we had to wait a few hours for the next showing."

Ms Darby said she thinks it is not just down to the new cinema in Weston that the Odeon is struggling.

"I think it is about being able to watch from home, and I don't think Covid helped, as it has changed the way people entertain themselves," she said.

"It is the end of an era - it feels like when the Grand Pier burnt down and I was absolutely gutted when that happened."

She added: "Everything I remember of my childhood is slowly disappearing."

Ms Darby said she had memories of regular organ concerts once a month that were "very popular".

Michael Wooldridge will be performing what might be the last concert on the organ.

Simon Harrison-Morse started working at the Odeon in August 1989, the day after his 16th birthday - you had to be 16 to work there.

He worked at the Odeon for 28 years.

"I reflect back on those early days as some of the most fun times of my life," he said.

One of his memories from those times was showing the Rocky Horror Picture show, and the audience would participate with the film on the screen.

Story continues

"I also remember the first showings of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings in 2001 - it was a busy autumn," he said.

Mr Harrison-Morse said he made friends there that he is still in close contact with, among them Pete and Sally Wallington.

Pete and Sally met at the cinema and later got married.

The three of them are still friends today.

"We are all doing different things now, but we have that one thing in common - and that is the Odeon," Mr Harrison-Morse said.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has placed navigational buoys within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesperson said on Sunday.

The step comes amid China's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues warmer ties with treaty ally the United States.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it set up five buoys carrying the national flag from May 10 to 12 in five areas within the 200-mile (322-km) zone, including the Whitsun Reef, where hundreds of Chinese maritime vessels moored in 2021.

"This move highlights the Philippines' unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade," Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesperson on South China Sea issues, said on Twitter.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In May 2022, the coast guard installed five navigational buoys on four islands in the Spratlys.

China's claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the Spratlys, where China has dredged sand to build islands on reefs, and equipped them with missiles and runways.

Beijing has for years deployed hundreds of coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed areas.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
KATHMANDU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Nepali climbing guide Pasang Dawa Sherpa scaled Mt. Qomolangma for the 26th time on Sunday morning, tying the world record set by another guide.

Pasang, two other guides and three climbers reached the summit of the world's highest peak at 9:06 local time in an expedition organized by Imagine Nepal Trek and Expeditions.

"Pasang Dawa Sherpa summited Mt. Qomolangma for the 26th time on Sunday, matching the record of another Sherpa guide Kami Rita Sherpa," Khim Lal Gautam, a liaison officer from Nepal's Department of Tourism, told Xinhua from the base camp.

"As Kami Rita Sherpa is also in line to ascent the peak, the record, however, might not last long," added Gautam.

Kami Rita Sherpa set his record in early May last year.

Pasang first ascended the 8848.86-meter-high Mt. Qomolangma in 1998, and he conquered the mountain that straddles Nepal and China twice in one year for many times, including in 2022.

A nine-member rope fixing team from Imagine Nepal Trek and Expeditions summited Mt. Qomolangma on Saturday afternoon.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of the peak, and 467 climbers from 65 countries and regions have received the permits to ascend it during the spring climbing season, a record high from the Nepal side. 
DragCon LA kicked off Friday morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by RuPaul and 30 dazzling queens from the now ubiquitous "RuPauls Drag Race" franchise. Cackling to himself that he didnt immediately see a ribbon to cut at all, the Emmy-winning host and supermodel of the world was in good spirits, kicking off a weekend designed to uplift and celebrate drag.

The Los Angeles Convention Center, adorned with signs like Sissy That Walkway and Slay Ave that helped orient fans around the cons many booths and vendors, offered itself up as a welcome space for fans of Ru and his legendary children. To walk around DragCon is to experience drag not just as entertainment but as a booming cottage industry in which merchandise, photo-ops and branded experiences are de rigueur.

Heidi N Closet poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon LA at the Los Angeles Convention Center. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

For Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who have helped shepherd the RuPauls Drag Race brand to its meteoric mainstream success as the shows producers, the convention is but an extension of their desire to champion drags artistry and to avoid it from becoming an easily ignored fad. Keenly aware of a political climate that seeks to vilify drag queens, the entrepreneurial pair hope to continue to provide a platform for this most fabulous of art forms.

At a time like this, just being visible is important, Bailey tells me. Drag is not threatening anyone. It just is; and it celebrates people in their infinite variety.

Amid plenty of sequins, numerous and colorful wigs and many a feathered boa  not to mention a bevy of shirtless skirted boys hawking underwear on the pink carpet  the attendees at this years DragCon LA didnt disappoint when it came to serving looks. Nor, as it happens, in their ability to remind us of the self-actualizing power drag can have on even its most casual fans. Here are some of the faces from DragCon.

Lady Bushra poses for a portrait with an outfit she made herself, inspired by and celebrating South Asian women. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Coming all the way from the U.K., Lady Bushra was keen to make her mark in the U.S. My drag is essentially a love letter to South Asian women, she explains, detailing how she further embellished the vintage emerald dress shed chosen for the occasion. Im very much inspired by the Bollywood superstars that would dance and perform and entertain to put a smile on peoples faces. I just want to reciprocate that and bring joy to all the fine folks here at DragCon.

Story continues

Priyanka poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon at the Los Angeles Convention Center (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The winner of the inaugural season of Canadas Drag Race came to DragCon with an outfit as outsize as her own personality. I had a guidance counselor who told me Id never be a star, she recalls, with a wry smile as she surveys the school-themed booth around her. So I was like, Ill show you! So I wrote [the song] Bad B Dont Cry about that guidance counselor and about not taking no for an answer. And now this is the final cherry on top where Ive created Bad B High where all your dreams can come true!

Heidi N Closet poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon LA. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Explaining her shining silver armor outfit, "RuPauls Drag Race All Stars 8" contestant Heidi N Closet doesnt mince words: Im here to save the world from all those hateful h out there, you know? She knows theres a lot of hate out there, and shes well aware that her own drag artistry can serve as a weapon to fight off such attacks. Drag allows people to be who they are and just be as loud and bold as possible. Its definitely helped me in the self-confidence department, helped me feel stronger and more powerful. Its opened up the world for me.

Salina EsTitties poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon, with a booth inspired by her hometown of L.A. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

For her first DragCon, Salina EsTitties knew she wanted to bring her love of Los Angeles into her booth. But not like Beverly Hills glamour L.A., baby! My whole thing is I came from the streets, so I needed to relate to the people that I am. And so, with painted brick walls with graffiti, a food cart and an old-school glam photo booth, the local queen made good on the desire to have her fans meet her there.

Dustin Ceithamer poses for a portrait during Rupaul's DragCon. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

At 6-foot-8, Dustin Ceithamer wouldve turned heads even if he hadnt been wearing an outfit that made him tower even more over all other DragCon attendees. This is a vintage Bob Mackie showgirl costume, he bashfully confesses, acquired through a bad business divorce. The outfit was a chance to dip into the world of drag he so admires from afar. I do love to explore the creativity of it, the freedom that there are no rules and you can kind of just express yourself and be as creative as you want.

Morgan Wells poses for a portrait at RuPaul's DragCon LA. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

For designer Morgan Wells, who first began toying with drag close to three decades ago, DragCon is an opportunity to take stock of what queens from near and far are sporting these days, a chance to keep up with whats new and fresh. Thats why I come to these conventions: to get inspiration! To see what these girls are doing, what the new styles are and get inspiration from that. Oh, and the performances! I just love the performances.

Gyndahollow Graham

Gyndahollow Graham poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

A big part of my drag is community service. Such a statement is clear just from looking at what Gyndahollow Graham chose to wear for this years DragCon. Echoing an event the veteran educator will be putting on in Atlantic City, N.J., in June, Graham donned a sash that reads More Drag, Fewer Guns: Which is, of course, a reaction to all the legislations that are being put in place to attack the LGBTQ community  and also against gun violence. And the dress itself has trans colors because its a matter of supporting trans individuals as well.

Gavin Haynes poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Many miles away from his home in Jacksonville, Ala., Gavin Haynes was beaming. I love drag and I love drag queens. I love that you can literally be whatever you want to be. For someone who took inspiration from a bath loofah for his outfit (I wanted something that covered my huge body and gave me a skinny silhouette, he says with a grin), DragCon offered a window into the world hes long admired. I started watching 'Drag Race,' and I fell in love with drag since then. I just dress up at home and have fun.

Lady Pussy Galore poses for a portrait during RuPaul's DragCon. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Arriving at DragCon in support of her drag daughter, Drag Race Philippines contestant Corazon, Lady Pussy Galore has wild ambitions for what her own artistry can accomplish. "I want to show that drag is not just being fancy. Its not just fashion. But also, that it can help people. I have a nonprofit organization that helps kids in the Philippines, with backpacks and school supplies. So Im trying to put myself out there and hopefully someday I will create libraries in far-flung areas in the islands of the Philippines.

Gottmik poses for a portrait at Rupaul's DragCon LA. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Surrounded by copies of their new book, The T Guide (co-written with Gigi Gorgeous) RuPauls Drag Race fan favorite Gottmik remembers how Kabuki and Pierrot influences helped them come up with their signature two-tone makeup style. When I first started drag, I was using feminine drag to express and figure out my gender and I didnt really feel comfortable painting my face skin-tone drag. So now Im able to experiment so much with color and textures and it ended up being this kind of mask. It feels like a character, almost. So I can be me, still, but like my mask is on at the same time.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
If a Pixel phone is your daily driver, you may have noticed an issue with your phone's battery. An Engadget reader contacted us on Sunday to report that their Pixel 6 Pro had recently been overheating and excessively draining its battery. The culprit was a Google app update that began rolling out on May 12th.

I haven't touched my phone in the past hour. It's just been on a standard wireless charger, the reader says of a screenshot (seen below) they sent of their phones settings menu, showing the Google app burning through the 6 Pros battery in the background. Still very hot, and if I didn't roll back to a different version, I wouldn't have a net increase on my phone's battery.

A screenshot showing the battery usage on Pixel phones following a recent Google app update.

A visit to Reddit and the Google support forums shows other Pixel users were experiencing the same issue. It just started yesterday. Massive battery usage from Google app and to a lesser degree Android System Intelligence. I just went through and did a factory reset, reinstalled most things and it's still happening, one Reddit user wrote. Beyond the battery not lasting the phone is getting really warm so I know it's harming the battery and potentially the CPU.

Some tried rolling back to an older version of the Google app, but that did nothing to fix the problem for them. Actually ended up with an even older version from May 10, still draining the battery, writes one Redditor. On Monday, Google acknowledged the problem and issued a fix via an automatic update: "A recent Google App backend change unintentionally resulted in a subset of Android devices experiencing accelerated battery drain," the company said in a statement. "We rolled out a fix shortly after becoming aware of the issue, and impacted users should see their devices return to normal behavior immediately. This fix does not require an app update."

It's not the first time an update has caused headaches for users. Last May, Google had to patch the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro after an earlier update caused the phones to produce much weaker haptic feedback. The year before the company paused the rollout of its December Pixel update after users found it was making their phones drop calls.

Update 05/16/2023 2:34 AM ET: The article has been updated with Google's statement acknowledging the issue and saying a fix has been rolled out via an automatic update.

Update 05/16/2023 11:08AM ET: The title of this article has been updated to reflect Google addressed the issue.
Authorities have publicly denied the eyewitness account of a man who earlier had said he recalled the Allen, Texas, mall shooting scene immediately following the massacre in great detail, claiming he administered aid to victims before police officers arrived.

A gunman opened fire at the outlet mall outside Dallas, killing eight people and wounding seven others on May 6.

Steven Spainhouer, a former U.S. Army officer, said he drove to Allen Premium Outlets after his son, sheltering in place inside the H&M store where he worked, called to tell him that he had heard gunfire on the property.

Spainhouer spoke to a number of media outlets, including CBS News Texas, about the aftermath of the shooting. He claimed in those interviews that he arrived in the parking lot of the outlet mall before first responders, and said he administered aid and performed CPR on people who had been shot. Spainhouer recounted the "carnage" he said that he saw, including a young girl who "had no face" and a young boy covered "head to toe" in blood, who, according to Spainhouer, was hiding beneath the body of his deceased mother.

The Allen Police Department on Friday issued a statement contradicting Spainhouer's account, saying detectives had "determined that Mr. Spainhouer is not a credible incident witness."

Inga VanWagoner, of Allen, Texas, who served in the U.S. Army, places flags atop crosses at a makeshift memorial by the mall where several people were killed, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Allen, Texas. / Credit: Tony Gutierrez / AP

"Allen Police Department wants to inform the public of discrepancies with statements made by a witness to several media outlets. Following the shooting at Allen Premium Outlets, Mr. Steven Spainhouer of McKinney, Texas gave multiple public accounts of his actions," the statement read. "Inconsistencies between these public accounts and investigative facts led Allen Police Department to conduct a follow-up interview. During this interview, detectives determined that Mr. Spainhouer is not a credible incident witness."

According to the police department, "Mr. Spainhouer arrived between 3:44 and 3:52 p.m. and was not first on the scene, nor was he on the property while gunfire was occurring." The department also said that Spainhouer "did not perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or administer first aid" and "did not move a deceased mother who was covering a live child."

Story continues

"As inaccurate reports can be prevalent in such situations, it is essential to confirm information before sharing it," police said in Friday's statement. "Please take note of this to prevent unintentional spreading of misinformation."

Officials previously said the shooting occurred at about 3:36 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the parking lot outside of the H&M store at Allen Premium Outlets. The gunman, who police identified later as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, was "neutralized" about four minutes later, at 3:40 p.m., by an officer responding to an unrelated incident in the area. That officer called for backup after initially hearing gunfire, according to authorities.

Garcia was fatally shot outside of the Fatburger restaurant in a different section of the mall. The Allen Police Department confirmed law enforcement was on scene at the shopping center and investigating in a tweet posted at 4:22 p.m.

Spainhouer told CBS News Texas over the weekend that he stands by his account of the mass shooting in Allen. He also defended his story in a statement posted to Facebook early on Saturday morning, saying he was "hurt and disappointed" after seeing the Allen Police Department's press release.

People built a makeshift memorial, pictured on May 8, 2023, near Allen Premium Outlets. / Credit: Tony Gutierrez / AP

"First of all, I have never said I heard gunshots at the Allen Outlet Mall. When I arrived at the H&M store, there was one person there asking for my help," Spainhouer wrote. "If there were other first responders there before I showed up, I would have no way of knowing it. If the Allen Police were at the mall before me, I would have no way to know it, because they were not at the H&M Store location where most of the shooting victims were located."

"I know what I did and did not do while waiting on the Allen Police and Fire Departments. I know that there were individuals who were deceased and could not be treated with CPR. I know because I was there," the Facebook post continued. "I did not move any victims, except the first one I found to check on her. A small child pulled himself from under a victim and I assisted him to a safe space away from the area."

Spainhouer said he arrived at the outlet mall "between 8 minutes and 16 minutes after [his son] Freddie's" call," based on the estimated arrival times given by the Allen Police Department.

"I didn't see a police car or ambulance for another 5-6 minutes, even though I asked for help using a witness cell phone. That's a little over 20 minutes since the shooting started, that victims lay injured or dying in front of H&M Store," he said.

"Instead of targeting me on what I did or didn't do, perhaps the Allen Police can explain why it took 20 minutes to get to the front of the H&M store, where there were injured victims, if they were already on site, before I got there."

The Allen Police Department has not shared a response to Spainhouer's statement.

Sharks tracked off Atlantic coast by OCEARCH | 60 Minutes

Yannick Nezet-Seguin: The 60 Minutes Interview

Sperm whale protection focus of marine sanctuary creation in Caribbean | 60 Minutes
In a reckless display of gunfire, a man in his 20s was shot in the leg on East 1st Street and Franklin, while more than 50 shell casings littered the scene and multiple locations, including a JTA bus, were struck by projectiles in a reported drive-by shooting Saturday evening.

At approximately 5:20 pm, authorities responded to a shooting incident on East 1st Street and Franklin.

Upon arrival, they discovered a man in his 20s who had been shot in the leg. The victim was immediately transported to the hospital, where it was determined that his injuries were non-life-threatening.

During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that more than 50 shell casings were found on the ground at the scene.

Additionally, the projectiles from the gunfire struck three unoccupied cars, two apartments adjacent to the Eastside Garden Apartments, a house, and a JTA (Jacksonville Transportation Authority) bus that was in transit at the time of the shooting.

Fortunately, no additional individuals were injured in this reckless incident.

The JTA bus had a driver and six passengers on board when it was hit by the gunfire. However, there is currently no indication that the bus, house, or apartments were intentional targets. Authorities believe the victims, who were on foot, were specifically targeted by the suspects, who arrived at the scene in a vehicle.

At this time, there is no connection between this incident and the recent Brentwood SWAT operation.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and no suspect or vehicle information is available.

Law enforcement officials are actively working to obtain video security footage from the area to aid in their investigation. Detectives are diligently pursuing leads and gathering evidence to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for this brazen act of violence.

It has been reported that the victim who was shot in the leg was accompanied by another person at the time of the incident. However, authorities have been unable to locate the second individual thus far.

Story continues

Although the incident reportedly appears to be unrelated to gang activity, no firearm has been recovered at this time. Moreover, it has been determined that there were multiple shooters involved.

The recklessness displayed in this incident is deeply concerning, particularly considering there were children present on a nearby playground when law enforcement arrived. The disregard for public safety is alarming, and the community is urged to remain vigilant.

JSO strongly encourages anyone with information that can assist us with this investigation to please call the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office non-emergency number at (904) 630-0500 or Crime stoppers at (866) 845 -TIPS. They can also provide information online at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

This is an ongoing investigation and will be updated when details arrive.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) -Storm surges whipped up by a powerful cyclone moving inland from the Bay of Bengal inundated the Myanmar port city of Sittwe on Saturday, but largely spared a densely-populated cluster of refugee camps in low-lying neighbouring Bangladesh.

Some 400,000 people were evacuated in Myanmar and Bangladesh ahead of Cyclone Mocha making landfall, as authorities and aid agencies scrambled to avert heavy casualties from one of the strongest storms to hit the region in recent years.

Vulnerable settlements in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, where more than one million Rohingya refugees live, were left relatively unscathed by the storm that is now gradually weakening.

"Luckily, we could escape the worst of the cyclone," said Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a Bangladesh government official in charge of refugees. "We are getting some reports of huts damaged but there are no casualties."

Myanmar appears to have borne the direct impact of Cyclone Mocha, as winds of up to 210 kph (130 mph) ripped away tin roofs and brought down a communications tower.

Parts of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, were flooded and the ground floors of several buildings were under water, a video posted on social media by a witness in the city showed.

An ethnic militia that controls swathes of Rakhine said a large number of structures in Sittwe and Kyauktaw had been damaged, and schools and monasteries where people had been sheltering were left without roofs.

"The whole northern Rakhine has suffered severe damage," Arakan Army spokesperson Khine Thu Kha said. "People are in trouble."

Communication networks in Rakhine had been disrupted after the cyclone made landfall, the U.N. and local media said.

Across Rakhine state and the north west of the country about 6 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance, while 1.2 million have been displaced, according to the U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA).

Story continues

"For a cyclone to hit an area where there is already such deep humanitarian need is a nightmare scenario, impacting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people whose coping capacity has been severely eroded by successive crises," U.N. resident coordinator Ramanathan Balakrishnan said.

Myanmar has been plunged into chaos since a junta seized power two years ago. After a crackdown on protests, a resistance movement is fighting the military on various fronts.

A junta spokesperson did not immediately answer a telephone call from Reuters to seek comment.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES

In Bangladesh, where authorities moved around 300,000 people to safer areas before the storm hit, Rohingya refugees inside densely-populated camps in the Cox's Bazar in the south east of the country hunkered down inside their ramshackle homes.

"Our shelter, made of bamboo and tarpaulin, offers little protection," said refugee Mohammed Aziz, 21. "We're praying to Allah to save us."

Many of the Rohingya refugees, half-a-million children among them, live in sprawling camps prone to flooding and landslides after having fled a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.

Hundreds of thousands of the Muslim Rohingya minority remain in Myanmar's Rakhine state, where many are confined to camps separated from the rest of the population.

"The state government has moved many Rohingya from Sittwe camps to higher grounds area," Zaw Min Tun, a Rohingya resident in Sittwe said, adding that the evacuation took place without any warning.

"They also didn't provide any food to them, so people are starving."

Ahead of the storm, the World Food Programme said it was preparing food and relief supplies that could help more than 400,000 people in Rakhine and surrounding areas for a month.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul in DHAKA and Reuters staff; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Jane Merriman and Ros Russell)
They took cigarette adverts off the telly. Why not gambling adverts? It ruins lives, says Tracey Stevenson (iStock)

The worst day of Matt Zarb-Cousins gambling addiction saw him roll out of bed, rush to his local bookies and stand in front of the slot machine for six hours, bypassing food and drink entirely. He lost 2,500 that day. Every fibre of my being was concentrated on gambling, he recalls. When I lost all the money, and I walked out of the shop, I was left with this adrenaline hangover. It was the culmination of four years of gambling that had left him depressed and suicidal. He was just 16 and still at school when he became addicted to fixed-odds betting terminals  otherwise known as the crack cocaine of gambling. When he couldnt play, he experienced withdrawal symptoms that left him anxious, agitated and unable to relax.

Now 33, he remembers that particular wasted day in front of the machine. That was when I wanted to end my life because I felt like there was no way out. You see it all the time with gambling-related suicide; someone experiences a big loss and then immediately takes their own life. I remember what that feels like. I know exactly why that happens. It doesnt even have to be a huge amount of money. Its just that feeling of loss of control, loss of agency and a sense that you are never going to feel normal again. Fortunately, through therapy and family support, Zarb-Cousin kicked the habit and has long since repaid his 20,000 in debts. And as director of Clean Up Gambling, he is now taking on the industry that nearly destroyed him.

There are more than 400 gambling-related suicides in the UK every year, while 1.4 million Brits are currently addicted, according to the charity Gambling with Lives. A government white paper, published last month, proposes a statutory levy on gambling operators to pay for research, education and treatment, as well as affordability checks for online gambling and the introduction of stake limits on online slots. These are among a raft of other changes to the Gambling Act 2005. Its a big step forward, says Zarb-Cousin, but hed like to see more from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the standards body that represents betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and online gambling, which he claims is resisting reform.

He and others standing up to the gambling industry have a big fight on their hands. Last month, MP Scott Benton had the Tory whip suspended after he allegedly told an undercover reporter for The Times that he could lobby ministers on behalf of gambling interests. Gambling companies have also increased the amount they spend on wooing Conservative and Labour MPs tenfold in five years, according to The Guardian.

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council tells The Independent: In constituencies across the country, BGC members support the jobs of 110,000 people  on hard-pressed high streets through betting shops, in hospitality and tourism via casinos and bingo, as well a large and growing number of tech jobs in the online sector. We strongly support the gambling review, which is an important opportunity to further raise standards and promote safer gambling. Any hospitality is consistent with the parliamentary rules and is fully declared and transparent.

Benton apparently told undercover reporters that firms can place falsely low values on ticketed gifts to events so as to avoid having to declare them  Commons rules require MPs to disclose hospitality worth 300 or more. He told them: Without saying too much, youd be amazed at the number of times Ive been to races and the ticket comes to 295.

The BGC claims the number of people being harmed by gambling is falling  with problem gambling rates among UK adults down to 0.2 per cent, from 0.3 per cent in previous years  but last year the NHS launched two new gambling clinics to meet what it called record demand.

For former addict Jack Symons, the numbers dont add up. Symons lost an estimated 50-100k (or possibly more) after he became hooked on online poker and slots at the age of 18. It was like medication, he says. It allowed me to put my mind into a sort of numb state. Except there was someone benefitting from it. Symons would play up to 14 hours a day and found that gambling disrupted his mind and decision-making processes. He would stay up all night in a casino gambling to save money on hotels while working away, leaving him penniless for the journey home.

It is a hidden addiction, he adds. I let it control my mood. The level of excitement I got from winning was not as much as the low that I got from losing. He became reckless and made bad decisions. You would win an amount  say, 998  but I felt only a psychopath would stop at 998. Its got to be 1,000. And you can lose 998 trying to make that extra 2, because its not a round number. How stupid is that? Gambling was costing me my rational mind and it was costing me  and has done to this day  my relationship with money. He didnt know if he gambled because he was depressed, or whether he was depressed because he gambled.

You get euphoria when you win, but that soon goes. And you just want it again and again. Ive never taken drugs but it must be what drug addiction feels like

Tracey Stevenson

In 2015, Symons set up the gambling site-blocking app Gamban alongside Zarb-Cousin, a move he says facilitated his recovery. Working on the app has also led Symons to question the industrys claims about how much safer gambling has become. Where operators are being fined many millions of pounds for very serious breaches while also being praised for their corporate social responsibility, clearly something is going wrong.

One of these was Gala Bingo, which was fined 2.3m for breaching consumer-protection regulations in 2017. The action followed the discovery of significant flaws in Galas dealings with Tracey Stevenson, a former account manager from Telford. The 60-year-old had become addicted to the slots on the Gala Bingo site. Over the course of five years, she lost hundreds of thousands of pounds along with her home and her marriage. She also stole from her employer to pay her debts. It got to the stage where all I cared about was chasing the win and trying to get back the money that Id wasted, she tells me. You get euphoria when you win, but that soon goes. And you just want it again and again. Ive never taken drugs but it must be what drug addiction feels like. Stevenson would play at work on her computer, every evening on her iPad, and would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night to play. And because she was such a valuable customer, she was lavished by Gala with free trips and international holidays.

I was seduced, she says. It was absolute love bombing. I was a VIP and I had an account manager who told me, Ive been told by the director  whatever Tracey wants, Tracey gets. So what do you want? I said I wanted to go and see Elton John and Dolly Parton. So I went and they paid for it all. They made me feel like a celebrity. Stevenson would put cash in her account, and Gala would match it up to the value of 1,500. The money stopped seeming real, and whatever Stevenson won, she put straight back in.

Its like the method drug dealers use in county lines, she continues. They reel you in and buy you trainers, tracksuits. Its predatory. Over the course of her five-year addiction, Stevenson won two big jackpots totalling more than 1.5m, which she gambled away. It doesnt feel real. If you were standing there, with hundreds of pounds in your hand, you wouldnt be feeding it into a machine. But it was so easy to put in more money. Ive never been in a bookies or on a machine. But I can quite honestly say if I was standing there with all that money physically in my hand, I wouldnt have done it. It becomes surreal; like playing monopoly. Meanwhile, Gala kept her close; sending her chocolates, flowers and hampers. She asks: Is that what they [gambling companies] are doing to MPs? Giving them this special treatment?

It should not be left to the health service to pick up the pieces left behind by a billion-pound industry profiting on vulnerable people, says Claire Murdoch, an NHS mental health director (iStock)

It all ended when Stevensons husband found a suicide note explaining what she had done. She had stolen 1.7m from her employers and in 2017 she was sentenced to four years in prison. I hold my hands up and take full responsibility for what I have done, she says. But [Gala] have to be culpable for encouraging it and the amount I was spending.

A spokesperson for Entain, which now owns the Gala brand, says Stevensons case preceded their ownership, adding: Entains number one priority is customer safety, and it leads the industry with its safer gaming approach through initiatives such as its advanced responsibility and care programme that takes a proactive approach to safer gambling.

To prevent further harm, Stevenson believes gambling advertising should be banned; it is the one proposal that campaigners say has been missed by the new white paper. They took cigarette adverts off the telly. Why not gambling adverts? It ruins lives.

Meanwhile, the NHS is still treating record numbers of people who also experience gambling addiction. It saw a 50 per cent increase in referrals last year compared to 2021. Claire Murdoch, an NHS mental health director, welcomes the reforms to the gambling industry but stresses that more needs to be done. I have personally heard of countless examples of people bereaved by gambling addiction or who have contemplated suicide, she says. It should not be left to the health service to pick up the pieces left behind by a billion-pound industry profiting on vulnerable people.

Symons agrees. Behind every statistic there is a person, and a story just like mine, just like Matts, of mental health, breakdown, and divorce and suicide, he says. Were still quite far away from where I think we need to be.
REUTERS/Toby Melville

Welcome to this weeks edition of Royalist, The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday.

Prince Andrew refusing to leave Royal Lodge

Scandal-magnet Prince Andrew is reportedly refusing to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, according to the Sun on Sunday. Even though King Charles has slashed his 250,000 ($436,000) subsidy, meaning he cannot afford the propertys upkeep, a friend of Andrews told the paper: This has been his family home for the last 20 years. Is it really sensible to kick him out? Hes concerned that now the coronation is over, the knives are out. But were dealing with human beings, not real estate.

Another friend said: Eugenie (Andrews daughter) is heavily pregnant and her parents expect to have the new grandchild there this summer.

Senior Royal Jokes About Kicking Prince Andrew Out of His Royal Home

Prince William and his family were thought to be likely to move in to the property, with Andrew slated to move to Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles former British home.

Andrew paid a multimillion dollar settlement to Virginia Giuffre last year, after she accused him of sexually abusing her while she was being trafficked by his friend, the billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew emphatically denied Giuffres accusations. He has since become royal persona non grata, and while present at Charles coronation, has no official royal duties to carry out.

Palace chiefs had a September date in mind for Andrews move-out, but now apparently agree that it is too early. Another friend of Andrews told the Sun: If Charles wants Andrew to play ball and help the family, arent there better ways of going about it? Why not do the decent thing, sit down and talk? If they need the house for William, perhaps Andrew should be told. Perhaps William should invite his uncle for tea and explain? Or why doesnt Charles invite his brother for a meeting and ask him if hed leave Royal Lodge to help his nephew and the future of the monarchy. And agree a schedule acceptable to both sides?

Story continues

Prince William wants a very different coronation

Prince William wants his coronation to look and feel different from his father King Charles service, so that it looks modern and relevant, the Sunday Times reports. Pondering how to evolve the ceremony, the first, controversial element to be jettisoned will be the homage of the peopleso no request to the public to swear allegiance to the king and his heirs. Even for Charles, after the kerfuffle in the U.K. over it this time around, the Archbishop of Canterbury dialed the wording down to invite those who wish to offer their support to do so.

King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Prince George pose on the day of the coronation in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on May 12, 2023. Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/Handout via REUTERS

A source close to William, who was reportedly not closely consulted on the planning for Charles coronation, told the Sunday Times: There is no way he will go down that route or anything like it. (Hmm, Maybe Williams will be, You do you.)

William's mulling of the issue coincides with the U.K. Observer reporting that the membership of anti-monarchy group Republic has doubled since the coronationand the British polices heavy-handed crackdown on their supporters. 64 people, including Republic's chief executive Graham Smith, were arrested by police on the day, which Scotland Yard later expressed regret over.

The Observer also reports that almost nine in 10 Britons did not pledge allegiance to Charles in the ceremony. The Opinium poll for the paper found that 57% of Britons said they did not pledge allegiance to the king because they did not want to. Another 31% said they did not pledge allegiance, but would not have minded doing so. Only 12% of those polled pledged allegiance.

William has been reflecting on the events of last week with his closest friends and advisers. A source told the Sunday Times: He is really thinking, how do we make his coronation feel most relevant in the future? He is mindful of the fact that in 20 years time, or whenever his time comes, how can the coronation be modern but also unifying to the nation and the Commonwealth? I think his coronation will look and feel quite different.

Are courtiers sitting at Kensington Palace coming up with a grand plan about what the next Bridge will look like [London Bridge was the codeword for the late Queens death, and Forth Bridge for Prince Philip]? No. But of course the prince and his team are reflective about the events of last week, and it is extremely important to him that it evolves to be relevant whenever it happens.

The Times generously points out that, compared to the late queens coronation in 1953, Charles was notably more inclusive and diverse, with female bishops and leaders of other faiths.

Prince William holds the hands of his father King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Gary Calton/Pool via REUTERS

Another source close to William told the paper: Hes taking stock, hes thinking That was a supreme success and it was because Pa altered things. Ive got to be cognizant of how that evolution happens in my day. What is it that stays? What do I need to change? What will our relationships with the realms and the Commonwealth be then? I dont think hell be taking the filleting knife to it, but he will be checking it is sharp.

Another source close to William said he was focused on the issue of relevance, adding: You can see it in how he has taken having an investiture off the table, and his thinking on how to leave a legacy in communities rather than just going in [to] do ribbon cutting. You can see it in how he is running an environmental prize with Earthshot that is not just about handing cash out, but about the long-term impact globally. He is thinking about his coronation in the same way.

Subscribe here to get all the latest royal news and gossip with Tom Sykes and Tim Teeman.

Kate Middleton plays piano to open Eurovision

As reported by The Daily Beast, Kate Middleton stunned TV viewers Saturday night when she played piano at the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest. Kate, dressed in a blue, one-shouldered Jenny Packham gown, played the piano for 10 seconds in a rendition of last years winning song, Ukraines the Kalush Orchestras Stefania.

The perennially popular Eurovision has an estimated worldwide audience of 160 million, and was held in Liverpool in the U.K. this year after Ukraines victory last year (the country could not hold the contest as is traditional for the winning entrys country because of the war). Kates performance was filmed earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. Oh, and in case you had a different kind of great night out and missed it, Sweden won.

Charles could be heading to Kenya

Queen Elizabeth II was, famously, on a royal tour in Kenya when her father, King George VI died in February 1952, and she became queen. She was staying in a treehouse at a game reserve, and it has been correctly observed that she went up the ladder a princess and came down a queen.

Ever since, Kenya has held a particular place in the hearts of the royal family, and the Mail on Sunday reports that King Charles III is due to visit the country as soon as this yearperhaps before he even gets round to rescheduling a state trip to France that was cancelled after the country was rocked by violent strikes and protests.

An insider said: It will be a poignant moment. Inevitably it will be a reminder of his young mother at the start of her reign. Now, he is at the start of his, but he has the advantage of experience, too. It will also be an important marker for his reign that will underline how importantly he views the Commonwealth.

Meghan gets a salute on Mothers Day

Mothers Day is upon us, and this is one piece of territory the Californian and British branches of the royal family have been able to divide peaceably because it is marked on a different day in the U.S. (today) to the U.K. (March).

The Sussexes do not have a social media presence, but a friend of Meghans, Kelly McKee Zajfen, who has raised awareness around the mental health implications of losing a child after her nine-year-old son died last year, has paid tribute to Meghan as an incredible friend and mother, and posted a picture of her and Meghan on Instagram. Zajfen is a founder of LA charity Alliance of Moms, which supports teenage mothers in foster care, the Telegraph reports.

This week in royal history

It seems a long time ago On May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary; they married on May 19, 2018, at St Georges Chapel, Windsor.

Unanswered questions

Will Harrys phone hacking trial uncover the identity/identities of the royal family whose camps allegedly fed stories to the Daily Mirror and any other tabloids?

Love The Daily Beasts royal coverage? Sign up here to get Royalist newsletters sent straight to your inbox.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
She is the second artist to achieve a Eurovision double 36 years after Johnny Logan for Ireland in the 1980s

Sweden was celebrating Sunday after Loreen won the Eurovision song contest, the Scandinavian country's seventh title triumph, equalling Ireland's record.

The Nordic country's media was in a jubilant mood.

"There is only one queen and her name is Loreen," wrote the tabloid Expressen.

"What Loreen has achieved... is, without exaggeration, a greater feat than most of us realise," the paper wrote, calling her title "pure perfection".

As well as clinching Eurovision glory with "Tattoo", a pop anthem about unconditional love, the artist, Loreen had already lifted the trophy in 2012.

She is the second artist to achieve a Eurovision double 36 years after Johnny Logan for Ireland in the 1980s, and the first woman to do so.

The Svenska Dagbladet (SVD) title said Loreen had "made history", adding that her "participation lived up to all hopes".

"She has not succumbed to the pressure," the public broadcaster SVT said.

But the success of the campaign has fuelled envy, SVD reported, including a campaign by an Irish bookmaker against voting for Loreen.

"It obviously didn't work, but the annoyance with Sweden's success and its always-perfect numbers has been spreading in Europe for the past 10 years, and it's not about to subside," SVD warned.

Exactly 50 years after ABBA's victory in Brighton, with its hit Waterloo, Sweden is now preparing to host Eurovision for the seventh time next year.

"Perfect timing," the daily Dagens Nyheter said.

cbw/prh/gw/yad
MORRISTOWN  Instead of traditional Mother's Day gifts like jewelry and flowers, those who gathered in front of Town Hall in Morristown this weekend had only one item on their wish list: a reinstatement of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

Saturday's "Mother's Day of Action" was part of a nationwide movement organized by Moms Demand Action, an offshoot of the nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, to promote stricter gun control measures in the United States.

"We have a right to live free and happy, to take our families out to public gatherings and not fear if our community is the next to make headlines," said Nichole Howard, a volunteer with the Moms Demand Action Sussex County chapter. "Congress must know that we demand freedom and safety, or they will find another job."

The Morristown gun control rally was one of eight that took place in New Jersey on Saturday, according to the Moms Demand Action website. Jersey City and Paterson also hosted demonstrations, along with Pennington, Princeton, Metuchen, Mount Laurel and Camden.

Speakers urged attendees to pressure elected officials to reinstate the assault weapons ban, part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The ban was lifted when the act expired in 2004, and multiple attempts to renew it in the ensuing years have fallen short.

Morristown, NJ - May 13, 2023  Moms Demand Action, part of the nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, hosted a "Mother's Day of Action" rally for gun control outside the Morristown Town Hall.

Tiffany Starr credits the ban with saving the lives of two family members shortly after the act went into effect.

On Dec. 30, 1994, Starr's father was shot and killed by her sister's ex-boyfriend, who had broken into the family house. Starr, her mother and her sister were able to escape the home during the struggle.

"What if my dad's killer had access to that kind of [assault] weapon? Would I be alive today?" Starr said in Morristown on Saturday. "I feel very confident that my mom and my sister would both be dead, because we know he wasn't done. He was ready to kill again, but he couldn't because he had to stop and reload his gun."

Story continues

Morristown, NJ - May 13, 2023  Tiffany Starr, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Everytown Survivor Fellow, and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill at the rally. Moms Demand Action, part of the nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, hosted a "Mother's Day of Action" rally for gun control outside the Morristown Town Hall.

While the United States continues to experience mass shootings, including one at a Texas mall last weekend that killed eight people, speakers in Morristown touted New Jersey as a relatively safe state due to its strong gun laws.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill noted that New Jersey was one of only two states, along with California, to receive an A rating for gun safety from the Giffords Law Center this year. It is also among the 10 states that prohibit the purchase and possession of assault weapons, said Theresa Piliero, a leader of the Morris County chapter of Moms Demand Action.

Sherrill grew up in a house with guns  her father was a hunter  but never saw an assault weapon until she enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Morristown, NJ - May 13, 2023  Moms Demand Action, part of the nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, hosted a "Mother's Day of Action" rally for gun control outside the Morristown Town Hall.

"These are weapons of war, designed to kill as many people as possible in as short a time as possible," she said. "There is simply no reason they should ever be on the streets in civilian hands."

If Congress gets enough bipartisan support to put the ban back in place, it would be the most important Mother's Day gift for everyone at the Morristown rally, participants said.

"Our government has done it before, and they can do it again," Howard said. "We can't accept no for an answer; the stakes are far too high."

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Mothers rally in Morristown to ban the sale of assault weapons
(Bloomberg) -- South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday, amid allegations that the country supplied weapons and ammunition to Russia, despite Pretoria having taken a neutral stance on its invasion of Ukraine.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Anyone who helps an aggressor with a weapon will be an accomplice with all the consequences, Zelenskiy said in an statement after speaking to Ramaphosa remotely from Rome. He said he called on Ramaphosa to join together with other countries of the world, all continents, and Africa in joint work to implement our peace formula.

US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety in a media briefing on Thursday said that weapons had been loaded onto a Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, at Cape Town in December. South Africas presidency said Brigetys comments were disappointing and no evidence had been produced to back up the claim. At the same time, officials agreed to start an independent investigation.

South Africa and the US also sought on Friday to make amends after Brigety was summoned in protest over his accusation.

Both sides pledged partnership and a commitment to working together, even as neither addressed the veracity of his claim that South Africa is sending weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine.

The spat had led to a new round of tension between the US and the African nation. South Africa has so far refused to condemn Russias invasion despite pressure from the US and its allies.

Zelenskiy and Ramaphosa also discussed the peace formula, justice and the fact that our world should be united by the rules of international law, according to the statement.

A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Ramaphosa at Pretorias initiative on the strategic partnership between the two nations, the Kremlin said in a statement on Friday.

Story continues

The statement also said that Putin supports the idea of involving a group of African leaders in discussing the prospects for resolving the war in Ukraine.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
TEHRAN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the exchange of delegations between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is continuing and both sides are "satisfied" with the progress being made in the technical aspect.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks when commenting on the latest developments in the cooperation with IAEA in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, which was published on Sunday.

The minister called on IAEA to put aside its political approach toward Iran and focus on the technical aspect of its interaction with Tehran, saying: "The more the agency distances from the political approach and moves toward technical cooperation, the opener will the path be for Iran to achieve agreements with it."

The minister noted the two sides can collaborate favorably and based on mutual trust only if there involves no interference from "certain foreign countries."

Josep Borrell, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, had expressed satisfaction with the report he received from the IAEA on cooperation with Iran during his talks with Amir-Abdollahian several days ago, according to the Iranian diplomat.

Amir-Abdollahian said "positive" reports and behavior of the IAEA could have a positive impact on the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and remove the sanctions on Tehran.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi paid a two-day visit to Tehran in early March. The two sides then reached an agreement on further interactions based on Iran's cooperation and greater openness to IAEA's inspections.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. 
If you didnt get the chance to cast your ballot during the states three-day early voting period  or you just enjoy doing your civic duty on Election Day  polls will be open for 12 hours Tuesday, May 16.

Kentuckians will have the chance to cast their ballot in person from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they must visit their assigned precinct.

Turnout for primaries can be low, particularly in election years without federal races on the ballot. During the last gubernatorial election, in 2019, 19.4% of registered Kentucky voters cast a ballot  less than 665,00 state residents. In 2015, that figure was even lower at 12.5%.

If you moved recently, havent voted in a while or are just unsure where you can participate in Mays primary election, weve rounded up some resources for you, including search tools, drop-box locations and some specifics for voters in Fayette and adjacent counties.

How do I find my polling place in Kentucky for the 2023 primaries?

The Kentucky State Board of Elections offers voter information lookup through its Voter Information Center.

To find your voter profile, visit https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/ and enter the required information  first and last legal name and birth date. You can also enter the last four digits of you Social Security number, though this is optional.

Once your record is displayed, you can check your information for accuracy, see your absentee ballot status, your state and federal districts and your precinct information  displayed as a letter and three numbers.

Your precinct information is the site of your Election Day polling place. Use the states Find My Polling Place tool to match the precinct information to the details about the polling place. You can narrow this search tool by county for ease.

You can also see if your county clerks website offers information on polling places. Lexington voters can search their polling location through the Fayette county clerks website at fayettecountyclerk.com. This tool requires you to add your home address to find the correct site.

Story continues

Fayette County also offers a voter information look up tool, which requires you to enter your SSN and birthdate.

Where are ballot drop boxes in Kentucky? Where can I return my mail-in ballot?

Those who requested an absentee-by-mail ballot have the same deadline  6 p.m. May 16  to return their ballot and have it counted in the May primary.

Voters are highly encouraged not to wait until Election Day to hand deliver their absentee ballot. Cast your ballot as soon as you receive it. Do not delay!, the SBOE site reads.

If you dont want to mail it and instead seek to hand-deliver, you can use an official, secured drop box. Find the states full list of poll and drop box locations at To see the states list of polling locations, visit https://elect.ky.gov/Voters/Pages/Polling-Locations.aspx, searchable by county.

The drop-box locations for Fayette and adjacent counties are:

Fayette County: Sidewalk in front of the county clerks office, 162 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507

Bourbon County: County clerks office main floor,301 Main St., Paris, KY 40361 or county clerks basement vehicle room, 301 Main St., Paris, KY 40361

Clark County: Clark County Courthouse, 34 South Main St., Winchester, KY 40391

Madison County: Madison County clerks office in (Berea),305 Chestnut St., Berea, KY 40403 and Madison County clerks office (Richmond),321 N. Madison Ave., Richmond, KY 40475

Jessamine County: Jessamine County Courthouse, 101 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Woodford County: Woodford County Courthouse, 130 Court St.,Versailles, KY 40383

Scott County: Scott County Courthouse first-floor foyer, 101 E. Main St., Georgetown, KY 40324

The states elections portal, govote.ky.gov, also has plenty of information for voters on finding voting resources, updating their registration and more.

Do you have a question about Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
Rebekah Vardy has made a documenatry about her experience of sexual abuse as a Jehovah's Witness - Channel 4

Rebekah Vardy has accused the Jehovahs Witnesses of having covered up the sexual abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of a fellow member of the church.

Ms Vardy, the wife of Leicester Citys and England star Jamie, also claims the church failed to protect other children from predatory men within its ranks.

She has now made a Channel 4 documentary about her ordeal with others that suffered and who were shunned by their own families when they tried to leave the Jehovahs Witnesses.

Ms Vardy, whose mother was a Jehovahs Witness, claims that when she was a young teenager church elders refused to inform the police after she told them she had been sexually abused.

In the documentary, Rebekah Vardy: Jehovahs Witnesses and Me, she says: What happened to me during my childhood still affects me every single day.

From the age of around 12-years-old I was being abused and instead of being supported I was blamed.

The claims are vigorously denied by the organisation. In the documentary Ms Vardy - who admits in the programme that she has become famous for her unsuccessful attempt to sue Wayne Rooneys wife Colleen for libel - investigates the iron grip she claims church tries to maintain over every aspect of its members lives.

Its adherents do not celebrate Christmas or their birthdays and can be defellowshipped for transgressing strict moral codes on sex, drinking, swearing, gambling and other lifestyle issues.

Ms Vardy said the sexual abuse she suffered was dismissed as affection when she finally plucked up the courage to tell the elders in her local Kingdom Hall.

Not believed

She says that her mother did not believe her and that when she turned to senior church figures in her home town of Norwich, Norfolk, at the age of 15 they dismissed her claims.

I was told that I had misinterpreted the abuse and that it was a form of affection. I knew I hadnt. I was well aware of what was right and what was wrong, but I was manipulated into believing that it wasnt right to take it to the police, she says.

Story continues

Ms Vardy said the abuse, and the refusal of the church to confront the issue, led her to begin playing truant from school and to making a series of terrible decisions about her life.

In tears, she tells the documentary team: Its hard to know how I survived that. No one valued me enough to protect me.

During the making of the programme Ms Vardy met a number of former Jehovahs Witnesses who were shunned by the church after making claims of sexual abuse - and other complaints - against fellow members.

Laura, a former member from Northern Ireland, tells Ms Vardy she was sexually abused from the age of eight by a member of the church who was a family friend, but that her local elders took no action when she told them, believing his side of the story.

When she eventually went to the police herself, the man was charged and later handed an 18-month suspended sentence and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Laura, who found herself shunned by the church, tells Ms Vardy: He injured me. I was disgusted with myself. I felt so ashamed. I think that he stole my life.

Accused in person

In the documentary, Ms Vardy is filmed attempting to put her accusation in person to someone at the JWs sprawling multi-million UK headquarters, called Bethel, in Chelmsford, Essex. Nobody answers the intercom at the main gate and when she calls the head-office number she is told there is no one inside available to speak to her.

Oh, thats a shame, she replies. I was hoping to talk to someone from the organisation about my experiences as a child. Well, have a lovely day.

In one moving scene, Ms Vardy is invited to celebrate Christmas with other former Jehovahs Witnesses at a gathering organised by Faith to Faithless, a section of Humanists UK, which provides support for those who have had to rebuild their lives after being shunned.

Ms Vardy urged any young person who, like her, felt trapped by the church to seek outside help. She told The Telegraph: Go to someone you can trust, usually outside the organisation. The [church] only cares about whats right for them.

The Jehovahs Witnesses strongly denies that it fails to take action when presented with allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by its members and that it is false and offensive to say they try to prevent the authorities investigating sex abuse claims.

It also denies that shunning contributes to suicides among former members. In a statement the church added: It is false to say our members live cloistered lives and it is misleading to imply our religion is controlling.

Rebekah Vardy: Jehovahs Witnesses and Me is on Channel 4 on May 16, at 10pm.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Law enforcement agents attempted to catch up to a reckless driver before they crashed into a pole in Springfield Sunday overnight.

>> TRENDING: 2 cars collide in rollover crash on I-70 in Clark Co., injuring involved victims

The Springfield post of Ohio State Highway Patrol initially began following a driver after they were reportedly driving recklessly. However, it was not long before the driver then crashed their Chevy pickup truck into a pole near the intersection of North Bechtle Avenue and West North Street at 3:16 a.m., dispatchers for state troopers said.

Due to the location of the crash, Springfield Police also responded to the scene to lead the investigation into the incident.

State troopers informed officers, as they arrived, that there was not a pursuit. State troopers were first and foremost attempting to catch up to the reckless driver, and as such, could not designate the following as a pursuit, dispatchers said. Furthermore, they began the catch-up relatively near the crash site that not much ground was covered.

As law enforcement agents investigated the scene, they reported that the driver was possibly trapped inside the vehicle, and thus needing extrication.

The driver reported minor injuries following the crash. As a result, no transports to local hospitals were made.

The driver was not taken into custody or arrested. A routine crash report was created for the incident.
David Von Drehle, a respected columnist for The Washington Post and author of books about Abraham Lincoln, capital punishment and a horrifying 1911 fire, has taken a career detour.

The Mission Hills resident has written a book for his children. But its not a childrens book  his four kids are all in their 20s after all. Its more of a guide to the 20th century as told through the lens of a man who was born in 1905, eight months before the legendary San Francisco earthquake, and became Von Drehles neighbor and soulmate more than 100 years later.

Call it Little Big Man meets Tuesdays With Morrie meets Forrest Gump, with a bit of philosophy mixed in.

Young people grow up now thinking the world is in a lot of flux, really screwed up, and many of them have a hard time being optimistic about their future, Von Drehle said. So by telling the story of someone who lived through the entire 20th century, it was a chance to say that things have always been screwed up, theres always been reasons to be fearful, theres always been dynamic change. And there are tools for being happy and successful in spite of all that.

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom From the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man will be released May 23, and Von Drehle will have an event at Unity Temple on the Plaza that evening.

The titular Charlie is the late Charlie White, a doctor who spent nearly his entire life in the Kansas City area. Among his accomplishments, he treated gangsters and their families in Kansas Citys Little Italy in the 1930s, became one of the nations first anesthesiologists and served as an officer during World War II.

He traveled the world, even going to South America to perform surgery on the president of Peru and returning with a smuggled pet monkey. He rubbed elbows with actor Buddy Rogers, author Edgar Snow and mobster Johnny Lazia. He played saxophone in a dance band, and he rode horses with nuns.

He also experienced the deaths of his father in a freak elevator accident, of his first wife to suicide and of his third wife to cancer.

Story continues

Through it all, he remained an optimist.

Very much so, but in a practical way, Von Drehle said. There was no point in being pessimistic. It was a waste of energy. Because youve got to live your life no matter what, so you may as well do it with optimism.

Interestingly, Charlie never described himself as being happy. I didnt ultimately call this a guide to happiness or how to be happy, because Charlie didnt really remember being happy or sad, just never any time for that.

Author David Von Drehle, who lives in Mission Hills, said The Book of Charlie is not a conventional biography. Its more of an attempt to learn some lessons from somebodys well-lived life.

He was too busy being a doctor, making house calls.

Women didnt bring their sick children into your office  you made house calls, White told The Star in 2005, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. You get acquainted with your patients. You had a great knowledge of everything about them. Nobody has time to do that anymore.

Von Drehle and his family moved to Mission Hills in 2007 from Washington, D.C., where he was writing for Time magazine. White, then 102, lived across the street in a home he bought in 1960. The two immediately struck up a friendship, and the stories began to flow.

The many amazing anecdotes in The Book of Charlie include Charlie giving a transfusion of his own blood to a gangster (who died anyway) on the streets of Chicago, watching a man get mowed down by a machine gun from a passing car, riding in an ambulance with a reporter from The Kansas City Star who flew out the door when the vehicle took a sharp turn and making a house call where he delivered a premature baby he placed in a warmed shoebox.

Most things worked out well for him, Von Drehle said. But I would argue that his frame of mind was part of the reason so many things worked out well. He lived his life on his toes. He was prepared for opportunities, and he was willing to grab them when they arose.

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom From the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man by David Von Drehle will be released May 23.

Von Drehle, who grew up in Colorado, began his journalism career as a teenage sportswriter for The Denver Post. He then attended the University of Denver and earned a masters in English literature at University of Oxford. His wife, Karen Ball, grew up in Kansas City and attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She helped research and fact check The Book of Charlie.

His editor at Simon & Schuster suggested the book idea after Von Drehle wrote an essay for Time about Whites life and death in 2014.

It was a challenge to figure out exactly how to write it because its not a conventional biography, Von Drehle said. Its more of an attempt to learn some lessons from somebodys well-lived life. It was not like any other book that Ive written, so finding the right voice and the right tempo for it did take more work than I anticipated.

The Book of Charlie already has one influential supporter.

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, whose novel The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece was released May 9, posted unsolicited praise on his Instagram account that has nearly 10 million followers:

I gotta recommend this book, filled with history, wisdom, common sense and laughs galore. I wish I had lived across the street from Charlie AND that I make it to 109!

In addition to a recommendation from Forrest Gump himself, Von Drehle is bracing for comparisons with Tuesdays With Morrie, saying they are kind of inevitable. The 1997 memoir by Mitch Albom about the authors visits with his dying mentor has sold nearly 18 million copies.

Id be happy if I sell one-tenth as many copies, Von Drehle joked.

He said he didnt read Tuesdays With Morrie when it came out, then made a point of avoiding it when he began working on the Charlie project. I didnt want to have it in my head.

A certain centenarian had already taken up residence there.

When asked whether he became soulmates with White, Von Drehle said, I did. I do share a lot of Charlies philosophy. I would say he made me more aware of what I think about life.  I guess he was a soulmate.

Charlie White was a doctor who spent nearly his entire life in Kansas City, dying in 2014 just after turning 109.

Book event

David Von Drehle will speak about The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man at 7 p.m. May 23 at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th. $27.99 (includes copy of book). rainydaybooks.com.

Other books by Von Drehle

 Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and Americas Most Perilous Year (2012)

 Among the Lowest of the Dead: The Culture of Capital Punishment (Law, Meaning, and Violence) (2006)

 Triangle: The Fire That Changed America (2004)

 Deadlock: The Inside Story of Americas Closest Election (2001)

 Among the Lowest of the Dead: Inside Death Row (1996)
Illustration of a construction technology system on the Moon.

On this week's episode of The Reporter's Notebook Podcast, were joined by Las Cruces native Aaron Paz, who works for NASA. Aaron is a NASA senior engineer and Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration project manager at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

As NASA works toward sending astronauts to the Moon again through Artemis missions, one of the space agencys primary goals is to establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface. Resources like oxygen are crucial building blocks for making that vision a reality. In addition to using oxygen for breathing, it can also be used as a propellant for transportation, helping lunar visitors stay longer and venture farther.

Aaron Paz, senior engineer and Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration project manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

During a recent test, scientists at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil. Lunar soil refers to the fine-grained material covering the Moons surface. This was the first time that this extraction has been done in a vacuum environment, paving the way for astronauts to one day extract and use resources in a lunar environment, called in-situ resource utilization.

Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) test team in front of the vacuum chamber used to conduct the test. From left: Bill Heausler (JSC), Bill Holton (JSC), Matt Green (JSC), Maggie Meller (JSC), Wayne Smith (JSC), Desmond OConnor (JSC), Todd Peters (JSC), John Lauterbach (JSC), Anastasia Ford (JSC), Janine Captain (KSC), TeSean Pemberton (JSC), Aaron Paz (JSC), David Rinderknecht (KSC), Jeff Michel (JSC), Malay Shah (KSC), Mike Reddington (JSC), Nilab Azim (KSC).

And, Im not going to lie, I dont fully understand all of this  the ramifications, what it could mean for future space travel and living someplace that is not the earth  maybe even in our lifetimes.

But thats why Im grateful to have Aaron joining us this week.

Damien Willis is a Lead Reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-541-5443, dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.

Others are reading:

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: The Reporter's Notebook Podcast, Ep. 68: Aaron Paz & NASA
Republican presidential hopefuls and local leaders want to lock down schools after a streak of mass killings  and the White House wont stand in their way.

President Joe Biden has said schools should not be turned into prisons to address a spate of violence. But he isnt resisting calls from former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and other conservatives clamoring to step up classroom defenses after deadly shootings in Tennessee and Texas.

The Biden administration is instead reminding state officials that $1 billion in federal funds approved after last years attack at Robb Elementary can be used for police, metal detectors and active shooter drills. These security measures have become popular  and visible  ways to protect kids.



Louisiana education Superintendent Cade Brumley, the first state official to pledge his share of new federal dollars entirely to safety infrastructure, has no regrets about plans to put $21 million into bolstered school entryways, surveillance cameras and beefed up perimeters.

Not once have I had a mom or dad come up to me and say Youre on the wrong track, Brumley told POLITICO. I repeatedly get nods of affirmation, because I think families realize that there are real and present threats to the safety of children.

States and cities, including Wisconsin and Denver, are even rethinking decisions to remove cops from campuses despite warnings from civil rights leaders and researchers who say excessive security lands hardest on impoverished students of color.

The White House is unlikely to ever endorse Trumps persistent demands to arm teachers with guns, an idea the former president re-aired during a CNN town hall on Wednesday and to the National Rifle Association in April. But broader public safety concerns have created an uneasy consensus that allots local school officials significant leeway to tap federal funds for strategies aligned with Republican policy.

Guns are the number one killer of kids in America, and the President will work with anyone on real solutions to this problem, a White House official said of Bidens position.

Story continues

The administration said a debt ceiling standoff with House Republicans could also slash spending on a Justice Department community policing initiative that helps schools hire cops, just as Biden seeks a multibillion-dollar expansion of the broader program.

While the politics of school security and policing evolve, Biden is in the awkward spot of seeming aligned with some of Trumps tough-on-crime messaging.

As we restore safety to our streets, we must also restore it to our schools  hardening places of learning, Trump said at the NRAs annual leadership summit, during a speech that also promised federal tax credits to reimburse teachers for the cost of firearms. We have to harden our assets to protect our children against threats of any kind.



Pence invoked the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida during his own remarks to the NRA  while calling for more police in schools and a federal death penalty law to speed up executions of mass shooters.

The time has come for leaders in our nations capital to give every community in the country the funds to place armed resource officers in every public and private school in America, Pence said to cheers.

Presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson pressed for having armed guards in every school during a stop in Iowa. And former South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley made similar pitches to New Hampshire voters.

The presidents lack of opposition to the tactics is frustrating for progressives who want him to scale back police in schools and de-emphasize hardened security.

Biden has been consistent since the beginning in his support for policing in all of its forms in our schools, despite widespread calls from young people and youth organizing groups to do the work to truly keep people safe in schools, said Katherine Dunn, a former Education Department civil rights attorney who is now program director at the Advancement Project organization.

If youre both providing things that help young people and things that harm young people, youre not creating safe schools, said Dunn, whose group helped found the National Campaign for Police Free Schools.

But officials are already pushing ahead.

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a $230 million measure early this month that will fund tens of millions of dollars worth of security upgrades  and requisition armed police and state homeland security agents  for public and private schools.

Alan Keck, a Kentucky GOP gubernatorial candidate, wants to devote sports-betting revenue to school safety. The Texas legislature is advancing legislation that would require armed guards in schools and panic buttons in classrooms.

Cities that pulled cops from schools following George Floyds 2020 murder are also under pressure.

In Minnesota, recent attacks have prompted the St. Paul Public Schools system to revisit a 2020 decision to end its city contract for campus-based police officers. Denver officials in March reversed their 2020 vote to remove police from public schools after a high school shooting.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne wants state officials to send six Phoenix high schools grant money to hire police, as the Republican tries to overrule the district school boards authority. Republican state lawmakers in Wisconsin are meanwhile angling to require a police presence in Milwaukee schools after the citys board cut its remaining police contracts in 2020.

School police have support from the public  and Biden.

The President believes properly recruited and trained school resource officers may be one part of a comprehensive strategy to keep our children safe in schools, a White House official said in a statement. By properly recruited and trained, we mean recruiting individuals with experience working with children and young adults and training officers on de-escalation, alternatives to arrest, civil rights, and other key issues.

Americans broadly approved of having armed police, metal detectors and student mental health screening in the wake of the Uvalde massacre, according to a 2022 poll commissioned by the Phi Delta Kappa International education group. Separate polling conducted last year by the American Federation of Teachers found union educators overwhelmingly favored having both armed and unarmed security.

Public schools in the U.S. have increasingly used armed guards and other security measures in recent years, though fatal or injury-causing gun attacks occurring on public and private K-12 school property reached their highest level in 20 years during the 2020-21 academic term.



The Education Department has sought to prod local officials into spending $1 billion included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for school safety grants on nurturing learning environments and get states to focus on student wellbeing and mental health initiatives instead of solely focusing on hardening schools.

We have to do more to protect our schools so they arent turned into prisons, Biden said after the Nashville shooting in March. These children, these teachers, they should be focusing on their mental health, as well.

But that same month, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, told Education Secretary Miguel Cardona that state and district leaders need to know that they can and should use these funds to harden schools.

Cardona responded by highlighting several areas of government-approved spending, including police, emergency plans for activities such as shooter drills and threat assessment systems or teams to identify potential attackers. The department echoed those points in an FAQ document for schools.

No student, parent, or teacher should worry about their physical safety at or around school buildings, Cardona wrote last month.

In Louisiana, Brumley said his campus safety strategy includes bulletproof glass, metal doors, fencing and working security cameras.

We have to make sure that our kids have access to mental health professionals, and in our state we have expanded that access over the last three years, Brumley said.

But at the same time, from a school safety standpoint, we have more work to do in the hardening of facilities, he said. Both of those things are important and I dont view them necessarily as competing interests.

Myah Ward contributed to this report
In a Friday night tweet, Florida governor Ron DeSantis praised a man charged with manslaughter for fatally choking Jordan Neely, a homeless subway passenger, in New York earlier this month.

We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Lefts pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens, Mr DeSantis wrote. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Lets show this Marine... Americas got his back.

Mr Penny, a 24-year-old former US Marine, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Friday.

He has not submitted a plea yet in regards to the charges.

On 1 May, a man identified as Mr Penny placed the 30-year-old homeless former street performer in a fatal chokehold for several minutes until he died on the floor of an F train on the Broadway-Lafayette platform in Manhattan. The citys medical examiner determined Neelys cause of death was homicide.

The killing has been widely criticised by local officials and protesters in New York, who argue Neelys death perpetuates a narrative where Black people experiencing poverty are met with dismissal or deadly violence.

Jordan Neelys death was a homicide, and charges must be immediately brought against his killer, the citys elected public advocate Jumaane Williams said in a statement shared with The Independent.

To say anything else is an equivocation that will only further a narrative that devalues the life of a Black, homeless man with mental health challenges and encourages an attitude of dehumanization of New Yorkers in greatest need.

Elected leaders and media coverage have created an environment that encourages fear of and violence against people who are struggling, that paints them as a threat to public safety, he added. But being homeless is not a capital crime. Struggling with mental health is not a capital crime. Being Black is not a capital crime.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting to this story.
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa  Ron DeSantis declined to go after Donald Trump directly on Saturday during his most high-profile swing through Iowa to date. Fortunately for the Florida governor, the prospect of a literal tornado kept Trump away  and out of the spotlight.

The anticipated Hawkeye State split screen between two candidates leading Republican polls failed to materialize as Trump canceled his rally amid severe weather warnings, giving DeSantis, who has yet to announce his campaign, all the attention as he traversed the state.

After an onslaught of negative coverage about DeSantis campaign tanking before it takes off, sliding poll numbers and Trump reveling after his primetime CNN town hall Wednesday, the Florida governor finally caught a break this weekend. There was no sold-out rally across the state to which DeSantis crowd size would be compared. Trump, that night, wouldnt get another televised speech. DeSantis, meanwhile, tried to subtly make his case against Trump.

If we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again, DeSantis told a Sioux Center crowd, one of several veiled jabs at Trump. And I think itll be very difficult to recover from that defeat.

At the fundraising event for GOP Rep. Randy Feenstra, DeSantis called for Republicans to reject the culture of losing that has infected our party in recent years and lambasted anyone who believes governing is about entertaining or talking on social media.

But 200 miles southeast of DeSantis, Trump fans began lining up hours before the scheduled outdoor rally in Des Moines. They continued waiting for Trump behind metal barriers even as the skies opened, soaking a modest crowd of diehard supporters during the afternoon downpour. Multiple people reported they had to wring out their clothing afterward.

What a muddy, wet nightmare, said Kelly Koch, chair of the Dallas County Republican Party, who had gotten to Water Works Park in Des Moines at 11 a.m. She called it smart for Trumps campaign to call off the event, where standing water had become a problem at the low-lying outdoor venue.



Story continues

Earlier in the day, Trump had bragged on social media that Fox News was planning to air his full rally. But Trump lost the airtime  if Fox was indeed planning to go live  when the event was canceled.

Everyone is saying when he comes back, itll be bigger and better, Koch said. You know Trump.

The scene was a reminder of the lengths to which Trumps loyal base will go to support and defend him, and that DeSantis has a tough road ahead convincing a sizable chunk of the Republican electorate to move on.

Perry Johnson, a wealthy longshot candidate not registering in polls, set up his own campaign event across from the Trump rally location and took photos with a handful of the former presidents supporters, saying in a statement afterward that the rain gave way to a beautiful afternoon, and it was truly a shame Trump canceled his event. Trump posted to his social media website a video of a storm taken a few hours earlier outside Des Moines  an apparent attempt to assure his followers the rally cancellation was warranted.

At the midday fundraiser, DeSantis glad-handed inside a classic car museum in Sioux Center and ordered deviled eggs from a food truck outside. He threw on an apron and flipped burgers with Feenstra and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, just long enough for reporters to quickly document the moment. DeSantis attempted to seize the opportunity to change a months-long narrative that hes a flat candidate struggling to embrace retail politics.

DeSantis' attempts to connect with voters in Iowa  including making an unannounced stop at a Pizza Ranch restaurant  show he is at least attempting to up his game ahead of his anticipated launch. Trump, meanwhile, has been greeted by adoring crowds during impromptu stops at restaurants and fast-food establishments on his recent campaign travels.

Rick Lemmon, 66, of Sioux City, said after DeSantis early event that he was still deciding between Trump and DeSantis, but he liked that DeSantis didnt have as much baggage that could hurt him in a general election  a theme the Florida governor has tried to subtly convey, without ever directly attacking Trump.

DeSantis doesnt have that issue, Lemmon said, quickly following up that he thought Trump did a great job as president.



In his 37-minute speech, the crowd responded enthusiastically to DeSantis' claim that he would shut down the border immediately. He also took credit for signing legislation to nix the pronoun Olympics in schools. DeSantis never uttered Trumps name, though predictably eviscerated Biden  the same tactic being employed by most of the GOP field, and one that anti-Trump Republican strategists say is insufficient for cutting into Trumps lead.

The would-have-been convergence in Iowa came a day after a pro-DeSantis super PAC announced the governor had secured endorsements from more than three-dozen state legislators here. Trumps campaign on Saturday, meanwhile, announced endorsements from 150 grassroots activists in every county, after previously unveiling support from 11 state lawmakers.

In other words, the Trump-DeSantis race is very much on in Iowa, even though the Sunshine State governor hasnt yet declared. He is expected to announce his campaign within the next few weeks.

Flipping through television channels Friday afternoon, Koch, the Dallas County GOP chair, stopped on Newsmax, drawn to a dramatic chyron while the station previewed Trump and DeSantis planned trips to the Hawkeye State: Iowa Battles. Surrogates for each of the candidates were duking it out.

They were bickering back and forth, My guy is better than your guy, Koch said, laughing about the segment. Its out of a movie. This is hysterical.

On Saturday evening, DeSantis was headlining another fundraising event in Cedar Rapids to benefit the Republican Party of Iowa. DeSantis took advantage of Trumps change in plans, adding an impromptu evening event near the rally that was canceled. The governor flew from the fundraiser in Cedar Rapids to the state capital to visit a packed bar of supporters who lined up to take pictures with DeSantis and his wife, Casey. He delivered brief remarks before heading out.

Despite what appears to be a substantial lead for Trump in the state, there are signs that DeSantis has a shot at gaining ground in Iowa over the next eight months before the caucuses are held.

A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll in early March  the latest nonpartisan public polling available in the state  found that nearly three-quarters of Republicans said they would likely vote for Trump in a 2024 general election.

His overall number, at 74 percent definitely or probably voting for him, is impressive  until you look at where he was before, said J. Ann Selzer, a veteran pollster in the state who conducts the Iowa Poll.

When the poll asked the same question in June 2021, that number was at 84 percent of Iowa Republicans, including a higher proportion of voters who would definitely do so.

There remains a dearth of reputable, independent polling in the state, where identifying likely caucus-goers is notoriously difficult and expensive for pollsters. More recently, a survey conducted earlier this week by National Research, a past Trump pollster, found the former president 18 points ahead of DeSantis.

Reynolds, who was also at the Feenstra-DeSantis event Saturday, had not planned to attend Trumps rally. A spokesperson for the governor said she was instead spending the afternoon with her mother ahead of Mothers Day.

CORRECTION: The original version of this story misspelled Kelley Koch's name.
PHOENIX (AP)  Dominic Fletcher watched as good friends and fellow outfielders Alek Thomas, Corbin Carroll and Jake McCarthy all got the call to the big leagues while he stayed in the minor leagues.

He said there wasn't much frustration. Instead, he stayed ready.

Now he's putting up numbers that could keep him in the big leagues for a while.

Fletcher hit a two-run homer and a go-ahead, bases-clearing triple for five RBIs, Zac Gallen pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 7-2 on Saturday night.

I just go out, play my game every day and compete, Fletcher said. I'm always rooting for those guys, those are my best friends. Now I'm glad to be here and hanging out with them.

Fletcher has been swinging a hot bat since being called up for his first big-league action in late April, hitting .457 in 35 at-bats.

He hit his first MLB homer on Friday and followed that up with a clutch triple in the sixth inning on Saturday, ripping a line drive into the right-center gap that scored Josh Rojas, Ketel Marte and Christian Walker and pushed the D-backs up 4-1.

That was enough run support for Gallen (6-1), who continues to be one of the best pitchers in the National League. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking two. He now has a 2.35 ERA.

Just a really impressive outing, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. He gave us a chance to play some catch up.

The Diamondbacks also made several nice defensive plays. Once again, Fletcher was right in the mix, saving at least one run on a running catch near the wall to end the first inning.

We can stand out here and talk about me grinding it out and trying to make pitches, Gallen said. But the defense made a lot of good plays that kept the game close and bailed me out.

Fletcher added a two-run homer in the eighth, which just cleared the right field wall over a leaping Michael Conforto. The umpires initially ruled that it didn't clear the fence, but replay confirmed it was a homer.

Story continues

Fletcher has nine RBIs over his past two games and 11 RBIs in the series with one game remaining on Sunday.

Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (3-3) was cruising with five scoreless innings until his trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs. San Francisco reliever Scott Alexander surrendered Fletcher's crucial triple.

Casey Schmitt and Conforto both had two hits for San Francisco.

PIANO MAN

DeSclafini  who left the game in the sixth after just 77 pitches  said he's dealing with a big toe injury on his left foot due to a mishap while playing piano.

I was playing piano with my kid and I was trying to help him off the bench and the thing squared my toe up several weeks ago," DeSclafini said. The toenail finally just died and it just started affecting me today.

WHEELS

Marte scored from second base on a wild pitch in the eighth inning to give the D-backs a 5-2 lead.

Giants reliever Tristan Beck uncorked a pitch that bounced in front of home plate and took a big hop toward the D-backs' dugout. Marte already got a good jump from second base and just kept going once he realized how far the ball had bounced.

MAKING MOVES

Giants: IF Darin Ruf cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent. The veteran was designated for assignment earlier this week.

UP NEXT

The teams wrap up their four-game series on Sunday. The D-backs will send rookie RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-1, 12.10 ERA) to the mound. The Giants will counter with RHP Logan Webb (3-5, 3.46 ERA).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
If your taste runs to bold initiatives, then a call by Sen. Craig Hickman (D-Winthrop) for a constitutional commission to advance specified policy aims is just what youre looking for.

Hickmans bill, LD 1824, heard by the Judiciary Committee earlier this week, is nothing if not ambitious. The commission would study sweeping changes to the state Constitution, putting under one roof proposals that have been debated many times, and others that are new.

Douglas Rooks

Hickman has some credibility here; he was the principal author and backer of the right to food amendment that, with crucial support from Republican represenative and now Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, is one of the few recent substantive additions to the Constitution.

The new commissions charge would go considerably further.

It would give Maine, like almost every other state, a lieutenant governor, next in line to the governorship. For those who would balk at adding another top new official, in many smaller states, the lieutenant governor is also Senate president, with a president pro tempore equivalent to Maines majority leader.

The commission would study electing the constitutional officers, as in most other states, and providing four-year Senate terms, also typical.

And it could reduce the size of the Legislature, a hardy perennial. My own prototype links a 33-member Senate and 99-member House with interlocking districts, so people might finally know both legislators who represent them.

And it would allow constitutional amendments to join the initiated legislation that now burgeons forth almost every November.

About that I have doubts. Weve just suffered through one unconstitutional referendum being enacted about the power line to Canada, and another half-unconstitutional, on ranked choice voting as it applies to the governors race.

We might need a vetting process  also required elsewhere  before questions reach the ballot.

And finally, we could have a unicameral legislature. There is one, in Nebraska, essentially established by Sen. George Norris, an outsized Republican who was a huge supporter of Franklin Roosevelts New Deal public works.

Story continues

Not coincidentally, the Nebraskans are called senators. Appealing, I suppose, if youre already a senator.

But my favorite part is this one: Removing procedural minutiae from the constitution that are better left to statute.

Its really, really hard to amend the federal Constitution, but Maines is amended all the time, mostly to adjust the minutiae that shouldnt be there.

A recent example: Town clerks, overwhelmed by nominating petitions, wanted more time to check them than provided by the deadlines unwisely placed in the Constitution.

The amendment passed the Legislature, but was narrowly rejected by the voters. The clerks are still frazzled.

Given the bills late hearing and its underwhelming reception it probably isnt going anywhere.

Yet it, like dozens of other reform proposals being floated, represents something quite important: a desire by younger Mainers to shake up state government, to see if it cant be restructured to better reflect peoples needs in a new century.

Questions such as Sen. Hickman is asking havent been seriously addressed since the Ken Curtis administration, way back in the 60s and early 70s.

The basic shape of state government and its relationship to counties and municipalities is almost unchanged since then, and the discrepancies are glaring.

Maine counties received a huge windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act because, in most states, counties perform many functions, providing regional services in transportation, health care, education, planning and other areas that small towns  Maine has an abundance  cant effectively handle.

Maine has 200 school districts even though a Baldacci-era plan aimed at reducing them by two-thirds. Paul LePage abolished the State Planning Office, and now towns cant figure out how to implement housing mandates the last Legislature prescribed.

And tax policy  tax policy! Mostly, it consists in showering more and more tax breaks on favored classes.

In the 1990s, it was attempted tax caps. After that, business preferences. And now, regardless of income, lifetime breaks for homeowners over 65; the Legislature is struggling to scale back that one.

None of this suggest a state government, or a Legislature, with its eye on the future which, at the moment, seems bright.

For the first time in decades, Maines population is growing. Its an attractive destination for young people, including those working the land  were the only state whose farmers are getting younger.

Its an opportunity to match this rising tide with government reforms that could make Maine more prosperous, and a better place to live. And it starts with finding, and implementing, the best ideas.

Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter since 1984. His new book, Calm Command: U.S. Chief Justice Melville Fuller in His Times, 1888-1910, will be published later this year. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rooks: Maine's next generation of lawmakers making their mark
Toshiyuki Tanaka, an emeritus professor at Hiroshima City University, speaks at a rally to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

HIROSHIMA, Japan, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Protests will also be held along the streets on Sunday, starting at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a cenotaph where an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States at the end of World War II.

About 200 citizens carrying banners reading "No G7" and "No War" gathered in Hiroshima to protest against the G7 summit on Saturday as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the city to inspect summit-related venues.

Shigeo Kimoto, director of Japanese civic group Peace Depot, pointed out in his speech that both joint military exercises among G7 members in the Pacific region and Japan's statement that "Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan" are "absurd and dangerous."

Japan, once a ruthless invader in Asian countries and regions such as China and the Korean Peninsula, has deliberately concealed its ugly history as a perpetrator by repeatedly stressing that it is "the only country that suffered atomic bombings," historian Toshiyuki Tanaka said at Saturday's rally.

"Now Japan is politically using Hiroshima, the site of the atomic bombing, to hold the G7 summit. It is time for people in Hiroshima to wake up," said Tanaka, also an emeritus professor at Hiroshima City University.

The protests were launched by the executive committee of Citizen's Group Questioning the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, whose declaration was also released on Saturday.

According to the group's declaration, the G7 summit in Hiroshima seeks to advance military alliance under the name of freedom and democracy, and that the essence of the summit was a meeting where the rich bloc forces other countries to follow its rules.

The G7 consists of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. This year's G7 leaders' summit will be chaired by Japan in Hiroshima on May 19-21. 

People holding banners protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit at the site of the atomic bombing near the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, May 14, 2023. Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

People holding banner protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 14, 2023. Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

People hold a banner against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit at the site of the atomic bombing near the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, May 14, 2023. Hundreds of Japanese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.(Xinhua/Yang Guang)
Teachers in Pennsylvania and around the world adapted to handle the pandemic. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

When the pandemic first closed schools in March 2020, it was an emergency response that upended the typical priorities of public education. Schools suddenly needed to distribute laptops and tablets, set up Wi-Fi hot spots, check on families and distribute food previously served in cafeterias  all while continuing to teach children.

Even before the pandemic, rural schools had less funding, older technology and more limited access to high-speed internet than their suburban and urban counterparts. Districts were already facing teacher shortages and were regularly seeking more bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers.

We studied rural schools in Pennsylvania and wanted to find out how they were responding.

Our research examined how Pennsylvanias 235 rural school districts supported families and communicated about COVID-19-related closures. We collected data from district offices and surveyed or interviewed superintendents, principals, teachers and parents.

Over the more than two years of dealing with the pandemic, schools increasingly bore the brunt of the frustration local residents had with state or federal guidelines. We went from being heroes to villains, one school leader told us. Some of our focus group participants helped us identify four phases of this process.

One participant said, Phase 1 of the pandemic there were tons of concern about teachers and students well being. People cheering us on from everywhere. Another suggested that Phase 2 was about getting back to school, navigating the new rules of sharing space, and that Phase 3 moved into Teachers are no good and just do not want to work. Finally a fourth participant noted that Phase 4 devolved into people saying, You cant make my kid wear a mask! I am the parent! Teachers are the devil!

Rapid adaptation

One rural district superintendent told us the initial transition to remote learning was particularly difficult in his school district: Lack of connectivity affected pockets of the community  lack of cell service and high speed internet. We have teachers who do not have good internet and cell [service]. Teachers and families used internet in their cars at school parking lots, gas stations and at fire houses.

Story continues

In addition, with many students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals, schools had to figure out how to distribute the food. Some districts told us they had school bus drivers run their regular routes, but instead of picking up students they were dropping off meals, school supplies and paper-and-pencil learning packets.

Identifying creative alternatives to traditions like prom and graduation  such as drive-by parades and outdoor ceremonies  administrators and teachers told us they took pride in how they adapted.

One superintendent noted, We figured it out, and I really think by the end of [the 2019-2020 school] year we felt a sense of victory, that we pulled off a lot of things that made kids feel special and assured families that the educators in the community cared and were taking great care to educate the whole child.  We reimagined all of our traditions.

This period of rapid adaptation and improvisation is what we have characterized as the first phase of education in the pandemic. It yielded a surge of support for schools. As one superintendent told us, communities definitely grew to have a great deal of appreciation for their local educators.

Rural students often have long bus rides to and from school. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Return to in-person school

What were calling the second phase of pandemic education began in the fall of 2020, with efforts to return to in-person school. That often included hybrid plans, with half the students in school some days and the other half in school on other days.

What parents wanted from the schools often conflicted with schools own efforts to set up useful learning environments.

One rural Pennsylvania school superintendent told us, Schools are about day care, extracurricular and education comes in third for most people. From the very start of the pandemic and continuing into the second year, the anger was what do I do with my child? especially for businesses who had essential workers. Families had no one to do day care.

As the 2020-2021 school year began, schools were more prepared, but they also had new responsibilities, including determining when to close schools to limit outbreaks, setting up testing and contact tracing, ensuring clean air circulation in classrooms, and adapting to changing and unclear guidance from health authorities.

Earlier in the pandemic, parents had proved more patient with uncertainty, but shifting mask guidance in particular  often described as recommendations, not requirements  became a flashpoint for parent frustrations. As one superintendent told us, there was no cover for school districts. We were hung out to get hammered.

Another superintendent said, everybody was hoping [the 2020-2021 school] year would have been much, much more routine. [It wasnt,] and that really deflated peoples attitudes.

Community anger

The second wave of school closings, in early 2022, due to the omicron variant, ignited protests. Superintendents told us that unprecedented conflict over vaccinations and masking disrupted school board meetings. One local administrator said schools faced a national politicization of local communities. Another told us, In small communities, activists have an outsize impact. Guerrilla marketing, boots on the ground, talking about issues in small social groups. And one administrator outright declared, Instead of being an educator, Im becoming a politician.

Superintendents reported that some parents were simply angry about masks or school closings. But other superintendents interpreted the mask guidance as part of a larger issue of government intrusion into private lives.

Ongoing conflict has taken its toll as rural districts face historic shortages off staff, educators and even administrators. Nearly 20% of Pennsylvania superintendents left their jobs in 2021  roughly 5 percentage points higher than in a normal year. As one superintendent said to us, Were being blamed for something that we did not create.

Return to normal?

In spring 2022, one rural superintendent stated, Teachers and parents were ready to have things go back to normal. But a rural district administrator saw the pandemic as a wake-up call for our school with our need to make technology available for our students, saying there appeared to be a deep divide between those who believe that we need to return completely to the pre-pandemic routines and those who want to continue to integrate more technology. One districts executive director told us, The pandemic has created a divide and disconnect between the school and the community.

[Youre smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversations authors and editors. You can read us daily by subscribing to our newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Gerald K. LeTendre, Penn State and Peggy Schooling, Penn State.

Read more:



Gerald K. LeTendre receives funding from Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

Peggy Schooling receives funding from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. She is the Executive Director of the Pennslyvnia School Study Council at Penn State University.
Russian troops are intensively replenishing their units with convicts being brought to the occupied territories of Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "The enemy continues to try to replenish its losses in manpower with convicts from the Russian Federation. Recently, about 200 such people have arrived at one of the enemy's field camps in temporarily occupied Rohove, Luhansk Oblast, to undergo a four-week general military training course.

Up to 250 more convicts are expected to arrive by the end of the month."

Details: In addition, according to the General Staff, the occupiers have organised training for up to 800 newly arrived Russian convicts near the village of Mozhniakivka, Luhansk Oblast.

The General Staff has also added that about 400 mercenaries from among Russian convicts recruited by the Wagner Private Military Company have recently arrived at a military training ground near Novopetrivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The training will last for several weeks.

"In the near future, another 400 mercenaries from among Russian convicts are expected to arrive for military training," the General Staff said.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has commented on the missile launches on the evening of 13 May, when the Eurovision Grand Final was taking place.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Details: The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has noted that at a time when Europe is celebrating music, unity and light at the Eurovision Song Contest, "Russia is launching cruise missiles at Ukraine which is standing up to the darkness."

Background: Explosions rocked the city of Ternopil while an air-raid warning was in force, and a non-residential building caught fire.

This year, the Ternopil band TVORCHI represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Two Russian colonels died in a day near Bakhmut

The commander of Russias 4th motorized rifle brigade, Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, and the deputy commander of the army corps, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, were killed, the ministry report reads.

Read also: Russian lieutenant colonel killed in MiG-31 crash in occupied Crimea

Russia claimed that Makarov allegedly "personally led the battle from the front," then he was seriously injured and died during the evacuation from the battlefield.

Brovko claimed to led the occupiers actions at another part of the frontline, where he died from multiple shrapnel wounds.

The Ukrainian army is pushing forward at some parts of the frontline in and around Bakhmut as part of its operation to defend the city, the Ukrainian military reported.

Read also: Russian irretrievable losses in war against Ukraine reach 200,000, report says

A successful Ukrainian military operation in Bakhmut was reported earlier this week. The enemy was pushed 250 - 1,500 meters back, Operational Command East spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi said on May 12.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Reuters) -Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that two of its military commanders were killed in eastern Ukraine, as Kyiv's forces renewed efforts to break through Russian defences in the embattled city of Bakhmut.

In a daily briefing, the ministry said that Commander Vyacheslav Makarov of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade and Deputy Commander Yevgeny Brovko from a separate unit were killed trying to repel Ukrainian attacks.

It said that Makarov had been leading troops from the front line, and that Brovko "died heroically, suffering multiple shrapnel wounds". The defence ministry rarely announces the deaths of military command in its daily briefings.

It also said Ukrainian forces waged attacks in the north and south of Bakhmut over the past 24 hours, but that they had not broken through Russian defences. "All attacks by units of Ukraine's armed forces have been repelled," it said.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary force which has spearheaded much of the Russian advance on Bakhmut, said his forces had advanced up to 130 metres (400 feet) over the past 24 hours.

Prigozhin, in an audio statement on Telegram, said his forces controlled 28 multi-story buildings in western districts of Bakhmut where Ukrainian troops were still operating.

Ukrainian forces, he said, were holding 20 buildings and a total area of 1.69 square km (0.65 square miles).

Reuters was not able to independently verify Russia's account.

Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar confirmed on Sunday that Ukrainian forces "continue to move forward in the Bakhmut sector in the suburbs."

"Our units captured more than ten enemy positions in the north and south of Bakhmut and cleared a large area of forest near Ivanivske. Enemy soldiers from different units were captured," she said on the Telegram messaging app.

Neither Ukraine nor Russian forces have been able to take full control of the city, despite months of grinding warfare that has inflicted heavy losses on both sides.

Moscow acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Bakhmut amid a surge of Ukrainian attacks, but Kyiv has played down suggestions a huge, long-planned counteroffensive has officially begun.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Ros Russell, Ron Popeski and Lisa Shumaker)
Advertisement of Wagner mercenary company in Omsk, Russia

"We are expecting another batch of cargo 200 soon, the mayor, Ivan Fedorov, wrote, using the Soviet army jargon for a delivery of the bodies of troops killed in action.

Read also: Former Russian defense minister joins Wagner PMC

Combat training of the mercenaries, (kitting them out) and sending them (to the front) will take several weeks," the message goes on.

Meanwhile, Russias Wagner mercenary company is currently recruiting its fighters through the Russian social media Website VKontakte, the Prague based Russian-language television channel Time TV said. Due to the companys acute shortage of personnel, they even accept drug dealers, people with Nazi tattoos, and those who are hiding from the police,

Read also: Uncontrolled Wagner fighters execute Russian blogger, expert says

The Russian Ministry of Defence has also actively recruited prisoners from penal colonies to the army since the beginning of 2023.

The Wagner mercenary company announced in February that it had stopped recruiting mercenaries from Russian prisons. Later there were reports that the Russian Defense Ministry itself has started recruiting prisoners as soldiers.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group leader, complained that his company would soon disappear as he was running out of Wagnerites.

Read also: Up to 800 Wagner mercenaries die in Ukraine every day, Defense Forces say

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
In the Bryansk Oblast of the Russian Federation, two planes and two helicopters fell almost simultaneously

"Thats what it was," Ihnat said in reply to the suggestion that Russian air defense could have caused the downing of the Russian aircraft.

Read also: Su-34 fighter jet crashes in Russias Bryansk Oblast  video

It's a black day for (Russian) aviation, they (the Russians) have recognized it, there is even an analysis of who is to blame, who they are going to fire and punish for this mess that is happening. It's nice to read such news from the enemy.

He said that the strike group of helicopters and airplanes that went down in Bryansk Oblast was on its way to launch another attack with guided bombs on Ukrainian settlements in the north.

Read also: Fatalities confirmed in downed helicopters and airplanes in Russias Bryansk Oblast

Ihnat added that it could be as many as five, not four, Russian aircraft that went down.

"They are talking about a third helicopter, so five in total, probably," said the Air Force spokesman.

Actually, they ran into some trouble. They wanted to bomb our civilians, our peaceful regions.

On May 13, Russian Mi-8 military helicopters and Su-34 and Su-35 fighters crashed almost simultaneously in Russias Bryansk Oblast, killing their crews.

This was reported by Russian state media and posted on social media by eyewitnesses, but the Russian authorities did not officially comment on the incidents or the number of lost aircraft.

Read also: Mi-8 helicopter crashes in Russia's Bryansk Oblast

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
During Russia's attack on Ukraine on Sunday night (14 May), air defence destroyed 3 cruise missiles and 25 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Source: press service of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: The Air Force reports that on the night of 14 May, 2023, the Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine from different directions with Shahed-136/131 attack drones, Kalibr missiles from ships stationed in the Black Sea, Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic aircraft.

During the night attack, 3 cruise missiles and 25 unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed:

 18 Shahed-136/131 attack drones

 1 Lancet attack UAV;

 2 Orlan-10 tactical UAVs;

 4 UAVs (type to be established)

 3 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles

In addition, during the day of 13 May and at the beginning of the day of 14 May, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted up to 50 sorties to engage the invaders and provide air cover.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
As a result of the shelling of the village of Primorske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Sunday, 6 people were injured, including a 7-year-old girl; one man died in hospital, another one remains in critical condition.

Source: Yurii Malashko, head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

AFTERMATH OF THE SHELLING IN THE ZAPORIZHZHIA Oblast ON 14 MAY, PHOTO FROM MALASHKOS TELEGRAM

Quote: "There are casualties due to the attack on Prymorske. During a direct strike to the house, a 30-year-old man received mine-explosive injuries and is now in a serious condition.

Three more people were injured, including a 7-year-old girl. All the victims were quickly taken to the medical facilities of Oblast centre."

Details: Malashko also reported that in the city of Huliaipole the air strike came near a medical facility. There is destruction.

Updated: Malashko later reported that six residents of Prymorske were injured in the Russian attacks, including a young child.

A 24-year old man in critical condition died in hospital.

"A 30-year-old man remains in critical condition. Three people, including a child, are in moderate condition. One person was treated at the site," Malashko wrote.

Background: Earlier, Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President, reported that one man was injured in a private house as a result of an attack on the village of Prymorske, carried out with Grad multiple-launch rocket systems. Russians also attacked a secondary school in Prymorske. It is known that three civilians and an ambulance driver were injured.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russians attacked Ternopil Oblast twice during the night

Trush said that civilian objects came under attack.

He said during the second air raid alert of the night, at about 5 a.m., cruise missiles had been detected approaching the region.

Read also: Russian missile wreckage found near Bydgoszcz shows it could have flown 300-500 km across Poland

The mayor of Ternopil, Serhiy Nadal, confirmed that the enemy had attacked the city, with civilian buildings and cars being damaged  probably by fragments of missiles that were shot down by air defenses.

The Russian attack resulted in the destruction of two private houses, and damage to another 12. A fire broke out at one attack site, but it was immediately extinguished. Missile fragments also damaged civilian commercial and business facilities and nine trucks.

Read also: Mayor Klitschko shows fragments of drones, missiles shot down over Kyiv

There were no reports of any injuries. Emergency crews were working at the scene.

Ternopil had already suffered a missile attack from Russia on the evening of May 13, when an enemy missile hit a warehouse in the city's industrial zone.

Two people were injured and hospitalized as a result of the impact.

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
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) -- Fans still have a month to save up for NCT DoJaeJungs concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Event promoter Ovation Productions announced on Saturday that Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo are set to return to the Philippines for their "Scented Symphony: Perfume Fan Concert in Manila" on June 24.

Information on the seat plan, ticket prices, and fan benefits will be released on May 20.

Tickets for the concert, which is presented by Viu, will be available starting June 3.

NCT DoJaeJung is a sub-unit of K-pop group NCT that made its official debut on April 17 with "Perfume," its six-track extended play which gained commercial success in both digital and physical copies.
Kyiv

No cruise missiles were spotted during the second air alert overnight around the capital.

Read also: Mayor Klitschko shows fragments of drones, missiles shot down over Kyiv

"This is the seventh air attack on the capital since the beginning of May," said regional governor Serhiy Popko.According to preliminary information, before midnight, the rascists (Russian fascists) launched reconnaissance drones into the airspace around the capital. Most likely, to identify the positions of our air defenses.

He said all the UAVs heading for Kyiv were destroyed on the far outskirts of the city.

The second air alert of the night was probably related to an attack by cruise missiles launched from strategic bombers from the Caspian Sea.

Read also: Joint Forces chief reveals which air defense used for Kyiv

However, no cruise missiles were spotted in the airspace around the capital.

"According to preliminary data, there was no damage and no one was injured in the city (due to the Russian attacks)," added the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine twice in the early hours of May 14 due to the threat of Russian drone and missile attacks.

Two civilians were injured in Ternopil, as a result of an attack, with local warehouses being struck.

Explosions were heard in Kharkiv Oblast, and air defenses were heard operating in Kyiv Oblast.

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
Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Affairs, said that the self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is sick, but he does not have Covid.

Source: Zatulin in the commentary to the publication Podyem

Details: Zatulin told Podyem that he knew what Lukashenko was ill with, but did not name the diagnosis.

Quote: "There's nothing so supernatural there, it's not Covid. A person just got sick.

Despite the fact that the person fell ill, he considered it his duty to come to Moscow, and then in the evening of the same day he held events in Minsk. Probably needs some rest, that's all."

Background:

On 9 May, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, immediately returned to Minsk after the military parade organised by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow, without waiting for the end of all the celebrations.

Already in Minsk, the Belarusian dictator failed to deliver a customary speech to commemorate Victory Day during this years celebrations.

As the media wrote, since the beginning of May, the self-proclaimed president has made significantly fewer public appearances.

On 13 May, Lukashenko, after a long absence in public, visited the presidential clinic in Drozdy.

On 14 May, he did not appear at the celebration of the Day of the State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem of Belarus.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Three residents of the city of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, including one minor, sustained injuries as a result of a Russian shelling.

Source: Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

AFTERMATH OF RUSSIAN ATTACK ON KURAKHOVE. PHOTO: PAVLO KYRYLENKO ON TELEGRAM

Quote from Kyrylenko: "Todays attack on Kurakhove resulted in three casualties, including a minor.

The Russians deployed Uragan [multiple-launch rocket systems]. Five multi-storey buildings and three private houses were damaged. Heating systems were also damaged.

Rescue workers and police have been deployed to the site of the attack."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
As a result of shelling by the Russians, two civilians died in the village of Starytsa, Chuhuiv district, Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The occupiers once again fired at the houses of civilians in Kharkiv Oblast.

Today, the village of Starytsia in the Chuguyiv district was under attack. Unfortunately, two civilians died from the shelling: a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Lena Dunham has thanked nurses and healthcare workers in her birthday post as she turned 37.

The Girls creator celebrated her birthday on Saturday (13 May) and wrote a heartfelt Instagram post paying tribute to nurses without whom she said she wouldnt be here.

Dunham, who recently marked five years of sobriety, wrote: Today  on my 37th birthday  I salute you. I wouldnt be here, basking in the pleasures of being alive, if not for the wisdom, ferocity and impossible sacrifice of nurses everywhere.

Not all heroes wear capes  in fact, some wear clogs.

She added in the caption: Dear Nurses, THANK YOU. With Love, Lena.

Dunham also tagged three people and nominated them to write and share your own #DearNurses letter of appreciation.

In April, the writer and director reflected on her journey to sobriety and how checking into a 28-day rehab programme helped her overcome her addiction to prescription pills.

She wrote in a post that her addiction came from a desire to gain ease, adding: Ease in my body, ease in my restless mind and the ease to exist in moments of pain, anxiety and uncertainty without reaching for a solution that seemed to help in the moment but pulled me further away from the people I love and the life I wanted.

Dunham continued: The last five years have been the happiest of my time on earth so far (at least this time around!) Theyve been full of work, love, complexity, and  yes  pain. But facing all of that without medicating myself in unhealthy ways has given me a sturdy baseline and new tools.

Five years ago, all of this was impossible to imagine. Five days was impossible to imagine. Five minutes sometimes felt hard.

Dunham was first prescribed the drug Klonopin at the age of 12 to deal with pain from endometriosis. The drug is a type of sedative medication that slows down the body and brains functions and can be used to help with anxiety and insomnia.

Story continues

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter last year, Dunham said: Ive been through a lot of hard things in my adulthood. Getting off Klonopin was probably the hardest.

In 2018, she had a hysterectomy to relieve the pain of endometriosis and entered the rehab programme and has been sober since.

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here.

In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP.
Olaf Scholz

At the same time, he assured that Germany's support for Ukraine was stable and permanent.

Read also: Germany hands over only 6% of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, could send more, Melnyk says

Scholz noted that Germany has provided Ukraine with weapons that it can now use to defend itself and liberate its occupied territories.

In addition, there are other components of German aid "that may not be as visible," the chancellor said. In particular, he recalled that Germany conducts training for Ukrainian soldiers, provides ammunition, and cooperates with service hubs for the repair of Ukrainian equipment in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, etc.

"It may not be so obvious, but successful defense also means that your weapons work, that they are of high quality, that they can be repaired quickly," Scholz said.

The German Chancellor also noted that the friendly relations between the countries are also manifested in public initiatives in Germany that help Ukrainian refugees.

Read also: Germany to allocate EUR 3 million for green industry recovery in Ukraine

"I am confident that there is a stable support in Germany for this course of support for Ukraine, which also implies that we always weigh (decisions)," Scholz said.

"The fact that we have been weighing or sometimes maybe a little bit delayed (them) is due to the fact that we have a slightly different system, but our support does not change  it is stable and constant."

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
(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats retained control of the city-state of Bremen, ending a string of setbacks in regional elections for the German leaders party.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Led by the popular incumbent, Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, the SPD won 29.4% in Sundays vote in the smallest of Germanys 16 states, defeating the conservative Christian Democrats who were second on 25.7%, according to preliminary results from public broadcaster ARD.

What a day! what a result!, Bovenschulte told supporters after the SPD increased its support by nearly five points compared with the last election in 2019. We fought a hard election campaign together and it paid off. We are the No. 1 in Bremen!

The biggest losers were the Greens, who slumped nearly five points to 12.7%. A junior partner in Scholzs national coalition has been struggling with a series of challenges. Many voters are concerned about the cost of climate-protection measures such as a transition to heat pumps, while the party has also faced allegations of nepotism centered on the Economy Ministry  run by Robert Habeck, the vice chancellor and former Greens co-leader.

Read more: Germanys Greens Head for Electoral Setback in Regional Vote

Bovenschulte has indicated hes keen to continue running the city-state, which includes the port of Bremerhaven, in a coalition with the Greens and the Left party, which won 10.6%. A so-called grand coalition with the CDU is also a possibility.

SPD General Secretary Kevin Kuehnert said it was up to the Bremen branch of the party to decide which parties to explore a coalition with, adding that the key point is that Bovenschulte will remain mayor.

For us its important that we achieved our election goal, which was to increase our share of the vote and become the strongest party, Kuehnert said on ARD from Berlin.

Story continues

For the SPD and Scholz, success in Bremen is a degree of respite after it surrendered control of Berlin with its worst-ever result earlier this year. The center-left party also stumbled in regional ballots last year in North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.

On a national level, support for the Social Democrats has steadily eroded since the 2021 election that the party narrowly won. In recent polls, the SPD has been trailing the CDU-led conservative bloc by more than 10 percentage points.

Andreas Jung, a deputy CDU chairman, said Bovenschultes personal popularity had been the key factor in the SPDs victory.

As a traditional SPD stronghold, Bremen is always a difficult place for the CDU, Jung told ARD, characterizing the performance as respectable.

The pro-business Free Democrats  the smallest member of the ruling coalition in Berlin  lost support in Bremen and have slumped in national polls. The Greens are coming off highs and support is neck and neck with the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

The antiimmigrant party  which won 6% of the vote in Bremen in 2019  was disqualified from Sundays election. Because of internal squabbling, it breached electoral rules by submitting two competing lists of candidates.

The partys absence helped local protest party Buerger im Wut  Citizens in Rage  which got 10.1% of the vote.

--With assistance from Michael Nienaber.

(Updates with preliminary figures throughout)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Consequences of enemy shelling

Seven people were killed in Donetsk Oblast  five in Avdiyivka and two in Kostiantynivka. Another 16 people were wounded, the head of Donetsk regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, wrote on Telegram.

Read also: Russia shelling of Donetsk Oblast town of Avdiyivka continues throughout day

Russian invading forces shelled Kherson Oblast 90 times with a total of 434 rounds from heavy artillery, Grad multiple rocket launchers, tanks and aircraft in the past 24 hours. The enemy also used UAVs for the attacks.

The city of Kherson was shelled twice, the head of the regional military administration Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Six people were injured in the region.

Read also: Russian missile attack on Kupyansk and shelling of Kherson Oblast cause damage and injuries

Another 70 people were evacuated from liberated territory of Kherson Oblast, which is regularly under enemy fire and suffering damage to its infrastructure.

"Russian troops hit residential areas of the oblast's settlements, an educational and a critical infrastructure facility in Beryslav District," Prokudin wrote on Telegram.

The occupiers also shelled Nikopol District in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight.

"Russian shelled Pokrovske in Nikopol District at night. About a dozen shells from heavy artillery struck the area," Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhiy Lysak wrote on Telegram.

An infrastructure facility and a transport company were damaged. No casualties were reported from the attack.

Read also: Russian missile strike at Dnipro destroys family, kills three-year-old and her young mother

Russian invasion forces also shelled Ochakiv on the south coast of Mykolaiv Oblast.

"Yesterday, on 13 May, at 15:25, as a result of hostile shelling of Ochakiv, a residential building caught fire but the blaze was promptly extinguished. A critical infrastructure facility was damaged. There were no casualties," Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitali Kim wrote.

Story continues

The enemy also shelled the coast near Ochakiv, with no casualties reported in the that attack either.

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
Soraya Amaya and her family fled El Salvador due to death threats from a gang. After months in Mexico, where she volunteered to help other migrants at the border, they've finally secured a U.S. asylum appointment. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

After 5 months living in a shelter across the border from Yuma, Ariz., Soraya Amaya started feeling desperate.

The 22-year-old from El Salvador had applied daily for asylum appointments for her family of five using CBP One, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection mobile app that launched in January and that migrants must now use to seek humanitarian protection.

Each day she had been met with a denial  since its launch, the application has been plagued by technical glitches and a scarcity of appointments that have shut out many migrants.

But finally, on Thursday, her husbands stepfather called with good news.

Were leaving, he told her. We got it.

Amayas experience remains the exception to the rule. Just 1,000 appointments are granted daily through the app, but some migrants say theyve recently noticed fewer glitches and more appointments being granted to those who have been waiting the longest, part of an update the Department of Homeland Security had promised. The app was intended to reduce the number of crossings between ports of entry.

The expiration of Title 42, a policy implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented many asylum seekers from entering the U.S., has presented a dilemma for tens of thousands of U.S.-bound migrants stranded in Mexico. While there was generally no consequence for being expelled multiple times under Title 42, being deported now can have life-altering ramifications, including being banned for years from reentering the United States.

Before the CBP One apps release, Amaya and her family attempted to enter the U.S. once, presenting themselves to border agents  who detained them for a few days and then returned them to Mexico.

But Title 42 was still in effect then, blocking migrants from requesting asylum. During the experience, she said, a Border Patrol agent threw her familys documents to the ground and stomped on them.

Soraya Amaya tried for months get her family one of the 1,000 U.S. asylum appointments available each day through the CBP One mobile application. As they waited, she volunteered to help others at their migrant shelter in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

When she and her family were released, a Mexican humanitarian organization drove them to Casa del Migrante, a shelter in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, that distributes 200 meals daily.

Story continues

Most migrants are able to stay there a maximum of three days. Amayas family worked out a deal in which she managed some of the shelters day-to-day activities in exchange for an unlimited stay.

She became the right hand of the director, Martin Salgado Ames. Her husband, meanwhile, found work on a local ranch. They were housed and fed, but their lives were still in limbo.

Back in El Salvador, Amaya and her husband had a thriving business selling curtido, a popular cabbage slaw.

I cant afford to make a mistake."

Juan Manuel Torres Leon, 40-year-old chef from Venezuela

Then came the gang threats.

First it was extortion: They were forced to pay $35 a month, then $60 and $100. Unable to afford the payments and their bills, Amaya and her husband decided to tell the police. The effort was futile: After extortion came death threats, she said.

They fled last year with their young son and her husbands parents, and $105 in their pockets. In Chiapas, Mexico, they were helped by a church. They obtained humanitarian visas in Mexico and applied for asylum there.

Feeling safer, Amaya and her 4-year-old son were on their way to a playground one day when two men in a white truck attempted to kidnap them, she said. Local residents helped them escape, but the incident left her wondering whether the gang had caught up to her. After all, theyd seen its graffiti all over town.

Once more, they fled.

At Casa del Migrante, Amaya spent time over the months she was there helping other migrants register for appointments. A few people got lucky, mostly single adults or single mothers with one child.

She started thinking, Why, God, why are we still here?

Amaya and her family are scheduled for appointments in the U.S. later this month. The wait, she said, was worth it. But its bittersweet: Now its the other women at the shelter, all of them Mexican or Central American, who are wondering when theyll get their turn.

The end of Title 42 reopened the possibility for migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, who made up most of the expulsions under the rule, to again apply for asylum in the U.S. But for someone from one of those countries, it is often difficult to actually receive it. Immigration judges have argued, for example, that gang violence doesnt meet the standard for humanitarian protection.

At the shelter, decorated sparingly but for a shrine to the Virgin Mary, a sign in English offers words of hope: With God, all things are possible.

Meanwhile, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Juan Manuel Torres Leon, a 40-year-old chef from Venezuela, also faced uncertainty about his odds of getting an appointment through the mobile app. The situation after Title 42 is much more complicated, he said.

I cant afford to make a mistake, he added.

He and his wife were detained at the border in El Paso last week, he said. His wife was released, given a notice to appear in immigration court, and planned to fly from El Paso to Miami to reunite with relatives. But Torres says that after four days in Border Patrol custody, he was sent back to Juarez on Thursday night, the last few hours that Title 42 was in effect.

The couple left their two daughters, ages 7 and 5, back in Venezuela.

The trip was too dangerous for them, Torres said, speaking outside a church shelter.

He recalled the grueling trek through the Darien Gap jungle from Colombia into Panama  record numbers of migrants have been hiking through the treacherous strip  and the difficult slog from Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Now Torres is stuck in Juarez, contemplating his next step. He and other Venezuelans here have paid 50 pesos a night, about $2.50, to sleep on the floor of an abandoned building.

He hopes to score an interview with U.S. immigration authorities through the CBP One app, but as has been the case for so many others, the process has been frustrating. He said he had been trying for more than two months to get an appointment.

The whole thing feels improvised, totally random, he said. A question of luck.

Like many Venezuelans, he has no current passport  the document is expensive and difficult to obtain in that country  complicating efforts to apply for temporary lawful entry, which is available for some Venezuelans who have U.S. sponsors.

If I try to cross and get detained again, Im afraid Ill never be able to be reunited with my wife, Torres said. I have to be very careful about my next step, now that Title 42 is over. Everything depends on making the correct decision now.

Yusimy Vazquez regrets leaving Cuba with her grandson as U.S. immigration policy changes. As Cubans, they're supposed to apply for humanitarian parole before traveling to the U.S. But since they're now at a shelter a mile from California, she hopes to score an appointment through the CBP One app. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

At Cobina Posada del Migrante in Mexicali, Yusimy Vazquez, 53, lamented the changes to U.S. immigration policy. Had she known how difficult it would become to request asylum, she said, she wouldnt have risked leaving Cuba last Christmas Eve with her 6-year-old grandson.

Cubans, like Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians, can apply for humanitarian parole so long as they dont attempt the journey by land or sea without authorization. U.S. Homeland Security officials will now inform some asylum seekers from those countries who have been arrested by Border Patrol that they can voluntarily return to Mexico in order to apply for the parole program from their home country.

For Vazquez, its too late  shes already a mile from the California border. All she can do is hope she gets an appointment through the CBP One app to plead her case.

Vazquez said she received death threats after her daughter participated in 2021 protests against the government in Cuba. Her daughter fled to Mexico first, then crossed the Rio Grande and turned herself over to U.S. border agents. She now lives in Florida, and, due to immigration court backlogs, will plead her case for asylum in 2028.

Vazquez and her grandson have had a different experience. In Chiapas, a man kidnapped them, locking them in his parents home for nearly two weeks in an extortion attempt, she said. The kidnappers father eventually took pity on them and let them go, she said. But now her grandson suffers panic attacks.

The advocacy group Human Rights First has documented more than 13,400 violent attacks on asylum seekers stuck in Mexico during President Bidens first two years in office.

Like other migrants, Vazquez chose to travel to Mexicali after learning through social media that the area had more humanitarian assistance and fewer people seeking U.S. entry than other border towns.

When she arrived late at night on April 19, two shelters turned her away before Cobina Posada del Migrante let her in. The shelter is also over capacity  it has space for 180, but 300 are staying there, said director Elizabeth Gallardo. On Saturday, Gallardo said 20 families  60 people total  had landed CBP One appointments in the previous two days.

For Vazquez, thats enough to stay hopeful.

I have faith in God, primarily, she said. If today was your turn, congratulations. Tomorrow will be mine.

Castillo reported from San Luis Rio Colorado and McDonnell from Ciudad Juarez.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In Novobavarskyi district of the city of Kharkiv, a transport infrastructure facility, a dormitory building and an apartment building were damaged in an overnight bombardment by Russians, according to the head of the Oblast Military Administration (OMA), Oleh Syniehubov.

Source: Syniehubov on Telegram

Details: In addition to Kharkiv, the Russians fired on the village of Zolochiv with S-300s, two missiles hit the ground between residential buildings.

It is specified that windows were smashed in the houses and two garages were destroyed, but there were no casualties.

Background: Syniehubov reported strikes on the city of Kharkiv and its oblast while a large-scale air-raid warning was in force in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14)  Qualified government employees will receive their midyear bonus starting on Monday, May 15, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Sunday.

The agency said civil servants who have rendered at least a total or aggregate of four months of service from July 1, 2022 to May 15, 2023 will receive the bonus equivalent to one-month basic pay.

"The personnel shall also remain to be in the government service as of May 15 of the current year and has obtained at least a satisfactory performance rating in the immediately preceding rating period or the applicable performance appraisal period," it added.

The DBM said the bonus will be given to all positions for civilian personnel, whether regular, casual, or contractual, appointive or elective, full-time or part-time, now existing or hereafter created in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the Constitutional Commissions and other Constitutional Offices, State Universities and Colleges, and Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations covered by the Compensation and Position Classification System, and in local government units.

"We are reminding all government agencies and offices to ensure the timely release of bonuses to their employees or as stipulated in our existing rules and regulations, simula May 15 po 'yan [that starts on May 15]," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement.
Ron DeSantis has not yet said whether he will be a candidate in the 2024 race for the White House.

But he is certainly acting like one.

On Saturday, with anticipation building for a presidential campaign launch, Floridas Republican governor was in Iowa, home to the first GOP nominating contest next year. So was a tour bus encouraging Iowans to Join Team DeSantis for President.

At a fundraiser hosted by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, DeSantis flipped burgers, pressed the flesh and gave a speech in which he continued to tout his accomplishments in Florida. Ahead of his visit, the states Senate president and House majority leader endorsed him as a presidential candidate, the Des Moines Register reported, despite the fact that he isnt yet in the race.

Governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling, DeSantis said at Feenstras event, ahead of a second appearance scheduled later in the day with the state Republican Party chairman. Its ultimately about winning and producing results.

DeSantis political team did not respond to a request for comment Saturday about his anticipated presidential rollout. His launch has been expected to follow the conclusion of the Florida legislative session, which ended in early May.

Already, there are clear signs that he is preparing an announcement.

NBC reported on Friday that DeSantis is on the verge of announcing his presidential bid. The governor and staffers are to move into a new official campaign home in Tallahassee, a move that will trigger disclosure requirements with federal officials.

Back in Iowa, Never Back Down, a Super PAC supporting DeSantis would-be presidential campaign, was active. Erin Perrine, a Never Back Down spokeswoman, posted photos and videos to Twitter of DeSantis chatting with Iowans and delivering his speech at Feenstras annual family picnic in Sioux Center.

.@RonDeSantisFL swarmed by supporters and chatting with Iowans after the Feenstra Family Picnic pic.twitter.com/J9zWAOMmiD  Erin Perrine (@ErinMPerrine) May 13, 2023

She also confirmed with the Miami Herald that the Super PACs bus promoting DeSantis was in Iowa Saturday.

Story continues

First day on the road for the @NvrBackDown24 bus!



Keep an eye out for it, and if you see it, sign it! pic.twitter.com/gbglzUFCWO  Erin Perrine (@ErinMPerrine) May 13, 2023

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, an announced candidate who polls show leads a field of Republican hopefuls by a wide margin, was also expected in Iowa Saturday evening at a rally in Des Moines.

But Trump canceled the outdoor rally after weather officials warned of possible tornadoes and severe weather in the area.
Amazon

Police investigating SNP finances are examining an Amazon shopping account used to buy items, it emerged on Sunday.

Detectives probing claims that 600,000 worth of funds were misused by Scotland's governing party are said to be investigating more than 1,000 alleged instances of fraud.

The Sunday Mail newspaper reported that officers are looking at an Amazon account used to buy items that may be linked to party finances.

The Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances began in June 2021, when questions were asked about where more than 600,000, raised in donations for independence referendums that never happened, had been spent.

Donors had been assured that the cash would be ring fenced to campaign in a future vote on leaving the UK, but there was no obvious sign of the money in the party's accounts.

'Police investigating 1,000 frauds'

Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested in April and the party's treasurer Colin Beattie was detained two weeks later before stepping down. Both have been released without charge,

Officers working on Operation Branchform are conducting a second round of interviews with key witnesses over the alleged fraud.

A source told the Sunday Mail: "There has been an Amazon account which may have been linked to SNP funds, and purchases from that account are being looked at very closely. There are over 1,000 individual items that the police are looking at as potential instances of fraud and go back a number of years.

"Goods range from quite expensive items to relatively cheap everyday products, but the point is that all of these things together could add up to a very serious criminal allegation. Companies and political parties cannot just spend money any way they want - there are rules about how people are paid and there are obviously huge tax implications as well.

"Everything needs to be properly accounted for, legally, and that is what the police are looking at here. It is an ongoing inquiry. Just because there hasn't been any more arrests doesn't mean nothing is happening - quite the opposite is true."

Story continues

Opposition MPs - 'plot thickens'

As part of the investigation detectives have seized a 110,000 motorhome from the driveway of Mr Murrell's elderly mother which some party sources have claimed was earmarked as a "battle bus" during the pandemic.

The motorhome was purchased from a dealership in Stafford, West Midlands, in early 2020.

Last week it emerged that police had consulted the National Crime Agency over its investigation into SNP finances. On Sunday opposition parties at Holyrood said the scale of the alleged fraud indicated a rotten culture within the SNP.

"The plot thickens and thickens," Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, said. "This investigation goes to show how pervasive the culture of cover-up is at the heart of the SNP. Scotland deserves so much better than intrigue and sleaze from the SNP."

Craig Hoy, the Scottish Conservative Party chairman, compared the investigation to something targeting organised criminals. "The sheer number of alleged offences being investigated here is what you might expect from a probe into an organised crime syndicate, not a political party," he said.

"Everyone who is questioned in relation to this has a duty to cooperate fully so the police can get to the bottom of this increasingly murky SNP scandal."



A spokesman for the SNP said: "These issues are subject to a live police investigation. The SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Michael Capps is on his way to prison. Its been a long time coming and its where he belongs.

And this newspaper is proud to have helped put him there.

On Thursday, Capps was sentenced to federal prison after being found guilty of 12 felonies related to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs when he was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives.

During the time of national emergency, while others experienced grief, mortal danger and economic pain from an unprecedented pandemic that killed more than 1 million Americans, Capps saw an opportunity to work the system for personal gain.

Companies run by Capps, and a bogus charity he controlled, applied for and received approximately half a million dollars in federal grants that were supposed to help keep small businesses afloat and keep employees paid during COVID-mandated shutdowns of 2020.

Capps got the money through the simple expedient of lying on application forms. He claimed he had 38 employees, but they were phantoms. Capps hadnt issued a single paycheck in 2019, the base year for obtaining COVID grant funding.

Its not an overstatement to say that this would likely have never come to light without several years of diligent reporting on Capps by this newspaper, and in particular, investigative reporter Chance Swaim.

The official investigation of the COVID scam didnt begin until Swaim started asking questions.

Reporters dont have the power to subpoena the bank and business records that proved Capps lied to get money he didnt deserve.

But by analyzing government records and sifting through court documents from unrelated cases, Swaim was able to establish that Capps businesses and foundation were basically shell companies that did little commerce and had few, if any, employees.

He and other Eagle reporters were already familiar with Capps businesses from investigating a campaign scandal involving Capps, his business partner and former Wichita City Council member James Clendenin and former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael ODonnell.

Story continues

The trio set up a fake, anonymous shell company in New Mexico to launch a false video smear campaign against mayoral candidate Brandon Whipple in his race against incumbent Jeff Longwell. Whipple was a state legislator at the time and the fake ad used paid actresses in silhouette reading a script of sexual-harassment allegations that were actually made against other legislators.

When the ad scheme backfired, Capps went on the radio accusing then-Sedgwick County Republican Chairman Dalton Glasscock of masterminding the video, although he had nothing to do with it. That blew up in the plotters faces when the young producer of the video revealed a secretly made recording of Capps, ODonnell and Clendenin conspiring to frame Glasscock.

Capps was in trouble from practically the moment he entered the public eye.

Shortly after the Republican Party appointed him to fill an unexpired term in the Legislature in 2018, reports surfaced that the Kansas Department of Children and Families had found he emotionally abused a young boy while serving as a court-appointed special advocate for the child. Capps appealed and won, because of deficiencies in the paperwork filed by DCF, which he claimed as vindication.

In a civil case, he was ordered to pay $200,000 for cheating on an agreement he made when selling a technology company he started to another firm.

On Thursday, Capps caught a break at his sentencing for COVID fraud.

Judge Eric Melgren gave him 27 months in prison, a downward departure from the 41 to 51 months that sentencing guidelines call for.

During the sentencing hearing, Capps cried and portrayed himself as too pathetic for prison. He claimed to suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome and weight-related pre-diabetes. He leaned on his Air Force service 20 years ago, and maintained he would be at high risk of death if he caught COVID in prison  ironic since hes on his way to prison for ripping off other peoples COVID relief money.

Moments after the sentencing he was back to his old arrogant self. Walking to his car from the courthouse, he flipped a middle-finger salute to Swaim, the reporter who started the case against him.

A strong takeaway from the sordid story of Michael Capps is the importance of local journalism. It was, more than anything else, diligent reporting that brought him to justice.

Capps final comeuppance was the result of years of hard work by Eagle journalists. Without it, the smear campaign on Whipple might never have been revealed for the sham that it was. Capps might still be writing our state laws and ODonnell would almost certainly still be on the County Commission. Clendenin would have been term-limited off the City Council, but who knows where he might have landed.

But most important, Capps would probably still be walking around with a few hundred thousand dollars of ill-gotten gains, stolen from taxpayers and the people who really needed that money to keep body and soul together through the pandemic.

We followed this story not for the Internet clicks it might generate, but because it needed to be done for the good of our city and our state. We spent more than we made on it.

Its called public-interest journalism. And its what we do.
DALLAS.Tex.  Chelsea Burnett wears two capes at home  supermom to her 10-year-old, trying to keep him safe, and chasing storms, driving into ground zero for some of the country's wildest weather.

"I grew up in the heart of Tornado Alley. I grew up in central Oklahoma. So severe weather was just a normal part of my upbringing," Barnett told FOX Weather. "And so going through the May 3rd, 1999, tornadoes just sparked that passion even more."

It is easy to see how the May 3, 1999, tornado outbreak changed her life forever, even though she was only 7 years old. In three days, 58 tornadoes killed 40 people and produced over a billion dollars of damage.

EF-4, EF-5 TORNADOES: 7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT EARTH'S MOST VIOLENT CYCLONES

One rare tornado in the outbreak prompted the NWS to issue a Tornado Emergency for the first time. Radar clocked the F-5 monster's winds at over 300 mph, the highest recorded wind speed in a tornado in the U.S., according to NOAA. The Bridge Creek tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, was the first F-5 to hit the state. Chasers waited almost a decade for another.

ITS'S BEEN NEARLY 10 YEARS SINCE AN EF-5 TORNADO LAST STRUCK UP AND THAT THE LONGEST SPAN ON RECORD

Burnett taking photos.

Her passion wasn't realized until she moved to Texas years later, in 2015. She met others who loved storm chasing as much as she did. She calls it a "big happy family that started chasing storms with one another."

"Since then, I have witnessed 47 tornadoes in that process alongside with my spouse," said Burnett. "So being a female in this male-dominated field has been quite the adventure. But my spouse is a great support system for that. He has no problem letting me take the lead in some aspects and then him taking the lead and others."

Her 10-year-old son, Marshall, hasn't exactly been bitten by the weather bug yet, though.

HOW ARE TORNADOES RATED? THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE EXPLAINED

Story continues

Marshall and Chelsea Burnett.

"He is somewhat interested. When storms pop up, he'll ask to open up the radar, look at what which way they're moving," said Burnett. And he's interested when he goes to school if it's got a storm that day or rain for his walk home. But outside of that, he just leaves it up to mom."

Marshall's accompanied mom to take pictures of shelf clouds and shoot video of lightning. Burnett says she has never taken him on a full chase.

The boy hangs out at his father's house while Burnett is off on her chases. She is excited about next weeks' chase, which she calls her annual "chase-cation," her annual storm-chasing vacation.

Burnett works a full-time non-weather job to make ends meet.

"It's a lot of juggling," Burnett said. "I also have a full-time job outside of storm chasing, but I work remotely from home, so that gives me the flexibility to work from the road."

Barnett hopes storm chasing, a hobby now, will continue to become a part-time job. She sells her footage and conducts severe weather preparedness presentations in schools and libraries.

Burnett teaching a preparedness class at a school.

Burnett chased storms through her hometown last month when 18 tornadoes touched down across Oklahoma. She saw the twister in Etowah, Oklahoma.

WHEN IS AMERICA'S MOST ACTIVE TIME OF YEAR FOR TORNADOES?

"Still sorting out my thoughts and feelings, but my hometown of Shawnee, Oklahoma took a direct hit by a tornado tonight," she wrote in a Facebook post after seeing the storm and learning the path.

"Adam and I followed it helplessly into town from the south and went straight to my dads house," she continued. "Was a scary ordeal, but everyone is okay so far, and their neighborhood took some slight damage to trees, fences, and loose objects."

SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA, TORNADO FEATURES 2 RARE METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA

Her parents live within a mile of the tornado's path, but thankfully no one was hurt, and power came back on several days later.
Ukraine came in six during the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, while Swedish singer Loreen won the contest for a 2nd time with her song "Tattoo".

TVORCHI performed the song Heart of Steel, inspired by the Ukrainian defenders of the now-ruined city of Mariupol.

Traditionally, the event would have been held in Ukraine, following Kalush Orchestras win in 2022 with their song Stephania.

From Eurovision to international advocacy: Kalush Orchestras journey to promote Ukrainian culture EDMONTON, Canada  This time last year, Oleh Psiuk felt a little nervous. The 28-year-old from the small western Ukrainian town of Kalush was about to do something he had never experienced before, but he was ready to give it his all. Psiuk and his band, Kalush Orchestra, were set to Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

Due to Russias full-scale war, the contest was held in Liverpool, as the U.K. came in second place during the Eurovision 2022.

TVORCHI, the two-member band, was founded in 2018 by Ukrainian sound producer Andrew Hutsuliak and vocalist Jeffery Augustus Kenny.

The band expressed support for their hometown Ternopil, which was attacked during their performance. Two civilians were injured as a result of Russia's attack.
IDLIB, Syria  The leader of an insurgent group that rules much of northwest Syria rose to notoriety over the past decade by claiming deadly bombings, threatening revenge against Western crusader forces and dispatching Islamist religious police to crack down on women deemed to be immodestly dressed.

Today the man known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani is trying hard to distance his group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, from its al-Qaida origins, spreading a message of pluralism and religious tolerance.

As part of the rebranding, he has cracked down on extremist factions and dissolved the notorious religious police. For the first time in more than a decade, a Mass was performed recently at a long-shuttered church in Idlib province.

Al-Golani told a recent gathering of religious and local officials that Islamic law should not be imposed by force. We dont want the society to become hypocritical so that they pray when they see us and dont once we leave, al-Golani said, pointing to Saudi Arabia, which has relaxed its social controls in recent years after decades of strict Islamic rule.

The pivot comes at a time when al-Golanis group is increasingly isolated. Countries that had once backed insurgents in Syrias uprising-turned-civil-war are restoring relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers

Saudi Arabia, a one-time Assad foe, reversed course and led a push resulting in Syrias return to the Arab League last week, after 12 years of regional isolation.

Even Turkey, the main remaining state backer of armed opposition groups in Syria, has signaled a shift. Last week, the Turkish foreign minister met with his Syrian counterpart in Moscow, the first such meeting since 2011. The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran, Assads main allies, also attended.

The meeting marked a significant step toward Damascus and Ankara restoring ties, even as the presence of Turkish troops in northwest Syria remains a sticking point.

Story continues

At the same time, the United States considers HTS a terrorist group and has offered a $10 million reward for information on al-Golanis whereabouts. The United Nations also designates it a terrorist organization.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Turkey jointly slapped sanctions on two people who allegedly raised money for militant groups, including HTS.

Al-Golani rose to prominence in the early months of the Syrian uprising in 2011, when he became the leader of al-Qaidas branch in Syria, known at the time as the Nusra Front. Militants and top officials from Osama bin Ladens al-Qaida flocked to the groups base of operations in northern Syria, where many of them were later killed in U.S. strikes.

FILE - An al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al Sham militant stands in front of a destroyed house in Atareb, Syria, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (Hussein Malla/AP, File)

In July 2016, the Nusra Front changed its name to Fatah al-Sham Front and said it was cutting ties with al-Qaida, in what was seen by many as an attempt to improve its image. Fatah al-Sham later merged with several other groups and became Hayat Tahrir al Sham.

During that period, al-Golani showed his face publicly for the first time and changed his style of dress from white turbans and robes to shirts and trousers. His fighters went after Islamic State group militants who fled to Idlib after their defeat and cracked down on Horas al-Din or Guardians of Religion, another militant group that includes hardcore al-Qaida members who broke away from HTS.

The change in al-Golanis public image appears not to have impressed the U.S. government.

Posts on social media accounts of the U.S. governments Rewards for Justice show a photo of al-Golani wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue blazer with a caption in Arabic that reads: Hello, handsome al-Golani. Nice shirt. You can change your uniform, but you will always be a terrorist. Dont forget the $10 million reward.

In 2017, HTS set up a so-called salvation government to run day-to-day affairs in the region. At first, it attempted to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Religious police were tasked with making sure that women were covered, with only their faces and hands showing. Its members would force shops to close on Fridays so that people could attend the weekly prayers. Playing music was banned, as was smoking water pipes in public.

In March 2020, Russia and Turkey, which support rival groups in the conflict, reached a truce. Since then, rebel-held northwestern Syria has witnessed relative calm, and HTS focused its efforts on cracking down on the remnants of IS and other jihadist groups. The International Crisis Group think tank, in a report earlier this year, said HTS has evolved and distanced itself from global jihadism.

HTS has also sometimes portrayed itself as a defender of minorities in the primarily Sunni Arab northwest.

In March, members of a Turkish-backed armed group shot dead four Kurdish men in the town of Jinderis as they lit a fire to celebrate the Kurdish new year. Al-Golani met with the victims families and other Kurdish residents of the area and promised revenge against the perpetrators.

In a 2021 interview with PBS, al-Golani called his groups terrorist designation unfair and political, saying that while he had criticized Western policies in the region, we didnt say we want to fight (them).

Al-Golani said his involvement with al-Qaeda has ended, and that even in the past his group was against carrying out operations outside of Syria.

The State Department said in a statement that al-Golani remains a designated terrorist and that it does not comment on possible deliberations about changing such designations.

Aron Lund, a fellow with the Century International research center, said he believes its unlikely the U.S. will remove HTS and al-Golani from its terrorism list. As far as I can tell, the U.S. government remains genuinely concerned about the groups links to global jihadism, Lund said.

Waiel Olwan, a researcher at the Turkey-based think tank Jusoor for Studies, said he believes al-Golani is trying to show he is in control of Idlib and to guarantee a place for himself in Syria once the conflict ends.

Asim Zedan, an activist whose group tracks violations by HTS, said the ongoing terror designation is a blow to al-Golanis self-image.

After forming the salvation government and setting up ministries, al-Golani now sees himself as a head of state, Zedan said.

Mroue reported from Beirut.
When fighting broke out in Khartoum in April it was like history repeating itself for Kareem

Kareem, who two years ago fled the chaos caused by the civil war in his home country, Syria, has found himself once more in the middle of a battle zone - this time in Sudan.

Now he is homeless in Port Sudan looking for a way out and fearing that he may have no choice but to return to Syria.

The 23-year-old used to work in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, for a company that provided him with a flat, a car and a monthly salary of $500 (400). It was enough to make ends meet and send money to his family back home, he says.

A month ago, he was even thinking of proposing to a woman he knew and had already told his mother about her.

"My life was fine in Sudan. I could not ask for more," he told the BBC in one of a series of voice and text messages explaining what had happened.

But on 15 April, when the fighting between two military forces started to destroy parts of the capital, Khartoum, Kareem felt that part of his life had been destroyed as well.

He says a Syrian man he knew well was shot and killed.

Fearful that he might suffer the same fate, on the morning of 24 April he joined a group of more than two dozen other Syrians and fled the capital for Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

The two-day road journey cost them a small fortune. In normal times, the fare would be $40 but the evacuees were charged $400 each.

He strongly believes that bad luck is chasing him and his fellow Syrians.

'We are cursed'

"History is repeating itself," says Kareem, whose name we have changed to protect his identity. "Here, we are going through exactly what we had lived through in Syria.

"We are cursed. I have not lived my life yet."

Stuck in Port Sudan, Kareem knows others who have managed to get on planes to escape to safety. One key factor seems to be about funding.

"You know, it is always about money - those who have money can always survive," he texted after charging his phone at a mosque.

Many Syrians fled to Sudan during the civil war. There is no official record of their number, but some estimates put it as high as 150,000.

Story continues

He said that many Syrians, who have money or whose families are wealthy and have resident's permits in neighbouring countries, have managed to get out.

But he could not.

He is the youngest member of a modest family. He grew up in Idlib but fled to Aleppo years ago where they lived under siege. His relatives were depending on the money he used to earn in Sudan.

People have built makeshift shelters in Port Sudan while they wait for the opportunity to leave

When he first made contact with the BBC, Kareem sounded disappointed about what was happening, but he was still hopeful.

He was listing his options: "I can go to Jeddah [in Saudi Arabia] and then find another opportunity. Or I can travel to Ethiopia - it would cost me $400."

He knew that he could not find refuge in neighbouring Egypt, as he could not pay for an expensive tourist visa.

"We ran out of money to buy food, so how would any of us borrow $1,350? I worked in Sudan for two years to save $1,000, which I have already spent [to get to Port Sudan]."

As things have progressed, Kareem's voice notes have been getting increasingly grim. His options were shrinking by the day.

He has been trying to assess his situation based on the updates he hears from officials and others while wandering around the port.

He learnt that there was no point waiting for a ship to take him to Saudi Arabia as he had no family connection there or a way to guarantee that he would not stay in the kingdom.

'Black hair turned grey'

Also, his passport is expiring soon, which would prevent him from traveling to Ethiopia or any other country.

Now he sounds numb. Desensitised. He has no updates to share.

"I swear to God, I don't feel anything any more. My black hair has partly turned grey. I may go back to Syria with no fear any more. I won't care any more. I have nothing else to lose."

He never imagined returning to Syria as this would mean doing compulsory military service. He preferred to work abroad and build a better life.

But even returning home is costly and difficult.

Some people have managed to get on flights in Port Sudan

A volunteer who is helping in the evacuation at Port Sudan told the BBC that there would be daily flights to Syria until 15 May and that each flight had two categories: commercial and evacuation.

On the commercial side a ticket can be bought through travel agents in Syria, while the seats for evacuation are given for free to people whose names are on the lists.

Priority is given to elderly people, those with health problems, pregnant women and families.

A commercial tickets costs $450.

Kareem says his family has been trying to secure a ticket - but all flights were booked, they were told.

"All problems could be solved with $3,000," he says while explaining his dream plan.

"I can renew my passport with $300, then I pay for the visitor visa to Egypt and then I can go to Turkey, where my sister lives. Then I can find a way to go to Europe."

"But who can lend me $3,000 these days?"

Additional reporting by Mays Baki
Phoenix police car

Phoenix police are investigating a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead by an unknown person while at a local park in north Phoenix Friday night.

Around 8:48 p.m. on Friday, Phoenix police responded to a shooting call in the area near 16th Street and Wescott Drive. When they arrived, they found 17-year-old Hery Almeida-Garcia suffering from a gunshot wound. Almeida-Garcia was transported to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

Detectives with the Phoenix Police Homicide Unit took over the investigation. Authorities believe that early evidence indicates that Almeida-Garcia was with friends who were confronted by an unknown person before the shooting.

The person left the area after shooting Almeida-Garcia and remains outstanding.

Details on what led up to the shooting are continuing to be investigated, according to police.

If anyone has information that can lead to an arrest in this case, they are asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO and may be eligible for a cash reward.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teenager shot dead at a north Phoenix park by an unknown person
Three people are dead after a truck slammed into a North Carolina home during a chase, officials said.

The chase began after occupants of the truck shot at and followed another vehicle in South Carolina and North Carolina around 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 14, authorities said.

The car was struck by gunfire in Cherokee County, South Carolina, and then relentlessly pursued by the truck for miles into Shelby, North Carolina, where the truck occupants continued firing on the car, according to a news release from the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina.

Given this persistence by the suspects, it appears they were determined to kill the occupants of the other vehicle, the sheriffs office said, adding that none of the people in the car were injured.

Deputies responded to the area and intervened, according to the sheriffs office.

The victims continued on, and a deputy tried to stop the suspects at an intersection, the sheriffs office said. The truck ran a red light and continued onto the highway before turning right.

The truck turned off its lights and picked up speed, the sheriffs office said, and the deputy lost sight of it.

He then found it crashed into a home, according to the sheriffs office.

Due to the horrific nature of the crash, deputies and Shelby Police Officers worked together to assist both the fire department and EMS in rendering aid to those in the suspect vehicle, the sheriffs office said.

Three people in the vehicle died, the Shelby Police Department told McClatchy News, and three others were taken to a hospital. One was released. All six occupants of the vehicle were males ages 15 to 20.

One person was in the home at the time of the crash but was not hurt, police said.

Officials did not say whether anyone is facing charges.

Given the relentlessness with which these suspects pursued and shot at the victims, it is a miracle that no one in the victims car was injured, Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said in the release. I am proud of the joint effort between all the involved agencies to work through this investigation.

Story continues

The sheriffs office said multiple agencies are investigating the incident.

Shelby is about 50 miles west of Charlotte.

2 teens in stolen car killed in crash after high-speed chase, SC officials say

Family leaving zoo is struck in fit of road rage and forced into tree, Texas cops say

Young couple killed when driver of stolen car turns into oncoming traffic, NC cops say

Future Marine killed in hit-and-run, Texas cops say. His life was just beginning
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday paid tribute to mothers love, selflessness, and compassion that have become the guiding light of their children.

"I wish each and every mum a day full of the love, happiness, and appreciation they deserve. Happy Mothers Day!" Marcos wrote on Instagram. His message was with a photo of his wife Liza; mother Imelda; and his sisters Imee, Irene, and Aimee.

Duterte also posted a message on social media, saying everything that mothers do reminds us what it is to be selfless. They ask for so little and yet they give so much."

She said it was through a mother's guidance that children learn how to better the world.

"Their sacrifices and unconditional love have molded us to become the persons that we are today and what we will become in the future  inspiring us to dream and encouraging us to pursue these dreams," she added.

Duterte also paid tribute to those who have taken the roles of being mothers of children outside of their own homes.

May this day serve as an affirmation of the great work that our mothers unfailingly commit to teaching our children to be good, be present when others need them, and, in doing so, sustain the values that make up the fiber of our Filipino society  faith, optimism, resilience, resourcefulness, and generosity of spirit, she added.
Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Ukraines Air Force Spokesperson, reported that three helicopters were shot down by air defence forces in the countrys Bryansk Oblast on 13 May, not two as previously reported.

Source: Ihnat during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Details: Colonel Ihnat stated that Russia lost a total of five aircraft that day.

Ihnat said that Russian aircraft and helicopters "have found some trouble".

He clarified that these vehicles were on their way to carry out a combat mission at the front.

Background: On 13 May, different information on the downing of a helicopter, two helicopters, or an aircraft emerged simultaneously.

Initially, Russian propagandists said that the helicopter crashed because of an engine fire, keeping silent about its destruction and an explosion before the fire.

Then they acknowledged the shooting down of two helicopters and one aircraft, customarily blaming it on "Ukrainian saboteurs".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A Brevard County soul food restaurant plans to open a second location in Orlando.

Loyd Have Mercy Orlando applied for funding through the Small Business Facade, Site Improvement, and Adaptive Reuse Program and received approval last week.

The program would include electrical, mechanical and safety improvements at the Dezerland Action Park Orlando location.

Read: Family-run sushi restaurant Escobar Kitchen stays afloat post-pandemic

FSARP is an interest-free deferred loan that will match loan funds to offset the costs of design improvement expenses like painting, lighting and signs.

According to city records, the restaurant also qualified for the Business Assistance Program.

Read: These artists are set to play EPCOTs Eat to the Beat concert series

The city will loan 50% to 80% of the projects total cost within the program.

Loyd Have Mercy originally opened in Titusville and is known for its home-cooked soul food for takeout and catering.

Read: Brightline to offer SpaceXs Starlink Wi-Fi aboard its trains

Owner Andrew Loyd said they plan to open this summer on International Drive.

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.
Priscilla Riziki shows a photo of her 25-year-old daughter, now missing along with her three children, who was a follower of apocalyptic preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, in Malindi, Kenya, May 3, 2023. (Sarah Waiswa/The New York Times)

SHAKAHOLA, Kenya  Delirious from hunger, a believer who had brought his family to live with a Christian doomsday cult in a remote wilderness in southeastern Kenya sent a distraught text to his younger sister this month. While he begged her for help to escape, he was still in the grip of the preacher who had lured him there, promising salvation through death by starvation.

Answer me quickly, because I dont have much time. Sister, End Times is here and people are being crucified, Solomon Muendo, a former street hawker, told his sister. Repent so that youre not left behind, Amen.

Muendo, 35, has been living in the Shakahola Forest since 2021, when, like hundreds of other believers, he abandoned his home and moved there with his wife and two young children.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

They were following the call of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a former taxi driver turned televangelist who, declaring that the world was about to end, marketed Shakahola to his followers as an evangelical Christian sanctuary from the fast-approaching apocalypse.

Instead of a haven, however, the 800-acre property, a sun-scorched wasteland of scrub and spindly trees, is now a gruesome crime scene, scattered with the shallow graves of believers who starved themselves to death  or, as Mackenzie would have it, crucified themselves so that they could meet Jesus.

As of this past week, 179 bodies have been exhumed and moved to a hospital mortuary in the coastal town of Malindi, around 100 miles east of Shakahola, for identification and autopsy. The governments chief pathologists reported that while starvation caused many deaths, some of the bodies showed signs of death by asphyxiation, strangulation or bludgeoning. Some had had organs removed, a police affidavit said.

Hundreds more people are still missing, perhaps buried in undiscovered graves. Others are wandering the property without food like Muendo  whose wife and children are missing, his sister said.

Story continues

The horrific scale of what the Kenyan news media called the Shakahola Massacre has left the government struggling to explain how, in a country that counts itself among Africas most modern and stable nations, law enforcement had for so long missed the macabre goings-on in an expanse of land located between two popular tourist destinations, Tsavo National Park and the Indian Ocean coast.

That so many people disregarded the most basic human instinct to survive and chose instead to die through fasting has raised sensitive questions about the limits of religious freedom, a right that is enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.

Evangelical Christianity  and freelance preachers  have surged in popularity across Africa, part of a religious boom on the continent that stands in stark contrast to the rapid secularization of former colonial powers like Britain, which governed Kenya until 1963. About half of Kenyans are evangelicals, a far higher proportion than in the United States.

Unlike Roman Catholic or Anglican churches, which are governed by hierarchies and rules, many evangelical churches are run by independent preachers who have no oversight.

Kenyas president, William Ruto  a fervent believer whose wife is an evangelical preacher  has been wary of imposing restrictions on religious activities, though last week he asked a group of church leaders and legal experts to propose ways to regulate Kenyas chaotic faith sector.

For Victor Kaudo, a rights activist in Malindi who visited Shakahola in March, the freedom granted preachers like Mackenzie has gone too far. Tipped off by defectors from the cult, Kaudo found emaciated believers who, though in the throes of death, cursed him as an enemy of Jesus when he tried to help.

A starving woman, her head shaved on orders from the cult leadership, flailed angrily on the ground as Kaudo approached offering sustenance, a video he recorded showed.

I wanted these starving people to survive, but they wanted to die and meet Jesus, Kaudo recalled. What do we do? Does freedom of worship supersede the right to life?

Mackenzie has told investigators that he never ordered his followers not to eat and merely preached about the End Times agonies prophesied in the Book of Revelation, the final chapter of the New Testament. He was arrested in April, set free and then quickly rearrested. He is under investigation over accusations of murder, terrorism and other crimes. His lawyer declined to comment.

Appearing briefly before a court in Mombasa this month, Mackenzie, 50, wearing a pink jacket, cut a jaunty figure as he waved imperiously from inside a metal cage to get the magistrates attention. The magistrate ignored him and extended his detention.

A Normal Church at the Beginning

Mackenzies journey from destitute taxi driver to cult leader with his own television channel began in 2002 in a stone courtyard opposite a Catholic primary school in Malindi. The property belonged to Ruth Kahindi, who had met Mackenzie at a nearby Baptist church and invited him to preach at her home.

Together they formed their own church, Good News International, using Kahindis home as its base.

It was a normal church at the beginning, recalled Kahindis daughter Naomi, who remembers Mackenzie as a powerful speaker who initially stuck to the standard evangelical message of salvation through faith in Christ alone and the Bible as the ultimate spiritual authority.

After years of close partnership, Ruth Kahindi split with Mackenzie around 2008, the daughter said, after he grew increasingly apocalyptic in his preaching.

There were also quarrels over cash, Kahindis daughter said, adding that Mackenzie was suspected of pocketing tithes.

In response, the daughter said, he started accusing my mother of witchcraft.

Barred from using Ruth Kahindis home for preaching, Mackenzie, no longer a pauper, built himself a big concrete prayer hall on a plot of land he had purchased in Furunzi on the outskirts of Malindi and declared this the new home of Good News International Church. Word spread of his warnings of the coming Battle of Armageddon.

Although bitterly estranged from Kahindi, he took with him one of her daughters, Mary, who had married one of Mackenzies most fervent followers, Smart Mwakalama, a former hotel cleaner.

Mwakalama is now also under arrest. His wife, Mary, and their six children have all vanished and are feared to be among the dead buried in Shakahola.

Mackenzie, said Marys sister Naomi, is a demon who has ruined too many lives.

Among those caught in the ruins is Priscilla Riziki, an impoverished villager who introduced her oldest daughter, Lorine, to Mackenzies preaching a decade ago. Wracked by guilt and grief, she visits the Malindi morgue each day to search for her daughter and three grandchildren, all of whom moved to Mackenzies retreat in 2021.

My only hope now is to just see my daughter  either dead or alive, Riziki said.

A mob of angry residents, some of them disconsolate relatives of missing cult members, ransacked Mackenzies former church last week, tearing down its pink front gate and smashing the surrounding wall.

People are very angry and blame Mackenzie, but I blame the government, said Damaris Muteti, a member of a rival evangelical church and itinerant preacher, surveying the wreckage.

Mackenzie is a good man, but the Devil used him, she said. Something went wrong.

Selling Land He Didnt Own

A peanut seller named Titus Katana, who joined the Good News church in 2015 and rose to become deputy pastor, said he initially had great admiration for Mackenzie and his preaching. He changed because of his false prophecies about the end of the world, Katana said. His main interest became making money, not preaching to the world.

By 2017, he recalled, Mackenzie had started telling worshippers not to see doctors or send their children to school. He set up his own unregistered, fee-paying school at his church. He also claimed divine healing powers, for which he also charged.

He told me he had received a revelation from God about education and medicine being sinful, Katana recalled. Everything bad started with this.

Mackenzie had by this time expanded his reach far beyond the Kenyan coast thanks to his establishment of Times TV, a gospel channel that beamed his increasingly fiery sermons over the internet and across Africa. Among those missing in Shakahola are a Nigerian citizen and a Kenyan flight attendant.

Elizabeth Syombua, the sister of the man now starving in the wilderness, said she and her brother had been entranced by Mackenzies television broadcasts. You get addicted to what he says, she said, recalling how she used to rush home from work at a Mombasa sewing factory so that she could join her brother to watch.

He is like an evil spirit with this strange power to lure people into his trap, she said.

Mackenzies growing popularity, however, also attracted the attention of authorities.

He was arrested in October 2017 on four charges, including radicalization and promoting extremist beliefs, crimes that had previously been leveled mostly at Muslims responsible for a number of terrorist attacks in Kenya. Mackenzie pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.

He was detained again in 2019 and released on bail. He escalated his confrontation with the government, denouncing its introduction of national identification numbers for citizens as the mark of the beast  and yet another sign of approaching apocalypse.

Threatened with further prosecution, Mackenzie stunned his followers in 2019 by announcing that he was closing down the church, selling off its property and retreating to Shakahola Forest. He invited followers to join him and purchase small plots on what he said would be a new Holy Land.

Children Would Be the First to Perish

Katana, his former deputy preacher, said he had bought 1 acre for 3,000 Kenyan shillings, then worth around $30  a low price but still a boon for Mackenzie, who did not legally own the land he was selling.

The arrival of the COVID pandemic in Kenya in 2020 increased the appeal of Mackenzies land offer and, for many, vindicated his long-standing message that the world was coming to an end.

Increasingly obsessed with the coming apocalypse, Mackenzie, according to Katana, issued new instructions in January to the hundreds of people who had moved to Shakahola, which the televangelist divided into districts with biblical names like Jericho and Jerusalem.

Mackenzie, casting himself as a Christ-like figure, lived in a section he called Galilee  after the area of Palestine where Jesus lived most of his life.

The instructions, Katana said, featured a methodical plan for mass suicide through starvation. The first to perish were to be children, who were to fast in the sun so they would die faster, Katana said, recalling the pastors words. In March and April, it would be the turn of women, followed by men.

Mackenzie, according to Katana, said that he would stay alive to help lead his followers to meet Jesus through starvation but that once this work was done, he too would starve himself to death before what he said was the imminent end of the world.

In a video post online in March, Mackenzie said that he had heard the voice of Christ telling me that the work I gave you to preach End Time messages for nine years has come to an end.

Katana said he had by this time broken with Mackenzie and wasnt in Shakahola when the suicide program started but heard about it from believers who were. He went to the police to report that kids are dying in the forest.

They never took any action until it was too late, he said.

In April, Muendo, the former hawker who moved to Shakahola in 2021 with his family, telephoned his sister in Mombasa and told her that we are starting a fast so that we can go to see Christ in Golgotha, a reference to the site of Jesuss crucifixion in the Bible.

I told him, Im praying for you, but we need you, so dont crucify yourself, the sister, Syombua, said.

Muendo, according to his sister, asked her to understand that he had no choice but to go through to the end.

The sister said, He was happy, because he thought he would be dying soon for Jesus.

As for Mackenzie, she added, he is a murderer.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The author as a first-year cadet at the Air Force Academy in 2001.

The author as a first-year cadet at the Air Force Academy in 2001. "My rape and subsequent medical problems ended my dream of becoming a pilot," she writes.

A thick manilla envelope addressed to me in loopy cursive went unopened on the front corner of my desk. Every time I added mail or receipts to the pile, I shifted the envelope to the top. The wave of guilt brought on by noticing the care of the handwritten address was perhaps a way of punishing myself for my inability, or my refusal  I wasnt sure which  to face the contents.

I already knew what was inside: a stack of letters written by the students of the most recent college class I visited. My book, the first traditionally published memoir about military sexual violence, was two years old at that point. Every semester after I met with this particular class, the professor asked them to write to me, to share what reading the memoir had meant.

The stack of letters I received twice a year came typed but with handwritten signatures. Hearts by their names, lime green gel pen ink, an extra p.s. in careful block letters, brimming with evidence of their youth and the intentionality with which they wrote to me.

They said things like, My best friend killed herself after she was raped. Nobody had believed her.

Or, My stepdad raped my little sister.

Or, I didnt think I would ever be able to tell anyone.

I thought it was all my fault, was the most common theme.

Years earlier, when I started writing my memoir, I had wanted to craft a narrative which would speak to my dream audience  people who had never experienced sexual violence, those who could become allies should they understand the ways rape culture condones perpetrators and silences victims like me.

Ultimately, upon my books publication, I did receive a few emails in that vein, from readers who said the book helped them understand. But for every one of those messages, I received a hundred confessions from survivors. Only in hindsight did this seem predictable.

Story continues

I resented these disclosures. Bearing witness to someones most personal story ought to be a privilege. I began to hate myself for not reacting accordingly, at least internally. I became disgusted with myself for allowing the manilla envelopes or Facebook messages to go unopened for weeks or even months. I felt as if I had become a very bad person.

By the time my memoir was released, 15 years had passed since my own rape. I had been a part of four survivor support groups, each member sharing the details of the worst moments of their lives. Back then, the commonalities in our experiences dismantled our shame and isolation.

Then I became an advocate at a rape crisis center. I answered the phone in the middle of the night and listened as survivors cried. I held hands with women as they underwent forensic rape kits, nurses plucking their hair and photographing tears. I held witness to even more stories until betrayal was ubiquitous. Trauma I had once considered unfathomable became the standard.

Next, I worked in a treatment facility with small children, age 6 to 12. Nearly each one had been sexually assaulted. When I rocked one tiny 6-year-old to sleep, rage consumed me. The days of finding healing in shared stories had long since passed. This small child was witty, hilarious and creative during the day, during the moments she felt safe. But at night she felt anything but. Every night that she curled her head into my elbow, both of us squished into a rocking chair, her feet dangling over the arms, I tried to calm my anger to keep from passing it to her.

I lasted only fifty-one weeks.

Advocates are remarkable human beings for their ability to empathetically pay witness to their clients stories without taking on the distress themselves. I discovered I am not one of these people. The weight of our collective traumas clings to me. Until there is social change, I remain unable, or maybe unwilling, to let go.

Thats why I wrote a book. It wasnt the trauma of my own rape that drove me through revision after revision. It was the trauma from sexual violence becoming standard in the lives around me. I had wanted to move fully from advocate to activist.

At a book signing early in my author days, a 19-year-old student looked down to where I sat at the table, straight into my eyes, and stammered, How long ...  I stopped moving the Sharpie, gripped it harder, anticipating what was coming.

How long until this stops hurting?

Book signings are the epitome of writers dreams. Sharpies, stacks of books, lines of readers. All these gifts are tangible markers of success. After years of writing and revisions, querying agents, coping with rejections, holding my breath while out on submission to publishing houses, I had made it. Finally. But it turned out, I hadnt gone anywhere at all.

The weight of the students question, the sadness in her eyes, her overwhelming need to find hope smacked me across the face. I had no clue what I could succinctly offer her. I felt helpless. Inadequate. The line of students waiting in line pressed at our limited time together.

The author on a 13,000-foot ridge near Silverton, Colorado.

The author on a 13,000-foot ridge near Silverton, Colorado. "I sought many mountain summits before and after my memoir was published as a means of coping with angst and grief," she writes.

It was one thing to hold space for the survivors who reached out to ask for help. Because I had been a cadet at the Air Force Academy when I was raped, cadets across the services sometimes contacted me for advice. They wanted to speak out, too. They wanted to force change. Even when their stories were among the most heinous, at least when I heard them, I didnt feel quite so lost. I connected them to journalists, offered advice, waited with them for months for their stories to make it on air. I became a small part of their pathway to activism.

Ironically, the readers who asked the least of me were the ones I had the hardest time facing.

Emails from survivors made me feel as if my writing was in vain. I didnt want these confessions to add to the heft of my pile. I wanted survivors to feel empowered to tell others in their real lives, to report criminally, to no longer live in shame.

After all, I wasnt the only one working toward this goal. My memoir was born in the middle of the #MeToo era, and I believed, rather naively, together those of us who were activists could accomplish this cultural shift.

Instead, it seemed that the division between those of us who knew sexual violence and those who did not became heightened. Those of us who were survivors or advocates, or both, screamed from one side of an imaginary soundproof wall. Those who believed #MeToo was a little overblown, a little unnecessary, a little too angry remained oblivious and blaming on the other. People who find themselves on the unknowing side will never have to face the heart-tearing messages that prove the depth to which they are uninformed.

I realized my true resentment was toward those who could remain blissfully unaware, those who would never have to look a teenager in the face as her eyes begged for a glimmer of hope.

The kids say, IYKYK, or if you know, you know. But if you dont know, you never will.

I regret that the turmoil I felt in the wake of my memoirs publication caused me to take my foot off the gas pedal. I felt as if I couldnt handle the disclosures. I felt as if they made me become a horrible person. Even as my book failed to sell to even half the figures my publisher hoped, that I had hoped, I felt overwhelmed into paralysis by its tiny, tiny success.

Here is what I failed to understand. Even in a post-#MeToo era, social change is glacial. I might have believed that together we could shift culture enough so that shame no longer silenced survivors, but that reality is still years and decades ahead of us.

Survivors gaining the ability to reach out on the internet to an author to anonymously share the details of the most damaging experience of their lives is a step forward. And, I remind myself, perhaps that step led somewhere else for them. Perhaps hearing my story ultimately allowed them to tell their story. When I stopped fighting that as progress  and accepted the potential and possibility inherent in what stories like mine being heard can do  I found gratitude for the small number of messages still trickling into my inbox.

Today, years after this ordeal, I still have to remind myself to celebrate even small change.

This week, former President Donald Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, and ordered to pay $5 million in damages. Some of us want to scream in response, This isnt enough. We want criminal prosecution, jail time, sex offender registries for these powerful predators like Trump.

But in this situation, just like in the wake of my memoir, we are being called to measure and accept small bits of forward momentum, even when what we deserve is so much more.

I remember the stack of manilla envelopes living in the bottom drawer of my filing cabinet, rarely opened. I now find solace in the evidence that my words touched even a few lives, an extraordinary opportunity and privilege. This is progress, I remind myself.

Lynn K. Hall is the author of the memoir, Caged Eyes: An Air Force Cadets Story of Rape and Resilience (Beacon Press, 2017). She is currently finishing her second memoir, an exploration of the psychological impact of chronic pain situated within a wilderness adventure story. She lives with her partner and their cat at 10,100 feet in the mountain valley of Leadville, Colorado, where they spend entirely too much time on alpine trails.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch.

Related...
Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of May 7, supported by your subscriptions.

The fate of tons of debris excavated in Rhode Island's version of the Big Dig  a massive sewer overflow tunnel in Pawtucket  has triggered political spats and turf wars up and down Narragansett Bay for four years. Patrick Anderson chronicles the latest interagency bickering, over using the "tunnel muck" as fill for a proposed sea-glider factory at Quonset State Airport, and explains how the infighting is costing taxpayers.

The self-storage industry is booming , thanks to our overstuffed lives. Tom Mooney talks with self-storage entrepreneurs who happily offer space for our possessions, with a few ground rules: "No food, no drugs, no explosives, no guns and no bodies."

Want to cool off with "cow-to-cone" ice cream in Providence? It's hard to beat Wright's Creamery.

Happy Mother's Day ! If you're looking for something fun to do with mom on Sunday, we have some ideas.

Speaking of Mother's Day, meet 10 Rhode Island moms who keep the home fires burning while also coaching their kids' high school teams . For that and more sports news, go to providencejournal.com/sports .

Did you keep up with the week's events? Take our news quiz.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

Gary R. Gromkiewicz, 35, of Lincoln, right, and Michael P. Lambert, 46, formerly of Pawtucket, are accused of fatally beating Gromkiewicz's onetime fiancee, a 34-year-old Brockton woman, last year. They appeared Wednesday in District Court, Warwick.

Two men accused of beating a pregnant woman to death appeared in District Court, Warwick, on Wednesday as a prosecutor presented a haul of information, including cellphone data and surveillance images as well as specifics regarding matters of romance and a diamond wedding ring that was submerged with the woman's body in the waters of Carbuncle Pond.

The father of the Brockton woman's unborn baby, Gary R. Gromkiewicz, 35, of Lincoln, and his associate, 46-year-old Michael P. Lambert, formerly of Pawtucket, face charges of murder and conspiracy in the death of 34-year-old Leila Patricia Duarte Da Luz, according to state police.

Story continues

Da Luz's body was found in the Coventry pond on Dec. 21. The autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, with a "compression fracture" to the skull, and drowning, Corrigan said, adding that Da Luz was eight to 10 weeks pregnant, and apparently alive when she entered the water.

Crime: Prosecutor links accused murderers to pregnant woman's body through cell data, diamond ring

Rhode Island is among the states following Californias lead to phase out sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 in a bid to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.

Gov. Dan McKee on Wednesday announced the decision to go forward with the regulations that are the strictest in the nation on mandating sales of electric cars and trucks. It would bring Rhode Island in line with Massachusetts, New York and other states that have already adopted Californias new standard that aims for a full-scale transformation of Americas automotive industry.

It would also boost Rhode Islands efforts to comply with a landmark state law that requires deep emissions cuts.

The announcement also led to a number of questions that we got answers to this week.

Environment: State wants to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in RI by 2035. Here's how they'll do it.

Peering out from behind a purple curtain, the gnomes and their canine companions, painted on the Shippeetown Road Bridge over Route 95 in East Greenwich, look astonished by the amount of traffic whipping by their hideout.

The mural, between Exits 21 and 24, is one of those things Rhode Islanders see all the time, without much explanation, which sparked the curiosity of one What and Why RI reader. She wrote in to ask if there was any information on the artist behind the mural.

You bet there is.

What and Why RI: What's the story behind the 'Gnomes' mural on I-95? We tracked down the artist to ask

Initially thought to be coyotes, apparent wolf dogs Bella and Libby created a stir when they were spotted roaming around Warwick over several days in April. Photographer Scott Manne caught this photo at about 6:45 a.m. on April 19 off Seaview Drive in Oakland Beach.

Volunteers at the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project, a wolf-dog sanctuary in Ohio, spent Saturday digging, hammering and building a home for a pair of residents from Rhode Island.

It will be called the "401 Run" as a tribute to apparent wolf dogs Bella and Libby and the people of Rhode Island who've supported their rescue efforts.

Initially believed to be black coyotes, Bella and Libby induced fascination, and some fear, when they were spotted roaming Warwick in April. Mayor Frank Picozzi posted to social media, advising residents to keep their distance.

Animals: From on the run to the '401 Run': Ohio sanctuary readies to receive Warwick wolf dogs

Jaci Maracle holds up her clothing find for friends to see while shopping the tents at the Providence Flea in 2020.

Its the thrill of spending the day on a treasure hunt that hopefully  if luck is with you  ends with something no one else has at a price that cant be beaten.

It's shopping at the flea markets, a tradition that goes all the way back to 1860s Paris.

With flea market season upon us, we rounded up four flea markets in Rhode Island worth checking out.

Things to do: Love shopping secondhand? Here are 4 of the best flea markets to shop at in Rhode Island

To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Pregnant woman murder; 'Gnomes' mural
IFC Films

When discussing a film like Monicathe latest movie from Italian auteur Andrea Pallaoro, starring Trace Lysette as a woman who returns home to take care of her estranged, ailing mother who no longer recognizes herits difficult to decide where to start. The film is a layered and highly emotional piece of work, which unfolds with an unhurried, graceful pace. Those are wonderful aspects that memorably adorn the experience of watching Monica. But they also ensure that new questions, thoughts, and ruminations about it will continue to arise, long after the house lights have gone up.

Monica, who, like Lysette, is a trans woman, left home after her parents told her that they wanted nothing to do with her. Years later, she boldly chooses to pivot away from the life that she built for herself by returning home. The film quietly explores Monicas decision to go home and her subsequent grappling with her own past, quite literally coming face-to-face with her trauma. But it doesnt treat Monicas experience like melodramatic Oscar-bait fodder. Monica is the rare film about the trans experience thats crafted gently, intending not to exploit its enchanting star but, rather, imbue its story with her lived knowledge.

When I speak to Lysette over Zoom, prior to Monicas theatrical release this weekend, I can feel her warmth through the screendespite the fact that thousands of miles and millions of megapixels stand between us. Lysette is extremely soft-spoken and considers all of her words carefully, like shes deciding which thought to pluck out from a vast array of ideas before her. When I ask her about what Monica means to her, at a moment when there is a full-on legislative assault against trans people, Lysette (who has been actively speaking out against political interference with trans folks) pauses. Im trying to make sense of this moment in my career, this hard-fought win in my own personal journey, thats coinciding with this really, really crazy and dark time for trans people as a whole, she says, after a beat. I guess Im just sitting with the duality of all of that.

Story continues

Below, Lysette discusses the potential impact of Monica on both her career and the lives of audiences, how she used her experience to help create a film free of triggering language, and the pure joy of just getting to see trans people living their lives (and dancing to hit viral songs from the early 2000s, naturally).

Monica Is the Most Important Film You Can See This Year

Monica is such a beautiful, unique look at the trans experience. Months after the film earned an extended standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, the rest of the world gets to see it. How are you feeling at this moment?

I am doing my best [laughs]to show up for myself and remember to enjoy it. Im trying to make sense of it all and keep a level head, because nothing is promised in this industry. I just know that we made a good piece of art that I hope makes some change and opens some hearts, some minds, and some doors for trans folks. And Im really proud, you know?

IFC Films

Watching the movie, it struck me that we dont see Monica suffer on-screen in the same ways that many films trans characters do. We never see her deadnamed or misgendered in this movie, for example, which is such a relief. Was that something that drew you to the script when you read it?

Actually, its interesting you mention deadnaming, because that was a conversation on set. I had come on as an executive producer as well, so there were a lot of those conversations along the way. There actually was a deadnaming in the script at one point, but through a discussion we ended up taking it out. And I feel like that was the right thing to do. Drew Gregory, who was the other trans person on set, I was grateful to bounce things off of her. She was the directors assistant. And Andrea Gallaoro is such a gentle and collaborative person, who just wanted to get it right, and I think that is how we navigated a lot of the trans-specific stuff.

I appreciated how we see Monicas pain in other quieter ways, like when shes connecting with her family, and that the film doesnt force her to be traumatized all over again in doing so.

Absolutely! Its like, we get to see this fully realized, lived-in trans woman, who has been this way for a long time, just navigating life and doing normal things, like holding a baby, talking to her brother, or playing tag in the forest with her nephew. I think those moments say so much.

Because Monica relies on those intricate, intimate moments, it doesnt have all that much dialogue. Whats it like to prepare for something like that, which requires you to emote and be present in those moments of silence?

I couldnt phone anything innor did I want to. I love Monica so much. I knew what she represented not only to me but to a lot of the trans women I know. And those still moments, without dialogue, were so emotionally charged: whether I was holding back tears, or crying, or just in deep thought about whatever was going on in the [current] scene or had happened in the previous scene. There were no easy scenes for Monica, because its such a contentious and reflective time for her. And [its] a finite time for her, given that she doesnt know how much longer she has with her mom. All of that was swirling around in her head, for the [whole movie] Some of my favorite moments are the ones that dont have dialogue.

Those The Good Doctor Memes Are Funny for the Wrong Reason

I wanted to talk about the bathtub scene, with you and Patricia Clarkson, who plays Monicas mother, Eugenia. Theres an intense, beautiful moment, where Monica and Eugenia look at each other and silently exchange something. The film never specifically tells us if Eugenia recognizes her child here, and we get to consider what that means for both characters. What was it like to film that scene?

Well, it was challenging. I remember kneeling on the floor in the bathroom and, uh[laughs]my knee, I was having issues with my knee on the hard tile floor! And so

IFC Films

I have bad knees too, so I can really relate to that!

[Laughs] I was like, can I get a stool or something?! I have to crouch on the hard floor. But no, emotionally, I knew that was going to be a really charged scene for Eugenia and also Monica, but that it was coming with different baggage for Monica than it was for Eugenia. I hope it translates. I feel like it does.

When I watch it back, I can see the conversation between their eyes. I knew that Monicas walls were falling away in that scene, and also how tired she was in that scene, and how much of an epiphanymaybe thats the wrong wordbut theres a revelation happening for Eugenia. And for Monica, its heavy in different ways. Im glad it didnt come across as cliche. I really liked how it played out.

I dont think it comes off as false, either. Theres still so much left unsaid, but thats where the scenes power lies. Theres also a fabulous scene in which Monica is getting ready to go out to the bar, and shes dancing to the viral Romanian hit Dragostea Din Tei. Its such a fun, abrupt throwback, and it somehow felt so right for this character. Was that song written into the script? Was it chosen on the day? Did you already know it? I have to know everything.

[Laughs] It was definitely written into the script. I believe Orlando Tirado chose that onehes the co-writer with Andrea. I actually wasnt familiar with it, so I had it on a Monica playlist on my phone for a couple of months, before we shot. Because I just needed to know the song, obviously.

It was a fun scene to shoot, because I got to get in my body and just dance and be free, and I think thats something a lot of us do before we hit the town! Whether its Tina Turner, or Dragostea Din Tei, or Lil Kim, or Stevie Nicksgood music is good music, and sometimes youve gotta throw it on before you let loose.

Since the films premiere at last years Venice Film Festival, weve seen so many very dark, dour things happen, politically and socially, all over the country and in the world. Weve got lawmakers stripping gender-affirming care from kids and teenagers. There are drag bans and full-on assaults on the rights of trans and queer people nationwide. To have this film debuting right now feels like the hope that many people need, because its such a hopeful film. I really wonder what it means to you that this film is hitting theaters right now.

Its a lot to think about, honestly. Im trying to make sense of this moment in my career, this hard-fought win in my own personal journey, thats coinciding with this really, really crazy and dark time for trans people as a whole, as we are trying to navigate all this legislation and hate thats coming our way. I guess Im just sitting with the duality of all of that, and I do hope that this film reaches people. And because it is so delicate, maybe it reaches more people than it would have if it was not as delicate, or if it were more preachy or delivered in a different way.

I think thats a beautiful way to look at it. I hate to make you the head of an entire movement. I just think its so important that this movies coming at a moment like now.

Yeah. That means the world to me. I just hope it gets the legs that it needs to reach people.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
A traffic stop the night of Friday, May 12 in Lanham, Maryland, led to the rescue of a kidnapping victim, police said.

Dennis Bell, 62, of Lanham, was arrested Friday after troopers from the College Park Barrack received multiple calls about a U-Haul truck driving erratically and hitting parked vehicles. Responding police found the victim seated on the floor without clothes and with apparent wounds on her fingers, according to a news release by Maryland State Police.

The victims name and age were not released. A state police spokesperson said the victim is an adult woman but declined to answer further questions Saturday, citing the ongoing and active investigation.

Police said that Bell allegedly made contact with the victim at a convenience store in D.C. Friday morning.

The victim told police that Bell pushed her into the U-Haul truck and threatened her life if she did not comply with his demands, the release stated.

Bell reportedly drove around all day with the victim sitting on the floor board in the front seat. The victim reported that while in Bells truck, he removed her clothing and used a pocket knife to stab her fingers, according to the release. The victim informed police that she did not know where she was throughout the day while Bell continued to drive.

Police started receiving calls about Bells erratic driving around 9:45 p.m. Friday. He refused to pull over after troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the agency said.

The truck eventually became disabled in a ditch. Bell refused verbal commands to get out of the U-Haul. The troopers gained entry through the passenger side window and discovered the victim. She was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, police said.

Bell was uncooperative and refused to identify himself to police. He was arrested and taken to the hospital and later transported to the Upper Marlboro Department of Corrections.

He faces 14 criminal charges including first-degree assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, fourth-degree sex offense, possession of suspected crack cocaine and driving while impaired. He also faces 19 traffic charges related to the incident. Its not clear if he has obtained an attorney.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Teenagers who were getting transition-related medical care in Texas learned this week they would no longer have access to their doctor, as the Austin hospital where the treatment was taking place is under scrutiny from state officials as part of their efforts to crack down on trans healthcare.

Families told The Texas Tribune the news came suddenly that the Dell Childrens Medical Center would no longer be offering previously planned treatments like puberty blockers, sending them scrambling to find new providers in a state where trans medical care is few and far between. The hospital confirmed in a statement to the Tribune that the physicians who previously staffed the clinic will be departing.

Some have even considered moving rather than cutting off care, one parent told the outlet.

The last couple days have been going through the feelings of not wanting to leave a home and a community and schools that we love, a mother, who asked not to use her name for safety reasons, said. But then how much stress would be lifted and what a relief it would be to be in a place where this wasnt a question  that part, I think, cant be underestimated.

Earlier this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the facility, claiming potentially illegal conduct was taking place, though he didnt specify any allegations or lay out which laws would be violated.

It is deeply disturbing, and there is no place for it in Texas, he said.

The announcement of the investigation came shortly after a video was released by Project Veritas, a far-right group known for using deceptive editing to produce hidden-camera sting videos against liberal causes, which claimed the hospital was offering gender-affirming care to children as young as eight years old.

Our organization prohibits surgery and prescribing hormone therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria for children, the hospital said in a statement to NBC News. While our pediatric and adolescent medicine clinics do not provide these interventions, we do provide a safe and welcoming place for children to receive other forms of primary care and treatment, including treatment of illness and injuries, well baby visits, and school physicals.

Story continues

The state is attempting to ban gender-affirming care for anyone under 18.

Last year, the governor of Texas, acting on an opinion from the attorney general, directed state officials to investigate gender-affirming care as child abuse.

Texas is one of a number of conservative states across the country seeking to limit or entirely ban gender-affirming care for transgender people, which often acts as a lifeline for a deeply marginalised population that suffers from high rates of mental health struggles and suicide.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Laredo, Texas, Mayor Victor Trevino that aired on "Face the Nation" on May 14, 2023.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Mayor Victor Trevino for a look at what's going on in the southwestern border of Texas in Laredo. Good morning.

MAYOR VICTOR TREVINO: Good morning. Thank you for having me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's great to have you here. A few days ago, you said your city was boarding up like a hurricane in preparation for the end of Title 42. Does your city have the resources it needs? Do you feel like the hurricane has passed?

TREVINO: Well, first- first of all, there's no doubt that we're seeing historic challenges in our border. And as a doctor, I had already been seeing this. Even before the end of Title 42 our local hospitals were already at or near capacity, and there's no pediatric intensive care unit. But everything that we have been doing since the declaration of emergency has held up, and we have not been overwhelmed at this point. But yesterday, we did receive around 700 migrants. And however, because we receive the overflow from El Paso and Brownsville, we're still high alert. And until we see the numbers at the Border Patrol custody centers go down, this is when we can say the episode had passed.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You just said that there is no pediatric health center in your area. You said you were already medically underserved as a community. What's the health situation for the migrants, particularly the children that are coming?

TREVINO: Yes, before they are mainly individuals, now they're family units. And family units have children that have traveled miles and miles, and obviously they will need some medical care. So because we don't have the pediatric intensive care unit in our city, that makes it concerning, because as it is we're at capacity most of the time in our hospitals, and ambulances sometimes have to wait outside the emergency room, or one to two hours, before we can treat patients. Now with this surge, this was very concerning, that's why we activate- activated the declaration of- of disaster.

Story continues

MARGARET BRENNAN: The mayor of El Paso was just with us and he said he was getting what he needed from the state and federal government and thanked Homeland Security. Do you agree? Are you getting what you need?

TREVINO: Well, we're getting the buses, and migrants come in, they get processed, they get sent to our NGOs. And the- the amount of migrants we're expecting initially, the big flow, is not here yet. And a lot of things have to do with Mexico taking some- some migrants. And the- the asylum rules have changed. You have to ask for asylum in- in different countries before you get here. And also Title- Title 8 changed, you have to, if you get deported, then you- you could face being barred for five years. And also it was the event of the TRO that changed things a little bit. You have to get a court date before you get paroled, and- and the tensions into the- into the NGOs.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, you're- you're talking about all the things the Biden administration has tweaked to make it essentially more difficult for those going through asylum, though still having that legal pathway there, more difficult meaning there are more restrictions around it. When you hear presidential candidates talk about shutting down the border, what do you think about that?

TREVINO: I think this is not a Democratic or Republican problem. It's an American problem. And things should have in been done a long time ago. Immigration reform is long overdue. And what we're seeing now is a result of that, and as Am- as Americans has said, we need to do better as a country, and the leader of the free world. We- these are things that we are the example of, humanitarian efforts. But we have to have the laws also to coincide and do a balance with that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I- I think a lot of Americans would- would agree with that. Where do you see the disconnect between the conversations in Washington and what you are seeing on the ground?

TREVINO: I think that's one of the reasons we have to have real time information from Border Patrol and people that work and live here, border mayors. And cooperation is crucial. We need to have these- these things set and they- they need to listen and come down here to see what the actual situation is. And that is the disconnect I see that- that has been happening. Unless they get the real time information and the real perception of what things are, then I think they can move on and make adequate rules.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right, Doctor, Mr. Mayor, thank you for your time. Good luck to you.

And one quick note, I called Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol. So my apologies to those agents. It's Border Protection. We'll be right back in a moment

Notebook: Mother's Day is a day to say thank you to all our mothers

Rep. Lauren Underwood says there's a "pathway" for maternal health bills to pass Congress

NEC director Lael Brainard says "our expectation" is that Congress will act to avoid default
The Islamic Centre of Al-Fatah in Yogyakarta, Indonesia has around 63 members, all of whom are transgender

The future of Indonesia's only Islamic community centre for transgender women is in jeopardy after its leader, Shinta Ratri, died in February - and the government says it cannot support it.

There are 63 trans women who regularly attend the Al-Fatah community centre, which provides a space for them to pray, learn the Quran, learn skills or simply socialise without being judged for who they are.

Rini Kaleng is one of them.

After waking up each morning, she puts on makeup and her favourite black wig before grabbing a handbag and heading onto the streets of the historic city of Yogyakarta to busk.

She walks for miles and miles, playing music from her Bluetooth speaker and singing to earn a living. But on Sundays, her journey ends with an afternoon visit to Al-Fatah to study the Quran.

"It's a safe place where we can pray," says Ms Rini, who has been going since 2014.

As a child, Ms Rini had always felt more comfortable playing with girls instead of boys. She would dress up as a girl, play with kitchen toys and pretend to be a bride with her friends.

After coming out as a trans woman, her parents and nine older siblings all accepted her identity. Now, she is recognised by people on the street who see her singing and dancing.

"You could say I'm a celebrity here," she laughs.

Rini Kaleng, a member of the centre, is well-known on the streets of Yogyakarta

Ms Rini first heard of the Islamic centre for trans women from a friend who also wanted to study religion.

She discovered a whole community of women like her who shared the same passion.

At mosques, she would often get odd looks when she went to pray. "They did not necessarily accept us. So I went to Shinta Ratri's place," she says.

Short presentational grey line

"Many Islamic centres do not accept transgender people," says Nur Ayu, the centre's caretaker. "Here, we are free... free to come as a male or female, whatever we feel most comfortable as."

Shinta Ratri was one of the founders of the Al-Fatah community centre. A renowned activist and leader of the centre since 2014, Ms Shinta collaborated with many non-profit organizations to further transgender rights in Indonesia.

Story continues

But in March, she died at the age of 60 from a heart attack, three days after being admitted to hospital.

That loss is felt profoundly by the members of the centre.

Ms Nur describes Ms Shinta as a guiding light, and the closest thing she had to family. Without her, the centre feels "empty and desolate".

Ms Shinta's death has put the community centre's future in doubt. The building is owned by the late leader's family - and they have asked Al Fatah to move out.

"We must be able to go on without Shinta and be independent," says Ms Nur.

YS Albuchory, the Islamic centre's secretary, explains they have received some support from community friends and human rights organizations, both locally and globally.

But acceptance of the trans community in Indonesia's religious establishment is limited.

The state has not been actively hostile and has allowed its existence, members say, but it does not provide any direct support.

Waryono Abdul Ghafur, director of Islamic centres at Indonesia's Ministry of Religion, says he is aware of the centre's plight.

But authorities cannot support the centre as it does not count as a legitimate Islamic centre under state regulations, he says.

In a larger context, the state "supports all positive activities", he says in a phone call with BBC News Indonesia. "People want to pray, why should they be refused?"

But the reality is that society "still rejects the social and religious status of transgender people", he continues. The Ministry of Religion has never been in direct contact with Al Fatah or facilitated any of its activities.

The members of Al-Fatah Islamic Centre participate in a joint prayer before breaking fast during Ramadan

Rully Mallay, another one of the centre's leaders, says Al Fatah is grateful for "whatever form of legality that is granted to us".

She is positive that one day, the transgender community will be more accepted in a country as diverse as Indonesia. That hope motivates her and her friends to keep the centre running.

"Islam should be able to provide space for anyone to be able to worship freely according to the ways of the religion," Ms Rully insists.

"I think the protection from the state is quite good. And we are optimistic that in the future the country will appreciate us as part of Bhineka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity, the country's motto]."

Short presentational grey line

The challenge now is to find a new venue - and the money to fund it. And it needs to be in a neighbourhood that will accept them.

The current neighbours in Yogyakarta have been welcoming.

One of them is Ms Rosidah, a member of the local community who is not a trans woman. She found out about the centre when some of its members asked her for directions. Now, she has been teaching there for over a year.

"I was busy, but because I was really curious, so I went to visit," she says Ms Rosidah.

Subsequently, Shinta Ratri asked if she would teach at the centre regularly as a volunteer. Ms Rosidah agreed after getting her family's blessing.

"I was a bit afraid of them, but after I came here. After teaching here, I saw that these people are so laid-back, especially Shinta. They were very patient, never angry, just smiling," she recalled.

Teguh Ridho is another volunteer who teaches Iqra at the centre, a basic level for reading the holy texts. He was amazed by the students' determination to travel from far and wide.

Ms Rosidah (right) teaches two transgender students how to read the Quran

"Even though we only have an hour to learn Quran, they came from far away."

It took a long time to win the hearts of the people in this neighbourhood.

Ms Albuchory recalls an incident in 2016, when an extremist Islamic group stormed their centre and threatened them.

"They said wherever you move to, we will chase you down unless you repent and go back to being men."

It was Shinta Ratri who fought for the centre to remain open with the assistance of a number of non-profit groups - until finally they received security guarantees from local police.

Ms Albuchory says the lives of the trans women attending the centre have become better since joining. They take on moral responsibilities informed by religious teachings, she says.

"After joining the school and getting to know God again, life becomes a little more organised. And the community becomes a second family," she says.

YS Albuchory, the Islamic centre's secretary, oversees all the programs conducted at the centre

That is why she hopes that the community centre will continue to provide religious classes and guidance for trans women like herself, who wish to bring themselves closer to God.

"I still need God. I cannot go on without praying. I'm sure other transgender friends have their own reasons."

Ms Albuchory believes she has a higher purpose: "As a creation of God, I don't just work and live as a trans woman."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14)  The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has installed five additional sovereign markers, or navigational buoys, in critical areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the agency said Sunday.

Sovereign markers were installed in Patag Island, Kota Island, Panata Islands, fishing ground in Balagtas, and Juan Felipe Reef from May 10 to 12. It plans to install six more this year.

In May 2022, the PCG installed five sovereign markers near the Likas Island, Parola Island, Lawak Island, and Pag-asa Island.

According to the PCG, the installation of buoys with the Philippine flag signifies the countrys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

It underscores our adherence to global statutes, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which acknowledges coastal states' entitlement to manage their EEZs, it said.

"These endeavors by the PCG intensify the countrys strong presence, administration and control over the Philippine-claimed features in the West Philippine Sea," it added.

The installation of sovereign markers in WPS comes amid aggressive actions by China in the disputed waters, which the Department of Foreign Affairs said is a daily occurrence.

In April, the PCG reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel made dangerous maneuvers in the vicinity of Ayungin shoal, which led to a near-collision with a PCG ship. The United States and Australia urged China to desist from provocative conduct in the WPS.

Hundreds of Chinese vessels were also spotted lingering in the Philippines EEZ, despite being asked to leave.

READ: PCG reports near-collision due to Chinese ships dangerous maneuvers in Ayungin Shoal
Former President Trump canceled a scheduled rally in Iowa Saturday night in a move he says was due to inclement weather.

"Unfortunately, due to the tornado warnings in Des Moines, we are forced to cancel todays outdoor rally at the Lauridsen Amphitheater," the former president posted on Truth Social Saturday afternoon.

"Stay tuned, we will reschedule soon. Be safe out there!"

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in the Des Moines area on Saturday that it says is in effect until at least 7 p.m.

REPORTER 'VISIBLY SHAKEN' AFTER CNN BOSS SCOLDS HIM FOR BEING 'TOO EMOTIONAL' IN TRUMP TOWN HALL COVERAGE

Former President Trump at a rally in Casper, Wyo.

"In the interest of the safety for everyone in Iowa at the sold-out event in Des Moines, due to the National Weather Services Tornado Watch in effect in Polk and surrounding counties, we are unfortunately forced to postpone the event today," a Trump campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"We will be there at the first available date."

Videos circulated on social media showing tornados appearing to briefly touch down amid high winds and rain.

TRUMP AS PRESIDENT IN 2024 IS NOT JUST POSSIBLE, BUT LIKELY: HISTORIAN

Former President Trump speaks during a rally in at the Waco Regional Airport in March 2023.

Trumps presumed GOP primary challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, was in Iowa on Saturday headlining events in both the western and eastern parts of the state to raise money for fellow Republicans.

Iowa has seen plenty of campaign traffic so far this year with numerous visits from Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, whos expected to declare his candidacy later this month, as well as three other declared presidential candidates: former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson; multimillionaire entrepreneur, best-selling author and conservative commentator Vivek Ramaswamy; and businessman Perry Johnson.

DOWNLOAD THE FOX WEATHER APP

Former President Trump speaks to guests at the 2023 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum April 14, 2023, in Indianapolis.

Fox News Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- Republicans seeking to keep Donald Trump from becoming their partys nominee will have to overcome rules even more favorable to the former president than the ones that helped him clinch the 2016 nomination.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In 2024, more states will award delegates through winner-take-all primaries  a system that helped Trump when opponents divided the vote, allowing him to be awarded all or most of the delegates with less than majority support.

Once in office, Trump used his influence to stack state parties with loyalists who increased the number of winner-take-all states from seven in 2016 to 17 in 2020.

The result is a system that could give Trump a head start on the nomination before the first contest is even held  providing a significant impediment to potential challengers like Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.

DeSantis hasnt announced his candidacy, but he appeared over the weekend in Iowa  the first of 56 separate contests that will award delegates from states, territories and the District of Columbia over the first half of 2024.

Trump is in a much better position in 2024 than he was in 2016, said Edward Brookover, who was his delegate director seven years ago. Right now you have to say the process side still favors him, as well as the polling.

Trump went to the partys 2016 convention in Cleveland with 63% of the delegates despite winning less than 45% of the votes cast during the Republican primaries, according to Associated Press tallies.

Theres still time for rival campaigns to lobby state parties for changes to their 2024 delegate selection plans, which must be submitted to the Republican National Committee by Oct. 1.

The all-or-nothing primaries helped Trump divide and conquer the Republican field in 2016. In South Carolina, for example, he received less than 33% of the vote. But his opposition was divided five ways, allowing him to win all 50 of the states delegates with a plurality.

Story continues

Those same dynamics could help him next year. With the states former governor, Nikki Haley, already in the race and one of its senators, Tim Scott, soon to join her, the vote could again be split, handing Trump a complete victory  and depriving both of them a home-field advantage.

Circling the Wagons

When Trump controlled the party infrastructure in 2020, Republicans worked to convert states from proportional systems  where candidates were awarded delegates in proportion to the vote they received  or hybrid ones to winner take all.

Party leaders wanted to avoid a primary challenger in 2020 who could drag out the nomination and disrupt the convention, according to Elaine Kamarck, who studies presidential nominations for the Brookings Institution. It worked: Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld won just one delegate in Iowa.

Both parties adopt this circle-the-wagons strategy when they have an incumbent president, said Kamarck, a Democrat who serves on that partys Rules and Bylaws Committee. She voted in January to move South Carolina into the early primary window at the behest of President Joe Biden.

When theres an incumbent president you dont go around doing what you want to do. Hes the head of the party, so you listen to him, she said.

In many ways, Trump remains the de facto head of the GOP, and the 2020 rules favoring him are now the default.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas won several early states in 2016 before winner-take-all rules took effect in Super Tuesday primaries that March 15. Under party rules, winner-take-all contests cant be held until then.

Cruz lost all six races that day. He won four states over the next month, but by then Trumps lead was insurmountable.

Cruzs campaign manager, Jeff Roe, is expected to play a significant role in delegate operations for DeSantis, who has not yet announced his candidacy. Roe is now senior adviser to Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis super political action committee, where a spokeswoman said it was ridiculously early to discuss delegate strategy.

Some states Cruz won have changed their rules to be more favorable to Trump, especially since winner-take-all or winner-take-most primaries benefit better-known candidates.

By being winner-take-all we garner more attention than by splitting the vote, said Mike Brown, chairman of the Republican Party in Kansas, where Cruz won 24 of 40 delegates in 2016. Weve got to jump up and down higher and louder than our fellow big states to be heard and to be seen.

He acknowledged that Trump did better in winner-take-all primaries in 2016, but thats no guarantee hell win Kansas in 2024. The political landscape is different in 2024, he said. They are playing a different chess game.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu pledged to restore democracy after casting his ballot

Turkey on Sunday voted in a momentous election that could extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's two-decade grip on power or put the mostly Muslim nation on a more secular course.

Turnout was expected to be huge in what has effectively turned into a referendum on Turkey's longest-serving leader and his Islamic-rooted party.

It is the toughest of more than a dozen that Erdogan has confronted -- one that polls suggest he might lose.

"They have been in power since I was born," 19-year-old Sila said after voting with her father in Ankara. "I want change now."

Erdogan, 69, has steered the nation of 85 million through one of its most transformative and divisive eras in the post-Ottoman state's 100-year history.

Turkey has grown into a military and geopolitical heavyweight that plays roles in conflicts from Syria to Ukraine.

The NATO member's footprint in both Europe and the Middle East makes the election's outcome as critical for Washington and Brussels as it is for Damascus and Moscow.

"My hope to God is that after the counting concludes this evening, the outcome is good for the future of our country, for Turkish democracy," Erdogan said after casting his ballot in Istanbul.

- 'We all miss democracy' -

Erdogan's first decade of economic revival and warming relations with Europe was followed by a second one filled with social and political turmoil.

He responded to a failed 2016 coup attempt with sweeping purges that sent chills through Turkish society and made him an increasingly uncomfortable partner for the West.

The emergence of Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his six-party alliance -- a group that forms the type of broad-based coalition that Erdogan excelled at forging throughout his career -- gives foreign allies and Turkish voters a clear alternative.

Polls suggest the 74-year-old secular opposition leader is within touching distance of breaking the 50-percent threshold needed to win in the first round.

Story continues

A runoff on May 28 could give Erdogan time to regroup and reframe the debate.

But he would still be hounded by Turkey's most dire economic crisis of his time in power and disquiet over his government's stuttering response to a February earthquake that claimed more than 50,000 lives.

"We all missed democracy," Kilicdaroglu said after voting in Ankara. "You will see, God willing, spring will come to this country."

- 'Can't see my future' -

Polls show Kilicdaroglu winning the youth vote -- responsible for nearly 10 percent of the electorate -- by a two-to-one margin.

"I can't see my future," university student Kivanc Dal told AFP in Istanbul on the eve of the vote.

Erdogan "can build as many tanks and weapons as he wants, but I have no respect for that as long as there is no penny in my pocket".

But kindergarten teacher Deniz Aydemir said Erdogan would get her vote because of the economic and social progress Turkey made after half a century of corruption-riddled secular rule.

The 46-year-old also questioned how a country could be ruled by a coalition of six parties -- a favourite attack line of Erdogan during the campaign.

"Yes, there are high prices... but at least there is prosperity," she said.

Erdogan's campaign became increasingly tailored to his core supporters as election day neared.

He branded the opposition a "pro-LGBT" lobby that took orders from outlawed Kurdish militants and was bankrolled by the West.

Erdogan's ministers and pro-government media referred darkly to a Western "political coup" plot.

The opposition began to worry that Erdogan was scheming up ways to hold on to power at any cost.

The tensions boiled over when Istanbul's opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu -- a sworn foe of Erdogan who could become Kilicdaroglu's vice president -- was pelted with rocks and bottles while touring Turkey's conservative heartland.

- Heavy turnout -

The election is expected to feature heavy turnout among the country's 64 million registered voters.

The last national election saw Erdogan win 52.5 percent on a turnout of more than 86 percent.

Turkey has no exit polls but tends to count ballots quickly.

Polling stations close at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) and all reporting restrictions are lifted four hours later. The first results are sometimes published before then.

Voters will also select a new 600-seat parliament.

Polls suggest that Erdogan's right-wing alliance is edging out the opposition bloc in the parliamentary ballot.

But the opposition would win a majority if it secured support from a new leftist alliance that represents the Kurdish vote.

zak/imm/yad
By Ezgi Erkoyun and Oriana Boselli

ISTANBUL/HATAY, Turkey (Reuters) - Mehmet Ali Fakioglu was made homeless by an earthquake that hit Turkey in February, but made a 15-hour journey back to the disaster zone to vote on Sunday, recalling the fear he felt when the catastrophe struck and his anger that help was slow to come.

Fakioglu, who has been staying with his son in Istanbul since leaving his home in the Antakya region, remembers the earthquake every day - the moment he ran from his apartment with his wife and daughter as walls banged and cracked.

Fakioglu, 56, declined to say how he voted on Sunday in an election that is seen as the toughest political test yet for President Tayyip Erdogan. But as he prepared to cast his ballot, he voiced criticism of the state's slow response to the disaster in which more than 50,000 people were killed.

Alongside a spiralling cost-of-living crisis, the Feb. 6 earthquake and its aftermath has loomed over the campaign. Opinion polls have shown the opposition narrowly ahead of Erdogan, though there is little evidence that the earthquake has changed how people will vote in the presidential and parliamentary election.

Fakioglu is one of hundreds of thousands of people made homeless by the earthquake, many of whom returned home to vote on Sunday.

"I will only say this, everybody should vote with their conscience at the ballot box. We were forgotten, all of us, on that day, the second day even on the third day. Not only in Antakya, but people were forgotten in all those cities," Fakioglu said, referring to the late arrival of help.

"People all around Turkey should keep this in mind when voting."

Critics and earthquake survivors have accused Erdogan's government of both a slow response and lax enforcement of building rules - failures they said cost lives.

Erdogan said in the days after the quake that the response of the search and rescue teams was not as fast as it could have been. The government said the majority of the collapsed buildings were built before new construction regulations were in place.

Story continues

HELPING PEOPLE TRAVEL HOME

Political parties - including Erdogan's AK Party - municipalities, and non-governmental organisations have been helping voters to get home in order to cast their ballots from their old registered addresses, providing free transportation.

Oy ve Otesi, an NGO promoting democratic participation, said a scheme it backed to help voters get home for election day had provided 30,000 bus tickets since late April.

"People are interested, people want to go back to vote ... Most of them didn't register new addresses so they will have to go back," said Ertim Orkun, chairman of Oy ve Otesi.

He said around 1.5 million people had left the quake zone, only a portion of whom had registered new addresses for the purpose of voting.

Since some school buildings where voting would normally take place were damaged by the earthquake, polling stations have been set up in containers and tents in the affected area.

Boarding a bus from Istanbul to the province of Hatay in the southeast on Saturday, Kivanc Girisken said he would vote for Erdogan's main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Girisken, 21, said he and his family had spent three weeks in a tent after the quake.

"This election was important even before the earthquake, but this made it even more crucial. When voting, we will take into account the pain we went through and the delay in the government response," Girisken said.

(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun and Daren Butler in Istanbul and Oriana Boselli in Hatay; Editing by Tom Perry and Frances Kerry)
MELBOURNE  Two Brevard County residents have been arrested and jailed on murder charges in the fentanyl overdose deaths earlier this year of two people.

Investigators continue to make arrests in drug cases involving fentanyl, including drugs cut with the deadly pain killer.

A Brevard County grand jury handed down the indictments last week after prosecutors were able to link the deaths of the two residents to the use of fentanyl delivered to them by two known "plugs," or dealers, of the deadly painkiller.

The two indictments also come a month after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the sheriff's office and other agencies, netted 17 pounds of fentanyl and made 470 arrests in Operation United Front, a months-long multi-agency investigation into ongoing drug use in the county.

Fentanyl-related deaths on the Space Coast remain among the highest in the state, FDLE reported. In 2021, the latest year for statistics on drug-connected deaths, there were 304 drug overdose deaths, including 262 opioid-related deaths, FDLE said.

Lonnie Robinson, 49, of Cocoa, was charged with first-degree murder by distribution of a controlled substance and sale or delivery of fentanyl in connection with the Jan. 24 death of a Merritt Island man. In that case, investigators said Robinson  already on federal probation for charges connected to drug distribution  provided the drug to Richard "Sean" Carlin, 36.

Carlin was later found by his wife lying dead in the yard of a Merritt Island home. Sheriff's agents said Carlin met Robinson in a club and asked if he had any cocaine or heroin. Robinson, investigators said, gave Carlin a lethal dose of fentanyl instead of the heroin he requested.

More: Mims woman charged in shooting death of friend while handling loaded weapon

The medical examiners office later determined that Carlin died from fentanyl toxicity, court records show. Robinson was arrested April 11 on murder charges.

The grand jury also indicted Kathleen OBrien, 52, on charges of first-degree felony murder by distribution of a controlled substance, sale or delivery of fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence, possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, and possession of cocaine in connection with the Jan. 23 death of Frederick Massey, 69.

Story continues

More: Massive Brevard drug bust operation lands 17 lbs of fentanyl, hundreds of arrests

In that case, Indian Harbour Beach police were called to a residence on Flotilla Club Drive after O'Brien called 911 for help to report that Massey was overdosing in her home. Officers arrived and found Massey dead on the living room floor. A second person was also suffering from the effects of a drug overdose in a nearby bedroom, court records show.

The medical examiners office later determined that Massey died of a fentanyl-related overdose.

In 2021, Florida reported 16,138 deaths linked to the use of drugs, about 10 percent more than the previous year, FDLE said. Of those, 8,411 opioid-related deaths were reported by the states medical examiners.

Both Robinson and OBrien  who pleaded not guilty to the charges  remained held without bail in the Brevard County Jail Complex. No trial dates have been set.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Overdose deaths lead to Brevard County grand jury murder indictments
David Breaux knew his life on the streets put him at risk, so he left his older sister explicit instructions.

"If Im ever harmed and unable to speak for myself, forgive the perpetrator and help others forgive that person," he wrote in a 2016 Facebook message.

The ultimate test of forgiveness came April 27.

That's when Breaux's body was found stabbed on the bench where he often slept in Davis' Central Park, a tree-lined gathering spot for families and students in this bike-friendly college town. Carlos Reales Dominguez, a 20-year-old who had been kicked out of UC Davis for academic reasons two days before, stands accused of Breaux's murder.

Two nights later, according to police accounts, Dominguez fatally stabbed another resident, UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm, 20, as he biked home from a university event where he had received a research award; two nights after that, Dominguez allegedly attacked a homeless woman in her 60s as she slept in her tent near railroad tracks not far from downtown. She survived the stabbing, with the help of fellow campers, and is recovering from her wounds.

Dominguez, charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody in Yolo County jail as his case proceeds.

For the families and friends of the two men killed in the seemingly random attacks  Breaux, a gentle man of 50 who preached a gospel of compassion, and Abou Najm, a computer science whiz known to be brilliant and kind  the journey ahead will be less about the legal proceedings and more about how to continue after such a crushing, senseless loss.

Losing a loved one to violence is a unique form of trauma, setting off waves of suffocating anguish. Some who are left behind find themselves consumed with anger or a thirst for revenge. Others are flattened into a paralyzing numbness. And some get to work, trying to raise meaning from horror.

After her brothers death, Maria Breaux was quick to realize her path forward. It was what he would have wanted.

Story continues

"I have to start the process of forgiveness, she said this month by phone. "That was just something that came into my mind. I thought also this person must have been in such pain to have gotten to this point to do this. Either theyre in great pain or having some kind of mental break, or someone has failed them, or maybe weve failed them."

In the well-kept home they shared with their son, where his shouts of laughter would waft down from his second-floor bedroom as he chatted with friends over Discord, Abou Najm's parents do not want to talk about the perpetrator or whether he should be forgiven.

They intend to follow the legal case but have dedicated themselves to efforts to make sure their son's short life has a lasting impact. They've started a scholarship in his name. They're working with the city of Davis on a memorial in Sycamore Park, where he was killed. And, in conjunction with UC Davis, where both parents work and their son was set to graduate early, they plan to organize initiatives for research into mental health and better interventions to help people before they commit terrible acts.

Nadine Yehya, Abou Najm's mother, said her son was above all full of care for those around him. "And I think, as a community, this is what we need more of," she said. "It's care, right?"

::

In the days after Breaux's death, many in Davis posted his quote about forgiveness to their Facebook profiles. The sentiment ignited a powerful debate about the human capacity to forgive.

"He was a wonderful man and this quote puts his kindness on full display, but I can honor and acknowledge his feelings without making them my own," wrote one Reddit commenter.

Another, who attended high school with Abou Najm, was more blunt: "I dont feel an ounce of empathy or compassion for this KILLER!! As for David, I highly doubt he meant to forgive a murderer. He probably meant forgive someone who harassed and hurt him, not murder him."

It is impossible to know for sure. But it's clear that Breaux, who made such an impression on the Davis community, had developed an unusual capacity to relate, accept and forgive.

According to his sister and his own writings, Breaux and his two siblings grew up in suburban Duarte, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Their mother struggled with schizophrenia, and their authoritarian father routinely whipped his children as a form of discipline and hit his wife as a form of "medical treatment."

"I am pressed to remember a conversation between my father and I lasting longer than a minute during those years," Breaux wrote in a 2016 Medium post.

Breaux's mother died while he was at Stanford University, where he got a degree in urban studies. His father, by then old and frail, asked Breaux to return home after graduation to help out. He did.

In the Medium post, Breaux describes becoming his father's caregiver, shopping for groceries, paying bills, doing the cooking. He writes about seeing his dad differently: "No longer seeing him as a role. As a father. As a tyrant. As a dictator. As an abuser. No longer seeing him as anything other than  A human being.

"Forgiveness is being at peace with the past. I know I could never do what I do today as a figurehead for compassion if it were not for forgiving my father," Breaux wrote. "I always suggest to those who come to me asking about forgiveness to do it before someone passes."

Breaux, who stood tall at 6 feet 2, landed in Davis in 2009 and became a fixture at the corner of Third and C streets downtown, asking people to share their concept of the word "compassion" in his many notebooks. He collected thousands of responses and eventually published a book on the compilation. He was informally dubbed the Compassion Guy" and garnered a following in Davis and beyond.

In a 2010 short film , "Standing Compassion," Breaux talked about his conscious decision to live light, giving away his clothes and car. He decided, he said, "to spend a significant amount of time and energy directed toward a selflessness."

In 2013, he worked with the Davis community to erect a bench at Third and C, decorated in bright ceramic tiles that celebrate the value of compassion. He interviewed visitors about their views on empathy as part of a weekly YouTube series.

When Maria learned in 2019 that her younger brother was sleeping outside, she came to offer help.

"He reassured me he was fine and that he was living in a state of pure love and compassion, and 100% here and now in a mindfulness sense," she recalled.

Maria invited her brother to stay with her in San Francisco, where she worked as a senior copywriter and filmmaker. But he declined. When a mutual friend offered him an extra room in his Sacramento house, Breaux again said no.

Maria's 2019 visit was the last time she saw him alive.

In the weeks since her brother's death, Maria, 54, has been working to channel his light spirit and to draw on forgiveness in her search for resolution. When she learned that the person accused of killing her brother was just 20, a third-year student majoring in biological sciences before UC Davis "separated" him for unspecified academic troubles, and a dutiful son and brother, she thought, "Something doesn't compute."

"What is in this persons heart that someone wasnt able to touch?" she asked herself. "And can someone touch that in him so he doesnt have to suffer for the rest of his life?"

Maria thought of her mother's mental health struggles. She recalled a time as a teenager when her mother  who she knew loved her deeply  came into her bedroom with a knife and spoke quietly of needing to kill her. Her mother just stood there as Maria reasoned with her, until her father saw what was happening and took his wife out of the room.

Maria sat down to write a note to the parents of Dominguez, the young man accused in her brother's death, assuring them that she forgave him and hoping that he and his family "can heal from all of this."

Thats their son, and thats a child," she said, her voice choked with tears. "Thats someone who they had in their lives until he went to college.

Maria said she has avoided looking at comments about the stabbings on social media, knowing that others "have their own process."

"People grieve in their own ways, and they express fear in their own ways, and I have great compassion for that too," she said. "For me, the greatest healing has been through forgiveness."

::

Abou Najm's friend Aman Ganapathy is on a different emotional journey.

I cant think about him or talk about him, he said of the suspect. I try not to.

Yehya, Abou Najm's mother, expressed a similar sentiment.

"Karim's family does not want to give any space or attention to the perpetrator. He already took the most precious thing from us," she said.

What they do want to focus on is Karim. The way he seemed to turn everyone around him into a better person, simply by believing in them, as Ganapathy put it. About his irrepressible sociability. The way he would convert strangers into friends, drawing them out of the pandemic isolation that characterized his first years on campus. His mother marveled at a photograph of her son on an Amtrak train to Portland, Ore., where he managed to befriend fellow passengers on a journey of less than 20 hours.

Friends and family spoke of his infectious passion for computer science and a voracious intellect that made room for serious discussion on a range of topics, from "The Lord of the Rings" to French existentialism.

They recalled his enviable energy  as evidenced by the time a few months ago when he declared, Bro, I wanna be ripped, then followed up by joining a gym and working out every single day.

His father, Majdi Abou Najm, said he and his wife return to the place where their son was killed every day, sometimes twice a day. A shrine has sprung up, bursting with flowers and notes. They collect the notes and study each one. Again and again, they find a similar story: how their son reached out to someone and made a connection.

They have been astonished at the breadth of tributes. From classmates. From friends in Beirut, where the family lived before coming to UC Davis for jobs. From baristas at the coffee shops where their son studied  and chatted and chatted  on a nearly daily basis.

After a childhood that took his family from Nigeria to Indiana, Lebanon and finally Davis, Abou Najm was adept at making friends. He loved to debate and was ferociously good at it. His parents would not have been surprised to see him become a lawyer or a judge. Instead, he fell in love with computer programming and was working on a device to use virtual reality to make a better hearing aid.

Karim Abou Najm was riding his bike home from a UC Davis event when he was stabbed. (Paul Kitagaki Jr. / Associated Press)

As they reel from heartbreak, his parents said, they have become sure of something else: Their ordeal would be far worse without the support of the community that has enveloped them. Within hours of their son's death, friends and family were at their side. So much food came that they couldn't possibly eat it all, and friends took to Facebook to find places to donate it.

And so, as they mourn their son, they have committed themselves to improving their community in his name.

The ideas have risen up, one after another. The scholarship. The focus on mental health. A memorial in the park where he died.

They have transformed even the worst, most shocking moment  the conversation with first responders who knocked on their door to inform them that their son was dead  into a proposal for how to do things better.

"We are working with the town on revising the grieving and trauma protocols," Abou Najm's father explained. Typically, he said, a caring person knocks on the door, delivers the thudding news, then retreats to give the family space. But the family believes "space is the worst thing for many people." Instead, he said, grieving relatives should be given the option of having someone stay with them. He hopes the model will be adopted in Davis and eventually across the country.

The parents seem hollowed out by their loss. In photos of them with their son and daughter, who is 12, they wear joyful smiles. But in their living room, sitting beneath a photo of Abou Najm and a framed copy of his UC Davis diploma, their faces are etched with pain.

Still, when they talk about all the ways they will make the world better in his name, there is a clear sense of purpose.

"As his parents, we miss his presence immensely," his mother said. "But we are energized to make out of this tragedy something good to the community."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Bloomberg) -- When Paetongtarn Shinawatra cast her ballot early on Sunday, the latest member of the influential Shinawatra family to join Thai politics exuded confidence in her Pheu Thai party securing a landslide win. By late evening, it became clear the reformist Move Forward party had outperformed it  the worst performance of her family-led partys election bids.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Heres everything you need to know about the businesswoman-turned prime ministerial candidate.

Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?

At 36, she is the youngest daughter of Thailands most popular politician, Thaksin Shinawatra. He has been living in exile since 2008, two years after his government was toppled by the military in a coup. Paetongtarn ran as one of three prime ministerial candidates of the opposition Pheu Thai, which pledged a fresh start for Thailand after nearly a decade-long rule by the junta and a conservative, military-aligned party helmed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. If she manages to land the top job in a possible coalition government, Paetongtarn will be Thailands youngest premier.

READ MORE: All the latest news and analysis is in our live blog, which is free to read.

What are Pheu Thai Partys key policies?

With Southeast Asias second-largest economy lagging behind its neighbors on growth, Pheu Thai promised to supercharge GDP growth to 5% a year by skilling up workers and raising household incomes through billions of dollars worth of cash handouts.

Paetongtarns other promises included supporting a central bank digital currency and providing free medical care across Thailand, including free cervical cancer screening for women.

Why is the Shinawatra family a key player in Thai politics?

Story continues

The Shinawatra dynasty has produced two prime ministers  though both their governments were disrupted by coups. Paetongtarns father Thaksin  an enduring yet polarizing figure in Thai politics whose term was marked by allegations of corruption  was unseated in 2006 and has been living abroad.

He still holds influence in the nations rural heartlands after introducing populist policies that endeared him to farmers and the poor. And some of that clout may be waning as seen in the election results on Sunday. Paetongtarns aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, saw her government dissolved by the military in 2014.

Prior to her meteoric rise, Paetongtarn had a front-row seat to her fathers career. At eight years old, she tagged along with Thaksin on his first government job as foreign minister. At 20, she hunkered down in a safe house when military tanks patrolled Bangkok streets as the army seized power from her father. Two years later, she watched as her father left Thailand to avoid a corruption conviction he said was politically motivated.

What does her campaign run show about gender equality in Thailand?

The Thai candidate jumped back into the campaign trail shortly after giving birth to her second child on May 1. Days after her delivery, Paetongtarn showed off her baby to the press.

Suthadha Meghavongsagula of the Gender Equality Promotion Committee says Paetongtarns move is an exception to the norm in Thailand. Not many working women in Thailand are able to do public service for society while still being wives and mothers at the same time, she says.

Female politicians accounted for 16% of the lower house before it was dissolved and 10% of the Senate.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
United Nations-Secretary General Antonio Guterres is headed to Jamaica Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness where the two will discuss a wide-range of issues affecting the Caribbean region.

The two men will meet on Monday and the topics to discuss include the impact of the climate crisis in the Caribbean region and the global framework for disaster risk reduction. Also development financing will be a major discussion item.

Jamaica, along with Canada, is co-chair of the Group of Friends on Financing for Development. The effort is focused on reforming the global financial architecture so that developing countries, including those that are middle-income, can better manage debt and access technology and finance at affordable rates. This has been a major issue for Caribbean nations, which had their tourism-dependent economies hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result forced to take on more debt.

Despite this, many continue to be considered middle-income countries and therefore subject to high interests rates.

Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said both leaders will also discuss the situation in Haiti and how to involve the international community more strongly.

Some 22 months after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, Haiti remains in the throes of deepening chaos with hunger and cholera spreading throughout; and armed gang violence and kidnappings on the rise. There is also now worrying mob killings and lynchings of alleged gang members. At least 164 of such killings were documented in April, according to the United Nations Integrated Office in Port-au-Prince.

In recent days, police have launched several anti-gang operations aimed at taking back control of some communities. These includes the communities of Martissant and Portail Leogane that are located just south of the capital and have been under gang control for two years. On Thursday, police announced they were carrying out operations in the area, specifically against those operating in Village de Dieu, and heavy gunfire could be heard near the infamous kidnapping lair as specialized police units confronted armed gang members.

Story continues

During a Saturday visit to the Portail Leogane police substation, under heavily armed guards, Police Chief Frantz Elbe, said the police force today finds itself at a historic crossroads where the population needs it like never before, he said. Its important for us to unite...for all the police to become one to fight back against the gangs so that the population can live normally.

U.N. officials have acknowledged efforts by Haitis beleaguered force to go after gangs but have noted that due to their small numbers, lack of equipment and firepower, they have a hard time maintaining control of the areas once they succeed in taking back control.

In October, Guterres supported Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henrys request for the rapid deployment of an international force to Haiti to assist the Haiti National Police, and both he and his special representative in Port-au-Prince have reiterated the call.

Jamaica, along with a few other smaller nations, has expressed a willingness to send troops to Haiti as part of a multinational force. But seven months after Guterres request, no large country has stepped forward to lead the effort. The United States, which penned a resolution at the U.N. Security Council to support such a deployment, doesnt want to lead and had been hoping Canada would. Though the country participated in several discussions with Jamaica, Haiti and other Caribbean nations, it has sent signals to the contrary.

In both meetings with Caribbean Community leaders in the Bahamas and President Biden in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada, for now, was focused on aiding the situation by proving financial assistance to the Haitian national police and by sanctioning individuals the Canadian government believes are supporting gangs and destabilizing Haiti through corruption.

In addition to its offer of troops, Holness, who visited Port-au-Prince in February, also offered to host a meeting of Haitis warring political factions in order to find a broader consensus around governance, which the international community has been insisting on.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Mansfield native, center, gave the commencement address Friday night at North Central State College.

North Central State College graduated 357 area residents Friday night and 73 of those students received their associate's degrees before getting their high school diplomas in the next week or two.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and a Mansfield native, gave the commencement address to graduates who packed the Ohio State University-Mansfield/NCSC Campus Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Friday.

He opened his speech with a humorous story about giving a speech one day and a man in the audience told his wife he hated Brown's raspy voice, not knowing the woman was his wife.

"She said, 'I really like his voice.... I really like it when he wakes me up in the middle of the night and says, "I love you baby,'" he said, referring to his wife Connie Schultz.

A true story, he said, getting laughs.

North Central State College 2023 graduates were joined by family members, friends, spouses, children and more Friday night in Mansfield.

Brown, who graduated from Mansfield Senior High School, lauded the NCSC class of 2023 graduates including engineers, nurses, computer science, health care workers, business professionals, leaders who will guide the community and the state into the future.

"And I can't imagine Ohio in better hands," he said.

Brown said 200 of the 357 graduates graduated with honors.

"Twenty of you are graduating from the ground-breaking bachelor's in mechanical engineering technology program," Brown said.

He also said he doesn't think there is a better group of people to get a fair shot than community colleges.

"Along the way to today's celebration, some of you have cared for parents, grandparents, you've brought children with you and you're raising children, many times with jobs as you struggle and get your education. Some of you served our country ... as members of the armed forces.

"That's why community colleges and technical colleges are so important. They serve everyone. They meet students where they are no matter what path you take or when you take it," Brown said.

North Central State College graduates smile proudly as they march into the OSUM/NCSC Recreation Center Friday night for commencement.

He said all the graduates have so much to be proud of.

Story continues

"I challenge anyone who's ever called this community or this state the rust belt," Brown said, asking people to visit the NCSC tool and die center, or watch the engineering students race the electric vehicles.

"... Hear from the nursing students preparing to join the front lines of our health care systems," he said.

Brown said the future of the economy is here in the heartland, something their parents and grandparents knew all along.

"You're graduating at an exciting time for our state and for our country," Brown said. "We're putting in place, finally for this country, an industrial policy that recognizes that talent is everywhere. You just have to care enough to look," he said.

Brown said the technology of the future including semiconductors and electrical vehicles will be developed and made in Ohio.

"Everything we do is about giving you the opportunity to put the degrees you earned today to work," he said. "As we do that more and more Ohioans are going to be able to build a life and a future together."

Dorey Diab, president of NCSC, told graduates their completion of a significant goal is recognition of their hard work, commitment and personal sacrifice.

Graduate plans next to get job, get bachelor's degree in forensics

Christina Andreasson of Mansfield graduated NCSC Friday night with an associate's degree in cyber security. Son Gavin Fulk, 7, her parents Carol and John, and daughter Thalia Fulk, 9, said how proud they are of Christina.

Christina Andreasson, 38, of Mansfield, graduated Friday night with an associate's degree in cyber security. She plans to find a job and continue her education and pursue a bachelor's degree in forensics.

Surrounded by her parents and her children, Gavin Fulk, 7, and Thalia Fulk, 9, said she was so excited to achieve her degree.

Her father John said Christina is the first one in the family to achieve a college degree.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Seventy-three NCSC grads get associate's degrees before h.s. diploma
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -Former White House adviser Amy Pope was elected to head the U.N. migration agency, prevailing on Monday in a tense contest against a Portuguese incumbent who had the support of European countries.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Pope would become the first woman to lead it when she begins her five-year term on Oct. 1.

Pope, who served as Deputy Director General for Management and Reform at IOM, took leave to campaign against her boss Antonio Vitorino, who has been in the position since 2018.

"With the impacts of conflict, of poverty, of climate change, there will be even more work than we can do in order for us to be a successful organization," Pope said.

"It's important that we look at the issue of migration from a much more comprehensive point of view, that we use our data much more proactively."

Pope said she was eager for IOM to use data to analyse why people were moving and to better understand where people might be forced to move.

More than 100 million people are forcibly displaced around the world and IOM seeks to ensure humane and orderly migration and intervenes where needed.

In 2021, Pope served as senior adviser on migration to U.S. President Joe Biden, who publicly backed her candidacy.

"As IOM's largest bilateral donor, the United States strongly supports Ms. Pope's vision and looks forward to working with her to implement the critical reforms necessary to create a more effective, inclusive IOM," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Vitorino, a former European Commissioner who is close to his compatriot United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, did not comment as he left the International Conference Center in Geneva, where the voting took place.

"It's not about what he did or didn't do," Pope said about her campaign against Vitorino.

"It's more about what we can do and what opportunities might exist for us that we have yet to take."

Story continues

Asked about the contest earlier this year, Vitorino described it as unprecedented.

"We have never happened to have an incumbent director general that faces a competition with one of his deputy generals. Let's call it an innovation," Vitorino told journalists in March.

He said at the time he had Portugal's backing as well as the "strong encouragement" of the European Union.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Emma Farge in Geneva; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub in Washington; Editing by Alex Richardson, William Maclean and Bill Berkrot)
(CNN)  Germany announced on Saturday that it would supply Ukraine with an aid package worth nearly $3 billion to strengthen the country's defense, marking Berlin's largest pledge in military aid since the start of the war.

The German Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the package may include a variety of military hardware, including armoured personnel carriers, 30 Leopard tanks, reconnaissance drones and ammunition.

"With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are once again showing that Germany is serious about its support," Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

"We all wish for a speedy end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is contrary to international law. Unfortunately, this is not yet in sight. Germany will therefore provide all the help it can - as long as it takes," Pistorius added.

Ukraine President's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, confirmed Germany's support on Saturday via his Telegram account while thanking them for their aid.

The development comes after the US on Tuesday announced a $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine intended to "bolster its air defenses" and "sustain its artillery ammunition needs," with Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces looming.

Germany's military support for Ukraine has evolved over time. The country initially resisted calls to provide weaponry to Kyiv, agreeing only to provide humanitarian help and medical equipment. That approach was in line with Germany's decades-long policy of not supplying lethal weapons to crisis zone.

In a major policy U-turn earlier this year, Berlin announced it would provide Kyiv with Leopard 2 battle tanks. Then in April, Berlin also committed to sending Gepard anti-aircraft systems.

Not everyone in Germany has been on board with their government's decision, however, with thousands taking to the streets of Berlin and other cities across the country earlier this year to protest the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Germany to supply Ukraine with largest aid package yet, worth nearly $3 billion"
A first-generation Mexican American college student, Kimberly Farias experienced imposter syndrome  when people feel like a fraud or a phony and doubting their abilities  during college.

Farias didnt know what imposter syndrome was before college and didnt have anybody at home to tell her, Hey, this is what, you know, whats going on, she said.

Because of her experience, Farias focused her thesis at UC Merced on this topic.

Its something that I think people need to know what it is and how to find different resources, said Farias.

Farias, a double major in political science and psychology, joined hundreds of Bobcats graduating Sunday (May 14) morning from UC Merceds School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student, on May 11 during speech rehearsal at UC Merced.

Farias, who also double minored in writing studies and community research and service, was the student commencement speaker.

Tapped as a commencement speaker as a first-gen student, she said, is a tremendous privilege.

Her main message for fellow graduates, Farias said, is letting them know that whatever they put their mind to, they can accomplish.

She talks about her why in her speech, which is her purpose that pushes her and drives her every day  her mom, family, siblings, being that role model for them.

Farias, born in Van Nuys the oldest of four siblings, grew up in Arizona before her family moved back to California during her senior year of high school.

She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont in 2018 before her family relocated to Planada and then Chowchilla.

Farias mother is from Jalisco, Mexico; her father is from Colima, Mexico. Neither of them finished high school or went to college.

The 23-year-old Farias, who is fluent in Spanish, had to take a gap year from college when her financial aid was eliminated because she was considered an out-of-state student.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student and a double major in political science and psychology, joined hundreds of Bobcats graduating Sunday (May 14) morning from UC Merceds School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

While she was sad and upset about her college plans being put on hold for a year, Farias worked during that time while waiting to attend UC Merced.

Story continues

When youre ready and prepared to go to college and then you cant go, Farias said of the frustration of that experience. But its fine, things happen for a reason.

She has been living on campus for the last two years of her college career since coming back from COVID working as lead resident assistant of four residence halls for the universitys resident education.

Pursuing a PH.D and juris doctor degrees

Farias wants to pursue a Ph.D. in political science and is considering attending law school.

Her goal is to become an immigration lawyer and a political science professor.

Farias said living in Arizona gave her a lesson on how politics impacted not only on her own parents but family members and the community.

Seeing those injustices inspired Farias to become a voice for not only her community but for underrepresented and minority communities.

So thats like one of the reasons why I think Ive always, like, felt that I really want to be an immigration lawyer just to be able to give back and serve my people, Farias said.

Last semester Farias interned for the External Affair Office of Gov. Gavin Newson as part of the Maddy Legislative Internship Programs.

Topics closes to her heart

Farias political science thesis focused on the zero-tolerance immigration policy and the impact that it had on migrant childrens well-being during with the Trump administration when children were separated from their families.

I focused on the topic because I feel like it was a policy that impacted a lot of people, not only families, but children specifically, Farias said. It was a topic that was close to my heart, living in Arizona, really, really close to the border.

Farias said it was important to bring awareness to how a policy can impact the lives of many people.

It impacted a lot of kids. A lot of kids, unfortunately to this point, havent been reunited with their family, and its a mistake that was made by a specific administration, Farias said.

For her psychology thesis, Farias focused on the impact that metaphors have on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome.

For her psychology thesis, Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student and a double major in political science and psychology, focused on the impact that metaphors have on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome.

UC Merced is majority first-generation college students, 75% of Merced is actually first gen, Farias said.

Her thesis looked at whether first generation college students are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, and if they do, what can be done to close the gap and what resources the college can provide to them.

Because unfortunately a lot of first gen, a lot of people of color, a lot of women specifically, they experience imposter syndrome, said Farias who conducted a survey of 250 students.

Farias said her thesis topics are relevant to the Central Valley because majority of Central Valley are Hispanic, Latinos, agriculture workers.

She also received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center and had two of her research papers published in the Undergraduate Research Journal at UC Merced.

Farias has also been able to be a presenter at different conferences about her research, talking about her psychology thesis on first-generation college students who experience imposter syndrome.

Commencement speaker Kimberly Farias, a first-generation Mexican American college student, on May 11 during speech rehearsal at UC Merced.

Kimberly Farias favorites

Book: I like poetry. I have research papers that I like. The book is Im not your perfect Mexican daughter I read it in high school. I really liked it..

Food/meal: I like chiles rellenos with arroz rojo. My favorite for sure.

Place to visit: The Beach.

Music to listen to: I like Spanish music. Well, I like any type of genre. I do listen to a lot of you know, Banda, like Hispanic Mexican music. I like Camilo, I like. I love I love Spanish music for sure.

Movie: Monsters, Inc.

Hobby: I like to read, hike and just like to be out in nature for sure.

Best advice ever received: I do talk about it in my speech, its in Spanish. Tu educacion es la unica cosa que nadie te puede quitar. So, its just like your education is the only thing that nobody will ever be able to take away from you. And its something that my mom has always told me. So I think that was the big one.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and Switzerland will begin talks on an upgraded free trade agreement on Monday, with British trade secretary Kemi Badenoch flying to Bern aiming to boost financial and professional services exports.

Badenoch will meet Swiss economy minister Guy Parmelin to begin negotiations over how to modernise the rollover agreement that effectively replicated the relationship the two nations had when Britain was a member of the European Union.

As two of the worlds leading service economies, theres a huge prize on offer to both the UK and Switzerland by updating our trading relationship to reflect the strength of our companies working in areas ranging from finance and legal to accountancy and architecture," Badenoch said in a statement.

The first round of talks begins on May 22.

Trade between the two countries is worth almost 53 billion pounds ($66.9 billion) a year, making Switzerland Britain's tenth-largest trade partner, the British government said.

The current agreement does not cover services or digital trade - areas in which Britain believes it has a strategic advantage thanks to its well-developed financial sector and internationally recognised legal system.

Britain is also seeking to ensure easy cross-border movement for business travellers, increased private sector investment and the removal of remaining Swiss tariffs on British goods such as red meat, baked goods and chocolate, Badenoch's department said in the statement.

($1 = 0.7923 pounds)

(Reporting by William James; Editing by David Goodman)
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits European capitals seeking to collect military equipment for a long-awaited counteroffensive, hes offering assurances the fight will stay within his countrys borders.

We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory, Zelenskyy said Sunday at a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

A recent Washington Post report, based on leaked U.S. intelligence, indicated Zelenskyy wanted to capture Russian cities near the countries border to use as leverage in peace negotiations. Westerns allies have been wary of the war spilling into Russia and triggering a dangerous escalation of the conflict.

Zelenskyy, who stopped by Rome on Saturday and traveled to Paris later Sunday, said his military is focused on regaining the internationally recognized Ukrainian land Russia has tried to claim as its own. The Kremlin illegally annexed the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces in the fall, and it has occupied Crimea since 2014.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), Zelenskyy said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare with which we could do this.

The Ukrainian presidents whirlwind tour aims to elicit pledges for more armaments, including fighter jets, along with funds to rebuild whats been destroyed in more than 14 months since the Russian invasion.

His first visit to Berlin since the war began came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than $3 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz, saying Germanys contributions are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory, and said Ukrainian soldiers preparing for the counteroffensive are almost ready for success.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as he leaves after receiving the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, on May 14, 2023. Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine received the recognition for contributions to European unity.

Developments:

 More than 30 people were wounded during a "massive'' overnight Russian attack using exploding drones, the Ukrainian military reported, saying 18 of the 23 drones were shot down, but their debris and the five that got through damaged 50 buildings.

Story continues

 Five civilians were killed in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up, according to Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak.

Poorly trained soldiers, older equipment limiting Russia

Russia is trying to make up in quantity of troops what it lacks in quality, which is limiting its capability, the British Defense Ministry said in its latest war assessment.

The combined Russian forces in Ukraine probably total 200,000, the same number that began the invasion in February 2022, and they're still organized in about 70 combat regiments and brigades, the ministry said. But at the time those troops were professional soldiers using relatively modern equipment.

"Now the force is mostly poorly trained mobilized reservists and increasingly reliant on antiquated equipment, with many of its units severely under-strength. It routinely only conducts very simple, infantry-based operations,'' the ministry said.

The White House estimated in early May that Russia has sustained about 100,000 casualties  including 20,000 fatalities  since December alone.

"Critically, it is unlikely that (the combined group of Russia's forces) has been able to generate a large, capable, mobile reserve to respond to emerging operational challenges,'' the ministry said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia updates: Zelenskyy says reclaiming territory is goal
Key developments on May 14:

Ukraine says it captured more than 10 Russian positions in northern and southern Bakhmut outskirts

Russia says two commanders killed in the Battle of Bakhmut

Zelensky meets Scholz in Berlin, calls on Germany's support for fighter jets

Governor: Russian attack wounds 4 in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, including a 7-year-old girl

The Defense Ministry said on May 14 that Ukrainian forces captured more than 10 Russian-held positions within a day on the northern and southern outskirts of Bakhmut, the epicenter of the war.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported that Ukrainian forces on May 14 also liberated a considerable amount of area in a forest near Ivanivske, a village southwest of Bakhmut.

The reports of Ukrainian advances near Bakhmut come as the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Ukraine's "mass attempts" at a breakthrough north and south of the city over the past few days. It claimed that all attacks were repelled.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said in its daily briefing that Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, the commander of Russia's 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade, and Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of an unspecified army corps, were killed in the Bakhmut area.

While Russian forces have taken around 90% of the city's urban area, Ukrainian forces are holding onto an area comprising high-rise apartment buildings in the city's west.

Russia's recent failures near Bakhmut are likely connected with the escalating feud between the Russian defense ministry and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, which has led the assault on Bakhmut for months.

The tensions between the two have heightened as the Russian Defense Ministry repeatedly avoids mentioning Wagner's role in its offensives in eastern Ukraine. Prigozhin has recently escalated his criticism of the Russian military, accusing a regular Russian military unit of abandoning their positions in the Bakhmut sector.

Story continues

The Ukrainian military said that Russian forces are showing signs of exhaustion in the Bakhmut area, with one of the indications being Prigozhin's "hysterical" complaints.

More than ten months into the Battle of Bakhmut, the front-line conditions are still difficult for Ukrainian forces, but their counterattacks appear to be making a push toward the city.

Emmanuel Macron, France's president, left, greets Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's president, ahead of a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, late on May 14, 2023. Photographer: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Zelensky calls on Germany's support for fighter jets

President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first visit to Berlin since the start of the full-scale war, where he met Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

At a press conference with Scholz, Zelensky said that Ukraine is creating a fighter jet coalition, and he is counting on Germany's support in the matter.

"We are now working on the creation of a fighter jet coalition, and my visits to European capitals are partially aimed precisely at this," Zelensky, who visited Rome a day earlier and is due to visit Paris late on May 14, said.

Earlier, a tank coalition was formed for countries that were ready to send Leopard 2 tanks right after Germany authorized their tank transfer in January. Now, after the long-sought Western tanks are finally starting to arrive in Ukraine, Zelensky said that Ukraine is seeking to become more "powerful" in the airspace as well.

Zelensky's visit to Berlin comes a day after Germany announced a record nearly $3 billion military package.

The package includes 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard tanks, four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems, 100 armored vehicles, and 200 reconnaissance drones, according to Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak.

Calling Germany's package "the largest since the beginning of the full-scale aggression," Zelensky thanked Berlin for the support and reiterated that he believes the anticipated counteroffensive would be a success, adding that "support is on our side."

Zelensky also emphasized that any peace plan should be based on Ukrainian proposals because "the war is taking place on the territory of our state."

At the same press conference, Zelensky said that Ukraine had almost enough weapons to begin its long-anticipated counteroffensive and that Ukrainian soldiers were "almost ready for success."

Zelensky said it would take "a few more visits (to European capitals), and that's it."

Theyll kill me if I come back: Abduction, torture become routine in Russian-occupied Melitopol In a rare glimpse, the Kyiv Independent talked to some who escaped Russian-occupied Melitopol and learned whats happening behind the curtain of Russias occupation. Since Melitopol fell to Russian forces in March 2022, the citys residents constantly fear being kidnapped, sometimes in broad dayligh Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

Russia intensifies attacks against civilians

Russian forces intensified their attacks against civilians in the east, northeast, and south of the country on May 14.

At least two villages in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast came under Russian fire on May 14, leaving five people wounded.

In one of the villages called Prymorske, located some 30 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia, near the Dnipro River, four people  including a seven-year-old girl  were wounded, according to Governor Yurii Malashko.

Another victim, a 30-year-old man, is in critical condition after receiving shrapnel wounds from a direct hit to his house, the governor added. According to Yermak, the victims that came under a Grad rocket attack were four civilians, including an ambulance driver.

In northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man were killed by Russian shelling of a village near the Russian border, Governor Oleh Synyehubov said.

Another three civilians were also wounded in the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast with Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems.

Five apartment buildings, three houses, and the town's heating system were damaged in the attack, according to Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.
By Pavel Polityuk and Sarah Marsh

KYIV/BERLIN (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday Kyiv and its allies could make a Russian defeat "irreversible" as early as this year as he secured a bumper new military package on a trip to Germany.

The visit formed part of a whirlwind weekend tour of several key European allies to drum up military and financial support ahead of an expected major Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russian forces.

It was the Ukrainian leader's first visit to Germany since Russia's invasion in February 2022. He also met Italian officials and Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday and late on Sunday he met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee palace before the two went inside for a dinner meeting.

"Now is the time for us to determine the end of the war already this year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible already this year," Zelenskiy said during a joint news conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Scholz underscored Germany's pledge to continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, brushing aside a question about earlier tensions in bilateral relations and side-stepping another question about Kyiv's hopes to join NATO.

Germany, which is Europe's largest economy, faced criticism at the start of the war for what some called a hesitant response, but it has become one of Ukraine's biggest providers of financial and military assistance.

The German government announced a 2.7 billion euro ($3 billion) package of military aid to Ukraine on Saturday, its biggest such package since Russia's invasion.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv was prepared to discuss external peace initiatives but said those proposals should be based on Ukraine's position and its peace plan.

"The war is happening on the territory of our country and so any peace plan will be based on Ukraine's proposals," he said, wearing his trademark khaki combat trousers and a black sweater.

Story continues

Kyiv has ruled out the idea of any territorial concessions to Russia and has said it wants every inch of its land back. Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and since last year has claimed to have annexed four other Ukrainian regions, which Moscow now calls Russian land.

"Ukraine is ready for peace. But it demands, rightly and with our support, that this cannot mean to freeze the war and have a form of dictated peace by Russia," said Scholz.

Zelenskiy's visit came as Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that two of its military commanders were killed in eastern Ukraine, as Kyiv's forces renewed efforts to break through Russian defences in the city of Bakhmut that has been the focus of months of bloody fighting.

PAST TENSIONS

Zelenskiy left open the prospect of a "risk that if the (counter)offensive is not very successful that there will be less support, but I don't think this is the general view".

"There are some countries that are thinking about it, but I don't think they've been very strong in their support for Ukraine throughout this period," he added, without specifying which countries could waver in their backing for Ukraine.

Zelenskiy visited Germany for the Munich Security Council in February last year, just before the war broke out. Germany was constrained in its support for Ukraine at that time both by its energy dependence on Russia and the pacifism that emerged from its bloody 20th century history.

Increasing its support required a major policy upheaval and a shift in mindset that Scholz dubbed a "Zeitenwende", or turn of era, in a landmark speech just days after the war broke out.

During his trip to Germany Zelenskiy also travelled with Scholz to the western city of Aachen to receive the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in honour of services to Europe at a ceremony attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

In a speech at the ceremony, Scholz gave Germany's "full support" to Ukraine's journey towards membership of the European Union.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Tom Balmforth, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Victoria Waldersee and Matthias Williams;Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Bertrand Boucey, Elizabeth Pineau;Editing by Ros Russell and Frances Kerry)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

In a tweet after the 40-minute audience with the pope, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Francis for "his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians." He said he spoke with the pontiff "about the tens of thousands of deported (Ukrainian) children," stating that "we must make every effort to return them home."

"In addition, I asked to condemn (Russian) crimes in Ukraine. Because there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor," Zelenskyy added. "I also talked about our Peace Formula as the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace. I proposed joining its implementation."

Last month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal asked the pope to help get children returned from Russia to Ukraine. The Vatican's statement Saturday made no mention of the request; instead, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraines "humanitarian and political situation provoked by the ongoing war."

UKRAINE MAKES GAINS IN BAKHMUT AMID TALKS OF SPRING OFFENSIVE; WAGNER TANTRUM CONTINUES

Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Studio of Paul VI Hall on May 13, 2023, in Vatican City, Vatican.

"The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last year, the Vatican said, a reference to the Russian invasion that began Feb. 24, 2022. Zelenskyy last met with the pope in 2020, before the war in Ukraine started, according to Politico.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Zelenskyys 10-point "peace" plan would establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. It would also create a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restore Ukraines damaged power infrastructure and ensure safety around Europes largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia.

Story continues

At a press conference earlier Saturday, Meloni voiced Italys backing for Ukraines goal of becoming a member of the European Union and the "intensification" of a partnership with NATO.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands after a meeting at Palazzo Chigi on May 13, 2023 in Rome, Italy.

"The message is clear and simple," Meloni said after a meeting with Zelenskyy that lasted more than an hour. "The future of Ukraine is a future of peace and freedom. And it's the future of Europe, a future of peace and freedom, for which there are no other possible solutions.''

US, IRISH MILITARY EXPERTS TRAIN 2 GROUPS OF UKRAINIAN PERSONNELL IN CLEARING UNMARKED MINEFIELDS

Meloni, who staunchly supports military aid for Ukraine, said Italy would back the country "360 degrees for all the time necessary and beyond."

Separately, Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Zelenskyy, "We are fully at your side." Presidential palace sources also said Mattarella assured his guest that Italy would continue to support Ukraine militarily and financially, as well as with reconstruction and humanitarian aid.

Zelenskyy later traveled to Berlin, where he was welcomed Sunday in his first visit to Germany since Russia invaded Ukraine.

During a press conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Zelenskyy his government will support Ukraine "for as long as necessary."

Zelenskyy said his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory. On the eve of Zelenskyy's arrival, the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

"I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion," Zelenskyy tweeted. "German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yevgeny Prigozhin shows the bodies of the dead Wagenrivets and blames Shoigu and Gerasimov for their deaths

"We can see perfectly well that ... Prigozhin's tantrums with shouting, swearing, and screaming that there are not enough shells, there is not enough ammunition ... is a lie," Sazonov said.

First of all ... the intensity of the shelling did not decrease. That is, (Wagners alleged) shell hunger did not show itself in practice.

The Ukrainian soldier said that the defenders of Bakhmut can tell if one of the sides has such a deficit.

"I think that all these hysterics were because he already realized that they were running out of steam, they could not storm Bakhmut," Sazonov said.

And even if they (captured) Bakhmut, they would find themselves in a very difficult situation. He realized that it would end badly. But of course, he does not want to admit that he is a bad strategist and has a bad army.

Sazonov said Prigozhin is "sculpting political capital out of this" and is therefore looking for a scapegoat.

Read also: Ukrainian intelligence explains conflict between Prigozhin and Shoigu

"(Russian Defense Minister Sergei) Shoigu is to blame, (Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery) Gerasimov is to blame, they don't give him enough shells, they throw them to the slaughter," Sazonov said.

That is, (he wants) to explain his failures and his retreat inside the country in advance. He is also trying to drag his old accomplice in Syria, Surovikin, who has very little influence on anything now, into decision-making. That is, this is Prigozhin's purely political game, a political game within Russia. It has nothing to do with reality and us.

On May 4, Wagner mercenary company leader Prigozhin posted a video with rows of corpses of Wagner mercenaries who, according to him, had been killed that day near Bakhmut. He also cursed Russian regular army leaders Shoigu and Gerasimov, claiming a Wagner was suffering a "70% shortage of ammunition."

Story continues

The next day, Prigozhin threatened that his mercenaries would "leave Bakhmut" on May 10 due to the lack of ammunition. In response, Chechenwarlord Ramzan Kadyrov said that the Chechen Akhmat special forces were ready to go to Bakhmut to replace the Wagner mercenaries, and Prigozhin agreed. Kadyrov even said that he had written a letter to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin with a request to that effect.

However, on May 7, Prigozhin reported that he had received a "combat order" promising ammunition and weapons in sufficient quantities to continue the offensive in Bakhmut. And on May 8, he said that General Sergei Surovikin, the mediator between Wagner Group and the Russian Defense Ministry, would be demoted after failing on the battlefield.

Read also: Russian brigade flees from Bakhmut  Ukraine confirms Prigozhins claim

Then on May 9 Prigozhin released another video complaining about a lack of ammunition. He also said that the Russian army had fled its positions inBakhmut and exposed one of the frontline flanks.

"We have a Ministry of Intrigue instead of a Ministry of Defense, so our army is fleeing," Prigozhin said.

It's fleeing because the (Russian armys) 72nd Brigade today (May 9 - ed.) frittered away three square kilometers, where I had about 500 peoplekilled, because it was a strategic foothold. They just (ran away).

On that day, he also made a passing reference to "grandpa, who may turnout to be an asshole," presumably referring to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

On May 10, Prigozhin decried the level of support for the Russian military and warned of the "destruction of the Russian people."

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
Guns

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is proposing a bill allotting $900 million to harden schools with more security. She suggests the recruitment of former military personnel, and even grandparents, to protect children at school. How many more millions will be needed to harden and secure shopping malls, churches, grocery stores, nightclubs, concert arenas and the other everyday areas of American life under siege today?

Perhaps it will take a family with the incredible courage of Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, to allow us to see what doctors and first responders see at these horrific crime scenes, to finally move lawmakers to ban a weapon of war that deny all of us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Margaret Magnani, Cary

GOPs future in NC

The writer is executive director of Lillians List, which recruits women to run for office in N.C.

After Gov. Cooper vetoes the abortion bill and it returns to the legislature for a vote, Republicans would be wise to reconsider this callous and medically unnecessary attack on bodily autonomy.

While peoples feelings about abortion may be complicated, their desire to see it remain a legal and accessible part of health care is not. Overwhelmingly, the general public wants women to be able to access abortion care when they need it.

In 2024 there will be competitive legislative races and consequential statewide races on the ballot in North Carolina. If Republicans in Raleigh continue to press their anti-abortion agenda, they will learn the hard way the lessons that their colleagues in Kentucky, Wisconsin and Michigan have already learned.

Sarah Preston, Raleigh

School vouchers

I am appalled at the General Assemblys plan to expand private school vouchers to all students regardless of income. The Wake waiting list for NC Innovations Waiver assistance for the intellectually disabled is currently processing applications from 2010 due to lack of funds. Thats right, if you apply today you may get help in 13 years. Over that time, a private school student could get about $39,000 under this bill  while the disabled child waits for their first dime. I guess families of the disabled arent large Republican contributors. Theyre spending their money on services for their child.

Story continues

Susan Montgomery, Raleigh

Billboards

Regarding Billboard companies want to cut more trees along NC roads, (May 8):

It takes 730 trees to offset the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by a persons annual fossil fuel usage. Cutting down trees should be discouraged. However, if billboard companies are allowed to cut down trees, they should be required to plant enough trees to offset those they cut down. It makes no sense to limit carbon emissions while trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emit oxygen in exchange, can be cut down for commercial purposes.

Barton Bloom, Clayton

Trees

Wouldnt it be wonderful to live in a place where we paid to keep the living beauty of trees, like redbuds, on our roadsides and instead cut down the billboards that hid them from view?

Nancy Corson Carter, Chapel Hill

Dix Park

Dix Park promises to evolve into a crown jewel among Raleighs many attractions, and by one key measure its already a huge success. The Dix Park Conservancy contributed $25.5 million to planning and construction of the parks first major investment: Gipson Play Plaza. Contributions came from across the community: walkers, joggers, dog owners, parents, grandparents, preservationists, businesses and more. All share a common belief: The city made a wise decision to purchase the 308-acre Dix Hill site and make it a world-class place for all people.

The park will generate more meetings, community gatherings, robust public discussion and headlines in the coming years, along with countless, joyful moments sparked among visitors. As a member of the Dix Park Conservancy Board of Directors, I believe Dix Park is destined to be a major contributor to the economic, social, physical and emotional well-being of Raleigh and its citizens.

Ines Palacios, Raleigh

Chapel Hill

As CEO of Grubb Properties, Im writing to thank the Chapel Hill Town Council for their support of Link Apartments Rosemary.

To build a strong and vibrant downtown, young professionals need places to work and live year-round. The council recognized this when it unanimously approved Link Apartments Rosemary, which will provide 150 units of essential housing. Its the kind of year-round housing needed to bolster local businesses and revitalize downtown redevelopment in Chapel Hill.

Grubb Properties worked closely with town leaders and UNC-Chapel Hill to envision an innovation district on East Rosemary Street, and additional housing is integral to ensuring the success of this initiative. The Town Council recognized that to attract the best workers, you must provide them with good jobs and affordable, quality places to live. We hope other localities will be inspired to find ways to work with private companies to meet their communitys needs and position themselves for a vibrant future.

Clay Grubb, Charlotte
United Way Lenawee Monroe web logo

Today is Mothers Day. I wondered how this special day became a holiday. In my research, I came across these five surprising facts about Mothers Day in a Good Housekeeping article from April 2020:

Laura Schultz Pipis, executive director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties

1. Anna Reeves Jarvis is most often credited with founding Mothers Day in honor of her mother, Ann, who passed away in May 1905. She wished to honor her mother and all mothers as a group. The first Mothers Day celebration took place three years later in Grafton, West Virginia, at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Jarvis' idea as a national holiday to be celebrated each second Sunday in May.

2. Also credited with the origins of Mothers Day is activist and author Julia Ward Howe, who floated the idea decades earlier  to promote a Mothers Peace Day. For her and the antiwar activists who agreed with her position  including Jarvis own mother  the idea of Mothers Day should spread unity across the globe in the wake of so much trauma following the Civil War in America and Franco-Prussian War in Europe. These early attempts to create a cohesive peace-focused Mothers Day eventually receded when the other concept took hold.

3. In todays world, Mothers Day is a $25 billion holiday in America, with those who celebrate spending about $200 on mom, according to National Retail Federation data published in 2019. More people buy flowers for Mothers Day than any other time of year except during the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Gift givers spend more than $5 billion on jewelry alone, and nearly another $5 billion on that special outing. Approximately $843 million is spent on cards, and $2.6 billion each on flowers and gift certificates, according to the data.

4. Ironically, todays commercialism is the exact opposite of what Jarvis would have wanted. She actively advocated against aggressive marketing, even facing arrests for public disturbances. She even railed against first lady Eleanor Roosevelt for interpreting Mothers Day inclusively to promote the well-being of women and children at large. She did not even believe in organizations using the occasion to raise funds for charity; she did not trust their intentions and saw them as profiteering from the holiday. In 1920, she said, To have Mothers Day the burdensome, wasteful, expensive gift day that Christmas and other special days have become, is not our pleasure. She also said, If the American people are not willing to protect Mothers Day from the hordes of money schemers that would overwhelm it with their schemes, then we shall cease having a Mothers Day  and we know how. Jarvis herself never profited from her idea. In 1948, at the age of 84, she died penniless  having used all her money to fight the holidays commercialization  in a sanitarium.

Story continues

5. The white carnation became the official flower of the holiday shortly after Jarvis own mother died. On May 10, 1908  three years after that loss  Jarvis sent 500 white carnations to Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in her mothers honor for that first Mothers Day celebration, according to Time. Jarvis compared that flowers shape and life cycle to a mothers love. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying, she said in a 1927 interview. Good Housekeeping suggests if you are buying flowers for mom this year, consider the white carnation  but also pause to consider the holiday's uncommercial origins. After all, it is not about flowers or cards or gift cards or jewelry  it is all about love.

If you have or had the unconditional love of a good mother, you are blessed. I was blessed with a wonderful mother. If you still have your mother, you are lucky. Losing my mom was one of the most difficult events in my life. Being her only daughter was a joy, and we were close. The heartache never goes away, you just learn to live with it. I find great comfort in knowing I will see her again one day. I wish you the gift of a good mother or mother figure in your life. If they are still on this earth, please honor them today.

I have the great honor of working with the United Way whose mission is to try and ensure all have an opportunity for a good life. Part of that mission includes funding agencies and programs that do promote a healthy family life. Many of the families we support are single female headed households, and we help mothers in crisis with resources to improve their livelihood and those of their children. We honor motherhood on an ongoing basis via a safety net of programs to ensure low-income mothers successfully raise their families.

The United Way funds 11 local Lenawee County agency programs and serves as a donor designation vehicle for 30+ additional agencies. All funds raised in Lenawee County stay in Lenawee County. We appreciate your support to help fight poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other important community needs!

For more information about living united, please contact us! Call us at 517-264-6821, email lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org, visit us at 136 E. Maumee St., Suite 15, Adrian, MI 49221 or visit our website at www.unitedwaymlc.org. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok social media platforms, too.

Laura Schultz Pipis is the executive director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties: Saluting mothers
Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the kickoff of the Guiding Our Growth statewide survey at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The survey asks Utahns what they want for the future of the state when it comes to housing, water, transportation, open space and recreation. Utahns are invited to take the survey at https://guidingourgrowth.utah.gov/. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Its no secret that Utah is growing at a rapid rate. The Beehive State was the fastest-growing state in the nation between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

And growth is only going to continue, with Utahs population projected to increase from 3.4 million today to 5.5 million in 2060, according to the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

All that growth will present Utah with many opportunities but will bring with it a variety of challenges, which is why Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday launched a statewide survey to get input from everyday Utahns about how they want the state to grow.

We're here to talk about growth, he said. What makes Utah great also makes Utah grow. People come here, they like it, and they want to stay. But we know that growth can threaten what makes Utah great if we don't plan for it.

Thats where the Guiding Our Growth initiative comes in. The effort was launched by the Governors Office of Planning and Budget to promote a statewide conversation about growth that would help guide policy decisions going forward.

Utah can remain a great place to live, but we must work together to protect or improve Utahs cost of housing, water resources, transportation conveniences, recreation opportunities, and never, ever losing our sense of community, Cox said. So, today we are inviting all Utahns to take an online survey to help guide our future growth.

The survey  which can be found at www.guidingourgrowth.utah.gov/beheard  is open to all residents through Aug. 31, and gathers input on four categories of growth challenges: housing, water, transportation and open space and recreation. Cox said the results will then be distributed to state and local leaders.

A view of the University of Utah and downtown Salt Lake City is visible from Red Butte Garden on Thursday. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Although those leaders wont be bound to enact every policy favored by their constituents, Cox said having a forum like this will allow for more direct input from residents than is possible in town halls or legislative sessions.

Story continues

Most legislators  almost to a person  they want to do whats best for the state and they can't do that if they don't hear. Yes, they have town halls, they get some social media input, but oftentimes those are vocal minorities that show up, Cox told KSL.com. Now, I know what a lot of people want. They want us to not grow at all. I would love to be able to keep everything the same, but that's not how it works when you do well. When your state is successful, people want to live here.

We want to make sure that our kids and grandkids have a bright future and we dont become victims of our success, he continued. It is such a great place to live, but we can be intentional about making sure it's a great place to live for a long time to come.

Mallory Bateman, director of demographic research at the Gardner Institute, said the public feedback is especially important considering that Utahs growth will continue to change the demographics in the state.

Gov. Spencer Cox leaves the kickoff press conference of the Guiding Our Growth statewide survey at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The survey asks Utahns what they want for the future of the state when it comes to housing, water, transportation, open space and recreation. Utahns are invited to take the survey at https://guidingourgrowth.utah.gov/. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Were still the youngest state in the nation, but we're aging and were becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, she said. We're excited that the Gardner Institutes long-term planning projections are part of this conversation to help Utahns guide our growth into the future.

Because of the various issues growth will pose across the state, state planning coordinator Laura Hanson said the survey will be personalized locally. Respondents will be asked to provide their ZIP code, then be directed to one of three surveys: one for urban areas, one for rural areas that are growing and one for rural areas that are experiencing slow or no growth.

(Its) designed to meet people where they are in Utah as ... growth in Utah is not evenly distributed across all of the different parts of the state, Hanson said. That way, if you happen to live in Wayne County, we're not talking about skyscrapers and public transit, you're getting feedback or questions that are more tailored to your community.

The survey is the second phase in the states Guiding Our Growth initiative. The third phase will include sharing results with policymakers and Utahns, and is expected to run through the end of the year.

There is a possibility that we will do a kind of PSA campaign where we ... try to push (the results) out to people to let them know what they want the future of Utah to be and help their fellow Utahns understands that that's the vision moving forward, Cox said.
(CNN)  Loonkiito, possibly one of the oldest lions in the world, has been killed in Kenya at the age of 19, conservation organization Lion Guardians said.

The lion was killed on Wednesday by the owner of a livestock pen, which Loonkiito had entered in the middle of the night looking for prey due to being "starving," the organization said.

He was "the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa," said Lion Guardians, which announced his passing "with heavy hearts."

"He was a symbol of resilience and coexistence. We at Lion Guardians feel privileged to have borne witness to his life and his legacy," it added.

The organization attributes the long life of older wild lions in recent times, in a landscape where a "decade ago, we did not have lions surviving past age 10," to the efforts of local communities that share the land with the big cats.

A dramatic increase in the demand for energy and materials over the last 50 years has left humans and lions competing for space and resources, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website.

Lions will travel far, sometimes venturing outside of protected areas, to look for prey when their food source diminishes, and can pose a risk to human communities when they prey on their livestock. Farmers often kill them in retaliation or to prevent conflict.

Loonkiito was unfortunately "caught up in this dynamic," said Lion Guardians.

Kenya has been experiencing its worst drought in four decades. The organization said that the end of a drought is commonly marked by an increase in human-lion conflict, since wild prey becomes harder to hunt and livestock owners are "particularly vigilant" after losing so many animals.

This incident "was a tough situation for both sides, the people and the lion," it added.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "One of Africas oldest lions killed in Kenya, conservationists say"
When the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, many wildlife disease researchers like me were not too surprised. Some were intrigued it hadnt happened sooner; after all, it is our job to observe, describe and study pandemic dynamics in animals.

Amphibians, for example, have been undergoing a global panzootic  the animal version of a pandemic  for decades. In the late 1990s, researchers identified the amphibian chytrid fungus, which causes the often-lethal disease chytridiomycosis, as the probable culprit behind frog and salamander declines and extinctions from Australia to Central America and elsewhere that began 10, 20 or even 30 years before.

Scientists have found this pathogen on every continent that amphibians inhabit, and the extensive global amphibian trade has likely spread highly lethal strains around the world. The amphibian chytrid fungus is widespread in some geographic regions, and, like the virus that causes COVID-19, it can mutate rapidly and take new forms that cause varying disease severity.

Conservation translocation is an increasingly popular way to recover species that have experienced extensive population declines. It involves moving organisms to reestablish populations that have gone extinct, supplement existing ones or establish new ones in areas where the species was not previously present. However, when the amphibian chytrid fungus is prevalent in the landscape, frogs are likely to get sick again, hampering the success of translocation.

To avoid the setbacks of disease, researchers are using a tool often employed against human pandemics: inoculations akin to vaccines.

In our recent study, my research team and I inoculated threatened California red-legged frogs against chytrid fungus before translocation by exposing them to the chytrid fungus in the laboratory. We wanted to see if we could activate their immune systems and give them an advantage over the fungus once they are released. Our results were unexpected.

Story continues

Nothing a cocktail wont cure

Since 2017, Yosemite National Park has been actively translocating California red-legged frogs to Yosemite Valley, where the chytrid fungus is already present. We used a small subset of these translocated frogs in our study.

We collected wild frog eggs at a place where the species is thriving, about 100 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley, then raised them in captivity at the San Francisco Zoo. Once they metamorphosed into juvenile frogs, we bathed 20 in a cocktail of four live, active strains of the fungus. After three weeks, they were given a bath of an antifungal drug to halt the infection. Another 40 frogs that were not exposed to the fungus were also given a bath of an antifungal drug.

Then we reexposed the 20 previously infected frogs to the fungus a second time, while 20 previously uninfected frogs were exposed to the fungus for the first time. We wanted to see how frogs with a second infection  namely, those that were vaccinated  compared with those that were infected only once.

The chytrid fungus has devastated frog populations globally. Alex Hyatt/CSIRO, CC BY

What we found was surprising: 35% of frogs infected only once successfully cleared the infection without vaccination or an antifungal drug. This suggested that they have some measure of innate immunity, meaning their immune systems first line of defense was able to fight off the fungus. In addition, frogs infected a second time had a 31% overall lower rate of infection than those that were infected only once. This suggested that the vaccinelike treatment also works by stimulating adaptive immunity, meaning their immune system learned to recognize the fungus from their first exposure and fight it off more efficiently. None of the frogs died from their fungal infections.

Before releasing them to the wild, we treated the frogs with an antifungal drug and monitored to make sure they were disease-free. We attached tiny transmitters with beaded belts around their waists so we could track their infections and survival over three months.

Unexpectedly, we found no difference in disease burden between the frogs that had never been infected and those that had been previously infected in the laboratory. This suggests that immunizing this species for chytrid fungus, at least in Yosemite, may be unnecessary to ensure their survival after reintroduction.

Indeed, the California red-legged frogs released into Yosemite Valley are thriving three years after our experiment and six years after their first translocation. They are hibernating successfully through the cold winters and emerging early in the spring for reproduction.

Hope for the future

Our study takes a new approach to the emerging tool of inoculation against the chytrid fungus. By combining ex situ, or laboratory, experiments with in situ, or in the field, implementation, we put lab observations to the test in the real world. This type of work strengthens collaborations between wildlife managers and zoos, which are increasingly needed as the biodiversity crisis accelerates.

Preservation efforts for the California red-legged frogs are in progress. Greg Schechter/Flickr, CC BY

Though California red-legged frogs in Yosemite Valley didnt seem to need vaccinations, this doesnt mean that other imperiled amphibian species around the world do not. Research on chytrid inoculations in other species have had mixed results, ranging from not improving survival to reducing infection burden associated with increased survival. One of the primary challenges of this approach to conservation is that even if vaccination increases survival after initial release, this immunity does not carry forward to successive generations.

There is hope, however. Researchers are working to identify the genetic signatures associated with immunity to the chytrid fungus. If successful, breeding programs can artificially select for  and perhaps even gene-edit  protective traits to give frogs a leg up on a pathogen that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide.

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: Andrea J. Adams, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Read more:



Andrea Adams previously received funding from the Yosemite Conservancy for conducting this research as a postdoctoral researcher at Yosemite National Park. Funding for her current academic appointment is received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In the space of seven days we have gone from 400 million people watching a show of pomp and pageantry in the Kings coronation, to Mel Giedroyc sitting behind Hannah Waddingham at the Eurovision Song Contest churning butter. In what seemed to be a reference to Polands cheeky entry from a few years back (with the suggestive butter churner replaced by what looked like a toilet brush), Giedroyc stole the whole show and became an instant sex symbol.

This absolutely nuts, spectacularly hilarious, show-stopping moment made me want to go back on dairy. It was homage to the soft porn Eurovision performance of yesteryear, and a reminder to take life with a pinch of salt. It was also a reminder that when it comes to humour, no one can top Britain.

The opening of Eurovision saw a spectacular performance from Ukraine, with comedian Verka Serduchka losing her shoe as she opened with a throwback performance that felt like it stepped right out of the year 2007. It was madness already.

(BBC/Eurovision)

There was no end to the wackiness, from Finland  who looked like a techno bowl of bogies and bubble gum  singing Cha Cha Cha and absolutely adored by the crowds, to Croatia who looked like The Village People on acid. Five men with massive moustaches singing about their mothers buying a tractor, ending with them stripping to white underpants shouting, I love you Croatia, while rockets went off behind them, turning Eurovision into a who can get the most naked without being arrested? competition. It was art. It was political. It was anti-war. It was totally and utterly Eurovision.

Hosts Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham and Graham Norton were the campest, most colourful hosts possible. But some of the score announcers from various countries seemed to have mistaken the song contest for an 18-30s stag do in Ayia Napa, with many of them flirting outrageously with Hannah. Shout out to the German announcer who pretended to propose, and to Cyprus who told the Ted Lasso star: You broke my unbroken heart.

Story continues

Eurovision went on longer than Liz Trusss premiership, and I was nodding off till I heard Graham Norton shouting: What am I to know? Im just an ageing homosexual in a commentary booth. The humour was relentless and so ironic.

When the points started rolling in, it all changed and I couldnt help shouting: Why is no one voting for us? If they were voting for a passport, wed win! Weve got Catherine Tate, Sonia and Jan Leeming!

It was an electric atmosphere, but I spent the whole night in fear that the lovely Loreen from Sweden was going to take her own eye out with her painted claws that I last saw in either the nail bars of Hackney or Dudley Zoo. I really hoped she wouldnt have an itch up her bum; otherwise, she could lose a finger. A cross between Freddy Krueger and The Countess, the only boring moment was that it was no surprise she won, even though she constantly looked like shed just woken up from a hot Swedish massage.

Walking up to perform one final time, in a beige cut-out body suit, abs, nails and slippers  which she took off to perform  it was like a night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern gone horribly right.

We showed Europe we arent an anti-Europe Brexit nation; Liverpool is a city of humour, fun and camaraderie. We are united by music, madness, glitter and implied nudity.

It was blue and yellow all night, we had a great party in our house and Ukraine were our very special guests. Liverpool, Europe, Ukraine and Australia? Love and peace; and dont forget your shoes.

Shazia Mirza is a comedian, actor and writer
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turks began voting on Sunday in one of the most consequential elections in modern Turkey's 100-year history, which will decide whether President Tayyip Erdogan extends his two decades in power.

Presidential and parliamentary votes are being held, deciding not only who leads Turkey, a NATO-member country of 85 million, but also how it is governed and where its economy is headed amid a deep cost of living crisis.

Opinion polls give Erdogan's main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who heads an alliance of six opposition parties, a slight lead, but if either fails to get more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff election on May 28.

(Reporting by Daren Butler; Editing by William Mallard)
Voters are casting their ballots for presidential and parliamentary elections seen as Turkey's most important in generations

First-time voter Ceren brimmed with excitement as she took selfies with her electoral ID card outside an Ankara polling station, as Turks flocked to the polls on Sunday for pivotal elections.

The 19-year-old student's burning desire "for change" motivated her to arrive 30 minutes before voting opened, after more than two decades of rule by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted party.

Ceren is one of more than five million young voters eligible to cast ballots for the first time, a group that tends to embrace more liberal views and has only ever known one leader: Erdogan.

"I was born during this government. I saw to what point we arrived. I don't want them anymore -- enough," she told AFP from the Turkish capital's Cankaya district, traditionally a stronghold of the secular opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

In Istanbul, voters also queued early outside a school where Erdogan voted in the presidential and legislative polls, seen as Turkey's most important in generations.

Recep Turktan, 67, refused to abandon his namesake and potentially hand power to Erdogan's CHP rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his disparate six-party opposition alliance.

"What matters is not to divide Turkey. We will carry out our duty. I say, go on (with Erdogan)," Turktan told AFP, saying that economic difficulties currently afflicting the country were the same around the world.

- 'We were governed well' -

"We were already governed well and it will be better," added Nurcan Soyer, a headscarf-wearing woman who backs Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has dominated Turkish politics since 2002.

But not everyone in the more conservative Uskudar neighbourhood, located on Istanbul's Asian side, was prepared to forgive Erdogan for the economic crisis and the government's mishandling of a cataclysmic February earthquake.

"We want democracy, a Turkey integrated with the world. We want to leave behind the problems originated from the earthquake and economy," said Yuksel, who like many voters declined to state their surname.

Story continues

Across the Bosphorus in European Istanbul, CHP supporter Ulvy Aminci, 58, wanted nothing short of "the French revolution: equality, liberty, fraternity", saying the final three words in French.

"In the last 20 years, all of that disappeared," added Aminci, one of thousands of volunteer election observers deployed nationwide across almost 200,000 polling stations.

- 'We want peace' -

During campaigning, tensions occasionally boiled over, with Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pelted with rocks and bottles while touring Turkey's conservative heartland.

Fears of violence were starting to concern opposition supporter Hande Tekay, who said Turkey needed to "start from the basics" and "regain our dignity".

The 55-year-old said she would not take to the streets to celebrate a Kilicdaroglu victory due to the risk of clashes.

Kilicdaroglu himself urged supporters to stay home if they win, warning that there may be "riots".

"Fake news or not, I will wait for the results at home. Even if we have different points of view, religious or political, we need to live in symbiosis," Tekay said.

Back in Uskudar, Yuksel's wife Ebru echoed the wish for a orderly political process. "There will be no winners or losers in this election. Whoever comes, we want peace," she said.

bur-al/imm/zak
Washington State Patrol troopers rescued a woman in distress after she was spotted wandering on Interstate 5 near the West Seattle Freeway Saturday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol.

At about 6 a.m. Saturday, troopers responded to a report of a woman on southbound I-5 near the West Seattle Freeway walking in traffic.

She may have been attempting to be struck by vehicles.

Before troopers could respond to the scene, an ambulance with American Medical Response was holding back traffic in an attempt to keep the woman safe.

When troopers did arrive, the woman climbed onto a concrete barrier and threatened to jump.

As troopers spoke to the woman, two troopers grabbed her and pulled her to safety.

The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation.
A truce between Israel and the militant Islamic Jihad group officially came into effect late on Saturday night, with an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement meant to end the worst episode of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021.

The ceasefire agreement is meant to end the worst bout of cross-border fire since a 10-day war in 2021.

Israels national security adviser thanked the Egyptian president for Cairos efforts, according to a statement from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Quiet will be met with quiet and if Israel will be attacked or threatened, it shall continue to do what it must in order to defend itself, the statement said.

The Joe Biden administration welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Gaza-based militant Islamic Jihad group that was brokered by Egypt.

"The United States welcomes tonight's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based militants brokered by the Egyptian government after nearly five days of fighting," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The White House said US officials worked with regional partners to achieve the resolution and thanked Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and "critical diplomatic efforts".

The Biden administration extended its gratitude toward Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar.

The streets of Gaza that were largely deserted filled with Palestinians as the fighting subsided. People cheered and honked cars in celebrations while others headed to the homes of people killed in the fighting to show their respect.

"In light of the agreement of the Palestinian and the Israeli side, Egypt announces a ceasefire between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides has been reached," the text of the agreement read, according to Reuters.

"The two sides will abide by the ceasefire which will include an end to targeting civilians, house demolition, an end to targeting individuals immediately when the ceasefire goes into effect," it said.

Story continues

The Islamic Jihad also confirmed the agreement, adding: We declare our acceptance of the Egyptian announcement and we will abide by it as long as the occupation (Israel) abides by it.

The violent conflagration between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza has pitted the Israeli military against Islamic Jihad, Gaza's second-largest militant group after Hamas.

Israel launched the latest round of airstrikes in the early hours of Tuesday, announcing that it was targeting the militant commanders who had planned attacks in Israel.

The Iranian-backed group responded by firing more than 1,000 rockets, which sent Israelis fleeing into bomb shelters.

During the five days of the campaign, Israel killed six senior Islamic Jihad commanders and destroyed a number of military installations.

At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were also killed in Gaza during the fighting, and two people - an Israeli woman and a Palestinian labourer - were killed by Palestinian rocket fire in Israel.

We want the truce to be based on principles, not like in the past when after a calm (truce) people died, resident Munir Marouf, 43, told Reuters.
Mario Vazquez/AFP Via Getty Images

Monarch butterflies spend the warm months migrating throughout the United States and Canada, before congregating in their mountain forest habitat in central Mexico to wait out the North American winter. While citizens of all three countries treasure the monarchs presence, some of the highest costs of conservation have been paid only in Mexico. More specifically, rural and Indigenous communities in Mexico have lost access to lands deemed crucial for the monarch. This solution has been imposed on the communities by outsiders, and has undermined a traditional system where humans, monarchs, and other plant and animal species shared the forest successfully.

Migratory species like the monarch butterfly provide an object lesson in the interconnectivity of both landscapes and people. Effective and lasting conservation of migratory species must be a true collaboration between many kinds of communities, spanning countries and cultures. Yet migratory species are in decline, in part because conservation efforts too often disregard the communities that have historically protected them. Our research shows that already advantaged groupstourists, bird watchers, wealthier farmerstend to benefit from migratory species. Benefits may come in the form of pest control, pollination, or tourism. Less advantaged groups, often rural and Indigenous people or communities in the Global South, meanwhile, pay a cost in lost economic opportunity to preserve habitats, reaping little or nothing in return. The people protecting habitat deserve compensation. Justice demands it. Practicality demands it too. Conservation efforts that reinforce inequity are not sustainable. Equity in conservation efforts is not only the right way to preserve speciesit is the only way.

20 Percent of All Endangered Right Whales Gather in Cape Cod Bay

Historically, conservation subsidies have focused on a single place, where one group gives up an economic opportunity to preserve habitat while another group benefits. The ecosystem service benefits of a migratory species as well as the costs associated with their conservation can be calculated, not only in a single spot but across their entire range. Where there is imbalance, groups that benefit should compensate groups that sacrificeno matter how many miles separate them. People who have invested in a distant communitys success deserve a return.

Story continues

Work has already begun in this area. For example, back in 2017 we published findings in Ecology and Society, showing that Texas and New Mexico received an estimated $12.4 million value in pest control services per year between 1994 and 2008 from the Mexican free-tailed bat, thanks to the bats appetite for Helicoverpa zea, a moth that does considerable damage to cotton and soybean crops. More research is needed to quantify any costs and benefits for rural farming communities in central and southern Mexico, who protect the habitat where the bats spend the winter. Bats also have a healthy appetite for the pests that plague tomatoes, maize and sorghum, common crops in Mexico. Is there an imbalance between the benefits and costs to farmers in the U.S. and farmers in Mexico? If so, receiving subsidies would encourage communities in Mexico to protect bat habitats and would also promote the economic justice that will make these arrangements strong and lasting.

This form of compensation concerns itself not just with equality, but with equity. It strives for fairness while recognizing that all people do not start out on equal footing. Solutions must address those power differences. In the cases of both the monarch butterfly and the Mexican free-tailed bat, communities in the Global South are made to forgo economic opportunity for the conservation of animals that provide significant reward to the Global North. It perpetuates the centuries-old problem of societies from the North extracting resources from the South. In addition to material imbalance, there has been an intellectual and cultural one. As we saw with the monarchs, Indigenous communities had developed sustainable practices that protected the insects habitat. But traditional understanding is often ignored in favor of science that is generally an import from the Global North.

In our studies of the Mexican free-tailed bat, monarch butterfly, and northern pintail duck, we found that Indigenous communities often contributed to benefits reaped by the descendants of colonizers and settlers. Indigenous communities in Alaska and Canada rely on the pintail as a source of protein. These communities developed planting schedules designed to avoid disruption to the birds migration. Nevertheless, the numbers of this important food species are droppingdown by approximately half since the mid 20th Century. The U.S. government buys large tracts of land from colonial descendants, where it encourages sport hunting of the ducks, an activity that generates fees. Sport hunting is prioritized over traditional subsistence hunting. Or to put it in context: European-American customs take precedence over Indigenous ones.

These Are the Animals Scientists Predict Will Go Extinct Next

We have also observed a rural versus urban inequity even within wealthy countries like the U.S. and Canada. During the summers, the monarch butterflys beauty is a delight for people in more urban communities, who sacrifice nothing for the privilege. But getting monarch numbers up will require work in rural areas in the U.S. and Canada. The insects lay eggs on and feed off milkweed, which has been decimated where herbicide-tolerant genetically modified corn is planted. How many farmers can take on the challenge of reducing herbicide use, and risk crop loss, without financial incentive?

Limiting herbicide use would not only benefit monarchs but many other species harmed by the chemicals, including humans. Agricultural workers, again disproportionately rural and with roots in the Global South, suffer cancer, reproductive harm and more because of chemical exposure. None of this is about pitting the needs of humans against non-human species. Rather it is about finding a fair and reasonable way to encourage biodiversity, which benefits us all.

If we humans want to help these other species, we must start by working toward equity within our own.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
WASHINGTON  White House documents found at the homes of Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Joe Biden barely scratched the surface of problems the National Archives and Records Administration faces in tracking and storing presidential records for posterity.

Government officials sometimes cart home documents, in a dispute over what is public and what is personal. FBI agents seized 11,000 documents at Trump's estate Mar-a-Lago beyond the hundreds of classified records.

Thanks to new apps, a growing portion of records disappear as soon as theyre read, like the mission instructions in a spy thriller.

And sorting through the flood of electronic records that become National Archives property under the Presidential Records Act is a massive challenge.

The documents flowing into the archives have grown exponentially over the years. Paper records peaked under the Clinton administration, but the volume of electronic records exploded from 4 terabytes at that time to 250 terabytes under the Trump administration. Each terabyte holds about 500 hours worth of movies, 17,000 hours of music or nearly 86 million pages of documents, according to Kelly Brown, an IT professional at the University of Oregon.

The flood hasn't crested. A White House directive, which has already been postponed a couple of times in the last decade, aims to preserve all federal records in electronic form by June 2024.

The threat is that as documents become inaccessible, it will create blind spots in tracking what an administration did and why. Because of the volume, a significant portion of presidential records remain hidden in plain sight as the National Archives copes with a stagnant budget and the challenges of rapidly evolving technology.

Email records and attachments are piling up so fast, the National Archives can review only a sliver of them for public access  an estimated 0.1% in the past 40 years, according to Jason R. Baron, a professor at the University of Maryland and a former director of litigation at NARA.

Story continues

The rest are what I call dark archives, Baron said. The problem is that the numbers are only increasing.

People walk up the steps even though the National Archives was closed in a partial government shutdown, Dec. 22, 2018 in Washington. While the Archives safeguards precious national documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, that's only the public face of their sprawling collection, which spans 13 billion pages of text and 10 million maps, charts and drawings, as well as tens of millions of photographs, films and other records.

Presidential records 'increasing exponentially.' The budget is not.

Despite the enormous growth in public records, funding for the National Archives budget has remained relatively flat for the past 30 years, according to experts and agency reports.

The agency received 10,645 cubic feet of paper from Franklin Delano Roosevelts unprecedented four terms. Bill Clintons two-term administration generated the most paper records, with 33,196 cubic feet totaling 76.8 million pages.

But thats when the balance tipped from paper to digital archives. At the dawn of email, administrations for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush each had 20 gigabytes of electronic records  less memory than a phone now holds.

Graphics: Graphics: How Biden's case differs from Trump's classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lago

The figures grew to 4 terabytes from the Clinton administration, 80 terabytes from the George W. Bush administration and 250 terabytes each from the administrations Barack Obama and Donald Trump. The Trump administration accumulated its records in only one term.

Against that backdrop, the agency's funding for operating expenses totaled $373.3 million in 2012 and $388.3 million last year, according to annual reports. For comparison, President Joe Bidens proposed budget this year for the Justice Department is $39.7 billion, or about 100 times more than the National Archives, while spending this year on just the juvenile justice system cost about $400 million.

Its a tiny agency, frankly with no clout, Anne Weismann, chief counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and the Project on Government Oversight, told USA TODAY. We find ourselves in a position where the number of records of a president is increasing exponentially, especially with email. Yet the resources arent, both in terms of money and staff.

People move boxes out of the Eisenhower Executive Office building inside the White House complex, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Washington.

'Nixon could only have dreamed' of apps that erase messages

Congress passed the Presidential Records Act after the abuses of the Nixon administration during Watergate. But a federal judge said in a recent case Nixon could only have dreamed about how apps have made it easier to destroy records.

Apps such as WhatsApp, Wickr, Signal and Confide erase messages after the recipient reads them.

Richard Nixon could only have dreamed of the technology at issue in this case: message-deleting apps that guarantee confidentiality by encrypting messages and then erasing them forever once read by the recipients, a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel noted.

After reports early in the Trump administration that top officials were using the apps, the advocacy group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a lawsuit to halt the practice.

The use of automatically-disappearing text messages to conduct White House business would almost certainly run afoul of the Presidential Records Act, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in March 2018.

But Cooper refused to order the administration to halt the use of the apps because the Trump administration pledged to preserve its records. A February 2017 memo from the White House counsels office reminded staffers to conduct all work-related communications on official email and that use of messaging apps such as Snapchat, Confide, Slack and others is not permitted.

The appeals court ruled that CREW failed to prove the administration was defying the law.

The strategy to keep things out of the public record is nothing new. Under the Bush and Obama administrations, White House aides scheduled meetings at nearby coffee shops to avoid creating records. The court decisions left watchdogs wondering how much is systematically being lost.

Its a huge concern, Weismann said.

A letter from acting archivist of the United States Debra Steidel Wall to former President Donald Trump's legal team is photographed Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. The letter details that the National Archives recovered 100 documents bearing classified markings, totaling more than 700 pages, from an initial batch of 15 boxes retrieved from Mar-a-Lago earlier in 2022.

Shift from paper to electronic records left documents harder to search

The technology for storing and transferring the records has changed dramatically in the last 40 years.

When former Bill Clinton left the White House, eight C-5 flights carried 67,000 cubic feet of records totaling an estimated 835 tons to Little Rock.

When George H.W. Bush sent his records to Texas A&M University, local law enforcement guarded a truck convoy at 4 a.m. carting the records to a converted bowling alley for storage until his presidential library was built.

But email  and attachments  emerged under Reagan and exploded from then on. An estimated 600 million emails have been preserved under the Presidential Records Act, totaling the equivalent of 1 billion to 3 billion pages, according to Baron.

The proliferation of records made it difficult for NARA to review each document to remove personal information such as Social Security numbers from records before they are made accessible to the public. The result is only a small fraction of administration emails are publicly available.

Two exceptions that forced the release of emails: lawsuits and congressional requests for documents about Supreme Court nominees.

Three key lawsuits dealt with the Iran Contra scandal under Reagan, the tobacco case U.S. v. Philip Morris and a criminal conspiracy case.

The congressional requests covered documents dealing with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elana Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh, from when they each worked at the White House.

Absent a staff review, NARA policy is to release documents after 75 years to protect the privacy of people involved.

"But many of these records contain some of the most candid conversations of high-level officials that make up the meat of history," Baron added. "Dont we want to know sooner than in 75 years what people in the Obama White House said to each other?

Artificial intelligence technology could help make electronic records more accessible

Baron believes that new forms of artificial intelligence tools may greatly help process records and make them publicly available faster.

Cost estimates for the technology to be used by an agency such as the National Archives would range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars  less than the price of a military helicopter  and could unlock the records for researchers and the public, he said.

"The same tools and techniques can be applied to searching and filtering government records," Baron said.

A moving truck is parked outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on January 18, 2021. President Donald Trump is expected to return to his residence on Wednesday.

'Niagara Falls'

The National Archives has begun preparing for the continuing flood of electronic messages, but its a daunting task.

Congress began providing additional funding two decades ago under a program called Electronic Records Archives, which grew from $9.9 million in 2002 to $94 million a decade later, before becoming part of the agencys overall operating funds.

Leslie Johnston, director of digital preservation, said in a statement the National Archives developed expertise in preserving a large variety of electronic records after it began accepting records that were born digitally in 1971. In 2014, the National Archives updated its guidance to federal agencies about the preferred and acceptable file formats for long-term preservation, she said. By 2019, the agency published a Digital Preservation Framework outlining its approaches to preserving nearly 700 types of files, a plan that is updated quarterly, Johnson said.

Laurence Brewer, chief records officer for the National Archives, said in a statement a key part of the agency's ability to preserve the increasing volume of records is the Electronic Records Archives 2.0 system. The system, which is now being tested, is a secure, cloud-based system federal agencies developed to preserve the ever-increasing volume of electronic records, he said.

"NARA is focused on issuing updated guidance, new regulations, and additional oversight and reporting to facilitate and support this mission-critical function," Brewer said.

While the National Archives prepared to handle the wide variety and volume of electronic records, the government has edged toward preserving all of its records electronically.

In August 2012, Jeffrey Zients, the current White House chief of staff who was then acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, directed all federal agencies preserve all permanent records in an electronic format by the end of 2019.

The deadline slipped. In June 2019, OMB acting Director Russell Vought set a new deadline of the end of 2022.

On Dec. 23, 2022, OMB Director Shalanda Young moved the deadline to June 30, 2024.

Whenever the change happens, the government will produce even more electronic records.

Then expect a flood after that  Niagara Falls  within five to 10 years, consisting of potentially hundreds of millions if not billions of electronic records, Baron said. The question is: Is NARA ready for it?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Archives struggles to maintain flood of presidential records
This article was originally published in El Paso Matters.

Darek Perez knows the benefits of a good nights sleep. The freshman psychology major at the University of Texas at El Paso researched the topic and presented the results during his Introduction to Psychology course last fall, but knowing the benefits of sleep and doing are two different things.

Perez was among a handful of UTEP undergraduates who said they went to bed around midnight only to wake up five, six or seven hours later to start their day. Most admitted to feeling drowsy and unfocused at some point in the afternoon. A cup of coffee or a nap often helped them get through the day.

College students often take pride in their ability to overextend themselves to accommodate their academics, outside jobs, personal responsibilities and time with friends, but researchers have found that burning the candle at both ends eventually will lead to burnout or worse. Common symptoms of sleep deprivation include fatigue, depression, anxiety and irritability. Severe symptoms could include hallucinations and impaired judgment.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Sleep Research Society recommend that college students get seven to nine hours of sleep. Studies have shown that college students average about seven hours of sleep, but about 60% of them have poor quality sleep. That means they wake up tired and feel sleepy during the day.

I know what I need to do, but I have not progressed to the point of putting more sleep into my schedule, said Perez, who balances a full class schedule with an on-campus job. Im too busy.

Darek Perez, a freshman psychology major at the University of Texas at El Paso, says his busy school and work schedule keeps him from getting more than five hours of sleep at night. (Daniel Perez/El Paso Matters)

Students such as Perez are the reason that UTEPs Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) developed several workshops that focus on how students can prepare for a restful sleep, and the many benefits of sleep. CAPS generally offers these programs once per semester, but it also makes these presentations at the request of faculty and departments with student workers, said Brian Sneed, CAPS director and a staff psychologist.

Story continues

As college students prepare for their finals in early May, many of them will be stressed, and sleep deprived as they cram for exams. Sneed said the better suggestion to succeed academically around finals  and throughout the semester  is to get a good nights sleep.

One of the more popular CAPS programs on this topic is The ABCs of Zs, where counselors emphasize the importance of having a routine before bedtime to train the body for sleep. He also recommends students refrain from caffeinated drinks later in the day and create a cooler sleeping environment.

Sneed said his counselors work with many students with newfound independence who have developed bad habits that hinder their ability to sleep well. He said that some students have mental battles between their priorities of academics and socializing and the workshops help students to refocus.

A consistent eight hours of sleep is going to maximize your learning potential, Sneed said during an interview in his CAPS office on the second floor of Union Building West. Some people dont prioritize that.

The psychologist said science has shown that trying to catch up on sleep during weekends and late-night cram sessions before a test do not work. He said lack of sleep disrupts the ability for people to file short-term information in their long-term memory.

If you dont get enough sleep, its as if youre crumpling (information) up and throwing it in a filing cabinet and then hoping at some point you can pull the right one out during the test, Sneed said.

The NSF reported that a person taking a final exam after pulling an all-night study session has the same effect as taking a test with a blood alcohol level of 0.05%.

Related More Productivity or Zombied Out Students? Congress Ponders Permanent Daylight Saving Time, But Sleep Experts Say Theyve Got it Backwards

Researchers recently published the results of a sleep study of first-year college students at three different institutions. The findings in Nightly sleep duration predicts grade point average in the first year of college, in the peer-reviewed journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) included that every lost hour of nightly sleep equated to a 0.07 drop in end-of-term GPA.

Dana Garcia, a freshman microbiology major, said that she usually goes to bed at midnight and wakes up seven hours later. Her pre-sleep routine is to brush her teeth, take a natural sleep supplement, and do a final check of her phone or laptop computer.

She said she gets tired by late afternoon, and usually rests after she returns to her Horizon City home.

If I dont get my seven hours of sleep, I have trouble waking up, Garcia said. It affects my school day.

At workshops, CAPS representatives suggest self-awareness techniques that students can use to relieve stress, relax mind and body, and take care of the real issues that affect them as they prepare for sleep.

Sneed said one method is to combine thought and touch. Students use their thumb to touch their fingertips one at a time and contemplate a positive thought for each finger such as a good thing that happened that day, something that made them feel good that day, a happy memory, and something that makes them proud of themselves. This technique moves the mind from a stressful place of deadlines and assignments to a more positive plane.

Sleep is not an issue for Christian Sierra, a senior mechanical engineering major. He said he usually goes to bed at midnight and wakes up six hours later. He said that he drinks a cup of coffee in the afternoon to get through his classes.

I stay up late because thats when I can get things done, Sierra said.

Before bed, he takes a shower, brushes his teeth and turns on his desk fan, which cools his room and produces a soft hum.

If its too quiet or too warm, I know I forgot to turn on my fan, Sierra said.

In serious cases of sleep deficiency, counselors work with students to learn if problems such as insomnia are brought on by stress, anxiety and depression, or vice versa, to offer the right treatment. Chronic sleep deprivation could build into psychosis, a mental disorder where the mind disconnects from reality.

If students come to CAPS with sleep-related issues, counselors initially will suggest the students rule out physical or biological issues. If the problem persists, CAPS will try to address it because they understand the value of sleep.

As Thomas Roth, former editor-in-chief of the journal Sleep, said, Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow.

This article first appeared on El Paso Matters and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Sitting around a table decades ago with a few friends and even more beers, Robert Craig Knievel was at the height of his fame. The stuntman, better known as Evel Knievel, was still reveling in the success of his 1967 Caesars Palace fountains motorcycle jump  and by success, he crashed but walked to jump another day.

A friend pointed to a picture of the Grand Canyon behind Knievel and asked, Hey, is that going to be your next jump? Knievel had been performing stunts for over a decade by this point; he was so famous that children played with action figures of him, and thousands of people watched his stunts in person or on ABCs Wide World of Sports.

Im not sure how many drinks hed had, but he shot back and said, Yeah, I could jump the Grand Canyon,  Mike Patterson, co-founder of the Evel Knievel Museum in Kansas, said with a chuckle in a recent interview with the Idaho Statesman.

Oddly Idaho explores curious quirks and nostalgic moments in the Gem State.

In the end, Knievel never got to jump the Grand Canyon. Then-U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall denied Knievel permission. So in 1971, he came up with a new location:

Idahos Snake River Canyon.

Over the next couple of years, he found his way to Idaho and the Snake River and leased some land, Patterson said. And pretty much said, You know, since Im the person in charge of this land, they cant tell me what to do. 

A snake-bitten endeavor

The plan was simple: Knievel would strap himself into a steam-powered rocket, launch himself hundreds of feet into the air with little control over what happened next, travel the approximate half-mile across the canyon, and land on the other side to a cheering crowd.

The reality? A parachute deployment malfunction resulted in Knievel landing about 10 feet away from likely death.

The jump occurred Sept. 8, 1974, just a couple miles east of Twin Falls. Knievel teamed up with rocket engineer Bob Truax to create the Skycycle X-2, a steam-powered, 16-foot-long rocket with a small cockpit around the middle.

Story continues

They heated the water up inside the rocket to around 600 degrees, Patterson said. And it basically was just pull the plug.

The first Skycycle X-2 steam rocket, which is now housed at the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. The rocket was tested months before Knievels official jump and fell straight into the Snake River.

Knievel was no stranger to crashing  its claimed that he suffered 434 broken bones in his career. But the Snake River Canyon jump was doomed from the start.

Knievels crew initially tested the jump without the stuntman in the rocket a couple of months before the official jump. That rocket plummeted straight into the Snake River and is now housed at the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. The Knievel family still owns the identical rocket used for the final jump.

Secondly, Knievels original suit had D-rings that kept him strapped into the rocket, but his team quickly realized if Knievel fell into the river, he wouldnt be able to unhook himself. So a new suit was created, allowing for an easier escape. But come the big day, a huge mistake was made.

One of the crewmen noticed that he put on the original suit, which he was unable to unstrap himself from, Patterson said. They told him, and he just said, Too late now. He really thought he was in trouble then.

Then there is the parachute failure. In front of about 30,000 people, Knievel blasted off from his earthen launch ramp and above the canyon at about 300 mph. But as he flew above the gorge, the Skycycles emergency parachutes deployed due to the extreme power exerted by the steam-powered propulsion, according to Patterson.

Knievel wouldve made the jump, Patterson said, but instead the steam-powered rocket spiraled toward the canyon floor and rushing river below.

It disappears below the rim of the canyon, and nobody can see anything, said Leigh Montville, author of the book Evel, on the Discovery Channel documentary Pure Evel: American Legend.

Members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club  who Patterson says were hired to keep the crowd from the canyons edge  pushed and strained to see if Knievel had survived.

He landed about 10 feet from the water by accident, Patterson said. Absolutely no control over that. And thats how close it was for him to pass away from drowning.

Evel Knievel waves as he is lowered into his rocket in this Sept. 8, 1974, file photo before his failed attempt at a highly promoted 3/4-mile leap across the Snake River Canyon outside Twin Falls.

Visiting the jump sight today

Knievel died in Florida in 2007 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition related to diabetes, according to his obituary in the New York Times. But his legend lives on. Fanatics can visit the Evel Knievel Museum in Kansas, which houses hundreds of memorabilia items, including the huge Mack truck called Big Red that Knievel traveled in.

The test rocket resides on the second floor of the museum. Its front is banged and scraped but otherwise remains in good condition, and dirt from the canyon floor surrounds it.

But a little closer to home, Knievel fans can still find the jump ramp about two miles east of the Twin Falls Visitor Center. Visitors can see the ramp from the visitor center, according to Visit Southern Idaho, but a 1.8-mile walk along the Centennial Trail will take viewers to within 100 feet of the iconic site that once hosted one of the most famous stuntmen in history.
(CNN)  Turkey's fiercely contested presidential election appears likely to go to a second round after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to secure 50% of votes cast to decisively extend his 20-year rule.

The high stakes election will ultimately decide the fate of a key NATO ally and regional power broker at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine has plunged much of the world into uncertainty.

The mood noticeably darkened at the headquarters of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Istanbul on Sunday evening as his early lead slipped away.

With 97.95% of votes counted, state-run Anadolu news agency reported Erdogan had 49.34% of votes, compared to 44.99% for his main opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu  meaning neither could claim an outright win.

The third candidate, Sinan Ogan, received 5.28% of votes, according to Anadolu, raising the possibility he could be a kingmaker in a runoff. He tweeted that a second vote is "quite possible," and that "Turkish nationalists and Ataturkists are in a key position for this election."

Kilicdaroglu welcomed the prospect of a runoff vote and said his party would triumph.

"If our nation says second round, we gladly accept it. We will absolutely win this election in the second round. Everyone will see that," he said, of the runoff, slated for May 28.

Sunday's race poses the biggest challenge yet to Turkey's strongman leader Erdogan, who faced economic headwinds and criticism that the impact of the devastating February 6 earthquake.

For the first time, Turkey's factious opposition coalesced around a single candidate, Kilicdaroglu, who represents an election coalition of six opposition parties.

Before the vote, analysts predicted that Erdogan would not give up power without a struggle  and that even if Kilicdaroglu managed to pull ahead, it was possible the numbers could be contested.

The outcome of the make-or-break vote is also being closely watched internationally, especially in Moscow and Europe.

Turkey, a NATO member that has the alliance's second-largest army, has strengthened its ties with Russia in recent years. In 2019, it even bought weapons from the country in defiance of the US.

More recently Erdogan has raised eyebrows in the West by continuing to maintain close ties with Russia as it continues its Ukraine onslaught, and has caused a headache for NATO's expansion plans by stalling the membership of Finland and Sweden.

Rivals both confident

Earlier in the count, Erdogan was confident he'd secure enough votes to win the election.

"We believe we will finish this round with over 50% of the votes," he told supporters at the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party headquarters in Ankara.

Kilicdaroglu earlier accused Erdogan's AK Party of demanding recounts and delaying results in opposition strongholds, including in Ankara and Istanbul.

Speaking to CNN from a polling station in Istanbul's Beyogly district, voter Korhan Futaci, 46, said: "My vote is for freedom. My vote is for the future of our kids. I'm hopeful."

Yeliz Sahin, 46, whose brother and his son died in the earthquake, said: "It's a historical moment that we've been waiting for for 20 years. This whole system needs to change."

Meanwhile first-time voter Eren Uzmele, 19, said: "The future of the country is in our hands. It's in the hands of the youth."

Kilicdaroglu, a mild mannered 74-year-old former bureaucrat, has promised to fix Turkey's faltering economy and restore democratic institutions compromised by a slide to authoritarianism during Erdogan's tenure.

Leading candidates cast their vote

After casting his vote in Istanbul, Erdogan told reporters: "We pray to God for a better future for our country, our nation, and Turkish democracy."

Meanwhile, after voting in Ankara, Kilicdaroglu said: "We all missed democracy, being together and embracing so much. Hopefully, from now on you will see spring will come to this country and it will always continue."

Erdogan concluded his election campaign on Saturday night by praying at Hagia Sophia -- a mosque and major historic site in Istanbul. In contrast, Kilicdaroglu visited the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey and staunch secularist.

Erdogan has been extolling the virtues of his long rule, campaigning on a platform of stability, independent foreign policy and continuing to bolster Turkey's defense industry. Recently, he raised the wages of government workers by 45% and lowered the retirement age.

Over the last two years, Turkey's currency has plummeted and prices have ballooned, prompting a cost of living crisis that has chipped away at Erdogan's conservative, working class support base.

When a vicious earthquake on February 6 laid waste to large parts of southeast Turkey, Erdogan's battled political aftershocks. His critics chastized him for a botched rescue effort and lax building controls that his ruling Justice and Development (AK) party presided over for two decades.

In the weeks after the quake, the government rounded up dozens of contractors, construction inspectors and project managers for violating building rules. Critics dismissed the move as scapegoating.

The government has also apologized for "mistakes" that were made in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

The quake claimed over 51,000 lives in Turkey and neighboring Syrian. Thousands are still unaccounted for, with unmarked graves peppering the southeastern Turkish countryside.

On Thursday, Kilicdaroglu was boosted further by the late withdrawal from the race of a minor candidate, Muharrem Ince. Ince had low polling numbers but some opposition figures feared he would split the anti-Erdogan vote.

Turkey holds elections every five years. More than 1.8 million voters living abroad already cast their votes on April 17, Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported Wednesday, citing the country's deputy foreign minister. Over 65 million Turks are eligible to vote.

The Supreme Election Council (YSK) chief Ahmet Yener said last month that at least 1 million voters in quake-stricken zones are expected not to vote this year amid displacement.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Erdogan heading for a runoff in Turkeys fiercely fought elections"
BERLIN (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy collected the prestigious Charlemagne Prize on behalf of the Ukrainian people on Sunday in honour of services to Europe, capping a visit to Germany in which he secured new military aid and warm support from Berlin.

Zelenskiy flew to the western city of Aachen with Chancellor Olaf Scholz following talks in the German capital. He received a standing ovation at a ceremony in the Coronation room of Aachen town hall, where he was awarded the prize, which celebrates services to European unification.

"Ukrainians will always make Europe stronger," Zelenskiy said in English before switching to Ukrainian to address the gathering that included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"Ukraine is proposing a victory not just in this war but a victory over aggression, annexations, deportations over the catastrophe of genocide, anywhere throughout the world," he said.

Speaking at the same event, Scholz stressed Germany's backing for Ukrainian aspirations to join the European Union although he had earlier side-stepped a question on Kyiv's rapid accession to the NATO military alliance.

"Vladimir Putin may have thought he could force the Ukrainian nation off its path to Europe through violence, but all his tanks, drones and rocket launchers have had quite the opposite effect," Scholz said.

The German government announced 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion) of military aid to Ukraine on Saturday, its biggest such package since Russia's invasion.

Aachen was the residence of the Emperor Charlemagne, often called the father of Europe, who managed to unite much of western Europe in the early ninth century.

The Ukrainian people, under Zelenskiy's leadership, are fighting not only for their country "but also Europe and European values", the prize committee said in a statement.

The award underscored the committee's conviction that Ukraine deserved "to enter swiftly into accession negotiations with the European Union".

Previous recipients of the prize include French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

(Reporting by Matthias Williams, Sarah Marsh, Ronald Popeski, Andreas Rinke; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv and its Western supporters could make Russia's defeat in the war in Ukraine "irreversible" this year, as he thanked Germany for its military support.

The Ukrainian leader told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin that Kyiv would always be grateful to Germany for its support during Russia's full-scale invasion.

"Now is the time for us to determine the end of the war already this year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible already this year," he said.

Ukraine is expected to launch major counter-offensive operations in the coming weeks to try to recapture tracts of its east and south from Russian forces who launched a full-scale invasion in February last year.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv was prepared to discuss outside initiatives from other states to bring peace to his country but that those proposals should be based on Ukraine's position and its peace plan.

"The war is happening on the territory of our country and so any peace plan will be based on Ukraine's proposals," he said.

Kyiv has ruled out the idea of any territorial concessions to Russia and has said it wants every inch of its land back. Russia claims to have annexed the Crimean peninsula and four other Ukrainian regions, which Moscow now calls Russian land.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by David Goodman and Mike Harrison)
Britain this week announced it was sending Storm Shadow missiles, becoming the first country to send longer-range arms to Kyiv

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called Germany a "true friend" in his country's battle against Russia, as Berlin pledged unwavering support for Kyiv ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive.

Berlin unveiled a new military package for Kyiv worth 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), its biggest yet for Ukraine, just before Zelensky's first visit to Germany since Russia's invasion.

"In the most challenging time in the modern history of Ukraine, Germany proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, which stands decisively side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values," Zelensky wrote in the guestbook at the German president's official residence.

He also thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "powerful support" in the form of the armaments package, saying "everything in this security package will significantly strengthen our defence".

"Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible," he said.

Ukrainian forces have been training troops and stockpiling Western-supplied munitions and hardware that analysts say will be key to reclaiming territory captured by Russia.

Once accused of reticence in supplying military gear to Ukraine, Germany has since become the second-biggest contributor of tanks, rockets and anti-missile systems to the country, after the United States.

Scholz on Sunday reiterated Berlin's firm backing, telling Zelensky directly: "We will support you for as long as it is necessary."

Zelensky said he would urge Scholz to support Ukraine's bid for fighter jet deliveries, though he did not specify if he was seeking aircraft directly from Germany.

Together with Scholz, Zelensky will head later Sunday to the western German city of Aachen, which this year is awarding him and the Ukrainian people the Charlemagne prize -- an honour awarded for efforts to foster European unity.

Story continues

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are also due to attend the ceremony in Aachen -- giving Zelensky the opportunity for direct talks ahead of an EU summit in Reykjavik on Tuesday, followed by the G7 gathering of world leaders in Hiroshima, Japan.

Anticipating Zelensky's arrival, several hundred Ukraine supporters holding blue balloons and wearing yellow-and-blue flags around their shoulders held a rally in Aachen.

Olga Zelenska, 37, told AFP she came to show her support for her country. "We are proud," she said, when asked about the Charlemagne award for her people.

- 'Historical shame' -

Zelensky's visit to Germany followed talks in Rome on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, and rounds off over a year of choppy relations with Berlin.

Early on in the conflict, Kyiv had accused Germany of being too accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Berlin's reliance on Russian energy had proved tricky.

Kyiv had also snubbed a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the weeks following the invasion, which in turn delayed Scholz's first trip to the war-torn country.

Both Steinmeier and Scholz have since visited Ukraine.

In a clear show of its backing for Kyiv, Berlin on Saturday said it would send Ukraine more firing units and launchers for the Iris-T anti-missile system, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and over 200 surveillance drones.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, hailed the announcement, saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame".

As Kyiv prepares its offensive to retake ground in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south, Germany's continued military backing will likely prove vital.

High-tech German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks sought by Kyiv have already been put to use at the frontlines, and the medium-range Iris-T missile defence system from Germany is also helping to bolster Ukraine's protection against Russian strikes.

- 'Inaction' -

On the front line, Russia said Sunday that two of its military commanders had been killed in combat near the flashpoint town of Bakhmut.

In a rare announcement of losses on the battlefield, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement that the commander of the 4th motorised rifle brigade, Vyacheslav Makarov, and Yevgeny Brovko, deputy commander of the Army Corps for military-political work, had been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The head of Russia's private Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin again accused the Russian army of inaction around Bakhmut.

In a post published by his press service, Prigozhin slammed the "airborne forces" of not backing his men as claimed by the defence ministry.

"I didn't see them... I don't know where they are and who they are helping," he charged.

Elsewhere, Moscow said Russian forces had struck Western arm depots and Ukrainian troops in the western city of Ternopil and the eastern town of Petropavlivka.

bur-hmn-mfp/giv
Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, believes that the eventual liberation of the eastern city of Bakhmut will be a "prelude" to the expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Source: Podoliak in an interview with Bild, a German media outlet

Quote from Podoliak: "Ukraine has seized the initiative. It doesnt mean that Bakhmut will be liberated tomorrow, but fierce fighting will continue, and Russias combat capability will continue diminishing.

[...] In a broader sense, Bakhmut is just a prelude to the counteroffensive, a door that will open opportunities for Ukraine to launch a successful counteroffensive."

Details: Asked when the counteroffensive might begin, Podoliak explained that the counteroffensive was "not a one-off event that might start today and end tomorrow, but a multitude of actions, dozens, even hundred of actions, some of which are already being undertaken."

He noted that attacks on Russian logistics undermine the Russian armys capabilities.

"We have also made some small-scale, localised advances in parts of Donetsk Oblast," he added.

Quote from Podoliak: "I believe that we will see catastrophic events befalling the Russian army. It will be forced to rapidly withdraw from the occupied territories.

[...] I believe that this spring-summer season will be heated. The myth of the mighty Russian army, which has haunted Europe and Germany for so long, is finally being dispelled."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believed in the success of the agreement to supply Ukraine with fighter jets as he visited European capitals.

Source: Zelenskyy at a joint briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Partly, my visits to European capitals are aimed at this very thing [the formation of a "coalition of fighters"  ed.]. I think we will be successful. Today, I will also appeal to the German side to support Ukraine in this coalition. It is very important for us."

Details: In this context, Zelenskyy noted, it is important to coordinate efforts and "be powerful in the airspace".

"We are not talking about superiority; today Russia has the advantage in the Ukrainian sky. But our task is to be powerful in airspace," Zelenskyy said.

Background:

Zelenskyy also said that this year it is time to determine the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

On 14 May, Scholz welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with military honours at his office in Berlin on Sunday.

On 13 May, President Zelenskyy visited Rome and the Vatican.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that his conversation with Pope Francis on Saturday 13 May could influence history.

Source: President's evening address

Quote: "I met Pope Francis, and it was a conversation that could really influence history, and could really help stop the evil of aggression.

I told him about the crimes committed by the Russian invaders against our people, about the deportation of Ukrainian children. Even the exact number of children Russia stole from Ukraine and hid from their relatives, from Ukraine, somewhere in a foreign land, is unknown. I asked His Holiness to help bring our children back home to Ukraine.

I also talked about other points of our peace formula, besides the return of all the deported people and prisoners. And I believe that the will and sincerity of His Holiness can bring the implementation of our formula of peace closer, can bring a just, honest peace closer. "

On Saturday, Zelenskyy and the Pope talked for 40 minutes and exchanged gifts in the Vatican.

Zelenskyy and the Pope later revealed details of their talk. In particular, Zelenskyy wrote that he had asked the Pope to condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Presidents of Ukraine and Germany Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a meeting in Berlin

The two presidents met in Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German president. Pictures of the meeting were published by Reuters news agency.

"We discussed the current situation and the intensive cooperation between Germany and Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram after the meeting."

Germany will continue to support Ukraine politically, militarily and financially for as long as is necessary," he added.

Zelenskyy thanked the German people and Steinmeier personally for theirsupport in his written message in the palace's guestbook. He called Germany a faithful friend and a reliable partner of Ukraine, Germanys Bildnewspaper reported."Danke Deutschland! (Thank you, Germany!)" Zelenskyy wrote at the end of the message in German.

Zelenskyy then went to the Federal Chancellery in the centre of Berlin then, where he received military honours. The orchestra performed the Ukrainian anthem, and he was officially greeted by the German chancellor.

Talks in a narrow and expanded circle followed the meeting ceremony. Berlin has taken serious security measures for the visit: many police are on duty and snipers are on the roofs.

Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin at night and first went to the headquarters of the German Ministry of Defence.

Earlier, on May 13, he visited Rome in Italy, where he held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, and then met with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

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
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned European countries that political, economic and trade barriers threaten all of Europe.

Source: President Zelenskyys speech during the Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Germany

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Europes most lasting peace and greatest security have been ensured by building ties, not barriers, between the peoples of Europe. And when instead of strengthening our ties we face new barriers  whether in politics, economics, or trade. These barriers remind us of past mistakes, and we see a threat not just to one European nation, but to the whole of Europe."

Details: Zelenskyy then addressed Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"Mateusz, I am very grateful for Polands enormous support for Ukraine. It is very important for us to preserve this unity. Grains of misunderstanding between anyone in Europe should not give rise to conflict. This is a fundamental interest of all our people. Europe gains strength and prosperity every time a barrier on the continent crumbles," Zelenskyy said.

Previously: On 2 May, the European Commission adopted exceptional and temporary preventive measures on limited imports from Ukraine, after five EU member states accused Ukrainian agricultural imports of causing local prices to crash.

The European Commissions new regulations thus overrode the unilateral decisions of five countries, applying the import ban to four agricultural products: wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine.

At the same time, the EU is expected to offer financial support for farmers in the five EU member states affected, as well as measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain through "solidarity routes" to other EU member states and third countries.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reacted to the Washington Post's report on Ukraine's plans to occupy Russian villages, saying that Ukraine is "not infiltrating anything".

Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Germany

Details: A journalist asked whether it was true that Ukraine was planning to infiltrate Russian territory to gain a better position in the war.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "As for infiltration...

As the president of Ukraine, when I want to go somewhere, I go officially, and I don't infiltrate anywhere."

Update: Zelenskyy later added that Ukraine was not attacking Russian territory, saying that it lacked time and spare means, and had no need to do so. Ukraines priority is to liberate its own territories, he stressed.

Background: According to secret US intelligence documents, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested occupying Russian villages to gain leverage over Moscow, as well as blowing up the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Zelenskyy rejects the possibility of negotiations with Putin

Read also: Zelenskyy to meet with Pope Francis in Rome during official visit

Zelenskyy gave his view after an Italian journalist asked whether he was ready to talk to Putin if necessary.

In response, the Ukrainian leader recalled that when he became president, he tried to negotiate with the head of the aggressor state to end the hybrid war in Donbas, but it did not yield any results.

Read also: Russia has considered replacing Putin for a year  Budanov

"There is nothing to talk to him about," Zelenskyy stated.

"I'll give you an example from my life. In 2019, I became president. There was a lot of different criticism, people didn't want to talk to Putin. I said: 'I will, I will try a dialog'. It didn't give me any advantages in politics  I genuinely wanted to end the war, I wanted to find an agreement. It took us a long time to decide, because he was like a princess, sorry, he couldn't find a format in which we could meet. We did everything, and I did everything, to have a conversation."

And in the end, he recalled, an agreement was reached with Russia on a ceasefire, but the Russians did not adhere to it.

"We had a dialog on the phone, we had a meeting in the Normandy format," the head of state said.

Read also: Many countries pushing Ukraine to start negotiations with Russia, says top security official

"We exchanged the first 110 people and I was very happy. We agreed not to shoot: 'Let's do this - there will be a ceasefire for some time, and after that we will move on'. Daily provocations (began): one person was wounded, one person was killed. I called him, and there was a conversation that it could not be an accident: there are snipers from the occupied territories along this border (demarcation line). It was a live safari: they were coming and practicing on us. And everybody knew that they were bringing these special forces and these snipers from other territories where they were fighting. It was a safari. They allowed them to train on us, on living people."

Story continues

Zelenskyy said that he tried to have a dialog with Putin, but the Russian leader in fact didn't want (to find a compromise).

"I tried to find a dialog," the president said.

"After that, we did not have any dialog. I made many requests to the Kremlin. I never hid it. I called all the states, absolutely: Israel, the United States, Britain, Germany, France. I asked everyone. I just wanted to talk on the phone. I said that I believed that the number of shots was increasing, the number of deaths on the contact line was increasing, there was a serious threat, there could be an escalation."

But Putin, according to him, agreed to the talks only to use them to his advantage.

"With whom to talk?," Zelenskyy asked.

Read also: Putin cancels Victory Day parades as Ukraine invasion continues to unravel  opinion

"With whom? He doesn't want anything. It's a joke for him. Now that he sees that he has become weaker, Russia is looking for something to calm down all the states. So that sanctions are not imposed, so that we are not helped, it can take some diplomatic step. But after that, believe me, in a year's time, he will come in an invasion to kill us again. Everything is obvious with him: he does not understand what is happening, he is an insane human."

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
Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Olaf Scholz in Berlin on May 14

"Were now working to create a coalition of fighter jets, and partly my visits to European capitals are aimed at this. I think we will succeed. Today I will also appeal to Germany to support Ukraine in this coalition. It's important for us," Zelenskyy said.

Read also: Former German general advocates sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

He added that he had discussed this issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during their second meeting.

Scholz, in his turn, emphasized the large amount of support Ukraine has received from Germany in its fight against Russian aggression.

"We have delivered a lot, including air defence systems such as Patriot, IRIS-T, as well as Gepard (anti-aircraft tanks) and other weapons, different artillery systems, multiple launchers, etc. We are focusing on this," the chancellor said.

Read also: Ukraine to get two or three types of Western fighter jets, one as main one, Reznikov says

The German government announced on May 13 a new aid package for Ukraine worth EUR 2.7 billion ($3 billion), which will be the largest since Russias full-scale invasion began. It includes tanks, drones and new air defence systems.

Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on May 14, where he met with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Scholz.

Zelenskyy also visited Rome the day before, where he held talks with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the President Sergio Mattarella. He also had private talks with Pope Francis in the Vatican.

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
PARIS (AP)  France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palace  an encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leaders arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour.

With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macron's office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the weeks ahead," without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details weren't made public.

More Ukrainians will also be made battle-ready, with France aiming to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in France this year and nearly 4,000 others in Poland as part of a wider European effort, Macron's office said.

In a statement, France described its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as unwavering and promised that its political, economic, humanitarian and military aid will continue for as long as necessary.

In a tweet on his arrival, Zelenskyy said: With each visit, Ukraines defense and offensive capabilities are expanding. The ties with Europe are getting stronger, and the pressure on Russia is growing."

France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air defense systems, light tanks, howitzers and other arms and equipment and fuel.

France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday and discussed his country's planned counteroffensive. Zelenskyy said it will aim to liberate Russian-occupied areas within Ukraines internationally recognized borders, and not attack Russian territory.

Story continues

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of U.S. intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022. This would put him at odds with Western governments that have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia.

Asked about the report, Zelenskyy said: We dont attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.

We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia), he said, according to an official interpreter. And we also dont have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.

We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally, Zelenskyy said.

Among areas still occupied by Russia are the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine with mainly Russian-speaking populations.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the invasion and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for the support, saying Germany is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine  and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer! he wrote on Twitter.

Scholz said that Berlin has so far given Kyiv some 17 billion euros in bilateral aid and that it can expect more in future.

After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Modern Western hardware is considered crucial if Ukraine is to succeed in its planned counteroffensive.

In the western German city of Aachen, Zelenskyy also received the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to him and the people of Ukraine.

In her congratulatory speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared the war in Ukraine to the fall of the Iron Curtain more than 30 years ago.

Every generation has its moment when it has to stand up to defend democracy and what it believes in, she said. For us, that moment has come.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to turn back the clock of European history.

Modern Russia waged war not just on us, as a free and sovereign state, not just against united Europe as a global symbol of peace and prosperity, he said in his acceptance speech. This is Russias war for the past.

In other developments:

Zelenskyys chief aide, Andriy Yermak, said Sunday that five civilians died in Ukraines southern Kherson region when an unexploded Russian shell blew up.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed explosive drones, which wounded more than 30 people, according to the Ukrainian military. Eighteen of the 23 drones were shot down, but those that got through, and wreckage from those intercepted, damaged 50 apartment buildings, private homes and other buildings, the military said without providing further details.

Russia also hit the western city of Ternopil and southern city of Mykolaiv with rockets, wounding an unspecified number of civilians.

Shelling by Russian forces killed a 59-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man Sunday in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv province, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukrainian forces had killed two of its colonels in the Bakhmut area.

___

Jordans reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers David Rising in Kyiv and Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

"I spoke about the Peace Formula, about justice, and about the fact that our world should be united by the rules of international law," he said.

"Anyone who helps the aggressor with weapons will be an accomplice, with all the consequences," the president said, referring to recent reports in the U.S. media that South Africa had delivered weapons supplies to Russia.

U.S. ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety earlier alleged that a Russian ship had been loaded with weapons at a naval base near Cape Town in December last year. South Africa has claimed to be neutral with regards to Russias war of aggression and full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: South Africa accused of supplying weapons to Russia

The Lady R, a Russian merchant ship under the U.S. sanctions for arms shipment, was spotted docked in Simon's Town's naval base, South Africa.

Containers with unknown contents were loaded to the vehicle for two nights in a row under the supervision of armed guards, the U.S. Wall Street Journal reported. At that time the vessel's automatic identification system was off, and it was switched on only when the vessel more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) away from Simon's Town.

The United States in May 2022 sanctioned the Russian shipping company Transmorflot and six of its vessels, including the Lady R, for transporting weapons that Russia uses in its full-scale war against 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
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leader of the Belarusian opposition in exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefly crossed paths in Germany during the 2023 Charlemagne International Prize ceremony.

Source: European Pravda

Congratulations to @ZelenskyyUa and the People of Ukraine for being awarded the International Charlemagne Prize Award 2023. #karlspreis2023 pic.twitter.com/TJ5t6GrE27  Karlspreis (@KarlspreisAC) May 14, 2023

The Charlemagne Prize, which is awarded for contribution to the unification of Europe, was awarded to the President and people of Ukraine this year. The ceremony was attended by many European politicians.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya posted a video on Twitter from the sidelines, as she and Zelenskyy briefly shook hands and greeted each other. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola are standing nearby.

I was honored to meet President @ZelenskyyUa today in #Aachen & to congratulate him on this year's @KarlspreisAC. We stand united with Ukraine  for freedom & for democracy. #karlspreis2023 pic.twitter.com/h2XX9SOAQQ  Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) May 14, 2023

As it is known, this is the first time that Zelenskyy and Tsikhanouskaya crossed paths at a public event.

Story continues

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ran for the 2020 presidential election in Belarus instead of her husband Sergei, who was detained during the election campaign and sentenced to 18 years in prison in December 2021.

Since the suppression of protests by Belarusians against election fraud, Tsikhanouskaya has been abroad, where she carries out actual political activities as a legitimate representative of Belarus recognized by a number of Western states.

Last year, Tsikhanouskaya announced the creation of a "collective executive body"  the United Transitional Cabinet, and also suggested Zelenskyy establish diplomatic relations with it.

In March 2023, the informal representation of democratic Belarus started operating in Brussels.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that during his visit to Italy he and the Prime Minister of Italy agreed on supply of weapons and air defence for Ukraine.

Source: President's evening address

Quote: "We have agreed on new joint defence steps with Giorgia [Meloni], the Prime Minister. There are good things we are doing together to protect the skies [of Ukraine  ed.]. There are good things we will do together for our defence on the ground.

[We've] reached agreement [on supply of  ed.] weapons and air defence. As Giorgia correctly said, when we defend freedom and our lives from Russian bombs and missiles, defend them from terror in Ukraine, we push the war away from the rest of Europe. "

Earlier: Zelenskyy said after talks with Meloni that important decisions have been made by Ukraine and Italy to protect the Ukrainian skies. He did not share any details.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Liberty University sent off the Class of 2023 into the world Friday evening, with a ceremony followed by fireworks.

Jonathan Falwell, campus pastor and newly appointed chancellor of the university, told students and families Friday evening, we celebrate with you, we rejoice with you and tonight is going to be a special night.

We recognize, more importantly, that the days ahead are far more important, and what you do through your life and through your ministry as Champions for Christ is what this university is all about.

There was an estimated crowd of 60,000 people visiting campus this weekend for commencement ceremonies with more than 28,000 degrees conferred, 23,762 graduating through online programs according to a release from the college  1,325 associate degrees, 11,242 bachelors degrees, 1,901 graduate certificates, 10,602 masters degrees, 2,439 doctoral degrees, 1,200 Liberty Online Academy high school diplomas.

President Jerry Prevo was honored in his final commencement ceremony as the universitys president.

In honor of his service as a board member and president, Prevo was presented with an original bottle that came from the Donald Duck Bottling Company 67 years ago, which LU founder Jerry Falwell Sr. established as the original location of Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956.

Thank you for helping us keep the vision alive, Falwell said.

Prevo was also recognized as president emeritus, which is a status given to a president who has retired, honoring his service.

Dr. Prevo, you are loved here on Liberty Mountain, said Tim Lee, chairman of the universitys board of trustees.

Prevo began his address by acknowledging the 2023 graduates and all of the students at LU.

Weve been able to meet you, learn your name and where youre from, and your ambitions and your dreams for the future. I must tell you that you are an extraordinary  exciting group of students, Prevo said. I believe youre going to be world changers as you leave this place.

Prevo encouraged graduates to do five things: never stop learning, be adaptable because life is unpredictable, be kind, never give up and remember your purpose.

Congratulations and God bless you as you leave and go out to the world to be a champion for Christ, Prevo said.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told graduates in his commencement address, that when he graduated from college, he had no idea what God was going to do with his life.

He just made himself available to Him, and he urged graduates to do the same.

If you will just make yourself available to God, you just watch what he is going to do, Graham said.

He said his hope is this years graduates will be known as a class that stood for truth in a world overflowing with wickedness and deception and lies.

Graham said the world is changing and it has changed so much, since current graduates set foot on campus four years ago.

He mentioned the increase in violence and a moral decline, adding he cant help but think the heart of God is grieving as he looks at our world today.

Graham said the world is on a downward spiral because it has turned its back on God, saying the world is portraying there is no such thing as absolute truth, and he challenged the graduating class to combat that.

In a world overflowing with wickedness and deception and lies, I pray this class will stand for truth, Graham said.

Graham ended his address by urging the graduating class to use their degree for Gods glory, but more importantly hold up His banner of truth.

Know Him, trust Him, live for Him, lift Him up and I hope youll go forth today as his champion for Christ. May God bless each and every one of you, Graham said.

Josh Phillips, who received his bachelors in music and percussion performance, said its exciting to graduate, and its been a long five years.

Its definitely been a long road especially with kind of COVID, coming right in the middle of it  but you know, its been super cool to kind of work through all that and come out on the other side successful, Phillips said.

Lisa Glisson, who received a bachelors in business administration, said there was a lot of work just getting to graduation.

It was so difficult. I was here during the COVID years, it was uncharted territory. It took a lot of extra work and determination, and Im just so proud of myself and so proud of all my friends, Glisson said.

Graduates Brantley and Bryant Sloan, brothers and two years apart, both graduated together Friday evening, both receiving a Bachelor of Science in commercial music.

Brantley Sloan said its a dream come true to graduate with his brother.

I kept telling him, after we sat down, I kept saying we made it, man we made it, Brantley Sloan said.

Bryant Sloans path to graduation was different from his brothers, spending two semesters at the University of Georgia and taking a year off serving his local church. Bryant Sloan said he felt God told him to apply to Liberty, and after his mom urged him, he eventually applied.

He never imagined graduating with his brother.

I feel like Ive helped him take the jump to get here but he has literally been there the whole time, anytime I need help, which is a lot, hes like hey I got you. Its just a blessing to be able to help each other out, Bryant Sloan said.
American Legions Harvey T. Rimel Post 141 of Glenwood, Iowa honored Council Bluffs Police Sergeant Ty Boldra as their Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2023. Sgt. Boldra, his wife, Christina, and their children received the award at the American Legions annual Membership Dinner on March 11.

Sgt. Boldra has also been selected as the American Legion Department of Iowas Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and will be honored at their State Convention in Des Moines in July.

His nomination has now been submitted to the American Legions National Headquarters for possible selection as the Nations Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Sgt. Boldra graduated from Clarinda High School in May 2000, entered the U.S. Army in June 2000 and honorably served as a military policeman until his discharge in June 2005.

Boldra completed the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in January 2008 and has served the City of Council Bluffs for 15 years.
Controlled burns a benefit

Thank you for the article about controlled burns inside and just outside city limits, in last Sundays Nonpareil. One of the first things I noticed when we moved here 40 years ago was the large amount of trash trees and brush, and invasive woody plants within the city on land once covered by a sea of grass, some with roots 20 feet deep. Ive since wondered why fire is not used to help reduce and eliminate such species. Having grown up working for farmers, knowing wind conditions, having the right equipment, setting back fires are all part of using common sense.

Chad Graeve described how a control burn is planned and why burning is important I thank Chad for his persistence, common sense, his will and backbone and not kowtowing to threats of trial attorneys. I hope city officials have the will to follow suit.

Brian Hunter

Council Bluffs

Dog park costly

I recently read in the Nonpareil that the city has allocated $390,000 for a dog park. That is a fair sized chunk of change to exercise your pet.

I wonder how many potholes could be filled on our city streets for $390,000?

John Dalton

Council Bluffs

Thanks, Democrats

I believe one must remind people that ARPA funds were voted on by Democrats only. As Republican city officials and county Republican supervisors celebrate the good work these funds do, Joe Biden and Democrats provided that funding.

Richard Bleth

Underwood

Celebrating mothers

On Mothers Day, we thank God for placing in our lives mothers and mothering figures who are images of grace, love, tenderness, strength and courage. We also pray for Gods comfort and care for all those who struggle on this day.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Florida

Acceptance the greatest graduation gift

Across the Midwest, and our country, high school and college graduations are upon us!

What is unique about this years graduates? Well, as only one person I wouldnt dare to try to speak for everyone, but I will state the obvious: This years graduating high schoolers do not know a high school experience without COVID-19. We were in the middle of our freshman year when COVID hit, had a strange hybrid sophomore year, tried to get back to normal junior year, and at last, were graduating seniors now.

We experienced social isolation, concern for our families and friends, and like everyone, a disruption to the activities we love. It shouldnt really be a surprise then that according to the CDC in 2023, 44% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. There will be a heartbreaking empty chair at my schools graduation.

What can be done? There is no easy answer, but as youre thinking about what to get the graduates in your life and community, may I suggest something?

The most meaningful gift you can give this years graduates is acceptance. Some of us have big plans, some have small plans, some have no plans. Please accept and celebrate all of us. We survived. Others didnt.

Accept, celebrate and love all this years graduates. It sounds simple, but think about it, when was the last time you asked a young person about their future goals and just listened? You didnt offer advice, or try to convince them that this or that would be better, make more money, or be more realistic?

L. J. Isham said, Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals. Please extend your heart to the young people and graduates that you know. If you need support, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. It works everywhere in the country and gives free and confidential crisis resources for you and loved ones.

Enjoy graduation season. And watch out world  here we come!

Maggie Wadginski

Omaha, Nebraska
Weather Alert

WHAT...Air Quality Alert WHERE...DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL REGION - Nebraska-statewide WHEN... 5/18/2023 9:30 AM until 5/19/2023 12:00 PM POLLUTANT...PM 2.5 particulates AIR QUALITY INDEX...Moderate to Unhealthy ADDITIONAL DETAILS... An alert for possible Moderate to Unhealthy air quality (Air Quality Index yellow/orange/red category) due to smoke has been issued for the entire state of Nebraska, which includes the following counties: Adams, Antelope, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gage, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, Madison, McPherson, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Richardson, Rock, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Stanton, Thayer, Thomas, Thurston, Valley, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, York, from May 18, 9:30am through May 19, 12:00 pm. Smoke from fires in Canada is expected to impact air quality conditions in Nebraska. During Moderate (AQI yellow category) conditions, those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI orange category) conditions, members of sensitive groups are advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and avoid intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. During Unhealthy (AQI red category) conditions, some members of the general public may experience health effects and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. All are advised to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling. Smoke levels and wind directions are monitored by Nebraska and other states to predict when impacts to the air quality may occur. Air Quality alerts for smoke are issued for affected areas by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Environment and Energy and posted on agency webpages and social media sites. By notifying the media and local health departments, alerts help citizens protect their health by informing them of days where outdoor activities should be reduced or avoided to minimize exposure to smoke. Alerts are based on data available from weather forecasts, smoke plume modeling, satellite imagery, and from air quality monitors located in Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff.
Even as we wrote April 30 about Nebraskas next two-year state budget, we knew our biblical seven fat years and seven lean years analogy might be overcome by a simpler credo.

To wit: Give the money back to the people.

And thats what Gov. Jim Pillen and the Legislature will do.

Senators will take final votes this week on boosting state school aid and property tax credits; tapping the states fat cash reserve for the Perkins County Canal and a replacement state prison; delaying cash transfers to the reserve fund; and cutting state income tax rates even more than they were last year.

The net effect, the Nebraska Examiner reported last week, will be a cash reserve of $780 million  around one-third its current level.

Thus state leaders are betting enough extra money will come in to keep the cash reserve healthy, even if the seven lean years lie ahead.

Would that we were so confident. But history argues against that.

We do hope it all works. Nebraskas property owners have badly needed a rebalancing of the three-legged stool that funds our state and local governments through property, income and sales taxes.

State government has long needed to keep its three-decade-old promise of greater levels of state support for K-12 schools. This package does that.

Nebraska business leaders have constantly said our state income tax rates leave us uncompetitive. One cant compete with zero income taxes (think Wyomings oil and coal and Wyomings and South Dakotas natural wonders). But lower rates are on their way now.

And we would be remiss if we didnt thank state senators for their substantial, long-overdue investments in western Nebraska these past couple of sessions.

Completion of the $574.5 million Perkins County Canal, one of the budgets two big-ticket items, isnt our project per se. But clearly west central Nebraska will reap its rewards.

Like Lake McConaughy last year, Fort Robinson State Park will get well-justified help in realizing its full tourism potential. And the state will pitch in to help rebuild the Nebraska National Forests 4-H Camp, burned to the ground in last Octobers Bovee Fire.

If the moneys going to be spent, western Nebraska shouldnt be forgotten. And it wont be.

But we mentioned history. And Nebraskas history when our agricultural economy turns sour says these millions of dollars in property tax relief and state school aid will be the first things cut when the Legislature faces revenue shortfalls.

One wonders at Albion Sen. Tom Brieses boldness when he declared the cycle of boom-and-bust and budget cuts wont hold.

Future (senators) can hit the pause button, but I submit to you it wont be necessary, Briese said last week.

Ditto Elmwood Sen. Rob Clements, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, who said it would have to be desperate times for senators to raid the new, extra pot of state school aid.

Remember: We have seen desperate times before here. Enjoy this state budgets benefits. And wait and see.
Disorder at the border continues to benefit Trump. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Of all the issues that fed Donald Trumps unlikely conquest of the Republican Party in 2016, immigration and closely associated feelings of xenophobia were arguably the most important. Yes, a lot of rank-and-file Republicans, especially in the increasingly dominant category of white non-college educated voters, were by then disgruntled with the globalist trade policies and forever wars associated with their partys presidential and congressional leaders, along with their constant efforts to undermine wildly popular federal retirement programs. Trump feasted on all of that alienation. But before his arrival as a politician, there was an even stronger grassroots revolt against the liberalized immigration policies associated with George W. Bush and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain. The ugly racist underside of anti-immigrant sentiment was illustrated by the birther conspiracy theory that was Trumps ticket to credibility as a potential presidential candidate, with its suggestion that swarthy lawbreakers entering the United States had a champion in a swarthy interloper in the White House.

Eight years later, Trump is engaged in a comeback effort, and this time around he no longer has to persuade Republicans to oppose anything like liberalized immigration and asylum policies. His rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination all rant about the border crisis just like he does. The big question now is whether anti-immigrant sentiment has now spread throughout the electorate to the point where harsh nativist rhetoric will become a big asset for Trump (or whoever Republicans nominate) against Joe Biden, whose party is divided and on the defensive on the subject.

That could definitely be the case. Gallup reports that Americans satisfaction with the level of immigration into the U.S. has fallen six percentage points over the past year, from 34 percent in January 2022 to 28 percent today. This is the lowest reading in a decade. Fully 40 percent of Americans want to see lower levels of immigration, the highest number since the days immediately after 9/11. The trend is evident in all party affiliation groups:

The percentage of Republicans dissatisfied with immigration levels for being too high jumped from 40 percent in 2021 to 69 percent in 2022 and remains about the same today, at 71 percent. The percentage of Democrats dissatisfied and desiring less immigration was nearly nonexistent in 2021, at 2 percent, before rising to 11 percent last year and 19 percent now. Independents dissatisfaction and preference for less immigration has about doubled since 2021, rising from 19 percent at that time to 36 percent today.

This trend is likely to intensify if the expiration of COVID-related policies enabling quick deportation of migrants ultimately spurs a new influx of border crossings, as most observers expect, right as the 2024 election cycle begins.

What has happened, of course, is that the immigration debate in Americans has evolved from being mostly about how to deal with undocumented Americans already living and working in the U.S. (and with the especially worthy sub-category of Dreamers brought into the country as children) to a headline-driven crisis over the influx of potential immigrants  mostly those seeking refugee status  across the southern border. Even Americans who are sympathetic to migrants are likely to feel concern over the apparent disorder in processing immigration claims, with the subsequent release of many awaiting adjudication into border regions of the U.S. And the decline in the number of unaccompanied minors and even of families entering the country during the most recent wave of refugee applications may reduce sympathy for migrants even more.

More to the point politically, this is becoming an issue in which Republicans are energized and united while Democrats are wondering if the Biden administration knows what it is doing, or simply wants to change the debate to focus on more congenial topics. A good sign of the political challenge to Democrats is that they have been gradually losing their share of Latino voters (according to exit polls, it has dropped from 71 percent in 2012 to 60 percent in 2022) even as the opposition has become more openly nativist.

It would obviously help Democrats if Biden can get a better handle on the border situation while drawing renewed attention to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. But for the moment, Trumps demagoguery on the subject is getting less pushback than ever from Republican elites, and in 2024 immigration may no longer be a fringe base mobilization issue mostly drawing cheers at MAGA rallies. It could become a wedge issue with swing voter appeal, making Trumps original sin a political virtue.
The City of Auburn and Montgomery have partnered together to collectively provide an immersive summer internship experience for 50 college juniors and seniors in their communities.

The Auburn Montgomery Internship Experience was created to provide students opportunities that motivate them to pursue a career in the region after college. From June to August, AIM participants will join weekly meetings to learn how to serve, socialize and develop in the city.

Auburn and Montgomery will select 25 interns. There is no cost to be a part of this program. Applicants must answer a series of questions and submit their resume. The deadline is May 24.

Amy Brabham, Auburns workforce development director, said this is brand new program that has been brought to Auburn by Fuel Alabama, a talent attraction and retention program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Its a partnership with Innovate Alabama.

What were trying to do is use this as a talent attraction program for our area. Its to show individuals that may not know a whole lot about Auburn or the organizations to work with or things to do and how it would be a great place to live and work after someone graduates, Brabham said.

Auburn will follow the model established by EDPA in 2022 in Birmingham. Brabham said the success of the program led EDPA to expand and offer it to various communities in the state.

We were selected as a community  along with Montgomery as our partner in Central Alabama  to show 50 total interns between our two communities the really fun and great things about the two communities in Central Alabama, she said.

Nicole Thompson, executive director of The Lab on Dexter in Montgomery, added that this will be an immersive project for students. The 25 students participating in the program in Montgomery will be introduced to the capital citys businesses, nightlife and social opportunities as well as take a few visits to Auburn.

Im super excited for the collaboration. Because with Auburn being so close to us  about a 45-minute drive I think it provides students both ways equally to see another city thats viable and within a very short driving distance, Thompson said.

While it can be difficult for students to get involved with young professionals, Thompson said this program will give them the chance to meet people and see the city instead of going home directly after working at their internship.

The idea is that we really want to provide opportunities where students consider being in the state versus taking and exporting their talents, Thompson said.

Brabham said its no secret to many that the labor shortage for all sectors is real.

So we have targeted some different things to attract different talents depending on what companies need in our market. she said.

The first event for Auburn participants will start June 7 at the special event venue 19th Hole of Auburn. The event for students chose for the Montgomery program will begin June 8 at The Lab on Dexter.

There will be one session per week, a total of eight throughout the summer. All activities will be held during the week after regular work hours. Each session will be centered on learning, serving and socializing.

Activities will be held in Auburn and Montgomery and transportation will be provided for events outside of Auburn. Due to the cost and planning involved in the activities, participants are asked to give at least an 80% commitment to participating in activities, the City of Auburn said in a news release.

Participants will receive a City Pass, which gives discounts or free memberships to downtown establishments and recreational facilities.

For more information about the Auburn program, email Amy Brabham at abrabham@auburnalabama.org or visit workinauburn.com/aim-experience.

For more information about the Montgomery program, call Nicole Thompson at 334-245-4296 or email at nthompson@thelabondexter.com.

Only about 2 out of every 3 in-state students and only 1 of every 5 out-of-state students stay in Alabama one year after graduation, said Audrey Ferguson, the director of communications for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.

To address this issue, EPDA established a talent attraction and retention program called FuelAL that became the states first future-focused talent conference. Held in Birmingham, it showed showed the 17 participating students other cities like Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile.

It was really successful. Quite a few of the students ended up taking on full-time positions post grad and claiming residency in the state of Alabama, Ferguson said.

Because of the success of the program, they decided to expand it to reach more students. This year, theyve selected nine communities across the state to host the program for their area, including Auburn, Birmingham, Baldwin County, Calhoun County, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.

Each of these areas will connect undergraduates with graduate students and employers through community-building activities that showcase the city. Each community will have one professional development, one service and one social experience a month throughout the summer.
Have you ever created a burner/sock account to be messy and embarrassing, ONTD?

/stares at all the trolls on here. Man I'd love to have someone do a big expose on the users who have multiple accounts just to troll and be annoying on here.

Reply

Thread

Link

Me too!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

same

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

its so obvious too lol bunch of scared ass people

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Trust they're not hiding like they think they are.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link





and that's that on that. [2] and that's that on that. [2]

Reply

Thread

Link

Embarazzing.



Aww I feel sorry for Chloe. The dunks she gets are so mean-spirited. She seems sweet albeit misguided.

Reply

Thread

Link

Yikes

Reply

Thread

Link

Both sisters have such bad taste in men. Please love yourselves, I'm begging you.

Reply

Thread

Link

What's the point of having a burner account if you're going to tell people it's yours?



And I used to use a blank account to watch IG stories of people I don't want knowing I see their stuff lol.

Reply

Thread

Link

He was probably using it and felt embarrassed tweeting to no one

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Watching certain people's stories without them knowing is tempting but I chicken out.

I once checked my ex's new girlfriend's facebook account and she had a post like "lol at these requests from obviously fake accounts, I didn't steal anyone's boyfriend." So I got paranoid that she thought it was me when actually I never sent any resquests, just snooped on her public posts that one time.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

What I don't get is how fans figured out it was his burner account before he admitted it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I watched the clip OP linked to where they figured it out, and all the evidence they showed was his own Tweet so idk.



Edited at 2023-05-14 07:39 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Shes still with him after he cheated on her?!?! LOVE YOURSELF GIRL

Reply

Thread

Link

I have never had a sock/troll account because it is far too much effort of me to log out and log into an alt account just for the purposes of saying something messy. if i have the impulse that hard I'll just say it on main lol

Reply

Thread

Link

If you ever want to become a messy person: you can link accounts on IG and Twitter and switch really easily between them. I use that to keep my art and personal accounts separate but I'd wager that's also the way trolls do it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

This is how Elon musk's burner was revealed lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I've never had a sock or troll account.



But back in the day, I DID ban evade on the TWoP boards by creating a new account. lolololol. I am 98% sure that the ban came as a result of shipping wars on the Lost boards.

Reply

Thread

Link

Being a jealous little bitch is bad enough, but hed be kicked to the curb if Im seconds if I saw him making fun of my sister. Tf. This girl really does need to love herself.

Reply

Thread

Link

Exactly, making fun of her sister is just untenable.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I very briefly had a troll account on Tumblr to spam the 'Chair' tag (Chuck/Blair) during episodes of original run Gossip Girl but otherwise no I haven't.



This dude is such a LOSER and I'm glad Disney has been keeping him out of press photos and things. We all make bad boyfriend decisions and while I don't see the value she is young and this is the time to make dumb boyfriend decisions. I hope/wonder if she's waiting until after the TLM press run to cut him loose but ultimately we cannot control the mistakes people make with boyfriends, she has to get tired of him on her own and hopefully she does & soon.

Reply

Thread

Link

Looool I remember the great Dair/Chair ship war of 2012 and how Dair users spammed the Chair tag with pictures of actual chairs

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I miss that time. Good fun

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao I remember that too! they always did it when the episodes were airing. that was such a fun, harmless way of trolling.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I wish I was on the right side of fandom back when I watched GG. (I liked Chair in season one lol.)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao I remember following someone's blog on here because they were posting pics of chairs in the Chair tag, might have been yours

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I very briefly had a troll account on Tumblr to spam the 'Chair' tag (Chuck/Blair) during episodes of original run Gossip Girl but otherwise no I haven't.



doing the good work, ty

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Doing the Lords work

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I would never date anyone who makes fun of my little sister, and whos a jealous bitch, but thats just me.

Reply

Thread

Link

oh god... i'm def rooting for jonah now. i'm usually against cheating but 

you can do it, prince! 

Reply

Thread

Link

Alexa, play Kiss the Girl

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link





If my sister dated a man who treated me like that and didn't dump his ass our relationship would be over. Absolute dog behavior and if she stays she deserves the fleas. If my sister dated a man who treated me like that and didn't dump his ass our relationship would be over. Absolute dog behavior and if she stays she deserves the fleas.

Reply

Thread

Link
On May 11, Turkish opposition candidate Muharren Ince announced that he was dropping out of the upcoming presidential elections, allegedly due to, in his words, a smear campaign that is the work of the Gulenist Terror Group (Daily Sabah, May 11). As one of four opposition candidates running against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, some analysts point out that Inces withdrawal will lessen divisions in the opposition and improve those candidates chances to unseat Erdogan, especially for Republican Peoples Party leader Kemal K?l?cdaro?lu. Erdogan, commenting on this development, merely stated, I wonder what made him drop out of the race. I wish we could continue the race with him. In recent weeks, the Turkish presidents health has been in question after he canceled a number of rallies, and the impact of this development on the elections outcome remains uncertain (Birgun.net, April 28).

Overall, the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey on May 14 are crucial for several reasons. To begin with, it is a significant test for Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades. His authority has largely been maintained through a combination of authoritarian tactics and popular support, though his popularity has been on the decline recently. And recent polls show the so-called Table of Six opposition candidate, K?l?cdaro?lu, leading Erdogan at 49.3 to 43.7 percent, respectively (TVP World, May 11).

The Russian governments approach to the elections in Turkey appears to be driven by geo-strategic and geopolitical reasons, including defending its interests in the region, particularly in Syria and the South Caucasus (Memri, April 17). If Erdogan wins, it seems that Russia can once again rely on Turkey to help balance the influence of the United States and European Union. However, if Erdogan loses, Russia may face significant security challenges that could have far-reaching implications.

Yet, in truth, while Moscow may prefer Erdogans reelection, others point out that a triumph by an opposition candidate does not guarantee a disruption in Turkish-Russian relations (Memri, April 17). Opposition favorite K?l?cdaro?lu has criticized Erdogans foreign relations with Russia, especially considering the Syrian conflict. However, if he wins the election, it is unclear how his policies toward Russia would differ from Erdogans. Furthermore, K?l?cdaro?lu has voiced his openness to expanding cooperation with Chinasomething that could disrupt Ankaras relations with the West (Aa.com.tr, January 14). Related: Oil, Gas Drilling Activity In U.S. Sees Largest Single-Week Drop Since Mid-2020



Nevertheless, according to some Turkish media outlets, Putin does indeed favor Erdogan. In this, several Russian experts are cited who believe that Putin sees Erdogan as a reliable partner, which is crucial as Moscow has invested heavily in Turkey through various projects, including the TurkStream pipeline. They also suggest that the Kremlin may have attempted to interfere in previous Turkish elections to ensure Erdogans victorythough they provide little evidence for such a claim (Tr24, April 1; Yeni Safak, April 7).

Additionally, the outcome of the election will have significant implications for Russian interests in the region, including on energy and security matters. Russia relies on Turkey as a vital transit country for gas exports, and the two countries enjoy a robust economic alliance in the energy sector, including the Kremlins assistance with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (Tr24, April 18). On April 27, this power plant received fresh nuclear fuel on April 27 to be used in the generation of energy. As a result, the facility was technically inaugurated and given the official designation of a nuclear power plant (NTV, April 27).

In December 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced his interest in creating a natural gas hub in Turkey, which would enable Russia to transport natural gas to Europe. This project has been discussed for several years between the two sides, but no significant progress has been made due to various issues, including pricing disagreements and Ankaras pursuit of a more independent energy policy (Hurriyet.com.tr, December 15, 2022). A natural gas hub in Turkey could have significant economic benefits for both Russia and Turkey, as it would increase the flow of natural gas to Europe and provide an additional route for transit (Milliyet, October 12, 2022).

However, while Russia represents an important energy partner for Turkey, Ankara has been increasingly sure to balance Moscows influence by making in-roads with other countries. For example, in 2022, the US and Europe became Turkeys second- and fourth-largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas, respectively (Al-Monitor, April 25, 2022; Daily Sabah, May 6, 2022). Furthermore, in early April 2023, Azerbaijan announced its intentions to increase natural gas imports to Turkey by 19 percent to 10 billion cubic meters (Euronews, April 2). Thus, while by no means a guarantee, there is a possibility that a victory for an opposition candidate could mean turning away from cooperation with Russia, which may provide a pretext for Moscows interference in these Turkish elections, as some have predicted, to prevent such a development (Middle East Eye, April 18).

Indeed, the upcoming elections are sure to have an impact on Turkish relations with the United States and the EU. Overall, while at times at odds with Turkeys Western allies, Erdogan has proven himself to be a critical partner, not only in regional security matters, such as providing drones to Ukraine and closing the Turkish Straits, but also in managing wider crises, such as Europes migrant crisis back in 20162017 as well as the more recent Ukrainian grain deal (Al Jazeera, March 1, 2022, July 19, 2022; Euronews, April 2; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, May 3). Yet, if Erdogan wins, the country may chart a path of increased independence and authoritarianism, which might strain relations with the West. Others have speculated that, if Erdogan loses, it could potentially lead to a more democratic and liberal Turkey, though this is far from a foregone conclusion. Erdogan is a known entity for the West, and, while he may present some obstacles, if he is re-elected, both Washington and Brussels would largely know what to expect in working with the Turkish president. In contrast, uncertainty abounds as to how a victory by an opposition candidate would affect Ankaras relations with the West.

Thus, the outcome of Turkeys presidential elections will be vital in shaping its foreign policy approach moving forward. Currently, Ankara seeks to strike a balance between maintaining its own sovereignty, cooperation with Russia and commitments to its Western allies. If a new government indeed comes to power, it is difficult to predict how this will affect overall relations with Moscow, Brussels, Washington and even Beijing. Nevertheless, regardless of the outcome, Turkey can be expected to continue pursuing an independent foreign policy and further capitalize on its position as a regional leader in energy and security.

ADVERTISEMENT

By The Jamestownfoundation.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
By Nichole Bastin via AGMetalminer.com

Aluminum prices continued to slowly edge downward, but remained within an overall sideways trend. After prices fell 1.31% throughout April, they dropped an additional 2.22% during the first week of May. But despite the softness, aluminum prices have not yet formed lower lows, so an established downtrend is still not confirmed at this time. Altogether, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 0.71% decline from April to May.

Russian Aluminum Now Makes Up Majority of LME Stocks

More than a year after the historic nickel squeeze, the LME continues to face serious problems. The latest issue appears to be the rising presence of Russian aluminum in its inventories.

The embattled exchange first noted the issue last fall. Amid a rising number of companies opting to self-sanction and the United States decision to impose a 200% tariff (which took effect on April 10, 2023), the LME faced a growing number of calls to institute its own ban on Russian materials. Indeed, market pundits, including MetalMiner, warned that not doing so would lead to the over-presence of discounted Russian material within LME inventories. Left unchecked, this would prevent LME prices from being a reliable global benchmark for aluminum pricing.

Ultimately, the LME opted not to impose any form of restriction in a decision posted in early November 2022. The exchange saw such risks as being largely overstated, noting, the updated statisticsshow there have been no significant moves of this nature. At the close of October 2022, Russian brands totaled 17.7% of live primary aluminum tons present on warrant within warehouses. This figure was up only slightly from the previous year, where Russian brands represented 14.9%.

Related: Saudi Aramco Pushes Back IPO For $30B Energy Trading Unit



Instead of a ban or volume restrictions, the LME opted to calm market concerns by publishing country-of-origin stock data at the beginning of the year. However, that data indicated a lot had changed within the aluminum market since the LME announced its decision. Indeed, by the close of January, Russian brands represented 42% of primary aluminum. The total rose even higher from there, reaching 46% in February and 53% in March.

CME Aluminum Futures Gain Liquidity

Since the nickel squeeze, the LME continues to grapple with what appears to be an ever-increasing host of issues. Meanwhile, other exchanges have quickly capitalized on the LMEs perhaps irreparably-bruised reputation to gain a rising market share. For example, the CMEs aluminum futures contract continues to gain liquidity. In April, average daily volume hit a new monthly record of 4,000 contracts, up 27% from March. April also saw a record volume day with more than 9,000 contracts traded. Open Interest likewise set a new high of 3,626 contracts by April 19.

LME, CME Aluminum Prices Remain on Par

Source: Insights Chart & Correlation Analysis Tool

The growing dominance of Russian material in LME warehouses remains a bearish risk to LME prices. But for now, LME and CME aluminum futures continue to move largely in tandem. That said, the prices are not the same, which is why MetalMiner publishes both prices within MetalMiner Insights. CME three-month aluminum futures currently sit at a $5.50 per metric ton premium over LME prices. However, this is only slightly above historical norms, as since 2022, CME prices have carried an average $5 per metric ton premium over their LME counterparts.

Should LME prices fall out of line with global prices, it could cause the exchange to rethink its policies. While an outright ban appears unlikely, the LME had previously considered volume limitations to prevent such an outcome. For now, the many perils affecting the LME will continue to benefit other exchanges like the CME.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aluminum Prices: Notable Price Trends

Korean commercial 1050 aluminum sheet prices moved sideways, with a 2.31% rise to $3.85 per kilogram as of May 1.

Indian primary cash aluminum prices rose 2.31% to $2.60 per kilogram.

The Korean 3003 coil premium over 1050 sheet increased by 2.28% to $3.89 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, LME primary three-month aluminum prices fell 1.84% to $2,344 per metric ton.

European 5083 aluminum plate prices saw the largest decline of the index, with a sharp 9.15% decline to $5,295 per metric ton.

By AGMetalminer.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
DETROIT (AP)  A Tennessee company could be heading for a legal battle with U.S. auto safety regulators after refusing a request that millions of potentially dangerous air bag inflators be recalled.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding that ARC Automotive Inc. of Knoxville recall 67 million inflators in the U.S. because they could explode and hurl shrapnel. At least two people have been killed in the U.S. and Canada, and seven others have been hurt as a result of defective ARC inflators, the agency said.

The recall would cover a large portion of the 284 million vehicles now on U.S. roads, but the percentage is difficult to determine. Some have ARC inflators for both the driver and front passenger. In a letter posted Friday, the agency told ARC that it has tentatively concluded after an eight-year investigation, ARC front driver and passenger inflators have a safety defect.

"Air bag inflators that project metal fragments into vehicle occupants, rather than properly inflating the attached air bag, create an unreasonable risk of death and injury," Stephen Ridella, director of NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, wrote in a letter to ARC.

But ARC responded that no defect exists in the inflators and that any problems are related to isolated manufacturing issues.

The next step in the process is for NHTSA to schedule a public hearing. It could then take the company to court to force a recall. "We disagree with NHTSA's new sweeping request when extensive field testing has found no inherent defect," ARC said in a statement Friday night.

Also Friday, NHTSA posted documents showing that General Motors is recalling nearly 1 million vehicles equipped with ARC inflators. The recall covers certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia SUVs.

The automaker says an inflator explosion "may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death."

Owners will be notified by letter starting June 25, but no fix is available yet. They'll get another letter when one is ready.
PORTLAND, Maine  The U.S. Postal Service is replacing tens of thousands of antiquated keys used by postal carriers and installing thousands of high-security collection boxes to stop a surge in robberies and mail thefts, officials said Friday.

The Postal Service is replacing 49,000 so-called arrow locks with electronic versions to make them less attractive to criminals who have been targeting them to steal mail from secure receptacles, and it is placing 12,000 hardened blue collection boxes in high-risk areas, according to the Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service.

The announcement came days after the National Association of Letter Carriers expressed outrage as the Associated Press reported that nearly 500 postal carriers were robbed last year.

"We're doubling down on our efforts to protect our postal employees and the security of the mail. We are hardening targets  both physical and digital  to make them less desirable to thieves and working with our law enforcement partners to bring perpetrators to justice," Postal Inspection Service Chief Gary Barksdale said Friday in a statement.

The spike in postal carrier robberies has put letter carriers on edge.

The robberies have more than quadrupled over a decade, and weapons were used in most of the 496 robberies last year, according to data provided by the Postal Inspection Service to the AP under the Freedom of Information Act. Thirty-one postal carriers were injured, and one of them was killed last year, according to the data.

On Thursday, federal officials announced two more people were charged in connection with allegations of pulling a letter carrier off a home's front steps while stealing an arrow key and using a knife to rob another carrier last year in Massachusetts.

USPS uses arrow keys to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units and apartment panels. The Postal Service declined to say how many arrow keys are in use with the nation's nearly 250,000 letter carriers.

But efforts by criminals to intercept the mail go beyond robberies to steal those keys. The Postal Service said also there were 38,500 thefts of mail from blue collection boxes in the 2022 fiscal year.

Criminals are targeting the mail, often in an organized fashion, to commit financial crimes, including altering checks to commit check fraud, officials said, but there are steep federal penalties for doing so.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the carriers, who deliver 162.1 million pieces of first-class mail each day, should be able to work "in safety and to be free from targeting by criminals seeking to access the public's mail."

Mail theft carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Possession, concealment or disposal of property carries a sentence of as many as 10 years in prison. Assault carries a sentence of up to 10 years for a first offense and up to 25 years for any subsequent offense, officials said. Federal prosecutors can also bring other charges, as well.

Postal officials are cracking down on other ways criminals are targeting the service.

The service began implementing dual authentication for identity verification online for changes in address last month, and is starting enhanced in-person change of-address transactions by month's end to prevent criminals from using change-of-address protocols for identity theft to intercept credit cards, checks and other financial mail. The Postal Service is no longer accepting third-party change-of-address submissions.

The service is also tackling counterfeit postage. It will exercise new authority to take possession and dispose of packages with counterfeit postage and to shut down websites selling counterfeit postage, officials said.

Postal officials seized more than 340,000 packages with counterfeit postage and more than 7.7 million counterfeit stamps, preventing the loss of an estimated $7.8 million in postal revenue, in the last fiscal year, officials said.
The judges for The World-Herald's annual academic program always have a difficult task.

They're faced with hundreds of students with impressive test scores, high grades, amazing accomplishments and strong leadership.

The World-Herald invited 305 Nebraska high schools to participate in our annual tribute to outstanding students.

Of the 245 schools that participated, we received 642 nominations. Schools were asked to nominate their two top-ranked students (or top two students with the highest grade-point averages if the schools don't rank) for recognition. In addition, schools could nominate up to three other students with a test score of 32 or better on the ACT or a 1450 or better on the SAT.

Of those nominated, there were:

 22 perfect ACT scores of 36

 48 ACT scores of 35

 49 ACT scores of 34

 1 perfect SAT of 1600

 8 other SAT scores of 1500 or better

 49 National Merit finalists

But these students aren't just about grades and tests. Some excel at choir, band or dance, and others shine in robotics, Quiz Bowl or FBLA. Some even manage to blend a variety of seemingly disparate interests, such as sports, arts and sciences.

Many are leaders, as well. Some are elected officers in a school club, while some are founders of their own clubs. Others are leaders in statewide organizations.

To determine the best of the best, The World-Herald invited nine judges to narrow the field. This year's judges consisted of counselors and administrators.

They were divided into three groups, with three educators each, to select the members of the All Regional Teams: Metro, Eastern and West-Central.

Our judges were:

Metro: Dionne Kirksey, Omaha Central principal; Kristen Reeves, Omaha Skutt counselor; and Katy McQueen, Bennington counselor

Eastern: Alissa Hoffmann, Norfolk counselor; Holly Toft, Arlington counselor; and Renee Jones, English teacher at Lincoln High and 2023 Nebraska Teacher of the Year

West-Central: Jeffrey Horner, Minden counselor; Jake Willems, Aurora counselor; and Craig Dickes, McCook principal

The judges for the Metro team gathered at The World-Herald for their judging session in early April. The Eastern and West-Central judges met by Zoom. World-Herald staff members facilitated the meetings.

The judges selected 12 students for the first team in each region and 12 for a second team.

A week later, a representative of each Nebraska regional judging panel participated in a conference call to select the nine-member All State Team. Those three judges  Reeves, Jones and Willems  considered the 36 students who had been named to regional first teams in Nebraska.

The process allows each judging panel to determine what weight to give the various pieces of information on the nomination form. For example, judges might choose to prioritize rigorous schedules, varied activities, ACT and SAT scores, class rank, leadership roles or success in academic competitions.

The World-Herald does not interfere with the process. It asks that the judges focus on achievement and come up with a consensus on their picks.

At the end of the process, most judges, as well as the coordinators of this program, are amazed at how many bright young people we have in our state.

Congratulations to all the students nominated from the Class of 2023 and the parents and teachers who have supported the students on their educational journey.

Mental giants: Meet The World-Herald's 2023 All State Academic Team The nine members of The World-Herald's 2023 All State Academic Team have their sights set on the future as they prepare to embark on their next academic adventure.

Public school districts in the Omaha metro area Bellevue Public Schools Bennington Public Schools Douglas County West Community Schools Elkhorn Public Schools Fort Calhoun Community Schools Gretna Public Schools Millard Public Schools Omaha Public Schools Papillion La Vista Community Schools Ralston Public Schools Westside Community Schools
LINCOLN  With just 13 days left in the legislative session, a proposal to implement Nebraskas new voter identification requirement is expected to reach the full Legislature early this week.

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee chairman, predicted the committee will advance a carefully crafted measure that brings together ideas from multiple bills and that lawmakers will pass it.

The job of passing voter ID legislation involves threading the needle between the new language in Nebraskas Constitution and the Supreme Courts interpretation of the federal Constitution, he said. We also have to make sure that the orders we give to our county elections officials can be executed.

The measure likely will be an amendment to Legislative Bill 535 that has been forged through weeks of sometimes heated negotiations between Brewer and Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, who introduced LB 535 and led efforts to put a voter ID measure on last Novembers ballot.

The ballot measure, which passed overwhelmingly, requires voters to present valid photographic ID before casting a ballot in any election. The constitutional amendment left it to lawmakers to determine how the requirement should be carried out.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Speaker of the Legislature John Arch also were part of the discussions. Arch said the job of crafting implementation legislation has been complicated.

It has to be constitutional. It has to be workable. You need to limit the financial burden and you need to ensure you dont disenfranchise voters, he said.

Although the parties have reached agreement on the principles of the amendment, they are waiting to see the actual language before moving forward. Slama said she has been working with the legislative bill drafting office on that language for several days.

Under the tentative agreement, voters could use a variety of government or tribal identification documents, as long as the IDs show the persons name and a photo of the person. Student IDs would be accepted, as well as IDs from nursing homes. The IDs would not have to be current and expired ones could be used.

Voters without an acceptable photo ID could get a free state ID through the Department of Motor Vehicles. People also could get free copies of birth certificates from the state, if needed for obtaining a state ID to vote.

The DMV would add photos to temporary IDs, so those could be used by voters who lost their drivers license or state ID or had those documents stolen. Temporary IDs are provided to people for use in the weeks before their permanent ones arrive in the mail.

The agreement also would require that people voting by mail show their ID to an adult witness, who need not be a registered Nebraska voter. Witnesses then would have to sign the ballot envelope, attesting that they had seen the voters ID. Witnesses would face legal penalties for lying.

Voters who showed up at the polls without an acceptable ID would be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The ballot would be counted only if that voter showed a valid ID to an election official within seven days of the election.

The tentative agreement would not require additional citizenship verifications from voters, but the secretary of state would be charged with ensuring that only citizens are allowed to register to vote.

The government committee heard three contrasting approaches to implementing voter ID requirements this year. They differed over acceptable types of identification, requirements for mail-in ballots and the process for handling cases where voters show up at the polls without ID.

All included features that went beyond simply carrying out the voter-approved measure. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard had a pair of proposals that would have virtually eliminated mail-in ballots. Sen. Jen Day of Omaha had a bill that would have automatically registered people to vote when they got a drivers license, unless they opted out.

Slama offered two major rewrites of LB 535 that would have required voters to prove their citizenship, along with their identity, when voting.

Brewer rejected all of those features, saying he wanted the implementation legislation to focus on voter ID and not tackle other election issues.

Despite strong support for the voter ID ballot measure, Nebraska has not had widespread issues with its elections.

Ahead of last Novembers election, Evnen acknowledged that the state has not had a problem with voter fraud generally, let alone any cases of people trying to impersonate others so they could vote  the type of fraud that would be prevented with voter ID.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2023
POTIOMKYNE, Ukraine  A grassy lane rutted with tire tracks leads to Volodymyr Zaiets farm in southern Ukraine. He is careful, driving only within those shallow grooves  veering away might cost him his life in the field dotted with explosive mines.

Weeds grow tall where rows of sunflowers once bloomed. Zaiets land hasn't been touched since the fall of 2021, when it was last seeded with wheat. Now, it's a minefield left by retreating Russian forces.

Zaiets eschewed official warnings and demined this patch of land himself, determined not to lose the years harvest. He expects that 15% of his 4,000 acres of farmland was salvaged.

Workers like Victor Kostiuk still spot mines, but he's ready to start the tractor.

We have to do it, he said. Why be afraid?

Across Ukraine, the war has forced grain growers into a vicious dilemma. Farmers in areas now free from Russian occupation must decide if it's worth risking their lives to strip land of explosives before the critical spring planting season.

They have soaring production and transportation costs caused by Russias blockade of many Black Sea ports, and several neighboring European countries imposed import restrictions on Ukrainian grain to prevent a glut.

The dual crisis is causing many farmers to cut back on sowing crops. Bottlenecks in shipping grain by land and sea are creating losses, with expectations of a 20% to 30% reduction in grain output, poorer quality crops and potentially thousands of bankruptcies next year, according to industry insiders, Ukrainian government officials and international organizations.

The drastic reduction of grain crops potentially threatens global food security, said Pierre Vauthier, head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Ukraine. That is the main thing everybody eats. So thats why it is a big concern.

More than a year since Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian agriculture industry is starting to see the full impact on what's been dubbed  the breadbasket of the world, whose affordable supplies of wheat, barley and sunflower oil are crucial to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia where people are going hungry.

The FAO says 90% of agricultural businesses lost revenue and 12% reported lands contaminated with mines. Land planted with grain dropped last year to 28.6 million acres from around 40 million acres in 2021. That's expected to fall to 25.2 million acres this year.

In the southern Kherson province, between the threat of missiles from the sky and mines on the ground, farmers make the same, often tragic, calculation: Take the risk and plant or lose their livelihoods.

The region is among the highest wheat-producing areas in Ukraine and the most heavily mined. Demining services are overstretched, with infrastructure and civilian homes prioritized over farms.

But growers cant wait: April and May are key planting months for corn, the autumn months for wheat. Many are switching to planting oil seeds that are less costly.

We have nearly 40 big farmers in our area, and nearly everyone is unable to access their lands except two, said Hanna Shostak-Kuchmiak, head of the Vysokopillya administration that includes several villages in northern Kherson.

Zaiets is one, and Valerii Shkuropat from the nearby village of Ivanivka is the other.

Our heroes, said Shostak-Kuchmiak, who were driving their cars around picking up mines and bringing them to our deminers.

Neither farmer felt they had a choice. Both knew that without a harvest this year, they will be insolvent by next.

Everyone understands the risks, said Shkuropat, whose more than 6,000 acres once grew peas, barley, millet and sunflowers. He estimates that half can be planted.

Last month, one of his workers was killed and another was wounded while picking up metal missile remnants.

If we sow, if we grow crops, people will have jobs, salaries and they will have a means to feed their families, Shkuropat said. But if we dont do anything, we will have nothing.

Russias blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports stripped the country of the advantage it once enjoyed over other grain-exporting countries. Transit costs, now four to six times higher than prewar levels, have rendered grain production prohibitively expensive.

High costs of fuel, fertilizer and quality seeds only add to farmers' woes. Most must sell their grain at a loss.

Farmers are responding by seeding less, said Andrii Vadaturskyi, CEO of Nibulon, a top Ukrainian grain shipping company.

No one is paying attention to the fact that already 40% less wheat has been seeded (this year), and we expect 50% less corn will be seeded in Ukraine, he said, drawing on data from 3,000 farmers.

Nibulon once paid an average of $12 to ship a ton of grain from the southern port city of Odesa. Now it pays $80-$100 per ton, Vadaturskyi said.

HarvEast CEO Dmytro Skornyakov said that his agricultural company pays almost $110 in logistics costs to export every ton of corn.

It covers our expenses, but doesnt give us any profit, he said.

Negotiations are underway on renewing the U.N.-brokered agreement that allows Ukrainian grain to safely leave three Black Sea ports. Shippers say the deal isn't working efficiently.

Russian inspections are causing long wait times for vessels, piling on fees and making the sea route expensive and unreliable, Ukrainian grain shippers say. Russia denies slowing inspections.

In Ukraines forests, fighters race to prepare for next push
ROME  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for Ukraine's peace plan from the pontiff, who in the past offered to try to help end the full-scale war Russia launched a year ago.

Meanwhile, Germany will provide Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than $3 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition, its government said Saturday. The announcement came as preparations were underway in Berlin for Zelenskyys possible first visit to Germany since Russia invaded his country. The exact schedule was not publicly announced because of security concerns.

The new military aid package, first reported by German weekly Der Spiegel, includes 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, more than 100 combat vehicles, 18 self-propelled Howitzers, 200 reconnaissance drones, four IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems and other air defense equipment.

It comes after Ukrainian military commanders said their troops recaptured more territory from Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut amid speculation about a possible counteroffensive by Kyiv.

Russian shelling on Saturday killed two civilians, including a 15-year-old girl, and wounded 10 more in Kostyantynivka, a city less 18 miles west of Bakhmut, the regional prosecutor's office said.

Zelenskyy held his hand over his heart and said it was a "great honor" to meet with the pope. Francis, using a cane for his knee problem, came to greet the Ukrainian president before ushering him into a papal studio near the Vatican's audience hall.

In a tweet after the 40-minute audience, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Francis for "his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians." He said he spoke with the pontiff "about the tens of thousands of deported (Ukrainian) children. We must make every effort to return them home."

Last month, Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, asked the pope to help get children returned from Russia to Ukraine. The Vatican's statement Saturday made no mention of the request.

Instead, the Vatican said the two men spoke of Ukraine's "humanitarian and political situation provoked by the ongoing war."

"The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last year," the Vatican said, a reference to the Russian invasion that began Feb. 24, 2022.

The meeting came as Russia's defense ministry said Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles delivered to Ukraine by the United Kingdom this week damaged unspecified civilian enterprises in Luhansk province in Ukraine's far east. Luhansk authorities separately said another missile strike hit the regional capital, wounding an elderly woman.

Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and an Su-34 fighter-bomber crashed Saturday in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, state news agency Tass and a Telegram channel close to the Russian defense ministry reported; the newspaper Kommersant cited reports of two fighter planes crashing. The causes of the crashes were not immediately disclosed, but concern in Bryansk is growing about cross-border attacks from Ukraine.

Some Ukrainian units continue to push forward near Bakhmut, the commander of Ukraine's land forces said Saturday, just a day after Ukrainian commanders said their troops recaptured territory at the scene of the war's longest and bloodiest battle. "Our soldiers are moving forward in some sectors of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Telegram.

Zelenskyy also said he asked the pope to condemn Russian "crimes in Ukraine" because "there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor."

"I also talked about our Peace Formula as the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace," Zelenskyy said. Later, in an interview on Italian state TV, the Ukrainian leader said the pope "knows my position. The war is in Ukraine, that is why it has to be Ukraine's plan" to bring peace.

Zelenskyy's 10-point plan would establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. It would also create a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restore Ukraine's damaged power infrastructure and ensure safety around Europe's largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia.

Earlier in the day, Italian officials pledged open-ended military and financial support to Zelenskyy as well as stronger backing for Ukraine's cherished aim to join the European Union.

"The message is clear and simple," Premier Giorgia Meloni said after a meeting with Zelenskyy that lasted more than an hour. "The future of Ukraine is a future of peace and freedom. And it's the future of Europe, a future of peace and freedom, for which there are no other possible solutions.''

The premier, who staunchly supports military aid for Ukraine, said Italy would back the country "360 degrees for all the time necessary and beyond."

Separately, Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Zelenskyy, "We are fully at your side," Mattarella told Zelenskyy as he welcomed him. Later, presidential palace sources said Mattarella assured his guest that Italy would continue to support Ukraine militarily and financially, as well as with reconstruction and humanitarian aid.

Since the war began, Italy has contributed about $1.1 billion in military and financial aid, as well as humanitarian assistance.

In Ukraines forests, fighters race to prepare for next push
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger on Friday said that elections for the senatorial positions of Niger East and Niger North may not hold on Saturday.

The ballot papers meant for the zone are missing.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Samuel Egwu, made the declaration while interacting with journalists in Minna.

The issue has been reported to the INECs Headquarters in Abuja for urgent attention.

The officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of securing the electoral sensitive materials have gone to Abuja for the last batch of the sensitive materials for Saturdays elections in the state, so we are waiting, he said.

Mr Egwu said that 85 per cent of the needed facilities for the conduct of free and fair elections in the state had been provided with the non-sensitive materials already moved to various destinations across the 25 local government areas of the state.

He said that the commission trained 23,000 ad hoc staff for the elections in the state.
The storage facility of the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), housing exhibits recovered by the command through various operational activities was on Saturday morning gutted by fire.

NSCDC Spokesman, Oluwaseun Abolurin, who disclosed this, said the incident happened at 3:30am, on Saturday.

Abolurin added that a team from the Lagos State fire service alongside Corps personnel on duty helped put out the fire.

The NSCDC image maker further disclosed that no casualty was recorded and reiterated the commands commitment to unravel the cause of the fire.

The NSCDC spokesperson said the Commandant, NSCDC Lagos, Usman Alfadarai has promised a total repair and rehabilitation of the engulfed storage facility to ensure continuuos operational activities at the command.

The incident comes days after some buildings within the Nigerian Air Force Base along Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory, were also engulfed by fire.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the Adamawa State Police Command says it has arrested a couple identified as Kamal Idris, 24, and Ambasiya Idris, 19, for brutalizing their 11-year-old nephew identified as Fahad Abdulkarim.

The command said the couple was picked up on Friday.

Related
Some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday night, met with former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George.

Naija News gathered the leaders of the ruling party met with George at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos State to seek his support for the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he assumes power on May 29.

According to Vanguard, the APC leaders met with the PDP chieftain to persuade him to cease further media attacks on Tinubu ahead of the inauguration.

It was learned that the APC leaders who met with George, are leaders of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership of the party in Lagos State.

The APC leaders include elder statesman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, among others.
Segun James

Ast of Nigeria.

As part of the efforts to build bridges and ward off the incessant attacks on the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, by the former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, the loyalists of the former Lagos State governor yesterday visited George in his Lugard Road, Ikoyi office to solicit support for the incoming President of Nigeria.

George, a fierce critic of Tinubu, had vowed to go into exile if the former Lagos State governor who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as Nigerias president in the 2023 general election.

I have not changed my mind, if he (Tinubu) is the president I will go.

If Tinubu wins, by that time I will be 80 years old. What am I doing here? I will wish you people well, George had told ARISE NEWS Channel in November 2022.

Speaking after Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election, the PDP chieftain said although he was yet to decide on his destination, his self-imposed exile remains in the works.

George added that he plans to retire to anywhere in any part of the world because Tinubus victory might be a hell of a problem.

That is still on my plan. If I decide on what to do, I wish you well. Im not looking for a job, I have everything I want and how much can I eat? I also have my children and they are no longer kids, he said.

They are all mature so what am I looking for? My wife is there. She will take good care of me. I will stay in Nigeria depending on the outcome of this (post-election litigation) because I know there might be a hell of a problem.

You know I am a military lord so I can go anywhere in any part of the world and I will be looking at you people.

I have even decided that having put 25 years each in the military and politics which is 50 years of my life in the public domain, I need rest so whatever I see at the end of this thing. Im retiring from partisan politics and will be enjoying the rest of my life.

But in an apparent move to ward off further criticism, Tinubus loyalists and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos yesterday met with George.

The delegation was led by the chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the foremost political platform in the state, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.

The GAC is an influential group comprising critical stakeholders of the APC in Lagos State.

It determines who gets what in Lagos politics.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was supposed to be part of the delegation could not make it for undisclosed reasons.

Also on the delegation is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Though the meeting was closed-door, THISDAY was reliably informed that the APC leaders were seeking Georges support for Tinubu as he assumes power on May 29.

It was also gathered that the APC leaders were mounting pressure on George to cease further media attacks on Tinubu.

At the meeting, George said that he was happy that the delegation visited him and insisted that he had nothing personal against Tinubu.

Accompanied by former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor, and Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), among others, George, however, made it clear that because of his position and membership of an opposition party, he would not congratulate Tinubu until after litigations related to the election are concluded.

George who expressed appreciation to the delegation, admitted that we had detailed discussions on the unity of this great state of Lagos. I must say we established the fact that the culture of Lagos is to accept and accommodate all kinds of people and tribes. And if you get to Lagos State, there is no known tribe in Nigeria that does not reside here. Thats what makes Lagos the commercial nerve centre of the whole of West Africa.

Secondly, on the details of us working together, because a divided house cannot stand, we will work together on this. And Ive said I have absolutely nothing personal between me and Tinubu, George added.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayo Onanuga, has said that President-elect, Bola Tinubu, can rule Nigeria from Russia after being sworn in on May 29, 2023.

Onanuga, who is a member of the Media Subcommittee of the Presidential Transition Council, disclosed this during an interview with journalists over the weekend.

When asked if Tinubu, who had just travelled out of the country over alleged pressure, would settle fully in Nigeria and face the challenges ahead when sworn in, Onanuga said he believed so.

The president-elects spokesperson, however, gave an exception, saying since we are in a global world, Tinubu can rule Nigeria even if he is in Russia.

I believe he would do so. But you know we now live in a global village, as they say. So, even if he is in Russia, he can hold Zoom meetings and do all kinds of things. But I can assure you that he will be here physically to do his job. He will not be an absentee kind of president, Onanuga said.

Tinubu Left Nigeria Because Of Those Seeking Positions

Speaking further on why the president-elect jetted out of the country days ahead of his swearing-in, Onanuga reiterated that it was to avoid distraction.

He refuted the speculations by some Nigerians that Tinubu may rule Nigeria from London like President Muhammadu Buhari at a certain time.

No, that wont happen. You cannot imagine the kind of pressure people who are looking for positions in the government are piling on ordinary committee members, not to talk of the president-elect. People have been bringing all manner of requests. So, as the press release rightly pointed out, the travel was just to avoid pressure and distraction, the APC chieftain said.

Why Tinubu Shun Lesser Hajj

Speaking on why Tinubu didnt attend Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia as earlier planned shortly after the 2023 general elections, Onanuga explained that the President-elect truly had the intention to travel for the Hajj as part of his plan to visit three countries but decided to cut off from some afterwards.

Naija News understands that when Tinubu travelled out of the country after the election, his aides and top APC chieftains confirmed that he will go to three countries including France (Paris), the United Kingdom, and thereafter, Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.

Tinubu, however, only went to Paris. Clarifying the development, Onanuga said Tinubu Wanted to go to London to see his grandchildren, but I think that at the last minute, he decided not to go. He came back home instead.

Also, he was in Saudi Arabia before the elections, so he decided not to go there again. So he decided to cut those ones and then decided to come home, Onanuga told Daily Trust.

Again, he refuted the speculation by some Nigerians that Tinubu didnt go to Saudi Arabia and London as planned because he was sick, stressing that the President-elect only decided not to go and nothing more.

Onanuga served as the Director, Media and Publicity of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council that worked for the emergence of Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima as president-elect and vice-president-elect.
The crisis rocking the Labour Party, yesterday, deepened following the call by the Lamidi Apapa faction asking security agencies to come hard on any member of the party calling for an Interim National Government.

The call to arrest Obi is coming amid demands by some politicians for an interim government, which if successfully pushed, will prevent the inauguration of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29.

Speaking with journalists, in Abuja, after the Federal High Court Judgment affirming the suspension of the partys National Chairman, Julius Abure, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, said that the call for an interim government was an attempt to throw the country into crisis.

Anyone calling for interim government including Peter Obi should be arrested. We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to arrest them because nobody is above the law. You cannot plunge Nigeria into war and say you want to rule, he stated.

Insisting that the Apapa-led faction was not interested in withdrawing the suit filed by the party at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Arabambi, nonetheless, said that the case filed by Obi and Abure faction challenging the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) wasnt done in good faith.

He stated: We came third in that election behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and we are not even challenging PDP in the tribunal, that means we are saying the vote allocated to the PDP is correct in the eyes of the law.

Both Obi and Abure deliberately excluded PDP in the suit but now challenging APC. Why is he not challenging the PDP? Obi as far as we are concerned is not doing anything in the election petition, he is only trying to play on peoples intelligence.

Speaking on the directive by Apapa to the partys lawyers handling its election petition to within 48 hours come to brief him on the ongoing petition, Arabambi warned that failure to honour the summon would lead to change of lawyers.

I want to assure Nigerians that the Apapa-led executive is not interested in withdrawing any matter, but as the chairman confirmed on Friday, he has the right to know what is going on. This is because the number one claimant is Obi and the second claimant is the LP. So, Obi is not LP and cannot manage the affairs of our party.

If the lawyers do not honour our 48hrs ultimatum, we will go through the next line and appoint our own lawyers who will now take over LP matter and we will now be doing it side by side with Obi.
Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti has revealed why he assaulted and slapped a police officer on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

KanyiDaily published a video showing the moment Seun Kuti was seen aggressively approaching a policeman and pushing him on the chest during a confrontation on Saturday, May 13.

The youngest child of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, proceeded to slap the police officer, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van.

While assaulting the cop, the musician was heard saying, You dey crase, you dey mad?, but the police officer kept his cool throughout the whole confrontation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to arrest Seun Kuti for assaulting a police officer in uniform.

The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.

Seun Kuti Breaks His Silence

In a series of posts shared on his Twitter page, the musician claimed that the policeman attempted to kill him and his family members. He said the policeman has apologized and he has forgiven him.

Kuti, who also reacted to the order for his arrest, promised to cooperate with the police authorities, stressing that whoever was wrong should be punished.

He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose him job.

I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IGP that whoever is wrong should be indicted, the musician wrote.

KanyiDaily recalls that Seun Kuti had recently taken to social media to lambast the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he would go to hell because hes a very wicked man.

Related
Advertisement

By Rabiu Omaku

The people of Takalafiya community and Gwanja in Karu Local Government were in a mournful mood following the mass burial of thirty eight (38) people including women and children killed by Fulani herdsmen.

The Deputy Governor of Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who led government delegation to the mass burial, condemned in strong terms the wanton killings and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

He expressed shock over the killings, saying Government will investigate the causes of the attacks, and will brought the perpetrators to book.

He assured that the State Government will provide relief materials to the displaced victims as he encouraged the communities to give credible information to the relevant authorities.

The Pastor in-charge of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Daniel Danbeki and others, were gruesomely murdered by the assailants during the attack on Thursday night which lasted till early hours of Friday May 12.

Neighbouring communities such as Gwanja, Angwan Bege, Angwan Madaki and Gidan Allah, occupied predominantly by Gwandara, Mada and Yeskwa tribes, were also attacked by the killer herdsmen.

The Executive Chairman of Karu Local Governnent Area, Mr James Thomas, who visited the attacked communities before the mass burial, condemned the attack in totality.

Thomas, represented by his Deputy, Lawal Yakubu Karshi, appealed for calm and also vowed to arrest the perpetrators in order to face the full wrath of the law.

Our correspondent gathered that the attack was a result of the routine disagreement between farmers and herdsmen who grazed on the farm of a Local and ate his newly planted crops (groundnut and maize).

As the farmer was talking to the Fulani to send his herds out of his farm, a fierce disagreement ensued and the Fulani boy brought out his cutlass and started fighting the farmer; but the farmer overpowered the Fulani, snatched his cutlass and fought him back and the Fulani died instantly he said.

It was gathered that the incident happened in Gwanja community, near Takalafiya, two weeks ago and the authority of Karu Local Government Area intervened and the matter was settled amicably, only for the herdsmen to regrove and attacked Gwanja community, killing four instantly on Thursday, 11th May, 2023.

According to a source from the community, when the herdsmen discovered that some residents of Gwanja community fled to Takalafiya, they launched an attack on the community and killed people mercilessly on Friday, 12th May, 2023.

In the early hours of Friday, around 4am the people of the community were pannicked when they discovered a very strange dog roaming the streets of Takalafiya, with huge charms round its neck, they mobilised and killed the dog

After they succeeded in killing the dog, as they clustered around it wondering where it came from, then the herdsmen started shooting guns sporadically around the community and that was how many residents were killed he said.

As at the time of filling this report, it was gathered that eleven death bodies brought in from Takalafiya and other communities were deposited at the mortuary of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi, with many others still at large.

Related

Advertisement
No fewer than 80 officers and men of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have gone on trial for indulging in collection of illegal fees for the issuance of new passports and renewal of old ones.

The NIS Public Relations Officer, Comptroller of Immigration, Tony Akuneme, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, also indicated that eight other officers have been dismissed from service for the same offence in the last one year.

He said the disciplinary measures under the passport reform, was part of the three-point agenda of the present Comptroller General (CG), NIS, Isah Jere, when he came on board.

Akuneme also said that the CGs three-point agenda includes reform passport issuance, tightening border security and improving the welfare of NIS officers.

According to him, Jere has done this to the best of his ability in the last one year plus, and that is what has led to most applicants booking online for passports.

We have tried as much as possible to eliminate third parties so that if you really want, you can process the application of your passport from the comfort of your room on your laptop, android phones and you can pay online.

You dont really need anybody whether immigration officers or agents which we usually call touts. They have upgraded and become agents. They are still third parties.

The problem we have is the use of third parties because no matter how much reform you put in, you will always see a learned and civilised person using a third party to process his or her application.

And one thing they dont understand is that third parties dont have an idea of the information entered into your application. This can result in somebody having issues with his/her National Identification Number (NIN), he said.

The NIS spokesman said that the CG has vowed to discipline officers who go out of their way to try to either engage or sabotage the reform process.

We have continued to punish NIS officer and men who try to assist people for a fee. You can assist people genuinely but not extorting from them.

We are committed to curbing corruption and other illicit acts in the service. You will appreciate the fact that if nothing else, the level of awareness has increased in the last few months.

Dont patronise agents, fill your forms yourself. We have officers watching and these agents know they are being watched. When they take money from you, tell us. If we dont take action, tell the world, he said.
Police operatives in Ogun State have arrested a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Adebola Sodiq, for raping a 20-year-old girl.

Sodiq was arrested on Friday at Owode Egba, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state, Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi said.

READ ALSO: Death Toll In Kenya Cult Starvation Exceeds 200  Govt

The suspect was said to have lured the victim into the room under the pretence of buying a gift for her and allegedly raped her. He was arrested following a report lodged at Owode Egba divisional headquarters by the victim.

It was gathered that the suspect who is her friends boyfriend came to her apartment on Tuesday, May 9 and asked her to follow him to the village junction so as to buy a gift for her in commemoration of her recently celebrated birthday.

While they were going, the suspect asked her to follow him to the premises of the school where he is serving, in order to pick up his wallet.

On getting to the school compound at Agbajege village, the suspect forcefully dragged her to his room where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her despite her pleading and crying for mercy, Oyeyemi said.

Upon the report, the DPO Owode Egba division, Olasunkanmi Popoola, detailed his detectives to go after the suspect and he was subsequently arrested.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime, but claimed that he didnt know what came over him at that time.

According to the police spokesman, the victim was taken to Owode Egba general hospital by the police for medical treatment.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has reacted the altercation between a police officer and Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti.

KanyiDaily had published a viral video showing the moment Seun Kuti assaulted and slapped a police officer on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered the arrest of the musician and also directed that a probe be carried out to ascertain the facts of the case.

In his reaction, Kuti claimed the policeman attempted to kill him and his family members. He said the offier has apologized and he has forgiven him.

Taking to his Twitter page, Omoyele Sowore alleged that some people want Kuti to be executed because he did not support Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi in the election.

He tweeted: There is nothing wrong if you admit that you want @realseunkuti summarily executed because he did not support @peterobi for President, during the 2023 presidential election. even the @PoliceNG agreed to investigate what led to the altercation between @policeng & @realseunkuti on 3rd Mainland bridge earlier today.

@realseunkuti also accepted to cooperate with investigators, but because he was against @peterobi you want him executed summarily.

Suddenly the @policeng that helped @officialABAT rig election in #Nigeriadecides2023, the police that unjustly executed young Nigerians during #endsars are now your heroes because @realseun kuti is not supporting@peterobi Gotcha moment! Republic of HYPOCRITES. #RevolutionNow

KanyiDaily recalls that before the presidential election, Peter Okoye of the music group, Psquare, had clashed with Seun Kuti, for criticizing Peter Obi.

Related
NIGERIA cannot survive another civil war, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and frontline monarch Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have warned.

They called on the authorities to arrest what they see as the prevailing drift into a dysfunctional state on multiple levels of citizenship, community belonging, security and productive opportunities.

In a communique they issued at the end of a meeting at the weekend, the duo counselled the government on ensuring co-existence amongst Nigerians.

The communique was issued after a visit by the royal father to Soyinka in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

They said that solutions must be found to the challenges threatening national cohesion and survival.

According to the literary icon and the royal father, efforts must be made to douse the tension over the suspended Ruga settlements. The government has suspended the project, saying the implementation was inconsistent with its plan.

The communique decried a situation where some groups consider themselves especially privileged and above the law.

It states: We have in mind destructive forms of social transactions that characterize groups such as nomadic cattle herdsmen, and their umbrella groupings in the nature of Miyetti Allah.

We confess ourselves increasingly distressed and appalled that the hitherto harmonious cohabitation, even routine collaboration, among the productive arms of society that Nigerians have taken for granted even from pre-colonial times, have deteriorated to unprecedented levels of barbarity, contempt for human lives and a defiant trampling on the civic entitlements of other productive vectors, such as farmers, the providers of both food and cash crops.

This abhorrent, yet consistent pattern of sectarian, and homicidal arrogance is obviously not merely counter-productive but inhuman, criminal and divisive.

Read Also: Soyinka: cattle colonies can set Nigeria on fire

Soyinka and Oba Ogunwusi said the recent ultimatum delivered by a sectarian order to President Muhammadu Buhari to set up the so-called Ruga cattle settlements across the entire nation within a stipulated time, despite national outcry, should be acknowledged as their entitlement under the law that grants them freedom of expression.

Given the current state of affairs, the eminent citizens called on Nigerians across the states to defend the sanctity of their ancestral lands, because such birthright has never been annulled, not even under colonial occupation.

They said those who indulge in what they described as internal colonisation project are backward, primitive and underdeveloped minds that have failed to overcome delusions in the antiquated belief in sectarian dominion as the key to social existence.

Soyinka and Oba Ogunwusi urged Nigerians to convoke a series of frank encounters, across various interests and concerns, to debate and determine the future structure of their nation, most especially with a view to attaining a genuine, decentralised functional governance arrangement.

They added: We propose a structure that enables the constitutive parts to progress at their own pace, determine their own priorities, and encourage creative exploitation of their resources for the benefit of their peoples. Such encounters will simultaneously address the numerous anomalies that plague the nation  from youth unemployment, infrastructural decay, insecurity and ethical collapse, to the untenable aspects of the protocols of the present constitution that supposedly bond the nation as one.

We consider it a primary imperative of nation existence that the constitutive parts of the nation take steps to preserve and enhance their distinct cultural identities, including tested and relevant pre-colonial values, their spiritual apprehension of phenomena and worship, all without detriment to the principles and ideals of mutual co-existence.

To this end, we undertake to create state-of-the-art Ethnic Museums for our people both at home and in the Diaspora, where present and future generations can access their histories and cultures vividly, as living expressions of their very humanity, not simply as relics of eras vanished forever or irrelevant to the present.

We pledge ourselves to join hands with others in fashioning a realistic, functional, and sustainable charter of development for the welfare and progress of our peoples, culturally, economically, and spiritually, where every individual freely obtains access to the means of his or her chosen path of development, and the fulfilling knowledge of valuable contribution to the well-being and advance of the overall community, and of humanity.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta), has decried the alleged raid on the Abuja residence of the Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Chief Dave Umahi.

In a statement by the minority leader, the caucus said that the raid was a menacing and inexcusable development.

The lawmaker said that the law enforcement agencies were free to do their job with respect to the rule of law.

The caucus said it was, however, worried that police authorities had denied foreknowledge of the operation and called for a thorough investigation.

We received with angst and rude shock the report of illegal raid on Abuja residence of the governor of Ebonyi and Chairman of South East Governors Forum, Chief Dave Umahi.

The fact that the police high commands, including the office of the Inspector-General of Police, have distanced themselves from the operation makes it a suspicious operation, Elumelu said.

The lawmaker called on the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Adamu, to intervene.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari met with billionaire philanthropist, Bill Gates and business tycoon, Aliko Dangote on Wednesday at a side event during the ongoing 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holding in New York, United States.

The President applauded the contributions of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as Aliko Dangote Foundation to humanitarian and developmental activities in Nigeria.

See more photos below:
NORMAL  The Normal Town Council on Monday is expected to vote on additions to the Blackstone Trails subdivision and a new Route 66 roadside attraction near One Normal Plaza.

According to council documents, two additions are planned for the Blackstone Trails subdivision, which is at the northeast corner of Hershey and Shepard roads in northeast Normal. These would be the fourth and fifth additions to the area.

The fourth addition will encompass 4.8 acres just north of the detention basin and will include 20 lots for detached single-family residences, according to council documents. It will also have an out lot that will serve as an easement for utilities, drainage and pedestrian access.

The developer will build a hard-surfaced connection on the out lot from the sidewalk to the trail around the detention basin. The Blackstone Trails homeowners association will be responsible for maintaining pedestrian improvements within the out lot.

The fifth addition will encompass 7.79 acres just north of the proposed fourth addition. It will include 37 lots for detached single-family houses, along with all required right-of-ways for public streets and easements for utilities.

A 25-foot drainage easement will be placed in the side yards between lots 220 and 221.

Both additions were approved by the town council in September, but the development was delayed when the developer did not pay the fees or post a bond within the 90-day period before the council's approval expired, according to council documents.

The developer is now ready to pay the fees and post the bond, and is requesting that the council reapprove both additions.

Route 66

The council also will vote on a new Route 66 roadside attraction on Pine Street, adjacent to the south edge of One Normal Plaza.

Council documents said Normal and other municipalities in McLean County are partnering with the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau to acquire grants for Route 66-themed attractions along the historic highway, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.

The installation in Normal would have 8-foot-tall letters spelling "NORMAL," with a 10-foot-tall Route 66 shield at the end. The entire structure would be 43 feet long and would sit on a concrete pad with ground-mounted lights illuminating it.

The planning commission held a public hearing on May 4 and approved the plan with a variance for the height and size, according to council documents.

Road, sidewalk repairs

The council will vote on almost $1.8 million in road repairs on East College Avenue from Blair to Young drives.

The project consists of furnishing all work necessary for the milling and repair of existing surfaces and a overlay of hot mix asphalt.

Work will also include pavement patching, removal of concrete curbs and gutters, and adjustment and/or replacement of various water and sewer structures.

Council documents said the project was bid out to Rowe Construction of Bloomington for a total of $1,795,411.

Funding is available in the roadway fund and the project is the first of three separate projects proposed for the 2023 street resurfacing program, which was presented to the council March 6.

Sidewalk repair work along East College Avenue is already underway, and resurfacing is expected to begin in June with an anticipated completion date of Oct. 15.

Other business for Monday's meeting includes the following:

Authorizing renewal of the town's participation in the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency insurance program for 2023-24

Approving recommended Harmon Arts Grant Awards

Authorizing an agreement with the City of Bloomington, McLean County, Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District and the Ecology Action Center for the Tree Corps Program services

Authorizing a contract with The FPI Inc. (Athlete Factory) for services from provided through Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant funds

Waving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of a Kubota RTV utility vehicle from Nord Outdoor Power for $39,592

Waving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of refuse containers from Schaefer Systems International Inc. for $45,696

Waving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of a Toro Greenmaster Greens mower from MTI Distributing for $55,675

Approving a site plan and a final plat for the Apostolic Christian Church at 4408 E. Raab Road

Appointing members to the Human Relations Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals

The Youth On A Mission Advisory Council, comprised of high school students from Unit 5, will be hosting a presentation.

The council meets at 7 p.m. Monday on the fourth floor of Uptown Station. Council meetings are also livestreamed on the towns YouTube channel.

Photos: 3A Girls Sectional Track and Field at Bloomington
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 14, 1923: Bloomington dealers say that the automobile business is having its banner year. Every dealer is selling far more cars than were sold last year. The easy payment plan, first frowned upon by the dealers, is responsible for many of the sales. The payment plan can be adopted by those who are financially able to pay as well as those who cannot pay cash.

75 years ago

May 14, 1948: Reorganization of routes covered by Bloomington letter carriers has been completed, and two more carriers added, according to postmaster Carter Pietsch. The two extra carriers bring the total in the city to 31.

50 years ago

May 14, 1973: Bloomington has taken the first step in a planned radical traffic change by appropriating $13,654.50 as its share for two traffic signals on Main and Center streets at their intersections with Emerson Street. The signals will become necessary when U.S. 51 is routed southbound on Center Street and northbound on Main Street.

25 years ago

May 14, 1998: The 56 students in Central Catholic High School's concert and jazz bands will play this weekend in the International Festival at Sea Music Competition. The jazz band will place twice and the concert band three times in the competition, which is held on a Carnival cruise ship as it sails around the Bahamas. The bands will also perform at other ship venues, including pool lounges.

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'
BLOOMINGTON  In American tattooing, there's not much more classic or classier than a traditional heart surrounded by a ribbon featuring a mother's name  or simply "Mom."

"How can your mom complain when you get a 'mom' tattoo?" said David Lane, author of "The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change Among Tattoo Workers."

"Love your mom enough to get a mom tattoo," he chuckled.

Lane, an assistant professor at Illinois State University, sat in his office last week surrounded by books and magazines about American tattooing through the centuries.

"Mom tattoos are really old in tattooing, at least in the United States," Lane said. "There's evidence dating back to well over a century of mom tattoos, for sure. And I don't think it's just a mom tattoo."

Lane explained that the phenomenon may have originated as a form of physical memorial. He said there was "evidence in some of the earliest sketchbooks that we have what would be flash designs of memorial pieces that would be about family.

"So remembering family has always been a key theme in tattooing."

'Brought her to life'

Shania Brady sat waiting last week at Illinois Tattoo Co. in downtown Bloomington to get fresh ink on her right arm, just next to a portrait of her late grandmother.

"She raised me and my siblings," said Brady, of Bloomington.

Judy Brady, her grandmother who also lived in Bloomington, raised Shania Brady and her five siblings in place of their mother, she said.

"Everything that I've learned, the person I've become, is because of her," Shania Brady said.

May 16 will mark two years since her grandmother died of cancer.

"I told her I was going to get it when she was still around, and she thought it was the silliest thing," she said.

She said this tattoo holds a great amount of significance for her.

"She is my favorite person in the entire world. Getting this  he really brought her to life ... the detail and everything was just amazing," Brady said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Brady also said she was glad she chose Chad Ramsay at Illinois Tattoo Co. for his portrait skills. "He did his thing, he really did," she said.

Recent Illinois State University graduate Livi Swiech is also among those with a permanent tribute to her mother.

Swiech, who responded to a Pantagraph social media post seeking people to interview for this story, said her parents are from Poland. "Tattoos were frowned upon a lot more there than they are here," she said.

So, when she started getting inked at age 18, Swiech decided to soften the blow to her folks with the second tattoo: a rose on her left ankle.

"It's my mom's favorite flower," Swiech said.

"Whenever I look at it, it makes me think of my mom," she said. "It reminds me to call her ... and I just really like it because it's not super obvious that it's in her honor, but when people ask why I have a rose tattoo ... it's my mom's favorite flower."

Swiech said it often reminds her to buy a bouquet of roses for her mom when visiting home in the Chicago suburbs.

Changing traditions

Charlie Roberts has operated Iron and Ink tattoo shop, 420 N. Madison St. in Bloomington, for 12 years, but has been tattooing since he was a teenager, he said.

"Generally, when it comes to the mom tattoo thing ... not a whole lot of people get them anymore," he said at the shop Wednesday.

Roberts sat at his work station, stenciling a "traditional" heart-ribbon mom tattoo that he was putting on his 24-year-old son, Stephen Roberts.

"It's really, like an old-school tradition. It's not really something that's going on a whole lot these days," the elder Roberts said.

The Pantagraph had contacted Iron and Ink about clientele getting the traditional piece and, almost immediately, Charlie Roberts brought his son in to tattoo.

The artist said he's "a man of tattoos by coincidence," trusting fate and karma to lead the way.

"Nine times out of 10, it turns out fine," he said before telling his adult son, "Your mom will probably like you getting a tattoo. Now's as good a time as any."

Charlie Roberts said conventional ideas of tattooing are changing as the artform becomes more socially acceptable.

"The kids these days are expecting more from their tattoos, so it's not so basic anymore," he said.

In fact, he said he doesn't even bother hiring basic "tattoers" anymore. He hires artists and then trains them how to put ink on skin.

"If they swim, they swim. If they sink, they sink," he said, needle buzzing as he tattooed his son.

Lauren McLeod, a 25-year-old mother of two, turned the commemorative tattoo idea around, with a tattoo on her left arm for her firstborn.

"I feel like the stigma on tattoos  I'm glad it's going away. It's something that people can use to express themselves and add color to boring skin," said McLeod, who works in Bloomington.

Lane said this societal shift revolves around changing priorities and represents a move away from more conservative notion of what a "pure" body is.

"America is heavily influenced by Protestantism," he said, "and this notion of what the body should be in relation to work. And so, marring the body, whether it's scars, tattoos or anything like that, is sort of a violation of its purity."

Lane continued, "We're in an era where religiosity is dropping in the United States. ... Maybe people aren't tied to the same notions of what their body should look like."

McLeod said her children love her tattoos. "As my kids grow older, they like to look at (my tattoos), and it kind of means something special to them."

And, she added, they're eager for ink themselves.

"My 5-year-old, she does want to get some already," McLeod said, "but I told her it hurts and she's got to get older. She's all about it."

Searching for permanence

Ramsay, the artist who tattooed Shania Brady's portrait of her grandmother, said he enjoys pieces that are more unique for memorials, like a snippet of a loved one's handwriting.

Ramsay has a tattoo of a note from his grandmother on his left elbow that features what he said was a characteristic misspelled vulgarity.

These types of memorials have always been a staple of tattooing over the centuries, Lane said.

"Haven't people historically and throughout societies memorialized the dead in some way?" he said. "How many people have pawprints of their lost pets? Or get the dates of a loved one tattooed on them, or something with a cross? This is not a new phenomenon by any means."

He said it is the nature of a tattoo that keeps the phenomenon alive  its inherent permanence.

"There's nothing quite as priceless as a tattoo," Lane said. "It has no secondary value. It's not like people are skinning themselves and selling them," he laughed.

He continued: "We live in a world where there's not a lot of permanence to some things. ... We engage in all sorts of meaningless consumption  we all have the same stores in our little towns. But tattooing can become something so significant to us individually."

Lane added, "I can guarantee you the toaster I got at Target doesn't mean a lot to me. But, for tattoos, that's a little bit more significant."

Swiech, who plans to teach seventh grade after graduating, said her mother was a little shocked when she saw the rose tattoo in her honor.

"It's definitely grown on her since then," Swiech said. "Because it's her favorite flower, and because it's for her, she didn't get very mad at me.

"My parents still aren't the biggest fans of tattoos, but it has eased them into accepting them more," she said.

For Brady, who also has her grandmother's handwriting tattooed on her clavicle, these tributes keep her grandmother close.

"The significance of this is just her  how pure she was, and how much she did, and what she took on even after she got cancer," Brady said. "She still did everything she could possibly do for all of us."

Photos: For some, tattoos provide lasting tribute to Mom
FLICK LITE: Our latest listings, as offered by the readers and your own resident Lite Boy...

Best weather forecaster yet

As you might recall, after a few weeks with little precipitation, last weekend in Central Illinois was stormy, with several inches of rain  and now we finally realize why it all happened:

As reader Dave Colee puts it: The Eastland Mall carnival (in the malls parking lot) was in town again.

Its become an annual joke  and also a quirky, if not almost eerie, annual precipitator of precipitation.

Widest eyes at Dale Jr.s car

Just before last weekends Kentucky Derby, in a feature on NBC of the differences between racing cars and racing horses, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. was shown pulling up for the interview in a 1948 Chevrolet Truck.

It caught many Central Illinois eyes for an entirely different reason.

Much of it left untouched by Earnhardt Jr. because, as he says, he found it years ago, loves that truck and doesn't want to ruin its original authenticity, on the sides of each door of the 75-year-old truck are still printed these words:

Biehl Bros.

Arrowsmith, Ill.

The Biehls, we discover, ran a garage between Saybrook and Arrowsmith in the post-World War II era, until the 1960s and beyond.

Side item: Earnhardt Jr. is also famous as a big fan of legendary rock band Aerosmith.

Most taxing question

In an age when "local" businesses become less and less, have you noticed that in McLean County, instead of here, we even send our property tax payments to Kansas City, some 380 miles out of McLean County?

Best auction find

A longtime fan of great names is this column. Surely one of the all-time best names even brought dollars recently at an auction along Croxton Avenue in Bloomington. Thats where was sold a sign that once hung outside a local dental office, of a large tooth and the dentists name ...

... Noah Payne.

Worst place to get caught

Name of the town where that Texas mass shooting suspect was recently captured:

Cut and Shoot, Texas.

May Best Name Club

 Aaron Bummer. A pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, struggling a bit this season.

 Alvin Bragg. The New York City district attorney who successfully oversaw the indictments against Donald Trump, eternally famed for his own bragging.

Latest 'sign' of the times

For decades, Bed Bath & Beyond lured us into their stores with endless coupons in the mail.

The chain, in fact, became famously known as the mother of all coupon dispensers.

Coincidentally, as the company struggles financially and is closing its stores  including one recently closed in Normal  customers at the end were met by a huge sign at the door:

NO COUPONS!!!

More Fun Places To Visit, If Only For Their Names

(As offered by the readers)

 Bug Tussle, Alabama

 Frostproof, Florida

 Helper, Utah

 Downer, Minnesota (Gotta be worse than Downs, right? humorously asks reader Steve Woodard.)

Latest great B-N notoriety (sort of)

David Foster Wallace is the late, great Illinois State University English instructor who wrote "Infinite Jest," a gargantuan, unconventional novel of 1,079 pages published in 1996 that is ranked by Time as one of the 100 best novels of the 20th century, but is an infamously difficult read of so-called "metamodernism" that few can get through.

And so it is on a new Netflix series, "Night Agent," where two FBI agents scouring an apartment for evidence are sifting through books when one asks "why anyone keeps books they don't read," and the other agent suggests it's purely for show and being ostentatious, for no other reason than to impress others.

Then he adds, just ask 90% of people with copies of Infinite Jest.

Areas leading cutting-edge resident

Just received at the McLean County Museum of History:

Papers from a local women's literary group that organized back in 1895, that included (for reasons unknown) an auto registration from 1911 of a member who was owner of one of the Twin Cities' first electric cars  a 1911 Anderson Electric Brougham.

Its B-N owner? Hazle Buck Ewing, matriarch of todays Ewing Manor, at Towanda and Emerson.

Got an item for Lite? Send to: bflick@pantagraph.com, or the Bill Flick page on Facebook.

Our May board of contributors: Steve Woodard, Washington; Kevin Schertz and Roger Embry, Saybrook; Tim Ramsey, Sun Lakes, Arizona; Mary Sorenson, Pekin; Roger Hughes, Normal; Julie Callahan, Rob Flynn, Bill Kemp, Larry Carius, Tom Harrell and Lee Templeton, Bloomington.

Watch the fun from MIRA's 2nd Annual Derby Karen Stailey-Lander, Michelle Gudgel, Jana Mortimer Rhendy Bradshaw, Xavier Cruz Jessica Sigler, Carrie Tinucci-Troll, Samantha Walden, Grace Nichols Garrett VonDerHeide, Amy Miller, Brandon Shaffer, Amanda Wycoff-Neaves, Ed Neaves Jackie Jackson, Diane Cote, Meenu Bhaskar Kathi and Robert Miller, Morgan Wilson, Karen Wilson Amanda Willette, Carrie and Dennis Stevenson Kristen Haas-Oliver, Brian Riley, Tracy Haas-Riley Cheryl Magnuson, Jessica and Steve Devore Randy Clark Marie Denzer-Farley, Amy Glasscock Jim and Abby Spachman Kindi and Anne Bliss Derby Race Jessica Devore, Tracy Patkunas Amanda Willette, Caroline Bird Dan Kniery, Tom Krieger Dan Slagell, Tina Marlett Valerie Hutchfield, Kathy DiCiaula, Valerie Curry Derby Race Suzi Nafziger, Sandy Vick
A 29-year-old YouTuber has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge after he destroyed the wreckage of a plane he purposefully crashed to gain views on YouTube, the US Justice Department announced.



Trevor Daniel Jacob admitted to Federal authorities he planned to crash his plane in a video he made to promote a wallet. He later collected the aircrafts wreckage and got rid of it to hinder federal investigators from probing the crash site, according to a news release from the US Attorneys Office for the Central District of California.



Jacob, a pilot and skydiver, agreed to plead guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, the release said.





The flight took place on November 24, 2021. Jacob departed from Lompoc City Airport, in Santa Barbara County, but he never intended to land the aircraft, he admitted in the plea agreement.



Instead, he planned to eject from his aircraft during the flight and video himself parachuting to the ground and the airplane as it descended and crashed, according to the statement.





Authorities said Jacob had put up several cameras in different parts of the plane and took with him a parachute, video camera and selfie stick.



Approximately 35 minutes after taking off, while flying above the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Maria, Jacob ejected from the airplane and videoed himself parachuting to the ground, the statement added.



After parachuting to the ground and recording the crash, he hiked to the wreck and took the video data of the crash with him, according to the release.



The YouTuber reported the crash to the National Transportation Safety Board two days later and agreed to share the site of the wreck with the agency. But he instead lied to authorities that he did not know where the crash site was and roughly two weeks later, flew to the site with a friend, loaded up the plane wreckage and later destroyed it, according to the release, which cites the plea agreement.





Roughly a month after the wreck, he uploaded a video on YouTube called I Crashed My Airplane, showing the crash and Jacob parachuting from the plane.



His fans on YouTube were suspicious of the stunt, with a number of comments pointing out Jacob was already wearing a parachute, made no attempt to glide the aircraft to a safe landing area, and took his camera and selfie stick with him when abandoning the plane.



Jacob admitted in his plea agreement that he intended to make money through the video, the release added.



He also admitted to lying to federal investigators after submitting an aircraft accident incident report and falsely claimed the plane fully lost power roughly half an hour after takeoff, the news release said.



Jacob also lied to (a Federal Aviation Administration) aviation safety inspector when he said the airplanes engine had quit and, because he could not identify any safe landing options, he had parachuted out of the plane, it added.



Following the stunt, the FAA revoked Jacobs pilot license last year, according to the release. He will appear in court in the coming weeks.



The case continues.



Watch the video below

Trevor Daniel Jacob, a 29-year-old YouTuber who intentionally crashed his airplane while pretending it was an unavoidable accident, has pleaded guilty to federal charges and faces 20 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/QzlNAROu4q  Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 12, 2023















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former Director of Communications at the Presidency during late Prof John Atta-Mills' regime, Samuel Koku Anyidoho has thanked God for the withdrawal of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor from the NDC's Saturday Presidential primary.



He said "there was no bloodshed because any drop of blood based on a fake register would have been attributed to Dr. Duffuor."



The Founder and CEO of the Atta-Mills Institute prior to the primaries had verbally 'attacked' the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and National Executives of the NDC and former President John Mahama who eventually won.



In a tweet on Sunday morning after the elections, he attributed John Mahama's victory to a fake register.



"Let those who won by 10,0000000% enjoy their fake victory," he tweeted.



Mahama's Victory



Certified results by the Electoral Commission (EC) show Mr Mahama polled an overwhelming 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday.



His closest contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181 representing 1.1%.



The other contender in the NDC flagbearership race, former Finance Minister in the Mills regime, Kwabena Duffour, pulled out on Friday.



Distrust for Mahama



The former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has said he does not trust former President John Mahamas promise to scrap ex-gratia.



He asked Mr Mahama to answer why he did not implement the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) White Paper on Emoluments when he was President.



Koku Anyidoho says he is prepared to debate Mr Mahama on how he betrayed President Atta-Mills. I dont trust him and will never trust him.



You think we are all stupid so you can lie to us by saying you will scrap ex-gratia. They say prove that you are sincere, by refunding what you are enjoying; you respond with insults by telling us that we are silly. Yooo we hear you Mr. dead goat, he tweeted.



I dont trust John Mahama if he says he will scrap ex-gratia. Why did he not implement the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) White Paper on, Emoluments? I am prepared to debate John Dramani Mahama on how he betrayed President Atta-Mills. I dont trust him and will never trust him.



Koku's Expulsion from NDC



In 2021, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly expelled Koku Anyidoho, for indiscipline.



The party said the decision comes after the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) considered the report and recommendations of the National Disciplinary Committee on the case of misconduct and anti-party behaviour, brought against Anyidoho.



A letter signed by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the then General Secretary of the NDC, said: The Committees report found you guilty of the said allegations of misconduct and anti-party behaviour and recommended your outright expulsion from the party.



You are, therefore, by the decision of FEC, expelled from the National Democratic Congress and for that matter, you are no more recognised as a member of the Party and cannot carry yourself as such.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
" " A woman dressed in southern Civil War-era attire watches a Confederate re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on its 150th anniversary in Gettysburg, Pa. in 2013. John Moore/Getty Images

Mother's Day, one of the largest holidays in the world, has become an unstoppable idea. Whether it's a set of earrings or a dozen roses, few can imagine allowing a Mother's Day to come and go without giving Mom a gift.

In 2022, 84 percent of Americans planned to celebrate Mother's Day, spending more than $245 per gift, on average. This figure, which has grown without fail for decades, doesn't even count handmade perks like breakfast in bed. The top three gift categories were greeting cards, flowers and special outings [source: National Retail Federation].

Advertisement

How did the second Sunday of May become a milestone to mark the contributions of mothers in the first place? In the beginning, it wasn't all sweetness and light. In fact, it was far from a feel-good holiday designed to celebrate women and how they care for their families.

Mother's Day was built on radical ideals. It was an international movement meant to change the world, one that began through the collective efforts of influential women who sought to free the world from injustice and warfare.

The modern concept of Mother's Day grew out of a seed planted in 1858, when Ann Reeves Jarvis began organizing Mothers' Day Work Clubs to rail against the disease-causing environment of West Appalachia's poorest workers. She believed too many of the workers' children were dying from illnesses brought on by filthy conditions, so under the advice of her physician brother, Jarvis taught mothers how to boil water for drinking and keep food from spoiling. The practical nature of her Mothers' Day Work Clubs served as a model for nearby towns, and by 1860 the idea had spread across West Virginia [source: The Library of Congress].

Just as Jarvis' concept was gaining traction, her attention was drawn to another challenge. The American Civil War, which would play out from 1861 to 1865, was erupting right in her front yard.
Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), based in British Columbia, works to secure social and legal justice for First Nations and other Indigenous families. They began the Highway of Tears Initiative to put into action 33 recommendations made in the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium Recommendations Report.

The recommendations include measures like better transportation options, increased police patrols, the establishment of awareness and prevention programs among at-risk women and their families, a wide-ranging media campaign and emergency readiness plans.

Advertisement

Yet the violence against Indigenous women, all across Canada, continues. According to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability:

Based on 15 years of Homicide Survey data (2001-2015), homicide rates for Indigenous women and girls were approximately six times higher (48.2 per million population) than rates for non-Indigenous women and girls (8.2 per million population). Other research suggests that Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women in Canada and 16 times more likely than Caucasian women.

"It's far too common. Even just this year alone, we've had three former clients go missing, you know?" says Elsie Wiebe, the Calls to Justice Coordinator with CSFS's Highway of Tears Initiative. "Just how common it is for Indigenous women to go missing and be found dead, or not be found at all. It has a devastating impact."

What still needs addressing, Wiebe and many other Indigenous peoples advocates say, are the underlying conditions that lead to the violence. A 2019 report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls put it this way:

Colonial violence, as well as racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia against Indigenous women, girls, and , has become embedded in everyday life  whether this is through interpersonal forms of violence, through institutions like the health care system and the justice system, or in the laws, policies and structures of Canadian society. The result has been that many Indigenous people have grown up normalized to violence, while Canadian society shows an appalling apathy to addressing the issue. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls finds that this amounts to genocide.

Project E-PANA has been the highest-profile police investigation involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, yet it touches on only a tiny fraction of the problem. Reliable statistics are difficult to come by, but more than 2,000 Indigenous women and girls in Canada have been reported to have gone missing or been murdered in the past three decades.

Some are poor or undereducated, victims of domestic violence, drug abusers or are otherwise struggling in a larger society in which they are too often viewed as outsiders in their own lands. But Wiebe says that kind of lazy descriptor is unfair and devalues the defining characteristics of Indigenous communities who have survived immeasurable oppression, racism and targeted violence.

"The women and girls we've lost along the Highway of Tears were stopped short in the middle of their goals, dreams, education or careers. They all had full lives ahead of them and they leave behind loving families and friends who continue to look for them and wait for their return. Families and whole communities mourn them dearly," says Wiebe. "Too often those who are missing or were murdered are unfairly framed as drug users or people in poverty living risky irresponsible lives and this negative stereotyping is not the true story or lived experience of those who we are missing. If the lives of each of these Indigenous women and girls had not been interrupted and taken, some would today be our teachers, psychologists, doctors, mothers, sisters, aunties, daughters, grandmothers, wives."

Says Wiebe: "I think it's really easy for people to think that there's something lacking in these people. Well ... it's what we stole. It's time to reexamine how we set up these people to ensure that they fail."

" " A sign posted by the tribal offices warns against hitchhiking in Hazleton, British Columbia. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
" " The statue of Lao-tzu is displayed at the Palace of Heaven in Qingdao city. Legend says this is where Lao Tzu descended from the heavens. Shanshan0312/Shutterstock

The "Tao Te Ching" was compiled around 300 to 250 B.C.E, but its wisdom resonates as powerfully today as it did more than two millennia ago. The slim text was written in ancient China during the Warring States period, a three-century period of incessant warfare between various Chinese states. In 81 stanzas, the "Tao Te Ching" pushes back against the all-too-human desire for "more"  more money, more status, more power, more things  and focuses instead on simplicity, harmony and a return to Tao or "the way."

The author of the "Tao Te Ching" is Lao-tzu (also written as Laozi), an honorific title that means "Old Master." According to biographies written centuries later, Lao-tzu (pronounced lao-zuh) was a sage-like archivist in the Zhou court who served as an early teacher of Confucius. Lao-tzu refused to write down his teachings, but when he decided to leave his homeland for India, he was pressed by a border guard to share his wisdom. Legend has it that the border guard dutifully copied down the words of Lao-tzu in the "Tao Te Ching," which means "The Book of the Way and Its Power."

Advertisement

Modern scholars disagree on whether an historical figure named Lao-tzu ever existed, or whether he and his writings were a compilation of Chinese wisdom passed down over the centuries. Eventually, what started out as a philosophy called Taoism (or Daoism) soon became a religion with Lao-tzu as the earthly personification of the Tao  the ultimate power that gives order to the universe.

Reading the "Tao Te Ching" today, it feels like Lao-tzu is directly addressing 21st-century problems: runaway consumerism, overdevelopment, the single-minded pursuit of profit and growth at the expense of the environment, and disregard for the poor and marginalized. But that's because it was written at the turn of the Iron Age, when new technologies fueled a population explosion and ensuing conflicts over land and resources.

"The 'Tao Te Ching' was written in a political climate where people were doing just what they're doing today," says Livia Kohn, professor emerita of Daoist Studies at Boston University and author of "Daoism and Chinese Culture." "They were destroying the environment and there were all of these power mongers waging war on people. It was a very messy time that they lived in."

Lao-tzu's message, then and now, is that the human urge to dominate and alter the world to fit our desires is ultimately foolish. There is an underlying nature to everything that is organic, simple and easy, and the way to find it is through calmness and quiet intuition, not through ambitious and aggressive tactics.

Here are five eye-opening passages from the "Tao Te Ching" that offer a way to maintain a sense of harmony and balance in an often-chaotic world, courtesy of the legendary Taoist master Lao-tzu.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Rescue workers remove the fallen tress after a storm in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Rescuers on Monday evacuated about 1,000 people trapped by seawater 3.6 meters (12 feet) deep along western Myanmar's coast after a powerful cyclone injured hundreds and cut off communications. Six deaths were reported, but the true impact was not yet clear in one of Asia's least developed countries.

Strong winds injured more than 700 of about 20,000 people who were sheltering in sturdier buildings on the highlands of Sittwe township, such as monasteries, pagodas and schools, according to a leader of the Rakhine Youths Philanthropic Association in Sittwe. He asked not to be named due to fear of reprisals from the authorities in the military-run country.

Seawater raced into more than 10 low-lying wards near the shore as Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Rakhine state Sunday afternoon, he said. Residents moved to roofs and higher floors, while the wind and storm surge prevented immediate rescue.

"After 4 p.m. yesterday, the storm weakened a bit, but the water did not fall back. Most of them sat on the roof and at the high places of their houses the whole night. The wind blew all night," the rescue group leader said.

Water was still about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high in flooded areas later Monday, but rescues were being made as the wind calmed and the sun rose in the sky. He asked civil society organizations and authorities to send aid and help evacuate residents.

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023, a lamppost damaged by Cyclone Mocha lines on a street in Kyauk Phyu township, Rakhine State. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

Six deaths were reported by Myanmar media and rescue groups. Several injuries were reported in neighboring Bangladesh, which was spared the predicted direct hit.

Mocha made landfall near Sittwe township with winds blowing up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmar's Meteorological Department said. By midday Monday, it had weakened to a tropical depression, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The State Administration Council issued disaster declarations for 17 townships in Rakhine state.

High winds crumpled cell phone towers, but in videos collected by local media before communications were lost, deep water raced through streets and wind blew off roofs.

Myanmar's military information office said the storm had damaged houses and electrical transformers in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships. It said roofs were torn off buildings on the Coco Islands, about 425 kilometers (264 miles) southwest of the country's largest city, Yangon.

Rescue workers help an elderly woman to reach a makeshift shelter after a storm in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Volunteers previously said shelters in Sittwe did not have enough food after more people arrived there seeking help.

Mocha largely spared the Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar, which initially had been in the storm's predicted path. Authorities had evacuated hundreds of thousands of people before the cyclone veered east.

A Bangladesh government official, Enamur Rahman, said the damage was still being assessed, but that about 2,000 homes had been destroyed and 10,000 others were damaged on Saint Martin's Island and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar district.

He said no deaths were reported.

About a dozen people were injured on Saint Martin's Island, the Prothom Alo newspaper reported.

U.N. agencies and aid workers in Bangladesh had prepositioned tons of dry food and dozens of ambulances in the refugee camps that house more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims who fled persecution in Myanmar.

Women spend time with their children at a makeshift shelter set up for residents of coastal areas, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Fisherman walk near the boats anchored at the coast in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar are bracing as an extremely severe cyclone starts to hit their coastal areas, and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

In this image from a video, a tree falls on an empty road as Cyclone Mocha approaches in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as the extremely severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo

In this image from a video, local people walk on a flooded street caused by heavy rain as Cyclone Mocha approaches in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as the extremely severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo

Fisherman stand under an umbrella and watch their boats at the coast in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar are bracing as an extremely severe cyclone starts to hit their coastal areas, and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Women arrive at a makeshift shelter set up for residents of coastal areas, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Fisherman walk at the coast in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar are bracing as an extremely severe cyclone starts to hit their coastal areas, and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Fisherman take shelter under a shack near the coast in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar are bracing as an extremely severe cyclone starts to hit their coastal areas, and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Rescue workers remove the fallen tress after a storm in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Women sit inside a room at a makeshift shelter set up for residents of coastal areas, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

Boats are parked along a road near the coast in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bangladesh and Myanmar are bracing as an extremely severe cyclone starts to hit their coastal areas, and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: AP Photo/Al-emrun Garjon

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023, a lamppost attached with electrical transformer damaged by Cyclone Mocha lines on a street in Gwa township, Rakhine State. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

This satellite image provided by India Meteorological Department shows storm Mocha intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. Bangladesh and Myanmar braced Sunday as a severe cyclone started to hit coastal areas and authorities urged thousands of people in both countries to seek shelter. Credit: India Meteorological Department via AP

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023, a lamppost attached with electrical transformer damaged by Cyclone Mocha lines on a street in Gwa township, Rakhine State. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023, buildings damaged by Cyclone Mocha is seen in Kyauk Phyu township, Rakhine State. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023,roofs of a stadium damaged by Cyclone Mocha is seen in Coco Island, Yangon Division. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Sunday, May 14, 2023, a cell phone tower damaged by Cyclone Mocha is seen in Sittwe township, Rakhine State. Credit: Military True News Information Team via AP

In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with a storm surge that devastated populated areas around the Irrawaddy River delta. At least 138,000 people died and tens of thousands of homes and other buildings were washed away.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days. Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

"As long as oceans are warm and winds are favorable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period," Koll said.

Tropical cyclones, which are called hurricanes or typhoons in other regions, are among the world's most devastating natural disasters when they hit densely populated coastal areas.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Experts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change.

Around 200,000 people have been displaced due to flash flooding in central Somalia, a regional official told AFP on Saturday, as the Shabelle River burst its banks and submerged roads.

Inhabitants of Beledweyne town in Hiran region were forced out of their homes as heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise sharply, with residents carrying their belongings on top of their heads as they waded through flooded streets in search of refuge.

"Some 200,000 people are now displaced due to the Shabelle River flash floods in Beledweyne town and the number may increase anytime. It is a preliminary figure now," said Ali Osman Hussein, deputy governor for social affairs in Hiran region.

"We are doing all we can to help those who are affected," he told AFP.

The region's deputy governor Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle said on Friday that "three people were killed by the floods".

The disaster comes on the heels of a record drought that has left millions of Somalis on the brink of famine, with the troubled nation also battling an Islamist insurgency for decades.

Residents told AFP they were forced to abandon their homes in the middle of the night earlier this week as water gushed through the streets and into buildings.

Fartun Alinot her real namesaid it was her fifth time fleeing flash flooding in Beledweyne.

"Whenever the river breaks the banks, we flee," the 35-year-old mother of eight told AFP.

Inhabitants of Beledweyne town in Hiran region were forced out of their homes as heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise sharply.

Extreme weather

Another resident Iman Badal Omar said he was relieved to escape with his life.

"All we could do was to evacuate and save our children. We did not take any of our belongings," he told AFP.

East and central Africa often suffers from extreme weather during the rainy seasons.

Earlier this month, 135 people were killed and more than 9,000 left homeless after heavy rains lashed Rwanda, triggering floods and landslides in several parts of the hilly nation.

More than 400 people lost their lives due to torrential downpours, floods and landslides last week in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Experts say extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency and intensity due to climate changeand Africa, which contributes the least to global warming, is bearing the brunt.

In May 2020, at least 65 people died in Rwanda as heavy rains pounded the region, while at least 194 deaths were reported in Kenya.

At the end of 2019, at least 265 people died and tens of thousands were displaced during two months of relentless rainfall in several countries in East Africa.

The extreme downpours affected close to two million people and washed away tens of thousands of livestock in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

 2023 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A person stands outside of a damaged home after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

One person was killed and a curfew was imposed after a powerful tornado tore through a community near the southern tip of Texas before dawn Saturday, damaging dozens of residences and knocking down power lines, authorities said.

At least 10 others were hospitalized, including two people who were listed in critical condition, said Tom Hushen, the emergency management coordinator for Cameron County. Many residents also suffered cuts and bruises.

A nighttime curfew for those 17 and under was issued by Eddie Trevino Jr., the Cameron County judge, and is expected to end May 16 to "mitigate the effects of this public health and safety emergency." The order also forbids non-residents of Laguna Heights from entering its residential areas.

The tornado hit at about 4 a.m. as most people were in their homes asleep in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, located on the mainland across from South Padre Island, off the Gulf of Mexico. The county has among the highest poverty rates in Texas and is dotted with substandard housing.

There was no advance warning. Instead, the first warning of a tornado "went out at the same time it was touching ground," said Barry Goldsmith, a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Brownsville.

People salvage items from a home after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

"With hurricanes we have the benefit of getting some advance warning; we know it's probably on its way," Trevino said during a Saturday press conference. "With a tornado, like Barry mentioned, it's not a common scenario unless we have a hurricane/tropical cyclone in the area. So, we didn't have the benefit of a warning."

"The hour didn't help," Trevino added.

Roberto Flores, 42, died after being "basically crushed as a result of the damage to his mobile home," Trevino said.

The storm was clocked with wind speeds of 86-110 mph (138-177 kph) and was categorized as an EF1 tornado, according to the weather service. It lasted only about two to four minutes but it ravaged the area.

As many as 60 homes were damaged. The county judge signed a disaster declaration, and a temporary shelter in the nearby city of Port Isabel was providing help to 38 people.

Damage is seen after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

People salvage items from a home after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A man stands outside of his home after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas, near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A woman stands outside of her home after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

People salvage items from the second level of a building after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

The frame, top left, of a mobile home rests atop a home and a vehicles after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

People salvage items from a destroyed home after a tornado hit Texas, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

The roof is torn off a home surrounded by debris following a tornado touching down Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Laguna Heights, Texas.At least one person was killed when a tornado struck an unincorporated community on the Gulf coast near the southern tip of Texas, damaging dozens of homes and knocking down power lines early Saturday, authorities said. Credit: Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP

A home is separated from its porch by high winds and pushed into a neighbor's fence Saturday, May 13, 2023, after a tornado touched down in Laguna Heights, Texas. At least one person was killed when a tornado struck an unincorporated community on the Gulf coast near the southern tip of Texas, damaging dozens of homes and knocking down power lines early Saturday, authorities said. Credit: Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP

Damage is seen after a tornado hit Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Damage is seen after a tornado hit in Port Isabel, Texas, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights, Texas near South Padre Island. Authorities say one person was killed when a tornado struck the southernmost tip of Texas on the Gulf coast. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle drives past a home damaged by a tornado Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Laguna Heights, Texas. At least one person was killed when a tornado struck an unincorporated community on the Gulf coast near the southern tip of Texas, damaging dozens of homes and knocking down power lines early Saturday, authorities said. Credit: Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP

Juan Gomez holds up a power line insulator blown onto his property which he jokes is a souvenir of his experience following a tornado touching down Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Laguna Heights, Texas. At least one person was killed when a tornado struck an unincorporated community on the Gulf coast near the southern tip of Texas, damaging dozens of homes and knocking down power lines early Saturday, authorities said.Credit: Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP

Broken glass and other debris hang from the back of an apartment complex after a tornado removed its roof Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Laguna Heights, Texas. At least one person was killed when a tornado struck an unincorporated community on the Gulf coast near the southern tip of Texas, damaging dozens of homes and knocking down power lines early Saturday, authorities said. Credit: Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP

"Apparently it went straight through that community," said county sheriff Eric Garza. "Individuals don't want to leave their houses because they're afraid that somebody will go in there and start stealing stuff."

Garza said his department is helping provide security for the area.

Laguna Heights is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of the U.S.-Mexico border at Brownsville and is not prone to having tornados, although this spring has been active, said weather service meteorologist Angelica Soria. The area is also gearing up for the start of hurricane season.

The Texas tornado follows an outbreak of dozens of twisters in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado that caused damage but no reported deaths.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Charles Wonnie Bio, the eldest son of President Julius Maada Bio has been living in quarantine since he arrived from the United States over the weekend.

So has James Bio, the presidents nephew.

The measure is part of the governments policy of an automatic quarantining of any one who arrives in Sierra Leone from a country that has recorded up to 50 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

The 26-year-old is staying in one of the hotels identified for the purpose, according to Dr Songor Koedoyoma, the chief of the Lungi Command Centre.

I am prepared physically and mentally to be in quarantine here throughout the two-week period because I think this is good for the country, Wonnie Bio told Politico on the line from his hotel room.

I came in from the US and was told that I had to do this, I obliged because it is the best thing for Sierra Leone at a time like this he went on.

As at press time last night there were about 70 people in quarantine in Lungi, accordfing to Dr Koedoyoma.

There are others staying in hotels and guesthouses in Freetown and in the outskirts of Rokel, after initial complaints that the conditions of the hotels in Lungi and Port Loko were appalling.

Copyright  2020 Politico Online
School districts are keeping proposed tax increases low in budgets up for approval Tuesday, while continuing to invest in programs, because of a large influx in state aid.

Generally the statewide tax levy proposed is about 2.17% for districts. And thats pretty modest, explained Cathy Woodruff, senior writer for the New York State School Boards Association. The basic statewide cap is 2% this year.

In this area, the average proposed tax levy increase is about 1.28%, according to an analysis of 24 school districts in The Post-Stars coverage area.

The statwide average increase in spending is 5.46%. It is about 5% in this area.

The causes of spending increases are specific to each district, but across the board, Woodruff said there are internal financial issues all schools will need to prepare to face in the upcoming year.

Huge health insurance costs actually, she said. Its not very glamorous but some districts are expecting double-digit percentage increases in their health insurance premiums.

Additionally, many districts are either exploring or implementing more career and technical education (CTE) programs as the need for a more robust American workforce continues.

Schools in the area around Glens Falls BOCES have excellent programs for students to learn things like heavy equipment operation, and forestry, and a lot of CTE opportunities and if districts are deciding to send more students to those programs, they sometimes have to absorb more costs, Woodruff said.

Overall, however, Woodruff said districts are doing well with incoming state aid. This year, she said, the state budget includes a minimum 3% increase to each district, with some receiving more based on the states Foundation Aid formula, which will finally be fully funded this year.

Its been a longtime goal in New York. This Foundation Aid formula was approved by the state Legislature  and then we had a variety of issues in the state with the (Great) Recession and other things, she said.

The $23.2 billion funding provided by Foundation Aid in this years budget is supposed to help districts meet basic operating expenses using factors such as enrollment numbers and other regional cost factors, in addition to the expense-based state funding programs for things such as buildings and transportation needs. But because it has taken such a long time to become fully funded, Woodruff said much of that data is very outdated.

Theres, for example, census data from the 2000 Census, she said. And in some cases there have been big changes in the wealth of a district, population of a district, student enrollment.

Few busting cap

Woodruff said there are 17 districts in the state in which proposed budgets exceed the tax levy cap, which requires a supermajority of 60% vote to pass  rather than a simple majority. However, several of those districts operate with a negative cap, so even if their budget comes with a 0% increase, theyre already over that number.

We found six districts around the state that have negative caps, and thats a weird thing, she said. Maybe they had a lot of debt service that they retired, so its no longer included. Maybe they had a big change in enrollment. Maybe something else happened.

Woodruff said one district in the state actually has a -17% cap.

Salem has a -2.9% cap. The district is reducing its levy by that amount.

Anomalies like negative tax caps happen at a relatively low number of New York school districts, but its something Woodruff said the board association would be looking to address at the legislative level in the coming years.

Thats all a result of these formulas that sometimes  not usually, not ordinarily  but every once in a while, a district winds up with one of these negative caps, she said. Our association does have a variety of proposals they we encourage some changes in the cap levy formula that would, for example, prevent negative caps.

School boards

Despite the increased involvement and attention being paid to school boards and curricula decisionmaking across the country, Woodruff said the numbers of people running for positions on local school boards in New York is mostly consistent with years past.

We have found that about half of the candidates running this year are incumbent board members around the state and of the incumbents whose seats are up, about a third chose not to run, she said. Its not an easy job. Its very time-consuming and the people who do it are devoted people who devote a lot of time.

Rather than the hot-button, heavily political issues that have driven much of the conversations around schools of late, Woodruff said this year, the trend seems to be more laser-focused on the individual needs of each district.

In the last couple of years there have been some issues that really were not in the control of school boards, but they did drive the conversation, she said. There may be districts where thats a factor but its not a factor in a lot of districts.

Instead, Woodruff said the issues she sees driving the races are much more localized.

Candidates may be running individually on platforms that stress mental health staff  perhaps bolstering programs in reading or something thats perceived to be a need at the local level.

There are a few contested races locally including in Lake George, North Warren, Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville and South Glens Falls. The Lake George race features Linda Clark, who ran unsuccessful for the board last year, on a platform of fighting curriculum changes.

Other issues

One of the holdover issues still being dealt with from the pandemic years is the turnover in administrative staffing. The tumultuous time spent navigating the academic world while dealing with a global health crisis drove many school officials to pursue other fields or retire completely.

There happens to have been in recent years, kind of a bubble of people who are reaching (retirement) age both among teachers and administrators, Woodruff said. And its been a stressful time, no doubt. If youve worked through the pandemic, there may be a desire to move on and take a breath.

Additionally, enrollment numbers and even daily attendance have emerged as a worsening struggle for many districts. While there are many factors which can be attributed to these issues, Woodruff said shes seeing patterns emerge in the way New York school districts are working to handle them.

There are a lot of these things that are probably or perhaps related to the pandemic that districts are exploring ways to address with various academic, social-emotional and mental health programs, she said.

School districts have used the additional aid to plan for the future. Woodruff noted that this will be the final year that school districts will receive COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.

This is another year where they can spend the money that was set aside to help districts recover, she said.
Young drivers are already higher-risk than other age groups due to their inexperience, their likelihood of being distracted while driving, and the higher prevalence of dangerous behaviors like speeding or not wearing a seatbelt.
QUEENSBURY  The Warren County Historical Society is hosting an expert to talk about the mammoth on Wednesday.

A 13,000 year-old mammoth tooth is currently on display at the museum at 50 Gurney Lane. Robert Feranec, currently the director of research and collections and curator of Ice Age animals at the New York State Museum in Albany will be the societys featured speaker at 7 p.m.

The tooth currently on display at the societys museum will be going back to the museum with Feranec, so it will be last time the public can view it locally. It has not been seen in the area for over 100 years but was on display at the society for six months.

Feranec's current research is focused on understanding how ecosystems assembled in New York State after the Ice Age. He received his undergraduate degree at Syracuse University, his masters in geology at the University of Florida, and his doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. Just prior to his appointment at the state museum he was a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University. He and his family currently reside in Burnt Hills.
WARRENSBURG  Enrollment at Warrensburg Central School has dropped 38% since 1993 and is expected to continue to drop, but student needs have increased, school Superintendent Amy Langworthy told the Warrensburg Town Board on Wednesday.

Langworthy and school Business Manager Jennifer Switzer presented the schools proposed 2023-2024 budget at the boards regular monthly meeting. The total budget is $22.97 million, up $993,138 from this year, Langworthy said, generally due to rising costs. Taxes would increase 2.5%, below the states cap of 3.1%.

Despite the decrease in students, Warrensburgs enrollment is bigger than Lake Georges, Langworthy said. The district has a poverty rate of around 60%. In response, the school has added support staff, including guidance counselors and school psychologists and has an in-school mental health clinic. The school is focusing on improving communications within the school and with the community, changing its food service provider from a private company to the Capital Region BOCES, and expanding college courses and career technical education for high school students.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. May 16. Absentee ballots are available, Langworthy said.

Town historian Sandi Parisi asked how many houses in town are short-term rentals. When told the number is 72, Parisi remarked that if even half of those houses had one school-aged child living in them, it would reverse the schools decline in enrollment.

Realtor Teresa Whalen said she shows houses to young families who want to move to town, but theyre outbid by people from the south with deep pockets who convert the homes to short-term rentals. Rental guests bring money to town, Whalen said, but she suggested the town could limit the growth of short-term rentals to keep housing available.

Whalen and Town Supervisor Kevin Geraghty sparred over whether that would qualify as spot zoning, which isnt allowed, or regular zoning, which is.

In other business:

Matt McGregor, from Abundant Solar Power Inc., proposed a community solar farm for part of the towns closed landfill. The installation could generate 1 to 1.3 megawatts, depending on how much of the landfill is usable, he said. The company would lease the land from the town for $5,000 per year, under a 25-year contract with an option to renew for another 10 years. Residents and businesses could subscribe for power at a discount.

It could attract businesses to town, McGregor said.

Residents were skeptical about how much of a benefit the town would receive and what would happen at the end of the project. Some were concerned about the town being left with expired solar panels if the company went bankrupt. Town Board member John Alexander noted that weve been burned a few times with solar deals.

Geraghty thanked McGregor for coming and said the town would get back to him.

The board authorized $900,000 in federal and state funding for the River Street sidewalk project. A notice to bidders will be published.

The board voted to allow consultant Flatley Read to apply for the New York Main Street grant program. The town has identified a target area for the grant. If awarded, the grant would reimburse owners of residential and business buildings from 50% to 75% for repairs.

Geraghty commented that repairing buildings is helpful, but you need businesses to pay the bills. Business properties have higher assessed values and contribute more to the tax base than homes, he said.

The board backed a resolution to ask Gov. Kathy Hochul to support legislation that will allow towns to assess newly constructed condominiums in a way that reflects their current market value. The formula now tends to under-assess condominiums, according to the resolution.
MAURY THOMPSON

ALBANY  Kaylin Gillis, the 20-year-old youth killed in a driveway shooting in Washington County in April, was repeatedly mentioned in a state Senate Codes Committee debate on a proposed Stand Your Ground law.

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, is a co-sponsor of the proposed law that would eliminate a requirement that an individual facing a realistic threat must retreat before using force, including deadly force, in self-defense.

I will be opposing this bill  mainly in the name of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who was shot twice after ringing the wrong doorbell (in Missouri) and Kaylin Gillis, who was shot after entering the wrong driveway, said Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, at the May 3 committee hearing, a video of which is posted on YouTube.

Contacted later, Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, who supports the proposed Stand Your Ground legislation, said the death of Gillis is not applicable to the legislation, because it was clear that Gillis did not pose a threat to Kevin Monahan, who fatally shot her.

Gillis was a passenger in a car that turned around in Monahans driveway in Hebron when the group got lost.

I think it is clear that her party were not threatening to him, said Simpson, in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

The committee voted 9-4 against advancing the legislation  S 1120  for further consideration in the Senate.

I dont know that we need to be a Stand Your Ground state, in my opinion, at all, said Sen. Jamaal Bailey, D-Bronx, the committee chairman.

Sen. George Borrello, R-Hanover, the principal sponsor, told the committee that the legislation would allow the use of force in self-defense if the person threatened was lawfully in place.

This law is really about giving people the right to defend themselves, he said.

Borrello emphasized that under the proposed law there must be a reasonable eminent threat and the individual responding to the threat must be lawfully in place.

This is not about vigilantes running around. This is about defending yourself and your family, he said.

Borrello said perhaps the most significant change in the legislation would be in civil law.

It puts the burden on those that are trying to sue the person that there was not a justified use of force, versus the burden being on the person who defended themselves, he said.

Borrello said that 40 other states have so-called Stand Your Ground laws.

Washington County driveway murder defendant remains jailed without bail The decision to hold the man accused of shooting and killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis in April, in jail without bail was upheld by a Warren County judge on Thursday morning.

Debate centered around whether the proposed law would increase or decrease deadly shootings.

Sen. Dean Murray, R-Long Island, a supporter of the legislation, said it would not increase unjustified shootings.

With or without this legislation, someone who is that deranged  that is going to shoot someone for no reason  it happened in Washington County, a young lady turning around in a guys driveway  I dont think this law is the impetus for doing that, he said.

Murray criticized the handling of a case in which Jose Alba, a Manhattan bodega clerk was charged with murder after he grabbed a knife and stabbed an angry customer who jumped over the counter and pinned Alba to a wall.

The charge was later dismissed.

The message that was sent was: Youre not allowed to defend yourself. If you even try, you could be in trouble, Murray said.

Opponents of the proposed law said in Albas case, due diligence was done and it was determined the charge should be dropped.

Murray said the proposed law, on the other hand, would send the message that you are allowed to protect yourself. You are allowed to protect your family.

Supporters of the proposed legislation said it would be a deterrent to crime in New York City.

Sen. Roxanne Presaud, D-Brooklyn, said crime is an issue statewide.

I havent seen lately in New York City where someone took a wrong turn in someones driveway and someone came out and shot at a car with four people in it and killed a young woman because she turned into the wrong driveway. And it was not threat. They were driving away, she said.

Stec, who does not serve on the Codes Committee, did not return voice mail messages The Post-Star left on Tuesday and Thursday seeking comment for this report.
ALBANY  State cannabis regulators have framed draft regulations for businesses that will serve as venues for the controlled consumption of marijuana.

On-site consumption lounges were envisioned in the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act approved in 2021, the same legislation that allows the possession of marijuana and the retail sale of cannabis products at licensed shops.

But only 10 non-medical marijuana dispensaries are now operating in the state.

The slow rollout of the shops has created headaches for some growers who have had to sit on hundreds of pounds of marijuana cultivated in 2022.

Members of the state Cannabis Control Board, meeting at the SUNY Morrisville, adopted a variety of draft general regulations on Thursday. Following a public comment period, they are expected to set the stage for the development of more specific rules for consumption lounges later this year.

Regulators say allowing cannabis users to smoke marijuana in controlled settings adjacent to dispensaries will help curb public smoking on sidewalks and parks.

Axel Bernabe, chief of staff to the Office of Cannabis Management, told members of the state Cannabis Board, Weve heard a lot of very creative ideas from folks that want to do on-site consumption. So were taking it very seriously. Were going to have stakeholder engagement on that. But we really want it to start with what the law allows us to do, which is a sort of dispensary-based, limited consumption space.

Bernabe said those with micro-businesses or dispensary licenses will be able to open consumption sites in a more limited form.

Joseph Schafer, a Buffalo lawyer who represents clients involved in the cannabis industry or are seeking to enter the New York market, said the state legislation enacted two years ago paved the way for the licensing of consumption lounges, though consumption sites were not addressed in a round of regulations released by the state last November.

The new draft regulations, Schafer told CNHI, will enhance access for cannabis consumers and begin to address the growing concerns about people puffing on joints in public spaces by providing them with more convenient indoor options that are expected to be adjacent to the dispensaries.

The pot lounges, under the state regulations, would only be able to open in municipalities that have opted into having them within their borders.

Schafer said he expects some dispensary operators will be eager to be approved for the pot lounges.

A lot of the folks we spoke to early on were really fired up about on-site consumption, Schafer recalled.

According to state regulators, the revised regulations create pathways to allow consumption to occur at the licensed premises of retail dispensaries, in addition to on-site consumption licenses. The revised draft regulations also include the ability for local governments to identify cannabis consumption areas within their jurisdictions by exempting certain areas from the Clean Indoor Air Act.

The states initial focus in opening dispensaries has been to put individuals who were negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition by being arrested at the front of the line ahead of other entrepreneurs seeking to enter the industry. Fifty additional conditional licenses were approved by regulators.

But only 10 shops have opened so far, though many more illegal stores have been attempting to take advantage of the fact that marijuana possession is now legal. A total of 215 conditional licenses have now been issued by the state.

Bernabe told cannabis board members that there are signs the cannabis industry in the state is vibrant and moving forward and has reached a pivotal moment. He said new state legislation allowing the cannabis agency and state tax officials to sanction illegal stores will be helpful.

While we did our work to bring equity to the table, some folks took advantage of that middle period to open up illegal stores, Bernabe said,

He added: And I think weve all said it many times and I know the board here agrees and tells us repeatedly that we have zero tolerance for folks that are trying to get ahead of our equity applicants. And this bill is going to give us the authority to really turn the corner on enforcement and get people to redirect their consumers to legal stores.
ATLATNIC CITY  The Puchicon Anime & Gaming Convention was held over the weekend at Ballys Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.

Fans from throughout the region came roam the convention halls and ballrooms to compare cosplays, browse through merchandise and celebrate the anime industry.

Rich Rejmentowski and Sammy Mansuetom, came from New York dressed as characters from Pokemon and the How Heavy are the Dumbbells you Lift? magna. They said they spent hours working on the wigs and accessories for their costumes and thought the resort city was an ideal place for a convention.

I like Atlantic City, I like to cos (cosplay) too, but she likes to cos a lot and I was like alright, lets go, Rejementowski said.

Gabriela Trzepizur, of Toms River, and in cosplay, is a frequent anime convention attendee, having gone to three this year. She said she was excited by the merchandise and meet with others fans.

Its nice to take pictures, especially, and getting recognized for your cosplay and everything, Trzepizur said.

Puchicon was founded in 2019 by Jennifer Perez to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all kinds of anime fans. Its mission was obvious over the weekend, with fans from all ages at the event, as well an assemblage of vendors.

Keni Thomas, of Philadelphia, was at the convention on behalf of Philly Otaku. He came with prints and drawings he made featuring combinations of different characters and themes, including Pikachu combined with Benjamin Franklin; and Princess Peach from Super Mario Brothers dressed in 80s clothes. Thomas, who also goes by the pen name Thomcat23, said he was always a fan of anime and video games and soon found himself going to conventions. He is also currently an art resident at Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia.

Just being a geek, I strangely fell into it, Thomas said. If you make fan work all the time sooner or later you will run into the con world, because thats where all that stuff sort of lives.

Tim Heck and Kaeya Moyer, came from Easton, Pennsylvania, to sell their art at the convention. Their work included drawings, stickers and 3-D prints of different Pokemon. They said they had started by sharing their art on social media before attracting a following and deciding to make the leap into business. They said they felt comfortable in the welcoming community of convention and other artists and have so far been to five separate conventions.

Lori Ann Beatty was there selling plush anime toys and other items with her niece. While she was less familiar with anime than her neice, Beatty said she enjoyed working as a collaborative and branching off into new business.

Gwen Wheeler, of northern Virginia, was there for her business The Merchant of Many Things. She sells rubber swords and other faux weapons, as well as jewelry, costume parts and other accessories, for live-action role playing, or LARP, an activity where people act out mock battles.

Having cerebral palsy, Wheeler said she could not participate in LARP matches with her friends, but decided to participate as an on-site merchant for other players. She since turned that hobby into a business and know tours the East Coast and Midwest to encourage people to play and have fun.

I just went full bore with it, Wheeler said. Its fun, I love doing it ... and peoples reactions, with the joy.

Min Gleason, 24, of Maryland, said she had long been interested in arts and began attending anime conventions in middle school.

I was like, I want to do that, and I liked it and now thats what I do, Gleason said.

Other vendors were there for a charitable cause, including one for Childrens Specialized Hospital, a part of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals, raising funds for their Extra Life program.

In addition to the vendors, the Puchicon convention offered a range of other activities. Throughout the conventions space, there was a small arcade and gaming rooms, live music aned a karaoke space where people could sing their favorite anime theme songs. There were a range of panels, including one with anime voice actors like Brian Beacock, Leah Clark and Daman Mills.

Mills, known for voicing Frieza from the Dragon Ball franchise as well as an assortment of other roles, said he valued coming to different conventions and interacting with fans.

Its a really special experience to get out and meet people, because when were recording, were not seeing the many responses like somebody may in theater or film, Mills said. Seeing how much your work impacts others is really awesome and kind of inspires us to keep creating  and giving it our best.

Other content creators were given space at the convention.

Louis Wolf, of the YouTube channel Unlockable Content, participated in several panels. He said Puchicon has helped him communicate with fans as his channel has grown its audience.

We love interacting with the fan base and the community, Wolf said.

There were also several independent authors at the event.

Tyrone Motley, with the pen name Zero Snake, was advertising his original manga, taking inspiration from the Chinese Monkey King character and adding his own flourishes from other anime.

I always found interest in the medium itself, not just story writing, but the anime aesthetic, Motley said. So, I always wanted to put my own unique spin on it.

Over the weekend, there were several panels. Marisa Ditkoff, 27 of Clementon Camden County, participated in two panels, one giving advice about living in Japan and another on cosplaying. She said she first started at a convention at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, when she was younger before becoming an expert.

That snowballed into what it is today, Ditkoff said.

For some, the anime convention was an affair for the whole family. Lorianna Roberts came with her daughter Carlin, 16, to the convention from Forked River in Lacey Township. Carlin said she was a zealous anime fan and was excited to come visit a convention nearby.

I love anime, I love video games, cartoons and anything to do with that, and I just thought it would be a fun idea to come out here, Carlin said. And everyones so nice. I love it here.

Lorianna admitted she was significantly less of a fan than her daughter but was still enthusiastic to attend.

I dont know too much about anime, but I know she loves it and I love seeing her enjoy it this much, Lorianna Roberts said.

Thomas Benjamin, 33, and his daughter Harmani Bell, 12 are city residents and attended different events at the convention throughout the weekend. Benjamin said he grew up watching anime such as Dragon Ball and Cowboy Bebop and also had a friend as a vendor he was supporting. His daughter, Benjamin said, is now a prodigal artist drawing different anime characters and he was excited to take her to a convention.

To come out and see the artists, the voice actors  and a lot of the art and stuff, its bringing back my childhood, Benjamin said

Puchicon Convention in Atlantic City
The body of a young It professional was found at the foothills of Lohegaon Bhavdi road near Wagholi today.

As per the police, the murdered victim is identified as Gaurav Suresh Uravi (age around 32 years), currently residing in Kharadi, a native of Amravati.

A local spotted the body and immediately informed the police control room. A murder offence has been registered at the Lonikand police station in this regard.

According to the police, the victim was attacked with sharp weapons causing his death. The victim is unmarried and resides in Kharadi with his roommates. The victim left his home around 10 pm on Friday and did not return. A murder case has been registered and as the motive is not yet clear further probe is underway.
They say old is gold, and when it comes to Bollywood classic numbers, nothing comes close to the timelessness of Manna Deys Aye Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo. To educate Punekars and raise awareness about road safety, students from MBA department of Modern College of Engineering, JM Road, chose the classic number and broke into dance to grab the attention of commuters at Khanduji Baba Chowk. Interestingly, Pune Times Mirror, Civic Mirror and Pune City Traffic Polices campaign slogan Dekh Ke Chalo, created by team Mirror, also echoes similar sentiments. The students were joined by residents of FC Road and traffic cops, who extended their support in manning the traffic at the chowk and policing those who flouted the rules.
Chanting, Water is life, about 60 people marched across the Mississippi River from Schwiebert Park in Rock Island to the Figge Art Museum in Davenport to bring attention to pollution in the nations waterways, particularly the Mississippi River.

Sikowski Nobiss, executive director of Great Plains Action Society in Iowa City said the Walk for River Rights was part of the Mississippi River Summit, being held through Sunday. The summits ideal is to advance the leadership of 40 organizers of racially marginalized communities, working to protect water, natural places and sacred spaces.

The goal is to build a BIPOC-led  Black, Indigenous, People of Color  coalition from the headwaters of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico and eventually claim the rights of nature for the entire river system and develop an organized, frontline group to protect the Mississippi watershed.

We are here because of whats happening in Iowa and 'Big Ag' and the deplorable conditions of our water and our air and everything thats going on here, Nobiss said.

Farming practices are really affecting the water, she said. Everything here ends up downstream, and were contributing greatly to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and doing harm to the people and everything living down in that area.

Were showing our solidarity and love of the river. We need to do more to protect the water that protects us.

Holding signs that said, Water is Life, This River has Rights, the marchers started at about 11:45 a.m., crossing the Stanley Talbot Memorial (Centennial) Bridge and ending at the Figge Art Museum.

While about 75 people showed up at the park, about 60 people made the march across the Mississippi River.

Before the march, Shelley Buffalo, a member of the Meskwaki Nation, told the crowd that she had offered her tobacco to this great water and ask for a safe passage for all of you, everyone involved, because all of you, by stepping up to this work for the water  all of you are warriors.

KeShaun Pearson, of Memphis, Tennessee, who also is President of Memphis Community Against Pollution, explained that Memphis is unique in that it gets its water from deep underground, from the Memphis Aquifer, also known as the Sparta Aquifer or Memphis Sand.

It supplies all of the people, all of the businesses, all of the animals, Pearson said. We all need water. Water is life.

We are here to remember our ancestors, their sacrifices, those who swam and those who sank, those that continue to remind us our job for justice, clean water, clean air and clean land is not yet done, he said.

Larry Lockwood, a member of the Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities, liked what he saw in the march.

I really believe what we are starting here today is encouraging a lot of people to make this a personal fight, make it personal about standing up for the water, he said.

Lockwood pointed out that human beings are mostly water.

According to the U.S. Geological Surveys Water Science School, the average male is made up of 60% water while the average female is 55% water. Newborns are about 78% water.

Also according to the U.S. Geological Survey, only about 3% of earths water is freshwater that is needed to support life. But only a portion of that fresh water is available for drinking as the rest is tied up in glaciers, ice caps, snowy mountain ranges. Also, 71% of the earth is water, with the oceans making up 97% of the water on earth.

We say that water is life, because it is, Lockwood said. It is actually part of the source of life. Instead of looking at the land and thinking of it as a natural resource that we can manage, we need to start looking at it as a source of life because in reality, water is part of the source of life and so is Mother Earth.

Farmers in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa and Illinois, have begun planting more cover crops to aid in reducing the amount of nitrogen that works its way into the Mississippi River.

In 2009, fewer than 10,000 acres of Iowa farmland was used for so-called cover crops, which are planted on bare fields to prevent topsoil erosion, improve the soil quality, and increase nutrients available to plants, according to Iowa State University Extension.

In 2019, the Iowa Nutrient Research Council reported that Iowa farmers planted 2.18 million acres of cover crops that year, up 8% from the acreage planted in 2018, and 36% higher than acres planted in 2017.

Photos: Area High Schools Compete in Cardboard Boat Regatta
A teen drowned Saturday in the Ben Martinsen Wildlife Area in Clinton County, Sheriff Bill Greenwalt said in a news release.

The wildlife area is along the Wapsipinicon River south west of Clinton.

Greenwalt said that deputies went to the wildlife area on Iowa 67 south of Folletts at about 9:45 a.m. to investigate a report of a missing 18-year-old person.

Upon arrival, deputies met with two teenagers who reported their 18-year-old friend missing from the campsite.

First responders from the Clinton County Sheriffs Department, Low Moor Fire Department and an off-duty Camanche firefighter began searching the area and the backwaters of the Wapsipinicon River.

A K9 from the Clinton Police Department and a drone also were used in the search.

At 10:28 a.m., the body of the 18-year-old was discovered in the backwaters of the Wapsipinicon River by the Camanche firefighter.

The victim, whose gender was not released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim was not released Saturday pending notification of family members.

The case remains under investigation by the Clinton County Sheriffs Department and the Clinton County Medical Examiner.

Also assisting at the scene was Clinton County Emergency Management and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Photos: Take a look inside the Rock Island Arsenal Museum as it completes renovations
In "Sapiens, his best-selling history of the human race, Yuval Noah Harari refers to religions and nations as useful fictions. Im sure some found the term inappropriate and unsettling, but I think you can justify it with careful thought.

Lets start with religion. The belief in God - or some divine cause for this delicately complicated world - is almost universal. Its something we sense to be true, even if we cannot prove it.

How else can we explain the Earths location in the Goldilocks Zone where everything is just right for human habitation; the delicate balance of water and air which enables the profusion of life forms, plant, animal; the incredible gifts of intellect and self-awareness which has produced thriving civilizations?

Surely this must be more than some blind life force intent only on reproducing itself, continually evolving in ever more specialized forms, pushing itself into every corner of an accommodating planet. Actually, thats pretty much what it is, but there must be some design, some purpose behind it.

From the beginning of the Anthropocene, we have marveled at the wonder of it all and decided that its part of some grand design set in motion by an entity beyond us, but who must think as we do. Inspired men (its always men) devised reasonable stories and figures responsible for this creation; stories so convincing that they inspired conviction and belief.

And thats the key: belief. We cannot prove it. We offer rational explanations for the uncaused cause of it all, but there is no factual proof. God has not announced his (men insist on Gods masculinity) presence to the world, but only to remarkable individuals who translated his words to us.

Amplifying and reinforcing such pronouncements is the unspoken glory and grandeur of the world we inhabit. There simply must be a divinity responsible for it all. It makes sense, and so we believe and build up customs and ceremonies to express that belief.

Does this mean that there is no God? No; it simply means that we have no factual data to go on, just the reasonable assumption that there must be. And so we believe.

How about that other useful fiction: nations? Here we have human history to go on. It seems clear that what we call society began as families. Again, men assumed control as fathers. As families began to expand in size, they developed into tribes. These were bound together by blood ties and shared ethnicity.

As populations swelled, the concept of the country or nation took hold as a means of holding together families but distantly related, if at all. Boundaries began to define outsized social groups. If you live within a nations boundaries, you were a citizen. People with no family ties now had a means of belonging. And we began to take common citizenship seriously. If you lived in a country, voted and paid taxes, you belonged to it, honored its flag, fought for it, believed in it.

Its fairly easy to move from one nation to another, pledge allegiance and become one with former strangers. On a simpler level, an Illinoisan can become an Iowan just by moving into a home across the river. If you want to become a Canadian the process involves a bit more than moving, but you can do it. What seals the deal is that you consider yourself a citizen and you invest belief in your new nation.

Belief is important. In fact, its essential. If you are a true believer, you dont need proof. Your acceptance of belief is all it takes.

For example, consider another useful fiction, one that everyone buys into and has a stronger hold on humans than religion or nationality: money.

Does that paper in your wallet or those bits of metal in your pocket or purse really have intrinsic value? Not really. Its just that everyone accepts that they do. Thats a belief you can take to the bank. Its one that all people share, even those who differ sharply on religion or nationality.

It came about as a matter of convenience, as much as anything. Purchasing by trading goods quickly became cumbersome, so a simpler means of exchange gradually took hold. Banks, financial institutions, and governments agreed on principles and standards over time. At one time the validity of paper money was guaranteed by governments holding huge quantities of gold in reserve. In my lifetime, even that has changed.

The United States still has piles of gold bricks stored in Fort Knox, Kentucky, as a hedge against a collapsing currency, but the nation's strength lies in our belief in its financial reliability. The world depends on our solvency, something being endangered by about two dozen Republican revolutionaries who dont want to raise the debt ceiling to pay for expenditures they approved.

Its hard to imagine that the American dollar could go the way of the Confederacys paper currency, but we live in strange times, when belief in the orderly structures of religion, nation, and yes, even money, can be treated so dismissively.

What do you believe in?
Weeks before he died in a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Nathan Cox wrote a heartfelt letter to his 5-year-old daughter.

"Dear Sophie,

I am here in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. It is very pretty with lots of green trees and big rocks. We are so far up in the sky that some days the clouds wrap around the tops of the mountains like a hat."

Little Sophie would receive that letter not long before the uniformed casualty assistance officers arrived at the Coxs home at dinnertime. Nothing would ever be the same again.

May 13  the very day in history the first soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery  is Children of Fallen Patriots Day. It is a day America has set aside to honor and acknowledge the pain and sacrifice of children who have lost a parent in the line of military duty.

Some 25,000 children have lived Sophies reality in the last 35 years, a significant amount of them in the two decades since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. This year marks 20 years since the war began in Iraq and two years since our troops left Afghanistan.

Americans may now be focused elsewhere  on a war that rages on the European continent, on the storm clouds building over Asia. But for sons and daughters who have lost parents to military service, the heartache never goes away and a conflict is never truly over.

Sophie Cox is now 20 years old. She and her mother, Annie, live near our First Army headquarters, just outside Rock Island Arsenal. We invite them to  and they often attend  our ceremonies and special events. They say being around the Army  around soldiers like the one they loved, on the very Army post where Staff Sgt. Cox is buried  gives them comfort even if it also pierces at their hearts.

On Children of Fallen Patriots Day, I cant help but think how Sophies story  her pain of loss, her pride in her fathers service  shapes our greater American story. These young heroes have grown up to serve in their communities and start families of their own. Like Sophie, they cling to memories of patriots lost too soon, treasuring dog-eared letters, old family videos, and pictures of their mom or dad in uniform. They dont need anyone to tell them freedom isnt free.

As a wartime commander, I have seen the grief downrange after the loss of a brother or sister in arms. But the purest sorrow happens half a world away, when a family like the Coxes receives a knock at their front door.

My heart is always heavy on days like this, as I think of those who have experienced the unthinkable. But this year, getting the opportunity to read a soldiers beautiful letter to his now-grown little girl, I am also deeply inspired by the American warriors greatness of spirit.

"I sure miss you and momma. I wish I could come home every night and snuggle with you two and cook dinner and watch a movie and go bike riding and play Candyland. My job is hard to explain. It takes me far away and I dont like that, but daddy is doing a job that almost no one else in America does  protecting America.

I cant wait to come home and visit, and especially come home and stay. Just know that Im always, always thinking of you and mommy and look at pictures of us every night. Be a good girl and behave for mom  Oh yeah, and try not to be grumpy in the morning time.

Lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy"

It has been said that troops fight not for what is in front of them but for that which they have left behind. That was surely the case for Staff Sgt. Nathan Cox. His enduring words  and his ultimate sacrifice  should humble us all.
When Christina Rodriguez was young, she wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic Magazine when she grew up.

That's the dream, she said with a smile.

Born and raised in Hamilton, she grew up the daughter of a middle school math teacher. In school she had average grades, and upon graduating from Corvallis High School in 2004, she left the Bitterroot Valley to attend college in another part of Montana. She struggled to get through, but ended up leaving in 2006.

On Friday, surrounded by friends and family, including her 3-year-old son, Rodriguez accepted her associate's degree at the University of Montana Bitterroot College graduation ceremony at the Daly Mansion. She plans on furthering her education by pursuing a bachelors degree in journalism at the University of Montana with a focus on photojournalism and documentary work. She has already started taking classes and has even gotten to meet the former editor of National Geographic, Chris Johns, through the program.

I absolutely am so happy to have found something that I like to do, Rodriguez said.

Going back to school as a nontraditional student at 35 years old with a toddler in tow isnt an easy feat to manage, but the flexibility offered by online classes made it more feasible for her as a working mom and caretaker to her aging father. When she did start to attend classes in person, she was able to group them together in blocks so she wouldnt have to be running back and forth between dropping off her son, something that wouldnt have been possible for her at the time if she had been taking classes in Missoula.

It was really difficult when I first came in, she said. They're really nice and worked with me on everything, and just not having to commute back and forth to Missoula, and having it right here was amazing. It was one of the best things that could have been here for me to be able to achieve what I have.

It was a sentiment echoed by graduate CarlyJean Conley, who accepted her associate's degree on Friday as her three young children looked on. Conley is working toward her bachelors degree in nursing.

I have loved going to Bitterroot College, Conley said. I was very grateful to be able to have this opportunity to get these classes done here at home and be close to my family and not have to travel. I would have had to wait a few years if it wasn't for the Bitterroot College. So I'm very grateful for it.

Newly-named Bitterroot College Director Kristina Berger praised the students for the dedication and congratulated them on their achievements.

It is such an accomplishment to be able to stay in your hometown  start here, stay here, Berger said. Our graduating class has so many opportunities to pursue careers here in the Bitterroot Valley and just continue to be strong members of our communities.

The ceremony also marked a milestone for outgoing Bitterroot College Interim Director Angela McLean, who came in to lead the organization last August following the failure of a levy intended to fund the Bitterroot Valley Community College, as approved by the Montana Legislature. McLean was honored by Bitterroot College staff and faculty on Friday with the presentation of the Champion Award for her leadership during uncertain times for the school.

I want folks to hear how grateful I am for the team at the University of Montana Bitterroot, our faculty, our staff, our students, folks up and down the Bitterroot Valley, who came to support all of us as we made this transition, McLean said.

Bitterroot College saw a 20% increase in enrollment during McLean's time as interim director and is on track to reach pre-levy enrollment numbers this fall.

I think that we're in a better, stronger place, and I'm excited to hand the directorship over to Kristina Berger," she said. "I just am humbled and honored to have been a part of the story of the University of Montana Bitterroot.
DARLINGTON, S.C.  Ross Chastain thinks things went too far last week when he punched Noah Gragson in the pits at Kansas.

However, the NASCAR Cup points leader says he feels more comfortable in his growing role as the Cup series' reigning bad boy.

Gragson confronted Chastain after a late-race incident and took a punch from Chastain before personnel broke it up.

"I feel security stepped in about 10 seconds too quick," Kyle Busch said Saturday.

Expect blood pressure to rise at Darlington Race way, where the Goodyear 400 takes place Sunday. The track "Too Tough To Tame" has traditionally gotten drivers sideways both during and after the checkered flag waves.

Chastain would prefer to talk out issues with rival drivers, but he stood by his actions at Kansas.

"I'm not saying that every time in a little bit different situation (I'm) going to react like that," he said.

GOODYEAR 400

NASCAR Cup Series

Sunday: 3 p.m.TV: FS1 Page C2: Lineup

"I want to talk to guys and have conversations, but last week was too far."

Chastain will start fifth on Sunday. Martin Truex Jr., who won this event in 2021, won the pole with Bubba Wallace second. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was third ahead of William Byron. Daniel Suarez starts sixth, ahead of Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin (Chesterfield), Tyler Reddick and Brad Keselowski.

Chastain cleared the air with Gragson on Monday and believes the scuffle is finished. Yet, Chastain remains the focal point for driver and fan anger over his aggressive style.

Hamlin was fined and docked points after acknowledging intentionally it Chastain late at Phoenix two months ago.

There have been disagreements with Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and even calmer, less-confrontational racers such as Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola.

Elliott, caught on camera, passed Gragson in the pits at Kansas and told him, "Somebody's got to do it," referring to some Chastain payback.

Busch has advised Chastain in the past, telling him, "Don't be the headline every week."

Those words didn't take hold, according to Busch: "He hasn't learned, he hasn't listened to anybody."

"I don't know the guy," Busch continued. "I don't need to know the guy."

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett sees Chastain as a convenient scapegoat in the garage these days.

"I've seen nothing from Ross that he is a dirty race driver whatsoever," said Jarrett, who'll be honored by Chastain's car with a throwback, brown-and white UPS paint scheme.

Chastain "getting blamed for everything that goes on on the damn racetrack is getting old, in my opinion," Jarrett said. "Guys on the opposite side of the track are saying it's Ross' fault."

Chastain hasn't let his rising profile as NASCAR's chief villain throw him off course. He's driving all three Darlington events this weekend and said the reaction at his truck race introduction Friday night was about "70-30" in his favor.

"On the track, I am comfortable making these guys uncomfortable, and that's not always going to come across well,"

Chastain said. Out of the car, "I'm learning to be comfortable in this role," he said. "I'm not the guy who grew up wanting to be on camera."

Chastain thought he'd follow in the family business as a Florida watermelon farmer and live a life far away from the NASCAR spotlight.
Monday marks a stepping stone of sorts for Danville. After nearly five years of chatter on bringing a casino to the River City, a temporary facility will open at 10 a.m.

With it come many unknowns  traffic hurdles lead the list  but also high anticipation of a citys rebirth and march toward status as a tourism destination.

Im hoping we see a lot of lines, said Chris Albrecht, general manager of Caesars Virginia, on Friday morning. Everything right now has been speculation.

The 40,000-square-foot facility  officially called Danville Casino  is housed inside a giant, white rented tent on the corner of the future home of Caesars Virginia, the permanent casino and resort.

It is all in an area known as Schoolfield  once a bustling mill village  on a property formerly owned by Dan River Inc., a textile manufacturer that was synonymous with Danville.

Today, three original smokestacks remain on the space and will be incorporated into the new resorts design as a nod to Danvilles past.

The entire resort was originally scheduled to be opened this year, but pandemic-induced supply chain snarls and ensuing delays forced the completion target date into 2024.

That is one reason Caesars Virginia decided to push forward with a smaller-scale operation while construction continues on the main attraction.

We decided it was a great opportunity to look forward to getting this operation going, starting to generate some revenue, getting team members trained, Albrecht explained after a question posed by the Register & Bee during a Friday media session.

He said the full casino and resort is still on track to open next year.

Monday traffic

Danville steps into uncharted territory Monday by becoming a gathering spot for casino-lovers or those curious who are simply curious about the flashing games.

I think anytime you have a large event or large change like that, theres going to be a feeling out period, said Lee Vogler, a member of Danville City Council, in a phone interview Friday when asked if the community is ready for the influx of traffic.

But Vogler was quick to point out that, just a few decades ago, the same spot had thousands of people rolling in and out to work at the Schoolfield mill.

That site used to have a whole lot of traffic day in and day out, he said.

To avoid possible traffic woes, Danville Public Schools will shuttle some students at Schoolfield Elementary School  a facility just a few blocks from the casino site  from a nearby church parking lot, at least for this week.

Ahead of the casino opening, we have received no indication of increased traffic from Caesars or the city, Lanie Davis, a spokesperson for Danville Public Schools, told the Register & Bee last week. However, a casino opening in the city is something we have not experienced before.

The school has about 150 students who are dropped off and picked up by parents.

We want to ensure that, in the event of possible traffic congestion in the Schoolfield area, parents are not experiencing delays, and students are getting to school on time and safely, she explained.

Car-riding students will be dropped off at the church and shuttled via a school bus to Schoolfield Elementary. The reverse will happen in the afternoon as students leave for the day.

This arrival and dismissal change is planned for one week, Davis said. If we find that the casino is not impacting traffic, the school will go back to its normal operations as soon as possible.

Also, additional traffic always brings the possibility of crashes and injuries. With that in mind, Sovah Health  Danville leaders are prepared for whatever comes.

The new casino will undoubtedly be a driving force behind increased tourism to our region and we have been in conversations with both casino leadership and the city of Danville as to how Sovah Health can be a partner, Corey Santoriello, a spokesperson with Sovah Health, told the Register & Bee last week. While we cannot predict what type of impact the casino opening will have on the hospital, we do know that Caesars and the city of Danville have taken many steps to prepare for visitors to our area and Sovah Health is committed to community partnership and caring for all who need us.

As for parking for the Danville Casino  located at 1100 W. Main St.  spaces are available around the facility, and the company has leased parking lots from the city of Danville across West Main Street and Bishop Road.

If youve been outside, you can see we are still striping those lots, so I dont have an exact number of spots, Albrecht said Friday, but he felt confident parking would not be an issue.

Facility and capacity

About 400 people are employed by the Danville Casino that can hold nearly 3,000 people at a time.

A lot of our team members are from Danville, Albrecht said, but noted others are from across the region and over the state line in North Carolina.

The biggest comment Ive heard is that it looks a lot different on the inside than on the outside, he said while explaining the feel for the casino. We put a lot of detail into making this experience very strong, he said, even though it is a temporary operation. The temporary site is built on a future parking lot for the final facility. When that opens in 2024, the rented tent will come down.

Weekends tend to be the busiest time for casinos, but Albrecht noted Danville is a new market for the group.

The inside is dominated by more than 700 video-style gaming machines  all with vibrant colors and myriad themes  where customers takes their seats in front of the towering units to place bets.

Beyond those units, there are about 25 live table games like blackjack and roulette and other electronically operated machines.

Obviously, our temporary facility here is focused on gaming, said Albrecht, explaining the hospitality aspects will come with the full casino.

Vogler got to be part of two sneak-peek sessions hosted last week.

I was really impressed on how it looks on the inside, the staff and everyone, he said. I thought everyone did a fantastic job from security to the wait staff.

Vogler was there for a couple of hours with his wife for what amounted to fundraising sessions for the House of Hope and Haven, two nonprofit organizations in the Dan River Region.

While he spent most of his time walking and talking, he did try his hand at some of the slots.

The outcome? He said they left with more than we came in with.

Other growth in Danville

The scenes encountered while one takes a stroll in downtown Danville right now  especially someone who has never been to the city  are not the prettiest.

Recently, a building in the heart of the River District started coming down, leaving rubble in its wake. The area will become green space until a final decision is made for its future use.

Right across the road, construction is beginning on the new riverfront park that is right beside Danvilles iconic White Mill  another former Dan River Inc. facility  that is being transformed into housing units and retail space.

In one sense, it would be best if they were completed, Vogler said when asked about the timing of Mondays visitor influx with ongoing construction.

On the other hand, he said tourists can view it as more progress for the city.

It shows that Danville is moving forward and the best is yet to come, he explained. When they come now, they will get an idea of things in motion.

Folks coming to visit the temporary casino will get to watch progress unfold at other areas of the city undergoing a transformation.

Albrecht also looks forward to sharing the casino customers with the city.

The community is very strong, he said Friday. Weve already seen a lot of development underway.

He also noted that when players venture to a casino, they are not just selecting the gaming establishment. They are also choosing the community: something tourism officials are also betting on.

On Thursday, Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders unveiled a new tourism brand: Visit SoSi. The new marketing slogan highlights Southside Virginia by playing off the words so and see.

When the full Caesars Virginia casino opens next year, more than 2 million visitors are expected to flood into Danville annually. Mondays opening of the temporary facility will provide the region a taste of what is to come.

Not all positive

Business owners and residents in the Schoolfield area recently expressed reserved thoughts when it comes to Mondays opening of the casino.

Some were worried about traffic, and others were concerned with the idea of a gambling facility in Danville.

We listen to feedback of all of our citizens, and certainly dont dismiss any of that, said Vogler, noting that voters overwhelmingly approved via referendum to allow a casino to open in Danville.

Another worry often brought up is the potential for crime, but Vogler said the city has thoroughly thought out and vetted this thing.

The crime aspect was one of the first issues city leaders explored a few years ago when a casino became a possibility for Danville. Vogler said they talked to Danville Police Department Chief Scott Booth, who was very supportive of it.

In fact, Booth was standing right behind Vogler when he presented the casino case before the General Assembly in order to allow the measure to go before the voters.

They also went to other localities of similar size in Iowa and New York. While chatting with leaders there, they asked a simple question: If they had to do it over, would they still bring in a casino?

The answer  each time  was an overwhelming yes.

For people not sold on the casino, Vogler asks that they just give it a chance before shutting it out.

I think for us, as we went through this whole process, the pros outweighed any of the cons, when it comes to revenue for the city and jobs for the residents.

We have no desire to be Atlantic City, he quickly added, saying that is not a fair comparison for the vision of Danville.

In the end, he hopes that, about 10 years from now, other leaders from across the nation will look to Danville and say, This is a city that did things right.
I am a mother of two teenage students in public schools here in Richmond. One night after a recent school active shooter drill, our family dinner conversation turned to strategies on how to try to survive if there was ever an active shooter in their school.

In the drill that my son, who is in middle school, participated in, the classroom had no closets and the door did not lock. Should the students get under their desks? Do they try to run for it? Climb out the window? Would the metal file cabinet placed in front of the door keep the shooter out? My heart hurt as I listened to my kids have a serious but necessary conversation about how to stay alive. I kept thinking to myself: When did situational awareness and survival skills become an acceptable part of our childrens education?

Firearms surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for U.S. children (1 to 18) in 2020, and guns are now the leading cause of death among kids and teens in Virginia. The past few weeks have only highlighted the risks our children face every day  not just going to school, but shopping at a mall, turning around in a driveway, knocking on a front door, attending a birthday party, or rolling a ball onto a neighbors lawn. In America today, in Virginia today, in Richmond today, our children simply are not safe. This reality is unacceptable. I am heartbroken over the lives lost and unimaginable pain families are facing.

Enough is enough. That is why I am volunteering with Moms Demand Action. We are advocating for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence, including improving the safe storage of firearms in our communities and passing commonsense gun laws that the majority of Americans agree will help keep our communities safe. We know we need holistic solutions to this gun violence crisis that affects every community, from big cities to small towns to rural areas.

Progress is possible. Last summer, after the horrific shooting that took 21 lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and after nearly three decades of inaction, Congress finally acted and passed the most significant legislation to strengthen our federal gun laws in a generation, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This was an important first step in the urgent work required at the federal level.

But this Mothers Day, we are asking our lawmakers to come together to save lives by reinstating the assault weapons ban. Most of the deadliest mass shootings in our country involved the use of an assault weapon. And shootings become even deadlier when the shooter is able to acquire a weapon of war designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. 2023 has already been a deadly year. And while mass shootings make up only 1% of gun deaths in America, from Allen, Texas, to Monterey Park, California, to Nashville, Tennessee, to Louisville, Kentucky, there have already been more than 210 mass shootings this year.

We must work together to address our nations gun violence from all sides. An assault weapons ban would work alongside additional measures that are critical to keeping communities safe from gun violence, including strengthening our background check system to keep all firearms out of dangerous hands in the first place; disarming domestic abusers; strengthening our secure storage laws to keep guns away from our kids; and enacting and implementing red-flag laws (also called extreme-risk laws) to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a threat to themselves or others.

We are demanding sensible action on gun safety from every level of our government. It is on our lawmakers to listen to that call. We know it is possible for our lawmakers to act on this issue when their constituents are demanding it.

What I want for this Mothers Day is what every mother wants: for our kids to come home safe and for our families not to be ripped apart by gun violence. We are demanding that our lawmakers honor mothers this Mothers Day by protecting our children with action.

Remember Safety Town? A look back through the Times-Dispatch archives Safety Town safety town Safety Town Safety Town Safety Town Safety Town Safety Town
Aurora photos may seem more prevalent this year compared to previous years, and it is not your imagination. Auroras have their origins with an active sun, which has become especially dynamic since the start of 2023.

Solar activity goes through 11-year cycles. Now on the upswing, the peak of the current cycle is not expected until 2025. One way to measure the level of solar activity is through the number of sunspots, which are relatively cooler spots along the amorphous solar surface.

Massive currents of phenomenally hot, electrically charged gas  known as plasma  regularly move upward from the center of the sun. Because plasma has an electric charge and bubbles erratically toward the suns surface, it also generates huge magnetic fields. These fields are so strong that they keep some of the suns most intense heat from reaching the surface, resulting in sunspots.

Like rubber bands, these fields twist and stretch, violently and chaotically. When they break and reorient themselves, they release huge amounts of energy outward from the sun, and the light accompanying the burst is a solar flare.

Depending on how these magnetic fields break, they can effectively grab some of the plasma and sling it outward into space in what is known as a coronal mass ejection, or CME.

Coming in different shapes and sizes, a CME directed at Earth can arrive in as little as 15 hours or take as long as several days. And these Earth-directed CMEs are responsible for auroras by interacting with the magnetic field that helps protect Earth.

That magnetic field exists because our planet has flowing and swirling molten iron deep in its interior, adjacent to its solid inner core. The shape of the field is similar to a doughnut, extending outward from Earth and keeping most of the particles regularly strewn outward from the sun  known as the solar wind  away from our atmosphere.

But when a CME reaches Earth, there is a surge in those charged particles interacting with the magnetic field and, instead of being fully deflected away, some are drawn inward to the North and South poles, and the generation of an aurora begins.

The colors come from the interaction of the plasma with the atoms that make up the gases in our atmosphere  oxygen and nitrogen. Occurring at least 60 miles above the ground, most common is the interaction with oxygen, which usually gives off a green or red glow. Nitrogen usually gives a blue glow.

A stronger CME, like the ones we have seen so far in 2023, will send particles even farther equatorward and, as a result, the aurora can be seen much farther away from the polar latitudes.

But there is a risk that comes with these bursts from the sun; they can disrupt long-range radio communications and GPS signals. For intense CMEs, the charged particles can create additional currents in the electrical grids on the ground used to send power into homes and businesses. Grids that are not prepared can get overloaded and fail, leading to blackouts.

Most infamous was an 1859 CME that became known as the Carrington Event, when auroras were seen as far south as Jamaica, and sparks developed on the relatively new telegraph systems of the period.

Fortunately, these events rarely come without notice. Multiple NASA satellites monitor the sun, and the data is shared with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to alert people, and the power companies, when solar storms like these are on the way.

Learn more at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Weather site, swpc.noaa.gov.
Cartel leader wanted in four Cancun Hotel Zone murders captured in Sinaloa

Cancun, Q.R.  A man believed to be a leader in the Sinaloa Cartel and mastermind behind several Cancun murders has been arrested. On Saturday morning, the State Attorney Generals Office of Quintana Roo reported on the capture of Hector F who was taken into custody in Guamuchil, Sinaloa.

His capture was made by elements of the Navy during an operation in the Sinaloa city. He was taken into custody by Sinaloa police on an outstanding arrest warrant. Authorities from the FGE Quintana Roo went to Guamuchil to aide in the operation and return him to the state.

According to information from the FGE of Quintana Roo, Hector F has since been returned to the city of Cancun and imprisoned in the Cereso. He was wanted for his alleged involvement in the April shooting deaths of four men.

On April 3, the bodies of four men were found dead in a mangrove area of the Cancun Hotel Zone. All four had been shot to death.

Shortly after the bodies were found, the FGE of Quintana Roo released a photo of Hector F and a one-million-peso reward leading to his arrest.
Reef snag leaves Zaragoza Canal dredging project on hold for three months

Chetumal, Q.R.  The current dredging project for the Zaragoza Canal has hit a snag that could see it ended. Artemio Santos Santos, who heads the office of Governor Mara Lezama, says the barrier reef is what could limit any additional project advancements.

The reef, which is located at the entrance of the canal, is a protected natural area which is restricting dredging. Santos says they are starting a study to determine feasability.

He says to date, millions of pesos have been spent dredging the canal and that both cruise and cargo companies have expressed interest in the finished product. However, with the reef at the entrance, they are uncertain as to how much dredging can be done, which leaves them uncertain as to which types of vessels may be able to enter the canal.

In the meantime, he says they are carrying out a bathymetry study between the artificial barrier and the coast to determine what type of vessels they may be able to accommodate.

We want to understand what can be done once and for all and move forward with the project because it is useless to continue dredging if we are limited by its characteristics as a protected natural area, he explained.

He said that the result of this study, which will be ready in three months, will be the starting point to find out what the state government can do and what they have to work with.

Until then, we do not want to waste resources or speculate about what will come for the Zaragoza channel as long as the study has not been completed, he added.

Santos explained that the study carried out by the last administration confirmed the existence of a large rock at the entrance of the Zaragoza channel and to remove it required the use of explosives.

Since it is in front of the reef barrier, it represents many limitations due to environmental issues.

The 1.2 kilometer canal is an artificial seaway that was constructed during the administration of Jose Maria de la Vega in 1901. It was created to provide easier and faster maritime access to the Bay of Chetumal.

The current dredging project would see the canal expanded to a depth of three meters and an additional length of 4.8 kilometers for a total length of 6.3, which could accommodate larger vessels including cruise ships.
Reggae Grub has opened in the City Market building, which has needed new tenants.

Owner Kevin Brown, 48, of Bonsack said he moved here from Jamaica about 10 years ago. During a typical day, he said, he arrives at the restaurant at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. to cook what the restaurant will need for the day and then he reports to work at Bimbo Bakeries in Roanoke.

I really enjoy cooking. By nature Im an artist and cooking is an art for me. I learned the skills from my grandmother and my mother, he said.

The menu options are jerk chicken, brown stew chicken, curry chicken, curry goat, oxtails, red snapper prepared escovitch-style, beans, rice, steamed cabbage and banana bread.

The Market Building Foundation said the building is open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There were six restaurants and three vacancies in the building last week.

Vinton gets barbecue joint

Pok-e-Joes BBQ opened last month in downtown Vinton, one of three new barbecue restaurants in the area.

Brad Ward, floor manager, described the venue as an American-style barbecue restaurant with a regular menu of burgers, barbecue and flat bread dishes and ribs on the weekends.

We are the only barbecue-style restaurant in this location. All of food is cooked in-house every day, Ward said. We have a fun, family atmosphere. Theres always music playing in here.

Owner Cory Welch of Forest operates one Pok-e-Joes in Boonsboro, near Lynchburg, and opened the Vinton location April 4, Ward said. Welch got started making barbecue for weddings and advanced to a food truck before moving up to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, the one in Boonsboro, Ward said.

Restaurant makeover downtown

Big Valley Barbecue has opened on Luck Avenue in the former location of Clutch Smoked Meats.

Clutch closed in December and reopened about three weeks ago under the new barbecue concept, said General Manager Heather Lehrer, who is with Parry Restaurant Group.

The menu offers a variety of pork, brisket and chicken options; burnt ends; ribs; wings; hot dogs; salads; sides and desserts. In addition, Big Valley Barbecue will provide a group meal selected from its family dinner packs menu.

Food truck eatery parks for good

Mama Jeans BBQ, a Roanoke area food truck, plans to move into the former Jimmy Vs eatery on Brandon Avenue, according to its Facebook page.

Jimmy Vs closed during the pandemic and has stood vacant.

Mama Jeans serves pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs, smoked turkey, burgers, wings, dogs, tacos, a bologna sandwich and a wide menu of sides, according to the online menu.

Madison Ruckel, owner and pitmaster, told Facebook followers to check back for a scheduled May 27 opening in the new location.

Vietnamese eatery opens

Its Pho Time has opened in the Lamp Lighter Mall, a shopping center on Williamson Road in Roanoke County.

The specialty pho, which Americans call soup, comes with diverse meat and vegetable choices.

A Yelp reviewer on April 8 declared the food excellent while another explained that Its Pho Time invites diners to seat themselves and order by checking boxes on a sheet of paper.

Williamson Road downtown gets new restaurant

Status Restaurant and Lounge opened May 1 near Williamson Road and Campbell Avenue.

Occupying the former space of 213 Lux Lounge, the restaurant seats 60 in its dining room. There is a bar, pool room and large upstairs lounge with a dance floor.

I love great food more than anything, but I like it to be well-priced, owner John Flannagan Jr. said.
On May 1, I gently dropped four feminized cannabis seeds into some marijuana-friendly soil that sells for $19 per 1.5 cubic foot bag. Since then Ive gently moistened that dirt and kept an eagles eye for anything green.

Then last week, three of those babies popped. I now have a trio of varieties growing on my south-facing deck in Grandin Court: They are Gorilla Glue #4, Dos Si Dos, and Skywalker. The fourth (and so far unsprung) seed is also a Gorilla Glue variety. And I planted two more of those late last week.

Because last years grow  with plants named after politicians from the Roanoke and New River valleys  was such great fun, I asked for suggestions about 2023 monikers.

Below, well run down the reader proposals and request more, because it appears my solicitation was too vague.

Some (but not all) of the reader ideas touched on national and international public figures. I prefer plants named after local people, things or institutions in this region, although I could be persuaded to stretch it as broadly as anyone or anywhere in the commonwealth.

Here are the suggestions weve culled so far.

First out of the gate was Cathy Greenberg of Roanoke, a former advertising director of this newspaper. Her idea sprang from the fact that this year (unlike last) I planted feminized seeds. Through a nifty bit of gender horticultural hackery, those are guaranteed to produce female plants.

Take a shot at the governors of states that have passed laws or policies against gender-affirming care, Greenberg suggested. Since most or all may be men, youll have to rename them as females and identify their pronouns since youre naming feminized plants.

For example, a female plant named after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would be rechristened with a feminine moniker, Rona DeSantis. And Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps plant could be dubbed Brianna Kemp. A plant named after West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice would instead bear the moniker Jane Justice  or perhaps MaryJane Justice, eh?

Unfortunately, there are many [governors] from which to choose, Greenberg added. I havent checked all, but it wouldnt surprise me if most of the transgender unfriendly states also still criminalize marijuana use.

She closed with: Dont expect to win, but Id like to have a brownie from this years crop!

Jelly Bean Jean Jadhon weed?

Next there was a lovely lady from Hardy whos exceedingly shy when it comes to cannabis. Well call her M, which is the leading initial of her first name, because she begged me to keep her identity under wraps.

I have my prim and proper reputation to maintain but I do enjoy a magical brownie now and then, M added.

M suggested naming the plants after some of the talented broadcasters on your hometown station, WDBJ Channel 7.

Her list includes Leos Lift-off, after weather forecaster Leo Hirsbrunner; Boom Boom McBroom, after morning and noon anchor Kimberly McBroom; and Melissas Merry Maker, for weekday afternoon anchor Melissa Gaona.

M also offered Robins Wacky Weed (in honor of weatherman/anchor Robin Reed, who retired in December after 40 years) and Jelly Bean Jean, after veteran news anchor Jean Jadhon. Shes one of my favs.

Just to be clear: As far as I know, absolutely none of them consumes weed.

Kaye Bostic of Roanoke suggested the plants be named after celebrity musicians known to take a toke or three.

I think I would go with famous artists, she wrote. Specifically, she proposed Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, Post Malone and maybe Miley Cyrus.

I love all of this and the fun you have with everything! Bostic added.

Mike Sheets of Dublin also proposed naming a plant after country-outlaw star Nelson, but calling it Weedy Nelson instead of Willie.

Gretchen Miller of Cave Spring proposed a British royalty theme. The plants should called King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Prince Harry, Miller said.

Beverly Padgett of Bedford tailored her suggestions to presidents of Virginia public universities to which Padgett family members have connections.

Those are Timothy Sands of Virginia Tech, my husbands alma mater; Michael Rao of Virginia Commonwealth University, my alma mater; and Gregory Washington of George Mason University, our daughters alma mater, Padgett wrote.

The fourth plant should be named after University of Virginia President Jim Ryan just because, Padgett added.

Tucker Carlson cannabis

Lida Mitchell of Marion suggested naming the plants after my four favorite childhood authors. Among hers are Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert and Dr. Seuss.

My husband waited too long to transplant his seedling and it started to bloom so I named her Judy, after Judy Blume, Mitchell wrote.

Some 53 years ago, Blume authored the classic youth novel, Are You There, God? Its me, Margaret. Various school divisions across America have been banning it ever since. (The most recent was Martin County, Florida, because parts of the story touch on pre-teen sexuality such as menstruation.)

Rick Barrow of Christiansburg had an idea that built off a 2022 plant I grew and named Del. Marie March, after the Floyd politician and businesswoman.

I suggest naming plants after the businesses Marie March has closed or [put up for sale] in the past several months: Due South [BBQ], Fatback Soul Shack, Big Red Barn, Bear Dance Market & CBD Cafe property, Barrow wrote.

Last but not least, Kathy Giglio of Roanoke peevishly suggested the plants be named after well-known  and fired  Fox News personalities, because the cable channel is her husbands favorite. Specifically, she suggested Tucker Carlson; Bill OReilly, Roger Ailes and Dan Bongino.

Ailes is dead but the others are still kicking. So I called Giglio for some clarification.

Which one do you believe has consumed the most weed? I asked. Without hesitation Giglio replied Tucker Carlson. That would be my guess, too.

If you have any other Western Virginia- or Virginia-centric proposals for cannabis plant names, email them to dan.casey@roanoke.com no later than Saturday, May 20.

Perhaps by June well have the 2023 crop named!
On Mothers Day two years ago, Cynthia Kaseys son was shot outside a northeast Roanoke business. He died at the hospital the next day. She is still looking for justice.

I know kids get killed in car crashes, but you lose a child to gun violence, thats sad. That is real sad, she said. Especially when you dont know who did it.

The Kasey family gathered Wednesday at 4317 Williamson Road, the site of the May 9, 2021, shooting that claimed 40-year-old Alvin I. Kaseys life. After bowing their heads in prayer, the family called out Kaseys name and released balloons into the evening sky.

God is on my side. I take one day at a time. I miss my son, Cynthia Kasey said. I dont even celebrate Mothers Day no more. But I try to do it for him and for my grandchildren.

Another Roanoke mother is spending the holiday without her only son and youngest child for the first time this year. Carolyn Thompson confirmed last week that her son, Brian Mann Tyrone Taylor, 42, died after he was shot at a downtown Roanoke hookah bar on April 23.

He got shot three times in the back, Thompson said. Right now, I just feel like half a person. Im broken. Im just lost. I sometimes dont believe it. I cry every day.

Police charged 26-year-old Brandon J. Woods with second-degree murder in connection with Taylors death. But Thompson said knowing that a suspect has been detained both does and does not bring her peace.

I cant get him back, she said.

A third woman, Shawna Paige, lost her boyfriend, Ulysses Kwaime Williams, to gun violence one year ago. Police said on May 4, the first anniversary of the fatal shooting that still no suspects had been charged.

Search warrants filed in Roanoke Circuit Court shortly after Williams was shot in the 1200 block of Hanover Avenue Northwest indicate he was going there to meet someone. Police identified a phone number connected to that person.

If you have the person he was supposed to meet, and then he gets killed five minutes later, you cant bring him in? That, to me, it sounds like the dude would be an accessory to it, Paige said. You have that info. Why has nothing been done with that aspect?

Paige identified Williams for police on scene.

To be honest with you, when I pulled up and I saw it was him, I was like in shock. I didnt have no emotion. I couldnt cry, Paige said. My question in my mind was like, What the hell was he doing over here? Because Id never known him to be on that street. I was just in complete shock.

Police confirmed Thursday that an arrest was made last year in connection with Alvin Kaseys homicide. Daryl M. Garland, now 24, was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

We had evidence that indicated Mr. Garland was in possession of a firearm while at that scene, Roanoke police public information officer Caitlyn Cline said.

Court documents indicate Garland was indicted on the possession charge in June 2021, a month after the Williamson Road shooting. Authorities arrested him March 10, 2022. His jail commitment order notes his prior criminal record to include eluding, breaking and entering, false identification to law enforcement, marijuana possession and firearm possession charges.

During Garlands jury trial last May, defense attorney Chris Kowalczuk asked that the commonwealth, represented by assistant prosecutor John McNeil, not bring up the fact that the other person died, according to a court reporters memo. McNeil said he would not be introducing any evidence of the death of Kasey and had asked witnesses not to say anything during testimony.

After deliberating Garlands case for less than an hour, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on the firearm possession charge. McNeil said Friday that Garland was not charged in connection with Kaseys death because Kasey initiated the gun fight that broke out outside of what was then a Puff-N-Play at 4317 Williamson Road.

I think the commonwealth of Virginia looked at my childs background and judged him. Thats what I think, Kaseys mother said Wednesday.

There wasnt nobody really there to speak up for him, Kaseys brother, Kashawn, said. He had nobody from the business here that basically heard the guy threaten his life. They made it seem like my brother was the aggressor.

Kasey was one of three cousins fatally shot in less than two years. Kyyona Casey, 21, was killed in July 2019 after her father, Bobbie Casey, said she had made plans to testify in court. And DeAndre Kasey, 29, was fatally shot in April 2021, about a month before the Puff-N-Play shooting. Police have announced no arrests in either case.

Before I closed their caskets, I told them, one day, I will get justice for them. We will get peace. And right now we have no peace at all, Bobbie Casey said Wednesday. Theres a killer running around here, and we dont know who did it.

Alvin Kasey left behind four children, including a son, now 3 years old.

I tell him, Anytime you want your daddy, put your hand right here, Cynthia Kasey said, placing her hand over her heart. Your daddy is always right here in your heart. But he dont understand that.

Paige said her daughter, who was three months old when Williams died last May, has a bear plushie with Williams voice recorded inside.

She knows the voice, but its coming from the bear, not a person, Paige said. Thats hard, for me to watch her push the bear away. Shell never know the goofy, funny person that we did.

Paige said Williams gave a friend with a gunshot wound a ride to the hospital a few months before he was shot.

He was very caring, loving. He would give you the shirt off his back. Hed do anything for anybody, Paige said. He gave a friend a ride, and this is what happens to him, being a good friend.

Carolyn Thompson said Taylor cared for her and his girlfriend when they became ill. She said his sons, ages 25 and 13, miss him.

His 13-year-old, we cried together one night. He said hes going to miss him, because his daddy had just come home less than two years ago, and they took his dad from him again. He was really hurt, Thompson said.

Thompson said Taylor had previously been incarcerated and was committed to staying out of jail after his last release.

When he first came home, a few other times, he was just like, Theres nothing. Nobody wants to hire me, because I have a record. He was discouraged a lot about that, Thompson said. When he came home this time, he was more positive and more grown up.

Thompson said Taylor had been shot before. In March 2013, he and two other men were injured by gunfire after a fight broke out in a parking lot of another Williamson Road business, according to a Roanoke County Police Department press release.

Thompson said no one was charged in connection with the shooting. The bullet Taylor took the back that night 10 years ago was never removed, she said. Police found it again as they investigated Taylors homicide.

Kaseys mother said caregivers who have lost loved ones to gun violence should keep the faith.

Thats all we can do, she said. We just want justice for our children.

People have kids, and sitting there killing people, that just isnt the answer, Paige said. They need to think the process out, because theyre leaving behind kids and family.
This is a more personal post than the usual. My father passed away this week in India.

My brother and I were remembering the many ways in which he touched our lives, as he had doubtless affected so many others.

Baba was an old-school father, in an era when fathers didn't spend much time with their children. But when he did, he liked to show us a magic trick like cutting off his own finger, or a mathematical puzzle. He showed me how to use his slide rule, a Faber-Castell Aristo with beautiful red and green markings in a leather case.

Very rarely, we talked about important things.

He wouldn't hurt a fly, literally. If he caught a creature inside the house, he would carefully open the window and toss it out. Even when a cobra came out of the grass in the monsoons, he would not let us hurt it. Raised in a strict Maharashtrian Brahmin household and then in the College of Engineering in Pune, he was well-read but hadn't seen much of the real world before entering the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. In the officers' mess they had arranged yellow flowers on the tables for the cadets to eat, which he discovered were boiled cut eggs.

I had always wondered how a peace-loving, creative and bright mind like his had found itself in a rigid, top-down military bureaucracy. After getting his engineering degree, what had possessed him to become a commissioned officer?

I did ask him once. He said he had been bored working for a public works department in a town in Gujarat and for the state-owned oil company ONGC. Besides, he said, one of his childhood buddies from New English School in Satara had entered the National Defence Academy and loved being an army officer. So, he decided to sign up, too.

I wanted to know how it had turned out for him.

The career of a Bombay Sapper

Like many regiments in the Indian army, the Bombay Engineering Group, a.k.a. the Bombay Sappers, is much older than the country, having been raised even before the British Indian army, in the days of the East India Company. These are combat engineers whose business is mines, bridges, and similar technical work.

From his home base in the Bombay Sappers, Baba was often sent to faraway places. His postings read like a travelogue of the Indian subcontinent, a lot of it in the Eastern and Western Himalayas: Nagaland, Tezpur, Shillong, Mussoorie. He was often an instructor for project management or technical subjects at some institute or another.

However, his official obituary from the Bombay Sappers has a few gaps during classified assignments. One of these gaps is for a few months starting in November 1971, the period of combat operations in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

I had to dig a bit to find out what he did during the war.

An engineers' war

Indian troops invaded East Pakistan to help the Bengali rebels, forced the Pakistan military to surrender, and created the new nation of Bangladesh. If ever a war was justified, it was the Bangladesh war.

Embedded within the invading Indian army brigades were engineering units. The engineers "shape the terrain" in battle. They plant or clear mines and lay down or demolish road surfaces or bridges, enabling their own side to make progress while hindering the enemy.

East Pakistan was criss-crossed with rivers in loamy and marshy soil. It was difficult to move equipment and material. Many roads, bridges, and ferries had to be built and destroyed around the clock, often under enemy fire. Military historians called it an engineers' war.

Baba was part of 268 Engineer Regiment, and he mentioned to me one particular bridge across the Kabadak river that had been destroyed by the Pakistani defenders. I was able to find a contemporary picture of it:

The 268 Engineers had to rebuild the bridge temporarily using prefabricated parts carried into battle.

I was able to find a picture of the rebuilt bridge. The broken sections of the original bridge lie undisturbed below.

The new bridge is a simple, continuous type of "Bailey bridge" that spans the river from end to end, but this river was too wide, and the engineers had to support it in the middle by building a pier made of steel cages.

My father designed a "distribution beam girder," a rigid structure made of steel plates, to distribute the load on to the new pier. He got it made from a shipbuilding yard in Calcutta. They produced it overnight, and the army transported it and assembled it on site.

Baba's comrade-in-arms, Major SS Rajan, who commanded the 268 Engineer company that built the bridge, took the picture below.

You can see Maj Rajan directing the bridge placement on top of the new steel structure. Supported in this way, the bridge could span the river successfully.

A life accomplished

The war was over fourteen days after it was declared, a complete and rapid victory.

Maj Rajan, who retired as a Colonel, told me this week that my father had designed the entire custom structure by himself and that it had worked the first time. "He was a brilliant man," he said.

I am sure it must have been a great feeling to have been useful, to have served your country and to have done it well.
Shirley Contreras wrote for the Santa Maria Times from 1991 to 2022. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway.
The exact composition of a particular corium flow like what makes up Chernobyl's Elephant's Foot can vary. Farmer, whose team has simulated nuclear core melt accidents in research, says that the brownish hue of the Elephant's Foot resembles corium "in which the melt has eroded into concrete containing a high degree of silica (SiO2), which is basically glass. Concretes that contain a lot of silica are called siliceous, and that is the type of concrete used to construct the Chernobyl plants."

That makes sense because initially after the core melts, corium will consist of the materials from which the core usually is made. Part of it is also uranium oxide fuel. Other ingredients include the fuel's coating  typically an alloy of zirconium called Zircaloy  and structural materials, which mostly are stainless steel composed of iron, Farmer explains.

Advertisement

"Depending on when water is re-supplied to cool the corium, the corium composition can evolve in time," Farmer says. "As steam boils off, the steam can react with metals in the corium (zirconium and steel) to produce hydrogen gas, the effects of which you saw during the reactor accidents at Fukushima Daiichi. The oxidized metals in the corium are converted to oxides, causing the composition to change."

If the corium isn't cooled, it will move down through the reactor vessel, melting more structural steel along the way, which causes even more changes in its composition, Farmer says. "If still undercooled, the corium can eventually melt through the steel reactor vessel and drop down onto the concrete floor of the containment," he explains. "This happened at all three reactors at Fukushima Daiichi." The concrete that comes in contact with the corium will eventually heat up and begin to melt.

Once the concrete melts, concrete oxides (typically known as 'slag') are introduced into the melt, which causes the composition to evolve even further, Farmer explains. The melting concrete also releases steam and carbon dioxide, which continue to react with metals in the melt to produce hydrogen (and carbon monoxide), causing still more changes in the corium's composition.

" " In 2016, the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was slid over Chernobyl to prevent any more radiation leaks from the nuclear power plant. However, since then, Room 305/2 (which was directly under the Unit 4 reactor core) has been showing signs of increased neutron emissions. Flickr/European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
DARLINGTON, S.C.  Frank Whifley drove over 2,700 miles in his camper just to be at the Darlington Raceway this weekend.

He is from Pleasanton, California, but came all the way just for the Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race happening on Sunday. Whifley and fans just like him traveled across the country, bringing their campers or modified buses to the infield where they set up grills, lawn chairs and platforms to watch the race.

Wed always go to the racetrack in Fontana every year, and we usually pick another track to go to, but with COVID, we didnt go the last couple years, he said.

So far, the only thing Whifleys done since getting to the racetrack has been drinking beer, he said. This is his first time in Darlington, and he said it is pretty cool.

David and Karen Smith have been doing more than drinking. Like many others in the infield, they set up an inflatable pool to beat the heat. On Saturday, the sky was nearly cloudless and the temperature was a high of 86 degrees.

Unlike many others, they also had a way to heat up: an inflatable hot tub with a jacuzzi mode. Smith said he could put the water temperature above 100 degrees, but he kept it in the 90s on Saturday morning.

The Smiths often travel to link up with other Army families at NASCAR races, he said. Smith is stationed at the recently renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia.

We had a third family that used to go with us all the time, but they moved to Alaska, so its kind of prohibitive, Smith said.

This year, he will go to both Darlington races, both Richmond races and may go to some others, he said.

Weve done Bristol, Martinsville, Texas Motor Speedway, Daytona and Darlington, Smith said.

While the Smiths may travel as a family, kids included, Florida-residents Bobby and Debra Pooley camped out in the infield with their two dogs.

Pooley said it was his first time in the Darlington infield, but not the first time at the racetrack.

The first time we came, we just drove up for the day, he said. I dont know if we were young and dumb or just young.

Close Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. NASCAR fans brought motorhomes and modified buses to the infield of the Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. David and Karen Smith set up their inflatable pool, which is blue in the far left, and their inflatable hot tub, which is gray in the front, at the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Frank Whifley with his motorhome, which took him from Pleasanton, California to the Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. Florida residents Bobby and Debra Pooley camped out in the infield of the Darlington Raceway with their two dogs. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. A display a fan set up at their motorhome in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. A fan stands on the roof of his modified bus in the infield of the Darlington Raceway to watch the drivers practice. Fans stand on the roof of a motorhome in the infield of the Darlington Raceway to watch the drivers practice. PHOTOS: Darlington Raceway Infield, Spring 2023 Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. NASCAR fans brought motorhomes and modified buses to the infield of the Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. David and Karen Smith set up their inflatable pool, which is blue in the far left, and their inflatable hot tub, which is gray in the front, at the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Frank Whifley with his motorhome, which took him from Pleasanton, California to the Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. Florida residents Bobby and Debra Pooley camped out in the infield of the Darlington Raceway with their two dogs. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. A display a fan set up at their motorhome in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. Motorhomes parked in the infield of the Darlington Raceway on Saturday. A fan stands on the roof of his modified bus in the infield of the Darlington Raceway to watch the drivers practice. Fans stand on the roof of a motorhome in the infield of the Darlington Raceway to watch the drivers practice.

The Goodyear 400 NASCAR Cup Series race will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The race will have a throwback theme, with cars being painted to honor NASCAR legends.
FLORENCE, S.C.  American Legion Post One will celebrate Armed Forces Day this year with a formal dinner and ball with the dinner catered by Woodstone Barbecue and music provided by the Blue Knight Band. Guest speaker will be Capt. Matthew Mosier, executive and administrative officer for the 51st Military Police Battalion.

This event is a special way for us to honor our men and women that have served or that are serving in our armed forces. It is full of ceremony and tradition. It helps enhance morale and esprit de corps, said Johnny Guest of Post One. This is an opportunity for us to meet socially, to create bonds of friendship, and an atmosphere of fellowship and friendship.

We will follow the guide for the Air Force Dining-in/out. It is a tradition in all branches of service. In the Air Force and Navy, it is the dining-in; in the Army, the regimental dinner; in the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, mess night, Guest said.

The custom of the dining-in is not exclusively military. The tradition as we know it today is rooted in England, where it was custom in the monasteries. It was later adapted by the early universities and spread to the military when the officers mess was established, Guest said. With the adaption of the dining-in by the military, these feasts became more formalized. British soldiers introduced the custom to Colonial America, where it was borrowed by George Washingtons Continental Army. The Air Force dining-out (can bring your spouse or date) format began in the United States Army Air Corps with Gen. Henry Hap Arnolds Wing-Dings.

Attire for service members is semi-formal uniform or the mess dress. For veterans that do not have these, attire can be semi-formal or business attire (suit). Civilian guests usually wear semi-formal or business attire (suit). Ladies have the opportunity to dress up in a gown, conservative cocktail dress, or dress pants apparel.

Post 1 welcomes all who are in service, veterans, family and friends in the community. If you wish to attend, call or text Guest by his cell at 954-740-2027, or send email to johnnyguest@bellsouth.net.

The cost for the event is $20 per person. You can pay day of the event at the door; however, the post needs to have a good head count in advance so it can ensure enough food is on hand. Reservations should be made by Tuesday.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Brigadier General (Ret.) Lawrence E. Gillespie Sr. will be the keynote speaker for this years Memorial Day celebration at Florence National Cemetery.

Director Carolyn Howard and her staff at the National Cemetery always have a meaningful event to honor those members of our military who died while serving, said retired Col. Barry Wingard.

We try very hard to invite speakers who live or serve in South Carolina or have ties to our area. This year is no exception. Wingard said.

The speaker this year retired to Virginia, but his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Marion Ford, live in the Pee Dee.

Gillespie has served his country in the active Army and the National Guard. Commissioned as an infantry officer after completion of Officer Candidate School in 1964, he began a long career with assignments that included Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Rucker, Ala., and Vietnam, where he served two tours as a helicopter pilot. Later, he served in Germany, with the Ohio National Guard, in Panama, and the District of Columbia National Guard.

He retired after serving as the deputy commanding general, D.C. National Guard. Among his awards are the Distinguished Flying Cross, 43 awards of the Air Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Gillespie was inducted into the Army Infantry Hall of Fame.

Gillespie earned a B.S. from the State University of New York, a masters in public administration from Shippensburg University, graduated the National and International Security Course at Harvard University, and is a graduate of the prestigious U.S. Army War College.

The Veterans Honor Guard will perform a three-round rifle volley and sound taps. Seating is limited but attendees may take lawn chairs.

The ceremony will begin promptly, at 10 a.m. May 29 at Florence National Cemetery.
Luxembourg will participate in Eurovision 2024, competing for the first time in three decades.

On Saturday night (13 May), 26 acts will perform on behalf of their respective countries for a shot at taking home Eurovisions top prize.

Some countries are already looking towards next year, however, including Luxembourg who will participate in the 2024 song contest for the first time since 1993.

Despite the fact that the country has not competed in three decades, Luxembourg has won Eurovision a total of five times.

Luxembourg most recently triumphed in 1983 when Corinne Hermes lifted the trophy with her song Si La Vie Est Cadeau.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH UPDATES FROM EUROVISION AT OUR LIVE BLOG HERE

Prior to that, the country saw victory in 1961 with Jean-Claude Pascal, in 1965 with France Gall, in 1972 with Vicky Leandros, and in 1973 with Anne-Marie David.

Luxembourgs final decade in Eurovision, however, was far less successful. (Although, with fives wins under their belt, it remains one of the most successful participating countries in Eurovision history.)

Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine, last years winners, perform during the Grand Final of Eurovision (AP)

The country finished in 20th place or lower in four of their last seven competitions.

According to the Eurovision website, it was after a poor result in 1993 (which led to relegation from the 1994 contest) that Luxembourg declined to enter Eurovision again.

Speaking about Luxembourgs forthcoming return next year, Martin Osterdahl, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said: We are thrilled to welcome back Luxembourg to the Eurovision Song Contest after 30 years.

(PA)

The country has one of the most successful records in the Contest with five wins in the first three decades of the competition alone.

We very much look forward to working with RTL [the main public and commercial television channel in Luxembourg] on their return to the worlds biggest live music event in 2024.

Representing the UK this year is Mae Muller. You can check out our interview with the pop sensation here.

Mullers odds arent looking good, however, with bookies expecting Swedens Loreen to take home the coveted glass microphone trophy instead.

You can find a full list of favourites and odds here.
Meetings and events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abundant Life Fellowship, 809 S. Alice St., in Sioux City will distribute food boxes after their 11 a.m. Sunday services. For additional information contact Pastor Bob at 605-205-0718 or Donna at 605-205-0719.
SIOUX CITY -- An anonymous donor has made what Briar Cliff is calling the largest single gift in the history of the Sioux City college.

College officials did not identify the size of the gift but said it has pushed fundraising for the proposed $20 million College of Health & Equity above the 60 percent threshold.

Earlier, Briar Cliff had been awarded a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the new training center, which will house all of the school's health care sciences programs. The grant was funded by the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping COVID relief bill. with $1.6 million in matching local funds.

The college also has received a Missouri River Historical Development and other a number of private donations for the facility, which Briar Cliff offiicals expecdt to increase the number of health care worker graduates by 47%.

We are grateful for the communitys support and dedication to providing an interprofessional space to develop healthcare professionals and better support the marginalized or underserved through the Community Clinics, Michelle Boe, vice president of University Advancement, said in a news release this week.

Working with its architect, CMBA, Briar Cliff is finalizing plans for the new facility, which is slated for completion in May 2025.

In March, Briar Cliff announced it had dropped plans to renovate Toller Hall as part of the project. The college now plans to raze the residential hall prepare for a new building, "creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly facility."

"The rebuild will allow for all disciplines within the college to relocate to one building, simulating a real-world healthcare setting in which coordination of care among practitioners is encouraged," the school said in the March news release.

Briar Cliff increased its fundraising goal to allow an aggressive redesign, focused on enhancing equitable access to healthcare and education for all students in the tri-state area, Boe said. With the redesign, the learning spaces and clinics will expand and bring all healthcare offerings into one facility.

As school officials prepared to remodel Toller Hall, we quickly realized the risk of retrofitting a current residence hall to an educational facility, Boe said.

We also know there is a great risk to what could be uncovered with a 1967 building. Most importantly, we want to focus on the entire facility, versus one floor, she said.

With the scheduled removal of Toller as a residence hall beginning in the spring of 2024, the university is evaluating additional housing options. as well as remodeling current on-campus housing options, including a $4.5 million remodel of Alverno Hall that was set to begin this month. Alverno Hall, Baxter DiGiovanni Center, and Noonan Hall will support current on-campus resident needs, college officials said.

Previously referred to as the School of Interprofessional Health and Help Sciences, the college also changed the name of the new facility to College of Health & Equity.

Adding Equity to the name signals Briar Cliffs focus on intentional recruitment and support of communities that have not traditionally completed four-year degrees, particularly in healthcare, college officials said.
In a move that highlights the potential hazards of tax preparation services, the US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking to bar nine Florida tax return preparers and their associated businesses from participating in the preparation of federal income tax returns for others. This announcement should serve as a stark reminder for small businesses to thoroughly vet their tax preparation services.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleges that these nine individuals, namely Richard Louis, Teddy Davis, James Merrill, Daniel Ouku, Demetrius Knowles, Harold Bornelus, Joseph Garrett, Marlyne Wah, and Romeo Davis, filed thousands of fraudulent federal income tax returns for customers via an unincorporated entity known as Taxman. The complaint further claims that their actions have resulted in the United States losing millions of dollars in tax revenue.

One of the primary fraudulent schemes allegedly used by the defendants was claiming illegitimate Residential Energy Credits on their customers tax returns. Furthermore, it is alleged that Louis and Taxman falsified and overstated business and itemized deductions on their customers tax returns and prepared tax returns for customers claiming the incorrect filing status. The alleged actions have led to their customers receiving refunds to which they were not entitled.

David A. Hubbert, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Departments Tax Division, announced these allegations.

This development is particularly crucial for small business owners who often rely on third-party tax preparers. Owners must remain vigilant against potentially unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS offers helpful tips on how to accurately file returns, how to choose a tax return preparer, and steps taxpayers can take to get a head start on filing.

The IRS also provides a free directory of federal tax preparers to assist taxpayers in need. In addition, programs are available offering free basic return preparation for qualifying seniors and individuals with low to moderate income. IRS Free File, a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For those over this threshold, IRS Free File offers electronic federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free.

Over the past decade, the Department of Justice Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of dishonest tax preparers, highlighting the importance of this issue. Information about these cases can be found on the Justice Departments website, including an alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes.

For small businesses, the message is clear: due diligence in selecting tax preparers is of the utmost importance. If you suspect an enjoined person or business may be violating an injunction, you are urged to contact the Tax Division with details. The actions of the Justice Department serve as a reminder that the issue of tax preparation fraud is taken very seriously and will continue to be aggressively pursued.

Get the latest headlines from Small Business Trends. Follow us on Google News.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/russia-categorically-rejects-claims-of-meddling-in-turkish-elections-1110331452.html

Russia Categorically Rejects Claims of Meddling in Turkish Elections

Russia Categorically Rejects Claims of Meddling in Turkish Elections

The Kremlin rejected accusations that it had interfered in the Turkish presidential elections, a Kremlin spokesperson said the Russian presidency was "extremely disappointed by such claims".

2023-05-13T20:31+0000

2023-05-13T20:31+0000

2023-05-14T07:36+0000

russia

russia

turkiye

turkiye

2023 turkish presidential election

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102750/91/1027509199_0:159:3077:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_1c5900527567cf87590950719d4e24e9.jpg

"We immediately said that we categorically rejected accusations of interference in the Turkish electoral campaign. It is totally impossible," Dmitry Peskov said. "The opposition leader said he had evidence. He is yet to present that evidence. We are certain that he cannot do it because it does not exist," the Kremlin spokesman argued. He said the Russian presidency was "extremely disappointed by such claims" and "will respect the choice made by the Turkish people" when they go to the polls to elect the next president and parliament on Sunday. Peskov said Russia valued its mutually beneficial relationship with Turkiye and appreciated the progress made in recent years in such areas of cooperation as tourism, agriculture, trade, energy, transport and humanitarian affairs.

russia

turkiye

turkiye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia, turkiye, kremlin, turkish elections
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/ukraines-zelensky-rejects-popes-offer-of-mediation-1110331575.html

Ukraine's Zelensky Rejects Pope's Offer of Mediation

Ukraine's Zelensky Rejects Pope's Offer of Mediation

The news comes after Zelensky had a 40-minute conversation with the Pope in Rome earlier on Sunday. Zelensky turned down the option for a mediation process with the pope, saying he had nothing to talk about with President Putin.

2023-05-13T21:59+0000

2023-05-13T21:59+0000

2023-05-13T21:59+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

pope francis

pope francis

vladimir putin

volodymyr zelensky

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/01/1110002701_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_77c3fa342a1f4b0244c325d214ab3d60.jpg

Zelensky spoke to Italian media during a trip to Rome on Saturday where he met with the Catholic pontiff and senior Italian officials. The pope has repeatedly offered his help in mediating between Kiev and Moscow. "I have a deep respect for his Holiness The thing is, we have no need for mediators... We must work out an action plan that will secure a fair peace, a peace in Ukraine," Zelensky said. The pontiff welcomed the Ukrainian to the Vatican and received him privately in the Paul VI Audience Hall. A source at the Holy See told RIA Novosti that the meeting had been agreed at the last moment.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

putin, zelensky, pope francis, vladimir putin, volodymyr zelensky
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/erdogan-and-kilicdaroglu-vote-in-general-election-1110337231.html

Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu Vote in General Election

Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu Vote in General Election

Turkiye's presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place on May 14.

2023-05-14T08:29+0000

2023-05-14T08:29+0000

2023-05-14T08:42+0000

world

kemal kilicdaroglu

justice and development party (akp)

turkiye

2023 turkish presidential election

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110337349_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_52c0fd1857747881a976c0542ed384a9.jpg

Sputnik comes live from Istanbul as incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his main opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu cast their ballots in the general election while voters throughout the country head to polling stations. There are three candidates competing in Turkiyes presidential election: Erdogan, who was nominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party and its coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party; Kemal Kilicdaroglu who has been put forward by a six-party opposition alliance; and Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More!

turkiye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Erdogan casts his ballot in Turkish general election Erdogan casts his ballot in Turkish general election 2023-05-14T08:29+0000 true PT21M38S

Kilicdaroglu casts his ballot in Turkish general election Kilicdaroglu casts his ballot in Turkish general election 2023-05-14T08:29+0000 true PT6M16S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

presidential and parliamentary elections, presidential runoff
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/g7-eu-planning-to-ban-potential-resumption-of-russian-gas-flows-to-europe---reports-1110338726.html

G7, EU Planning to Ban Potential Resumption of Russian Gas Flows to Europe - Reports

G7, EU Planning to Ban Potential Resumption of Russian Gas Flows to Europe - Reports

G7 countries and the European Union intend to ban resumption of Russian gas exports to Europe previously halted by Moscow during the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima from May 19-21, media reported on Sunday, citing sources.

2023-05-14T08:19+0000

2023-05-14T08:19+0000

2023-05-14T14:40+0000

russia

germany

g7

european union (eu)

nord stream

gas

economy

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107745/44/1077454484_0:159:3076:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_3d9944a07cadce5dd281c5189dab3598.jpg

The draft G7 document seen by the newspaper indicates that Western leading countries are committed to further strengthening their pressure on Russia's economy, "including preventing the reopening of avenues previously shut down by Russias weaponisation of energy," at least until "there is a resolution of the conflict." This decision, if agreed upon, will prevent the relaunch of Russian gas pipeline supplies to Poland and Germany, according to the report. With this measure the Western countries want to reduce Russia's energy profits. The step is designed "to make sure that partners dont change their mind in a hypothetical future," one of sources told the newspaper. The initiative has a great symbolic meaning, as European countries will introduce restrictions on Russian pipeline gas for the first time since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, according to the report. However, the ban will not affect any current supplies in the near future, media added.Besides, EU members mull expanding oil embargo, as they want to reduce their use of all Russias energy, according to the report. Now, European diplomats are in talks over possible suspension of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, the newspaper said, adding that the European Commission refused to comment on its internal discussions.However, one EU official told the Western media outlet that it is important for the bloc to understand how to organize the flow of Kazakh oil through Druzhba. On Friday, US media reported the EU had proposed at the official level to stop Russian oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany and Poland. At the same time, according to the report, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will be exempted from the ban. The proposal will be discussed as part of a new EU sanctions package against Russia. The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, were hit by explosions in September 2022. Nord Stream's operator, Nord Stream AG, said that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the time repairs might take.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/peas-in-a-pod-kiev--washington-resort-to-terror-tactics-to-threaten-russia-china-1110345037.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/us-splurges-1-bln-on-russian-uranium-despite-sanctions-war-1110330215.html

russia

germany

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian gas, g7, eu, european union intend to ban
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/humanitarian-crisis-unfolds-in-mexico-as-biden-flounders-to-fix-border-crisis-1110338370.html

Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Mexico as Biden Dithers Over Fixing Border Crisis

Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Mexico as Biden Dithers Over Fixing Border Crisis

As the US attempts to get a grip on the migrant crisis raging at its southern border, a relentless humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Mexico.

2023-05-14T08:41+0000

2023-05-14T08:41+0000

2023-05-14T10:41+0000

americas

us

us-mexico border

migrants

title 42

humanitarian crisis

asylum seekers

joe biden

alejandro mayorkas

donald trump

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110334877_0:159:3078:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_3fa623d209cce40bc633f5119de44386.jpg

As the US attempts to get a grip on the migrant crisis raging at its southern border, a relentless humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Mexico.A bottleneck of thousands of asylum seekers trying to enter America has formed near the US border. Over the past month, migrants have arrived, after crossing the Rio Grande, from as far away as Venezuela, and they await asylum interviews in an encampment which has become their refuge. The migrants lack food and clean water, are forced to sleep rough in makeshift tents that offer little protection from the rain and use the surrounding area as one large latrine, humanitarian organizations have warned.Rumors and speculation regarding the change in the Biden administrations immigration policy, most notably scrapping the Trump-era public health emergency order known as Title 42, have driven thousands of people to trek towards the sprawling migrant camp in Matamoros, half a mile from the US border. Title 42, which allowed the US government to turn away migrants at the border to prevent the spread of COVID-19, expired on 11 May.Many migrants believed they might be allowed to enter the United States more easily once the restriction ended.He added that whereas the area with its shelters, apartments and tents used to house around 700 people, there are now more than 6,000. Others, however, thought it would get more difficult to gain entry because restrictions would tighten under other US immigration rules, and these migrants rushed to the border ahead of the end of Title 42. Unlawful migrant crossings exceeded 10,000 per day earlier in the week according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).Matters have been compounded by the temporary shuttering of 33 government migrant-holding facilities in Mexico in the wake of a probe into the circumstances surrounding a deadly fire in March at a detention center in Ciudad Juarez. Local and state authorities in Mexico are being urged by humanitarian organizations to do more to help the asylum seekers.'Stranded by Migrant Policies'Asylum-seekers massed at the US-Mexico border have been "stranded" by US migrant policies, claim humanitarian workers cited by media reports. With the end of Title 42, the US has returned to wielding a section of US code known as Title 8. There will now be stiff consequences for irregular migration as US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said earlier. These would include five-year and 10-year bars on reentry for those deported, along with potential criminal charges for people caught repeatedly trying to enter the United States.Using such terms as expedited removal, he emphasized that the southern border was not open, urging those seeking entry into the US to use lawful pathways.But the Biden administrations new policy requires migrants to make appointments for their asylum interviews on a glitch-plagued CBP One app. Furthermore, these people can be disqualified if they already passed through another country where they could have applied for asylum, such as Mexico.With Washington urging more action from Mexican authorities to clamp down on migrants heading towards the US, it was announced on 12 May that permits allowing undocumented migrants to cross Mexico were to be suspended.However, analysts cited by US media warn that making a greater impact on stemming the migrant flow is hampered by the very broad role of traffickers who smuggle migrants, in cahoots with corrupt officials.The Biden administration, which has been dogged by the border crisis from the start after dismantling much of Donald Trumps tough migration policies, is now contemplating more restrictive asylum policies with new incentives for migrants to embrace lawful routes. For example, there are new family reunification parole processes for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia, along with revamped ones for Cuba and Haiti. These will allow vetted individuals with already approved family-based petitions to be paroled into the United States, on a case-by-case basis. The United States said it was going to continue to accept up to 30,000 people from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Haiti each month in line with the expanded parole process.But while these policies come into effect, the humanitarian crisis continues to take its toll on the exhausted and malnourished migrants flocking to the US-Mexico border, risking robbery and sexual abuse, Andrea Dunne-Sosa, Senior Regional Director for Project HOPE, warned. She added:

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/biden-pulling-agents-from-us-mexico-border-despite-post-title-42-migrant-influx-1110307748.html

americas

venezuela

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

humanitarian crisis, northern mexico, us border crisis, us-mexico border, migrants, asylum seekers,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/israeli-forces-gaza-exchange-strikes-after-ceasefire-comes-into-force-1110332782.html

Israeli Forces, Gaza Exchange Strikes After Ceasefire Comes Into Force

Israeli Forces, Gaza Exchange Strikes After Ceasefire Comes Into Force

On Saturday the IDF announced they were attacking the Gaza Strip after Egyptian media reported that the ceasefire mediated by Cairo would take effect at 10 PM local time on Saturday.

2023-05-14T01:34+0000

2023-05-14T01:34+0000

2023-05-14T01:34+0000

world

israel

israel defense forces (idf)

palestine

israeli-palestinian conflict

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107961/23/1079612396_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_965c3c2b619deb1239bcd07f5f421007.jpg

"The IDF is now attacking the Gaza Strip," the IDF said on Twitter at around 21:00 GMT on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, Egyptian media reported that the ceasefire mediated by Cairo would take effect at 10 p.m. local time on Saturday (19:00 GMT). The Israeli Prime Ministers Office confirmed in a statement that the truce was coming into force and thanked Egypt for helping secure the ceasefire. The IDF said that two rockets were launched toward Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on Saturday night. One of the rockets was intercepted, while the second fell in an open area. After the rocket attack, the IDF began striking targets in Gaza. Less than an hour before the announced ceasefire was expected to come into force, the IDF said that air raid sirens sounded in central and southern Israel near the Gaza Strip. The prime ministers office said in its statement that National Security Council (NSC) Director Tzachi Hanegbi, on instruction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for mediating the ceasefire. Hanegbi "made it clear that Israel's acceptance of the Egyptian initiative means that 'quiet will be met with quiet', and that if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will continue to do everything that it needs to in order to defend itself." On Tuesday night, Israel launched the "Shield and Arrow" operation conducting airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants in the Gaza Strip. In response, militants of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired over 500 rockets at Israel, according to Israel Defense Forces. At least one Israeli and over 30 Palestinians have died. As many as 139 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the Israeli operations in the Palestinian territories since the beginning of 2023, with 25 killed in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Thursday.

israel

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

israel, israel defense foces, idf, gaza strip, egypt, israeli-palestinian conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/kiev-avoids-confirming-use-of-uk-made-storm-shadow-cruise-missiles-against-russian-forces-1110339611.html

Kiev Avoids Confirming Use of UK-Made Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles Against Russian Forces

Kiev Avoids Confirming Use of UK-Made Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles Against Russian Forces

Spokesman for the Ukrainian air force command Yuriy Ignat on Sunday avoided confirming the use of UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles against the Russian forces.

2023-05-14T09:27+0000

2023-05-14T09:27+0000

2023-05-14T10:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

russian defense ministry

missiles

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110344558_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_75c843a8f5bb3b909221f2b284771f82.jpg

"I think, you are right," Ignat said slightly smiling in an interview in response to a phrase that the Ukrainian citizens will probably be informed by the authorities on the use of Storm Shadows or simply see results of such strikes. Additionally, the spokesman said that there should be no technical problems with the missiles, as a number of Western cruise rockets are already fired from Ukrainian military jets, adding that "the issue with missiles has been worked out." On Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine used two Storm Shadow missiles and one US-made ADM-160 MALD decoy missile to shell Lugansk on May 12. Another Storm Shadow missile hit a village near Lugansk on Saturday, according to the local authorities. Several civilians, including children, were injured as a result of the strikes. Western countries, including the United Kingdom, ramped up their military support for Ukraine after the beginning of Russias special operation. Moscow has repeatedly warned against such supplies as they would prolong and escalate the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/what-are-storm-shadow-missiles-and-how-can-russia-defeat-them-1110288372.html

russia

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukrainian air force, uk-made storm shadow cruise missiles
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/moldovan-president-discusses-financial-assistance-to-country-with-usaid-1110349961.html

Moldovan President Discusses Financial Assistance to Country With USAID

Moldovan President Discusses Financial Assistance to Country With USAID

Moldovan President Maia Sandu have discussed additional funding for democratic and economic consolidation of the country with Erin McKee, a senior official of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the president's office said on Sunday.

2023-05-14T13:49+0000

2023-05-14T13:49+0000

2023-05-14T13:49+0000

world

us agency for international development (usaid)

moldova

us

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101768/38/1017683827_0:196:4993:3004_1920x0_80_0_0_3f6142baf6d1ab1717f21ba6a2b616d3.jpg

"President Maia Sandu discussed with Erin McKee, Assistant Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, the assistance that USAID has provided to us over the years  There was also a discussion on new funding opportunities to help the government accelerate the consolidation of democracy and economic growth through infrastructure, transport and resilience projects," Sandus office said. The Moldovan president also thanked the US government that helps Kishinev to develop information technology, agriculture, wine-making and light industry through USAID grants. Currently, Moldova is carrying out several projects with the support of USAID, which launched partnership with Kishinev in 2016. From May 12-13, Sandu went to the US with an official visit. She met with several US official and lawmakers and delivered a speech at the Moldovan-American Convention in Chicago.

moldova

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

moldovan president maia sandu, us agency for international development, economic consolidation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/nato-intends-to-offer-kiev-support-but-no-membership-at-july-summit---reports-1110352127.html

NATO Intends to Offer Kiev Support, But No Membership at July Summit - Reports

NATO Intends to Offer Kiev Support, But No Membership at July Summit - Reports

Reportedly NATO will offer Ukraine great assistance opportunities, but hardly facilitate any progress on its membership bid at the July summit in Lithuania.

2023-05-14T15:48+0000

2023-05-14T15:48+0000

2023-05-14T15:48+0000

world

jens stoltenberg

ukraine

nato

viktor orban

kiev

nato enlargement

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110352244_0:0:3106:1748_1920x0_80_0_0_92254df016a5f7bd7299f3637e5dd6e9.jpg

Officials and diplomats of the alliance are planning to come up with a proposal that will include immediate support measures for Ukraine, but will not give the country the so-desired member status, according to the Western media outlet. Source familiar with the matter said the solution will be presented at the NATO summit in Vilnius from July 11-12. Germany, unlike the United States and the United Kingdom, remains the main opponent to Ukraines accession, the media stated. Berlin believes that a country involved in an all-out conflict with a nuclear power is far from a good candidate for NATO membership.Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have said that it is clear Ukraine will not join NATO until the conflict is over, but the country hopes to receive an invitation to the alliance from its Western allies as soon as possible. Last month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine would eventually join the bloc, as all NATO members support its ambitions. Later, Stoltenberg's statement was opposed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In September, Zelensky announced that Ukraine was applying to be fast-tracked to join NATO. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation and recalled that Kiev's orientation toward the alliance was one of the reasons for the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/brics-to-discuss-common-currency-amid-de-dollarization--1110291379.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230425/top-slovak-lawmaker-warns-against-raising-ukraines-nato-membership-hopes-1109812825.html

ukraine

kiev

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

nato enlargement, us, ukraine, nato membership, nato summit
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/peas-in-a-pod-kiev--washington-resort-to-terror-tactics-to-threaten-russia-china-1110345037.html

Peas in a Pod: Kiev & Washington Resort to Terror Tactics to Threaten Russia, China

Peas in a Pod: Kiev & Washington Resort to Terror Tactics to Threaten Russia, China

The NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine has been replete with sabotage and terrorism by Kiev. Now, some in Washington seem to want to copy-paste these tactics for use against China in Taiwan as well.

2023-05-14T12:48+0000

2023-05-14T12:48+0000

2023-05-14T13:05+0000

world

volodymyr zelensky

seth moulton

ukraine

taiwan

russia

china

terrorism

terror

pipeline

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/15709/84/157098439_0:48:512:336_1920x0_80_0_0_101fe3cfbf58d1e28411e6069a822802.jpg

Fresh revelations from the so-called Pentagon Leaks of Ukraine-related US intelligence have exposed evidence of discussions between President Zelensky and his staff about the need to bomb a major Russian oil pipeline going to Hungary, occupy Russian territory and strike the country using long-range NATO missiles.In one of the leaked conversations, dated from late January, Zelensky reportedly proposed conduct[ing] strikes in Russia and occupy[ing] unspecified Russian border cities in a bid to give Kiev leverage in talks with Moscow.In another, this one taking place in February between Zelensky and Ukrainian Armed Forces commander in chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian president expressed concern about Kievs lack of long-range missiles capable of reaching Russian troop deployments in Russia nor anything with which to attack them, and recommended targeting deployment locations in Rostov using drones.US intelligence officials qualified in the latter conversation as a matter of frustrated Zelensky possibly expressing rage toward Hungary and thereforemaking hyperbolic, meaningless threats.However, the record of Kievs actions over the course of the past year in the conflict with Russia shows otherwise - with assassinations of officials in the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye, terror bombings targeting journalists, attacks on infrastructure, air bases, nuclear power plants and even the Kremlin demonstrating that Zelensky and his government have no qualms about using terrorist methods.Neither does the Biden administration. Last September, three of the four lines of the Nord Stream pipeline network running from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea were damaged in a large-scale sabotage attack, with the long-term economic impact on Europe estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars in the form of higher energy prices and deindustrialization. Veteran US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh later revealed direct US culpability in the act of sabotage and terrorism.Two of a KindAmid the ratcheting up of tensions over Taiwan, some US officials also seem to want to apply Ukraine-style terror tactics to the showdown against China. Last week, a US congressman received a rare rebuke from Taiwans defense minister after suggesting that the US blow up the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)  the integrated circuit-making giant.Taiwans military are there to protect the island and its people, materials and strategic resources. How can our armed forces tolerate this situation if someone says they want to bomb this or that? Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng asked in a press conference this week.Chius comments were a response to remarks by Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, who told the audience of a think tank forum earlier this month that the US should consider destroying Taiwans economic crown jewel if it was threatened by Beijing.Chinese media blasted Moultons suggestion, accusing US policymakers of openly talking about Taiwan's destruction. American politicians do not even pay lip service to Taiwans interests let alone think about them. Are they planning to turn TSMC into the next Nord Stream? the Global Times asked in a tweet.US defense policy advisor Michele Flournoy also challenged Moultons proposal, saying that if you do that [blow up TSMC] you have a $2 trillion economic impact on the global economy within the first year and youd put manufacturing around the world at a standstill. This is a terrible idea.In US hawks' foreign policy playbook, the world appears to run on "terrible ideas." Moultons proposal to destroy Taiwans chipmaking infrastructure, and Zelenskys propensity for terrorism and escalatory rhetoric are nothing new with the recent CIA dirty war in Syria, and US support for terrorism against Moscow-allied governments and movements throughout the Cold War demonstrating that for Washington, such tactics are the rule, not the exception.Tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have escalated dramatically over the past two years amid President Biden's repeated pledges to come to Taiwan's defense in the event of a Chinese "invasion." US lawmakers have conducted numerous goodwill visits to the island, ignoring warnings from Beijing that diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei are illegal under treaties underpinning US-China relations, including the One China Policy. The People's Republic considers Taiwan an integral part of China destined for eventual, peaceful reunification. But Beijing has also warned Taiwan's authorities and foreign partners that any attempts by anti-China politicians in Taipei to formally proclaim "independence" may be met with a military response. Washington has served to deliberately ratchet up tensions by signing multi-billion dollar weapons contracts with the island despite such sales being expressly illegal under a 1982 US-China communique.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230422/facebook-censors-seymour-hershs-nord-stream-pipeline-attack-story-1109745799.html

ukraine

russia

china

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

russia, ukraine, united states, taiwan, seth moulton, volodymyr zelensky, terror tactics, terrorism
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/russian-forces-destroy-ukrainian-reconnaissance-group-near-marinka-1110333954.html

Russian Forces Destroy Ukrainian Reconnaissance Group Near Maryinka

Russian Forces Destroy Ukrainian Reconnaissance Group Near Maryinka

Russian forces have destroyed a Ukrainian reconnaissance group in the Maryinka district of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik.

2023-05-14T04:21+0000

2023-05-14T04:21+0000

2023-05-14T07:19+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

donetsk

lancet

buk

defense ministry

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0e/1109502403_0:242:3210:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_8ac3ad0afa3126252981fe9bdc2f4096.jpg

"In the southern Donetsk direction, the advanced units of the Vostok group of forces located and, with the support of artillery, destroyed an enemy reconnaissance group south of Prechystevka [village, located in Maryinka district]," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that Russian artillery units destroyed two points of Ukrainian troops temporary deployment in the Zaporozhye region, discovered via aerial reconnaissance. In addition, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) attack was repelled in the Zaporozhye direction and three rockets were shot down by the Buk anti-aircraft missile systems. The spokesperson also told Sputnik that a US-produced M777 howitzer was destroyed using the Lancet precision loitering munition. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russias operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, signed agreements on the accession of these territories to Russia, following referendums that showed that an overwhelming majority of the local population supported becoming part of Russia. Western countries have significantly increased their economic and military support for Kiev, which now includes air defense and multiple rocket launching systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery, anti-aircraft guns, armored vehicles and various types of ammunition. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in January that arms supplies to Ukraine by Western countries testify to their direct and growing involvement in the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230507/iaea-says-concerned-about-nuclear-safety-risks-at-zaporozhye-npp-1110157223.html

russia

ukraine

donetsk

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian forces, ukrainian reconnaissance group, donetsk people's republic
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/samsung-electronics-plans-to-build-chip-development-hub-in-japan---reports-1110346463.html

Samsung Electronics Plans to Build Chip Development Hub in Japan - Reports

Samsung Electronics Plans to Build Chip Development Hub in Japan - Reports

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics is set to build a new semiconductor facility in the Japanese city of Yokohama, which will cost over 30 billion yen ($221 million), Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia reported.

2023-05-14T12:10+0000

2023-05-14T12:10+0000

2023-05-14T12:10+0000

economy

taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company (tsmc)

sony

japan

samsung

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101517/06/1015170659_0:19:2384:1360_1920x0_80_0_0_646357a29ceb23d1989bb3fd2f85072c.jpg

The city is currently home to the company's research and development hub, Samsung R&D Institute Japan, but the new facility will be built at a separate site, the newspaper said. The company will reportedly construct a production line for prototype chips there. The facility may be commissioned in 2025, but no other details have been revealed. Samsung Electronics declined to comment, according to the report. The world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is building its chip manufacturing plant in Japan, bankrolled by the Japanese government. Japanese electronics giant Sony flagged plans to build a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the country as well.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220812/samsung-head-pardoned-under-south-koreas-liberation-day-amnesty-1099501743.html

japan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

south korean tech giant, samsung electronics, japanese city of yokohama
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/seven-hurt-in-arizona-shooting-near-mexican-border---reports-1110348844.html

Seven Hurt in Arizona Shooting Near Mexican Border - Reports

Seven Hurt in Arizona Shooting Near Mexican Border - Reports

Seven people were injured in a shooting that broke out overnight in the US city of Yuma, just north of the US-Mexico border in Arizona, media cited police as saying Sunday.

2023-05-14T12:55+0000

2023-05-14T12:55+0000

2023-05-14T12:55+0000

americas

us

arizona

shooting

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106761/47/1067614707_0:107:2048:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_af27d9bd9fb877d32df9ed9d2d9ce586.jpg

The Yuma Police Departments Lt. Craig Johnson said police responded to a call about an aggravated assault that came in shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday (06:00 GMT Sunday), US media reported. Seven people were found injured at the scene of a gathering and transported to a hospital. Johnson said police did not have a suspect but added that there was no credible ongoing threat to the community.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230506/shooting-at-shopping-mall-in-texas---police-1110155727.html

americas

arizona

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

us city of yuma, us-mexico border, injured in a shooting
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/stakes-couldnt-be-higher-unbridled-super-intelligent-ai-could-wipe-out-humanity-1110344362.html

'Stakes Couldnt Be Higher': Unbridled Super-Intelligent AI Could 'Wipe Out' Humanity

'Stakes Couldnt Be Higher': Unbridled Super-Intelligent AI Could 'Wipe Out' Humanity

Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence (AI) development could produce a powerful digital mind capable of destroying humankind, according to UK Professor Stuart Russell.

2023-05-14T12:45+0000

2023-05-14T12:45+0000

2023-05-14T12:45+0000

beyond politics

science & tech

aliens

artificial intelligence (ai)

chatgpt

elon musk

steve wozniak

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107825/48/1078254859_1:0:1366:768_1920x0_80_0_0_66ec6c5d81dfd11976f852b19d6feae7.jpg

Uncontrolled artificial intelligence (AI) development could produce a powerful digital mind capable of destroying humankind, according to UK Professor Stuart Russell.Given the huge strides made by AI systems and machine learning of late, the time has come to take a breath and focus on how to safeguard against the risks an ungovernable super-intelligent machine would pose, the professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, told media.The British scientist, who is also a fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, could hardly contain his frustration with the lackadaisical stance adopted by government ministers regarding regulation of the AI industry. Britain's government said in March that it wanted to "avoid heavy-handed legislation which could stifle innovation," and opted for an "adaptable approach to regulating AI."Pointing to the amazing abilities of OpenAI's ChatGPT language model, which utilizes deep learning neural networks to generate output based on human input, and can pass exams with flying colors and write computer code, Stuart Russell said that, "Weve made progress without expecting to. But there is the danger that one day a system similar to ChatGPT could be incorporated into a super-intelligent digital mind that evades human control.Russell, the co-author of a book on artificial intelligence  Human Compatible: AI and the Problem of Control  revealed that he had been summoned by the British government this year to act in an advisory role. The Foreign Office, according to him, talked to a lot of people and they concluded that loss of control [of a powerful AI] was a plausible and extremely high-significance outcome. However, the response from the ministers was, Well welcome the AI industry as if, you know, we were talking about making cars or something like that.Russell blamed the persuasive lobbying efforts of the technology industry, which has been spending billions to drum this approach into legislatures all over the world.Asked about the arrival of a hypothetical artificial general intelligence (AGI) capable of carrying out any intellectual task that a human can, the scientist warned that this was not something decades away. AGI has already been likened to a superior alien civilization, and unless AI research is slapped with more rigid oversight, Russell warned, human civilization might not stand a chance against it. The scientist attempted to explain his fears in simplified terms, saying that a super-powerful AI could be set a task by humans, but resort to a strategy to achieve it fraught with disastrous aftereffects for humanity.For example, in an imaginary scenario, an AI might be asked to solve the problem of climate change, but choose to do so by wiping humans from the face of the Earth.Previously, along with Elon Musk and a group of artificial intelligence experts and industry executives, Stuart Russell signed a letter calling for a six-month pause in the development of AI systems that are more advanced than GPT-4. According to the document, AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity, as shown by extensive research and acknowledged by top AI labs.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230206/artificial-intelligence-could-cause-nuclear-devastation-australian-mp-warns-in-ai-written-speech-1107012156.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/mastermind-behind-ai-quits-google-warns-thinking-machines-pose-danger-to-humanity-1110024905.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

ai, artificial intelligence, uncontrolled ai-development, neural networks, openai's chatgpt language model, super-intelligent digital mind, evade human control, more rigid ai oversight, more advanced than gpt-4.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/sudan-freezes-bank-accounts-of-rebel-paramilitary-1110358513.html

Sudan Freezes Bank Accounts of Rebel Paramilitary

Sudan Freezes Bank Accounts of Rebel Paramilitary

General Abdul Fattah Burhan ordered banks on Sunday to freeze accounts belonging to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces---which have been fighting the regular army since mid-April---citing concerns for budget money.

2023-05-14T21:21+0000

2023-05-14T21:21+0000

2023-05-14T21:21+0000

world

rapid support forces (rsf)

sudan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0f/1109563037_332:554:1457:1187_1920x0_80_0_0_df343e7315d51362a7cb4d32e48ac1e3.jpg

"Abdul Fattah Burhan decided today to freeze the accounts of the rebel Rapid Support Forces and their companies in all Sudanese banks and their branches abroad," it said, citing concerns for budget money. The announcement came shortly after media reported that the Sudanese military commander had fired the central bank governor, Hussain Yahia Jankol, and replaced him with a deputy, Borai El Siddiq. The reason for this change was not revealed.

sudan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

sudan, abdul fattah burhan, rapid support forces, rsf, sudan conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/tallinn-security-conference-pours-gasoline-on-fire-of-russia-nato-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1110355015.html

Tallinn Security Conference Pours Gasoline on Fire of Russia-NATO Proxy War in Ukraine

Tallinn Security Conference Pours Gasoline on Fire of Russia-NATO Proxy War in Ukraine

Over 100 senior Western defense and foreign policy officials and experts gathered in Tallinn, Estonia May 12-14 to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. Giving Sputnik an exclusive inside look at the event, academic Joseph Siracusa said that with few exceptions, decision makers expressed support for a further dangerous escalation of tensions with Russia.

2023-05-14T18:00+0000

2023-05-14T18:00+0000

2023-05-17T13:41+0000

analysis

vladimir putin

volodymyr zelensky

nikita khrushchev

russia

ukraine

tallinn

nato

european union (eu)

leonid brezhnev

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110354472_0:35:3072:1763_1920x0_80_0_0_6b3451e76b1f66688ff822c7eb649f78.jpg

The Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn wrapped up Sunday after three days of discussions on NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine, maritime security, cyber threats, the push to continue the expansion of NATO and the EU, sanctions, and the threat of a nuclear war.The conference featured multiple big names, including US European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli, David Cattler, NATOs assistant secretary general for intelligence and security, former US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, European Council on Foreign Relations Co-Chairman Carl Bildt, former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, French presidential advisor Xavier Chatel, and the prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. A keynote lecture was provided by former US National Security Council director and presidential advisor Fiona Hill, a prominent Russia hawk in the Trump administration.The event was also attended by Dr. Joseph M. Siracusa, a renowned US professor of history and international diplomacy who serves as dean of Global Futures at Curtin University, and is the author of more than 30 books on diplomacy and international security. Dr. Siracusa provided Sputnik with detailed impressions on the event, saying that from his vantage point, it consisted mostly of hardline anti-Russian types not in the mood for any sort of dialogue with Moscow or any desire to put a stop to the bleeding wound that is modern-day Ukraine.I was hoping that when I came here, there would be a number of sessions on how peace might be achieved  that is, how a ceasefire might be achieved and what can be done about it, the scholar said.Unfortunately, the academic, who spoke at the conferences session on nuclear risks, said the event proved unforgivingly and unrelentingly anti-Russia, with most speakers operating under a Ukraine can do no bad, Russia can do no good, Russia isthe total aggressor principle, and pouring gasoline on the conflict by cheerleading its continuation and calling for an expansion of the US military footprint in Eastern Europe.If they adhere to Zelenskys ceasefire, the war in Ukraine will go on for years, the scholar warned. Even if the conflict continues for just six more months, thats going to mean thousands more dead, the academic said. I regard the loss of Russian lives as equal to the loss of Ukrainian lives. When you start losing lives over something that could have been solved diplomatically, what we have here is criminal negligence, he added.Drang nach Osten 2.0?The academic agreed with Sputniks assessment of the Tallinn conference being a kind of preview of the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania scheduled for July, and said that unfortunately, there is unanimity of support for the alliances expansion, of bringing in more American troops in this part of the world, and for bringing Ukraine in as a formal member after years of de facto, invisible member status.The alliances attitude is very dangerous, Siracusa said, since the conflict in Ukraine started in the first place because of the failure of the United States and the Russian Federation to have a serious discussion about the expansion of NATO.Pointing to delusional notions expressed at the Tallinn conference about Kiev being on the cusp of victory, Siracusa warned that Kiev today is not in such a position, and that the only thing a continuation of the conflict will do is result in more death and destruction.Zelenskys policy  and I regard him as a failed politician  the idea that theyre holding out for a victory just means more deaths both on the Ukrainian side and on the Russian side. And I decry all these people who are dying for things that could have been solved last year [through diplomacy, ed.]. It seems to me that this is a profound, unnecessary waste of lives. I do not like the idea that people are more interested in further conflict than in resolving the problem. They live in a world of make-believe. They dont know when its going to end or how its going to end. But what theyre dreaming about is a Russian defeat and a regime change and crushing rearrangement of Russian society, the scholar said.Conflict Rooted in AnachronismSiracusa, a veteran historian who has studied the Cold War of the 20th century extensively, says the Ukraine crisis is tragic and nonsensical because the US failed to learn the lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962  a textbook case of how a conflict between nuclear superpowers can be resolved without going to war.From the academics perspective, the tensions between Washington and Moscow over NATO are tensions over an anachronism, because the alliance should have dissolved after the Cold War ended and the USSR and the Warsaw Pact alliance disappeared as potential threats to the West.Siracusa was also struck by the willful ignorance of conference attendees regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Russias role in the history of Eastern Europe in general.Russia and Ukraine have a shared heritage, Siracusa stressed, "but these people act like Russia came, you know, came from the dark side of the Moon. Like theres no connection between Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Russia, when in fact, youre all part of a shared history."Orwellian LanguageAnother detail of the conference that Siracusa found interesting was the use of the term proxy war in reference to the Ukrainian crisis  a term used extensively by Russian officials, including Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and increasingly by some Western media. The term was used in Tallinn, but its meaning flipped on its head, according to the observer.Nuclear BombshellThe most significant thing that stood out to Siracusa at the event in Tallinn was the casual way in which the potential use of nuclear weapons was discussed. In one of the talks, featuring Chatham House Rules (which prevent Siracusa from explicitly naming or identifying the speaker), a senior former US official was asked how the US might respond if Russia used a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.That would be to me not only a major escalation, but it would be one that cannot be called back. It would create far more problems and prepare the road to World War III, Siracusa summed up.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/ukraines-zelensky-rejects-popes-offer-of-mediation-1110331575.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/ukraine-loses-almost-300-military-mercenaries-in-donetsk-direction-over-past-day---moscow-1110316273.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20130822/Secret-Tapes-Reveal-Nixon-Brezhnev-in-Warm-Chat-182914674.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230407/france-should-submit-its-own-plan-on-conflict-resolution-in-ukraine-xi-jinping-says-1109245840.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230413/pentagon-leaks-prove-west-is-fighting-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1109463535.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/medvedev-west-demands-guarantees-from-russia-but-hints-at-future-nuclear-conflict-1109619564.html

russia

ukraine

tallinn

soviet union

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

ukraine, nato, estonia, conference, alliance, russia, conflict, crisis, escalation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/turkish-voters-banned-from-entering-voting-booths-with-phones--reports-1110336406.html

Turkish Voters Banned From Entering Voting Booths With Phones  Reports

Turkish Voters Banned From Entering Voting Booths With Phones  Reports

People who came to vote in Turkey's general election on Sunday are banned from entering polling booths with mobile phones and cameras, Turkish media has reported.

2023-05-14T07:09+0000

2023-05-14T07:09+0000

2023-05-14T07:28+0000

world

recep tayyip erdogan

kemal kilicdaroglu

justice and development party (akp)

turkiye

2023 turkish presidential election

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0e/1110336243_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f601f672bc78cf5e53a54871727e7178.jpg

Polling stations of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkiye opened at 8.00 local time (5:00 GMT) on Sunday. The second round of the presidential election, which will take place if no candidate gains 50% of votes, is scheduled for May 28. Voters will be told that they are prohibited from entering a polling area with image recording or communication devices, such as mobile phones and cameras, and that they will be fined for violating this rule, media reported. It is better to leave such devices at the entrance and pick them up after voting, according to the report. No one, except the voter themselves, should enter the polling booth, as the voter should make the choice on its own, according to the report. If a person is illiterate, they can ask for help only from the chairman of the polling station. Security measures at the polling station in Istanbul, where incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will cast his vote, were strengthened, Sputnik correspondent reported. Special forces soldiers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes were deployed next to the site, while fences were installed in the area, preventing cars from entering the stations territory. Voters in the areas affected by the devastating February earthquakes in southeastern Turkiye are also participating in the voting. Special voting containers were set up for them in the areas, where the buildings of regular polling stations were destroyed, media reported. There are three candidates competing in Turkiyes presidential election. Erdogan, who was nominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party and its coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party, will run against Kemal Kilicdaroglu, put forward by a six-party opposition alliance, and Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance. Results of pre-election polls have not yet revealed a clear winner. As for the parliamentary elections, the main battle is expected between the ruling People's Alliance and the opposition Nation Alliance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/2023-turkish-presidential-election-in-numbers-1110315174.html

turkiye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

turkey's general election, entering polling booths with mobile phones
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230515/turkiyes-presidential-election-2023-results-1110316169.html

Turkiye's Presidential Election 2023 Results

Turkiye's Presidential Election 2023 Results

Turkiye's presidential and parliamentary elections started on Sunday morning, with the second round of the election having been scheduled for May 28 if no candidate gains 50% of votes.

2023-05-15T11:57+0000

2023-05-15T11:57+0000

2023-05-15T11:57+0000

multimedia

infographic

2023 turkish presidential election

turkiye

recep tayyip erdogan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0d/1110316013_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_3f8b518ef27ceaa611de07f1d5d10bd3.png

There are three candidates in Turkiye's presidential election, with the main battle for the top government post being between opposition leader Kemal Klcdaroglu and incumbent President Tayyip Erdogan. The third candidate is Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance, while the fourth candidate, leader of the Memleket party Muharrem Ince, announced the withdrawal of his candidacy three days before the election.Take a look at Turkiye's live presidential election results:A total of 64 million Turkish citizens was able to take part in the elections, according to Turkiyes Central Election Commission. A total of 191,885 ballot boxes were installed inside and outside the country.

4

turkiye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

turkiye's presidential election, elections started, results live
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/uk-to-send-over-1500-troops-to-estonia-for-nato-drills--reports-1110340047.html

UK to Send Over 1,500 Troops to Estonia for NATO Drills  Reports

UK to Send Over 1,500 Troops to Estonia for NATO Drills  Reports

Over 1,500 UK troops will take part in a large-scale NATO exercise in Estonia later this month, UK media reported on Sunday, citing the defense ministry.

2023-05-14T09:34+0000

2023-05-14T09:34+0000

2023-05-15T09:55+0000

military

nato

united kingdom

estonia

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102057/69/1020576966_0:194:3758:2307_1920x0_80_0_0_30882c28687c00e143a08fc0a5f4b40e.jpg

"Hundreds of UK troops from across our Armed Forces will again train with personnel from 11 NATO nations, demonstrating the strength of our interoperability with partner nations and our combined commitment to the NATO Alliance," UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said, as quoted by the Sky News broadcaster. The Spring Storm annual exercise will involve around 14,000 military and become the largest NATO drills this year, the news outlet reported. This year, the United Kingdom sent more troops following its decision to increase the number of its forces under the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) program. The NATO unit will train various combat tactics, including trench storms, light infantry combat, coordination with armored vehicles and reconnaissance operations, according to the report.Additionally, French troops, which are also part of the eFP, will participate in the drills.The NATO units will train various combat tactics, including trench storms, light infantry combat, coordination with armored vehicles and reconnaissance operations, according to the statement.

united kingdom

estonia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

nato drills, uk troops, nato exercise
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/ukraines-zelensky-announces-his-arrival-in-berlin-1110333569.html

Ukraines Zelensky Announces His Arrival in Berlin

Ukraines Zelensky Announces His Arrival in Berlin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Saturday, after Der Spiegel reported that the German government had made a decision to provide Ukraine with additional weapons worth 2.7 billion euros.

2023-05-14T03:12+0000

2023-05-14T03:12+0000

2023-05-14T03:12+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

germany

ukraine

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/09/1107274148_0:0:3031:1705_1920x0_80_0_0_4218be8c78fb45af800e91ea9a467ef3.jpg

"Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security," Zelensky said on Twitter late on Saturday night. Der Spiegel reported earlier on Saturday, citing sources, that the German government had made a decision to provide Ukraine with additional weapons worth 2.7 billion euros (almost $3 billion), which would become Berlins largest military assistance package to Kiev. The packages announcement is expected to be made on Sunday, at the ceremony of awarding Zelensky with the Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen. The prize is awarded annually for contribution to the unification of Europe. In early May, German media reported that Zelensky was planning to visit Berlin at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on May 13. Kiev was very disappointed that the details of Zelenskys visit were made public and was thinking of canceling the trip, according to the T-Online news outlet.

germany

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine, germany, volodymyr zelensky, berlin, kiev
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/us-homeland-security-chief-claims-illegal-border-crossings-down-50-since-title-42-expired-1110351269.html

US Homeland Security Chief Claims Illegal Border Crossings Down 50% Since Title 42 Expired

US Homeland Security Chief Claims Illegal Border Crossings Down 50% Since Title 42 Expired

US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has estimated that illegal border crossing from Mexico dropped by 50% in the past two days after Title 42 restrictions expired on Thursday night.

2023-05-14T14:54+0000

2023-05-14T14:54+0000

2023-05-14T14:54+0000

americas

us

mexico

us-mexico border

title 42

migrant crisis

alejandro mayorkas

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/04/18/1095020157_0:0:3307:1861_1920x0_80_0_0_340bb6dfb7dc5f8de1e9864836aeea9a.jpg

"Over the past two days, the US border patrollers experienced a 50% drop in the number of encounters versus what we were experiencing earlier in the week before Title 42 ended at midnight on Thursday," he told American TV channel. "It is still early. We are in day three. But, you know, we have been planning for this transition for months and months," he said, adding it was too early to say whether the surge had peaked. Title 42 restrictions were implemented under President Donald Trump in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow for prompt deportations of illegal migrants to Mexico or their origin countries. Mayorkas said that US border patrol agents stopped 6,300 people from crossing illegally into the United States on Friday and 4,200 on Saturday. Over 10,000 attempted to cross earlier last week, before Title 42 expired. He put the surprise decrease in illegal entries down to stricter punishments, including deportations and a five-year ban on entry, for illegal immigrants coupled with more lawful and safe ways for legal immigration.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/humanitarian-crisis-unfolds-in-mexico-as-biden-flounders-to-fix-border-crisis-1110338370.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/poll-what-is-your-opinion-on-migrant-regulation-1110284191.html

americas

mexico

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

us, mexico, us-mexico border, alejandro mayorkas, title 42, migrant crisis, us souther border
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230514/us-pressure-on-kiev-to-deliver-battlefield-success-could-botch-counteroffensive-1110333858.html

US Pressure on Kiev to Deliver Battlefield Success Could Botch Counteroffensive

US Pressure on Kiev to Deliver Battlefield Success Could Botch Counteroffensive

High expectations for Ukraine to show battlefield results could "torpedo" any counteroffensive, according to a US report.

2023-05-14T06:13+0000

2023-05-14T06:13+0000

2023-05-14T08:15+0000

ukraine

ukraine crisis

nato

russia's special operation in ukraine

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/17/1109779241_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7dd3b13fccf72222ef1053bec2d7cf6d.jpg

Washington and its NATO allies have poured billions of dollars of military aid into bolstering the Kiev regime, so high expectations for Ukraine to show battlefield results could "torpedo" a counteroffensive, according to a US media report.The long-anticipated counterattack by Ukraines Armed Forces has been greatly anticipated by the West over the past few months, with speculation rife as to its exact place and time. One thing is certain, however - all eyes are on Kiev to deliver a quantifiable victory, the publication highlighted.By seizing a "key region", for example, Kiev would ostensibly show the West that the vast sums of money it had spent while depleting its own stockpiles had not been in vain."There are many in the US and NATO who are concerned this is going to be a forever war, that it will go on for years and the West will continue to pour money into it without much progress," Mark Cancian, a former US Marine Corps colonel, was cited as saying.A former Australian army general, Mick Ryan, agreed, saying that, "regardless of what happens on the ground, this has to be seen as a success to the Ukrainian people and US and European politicians".And Ben Hodges, an erstwhile commander of US Army Europe, told the outlet that "monumental pressure" from the West might "screw up" any attempt at a counteroffensive before it got off the ground. He pointed to how some Ukrainian defense officials, and even the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, when interviewed by the US media in early May, appeared to downplay expectations. Zelensky had kept rattling off a list of what Ukraine didnt have enough of for a counterattack, clamoring for armored vehicles, ammunition packages, and more air defense systems. Other recent US media reports have claimed that behind closed doors, some high-ranking officials in Kiev have struck what was described as a very realistic and very pragmatic tone, conceding that Ukraine should not be expected to pull some quick impressive success out of the bag.There are politicians and players who are increasingly eager to bring the Ukraine conflagration to a quick end, Hodges was cited as saying. Referring to sentiment in Washington, he added:He also suggested there were differences of opinion within the American administration regarding the "strategic objective" of supporting Ukraine in the long-term.The West's puppet regime in its proxy war with Russia appears to be concerned that lack of battlefield advances using the vast amount of donated weaponry will cause its supporters to lose interest in providing an endless supply of aid to Kiev. But as things stand at present, amid speculation about the H-hour, Western countries continue to lavish Kiev with billions of dollars of military aid, which Moscow warns will only prolong the Ukraine conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/ukraine-officials-realistic--pragmatic-about-dubious-success-of-counteroffensive-1110309775.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230509/report-us-to-issue-12-billion-long-term-military-aid-package-to-ukraine-on-tuesday-1110209670.html

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

counteroffensive by the kiev regime, ukraine forces, kiev puppet regime, west's proxy war with russia, military support for ukraine, to demonstrate success on the battlefield, billions of dollars worth of military aid, a forever war, o be seen as a success
Trotting sensation Bringoverthemoney will be trying to register his sixth consecutive win on the opening night card of harness racing on Sunday (May 14) at Running Aces.

The son of Money Talks is the 3-1 morning line favourite in an $11,000 conditioned event and has drawn post one in the eight-horse contest. Dean Magee will be at the controls for owner Joshua Horvat and trainer Katie Horvat, who is also the breeder.

Magee has been in the bike for all five of his most recent wins.

Bringoverthemoney, who is affectionately called Scooby by the Horvat family, is one of the most successful Minnesota-sired trotters to date. He has won 33 career races and has banked $288,911 so far. He was the state champion sophomore trotter in 2018 and posted 11 wins that year. His biggest year for earnings was 2022 ($75,249) bolstered by a big win on September 17 when he picked up his third straight Minnesota Night of Champions crown, which is where his current winning streak began. He also earned the 2022 title as aged male trotter of the year.

Since that Sept. 17 win he has racked up four additional wins at the Minnesota fairs, including a gate-to-wire score at Cannon Falls on April 29 to kick off his 2023 campaign. The mile in 2:06.2 on the track rated slow was a decent clocking, his final quarter was an impressive :28.4 and he looked very sharp and very comfortable throughout that effort.

Trainer Horvat indicated that they are just hoping for a good race on Sunday and to get a cheque would be great  he has some tough company in there.

When asked about this years early preparations, Horvat shared that Spring has been a little rough this year, the weather has been pretty rough so training-up was a bit challenging for this season. Horvat's stable star is pretty well behaved around the barn, but he can be skittish around new things or anything that is out of place or moved.

As far as the nickname goes, Horvat admitted that her daughter Jasmine came up with it when Bringoverthemoney was born because she had always loved to watch Scooby Doo cartoons.

Horvat also shared that it has been a very fulfilling feeling to see a horse that was born on our farm turn out to be a successful racehorse. We are very proud of him...You can tell when he is out there that he really enjoys his job.

Bringoverthemoney heads postward in the sixth race, with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).

(Running Aces)
Richard Moreau trainee American History found success with new tactics to score in the $35,000 Preferred 2 Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (May 13).

Driver Trevor Henry hustled the eight-year-old American Ideal stallion and settled for the pocket to Momas Son Byrne by a :26.1 first quarter. Momas Son Byrne, meanwhile, kept the iron hot to a :53.3 half and sizzled past three-quarters in 1:21 but had American History chomping to challenge in the lane. American History plugged forward and downed Momas Son Byrne by a half length to post a 1:48.2 mile, the fastest on a seven-eighths track in Canada this so far this season. Century Heineken finished third and Codename Cigar Box took fourth.

Brad Grant owns American History, who won his 39th race from 125 starts and has now earned $1,651,445. He paid $10.80 to win. The mile time also matches South Beach Star's effort from May 7 at Pocono as the fastest in North America this year.

In the co-featured $30,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace, Dabarndawgswatchin landed a repeat win as the favourite in 1:50.

Starting from the outermost post in the field of seven, driver Louis-Philippe Roy rolled Dabarndawgswatchin to the top through a :27 first quarter to clear Gias Surreal and carried that momentum through the mile. The Dave Menary pupil posted middle splits of :54.3 and 1:21.4 to seal to job by two lengths at the finish with Gias Surreal finishing second. Parisian Blue Chip rallied from off the speed to take third and Raptors Won took fourth.

Dabarndawgswatchin is a five-year-old homebred for Julie Ferguson and Lloyd Stone. She won her 17th race from 69 starts and has now earned $499,954. She paid $4.10 to win.

Climb The Pole claimed victory in the opening race on the card, an event for three-year-old trotting fillies eligible to the SBOA Stakes final next week. Jody Jamieson took the lead with the Amanda Fine trainee after a :28.1 first quarter and withstood a far-turn challenge from pocket-sitter Muscling Vegas to win by a length in 1:55.3. Odds-on favourite HP Extra Ice closed to take second from Muscling Vegas in third and Shiny New Penny finished fourth.

Amanda Fine co-owns Climb The Pole, a daughter of Kadabra, with Steve Heimbecker. The win was the third from five starts for the earner of $39,110. She paid $15.90 to win.

To view Saturdays harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Batterup Hanover made a big move on the backstretch, sweeping four-wide from the backfield in Sunday's feature, to haul down the defending Truro Raceway Horse of the Year American Risk for his second straight win in the top pacing class.

Batterup Hanover overcome his outside post to win the $2,500 Winners Over Pace as the 3-2 favourite for trainer/driver Paul Langille.

An impressive winner during last Sunday's season opener, Privilege (Ernie Laffin) got the first call firing from post three, but fellow George Rennison trainee American Risk (Todd Trites), the 2-1 second choice, forged four-deep leaving from post six into the first turn to make front through a :27.2 opening quarter. Meanwhile, Batterup Hanover settled towards the back of the pack in front of his stablemate and trailing tier starter Well Did (Darren Crowe).

American Risk backed down the pace to the half in :57.4 while Langille moved Batterup Hanover into the outer flow third-over behind Vino Louie (Dale Spence), who later went three-wide down the backside the second time as the parked-from-the-start Big Engine (Evan Wilson) began to fade first-over. Langille launched Batterup Hanover four-wide with American Risk getting away by nearly three lengths on top at three-quarters in 1:27.3 then hauled down the pacesetter as they turned for home en route to victory in 1:56 flat. Kicking home in :27.2, Batterup Hanover drew off by 3-1/4 lengths down the stretch. American Risk settled for the runner-up honours for the second straight week while Privilege held third over Vino Louie.

Now two-for-two to open the Truro meet, Batterup Hanover picked up his 14th victory lifetime to push his bankroll to $57,493. He paid $5 to win.

The five-year-old Betting Line gelding is owned by Nova Scotia residents Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, Douglas Lowthers of Dartmouth and Chantel Langille of Truro.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.
One week after a gigantic effort in his seasonal debut, Voukefalas came back and was even better Saturday night (May 13) at The Meadowlands in one of seven, leg two $30,000 divisions of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-olds, taking the sole split for colt and gelding pacers in 1:50.

Hes been good his whole life, said winning trainer Mike Russo. This is a different kind of animal.

The son of Lazarus N-Inittowinafortune backed his trainers words up in a big way.

Driver Jordan Stratton had Voukefalas in the three-hole early as Laz went the opening quarter in a sensible :27.3. Handlelikeaporsche, the 5-1 second choice, was keyed up in the pocket and went to the outside to go after the lead. Voukefalas followed that foe and wrestled the top away while parked at the half in :55.2.

And that was that.

Russos prized pupil reached three-quarters in 1:23 and coasted home from there as Stratton sat as still as a statue in the sulky through the length of the lane. Voukefalas won it by 1-1/4 lengths and paid $2.40 as the 1-5 public choice, with Handlelikeaporsche second and Laz third.

Hes been sharp, said Russo. Im just trying not to get ahead of myself. I dont know what to say about this horse. Hes a good boy; does his work at the farm. Im just pointing him for every race one at a time.

In the first of two dashes for trotting fillies, the Chris Ryder-trained Walner Payton gave the chalk players some anxious moments when sixth at the half, but Dexter Dunn moved the Walner-Lonely Lady product into contention after a blistering opening half of :53.4 with a swift move at the five-eighths before recording a safe 1-1/4-length win over Blonde Bombshell in 1:51.4.

Shes a lovely filly, said Dunn. I could not have been more happy with her tonight. I did do a double take when the half popped up. My girl travelled great. She had her ears fully pricked inside the final eighth.

As the 2-5 public choice, Walner Payton moved her earnings to just shy of $600,000 after returning $2.80 to win.

Special Way finished her 2022 campaign with seven consecutive victories, and the daughter of Walner-Special Hill kept on rolling with a much-the-best win in her seasonal debut in the second of two filly trots.

The Dan Patch divisional award winner from a year ago brushed to the top at the half and rolled home a 2-3/4-length winner over Mambacita in 1:53.1 for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt while upping her lifetime winnings past $820,000.

She loves to race, loves to fight the other horses, said Sarah Svanstedt. Everything [this year] has been going by the book. Shes sound, eating and sleeping well and relaxes on her days off. Tonights race came to her, and Ake moved at the right time.

As the 1-20 favourite, Special Way returned $2.10 to win.

In other NJSS action:

Air Power (Muscle Hill-Beyond Blue) surprised Ari Ferrari J for a second consecutive week in the first of two divisions for trotting males, challenging the 1-2 favourite, who was on the point, at three-quarters, before wearing that one down through the stretch on the way to a three-quarter-length win in 1:51. Tim Tetrick drove the Marcus Melander trainee, who returned $7 to his backers as the 5-2 second choice.



Tactical Approach led at every call with smart handling from Scott Zeron. The Nancy Takter trainee took the second of two colt and gelding trots in 1:52.1 after cutting rated fractions of :28.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1. As the 2-1 second choice, the son of Tactical Landing-Sarcy paid $6 while staying perfect in two 2023 starts.



Two Pistol Annie, a Nik Drennan student who paid $5.40 to win as the 8-5 second choice, made it two-for-two in Sire Stakes action after going wire-to-wire in the first of a pair of filly paces. Dunn drove the daughter of Lazarus N-Magical Bestern to a 1:51.1 score, hitting the finish a neck ahead of Get Answers. Ucandoit Blue Chip, the 7-5 favourite, was third.



Alexas Fantasy (Lazarus N-Pirouette Hanover) took the lead at the half and was pressured by second-place finisher Canadian Ballet the rest of the way but held sway to the wire in a brave performance to score by a head for Todd McCarthy, completing a sweep of the sophomore filly paces for Drennan. As the 4-5 favourite, she returned $3.80 to win.

Dunn capped off a six-winner weekend after pacing the driver colony on Saturday with four walks down victory lane. Drennan had a training double.

Saturday's handle was $3,303,553 for the 14-race card.

Racing resumes Friday, May 19 at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

(With files from The Meadowlands)
Every day, events around the world, such as the recent outbreak of violence in Sudan, emphasize how fragile peace can be. As an internal power struggles between rival military leaders erupted into lethal clashes, American diplomats have been evacuated and hundreds of thousands of refugees have been displaced. Sadly, this  along with the ongoing war in Ukraine  brings into sharp focus the importance and challenge of achieving security through peaceful means on the international stage.

I was encouraged by my recent meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. There is strong bipartisan support across the U.S. government for ensuring longstanding freedom and security in Taiwan, as well as their role in regional security, and I thank Speaker McCarthy for spearheading the meeting.

Security, both in East Asia and around the world, relies heavily on effective cooperation among friends and allies. I was pleased to attend South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols address to a joint session of Congress on April 27. His calls to increase cooperation, stand up to the forces of totalitarianism, and shed light on the humanitarian crisis in North Korea were met with bipartisan applause. The threat of nuclear aggression from multiple adversaries including North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran has never been greater, which makes clear the need for the United States to stand up for freedom from a position of strength and resolve.

Im pleased the House is acting in a strategic and bipartisan way to address the ongoing threat posed by China. In the House Ways and Means Committee, we are partnering with the Select Committee on China, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and other committees to put forward a strong domestic and foreign policy agenda. Recently, the House passed a resolution calling on China to release American Mark Swidan who has been held by the Chinese Communist Party since 2012 and was sentenced to death in 2019 under unjust charges.

The House also passed a bipartisan resolution to block President Bidens moratorium on solar panels imported from several Southeast Asian countries through companies owned by China. The Senate has since passed this resolution as well. I am disappointed the president has refused to support it.

Supply chain issues are integral to homeland security and combatting China, especially when it comes to energy, and American energy dominance remains one of my number top concerns in Congress. As the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committees Subcommittee on Trade, I see enormous potential for the U.S. and other nations to step up and fill many of the gaps left by rogue states. This is why we must be proactive to strengthen ties and trade relationships as we build our own domestic manufacturing capabilities.

As we think about our allies around the world, we cannot ignore one of our most important relationships  our partnership with Israel. The House recently passed a resolution commemorating May 14, 2023, as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel and affirming support for the advancement in Middle Eastern regional security achieved by the historic Abraham Accords. Mediated by the Trump administration, the accords were ratified Sept. 15, 2020, and signed as a commitment to strengthen peace and prosperity between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. We have no greater friend to freedom in the Middle East than Israel, and we must make our support clear to those who wish to destroy them.

While recent actions by our adversaries and antagonists of our allies have raised serious concerns, promoting global security is of critical importance. Armed conflict and the use of nuclear weapons is an outcome we must work hard to prevent. Through determined leadership, global security can be advanced as we strengthen freedom around the world through robust support for our allies and like-minded nations. Its more important than ever the United States to unite with our allies in support of freedom around the world.
Chadron authorities arrested a 36-year-old man on charges in connection with reports Friday of an active shooter in the community.

Police arrested Warfield High Hawk on several charges, Chadron Police Chief Rick Hickstein said in a press release Saturday. Hickstein said High Hawk turned himself into police after authorities searched four hours for a man reported as having been armed with a semiautomatic rifle as he walked southbound on the east end of the Chadron State College campus Friday, May 12.

When officers arrived, Hickstein said, the man was not actively shooting at any citizens or law enforcement. However, as officers pursued him from the area and into land west of the location, he said he shot several rounds at various times and locations into the air and the ground.

Police were eventually able to make contact with the man and get him to drop his weapon. At that time, he encountered a team of officers including a canine and he surrendered without incident.

Officers arrested High Hawk on charges of Theft of a firearm, a Class IIA felony; Possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class ID felony; Unlawful possession of a firearm at a school, a Class IV felony; Terroristic threat, a Class IIIA felony and Obstructing a peace officer, a Class I misdemeanor. His bond was set at 10% of $500,000.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Star-Herald is featuring teacher profiles. Todays profile is in partnership with Gering Public Schools.

As a Gering native, Vanessa Woolsey always knew that she wanted to come back to the town that raised her and continue its legacy of music education.

Woolsey, the music teacher at Northfield Elementary School, graduated from Gering High School as a member of the Class of 2014. She then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned her bachelors in music education. She taught pre-K through 12th grade vocal and instrumental music at Sioux County Schools in Harrison for three years before making a return to her hometown at the start of the current school year.

I really toyed with whether or not I would leave my job and start a new adventure by coming home, she said. But this was something Ive always wanted since I left for college, to come back home and teach in Gering. Its an awesome school district with great people, and we have a wonderful reputation for music in our community. I wanted to be a part of that.

Woolseys return led to an even better experience than shed hoped. She said that returning to Gering as a teacher has led to relationships with her old teachers, now her peers, that are truly unique and supportive.

There are teachers I had in high school that Im now coworkers with, which is different but really cool  They can talk to me on a completely different level than I think they could with anybody else because they know me, she said.

Being a Gering native has also helped Woolsey form close relationships with her students, many coming from families that she knows well.

Its funny because I have a lot of kids whose parents I went to high school with, Woolsey said. Once it clicks I can see things like, Her little dimples on her chin are the same as her dads. I build really good connections with them because I can say, Hey, I know your mom and they get so excited. Its a wonderful experience to have.

Woolsey said she knew early on that she wanted to specialize in music education due to her upbringing and the influence of a particularly impactful teacher.

My mom made sure that I was always involved in music. I was the kid that was always running around the house and singing and making up songs, she said. Then in my freshman year, we had an assignment thanking a teacher for their impact on our lives. I knew from that moment on that I was going to be a music educator, because Randy Raines, my high school band teacher, had such a huge impact on my life.

Woolsey wrote her letter to Raines, thanking him for the impact that he had on her and many others. She said he showed her that music has a way of connecting people that nothing else can imitate, which guided her to where she needed to be.

Other special aspects of music have made themselves apparent to Woolsey over the years, including its ability to help students turn around a bad day. She said that Gerings elementary schools allow their students to attend music class every day, which can help them overcome stress.

Its almost like a reset for them, she said. They can have just a second to breathe and do something fun that engages them musically or mentally. Its so unique and so hard to describe.

Woolsey and her peers at Northfield have seen that power of music firsthand. She described a day in which a class of second graders began singing on their own to recover after a tiring testing session.

They sang all the Christmas songs that they sang at their Christmas concert, she said. Its so wonderful to have those experiences with the kids, and for them to know that I will be there for them and they can always find me and Ill help as best as I can.
Local law enforcement have planned activities that will take place during National Police Week, observed May 14-May 20 throughout the nation.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will be held Monday, May 15. Participants will gather in the parking lot of the Scotts Bluff National Monument, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with the Torch Run starting at 5:30 p.m. Cost for registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt. Registration will take place on site.

Runners will travel along historic Old Oregon Trail Road into Gering. The Torch Run will conclude at Legion Park in Gering with a light meal to follow. Participants can run, walk, ride a bicycle and enjoy the sights along the way. You can choose how much of the route you want to do, according to a press release from Gering Police Capt. Jason Rogers.

The Torch Run is open to anyone who would like to participate and show your support for Special Olympics. Scottsbluff Public Schools will have participants in the Torch Run from their special education program, as well as the Reconnect Program.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas under the direction of Chief Richard LeMunyon. From that point, the Torch Run movement has grown into the single largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics International. The goal of the Torch Run and all the events that fall under the umbrella of the LETR is to raise public awareness about Special Olympics and to bring about acceptance and inclusion for Special Olympics athletes.

If anyone has questions about the Torch Run or if you would like to donate financially, contact Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman, 436-6667, Rogers, 436-5089.

Also this week, the Scottsbluff Police Department has planned a Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony, which has become an annual event, and will be held at 11 a.m. at the Scottsbluff Public Safety building located on Avenue B. Ceremonies are held on the lawn area.

Capt. Lance Kite told the Star-Herald that this years service will include a presentation from Capt. Brian Wasson on Albert W. Peterson of the Scottsbluff Police Department, who was shot in the line of duty by a suspected bootlegger on April 25, 1923. In 2007, the Scottsbluff Police Department honored Peterson by establishing a marker at the police department and ensuring that he was listed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.

Peterson and a Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office Deputy were ambushed as they attempted to arrest a man on charges of bootlegging in Mitchell. The deputy survived his injuries. A week later, the suspect, Frank Allen, also known as Harold Randall, killed Keith County Sheriff George Heiser and he was apprehended in Ogallala.

Kite said that family members of Petersons family have been invited to attend the ceremonies.

Traditionally, the ceremony also includes the reading of names of other area officers who have been killed in the line of duty, as well as presentations from area honor guards coordinated by area law enforcement agencies. Kite said that details were still being finalized, but agencies such as the Nebraska State Patrol, Gering Police Department and Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office are expected to join in the ceremonies.

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies.

National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Since then, commemorations and other events to highlight law enforcement are held in communities throughout the nation.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at the Feenstra Family Picnic on May 13, 2023. (Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

SIOUX CENTER  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wooed Iowa Republicans on Saturday by drawing parallels between the two states, especially in regard to newly passed legislation that restricts what can be taught in schools and that prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for minors.

The survival of our American experiment requires a revival of the American spirit and American principles, DeSantis said at the Dean Classic Car Museum in Sioux Center. Florida and Iowa prove it can be done. Our states offer a ray of hope that better days may lie ahead.

DeSantis was the guest of U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a fellow Republican who held his annual Feenstra Family Picnic in Sioux Center in northwest Iowa. More than 650 people attended, including state lawmakers, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

DeSantis is expected to seek the Republican presidential nomination for the 2024 election, although he has not yet officially announced a campaign. His weekend trip to Iowa  where Republican caucuses will lead the nations selection process for a nominee  included stops in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids.

Reynolds, Ernst and Miller-Meeks also attended the Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser in Cedar Rapids, along with U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate.

Former President Donald Trump had planned an event in Des Moines the same day but canceled it due to severe weather. Trump has been leading in polls of likely Republican voters.

DeSantis did not attack Trump by name but bemoaned election losses that Republicans have suffered since Trumps election in 2016.

Both Florida and Iowa show strong leadership and a bold agenda can defeat the left in this country, but theres no substitute for victory, he said. We must reject the culture of losing that has infected our party in recent years.

Myron Harris, of Cherokee, who attended the event, said he backs DeSantis because Trump has too much baggage.

He needed to learn to keep his mouth shut, Harris said of Trump.

Trump was recently found liable by a jury for sexually abusing and defaming a woman, he has been criminally indicted over an alleged hush-money payment to a pornographic film star, and there are ongoing investigations into his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and election interference in Georgia.

Harris likes what Florida has done to ban instruction in schools about gender identity and Critical Race Theory and agrees with DeSantis about restricting abortion. DeSantis signed a bill last month that bans most abortions after six weeks of gestation.

And Harris is very concerned about illegal immigration, to the point that he believes businesses that knowingly employ those immigrants should be taken from their owners. He is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and suggested that retired members of the military, like himself, could be commissioned by the federal government to help secure the countrys borders.

DeSantis remarks about border control drew sustained, rapturous applause from the crowd in Sioux Center.

We decide who comes into this country as Americans, he said. We have every right to have that border secure and not have this disaster unfolding.  Id shut down the border immediately.

Gwen Ecklund, of Denison, said she was impressed by DeSantis performance Saturday and would vote for him.

I agree with almost everything he said, Ecklund said. He not only has similar beliefs but has the presence to deliver it.

She said she would vote for Trump if he gets the nomination, but Id like to see something different.

Nancy Bruner of Cedar Rapids, who attended the evening event, said she was a fan of Trump early on, supporting him early in the 2016 campaign season. Now, Bruner says, between Trump and DeSantis, it will be hard to make a decision between a family man and a businessman.

I think DeSantis is a family man, Bruner said. He puts family first, he has some Christian thoughts and I like that, his background reflects that. Now with Trump, he is smart and he knows his business. So, its going to be between, do I take the smart one or the family one, and I havent made that decision yet.

Devin Ladehoff, who had never voted Republican prior to Trump, said he was impressed with DeSantis.

I think he is the most electable Republican we have in the field now, Ladehoff said.

Reynolds described DeSantis as a good friend with whom she has competed in regard to legislative accomplishments. Almost all of the priorities Reynolds mentioned in her Condition of the State address in January were enacted into law this year.

Florida also wrapped up a historic legislative session, she said. When governors are competing, Americans win.

DeSantis, who referred to Reynolds by first name in his remarks, said hes proud of our achievements in Florida, and I look forward to the battles ahead, but it is not going to be easy. The left is not going to just give this to us.

 Jay Waagmeester contributed to this report.

This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom Network.
Editor's Note Compassionate Friends of Mooresville meets the third Thursday of each month at Williamson Chapel United Methodist Church, room 204/205, Building B, 575 Brawley School Road, Mooresville from 7 to 9 p.m. The butterfly release will be at the church at 7 p.m. on May. 18. For more information call 704-313-8281 or email tcfofmooresville@gmail.com.

There may be tears or laughter or sometimes just silence.

Regardless of how people choose to deal with the loss of a child or grandchild or sibling, theres no judgment at the meeting of the Compassionate Friends.

The group meets monthly at Williamsons Chapel United Methodist Church in Mooresville, and has been meeting for some eight years.

Deborah (Debbie) Lindley, one of the groups earliest members, said it started when Rhonda Mienko went to a Compassionate Friends meeting in Charlotte and decided Mooresville needed a chapter. And from that simple idea, the Compassionate Friends of Mooresville was born.

Their motto, We Need Not Walk Alone, is much more than words to Lindley.

It was in April 2015 that Lindleys son, Joey Ritchie, died of a drug overdose. He was 28, one of three sons, a Statesville High School and Western Carolina University graduate and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He had a full life in those 28 years, Lindley said.

In the months after Joey died, Lindley said, she searched for something to help her through her grief. I went to a support group for a while but I decided I needed something more, she said.

Through Randy Berryhill, a bereavement counselor, she learned of the recently-formed Compassionate Friends Chapter in Mooresville.

I looked for an email address and sent an email to Rhonda, she said. Meinko responded, telling her about the group and what it had to offer a grieving parent. It seemed like the perfect fit for Lindley before she ever went to a meeting. She lost her son the same day I lost mine, Lindley said.

Prior to finding the Compassionate Friends, Lindley said she felt as if she were drowning, unable to process the grief, sadness, and even anger, over Joeys death. I felt alone, she said.

Sitting in a room at a local church among other people dealing with the exact same emotions, she said, was what made the difference for her, she said.

Compassionate Friends, now an international organization, began in England in 1969. When Billy Henderson died in a hospital, the chaplain mentioned it to another set of parents whose young son had just died. The parents of Kenneth Lawley sent flowers to Billys funeral with a card that simply read Kenneths parents. That led to a meeting for tea between the two sets of parents and the birth of Compassionate Friends.

Now with chapters throughout the world, the group is providing a sense of refuge, healing, friendship and, as its name implies, compassion for those who are grieving the death of a child.

Lindley said grandparents and siblings also are welcome and have attended meetings since the organization began eight years ago.

Lindley said she went to that first meeting with a feeling of trepidation, not knowing what to expect. But her uneasiness was quickly put to the side as she realized she was among people going through the exact same journey she had been on for four months.

She said being among people who understood all of her emotions validated her feelings. She could also talk about Joey without making people feel uncomfortable.

Compassionate Friends also gave a voice to other parents and loved ones and gave them the opportunity to remember their child, brother or sister or grandchild through stories or pictures in a safe setting.

Lindley said the group also whole-heartedly welcomes adoptive parents. Theyve lost a child just the same as any of us and feel the same grief, she said.

She said not everyone deals with the grief in the same way. Some need to cry, others laugh as they remember the good times, some just sit quietly and listen. And thats OK, Lindley said.

They write down memories of their children and place those in a basket. Theres also resources available through the group that can help in the grieving process.

The monthly meetings are just one of the things the group does to offer support to grieving families. At Christmas-time, the group gets together and remembers their loved ones with music, readings and photos.

And at its May meeting, Compassionate Friends will pay tribute to their loved ones with a butterfly release. Its the groups first butterfly release. Family members will release a butterfly to remember their child.

One holiday thats much tougher to navigate for Lindley and others is Mothers Day. She celebrates with her two sons, but Joey is also a part of the day as well. They also remember Joey on the anniversary of his death with eating one of his favorite types of food  Mexican.

Lindley said Joey is never far away in their memories, and thanks to Compassionate Friends she is much better equipped to bring those memories into the forefront. I miss hm. I miss him, she said.

Lindley said the groups motto has been her saving grace in the past eight years and she encourages others who may need the support of Compassionate Friends to come to a meeting.

Since Joeys death, Lindley said she has changed as can be expected. She said now she doesnt sweat the small stuff. I am grateful and I have more gratitude (for the little things in life) because of my loss, she said.
The Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) announced the return of its Tourism Summit. This second annual event is scheduled to take place July 26 at the Statesville Civic Center. This years event, which is themed Celebrate Statesville, will include a Tourism Familiarization (FAM) Expo + Awards ceremony. It begins at 8:30 a.m.

The summit is open to tourism stakeholders, business owners, and members of the community who are interested in learning about the latest developments in the tourism industry.

Attendees will learn about the ongoing initiatives and upcoming programs of the SCVB, as well as the overall strategy for leveraging partnerships for success.

One of the highlights of the summit will be the keynote address by Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). Chung will highlight the important contributions of the tourism industry to North Carolina's long-term prosperity, citing the record $33 billion in visitor spending in 2022.

"Tourism is a major economic development driver for communities around our state, and the record $33 billion in visitor spending across North Carolina in 2022 further underscores the important contributions that the tourism industry makes to the states long-term prosperity. said Chung. Through its Visit North Carolina team, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina is proud to work alongside partners like the Statesville CVB in growing our tourism and visitation in every corner of our state.

The summit will also feature an informative presentation by Marlise Moody Taylor, director tourism research from Visit NC. The strategic direction of Visit North Carolina is heavily influenced by research, as it provides critical information for various aspects of the organization such as marketing, communications, tourism advocacy and customer service. Ongoing strategic market research is conducted by the Visit North Carolina research team in collaboration with third-party research organizations and government agencies to keep track of North Carolina's domestic and international visitation, identify trends and deliver relevant data to decision and policy makers in a timely manner.

The data obtained by the research team enables program areas and industry partners to plan, implement and evaluate processes and programs in a tactical manner, said Taylor. Additionally, the research assists policy makers in making strategic decisions concerning the long-term health of tourism, assessing capital investment, and determining the level of government support required.

The opening address by Cindy Charlton Sutton, executive director of SCVB, will focus on the outlook for tourism in 2024 and the importance of partnerships in growing tourism and visitation in Statesville.

The second annual Celebrate Statesville  Tourism Summit, Expo + Awards is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the tourism industry. The summit provides an excellent opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with other professionals, and celebrate the achievements of the tourism community. RSVP to secure your spot and take your first step towards being a part of success in the tourism industry.

The summit is open to all. The $35 registration fee includes access to the full day's agenda to include the Expo, Tourism Summit with Keynote and Awards Luncheon.

The registration deadline is July 14 at 5 p.m. Visit https://scvb.statesvillenc.com/tourism-summit/ to register.
Seems hard to believe, but the 62nd anniversary of my high school graduation is fast approaching  I graduated in late May 1961. Some limited research revealed that fellow Tar Heel Ronnie Milsap, whose huge hit Lost in the Fifties Tonight, is also a member of our class! OK, he didnt attend Rutherfordton-Spindale Central, but he was born in Robbinsville in January 1943, so Im assuming he also graduated in 1961.

Even as a history buff, Id be hard-pressed to recall more than a few notable events of that era. Thanks to Google, heres a list I put together that reflects a sense of the decade:

Korean War begins  1950

J.D. Salinger publishes The Catcher in the Rye  1951

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is crowned  1953

McCarthy hearings  1954

Montgomery bus boycott  1955

Ray Kroc opens his first McDonalds  1955

Elvis Presley appears on the The Ed Sullivan Show  1956

Sputnik launched  1957

Integration of Little Rock Central High School  1957

Buddy Holly killed in plane crash  1959

Castro takes power in Cuba  1959

This is brief and self-selected, but I imagine many of my generation can find one or more of these events that had some special meaning or impacted their lives. My list includes being blown away after reading Catcher in the Rye in the ninth grade; seeing Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show, and watching Castro ride into Havana on top of a tank. Less than a decade after Castros triumphant entry to Havana, I flew into Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (on the other end of the island), to begin my first year abroad as a teacher at the U.S. Naval base.

Many World War II vets used the GI Bill to get job training or their college degrees after the war, and were ready to hit the ground running. They spawned the unprecedented economic growth during the 50s, which experts often refer to as the Golden Age of Capitalism.

Theres little doubt that those of us, known as the silent generation (born 1928-1945), were beneficiaries of that Golden Age. Over the decade of the 60s, the percentage of those who completed college rose from 34% to 41%. Its safe to assume most of us in that 41%, were the first in our families to attend college.

In looking back at the 50s, I was reminded of Churchills quote, History is written by the victors. In a sense, those of us whove made it thus far are the victors  we represent barely 4% of the U.S. population. So, if we want to take a victory lap, cut us a little slack. OK, some will take longer than others, and some might even need assistance rounding the track.

In recalling those times so long ago, here are a few final thoughts. Like most memories, we seniors tend to remember the extremes  the highs and the lows; so much of the other has just evaporated into thin hair. W. Somerset Maugham put it this way: Elders  look back upon the past through a rosy haze of forgetfulness. In a similar vein, his countryman, Winston Churchill said,  I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.

So, if some of us oldsters get lost in the 50s or some other bygone era and begin to complain about having  walked five miles in the snow, just nod and smile. More than likely, it never happened.
A senior officials meeting, aimed at preparing for the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, commenced in Jeddah, al-Baath reports.

A senior officials meeting, aimed at preparing for the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League (AL), commenced in Jeddah with the active participation of the Syrian delegation.

The Summit is scheduled to take place on May 19th in Saudi Arabia,

The Syrian delegation includes Rania Ahmed, Assistant Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade for International Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Riyad Abbas, Director of the Arab Affairs Department, Dr. Anas al-Bikai, Director of International Relations, and Counselor Ihsan Rumman from the Office of the Foreign Minister.

Several participating delegations, including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, and representatives from Morocco and Oman, along with the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs in the General Secretariat of the Arab League, welcomed Syrias renewed participation in these meetings.

Head of the Syrian delegation, Rania Ahmed, Assistant Minister of Economy, expressed Syrias appreciation and gratitude to the Arab countries that provided assistance in mitigating the impact of the recent earthquake disaster on the Syrian people.

Ahmed emphasized the significance of facilitating the return of war-displaced individuals to their homes and cities by stimulating economic activity through the encouragement of small and medium-scale projects in various sectors. She highlighted the issuance of legislation and programs supporting this objective, as well as providing favourable conditions for foreign companies interested in investing in Syria.

She called for the removal of trade barriers, both tariff and non-tariff, within the region to strengthen the role of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) in promoting Arab economic development.

Additionally, Ahmed stressed the need to increase the representation of states in the management of joint companies and Arab financial institutions. This would enable broader participation of intermediate and small shareholders in the decision-making process, encouraging these institutions to establish projects 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.
A group of U.S. lawmakers submitted a bill to confront rapprochements with Syria, al-Watan writes.

The preparatory meetings for the Arab Summit commenced on Sunday, in Jeddah. The meetings of the Economic and Social Council at the level of senior experts have begun. Syria has sent a large official and media delegation to participate in the preparatory meetings for the summit. The first delegation arrived on Saturday, and Economy Minister Mohammed Samer Khalil led the official economic and media delegation.

Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Hossam Zaki, clarified that the Council of the League of Arab States decision to permit the participation of Syrian delegations in the meetings of the Arab League has no conditions. He emphasized that there are some desirable understandings that all parties should accept as a form of calm for the situation in Syria. He mentioned that the Amman Declaration, which was issued a few days ago, discussed several topics such as combating terrorism and drugs, the return of Syrian refugees to their country, and strengthening the political situation. These topics affect not only neighbouring countries but also the region as a whole. Therefore, the hope of the Arab League is that Syrias return will allow the League to play a greater role in settling the situation in Syria, but it requires patience.

Zakis remarks came after U.S. lawmakers submitted a bill to confront rapprochements with Syria. The bill aims to strengthen Washingtons ability to impose sanctions as a warning to other countries that normalize relations with Syria.

However, most estimates suggest that the U.S. Congress cannot pass or ratify this law. This is due to the changing regional dynamics and the Arab countries desire to diversify their foreign alliances and reduce American influence over them.

In an article on the website of Al-Mayadeen TV, Leila Nicola, a professor of international relations at the Lebanese University, stated that even if the sponsors of this bill manage to obtain a majority in Congress, this does not mean that Congress can impose it on the U.S. administration. The administration must balance populist considerations at home and U.S. interests abroad.

She further elaborated, Although the U.S. administration does not differ in its official stance on normalizing relations with Syria from the bill submitted to Congress, the Americans can no longer threaten printing countries (Arab countries and Turkey) with sanctions. This is due to global developments after the Ukrainian war and Chinas entry as a key player in the region.

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.
Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad reiterated that the primary objective is to end the illegal military presence on Syrian territory, according to Athr Press.

After the significant development of the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement path, culminating in a meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries in Moscow on May 9th, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed that the meetings between Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Russia will continue. He emphasized that a roadmap will be developed to normalize relations between them.

According to the Hurriyet newspaper, Cavusoglu stated that the parties will discuss the steps that will be taken in the field of combating terrorism and the shape of the political process in the next stage. He also mentioned that it is likely that the four foreign ministers will meet again, with a subsequent meeting at the leader level.

Regarding Syrias requests, Cavutoglu clarified that they include the withdrawal of Turkish forces. He added that Turkey does not have plans on Syrian territory, and their presence is solely to combat terrorism and ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees to their country.

Cavusoglu emphasized that during the meeting of the foreign ministers of Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Russia, the focus was on Syrias territorial integrity and borders, with the political process being a top priority. Its revitalization was confirmed.

Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad reiterated that the primary objective is to end the illegal military presence on Syrian territory, including the Turkish forces. He emphasized that without any progress on this matter, there would be no real results, and they will continue to work towards demanding and insisting on the issue of withdrawal.

Cavutoglus remarks followed the quadripartite meeting of the foreign ministers of Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Russia held in Moscow on May 10. The final statement stressed several important points, including the assignment of four deputy foreign ministers to prepare a roadmap for the development of relations between Syria and Turkey. The statement also agreed to continue high-level contacts and quadripartite technical negotiations in the next phase.

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 majority of naturalized Syrians to actively participate in the elections and exercise their right to vote, according to Shaam Network.

A significant number of Syrians who have been granted Turkish citizenship participated in the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, marking their first experience with free elections. Many of them took to social media to express their happiness in exercising their democratic right to vote in a free and fair manner, with dozens even sharing photos of their ballots.

The positive reactions from Syrian voters were reflective of their general dissatisfaction with the one-party policy and the fake elections that had taken place in Syria for decades during the Assad familys rule, under which success rates reached 99%.

Although the number of Syrian votes cast in the Turkish elections is not expected to have a major impact due to the high number of naturalized individuals, the general trend was for the majority of naturalized Syrians to actively participate in the elections and exercise their right to vote in a free and democratic manner.

While some speculate that the issue of Syrian refugees is being used as a tool by opposition parties to undermine Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans popularity and secure votes, Turkish political analyst Taha Odeh ruled out the possibility of Syrian voters making a significant impact on the election outcome in an interview with the Asharq website.

According to Turkish researcher and political analyst Islam Ozkan, the number of naturalized Syrians living in various parts of Turkey, estimated at 221,000 people according to official data, is unlikely to have a significant impact on the outcome of the Turkish elections. Ozkan also expressed his belief that the issue of Syrian refugees will not play a major role in the presidential and parliamentary elections and that the publics perception that refugees are the cause of the economic crisis is not based on reality.

The candidates running against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming elections are competing on promises related to the Syrian asylum issue. Some of them advocate for repairing relations with the Assad regime and repatriating refugees if they are elected.

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.
Balous has been a staunch supporter of demonstrators and has stood up against the Military Security Branch, according to Orient Net.

Sheikh Laith al-Balous, son of Sheikh Waheed al-Balous who founded the Men of Dignity Movement in southern Syrias Suweida, survived an assassination attempt by unidentified assailants while driving with several family members in his private car.

Local network monitors reported that on Saturday, Balous was shot in the left thigh during the assassination attempt. He was subsequently transported to a private hospital in the city of Suweida. One of the sources noted that Balous was with his wife and mother in the car when gunmen directly targeted him with the intention of killing him.

Balous, an opponent of the regime in Suweida, is the son of Wahid al-Balous, the founder and leader of the Men of Dignity movement who was assassinated in 2015 by security branch militia leaders. His name was included in a leaked list that contained the names of prominent individuals whom the regime intended to assassinate.

In recent years, Balous has been a staunch supporter of demonstrators and has stood up against the Military Security Branchs killing and kidnapping, particularly the Raji Falhout gang, which is backed by the regime.

Balous has previously accused Iranian and Hezbollah militias of assassinating his father and several Men of Dignity members in the 2015 bombings. He also made a vow to unearth the grave of Hafez al-Assad in Qardaha after a regime official mocked the people of Suweida and the Druze community.

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.

Syrian First Lady Mrs. Asma al-Assad met the Omani National Records and Archives Authority delegation in Damascus. Meanwhile, intelligence leaks suggest a secret between Major General Hossam Louka and opposition factions. At the same time, Syria has extended permission for the United Nations to use two additional border crossings for post-earthquake aid.

Asma al-Assad meets Omani National Records and Archives Authority delegation

The First Lady Mrs. Asma al-Assad met the Omani National Records and Archives Authority delegation who paid a few days visit to Syria recently for the establishment of a Syrian-Omani cooperation, SANA reported.

The meeting focused on the documents essential role in writing and preserving history, as their role is not only limited for that, despite its great importance, but they are an essential means for managing and regulating the present and they are part of making and possessing future, the news agency added.

Mrs. al-Assad pointed out to the great importance of documentation on various levels for both the state and the society, as the document represents our vision of events and facts and it grants us the potential of managing knowledge. It creates joint collective thinking towards these events. Without documents, the events become a mere story narrated by generations, without making benefit from their lessons.

The document, according to SANA, also constitutes the intellectual reference which protects the identity and preserves the belonging, particularly that the war Syria has witnessed over 12 years, has affected the human being, who lives and practices the intangible heritage, in addition to the damage affected the tangible heritage, therefore documenting this heritage protects it against vanishing and continues with generations, one after another.

During the meeting, Head of the Omani delegation, Hamad bin Mohammed al-Duwayani, briefed the Syrian side on the Omani experience in organizing, managing and investing documents to regulate the work of the institutions and the states management with higher flexibility and referential performance.

Al-Duwayani expressed his countrys readiness to cooperate with Syria in the documentation project and preserving heritage.

Intelligence Director Hossam Louka Meets with Opposition Factions

Major General Hossam Louka, the head of the General Intelligence Department of the Assad regime, recently met with opposition factions supported by Turkey in Aleppo, according to Intelligence Online.

The meeting occurred on May 13th, 2023.

Louka presented the opposition with conditions for reconciliation, Intelligence Online added.

Prior to this, Louka and the Minister of Defense, Ali Mahmoud Abbas, travelled to Moscow on April 25 for quadripartite negotiations involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

The purpose of the negotiations was to normalize relations between the Assad regime and Turkey, with discussions focusing on issues such as the return of Syrian refugees, the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory, and the reopening of the M4 highway.

During the Moscow meeting, Louka had a closed-door discussion with the head of the Turkish Intelligence Service, Hakan Fidan, resulting in an agreement to continue further discussions.

Following the quadripartite meeting, Louka travelled to Aleppo to convey the Moscow discussions to opposition factions in northwestern Syria, with supervision from high-ranking Russian officers who came from Al-Bab.

Major General Louka has been leading the General Intelligence Department since July 2019, and his appointment is believed to be influenced by Russias trust in him.

However, he has faced allegations of human rights abuses, including his involvement in suppressing peaceful demonstrations during his time as the head of the Political Security Branch in Homs in 2012.

He is subject to sanctions by both the European Union and the United States for his role in torturing demonstrators and committing crimes against the Syrian people.

Syrias main insurgent group seeks to move away from al-Qaida past, get off Western terrorism lists

The Associated Press reports that the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main insurgent group in northwest Syria, is attempting to distance his group from its al-Qaida origins and rebrand it as a more tolerant and pluralistic organization.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, formerly associated with al-Qaidas branch in Syria, has cracked down on extremist factions within HTS and dissolved the religious police.

As part of the rebranding effort, a Mass was recently performed at a church in Idlib province for the first time in over a decade, AP added.

Al-Golani emphasized that Islamic law should not be imposed by force and pointed to Saudi Arabias relaxation of social controls as an example.

However, according to AP, HTS is increasingly isolated, with countries that once backed Syrian insurgents restoring relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The United States and the United Nations consider HTS a terrorist group, and the U.S. has offered a $10 million reward for information on al-Golanis whereabouts. Despite the rebranding, the U.S. government maintains its stance on HTS and al-Golani.

U.S. contractor killed, 5 service members and contractor wounded in suicide drone strike in Syria

The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets in Syria on Thursday after a U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. service members and another contractor were wounded when a suicide drone hit a coalition base near Hasakah in the countrys northeast, NBC reported.

The intelligence community believes the drone to have been of Iranian origin, the Defense Department said in a statement.

The U.S. retaliated with airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, which hit buildings that housed drone/aviation assets and vehicles used by groups affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). One activist group said the U.S. strikes killed fighters on the ground, the network added.

On Friday, rockets targeted the Conoco gas field in northeastern Syria, according to a U.S. official, injuring one American service member, who is in stable condition. Less than an hour later, said the officials, three suicide drones attacked the Green Village, a U.S. installation in the area.

Two were shot down and one damaged a building. There were no injuries. Earlier Friday, a 10-rocket attack on Green Village had yielded no casualties or damage, according to U.S. officials.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he had ordered precision strikes at Bidens command against IRGC facilities.

The airstrikes were conducted in response to todays attack as well as a series of recent attacks against Coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC, said

Syria extends permission on post-quake aid border crossings for 3 months

Syria has extended permission for the United Nations to use two additional border crossings for post-earthquake aid for three more months, a Syrian official said on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Syria has decided to extend the permission it granted to the U.N. and its specialized agencies to use the two border crossings of Bab Alsalama and al-Rai for an additional period of three months ending on 13 August, Bassam Sabbagh, Syrias U.N. ambassador, said in a tweet.

This decision is based on Syrias keenness on enhancing stability and improving the living and humanitarian situation of all Syrians, and comes within its efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need in all Syria, he added.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad initially agreed to open the two crossings for three months starting on Feb. 13, a week after an earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Parts of the northwest are held by groups opposed to Assad in the 12-year-long civil war.

The U.N. said in a statement on Saturday that Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad conveyed to the U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Martin Griffiths, the decision to allow the U.N. to use the crossings for an additional three months.

More than 300,000 Syrian civilians died. Any attempt to rehabilitate Assad is utterly shameful: The Guardian

Leading UK newspaper The Guardian slammed new effort to normalize with Syrias dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The grotesque rehabilitation of Bashar al-Assads regime  Syrias criminal president has been cordially invited to this weeks Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia  makes sense to cynical Arab governments. They hope to reduce Damascuss dependence on Iran, encourage refugees to return, halt state-sponsored drug rackets and cash in on reconstruction, The Guardian stated.

The invitation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia is seen as a grotesque rehabilitation of his regime by cynical Arab governments.

While these governments, The paper said, hope to reduce Syrias dependence on Iran, encourage refugee returns, and benefit from reconstruction, from a humanitarian perspective, the decision is considered utterly shameful.

Over 300,000 civilians have died, 14 million people have been displaced, and war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Syria. Assad faces no prospect of facing justice, while Gulf plutocrats seem more interested in their own interests than human rights.

The U.S. and its allies failure to intervene in 2013 and Western sanctions aimed at toppling the regime have contributed to the ongoing crisis, the paper added.

The evolving power dynamics in the region, including Arab-Persian detente and an eastwards power shift, challenge Western dominance and leave Western policy in tatters. However, analysts caution that the situation remains unstable and that historical and religious rivalries are difficult to suppress in the long run.
Its hard to imagine that back in 1999, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe was still fighting just to earn federal recognition. Today, all it takes is a drive down Interstate 5 to see how well theyre doing. Its easy to focus on ilani as the sum totality of the Cowlitz Tribe, but their influence doesnt stop at the edge of their parking lot.

Wed be remiss if we dont recognize that the Cowlitz Tribe has put a lot back into the community beyond jobs at their casino. In 2021, then-Tribal Chairman Philip Harju said that they were committed to give back to the community more than [they] take. Whether it was big-ticket items, such as donating a $600,000 fire engine to Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue in La Center, cash donations like the $50,000 the tribe gave to Lower Columbia College or their support of national projects like salmon recovery in our waterways, theyre certainly committed to living up to those words.

The Cowlitz Tribe has also found a voice in important national issues. Since joining the National Historic Preservation Program in 2021, the Cowlitz Tribe has also had a voice in designating historic sites in our area. Though the specific locations they have protected are not named, so as to protect them from looting, the tribe works with archaeologists, adding their perspective to the complex story of the regions history.

Its a sad truth that, historically, archaeological sites of indigenous people are often not preserved with the same vigor that other historic sites are. Making sure that everyone can have a say in what history is protected is the best way to address this.

Theyve also been at the forefront of raising awareness of the risk of violence to indigenous people, especially women. While they were most public earlier this month on MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons), setting up displays with the events signature red dress and spreading their anti-human trafficking message, they have been fighting this battle for years. The tribe operates its own agency to support victims of sexual assault or other acts of violence while tracking missing and murdered members of their tribe.

While the Cowlitz Tribe spent most of the 20th century fighting for official recognition, theyve made great strides in the 21st. Their donations make real differences to the organizations they support, and by making their voices heard on key issues, theyve made the discourse around them more complete. Were glad to have them in our corner of Southwest Washington, which they have worked hard to improve.

Merz is wasting everyones time

If pithy movie quotes were a legal defense, Matthew Merz might have a chance of hanging onto his Kalama council seat. But just like when he misunderstood the point of "Raging Bull" by comparing himself to Robert DeNiros character Jake LaMotta, were going to spoil the end of 300 for him.

The Persians do, in fact, come and take them," like Merz said in a special Monday Kalama City Council meeting when he quoted a classical Greek phrase after being asked if he would step down.

Unlike in the actual Battle of Thermopylae, there was no Athenian Navy to bail him out. A jury of his peers has already found him guilty of a felony beyond a reasonable doubt. As Councilmember Steve Kallio pointed out, the burden of proof is now on Merz if he wants to appeal. Considering his defense relies on proving the existence of a shadow government, maybe he could spare everyone elses time and his own embarrassment and step down. After all, hes got a lot of community service time to do if he wants to stay out of jail.

Editor's note: This editorial has been updated to clarify that Philip Harju was the tribal chairman when he gave a quote about giving back, but he no longer has that title.
BRADENTON  The highly anticipated grand opening of Bradentons newest Chick-fil-A restaurant briefly hung in the balance on Wednesday when city officials found themselves needing to address missing roadway improvements they understood the developer had promised. Despite frustration and confusion over the lack of a de-escalation turn lane to help with increased traffic congestion expected by the drive-through restaurant's newest location, the city council agreed to let the restaurant at 43rd Street West and Manatee Avenue West proceed with its opening on Thursday as scheduled.





During a Bradenton City Council meeting on Wednesday, several city leaders expressed their disappointment and safety concerns regarding the lack of an extended turn lane to access the venue. The parcel of the popular chicken and waffle fries restaurant resides within the city limits, but the two bordering roadways are regulated by separate agenciesFloridas Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over Manatee Ave (SR64), and Manatee County over 43rd Street West.





In Sept. of 2021, the city's planning commission recommended approval of a special use permit to applicants Bohler Engineering, LLC (agent) and JBCC Manatee, LLC (owner) to operate the 20-seat drive-through restaurant at 4311 Manatee Avenue West. Concerns over anticipated traffic impacts were largely softened when it was explained to the planning commission that stipulations had been mutually agreed upon between the developer and city planning officials and would be attached as conditions for the project's approval.





In the event that significant traffic conflicts were to arise due to the restaurant's operations adding to the already strained intersection that supports traffic flow to nearby schoolsincluding Jessie P. Miller Elementary, which is directly across 43rd Street from the Chick-fil-A, St. Stephens, which sits diagonally across Manatee Ave from the site, and Manatee High School, which is about a mile in proximitythe business owners agreed to work with the city to implement one or more of the remedies proposed in the stipulated terms.





Some of the options listed included that the business might be required to change its parking lot circulation or utilize dine-in parking as additional drive-through space during peak hours. Additional listed solutions included the possible installation of signage by the business to assist with traffic flow, changes to the restaurant's hours of operation, or paying local police for traffic control.





With the stipulations agreed to, and a plan in place to readily address significant traffic issues should they arise after the restaurant opened, the citys planning commission recommended the city council approve the future Chick-fil-A with a 4-2 vote.





The day before the applicant was to appear before the Bradenton City Council for possible approval, the Manatee County Commission held a regular meeting of its board. During that local government meeting, Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge informed his colleagues that the city's planning commission had recommended the approval of the Chick-fil-A and that he anticipated the city would likely approve its development in his district.





"Tomorrow the city will be voting on the Chick-fil-A property and I will be attending to speak during public comment in favor of West Bradenton getting a Chick-fil-A," Van Ostenbridge said.





At the time, Van Ostenbridge's comments garnished little response from his fellow commissioners, but for one who vocalized a "woo-hoo" before the commissioner's comments moved to other topics.





The next day, Oct. 13, 2021, the Bradenton City Council took up the item. Again the discussion turned to concerns regarding potential traffic impacts at the already busy intersection, and again, some of those concerns were lessened when council members were informed of the stipulated terms agreed to between the developer and city planning officials. In addition to the stipulations agreed upon between the city and Chick-fil-A, Councilwoman Jayne Kocher offered that it was her understanding that the county also intended to assist with intersection improvements.



"I understand that the county has a plan for improving that intersection and one of the people that is championing it is here," Kocher said gesturing toward Commissioner Van Ostenbridge who was sitting in the audience.





Van Ostenbridge addressed city officials during public comment assuring the council that the county is focused on infrastructure goals and roadways. Van Ostenbridge said that while the intersection at 43rd Street West and Manatee Avenue West was not currently included in the countys Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), he was confident such a project would be "moved up" into the next budget's adoption.









Van Ostenbridge told city council members that while the county commission did not hold an official vote to approve prioritizing the intersection improvements, he said that his mention of prioritizing the intersection received "a lot of bobbing heads." However, during his "This Chick-fil-A would prioritize this intersection," Van Ostenbridge said of the council's potential approval of the development. "Ive already brought it to our board during commissioner comments and let them know this Chick-fil-A is likely to be approved after passing your planning commission and that we would have to prioritize this next year."Van Ostenbridge told city council members that while the county commission did not hold an official vote to approve prioritizing the intersection improvements, he said that his mention of prioritizing the intersection received "a lot of bobbing heads." However, during his comments to commissioners the day prior , Van Ostenbridge never raised a suggestion that the county should plan to prioritize the intersection to accommodate the construction of the restaurant. He only mentioned briefly his intention to address the city council in support of its approving a Chick-fil-A in his district.





Expanding on his assurances to city officials that the intersection would be improved, Van Ostenbridge stated that the potential for future widening off 43rd Street would be aided by the fact that "there is school board property there, and we can make a deal with them."



"This is not property that they (the school board) would be averse to parting with," he said of obtaining the right away for such a project.





The county commissioner also shared with the council that he had already spoken with county public works staff on ideas for the intersection, including the addition of two left turn lanes, a through lane, and a right-hand turn lane for the south side.





When Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey pressed the commissioner for assurance that the project would be added to the countys next fiscal years CIP, Van Ostenbridge confirmed that it would be, but added that the improvements would not be completed before the restaurant opened.



"Should this council approve this," Barnebey said addressing Van Ostenbridge, "we're going to have a big headache for a while. I don't want to have a big headache for a long time, commissioner."



Van Ostenbrige answered the councilwoman's concerns, telling her, "When we move into the intersection phase of our CIP next year, this project will be a tier-one project."





By the end of deliberations and public comment, city officials voted unanimously to approve the construction of the Chick-fil-A at 43rd Street.





To replay the Oct. 2021, Bradenton City Council meeting discussion on the Chick-fil-A and Van Ostenbridges public comments on the topic, click the video below.









Two weeks later, on Oct. 26, Van Ostenbridge reported back to commissioners that the city had approved the franchise's newest development. He also told commissioners that due to the city's approval, the countys public works director reached out to the project's developer to discuss "working together" on future intersection improvements.





"And so thats something for next years CIP," he told commissioners. "Just to give you a heads up, but we will talk about it then." The board had just adopted the FY21-22 budget the prior month, and the next budget and CIP adoption would not be taken up by the board until Sept. of 2022.





However, roughly two months later in Jan. 2022, the county's then-CFO Jan Brewer appeared before the board to present proposed changes to the current year's approved CIP. During the public hearing, commissioners were asked to approve the removal of two budgeted projects from the CIP in order to replace them with two different projectsone being a $3.3 million for intersection improvements at 43rd Street and Manatee Ave. The resolution also identified Infrastructure Sales Tax as a funding source for the project.





At the time, several commissioners appeared caught off guard by the request, if not confused as to how the intersection improvements had been identified as a priority requiring changes to the board's previously approved CIP.





Commissioner James Satcher requested a detailed explanation as to why a project with a higher cost was being requested to replace an already approved project of a lesser expense. Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about using Infrastructure Sales Tax for the project. Commissioner George Kruse questioned whether there had been any analysis done to show that the intersection improvements were the best use of the $3 million.





"This (intersection) was somewhere on the list, but so is every road and sidewalk in the county... but this wasnt in the five-year plan. It wasnt pre-funded in the next 12 to 24 months. This wasnt even planned for the next half a decade. This was on the list somewhere far down the road," Kruse said. "As Commissioner Satcher mentioned, this is not insignificant dollars."



"If we were approving a Chick-fil-A," Kruse continued, speaking hypothetically, "we would require them to create turn lanes to accommodate the infrastructure, because youre a private enterprise, and I dont want to use public funds to facilitate your private business..."





Van Ostenbridge responded to some of his colleagues' concerns by explaining that the city had already approved the restaurants future location at the intersection, and being that 43rd Street is a county-owned road, the project will need to be prioritized in order to address the citys approval of the new development and the increased traffic that will be coming with it. Van Ostenbridge told commissioners that he had already spoken to the director of public works who had advised him that IST funds could be utilized to "get the project moving."





After a somewhat lengthy discussion, the board unanimously approved the resolution making changes to the CIP to include adding the 43rd Street expansion project to the list.





To replay the January 11, 2022, BOCC meeting discussion concerning the changes to the CIP and prioritizing 43rd Street West intersection improvements, click the video below.









Fast-forward several months, and on an August 2022 BOCC meeting agenda , a consent item was added for the approval to execute an agreement with Chick-fil-A. Because the item was passed on consent, there was no presentation or board discussion about the item.





In short, the agreement was for Chick-fil-A to construct certain intersection improvements along 43rd Street West simultaneously while the restaurant building was under construction. A detailed timeline for the improvements included dated milestones for plan approvals and permit approvals. Bohler Engineering would be retained by the developer to perform the stated duties and tasks associated with the intersection improvements, which included a deceleration turn lane along the south end of 43rd, and the removal and replacement of an existing water main. If the developer completed the agreed-upon improvements on the countys behalf, the county would reimburse the developer for project plans, permits, and construction costs, totaling roughly $1 million dollars.





Attached to the consent agenda item's supporting documents was the county attorneys response for legal review. The attorney's office advised that staff should carefully review the agreement to assure it reflects staffs intentions.





"It includes fairly complicated provisions tying the Developers obligations to multiple permitting scenarios," the county attorney wrote





The agreement's section, 2. (b) reads, in part, "...Due to the timing constraint, the County agrees to issue its Permit for the approved Construction Plans no later than September 29, 2022, and to allow construction of the portion of the Intersection Improvements, along 43rd Street West up to the curb line of Manatee Avenue ("County Intersection Improvements"). Even if the FDOT Permit has not been issued, Developer shall begin the portion of the Intersection Improvements along 43rd Street West upon issuance of the County permit, and provided the Permit from the County and all other relevant permits have been issued by September 29, 2022, Developer shall begin construction of the County Intersection Improvements. Once all Permits and approvals are issued from the relevant governing authorities for the remainder of the Intersection Improvements and provided such permits are issued by December 31, 2022, Developer shall begin construction on the FDOT Intersection Improvements"





Section 2 of the agreement also includes, "...If the FDOT Permit is not issued by December 31, 2022, Developer may, at its sole discretion, terminate the agreement by giving notice to the County in writing. Termination by the Developer shall end the Developers obligations under this contract as to the FDOT Intersection Improvements..."













Section 5 of the agreement states, "County's Remedies: Should Developer fail to promptly commence construction of the Intersection Improvements by December 31, 2022, or any time extension approved in writing by Manatee County, then Manatee County will have the right to complete the Intersection Improvements." Click here to read the agreement between Chick-fil-A and Manatee County in full.

At a county commission meeting last Tuesday, the first clues were revealed that there may be an issue relating to Chick-fil-A. At several moments throughout the proceedings, Commission Chair Van Ostenbridge was notably absent from the dais without explanation. Just as the meeting was set to adjourn, Van Ostenbridge told commissioners that there was one other item to address that was not on the agendaan addendum to the county's agreement with Chick-fil-A.





"I dont know if the county attorney has had the opportunity to read it yet," Van Ostenbridge said . "This is why I had to step out five times today (from the meeting).





The meeting then recessed to allow the county attorney time to review the item. When the board returned, the chair only stated that an agreement could not be reached and then adjourned the meeting.





The following day, during a Bradenton City Council meeting, the matter was addressed in more detail than it was the previous day at the county meeting. As the Bradenton Herald reported , frustrated city officials debated blocking the restaurants scheduled opening due to the absence of a turn lane on 43rd Street which the council understood the developer had promised to construct.





Ultimately the city allowed the opening to go forward after the city attorney relayed that Chick-fil-A had communicated to him that it would hire a contractor to construct the new lane by Aug. 10, before the next school year begins.





To replay the discussion from last weeks Bradenton City Council meeting, click the video below.









Through the countys planning and permit portal, TBT was able to locate evidence that construction plans were submitted by the developer of the restaurant to the county, and those plans appeared to have received approval. The county's building permit search feature, however, only showed a pending Dec. 2021 permit application for off-site improvements to the right-of-way by the developer. The permit application showed a "TBD" status with "more information required" from the county utilities department before a permit could be issued.





Access to records of permit applications via the FDOT website is limited, so TBT submitted a request for public records to the agency earlier this week. Our request was confirmed but the requested records were not yet available by the time of this story's publication.





For its part, Chick-fil-A, Inc., told TBT by email that it deeply values its relationship with local city officials and that the company is sorry for any misunderstanding.





Concerning the lack of the deceleration lane on 43rd Street which had some local leaders pointing the finger at Chick-fil-A, a spokesperson of the Atlanta corporate office wrote, "To share additional context, the project ties into a larger widening of the intersection of 43rd Street West intersection at Manatee Avenue which requires permits from the county and state. We are eager to start the project but are still waiting to receive all necessary permits."





The spokesperson added that Chick-fil-A is currently working with contractors to start work on the phases of the project that have been permitted.




NASCAR driver Alex Bowman told reporters Sunday that he currently has no timetable for a return to the track following a fractured vertebra suffered in a sprint car crash in April.

So far, Bowman has missed Cup races at Dover, Kansas, and Darlington. Hendrick Motorsports had initially said that Bowman was expected to miss three to four weeks, which would put his return around next week.

However, Bowman said Sunday at Darlington that he is seeing a doctor next week and is scheduled to get scans of his injury at that time. Until then, he doesnt have any idea about the state of his injuries and when he will return.

Every day is a little different, Bowman said of how hes feeling. I definitely feel way better than I did a couple of weeks ago.

Bowman said that when he laughs, coughs, and sneezes, he feels a lot of pain.

When asked about when he might return to sprint car racing, Bowman was also unsure of anything definite.

Thats a tough decision, he said. At some point, yes, but I dont know when that point will be again.

Bowman also noted that because hes missing critical races, hes also missing important playoff points.

I missed out on a lot of points, but thats on me, Bowman said. I decided to go sprint car racing.

[NASCAR]
5/3 with room to spare! Super large lot, fenced and ready for outdoor fun. Space for everyone, fireplace, formal dining with vintage corner cabinets, flashy kitchen with small breakfast area, screened back porch and nice, spacious back yard. These bedrooms are large, 3 full baths in the house plus built in storage make this house ready for every day living too. Great location, close to historical Downtown Bryan, new Bryan Outdoor Sporting Park and Complex, Blinn College and Texas A&M University, shopping, health care, markets all at the same time, now that is location worth talking about. You really need to see this one!

View More
Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE:ASGI  Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 10,200 shares, a growth of 70.0% from the April 15th total of 6,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 38,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ASGI traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $17.74. The company had a trading volume of 35,450 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,128. Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund has a 1 year low of $15.27 and a 1 year high of $19.75. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.69.

Get Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund alerts:

Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.12%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund

Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund Company Profile

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund by 106.4% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 108,864 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,194,000 after acquiring an additional 56,108 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP bought a new position in Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $334,000. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd increased its position in Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund by 44.1% during the 1st quarter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd now owns 16,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 4,900 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its position in Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 210,727 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,246,000 after buying an additional 2,966 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its position in Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 441,035 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,886,000 after buying an additional 2,852 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Rating)

Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund seeks to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on current income by investing in assets that provide necessary services to society.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of income-producing public and private

infrastructure equity investments from around the world.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,370,000 shares, an increase of 19.7% from the April 15th total of 1,980,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,760,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insider Transactions at Chubb

In related news, Director Theodore Shasta sold 1,000 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.73, for a total transaction of $189,730.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,488 shares in the company, valued at $2,748,808.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Theodore Shasta sold 1,000 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.73, for a total transaction of $189,730.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,488 shares in the company, valued at $2,748,808.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO John W. Keogh sold 23,871 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.18, for a total value of $5,064,948.78. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 272,062 shares in the company, valued at $57,726,115.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Get Chubb alerts:

Institutional Trading of Chubb

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Chubb during the first quarter worth $195,000. Roundview Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Chubb by 2.6% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 4,165 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $891,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Chubb by 59.8% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,029 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $648,000 after purchasing an additional 1,134 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in shares of Chubb by 18.7% during the first quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,287 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $276,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Chubb by 22.0% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 154,794 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,110,000 after purchasing an additional 27,926 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.12% of the companys stock.

Chubb Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:CB traded down $1.12 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $200.27. 932,689 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,767,772. Chubb has a 1 year low of $173.78 and a 1 year high of $231.37. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $197.05 and a 200-day moving average price of $209.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.36.

Chubb (NYSE:CB  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The financial services provider reported $4.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.37 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $9.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.39 billion. Chubb had a return on equity of 13.13% and a net margin of 11.71%. Chubbs quarterly revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.82 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Chubb will post 17.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Chubb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, March 17th were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 16th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.66%. Chubbs payout ratio is 26.65%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CB shares. Barclays lifted their target price on Chubb from $256.00 to $260.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Chubb in a report on Thursday, January 19th. They issued a market perform rating and a $225.00 target price on the stock. Atlantic Securities lifted their target price on Chubb from $240.00 to $250.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Citigroup raised Chubb from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $229.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Chubb in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $243.54.

About Chubb

(Get Rating)

Chubb Ltd. operates as a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and accident and health (A&H), reinsurance, and life insurance. It operates through the following segments: North America Commercial Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance, North America Personal P&C Insurance, North America Agricultural Insurance, Overseas General Insurance, Global Reinsurance, and Life Insurance.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Chubb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chubb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Get Rating) and Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Pinnacle West Capital and Fortis revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts:

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Pinnacle West Capital $4.49 billion 2.04 $483.60 million $4.09 19.76 Fortis $11.53 billion 1.91 $1.07 billion $2.22 20.46

Fortis has higher revenue and earnings than Pinnacle West Capital. Pinnacle West Capital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fortis, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Risk and Volatility

Pinnacle West Capital pays an annual dividend of $3.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. Fortis pays an annual dividend of $1.69 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Pinnacle West Capital pays out 84.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Fortis pays out 76.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Pinnacle West Capital has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. Pinnacle West Capital is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Pinnacle West Capital has a beta of 0.46, meaning that its stock price is 54% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Fortis has a beta of 0.44, meaning that its stock price is 56% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

85.2% of Pinnacle West Capital shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 49.6% of Fortis shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Pinnacle West Capital shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Pinnacle West Capital and Fortis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Pinnacle West Capital 10.33% 7.50% 2.02% Fortis 12.42% 6.63% 2.21%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Pinnacle West Capital and Fortis, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Pinnacle West Capital 3 5 1 0 1.78 Fortis 1 3 1 0 2.00

Pinnacle West Capital presently has a consensus target price of $74.64, suggesting a potential downside of 7.64%. Fortis has a consensus target price of $58.75, suggesting a potential upside of 29.35%. Given Fortis stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Fortis is more favorable than Pinnacle West Capital.

About Pinnacle West Capital

(Get Rating)

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. is a holding company, which engages in providing energy and energy-related products. It offers regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses and related activities, such as electricity generation, transmission and distribution through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Co. The company was founded on February 20, 1985, and is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ.

About Fortis

(Get Rating)

Fortis, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the electric and gas utility industry. It operates under the Regulated Utilities and Non-Regulated segments. The Regulated Utilities segment includes ITC Holdings (ITC), UNS Energy Corporation (UNS Energy), Central Hudson, FortisBC Energy, FortisAlberta, and FortisBC Electric. The Non-Regulated segment focuses on energy infrastructure and corporate and other. The company was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. Johns, Canada.

Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (NYSE:ETV  Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 248,500 shares, a drop of 24.8% from the April 15th total of 330,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 231,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE ETV traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $12.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 361,854 shares, compared to its average volume of 249,962. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $12.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $12.82. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund has a 1 year low of $11.85 and a 1 year high of $15.80.

Get Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund alerts:

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd will be issued a $0.0949 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 19th. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.31%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund Company Profile

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ETV. Morgan Stanley grew its position in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund by 61.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,045,265 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,116,000 after buying an additional 782,028 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC grew its position in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund by 546.5% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 316,502 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,886,000 after buying an additional 267,545 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 979,576 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $15,301,000 after buying an additional 135,706 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $1,552,000. Finally, Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $5,496,000.

(Get Rating)

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. It is co-managed by Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BEST Inc. (NYSE:BEST  Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 60,100 shares, a growth of 18.8% from the April 15th total of 50,600 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 41,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

BEST Stock Performance

BEST traded down $0.10 on Friday, hitting $2.82. 17,668 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 43,511. BEST has a 52 week low of $2.00 and a 52 week high of $7.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.05 million, a PE ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 1.01. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.42.

Get BEST alerts:

BEST (NYSE:BEST  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 8th. The company reported ($2.52) earnings per share for the quarter. BEST had a negative net margin of 18.16% and a negative return on equity of 116.29%. The company had revenue of $287.28 million during the quarter.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

BEST Company Profile

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BEST. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of BEST in the 1st quarter valued at $59,000. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in shares of BEST in the 1st quarter valued at $74,000. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in BEST by 155.9% during the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 64,195 shares of the companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 39,106 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC increased its holdings in BEST by 291.8% during the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 124,277 shares of the companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 92,560 shares in the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in BEST by 453.4% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 79,619 shares of the companys stock worth $863,000 after purchasing an additional 65,233 shares in the last quarter. 7.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Rating)

BEST, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the smart supply chain services. It operates through the following business segments: Freight, Supply Chain Management, Global, and Others. The company was founded by Shao Ning Chou in 2007 and is headquartered in Hangzhou, China.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for BEST Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BEST and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSEAMERICAN:GLU  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,300 shares, a decrease of 67.0% from the April 15th total of 10,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSEAMERICAN GLU traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $14.01. The stock had a trading volume of 9,870 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,648. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust has a 52-week low of $13.14 and a 52-week high of $17.24.

Get The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust alerts:

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 46.8% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 13,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,000 after acquiring an additional 4,249 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 13.8% in the first quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 6.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 18,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares during the period. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 39,804 shares of the companys stock worth $561,000 after buying an additional 2,150 shares during the period. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 42.5% during the 4th quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 41,007 shares of the companys stock worth $577,000 after buying an additional 12,221 shares during the period.

(Get Rating)

Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to seek consistent level of after-tax total return for its investors with an emphasis on qualified dividends by investing its assets in equity securities and income producing securities of domestic and foreign companies involved in the utilities industry and other industries that are expected to pay dividends periodically.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (OTCMKTS:TKGBY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 70,200 shares, a drop of 22.2% from the April 15th total of 90,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 19,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.6 days.

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Stock Up 3.6 %

TKGBY stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $1.60. The company had a trading volume of 53,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,364. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. has a 52 week low of $0.75 and a 52 week high of $1.69. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.35.

Get Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st.

About Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS engages in the provision of service to its corporate, commercial and retail customers, including deposit, loans, foreign trade transactions, investment products, cash management, leasing, factoring, insurance, credit cards and other banking products. It operates through the followings segments: Retail Bank; Corporate and Commercial Banking; and Investment Banking.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lowered its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Rating) by 12.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,962,049 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 287,352 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories makes up about 1.9% of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. owned approximately 0.11% of Abbott Laboratories worth $215,413,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 283.3% during the 4th quarter. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. now owns 391 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the period. Finally, Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Institutional investors own 72.93% of the companys stock.

Get Abbott Laboratories alerts:

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Abbott Laboratories stock traded up $0.44 on Friday, reaching $110.49. 3,325,163 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,172,245. The stock has a market cap of $192.14 billion, a PE ratio of 33.58, a PEG ratio of 4.99 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $93.25 and a twelve month high of $118.23. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $104.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $105.88.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The businesss revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.73 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.38 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 14th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 62.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on ABT. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. SVB Leerink boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $122.37.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 60,197 shares of company stock valued at $6,659,607. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Get Rating)

Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products. It operates through the following business segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment refers to the international sales of a line of branded generic pharmaceutical products.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Rating).

Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, April 26th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be given a dividend of 0.42 per share by the financial services provider on Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 16th.

Aflac has increased its dividend payment by an average of 14.5% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 40 years. Aflac has a payout ratio of 27.5% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Aflac to earn $6.00 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 28.0%.

Get Aflac alerts:

Aflac Stock Down 0.8 %

AFL opened at $66.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.05 and a quick ratio of 0.05. Aflac has a 12 month low of $52.07 and a 12 month high of $74.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.93. The business has a 50-day moving average of $65.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.57.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.15. Aflac had a return on equity of 15.25% and a net margin of 22.90%. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Aflac will post 5.74 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on AFL shares. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Aflac in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. They set an equal weight rating and a $73.00 target price for the company. Citigroup decreased their target price on Aflac from $73.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Aflac from $77.00 to $72.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price target on Aflac from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $71.22.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aflac

In other Aflac news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.45, for a total value of $32,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,241,887.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Aflac news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.45, for a total value of $32,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,241,887.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 19,291 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.36, for a total value of $1,357,314.76. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 87,598 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,163,395.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 105,284 shares of company stock valued at $7,228,195 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aflac

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Aflac by 218.5% during the 1st quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 876 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 601 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Aflac by 572.9% during the 2nd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 895 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 762 shares during the period. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Aflac by 129.0% during the 4th quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 1,264 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the period. 66.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Aflac

(Get Rating)

Aflac, Inc is a holding company. engages in the provision of financial protection services. It operates through the followings segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac United States (U.S.). The Aflac Japan segment offers life insurance, death benefits, and cash surrender values. The Aflac U.S. segment sells voluntary supplemental insurance products for people who already have major medical or primary insurance coverage.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
American Equity Investment Life (NYSE:AEL  Get Rating) had its price objective upped by Piper Sandler from $39.00 to $44.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on AEL. Piper Jaffray Companies cut shares of American Equity Investment Life from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $45.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $48.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American Equity Investment Life in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $48.00 to $47.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.90.

Get American Equity Investment Life alerts:

American Equity Investment Life Stock Performance

NYSE AEL opened at $38.89 on Wednesday. American Equity Investment Life has a 1 year low of $28.05 and a 1 year high of $48.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.23 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.02 billion, a PE ratio of 8.09 and a beta of 0.88. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $37.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.94.

Insider Transactions at American Equity Investment Life

American Equity Investment Life ( NYSE:AEL Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The financial services provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $662.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $626.02 million. American Equity Investment Life had a net margin of 86.25% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 348.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.92 EPS. Analysts predict that American Equity Investment Life will post 5.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Alan David Matula acquired 7,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $35.50 per share, for a total transaction of $252,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 39,942 shares in the company, valued at $1,417,941. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.59% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. TD Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in American Equity Investment Life in the 3rd quarter valued at $608,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in American Equity Investment Life by 49.9% in the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Phase 2 Partners LLC bought a new stake in American Equity Investment Life in the 3rd quarter valued at $7,563,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in American Equity Investment Life by 135.2% in the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 30,917 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,153,000 after acquiring an additional 17,771 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Equity Investment Life in the 3rd quarter valued at $8,401,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.03% of the companys stock.

American Equity Investment Life Company Profile

(Get Rating)

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co engages in the development and sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuity products. It focuses on the following portfolios: commercial mortgage loans, agricultural mortgage loans, and residential mortgage loans. The company was founded by David J. Noble on December 15, 1995 and is headquartered in West Des Moines, IA.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for American Equity Investment Life Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Equity Investment Life and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
ING Groep (NYSE:ING  Get Rating) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $14.24.

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com began coverage on ING Groep in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Societe Generale downgraded ING Groep from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd.

Get ING Groep alerts:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of ING Groep by 17.0% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 202,967 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,117,000 after purchasing an additional 29,528 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of ING Groep by 17.2% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 20,836 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 3,060 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its position in shares of ING Groep by 11.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 16,011 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $167,000 after acquiring an additional 1,673 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of ING Groep by 12.8% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 14,346 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $149,000 after acquiring an additional 1,633 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its position in shares of ING Groep by 5.0% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 183,067 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,909,000 after acquiring an additional 8,764 shares in the last quarter. 3.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

ING Groep Stock Performance

ING Groep Increases Dividend

ING opened at $12.69 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $47.29 billion, a PE ratio of 12.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. ING Groep has a 1 year low of $8.14 and a 1 year high of $14.72. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $12.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.52.

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 27th were paid a $0.4101 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 26th. This is a boost from ING Groeps previous semi-annual dividend of $0.07. ING Groeps dividend payout ratio is currently 67.65%.

About ING Groep

(Get Rating)

ING Groep NV engages in the provision of banking, investments, life and non-life insurance, and retirement and asset management services. It operates through the following segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, Wholesale Banking, and Corporate Line. The Retail Netherlands segment offers current and savings accounts, business lending, mortgages, and consumer lending.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for ING Groep Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ING Groep and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Rating) (TSE:CM) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on CM. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, CIBC upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have given 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 $74.88.

Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock opened at $41.65 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $37.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.01. The companys 50 day moving average is $42.15 and its 200 day moving average is $43.70. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a twelve month low of $39.40 and a twelve month high of $56.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( NYSE:CM Get Rating ) (TSE:CM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 24th. The bank reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $4.40 billion for the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 12.75% and a return on equity of 14.51%. Research analysts anticipate that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.63 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 28th were issued a $0.639 dividend. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.14%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is currently 63.20%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 31,644,399 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,384,759,000 after acquiring an additional 1,107,934 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 20.8% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 27,083,647 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,188,476,000 after acquiring an additional 4,670,453 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 594.2% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 14,574,235 shares of the banks stock valued at $589,327,000 after acquiring an additional 12,474,796 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 15.1% in the 1st quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 10,226,219 shares of the banks stock valued at $433,219,000 after acquiring an additional 1,342,882 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 4th quarter valued at $305,412,000. 44.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

(Get Rating)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is a financial institution, which engages in the provision of banking and wealth management services. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Personal and Business Banking, Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, Capital Markets, and Corporate and Other.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.